TheywerealonebynowandLouiseraisedherveil，raiseditsohighthathecouldseehereyes。Sheleanedbackinherchair，supportingherchinwiththelong，exquisitefingersofherrighthand。Shelookedathimthoughtfully。
\"Youhaveexaminedthepocket-book？\"sheasked。
\"Ihave。\"
\"Andthedocumentwasthere？\"
\"Thedocumentwasthere，\"headmitted。\"Perhapsyoucantellmehowitwouldbeaddressed？\"
Lookingatherclosely，itcametohimthatherindifferencewasassumed。Shewasshiveringslightly，asthoughwithcold。
\"Iimaginethattherewouldbenoaddress，\"shesaid。
\"Youareright。Thatdocumentisinmypocket。\"
\"Whatareyougoingtodowithit？\"sheasked。
\"Whatdoyouadvisemetodowithit？\"
\"Giveittome。\"
\"Haveyouanyclaim？\"
Sheleanedalittlenearertohim。
\"AtleastIhavemoreclaimtoit，\"shewhispered，\"thanyoutothattwentythousandpounds。\"
\"Idonotclaimthem，\"hereplied。\"Theyareinmysafeatthismoment，untouched。Theyaretherereadytobereturnedtotheirproperowner。\"
\"Whydoyounotfindhim？\"-withanoteofincredulityinhertone。
\"HowamItodothat？\"Laverickdemanded。
\"Wewastewords，\"shecontinuedcoldly。\"IthinkthatifIleaveyouwiththecontentsofyoursafe，itwillbewiseforyoutohandmethatdocument。\"
\"Iaminclinedtodoso，\"Laverickadmitted。\"Theveryfactthatyouknewofitsexistencewouldseemtogiveyouasortofclaimtoit。But，MademoiselleIdiale，willyouanswermeafewquestions？\"
\"Ithink，\"shesaid，\"thatitwouldbebetterifyouaskedmenone。\"
\"Butlisten，\"hebegged。\"YouaretheonlypersonwithwhomIhavecomeintotouchwhoseemstoknowanythingaboutthisaffair。I
shouldratherliketotellyouexactlyhowIstumbledinuponit。
Whycanwenotexchangeconfidenceforconfidence？Iwantneitherthetwentythousandpoundsnorthedocument。Iwant，tobefrankwithyou，nothingbuttoescapefromthepositionIamnowinofbeinghalfathiefandhalfacriminal。Showmesomeclaimtothatdocumentandyoushallhaveit。Tellmetowhomthatmoneybelongs，anditshallberestored。\"
\"Youareincomprehensible，\"shedeclared。\"Areyou，byanychance，playingapartwithme？Doyouthinkthatitisworthwhile？\"
\"MademoiselleIdiale，\"Laverickprotestedearnestly，\"nothingintheworldisfurtherfrommythoughts。Thereisverylittleoftheconspiratoraboutme。Iamaplainmanofbusinesswhostumbledinuponthisaffairatacriticalmomentanddaredtomaketemporaryuseofhisdiscovery。Youcanputit，ifyoulike，thatIamafraid。
Iwanttogetout。Nothingwouldgivemegreaterpleasure，ifsuchathingwerepossible，thantosendthispocket-bookanditscontentsanonymouslytoScotlandYard，andneverhearaboutthemagain。
Shelistenedtohimwithunchangedface。Yetforsomemomentsafterhehadfinishedspeakingshewasthoughtful。
\"Youmaybespeakingthetruth，\"shesaid。\"Ifso，Ihavebeendeceived。YouarenotquitethesortofmanIdidbelieveyouwere。
Whatyoutellmeisamazing，butitmaybetrue。\"
\"Itisthetruth，\"Laverickrepeatedcalmly。
\"Listen，\"shesaid，afterabriefpause。\"Youwereatschool，wereyounot，withMr。DavidBellamy？Youknowwellwhoheis？\"
\"Perfectlywell，\"Laverickadmitted。
\"Youwouldconsiderhimapersontobetrusted？\"
\"Absolutely。\"
\"Verywell，then，\"shedeclared。\"Youshallcometomyfiatatfiveo\'clockthisafternoonandbringthatdocument。Ifitispossible，DavidBellamyshallbetherehimself。Wewilltrythenandprovetoyouthatyoudonoharminpartingwiththatdocumenttous。\"
\"Iwillcome，\"Laverickpromised，\"atfiveo\'clock；butyoumusttellmewhere。\"
\"Youwillputitdown，please，\"shesaid。\"Theremustnotbeanymistake。Youmustcome，andyoumustcometo-day。Iamstayingatnumber15，DoverStreet。Iwillleaveordersthatyouareshowninatonce。\"
Sherosetoherfeetandhewalkedtothedoorwithher。Onthewayshehesitated。
\"Takecareofyourselfto-day，Mr。Laverick，\"shebegged。\"Thereareothersbesidemyselfwhoareinterestedinthatpacketyoucarrywithyou。Yourepresenttothemthingsbesidewhichlifeanddeatharetrivialhappenings。\"
Lavericklaughedshortly。Hewasamatter-of-factman，andthereseemedsomethingalittleabsurdinsuchawarning。
\"Idonotthink，\"hedeclared，\"thatyouneedhaveanyfear。Londonis，asyoudoubtlessfindit，adulloldcity，butitisaremarkablysafeonetolivein。\"
\"Nevertheless，Mr。Laverick，\"sherepeatedearnestly，\"beonyourguardto-day，foralloursakes。\"
Hebowedandchangedthesubject。
\"Yourinvestments，\"heremarked，\"youwillbecontent，perhaps，toleaveastheyare。Itis，nodoubt，ofsomeinteresttoyoutoknowthattheyareshowingalreadyaprofitofconsiderablyoverathousandpounds。\"
Sheshruggedhershoulders。
\"Itwasanexcuse-thatinvestment，\"shedeclared。\"Yetmoneyisalwaysgood。Keepitforme，Mr。Laverick，anddowhatyouwill。I
willtrustyourjudgment。Buyorsellasyouplease。Youwillletnothingpreventyourcomingthisafternoon？\"
\"Nothing，\"hepromisedher。
>Fromthewindowofherbeautifullyappointedlittleelectricbroughamsheheldoutherhandinfarewell。
\"Youthinkmefoolish，Iknow，thatIpersist，\"shesaid，\"butIdobegthatyouwillrememberwhatIsay。Donotbealoneto-daymorethanyoucanhelp。Suspecteveryonewhocomesneartoyou。Theremaybeatrapbeforeyourfeetatanymoment。Bewaryalwaysanddonotforget-atfiveo\'clockIexpectyou。\"
Lavericksmiledashebowedhisadieux。
\"Itisapromise，Mademoiselle，\"heassuredher。
CHAPTERXXVII
PENETRATINGAMYSTERY
AboutanhourafterMademoiselleIdiale\'sdepartureanotemarked\"Urgent\"wasbroughtinandhandedtoLaverick。Hetoreitopen。
Itwasdatedfromtheaddressofafirmofstockbrokers，withtwoofthepartnersofwhichhewasonfriendlyterms。Itranthus:
MYDEARLAVERICK，-Iwantachatwithyou，ifyoucansparefiveminutesatlunchtime。CometoLyons\'alittleearlierthanusual，ifyoudon\'tmind，-sayataquartertoone。
J。HENSHAW。
Laverickreadthetypewrittennotecarelesslyenoughatfirst。Hehadevenlaiditdownandglancedattheclock，withtheintentionofstartingout，whenathoughtstruckhim。Hetookitupandreaditthoughagain。Thenheturnedtothetelephone。
\"PutmeontotheofficeofHenshaw&Allen。IwanttospeaktoMr。
Henshawparticularly。\"
Twominutespassed。Laverick，meanwhile，hadbeenwashinghishandsreadytogoout。Thenthetelephonebellrang。Hetookupthereceiver。
\"Hullo！IsthatHenshaw？\"
\"I\'mHenshaw，\"wastheanswer。\"That\'sLaverick，isn\'tit？Howareyou，oldfellow？\"
\"I\'mallright，\"Laverickreplied。\"Whatisitthatyouwanttoseemeabout？\"
\"NothingparticularthatIknowof。WhotoldyouthatIwantedto？\"
Laverick，whohadbeenstandingwiththeinstrumentinhishand，satdowninhischair。
\"Lookhere，\"hesaid，\"Didn\'tyousendmeanoteafewminutesago，askingmetocomeouttolunchataquartertooneandmeetyouatLyons\'？\"
Henshaw\'slaughwassufficientresponse。
\"Delightedtolunchwithyouthereoranywhere，oldchap，-youknowthat，\"wastheanswer，\"butsomeone\'sbeenputtingupapracticaljokeonyou。\"
\"Youdidnotsendmeanoteroundthismorning，then？\"Laverickinsisted。
\"I\'llswearIdidn\'t，\"camethereply。\"Doyouseriouslymeanthatyou\'vehadonepurportingtocomefromme？\"
Laverickpulledhimselftogether。
\"Well，thesignature\'ssuchascrawl，\"hesaid，\"thatnoonecouldtellwhatthenamereallywas。IguessedatyoubutIseemtohaveguessedwrong。Good-bye！\"
Hesetdownthereceiverandrangofftoescapefurtherquestioning。
Nowindeedtheplotwascommencingtothicken。Thiswasadeliberateeffortonthepartofsomeonetosecurehisabsencefromhisofficesataquartertoone。
Withthedocumentinhispocketandthesafesecurelylocked，Laverickfeltateaseastotheresultofanyattemptedburglaryofhispremises。Atthesametimehiscuriositywasexcited。Here，perhaps，wasachanceoffindingsomecluetothisimpenetrablemystery。
Thereweretheeclerksintheouteroffice。Heputonhishatanddespatchedtwoofthemonerrandsindifferentdirections。Thelasthewasobligedtotakeintohisconfidence。
\"Halsey，\"hesaid，\"Iamgoingouttolunch。Atleast，IwishittobethoughtthatIamgoingouttolunch。Asamatteroffact，I
shallreturninabouttenminutesbythebackway。Idonotwishyou，however，toknowthis。IwantyoutohaveitinyourmindthatIhavegonetolunchandshallnotbebackuntilaquarterpasttwo。Iftherearevisitorsforme-Inquirersofanysort-actexactlyasyouwouldhavedoneifyoureallybelievedthatIwasnotinthebuilding。\"
Halseyappearedagooddealmystified。Lavericktookhimevenfurtherintohisconfidence。
\"Totellyouthetruth，Halsey，\"hesaid，\"IhavejustreceivedabogusletterfromMr。Henshaw，askingmetolunchwithhim。Someonewasevidentlyanxioustogetmeoutofmyofficeforanhourorso。Iwanttofindoutformyselfwhatthismeans，ifpossible。
Youunderstand？\"
\"Ithinkso，sir，\"themanreplieddoubtfully。\"Iamnottobeawarethatyouhavereturned，then？\"
\"Certainlynot，\"Laverickanswered。\"Pleasebequiteclearaboutthat。Ifyouhearanycommotionintheoffice，youcancomein，butdonotsendforthepoliceunlessItellyouto。Iwishtolookintothisaffairformyself。\"
Halsey，whohadstartedlifeasalawyer\'sclerk，andwasdistinctlyformalinhisideas，wasalittleshocked。
\"Woulditnotbebetter，sir，\"hesuggested，\"formetocommunicatewiththepoliceinthefirstcase？Ifthisshouldreallyturnouttobeanattemptatburglary，itwouldsurelybebesttoleavethemattertothem。\"
Laverickfrowned。
\"Forcertainreasons，Halsey，whichIdonotthinkitnecessarytotellyou，Ihaveastrongdesiretoinvestigatethismatterpersonally。PleasedoexactlyasIsay。\"
Helefttheofficeandstrolledupthestreetinthedirectionoftherestaurantwhichhechieflyfrequented。Hereacheditinamomentortwo，butleftitatoncebyanotherentrance。Withintenminuteshewasbackathisoffice。
\"Hasanyonebeen，Halsey？\"
\"Noone，sir，\"theclerkanswered。
\"Youwillbesogood，\"Laverickcontinued，\"astoforgetthatI
havereturned。\"
Hepassedonquicklyintohisownroomandmadehiswayintothesmallclosetwherehekepthiscoatandwashedhishands。Hehadscarcelybeenthereaminutewhenheheardvoicesintheoutsidehall。Thedoorofhisofficewasopened。
\"Mr。Lavericksaidnothingaboutanappointmentatthishour，\"heheardHalseyprotestinasomewhatdeprecatingtone。
\"Hehad，perhaps，forgotten，\"wastheanswer，inatotallyunfamiliarvoice。\"Atanyrate，Iamnotinagreathurry。Thematterisofsomeimportance，however，andIwillwaitforMr。Laverick。\"
Thevisitorwasshownin。Laverickinvestigatedhisappearancethroughacrackinthedoor。Hewasamanofmediumheight，well-dressed，clean-shaven，andworegold-rimmedspectacles。HemadehimselfcomfortableinLaverick\'seasy-chair，andacceptedthepaperwhichHalseyofferedhim。
\"Ishallbequitegladofarest，\"heremarkedgenially。\"Ihavebeenrunningaboutallthemorning。\"
\"Mr。Laverickisneververylongoutforlunch，sir，\"Halseysaid。
\"Idaresayhewillnotkeepyoumorethanaquarterofanhourortwentyminutes。\"
Theclerkwithdrewandclosedthedoor。Themaninthechairwaitedforamoment。Thenhelaiddownhisnewspaperandlookedcautiouslyaroundtheroom。Satisfiedapparentlythathewasalone，herosetohisfeetandwalkedswiftlytoLaverick\'swriting-table。Withfingerswhichseemedgiftedwithalightning-likecapacityformovement，heswungopenthedrawers，onebyone，andturnedoverthepapers。Hiseyeswereeverywhere。Everydocumentseemedtobescannedandasrapidlydiscarded。Atlasthefoundsomethingwhichinterestedhim。
Hehelditupandpausedinhissearch。Laverickheardalittlebreathcomethoughhisteeth，andwithathrillherecognizedthepaperasonewhichhehadtornfromamemorandumtabletanduponwhichhehadwrittendowntheaddresswhichMademoiselleIdialehadgivenhim。Themanwiththegold-rimmedglassesreplacedthepaperwherehehadfoundit。Evidentlyhehaddonewiththewriting-table。
Hemovedswiftlyovertothesafeandstoodtherelisteningforafewseconds。Thenfromhispockethedrewabunchofkeys。ToLaverick\'ssurprise，atthestranger\'sfirsteffortthegreatdoorofthesafeswungopen。Hesawthemanleanforward，sawhishandreappearalmostdirectlywiththepocket-bookclenchedinhisfingers。
Thenhestoodoncemorequitestill，listening。Satisfiedthatnoonewasdisturbed，heclosedthedoorofthesafesoftlyandmovedoncemoretothewriting-table。Withmarvelousswiftnessthenoteswerelaiduponthetable，thepocket-bookwasturnedupsidedown，thesecretplacedisclosed-thesecretplacewhichwasempty。ItseemedtoLaverickthatfromhishiding-placehecouldhearthelittleoathofdisappointmentwhichbrokefromthethinredlips。Themanreplacedthenotesand，withthepocket-bookinhishand，hesitated。
Laverick，whothoughtthatthingshadgonefarenough，steppedlightlyoutfromhishiding-placeandstoodbetweenhisunbiddenvisitorandthedoor。
\"Youhadbetterputdownthatpocket-book，\"heorderedquietly。
Themanwasuponhimwithasinglespring，butLaverick，withouttheslightesthesitation，knockedhimproneuponthefloor，wherehelay，foramoment，motionless。Thenheslowlypickedhimselfup。
Hisspectacleswerebroken-heblinkedashestoodthere。
\"Sorrytobesorough，\"Lavericksaid。\"PerhapsifyouwillkindlyrealizethatofthetwoIammuchthestrongerman，youwillbesogoodastositinthatchairandtellmethemeaningofyourintrusion。\"
Themanobeyed。Hecoveredhiseyeswithhishand，foramoment，asthoughinpain。
\"Iimagine，\"hesaid-anditseemedtoLaverickthathisvoicehadaslightforeignaccent-\"Iimaginethatthemotiveformypayingyouthisvisitisfairlycleartoyou。Peoplewhohavecompromisingpossessionsmayalwaysexpectvisitsofthissort。Yousee，onerunssolittlerisk。\"
\"Solittlerisk！\"Laverickrepeated。
\"Exactly，\"theotheranswered。\"Confessthatyouarenotintheleastinclinedtoringyourbellandsendforaconstabletogivemeinchargeforbeinginpossessionofapocket-bookabstractedfromyoursafe，containingtwentythousandpoundsinBankofEnglandnotes。\"
\"Itwouldn\'tdoatall，\"Laverickadmitted。
\"Youareamanofcommonsense，\"declaredtheother。\"Itwouldnotdo。NowcomesthetimewhenIhaveaquestiontoaskyou。Therewasasealeddocumentinthispocket-book。Whereisit？Whathaveyoudonewithit？\"
\"Canyoutellme，\"Laverickasked，\"whyIshouldanswerquestionsfromapersonwhomIdiscoverapparentlyengagedinanefariousattemptatburglary？\"
Theman\'shandshotoutfromhistrouser-pocket，andLavericklookedintothegleamingmuzzleofarevolver。
\"Becauseifyoudon\'t，youdie，\"wasthequickreply。\"Whetheryou\'vereadthatdocumentornot，Iwantit。Ifyou\'vereadit，youknowthesortofmenyou\'vegottodealwith。Ifyouhaven\'t，takemywordforitthatwewastenotime。Thedocument！Willyougiveitme？\"
\"DoIunderstandthatyouarethreateningme？\"Laverickasked，retreatingafewsteps。
\"Youmayunderstandthatthisisarepeatingrevolver，andthatI
seldommissahalf-crownattwentypaces，\"hisvisitoranswered。
\"Ifyouputoutyourhandtowardthatbell，itwillbethelastmovementyou\'llevermakeonearth。\"
\"Londonisn\'treallytheplaceforthissortofthing，\"Lavericksaid。\"Ifyoudischargethatrevolver，youhaven\'tadog\'schanceofgettingclearofthebuilding。Myclerkswouldrushoutafteryouintothestreet。You\'dfindyourselfsurroundedbyacrowdofbusinessmen。Youcouldn\'tmakeyourwaythroughanywhere。You\'dbeheldupbeforeyou\'dgoneadozenyards。Putdownyourrevolver。
Wecanperhapssettlethislittlematterwithoutit。\"
\"Thedocument！\"themanordered。\"You\'vegotit！Youmusthaveit！
Youtookthatpocket-bookfromadeadman，andinthatpocket-bookwasthedocument。Wemusthaveit。Weintendtohaveit。\"
\"Andwho，mayIask，arewe？\"Laverickinquired。
\"Ifyoudonotknow，whatdoesitmatter？Willyougiveittome？\"
Laverickshookhishead。
\"Ihavenodocument。\"
Themaninthechairleanedforward。Themuzzleofhisrevolverwasverybright，andhehelditinfingerswhichwerefirmasarock。
\"Giveittome！\"herepeated。\"Yououghttoknowthatyouarenotdealingwithmenwhoareunaccustomedtodeath。Youhaveitaboutyou。Produceit，andI\'vedonewithyou。Denyme，andyouhavenottimetosayyourprayers！\"
Laverickwasleaningagainstasmalltablewhichstoodnearthedoor。
Hisfingerssuddenlygrippedtheledgerwhichlayuponit。Hehelditinfrontofhisfaceforasinglemoment，andthendasheditathisvisitor。Hefollowedbehindwithonedesperatespring。Once，twice，therevolverbarkedout。Laverickfelttheskinofhistempleburnandaflickontheearwhichremindedhimofhisschool-days。
Thenhishandwasupontheotherman\'sthroatandtherevolverlayuponthecarpet。
\"We\'llseeaboutthat。BytheLord，I\'veagoodmindtowringthelifeoutofyou。Thatbulletofyoursmighthavebeeninmytemple。\"
\"Itwasmeanttobethere，\"themangasped。\"Handoverthedocument，youpig-headedfool！It\'llcostyouyourlife-ifnotto-day，to-morrow。\"
\"I\'llbehangedifyougetit，anyway！\"Laverickansweredfiercely。
\"Youassassin！Scoundrel！Tocomehereandmakeacold-bloodedeffortatmurder！YoushallseewhatyouthinkoftheinsideofanEnglishprison。\"
Themanlaughedcontemptuously。
\"Andwhataboutthepocket-book？\"heasked。
Laverickwassilent。Hisassailantsmiledandshruggedhisshoulders。
\"Come，\"hesaid，\"Ihavemademyeffortandfailed。Youhavetwentythousandpounds。That\'safairprice，butI\'lladdanothertwentythousandforthatdocumentunopened。\"
\"Itispossiblethatwemightdeal，\"Laverickremarked，kickingtherevolveralittlefurtheraway。\"Unfortunately，Iamtoomuchinthedark。Tellmetherealpositionofthemurderedman？Tellmewhyhewasmurdered？Tellmethecontentsofthisdocumentandwhyitwasinhispossession？PerhapsImaythenbeinclinedtotreatwithyou。\"
\"Youareeitheranastonishinglyingenuousperson，Mr。Laverick，\"
hisvisitordeclared，\"oryou\'retoosubtleforme。Youdonotexpectmetobelievethatyouareinthiswithyoureyesblindfolded？
Youdonotexpectmetobelievethatyoudonotknowwhatisinthatsealedenvelope？Bah！Itisachild\'sgame，that，andweplayasmenwithmen。\"
Laverickshookhishead。
\"Youroffer，\"heasked，\"whatisitexactly？\"
\"Twentythousandpounds，\"themananswered。\"Thedocumentisworthnomorethanthattoyou。Howyoucameintothisthingisamystery，butyouareinand，whatismore，youhavepossession。Twentythousandpounds，Mr。Laverick。Itisalargesumofmoney。Youfinditinteresting？\"
\"Ifinditinteresting，\"Laverickanswereddryly，\"butIamnotaseller。\"
Theintrudermovedhishandawayfromhiseyes。Hisexpressionwasfullofwonder。
\"Considerforamoment，\"hesaid。\"Whilethatdocumentremainsinyourpossession，youwalkthenarrowway，yourlifehangsuponathread。Bettersurrenderitandattendtoyourstocksandshares。
Heavenknowshowyoufirstcameintoouraffairs，butthesooneryouareoutofthemthebetter。Whatdoyousaynowtomyoffer？\"
\"Itisrefused，\"Laverickdeclared。\"Iregret；toadd，\"hecontinued，\"thatIhavealreadysparedyouallthetimeIhaveatmydisposal。Forgiveme。\"
Hepressedabuttonwithhisfinger。Hisvisitorroseupinanger。
\"Youarenotsuchafool！\"heexclaimed。\"Youarenotgoingtosendmeawaywithoutit？Why，Itellyouthattherewon\'tbeasafecornerintheWorldforyou！\"
Halseyopenedthedoor。Lavericknoddedtowardhisvisitor。
\"Showthisgentlemanout，Halsey，\"heordered。
Halseystarted。Thenoiseoftherevolvershothadevidentlybeenmuffledbytheheavyconnectingdoors，buttherewasasmellofgunpowderintheroom，andalittlewreathofsmoke。Themanroseslowlytohisfeet，stillblinking。
\"Itmustbeasyouwill，ofcourse。Iwonderifyouwouldbesogoodastoletyourclerkdirectmetoanoculist？Iam，unfortunately，ahelplessmaninthiscondition。\"
\"Thereisoneafewyardsoff，\"Laverickanswered。\"Putonyourhat，Halsey，andshowthisgentlemanwherehecangetsomeglasses。\"
HisvisitorleanedtowardsLaverick。
\"Itisyourlifewhichisinquestion，notmyeyesight，\"hemuttered。
\"Doyouacceptmyoffer？Willyougivemethedocument？\"
\"IdonotandIwillnot，\"Laverickreplied。\"IshallnotpartwithanythinguntilIknowmorethanIknowatpresent。\"
Themanstoodmotionlessforamoment。Hisfingersseemedtobetwitching。Laverickhadafancythathewasabouttospring，butifeverhehadhadanythoughtsofthekind，Halsey\'sreappearancecheckedthem。
\"Iammuchobligedtoyou，Mr。Laverick，\"hesaidquietly。\"Weshall，perhaps，resumethisdiscussionatsomefuturedate。\"
WiththatheturnedandfollowedHalseyoutoftheroom。Laverickwenttothewindowandthrewitwideopen。Thesmokefloatedout，thesmellofgunpowderwasgraduallydispersed。Thenhewalkedbacktohisseat。Oncemorehelockedupthenotes。Thedocumentwassafeinhispocket。Therewasaslightmarkbythesideofhistemple，andhisear，hediscovered，wasbleeding。HerangthebellandHalseyentered。
\"Hasourfriendgone，Halsey？\"
\"Ilefthimintheoptician\'s，sir，\"theclerkanswered。\"Hewasbuyingsomespectacles。\"
Laverickglancedatthefloor，wheretheremainsofthosegold-rimmedglasseswerescattered。
\"Youhadbettersendforalocksmithatonce，\"hesaid。\"Thegentlemanwhohasbeenherehadaskeletonkeytomysafe。We\'llhaveacombinationputon。\"
\"Verygood，sir，\"Halseyanswered。
\"And，Halsey，\"hismastercontinued，\"becarefulaboutonething，foryourownsakeaswellasmine。Ifthatmanpresentshimselfagain，don\'tlethimcomeintomyroomunannounced。Ifyoucanhelpit，don\'tlethimcomeinatall。Ihaveanideathathemightbedangerous。\"
Theclerk\'sfacewasastudy。
\"Ifhepresentshimselfhere，sir，\"heannouncedstiffly，\"Ishalltakethelibertyofsendingforthepolice。\"
Laverickmadenoreply。
CHAPTERXXVIII
LAVERICK\'SNARROWESCAPE
Atpreciselyaquarterpastfour，nothinghavinghappenedinthemeantimebutasteadyrushofbusiness，Laverickorderedataxicabtobesummoned。Hethenunlockedhissafe，placedthepocket-booksecurelyinhisbreastpocket，walkedthroughtheoffice，anddirectedthemantodrivetoChanceryLane。HereattheheadquartersoftheSafeDepositCompanyheengagedacompartment，anddowninthestrong-roomlockedupthepocket-book。Therewasonlynowthedocumentleft。Steppingoncemoreintothestreet，hefoundthathistaxicabhadvanished。Helookedupanddowninvain。Themanhadnotbeenpaidandthereseemedtobenoreasonforhisdeparture。Apolicemanwhowasstandingbytouchedhishatandaddressedhim。
\"Wereyoulookingforthattaxiyousteppedoutofafewminutesago，sir？\"heasked。
\"Iwas，\"Laverickanswered。\"Ihadn\'tpaidhimandItoldhimtowait。\"
\"Ithoughttherewassomethingqueeraboutit，\"thepolicemanremarked。\"Soonafteryouhadgoneinside，twogentlemendroveupinahansom。Theygotouthereandoneofthemspoketoyourdriver，whoshookhisheadandpointedtohisflag。Thegentthensaidsomethingelsetohim-can\'tsayasIheardwhatitwas，butitwasprobablyofferinghimdoublefare。Anyway，theybothgotinandoffwentyourtaxi，sir。\"
\"Thankyou，\"Lavericksaidthoughtfully。\"Itsoundsalittleperplexing。\"
Hehesitatedforamoment。
\"Constable，\"hecontinued，\"Ihavejustmadeaveryvaluabledepositinthere，andIhadanideathatImightbefollowed。Ihavestillinmypocketadocumentofgreatimportance。Ihavenodoubtwhateverbutthattheobjectofthemenwhohavetakenmytaxicabistoleavemeinthestreetherealoneundercircumstanceswhichwillrenderaquickattackuponmelikelytobesuccessful。\"
ThepolicemanturnedhisheadandlookedatLaverickincredulously。
Hewasmorethanhalfinclinedtobelievethatthiswasapracticaljoke。WeretheynotstandingonthepavementinChanceryLane，andwasnotheanable-bodiedpolicemanofgreatbulkandimmensemuscle！
Yethiscompaniondidnotlookbyanymeansamanofthenervousorder。Laverickwasbroad-shouldered，hisskinwastannedawholesomecolor，hisbearingwasthebearingofamanpreparedtodefendhimselfatanytime。Theconstablesmiledinanon-committalmanner。
\"Ifyou\'llexcusemysayingso，sir，\"heremarked，\"Idon\'tthinkthisisexactlythespotanyonewouldchooseforanassault。\"
\"Iagreewithyou，\"Laverickanswered，\"but，ontheotherhand，youmustrememberthatthesegentlemenhavehadnochoice。Isteppedfrommyofficedirectintothetaxi，andIproposedtodrivestraightfromheretotheplacewhereIshallprobablyleavetheotherdocumentIamcarryingwithme。WhyIhavetakenyouintomyconfidenceistoaskyouthis。Canyouwalkwithmetothecornerofthestreet，oruntilwemeetataxicab？itsoundscowardly，but，asamatteroffact，Iamnotafraid。Isimplywanttomakesureofdeliveringthisdocumenttothepersontowhomitbelongs。\"
Theconstablestoodstill，alittleperplexed。
\"Mybeat，sir，\"hesaid，\"onlygoesabouttwenty-fiveyardsfurtheron。IwillwalktothecornerofHolbornwithyou，ifyoudesireit。Atthesametime，ImaysaythatIambreakingregulations。
HowdoIknowthatitisnotyourschemetogetmeawayfromthisneighborhoodforsomepurposeofyourown？\"
\"Youdon\'tbelieveanythingofthesort，\"Laverickdeclared，withasmile。
\"Idonot，sir，\"thepolicemanadmitted。\"Keepbymyside，andI
thinkthatnothingwillhappentoyoubeforewereachHolborn。\"
Laverickwasamanofmorethanmediumheight，butbythesideofthepolicemanheseemedshort。Bothscannedthefacesofthepassers-byclosely-thepolice-manwithmildinterest，Laverickwithalmostfeverishanxiety。Itwasagrayafternoon，pleasantbutclose。ThereseemedtobenothingwhatevertoaccountforthefeelingofnervousnesswhichhadsuddenlycomeoverLaverick。Hefelthimselfindanger-hehadnoideahow，orinwhatway-buttheconvictionwasthere。Hetookeverystepfullyalert，absolutelyonhisguard。
TheywerealmostwithinsightofHolbornwhenacryfromthebystanderscausedthemtolookawayintothemiddleoftheroad。
Laverickonlycastoneglancethereandabandonedeveryinstinctofcuriosity，thinkingoncemoreonlyofhimselfandhisownposition。Withtheconstable，however，itwasnaturallydifferent。
Hesawsomethingwhichcalledatonceforhisintervention，andheimmediatelyforgotthesomewhatsingulartaskuponwhichhewasengaged。Amanhadfalleninthemiddleofthestreet，eitherknockeddownbytheshaftofapassingvehicleorinsomesortoffit。Therewasatangleofrearinghorses，anomnibuswasmakingdesperateeffortstoavoidtheprostratebody。Theconstablesprangtotherescue。Laverick，instantlysuspiciousandrealizingthattherewasnooneinfrontofhim，turnedswiftlyaround。Hewasjustintimetoreceiveuponhisleftarmtheblowwhichhadbeenmeantforthebackofhishead。Hewasconfrontedbyamandressedexactlyashehimselfwas，inmorningcoatandsilkhat，amanwithlong，leanfaceandlegalappearance，suchapersonaswouldhavepassedanywherewithoutattractingamoment\'ssuspicion。
Yet，inthespaceofafewsecondshehadwhippedoutfromonepocket，withtheskillalmostofajuggler，avicious-lookinglife-preserver，andfromtheotherapocket-handkerchiefsoakedwithchloroform。Laverick，quickandresourceful，feelinghisleftarmsinkhelpless，struckatthemanwithhisrightandsenthimstaggeringagainstthewall。Thehandkerchief，withitsloadofsickeningodor，felltothepavement。Themanwasobviouslyworsted。Lavericksprangathim。Theywerealmostunobserved，forthecrowdwasallintentupontheaccidentintheroadway。
Withwonderfulskill，hisassailanteludedhisattempttoclose，andtoreathiscoat。Laverickstruckathimagainbutmetonlytheair。Theman\'sfingersnowwereuponhispocket，butthistimeLaverickmadenomistake。Hestruckdownwardsohardthatwithafiercecryofpainthemanrelaxedhishold。Beforehecouldrecover，Laverickhadstruckhimagain。Hereeledintothecrowdthatwasfastgatheringaroundthem，attractedbywhatseemedtobeafightbetweentwomenofunexceptionableappearance。
Buttherewastobenomorefight。Throughthepeople，swift-footed，cunning，resourceful，hisassailantseemedtofindsomehiddenway。Laverickglaredfiercelyaroundhim，butthemanhadgone。Hislefthandcrepttohischest。Thevictorywaswithhim；thedocumentwasstillthere。
Attheoutsideofthedoublecrowdheperceivedataxi。Ignoringthestormofquestionswithwhichhewasassailed，andtheadvancinghelmetofhisfriendthepolicemanatthebackofthecrowd，Laverickhaileditandsteppedquicklyinside。
\"BackoutofthisanddrivetoDoverStreet，\"hedirected。Themanobeyedhim。Peopleracedtolookthroughthewindowathim。
Theothercommotionhaddiedaway，-themanintheroadhadgotupandwalkedoff。Apolicemancamehurryingalongbuthewasjusttoolate。VerysoontheywereontheirwaydownHolborn。OncemoreLaverickhadescaped。
AFrenchman-servant，withthesadfaceandimmaculatedressofaHigh-Churchcleric，tookpossessionofhimassoonashehadaskedforMademoiselleIdiale。Hewasshownintooneofthemostdelightfullittleroomshehadeverevendreamedof。ThewallswerehungwiththatpeculiarshadeofbluesatinwhichMademoisellesooftenaffectedinherclothes。Laverick，whowassomethingofaconnoisseur，sawnowhereanyobjectwhichwasnot，ofitssort，priceless，-Frenchfurnitureofthebestandchoicestperiod，astatuettewhichmadehim，foramoment，almostforgetthescenefromwhichhehadjustarrived。Theairintheroomseemedasthoughithadpassedthroughagroveoflemontrees，-itwasfreshandsweetyetcuriouslyfragrant。Lavericksankdownintooneoftheluxuriousblue-brocadedchairs，consciousforthefirsttimethathewasoutofbreath。Thenthedooropenedsilentlyandthereenterednotthewomanwhomhehadbeenexpecting，butMr。
Lassen。Laverickrosetohisfeethalfdoubtfully。Lassen\'ssmall，queerly-shapedfaceseemedtohavebecomeonehugeingratiatingsmile。
\"Iamverygladtoseeyou，Mr。Laverick，\"hesaid，-\"verygladindeed。\"
\"IhavecometocalluponMademoiselleIdiale，\"Laverickanswered，somewhatcurtly。Hehaddislikedthismanfromthefirstmomenthehadseenhim，andhesawnoparticularreasonwhyheshouldconcealhisfeelings。
\"Iamheretoexplain，\"Mr。Lassencontinued，seatinghimselfoppositetoLaverick。\"MademoiselleIdialeisunfortunatelypreventedfromseeingyou。Shehasaseverenervousheadache，andheronlychanceofappearingtonightistoremainperfectlyundisturbed。Womenofherposition，asyoumayunderstand，havetobeexceptionallycareful。Itwouldbeaveryseriousmatterindeedifshewereunabletosingto-night。\"
\"Iamexceedinglysorrytohearit，\"Laverickanswered。\"Inthatcase，IwillcallagainwhenMademoiselleIdialehasrecovered。\"
\"Byallmeans，mydearsir！\"Mr。Lassenexclaimed。\"Manytimes，letushope。Butinthemeantime，thereisalittleaffairofadocumentwhichyouweregoingtodelivertoMademoiselle。Sheismostanxiousthatyoushouldhandittome-mostanxious。Shewilltenderyouherthankspersonally，tomorroworthenextday，ifsheiswellenoughtoreceive。\"
Laverickshookhisheadfirmly。
\"Undernocircumstances，\"hedeclared，\"shouldIthinkofdeliveringthedocumentintoanyotherhandssavethoseofMademoiselleIdiale。
Totellyouthetruth，Ihadnotfullydecidedwhethertopartwithiteventoher。Iwassimplypreparedtohearwhatshehadtosay。
ButitmaysavetimeifIassureyou，Mr。Lassen，thatnothingwouldinducemetopartwithittoanyoneelse。\"
TherewasnotraceleftofthatingratiatingsmileuponMr。Lassen\'sface。Hehadtheappearancenowofanuglyanimalabouttoshowitsteeth。Laverickwassuddenlyonhisguard。Moreadventures，hethought，castingasomewhatcontemptuousglanceatthephysiqueoftheotherman。Helaidhisfingersasthoughcarelesslyuponasmallbronzeornamentwhichreposedamongstothersonatablebyhisside。IfMr。Lassen\'sfatanduglyhandshouldstealtowardhispocket，Laverickwaspreparedtohurltheornamentathishead。
\"Iamverysorrytohearyousaythat，Mr。Laverick，\"Lassensaidslowly。\"Ihopeverymuchthatyouwillseeyourwaycleartochangeyourmind。IcanassureyouthatIhaveasmuchrighttothedocumentasMademoiselleIdiale，andthatitisherearnestwishthatyoushouldhanditovertome。Further，Imayinformyouthatthedocumentitselfisamostincriminatingone。Itspossessionuponyourperson，oruponthepersonofanyonewhowasnotuponhisguard，mightbeaveryseriousmatterindeed。\"
Laverickshruggedhisshoulders。
\"Asamatteroffact，\"hedeclared，\"Icertainlyhavenoideaofcarryingitaboutwithme。Ontheotherhand，Ishallpartwithittonoone。ImightdiscussthematterwithMademoiselleIdialeassoonassheisrecovered。Iamnotdisposed-Imeannooffence，sir-butImaysayfranklythatIamnotdisposedeventodoasmuchwithyou。\"
Laverickrosetohisfeetwiththeobviousintentionofleaving。
Lassenfollowedhisexampleandconfrontedhim。
\"Mr。Laverick，\"hesaid，\"inyourowninterestsyoumustnottalklikethat，-inyourowninterests，Isay。\"
\"Atanyrate，\"Laverickremarked，\"myinterestsarebetterlookedafterbymyselfthanbystrangers。Youmustforgivemyadding，Mr。Lassen，thatyouareastrangertome。\"
\"NomoresothanMademoiselleIdiale！\"thelittlemanexclaimed。
\"MademoiselleIdialehasgivenmecertainproofthatsheknewatleastoftheexistenceofthisdocument，\"Laverickanswered。\"Shehasestablished，therefore，acertainclaimtomyconsideration。
YouannounceyourselfasMademoiselleIdiale\'sdeputy，butyoubringmenoproofofthefact，nor，inanycase，amIdisposedtotreatwithyou。Youmustallowmetowishyougoodafternoon。\"
Lassenshookhishead。
\"Mr。Laverick，\"hedeclared，\"youaretooimpetuous。Youforcemetoremindyouthatyourownpositionasholderofthatdocumentisnotaverysecureone。Allthepoliceinthiscapitalaresearchingto-dayforthemanwhokilledthatunfortunatecreaturewhowasfoundmurderedinCrookedFriars\'Alley。Iftheycouldfindthemanwhowasinpossessionofhispocket-book，whowasinpossessionoftwentythousandpoundstakenfromthedeadman\'sbodyandwithithadsavedhisbusinessandhiscredit，howthen，doyouthink？
Isaynothingofthedocument。\"
Laverickwassilentforamoment。Herealized，however，thattomaketermswiththismanwasimpossible。Besides，hedidnottrusthim。HedidnoteventrusthimsofarastobelievehimtheaccreditedenvoyofMademoiselle。
\"Myunfortunateposition，\"Lavericksaid，\"hasnothingwhatevertodowiththematter。WhereyougotyourinformationfromIcannotsay。Ineitheracceptnordenyit。ButIcanassureyouthatI
amnottobeintimidated。Thisdocumentwillremaininmypossessionuntilsomeonecanshowmeaverygoodreasonforpartingwithit。\"
Lassenbeatthebackofthechairagainstwhichhewasstandingwithhisclenchedfist。
\"Areasonwhyyoushouldpartwithit！\"heexclaimedfiercely。\"Man，itstaresyouthereintheface！Ifyoudonotpartwithit，youwillbearrestedwithintwenty-fourhoursforthemurderorcomplicityinthemurderofRudolphVonBehrling！ThatIswear！ThatIshallseetomyself！\"
\"Inwhichcase，\"Laverickremarked，\"thedocumentwillfallintothehandsoftheEnglishpolice。\"
Theshottold。Laverickcouldhavelaughedashewatcheditseffectuponhislistener。Mr。Lassen\'sfacewasblackwithunutteredcurses。HelookedasthoughhewouldhavefallenuponLaverickbodily。
\"Whatdoyouknowaboutitscontents？\"hehissed。\"WhydoyousupposeitwouldnotsuitmypurposetohaveitfallintothehandsoftheEnglishpolice？\"
\"Icanseenoreasonwhatever，\"Laverickanswered，\"whyIshouldtakeyouintomyconfidenceastohowmuchIknowandhowmuchIdonotknow。Iwishyougoodafternoon，Mr。Lassen！IshallbereadytowaituponMademoiselleIdialeatanytimeshesendsforme。Butincaseitshouldinterestyoutobemadeawareofthefact，\"headded，withalittlebow，\"Iamnotgoingroundwiththisterribledocumentinmypossession。\"
Hemovedtothedoor。Alreadyhishandwasupontheknobwhenhesawthemovementforwhichhehadwatched。Laverick，withasinglebound，wasuponhiswould-beassailant。Thehandwhichhadalreadycloseduponthebuttofthesmallrevolverwasgrippedasthoughinavice。WithascreamofpainLassendroppedtheweaponuponthefloor。Laverickpickeditup，thrustitintohiscoatpocketand，takingtheman\'scollarwithbothhands，heshookhimtilltheeyesseemedstartingfromhisheadandhisshrieksoffearwerechangedintomoans。Thenheflunghimintoacorneroftheroom。
\"Youcowardlybrute！\"heexclaimed。\"Youcomeofthebreedofmenwhoshootfrombehind。IfeverIlaymyhandsuponyouagain，you\'llbeluckyifyoulivetowhimperaboutit。\"
Helefttheroomandrangforthelift。Hesawnotraceofanyservantsinthehall，norheardanysoundofanyonemoving。FromDoverStreethedrovestraighttoZoe\'shouse。Keepingthecabwaiting，heknockedatthedoor。Sheopeneditherselfatonce，andhereyesglowedwithpleasure。
\"Howdelightful！\"shecried。\"Pleasecomein。Haveyoucometotakemetothetheatre？\"
Hefollowedherintotheparlorandclosedthedoorbehindthem。
\"Zoe，\"hesaid，\"Iamgoingtoaskyouafavor。\"
\"Meafavor？\"sherepeated。\"Ithinkyouknowhowhappyitwillmakemeifthereisanything-anythingatallintheworldthatI
coulddo。\"
\"Aweekago，\"Laverickcontinued，\"Iwasanhonestbutnotverysuccessfulstockbroker，withanaturallongingforadventureswhichnevercamemyway。Sincethenthingshavealtered。Ihavestumbledinuponthemostcuriouslittlechainofhappeningswhicheverbecameentwinedwiththelifeofacommonplacebeinglikemyself。
Thenetresult，forthemoment，isthis。EveryoneistryingtostealfrommeacertaindocumentwhichIhaveinmypocket。Iwanttohideitforthenight。Icannotgotothepolice，itistoolatetogobacktoChanceryLane，andIhaveaninstinctivefeelingthatmyflatisabsolutelyatthemercyofmyenemies。MayIhidemydocumentinyourroom？Idonotbelieveforamomentthatanyonewouldthinkofsearchinghere。\"
\"Ofcourseyoumay，\"sheanswered。\"Butlisten。Canyouseeoutintothestreetwithoutmovingverymuch？\"
Heturnedhishead。Hehadbeenstandingwithhisbacktothewindow，andZoehadbeenfacingit。
\"Yes，Icanseeintothestreet，\"heassented。
\"Tellme-youseethattaxiontheothersideoftheway？\"sheasked。
Henodded。
\"Itwasn\'ttherewhenIdroveup，\"heremarked。
\"Iwasatthewindow，lookingout，whenyoucame，shesaid。\"ItfollowedyououtfromtheSquareintothisstreet。Directlyyoustopped，Isawthemanputonthebrakeandpulluphiscab。Itseemedtomesostrange，justasthoughsomeonewerewatchingyouallthetime。\"
Laverickstoodstill，lookingoutofthewindow。
\"Wholivesinthehouseopposite？\"heasked。
\"Iamafraid，\"sheanswered，\"thattherearenoverynicepeoplewholiveroundhere。ThepeoplewhomIseecominginandoutofthathousearenotnicepeopleatall。\"
\"Iunderstand，\"hesaid。\"Thankyou，Zoe。Youareright。WhateverIdowithmypreciousdocument，Iwillnotleaveithere。Totellyouthetruth，Ithought，forcertainreasons，thatafterIhadpaidmylastcallthisafternoonIshouldnotbefollowedanymore。ComebackwithmeandIwillgiveyousomedinnerbeforeyougotothetheatre。\"
Sheclappedherhands。
\"Ishallloveit，\"shedeclared。\"Butwhatshallyoudowiththedocument？\"
\"IshalltakearoomattheMilanHotel，\"hesaid，\"andgiveittothecashier。Theyhaveawonderfulsafethere。ItisthebestthingIcanthinkof。Canyousuggestanything？\"
Sheconsideredforamoment。
\"Doyouknowwhatisinside？\"sheasked。
Heshookhishead。
\"Ihavenoidea。Itisthemostmysteriousdocumentintheworld，sofarasIamconcerned。\"
\"Whynotopenitandreadit？\"shesuggested；\"thenyouwillknowexactlywhatitisallabout。Youcanlearnitbyheartandtearitup。\"
\"Imustthinkthatover，\"hesaid。\"Onesecondbeforewegoout。\"
HetookfromhispockettherevolverwhichLassenhaddropped。Itwasaperfectlittleweapon，andfullycharged。Hereplaceditinhispocket，keepinghisfingeruponthetrigger。
\"Now，Zoe，ifyouareready，\"hesaid，\"comealong。\"
Theysteppedoutandenteredthetaxi，unmolested，andLaverickordered:
\"TotheMilanHotel。\"
CHAPTERXXIX
LASSEN\'STREACHERYDISCOVERED
Abouttwentyminutespastsixonthesameevening，Bellamy，hisclothesthickwithdust，hisfacedarkwithanger，jumpedlightlyfromasixtyhorse-powercarandrangthebelloftheliftatnumber15，DoverStreet。Arrivedonthefirstfloor，hewasconfrontedalmostimmediatelybythesad-facedman-servantofMademoiselleIdiale。
\"Mademoiselleisin？\"Bellamyaskedquickly。
Theman\'sexpressionwasoneofsombreregret。
\"Mademoiselleisspendingthedayinthecountry，sir。Bellamytookhimbytheshouldersandflunghimagainstthewall。
\"Thankyou，\"hesaid，\"I\'veheardthatbefore。\"
HewalkeddownthepassageandknockedsoftlyatthedoorofLouise\'ssleepingapartment。Therewasnoanswer。Heknockedagainandlistenedatthekey-hole。Therewassomemovementinsidebutnoonespoke。
\"Louise，\"hecriedsoftly，\"letmein。ItisI-David。\"
Againtheonlyreplywasthestrangestofsounds。Almostitseemedasthoughawomanweretryingtospeakwithahandoverhermouth。
ThenBellamysuddenlystiffenedintorigidattention。Therewerevoicesinthesmallreceptionroom，-thevoiceofHenri，thebutler，andanother。Reluctantlyheturnedawayfromthecloseddoorandwalkedswiftlydownthepassage。Heenteredthereceptionroomandlookedaroundhiminamazement。Itwasstillindisorder。Lassensatinaneasy-chairwithatumblerofbrandybyhisside。Henriwastyingabandagearoundhishead，hiscollarwastorn，thereweremarksofbloodabouthisshirt。Bellamy\'seyessparkled。Heclosedthedoorbehindhim。
\"Come，\"heexclaimed，\"afterall，Ifancythatmyarrivalissomewhatopportune！\"
Henriturnedtowardshimwithareproachfulgesture。
\"MonsieurLassenhasbeenunwell，Monsieur，\"hesaid。\"Hehashadafitandfallendown。\"
Bellamylaughedcontemptuously。
\"IthinkIcanreconstructthescenealittlebetterthanthat，\"hedeclared。\"Whatdoyousay，Mr。Lassen？\"
Themanglaredathimviciously。
\"Idonotknowwhatyouaretalkingabout，\"hesaid。\"Idonotwishtospeaktoyou。Iamill。YouhadbettergoandpersuadeMademoiselletoreturn。SheisatDover，waiting。\"
\"Youarealiar！\"Bellamyanswered。\"Sheisinherroomnow，lockedup-guarded，perhaps，byoneofyourcreatures。Ihavebeenhalf-waytoDover，butItumbledtoyourschemeintime，Mr。Lassen。
YoufoundourfriendLaverickatrifleawkward，Ifancy。\"
Lassensworethroughhisteethbutsaidnothing。
\"Fromyoursomewhatdishevelledappearance，\"Bellamycontinued，\"I
thinkImayconcludethatyouwerenotabletocometoanyamicablearrangementwithMademoiselle\'svisitor。Hedeclinedtoacceptyouasherproxy，Iimagine。Still，onemustmakesure。\"
Headvancedquickly。Lassenshrankbackinhischair。
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"heaskedgruffly。\"Keephimawayfromme，Henri。Ringthebellforyourotherman。Thisfellowwilldomeamischief。\"
\"NotI，\"Bellamyansweredscornfully。\"Staywhereyouare，Henri。
ToyourotheraccomplishmentsIhavenodoubtyouincludethatofvaleting。Takeoffhiscoat。\"
\"But，Monsieur！\"Henriprotested。
\"I\'md-difheshall！\"themaninthechairsnarled。
Bellamyturnedtothedoor，lockedit，andputthekeyinhispocket。
\"Lookhere，\"hesaid，\"IdonotforonemomentbelievethatLaverickhandedovertoyouthedocumentyouweresoanxioustoobtain。Ontheotherhand，Iimaginethatyoursomewhatbatteredappearanceistheresultoffruitlessargumentonyourpartwithaviewtoinducinghimtodoso。Nevertheless，Icanaffordtorunnorisks。Thecoatfirst，please，Henri。ItisnecessarythatIsearchitthoroughly。\"
Therewasabriefhesitation。Bellamy\'shandwentreluctantlyintohispocket。
\"Ihatetoseemmelodramatic，\"hedeclared，\"andInevercarryfirearms，butIhavealittlelife-preserverherewhichIhavelearnedhowtouseprettyeffectively。Come，youknow，itisn\'tafairfight。You\'vehadallyouwant，Lassen，andHenritherehasn\'tthemuscleofachicken。\"
Lassenrose，groaning，tohisfeetandallowedhiscoattoberemoved。Bellamyglancedthroughthepockets，holdingoneletterforamomentinhishandsasheglancedattheaddress。
\"ThewritingofourfriendStreuss，\"heremarked，withasmile。
\"No，youneednotfear，Lassen！Iamnotgoingtoreadit。Thereisplentyofproofofyourtreacherywithoutthis。\"
Lassen\'sfacewaslividandhiseyesseemedlikebeads。Bellamyhandedbackthecoat。
\"That\'sallright，\"hesaid。\"Nothingthere，Iamgladtosee-orinthewaistcoat，\"headded，passinghishandsoverit。\"I\'lltroubleyoutostandupforamoment，Mr。Lassen。\"
ThemandidashewasbidandBellamyfelthimallover。Whenhehadfinished，heheldinhishandakey。
\"ThekeyofMademoiselle\'schamber，Ihavenodoubt，\"heannounced，\"Iwillleaveyou，then，whileIseewhatdeviltryyouhavebeenupto。\"
Hewalkedcalmlytothetablewhichstoodbythewindowanddeliberatelycutthetelephonewire。Withtheinstrumentunderhisarm，helefttheroom。Lassenblunderedtohisfeetasthoughtointercepthim，butBellamy\'seyessuddenlyflashedredfury，andthelife-preserverofwhichhehadspokenglitteredabovehishead。
Lassenstaggeredaway。
\"I\'malong-sufferingman，\"Bellamysaid，\"andifyoudon\'tremembernowthatyou\'rethebeatendog，Imaylosemytemper。\"
Helockedthemin，walkeddownthepassageandopenedthedoorofLouise\'sbedchamberwithfingersthattrembledalittle。Withasmotheredoathhecutthecordfromthearmsofthemaidandthegagfromhermouth。Louise，cladinalooseafternoongown，waslyinguponthebed，asthoughasleep。Bellamysawwithanimpulseofreliefthatshewasbreathingregularly。
\"ThisisLassen\'swork，ofcourse！\"heexclaimed。\"Whathavetheydonetoher？\"
Themaidspokethickly。Shewasverypale，andunsteadyuponherfeet。
\"Itwassomethingtheyputinherwine，\"shefaltered。\"IheardMr。
Lassensaythatitwouldkeepherquietforthreeorfourhours。I
think-Ithinkthatsheiswakingnow。\"
Louiseopenedhereyesandlookedatthemwithamazement。Bellamysatbythesideofthebedandsupportedherwithhisarm。
\"Itisonlyaskirmish，dear，\"hewhispered，\"anditisadrawnbattle，althoughyougottheworstofit。\"
Sheputherhandtoherhead，strugglingtoremember。
\"Mr。Laverickhasbeenhere？\"sheasked。
\"Hehas。YourfriendLassenhasbeentakingahandinthegame。I
cameheretofindyoulikethisandAnnettetiedup。Henriisinwithhim。WhathasbecomeofyourotherservantsIdon\'tknow。\"
\"Henriaskedforaholidayforthem，\"shesaid，thecolorslowlyreturningtohercheeks。\"Ibegintounderstand。Buttellme，whathappenedwhenMr。Laverickcame？\"
\"Icanonlyguess，\"Bellamyanswered，\"butitseemsthatLassenmusthavereceivedhimasthoughwithyourauthority。\"
\"Andwhatthen？\"sheaskedquickly。
\"Iamalmostcertain，\"Bellamydeclared，\"thatLaverickrefusedtohaveanythingtodowithhim。IreceivedawirefromDovertosaythatyouwereonyourwayhome，andaskingmetomeetyouattheLordWardenHotel。IborrowedMontresor\'sracing-car，butIsenttelegrams，andIwasprettysoononmywayback。WhenIarrivedhere，IfoundLasseninyourlittleroomwithabrokenhead。
EvidentlyLaverickandhehadascrimmageandhegottheworstofit。Ihavesearchedhimtohisbonesandhehasnopaper。Laverickbroughtithere，withoutadoubt，andhastakenitawayagain。\"
Sherosetoherfeet。
\"GoandletLassenout，\"shesaid。\"Tellhimhemustnevercomehereagain。IwillseehimattheOperaHouseto-nightorto-morrownight-thatis，ifIcangetthere。IdonotknowwhetherIshallfeelfittosing。\"
\"Ishalltaketheliberty，also，\"remarkedBellamy，\"ofkickingHenriout。\"
Louisesighed。
\"Hewassuchagoodservant。IthinkitmusthavecostourfriendStreussagooddealtobuyHenri。Youwillcomebacktomewhenyouhavefinishedwiththem？\"
Bellamymadeshortworkofhisdiscomfitedprisoners。LassenwassurlybutonlyeagertodepartHenriwasresignedbuttearful。
Almostastheywenttheotherservantsbegantoreturnfromtheirvariousmissions。BellamywentbacktoLouise，whowaslyingdownagainanddrinkingsometea。ShemotionedBellamytocomeovertoherside。
\"Tellme，\"sheasked，\"whatareyougoingtodonow？\"
\"IamgoingtodowhatIoughttohavedonebefore，\"Bellamyanswered。
\"Laverick\'sconnectionwiththisaffairissuspiciousenough，butafterallheisasportsmanandanEnglishman。Iamgoingtotellhimwhatthatenvelopecontains-tellhimthetruth。\"
\"Youareright！\"sheexclaimed。\"Whateverhemayhavedone，ifyoutellhimthetruthhewillgiveyouthatdocument。Iamsureofit。
Doyouknowwheretofindhim？\"
\"Ishallgotohisrooms，\"Bellamydeclared。\"Imustbequick，too，forLassenisfree-theywillknowthathehasfailed。\"
\"Comebacktome，David，\"shebegged，andhekissedherfingersandhurriedout。
CHAPTERXXX
THECONTESTFORTHEPAPERS
Laverick，sittingwithZoeatdinner，caughthiscompanionlookingaroundtherestaurantwithanexpressioninherfacewhichhedidnotwhollyunderstand。
\"Somethingisthematterwithyouthisevening，Zoe，\"hesaidanxiously。\"Tellmewhatitis。Youdon\'tlikethisplace，perhaps？\"
\"OfcourseIdo。\"
\"Itisyourdinner，then，orme？\"hepersisted。\"Come，outwithit。
Haven\'twepromisedtotelleachotherthetruthalways？\"
Thepinkcolorcameslowlyintohercheeks。Hereyes，raisedforamomenttohis，werealmostreproachful。
\"Youknowverywellthatitisnotanythingtodowithyou，\"shewhispered。\"Youaretookindtomeallthetime。Only，\"shewenton，alittlehesitatingly，\"don\'tyourealize-can\'tyouseehowdifferentlymostofthegirlsherearedressed？Idon\'tmindsomuchformyself-butyou-youhavesomanyfriends。Youkeeponseeingpeoplewhomyouknow。IamafraidtheywillthinkthatI
oughtnottobehere。\"
Helookedatherinsurprise，mingled，perhaps，withcompunction。
Forthefirsttimeheappreciatedtheactualshabbinessofherclothes。Everythingaboutherwassoneat-patheticallyneat，asitseemedtohiminoneilluminatingmomentofrealization。Thewhitelinencollar，notwithstandingitsfrayededges，wasspotlesslyclean。Theblackbowwascarefullytiedtoconcealitswornparts。
Hergloveshadbeenstitchedagoodmanytimes。Hergown，althoughitwastidy，wasold-fashionedandhaddistinctlyseenitsbestdays。
Hesuddenlyrecognizedtheeffort-thealmostdespairingeffort-
whichhertoilettehadcosther。
\"Idon\'tthinkthatmennoticethesethings，\"hesaidsimply。\"Tomeyoulookjustasyoushouldlook-andIwouldn\'tchangeplaceswithanyothermanintheroomforagreatdeal。\"
Hereyesweresoft-perilouslysoft-asshelookedathimwithupliftedeyebrowsandafaintsmilestrugglingatthecornersofherlips。Awaveoftendernesscreptintohisheart。Whatabravelittlechildshewas！
\"Youwillquitespoilmeifyoumakesuchnicespeeches，\"shemurmured。
\"Anyhow，\"hewenton，speakingwithdecision，\"solongasyoufeellikethat，youaregoingtohaveanewgown-ortwo-andanewhat，andyouaregoingtohavethematonce。Theyaregoingtobeboughtwithyourbrother\'smoney，mind。ShallIcomeshoppingwithyou？\"
Sheshookherhead。