“David!” she cried,—“my dear David—!”
Then she broke off.
“What is it?” she asked, in a different tone.
He showed her the headlines of the newspaper he was carrying.
“Tragedy!” he answered hoarsely. “Von Behrling was true, after all,—at least, it seems so.”
“What has happened?” she demanded.
Bellamy pointed once more to the newspaper.
“He was murdered last night, within fifty yards of the place of our rendezvous.”
A little exclamation broke from Louise’s lips. She sat down suddenly. The color called into her cheeks by the exercise of her bath was rapidly fading away.
“David,” she murmured, “is this true?”
“It is indeed,” Bellamy assured her. “Not only that, but there is no mention of his pocket-book in the account of his murder. It must have been engineered by Streuss and the others, and they have got away with the pocket-book and the money.”
“What can we do?” she asked.
“There is nothing to be done,” Bellamy declared calmly. “We are defeated. The thing is quite apparent. Von Behrling never succeeded, after all, in shaking off the espionage of the men who were watching him. They tracked him to our rendezvous, they waited about while I met him. Afterwards, he had to pass along a narrow passage. It was there that he was found murdered.”
“But, David, I don’t understand! Why did they wait until after he had seen you? How did they know that he had not parted with the paper in the restaurant? To all intents and purposes he ought to have done so.”
“I cannot understand that myself,” Bellamy admitted. “In fact, it is inexplicable.”
She took up the newspaper and glanced at the report. Then, “You are sure, I suppose, that this does refer to Von Behrling? He is quite unidentified, you see.”
“There is no doubt about it,” Bellamy declared. “I have been to the Mortuary. It is certainly he. All our work has been in vain—just as I thought, too, that we had made a splendid success of it.”
She looked at him compassionately.
“It is hard lines, dear,” she admitted. “You are tired, too. You look as though you had been up all night.”
“Yes, I am tired,” he answered, sinking into a chair. “I am worse than tired. This has been the grossest failure of my career, and I am afraid that it is the end of everything. I have lost twenty thousand pounds of Secret Service money; I have lost the one chance which might have saved England. They will never trust me again.”
“You did your best,” she said, coming over and sitting on the arm of his chair. “You did your best, David.”
She laid her hands upon his forehead, her cheek against his—smooth and cold—exquisitely refreshing it seemed to his jaded nerves.
“Ah, Louise!” he murmured, “life is getting a little too strenuous. Perhaps we have given too much of it up to others. What do you think?”
She shook her head.
“Dear, I have felt like that sometimes, yet what can we do? Could we be happy, you and I, in exile, if the things which we dread were coming to pass? Could I go away and hide while my countrymen were being butchered out of existence?— And you—you are not the sort of man to be content with an ignoble peace. No, it isn’t possible. Our work may not be over yet—”
There was a knock at the door, and Annette entered with many apologies.
“Mademoiselle,” she explained, “a thousand pardons, and to Monsieur also, but there is a gentleman here who says that his business is of the most urgent importance, and that he must see you at once. I have done all that I can, but he will not go away. He knows that Monsieur Bellamy is here, too,” she added, turning to him, “and he says his business has to do with Monsieur as well as Mademoiselle.”
Bellamy almost snatched the card from the girl’s fingers. He read out the name in blank amazement.
“Baron de Streuss!”
There was a moment’s silence. Louise and he exchanged wondering glances.
“What can this mean?” she asked hoarsely.
“Heaven knows!” he answered. “Let us see him together. After all—after all—”
“You can show the gentleman in, Annette,” her mistress ordered.
“If he has the papers,” Bellamy continued slowly, “why does he come to us? It is not like these men to be vindictive. Diplomacy to them is nothing—a game of chess. I do not understand.”
The door opened. Annette announced their visitor. Streuss bowed low to Louise—he bowed, also, to Bellamy.
“I need not introduce myself,” he said. “With Mr. Bellamy I have the honor to be well acquainted. Madame is known to all the world.”
Louise nodded, somewhat coldly.
“We can dispense with an introduction, I think, Monsieur le Baron,” she said. “At the same time, you will perhaps explain to what I owe this somewhat unexpected pleasure?”
“Mademoiselle, an explanation there must certainly be. I know that it is an impossible hour. I know, too, that to have forced my presence upon you in this manner may seem discourteous. Yet the urgency of the matter, I am convinced, justifies me.”
Louise motioned him to a chair, but he declined with a little bow of thanks.
“Mademoiselle,” he said, “and you, Mr. Bellamy, we need not waste words. We have played a game of chess together. You, Mademoiselle, and Mr. Bellamy on the one side—I and my friends upon the other. The honor of Rudolph Von Behrling was the pawn for which we fought. The victory remains with you.”
Bellamy never moved a muscle. Louise, on the contrary, could not help a slight start.
“Under the circumstances,” the Baron continued smoothly, “the struggle was uneven. I do myself the justice to remember that from the first I realized that we played a losing game. Mademoiselle,” he added, “from the days of Cleopatra—ay, and throughout those shadowy days which lie beyond—the diplomats of the world have been powerless when matched against your sex. Rudolph Von Behrling was an honest fellow enough until he looked into your eyes. Mademoiselle, you have gifts which might, perhaps, have driven from his senses a stronger man.”
Louise smiled, but there was no suggestion of mirth in the curl of her lips. Her eyes all the time sought his questioningly. She did not understand.
“You flatter me, Baron,” she murmured.
“No, I do not flatter you, I speak the truth. This plain talking is pleasant enough when the time comes that one may indulge in it. That time, I think, is now. Rudolph Von Behrling, against my advice, but because he was the Chancellor’s nephew, was associated with me in a certain enterprise, the nature of which is no secret to you, Mademoiselle, or to Mr. Bellamy here. We followed a man who, by some strange chance, was in possession of a few sheets of foolscap, the contents of which were alike priceless to my country and priceless to yours. The subsequent history of those papers should have been automatic. The first step was fulfilled readily enough. The man disappeared—the papers were ours. Von Behrling was the man who secured them, and Von Behrling it was who retained them. If my advice had been followed, I admit frankly that we should have ignored all possible comment and returned with them at once to Vienna. The others thought differently. They ruled that we should come on to London and deposit the packet with our Ambassador here. In a weak moment I consented. It was your opportunity, Mademoiselle, an opportunity of which you have splendidly availed yourself.”
This time Louise held herself with composure. Bellamy’s brain was in a whirl but he remained silent.
“I come to you both,” the Baron continued, “with my hands open. I come—I make no secret of it—I come to make terms. But first of all I must know whether I am in time. There is one question which I must ask. I address it, sir, to you,” he added, turning to Bellamy. “Have you yet placed in the hands of your Government the papers which you obtained from Von Behrling?”
Bellamy shook his head.
The Baron drew a long breath of relief. Though he had m
aintained his savoir faire perfectly, the fingers which for a moment played with his tie, as though to rearrange it, were trembling.
“Well, then, I am in time. Will you see my hand?”
“Mademoiselle and I,” answered Bellamy, “are at least ready to listen to anything you may have to say.”
“You know quite well,” the Baron continued, “what it is that I have come to say, yet I want you to remember this. I do not come to bribe you in any ordinary manner. The things which are to come will happen; they must happen, if not this year, next,—if not next year, within half a decade of years. History is an absolute science. The future as well as the past can be read by those who know the signs. The thing which has been resolved upon is certain. The knowledge of the contents of those papers by your Government might delay the final catastrophe for a short while; it could do no more. In the long run, it would be better for your country, Mr. Bellamy, in every way, that the end come soon. Therefore, I ask you to perform no traitorous deed. I ask you to do that which is simply reasonable for all of us, which is, indeed, for the advantage of all of us. restore those papers to me instead of handing them to your Government, and I will pay you for them the sum of one hundred thousand pounds!”
“One hundred thousand pounds,” Bellamy repeated.
“One hundred thousand pounds!” murmured Louise.
There was a brief, intense pause. Louise waited, warned by the expression in Bellamy’s face. Silence, she felt, was safest, and it was Bellamy who spoke.
“Baron,” said he, “your visit and your proposal are both a little amazing. Forgive me if I speak alone with Mademoiselle for a moment.”
“Most certainly,” the Baron agreed. “I go away and leave you—out of the room, if you will.”
“It is not necessary,” Bellamy replied. “Louise!” The Baron withdrew to the window, and Bellamy led Louise into the furthest corner of the room.
“What can it mean?” he whispered. “What do you suppose has happened?”
“I cannot imagine. My brain is in a whirl.”
“If they have not got the pocket-book,” Bellamy muttered, “it must have gone with Von Behrling to the Mortuary. If so, there is a chance. Louise, say nothing; leave this to me.”
“As you will,” she assented. “I have no wish to interfere. I only hope that he does not ask me any questions.”
They came once more into the middle of the room, and the Baron turned to meet them.
“You must forgive Mademoiselle,” said Bellamy, “if she is a little upset this morning. She knows, of course, as I know and you know, that Von Behrling was playing a desperate game, and that he carried his life in his hands. Yet his death has been a shock—has been a shock, I may say, to both of us. From your point of view,” Bellamy went on, “it was doubtless deserved, but—”
“What, in God’s name, is this that you say?” the Baron interrupted. “I do not understand at all! You speak of Von Behrling’s death! What do you mean?”
Bellamy looked at him as one who listens to strange words.
“Baron,” he said, “between us who know so much there is surely no need for you to play a part. Von Behrling knew that you were watching him. Your spies were shadowing him as they have done me. He knew that he was running terrible risks. He was not unprepared and he has paid. It is not for us—”
“Now, in God’s name, tell me the truth!” Baron de Streuss interrupted once more. “What is it that you are saying about Von Behrling’s death?”
Bellamy drew a little breath between his teeth. He leaned forward with his hands resting upon the table.
“Do you mean to say that you do not know?”
“Upon my soul, no!” replied the Baron.
Bellamy threw open the newspaper before him.
“Von Behrling was murdered last night, ten minutes after our interview.”
XII. BARON DE STREUSS’ PROPOSAL
Table of Contents
The Baron adjusted his eyeglass with shaking fingers. His face now was waxen-white as he spread out the newspaper upon the table and read the paragraph word by word.
TERRIBLE CRIME IN THE CITY
Early this morning the body of a man was discovered in a narrow passageway leading from Crooked Friars to Royal Street, under circumstances which leave little doubt but that the man's death was owing to foul play. The deceased had apparently been stabbed, and had received several severe blows about the head. He was shabbily dressed but was well supplied with money, and he was wearing a gold watch and chain when he was found.
LATER
There appears to be no further doubt but that the man found in the entry leading from Crooked Friars had been the victim of a particularly murderous assault. Neither his clothes nor his linen bore any mark by means of which he could be identified. The body has been removed to the nearest mortuary, and an inquest will shortly be held.
Streuss looked up from the newspaper and the reality of his surprise was apparent. He had all the appearance of a man shaken with emotion. While he looked at his two companions wonderingly, strange thoughts were forming in his mind.
“Von Behrling dead!” he muttered. “But who—who could have done this?”
“Until this moment,” Bellamy answered dryly, “it was not a matter concerning which we had any doubt. The only wonder to us was that it should have been done too late.”
“You mean,” Streuss said slowly, “that he was murdered after he had completed his bargain with you?”
“Naturally.”
“I suppose,” the Baron continued, “there is no question but that it was done afterwards? You smile,” he exclaimed, “but what am I to think? Neither I nor my people had any hand in this deed. How about yours?”
Bellamy shook his head.
“We do not fight that way,” he replied. “I had bought Von Behrling. He was of no further interest to me. I did not care whether he lived or died.”
“There is something very strange about this,” the Baron said. “If neither you nor I were responsible for his death, who was?”
“That I can’t tell you. Perhaps later in the day we shall hear from the police. It is scarcely the sort of murder which would remain long undetected, especially as he was robbed of a large sum in bank-notes.”
“Supplied by His Majesty’s Government, I presume?” Streuss remarked.
“Precisely,” Bellamy assented, “and paid to him by me.”
“At any rate,” Streuss said grimly, “we have now no more secrets from one another. I will ask you one last question. Where is that packet at the present moment?”
Bellamy raised his eyebrows.
“It is a question,” he declared, “which you could scarcely expect me to answer.”
“I will put it another way,” Streuss continued. “Supposing you decide to accept my offer, how long will it be before the packet can be placed in my hands?”
“If we decide to accept,” Bellamy answered, “there is no reason why there should be any delay at all.”
Streuss was silent for several moments. His hands were thrust deep down into the pockets of his overcoat. With eyes fixed upon the tablecloth, he seemed to be thinking deeply, till presently he raised his head and looked steadily at Bellamy.
“You are sure that Von Behrling has not fooled you? You are sure that you have that identical packet?”
“I am absolutely certain that I have,” Bellamy answered, without flinching.
“Then accept my price and have done with this matter,” Streuss begged. “I will sign a draft for you here, and I will undertake to bring you the money, or honor it wherever you say, within twenty-four hours.”
“I cannot decide so quickly,” said Bellamy, shaking his head. “Mademoiselle Idiale and I must talk together first. I am not sure,” he added, “whether I might not find a higher bidder.”
Streuss laughed mirthlessly.
“There is little fear of that,” he said. “The papers are of no use except to us and to England. To England, I will admit
that the foreknowledge of what is to come would be worth much, although the eventful result would be the same. It is for that reason that I am here, for that reason that I have made you this offer.”
“Mademoiselle and I must discuss it,” Bellamy declared. “It is not a matter to be decided upon off-hand. Remember that it is not only the packet which you are offering to buy, but also my career and my honor.”
“One hundred thousand pounds,” Streuss said slowly. “From your own side you get nothing—nothing but your beggarly salary and an occasional reprimand. One hundred thousand pounds is not immense wealth, but it is something.”
“Your offer is a generous one,” admitted Bellamy, “there is no doubt about that. On the other hand, I cannot decide without further consideration. It is a big thing for us, remember. I have worked very hard for the contents of that packet.”
Once more Streuss felt an uneasy pang of incredulity. After all, was this Englishman playing with him? So he asked: “You are quite sure that you have it?”
“There is no means of convincing you of which I care to make use. You must be content with my word. I have the packet. I paid Von Behrling for it and he gave it to me with his own hands.”
“I must accept your word,” Streuss declared. “I give you three days for reflection. Before I go, Mr. Bellamy, forgive me if I refer once more to this,”—touching the newspaper which still lay upon the table. “Remember that Rudolph Von Behrling moved about a marked man. Your spies and mine were most of the time upon his heels. Yet in the end some third person seems to have intervened. Are you quite sure that you know nothing of this?”
“Upon my honor,” Bellamy replied, “I have not the slightest information concerning Von Behrling’s death beyond what you can read there. It was as great a surprise to me as to you.”
“It is incomprehensible,” Streuss murmured.
“One can only conclude,” Bellamy remarked thoughtfully, “that someone must have seen him with those notes. There were people moving about in the little restaurant where we met. The rustle of bank-notes has cost more than one man his life.
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