\"Mind，itispartlyforyoursakethatIgivein，\"shesaid。\"Itwouldbelovelytohaveyoucome，butyouwouldspendfartoomuchmoney。Youreallymeanitall？\"
\"Absolutely，\"heanswered。\"Iinsistuponit。\"
Sheleanedtowardshimwithdancingeyes。Afterall，shewasverymuchofachild。Theprospectofanewgown，nowthatshepermittedherselftothinkofit，wasenthralling。
\"Imightgetacoatandskirt，\"sheremarkedthoughtfully，\"andasimplewhitedress。Ablackhatwoulddoforbothofthem，then。\"
\"Don\'tyoustudyyourbrothertoomuch，\"Laverickdeclared。\"Hisstockisgoingupallthetime。\"
\"Tellmeyourfavoritecolor，\"shebeggedconfidentially。
\"Ican\'tconceiveyourlookingnicerthanyoudoinblack，\"hereplied。
Shemadeawryface。
\"Isupposeitmustbeblack，\"shemurmureddoubtfully。\"Itismuchmoreeconomicalthananything-\"
Shebrokeofftobowtoastout，red-facedmanwho，afterarudestare，hadgreetedherwithapatronizingnod。Laverickfrowned。
\"Whoisthatfellow？\"heasked。
\"Mr。Heepman，ourstage-manager，\"Zoeanswered，alittletimidly。
\"Isthereanyparticularreasonwhyheshouldbehavelikeaboor？\"
Laverickcontinued，raisinghisvoicealittle。
Shecaughtathisarminterror。Themanwassittingatthenexttable。
\"Don\'t，please！\"sheimplored。\"Hemighthearyou。Heisjustbehindthere。\"
Laverickhalfturnedinhischair。Sheguessedwhathewasabouttosay，andwentonrapidly。
\"Hehasbeensofoolish，\"shewhispered。\"Hehasaskedmesooftentogooutwithhim。Andhecouldgetmesentaway，ifhewanted，anytime。Healmostthreatenedit，thelasttimeIrefused。Nowthathehasseenmewithyou，hewillbeworsethanever。\"
Laverick\'sfacedarkened，andtherewasapeculiarflashinhiseyes。
Themanwascertainlylookingattheminarudemanner。
\"Therearesomanyofthegirlswhowouldonlybetoopleasedtogowithhim，\"Zoecontinued，inaterrifiedundertone。\"Ican\'tthinkwhyhebothersme。\"
\"Ican，\"Laverickmuttered。\"Let\'sforgetaboutthebrute。\"
ButthedinnerwasalreadyspoiledforZoe，soLaverickpaidthebillafewminuteslater，andwalkedacrosstothestage-doorofthetheatrewithher。Herlittlehand，whenshegaveittohimatparting，wasquitecold。
\"I\'masnervousasIcanbe，\"sheconfessed。\"Mr。Heepmanwillbewatchingallthenightforsomethingtofindfaultwithmeabout。\"
\"Don\'tyoulethimbullyyou，\"Laverickbegged。
\"Iwon\'t，\"shepromised。\"Good-bye！Thankssomuchformydinner。\"
Sheturnedawaywithabraveattemptatasmile，butitwasonlyanattempt。Laverickwalkedontohisclub。Therewasnooneinthedining-roomwhomheknew，andthecard-roomwasempty。Heplayedonegameofbilliards，butheplayedbadly。Hewasupset。Hisnerveswerewronghetoldhimself，andlittlewonder。Thereseemedtobenochanceofarubberatbridge，sohesalliedoutagainandwalkedaimlesslytowardsCoventGarden。OutsidetheOperaHousehehesitatedandfinallyentered，yieldingtoanimpulsethenatureofwhichhescarcelyrecognized。Whilehewasinquiringaboutastall，asmallprintednoticewasthrustintohishand。Hereaditwithaslightstart。
WeregrettoannouncethatowingtoindispositionMademoiselleIdialewillnotbeabletoappearthisevening。ThepartofDelilahwillbetakenbyMademoiselleBlancheTemoigne，lateoftheRoyalOperaHouse，St。Petersburg。
Tenminuteslater，LaverickrangthebellofherflatinDoverStreet。
Astrangeman-servantansweredhim。
\"IcametoinquireafterMademoiselleIdiale，\"Lavericksaid。
Themanheldoutatrayonwhichwasalreadyasmallheapofcards。
Laverick，however，retainedhis。
\"Ishouldbegladifyouwouldtakemineintoher，\"hesaid。\"I
thinkitisjustlikelythatshemayseemeforamoment。\"
Theservant\'sattitudewasoneofcivilbutunconcealedhostility。
HewouldhaveclosedthedoorhadnotLaverickalreadypassedoverthethreshold。
\"Madameisnotwellenoughtoreceivevisitors，sir，\"themandeclared。\"Sheshallhaveyourcardassoonaspossible。\"
\"Ishouldlikehertohaveitnow，\"Laverickpersisted，drawingafive-poundnotefromhispocket。
Themanlookedatthenotelongingly。
\"Itwouldbeonlywasteoftime，sir，\"hedeclared。\"Mademoiselleisconfinedtoherbedroomandmyordersareabsolute。\"
\"Youarenotthemanwhowashereearlierintheday，\"Laverickremarked。\"Iwonder，\"hecontinued，withasuddeninspiration，\"whetheryouarenotMr。Bellamy\'sservant？\"
\"Thatisso，sir。Mr。BellamyhassentmeheretoseethatnoonehasaccesstoMademoiselleIdiale。\"
\"Thenthereisnoharmwhateverintakinginmycard，\"Laverickdeclaredconvincingly。\"Youcanputthatnoteinyourpocket。I
amperfectlycertainthatMademoiselleIdialewillseeme，andthatyourmasterwouldwishhertodoso。\"
\"Iwilltaketherisk，sir，\"themandecided，\"buttheordersIhavereceivedwerestringent。\"
Hedisappearedandwasgoneforseveralmoments。Whenhecamebackhewasaccompaniedbyapale-facedwomandressedinblack，obviouslyamaid。
\"MonsieurLaverick，\"shesaid，\"MademoiselleIdialewillreceiveyou。Ifyouwillcomethisway？\"
Sheopenedthedoorofthelittlereception-room，andLaverickfollowedher。Themanreturnedtohisplaceinthehall。
\"Madamewillbehereinamoment，\"themaidsaid。\"Shewillbegladtoseeyou，butshehasbeenverybadlyfrightened。\"
Laverickbowedsympathetically。Thewomanherselfwasgray-faced，terror-stricken。
\"ItisMonsieurLassen，themanagerofMadame，whohascausedagreatdealoftroublehere，\"shesaid。\"Madamenevertrustedhimandnowwehavediscoveredthatheisaspy。\"
Thewomanseemedtofadeaway。ThedooroftheinnerroomwasopenedandLouisecameout。Shewasstillexceedinglypale，andthereweredarkrimsunderhereyes。Shecameacrosstheroomwithoutstretchedhands。Therewasnodoubtwhateverastoherpleasure。
\"YouhaveseenMr。Bellamy？\"sheasked。
Laverickshookhishead。
\"No，IhaveseennothingofBellamyto-day。Icametocalluponyouthisafternoon。\"
Shewrungherhands。
\"Youunderstand，ofcourse！\"sheexclaimed。\"IdidnottrustLassen，butIneverimaginedanythinglikethis。HeisanAustrian。
OnlyafewhoursagoIlearnedthatheisoneoftheirmostheavilypaidspies。Streussgotholdofhim。Butthere，Iforgot-youdonotunderstandthis。Itisenoughthathelaidaplottogetthatdocumentfromyou。Whereisit，Mr。Laverick？Youhavebroughtitnow？\"
\"Why，no，\"Laverickanswered，\"Ihavenot。\"
Hereyeswereroundwithterror。Sheheldoutherhandsasthoughtokeepawaysometormentingthought。
\"Whereisit？\"shecried。\"Youhavenotpartedwithit？
\"Ihavenot，\"Laverickrepliedgravely。\"ItisinthesafedepositofahoteltowhichIhavemoved。\"
Sheclosedhereyesanddrewalongbreathofrelief。
\"Youarenotwell，\"Lavericksaid。\"Letmehelpyoutoachair。\"
Shesatdownwearily。
\"Whyhaveyoumovedtoahotel？\"sheasked。
\"Totellyouthetruth，\"Laverickanswered，\"IseemtohavewanderedintoasortofmodernArabianNights。Threetimesto-dayattemptshavebeenmadetogetthatdocumentfrommebyforce。I
havebeenfollowedwhereeverIwent。Ifeltthatitwasnotsafeinmychambers，soImovedtoahotelanddepositeditintheirstrong-room。IhavecometotheconclusionthatthebestthingI
candoistoopenitto-morrowmorning，anddecideformyselfastoitsdestination。\"
Louisesatquitestillforseveralmoments。Thensheopenedhereyes。
\"Whatyousayisanimmenserelieftome，Mr。Laverick，\"shedeclared。\"Iperceivenowthatwehavemadeamistake。Weshouldhavetoldyouthewholetruthfromthefirst。ThisafternoonwhenMr。Bellamyleftme，itwastocometoyouandtellyoueverything。\"
Lavericklistenedgravely。
\"Really，\"hesaid，\"itseemstomethewisestcourse。Ihaven\'ttheleastdesiretokeepthedocument。IcannotthinkwhyBellamydidnottreatmewithconfidencefromthefirst-\"
Hestoppedshort。Suddenlyheunderstood。SomethinginLouise\'sfacegavehimthehint。
\"Ofcourse！\"hemurmuredtohimself。
\"Mr。Laverick，\"Louisesaidquietly，\"inthismatterIamnoman\'sjudge，yet，asyouandIknowwell，thatpapercouldhavecomeintoyourhandsinoneway，andonewayonly。Theremaybesomeexplanation。Ifso，itisforyoutoofferitornot，asyouthinkbest。Mr。BellamyandIarealliesinthismatter。Itisnotourbusinesstointerferewiththecourseofjustice。Youwillrunnoriskinpartingwiththatpaper。
\"WherecanIseeBellamy？\"LaverickInquired，risingandtakinguphishat。
\"Hewouldgostraighttoyourrooms，\"sheanswered。\"Didyouleavewordtherewhereyouhadgone？\"
\"PurposelyIdidnot，\"Laverickreplied。\"Ihadbettertryandfindhim，perhaps。\"
\"Itisnotnecessary，\"sheannounced。\"NowonderthatyoufeelyourselftohavewanderedintotheArabianNights，Mr。Laverick。
Therearetwosetsofspieswhofollowyoueverywhere-twosetsthatIknowof。Theremaybeanother。\"
\"YouthinkthatBellamywillfindme？\"heasked。
\"Iamsureofit。\"
\"ThenI\'llgobacktothehotelandwait。\"
Shehurriedhimaway，butatthedoorshedetainedhimforamoment。
\"Mr。Laverick，\"shesaid，lookingathimearnestly，\"somehoworotherIcannothelpbelievingthatyouareanhonestman。
Lavericksighed。Heopenedhislipsbutclosedthemagain。
\"Youareverykind，Mademoiselle，\"hedeclaredsimply。
Laverick，asheenteredthereceptionhallattheMilanHotel，noticedamanleaningoverthecashier\'sdesktalkingconfidentiallytotheclerkincharge。ThelatterrecognizedLaverickwithobviousrelief，andatoncedirectedhisquestioner\'sattentiontohim。Kahnturnedswiftlyaroundandwithoutamoment\'shesitationcamesmilingtowardsLaverickwiththeapparentintentionofaccostinghim。Hewascorrectlygarbed，tallandfair，witheveryappearanceofbeingamanofbreeding。HeglancedatLaverickcarelesslyashepassed，but，asthoughchanginghisoriginalpurpose，madenoattempttoaddresshim。Thecashier，whohadbeenwatching，gaveventtoalittleexclamationofsurpriseandsprangoverthecounter。HeapproachedLaverickhastily。
\"Doyouknowthatgentlemanjustgoingout，sir？\"heasked。
\"Ineversawhimbeforeinmylife，\"Laverickanswered。\"Why？\"
\"Isthisyourhandwriting，sir？\"themaninquired，touchingwithhisforefingerthehalfsheetofnote-paperwhichhehadbeencarrying。
Laverickreadquickly，-
TotheCashierattheMilanHotel，-Delivertobearerdocumentdepositedwithyou。STEPHENLAVERICK。
\"Itisnot，\"hedeclaredpromptly。\"Itisanimpudentforgery。
GoodGod！Youdon\'tmeantosaythatyoupartedwithmypropertyto-\"
Thecashierstoppedhisbreathlessquestion。
\"Ihaven\'tpartedwithanything，sir，\"hesaid。\"Iwasjustwonderingwhattodowhenyoucamein。I\'dnoreasontobelievethatthesignaturewasaforgery，butIdidn\'tlikethelookofit，somehow。We\'dbetterbeafterhim。Comealong，sir。\"
Theyhurriedoutside。Themanwasnowhereinsight。Thecashiersummonedtheheadporter。
\"Agentlemanhasjustcomeout，\"heexclaimed，-\"tallandfair，verycarefullydressed，withasingleeyeglass！Whichwaydidhego？\"
\"He\'sjustdrivenoffinabigDaimlercar，sir，\"theporteranswered。\"Inoticedhimparticularly。HespoketothechauffeurinAustrian。\"
LavericklookedoutintotheStrand。
\"Can\'twestophim？\"heaskedrapidly。
Theportersmiledasheshookhishead。
\"Nottheghostofachance，sir。Heshotroundthecornerthereasthoughhewereinadesperatehurry，andwentthewrongsideoftheisland。Iheardthepolicecallingtohim。Ihopethere\'snothingwrong，Mr。Dean？\"
ThecashierhesitatedandglancedatLaverick。
\"Nothingmuch，\"Laverickanswered。\"Weshouldhavelikedtohaveaskedhimaquestion-thatisall。\"
Bellamycameoutfromthehotelandpausedtolightacigarette。
\"Howareyou，Laverick？\"hesaidquietly。\"Nothingthematter，I
hope？\"
\"Nothingworthmentioning，\"Laverickreplied。
Thecashierreturnedtohisduties。Thetwomenwerealone。
Bellamy，mostcarefullydressed，withhissilver-headedcaneunderhisarm，andhissilkhatatpreciselythecorrectangle，seemedveryfarremovedfromtheworkofintrigueintowhichLaverickfelthimselftohaveblundered。Helookeddownforamomentatthetipsofhispatentshoesandupagainatthesky，asthoughanxiousabouttheweather。
\"Whataboutadrink，Laverick？\"heaskednonchalantly。
\"Delighted！\"Laverickassented。
CHAPTERXXXI
MISSLENEVEU\'SMESSAGE
Thetwomensteppedbackintothehotel。Thecashierhadreturnedtohisdesk，andtheincidentwhichhadjusttranspiredseemedtohavepassedunnoticed。Nevertheless，Laverickfeltthatthestudiedindifferenceofhiscompanion\'smannerhaditssignificance，andheendeavoredtoimitateit。
\"Shallwegothroughintothebar？\"heasked。\"There\'sveryseldomanyonethereatthistime。\"
\"Anywhereyousay，Bellamyanswered。\"It\'syearssincewehadadrinktogether。\"
Theypassedintotheinnerroomand，findingitempty，drewtwochairsintothefurthercorner。Bellamysummonedthewaiter。
\"Twowhiskiesandsodasquick，Tim，\"heordered。\"Now，Laverick，listentome，\"headded，asthewaiterturnedaway。\"Wearealoneforthemomentbutitwon\'tbeforlong。Youknowverywellthatitwasn\'ttorenewourschoolboyacquaintancethatI\'veaskedyoutocomeinherewithme。\"
Laverickdrewalittlebreath。
\"Pleasegoon，\"hesaid。\"Iamasanxiousasyoucanbetograspthisaffairproperly。\"
\"Whenweleftschool，\"Bellamyremarked，\"youweredestinedfortheStockExchange。IwentfirsttoMagdalen。Didyoueverhearwhatbecameofmeafterwards？\"
\"Ialwaysunderstood，\"Laverickanswered，\"thatyouwentintooneoftheGovernmentoffices。\"
\"Quiteright，\"Bellamyassented。\"Idid。AtthismomentIhavethehonortoserveHisMajesty。\"
\"Twothousandayearandtwohoursworkaday，\"Lavericklaughed。
\"Iknowthesortofthing。\"
\"Youevidentlydon\'t，\"Bellamyanswered。\"Ioftenworktwentyhoursaday，Idon\'tgethalftwothousandayear，andmostofthetimeIcarrymylifeinmyhands。WhenIamworking-andI
amworkingnow-Iamneversureofthemorrow。\"
Lavericklookedathimincredulously。
\"You\'renotjoking，Bellamy？\"heasked。
\"Notbyanymannerofmeans。IhavethehonortobeahumblememberofHisMajesty\'sSecretService。\"
Laverickglancedathiscompanionwonderingly。
\"Ireallydidn\'tknow，\"hesaid，\"thatsuchaservicehadanyactualexistenceexceptinnovels。\"
\"Iamaprooftothecontrary，\"Bellamydeclaredgrimly。\"Abroad，Irunalwaystheriskofbeingdubbedaspyandtreatedlikeone。
Athome，IamsimplytheheadoftheA2BranchoftheSecretService。
Herecomeourdrinks。\"
Laverickraisedhiswhiskeyandsodatohislipsmechanically。
\"Here\'sluck！\"heexclaimed。\"Nowgoon，Bellamy，\"hecontinued。
\"Thewaitercan\'toverhear。\"
Bellamysmiled。
\"Timisoneofthefewpersonsintheplace，\"hesaid，\"whomonecantrust。Asamatteroffact，hehasbeenveryusefultomemorethanonce。Nowlistentomeattentively，Laverick。Iamgoingtospeaktoyouasonemantoanother。\"
Lavericknodded。
\"Iamready，\"hesaid。
\"LastMonday，\"Bellamywenton，leaningforwardandspeakinginasoftbutverydistinctundertone，\"amanwasmurderedlateatnightintheheartofthecity-withinonehundredyardsoftheStockExchange。Thepaperscalleditamysteriousmurder。Nooneknowswhothemanwas，orwhocommittedthecrime，orwhy。YouandI，Laverick，bothknowalittlemorethantherestoftheworld。\"
\"Well？\"
\"Themurder，\"Bellamycontinued，withastrangelightinhiseyes，\"wasaccomplishedonlyastone\'sthrowfromyouroffice。\"
Lavericklitacigaretteandthrewthematchaway。
\"Horribleaffairitwas，\"heremarked。
Bellamyglancedtowardthedoor，-amanhadlookedinanddeparted。
\"Enoughofthisfencing，Laverick，\"hesaid。\"Atheftwascommittedfromthepersonofthatmurderedman，ofwhichthegeneralpublicknowsnothing。Apocketbookwasstolenfromhimcontainingtwentythousandpoundsandasealeddocument。Astowhomurderedtheman，Iwantyoutounderstandthatthatisnotmyaffair。Astowhathasbecomeofthattwentythousandpounds，Ihavenottheslightestcuriosity。Iwantthedocument。\"
\"Whatclaimhaveyoutoit？\"Laverickaskedquickly。
\"Imightretort，butIwillnot，\"Bellamyreplied。\"Timeistooshort。Iwillansweryoubyexplainingwhothemanwasandwhatthatdocumentconsistsof。Theman\'snamewasVonBehrling，andhewasatrustedagentoftheAustrianSecretService。ThedocumentofwhichhewasrobbedcontainsaverbatimreportoftheconferencewhichrecentlytookplaceatViennabetweentheEmperorofGermany，theEmperorofAustria，andtheCzarofRussia。ItcontainsthedetailsofaplotagainstthiscountryandtheundertakingsenteredintobythoseseveralPowers。Iwantthatdocument，Laverick。HaveIestablishedmyclaim？\"
\"Youhave，\"Laverickanswered。\"WhyonearthDidn\'tyoucometomebefore？Don\'tyoubelievethatIshouldhavelistenedtoyouasreadilyastoMademoiselleIdiale？\"
\"IwishthatIhadcome，\"Bellamyadmitted，\"andyet，hereisthetruth，Laverick，becausethetruthisbest。Twenty-twoyearsliebetweenusandthetimewhenweknewanythingofoneanother。Tome，therefore，youareastranger。IhadmyspiesfollowingVonBehrlingthatnight。Iknowthatyoutookthepocket-bookfromhisdeadbody。Ifyoudidnotmurderhimyourself，thedeedwasdonebyanaccompliceofyours。HowwasItotrustyou？Wearespeakingnakedwords，myfriend。Wearedealingwithnakedtruths。Tomeyouwereamurdererandathief。Awordfrommeandyouwouldhaverealizedthevalueofthatdocument。ItellyoufranklythatAustriawouldgiveyoualmostanysumforitto-day。\"
Laverick，strongmanthoughhewas，wasconsciousofasuddenweakness。Heraisedhishandtohisforeheadanddrewitaway-wet。
Hestruggleddesperatelyforself-control。
\"Bellamy，\"hesaid，\"here\'struthfortruth。Iamnotonmytrialbeforeyou。Believeme，man，forGod\'ssake！\"
\"I\'lltry，\"Bellamypromised。\"Goon。\"
\"ThatnightIstayedatmyofficelatebecauseIsawruinbeforemeonthemorrow。Ileftitmeaningtogostraighthome。Ilitacigarettenearthatentry，andbythelightofamatch，asIwasthrowingitaway，Isawthemurderedman。IthinkforatimeIwasparalyzed。Thepocket-bookwashalfdraggedoutfromhispocket。
WhyIlookedinsideitIdon\'tknow。IhadsomesortofwildideathatImustfindoutwhohewas。Mindyou，though，Ishouldhavegiventhealarmatonce，buttherewasn\'tasoulinthestreet。
TherewasamanlurkingintheentryandIchasedhim，unsuccessfully。
WhenIcameback，thebodywasstillthereandthestreetempty。I
lookedinsidethatpocket-book，whichwouldhavebeeninthepossessionofhismurdererbutformyunexpectedappearance。Isawthenotesthere。OncemoreIwentoutintothestreet。Igavenoalarm，-Iamnotattemptingtoexplainwhy。Iwaslikeamanmadesuddenlymad。Iwentbacktomyofficeandshutmyselfin。\"
Bellamypointedtotheglassessilently。Thewaitercameforwardandrefilledthem。
\"Bellamy，\"Laverickcontinued，\"yourcareerandmineliefarapart，andyet，attheirbackbone，asthereisatthebackboneofeveryman\'slife，theremustbesomethingofthesamesortofambition。
MygrandfatherlivedanddiedamemberoftheStockExchange，honoredandwellthoughtof。Myfatherfollowedinhisfootsteps。I，too，wasthere。Withoutbecomingwealthy，thenameIbearhasbecomeknownandrespected。Failure，whateveronemaysay，meansabrokenlifeandabrokenhonor。IsatinmyofficeandIknewthattheuseofthosenotesforafewdaysmightsavemefromdisgrace，mightkeepthename，whichmyfatherandgrandfatherhadguardedsojealously，freefromshame。Iwouldhavepaidanypricefortheuseofthem。Iwouldhavepaidwithmylife，ifthathadbeenpossible。
ThinkoftheriskIran-thedangerIamnowin。Idepositedthosenotesonthemorrowassecurityatmybank，andImetallmyengagements。Thecrisisisover！ThosenotesareinasafedepositvaultinChanceryLane！IonlywishtoHeaventhatIcouldfindtheowner！\"
\"Andthedocument？\"Bellamyasked。\"Thedocument？\"
\"Itisinthehotelsafe，\"Laverickanswered。
Bellamydrewalongsighofrelief。Thenheemptiedhistumblerandlitacigarette。
\"Laverick，\"hedeclared，\"Ibelieveyou。\"
\"ThankGod！\"Laverickmuttered。
\"Iamnocrimeinvestigator，\"Bellamywentonthoughtfully。\"AstowhokilledVonBehrling，orwhy，Icannotnowformtheslightestidea。Thattwentythousandpounds，Laverick，isSecretServicemoney，paidbymetoVonBehrlingonlyhalf-an-hourbeforehewasmurdered，inasmallrestaurantthere，forwhatIsupposedtobethedocument。Hedeceivedmebymakingupafalsepacket。Therealonehekept。Hedeservedtodie，andIamgladheisdead。\"
Laverick\'sfacewassuddenlyhopeful。
\"Thenyoucantakethesenotes！\"heexclaimed。
Bellamynodded。
\"Inafewdays，\"hesaid，\"Ishalltakeyouwithmetoafriendofmine-aCabinetMinister。Youshalltellhimthestoryexactlyasyou\'vetoldittome，andrestorethemoney。\"
Lavericklaughedlikeachild。
\"Don\'tthinkI\'mmad，\"heapologized，\"butIamnotapersonlikeyou，Bellamy，-usedtoadventuresandthissortofwildhappenings。
I\'masteady-going，matter-of-factEnglishman，andthisthinghasbeenlikeahatefulnightmaretome。Ican\'tbelievethatI\'mgoingtogetridofit。\"
Bellamysmiled。
\"It\'sagreatadventure，\"hedeclared，\"tocometoanyonelikeyou。
Totellyouthetruth，Ican\'timaginehowyouhadthepluck-don\'tmisunderstandme，Imeanthemoralpluck-torunsucharisk。Why，atthemomentyouusedthosenotes，\"Bellamycontinued，\"theoddsmusthavebeenabouttwentytooneagainstyournotbeingfoundout。\"
\"Onedoesn\'tstoptocounttheodds，\"Lavericksaidgrimly。\"IsawachanceofsalvationandIwentforit。Andnowaboutthisletter。\"
Bellamyrosetohisfeet。
\"OntheKing\'sservice！\"hewhisperedsoftly。
Theywalkedoncemoretothecashier\'sdesk。Astrangergreetedthem。
Laverickproducedhisreceipt。
\"IshouldlikethepacketIdepositedherethisevening，\"hesaid。
\"Iamsorrytotroubleyou，butIfindthatIrequireitunexpectedly。\"
Theclerkglancedatthereceiptandupattheclock。\"Iamafraid，sir，\"heanswered，\"thatwecannotgetatitbeforethemorning。\"
\"Whynot？\"Laverickdemanded，frowning。
\"Mr。Deanhasjustgonehome，\"themandeclared，\"andheistheonlyonewhoknowsthecombinationonthe\'L\'safe。Yousee，sir，\"hecontinued，\"wekeepthisparticularsafefordocuments，andwedidnotexpectthatanythingwouldberequiredfromitto-night。\"
BellamydrewLaverickaway。
\"Afterall，\"hesaid，\"perhapsto-morrowmorningwouldbebetter。
There\'snoneedtogetshirtywiththesefellows。Asamatteroffact，Idon\'tthinkthatIshouldhavedaredtoreceiveitwithoutmakingsomespecialpreparations。IcangetsomeplainclothesmenhereuponwhomIcanrely，atnineo\'clock。\"
Theystrolledbackintothehall。
\"Tellme，\"Laverickasked，\"doyouknowwhothemanwaswhoforgedmynametotheorderafewhoursago？\"
Bellamynodded。
\"ItwasAdolfKahn，anAustrianspy。Ihavebeenwatchinghimfordays。Ifthey\'dgivenhimthepaperIhadfourmenatthedoor，butitwouldhavebeentouchandgo。Heisaveryprinceofconspirators，thatfellow。Totellyouthetruth，IthinkImightaswellgohome。\"
Bellamywasdrawingonhisgloveswhenthehall-porterbroughtanotetoLaverick。
\"Amessengerhasjustleftthisforyou，sir，\"heexplained。
Lavericktoreopentheenvelope。Thecontentsconsistedofafewwordsonly，writtenonplainnote-paperandinahandwritingwhichwasstrangetohim。
\"Ringup1232Gerrard。\"
Laverickfrowned，turnedoverthehalfsheetofpaperandlookedoncemoreattheenvelope。Thenhepasseditontohiscompanion。
\"Whatdoyoumakeofthat，Bellamy？\"heasked。
Bellamysmiledasheperusedandreturnedit。
\"Whatcouldanyonemakeofit？\"heremarked，laconically。\"Doyouknowthehandwriting？\"
\"Neversawitbefore，tomyknowledge，\"Laverickanswered。\"Whatshouldyoudoaboutit？\"
\"Ithink，\"Bellamysuggested，\"thatIshouldringupnumber1232
Gerrard。\"
TheycrossedthehallandLaverickenteredoneofthetelephonebooths。
\"1232Gerrard，\"hesaid。
Theconnectionwasmadealmostatonce。
\"Whoareyou？\"Laverickasked。
\"IamspeakingforMissZoeLeneven，\"wasthereply。\"AreyouMr。
Laverick？\"
\"Iam，\"Laverickanswered。\"IsMissLeneveuthere？Canshespeaktomeherself？\"
\"Sheisnothere，\"thevoicecontinued。\"Shewasfetchedawayinahurryfromthetheatre-weunderstoodbyherbrother。Shelefttwoandsixpencewiththedoorkeeperheretoringyouupandexplainthatshehadbeensummonedtoherbrother\'srooms，25，JermynStreet，andwouldyoukindlygoonthere。\"
\"Whoareyou？\"Laverickdemanded。
Therewasnoreply。Laverickremainedspeechless，listeningintently。Hestoodstillwiththereceiverpressedtohisear。Wasithisfancy，orwasthatreallyZoe\'sprotestingvoicewhichheheardinthebackground？Itwasawomanorachildwhowasspeaking-hewasalmostsurethatitwasZoe。
\"Whoareyou？\"heaskedfiercely。\"MissLeneveuistherewithyou。
Whydoesshenotspeakforherself？\"
\"MissLeneveuisnothere，\"wastheanswer。\"Ihavedonewhatshedesired。Youcanpleaseyourselfwhetheryougoornot。Theaddressis25，JermynStreet。Ringoff。\"
Theconnectionwasgone。Lavericklaiddownthereceiverandsteppedoutofthebooth。
\"Imustbeoffatonce，\"hesaidtoBellamy。\"You\'llberoundinthemorning？\"
Bellamysmiled。
\"Afterall，\"heremarked，\"Ihavechangedmyplans。Ishallnotleavethehotel。Iamgoingtotelephoneroundtomymantobringmesomeclothes。Bythebye，doyoumindtellingmewhetherthismessagewhichyouhavejustreceivedhadanythingtodowiththelittleaffairinwhichweareinterested？\"
\"Notdirectly，\"Laverickanswered，afteramoment\'shesitation。
\"Themessagewasfromayounglady。Ihavetogoandmeether。\"
\"Ayoungladywhomyoucantrust？\"Bellamyinquiredquietly。
\"Implicitly，\"Laverickassuredhim。
\"Shespokeherself？\"
\"No，shesentamessage。Excuseme，Bellamy，won\'tyou，butI
mustreallygo。\"
\"Byallmeans，\"Bellamyanswered。
Theystoodattheentrancetothehoteltogetherwhileataxicabwassummoned。Lavericksteppedquicklyin。
\"25，JermynStreet，\"heordered。
Bellamywatchedhimdriveoff。Thenhesighed。
\"Ithink，myfriendLaverick，\"hesaidsoftly，\"thatyouwillneedsomeonetolookafteryouto-night。\"
CHAPTERXXXII
MORRISONISDESPERATE
CertainlyitwasastrangelittlegatheringthatwaitedinMorrison\'sroomforthecomingofLaverick。TherewasLassen-flushed，ugly，breathingheavily，andwatchingthedoorwithfixed，beadyeyes。
TherewasAdolfKahn，themanwhohadstrolledoutfromtheMilanHotelasLaverickhadenteredit，leavingtheforgedorderbehindhim。TherewasStreuss-stern，anddesperatewithanxiety。TherewasMorrisonhimself，intheclothesofaworkman，worntoashadow，withthefurtivegleamofterrifiedguiltshininginhissunkeneyes，andtheslouchedshouldersandbrokenmienofthehabitualcriminal。TherewasZoe，aroundwhomtheywereallstanding，withangerburninginhercheeksandgleamingoutofherpassion-filledeyes。She，too，liketheothers，watchedthedoor。Sotheywaited。
Streuss，notforthefirsttime，movedtothewindowanddrawingasidethecurtainslookeddownintothestreet。
\"Willhecome-thisEnglishman？\"hemuttered。\"Hashecourage？\"
\"Morecouragethanyouwhokeepagirlhereagainstherwill！\"Zoepanted，lookingathimdefiantly。\"Morecouragethanmypoorbrother，whostandstherelikeacoward！\"
\"Shutup，Zoe！\"Morrisonexclaimedharshly。\"Thereisnothingforyoutobefuriousaboutorfrightened。Noonewantstoill-treatyou。Thesegentlemenallwanttobehavekindlytous。ItisLavericktheywant。\"
\"Andyou，\"shecried，\"arecontenttostandbyandlethimwalkintoatrap-youletthemevenusemynametobringhimhere！
Arthur，beaman！Havenothingmoretodowiththem。Helpmetogetawayfromthisplace。Callout。Dosomethinginsteadofstandingthereandwastingthepreciousminutes。\"
Hecametowardsher-uglyandthreatening。
\"I\'lldosomethinginaminute，\"hedeclaredsavagely，-\"somethingyouwon\'tlike，either。Keepyourmouthshut，Itellyou。It\'smeorhim，and，byHeavens，hedeserveswhathe\'llget！\"
StreussturnedawayfromthewindowandlookedtowardsZoe。
\"Younglady，\"hesaidquietly，\"letmebegyounottodistressyourselfso。Isincerelytrustthatnothingunpleasantwillhappen。
Ifitdoes，Ipromiseyouthatwewillarrangeforyourtemporaryabsence。Youshallnotbedisturbedinanyway。\"
\"Andasregardsyourbrother，haveacare，younglady，\"Lassengrowled。\"Ifanyone\'sindanger，it\'she。He\'llbeluckyifhesaveshisownskin。\"
Theyoungmangloweredather。
\"Youhearthat，youlittlefool！\"hemuttered。Keepstill，can\'tyou？\"
Herfacewasfullofdefiance。Hecamenearertoherandchangedhistone。
\"Zoe，\"hewhisperedhoarsely，\"don\'tyouunderstand？Iftheycan\'tgetwhattheywantfromLaverick，they\'llvisitituponme。They\'redesperate，Itellyou。Theymeanmischiefallthetime。\"
\"Yetyoulethimbebroughthere，yourpartnerwholookedafteryouwhenyouwereill，andwhohelpedyoutogetaway！\"shecriedindignantly。
Helaughedunpleasantly。
\"Whenitcomestoamatteroflifeordeath，it\'severymanforhimself。Besides，ifI\'dknownasmuchaboutLaverickasIknownow，I\'mnotsurethatIshouldhavebeensoreadytogo-notempty-handed，byanymannerofmeans。\"
\"Whathaveyoudonethatyoushouldbesomuchinthepowerofthesepeople？\"shedemanded，fixingherdarkeyesuponhimsearchingly。
Theterrorwhitenedhisfaceoncemore。Theperspirationstoodoutinbeadsuponhisforehead。
\"Don\'tdaretoaskmequestions！\"heexclaimednervously。\"IshouldliketoknowwhatLaverickistoyou，eh，thatyoutakesomuchinterestinhim？Listenhere，myfineyounglady。IfI\'vebeenmugenoughtodothedirtywork，hehasn\'tmadeanybonesabouttakingadvantageofit。He\'sanicesortofsportsman，Icantellyou。\"
Themanatthewindowsuddenlydroppedthecurtainandspokeacrosstheroomtothemall。
\"Heishere，\"heannounced。
\"Alone？\"Lassenaskedthickly。
\"Alone，\"Streussechoed。
Alittlethrillseemedtopassthroughtheroom。Zoemadenoattempttocryout。Insteadsheleanedforwardtowardsthedoor，asthoughlistening。Herattitudeseemedharmlessenough。Noonetookanymorenoticeofher。Theyallwatchedtheentrancetotheapartment。
Zoerememberedthetwoflightsofstairs。Shewasabsorbedinabreathlesscalculation。Now-nowheshouldbecomingquiteclose。
Herwholebeingwasconcentratedupononeeffortoflistening。Atlastsheraisedherhead。Theroomresoundedwithhercries。
\"Don\'tcomein！Don\'tcomeinhere！\"sheshrieked。\"Mr。Laverick，doyouhear？Goaway！Don\'tcomeinherealone！\"
Herbrotherwasthefirsttoreachher，hishandfelluponhermouthbrutally。Herlittleeffortwasnaturallyafailure-defeating，infact，itsownobject。Laverick，hearinghercries，simplyhastenedhiscoming，threwopenthedoorwithoutwaitingtoknock，andsteppedquicklyacrossthethreshold。Hesawamandressedinshabbyworkman\'sclothes，unshaven，dishevelled，holdingZoeinaroughgrasp，andwithasinglewell-directedblowhesenthimreelingacrosstheroom。Thensomethingintheman\'scry，amomentaryglimpseofhiswhiteface，revealedhisidentity。
\"Morrison！\"hecried。\"GoodGod，it\'sMorrison！\"
ArthurMorrisonwascrouchinginacorneroftheroom，hisevilfaceturneduponhisaggressor。Lavericktookquickstockofhissurroundings。Therewasthetall，fairyoungman-AdolfKahn-whomhehadseenattheMilanafewhoursago-themanwhohadunsuccessfullyforgedhisname。TherewasLassen，themanwho，underpretenceofbeinghermanager，hadbeenaspyuponLouise。TherewasStreuss，withblanchedfaceandhardfeatures，standingwithhisbacktothedoor。TherewasZoe，and，behind，herbrother。Sheheldoutherhandstimidlytowardshim，andhereyesweresoftwithpleading。
\"Ididnotwantyoutocomehere，Mr。Laverick，\"shecriedsoftly。
\"Itriedsohardtostopyou。ItwasnotIwhosentthatmessage。\"
Hetookhercoldlittlefingersandraisedthemtohislips。
\"Iknowit，dear，\"hemurmured。
Thenamovementintheroomwarnedhim，andhewassuddenlyonguard。
Lassenwasclosetohisside，someevilpurposeplainlyenoughwritteninhispastyfaceandunwholesomeeyes。Laverickgavehimhisleftshoulderandsenthimstaggeringacrossthefloor。Hewasangryathavingbeenoutwittedandhiseyesgleamedominously。
\"Well，gentlemen，\"heexclaimed，\"youseemtohavetakenunusualpainstosecuremypresencehere！Tellmenow，whatcanIdoforyou？\"
ItwasStreusswhobecamespokesman。HeaddressedLaverickwiththeconsiderationofonegentlemanaddressinganother。Hisvoicehadmanyagreeablequalities。Hisdemeanorwasentirelyamicable。
\"Mr。Laverick，\"heanswered，\"letusfirstapologizeifweusedalittlesubterfugetoprocureforusthepleasureofyourvisit。Wearemenwhoareinearnest，andacrosswhosepathyouhaveeitherwilfullyoraccidentallystrayed。Anunderstandingbetweenushasbecomeanecessity。\"
\"Goon，\"Laverickinterrupted。\"Tellmeexactlywhoyouareandwhatyouwant。\"
\"Astowhoweare，\"Streussanswered，\"doesthatreallymatter？I
repeatthatwearemenwhoareinearnest-letthatbeenough。Astowhatwewant，itisacertaindocumenttowhichwehaveeveryclaim，andwhichhascomeintoyourpossession-Iflatteryousomewhat，Mr。Laverick，ifIsaybychance。\"
Laverickshruggedhisshoulders。
\"Letthatgo，\"hesaid。\"Iknowallaboutthedocumentyoureferto，andthenotes。Theywerecontainedinapocket-bookwhichitisperfectlytruehascomeintomypossession。Proveyourclaimtobothandyoushallhavethem。\"
Streusssmiled。
\"Youwilladmitthatourclaim，sinceweknowofitsexistence，\"heaskedsuavely，\"isequaltoyours？\"
\"Certainly，\"Laverickanswered，\"butthenIneverhadanyideaofkeepingeitherthedocumentorthemoney。Thatyourclaimisbetterthanmineisnoguaranteethatthereisnotsomeoneelsewhosetitleisbetterstill。\"
Streussfrowned。
\"Bereasonable，Mr。Laverick，\"hebegged。\"Wearemenofpeace-
whenpeaceispossible。Themoneyofwhichyouspokeyoucanconsiderastreasuretrove，ifyouwill，butitisourintentiontopossessourselvesofthedocument。ItisforthatreasonthatwearehereinLondon。I，personally，amcommittedtotheextentofmylifeandmyhonortoitsrecovery。\"
Adeclarationofwar，courteouslyveiledbutdecisive。Lavericklookedaroundhimalittledefiantly，andshruggedhisshoulders。
\"YouknowverywellthatIdonotcarryitaboutwithme，\"hesaid。
\"Thegentlemanonmyleft，\"headded，pointingtoKahn，\"cantellyouwhereitiskept。\"
\"Quiteso，\"Streussadmitted。\"Wearenotdoingyoutheinjusticetosupposethatyouwouldbesofoolhardyastotrustyourselfanywherewiththatdocumentuponyourperson。ItisinthesafeattheMilanHotel。Imayaddthatprobably，ifithadnotoccurredtoyoutochangeyourquarters，itwouldhavebeeninourpossessionbeforenow。Wearehopingtopersuadeyoutoreturntothehotelwithoneofourfriendshere，andprocureit。\"
\"Asithappens，\"Laverickremarked，\"thatisimpossible。Themanwhosetthecombinationforthatparticularsafehasgoneoffduty，andwillnotbebackagainatthehoteltillto-morrowmorning。\"
\"Butheistobefound，\"Streussansweredeasily。\"Hispresentwhereaboutsandhisaddressareknowntous。HeliveswithhisfamilyatHarvardCourt，Hampstead。Weshallassistyouinmakingitworthhiswhiletoreturntothehotelortogiveyouthecombinationwordforthesafe。\"
\"Youarerathergreatondetail！\"Laverickexclaimed。
\"Itisourbusiness。Thequestionforyoutodecide，andtodecideimmediately，iswhetheryouarereadytoendthis，insomerespects，constrainedsituation，andgiveyourwordtoplacethatdocumentinourhands。\"
\"Youarereadytoacceptmyword，then？\"Laverickasked。
\"Wehaveacertainholduponyou，\"Streusscontinuedslowly。\"YourpartnerMr。Morrison\'spositioninconnectionwiththemurderinCrookedFriars\'Alleyis，asyoumayhavesurmised，asomewhatunfortunateone。YourownIwillnotalludeto。Iwillsimplysuggestthatforbothyoursakespublicity-anymeasureofpublicity，infact，asregardsthislittleaffair-wouldnotbedesirable。\"
Laverickhesitated。Heunderstoodallthatwasimplied。Morrison\'seyeswerefixeduponhim-theeyesofacravencoward。Hefelttheintensityofthemoment。ThenZoeturnedsuddenlytowardshim。
\"Youarenottogiveitup！\"shecried，withtremblinglips。\"Theycannothurtyou，anditisnottrue-aboutArthur。\"
Kahn，whowasnearest，clappedhishandoverhermouthandLaverickknockedhimdown。Instantlythepacificatmosphereoftheroomwaschanged。LassenandMorrisonclosedswiftlyuponLaverickfromdifferentsides。Streusscoveredhimwiththeshiningbarrelofarevolver。
\"Mr。Laverick，\"hesaid，\"wearenotheretobetrifledwith。Keepyoursisterquiet，Morrison，or，byGod，you\'llswing！\"
Lavericklookedattherevolver-fascinated，foraninstant，byitsunexpectedappearance。Thefaceofthemanwhoheldithadchanged。Therewaslightningplayingabouttheroom。
\"It\'sthedockforyouboth！\"Streussexclaimedfiercely，-\"foryou，Laverick，andyou，Morrison，too，ifyouplaywithusanylonger！Oneofyou\'samurdererandtheotherreceivesthebooty。
Whoareyoutohavescruples-criminals，bothofyou？Yourplaceisinthedock，andyoushallbetherewithintwenty-fourhoursifthereareanymoreevasions。Now，Laverick，willyoufetchthatdocument？Itisyourlastchance。\"
Uponthebreathlesssilencethatfollowedaquietvoiceintervened-avoicecalmandemotionless，tingedwithameasureofpoliteinquiry。Yetitslevelutterancefelllikeabombamongthelittlecompany。Thecurtainseparatingthisfromtheinnerroomhadbeendrawnafewfeetback，andBellamywasstandingthere，inblackovercoatandwhitemuffler，hissilkhatonthebackofhishead，hislefthand，carefullygloved，restingstilluponthecurtainwhichhehaddrawnaside。
\"IhopeIamnotdisturbingyouatall？\"hemurmuredsoftly。
Foramomentthedevelopmentofthesituationremaineduncertain。
ThegleamingbarrelofStreuss\'srevolverchangeditsdestination。
Bellamyglancedatitwiththepleasedcuriosityofachild。
\"Ireallyoughtnottohaveintruded，\"hecontinuedamiably。\"I
happenedtoheartheaddressmyfriendLaverickgavetothetaxicabdriver，andIwasparticularlyanxioustohaveawordortwowithhimbeforeIleftfortheContinent。\"
Streusswassurelysomethingofacharlatan！Hisrevolverhaddisappeared。Thesmileuponhislipswasbothgraciousandunembarrassed。
\"OneisalwaysonlytoopleasedtowelcomeMr。Bellamyanywhere-
anyhow，\"hedeclared。\"Ifapologiesareneededatall，\"hecontinued，\"itistoourfriendandhost-Mr。Morrisonhere。
Permitme-Mr。ArthurMorrison-theHonorableDavidBellamy！
TheseareMr。Morrison\'srooms。\"
Morrisoncoulddonomorethanstare。Bellamy，onthecontrary，withalittlebowcamefurtherintotheapartment，removinghishatfromhishead。Lassenglidedroundbehindhim，remainingbetweenBellamyandtheheavycurtains。AdolfKahnmovedasthoughunconsciouslyinfrontofthedooroftheroominwhichtheywere。
Bellamysmiledcourteously。
\"Iamafraid，\"hesaid，\"thatImustnotstayformorethanamoment。
Ihaveacarfulloffriendsbelow-weareonourway，infact，totheCoventGardenBall-andoneortwoofthem，Ifear，\"headdedindulgently，\"havealreadyreachedthatstageofexhilarationwhichsuchanentertainmentinEnglandseemstodemand。TheywillcertainlycomeandroutmeoutifIamheremuchlonger。There！\"heexclaimed，\"youhearthat？\"
Therewasthesoundofamotorhornfromthestreetbelow。Streuss，withanoathtremblinguponhislips，liftedtheblind。Thereweretwomotor-carswaitingthere-largecarswithLimousinebodies，andapparentlyfullofmen。Afterall，itwastobeexpected。
Bellamywasnofool！
\"Sincewearetoloseyou，thenMr。Laverick，\"Streussremarkedwithagestureoffarewell，\"letussaygoodnight。Thelittlematterofbusinesswhichwewerediscussingcanbeconcludedwithyourpartner。\"
LaverickturnedtowardZoe。Theireyesmetandhereadtheirmessageofterror。
\"Youarecomingbacktoyourownrooms，MissLeneveu，\"hesaid。
\"Youmustletmeofferyoumyescort。\"
Shehalfrose，butinobediencetoagesturefromStreussMorrisonmovedneartothem。
\"Ifyouleavemehere，Laverick，\"hemutteredbeneathhisbreath，-
\"ifyouleavemetothesehounds，doyouknowwhattheywilldo？
Theywillhandmeovertothepolice-theyhaveswornit！\"
\"Whydidyoucomeback？\"Laverickaskedquickly。
\"TheystoppedmeasIwasboardingthesteamer，\"Morrisondeclared。
\"Itellyoutheyhaveeyeseverywhere。Youcannotmovewithouttheirknowledge。Ihadtocome。NowthatIamheretheyhavetoldmeplainlythepriceofmyfreedom。Itisthatdocument。Laverick，itismylife！Youmustgivein-youmust，indeed！Rememberyou\'reinit，too。\"
\"AmI？\"Laverickaskedquietly。
\"Youfool，ofcourseyouare！\"Morrisonwhisperedhoarsely。\"Didn\'tyoucomeintotheentryandtakethepocket-book？Heavenknowswhatpossessedyoutodoit！Heavenknowshowyoufoundtheplucktousethemoney！Butyoudidit，andyouareacriminal-acriminalasI
am。Don\'tbeafool，Laverick。Maketermswiththesepeople。Theywantthedocument-thedocument-nothingbutthedocument！Theywillletuskeepthemoney。\"
\"Andyou？\"Laverickasked，turningsuddenlytoZoe。\"Whatdoyousayaboutallthis？\"
Shelookedathimfearlessly。
\"Itrustyou，\"shesaid。\"Itrustyoutodowhatisright。
CHAPTERXXXIII
LAVERICKSARREST
\"Atlast，David！\"
Louisewelcomedhervisitoreagerlywithoutstretchedhands，whichBellamyraisedforamomenttohislips。Thensheturnedtowardthethirdperson，whohadalsorisenattheopeningofthedoor-ashort，somewhatthick-setman，withswarthycomplexion，close-croppedblackhair，andupturnedblackmoustache。
\"YourememberPrinceRosmaran？\"shesaidtoBellamy。\"HeleftServiaonlythedaybeforeyesterday。HehascometoEnglandonaspecialmissiontotheKing。\"
Bellamyshookhands。
\"Ithink，\"heremarked，\"Ihadthehonorofmeetingyouoncebefore，Prince，attheopeningoftheServianParliamenttwoyearsago。Itwasjustthen，Ibelieve，thatyouwereelectedtoleadthepatrioticparty。\"
ThePrincebowedsadly。
\"Myleadership，Ifear，\"hedeclared，\"hasbroughtlittlegoodtomyunhappycountry。\"
\"Itisaterriblecrisisthroughwhichyournationispassing，\"
Bellamyremindedhimsympathetically。\"Atthesametime，wemustnotdespair。Austriaholdsoutherclenchedhands，butasyetshehasnotdaredtostrike。\"
ThefaceofthePrincewasdarkwithpassion。
\"Asyet，no！\"heanswered。\"Buthowlong-howlong，Iwonder-
beforetheblowfalls？WeinServiahavebeenblamedforarmingourselves，butItellyouthatto-daytheAustriantroopsarebeingsecretlyconcentratedonthefrontier。Theirarsenalsareworkingnightandday。HersoldiersaremanoeuveringalmostwithinsightofBelgrade。Wehavehopedagainsthope，yetinourheartsweknowthatourfatewassealedwhentheCzarofRussialeftViennalastweek。\"
\"Nothingiscertain，\"Bellamydeclaredrestlessly。\"Englandhasbeenill-governedforagreatmanyyears，butwearenotyetanegligiblePower。\"
Louiseleanedalittletowardshim。
\"David，\"shewhispered，\"thecompact！\"
Heansweredherunspokenquestion。
\"Itisarranged，\"hesaid，-\"finished。To-morrowmorningatnineo\'clockIreceiveit。\"
\"Youaresure？\"shebegged。\"Whyneedtherebeanydelay？\"
\"Itislockedupinapowerfulsafe，\"heexplained，\"andtheclerkwhohasthecombinationwillnotbeondutyagaintillnine。
Laverickistheresimplywaitingforthehour。Youwereright，Louise，asusual。Ishouldhavetrustedhimfromthefirst。\"
ThePrincehadbeenlisteningtotheirconversationwithundisguisedinterest。
\"Thereisarumor，\"hesaid，\"thatsomesecretinformationconcerningthecompactofViennahasfounditswaytothiscountry。\"
Bellamysmiled。
\"Hence，Ipresume，yourmission，Prince。\"
\"Wethreehavenosecretsfromoneanother，\"thePrincedeclared。
\"Ourinterestsinthismatterareabsolutelyidentical。Whatyousuggest，Mr。Bellamy，isthetruth。ThereisarumorthattheChancellor，inthefirstfewmomentsofhisillness，gavevaluableinformationtosomeonewhoislikelytohavecommunicatedittotheGovernmenthere。Tobeforewarnedistobeforearmed。That，I
know，isoneofyourownmottoes。SoIamheretoknowifthereisanythingtobelearned。\"
Bellamynodded。
\"Yourarrivalisnotinopportune，Prince。Whendidyoucome？\"
\"IreachedCharingCrossatmidnight，\"thePrinceanswered。\"Ourtrainwasanhourlate。Iampresentingmycredentialsearlythismorning，andIamhopingforaninterviewduringtheafternoon。\"
Bellamyconsideredforamoment。
\"Itistrue！\"hesaid。\"Betweenusthreethereisindeednoneedforsecrecy。Theinformationyouspeakofwillbeinourhandswithinafewhours。IhavenodoubtwhateverbutthatyourMinisterwillshareinit。\"
\"YouknowofwhatitConsists？\"thePrinceinquiredcuriously。
\"Ithinkso，\"Bellamyanswered，glancingattheclock。\"Formyownpart，althoughtheinformationitselfisinvaluable，Iseeanotherandaprofoundersourceofinterestinthatdocument。If，indeed，itiswhatwebelieveittobe，itamountstoacasusbelli。\"
\"Youmeanthatyouwouldprovokewar？\"PrinceRosmaranasked。
Bellamyshruggedhisshoulders。
\"I，\"saidhe，-\"Iamnotevenapolitician。But，youknow，thelookers-onseeagooddealofthegame，andinmyopinionthereisonlyonecourseopenforthiscountry，-toworkuponRussiasothatshewithdrawsfromanycompactshemayhaveenteredintowithAustriaandGermany，toacceptGermany\'scooperationwithAustriainthedespoilmentofyourcountryasacasusbelli，andtodeclarewaratoncewhileourfleetisinvincibleandourColoniesfreefromdanger。\"
ThePrincenodded。
\"Itisgood，\"headmitted，\"tohearman\'stalkoncemore。Whereveronemoves，peoplebowtheheadbeforethemightofGermanyandAustria。Letthemalonebutalittlelonger，andtheywillindeedruleEurope。\"
Threeo\'clockstruck。ThePrincerose。
\"Igo，\"heannounced。
\"AndI，\"Bellamydeclared。\"Cometomyroomsatteno\'clocktomorrowmorning，Prince，andyoushallhearthenews。