Bellamylingeredbehind。ForamomentheheldLouiseinhisarmsandgazedsorrowfullyintoherwearyface。
\"Isitworthwhile，Iwonder？\"heaskedbitterly。
\"Worthwhile，\"sheanswered，openinghereyesandlookingathim，\"tofeelthemotherlove？Whocanhelpitwhowouldnotbeignoble？\"
\"Butyours，dear，\"hemurmured，\"isallgrief。EvennowIamafraid。\"
\"Wecandonomorethantoiltotheend，\"shesaid。\"David，youaresurethistime？\"
\"Iamsure，\"hereplied。\"IamgoingbacknowtothehotelwhereLaverickisstaying。Wearegoingtosittogetherandsmokeuntilthemorning。Nothingshortofanarmycouldstormthehotel。I
waswiththemallonlyanhourago，-Streuss，thatblackguardLassen，andAdolfKahn，thepolicespy。Theyarebeatenmenandtheyknowit。TheyhadLaverick，hadhimbyatrick，butImadeadramaticentranceandthegamewasup。\"
\"TelephonemedirectlyyouhavetakenitsafelytoDowningStreet，\"
shebegged。
\"Iwill，\"hepromised。
BellamywalkedfromDoverStreettotheStrand。Thestreetswerealmostbrilliantwiththecold，hardmoonlight。Theairseemedcuriouslykeen。Onceortwicethefallofhisfeetuponthepavementwassoclearanddistinctthathefanciedhewasbeingfollowedandglancedsharplyaround。HereachedtheMilanHotel，however，withoutadventure，andlookedtowardsthelittleopenspaceinthehallwherehehadexpectedtofindLaverick。Therewasnoonethere！Hestoodstillforamoment，troubledwithasuddensenseofapprehension。Theplacewasdesertedexceptforacoupleofsleepy-lookingclerksandasmallarmyofcleanersbusywiththeirmachinesdownintherestaurant，movingaboutlikemysteriousfiguresinthedimlight。
Bellamyturnedbacktothehall-porterwhohadadmittedhim。
\"DoyouhappentoknowwhathasbecomeofthegentlemanwhomIwaswithaboutanhourago？\"heasked，-\"atall，fairgentleman-Mr。
Laverickhisnamewas？\"
Thehall-porterrecognizedBellamyandtouchedhishat。
\"Why，yes，sir！\"heansweredwithasomewhatmysteriousair。\"Mr。
Laverickwassittingoverthereinaneasy-chairuntilabouthalf-an-hourago。Thentwogentle-menarrivedinataxicabandinquiredforhim。Theytalkedforalittletime，andfinallyMr。
Laverickwentawaywiththem。\"
Bellamywaspuzzled。
\"Wentawaywiththem？\"herepeated。\"Idon\'tunderstandthat，Reynolds。HewastohavewaitedheretillIreturned。\"
Themanhesitated。
\"Itdidn\'tstrikeme，sir，\"hesaid，\"thatMr。Laverickwasverywishfultogo。Itseemedasthoughhehadn\'tmuchchoiceaboutthematter。\"
Bellamylookedathimkeenly。
\"Tellmewhatisinyourmind？\"heasked。
\"Mr。Bellamy，sir，\"thehall-porterreplied，\"Iknewoneofthosegentlemenbysight。HewasadetectivefromScotlandYard，andtheonewhowaswithhimwasapolicemaninplainclothes。\"
\"GoodGod！\"Bellamyexclaimed。\"Youthink，then，-\"
\"Iamafraidtherewasnodoubtaboutit，sir，\"themananswered。
\"Mr。Laverickwasarrestedonsomecharge。\"
CHAPTERXXXIV
MORRISON\'SDISCLOSURE
IntoNewOxfordStreet，oneoftheceaselessstreamsofpolyglothumanity，cameZoefromhercheerlessdayboundforthetheatre。
Shewasalittlewhiter，alittlemoretiredthanusual。AlldaylongshehadheardnothingofLaverick。Alldaylongshehadsatinhertinyroomwiththememoryofthathorriblenightbeforeher。
Shehadtriedinvaintosleep，-shehadmadenoeffortwhatevertoeat。SheknewnowwhyArthurMorrisonhadfledaway。Sheknewthecauseofthatparoxysmoffearinwhichhehadsoughtherout。
Thehorrorofthewholethinghadcreptintoherbloodlikepoison。
Lifewasoncemoreadreary，profitlessstruggle。Allthewonderfuldreams，whichhadmadeexistenceseemalmostlikeafairy-taleforthislastweek，hadfadedaway。Shewasoncemoreamournfullittlewaifamongthepitilesscrowds。
SheturnedtotheleftandpasttheHolbornTube。Boyswereshoutingeverywherethecontentsoftheeveningpapers。Nearlyeveryoneseemedtobecarryingoneofthepinksheets。Sheherselfpassedonwithunseeingeyes。Newswasnothingtoher。Governmentsmightriseandfall，warmightcomeandgo，-shehadstilllifetosupport，afriendlesslittlelife，too，ontwopoundsfifteenshillingsaweek。Thenewstheyshoutedfellupondeafears，butoneboyunfurledalmostbeforehereyestheheadlinesofhissheet。
SENSATIONALARRESTOFAWELL-KNOWN
STOCKBROKER。CHARGEOFMURDER。
Shecametoasuddenstopandpulledoutherpurse。Herfingerstrembledsothatthepennyfellontothepavement。Theboypickeditupwillinglyenough，however，andshepassedonwiththepaperinherhand。Thereitwasonthefrontpage-staringherintheface:
EarlyyesterdaymorningMr。StephenLaverick，ofthefirmofLaverick&Morrison，Stockbrokers，OldBroadStreet，wasarrestedattheMilanHotelonthechargeofbeingconcernedinthemurderofapersonunknown，inCrookedFriars\'Alley，onMondaylast。Theaccused，whomadenoreplytothecharge，wasremovedtoBowStreetPolice-Station。Particularsofhisexaminationbeforethemagistrateswillbefoundonpage4。
Therewasadullsinginginherears。Anelectrictram，comingupfromtheundergroundpassage，seemedtobringwithitsomesortofthunderfromanunknownworld。Shestaggeredon，unseeing，gaspingforbreath。Ifshecouldfindsomewheretositdown！Ifshecouldonlyrestforamoment！Thenasuddenwaveofstrengthcametoher，thebloodflowedoncemoreinherveins-bloodthatwashotwithanger，thatstainedhercheekswithaspotofred。Itwasthemansheloved，this，beingmadetosufferfalsely。Itwasthefulfilmentoftheirthreat-adeliberateplotagainsthim。ThemurdererofCrookedFriars\'Alley-sheknewwhothatwas！-sheknew！Perhapsshemighthelp！
Shehadnottheslightestrecollectionoftheremainderofthatwalk，butshefoundherselfpresentlysittinginaquietcornerofthetheatrewiththepaperspreadoutbeforeher。ShereadthatStephenLaverickhadbeenbroughtbeforeMr。Rawson，themagistrateofBowStreetPoliceCourt，onawarrantcharginghimwithhavingbeenconcernedwiththemurderofapersonunknown，andthathehadpleaded\"NotGuilty！\"HereyesglitteredasshereadthatthefirstwitnesscalledwasMr。ArthurMorrison，latepartneroftheaccused。Shereadhisdeposition-thathehadleftLaverickattheirofficesateleveno\'clockonthenightinquestion，thattheywereatthattimeabsolutelywithoutmeans，andhadnoprospectofmeetingtheirengagementsonthemorrow。ShereadtheevidenceofMr。Fenwick，bankmanager，totheeffectthatMr。Laverickhad，onthefollowingmorning，depositedwithhimthesumoftwentythousandpoundsinBankofEnglandnotes，bymeansofwhichtheengagementsofthefirmweredulymet，thatthosenoteshadsincebeenredeemed，andthathehadnoideaoftheirpresentwhereabouts。
Sheread，too，theevidenceofAdolfKahn，anAustrianvisitingthiscountryuponprivatebusiness，whodeposedthathewasinthevicinityjustbeforemidnight，thathesawaperson，whomheidentifiedastheaccused，walkingdownthestreetand，afterdisappearingforafewminutesdowntheentry，returnandre-entertheofficesfromwhichhehadissued。HeexplainedhispresencetherebythefactthathewaswaitingforaclerkemployedbytheGoldfields\'Corporation，Limited，whoseofficeswerecloseby。
Furtherformalevidencewasgiven，andaremandaskedfor。Theaccused\'ssolicitorwasonthepointofaddressingthecourtwhenMr。Rawsonwasunfortunatelytakenill。Afterwaitingforsometime，thecasewasadjourneduntilthenextday，andtheaccusedmanwasremovedincustody。
Zoelaiddownthepaperandrosetoherfeet。Shemadeherwaytowherethestage-managerwassuperintendingtheerectionofsomenewscenery。
\"Mr。Heepman，\"sheexclaimed，\"Icannotstaytorehearsal！Ihavetogoout。\"
Heturnedheavilyroundandlookedather。
\"Rehearsalpostponed，\"hedeclaredsolemnly。\"Shallyoubebackfortheeveningperformance，orshallweclosethetheatre？\"
Hisclumsyironymisseditsmark。Herthoughtsweretoointenselyfocussedupononething。
\"Iamsorry，\"shereplied，turningaway。\"IwillcomebackassoonasIcan。\"
Hecalledoutafterherandshepaused。
\"Lookhere，\"hesaid，\"youwereabsentfromtheperformancetheotherevening，andnowyouareskippingrehearsalwithoutevenwaitingforpermission。Itcan\'tbedone，younglady。Youmustdoyourplayingaroundsomeothertime。Ifyou\'renotherewhenyou\'recalled，youneedn\'ttroubletoturnupagain。Doyouunderstand？\"
Herlipsquiveredandthesenseofimpendingdisasterwhichseemedtobebroodingoverherlifebecamealmostoverwhelming。
\"I\'llcomebackassoonasIcan，\"shepromised，withalittlebreakinhervoice，-\"assoonaseverIcan，Mr。Heepman。\"
Shehurriedoutofthetheatreandtookherplaceoncemoreamongthehurryingthrongofpedestrians。Severalpeopleturnedroundtolookather。Herwhiteface，tight-drawnmouth，andeyesalmostunnaturallylarge，seemedtohavebecometheabiding-placefortragedy。Sheherselfsawnoone。Shewouldhavetakenacab，butaglimpseatthecontentsofherpursedissuadedher。ShewalkedsteadilyontoJermynStreet，walkedupthestairstothethirdfloor，andknockedatherbrother\'sdoor。Nooneansweredheratfirst。Sheturnedthehandleandenteredtofindtheroomempty。
Thereweresounds，however，inthefurtherapartment，andshecalledouttohim。
\"Arthur，\"shecried，\"areyouthere？\"
\"Whoisit？\"hedemanded。
\"ItisI-Zoe！\"sheexclaimed。
\"Whatdoyouwant？\"
\"Iwanttospeaktoyou，Arthur。Imustspeaktoyou。Pleasecomeasquicklyasyoucan。\"
Hegrowledsomethingandinafewmomentsheappeared。Hewaswearingthemorningclothesinwhichhehadattendedcourtearlierintheday，butthechangeinhimwasperhapsallthemoremarkedbyreasonofthisresumptionofhisoldattire。Hischeekswerehollow，hiseyesscarcelyforaninstantseemedtolosethatfeverishgleamofterrorwithwhichhehadreturnedfromLiverpool。
Heknewverywellwhatshehadcomeabout，andhebegannervouslytotryandbullyher。
\"Iwishyouwouldn\'tcometotheserooms，Zoe，\"hesaid。\"I\'vetoldyoubeforethey\'rebachelors\'apartments，andtheydon\'tlikewomenabouttheplace。Whatisit？Whatdoyouwant？\"
\"Iwasbroughtherelasttimewithoutanyparticulardesireonmypart，\"sheanswered，lookinghimintheface。\"I\'vecomenowtoaskyouwhataccursedplotthisisagainstStephenLaverick？Whatwereyoudoinginthecourtthismorning，lying？Whatisthemeaningofit，Arthur？\"
\"Ifyou\'vecometotalkrubbishlikethat，\"hedeclaredroughly，\"you\'dbetterbeoff。\"
\"No，itisnotrubbish！\"shewentonfearlessly。\"IthinkIcanunderstandwhatitisthathashappened。Theyhaveterrifiedyouandbribedyouuntilyouarewillingtodoanydespicablething-eventhis。Yourfatherwasgoodtomymother，Arthur，andI
havetriedtofeeltowardsyouasthoughyouwereindeedarelation。
Butnothingofthatcounts。IwantyoutorealizethatIknowthetruth，andthatIwillnotseeaninnocentmanconvictedwhiletheguiltygofree。\"
Hemovedasteptowardsher。Theywereonoppositesidesofthesmallroundtablewhichstoodinthecentreoftheapartment。
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"hedemandedhoarsely。
\"Isn\'titplainenough？\"sheexclaimed。\"Youcametomyroomsaweekorsoago，aterrified，broken-downman。Ifevertherewasguiltinaman\'sface，itwasinyours。YousentforLaverick。Hepitiedyouandhelpedyouaway。AtLiverpooltheywouldnotletyouembark-thesemen。Theyhavebroughtyoubackhere。Youaretheirtool。Butyouknowverywell，Arthur，thatitwasnotStephenLaverickwhokilledthemaninCrookedFriars\'Alley！YouknowverywellthatitwasnotStephenLaverick！\"
\"WhythedevilshouldIknowanythingaboutit？\"heaskedfiercely。
Anoteofpassionsuddenlycreptintohervoice。Herlittlewhitehand，withitsaccusingforefinger，shotouttowardshim。
\"Becauseitwasyou，ArthurMorrison，whocommittedthatcrime，\"shecried，\"andsoonerthananothermanshouldsufferforit，Ishallgotocourtmyselfandtellthetruth。\"
Hewas，forthemoment，absolutelyspeechless，paleasdeath，withnervouslytwitchinglipsandfingers。Buttherewasmurderinhiseyes。
\"Whatdoyouknowaboutthis？\"hemuttered。
\"Nevermind，\"sheanswered。\"IknowandIguessquiteenoughtoconvinceme-andIthinkanybodyelse-thatyouaretheguiltyman。
Iwouldhavehelpedyouandshieldedyou，whateveritcostme，butIwillnotdosoatStephenLaverick\'sexpense。\"
\"WhatisLavericktoyou？\"hegrowled。
\"Heisnothingtome，\"shereplied，\"butthebestoffriends。Evenwerehelessthanthat，doyousupposethatIwouldletaninnocentmansuffer？\"
Hemoistenedhisdrylipsrapidly。
\"Youaretalkingnonsense，Zoe，\"hesaid，-\"nonsense！Eveniftherehasbeensomelittlemistake，whatcouldIdonow？Ihavegivenmyevidence。SofarasIamconcerned，thecaseisfinished。
Ishallnotbecalledagainuntilthetrial。\"
\"Thenyouhadbettergotothemagistratestomorrowmorningandtakebackyourevidence，\"shedeclaredboldly，\"forifyoudonot，IshallbethereandIshalltellthetruth。\"
\"Zoe，\"hegasped，\"don\'ttrymetoohigh。Thisthinghasupsetme。
I\'mill。Can\'tyouseeit，Zoe？Lookatme。Ihaven\'tsleptforweeks。NightanddayI\'vehadthefear-thefearalwayswithme。
Youdon\'tknowwhatitis-youcan\'timagine。It\'slikeaterribleghost，keepingpacewithyouwhereveryougo，layinghisicyfingeruponyouwheneveryouwouldrest，mockingatyouwhenyoutrytodrownthoughtevenforamoment。Don\'tyoutrymetoofar，Zoe。
I\'mnotresponsible。Laverickisn\'tthemanyouthinkhimtobe。
Heisn\'tthemanIbelieved。Hedidhavethatmoney-hedid，indeed。\"
\"That，\"shesaid，\"istobeexplained。Butheisnotamurderer。\"
\"Listentome，Zoe，\"Morrisoncontinued，leaningacrossthetable。
\"Comeandstaywithmeforatimeandwewillgoawayforaweek-somewheretotheseaside。ewilltalkaboutthisandthinkitover。IwanttogetawayfromLondon。WewillgotoBrighton，ifyoulike。mustdosomethingforyou，Zoe。I\'mafraidI\'veneglectedyouagooddeal。PerhapsIcouldgetyouabetterpartatoneofthetheatres。Imustmakeyouanallowance。Yououghttobewearingbetterclothes。\"
Shedrewalittleaway。
\"Iwantnothingfromyou，Arthur，\"shesaid，\"exceptthis-thatyouspeakthetruth。\"
Hewipedhisforeheadandstruckthetablebeforeher。
\"But，goodGod，Zoe！\"heexclaimed，\"doyouknowwhatitisthatyouareaskingme？Doyouwantmetogointocourtandsay-\'Thatisn\'ttheman……ItisIwhoamthemurderer\'？Doyouwantmetofeeltheirhandsuponmyshoulder，tobeputthereinthedockandhaveallthepeoplestaringatmecuriouslybecausetheyknowthatbeforeverylongIamtostanduponthescaffoldandhavethatropearoundmyneckand-\"
Hebrokeoffwithalowcry，wringinghishandslikeachildinafitofimpotentterror。Butthegirlinfrontofhimneverflinched。
\"Arthur，\"shesaid，\"crimeisaterriblething，butnothingintheworldcanalteritspunishment。Ifitisfrightfulforyoutothinkofthis，whatmustitbeforhim？Andyouareguiltyandheisnot。\"
\"Iwasmad！\"Morrisonwenton，nowalmostbesidehimself。\"Zoe，I
wasmad！Icalledtheretohaveadrink。Wewerebroke，-thefirmwasbroke。I\'dahundredorsoinmypocketandIwasgoingtoboltthenextday。Andthere，withinafewyardsofme，wasthatman，withsucharollofnotesasIhadneverseeninmylife。Fivehundredpounds，everyoneofthem，andawadasthickasmyfists。
Zoe，theyfascinatedme。IhadtwodrinksquicklyandIfollowedhimout。Somehoworother，IfoundthatI\'dcaughtupaknifethatwasonthecounter。Inevermeanttohurthimseriously，butI
wantedsomeofthosenotes！IwasleavingthenextdayforAfricaandIhadn\'tenoughmoneytomakeafairstart。Iwantedit-myGod，howIwantedmoney！\"
\"Itcouldn\'thavebeenworth-that！\"shecried，lookingathimwonderingly。
\"Iwasmad，\"hecontinued。\"Isawthenotesandtheywenttomyhead。Mendowildthingssometimeswhentheyaredrunk，orforlove。Idon\'tdrinkmuch，andI\'mnotoverfondofwomen，but，myGod，moneyislikethebloodofmybodytome！Isawit，andI
wanteditandIwantedit，andIwentmad！Zoe，youwon\'tgivemeaway？Sayyouwon\'t！\"
\"ButwhatamItodo？\"sheprotested。\"Hemustnotsuffer。\"
\"He\'llgetoff，\"Morrisonassuredherthickly。\"Itellyouhe\'llgetoff。He\'sonlytopartwiththedocument，whichneverbelongedtohim，andthechargewillbewithdrawn。Theyknowwhothemurderedmanwas。Theyknowwherethemoneycamefromwhichhewascarrying。Itellyouhecansavehimself。Youwouldn\'tdreamofsendingmetothegallows，Zoe！\"
\"StephenLaverickwillnevergiveupthatdocumenttothosepeople，\"
shedeclared。\"Iamsureofthat。\"
\"It\'shisownlookout，\"Morrisonmuttered。\"Hehasthechance，anyway。\"
Sheturnedtowardthedoor。
\"Imustgoaway，\"shesaid。\"Imustgoawayandthink。Itisalltoohorrible。\"
Hecameroundthetableswiftlyandcaughtatherwrists。
\"Listen，\"hesaid，\"Ican\'tletyougolikethis。Youmusttellmethatyouarenotgoingtogivemeup。Doyouhear？\"
\"Icanmakenopromises，Arthur，\"sheansweredsadly，\"onlythis-
IshallnotletStephenLavericksufferinyourstead。\"
Heopenedhishandandsheshrankback，terrified，whenshesawwhatitwasthathewasholding。Thenhestruckherdownandwithoutabackwardglancefledoutoftheplace。
CHAPTERXXXV
BELLAMY\'SSUCCESS
Latethatafternoonthehall-porterattheMilanHotel，thecommissionaire，andthechiefmaitred\'hotelfromtheCaf？whohappenedtobeinthehall，togetherwithseveralothersaroundtheplacewhoknewStephenLaverickbysight，weretreatedtoanunexpectedsurprise。Alargeclosedmotor-cardroveuptothefrontentranceandseveralmendescended，amongwhomwasLaverickhimself。Henoddedtothehall-porter，whosesalutewaspurelymechanical，andmakinghiswaywithouthesitationtotheinteriorofthehotel，presentedhisreceiptatthecashier\'sdeskandaskedforhispacket。Theclerklookedupathiminamazement。Hedidnot，forthemoment，noticethatthetwomenstandingimmediatelybehindborethestampofplain-clothespolicemen。HehadonlyafewminutesagofinishedreadingthereportofLaverick\'sexaminationbeforethemagistratesandhisremanduntilthemorrow，uponthechargeofmurder。HisknowledgeofEnglishlawwasbynomeansperfect，buthewasatleastawarethatLaverick\'sappearanceoutsidethepurlieusoftheprisonwasanunusualhappening。
\"Yourpacket，sir！\"herepeated，inamazement。\"Why，thisisMr。
Laverickhimself，isitnot？\"
\"Certainly，\"wasthequietreply。\"IamStephenLaverick。\"
Theclerkcalledtheheadcashier，whoalsostaredatLaverickasthoughhewereaghost。Theywhisperedtogetherinthebackgroundforamoment，andtheirfaceswereastudyinperplexity。OfLaverick\'sidentity，however，therewasnomannerofdoubt。Besides，thepresenceofwhatwasobviouslyaveryampleescortsomewhatreassuredthem。Thecashierhimselfcameforward。
\"Weshallbeexceedinglyglad，Mr。Laverick，\"hesaiddryly，\"togetridofyourpacket。Yourinstructionswerethatweshoulddisregardallorderstohanditovertoanypersonwhatsoever，andImaysaythattheyhavebeenstrictlyadheredto。Wehave，however，hadtwoapplicationsinyournamethismorning。\"
\"Theywerebothforgeries，\"Laverickdeclared。
Thecashierhesitated。ThenheleanedacrossthebroadmahoganycountertowardsLaverick。Oneofthemenwhoappearedtoformpartoftheescortdetachedhimselffromthemandapproachedafewstepsnearer。
\"Thisgentlemanisyourfriend，sir？\"thecashierasked，glancingtowardshim。
\"Heismysolicitor，\"Laverickanswered，\"andisentirelyinmyconfidence。Ifyouhaveanythingtotellme，IshouldlikeMr。
Bellamyalsotohear。\"
Bellamy，whowasstandingalittleinthebackground，tookhisplacebyLaverick\'sside。Thecashier，whoknewhimbysight，bowed。
\"Besidethesetwoforgedorders，sir，\"hesaid，turningagaintoLaverick，\"wehavehadamanwhotookaroominthehotelleaveasmallblackbaghere，whichheinsisteduponhavingdepositedinourdocumentsafe。Myassistanthadaccepteditandwasactuallylockingitupwhenhenoticedafaintsoundinsidewhichhecouldnotunderstand。Thebagwasopenedandfoundtocontainaninfernalmachinewhichwouldhaveexplodedinaquarterofanhour。\"
Bellamydrewhisbreathsharplybetweenhisteeth。
\"Weshouldhavethoughtofthat！\"heexclaimedsoftly。\"That\'sKahn\'swork！\"
\"Iseemtohavegivenyouagreatdealoftrouble，\"Laverickremarkedquietly。\"Igather，however，fromwhatyousay，thatmypacketisstillinyourpossession？\"
\"Itis，sir，\"themanassented。\"WehavetwodetectivesfromScotlandYardhereatthepresentmoment，though，andwehadalmostdecidedtoplaceitintheirchargeforgreatersecurity。\"
\"Itwillbewelltakencareoffromnow，Ipromiseyou，\"Laverickdeclared。
Thecashierandhisclerkledthewayintotheinneroffice。AttheirinvitationLaverickandhissolicitorfollowed，andafewyardsbehindcamethetwoplain-clothespolicemen，Bellamy，andthesuperintendent。ThesafewasopenedandthepacketplacedinLaverick\'shands。HepasseditonatoncetoBellamy，andimmediatelyafterwardsthedoorwaybehindwasthrongedwithmen，apparentlyordinaryloiterersaroundthehotel。Theymadeaslowandexceedinglycautiousexit。Onceoutside，BellamyturnedtoLaverickwithoutstretchedhand。
\"Aurevoirandgoodluck，oldchap！\"hesaidheartily。\"Ithinkyou\'llfindthingsgoyourwayallrightto-morrowmorning。\"
Hedeparted，formingoneofasomewhatsingularcavalcade-twoofhisfriendsoneitherside，twoinfront，andtwobehind。Ithadalmosttheappearanceofaprocession。Thewholepartysteppedintoaclosedmotor-car。Threeorfourmenwereloungingonthepavementandtherewassomeexcitedwhispering，butnooneactuallyinterfered。Assoonastheyhadleftthecourtyard，Laverickandhissolicitor，withhisownguard，re-enteredthemotor-carinwhichtheyhadarrived，anddrovebacktoBowStreet。Veryfewwordswereexchangedduringtheshortjourney。Hissolicitor，however，badehimgood-nightcheerfully，andLaverick\'sbearingwasbynomeansthebearingofamanindespair。
InDowningStreet，withinthenexthalf-an-hour，asomewhatremarkablelittlegatheringtookplace。Thetwomenchieflyresponsibleforthedestiniesofthenation-thePrimeMinisterandtheSecretaryofStateforForeignAffairs-satsidebysidebeforeasmalltable。FacingthemwasBellamy，andspreadoutinfrontwerethosefewpagesoffoolscap，releasedfromtheirenvelopeafewminutesagoforthefirsttimesincethehandofthegreatChancellorhimselfhadpresseddowntheseal。TheForeignMinisterhadjustfinishedatranslationforthebenefitofhiscolleague，andthetwomenweresilent，asmenareinthepresenceofbigevents。
\"Bellamy，\"thePrimeMinistersaidslowly，\"youarewillingtostake，Ipresume，yourreputationupontheauthenticityofthisdocument？\"
\"Myhonorandmylife，ifyouwill，\"Bellamyansweredearnestly。
\"Thatisnocopywhichyouhavethere。Onthecontrary，thehandwritingisthehandwritingoftheChancellorhimself。\"
ThePrimeMinisterturnedsilentlytowardshiscolleague。Thelatter，whoseeyesstillseemedgluedtothosefatefulwords，lookedup。
\"AllIcansayisthis，\"heremarkedimpressively，\"thatneverinmytimehaveIseenwrittenwordspossessedofsomuchsignificance。
Onemoment，ifyouplease。\"
Hetouchedthebell，andhisprivatesecretaryenteredatoncefromanadjoiningroom。
\"Anthony，\"hesaid，\"telephonetotheGreatWesternRailwayCompanyatPaddington。Askforthestationmasterinmyname，andseethataspecialtrainisheldreadytodepartforWindsorinhalf-an-hour。
Tellthestation-masterthatallordinarytrafficmustbeheldup，butthatthedestinationofthespecialisnottobedivulged。\"
Theyoungmanbowedandwithdrew。
\"ThemoreIconsiderthismatter，\"theForeignMinisterwenton，\"themoremiraculousdoestheappearanceofthisdocumentseem。
WeknownowwhytheCzarisstrugglingsofranticallytocurtailhisvisit-whyhecame，asitwere，underprotest，andseekseverywhereforanopportunitytoleavebeforetheappointedtime。
Hishealthisallright。HehashadahintfromViennathattherehasbeenaleakage。HisspecialmissiononlyreachedParisthismorning。ThePresidentisinthecountryandtheiraudienceisnotfixeduntilto-morrow。RawsonwillgooverwithacopyofthesepapersandadispatchfromHisMajestybythenineo\'clocktrain。
Itisnotoftenthatwehavehadthechanceofsucha\'coup\'asthis。\"
Hedrewhischiefafewstepsaway。Theywhisperedtogetherforseveralmoments。Whentheyreturned，theForeignMinisterrangthebellagainforhissecretary。
\"Anthony，\"hesaid，\"SirJamesandIwillbeleavinginafewminutesforWindsor。GoroundyourselftoGeneralHamilton，telephonetoAldershotforLordNeville，andcallroundattheAdmiraltyBoardforSirJohnHarrison。Tellthemalltobehereatteno\'clocktonight。IfIamnotback，theymustwait。Ifeitherofthemhaveroyalcommands，youneedonlyrepeattheword\'Finisterre。\'Theywillunderstand。\"
Theyoungmanoncemorewithdrew。ThePrimeMinisterturnedbacktothepapers。
\"Itwillbeworthagreatdeal，\"heremarked，withagrimsmile，\"toseeHisMajesty\'sfacewhenhereadsthis。\"
\"Itwouldbeworthagreatdealmore，\"hisfellowstatesmananswereddryly，\"tobewithhisAugustcousinattheinterviewwhichwillfollow。Amonthago，thethoughtthatwarmightcomeunderouradministrationwasacontinualterrortome。To-daythingsareentirelydifferent。To-dayitreallyseemsthatifwardoescome，itmaybethemostglorioushappeningforEnglandofthiscentury。YousawthelastreportfromKiel？\"
SirJamesnodded。
\"Thereisn\'tabattleshiporacruiserworthasnapofthefingerssouthoftheGermanOcean，\"hiscolleaguecontinuedearnestly。
\"Theyarecoopedup-safeenough，theythink-undertheshelteroftheirfortifications。Hamiltonhasanotheridea。Betweenyouandme，SirJames，sohaveI。Itellyou，\"hewenton，inadeeperandmorepassionatetone，\"it\'slikethepassingofaterriblenightmare-this。Wehavehadtenyearsofpanic，ofnervousfearsofaGermaninvasion，andnooneknowsmorethanyouandI，SirJames，howmuchcausewehavehadforthosefears。Itwillseemstrangeif，afterall，historyhastowritethatchapterdifferently。\"
Thesecretaryre-enteredandannouncedtheresultofhistelephoneinterviewwiththesuperintendentatPaddington。Thetwogreatmenrose。ThePrimeMinisterheldouthishandtoBellamy。
\"Bellamy，\"hedeclared，\"you\'vedoneusonemoreimportantservice。
Theremaybeworkforyouwithinthenextfewweeks，butyou\'veearnedarestforadayortwo，atanyrate。Thereisnothingmorewecando？\"
\"NothingexceptalettertotheHomeSecretary，SirJames，\"Bellamyanswered。\"Remember，sir，thatalthoughIhaveworkedhard，themantowhomwereallyowethosepapersisStephenLaverick。\"
ThePrimeMinisterfrownedthoughtfully。
\"It\'sadifficultsituation，Bellamy，\"hesaid。\"Youareaskingagreatdealwhenyousuggestthatweshouldinterfereintheslightestmannerwiththecourseofjustice。Youareabsolutelyconvinced，Isuppose，thatthismanLaverickhadnothingtodowiththemurder？\"
\"Absolutelyandentirely，sir，\"Bellamyreplied。
\"Themurderedmanhasneverbeenidentifiedbythepolice，\"SirJamesremarked。\"Whowashe？\"
\"HisnamewasRudolphVonBehrling，\"Bellamyannounced，\"andhewasactuallytheChancellor\'snephew，alsohisprivatesecretary。I
havetoldyouthehistory，sir，ofthosepapers。ItwasVonBehrlingwho，withoutadoubt，murderedtheAmericanjournalistandsecuredthem。ItwashewhoinsisteduponcomingtoLondoninsteadofreturningwiththemtoVienna，whichwouldhavebeenthemostobviouscourseforhimtohaveadopted。Hewasapauper，anddesperatelyinlovewithacertainladywhohashelpedmethroughoutthismatter。Heagreedtopartwiththepapersfortwentythousandpounds，andtheladyincidentallypromisedtoelopewithhimthesamenight。Imethimbyappointmentatthatlittlerestaurantinthecity，paidhimthetwentythousandpounds，andreceivedthefalsepacketwhichyourememberIbroughttoyou，sir。Asamatteroffact，VonBehrling，eitherbyaccidentordesign，andnomannowwilleverknowwhich，leftmewiththosepaperswhichIwassupposedtohaveboughtinhispossession，andalsothemoney。Withinfiveminuteshewasmurdered。Doubtlessweshallknowsometimebywhom，butitwasnotbyStephenLaverick。Laverick\'sshareinthewholethingwasnothingbutthis-thathefoundthepocket-book，andthathemadeuseofthenotesinhisbusinessfortwenty-fourhourstosavehimselffromruin。Thatwasunjustifiable，ofcourse。Hehasmadeatonement。Thenotesatthisminuteareinasafedepositvaultandwillbereturnedintacttothefundfromwhichtheycame。
Iwant，also，toimpressuponyou，SirJames，thefactthatBarondeStreussofferedonehundredthousandpoundsforthatletter。\"
SirJamesnoddedthoughtfully。Hestoopeddownandscrawledafewlinesonhalfasheetofnote-paper。
\"YoumusttakethistoLordEstcourtatonce，\"hesaid，\"andtellhimthewholeaffair，omittingallspecificinformationastothenatureofthepapers。Thethingmustbearranged，ofcourse。\"
Half-a-dozenreporters，whohadsomehowgotholdofthefactthatthePrimeMinisterandhiscolleaguefromtheForeignOfficeweregoingdowntoWindsoronaspecialmission，followedthem，buteventheyremainedaltogetherinthedarkastotheeventswhichwerereallytranspiring。TheyknewnothingoftheinterviewbetweentheCzarandhisAugusthost-aninterviewwhichinitselfwasachapterinthehistoryofthesetimes。Theyknewnothingofthereasonoftheirroyalvisitor\'sdecisiontoprolonghisvisitinsteadofshorteningit，orofhisautographlettertothePresidentoftheFrenchRepublic，whichreachedParisevenbeforethespecialmissionfromSt。Petersburghadpresentedthemselves。
Theonethingwhichtheydidknow，andthatalonewassignificantenough，wasthattheCzar\'sForeignMinisterwascabledforthatnighttocometohismasterbyspecialtrainfromSt。Petersburg。
AttheAustrianandGermanEmbassies，forewarnedbyareportfromBarondeStreuss，somethinglikeconsternationreigned。TheRussianAmbassador，heckledtodeath，tookrefugeatWindsorunderpretenceofacommandfromhisroyalmaster。ThehappiestmaninLondonwasPrinceRosmaran。
CHAPTERXXXVI
LAVERICKACQUITTED
Atmid-dayonthefollowingmorningLavericksteppeddownfromthedockatBowStreetand，astheeveningpapersputit，\"incompanywithhisfriendsleftthecourt。\"Theproceedingsaltogethertookscarcelymorethanhalf-an-hour。Laverick\'ssolicitorfirstputShepherdinthebox，whogavehisaccountofMorrison\'svisittotherestaurant，spokeofhishurriedexit，andidentifiedtheknifewhichhehadseenhimsnatchup。Cross-examinedastowhyhehadkeptsilent，heexplainedthatMr。Morrisonhadbeenagoodcustomerandhesawnoreasonwhyheshouldgiveunsolicitedevidencewhichwouldcostamanhislife。Directly，however，anothermanhadbeenaccused，thematterappearedtohimtobealtogetherdifferent。HehadcomeforwardthemomenthehadheardofLaverick\'sARREST，toofferhisevidence。
Whiletheopinionofthecourtwasstillundecided，Laverick\'ssolicitorcalledMissZoeLeneveu。Alittlemurmurofinterestranthoughthecourt。Laverickhimselfstarted。Zoesteppedintothewitness-box，lookingexceedinglypale，andwithabandageovertheupperpartofherhead。Sheadmittedthatshewasthehalf-sisterofArthurMorrison，althoughtherewasnobloodrelationship。Shedescribedhissuddenvisittoherroomsonthenightofthemurder，andhisstateofgreatalarm。Shedeclaredthathehadconfessedtoheronthepreviousafternoonthathehadbeenguiltyofthemurderinquestion。
Herplaceinthewitness-boxwastakenbytheHonorableDavidBellamy。Hedeclaredthattheprisonerwasanoldfriendofhis，andthatthetwentythousandpoundsofwhichhehadbeenrecentlypossessed，hadcomefromhimforinvestmentinLaverick\'sbusiness。
Thecircumstances，headmitted，weresomewhatpeculiar，anduntilnegotiationshadbeenconcludedMr。Laverickhaddoubtlessfeltuncertainhowtomakeuseofthemoney。Butheassuredthecourtthattherewasnopersonwhohadanyclaimtothesumofmoneyinquestionsavehimself，andthathewasperfectlyawareoftheusetowhichLaverickhadputit。
Laverickwasdischargedwithinaveryfewminutes，andawarrantwasissuedfortheapprehensionofMorrison。LaverickfoundBellamywaitingforhim，andwashurriedintohismotor。
\"Well，yousee，\"thelatterexclaimed，\"wekeptourword！Thatdearpluckylittlefriendofyoursturnedthescale，butinanycaseIthinkthattherewouldnothavebeenmuchtroubleaboutthematter。ThemagistratehadreceivedacommunicationdirectfromtheHomeSecretaryconcerningyourcase。\"
\"Iamverygratefulindeed，\"Laverickdeclared。\"ItellyouI
thinkIamverylucky。IwishIknewwhathadbecomeofMissLeneveu。Theushertoldmesheleftthecourtbeforewecameout。\"
\"Iaskedhertogostraightbacktoherrooms，\"Bellamysaid。\"Youmustexcusemeforinterfering，Laverick，butIfoundheralmostinastateofcollapselastnightinJermynStreet。IwashavingMorrisonwatched，andmymanreportedtomethathehadlefthisroomsinastateofgreatexcitement，andthatayoungladywastherewhoappearedtobeseriouslyinjured。\"
\"D-dscamp！\"Laverickmuttered。
\"IdideverythingIcould，\"Bellamycontinued。\"Ifetchedheratonceandsentherbacktoherhousewithahospitalnurseandsomeonetolookafterher。Thewoundwasn\'tserious，butthefellowmusthavebeenabruteindeedtohaveliftedhishandagainstsuchachild。Iwonderwhetherhe\'llgetaway。\"
\"Ishoulddoubtit，\"Laverickremarked。\"Hehasn\'tthenerve。
He\'llprobablygetdrunkandblowhisbrainsout。He\'sabroken-spiritedcur，afterall。\"
\"You\'llhavesomelunch？\"Bellamyasked。
Laverickshookhishead。
\"Ifyoudon\'tmind，I\'dliketogoonandseeMissLeneveu。\"
\"Putmedownattheclub，then，andtakemycaron，ifyouwill。\"
LaverickwalkedupanddownthepavementoutsideZoe\'slittlehousefornearlyhalf-an-hour。Hehadfoundthedoorclosedandlocked，andaneighborhadinformedhimthatMissLeneveuhadgoneoutinacabwiththenurse，sometimeago，andhadnotreturned。LavericksentBellamy\'scarbackandwaited。Presentlyafour-wheelcabcameroundthecornerandstoppedinfrontofherhouse。LaverickopenedthedoorandhelpedZoeout。Shewasaswhiteasdeath，andthenursewhowaswithherwaslookinganxious。
\"Youaresafe，then？\"shemurmured，holdingoutherhands。
\"Quite，\"heanswered。\"Youdearlittlegirl！\"
Zoehadfainted，however，andLaverickhurriedoutforthedoctor。
Curiouslyenough，itwasthesamemanwhoonlyaweekorsoagohadcometoseeArthurMorrison。
\"Shehashadabadscalpwound，\"hedeclared，\"andhernervoussystemisverymuchrundown。Thereisnothingserious。Sheseemstohavejustescapedconcussion。Thenursehadbetterstaywithherforanotherday，atanyrate。\"
\"Youaresurethatitisn\'tserious？\"Laverickaskedeagerly。
\"Notintheleast，\"thedoctoranswereddryly。\"Iseeworsewoundseverydayofmylife。I\'llcomeagainto-morrow，ifyoulike，butitreallyisn\'tnecessarywiththenurseonthespot。\"
HisnaturalpessimismwasforamomentlightenedbythefeewhichLaverickpresseduponhim，andhedepartedwithafewmoreencouragingwords。Laverickstayedandtalkedforashorttimewiththenurse。
\"Shehasgoneofftosleepnow，sir，\"thelatterannounced。\"Thereisn\'tanythingtoworryabout。Sheseemsasthoughshehadbeenhavingahardtime，though。Therewasscarcelyathinginthehousebuthalfapacketoftea-andthese。\"
Sheheldupapacketofpawntickets。
\"IfoundtheseinadrawerwhenIcame，\"shesaid。\"Ihadtolookround，becausetherewasnomoneyandnothingwhateverinthehouse。\"
Laverickwassuddenlyconsciousofanabsurdmistinessbeforehiseyes。
\"Poorlittlewoman！\"hemurmured。\"Ithinkshe\'dsoonerhavestarvedthanaskforhelp。\"
Thenursesmiled。
\"Ithoughtatfirstthatshewasratheravainyounglady，\"sheremarked。\"Anemptylarderandapileofpawntickets，andanewhatwithareceiptedbillforthirtyshillings，\"sheadded，pointingtothesofa。
Laverickplacedsomenotesinherhands。
\"Pleasekeepthese，\"hebegged，\"andseethatshehaseverythingshewants。Ishallbehereagainlaterintheday。Thereisnottheslightestneedforallthis。Shewillbequitewellofffortherestofherlife。Willyoutryandengagesomeoneforadayortwotocomeinuntilsheisabletobemoved？\"
\"I\'lllookafterher，\"thenursepromised。
Laverickwentreluctantlyaway。Theeventsofthelastfewdayswerebecomingmoreandmorelikeadreamtohim。Hewenttohisclubalmostfromhabit。PresentlytheexcitementwhichallLondonseemedtobesharingdrovehisownpersonalfeelingsalittleintothebackground。Theairwasfullofrumors。ThePrimeMinisterandtheForeignSecretarywerespokenofasonespeaksofheroes。Nothingwasdefinitelyknown，buttherewasasplendidfeelingofconfidencethatforonceinherhistoryEnglandwaspreparingtojustifyherexistenceasagreatPower。
CHAPTERXXXVII
THEPLOTTHATFAILED
TheprogressoftheCzarfromBuckinghamPalacetotheMansionHouse，wherehehad，afterall，consentedtolunchwiththeLordMayor，witnessedapopularoutburstofenthusiasmabsolutelyinexplicabletothegeneralpublic。ItwasknownthataffairsinCentralEuropewereinadangerouslyprecariousstate，anditwasfeltthattheCzar\'svisithere，andtheurgentsummonswhichhadbroughtfromSt。PetersburghisForeignMinister，wereindicationsthatthelongwished-forententebetweenRussiaandthiscountrywasnowactuallyathand。TherewasinthePressacuriousreticencewithregardtothedevelopmentofthepoliticalsituation。
Onefelteverywherethatitwasthecalmbeforethestorm-thatatanymomentthegreatblackheadlinesmighttellofsomestartlingstrokeofdiplomacy，somedangerousperilavertedordefied。ThecircumstancesthemselvesoftheCzar\'svisithadbeenalittlepeculiar。Onhisarrivalitwasannouncedthat，forreasonsofhealth，theoriginalperiodofhisstay，namelyaweek，wastobecutdowntotwodays。NosoonerhadhearrivedatWindsor，however，thanachangewasannounced。TheCzarhadsofarrecoveredastobeableeventoextendtheperiodatfirstfixedforhisvisit。
Simultaneouslywiththis，theGermanandAustrianPresswerefullofbitterandbarelyveiledarticles，whosemeaningwasunmistakable。
TheCzarhadthrowninhislotatfirstwithAustriaandGermany。
Thathewasgoingdeliberatelytobreakawayfromthatarrangementthereseemednowscarcelyanymannerofdoubt。
BellamyandLouise，fromawindowinFleetStreet，watchedhimgoby。PrinceRosmaranhadbeenspeciallybiddentotheluncheon，buthe，too，hadbeenwiththemearlierinthemorning。Afterwardstheyturnedtheirbacksuponthecity，andassoonasthecrowdhadthinnedmadetheirwaytooneofthewest-endrestaurants。
\"Itseemstoogoodtobetrue，\"declaredLouise。Bellamynodded。
\"NeverthelessIamconvincedthatitistrue。ThehumorofthewholethingisthatitwasourfriendsinGermanythemselveswhopressedtheCzarnottoaltogethercancelhisvisitforfearofexcitingsuspicion。That，ofcourse，waswhenthereseemedtobenoquestionofthenewsoftheViennacompactleakingout。TheywouldneverhavedaredtoexposeamantosuchatrialastheCzarmusthavefacedwhentheresumeoftheViennaproceedings，intheChancellor\'sownhandwriting，wasreadtohimatWindsor。\"
\"YousawthetelegramfromParis？\"Louiseinterposed。\"ThespecialmissionfromSt。Petersburghasbeenrecalled。\"
Bellamysmiled。
\"ItallgoestoprovewhatIsay，\"hewenton。\"AnymorningyoumayexpecttohearthatAustriaandGermanyhavereceivedanultimatum。\"
\"Iwonder，\"sheremarked，\"whatbecameofStreuss。\"
\"HeishidingsomewhereinLondon，withoutadoubt，\"Bellamyanswered。\"There\'salwaysplentyofworkforspies。\"
\"Don\'tusethatword，\"shebegged。
Hemadealittlegrimace。
\"Youarethinkingofmyownconnectionwiththeprofession，areyounot？\"heasked。\"Well，thatcountsfornothingnow。IhopeImaystillservemycountryformanyyears，butitmustbeinadifferentway。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"shedemanded。
\"Iheardfrommyuncle\'ssolicitorsthismorning，\"Bellamycontinued，\"thatheisveryfeebleandcannotlivemorethanafewmonths。
Whenhedies，ofcourse，ImusttakemyplaceintheHouseofLords。
ItishiswishthatIshouldnotleaveEnglandagainnow，soI
supposethereisnothingleftformebuttogiveitup。Ihavedonemyshareoftravelingandwork，afterall，\"heconcluded，thoughtfully。
\"Yourshare，indeed，\"shemurmured。\"RememberthatbutforthatdocumentwhichwasreadtotheCzaratWindsor，Serviamusthavegonedown，andEnglandwouldhavehadtotakeaplaceamongthesecond-classPowers。Theremaybewarnow，itistrue，butitwillbeagloriouswar。\"
\"Louise，verysoonweshallknow。UntilthenIwillsaynothing。
ButIdonotwantyoualtogethertoforgetthattherehasbeensomethinginmylifedearertomeeventhanmycareerfortheselastfewyears。\"
Herblueeyesweresuddenlysoft。Shelookedacrosstowardshimwistfully。
\"Dear，\"shewhispered，\"thingswillbealteredwithyounow。IamnotfittobethewifeofanEnglishpeer-Iamnotnoble。\"
Helaughed。
\"Iamafraid，\"heassuredher，\"thatIamdemocratenoughtothinkyouoneofthenoblestwomenonearth。WhyshouldInot？Yourlifeitselfhasbeenastudyindevotion。Themodernvirtuesseemalmosttoignorepatriotism，yettheloveofone\'scountryisasplendidthing。Butdon\'tyouthink，Louise，thatwehavedoneourworkthatitistimetothinkofourselves？\"
Shegavehimherhand。
\"Letussee，\"shesaid。\"Letuswaitforalittletimeandseewhatcomes。\"
Thatnightanotherproofofthepopularfeeling，absolutelyspontaneous，brokeoutinoneoftheleastexpectedplaces。Louisewasencoredforherwonderfulsoloinamodernoperaofbellicosetrend，andinsteadofrepeatingitshecamealoneonthestageafterafewminutes\'absence，dressedinServiannationaldress。Forashorttimethecostumewasnotrecognized。Thenthemusic-thenationalhymnofServia，andtherecollectionofherparentage，broughtthethinghometotheaudience。Theydidnotevenwaitforhertofinish。Inthemiddleofhersongtheapplausebrokelikeacrashofthunder。Fromthepackedgallerytothestallstheycheeredherwildly，madly。Adozentimesshecamebeforethecurtain。Itseemedimpossiblethattheywouldeverlethergo。Directlysheturnedtoleavethestage，theuproarbrokeoutagain。Themanageratlastinsisteduponitthatsheshouldspeakafewwords。Shestoodinthecentreofthestageamidasilenceascompleteasthepreviousapplausehadbeenunanimous。HervoicereachedeasilytoeveryplaceintheHouse。
\"Ithankyouallverymuch，\"shesaid。\"IamveryhappyindeedtobeinLondon，becauseitisthecapitalcityofthemostgenerouscountryintheworld-thecountrythatisalwaysreadytoprotectandhelpherweakerneighbors。IamaServian，andIlovemycountry，andtherefore，\"sheadded，withalittlebreakinhervoice，-\"thereforeIloveyouall。\"
Itwasnearlymidnightbeforetheaudiencewasgotridof，andthestreetsofLondonhadnotbeensoimpassableforyears。CrowdsmadetheirwaytothefrontofBuckinghamPalaceandontotheWarOffice，wheremenwereworkinglate。Everythingseemedtodenotethatthespiritofthecountrywasroused:Thepapersnextmorningmadeimmensecapitaloftheincident，andforthefollowingtwenty-fourhourssuspensethroughoutthecountrywasalmostatfeverheight。ItwasknownthattheCabinetCouncilhadbeensittingforsixhours。Itwasknown，too，thatwithouttheleastcommotion，withscarcelyanymovementsofshipsthatcouldbecalleddirectlythreatening，thegreatestnavalforcewhichtheworldhadeverknownwasassemblingoffDover。Thestockmarketswerewildlyexcited。Laverick，backagaininhisoffice，foundthathisreturntohisaccustomedhauntsoccasionedscarcelyanycomment。Morestartlingeventswereshapingthemselves。Hisownremarkableadventureremained，curiouslyenough，almostundiscussed。
Helefttheofficeshortlybeforehisusualtime，notwithstandingtherushofbusiness，anddroveatoncetothelittlehouseinTheobaldSquare。Zoewaslyingonthesofa，stillwhite，buteagertodeclarethatthepainhadgoneandthatshewasnolongersuffering。
\"Itistooabsurd，\"shedeclared，smiling，\"myhavingthisnursehere。Really，thereisnothingwhateverthematterwithme。I
shouldhavegonetothetheatre，butyouseeitisnouse。\"
Shepassedhimtheletterwhichshehadbeenreading，andwhichcontainedhersomewhatcurtdismissal。Helaughedashetoreitintopieces。
\"Areyousosorry，Zoe？Isthestagesowonderfulaplacethatyoucouldnotbeartothinkofleavingit？\"
Sheshookherhead。
\"Itisnotthat，\"shewhispered。\"Youknowthatitisnotthat。\"
Hesmiledashetookherconfidentlyintohisarms。
\"Thereisamuchmorearduouslifeinfrontofyou，dear，\"hesaid。
\"Youhavetocomeandlookaftermefortherestofyourdays。A
bachelorwhomarriesaslateinlifeasIdo，youknow，isatryingsortofperson。\"
Sheshrankawayalittle。
\"Youdon\'tmeanit，\"shemurmured。
\"YouknowverywellthatImeanit，\"heanswered，kissingher。\"I
thinkyouknewfromtheveryfirstthatsoonerorlateryouweredoomedtobecomemywife。\"
Shesighedfaintlyandhalf-closedhereyes。Forthemomentshehadforgotteneverything。Shewasabsolutelyandcompletelyhappy。
Lateronhemadeherdressandcomeouttodinner，andafterwards，astheysattalking，helaidaneveningpaperbeforeher。
\"Zoe，\"hedeclared，\"thebestthingthatcouldhashappened。Youwillnotbefoolish，dear，aboutit，Iknow。Rememberthealternative-andreadthat。\"
SheglancedatthefewlineswhichannouncedthefindingofArthurMorrisoninahouseinBloomsburySquare。Thepolicehadapparentlytrackedhimdown，andhehadshothimselfatthefinalmoment。Thedetailsofhislastfewhourswereindescribable。Zoeshuddered，andhereyesfilledwithtears。Shesmiledbravelyinhisface，however。
\"Itisterrible，\"shewhisperedsimply，\"but，afterall，hewasnorelationofmine，andhetriedtodoyouafrightfulinjury。WhenIthinkofthat，Ifindithardeventobesorry。
Therewasindeedalmostapitilesslookinherfaceasshefoldedupthepaper，asthoughshefeltsomethingofthatcommoninstinctofhersexwhichtransformsagentlewomansoquicklyintoahard，mercilesscreaturewhenthebeingwhomshelovesisthreatened。
Lavericksmiled。
\"Letusgooutintothestreets，\"hesaid，\"andhearwhatallthisexcitementisabout。\"
Theyboughtalateedition，andthereitwasatlastinblackandwhite。AnultimatumhadbeenpresentedatBerlinandVienna。
CertaintreatyrightswhichhadbeenbrokenwithregardtoAustria\'sactionintheEastwereinsisteduponbyGreatBritain。ItwasdemandedthatAustriashouldceasethemobilizationofhertroopsupontheServianfrontier，andrenounceallrightstoaprotectorateoverthatcountry，whoseindependenceGreatBritainfeltcalledupon，fromthattimeforward，toguarantee。ItwasfurtherannouncedthatEngland，France，andRussiawereactinginthismatterincompleteconcert，andthattheneutralityofItalywasassured。Further，itwasknownthatthegreatEnglishfleethadleftfortheNorthSeawithsealedorders。
LavericktookZoehomeearlyandcalledlateratBellamy\'srooms。
Bellamygreetedhimheartily。Hewasonthepointofgoingout，andthetwomendroveofftogetherinthelatter\'scar。
\"See，mydearfriend，\"Bellamyexclaimed，\"whatgreatthingscomefromsmallmeans！Thedocumentwhichyoupreservedforus，andforwhichwehadtofightsohard，hasdoneallthis。\"
\"Itismarvelous！\"Laverickmurmured。
\"Itisverysimple，\"Bellamydeclared。\"ThatmeetinginViennawasmeanttoforceourhands。Itisallaquestionofthebalanceofstrength。GermanyandAustriatogether，withRussiafriendly，-
evenwithRussianeutral，-couldhavedefiedEurope。GermanycouldhavespreadoutherarmywestwardswhileAustriaseizeduponherprey。Itwasasplendidplot，anditwasgoingverywelluntiltheCzarhimselfwassuddenlyconfrontedbyourKingandhisMinisterswitharevelationofthewholeaffair。AtWindsorthethingseemeddifferenttohim。TheFrenchGovernmentbehavedsplendidly，andtheCzarbehavedlikeaman。GermanyandAustriaareleftplantela。
Iftheyfight，well，itwillbenoone-sidedaffair。Theyhavenofleet，orrathertheywillhavenoneinafortnight\'stime。Theyhavenomeansoflandinganarmyhere。Austria，perhaps，canholdRussia，butwithaFrencharmyinbettershapethanithasbeenforyears，andtheEnglishlandingasmanymenastheycaretodo，withease，anywhereonthenorthcoastofGermany，theentireschemeprovedabortive。Comeintotheclubandhaveadrink，Laverick。
To-daygreatthingshavehappenedtome。\"
\"Andtome，\"Laverickinterposed。
\"Youcanguessmynews，perhaps，\"Bellamysaid，astheyseatedthemselvesineasy-chairs。\"MademoiselleIdialehaspromisedtobemywife。\"
Laverickheldouthishand。
\"Icongratulateyouheartily！\"heexclaimed。\"Ihavebeenanengagedmanmyselfforsomethinglikehalf-an-hour。\"
CHAPTERXXXVIII
AFAREWELLAPPEARANCE
\"Onething，atleast，theserecentadventuresshouldteachwhoevermayberesponsibleforthegovernmentofthiscountry，\"Bellamyremarkedtohiswife，ashelaiddownthemorningpaper。\"ForthefirsttimeinmanyyearswehavetakentheaggressiveagainstPowersofequalstanding。Wewerealwaysrathergoodatbullyingsmallercountries，butthebareideaofanultimatumtoGermanywouldhavemadeourlatePremiergolightheaded。\"
\"Andyetitsucceeded，\"Louiseremindedhim。
\"Absolutely，\"heaffirmed。\"To-day\'snewsmakespeaceacertainty。
Ifyourcountrykneweverything，Louise，they\'dgiveusaroyalwelcomenextmonth。\"
\"Youreallymeanthatwearetogothere，then？\"sheasked。
\"Itisn\'texactlyoneofmyprivileges，\"hedeclared，\"tofixuponthespotwhereweshalltakeourbelatedhoneymoon，butIhaven\'tbeeninBelgradeforyears，andIknowyou\'dliketoseeyourpeople。\"
\"ItwillbemorehappinessthanIeverdreamedof，\"shemurmured。
\"DoyouthinkweshallbesafeinpassingthroughVienna？\"
Bellamylaughed。
\"Remember，\"hesaid，\"thatIamnolongerDavidBellamy，withasilvergreyhoundattachedtomywatch-chainandanobnoxiousreputationinforeigncountries。IamLordDenchesterofDenchester，aharmlessEnglishpeertravelingonhishoneymoon。
Bytheway，Ihopeyoulikethetitle。\"
\"IshallloveitwhenIgetusedtoit，\"shedeclared。\"TobeanEnglishCountessisdazzling，butIdothinkthatIoughtnottogoonsingingatCoventGarden。\"
\"To-morrowwillbeyourlastnight，\"heremindedher。\"IhaveaskedLaverickandthedearlittlegirlheisgoingtomarrytocomewithme。Afterwardswemustallhavesuppertogether。\"
\"Howniceofyou！\"sheexclaimed。
\"Idon\'tknowaboutthat，\"Bellamysaid，smiling。\"IreallylikeLaverick。Heisadecentfellowandagoodsort。Incidentally，hewasthunderingusefultous，andprettypluckyaboutit。Heinterestsme，too，inanotherway。Heisamanwho，facetofacewithamoralproblem，actedexactlyasIshouldhavedonemyself！\"
\"Youmeanaboutthetwentythousandpounds？\"sheasked。
Bellamyassented。
\"Hewaspracticallydishonest，\"hepointedout。\"Hehadnorighttousethatmoneyandheoughttohavetakenthepocket-booktothepolice-station。Ifhehaddoneso-thatistosay，ifhehadwaitedthereforthepolice，ifhehadbeenseentoholdoutthatpocket-book，tohavediscusseditwithanyone，itistentoonethattherewouldhavebeenanothertragedythatnight。Atanyrate，thedocumentwouldneverhavecometous。\"
Shesmiled。
\"Mymoraljudgmentiswarped，\"sheasserted，\"fromthefactthatLaverick\'sdecisionbroughtusthedocument。\"
Henodded。
\"Perhapsso，\"heagreed，\"andyet，therewasthemanfacetofacewithruin。Theuseofthatmoneyforafewhoursdidnooneanyharm，andsavedhim。Isaythatsuchadeedisalwaysamatterofcalculation，andinthiscasethathewasjustified。\"
\"Iwonderwhathereallythinksaboutithimself，\"sheremarked。
\"PerhapsI\'llaskhim。\"
Butwhenthetimecame，andhesatintheboxwithLaverickandZoe，heforgoteverythingelseinthejoyofwatchingthewomanwhomhehadlovedsolong。Shemovedaboutthestagethatnightasthoughherfeetindeedfellupontheair。Sheappearedtobesingingalwayswithrestraint，yetwithsomenewpowerinhervoice，aqualitywhicheveninhersimplernotesleftthegreataudiencethrilled。Alreadytherewasarumorthatitwasherlastappearance。
HermarriagetoBellamyhadbeenthatdayannouncedintheMorningPost。When，inthelastact，shesangaloneonthestagethefamouslovesong，itseemedtothemallthatalthoughhervoicetrembledmorethanonce，itwasanewthingtowhichtheylistened。ZoefoundherselfclaspingLaverick\'shandintremulousexcitement。
Bellamysatlikeastatue，alittlebackinthebox，hisclean-cutfacethrownintopowerfulreliefbytheshadowsbeyond。Yet，ashelistened，hiseyes，too，weremarvelouslysoft。Thesonggrewandgrewtill，withthelastnotes，thewholestoryofanexquisiteandexpectantpassionseemedtremblinginhervoice。Thelastnotecamefromherlipsalmostasthoughunwillingly，andwasprolongedforanextraordinaryperiod。Whenitdiedaway，itspassingseemedsomethingalmostunrealizable。Itquiveredawayintoasilencewhichlastedformanysecondsbeforethegatheringroarofapplausesweptthehouse。AndinthoselastfewsecondsshehadturnedandfacedBellamy。Theireyesmet，andthelightwhichflashedfromhisseemedansweredbythequiveringofherthroat。Itwashergood-bye。Shewassinginganewlove-song，singingherwayintothelifeofthemanwhomsheloved，singingherwayintoloveitself。Oncemorethegreathouse，packedtotheceiling，wasworkeduptoastateoffrenziedexcitement。Bellamywasrecognized，andthesignificanceofhersongsentawaveofsentimentthroughthehousewhoseonlypossibleformofexpressiontooktoitselfshapeinthefranticgreetingswhichcalledhertothefrontagainandagain。
Butthethreeintheboxweresilent。Bellamystoodbackintheshadows。LaverickandZoeseemedsuddenlytobecomeimmersedinthemselves。Bellamythrewopenthedooroftheboxandpointedoutside。
\"AtLuigi\'sinhalf-an-hour，\"saidhesoftly。\"Youwillexcusemeforafewminutes？IamgoingtoLouise。\"
End