CHAPTERXXIII
PhilippaandHelenmetinthedrawing-room，afewminutesbeforeeightthatevening。Philippawaswearinganewblackdress，amodelofsimplicitytotheuntutoredeye，butfullofthatundefinableappealtothemysteriouswhicheventhegreatestartistfrequentlyfailstocreateoutofanyformofcolour。Somefancyhadinducedhertostripoffherjewelsatthelastmoment，andsheworenoornamentssaveabandofblackvelvetaroundherneck。Helenlookedathercuriously。
\"Isthisafreshschemeforconquest，Philippa？\"sheasked，astheystoodtogetherbythelogfire。
Philippaunexpectedlyflushed。
\"Idon’tknowwhatIwasthinkingabout，really，\"sheconfessed。
\"Isthattheexacttime，Iwonder？\"
\"Twominutestoeight，\"Helenreplied。
\"Mr。Lessinghamisalwayssopunctual，\"Philippamurmured。\"IwonderifCaptainGriffithswoulddare！\"
\"We’vedoneourbesttowarnhim，\"Helenremindedherfriend。\"Themanissimplypig-headed。\"
\"Ican’thelpfeelingthathe’sright，\"Philippadeclared，\"whenhearguesthattheycouldn’treallyproveanythingagainsthim。\"
\"Doesthatmatter，\"Helenaskedanxiously，\"solongasheisanenemy，livingunderafalsenamehere？\"
\"Youdon’tthinkthey’d-they’d-\"
\"Shoothim？\"Helenwhispered，loweringhervoice。\"Theycouldn’tdothat！Theycouldn’tdothat！\"
Theclockbegantochime。SuddenlyPhilippa，whohadbeenlistening，gavealittleexclamationofrelief。
\"Ihearhisvoice！\"sheexclaimed。\"Thankgoodness！\"
Helen’sreliefwasalmostasgreatashercompanion’s。AmomentlaterMillsusheredintheirguest。Hewasstillwearinghisbandage，buthiscolourhadreturned。Heseemed，infact，almostgay。
\"Nothinghashappened，then？\"Philippademandedanxiously，assoonasthedoorwasclosed。
\"Nothingatall，\"heassuredthem。\"OurfriendGriffithsisterriblyafraidofmakingamistake。\"
\"Soafraidthathewouldn’tcomeanddine。Nevermind，you’llhavetotakecareofusboth，\"sheadded，asMillsannounceddinner。
\"I’lldomybest，\"hepromised，offeringhisarm。
IftheswordofDamocleswereindeedsuspendedovertheirheads，itseemedonlytoheightenthemerrimentoftheirlittlerepast。
Philippahadorderedchampagne，andthewarmthofthepleasantdiningroom，themanyappurtenancesofluxurybywhichtheyweresurrounded，theglowofthewine，andtheperfumeofthehothouseflowersuponthetable，seemedindeliciouscontrasttothefuryofthestormoutside。Theyallthreeappearedcompletelysuccessfulinastrenuousefforttodismissalldisconcertingsubjectsfromtheirminds。
LessinghamtalkedchieflyoftheEast。HehadtravelledinRussia，Persia，Afghanistan，andIndia，andhehadtheunusualbutstrikinggiftofpaintinglittlewordpicturesofsomeofthescenesofhiswanderings。Itwashalf-pastninebeforetheyrosefromthetable，andLessinghamaccompaniedthemintothelibrary。Withtheadventofcoffee，theywereforthefirsttimereallyalone。LessinghamsatbyPhilippa’sside，andHelenreclinedinalowchaircloseathand。
\"Ithink，\"hesaid，\"thatIcanventurenowtotellyousomenews。\"
Helenputdownherwork。Philippalookedathiminsilence，andhereyesseemedtodilate。
\"Ihavehesitatedtosayanythingaboutit，\"Lessinghamwenton，\"becausethereissomuchuncertaintyaboutthesethings，butI
believethatitisnowfinallyarranged。Ithinkthatwithinthenextweekortendays-perhapsalittlebefore，perhapsalittlelater-yourbrotherRichardwillbesetatliberty。\"
\"Dick？Dickcominghome？\"Philippacried，springingupfromherrecliningposition。
\"Dick？\"Helenfaltered，herworklyingunheededinherlap。\"Mr。
Lessingham，doyoumeanit？Isitpossible？
\"Itisnotonlypossible，\"Lessinghamassuredthem，\"butIbelievethatitwillcometopass。Ihavehadtoexercisealittleduplicity，butIfancythatithasbeensuccessful。IhaveinsistedthatwithouthelpfromaninfluentialpersoninDreymarsh，Icannotbringmylaboursheretoasatisfactoryconclusion，andIhavenamedasthepriceofthathelp，Richard’sabsoluteandimmediatefreedom。
Iheardonlythismorningthattherewouldbenodifficulty。\"
Helensnatchedupherworkandgropedherwaytowardsthedoor。
\"Iwillcomebackinafewminutes，\"shepromised，hervoicealittlebroken。
Lessingham，whohadopenedthedoorforher，returnedtohisplace。
TherewerenotearsinPhilippa’sbrillianteyes，buttherewasafaintpatchofcolourinhercheeks，andherlipswerenotquitesteady。Shecaughtathishands。
\"Oh，mydear，dearfriend！\"shesaid。\"Ifonlythatlittlenightmarepartofyoudidnotexist。Ifonlyyoucouldbejustwhatyouseem，andonecouldfeelthatyouwerethereinourlivesforalways！I
feelthatIwanttotalktoyousomuch，toyouandnottheshamyou。
WhatshallIcallyou？\"
\"Bertram，please，\"hewhispered。
\"ThenBertram，dear，\"shewenton，\"formysake，becauseyouhavereallybecomedeartome，becausemyheartachesatthethoughtofyourdanger，andbecause-seehowhonestIam-Iamalittleafraidofmyself-willyougoaway？Thethoughtofyourdangerislikeanightmaretome。Itallseemssoabsurdandunreasonable-ImeanthatthedangerwhichIfearshouldbehangingoveryou。
ButIthinkthatthereisjustalittlesomethingbackofyourbrainofwhichyouhaveneverspoken，whichitwasyourdutytokeeptoyourself，anditisjustthatsomethingwhichbringsthedanger。\"
\"Iamnotafraidformyself，Philippa，\"hetoldher。\"ItookafalsestepinlifewhenIcamehere。WhatitwasthatattractedmeIdonotknow。Ithinkitwasthethoughtofthatwildrideamongsttheclouds，andthestarlight。Itseemedsuchawonderfulbeginningtoanyenterprise。And，Philippa，foronepartofmyadventure，thepartwhichconcernsyou，itwasagorgeousprelude，andfortheother-well，itjustdoesnotcountbecauseIhavenofear。Ihavefaithinmyfortune，doyouknowthat？IbelievethatIshallleavethisplaceunharmed，butIbelievethatifIleaveitwithoutyou，I
shallgobacktotheworsthellinwhichamancouldever\"Bertram，\"shepleaded，\"thinkofitall。EvenifIcaredenough-=20
andIdon’t-thereissomethingunnaturalaboutit。Doesn’titstrikeyouashorrible？Mybrother，mycousins，myfather，areallfightingthemenofthenationwhosecauseyouhaveespoused！Thereisahorrible，eternalcloudofhatredwhichitwilltakegenerationstogetridof，ifeveritdisappears。Howcanwetwospeakoflove！
Whatpartoftheworldcouldwecreepintowherepeoplewouldnotshrinkawayfromus？Imayhavelostalittleofmyhearttoyou，Bertram，Imaymissyouwhenyougoaway，Imaywastewearyhoursthinking，butthatisall。Oh，youknowthatitmustbeall！\"
\"Idonot，\"heansweredstubbornly。
\"Oh，youmustbereasonable，\"shebegged，withalittlebreakinhervoice。\"YouknowverywellthatIoughtnottolistentoyou。I
oughtnottowelcomeyouhere。Ioughttobestrongandclosemyears。\"
\"Butyouwillnotdothat！\"
\"No！\"shefaltered。\"Pleasedon’tcomeanynearer。I-\"
Shebrokeoffsuddenly。Thestruggleinherfacewasended，herexpressiontransformed。Herfingerwasheldupasthoughtobidhimlisten。Withherotherhandsheclutchedthebackofthecouch。
Hereyeswerefixeduponthedoor。Thelittlepatchofwonderfulcolourfadedfromhercheeks。
\"Listen！\"shecried，withanoteofterrorinhervoice。\"Thatwasthefrontdoor！Someonehascome！Can’tyouhearthem？\"
Lessingham’shandstolesuddenlytohispocket。Shecaughttheglitterofsomethinghalfwithdrawn，andshrankbackwithahalf-stifledmoan。
\"Notbeforeyou，dear，\"hepromised。\"Pleasedonotbeafraid。Ifthisistheend，leavemealonewithGriffiths。Ishallnothurthim。Ishallnotforget。Andifbyanychance，\"headded，\"thisistobeourfarewell，Philippa，youwillrememberthatIloveyouastheflowersoftheworldlovetheirsun。Courage！\"
Thedoorfacingthemwasopened。
\"CaptainGriffiths，\"Millsannounced。
ThroughtheopendoortheycaughtavisionoftwoothersoldiersandInspectorFisher。Griffithscameintotheroomalone，however，andwaiteduntilthedoorwasclosedbeforehespoke。Hecarriedhimselfasawkwardlyasever，buthislong，leanfaceseemedtohavetakentoitselfanewexpression。Hehadtheairofamanindulginginsomestrangepleasure。
\"LadyCranston，\"hesaid，\"Iamverysorrytointrude，butmyvisithereisofficial。\"
\"Whatisit？\"sheaskedhoarsely。
\"IhavereceivedconfirmatoryevidenceinthematterofwhichI
spoketoyouthisafternoon，\"hewenton。\"Iamsorrytodisturbyouatsuchanhour，butitismydutytoarrestthismanonachargeofespionage。\"
Lessinghamtoallappearanceremainedunmoved。
\"Amostobjectionableword，\"heremarked。
\"Amostvillainousprofession，\"CaptainGriffithsretorted。\"Thankheaventhatinthiscountrywearelearningtheartofdealingwithitsdisciples。\"
\"Thisisallahideousmistake，\"Philippadeclaredfeverishly。\"I
assureyouthatMr。Lessinghamhasvisitedmyfather’shouse，thathewaswell-knowntomeyearsago。\"
\"AstheBaronMaderstrom！Whatargumentshehasused，LadyCranston，toinduceyoutoaccepthimhereunderhisnewidentity，Idonotknow，butthefactsareveryclear。\"
\"Heseemsquiteconvinced，doesn’the？\"Lessinghamremarked，turningtoPhilippa。\"AndasIgatherthataportionoftheBritishArmy，assistedbythelocalconstabulary，iswaitingformeoutside，perhapsIhadbetterhumourhim。\"
\"Itwouldbeaswell，sir，\"CaptainGriffithsassentedgrimly。\"I
amgladtofindyouinthehumourforjesting。\"
LessinghamturnedoncemoretoPhilippa。Thistimehistonewasmoreserious。
\"LadyCranston，\"hebegged，\"won’tyoupleaseleaveus？\"
\"No！\"sheansweredhysterically。\"Iknowwhyyouwantmeto，andIwon’tgo！Youhavedonenoharm，andnothingshallhappentoyou。
Iwillnotleavetheroom，andyoushallnot-\"
Hisgestureofappealcoincidedwiththesobinherthroat。Shebrokedowninherspeech，andCaptainGriffithsmovedastepnearer。
\"Ifyouhaveanyweaponinyourpossession，sir，\"hesaid，\"youhadbetterhanditovertome。\"
\"Well，doyouknow，\"Lessinghamreplied，\"Iscarcelyseethenecessity。OnethingIwillpromiseyou，\"headded，withasuddenflashinhiseyes，\"asinglestepnearer-asinglestep，mind-andyoushallhaveasmuchofmyweaponaswillkeepyouquietfortherestofyourlife。RememberthatsolongasyouarereasonableI
donotthreatenyou。HelpmetopersuadeLadyCranstontoleaveus。\"
CaptainGriffithswasoutofhisdepths。Hewasnotacoward，buthe=20hadnohankeringafterdeath，andtherewasdeathinLessingham’sthreatandintheflashofhiseyes。Whilehehesitated，therewasaknockuponthedoor。Millscamesilentlyin。Hecarriedatelegramuponasalver。
\"Foryou，sir，\"heannounced，addressingCaptainGriffiths。\"Anorderlyhasjustbroughtitdown。\"
Griffithslookedatthepinkenvelopeandfrowned。Hetoreitopen，however，withoutaword。Asheread，hislong，upperteethclosedinuponhislip。Sohestoodthereuntiltwolittledropsofbloodappeared。
ThenheturnedtoMills。
\"Thereisnoanswer，\"hesaid。
Themanbowedandlefttheroom。Hewalkedslowlyandhelookedbackfromthedoorway。Itwasscarcelypossibleforevensoperfectlytrainedaservanttoescapefromtheatmosphereoftragedy。
\"Somethingtellsme，\"Lessinghamremarkedcoolly，assoonasthedoorwasclosed，\"thatthatmessageconcernsme。\"
TheCommandantmadenoimmediatereply。Hestraightenedoutthetelegramandreaditoncemoreunderthelamplight，asthoughtobesuretherewasnopossiblemistake。Thenhefoldeditupandplaceditinhiswaistcoatpocket。
\"Thenotionofyourarrest，sir，\"hesaidtoLessinghamharshly，\"isapparentlydistastefultosomeoneatheadquarterswhohasnotdigestedmyinformation。Iamwithdrawingmymenforthepresent。\"
\"You’renotgoingtoarresthim？\"Philippacried。
\"Iamnot，\"CaptainGriffithsanswered。\"But，\"headded，turningtoLessingham，\"thisisonlyarespite。IhavemoreevidencebehindallthatIhaveoffered。YouareBaronBertramMaderstrom，aGermanspy，livinghereinaprohibitedareaunderafalsename。
ThatIknow，andthatIshallprovetothosewhohaveinterferedwithmeintheexecutionofmyduty。Thisisnottheend。\"
HelefttheroomwithoutevenawordorasalutetoPhilippa。
Lessinghamlookedafterhimforamoment，thoughtfully。Thenheshruggedhisshoulders。
\"IamquitesurethatIdonotlikeCaptainGriffiths，\"hedeclared。
\"Thereisnobreedingaboutthefellow。\"
CHAPTERXXIV
Philippa，evenforsomemomentsafterthedepartureofCaptainGriffithsandhismyrmidons，remainedinasortofnervelesstrance。
Thecrisis，withitsbewilderingdenouement，hadaffectedhercuriously。Lessinghamrosepresentlytohisfeet。
\"Iwonder，\"heasked，\"ifIcouldhaveawhiskyandsoda？\"
Shestampedherfootathiminalittlefitofhystericalpassion。
\"You’renotnatural！\"shecried。\"Whiskyandsoda！\"
\"Well，Idon’tknow，\"heprotestedmildly，helpinghimselffromthetableinthebackground。\"IratherthoughtIwasbeingparticularlyBritish。Whenindoubt，takeadrink。ThatisRichardalltheworldover，youknow。\"
Shebrokeintoalittlemirthlesslaugh。
\"Ishallbegintothinkthatyouareaposeur！\"sheexclaimed。
Hecrossedtheroomtowardsher。
\"PerhapsIam，dear，\"heconfessed。\"Iwantyoujusttositupandlosethatunnaturallook。Iamnotreallyfullofcheapbravado，butIamaphilosopher。Somethinghashappenedtopostpone-theend。
Goodlucktoit，Isay！\"
Heraisedhistumblertohislipsandsetitdownempty。Philipparosetoherfeetandwalkedrestlesslytothewindowandback。
\"I’lltryandbereasonabletoo，\"shepromised，resumingherseat。
\"Iwasright，yousee。CaptainGriffithshasdiscoveredeverything。
CanyoutellmewhatpossiblereasonanyoneinLondoncouldhavehadforinterference？\"
\"Iseemtohavegotafrienduptherewithoutknowingit，don’tI？\"
heobserved。
\"Thisisagingmeterribly，\"Philippadeclared，throwingherselfbackintoherseat。\"AllmylifeIhavehatedmysteries。HereI
amfacetofacewithtwoabsolutelyinsolubleones。CaptainGriffithshasassuredmethatthereishereinDreymarshsomethingofsufficientimportancetoaccountforthepresenceofaforeignspy。Youhaveconfirmedit。Ihavebeentorturingmybrainaboutthatforthelasttwenty-fourhours。Nowtherehappenssomethingmoreinexplicablestill。Youarearrested，andyouarenotarrested。Youridentityisknown，andCaptainGriffithsisforbiddentodohisduty。\"
\"Itseemspuzzling，doesitnot？\"Lessinghamagreed。\"Ishouldn’tworryaboutthefirst，butthislastlittleepisodetakessomeexplaining。\"
\"Ifanythingfurtherhappensthisevening，IthinkIshallgomad，\"
Philippasighed。
\"Andsomethingisgoingtohappen，\"Lessinghamdeclared，risingtohisfeet。\"Didyouhearthat？\"
Aboveeventheroarofthewindtheyheardthebrazenreportofagunfromalmostunderneaththewindow。Theroomwassuddenlylightenedbyasinglevividflash。
\"Amortar！\"Lessinghamexclaimed。\"Andthatwasarocket，unlessI’mmistaken。\"
\"Thesignalforthelifeboat！\"Philippaannounced。\"Iwonderifwecanseeanything。\"
Shehastenedtowardsthewindow，butpausedattheabruptopeningofthedoor。Noraburstin，followedmoresedatelybyHelen。
\"Mummy，there’sawreck！\"theformercriedinexcitement。\"Iheardsomethinganhourago，andIgotup，andI’vebeensittingbythewindow，watching。Isawthelifeboatgoout，andthey’resignallingnowfortheotherone。\"
\"It’squitetrue，Philippa，\"Helendeclared。\"We’regoingtotryandfightourwaydowntothebeach。\"
\"I’llgo，too，\"Lessinghamdecided。\"PerhapsImaybeofuse。\"
\"We’llallgo，\"Philippaagreed。\"WaitwhileIgetmythingson。
Whatisit，Mills？\"sheadded，asthedooropenedandthelatterpresentedhimself。
\"Thereisatrawlerontherocksjustoffthebreakwater，yourladyship，\"heannounced。\"Theyhavejustsentupfromthebeachtoknowifwecantakesomeofthecrewin。Theyarelandingthemaswellastheycanontheline。\"
\"Ofcoursewecan，\"wasthepromptreply。\"Tellthemtosendasmanyastheywantto。Wewillfindroomforthem，somehow。I’llgoupstairsandseeaboutthefires。You’llallcomeback？\"sheadded，turningaround。
\"Wewillallcomeback，\"Lessinghampromised。
Theyfoughttheirwaydowntothebeach。Atfirstthestormcompletelydeafenedallsound。Thelanterns，wavedhereandtherebyunseenhands，seemedpartofsomeghostlytableau，ofwhichtheonlybackgroundwastheragingofthestorm。Thensuddenly，withastartlinghiss，anotherrocketcloveitswaythroughthedarkness。
Theyhadaninstantaneousbutbrilliantviewofallthatwashappening，-sawthetrawlerlyingonitsside，apparentlyonlyafewyardsfromtheshore，sawthelinestretchedtothebeach，onwhich，evenatthatmoment，amanwasbeingdrawnashore，lickedbythespray，hisstrainedfaceandwind-tossedhairclearlyvisible。
Thenallwasdarknessagainmorecompletethanever。Theystruggleddownontotheshingle，wherethelittleclusteroffishermenwerehardatworkwiththeline。AlmostthefirstpersontheyranacrosswasJimmyDumble。Hewasstandingontheedgeofthebreakwaterwithagreatlanterninhishand，superintendingtheline，and，astheydrewnear，Lessingham，whowasalittleinadvance，couldhearhisvoiceabovethestorm。Hewasshoutingtowardsthewreck，hishandtohismouth。
\"Sendthemasterovernext，youlubbers，orwe’llcuttheline。Doyouhear？\"
Therewasnoreplyor，iftherewas，itwasdrownedinthewind。
Lessinghamgrippedthefishermanbythearm。
\"Whomdoyoumeanby’master’？\"hedemanded。Dumblescarcelyglancedathisinterlocutor。
\"Why，SirHenryCranston，tobesure，\"wastheagitatedanswer。
\"Theselubbersofseahandsareallcomingofffirst，andthelinewon’tstandformorethananotheroneortwo，\"headded，droppinghisvoice。
Thenthethrillofthosefewminutes’excitementunrolleditselfintoagreatdramabeforeLessingham’seyes。SirHenrywasonthatshipasnearasanymanmightwishtobetodeath。
\"’Ere’sthenext，\"Jimmymuttered，astheyturnedthewindlassvigorously。\"Gosh，’e’saheavyone，too！\"
Thencameacrywhichsoundedlikeamoanandaboveittheshrillfearfulyellofamanwhofeelshimselfdroppingoutoftheworld’shearing。LessinghamraisedthelanternwhichstoodonthebeachbyJimmy’sside。Thelinehadbroken。Thebodyofitssuspendedtravellerhaddisappeared！Andjustthen，strangelyenough，forthefirsttimeforoveranhour，theheavensopenedinonegreatsheetoflightning，andtheycouldseethefigureofonemanleftontheship，clingingdesperatelytotherigging。
\"Tiethelinearoundme，\"Jimmyshouted。\"Lethergo。Gettheotherendonthewindlass。\"
Theypaidouttheropethroughtheirhands。Jimmykickedoffhisbootsandplungedintothecauldron。Heswambarelyadozenstrokesbeforehewascaughtonthetopofanincomingwave，tossedaboutlikeacorkandflungbackuponthebeach，wherehelaygroaning。
Therewasalittlemurmuramongstthefisherman，whorushedtoleanoverhim，\"Swimmingain’tnomoreusethantryingtowalkonthewater，\"oneofthemdeclared。
Lessinghamraisedthelanternwhichhewascarrying，andflasheditaround。
\"Wherearetheyoungladies？\"heasked。
\"Goneuptothehousewithtwoaswe’vejusttakenoffthewreck，\"
someoneinformedhim。
Lessinghamstoopeddown。WillinghandshelpedhimunfastenthecordfromJimmy’swaist。Hetoreoffhisowncoatandwaistcoatandboots。
Somehelped，othersoughttodissuadehim，ashesecuredthelinearoundhisownwaist。
\"We’vesentformorerockets，\"onemanshoutedinhisear。\"Themanwillbebackinhalfanhour。\"
Lessinghampushedthemononeside。Hestoodontheedgeofthebeachand，borrowingalantern，watchedforhisopportunity。Thensuddenlyhevanished。Theylookedafterhim。Theycouldseenothingbuttheropeslippingpasttheirfeet，inchbyinch。
Sometimesitwasstationary，=20sometimesitwasdrawntaut。Thefirstgreatwavethatcameflungayardorsoofslackamongstthem。Then，aftertheroarofitsbreakinghaddiedaway，theysawtheropesuddenlytighten，andpassrapidlyout，andtheexcitementbegantothicken。
\"That’undidn’tgethim，anyway，\"oneofthemmuttered。
\"He’llgothroughthenext，withluck，\"anotherdeclaredhopefully。
Lessingham，fightingforhisconsciousness，deafenedandhalfstunnedbytheroarofthewatersabouthim，stillfelttheexhilarationofthatgreatstruggle。Helookedonceintoseaswhichseemedtotouchtheclouds，drewhimselfstiff，andplungedintothedepthsofamountainoffoamingwaters，whosesummitseemedtohimlikeoneofthosegrotesqueandnightmare-distortedeffortsoftheopium-eatingbrain。Thentheroarsoundedallbehindhim，andheknewthathewasthroughthebreakers。Heswamtothesideoftheshipandclutchedholdofachain。ItwasSirHenry’sout-stretchedhandwhichpulledhimontothedeck。
\"MyGod，thatwasaswim！\"thelatterdeclared，ashepulledhisrescuerup，notintheleastrecognisinghim。\"Let’shavetheendofthatcord，quick！So！\"hewenton，payingitoutthroughhisfingersuntiltheendoftheropeappeared。\"You’dbettergetyourbreath，youngman，andthenoveryougo。I’llfollow。\"
\"I’mdamnedifIdo！\"wasthevigorousreply。\"YoustartoffwhileIgetmybreath。\"
Theyweresuddenlyhalfdrownedwithashowerofspray。SirHenryheldLessinghaminagripofiron，orhewouldhavebeensweptoverboard。
\"Getonearmthroughthechains，man，\"heshouted。\"MyGod！\"headded，peeringthroughthegloom。\"Lessingham！\"
\"Well，don’tstoptoworryaboutthat，\"wasthefiercereply。\"Let’sgetonwithourjob。\"
SirHenrythrewoffhisoilskinsandhisunderneathcoat。
\"Followmewhentheywavethelanterntwice，\"hedirected。\"Ifweeitherofusgettheknock-well，thanks！\"
LessinghamfeltthegripofSirHenry’shandashepassedhimandwentoverboardintothedarkness。Then，withonearmthroughthechains，hedrewtowardshimbymeansofhisheelthecoatwhichSirHenryhadthrownuponthedeck。Graduallyitcamewithinreachofhisdisengagedhand。Heseizedit，shookitout，anddivedeagerlyintothebreastpocket。Therewereseveralsmallarticleswhichhethrewruthlesslyaway，andthenasquarepacket，wrappedinoilcloth，whichbenttohisfingers。Anotherbreakingwavethrewhimonhisback。Onearmwasstillthroughthechain，theothergrippedwhatsomeilluminatinginstincthadalreadyconvincedhimwasthechart！Assoonashehadrecoveredhisbreath，agrimeffortofhumourpartedhislips。Helaythereforamomentandlaughedtillthespray，thistimewitharushofgreenwaterunderneath，verynearlyswepthimfromhisplace。
Theywerewavingalanternonthebeachwhenhestruggledagaintohisfeet。
Heslippedthelittlepacketdownhisclothesnexttohisskin，andgropedabouttofindtheendofthelinewhichSirHenryandhehadfastenedtoastaplebelowthechains。Thenhedrewalongbreath，grippedtheropeandshouted。Asecondortwolaterhewasbackinthecauldron。
Astheypulledhimontothebeach，hehadbutoneidea。Whateverhappened，hemustnotloseconsciousness。Thepacketwasstillthereagainstthecalfofhisleg。Itmustbehisownhandswhichremovedhisclothes。Itseemedtohimthatthosefewbronzedfaces，thosehalfadozenrudelanterns，hadbecomemagnifiedandmultipliedahundredfold。Itwasanarmyofblue-jerseyedfishermenwhichpattedhimonthebackandwelcomedhim，lanternslikethestarsflashingeverywherearound。Hesethisteethandfoughtagainstthebuzzinginhisears。Hetriedtospeak，andhisvoicesoundedlikeaweak，farawaywhisper。
\"Iamallright，\"hekeptonsaying。
Thenhefelthimselfleaningontwobrawnyarms。Hisfeetfollowedthemesmericinfluenceoftheirmovement。Washegoingintotheclouds，hewondered？Theystoppedtoopenagate，thegateleadingtothegardensofMainsailHaul。Howdidhegetthere？Hehadnoidea。Moremovementsofhisfeet，andthenunexpectedwarmth。Helookedaroundhim。Therewerevoices。Helistened。Theonevoice？
Theonefacebendingoverhis，hereyeswetwithtears，herwhispersanincoherentstreamofbrokenwords。Thenthewarmthseemedtocomebacktohisveins。Hesatupandfoundhimselfonthecouchinthelibrary，theraindrippingfromhiminlittlepools，andheknewthathehadsucceeded。Hehadnotfainted。
\"Iamallright，\"herepeated。\"WhatamessIammaking！\"
Thevoicesaroundhimwerestillalittletangled，butthehandwhichheldasteamingtumblertohislipswasPhilippa’s。
\"Drinkitall，\"shebegged。
Hefeltthetearscomeintohiseyes，feltthewarmbloodstreamingthroughhisbody，feltalittlewetpatchatthebackofthecalfofhisleg，andthehandwhichsetdowntheemptytumblerwasalmoststeady。
\"There’sahotbathready，\"Philippatoldhim；\"somedryclothes，andabedroomwithafirein。DoletMillsshowyoutheway。\"
Heroseatonce，preparedtofollowher。Hisfeetwerenotquitesosteadyashewouldhavewished，butbemadeaverypresentableshow。Mills，withalittleapology，heldouthisarm。Philippawalkedbyhisotherside。
\"Assoonasyouhavefinishedyourbathandgotintosomedryclothes，\"Philippawhispered，\"pleasering，orsendMillstoletusknow。\"
Hewasevenabletosmileather。
\"Iamquiteallright，\"heassuredheroncemore。
CHAPTERXXV
Philippa，unusuallyearlyonthefollowingmorning，glancedattheemptybreakfasttablewithalittleairofdisappointment，andrangthebell。
\"Mills，\"sheenquired，\"isnoonedown？\"
\"SirHenryis，Ibelieve，onthebeach，yourladyship，\"themananswered，\"andMissHelenandMissNoraarewithhim。\"
\"AndMr。Lessingham？\"
\"Mr。Lessingham，yourladyship，\"Millscontinued，lookingcarefullybehindhimasthoughtobesurethatthedoorwasclosed，\"hasdisappeared。\"
\"Disappeared？\"Philipparepeated。\"Whatdoyoumean，Mills？\"
\"IleftMr。Lessinghamlastnight，yourladyship，\"Millsexplained，\"inasuitofthemaster’sclothesandapparentlypreparingforbed-Ishouldsaythismorning，asitwasprobablyabouttwoo’clock。
Icalledhimathalfpasteight，asdesired，andfoundtheroomempty。
Thebedhadnotbeensleptin。\"
\"Wastherenonoteormessage？\"Philippaaskedincredulously。
\"Nothing，yourladyship。Oneofthemaidservantsbelievesthatsheheardthefrontdooropenatfiveo’clockthismorning。\"
\"Ringupthehotel，\"Philippainstructed，\"andseeifheisthere。\"
Millsdepartedtoexecutehiscommission。Philippastoodlookingoutofthewindow，acrossthelawnandshrubberyanddownontothebeach。Therewasstillaheavysea，butitwasmerelytheswellfromthedaybefore。Thewindhaddropped，andthesunwasshiningbrilliantly。SirHenry，Helen，andNorawerestrollingaboutthebeachasthoughsearchingforsomething。Aboutfiftyyardsout，thewreckedtrawlerwaslyingcompletelyonitsside，withtheendofonefunnelvisible。Scatteredgroupsofthevillagerswereexaminingitfromthesands。InduecourseMillsreturned。
\"ThehotelpeopleknownothingofMr。Lessingham，yourladyship，beyondthefactthathedidnotreturnlastnight。TheyreceivedamessagefromHill’sGarage，however，abouthalfanhourago，tosaythattheirmechanichaddrivenMr。LessinghamearlythismorningtoNorwich，wherehehadcaughtthemailtraintoLondon，TheboywastosaythatMr。Lessinghamwouldbebackinadayorso。\"
Philippapushedopenthewindowsandmadeherwaydowntowardsthebeach。Sheleanedovertherailofthepromenadeandwavedherhandtotheothers，whoclambereduptheshingletomeether。
\"Scarcelyseenyouyet，mydear，haveI？\"SirHenryobserved。
Hestoopedandkissedherforehead，asalutewhichshesufferedwithoutresponse。Helenpointedtothewreck。
\"Itdoesn’tseempossible，doesit，\"shesaid，\"thatmen’slivesshouldhavebeenlostinthatlittlespace。Twomenweredrowned，theysay，throughthebreakingoftherope。Theyrecoveredthebodiesthismorning。\"
\"Everythingelseseemstohavebeenwashedonshoreexceptmycoat，\"
SirHenrygrumbled。\"Iwasdownhereatdaylight，lookingforit。\"
\"Yourcoat！\"Philipparepeatedscornfully。\"Fancythinkingofthat，whenyouonlyjustescapedwithyourlife！\"
\"Buttotellyouthetruth，mydear，\"SirHenryexplained，\"mypocketbookandpapersofsomevaluewereinthepocketofthatcoat。
Ican’tthinkhowIcametoforgetthem。IthinkitwasthesurpriseofseeingthatfellowLessinghamcrawlontothewrecklookinglikeadrownedrat。Jove，whatapluckhemusthave！\"
=20
\"Thefishermencantalkofnothingelse，\"Noraputinexcitedly。
\"Mummy，itwassimplysplendid！HelenandIhadgoneupwithtwooftherescuedmen，butIgotbackjustintimetoseethemfastentheroperoundhiswaistandwatchhimplungein。\"
\"Howishethismorning？\"Helenasked。
\"Gone，\"Philippareplied。
Theyalllookedatherinsurprise。
\"Gone？\"SirHenryrepeated。\"What，backtothehotel，doyoumean？\"
\"Hisbedhasnotbeensleptin，\"Philippatoldthem。\"Hemusthaveslippedawayearlythismorning，gonetoHill’sGarage，hiredacar，andmotoredtoNorwich。FromtherehewentontoLondon。Hehassentwordthathewillbebackinafewdays。\"
\"IhopetoGodhewon’t！\"SirHenrymuttered。
Philippaswungrounduponhim。
\"Whatdoyoumeanbythat？\"shedemanded。\"Don’tyouwanttothankhimforsavingyourlife？\"
\"Mydear，Icertainlydo，\"SirHenryreplied，\"butjustnow-well，Iamalittletakenaback。GonetoLondon，eh？ToreawaywithoutwarninginthemiddleofthenighttoLondon！Andcomingback，too-that’sthestrangepartofit！\"
Onewouldthink，fromSirHenry’sexpression，thathewasfindingfoodformuchsatisfactioninthisrecitalofLessingham’ssuddendisappearance。
\"Heisawonderfulfellow，thisLessingham，\"headdedthoughtfully。
\"Hemusthave-yes，byGod，hemusthave-Inthatstorm，too！\"
\"Ifyoucouldspeakcoherently，Henry，\"Philippaobserved，\"IshouldliketosaythatIamexceedinglyanxioustoknowwhyMr。Lessinghamhasdesertedussoprecipitately。\"
SirHenrywouldhavetakenhiswife’sarm，butsheavoidedhim。Heshruggedhisshouldersandploddedupthesteeppathbyherside。
\"ThewholequestionofLessinghamisratheraproblem，\"hesaid。
\"Ofcourse，youandHelenhaveseenverymuchmoreofhimthanI
have。Isn’tittruethatpeoplehavebeguntomakecuriousremarksabouthim？\"
\"Howdidyouknowthat，Henry？\"Philippademanded。
\"Well，onehearsthings，\"hereplied。\"Ishouldgather，fromwhatIheard，thathispositionherehadbecomealittleprecarious。
Hencehissuddendisappearance。\"
\"Butheiscomingbackagain，\"Philipparemindedherhusband。
\"Perhaps！\"
Philippasignifiedherdesirethatherhusbandshouldremainalittlebehindwithher。Theywalkedsidebysideupthegravelpath。
Philippakeptherhandsclaspedbehindher。
\"ToleavethesubjectofMr。Lessinghamforatime，\"shebegan，\"I
feelveryreluctanttoaskforexplanationsofanythingyoudo，butImustconfesstoacertaincuriosityastowhyIshouldfindyoulunchingattheCantonwithtwoverybeautifulladies，afewdaysago，whenyouleftherewithJimmyDumbletofishforwhiting；andalsowhyyoureturnhereonatrawlerwhichbelongstoanotherpartofthecoast？\"
SirHenrymadeagrimace。
\"Iwasbeginningtowonderwhethercuriositywasdead，\"heobservedgood-humouredly。\"Ifyouwouldn’tmindgivingmeanother-well，tobeonthesafesideletussayeightdays-IthinkIshallbeabletoofferyouanexplanationwhichyouwillconsidersatisfactory。\"
\"Thankyou，\"Philipparejoined，withcoldsurprise；\"Iseenoreasonwhyyoushouldnotanswersuchsimplequestionsatonce。\"
SirHenrysigheddeprecatingly，andmadeanothervainattempttotakehiswife’sarm。
\"Philippa，bealittlebrick，\"hebegged。\"IknowIseemtohavebeenplayingthepartofafooljustlately，buttherehasbeenasortofreasonforit。\"
\"Whatreasoncouldtherepossiblybe，\"shedemanded，\"whichyoucouldnotconfideinme？\"
Hewassilentforamoment。Whenhespokeagaintherewasanewearnestnessinhistone。
\"Philippa，\"hesaid，\"Ihavebeenworkingforsometimeatalittleschemewhichisn’tripetotalkaboutyet，noteventoyou，butwhichmayleadtosomethingwhichIhopewillalteryouropinion。
Youcouldn’tseeyourwaycleartotrustmealittlelonger，couldyou？\"hebegged，withratheraplaintivegleaminhisblueeyes。
\"Itwouldmakeitsomucheasierformetosaynomorebutjusthaveyousittight。\"
\"Iwonder，\"sheansweredcoldly，\"ifyourealisehowmuchIhavesuffered，sittingtight，asyoucallit，andwaitingforyoutodosomething！\"
\"Myfishingexcursions，\"hewentondesperately，\"havenotbeenaltogetheramatterofsport。\"
\"Iknowthatquitewell，\"shereplied。\"Youhavebeenmakingthatchartyoupromisedyourmiserablefishermen。Noneofthosethingsinterestme，Henry。Ifear-Iamverymuchinclinedtosaythatnoneofyourdoingsinterestme。Leastofall，\"shewenton，hervoicequiveringwithpassion，\"doIappreciateintheleastthesemysteriousappealsformypatience。Ihavesomecommonsense，Henry。\"
\"You’reasuspiciouslittlebeast，\"hetoldher。
\"Suspicious！\"shescoffed。\"Whatawordtousefromamanwhogoesofffishingforwhiting，andislunchingattheCarlton，somedaysafterwards，withtwoladiesofextraordinaryattractions！\"
\"Thatwasatrifleawkward，\"SirHenryadmitted，withalittleburstofcandour，\"butitgoesinwiththerest，Philippa。\"
\"Thenitcanstaywiththerest，\"sheretorted，\"exactlywhereI
haveplaceditinmymind。Pleaseunderstandme。Yourconductforthelasttwelvemonthsabsolvesmefromanytietheremaybebetweenus。Ifthisexplanationthatyoupromisecomes-intime，andI
feellikeit，verywell。Untilitdoes，Iamperfectlyfree，andyou，asmyhusband，arenon-existent。Thatismyreply，Henry，toyourrequestforfurtherindulgence。\"
\"Ratherafoolishone，mydear，\"heanswered，pattinghershoulder，\"butthenyouareratherachild，aren’tyou？\"
Sheswungawayfromhimangrily。
\"Don’ttouchme！\"sheexclaimed。\"ImeaneverywordofwhatIhavesaid。Asformybeingachild-well，youmaybesorrysomedaythatyouhavepersistedintreatingmelikeone。\"
SirHenrypausedforamoment，watchingherdisappearingfigure。
Therewasanunusualshadeoftroubleinhisface。Hisloveforandconfidenceinhiswifehadbeensoabsolutethatevenherthreatshadseemedtohimlikelittlemorselsofwoundedvanitythrowntohimoutofthefrothofhertemper。Yetatthatmomentadarkerthoughtcrossedhismind。Lessingham，herealised，wasnotarival，afterall，tobedespised。Hewasamanofcourageandtact，eventhoughSirHenry，inhisownmind，hadlabelledhimasafool。IfindeedhewerecomingbacktoDreymarsh，whatcoulditbefor？HowmuchhadPhilippaknownabouthim？Hestoodthereforafewmomentsinindecision。Agreatimpulsehadcometohimtobreakhispledge，totellherthetruth。Thenhemadehisdisturbedwayintothebreakfastroom。
\"Where’syourmother，Nora？\"heasked，asHelentookPhilippa’splaceattheheadofthetable。
\"Shewantssomecoffeeandtoastsentuptoherroom。\"Noraexplained。\"Thewindmadehergiddy。\"
SirHenrybreakfastedinsilence，rangthebell，andorderedhiscar。
\"Yougoingawayagain，Daddy？\"Noraasked。
\"IamgoingtoLondonthismorning，\"hereplied，alittleabsently。
\"ToLondon？\"Helenrepeated。\"DoesPhilippaknow？\"
\"Ihaven’ttoldheryet。\"
HelenturnedtowardsNora。
\"Iwishyou’drunupandseeifyourmotherwantsanymorecoffee，there’sadear，\"shesuggested。
Noraacquiescedatonce。Assoonasshehadlefttheroom，HelenleanedoverandlaidherhanduponSirHenry’sarm。
\"Don’tgotoLondon，Henry，\"shebegged。
\"ButmydearHelen，Imust，\"hereplied，alittlecurtly。
\"Iwouldn’tifIwereyou，\"shepersisted。\"Youknow，you’vetriedPhilippaveryhighlately，andsheisinanextremelyemotionalstate。Sheisallworkedupaboutlastnight，andIwouldn’tleaveheraloneifIwereyou。\"
SirHenry’sblueeyesseemedsuddenlylikepointsofsteelasheleanedtowardsher。
\"YouthinkthatsheisinlovewiththatfellowLessingham？\"heaskedbluntly。
\"No，Idon’t，\"Helenreplied，\"butIthinksheismorefuriouswithyouthanyoubelieve。Formonthsyouhaveacted-well，howshallIsay？\"
\"Oh，likeacoward，ifyoulike，orafool。Goon。\"
\"Shehasaskedforexplanationstowhichsheisperfectlyentitled，\"
Helencontinued，\"andyouhavegivenhernone。Youhavetreatedherlikesomethingbetweenadollandachild。Philippaisasgoodandsweetasanywomanwhoeverlived，buthasn’titeveroccurredtoyouthatwomenarerathermysteriousbeings？Theymaysometimesdo，outofafurioussenseofbeingwronglytreated，outofasortofaggravatedpique，whattheywouldneverdoforanyotherreason。Ifyoumustgo，comebackto-night，Henry。Comeback，andifyouareobstinate，andwon’ttellPhilippaallthatshehasarighttoknow，tellheraboutthatluncheonintown。\"
SirHenryfrowned。
\"It’sallverywell，youknow，Helen，\"hesaid，\"butawomanoughttotrustherhusband。\"
\"Iamyourfriend，remember，\"Helenreplied，\"anduponmyword，I
couldn’ttrustandbelieveeveninDick，ifhebehavedasyouhavedoneforthelasttwelvemonths。\"
SirHenrymadeagrimace。
\"Well，thatsettlesit，Isuppose，then，\"heobserved。\"I’llhaveonemoretryandseewhatIcandowithPhilippa。Perhapsahintofwhat’sgoingonmaysatisfyher。\"
Heclimbedthestairs，meetingNoraonherwaydown，andknockedathiswife’sdoor。Therewasnoreply。Hetriedthehandleandfoundthedoorlocked。
\"Areyouthere，Philippa？\"heasked。
\"Yes！\"sherepliedcoldly。
\"IamgoingtoLondonthismorning。CanIhaveafewwordswithyoufirst？\"
\"No！\"
SirHenrywasalittletakenaback。
\"Don’tbesilly，Philippa，\"hepersisted。\"Imaybeawayforfourorfivedays。\"
Therewasnoanswer。SirHenrysuddenlyrememberedanotherentrancefromanewlyaddedbathroom。HeavailedhimselfofitandfoundPhilippaseatedinaneasy-chair，calmlyprogressingwithherbreakfast。Sheraisedhereyebrowsathisentrance。
\"Thesearemyapartments，\"sheremindedhim。
\"Don’tbealittlefool，\"heexclaimedimpatiently。
Philippadeliberatelybutteredherselfapieceoftoast，pickedupherbook，andbecameatonceimmersedinit。
\"Youdon’twishtotalktome，then？\"hedemanded。
\"Idonot，\"sheagreed。\"Youhavehadalltheopportunitieswhichanymanshouldneed，ofexplainingcertainmatterstome。Mycuriosityinthemhasended；alsomyinterest-inyou。YousayyouaregoingtoLondon。Verywell。Praydonothurryhomeonmyaccount。\"
SirHenry，asheturnedtoleavetheroom，madethecommonmistakeofamanarguingwithawoman-heattemptedtohavethelastword。
\"PerhapsIambetteroutoftheway，eh？\"
\"Perhapsso，\"Philippaassentedsweetly。