\"Helpyourselftowhiskyandsoda，Jimmy，\"SirHenryinvited，ashebuttoneduphiscoat。\"You’llneeditallpresently。\"
\"Ithankyoukindly，sir，\"Jimmyreplied。\"Iamthinkingthatwe’llbothneedadrinkbeforewe’rethroughthisnight。\"
Hehelpedhimselftoawhiskyandsodaonthegenerousprincipleofhalfandhalf。Philippa，whowaswatchingherhusband’spreparationsindignantly，oncemorefoundwords。
\"Henry，youareincorrigible！\"sheexclaimed。\"Listentomeifyouplease。Iinsistuponit。\"
SirHenryturnedalittleimpatientlytowardsher。\"Philippa，I
reallycan’tstopnow，\"heprotested。\"Butyoumust！Youshall！\"
shecried。\"Youshallhearthismuchfromme，atanyrate，beforeyougo。WhatIsaidtheotherdayIrepeatathousandfoldnow。\"
SirHenryglancedatDumbleandmotionedhisheadtowardsthedoor。
Thefishermanmadeanawkwardexit。
\"Athousandfold，\"Philipparepeatedpassionately。\"Youhear，Henry？
Idonotconsidermyselfanymoreyourwife。IfIamherewhenyoureturn，itwillbesimplybecauseIfinditconvenient。Yourconductisdisgracefulandunmanly。\"
\"Mydeargirl！\"heremonstrated。\"Imaybebackintwenty-four-
possiblytwelvehours。\"
\"Itisamatterofindifferencetomewhenyoureturn，\"wasthecurtreply。\"Ihavefinished。\"
Thedoorwasthrownopen。
\"Youroilskins，sir，andflask，\"Millsannounced，hurryingin，alittlebreathless。\"You’llforgivemymentioningit，sir，butitscarcelyseemsafitnighttoleavehome。\"
\"Gottobedonethisonce，Mills，\"hismasterreplied，strugglingintohiscoat。
Theyoungpeoplefromthebilliardroomsuddenlystreamedin。Nora，whowasstillcarryinghercue，gazedatherfatherinamazement。
\"Why，where’sDadgoing？\"shecried。
\"Itappears，\"Philippaexplainedsarcastically，\"thatashoalofwhitinghasarrived。\"
\"Veryuncertainfish，whiting，\"SirHenryobserved，\"hereto-dayandgoneto-morrow。\"
\"Youwon’tfindittooeasygettingoffto-night，sir，\"Harrisonremarkeddoubtfully。
\"Jimmywillseetothat，\"wastheconfidentreply。\"Iexpectweshallbeamongstthematdaybreak。Good-by，everybody！Good-by，Philippa！\"
Hiseyessoughthiswife’sinvain。ShehadturnedtowardsLessingham。
\"Youarenothurryingoff，areyou，Mr。Lessingham？\"sheasked。\"I
wantyoutoshowmethatnewPatience。\"
\"Ishallbedelighted。\"
SirHenryturnedslowlyaway。ForamomenthisfacedarkenedashiseyesmetLessingham’s。Heseemedabouttospeakbutchangedhismind。
\"Well，good-by，everyone，\"hecalledout。\"Ishallbebackbeforemidnightifwedon’tgetout。\"
\"Andifyoudo？\"Noracried。
\"Ifwedo，Heavenhelpthewhiting！\"
CHAPTERXV
\"Ofcourse，we’rebehavingshockingly，allthreeofus！\"Philippadeclared，asshesippedherchampagneandleanedbackinherseat。
\"Youmeanbycomingtoaplacelikethis？\"Lessinghamqueried，lookingaroundthecrowdedrestaurant。\"Wearenot，inthatcase，theonlysinners。\"
\"Ididn’tmeanthemerefactofbeinghere，\"Philippaexplained，\"butbeingherewithyou。\"
\"Iforgot，\"hesaidgloomily，\"thatIwassuchablacksheep。\"
\"Don’tbesilly，\"sheadmonished。\"You’renothingofthesort。But，ofcourse，weareskatingonratherthinice。IfIhadHenrytoconsiderinanyway，ifhehadanysortofacareer，perhapsIshouldbemorecareful。Asitis，IthinkIfeelalittlerecklesslately。
Dreymarshhasgotuponmynerves。ThethingsthatIthoughtmostofinlifeseemtohavecrumbledaway。\"
\"OughtItobesorry？\"heasked。\"Iamnot。\"
\"Butwhyareyousounsympathetic？\"
\"BecauseIamwaitingbyyoursidetorebuild，\"hewhispered。
Atall，bronzedyoungsoldierwithhisarminasling，stoppedbeforetheirtable，andHelen，afteramoment’sprotestandaglanceatPhilippa，movedawaywithhimtothelittlespacereservedforthedancers。
\"WhatachaperonIam！\"Philippasighed。\"IscarcelyknowanythingabouttheyoungmanexcepthisnameandthathewasinDick’sregiment。\"
\"Ididnothearit，\"Lessinghamobserved，\"butIfeeldeeplygratefultohim。ItissoseldomthatIhaveachancetotalktoyoualonelikethis。\"
\"Itseemsincrediblethatwehavetalkedsolong，\"Philippasaid，glancingatthewatchuponherwrist。\"IreallyfeelnowthatI
knowallaboutyou-yourschooldays，yourcollegedays，andyoursoldiering。Youhavebeenveryfrank，haven’tyou？\"
\"Ihavenothingtoconceal-fromyou，\"hereplied。\"Ifthereisanythingmoreyouwanttoknow-\"
\"Thereisnothing，\"sheinterrupteduneasily。
\"Perhapsyouarewise，\"hereflected，\"andyetsomeday，youknow，youwillhavetohearitall，overandoveragain。\"
\"Iwillnotbemadelovetoinarestaurant，\"shedeclaredfirmly。
\"Youaresoparticularastolocalities，\"hecomplained。\"Youcouldnotseeyourwayclear，Isuppose，tosuggestwhatyouwouldconsiderasuitableenvironment？=20
Philippalookedathimforamomentveryearnestly。
\"Ah，don’tletusplayatthingsweneitherofusfeel！\"shebegged。
\"Andthereissomeonetherewhowantstospeaktoyou。\"
Lessinghamlookedupintothefaceofthemanwhohadpausedbeforetheirtable，asonemightlookintothefaceofunexpecteddeath。
Heremainedperfectlystill，buttheslightcolourseemedslowlytobedrawnfromhischeeks。Yetthenewcomerhimselfseemedinnowayterrifying。Hewastallandlargelybuilt，clean-shaven，andwiththehumourousmouthofanIrishmanoranAmerican。
Neitherwasthereanythingthreateninginhisspeech。
\"Gladtorunupagainstyou，Lessingham，\"hesaid，holdingouthishand。\"Gaycrowdheretonight，isn’tit？\"
\"Very，\"Lessinghamanswered，speakingverymuchlikeamaninadream。\"LadyCranston，willyoupermitmetointroducemyfriend-Mr。Hayter。\"
Philippawasimmediatelygracious，andafewmomentspassedintrivialconversation。ThenMr。Hayterpreparedtodepart。
\"Imustbejoiningmyfriends，\"heobserved。\"Lookinandseemesometime，Lessingham-Number72，MilanCourt。YouknowwhatanightbirdIam。Perhapsyouwillcallandhaveafinaldrinkwithmewhenyouhavefinishedhere。\"
\"Ishallbeveryglad，\"Lessinghampromised。
Mr。Hayterpassedon，aman，apparently，ofmanyacquaintances，tojudgebyhisinterruptedprogress。LadyCranstonlookedathercompanion。Shewaspuzzled。
\"Isthatarecentacquaintance，\"sheasked，\"asheaddressedyoubythenameofLessingham？\"
\"Yes，\"wasthequietreply。
\"Youdon’twishtotalkabouthim？\"
\"No！\"
Helenandherpartnerreturned，afewmomentslater，andthelittlepartypresentlybrokeup。LessinghamdrovethetwowomentotheirhotelinDoverStreet。
\"We’vehadamostdelightfulevening，\"Philippaassuredhim，astheysaidgoodnight。\"Youarecomingroundtoseeusinthemorning，aren’tyou？\"
\"IfImay，\"Lessinghamassented。
HelenfoundherwayintoPhilippa’sroom，lateronthatnight。Shehadnervedherselfforaverythanklesstask。
\"MayIsitdownforafewmoments？\"sheasked，alittlenervously。
\"Yourfireissomuchbetterthanmine。\"
Philippaglancedatherfriendthroughthelooking-glassbeforewhichshewasbrushingherhair，andmadealittlegrimace。Shefeltaforewarningofwhatwascoming。
\"Ofcourse，dear，\"shereplied。\"Haveyouenjoyedyourevening？\"
\"Verymuch，inaway，\"wasthesomewhathesitatingreply。\"Ofcourse，nothingreallycountsuntilDickcomesback，butitisnicetotalkwithsomeonewhoknowshim。\"
\"Agreeableconversation，\"Philipparemarkeddidactically，\"isoneofthegreatestpleasuresinlife。\"
\"YoufindMr。Lessinghamveryinteresting，don’tyou？\"Helenasked。
Philippafinishedarrangingherhairtohersatisfactionanddrewupaneasy-chairoppositehervisitor’s。
\"SoyouwanttotalkwithmeaboutMr。Lessingham，doyou？\"
\"Isupposeyouknowthathe’sinlovewithyou？Helenbegan。
\"Ihopeheisalittle，mydear，\"wasthesmilingreply。\"I’msureI’vetriedmybest。\"
\"Won’tyoutalkseriously？\"Helenpleaded。
\"Idon’taltogetherseethenecessity，\"Philippaprotested。
\"Ido，andI’lltellyouwhy，\"Helenanswered。\"Idon’tthinkMr。
Lessinghamisatallthetypeofmantowhichyouareaccustomed。
Ithinkthatheisindeadlyearnestaboutyou。Ithinkthathewasindeadlyearnestfromthefirst。Youdon’treallycareforhim，doyou，dear？\"
\"Verymuch，andyetnot，perhaps，quiteinthewayyouarethinkingof，\"wasthequietreply。
\"Thenpleasesendhimaway，\"Helenbegged。
\"Mydear，howcanI？\"Philippaobjected。\"Hehasdoneusanimmenseservice，andhecan’tdisobeyhisorders。\"
\"Youdon’twanthimtogoaway，then？\"
Philippawassilentforseveralmoments。\"No，\"sheadmitted，\"I
don’tthinkthatIdo。\"
\"Youdon’tcareforHenryanymore？\"
\"Justasmuchasever，\"wasthesomewhatbitterreply。\"That’swhatIresentsomuch。IshouldlikeHenrytobelievethathehadkilledeverysparkofloveinme。\"
Helenmovedacrossandsatonthearmofherfriend’schair。Shefeltthatshewasgoingtobeverydaring。
\"Haveyouanyideaatthehackofyourmind，dear，\"sheasked\"ofmakinguseofMr。LessinghamtopunishHenry？\"
Philippamovedalittleuneasily。
\"Howhatefullydownrightyouare！\"shemurmured。\"Idon’tknow。\"
\"Because，\"Helencontinued，\"ifyouhaveanysuchideainyourmind，IthinkitismostunfairtoMr。Lessingham。Youknowperfectlywellthatanythingelsebetweenyouandhimwouldheimpossible。\"
\"Andwhy？\"
\"Don’tberidiculous！\"Helenexclaimedvigorously。\"Mr。Lessinghammayhaveallthemostdelightfulqualitiesintheworld，buthehasattachedhimselftoacountrywhichnoEnglishmanorwomanwillbeabletothinkofwithoutshuddering，formanyyearstocome。Youcan’tdreamofcuttingyourselfadriftfromyourfriendsandyourhomeandyourcountry！It’stoounnatural！I’mnotevenarguingwithyou，Philippa。Youcouldn’tdoit！I’mwhollyconcernedwithMr。Lessingham。Icannotforgetwhatweowehim。Ithinkitwouldbehatefullycruelofyoutospoilhislife。\"
Philippa’sflashesofseriousnesswereonlymomentary。Shemadealittlegrimace。Shewasoncemorehernatural，irresponsibleself。
\"Youunderratemycharm，Helen，\"shedeclared。\"IreallybelievethatIcouldmakehislifeinsteadofspoilingit。\"
\"Andyouwouldpaytheprice？\"
Philippa，slimandelflikeinthefirelight，rosefromherchair。
Therewasamomentarycrueltyinherface。
\"Isometimesthink，\"shesaidcalmly，\"thatIwouldpayanypriceintheworldtomakeHenryunderstandhowIfeel。There，nowrunalong，dear。You’refullofgoodintentions，anddon’tthinkithorridofme，butnothingthatyoucouldsaywouldmakeanydifference。\"
\"Youwouldn’tdoanythingrash？\"Helenpleaded。
\"Well，ifIrunawaywithMr。Lessingham，Icertainlycan’tpromisethatI’llsendcardsoutfirst。WhateverIdo，impulsewillprobablydecide。\"
\"Impulse！\"
\"Whynot？Itrustmine。Can’tyou？\"Philippaadded，withalittleshrugoftheshoulders。
\"Sometimes，\"Helensighed，\"theyaresuchwildhorses，youknow。
Theyleadonetosuchterribleplaces。\"
\"Andsometimes，\"Philippareplied，\"theyfindtheirwayintotheheavenwhereoursobererthoughtscouldnevertakeus。Goodnight，dear！\"
CHAPTERXVI
Mr。WilliamHayter，inthesolitudeofhischambersattheMilanCourt，wasaveryalteredpersonage。Heextendednowelcomingsalutationtohismidnightvisitorbutsimplymotionedhimtoachair。
\"Well，\"hebegan，\"isyourtaskfinishedthatyouareinLondon？\"
\"Mytask，\"Lessinghamreplied，\"mightjustaswellneverhavebeenenteredupon。Themanyousentmetowatchisnothingbutanordinarysport-lovingEnglishman。\"
\"Really！Youhavelivedashisneighbourfornearlyamonth，andthatisyourimpressionofhim？\"
\"Itis，\"Lessinghamassented。\"Hehasbeenawaysea-fishing，halfthetime，butIhavesearchedhishousethoroughly。\"
\"Searchedhispapers，eh？\"
\"EveryoneIcouldfind，andhatedthejob。Thereareagoodmanychartsofthecoast，buttheyareallfortheuseofthefishermen。\"
\"Wonderful！\"Hayterscoffed。\"Myyoungfriend，youmayyetfinddistinctioninsomeotherwalkoflife。Oursecretservice，I
fancy，willverysoonbeabletodispensewithyourenergies。\"
\"AndIwithyoursecretservice，\"Lessinghamagreedheartily。\"I
daresaytheremaybesomebranchesofitinwhichexistenceistolerable。That，however，doesnotapplytothetaskuponwhichI
havebeenengaged。\"
\"Youhavebeencompletelyduped，\"Haytertoldhimcalmly，\"andtheinformationyouhavesentusisvalueless。SirHenryCranston，insteadofbeingthetypeofmanwhomyouhavedescribed，isoneofthegreatestexpertsuponcoastdefenseandmine-laying，intheEnglishAdmiralty。\"
Lessinghamlaughedshortly。
\"That，\"hedeclared，\"isperfectlyabsurd。\"
\"Itis，\"Hayterrepeated，withemphasis，\"theprecisetruth。SirHenryCranton’sfishingexcursionsaremyths。Heissimplytransferredfromhisfishingboatontooneofalittlefleetofso-calledminesweepers，fromwhichheconductshisoperations。
Nearlyeveryoneofthemostimportanttownsontheeastcoastareprotectedbyminefieldsofhisdesign。\"
Lessinghamwasdumbfounded。Hiscompanion’smannerwassingularlyconvincing。
\"ButhowcouldSirHenryoranyoneelsekeepthisasecret？\"heprotested。\"Evenhiswifeisscarcelyonspeakingtermswithhimbecauseshebelieveshimtoheanidler，andthewholeneighbourhoodgossipsoverhisslackness。\"
\"Thewholeneighbourhoodiseasilyfooled，\"Hayterretorted。\"Thereareoneortwowhoknow，however。\"
\"Thereareoneortwo，\"Lessinghamobservedgrimly，\"whoarebeginningtosuspectme。\"
\"Thatisapity，\"Hayteradmitted，\"becauseitwillbenecessaryforyoutoreturntoDreymarshatonce。\"
\"ReturntoDreymarshatonce？ButCranstonisaway。Thereisnothingformetodothereinhisabsence。\"
\"HewillbebackonWednesdayorThursdaynight，\"wastheconfidentreply。\"Hewillbringwithhimtheplanofhislatestdefensesofatownontheeastcoast，whichourcruisersquadronpurposetobombard。Wemusthavethatchart。\"
Lessinghamlistenedinmutedistress。
\"Couldyoupossiblygetmerelieved？\"hebegged。\"Thefactis-\"
\"Wecouldnot，andwewillnot，\"Hayterinterruptedfiercely。
\"Unlessyouwishmetodenounceyouathomeasarenegadeandacoward，youwillgothroughwiththeworkwhichhasbeenallottedtoyou。YourearliermistakeswillbeforgivenifthatchartisinmyhandsbyFriday。\"
\"Buthowdoyouknowthathewillhaveit？\"Lessinghamprotested。
\"Supposingyouarerightandheisreallyresponsiblefortheminefieldsyouspeakof，IshouldthinkthelastthinghewoulddowouldbetobringthechartbacktoDreymarsh。\"
\"Asamatteroffact，thatispreciselywhathewilldo，\"Hayterassuredhislistener。\"Heisbringingitbackfortheinspectionofoneofthecommissionersfortheeastcoastdefense，whoistomeethimathishouse。AndIwishtowarnyou，too，Maderstrom，thatyouwillhaveverylittletime。Forsomereasonorother，Cranstonisdissatisfiedwiththesecrecyunderwhichhehasbeencompelledtowork，andhasappliedtotheAdmiraltyforrecognitionofhisposition。Immediatelythisisgiven，Igatherthathishousewillbeinaccessibletoyou。\"
Lessinghamsat，hisarmsfolded，hiseyesfixeduponthefire。
Histhoughtswereinaturmoil，yetonethingwashatefullyclear。
Cranstonwasnottheunworthyslackerhehadbelievedhimtobe。
Philippa’swholepointofviewmightwellbechangedbythisdiscovery-especiallynowthatCranstonhadmadeuphismindtoasserthimselfforhiswife’ssake。Therewasanicyfearinhisheart。
\"Youunderstand，\"Hayterpersistedcoldly，\"whatitisyouhavetodo？\"
\"Perfectly。Ishallreturnbytheafternoontrain，\"wasthedespairingreply。
\"Ifyousucceed，\"Haytercontinued，\"Ishallseethatyougettheusualacknowledgment，butIwill，ifyouwishit，askforyourtransfertoanotherbranchoftheservice。Iamnotquestioningyourpatriotismoryourhonour，Maderstrom，butyouarenotthemanforthiswork。\"
\"Youareright，\"Lessinghamsaid。\"Iamnot。\"
\"Itisnotmyaffair，\"Hayterproceeded，\"toenquiretoocloselyintothemeansusedbyouragentsincarryingoutourdesigns。
ThatIfindyouinLondonincompanywiththewifeofthemanwhomyouareappointedtowatch，maybeafactcapableofthemostcompleteandsatisfactoryexplanation。Iasknoquestions。
Ionlyremindyouthatyourcountry，eventhoughitbeonlyyouradoptedcountry，demandsfromyou，asfromallothersinherservice，unswervingloyalty，aloyaltyuninfluencedbytheclaimsofpersonalsentiment，duty，orhonour。HaveIsaidenough？\"
\"Youhavesaidasmuchasitiswiseforyoutosay，\"Lessinghamreplied，hisvoicetremblingwithsuppressedpassion。
\"Thatisall，then，\"theotherconcluded。\"Youknowwheretosendorbringthechartwhenyouhaveit？Ifyoubringityourself，itispossiblethatsomethingwhichyoumayregardasareward，willbeofferedtoyou。\"
Lessinghamrosealittlewearilytohisfeet。HisfarewelltoHayterwascoldandlifeless。
Heleftthehotelandstartedonhishomewardway，strugglingwithasenseofintolerabledepression。Thestreetsthroughwhichhepassedweresombreandunlit。
AZeppelinwarning，afewhoursbefore，haddriventhepeopletotheirhomes。Therewasnotachinkoflighttobeseenanywhere。
Anintenseandgloomystillnessseemedtobroodoverthedesertedthoroughfares。Nightbirdsontheirwayhomeflittedbylikeshadows。Policemenlurkedintheshadowsofthehouses。Thefewvehiclesleftcrawledaboutwithinsufficientlights。Eventhewarninghornsofthetaxicabmensoundedfurtiveandrepressed。
Lessingham，ashemarchedstolidlyalong，feltcuriouslyinsympathywithhisenvironment。Hayter’snewsbroughthimfacetofacewiththatinnerproblemwhichhadsosuddenlybecomethedominantfactorinhislife。Forthefirsttimeheknewwhatlovewas。Hefeltthewonderofit，thefar-reachingpossibilities，thestrangeidealismcalledsounexpectedlyintobeing。HerecognizedthevagariesofPhilippa’sdisposition，andyet，duringthelastfewdays，hehadconvincedhimselfthatshewasbeginningtocare。Herstrainedrelationswithherhusbandhadbeen，withoutadoubt，herfirstincentivetowardstheacceptanceofhisproffereddevotion。Nowhetoldhimselfwitheagerhopefulnessthatsomeportionofit，howeverminute，mustbeforhisownsake。Therelationsbetweenhusbandandwife，heremindedhimself，must，atanyrate，havebeenstrainedduringthelastfewmonths，orCranstonwouldneverhavebeenabletokeephissecret。Inhisgloomypassagethroughthislandofillomens，however，heshiveredalittleashethoughtoftheotherpossibility-torturedhimselfwithimaginingwhatmighthappenduringherrevulsionoffeeling，ifPhilippadiscoveredthetruth。
Asenseofsomethinggreaterthanhehadyetknowninlifeseemedtolifthimintosomeloftystateofaloofness，fromwhichhecouldlookdownanddespisehimself，thepoor，tiredplodderwearingtheheavychainsofduty。Therewasalifesomuchmorewonderful，justtheothersideoftheclouds，averyshortdistanceaway，alifeofalluringandpassionatehappiness。Shouldheeverfindthecourage，hewondered，toescapefromthetreadmillandgoinsearchofit？Duty，forthelasttwoyears，hadtakenhimbythehandandledhimalongapathwayofshame。Hehadneverbeenahypocriteaboutthewar。HewasoneofthosewhohadacknowledgedfromthefirstthatGermanyhadsetforth，withtheswordinherhand，onawarofconquest。Hisowninheritedmartialspirithadvaguelyapproved；he，too，inthoseearlierdays，hadfeltthesunlightuponhisrapier。Laterhadcometheenlightenment，theturbulentwavesofdoubt，thenightmareofanation’sawakeningconscience，mirroredinhisownsoul。Itwasinadepressionshared，perhaps，inalesserdegreebymillionsofthosewhoserankshehadjoined，thathefeltthispassionatecravingforescapeintoaworldwhichtookcountofotherthings。
CHAPTERXVII
Punctuallyat12o’clockthenextmorning，LessinghampresentedhimselfatthehotelinDoverStreetandwasinvitedbythehallportertotakeaseatinthelounge。Philippaentered，afewminuteslater，hereyesandcheeksbrilliantwiththebriskexerciseshehadbeentaking，herslimfiguremostbecominglyarrayedingreyclothandchinchilla。
\"IlostHeleninHarrod’s，\"sheannounced，\"butIknowshe’slunchingwithfriends，soitreallydoesn’tmatter。You’llhavetotakecareofme，Mr。Lessingham，untilthetraingoes，ifyouwill。\"
\"Forevenlongerthanthat，ifyouwill，\"hemurmured。
Shelaughed。\"Moreprettyspeeches？Idon’tthinkI’mequaltothembeforeluncheon。\"
\"ThistimeIamliteral，\"heexplained。\"IamcomingbacktoDreymarshmyself。\"
Hefelthisheartbeatquicker，asuddenjoypossessedhim。
Philippa’sexpressionwasobviouslyoneofsatisfaction。
\"I’msoglad，\"sheassuredhim。\"Doyouknow，IwasthinkingonlyasIcamebackinthetaxicab，howIshouldmissyou。\"
Shewasstandingwithherfootuponthebroadfender，andherfirstlittleimpulseofpleasureseemedtopassasshelookedintothefire。Sheturnedtowardshimgravely。
\"Afterall，doyouthinkyouarewise？\"sheasked。\"Ofcourse，I
don’tthinkthatanyoneatDreymarshhastheleastsuspicion，butyouknowCaptainGriffithsdidaskquestions，and-well，you’resafelyawaynow。YouhavebeensowonderfulaboutDick，sowonderfulaltogether，\"shewenton，\"thatIcouldn’tbearitiftroubleweretocome。\"
Hesmiledather。
\"IthinkIknowwhatisatthebackofyourmind，\"hesaid。\"YouthinkthatIamcomingbackentirelyonyouraccount。Asithappens，thisisnotso。\"
Shelookedathimwithwide-openeyes。
\"Surely，\"sheexclaimed，\"youhavesatisfiedyourselfthatthereisnofieldforyouringenuityinDreymarsh？\"
\"IthoughtthatIhad，\"headmitted。\"ItseemsthatIamwrong。I
havehadorderstoreturn。\"
\"Orderstoreturn？\"sherepeated。\"Fromwhom？
Heshookhishead。
\"Ofcourse，Ioughtnottohaveaskedthat，\"sheproceededhastily，\"butitdoesseemoddtorealisethatyoucanreceiveinstructionsandmessagesfromGermany，hereinLondon。\"
\"VerymuchthesamesortofthinggoesoninGermany，\"heremindedher。
\"Sotheysay，\"sheadmitted，\"butonedoesn’tcomeintocontactwithit。SoyouarereallycomingbacktoDreymarsh！\"
\"Withyou，ifImay？\"
\"Naturally，\"sheagreed。
Heglancedattheclock。\"Wemightalmostbestartingforlunch，\"
hesuggested。
Shenodded。\"AssoonasI’vetoldGroverabouttheluggage。\"
Shewasabsentonlyafewmoments，andthen，asitwasadry，sunnymorning，theywalkeddownSt。JamesStreetandalongPallMalltotheCarlton。Philippametseveralacquaintances，butLessinghamwalkedwithhisheaderect，lookingneithertotherightnortotheleft。
\"Aren’tyousometimesafraidofbeingrecognised？\"sheaskedhim。
\"TheremustheagreatmanymenaboutofyourtimeatMagdalen，forinstance？\"
\"Nineyearsmakesalotofdifference，\"heremindedher，\"andbesides，Ihaveatheorythatitisonlywhentheeyesmeetthatrecognitionreallytakesplace。SolongasIdonotlookintoanyone’sface，Ifeelquitesafe。\"
\"YouaresurethatyouwouldnotliketogotoasmallerplacethantheCarlton？\"
\"Itmakesnodifference，\"heassuredher。\"Mycredentialshavebeenwonderfullyestablishedforme。\"
\"I’msoglad，\"sheconfessed。\"Iknowit’smostunfashionable，butIdolikethesebigplaces。IfeverIhadmyway，IshouldliketoliveinLondonandhaveacottageinthecountry，insteadoflivinginthecountryandbeingjustanhoteldwellerinLondon。\"
\"IwonderifNewYorkwouldnotdo？\"heventured。
\"IexpectIshouldlikeNewYork，\"shemurmured。
\"Ithink，\"hesaid，\"infact，IamalmostsurethatwhenIleavehereIshallgototheUnitedStates。\"
Shelookedathimandturnedsuddenlyaway。Theyarrivedjustthenattheirdestination，andthemomentpassed。Lessinghamlefthiscompanionintheloungewhilehewentbackintotherestauranttosecurehistableandorderlunch。Whenhecameback，hefoundPhilippasittingveryuprightandwithasignificantglitterinhereyes。
\"Lookoverthere，\"shewhispered，\"bythepalm。\"
Hefollowedthedirectionwhichsheindicated。Amanwasstandingagainstoneofthepillars，talkingtoatall，darkwoman，obviouslyaforeigner，wrappedinwonderfulfurs。Therewassomethingfamiliarabouthisfigureandtheslightdroopofhishead。
\"Why，it’sSirHenry！\"Lessinghamexclaimed，asthemanturnedaround。
\"Myhusband，\"Philippafaltered。
SirHenry，ifindeeditwerehe，seemedafflictedwithasuddenshortsightedness。HemettheincredulousgazebothofLessinghamandhiswifewithoutrecognitionoranysignofflinching。Atthatdistanceitwasimpossibletoseethetighteningofhislipsandthesteelyflashinhisblueeyes。
\"Thewhitingseemtohavebroughthimalongway，\"Philippasaid，withanunnaturallittlelaugh。
\"ShallIgoandspeaktohim？\"Lessinghamasked。
\"Forheaven’ssake，no！\"sheinsisted。\"Don’tleaveme。Iwouldn’thavehimcomenearmeforanythingintheworld。ItisonlyafewweeksagothatIbeggedhimtocometoLondonwithme，andhesaidthathehatedtheplace。Youdon’tknow-thewoman？\"
Lessinghamshookhishead。
\"Shelookslikeaforeigner，\"wasallhecouldsay。
\"Takemeintolunchatonce，\"Philippabegged，risingabruptlytoherfeet。\"Thisisreallythelaststraw。\"
TheypassedupthestairwayandwithinafewfeetofwhereSirHenrywasstanding。Heappearedabsorbed，however，inconversationwithhiscompanion，anddidnoteventurnaround。Philippa’slittlefaceseemedtohavehardenedasshetookherseat。Onlyhereyeswerestillunnaturallybright。
\"Iamsosorryifthishasannoyedyou，\"Lessinghamregretted。\"Youwouldnotcaretogoelsewhere？\"
\"I？Goanywhereelse？\"sheexclaimedscornfully。\"Thankyou，Iamperfectlysatisfiedhere。Andwithmycompanion，\"sheadded，withabrilliantlittlesmile。\"NowtellmeaboutNewYork。Haveyoueverbeenthere？\"
\"Twice，\"hetoldher。\"Atpresentthedreamofmylifeistogotherewithyou。\"
Shelookedathimalittlewonderingly。
\"Iwonderifyoureallycare，\"shesaid。\"Mengetsomuchintothehabitofsayingthatsortofthingtowomen。Sometimesitseemstometheymustdoagreatdealofmischief。Butyou-Isthatreallyyourwish？\"
\"IwouldsacrificeeverythingthatIhaveeverhelddearinlife，\"
hedeclared，withhisfaceaglow，\"foritsrealization。\"
\"Butyouwouldbeadeserterfromyourcountry，\"shepointedout。
\"Youwouldneverbeabletoreturn。Yourestateswouldbeconfiscated。Youwouldbehomeless。\"
\"Home，\"hesaidsoftly，\"iswhereone’shearttakesone。Homeisjustwhereloveis。\"
Hereyes，astheymethis，wereforamomentsuspiciouslysoft。
Thenshebegantotalkveryquicklyofotherthings，tocomparenotesofcountrieswhichtheyhadbothvisited，evenofpeoplewhomtheyhadmet。Theywereobligedtoleaveearlytocatchtheirtrain。AstheypasseddownthecrowdedrestauranttheyoncemorefoundthemselveswithinafewfeetofSirHenry。Hisbackwasturnedtothem，andhewasapparentlyignorantoftheirnearpresence。ThepartyhadbecomeapartieCarr=A1e，anotherman，andastillyoungerandmorebeautifulwomanhavingjoinedit。
\"Ofcourse，\"Philippasaid，astheydescendedthestairs，\"Iambehavinglikeanidiot。IoughttogoandtellHenryexactlywhatIthinkofhim，orpullhimawayintheapprovedWhitechapelfashion。
Welosesomuch，don’twe，bystiflingourinstincts。\"
\"Forthenextfewminutes，\"hereplied，glancingathiswatch，\"I
thinkwehadbetterconcentrateourattentionuponcatchingourtrain。\"
TheyreachedKing’sCrosswithonlyafewminutestospare。Grover，however，hadalreadysecuredacarriage，andHelenwaswaitingforthem，ensconcedinacorner。SheacceptedthenewsofLessingham’sreturnwithresignation。Philippabecamethoughtfulastheydrewtowardsthecloseoftheirjourneyandtheslow，frostytwilightbegantocreepdownupontheland。
\"Isupposewedon’treallyknowwhatwaris，\"sheobserved，lookingoutofthewindowatacomfortablelittlevillagetuckedawaywithabackgroundoftreesandguardedbyaweather-beatenoldchurch。
\"Thepeoplearesafeintheirhomes。Youmustappreciatewhatthatmeans，Mr。Lessingham。\"
\"IndeedIdo，\"heansweredgravely。\"Ihaveseentheearthtornanddismemberedasthoughbytheploughofsomedestroyingangel。
Afewblackenedruinswhere，anhourorsobefore，apeacefulvillagestood；menandwomenrunningaboutlikelunaticsstrickenwithamortalfear。Andallthetimearedglowonthehorizon，ablood-redglow，andlittlespecksofgreyorbrownlyingalloverthefields；eventhecattleracingroundinterror。AndeverynowandthenthecryofDeath！YouarefortunateinEngland。\"
Philippaleanedforward。
\"Doyoubelievethatourturnwillcome？\"sheasked。\"Doyoubelievethatthewavewillbreakoverourcountry？\"
\"Whocantell？\"
\"Ah，no，butanswerme，\"shebegged。\"Isitpossibleforyoutolandanarmyhere？\"
\"Ithink，\"hereplied，\"thatallthingsarepossibletothemilitarygeniusofGermany。Theonlyquestioniswhetheritisworthwhile。
Germansaresupposedtobesentimentalists，youknow。Iratherdoubtit。ThereisnothingwouldsetthejoybellsofBerlinclangingsomuchasthenewsofaGermaninvasionofGreatBritain。Ontheotherhand，thereisagreatpartyinGermany，andaveryfar-seeingone，whichiscontinuallyremindingtheGovernmentthat，withoutGreatBritainasamarket，Germanywouldneverrecoverfromthefinancialstrainofthewar。\"
\"Thisisalltooimpersonal，\"Philippaobjected。\"Doyou，inyourheart，believethatthetimemightcomewheninthenightweshouldhearthegunsboominginDreymarshBay，andseeyourgrey-cladsoldiersforminguponthebeachandscalingourcliffs？\"
\"Thatwillnotbeyet，\"hepronounced。\"Ithasbeenthoughtof。
Onceitwasalmostattempted。Justatpresent，no。\"
Philippadrewasighofrelief。
\"ThenyourmissioninDreymarshhasnothingtodowithanattemptedlanding？\"
\"Nothing，\"heassuredher。\"Icanevengoalittlefurther。Icantellyouthatifeverwedotrytoland，itwillbeinanunsuspectedplace，inanunexpectedfashion。\"
\"Well，it’sreallyverycomfortingtohearthesethingsatfirst-hand，\"Philippadeclared，withsomereturntoherusualmanner。
\"Isupposewearereallytwodisgracefulwomen，HelenandI-traitorsandalltherestofit。Herewesittalkingtoanenemyasthoughhewereoneofourbestfriends。\"
\"Irefusetobecalledanenemy，\"Lessinghamprotested。\"Therearetimeswhenindividualityisafargreaterthingthannationality。
Iamjustahumanbeing，bornintothesameworldandwarmedbythesamesunasyou。Nothingcanalterthefactthatwearefellowcreatures。\"
\"Dreymarshoncemore，\"Philippaannounced，lookingoutofthewindow。
\"Andyou’reaterriblyplausibleperson，Mr。Lessingham。Comeroundandseeusafterdinner-ifitdoesn’tinterferewithyourwork。\"
\"Onthecontrary，\"hemurmuredunderhisbreath。\"Thankyouverymuch。\"
CHAPTERXVIII
SirHenrywasstandingwithhishandsinhispocketsandaveryblankexpressionuponhisface，lookingoutupontheAdmiraltySquare。Hewasaloneinalarge，barelyfurnishedapartment，thewallsofwhichweresohungwithchartsthatithadalmosttheappearanceofaschoolroompreparedforanadvancedgeographyclass。Thetablefromwhichhehadrisenwascoveredwithanamazingnumberofscientificappliances，somesamplesofrockandsand，twomicroscopesandseveraltelephones。
SirHenry，havingapparentlyexhaustedthepossibilitiesoftheoutlook，turnedsomewhatreluctantlyawaytofindhimselfconfrontedbyanelderlygentlemanofcheerfulappearance，whoatthatmomenthadenteredtheroom。Fromthefactthathehaddonesowithoutknocking，itwasobviousthathewasanintimate。
\"Well，mygloomyfriend，\"thenewcomerdemanded，\"what’swrongwithyou？\"
SirHenrywasapparentlyrelievedtoseehisvisitor。Hepushedachairtowardshimandindicatedwithagestureofinvitationaboxofcigarsuponhisdesk。
\"YourlittleLaranagas，\"heobserved。\"Tryone。\"
Thevisitoropenedthebox，sniffedatitscontents，andhelpedhimself。
\"Now，then，getatit，Henry，\"heenjoined。\"I’veaBoard=20inhalf-an-hour，andthreedispatchestoreadbeforeIgoin。What’syourtrouble？\"
\"Lookhere，Rayton，\"wasthefirmreply，\"Iwanttochuckthisinfernalhole-and-cornerbusiness。ItellyouI’veworkeditthreadbareatDreymarshandit’sgettingjollyuncomfortable。\"
Thenewcomergrinned。
\"Poorchap！\"heobserved，watchinghiscigarsmokecurlupwards。
\"You’reinanastymess，youknow，Henry。DidItellyouthatI
hadaletterfromyourwifetheotherday，askingmeifIcouldn’tfindyouajob？\"
SirHenrywaitedalittlegrimly，whilsthisfriendenjoyedthejoke。
\"That’sallverywell，\"hesaid，\"butweareonthepointofaseparation，orsomethingofthesort。I’lladmititwasallrightatfirsttorunthethingontheQ。T。，butthat’sprettywellbustedupbynow。Why，accordingtoyourownreports，theyknowallaboutmeontheotherside。\"
\"Notadoubtaboutit，\"theotheragreed。\"I’mnotsurethatyouhaven’tgotaspyfellowdownatDreymarshnow。\"
\"I’mquitesureofit，\"SirHenryrepliedgrimly。\"ThebrutewaslunchingwithmywifeattheCarltonto-day，and，asluckwouldhaveit，IwaslandedwiththatRussianAdmiral’swifeandsister-in-law。You’rebreakingupthehappyhome，that’swhatyou’redoing，Rayton！\"
Hislordshipatanyrateseemedtofindtheprocessamusing。Helaugheduntilthetearsstoodinhiseyes。
\"IshouldlovetohaveseenPhilippa’sface，\"hechuckled，\"whenshewalkedintotherestaurantandsawyouthere！You’resupposedtobeoffonafishingexpedition，aren’tyou？\"
\"Iwentoutafterwhiting，\"SirHenrygroaned，\"andI’djustpromisedtochuckitforatimewhenIgottheAdmiral’smessage。\"
\"Well，we’llseetoyourGermanspy，anyway，\"hisvisitorpromised。
\"Don’tbeanass！\"SirHenryexclaimedirritably。\"Idon’twantthefellowtouchedatpresent。Why，he’sbeenasortofpersonagrataatmyhouse。HangsaroundthereallthetimewhenI’maway。\"
\"Allthemorereasonforputtinganendtohislittlegame，Ishouldsay，\"wasthecheerfulreply。
\"AndhavethewholeneighbourhoodeitherlaughingatmywifeandMissFairclough，ortalkingscandalaboutthem！\"SirHenryretorted。
\"Iforgotthat，\"hisfriendconfessedruminatively。\"He’sagentlemanlysortoffellow，fromwhatIhear，butarottenspy。
Whatdoyouwantdonewithhim？\"
\"Leavehimformetodealwith，\"SirHenryinsisted。\"Ihavealittleschemeonhandinwhichheisconcerned。\"
Raytonscratchedhischindoubtfully。
\"Thefellowmaynotbesuchafoolasheseems，\"heremindedhisfriend。
\"Iwon’trunanyrisks，\"SirHenrypromised。\"Ijustwanthimleftthere，that’sall。Andlookhere，Rayton，youknowwhatIwantfromyou。IquiteagreedtoyourproposalsastomyanonymityatthetimewhenIwasupinScotland，butthething’sasecretnolongerwiththepeoplewhocount。EveryoneinGermanyknowsthatI’mamine-fieldspecialist，soIdon’tseewhythedickensIshouldposeanylongerasasortofhalf-bakedidiot。\"
Rayton’seyestwinkled。
\"YouwanttoplaytheWilsonBarrettheroandmakeatheatricaldisclosureofyourgreatness，\"helaughed。\"PoorPhilippawillfalluponherknees。Youwillbetheheroofthevillage，whichwillprobablypresentyouwithsomelittlearticleofplate。You’veagoodtimecoming，Henry。\"
\"Talksense，there’sagoodfellow，\"theotherbegged。\"YougoandseetheChiefandputittohim。Thereisn’tasinglereasonwhyI
shouldn’townupnow。\"=20
\"I’llseewhatIcando，\"Raytonpromised，\"butwhataboutthisfellowLessingham，orwhateverelsehecallshimself，downthere？
There’sachapnamedGriffiths-Commandant，isn’the？-beenwritingusabouthim。\"
\"Iwon’thaveLessinghamtouched，\"SirHenryinsisted。\"Hecan’tdoanyparticularharmdownthere，andthereisn’talineoradrawingofminedownatDreymarshwhichheisn’twelcometo。\"
LordRaytonrosetohisfeet。
\"Lookhere，Henry，oldfellow，\"hesaid，\"Idosympathisewithyouuptoacertainpoint。ItellyouwhatI’lldo。IshallhavetoanswerPhilippa’sletter，andI’llansweritinsuchawaythatifsheisascleveralittlewomanasIthinksheis，she’llgetahint。
Ofcourse，\"hewentonruminatively，\"itisratheramisfortunethatthePrincessOllaneffandhersisteraresuchjollygood-lookingwomen。Makesitlookalittlefishy，doesn’tit？WhatImeantosayis，it’safarcryfromfishingforwhitingintheNorthSeatolunchingwithabeautifulprincessattheCarlton-whenyouthinkyourwife’sdowninNorfolk。\"
SirHenrythrewopenthedoor。
\"Lookhere，I’vehadenoughofyou，Rayton，\"hedeclared。\"Yougetbackanddoanhour’swork，ifyoucanbringyourmindtoit。\"
Thelatterassumedasuddendignity，necessitatedbythesoundofvoicesinthecorridor，anddeparted。Thedoorhadscarcelybeenclosedwhentwoyoungermenpresentedthemselves-MilesEnsol，SirHenry’ssecretary，atypical-lookingyoungsailorminushisleftarm；andapale-faced，clean-shavenmanofuncertainage，incivilianclothes。SirHenryshookhandswiththelatterandpointedtotheeasy-chairwhichhispreviousvisitorhadjustvacated。
\"Welcomebackagain，Horridge，\"hesaidcordially。\"Miles，I’llringwhenIwantyou。\"
\"Verygood，sir，\"thesecretaryreplied。\"There’safishermanfromNorfolkdownstairs，whenyou’reatliberty。\"
SirHenrynodded。
\"I’llseehimpresently。Shuthimupsomewherewherehecansmoke。\"
Theyoungmanwithdrew，carefullyclosingthedoor，aroundwhichSirHenry，withawordofapology，arrangedascreen。
\"Idon’tthink，\"heexplained，\"thateavesdroppingextendstothesepremises，orthatourvoicescouldreachoutside。Still，aha’porthofprevention，eh？Haveacigar，Horridge。\"
\"I’mnotsmokingforadayortwo，thankyou，sir。
\"Youlookasthoughthey’dputyouthroughit，\"SirHenryremarked。
Hisvisitorsmiled。
\"I’vetravelledfourteenmilesinabarrel，\"hesaid，\"andwewereoutfortwenty-fourhoursinaDanishsailingskiff。Youknowwhattheweather’sbeenlikeintheNorthSea。Beforethat，thelastwordofwritingIsawonGermansoilwasaplacard，offeringarewardoffivethousandmarksformydetention，withadisgustinglylifelikephotographatthetop。Ihadaboutfiftyyardsofquaytowalkinbroaddaylight，andeveryothermanIpassedturnedtostareafterme。Itgivesyouthecoldshiversdownyourbackwhenyoudaren’tlookroundtoseeifyou’rebeingfollowed。\"
SirHenrygropedinthecupboardofhisdesk，andproducedabottleofwhiskyandasyphonofsodawater。Hisvisitornoddedapprovingly。