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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/9836-8.txt b/9836-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7b51e9e --- /dev/null +++ b/9836-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,10048 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Pawns Count, by E. Phillips Oppenheim + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Pawns Count + +Author: E. Phillips Oppenheim + +Posting Date: December 7, 2011 [EBook #9836] +Release Date: February, 2006 +First Posted: October 23, 2003 +Last Updated: January 1, 2006 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PAWNS COUNT *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Anuradha Valsa Raj and PG +Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + + + + + + + +THE PAWNS COUNT + +BY + +E. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM + + +1918 + + +FOREWORD + +"I am for England and England only," John Lutchester, the Englishman, +asserted. + +"I am for Japan and Japan only," Nikasti, the Jap, insisted. + +"I am for Germany first and America afterwards," Oscar Fischer, the +German-American pronounced. + +"I am for America first, America only, America always," Pamela Van +Teyl, the American girl, declared. + +They were all right except the German-American. + + + + +CHAPTER I + + +Mefiez-Vous! + +Taisez-Vous! + +Les Oreilles Ennemies Vous Ecoutent! + +The usual little crowd was waiting in the lobby of a fashionable London +restaurant a few minutes before the popular luncheon hour. Pamela Van +Teyl, a very beautiful American girl, dressed in the extreme of +fashion, which she seemed somehow to justify, directed the attention of +her companions to the notice affixed to the wall facing them. + +"Except," she declared, "for you poor dears who have been hurt, that is +the first thing I have seen in England which makes me realise that you +are at war." + +The younger of her two escorts, Captain Richard Holderness, who wore +the uniform of a well-known cavalry regiment, glanced at the notice a +little impatiently. + +"What rot it seems!" he exclaimed. "We get fed up with that sort of +thing in France. It's always the same at every little railway station +and every little inn. 'Mefiez-vous! Taisez-vous!' They might spare us +over here." + +John Lutchester, a tall, clean-shaven man, dressed in civilian clothes, +raised his eyeglass and read out the notice languidly. + +"Well, I don't know," he observed. "Some of you Service fellows--not +the Regulars, of course--do gas a good deal when you come back. I don't +suppose you any of you know anything, so it doesn't really matter," he +added, glancing at his watch. + +"Army's full of Johnnies, who come from God knows where nowadays," +Holderness assented gloomily. "No wonder they can't keep their mouths +shut." + +"Seems to me you need them all," Miss Pamela Van Teyl remarked with a +smile. + +"Of course we do," Holderness assented, "and Heaven forbid that any of +us Regulars should say a word against them. Jolly good stuff in them, +too, as the Germans found out last month." + +"All the same," Lutchester continued, still studying the notice, "news +does run over London like quicksilver. If you step down to the American +bar here, for instance, you'll find that Charles is one of the +best-informed men about the war in London. He has patrons in the Army, +in the Navy, and in the Flying Corps, and it's astonishing how +communicative they seem to become after the second or third cocktail." + +"Cocktail, mark you, Miss Van Teyl," Holderness pointed out. "We poor +Englishmen could keep our tongues from wagging before we acquired some +of your American habits." + +"The habits are all right," Pamela retorted. "It's your heads that are +wrong." + +"The most valued product of your country," Lutchester murmured, "is +more dangerous to our hearts than to our heads." + +She made a little grimace and turned away, holding out her hand to a +new arrival--a tall, broad-shouldered man, with a strong, cold face and +keen, grey eyes, aggressive even behind his gold-rimmed spectacles. +There was a queer change in his face as his eyes met Pamela's. He +seemed suddenly to become more human. His pleasure at seeing her was +certainly more than the usual transatlantic politeness. + +"Mr. Fischer," she exclaimed, "they are saying hard things about our +country! Please protect me." + +He bowed over her fingers. Then he looked up. His tone was impressive. + +"If I thought that you needed protection, Miss Van Teyl--" + +"Well, I can assure you that I do," she interrupted, laughing. "You +know my friends, don't you?" + +"I think I have that pleasure," the American replied, shaking hands +with Lutchester and Holderness. + +"Now we'll get an independent opinion," the former observed, pointing +to the wall. "We were discussing that notice, Mr. Fischer. You're +almost as much a Londoner as a New Yorker. What do you think?--is it +superfluous or not?" + +Fischer read it out and smiled. + +"Well," he admitted, "in America we don't lay much store by that sort +of thing, but I don't know as we're very good judges about what goes on +over here. I shouldn't call this place, anyway, a hotbed of intrigue. +Excuse me!" + +He moved off to greet some incoming guests--a well-known stockbroker +and his partner. Lutchester looked after him curiously. + +"Is Mr. Fischer one of your typical millionaires, Miss Van Teyl?" he +asked. + +She shrugged her shoulders. + +"We have no typical millionaires," she assured him. "They come from all +classes and all States." + +"Fischer is a Westerner, isn't he?" + +Pamela nodded, but did not pursue the conversation. Her eyes were fixed +upon a girl who had just entered, and who was looking a little +doubtfully around, a girl plainly but smartly dressed, with fluffy +light hair, dark eyes, and a very pleasant expression. Pamela, who was +critical of her own sex, found the newcomer attractive. + +"Is that, by any chance, one of our missing guests, Captain +Holderness?" she inquired, turning towards him. "I don't know why, but +I have an idea that it is your sister." + +"By Jove, yes!" the young man assented, stepping forward. "Here we are, +Molly, and at last you are going to meet Miss Van Teyl. I've bored +Molly stiff, talking about you," he explained, as Pamela held out her +hand. + +The girls, who stood talking together for a moment, presented rather a +striking contrast. Molly Holderness was pretty but usual. Pamela was +beautiful and unusual. She had the long, slim body of a New York girl, +the complexion and eyes of a Southerner, the savoir faire of a +Frenchwoman. She was extraordinarily cosmopolitan, and yet +extraordinarily American. She impressed every one, as she did Molly +Holderness at that moment, with a sense of charm. One could almost +accept as truth her own statement--that she valued her looks chiefly +because they helped people to forget that she had brains. + +"I won't admit that I have ever been bored, Miss Van Teyl," Molly +Holderness assured her, "but Dick has certainly told me all sorts of +wonderful things about you--how kind you were in New York, and what a +delightful surprise it was to see you down at the hospital at Nice. I +am afraid he must have been a terrible crock then." + +"Got well in no time as soon as Miss Van Teyl came along," Holderness +declared. "It was a bit dreary down there at first. None of my lot were +sent south, and a familiar face means a good deal when you've got your +lungs full of that rotten gas and are feeling like nothing on earth. I +wonder where that idiot Sandy is. I told him to be here a quarter of an +hour before you others--thought we might have had a quiet chat first. +Will you stand by the girls for a moment, Lutchester, while I have a +look round?" he added. + +He hobbled away, one of the thousands who were thronging the streets +and public places of London--brave, simple-minded young men, all of +them, with tangled recollections in their brains of blood and fire and +hell, and a game leg or a lost arm to remind them that the whole thing +was not a nightmare. He looked a little disconsolately around, and was +on the point of rejoining the others when the friend for whom he was +searching came hurriedly through the turnstile doors. + +"Sandy, old chap," Holderness exclaimed, with an air of relief, "here +you are at last!" + +"Cheero, Dick!" was the light-hearted reply. "Fearfully sorry I'm late, +but listen--just listen for one moment." + +The newcomer threw his hat and coat to the attendant. He was a rather +short, freckled young man, with a broad, high forehead and +light-coloured hair. His eyes just now were filled with the enthusiasm +which trembled in his tone. + +"Dick," he continued, gripping his friend's arm tightly, "I'm late, I +know, but I've great news. I've motored straight up from Salisbury +Plain. I've done it! I swear to you, Dick, I've done it!" + +"Done what?" Holderness demanded, a little bewildered. + +"I've perfected my explosive--the thing I was telling you about last +week," was the triumphant reply. "The whole world's struggling for it, +Dick. The German chemists have been working night and day for three +years, just for one little formula, and I've got it! One of my shells, +which fell in a wood at daylight this morning, killed every living +thing within a mile of it. The bark fell off the trees, and the +labourers in a field beyond threw down their implements and ran for +their lives. It's the principle of intensification. The poison feeds on +its own vapours. The formula--I've got it in my pocket-book--" + +"Look here, old fellow," Holderness interrupted, "it's all splendid, of +course, and I'm dying to hear you talk about it, but come along now and +be introduced to Miss Van Teyl. Molly's over there, waiting, and we're +all half starved." + +"So am I," was the cheerful answer. "Hullo, Lutchester, how are you? +Just one moment. I must get a wash, I motored straight through, and I'm +choked with dust. Where do I go?" + +"I'll show you," Lutchester volunteered. "Hurry up." + +The two men sprang up the stairs towards the dressing-room, and +Holderness strolled back to where his sister and Pamela were talking to +a small, dark young man, with rather high cheek-bones and olive +complexion. Pamela turned around with a smile. + +"I have found an old friend," she told him. "Baron Sunyea--Captain +Holderness. Baron Sunyea used to be in the Japanese Embassy at +Washington." + +The two men shook hands. + +"I was interested," the Japanese said slowly, "in your conversation +just now about that notice. Your young friend was telling you news very +loudly indeed, it seemed to me, which you would not like known across +the North Sea. Am I not right?" + +"In a sense you are, of course," Holderness admitted, "but here at +Henry's--why, the place is like a club. Where are the enemies' ears to +come from, I should like to know?" + +"Where we least expect to find them, as a rule," was the grave reply. + +"Quite right," Lutchester, who had just rejoined them, agreed. "They +still say, you know, that our home Secret Service is just as bad as our +foreign Secret Service is good." + +Holderness smiled in somewhat superior fashion. + +"Can't say that I have much faith in that spy talk," he declared. "No +doubt there was any quantity of espionage before the war, but it's +pretty well weeded out now. I say, how good civilisation is!" he went +on, his eyes dwelling lovingly on the interior of the restaurant. +"Tophole, isn't it, Lutchester--these smart girls, with their furs and +violets and perfumes, the little note of music in the distance, the +cheerful clatter of plates, the smiling faces of the waiters, and the +undercurrent of pleasant voices. Don't laugh at me, please, Miss Van +Teyl. I've three weeks more of it, by George--perhaps more. I don't go +up before my Board till Thursday fortnight. Dash it, I wish Sandy would +hurry up!" + +"You never told me how you got your wound," Pamela observed, as the +conversation flagged for a moment. + +"Can't even remember," was the careless reply. "We were all scrapping +away as hard as we could one afternoon, and nearly a dozen of us got +the knock, all at the same time. It's quite all right now, though, +except for the stiffness. It was the gas did me in.... What a fellow +Sandy is! You people must be starving." + +They waited for another five minutes. Then Holderness limped towards +the stairs with a little imprecation. Lutchester stopped him. + +"Don't you go, Holderness," he begged. "I'll find him and bring him +down by the scruff of the neck." + +He strode up the stairs on a mission which ended in unexpected failure. +Presently he returned, a slight frown upon his forehead. + +"I am awfully sorry," he announced, "but I can't find him anywhere. I +left him washing his hands, and he said he'd be down in a moment. Are +you quite sure that we haven't missed him?" + +"There hasn't been a sign of him," Molly declared promptly. "I am so +hungry that my eyes have been glued upon the staircase all the time." + +Pamela, who had slipped away a few moments before, rejoined them with a +little expression of surprise. + +"Isn't Captain Graham here yet?" she asked incredulously. + +"Not a sign of him," Holderness replied. "Queer set out, isn't it? We +won't wait a moment longer. Take my sister and Miss Van Teyl in, will +you?" he went on, laying his hand on Lutchester's shoulder. "Ferrani +will look after you. I'll follow directly." + +The chief maitre d'hotel advanced to meet them with a gesture of +invitation, and led them to a table arranged for five. The restaurant +was crowded, and the coloured band, from the space against the wall on +their left, was playing a lively one-step. Ferrani was buttonholed by +an important client as they crossed the threshold, and they lingered +for a moment, waiting for his guidance. Whilst they stood there, a +curious thing happened. The leader of the orchestra seemed to draw his +fingers recklessly across the strings of his instrument and to produce +a discord which was almost appalling. A half-pained, half-amused +exclamation rippled down the room. For a moment the music ceased. The +conductor, who was responsible for the disturbance, was sitting +motionless, his hand hanging down by his side. His features remained +imperturbable, but the gleam of his white teeth, and a livid little +streak under his eyes gave to his usually good-humoured face an utterly +altered, almost a malignant expression. Ferrani stepped across and +spoke to him for a moment angrily. The man took up his instrument, +waved his hand, and the music re-commenced in a subdued note. Pamela +turned to the chief maitre d'hotel, who had now re-joined them. + +"What an extraordinary breakdown!" she exclaimed. "Is your leader a man +of nerves?" + +"Never have I heard such a thing in all my days," Ferrani assured them +fervently. "Joseph is one of the most wonderful performers in the +world. His control over his instrument is marvellous.... Captain +Holderness asked particularly for this table." + +They seated themselves at the table reserved for them against the wall. +Their cicerone was withdrawing with a low bow, but Pamela leaned over +to speak to him. + +"Your music," she told him, "is quite wonderful. The orchestra consists +entirely of Americans, I suppose?" + +"Entirely, madam," Ferrani assented. "They are real Southern darkies, +from Joseph, the leader, down to little Peter, who blows the +motor-horn." + +Pamela's interest in the matter remained unabated. + +"I tell you it makes one feel almost homesick to hear them play," she +went on, with a little sigh. "Did they come direct from the States?" + +Ferrani shook his head. + +"From Paris, madam. Before that, for a little time, they were at the +Winter Garden in Berlin. They made quite a European tour of it before +they arrived here." + +"And he is the leader--the man whom you call Joseph," Pamela observed. +"A broad, good-humoured face--not much intelligence, I should imagine." + +Ferrani's protest was vigorous and gesticulatory. He evidently had +ideas of his own concerning Joseph. + +"More, perhaps, than you would think, madam," he declared. "He knows +how to make a bargain, believe me. It cost us more than I would like to +tell you to get these fellows here." + +Pamela looked him in the eyes. + +"Be careful, Monsieur Ferrani," she advised, "that it does not cost you +more to get rid of them." + +She leaned back in her place, apparently tired of the subject, and +Ferrani, a little puzzled, made his bow and withdrew. The music was +once more in full swing. Their luncheon was served, and Lutchester did +his best to entertain his companions. Their eyes, however, every few +seconds strayed towards the door. There was no sign of the missing +guest. + + + + +CHAPTER II + + +Molly Holderness, for whom Graham's absence possessed, perhaps, more +significance than the others, relapsed very soon into a strained and +anxious silence. Pamela and Lutchester, on the other hand, divided +their attention between a very excellent luncheon and an even flow of +personal, almost inquisitorial conversation. + +"You will find," Pamela warned her companion almost as they took their +places, "that I am a very curious person. I am more interested in +people than in events. Tell me something about your work at the War +Office?" + +"I am not at the War Office," he replied. + +"Well, what is it that you do, then?" she asked. "Captain Holderness +told me that you had been out in France, fighting, but that you had +some sort of official position at home now." + +"I am at the Ministry of Munitions," he explained. + +"Well, tell me about that, then?" she suggested. "Is it as exciting as +fighting?" + +He shook his head. + +"It has advantages," he admitted, "but I should scarcely say that +excitement figured amongst them." + +She looked at him thoughtfully. Lutchester was a little over +thirty-five years of age, tall and of sinewy build. His colouring was +neutral, his complexion inclined to be pale, his mouth straight and +firm, his grey eyes rather deep-set. Without possessing any of the +stereotyped qualifications, he was sufficiently good-looking. + +"I wonder you didn't prefer soldiering," she observed. + +He smiled for a moment, and Pamela felt unreasonably annoyed at the +twinkle in his eyes. + +"I am not a soldier by profession," he said, "but I went out with the +Expeditionary Force and had a year of it. They kept me here, after a +slight wound, to take up my old work again." + +"Your old work," she repeated. "I didn't know there was such a thing as +a Ministry of Munitions before the war." + +He deliberately changed the conversation, directing Pamela's attention +to the crowded condition of the room. + +"Gay scene, isn't it?" he remarked. + +"Very!" she assented drily. + +"Do you come here to dance?" he inquired. + +She shook her head. + +"You must remember that I have been living in Paris for some months," +she told him. "You won't be annoyed if I tell you that the way you +English people are taking the war simply maddens me. Your young +soldiers talk about it as though it were a sort of picnic, your +middle-aged clubmen seem to think that it was invented to give them a +fresh interest in their newspapers, and the rest of you seem to think +of nothing but the money you are making. And Paris.... No, I don't +think I should care to dance here!" + +Lutchester nodded, but Pamela fancied somehow or other that his +attitude was not wholly sympathetic. His tone, with its slight note of +admonition, irritated her. + +"You must be careful," he said, "not to be too much misled by +externals." + +Pamela opened her lips for a quick reply, but checked herself. + +Captain Holderness and Ferrani had entered the room and were +approaching their table, talking earnestly. The latter especially was +looking perplexed and anxious. + +"It's the queerest thing I ever knew," Holderness pronounced. "We've +searched every hole and corner upstairs, and there isn't a sign of +Sandy." + +"Have you tried the bar?" Lutchester inquired. + +"Both the bar and the grillroom," Ferrani assured him. + +"If he had been suddenly taken ill--" Molly murmured. + +"But there is no place in which he could have been taken ill which we +have not searched," Ferrani reminded her. + +"And besides," Holderness intervened, "Sandy was in the very pink of +health, and bubbling over with high-spirits." + +"One noticed that," Lutchester remarked, a little drily. + +"He might almost have been called garrulous," Pamela agreed. + +Ferrani took grave leave of them, and Holderness seated himself at the +table. + +"Well, let's get on with luncheon, anyway," he advised. "It's no good +bothering. The best thing we can do is to conclude that the impossible +has happened--that Sandy has met with some pals and will be here +presently." + +"Or possibly," Lutchester suggested, "that he has done what certainly +seems the most reasonable thing--gone straight off to the War Office +with his formula and forgotten all about us. Let us return the +compliment and forget all about him." + +They finished their luncheon a little more cheerfully. As the +cigarettes were handed round, Pamela's eyes looked longingly at a tray +of Turkish coffee which was passing. + +"I'm a rotten host," Holderness declared, "but, to tell you the truth, +this queer prank of Sandy's has driven everything else out of my mind. +Here, Hassan!" + +The coloured man in gorgeous oriental livery turned at once with a +smile. He approached the table, bowing to each of them in turn. Pamela +watched him intently, and, as his eyes met hers, Hassan's hands began +to shake. + +"The waiter is bringing us ordinary coffee," Holderness explained. +"Please countermand it and bring us Turkish coffee for four." + +The man had lost his savoir faire. His wonderful smile had turned into +something sickly, his bland speech of thanks into a mumble. He turned +away almost sheepishly. + +"Hassan doesn't seem to like us to-day," Molly remarked. + +"I should have said that he was drunk," her brother observed, looking +after him curiously. + +There was certainly something the matter with Hassan, for it was at +least a quarter of an hour before he reappeared and served his +specially prepared concoction with the usual ceremony but with more +restraint. Molly and the two men, after Hassan had sprinkled the +contents of his mysterious little flask into their coffee, gave him +their hands for the customary salute. When he came to Pamela he +hesitated. She shook her head and he fell back, bowing respectfully, +his hand tracing cabalistic signs across his heart. For a moment before +he departed, he raised his eyes and glanced at her. It was like the +mute appeal of some hurt or frightened animal. + +"You don't approve of Hassan's little ceremony?" Lutchester asked her. + +She shrugged her shoulders. + +"In America," she observed, "I think we look upon coloured people of +any sort a little differently. Well, we've certainly given your friend +a chance," she went on, glancing at the little jewelled watch upon her +wrist, "We've outstayed almost every one here." + +Their host paid the bill, and they strolled reluctantly towards the +door, Holderness and Pamela a few steps behind. + +"Now what are your sister and Mr. Lutchester studying again?" the +latter inquired, as they reached the lobby. + +Molly had paused once more before the notice on the wall, which seemed +somehow to have fascinated her. She read it out, lingering on every +word: + +MEFIEZ-VOUS! +TAISEZ-VOUS! +LES OREILLES ENNEMIES VOUS +ECOUTENT! + +Holderness listened with a frown. Then he turned suddenly to +Lutchester, who was standing by his side. + +"It would be too ridiculous, wouldn't it--you couldn't in any way +connect the idea behind that notice with Sandy's disappearance?" + +"I was wondering about that myself," Lutchester confessed. "To tell you +the truth, I have been wondering all luncheon-time. If ever a man broke +the letter and the spirit of that simple warning I should say your +excitable young friend, Captain Graham, did." + +"But here at Henry's," Holderness protested, "with friends on every +side! Isn't it a little too ridiculous! We'll wait until the last +person is out of the place, anyway," he added. + +The crowd soon began to thin. Ferrani, seeing them still waiting, +approached with a little bow. + +"Your friend," he asked, "he has not arrived, eh?" + +"No sign of him," Holderness replied gloomily. + +"What about his hat and coat?" Ferrani inquired, with a sudden +inspiration. + +"Great idea," Holderness assented, turning towards the cloakroom +attendant. "Don't you remember my friend, James?" he went on. "He +arrived about half-past one, and threw his coat and hat over to you." + +The attendant nodded and glanced towards an empty peg. + +"I remember him quite well, sir," he acknowledged. "Number sixty-seven +was his number." + +"Where are his things, then?" + +"Gone, sir," the man replied. + +"Do you remember his asking for them?" + +The attendant shook his head. + +"Can't say that I do, sir," he acknowledged, "but they've gone right +enough." + +A party of outgoing guests claimed the man's attention. Holderness +turned away. + +"This thing is getting on my nerves," he declared. "Does it seem likely +that Sandy should chuck his luncheon without a word of explanation, +come out and get his coat and hat and walk off? And, besides, where was +he all the time we were looking for him?" + +It was unanswerable, inexplicable. They all looked at one another +almost helplessly. Pamela held out her hand. + +"Well," she announced, "I am sorry, but I'm afraid that I must go. I +have a great many things to attend to this afternoon." + +"You are going away soon?" Lutchester inquired. + +She hesitated, and at that moment Mr. Fischer, who had been saying +farewell to his guests, turned towards her. + +"You are not thinking of the trip home yet, Miss Van Teyl?" he asked. + +"Oh, I don't know," she answered a little evasively. "I'm out of humour +with London just now." + +"Perhaps we shall be fellow-passengers on Thursday?" he ventured. "I am +going over on the _New York_." + +"I never make plans," she told him. + +"In any case," Mr. Fischer continued, "I shall anticipate our early +meeting in New York. I heard from your brother only yesterday." + +She looked at him with a slight frown. + +"From James?" + +Mr. Fischer nodded. + +"Why, I didn't know," she observed, "that you and he were acquainted." + +"I have had large transactions with his firm, and naturally I have seen +a good deal of Mr. Van Teyl," the other explained. "He looks after the +interests of us Western clients." + +Pamela turned a little abruptly away, and Lutchester walked with her to +the door. + +"You will let me see that they bring your car round?" he asked. + +She shook her head. + +"Thank you, no," she replied, holding out her hand. "I have not yet +said good-by to Captain Holderness and his sister. Good-by, Mr. +Lutchester!" + +Her farewell was purposely chilly. It seemed as though the slight +sparring in which they had indulged throughout luncheon-time, had found +its culmination in an antipathy which she had no desire to conceal. +Lutchester, however, only smiled. + +"Nowadays," he observed, "that is a word which it is never necessary to +use." + +She withdrew her hand from his somewhat too tenacious clasp. Something +in his manner puzzled as well as irritated her. + +"Do you mean that you, too, are thinking of taking a holiday from your +strenuous labours?" she asked. "Perhaps America is the safest country +in the world just now for an Englishman who--" + +She stopped short, realising the lengths towards which her causeless +pique was carrying her. + +"Prefers departmental work to fighting, were you going to add?" he said +quietly. "Well, perhaps you are right. At any rate, I will content +myself by saying au revoir." + +He passed through the turnstile door and disappeared. Pamela made her +adieux to Holderness and his sister, and then, recognising some +acquaintances, turned back into the restaurant to speak to them. +Fischer, who had just received his hat and cane from the cloakroom +attendant, stood watching her. + + + + +CHAPTER III + + +Pamela, after a brief conversation with her friends, once more left the +restaurant. In the lobby she called Ferrani to her. + +"Has Mr. Fischer gone, Ferrani?" she asked. + +"Not two minutes ago," the man replied. "You wish to speak to him? I +can stop him even now." + +She shook her head. + +"On the contrary," she said drily, "Mr. Fischer represents a type of my +countrymen of whom I am not very fond. He is a great patron of yours, +is he not?" + +"He is a large shareholder in the company," Ferrani confessed. + +"Then your restaurant will prosper," she told him. "Mr. Fischer has the +name of being very fortunate.... That was a wonderful luncheon you gave +us to-day." + +"Madame is very kind." + +"Will you do me a favour?" + +Ferrani's gesture was all-expressive. Words were entirely superfluous. + +"I want two addresses, please. First, the address of Joseph, your head +musician, and, secondly, the address of Hassan, your coffee-maker." + +Ferrani effectually concealed any surprise he might have felt. He tore +a page from his pocket-book. + +"Both I know," he declared. "Hassan lodges at a shop eighty yards away. +The name is Haines, and there are newspaper placards outside the door." + +"That is quite enough," Pamela murmured. + +"As for Monsieur Joseph," Ferrani continued, "that is a different +matter. He has, I understand, a small flat in Tower Mansions, Tower +Street, leading off the Edgware Road. The number is 18C. So!" + +He wrote it down and passed it to her. Pamela thanked him and stood up. + +"Now that I have done as you asked me," Ferrani concluded, "let me add +a word. Both these men are already off duty and have left the +restaurant. If you wish to communicate with either of them, I advise +you to do so by letter." + +"You are a very courteous gentleman, Mr. Ferrani," Pamela declared, +dropping him a little mock curtsey, "and good morning!" + +She made her way into the street outside, shook her head to the +commissionaire's upraised whistle, and strolled along until she came to +a cross street down which several motor-cars were waiting. She +approached one--a very handsome limousine--and checked the driver who +would have sprung from his seat. + +"George," she said, "I am going to pay a call at a disreputable-looking +news-shop, just where I am pointing. You can't bring the car there, as +the street is too narrow. You might follow me on foot and be about." + +The young man touched his hat and obeyed. A few yards down the street +Pamela found her destination, and entered a gloomy little shop. A +slatternly woman looked at her curiously from behind the counter. + +"I am told that Hassan lodges here, the coffee-maker from Henry's," +Pamela began. + +The woman looked at her in a peculiar fashion. + +"Well?" + +"I wish to see him." + +"You can't, then," was the curt answer. "He's at his prayers." + +"At what?" Pamela exclaimed. + +"At his prayers," the woman repeated brusquely. "There," she added, +throwing open the door which led into the premises behind, "can't you +hear him, poor soul? He's been pinching some more charms from ladies' +bracelets, or something of the sort, I reckon. He's always in trouble. +He goes on like this for an hour or so and then he forgives himself." + +Pamela stood by the open door and listened--listened to a strange, +wailing chant, which rose and fell with almost weird monotony. + +"Very interesting," she observed. "I have heard that sort of thing +before. Now will you kindly tell Hassan that I wish to speak to him, or +shall I go and find him for myself?" + +"Well, you've got some brass!" the woman declared, with a sneer. + +"And some gold," Pamela assented, passing a pound note over to the +woman. + +"Do you want to see him alone?" the latter asked, almost snatching at +the note, but still regarding Pamela with distrustful curiosity. + +"Of course," was the calm reply. + +The woman opened her lips and closed them again, sniffed, and led the +way down a short passage, at the end of which was a door. + +"There you are," she muttered, throwing it open. "You've arst for it, +mind. 'Tain't my business." + +She slouched her way back again into the shop. At first Pamela could +scarcely see anything except a dark figure on his knees before a closed +and shrouded window. Then she saw Hassan rise to his feet, saw the +glitter of his eyes. + +"Pull up the blind, Hassan," she directed. + +He came a step nearer to her. The gloom in the apartment was +extraordinary. Only his shape and his eyes were visible. + +"Do as I tell you," she ordered. "Pull up the blind. It will be +better." + +He hesitated. Then he obeyed. Even then the interior of the room seemed +shadowy and obscure. Pamela could only see, in contrast with the rest +of the house, that it was wonderfully and spotlessly clean. In one +corner, barely concealed by a low screen, his bed stood upon the floor. +Hassan muttered something in an Oriental tongue. Pamela interrupted +him. She spoke in the soothing tone one uses towards a child. + +"That's all right, Hassan," she said. "Sorry to have interrupted you at +your prayers, but it had to be done. You know me?" + +"Yes, mistress," he answered unwillingly. "I your dragoman one year in +Cairo. What you want here, mistress?" + +"You know that I know," she went on, "that you are a Turk and a +Mohammedan, and not an Egyptian at all." + +"Yes, mistress, you know that," he muttered. + +"And you also know," she continued, "that if I give you away to the +authorities you will be sent at once to a very uncomfortable internment +camp, where you won't even have an opportunity to wash more than once a +day, where you will have to herd with all sorts of people, who will +make fun of your colour and your religion--" + +"Don't, mistress!" he shouted suddenly. "You will not tell. I think you +will not tell!" + +He was sidling a little towards her. Again one of those curious changes +seemed to have transformed him from a dumb, passive creature into a +savage. There was menace in his eyes. She waved him back without +moving. + +"I have come to make a bargain with you, Hassan," she said, "just a few +words, that is all. Not quite so near, please." + +He paused. There was a moment's silence. His face was within a foot of +hers, lowering, black, bestial. Her eyes met his without a tremor. Her +full, sweet lips only curved into a faintly contemptuous line. + +"You cannot frighten me, Hassan," she declared. "No man has ever done +that. And outside I have a chauffeur with muscles of iron, who waits +for me. Be reasonable. Listen. There are secrets connected with your +restaurant." + +"I know nothing," he began at once; "nothing, mistress--nothing!" + +"Quite naturally," she continued. "I only need one piece of +information. A man disappeared there this morning. I just have to find +him. That's all there is about it. At half-past one he was inveigled +into the musicians' room and by some means or other rendered +unconscious. At three o'clock he had been removed. I want to know what +became of him. You help me and the whole world can believe you to be an +Egyptian for the rest of their lives. If you can't help me it is rather +unfortunate for you, because I shall tell the police at once who and +what you are. Don't waste time, Hassan." + +He stood thinking, rubbing his hands and bowing before her, yet, as she +knew very well, with murder in his heart. Once she saw his long fingers +raised a little. + +"Quite useless, Hassan," she warned him. "They hang you in England, you +know, for any little trifle such as you are thinking of. Be sensible, +and I may even leave a few pound notes behind me." + +"Mistress should ask Joseph," he muttered. "I know nothing." + +"Oh, mistress is going to ask Joseph all right," she assured him, "but +I want a little information from you, too. You've got to earn your +freedom, you know, Hassan. Come, what do they do with the people who +disappear from the restaurant?" + +"Not understand," was the almost piteous reply. + +Pamela sighed. She had again the air of one being patient with a child. + +"See here, Hassan," she went on, "a few days ago I went over that +restaurant from top to bottom with the manager. There is the musicians' +room, isn't there, just over the entrance hall? I suppose those little +glass places in the floor are movable, and then one can hear every word +that is spoken below. I am right so far, am I not?" + +Hassan answered nothing. His breathing, however, had become a little +deeper. + +"An unsuspecting person, passing from the toilet rooms upstairs, could +easily be induced to enter. I think that there must be another exit +from that room. Yes?" + +"Yes!" Hassan faltered. + +"To where?" + +"The wine-cellars." + +"And from there?" + +Hassan was suddenly voluble. Truth unlocked his tongue. + +"Not know, mistress--not know another thing. No one enters wine-cellar +but three men. One of those not know. If I guess--I, Hassan--I look at +little chapel left standing in waste place. Perhaps I wonder sometimes, +but I not know." + +Pamela drew three notes from her gold purse, smoothed them out and +handed them over. + +"Three pounds, Hassan, silence, and good day! You'll live longer if you +open your windows now and then, and get a little fresh air, instead of +praying yourself hoarse." + +Again the black figure swayed perilously towards her. She affected not +to notice, not to notice the hand which seemed for a moment as though +it would snatch the door handle from her grasp. She passed out +pleasantly and without haste. The last sound she heard was a groan. + +"Done your bit o' business, eh?" the landlady asked curiously. + +Pamela nodded assent. + +"Rather an odd sort of lodger for you, isn't he?" + +"Not so odd as his visitors," the woman retorted, with an evil sneer. + +Pamela passed into the narrow street and drew a long sigh of relief. +Then she entered her car and gave the chauffeur an address from the +slip of paper which she carried in her hand. When they stopped outside +the little block of flats he prepared to follow her. + +"Tough neighbourhood this, madam," he said. + +"Maybe, George," she replied, waving him back, "but you've got to stay +down here. If the man I am going to see thought I was frightened of him +I wouldn't have a chance. If I am not down in half an hour you can try +number 18C." + +The chauffeur resumed his place on the driving-seat of the car. Pamela, +heartily disliking her surroundings, was escorted by a shabby porter to +a shabbier lift. + +"You'll find Mr. Joseph in," the lift boy assured her with a grin. + +Pamela found the number at the end of an unswept stone passage. At her +third summons the door was cautiously opened by a large, +repulsive-looking woman, with a mass of peroxidised hair. She stared at +her visitor first in amazement, then in rapidly gathering resentment. + +"Mr. Joseph is at home," she admitted truculently, in response to +Pamela's inquiry. "What might you be wanting with him?" + +"If you will be so good as to let me in I will explain to Mr. Joseph," +Pamela replied. + +The woman seemed on the point of slamming the door. Suddenly there was +a voice from behind her shoulder. Joseph appeared--not the smiling, +joyous Joseph of Henry's but a sullen-looking negro, dressed in shirt +and trousers only, with a heavy under-lip and frowning forehead. + +"Let the lady pass and get into the kitchen, Nora," he ordered, "Come +this way, mam." + +Pamela followed her guide into a parlour, redolent of stale cigar +smoke, with oilcloth on the floor and varnished walls, an abode even +more horrible than Hassan's lair. Joseph closed the door carefully +behind him, and made no apology for his dishabille. He simply faced +Pamela. + +"Say, what is it you want with me?" he demanded truculently. + +"A trifle," she answered. "The key of the chapel in the little plot of +waste ground next Henry's." + +She meant him to be staggered, and he was. He reeled back for a moment. + +"What the hell are you talking about?" he gasped. + +"Facts," Pamela replied. "Do you want to save yourself, Joseph? You can +do it if you choose." + +He folded his arms and stood in front of the closed door. Without a +collar, his neck bulged unpleasantly behind. There was nothing whatever +left of the suave and genial chef d'orchestra. + +"Save myself from what, eh? Just let me get wise about it." + +Pamela's eyebrows were daintily elevated. + +"Dear me!" she murmured. "I thought you were more intelligent. Listen. +You know where we met last? Let me remind you. You were playing in the +Winter Garden at Berlin, and the gentleman whom I was with, an attache +at the American Embassy, spoke to you. He told me a good deal about +your past life, Joseph, and your present one. You are in the pay of the +Secret Service of Germany. Am I to go to Scotland Yard and tell them +so?" + +He looked at her wickedly. + +"You'd have to get out of here first." + +"Don't be silly," she advised him contemptuously. "Remember you're +talking to an American woman and don't waste your breath. You can be in +the Secret Service of any country you like, without interference from +me. On the other hand, there's just one thing I want from you." + +"What is it? I haven't got any key." + +"I want to discover exactly what has become of Captain Graham," she +declared. + +"What, the guy that missed his lunch to-day?" he growled. + +"I see you know all about it," she continued equably. + +"So he's your spark, is he?" Joseph observed slowly, his eyes blinking +as he leaned a little forward. + +"On the contrary," Pamela replied, "I have never met him. However, +that's beside the point. Do I have the key of that chapel?" + +"You do not." + +"Have you got it?" + +"Right here," Joseph assented, dangling it before her eyes. + +"I think it's a fair bargain I'm offering you," she reminded him. "You +lose the key and keep your place. You only have to keep your mouth shut +and nothing happens." + +"Nothing doing," the negro declared shortly. "Keys as important as this +ain't lost. If I part with it, I get the chuck, and I probably get into +the same mess as the others. If I keep it--" + +"If you keep it," Pamela interrupted, "you will probably stand with +your back to the light in the Tower within the next few days. They've +left off being lenient with spies over here." + +He looked at her, and there were things in his eyes which few women in +the world could have seen without terror. Pamela's lips only came a +little closer together. She pressed the inside of the ring upon her +third finger, and a ray of green fire seemed to shoot forward. + +"I guess I'm up against it," he growled, taking a step forward. "I'll +have something of what's coming to me, if I swing for it." + +His arm was suddenly around her, his face hideously close. He gave a +little snarl as he felt the pinprick through his shirt sleeve. Then he +went spinning round and round with his hand to his head. + +"What in God's name!" he spluttered. "What in hell--!" + +He reeled against the horsehair easy-chair and slipped on to the floor. +Pamela calmly closed her ring, stooped over him, withdrew the key from +his pocket, crossed the room and the dingy little hall with swift +footsteps, and, without waiting for the lift, fled down the stone +steps. Before she reached the bottom, she heard the shrill ringing of +the lift bell, the angry shouting of the woman. Pamela, however, +strolled quietly out and took her place in the car. + +"Back to the hotel, George," she directed the chauffeur. "Don't stop if +they call to you from the flats." + +The young man sprang up to his seat and the car glided off. Pamela +leaned forward and looked at herself in the mirror. There was a shade +more colour in her face, perhaps, than usual, but her low waves of +chestnut hair were unruffled. She used her powder puff with attentive +skill and leaned back. + +"That's the disagreeable part of it over, anyway," she sighed to +herself contentedly. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + + +The last of the supper-guests had left Henry's Restaurant, the +commissionaire's whistle was silent. The light laughter and frivolous +adieux of the departing guests seemed to have melted away into a world +somewhere beyond the pale of the unseasonable fog. The little strip of +waste ground adjoining was wrapped in gloom and silence. The exterior +of the bare and deserted chapel, long since unconsecrate, was dull and +lifeless. Inside, however, began the march of strange things. First of +all, the pinprick of light of a tiny electric torch seemed as though it +had risen from the floor, and Hassan, pushing back a trap-door, stepped +into the bare, dusty conventicle. He listened for a moment, then made a +tour of the windows, touched a spring in the wall, and drew down long, +thick blinds. Afterwards he passed between the row of dilapidated +benches and paused at the entrance door. He stooped down, examined the +keyless lock, shook it gently, gazed upwards and downwards as though in +vain search of bolts that were never there. His white teeth gleamed for +a moment in the darkness. He turned away with a little shiver. + +"Not my fault," he muttered to himself. "Not my fault." + +He listened for a moment intently, as though for footsteps outside. The +disturbance, however, came from the other end of the building. There +was a sharp knocking from the trap-door by which he had ascended. He +touched an electric knob. The place was dimly yet sufficiently +illuminated. He hastened towards the further end of the place and +pulled up the trap-door. A melancholy-looking little procession slowly +emerged. First of all came Joseph, stepping backwards, supporting the +head and shoulders of Graham, still bound and gagged. After him came a +dark, swarthy-faced wine waiter, who supported Graham's feet. Behind +followed Fischer, carrying his silk hat and cane in his hand. He paused +for a moment as he stepped on the floor of the chapel, and brushed the +dust from his trousers. + +"You can take out the gag now," he ordered the two men. "There isn't +much shout in him." + +They laid him upon a couch, and Joseph obeyed the order. Graham's head +swung helplessly on one side. His eyes opened, however, and he +struggled for consciousness. His lips twitched for a moment. In these +long hours he had almost forgotten the habit of speech. The words, when +they came, sounded strange to him. + +"What--where am I? What do you want with me?" + +Fischer laid his hat and stick upon a table, on which also stood a +telephone instrument. + +"The formula, my young friend," he replied, "for that wonderful +explosive of which you spoke in the lobby." + +A sudden accession of nervous strength brought something almost like +passion into the young man's reply, although to himself there still +seemed some unreality in the words which might have come from the walls +or the roof--surely not from his lips. + +"I'll see you damned first!" + +Fischer smiled. The man was good-looking, in his way, but this was a +pale and ugly smile. + +"My request was merely a matter of courtesy," he remarked. "The +difficulty of searching you is not formidable. It would have been +undertaken long ago but for the fact that the restaurant has been +crowded and gags sometimes slip. Besides, there was no hurry. Observe!" + +He leaned over Graham, who for the first time struggled furiously but +ineffectually with his bonds. His fingers all the time were straining +towards the inside pocket of his coat. Fischer nodded understandingly. + +"Allow me to anticipate you," he said. + +With a quick thrust he drew a little handful of papers from the pocket +of his captive. One by one he glanced them through and flung them on to +the floor. As he came towards the end of his search, however, his +expression of confident complacency vanished. His lips shrivelled up a +little, his eyes narrowed. The last folded sheet of paper--a little +perfumed note from Peggy, thanking Sandy for his beautiful roses--he +crumpled fiercely into a little ball. He opened his lips to speak, then +he paused. A new light broke in upon him. The fury had passed from +Sandy Graham's face. In its stead there was an expression of blank +astonishment. + +"Where is the formula?" Fischer asked fiercely. + +There was no reply. Sandy Graham was still staring at the little pile +of papers upon the floor. Fischer made a brief examination of the other +pockets. Then he stepped back. His voice shook, his face was dark and +malevolent. + +"Joseph, Hassan, Jules--listen to me!" he ordered. "Did any one else +enter the musicians' room whilst he was lying in the alcove?" + +"Impossible!" Jules declared. + +"The door was locked," Hassan murmured. + +"Stop!" Joseph exclaimed. + +Fischer wheeled round upon him. + +"Well?" he exclaimed. "Get on, then. Who?" + +Joseph moistened his lips. He was still feeling sore and dizzy, but he +began to see his way. + +"You noticed, perhaps," he said, "the American girl--the beautiful +young lady with this guy's friends? She was waiting with the others for +Captain Graham to come down. I saw her go up the stairs. I saw her come +down again, three minutes later." + +"Miss Van Teyl?" Fischer exclaimed, with a frown. "You're mad, Joseph!" + +The negro laughed grimly. + +"Am I!" he retorted. "I tell you this, Master Fischer. She was in +Berlin where I was, and she was at the Embassy every day. She was asked +to leave there. They put her over the frontier into Holland. I knew her +when she came into the restaurant. She's no society young lady, she +ain't! Bet you she was on to the goods." + +Fischer hesitated for a moment. The thoughts were chasing one another +through his brain. Then he took up the receiver from the telephone +instrument which stood upon the table. + +"1560 Mayfair," he asked in a low tone. + +They all stood listening, grouped around Graham's writhing figure. + +"Hullo! Is that Claridge's Hotel?" Fischer went on. "I am speaking from +Giro's. Put me through, if you please, to Miss Van Teyl's apartments... +What? Repeat that, will you?... Thank you." + +Fischer laid down the receiver. He turned towards the others. He was +breathing a little quickly, and his eyes glittered behind his +gold-rimmed spectacles. + +"Miss Van Teyl," he announced, "has left for Tilbury. She is going out +on the _Lapland_ this morning. My God, she's got the formula!" + +There was a moment's silence. Joseph was standing by with a wicked look +on his face. + +"I saw her slip away," he muttered, "and I watched her come down again. +There was just time." + +Fischer turned suddenly to where Graham was lying. He drew a sheet of +writing paper from the rack upon the table, and a pencil from his +pocket. There was an evil and concentrated significance in his tone. + +"That formula," he said, "can be written again. I think you had better +write it." + +"I'll see you damned first!" was the weak but prompt reply. + +Fischer bent a little lower over the prostrate figure, "Look here," he +went on, "we don't run risks like this for nothing. You're better dead +than alive, so far as we are concerned, anyway. We'd planned to take +the formula from you, and you can guess the rest. There are cellars +underneath here into which no one ever goes who matters. Now here's a +chance of life for you. Write down that formula--truthfully, mind--and +we'll discuss the matter of taking your parole." + +"See you damned first!" Graham repeated, his voice a little more +tremulous but still convincing. + +Fischer stood upright and turned to Jules. + +"Get a bottle of brandy and a glass," he ordered. + +The man pushed open the trap-door and disappeared. He came back again +in a few moments, with a bottle in one hand and a glass in the other. +Fischer poured out some of the cordial and drew a small table up to +Graham's side. + +"There," he said, loosening the cord around his left wrist, "drink +that, and think it over. We shall be gone for about ten minutes. If you +change your mind before, ring that little hand-bell. If you have not +changed your mind when we return, it will be the cellars." + +"Beasts!" Graham muttered. + +Fischer shrugged his shoulders. For a moment he had straightened +himself. His face had softened, but it was in tune with his thoughts. + +"I would twist the necks of a million fools like you," he said, "for +the sake of--" + +He paused, leaving his sentence uncompleted, and beckoned to the other +men. They followed him through the trap-door and down into the cellars +below. The place was once more silent. Graham rolled from side to side, +drew a long breath, and tugged vainly at his bonds. The effort +overtaxed his strength. He seemed to feel the darkness closing in upon +him, the rushing of the sea in his ears.... + + + + +CHAPTER V + + +So far as Sandy Graham was concerned, his unconsciousness might have +lasted an hour or a day. As a matter of fact, it was scarcely a minute +after the disappearance of Fischer and his confederates when he was +conscious of a rush of cold air in the place, and beheld the vision of +a tiny flash of light at the lower end of the gloomy building. +Immediately afterwards he heard the soft closing of a door and beheld a +tall, shadowy figure slowly approaching. He lay quite still and looked +at it, and his heart began to beat with hope. One of the lights had +been left burning, and there was something in the bearing and attitude +of the man who finally came to a standstill by his side, which was +entirely reassuring. + +"Lutchester!" he faltered. "My God, how did you get here?" + +"Offices of a young lady," Lutchester observed, producing a knife from +his pocket. "Allow me!" + +He cut the cords which still secured Graham's limbs. Then he looked +around him. + +"How did they bring you here?" he whispered. "I suppose there is a +passage from the restaurant?" + +"Up through a trapdoor there," Graham explained, pointing. + +Lutchester stood over it and listened intently. + +Then he turned around, lifted the glass of brandy from the table, smelt +it approvingly, and tasted it. + +"Excellent!" he pronounced. "The 1840. Allow me!" + +He refilled the glass and handed it to Sandy, who gulped down the +contents. The effect was almost instantaneous. In less than a minute he +had staggered to his feet. + +"Feel strong enough to walk about fifty yards?" Lutchester inquired. + +"I'd walk to hell to get out of this place!" was the prompt reply. + +Lutchester took his arm, and they passed down the dusty aisle between +the worm-eaten and decaying benches and through the outside door, which +Lutchester closed and locked behind them. The rush of cold air was like +new life to Graham. + +"I can walk all right now," he muttered. "My God, we'll give these +fellows hell for this!" + +They made their very difficult way across a plot of ground from which a +row of dilapidated cottages had been razed to the ground. The fog still +hung around them and seemed to bring with it a curious silence, +although the dying traffic from one of the main thoroughfares reached +them in muffled notes. Lutchester climbed to the top of a pile of +rubbish and then, turning around, held out his hand. + +"Up here," he directed. + +Graham struggled up until he stood by his companion's side. The latter +stood quite still, listening for a moment. Then he climbed a little +higher and swung around, holding out his hand once more. + +"I'm on top of the wall," he said. "Come +on." + +Graham's knees were shaking, but with Lutchester's help he staggered up +and reached his side. On the pavement below a man in chauffeur's livery +was standing, holding out his hands, and by the side of the curbstone a +closed car was waiting. Somehow or other the two reached the pavement. +Lutchester almost pushed his companion into the limousine and stepped +in after him. The chauffeur sprang to his seat and the car glided off. +Graham just realised that there was a woman by his side whose face was +vaguely familiar. Then the waves broke in upon his ears once more. + +"I was right, then, it seems," Pamela observed approvingly. "You were +just the man for this little affair." + +Lutchester sighed. + +"Unfortunately," he confessed, "a messenger boy would have been as +effective. I stumbled over to the chapel--rubber shoes, you observe," +he remarked, pointing downwards--"and soon discovered that blinds had +been let down all round and that there were people inside. There was +just a faint chink in one, and I caught a glimpse of several men, your +friend Oscar amongst them. Having," he went on, "an immense regard for +my personal safety, I was hesitating what means to adopt when the +lights were lowered, and it seemed to me that the men were +disappearing." + +"Do go on," Pamela murmured. "This is most exciting." + +"In a sense it was disappointing," Lutchester complained. "I had +pictured for myself a dramatic entrance ... a quiet turning of the key, +a soft approach--owing to my shoes," he reminded her--"a cough, +perhaps, or a breath ... discovery, me with a revolver in my hand +pointed to the arch-villain--'If you stir you're a dead man!' ... +Natural collapse of the villain. With my left hand I slash the bonds +which hold Graham, with my right I cover the miscreants. One of them, +perhaps, might creep behind me, and I hesitate. If I move my revolver +the other two will get the drop on me--I think that is the correct +expression? A wonderful moment, that, Miss Van Teyl!" + +"But it didn't happen," she protested. + +"Ah! I forgot that," he acknowledged. "Still, I was prepared, I had the +revolver all right. But as you say, it didn't happen. I made my way to +the chapel door, let myself in, found our friend lying in a +half-comatose state upon one of the blue plush Henry sofas, in the +shadow of a horrible deal pulpit. I gathered that he had been left +there to reflect upon his sins. There was a bottle of remarkably fine +brandy within reach, which I tested, and with which I dosed our friend +here. I then cut away his bonds, arm in arm we walked down the aisle, I +locked up the place, threw the key away, kicked my shins half-a-dozen +times crossing that disgusting little plot of land, climbed boldly to +the top of the wall, and behold!" + +Pamela smiled upon him in congratulatory fashion. + +"On the whole," she said, "I am quite glad that I telephoned to you." + +"You showed a sound discretion," he admitted. + +"If he had not been lame," she confessed, "I should have sent to +Captain Holderness." + +"That would have been a great mistake," Lutchester assured her. +"Holderness is a good fellow but devoid of imagination. He is great on +constituted authority. He would have probably marched up with a squad +of heavy-footed policemen--and found nothing." + +"Yet I must confess," Pamela persisted, with a frankness unaccountable +even to herself, "that if I could have thought of any one else I should +never have telephoned to you." + +"And why not?" + +"Because I should not have classified you as being of the adventurous +type," she declared. + +Lutchester looked injured. + +"After all," he protested, "that is not my fault. That is due to your +singular lack of perception. However, I am able to return the +compliment. I, for my part, should have thought that you were more +interested in the fashions than in paying exceedingly rash visits to +degenerate orientals and negroes." + +"Perhaps some day," she remarked, "we may understand one another +better." + +He met her gaze with a certain seriousness. + +"I hope that we may," he said. + +For some reason they were both silent for a moment. Her tone had +changed a little when she spoke again. + +"You are sure," she asked, "that you do not mind my leaving the rest of +this affair in your hands? There are reasons, which I cannot tell you +of just now, which make me anxious not to appear in it at all." + +"I accept the charge as a privilege," he assented. "We are within a few +yards of my rooms now. I promise you that I will look after Captain +Graham and advise him as to the proper course for him to pursue." + +The car came to a standstill. + +"This then," she said, holding out her hand, "will be good-by for the +present." + +He held her fingers for a moment without reply. Quite suddenly she +decided that she liked him. Then he lifted Graham, who was half asleep, +half unconscious, to his feet, and assisted him from the car. + +"Where shall I tell the man to go to?" he inquired. + +"He knows," she answered with sudden taciturnity. + +"Wherever it may be, then," he replied, "bon voyage!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + + +It was about half-an-hour later when Sandy Graham opened his eyes and +began to feel the life once more warm in his veins. He was seated in +the most comfortable easy-chair of John Lutchester's bachelor +sitting-room. By his side was a coffee equipage and a decanter of +brandy. His head still throbbed, and his bones ached, but his mind was +beginning to grow clearer. Lutchester, who had been seated at the +writing table, swung round in his chair at the sound of his guest's +movement. + +"Feeling better, eh?" he asked. + +"I am all right now," was the somewhat shaky reply. "Got a head like a +turnip and a tongue like a lime-kiln, but I'm beginning--to feel +myself." + +"How's your memory?" + +"Hazy. Let me see.... My God, I've been robbed, haven't I!" + +"So I imagine," Lutchester replied. "You rather asked for it, didn't +you?" + +Graham moved uneasily in his place. He had suddenly the feeling of +being back at school--and in the presence of the headmaster. + +"I suppose I did in a way," he admitted, "but at Henry's--why, I've +always looked upon the place as a club more than anything else." + +"I am afraid that I can't agree with you there," Lutchester observed. +"I should consider Henry's a remarkably cosmopolitan restaurant, where +a man in your position should exercise more than even ordinary +restraint." + +"I suppose I was wrong," Graham muttered, "but I had been working for +about ten hours on end, and then rushed up to London in the car to try +and keep my appointment with Holderness." + +"Stop anywhere on the way?" + +"We had a few drinks," Graham confessed. "I was so done up. Perhaps I +had more than I meant to. However, it's no use bothering about that +now. I've been robbed, and that's all there is about it. Could we get +on to Scotland Yard from here?" + +"We could, but I don't think we will," Lutchester replied. + +Graham was puzzled. + +"Why not?" he demanded. "That formula was the most wonderful thing that +has ever been put together, and the whole thing's so simple. I've been +afraid every second that some one else might stumble upon it." + +"It is without doubt a great loss," Lutchester admitted. "All the same, +I don't fancy that it's a Scotland Yard business exactly. Have you any +idea who robbed you?" + +Graham paused to think. His eyes were still troubled and uncertain. + +"It's coming back to me," he muttered. "I remember that beastly barn of +a chapel. There were Jules, and that musician fellow, and the big +American. He emptied my pockets ... Why, of course, I remember how +angry he was ... My pocketbook was gone! They left me alone to write +out the formula again, and then you came.... How on earth did you +tumble on to my being there, Lutchester?" + +"It was Miss Pamela Van Teyl whom you must thank," Lutchester told him, +"not me. It seems she knew more about Henry's than any of us. She'd +come up against some of the crew in Berlin, and she guessed they were +holding you for that formula. She got the key out of one of those men +and then telephoned to me for my help." + +"And I never even thanked her," Graham murmured weakly. + +There was a moment's silence. The recovering man's consciousness of his +position and of events was evidently as yet incomplete. He sat up +suddenly in his chair, gripping the sides of it. His eyes were large +with reminiscent trouble. + +"My pocketbook had gone when they searched me," he muttered. + +"Are you sure that you had it with you when you came into Henry's?" +Lutchester inquired. + +"Absolutely certain." + +"Do you think you can remember now what happened when you went +upstairs?" + +"I reached the lavatory all right--you were with me then, weren't you?" +Graham said reflectively. "I hung up my coat while I washed, but there +was no one else in the room. Then you went downstairs and I brushed my +hair and just stopped to light a cigarette. You know that on the +right-hand side of the landing there is a room where the musicians +change. Joseph, that black devil, was standing in the doorway. He +grinned as I came into sight. 'Lady wants to speak to you for a moment, +Captain Graham,' he said. Well, you know how harmless the fellow +looks--just a good-natured, smiling nigger. I never dreamed of anything +wrong. As a matter of fact, I thought that Peggy Vincent--that's a +young lady I often go to Henry's with--wanted to have a word with me +before I joined our party. I stepped inside the room, and that's just +about all I can remember. It must have been jolly quick. His arm shot +round my neck, the door was closed, and that other brute--Hassan, I +think it was--held something over my face." + +"But that room was searched," Lutchester reminded him. + +"Well I came to just a little," Graham explained, "I found that I was +in a sort of cupboard place, behind the lockers these fellows have for +their clothes. It opens with a spring lock, and you'd never notice it, +searching the room." + +"Who was the first person you saw when you recovered consciousness?" + +Graham's forehead was wrinkled in the effort to remember. + +"I can't quite get hold of it," he confessed, "but I have a sort of +fancy I can't altogether get rid of that there was a woman about." + +Lutchester looked at the end of the cigarette he had just lit. + +"A woman?" he repeated. "That's queer." + +"I can't remember anything definitely until I woke up in that chapel," +Graham continued, "but when they searched me and found that the +pocketbook had gone, Fischer, the big American, muttered some woman's +name. I was queer just at the moment, but it sounded very much to me +like Miss Van Teyl's. He rang her up on the telephone." + +"Did they suspect Miss Van Teyl, then, of having taken your +pocketbook?" + +Graham shook his head. + +"I lost the drift of things just then," he admitted. "She couldn't have +done, in any case. Forgive me, but aren't we wasting time, Mr. +Lutchester? We must do something. Couldn't you ring up Scotland Yard +now?" + +"I certainly could," Lutchester assented, "but, as I told you just now, +I don't think that I will." + +Graham stared at him. + +"But why not?" + +"For certain very definite reasons with which you needn't trouble +yourself just now," Lutchester pronounced. "The formula has gone, +without a doubt, but it certainly isn't in the hands of any of the +people at Henry's." + +"But there's that American fellow--Fischer!" Graham exclaimed. "He was +the ringleader!" + +"Just so," Lutchester murmured thoughtfully. "However, he hasn't got +the formula." + +"But he planned the attack upon me," Graham protested. "He is an +enemy--a German--sheltering himself under his American naturalization. +Surely we're going for him?" + +"He's a wrong 'un, of course," Lutchester admitted, "but he hasn't got +the formula." + +"But we must do something!" Graham continued, his anger rising as his +strength returned. "Why, the place is a perfect den of conspirators! I +expect Ferrani himself is in it, and there's that other maitre d'hotel, +Jules, and those black beasts, Joseph and Hassan, besides Fischer. My +God, they shall pay for this!" + +Lutchester nodded. + +"I dare say they will," he admitted, "but not quite in the way you are +thinking of." + +Graham half rose to his feet. + +"Look here," he said, "I'm sane enough now, aren't I, and in my proper +senses? You are not going to suggest that we don't turn the police on +to that damned place?" + +"I certainly am," was the brief reply. + +Graham was aghast. + +"What do you mean to do, then?" + +"Leave them alone for the present. Not one of them has the formula. Not +one of them even knows where it is." + +"But the attack upon me?" + +"You asked for all you got," Lutchester told him curtly, "and perhaps a +little more." + +The first tinge of colour came back to Graham's cheeks. His eyes +flashed with anger. + +"Perhaps I did," he admitted, "but that doesn't alter the fact that I'm +going to have some of my own back out of them." + +Lutchester crossed his legs and turned round in his chair. For the +first time he directly faced his visitor. His tone, though not +unkindly, was imperative. + +"Young fellow," he said, "you'll have to listen to me about this." + +A smouldering sense of revolt suddenly found words. + +"Listen to you? What the devil have you got to do with it?" Graham +demanded. + +"I hate to remind any one of an obligation," Lutchester answered, "but +I am under the impression that, together with Miss Van Teyl, of course, +I rescued you from an exceedingly inconvenient situation." + +"I haven't had time yet to tell you how grateful I am," Graham said +awkwardly. "You were a brick, of course, and how you and Miss Van Teyl +tumbled on to the whole thing I can't imagine. But I don't understand +what you're getting at now. You can't suggest that I am to leave these +fellows alone and not give information to the police?" + +"The character of the place," Lutchester assured him, "is already +perfectly well known to the heads of the police. The matter will be +dealt with, but not in the way you suggest. And so far as regards +Fischer, I do not wish him interfered with for the present." + +"You do not wish him interfered with?" Graham repeated. "Where the +devil do you come in at all?" + +"You can leave me out of the matter for the present. You want the +formula back, don't you?" + +"My God, yes!" Graham muttered fervently. "It's all very well to give +one a pencil and a piece of paper and say 'Write it out,' but there are +calculations and proportions--" + +"Precisely," Lutchester interrupted. "You want it back again. Why not +let Fischer do the business? He has an idea where it's gone. The thing +to do seems to me to follow him." + +"To follow Fischer?" Graham repeated vaguely. + +"Precisely. If he thinks the formula is in England, Fischer will stay +in England. If he thinks that it has gone abroad he will go abroad. If +we leave him free we can watch which he does." + +Graham swallowed half a wineglassful of the brandy by his side. Then he +leaned forward. + +"Look here," he said, "you'll forgive me if I repeat myself and ask you +once more--what the hell has all this got to do with you?" + +"Just this much," Lutchester replied, "that I insist upon your taking +the course of action in this matter which I propose." + +"You mean," Graham protested, working himself gradually into a state of +wrath, "that I am to go back to my rooms as though nothing had +happened, see Holderness and the others to-morrow, and not have a word +of explanation to offer? That I am to leave those blackguards at +Henry's to try their dirty games on some one else, and let Fischer, the +man who was fully inclined to become my murderer, go away unharmed? I +think not, Mr. Lutchester. I am much obliged for your help, but you are +talking piffle." + +"What do you propose to do, then?" + +"I am going round to Scotland Yard myself." + +Lutchester rose to his feet. + +"Stay where you are for a minute, please," he begged. + +He passed into a smaller room, and Graham could hear faintly the sound +of the telephone. In a minute or two his host returned. + +"Go in there and speak, Graham," he invited. "You will find some one +you know at the other end." + +Graham did as he was bidden, and Lutchester closed the door after him. +For a few minutes the latter sat in his chair, smoking quietly, his +eyes fixed upon the fire. Then his unwilling guest reappeared. He came +into the room a little unsteadily and looked with new eyes at the man +who seemed so unaccountably to have taken over the control of his +affairs. + +"I don't understand all this," he muttered. "Who the devil are you, +anyway, Lutchester?" + +"A very ordinary person, I can assure you," was the quiet reply. +"However, you are satisfied, I suppose, that my advice is good?" + +"Yes, I am satisfied," Graham answered nervously. "You know that--that +I'm under arrest?" + +Lutchester nodded. + +"Well, you're not asking for my sympathy, I suppose?" he observed +drily. + +The young man flushed. + +"I know that I behaved like a fool," he admitted. "All the same, I've +been working night and day for weeks on this problem. I haven't even +been up to town once. I must say I think they seem inclined to be a +little hard on me." + +"No one is going to be in the least hard on you," Lutchester assured +him. "You have committed a frightful indiscretion, and all that is +asked of you now is to keep your mouth shut. If you do that, I think a +way will be found for you out of your troubles." + +"But what is to become of me?" Graham demanded. + +"I understand that you are to be taken to Northumberland to-morrow," +Lutchester informed him. "There you will be allowed every facility for +fresh experiments. In the meantime, I have promised to give you a +shakedown here for the night. You will find a soldier on guard outside +your door, but you can treat him as your servant." + +"You are very kind," Graham faltered, a little vaguely. "If only I +could understand--" + +Lutchester rose to his feet. His manner became more serious, his tone +had in it a note of finality. + +"Captain Graham," he interrupted, "don't try to understand. I will tell +you as much as this, if it helps you. Henry's Restaurant will be placed +under the closest surveillance, but we wish nothing disturbed there at +the moment until we have discovered the future plans of Mr. Oscar +Fischer." + +"The big German-American," Graham muttered. "He's the man you ought to +get hold of." + +"Some day I hope that we may," Lutchester declared. "For the moment, +however, we want him undisturbed. You would scarcely believe it, +perhaps, if I told you that the theft of your formulas is only a slight +thing compared to the bigger business that man has on hand. There is +something else at the back of his head which is worth heaven and earth +to us to understand. We want the formula and we shall have it, but more +than anything else in the world we want to know why Fischer has pledged +his word in Berlin to bring this war to an end within three months. We +have to find that out, and we are going to find it out--from him. You +see, I have treated you with confidence, Captain Graham. Now let me +show you to your room." Graham put his hand to his forehead. + +"I feel as though this were some sort of nightmare," he muttered. "I've +known you for several months, Mr. Lutchester, and I have never heard +you say a serious word. You dance at Henry's; you made a good soldier, +they said, but you'd had enough of it in twelve months; you play +auction bridge in the afternoons; and you talk about the war as though +it were simply an irritating circumstance. And to-night--" + +Lutchester threw open the door of his own bedroom and pointed to the +bathroom beyond. + +"My man has put out everything he thinks you may want," he said. "Try +and get a good night's sleep. And, Graham." + +"Yes?" + +"Don't bother your head about me, and don't ask any more questions." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + + +The _Lapland_ was two days out from Tilbury before Pamela appeared on +deck, followed by her maid with an armful of cushions, and the deck +steward with her rugs. She had scarcely made herself comfortable in a +sunny corner when she was aware of the approach of a large, familiar +figure. Her astonishment was entirely genuine. + +"Mr. Fischer!" she exclaimed. "Why, how on earth did you catch this +steamer? I thought you were coming on the Thursday boat?" + +"Some inducement to change my mind," Mr. Fischer replied, drawing a +chair up to her side. + +"Meaning me?" + +"I guess that's so!" + +"Of course, I'm exceedingly flattered," Pamela observed, "or rather I +should be if I believed you, but I don't see how you could leave a +supper-party at Henry's and go straight to Tilbury." + +"Say, how did you know I was supping at Henry's?" he inquired. + +"Because I was there for luncheon myself, as you know," she answered +carelessly, "and I heard you order your table for supper." + +Mr. Fischer nodded reminiscently. + +"I always wind up with a little supper at Henry's, on my last night in +London," he remarked. "It left me two hours to get down to Tilbury, but +it don't take me long to start for anywhere when I once make up my +mind. That's the American of us, I suppose. Besides, I never need much +in the way of luggage. I keep clothes over on the other side and +clothes in New York, and a grip always ready packed for a journey." + +"You're so typical," she murmured, smiling. + +"I don't know about that," he replied. "My business makes it necessary +for me to be always on the go. Have you heard from your brother +lately?" + +Pamela shook her head. + +"Jimmy is the most terrible correspondent," she complained. "I don't +think I've had any mail from him for two months." + +"You didn't know that he and I were sharing rooms together, then, in +the Plaza Hotel, I suppose?" + +Pamela turned her head a little and gazed at her companion in genuine +surprise. + +"Sharing rooms in the Plaza Hotel?" she repeated.... "You and Jimmy?" + +"I guess that's so," Mr. Fischer assented. "We were doing business +together one day, and the subject cropped up somehow or other. Your +brother was thinking of making a move, and I'd just been shown these +rooms, which were a trifle on the large side for me. I made him an +offer and he jumped at it." + +"I hope you're not leading James into extravagant ways," she remarked +anxiously. "I loved his little apartment in Forty-Second Street and it +was so inexpensive." + +"Your brother's share of these rooms isn't anything more than he can +afford," Mr. Fischer assured her. "That I can promise you. I guess his +firm is doing well just now. If they've many more clients like me they +are." + +"It is very nice of you to put business in his way," Pamela said +thoughtfully. "I wonder why you do it, Mr. Fischer?" + +"Why shouldn't I?" + +"Well," Pamela went on, her eyes travelling out seaward for a moment, +"you seem to be one of those sort of men, Mr. Fischer, who never do +anything without an object." + +"_Some_ powers of observation," he admitted blithely. + +"You have an object in being kind to Jimmy, then?" + +Mr. Fischer produced a cigar case and selected a cheroot. + +"Mind my smoking?" + +"Not in the least. The only time I mind things is when people don't +answer my questions." + +"I was only kind of hesitating," Mr. Fischer went on, leaning back once +more in his chair. "You want the truth, don't you?" + +"I never think anything else is worth while." + +"In the first place, then," her companion began, "your brother belongs +to what I suppose is known as the exclusive set in New York. I am a +Westerner with few friends there. Through him I have obtained +introductions to several people whom it was interesting to me, from a +business point of view, to know." + +"I see," Pamela murmured. "You are at least frank, Mr. Fischer." + +"I am going to be more frank still," he promised her. "Then another +reason, of course, was because I liked him, and a third, which I am not +sure wasn't the chief of all, because he was your brother." + +Pamela laughed gaily. + +"Is that necessary?" + +"Necessary or not, it's the truth," he assured her. "I am a man of +quick impressions and lasting ones." + +"But we've never met except on a steamer," Pamela reminded him. + +"I know it's the fashion," Mr. Fischer said, "to turn up one's nose at +steamer acquaintances. It isn't like that with me. You see, I don't +have as much opportunity of meeting folk as some others, perhaps. The +most interesting people I've known socially I've met on steamers. I sat +at your table, side by side with you, Miss Van Teyl, for seven days a +few months ago. I guess I'll remember those seven days as long as I +live." + +Pamela turned her head and looked at him. The faintly derisive smile +died away from her lips. The man was in earnest. A certain curiosity +stole into her eyes as the seconds passed. She studied his hard, strong +face, with its great jaw and prominent forehead; the mouth, a little +too full, and belying the rest of his physiognomy, yet with its own +peculiar strength. He had taken off his spectacles, and it seemed to +her that the cold, flinty light of his eyes had caught for a moment +some touch of the softer blue of the sea or the sky. Seated, he lost +some of the awkwardness of his too great and ill-carried height. It +seemed to her that he was at least a person to be reckoned with, either +in friendship or enmity. + +"Are you an American born, Mr. Fischer," she asked him. + +He shook his head. + +"I was born at Offenbach," he told her, "near Frankfurt. My father +brought me out to America when I was eleven years old." + +"You must find the present condition of things a little trying for +you," she observed. + +Oscar Fischer put on his glasses again. He did not answer for several +moments. + +"That opens up a subject, Miss Van Teyl," he said, "which some day I +should like to discuss with you." + +"Why not now?" she invited. "I feel much more inclined for conversation +than reading." + +"Tell me, then, to begin with," he asked thoughtfully, "on which side +are your sympathies?" + +"I try to do my duty as an American citizen," she replied promptly, +"and that is to have no sympathies. Our dear country has set the world +an example of what neutrality should be. I think it is the duty of us +Americans to try and bring ourselves into exactly the same line of +feeling." + +He changed his position a little uneasily. His attitude became less of +a sprawl. His eyes were fixed upon her face. + +"I fear," he said, "that we are going to begin by a disagreement. I do +not consider that America has realised in the least the duties of a +neutral nation." + +"You must explain that at once, if you please, before we go any +further," Pamela insisted. + +"Is this neutrality?" Fischer demanded, his rather harsh voice almost +raucous now with a touch of real feeling. "America ships daily millions +of dollars' worth of those things that make war possible, to France, to +Italy, above all to England. She keeps them supplied with ammunition, +clothing, scientific instruments, food--a dozen things which make war +easier. To Germany she sends nothing. Is that neutrality?" + +"But America is perfectly willing to deal in the same way with +Germany," Pamela pointed out. "German agents can come and place their +orders and take away whatever they want. The market is as much open to +her as to the Allies." + +Fischer was sitting bolt upright in his chair now. There was a little +spot of colour in his cheeks and his eyes flashed behind his +spectacles. He struck the side of the chair. He was very angry. + +"That is Jesuitical," he declared. "It is perfectly well-known that +Germany is not in a position to fetch munitions from America. +Therefore, I say that there is no neutrality in supplying one side in +the war with goods which the other is unable to procure." + +"Then you place upon America the onus of Germany's naval inferiority," +Pamela remarked drily. + +"Germany's maritime inferiority does not exist," Mr. Fischer protested. +"When the moment arrives that the High Seas fleet comes out for action +the world will know the truth." + +"Then hadn't it better come," Pamela suggested, "and clear the ocean +for your commerce?" + +"That isn't the point," Fischer insisted. "We have wandered from the +main issue. I say that America abandons its neutrality when it helps +the Allies to continue the war." + +"I don't think you will find," Pamela replied, "that international law +prevents any neutral country from supplying either combatant with +munitions. If one country can fetch the things and the other can't, +that is the misfortune of the country that can't. For one moment look +at the matter from England's point of view. She has built up a mighty +navy to keep the seas clear for exactly this purpose--to continue her +commerce from abroad. Germany instead has built up a mighty army, with +which she has overrun Europe. Germany has had the advantage from her +army. Why shouldn't England have the advantage from her navy?" + +"Let me ask you the question you asked me a few minutes ago," her +companion begged. "Were you born in America--or England?" + +"I was born in America," Pamela told him; "so were my parents and my +grandparents. I claim to be American to the backbone. I claim even to +treat any sympathies I might have in this affair as prejudices, and not +even to allow them a single corner in my brain." + +Mr. Fischer sat quite still for several moments. He was struggling very +hard to keep his temper. In the end he succeeded. + +"We will not, then, pursue the subject of America's neutrality," he +said, "because it is obvious that we disagree fundamentally. But tell +me this, now, as an American and a patriot. Which do you think would be +better for America--That Germany and Austria won this war, or the +Allies?" + +"Upon that question I have not altogether made up my mind," Pamela +confessed. + +"Then there is room there for a discussion," Mr. Fischer pointed out +eagerly. "I should like to put my views before you on this matter." + +"And I should love to hear them," Pamela replied, "but I feel just now +as though we had talked enough politics. Do you know that I came up on +deck in a state of great agitation?" + +"Submarine alarms from the stewardess?" Mr. Fischer suggested. + +"I am not afraid of submarines, but I have a most profound dislike for +thieves," Pamela declared. + +"You have not had anything stolen?" he asked quickly. + +"I have not," Pamela replied, "but the only reason seems to be that I +have nothing worth stealing. When I got back from luncheon this +afternoon I found that my stateroom had been systematically searched." + +She turned her head a little lazily and looked at her neighbour. His +expression was entirely sympathetic. + +"Your jewellery?" + +"Deposited with the purser." + +"I congratulate you," he said. + +"Nothing has been stolen," she observed, "but one hates the feeling of +insecurity, all the same. Both my steward and stewardess are old +friends. It must have been a very clever person who found his way into +my room." + +"A very clever person," Mr. Fischer objected, "would have known that +you had deposited your jewels with the purser." + +"If it was my jewels of which they were in search," Pamela murmured. +"By the bye, do you remember all that fuss about the disappearance of a +young soldier that morning at Henry's?" + +Fischer nodded. + +"I heard something about it," he confessed. "They were talking about it +at dinner-time." + +"I had an idea that you might be interested," Pamela went on. "He was +rather a foolish young man. He came into the restaurant telling every +one at the top of his voice that he had made a great discovery! Even in +London, which is, I should think, the most prosaic city in the world, +there must be people who are on the lookout to pick up war secrets." + +"Even in London, as you remark," Fischer assented. + +"You didn't hear the end of the affair, I suppose?" she asked him. + +The steward had arrived with afternoon tea. Fischer threw into the sea +the cigar which he had been smoking. + +"I do not think," he said, "that the end has been reached yet." + +Pamela sighed. + +"Les oreilles ennemies!" she quoted. "I suppose one has to be careful +everywhere." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + + +It was one evening towards the end of the voyage, and about an hour +after dinner. A huge form loomed out of the darkness, continuing its +steady promenade along the unlit portion of the deck. Pamela, moved by +some caprice, abandoned her caution of the last few days and called +out. + +"Mr. Fischer!" + +He stopped short. The sparks flew from the red end of his cigar, which +he tossed into the sea. He hastened towards her. + +"Miss Van Teyl?" he replied, a little hesitatingly. + +"How clever of you to know my voice!" she observed. "I am in the humour +to talk. Will you sit down, please?" + +Mr. Fischer humbly drew a chair to her side. + +"I had an idea," he said, "that you had been avoiding me the last two +or three days." + +"I have," she admitted. + +"Have I offended you, then?" + +"Scarcely that," she replied, "only, you see, it seemed waste of time +to talk to you with the foils on, and a little dangerous, perhaps, to +talk to you with them off." + +His face reflected his admiration. + +"Miss Van Teyl," he declared, "you are quite a wonderful person. I have +never believed very much in women before. Perhaps that is the reason +why I have never married." + +"Dear me, are you a woman-hater?" she asked. + +He looked at her steadfastly. + +"I have made use of women as playthings," he confessed. "Until I met +you I never thought of them as companions, as partners." + +She laughed at him through the darkness, and at the sound of her laugh +his eyes glowed. + +"Really, I am very much flattered," she said. "You give me credit for +intelligence, then?" + +"I give you credit for every gift a woman should have," he answered +enthusiastically. "I recognise in you the woman I have sometimes +dreamed of." + +Again she laughed. + +"Don't tell me, Mr. Fischer," she protested, "that ever in your +practical life you have spent a single moment in dreams?" + +"I have spent many," he assured her, "but they have all been since I +knew you." + +Pamela sighed. + +"I have never been through a voyage," she observed, "without a love +affair. Still, I never suspected you, Mr. Fischer." + +"You suspected me, perhaps, of other things." + +She nodded. + +"I am full of suspicions about you," she admitted. "I am not going to +tell you what they are, of course." + +"There is one thing of which I am guilty," he confessed. "I should like +to tell you about it right now." + +"Could I guess it?" + +"You're clever enough." + +"You like me, don't you, Mr. Fischer?" + +"Better than any woman in the world," he answered promptly. "And my +confession is--well, just that. Will you marry me?" + +Pamela shook her head. + +"Quite early in life," she confided, "I made up my mind that I would +never give a definite answer to any one who proposed to me on a +steamer. I suppose it's the wind, or is it the stars, or the silence, +or what? I have known the sanest of men, even like you, Mr. Fischer, +become quite maudlin." + +"I am brimful of common sense at the present moment," he declared +earnestly. "You and I could do great things together, if only I could +get you to look at one certain matter from my point of view; to see it +as I see it." + +"A political matter?" she inquired naively. + +"I want to try and persuade you," he confessed, "that America has +everything in the world to gain from Germany's success, and everything +to lose if the Allies should triumph in this war and Great Britain +should continue her tyranny of the seas." + +"It's an extraordinarily interesting subject," Pamela admitted. + +"It is almost as absorbing," he declared, "as the other matter which +just now lies even nearer to my heart." + +She withdrew her fingers from his sudden clutch. + +"Mr. Fischer," she told him, "what I said just now was quite final. I +will not be made love to on a steamer." + +"When we land," he continued eagerly, "you will be coming to see your +brother, won't you?" + +She nodded. + +"Of course! I am coming to the Plaza Hotel. That, I suppose, is good +news for you, Mr. Fischer." + +"Of course it is," he answered, "but why do you say so?" + +"It will give you so many opportunities," she murmured. + +"Of seeing you?" + +She shook her head. + +"Of searching my belongings." + +There was a moment's silence. She heard his quick breath through the +darkness. His voice assumed its harsher tone. + +"You believe that it was I who searched your stateroom?" + +"I am sure that it was you, or some one acting for you." + +"What is it, then, of which I am in search?" he demanded. + +"Captain Graham's formula," she replied. "I think you want that a good +deal more than you want me." + +"You have it then?" he asked fiercely. + +She sighed. + +"You jump so to conclusions. I didn't say so." + +"You went up the stairs ... you were the only person who went up just +at that one psychological moment! He had his pocketbook with him when +he came in--he told Holderness so." + +"And when you searched him it was gone," she remarked calmly. "Dear +me!" + +"How do you know that I searched him?" Fischer demanded. + +"How dare you ask me to give away my secrets?" she replied. + +"Listen," he began, striving with an almost painful effort to keep his +voice down to the level of a whisper, "you and I together, we could do +the most marvellous things. I could let you into all my schemes. They +are great. They will be successful. After the war is over--" + +He held his breath for a moment. The tramp of approaching footsteps +warned him of the coming of an intruder. The Captain came to a +standstill before their chairs and saluted. + +"Miss Van Teyl," he said, "there will be a mutiny in the saloon if you +don't come down and sing." + +She almost sprang to her feet. The ship was rolling a little, and she +laid her fingers upon his arm. + +"I meant to come long ago," she declared, "but Mr. Fischer has been so +interesting. You will finish telling me your experiences another time, +won't you?" she called out over her shoulder. "There is so much that I +still want to hear." + +Fischer's reply was almost ungracious. He watched their departure in +silence, and afterwards leaned further back in his chair. With long, +nervous fingers he drew a black cigar from his case and lit it. Then he +folded his arms. For more than half an hour he sat there motionless, +smoking furiously. He looked out into the chaos of the windy darkness, +he heard voices riding upon the seas, shrieking and calling to him, +voices to which he had been deaf too long. The burden of these later +years of turbulent, brazen, selfish struggling, rolled back. He had +been a sentimentalist once, a willing seeker after things which seemed +to have passed him by. At his age, he told himself, a man should still +find more than one place in the world. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + + +James Van Teyl glanced curiously at the small, dark figure standing +patiently before him, and then back again at the wireless cable which +he held in his fingers. He was just back from a tiring day in Wall +Street, and was reclining in the most comfortable easy-chair of his +Hotel Plaza sitting-room. + +"Gee!" he murmured. "This beats me. The last thing I should have +thought we wanted here was a valet. The fellow who looks after this +suite has scarcely anything else to do. What did you say your name +was?" + +"Nikasti, sir." + +Van Teyl carefully reconsidered the cable. It certainly seemed to leave +no room for misunderstanding. + +Please engage for our service, as valet, Nikasti. See that he enters on +his duties at once. Hope land this evening. Your sister on board sends +love.--F. + +"Well that seems clear enough," the young man muttered, thrusting the +form into his waistcoat pocket. "You're here to stay, I guess, Nikasti? +I see you've brought your kit along." + +"In case you decided to engage me, sir," the man replied. + +"Oh, you are engaged right enough," Van Teyl assured him. "You'd better +make the best job you can of putting out my evening clothes. If you +ring for the floor valet, he'll help you. The bedrooms are through that +door." + +"Very good, sir!" + +"I am going down to the barber's now," Van Teyl continued, rising to +his feet. "Just remember this, Nikasti--what a name, by the bye!" + +"I could be called Kato," the man suggested. + +"Kato for me all the time," his prospective employer agreed. "Well, +listen. My sister, Miss Van Teyl, arrives from Europe on the _Lapland_ +this evening. If she comes in or rings up, say I'm here and I want to +see her at once. You understand?" + +"I understand, sir." + +Van Teyl strolled out, and Kato disappeared into the inner room. The +floor valet, dressed in the dark blue livery of the hotel, was already +laying out his master's dinner clothes. He eyed the intruder a little +truculently. + +"Who are you, anyway?" he inquired. + +"My name is Nikasti," was the quiet reply. "Mr. Van Teyl has engaged me +as his valet, to wait upon him and Mr. Fischer." + +The man laid down the shirt into which he was fixing the studs. + +"That's some news," he remarked bitterly. + +"To wait on Mr. Van Teyl and Mr. Fischer, eh? What the hell do they +want you for?" + +Nikasti shook his head slowly. He was very small, and his dark eyes +seemed filled with melancholy. + +"It is not for a very long time," he ventured. + +"Long enough to do me out of my five dollars' tip every week," the man +grumbled. "I'm a married man, too, and a good American. Blast you +fellows, coming and taking our jobs away! Can't think what they let you +into the country for." + +"I am sorry," Nikasti murmured. + +"Your sorrow don't bring me in my five dollars," the valet retorted +bitterly. "There's only two suites on this floor to work for, anyway, +and this is the only one worth a cent." + +"I am taking the situation," the other explained, "for the sake of +experience. I do not wish to rob you of your earnings. I will pay you +the five dollars a week while I stay here. You shall help me with the +work." + +"That's a deal, my little yellow-skinned kid," the valet agreed in a +tone of relief. "I'll show you where the things are kept." + +His new coadjutor bowed. + +"The telephone is ringing in the master's room," he observed. "You +shall remain here, and I will answer it." + +"That goes, Jappy," the man acquiesced. "If it's a young lady take her +name, but don't say that Mr. Van Teyl's about. Forward young baggages +some of them are." + +Nikasti glided from the room, closed the door, and approached the +telephone receiver. + +"Yes," he acknowledged, "these are the rooms of Mr. Van Teyl... No, +madam, Mr. Van Teyl is not in at present." + +There was a moment's pause. Nikasti's face was impenetrable as he +listened, but his eyes glowed. + +"Yes, I understand, madam," he said softly. "You are Miss Van Teyl, and +you wish to speak to your brother. The moment Mr. Van Teyl returns I +will ring you up or fetch you." + +He replaced the receiver upon its hook, and returned to the bedroom. +For some little time he was initiated into the mysteries of his new +master's studs, boots and shoes, and general taste in wearing apparel. +Then the latter entered the sitting-room, and Nikasti obeyed his +summons. + +"Anyone called me up?" he inquired. + +"No one, sir." + +Van Teyl glanced at the clock in an undecided manner. + +"I'll change right away," he decided. "Just set things to rights in +here, fill my cigarette case, and hang round by the telephone." + +Nikasti bowed, and the young man disappeared into the inner room. His +new attendant waited until the door was closed. Then he removed the +receiver from its hook, laid it upon the table, and moved stealthily +towards the open fireplace. For several moments he remained in an +attitude of listening, then with quick, lithe fingers he drew from his +pocket a cable dispatch, reread it with an air of complete absorption, +and committed it to the flames. He watched it burn, and turned away +from the contemplation of its grey ashes with a sigh of content. +Suddenly he started. The door of the sitting-room had been opened and +closed. A tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing gold-rimmed spectacles, a +long travelling coat and a Homburg hat, was standing watching him. +Nikasti was only momentarily disturbed. His look of gentle inquiry was +perfect. + +"You wish to see my master--Mr. Van Teyl?" he asked. + +"Where is he?" Fischer demanded. + +"He is dressing in the next apartment. I will take him your name." + +Fischer threw his coat and hat upon the table. + +"That'll do directly," he replied. "So you're Nikasti?" + +They looked at one another for a moment. The face of the Japanese was +smooth, bland, and imperturbable. His eyes were innocent even of any +question. Fischer's forehead was wrinkled, and his brows drawn close +together. + +"I am Nikasti," the other acknowledged--"Kato Nikasti. Mr. Van Teyl has +just engaged me as his valet." + +"You can take off the gloves," Fischer told him. "I am Oscar Fischer." + +"Oscar Fischer," Nikasti repeated. + +"Yes! ... Burning something when I came in weren't you? Looked like a +cable, eh?" + +"A dispatch from London," Nikasti confided. + +"Nothing that would interest me, eh?" + +"It was a family message," was the calm response. "It did not concern +the affair which is between us." + +"How came you to speak English like this?" Fischer inquired. + +"I was at Oxford University for two years," Nikasti told him, "and in +the Embassy at London for five more." + +"Before you took up your present job, eh?" + +Nikasti assented silently. Fischer glanced around as though to make +sure that they were still alone. + +"I have the communication with me," he announced, "which we are to +discuss. The terms of our proposal are clearly set out, and they are +signed by the Highest of all himself. The letter embodying them was +handed to me three weeks ago to-day in Berlin. Have you been to +Washington?" + +Nikasti shook his head. + +"I do not go to Washington," he said. "You will understand that +diplomatically, as you would put it, I do not exist. Neither is it +necessary. I am here to listen." + +Fischer nodded. + +"There need be very little delay, then," he observed, "before we get to +work." + +Nikasti bowed and raised his forefinger in warning. + +"I think," he whispered, "that Mr. Van Teyl has finished dressing." + + + + +CHAPTER X + + +Van Teyl, as he hastened forward to meet his friend, presented at first +sight a very good type of the well-groomed, athletic young American. He +was over six feet tall, with smooth, dark hair brushed back from his +forehead, a strong, clean-shaven face and good features. Only, as he +drew nearer, there was evident a slight, unnatural quivering at the +corner of his lips. The cordiality of his greeting, too, was a little +overdone. + +"Welcome home, Fischer! Why, man, you're looking fine. Had a pleasant +voyage?" + +"Storms for the first few days--after that all right," Fischer replied. + +"Any submarines?" + +"Not a sight of one. Seen your sister yet?" + +"Not yet. I've been waiting about for a telephone message. She hadn't +arrived, a few minutes ago." + +Fischer frowned. + +"I want us three to meet--you and she and I--the first moment she sets +foot in the hotel," he declared. + +"What's the hurry?" Van Teyl demanded. "You must have seen plenty of +her the last ten days." + +"That," Fischer insisted, "was a different matter. See here, Jimmy, +I'll be frank with you." + +He walked to the door of the bedroom, opened it, and looked inside. Its +sole occupant was Nikasti, who was at the far end, putting away some +clothes. Fischer closed the door firmly and returned. + +"I want you to understand this, James," he began. "Your sister is +meddling in certain things she'd best leave alone." + +Van Teyl lit a cigarette. + +"No use talking to me," he observed. "Pamela's her own mistress, and +she's gone her own way ever since she came of age." + +"She's got to quit," Fischer pronounced. "That's all there is about it. +You and I will have to talk this out. Where are you dining?" + +"Downstairs," Van Teyl replied gloomily. "I was thinking of waiting for +Pamela." + +"You leave word to have your people let you know directly she arrives," +Fischer advised, "and come along with me." + +Van Teyl allowed himself to be led towards the door. Nikasti, with a +due sense of his new duties, glided past them, rang for the lift, and +watched them descend. Fischer turned at once towards the dining room. + +"Thank God we're in a civilised country," he observed, "and that I +don't have to change when I don't want to!" + +They found a quiet table, and Fischer, displaying much interest in the +menu, ordered a somewhat extensive dinner. + +"Grapefruit and Maryland chicken are worth coming back to," he +declared. "Now see here, James, let's get to business. You've got to +help me with your sister." + +"But how?" Van Teyl demanded. "Pamela and I are good pals, of course, +but she has a will of her own in all she does, and I don't fancy that +anything I could say would influence her very much." + +"There are two things about your sister," Fischer continued. "The first +is that she's got to quit this secret service business she's got +herself mixed up in." + +"Don't talk nonsense!" Van Teyl exclaimed. "Pamela doesn't care a fig +about politics." + +Fischer grunted scornfully. + +"You don't know much about your sister, young fellow," he said. +"Internal politics over here may not interest her a cent, but she's +crazy about America as a country, and she's shrewd enough to see things +coming that a great many of you over here aren't looking for. Anyway, +she came bang up against me in a little scheme I had on the night +before I left Europe, and somewhere about her she's got concealed a +document which I'd gladly buy for a quarter of a million dollars." + +Van Teyl drank off his second cocktail. + +"Some money!" he observed. "How did she come by the prize?" + +"Played up for it, just as I did," Fischer replied. "She was clever +enough to make use of my scaffolding, and got up the ladder first. I'm +not squealing, but I've got to have that document, whatever it costs +me." + +Van Teyl was silent for a moment. There was an undercurrent of +something threatening in his companion's manner, of which he had taken +note. + +"And the second thing you mentioned?" he asked. "What is that?" + +Fischer, as though to give due emphasis to his statement, indulged in a +brief pause. Then he leaned a little forward and spoke very slowly and +very forcibly. + +"I want to marry her," he declared. + +Van Teyl learned back in his chair and gazed at his vis-a-vis in blank +astonishment. + +"You must be a damned fool, Fischer!" he exclaimed. + +"You think so?" was the unruffled reply. "I wonder why?" + +"I'll tell you why, if you want to know," Van Teyl continued bluntly. +"I know of four of the richest and best-looking young men in America, +two ambassadors, an English peer, and an Italian prince, who have +proposed to Pamela during the last twelve months alone. She refused +every one of them." + +"Well," Fischer remarked, "she must marry some time." + +Van Teyl looked at him insolently. + +"I shouldn't think you'd have a dog's chance," he pronounced. + +There was a little glitter behind Fischer's spectacles. + +"Up till now," he admitted smoothly, "I have not been fortunate. I must +confess, however, that I was hoping for your good offices." + +"Pamela wouldn't take the slightest notice of anything I might say," +Van Teyl declared. "Besides, I should hate you to marry her." + +"A little blunt, are you not, my young friend?" Fischer remarked +amiably. "Still, to continue, there is also the matter of that +document. I must confess that I exercised all my ingenuity to obtain +possession of it on the steamer." + +"You would!" Van Teyl muttered. + +"Your sister, however," Fischer continued, "was wise enough to have it +locked up in the purser's safe the moment she set foot upon the +steamer. She gave me the slip when she got it back, and eluded me, +somehow, on the quay. She will scarcely have had time to part with it +yet, though. When she arrives here to-night, it will in all probability +be in her possession." + +"Well?" Van Teyl demanded. "You don't suggest that I should rob her of +it, I suppose?" + +"Not at all," Fischer replied. "On the other hand, you might very well +induce her to give it up voluntarily, or at least to treat with me." + +"You don't know Pamela," was Van Teyl's curt reply. + +"I know her sufficiently," Fischer went on, leaning over the table, "to +believe that she would sacrifice a great deal to save her brother from +Sing Sing." + +Van Teyl took the thrust badly. He started as though he had been +stabbed, and his face became almost ghastly in its pallor. He tossed +off a glass of wine hastily. + +"Just what do you mean by that?" he asked thickly. + +"Are you prepared," Fischer continued, "to have me visit your office +to-morrow morning and examine my accounts and securities in the +presence of your partners?" + +"Why not?" Van Teyl faltered. "What the hell do you mean?" + +"I mean, James Van Teyl," his companion declared, "that I should find +you a matter of a hundred thousand dollars short. I mean that you've +realised on some of my securities, gambled on your own account with the +proceeds, and lost. You did this as regards one stock at least, with a +forged transfer, which I hold." + +Van Teyl looked almost piteously around. Life seemed suddenly to have +become an unreal thing--the crowds of well-dressed diners, the gentle +splashing of the water from the fountains in the winter garden, the +distant murmuring of music from behind the canopy of palms. So this was +the end of it! All that week he had hoped against hope. He had been +told of a sure thing. Next week he had meant to have a great gamble. +Everything was to have gone his way, after all. And now it was too +late. Fischer knew, and Fischer was a cruel man!... + +The unnatural silence came to an end. Only Fischer's voice seemed to +come from a long way off. + +"Drink your wine, James Van Teyl," he advised, "and listen to me. +You've been under obligations to me from the start. I meant you to be. +I brought a great business to your firm, and I insisted upon having you +interested. I had a motive, as I have for most things I do. You are +well placed socially in New York, and I am not. You are also above +suspicion, which I am not. It suited me to take this suite in the +Plaza, nominally in our joint names, but to pay the whole account +myself. It suited me because I required the shelter of your social +position. You understand?" + +"I always understand," Van Teyl muttered. + +"Just so. Only, whereas you simply thought me a snob, I had in reality +a different and very definite purpose. We come now, however, to your +present obligation to me. I can, if I choose, tear up your forged +transfer, submit to the loss of my money, and leave you secure. I shall +do so if you are able to induce your sister to hand over to me those +few lines of writing--to which, believe me, she has no earthly +right--and to accept me as a prospective suitor." + +Van Teyl was drinking steadily now, but every mouthful of food seemed +almost to choke him. Red-eyed and defiant, he faced his torturer. + +"You're talking rot!" he declared. "Pamela wouldn't marry you if you +were the last man on earth, and if she's got anything she wants to +keep, she'll keep it." + +"And see her brother disgraced," Fischer reminded him, "tried at the +Criminal Court for theft and sent to Sing Sing? It's a good name in New +York, yours, you know. The Van Teyls have held up their heads high for +more than one generation. Your sister will not fancy seeing it dragged +down into the mire." + +For a single moment the young man seemed about to throw himself upon +his companion, Fischer, perfectly unmoved, watched him, nevertheless, +like a cat. + +"Better sit tight," he enjoined. "Drop it now or people will be +watching us. I have ordered some of the old brandy. A liqueur or two +will steady you, perhaps. Afterwards we will go upstairs and take your +sister into our confidence." + +Van Teyl nodded. + +"Very well," he agreed hoarsely. "We'll hear what Pamela has to say." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + + +Nikasti, with a low bow, watched the disappearance of the lift into +which his two new masters, James Van Teyl and Oscar Fischer, had +stepped. He waited until the indicator registered its safe arrival on +the ground floor. Then he slowly retraced his steps along the corridor, +entered the sitting-room, and took up the telephone receiver, which was +still lying upon the table. + +"Will you give me number 77," he asked--"Miss Van Teyl's suite?" + +There was a moment's silence--then a voice at the other end to which he +made obeisance. + +"It is Miss Van Teyl who speaks? I am Mr. Van Teyl's valet. Mr. Van +Teyl is here now and will be glad if you will come in." + +He replaced the receiver, listened and waited. In a few moments there +was the sound of a light footstep outside. The door was opened and +Pamela entered. She was still wearing the grey tailor-made costume in +which she had left the steamer. + +"Why, where is Mr. Van Teyl?" she asked, looking around the room. "I +have been ringing up for the last ten minutes and couldn't get any +answer. I did not realise that it was the next suite." + +"Mr. Van Teyl is close at hand, madam," Nikasti replied. "If you will +kindly be seated, I will fetch him." + +"How long have you been valet here?" Pamela asked curiously. + +"For a few hours only, madam," was the grave reply. "If you will be so +good as to wait." + +He bowed low and left the room. Pamela took up an evening paper and for +a few minutes buried herself in its contents. Then suddenly she held it +away from her and listened. A queer and unaccountable impulse inspired +her with a certain mistrust. There was no sound of movement in the +adjoining bedchamber, nor any sign of her brother's presence. She +opened the door and peered in. It was empty and in darkness. Then, +moved by that same unaccountable impulse, she crossed the room and +listened at the door which led into her own suite, and which she +perceived was bolted on this side as well as her own. She listened at +first idly, afterwards breathlessly. In a few moments she was convinced +that her senses were not playing her false. Some one was moving +stealthily about in her room, the key to which was even at that moment +in her hand. She hastened to the door, to be confronted by another +surprise. The handle turned but the door refused to open. She was +locked in. + +Pamela was both generous and insistent in the matter of bells. She +found four, and she rang them all together. The consequences were +speedy, and in their way satisfactory. Nikasti himself, a breathless +chambermaid, a hurt but dignified waiter, and the floor valet, who had +not even stopped to put on his coat, entered together. They seemed a +little stupefied at finding Pamela alone and no sign of any +disturbance. + +"Why was I locked in here?" Pamela demanded indignantly, taking them +en bloc. + +There was a little chorus of non-comprehension. Nikasti stepped +forward, waved to the others to be silent, and bowed almost to the +ground. + +"It was a mistake easily to be understood, madam," he explained. "The +handle is a little stiff, perhaps, but the door was not locked. We all +reached here together, I myself barely a yard in advance. No key was +used--and behold!" + +Pamela was disposed to argue, but a moment's reflection induced her to +change her mind. This falsehood of Nikasti's was at least interesting. +She waved the hotel servants away. + +"I am sorry to have troubled you," she said. "I will remember it when I +pay my bill." + +They took their leave, Nikasti showing them out. When the last had +departed, he turned back to the centre table, from the other side of +which Pamela was watching him curiously. + +"I cannot imagine," she remarked, "how I could have made such a mistake +about the door. I tried it twice or three times and it certainly seemed +to me to be locked." + +Nikasti moved a step nearer towards her. Something of the servility of +his manner had gone. For the first time she looked at him closely, +appreciated the tense immobility of his features, the still, +penetrating light of his cold eyes. A queer premonition of trouble for +a moment unsteadied her. + +"There was no mistake," he said softly. "The door was locked." + +Even then she did not fully understand the position. She leaned a +little towards him. + +"It was locked?" she repeated. + +"I locked it," he told her. "It is locked now, securely. I have been +searching in your room for something which I did not find. I think that +you had better give it to me. It will save trouble." + +"Are you mad?" she demanded breathlessly. + +"Do I seem so?" he replied. "There is no person more sane than I. I +require from you the formula of the new explosive, which you stole in +Henry's restaurant eleven days ago." + +The sense of mystery passed. It was simply trouble of the ordinary sort +from an unexpected source. + +"Dear me!" she murmured. "Every one seems interested in my little +adventure. How did you hear about it?" + +"I destroyed the cable telling me of all that happened only a few +minutes ago," he explained. "It was the foolish talk of the young +inventor which gave his secret to the world to scramble for." + +"It was very clever of your informant," she remarked, "to suggest that +I was the fortunate thief. Why not Oscar Fischer? It was his plot, not +mine." + +The eyes of the little Japanese seemed suddenly to narrow. He realised +quite well that she was talking simply to gain time. + +"Madam," he insisted, "the formula. It is for my country, and for my +country I would risk much." + +"I do not doubt it," she replied; "but if I hold it, I hold it for my +country, too, and there is nothing you would risk for Japan from which +I should shrink for America." + +He laid his hands upon the table. She turned her ring and clenched her +hand. She could see his spring coming, realised in those few seconds +that here was an opponent of more desperate and subtle calibre than +Joseph. Whether her wits might have failed her, fate remained her +friend. There was a knock at the door. + +"You hear?" she cried breathlessly. "There is some one there. Shall I +call out?" + +His hands and knee were gone from the table. He was once more his old +self, so completely the servant that for a moment even Pamela was +puzzled. It seemed as though the events of the last few seconds might +have been part of a disordered dream. Nikasti played to the cue of her +fevered question and entirely ignored them. He opened the door with a +respectful flourish--and John Lutchester walked in. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + + +Pamela's first shock of surprise did not readily pass. In the first +place, John Lutchester's appearance in America at all was entirely +unexpected. In the second, by what possible means could he have arrived +at this precise and psychological moment? + +"You!" she exclaimed, a little helplessly. "Mr. Lutchester!" + +He smiled as he shook hands. Nikasti had slipped noiselessly from the +room. Pamela made no effort to detain him. She had a curious feeling +that the things which had passed between them concerned their two +selves only. So had no desire whatever to hand him over to retributive +justice. + +"You are surprised," he observed. "So far as my presence here is +concerned, I knew quite well that I was coming some time ago, but it +was one of those matters, you understand, Miss Van Teyl, that one is +scarcely at liberty to talk about. I am here in connection with my +work." + +"Your work," she repeated weakly. "I thought that you were in the +Ministry of Munitions?" + +"Precisely," he admitted. "I have a travelling inspectorship. You see, +I don't mind telling you this, but it is just as well, if you will +forgive my mentioning it, Miss Van Teyl, that these things are not +spoken of to any one. My business over here is supposed to be secret. I +am going round some of the factories from which we are drawing +supplies." + +She drew a long breath and began to feel a little more like herself. + +"Well, after this," she declared, "I shall be surprised at nothing. I +have had one shock already this evening, and you are the second." + +"The first, I trust, was not disagreeable?" + +She shrugged her shoulders. + +"Without flattering you," she answered, "I think I could say that I +prefer the second." + +"I had an idea," Lutchester remarked diffidently, "that my arrival +seemed either opportune or inopportune--I could not quite tell which. +Were you in any way troubled or embarrassed by the presence of the +little Japanese gentleman?" + +"Of course not," she replied. "Why, he is Jimmy's valet." + +"How absurd of me!" Lutchester murmured. "By the bye, if Jimmy is your +brother--Mr. Van Teyl--I have a letter to him from a pal in town--Dicky +Green. It was to present it that I found my way up here this evening. I +was told that he might put me in the way of a little golf during my +spare time over here." + +He produced the note and laid it upon the table. Pamela glanced at it +and then at Lutchester. He was carefully dressed in dinner clothes, +black tie and white waistcoat. He was, as usual, perfectly groomed and +immaculate. He had what she could only describe to herself as an +everyday air about him. He seemed entirely free from any mental +pressure or the wear and tear of great events. + +"Golf?" she repeated wonderingly. "You expect to have a little spare +time, then?" + +"Well, I hope so," Lutchester replied. "One must have exercise. By the +bye," he went on, "is your brother in, do you happen to know? Perhaps +it would be more convenient if I came round in the morning? I am +staying in the hotel." + +"Oh, for goodness sake, don't go away," she begged. "Jimmy will be here +presently, for certain. To tell you the truth, we have been rather +playing hide-and-seek this evening, but it hasn't been altogether his +fault. Please sit down over there--you will find cigarettes on the +sideboard--and talk to me." + +"Delighted," he agreed, taking the chair opposite to her. "I suppose +you want to know what became of poor Graham?" + +A sudden bewilderment appeared in her face. She leaned towards him. Her +forehead was knitted, her eyes puzzled. There was a new problem to be +solved. + +"Why, Mr. Lutchester," she demanded, "how on earth did you get here?" + +"Across the Atlantic," he replied amiably. "Bit too far the other way +round." + +"Yes, but what on?" she persisted. "I went straight on to the _Lapland_ +after we parted last week, and only arrived here an hour or so ago. +There was no other passenger steamer sailing for three days." + +"I was a stowaway," he told her confidentially--"helped to shovel coals +all the way over." + +"Don't talk nonsense!" she protested a little sharply. "I dislike +mysteries. Look at you! A stowaway, indeed! Tell me the truth +at once?" + +He leaned forward in his chair towards her. An ingenuous smile parted +his lips. He had the air of a schoolboy repeating a mischievous secret. + +"The fact is, Miss Van Teyl," he confided, "I don't want it talked +about, you know, but I had a joy ride over." + +"A what?" + +"A joy ride," he repeated. "A cousin of mine is in command of a +destroyer, and she was under orders to sail for New York. He hadn't the +slightest right, really, to bring a passenger, as she was coming over +on a special mission, but I had word about the trip over here, so I +slipped on board late one night--not a word to any one, you +understand--and--well, here I am. A more awful voyage," he went on +impressively, "you couldn't imagine. I was sore all over within +twenty-four hours of starting. There's practically no deck on those +things, you know, for sitting out or anything of that sort. The British +Navy's nowhere for comfort, I can tell you. The biggest liner for me, +going back!" + +Pamela was still a little dazed. Lutchester's story did not sound in +the least convincing. For the moment, however, she accepted his account +of himself. + +"Tell me now," she begged, "about Captain Graham?" + +"You haven't heard, then?" + +"I have heard nothing. How should I hear?" + +"I took him straight back to my rooms after we left you," Lutchester +began. "He was in an awful state of nerves and drugs and drink. Then I +put him to bed as soon as I could, and rang up a pal of mine at the War +Office to take him in hand." + +"Do you believe," she asked curiously, "that he had really been robbed +of his formula?" + +"Those amiable people who were interviewing him in the chapel seemed to +think so," Lutchester observed. + +"But you! What do you think?" she persisted. He smiled in superior +fashion. + +"I find it rather hard to bring myself to believe that any one would +take the trouble," he confided. "I have heard it said in my department +that there have been thirty-one new explosives invented since the +beginning of the war. Two of them only are in use, and they're not much +better than the old stuff." + +Pamela nodded understandingly. + +"All the same," she remarked, "I am not at all sure that was the case +with Captain Graham's invention. There were rumours for days before +that something wonderful was happening on Salisbury Plain. They had to +cover up whole acres of ground after his last experiments, and a man +who was down there told me that it seemed just as though the life had +been sucked out of it." + +"Where did you collect all this information?" her visitor inquired. + +She shrugged her shoulders. + +"One hears everything in London." + +Lutchester was sitting with his finger-tips pressed together. For a +moment his attention seemed fixed upon them. + +"There are things," he said, "which one hears, too, in the far corners +of the world--on the Atlantic, for instance." + +"You have had some news?" she interrupted. + +"It is really a private piece of information," he told her, "and it +won't be in the papers--not the way the thing happened, anyway--but I +don't suppose there's any harm in telling you, as we were both more or +less mixed up in the affair. Graham was shot the next day, on his way +up to Northumberland." + +"Shot?" she exclaimed incredulously. + +"Murdered, if you'd like the whole thrill," Lutchester continued. "Of +course, we didn't get many particulars in the wireless, but we gathered +that he was shot by some one passing him in a more powerful car on a +lonely stretch of the Great North Road." + +Pamela shuddered. She was for the moment profoundly impressed. A +certain air of unreality which had hung over the events of that night +was suddenly banished. The whole tragedy rose up before her eyes. The +effect of it was almost stupefying. + +"Gave me quite a shock," Lutchester confided. "Somehow or other I had +never been able to take that night quite seriously. There was more than +a dash of melodrama in it, wasn't there? Seems now as though those +fellows must have been in earnest, though." + +"And as though Captain Graham's formula," she reminded him gravely, +"was the real thing." + +"Whereupon," Lutchester observed, "our first interest in the affair +receives a certain stimulus. Some one stole the formula. To judge from +the behaviour of those amiable gentlemen connected with Henry's +Restaurant, it wasn't they. Some one had been before them. Have you any +theories, Miss Van Teyl?" + +"I can tell you who has," she replied. "Do you remember when we were +all grouped around that notice--Mefiez-vous! Taisez-vous! Les oreilles +ennemies vous ecoutent!?" + +"Of course I do," he assented. + +"Do you remember Baron Sunyea making a remark afterwards? He had been +standing by and heard everything Graham said." + +"Can't say that I do," Lutchester regretted, "but I remember seeing him +about the place." + +"You promise to say or do nothing without my permission, if I tell you +something?" she went on. + +"Naturally!" + +"See, then, how diplomacy or secret service work, or whatever you like +to call it, can gather the ends of the world together! Only a quarter +of an hour ago that Japanese valet of my brother's, having searched my +rooms in vain, demanded from me that formula!" + +"From you?" Lutchester gasped. "But you haven't got it!" + +"Of course not. On the other hand Sunyea pitched upon me as being one +of the possible thieves, and cabled his instructions over." + +"Have you got it?" he asked abruptly. + +"If I had," she smiled, "I should not tell you." + +"But come," he expostulated, "the thing's no use to you." + +"So Baron Sunyea evidently thought," she laughed. "We'll leave that, if +you don't mind." + +Lutchester was still looking a little bewildered. + +"I had an idea when I came in," he muttered, "that things were a little +scrappy between you and the Japanese gentleman." + +She was suddenly serious. + +"Now that I have told you the truth," she said, "I really ought to +thank you. You certainly seem to have a knack of appearing when you are +wanted." + +"Fluke this time, I'm afraid," he acknowledged, "but I rather like the +suggestion. You ought to see a great deal of me, Miss Van Teyl. Do you +realise that I am a stranger in New York, and any hospitality you can +show me may be doubly rewarded? Are you going to take me round and show +me the sights?" + +"Are you going to have any time for sight-seeing?" + +"Well, I hope so. Why not? A fellow can't do more than a certain number +of hours' work in a day." + +She looked at him curiously. + +"And yet," she murmured, "you expect to win the war!" + +"Of course we shall win the war," he assured her confidently. "You +haven't any doubt about that yourself, have you, Miss Van Teyl?" + +"I don't know," she told him calmly. + +Lutchester was almost horrified. He rose to his feet and stood looking +down at his companion. + +"Tell me what on earth you mean?" he demanded. "We always win in the +long run, even if we muddle things about a little." + +"I was just contrasting in my mind," she said thoughtfully, "some of +the Germans whom I have met since the war, with some of the Englishmen. +They are taking it very seriously, you know, Mr. Lutchester. They don't +find time for luncheon parties or sight-seeing." + +"That's just their way," he protested. "They turn themselves into +machines. They are what we used to call suckers at school, but you can +take my word for it that before next autumn they will be on the run." + +"You call them suckers," she observed. "That's because they're always +working, always studying, always experimenting. Supposing they got hold +of something like this new explosive?" + +"First of all," he told her, "I don't believe in it, and secondly, if +it exists, the formula isn't in their hands." + +"Supposing it is in mine?" she suggested. "I might sell it to them." + +"I'd trust you all the time," he laughed lightheartedly. "I can't see +you giving a leg up to the Huns.... Will you lunch with me at one +o'clock to-morrow, please?" + +"Certainly not," she replied. "You must attend to your work, whatever +it is." + +"That's all very well," he grumbled, "but every one has an hour off for +luncheon." + +"People who win wars don't lunch," she declared severely. "Here's +Jimmy--I can hear his voice--and he's brought some one up with him. +I'll--let you know about lunch." + +The door opened. James Van Teyl and Fischer entered together. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + + +The first few seconds after the entrance of the two men were +monopolised by the greetings of Pamela with her brother. Fischer stood +a little in the background, his eyes fixed upon Lutchester. His brain +was used to emergencies, but he found himself here confronted by an +unanswerable problem. + +"Say, this is Mr. Lutchester, isn't it?" he inquired, holding out his +hand. + +"The same," Lutchester assented politely. "We met at Henry's some ten +days ago, didn't we?" + +"Mr. Lutchester has brought us a letter from Dicky Green, Jimmy," +Pamela explained, as she withdrew from her brother's arms. "Quite +unnecessary, as it happens, because I met him in London just before we +sailed." + +"Very glad to meet you, Mr. Lutchester," Jimmy declared, wringing his +hand with American cordiality. "Dicky's an old pal of mine--one of the +best. We graduated in the same year from Harvard." + +Conversation for a few minutes was platitudinous. Van Teyl, although he +showed few signs of his recent excesses, was noisy and boisterous, +clutching at this brief escape from a situation which he dreaded. +Fischer on the other hand, remained in the back-ground, ominously +silent, thinking rapidly, speculating and theorising as to the +coincidence, if it were coincidence, of finding Lutchester and Pamela +together. He listened to the former's polite conversation, never once +letting his eyes wander from his face. All his thoughts were +concentrated upon one problem. The mysterious escape of Sandy Graham, +which had sent him flying from the country, remained unsolved. Of +Pamela's share in it he had already his suspicions. Was it possible +that Lutchester was the other and the central figure in that remarkable +rescue? He waited his opportunity, and, during a momentary lull in the +cheerful conversation, broke in with his first question. + +"Say, Mr. Lutchester, you haven't any twin brother, have you?" + +"No brother at all," Lutchester admitted. + +"Then, how did you get over here? You were at Henry's weren't you, on +the night the _Lapland_ sailed? You didn't cross with us, and there's +no other steamer due for two days." + +"Then I can't be here," Lutchester declared. "The thing's impossible." + +"Guess you'll have to explain, if you want to save me from a sleepless +night," Fischer persisted. + +Lutchester smiled. He had the air of one enjoying the situation +immensely. + +"Well," he said, "I have had to confess to Miss Van Teyl here, so I +may as well make a clean breast of it to you. To every one else I meet +in New York, I shall say that I came over on the _Lapland_. I really +came over on a destroyer." + +Fischer's face seemed to become more set and grim than ever. + +"A British destroyer," he muttered to himself. + +"It was kind of a joy ride," Lutchester explained confidentially, "a +cousin of mine who was in command came in to see me and say good-by, +just after I'd received my orders from the head of my department to +come out here on the next steamer, and he smuggled me on board that +night. Mum's the word, though, if you please. We asked nobody's leave. +It would have taken about a month to have heard anything definite from +the Admiralty." + +"A British destroyer come across the Atlantic, eh?" Mr. Fischer +muttered. "She must have come out on a special mission, then, I +imagine." + +"That is not for me to say," Lutchester observed, with stiff reticence. + +Pamela suddenly and purposely intervened. She turned towards Fischer. + +"Mr. Lutchester brought some rather curious news," she observed. "He +got it by wireless. Do you remember all the fuss there was about the +disappearance of Captain Holderness' friend at Henry's?" + +"I heard something about it," he admitted grimly. + +"Well, Captain Graham was in my party, so naturally I was more +interested than any one else. To all appearance he entered Henry's +Restaurant, walked up the stairs, and disappeared into the skies. The +place was ransacked everywhere for him, but he never turned up. Well, +the very next day he was murdered in a motor-car on his way to +Northumberland." + +"Incredible!" Fischer murmured. + +"Seems a queer set out," Lutchester remarked, "but it's quite true. He +was supposed to have discovered a marvellous new explosive, the formula +for which had been stolen. He was on his way up to Northumberland to +make fresh experiments." + +"For myself I have little faith," Fischer observed, "in any new +explosives. In Germany they believe, I understand, that the limit of +destructiveness has been attained." + +"The Germans should know," Lutchester admitted carelessly. "I'm afraid +they are still a good deal ahead of us in most scientific matters. I +will take the liberty, of calling some time to-morrow, Miss Van Teyl, +and hope I shall have the pleasure of improving my acquaintance with +your brother. Good night, Mr. Fischer." + +"Are you staying in the hotel?" the latter inquired. + +"On the fifteenth floor," was the somewhat gloomy reply. "I shan't be +able to shave in front of the window without feeling giddy. However, I +suppose that's America. Good-by, everybody." + +With a little inclusive and farewell bow he disappeared. They heard him +make his way down the corridor and ring for the lift. Rather a curious +silence ensued, which was broken at last by Pamela. + +"Is that," she asked, throwing herself into an easy-chair and selecting +a cigarette, "just an ordinary type of a nice, well-bred, +unintelligent, self-sufficient Englishman, or--" + +"Or what?" Fischer asked, with interest. + +Pamela watched the smoke curl from the end of her cigarette. + +"Well, I scarcely know how to finish," she confessed, "only sometimes +when I am talking to him I feel that he can scarcely be as big a fool +as he seems, and then I wonder. Jimmy," she went on, shaking her head +at him, "you're not looking well. You've been sitting up too late and +getting into bad habits during my absence. Open confession, now, if you +please. If it's a girl, I shall give you my blessing." + +Van Teyl groaned and said nothing. A foreboding of impending trouble +depressed Pamela. She turned towards Fischer and found in his grim face +confirmation of her fears. + +"What does this mean?" she demanded. + +"Your brother will explain," Fischer replied. "It is better that he +should tell you everything." + +"Everything?" she repeated. "What is there to tell. What have you to do +with my brother, anyway?" she added fiercely. + +"You must not look at me as though I were in any way to blame for what +has happened," was the insistent reply. "On the contrary, I have been +very lenient with your brother. I am still prepared to be lenient--upon +certain conditions." + +The light of battle was in Pamela's eyes. She fought against the +significance of the man's ominous words. This was his first blow, then, +and directed against her. + +"I begin to understand," she said. "Please go on. Let me hear +everything." + +Van Teyl had turned to the sideboard. He mixed and drank off a whisky +and soda. Then he swung around. + +"I'll make a clean breast of it in a few words, Pamela," he promised. +"I've gambled with Fischer's money, lost it, forged a transfer of his +certificates to meet my liabilities, and I am in his power. He could +have me hammered and chucked into Sing Sing, if he wanted to. That's +all there is about it." + +Pamela stood the shock well. She turned to Fischer. + +"How much of this are you responsible for?" she asked. + +"That," he objected, "is an impotent question. It is not I who had the +moulding of your brother's character. It is not I who made him a forger +and a weakling." + +Van Teyl's arm was upraised. An oath broke from his lips. Pamela seized +him firmly and drew him away. + +"Be quiet, James," she begged. "Let us hear what Mr. Fischer is going +to do about it." + +"That depends upon you," was the cold reply. + +Pamela stood at the head of the table, between the two men, and +laughed. Her brother had sunk into a chair, and his head had dropped +moodily upon his folded arms. She looked from one to the other and a +new sense of strength inspired her. She felt that if she were not +indeed entirely mistress of the situation, yet the elements of triumph +were there to her hand. + +"This is living, at any rate," she declared. "First of all I discover +that your Japanese servant is a spy--" + +"Nikasti!" Van Teyl interrupted furiously. "Blast him! I knew that +there was something wrong about that fellow, Fischer." + +Fischer frowned. + +"What's he been up to?" he inquired. + +"Well, to begin with," Pamela explained, "he searched my room, then he +locked me in here, and was proceeding to threaten me when fortunately +Mr. Lutchester arrived." + +"Threaten you--what about?" Fischer demanded. + +"He seemed to have an absurd idea," Pamela explained sweetly, "that I +might have somewhere concealed upon my person the formula which was +stolen from Captain Graham last Monday week at Henry's Restaurant. It +makes quite a small world of it, doesn't it?" + +"I will deal with Nikasti for this," Fischer promised, "if it is true. +Meanwhile?" + +"No sooner have I got over that little shock," Pamela went on, "than +you turn up with this melodramatic story, and an offer from Mr. +Fischer, which I can read in his face. Really, I feel that I shall hear +the buzz of a cinema machine in a moment. How much do you owe him, +Jimmy?" + +"Eighty-nine thousand dollars," the young man groaned. + +"I'll write you a cheque to-morrow morning," Pamela promised. "Will +that do, Mr. Fischer?" + +"It is the last thing I desire," was the calm reply. + +"Really! Well, perhaps now you will come to the point. Perhaps you will +tell me what it is that you do want?" + +"Stolen property," Fischer announced deliberately--"stolen property, +however, to which I have a greater right than you." + +She laughed at him mockingly. + +"I think not, Mr. Fischer," she said. "You really don't deserve it, you +know." + +"And why not?" + +"Just see how you have bungled! You bait the trap, the poor man walks +into it, and you allow another to forestall you. Not only that, but you +actually allow Japan to come into the game, and but for Mr. +Lutchester's appearance we might both of us have been left planté là. +No, Mr. Fischer! You don't deserve the formula, and you shall not have +it. I'll pay my brother's debt to you in dollars--no other way." + +"Dollars," Mr. Fischer told her sternly, "will never buy the forged +transfer. Dollars will never keep your brother out of the city police +court or Sing Sing afterwards. There isn't much future for a young man +who has been through it." + +Van Teyl was upon him suddenly with a low, murderous cry. Fischer had +no time to resist, no chance of success if he had attempted it. He was +borne backwards on to the lounge, his assailant's hand upon his throat. +The young man was beside himself with drink and fury. The words poured +from his lips, incoherent, hot with rage. + +"You--hound! You've made my life a hell! You've plotted and schemed to +get me into your power!... There! Do you feel the life going out of +you?... My sister, indeed! You!... You scum of the earth! You ..." + +"James!" + +The sound of Pamela's voice unnerved him. His fit of passion was spent. +She dragged him easily away. + +"Don't be a fool, Jimmy!" she begged. "You can't settle accounts like +that." + +"Can't I?" he muttered. "If we'd been alone, Pamela ... my God, if he +and I had been alone here!" + +"Jimmy," she said, "you're a fool, and you've been drinking. Fetch the +water bottle." + +He obeyed, and she dashed water in Fischer's face. Presently he opened +his eyes, groaned and sat up. There were two livid marks upon his +throat. Van Teyl watched him like a crouching animal. His eyes were +still lit with sullen fire. The lust for killing was upon him. Fischer +sat up and blinked. He felt the atmosphere of the room, and he knew his +danger. His hand stole into his hip pocket, and a small revolver +suddenly flashed upon his knees. He drew a long breath of relief. He +was like a fugitive who had found sanctuary. + +"So that's the game, James Van Teyl, is it?" he exclaimed. "Now +listen." + +He adjusted the revolver with a click. His cruel, long fingers were +pressed around its stock. + +"I am not threatening you," he went on. "I am not fond of violence, and +I don't believe in it. This is just in case you come a single yard +nearer to me. Now, Miss Van Teyl, my business is with you. We won't +fence any longer. You will hand over to me the pocketbook which you +stole from Captain Graham in Henry's Restaurant. Hand it over to me +intact, you understand. In return I will give you the forged transfer +of stock, and leave it to your sense of honour as to whether you care +to pay your brother's debt or not. If you decline to consider my +proposition, I shall ring up Joseph Neville, your brother's senior +partner. I shall not even wait for to-morrow, mind. I shall make an +appointment, and I shall place in his hands the proof of your brother's +robbery." + +"Perhaps," Pamela murmured, "I was wrong to stop you. Jimmy.... +Anything else, Mr. Fischer?" + +"Just this. I would rather have carried this matter through in a +friendly fashion, for reasons at which I think you can guess." + +She shook her head. + +"You flatter my intelligence!" she told him scornfully. + +"I will explain, then. I desire to offer myself as your suitor." + +She laughed at him without restraint or consideration. + +"I would rather marry my brother's valet!" she declared. + +"You are entirely wrong," he protested. "You are wrong, too, in holding +up cards against me. We are on the same side. You are an American, and +so am I. I swear that I desire nothing that is not for your good. You +have wonderful gifts, and I have great wealth and opportunities. I have +also a sincere and very heartfelt admiration for you." + +"I have never been more flattered!" Pamela scoffed. + +He looked a little wistfully from one to the other. Antagonism and +dislike were written in their faces. Even Pamela, who was skilled in +the art of subterfuge, made little effort to conceal her aversion. +Nevertheless, he continued doggedly. + +"What does it matter," he demanded, "who handles this formula--you or +I? Our faces are turned in the same direction. There is this difference +only with me. I want to make it the basis of a kindlier feeling in +Washington towards my father's country." + +Pamela's eyebrows were raised. + +"Are you sure," she asked, "that the formula itself would not find its +way into your father's country?" + +"As to that I pledge my word," he replied. "I am an American citizen." + +"Looks like it, doesn't he!" Van Teyl jeered. + +"Tell us what you have been doing in Berlin, then?" Pamela inquired. + +"I had a definite mission there," Fischer assured them, "which I hope +to bring to a definite conclusion. If you are an American citizen in +the broadest sense of the word, England is no more to you than Germany. +I want to place before some responsible person in the American +Government, a proposal--an official proposal--the acceptance of which +will be in years to come of immense benefit to her." + +"And the quid pro quo?" Pamela asked gently. + +"I am not here for the purpose of gratifying curiosity," Fischer +replied, "but if you will take this matter up seriously, you shall be +the person through whom this proposal shall be brought before the +American Government. The whole of the negotiations shall be conducted +through you. If you succeed, you will be known throughout history as +the woman who saved America from her great and growing danger. If you +fail, you will be no worse off than you are now." + +"And you propose to hand over the conduct of these negotiations to me," +Pamela observed, "in return for what?" + +"The pocketbook which you took from Captain Graham." + +"So there we are, back again at the commencement of our discussion," +Pamela remarked. "Are you going to repeat that you want this formula +for Washington and not for Berlin?" + +"My first idea," Fischer confessed, "was to hand it over to Germany. I +have changed my views. Germany has great explosives of her own. This +formula shall be used in a different fashion. It shall be a lever in +the coming negotiations between America and Germany." + +"We have had a great deal of conversation to no practical purpose," +Pamela declared. "Why are you so sure that I have the formula?" + +Fischer frowned slightly. He had recovered himself now, and his tone +was as steady and quiet as ever. Only occasionally his eyes wandered to +where James Van Teyl was fidgetting about the table, and at such times +his fingers tightened upon the stock of his revolver. + +"It is practically certain that you have the papers," he pointed out. +"You were the first person to go up the stairs after Graham had been +rendered unconscious. Joseph admits that he had been forced to leave +him--the orchestra was waiting to play. He was alone in that little +room. That you should have known of its existence and his presence +there is surprising, but nothing more. Furthermore, I am convinced that +you were in some way concerned with his rescue later. You visited +Hassan and you visited Joseph. From the latter you procured the key of +the chapel. If only he had had the courage to tell the truth--well, we +will let that pass. You have the papers, Miss Van Teyl. I am bidding a +great price for them. If you are a wise woman, you will not hesitate." + +There was a knock at the door. They all three turned towards it a +little impatiently. Even Pamela and her brother felt the grip of an +absorbing problem. To their surprise, it was Lutchester who reappeared +upon the threshold. In his hand he held a small sealed packet. + +"So sorry to disturb you all," he apologised. "I have something here +which I believe belongs to you, Miss Van Teyl. I thought I'd better +bring it up and explain. From the way your little Japanese friend was +holding on to it, I thought it might be important. It is a little torn, +but that isn't my fault." + +He held it out to Pamela. It was a long packet torn open at one end. +From it was protruding a worn, brown pocketbook. Pamela's hand closed +upon it mechanically. There was a dazed look in her eyes. Fischer's +fingers stole once more towards the pocket into which, at Lutchester's +entrance, he had slipped his revolver. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + + +Lutchester, to all appearance, remained sublimely unconscious of the +tension which his words and appearance seemed to have created. He had +strolled a little further into the room, and was looking down at the +packet which he still held. + +"You are wondering how I got hold of this, of course?" he observed. +"Just one of those simple little coincidences which either mean a great +deal or nothing at all." + +"How did you know it was mine?" Pamela asked, almost under her breath. + +"I'll explain," Lutchester continued. "I was in the lobby of the hotel, +a few minutes ago, when I heard the fire bell outside. I hurried out +and watched the engines go by from the sidewalk. I have always been +rather interested in--" + +"Never mind that, please. Go on," Pamela asked, almost under her +breath. + +"Certainly," Lutchester assented. "On the way back, then, I saw a +little Japanese, who was coming out of the hotel, knocked down by a +taxicab which skidded nearly into the door. I don't think he was badly +hurt--I'm not even sure that he was hurt at all. I picked up this +packet from the spot where he had been lying, and I was on the point of +taking it to the office when I saw your name upon it, Miss Van Teyl, in +what seemed to me to be your own handwriting, so I thought I'd bring it +up." + +He laid it upon the table. Pamela's eyes seemed fastened upon it. She +turned it over nervously. + +"It is very kind of you, Mr. Lutchester," she murmured. + +"I'll be perfectly frank," he went on. "I should have found out where +the little man who dropped it had disappeared to, and restored it to +him, but I fancied--of course, I may have been wrong--that you and he +were having some sort of a disagreement, a few minutes ago, when I +happened to come in. Anyway, that was in my mind, and I thought I'd run +no risks." + +"You did the very kindest and most considerate thing," Pamela declared. + +"The little Japanese must have been our new valet," James Van Teyl +observed. "I'm beginning to think that he is not going to be much of an +acquisition." + +"You'll probably see something of him in a few minutes," Lutchester +remarked. "I will wish you good night, Miss Van Teyl. Good night!" + +Pamela's reiterated thanks were murmured and perfunctory. Even James +Van Teyl's hospitable instincts seemed numbed. They allowed Lutchester +to depart with scarcely a word. With the closing of the door, speech +brought them some relief from a state of tension which was becoming +intolerable. Even then Fischer at first said nothing. He had risen +noiselessly to his feet, his right hand was in the sidepocket of his +coat, his eyes were fixed upon the table. + +"So this is why you insisted upon a valet!" James Van Teyl exclaimed, +his voice thick with anger. "He's planted here to rob for you! Is that +it, eh, Fischer?" + +Pamela drew the packet towards her and stood with her right palm +covering it. Fischer seemed still at a loss for words. + +"I can assure you," he said at last fervently, "that if that packet was +stolen from Miss Van Teyl by Nikasti, it was done without my +instigation. It is as much a surprise to me as to any of you. We can +congratulate ourselves that it is not on the way to Japan." + +Pamela nodded. + +"He is speaking the truth," she asserted. "Nikasti is not out to steal +for others. He is playing the same game as all of us, only he is +playing it for his own hand. Mr. Fischer has brought him here for some +purpose of his own, without a doubt, but I am quite sure that Nikasti +never meant to be any one's cat's-paw." + +"Believe me, that is the truth," Fischer agreed. "I will admit that I +brought Nikasti here with a purpose, but upon my honour I swear that +until this evening I never dreamed that he even knew of the existence +of the formula." + +"Oh! we are not the only people in the world who are clever," Pamela +declared, with an unnatural little laugh. "The first man who took note +of Sandy Graham's silly words as he rushed into Henry's was Baron +Sunyea. I saw him stiffen as he listened. He even uttered a word of +remonstrance. Japan in London heard. Japan in your sitting-room here, +in ten days' time, knew everything there was to be known." + +"I didn't bring Nikasti here for this," Fischer insisted. + +"Perhaps not," Pamela conceded, "but if you're a good American, what +are you doing at all with a Japanese secret agent?" + +"If you trust me, you shall know," Fischer promised. "Listen to reason. +Let us have finished with one affair at a time. You very nearly lost +that formula to Japan. Hand over the pocketbook. You see how dangerous +it is for it to remain in your possession. I'll keep my share of the +bargain. I'll put my scheme before you. Come, be reasonable. See, +here's the forged transfer." + +He drew a paper from his pocket and spread it out upon the table. His +long, hairy fingers were shaking with nervousness. + +"Come, make it a deal," he persisted, "You can pay me the defalcations +or not, as you choose. There is your brother's freedom and the honour +of your name, in exchange for that pocketbook." + +Pamela, after all her hesitation, seemed to make up her mind with +startling suddenness. She thrust the pocketbook towards Fischer, took +the transfer from his fingers and tore it into small pieces. + +"I give in," she said. "This time you have scored. We will talk about +the other matter tomorrow." + +Fischer buttoned up the packet carefully in his breast pocket. His eyes +glittered. He turned towards the door. On the threshold he looked +around. He stretched out his hand towards Pamela. + +"Believe me, you have done well," he assured her hoarsely. "I shall +keep my word. I will set you in the path of great things." + +He left the room, and they heard the furious ringing of the lift bell. +Pamela was tearing into smaller pieces the forged transfer. Van Teyl, a +little pale, but with new life in his frame, was watching the fragments +upon the floor. There was a tap at the door. Nikasti entered. Pamela's +fingers paused in their task. Van Teyl stared at him. The newcomer was +carrying the evening papers, which he laid down upon the table. + +"Is there anything more I can do before I go to bed, sir?" he asked, +with his usual reverential little bow. + +"Aren't you hurt?" Van Teyl exclaimed. + +"Hurt?" Nikasti replied wonderingly. "Oh, no!" + +"Weren't you knocked down by a taxicab," Pamela asked, "outside the +hotel?" + +Nikasti looked from one to the other with an air of gentle surprise. + +"I have been to my rooms in the servants' quarters," he told them, "on +the upper floor. I have not been downstairs at all. I have been +unpacking and arranging my own humble belongings." + +Van Teyl clasped his forehead. + +"Let me get this!" he exclaimed. "You haven't been down in the lobby of +the hotel, you haven't been knocked down by a taxicab that skidded, you +haven't lost a pocketbook which you had previously stolen from my +sister?" + +Nikasti shook his head. He seemed completely mystified. He watched +Pamela's face carefully. + +"Perhaps there has been some mistake," he suggested quietly. "My +English is sometimes not very good. I would not dream of trying to rob +the young lady. I have not lost any pocketbook. I have not descended +lower down in the hotel than this floor." + +Van Teyl waved him away, accepted his farewell salutation, and waited +until the door was closed. + +"Look here, Pamela," he protested, turning almost appealingly towards +her, "my brain wasn't made for this sort of thing. What in thunder does +it all mean?" + +Pamela looked at the fragments of paper upon the floor and sank back in +an easy chair. + +"Jimmy," she confided, "I don't know." + + + + +CHAPTER XV + + +Pamela opened her eyes the next morning upon a distinctly pleasing +sight. At the foot of her bed was an enormous basket of pink +carnations. On the counterpane by her side lay a smaller cluster of +twelve very beautiful dark red Gloire de Dijon roses. Attached to these +latter was a note. + +"When did these flowers come, Leah?" Pamela asked the maid who was +moving about the room. + +"An hour ago, madam," the girl told her. + +"Read the name on the card," Pamela directed, pointing to the mass of +pink blossoms. + +"Mr. Oscar H. Fischer," the girl read out, "with respectful +compliments." + +Pamela smiled. + +"He doesn't know, then," she murmured to herself. "Get my bath ready, +Leah." + +The maid disappeared into the inner room. Pamela tore open the note +attached to the roses by her side, and read it slowly through: + +Dear Miss Van Teyl, + +I am so very sorry, but the luncheon we had half-planned for to-day +must be postponed. I have an urgent message to go south; to +inspect--but no secrets! It's horribly disappointing. I hope we may +meet in a few days. + +Sincerely yours, + +JOHN LUTCHESTER. + +Pamela laid down the note, conscious of an indefined but distinct +sensation of disappointment. After all, it was not so wonderful to wake +up and find oneself in New York. The sun was pleasant, the little puffs +of air which came in through the window across the park, delightful and +exhilarating, yet something had gone out of the day. Accustomed to +self-analysis, she asked herself swiftly--what? It was, without a +doubt, something to do with Lutchester's departure. She tried to face +the question of her disappointment. Was it possible to feel any real +interest in a man who preferred a Government post to the army at such a +time, and who had brought his golf clubs out to America? Her +imagination for a moment revolved around the problem of his apparently +uninteresting and yet, in some respects, contradictory personality. Was +it really her fancy or had she, every now and then, detected behind +that flamboyant manner traces of something deeper and more serious, +something which seemed to indicate a life and aims of which nothing +appeared upon the surface? She clasped her knees and sat up in bed, +listening to the sound of the running water in the next room. Was there +any possible explanation of his opportune appearance on the night +before with a dummy pocketbook and a concocted story? The cleverest man +on earth could surely never have gauged her position with Fischer and +intervened in such a manner at the psychological moment. + +Yet he had done it, she reflected, gazing thoughtfully at Fischer's +gift. If, indeed, he knew what was passing around him to that extent, +how much more knowledge might he not possess? She felt the little +silken belt around her waist. At least there was no one who could take +Sandy Graham's secret from her until she chose to give it up. Supposing +for a moment that Lutchester was also out for the great things, was he +fooled by her attitude? If he knew so much, he must know that the +secret remained with her. Perhaps, after all, he was only a philanderer +in intrigue.... + +Pamela bathed and dressed, sent for her brother, and, to his horror, +insisted upon an American breakfast. + +"It's quite time I came back to look after you, Jimmy," she said +severely, as she watched him send away his grapefruit and gaze +helplessly at his bacon and eggs. "You're going to turn over a new +leaf, young man." + +"I shan't be sorry," he confessed fervently. "I tell you, Pamela, when +you have a thing like this hanging over you, it's hell--some hell! You +just want to drown your thoughts and keep going all the time." + +She nodded sagely. + +"Well, that's over now, Jimmy," she said, "and I meant you to listen to +me. It's more than likely that Mr. Fischer may find out at any moment +that the mysterious pocketbook, which came from heaven knows where, is +a faked one. He may be horrid about it." + +"While we are on that," Van Teyl interrupted, "I couldn't sleep a wink +last night for trying to imagine where on earth that fellow Lutchester +came in, and what his game was." + +"I have a headache this morning, trying to puzzle out the same thing," +Pamela told him. + +"He seems such an ordinary sort of chap," Van Teyl continued +thoughtfully. "Good sportsman, no doubt, and all that sort of thing, +but the last fellow in the world to concoct a yarn, and if he did, what +was his object?" + +"Jimmy," his sister begged, "let's quit. Of course, I know a little +more than you do, but the little more that I do know only makes it more +confusing. Now, to make it worse, he's gone away." + +"What, this morning?" + +"Gone away on his Government work," Pamela announced. "I had a note and +some roses from him. Don't let's talk about it, Jimmy. I keep on +getting new ideas, and it makes my brain whirl. I want to talk about +you." + +"I'm a rotten lot to talk about," he sighed. + +She patted his hand. + +"You're nothing of the sort, dear, and you've got to remember now that +you're out of the trouble. But listen. Hurry down to the office as +early as you can and set about straightening things out, so that if Mr. +Fischer tries to make trouble, he won't be able to do it. There's my +cheque for eighty-nine thousand dollars I made out last night before I +went to bed," she added, passing it over to him. "Just replace what +stocks you're short of and get yourself out of the mess, and don't +waste any time about it." + +His face glowed as he looked across the table. + +"You're the most wonderful sister, Pamela." + +"Nonsense!" she interrupted. "Nonsense! I ought not to have left you +alone all this time, and, besides, I'm pretty sure he helped you into +this trouble for his own ends. Anyway, we are all right now. I shall be +in New York for a few days before I go to Washington. When I do go, you +must see whether you can get leave and come with me." + +"That's bully," he declared. "I'll get leave, right enough. There's +never been less doing in Wall Street. But say, Pamela, I don't seem to +half understand what's going on. You've given up most of your friends, +and you spend months away there in Europe in all sorts of corners. Now +you come back and you seem mixed up in regular secret service work. +Where do you come in, anyway? What are you going to Washington for?" + +She smiled. + +"Queer tastes, haven't I, Jimmy?" + +"Queer for a girl." + +"That's prejudice," she objected, shaking her head. "Nowadays there are +few things a woman can't do. To tell you the truth, my new interest in +life started three years ago, when Uncle Theodore found out that I was +going to Rome for the winter." + +"So Uncle Theodore started it, did he?" + +She nodded. + +"That's the worst of having an uncle in the Administration, isn't it? +Well, of course, he gave me letters to every one in Rome, and I found +out what he wanted quite easily, and without the inquiries going +through the Embassy at all. Sometimes, as you can understand, that's a +great advantage. I found it simply fascinating--the work, I mean--and +after three or four more commissions--well, they recognised me at +Washington. I have been to most of the capitals in Europe at different +times, with small affairs to arrange at each, or information to get. +Sometimes it's been just about commercial things. Since the war, +though, of course, it's been more exciting than ever. If I were an +Englishwoman instead of an American, I could tell them some things in +London which they'd find pretty surprising. It's not my affair, though, +and I keep what information I do pick up until it works in with +something else for our own good. I knew quite well in Berlin, for +instance, to speak of something you've heard of, that Henry's +Restaurant in London was being used as a centre of espionage by the +Germans. That is why I was on the lookout, the day I went there." + +"You mean the day that pocketbook was stolen that the whole world seems +crazy about?" Van Teyl asked. + +She nodded. + +"I believe it is perfectly true," she said, "that a young man called +Graham has invented an entirely new explosive, the formula for which he +brought to Henry's with him that day. It isn't only what happens when +the shell explodes, but a sort of putrefaction sets in all round, and +they say that everything within a mile dies. There were spies down even +watching his experiments. There were spies following him up to London, +there were spies in Henry's Restaurant when like a fool he gave the +thing away. Fischer was the ringleader of this lot, and he meant having +the formula from Graham that night. I don't want to bore you, Jimmy, +but I got there first." + +"Bore me!" the young man repeated. "Why, it's like a modern Arabian +Nights. I can't imagine you in the thick of this sort of thing, +Pamela." + +"It's very easy to slip into the way of anything you like," she +answered. "I knew exactly what they were going to do to Captain Graham, +and I got there before them. When they searched him, the formula had +gone. Fischer caught my steamer and worried me all the way over. He +thought he had us in a corner last night, and then a miracle happened." + +"You mean that fellow Lutchester turning up?" + +"Yes, I mean that," Pamela admitted. + +"Say, didn't that Jap fellow get the pocketbook from your rooms at all, +then?" Van Teyl asked. "I couldn't follow it all last night." + +"He searched my rooms," Pamela replied, "and failed to find it. +Afterwards, when he and I were alone in your sitting-room, heaven knows +what would have happened, but for the miraculous arrival of Mr. +Lutchester, whom I had left behind in London, come to pay an evening +call in the Hotel Plaza, New York!" + +Van Teyl shook his head slowly, got up from his seat, lit a cigarette, +and came back again. + +"Pam," he confessed, "my brain won't stand it. You're not going to tell +me that Lutchester's in the game? Why, a simpler sort of fellow I never +spoke to." + +"I can't make up my own mind about Mr. Lutchester," Pamela sighed. "He +helped me in London on the night I sailed--in fact, he was very useful +indeed--but why he invented that story about Nikasti, brought a dummy +pocketbook into the room and helped us out of all our troubles, unless +it was by sheer and brilliant instinct, I cannot imagine." + +"Let me get on to this," Van Teyl said. "Even the pocketbook was a +fake, then?" + +She nodded. + +"I shouldn't be likely to leave things I risk my life for about my +bedroom," she told him. + +"Where is it, then--the real thing?" he asked. + +She smiled. + +"If you must know, Jimmy," she confided, dropping her voice, "it's in a +little compartment of a silk belt around my waist. It will remain there +until I get to Washington, or until Mr. Haskall comes to me." + +"Haskall, the Government explosives man?" + +Pamela nodded. + +"Even he won't get it without Government authority." + +"Now, tell me, Pamela," Van Teyl went on--"you're a far-seeing girl--I +suppose we should get it in the neck from Germany some day or other, if +the Germans won? Why don't you hand the formula over to the British, +and give them a chance to get ahead?" + +"That's a sensible question, Jimmy, and I'll try to answer it," Pamela +promised. "Because when once the shells are made and used, the secret +will be gone. I think it very likely that it would enable England to +win the war; but, you see, I am an American, not English, and I'm all +American. I have been in touch with things pretty closely for some time +now, and I see trouble ahead for us before very long. I can't exactly +tell you where it's coming from, but I feel it. I want America to have +something up her sleeve, that's why." + +"You're a great girl, Pamela," her brother declared. "I'm off downtown, +feeling a different man. And, Pamela, I haven't said much, but God +bless you, and as long as I live I'm going as straight as a die. I've +had my lesson." + +He bent over her a little clumsily and kissed her. Pamela walked to the +door with him. + +"Be a dear," she called out, "and come back early. And, Jimmy!" ... + +"Hullo?'" + +"Put things right at the office at once," she whispered with emphasis. +"Fischer hasn't found out yet. I sent him a message this morning, +thanking him for the carnations, and asking him to walk with me in the +park after breakfast, I shall keep him away till lunch time, at least." + +The young man looked at her, and at Nikasti, who out in the corridor +was holding his hat and cane. Then he chuckled. + +"And they say that things don't happen in New York!" he murmured, as he +turned away. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + + +An elderly New Yorker, a man of fashion, renowned for his social +perceptions, pressed his companion's arm at the entrance to Central +Park and pointed to Pamela. + +"There goes a typical New York girl," he said, "and the best-looking +I've seen for many a long day. You can go all round Europe, Freddie, +and not see a girl with a face and figure like that. She had that frank +way, too, of looking you in the eyes." + +"I know," the other assented. "Gibson's girls all had it. Kind of look +which seems to say--'I know you find me nice and I don't mind. I wonder +whether you're nice, too.'" + +Pamela strolled along the park with Fischer by her side. She wore a +tailor-made costume of black and white tweed, and a smart hat, in which +yellow seemed the predominating colour. Her shoes, her gloves, the +little tie about her throat, were all the last word in the simple +elegance of suitability. Fischer walked by her side--a powerful, +determined figure in a carefully-pressed blue serge suit and a brown +Homburg hat. He wore a rose in his buttonhole, and he carried a +cane--both unusual circumstances. After fifty years of strenuous +living, Mr. Fischer seemed suddenly to have found a new thing in the +world. + +"This is a pleasant idea of yours, Miss Van Teyl," he said. + +"I haven't disturbed your morning, I hope?" she asked. + +"I guess, if you have, it isn't the way you mean," he replied. "You've +disturbed a good deal of my time and thoughts lately." + +"Well, you've had your own way now," she sighed, looking at him out of +the corner of her eyes. "I suppose you always get your own way in the +end, don't you, Mr. Fischer?" + +"Generally," he admitted. "I tell you, though, Miss Van Teyl," he went +on earnestly, "if you're alluding to last night's affair, I hated the +whole business. It was my duty, and the opportunity was there, but with +what I have I am satisfied. With reference to that little debt of your +brother's--" + +"Please don't say a word, Mr. Fischer," she interrupted. "You will find +that all put right as soon as you get down to Wall Street. Tell me, +what have you done with your prize?" + +Mr. Fischer looked very humble. + +"Miss Van Teyl," he said, "for certain reasons I am going to tell you +the truth. Perhaps it will be the best in the long run. We may even +before long be working together. So I start by being honest with you. +The pocketbook is by now on its way to Germany." + +"To Germany?" she exclaimed. "And after all your promises!" + +"Ah, but think, Miss Van Teyl," he pleaded. "I throw aside all +subterfuge. In your heart you know well what I am and what I stand for. +I deny it no longer. I am a German-American, working for Germany, +simply because America does not need my help. If America were at war +with any country in the world, my brains, my knowledge, my wealth would +be hers. But now it is different. Germany is surrounded by many +enemies, and she calls for her sons all over the world to remember the +Fatherland. You can sympathise a little with my unfortunate country, +Miss Van Teyl, and yet remain a good American. You are not angry with +me?" + +"I suppose I ought to be, but I am not in the least," she assured him. +"I never had any doubt as to the destination of that packet." + +"That," he admitted, "is a relief to me. Let us wipe the matter from +our memories, Miss Van Teyl." + +"One word," she begged, "and that only of curiosity. Did you examine +the contents of the pocketbook?" + +He turned his head and looked at her. For a moment he had lost the +greater spontaneity of his new self. He was again the cold, calculating +machine. + +"No," he answered, "except to take out and destroy what seemed to be a +few private memoranda. There was a bill for flowers, a note from a +young lady--some rubbish of that sort. The remaining papers were all +calculations and figures, chemical formulae." + +"Are you a chemist, Mr. Fischer?" she inquired. + +"Not in the least," he acknowledged. "I recognised just enough of the +formulae on the last page to realise that there were entirely new +elements being dealt with." + +She nodded. + +"I only asked out of curiosity. I agree. Let us put it out of our +thoughts. You see, I am generous. We have fought a battle, you and I, +and I have lost. Yet we remain friends." + +"It is more than your friendship that I want, Miss Van Teyl," he +pleaded, his voice shaking a little. "I am years older than you, I +know, and, by your standards, I fear unattractive. But you love power, +and I have it. I will take you into my schemes. I will show you how +those live who stand behind the clouds and wield the thunders." + +She looked at him with genuine surprise. It was necessary to readjust +some of her impressions of him. Oscar Fischer was, after all, a human +being. + +"What you say is all very well so far as it goes," she told him. "I +admit that a life of scheming and adventure attracts me. I love power. +I can think of nothing more wonderful than to feel the machinery of the +world--the political world--roar or die away, according to the touch of +one's fingers. Oh, yes, we're alike so far as that is concerned! But +there is a very vital difference. You are only an American by accident. +I am one by descent. For me there doesn't exist any other country. For +you Germany comes first." + +"But can't you realise," he went on eagerly, "that even this is for the +best? America to-day is hypnotised by a maudlin, sentimental affection +for England, a country from whom she never received anything but harm. +We want to change that. We want to kill for ever the misunderstandings +between the two greatest nations in the world. My creed of life could +be yours, too, without a single lapse from your patriotism. Friendship, +alliance, brotherhood, between Germany and America. That would be my +text." + +"Shall I be perfectly frank?" Pamela asked. + +"Nothing else is worth while," was the instant answer. + +"Well, then," she continued, "I can quite see that Germany has +everything to gain from America's friendship, but I cannot see the quid +pro quo." + +"And yet it is so clear," Fischer insisted. "Your own cloud may not be +very large just now, but it is growing, and, before you know it, it +will be upon you. Can you not realise why Japan is keeping out of this +war? She is conserving her strength. Millions flow into her coffers +week by week. In a few years time, Japan, for the first time in her +history, will know what it is to possess solid wealth. What does she +want it for, do you think? She has no dreams of European aggression, or +her soldiers would be fighting there now. China is hers for the taking, +a rich prize ready to fall into her mouth at any moment. But the end +and aim of all Japanese policy, the secret Mecca of her desires, is to +repay with the sword the insults your country has heaped upon her. It +is for that, believe me, that her arsenals are working night and day, +her soldiers are training, her fleet is in reserve. While you haggle +about a few volunteers, Japan is strengthening and perfecting a mighty +army for one purpose and one purpose only. Unless you wake up, you will +be in the position that Great Britain was in two years ago. Even now, +work though you may, you will never wholly make up for lost time. The +one chance for you is friendship with Germany." + +"Will Germany be in a position to help us after the war?" Pamela asked. + +"Never doubt it," Fischer replied vehemently. "Before peace is signed +the sea power of England will be broken. Financially she will be +ruined. She is a country without economic science, without foresight, +without statesmen. The days of her golden opportunities have passed, +frittered away. Unless we of our great pity bind up her wounds, England +will bleed to death before the war is over." + +"That, you must remember," Pamela said practically, "is your point of +view." + +"I could tell you things--" he began. + +"Don't," she begged. "I know what your outlook is now. Be definite. +Leaving aside that other matter, what is your proposition to me?" + +Fischer walked for a while in silence. They had turned back some time +since, and were once more nearing the Plaza. + +"You ask me to leave out what is most vital," he said at last. "I have +never been married, Miss Van Teyl. I am wealthy. I am promised great +honours at the end of this war. When that comes, I shall rest. If +you will be my wife, you can choose your home, you can choose your +title." + +She shook her head. + +"But I am not sure that I even like you, Mr. Fischer," she objected. +"We have fought in opposite camps, and you have had the bad taste to be +victorious. Besides which, you were perfectly brutal to James, and I am +not at all sure that I don't resent your bargain with me. As a matter +of fact, I am feeling very bitter towards you." + +"You should not," he remonstrated earnestly. "Remember that, after all, +women are only dabblers in diplomacy. Their very physique prevents them +from playing the final game. You have brains, of course, but there are +other things--experience, courage, resource. You would be a wonderful +helpmate, Miss Van Teyl, even if your individual and unaided efforts +have not been entirely successful." + +She sighed. Pamela just then was a picture of engaging humility. + +"It is so hard for me," she murmured, "I do not want to marry yet. I do +not wish to think of it. And so far as you are concerned, Mr. +Fischer--well, I am simply furious when I think of your attitude last +night. But I love adventures." + +"I will promise you all the adventures that can be crammed into your +life," he urged. + +"But be more definite," she persisted. "Where should we start? You are +over here now on some important mission. Tell me more about it?" + +"I cannot just yet," he answered. "All that I can promise you is that, +if I am successful, it will stop the war just as surely as Captain Graham's +new explosive." + +"I thought you were going to make a confidante of me," she complained. + +He suddenly gripped her arm. It was the first time he had touched her, +and she felt a queer surging of the blood to her head, a sudden and +almost uncontrollable repulsion. The touch of his long fingers was like +flame; his eyes, behind their sheltering spectacles, glowed in a +curious, disconcerting fashion. + +"To the woman who was my pledged wife," he said, "I would tell +everything. From the woman who gave me her hand and became my ally I +would have no secrets. Come, I have a message, more than a message, to +the American people. I am taking it to Washington before many hours +have passed. If it is your will, it should be you to whom I will +deliver it." + +Pamela walked on with her head in the air. Fischer was leaning a little +towards her. Every now and then his mouth twitched slightly. His eyes +seemed to be seeking to reach the back of her brain. + +"Please go now," she begged. "I can't think clearly while you are here, +and I want to make up my mind. I will send to you when I am ready." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + + +Pamela sat that afternoon on the balcony of the country club at +Baltusrol and approved of her surroundings. Below her stretched a +pleasant vista of rolling greensward, dotted here and there with the +figures of the golfers. Beyond, the misty blue background of rising +hills. + +"I can't tell you how peaceful this all seems, Jimmy," she said to her +brother, who had brought her out in his automobile. "One doesn't notice +the air of strain over on the Continent, because it's the same +everywhere, but it gets a little on one's nerves, all the same. I +positively love it here." + +"It's fine to have you," was the hearty response. "Gee, that fellow +coming to the sixteenth hole can play some!" + +Pamela directed her attention idly towards the figure which her brother +indicated--a man in light tweeds, who played with an easy and graceful +swing, and with the air of one to whom the game presented no +difficulties whatever. She watched him drive for the seventeenth--a +long, raking ball, fully fifty yards further than his opponent's-- +watched him play a perfect mashie shot to the green and hole out in +three. + +"A birdie," James Van Teyl murmured. "I say, Pamela!" + +She took no notice. Her eyes were still following the figure of the +golfer. She watched him drive at the last hole, play a chip shot on to +the green, and hit the hole for a three. The frown deepened upon her +forehead. She was looking very uncompromising when the two men ascended +the steps. + +"I didn't know, Mr. Lutchester, that there were any factories down this +way," she remarked severely, as he paused before her in surprise. + +For a single moment she fancied that she saw a flash of annoyance in +his eyes. It was gone so swiftly, however, that she remained uncertain. +He held out his hand, laughing. + +"Fairly caught out, Miss Van Teyl," he confessed. "You see, I was +tempted, and I fell." + +His companion, an elderly, clean-shaven man, passed on. Pamela glanced +after him. + +"Who is your opponent?" she asked. + +"Just some one I picked up on the tee," Lutchester explained. "How is +our friend Fischer this morning?" + +"I walked with him for an hour in the Park," Pamela replied. "He seemed +quite cheerful. I have scarcely thanked you yet for returning the +pocketbook, have I?" + +His face was inscrutable. + +"Couldn't keep a thing that didn't belong to me, could I?" he observed. + +"You have a marvellous gift for discovering lost property," she +murmured. + +"For discovering the owners, you mean," he retorted, with a little bow. + +"You're some golfer, I see, Mr. Lutchester," Van Teyl interposed. + +"I was on my game to-day," Lutchester admitted. "With a little luck at +the seventh," he continued earnestly, "I might have tied the amateur +record. You see, my ball--but there, I mustn't bore you now. I must +look after my opponent and stand him a drink. We shall meet again, I +daresay." + +Lutchester passed on, and Pamela glanced up at her brother. + +"Is he a sphinx or a fool?" she whispered. + +"Don't ask me," Van Teyl replied. "Seems to me you were a bit rough on +him, anyway. I don't see why the fellow shouldn't have a day's holiday +before he gets to work. If I had his swing, it would interfere with my +career, I know that, well enough." + +"Did you recognise the man with whom he was playing?" Pamela inquired. + +"Can't say that I did. His face seems familiar, too." + +"Go and see if you can find out his name," Pamela begged. "It isn't +ordinary curiosity. I really want to know." + +"That's easy enough," Van Teyl replied, rising from his place. "And +I'll order tea at the same time." + +Pamela leaned a little further back in her chair. Her eyes seemed to be +fixed upon the pleasant prospect of wooded slopes and green, +upward-stretching sward. As a matter of fact, she saw only two faces-- +Fischer's and Lutchester's. Her chief impulse in life for the immediate +present seemed to have resolved itself into a fierce, almost a +passionate curiosity. It was the riddle of those two brains which she +was so anxious to solve. ... Fischer, the cold, subtle intriguer, with +schemes at the back of his mind which she knew quite well that, even in +the moment of his weakness, he intended to keep to himself; and +Lutchester, with his almost cynical devotion to pleasure, yet with his +unaccountable habit of suggesting a strength and qualities to which he +neither laid nor established any claim. Of the two men it was +Lutchester who piqued her, with whom she would have found more pleasure +in the battle of wits. She found herself alternately furious and +puzzled with him, yet her uneasiness concerning him possessed more +disquieting, more fascinating possibilities than any of the emotions +inspired by the other man. + +Van Teyl returned to her presently, a little impressed. + +"Thought I knew that chap's face," he observed. "It's Eli Hamblin-- +Senator Hamblin, you know." + +"A friend and confidant of the President," she murmured. "A Westerner, +too. I wonder what he's doing here ... Jimmy!" + +"Hallo, Sis?" + +"You've just got to be a dear," Pamela begged. "Go to the caddy master, +or professional, or some one, and find out whether Mr. Lutchester met +him here by accident or whether they arrived together." + +"You'll turn me into a regular sleuthhound," he laughed. "However, here +goes." + +He strolled off again, and Pamela found herself forced to become +mundane and frivolous whilst she chatted with some newly-arrived +acquaintances. It was not until some little time after her brother's +return that she found herself alone with him. + +"Well?" she asked eagerly. + +"They arrived within a few minutes of one another," Van Teyl announced. +"Senator Hamblin bought a couple of new balls and made some inquiries +about the course, but said nothing about playing. Lutchester, who +appears not to have known him, came up later and asked him if he'd like +a game. That's all I could find out." + +Pamela pointed to a little cloud of dust in the distance. + +"And there they go," she observed, "together." + +Van Teyl threw himself into a chair and accepted the cup of tea which +his sister handed him. + +"Well," he inquired, "what do you make of it?" + +"There's more in that question than you think, James," Pamela replied. +"All the same, I think I shall be able to answer it in a few days." + +Another little crowd of acquaintances discovered them, and Pamela was +soon surrounded by a fresh group of admirers. They all went out +presently to inspect the new tennis courts. Pamela and her brother were +beset with invitations. + +"You positively must stay down and dine with us, and go home by +moonlight," Mrs. Saunders, a lively young matron with a large country +house close by, insisted. "Jimmy's neglected me terribly these last few +months, and as for you, Pamela, I haven't seen you for a year." + +"I'd love to if we can," Pamela assured her, "but Jimmy will have to +telephone first." + +"Then do be quick about it," Mrs. Saunders begged, "It doesn't matter a +bit about clothes. We've twenty people staying in the house now, and +half of us won't change, if that makes you more comfortable. Jimmy, if +you fail at that telephone I'll never forgive you." + +But Van Teyl, who had caught the little motion of his sister's head +towards the city, proved equal to the occasion. He returned presently, +driving the car. + +"Got to go," he announced as he made his farewells. "Can't be helped, +Pamela. Frightfully sorry, Mrs. Saunders, we are wanted up in New +York." + +Pamela sighed. + +"I was so afraid of it," she regretted as she waved her adieux. . . . . + +An hour or so later the city broke before them in murky waves. Pamela, +who had been leaning back in the car, deep in thought, sat up. + +"You are a perfect dear, James," she said. "Do you think you could +stand having Mr. Fischer to dinner one evening this week?" + +"Sure!" he replied, a little curiously. "If you want to keep friends +with him for any reason, I don't bear him any ill-will." + +"I just want to talk to him," Pamela murmured, "that's all." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + + +There was a ripple of interest and a good deal of curiosity that +afternoon, in the lounge and entrance hall of the Hotel Plaza, when a +tall, grey-moustached gentleman of military bearing descended from the +automobile which had brought him from the station, and handed in his +name at the desk, inquiring for Mr. Fischer. + +"Will you send my name up--the Baron von Schwerin," he directed. + +The clerk, who had recognised the newcomer, took him under his personal +care. + +"Mr. Fischer is up in his rooms, expecting you, Baron," he announced. +"If you'll come this way, I'll take you up." + +The Baron followed his guide to the lift and along the corridor to the +suite of rooms occupied by Mr. Fischer and his young friend, James Van +Teyl. Mr. Fischer himself opened the door. The two men clasped hands +cordially, and the clerk discreetly withdrew. + +"Back with us once more, Fischer," Von Schwerin exclaimed fervently. +"You are wonderful. Tell me," he added, looking around, "we are to be +alone here?" + +"Absolutely," Fischer replied. "The young man I share these apartments +with--James Van Teyl--has taken his sister out to Baltusrol. They will +not be back until seven o'clock. We are sure of solitude." + +"Good!" Von Schwerin exclaimed. "And you have news--I can see it in +your face." + +Fischer rolled up easy chairs and produced a box of cigars. + +"Yes," he assented, with a little glitter in his eyes, "I have news. +Things have moved with me. I think that, with the help of an idiotic +Englishman, we shall solve the riddle of what our professors have +called the consuming explosive. I sent the formula home to Germany, by +a trusty hand, only a few hours ago." + +"Capital!" Von Schwerin declared. "It was arranged in London, that?" + +"Partly in London and partly here," Fischer replied. + +Von Schwerin made a grimace. + +"If you can find those who are willing to help you here, you are +fortunate indeed," he sighed. "My life's work has lain amongst these +people. In the days of peace, all seemed favourable to us. Since the +war, even those people whom I thought my friends seem to have lost +their heads, to have lost their reasoning powers." + +"After all," Fischer muttered, "it is race calling to race. But come, +we have more direct business on hand. Nikasti is here." + +Von Schwerin nodded a little gloomily. + +"Washington knows nothing of his coming," he observed. "I attended the +Baron Yung's reception last week, informally. I threw out very broad +hints, but Yung would not be drawn. Nikasti represents the Secret +Service of Japan, unofficially and without responsibility." + +"Nevertheless," Fischer pointed out, "what he says will reach the ear +of his country, and reach it quickly. You've gone through the papers I +sent you?" + +"Carefully," Von Schwerin replied. "And the autograph letter?" + +"That I have," Fischer announced. "I will fetch Nikasti." + +He crossed the room and opened the door leading into the bedchambers. + +"Are you there, Kato?" he cried. + +"I am coming, sir," was the instant reply. + +Nikasti appeared, a few moments later. He was carrying a dress coat on +his arm, and he held a clothes brush in his hand. It was obvious that +he had studied with nice care the details of his new part. + +"You can sit down, Nikasti," Fischer invited. "This is the Baron von +Schwerin. He has something to say to you." + +Nikasti bowed very low. He declined the chair, however, to which +Fischer pointed. + +"I am your valet and the valet of Mr. Van Teyl," he murmured. "It is +not fitting for me to be seated. I listen." + +Von Schwerin drew his chair a little nearer. + +"I plunge at once," he said, "into the middle of things. There is +always the fear that we may be disturbed." + +Nikasti inclined his head. + +"It is best," he agreed. + +"You are aware," Von Schwerin continued, "that the Imperial Government +of Germany has already made formal overtures, through a third party, to +the Emperor of Japan with reference to an alteration in our relations?" + +"There was talk of this in Tokio," Nikasti observed softly. "Japan, +however, is under obligations--treaty obligations. Her honour demands +that these should be kept." + +"The honour of a country," Baron von Schwerin acknowledged, "is, +without doubt, a sacred charge upon her rulers, but above all things in +heaven or on earth, the interests of her people must be their first +consideration. If a time should come when the two might seem to clash, +then it is the task of the statesman to recognise this fact." + +Nikasti bowed. + +"It is spoken," he confessed, "like a great man." + +"Your country," Von Schwerin continued, "is at war with mine because it +seemed to her rulers that her interests lay with the Allies rather than +with Germany. I will admit that my country was at fault. We did not +recognise to its full extent the value of friendship with Japan. We did +not bid high enough for your favours. Asia concerned us very little. We +looked upon the destruction of our interests there in the same spirit +as that with which we contemplated the loss of our colonies. All that +might happen would be temporary. Our influence in Asia, our colonies, +will remain with us or perish, according to the result of the war in +Europe. But our statesmen overlooked one thing." + +"Our factories," Nikasti murmured. + +"Precisely! We have had our agents all over the world for years. Some +are good, a few are easily deceived. There is no country in the world +where apparently so much liberty is granted to foreigners as in Japan. +There is no country where the capacity for manufacture and output has +been so grossly underestimated by our agents, as yours." + +Nikasti smiled. + +"I had something to do with that," he announced. "It was Karl Neumann, +was it not, on whom you relied? I supplied him with much information." + +Von Schwerin's face clouded for a moment. + +"You mean that you fooled him, I suppose," he said. "Well, it is all +part of the game. That is over now. We want your exports to Russia +stopped." + +"Ah!" Nikasti murmured reflectively. "Stopped!" + +"We ask no favours," Von Schwerin continued. "The issue of the war is +written across the face of the skies for those who care to read." + +Nikasti looked downwards at the dress coat which he was carrying. Then +he glanced up at Von Schwerin. + +"Perhaps our eyes have been dazzled," he said. "Will you not +interpret?" + +"The end of the war will be a peace of exhaustion," Von Schwerin +explained. "Our loftier dreams of conquest we must abandon. Germany has +played her part, but Austria, alas! has failed. Peace will leave us all +very much where we were. Very well, then, I ask you, what has Japan +gained? You answer China? I deny it. Yet even if it were true, it will +take you five hundred years to make a great country of China. Suppose +for a moment you had been on the other side. What about Australia?... +New Zealand?" + +"Are those things under present consideration?" Nikasti queried. + +"Why not?" Von Schwerin replied. "Listen. Close your exports to Russia +within the next thirty days. Build up for yourselves a stock of +ammunition, add to your fleet, and prepare. Within a year of the +cessation of war, there is no reason why your national dream should not +be realised. Your fleet may sail for San Francisco. The German fleet +shall make a simultaneous attack upon the eastern coast of +Massachusetts and New York." + +"The German fleet," Nikasti repeated. "And England?" + +Von Schwerin's eyes flashed for a moment. + +"If the English fleet is still in being," he declared, "it will be a +crippled and defeated fleet, but, for the sake of your point of view, I +will assume that it exists. Even then there will be nothing to prevent +the German fleet from steaming in what waters it pleases. If our shells +fall upon New York on the day when your warships are sighted off the +Californian coast, do you suppose that America could resist? With her +seaboard, her fleet is contemptible. For her wealth, her army is a +farce. She has neglected for a great many years to pay her national +insurance. She is the one country in the world who can be bled for the +price of empires." + +Fischer, who had been smoking furiously, spat out the end of a fresh +cigar. + +"It will be a just retribution," he interposed, with smothered +fierceness. "Under the guise of neutrality, America has been +responsible for the lives of hundreds of thousands of my countrymen. +That we never can, we never shall, forget. The wealth which makes these +people fat is blood-money, and Germany will take her vengeance." + +"For whom do you speak?" Nikasti inquired. + +Von Schwerin rose from his place. + +"For the greatest of all." + +"Do I take anything but words to Tokio?" the Japanese asked softly. + +Fischer unfolded a pocketbook and drew from it a parchment envelope. + +"You take this letter," he said, "which I brought over myself from +Berlin, signed and written not more than three weeks ago. I ask you to +believe in no vague promises. I bring you the pledged faith of the +greatest ruler on earth. What do you say, Nikasti? Will you accept our +mission? Will you go back to Tokio and see the Emperor?" + +Nikasti bowed. + +"I will go back," he promised. "I will sail as soon as I can make +arrangements. But I cannot tell you what the issue may be. We Japanese +are not a self-seeking nation. Above and higher than all things are our +ideals and our honour. I cannot tell what answer our Sovereign may give +to this." + +"These are the days when the truest patriotism demands the most sublime +sacrifices," Von Schwerin declared. "Above all the ethics of +individuals comes the supreme necessity of self-preservation." + +The Japanese smiled slightly. + +"Ah!" he said, "there speaks the philosophy of your country, Baron, the +paean of materialism." + +"The destinies of nations," Baron von Schwerin exclaimed, "are above +the man-made laws of a sentimental religion! One needs, nowadays, more +than to survive. It is necessary to flourish." + +Nikasti stood suddenly to attention. + +"It is Mr. Van Teyl who returns," he warned them. + +He glided from the room, shaking out a little the dress coat which he +had been carrying. The two men looked after him. Fischer threw his +cigar savagely away and lit another. + +"Curse these orientals!" he muttered. "They listen and listen, and one +never knows. Van Teyl won't be here for hours. That was just an excuse +to get away." + +But there was a smile of triumph on Von Schwerin's lips. + +"I know them better than you do, Fischer," he declared. "Nikasti is our +man!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + + +High up in one of the topmost chambers of the Hotel Plaza, Nikasti, +after his conference with Von Schwerin and Fischer, sought solitude. He +opened the high windows, out of which he could scarcely see, dragged up +a chest of drawers and perched himself, Oriental fashion, on the top, +his long yellow fingers intertwined around his knees, his soft brown +eyes gazing over the wooded slopes of the Park. He was away from the +clamour of tongues, from the poisoned clouds of sophistry, even from +the disturbance of his own thoughts, incited by specious arguments to +some form of reciprocity. Here he sat in the clouds and searched for +the true things. His eyes seemed to be travelling over the battlefields +of Europe. He saw the swaying fortunes of mighty armies, he looked into +council chambers, he seemed to feel the pulses of the great world force +which kept going this most amazing Juggernaut. He saw the furnaces of +Japan, blazing by night and day; saw the forms of hundreds of thousands +of his fellow creatures bent to their task; saw the streams of ships +leaving his ports, laden down with stores; saw the great guns speeding +across Siberia, the endless trains of ammunition, the rifles, food for +the famine-stricken giants who beat upon the air with empty fists. He +saw the gold come streaming back. He saw it poured into the banks, the +pockets of the merchants, the homes of his people. He saw brightening +days throughout the land. He saw the slow but splendid strength of the +nation rejoicing in its new possibilities. And beyond that, what? +Wealth was the great means towards the great end, but if the great end +were once lost sight of, there was no more hideous poison than that +stream of enervating prosperity. He remembered his own diatribes +concerning the decadence of England; how he had pointed to the gold +poison, to the easy living of the poor, the blatant luxury of the rich. +He had pointed to the soft limbs, the cities which had become pools of +sensuality, to the daily life which, calling for no effort, had seen +the passing of the spirit and the triumph of the gross. And what about +his own people? Mankind was the same the world over. The gold which was +bringing strength and life to the nation might very soon exude the same +poisonous fumes, might very soon be laying its thrall upon a people to +whom living had become an easier thing. However it might be for other, +the Western nations, for his own he firmly believed that war alone, +with its thousand privations, its call to the chivalry of his people, +was the one great safeguard. China! The days had gone by when the +taking of China could inspire. It was to greater things they must look. +Australia. New Zealand! Had any Western race the right to flaunt her +Empire's flag in Asiatic seas? And America! Once again he felt the slow +rising of wrath as he recalled the insults of past years ... the +adventurous sons of his country treated like savages and negroes by +that uncultured, strong-limbed race of coarse-fibered, unimaginative +materialists. There was a call, indeed, to the soul of his country to +avenge, to make safe, the homes and lives of her colonists. Across the +seas he looked into the council chambers of the wise men of his race. +He saw the men whose word would tell. He watched their faces turned +towards him, waiting; heard the beginning of the conflict of thoughts +and minds--blind fidelity to the cause which they had espoused, or a +rougher, more splendid, more selfish stroke for the greatness of Japan +and Japan only. "If we break our faith we lose our honour," one +murmured. "There is no honour save the care of my people," he heard one +of his greatest countrymen reply. + +So he sat and thought, revolved in his mind arguments, morals, +philosophy. It was the problem which had confronted the great Emperor, +his own ancestor, who had lived for three months on the floor of the +Temple, asking but one question of the Silent Powers: "Through what +gate shall I lead my nation to greatness?" + +The senses of the man who crouched in his curious attitude, with his +eyes still piercing the heavens, were mobile and extraordinary things. +No disturbing sounds had reached him from outside. His isolation seemed +complete and impregnable. Yet, without turning his head, he was +perfectly conscious of the slow opening of the door. His whole frame +stiffened. He was conscious for one bitter second of a lapse from the +careful guarding of his ways. That second passed, however, and left him +prepared even for danger, his brain and muscles alike tense. He turned +his head. The expression of slow surprise, which even parted his lips +and narrowed his eyes, was only half assumed. + +"What do you wish?" he asked. + +Lutchester did not for a moment reply. He had closed the door behind +him carefully, and was looking around the room now with evident +interest. Its bareness of furniture and decoration were noteworthy, but +on the top of the ugly chest of drawers was a great bowl of roses, a +queer little ivory figure set in an arched frame of copper--a figure +almost sacerdotal, with its face turned towards the east--and a little +shower of rose leaves, which could scarcely have fallen there by +accident, at the foot of the pedestal. Lutchester inclined his head +gravely, as he looked towards it, a gesture entirely reverential, +almost an obeisance. Nikasti's eyes were clouded with curiosity. He +slipped down to the ground. + +"I have travelled in your country," Lutchester said gravely, as though +in explanation. "I have visited your temples. I may say that I have +prayed there." + +"And now?" Nikasti asked. + +"I am for my country what you are for yours," Lutchester proceeded. +"You see, I know when it is best to speak the truth. I am in New York +because you are in New York, and if you leave on Saturday for Japan it +may happen--of this I am not sure--but I say that it may happen that I +shall accompany you." + +"I shall be much honoured," Nikasti murmured. + +"You came here," Lutchester continued, "to meet an emissary from +Berlin. Your country, which could listen to no official word from any +one of her official enemies, can yet, through you, learn what is in +their minds. You have seen to-day Fischer and the Baron von Schwerin. +Fischer has probably presented to you the letter which he has brought +from Berlin. Von Schwerin has expounded further the proposition and the +price which form part of his offer." + +Nikasti's face was imperturbable, but there was trouble in his eyes. + +"You have found your way to much knowledge,", he muttered. + +"I must find my way to more. I must know what Germany offers you. I +must know what is at the back of your mind when you repeat this offer +in Tokio." + +"You can make, then, the unwilling speak?" Nikasti demanded. + +"Even that is amongst the possibilities," Lutchester affirmed. "Strange +things have been done for the cause which such as you and I revere." + +Nikasti showed his white teeth for a moment in a smile meant to be +contemptuous. + +"It is a great riddle, this, which we toss from one to the other," he +observed. "I am the simple valet of two gentlemen living in the hotel. +You have listened, perhaps, to fairy tales, or dreamed them yourself, +sir." + +"It is no fairy tale," Lutchester rejoined, "that you are Prince +Nikasti, the third son of the great Marquis Ato, that you and I met +more than once in London when you were living there some years ago; +that you travelled through our country, and drew up so scathing an +indictment of our domestic and industrial position that, but for their +clumsy diplomacy, your country would probably have made overtures to +Germany. Ever since those days I have wondered about you. I have +wondered whether you are with your country in her friendship towards +England." + +"I have no friends but my country's friends," Nikasti declared, "no +enemies save her enemies. But to-day those things of which you have +spoken do not concern me. I am the Japanese valet of Mr. Fischer and +Mr. Van Teyl." + +Lutchester, as though by accident, came a step further into the room. +Nikasti's eyes never left his face. Perhaps at that moment each knew +the other's purpose, though their tongues clung to the other things. + +"Will you talk to me, Japan?" Lutchester asked calmly. "You have +listened to Germany. I am England." + +"If you have anything to say," Nikasti replied, "Baron Yung is at +Washington." + +"You and I know well," Lutchester continued, "that ambassadors are but +the figureheads in the world's history. Speak to me of the things which +concern our nations, Nikasti. Tell me of the letter you bear to the +Emperor. You have nothing to lose. Sit down and talk to me, man to man. +You have heard Germany. Hear England. Tell me of the promises made to +you within the last hour, and I will show you how they can never be +kept. Let us talk of your country's future. You and I can tell one +another much." + +"A valet knows nothing," Nikasti murmured. + +Lutchester came a step nearer. Nikasti, in retreating, was now almost +in a corner of the room. + +"Listen," Lutchester went on, "for many years I have suspected that you +are an enemy of my country. That is the reason why, when our +Intelligence Department learnt of your mission, I chose to come myself +to meet you. And now we meet, Nikasti, face to face, and all that you +are willing to do for your country, I am willing to do for mine, and +unless you sit down and talk this matter out with me as man to man, you +will not leave New York." + +The arm of the Japanese stole with the most perfect naturalness inside +his coat, and Lutchester knew then that the die was cast. The line of +blue steel flashed out too late. The hand which gripped the +strangely-shaped little knife was held as though in a vice, and +Lutchester's other arm was suddenly thrown around the neck of his +assailant, his fingers pressed against his windpipe. + +"Drop the knife," he ordered. + +It fell clattering on to the hard floor. Nikasti, however, twisted +himself almost free, took a flying leap sideways, and seized his +adversary's leg. In another moment he came down upon the floor with a +crash. Lutchester's grip upon him, a little crueller now, was like a +band of steel. + +"There are many ways of playing this game. It is you who have chosen +this one," he said. "It's no use, Nikasti. I know as much of your own +science as you do. You're my man now until I choose to let you free, +and before I do that I am going to read the letter which you are taking +to Japan." + +Nikasti's eyes were red with fury, but every movement was torture. +Lutchester held him easily with one hand, felt over him with the other, +drew the letter from his vest, and, shaking it free from its envelope, +held it out and read it. When he had finished, he replaced it in the +envelope and pushed it back into the other's breast pocket. + +"Now," he directed, "you can get up." + +Nikasti scrambled to his feet. There were livid marks under his eyes. +For a moment he had lost all his vitality, he was like a beaten +creature. + +"You would never have done this," he muttered, "ten years ago, I grow +old." + +"So that is the letter which you are taking to your Emperor!" +Lutchester said. "You think it worth while! You can really see the +German fleet steaming past the British Isles, out into the Atlantic, +and bombarding New York!" + +Nikasti made no reply. Lutchester looked at him for a moment +thoughtfully. There was a light once more in the beaten man's eyes--a +queer, secretive gleam. Lutchester stooped down and picked up the knife +from the floor. + +"Nikasti," he enjoined, "listen to me, for your country's sake. The +promise contained in that letter is barely worth the paper it is +written on, so long as the British fleet remains what it is. But, apart +from that, I tell you here, of my own profound conviction--and I will +prove it to you before many days are past--Germany does not intend to +keep this promise." + +Nikasti made no reply. His face was expressionless. + +"Germany has but one idea," Lutchester continued. "She means to play +you and America off against one another. I have found out her offer to +you. All I can say is, if you take it seriously you are not the man I +think you. Now I will tell you what I am going to do. I am going to +find out her offer to America. I will bring that to you, and you shall +see the two side by side. Then you shall know how much you can rely +upon a country whose diplomacy is bred and born of lies, who cheats at +every move of the game, who makes you a deliberate offer here which she +never has the least intention of keeping. Have you anything to say to +me, Nikasti?" + +Nikasti raised his eyes for one moment. + +"I have nothing to say," he replied. "I am the valet of Mr. Fischer and +Mr. Van Teyl. These things are not of my concern." + +Lutchester shrugged his shoulders. + +"Whatever you may be," he concluded, "and however much you may resent +all that has happened, I know that you will wait. I might go direct to +Washington, but I prefer to come to you, if it remains possible. Before +you leave this country we will meet again, and, when you have heard me, +you will tear that letter which you are treasuring next your heart into +small pieces." + +Lutchester turned and left the room, closing the door behind him. +Nikasti crouched in his place without movement. The ache in his heart +seemed to be shining out of his face. He turned slowly towards the +little figure of black ivory, his head drooped lower--he was filled +with a great shame. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + + +Fischer raised his eyebrows in mild surprise to find Nikasti waiting +for him in the sitting room that evening, with his overcoat and evening +hat. He closed the door of the bedroom from which he had issued +carefully behind him. + +"You don't need to go on with this business now that we have had our +little talk," he remonstrated. + +"I cannot leave until the twentieth," Nikasti replied. "I think it best +that I remain here. Your cocktail, sir." + +Fischer accepted the glass with a good-humoured little laugh. + +"Well," he said, "I suppose you know what you want to do, but it seems +to me unnecessary. Say, is anything wrong with you? You seem shaken, +somehow." + +"I am quite well," Nikasti declared gravely. "I am very well indeed." + +Fischer stared at him searchingly from behind his spectacles. + +"You don't look it," he observed. "If you'll take my advice, you'll get +away from here and rest somewhere quietly for a few days. Why don't you +try one of the summer hotels on Long Island?" + +Nikasti shook his head. + +"Until I sail," he decided, "I stay here. It is better so." + +"You know best, of course," Fischer replied. "Where's Mr. Van Teyl?" + +"He has gone out with his sister, sir--the young lady in the next +suite," Nikasti announced. + +Fischer sighed for a moment. Then he finished his cocktail, drew on his +gloves, and turned towards the door. + +"Well, good night," he said. "Perhaps you are wise to stay here. +Remember always what it is that you carry about with you." + +"I shall remember," Nikasti promised. + +Fischer entered his automobile and drove to a fashionable restaurant in +the neighbourhood of Fifth Avenue. Arrived here, he made his way to a +room on the first floor, into which he was ushered by one of the head +waiters. Von Schwerin was already there, talking with a little company +of men. + +"Ah, our friend Fischer!" the latter exclaimed. "That makes our number +complete." + +A waiter handed around cocktails. Fischer smiled as he raised his glass +to his lips. + +"It is something, at least," he confided, "to be back in a country +where one can speak freely. I raise my arm. Von Schwerin and +gentlemen--'To the Fatherland!'" + +They all drank fervently and with a little guttural murmur. Von +Schwerin set down his empty glass. He was looking a little glum. + +"In many ways, my dear Fischer," he said, "one sympathises with that +speech of yours; but the truth is best, and it is to talk truths that +we have met this evening. We are gaining no ground here. I am not sure +that we are not losing." + +There was a moment's disturbed and agitated silence. + +"It is bad to hear," one little man acknowledged, with a sigh, "but who +can doubt it? There is a fever which has caught hold of this country, +which blazes in the towns and smoulders in the country places, and that +is the fever of money-making. Men are blinded with the passion of it. +They tell me that even Otto Schmidt in Milwaukee has turned his great +factories into ammunition works." + +Von Schwerin's eyes flashed. + +"Let him be careful," he muttered, "that one morning those are not +blackened walls upon which he looks! We go to dinner now, gentlemen, +and, until we are alone afterwards, not one word concerning the great +things." + +The partition doors leading into the dining room were thrown back and +the little company of men sat down to dine. There were fourteen of +them, and their names were known throughout the world. There was a +steel millionaire, half-a-dozen Wall Street magnates, a clothing +manufacturer, whose house in Fifth Avenue was reputed to have cost two +millions. There was not one of them who was not a patriot--to Germany. +They ate and drank through the courses of an abnormally long dinner +with the businesslike thoroughness of their race. When at last the +coffee and liqueurs had been served, the waiters by prearrangement +disappeared, and with a little flourish Von Schwerin locked the door. +Once more he raised his glass. + +"To the Kaiser and the Fatherland!" he cried in a voice thick with +emotion. + +For a moment a little flash of something almost like spirituality +lightened the gathering. They were at least men with a purpose, and an +unselfish purpose. + +"Oscar Fischer," Von Schwerin said, "my friends, all of you, you know +how strenuous my labours have been during the last year. You know that +three times the English Ambassador has almost demanded my recall, and +three times the matter has hung in the balance. I have watched events +in Washington, not through my own but through a thousand eyes. My +fingers are on the pulse of the country, so what I say to you needs +nothing in the way of substantiation. The truth is best. +Notwithstanding all my efforts, and the efforts of every one of you, +the great momentum of public feeling, from California to Massachusetts, +has turned slowly towards the cause of our enemies. Washington is +hopelessly against us. The huge supplies which leave these shores day +by day for England and France will continue. Fresh plants are being +laid down for the manufacture of weapons and ammunition to be used +against our country. The hand of diplomacy is powerless. We can +struggle no longer. Even those who favour our cause are drunk with the +joy of the golden harvest they are reaping. This country has spoken +once and for all, and its voice is for our most hated enemy." + +There were a variety of guttural and sympathetic ejaculations. A dozen +earnest faces turned towards Von Schwerin. + +"Diplomacy," Von Schwerin continued, "has failed. We come to the next +step. There have been isolated acts of self-sacrifice, splendid in +themselves but systemless. Only the day before yesterday a great +factory at Detroit was burned to the ground, and I can assure you, +gentlemen, I who know, that a thousand bales of cloth, destined for +France, lie in a charred, heap amongst the ruins. That fire was no +accident." + +There was a brief silence. Fischer nodded approvingly. Von Schwerin +filled his glass. + +"This," he went on, "was the individual act of a brave and faithful +patriot. The time has come for us, too, to remember that we are at war. +I have striven for you with the weapons of diplomacy and I have failed. +I ask you now to face the situation with me--to make use of the only +means left to us." + +No one hesitated. Possibly ruin stared them in the face, but not one +flinched. Their heads drew closer together. They discussed the ways and +means of the new campaign. + +"We must add largely to our numbers," Von Schwerin said, "and we had +better have a fund. So far as regards money, I take it for granted--" + +There was a little chorus of fierce whispers. Five million dollars were +subscribed by men who were willing, if necessary, to find fifty. + +"It is enough," their leader assured them. "Much of our labours will be +amongst those to whom money is no object. Only remember, all of you, +this. We shall be a society without a written word, with no roll of +membership, without documents or institution, for complicity in the +things which follow will mean ruin. You are willing to face that?" + +Again that strange, passionate instinct of unanimity prevailed. To all +appearance it was a gathering of commonplace, commercialised and +bourgeois, easy-living men, but the touch of the spirit was there. +Fischer leaned a little forward. + +"In two months' time," he said, "every factory in America which is +earning its blood money shall be in danger. There will be a reign of +terror. Each State will operate independently and secretly." + +"Our friend Fischer," Von Schwerin told them, "has promised to stay +over here for the present to organise this undertaking. I, alas! am +bound to remain always a little aloof, but the time may come, and very +soon, too, when I shall be a free lance. On that day I shall throw my +lot in with yours, to the last drop of my blood and the last hour of my +liberty. Until then, trust Oscar Fischer. He has done great deeds +already. He will show you the way to more." + +Fischer took off his spectacles and wiped them. + +"Our first proceeding," he said, "sounds paradoxical. It must be that +we cease to exist. There can be no longer any meetings amongst us who +stand in this country for Germany. Gatherings of this sort are +finished. We meet, one or two of us, perhaps, by accident, in the clubs +and in the streets, in our houses and perhaps in the restaurants, but +the bond which unites us, and which no human power could ever sever +because it is of the spirit, that bond from to-night is intangible. +Wait, all of you, for a message. The task given to each shall not be +too great." + +Mr. Max H. Bookam, a little black-bearded man who had started life +tailoring in a garret, and was now a multi-millionaire, raised his +glass. + +"No task shall seem too great," he muttered. "No risk shall make us +afraid. Even the exile shall take up his burden." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + + +Mr. Fischer's business later on that night led him into unsavoury +parts. He left his car at the corner of Fourteenth Street, and, after a +moment's reflection, as though to refresh his memory, he made his way +slowly eastwards. He wore an unusually shabby overcoat, and a felt hat +drawn over his eyes, both of which garments he had concealed in the +automobile. Even then, however, his appearance made him an object of +some comment. A little gang of toughs first jostled him and then turned +and followed in his footsteps. A man came out of the shadows, and they +broke away with an oath. + +"That cop'll get his head broke some day," Fischer heard one of them +mutter, with appropriate adjectives. + +There were others who looked curiously at him. One man's hand he felt +running over his pockets as he pushed past him. A couple of women came +screaming down the street and seized him by the arms. He shook himself +free, and listened without a word to their torrent of abuse. The lights +here seemed to burn more dimly. Even the flares from the drinking dens +seemed secretive, and the shadowy places impenetrable. It was before a +saloon that at last he paused, listened for a moment to the sound of a +cracked piano inside, and entered. The place was packed, and, +fortunately for him, a scrap of some interest between two +villainous-looking Italians in a distant corner was occupying the +attention of many of the patrons. A man with white, staring face was +banging at a crazy piano without a movement of his body, his whole +energies apparently directed towards drowning the tumult of oaths and +hideous execrations which came from the two combatants. A drunken +Irishman, rolling about on the floor, kicked at him savagely as he +passed. An undersized little creature, with the face of an old man but +the figure of a boy, marked him from a distant corner and crept +stealthily towards his side. Fischer reached the counter at last and +stood there for a moment, waiting. Two huge, rough-looking negroes, in +soiled linen clothes, were dispensing the drinks. As one of them +passed, Fischer struck the counter with his forefinger, six or seven +times, observing a particular rhythm. The negro started, turned his +heavily-lidded, repulsive eyes upon Fischer, and nodded slightly. He +handed out the drink he had in his hand, and leaned over the counter. + +"Want the boss?" he demanded. + +Fischer assented. The negro lifted the flap of the counter and opened a +trapdoor, leading apparently into a cellar beneath. + +"Step right down," he muttered. "Don't let the boys catch on. Get out +of that, Tim," he added thickly to the dwarflike figure, whose slender +fingers were suddenly nearing Fischer's neck. + +The creature seemed to melt away. Fischer dived and descended a dozen +steps or so into another bare looking apartment, the door of which was +half open. There were three men seated at the solitary deal table, +which was almost the only article of furniture to be seen. One, +sombrely dressed in legal black, with a pale face and fiercely +inquiring eyes, half rose to his feet as the newcomer entered. +Another's hand went to his hip pocket. The man who was sitting between +the two, however--a great red-headed Irishman--rose to his feet and +pushed them back to their places. + +"There's no cause for alarm, now, boys," he declared. "This is a friend +of mine. I won't make you acquainted, because we're all better friends +strangers down in these parts. Hop it off, you two. Sit down here, Mr. +Stranger." + +The two men stole away. The Irishman poured out a glassful of neat +whisky and passed it to his visitor. + +"Clients of mine," he explained. "Tim Crooks is in politics. Got your +message, boss. What's the figure?" + +"Two thousand!" + +The Irishman whistled and looked thoughtfully down at the table. + +"Isn't it enough?" Fischer asked. + +"Enough?" was the hoarse reply. "Why, there isn't one of my toughs that +wouldn't go rat-hunting for a quarter of that. If it's any one in these +parts, twelve hours is all I want." + +"It isn't!" + +The Irishman's face fell. + +"Some swell, I suppose? Fifth Avenue way and the swagger parts, eh?" + +Fischer assented silently. His host poured himself out some whisky and +drank it as though it were water. + +"You see, boss," he pointed out, "it's no use sending greenhorns out on +a job like that, because they only squeak if they're pinched, and +pinched they're sure to be; and all my regulars are what we call in +sanctuary." + +"You mean they are hiding already?" + +"That's some truth," was the grim admission. "The cops ain't going to +trouble to come after 'em, so long as they keep here, but they'd nab +'em fast enough if they showed their noses beyond the end of +Fourteenth. Still, I'd like to oblige you, guv'nor. I don't know who +you are, and don't want, but my boys speak fine of you. You know Ed +Swindles?" + +"Not by name," Fischer confessed. + +"He did that little job up at Detroit," the Irishman went on, dropping +his voice a little. "I tell you he's a genius at handling a bomb, is +Ed. Blew that old factory into brick-ends, he did. He's in the saloon +upstairs--got his girl with him. They've been doing a round of the +dancing saloons." + +"That's all right, but what about this job?" Fischer inquired, a little +impatiently. + +The Irishman glanced behind him. Then he dropped his voice a little. + +"Look here, guv'nor," he said, "I've some idea, if it pans out. You've +heard of the Heste case?" + +"You mean the girl who was murdered?" + +"Yes! Well, the chap that did it is within a few feet of where we're +sitting." + +Fischer took off his spectacles and rubbed them. In the dim light his +face looked more grim and powerful than ever. + +"Isn't that a little dangerous?" he observed. "The police mean having +him." + +"You're dead right," the Irishman replied. "They've got to have him, +and he knows it. They'd keep their hands off any one in these parts if +they could, but this bloke's different. He done it too thick, and he's +got the public squealing. Now if we could get him out for long enough, +he's the man for your job. Come right along, boss." + +He rose heavily to his feet, crossed the room, and threw open the door +of what was little more than a cupboard at the further end. The place +was in darkness, but a human form sprang suddenly upright. His white +face and glaring eyes were the only visible objects in a shroud of +darkness. + +"That's all right, kid," the Irishman said soothingly. "No cops yet. +This is a gentleman on business. Wait till I fix a light." + +He stepped back, and brought a candle from the table at which he had +been seated. Fischer helped him light it, and by degrees the interior +of the little apartment was illuminated. Its contents were almost +negligible--there was simply a foul piece of rug in the corner, and a +broken chair. With his back to the wall crouched a slim, apparently +young man, with a perfectly bloodless face and black eyes under which +were blue lines. His clothes were torn and covered with dust, as though +he had dragged himself about the floor, and one of his hands was +bleeding. + +"The gentleman's on business, Jake," his host repeated. + +"Give me some whisky," the young man mumbled. + +The Irishman shaded his eyes. + +"Holy Moses! why, you've finished that bottle!" he exclaimed. + +"It's like water," the fugitive replied in a hot whisper, "I drink and +I feel nothing; I taste nothing--I forget nothing! Give me something +stronger." + +He tossed off without hesitation the tumbler half full of whisky which +his guardian fetched him. Then he came out. + +"I'm sick of this," he declared. "I'll sit at your table. It's no use +talking to me of jobs," he went on. "I couldn't get out of here. I made +for the docks, but they headed me off. They know where I am. They'll +have me sooner or later." + +"Yes, they'll have you right enough," the Irishman assented; "but if +there was any chance in the world, this gent could give it to you. He's +got a job he wants done up amongst the swells in Fifth Avenue, and +there's money enough in it to buy Anna herself, if you want her. Anna's +our real toff down here," he explained, turning to Fischer, "and all +the boys are crazy about her." + +Jake shook his head, unimpressed. He fixed his eyes upon Fischer, +moistened his lips a little, and spoke in a sort of croaky whisper. + +"Money's no use to me," he said, "nor women either--I'm through with +them. You know what I done? I killed my girl. That's what I'm going to +the chair for. But if I could get out of this, I'd do your job. I'm +kind of hating people. I can't get my girl's face out of my mind. +Perhaps if I did your job I'd have another one to think about." + +"Pleasant company, ain't he?" the Irishman grunted. "He's the real +goods." + +Fischer stared at the young man as though fascinated. He seemed beyond +and outside human comprehension. Their host was sitting with his hands +in his pockets and his feet on another chair. The braces hung from his +shoulders upon the floor, his collarless shirt had fallen a little +open. His face, with its little tuft of red side whiskers and unshaven +chin, was reminiscent of the forests. + +"If you want this job fixed, Mr. Stranger," he said, "I don't know as +Jake here couldn't take it on. It'd have to be done like this. Jake's a +real toney chauffeur--drive anything. If you had your automobile at a +spot I could tell you of one evening, just at dusk, I might get him +that far, in a set of chauffeur's clothes. Once on the box of your +auto, he'd be out of this and could give 'em the slip for a bit. It's +the only way I can think of, to get him near the game." + +"The arrangement would suit me," Fischer admitted. + +Jake suddenly showed a gleaming set of unexpectedly white teeth. His +eyes stared more than ever. + +"I'm game! I'm on to this," he cried fiercely. "You can have all there +is coming to me, Sullivan, if I get nabbed, but I'm going to take my +risk. I hate this hole! It's a rat's den." + +"Then get you back to your cupboard, Jake," the Irishman enjoined. +"I've got to talk business to the gent." + +The young man rose to his feet. He took the bottle of whisky under his +arm. His face was still ashen, but his tone was steady. He gripped +Fischer by the arm. + +"I will do your job," he promised. "I will do it thoroughly." + +He slouched across the floor, entered his cupboard, and disappeared. +Fischer was suddenly aware of the moisture upon his forehead. There was +something animallike, absolutely inhuman, about this creature with whom +he had made his murderous bargain. + +"I have no money here, of course," he reminded his companion. + +"Don't know as I blame you, guv'nor," the other observed with a grin. +"I saw my toughs lay out a guy only the other day for flashing a +smaller wad than you'd carry. You know the rules, and I guess I'll ring +up the bank to-morrow morning at eleven o'clock. Does that go?" + +"You'll find the deposit there," Fischer promised. "You'd better let me +know when he's ready to take the job on." + +The Irishman walked to the foot of the steps with his visitor. + +"Give Joe the double knock on the trapdoor," he directed, "and get out +of the saloon as quick as you can. There's a Dago about there keeps our +hands full. Got anything with you?" + +Fischer nodded. His hand stole out of his overcoat pocket. + +"Better give them one if they look like trouble," his host advised. +"They've plenty of spunk, but I can tell you they make tracks for their +holes if they hear one of those things bark." + +"They shall hear it fast enough, if they try to hustle me," Fischer +observed grimly. + +"You've some pluck," the Irishman declared, as he watched his departing +guest ascend the steps. "Sure, this is no place for cowards, anyway. +And good night and good luck to you! Jake will do your job slick, if +any one could." + +Fischer beat his little tattoo upon the trapdoor, crawled through it +and underneath the flap in the counter, out into the saloon. He paused +for a moment to look around, on his way to the door. The fight was +apparently over, for every one was standing at the counter, drinking +with a swarthy-faced man whose cheeks were stained with blood. From a +distant corner came the sound of groans. The air seemed heavier than +ever with foul tobacco smoke. The man at the piano still thrashed out +his unmelodious chords. Some women in a corner were pretending to +dance. One or two of them looked curiously at Fischer, but he passed +out, unchallenged. Even the air of the slum outside seemed pure and +fresh after the heated den he had left. He reached the corner of the +street in safety and stepped quickly into his car. He threw both +windows wide open and murmured an order to the chauffeur. Then he +leaned back and closed his eyes for a moment. He was a man not +overburdened with imagination, but it seemed to him just then that he +would never be able altogether to forget the face of that ghastly, +dehumanised creature, crouching like some terrified wild animal in his +fetid refuge. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + + +Mrs. Theodore Hastings was forty-eight years old, which her friends +said was the reason why her mansion on Fifth Avenue was furnished and +lit with the delicate sombreness of an old Italian palace. There was +about it none of the garishness, the almost resplendent brilliancy +associated with the abodes of many of our neighbours. Although her +masseuse confidently assured her that she looked twenty-eight, Mrs. +Hastings preferred not to put the matter to the test. She received her +carefully selected dinner guests in a great library with cedarwood +walls, furnished with almost Victorian sobriety, and illuminated by +myriads of hidden lights. Pamela, being a relative, received the +special consideration of an affectionately bestowed embrace. + +"Pamela, my child, wasn't it splendid I heard that you were in New +York!" she exclaimed. "Quite by accident, too. I think you treat your +relatives shamefully." + +Her niece laughed. + +"Well, anyhow, you're the first of them I've seen at all, and directly +Jim told me he was coming to you, I made him ring up in case you had +room for me." + +"Jimmy was a dear," Mrs. Hastings declared, "and, of course, there +couldn't be a time when there wouldn't be room for you. Even now, at +the last moment, though, I haven't quite made up my mind where to put +you. Choose, dear. Will you have a Western bishop or a rather dull +Englishman?" + +"What is the name of the Englishman?" Pamela asked, with sudden +intuition. + +"Lutchester, dear. Quite a nice name, but I know nothing about him. He +brought letters to your uncle. Rather a queer time for Englishmen to be +travelling about, we thought, but still, there he is. Seems to have +found some people he knows--and I declare he is coming towards you!" + +"I met him in London," Pamela whispered, "and I never could get on with +bishops." + +The dinner table was large, and arranged with that wonderful simplicity +which Mrs. Hastings had adopted as the keynote of her New York parties. +She had taken, in fact, simplicity under her wing and made a new thing +of it. There were more flowers than silver, and cut glass than heavy +plate. There seemed to be an almost ostentatious desire to conceal the +fact that Mr. Hastings had robbed the American public of a good many +million dollars. + +"Of course," Pamela declared, as they took their places, and she nodded +a greeting to some friends around the table, "fate is throwing us +together in the most unaccountable manner." + +"I accept its vagaries with resignation," Lutchester replied. "Besides, +it is quite time we met again. You promised to show me New York, and I +haven't seen you for days." + +"I don't even remember the promise," Pamela laughed, "but in any case I +have changed my mind. I am not sure that you are the nice, +simple-minded person you profess to be. I begin to have doubts about +you." + +"Interest grows with mystery," Lutchester remarked complacently. "Let +us hope that I am promoted in your mind." + +"Well, I am not at all sure. Of course, I am not an Englishman, so it +is of no particular interest to me, but if you really came over here on +important affairs, I am not sure that I approve of your playing golf +the day after your arrival." + +"That, perhaps, was thoughtless," he admitted, "but one gets so short +of exercise on board ship." + +"Of course," Pamela observed tentatively, "I'd forgive you even now if +you'd only be a little more frank with me." + +"I am prepared to be candour itself," he assured her. + +"Tell me," she begged, "the whole extent of your mission in America?" + +He glanced around. + +"If we were alone," he replied, "I might court indiscretion so far as +to tell you." + +"Then we will leave the answer to that question until after dinner," +she said. + +She talked to her left-hand neighbour for a few moments, and Lutchester +followed suit. They turned to one another again, however, at the first +opportunity. + +"I have conceived," she told him, "a great admiration for Mr. Oscar +Fischer." + +"A very able man," Lutchester agreed. + +"He is not only that," Pamela continued, "but he is a man with large +principles and great ideas." + +"Principles!" Lutchester murmured. + +"Of course, you don't like him," Pamela went on, "and I don't wonder at +it. He is thoroughly German, isn't he?" + +"Almost prejudiced, I'm afraid," Lutchester assented. + +"Don't be silly," Pamela protested. "Why, he's German by birth, and +although you English people are much too pig-headed to see any good in +an enemy, I think you must admit that the way they all hang together-- +Germans, I mean, all over the world--is perfectly wonderful." + +"There have been a few remarks of the same sort," Lutchester reminded +her, "about the inhabitants of the British Empire--Canadians, +Australians, New Zealanders, for instance." + +"As a matter of fact," Pamela admitted generously, "I consider that +your Colonials understand the word patriotism better than the ordinary +Englishman. With them, as with the Germans, it is almost a passionate +impulse. Your hearts may be in the right places, but you always give +one the impression of finding the whole thing rather a bore." + +"Well, so it is," Lutchester insisted. "Who wants to give up a very +agreeable profession and enter upon a career of bloodshed, abandon all +one's habits, and lose most of one's friends? No, we are honest about +that, at any rate! Germany may be enjoying this war. We aren't." + +"What was your profession?" Pamela inquired. + +"Diplomacy," Lutchester confided. "I intended to become an ambassador." + +"Do you think you have the requisite gifts?" + +"What are they?" + +"Secrecy, subtlety, caution, and highly-developed intelligence," she +replied. "How's that?" + +"All those gifts," he assured her, "I possess." + +She fanned herself for a moment and looked at him. + +"We are not a modest race ourselves," she said, "but I think you can +give us a lead. By the bye, were you playing golf with Senator Hamblin +by accident the other afternoon?" + +"You mean the old Johnny down at Baltusrol?" he asked coolly. "I picked +him up wandering about by the professionals' shed." + +"Did you talk politics with him?" + +"We gassed a bit about the war," Lutchester admitted cheerfully. + +Pamela laughed. She leaned a little forward. The buzz of conversation +now was insistent all around them. + +"Of you two," she whispered, "I prefer Fischer." + +Lutchester considered the matter for some time. + +"Well, there's no accounting for tastes," he said presently. "I +shouldn't have thought him exactly your type." + +"He may not be," Pamela confessed, "but at least he has the courage to +speak what is in his mind." + +Lutchester smiled. + +"So Fischer has taken you into his confidence, has he?" he murmured. +"Well, now, that seems queer to me. I should have thought your +interests would have lain the other way." + +"As an individual?" + +"As an American." + +"I am not wholly convinced of that." + +"Come," he protested, "what is the use of a friend from whom you are +separated by an unnegotiable space?" + +"What unnegotiable space?" + +"The Atlantic." + +"And why is the Atlantic unnegotiable?" + +"Because of a little affair called the British fleet," Lutchester +pointed out. + +"There is also," she reminded him drily, "a German fleet, and they +haven't met yet." + +"Ah! I had almost forgotten there was such a thing," he murmured. +"Where do they keep it?" + +"You know. You aren't nearly so stupid as you pretend to be," she said, +a little impatiently. "I should like you so much better if you would be +frank with me." + +"What about those qualifications for my ambassadorial career?" he +reminded her--"Secrecy, subtlety, caution." + +"The master of these," she whispered, rising to her feet in response to +her hostess's signal, "knows when to abandon them--" + +Lutchester changed his place to a vacant chair by James Van Teyl's +side. + +"I was going to ask you, Mr. Van Teyl," he inquired, "whether your +Japanese servant was altogether a success? I think I shall have to get +a temporary servant while I am over here." + +"Nikasti was entirely Fischer's affair," Van Teyl replied, "and I can't +say much about him as I have given up my share of the apartments at the +Plaza. The fellow's all right, I dare say, but we hadn't the slightest +use for a valet. The man on the floor's good enough for any one." + +"By the bye," Lutchester inquired, "is Fischer still in New York?" + +"No, he's in Washington," Van Teyl replied. "I believe he's expected +back to-morrow.... Say, can I ask you a question?" + +Lutchester almost imperceptibly drew his chair a little closer. + +"Of course you can," he assented. + +"What I want to know," Van Teyl continued confidentially, "is how you +get that long run on your cleek shots? I saw you play the sixteenth +hole, and it looked to me as though the ball were never going to stop." + +Lutchester smiled. + +"I have made a special study of that shot," he confided. "Yes, I can +tell you how it's done, but it needs a lot of practice. It's done in +turning over the wrists sharply just at the moment of impact. You get +everything there is to be got into the stroke that way, and you keep +the ball low, too." + +"Gee, I must try that!" Van Teyl observed, making spasmodic movements +with his wrists. "When could we have a day down at Baltusrol?" + +"It will have to be next week, I'm afraid, if you don't mind," +Lutchester replied. "I've a good many appointments in New York, and I +may have to go to Washington myself. By the bye, I thought our host +lived there." + +"So he does," Van Teyl assented. "Nowadays, though, it seems to have +become the fashion for politicians to own a house up in New York and do +some entertaining here. They're after the financial interest, I +suppose." + +"Is your uncle a keen politician?" + +"Keen as mustard," Van Teyl answered. "So's my aunt. She'd give her +soul to have the old man nominated for the Presidency." + +"Any chance of it?" + +"Not an earthly! He'll come a mucker, though, some day, trying. He'd +take any outside chance. For a clever man he's the vainest thing I +know." + +Lutchester smiled enigmatically as he followed the example of the +others and rose to his feet. + +"Even in America, then," he observed, "your great men have their +weaknesses." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + + +Fischer, exactly one week after his nocturnal visit to Fourteenth +Street, hurried out of the train at the Pennsylvania Station, almost +tore the newspapers from the news stand, glanced through them one by +one and threw them back. The attendant, open-mouthed, ventured upon a +mild protest. Fischer threw him a dollar bill, caught up his handbag, +and made for the entrance. He was the first passenger from the +Washington Limited to reach the street and spring into a taxi. + +"The Plaza Hotel," he ordered. "Get along." + +They arrived at the Plaza in less than ten minutes. Mr. Fischer tipped +the driver lavishly, suffered the hall porter to take his bag, returned +his greeting mechanically, and walked with swift haste to the tape +machine. He held up the strips with shaking fingers, dropped them +again, hurried to the lift, and entered his rooms. Nikasti was in the +sitting-room, arranging some flowers. Fischer did not even stop to +reply to his reverential greeting. + +"Where's Mr. Van Teyl?" he demanded. + +"Mr. Van Teyl has gone away, sir," was the calm reply. "He left here +the day before yesterday. There is a letter." + +Fischer took no notice. He was already gripping the telephone receiver. + +"982, Wall," he said--"an urgent call." + +He stood waiting, his face an epitome of breathless suspense. Soon a +voice answered him. + +"That the office of Neville, Brooks and Van Teyl?" he demanded. "Yes! +Put me through to Mr. Van Teyl. Urgent!" + +Another few seconds of waiting, then once more he bent over the +instrument. + +"That you, Van Teyl?... Yes, Fischer speaking. Oh, never mind about +that! Listen. What price are Anglo-French?... No, say about what?... +Ninety-five?... Sell me a hundred thousand.... What's that?... What?... +Of course it's a big deal! Never mind that. I'm good enough, aren't I? +There'll be no rise that'll wipe out half a million dollars. I've got +that lying in cash at Guggenheimer's. If you need the money, I'll bring +it you in half an hour. Get out into the market and sell. Damn you, +what's it matter about news! Right! Sorry, Jim. See you later." + +Fischer put down the telephone and wiped his forehead. Notwithstanding +the fatigue in his face, there was a glint of triumph there. He laid +his hand upon Nikasti's shoulder. + +"My friend," he said, "there's big proof coming of what I said to you +the other day. You'll find that letter you carry will mean a different +thing now. There's news in the air." + +"There has been a great battle, perhaps?" Nikasti asked slowly. + +"All that is to be known you will hear before evening," Fischer +replied. "Tell some one to send me some coffee. I have come through +from Washington. I am tired." + +He sank a little abruptly into an easy-chair, took off his spectacles, +and leaned his head back upon the cushions. In the sunlight his face +was almost ghastly. A queer sense of weakness had suddenly assailed +him. His mind flitted back through a vista of sleepless nights, of +strenuous days, of passions held in leash, excitement ground down. + +"I am tired," he said. "Telephone down to the office, Nikasti, for a +doctor." + +Nikasti obeyed, and his summons was promptly answered. The doctor who +arrived was pleasantly but ominously grave. In the middle of his +examination the telephone rang. Fischer, without ceremony, moved to the +receiver. It was Van Teyl speaking. + +"I've sold your hundred thousand Anglo-French," he announced. "It's +done the whole market in, though--knocked the bottom out of it. They've +fallen a point and a half. Shall I begin to buy back for you? You'll +make a bit." + +"Not a share," Fischer answered fiercely. "Wait!" + +"Have you any news you're keeping up your sleeve?" Van Teyl persisted. + +"If I have, it's my own affair," was the curt reply, "and I don't tell +news over the telephone, anyway. Watch the market, and go on selling +where you can." + +"I shall do as you order," Van Teyl replied, "but you're all against +the general tone here. By the bye, you got my letter?" + +"I haven't opened it yet," Fischer snapped. "What's the matter?" + +"Pamela and I have taken a little flat in Fifty-eighth Street. Seems a +little abrupt, but she didn't want to be alone, and she hates hotels. +We felt sure you'd understand." + +"Yes, I understand," Fischer said. "Good-by! I'm busy." + +The doctor completed his examination. When he had finished he mentioned +his fee. + +"You work too hard, and you live in an atmosphere of too great strain. +The natural consequences are already beginning to show themselves. If I +give you medicine, it will only encourage you to keep on wasting +yourself, but you can have medicine if you like." + +"Send me something to take for the next fortnight," Fischer replied. +"After that, I'll take my chance." + +The doctor wrote a prescription and took his leave. Fischer leaned back +in his chair and closed his eyes. His mind travelled back through these +latter days of his over-strenuous life. In such minutes of relaxation, +few of which he permitted himself, he realised with bitter completeness +the catastrophe which had overtaken him--him, Oscar Fischer, of all men +on earth. Into his life of grim purposes, of lofty and yet narrow +ambitions, of almost superhuman tenacity, had crept the one weakening +strain whose presence in other men he had always scoffed at and +derived. There was a new and enervating glamour over the days, a new +and hatefully powerful rival for all his thoughts and dreams. Ten years +ago, he reflected sadly, this might have made a different man of him, +might have unlocked the gates into another, more peaceful and beautiful +world, visions of which had sometimes vaguely disturbed him in his cold +and selfish climb. Now it could only mean suffering. This was the first +stroke. It was the assertion of humanity which was responsible for his +present weakness. How far might it not drag him down? + +There should be a fight, at any rate, he told himself, as an hour or +two later he made his way downtown. He paid several calls in the +vicinity of Wall Street, and finished up in Van Teyl's office. That +young man greeted him with a certain relief. + +"You know the tone of the market's still against you, Fischer," he +warned him once more. + +Fischer threw himself into the client's easy-chair. The furniture in +the office seemed less distinct than usual. He was conscious of a +certain haziness of outline in everything. Van Teyl's face, even, was +shrouded in a little mist. Then he suddenly found himself fighting +fiercely, fighting for his consciousness, fighting against a wave of +giddiness, a deadly sinking of the heart, a strange slackening of all +his nerve power. The young stockbroker rose hastily to his feet. + +"Anything wrong, old fellow?" he asked anxiously. + +"A glass of water," Fischer begged. + +He was conscious of drinking it, vaguely conscious that he was winning. +Soon the office had regained its ordinary appearance, his pulse was +beating more regularly. He had once more the feeling of living--of +living, though in a minor key. + +"A touch of liver," he murmured. "What did you say about the markets?" + +"You look pretty rotten," Van Teyl remarked sympathetically. "Shall I +send out for some brandy?" + +"Not for me," Fischer scoffed. "I don't need it. What price are +Anglo-French?" + +"Ninety-four. You've only done them in a point, after all, and that's +nominal. I daresay I could get ten thousand back at that." + +"Let them alone," was the calm reply. "I'll sell another fifty thousand +at ninety-four." + +"Look here," Van Teyl said, swinging round in his chair, "I like the +business and I know you can finance it, but are you sure that you +realise what you are doing? Every one believes Anglo-French have +touched their bottom. They've only to go back to where they were--say +five points--and you'd lose half a million." + +Fischer smiled a little wearily. + +"That small sum in arithmetic," he remonstrated, "had already passed +through my brain. Send in your selling order, Jim, and come out to +lunch with me. I've come straight through from Washington--only got in +this morning." + +Van Teyl called in his clerk and gave a few orders. Then he took up his +hat and left the office with his client. + +"From Washington, eh?" he remarked curiously, as they passed into the +crowded streets. "So that accounts--" + +He broke off abruptly. His companion's warning fingers had tightened +upon his arm. + +"Quite right!" Van Teyl confessed. "There's gossip enough about now, +and they seem to have tumbled to it that you're our client. The office +has been besieged this morning. Sorry, Ned, I'm busy," he went on, to a +man who tried to catch his arm. "See you later, Fred. I'll be in after +lunch, Mr. Borrodaile. No, nothing fresh that I know of." + +Fischer smiled grimly. + +"Got you into a kind of hornets' nest, eh?" he observed. + +"It's been like this all the morning," Van Teyl told him. "They believe +I know something. Even the newspaper men are tumbling to it. We'll +lunch up at the club. Maybe we'll get a little peace there." + +They stepped into the hall of a great building, and took one of the +interminable row of lifts. A few minutes later they were seated at a +side table in a dining room on the top floor of one of the huge modern +skyscrapers. Below them stretched a silent panorama of the city; +beyond, a picturesque view of the river. A fresh breeze blew in through +the opened window. They were above the noise, even, of the street cars. + +"Order me a small bottle of champagne, James," Fischer begged, "and +some steak." + +Van Teyl stared at his companion and laughed as he took up the wine +list. + +"Well, that's the first time, Fischer, I've known you to touch a drop +of anything before the evening! I'll have a whisky and soda with you. +Thank God we're away from that inquisitive crowd for a few minutes! Are +you going to give me an idea of what's moving?" + +Fischer watched the wine being poured into his glass. + +"Not until this evening," he said. "I want you to bring your sister and +come and dine at the new roof-garden." + +"I don't know whether Pamela has any engagement," Van Teyl began, a +little dubiously. + +"Please go and see," Fischer begged earnestly. "The telephones are just +outside. Tell your sister that I particularly wish her to accept my +invitation. Tell her that there will be news." + +Van Teyl went out to the telephone. Fischer sipped his champagne and +crumbled up his bread, his eyes fixed a little dreamily on the grey +river. He was already conscious of the glow of the wine in his veins. +The sensation was half pleasurable, in a sense distasteful to him. He +resented this artificial humanity. He had the feeling of a man who has +stooped to be doped by a quack doctor. And he was a little afraid. + +His young companion returned triumphant. + +"Had a little trouble with Pamela," he observed, as he resumed his +place at the table. "She was thinking of the opera with a girl friend +she picked up this morning. However, the idea of news, I think, +clinched it. We'll be at the Oriental at eight o'clock, eh?" + +Fischer looked up from the fascinating patchwork below. Already there +was anticipation in his face. + +"I am very glad," he said. "There will certainly be news." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + + +"Now indeed I feel that I am in New York," Pamela declared, as she +broke off one of the blossoms of the great cluster of deep red roses by +her side, and gazed downward over her shoulder at the far-flung carpet +of lights. "One sees little bits of America in every country of the +world, but never this." + +Fischer, unusually grave and funereal-looking in his dinner clothes and +black tie, followed her gesture with thoughtful eyes. Everything that +was ugly in the stretching arms of the city seemed softened, shrouded +and bejewelled. Even the sounds, the rattle and roar of the overhead +railways, the clanging of the electric car bells, the shrieking of the +sirens upon the river, seemed somehow to have lost their harsh note, to +have become the human cry of the great live city, awaking and +stretching itself for the night. + +"I agree with you," he said. "You dine at the Ritz-Carlton and you +might be in Paris. You dine here, and one knows that you are in +America." + +"Yet even here we have become increasingly luxurious," Pamela remarked, +looking around. "The glass and linen upon the tables are quite French; +those shaded lights are exquisite. That little band, too, was playing +at the Ritz three years ago. I am sure that the maitre d'hotel who +brought us to our table was once at the Cafe de Paris." + +"Money would draw all those things from Europe even to the Sahara," +Fischer observed, "so long as there were plenty of it. But millions +could not buy our dining table in the clouds." + +"A little effort of the imagination, fortunately," Pamela laughed, +looking upwards. "There are stars, but no clouds." + +"I guess one of them is going to slip down to the next table before +long," Van Teyl observed, with a little movement of his head. + +They all three turned around and looked at the wonderful bank of pink +roses within a few feet of them. + +"One of the opera women, I daresay," the young man continued. "They are +rather fond of this place." + +Pamela leaned forward. Fischer was watching the streets below; Only a +short distance away was a huge newspaper building, flaring with lights. +The pavements fringing it were thronged with a little stationary crowd. +A row of motor-bicycles was in waiting. A night edition of the paper +was almost due. + +"Mr. Fischer," she asked, "what about that news?" + +He withdrew his eyes from the street. Almost unconsciously he +straightened himself a little in his place. There was pride in his +tone. Behind his spectacles his eyes flashed. + +"I would have told it you before," he said, "but you would not have +believed it. Soon--in a very few moments--the news will be known. You +will see it break away in waves from that building down there, so I +will bear with your incredulity. The German and British fleets have +met, and the victory has remained with us." + +"With us?" Pamela repeated. + +"With Germany," Fischer corrected himself hastily. + +"Is this true?" James Van Teyl almost shouted. "Fischer, are you sure +of what you're saying? Why, it's incredible!" + +"It is true," was the proud reply. "The German Navy has been a long +time proving itself. It has done so now. To-day every German citizen is +the proudest creature breathing. He knew before that his armies were +invincible. He knows now that his fleet is destined to make his country +the mistress of the seas. England's day is over. Her ships were badly +handled and foolishly flung into battle. She has lost many of her +finest units. Her Navy is to-day a crippled and maimed force. The +German fleet is out in the North Sea, waiting for an enemy who has +disappeared." + +"It is inconceivable," Pamela gasped. + +"I do not ask you to believe my word," Fischer exclaimed. "Look!" + +As though the flood gates had been suddenly opened, the stream of +patient waiters broke away from the newspaper building below. Like +little fireflies, the motor-bicycles were tearing down the different +thoroughfares. Boys like ants, with their burden of news sheets, were +running in every direction. Motor-trucks had started on their furious +race. Even the distant echoes of their cries came faintly up. Fischer +called a messenger and sent him for a paper. + +"I do not know what report you will see," he said, "but from whatever +source it comes it will confirm my story. The news is too great and +sweeping to be contradicted or ignored." + +"If it's true," Van Teyl muttered, "you've made a fortune in my office +to-day. It looks like it, too. There was something wrong with +Anglo-French beside your selling for the last hour this afternoon. I +couldn't get buyers to listen for a moment." + +"Yes, I shall have made a great deal of money," Fischer admitted, +"money which I shall value because it comes magnificently, but I hope +that this victory may help me to win other things." + +He looked fixedly at Pamela, and she moved uneasily in her chair. +Almost unconsciously the man himself seemed somehow associated with his +cause, to be assuming a larger and more tolerant place in her thoughts. +Perhaps there was some measure of greatness about him after all. The +strain of waiting for the papers became almost intolerable. At last the +boy reappeared. The great black headlines were stretched out before +her. She felt the envelopment of Fischer's triumph. The words were +there in solid type, and the paper itself was one of the most reliable. + +GREAT NAVAL BATTLE IN THE NORTH SEA. + +BRITISH ADMIRALTY ADMITS SERIOUS LOSSES. + +"QUEEN MARY," "INDEFATIGABLE," AND MANY FINE SHIPS LOST. + +Pamela looked up from the sheet. + +"It is too wonderful," she whispered, with a note of awe in her tone. +"I don't think that any one ever expected this. We all believed in the +British Navy." + +"There is nothing," Fischer declared, "that England can do which +Germany cannot do better." + +"And America best of all," Pamela said. + +Fischer bowed. + +"That is one comparison which will never now be made," he declared, +"for from to-night Germany and America will draw nearer together. The +bubble of British naval omnipotence is pricked." + +"Meanwhile," Van Teyl observed, putting his paper away, "we are +neglecting our dinner. Nothing like a good dose of sensationalism for +giving us an appetite." + +Fischer was watching his glass being filled with champagne. He seized +it by the stem. His eyes for a moment travelled upwards. + +"I am an American citizen," he said, with a strange fervour in his +tone, "but for the moment I am called back. And so I lift my glass and +I drink--I alone, without invitation to you others--to those brave +souls who have made of the North Sea a holy battle-ground." + +He drained his glass and set it down empty. Pamela watched him as +though fascinated. For a single moment she was conscious of a queer +sensation of personal pity for some shadowy and absent friend, of +something almost like a lump in her throat, a strange instinct of +antagonism towards the man by her side so enveloped in beatific +satisfaction--then she frowned when she realised that she had been +thinking of Lutchester, that her first impulse had been one of sympathy +for him. The moment passed. The service of dinner was pressed more +insistently upon them. James Van Teyl, who had been leaning back in his +chair, talking to one of the maitres d'hotel, dismissed him with a +little nod and entrusted them with a confidence. + +"Say, do you know who's coming to the next table?" he exclaimed. +"Sonia!" + +They were all interested. + +"You won't mind?" Fischer asked diffidently. + +"In a restaurant, how absurd!" Pamela laughed. "Why, I'm dying to see +her. I wonder how it is that some of these greatest singers in the +world lead such extraordinary lives that people can never know anything +of them." + +"Society is tolerant enough nowadays," her brother observed, "but Sonia +won't give them even a decent chance to wink at her eccentricities. She +crossed, you know, on the Prince Doronda's yacht, for fear they +wouldn't let her land." + +"Here she comes," Pamela whispered. + +There was a moment's spellbound silence. Two maitres d'hotel were +hurrying in front. A pathway from the lift had been cleared as though +for a royal personage. Sonia, in white from head to foot, a dream of +white lace and chinchilla, with a Russian crown of pearls in her glossy +black hair, and a rope of pearls around her neck, came like a waxen +figure, with scarlet lips and flashing eyes, towards her table. And +behind her--Lutchester! Pamela felt her fingers gripping the +tablecloth. Her first impulse, curiously enough, was one of wild fury +with herself for that single instant's pity. Her face grew cold and +hard. She felt herself sitting a little more upright. Her eyes remained +fixed upon the newcomers. + +Lutchester's behaviour was admirable. His glance swept their little +table without even a shadow of interest. He ignored with passive +unconcern the mistake of Van Teyl's attempted greeting. He looked +through Fischer as though he had been a ghost. He stood by Sonia's side +while she seated herself, and listened with courteous pleasure to her +excited admiration of the flowers and the wonderful vista. Then he took +his own place. In his right hand he was carrying an evening paper with +its flaming headlines. + +"That," Fischer pronounced, struggling to keep the joy from his tone, +"is very British and very magnificent!" + + * * * * * + +Pamela had imperfect recollections of the rest of the evening. She +remembered that she was more than usually gay throughout dinner-time, +but that she was the first to jump at the idea of a hurried departure +and a visit to a cabaret. Every now and then she caught a glimpse of +Sonia's face, saw the challenging light in her brilliant eyes, heard +little scraps of her conversation. The Frenchwoman spoke always in her +own language, with a rather shrill voice, which made Lutchester's +replies sound graver and quieter than usual. More than once Pamela's +eyes rested upon the broad lines of his back. He sat all the time like +a rock, courteous, at times obviously amusing, but underneath it all +she fancied that she saw some signs of the disturbance from which she +herself was suffering. She rose to her feet at last with a little sigh +of relief. It was an ordeal through which she had passed. + +Once in the lift, her brother and Fischer discussed Lutchester's +indiscretion volubly. + +"I suppose," Van Teyl declared, "that there isn't a man in New York who +wouldn't have jumped at the chance of dining alone with Sonia, but for +an Englishman, on a night like this," he went on, glancing at the +paper, "say, he must have some nerve!" + +"Or else," Fischer remarked, "a wonderful indifference. So far as I +have studied the Anglo-Saxon temperament, I should be inclined to vote +for the indifference. That is why I think Germany will win the war. +Every man in that country prays for his country's success, not only in +words, but with his soul. I have not found the same spirit in England." + +"The English people," Pamela interposed, "have a genius for concealment +which amounts to stupidity." + +"I have a theory," Fischer said, "that to be phlegmatic after a certain +pitch is a sign of low vitality. However, we shall see. Certainly, if +England is to be saved from her present trouble, it will not be the +Lutchesters of the world who will do it, nor, it seems, her Navy." + +They found their way to a large cabaret, where Pamela listened to an +indifferent performance a little wearily. The news of what was termed a +naval disaster to Great Britain was flashed upon the screen, and, +generally speaking, the audience was stunned. Fischer behaved +throughout the evening with tact and discretion. He made few references +to the matter, and was careful not to indulge in any undue +exhilaration. Once, when Van Teyl had left the box, however, to speak +to some friends, he turned earnestly to Pamela. + +"Will it please you soon," he begged, "to resume our conversation of +the other day? However you may look at it, things have changed, have +they not? An invincible British Navy has been one of the fundamental +principles of beliefs in American politics. Now that it is destroyed, +the outlook is different. I could go myself to the proper quarter in +Washington, or Von Schwerin is here to be my spokesman. I have a fancy, +though, to work with you. You know why." + +She moved uneasily in her place. + +"I have no idea," she objected, "what it is that you have to propose. +Besides, I am only just a woman who has been entrusted with a few +diplomatic errands." + +"You are the niece of Senator Hastings," Fischer reminded her, "and +Hastings is the man through whom I should like my proposal to go to the +President. It is an honest offer which I have to make, and although it +cannot pass through official channels, it is official in the highest +sense of the word, because it comes to me from the one man who is in a +position to make himself responsible for it." + +Her brother came back to the box before Pamela could reply, but, as +they parted that night, she gave Fischer her hand. + +"Come and see our new quarters," she invited. "I shall be at home any +time to-morrow afternoon." + +It was one of the moments of Fischer's life. He bowed low over her +fingers. + +"I accept, with great pleasure," he murmured. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + + +Sonia had the air of one steeped in an almost ecstatic content. On her +return from the roof garden she had exchanged her wonderful gown for a +white silk negligee, and her headdress of pearls for a quaint little +cap. She was stretched upon a sofa drawn before the wide-flung French +windows of her little sitting-room at the Ritz-Carlton, a salon +decorated in pink and white, and filled almost to overflowing with the +roses which she loved. By her side, in an easy chair which she had +pressed him to draw up to her couch, sat Lutchester. + +"This," she murmured, "is one of the evenings which I adore. I have no +work, no engagements--just one friend with whom to talk. My fine +clothes have done. I am myself," she added, stretching out her arms. "I +have my cigarettes, my iced sherbet, and the lights and murmur of the +city there below to soothe me. And you to talk with me, my friend. What +are you thinking of me--that I am a little animal who loves comfort too +much, eh?" + +Lutchester smiled. + +"We all love comfort," he replied. "Some of us are franker than others +about it." + +She made a little grimace. + +"Comfort! It is my own word, but what a word! It is luxury I +worship--luxury--and a friend. Is that, perhaps, another +word too slight, eh?" + +He met the provocative gleam of her eyes with a smile of amusement. + +"You are just the same child, Sonia," he remarked. "Neither climate nor +country, nor the few passing years, can change you." + +"It is you who have grown older and sterner," she pouted. "It is you who +have lost the gift of living to-day as though to-morrow were not. There +was a time, was there not, John, when you did not care to sit always so +far away?" + +She laid her hand--ringless, over-manicured, but delicately white---- +upon his. He smoothed it gently. + +"You see, Sonia," he sighed, "troubles have come that harden the hearts +even of the gayest of us." + +She frowned. + +"You are not going to remind me--" she began. + +"If I reminded you of anything, Sonia," he interrupted, "I would remind +you that you are a Frenchwoman." + +She stretched out her hand restlessly and took one of the Russian +cigarettes from a bowl by her side. + +"You are not, by any chance, going to talk seriously, dear John?" + +"I am," he assured her, "very seriously." + +"Oh, la, la!" she laughed. "You, my dear, gay companion, you who have +shaken the bells all your life, you are going to talk seriously! And +to-night, when we meet again after so long. Ah, well, why should I be +surprised?" she went on, with a pout. + +"You have changed. When one looks into your face, one sees the +difference. But to me, of all people in the world! Why talk seriously +to me! I am just Sonia, the gipsy nightingale. I know nothing of +serious things." + +"You carry one very serious secret in your heart," he told her gravely, +"one little pain which must sometimes stab you. You are a Frenchwoman, +and yet--" + +Lutchester paused for a moment. Sonia, too, seemed suddenly to have +awakened into a state of tense and vivid emotion. The cigarette burned +away between her fingers. Her great eyes were fixed upon Lutchester. +There was something almost like fear in their questioning depths. + +"Finish! Finish!" she insisted. "Continue!" + +"And yet," he went on, "your very dear friend, the friend for whose +sake you are here in America, is your country's enemy." + +She raised herself a little upon the couch. + +"That is not true," she declared furiously. "Maurice loves France. His +heart aches for the misery that has come upon her. It is your country +only which he hates. If France had but possessed the courage to stand +by herself, to resist when England forced her friendship upon her, none +of this tragedy would ever have happened. Maurice has told me so +himself. France could have peace today, peace at her own price." + +"There is no peace which would leave France with a soul, save the peace +which follows victory," Lutchester replied sternly. + +She crushed her cigarette nervously in her fingers, threw it away, and +lit another. + +"I will not talk of these things with you," she cried. "It was not for +this that you sought me out, eh? Tell me at once? Were these the +thoughts you had in your mind when you sent your little note?--when you +chose to show yourself once more in my life?" + +For the first time of his own accord, he drew his chair a little nearer +to hers. He took her hand. She gave him both unresistingly. + +"Listen, dear Sonia," he said, "it is true that I am a changed man. I +am older than when we met last, and there are the other things. You +remember the Chateau d'Albert?" + +"Of course!" she murmured. "And the young Duc d'Albert's wonderful +house party. We all motored there from Paris. You and I were together! +You have forgotten that, eh?" + +"I lay in that orchard for two days," he went on grimly, "with a hole +in my side and one leg pretty nearly done for. I saw things I can never +forget, in those days, Sonia. D'Albert himself was killed. It was in +that first mad rush. Of the Chateau there remains but four blackened +walls." + +"_Pauvre enfant_!" she murmured. "But you are well and strong again +now, is it not so? You will not fight again, eh? You were never a +soldier, dear friend." + +"Just now," he confided, "I have other work to do. It is that other +work which has brought me to America." + +She drew him a little closer to her. Her eyes questioned him. + +"There is, perhaps, now," she asked, "a woman in your life?" + +"There is," he admitted. + +She made a grimace. + +"But how clumsy to tell me, even though I asked," she exclaimed. "What +is she like? ... But no, I do not wish to hear of her! If she is all +the world to you, why did you send me that little note? Why are you +here?" + +"Because we were once dear friends, Sonia," he said, "because I wish to +save you from great trouble." + +She shrank from him a little fearfully. + +"What do you mean?" + +"Sonia," he continued, with a note of sternness in his tone, "during +the last two years you have gone back and forth between New York and +Paris, six times. I do not think that you can make that journey again." + +She was standing now, with one hand gripping the edge of the table. + +"John! ... John! ... What do you mean?" she demanded, and this time her +own voice was hard. + +"I mean," he said, "that when you leave here for Paris you will be +watched day and night. The moment you set foot upon French soil you +will be arrested and searched. If anything is found upon you, such as a +message from your friend in Washington--well, you know what it would +mean. Can't you see, you foolish child, the risk you have been running? +Would you care to be branded as a spy?--you, a daughter of France?" + +She struck at him. Her lace sleeves had fallen back, and her white arm, +with its little clenched fist, flashed through the twilight, aimlessly +yet passionately. + +"You dare to call me a spy! You, John?" she shrieked. "But it is +horrible." + +"It is the work of a spy," he told her gravely, "to bring a letter from +any person in a friendly capital and deliver it to an enemy. That is +what you have done, Sonia, many times since the beginning of the war, +so far without detection. It is because you are Sonia that I have come +to save you from doing it again." + +She groped her way back to the couch. She threw herself upon it with +her back towards him, her head buried in her hands. + +"The letters are only between friends," she faltered. "They have +nothing to do with the war." + +"You may have believed that," Lutchester replied gently, "but it is not +true. You have been made the bearer of confidential communications from +the Austrian Embassy here to certain people in Paris whom we will not +name. I have pledged my word, Sonia, that this shall cease." + +She sprang to her feet. All the feline joy of her languorous ease +seemed to have departed. She was quivering and nervous. She stood over +her writing-table. + +"A telegraph blank!" she exclaimed. "Quick! I will not see Maurice +again. Oh, how I have suffered! This shall end it. See, I have written +'Good-by!' He will understand. If he comes, I will not see him. Ring +the bell quickly. There--it is finished!" + +A page-boy appeared, and she handed him the telegram. Then she turned a +little pathetically to Lutchester. + +"Maurice was foolish--very often foolish," she went on unsteadily, "but +he has loved me, and a woman loves love so much. Now I shall be lonely. +And yet, there is a great weight gone from my mind. Always I wondered +about those letters. You will be my friend, John? You will not leave me +all alone?" + +He patted her hand. + +"Dear Sonia," he whispered, "solitude is not the worst thing one has to +bear, these days. Try and remember, won't you, that all the men who +might have loved you are fighting for your country, one way or +another." + +"It is all so sad," she faltered, "and you--you are so stern and +changed." + +"It is with me only as it is with the whole world," he told her. +"To-night, though, you have relieved me of one anxiety." + +Her eyes once more were for a moment frightened. + +"There was danger for poor little me?" + +He nodded. + +"It is past," he assured her. + +"And it is you who have saved me," she murmured. "Ah, Mr. John," she +added, as she walked with him to the door, "if ever there comes to me a +lover, not for the days only but _pour la vie,_ I hope that he may be +an Englishman like you, whom all the world trusts." + +He laughed and raised her fingers to his lips. + +"Over-faithful, you called us once," he reminded her. + +"But that was when I was a child," she said, "and in days like these we +are children no longer." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + + +Lutchester left Sonia and the Ritz-Carlton a few minutes before +midnight, to find a great yellow moon overhead, which seemed to have +risen somewhere at the back of Central Park. The broad thoroughfare up +which he turned seemed to have developed a new and unfamiliar beauty. +The electric lamps shone with a pale and almost unnatural glow. The +flashing lights of the automobiles passing up and down were almost +whimsically unnecessary. Lutchester walked slowly up Fifth Avenue in +the direction of his hotel. + +Something--the beauty of the night, perhaps, or some faint aftermath of +sentimentality born of Sonia's emotion--tempted him during those few +moments to relax. He threw aside his mask and breathed the freer for +it. Once more he was a human being, treading the streets of a real +city, his feet very much upon the earth, his heart full of the simplest +things. All the scheming of the last few days was forgotten, the great +issues, the fine yet devious way to be steered amidst the rocks which +beset him; even the depression of the calamitous news from the North +Sea passed away. He was a very simple human being, and he was in love. +It was all so unpractical, so illusionary, and yet so real. Events, +actual happenings--he thrust all thoughts of these away from his mind. +What she might be thinking of him at the moment he ignored. He was +content to let his thoughts rest upon her, to walk through the moonlit +street, his brain and heart revelling in that subtle facility of the +imagination which brought her so easily to his presence. It was such a +vividly real Pamela, too, who spoke and walked and moved by his side. +His memory failed him nowhere, followed faithfully the kaleidoscopic +changes in her face and tone, showed him even that long, grateful, +searching glance when their eyes had met in Von Teyl's sitting-room. +There had been times when she had shown clearly enough that she was +anxious to understand, anxious to believe in him. He clung to the +memory of these; pushed into the background that faint impression he +had had of her at the roof-garden, serene and proud, yet with a faint +look of something like pain in her startled eyes. + +A large limousine passed him slowly, crawling up Fifth Avenue. +Lutchester, with all his gifts of observation dormant, took no notice +of its occupant, who leaned forward, raised the speaking-tube to his +lips, and talked for a moment to his chauffeur. The car glided round a +side street and came to a standstill against the curb. Its solitary +passenger stepped quietly out and entered a restaurant. The chauffeur +backed the car a little, slipped from his place, and followed +Lutchester. + +By chance the little throng of people here became thicker for a few +moments and then ceased. Lutchester drew a little sigh of relief as he +saw before him almost an empty pavement. Then, just as he was relapsing +once more into thought, some part of his subconscious instinct suddenly +leaped into warning life. Without any actual perception of what it +might mean, he felt the thrill of imminent danger, connected it with +that soft footfall behind him, and swung round in time to seize a +deadly uplifted hand which seemed to end in a shimmer of dull steel. +His assailant flung himself upon Lutchester with the lithe ferocity of +a cat, clinging to his body, twisting and turning his arm to wrest it +free. It was a matter of seconds only before his intended victim, with +a fierce backward twist, broke the man's wrist and, wrenching himself +free from the knees which clung around him, flung him forcibly against +the railings which bordered the pavement. Lutchester paused for a +moment to recover his breath and looked around. A man from the other +side of the street was running towards them, but no one else seemed to +have noticed the struggle which had begun and finished in less than +thirty seconds. The man, who was half-way across the thoroughfare, +suddenly stopped short. He shouted a warning to Lutchester, who swung +around. His late assailant, who had been lying motionless, had raised +himself slightly, with a revolver clenched in his left hand. +Lutchester's spring on one side saved his life, for the bullet passed +so close to his cheek that he felt the rush and heat of the air. The +man in the center of the road was busy shouting an alarm vociferously, +and other people on both sides of the thoroughfare were running up. +Lutchester's eyes now never left the dark, doubled-up figure upon the +pavement. His whole body was tense. He was prepared at the slightest +movement to spring in upon his would-be murderer. The man's eyes seemed +to be burning in his white face. He called out to Lutchester hoarsely. + +"Don't move or I shall shoot!" + +He looked up and down the street. One of the nearest of the hastening +figures was a policeman. He turned the revolver against his own temple +and pulled the trigger.... + +Lutchester and a policeman walked slowly back along Fifth Avenue. +Behind them, a little crowd was still gathered around the spot from +which the body of the dead man had already been removed in an +ambulance. + +"I really remember nothing," Lutchester told his companion, "until I +heard the footsteps behind me, and, turning round, saw the knife. This +is simply an impression of mine--that he might have descended from the +car which passed me and stopped just round the corner of that street." + +"He's a chauffeur, right enough," the inspector remarked. "It don't +seem to have been a chance job, either. Looks as though he meant doing +you in. Got any enemies?" + +"None that I know of," Lutchester answered cautiously. "Why, the car's +there still," he added, as they reached the corner. + +"And no chauffeur," the other muttered. + +The officer searched the car and drew out a license from the flap +pocket. The commissionaire from the restaurant approached them. + +"Say, what are you doing with that car?" he demanded. + +"Better fetch the gentleman to whom it belongs," the inspector +directed. + +"What's up, anyway?" the man persisted. + +"You do as you're told," was the sharp reply. + +The commissionaire disappeared. The officer studied the license which +he had just opened. + +"What's the name?" Lutchester inquired. + +The man hesitated for a moment, then passed it over. + +"Oscar H. Fischer," he said. "Happen to know the name?" + +Lutchester's face was immovable. He passed the license back again. They +both turned round. Mr. Fischer had issued from the restaurant. + +"What's wrong?" he asked hastily. "The commissionaire says you want me, +Mr. Officer?" + +The inspector produced his pocketbook. + +"Just want to ask you a few questions about your chauffeur, sir." + +Fischer glanced at the driver's seat of the car, as though aware of the +man's disappearance for the first time. + +"What's become of the fellow?" he inquired. + +"Shot himself," the inspector replied, "after a deliberate attempt to +murder this gentleman." + +Mr. Fischer's composure was admirable. There was a touch of gravity +mingled with his bewilderment. Nevertheless, he avoided meeting +Lutchester's eyes. + +"You horrify me!" he exclaimed. "Why, the fellow's only been driving +for me for a few hours." + +"That so?" the officer remarked, with a grunt. "Get any references with +him?" + +"As a matter of fact, I did not," Fischer admitted frankly. "I +discharged my chauffeur yesterday, at a moment's notice, and this man +happened to call just as I was wanting the car out this afternoon. He +promised to bring me references to-morrow from Mr. Gould and others. I +engaged him on that understanding. He told me that his name was Kay-- +Robert Kay. That is all that I know about him, except that he was an +excellent driver. I am exceedingly sorry Mr. Lutchester," he went on, +turning towards him, "that this should have happened." + +"So you two know one another, eh?" the officer observed. + +"Oh, yes, we know one another!" Lutchester admitted drily. + +"I shall have to ask you both for your names and addresses," the +official continued. "I think I won't ask you any more questions at +present. Seems to me headquarters had better take this on." + +"I shall be quite at your service," Lutchester promised. + +The man made a few more notes, saluted, and took his leave. Fischer and +Lutchester remained for a moment upon the pavement. + +"It is a dangerous custom," Lutchester remarked, "to take a servant +without a reference." + +"It will be a warning to me for the remainder of my life," Fischer +declared. + +"I, too, have learnt something," Lutchester concluded, as he turned +away. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + + +Fischer, as he waited for Pamela the following afternoon in the +sitting-room of her flat on Fifty-eighth Street, felt that although the +practical future of his life might be decided in other places, it was +here that its real climax would be reached. Pamela herself was to +pronounce sentence upon him. He was feeling scarcely at his best. An +examination in the courthouse, which he had imagined would last only a +few minutes, had been protracted throughout the afternoon. The district +attorney had asked him a great many questions, some rather awkward +ones, and the inquiry itself had been almost grudgingly adjourned for a +few hours. And here, in Pamela's sitting-room, the first things which +caught his eye were the headlines of one of the afternoon papers: + +WESTERN MILLIONAIRE ENGAGES +THE GIRL HESTE'S MURDERER +AS CHAUFFEUR! + +ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE +IN FIFTH AVENUE +LAST NIGHT. + +Fischer pushed the newspaper impatiently away, and, in the act of doing +so, the door was opened and Pamela entered. She came towards him with +outstretched hand. + +"I see you are looking at the account of your misdeeds," she said, as +she seated herself behind a tea tray. "Will you tell me why a cautious +man like you engages, without reference, a chauffeur who turns out to +be a murderer?" + +Fischer frowned irritably. + +"For four hours," he complained, "several lawyers and a most +inquisitive police captain have been asking me the same question in a +hundred different ways. I engaged the man because I needed a chauffeur +badly. He was to have brought his references this morning. I was only +trusting him for a matter of a few hours." + +"And during those few hours," she observed, "he seems to have developed +a violent antipathy to Mr. Lutchester." + +"I do not understand the affair at all," Mr. Fischer declared, "and, if +I may say so, I am a little weary of it. I came here to discuss another +matter altogether." + +She leaned back in her place. + +"What have you come to discuss, Mr. Fischer?" + +"That depends so much upon you," he replied. "If you give me any +encouragement, I can put before you a great proposition. If your +prejudices, however, remain as I think they always have been, on the +side of England, why then I can do nothing." + +"If I counted for anything," Pamela said, "I mean to say if it mattered +to any one what my attitude was, I would start by admitting that my +sympathies are somewhat on the side of the Allies. On the other hand, +my sympathies amount to nothing at all compared with my interest in the +welfare of the United States. I am perfectly selfish in that respect." + +"Then you have an open mind to hear what I have to say," Fischer +remarked. "I am glad of it. You encourage me to proceed." + +"That is all very well," Pamela said, stirring her tea, "but I cannot +help asking once more why you come to me at all? What have I to do with +any proposition you may have to make?" + +"Just this," he explained. "I have a serious and authentic proposition +to make to the American Government. I cannot make it officially-- +although it comes from the highest of all sources--for the most obvious +reasons. It may seem better worth listening to to-day, perhaps, than a +week ago, so far as you are concerned. That is because you believed in +British invincibility upon the sea. I never did." + +"Go on, please," Pamela begged. "I am still waiting to realise my +position in all this." + +"I should like," Fischer declared, "my proposition to reach the +President through Senator Hastings, and Senator Hastings is your +uncle." + +"I see," Pamela murmured. + +"My offer itself is a very simple one," Fischer continued. "Your secret +service is so bad that you probably know nothing of what is happening. +Ours, on the other hand, is still marvellously good, and what I am +going to tell you is surely the truth. Japan is accumulating great +wealth. She is saving her ships and men for one purpose, and one purpose +only. Europe could not bribe her highly enough to take a more active part +in this war. Her price was one which could not be paid. She demanded a +free hand with the United States." + +"This," Pamela admitted, "is quite interesting, but it is entirely in +the realms of conjecture, is it not?" + +"Not wholly," Fischer insisted. "At the proper time I should be +prepared to bring you evidence that tentative proposals were made by +Japan to both England and France, asking what would be their attitude, +should she provide them with half a million men and undertake +transport, if at the conclusion of the war she desired a settlement +with the United States. The answer from France and England was the +same--that they could not countenance an inimical attitude towards the +States." + +"You are bound to admit, then," Pamela remarked, "that England played +the game here." + +"The bribe was not big enough," Fischer replied drily. "England would +sell her soul, but not for a mess of pottage. To proceed, however, +Japan has practically kept out of the war. She is enjoying a prosperity +never known before, and for every million pounds' worth of munitions +she exports to Russia, she puts calmly on one side twenty-five per +cent, to accumulate for her own use. At the conclusion of the war she +will be in a position she has never occupied before, and while the rest +of the world is still gasping, she will proceed to carry out what has +been the dream of her life--the invasion of your Western States." + +"I admit that this is plausible," Pamela confessed, "but you are only +pointing out a very obvious danger, for which I imagine that we are +already fairly well prepared." + +"Believe me," Fischer said earnestly, "you are not. It is this fact +which makes the whole situation so vital to you. Later on in our +negotiations, I will show you proof of your danger. Meanwhile, let me +proceed to the offer which I am empowered to make, which comes direct +from the one person in Germany whose word is unshakable." + +Pamela changed her position a little, as though to escape from the +sunlight which was finding its way underneath the broad blinds. Her +eyes were fixed upon her visitor. She listened intently to every word +he had to say. Despite some vague feeling of mistrust, which she +acknowledged to herself might well have been prejudiced, she found the +situation interesting, even stimulating. Her few excursions into the +world of high politics had never brought her into such a position as +this. She felt both flattered and interested--attracted, too, in some +nameless way, by the man's personality, his persistence, his daring, +his whole-heartedness. The situation was instinct with interest to her. + +"But why make it to me?" she murmured. + +"You are to be my delegate," he answered. "Take the substance of what I +say to you, to your uncle. Try, for your country's sake, to interest +him in it. The offer which I make shall save you a vast amount of +sacrifice. It shall save your dislocating the industries of the country +and sowing the seeds of a disturbing and yet inadequate militarism. I +offer you, in short, a German alliance against Japan." + +"The value of that offer," Pamela remarked thoughtfully, "would depend +rather upon the issue of the present war, wouldn't it?" + +Fischer's face darkened. His tone was almost irritable. + +"That is already preordained," he said firmly. "You see, I will be +quite frank with you. Germany has lost her chance of sweeping and +complete victory. The result of the war will be a return to the +status-quo-ante. Yet, believe me, Germany will be strong enough to +settle some of the debts she owes, and the debt to Japan is one of +these." + +"Still, there is the practical question of getting men and ships over +from Germany to America," Pamela persisted. + +"It is already solved," was the swift reply. "At the proper time I will +show you and prove how it can be done. At present, not one word can +pass my lips. It is one of the secrets on which the future of Germany +depends." + +"And the price?" Pamela asked. + +"That America adopts our view as to the high seas traffic," Fischer +replied. "This would mean the stopping of all supplies, munitions and +ammunition from America to England. We offer you an alliance. We ask +only for your real and actual neutrality for the remainder of the war. +We offer a great and substantial advantage, a safeguard for your +country's future, in return for what? Simply that America will pursue +the course of honour and integrity to all nations." + +"America," Pamela declared, "has never failed in this." + +Fischer shrugged his shoulders. + +"There is more than one point of view," he reminded her. "Will you take +my message with you to Washington to-morrow?" + +"Yes," Pamela promised, "I will do that. The rest, of course, remains +with others. I do not myself go so far, even," she added, "as to +declare myself in sympathy with you." + +"And yet," he insisted, with swift violence, "it is your sympathy which +I desire more than anything in the world--your sympathy, your help, +your companionship; a little--a very little at first--of your love." + +"I am afraid that I am not a very satisfactory person from that point +of view," Pamela confessed. "I have a great sympathy with every man who +is really out for the great things, but so far as you are concerned, +Mr. Fischer, or any one else," she went on, after a moment's +hesitation, "I have no personal feeling." + +"That shall come," he declared. + +"Then please wait a little time before you talk to me again like this," +she said, rising and holding out her hand. "At present there is no sign +of it." + +"There is so much that I could offer you," he pleaded, gripping the +hand which she had given him in farewell, "so much that I could do for +your country. Believe me, I am not talking idly." + +"I do believe that," she admitted. "You are a very clever man, Mr. +Fischer, and I think that you represent all that you claim. Perhaps, if +we really do negotiate--" + +"But you must!" he interrupted impatiently. "You must listen to me for +every reason--politically for your country's sake, personally because I +shall offer you and give you happiness and a position you could never +find elsewhere." + +For a moment her eyes seemed to be looking through him, as though some +vision of things outside the room were troubling her. Her finger had +already touched the bell and a servant was standing upon the threshold. + +"We shall meet in Washington," Mr. Fischer concluded, with an air of a +prophet, as he took his leave. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + + +It was within half an hour of closing time that same afternoon when +Lutchester walked into James Van Teyl's office. The young man greeted +him with some surprise. + +"Will you do some business for me?" Lutchester asked, without any +preliminaries. + +"Sure!" + +"How many Anglo-French will you buy for me? I can obtain credit by +cable to-morrow through any bank for twenty or thirty thousand pounds." + +"You want to buy Anglo-French?" Van Teyl repeated softly. + +His visitor nodded. + +"Any news?" + +Lutchester hesitated, and Van Teyl continued with an apologetic +gesture. + +"I beg your pardon. That's not my job, anyway, to ask questions. I'll +buy you twenty-five thousand, if you like. Guess they can't drop much +lower." + +Lutchester sat down. + +"Thank you," he said, "I will wait." + +A little ripple of excitement went through the office as Van Teyl +started his negotiations. It seemed to Lutchester that several +telephones and half a dozen perspiring young men were called into his +service. In the end Van Teyl made out a note and handed it to him. + +"I could have done better for you yesterday," he observed. "The market +is strengthening all the time. There are probably some rumours." + +A boy went by along the pavement outside waving a handful of papers. +His cry floated in through the open window: + +REPORTED LOSS OF MANY MORE GERMAN +BATTLESHIPS. +BRITISH CLAIM VICTORY. + +Van Teyl grinned. + +"You got here just in time," he murmured, "but I suppose you knew all +about this." + +"I have known since three o'clock," Lutchester replied, "that all the +reports of a German victory were false. You will find, when the truth +is known, that the German losses were greater than the British." + +"Then if that's so," Van Teyl remarked, "I've got one client who'll +lose a hatful which you ought to make. Coming up town?" + +"I should like, if I may?" Lutchester said, "to be permitted to pay my +respects to your sister." + +"Why, that's fine!" Van Teyl exclaimed unconvincingly. "We'll take the +subway up." + +They left the office and plunged into the indescribable horrors of +their journey. When they stepped out into the sunlit street in another +atmosphere, Van Teyl laid his hand upon his companion's arm in friendly +fashion. + +"Say, Lutchester," he began, "I don't know that you are going to find +Pamela exactly all that she might be in the way of amiability and so +on. I know these things are done on the other side, but here it's +considered trying your friends pretty high to take a lady of Sonia's +reputation where you are likely to meet your friends. No offence, eh?" + +"Certainly not," Lutchester replied. "I was sorry, of course, to see +you last night. On the other hand, Sonia is an old friend, and my +dinner with her had an object. I think I could explain it to your +sister." + +"I don't know that I should try," Van Teyl advised. "For all her +cosmopolitanism, Pamela has some quaint ideas. However, I thought I'd +warn you, in case she's a bit awkward." + +Pamela, however, had no idea of being awkward. She welcomed Lutchester +with a very sweet smile, and gave him the tips of her fingers. + +"I was wondering whether we should see you again before we went," she +said. "We are leaving for Washington to-morrow." + +"By the three o'clock train, I hope?" he ventured. + +She raised her eyebrows. + +"Why, are you going, too?" + +"I hope so." + +"I should have thought most of the munition works," she observed, "were +further north." + +"They are," he acknowledged, "but I have business in Washington. By the +bye, will you both come out and dine with me to-night?" + +Van Teyl glanced at his sister. She shook her head. + +"I am so sorry," she said, "but we are engaged. Perhaps we shall see +something of you in Washington." + +"I have no doubt you will," Lutchester replied "All the same," he +added, "it would give me very great pleasure to entertain you at dinner +this evening." + +"Why particularly this evening?" she asked. + +He looked at her with a queer directness, and Pamela felt certain very +excellent resolutions crumbling. She suffered her brother to leave the +room without a word. + +"Because," he explained, "I think you will find a different atmosphere +everywhere. There will be news in the evening papers." + +"News?" she repeated eagerly. "You know I am always interested in +that." + +"The reports of a German naval victory were not only exaggerated," +Lutchester said calmly; "they were untrue. Our own official +announcement was clumsy and tactless, but you will find it amplified +and explained to-night." + +Pamela listened with an interest which bordered upon excitement. + +"You are sure?" she exclaimed. + +"Absolutely," he replied. "My notification is official." + +"So you think if we dined with you, the atmosphere to-night would be +different?" she observed, with a sudden attempt at the recondite. + +Lutchester looked into her eyes without flinching. Pamela, to her +annoyance, was worsted in the momentary duel. + +"We cannot always choose our atmosphere," he reminded her. + +"Mademoiselle Sonia is perhaps connected with the regulation of the +munition supplies from America?" + +"Mademoiselle Sonia," Lutchester asserted, "is an old friend of mine. +Apart from that, it was my business to talk to her." + +"Your business?" + +Lutchester assented with perfect gravity. + +"Within a day or two," he said, "now, if you made a point of it, I +could explain a great deal." + +Pamela threw herself into a chair almost irritably. + +"You have the cult of being mysterious, Mr. Lutchester," she declared. +"To be quite frank with you, you seem to be the queerest mixture of any +man I ever knew." + +"It is the fault of circumstances," he regretted, "if I am sometimes +compelled to present myself to you in an unfavourable light. Those +circumstances are passing. You will soon begin to value me at my true +worth." + +"We had half promised," Pamela murmured, "to go out with Mr. Fischer +this evening." + +"The more reason for my intervention," Lutchester observed. "Fischer is +not a fit person for you to associate with." + +She laughed curiously. + +"People who saw you at the roof-garden last night might say that you +were scarcely a judge," Pamela retorted. + +"People who did not know the circumstances might have considered me +guilty of an indiscretion," Lutchester admitted, "but they would have +been entirely wrong. On the other hand, your friend Fischer is a +would-be murderer, a liar, and is at the present moment engaged in +intrigues which are a most immoral compound of duplicity and cunning." + +"I shall begin to think," Pamela murmured, "that you don't like Mr. +Fischer!" + +"I detest him heartily," Lutchester confessed. + +"I find him singularly interesting," Pamela announced, sitting up in +her chair. + +"I dare say you do," Lutchester replied. "Women are always bad judges +of our sex. All the same, you are not going to marry him." + +"How do you know he wants to marry me?" Pamela demanded. + +"Instinct!" + +"And what do you mean by saying that I am not going to marry him?" + +"Because," Lutchester announced, "you are going to marry some one +else." + +Pamela rose to her feet. There was a little spot +of colour in her cheeks. + +"Am I indeed!" she exclaimed. "And whom, pray?" + +"That I will tell you at Washington," Lutchester promised. + +"You know his name, then?" + +"I know him intimately," was the cool reply. "What about our dinner +to-night?" + +"We are going to dine with Mr. Fischer," Pamela decided. + +"I really don't think so," Lutchester objected. "For one thing, Mr. +Fischer will probably have to attend the police court again later on." + +"What about?" + +"For having hired a famous murderer to try and get rid of me." +Lutchester explained suavely. + +"Do you really believe that?" Pamela scoffed. "Why should he want to +get rid of you? What harm can you do him?" + +"I am trying to find out," Lutchester replied grimly. "Still, since you +ask the question, the pocketbook which is on its way to Germany, and +which I picked up when Nikasti was taken ill--" + +"Oh, yes, I know about that!" Pamela interrupted. "That is the one +thing that always sets me thinking about you. What did you do it for? +How did you know what it meant to me?" + +"Divination, I imagine," Lutchester answered, "or perhaps I was +thinking what it might mean to Mr. Fischer." + +She looked at him and her face was a study in mixed expressions. Her +forehead was a little knitted, her eyes almost strained in their desire +to read him; her lips were petulant. + +"Dear me, what a puzzle you are!" she exclaimed. "All the same, I am +going to wait for Mr. Fischer. It doesn't matter whether one dines or +sups. I suppose he will get away from the police court sometime or +other." + +"But anyway," he protested, "you've heard all that Mr. Fischer has to +say. Now I, on the other hand, haven't shown you my hand yet." + +"Heard all that Mr. Fischer has to say?" she repeated. + +"Certainly! Wasn't he here for several hours with you this afternoon? +Didn't he promise you an alliance with Germany against Japan, if you +could persuade certain people at Washington to change their tone and +attitude towards the export of munitions?" + +"This," she declared, trying to keep a certain agitation from her tone, +"is mere bluff." + +Lutchester was suddenly very serious indeed. + +"Listen," he said, "I can prove to you, if you will, that it is not +bluff. I can prove to you that I really know something of what I am +talking about." + +"There is nothing I should like better," she declared. + +"To begin with then," Lutchester said, "the pocketbook which Nikasti is +supposed to have stolen from your room, the pocketbook of young Sandy +Graham, which Mr. Fischer has sent to Germany, does not contain the +formula of the new explosive, or any other formula that amounts to +anything." + +"Just how do you know that?" she demanded. + +"To continue," Lutchester said, playing with a little ornament upon the +mantelpiece, "you have an appointment--within half an hour, I +believe--with Mr. Paul Haskall, who is a specialist in explosives, +having an official position with the American Government." + +She had ceased to struggle any longer with her surprise. She looked at +him fixedly but remained silent. + +"It is your belief," he proceeded, "that you are going to hand over to +him the formula of which we were speaking." + +"It is no belief," she replied. "It is certainty. I took it myself from +Graham's pocket." + +Lutchester nodded. + +"Good! Have you opened it?" + +"I have," she declared. "It is without doubt, the formula." + +"On the other hand, I am here to assure you that it is not," Lutchester +replied. + +Her hand was tearing at the cushion by her side. She moistened her +lips. There was something about Lutchester hatefully convincing. + +"What do you mean?" she demanded. "Is this a trick. You won't get it! +No one but Mr. Haskall will get that formula from me!" + +Lutchester smiled. + +"It will only puzzle him when he gets it! To tell you the truth, the +formula is rubbish." + +"I don't believe you," she said firmly. "If you think you are going to +interfere with my handing it over to him, you are mistaken." + +"I have no wish to do anything of the sort," Lutchester assured her. +"Make a bargain with me. Mr. Haskall will be here soon. Unfasten the +little package you are carrying somewhere about your person, hand him +the envelope and watch his face. If he tells you that what you have +offered him is a coherent and possible formula for an explosive, then +you can look upon me for ever afterwards as the poor, foolish person +you sometimes seem to consider me. If, on the other hand, he tells you +that it is rubbish, I shall expect you at the Ritz-Carlton at half-past +eight." + +There was a ring at the bell. She rose to her feet. + +"I accept," she declared. "That is Mr. Haskall. And, by the bye, Mr. +Lutchester, don't order too elaborate a dinner, for I am very much +afraid you will have to eat it all yourself. Now, au revoir," she +added, as the door was opened in obedience to her summons and a servant +stood prepared to show him out. "If we don't turn up to-night, you will +know the reason." + +"I am very hopeful," Lutchester replied, as he turned away. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + + +At five-and-twenty minutes past eight that evening Lutchester, who was +waiting in the entrance hall of the Ritz-Carlton, became just a little +restless. At half-past, his absorption in an evening paper, over the +top of which he looked at every newcomer, was almost farcical. At +five-and-twenty to nine Pamela arrived. He advanced down the lounge to +meet her. Her face was inscrutable, her smile conventional. Yet she had +come! He looked over his shoulder towards the men's coat room. + +"Your brother?" + +"I sent Jim to his club," she said. "I want to have a confidential talk +with you, Mr. Lutchester." + +"I am very flattered," he told her, with real earnestness. + +She vanished for a few moments in the cloakroom, and reappeared, a +radiant vision in deep blue silk. Her hair was gathered in a coil at +the top of her head, and surmounted with an ornament of pearls. + +"You are looking at my headdress," she remarked, as they walked into +the room. "It is the style you admire, is it not?" + +He murmured something vague, but he knew that he was forgiven. They +were ushered to their places by a portly maitre d'hotel, and she +approved of his table. It was set almost in an alcove, and was +partially hidden from the other diners. + +"Is this seclusion vanity or flattery?" + +"As a matter of fact, it is rather a popular table," he told her. "We +have an excellent view of the room, and yet one can talk here without +being disturbed." + +"To talk to you is exactly what I wish to do," she said, as they took +their places. "We commence, if you please, with a question. Mr. Fischer +thought that he had that formula and he hasn't. I could have sworn that +it was in my possession--and it isn't. Where is it?" + +"I took it to the War Office before I left England," he told her +simply. "They will have the first few tons of the stuff ready next +month." + +"You!" she cried, "But where did you get it?" + +"I happened to be first, that's all," he explained. "You see, I had the +advantage of a little inside information. I could have exposed the +whole affair if I had thought it wise. I preferred, however, to let +matters take their course. Young Graham deserved all he got there, and +I made sure of being the first to go through his papers. I'm afraid I +must confess that I left a bogus formula for you." + +"I had begun to suspect this," Pamela confessed. "You don't mind being +put into the witness box, do you?" she added, as she pushed aside the +menu with a little sigh of satisfaction. "How wonderfully you order an +American dinner!" + +"I am so glad I have chosen what you like," he said, "and as to being +in the witness box--well, I am going to place myself in the +confessional, and that is very much the same thing, isn't it?" + +"To begin at the beginning, then--about that destroyer?" + +"My mission over here was really important," he admitted. "I couldn't +catch the _Lapland_, so the Admiralty sent me over." + +"And your golf with Senator Hamblin? It wasn't altogether by accident +you met him down at Baltusrol, was it?" + +"It was not," he confessed, "I had reason to suspect that certain +proposals from Berlin were to be put forward to the President either +through his or Senator Hastings' mediation. There were certain facts in +connection with them, which I desired to be the first to lay before the +authorities." + +She looked around the room and recognised some of her friends. For some +reason or other she felt remarkably light-hearted. + +"For a poor vanquished woman," she observed, turning back to +Lutchester, "I feel extraordinarily gay to-night. Tell me some more." + +He bowed. + +"Mademoiselle Sonia," he proceeded, "has been a friend of mine since +she sang in the cafes of Buda Pesth. I dined with her, however, because +it had come to my knowledge that she was behaving in a very foolish +manner." + +Pamela nodded understandingly. + +"She was the friend of Count Maurice Ziduski, wasn't she?" + +"She is no longer," Lutchester replied. "She sailed for France this +morning without seeing him. She has remembered that she is a +Frenchwoman." + +"It was you who reminded her!" + +"Love so easily makes people forgetful," he said, "and I think that +Sonia was very fond of Maurice Ziduski. She is a thoughtless, +passionate woman, easily swayed through her affections, and she had no +idea of the evil she was doing." + +"So that disposes of Sonia," Pamela reflected. + +"Sonia was only an interlude," Lutchester declared. "She really doesn't +come into this affair at all. The one person who does come into it, +whom you and I must speak of, is Fischer." + +"A most interesting man," Pamela sighed. "I really think his wife would +have a most exciting life." + +"She would!" Lutchester agreed. "She'd probably be allowed to visit him +once every fourteen days in care of a warder." + +"Spite!" Pamela exclaimed, with a suspicious little quiver at the +corner of her lips. + +Lutchester shook his head. + +"Fischer is too near the end of his rope for me to feel spiteful," he +said, "though I am quite prepared to grant that he may be capable of +considerable mischief yet. A man who has the sublime effrontery to +attempt to come to an agreement with two countries, each behind the +other's back, is a little more than Machiavellian, isn't he?" + +"Is that true of Mr. Fischer?" + +"Absolutely," Lutchester assured her. "He is over here for the purpose +of somehow or other making it known informally in Washington that +Germany would be willing to pledge herself to an alliance with America +against Japan, after the war, if America will alter her views as to the +export of munitions to the Allies." + +"Well, that's a reasonable proposition, isn't it, from his point of +view?" Pamela remarked. "It may not be a very agreeable one from yours, +but it is certainly one which he has a right to make." + +"Entirely," Lutchester agreed, "but where he goes wrong is that his +primary object in coming here was to meet Hie chief of the Japanese +Secret Service, to whom he has made a proposition of precisely similar +character." + +Pamela set down her glass. + +"You are not in earnest!" + +"Absolutely." + +"Nikasti?" + +"Precisely! He came all the way from Japan to confer with Fischer. +Probably, if we knew the whole truth, those rooms at the Plaza Hotel, +and the social partnership of your brother and Fischer, were arranged +for no other reason than to provide a safe personality for Nikasti in +this country, and a safe place for him to talk things over with +Fischer." + +"Mr. Fischer was paying nearly the whole of the expenses of the Plaza +suite," Pamela observed thoughtfully. + +"Naturally," Lutchester replied. "Your brother's name was a good, safe +name to get behind. But to conclude with our friend Nikasti. He is +supposed to leave New York next Saturday, and to carry to the Emperor +of Japan an autograph letter from a nameless person, promising him, if +Japan will cease the export of munitions to Russia, the aid of Germany +in her impending campaign against America." + +"An autograph letter, did you say?" Pamela almost gasped. + +"An autograph letter," Lutchester repeated firmly. "Now don't you agree +with me that Fischer's game is just a little too daring?" + +"It is preposterous!" she cried. + +"I have a theory," Lutchester continued, "that Fischer was never +intended to use more than one of these letters. It was intended that he +should study the situation here, approach one side, and, if +unsuccessful, try the other. Fischer, however, conceived a more +magnificent idea. He seems to be trying both at the same time. It is +the sublime egotism of the Teutonic mind." + +"It is monstrous!" Pamela exclaimed indignantly. + +"It is almost as monstrous," Lutchester agreed, "as his daring to raise +his eyes to you, although, so far as you are concerned, I believe that +he is as honest as the man knows how to be." + +"And why," she asked, "do you credit him with so much good faith?" + +"Because," Lutchester replied, "if he had not been actuated by personal +motives, he would never have sought you out as an intermediary. There +are other sources open to him, by means of which he could make equally +sure of reaching the President's ear. His idea was to impress you. It +was foolish but natural." + +Pamela was deep in thought. There was an angry spot of colour burning +in her cheek. + +"Do you mean to tell me, Mr. Lutchester," she persisted, "that this +afternoon, say, when with every appearance of earnestness he was +begging me to put these propositions before my uncle, he had really +made precisely similar overtures to Japan?" + +"I give you my word that this is the truth," Lutchester assured her +solemnly. + +She looked at him with something almost like wonder in her eyes. + +"But you?" she exclaimed. "How do you know this? How can you be sure of +it?" + +"I have seen the autograph letter which Nikasti has in his possession," +he announced. + +"You mean that Mr. Fischer showed it to you?" she exclaimed +incredulously. + +Lutchester hesitated. + +"There are methods," he said, "which those who fight in the dark places +for their country are forced sometimes to make use of. I have seen the +letter. I have half convinced those who represent Japan in this matter +of Fischer's duplicity. With your help I am hoping wholly to do so." + +Pamela leaned for a moment back in her chair. + +"Really," she declared, "I am beginning to have the feeling that I am +living almost too rapidly. Let us have a breathing spell. I wonder what +all these other people are talking about." + +"Probably," he suggested, with a little glance around, "about +themselves. We will follow their example. Will you marry me, please, +Miss Van Teyl?" + +"We haven't even come to the ice yet," she sighed, "and you pass from +high politics to flagrant personalities. Are you a sensationalist, Mr. +Lutchester?" + +"Not in the least," he protested. "I simply asked you an extremely +important question quite calmly." + +"It isn't a question that should be asked calmly," she objected. + +"I have immense self-control," he told her, "but if you'd like me to +abandon it--" + +"For heaven's sake, no!" she interrupted. "Tell me more about Mr. +Fischer." + +"You won't forget to answer my little question later on, will you?" he +begged. "To proceed, then. I spent some little time this afternoon with +your chief of the police here, and I fancy that the person you speak of +is becoming a little too blatant even for a broad-minded country like +this. He belongs to an informal company of wealthy sympathisers with +Germany, who propose to start a campaign of destruction at all the +factories manufacturing munitions for the Allies. They have put +aside--I believe it is several million dollars, for purposes of +bribery. They don't seem to realise, as my friend pointed out to me +this afternoon, that the days for this sort of thing in New York have +passed. Some of them will be in prison before they know where they +are." + +"Exactly why did you come to America?" she asked, a little abruptly. + +"To meet Nikasti and to look after Fischer." + +"Well, you seem to have done that pretty effectually!" + +"Also," he went on calmly, "to keep an eye upon you." + +"Professionally?" + +"You ask me to give away too many secrets," he whispered, leaning +towards her. + +She made a little grimace. + +"Tell me some more about your little adventure in Fifth Avenue?" she +begged. + +He smiled grimly. + +"You wouldn't believe me," he reminded her, "but it really was one of +Fischer's little jokes. It very nearly came off, too. As a matter of +fact," he went on, "Fischer isn't really clever. He is too obstinate, +too convinced in his own mind that things must go the way he wants them +to, that Fate is the servant of his will. It's a sort of national +trait, you know, very much like the way we English bury our heads in +the sand when we hear unpleasant truths. The last thing Fischer wants +is advertisement, and yet he goes to some of his Fourteenth Street +friends and unearths a popular desperado to get rid of me. The fellow +happens most unexpectedly to fail, and now Fischer has to face a good +many awkward questions and a good deal of notoriety. No, I don't think +Fischer is really clever." + +Pamela sighed. + +"In that case, I suppose I shall have to say 'No' to him," she decided. +"After waiting all this time, I couldn't bear to be married to a fool." + +"You won't be," he assured her cheerfully. + +"More British arrogance," she murmured. "Now see what's going to happen +to us!" + +A tall, elderly man, with smooth white hair plastered over his +forehead, very precisely dressed, and with a gait so careful as to be +almost mincing, was approaching their table. Pamela held out her hands. + +"My dear uncle!" she exclaimed. "And I thought that you and aunt never +dined at restaurants!" + +Mr. Hastings stood with his fingers resting lightly upon the table. He +glanced at Lutchester without apparent recognition. + +"You remember Mr. Lutchester?" Pamela murmured. + +Mr. Hastings' manner lacked the true American cordiality, but he +hastened to extend his hand. + +"Of course!" he declared. "I was not fortunate enough, however, to see +much of you the other evening, Mr. Lutchester. We have several mutual +friends whom I should be glad to hear about." + +"I shall pay my respects to Mrs. Hastings, if I may, very shortly," +Lutchester promised. + +"Are you with friends here, uncle?" Pamela inquired. + +"We are the guests of Mr. Oscar Fischer," the Senator announced. + +Pamela raised her eyebrows. + +"So you know Mr. Fischer, uncle?" + +"Naturally," Mr. Hastings replied, with some dignity. "Oscar Fischer is +one of the most important men in the State which I represent. He is a +man of great wealth and industry and immense influence." + +Pamela made a little grimace. Her uncle noticed it and frowned. + +"He has just been telling us of his voyage with you, Pamela. Perhaps, +if Mr. Lutchester can spare you," he went on, with a little bow across +the table, "you will come and take your coffee with us. Your aunt is +leaving for Washington, probably to-morrow, and wishes to arrange for +you to travel with her. Mr. Lutchester may also, perhaps, give us the +pleasure of his company for a few minutes," he added, after a slight +but obvious pause. + +"Thank you," Pamela answered quickly, "I am Mr. Lutchester's guest this +evening. If you are still here, I shall love to come and speak to aunt +for a moment later on. If not, I will ring up to-morrow morning." + +The bland, almost episcopal serenity of Senator Hastings' face was +somewhat disturbed. It was obvious that the situation displeased him. + +"I think, Pamela," he said, "that you had better come and speak to your +aunt before you leave." + +His bow to Lutchester was the bow of a politician to an adversary. He +made his way back in leisurely fashion to the table from which he had +come, exchanging a few words with many acquaintances. Pamela watched +him with a twinkle in her eyes. + +"I am becoming so unpopular," she murmured. "I can read in my uncle's +tone that my aunt and he disapprove of our dining together here. And as +for Mr. Fischer. I'm afraid he'll break off our prospective alliance." + +Lutchester smiled. + +"Prospective is the only word to use," he observed. "By the bye, are +you particularly fond of your uncle?" + +"Not riotously," she admitted. "He has been kind to me once or twice, +but he's rather a starchy old person." + +"In that case," Lutchester decided, "we won't interfere." + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + + +Fischer had by no means the appearance of a discomfited man that +evening, when some time later Pamela and Lutchester approached the +little group of which he seemed, somehow, to have become the central +figure. It was a small party, but, in its way, a distinguished one. +Pamela's aunt was a member of an historic American family, and a woman +of great social position, not only in New York but in Washington +itself. Of the remaining guests, one was a financial magnate of +world-wide fame, and the other, Senator Joyce, a politician of such +eminence that his name was freely mentioned as a possible future +president. Mrs. Hastings greeted Pamela and her escort without +enthusiasm. + +"My dear child," she exclaimed, "how extraordinary to find you here!" + +"Is it?" Pamela observed indifferently. "You know Mr. Lutchester, don't +you, aunt?" + +Mrs. Hastings remembered her late dinner guest, but her recognition was +icy and barely polite. She turned away at once and resumed her +conversation with Fischer. Lutchester was not introduced to either of +the other members of the party. He laid his hand on the back of an +empty chair and turned it round for Pamela, but she stopped him with a +word of thanks. Something had gone from her own naturally pleasant +tone. She held her hand higher, even, than her aunt's, as she turned a +little insistently towards her. + +"So sorry, aunt," she announced, "but we are going now. Good night!" + +Mrs. Hastings disapproved. + +"We have seen nothing of you yet, Pamela," she said stiffly. "You had +better stay with us and we will drop you on our way home." + +Pamela shook her head. + +"I am coming with you to-morrow, you know," she reminded her aunt. +"To-night I am Mr. Lutchester's guest and he will see me home." + +Mrs. Hastings drew her niece a little closer to her. + +"Is this part of your European manners, Pamela?" she whispered, "that +you dine alone in a restaurant with an acquaintance? Let me tell you +frankly that I dislike the idea most heartily. My chaperonage is always +at your service, and any girl of your age in America would be delighted +to avail herself of it." + +"It is very kind of you, aunt," Pamela replied, "but in a general way I +finished with chaperons long ago." + +"Where is Jimmy?" Mrs. Hastings inquired. + +"He was coming with us to-night," Pamela explained, "but I asked him +particularly to stay away. I have seen so little of Mr. Lutchester +since he arrived, and I want to talk to him." + +The financial magnate awoke from a comatose inertia and suddenly +gripped Lutchester by the hand. + +"Lutchester," he repeated to himself. "I thought I knew your face. +Stayed with your uncle down at Monte Carlo once. You came there for a +week." + +Lutchester acknowledged his recollection of the fact and the two men +exchanged a few commonplace remarks. Mrs. Hastings took the opportunity +to try and induce Pamela to converse with Fischer. + +"We have all been so interested to-night," she said, "in hearing what +Mr. Fischer has to say about the situation on the other side." + +Pamela was primed for combat. + +"Has Mr. Fischer been telling you fairy tales?" she laughed. + +"Fairy tales?" her aunt repeated severely. "I don't understand." + +Fischer's steel grey eyes flashed behind his spectacles. + +"I'm afraid that Miss Van Teyl's prejudices," he observed bitterly, +"are very firmly fixed." + +"Then she is no true American," Mrs. Hastings pronounced didactically. + +"Oh, I can assure you that I am not prejudiced," Pamela declared, +"only, you see, I, too, have just arrived from the other side, and I +have been able to use my own eyes and judgment. If there is any +prejudice in the matter, why should it not come from Mr. Fischer? He +has the very good excuse of his German birth." + +"Mr. Fischer is an American citizen," Mrs. Hastings reminded her niece, +"and personally, I think that the American of German birth is one of +the most loyal and long-suffering persons I know. I cannot say as much +for the English people who are living over here. And as to fairy +stories--" + +Pamela intervened, turning towards Fischer with a little laugh. + +"Oh, he can't even deny those! What about the great German victory in +the North Sea, Mr. Fischer? Do you happen to have seen the latest +telegrams?" + +"Our first reports were perhaps a little too glowing," Mr. Fischer +acknowledged. "That, under the circumstances, is, I think, only +natural. But the facts remain that the invincible English and the +untried German fleets have met, to the advantage of the German." + +Pamela shook her head. + +"I cannot even allow that," she objected. "The advantage, if there was +any, rested on the other side. But I just want you to remember what we +were told in that first wonderful outpouring of fabricated news--that +the naval supremacy of England was gone for ever, that the freedom of +the seas was assured, that German merchant vessels were steaming home +from all directions! No, Mr. Fischer! Between ourselves, I think that +your cause needs a few fairy stories, and I look upon you as one of the +greatest experts in the world when it comes to concocting them." + +Fischer, who had risen to his feet half way through Pamela's speech, +was obviously a little taken aback by her direct attack. Mrs. Hastings +took no pains to conceal her annoyance. + +"For a young girl of your age, Pamela," she said sternly, "I consider +that you express your opinions far too freely. Your attitude, too, is +unjustifiable." + +"Ah, well, you see, I am a little prejudiced against Mr. Fischer," +Pamela laughed, turning towards him. "He happened to defeat one of my +pet schemes." + +"But I am ready to further your dearest one," he reminded her, dropping +his voice, and leading her a little on one side. "What about our +alliance?" + +"You scarcely need my aid," she observed, with a shrug of the +shoulders. + +He remonstrated vigorously. There was a revived hopefulness in his +tone. Perhaps, after all, here was the secret of her displeasure with +him. + +"You wonder, perhaps, to see me with your uncle. I give you my word +that it is a dinner of courtesy only. I give you my word that I have +not opened my lips on political matters. I have been waiting for your +answer." + +"I have lost faith in you," she told him calmly. "I am not even certain +that you possess the authority you spoke of." + +"If that is all," he replied eagerly, "you shall see it with your own +eyes. You are staying with your uncle and aunt in Washington, are you +not? I shall call upon you immediately I arrive, and bring it with me." + +She nodded. + +"Well, that remains a challenge, then, Mr. Fischer. And now, if you are +quite ready," she added, turning to Lutchester.... "Good-by, +everybody!" + +"Aren't your ears burning?" Pamela asked, after Lutchester had handed +her into a taxicab and taken his place by her side. "I can absolutely +feel them talking about us." + +"I seem to be most regrettably unpopular," Lutchester remarked. + +"Even now I am puzzled about that," Pamela confessed, "but you see my +aunt considers herself the arbitress of what is right or wrong in +social matters, and she is exceedingly narrow-minded. In her eyes it is +no doubt a greater misdemeanour for me to have dined at the +Ritz-Carlton alone with you, than if I had conspired against the +Government." + +"And this, I thought, was the land of freedom for your sex!" + +"Ah, but my aunt is rather an exception," Pamela reminded him. "The one +thing I cannot understand, however, is that she should have allowed +herself to be seen dining with Mr. Oscar Fischer at the Ritz-Carlton. I +should have thought that would have been almost as heinous to her as my +own little slip from grace." + +"Is your aunt by way of being interested in politics?" Lutchester +inquired. + +"Not in a general way," Pamela replied, "but she is intensely +ambitious, and she'd give her soul if Uncle Theodore could get a +nomination for the Presidency." + +"Perhaps she is taking up the German-American cause, then," Lutchester +suggested. "It is a possible platform, at any rate." + +"I foresee a new party," Pamela murmured thoughtfully. "Now I come to +think of it, Mr. Elsworthy, the fat old gentleman who knew your uncle, +is very pro-German." + +He leaned towards her. + +"We have had enough politics," he insisted. "There is the other thing. +Couldn't I have my answer?" + +She let him take her fingers. In the cool darkness through which they +were rushing her face seemed white, her head was a little averted. He +tried to draw her to him, but she was unyielding. + +"Please not," she begged. "I like you--and I'm glad I like you," she +added, "but I don't feel certain about anything. Couldn't we be just +friends a little longer?" + +"It must be as you say, but I am horribly in love with you," he +confessed. "That may sound rather a bald way of saying so, but it's the +truth, Pamela, dear." + +His clasp upon her fingers was tightened. She turned towards him. Her +expression was serious but delightful. + +"Well, let me tell you this much, at least," she confided. "I have +never before in my life been so glad to hear any one say so.... And +here we are at home, and there's Jimmy on the doorstep. What is it, +Jimmy," she asked, waving her hand. + +He came down towards her in a state of great excitement. + +"Say, we've had to open up the office again!" he exclaimed. "The +telegrams are rolling in now. That so-called German naval victory was a +fake. The Britishers came out right on top. You know you stand to net at +least half a million, Mr. Lutchester? The worst of it is I have another +client who's going to lose it." + +Pamela shook her head at Lutchester. + +"The possibility of increased responsibilities," he whispered. "A +married man needs something to fall back upon." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + + +The offices of Messrs. Neville, Brooks, and Van Teyl were the scene of +something like pandemonium. Van Teyl himself, bathed in perspiration, +rushed into his room for the twentieth time. He almost flung the +newspaper man who was waiting for him through the door. + +"No, we don't know a darned thing," he declared. "We've no special +information. The only reason we're up to our neck in Anglo-French is +because we've two big clients dealing." + +"It's just a few personal notes about those clients we'd like to +handle." + +"Oh, get out as quick as you can!" Van Teyl snapped. "This isn't a +bucket shop or a pool room. The names of our clients concerns ourselves +only." + +"What do you think Anglo-French are going to do, Mr. Van Teyl?" + +"I can't tell," was the prompt answer, "but I can tell what's going to +happen if you don't clear out." + +The newspaper man took a hurried leave. Van Teyl seized the telephone +receiver, only to put it down with a little shout of relief as the door +opened and Lutchester entered. + +"Thank God!" he exclaimed. "Why, I've been ringing you up for an hour +and a half." + +"Sorry," Lutchester replied, "I was down at the barber's the first time +you got through, and then I had some cables to send off." + +"Look here," Van Teyl continued, gripping him by the shoulder, "is six +hundred and forty thousand dollars, or thereabouts, profit enough for +you on your Anglo-French?" + +"It sounds adequate," Lutchester confessed, laying his hat and cane +carefully upon the table and drawing up an easy-chair. "How much is Mr. +Fischer going to lose?" + +"God knows! If you allow me to sell at the present moment, you'll ease +the market, and he'll lose about what you make." + +"And if I decide to hold my Anglo-French?" + +"You'll have to provide us with about a couple of million dollars," Van +Teyl replied, "and I should think you would pretty well break Fischer +for a time. Frankly, he's an important client, and we don't want him +broken, even temporarily." + +"What do you want me to do, then?" + +"Give us authority to sell," Van Teyl begged. "Can't you hear them +yapping about in the office outside? They're round me all the time like +a pack of hounds. Honestly, if I don't sell some Anglo-French before +lunch-time to-day, they look like wrecking the office." + +Lutchester knocked the end of a cigarette thoughtfully against the side +of his chair. + +"All right," he decided, "I don't want you to suffer any inconvenience. +Besides, I am going to Washington this afternoon. You can keep on +selling as long as the market's steady. Directly it sags, hold off. If +necessary, even buy a few more. You understand me? Don't sell a single +block under to-day's price. Keep the market at that figure. It's an +easy job, because next week Anglo-French will go up again." + +Van Teyl was moved to a rare flash of admiration. + +"You're a cool hand, Lutchester," he declared, "considering you're not +a business man." + +"Fischer's the man who'll need to keep cool," Lutchester remarked, +lighting his cigarette. "What about a little lunch?" + +The stockbroker scarcely heard him. He had struck a bell, and the +office seemed suddenly filled with clerks. Van Teyl's words were +incoherent--a string of strange directions, punctuated by slang which +was, so far as Lutchester was concerned, unintelligible. The whole +place seemed to wake into a clamour of telephone bells, shouts, the +clanging and opening of the lift gates, and the hurried tramp of +footsteps in the corridors outside. Lutchester rose to his feet. He was +looking very comfortable and matter-of-fact in his grey tweed suit and +soft felt hat. + +"Perhaps," he observed pleasantly, "I am out of place here. Drop me a +line and let me know how things are going to the Hotel Capitol at +Washington." + +"That's all right," Van Teyl promised. "I'll get you on the +long-distance 'phone. I was coming myself with Pamela for a few days, +but this little deal of yours has set things buzzing.... Say, who's +that?" + +The door opened, and Fischer paused upon the threshold. Certainly, of +all the people concerned, the two speculators themselves seemed the +least moved by the excitement they were causing. Fischer was dressed +with his usual spick-and-span neatness, and his appearance betrayed no +sign of flurry or excitement. He nodded grimly to Lutchester. + +"My congratulations," he said. "You seem to have rigged the Press here +to some purpose." + +Lutchester raised his eyebrows. + +"I don't even know a newspaper man in New York," he declared. + +The newcomer gave vent to a little gesture of derision. + +"Then you've some very clever friends! You'd better make the most of +their offices. The German version of the naval battle will be confirmed +and amplified within twenty-four hours, and then your Anglo-French will +touch mud." + +"If that is your idea," Lutchester remarked suavely, "why buy now? Why +not wait till next week? Come," he went on, "I will have a little +flutter with you, if you like, Fischer. I will bet you five thousand +dollars, and Van Teyl here shall hold the stakes, that a week hence +to-day Anglo-French stand higher than they do at this moment." + +Fischer hesitated. Then he turned away. + +"I am not a sportsman, Mr. Lutchester," he said. + +Lutchester brushed away a little dust from his coat sleeve. + +"No," he murmured, "I agree with you. Good morning!" + +Lutchester walked out into the sun-baked streets, and with his absence +Fischer abandoned his almost unnatural calm. He strode up and down the +room, fuming with rage. At every fresh click of the tape machine, he +snatched at the printed slip eagerly and threw it away with an oath. No +one took any notice of him. Van Teyl rushed in and out, telephones +clanged, perspiring clerks dashed in with copies of contracts to add to +the small pile upon the desk. There came a quiet moment presently. Van +Teyl wiped the perspiration from his forehead and drank a tumblerful of +water. + +"Fischer," he asked, "what made you go into this so big? You must have +known there was always the risk of your wireless report beating it up a +little too tall." + +"It wasn't our report at all that I went by," Fischer confessed +gloomily. "It was the English Admiralty announcement that did it. Can +you conceive," he went on, striking the table with his fist, "any +nation at war, with a grain of common sense or an ounce of +self-respect, issuing a statement like that?--an apology for a defeat +which, damn it all, never happened! Say the thing was a drawn battle, +which is about what it really was. It didn't suit the Germans to fight +it to a finish. They'd everything to lose and little to gain. So in +effect they left the Britishers there and passed back behind their own +minefield. So far as regards reports, that was victory enough for any +one except those muddle-headed civilians at Whitehall. They deceived +the world with that infernal bulletin, and incidentally me. It was on +that statement I gave you my orders, not on ours." + +"It's a damned unfortunate business!" Van Teyl sighed. "You're only +half way out yet, and it's cost you nearly three hundred thousand." + +A dull spot of purple colour burned in Fischer's cheeks. His upper lip +was drawn in, his appearance for a moment was repulsive. + +"It isn't the money I mind," he muttered. "It's Lutchester." + +Van Teyl was discreetly silent. Fischer seemed to read his thoughts. He +leaned across the table. + +"A wonderful fellow, your friend Lutchester," he sneered. "An Admirable +Crichton of finance and diplomacy and love-making, eh? But the end +isn't just yet. I promise you one thing, James Van Teyl. He isn't going +to marry your sister." + +"I'd a damned sight sooner she married him than you!" Van Teyl blazed +out. + +Fischer was taken aback. He had held for so long the upper hand with +this young man that for the moment he had forgotten that circumstances +were changed between them. Van Teyl rose to his feet. The bonds of the +last few months had snapped. He spoke like a free man. + +"Look here, Fischer," he said, "you've had me practically in your power +for the best part of a year, but now I'm through with you. I'm out of +your debt, no thanks to you, and I'm going to keep out. I am working on +your business as hard as though you were my own brother, and I'll go on +doing it. I'll get you out of this mess as well as I can, and after +that you can take your damned business where you please." + +"So that's it, is it?" Fischer scoffed. "A rich brother-in-law coming +along, eh? ... No, don't do that," stepping quickly backwards as Van +Teyl's fist shot out. + +"Then keep my sister's name out of this conversation," Van Teyl +insisted. "If you are wise, you'll clear out altogether. They're at it +again." + +Fischer, however, glanced at the clock and remained. At the next lull, +he hung down the tape and turned to his companion. + +"Say, there's no use quarrelling, James," he declared. "I'm going to +leave you to it now. Guess I said a little more than I meant to, but I +tell you I hate that fellow Lutchester. I hate him just as though I +were the typical German and he were the typical Britisher, and there +was nothing but a sea of hate between us. Shake hands, Jim." + +Van Teyl obeyed without enthusiasm. Fischer drew a chair to the table +and wrote out a cheque, which he passed across. + +"I'll drop into the bank and let them know about this," he said. "You +can make up accounts and let me hear how the balance stands. I'll wipe +it out by return, whatever it is." + +Fischer passed out of the offices a few minutes later, followed by many +curious eyes, and stepped into his automobile. A young man who had +brushed against him pushed a note into his hand. Fischer opened it as +his car swung slowly through the traffic:-- + +Guards at all Connecticut factories doubled. O'Hagan caught last night +in precincts of small arms factory. Was taken alive, disobeying orders. +Be careful. + +Fischer tore the note into small pieces. His face was grimmer than ever +as he leaned back amongst the cushions. There were evil things awaiting +him outside Wall Street. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + + +Lutchester breathed the air of Washington and felt almost homesick. The +stateliness of the city, its sedate and quiescent air after the turmoil +of New York, impressed him profoundly. Everywhere its diplomatic +associations made themselves felt. Congress was in session, and the +faces of the men whom he met continually in the hotels and restaurants +seemed to him some index of the world power which flung its +far-reaching arms from beneath the Capitol dome. + +One afternoon a few days after his arrival he called at the Hastings' +house, a great Colonial mansion within a stone's throw of his own +headquarters. The mention of his name, however, seemed to chill all the +hospitality out of the smiling face of the southern butler who answered +his ring. Miss Van Teyl was out, and from the man's manner it was +obvious that Miss Van Teyl would continue to be out for a very long +time. Lutchester retraced his steps to the British Embassy, where he +had spent most of the morning, and made his way to the sitting-room of +one of the secretaries. The Honourable Philip Downing, who was eagerly +waiting for a cable recalling him to take up a promised commission, +welcomed him heartily. + +"Things are slack here to-day, old fellow. Let's go out to the Country +Club and have a few sets of tennis or a game of golf, whichever you +prefer," he suggested. "I've done my little lot till the evening." + +"Show on to-night, isn't there?" Lutchester inquired. + +"Just a reception. You're going to put in an appearance?" + +"I fancy so. Have you got your list of guests handy?" + +The young man dived into a drawer and produced a few typewritten +sheets. + +"Alphabetical list of acceptances, with here and there a few personal +notes," he pointed out, with an air of self-satisfaction. "I go through +this list with the chief while he's changing for dinner." + +Lutchester ran his forefinger down the list. + +"Senator Theodore and Mrs. Hastings," he quoted. "By the bye, they have +a niece staying with them." + +"Want a card for her?" the Honourable Philip inquired with a grin. + +"I should like it sent off this moment," Lutchester replied. + +The young man took a square, gilt-edged card from a drawer by his side, +filled it out at Lutchester's dictation, rang the bell, and dispatched +it by special messenger. + +"I've got my little buzzer outside," he observed. "We'll make tracks +for the club, if you're ready." + +The two men played several sets of tennis and afterwards lounged in two +wicker chairs, underneath a gigantic plane tree in a corner of the +lawn. The place was crowded, and Philip Downing was an excellent +showman. + +"Washington," he explained, "has never been so divided into opposite +camps, and this is almost the only common meeting ground. Every one has +to come here, of course. The German Staff play tennis and the Austrians +all go in for polo. Here comes Ziduski. He's most fearfully popular +with the ladies here--does us a lot of harm, they say. He's a great +sticker for etiquette. He used to nod and call me Phil. Now you watch. +He'll bow from his waist, as though he had corsets on. As a matter of +fact, he's a good sportsman." + +Count Ziduski's bow was stiff enough but his intention was obvious. He +stopped before the two men, exchanged a somewhat stilted greeting with +Philip Downing, and turned to Lutchester. + +"I believe," he said, "that I have the honour of addressing Mr. +Lutchester?" + +Lutchester rose to his feet. + +"That is my name," he admitted. + +"We have met in Rome, I think, and in Paris," the Count reminded him. +"If I might beg for the favour of a few moments' conversation with +you." + +The two men strolled away together. The Count plunged at once into the +middle of things. + +"It is you, sir, I believe, whom I have to thank for the abrupt +departure of Mademoiselle Sonia from New York?" + +"Quite true," Lutchester admitted. + +"Under different circumstances," the Count proceeded, "I might regard +such interference in my affairs in a different manner. Here, of course, +that is impossible. I speak to you out of regard for the lady in +question. You appear in some mysterious manner to have discovered the +fact that she was in the habit of bringing entirely unimportant and +non-political messages from dear friends in France." + +"Mademoiselle Sonia," Lutchester said calmly, "had for a brief space of +time forgotten herself. She was engaged in carrying out espionage work +on your behalf. I believe I may say that she will do so no more." + +The Count was a man of medium height, thin, with complexion absolutely +colourless, and deep-set, tired eyes. At this moment, however, he +seemed endowed with the spirit of a new virility. The cane which he +grasped might have been a dagger. His smooth tones nursed a threat. + +"Mr. Lutchester," he declared, "if harm should come to her through your +information, I swear to God that you shall pay!" + +Lutchester's manner was mild and unprovocative. + +"Count," he replied, "we make no war upon women. Sonia has repented, +and the knowledge which I have of her misdeeds will be shared by no +one. She has gone back to her country to work for the Red Cross there. +So far as I am concerned, that is the end." + +The two men walked a few steps further in unbroken silence. Then the +Count raised his hat. + +"Mr. Lutchester," he said, "yours is the reply of an honourable enemy. +I might have trusted you, but Sonia is half of my life. I offer you my +thanks." + +He strolled away, and Lutchester rejoined his young friend. + +"The lion and the lamb seem to have parted safely!" the latter +exclaimed. "Now sit by my side and I will show you interesting things. +Those four irreproachable young men over there in tennis flannels are +all from the German Embassy. The two elder ones behind are Austrians. +All those women are the wives of Senators who sympathise with Germany. +Their husbands look like it, don't they? To-day they have an addition +to their ranks--the thin, elderly man there, whose clothes were +evidently made in London. That's Senator Hastings. He is a personal +friend of the President. Jove, what a beautiful girl with Mrs. +Hastings!" + +"That," Lutchester told him, "is the young lady to whom you have just +sent a card of invitation for to-night." + +"Then here's hoping that she comes," Philip Downing observed, finishing +his glass of mint julep. "Is she a pal of yours?" + +"Yes, I know her," Lutchester admitted. + +"Let's go and butt in, then," Downing suggested. "I love breaking up +these little gatherings. You'll see them all stiffen when we come near. +I hope they haven't got hold of Hastings, though." + +The two men rose to their feet and crossed the lawn. Fischer, who had +suddenly appeared in the background, whispered something in Mrs. +Hastings' ear. She swung around to Pamela, a second too late. Pamela, +with a word of excuse to the young man with whom she was talking, +stepped away from the circle and held out her hand to Lutchester. + +"So you have really come to Washington!" she exclaimed. + +"As a rescuer," Lutchester replied. "I feel that I have a mission. We +cannot afford to lose your sympathies. May I introduce Philip Downing?" + +Pamela shook hands with the young man and took her place between them. + +"I've been envying you your seat under the tree," she said. "Couldn't +we go there for a few moments?" + +Mrs. Hastings detached herself and approached them. She received Philip +Downing's bow cordially, and she was almost civil to Lutchester. + +"I can't have my niece taken away," she protested. "We are just going +in to tea, Pamela." + +Pamela shook her head. + +"I am going to sit under that tree with Mr. Lutchester and Mr. +Downing," she declared. "Tea doesn't attract me in the least, and that +tree does." + +Mrs. Hastings accepted defeat with a somewhat cynical gracefulness. She +closed her lorgnette with a little snap. + +"You leave us all desolated, my dear Pamela," she said. "You remind me +of what your poor dear father used to say--'Almost any one could live +with Pamela if she always had her own way.'" + +Pamela laughed as she strolled across the lawn. + +"Aren't one's relatives trying!" she murmured. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + + +Philip Downing very soon justified the profession to which he belonged +by strolling off with some excuse about paying his respects to some +acquaintances. Pamela and Lutchester immediately dropped the somewhat +frivolous tone of their conversation. + +"You know that things are moving with our friend Fischer?" she began. + +"I gathered so," Lutchester assented. + +"His scheme is growing into shape," she went on. "You know what +wonderful people his friends are for organising. Well, they are going +to start a society all through the States and nominate for its +president--Uncle Theodore." + +"Will they have any show at all?" Lutchester asked curiously. + +She shrugged her shoulders. + +"Who can tell? The German-Americans are very powerful indeed all +through the West, and then the pacifists will join them. You see, I +believe that although the soul of the country is with the Allies, +England is the most tactless country in the world. She is always giving +little pinpricks to the Government over here, either about maritime law +or one thing or another. Then all those articles in the papers about +America being too proud to fight, the sneering tone of some, even, of +the leading reviews, did a lot of harm. Uncle Theodore is going to +stand for what they call the true neutrality. That is to say, no +munitions, no help for either side." + +"Well, I don't know anything about American politics," Lutchester +confessed, "but I shouldn't think he'd have an earthly chance." + +"Money is immensely powerful," she went on reflectively, "and many of +the great money interests of the country are controlled by +German-Americans. Mr. Fischer has almost thrown me over politically, +but Uncle Theodore is crazy about the idea of a German pledge to +protect America against Japan. That is going to be the great argument +which he will keep up his sleeve until after the nomination." + +"Fischer's trump card," Lutchester observed. "He hasn't shown you a +certain autograph letter yet, I suppose?" + +She shook her head. + +"He may have shown it to Uncle Theodore. I'm afraid he doesn't mean to +approach me again. He seems to have completely changed his attitude +towards me since the night he saw us at the Ritz-Carlton dining +together. He was going to show me the letter the first day after his +arrival in Washington. Instead of that, he has been in the house for +hours at a time without making the slightest attempt to see me." + +"Faithless fellow!" Lutchester murmured. "Nothing like an Englishman, +after all, for absolute fidelity." + +"Do you really think so?" Pamela inquired anxiously. "Do you think I +should be safe in trusting my heart and future to an Englishman?" + +"To one particular Englishman, yes!" was the firm reply. "I was rather +hoping you might have made up your mind." + +"Too many things to think about," she laughed. "How long are you going +to stay in Washington?" + +"A few hours or days or weeks--until I have finished the work that +brought me here." + +"And what exactly is that?" + +"You ask me lightly," he replied, "but, if you are willing, I have +decided to take you into my confidence. Our friend Nikasti will be here +to-morrow. He was to have sailed for Japan yesterday, but he has +postponed his voyage for a few days. Do you know much about the +Japanese, Miss Pamela?" + +"Very little," she acknowledged. + +"Well, I will tell you one thing. They are not very good at forgiving. +There was only one way I could deal with Nikasti in New York, and it +was a brutal way. I have seen him twice since. He wouldn't look me in +the eyes. I know what that means. He hates me. In a sense I don't +believe he would allow that to interfere in any way with his mission. +In another sense it would. The Allies, above all things, have need of +Japan. We want Japan and America to be friends. We don't want Germany +butting in between the two. Baron Yung is a very clever man, but he is +even more impenetrable than his countrymen generally are. Our people +here admit that they find it difficult to progress with him very far. +They believe that secretly he is in sympathy with Nikasti's reports-- +but you don't know about those, I suppose?" + +"I don't think I do," she admitted. + +"Nikasti was sent to England some years ago to report upon us as a +country. Japan at that time was meditating an alliance with one of the +great European Powers. Obviously it must be Germany or England. Nikasti +travelled all through England, studied our social life, measured our +weaknesses; did the same through Germany, returned to Japan, and gave +his vote in favour of Germany. I have even seen a copy of his report. +He laid great stress upon the absolute devotion to sport of our young +men, and the entire absence of any patriotic sentiment or any means of +national defence. Well, as you know, for various reasons his counsels +were over-ridden, and Japan chose the British alliance. That was +entirely the fault of imperfect German diplomacy. At a time like this, +though, I cannot help thinking that some elements of his former +distrust still remain in Nikasti's mind, and I have an idea that Baron +Yung is, to a certain extent, a sympathiser. I've got to get at the +bottom of this before I leave the States. If I need your help, will you +give it me?" + +"If I can," she promised. + +They saw Mrs. Hastings' figure on the terrace, waving, and Pamela rose +reluctantly to her feet. + +"I don't suppose," Lutchester continued, as they strolled across the +lawn, "that you have very much influence with your uncle, or that he +would listen very much to anything that you have to say, but if he is +really in earnest about this thing, he is going to play a terribly +dangerous game. As things are at present, he has a very pleasant and +responsible position as the supporter and friend of very able men. With +regard to this new movement, he may find the whole ground crumble away +beneath his feet. Fischer is playing the game of a madman. It isn't +only political defeat that might come to him, but disgrace--even +dishonour." + +"You frighten me," Pamela confessed gravely. + +Lutchester sighed. + +"Your uncle," he went on, "is one of those thoroughly conceited, +egotistical men who will probably listen to no one. You see, I have +found out a little about him already. But they tell me that her social +position means a great deal to your aunt. Neither her birth nor her +friends could save her if Fischer drags your uncle to his chariot +wheels." + +"Do you think, perhaps, that you underestimate Mr. Fischer's position +over here?" she asked thoughtfully. + +"I don't think I do," he replied, "but here is something which you have +scarcely appreciated. Fischer has had the effrontery to link himself up +with a little crowd of Germans all through the States, who are making +organised attempts to destroy the factories where ammunitions are being +made for the Allies. That sort of thing, you know, would bring any one, +however, distantly connected with it, to Sing Sing.... One moment," he +added quickly, as Mrs. Hastings stepped forward to meet them; "the +reception at the British Embassy to-night?" + +"The others are going," she said. "My aunt didn't feel she was +sufficiently--" + +"We sent you a card round especially this afternoon," Lutchester +interrupted. "You'll come?" + +"How nice of you! Of course I will," she promised. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV + + +"Small affair, this," Downing observed, as he piloted Lutchester +through the stately reception rooms of the Embassy. "You see, we are +all living a sort of touchy life here, nowadays. We try to be civil to +any of the German or Austrian lot when we meet, but of course they +don't come to our functions. And every now and then some of those +plaguey neutrals get the needle and they don't come, so we never know +quite where we are, Guadopolis has been avoiding us lately, and I hear +he was seen out at the Lakewood Country Club with Count Reszka, the +Rumanian Minister, a few days ago. Gave the Chief quite a little +flurry, that did." + +"There's an idea over in London," Lutchester remarked, "that a good +deal of the war is being shaped in Washington nowadays." + +"That is the Chief's notion," Downing assented. "I know he's pining to +talk to you, so we'll go and do the dutiful." + +Lutchester was welcomed as an old friend by both the Ambassador and his +wife. The former drew him to a divan from which he could watch the +entrance to the rooms, and sat by his side. + +"I am glad they sent you out, Lutchester," he said earnestly. "If ever +a country needed watching by a man with intelligence and experience, +this one does to-day." + +"Do you happen to know that fellow Oscar Fischer?" Lutchester asked. + +"I do, and I consider him one of the most dangerous people in the +States for us," the Ambassador declared. "He has a great following, +huge wealth, and, although he is not a man of culture, he doesn't go +about his job in that bull-headed way that most of them do." + +"He's trying things on with Japan," Lutchester observed. "I think I +shall manage to checkmate him there all right. But there's another +scheme afloat that I don't follow so closely. You know Senator +Hastings, I suppose?" + +The Ambassador nodded. + +"Senator Theodore Hastings," he repeated thoughtfully. "Yes, he's +rather a dark horse. He is supposed to be the President's bosom friend, +but I hear whispers that he'd give his soul for a nomination, adopt any +cause or fight any one's battle." + +"That's my own idea of him," Lutchester replied, "and I think you will +find him in the field with a pretty definite platform before long." + +"You think he's mixed up with Fischer?" the Ambassador inquired. + +"I'm sure he is," Lutchester assented. "Not only that, but they have +something up their sleeve. I think I can guess what it is, but I'm not +sure. How have things seemed to you here lately?" + +"To tell you the truth, I haven't liked the look of them," the +Ambassador confided. "There's something afoot, and I can't be sure what +it is. Look at the crowd to-night. Of course, all the Americans are +here, but the diplomatic attendance has never been so thin. The +Rumanian Minister and his wife, the Italian, the Spanish, and the +Swedish representatives are all absent. I have just heard, too, that +Baron von Schwerin is giving a dinner-party." + +Lutchester looked thoughtfully at the little stream of people. The +Ambassador left him for a few moments to welcome some late comers. He +returned presently and resumed his seat by Lutchester's side. + +"Of course," he continued, lowering his voice, "all formal +communications between us and the enemy Embassies have ceased, but it +has come to be an understood thing, to avoid embarrassments to our +mutual friends, that we do not hold functions on the same day. I heard +that Von Schwerin was giving this dinner-party, so I sent round this +morning to inquire. The reply was that it was entirely a private one. +One of our youngsters brought us in a list of the guests a short time +ago. I see Hastings is one of them, and Fischer, and Rumania and Greece +will be represented. Now Hastings was to have been here, and as a rule +the neutrals are very punctilious." + +"I suppose the way that naval affair was represented didn't do us any +good," Lutchester observed. + +"It did us harm, without a doubt," was the lugubrious admission. +"Still, fortunately, these people over here are clever enough to +understand our idiosyncrasies. I honestly think we'd rather whine about +a defeat than glory in a victory." + +"Diplomatically, too," Lutchester remarked thoughtfully, "I should have +said that things seemed all right here. The President comes in for a +great deal of abuse in some countries. Personally, I think he has been +wonderful." + +The Ambassador nodded. + +"You and I both know, Lutchester," he said, "that the last thing we +want is to find America dragged into this war. Such a happening would +be nothing more nor less than a catastrophe in itself, to say nothing +of the internal dissensions here. On the other hand, as things are now, +Washington is becoming a perfect arena for diplomatic chicanery, and I +have just an instinct--I can't define it in any way--which leads me to +believe that some fresh trouble has started within the last twenty-four +hours." + +Lady Ridlingshawe motioned to her husband with her fan, and he rose at +once to his feet. + +"I must leave you to look after yourself for a time, Lutchester," he +concluded. "You'll find plenty of people here you know. Don't go until +you've seen me again." + +Lutchester wandered off in search of Pamela. He found her with Mrs. +Hastings, surrounded by a little crowd of acquaintances. Pamela waved +her fan, and they made way for him. + +"Mr. Lutchester, I have been looking everywhere for you!" she +exclaimed. "What a secretive person you are! Why couldn't you tell me +that Lady Ridlingshawe was your cousin? I want you to take me to her, +please, I met her sister out in Nice." + +She laid her fingers upon his arm, and they passed out of the little +circle. + +"All bluff, of course," she murmured. "Find the quietest place you can. +I want to talk to you." + +They wandered out on to a balcony where some of the younger people were +taking ices. She leaned over the wooden rail. + +"Listen," she said, "I adore this atmosphere, and I am perfectly +certain there is something going on--something exciting, I mean. You +know that the Baron von Schwerin has a dinner-party?" + +"I know that," he assented. + +"Uncle Theodore is going with Mr. Fischer. He was invited at the last +moment, and I understand that his presence was specially requested." + +Lutchester stood for a short time in an absorbed and sombre silence. In +the deep blue twilight his face seemed to have fallen into sterner +lines. Without a doubt he was disturbed. Pamela looked at him +anxiously. + +"Is anything the matter?" she asked. + +He shook his head. + +"Nothing definite, only for the last few hours I have felt that things +here are reaching a crisis. There is something going on around us, +something which seems to fill Fischer and his friends with confidence, +something which I don't quite understand, and which it is my business +to understand. That is really what is worrying me." + +She nodded sympathetically and glanced around for a moment. + +"Let me tell you something," she whispered. "This evening my uncle came +into my room just before dinner. There is a little safe built in the +wall for jewellery. He begged for the loan of it. His library safe, he +said, was out of order. I couldn't see what he put in, but when he had +closed the door he stood looking at it for a moment curiously. I made +some jesting remark about its being a treasure chest, but he answered +me seriously. 'You are going to sleep to-night, Pamela,' he said, +'within a few yards of a dozen or so of written words which will change +the world's history.'" + +Lutchester was listening intently. There was a prolonged pause. + +"Well?" he asked, at last. + +She glanced at the little Yale key which hung from her bracelet. + +"Nothing! I was just wondering how I should be able to sleep through +the night without opening the safe." + +"But surely your uncle didn't give you the key!" + +She shook her head. + +"I don't suppose he knows I have such a thing," she replied. "He has a +master-key himself to all the safes, which he used. This is one the +housekeeper gave me as soon as I arrived." + +Lutchester looked out into the darkness. + +"Tell me," he inquired, "is that your house--the next one to this?" + +"That's the old Hastings' house," she assented. "They are all family +mansions along here." + +"It looks an easy place to burgle," he remarked. + +She laughed quietly. + +"I should think it would be," she admitted. "There are any quantity of +downstair windows. We don't have burglaries in Washington, though +--certainly not this side of the city." + +A little bevy of young people had found their way into the gardens. +Lutchester waited until they had passed out of earshot before he spoke +again. + +"I have reason to believe," he continued, "that in the course of their +negotiations Fischer has deposited with your uncle a certain autograph +letter, of which we have already spoken, making definite proposals to +America if she will change her attitude on the neutrality question." + +"The written words," Pamela murmured. + +Lutchester's hand suddenly closed upon her wrist. She was surprised to +find his fingers so cold, yet marvellously tenacious. + +"You are going to lose that key and I am going to find it," he said, +quietly. "I am sorry--but you must." + +"I am going to do nothing of the sort," Pamela objected. + +His fingers remained like a cold vice upon her wrist. She made no +effort to draw it away. + +"Listen," he said; "do you believe that the Hastings-cum-Fischer party +is going to be the best thing that could happen for America?" + +"I certainly do not," she admitted. + +"Then do as I beg. Let me take that key from your bracelet. You shall +have no other responsibility." + +"And what are you going to do with it?" + +"You must leave that to me," he answered. "I will tell you as much as I +can. I stopped Nikasti sailing for Japan, but I made a mortal enemy of +him at the same time. He has come to Washington to consult with his +Ambassador. They are together tonight. It is my mission to convince +them of Germany's duplicity." + +"I see.... And you think that these written words--?" + +"Give the key to me," he begged, "and ask no questions." + +She shook her head. + +"I should object most strongly to nocturnal disturbers of my slumbers!" + +It seemed to her that his frame had become tenser, his tone harder. The +grip of his fingers was still upon her wrist. + +"Even your objection," he said, "might not relieve you of the +possibility of their advent." + +"Don't be silly," she answered, "and, above all, don't try to threaten +me. If you want my help--" + +She looked steadfastly across at the looming outline of the Hastings' +house. + +"I do want your help," he assured her. + +"How long should you require the letter for?" + +"One hour," he replied. + +She led him down some steps on to the smooth lawns which encircled the +house. They passed in and out of some gigantic shrubs until at last +they came to a paling. She felt along it for a few yards. + +"There is a gate there," she told him. "Can you do anything with it?" + +It was fastened by an old lock. He lifted it off its hinges, and they +both passed through. + +"Keep behind the shrubs as much as you can," she whispered. "There is a +way into the house from the verandah here." + +They reached at last the shadow of the building. She paused. + +"Wait here for me," she continued. "I would rather enter the house +without being seen, if I can, but it doesn't really matter. I can make +some excuse for coming back. Don't move from where you are." + +She glided away from him and disappeared. Lutchester waited, standing +well back in the shadow of the shrubs. From the Embassy came all the +time the sound of music, occasionally even the murmur of voices; from +the dark house in front of him, nothing. Suddenly he heard what seemed +to be the opening of a window, and then soft footsteps. Pamela appeared +round the corner of the building, a white, spectral figure against that +background of deep blue darkness. She came on tiptoe, running down the +steps and holding her skirts with both hands. + +"Not a soul has seen me," she whispered. "Take this quickly." + +She thrust an envelope into his hands, and something hard with it. + +"That's Uncle Theodore's seal," she explained. "He sealed up the +envelope when he put it in there. Now come back quickly to the Embassy. +You must please hurry with what you want to do. If I have left when you +return, you must come back to exactly this place. That window"--she +pointed upwards--"will be wide open. You must throw a pine cone or a +pebble through it. I shall be waiting." + +"I understand," he assured her. + +They retraced their steps. Once more they drew near to the Embassy. The +night had grown warmer and more windows had been opened. They reached +the verandah. She touched his hand for a moment. + +"Well," she said, "I don't know whether I have been wise or not. Try +and be back in less than an hour, if you can. I am going in alone." + +She left him, and Lutchester, after a few brief words with the +Ambassador, hurried away to his task. In twenty minutes he stood before +a tall, grey-stone building, a few blocks away, was admitted by a +Japanese butler, and conducted, after some hesitation, into a large +room at the back of the house. An elderly man, dressed for the evening, +with the lapel of his coat covered with orders, was awaiting him. + +"I am a stranger to you, Baron," Lutchester began. + +"That does not matter," was the grave reply. "Ten minutes ago I had an +urgent telephone call from our mutual friend. His Excellency told me +that he was sending a special messenger, and begged me to give you a +few minutes. I have left a conference of some importance, and I am +here." + +"A few minutes will be enough," Lutchester promised. "I am engaged by +the English Government upon Secret Service work. I came to America, +following a man named Fischer. You have heard of him?" + +"I have heard of him," the Ambassador acknowledged. + +"In New York," Lutchester continued, "he met one of your countrymen, +Prince Nikasti, a man, I may add," Lutchester went on, "for whom I have +the highest respect and esteem, although quite openly, years ago, he +pronounced himself unfavourably disposed towards my country. The object +of Fischer's meeting with Prince Nikasti was to convey to him certain +definite proposals on behalf of the German Government. They wish for a +rapprochement with your country. They offer certain terms, confirmation +of which Fischer brought with him in an autograph letter." + +There was a moment's silence. Not a word came from the man who seemed +to have learnt the gift of sitting with absolute immovability. Even his +eyes did not blink. He sat and waited. + +"The proposals made to you are plausible and deserving of +consideration," Lutchester proceeded. "Do not think that there exists +in my mind, or would exist in the mind of any Englishman knowing of +them, any feeling of resentment that these proposals should have been +received by you for consideration. Nothing in this world counts to +those who follow the arts of diplomacy, save the simple welfare of the +people whom he represents. It is therefore the duty of every patriot to +examine carefully all proposals made to him likely to militate to the +advantage of his own people. You have a letter, offering you certain +terms to withdraw from your present alliances. Here is a letter from +the same source, in the same handwriting, written to America. Break the +seal yourself. It was brought to this country by Fischer, in the same +dispatch box as yours, to be handed to some responsible person in the +American Government. It was handed to Senator Theodore Hastings. It is +to form part of his platform on the day when his nomination as +President is announced. It must be back in his safe within +three-quarters of an hour. Break the seal and read it." + +The Japanese held out his hand, broke the seal of the envelope, and +read. His face remained immovable. When he had finished he looked up at +his visitor. + +"I am permitted to take a copy?" he asked. + +"Certainly!" + +He touched a bell, spoke down a mouthpiece, and with almost necromantic +swiftness two young men were in the room. A camera was dragged out, a +little flash of light shot up to the ceiling, and the attaches vanished +as quickly as they had come. The Ambassador replaced the document in +its envelope, handed a stick of sealing-wax and a candle to Lutchester, +who leaned over and resealed the envelope. + +"The negative?" he enquired. + +"Will be kept under lock and key," the Ambassador promised. "It will +pass into the archives of Japanese history. In future we shall know." + +Once more he touched a bell. The door was opened. Lutchester found +himself escorted into the street. He was back at the Embassy in time to +meet a little stream of departing guests. Lady Ridlingshawe patted him +on the shoulder with her fan. + +"Deserter!" she exclaimed, reproachfully, "Wherever have you been +hiding?" + +Lutchester made some light reply and passed on. He made his way out +into the gardens. The darkness now was a little more sombre, and he had +to grope his way to the palings. Soon he stood before the dark outline +of the adjoining house. In the window towards which he was making his +way a single candle in a silver candlestick was burning. He paused +underneath and listened. Then he took a pine cone which he had picked +up on his way and threw it through the open window. The candle was +withdrawn. A shadowy form leaned out. + +"I'm quite alone," she assured him softly. "Can you throw it in?" + +He nodded. + +"I think so." + +His first effort was successful. The seal followed, wrapped up in his +handkerchief. A moment or two later he saw Pamela's face at the window. + +"Good night!" she whispered. "Quickly, please. There is still some one +about downstairs." + +The light was extinguished. Lutchester made his way cautiously back, +replaced the gate upon its hinges and reached the shelter of the Embassy, +denuded now of guests. He found Downing in the smoking-room. + +"Can I get a whisky and soda?" Lutchester asked, in response to the +latter's vociferous greeting. + +"Call it a highball," was the prompt reply, "and you can have as many +as you like. Have you earned it?" he added, a little curiously. + +"I almost believe that I have," Lutchester assented. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV + + +Mr. Oscar Fischer and his friend, Senator Theodore Hastings, stood side +by side, a week later, in the bar of one of the most fashionable of New +York hotels. They were passing away the few minutes before Pamela and +her aunt would be ready to join them in the dining room above. + +"Very little news, I fancy," Hastings remarked, glancing at the tape +which was passing through his companion's fingers. + +"Nothing--of any importance," Fischer replied. "Nothing." + +The older man glanced searchingly at his companion, the change in whose +tone was ominous. Fischer was standing with the tape in his hand, his +eyes glued upon a certain paragraph. The Senator took out his +eyeglasses and looked over his friend's shoulder. + +"What's this?" he demanded. "Eh?" + +Fischer was fighting a great battle and fighting it well. + +"Something wrong, apparently, with Frank Roughton," he observed; "an +old college friend of mine. They made him Governor of----only last +year." + +Hastings read the item thoughtfully. + +Governor Roughton this morning tendered his resignation as Governor of +the State of----. We understand that it was at once accepted. Numerous +arrests have taken place with reference to the great explosion at the +Bembridge powder factory. + +"Looks rather fishy, that," Hastings observed thoughtfully. + +"I'm sorry for Roughton," Fischer declared. "He was a perfectly +straight man, and I am sure he has done his best." + +"Great friend of yours?" the other asked curiously. + +"We were intimately acquainted," was the brief answer. + +The two men finished their cocktails in silence. On their way upstairs +the Senator took his companion's arm. + +"Fischer," he said, "you'll forgive me if I put a certain matter to you +plainly?" + +"Naturally!" + +"Within the last few days," Hastings proceeded, "there have been seven +explosions or fires at various factories throughout the States. It is a +somewhat significant circumstance," he added, after a slight pause, +"that every one of these misfortunes has occurred at a factory where +munitions of some sort for the Allies have been in process of +manufacture. Shrewd men have naturally come to the conclusion that +there is some organisation at work." + +"I should doubt it," Fischer replied. "You must remember that there is +always a great risk of disasters in factories where explosives are +being handled. It is a new thing to many of the manufacturers here, +and it is obvious that they are not making use of all the necessary +precautions." + +"I see," Hastings observed, reflectively. "So that is how you would +explain this epidemic of disasters, eh?" + +"Certainly!" + +"At the same time, Fischer, to set my mind entirely at rest," Hastings +continued, "I should like your assurance that you have nothing whatever +to do with any organisation, should there be such a thing, including in +its object the destruction of American property." + +"I will do more than answer your question in the direct negative," was +the firm reply. "I will assure you that no such organisation exists." + +"I am relieved to hear it," Hastings confessed. "This resignation of +Roughton, however, seems a strange thing. Most of these fires have +occurred in his State.... Ah! there is Senator Joyce waiting for us, +and Pamela and Mrs. Hastings." + +Mr. Hastings as a host was in his element. His manners and tact, which +his enemies declared were far too perfect, were both admirably +displayed in the smaller ways of life. He guided the conversation into +light yet opportune subjects, and he utterly ignored the fact that +Senator Joyce, one of the great politicians of the day, whose support +of his nomination was already more than half promised, seemed distrait +and a little cold. It was Pamela who quite inadvertently steered the +conversation into a dangerous channel. + +"What has Governor Roughton been doing, Mr. Fischer?" she asked. + +There was a moment's silence. Pamela's question had fallen something +like a bombshell amongst the little party. It was their guest who +replied. + +"The matter is occupying the attention of the country very largely at +the moment, Miss Van Teyl," he said. "It is perhaps unfortunate that +Governor Roughton seems to have allowed his sympathies to be so clearly +known." + +"He is a German by birth, is he not?" Pamela inquired. + +"Most decidedly not," Fischer asserted. "I was at Harvard with him." + +"All the same," Pamela murmured under her breath, "I think that he was +born at Stuttgart." + +"He is an American citizen," Senator Joyce observed, "and has reached a +high position here. We of the Administration may be wrong," he +continued, "but we believe, and we think that we have a right to +believe, that when any man of conscience and ideals takes the oath, he +is free from all previous prejudices. He is an American citizen-- +nothing more and nothing less." + +"Of course, that is magnificent," Pamela declared, "but it isn't common +sense, is it, and you haven't answered my original question yet." + +"I am not in a position to do so, Miss Van Teyl," Joyce replied. "The +trouble probably is that Governor Roughton has been considered +incompetent as so many of these disasters have taken place unhindered +in his State." + +"There was a rumour," Pamela persisted, "that he was under arrest." + +"Quite untrue, I am sure," Fischer muttered. + +There was a general diversion of the conversation, but the sense of +uneasiness remained. Pamela and Mrs. Hastings, at the conclusion of the +little banquet, acting upon a hint from their host, made their way to +one of the small drawing-rooms for their coffee. Left alone, the three +men drew their chairs closer together. Joyce's fine face seemed somehow +to have become a little harder and more unsympathetic. He sipped the +water, which was his only beverage, and pushed away the cigars in which +he generally indulged. + +"Mr. Hastings," he pronounced, "I have given the subject of supporting +your nomination my deepest consideration. I was at one time, I must +confess, favourably disposed towards the idea. I have changed my mind. +I have decided to give my support to the present Administration." + +Fischer's face was dark with anger. He even allowed an expletive to +escape from his lips. Hastings, however, remained master of himself. + +"I will not conceal from you, Mr. Joyce," he confessed, "that I am +exceedingly disappointed. You have fully considered everything, I +presume--our pledge, for instance, to nominate you as my successor?" + +"I have considered everything," Joyce replied. "The drawback in my +mind, to be frank with you, is that I doubt whether you would receive +sufficient support throughout the country. It is my idea," he went on, +"although I may be wrong, of course, that the support of the +German-Americans who, you must allow me to maintain, are an exceedingly +unneutral part of America, will place you in an unpopular position. +Should you succeed in getting yourself elected, which I very much +doubt, you will be an unpopular President. I would rather wait my +time." + +"You have changed your views," Fischer muttered. + +"To be perfectly frank with you, I have," Joyce acknowledged. "These +outrages throughout the States are, to my mind, blatant and criminal. +Directly or indirectly, the German-American public is responsible for +them--indirectly, by inflammatory speeches, reckless journalism, and +point-blank laudation of illegal acts; directly--well, here I can speak +only from my own suspicions, so I will remain silent. But my mind is +made up. A man in this country, as you know," he added, "need make only +one mistake and his political future is blasted. I am not inclined to +risk making that one mistake." + +Hastings sighed. He was making a brave effort to conceal a great +disappointment. + +"One cannot argue with you, Mr. Joyce," he regretted. "You have come to +a certain conclusion, and words are not likely to alter it. There is no +one I would so dearly have loved to number amongst my supporters, but I +see that it is a privilege for which I may not hope.... We will, if you +are ready, Fischer, join the ladies." + +They rose from the table a few minutes later. + +Fischer, who had been eagerly watching his opportunity, drew Senator +Joyce on one side for a moment as they passed down the crowded +corridor. + +"Mr. Joyce," he said, "I have heard your decision to-night with deeper +regret than I can express, yet more than ever it has brought home one +truth to me. Our position towards you was a wrong one. We offered you a +reversion when we should have offered you the thing itself." + +Senator Joyce swung around. + +"Say, Mr. Fischer, what are you getting at?" he asked bluntly. + +"I mean that it is Hastings and I who should have been your supporters, +and you who should have been our candidate," Fischer suggested boldly. +"What about it? It isn't too late." + +"Nothing doing, sir," was the firm reply. "Theodore Hastings may not be +exactly my type of man, but I am not out to see him cornered like that, +and besides, to tell you the honest truth, Mr. Fischer," he added, +pausing at the door, "when I stand for the Presidency, I want to do so +not on the nomination of you or your friends, or any underground +schemers. I want the support of the real American citizen. I want to be +free from, all outside ties and obligations. I want to stand for +America, and America only, I not only want to be President, you see, +but I want to be the chosen President of the right sort of people.... I +am going to ask you to excuse me to the ladies and our host, Mr. +Fischer," he concluded, holding out his hand. "I had a note asking me +to visit the Attorney General, which I only received on my way here. I +have an idea that it is about this Roughton business." + +Fischer returned to the others alone. Hastings was clearly disturbed at +his guest's departure. His friend and supporter, however, affected to +treat it lightly. + +"Joyce is like all these lawyers," he declared. "He is simply waiting +to see which way the wind blows. I have come across them many times. +They like to wait till parties are evenly balanced, till their support +makes all the difference, and clinch their bargain then." + +"I should have said," Pamela remarked, "that Mr. Joyce was a man above +that sort of thing." + +"Every man has his price and his weak spot," her uncle observed +didactically. "Joyce's price is the Presidency. His weak spot is +popular adulation. I agree with Fischer. He will probably join us +later." + +Mr. Hastings was summoned to the telephone, a moment or two later. Mrs. +Hastings sat down to write a note, and Pamela moved her place over to +Fischer's side. His face brightened at her spontaneous movement. She +shook her head, however, at the little compliment with which he +welcomed her. + +"This afternoon," she said softly, "I met Mr. Lutchester." + +"Is he back in New York?" Fischer asked, frowning. + +Pamela nodded. + +"He told me something which I feel inclined to tell you," she +continued, glancing into her companion's haggard face with a gleam of +sympathy in her eyes. "You'll probably see it in the newspapers +to-morrow morning. Governor Roughton's resignation was compulsory. He +is under arrest." + +"For negligence?" + +"For participation," was the grave reply. "Mr. Lutchester has been down +to--the city where these things took place. He only got back late this +afternoon." + +"Lutchester again!" Fischer muttered. + +"You see, it's rather in his line," Pamela reminded him. "He is over +here to superintend the production of munitions from the factories +which are working for the British Government." + +"He is over here as a sort of general mischief-maker!" Fischer +exclaimed fiercely. "Do I understand that he has been down in----?" + +Pamela nodded. + +"He went down with one of the heads of the New York police." + +She turned away, but Fischer caught at her wrist. + +"You know more than this!" he cried hoarsely. + +The agony in the man's face and tone touched her. After all, he was +fighting for the great things. There was nothing mean about Fischer, +nothing selfish about his lying and his crimes. + +"I have told you all that I can," she whispered, "but if you hurried, +you could catch the _New York_ to-night--and I think I should advise +you to go." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI + + +Fischer, on leaving his unsuccessful dinner party, drove direct to the +residence of Mr. Max H. Bookam, in Fifth Avenue. The butler who +admitted him looked a little blank at his inquiry. + +"Mr. Bookam was expected home yesterday, sir," he announced. "He has +not arrived, however." + +"Has there been any telegram from him?--any news as to the cause of his +non-return?" Fischer persisted. + +"I believe that Mr. Kaye, his secretary, has some information, sir," +the man admitted. "Perhaps you would like to see him." + +Fischer did not hesitate, and was conducted at once to the study in +which Mr. Bookam was wont to indulge in various nefarious Stock +Exchange adventures. The room was occupied on this occasion by a +dejected-looking young man, with pasty face and gold spectacles. The +apartment, as Fischer was quick to notice, showed signs of a strange +disorder. + +"Where's Mr. Bookam?" he asked quickly. + +The young man walked to the door, shook it to be sure that it was +closed, and came back again. His tone was ominous, almost dramatic. + +"In the State Prison at----, sir," he announced. + +"What for?" Fischer demanded, breathing a little thickly. + +"I have no certain information," the secretary replied, with a +noncommittal air. "All I know is that I had a long-distance telephone +to burn certain documents, but before I could do so the room and the +house were searched by New York detectives, whose warrant it was +useless to resist." + +"But what's the charge against Mr. Bookam?" + +"It's something to do with the disasters in----," the young man +confided. "The Governor of the State, who is Mr. Bookam's cousin, is in +the same trouble.... Better sit down a moment, sir. You're looking +white." + +Mr. Fischer threw himself into an easy-chair. He felt like a man who +has built a mighty piece of machinery, has set it swinging through +space, and watches now its imminent collapse; watches some tiny but +ghastly flaw, pregnant with disaster, growing wider and wider before +his eyes. + +"What papers did the police take away with them?" he asked. + +"There wasn't very much for them," the secretary replied. "There was a +list of the names of the proposed organisation which, owing to your +very wise intervention, was never formed. There was a list of factories +throughout the United States in which munitions are being made, with a +black mark against those holding the most important contracts. And +there was a letter from Governor Roughton." + +"Mr. Bookam hasn't drawn any cheques lately for large amounts?" Fischer +inquired eagerly. + +"There are three in his private cheque-book, sir, the counterfoils of +which are not filled in," was the somewhat dreary admission. + +Fischer groaned as he received the news. + +"Have you any idea about those cheques?" he demanded. + +"I am afraid," the other acknowledged, "that Mr. Bookam was not very +discreet. I reminded him of your advice--that the money should be +passed through Sullivan--but he didn't seem to think it worth while." + +"Look here, let me know the worst at once," Fischer insisted. "Do you +believe that any one of those cheques was made payable to any of the +men who are under arrest?" + +"I am afraid," the secretary declared sadly, "that the proceeds of one +were found on the person of Ed. Swindles, intact." + +Fischer sat for a moment with his head buried in his hands. "That any +man could have been such a fool. An organisation would have been a +thousand times safer. Max Bookam was only a very worthy and industrious +clothing manufacturer, with an intense love for the Fatherland and a +great veneration for all her institutions. What he had done, he had +done whole-heartedly but foolishly. He was a man who should never have +been trusted for a moment in the game. After all, the pawns count...." + +Fischer took his leave and reached his hotel a little before midnight. +Already he had begun to look over his shoulder in the street. He found +his rooms empty with a sense of relief, marred by one little +disappointment. Nikasti was to have been there to bid him farewell-- +Nikasti on his way back to Japan. He ascertained from the office of the +hotel that there had been no telephone message or caller. Then he +turned to his correspondence, some presentiment already clutching at +his strained nerves. There was a letter in a large envelope, near the +bottom of the pile, addressed to him in Nikasti's fine handwriting. He +tore open the envelope, and slow horror seized him as he realised its +contents. A long photograph unrolled itself before his eyes. The first +few words brought confusion and horror to his sense. His brain reeled. +This was defeat, indeed! It was a photograph of that other autograph +letter. The one which he had given to Nikasti to carry to Japan lay-- +gross sacrilege!--about him in small pieces. There was no other line, +no message, nothing but this damning proof of his duplicity. + +A kind of mental torture seized him. He fought like a caged man for +some way out. Every sort of explanation occurred to him only to be +rejected, every sort of subterfuge, only to be cast aside with a kind +of ghastly contempt. He felt suddenly stripped bare. His tongue could +serve him no more. He snatched at the telephone receiver and rang up +the number for which he searched eagerly through the book. + +"Is that the office of the American Steamship Company?" he asked. + +"Yes." + +"What time will the _New York_ sail?" + +"In three-quarters of an hour. Who's speaking?" + +"Mr. Oscar Fischer. Keep anything you have for me." + +He threw down the receiver for fear of a refusal, packed a few things +feverishly in a dressing bag, dashed the rest of his correspondence +into his pocket, and with the bag in one hand, and an overcoat over the +other arm, he hastened out into the street. He was obliged at first to +board a street car. Afterwards he found a taxicab, and drove under the +great wooden shed as the last siren was blowing. He hurried up the +gangway, a grim, remorseful figure, a sense of defeat gnawing at his +heart, a bitter, haunting fear still with him even when, with a shriek +of the tugs, the great steamer swung into the river. He was leaving +forever the work to which he had given so much of his life, leaving it +a fugitive and dishonoured. The blaze of lights, the screaming of the +great ferry-boats, all the triumphant, brazen noises of the mighty +city, sounded like a requiem to him as in the darkest part of the +promenade deck he leaned over the railing and nursed his agony, the +supreme agony of an ambitious man--failure. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII + + +"What has become," Mrs. Theodore Hastings asked her niece one afternoon +about a month later, "of your delightful friend, Mr. Lutchester?" + +Pamela laid down her book and looked across at her aunt with wide-open +eyes. + +"Why, I thought you didn't like him, aunt?" + +"I cannot remember saying so, my dear," Mrs. Hastings replied. "I had +nothing against the man himself. It was simply his attitude with regard +to some of your uncle's plans, of which we disapproved." + +Pamela nodded. They were seated on the piazza of the Hastings' country +house at Manchester. + +"I see!... And uncle's plans," she went on reflectively, "have become a +little changed, haven't they?" + +Mrs. Hastings coughed. + +"There is no doubt," she admitted, "that your Uncle Theodore was +inveigled into supporting, to a certain extent, a party whose leaders +have shown themselves utterly irresponsible. The moment these horrible +things began to come out, however, your uncle finally cut himself loose +from them." + +"Very wise of him," Pamela murmured. + +"Who could have believed," Mrs. Hastings demanded, "that men like Oscar +Fischer, Max Bookam and a dozen other well-known and prominent +millionaires, would have stooped to encourage the destruction of American +property and lives, simply through blind devotion to the country of their +birth. I could understand," she went on, "both your uncle and I perfectly +understood that their sympathies were German rather than English, but +we shared a common belief that notwithstanding this they were Americans +first and foremost. It was in this belief that your uncle was led into +temporary association with them." + +"Bad luck," Pamela sighed. "I am afraid it hasn't done Uncle Theodore +any good." + +Mrs. Hastings went on with her knitting for a moment. + +"My child," she said, "it has probably imperilled, if it has not +completely ruined, one of the great hopes which your uncle and I have +sometimes entertained. We are both of us, however, quite philosophical +about it. Even at this moment I am convinced that if these men had +acted with discretion, and been content to wield political influence +rather than to have resorted to such fanatical means, they would have +represented a great power at the next election. As things are, I admit +that their cause is lost for the time. I believe that your uncle is +contemplating an early visit to England. He is of the opinion that +perhaps he has misunderstood the Allied point of view, and he is going +to study matters at first hand." + +Pamela nodded. + +"I think he is very wise, aunt," she declared. "I quite expect that he +will come back a warm advocate of the Allies. No one would have a ghost +of a chance who went to the country here on the other ticket." + +"I believe that that is your uncle's point of view," Mrs. Hastings +assented.... "Why don't you ask Mr. Lutchester down for a couple of +days?" + +"If you mean it, I certainly will," Pamela agreed. + +"Quite incidentally," her aunt continued, "I heard the nicest possible +things about him in Washington. Lady Ridlingshawe told me that the +Lutchesters are one of the oldest families in England. He is a cousin +of the Duke of Worcester, and is extraordinarily well connected in +other directions. I must say he has a most distinguished appearance. +A well-bred Englishman is so different from these foreigners." + +Pamela laid down her book and drew her writing block towards her. + +"I'll write and invite him down at once," she suggested. + +"Your uncle will be delighted," Mrs. Hastings purred.... + +Lutchester received his invitation in New York and arrived in +Manchester three days later. Pamela met him at the station with a +couple of boatmen by her side. + +"If you wouldn't mind sailing home?" she proposed. "The house is +practically on an island, and the tide is just right. These men will +take your luggage." + +They walked down to the little dock together. + +Pamela talked all the time, but Lutchester was curiously tongue-tied. + +"You'll find Uncle Theodore, and aunt, too, most amusing," she +confided. "It is perfectly obvious that there is nothing uncle regrets +so much as his temporary linking up with Fischer and his friends; in +fact, he is going to Europe almost at once--I am convinced for no other +reason than to give him an excuse, upon his return, for blossoming out +as a fervent supporter of the Allies." + +"Are you going too?" Lutchester inquired. "Shall I? Well, I am not +really sure," she declared, as they reached the little wooden dock. "I +suppose I shall, especially if I can find something to do. I may even +turn nurse." + +"You will be able to find plenty to do," he assured her. "If nothing +else turns up, you can help me." + +They stepped on to the yacht. Pamela, a radiant vision in white, with +white flannel skirt, white jersey and tam-o'-shanter, took the helm, +and was busy for a few moments getting clear. Afterwards she leaned +back amongst the cushions, with Lutchester by her side. + +"In the agitation of missing that buoy," he reminded her, "you forgot +to answer my last suggestion." + +"Is there any way in which I could help you?" she asked. + +"You can help me in the greatest of all ways," he replied promptly. +"You can give me just that help which only the woman who cares can give +to the man who cares for her, and if that isn't exciting enough," he +went on, after a moment's pause, "well, I dare say I can find you some +work in the censor's department." + +"Isn't censoring a little dull?" she murmured. + +"Then you choose--" + +Her hand slipped into his. A little breeze filled their sails at that +moment. The wonderful blue water of the bay sparkled with a million +gleams of sunshine. Lutchester drew a great breath of content. + +"That's aunt on the landing-stage, watching us through her glasses," +Pamela pointed out, making a feeble attempt to withdraw her hand. + +"It will save us the trouble," he observed, resisting her effort, "of +explanations." + +Lutchester found his host and hostess unexpectedly friendly. They even +accepted with cheerful philosophy the news that Lutchester's work in +America was almost finished for the time, and that Pamela was to +accompany him to Europe almost immediately. After dinner, when the two +men were left at the table, Hastings became almost confidential. + +"So far as regards the sympathies of this country, Mr. Lutchester," he +said, "the final die has been cast within the last few weeks. There has +always been," he proceeded, "a certain irritation existing between even +the Anglo-Saxon Americans and your country. We have fancied so often +that you have adopted little airs of superiority towards us, and that +your methods of stating your intentions have not always taken account +of our own little weaknesses. Then America, you know, loves a good +fight, and the Germans are a wonderful military people. They were +fighting like giants whilst you in England were still slacking. But it +is Germany herself, or rather her sons and friends, who have destroyed +her chances for her. Fischer, for instance," he went on, fingering his +wineglass. "I have always looked upon Oscar Fischer as a brilliant and +far-seeing man. He was one of those who set themselves deliberately to +win America for the Germans. A more idiotic bungle than he has made of +things I could scarcely conceive. He has reproduced the diplomatic +methods which have made Germany unpopular throughout the world. He has +tried bullying, cajolery, and false-hood, and last of all he has +plunged into crime. No German-American will henceforth ever have weight +in the counsels of this country. I do not mind confessing," Mr. +Hastings continued, as he himself filled his guest's glass and then his +own, "that I myself was at one time powerfully attracted towards the +Teuton cause. They are a nation wonderful in science, wonderful in +warfare, with strong and admirable national characteristics. Yet they +are going to lose this war through sheer lack of tact, for the want of +that kindliness, that generosity of temperament, which exists and makes +friends in nations as in individuals. The world for Germany, you know, +and hell for her enemies!... But I am keeping you." + +Lutchester drank his wine and rose to his feet. + +"Pamela is sitting on the rocks there," Mr. Hastings observed. "I think +that she wants to sail you over to Misery Island. We get some unearthly +meal there at ten o'clock and come back by moonlight. It is a sort of +torture which we always inflict upon our guests. My wife and I will +follow in the launch." + +"To Misery Island!" Lutchester repeated. + +His host smiled as he led the way to the piazza steps. Pamela had +already stepped into the boat, and with the help of a boatman was +adjusting the sail. She waved her hand gaily and pointed to the level +stretch of placid water, still faintly brilliant in the dying sunlight. + +"You think that we shall reach Misery Island before the tide turns?" +she called out. + +Lutchester stepped lightly into the boat and took the place to which +she pointed. + +"I am content," he said, "to take my chance." + + +THE END + + + + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Pawns Count, by E. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/9836-8.zip b/9836-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..01842f2 --- /dev/null +++ b/9836-8.zip diff --git a/9836.txt b/9836.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..405fc98 --- /dev/null +++ b/9836.txt @@ -0,0 +1,10048 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Pawns Count, by E. Phillips Oppenheim + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Pawns Count + +Author: E. Phillips Oppenheim + +Posting Date: December 7, 2011 [EBook #9836] +Release Date: February, 2006 +First Posted: October 23, 2003 +Last Updated: January 1, 2006 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PAWNS COUNT *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Anuradha Valsa Raj and PG +Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + + + + + + + +THE PAWNS COUNT + +BY + +E. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM + + +1918 + + +FOREWORD + +"I am for England and England only," John Lutchester, the Englishman, +asserted. + +"I am for Japan and Japan only," Nikasti, the Jap, insisted. + +"I am for Germany first and America afterwards," Oscar Fischer, the +German-American pronounced. + +"I am for America first, America only, America always," Pamela Van +Teyl, the American girl, declared. + +They were all right except the German-American. + + + + +CHAPTER I + + +Mefiez-Vous! + +Taisez-Vous! + +Les Oreilles Ennemies Vous Ecoutent! + +The usual little crowd was waiting in the lobby of a fashionable London +restaurant a few minutes before the popular luncheon hour. Pamela Van +Teyl, a very beautiful American girl, dressed in the extreme of +fashion, which she seemed somehow to justify, directed the attention of +her companions to the notice affixed to the wall facing them. + +"Except," she declared, "for you poor dears who have been hurt, that is +the first thing I have seen in England which makes me realise that you +are at war." + +The younger of her two escorts, Captain Richard Holderness, who wore +the uniform of a well-known cavalry regiment, glanced at the notice a +little impatiently. + +"What rot it seems!" he exclaimed. "We get fed up with that sort of +thing in France. It's always the same at every little railway station +and every little inn. 'Mefiez-vous! Taisez-vous!' They might spare us +over here." + +John Lutchester, a tall, clean-shaven man, dressed in civilian clothes, +raised his eyeglass and read out the notice languidly. + +"Well, I don't know," he observed. "Some of you Service fellows--not +the Regulars, of course--do gas a good deal when you come back. I don't +suppose you any of you know anything, so it doesn't really matter," he +added, glancing at his watch. + +"Army's full of Johnnies, who come from God knows where nowadays," +Holderness assented gloomily. "No wonder they can't keep their mouths +shut." + +"Seems to me you need them all," Miss Pamela Van Teyl remarked with a +smile. + +"Of course we do," Holderness assented, "and Heaven forbid that any of +us Regulars should say a word against them. Jolly good stuff in them, +too, as the Germans found out last month." + +"All the same," Lutchester continued, still studying the notice, "news +does run over London like quicksilver. If you step down to the American +bar here, for instance, you'll find that Charles is one of the +best-informed men about the war in London. He has patrons in the Army, +in the Navy, and in the Flying Corps, and it's astonishing how +communicative they seem to become after the second or third cocktail." + +"Cocktail, mark you, Miss Van Teyl," Holderness pointed out. "We poor +Englishmen could keep our tongues from wagging before we acquired some +of your American habits." + +"The habits are all right," Pamela retorted. "It's your heads that are +wrong." + +"The most valued product of your country," Lutchester murmured, "is +more dangerous to our hearts than to our heads." + +She made a little grimace and turned away, holding out her hand to a +new arrival--a tall, broad-shouldered man, with a strong, cold face and +keen, grey eyes, aggressive even behind his gold-rimmed spectacles. +There was a queer change in his face as his eyes met Pamela's. He +seemed suddenly to become more human. His pleasure at seeing her was +certainly more than the usual transatlantic politeness. + +"Mr. Fischer," she exclaimed, "they are saying hard things about our +country! Please protect me." + +He bowed over her fingers. Then he looked up. His tone was impressive. + +"If I thought that you needed protection, Miss Van Teyl--" + +"Well, I can assure you that I do," she interrupted, laughing. "You +know my friends, don't you?" + +"I think I have that pleasure," the American replied, shaking hands +with Lutchester and Holderness. + +"Now we'll get an independent opinion," the former observed, pointing +to the wall. "We were discussing that notice, Mr. Fischer. You're +almost as much a Londoner as a New Yorker. What do you think?--is it +superfluous or not?" + +Fischer read it out and smiled. + +"Well," he admitted, "in America we don't lay much store by that sort +of thing, but I don't know as we're very good judges about what goes on +over here. I shouldn't call this place, anyway, a hotbed of intrigue. +Excuse me!" + +He moved off to greet some incoming guests--a well-known stockbroker +and his partner. Lutchester looked after him curiously. + +"Is Mr. Fischer one of your typical millionaires, Miss Van Teyl?" he +asked. + +She shrugged her shoulders. + +"We have no typical millionaires," she assured him. "They come from all +classes and all States." + +"Fischer is a Westerner, isn't he?" + +Pamela nodded, but did not pursue the conversation. Her eyes were fixed +upon a girl who had just entered, and who was looking a little +doubtfully around, a girl plainly but smartly dressed, with fluffy +light hair, dark eyes, and a very pleasant expression. Pamela, who was +critical of her own sex, found the newcomer attractive. + +"Is that, by any chance, one of our missing guests, Captain +Holderness?" she inquired, turning towards him. "I don't know why, but +I have an idea that it is your sister." + +"By Jove, yes!" the young man assented, stepping forward. "Here we are, +Molly, and at last you are going to meet Miss Van Teyl. I've bored +Molly stiff, talking about you," he explained, as Pamela held out her +hand. + +The girls, who stood talking together for a moment, presented rather a +striking contrast. Molly Holderness was pretty but usual. Pamela was +beautiful and unusual. She had the long, slim body of a New York girl, +the complexion and eyes of a Southerner, the savoir faire of a +Frenchwoman. She was extraordinarily cosmopolitan, and yet +extraordinarily American. She impressed every one, as she did Molly +Holderness at that moment, with a sense of charm. One could almost +accept as truth her own statement--that she valued her looks chiefly +because they helped people to forget that she had brains. + +"I won't admit that I have ever been bored, Miss Van Teyl," Molly +Holderness assured her, "but Dick has certainly told me all sorts of +wonderful things about you--how kind you were in New York, and what a +delightful surprise it was to see you down at the hospital at Nice. I +am afraid he must have been a terrible crock then." + +"Got well in no time as soon as Miss Van Teyl came along," Holderness +declared. "It was a bit dreary down there at first. None of my lot were +sent south, and a familiar face means a good deal when you've got your +lungs full of that rotten gas and are feeling like nothing on earth. I +wonder where that idiot Sandy is. I told him to be here a quarter of an +hour before you others--thought we might have had a quiet chat first. +Will you stand by the girls for a moment, Lutchester, while I have a +look round?" he added. + +He hobbled away, one of the thousands who were thronging the streets +and public places of London--brave, simple-minded young men, all of +them, with tangled recollections in their brains of blood and fire and +hell, and a game leg or a lost arm to remind them that the whole thing +was not a nightmare. He looked a little disconsolately around, and was +on the point of rejoining the others when the friend for whom he was +searching came hurriedly through the turnstile doors. + +"Sandy, old chap," Holderness exclaimed, with an air of relief, "here +you are at last!" + +"Cheero, Dick!" was the light-hearted reply. "Fearfully sorry I'm late, +but listen--just listen for one moment." + +The newcomer threw his hat and coat to the attendant. He was a rather +short, freckled young man, with a broad, high forehead and +light-coloured hair. His eyes just now were filled with the enthusiasm +which trembled in his tone. + +"Dick," he continued, gripping his friend's arm tightly, "I'm late, I +know, but I've great news. I've motored straight up from Salisbury +Plain. I've done it! I swear to you, Dick, I've done it!" + +"Done what?" Holderness demanded, a little bewildered. + +"I've perfected my explosive--the thing I was telling you about last +week," was the triumphant reply. "The whole world's struggling for it, +Dick. The German chemists have been working night and day for three +years, just for one little formula, and I've got it! One of my shells, +which fell in a wood at daylight this morning, killed every living +thing within a mile of it. The bark fell off the trees, and the +labourers in a field beyond threw down their implements and ran for +their lives. It's the principle of intensification. The poison feeds on +its own vapours. The formula--I've got it in my pocket-book--" + +"Look here, old fellow," Holderness interrupted, "it's all splendid, of +course, and I'm dying to hear you talk about it, but come along now and +be introduced to Miss Van Teyl. Molly's over there, waiting, and we're +all half starved." + +"So am I," was the cheerful answer. "Hullo, Lutchester, how are you? +Just one moment. I must get a wash, I motored straight through, and I'm +choked with dust. Where do I go?" + +"I'll show you," Lutchester volunteered. "Hurry up." + +The two men sprang up the stairs towards the dressing-room, and +Holderness strolled back to where his sister and Pamela were talking to +a small, dark young man, with rather high cheek-bones and olive +complexion. Pamela turned around with a smile. + +"I have found an old friend," she told him. "Baron Sunyea--Captain +Holderness. Baron Sunyea used to be in the Japanese Embassy at +Washington." + +The two men shook hands. + +"I was interested," the Japanese said slowly, "in your conversation +just now about that notice. Your young friend was telling you news very +loudly indeed, it seemed to me, which you would not like known across +the North Sea. Am I not right?" + +"In a sense you are, of course," Holderness admitted, "but here at +Henry's--why, the place is like a club. Where are the enemies' ears to +come from, I should like to know?" + +"Where we least expect to find them, as a rule," was the grave reply. + +"Quite right," Lutchester, who had just rejoined them, agreed. "They +still say, you know, that our home Secret Service is just as bad as our +foreign Secret Service is good." + +Holderness smiled in somewhat superior fashion. + +"Can't say that I have much faith in that spy talk," he declared. "No +doubt there was any quantity of espionage before the war, but it's +pretty well weeded out now. I say, how good civilisation is!" he went +on, his eyes dwelling lovingly on the interior of the restaurant. +"Tophole, isn't it, Lutchester--these smart girls, with their furs and +violets and perfumes, the little note of music in the distance, the +cheerful clatter of plates, the smiling faces of the waiters, and the +undercurrent of pleasant voices. Don't laugh at me, please, Miss Van +Teyl. I've three weeks more of it, by George--perhaps more. I don't go +up before my Board till Thursday fortnight. Dash it, I wish Sandy would +hurry up!" + +"You never told me how you got your wound," Pamela observed, as the +conversation flagged for a moment. + +"Can't even remember," was the careless reply. "We were all scrapping +away as hard as we could one afternoon, and nearly a dozen of us got +the knock, all at the same time. It's quite all right now, though, +except for the stiffness. It was the gas did me in.... What a fellow +Sandy is! You people must be starving." + +They waited for another five minutes. Then Holderness limped towards +the stairs with a little imprecation. Lutchester stopped him. + +"Don't you go, Holderness," he begged. "I'll find him and bring him +down by the scruff of the neck." + +He strode up the stairs on a mission which ended in unexpected failure. +Presently he returned, a slight frown upon his forehead. + +"I am awfully sorry," he announced, "but I can't find him anywhere. I +left him washing his hands, and he said he'd be down in a moment. Are +you quite sure that we haven't missed him?" + +"There hasn't been a sign of him," Molly declared promptly. "I am so +hungry that my eyes have been glued upon the staircase all the time." + +Pamela, who had slipped away a few moments before, rejoined them with a +little expression of surprise. + +"Isn't Captain Graham here yet?" she asked incredulously. + +"Not a sign of him," Holderness replied. "Queer set out, isn't it? We +won't wait a moment longer. Take my sister and Miss Van Teyl in, will +you?" he went on, laying his hand on Lutchester's shoulder. "Ferrani +will look after you. I'll follow directly." + +The chief maitre d'hotel advanced to meet them with a gesture of +invitation, and led them to a table arranged for five. The restaurant +was crowded, and the coloured band, from the space against the wall on +their left, was playing a lively one-step. Ferrani was buttonholed by +an important client as they crossed the threshold, and they lingered +for a moment, waiting for his guidance. Whilst they stood there, a +curious thing happened. The leader of the orchestra seemed to draw his +fingers recklessly across the strings of his instrument and to produce +a discord which was almost appalling. A half-pained, half-amused +exclamation rippled down the room. For a moment the music ceased. The +conductor, who was responsible for the disturbance, was sitting +motionless, his hand hanging down by his side. His features remained +imperturbable, but the gleam of his white teeth, and a livid little +streak under his eyes gave to his usually good-humoured face an utterly +altered, almost a malignant expression. Ferrani stepped across and +spoke to him for a moment angrily. The man took up his instrument, +waved his hand, and the music re-commenced in a subdued note. Pamela +turned to the chief maitre d'hotel, who had now re-joined them. + +"What an extraordinary breakdown!" she exclaimed. "Is your leader a man +of nerves?" + +"Never have I heard such a thing in all my days," Ferrani assured them +fervently. "Joseph is one of the most wonderful performers in the +world. His control over his instrument is marvellous.... Captain +Holderness asked particularly for this table." + +They seated themselves at the table reserved for them against the wall. +Their cicerone was withdrawing with a low bow, but Pamela leaned over +to speak to him. + +"Your music," she told him, "is quite wonderful. The orchestra consists +entirely of Americans, I suppose?" + +"Entirely, madam," Ferrani assented. "They are real Southern darkies, +from Joseph, the leader, down to little Peter, who blows the +motor-horn." + +Pamela's interest in the matter remained unabated. + +"I tell you it makes one feel almost homesick to hear them play," she +went on, with a little sigh. "Did they come direct from the States?" + +Ferrani shook his head. + +"From Paris, madam. Before that, for a little time, they were at the +Winter Garden in Berlin. They made quite a European tour of it before +they arrived here." + +"And he is the leader--the man whom you call Joseph," Pamela observed. +"A broad, good-humoured face--not much intelligence, I should imagine." + +Ferrani's protest was vigorous and gesticulatory. He evidently had +ideas of his own concerning Joseph. + +"More, perhaps, than you would think, madam," he declared. "He knows +how to make a bargain, believe me. It cost us more than I would like to +tell you to get these fellows here." + +Pamela looked him in the eyes. + +"Be careful, Monsieur Ferrani," she advised, "that it does not cost you +more to get rid of them." + +She leaned back in her place, apparently tired of the subject, and +Ferrani, a little puzzled, made his bow and withdrew. The music was +once more in full swing. Their luncheon was served, and Lutchester did +his best to entertain his companions. Their eyes, however, every few +seconds strayed towards the door. There was no sign of the missing +guest. + + + + +CHAPTER II + + +Molly Holderness, for whom Graham's absence possessed, perhaps, more +significance than the others, relapsed very soon into a strained and +anxious silence. Pamela and Lutchester, on the other hand, divided +their attention between a very excellent luncheon and an even flow of +personal, almost inquisitorial conversation. + +"You will find," Pamela warned her companion almost as they took their +places, "that I am a very curious person. I am more interested in +people than in events. Tell me something about your work at the War +Office?" + +"I am not at the War Office," he replied. + +"Well, what is it that you do, then?" she asked. "Captain Holderness +told me that you had been out in France, fighting, but that you had +some sort of official position at home now." + +"I am at the Ministry of Munitions," he explained. + +"Well, tell me about that, then?" she suggested. "Is it as exciting as +fighting?" + +He shook his head. + +"It has advantages," he admitted, "but I should scarcely say that +excitement figured amongst them." + +She looked at him thoughtfully. Lutchester was a little over +thirty-five years of age, tall and of sinewy build. His colouring was +neutral, his complexion inclined to be pale, his mouth straight and +firm, his grey eyes rather deep-set. Without possessing any of the +stereotyped qualifications, he was sufficiently good-looking. + +"I wonder you didn't prefer soldiering," she observed. + +He smiled for a moment, and Pamela felt unreasonably annoyed at the +twinkle in his eyes. + +"I am not a soldier by profession," he said, "but I went out with the +Expeditionary Force and had a year of it. They kept me here, after a +slight wound, to take up my old work again." + +"Your old work," she repeated. "I didn't know there was such a thing as +a Ministry of Munitions before the war." + +He deliberately changed the conversation, directing Pamela's attention +to the crowded condition of the room. + +"Gay scene, isn't it?" he remarked. + +"Very!" she assented drily. + +"Do you come here to dance?" he inquired. + +She shook her head. + +"You must remember that I have been living in Paris for some months," +she told him. "You won't be annoyed if I tell you that the way you +English people are taking the war simply maddens me. Your young +soldiers talk about it as though it were a sort of picnic, your +middle-aged clubmen seem to think that it was invented to give them a +fresh interest in their newspapers, and the rest of you seem to think +of nothing but the money you are making. And Paris.... No, I don't +think I should care to dance here!" + +Lutchester nodded, but Pamela fancied somehow or other that his +attitude was not wholly sympathetic. His tone, with its slight note of +admonition, irritated her. + +"You must be careful," he said, "not to be too much misled by +externals." + +Pamela opened her lips for a quick reply, but checked herself. + +Captain Holderness and Ferrani had entered the room and were +approaching their table, talking earnestly. The latter especially was +looking perplexed and anxious. + +"It's the queerest thing I ever knew," Holderness pronounced. "We've +searched every hole and corner upstairs, and there isn't a sign of +Sandy." + +"Have you tried the bar?" Lutchester inquired. + +"Both the bar and the grillroom," Ferrani assured him. + +"If he had been suddenly taken ill--" Molly murmured. + +"But there is no place in which he could have been taken ill which we +have not searched," Ferrani reminded her. + +"And besides," Holderness intervened, "Sandy was in the very pink of +health, and bubbling over with high-spirits." + +"One noticed that," Lutchester remarked, a little drily. + +"He might almost have been called garrulous," Pamela agreed. + +Ferrani took grave leave of them, and Holderness seated himself at the +table. + +"Well, let's get on with luncheon, anyway," he advised. "It's no good +bothering. The best thing we can do is to conclude that the impossible +has happened--that Sandy has met with some pals and will be here +presently." + +"Or possibly," Lutchester suggested, "that he has done what certainly +seems the most reasonable thing--gone straight off to the War Office +with his formula and forgotten all about us. Let us return the +compliment and forget all about him." + +They finished their luncheon a little more cheerfully. As the +cigarettes were handed round, Pamela's eyes looked longingly at a tray +of Turkish coffee which was passing. + +"I'm a rotten host," Holderness declared, "but, to tell you the truth, +this queer prank of Sandy's has driven everything else out of my mind. +Here, Hassan!" + +The coloured man in gorgeous oriental livery turned at once with a +smile. He approached the table, bowing to each of them in turn. Pamela +watched him intently, and, as his eyes met hers, Hassan's hands began +to shake. + +"The waiter is bringing us ordinary coffee," Holderness explained. +"Please countermand it and bring us Turkish coffee for four." + +The man had lost his savoir faire. His wonderful smile had turned into +something sickly, his bland speech of thanks into a mumble. He turned +away almost sheepishly. + +"Hassan doesn't seem to like us to-day," Molly remarked. + +"I should have said that he was drunk," her brother observed, looking +after him curiously. + +There was certainly something the matter with Hassan, for it was at +least a quarter of an hour before he reappeared and served his +specially prepared concoction with the usual ceremony but with more +restraint. Molly and the two men, after Hassan had sprinkled the +contents of his mysterious little flask into their coffee, gave him +their hands for the customary salute. When he came to Pamela he +hesitated. She shook her head and he fell back, bowing respectfully, +his hand tracing cabalistic signs across his heart. For a moment before +he departed, he raised his eyes and glanced at her. It was like the +mute appeal of some hurt or frightened animal. + +"You don't approve of Hassan's little ceremony?" Lutchester asked her. + +She shrugged her shoulders. + +"In America," she observed, "I think we look upon coloured people of +any sort a little differently. Well, we've certainly given your friend +a chance," she went on, glancing at the little jewelled watch upon her +wrist, "We've outstayed almost every one here." + +Their host paid the bill, and they strolled reluctantly towards the +door, Holderness and Pamela a few steps behind. + +"Now what are your sister and Mr. Lutchester studying again?" the +latter inquired, as they reached the lobby. + +Molly had paused once more before the notice on the wall, which seemed +somehow to have fascinated her. She read it out, lingering on every +word: + +MEFIEZ-VOUS! +TAISEZ-VOUS! +LES OREILLES ENNEMIES VOUS +ECOUTENT! + +Holderness listened with a frown. Then he turned suddenly to +Lutchester, who was standing by his side. + +"It would be too ridiculous, wouldn't it--you couldn't in any way +connect the idea behind that notice with Sandy's disappearance?" + +"I was wondering about that myself," Lutchester confessed. "To tell you +the truth, I have been wondering all luncheon-time. If ever a man broke +the letter and the spirit of that simple warning I should say your +excitable young friend, Captain Graham, did." + +"But here at Henry's," Holderness protested, "with friends on every +side! Isn't it a little too ridiculous! We'll wait until the last +person is out of the place, anyway," he added. + +The crowd soon began to thin. Ferrani, seeing them still waiting, +approached with a little bow. + +"Your friend," he asked, "he has not arrived, eh?" + +"No sign of him," Holderness replied gloomily. + +"What about his hat and coat?" Ferrani inquired, with a sudden +inspiration. + +"Great idea," Holderness assented, turning towards the cloakroom +attendant. "Don't you remember my friend, James?" he went on. "He +arrived about half-past one, and threw his coat and hat over to you." + +The attendant nodded and glanced towards an empty peg. + +"I remember him quite well, sir," he acknowledged. "Number sixty-seven +was his number." + +"Where are his things, then?" + +"Gone, sir," the man replied. + +"Do you remember his asking for them?" + +The attendant shook his head. + +"Can't say that I do, sir," he acknowledged, "but they've gone right +enough." + +A party of outgoing guests claimed the man's attention. Holderness +turned away. + +"This thing is getting on my nerves," he declared. "Does it seem likely +that Sandy should chuck his luncheon without a word of explanation, +come out and get his coat and hat and walk off? And, besides, where was +he all the time we were looking for him?" + +It was unanswerable, inexplicable. They all looked at one another +almost helplessly. Pamela held out her hand. + +"Well," she announced, "I am sorry, but I'm afraid that I must go. I +have a great many things to attend to this afternoon." + +"You are going away soon?" Lutchester inquired. + +She hesitated, and at that moment Mr. Fischer, who had been saying +farewell to his guests, turned towards her. + +"You are not thinking of the trip home yet, Miss Van Teyl?" he asked. + +"Oh, I don't know," she answered a little evasively. "I'm out of humour +with London just now." + +"Perhaps we shall be fellow-passengers on Thursday?" he ventured. "I am +going over on the _New York_." + +"I never make plans," she told him. + +"In any case," Mr. Fischer continued, "I shall anticipate our early +meeting in New York. I heard from your brother only yesterday." + +She looked at him with a slight frown. + +"From James?" + +Mr. Fischer nodded. + +"Why, I didn't know," she observed, "that you and he were acquainted." + +"I have had large transactions with his firm, and naturally I have seen +a good deal of Mr. Van Teyl," the other explained. "He looks after the +interests of us Western clients." + +Pamela turned a little abruptly away, and Lutchester walked with her to +the door. + +"You will let me see that they bring your car round?" he asked. + +She shook her head. + +"Thank you, no," she replied, holding out her hand. "I have not yet +said good-by to Captain Holderness and his sister. Good-by, Mr. +Lutchester!" + +Her farewell was purposely chilly. It seemed as though the slight +sparring in which they had indulged throughout luncheon-time, had found +its culmination in an antipathy which she had no desire to conceal. +Lutchester, however, only smiled. + +"Nowadays," he observed, "that is a word which it is never necessary to +use." + +She withdrew her hand from his somewhat too tenacious clasp. Something +in his manner puzzled as well as irritated her. + +"Do you mean that you, too, are thinking of taking a holiday from your +strenuous labours?" she asked. "Perhaps America is the safest country +in the world just now for an Englishman who--" + +She stopped short, realising the lengths towards which her causeless +pique was carrying her. + +"Prefers departmental work to fighting, were you going to add?" he said +quietly. "Well, perhaps you are right. At any rate, I will content +myself by saying au revoir." + +He passed through the turnstile door and disappeared. Pamela made her +adieux to Holderness and his sister, and then, recognising some +acquaintances, turned back into the restaurant to speak to them. +Fischer, who had just received his hat and cane from the cloakroom +attendant, stood watching her. + + + + +CHAPTER III + + +Pamela, after a brief conversation with her friends, once more left the +restaurant. In the lobby she called Ferrani to her. + +"Has Mr. Fischer gone, Ferrani?" she asked. + +"Not two minutes ago," the man replied. "You wish to speak to him? I +can stop him even now." + +She shook her head. + +"On the contrary," she said drily, "Mr. Fischer represents a type of my +countrymen of whom I am not very fond. He is a great patron of yours, +is he not?" + +"He is a large shareholder in the company," Ferrani confessed. + +"Then your restaurant will prosper," she told him. "Mr. Fischer has the +name of being very fortunate.... That was a wonderful luncheon you gave +us to-day." + +"Madame is very kind." + +"Will you do me a favour?" + +Ferrani's gesture was all-expressive. Words were entirely superfluous. + +"I want two addresses, please. First, the address of Joseph, your head +musician, and, secondly, the address of Hassan, your coffee-maker." + +Ferrani effectually concealed any surprise he might have felt. He tore +a page from his pocket-book. + +"Both I know," he declared. "Hassan lodges at a shop eighty yards away. +The name is Haines, and there are newspaper placards outside the door." + +"That is quite enough," Pamela murmured. + +"As for Monsieur Joseph," Ferrani continued, "that is a different +matter. He has, I understand, a small flat in Tower Mansions, Tower +Street, leading off the Edgware Road. The number is 18C. So!" + +He wrote it down and passed it to her. Pamela thanked him and stood up. + +"Now that I have done as you asked me," Ferrani concluded, "let me add +a word. Both these men are already off duty and have left the +restaurant. If you wish to communicate with either of them, I advise +you to do so by letter." + +"You are a very courteous gentleman, Mr. Ferrani," Pamela declared, +dropping him a little mock curtsey, "and good morning!" + +She made her way into the street outside, shook her head to the +commissionaire's upraised whistle, and strolled along until she came to +a cross street down which several motor-cars were waiting. She +approached one--a very handsome limousine--and checked the driver who +would have sprung from his seat. + +"George," she said, "I am going to pay a call at a disreputable-looking +news-shop, just where I am pointing. You can't bring the car there, as +the street is too narrow. You might follow me on foot and be about." + +The young man touched his hat and obeyed. A few yards down the street +Pamela found her destination, and entered a gloomy little shop. A +slatternly woman looked at her curiously from behind the counter. + +"I am told that Hassan lodges here, the coffee-maker from Henry's," +Pamela began. + +The woman looked at her in a peculiar fashion. + +"Well?" + +"I wish to see him." + +"You can't, then," was the curt answer. "He's at his prayers." + +"At what?" Pamela exclaimed. + +"At his prayers," the woman repeated brusquely. "There," she added, +throwing open the door which led into the premises behind, "can't you +hear him, poor soul? He's been pinching some more charms from ladies' +bracelets, or something of the sort, I reckon. He's always in trouble. +He goes on like this for an hour or so and then he forgives himself." + +Pamela stood by the open door and listened--listened to a strange, +wailing chant, which rose and fell with almost weird monotony. + +"Very interesting," she observed. "I have heard that sort of thing +before. Now will you kindly tell Hassan that I wish to speak to him, or +shall I go and find him for myself?" + +"Well, you've got some brass!" the woman declared, with a sneer. + +"And some gold," Pamela assented, passing a pound note over to the +woman. + +"Do you want to see him alone?" the latter asked, almost snatching at +the note, but still regarding Pamela with distrustful curiosity. + +"Of course," was the calm reply. + +The woman opened her lips and closed them again, sniffed, and led the +way down a short passage, at the end of which was a door. + +"There you are," she muttered, throwing it open. "You've arst for it, +mind. 'Tain't my business." + +She slouched her way back again into the shop. At first Pamela could +scarcely see anything except a dark figure on his knees before a closed +and shrouded window. Then she saw Hassan rise to his feet, saw the +glitter of his eyes. + +"Pull up the blind, Hassan," she directed. + +He came a step nearer to her. The gloom in the apartment was +extraordinary. Only his shape and his eyes were visible. + +"Do as I tell you," she ordered. "Pull up the blind. It will be +better." + +He hesitated. Then he obeyed. Even then the interior of the room seemed +shadowy and obscure. Pamela could only see, in contrast with the rest +of the house, that it was wonderfully and spotlessly clean. In one +corner, barely concealed by a low screen, his bed stood upon the floor. +Hassan muttered something in an Oriental tongue. Pamela interrupted +him. She spoke in the soothing tone one uses towards a child. + +"That's all right, Hassan," she said. "Sorry to have interrupted you at +your prayers, but it had to be done. You know me?" + +"Yes, mistress," he answered unwillingly. "I your dragoman one year in +Cairo. What you want here, mistress?" + +"You know that I know," she went on, "that you are a Turk and a +Mohammedan, and not an Egyptian at all." + +"Yes, mistress, you know that," he muttered. + +"And you also know," she continued, "that if I give you away to the +authorities you will be sent at once to a very uncomfortable internment +camp, where you won't even have an opportunity to wash more than once a +day, where you will have to herd with all sorts of people, who will +make fun of your colour and your religion--" + +"Don't, mistress!" he shouted suddenly. "You will not tell. I think you +will not tell!" + +He was sidling a little towards her. Again one of those curious changes +seemed to have transformed him from a dumb, passive creature into a +savage. There was menace in his eyes. She waved him back without +moving. + +"I have come to make a bargain with you, Hassan," she said, "just a few +words, that is all. Not quite so near, please." + +He paused. There was a moment's silence. His face was within a foot of +hers, lowering, black, bestial. Her eyes met his without a tremor. Her +full, sweet lips only curved into a faintly contemptuous line. + +"You cannot frighten me, Hassan," she declared. "No man has ever done +that. And outside I have a chauffeur with muscles of iron, who waits +for me. Be reasonable. Listen. There are secrets connected with your +restaurant." + +"I know nothing," he began at once; "nothing, mistress--nothing!" + +"Quite naturally," she continued. "I only need one piece of +information. A man disappeared there this morning. I just have to find +him. That's all there is about it. At half-past one he was inveigled +into the musicians' room and by some means or other rendered +unconscious. At three o'clock he had been removed. I want to know what +became of him. You help me and the whole world can believe you to be an +Egyptian for the rest of their lives. If you can't help me it is rather +unfortunate for you, because I shall tell the police at once who and +what you are. Don't waste time, Hassan." + +He stood thinking, rubbing his hands and bowing before her, yet, as she +knew very well, with murder in his heart. Once she saw his long fingers +raised a little. + +"Quite useless, Hassan," she warned him. "They hang you in England, you +know, for any little trifle such as you are thinking of. Be sensible, +and I may even leave a few pound notes behind me." + +"Mistress should ask Joseph," he muttered. "I know nothing." + +"Oh, mistress is going to ask Joseph all right," she assured him, "but +I want a little information from you, too. You've got to earn your +freedom, you know, Hassan. Come, what do they do with the people who +disappear from the restaurant?" + +"Not understand," was the almost piteous reply. + +Pamela sighed. She had again the air of one being patient with a child. + +"See here, Hassan," she went on, "a few days ago I went over that +restaurant from top to bottom with the manager. There is the musicians' +room, isn't there, just over the entrance hall? I suppose those little +glass places in the floor are movable, and then one can hear every word +that is spoken below. I am right so far, am I not?" + +Hassan answered nothing. His breathing, however, had become a little +deeper. + +"An unsuspecting person, passing from the toilet rooms upstairs, could +easily be induced to enter. I think that there must be another exit +from that room. Yes?" + +"Yes!" Hassan faltered. + +"To where?" + +"The wine-cellars." + +"And from there?" + +Hassan was suddenly voluble. Truth unlocked his tongue. + +"Not know, mistress--not know another thing. No one enters wine-cellar +but three men. One of those not know. If I guess--I, Hassan--I look at +little chapel left standing in waste place. Perhaps I wonder sometimes, +but I not know." + +Pamela drew three notes from her gold purse, smoothed them out and +handed them over. + +"Three pounds, Hassan, silence, and good day! You'll live longer if you +open your windows now and then, and get a little fresh air, instead of +praying yourself hoarse." + +Again the black figure swayed perilously towards her. She affected not +to notice, not to notice the hand which seemed for a moment as though +it would snatch the door handle from her grasp. She passed out +pleasantly and without haste. The last sound she heard was a groan. + +"Done your bit o' business, eh?" the landlady asked curiously. + +Pamela nodded assent. + +"Rather an odd sort of lodger for you, isn't he?" + +"Not so odd as his visitors," the woman retorted, with an evil sneer. + +Pamela passed into the narrow street and drew a long sigh of relief. +Then she entered her car and gave the chauffeur an address from the +slip of paper which she carried in her hand. When they stopped outside +the little block of flats he prepared to follow her. + +"Tough neighbourhood this, madam," he said. + +"Maybe, George," she replied, waving him back, "but you've got to stay +down here. If the man I am going to see thought I was frightened of him +I wouldn't have a chance. If I am not down in half an hour you can try +number 18C." + +The chauffeur resumed his place on the driving-seat of the car. Pamela, +heartily disliking her surroundings, was escorted by a shabby porter to +a shabbier lift. + +"You'll find Mr. Joseph in," the lift boy assured her with a grin. + +Pamela found the number at the end of an unswept stone passage. At her +third summons the door was cautiously opened by a large, +repulsive-looking woman, with a mass of peroxidised hair. She stared at +her visitor first in amazement, then in rapidly gathering resentment. + +"Mr. Joseph is at home," she admitted truculently, in response to +Pamela's inquiry. "What might you be wanting with him?" + +"If you will be so good as to let me in I will explain to Mr. Joseph," +Pamela replied. + +The woman seemed on the point of slamming the door. Suddenly there was +a voice from behind her shoulder. Joseph appeared--not the smiling, +joyous Joseph of Henry's but a sullen-looking negro, dressed in shirt +and trousers only, with a heavy under-lip and frowning forehead. + +"Let the lady pass and get into the kitchen, Nora," he ordered, "Come +this way, mam." + +Pamela followed her guide into a parlour, redolent of stale cigar +smoke, with oilcloth on the floor and varnished walls, an abode even +more horrible than Hassan's lair. Joseph closed the door carefully +behind him, and made no apology for his dishabille. He simply faced +Pamela. + +"Say, what is it you want with me?" he demanded truculently. + +"A trifle," she answered. "The key of the chapel in the little plot of +waste ground next Henry's." + +She meant him to be staggered, and he was. He reeled back for a moment. + +"What the hell are you talking about?" he gasped. + +"Facts," Pamela replied. "Do you want to save yourself, Joseph? You can +do it if you choose." + +He folded his arms and stood in front of the closed door. Without a +collar, his neck bulged unpleasantly behind. There was nothing whatever +left of the suave and genial chef d'orchestra. + +"Save myself from what, eh? Just let me get wise about it." + +Pamela's eyebrows were daintily elevated. + +"Dear me!" she murmured. "I thought you were more intelligent. Listen. +You know where we met last? Let me remind you. You were playing in the +Winter Garden at Berlin, and the gentleman whom I was with, an attache +at the American Embassy, spoke to you. He told me a good deal about +your past life, Joseph, and your present one. You are in the pay of the +Secret Service of Germany. Am I to go to Scotland Yard and tell them +so?" + +He looked at her wickedly. + +"You'd have to get out of here first." + +"Don't be silly," she advised him contemptuously. "Remember you're +talking to an American woman and don't waste your breath. You can be in +the Secret Service of any country you like, without interference from +me. On the other hand, there's just one thing I want from you." + +"What is it? I haven't got any key." + +"I want to discover exactly what has become of Captain Graham," she +declared. + +"What, the guy that missed his lunch to-day?" he growled. + +"I see you know all about it," she continued equably. + +"So he's your spark, is he?" Joseph observed slowly, his eyes blinking +as he leaned a little forward. + +"On the contrary," Pamela replied, "I have never met him. However, +that's beside the point. Do I have the key of that chapel?" + +"You do not." + +"Have you got it?" + +"Right here," Joseph assented, dangling it before her eyes. + +"I think it's a fair bargain I'm offering you," she reminded him. "You +lose the key and keep your place. You only have to keep your mouth shut +and nothing happens." + +"Nothing doing," the negro declared shortly. "Keys as important as this +ain't lost. If I part with it, I get the chuck, and I probably get into +the same mess as the others. If I keep it--" + +"If you keep it," Pamela interrupted, "you will probably stand with +your back to the light in the Tower within the next few days. They've +left off being lenient with spies over here." + +He looked at her, and there were things in his eyes which few women in +the world could have seen without terror. Pamela's lips only came a +little closer together. She pressed the inside of the ring upon her +third finger, and a ray of green fire seemed to shoot forward. + +"I guess I'm up against it," he growled, taking a step forward. "I'll +have something of what's coming to me, if I swing for it." + +His arm was suddenly around her, his face hideously close. He gave a +little snarl as he felt the pinprick through his shirt sleeve. Then he +went spinning round and round with his hand to his head. + +"What in God's name!" he spluttered. "What in hell--!" + +He reeled against the horsehair easy-chair and slipped on to the floor. +Pamela calmly closed her ring, stooped over him, withdrew the key from +his pocket, crossed the room and the dingy little hall with swift +footsteps, and, without waiting for the lift, fled down the stone +steps. Before she reached the bottom, she heard the shrill ringing of +the lift bell, the angry shouting of the woman. Pamela, however, +strolled quietly out and took her place in the car. + +"Back to the hotel, George," she directed the chauffeur. "Don't stop if +they call to you from the flats." + +The young man sprang up to his seat and the car glided off. Pamela +leaned forward and looked at herself in the mirror. There was a shade +more colour in her face, perhaps, than usual, but her low waves of +chestnut hair were unruffled. She used her powder puff with attentive +skill and leaned back. + +"That's the disagreeable part of it over, anyway," she sighed to +herself contentedly. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + + +The last of the supper-guests had left Henry's Restaurant, the +commissionaire's whistle was silent. The light laughter and frivolous +adieux of the departing guests seemed to have melted away into a world +somewhere beyond the pale of the unseasonable fog. The little strip of +waste ground adjoining was wrapped in gloom and silence. The exterior +of the bare and deserted chapel, long since unconsecrate, was dull and +lifeless. Inside, however, began the march of strange things. First of +all, the pinprick of light of a tiny electric torch seemed as though it +had risen from the floor, and Hassan, pushing back a trap-door, stepped +into the bare, dusty conventicle. He listened for a moment, then made a +tour of the windows, touched a spring in the wall, and drew down long, +thick blinds. Afterwards he passed between the row of dilapidated +benches and paused at the entrance door. He stooped down, examined the +keyless lock, shook it gently, gazed upwards and downwards as though in +vain search of bolts that were never there. His white teeth gleamed for +a moment in the darkness. He turned away with a little shiver. + +"Not my fault," he muttered to himself. "Not my fault." + +He listened for a moment intently, as though for footsteps outside. The +disturbance, however, came from the other end of the building. There +was a sharp knocking from the trap-door by which he had ascended. He +touched an electric knob. The place was dimly yet sufficiently +illuminated. He hastened towards the further end of the place and +pulled up the trap-door. A melancholy-looking little procession slowly +emerged. First of all came Joseph, stepping backwards, supporting the +head and shoulders of Graham, still bound and gagged. After him came a +dark, swarthy-faced wine waiter, who supported Graham's feet. Behind +followed Fischer, carrying his silk hat and cane in his hand. He paused +for a moment as he stepped on the floor of the chapel, and brushed the +dust from his trousers. + +"You can take out the gag now," he ordered the two men. "There isn't +much shout in him." + +They laid him upon a couch, and Joseph obeyed the order. Graham's head +swung helplessly on one side. His eyes opened, however, and he +struggled for consciousness. His lips twitched for a moment. In these +long hours he had almost forgotten the habit of speech. The words, when +they came, sounded strange to him. + +"What--where am I? What do you want with me?" + +Fischer laid his hat and stick upon a table, on which also stood a +telephone instrument. + +"The formula, my young friend," he replied, "for that wonderful +explosive of which you spoke in the lobby." + +A sudden accession of nervous strength brought something almost like +passion into the young man's reply, although to himself there still +seemed some unreality in the words which might have come from the walls +or the roof--surely not from his lips. + +"I'll see you damned first!" + +Fischer smiled. The man was good-looking, in his way, but this was a +pale and ugly smile. + +"My request was merely a matter of courtesy," he remarked. "The +difficulty of searching you is not formidable. It would have been +undertaken long ago but for the fact that the restaurant has been +crowded and gags sometimes slip. Besides, there was no hurry. Observe!" + +He leaned over Graham, who for the first time struggled furiously but +ineffectually with his bonds. His fingers all the time were straining +towards the inside pocket of his coat. Fischer nodded understandingly. + +"Allow me to anticipate you," he said. + +With a quick thrust he drew a little handful of papers from the pocket +of his captive. One by one he glanced them through and flung them on to +the floor. As he came towards the end of his search, however, his +expression of confident complacency vanished. His lips shrivelled up a +little, his eyes narrowed. The last folded sheet of paper--a little +perfumed note from Peggy, thanking Sandy for his beautiful roses--he +crumpled fiercely into a little ball. He opened his lips to speak, then +he paused. A new light broke in upon him. The fury had passed from +Sandy Graham's face. In its stead there was an expression of blank +astonishment. + +"Where is the formula?" Fischer asked fiercely. + +There was no reply. Sandy Graham was still staring at the little pile +of papers upon the floor. Fischer made a brief examination of the other +pockets. Then he stepped back. His voice shook, his face was dark and +malevolent. + +"Joseph, Hassan, Jules--listen to me!" he ordered. "Did any one else +enter the musicians' room whilst he was lying in the alcove?" + +"Impossible!" Jules declared. + +"The door was locked," Hassan murmured. + +"Stop!" Joseph exclaimed. + +Fischer wheeled round upon him. + +"Well?" he exclaimed. "Get on, then. Who?" + +Joseph moistened his lips. He was still feeling sore and dizzy, but he +began to see his way. + +"You noticed, perhaps," he said, "the American girl--the beautiful +young lady with this guy's friends? She was waiting with the others for +Captain Graham to come down. I saw her go up the stairs. I saw her come +down again, three minutes later." + +"Miss Van Teyl?" Fischer exclaimed, with a frown. "You're mad, Joseph!" + +The negro laughed grimly. + +"Am I!" he retorted. "I tell you this, Master Fischer. She was in +Berlin where I was, and she was at the Embassy every day. She was asked +to leave there. They put her over the frontier into Holland. I knew her +when she came into the restaurant. She's no society young lady, she +ain't! Bet you she was on to the goods." + +Fischer hesitated for a moment. The thoughts were chasing one another +through his brain. Then he took up the receiver from the telephone +instrument which stood upon the table. + +"1560 Mayfair," he asked in a low tone. + +They all stood listening, grouped around Graham's writhing figure. + +"Hullo! Is that Claridge's Hotel?" Fischer went on. "I am speaking from +Giro's. Put me through, if you please, to Miss Van Teyl's apartments... +What? Repeat that, will you?... Thank you." + +Fischer laid down the receiver. He turned towards the others. He was +breathing a little quickly, and his eyes glittered behind his +gold-rimmed spectacles. + +"Miss Van Teyl," he announced, "has left for Tilbury. She is going out +on the _Lapland_ this morning. My God, she's got the formula!" + +There was a moment's silence. Joseph was standing by with a wicked look +on his face. + +"I saw her slip away," he muttered, "and I watched her come down again. +There was just time." + +Fischer turned suddenly to where Graham was lying. He drew a sheet of +writing paper from the rack upon the table, and a pencil from his +pocket. There was an evil and concentrated significance in his tone. + +"That formula," he said, "can be written again. I think you had better +write it." + +"I'll see you damned first!" was the weak but prompt reply. + +Fischer bent a little lower over the prostrate figure, "Look here," he +went on, "we don't run risks like this for nothing. You're better dead +than alive, so far as we are concerned, anyway. We'd planned to take +the formula from you, and you can guess the rest. There are cellars +underneath here into which no one ever goes who matters. Now here's a +chance of life for you. Write down that formula--truthfully, mind--and +we'll discuss the matter of taking your parole." + +"See you damned first!" Graham repeated, his voice a little more +tremulous but still convincing. + +Fischer stood upright and turned to Jules. + +"Get a bottle of brandy and a glass," he ordered. + +The man pushed open the trap-door and disappeared. He came back again +in a few moments, with a bottle in one hand and a glass in the other. +Fischer poured out some of the cordial and drew a small table up to +Graham's side. + +"There," he said, loosening the cord around his left wrist, "drink +that, and think it over. We shall be gone for about ten minutes. If you +change your mind before, ring that little hand-bell. If you have not +changed your mind when we return, it will be the cellars." + +"Beasts!" Graham muttered. + +Fischer shrugged his shoulders. For a moment he had straightened +himself. His face had softened, but it was in tune with his thoughts. + +"I would twist the necks of a million fools like you," he said, "for +the sake of--" + +He paused, leaving his sentence uncompleted, and beckoned to the other +men. They followed him through the trap-door and down into the cellars +below. The place was once more silent. Graham rolled from side to side, +drew a long breath, and tugged vainly at his bonds. The effort +overtaxed his strength. He seemed to feel the darkness closing in upon +him, the rushing of the sea in his ears.... + + + + +CHAPTER V + + +So far as Sandy Graham was concerned, his unconsciousness might have +lasted an hour or a day. As a matter of fact, it was scarcely a minute +after the disappearance of Fischer and his confederates when he was +conscious of a rush of cold air in the place, and beheld the vision of +a tiny flash of light at the lower end of the gloomy building. +Immediately afterwards he heard the soft closing of a door and beheld a +tall, shadowy figure slowly approaching. He lay quite still and looked +at it, and his heart began to beat with hope. One of the lights had +been left burning, and there was something in the bearing and attitude +of the man who finally came to a standstill by his side, which was +entirely reassuring. + +"Lutchester!" he faltered. "My God, how did you get here?" + +"Offices of a young lady," Lutchester observed, producing a knife from +his pocket. "Allow me!" + +He cut the cords which still secured Graham's limbs. Then he looked +around him. + +"How did they bring you here?" he whispered. "I suppose there is a +passage from the restaurant?" + +"Up through a trapdoor there," Graham explained, pointing. + +Lutchester stood over it and listened intently. + +Then he turned around, lifted the glass of brandy from the table, smelt +it approvingly, and tasted it. + +"Excellent!" he pronounced. "The 1840. Allow me!" + +He refilled the glass and handed it to Sandy, who gulped down the +contents. The effect was almost instantaneous. In less than a minute he +had staggered to his feet. + +"Feel strong enough to walk about fifty yards?" Lutchester inquired. + +"I'd walk to hell to get out of this place!" was the prompt reply. + +Lutchester took his arm, and they passed down the dusty aisle between +the worm-eaten and decaying benches and through the outside door, which +Lutchester closed and locked behind them. The rush of cold air was like +new life to Graham. + +"I can walk all right now," he muttered. "My God, we'll give these +fellows hell for this!" + +They made their very difficult way across a plot of ground from which a +row of dilapidated cottages had been razed to the ground. The fog still +hung around them and seemed to bring with it a curious silence, +although the dying traffic from one of the main thoroughfares reached +them in muffled notes. Lutchester climbed to the top of a pile of +rubbish and then, turning around, held out his hand. + +"Up here," he directed. + +Graham struggled up until he stood by his companion's side. The latter +stood quite still, listening for a moment. Then he climbed a little +higher and swung around, holding out his hand once more. + +"I'm on top of the wall," he said. "Come +on." + +Graham's knees were shaking, but with Lutchester's help he staggered up +and reached his side. On the pavement below a man in chauffeur's livery +was standing, holding out his hands, and by the side of the curbstone a +closed car was waiting. Somehow or other the two reached the pavement. +Lutchester almost pushed his companion into the limousine and stepped +in after him. The chauffeur sprang to his seat and the car glided off. +Graham just realised that there was a woman by his side whose face was +vaguely familiar. Then the waves broke in upon his ears once more. + +"I was right, then, it seems," Pamela observed approvingly. "You were +just the man for this little affair." + +Lutchester sighed. + +"Unfortunately," he confessed, "a messenger boy would have been as +effective. I stumbled over to the chapel--rubber shoes, you observe," +he remarked, pointing downwards--"and soon discovered that blinds had +been let down all round and that there were people inside. There was +just a faint chink in one, and I caught a glimpse of several men, your +friend Oscar amongst them. Having," he went on, "an immense regard for +my personal safety, I was hesitating what means to adopt when the +lights were lowered, and it seemed to me that the men were +disappearing." + +"Do go on," Pamela murmured. "This is most exciting." + +"In a sense it was disappointing," Lutchester complained. "I had +pictured for myself a dramatic entrance ... a quiet turning of the key, +a soft approach--owing to my shoes," he reminded her--"a cough, +perhaps, or a breath ... discovery, me with a revolver in my hand +pointed to the arch-villain--'If you stir you're a dead man!' ... +Natural collapse of the villain. With my left hand I slash the bonds +which hold Graham, with my right I cover the miscreants. One of them, +perhaps, might creep behind me, and I hesitate. If I move my revolver +the other two will get the drop on me--I think that is the correct +expression? A wonderful moment, that, Miss Van Teyl!" + +"But it didn't happen," she protested. + +"Ah! I forgot that," he acknowledged. "Still, I was prepared, I had the +revolver all right. But as you say, it didn't happen. I made my way to +the chapel door, let myself in, found our friend lying in a +half-comatose state upon one of the blue plush Henry sofas, in the +shadow of a horrible deal pulpit. I gathered that he had been left +there to reflect upon his sins. There was a bottle of remarkably fine +brandy within reach, which I tested, and with which I dosed our friend +here. I then cut away his bonds, arm in arm we walked down the aisle, I +locked up the place, threw the key away, kicked my shins half-a-dozen +times crossing that disgusting little plot of land, climbed boldly to +the top of the wall, and behold!" + +Pamela smiled upon him in congratulatory fashion. + +"On the whole," she said, "I am quite glad that I telephoned to you." + +"You showed a sound discretion," he admitted. + +"If he had not been lame," she confessed, "I should have sent to +Captain Holderness." + +"That would have been a great mistake," Lutchester assured her. +"Holderness is a good fellow but devoid of imagination. He is great on +constituted authority. He would have probably marched up with a squad +of heavy-footed policemen--and found nothing." + +"Yet I must confess," Pamela persisted, with a frankness unaccountable +even to herself, "that if I could have thought of any one else I should +never have telephoned to you." + +"And why not?" + +"Because I should not have classified you as being of the adventurous +type," she declared. + +Lutchester looked injured. + +"After all," he protested, "that is not my fault. That is due to your +singular lack of perception. However, I am able to return the +compliment. I, for my part, should have thought that you were more +interested in the fashions than in paying exceedingly rash visits to +degenerate orientals and negroes." + +"Perhaps some day," she remarked, "we may understand one another +better." + +He met her gaze with a certain seriousness. + +"I hope that we may," he said. + +For some reason they were both silent for a moment. Her tone had +changed a little when she spoke again. + +"You are sure," she asked, "that you do not mind my leaving the rest of +this affair in your hands? There are reasons, which I cannot tell you +of just now, which make me anxious not to appear in it at all." + +"I accept the charge as a privilege," he assented. "We are within a few +yards of my rooms now. I promise you that I will look after Captain +Graham and advise him as to the proper course for him to pursue." + +The car came to a standstill. + +"This then," she said, holding out her hand, "will be good-by for the +present." + +He held her fingers for a moment without reply. Quite suddenly she +decided that she liked him. Then he lifted Graham, who was half asleep, +half unconscious, to his feet, and assisted him from the car. + +"Where shall I tell the man to go to?" he inquired. + +"He knows," she answered with sudden taciturnity. + +"Wherever it may be, then," he replied, "bon voyage!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + + +It was about half-an-hour later when Sandy Graham opened his eyes and +began to feel the life once more warm in his veins. He was seated in +the most comfortable easy-chair of John Lutchester's bachelor +sitting-room. By his side was a coffee equipage and a decanter of +brandy. His head still throbbed, and his bones ached, but his mind was +beginning to grow clearer. Lutchester, who had been seated at the +writing table, swung round in his chair at the sound of his guest's +movement. + +"Feeling better, eh?" he asked. + +"I am all right now," was the somewhat shaky reply. "Got a head like a +turnip and a tongue like a lime-kiln, but I'm beginning--to feel +myself." + +"How's your memory?" + +"Hazy. Let me see.... My God, I've been robbed, haven't I!" + +"So I imagine," Lutchester replied. "You rather asked for it, didn't +you?" + +Graham moved uneasily in his place. He had suddenly the feeling of +being back at school--and in the presence of the headmaster. + +"I suppose I did in a way," he admitted, "but at Henry's--why, I've +always looked upon the place as a club more than anything else." + +"I am afraid that I can't agree with you there," Lutchester observed. +"I should consider Henry's a remarkably cosmopolitan restaurant, where +a man in your position should exercise more than even ordinary +restraint." + +"I suppose I was wrong," Graham muttered, "but I had been working for +about ten hours on end, and then rushed up to London in the car to try +and keep my appointment with Holderness." + +"Stop anywhere on the way?" + +"We had a few drinks," Graham confessed. "I was so done up. Perhaps I +had more than I meant to. However, it's no use bothering about that +now. I've been robbed, and that's all there is about it. Could we get +on to Scotland Yard from here?" + +"We could, but I don't think we will," Lutchester replied. + +Graham was puzzled. + +"Why not?" he demanded. "That formula was the most wonderful thing that +has ever been put together, and the whole thing's so simple. I've been +afraid every second that some one else might stumble upon it." + +"It is without doubt a great loss," Lutchester admitted. "All the same, +I don't fancy that it's a Scotland Yard business exactly. Have you any +idea who robbed you?" + +Graham paused to think. His eyes were still troubled and uncertain. + +"It's coming back to me," he muttered. "I remember that beastly barn of +a chapel. There were Jules, and that musician fellow, and the big +American. He emptied my pockets ... Why, of course, I remember how +angry he was ... My pocketbook was gone! They left me alone to write +out the formula again, and then you came.... How on earth did you +tumble on to my being there, Lutchester?" + +"It was Miss Pamela Van Teyl whom you must thank," Lutchester told him, +"not me. It seems she knew more about Henry's than any of us. She'd +come up against some of the crew in Berlin, and she guessed they were +holding you for that formula. She got the key out of one of those men +and then telephoned to me for my help." + +"And I never even thanked her," Graham murmured weakly. + +There was a moment's silence. The recovering man's consciousness of his +position and of events was evidently as yet incomplete. He sat up +suddenly in his chair, gripping the sides of it. His eyes were large +with reminiscent trouble. + +"My pocketbook had gone when they searched me," he muttered. + +"Are you sure that you had it with you when you came into Henry's?" +Lutchester inquired. + +"Absolutely certain." + +"Do you think you can remember now what happened when you went +upstairs?" + +"I reached the lavatory all right--you were with me then, weren't you?" +Graham said reflectively. "I hung up my coat while I washed, but there +was no one else in the room. Then you went downstairs and I brushed my +hair and just stopped to light a cigarette. You know that on the +right-hand side of the landing there is a room where the musicians +change. Joseph, that black devil, was standing in the doorway. He +grinned as I came into sight. 'Lady wants to speak to you for a moment, +Captain Graham,' he said. Well, you know how harmless the fellow +looks--just a good-natured, smiling nigger. I never dreamed of anything +wrong. As a matter of fact, I thought that Peggy Vincent--that's a +young lady I often go to Henry's with--wanted to have a word with me +before I joined our party. I stepped inside the room, and that's just +about all I can remember. It must have been jolly quick. His arm shot +round my neck, the door was closed, and that other brute--Hassan, I +think it was--held something over my face." + +"But that room was searched," Lutchester reminded him. + +"Well I came to just a little," Graham explained, "I found that I was +in a sort of cupboard place, behind the lockers these fellows have for +their clothes. It opens with a spring lock, and you'd never notice it, +searching the room." + +"Who was the first person you saw when you recovered consciousness?" + +Graham's forehead was wrinkled in the effort to remember. + +"I can't quite get hold of it," he confessed, "but I have a sort of +fancy I can't altogether get rid of that there was a woman about." + +Lutchester looked at the end of the cigarette he had just lit. + +"A woman?" he repeated. "That's queer." + +"I can't remember anything definitely until I woke up in that chapel," +Graham continued, "but when they searched me and found that the +pocketbook had gone, Fischer, the big American, muttered some woman's +name. I was queer just at the moment, but it sounded very much to me +like Miss Van Teyl's. He rang her up on the telephone." + +"Did they suspect Miss Van Teyl, then, of having taken your +pocketbook?" + +Graham shook his head. + +"I lost the drift of things just then," he admitted. "She couldn't have +done, in any case. Forgive me, but aren't we wasting time, Mr. +Lutchester? We must do something. Couldn't you ring up Scotland Yard +now?" + +"I certainly could," Lutchester assented, "but, as I told you just now, +I don't think that I will." + +Graham stared at him. + +"But why not?" + +"For certain very definite reasons with which you needn't trouble +yourself just now," Lutchester pronounced. "The formula has gone, +without a doubt, but it certainly isn't in the hands of any of the +people at Henry's." + +"But there's that American fellow--Fischer!" Graham exclaimed. "He was +the ringleader!" + +"Just so," Lutchester murmured thoughtfully. "However, he hasn't got +the formula." + +"But he planned the attack upon me," Graham protested. "He is an +enemy--a German--sheltering himself under his American naturalization. +Surely we're going for him?" + +"He's a wrong 'un, of course," Lutchester admitted, "but he hasn't got +the formula." + +"But we must do something!" Graham continued, his anger rising as his +strength returned. "Why, the place is a perfect den of conspirators! I +expect Ferrani himself is in it, and there's that other maitre d'hotel, +Jules, and those black beasts, Joseph and Hassan, besides Fischer. My +God, they shall pay for this!" + +Lutchester nodded. + +"I dare say they will," he admitted, "but not quite in the way you are +thinking of." + +Graham half rose to his feet. + +"Look here," he said, "I'm sane enough now, aren't I, and in my proper +senses? You are not going to suggest that we don't turn the police on +to that damned place?" + +"I certainly am," was the brief reply. + +Graham was aghast. + +"What do you mean to do, then?" + +"Leave them alone for the present. Not one of them has the formula. Not +one of them even knows where it is." + +"But the attack upon me?" + +"You asked for all you got," Lutchester told him curtly, "and perhaps a +little more." + +The first tinge of colour came back to Graham's cheeks. His eyes +flashed with anger. + +"Perhaps I did," he admitted, "but that doesn't alter the fact that I'm +going to have some of my own back out of them." + +Lutchester crossed his legs and turned round in his chair. For the +first time he directly faced his visitor. His tone, though not +unkindly, was imperative. + +"Young fellow," he said, "you'll have to listen to me about this." + +A smouldering sense of revolt suddenly found words. + +"Listen to you? What the devil have you got to do with it?" Graham +demanded. + +"I hate to remind any one of an obligation," Lutchester answered, "but +I am under the impression that, together with Miss Van Teyl, of course, +I rescued you from an exceedingly inconvenient situation." + +"I haven't had time yet to tell you how grateful I am," Graham said +awkwardly. "You were a brick, of course, and how you and Miss Van Teyl +tumbled on to the whole thing I can't imagine. But I don't understand +what you're getting at now. You can't suggest that I am to leave these +fellows alone and not give information to the police?" + +"The character of the place," Lutchester assured him, "is already +perfectly well known to the heads of the police. The matter will be +dealt with, but not in the way you suggest. And so far as regards +Fischer, I do not wish him interfered with for the present." + +"You do not wish him interfered with?" Graham repeated. "Where the +devil do you come in at all?" + +"You can leave me out of the matter for the present. You want the +formula back, don't you?" + +"My God, yes!" Graham muttered fervently. "It's all very well to give +one a pencil and a piece of paper and say 'Write it out,' but there are +calculations and proportions--" + +"Precisely," Lutchester interrupted. "You want it back again. Why not +let Fischer do the business? He has an idea where it's gone. The thing +to do seems to me to follow him." + +"To follow Fischer?" Graham repeated vaguely. + +"Precisely. If he thinks the formula is in England, Fischer will stay +in England. If he thinks that it has gone abroad he will go abroad. If +we leave him free we can watch which he does." + +Graham swallowed half a wineglassful of the brandy by his side. Then he +leaned forward. + +"Look here," he said, "you'll forgive me if I repeat myself and ask you +once more--what the hell has all this got to do with you?" + +"Just this much," Lutchester replied, "that I insist upon your taking +the course of action in this matter which I propose." + +"You mean," Graham protested, working himself gradually into a state of +wrath, "that I am to go back to my rooms as though nothing had +happened, see Holderness and the others to-morrow, and not have a word +of explanation to offer? That I am to leave those blackguards at +Henry's to try their dirty games on some one else, and let Fischer, the +man who was fully inclined to become my murderer, go away unharmed? I +think not, Mr. Lutchester. I am much obliged for your help, but you are +talking piffle." + +"What do you propose to do, then?" + +"I am going round to Scotland Yard myself." + +Lutchester rose to his feet. + +"Stay where you are for a minute, please," he begged. + +He passed into a smaller room, and Graham could hear faintly the sound +of the telephone. In a minute or two his host returned. + +"Go in there and speak, Graham," he invited. "You will find some one +you know at the other end." + +Graham did as he was bidden, and Lutchester closed the door after him. +For a few minutes the latter sat in his chair, smoking quietly, his +eyes fixed upon the fire. Then his unwilling guest reappeared. He came +into the room a little unsteadily and looked with new eyes at the man +who seemed so unaccountably to have taken over the control of his +affairs. + +"I don't understand all this," he muttered. "Who the devil are you, +anyway, Lutchester?" + +"A very ordinary person, I can assure you," was the quiet reply. +"However, you are satisfied, I suppose, that my advice is good?" + +"Yes, I am satisfied," Graham answered nervously. "You know that--that +I'm under arrest?" + +Lutchester nodded. + +"Well, you're not asking for my sympathy, I suppose?" he observed +drily. + +The young man flushed. + +"I know that I behaved like a fool," he admitted. "All the same, I've +been working night and day for weeks on this problem. I haven't even +been up to town once. I must say I think they seem inclined to be a +little hard on me." + +"No one is going to be in the least hard on you," Lutchester assured +him. "You have committed a frightful indiscretion, and all that is +asked of you now is to keep your mouth shut. If you do that, I think a +way will be found for you out of your troubles." + +"But what is to become of me?" Graham demanded. + +"I understand that you are to be taken to Northumberland to-morrow," +Lutchester informed him. "There you will be allowed every facility for +fresh experiments. In the meantime, I have promised to give you a +shakedown here for the night. You will find a soldier on guard outside +your door, but you can treat him as your servant." + +"You are very kind," Graham faltered, a little vaguely. "If only I +could understand--" + +Lutchester rose to his feet. His manner became more serious, his tone +had in it a note of finality. + +"Captain Graham," he interrupted, "don't try to understand. I will tell +you as much as this, if it helps you. Henry's Restaurant will be placed +under the closest surveillance, but we wish nothing disturbed there at +the moment until we have discovered the future plans of Mr. Oscar +Fischer." + +"The big German-American," Graham muttered. "He's the man you ought to +get hold of." + +"Some day I hope that we may," Lutchester declared. "For the moment, +however, we want him undisturbed. You would scarcely believe it, +perhaps, if I told you that the theft of your formulas is only a slight +thing compared to the bigger business that man has on hand. There is +something else at the back of his head which is worth heaven and earth +to us to understand. We want the formula and we shall have it, but more +than anything else in the world we want to know why Fischer has pledged +his word in Berlin to bring this war to an end within three months. We +have to find that out, and we are going to find it out--from him. You +see, I have treated you with confidence, Captain Graham. Now let me +show you to your room." Graham put his hand to his forehead. + +"I feel as though this were some sort of nightmare," he muttered. "I've +known you for several months, Mr. Lutchester, and I have never heard +you say a serious word. You dance at Henry's; you made a good soldier, +they said, but you'd had enough of it in twelve months; you play +auction bridge in the afternoons; and you talk about the war as though +it were simply an irritating circumstance. And to-night--" + +Lutchester threw open the door of his own bedroom and pointed to the +bathroom beyond. + +"My man has put out everything he thinks you may want," he said. "Try +and get a good night's sleep. And, Graham." + +"Yes?" + +"Don't bother your head about me, and don't ask any more questions." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + + +The _Lapland_ was two days out from Tilbury before Pamela appeared on +deck, followed by her maid with an armful of cushions, and the deck +steward with her rugs. She had scarcely made herself comfortable in a +sunny corner when she was aware of the approach of a large, familiar +figure. Her astonishment was entirely genuine. + +"Mr. Fischer!" she exclaimed. "Why, how on earth did you catch this +steamer? I thought you were coming on the Thursday boat?" + +"Some inducement to change my mind," Mr. Fischer replied, drawing a +chair up to her side. + +"Meaning me?" + +"I guess that's so!" + +"Of course, I'm exceedingly flattered," Pamela observed, "or rather I +should be if I believed you, but I don't see how you could leave a +supper-party at Henry's and go straight to Tilbury." + +"Say, how did you know I was supping at Henry's?" he inquired. + +"Because I was there for luncheon myself, as you know," she answered +carelessly, "and I heard you order your table for supper." + +Mr. Fischer nodded reminiscently. + +"I always wind up with a little supper at Henry's, on my last night in +London," he remarked. "It left me two hours to get down to Tilbury, but +it don't take me long to start for anywhere when I once make up my +mind. That's the American of us, I suppose. Besides, I never need much +in the way of luggage. I keep clothes over on the other side and +clothes in New York, and a grip always ready packed for a journey." + +"You're so typical," she murmured, smiling. + +"I don't know about that," he replied. "My business makes it necessary +for me to be always on the go. Have you heard from your brother +lately?" + +Pamela shook her head. + +"Jimmy is the most terrible correspondent," she complained. "I don't +think I've had any mail from him for two months." + +"You didn't know that he and I were sharing rooms together, then, in +the Plaza Hotel, I suppose?" + +Pamela turned her head a little and gazed at her companion in genuine +surprise. + +"Sharing rooms in the Plaza Hotel?" she repeated.... "You and Jimmy?" + +"I guess that's so," Mr. Fischer assented. "We were doing business +together one day, and the subject cropped up somehow or other. Your +brother was thinking of making a move, and I'd just been shown these +rooms, which were a trifle on the large side for me. I made him an +offer and he jumped at it." + +"I hope you're not leading James into extravagant ways," she remarked +anxiously. "I loved his little apartment in Forty-Second Street and it +was so inexpensive." + +"Your brother's share of these rooms isn't anything more than he can +afford," Mr. Fischer assured her. "That I can promise you. I guess his +firm is doing well just now. If they've many more clients like me they +are." + +"It is very nice of you to put business in his way," Pamela said +thoughtfully. "I wonder why you do it, Mr. Fischer?" + +"Why shouldn't I?" + +"Well," Pamela went on, her eyes travelling out seaward for a moment, +"you seem to be one of those sort of men, Mr. Fischer, who never do +anything without an object." + +"_Some_ powers of observation," he admitted blithely. + +"You have an object in being kind to Jimmy, then?" + +Mr. Fischer produced a cigar case and selected a cheroot. + +"Mind my smoking?" + +"Not in the least. The only time I mind things is when people don't +answer my questions." + +"I was only kind of hesitating," Mr. Fischer went on, leaning back once +more in his chair. "You want the truth, don't you?" + +"I never think anything else is worth while." + +"In the first place, then," her companion began, "your brother belongs +to what I suppose is known as the exclusive set in New York. I am a +Westerner with few friends there. Through him I have obtained +introductions to several people whom it was interesting to me, from a +business point of view, to know." + +"I see," Pamela murmured. "You are at least frank, Mr. Fischer." + +"I am going to be more frank still," he promised her. "Then another +reason, of course, was because I liked him, and a third, which I am not +sure wasn't the chief of all, because he was your brother." + +Pamela laughed gaily. + +"Is that necessary?" + +"Necessary or not, it's the truth," he assured her. "I am a man of +quick impressions and lasting ones." + +"But we've never met except on a steamer," Pamela reminded him. + +"I know it's the fashion," Mr. Fischer said, "to turn up one's nose at +steamer acquaintances. It isn't like that with me. You see, I don't +have as much opportunity of meeting folk as some others, perhaps. The +most interesting people I've known socially I've met on steamers. I sat +at your table, side by side with you, Miss Van Teyl, for seven days a +few months ago. I guess I'll remember those seven days as long as I +live." + +Pamela turned her head and looked at him. The faintly derisive smile +died away from her lips. The man was in earnest. A certain curiosity +stole into her eyes as the seconds passed. She studied his hard, strong +face, with its great jaw and prominent forehead; the mouth, a little +too full, and belying the rest of his physiognomy, yet with its own +peculiar strength. He had taken off his spectacles, and it seemed to +her that the cold, flinty light of his eyes had caught for a moment +some touch of the softer blue of the sea or the sky. Seated, he lost +some of the awkwardness of his too great and ill-carried height. It +seemed to her that he was at least a person to be reckoned with, either +in friendship or enmity. + +"Are you an American born, Mr. Fischer," she asked him. + +He shook his head. + +"I was born at Offenbach," he told her, "near Frankfurt. My father +brought me out to America when I was eleven years old." + +"You must find the present condition of things a little trying for +you," she observed. + +Oscar Fischer put on his glasses again. He did not answer for several +moments. + +"That opens up a subject, Miss Van Teyl," he said, "which some day I +should like to discuss with you." + +"Why not now?" she invited. "I feel much more inclined for conversation +than reading." + +"Tell me, then, to begin with," he asked thoughtfully, "on which side +are your sympathies?" + +"I try to do my duty as an American citizen," she replied promptly, +"and that is to have no sympathies. Our dear country has set the world +an example of what neutrality should be. I think it is the duty of us +Americans to try and bring ourselves into exactly the same line of +feeling." + +He changed his position a little uneasily. His attitude became less of +a sprawl. His eyes were fixed upon her face. + +"I fear," he said, "that we are going to begin by a disagreement. I do +not consider that America has realised in the least the duties of a +neutral nation." + +"You must explain that at once, if you please, before we go any +further," Pamela insisted. + +"Is this neutrality?" Fischer demanded, his rather harsh voice almost +raucous now with a touch of real feeling. "America ships daily millions +of dollars' worth of those things that make war possible, to France, to +Italy, above all to England. She keeps them supplied with ammunition, +clothing, scientific instruments, food--a dozen things which make war +easier. To Germany she sends nothing. Is that neutrality?" + +"But America is perfectly willing to deal in the same way with +Germany," Pamela pointed out. "German agents can come and place their +orders and take away whatever they want. The market is as much open to +her as to the Allies." + +Fischer was sitting bolt upright in his chair now. There was a little +spot of colour in his cheeks and his eyes flashed behind his +spectacles. He struck the side of the chair. He was very angry. + +"That is Jesuitical," he declared. "It is perfectly well-known that +Germany is not in a position to fetch munitions from America. +Therefore, I say that there is no neutrality in supplying one side in +the war with goods which the other is unable to procure." + +"Then you place upon America the onus of Germany's naval inferiority," +Pamela remarked drily. + +"Germany's maritime inferiority does not exist," Mr. Fischer protested. +"When the moment arrives that the High Seas fleet comes out for action +the world will know the truth." + +"Then hadn't it better come," Pamela suggested, "and clear the ocean +for your commerce?" + +"That isn't the point," Fischer insisted. "We have wandered from the +main issue. I say that America abandons its neutrality when it helps +the Allies to continue the war." + +"I don't think you will find," Pamela replied, "that international law +prevents any neutral country from supplying either combatant with +munitions. If one country can fetch the things and the other can't, +that is the misfortune of the country that can't. For one moment look +at the matter from England's point of view. She has built up a mighty +navy to keep the seas clear for exactly this purpose--to continue her +commerce from abroad. Germany instead has built up a mighty army, with +which she has overrun Europe. Germany has had the advantage from her +army. Why shouldn't England have the advantage from her navy?" + +"Let me ask you the question you asked me a few minutes ago," her +companion begged. "Were you born in America--or England?" + +"I was born in America," Pamela told him; "so were my parents and my +grandparents. I claim to be American to the backbone. I claim even to +treat any sympathies I might have in this affair as prejudices, and not +even to allow them a single corner in my brain." + +Mr. Fischer sat quite still for several moments. He was struggling very +hard to keep his temper. In the end he succeeded. + +"We will not, then, pursue the subject of America's neutrality," he +said, "because it is obvious that we disagree fundamentally. But tell +me this, now, as an American and a patriot. Which do you think would be +better for America--That Germany and Austria won this war, or the +Allies?" + +"Upon that question I have not altogether made up my mind," Pamela +confessed. + +"Then there is room there for a discussion," Mr. Fischer pointed out +eagerly. "I should like to put my views before you on this matter." + +"And I should love to hear them," Pamela replied, "but I feel just now +as though we had talked enough politics. Do you know that I came up on +deck in a state of great agitation?" + +"Submarine alarms from the stewardess?" Mr. Fischer suggested. + +"I am not afraid of submarines, but I have a most profound dislike for +thieves," Pamela declared. + +"You have not had anything stolen?" he asked quickly. + +"I have not," Pamela replied, "but the only reason seems to be that I +have nothing worth stealing. When I got back from luncheon this +afternoon I found that my stateroom had been systematically searched." + +She turned her head a little lazily and looked at her neighbour. His +expression was entirely sympathetic. + +"Your jewellery?" + +"Deposited with the purser." + +"I congratulate you," he said. + +"Nothing has been stolen," she observed, "but one hates the feeling of +insecurity, all the same. Both my steward and stewardess are old +friends. It must have been a very clever person who found his way into +my room." + +"A very clever person," Mr. Fischer objected, "would have known that +you had deposited your jewels with the purser." + +"If it was my jewels of which they were in search," Pamela murmured. +"By the bye, do you remember all that fuss about the disappearance of a +young soldier that morning at Henry's?" + +Fischer nodded. + +"I heard something about it," he confessed. "They were talking about it +at dinner-time." + +"I had an idea that you might be interested," Pamela went on. "He was +rather a foolish young man. He came into the restaurant telling every +one at the top of his voice that he had made a great discovery! Even in +London, which is, I should think, the most prosaic city in the world, +there must be people who are on the lookout to pick up war secrets." + +"Even in London, as you remark," Fischer assented. + +"You didn't hear the end of the affair, I suppose?" she asked him. + +The steward had arrived with afternoon tea. Fischer threw into the sea +the cigar which he had been smoking. + +"I do not think," he said, "that the end has been reached yet." + +Pamela sighed. + +"Les oreilles ennemies!" she quoted. "I suppose one has to be careful +everywhere." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + + +It was one evening towards the end of the voyage, and about an hour +after dinner. A huge form loomed out of the darkness, continuing its +steady promenade along the unlit portion of the deck. Pamela, moved by +some caprice, abandoned her caution of the last few days and called +out. + +"Mr. Fischer!" + +He stopped short. The sparks flew from the red end of his cigar, which +he tossed into the sea. He hastened towards her. + +"Miss Van Teyl?" he replied, a little hesitatingly. + +"How clever of you to know my voice!" she observed. "I am in the humour +to talk. Will you sit down, please?" + +Mr. Fischer humbly drew a chair to her side. + +"I had an idea," he said, "that you had been avoiding me the last two +or three days." + +"I have," she admitted. + +"Have I offended you, then?" + +"Scarcely that," she replied, "only, you see, it seemed waste of time +to talk to you with the foils on, and a little dangerous, perhaps, to +talk to you with them off." + +His face reflected his admiration. + +"Miss Van Teyl," he declared, "you are quite a wonderful person. I have +never believed very much in women before. Perhaps that is the reason +why I have never married." + +"Dear me, are you a woman-hater?" she asked. + +He looked at her steadfastly. + +"I have made use of women as playthings," he confessed. "Until I met +you I never thought of them as companions, as partners." + +She laughed at him through the darkness, and at the sound of her laugh +his eyes glowed. + +"Really, I am very much flattered," she said. "You give me credit for +intelligence, then?" + +"I give you credit for every gift a woman should have," he answered +enthusiastically. "I recognise in you the woman I have sometimes +dreamed of." + +Again she laughed. + +"Don't tell me, Mr. Fischer," she protested, "that ever in your +practical life you have spent a single moment in dreams?" + +"I have spent many," he assured her, "but they have all been since I +knew you." + +Pamela sighed. + +"I have never been through a voyage," she observed, "without a love +affair. Still, I never suspected you, Mr. Fischer." + +"You suspected me, perhaps, of other things." + +She nodded. + +"I am full of suspicions about you," she admitted. "I am not going to +tell you what they are, of course." + +"There is one thing of which I am guilty," he confessed. "I should like +to tell you about it right now." + +"Could I guess it?" + +"You're clever enough." + +"You like me, don't you, Mr. Fischer?" + +"Better than any woman in the world," he answered promptly. "And my +confession is--well, just that. Will you marry me?" + +Pamela shook her head. + +"Quite early in life," she confided, "I made up my mind that I would +never give a definite answer to any one who proposed to me on a +steamer. I suppose it's the wind, or is it the stars, or the silence, +or what? I have known the sanest of men, even like you, Mr. Fischer, +become quite maudlin." + +"I am brimful of common sense at the present moment," he declared +earnestly. "You and I could do great things together, if only I could +get you to look at one certain matter from my point of view; to see it +as I see it." + +"A political matter?" she inquired naively. + +"I want to try and persuade you," he confessed, "that America has +everything in the world to gain from Germany's success, and everything +to lose if the Allies should triumph in this war and Great Britain +should continue her tyranny of the seas." + +"It's an extraordinarily interesting subject," Pamela admitted. + +"It is almost as absorbing," he declared, "as the other matter which +just now lies even nearer to my heart." + +She withdrew her fingers from his sudden clutch. + +"Mr. Fischer," she told him, "what I said just now was quite final. I +will not be made love to on a steamer." + +"When we land," he continued eagerly, "you will be coming to see your +brother, won't you?" + +She nodded. + +"Of course! I am coming to the Plaza Hotel. That, I suppose, is good +news for you, Mr. Fischer." + +"Of course it is," he answered, "but why do you say so?" + +"It will give you so many opportunities," she murmured. + +"Of seeing you?" + +She shook her head. + +"Of searching my belongings." + +There was a moment's silence. She heard his quick breath through the +darkness. His voice assumed its harsher tone. + +"You believe that it was I who searched your stateroom?" + +"I am sure that it was you, or some one acting for you." + +"What is it, then, of which I am in search?" he demanded. + +"Captain Graham's formula," she replied. "I think you want that a good +deal more than you want me." + +"You have it then?" he asked fiercely. + +She sighed. + +"You jump so to conclusions. I didn't say so." + +"You went up the stairs ... you were the only person who went up just +at that one psychological moment! He had his pocketbook with him when +he came in--he told Holderness so." + +"And when you searched him it was gone," she remarked calmly. "Dear +me!" + +"How do you know that I searched him?" Fischer demanded. + +"How dare you ask me to give away my secrets?" she replied. + +"Listen," he began, striving with an almost painful effort to keep his +voice down to the level of a whisper, "you and I together, we could do +the most marvellous things. I could let you into all my schemes. They +are great. They will be successful. After the war is over--" + +He held his breath for a moment. The tramp of approaching footsteps +warned him of the coming of an intruder. The Captain came to a +standstill before their chairs and saluted. + +"Miss Van Teyl," he said, "there will be a mutiny in the saloon if you +don't come down and sing." + +She almost sprang to her feet. The ship was rolling a little, and she +laid her fingers upon his arm. + +"I meant to come long ago," she declared, "but Mr. Fischer has been so +interesting. You will finish telling me your experiences another time, +won't you?" she called out over her shoulder. "There is so much that I +still want to hear." + +Fischer's reply was almost ungracious. He watched their departure in +silence, and afterwards leaned further back in his chair. With long, +nervous fingers he drew a black cigar from his case and lit it. Then he +folded his arms. For more than half an hour he sat there motionless, +smoking furiously. He looked out into the chaos of the windy darkness, +he heard voices riding upon the seas, shrieking and calling to him, +voices to which he had been deaf too long. The burden of these later +years of turbulent, brazen, selfish struggling, rolled back. He had +been a sentimentalist once, a willing seeker after things which seemed +to have passed him by. At his age, he told himself, a man should still +find more than one place in the world. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + + +James Van Teyl glanced curiously at the small, dark figure standing +patiently before him, and then back again at the wireless cable which +he held in his fingers. He was just back from a tiring day in Wall +Street, and was reclining in the most comfortable easy-chair of his +Hotel Plaza sitting-room. + +"Gee!" he murmured. "This beats me. The last thing I should have +thought we wanted here was a valet. The fellow who looks after this +suite has scarcely anything else to do. What did you say your name +was?" + +"Nikasti, sir." + +Van Teyl carefully reconsidered the cable. It certainly seemed to leave +no room for misunderstanding. + +Please engage for our service, as valet, Nikasti. See that he enters on +his duties at once. Hope land this evening. Your sister on board sends +love.--F. + +"Well that seems clear enough," the young man muttered, thrusting the +form into his waistcoat pocket. "You're here to stay, I guess, Nikasti? +I see you've brought your kit along." + +"In case you decided to engage me, sir," the man replied. + +"Oh, you are engaged right enough," Van Teyl assured him. "You'd better +make the best job you can of putting out my evening clothes. If you +ring for the floor valet, he'll help you. The bedrooms are through that +door." + +"Very good, sir!" + +"I am going down to the barber's now," Van Teyl continued, rising to +his feet. "Just remember this, Nikasti--what a name, by the bye!" + +"I could be called Kato," the man suggested. + +"Kato for me all the time," his prospective employer agreed. "Well, +listen. My sister, Miss Van Teyl, arrives from Europe on the _Lapland_ +this evening. If she comes in or rings up, say I'm here and I want to +see her at once. You understand?" + +"I understand, sir." + +Van Teyl strolled out, and Kato disappeared into the inner room. The +floor valet, dressed in the dark blue livery of the hotel, was already +laying out his master's dinner clothes. He eyed the intruder a little +truculently. + +"Who are you, anyway?" he inquired. + +"My name is Nikasti," was the quiet reply. "Mr. Van Teyl has engaged me +as his valet, to wait upon him and Mr. Fischer." + +The man laid down the shirt into which he was fixing the studs. + +"That's some news," he remarked bitterly. + +"To wait on Mr. Van Teyl and Mr. Fischer, eh? What the hell do they +want you for?" + +Nikasti shook his head slowly. He was very small, and his dark eyes +seemed filled with melancholy. + +"It is not for a very long time," he ventured. + +"Long enough to do me out of my five dollars' tip every week," the man +grumbled. "I'm a married man, too, and a good American. Blast you +fellows, coming and taking our jobs away! Can't think what they let you +into the country for." + +"I am sorry," Nikasti murmured. + +"Your sorrow don't bring me in my five dollars," the valet retorted +bitterly. "There's only two suites on this floor to work for, anyway, +and this is the only one worth a cent." + +"I am taking the situation," the other explained, "for the sake of +experience. I do not wish to rob you of your earnings. I will pay you +the five dollars a week while I stay here. You shall help me with the +work." + +"That's a deal, my little yellow-skinned kid," the valet agreed in a +tone of relief. "I'll show you where the things are kept." + +His new coadjutor bowed. + +"The telephone is ringing in the master's room," he observed. "You +shall remain here, and I will answer it." + +"That goes, Jappy," the man acquiesced. "If it's a young lady take her +name, but don't say that Mr. Van Teyl's about. Forward young baggages +some of them are." + +Nikasti glided from the room, closed the door, and approached the +telephone receiver. + +"Yes," he acknowledged, "these are the rooms of Mr. Van Teyl... No, +madam, Mr. Van Teyl is not in at present." + +There was a moment's pause. Nikasti's face was impenetrable as he +listened, but his eyes glowed. + +"Yes, I understand, madam," he said softly. "You are Miss Van Teyl, and +you wish to speak to your brother. The moment Mr. Van Teyl returns I +will ring you up or fetch you." + +He replaced the receiver upon its hook, and returned to the bedroom. +For some little time he was initiated into the mysteries of his new +master's studs, boots and shoes, and general taste in wearing apparel. +Then the latter entered the sitting-room, and Nikasti obeyed his +summons. + +"Anyone called me up?" he inquired. + +"No one, sir." + +Van Teyl glanced at the clock in an undecided manner. + +"I'll change right away," he decided. "Just set things to rights in +here, fill my cigarette case, and hang round by the telephone." + +Nikasti bowed, and the young man disappeared into the inner room. His +new attendant waited until the door was closed. Then he removed the +receiver from its hook, laid it upon the table, and moved stealthily +towards the open fireplace. For several moments he remained in an +attitude of listening, then with quick, lithe fingers he drew from his +pocket a cable dispatch, reread it with an air of complete absorption, +and committed it to the flames. He watched it burn, and turned away +from the contemplation of its grey ashes with a sigh of content. +Suddenly he started. The door of the sitting-room had been opened and +closed. A tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing gold-rimmed spectacles, a +long travelling coat and a Homburg hat, was standing watching him. +Nikasti was only momentarily disturbed. His look of gentle inquiry was +perfect. + +"You wish to see my master--Mr. Van Teyl?" he asked. + +"Where is he?" Fischer demanded. + +"He is dressing in the next apartment. I will take him your name." + +Fischer threw his coat and hat upon the table. + +"That'll do directly," he replied. "So you're Nikasti?" + +They looked at one another for a moment. The face of the Japanese was +smooth, bland, and imperturbable. His eyes were innocent even of any +question. Fischer's forehead was wrinkled, and his brows drawn close +together. + +"I am Nikasti," the other acknowledged--"Kato Nikasti. Mr. Van Teyl has +just engaged me as his valet." + +"You can take off the gloves," Fischer told him. "I am Oscar Fischer." + +"Oscar Fischer," Nikasti repeated. + +"Yes! ... Burning something when I came in weren't you? Looked like a +cable, eh?" + +"A dispatch from London," Nikasti confided. + +"Nothing that would interest me, eh?" + +"It was a family message," was the calm response. "It did not concern +the affair which is between us." + +"How came you to speak English like this?" Fischer inquired. + +"I was at Oxford University for two years," Nikasti told him, "and in +the Embassy at London for five more." + +"Before you took up your present job, eh?" + +Nikasti assented silently. Fischer glanced around as though to make +sure that they were still alone. + +"I have the communication with me," he announced, "which we are to +discuss. The terms of our proposal are clearly set out, and they are +signed by the Highest of all himself. The letter embodying them was +handed to me three weeks ago to-day in Berlin. Have you been to +Washington?" + +Nikasti shook his head. + +"I do not go to Washington," he said. "You will understand that +diplomatically, as you would put it, I do not exist. Neither is it +necessary. I am here to listen." + +Fischer nodded. + +"There need be very little delay, then," he observed, "before we get to +work." + +Nikasti bowed and raised his forefinger in warning. + +"I think," he whispered, "that Mr. Van Teyl has finished dressing." + + + + +CHAPTER X + + +Van Teyl, as he hastened forward to meet his friend, presented at first +sight a very good type of the well-groomed, athletic young American. He +was over six feet tall, with smooth, dark hair brushed back from his +forehead, a strong, clean-shaven face and good features. Only, as he +drew nearer, there was evident a slight, unnatural quivering at the +corner of his lips. The cordiality of his greeting, too, was a little +overdone. + +"Welcome home, Fischer! Why, man, you're looking fine. Had a pleasant +voyage?" + +"Storms for the first few days--after that all right," Fischer replied. + +"Any submarines?" + +"Not a sight of one. Seen your sister yet?" + +"Not yet. I've been waiting about for a telephone message. She hadn't +arrived, a few minutes ago." + +Fischer frowned. + +"I want us three to meet--you and she and I--the first moment she sets +foot in the hotel," he declared. + +"What's the hurry?" Van Teyl demanded. "You must have seen plenty of +her the last ten days." + +"That," Fischer insisted, "was a different matter. See here, Jimmy, +I'll be frank with you." + +He walked to the door of the bedroom, opened it, and looked inside. Its +sole occupant was Nikasti, who was at the far end, putting away some +clothes. Fischer closed the door firmly and returned. + +"I want you to understand this, James," he began. "Your sister is +meddling in certain things she'd best leave alone." + +Van Teyl lit a cigarette. + +"No use talking to me," he observed. "Pamela's her own mistress, and +she's gone her own way ever since she came of age." + +"She's got to quit," Fischer pronounced. "That's all there is about it. +You and I will have to talk this out. Where are you dining?" + +"Downstairs," Van Teyl replied gloomily. "I was thinking of waiting for +Pamela." + +"You leave word to have your people let you know directly she arrives," +Fischer advised, "and come along with me." + +Van Teyl allowed himself to be led towards the door. Nikasti, with a +due sense of his new duties, glided past them, rang for the lift, and +watched them descend. Fischer turned at once towards the dining room. + +"Thank God we're in a civilised country," he observed, "and that I +don't have to change when I don't want to!" + +They found a quiet table, and Fischer, displaying much interest in the +menu, ordered a somewhat extensive dinner. + +"Grapefruit and Maryland chicken are worth coming back to," he +declared. "Now see here, James, let's get to business. You've got to +help me with your sister." + +"But how?" Van Teyl demanded. "Pamela and I are good pals, of course, +but she has a will of her own in all she does, and I don't fancy that +anything I could say would influence her very much." + +"There are two things about your sister," Fischer continued. "The first +is that she's got to quit this secret service business she's got +herself mixed up in." + +"Don't talk nonsense!" Van Teyl exclaimed. "Pamela doesn't care a fig +about politics." + +Fischer grunted scornfully. + +"You don't know much about your sister, young fellow," he said. +"Internal politics over here may not interest her a cent, but she's +crazy about America as a country, and she's shrewd enough to see things +coming that a great many of you over here aren't looking for. Anyway, +she came bang up against me in a little scheme I had on the night +before I left Europe, and somewhere about her she's got concealed a +document which I'd gladly buy for a quarter of a million dollars." + +Van Teyl drank off his second cocktail. + +"Some money!" he observed. "How did she come by the prize?" + +"Played up for it, just as I did," Fischer replied. "She was clever +enough to make use of my scaffolding, and got up the ladder first. I'm +not squealing, but I've got to have that document, whatever it costs +me." + +Van Teyl was silent for a moment. There was an undercurrent of +something threatening in his companion's manner, of which he had taken +note. + +"And the second thing you mentioned?" he asked. "What is that?" + +Fischer, as though to give due emphasis to his statement, indulged in a +brief pause. Then he leaned a little forward and spoke very slowly and +very forcibly. + +"I want to marry her," he declared. + +Van Teyl learned back in his chair and gazed at his vis-a-vis in blank +astonishment. + +"You must be a damned fool, Fischer!" he exclaimed. + +"You think so?" was the unruffled reply. "I wonder why?" + +"I'll tell you why, if you want to know," Van Teyl continued bluntly. +"I know of four of the richest and best-looking young men in America, +two ambassadors, an English peer, and an Italian prince, who have +proposed to Pamela during the last twelve months alone. She refused +every one of them." + +"Well," Fischer remarked, "she must marry some time." + +Van Teyl looked at him insolently. + +"I shouldn't think you'd have a dog's chance," he pronounced. + +There was a little glitter behind Fischer's spectacles. + +"Up till now," he admitted smoothly, "I have not been fortunate. I must +confess, however, that I was hoping for your good offices." + +"Pamela wouldn't take the slightest notice of anything I might say," +Van Teyl declared. "Besides, I should hate you to marry her." + +"A little blunt, are you not, my young friend?" Fischer remarked +amiably. "Still, to continue, there is also the matter of that +document. I must confess that I exercised all my ingenuity to obtain +possession of it on the steamer." + +"You would!" Van Teyl muttered. + +"Your sister, however," Fischer continued, "was wise enough to have it +locked up in the purser's safe the moment she set foot upon the +steamer. She gave me the slip when she got it back, and eluded me, +somehow, on the quay. She will scarcely have had time to part with it +yet, though. When she arrives here to-night, it will in all probability +be in her possession." + +"Well?" Van Teyl demanded. "You don't suggest that I should rob her of +it, I suppose?" + +"Not at all," Fischer replied. "On the other hand, you might very well +induce her to give it up voluntarily, or at least to treat with me." + +"You don't know Pamela," was Van Teyl's curt reply. + +"I know her sufficiently," Fischer went on, leaning over the table, "to +believe that she would sacrifice a great deal to save her brother from +Sing Sing." + +Van Teyl took the thrust badly. He started as though he had been +stabbed, and his face became almost ghastly in its pallor. He tossed +off a glass of wine hastily. + +"Just what do you mean by that?" he asked thickly. + +"Are you prepared," Fischer continued, "to have me visit your office +to-morrow morning and examine my accounts and securities in the +presence of your partners?" + +"Why not?" Van Teyl faltered. "What the hell do you mean?" + +"I mean, James Van Teyl," his companion declared, "that I should find +you a matter of a hundred thousand dollars short. I mean that you've +realised on some of my securities, gambled on your own account with the +proceeds, and lost. You did this as regards one stock at least, with a +forged transfer, which I hold." + +Van Teyl looked almost piteously around. Life seemed suddenly to have +become an unreal thing--the crowds of well-dressed diners, the gentle +splashing of the water from the fountains in the winter garden, the +distant murmuring of music from behind the canopy of palms. So this was +the end of it! All that week he had hoped against hope. He had been +told of a sure thing. Next week he had meant to have a great gamble. +Everything was to have gone his way, after all. And now it was too +late. Fischer knew, and Fischer was a cruel man!... + +The unnatural silence came to an end. Only Fischer's voice seemed to +come from a long way off. + +"Drink your wine, James Van Teyl," he advised, "and listen to me. +You've been under obligations to me from the start. I meant you to be. +I brought a great business to your firm, and I insisted upon having you +interested. I had a motive, as I have for most things I do. You are +well placed socially in New York, and I am not. You are also above +suspicion, which I am not. It suited me to take this suite in the +Plaza, nominally in our joint names, but to pay the whole account +myself. It suited me because I required the shelter of your social +position. You understand?" + +"I always understand," Van Teyl muttered. + +"Just so. Only, whereas you simply thought me a snob, I had in reality +a different and very definite purpose. We come now, however, to your +present obligation to me. I can, if I choose, tear up your forged +transfer, submit to the loss of my money, and leave you secure. I shall +do so if you are able to induce your sister to hand over to me those +few lines of writing--to which, believe me, she has no earthly +right--and to accept me as a prospective suitor." + +Van Teyl was drinking steadily now, but every mouthful of food seemed +almost to choke him. Red-eyed and defiant, he faced his torturer. + +"You're talking rot!" he declared. "Pamela wouldn't marry you if you +were the last man on earth, and if she's got anything she wants to +keep, she'll keep it." + +"And see her brother disgraced," Fischer reminded him, "tried at the +Criminal Court for theft and sent to Sing Sing? It's a good name in New +York, yours, you know. The Van Teyls have held up their heads high for +more than one generation. Your sister will not fancy seeing it dragged +down into the mire." + +For a single moment the young man seemed about to throw himself upon +his companion, Fischer, perfectly unmoved, watched him, nevertheless, +like a cat. + +"Better sit tight," he enjoined. "Drop it now or people will be +watching us. I have ordered some of the old brandy. A liqueur or two +will steady you, perhaps. Afterwards we will go upstairs and take your +sister into our confidence." + +Van Teyl nodded. + +"Very well," he agreed hoarsely. "We'll hear what Pamela has to say." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + + +Nikasti, with a low bow, watched the disappearance of the lift into +which his two new masters, James Van Teyl and Oscar Fischer, had +stepped. He waited until the indicator registered its safe arrival on +the ground floor. Then he slowly retraced his steps along the corridor, +entered the sitting-room, and took up the telephone receiver, which was +still lying upon the table. + +"Will you give me number 77," he asked--"Miss Van Teyl's suite?" + +There was a moment's silence--then a voice at the other end to which he +made obeisance. + +"It is Miss Van Teyl who speaks? I am Mr. Van Teyl's valet. Mr. Van +Teyl is here now and will be glad if you will come in." + +He replaced the receiver, listened and waited. In a few moments there +was the sound of a light footstep outside. The door was opened and +Pamela entered. She was still wearing the grey tailor-made costume in +which she had left the steamer. + +"Why, where is Mr. Van Teyl?" she asked, looking around the room. "I +have been ringing up for the last ten minutes and couldn't get any +answer. I did not realise that it was the next suite." + +"Mr. Van Teyl is close at hand, madam," Nikasti replied. "If you will +kindly be seated, I will fetch him." + +"How long have you been valet here?" Pamela asked curiously. + +"For a few hours only, madam," was the grave reply. "If you will be so +good as to wait." + +He bowed low and left the room. Pamela took up an evening paper and for +a few minutes buried herself in its contents. Then suddenly she held it +away from her and listened. A queer and unaccountable impulse inspired +her with a certain mistrust. There was no sound of movement in the +adjoining bedchamber, nor any sign of her brother's presence. She +opened the door and peered in. It was empty and in darkness. Then, +moved by that same unaccountable impulse, she crossed the room and +listened at the door which led into her own suite, and which she +perceived was bolted on this side as well as her own. She listened at +first idly, afterwards breathlessly. In a few moments she was convinced +that her senses were not playing her false. Some one was moving +stealthily about in her room, the key to which was even at that moment +in her hand. She hastened to the door, to be confronted by another +surprise. The handle turned but the door refused to open. She was +locked in. + +Pamela was both generous and insistent in the matter of bells. She +found four, and she rang them all together. The consequences were +speedy, and in their way satisfactory. Nikasti himself, a breathless +chambermaid, a hurt but dignified waiter, and the floor valet, who had +not even stopped to put on his coat, entered together. They seemed a +little stupefied at finding Pamela alone and no sign of any +disturbance. + +"Why was I locked in here?" Pamela demanded indignantly, taking them +en bloc. + +There was a little chorus of non-comprehension. Nikasti stepped +forward, waved to the others to be silent, and bowed almost to the +ground. + +"It was a mistake easily to be understood, madam," he explained. "The +handle is a little stiff, perhaps, but the door was not locked. We all +reached here together, I myself barely a yard in advance. No key was +used--and behold!" + +Pamela was disposed to argue, but a moment's reflection induced her to +change her mind. This falsehood of Nikasti's was at least interesting. +She waved the hotel servants away. + +"I am sorry to have troubled you," she said. "I will remember it when I +pay my bill." + +They took their leave, Nikasti showing them out. When the last had +departed, he turned back to the centre table, from the other side of +which Pamela was watching him curiously. + +"I cannot imagine," she remarked, "how I could have made such a mistake +about the door. I tried it twice or three times and it certainly seemed +to me to be locked." + +Nikasti moved a step nearer towards her. Something of the servility of +his manner had gone. For the first time she looked at him closely, +appreciated the tense immobility of his features, the still, +penetrating light of his cold eyes. A queer premonition of trouble for +a moment unsteadied her. + +"There was no mistake," he said softly. "The door was locked." + +Even then she did not fully understand the position. She leaned a +little towards him. + +"It was locked?" she repeated. + +"I locked it," he told her. "It is locked now, securely. I have been +searching in your room for something which I did not find. I think that +you had better give it to me. It will save trouble." + +"Are you mad?" she demanded breathlessly. + +"Do I seem so?" he replied. "There is no person more sane than I. I +require from you the formula of the new explosive, which you stole in +Henry's restaurant eleven days ago." + +The sense of mystery passed. It was simply trouble of the ordinary sort +from an unexpected source. + +"Dear me!" she murmured. "Every one seems interested in my little +adventure. How did you hear about it?" + +"I destroyed the cable telling me of all that happened only a few +minutes ago," he explained. "It was the foolish talk of the young +inventor which gave his secret to the world to scramble for." + +"It was very clever of your informant," she remarked, "to suggest that +I was the fortunate thief. Why not Oscar Fischer? It was his plot, not +mine." + +The eyes of the little Japanese seemed suddenly to narrow. He realised +quite well that she was talking simply to gain time. + +"Madam," he insisted, "the formula. It is for my country, and for my +country I would risk much." + +"I do not doubt it," she replied; "but if I hold it, I hold it for my +country, too, and there is nothing you would risk for Japan from which +I should shrink for America." + +He laid his hands upon the table. She turned her ring and clenched her +hand. She could see his spring coming, realised in those few seconds +that here was an opponent of more desperate and subtle calibre than +Joseph. Whether her wits might have failed her, fate remained her +friend. There was a knock at the door. + +"You hear?" she cried breathlessly. "There is some one there. Shall I +call out?" + +His hands and knee were gone from the table. He was once more his old +self, so completely the servant that for a moment even Pamela was +puzzled. It seemed as though the events of the last few seconds might +have been part of a disordered dream. Nikasti played to the cue of her +fevered question and entirely ignored them. He opened the door with a +respectful flourish--and John Lutchester walked in. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + + +Pamela's first shock of surprise did not readily pass. In the first +place, John Lutchester's appearance in America at all was entirely +unexpected. In the second, by what possible means could he have arrived +at this precise and psychological moment? + +"You!" she exclaimed, a little helplessly. "Mr. Lutchester!" + +He smiled as he shook hands. Nikasti had slipped noiselessly from the +room. Pamela made no effort to detain him. She had a curious feeling +that the things which had passed between them concerned their two +selves only. So had no desire whatever to hand him over to retributive +justice. + +"You are surprised," he observed. "So far as my presence here is +concerned, I knew quite well that I was coming some time ago, but it +was one of those matters, you understand, Miss Van Teyl, that one is +scarcely at liberty to talk about. I am here in connection with my +work." + +"Your work," she repeated weakly. "I thought that you were in the +Ministry of Munitions?" + +"Precisely," he admitted. "I have a travelling inspectorship. You see, +I don't mind telling you this, but it is just as well, if you will +forgive my mentioning it, Miss Van Teyl, that these things are not +spoken of to any one. My business over here is supposed to be secret. I +am going round some of the factories from which we are drawing +supplies." + +She drew a long breath and began to feel a little more like herself. + +"Well, after this," she declared, "I shall be surprised at nothing. I +have had one shock already this evening, and you are the second." + +"The first, I trust, was not disagreeable?" + +She shrugged her shoulders. + +"Without flattering you," she answered, "I think I could say that I +prefer the second." + +"I had an idea," Lutchester remarked diffidently, "that my arrival +seemed either opportune or inopportune--I could not quite tell which. +Were you in any way troubled or embarrassed by the presence of the +little Japanese gentleman?" + +"Of course not," she replied. "Why, he is Jimmy's valet." + +"How absurd of me!" Lutchester murmured. "By the bye, if Jimmy is your +brother--Mr. Van Teyl--I have a letter to him from a pal in town--Dicky +Green. It was to present it that I found my way up here this evening. I +was told that he might put me in the way of a little golf during my +spare time over here." + +He produced the note and laid it upon the table. Pamela glanced at it +and then at Lutchester. He was carefully dressed in dinner clothes, +black tie and white waistcoat. He was, as usual, perfectly groomed and +immaculate. He had what she could only describe to herself as an +everyday air about him. He seemed entirely free from any mental +pressure or the wear and tear of great events. + +"Golf?" she repeated wonderingly. "You expect to have a little spare +time, then?" + +"Well, I hope so," Lutchester replied. "One must have exercise. By the +bye," he went on, "is your brother in, do you happen to know? Perhaps +it would be more convenient if I came round in the morning? I am +staying in the hotel." + +"Oh, for goodness sake, don't go away," she begged. "Jimmy will be here +presently, for certain. To tell you the truth, we have been rather +playing hide-and-seek this evening, but it hasn't been altogether his +fault. Please sit down over there--you will find cigarettes on the +sideboard--and talk to me." + +"Delighted," he agreed, taking the chair opposite to her. "I suppose +you want to know what became of poor Graham?" + +A sudden bewilderment appeared in her face. She leaned towards him. Her +forehead was knitted, her eyes puzzled. There was a new problem to be +solved. + +"Why, Mr. Lutchester," she demanded, "how on earth did you get here?" + +"Across the Atlantic," he replied amiably. "Bit too far the other way +round." + +"Yes, but what on?" she persisted. "I went straight on to the _Lapland_ +after we parted last week, and only arrived here an hour or so ago. +There was no other passenger steamer sailing for three days." + +"I was a stowaway," he told her confidentially--"helped to shovel coals +all the way over." + +"Don't talk nonsense!" she protested a little sharply. "I dislike +mysteries. Look at you! A stowaway, indeed! Tell me the truth +at once?" + +He leaned forward in his chair towards her. An ingenuous smile parted +his lips. He had the air of a schoolboy repeating a mischievous secret. + +"The fact is, Miss Van Teyl," he confided, "I don't want it talked +about, you know, but I had a joy ride over." + +"A what?" + +"A joy ride," he repeated. "A cousin of mine is in command of a +destroyer, and she was under orders to sail for New York. He hadn't the +slightest right, really, to bring a passenger, as she was coming over +on a special mission, but I had word about the trip over here, so I +slipped on board late one night--not a word to any one, you +understand--and--well, here I am. A more awful voyage," he went on +impressively, "you couldn't imagine. I was sore all over within +twenty-four hours of starting. There's practically no deck on those +things, you know, for sitting out or anything of that sort. The British +Navy's nowhere for comfort, I can tell you. The biggest liner for me, +going back!" + +Pamela was still a little dazed. Lutchester's story did not sound in +the least convincing. For the moment, however, she accepted his account +of himself. + +"Tell me now," she begged, "about Captain Graham?" + +"You haven't heard, then?" + +"I have heard nothing. How should I hear?" + +"I took him straight back to my rooms after we left you," Lutchester +began. "He was in an awful state of nerves and drugs and drink. Then I +put him to bed as soon as I could, and rang up a pal of mine at the War +Office to take him in hand." + +"Do you believe," she asked curiously, "that he had really been robbed +of his formula?" + +"Those amiable people who were interviewing him in the chapel seemed to +think so," Lutchester observed. + +"But you! What do you think?" she persisted. He smiled in superior +fashion. + +"I find it rather hard to bring myself to believe that any one would +take the trouble," he confided. "I have heard it said in my department +that there have been thirty-one new explosives invented since the +beginning of the war. Two of them only are in use, and they're not much +better than the old stuff." + +Pamela nodded understandingly. + +"All the same," she remarked, "I am not at all sure that was the case +with Captain Graham's invention. There were rumours for days before +that something wonderful was happening on Salisbury Plain. They had to +cover up whole acres of ground after his last experiments, and a man +who was down there told me that it seemed just as though the life had +been sucked out of it." + +"Where did you collect all this information?" her visitor inquired. + +She shrugged her shoulders. + +"One hears everything in London." + +Lutchester was sitting with his finger-tips pressed together. For a +moment his attention seemed fixed upon them. + +"There are things," he said, "which one hears, too, in the far corners +of the world--on the Atlantic, for instance." + +"You have had some news?" she interrupted. + +"It is really a private piece of information," he told her, "and it +won't be in the papers--not the way the thing happened, anyway--but I +don't suppose there's any harm in telling you, as we were both more or +less mixed up in the affair. Graham was shot the next day, on his way +up to Northumberland." + +"Shot?" she exclaimed incredulously. + +"Murdered, if you'd like the whole thrill," Lutchester continued. "Of +course, we didn't get many particulars in the wireless, but we gathered +that he was shot by some one passing him in a more powerful car on a +lonely stretch of the Great North Road." + +Pamela shuddered. She was for the moment profoundly impressed. A +certain air of unreality which had hung over the events of that night +was suddenly banished. The whole tragedy rose up before her eyes. The +effect of it was almost stupefying. + +"Gave me quite a shock," Lutchester confided. "Somehow or other I had +never been able to take that night quite seriously. There was more than +a dash of melodrama in it, wasn't there? Seems now as though those +fellows must have been in earnest, though." + +"And as though Captain Graham's formula," she reminded him gravely, +"was the real thing." + +"Whereupon," Lutchester observed, "our first interest in the affair +receives a certain stimulus. Some one stole the formula. To judge from +the behaviour of those amiable gentlemen connected with Henry's +Restaurant, it wasn't they. Some one had been before them. Have you any +theories, Miss Van Teyl?" + +"I can tell you who has," she replied. "Do you remember when we were +all grouped around that notice--Mefiez-vous! Taisez-vous! Les oreilles +ennemies vous ecoutent!?" + +"Of course I do," he assented. + +"Do you remember Baron Sunyea making a remark afterwards? He had been +standing by and heard everything Graham said." + +"Can't say that I do," Lutchester regretted, "but I remember seeing him +about the place." + +"You promise to say or do nothing without my permission, if I tell you +something?" she went on. + +"Naturally!" + +"See, then, how diplomacy or secret service work, or whatever you like +to call it, can gather the ends of the world together! Only a quarter +of an hour ago that Japanese valet of my brother's, having searched my +rooms in vain, demanded from me that formula!" + +"From you?" Lutchester gasped. "But you haven't got it!" + +"Of course not. On the other hand Sunyea pitched upon me as being one +of the possible thieves, and cabled his instructions over." + +"Have you got it?" he asked abruptly. + +"If I had," she smiled, "I should not tell you." + +"But come," he expostulated, "the thing's no use to you." + +"So Baron Sunyea evidently thought," she laughed. "We'll leave that, if +you don't mind." + +Lutchester was still looking a little bewildered. + +"I had an idea when I came in," he muttered, "that things were a little +scrappy between you and the Japanese gentleman." + +She was suddenly serious. + +"Now that I have told you the truth," she said, "I really ought to +thank you. You certainly seem to have a knack of appearing when you are +wanted." + +"Fluke this time, I'm afraid," he acknowledged, "but I rather like the +suggestion. You ought to see a great deal of me, Miss Van Teyl. Do you +realise that I am a stranger in New York, and any hospitality you can +show me may be doubly rewarded? Are you going to take me round and show +me the sights?" + +"Are you going to have any time for sight-seeing?" + +"Well, I hope so. Why not? A fellow can't do more than a certain number +of hours' work in a day." + +She looked at him curiously. + +"And yet," she murmured, "you expect to win the war!" + +"Of course we shall win the war," he assured her confidently. "You +haven't any doubt about that yourself, have you, Miss Van Teyl?" + +"I don't know," she told him calmly. + +Lutchester was almost horrified. He rose to his feet and stood looking +down at his companion. + +"Tell me what on earth you mean?" he demanded. "We always win in the +long run, even if we muddle things about a little." + +"I was just contrasting in my mind," she said thoughtfully, "some of +the Germans whom I have met since the war, with some of the Englishmen. +They are taking it very seriously, you know, Mr. Lutchester. They don't +find time for luncheon parties or sight-seeing." + +"That's just their way," he protested. "They turn themselves into +machines. They are what we used to call suckers at school, but you can +take my word for it that before next autumn they will be on the run." + +"You call them suckers," she observed. "That's because they're always +working, always studying, always experimenting. Supposing they got hold +of something like this new explosive?" + +"First of all," he told her, "I don't believe in it, and secondly, if +it exists, the formula isn't in their hands." + +"Supposing it is in mine?" she suggested. "I might sell it to them." + +"I'd trust you all the time," he laughed lightheartedly. "I can't see +you giving a leg up to the Huns.... Will you lunch with me at one +o'clock to-morrow, please?" + +"Certainly not," she replied. "You must attend to your work, whatever +it is." + +"That's all very well," he grumbled, "but every one has an hour off for +luncheon." + +"People who win wars don't lunch," she declared severely. "Here's +Jimmy--I can hear his voice--and he's brought some one up with him. +I'll--let you know about lunch." + +The door opened. James Van Teyl and Fischer entered together. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + + +The first few seconds after the entrance of the two men were +monopolised by the greetings of Pamela with her brother. Fischer stood +a little in the background, his eyes fixed upon Lutchester. His brain +was used to emergencies, but he found himself here confronted by an +unanswerable problem. + +"Say, this is Mr. Lutchester, isn't it?" he inquired, holding out his +hand. + +"The same," Lutchester assented politely. "We met at Henry's some ten +days ago, didn't we?" + +"Mr. Lutchester has brought us a letter from Dicky Green, Jimmy," +Pamela explained, as she withdrew from her brother's arms. "Quite +unnecessary, as it happens, because I met him in London just before we +sailed." + +"Very glad to meet you, Mr. Lutchester," Jimmy declared, wringing his +hand with American cordiality. "Dicky's an old pal of mine--one of the +best. We graduated in the same year from Harvard." + +Conversation for a few minutes was platitudinous. Van Teyl, although he +showed few signs of his recent excesses, was noisy and boisterous, +clutching at this brief escape from a situation which he dreaded. +Fischer on the other hand, remained in the back-ground, ominously +silent, thinking rapidly, speculating and theorising as to the +coincidence, if it were coincidence, of finding Lutchester and Pamela +together. He listened to the former's polite conversation, never once +letting his eyes wander from his face. All his thoughts were +concentrated upon one problem. The mysterious escape of Sandy Graham, +which had sent him flying from the country, remained unsolved. Of +Pamela's share in it he had already his suspicions. Was it possible +that Lutchester was the other and the central figure in that remarkable +rescue? He waited his opportunity, and, during a momentary lull in the +cheerful conversation, broke in with his first question. + +"Say, Mr. Lutchester, you haven't any twin brother, have you?" + +"No brother at all," Lutchester admitted. + +"Then, how did you get over here? You were at Henry's weren't you, on +the night the _Lapland_ sailed? You didn't cross with us, and there's +no other steamer due for two days." + +"Then I can't be here," Lutchester declared. "The thing's impossible." + +"Guess you'll have to explain, if you want to save me from a sleepless +night," Fischer persisted. + +Lutchester smiled. He had the air of one enjoying the situation +immensely. + +"Well," he said, "I have had to confess to Miss Van Teyl here, so I +may as well make a clean breast of it to you. To every one else I meet +in New York, I shall say that I came over on the _Lapland_. I really +came over on a destroyer." + +Fischer's face seemed to become more set and grim than ever. + +"A British destroyer," he muttered to himself. + +"It was kind of a joy ride," Lutchester explained confidentially, "a +cousin of mine who was in command came in to see me and say good-by, +just after I'd received my orders from the head of my department to +come out here on the next steamer, and he smuggled me on board that +night. Mum's the word, though, if you please. We asked nobody's leave. +It would have taken about a month to have heard anything definite from +the Admiralty." + +"A British destroyer come across the Atlantic, eh?" Mr. Fischer +muttered. "She must have come out on a special mission, then, I +imagine." + +"That is not for me to say," Lutchester observed, with stiff reticence. + +Pamela suddenly and purposely intervened. She turned towards Fischer. + +"Mr. Lutchester brought some rather curious news," she observed. "He +got it by wireless. Do you remember all the fuss there was about the +disappearance of Captain Holderness' friend at Henry's?" + +"I heard something about it," he admitted grimly. + +"Well, Captain Graham was in my party, so naturally I was more +interested than any one else. To all appearance he entered Henry's +Restaurant, walked up the stairs, and disappeared into the skies. The +place was ransacked everywhere for him, but he never turned up. Well, +the very next day he was murdered in a motor-car on his way to +Northumberland." + +"Incredible!" Fischer murmured. + +"Seems a queer set out," Lutchester remarked, "but it's quite true. He +was supposed to have discovered a marvellous new explosive, the formula +for which had been stolen. He was on his way up to Northumberland to +make fresh experiments." + +"For myself I have little faith," Fischer observed, "in any new +explosives. In Germany they believe, I understand, that the limit of +destructiveness has been attained." + +"The Germans should know," Lutchester admitted carelessly. "I'm afraid +they are still a good deal ahead of us in most scientific matters. I +will take the liberty, of calling some time to-morrow, Miss Van Teyl, +and hope I shall have the pleasure of improving my acquaintance with +your brother. Good night, Mr. Fischer." + +"Are you staying in the hotel?" the latter inquired. + +"On the fifteenth floor," was the somewhat gloomy reply. "I shan't be +able to shave in front of the window without feeling giddy. However, I +suppose that's America. Good-by, everybody." + +With a little inclusive and farewell bow he disappeared. They heard him +make his way down the corridor and ring for the lift. Rather a curious +silence ensued, which was broken at last by Pamela. + +"Is that," she asked, throwing herself into an easy-chair and selecting +a cigarette, "just an ordinary type of a nice, well-bred, +unintelligent, self-sufficient Englishman, or--" + +"Or what?" Fischer asked, with interest. + +Pamela watched the smoke curl from the end of her cigarette. + +"Well, I scarcely know how to finish," she confessed, "only sometimes +when I am talking to him I feel that he can scarcely be as big a fool +as he seems, and then I wonder. Jimmy," she went on, shaking her head +at him, "you're not looking well. You've been sitting up too late and +getting into bad habits during my absence. Open confession, now, if you +please. If it's a girl, I shall give you my blessing." + +Van Teyl groaned and said nothing. A foreboding of impending trouble +depressed Pamela. She turned towards Fischer and found in his grim face +confirmation of her fears. + +"What does this mean?" she demanded. + +"Your brother will explain," Fischer replied. "It is better that he +should tell you everything." + +"Everything?" she repeated. "What is there to tell. What have you to do +with my brother, anyway?" she added fiercely. + +"You must not look at me as though I were in any way to blame for what +has happened," was the insistent reply. "On the contrary, I have been +very lenient with your brother. I am still prepared to be lenient--upon +certain conditions." + +The light of battle was in Pamela's eyes. She fought against the +significance of the man's ominous words. This was his first blow, then, +and directed against her. + +"I begin to understand," she said. "Please go on. Let me hear +everything." + +Van Teyl had turned to the sideboard. He mixed and drank off a whisky +and soda. Then he swung around. + +"I'll make a clean breast of it in a few words, Pamela," he promised. +"I've gambled with Fischer's money, lost it, forged a transfer of his +certificates to meet my liabilities, and I am in his power. He could +have me hammered and chucked into Sing Sing, if he wanted to. That's +all there is about it." + +Pamela stood the shock well. She turned to Fischer. + +"How much of this are you responsible for?" she asked. + +"That," he objected, "is an impotent question. It is not I who had the +moulding of your brother's character. It is not I who made him a forger +and a weakling." + +Van Teyl's arm was upraised. An oath broke from his lips. Pamela seized +him firmly and drew him away. + +"Be quiet, James," she begged. "Let us hear what Mr. Fischer is going +to do about it." + +"That depends upon you," was the cold reply. + +Pamela stood at the head of the table, between the two men, and +laughed. Her brother had sunk into a chair, and his head had dropped +moodily upon his folded arms. She looked from one to the other and a +new sense of strength inspired her. She felt that if she were not +indeed entirely mistress of the situation, yet the elements of triumph +were there to her hand. + +"This is living, at any rate," she declared. "First of all I discover +that your Japanese servant is a spy--" + +"Nikasti!" Van Teyl interrupted furiously. "Blast him! I knew that +there was something wrong about that fellow, Fischer." + +Fischer frowned. + +"What's he been up to?" he inquired. + +"Well, to begin with," Pamela explained, "he searched my room, then he +locked me in here, and was proceeding to threaten me when fortunately +Mr. Lutchester arrived." + +"Threaten you--what about?" Fischer demanded. + +"He seemed to have an absurd idea," Pamela explained sweetly, "that I +might have somewhere concealed upon my person the formula which was +stolen from Captain Graham last Monday week at Henry's Restaurant. It +makes quite a small world of it, doesn't it?" + +"I will deal with Nikasti for this," Fischer promised, "if it is true. +Meanwhile?" + +"No sooner have I got over that little shock," Pamela went on, "than +you turn up with this melodramatic story, and an offer from Mr. +Fischer, which I can read in his face. Really, I feel that I shall hear +the buzz of a cinema machine in a moment. How much do you owe him, +Jimmy?" + +"Eighty-nine thousand dollars," the young man groaned. + +"I'll write you a cheque to-morrow morning," Pamela promised. "Will +that do, Mr. Fischer?" + +"It is the last thing I desire," was the calm reply. + +"Really! Well, perhaps now you will come to the point. Perhaps you will +tell me what it is that you do want?" + +"Stolen property," Fischer announced deliberately--"stolen property, +however, to which I have a greater right than you." + +She laughed at him mockingly. + +"I think not, Mr. Fischer," she said. "You really don't deserve it, you +know." + +"And why not?" + +"Just see how you have bungled! You bait the trap, the poor man walks +into it, and you allow another to forestall you. Not only that, but you +actually allow Japan to come into the game, and but for Mr. +Lutchester's appearance we might both of us have been left plante la. +No, Mr. Fischer! You don't deserve the formula, and you shall not have +it. I'll pay my brother's debt to you in dollars--no other way." + +"Dollars," Mr. Fischer told her sternly, "will never buy the forged +transfer. Dollars will never keep your brother out of the city police +court or Sing Sing afterwards. There isn't much future for a young man +who has been through it." + +Van Teyl was upon him suddenly with a low, murderous cry. Fischer had +no time to resist, no chance of success if he had attempted it. He was +borne backwards on to the lounge, his assailant's hand upon his throat. +The young man was beside himself with drink and fury. The words poured +from his lips, incoherent, hot with rage. + +"You--hound! You've made my life a hell! You've plotted and schemed to +get me into your power!... There! Do you feel the life going out of +you?... My sister, indeed! You!... You scum of the earth! You ..." + +"James!" + +The sound of Pamela's voice unnerved him. His fit of passion was spent. +She dragged him easily away. + +"Don't be a fool, Jimmy!" she begged. "You can't settle accounts like +that." + +"Can't I?" he muttered. "If we'd been alone, Pamela ... my God, if he +and I had been alone here!" + +"Jimmy," she said, "you're a fool, and you've been drinking. Fetch the +water bottle." + +He obeyed, and she dashed water in Fischer's face. Presently he opened +his eyes, groaned and sat up. There were two livid marks upon his +throat. Van Teyl watched him like a crouching animal. His eyes were +still lit with sullen fire. The lust for killing was upon him. Fischer +sat up and blinked. He felt the atmosphere of the room, and he knew his +danger. His hand stole into his hip pocket, and a small revolver +suddenly flashed upon his knees. He drew a long breath of relief. He +was like a fugitive who had found sanctuary. + +"So that's the game, James Van Teyl, is it?" he exclaimed. "Now +listen." + +He adjusted the revolver with a click. His cruel, long fingers were +pressed around its stock. + +"I am not threatening you," he went on. "I am not fond of violence, and +I don't believe in it. This is just in case you come a single yard +nearer to me. Now, Miss Van Teyl, my business is with you. We won't +fence any longer. You will hand over to me the pocketbook which you +stole from Captain Graham in Henry's Restaurant. Hand it over to me +intact, you understand. In return I will give you the forged transfer +of stock, and leave it to your sense of honour as to whether you care +to pay your brother's debt or not. If you decline to consider my +proposition, I shall ring up Joseph Neville, your brother's senior +partner. I shall not even wait for to-morrow, mind. I shall make an +appointment, and I shall place in his hands the proof of your brother's +robbery." + +"Perhaps," Pamela murmured, "I was wrong to stop you. Jimmy.... +Anything else, Mr. Fischer?" + +"Just this. I would rather have carried this matter through in a +friendly fashion, for reasons at which I think you can guess." + +She shook her head. + +"You flatter my intelligence!" she told him scornfully. + +"I will explain, then. I desire to offer myself as your suitor." + +She laughed at him without restraint or consideration. + +"I would rather marry my brother's valet!" she declared. + +"You are entirely wrong," he protested. "You are wrong, too, in holding +up cards against me. We are on the same side. You are an American, and +so am I. I swear that I desire nothing that is not for your good. You +have wonderful gifts, and I have great wealth and opportunities. I have +also a sincere and very heartfelt admiration for you." + +"I have never been more flattered!" Pamela scoffed. + +He looked a little wistfully from one to the other. Antagonism and +dislike were written in their faces. Even Pamela, who was skilled in +the art of subterfuge, made little effort to conceal her aversion. +Nevertheless, he continued doggedly. + +"What does it matter," he demanded, "who handles this formula--you or +I? Our faces are turned in the same direction. There is this difference +only with me. I want to make it the basis of a kindlier feeling in +Washington towards my father's country." + +Pamela's eyebrows were raised. + +"Are you sure," she asked, "that the formula itself would not find its +way into your father's country?" + +"As to that I pledge my word," he replied. "I am an American citizen." + +"Looks like it, doesn't he!" Van Teyl jeered. + +"Tell us what you have been doing in Berlin, then?" Pamela inquired. + +"I had a definite mission there," Fischer assured them, "which I hope +to bring to a definite conclusion. If you are an American citizen in +the broadest sense of the word, England is no more to you than Germany. +I want to place before some responsible person in the American +Government, a proposal--an official proposal--the acceptance of which +will be in years to come of immense benefit to her." + +"And the quid pro quo?" Pamela asked gently. + +"I am not here for the purpose of gratifying curiosity," Fischer +replied, "but if you will take this matter up seriously, you shall be +the person through whom this proposal shall be brought before the +American Government. The whole of the negotiations shall be conducted +through you. If you succeed, you will be known throughout history as +the woman who saved America from her great and growing danger. If you +fail, you will be no worse off than you are now." + +"And you propose to hand over the conduct of these negotiations to me," +Pamela observed, "in return for what?" + +"The pocketbook which you took from Captain Graham." + +"So there we are, back again at the commencement of our discussion," +Pamela remarked. "Are you going to repeat that you want this formula +for Washington and not for Berlin?" + +"My first idea," Fischer confessed, "was to hand it over to Germany. I +have changed my views. Germany has great explosives of her own. This +formula shall be used in a different fashion. It shall be a lever in +the coming negotiations between America and Germany." + +"We have had a great deal of conversation to no practical purpose," +Pamela declared. "Why are you so sure that I have the formula?" + +Fischer frowned slightly. He had recovered himself now, and his tone +was as steady and quiet as ever. Only occasionally his eyes wandered to +where James Van Teyl was fidgetting about the table, and at such times +his fingers tightened upon the stock of his revolver. + +"It is practically certain that you have the papers," he pointed out. +"You were the first person to go up the stairs after Graham had been +rendered unconscious. Joseph admits that he had been forced to leave +him--the orchestra was waiting to play. He was alone in that little +room. That you should have known of its existence and his presence +there is surprising, but nothing more. Furthermore, I am convinced that +you were in some way concerned with his rescue later. You visited +Hassan and you visited Joseph. From the latter you procured the key of +the chapel. If only he had had the courage to tell the truth--well, we +will let that pass. You have the papers, Miss Van Teyl. I am bidding a +great price for them. If you are a wise woman, you will not hesitate." + +There was a knock at the door. They all three turned towards it a +little impatiently. Even Pamela and her brother felt the grip of an +absorbing problem. To their surprise, it was Lutchester who reappeared +upon the threshold. In his hand he held a small sealed packet. + +"So sorry to disturb you all," he apologised. "I have something here +which I believe belongs to you, Miss Van Teyl. I thought I'd better +bring it up and explain. From the way your little Japanese friend was +holding on to it, I thought it might be important. It is a little torn, +but that isn't my fault." + +He held it out to Pamela. It was a long packet torn open at one end. +From it was protruding a worn, brown pocketbook. Pamela's hand closed +upon it mechanically. There was a dazed look in her eyes. Fischer's +fingers stole once more towards the pocket into which, at Lutchester's +entrance, he had slipped his revolver. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + + +Lutchester, to all appearance, remained sublimely unconscious of the +tension which his words and appearance seemed to have created. He had +strolled a little further into the room, and was looking down at the +packet which he still held. + +"You are wondering how I got hold of this, of course?" he observed. +"Just one of those simple little coincidences which either mean a great +deal or nothing at all." + +"How did you know it was mine?" Pamela asked, almost under her breath. + +"I'll explain," Lutchester continued. "I was in the lobby of the hotel, +a few minutes ago, when I heard the fire bell outside. I hurried out +and watched the engines go by from the sidewalk. I have always been +rather interested in--" + +"Never mind that, please. Go on," Pamela asked, almost under her +breath. + +"Certainly," Lutchester assented. "On the way back, then, I saw a +little Japanese, who was coming out of the hotel, knocked down by a +taxicab which skidded nearly into the door. I don't think he was badly +hurt--I'm not even sure that he was hurt at all. I picked up this +packet from the spot where he had been lying, and I was on the point of +taking it to the office when I saw your name upon it, Miss Van Teyl, in +what seemed to me to be your own handwriting, so I thought I'd bring it +up." + +He laid it upon the table. Pamela's eyes seemed fastened upon it. She +turned it over nervously. + +"It is very kind of you, Mr. Lutchester," she murmured. + +"I'll be perfectly frank," he went on. "I should have found out where +the little man who dropped it had disappeared to, and restored it to +him, but I fancied--of course, I may have been wrong--that you and he +were having some sort of a disagreement, a few minutes ago, when I +happened to come in. Anyway, that was in my mind, and I thought I'd run +no risks." + +"You did the very kindest and most considerate thing," Pamela declared. + +"The little Japanese must have been our new valet," James Van Teyl +observed. "I'm beginning to think that he is not going to be much of an +acquisition." + +"You'll probably see something of him in a few minutes," Lutchester +remarked. "I will wish you good night, Miss Van Teyl. Good night!" + +Pamela's reiterated thanks were murmured and perfunctory. Even James +Van Teyl's hospitable instincts seemed numbed. They allowed Lutchester +to depart with scarcely a word. With the closing of the door, speech +brought them some relief from a state of tension which was becoming +intolerable. Even then Fischer at first said nothing. He had risen +noiselessly to his feet, his right hand was in the sidepocket of his +coat, his eyes were fixed upon the table. + +"So this is why you insisted upon a valet!" James Van Teyl exclaimed, +his voice thick with anger. "He's planted here to rob for you! Is that +it, eh, Fischer?" + +Pamela drew the packet towards her and stood with her right palm +covering it. Fischer seemed still at a loss for words. + +"I can assure you," he said at last fervently, "that if that packet was +stolen from Miss Van Teyl by Nikasti, it was done without my +instigation. It is as much a surprise to me as to any of you. We can +congratulate ourselves that it is not on the way to Japan." + +Pamela nodded. + +"He is speaking the truth," she asserted. "Nikasti is not out to steal +for others. He is playing the same game as all of us, only he is +playing it for his own hand. Mr. Fischer has brought him here for some +purpose of his own, without a doubt, but I am quite sure that Nikasti +never meant to be any one's cat's-paw." + +"Believe me, that is the truth," Fischer agreed. "I will admit that I +brought Nikasti here with a purpose, but upon my honour I swear that +until this evening I never dreamed that he even knew of the existence +of the formula." + +"Oh! we are not the only people in the world who are clever," Pamela +declared, with an unnatural little laugh. "The first man who took note +of Sandy Graham's silly words as he rushed into Henry's was Baron +Sunyea. I saw him stiffen as he listened. He even uttered a word of +remonstrance. Japan in London heard. Japan in your sitting-room here, +in ten days' time, knew everything there was to be known." + +"I didn't bring Nikasti here for this," Fischer insisted. + +"Perhaps not," Pamela conceded, "but if you're a good American, what +are you doing at all with a Japanese secret agent?" + +"If you trust me, you shall know," Fischer promised. "Listen to reason. +Let us have finished with one affair at a time. You very nearly lost +that formula to Japan. Hand over the pocketbook. You see how dangerous +it is for it to remain in your possession. I'll keep my share of the +bargain. I'll put my scheme before you. Come, be reasonable. See, +here's the forged transfer." + +He drew a paper from his pocket and spread it out upon the table. His +long, hairy fingers were shaking with nervousness. + +"Come, make it a deal," he persisted, "You can pay me the defalcations +or not, as you choose. There is your brother's freedom and the honour +of your name, in exchange for that pocketbook." + +Pamela, after all her hesitation, seemed to make up her mind with +startling suddenness. She thrust the pocketbook towards Fischer, took +the transfer from his fingers and tore it into small pieces. + +"I give in," she said. "This time you have scored. We will talk about +the other matter tomorrow." + +Fischer buttoned up the packet carefully in his breast pocket. His eyes +glittered. He turned towards the door. On the threshold he looked +around. He stretched out his hand towards Pamela. + +"Believe me, you have done well," he assured her hoarsely. "I shall +keep my word. I will set you in the path of great things." + +He left the room, and they heard the furious ringing of the lift bell. +Pamela was tearing into smaller pieces the forged transfer. Van Teyl, a +little pale, but with new life in his frame, was watching the fragments +upon the floor. There was a tap at the door. Nikasti entered. Pamela's +fingers paused in their task. Van Teyl stared at him. The newcomer was +carrying the evening papers, which he laid down upon the table. + +"Is there anything more I can do before I go to bed, sir?" he asked, +with his usual reverential little bow. + +"Aren't you hurt?" Van Teyl exclaimed. + +"Hurt?" Nikasti replied wonderingly. "Oh, no!" + +"Weren't you knocked down by a taxicab," Pamela asked, "outside the +hotel?" + +Nikasti looked from one to the other with an air of gentle surprise. + +"I have been to my rooms in the servants' quarters," he told them, "on +the upper floor. I have not been downstairs at all. I have been +unpacking and arranging my own humble belongings." + +Van Teyl clasped his forehead. + +"Let me get this!" he exclaimed. "You haven't been down in the lobby of +the hotel, you haven't been knocked down by a taxicab that skidded, you +haven't lost a pocketbook which you had previously stolen from my +sister?" + +Nikasti shook his head. He seemed completely mystified. He watched +Pamela's face carefully. + +"Perhaps there has been some mistake," he suggested quietly. "My +English is sometimes not very good. I would not dream of trying to rob +the young lady. I have not lost any pocketbook. I have not descended +lower down in the hotel than this floor." + +Van Teyl waved him away, accepted his farewell salutation, and waited +until the door was closed. + +"Look here, Pamela," he protested, turning almost appealingly towards +her, "my brain wasn't made for this sort of thing. What in thunder does +it all mean?" + +Pamela looked at the fragments of paper upon the floor and sank back in +an easy chair. + +"Jimmy," she confided, "I don't know." + + + + +CHAPTER XV + + +Pamela opened her eyes the next morning upon a distinctly pleasing +sight. At the foot of her bed was an enormous basket of pink +carnations. On the counterpane by her side lay a smaller cluster of +twelve very beautiful dark red Gloire de Dijon roses. Attached to these +latter was a note. + +"When did these flowers come, Leah?" Pamela asked the maid who was +moving about the room. + +"An hour ago, madam," the girl told her. + +"Read the name on the card," Pamela directed, pointing to the mass of +pink blossoms. + +"Mr. Oscar H. Fischer," the girl read out, "with respectful +compliments." + +Pamela smiled. + +"He doesn't know, then," she murmured to herself. "Get my bath ready, +Leah." + +The maid disappeared into the inner room. Pamela tore open the note +attached to the roses by her side, and read it slowly through: + +Dear Miss Van Teyl, + +I am so very sorry, but the luncheon we had half-planned for to-day +must be postponed. I have an urgent message to go south; to +inspect--but no secrets! It's horribly disappointing. I hope we may +meet in a few days. + +Sincerely yours, + +JOHN LUTCHESTER. + +Pamela laid down the note, conscious of an indefined but distinct +sensation of disappointment. After all, it was not so wonderful to wake +up and find oneself in New York. The sun was pleasant, the little puffs +of air which came in through the window across the park, delightful and +exhilarating, yet something had gone out of the day. Accustomed to +self-analysis, she asked herself swiftly--what? It was, without a +doubt, something to do with Lutchester's departure. She tried to face +the question of her disappointment. Was it possible to feel any real +interest in a man who preferred a Government post to the army at such a +time, and who had brought his golf clubs out to America? Her +imagination for a moment revolved around the problem of his apparently +uninteresting and yet, in some respects, contradictory personality. Was +it really her fancy or had she, every now and then, detected behind +that flamboyant manner traces of something deeper and more serious, +something which seemed to indicate a life and aims of which nothing +appeared upon the surface? She clasped her knees and sat up in bed, +listening to the sound of the running water in the next room. Was there +any possible explanation of his opportune appearance on the night +before with a dummy pocketbook and a concocted story? The cleverest man +on earth could surely never have gauged her position with Fischer and +intervened in such a manner at the psychological moment. + +Yet he had done it, she reflected, gazing thoughtfully at Fischer's +gift. If, indeed, he knew what was passing around him to that extent, +how much more knowledge might he not possess? She felt the little +silken belt around her waist. At least there was no one who could take +Sandy Graham's secret from her until she chose to give it up. Supposing +for a moment that Lutchester was also out for the great things, was he +fooled by her attitude? If he knew so much, he must know that the +secret remained with her. Perhaps, after all, he was only a philanderer +in intrigue.... + +Pamela bathed and dressed, sent for her brother, and, to his horror, +insisted upon an American breakfast. + +"It's quite time I came back to look after you, Jimmy," she said +severely, as she watched him send away his grapefruit and gaze +helplessly at his bacon and eggs. "You're going to turn over a new +leaf, young man." + +"I shan't be sorry," he confessed fervently. "I tell you, Pamela, when +you have a thing like this hanging over you, it's hell--some hell! You +just want to drown your thoughts and keep going all the time." + +She nodded sagely. + +"Well, that's over now, Jimmy," she said, "and I meant you to listen to +me. It's more than likely that Mr. Fischer may find out at any moment +that the mysterious pocketbook, which came from heaven knows where, is +a faked one. He may be horrid about it." + +"While we are on that," Van Teyl interrupted, "I couldn't sleep a wink +last night for trying to imagine where on earth that fellow Lutchester +came in, and what his game was." + +"I have a headache this morning, trying to puzzle out the same thing," +Pamela told him. + +"He seems such an ordinary sort of chap," Van Teyl continued +thoughtfully. "Good sportsman, no doubt, and all that sort of thing, +but the last fellow in the world to concoct a yarn, and if he did, what +was his object?" + +"Jimmy," his sister begged, "let's quit. Of course, I know a little +more than you do, but the little more that I do know only makes it more +confusing. Now, to make it worse, he's gone away." + +"What, this morning?" + +"Gone away on his Government work," Pamela announced. "I had a note and +some roses from him. Don't let's talk about it, Jimmy. I keep on +getting new ideas, and it makes my brain whirl. I want to talk about +you." + +"I'm a rotten lot to talk about," he sighed. + +She patted his hand. + +"You're nothing of the sort, dear, and you've got to remember now that +you're out of the trouble. But listen. Hurry down to the office as +early as you can and set about straightening things out, so that if Mr. +Fischer tries to make trouble, he won't be able to do it. There's my +cheque for eighty-nine thousand dollars I made out last night before I +went to bed," she added, passing it over to him. "Just replace what +stocks you're short of and get yourself out of the mess, and don't +waste any time about it." + +His face glowed as he looked across the table. + +"You're the most wonderful sister, Pamela." + +"Nonsense!" she interrupted. "Nonsense! I ought not to have left you +alone all this time, and, besides, I'm pretty sure he helped you into +this trouble for his own ends. Anyway, we are all right now. I shall be +in New York for a few days before I go to Washington. When I do go, you +must see whether you can get leave and come with me." + +"That's bully," he declared. "I'll get leave, right enough. There's +never been less doing in Wall Street. But say, Pamela, I don't seem to +half understand what's going on. You've given up most of your friends, +and you spend months away there in Europe in all sorts of corners. Now +you come back and you seem mixed up in regular secret service work. +Where do you come in, anyway? What are you going to Washington for?" + +She smiled. + +"Queer tastes, haven't I, Jimmy?" + +"Queer for a girl." + +"That's prejudice," she objected, shaking her head. "Nowadays there are +few things a woman can't do. To tell you the truth, my new interest in +life started three years ago, when Uncle Theodore found out that I was +going to Rome for the winter." + +"So Uncle Theodore started it, did he?" + +She nodded. + +"That's the worst of having an uncle in the Administration, isn't it? +Well, of course, he gave me letters to every one in Rome, and I found +out what he wanted quite easily, and without the inquiries going +through the Embassy at all. Sometimes, as you can understand, that's a +great advantage. I found it simply fascinating--the work, I mean--and +after three or four more commissions--well, they recognised me at +Washington. I have been to most of the capitals in Europe at different +times, with small affairs to arrange at each, or information to get. +Sometimes it's been just about commercial things. Since the war, +though, of course, it's been more exciting than ever. If I were an +Englishwoman instead of an American, I could tell them some things in +London which they'd find pretty surprising. It's not my affair, though, +and I keep what information I do pick up until it works in with +something else for our own good. I knew quite well in Berlin, for +instance, to speak of something you've heard of, that Henry's +Restaurant in London was being used as a centre of espionage by the +Germans. That is why I was on the lookout, the day I went there." + +"You mean the day that pocketbook was stolen that the whole world seems +crazy about?" Van Teyl asked. + +She nodded. + +"I believe it is perfectly true," she said, "that a young man called +Graham has invented an entirely new explosive, the formula for which he +brought to Henry's with him that day. It isn't only what happens when +the shell explodes, but a sort of putrefaction sets in all round, and +they say that everything within a mile dies. There were spies down even +watching his experiments. There were spies following him up to London, +there were spies in Henry's Restaurant when like a fool he gave the +thing away. Fischer was the ringleader of this lot, and he meant having +the formula from Graham that night. I don't want to bore you, Jimmy, +but I got there first." + +"Bore me!" the young man repeated. "Why, it's like a modern Arabian +Nights. I can't imagine you in the thick of this sort of thing, +Pamela." + +"It's very easy to slip into the way of anything you like," she +answered. "I knew exactly what they were going to do to Captain Graham, +and I got there before them. When they searched him, the formula had +gone. Fischer caught my steamer and worried me all the way over. He +thought he had us in a corner last night, and then a miracle happened." + +"You mean that fellow Lutchester turning up?" + +"Yes, I mean that," Pamela admitted. + +"Say, didn't that Jap fellow get the pocketbook from your rooms at all, +then?" Van Teyl asked. "I couldn't follow it all last night." + +"He searched my rooms," Pamela replied, "and failed to find it. +Afterwards, when he and I were alone in your sitting-room, heaven knows +what would have happened, but for the miraculous arrival of Mr. +Lutchester, whom I had left behind in London, come to pay an evening +call in the Hotel Plaza, New York!" + +Van Teyl shook his head slowly, got up from his seat, lit a cigarette, +and came back again. + +"Pam," he confessed, "my brain won't stand it. You're not going to tell +me that Lutchester's in the game? Why, a simpler sort of fellow I never +spoke to." + +"I can't make up my own mind about Mr. Lutchester," Pamela sighed. "He +helped me in London on the night I sailed--in fact, he was very useful +indeed--but why he invented that story about Nikasti, brought a dummy +pocketbook into the room and helped us out of all our troubles, unless +it was by sheer and brilliant instinct, I cannot imagine." + +"Let me get on to this," Van Teyl said. "Even the pocketbook was a +fake, then?" + +She nodded. + +"I shouldn't be likely to leave things I risk my life for about my +bedroom," she told him. + +"Where is it, then--the real thing?" he asked. + +She smiled. + +"If you must know, Jimmy," she confided, dropping her voice, "it's in a +little compartment of a silk belt around my waist. It will remain there +until I get to Washington, or until Mr. Haskall comes to me." + +"Haskall, the Government explosives man?" + +Pamela nodded. + +"Even he won't get it without Government authority." + +"Now, tell me, Pamela," Van Teyl went on--"you're a far-seeing girl--I +suppose we should get it in the neck from Germany some day or other, if +the Germans won? Why don't you hand the formula over to the British, +and give them a chance to get ahead?" + +"That's a sensible question, Jimmy, and I'll try to answer it," Pamela +promised. "Because when once the shells are made and used, the secret +will be gone. I think it very likely that it would enable England to +win the war; but, you see, I am an American, not English, and I'm all +American. I have been in touch with things pretty closely for some time +now, and I see trouble ahead for us before very long. I can't exactly +tell you where it's coming from, but I feel it. I want America to have +something up her sleeve, that's why." + +"You're a great girl, Pamela," her brother declared. "I'm off downtown, +feeling a different man. And, Pamela, I haven't said much, but God +bless you, and as long as I live I'm going as straight as a die. I've +had my lesson." + +He bent over her a little clumsily and kissed her. Pamela walked to the +door with him. + +"Be a dear," she called out, "and come back early. And, Jimmy!" ... + +"Hullo?'" + +"Put things right at the office at once," she whispered with emphasis. +"Fischer hasn't found out yet. I sent him a message this morning, +thanking him for the carnations, and asking him to walk with me in the +park after breakfast, I shall keep him away till lunch time, at least." + +The young man looked at her, and at Nikasti, who out in the corridor +was holding his hat and cane. Then he chuckled. + +"And they say that things don't happen in New York!" he murmured, as he +turned away. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + + +An elderly New Yorker, a man of fashion, renowned for his social +perceptions, pressed his companion's arm at the entrance to Central +Park and pointed to Pamela. + +"There goes a typical New York girl," he said, "and the best-looking +I've seen for many a long day. You can go all round Europe, Freddie, +and not see a girl with a face and figure like that. She had that frank +way, too, of looking you in the eyes." + +"I know," the other assented. "Gibson's girls all had it. Kind of look +which seems to say--'I know you find me nice and I don't mind. I wonder +whether you're nice, too.'" + +Pamela strolled along the park with Fischer by her side. She wore a +tailor-made costume of black and white tweed, and a smart hat, in which +yellow seemed the predominating colour. Her shoes, her gloves, the +little tie about her throat, were all the last word in the simple +elegance of suitability. Fischer walked by her side--a powerful, +determined figure in a carefully-pressed blue serge suit and a brown +Homburg hat. He wore a rose in his buttonhole, and he carried a +cane--both unusual circumstances. After fifty years of strenuous +living, Mr. Fischer seemed suddenly to have found a new thing in the +world. + +"This is a pleasant idea of yours, Miss Van Teyl," he said. + +"I haven't disturbed your morning, I hope?" she asked. + +"I guess, if you have, it isn't the way you mean," he replied. "You've +disturbed a good deal of my time and thoughts lately." + +"Well, you've had your own way now," she sighed, looking at him out of +the corner of her eyes. "I suppose you always get your own way in the +end, don't you, Mr. Fischer?" + +"Generally," he admitted. "I tell you, though, Miss Van Teyl," he went +on earnestly, "if you're alluding to last night's affair, I hated the +whole business. It was my duty, and the opportunity was there, but with +what I have I am satisfied. With reference to that little debt of your +brother's--" + +"Please don't say a word, Mr. Fischer," she interrupted. "You will find +that all put right as soon as you get down to Wall Street. Tell me, +what have you done with your prize?" + +Mr. Fischer looked very humble. + +"Miss Van Teyl," he said, "for certain reasons I am going to tell you +the truth. Perhaps it will be the best in the long run. We may even +before long be working together. So I start by being honest with you. +The pocketbook is by now on its way to Germany." + +"To Germany?" she exclaimed. "And after all your promises!" + +"Ah, but think, Miss Van Teyl," he pleaded. "I throw aside all +subterfuge. In your heart you know well what I am and what I stand for. +I deny it no longer. I am a German-American, working for Germany, +simply because America does not need my help. If America were at war +with any country in the world, my brains, my knowledge, my wealth would +be hers. But now it is different. Germany is surrounded by many +enemies, and she calls for her sons all over the world to remember the +Fatherland. You can sympathise a little with my unfortunate country, +Miss Van Teyl, and yet remain a good American. You are not angry with +me?" + +"I suppose I ought to be, but I am not in the least," she assured him. +"I never had any doubt as to the destination of that packet." + +"That," he admitted, "is a relief to me. Let us wipe the matter from +our memories, Miss Van Teyl." + +"One word," she begged, "and that only of curiosity. Did you examine +the contents of the pocketbook?" + +He turned his head and looked at her. For a moment he had lost the +greater spontaneity of his new self. He was again the cold, calculating +machine. + +"No," he answered, "except to take out and destroy what seemed to be a +few private memoranda. There was a bill for flowers, a note from a +young lady--some rubbish of that sort. The remaining papers were all +calculations and figures, chemical formulae." + +"Are you a chemist, Mr. Fischer?" she inquired. + +"Not in the least," he acknowledged. "I recognised just enough of the +formulae on the last page to realise that there were entirely new +elements being dealt with." + +She nodded. + +"I only asked out of curiosity. I agree. Let us put it out of our +thoughts. You see, I am generous. We have fought a battle, you and I, +and I have lost. Yet we remain friends." + +"It is more than your friendship that I want, Miss Van Teyl," he +pleaded, his voice shaking a little. "I am years older than you, I +know, and, by your standards, I fear unattractive. But you love power, +and I have it. I will take you into my schemes. I will show you how +those live who stand behind the clouds and wield the thunders." + +She looked at him with genuine surprise. It was necessary to readjust +some of her impressions of him. Oscar Fischer was, after all, a human +being. + +"What you say is all very well so far as it goes," she told him. "I +admit that a life of scheming and adventure attracts me. I love power. +I can think of nothing more wonderful than to feel the machinery of the +world--the political world--roar or die away, according to the touch of +one's fingers. Oh, yes, we're alike so far as that is concerned! But +there is a very vital difference. You are only an American by accident. +I am one by descent. For me there doesn't exist any other country. For +you Germany comes first." + +"But can't you realise," he went on eagerly, "that even this is for the +best? America to-day is hypnotised by a maudlin, sentimental affection +for England, a country from whom she never received anything but harm. +We want to change that. We want to kill for ever the misunderstandings +between the two greatest nations in the world. My creed of life could +be yours, too, without a single lapse from your patriotism. Friendship, +alliance, brotherhood, between Germany and America. That would be my +text." + +"Shall I be perfectly frank?" Pamela asked. + +"Nothing else is worth while," was the instant answer. + +"Well, then," she continued, "I can quite see that Germany has +everything to gain from America's friendship, but I cannot see the quid +pro quo." + +"And yet it is so clear," Fischer insisted. "Your own cloud may not be +very large just now, but it is growing, and, before you know it, it +will be upon you. Can you not realise why Japan is keeping out of this +war? She is conserving her strength. Millions flow into her coffers +week by week. In a few years time, Japan, for the first time in her +history, will know what it is to possess solid wealth. What does she +want it for, do you think? She has no dreams of European aggression, or +her soldiers would be fighting there now. China is hers for the taking, +a rich prize ready to fall into her mouth at any moment. But the end +and aim of all Japanese policy, the secret Mecca of her desires, is to +repay with the sword the insults your country has heaped upon her. It +is for that, believe me, that her arsenals are working night and day, +her soldiers are training, her fleet is in reserve. While you haggle +about a few volunteers, Japan is strengthening and perfecting a mighty +army for one purpose and one purpose only. Unless you wake up, you will +be in the position that Great Britain was in two years ago. Even now, +work though you may, you will never wholly make up for lost time. The +one chance for you is friendship with Germany." + +"Will Germany be in a position to help us after the war?" Pamela asked. + +"Never doubt it," Fischer replied vehemently. "Before peace is signed +the sea power of England will be broken. Financially she will be +ruined. She is a country without economic science, without foresight, +without statesmen. The days of her golden opportunities have passed, +frittered away. Unless we of our great pity bind up her wounds, England +will bleed to death before the war is over." + +"That, you must remember," Pamela said practically, "is your point of +view." + +"I could tell you things--" he began. + +"Don't," she begged. "I know what your outlook is now. Be definite. +Leaving aside that other matter, what is your proposition to me?" + +Fischer walked for a while in silence. They had turned back some time +since, and were once more nearing the Plaza. + +"You ask me to leave out what is most vital," he said at last. "I have +never been married, Miss Van Teyl. I am wealthy. I am promised great +honours at the end of this war. When that comes, I shall rest. If +you will be my wife, you can choose your home, you can choose your +title." + +She shook her head. + +"But I am not sure that I even like you, Mr. Fischer," she objected. +"We have fought in opposite camps, and you have had the bad taste to be +victorious. Besides which, you were perfectly brutal to James, and I am +not at all sure that I don't resent your bargain with me. As a matter +of fact, I am feeling very bitter towards you." + +"You should not," he remonstrated earnestly. "Remember that, after all, +women are only dabblers in diplomacy. Their very physique prevents them +from playing the final game. You have brains, of course, but there are +other things--experience, courage, resource. You would be a wonderful +helpmate, Miss Van Teyl, even if your individual and unaided efforts +have not been entirely successful." + +She sighed. Pamela just then was a picture of engaging humility. + +"It is so hard for me," she murmured, "I do not want to marry yet. I do +not wish to think of it. And so far as you are concerned, Mr. +Fischer--well, I am simply furious when I think of your attitude last +night. But I love adventures." + +"I will promise you all the adventures that can be crammed into your +life," he urged. + +"But be more definite," she persisted. "Where should we start? You are +over here now on some important mission. Tell me more about it?" + +"I cannot just yet," he answered. "All that I can promise you is that, +if I am successful, it will stop the war just as surely as Captain Graham's +new explosive." + +"I thought you were going to make a confidante of me," she complained. + +He suddenly gripped her arm. It was the first time he had touched her, +and she felt a queer surging of the blood to her head, a sudden and +almost uncontrollable repulsion. The touch of his long fingers was like +flame; his eyes, behind their sheltering spectacles, glowed in a +curious, disconcerting fashion. + +"To the woman who was my pledged wife," he said, "I would tell +everything. From the woman who gave me her hand and became my ally I +would have no secrets. Come, I have a message, more than a message, to +the American people. I am taking it to Washington before many hours +have passed. If it is your will, it should be you to whom I will +deliver it." + +Pamela walked on with her head in the air. Fischer was leaning a little +towards her. Every now and then his mouth twitched slightly. His eyes +seemed to be seeking to reach the back of her brain. + +"Please go now," she begged. "I can't think clearly while you are here, +and I want to make up my mind. I will send to you when I am ready." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + + +Pamela sat that afternoon on the balcony of the country club at +Baltusrol and approved of her surroundings. Below her stretched a +pleasant vista of rolling greensward, dotted here and there with the +figures of the golfers. Beyond, the misty blue background of rising +hills. + +"I can't tell you how peaceful this all seems, Jimmy," she said to her +brother, who had brought her out in his automobile. "One doesn't notice +the air of strain over on the Continent, because it's the same +everywhere, but it gets a little on one's nerves, all the same. I +positively love it here." + +"It's fine to have you," was the hearty response. "Gee, that fellow +coming to the sixteenth hole can play some!" + +Pamela directed her attention idly towards the figure which her brother +indicated--a man in light tweeds, who played with an easy and graceful +swing, and with the air of one to whom the game presented no +difficulties whatever. She watched him drive for the seventeenth--a +long, raking ball, fully fifty yards further than his opponent's-- +watched him play a perfect mashie shot to the green and hole out in +three. + +"A birdie," James Van Teyl murmured. "I say, Pamela!" + +She took no notice. Her eyes were still following the figure of the +golfer. She watched him drive at the last hole, play a chip shot on to +the green, and hit the hole for a three. The frown deepened upon her +forehead. She was looking very uncompromising when the two men ascended +the steps. + +"I didn't know, Mr. Lutchester, that there were any factories down this +way," she remarked severely, as he paused before her in surprise. + +For a single moment she fancied that she saw a flash of annoyance in +his eyes. It was gone so swiftly, however, that she remained uncertain. +He held out his hand, laughing. + +"Fairly caught out, Miss Van Teyl," he confessed. "You see, I was +tempted, and I fell." + +His companion, an elderly, clean-shaven man, passed on. Pamela glanced +after him. + +"Who is your opponent?" she asked. + +"Just some one I picked up on the tee," Lutchester explained. "How is +our friend Fischer this morning?" + +"I walked with him for an hour in the Park," Pamela replied. "He seemed +quite cheerful. I have scarcely thanked you yet for returning the +pocketbook, have I?" + +His face was inscrutable. + +"Couldn't keep a thing that didn't belong to me, could I?" he observed. + +"You have a marvellous gift for discovering lost property," she +murmured. + +"For discovering the owners, you mean," he retorted, with a little bow. + +"You're some golfer, I see, Mr. Lutchester," Van Teyl interposed. + +"I was on my game to-day," Lutchester admitted. "With a little luck at +the seventh," he continued earnestly, "I might have tied the amateur +record. You see, my ball--but there, I mustn't bore you now. I must +look after my opponent and stand him a drink. We shall meet again, I +daresay." + +Lutchester passed on, and Pamela glanced up at her brother. + +"Is he a sphinx or a fool?" she whispered. + +"Don't ask me," Van Teyl replied. "Seems to me you were a bit rough on +him, anyway. I don't see why the fellow shouldn't have a day's holiday +before he gets to work. If I had his swing, it would interfere with my +career, I know that, well enough." + +"Did you recognise the man with whom he was playing?" Pamela inquired. + +"Can't say that I did. His face seems familiar, too." + +"Go and see if you can find out his name," Pamela begged. "It isn't +ordinary curiosity. I really want to know." + +"That's easy enough," Van Teyl replied, rising from his place. "And +I'll order tea at the same time." + +Pamela leaned a little further back in her chair. Her eyes seemed to be +fixed upon the pleasant prospect of wooded slopes and green, +upward-stretching sward. As a matter of fact, she saw only two faces-- +Fischer's and Lutchester's. Her chief impulse in life for the immediate +present seemed to have resolved itself into a fierce, almost a +passionate curiosity. It was the riddle of those two brains which she +was so anxious to solve. ... Fischer, the cold, subtle intriguer, with +schemes at the back of his mind which she knew quite well that, even in +the moment of his weakness, he intended to keep to himself; and +Lutchester, with his almost cynical devotion to pleasure, yet with his +unaccountable habit of suggesting a strength and qualities to which he +neither laid nor established any claim. Of the two men it was +Lutchester who piqued her, with whom she would have found more pleasure +in the battle of wits. She found herself alternately furious and +puzzled with him, yet her uneasiness concerning him possessed more +disquieting, more fascinating possibilities than any of the emotions +inspired by the other man. + +Van Teyl returned to her presently, a little impressed. + +"Thought I knew that chap's face," he observed. "It's Eli Hamblin-- +Senator Hamblin, you know." + +"A friend and confidant of the President," she murmured. "A Westerner, +too. I wonder what he's doing here ... Jimmy!" + +"Hallo, Sis?" + +"You've just got to be a dear," Pamela begged. "Go to the caddy master, +or professional, or some one, and find out whether Mr. Lutchester met +him here by accident or whether they arrived together." + +"You'll turn me into a regular sleuthhound," he laughed. "However, here +goes." + +He strolled off again, and Pamela found herself forced to become +mundane and frivolous whilst she chatted with some newly-arrived +acquaintances. It was not until some little time after her brother's +return that she found herself alone with him. + +"Well?" she asked eagerly. + +"They arrived within a few minutes of one another," Van Teyl announced. +"Senator Hamblin bought a couple of new balls and made some inquiries +about the course, but said nothing about playing. Lutchester, who +appears not to have known him, came up later and asked him if he'd like +a game. That's all I could find out." + +Pamela pointed to a little cloud of dust in the distance. + +"And there they go," she observed, "together." + +Van Teyl threw himself into a chair and accepted the cup of tea which +his sister handed him. + +"Well," he inquired, "what do you make of it?" + +"There's more in that question than you think, James," Pamela replied. +"All the same, I think I shall be able to answer it in a few days." + +Another little crowd of acquaintances discovered them, and Pamela was +soon surrounded by a fresh group of admirers. They all went out +presently to inspect the new tennis courts. Pamela and her brother were +beset with invitations. + +"You positively must stay down and dine with us, and go home by +moonlight," Mrs. Saunders, a lively young matron with a large country +house close by, insisted. "Jimmy's neglected me terribly these last few +months, and as for you, Pamela, I haven't seen you for a year." + +"I'd love to if we can," Pamela assured her, "but Jimmy will have to +telephone first." + +"Then do be quick about it," Mrs. Saunders begged, "It doesn't matter a +bit about clothes. We've twenty people staying in the house now, and +half of us won't change, if that makes you more comfortable. Jimmy, if +you fail at that telephone I'll never forgive you." + +But Van Teyl, who had caught the little motion of his sister's head +towards the city, proved equal to the occasion. He returned presently, +driving the car. + +"Got to go," he announced as he made his farewells. "Can't be helped, +Pamela. Frightfully sorry, Mrs. Saunders, we are wanted up in New +York." + +Pamela sighed. + +"I was so afraid of it," she regretted as she waved her adieux. . . . . + +An hour or so later the city broke before them in murky waves. Pamela, +who had been leaning back in the car, deep in thought, sat up. + +"You are a perfect dear, James," she said. "Do you think you could +stand having Mr. Fischer to dinner one evening this week?" + +"Sure!" he replied, a little curiously. "If you want to keep friends +with him for any reason, I don't bear him any ill-will." + +"I just want to talk to him," Pamela murmured, "that's all." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + + +There was a ripple of interest and a good deal of curiosity that +afternoon, in the lounge and entrance hall of the Hotel Plaza, when a +tall, grey-moustached gentleman of military bearing descended from the +automobile which had brought him from the station, and handed in his +name at the desk, inquiring for Mr. Fischer. + +"Will you send my name up--the Baron von Schwerin," he directed. + +The clerk, who had recognised the newcomer, took him under his personal +care. + +"Mr. Fischer is up in his rooms, expecting you, Baron," he announced. +"If you'll come this way, I'll take you up." + +The Baron followed his guide to the lift and along the corridor to the +suite of rooms occupied by Mr. Fischer and his young friend, James Van +Teyl. Mr. Fischer himself opened the door. The two men clasped hands +cordially, and the clerk discreetly withdrew. + +"Back with us once more, Fischer," Von Schwerin exclaimed fervently. +"You are wonderful. Tell me," he added, looking around, "we are to be +alone here?" + +"Absolutely," Fischer replied. "The young man I share these apartments +with--James Van Teyl--has taken his sister out to Baltusrol. They will +not be back until seven o'clock. We are sure of solitude." + +"Good!" Von Schwerin exclaimed. "And you have news--I can see it in +your face." + +Fischer rolled up easy chairs and produced a box of cigars. + +"Yes," he assented, with a little glitter in his eyes, "I have news. +Things have moved with me. I think that, with the help of an idiotic +Englishman, we shall solve the riddle of what our professors have +called the consuming explosive. I sent the formula home to Germany, by +a trusty hand, only a few hours ago." + +"Capital!" Von Schwerin declared. "It was arranged in London, that?" + +"Partly in London and partly here," Fischer replied. + +Von Schwerin made a grimace. + +"If you can find those who are willing to help you here, you are +fortunate indeed," he sighed. "My life's work has lain amongst these +people. In the days of peace, all seemed favourable to us. Since the +war, even those people whom I thought my friends seem to have lost +their heads, to have lost their reasoning powers." + +"After all," Fischer muttered, "it is race calling to race. But come, +we have more direct business on hand. Nikasti is here." + +Von Schwerin nodded a little gloomily. + +"Washington knows nothing of his coming," he observed. "I attended the +Baron Yung's reception last week, informally. I threw out very broad +hints, but Yung would not be drawn. Nikasti represents the Secret +Service of Japan, unofficially and without responsibility." + +"Nevertheless," Fischer pointed out, "what he says will reach the ear +of his country, and reach it quickly. You've gone through the papers I +sent you?" + +"Carefully," Von Schwerin replied. "And the autograph letter?" + +"That I have," Fischer announced. "I will fetch Nikasti." + +He crossed the room and opened the door leading into the bedchambers. + +"Are you there, Kato?" he cried. + +"I am coming, sir," was the instant reply. + +Nikasti appeared, a few moments later. He was carrying a dress coat on +his arm, and he held a clothes brush in his hand. It was obvious that +he had studied with nice care the details of his new part. + +"You can sit down, Nikasti," Fischer invited. "This is the Baron von +Schwerin. He has something to say to you." + +Nikasti bowed very low. He declined the chair, however, to which +Fischer pointed. + +"I am your valet and the valet of Mr. Van Teyl," he murmured. "It is +not fitting for me to be seated. I listen." + +Von Schwerin drew his chair a little nearer. + +"I plunge at once," he said, "into the middle of things. There is +always the fear that we may be disturbed." + +Nikasti inclined his head. + +"It is best," he agreed. + +"You are aware," Von Schwerin continued, "that the Imperial Government +of Germany has already made formal overtures, through a third party, to +the Emperor of Japan with reference to an alteration in our relations?" + +"There was talk of this in Tokio," Nikasti observed softly. "Japan, +however, is under obligations--treaty obligations. Her honour demands +that these should be kept." + +"The honour of a country," Baron von Schwerin acknowledged, "is, +without doubt, a sacred charge upon her rulers, but above all things in +heaven or on earth, the interests of her people must be their first +consideration. If a time should come when the two might seem to clash, +then it is the task of the statesman to recognise this fact." + +Nikasti bowed. + +"It is spoken," he confessed, "like a great man." + +"Your country," Von Schwerin continued, "is at war with mine because it +seemed to her rulers that her interests lay with the Allies rather than +with Germany. I will admit that my country was at fault. We did not +recognise to its full extent the value of friendship with Japan. We did +not bid high enough for your favours. Asia concerned us very little. We +looked upon the destruction of our interests there in the same spirit +as that with which we contemplated the loss of our colonies. All that +might happen would be temporary. Our influence in Asia, our colonies, +will remain with us or perish, according to the result of the war in +Europe. But our statesmen overlooked one thing." + +"Our factories," Nikasti murmured. + +"Precisely! We have had our agents all over the world for years. Some +are good, a few are easily deceived. There is no country in the world +where apparently so much liberty is granted to foreigners as in Japan. +There is no country where the capacity for manufacture and output has +been so grossly underestimated by our agents, as yours." + +Nikasti smiled. + +"I had something to do with that," he announced. "It was Karl Neumann, +was it not, on whom you relied? I supplied him with much information." + +Von Schwerin's face clouded for a moment. + +"You mean that you fooled him, I suppose," he said. "Well, it is all +part of the game. That is over now. We want your exports to Russia +stopped." + +"Ah!" Nikasti murmured reflectively. "Stopped!" + +"We ask no favours," Von Schwerin continued. "The issue of the war is +written across the face of the skies for those who care to read." + +Nikasti looked downwards at the dress coat which he was carrying. Then +he glanced up at Von Schwerin. + +"Perhaps our eyes have been dazzled," he said. "Will you not +interpret?" + +"The end of the war will be a peace of exhaustion," Von Schwerin +explained. "Our loftier dreams of conquest we must abandon. Germany has +played her part, but Austria, alas! has failed. Peace will leave us all +very much where we were. Very well, then, I ask you, what has Japan +gained? You answer China? I deny it. Yet even if it were true, it will +take you five hundred years to make a great country of China. Suppose +for a moment you had been on the other side. What about Australia?... +New Zealand?" + +"Are those things under present consideration?" Nikasti queried. + +"Why not?" Von Schwerin replied. "Listen. Close your exports to Russia +within the next thirty days. Build up for yourselves a stock of +ammunition, add to your fleet, and prepare. Within a year of the +cessation of war, there is no reason why your national dream should not +be realised. Your fleet may sail for San Francisco. The German fleet +shall make a simultaneous attack upon the eastern coast of +Massachusetts and New York." + +"The German fleet," Nikasti repeated. "And England?" + +Von Schwerin's eyes flashed for a moment. + +"If the English fleet is still in being," he declared, "it will be a +crippled and defeated fleet, but, for the sake of your point of view, I +will assume that it exists. Even then there will be nothing to prevent +the German fleet from steaming in what waters it pleases. If our shells +fall upon New York on the day when your warships are sighted off the +Californian coast, do you suppose that America could resist? With her +seaboard, her fleet is contemptible. For her wealth, her army is a +farce. She has neglected for a great many years to pay her national +insurance. She is the one country in the world who can be bled for the +price of empires." + +Fischer, who had been smoking furiously, spat out the end of a fresh +cigar. + +"It will be a just retribution," he interposed, with smothered +fierceness. "Under the guise of neutrality, America has been +responsible for the lives of hundreds of thousands of my countrymen. +That we never can, we never shall, forget. The wealth which makes these +people fat is blood-money, and Germany will take her vengeance." + +"For whom do you speak?" Nikasti inquired. + +Von Schwerin rose from his place. + +"For the greatest of all." + +"Do I take anything but words to Tokio?" the Japanese asked softly. + +Fischer unfolded a pocketbook and drew from it a parchment envelope. + +"You take this letter," he said, "which I brought over myself from +Berlin, signed and written not more than three weeks ago. I ask you to +believe in no vague promises. I bring you the pledged faith of the +greatest ruler on earth. What do you say, Nikasti? Will you accept our +mission? Will you go back to Tokio and see the Emperor?" + +Nikasti bowed. + +"I will go back," he promised. "I will sail as soon as I can make +arrangements. But I cannot tell you what the issue may be. We Japanese +are not a self-seeking nation. Above and higher than all things are our +ideals and our honour. I cannot tell what answer our Sovereign may give +to this." + +"These are the days when the truest patriotism demands the most sublime +sacrifices," Von Schwerin declared. "Above all the ethics of +individuals comes the supreme necessity of self-preservation." + +The Japanese smiled slightly. + +"Ah!" he said, "there speaks the philosophy of your country, Baron, the +paean of materialism." + +"The destinies of nations," Baron von Schwerin exclaimed, "are above +the man-made laws of a sentimental religion! One needs, nowadays, more +than to survive. It is necessary to flourish." + +Nikasti stood suddenly to attention. + +"It is Mr. Van Teyl who returns," he warned them. + +He glided from the room, shaking out a little the dress coat which he +had been carrying. The two men looked after him. Fischer threw his +cigar savagely away and lit another. + +"Curse these orientals!" he muttered. "They listen and listen, and one +never knows. Van Teyl won't be here for hours. That was just an excuse +to get away." + +But there was a smile of triumph on Von Schwerin's lips. + +"I know them better than you do, Fischer," he declared. "Nikasti is our +man!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + + +High up in one of the topmost chambers of the Hotel Plaza, Nikasti, +after his conference with Von Schwerin and Fischer, sought solitude. He +opened the high windows, out of which he could scarcely see, dragged up +a chest of drawers and perched himself, Oriental fashion, on the top, +his long yellow fingers intertwined around his knees, his soft brown +eyes gazing over the wooded slopes of the Park. He was away from the +clamour of tongues, from the poisoned clouds of sophistry, even from +the disturbance of his own thoughts, incited by specious arguments to +some form of reciprocity. Here he sat in the clouds and searched for +the true things. His eyes seemed to be travelling over the battlefields +of Europe. He saw the swaying fortunes of mighty armies, he looked into +council chambers, he seemed to feel the pulses of the great world force +which kept going this most amazing Juggernaut. He saw the furnaces of +Japan, blazing by night and day; saw the forms of hundreds of thousands +of his fellow creatures bent to their task; saw the streams of ships +leaving his ports, laden down with stores; saw the great guns speeding +across Siberia, the endless trains of ammunition, the rifles, food for +the famine-stricken giants who beat upon the air with empty fists. He +saw the gold come streaming back. He saw it poured into the banks, the +pockets of the merchants, the homes of his people. He saw brightening +days throughout the land. He saw the slow but splendid strength of the +nation rejoicing in its new possibilities. And beyond that, what? +Wealth was the great means towards the great end, but if the great end +were once lost sight of, there was no more hideous poison than that +stream of enervating prosperity. He remembered his own diatribes +concerning the decadence of England; how he had pointed to the gold +poison, to the easy living of the poor, the blatant luxury of the rich. +He had pointed to the soft limbs, the cities which had become pools of +sensuality, to the daily life which, calling for no effort, had seen +the passing of the spirit and the triumph of the gross. And what about +his own people? Mankind was the same the world over. The gold which was +bringing strength and life to the nation might very soon exude the same +poisonous fumes, might very soon be laying its thrall upon a people to +whom living had become an easier thing. However it might be for other, +the Western nations, for his own he firmly believed that war alone, +with its thousand privations, its call to the chivalry of his people, +was the one great safeguard. China! The days had gone by when the +taking of China could inspire. It was to greater things they must look. +Australia. New Zealand! Had any Western race the right to flaunt her +Empire's flag in Asiatic seas? And America! Once again he felt the slow +rising of wrath as he recalled the insults of past years ... the +adventurous sons of his country treated like savages and negroes by +that uncultured, strong-limbed race of coarse-fibered, unimaginative +materialists. There was a call, indeed, to the soul of his country to +avenge, to make safe, the homes and lives of her colonists. Across the +seas he looked into the council chambers of the wise men of his race. +He saw the men whose word would tell. He watched their faces turned +towards him, waiting; heard the beginning of the conflict of thoughts +and minds--blind fidelity to the cause which they had espoused, or a +rougher, more splendid, more selfish stroke for the greatness of Japan +and Japan only. "If we break our faith we lose our honour," one +murmured. "There is no honour save the care of my people," he heard one +of his greatest countrymen reply. + +So he sat and thought, revolved in his mind arguments, morals, +philosophy. It was the problem which had confronted the great Emperor, +his own ancestor, who had lived for three months on the floor of the +Temple, asking but one question of the Silent Powers: "Through what +gate shall I lead my nation to greatness?" + +The senses of the man who crouched in his curious attitude, with his +eyes still piercing the heavens, were mobile and extraordinary things. +No disturbing sounds had reached him from outside. His isolation seemed +complete and impregnable. Yet, without turning his head, he was +perfectly conscious of the slow opening of the door. His whole frame +stiffened. He was conscious for one bitter second of a lapse from the +careful guarding of his ways. That second passed, however, and left him +prepared even for danger, his brain and muscles alike tense. He turned +his head. The expression of slow surprise, which even parted his lips +and narrowed his eyes, was only half assumed. + +"What do you wish?" he asked. + +Lutchester did not for a moment reply. He had closed the door behind +him carefully, and was looking around the room now with evident +interest. Its bareness of furniture and decoration were noteworthy, but +on the top of the ugly chest of drawers was a great bowl of roses, a +queer little ivory figure set in an arched frame of copper--a figure +almost sacerdotal, with its face turned towards the east--and a little +shower of rose leaves, which could scarcely have fallen there by +accident, at the foot of the pedestal. Lutchester inclined his head +gravely, as he looked towards it, a gesture entirely reverential, +almost an obeisance. Nikasti's eyes were clouded with curiosity. He +slipped down to the ground. + +"I have travelled in your country," Lutchester said gravely, as though +in explanation. "I have visited your temples. I may say that I have +prayed there." + +"And now?" Nikasti asked. + +"I am for my country what you are for yours," Lutchester proceeded. +"You see, I know when it is best to speak the truth. I am in New York +because you are in New York, and if you leave on Saturday for Japan it +may happen--of this I am not sure--but I say that it may happen that I +shall accompany you." + +"I shall be much honoured," Nikasti murmured. + +"You came here," Lutchester continued, "to meet an emissary from +Berlin. Your country, which could listen to no official word from any +one of her official enemies, can yet, through you, learn what is in +their minds. You have seen to-day Fischer and the Baron von Schwerin. +Fischer has probably presented to you the letter which he has brought +from Berlin. Von Schwerin has expounded further the proposition and the +price which form part of his offer." + +Nikasti's face was imperturbable, but there was trouble in his eyes. + +"You have found your way to much knowledge,", he muttered. + +"I must find my way to more. I must know what Germany offers you. I +must know what is at the back of your mind when you repeat this offer +in Tokio." + +"You can make, then, the unwilling speak?" Nikasti demanded. + +"Even that is amongst the possibilities," Lutchester affirmed. "Strange +things have been done for the cause which such as you and I revere." + +Nikasti showed his white teeth for a moment in a smile meant to be +contemptuous. + +"It is a great riddle, this, which we toss from one to the other," he +observed. "I am the simple valet of two gentlemen living in the hotel. +You have listened, perhaps, to fairy tales, or dreamed them yourself, +sir." + +"It is no fairy tale," Lutchester rejoined, "that you are Prince +Nikasti, the third son of the great Marquis Ato, that you and I met +more than once in London when you were living there some years ago; +that you travelled through our country, and drew up so scathing an +indictment of our domestic and industrial position that, but for their +clumsy diplomacy, your country would probably have made overtures to +Germany. Ever since those days I have wondered about you. I have +wondered whether you are with your country in her friendship towards +England." + +"I have no friends but my country's friends," Nikasti declared, "no +enemies save her enemies. But to-day those things of which you have +spoken do not concern me. I am the Japanese valet of Mr. Fischer and +Mr. Van Teyl." + +Lutchester, as though by accident, came a step further into the room. +Nikasti's eyes never left his face. Perhaps at that moment each knew +the other's purpose, though their tongues clung to the other things. + +"Will you talk to me, Japan?" Lutchester asked calmly. "You have +listened to Germany. I am England." + +"If you have anything to say," Nikasti replied, "Baron Yung is at +Washington." + +"You and I know well," Lutchester continued, "that ambassadors are but +the figureheads in the world's history. Speak to me of the things which +concern our nations, Nikasti. Tell me of the letter you bear to the +Emperor. You have nothing to lose. Sit down and talk to me, man to man. +You have heard Germany. Hear England. Tell me of the promises made to +you within the last hour, and I will show you how they can never be +kept. Let us talk of your country's future. You and I can tell one +another much." + +"A valet knows nothing," Nikasti murmured. + +Lutchester came a step nearer. Nikasti, in retreating, was now almost +in a corner of the room. + +"Listen," Lutchester went on, "for many years I have suspected that you +are an enemy of my country. That is the reason why, when our +Intelligence Department learnt of your mission, I chose to come myself +to meet you. And now we meet, Nikasti, face to face, and all that you +are willing to do for your country, I am willing to do for mine, and +unless you sit down and talk this matter out with me as man to man, you +will not leave New York." + +The arm of the Japanese stole with the most perfect naturalness inside +his coat, and Lutchester knew then that the die was cast. The line of +blue steel flashed out too late. The hand which gripped the +strangely-shaped little knife was held as though in a vice, and +Lutchester's other arm was suddenly thrown around the neck of his +assailant, his fingers pressed against his windpipe. + +"Drop the knife," he ordered. + +It fell clattering on to the hard floor. Nikasti, however, twisted +himself almost free, took a flying leap sideways, and seized his +adversary's leg. In another moment he came down upon the floor with a +crash. Lutchester's grip upon him, a little crueller now, was like a +band of steel. + +"There are many ways of playing this game. It is you who have chosen +this one," he said. "It's no use, Nikasti. I know as much of your own +science as you do. You're my man now until I choose to let you free, +and before I do that I am going to read the letter which you are taking +to Japan." + +Nikasti's eyes were red with fury, but every movement was torture. +Lutchester held him easily with one hand, felt over him with the other, +drew the letter from his vest, and, shaking it free from its envelope, +held it out and read it. When he had finished, he replaced it in the +envelope and pushed it back into the other's breast pocket. + +"Now," he directed, "you can get up." + +Nikasti scrambled to his feet. There were livid marks under his eyes. +For a moment he had lost all his vitality, he was like a beaten +creature. + +"You would never have done this," he muttered, "ten years ago, I grow +old." + +"So that is the letter which you are taking to your Emperor!" +Lutchester said. "You think it worth while! You can really see the +German fleet steaming past the British Isles, out into the Atlantic, +and bombarding New York!" + +Nikasti made no reply. Lutchester looked at him for a moment +thoughtfully. There was a light once more in the beaten man's eyes--a +queer, secretive gleam. Lutchester stooped down and picked up the knife +from the floor. + +"Nikasti," he enjoined, "listen to me, for your country's sake. The +promise contained in that letter is barely worth the paper it is +written on, so long as the British fleet remains what it is. But, apart +from that, I tell you here, of my own profound conviction--and I will +prove it to you before many days are past--Germany does not intend to +keep this promise." + +Nikasti made no reply. His face was expressionless. + +"Germany has but one idea," Lutchester continued. "She means to play +you and America off against one another. I have found out her offer to +you. All I can say is, if you take it seriously you are not the man I +think you. Now I will tell you what I am going to do. I am going to +find out her offer to America. I will bring that to you, and you shall +see the two side by side. Then you shall know how much you can rely +upon a country whose diplomacy is bred and born of lies, who cheats at +every move of the game, who makes you a deliberate offer here which she +never has the least intention of keeping. Have you anything to say to +me, Nikasti?" + +Nikasti raised his eyes for one moment. + +"I have nothing to say," he replied. "I am the valet of Mr. Fischer and +Mr. Van Teyl. These things are not of my concern." + +Lutchester shrugged his shoulders. + +"Whatever you may be," he concluded, "and however much you may resent +all that has happened, I know that you will wait. I might go direct to +Washington, but I prefer to come to you, if it remains possible. Before +you leave this country we will meet again, and, when you have heard me, +you will tear that letter which you are treasuring next your heart into +small pieces." + +Lutchester turned and left the room, closing the door behind him. +Nikasti crouched in his place without movement. The ache in his heart +seemed to be shining out of his face. He turned slowly towards the +little figure of black ivory, his head drooped lower--he was filled +with a great shame. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + + +Fischer raised his eyebrows in mild surprise to find Nikasti waiting +for him in the sitting room that evening, with his overcoat and evening +hat. He closed the door of the bedroom from which he had issued +carefully behind him. + +"You don't need to go on with this business now that we have had our +little talk," he remonstrated. + +"I cannot leave until the twentieth," Nikasti replied. "I think it best +that I remain here. Your cocktail, sir." + +Fischer accepted the glass with a good-humoured little laugh. + +"Well," he said, "I suppose you know what you want to do, but it seems +to me unnecessary. Say, is anything wrong with you? You seem shaken, +somehow." + +"I am quite well," Nikasti declared gravely. "I am very well indeed." + +Fischer stared at him searchingly from behind his spectacles. + +"You don't look it," he observed. "If you'll take my advice, you'll get +away from here and rest somewhere quietly for a few days. Why don't you +try one of the summer hotels on Long Island?" + +Nikasti shook his head. + +"Until I sail," he decided, "I stay here. It is better so." + +"You know best, of course," Fischer replied. "Where's Mr. Van Teyl?" + +"He has gone out with his sister, sir--the young lady in the next +suite," Nikasti announced. + +Fischer sighed for a moment. Then he finished his cocktail, drew on his +gloves, and turned towards the door. + +"Well, good night," he said. "Perhaps you are wise to stay here. +Remember always what it is that you carry about with you." + +"I shall remember," Nikasti promised. + +Fischer entered his automobile and drove to a fashionable restaurant in +the neighbourhood of Fifth Avenue. Arrived here, he made his way to a +room on the first floor, into which he was ushered by one of the head +waiters. Von Schwerin was already there, talking with a little company +of men. + +"Ah, our friend Fischer!" the latter exclaimed. "That makes our number +complete." + +A waiter handed around cocktails. Fischer smiled as he raised his glass +to his lips. + +"It is something, at least," he confided, "to be back in a country +where one can speak freely. I raise my arm. Von Schwerin and +gentlemen--'To the Fatherland!'" + +They all drank fervently and with a little guttural murmur. Von +Schwerin set down his empty glass. He was looking a little glum. + +"In many ways, my dear Fischer," he said, "one sympathises with that +speech of yours; but the truth is best, and it is to talk truths that +we have met this evening. We are gaining no ground here. I am not sure +that we are not losing." + +There was a moment's disturbed and agitated silence. + +"It is bad to hear," one little man acknowledged, with a sigh, "but who +can doubt it? There is a fever which has caught hold of this country, +which blazes in the towns and smoulders in the country places, and that +is the fever of money-making. Men are blinded with the passion of it. +They tell me that even Otto Schmidt in Milwaukee has turned his great +factories into ammunition works." + +Von Schwerin's eyes flashed. + +"Let him be careful," he muttered, "that one morning those are not +blackened walls upon which he looks! We go to dinner now, gentlemen, +and, until we are alone afterwards, not one word concerning the great +things." + +The partition doors leading into the dining room were thrown back and +the little company of men sat down to dine. There were fourteen of +them, and their names were known throughout the world. There was a +steel millionaire, half-a-dozen Wall Street magnates, a clothing +manufacturer, whose house in Fifth Avenue was reputed to have cost two +millions. There was not one of them who was not a patriot--to Germany. +They ate and drank through the courses of an abnormally long dinner +with the businesslike thoroughness of their race. When at last the +coffee and liqueurs had been served, the waiters by prearrangement +disappeared, and with a little flourish Von Schwerin locked the door. +Once more he raised his glass. + +"To the Kaiser and the Fatherland!" he cried in a voice thick with +emotion. + +For a moment a little flash of something almost like spirituality +lightened the gathering. They were at least men with a purpose, and an +unselfish purpose. + +"Oscar Fischer," Von Schwerin said, "my friends, all of you, you know +how strenuous my labours have been during the last year. You know that +three times the English Ambassador has almost demanded my recall, and +three times the matter has hung in the balance. I have watched events +in Washington, not through my own but through a thousand eyes. My +fingers are on the pulse of the country, so what I say to you needs +nothing in the way of substantiation. The truth is best. +Notwithstanding all my efforts, and the efforts of every one of you, +the great momentum of public feeling, from California to Massachusetts, +has turned slowly towards the cause of our enemies. Washington is +hopelessly against us. The huge supplies which leave these shores day +by day for England and France will continue. Fresh plants are being +laid down for the manufacture of weapons and ammunition to be used +against our country. The hand of diplomacy is powerless. We can +struggle no longer. Even those who favour our cause are drunk with the +joy of the golden harvest they are reaping. This country has spoken +once and for all, and its voice is for our most hated enemy." + +There were a variety of guttural and sympathetic ejaculations. A dozen +earnest faces turned towards Von Schwerin. + +"Diplomacy," Von Schwerin continued, "has failed. We come to the next +step. There have been isolated acts of self-sacrifice, splendid in +themselves but systemless. Only the day before yesterday a great +factory at Detroit was burned to the ground, and I can assure you, +gentlemen, I who know, that a thousand bales of cloth, destined for +France, lie in a charred, heap amongst the ruins. That fire was no +accident." + +There was a brief silence. Fischer nodded approvingly. Von Schwerin +filled his glass. + +"This," he went on, "was the individual act of a brave and faithful +patriot. The time has come for us, too, to remember that we are at war. +I have striven for you with the weapons of diplomacy and I have failed. +I ask you now to face the situation with me--to make use of the only +means left to us." + +No one hesitated. Possibly ruin stared them in the face, but not one +flinched. Their heads drew closer together. They discussed the ways and +means of the new campaign. + +"We must add largely to our numbers," Von Schwerin said, "and we had +better have a fund. So far as regards money, I take it for granted--" + +There was a little chorus of fierce whispers. Five million dollars were +subscribed by men who were willing, if necessary, to find fifty. + +"It is enough," their leader assured them. "Much of our labours will be +amongst those to whom money is no object. Only remember, all of you, +this. We shall be a society without a written word, with no roll of +membership, without documents or institution, for complicity in the +things which follow will mean ruin. You are willing to face that?" + +Again that strange, passionate instinct of unanimity prevailed. To all +appearance it was a gathering of commonplace, commercialised and +bourgeois, easy-living men, but the touch of the spirit was there. +Fischer leaned a little forward. + +"In two months' time," he said, "every factory in America which is +earning its blood money shall be in danger. There will be a reign of +terror. Each State will operate independently and secretly." + +"Our friend Fischer," Von Schwerin told them, "has promised to stay +over here for the present to organise this undertaking. I, alas! am +bound to remain always a little aloof, but the time may come, and very +soon, too, when I shall be a free lance. On that day I shall throw my +lot in with yours, to the last drop of my blood and the last hour of my +liberty. Until then, trust Oscar Fischer. He has done great deeds +already. He will show you the way to more." + +Fischer took off his spectacles and wiped them. + +"Our first proceeding," he said, "sounds paradoxical. It must be that +we cease to exist. There can be no longer any meetings amongst us who +stand in this country for Germany. Gatherings of this sort are +finished. We meet, one or two of us, perhaps, by accident, in the clubs +and in the streets, in our houses and perhaps in the restaurants, but +the bond which unites us, and which no human power could ever sever +because it is of the spirit, that bond from to-night is intangible. +Wait, all of you, for a message. The task given to each shall not be +too great." + +Mr. Max H. Bookam, a little black-bearded man who had started life +tailoring in a garret, and was now a multi-millionaire, raised his +glass. + +"No task shall seem too great," he muttered. "No risk shall make us +afraid. Even the exile shall take up his burden." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + + +Mr. Fischer's business later on that night led him into unsavoury +parts. He left his car at the corner of Fourteenth Street, and, after a +moment's reflection, as though to refresh his memory, he made his way +slowly eastwards. He wore an unusually shabby overcoat, and a felt hat +drawn over his eyes, both of which garments he had concealed in the +automobile. Even then, however, his appearance made him an object of +some comment. A little gang of toughs first jostled him and then turned +and followed in his footsteps. A man came out of the shadows, and they +broke away with an oath. + +"That cop'll get his head broke some day," Fischer heard one of them +mutter, with appropriate adjectives. + +There were others who looked curiously at him. One man's hand he felt +running over his pockets as he pushed past him. A couple of women came +screaming down the street and seized him by the arms. He shook himself +free, and listened without a word to their torrent of abuse. The lights +here seemed to burn more dimly. Even the flares from the drinking dens +seemed secretive, and the shadowy places impenetrable. It was before a +saloon that at last he paused, listened for a moment to the sound of a +cracked piano inside, and entered. The place was packed, and, +fortunately for him, a scrap of some interest between two +villainous-looking Italians in a distant corner was occupying the +attention of many of the patrons. A man with white, staring face was +banging at a crazy piano without a movement of his body, his whole +energies apparently directed towards drowning the tumult of oaths and +hideous execrations which came from the two combatants. A drunken +Irishman, rolling about on the floor, kicked at him savagely as he +passed. An undersized little creature, with the face of an old man but +the figure of a boy, marked him from a distant corner and crept +stealthily towards his side. Fischer reached the counter at last and +stood there for a moment, waiting. Two huge, rough-looking negroes, in +soiled linen clothes, were dispensing the drinks. As one of them +passed, Fischer struck the counter with his forefinger, six or seven +times, observing a particular rhythm. The negro started, turned his +heavily-lidded, repulsive eyes upon Fischer, and nodded slightly. He +handed out the drink he had in his hand, and leaned over the counter. + +"Want the boss?" he demanded. + +Fischer assented. The negro lifted the flap of the counter and opened a +trapdoor, leading apparently into a cellar beneath. + +"Step right down," he muttered. "Don't let the boys catch on. Get out +of that, Tim," he added thickly to the dwarflike figure, whose slender +fingers were suddenly nearing Fischer's neck. + +The creature seemed to melt away. Fischer dived and descended a dozen +steps or so into another bare looking apartment, the door of which was +half open. There were three men seated at the solitary deal table, +which was almost the only article of furniture to be seen. One, +sombrely dressed in legal black, with a pale face and fiercely +inquiring eyes, half rose to his feet as the newcomer entered. +Another's hand went to his hip pocket. The man who was sitting between +the two, however--a great red-headed Irishman--rose to his feet and +pushed them back to their places. + +"There's no cause for alarm, now, boys," he declared. "This is a friend +of mine. I won't make you acquainted, because we're all better friends +strangers down in these parts. Hop it off, you two. Sit down here, Mr. +Stranger." + +The two men stole away. The Irishman poured out a glassful of neat +whisky and passed it to his visitor. + +"Clients of mine," he explained. "Tim Crooks is in politics. Got your +message, boss. What's the figure?" + +"Two thousand!" + +The Irishman whistled and looked thoughtfully down at the table. + +"Isn't it enough?" Fischer asked. + +"Enough?" was the hoarse reply. "Why, there isn't one of my toughs that +wouldn't go rat-hunting for a quarter of that. If it's any one in these +parts, twelve hours is all I want." + +"It isn't!" + +The Irishman's face fell. + +"Some swell, I suppose? Fifth Avenue way and the swagger parts, eh?" + +Fischer assented silently. His host poured himself out some whisky and +drank it as though it were water. + +"You see, boss," he pointed out, "it's no use sending greenhorns out on +a job like that, because they only squeak if they're pinched, and +pinched they're sure to be; and all my regulars are what we call in +sanctuary." + +"You mean they are hiding already?" + +"That's some truth," was the grim admission. "The cops ain't going to +trouble to come after 'em, so long as they keep here, but they'd nab +'em fast enough if they showed their noses beyond the end of +Fourteenth. Still, I'd like to oblige you, guv'nor. I don't know who +you are, and don't want, but my boys speak fine of you. You know Ed +Swindles?" + +"Not by name," Fischer confessed. + +"He did that little job up at Detroit," the Irishman went on, dropping +his voice a little. "I tell you he's a genius at handling a bomb, is +Ed. Blew that old factory into brick-ends, he did. He's in the saloon +upstairs--got his girl with him. They've been doing a round of the +dancing saloons." + +"That's all right, but what about this job?" Fischer inquired, a little +impatiently. + +The Irishman glanced behind him. Then he dropped his voice a little. + +"Look here, guv'nor," he said, "I've some idea, if it pans out. You've +heard of the Heste case?" + +"You mean the girl who was murdered?" + +"Yes! Well, the chap that did it is within a few feet of where we're +sitting." + +Fischer took off his spectacles and rubbed them. In the dim light his +face looked more grim and powerful than ever. + +"Isn't that a little dangerous?" he observed. "The police mean having +him." + +"You're dead right," the Irishman replied. "They've got to have him, +and he knows it. They'd keep their hands off any one in these parts if +they could, but this bloke's different. He done it too thick, and he's +got the public squealing. Now if we could get him out for long enough, +he's the man for your job. Come right along, boss." + +He rose heavily to his feet, crossed the room, and threw open the door +of what was little more than a cupboard at the further end. The place +was in darkness, but a human form sprang suddenly upright. His white +face and glaring eyes were the only visible objects in a shroud of +darkness. + +"That's all right, kid," the Irishman said soothingly. "No cops yet. +This is a gentleman on business. Wait till I fix a light." + +He stepped back, and brought a candle from the table at which he had +been seated. Fischer helped him light it, and by degrees the interior +of the little apartment was illuminated. Its contents were almost +negligible--there was simply a foul piece of rug in the corner, and a +broken chair. With his back to the wall crouched a slim, apparently +young man, with a perfectly bloodless face and black eyes under which +were blue lines. His clothes were torn and covered with dust, as though +he had dragged himself about the floor, and one of his hands was +bleeding. + +"The gentleman's on business, Jake," his host repeated. + +"Give me some whisky," the young man mumbled. + +The Irishman shaded his eyes. + +"Holy Moses! why, you've finished that bottle!" he exclaimed. + +"It's like water," the fugitive replied in a hot whisper, "I drink and +I feel nothing; I taste nothing--I forget nothing! Give me something +stronger." + +He tossed off without hesitation the tumbler half full of whisky which +his guardian fetched him. Then he came out. + +"I'm sick of this," he declared. "I'll sit at your table. It's no use +talking to me of jobs," he went on. "I couldn't get out of here. I made +for the docks, but they headed me off. They know where I am. They'll +have me sooner or later." + +"Yes, they'll have you right enough," the Irishman assented; "but if +there was any chance in the world, this gent could give it to you. He's +got a job he wants done up amongst the swells in Fifth Avenue, and +there's money enough in it to buy Anna herself, if you want her. Anna's +our real toff down here," he explained, turning to Fischer, "and all +the boys are crazy about her." + +Jake shook his head, unimpressed. He fixed his eyes upon Fischer, +moistened his lips a little, and spoke in a sort of croaky whisper. + +"Money's no use to me," he said, "nor women either--I'm through with +them. You know what I done? I killed my girl. That's what I'm going to +the chair for. But if I could get out of this, I'd do your job. I'm +kind of hating people. I can't get my girl's face out of my mind. +Perhaps if I did your job I'd have another one to think about." + +"Pleasant company, ain't he?" the Irishman grunted. "He's the real +goods." + +Fischer stared at the young man as though fascinated. He seemed beyond +and outside human comprehension. Their host was sitting with his hands +in his pockets and his feet on another chair. The braces hung from his +shoulders upon the floor, his collarless shirt had fallen a little +open. His face, with its little tuft of red side whiskers and unshaven +chin, was reminiscent of the forests. + +"If you want this job fixed, Mr. Stranger," he said, "I don't know as +Jake here couldn't take it on. It'd have to be done like this. Jake's a +real toney chauffeur--drive anything. If you had your automobile at a +spot I could tell you of one evening, just at dusk, I might get him +that far, in a set of chauffeur's clothes. Once on the box of your +auto, he'd be out of this and could give 'em the slip for a bit. It's +the only way I can think of, to get him near the game." + +"The arrangement would suit me," Fischer admitted. + +Jake suddenly showed a gleaming set of unexpectedly white teeth. His +eyes stared more than ever. + +"I'm game! I'm on to this," he cried fiercely. "You can have all there +is coming to me, Sullivan, if I get nabbed, but I'm going to take my +risk. I hate this hole! It's a rat's den." + +"Then get you back to your cupboard, Jake," the Irishman enjoined. +"I've got to talk business to the gent." + +The young man rose to his feet. He took the bottle of whisky under his +arm. His face was still ashen, but his tone was steady. He gripped +Fischer by the arm. + +"I will do your job," he promised. "I will do it thoroughly." + +He slouched across the floor, entered his cupboard, and disappeared. +Fischer was suddenly aware of the moisture upon his forehead. There was +something animallike, absolutely inhuman, about this creature with whom +he had made his murderous bargain. + +"I have no money here, of course," he reminded his companion. + +"Don't know as I blame you, guv'nor," the other observed with a grin. +"I saw my toughs lay out a guy only the other day for flashing a +smaller wad than you'd carry. You know the rules, and I guess I'll ring +up the bank to-morrow morning at eleven o'clock. Does that go?" + +"You'll find the deposit there," Fischer promised. "You'd better let me +know when he's ready to take the job on." + +The Irishman walked to the foot of the steps with his visitor. + +"Give Joe the double knock on the trapdoor," he directed, "and get out +of the saloon as quick as you can. There's a Dago about there keeps our +hands full. Got anything with you?" + +Fischer nodded. His hand stole out of his overcoat pocket. + +"Better give them one if they look like trouble," his host advised. +"They've plenty of spunk, but I can tell you they make tracks for their +holes if they hear one of those things bark." + +"They shall hear it fast enough, if they try to hustle me," Fischer +observed grimly. + +"You've some pluck," the Irishman declared, as he watched his departing +guest ascend the steps. "Sure, this is no place for cowards, anyway. +And good night and good luck to you! Jake will do your job slick, if +any one could." + +Fischer beat his little tattoo upon the trapdoor, crawled through it +and underneath the flap in the counter, out into the saloon. He paused +for a moment to look around, on his way to the door. The fight was +apparently over, for every one was standing at the counter, drinking +with a swarthy-faced man whose cheeks were stained with blood. From a +distant corner came the sound of groans. The air seemed heavier than +ever with foul tobacco smoke. The man at the piano still thrashed out +his unmelodious chords. Some women in a corner were pretending to +dance. One or two of them looked curiously at Fischer, but he passed +out, unchallenged. Even the air of the slum outside seemed pure and +fresh after the heated den he had left. He reached the corner of the +street in safety and stepped quickly into his car. He threw both +windows wide open and murmured an order to the chauffeur. Then he +leaned back and closed his eyes for a moment. He was a man not +overburdened with imagination, but it seemed to him just then that he +would never be able altogether to forget the face of that ghastly, +dehumanised creature, crouching like some terrified wild animal in his +fetid refuge. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + + +Mrs. Theodore Hastings was forty-eight years old, which her friends +said was the reason why her mansion on Fifth Avenue was furnished and +lit with the delicate sombreness of an old Italian palace. There was +about it none of the garishness, the almost resplendent brilliancy +associated with the abodes of many of our neighbours. Although her +masseuse confidently assured her that she looked twenty-eight, Mrs. +Hastings preferred not to put the matter to the test. She received her +carefully selected dinner guests in a great library with cedarwood +walls, furnished with almost Victorian sobriety, and illuminated by +myriads of hidden lights. Pamela, being a relative, received the +special consideration of an affectionately bestowed embrace. + +"Pamela, my child, wasn't it splendid I heard that you were in New +York!" she exclaimed. "Quite by accident, too. I think you treat your +relatives shamefully." + +Her niece laughed. + +"Well, anyhow, you're the first of them I've seen at all, and directly +Jim told me he was coming to you, I made him ring up in case you had +room for me." + +"Jimmy was a dear," Mrs. Hastings declared, "and, of course, there +couldn't be a time when there wouldn't be room for you. Even now, at +the last moment, though, I haven't quite made up my mind where to put +you. Choose, dear. Will you have a Western bishop or a rather dull +Englishman?" + +"What is the name of the Englishman?" Pamela asked, with sudden +intuition. + +"Lutchester, dear. Quite a nice name, but I know nothing about him. He +brought letters to your uncle. Rather a queer time for Englishmen to be +travelling about, we thought, but still, there he is. Seems to have +found some people he knows--and I declare he is coming towards you!" + +"I met him in London," Pamela whispered, "and I never could get on with +bishops." + +The dinner table was large, and arranged with that wonderful simplicity +which Mrs. Hastings had adopted as the keynote of her New York parties. +She had taken, in fact, simplicity under her wing and made a new thing +of it. There were more flowers than silver, and cut glass than heavy +plate. There seemed to be an almost ostentatious desire to conceal the +fact that Mr. Hastings had robbed the American public of a good many +million dollars. + +"Of course," Pamela declared, as they took their places, and she nodded +a greeting to some friends around the table, "fate is throwing us +together in the most unaccountable manner." + +"I accept its vagaries with resignation," Lutchester replied. "Besides, +it is quite time we met again. You promised to show me New York, and I +haven't seen you for days." + +"I don't even remember the promise," Pamela laughed, "but in any case I +have changed my mind. I am not sure that you are the nice, +simple-minded person you profess to be. I begin to have doubts about +you." + +"Interest grows with mystery," Lutchester remarked complacently. "Let +us hope that I am promoted in your mind." + +"Well, I am not at all sure. Of course, I am not an Englishman, so it +is of no particular interest to me, but if you really came over here on +important affairs, I am not sure that I approve of your playing golf +the day after your arrival." + +"That, perhaps, was thoughtless," he admitted, "but one gets so short +of exercise on board ship." + +"Of course," Pamela observed tentatively, "I'd forgive you even now if +you'd only be a little more frank with me." + +"I am prepared to be candour itself," he assured her. + +"Tell me," she begged, "the whole extent of your mission in America?" + +He glanced around. + +"If we were alone," he replied, "I might court indiscretion so far as +to tell you." + +"Then we will leave the answer to that question until after dinner," +she said. + +She talked to her left-hand neighbour for a few moments, and Lutchester +followed suit. They turned to one another again, however, at the first +opportunity. + +"I have conceived," she told him, "a great admiration for Mr. Oscar +Fischer." + +"A very able man," Lutchester agreed. + +"He is not only that," Pamela continued, "but he is a man with large +principles and great ideas." + +"Principles!" Lutchester murmured. + +"Of course, you don't like him," Pamela went on, "and I don't wonder at +it. He is thoroughly German, isn't he?" + +"Almost prejudiced, I'm afraid," Lutchester assented. + +"Don't be silly," Pamela protested. "Why, he's German by birth, and +although you English people are much too pig-headed to see any good in +an enemy, I think you must admit that the way they all hang together-- +Germans, I mean, all over the world--is perfectly wonderful." + +"There have been a few remarks of the same sort," Lutchester reminded +her, "about the inhabitants of the British Empire--Canadians, +Australians, New Zealanders, for instance." + +"As a matter of fact," Pamela admitted generously, "I consider that +your Colonials understand the word patriotism better than the ordinary +Englishman. With them, as with the Germans, it is almost a passionate +impulse. Your hearts may be in the right places, but you always give +one the impression of finding the whole thing rather a bore." + +"Well, so it is," Lutchester insisted. "Who wants to give up a very +agreeable profession and enter upon a career of bloodshed, abandon all +one's habits, and lose most of one's friends? No, we are honest about +that, at any rate! Germany may be enjoying this war. We aren't." + +"What was your profession?" Pamela inquired. + +"Diplomacy," Lutchester confided. "I intended to become an ambassador." + +"Do you think you have the requisite gifts?" + +"What are they?" + +"Secrecy, subtlety, caution, and highly-developed intelligence," she +replied. "How's that?" + +"All those gifts," he assured her, "I possess." + +She fanned herself for a moment and looked at him. + +"We are not a modest race ourselves," she said, "but I think you can +give us a lead. By the bye, were you playing golf with Senator Hamblin +by accident the other afternoon?" + +"You mean the old Johnny down at Baltusrol?" he asked coolly. "I picked +him up wandering about by the professionals' shed." + +"Did you talk politics with him?" + +"We gassed a bit about the war," Lutchester admitted cheerfully. + +Pamela laughed. She leaned a little forward. The buzz of conversation +now was insistent all around them. + +"Of you two," she whispered, "I prefer Fischer." + +Lutchester considered the matter for some time. + +"Well, there's no accounting for tastes," he said presently. "I +shouldn't have thought him exactly your type." + +"He may not be," Pamela confessed, "but at least he has the courage to +speak what is in his mind." + +Lutchester smiled. + +"So Fischer has taken you into his confidence, has he?" he murmured. +"Well, now, that seems queer to me. I should have thought your +interests would have lain the other way." + +"As an individual?" + +"As an American." + +"I am not wholly convinced of that." + +"Come," he protested, "what is the use of a friend from whom you are +separated by an unnegotiable space?" + +"What unnegotiable space?" + +"The Atlantic." + +"And why is the Atlantic unnegotiable?" + +"Because of a little affair called the British fleet," Lutchester +pointed out. + +"There is also," she reminded him drily, "a German fleet, and they +haven't met yet." + +"Ah! I had almost forgotten there was such a thing," he murmured. +"Where do they keep it?" + +"You know. You aren't nearly so stupid as you pretend to be," she said, +a little impatiently. "I should like you so much better if you would be +frank with me." + +"What about those qualifications for my ambassadorial career?" he +reminded her--"Secrecy, subtlety, caution." + +"The master of these," she whispered, rising to her feet in response to +her hostess's signal, "knows when to abandon them--" + +Lutchester changed his place to a vacant chair by James Van Teyl's +side. + +"I was going to ask you, Mr. Van Teyl," he inquired, "whether your +Japanese servant was altogether a success? I think I shall have to get +a temporary servant while I am over here." + +"Nikasti was entirely Fischer's affair," Van Teyl replied, "and I can't +say much about him as I have given up my share of the apartments at the +Plaza. The fellow's all right, I dare say, but we hadn't the slightest +use for a valet. The man on the floor's good enough for any one." + +"By the bye," Lutchester inquired, "is Fischer still in New York?" + +"No, he's in Washington," Van Teyl replied. "I believe he's expected +back to-morrow.... Say, can I ask you a question?" + +Lutchester almost imperceptibly drew his chair a little closer. + +"Of course you can," he assented. + +"What I want to know," Van Teyl continued confidentially, "is how you +get that long run on your cleek shots? I saw you play the sixteenth +hole, and it looked to me as though the ball were never going to stop." + +Lutchester smiled. + +"I have made a special study of that shot," he confided. "Yes, I can +tell you how it's done, but it needs a lot of practice. It's done in +turning over the wrists sharply just at the moment of impact. You get +everything there is to be got into the stroke that way, and you keep +the ball low, too." + +"Gee, I must try that!" Van Teyl observed, making spasmodic movements +with his wrists. "When could we have a day down at Baltusrol?" + +"It will have to be next week, I'm afraid, if you don't mind," +Lutchester replied. "I've a good many appointments in New York, and I +may have to go to Washington myself. By the bye, I thought our host +lived there." + +"So he does," Van Teyl assented. "Nowadays, though, it seems to have +become the fashion for politicians to own a house up in New York and do +some entertaining here. They're after the financial interest, I +suppose." + +"Is your uncle a keen politician?" + +"Keen as mustard," Van Teyl answered. "So's my aunt. She'd give her +soul to have the old man nominated for the Presidency." + +"Any chance of it?" + +"Not an earthly! He'll come a mucker, though, some day, trying. He'd +take any outside chance. For a clever man he's the vainest thing I +know." + +Lutchester smiled enigmatically as he followed the example of the +others and rose to his feet. + +"Even in America, then," he observed, "your great men have their +weaknesses." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + + +Fischer, exactly one week after his nocturnal visit to Fourteenth +Street, hurried out of the train at the Pennsylvania Station, almost +tore the newspapers from the news stand, glanced through them one by +one and threw them back. The attendant, open-mouthed, ventured upon a +mild protest. Fischer threw him a dollar bill, caught up his handbag, +and made for the entrance. He was the first passenger from the +Washington Limited to reach the street and spring into a taxi. + +"The Plaza Hotel," he ordered. "Get along." + +They arrived at the Plaza in less than ten minutes. Mr. Fischer tipped +the driver lavishly, suffered the hall porter to take his bag, returned +his greeting mechanically, and walked with swift haste to the tape +machine. He held up the strips with shaking fingers, dropped them +again, hurried to the lift, and entered his rooms. Nikasti was in the +sitting-room, arranging some flowers. Fischer did not even stop to +reply to his reverential greeting. + +"Where's Mr. Van Teyl?" he demanded. + +"Mr. Van Teyl has gone away, sir," was the calm reply. "He left here +the day before yesterday. There is a letter." + +Fischer took no notice. He was already gripping the telephone receiver. + +"982, Wall," he said--"an urgent call." + +He stood waiting, his face an epitome of breathless suspense. Soon a +voice answered him. + +"That the office of Neville, Brooks and Van Teyl?" he demanded. "Yes! +Put me through to Mr. Van Teyl. Urgent!" + +Another few seconds of waiting, then once more he bent over the +instrument. + +"That you, Van Teyl?... Yes, Fischer speaking. Oh, never mind about +that! Listen. What price are Anglo-French?... No, say about what?... +Ninety-five?... Sell me a hundred thousand.... What's that?... What?... +Of course it's a big deal! Never mind that. I'm good enough, aren't I? +There'll be no rise that'll wipe out half a million dollars. I've got +that lying in cash at Guggenheimer's. If you need the money, I'll bring +it you in half an hour. Get out into the market and sell. Damn you, +what's it matter about news! Right! Sorry, Jim. See you later." + +Fischer put down the telephone and wiped his forehead. Notwithstanding +the fatigue in his face, there was a glint of triumph there. He laid +his hand upon Nikasti's shoulder. + +"My friend," he said, "there's big proof coming of what I said to you +the other day. You'll find that letter you carry will mean a different +thing now. There's news in the air." + +"There has been a great battle, perhaps?" Nikasti asked slowly. + +"All that is to be known you will hear before evening," Fischer +replied. "Tell some one to send me some coffee. I have come through +from Washington. I am tired." + +He sank a little abruptly into an easy-chair, took off his spectacles, +and leaned his head back upon the cushions. In the sunlight his face +was almost ghastly. A queer sense of weakness had suddenly assailed +him. His mind flitted back through a vista of sleepless nights, of +strenuous days, of passions held in leash, excitement ground down. + +"I am tired," he said. "Telephone down to the office, Nikasti, for a +doctor." + +Nikasti obeyed, and his summons was promptly answered. The doctor who +arrived was pleasantly but ominously grave. In the middle of his +examination the telephone rang. Fischer, without ceremony, moved to the +receiver. It was Van Teyl speaking. + +"I've sold your hundred thousand Anglo-French," he announced. "It's +done the whole market in, though--knocked the bottom out of it. They've +fallen a point and a half. Shall I begin to buy back for you? You'll +make a bit." + +"Not a share," Fischer answered fiercely. "Wait!" + +"Have you any news you're keeping up your sleeve?" Van Teyl persisted. + +"If I have, it's my own affair," was the curt reply, "and I don't tell +news over the telephone, anyway. Watch the market, and go on selling +where you can." + +"I shall do as you order," Van Teyl replied, "but you're all against +the general tone here. By the bye, you got my letter?" + +"I haven't opened it yet," Fischer snapped. "What's the matter?" + +"Pamela and I have taken a little flat in Fifty-eighth Street. Seems a +little abrupt, but she didn't want to be alone, and she hates hotels. +We felt sure you'd understand." + +"Yes, I understand," Fischer said. "Good-by! I'm busy." + +The doctor completed his examination. When he had finished he mentioned +his fee. + +"You work too hard, and you live in an atmosphere of too great strain. +The natural consequences are already beginning to show themselves. If I +give you medicine, it will only encourage you to keep on wasting +yourself, but you can have medicine if you like." + +"Send me something to take for the next fortnight," Fischer replied. +"After that, I'll take my chance." + +The doctor wrote a prescription and took his leave. Fischer leaned back +in his chair and closed his eyes. His mind travelled back through these +latter days of his over-strenuous life. In such minutes of relaxation, +few of which he permitted himself, he realised with bitter completeness +the catastrophe which had overtaken him--him, Oscar Fischer, of all men +on earth. Into his life of grim purposes, of lofty and yet narrow +ambitions, of almost superhuman tenacity, had crept the one weakening +strain whose presence in other men he had always scoffed at and +derived. There was a new and enervating glamour over the days, a new +and hatefully powerful rival for all his thoughts and dreams. Ten years +ago, he reflected sadly, this might have made a different man of him, +might have unlocked the gates into another, more peaceful and beautiful +world, visions of which had sometimes vaguely disturbed him in his cold +and selfish climb. Now it could only mean suffering. This was the first +stroke. It was the assertion of humanity which was responsible for his +present weakness. How far might it not drag him down? + +There should be a fight, at any rate, he told himself, as an hour or +two later he made his way downtown. He paid several calls in the +vicinity of Wall Street, and finished up in Van Teyl's office. That +young man greeted him with a certain relief. + +"You know the tone of the market's still against you, Fischer," he +warned him once more. + +Fischer threw himself into the client's easy-chair. The furniture in +the office seemed less distinct than usual. He was conscious of a +certain haziness of outline in everything. Van Teyl's face, even, was +shrouded in a little mist. Then he suddenly found himself fighting +fiercely, fighting for his consciousness, fighting against a wave of +giddiness, a deadly sinking of the heart, a strange slackening of all +his nerve power. The young stockbroker rose hastily to his feet. + +"Anything wrong, old fellow?" he asked anxiously. + +"A glass of water," Fischer begged. + +He was conscious of drinking it, vaguely conscious that he was winning. +Soon the office had regained its ordinary appearance, his pulse was +beating more regularly. He had once more the feeling of living--of +living, though in a minor key. + +"A touch of liver," he murmured. "What did you say about the markets?" + +"You look pretty rotten," Van Teyl remarked sympathetically. "Shall I +send out for some brandy?" + +"Not for me," Fischer scoffed. "I don't need it. What price are +Anglo-French?" + +"Ninety-four. You've only done them in a point, after all, and that's +nominal. I daresay I could get ten thousand back at that." + +"Let them alone," was the calm reply. "I'll sell another fifty thousand +at ninety-four." + +"Look here," Van Teyl said, swinging round in his chair, "I like the +business and I know you can finance it, but are you sure that you +realise what you are doing? Every one believes Anglo-French have +touched their bottom. They've only to go back to where they were--say +five points--and you'd lose half a million." + +Fischer smiled a little wearily. + +"That small sum in arithmetic," he remonstrated, "had already passed +through my brain. Send in your selling order, Jim, and come out to +lunch with me. I've come straight through from Washington--only got in +this morning." + +Van Teyl called in his clerk and gave a few orders. Then he took up his +hat and left the office with his client. + +"From Washington, eh?" he remarked curiously, as they passed into the +crowded streets. "So that accounts--" + +He broke off abruptly. His companion's warning fingers had tightened +upon his arm. + +"Quite right!" Van Teyl confessed. "There's gossip enough about now, +and they seem to have tumbled to it that you're our client. The office +has been besieged this morning. Sorry, Ned, I'm busy," he went on, to a +man who tried to catch his arm. "See you later, Fred. I'll be in after +lunch, Mr. Borrodaile. No, nothing fresh that I know of." + +Fischer smiled grimly. + +"Got you into a kind of hornets' nest, eh?" he observed. + +"It's been like this all the morning," Van Teyl told him. "They believe +I know something. Even the newspaper men are tumbling to it. We'll +lunch up at the club. Maybe we'll get a little peace there." + +They stepped into the hall of a great building, and took one of the +interminable row of lifts. A few minutes later they were seated at a +side table in a dining room on the top floor of one of the huge modern +skyscrapers. Below them stretched a silent panorama of the city; +beyond, a picturesque view of the river. A fresh breeze blew in through +the opened window. They were above the noise, even, of the street cars. + +"Order me a small bottle of champagne, James," Fischer begged, "and +some steak." + +Van Teyl stared at his companion and laughed as he took up the wine +list. + +"Well, that's the first time, Fischer, I've known you to touch a drop +of anything before the evening! I'll have a whisky and soda with you. +Thank God we're away from that inquisitive crowd for a few minutes! Are +you going to give me an idea of what's moving?" + +Fischer watched the wine being poured into his glass. + +"Not until this evening," he said. "I want you to bring your sister and +come and dine at the new roof-garden." + +"I don't know whether Pamela has any engagement," Van Teyl began, a +little dubiously. + +"Please go and see," Fischer begged earnestly. "The telephones are just +outside. Tell your sister that I particularly wish her to accept my +invitation. Tell her that there will be news." + +Van Teyl went out to the telephone. Fischer sipped his champagne and +crumbled up his bread, his eyes fixed a little dreamily on the grey +river. He was already conscious of the glow of the wine in his veins. +The sensation was half pleasurable, in a sense distasteful to him. He +resented this artificial humanity. He had the feeling of a man who has +stooped to be doped by a quack doctor. And he was a little afraid. + +His young companion returned triumphant. + +"Had a little trouble with Pamela," he observed, as he resumed his +place at the table. "She was thinking of the opera with a girl friend +she picked up this morning. However, the idea of news, I think, +clinched it. We'll be at the Oriental at eight o'clock, eh?" + +Fischer looked up from the fascinating patchwork below. Already there +was anticipation in his face. + +"I am very glad," he said. "There will certainly be news." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + + +"Now indeed I feel that I am in New York," Pamela declared, as she +broke off one of the blossoms of the great cluster of deep red roses by +her side, and gazed downward over her shoulder at the far-flung carpet +of lights. "One sees little bits of America in every country of the +world, but never this." + +Fischer, unusually grave and funereal-looking in his dinner clothes and +black tie, followed her gesture with thoughtful eyes. Everything that +was ugly in the stretching arms of the city seemed softened, shrouded +and bejewelled. Even the sounds, the rattle and roar of the overhead +railways, the clanging of the electric car bells, the shrieking of the +sirens upon the river, seemed somehow to have lost their harsh note, to +have become the human cry of the great live city, awaking and +stretching itself for the night. + +"I agree with you," he said. "You dine at the Ritz-Carlton and you +might be in Paris. You dine here, and one knows that you are in +America." + +"Yet even here we have become increasingly luxurious," Pamela remarked, +looking around. "The glass and linen upon the tables are quite French; +those shaded lights are exquisite. That little band, too, was playing +at the Ritz three years ago. I am sure that the maitre d'hotel who +brought us to our table was once at the Cafe de Paris." + +"Money would draw all those things from Europe even to the Sahara," +Fischer observed, "so long as there were plenty of it. But millions +could not buy our dining table in the clouds." + +"A little effort of the imagination, fortunately," Pamela laughed, +looking upwards. "There are stars, but no clouds." + +"I guess one of them is going to slip down to the next table before +long," Van Teyl observed, with a little movement of his head. + +They all three turned around and looked at the wonderful bank of pink +roses within a few feet of them. + +"One of the opera women, I daresay," the young man continued. "They are +rather fond of this place." + +Pamela leaned forward. Fischer was watching the streets below; Only a +short distance away was a huge newspaper building, flaring with lights. +The pavements fringing it were thronged with a little stationary crowd. +A row of motor-bicycles was in waiting. A night edition of the paper +was almost due. + +"Mr. Fischer," she asked, "what about that news?" + +He withdrew his eyes from the street. Almost unconsciously he +straightened himself a little in his place. There was pride in his +tone. Behind his spectacles his eyes flashed. + +"I would have told it you before," he said, "but you would not have +believed it. Soon--in a very few moments--the news will be known. You +will see it break away in waves from that building down there, so I +will bear with your incredulity. The German and British fleets have +met, and the victory has remained with us." + +"With us?" Pamela repeated. + +"With Germany," Fischer corrected himself hastily. + +"Is this true?" James Van Teyl almost shouted. "Fischer, are you sure +of what you're saying? Why, it's incredible!" + +"It is true," was the proud reply. "The German Navy has been a long +time proving itself. It has done so now. To-day every German citizen is +the proudest creature breathing. He knew before that his armies were +invincible. He knows now that his fleet is destined to make his country +the mistress of the seas. England's day is over. Her ships were badly +handled and foolishly flung into battle. She has lost many of her +finest units. Her Navy is to-day a crippled and maimed force. The +German fleet is out in the North Sea, waiting for an enemy who has +disappeared." + +"It is inconceivable," Pamela gasped. + +"I do not ask you to believe my word," Fischer exclaimed. "Look!" + +As though the flood gates had been suddenly opened, the stream of +patient waiters broke away from the newspaper building below. Like +little fireflies, the motor-bicycles were tearing down the different +thoroughfares. Boys like ants, with their burden of news sheets, were +running in every direction. Motor-trucks had started on their furious +race. Even the distant echoes of their cries came faintly up. Fischer +called a messenger and sent him for a paper. + +"I do not know what report you will see," he said, "but from whatever +source it comes it will confirm my story. The news is too great and +sweeping to be contradicted or ignored." + +"If it's true," Van Teyl muttered, "you've made a fortune in my office +to-day. It looks like it, too. There was something wrong with +Anglo-French beside your selling for the last hour this afternoon. I +couldn't get buyers to listen for a moment." + +"Yes, I shall have made a great deal of money," Fischer admitted, +"money which I shall value because it comes magnificently, but I hope +that this victory may help me to win other things." + +He looked fixedly at Pamela, and she moved uneasily in her chair. +Almost unconsciously the man himself seemed somehow associated with his +cause, to be assuming a larger and more tolerant place in her thoughts. +Perhaps there was some measure of greatness about him after all. The +strain of waiting for the papers became almost intolerable. At last the +boy reappeared. The great black headlines were stretched out before +her. She felt the envelopment of Fischer's triumph. The words were +there in solid type, and the paper itself was one of the most reliable. + +GREAT NAVAL BATTLE IN THE NORTH SEA. + +BRITISH ADMIRALTY ADMITS SERIOUS LOSSES. + +"QUEEN MARY," "INDEFATIGABLE," AND MANY FINE SHIPS LOST. + +Pamela looked up from the sheet. + +"It is too wonderful," she whispered, with a note of awe in her tone. +"I don't think that any one ever expected this. We all believed in the +British Navy." + +"There is nothing," Fischer declared, "that England can do which +Germany cannot do better." + +"And America best of all," Pamela said. + +Fischer bowed. + +"That is one comparison which will never now be made," he declared, +"for from to-night Germany and America will draw nearer together. The +bubble of British naval omnipotence is pricked." + +"Meanwhile," Van Teyl observed, putting his paper away, "we are +neglecting our dinner. Nothing like a good dose of sensationalism for +giving us an appetite." + +Fischer was watching his glass being filled with champagne. He seized +it by the stem. His eyes for a moment travelled upwards. + +"I am an American citizen," he said, with a strange fervour in his +tone, "but for the moment I am called back. And so I lift my glass and +I drink--I alone, without invitation to you others--to those brave +souls who have made of the North Sea a holy battle-ground." + +He drained his glass and set it down empty. Pamela watched him as +though fascinated. For a single moment she was conscious of a queer +sensation of personal pity for some shadowy and absent friend, of +something almost like a lump in her throat, a strange instinct of +antagonism towards the man by her side so enveloped in beatific +satisfaction--then she frowned when she realised that she had been +thinking of Lutchester, that her first impulse had been one of sympathy +for him. The moment passed. The service of dinner was pressed more +insistently upon them. James Van Teyl, who had been leaning back in his +chair, talking to one of the maitres d'hotel, dismissed him with a +little nod and entrusted them with a confidence. + +"Say, do you know who's coming to the next table?" he exclaimed. +"Sonia!" + +They were all interested. + +"You won't mind?" Fischer asked diffidently. + +"In a restaurant, how absurd!" Pamela laughed. "Why, I'm dying to see +her. I wonder how it is that some of these greatest singers in the +world lead such extraordinary lives that people can never know anything +of them." + +"Society is tolerant enough nowadays," her brother observed, "but Sonia +won't give them even a decent chance to wink at her eccentricities. She +crossed, you know, on the Prince Doronda's yacht, for fear they +wouldn't let her land." + +"Here she comes," Pamela whispered. + +There was a moment's spellbound silence. Two maitres d'hotel were +hurrying in front. A pathway from the lift had been cleared as though +for a royal personage. Sonia, in white from head to foot, a dream of +white lace and chinchilla, with a Russian crown of pearls in her glossy +black hair, and a rope of pearls around her neck, came like a waxen +figure, with scarlet lips and flashing eyes, towards her table. And +behind her--Lutchester! Pamela felt her fingers gripping the +tablecloth. Her first impulse, curiously enough, was one of wild fury +with herself for that single instant's pity. Her face grew cold and +hard. She felt herself sitting a little more upright. Her eyes remained +fixed upon the newcomers. + +Lutchester's behaviour was admirable. His glance swept their little +table without even a shadow of interest. He ignored with passive +unconcern the mistake of Van Teyl's attempted greeting. He looked +through Fischer as though he had been a ghost. He stood by Sonia's side +while she seated herself, and listened with courteous pleasure to her +excited admiration of the flowers and the wonderful vista. Then he took +his own place. In his right hand he was carrying an evening paper with +its flaming headlines. + +"That," Fischer pronounced, struggling to keep the joy from his tone, +"is very British and very magnificent!" + + * * * * * + +Pamela had imperfect recollections of the rest of the evening. She +remembered that she was more than usually gay throughout dinner-time, +but that she was the first to jump at the idea of a hurried departure +and a visit to a cabaret. Every now and then she caught a glimpse of +Sonia's face, saw the challenging light in her brilliant eyes, heard +little scraps of her conversation. The Frenchwoman spoke always in her +own language, with a rather shrill voice, which made Lutchester's +replies sound graver and quieter than usual. More than once Pamela's +eyes rested upon the broad lines of his back. He sat all the time like +a rock, courteous, at times obviously amusing, but underneath it all +she fancied that she saw some signs of the disturbance from which she +herself was suffering. She rose to her feet at last with a little sigh +of relief. It was an ordeal through which she had passed. + +Once in the lift, her brother and Fischer discussed Lutchester's +indiscretion volubly. + +"I suppose," Van Teyl declared, "that there isn't a man in New York who +wouldn't have jumped at the chance of dining alone with Sonia, but for +an Englishman, on a night like this," he went on, glancing at the +paper, "say, he must have some nerve!" + +"Or else," Fischer remarked, "a wonderful indifference. So far as I +have studied the Anglo-Saxon temperament, I should be inclined to vote +for the indifference. That is why I think Germany will win the war. +Every man in that country prays for his country's success, not only in +words, but with his soul. I have not found the same spirit in England." + +"The English people," Pamela interposed, "have a genius for concealment +which amounts to stupidity." + +"I have a theory," Fischer said, "that to be phlegmatic after a certain +pitch is a sign of low vitality. However, we shall see. Certainly, if +England is to be saved from her present trouble, it will not be the +Lutchesters of the world who will do it, nor, it seems, her Navy." + +They found their way to a large cabaret, where Pamela listened to an +indifferent performance a little wearily. The news of what was termed a +naval disaster to Great Britain was flashed upon the screen, and, +generally speaking, the audience was stunned. Fischer behaved +throughout the evening with tact and discretion. He made few references +to the matter, and was careful not to indulge in any undue +exhilaration. Once, when Van Teyl had left the box, however, to speak +to some friends, he turned earnestly to Pamela. + +"Will it please you soon," he begged, "to resume our conversation of +the other day? However you may look at it, things have changed, have +they not? An invincible British Navy has been one of the fundamental +principles of beliefs in American politics. Now that it is destroyed, +the outlook is different. I could go myself to the proper quarter in +Washington, or Von Schwerin is here to be my spokesman. I have a fancy, +though, to work with you. You know why." + +She moved uneasily in her place. + +"I have no idea," she objected, "what it is that you have to propose. +Besides, I am only just a woman who has been entrusted with a few +diplomatic errands." + +"You are the niece of Senator Hastings," Fischer reminded her, "and +Hastings is the man through whom I should like my proposal to go to the +President. It is an honest offer which I have to make, and although it +cannot pass through official channels, it is official in the highest +sense of the word, because it comes to me from the one man who is in a +position to make himself responsible for it." + +Her brother came back to the box before Pamela could reply, but, as +they parted that night, she gave Fischer her hand. + +"Come and see our new quarters," she invited. "I shall be at home any +time to-morrow afternoon." + +It was one of the moments of Fischer's life. He bowed low over her +fingers. + +"I accept, with great pleasure," he murmured. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + + +Sonia had the air of one steeped in an almost ecstatic content. On her +return from the roof garden she had exchanged her wonderful gown for a +white silk negligee, and her headdress of pearls for a quaint little +cap. She was stretched upon a sofa drawn before the wide-flung French +windows of her little sitting-room at the Ritz-Carlton, a salon +decorated in pink and white, and filled almost to overflowing with the +roses which she loved. By her side, in an easy chair which she had +pressed him to draw up to her couch, sat Lutchester. + +"This," she murmured, "is one of the evenings which I adore. I have no +work, no engagements--just one friend with whom to talk. My fine +clothes have done. I am myself," she added, stretching out her arms. "I +have my cigarettes, my iced sherbet, and the lights and murmur of the +city there below to soothe me. And you to talk with me, my friend. What +are you thinking of me--that I am a little animal who loves comfort too +much, eh?" + +Lutchester smiled. + +"We all love comfort," he replied. "Some of us are franker than others +about it." + +She made a little grimace. + +"Comfort! It is my own word, but what a word! It is luxury I +worship--luxury--and a friend. Is that, perhaps, another +word too slight, eh?" + +He met the provocative gleam of her eyes with a smile of amusement. + +"You are just the same child, Sonia," he remarked. "Neither climate nor +country, nor the few passing years, can change you." + +"It is you who have grown older and sterner," she pouted. "It is you who +have lost the gift of living to-day as though to-morrow were not. There +was a time, was there not, John, when you did not care to sit always so +far away?" + +She laid her hand--ringless, over-manicured, but delicately white---- +upon his. He smoothed it gently. + +"You see, Sonia," he sighed, "troubles have come that harden the hearts +even of the gayest of us." + +She frowned. + +"You are not going to remind me--" she began. + +"If I reminded you of anything, Sonia," he interrupted, "I would remind +you that you are a Frenchwoman." + +She stretched out her hand restlessly and took one of the Russian +cigarettes from a bowl by her side. + +"You are not, by any chance, going to talk seriously, dear John?" + +"I am," he assured her, "very seriously." + +"Oh, la, la!" she laughed. "You, my dear, gay companion, you who have +shaken the bells all your life, you are going to talk seriously! And +to-night, when we meet again after so long. Ah, well, why should I be +surprised?" she went on, with a pout. + +"You have changed. When one looks into your face, one sees the +difference. But to me, of all people in the world! Why talk seriously +to me! I am just Sonia, the gipsy nightingale. I know nothing of +serious things." + +"You carry one very serious secret in your heart," he told her gravely, +"one little pain which must sometimes stab you. You are a Frenchwoman, +and yet--" + +Lutchester paused for a moment. Sonia, too, seemed suddenly to have +awakened into a state of tense and vivid emotion. The cigarette burned +away between her fingers. Her great eyes were fixed upon Lutchester. +There was something almost like fear in their questioning depths. + +"Finish! Finish!" she insisted. "Continue!" + +"And yet," he went on, "your very dear friend, the friend for whose +sake you are here in America, is your country's enemy." + +She raised herself a little upon the couch. + +"That is not true," she declared furiously. "Maurice loves France. His +heart aches for the misery that has come upon her. It is your country +only which he hates. If France had but possessed the courage to stand +by herself, to resist when England forced her friendship upon her, none +of this tragedy would ever have happened. Maurice has told me so +himself. France could have peace today, peace at her own price." + +"There is no peace which would leave France with a soul, save the peace +which follows victory," Lutchester replied sternly. + +She crushed her cigarette nervously in her fingers, threw it away, and +lit another. + +"I will not talk of these things with you," she cried. "It was not for +this that you sought me out, eh? Tell me at once? Were these the +thoughts you had in your mind when you sent your little note?--when you +chose to show yourself once more in my life?" + +For the first time of his own accord, he drew his chair a little nearer +to hers. He took her hand. She gave him both unresistingly. + +"Listen, dear Sonia," he said, "it is true that I am a changed man. I +am older than when we met last, and there are the other things. You +remember the Chateau d'Albert?" + +"Of course!" she murmured. "And the young Duc d'Albert's wonderful +house party. We all motored there from Paris. You and I were together! +You have forgotten that, eh?" + +"I lay in that orchard for two days," he went on grimly, "with a hole +in my side and one leg pretty nearly done for. I saw things I can never +forget, in those days, Sonia. D'Albert himself was killed. It was in +that first mad rush. Of the Chateau there remains but four blackened +walls." + +"_Pauvre enfant_!" she murmured. "But you are well and strong again +now, is it not so? You will not fight again, eh? You were never a +soldier, dear friend." + +"Just now," he confided, "I have other work to do. It is that other +work which has brought me to America." + +She drew him a little closer to her. Her eyes questioned him. + +"There is, perhaps, now," she asked, "a woman in your life?" + +"There is," he admitted. + +She made a grimace. + +"But how clumsy to tell me, even though I asked," she exclaimed. "What +is she like? ... But no, I do not wish to hear of her! If she is all +the world to you, why did you send me that little note? Why are you +here?" + +"Because we were once dear friends, Sonia," he said, "because I wish to +save you from great trouble." + +She shrank from him a little fearfully. + +"What do you mean?" + +"Sonia," he continued, with a note of sternness in his tone, "during +the last two years you have gone back and forth between New York and +Paris, six times. I do not think that you can make that journey again." + +She was standing now, with one hand gripping the edge of the table. + +"John! ... John! ... What do you mean?" she demanded, and this time her +own voice was hard. + +"I mean," he said, "that when you leave here for Paris you will be +watched day and night. The moment you set foot upon French soil you +will be arrested and searched. If anything is found upon you, such as a +message from your friend in Washington--well, you know what it would +mean. Can't you see, you foolish child, the risk you have been running? +Would you care to be branded as a spy?--you, a daughter of France?" + +She struck at him. Her lace sleeves had fallen back, and her white arm, +with its little clenched fist, flashed through the twilight, aimlessly +yet passionately. + +"You dare to call me a spy! You, John?" she shrieked. "But it is +horrible." + +"It is the work of a spy," he told her gravely, "to bring a letter from +any person in a friendly capital and deliver it to an enemy. That is +what you have done, Sonia, many times since the beginning of the war, +so far without detection. It is because you are Sonia that I have come +to save you from doing it again." + +She groped her way back to the couch. She threw herself upon it with +her back towards him, her head buried in her hands. + +"The letters are only between friends," she faltered. "They have +nothing to do with the war." + +"You may have believed that," Lutchester replied gently, "but it is not +true. You have been made the bearer of confidential communications from +the Austrian Embassy here to certain people in Paris whom we will not +name. I have pledged my word, Sonia, that this shall cease." + +She sprang to her feet. All the feline joy of her languorous ease +seemed to have departed. She was quivering and nervous. She stood over +her writing-table. + +"A telegraph blank!" she exclaimed. "Quick! I will not see Maurice +again. Oh, how I have suffered! This shall end it. See, I have written +'Good-by!' He will understand. If he comes, I will not see him. Ring +the bell quickly. There--it is finished!" + +A page-boy appeared, and she handed him the telegram. Then she turned a +little pathetically to Lutchester. + +"Maurice was foolish--very often foolish," she went on unsteadily, "but +he has loved me, and a woman loves love so much. Now I shall be lonely. +And yet, there is a great weight gone from my mind. Always I wondered +about those letters. You will be my friend, John? You will not leave me +all alone?" + +He patted her hand. + +"Dear Sonia," he whispered, "solitude is not the worst thing one has to +bear, these days. Try and remember, won't you, that all the men who +might have loved you are fighting for your country, one way or +another." + +"It is all so sad," she faltered, "and you--you are so stern and +changed." + +"It is with me only as it is with the whole world," he told her. +"To-night, though, you have relieved me of one anxiety." + +Her eyes once more were for a moment frightened. + +"There was danger for poor little me?" + +He nodded. + +"It is past," he assured her. + +"And it is you who have saved me," she murmured. "Ah, Mr. John," she +added, as she walked with him to the door, "if ever there comes to me a +lover, not for the days only but _pour la vie,_ I hope that he may be +an Englishman like you, whom all the world trusts." + +He laughed and raised her fingers to his lips. + +"Over-faithful, you called us once," he reminded her. + +"But that was when I was a child," she said, "and in days like these we +are children no longer." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + + +Lutchester left Sonia and the Ritz-Carlton a few minutes before +midnight, to find a great yellow moon overhead, which seemed to have +risen somewhere at the back of Central Park. The broad thoroughfare up +which he turned seemed to have developed a new and unfamiliar beauty. +The electric lamps shone with a pale and almost unnatural glow. The +flashing lights of the automobiles passing up and down were almost +whimsically unnecessary. Lutchester walked slowly up Fifth Avenue in +the direction of his hotel. + +Something--the beauty of the night, perhaps, or some faint aftermath of +sentimentality born of Sonia's emotion--tempted him during those few +moments to relax. He threw aside his mask and breathed the freer for +it. Once more he was a human being, treading the streets of a real +city, his feet very much upon the earth, his heart full of the simplest +things. All the scheming of the last few days was forgotten, the great +issues, the fine yet devious way to be steered amidst the rocks which +beset him; even the depression of the calamitous news from the North +Sea passed away. He was a very simple human being, and he was in love. +It was all so unpractical, so illusionary, and yet so real. Events, +actual happenings--he thrust all thoughts of these away from his mind. +What she might be thinking of him at the moment he ignored. He was +content to let his thoughts rest upon her, to walk through the moonlit +street, his brain and heart revelling in that subtle facility of the +imagination which brought her so easily to his presence. It was such a +vividly real Pamela, too, who spoke and walked and moved by his side. +His memory failed him nowhere, followed faithfully the kaleidoscopic +changes in her face and tone, showed him even that long, grateful, +searching glance when their eyes had met in Von Teyl's sitting-room. +There had been times when she had shown clearly enough that she was +anxious to understand, anxious to believe in him. He clung to the +memory of these; pushed into the background that faint impression he +had had of her at the roof-garden, serene and proud, yet with a faint +look of something like pain in her startled eyes. + +A large limousine passed him slowly, crawling up Fifth Avenue. +Lutchester, with all his gifts of observation dormant, took no notice +of its occupant, who leaned forward, raised the speaking-tube to his +lips, and talked for a moment to his chauffeur. The car glided round a +side street and came to a standstill against the curb. Its solitary +passenger stepped quietly out and entered a restaurant. The chauffeur +backed the car a little, slipped from his place, and followed +Lutchester. + +By chance the little throng of people here became thicker for a few +moments and then ceased. Lutchester drew a little sigh of relief as he +saw before him almost an empty pavement. Then, just as he was relapsing +once more into thought, some part of his subconscious instinct suddenly +leaped into warning life. Without any actual perception of what it +might mean, he felt the thrill of imminent danger, connected it with +that soft footfall behind him, and swung round in time to seize a +deadly uplifted hand which seemed to end in a shimmer of dull steel. +His assailant flung himself upon Lutchester with the lithe ferocity of +a cat, clinging to his body, twisting and turning his arm to wrest it +free. It was a matter of seconds only before his intended victim, with +a fierce backward twist, broke the man's wrist and, wrenching himself +free from the knees which clung around him, flung him forcibly against +the railings which bordered the pavement. Lutchester paused for a +moment to recover his breath and looked around. A man from the other +side of the street was running towards them, but no one else seemed to +have noticed the struggle which had begun and finished in less than +thirty seconds. The man, who was half-way across the thoroughfare, +suddenly stopped short. He shouted a warning to Lutchester, who swung +around. His late assailant, who had been lying motionless, had raised +himself slightly, with a revolver clenched in his left hand. +Lutchester's spring on one side saved his life, for the bullet passed +so close to his cheek that he felt the rush and heat of the air. The +man in the center of the road was busy shouting an alarm vociferously, +and other people on both sides of the thoroughfare were running up. +Lutchester's eyes now never left the dark, doubled-up figure upon the +pavement. His whole body was tense. He was prepared at the slightest +movement to spring in upon his would-be murderer. The man's eyes seemed +to be burning in his white face. He called out to Lutchester hoarsely. + +"Don't move or I shall shoot!" + +He looked up and down the street. One of the nearest of the hastening +figures was a policeman. He turned the revolver against his own temple +and pulled the trigger.... + +Lutchester and a policeman walked slowly back along Fifth Avenue. +Behind them, a little crowd was still gathered around the spot from +which the body of the dead man had already been removed in an +ambulance. + +"I really remember nothing," Lutchester told his companion, "until I +heard the footsteps behind me, and, turning round, saw the knife. This +is simply an impression of mine--that he might have descended from the +car which passed me and stopped just round the corner of that street." + +"He's a chauffeur, right enough," the inspector remarked. "It don't +seem to have been a chance job, either. Looks as though he meant doing +you in. Got any enemies?" + +"None that I know of," Lutchester answered cautiously. "Why, the car's +there still," he added, as they reached the corner. + +"And no chauffeur," the other muttered. + +The officer searched the car and drew out a license from the flap +pocket. The commissionaire from the restaurant approached them. + +"Say, what are you doing with that car?" he demanded. + +"Better fetch the gentleman to whom it belongs," the inspector +directed. + +"What's up, anyway?" the man persisted. + +"You do as you're told," was the sharp reply. + +The commissionaire disappeared. The officer studied the license which +he had just opened. + +"What's the name?" Lutchester inquired. + +The man hesitated for a moment, then passed it over. + +"Oscar H. Fischer," he said. "Happen to know the name?" + +Lutchester's face was immovable. He passed the license back again. They +both turned round. Mr. Fischer had issued from the restaurant. + +"What's wrong?" he asked hastily. "The commissionaire says you want me, +Mr. Officer?" + +The inspector produced his pocketbook. + +"Just want to ask you a few questions about your chauffeur, sir." + +Fischer glanced at the driver's seat of the car, as though aware of the +man's disappearance for the first time. + +"What's become of the fellow?" he inquired. + +"Shot himself," the inspector replied, "after a deliberate attempt to +murder this gentleman." + +Mr. Fischer's composure was admirable. There was a touch of gravity +mingled with his bewilderment. Nevertheless, he avoided meeting +Lutchester's eyes. + +"You horrify me!" he exclaimed. "Why, the fellow's only been driving +for me for a few hours." + +"That so?" the officer remarked, with a grunt. "Get any references with +him?" + +"As a matter of fact, I did not," Fischer admitted frankly. "I +discharged my chauffeur yesterday, at a moment's notice, and this man +happened to call just as I was wanting the car out this afternoon. He +promised to bring me references to-morrow from Mr. Gould and others. I +engaged him on that understanding. He told me that his name was Kay-- +Robert Kay. That is all that I know about him, except that he was an +excellent driver. I am exceedingly sorry Mr. Lutchester," he went on, +turning towards him, "that this should have happened." + +"So you two know one another, eh?" the officer observed. + +"Oh, yes, we know one another!" Lutchester admitted drily. + +"I shall have to ask you both for your names and addresses," the +official continued. "I think I won't ask you any more questions at +present. Seems to me headquarters had better take this on." + +"I shall be quite at your service," Lutchester promised. + +The man made a few more notes, saluted, and took his leave. Fischer and +Lutchester remained for a moment upon the pavement. + +"It is a dangerous custom," Lutchester remarked, "to take a servant +without a reference." + +"It will be a warning to me for the remainder of my life," Fischer +declared. + +"I, too, have learnt something," Lutchester concluded, as he turned +away. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + + +Fischer, as he waited for Pamela the following afternoon in the +sitting-room of her flat on Fifty-eighth Street, felt that although the +practical future of his life might be decided in other places, it was +here that its real climax would be reached. Pamela herself was to +pronounce sentence upon him. He was feeling scarcely at his best. An +examination in the courthouse, which he had imagined would last only a +few minutes, had been protracted throughout the afternoon. The district +attorney had asked him a great many questions, some rather awkward +ones, and the inquiry itself had been almost grudgingly adjourned for a +few hours. And here, in Pamela's sitting-room, the first things which +caught his eye were the headlines of one of the afternoon papers: + +WESTERN MILLIONAIRE ENGAGES +THE GIRL HESTE'S MURDERER +AS CHAUFFEUR! + +ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE +IN FIFTH AVENUE +LAST NIGHT. + +Fischer pushed the newspaper impatiently away, and, in the act of doing +so, the door was opened and Pamela entered. She came towards him with +outstretched hand. + +"I see you are looking at the account of your misdeeds," she said, as +she seated herself behind a tea tray. "Will you tell me why a cautious +man like you engages, without reference, a chauffeur who turns out to +be a murderer?" + +Fischer frowned irritably. + +"For four hours," he complained, "several lawyers and a most +inquisitive police captain have been asking me the same question in a +hundred different ways. I engaged the man because I needed a chauffeur +badly. He was to have brought his references this morning. I was only +trusting him for a matter of a few hours." + +"And during those few hours," she observed, "he seems to have developed +a violent antipathy to Mr. Lutchester." + +"I do not understand the affair at all," Mr. Fischer declared, "and, if +I may say so, I am a little weary of it. I came here to discuss another +matter altogether." + +She leaned back in her place. + +"What have you come to discuss, Mr. Fischer?" + +"That depends so much upon you," he replied. "If you give me any +encouragement, I can put before you a great proposition. If your +prejudices, however, remain as I think they always have been, on the +side of England, why then I can do nothing." + +"If I counted for anything," Pamela said, "I mean to say if it mattered +to any one what my attitude was, I would start by admitting that my +sympathies are somewhat on the side of the Allies. On the other hand, +my sympathies amount to nothing at all compared with my interest in the +welfare of the United States. I am perfectly selfish in that respect." + +"Then you have an open mind to hear what I have to say," Fischer +remarked. "I am glad of it. You encourage me to proceed." + +"That is all very well," Pamela said, stirring her tea, "but I cannot +help asking once more why you come to me at all? What have I to do with +any proposition you may have to make?" + +"Just this," he explained. "I have a serious and authentic proposition +to make to the American Government. I cannot make it officially-- +although it comes from the highest of all sources--for the most obvious +reasons. It may seem better worth listening to to-day, perhaps, than a +week ago, so far as you are concerned. That is because you believed in +British invincibility upon the sea. I never did." + +"Go on, please," Pamela begged. "I am still waiting to realise my +position in all this." + +"I should like," Fischer declared, "my proposition to reach the +President through Senator Hastings, and Senator Hastings is your +uncle." + +"I see," Pamela murmured. + +"My offer itself is a very simple one," Fischer continued. "Your secret +service is so bad that you probably know nothing of what is happening. +Ours, on the other hand, is still marvellously good, and what I am +going to tell you is surely the truth. Japan is accumulating great +wealth. She is saving her ships and men for one purpose, and one purpose +only. Europe could not bribe her highly enough to take a more active part +in this war. Her price was one which could not be paid. She demanded a +free hand with the United States." + +"This," Pamela admitted, "is quite interesting, but it is entirely in +the realms of conjecture, is it not?" + +"Not wholly," Fischer insisted. "At the proper time I should be +prepared to bring you evidence that tentative proposals were made by +Japan to both England and France, asking what would be their attitude, +should she provide them with half a million men and undertake +transport, if at the conclusion of the war she desired a settlement +with the United States. The answer from France and England was the +same--that they could not countenance an inimical attitude towards the +States." + +"You are bound to admit, then," Pamela remarked, "that England played +the game here." + +"The bribe was not big enough," Fischer replied drily. "England would +sell her soul, but not for a mess of pottage. To proceed, however, +Japan has practically kept out of the war. She is enjoying a prosperity +never known before, and for every million pounds' worth of munitions +she exports to Russia, she puts calmly on one side twenty-five per +cent, to accumulate for her own use. At the conclusion of the war she +will be in a position she has never occupied before, and while the rest +of the world is still gasping, she will proceed to carry out what has +been the dream of her life--the invasion of your Western States." + +"I admit that this is plausible," Pamela confessed, "but you are only +pointing out a very obvious danger, for which I imagine that we are +already fairly well prepared." + +"Believe me," Fischer said earnestly, "you are not. It is this fact +which makes the whole situation so vital to you. Later on in our +negotiations, I will show you proof of your danger. Meanwhile, let me +proceed to the offer which I am empowered to make, which comes direct +from the one person in Germany whose word is unshakable." + +Pamela changed her position a little, as though to escape from the +sunlight which was finding its way underneath the broad blinds. Her +eyes were fixed upon her visitor. She listened intently to every word +he had to say. Despite some vague feeling of mistrust, which she +acknowledged to herself might well have been prejudiced, she found the +situation interesting, even stimulating. Her few excursions into the +world of high politics had never brought her into such a position as +this. She felt both flattered and interested--attracted, too, in some +nameless way, by the man's personality, his persistence, his daring, +his whole-heartedness. The situation was instinct with interest to her. + +"But why make it to me?" she murmured. + +"You are to be my delegate," he answered. "Take the substance of what I +say to you, to your uncle. Try, for your country's sake, to interest +him in it. The offer which I make shall save you a vast amount of +sacrifice. It shall save your dislocating the industries of the country +and sowing the seeds of a disturbing and yet inadequate militarism. I +offer you, in short, a German alliance against Japan." + +"The value of that offer," Pamela remarked thoughtfully, "would depend +rather upon the issue of the present war, wouldn't it?" + +Fischer's face darkened. His tone was almost irritable. + +"That is already preordained," he said firmly. "You see, I will be +quite frank with you. Germany has lost her chance of sweeping and +complete victory. The result of the war will be a return to the +status-quo-ante. Yet, believe me, Germany will be strong enough to +settle some of the debts she owes, and the debt to Japan is one of +these." + +"Still, there is the practical question of getting men and ships over +from Germany to America," Pamela persisted. + +"It is already solved," was the swift reply. "At the proper time I will +show you and prove how it can be done. At present, not one word can +pass my lips. It is one of the secrets on which the future of Germany +depends." + +"And the price?" Pamela asked. + +"That America adopts our view as to the high seas traffic," Fischer +replied. "This would mean the stopping of all supplies, munitions and +ammunition from America to England. We offer you an alliance. We ask +only for your real and actual neutrality for the remainder of the war. +We offer a great and substantial advantage, a safeguard for your +country's future, in return for what? Simply that America will pursue +the course of honour and integrity to all nations." + +"America," Pamela declared, "has never failed in this." + +Fischer shrugged his shoulders. + +"There is more than one point of view," he reminded her. "Will you take +my message with you to Washington to-morrow?" + +"Yes," Pamela promised, "I will do that. The rest, of course, remains +with others. I do not myself go so far, even," she added, "as to +declare myself in sympathy with you." + +"And yet," he insisted, with swift violence, "it is your sympathy which +I desire more than anything in the world--your sympathy, your help, +your companionship; a little--a very little at first--of your love." + +"I am afraid that I am not a very satisfactory person from that point +of view," Pamela confessed. "I have a great sympathy with every man who +is really out for the great things, but so far as you are concerned, +Mr. Fischer, or any one else," she went on, after a moment's +hesitation, "I have no personal feeling." + +"That shall come," he declared. + +"Then please wait a little time before you talk to me again like this," +she said, rising and holding out her hand. "At present there is no sign +of it." + +"There is so much that I could offer you," he pleaded, gripping the +hand which she had given him in farewell, "so much that I could do for +your country. Believe me, I am not talking idly." + +"I do believe that," she admitted. "You are a very clever man, Mr. +Fischer, and I think that you represent all that you claim. Perhaps, if +we really do negotiate--" + +"But you must!" he interrupted impatiently. "You must listen to me for +every reason--politically for your country's sake, personally because I +shall offer you and give you happiness and a position you could never +find elsewhere." + +For a moment her eyes seemed to be looking through him, as though some +vision of things outside the room were troubling her. Her finger had +already touched the bell and a servant was standing upon the threshold. + +"We shall meet in Washington," Mr. Fischer concluded, with an air of a +prophet, as he took his leave. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + + +It was within half an hour of closing time that same afternoon when +Lutchester walked into James Van Teyl's office. The young man greeted +him with some surprise. + +"Will you do some business for me?" Lutchester asked, without any +preliminaries. + +"Sure!" + +"How many Anglo-French will you buy for me? I can obtain credit by +cable to-morrow through any bank for twenty or thirty thousand pounds." + +"You want to buy Anglo-French?" Van Teyl repeated softly. + +His visitor nodded. + +"Any news?" + +Lutchester hesitated, and Van Teyl continued with an apologetic +gesture. + +"I beg your pardon. That's not my job, anyway, to ask questions. I'll +buy you twenty-five thousand, if you like. Guess they can't drop much +lower." + +Lutchester sat down. + +"Thank you," he said, "I will wait." + +A little ripple of excitement went through the office as Van Teyl +started his negotiations. It seemed to Lutchester that several +telephones and half a dozen perspiring young men were called into his +service. In the end Van Teyl made out a note and handed it to him. + +"I could have done better for you yesterday," he observed. "The market +is strengthening all the time. There are probably some rumours." + +A boy went by along the pavement outside waving a handful of papers. +His cry floated in through the open window: + +REPORTED LOSS OF MANY MORE GERMAN +BATTLESHIPS. +BRITISH CLAIM VICTORY. + +Van Teyl grinned. + +"You got here just in time," he murmured, "but I suppose you knew all +about this." + +"I have known since three o'clock," Lutchester replied, "that all the +reports of a German victory were false. You will find, when the truth +is known, that the German losses were greater than the British." + +"Then if that's so," Van Teyl remarked, "I've got one client who'll +lose a hatful which you ought to make. Coming up town?" + +"I should like, if I may?" Lutchester said, "to be permitted to pay my +respects to your sister." + +"Why, that's fine!" Van Teyl exclaimed unconvincingly. "We'll take the +subway up." + +They left the office and plunged into the indescribable horrors of +their journey. When they stepped out into the sunlit street in another +atmosphere, Van Teyl laid his hand upon his companion's arm in friendly +fashion. + +"Say, Lutchester," he began, "I don't know that you are going to find +Pamela exactly all that she might be in the way of amiability and so +on. I know these things are done on the other side, but here it's +considered trying your friends pretty high to take a lady of Sonia's +reputation where you are likely to meet your friends. No offence, eh?" + +"Certainly not," Lutchester replied. "I was sorry, of course, to see +you last night. On the other hand, Sonia is an old friend, and my +dinner with her had an object. I think I could explain it to your +sister." + +"I don't know that I should try," Van Teyl advised. "For all her +cosmopolitanism, Pamela has some quaint ideas. However, I thought I'd +warn you, in case she's a bit awkward." + +Pamela, however, had no idea of being awkward. She welcomed Lutchester +with a very sweet smile, and gave him the tips of her fingers. + +"I was wondering whether we should see you again before we went," she +said. "We are leaving for Washington to-morrow." + +"By the three o'clock train, I hope?" he ventured. + +She raised her eyebrows. + +"Why, are you going, too?" + +"I hope so." + +"I should have thought most of the munition works," she observed, "were +further north." + +"They are," he acknowledged, "but I have business in Washington. By the +bye, will you both come out and dine with me to-night?" + +Van Teyl glanced at his sister. She shook her head. + +"I am so sorry," she said, "but we are engaged. Perhaps we shall see +something of you in Washington." + +"I have no doubt you will," Lutchester replied "All the same," he +added, "it would give me very great pleasure to entertain you at dinner +this evening." + +"Why particularly this evening?" she asked. + +He looked at her with a queer directness, and Pamela felt certain very +excellent resolutions crumbling. She suffered her brother to leave the +room without a word. + +"Because," he explained, "I think you will find a different atmosphere +everywhere. There will be news in the evening papers." + +"News?" she repeated eagerly. "You know I am always interested in +that." + +"The reports of a German naval victory were not only exaggerated," +Lutchester said calmly; "they were untrue. Our own official +announcement was clumsy and tactless, but you will find it amplified +and explained to-night." + +Pamela listened with an interest which bordered upon excitement. + +"You are sure?" she exclaimed. + +"Absolutely," he replied. "My notification is official." + +"So you think if we dined with you, the atmosphere to-night would be +different?" she observed, with a sudden attempt at the recondite. + +Lutchester looked into her eyes without flinching. Pamela, to her +annoyance, was worsted in the momentary duel. + +"We cannot always choose our atmosphere," he reminded her. + +"Mademoiselle Sonia is perhaps connected with the regulation of the +munition supplies from America?" + +"Mademoiselle Sonia," Lutchester asserted, "is an old friend of mine. +Apart from that, it was my business to talk to her." + +"Your business?" + +Lutchester assented with perfect gravity. + +"Within a day or two," he said, "now, if you made a point of it, I +could explain a great deal." + +Pamela threw herself into a chair almost irritably. + +"You have the cult of being mysterious, Mr. Lutchester," she declared. +"To be quite frank with you, you seem to be the queerest mixture of any +man I ever knew." + +"It is the fault of circumstances," he regretted, "if I am sometimes +compelled to present myself to you in an unfavourable light. Those +circumstances are passing. You will soon begin to value me at my true +worth." + +"We had half promised," Pamela murmured, "to go out with Mr. Fischer +this evening." + +"The more reason for my intervention," Lutchester observed. "Fischer is +not a fit person for you to associate with." + +She laughed curiously. + +"People who saw you at the roof-garden last night might say that you +were scarcely a judge," Pamela retorted. + +"People who did not know the circumstances might have considered me +guilty of an indiscretion," Lutchester admitted, "but they would have +been entirely wrong. On the other hand, your friend Fischer is a +would-be murderer, a liar, and is at the present moment engaged in +intrigues which are a most immoral compound of duplicity and cunning." + +"I shall begin to think," Pamela murmured, "that you don't like Mr. +Fischer!" + +"I detest him heartily," Lutchester confessed. + +"I find him singularly interesting," Pamela announced, sitting up in +her chair. + +"I dare say you do," Lutchester replied. "Women are always bad judges +of our sex. All the same, you are not going to marry him." + +"How do you know he wants to marry me?" Pamela demanded. + +"Instinct!" + +"And what do you mean by saying that I am not going to marry him?" + +"Because," Lutchester announced, "you are going to marry some one +else." + +Pamela rose to her feet. There was a little spot +of colour in her cheeks. + +"Am I indeed!" she exclaimed. "And whom, pray?" + +"That I will tell you at Washington," Lutchester promised. + +"You know his name, then?" + +"I know him intimately," was the cool reply. "What about our dinner +to-night?" + +"We are going to dine with Mr. Fischer," Pamela decided. + +"I really don't think so," Lutchester objected. "For one thing, Mr. +Fischer will probably have to attend the police court again later on." + +"What about?" + +"For having hired a famous murderer to try and get rid of me." +Lutchester explained suavely. + +"Do you really believe that?" Pamela scoffed. "Why should he want to +get rid of you? What harm can you do him?" + +"I am trying to find out," Lutchester replied grimly. "Still, since you +ask the question, the pocketbook which is on its way to Germany, and +which I picked up when Nikasti was taken ill--" + +"Oh, yes, I know about that!" Pamela interrupted. "That is the one +thing that always sets me thinking about you. What did you do it for? +How did you know what it meant to me?" + +"Divination, I imagine," Lutchester answered, "or perhaps I was +thinking what it might mean to Mr. Fischer." + +She looked at him and her face was a study in mixed expressions. Her +forehead was a little knitted, her eyes almost strained in their desire +to read him; her lips were petulant. + +"Dear me, what a puzzle you are!" she exclaimed. "All the same, I am +going to wait for Mr. Fischer. It doesn't matter whether one dines or +sups. I suppose he will get away from the police court sometime or +other." + +"But anyway," he protested, "you've heard all that Mr. Fischer has to +say. Now I, on the other hand, haven't shown you my hand yet." + +"Heard all that Mr. Fischer has to say?" she repeated. + +"Certainly! Wasn't he here for several hours with you this afternoon? +Didn't he promise you an alliance with Germany against Japan, if you +could persuade certain people at Washington to change their tone and +attitude towards the export of munitions?" + +"This," she declared, trying to keep a certain agitation from her tone, +"is mere bluff." + +Lutchester was suddenly very serious indeed. + +"Listen," he said, "I can prove to you, if you will, that it is not +bluff. I can prove to you that I really know something of what I am +talking about." + +"There is nothing I should like better," she declared. + +"To begin with then," Lutchester said, "the pocketbook which Nikasti is +supposed to have stolen from your room, the pocketbook of young Sandy +Graham, which Mr. Fischer has sent to Germany, does not contain the +formula of the new explosive, or any other formula that amounts to +anything." + +"Just how do you know that?" she demanded. + +"To continue," Lutchester said, playing with a little ornament upon the +mantelpiece, "you have an appointment--within half an hour, I +believe--with Mr. Paul Haskall, who is a specialist in explosives, +having an official position with the American Government." + +She had ceased to struggle any longer with her surprise. She looked at +him fixedly but remained silent. + +"It is your belief," he proceeded, "that you are going to hand over to +him the formula of which we were speaking." + +"It is no belief," she replied. "It is certainty. I took it myself from +Graham's pocket." + +Lutchester nodded. + +"Good! Have you opened it?" + +"I have," she declared. "It is without doubt, the formula." + +"On the other hand, I am here to assure you that it is not," Lutchester +replied. + +Her hand was tearing at the cushion by her side. She moistened her +lips. There was something about Lutchester hatefully convincing. + +"What do you mean?" she demanded. "Is this a trick. You won't get it! +No one but Mr. Haskall will get that formula from me!" + +Lutchester smiled. + +"It will only puzzle him when he gets it! To tell you the truth, the +formula is rubbish." + +"I don't believe you," she said firmly. "If you think you are going to +interfere with my handing it over to him, you are mistaken." + +"I have no wish to do anything of the sort," Lutchester assured her. +"Make a bargain with me. Mr. Haskall will be here soon. Unfasten the +little package you are carrying somewhere about your person, hand him +the envelope and watch his face. If he tells you that what you have +offered him is a coherent and possible formula for an explosive, then +you can look upon me for ever afterwards as the poor, foolish person +you sometimes seem to consider me. If, on the other hand, he tells you +that it is rubbish, I shall expect you at the Ritz-Carlton at half-past +eight." + +There was a ring at the bell. She rose to her feet. + +"I accept," she declared. "That is Mr. Haskall. And, by the bye, Mr. +Lutchester, don't order too elaborate a dinner, for I am very much +afraid you will have to eat it all yourself. Now, au revoir," she +added, as the door was opened in obedience to her summons and a servant +stood prepared to show him out. "If we don't turn up to-night, you will +know the reason." + +"I am very hopeful," Lutchester replied, as he turned away. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + + +At five-and-twenty minutes past eight that evening Lutchester, who was +waiting in the entrance hall of the Ritz-Carlton, became just a little +restless. At half-past, his absorption in an evening paper, over the +top of which he looked at every newcomer, was almost farcical. At +five-and-twenty to nine Pamela arrived. He advanced down the lounge to +meet her. Her face was inscrutable, her smile conventional. Yet she had +come! He looked over his shoulder towards the men's coat room. + +"Your brother?" + +"I sent Jim to his club," she said. "I want to have a confidential talk +with you, Mr. Lutchester." + +"I am very flattered," he told her, with real earnestness. + +She vanished for a few moments in the cloakroom, and reappeared, a +radiant vision in deep blue silk. Her hair was gathered in a coil at +the top of her head, and surmounted with an ornament of pearls. + +"You are looking at my headdress," she remarked, as they walked into +the room. "It is the style you admire, is it not?" + +He murmured something vague, but he knew that he was forgiven. They +were ushered to their places by a portly maitre d'hotel, and she +approved of his table. It was set almost in an alcove, and was +partially hidden from the other diners. + +"Is this seclusion vanity or flattery?" + +"As a matter of fact, it is rather a popular table," he told her. "We +have an excellent view of the room, and yet one can talk here without +being disturbed." + +"To talk to you is exactly what I wish to do," she said, as they took +their places. "We commence, if you please, with a question. Mr. Fischer +thought that he had that formula and he hasn't. I could have sworn that +it was in my possession--and it isn't. Where is it?" + +"I took it to the War Office before I left England," he told her +simply. "They will have the first few tons of the stuff ready next +month." + +"You!" she cried, "But where did you get it?" + +"I happened to be first, that's all," he explained. "You see, I had the +advantage of a little inside information. I could have exposed the +whole affair if I had thought it wise. I preferred, however, to let +matters take their course. Young Graham deserved all he got there, and +I made sure of being the first to go through his papers. I'm afraid I +must confess that I left a bogus formula for you." + +"I had begun to suspect this," Pamela confessed. "You don't mind being +put into the witness box, do you?" she added, as she pushed aside the +menu with a little sigh of satisfaction. "How wonderfully you order an +American dinner!" + +"I am so glad I have chosen what you like," he said, "and as to being +in the witness box--well, I am going to place myself in the +confessional, and that is very much the same thing, isn't it?" + +"To begin at the beginning, then--about that destroyer?" + +"My mission over here was really important," he admitted. "I couldn't +catch the _Lapland_, so the Admiralty sent me over." + +"And your golf with Senator Hamblin? It wasn't altogether by accident +you met him down at Baltusrol, was it?" + +"It was not," he confessed, "I had reason to suspect that certain +proposals from Berlin were to be put forward to the President either +through his or Senator Hastings' mediation. There were certain facts in +connection with them, which I desired to be the first to lay before the +authorities." + +She looked around the room and recognised some of her friends. For some +reason or other she felt remarkably light-hearted. + +"For a poor vanquished woman," she observed, turning back to +Lutchester, "I feel extraordinarily gay to-night. Tell me some more." + +He bowed. + +"Mademoiselle Sonia," he proceeded, "has been a friend of mine since +she sang in the cafes of Buda Pesth. I dined with her, however, because +it had come to my knowledge that she was behaving in a very foolish +manner." + +Pamela nodded understandingly. + +"She was the friend of Count Maurice Ziduski, wasn't she?" + +"She is no longer," Lutchester replied. "She sailed for France this +morning without seeing him. She has remembered that she is a +Frenchwoman." + +"It was you who reminded her!" + +"Love so easily makes people forgetful," he said, "and I think that +Sonia was very fond of Maurice Ziduski. She is a thoughtless, +passionate woman, easily swayed through her affections, and she had no +idea of the evil she was doing." + +"So that disposes of Sonia," Pamela reflected. + +"Sonia was only an interlude," Lutchester declared. "She really doesn't +come into this affair at all. The one person who does come into it, +whom you and I must speak of, is Fischer." + +"A most interesting man," Pamela sighed. "I really think his wife would +have a most exciting life." + +"She would!" Lutchester agreed. "She'd probably be allowed to visit him +once every fourteen days in care of a warder." + +"Spite!" Pamela exclaimed, with a suspicious little quiver at the +corner of her lips. + +Lutchester shook his head. + +"Fischer is too near the end of his rope for me to feel spiteful," he +said, "though I am quite prepared to grant that he may be capable of +considerable mischief yet. A man who has the sublime effrontery to +attempt to come to an agreement with two countries, each behind the +other's back, is a little more than Machiavellian, isn't he?" + +"Is that true of Mr. Fischer?" + +"Absolutely," Lutchester assured her. "He is over here for the purpose +of somehow or other making it known informally in Washington that +Germany would be willing to pledge herself to an alliance with America +against Japan, after the war, if America will alter her views as to the +export of munitions to the Allies." + +"Well, that's a reasonable proposition, isn't it, from his point of +view?" Pamela remarked. "It may not be a very agreeable one from yours, +but it is certainly one which he has a right to make." + +"Entirely," Lutchester agreed, "but where he goes wrong is that his +primary object in coming here was to meet Hie chief of the Japanese +Secret Service, to whom he has made a proposition of precisely similar +character." + +Pamela set down her glass. + +"You are not in earnest!" + +"Absolutely." + +"Nikasti?" + +"Precisely! He came all the way from Japan to confer with Fischer. +Probably, if we knew the whole truth, those rooms at the Plaza Hotel, +and the social partnership of your brother and Fischer, were arranged +for no other reason than to provide a safe personality for Nikasti in +this country, and a safe place for him to talk things over with +Fischer." + +"Mr. Fischer was paying nearly the whole of the expenses of the Plaza +suite," Pamela observed thoughtfully. + +"Naturally," Lutchester replied. "Your brother's name was a good, safe +name to get behind. But to conclude with our friend Nikasti. He is +supposed to leave New York next Saturday, and to carry to the Emperor +of Japan an autograph letter from a nameless person, promising him, if +Japan will cease the export of munitions to Russia, the aid of Germany +in her impending campaign against America." + +"An autograph letter, did you say?" Pamela almost gasped. + +"An autograph letter," Lutchester repeated firmly. "Now don't you agree +with me that Fischer's game is just a little too daring?" + +"It is preposterous!" she cried. + +"I have a theory," Lutchester continued, "that Fischer was never +intended to use more than one of these letters. It was intended that he +should study the situation here, approach one side, and, if +unsuccessful, try the other. Fischer, however, conceived a more +magnificent idea. He seems to be trying both at the same time. It is +the sublime egotism of the Teutonic mind." + +"It is monstrous!" Pamela exclaimed indignantly. + +"It is almost as monstrous," Lutchester agreed, "as his daring to raise +his eyes to you, although, so far as you are concerned, I believe that +he is as honest as the man knows how to be." + +"And why," she asked, "do you credit him with so much good faith?" + +"Because," Lutchester replied, "if he had not been actuated by personal +motives, he would never have sought you out as an intermediary. There +are other sources open to him, by means of which he could make equally +sure of reaching the President's ear. His idea was to impress you. It +was foolish but natural." + +Pamela was deep in thought. There was an angry spot of colour burning +in her cheek. + +"Do you mean to tell me, Mr. Lutchester," she persisted, "that this +afternoon, say, when with every appearance of earnestness he was +begging me to put these propositions before my uncle, he had really +made precisely similar overtures to Japan?" + +"I give you my word that this is the truth," Lutchester assured her +solemnly. + +She looked at him with something almost like wonder in her eyes. + +"But you?" she exclaimed. "How do you know this? How can you be sure of +it?" + +"I have seen the autograph letter which Nikasti has in his possession," +he announced. + +"You mean that Mr. Fischer showed it to you?" she exclaimed +incredulously. + +Lutchester hesitated. + +"There are methods," he said, "which those who fight in the dark places +for their country are forced sometimes to make use of. I have seen the +letter. I have half convinced those who represent Japan in this matter +of Fischer's duplicity. With your help I am hoping wholly to do so." + +Pamela leaned for a moment back in her chair. + +"Really," she declared, "I am beginning to have the feeling that I am +living almost too rapidly. Let us have a breathing spell. I wonder what +all these other people are talking about." + +"Probably," he suggested, with a little glance around, "about +themselves. We will follow their example. Will you marry me, please, +Miss Van Teyl?" + +"We haven't even come to the ice yet," she sighed, "and you pass from +high politics to flagrant personalities. Are you a sensationalist, Mr. +Lutchester?" + +"Not in the least," he protested. "I simply asked you an extremely +important question quite calmly." + +"It isn't a question that should be asked calmly," she objected. + +"I have immense self-control," he told her, "but if you'd like me to +abandon it--" + +"For heaven's sake, no!" she interrupted. "Tell me more about Mr. +Fischer." + +"You won't forget to answer my little question later on, will you?" he +begged. "To proceed, then. I spent some little time this afternoon with +your chief of the police here, and I fancy that the person you speak of +is becoming a little too blatant even for a broad-minded country like +this. He belongs to an informal company of wealthy sympathisers with +Germany, who propose to start a campaign of destruction at all the +factories manufacturing munitions for the Allies. They have put +aside--I believe it is several million dollars, for purposes of +bribery. They don't seem to realise, as my friend pointed out to me +this afternoon, that the days for this sort of thing in New York have +passed. Some of them will be in prison before they know where they +are." + +"Exactly why did you come to America?" she asked, a little abruptly. + +"To meet Nikasti and to look after Fischer." + +"Well, you seem to have done that pretty effectually!" + +"Also," he went on calmly, "to keep an eye upon you." + +"Professionally?" + +"You ask me to give away too many secrets," he whispered, leaning +towards her. + +She made a little grimace. + +"Tell me some more about your little adventure in Fifth Avenue?" she +begged. + +He smiled grimly. + +"You wouldn't believe me," he reminded her, "but it really was one of +Fischer's little jokes. It very nearly came off, too. As a matter of +fact," he went on, "Fischer isn't really clever. He is too obstinate, +too convinced in his own mind that things must go the way he wants them +to, that Fate is the servant of his will. It's a sort of national +trait, you know, very much like the way we English bury our heads in +the sand when we hear unpleasant truths. The last thing Fischer wants +is advertisement, and yet he goes to some of his Fourteenth Street +friends and unearths a popular desperado to get rid of me. The fellow +happens most unexpectedly to fail, and now Fischer has to face a good +many awkward questions and a good deal of notoriety. No, I don't think +Fischer is really clever." + +Pamela sighed. + +"In that case, I suppose I shall have to say 'No' to him," she decided. +"After waiting all this time, I couldn't bear to be married to a fool." + +"You won't be," he assured her cheerfully. + +"More British arrogance," she murmured. "Now see what's going to happen +to us!" + +A tall, elderly man, with smooth white hair plastered over his +forehead, very precisely dressed, and with a gait so careful as to be +almost mincing, was approaching their table. Pamela held out her hands. + +"My dear uncle!" she exclaimed. "And I thought that you and aunt never +dined at restaurants!" + +Mr. Hastings stood with his fingers resting lightly upon the table. He +glanced at Lutchester without apparent recognition. + +"You remember Mr. Lutchester?" Pamela murmured. + +Mr. Hastings' manner lacked the true American cordiality, but he +hastened to extend his hand. + +"Of course!" he declared. "I was not fortunate enough, however, to see +much of you the other evening, Mr. Lutchester. We have several mutual +friends whom I should be glad to hear about." + +"I shall pay my respects to Mrs. Hastings, if I may, very shortly," +Lutchester promised. + +"Are you with friends here, uncle?" Pamela inquired. + +"We are the guests of Mr. Oscar Fischer," the Senator announced. + +Pamela raised her eyebrows. + +"So you know Mr. Fischer, uncle?" + +"Naturally," Mr. Hastings replied, with some dignity. "Oscar Fischer is +one of the most important men in the State which I represent. He is a +man of great wealth and industry and immense influence." + +Pamela made a little grimace. Her uncle noticed it and frowned. + +"He has just been telling us of his voyage with you, Pamela. Perhaps, +if Mr. Lutchester can spare you," he went on, with a little bow across +the table, "you will come and take your coffee with us. Your aunt is +leaving for Washington, probably to-morrow, and wishes to arrange for +you to travel with her. Mr. Lutchester may also, perhaps, give us the +pleasure of his company for a few minutes," he added, after a slight +but obvious pause. + +"Thank you," Pamela answered quickly, "I am Mr. Lutchester's guest this +evening. If you are still here, I shall love to come and speak to aunt +for a moment later on. If not, I will ring up to-morrow morning." + +The bland, almost episcopal serenity of Senator Hastings' face was +somewhat disturbed. It was obvious that the situation displeased him. + +"I think, Pamela," he said, "that you had better come and speak to your +aunt before you leave." + +His bow to Lutchester was the bow of a politician to an adversary. He +made his way back in leisurely fashion to the table from which he had +come, exchanging a few words with many acquaintances. Pamela watched +him with a twinkle in her eyes. + +"I am becoming so unpopular," she murmured. "I can read in my uncle's +tone that my aunt and he disapprove of our dining together here. And as +for Mr. Fischer. I'm afraid he'll break off our prospective alliance." + +Lutchester smiled. + +"Prospective is the only word to use," he observed. "By the bye, are +you particularly fond of your uncle?" + +"Not riotously," she admitted. "He has been kind to me once or twice, +but he's rather a starchy old person." + +"In that case," Lutchester decided, "we won't interfere." + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + + +Fischer had by no means the appearance of a discomfited man that +evening, when some time later Pamela and Lutchester approached the +little group of which he seemed, somehow, to have become the central +figure. It was a small party, but, in its way, a distinguished one. +Pamela's aunt was a member of an historic American family, and a woman +of great social position, not only in New York but in Washington +itself. Of the remaining guests, one was a financial magnate of +world-wide fame, and the other, Senator Joyce, a politician of such +eminence that his name was freely mentioned as a possible future +president. Mrs. Hastings greeted Pamela and her escort without +enthusiasm. + +"My dear child," she exclaimed, "how extraordinary to find you here!" + +"Is it?" Pamela observed indifferently. "You know Mr. Lutchester, don't +you, aunt?" + +Mrs. Hastings remembered her late dinner guest, but her recognition was +icy and barely polite. She turned away at once and resumed her +conversation with Fischer. Lutchester was not introduced to either of +the other members of the party. He laid his hand on the back of an +empty chair and turned it round for Pamela, but she stopped him with a +word of thanks. Something had gone from her own naturally pleasant +tone. She held her hand higher, even, than her aunt's, as she turned a +little insistently towards her. + +"So sorry, aunt," she announced, "but we are going now. Good night!" + +Mrs. Hastings disapproved. + +"We have seen nothing of you yet, Pamela," she said stiffly. "You had +better stay with us and we will drop you on our way home." + +Pamela shook her head. + +"I am coming with you to-morrow, you know," she reminded her aunt. +"To-night I am Mr. Lutchester's guest and he will see me home." + +Mrs. Hastings drew her niece a little closer to her. + +"Is this part of your European manners, Pamela?" she whispered, "that +you dine alone in a restaurant with an acquaintance? Let me tell you +frankly that I dislike the idea most heartily. My chaperonage is always +at your service, and any girl of your age in America would be delighted +to avail herself of it." + +"It is very kind of you, aunt," Pamela replied, "but in a general way I +finished with chaperons long ago." + +"Where is Jimmy?" Mrs. Hastings inquired. + +"He was coming with us to-night," Pamela explained, "but I asked him +particularly to stay away. I have seen so little of Mr. Lutchester +since he arrived, and I want to talk to him." + +The financial magnate awoke from a comatose inertia and suddenly +gripped Lutchester by the hand. + +"Lutchester," he repeated to himself. "I thought I knew your face. +Stayed with your uncle down at Monte Carlo once. You came there for a +week." + +Lutchester acknowledged his recollection of the fact and the two men +exchanged a few commonplace remarks. Mrs. Hastings took the opportunity +to try and induce Pamela to converse with Fischer. + +"We have all been so interested to-night," she said, "in hearing what +Mr. Fischer has to say about the situation on the other side." + +Pamela was primed for combat. + +"Has Mr. Fischer been telling you fairy tales?" she laughed. + +"Fairy tales?" her aunt repeated severely. "I don't understand." + +Fischer's steel grey eyes flashed behind his spectacles. + +"I'm afraid that Miss Van Teyl's prejudices," he observed bitterly, +"are very firmly fixed." + +"Then she is no true American," Mrs. Hastings pronounced didactically. + +"Oh, I can assure you that I am not prejudiced," Pamela declared, +"only, you see, I, too, have just arrived from the other side, and I +have been able to use my own eyes and judgment. If there is any +prejudice in the matter, why should it not come from Mr. Fischer? He +has the very good excuse of his German birth." + +"Mr. Fischer is an American citizen," Mrs. Hastings reminded her niece, +"and personally, I think that the American of German birth is one of +the most loyal and long-suffering persons I know. I cannot say as much +for the English people who are living over here. And as to fairy +stories--" + +Pamela intervened, turning towards Fischer with a little laugh. + +"Oh, he can't even deny those! What about the great German victory in +the North Sea, Mr. Fischer? Do you happen to have seen the latest +telegrams?" + +"Our first reports were perhaps a little too glowing," Mr. Fischer +acknowledged. "That, under the circumstances, is, I think, only +natural. But the facts remain that the invincible English and the +untried German fleets have met, to the advantage of the German." + +Pamela shook her head. + +"I cannot even allow that," she objected. "The advantage, if there was +any, rested on the other side. But I just want you to remember what we +were told in that first wonderful outpouring of fabricated news--that +the naval supremacy of England was gone for ever, that the freedom of +the seas was assured, that German merchant vessels were steaming home +from all directions! No, Mr. Fischer! Between ourselves, I think that +your cause needs a few fairy stories, and I look upon you as one of the +greatest experts in the world when it comes to concocting them." + +Fischer, who had risen to his feet half way through Pamela's speech, +was obviously a little taken aback by her direct attack. Mrs. Hastings +took no pains to conceal her annoyance. + +"For a young girl of your age, Pamela," she said sternly, "I consider +that you express your opinions far too freely. Your attitude, too, is +unjustifiable." + +"Ah, well, you see, I am a little prejudiced against Mr. Fischer," +Pamela laughed, turning towards him. "He happened to defeat one of my +pet schemes." + +"But I am ready to further your dearest one," he reminded her, dropping +his voice, and leading her a little on one side. "What about our +alliance?" + +"You scarcely need my aid," she observed, with a shrug of the +shoulders. + +He remonstrated vigorously. There was a revived hopefulness in his +tone. Perhaps, after all, here was the secret of her displeasure with +him. + +"You wonder, perhaps, to see me with your uncle. I give you my word +that it is a dinner of courtesy only. I give you my word that I have +not opened my lips on political matters. I have been waiting for your +answer." + +"I have lost faith in you," she told him calmly. "I am not even certain +that you possess the authority you spoke of." + +"If that is all," he replied eagerly, "you shall see it with your own +eyes. You are staying with your uncle and aunt in Washington, are you +not? I shall call upon you immediately I arrive, and bring it with me." + +She nodded. + +"Well, that remains a challenge, then, Mr. Fischer. And now, if you are +quite ready," she added, turning to Lutchester.... "Good-by, +everybody!" + +"Aren't your ears burning?" Pamela asked, after Lutchester had handed +her into a taxicab and taken his place by her side. "I can absolutely +feel them talking about us." + +"I seem to be most regrettably unpopular," Lutchester remarked. + +"Even now I am puzzled about that," Pamela confessed, "but you see my +aunt considers herself the arbitress of what is right or wrong in +social matters, and she is exceedingly narrow-minded. In her eyes it is +no doubt a greater misdemeanour for me to have dined at the +Ritz-Carlton alone with you, than if I had conspired against the +Government." + +"And this, I thought, was the land of freedom for your sex!" + +"Ah, but my aunt is rather an exception," Pamela reminded him. "The one +thing I cannot understand, however, is that she should have allowed +herself to be seen dining with Mr. Oscar Fischer at the Ritz-Carlton. I +should have thought that would have been almost as heinous to her as my +own little slip from grace." + +"Is your aunt by way of being interested in politics?" Lutchester +inquired. + +"Not in a general way," Pamela replied, "but she is intensely +ambitious, and she'd give her soul if Uncle Theodore could get a +nomination for the Presidency." + +"Perhaps she is taking up the German-American cause, then," Lutchester +suggested. "It is a possible platform, at any rate." + +"I foresee a new party," Pamela murmured thoughtfully. "Now I come to +think of it, Mr. Elsworthy, the fat old gentleman who knew your uncle, +is very pro-German." + +He leaned towards her. + +"We have had enough politics," he insisted. "There is the other thing. +Couldn't I have my answer?" + +She let him take her fingers. In the cool darkness through which they +were rushing her face seemed white, her head was a little averted. He +tried to draw her to him, but she was unyielding. + +"Please not," she begged. "I like you--and I'm glad I like you," she +added, "but I don't feel certain about anything. Couldn't we be just +friends a little longer?" + +"It must be as you say, but I am horribly in love with you," he +confessed. "That may sound rather a bald way of saying so, but it's the +truth, Pamela, dear." + +His clasp upon her fingers was tightened. She turned towards him. Her +expression was serious but delightful. + +"Well, let me tell you this much, at least," she confided. "I have +never before in my life been so glad to hear any one say so.... And +here we are at home, and there's Jimmy on the doorstep. What is it, +Jimmy," she asked, waving her hand. + +He came down towards her in a state of great excitement. + +"Say, we've had to open up the office again!" he exclaimed. "The +telegrams are rolling in now. That so-called German naval victory was a +fake. The Britishers came out right on top. You know you stand to net at +least half a million, Mr. Lutchester? The worst of it is I have another +client who's going to lose it." + +Pamela shook her head at Lutchester. + +"The possibility of increased responsibilities," he whispered. "A +married man needs something to fall back upon." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + + +The offices of Messrs. Neville, Brooks, and Van Teyl were the scene of +something like pandemonium. Van Teyl himself, bathed in perspiration, +rushed into his room for the twentieth time. He almost flung the +newspaper man who was waiting for him through the door. + +"No, we don't know a darned thing," he declared. "We've no special +information. The only reason we're up to our neck in Anglo-French is +because we've two big clients dealing." + +"It's just a few personal notes about those clients we'd like to +handle." + +"Oh, get out as quick as you can!" Van Teyl snapped. "This isn't a +bucket shop or a pool room. The names of our clients concerns ourselves +only." + +"What do you think Anglo-French are going to do, Mr. Van Teyl?" + +"I can't tell," was the prompt answer, "but I can tell what's going to +happen if you don't clear out." + +The newspaper man took a hurried leave. Van Teyl seized the telephone +receiver, only to put it down with a little shout of relief as the door +opened and Lutchester entered. + +"Thank God!" he exclaimed. "Why, I've been ringing you up for an hour +and a half." + +"Sorry," Lutchester replied, "I was down at the barber's the first time +you got through, and then I had some cables to send off." + +"Look here," Van Teyl continued, gripping him by the shoulder, "is six +hundred and forty thousand dollars, or thereabouts, profit enough for +you on your Anglo-French?" + +"It sounds adequate," Lutchester confessed, laying his hat and cane +carefully upon the table and drawing up an easy-chair. "How much is Mr. +Fischer going to lose?" + +"God knows! If you allow me to sell at the present moment, you'll ease +the market, and he'll lose about what you make." + +"And if I decide to hold my Anglo-French?" + +"You'll have to provide us with about a couple of million dollars," Van +Teyl replied, "and I should think you would pretty well break Fischer +for a time. Frankly, he's an important client, and we don't want him +broken, even temporarily." + +"What do you want me to do, then?" + +"Give us authority to sell," Van Teyl begged. "Can't you hear them +yapping about in the office outside? They're round me all the time like +a pack of hounds. Honestly, if I don't sell some Anglo-French before +lunch-time to-day, they look like wrecking the office." + +Lutchester knocked the end of a cigarette thoughtfully against the side +of his chair. + +"All right," he decided, "I don't want you to suffer any inconvenience. +Besides, I am going to Washington this afternoon. You can keep on +selling as long as the market's steady. Directly it sags, hold off. If +necessary, even buy a few more. You understand me? Don't sell a single +block under to-day's price. Keep the market at that figure. It's an +easy job, because next week Anglo-French will go up again." + +Van Teyl was moved to a rare flash of admiration. + +"You're a cool hand, Lutchester," he declared, "considering you're not +a business man." + +"Fischer's the man who'll need to keep cool," Lutchester remarked, +lighting his cigarette. "What about a little lunch?" + +The stockbroker scarcely heard him. He had struck a bell, and the +office seemed suddenly filled with clerks. Van Teyl's words were +incoherent--a string of strange directions, punctuated by slang which +was, so far as Lutchester was concerned, unintelligible. The whole +place seemed to wake into a clamour of telephone bells, shouts, the +clanging and opening of the lift gates, and the hurried tramp of +footsteps in the corridors outside. Lutchester rose to his feet. He was +looking very comfortable and matter-of-fact in his grey tweed suit and +soft felt hat. + +"Perhaps," he observed pleasantly, "I am out of place here. Drop me a +line and let me know how things are going to the Hotel Capitol at +Washington." + +"That's all right," Van Teyl promised. "I'll get you on the +long-distance 'phone. I was coming myself with Pamela for a few days, +but this little deal of yours has set things buzzing.... Say, who's +that?" + +The door opened, and Fischer paused upon the threshold. Certainly, of +all the people concerned, the two speculators themselves seemed the +least moved by the excitement they were causing. Fischer was dressed +with his usual spick-and-span neatness, and his appearance betrayed no +sign of flurry or excitement. He nodded grimly to Lutchester. + +"My congratulations," he said. "You seem to have rigged the Press here +to some purpose." + +Lutchester raised his eyebrows. + +"I don't even know a newspaper man in New York," he declared. + +The newcomer gave vent to a little gesture of derision. + +"Then you've some very clever friends! You'd better make the most of +their offices. The German version of the naval battle will be confirmed +and amplified within twenty-four hours, and then your Anglo-French will +touch mud." + +"If that is your idea," Lutchester remarked suavely, "why buy now? Why +not wait till next week? Come," he went on, "I will have a little +flutter with you, if you like, Fischer. I will bet you five thousand +dollars, and Van Teyl here shall hold the stakes, that a week hence +to-day Anglo-French stand higher than they do at this moment." + +Fischer hesitated. Then he turned away. + +"I am not a sportsman, Mr. Lutchester," he said. + +Lutchester brushed away a little dust from his coat sleeve. + +"No," he murmured, "I agree with you. Good morning!" + +Lutchester walked out into the sun-baked streets, and with his absence +Fischer abandoned his almost unnatural calm. He strode up and down the +room, fuming with rage. At every fresh click of the tape machine, he +snatched at the printed slip eagerly and threw it away with an oath. No +one took any notice of him. Van Teyl rushed in and out, telephones +clanged, perspiring clerks dashed in with copies of contracts to add to +the small pile upon the desk. There came a quiet moment presently. Van +Teyl wiped the perspiration from his forehead and drank a tumblerful of +water. + +"Fischer," he asked, "what made you go into this so big? You must have +known there was always the risk of your wireless report beating it up a +little too tall." + +"It wasn't our report at all that I went by," Fischer confessed +gloomily. "It was the English Admiralty announcement that did it. Can +you conceive," he went on, striking the table with his fist, "any +nation at war, with a grain of common sense or an ounce of +self-respect, issuing a statement like that?--an apology for a defeat +which, damn it all, never happened! Say the thing was a drawn battle, +which is about what it really was. It didn't suit the Germans to fight +it to a finish. They'd everything to lose and little to gain. So in +effect they left the Britishers there and passed back behind their own +minefield. So far as regards reports, that was victory enough for any +one except those muddle-headed civilians at Whitehall. They deceived +the world with that infernal bulletin, and incidentally me. It was on +that statement I gave you my orders, not on ours." + +"It's a damned unfortunate business!" Van Teyl sighed. "You're only +half way out yet, and it's cost you nearly three hundred thousand." + +A dull spot of purple colour burned in Fischer's cheeks. His upper lip +was drawn in, his appearance for a moment was repulsive. + +"It isn't the money I mind," he muttered. "It's Lutchester." + +Van Teyl was discreetly silent. Fischer seemed to read his thoughts. He +leaned across the table. + +"A wonderful fellow, your friend Lutchester," he sneered. "An Admirable +Crichton of finance and diplomacy and love-making, eh? But the end +isn't just yet. I promise you one thing, James Van Teyl. He isn't going +to marry your sister." + +"I'd a damned sight sooner she married him than you!" Van Teyl blazed +out. + +Fischer was taken aback. He had held for so long the upper hand with +this young man that for the moment he had forgotten that circumstances +were changed between them. Van Teyl rose to his feet. The bonds of the +last few months had snapped. He spoke like a free man. + +"Look here, Fischer," he said, "you've had me practically in your power +for the best part of a year, but now I'm through with you. I'm out of +your debt, no thanks to you, and I'm going to keep out. I am working on +your business as hard as though you were my own brother, and I'll go on +doing it. I'll get you out of this mess as well as I can, and after +that you can take your damned business where you please." + +"So that's it, is it?" Fischer scoffed. "A rich brother-in-law coming +along, eh? ... No, don't do that," stepping quickly backwards as Van +Teyl's fist shot out. + +"Then keep my sister's name out of this conversation," Van Teyl +insisted. "If you are wise, you'll clear out altogether. They're at it +again." + +Fischer, however, glanced at the clock and remained. At the next lull, +he hung down the tape and turned to his companion. + +"Say, there's no use quarrelling, James," he declared. "I'm going to +leave you to it now. Guess I said a little more than I meant to, but I +tell you I hate that fellow Lutchester. I hate him just as though I +were the typical German and he were the typical Britisher, and there +was nothing but a sea of hate between us. Shake hands, Jim." + +Van Teyl obeyed without enthusiasm. Fischer drew a chair to the table +and wrote out a cheque, which he passed across. + +"I'll drop into the bank and let them know about this," he said. "You +can make up accounts and let me hear how the balance stands. I'll wipe +it out by return, whatever it is." + +Fischer passed out of the offices a few minutes later, followed by many +curious eyes, and stepped into his automobile. A young man who had +brushed against him pushed a note into his hand. Fischer opened it as +his car swung slowly through the traffic:-- + +Guards at all Connecticut factories doubled. O'Hagan caught last night +in precincts of small arms factory. Was taken alive, disobeying orders. +Be careful. + +Fischer tore the note into small pieces. His face was grimmer than ever +as he leaned back amongst the cushions. There were evil things awaiting +him outside Wall Street. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + + +Lutchester breathed the air of Washington and felt almost homesick. The +stateliness of the city, its sedate and quiescent air after the turmoil +of New York, impressed him profoundly. Everywhere its diplomatic +associations made themselves felt. Congress was in session, and the +faces of the men whom he met continually in the hotels and restaurants +seemed to him some index of the world power which flung its +far-reaching arms from beneath the Capitol dome. + +One afternoon a few days after his arrival he called at the Hastings' +house, a great Colonial mansion within a stone's throw of his own +headquarters. The mention of his name, however, seemed to chill all the +hospitality out of the smiling face of the southern butler who answered +his ring. Miss Van Teyl was out, and from the man's manner it was +obvious that Miss Van Teyl would continue to be out for a very long +time. Lutchester retraced his steps to the British Embassy, where he +had spent most of the morning, and made his way to the sitting-room of +one of the secretaries. The Honourable Philip Downing, who was eagerly +waiting for a cable recalling him to take up a promised commission, +welcomed him heartily. + +"Things are slack here to-day, old fellow. Let's go out to the Country +Club and have a few sets of tennis or a game of golf, whichever you +prefer," he suggested. "I've done my little lot till the evening." + +"Show on to-night, isn't there?" Lutchester inquired. + +"Just a reception. You're going to put in an appearance?" + +"I fancy so. Have you got your list of guests handy?" + +The young man dived into a drawer and produced a few typewritten +sheets. + +"Alphabetical list of acceptances, with here and there a few personal +notes," he pointed out, with an air of self-satisfaction. "I go through +this list with the chief while he's changing for dinner." + +Lutchester ran his forefinger down the list. + +"Senator Theodore and Mrs. Hastings," he quoted. "By the bye, they have +a niece staying with them." + +"Want a card for her?" the Honourable Philip inquired with a grin. + +"I should like it sent off this moment," Lutchester replied. + +The young man took a square, gilt-edged card from a drawer by his side, +filled it out at Lutchester's dictation, rang the bell, and dispatched +it by special messenger. + +"I've got my little buzzer outside," he observed. "We'll make tracks +for the club, if you're ready." + +The two men played several sets of tennis and afterwards lounged in two +wicker chairs, underneath a gigantic plane tree in a corner of the +lawn. The place was crowded, and Philip Downing was an excellent +showman. + +"Washington," he explained, "has never been so divided into opposite +camps, and this is almost the only common meeting ground. Every one has +to come here, of course. The German Staff play tennis and the Austrians +all go in for polo. Here comes Ziduski. He's most fearfully popular +with the ladies here--does us a lot of harm, they say. He's a great +sticker for etiquette. He used to nod and call me Phil. Now you watch. +He'll bow from his waist, as though he had corsets on. As a matter of +fact, he's a good sportsman." + +Count Ziduski's bow was stiff enough but his intention was obvious. He +stopped before the two men, exchanged a somewhat stilted greeting with +Philip Downing, and turned to Lutchester. + +"I believe," he said, "that I have the honour of addressing Mr. +Lutchester?" + +Lutchester rose to his feet. + +"That is my name," he admitted. + +"We have met in Rome, I think, and in Paris," the Count reminded him. +"If I might beg for the favour of a few moments' conversation with +you." + +The two men strolled away together. The Count plunged at once into the +middle of things. + +"It is you, sir, I believe, whom I have to thank for the abrupt +departure of Mademoiselle Sonia from New York?" + +"Quite true," Lutchester admitted. + +"Under different circumstances," the Count proceeded, "I might regard +such interference in my affairs in a different manner. Here, of course, +that is impossible. I speak to you out of regard for the lady in +question. You appear in some mysterious manner to have discovered the +fact that she was in the habit of bringing entirely unimportant and +non-political messages from dear friends in France." + +"Mademoiselle Sonia," Lutchester said calmly, "had for a brief space of +time forgotten herself. She was engaged in carrying out espionage work +on your behalf. I believe I may say that she will do so no more." + +The Count was a man of medium height, thin, with complexion absolutely +colourless, and deep-set, tired eyes. At this moment, however, he +seemed endowed with the spirit of a new virility. The cane which he +grasped might have been a dagger. His smooth tones nursed a threat. + +"Mr. Lutchester," he declared, "if harm should come to her through your +information, I swear to God that you shall pay!" + +Lutchester's manner was mild and unprovocative. + +"Count," he replied, "we make no war upon women. Sonia has repented, +and the knowledge which I have of her misdeeds will be shared by no +one. She has gone back to her country to work for the Red Cross there. +So far as I am concerned, that is the end." + +The two men walked a few steps further in unbroken silence. Then the +Count raised his hat. + +"Mr. Lutchester," he said, "yours is the reply of an honourable enemy. +I might have trusted you, but Sonia is half of my life. I offer you my +thanks." + +He strolled away, and Lutchester rejoined his young friend. + +"The lion and the lamb seem to have parted safely!" the latter +exclaimed. "Now sit by my side and I will show you interesting things. +Those four irreproachable young men over there in tennis flannels are +all from the German Embassy. The two elder ones behind are Austrians. +All those women are the wives of Senators who sympathise with Germany. +Their husbands look like it, don't they? To-day they have an addition +to their ranks--the thin, elderly man there, whose clothes were +evidently made in London. That's Senator Hastings. He is a personal +friend of the President. Jove, what a beautiful girl with Mrs. +Hastings!" + +"That," Lutchester told him, "is the young lady to whom you have just +sent a card of invitation for to-night." + +"Then here's hoping that she comes," Philip Downing observed, finishing +his glass of mint julep. "Is she a pal of yours?" + +"Yes, I know her," Lutchester admitted. + +"Let's go and butt in, then," Downing suggested. "I love breaking up +these little gatherings. You'll see them all stiffen when we come near. +I hope they haven't got hold of Hastings, though." + +The two men rose to their feet and crossed the lawn. Fischer, who had +suddenly appeared in the background, whispered something in Mrs. +Hastings' ear. She swung around to Pamela, a second too late. Pamela, +with a word of excuse to the young man with whom she was talking, +stepped away from the circle and held out her hand to Lutchester. + +"So you have really come to Washington!" she exclaimed. + +"As a rescuer," Lutchester replied. "I feel that I have a mission. We +cannot afford to lose your sympathies. May I introduce Philip Downing?" + +Pamela shook hands with the young man and took her place between them. + +"I've been envying you your seat under the tree," she said. "Couldn't +we go there for a few moments?" + +Mrs. Hastings detached herself and approached them. She received Philip +Downing's bow cordially, and she was almost civil to Lutchester. + +"I can't have my niece taken away," she protested. "We are just going +in to tea, Pamela." + +Pamela shook her head. + +"I am going to sit under that tree with Mr. Lutchester and Mr. +Downing," she declared. "Tea doesn't attract me in the least, and that +tree does." + +Mrs. Hastings accepted defeat with a somewhat cynical gracefulness. She +closed her lorgnette with a little snap. + +"You leave us all desolated, my dear Pamela," she said. "You remind me +of what your poor dear father used to say--'Almost any one could live +with Pamela if she always had her own way.'" + +Pamela laughed as she strolled across the lawn. + +"Aren't one's relatives trying!" she murmured. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + + +Philip Downing very soon justified the profession to which he belonged +by strolling off with some excuse about paying his respects to some +acquaintances. Pamela and Lutchester immediately dropped the somewhat +frivolous tone of their conversation. + +"You know that things are moving with our friend Fischer?" she began. + +"I gathered so," Lutchester assented. + +"His scheme is growing into shape," she went on. "You know what +wonderful people his friends are for organising. Well, they are going +to start a society all through the States and nominate for its +president--Uncle Theodore." + +"Will they have any show at all?" Lutchester asked curiously. + +She shrugged her shoulders. + +"Who can tell? The German-Americans are very powerful indeed all +through the West, and then the pacifists will join them. You see, I +believe that although the soul of the country is with the Allies, +England is the most tactless country in the world. She is always giving +little pinpricks to the Government over here, either about maritime law +or one thing or another. Then all those articles in the papers about +America being too proud to fight, the sneering tone of some, even, of +the leading reviews, did a lot of harm. Uncle Theodore is going to +stand for what they call the true neutrality. That is to say, no +munitions, no help for either side." + +"Well, I don't know anything about American politics," Lutchester +confessed, "but I shouldn't think he'd have an earthly chance." + +"Money is immensely powerful," she went on reflectively, "and many of +the great money interests of the country are controlled by +German-Americans. Mr. Fischer has almost thrown me over politically, +but Uncle Theodore is crazy about the idea of a German pledge to +protect America against Japan. That is going to be the great argument +which he will keep up his sleeve until after the nomination." + +"Fischer's trump card," Lutchester observed. "He hasn't shown you a +certain autograph letter yet, I suppose?" + +She shook her head. + +"He may have shown it to Uncle Theodore. I'm afraid he doesn't mean to +approach me again. He seems to have completely changed his attitude +towards me since the night he saw us at the Ritz-Carlton dining +together. He was going to show me the letter the first day after his +arrival in Washington. Instead of that, he has been in the house for +hours at a time without making the slightest attempt to see me." + +"Faithless fellow!" Lutchester murmured. "Nothing like an Englishman, +after all, for absolute fidelity." + +"Do you really think so?" Pamela inquired anxiously. "Do you think I +should be safe in trusting my heart and future to an Englishman?" + +"To one particular Englishman, yes!" was the firm reply. "I was rather +hoping you might have made up your mind." + +"Too many things to think about," she laughed. "How long are you going +to stay in Washington?" + +"A few hours or days or weeks--until I have finished the work that +brought me here." + +"And what exactly is that?" + +"You ask me lightly," he replied, "but, if you are willing, I have +decided to take you into my confidence. Our friend Nikasti will be here +to-morrow. He was to have sailed for Japan yesterday, but he has +postponed his voyage for a few days. Do you know much about the +Japanese, Miss Pamela?" + +"Very little," she acknowledged. + +"Well, I will tell you one thing. They are not very good at forgiving. +There was only one way I could deal with Nikasti in New York, and it +was a brutal way. I have seen him twice since. He wouldn't look me in +the eyes. I know what that means. He hates me. In a sense I don't +believe he would allow that to interfere in any way with his mission. +In another sense it would. The Allies, above all things, have need of +Japan. We want Japan and America to be friends. We don't want Germany +butting in between the two. Baron Yung is a very clever man, but he is +even more impenetrable than his countrymen generally are. Our people +here admit that they find it difficult to progress with him very far. +They believe that secretly he is in sympathy with Nikasti's reports-- +but you don't know about those, I suppose?" + +"I don't think I do," she admitted. + +"Nikasti was sent to England some years ago to report upon us as a +country. Japan at that time was meditating an alliance with one of the +great European Powers. Obviously it must be Germany or England. Nikasti +travelled all through England, studied our social life, measured our +weaknesses; did the same through Germany, returned to Japan, and gave +his vote in favour of Germany. I have even seen a copy of his report. +He laid great stress upon the absolute devotion to sport of our young +men, and the entire absence of any patriotic sentiment or any means of +national defence. Well, as you know, for various reasons his counsels +were over-ridden, and Japan chose the British alliance. That was +entirely the fault of imperfect German diplomacy. At a time like this, +though, I cannot help thinking that some elements of his former +distrust still remain in Nikasti's mind, and I have an idea that Baron +Yung is, to a certain extent, a sympathiser. I've got to get at the +bottom of this before I leave the States. If I need your help, will you +give it me?" + +"If I can," she promised. + +They saw Mrs. Hastings' figure on the terrace, waving, and Pamela rose +reluctantly to her feet. + +"I don't suppose," Lutchester continued, as they strolled across the +lawn, "that you have very much influence with your uncle, or that he +would listen very much to anything that you have to say, but if he is +really in earnest about this thing, he is going to play a terribly +dangerous game. As things are at present, he has a very pleasant and +responsible position as the supporter and friend of very able men. With +regard to this new movement, he may find the whole ground crumble away +beneath his feet. Fischer is playing the game of a madman. It isn't +only political defeat that might come to him, but disgrace--even +dishonour." + +"You frighten me," Pamela confessed gravely. + +Lutchester sighed. + +"Your uncle," he went on, "is one of those thoroughly conceited, +egotistical men who will probably listen to no one. You see, I have +found out a little about him already. But they tell me that her social +position means a great deal to your aunt. Neither her birth nor her +friends could save her if Fischer drags your uncle to his chariot +wheels." + +"Do you think, perhaps, that you underestimate Mr. Fischer's position +over here?" she asked thoughtfully. + +"I don't think I do," he replied, "but here is something which you have +scarcely appreciated. Fischer has had the effrontery to link himself up +with a little crowd of Germans all through the States, who are making +organised attempts to destroy the factories where ammunitions are being +made for the Allies. That sort of thing, you know, would bring any one, +however, distantly connected with it, to Sing Sing.... One moment," he +added quickly, as Mrs. Hastings stepped forward to meet them; "the +reception at the British Embassy to-night?" + +"The others are going," she said. "My aunt didn't feel she was +sufficiently--" + +"We sent you a card round especially this afternoon," Lutchester +interrupted. "You'll come?" + +"How nice of you! Of course I will," she promised. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV + + +"Small affair, this," Downing observed, as he piloted Lutchester +through the stately reception rooms of the Embassy. "You see, we are +all living a sort of touchy life here, nowadays. We try to be civil to +any of the German or Austrian lot when we meet, but of course they +don't come to our functions. And every now and then some of those +plaguey neutrals get the needle and they don't come, so we never know +quite where we are, Guadopolis has been avoiding us lately, and I hear +he was seen out at the Lakewood Country Club with Count Reszka, the +Rumanian Minister, a few days ago. Gave the Chief quite a little +flurry, that did." + +"There's an idea over in London," Lutchester remarked, "that a good +deal of the war is being shaped in Washington nowadays." + +"That is the Chief's notion," Downing assented. "I know he's pining to +talk to you, so we'll go and do the dutiful." + +Lutchester was welcomed as an old friend by both the Ambassador and his +wife. The former drew him to a divan from which he could watch the +entrance to the rooms, and sat by his side. + +"I am glad they sent you out, Lutchester," he said earnestly. "If ever +a country needed watching by a man with intelligence and experience, +this one does to-day." + +"Do you happen to know that fellow Oscar Fischer?" Lutchester asked. + +"I do, and I consider him one of the most dangerous people in the +States for us," the Ambassador declared. "He has a great following, +huge wealth, and, although he is not a man of culture, he doesn't go +about his job in that bull-headed way that most of them do." + +"He's trying things on with Japan," Lutchester observed. "I think I +shall manage to checkmate him there all right. But there's another +scheme afloat that I don't follow so closely. You know Senator +Hastings, I suppose?" + +The Ambassador nodded. + +"Senator Theodore Hastings," he repeated thoughtfully. "Yes, he's +rather a dark horse. He is supposed to be the President's bosom friend, +but I hear whispers that he'd give his soul for a nomination, adopt any +cause or fight any one's battle." + +"That's my own idea of him," Lutchester replied, "and I think you will +find him in the field with a pretty definite platform before long." + +"You think he's mixed up with Fischer?" the Ambassador inquired. + +"I'm sure he is," Lutchester assented. "Not only that, but they have +something up their sleeve. I think I can guess what it is, but I'm not +sure. How have things seemed to you here lately?" + +"To tell you the truth, I haven't liked the look of them," the +Ambassador confided. "There's something afoot, and I can't be sure what +it is. Look at the crowd to-night. Of course, all the Americans are +here, but the diplomatic attendance has never been so thin. The +Rumanian Minister and his wife, the Italian, the Spanish, and the +Swedish representatives are all absent. I have just heard, too, that +Baron von Schwerin is giving a dinner-party." + +Lutchester looked thoughtfully at the little stream of people. The +Ambassador left him for a few moments to welcome some late comers. He +returned presently and resumed his seat by Lutchester's side. + +"Of course," he continued, lowering his voice, "all formal +communications between us and the enemy Embassies have ceased, but it +has come to be an understood thing, to avoid embarrassments to our +mutual friends, that we do not hold functions on the same day. I heard +that Von Schwerin was giving this dinner-party, so I sent round this +morning to inquire. The reply was that it was entirely a private one. +One of our youngsters brought us in a list of the guests a short time +ago. I see Hastings is one of them, and Fischer, and Rumania and Greece +will be represented. Now Hastings was to have been here, and as a rule +the neutrals are very punctilious." + +"I suppose the way that naval affair was represented didn't do us any +good," Lutchester observed. + +"It did us harm, without a doubt," was the lugubrious admission. +"Still, fortunately, these people over here are clever enough to +understand our idiosyncrasies. I honestly think we'd rather whine about +a defeat than glory in a victory." + +"Diplomatically, too," Lutchester remarked thoughtfully, "I should have +said that things seemed all right here. The President comes in for a +great deal of abuse in some countries. Personally, I think he has been +wonderful." + +The Ambassador nodded. + +"You and I both know, Lutchester," he said, "that the last thing we +want is to find America dragged into this war. Such a happening would +be nothing more nor less than a catastrophe in itself, to say nothing +of the internal dissensions here. On the other hand, as things are now, +Washington is becoming a perfect arena for diplomatic chicanery, and I +have just an instinct--I can't define it in any way--which leads me to +believe that some fresh trouble has started within the last twenty-four +hours." + +Lady Ridlingshawe motioned to her husband with her fan, and he rose at +once to his feet. + +"I must leave you to look after yourself for a time, Lutchester," he +concluded. "You'll find plenty of people here you know. Don't go until +you've seen me again." + +Lutchester wandered off in search of Pamela. He found her with Mrs. +Hastings, surrounded by a little crowd of acquaintances. Pamela waved +her fan, and they made way for him. + +"Mr. Lutchester, I have been looking everywhere for you!" she +exclaimed. "What a secretive person you are! Why couldn't you tell me +that Lady Ridlingshawe was your cousin? I want you to take me to her, +please, I met her sister out in Nice." + +She laid her fingers upon his arm, and they passed out of the little +circle. + +"All bluff, of course," she murmured. "Find the quietest place you can. +I want to talk to you." + +They wandered out on to a balcony where some of the younger people were +taking ices. She leaned over the wooden rail. + +"Listen," she said, "I adore this atmosphere, and I am perfectly +certain there is something going on--something exciting, I mean. You +know that the Baron von Schwerin has a dinner-party?" + +"I know that," he assented. + +"Uncle Theodore is going with Mr. Fischer. He was invited at the last +moment, and I understand that his presence was specially requested." + +Lutchester stood for a short time in an absorbed and sombre silence. In +the deep blue twilight his face seemed to have fallen into sterner +lines. Without a doubt he was disturbed. Pamela looked at him +anxiously. + +"Is anything the matter?" she asked. + +He shook his head. + +"Nothing definite, only for the last few hours I have felt that things +here are reaching a crisis. There is something going on around us, +something which seems to fill Fischer and his friends with confidence, +something which I don't quite understand, and which it is my business +to understand. That is really what is worrying me." + +She nodded sympathetically and glanced around for a moment. + +"Let me tell you something," she whispered. "This evening my uncle came +into my room just before dinner. There is a little safe built in the +wall for jewellery. He begged for the loan of it. His library safe, he +said, was out of order. I couldn't see what he put in, but when he had +closed the door he stood looking at it for a moment curiously. I made +some jesting remark about its being a treasure chest, but he answered +me seriously. 'You are going to sleep to-night, Pamela,' he said, +'within a few yards of a dozen or so of written words which will change +the world's history.'" + +Lutchester was listening intently. There was a prolonged pause. + +"Well?" he asked, at last. + +She glanced at the little Yale key which hung from her bracelet. + +"Nothing! I was just wondering how I should be able to sleep through +the night without opening the safe." + +"But surely your uncle didn't give you the key!" + +She shook her head. + +"I don't suppose he knows I have such a thing," she replied. "He has a +master-key himself to all the safes, which he used. This is one the +housekeeper gave me as soon as I arrived." + +Lutchester looked out into the darkness. + +"Tell me," he inquired, "is that your house--the next one to this?" + +"That's the old Hastings' house," she assented. "They are all family +mansions along here." + +"It looks an easy place to burgle," he remarked. + +She laughed quietly. + +"I should think it would be," she admitted. "There are any quantity of +downstair windows. We don't have burglaries in Washington, though +--certainly not this side of the city." + +A little bevy of young people had found their way into the gardens. +Lutchester waited until they had passed out of earshot before he spoke +again. + +"I have reason to believe," he continued, "that in the course of their +negotiations Fischer has deposited with your uncle a certain autograph +letter, of which we have already spoken, making definite proposals to +America if she will change her attitude on the neutrality question." + +"The written words," Pamela murmured. + +Lutchester's hand suddenly closed upon her wrist. She was surprised to +find his fingers so cold, yet marvellously tenacious. + +"You are going to lose that key and I am going to find it," he said, +quietly. "I am sorry--but you must." + +"I am going to do nothing of the sort," Pamela objected. + +His fingers remained like a cold vice upon her wrist. She made no +effort to draw it away. + +"Listen," he said; "do you believe that the Hastings-cum-Fischer party +is going to be the best thing that could happen for America?" + +"I certainly do not," she admitted. + +"Then do as I beg. Let me take that key from your bracelet. You shall +have no other responsibility." + +"And what are you going to do with it?" + +"You must leave that to me," he answered. "I will tell you as much as I +can. I stopped Nikasti sailing for Japan, but I made a mortal enemy of +him at the same time. He has come to Washington to consult with his +Ambassador. They are together tonight. It is my mission to convince +them of Germany's duplicity." + +"I see.... And you think that these written words--?" + +"Give the key to me," he begged, "and ask no questions." + +She shook her head. + +"I should object most strongly to nocturnal disturbers of my slumbers!" + +It seemed to her that his frame had become tenser, his tone harder. The +grip of his fingers was still upon her wrist. + +"Even your objection," he said, "might not relieve you of the +possibility of their advent." + +"Don't be silly," she answered, "and, above all, don't try to threaten +me. If you want my help--" + +She looked steadfastly across at the looming outline of the Hastings' +house. + +"I do want your help," he assured her. + +"How long should you require the letter for?" + +"One hour," he replied. + +She led him down some steps on to the smooth lawns which encircled the +house. They passed in and out of some gigantic shrubs until at last +they came to a paling. She felt along it for a few yards. + +"There is a gate there," she told him. "Can you do anything with it?" + +It was fastened by an old lock. He lifted it off its hinges, and they +both passed through. + +"Keep behind the shrubs as much as you can," she whispered. "There is a +way into the house from the verandah here." + +They reached at last the shadow of the building. She paused. + +"Wait here for me," she continued. "I would rather enter the house +without being seen, if I can, but it doesn't really matter. I can make +some excuse for coming back. Don't move from where you are." + +She glided away from him and disappeared. Lutchester waited, standing +well back in the shadow of the shrubs. From the Embassy came all the +time the sound of music, occasionally even the murmur of voices; from +the dark house in front of him, nothing. Suddenly he heard what seemed +to be the opening of a window, and then soft footsteps. Pamela appeared +round the corner of the building, a white, spectral figure against that +background of deep blue darkness. She came on tiptoe, running down the +steps and holding her skirts with both hands. + +"Not a soul has seen me," she whispered. "Take this quickly." + +She thrust an envelope into his hands, and something hard with it. + +"That's Uncle Theodore's seal," she explained. "He sealed up the +envelope when he put it in there. Now come back quickly to the Embassy. +You must please hurry with what you want to do. If I have left when you +return, you must come back to exactly this place. That window"--she +pointed upwards--"will be wide open. You must throw a pine cone or a +pebble through it. I shall be waiting." + +"I understand," he assured her. + +They retraced their steps. Once more they drew near to the Embassy. The +night had grown warmer and more windows had been opened. They reached +the verandah. She touched his hand for a moment. + +"Well," she said, "I don't know whether I have been wise or not. Try +and be back in less than an hour, if you can. I am going in alone." + +She left him, and Lutchester, after a few brief words with the +Ambassador, hurried away to his task. In twenty minutes he stood before +a tall, grey-stone building, a few blocks away, was admitted by a +Japanese butler, and conducted, after some hesitation, into a large +room at the back of the house. An elderly man, dressed for the evening, +with the lapel of his coat covered with orders, was awaiting him. + +"I am a stranger to you, Baron," Lutchester began. + +"That does not matter," was the grave reply. "Ten minutes ago I had an +urgent telephone call from our mutual friend. His Excellency told me +that he was sending a special messenger, and begged me to give you a +few minutes. I have left a conference of some importance, and I am +here." + +"A few minutes will be enough," Lutchester promised. "I am engaged by +the English Government upon Secret Service work. I came to America, +following a man named Fischer. You have heard of him?" + +"I have heard of him," the Ambassador acknowledged. + +"In New York," Lutchester continued, "he met one of your countrymen, +Prince Nikasti, a man, I may add," Lutchester went on, "for whom I have +the highest respect and esteem, although quite openly, years ago, he +pronounced himself unfavourably disposed towards my country. The object +of Fischer's meeting with Prince Nikasti was to convey to him certain +definite proposals on behalf of the German Government. They wish for a +rapprochement with your country. They offer certain terms, confirmation +of which Fischer brought with him in an autograph letter." + +There was a moment's silence. Not a word came from the man who seemed +to have learnt the gift of sitting with absolute immovability. Even his +eyes did not blink. He sat and waited. + +"The proposals made to you are plausible and deserving of +consideration," Lutchester proceeded. "Do not think that there exists +in my mind, or would exist in the mind of any Englishman knowing of +them, any feeling of resentment that these proposals should have been +received by you for consideration. Nothing in this world counts to +those who follow the arts of diplomacy, save the simple welfare of the +people whom he represents. It is therefore the duty of every patriot to +examine carefully all proposals made to him likely to militate to the +advantage of his own people. You have a letter, offering you certain +terms to withdraw from your present alliances. Here is a letter from +the same source, in the same handwriting, written to America. Break the +seal yourself. It was brought to this country by Fischer, in the same +dispatch box as yours, to be handed to some responsible person in the +American Government. It was handed to Senator Theodore Hastings. It is +to form part of his platform on the day when his nomination as +President is announced. It must be back in his safe within +three-quarters of an hour. Break the seal and read it." + +The Japanese held out his hand, broke the seal of the envelope, and +read. His face remained immovable. When he had finished he looked up at +his visitor. + +"I am permitted to take a copy?" he asked. + +"Certainly!" + +He touched a bell, spoke down a mouthpiece, and with almost necromantic +swiftness two young men were in the room. A camera was dragged out, a +little flash of light shot up to the ceiling, and the attaches vanished +as quickly as they had come. The Ambassador replaced the document in +its envelope, handed a stick of sealing-wax and a candle to Lutchester, +who leaned over and resealed the envelope. + +"The negative?" he enquired. + +"Will be kept under lock and key," the Ambassador promised. "It will +pass into the archives of Japanese history. In future we shall know." + +Once more he touched a bell. The door was opened. Lutchester found +himself escorted into the street. He was back at the Embassy in time to +meet a little stream of departing guests. Lady Ridlingshawe patted him +on the shoulder with her fan. + +"Deserter!" she exclaimed, reproachfully, "Wherever have you been +hiding?" + +Lutchester made some light reply and passed on. He made his way out +into the gardens. The darkness now was a little more sombre, and he had +to grope his way to the palings. Soon he stood before the dark outline +of the adjoining house. In the window towards which he was making his +way a single candle in a silver candlestick was burning. He paused +underneath and listened. Then he took a pine cone which he had picked +up on his way and threw it through the open window. The candle was +withdrawn. A shadowy form leaned out. + +"I'm quite alone," she assured him softly. "Can you throw it in?" + +He nodded. + +"I think so." + +His first effort was successful. The seal followed, wrapped up in his +handkerchief. A moment or two later he saw Pamela's face at the window. + +"Good night!" she whispered. "Quickly, please. There is still some one +about downstairs." + +The light was extinguished. Lutchester made his way cautiously back, +replaced the gate upon its hinges and reached the shelter of the Embassy, +denuded now of guests. He found Downing in the smoking-room. + +"Can I get a whisky and soda?" Lutchester asked, in response to the +latter's vociferous greeting. + +"Call it a highball," was the prompt reply, "and you can have as many +as you like. Have you earned it?" he added, a little curiously. + +"I almost believe that I have," Lutchester assented. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV + + +Mr. Oscar Fischer and his friend, Senator Theodore Hastings, stood side +by side, a week later, in the bar of one of the most fashionable of New +York hotels. They were passing away the few minutes before Pamela and +her aunt would be ready to join them in the dining room above. + +"Very little news, I fancy," Hastings remarked, glancing at the tape +which was passing through his companion's fingers. + +"Nothing--of any importance," Fischer replied. "Nothing." + +The older man glanced searchingly at his companion, the change in whose +tone was ominous. Fischer was standing with the tape in his hand, his +eyes glued upon a certain paragraph. The Senator took out his +eyeglasses and looked over his friend's shoulder. + +"What's this?" he demanded. "Eh?" + +Fischer was fighting a great battle and fighting it well. + +"Something wrong, apparently, with Frank Roughton," he observed; "an +old college friend of mine. They made him Governor of----only last +year." + +Hastings read the item thoughtfully. + +Governor Roughton this morning tendered his resignation as Governor of +the State of----. We understand that it was at once accepted. Numerous +arrests have taken place with reference to the great explosion at the +Bembridge powder factory. + +"Looks rather fishy, that," Hastings observed thoughtfully. + +"I'm sorry for Roughton," Fischer declared. "He was a perfectly +straight man, and I am sure he has done his best." + +"Great friend of yours?" the other asked curiously. + +"We were intimately acquainted," was the brief answer. + +The two men finished their cocktails in silence. On their way upstairs +the Senator took his companion's arm. + +"Fischer," he said, "you'll forgive me if I put a certain matter to you +plainly?" + +"Naturally!" + +"Within the last few days," Hastings proceeded, "there have been seven +explosions or fires at various factories throughout the States. It is a +somewhat significant circumstance," he added, after a slight pause, +"that every one of these misfortunes has occurred at a factory where +munitions of some sort for the Allies have been in process of +manufacture. Shrewd men have naturally come to the conclusion that +there is some organisation at work." + +"I should doubt it," Fischer replied. "You must remember that there is +always a great risk of disasters in factories where explosives are +being handled. It is a new thing to many of the manufacturers here, +and it is obvious that they are not making use of all the necessary +precautions." + +"I see," Hastings observed, reflectively. "So that is how you would +explain this epidemic of disasters, eh?" + +"Certainly!" + +"At the same time, Fischer, to set my mind entirely at rest," Hastings +continued, "I should like your assurance that you have nothing whatever +to do with any organisation, should there be such a thing, including in +its object the destruction of American property." + +"I will do more than answer your question in the direct negative," was +the firm reply. "I will assure you that no such organisation exists." + +"I am relieved to hear it," Hastings confessed. "This resignation of +Roughton, however, seems a strange thing. Most of these fires have +occurred in his State.... Ah! there is Senator Joyce waiting for us, +and Pamela and Mrs. Hastings." + +Mr. Hastings as a host was in his element. His manners and tact, which +his enemies declared were far too perfect, were both admirably +displayed in the smaller ways of life. He guided the conversation into +light yet opportune subjects, and he utterly ignored the fact that +Senator Joyce, one of the great politicians of the day, whose support +of his nomination was already more than half promised, seemed distrait +and a little cold. It was Pamela who quite inadvertently steered the +conversation into a dangerous channel. + +"What has Governor Roughton been doing, Mr. Fischer?" she asked. + +There was a moment's silence. Pamela's question had fallen something +like a bombshell amongst the little party. It was their guest who +replied. + +"The matter is occupying the attention of the country very largely at +the moment, Miss Van Teyl," he said. "It is perhaps unfortunate that +Governor Roughton seems to have allowed his sympathies to be so clearly +known." + +"He is a German by birth, is he not?" Pamela inquired. + +"Most decidedly not," Fischer asserted. "I was at Harvard with him." + +"All the same," Pamela murmured under her breath, "I think that he was +born at Stuttgart." + +"He is an American citizen," Senator Joyce observed, "and has reached a +high position here. We of the Administration may be wrong," he +continued, "but we believe, and we think that we have a right to +believe, that when any man of conscience and ideals takes the oath, he +is free from all previous prejudices. He is an American citizen-- +nothing more and nothing less." + +"Of course, that is magnificent," Pamela declared, "but it isn't common +sense, is it, and you haven't answered my original question yet." + +"I am not in a position to do so, Miss Van Teyl," Joyce replied. "The +trouble probably is that Governor Roughton has been considered +incompetent as so many of these disasters have taken place unhindered +in his State." + +"There was a rumour," Pamela persisted, "that he was under arrest." + +"Quite untrue, I am sure," Fischer muttered. + +There was a general diversion of the conversation, but the sense of +uneasiness remained. Pamela and Mrs. Hastings, at the conclusion of the +little banquet, acting upon a hint from their host, made their way to +one of the small drawing-rooms for their coffee. Left alone, the three +men drew their chairs closer together. Joyce's fine face seemed somehow +to have become a little harder and more unsympathetic. He sipped the +water, which was his only beverage, and pushed away the cigars in which +he generally indulged. + +"Mr. Hastings," he pronounced, "I have given the subject of supporting +your nomination my deepest consideration. I was at one time, I must +confess, favourably disposed towards the idea. I have changed my mind. +I have decided to give my support to the present Administration." + +Fischer's face was dark with anger. He even allowed an expletive to +escape from his lips. Hastings, however, remained master of himself. + +"I will not conceal from you, Mr. Joyce," he confessed, "that I am +exceedingly disappointed. You have fully considered everything, I +presume--our pledge, for instance, to nominate you as my successor?" + +"I have considered everything," Joyce replied. "The drawback in my +mind, to be frank with you, is that I doubt whether you would receive +sufficient support throughout the country. It is my idea," he went on, +"although I may be wrong, of course, that the support of the +German-Americans who, you must allow me to maintain, are an exceedingly +unneutral part of America, will place you in an unpopular position. +Should you succeed in getting yourself elected, which I very much +doubt, you will be an unpopular President. I would rather wait my +time." + +"You have changed your views," Fischer muttered. + +"To be perfectly frank with you, I have," Joyce acknowledged. "These +outrages throughout the States are, to my mind, blatant and criminal. +Directly or indirectly, the German-American public is responsible for +them--indirectly, by inflammatory speeches, reckless journalism, and +point-blank laudation of illegal acts; directly--well, here I can speak +only from my own suspicions, so I will remain silent. But my mind is +made up. A man in this country, as you know," he added, "need make only +one mistake and his political future is blasted. I am not inclined to +risk making that one mistake." + +Hastings sighed. He was making a brave effort to conceal a great +disappointment. + +"One cannot argue with you, Mr. Joyce," he regretted. "You have come to +a certain conclusion, and words are not likely to alter it. There is no +one I would so dearly have loved to number amongst my supporters, but I +see that it is a privilege for which I may not hope.... We will, if you +are ready, Fischer, join the ladies." + +They rose from the table a few minutes later. + +Fischer, who had been eagerly watching his opportunity, drew Senator +Joyce on one side for a moment as they passed down the crowded +corridor. + +"Mr. Joyce," he said, "I have heard your decision to-night with deeper +regret than I can express, yet more than ever it has brought home one +truth to me. Our position towards you was a wrong one. We offered you a +reversion when we should have offered you the thing itself." + +Senator Joyce swung around. + +"Say, Mr. Fischer, what are you getting at?" he asked bluntly. + +"I mean that it is Hastings and I who should have been your supporters, +and you who should have been our candidate," Fischer suggested boldly. +"What about it? It isn't too late." + +"Nothing doing, sir," was the firm reply. "Theodore Hastings may not be +exactly my type of man, but I am not out to see him cornered like that, +and besides, to tell you the honest truth, Mr. Fischer," he added, +pausing at the door, "when I stand for the Presidency, I want to do so +not on the nomination of you or your friends, or any underground +schemers. I want the support of the real American citizen. I want to be +free from, all outside ties and obligations. I want to stand for +America, and America only, I not only want to be President, you see, +but I want to be the chosen President of the right sort of people.... I +am going to ask you to excuse me to the ladies and our host, Mr. +Fischer," he concluded, holding out his hand. "I had a note asking me +to visit the Attorney General, which I only received on my way here. I +have an idea that it is about this Roughton business." + +Fischer returned to the others alone. Hastings was clearly disturbed at +his guest's departure. His friend and supporter, however, affected to +treat it lightly. + +"Joyce is like all these lawyers," he declared. "He is simply waiting +to see which way the wind blows. I have come across them many times. +They like to wait till parties are evenly balanced, till their support +makes all the difference, and clinch their bargain then." + +"I should have said," Pamela remarked, "that Mr. Joyce was a man above +that sort of thing." + +"Every man has his price and his weak spot," her uncle observed +didactically. "Joyce's price is the Presidency. His weak spot is +popular adulation. I agree with Fischer. He will probably join us +later." + +Mr. Hastings was summoned to the telephone, a moment or two later. Mrs. +Hastings sat down to write a note, and Pamela moved her place over to +Fischer's side. His face brightened at her spontaneous movement. She +shook her head, however, at the little compliment with which he +welcomed her. + +"This afternoon," she said softly, "I met Mr. Lutchester." + +"Is he back in New York?" Fischer asked, frowning. + +Pamela nodded. + +"He told me something which I feel inclined to tell you," she +continued, glancing into her companion's haggard face with a gleam of +sympathy in her eyes. "You'll probably see it in the newspapers +to-morrow morning. Governor Roughton's resignation was compulsory. He +is under arrest." + +"For negligence?" + +"For participation," was the grave reply. "Mr. Lutchester has been down +to--the city where these things took place. He only got back late this +afternoon." + +"Lutchester again!" Fischer muttered. + +"You see, it's rather in his line," Pamela reminded him. "He is over +here to superintend the production of munitions from the factories +which are working for the British Government." + +"He is over here as a sort of general mischief-maker!" Fischer +exclaimed fiercely. "Do I understand that he has been down in----?" + +Pamela nodded. + +"He went down with one of the heads of the New York police." + +She turned away, but Fischer caught at her wrist. + +"You know more than this!" he cried hoarsely. + +The agony in the man's face and tone touched her. After all, he was +fighting for the great things. There was nothing mean about Fischer, +nothing selfish about his lying and his crimes. + +"I have told you all that I can," she whispered, "but if you hurried, +you could catch the _New York_ to-night--and I think I should advise +you to go." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI + + +Fischer, on leaving his unsuccessful dinner party, drove direct to the +residence of Mr. Max H. Bookam, in Fifth Avenue. The butler who +admitted him looked a little blank at his inquiry. + +"Mr. Bookam was expected home yesterday, sir," he announced. "He has +not arrived, however." + +"Has there been any telegram from him?--any news as to the cause of his +non-return?" Fischer persisted. + +"I believe that Mr. Kaye, his secretary, has some information, sir," +the man admitted. "Perhaps you would like to see him." + +Fischer did not hesitate, and was conducted at once to the study in +which Mr. Bookam was wont to indulge in various nefarious Stock +Exchange adventures. The room was occupied on this occasion by a +dejected-looking young man, with pasty face and gold spectacles. The +apartment, as Fischer was quick to notice, showed signs of a strange +disorder. + +"Where's Mr. Bookam?" he asked quickly. + +The young man walked to the door, shook it to be sure that it was +closed, and came back again. His tone was ominous, almost dramatic. + +"In the State Prison at----, sir," he announced. + +"What for?" Fischer demanded, breathing a little thickly. + +"I have no certain information," the secretary replied, with a +noncommittal air. "All I know is that I had a long-distance telephone +to burn certain documents, but before I could do so the room and the +house were searched by New York detectives, whose warrant it was +useless to resist." + +"But what's the charge against Mr. Bookam?" + +"It's something to do with the disasters in----," the young man +confided. "The Governor of the State, who is Mr. Bookam's cousin, is in +the same trouble.... Better sit down a moment, sir. You're looking +white." + +Mr. Fischer threw himself into an easy-chair. He felt like a man who +has built a mighty piece of machinery, has set it swinging through +space, and watches now its imminent collapse; watches some tiny but +ghastly flaw, pregnant with disaster, growing wider and wider before +his eyes. + +"What papers did the police take away with them?" he asked. + +"There wasn't very much for them," the secretary replied. "There was a +list of the names of the proposed organisation which, owing to your +very wise intervention, was never formed. There was a list of factories +throughout the United States in which munitions are being made, with a +black mark against those holding the most important contracts. And +there was a letter from Governor Roughton." + +"Mr. Bookam hasn't drawn any cheques lately for large amounts?" Fischer +inquired eagerly. + +"There are three in his private cheque-book, sir, the counterfoils of +which are not filled in," was the somewhat dreary admission. + +Fischer groaned as he received the news. + +"Have you any idea about those cheques?" he demanded. + +"I am afraid," the other acknowledged, "that Mr. Bookam was not very +discreet. I reminded him of your advice--that the money should be +passed through Sullivan--but he didn't seem to think it worth while." + +"Look here, let me know the worst at once," Fischer insisted. "Do you +believe that any one of those cheques was made payable to any of the +men who are under arrest?" + +"I am afraid," the secretary declared sadly, "that the proceeds of one +were found on the person of Ed. Swindles, intact." + +Fischer sat for a moment with his head buried in his hands. "That any +man could have been such a fool. An organisation would have been a +thousand times safer. Max Bookam was only a very worthy and industrious +clothing manufacturer, with an intense love for the Fatherland and a +great veneration for all her institutions. What he had done, he had +done whole-heartedly but foolishly. He was a man who should never have +been trusted for a moment in the game. After all, the pawns count...." + +Fischer took his leave and reached his hotel a little before midnight. +Already he had begun to look over his shoulder in the street. He found +his rooms empty with a sense of relief, marred by one little +disappointment. Nikasti was to have been there to bid him farewell-- +Nikasti on his way back to Japan. He ascertained from the office of the +hotel that there had been no telephone message or caller. Then he +turned to his correspondence, some presentiment already clutching at +his strained nerves. There was a letter in a large envelope, near the +bottom of the pile, addressed to him in Nikasti's fine handwriting. He +tore open the envelope, and slow horror seized him as he realised its +contents. A long photograph unrolled itself before his eyes. The first +few words brought confusion and horror to his sense. His brain reeled. +This was defeat, indeed! It was a photograph of that other autograph +letter. The one which he had given to Nikasti to carry to Japan lay-- +gross sacrilege!--about him in small pieces. There was no other line, +no message, nothing but this damning proof of his duplicity. + +A kind of mental torture seized him. He fought like a caged man for +some way out. Every sort of explanation occurred to him only to be +rejected, every sort of subterfuge, only to be cast aside with a kind +of ghastly contempt. He felt suddenly stripped bare. His tongue could +serve him no more. He snatched at the telephone receiver and rang up +the number for which he searched eagerly through the book. + +"Is that the office of the American Steamship Company?" he asked. + +"Yes." + +"What time will the _New York_ sail?" + +"In three-quarters of an hour. Who's speaking?" + +"Mr. Oscar Fischer. Keep anything you have for me." + +He threw down the receiver for fear of a refusal, packed a few things +feverishly in a dressing bag, dashed the rest of his correspondence +into his pocket, and with the bag in one hand, and an overcoat over the +other arm, he hastened out into the street. He was obliged at first to +board a street car. Afterwards he found a taxicab, and drove under the +great wooden shed as the last siren was blowing. He hurried up the +gangway, a grim, remorseful figure, a sense of defeat gnawing at his +heart, a bitter, haunting fear still with him even when, with a shriek +of the tugs, the great steamer swung into the river. He was leaving +forever the work to which he had given so much of his life, leaving it +a fugitive and dishonoured. The blaze of lights, the screaming of the +great ferry-boats, all the triumphant, brazen noises of the mighty +city, sounded like a requiem to him as in the darkest part of the +promenade deck he leaned over the railing and nursed his agony, the +supreme agony of an ambitious man--failure. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII + + +"What has become," Mrs. Theodore Hastings asked her niece one afternoon +about a month later, "of your delightful friend, Mr. Lutchester?" + +Pamela laid down her book and looked across at her aunt with wide-open +eyes. + +"Why, I thought you didn't like him, aunt?" + +"I cannot remember saying so, my dear," Mrs. Hastings replied. "I had +nothing against the man himself. It was simply his attitude with regard +to some of your uncle's plans, of which we disapproved." + +Pamela nodded. They were seated on the piazza of the Hastings' country +house at Manchester. + +"I see!... And uncle's plans," she went on reflectively, "have become a +little changed, haven't they?" + +Mrs. Hastings coughed. + +"There is no doubt," she admitted, "that your Uncle Theodore was +inveigled into supporting, to a certain extent, a party whose leaders +have shown themselves utterly irresponsible. The moment these horrible +things began to come out, however, your uncle finally cut himself loose +from them." + +"Very wise of him," Pamela murmured. + +"Who could have believed," Mrs. Hastings demanded, "that men like Oscar +Fischer, Max Bookam and a dozen other well-known and prominent +millionaires, would have stooped to encourage the destruction of American +property and lives, simply through blind devotion to the country of their +birth. I could understand," she went on, "both your uncle and I perfectly +understood that their sympathies were German rather than English, but +we shared a common belief that notwithstanding this they were Americans +first and foremost. It was in this belief that your uncle was led into +temporary association with them." + +"Bad luck," Pamela sighed. "I am afraid it hasn't done Uncle Theodore +any good." + +Mrs. Hastings went on with her knitting for a moment. + +"My child," she said, "it has probably imperilled, if it has not +completely ruined, one of the great hopes which your uncle and I have +sometimes entertained. We are both of us, however, quite philosophical +about it. Even at this moment I am convinced that if these men had +acted with discretion, and been content to wield political influence +rather than to have resorted to such fanatical means, they would have +represented a great power at the next election. As things are, I admit +that their cause is lost for the time. I believe that your uncle is +contemplating an early visit to England. He is of the opinion that +perhaps he has misunderstood the Allied point of view, and he is going +to study matters at first hand." + +Pamela nodded. + +"I think he is very wise, aunt," she declared. "I quite expect that he +will come back a warm advocate of the Allies. No one would have a ghost +of a chance who went to the country here on the other ticket." + +"I believe that that is your uncle's point of view," Mrs. Hastings +assented.... "Why don't you ask Mr. Lutchester down for a couple of +days?" + +"If you mean it, I certainly will," Pamela agreed. + +"Quite incidentally," her aunt continued, "I heard the nicest possible +things about him in Washington. Lady Ridlingshawe told me that the +Lutchesters are one of the oldest families in England. He is a cousin +of the Duke of Worcester, and is extraordinarily well connected in +other directions. I must say he has a most distinguished appearance. +A well-bred Englishman is so different from these foreigners." + +Pamela laid down her book and drew her writing block towards her. + +"I'll write and invite him down at once," she suggested. + +"Your uncle will be delighted," Mrs. Hastings purred.... + +Lutchester received his invitation in New York and arrived in +Manchester three days later. Pamela met him at the station with a +couple of boatmen by her side. + +"If you wouldn't mind sailing home?" she proposed. "The house is +practically on an island, and the tide is just right. These men will +take your luggage." + +They walked down to the little dock together. + +Pamela talked all the time, but Lutchester was curiously tongue-tied. + +"You'll find Uncle Theodore, and aunt, too, most amusing," she +confided. "It is perfectly obvious that there is nothing uncle regrets +so much as his temporary linking up with Fischer and his friends; in +fact, he is going to Europe almost at once--I am convinced for no other +reason than to give him an excuse, upon his return, for blossoming out +as a fervent supporter of the Allies." + +"Are you going too?" Lutchester inquired. "Shall I? Well, I am not +really sure," she declared, as they reached the little wooden dock. "I +suppose I shall, especially if I can find something to do. I may even +turn nurse." + +"You will be able to find plenty to do," he assured her. "If nothing +else turns up, you can help me." + +They stepped on to the yacht. Pamela, a radiant vision in white, with +white flannel skirt, white jersey and tam-o'-shanter, took the helm, +and was busy for a few moments getting clear. Afterwards she leaned +back amongst the cushions, with Lutchester by her side. + +"In the agitation of missing that buoy," he reminded her, "you forgot +to answer my last suggestion." + +"Is there any way in which I could help you?" she asked. + +"You can help me in the greatest of all ways," he replied promptly. +"You can give me just that help which only the woman who cares can give +to the man who cares for her, and if that isn't exciting enough," he +went on, after a moment's pause, "well, I dare say I can find you some +work in the censor's department." + +"Isn't censoring a little dull?" she murmured. + +"Then you choose--" + +Her hand slipped into his. A little breeze filled their sails at that +moment. The wonderful blue water of the bay sparkled with a million +gleams of sunshine. Lutchester drew a great breath of content. + +"That's aunt on the landing-stage, watching us through her glasses," +Pamela pointed out, making a feeble attempt to withdraw her hand. + +"It will save us the trouble," he observed, resisting her effort, "of +explanations." + +Lutchester found his host and hostess unexpectedly friendly. They even +accepted with cheerful philosophy the news that Lutchester's work in +America was almost finished for the time, and that Pamela was to +accompany him to Europe almost immediately. After dinner, when the two +men were left at the table, Hastings became almost confidential. + +"So far as regards the sympathies of this country, Mr. Lutchester," he +said, "the final die has been cast within the last few weeks. There has +always been," he proceeded, "a certain irritation existing between even +the Anglo-Saxon Americans and your country. We have fancied so often +that you have adopted little airs of superiority towards us, and that +your methods of stating your intentions have not always taken account +of our own little weaknesses. Then America, you know, loves a good +fight, and the Germans are a wonderful military people. They were +fighting like giants whilst you in England were still slacking. But it +is Germany herself, or rather her sons and friends, who have destroyed +her chances for her. Fischer, for instance," he went on, fingering his +wineglass. "I have always looked upon Oscar Fischer as a brilliant and +far-seeing man. He was one of those who set themselves deliberately to +win America for the Germans. A more idiotic bungle than he has made of +things I could scarcely conceive. He has reproduced the diplomatic +methods which have made Germany unpopular throughout the world. He has +tried bullying, cajolery, and false-hood, and last of all he has +plunged into crime. No German-American will henceforth ever have weight +in the counsels of this country. I do not mind confessing," Mr. +Hastings continued, as he himself filled his guest's glass and then his +own, "that I myself was at one time powerfully attracted towards the +Teuton cause. They are a nation wonderful in science, wonderful in +warfare, with strong and admirable national characteristics. Yet they +are going to lose this war through sheer lack of tact, for the want of +that kindliness, that generosity of temperament, which exists and makes +friends in nations as in individuals. The world for Germany, you know, +and hell for her enemies!... But I am keeping you." + +Lutchester drank his wine and rose to his feet. + +"Pamela is sitting on the rocks there," Mr. Hastings observed. "I think +that she wants to sail you over to Misery Island. We get some unearthly +meal there at ten o'clock and come back by moonlight. It is a sort of +torture which we always inflict upon our guests. My wife and I will +follow in the launch." + +"To Misery Island!" Lutchester repeated. + +His host smiled as he led the way to the piazza steps. Pamela had +already stepped into the boat, and with the help of a boatman was +adjusting the sail. She waved her hand gaily and pointed to the level +stretch of placid water, still faintly brilliant in the dying sunlight. + +"You think that we shall reach Misery Island before the tide turns?" +she called out. + +Lutchester stepped lightly into the boat and took the place to which +she pointed. + +"I am content," he said, "to take my chance." + + +THE END + + + + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Pawns Count, by E. 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Phillips Oppenheim + +Release Date: February, 2006 [EBook #9836] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on October 23, 2003] +[Date last updated: January 1, 2006] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PAWNS COUNT *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Anuradha Valsa Raj +and PG Distributed Proofreaders + + + + +THE PAWNS COUNT + +BY + +E. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM + + +1918 + + +FOREWORD + +"I am for England and England only," John Lutchester, the Englishman, +asserted. + +"I am for Japan and Japan only," Nikasti, the Jap, insisted. + +"I am for Germany first and America afterwards," Oscar Fischer, the +German-American pronounced. + +"I am for America first, America only, America always," Pamela Van +Teyl, the American girl, declared. + +They were all right except the German-American. + + + + +CHAPTER I + + +Mefiez-Vous! + +Taisez-Vous! + +Les Oreilles Ennemies Vous Ecoutent! + +The usual little crowd was waiting in the lobby of a fashionable London +restaurant a few minutes before the popular luncheon hour. Pamela Van +Teyl, a very beautiful American girl, dressed in the extreme of +fashion, which she seemed somehow to justify, directed the attention of +her companions to the notice affixed to the wall facing them. + +"Except," she declared, "for you poor dears who have been hurt, that is +the first thing I have seen in England which makes me realise that you +are at war." + +The younger of her two escorts, Captain Richard Holderness, who wore +the uniform of a well-known cavalry regiment, glanced at the notice a +little impatiently. + +"What rot it seems!" he exclaimed. "We get fed up with that sort of +thing in France. It's always the same at every little railway station +and every little inn. 'Mefiez-vous! Taisez-vous!' They might spare us +over here." + +John Lutchester, a tall, clean-shaven man, dressed in civilian clothes, +raised his eyeglass and read out the notice languidly. + +"Well, I don't know," he observed. "Some of you Service fellows--not +the Regulars, of course--do gas a good deal when you come back. I don't +suppose you any of you know anything, so it doesn't really matter," he +added, glancing at his watch. + +"Army's full of Johnnies, who come from God knows where nowadays," +Holderness assented gloomily. "No wonder they can't keep their mouths +shut." + +"Seems to me you need them all," Miss Pamela Van Teyl remarked with a +smile. + +"Of course we do," Holderness assented, "and Heaven forbid that any of +us Regulars should say a word against them. Jolly good stuff in them, +too, as the Germans found out last month." + +"All the same," Lutchester continued, still studying the notice, "news +does run over London like quicksilver. If you step down to the American +bar here, for instance, you'll find that Charles is one of the +best-informed men about the war in London. He has patrons in the Army, +in the Navy, and in the Flying Corps, and it's astonishing how +communicative they seem to become after the second or third cocktail." + +"Cocktail, mark you, Miss Van Teyl," Holderness pointed out. "We poor +Englishmen could keep our tongues from wagging before we acquired some +of your American habits." + +"The habits are all right," Pamela retorted. "It's your heads that are +wrong." + +"The most valued product of your country," Lutchester murmured, "is +more dangerous to our hearts than to our heads." + +She made a little grimace and turned away, holding out her hand to a +new arrival--a tall, broad-shouldered man, with a strong, cold face and +keen, grey eyes, aggressive even behind his gold-rimmed spectacles. +There was a queer change in his face as his eyes met Pamela's. He +seemed suddenly to become more human. His pleasure at seeing her was +certainly more than the usual transatlantic politeness. + +"Mr. Fischer," she exclaimed, "they are saying hard things about our +country! Please protect me." + +He bowed over her fingers. Then he looked up. His tone was impressive. + +"If I thought that you needed protection, Miss Van Teyl--" + +"Well, I can assure you that I do," she interrupted, laughing. "You +know my friends, don't you?" + +"I think I have that pleasure," the American replied, shaking hands +with Lutchester and Holderness. + +"Now we'll get an independent opinion," the former observed, pointing +to the wall. "We were discussing that notice, Mr. Fischer. You're +almost as much a Londoner as a New Yorker. What do you think?--is it +superfluous or not?" + +Fischer read it out and smiled. + +"Well," he admitted, "in America we don't lay much store by that sort +of thing, but I don't know as we're very good judges about what goes on +over here. I shouldn't call this place, anyway, a hotbed of intrigue. +Excuse me!" + +He moved off to greet some incoming guests--a well-known stockbroker +and his partner. Lutchester looked after him curiously. + +"Is Mr. Fischer one of your typical millionaires, Miss Van Teyl?" he +asked. + +She shrugged her shoulders. + +"We have no typical millionaires," she assured him. "They come from all +classes and all States." + +"Fischer is a Westerner, isn't he?" + +Pamela nodded, but did not pursue the conversation. Her eyes were fixed +upon a girl who had just entered, and who was looking a little +doubtfully around, a girl plainly but smartly dressed, with fluffy +light hair, dark eyes, and a very pleasant expression. Pamela, who was +critical of her own sex, found the newcomer attractive. + +"Is that, by any chance, one of our missing guests, Captain +Holderness?" she inquired, turning towards him. "I don't know why, but +I have an idea that it is your sister." + +"By Jove, yes!" the young man assented, stepping forward. "Here we are, +Molly, and at last you are going to meet Miss Van Teyl. I've bored +Molly stiff, talking about you," he explained, as Pamela held out her +hand. + +The girls, who stood talking together for a moment, presented rather a +striking contrast. Molly Holderness was pretty but usual. Pamela was +beautiful and unusual. She had the long, slim body of a New York girl, +the complexion and eyes of a Southerner, the savoir faire of a +Frenchwoman. She was extraordinarily cosmopolitan, and yet +extraordinarily American. She impressed every one, as she did Molly +Holderness at that moment, with a sense of charm. One could almost +accept as truth her own statement--that she valued her looks chiefly +because they helped people to forget that she had brains. + +"I won't admit that I have ever been bored, Miss Van Teyl," Molly +Holderness assured her, "but Dick has certainly told me all sorts of +wonderful things about you--how kind you were in New York, and what a +delightful surprise it was to see you down at the hospital at Nice. I +am afraid he must have been a terrible crock then." + +"Got well in no time as soon as Miss Van Teyl came along," Holderness +declared. "It was a bit dreary down there at first. None of my lot were +sent south, and a familiar face means a good deal when you've got your +lungs full of that rotten gas and are feeling like nothing on earth. I +wonder where that idiot Sandy is. I told him to be here a quarter of an +hour before you others--thought we might have had a quiet chat first. +Will you stand by the girls for a moment, Lutchester, while I have a +look round?" he added. + +He hobbled away, one of the thousands who were thronging the streets +and public places of London--brave, simple-minded young men, all of +them, with tangled recollections in their brains of blood and fire and +hell, and a game leg or a lost arm to remind them that the whole thing +was not a nightmare. He looked a little disconsolately around, and was +on the point of rejoining the others when the friend for whom he was +searching came hurriedly through the turnstile doors. + +"Sandy, old chap," Holderness exclaimed, with an air of relief, "here +you are at last!" + +"Cheero, Dick!" was the light-hearted reply. "Fearfully sorry I'm late, +but listen--just listen for one moment." + +The newcomer threw his hat and coat to the attendant. He was a rather +short, freckled young man, with a broad, high forehead and +light-coloured hair. His eyes just now were filled with the enthusiasm +which trembled in his tone. + +"Dick," he continued, gripping his friend's arm tightly, "I'm late, I +know, but I've great news. I've motored straight up from Salisbury +Plain. I've done it! I swear to you, Dick, I've done it!" + +"Done what?" Holderness demanded, a little bewildered. + +"I've perfected my explosive--the thing I was telling you about last +week," was the triumphant reply. "The whole world's struggling for it, +Dick. The German chemists have been working night and day for three +years, just for one little formula, and I've got it! One of my shells, +which fell in a wood at daylight this morning, killed every living +thing within a mile of it. The bark fell off the trees, and the +labourers in a field beyond threw down their implements and ran for +their lives. It's the principle of intensification. The poison feeds on +its own vapours. The formula--I've got it in my pocket-book--" + +"Look here, old fellow," Holderness interrupted, "it's all splendid, of +course, and I'm dying to hear you talk about it, but come along now and +be introduced to Miss Van Teyl. Molly's over there, waiting, and we're +all half starved." + +"So am I," was the cheerful answer. "Hullo, Lutchester, how are you? +Just one moment. I must get a wash, I motored straight through, and I'm +choked with dust. Where do I go?" + +"I'll show you," Lutchester volunteered. "Hurry up." + +The two men sprang up the stairs towards the dressing-room, and +Holderness strolled back to where his sister and Pamela were talking to +a small, dark young man, with rather high cheek-bones and olive +complexion. Pamela turned around with a smile. + +"I have found an old friend," she told him. "Baron Sunyea--Captain +Holderness. Baron Sunyea used to be in the Japanese Embassy at +Washington." + +The two men shook hands. + +"I was interested," the Japanese said slowly, "in your conversation +just now about that notice. Your young friend was telling you news very +loudly indeed, it seemed to me, which you would not like known across +the North Sea. Am I not right?" + +"In a sense you are, of course," Holderness admitted, "but here at +Henry's--why, the place is like a club. Where are the enemies' ears to +come from, I should like to know?" + +"Where we least expect to find them, as a rule," was the grave reply. + +"Quite right," Lutchester, who had just rejoined them, agreed. "They +still say, you know, that our home Secret Service is just as bad as our +foreign Secret Service is good." + +Holderness smiled in somewhat superior fashion. + +"Can't say that I have much faith in that spy talk," he declared. "No +doubt there was any quantity of espionage before the war, but it's +pretty well weeded out now. I say, how good civilisation is!" he went +on, his eyes dwelling lovingly on the interior of the restaurant. +"Tophole, isn't it, Lutchester--these smart girls, with their furs and +violets and perfumes, the little note of music in the distance, the +cheerful clatter of plates, the smiling faces of the waiters, and the +undercurrent of pleasant voices. Don't laugh at me, please, Miss Van +Teyl. I've three weeks more of it, by George--perhaps more. I don't go +up before my Board till Thursday fortnight. Dash it, I wish Sandy would +hurry up!" + +"You never told me how you got your wound," Pamela observed, as the +conversation flagged for a moment. + +"Can't even remember," was the careless reply. "We were all scrapping +away as hard as we could one afternoon, and nearly a dozen of us got +the knock, all at the same time. It's quite all right now, though, +except for the stiffness. It was the gas did me in.... What a fellow +Sandy is! You people must be starving." + +They waited for another five minutes. Then Holderness limped towards +the stairs with a little imprecation. Lutchester stopped him. + +"Don't you go, Holderness," he begged. "I'll find him and bring him +down by the scruff of the neck." + +He strode up the stairs on a mission which ended in unexpected failure. +Presently he returned, a slight frown upon his forehead. + +"I am awfully sorry," he announced, "but I can't find him anywhere. I +left him washing his hands, and he said he'd be down in a moment. Are +you quite sure that we haven't missed him?" + +"There hasn't been a sign of him," Molly declared promptly. "I am so +hungry that my eyes have been glued upon the staircase all the time." + +Pamela, who had slipped away a few moments before, rejoined them with a +little expression of surprise. + +"Isn't Captain Graham here yet?" she asked incredulously. + +"Not a sign of him," Holderness replied. "Queer set out, isn't it? We +won't wait a moment longer. Take my sister and Miss Van Teyl in, will +you?" he went on, laying his hand on Lutchester's shoulder. "Ferrani +will look after you. I'll follow directly." + +The chief maitre d'hotel advanced to meet them with a gesture of +invitation, and led them to a table arranged for five. The restaurant +was crowded, and the coloured band, from the space against the wall on +their left, was playing a lively one-step. Ferrani was buttonholed by +an important client as they crossed the threshold, and they lingered +for a moment, waiting for his guidance. Whilst they stood there, a +curious thing happened. The leader of the orchestra seemed to draw his +fingers recklessly across the strings of his instrument and to produce +a discord which was almost appalling. A half-pained, half-amused +exclamation rippled down the room. For a moment the music ceased. The +conductor, who was responsible for the disturbance, was sitting +motionless, his hand hanging down by his side. His features remained +imperturbable, but the gleam of his white teeth, and a livid little +streak under his eyes gave to his usually good-humoured face an utterly +altered, almost a malignant expression. Ferrani stepped across and +spoke to him for a moment angrily. The man took up his instrument, +waved his hand, and the music re-commenced in a subdued note. Pamela +turned to the chief maitre d'hotel, who had now re-joined them. + +"What an extraordinary breakdown!" she exclaimed. "Is your leader a man +of nerves?" + +"Never have I heard such a thing in all my days," Ferrani assured them +fervently. "Joseph is one of the most wonderful performers in the +world. His control over his instrument is marvellous.... Captain +Holderness asked particularly for this table." + +They seated themselves at the table reserved for them against the wall. +Their cicerone was withdrawing with a low bow, but Pamela leaned over +to speak to him. + +"Your music," she told him, "is quite wonderful. The orchestra consists +entirely of Americans, I suppose?" + +"Entirely, madam," Ferrani assented. "They are real Southern darkies, +from Joseph, the leader, down to little Peter, who blows the +motor-horn." + +Pamela's interest in the matter remained unabated. + +"I tell you it makes one feel almost homesick to hear them play," she +went on, with a little sigh. "Did they come direct from the States?" + +Ferrani shook his head. + +"From Paris, madam. Before that, for a little time, they were at the +Winter Garden in Berlin. They made quite a European tour of it before +they arrived here." + +"And he is the leader--the man whom you call Joseph," Pamela observed. +"A broad, good-humoured face--not much intelligence, I should imagine." + +Ferrani's protest was vigorous and gesticulatory. He evidently had +ideas of his own concerning Joseph. + +"More, perhaps, than you would think, madam," he declared. "He knows +how to make a bargain, believe me. It cost us more than I would like to +tell you to get these fellows here." + +Pamela looked him in the eyes. + +"Be careful, Monsieur Ferrani," she advised, "that it does not cost you +more to get rid of them." + +She leaned back in her place, apparently tired of the subject, and +Ferrani, a little puzzled, made his bow and withdrew. The music was +once more in full swing. Their luncheon was served, and Lutchester did +his best to entertain his companions. Their eyes, however, every few +seconds strayed towards the door. There was no sign of the missing +guest. + + + + +CHAPTER II + + +Molly Holderness, for whom Graham's absence possessed, perhaps, more +significance than the others, relapsed very soon into a strained and +anxious silence. Pamela and Lutchester, on the other hand, divided +their attention between a very excellent luncheon and an even flow of +personal, almost inquisitorial conversation. + +"You will find," Pamela warned her companion almost as they took their +places, "that I am a very curious person. I am more interested in +people than in events. Tell me something about your work at the War +Office?" + +"I am not at the War Office," he replied. + +"Well, what is it that you do, then?" she asked. "Captain Holderness +told me that you had been out in France, fighting, but that you had +some sort of official position at home now." + +"I am at the Ministry of Munitions," he explained. + +"Well, tell me about that, then?" she suggested. "Is it as exciting as +fighting?" + +He shook his head. + +"It has advantages," he admitted, "but I should scarcely say that +excitement figured amongst them." + +She looked at him thoughtfully. Lutchester was a little over +thirty-five years of age, tall and of sinewy build. His colouring was +neutral, his complexion inclined to be pale, his mouth straight and +firm, his grey eyes rather deep-set. Without possessing any of the +stereotyped qualifications, he was sufficiently good-looking. + +"I wonder you didn't prefer soldiering," she observed. + +He smiled for a moment, and Pamela felt unreasonably annoyed at the +twinkle in his eyes. + +"I am not a soldier by profession," he said, "but I went out with the +Expeditionary Force and had a year of it. They kept me here, after a +slight wound, to take up my old work again." + +"Your old work," she repeated. "I didn't know there was such a thing as +a Ministry of Munitions before the war." + +He deliberately changed the conversation, directing Pamela's attention +to the crowded condition of the room. + +"Gay scene, isn't it?" he remarked. + +"Very!" she assented drily. + +"Do you come here to dance?" he inquired. + +She shook her head. + +"You must remember that I have been living in Paris for some months," +she told him. "You won't be annoyed if I tell you that the way you +English people are taking the war simply maddens me. Your young +soldiers talk about it as though it were a sort of picnic, your +middle-aged clubmen seem to think that it was invented to give them a +fresh interest in their newspapers, and the rest of you seem to think +of nothing but the money you are making. And Paris.... No, I don't +think I should care to dance here!" + +Lutchester nodded, but Pamela fancied somehow or other that his +attitude was not wholly sympathetic. His tone, with its slight note of +admonition, irritated her. + +"You must be careful," he said, "not to be too much misled by +externals." + +Pamela opened her lips for a quick reply, but checked herself. + +Captain Holderness and Ferrani had entered the room and were +approaching their table, talking earnestly. The latter especially was +looking perplexed and anxious. + +"It's the queerest thing I ever knew," Holderness pronounced. "We've +searched every hole and corner upstairs, and there isn't a sign of +Sandy." + +"Have you tried the bar?" Lutchester inquired. + +"Both the bar and the grillroom," Ferrani assured him. + +"If he had been suddenly taken ill--" Molly murmured. + +"But there is no place in which he could have been taken ill which we +have not searched," Ferrani reminded her. + +"And besides," Holderness intervened, "Sandy was in the very pink of +health, and bubbling over with high-spirits." + +"One noticed that," Lutchester remarked, a little drily. + +"He might almost have been called garrulous," Pamela agreed. + +Ferrani took grave leave of them, and Holderness seated himself at the +table. + +"Well, let's get on with luncheon, anyway," he advised. "It's no good +bothering. The best thing we can do is to conclude that the impossible +has happened--that Sandy has met with some pals and will be here +presently." + +"Or possibly," Lutchester suggested, "that he has done what certainly +seems the most reasonable thing--gone straight off to the War Office +with his formula and forgotten all about us. Let us return the +compliment and forget all about him." + +They finished their luncheon a little more cheerfully. As the +cigarettes were handed round, Pamela's eyes looked longingly at a tray +of Turkish coffee which was passing. + +"I'm a rotten host," Holderness declared, "but, to tell you the truth, +this queer prank of Sandy's has driven everything else out of my mind. +Here, Hassan!" + +The coloured man in gorgeous oriental livery turned at once with a +smile. He approached the table, bowing to each of them in turn. Pamela +watched him intently, and, as his eyes met hers, Hassan's hands began +to shake. + +"The waiter is bringing us ordinary coffee," Holderness explained. +"Please countermand it and bring us Turkish coffee for four." + +The man had lost his savoir faire. His wonderful smile had turned into +something sickly, his bland speech of thanks into a mumble. He turned +away almost sheepishly. + +"Hassan doesn't seem to like us to-day," Molly remarked. + +"I should have said that he was drunk," her brother observed, looking +after him curiously. + +There was certainly something the matter with Hassan, for it was at +least a quarter of an hour before he reappeared and served his +specially prepared concoction with the usual ceremony but with more +restraint. Molly and the two men, after Hassan had sprinkled the +contents of his mysterious little flask into their coffee, gave him +their hands for the customary salute. When he came to Pamela he +hesitated. She shook her head and he fell back, bowing respectfully, +his hand tracing cabalistic signs across his heart. For a moment before +he departed, he raised his eyes and glanced at her. It was like the +mute appeal of some hurt or frightened animal. + +"You don't approve of Hassan's little ceremony?" Lutchester asked her. + +She shrugged her shoulders. + +"In America," she observed, "I think we look upon coloured people of +any sort a little differently. Well, we've certainly given your friend +a chance," she went on, glancing at the little jewelled watch upon her +wrist, "We've outstayed almost every one here." + +Their host paid the bill, and they strolled reluctantly towards the +door, Holderness and Pamela a few steps behind. + +"Now what are your sister and Mr. Lutchester studying again?" the +latter inquired, as they reached the lobby. + +Molly had paused once more before the notice on the wall, which seemed +somehow to have fascinated her. She read it out, lingering on every +word: + +MEFIEZ-VOUS! +TAISEZ-VOUS! +LES OREILLES ENNEMIES VOUS +ECOUTENT! + +Holderness listened with a frown. Then he turned suddenly to +Lutchester, who was standing by his side. + +"It would be too ridiculous, wouldn't it--you couldn't in any way +connect the idea behind that notice with Sandy's disappearance?" + +"I was wondering about that myself," Lutchester confessed. "To tell you +the truth, I have been wondering all luncheon-time. If ever a man broke +the letter and the spirit of that simple warning I should say your +excitable young friend, Captain Graham, did." + +"But here at Henry's," Holderness protested, "with friends on every +side! Isn't it a little too ridiculous! We'll wait until the last +person is out of the place, anyway," he added. + +The crowd soon began to thin. Ferrani, seeing them still waiting, +approached with a little bow. + +"Your friend," he asked, "he has not arrived, eh?" + +"No sign of him," Holderness replied gloomily. + +"What about his hat and coat?" Ferrani inquired, with a sudden +inspiration. + +"Great idea," Holderness assented, turning towards the cloakroom +attendant. "Don't you remember my friend, James?" he went on. "He +arrived about half-past one, and threw his coat and hat over to you." + +The attendant nodded and glanced towards an empty peg. + +"I remember him quite well, sir," he acknowledged. "Number sixty-seven +was his number." + +"Where are his things, then?" + +"Gone, sir," the man replied. + +"Do you remember his asking for them?" + +The attendant shook his head. + +"Can't say that I do, sir," he acknowledged, "but they've gone right +enough." + +A party of outgoing guests claimed the man's attention. Holderness +turned away. + +"This thing is getting on my nerves," he declared. "Does it seem likely +that Sandy should chuck his luncheon without a word of explanation, +come out and get his coat and hat and walk off? And, besides, where was +he all the time we were looking for him?" + +It was unanswerable, inexplicable. They all looked at one another +almost helplessly. Pamela held out her hand. + +"Well," she announced, "I am sorry, but I'm afraid that I must go. I +have a great many things to attend to this afternoon." + +"You are going away soon?" Lutchester inquired. + +She hesitated, and at that moment Mr. Fischer, who had been saying +farewell to his guests, turned towards her. + +"You are not thinking of the trip home yet, Miss Van Teyl?" he asked. + +"Oh, I don't know," she answered a little evasively. "I'm out of humour +with London just now." + +"Perhaps we shall be fellow-passengers on Thursday?" he ventured. "I am +going over on the _New York_." + +"I never make plans," she told him. + +"In any case," Mr. Fischer continued, "I shall anticipate our early +meeting in New York. I heard from your brother only yesterday." + +She looked at him with a slight frown. + +"From James?" + +Mr. Fischer nodded. + +"Why, I didn't know," she observed, "that you and he were acquainted." + +"I have had large transactions with his firm, and naturally I have seen +a good deal of Mr. Van Teyl," the other explained. "He looks after the +interests of us Western clients." + +Pamela turned a little abruptly away, and Lutchester walked with her to +the door. + +"You will let me see that they bring your car round?" he asked. + +She shook her head. + +"Thank you, no," she replied, holding out her hand. "I have not yet +said good-by to Captain Holderness and his sister. Good-by, Mr. +Lutchester!" + +Her farewell was purposely chilly. It seemed as though the slight +sparring in which they had indulged throughout luncheon-time, had found +its culmination in an antipathy which she had no desire to conceal. +Lutchester, however, only smiled. + +"Nowadays," he observed, "that is a word which it is never necessary to +use." + +She withdrew her hand from his somewhat too tenacious clasp. Something +in his manner puzzled as well as irritated her. + +"Do you mean that you, too, are thinking of taking a holiday from your +strenuous labours?" she asked. "Perhaps America is the safest country +in the world just now for an Englishman who--" + +She stopped short, realising the lengths towards which her causeless +pique was carrying her. + +"Prefers departmental work to fighting, were you going to add?" he said +quietly. "Well, perhaps you are right. At any rate, I will content +myself by saying au revoir." + +He passed through the turnstile door and disappeared. Pamela made her +adieux to Holderness and his sister, and then, recognising some +acquaintances, turned back into the restaurant to speak to them. +Fischer, who had just received his hat and cane from the cloakroom +attendant, stood watching her. + + + + +CHAPTER III + + +Pamela, after a brief conversation with her friends, once more left the +restaurant. In the lobby she called Ferrani to her. + +"Has Mr. Fischer gone, Ferrani?" she asked. + +"Not two minutes ago," the man replied. "You wish to speak to him? I +can stop him even now." + +She shook her head. + +"On the contrary," she said drily, "Mr. Fischer represents a type of my +countrymen of whom I am not very fond. He is a great patron of yours, +is he not?" + +"He is a large shareholder in the company," Ferrani confessed. + +"Then your restaurant will prosper," she told him. "Mr. Fischer has the +name of being very fortunate.... That was a wonderful luncheon you gave +us to-day." + +"Madame is very kind." + +"Will you do me a favour?" + +Ferrani's gesture was all-expressive. Words were entirely superfluous. + +"I want two addresses, please. First, the address of Joseph, your head +musician, and, secondly, the address of Hassan, your coffee-maker." + +Ferrani effectually concealed any surprise he might have felt. He tore +a page from his pocket-book. + +"Both I know," he declared. "Hassan lodges at a shop eighty yards away. +The name is Haines, and there are newspaper placards outside the door." + +"That is quite enough," Pamela murmured. + +"As for Monsieur Joseph," Ferrani continued, "that is a different +matter. He has, I understand, a small flat in Tower Mansions, Tower +Street, leading off the Edgware Road. The number is 18C. So!" + +He wrote it down and passed it to her. Pamela thanked him and stood up. + +"Now that I have done as you asked me," Ferrani concluded, "let me add +a word. Both these men are already off duty and have left the +restaurant. If you wish to communicate with either of them, I advise +you to do so by letter." + +"You are a very courteous gentleman, Mr. Ferrani," Pamela declared, +dropping him a little mock curtsey, "and good morning!" + +She made her way into the street outside, shook her head to the +commissionaire's upraised whistle, and strolled along until she came to +a cross street down which several motor-cars were waiting. She +approached one--a very handsome limousine--and checked the driver who +would have sprung from his seat. + +"George," she said, "I am going to pay a call at a disreputable-looking +news-shop, just where I am pointing. You can't bring the car there, as +the street is too narrow. You might follow me on foot and be about." + +The young man touched his hat and obeyed. A few yards down the street +Pamela found her destination, and entered a gloomy little shop. A +slatternly woman looked at her curiously from behind the counter. + +"I am told that Hassan lodges here, the coffee-maker from Henry's," +Pamela began. + +The woman looked at her in a peculiar fashion. + +"Well?" + +"I wish to see him." + +"You can't, then," was the curt answer. "He's at his prayers." + +"At what?" Pamela exclaimed. + +"At his prayers," the woman repeated brusquely. "There," she added, +throwing open the door which led into the premises behind, "can't you +hear him, poor soul? He's been pinching some more charms from ladies' +bracelets, or something of the sort, I reckon. He's always in trouble. +He goes on like this for an hour or so and then he forgives himself." + +Pamela stood by the open door and listened--listened to a strange, +wailing chant, which rose and fell with almost weird monotony. + +"Very interesting," she observed. "I have heard that sort of thing +before. Now will you kindly tell Hassan that I wish to speak to him, or +shall I go and find him for myself?" + +"Well, you've got some brass!" the woman declared, with a sneer. + +"And some gold," Pamela assented, passing a pound note over to the +woman. + +"Do you want to see him alone?" the latter asked, almost snatching at +the note, but still regarding Pamela with distrustful curiosity. + +"Of course," was the calm reply. + +The woman opened her lips and closed them again, sniffed, and led the +way down a short passage, at the end of which was a door. + +"There you are," she muttered, throwing it open. "You've arst for it, +mind. 'Tain't my business." + +She slouched her way back again into the shop. At first Pamela could +scarcely see anything except a dark figure on his knees before a closed +and shrouded window. Then she saw Hassan rise to his feet, saw the +glitter of his eyes. + +"Pull up the blind, Hassan," she directed. + +He came a step nearer to her. The gloom in the apartment was +extraordinary. Only his shape and his eyes were visible. + +"Do as I tell you," she ordered. "Pull up the blind. It will be +better." + +He hesitated. Then he obeyed. Even then the interior of the room seemed +shadowy and obscure. Pamela could only see, in contrast with the rest +of the house, that it was wonderfully and spotlessly clean. In one +corner, barely concealed by a low screen, his bed stood upon the floor. +Hassan muttered something in an Oriental tongue. Pamela interrupted +him. She spoke in the soothing tone one uses towards a child. + +"That's all right, Hassan," she said. "Sorry to have interrupted you at +your prayers, but it had to be done. You know me?" + +"Yes, mistress," he answered unwillingly. "I your dragoman one year in +Cairo. What you want here, mistress?" + +"You know that I know," she went on, "that you are a Turk and a +Mohammedan, and not an Egyptian at all." + +"Yes, mistress, you know that," he muttered. + +"And you also know," she continued, "that if I give you away to the +authorities you will be sent at once to a very uncomfortable internment +camp, where you won't even have an opportunity to wash more than once a +day, where you will have to herd with all sorts of people, who will +make fun of your colour and your religion--" + +"Don't, mistress!" he shouted suddenly. "You will not tell. I think you +will not tell!" + +He was sidling a little towards her. Again one of those curious changes +seemed to have transformed him from a dumb, passive creature into a +savage. There was menace in his eyes. She waved him back without +moving. + +"I have come to make a bargain with you, Hassan," she said, "just a few +words, that is all. Not quite so near, please." + +He paused. There was a moment's silence. His face was within a foot of +hers, lowering, black, bestial. Her eyes met his without a tremor. Her +full, sweet lips only curved into a faintly contemptuous line. + +"You cannot frighten me, Hassan," she declared. "No man has ever done +that. And outside I have a chauffeur with muscles of iron, who waits +for me. Be reasonable. Listen. There are secrets connected with your +restaurant." + +"I know nothing," he began at once; "nothing, mistress--nothing!" + +"Quite naturally," she continued. "I only need one piece of +information. A man disappeared there this morning. I just have to find +him. That's all there is about it. At half-past one he was inveigled +into the musicians' room and by some means or other rendered +unconscious. At three o'clock he had been removed. I want to know what +became of him. You help me and the whole world can believe you to be an +Egyptian for the rest of their lives. If you can't help me it is rather +unfortunate for you, because I shall tell the police at once who and +what you are. Don't waste time, Hassan." + +He stood thinking, rubbing his hands and bowing before her, yet, as she +knew very well, with murder in his heart. Once she saw his long fingers +raised a little. + +"Quite useless, Hassan," she warned him. "They hang you in England, you +know, for any little trifle such as you are thinking of. Be sensible, +and I may even leave a few pound notes behind me." + +"Mistress should ask Joseph," he muttered. "I know nothing." + +"Oh, mistress is going to ask Joseph all right," she assured him, "but +I want a little information from you, too. You've got to earn your +freedom, you know, Hassan. Come, what do they do with the people who +disappear from the restaurant?" + +"Not understand," was the almost piteous reply. + +Pamela sighed. She had again the air of one being patient with a child. + +"See here, Hassan," she went on, "a few days ago I went over that +restaurant from top to bottom with the manager. There is the musicians' +room, isn't there, just over the entrance hall? I suppose those little +glass places in the floor are movable, and then one can hear every word +that is spoken below. I am right so far, am I not?" + +Hassan answered nothing. His breathing, however, had become a little +deeper. + +"An unsuspecting person, passing from the toilet rooms upstairs, could +easily be induced to enter. I think that there must be another exit +from that room. Yes?" + +"Yes!" Hassan faltered. + +"To where?" + +"The wine-cellars." + +"And from there?" + +Hassan was suddenly voluble. Truth unlocked his tongue. + +"Not know, mistress--not know another thing. No one enters wine-cellar +but three men. One of those not know. If I guess--I, Hassan--I look at +little chapel left standing in waste place. Perhaps I wonder sometimes, +but I not know." + +Pamela drew three notes from her gold purse, smoothed them out and +handed them over. + +"Three pounds, Hassan, silence, and good day! You'll live longer if you +open your windows now and then, and get a little fresh air, instead of +praying yourself hoarse." + +Again the black figure swayed perilously towards her. She affected not +to notice, not to notice the hand which seemed for a moment as though +it would snatch the door handle from her grasp. She passed out +pleasantly and without haste. The last sound she heard was a groan. + +"Done your bit o' business, eh?" the landlady asked curiously. + +Pamela nodded assent. + +"Rather an odd sort of lodger for you, isn't he?" + +"Not so odd as his visitors," the woman retorted, with an evil sneer. + +Pamela passed into the narrow street and drew a long sigh of relief. +Then she entered her car and gave the chauffeur an address from the +slip of paper which she carried in her hand. When they stopped outside +the little block of flats he prepared to follow her. + +"Tough neighbourhood this, madam," he said. + +"Maybe, George," she replied, waving him back, "but you've got to stay +down here. If the man I am going to see thought I was frightened of him +I wouldn't have a chance. If I am not down in half an hour you can try +number 18C." + +The chauffeur resumed his place on the driving-seat of the car. Pamela, +heartily disliking her surroundings, was escorted by a shabby porter to +a shabbier lift. + +"You'll find Mr. Joseph in," the lift boy assured her with a grin. + +Pamela found the number at the end of an unswept stone passage. At her +third summons the door was cautiously opened by a large, +repulsive-looking woman, with a mass of peroxidised hair. She stared at +her visitor first in amazement, then in rapidly gathering resentment. + +"Mr. Joseph is at home," she admitted truculently, in response to +Pamela's inquiry. "What might you be wanting with him?" + +"If you will be so good as to let me in I will explain to Mr. Joseph," +Pamela replied. + +The woman seemed on the point of slamming the door. Suddenly there was +a voice from behind her shoulder. Joseph appeared--not the smiling, +joyous Joseph of Henry's but a sullen-looking negro, dressed in shirt +and trousers only, with a heavy under-lip and frowning forehead. + +"Let the lady pass and get into the kitchen, Nora," he ordered, "Come +this way, mam." + +Pamela followed her guide into a parlour, redolent of stale cigar +smoke, with oilcloth on the floor and varnished walls, an abode even +more horrible than Hassan's lair. Joseph closed the door carefully +behind him, and made no apology for his dishabille. He simply faced +Pamela. + +"Say, what is it you want with me?" he demanded truculently. + +"A trifle," she answered. "The key of the chapel in the little plot of +waste ground next Henry's." + +She meant him to be staggered, and he was. He reeled back for a moment. + +"What the hell are you talking about?" he gasped. + +"Facts," Pamela replied. "Do you want to save yourself, Joseph? You can +do it if you choose." + +He folded his arms and stood in front of the closed door. Without a +collar, his neck bulged unpleasantly behind. There was nothing whatever +left of the suave and genial chef d'orchestra. + +"Save myself from what, eh? Just let me get wise about it." + +Pamela's eyebrows were daintily elevated. + +"Dear me!" she murmured. "I thought you were more intelligent. Listen. +You know where we met last? Let me remind you. You were playing in the +Winter Garden at Berlin, and the gentleman whom I was with, an attache +at the American Embassy, spoke to you. He told me a good deal about +your past life, Joseph, and your present one. You are in the pay of the +Secret Service of Germany. Am I to go to Scotland Yard and tell them +so?" + +He looked at her wickedly. + +"You'd have to get out of here first." + +"Don't be silly," she advised him contemptuously. "Remember you're +talking to an American woman and don't waste your breath. You can be in +the Secret Service of any country you like, without interference from +me. On the other hand, there's just one thing I want from you." + +"What is it? I haven't got any key." + +"I want to discover exactly what has become of Captain Graham," she +declared. + +"What, the guy that missed his lunch to-day?" he growled. + +"I see you know all about it," she continued equably. + +"So he's your spark, is he?" Joseph observed slowly, his eyes blinking +as he leaned a little forward. + +"On the contrary," Pamela replied, "I have never met him. However, +that's beside the point. Do I have the key of that chapel?" + +"You do not." + +"Have you got it?" + +"Right here," Joseph assented, dangling it before her eyes. + +"I think it's a fair bargain I'm offering you," she reminded him. "You +lose the key and keep your place. You only have to keep your mouth shut +and nothing happens." + +"Nothing doing," the negro declared shortly. "Keys as important as this +ain't lost. If I part with it, I get the chuck, and I probably get into +the same mess as the others. If I keep it--" + +"If you keep it," Pamela interrupted, "you will probably stand with +your back to the light in the Tower within the next few days. They've +left off being lenient with spies over here." + +He looked at her, and there were things in his eyes which few women in +the world could have seen without terror. Pamela's lips only came a +little closer together. She pressed the inside of the ring upon her +third finger, and a ray of green fire seemed to shoot forward. + +"I guess I'm up against it," he growled, taking a step forward. "I'll +have something of what's coming to me, if I swing for it." + +His arm was suddenly around her, his face hideously close. He gave a +little snarl as he felt the pinprick through his shirt sleeve. Then he +went spinning round and round with his hand to his head. + +"What in God's name!" he spluttered. "What in hell--!" + +He reeled against the horsehair easy-chair and slipped on to the floor. +Pamela calmly closed her ring, stooped over him, withdrew the key from +his pocket, crossed the room and the dingy little hall with swift +footsteps, and, without waiting for the lift, fled down the stone +steps. Before she reached the bottom, she heard the shrill ringing of +the lift bell, the angry shouting of the woman. Pamela, however, +strolled quietly out and took her place in the car. + +"Back to the hotel, George," she directed the chauffeur. "Don't stop if +they call to you from the flats." + +The young man sprang up to his seat and the car glided off. Pamela +leaned forward and looked at herself in the mirror. There was a shade +more colour in her face, perhaps, than usual, but her low waves of +chestnut hair were unruffled. She used her powder puff with attentive +skill and leaned back. + +"That's the disagreeable part of it over, anyway," she sighed to +herself contentedly. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + + +The last of the supper-guests had left Henry's Restaurant, the +commissionaire's whistle was silent. The light laughter and frivolous +adieux of the departing guests seemed to have melted away into a world +somewhere beyond the pale of the unseasonable fog. The little strip of +waste ground adjoining was wrapped in gloom and silence. The exterior +of the bare and deserted chapel, long since unconsecrate, was dull and +lifeless. Inside, however, began the march of strange things. First of +all, the pinprick of light of a tiny electric torch seemed as though it +had risen from the floor, and Hassan, pushing back a trap-door, stepped +into the bare, dusty conventicle. He listened for a moment, then made a +tour of the windows, touched a spring in the wall, and drew down long, +thick blinds. Afterwards he passed between the row of dilapidated +benches and paused at the entrance door. He stooped down, examined the +keyless lock, shook it gently, gazed upwards and downwards as though in +vain search of bolts that were never there. His white teeth gleamed for +a moment in the darkness. He turned away with a little shiver. + +"Not my fault," he muttered to himself. "Not my fault." + +He listened for a moment intently, as though for footsteps outside. The +disturbance, however, came from the other end of the building. There +was a sharp knocking from the trap-door by which he had ascended. He +touched an electric knob. The place was dimly yet sufficiently +illuminated. He hastened towards the further end of the place and +pulled up the trap-door. A melancholy-looking little procession slowly +emerged. First of all came Joseph, stepping backwards, supporting the +head and shoulders of Graham, still bound and gagged. After him came a +dark, swarthy-faced wine waiter, who supported Graham's feet. Behind +followed Fischer, carrying his silk hat and cane in his hand. He paused +for a moment as he stepped on the floor of the chapel, and brushed the +dust from his trousers. + +"You can take out the gag now," he ordered the two men. "There isn't +much shout in him." + +They laid him upon a couch, and Joseph obeyed the order. Graham's head +swung helplessly on one side. His eyes opened, however, and he +struggled for consciousness. His lips twitched for a moment. In these +long hours he had almost forgotten the habit of speech. The words, when +they came, sounded strange to him. + +"What--where am I? What do you want with me?" + +Fischer laid his hat and stick upon a table, on which also stood a +telephone instrument. + +"The formula, my young friend," he replied, "for that wonderful +explosive of which you spoke in the lobby." + +A sudden accession of nervous strength brought something almost like +passion into the young man's reply, although to himself there still +seemed some unreality in the words which might have come from the walls +or the roof--surely not from his lips. + +"I'll see you damned first!" + +Fischer smiled. The man was good-looking, in his way, but this was a +pale and ugly smile. + +"My request was merely a matter of courtesy," he remarked. "The +difficulty of searching you is not formidable. It would have been +undertaken long ago but for the fact that the restaurant has been +crowded and gags sometimes slip. Besides, there was no hurry. Observe!" + +He leaned over Graham, who for the first time struggled furiously but +ineffectually with his bonds. His fingers all the time were straining +towards the inside pocket of his coat. Fischer nodded understandingly. + +"Allow me to anticipate you," he said. + +With a quick thrust he drew a little handful of papers from the pocket +of his captive. One by one he glanced them through and flung them on to +the floor. As he came towards the end of his search, however, his +expression of confident complacency vanished. His lips shrivelled up a +little, his eyes narrowed. The last folded sheet of paper--a little +perfumed note from Peggy, thanking Sandy for his beautiful roses--he +crumpled fiercely into a little ball. He opened his lips to speak, then +he paused. A new light broke in upon him. The fury had passed from +Sandy Graham's face. In its stead there was an expression of blank +astonishment. + +"Where is the formula?" Fischer asked fiercely. + +There was no reply. Sandy Graham was still staring at the little pile +of papers upon the floor. Fischer made a brief examination of the other +pockets. Then he stepped back. His voice shook, his face was dark and +malevolent. + +"Joseph, Hassan, Jules--listen to me!" he ordered. "Did any one else +enter the musicians' room whilst he was lying in the alcove?" + +"Impossible!" Jules declared. + +"The door was locked," Hassan murmured. + +"Stop!" Joseph exclaimed. + +Fischer wheeled round upon him. + +"Well?" he exclaimed. "Get on, then. Who?" + +Joseph moistened his lips. He was still feeling sore and dizzy, but he +began to see his way. + +"You noticed, perhaps," he said, "the American girl--the beautiful +young lady with this guy's friends? She was waiting with the others for +Captain Graham to come down. I saw her go up the stairs. I saw her come +down again, three minutes later." + +"Miss Van Teyl?" Fischer exclaimed, with a frown. "You're mad, Joseph!" + +The negro laughed grimly. + +"Am I!" he retorted. "I tell you this, Master Fischer. She was in +Berlin where I was, and she was at the Embassy every day. She was asked +to leave there. They put her over the frontier into Holland. I knew her +when she came into the restaurant. She's no society young lady, she +ain't! Bet you she was on to the goods." + +Fischer hesitated for a moment. The thoughts were chasing one another +through his brain. Then he took up the receiver from the telephone +instrument which stood upon the table. + +"1560 Mayfair," he asked in a low tone. + +They all stood listening, grouped around Graham's writhing figure. + +"Hullo! Is that Claridge's Hotel?" Fischer went on. "I am speaking from +Giro's. Put me through, if you please, to Miss Van Teyl's apartments... +What? Repeat that, will you?... Thank you." + +Fischer laid down the receiver. He turned towards the others. He was +breathing a little quickly, and his eyes glittered behind his +gold-rimmed spectacles. + +"Miss Van Teyl," he announced, "has left for Tilbury. She is going out +on the _Lapland_ this morning. My God, she's got the formula!" + +There was a moment's silence. Joseph was standing by with a wicked look +on his face. + +"I saw her slip away," he muttered, "and I watched her come down again. +There was just time." + +Fischer turned suddenly to where Graham was lying. He drew a sheet of +writing paper from the rack upon the table, and a pencil from his +pocket. There was an evil and concentrated significance in his tone. + +"That formula," he said, "can be written again. I think you had better +write it." + +"I'll see you damned first!" was the weak but prompt reply. + +Fischer bent a little lower over the prostrate figure, "Look here," he +went on, "we don't run risks like this for nothing. You're better dead +than alive, so far as we are concerned, anyway. We'd planned to take +the formula from you, and you can guess the rest. There are cellars +underneath here into which no one ever goes who matters. Now here's a +chance of life for you. Write down that formula--truthfully, mind--and +we'll discuss the matter of taking your parole." + +"See you damned first!" Graham repeated, his voice a little more +tremulous but still convincing. + +Fischer stood upright and turned to Jules. + +"Get a bottle of brandy and a glass," he ordered. + +The man pushed open the trap-door and disappeared. He came back again +in a few moments, with a bottle in one hand and a glass in the other. +Fischer poured out some of the cordial and drew a small table up to +Graham's side. + +"There," he said, loosening the cord around his left wrist, "drink +that, and think it over. We shall be gone for about ten minutes. If you +change your mind before, ring that little hand-bell. If you have not +changed your mind when we return, it will be the cellars." + +"Beasts!" Graham muttered. + +Fischer shrugged his shoulders. For a moment he had straightened +himself. His face had softened, but it was in tune with his thoughts. + +"I would twist the necks of a million fools like you," he said, "for +the sake of--" + +He paused, leaving his sentence uncompleted, and beckoned to the other +men. They followed him through the trap-door and down into the cellars +below. The place was once more silent. Graham rolled from side to side, +drew a long breath, and tugged vainly at his bonds. The effort +overtaxed his strength. He seemed to feel the darkness closing in upon +him, the rushing of the sea in his ears.... + + + + +CHAPTER V + + +So far as Sandy Graham was concerned, his unconsciousness might have +lasted an hour or a day. As a matter of fact, it was scarcely a minute +after the disappearance of Fischer and his confederates when he was +conscious of a rush of cold air in the place, and beheld the vision of +a tiny flash of light at the lower end of the gloomy building. +Immediately afterwards he heard the soft closing of a door and beheld a +tall, shadowy figure slowly approaching. He lay quite still and looked +at it, and his heart began to beat with hope. One of the lights had +been left burning, and there was something in the bearing and attitude +of the man who finally came to a standstill by his side, which was +entirely reassuring. + +"Lutchester!" he faltered. "My God, how did you get here?" + +"Offices of a young lady," Lutchester observed, producing a knife from +his pocket. "Allow me!" + +He cut the cords which still secured Graham's limbs. Then he looked +around him. + +"How did they bring you here?" he whispered. "I suppose there is a +passage from the restaurant?" + +"Up through a trapdoor there," Graham explained, pointing. + +Lutchester stood over it and listened intently. + +Then he turned around, lifted the glass of brandy from the table, smelt +it approvingly, and tasted it. + +"Excellent!" he pronounced. "The 1840. Allow me!" + +He refilled the glass and handed it to Sandy, who gulped down the +contents. The effect was almost instantaneous. In less than a minute he +had staggered to his feet. + +"Feel strong enough to walk about fifty yards?" Lutchester inquired. + +"I'd walk to hell to get out of this place!" was the prompt reply. + +Lutchester took his arm, and they passed down the dusty aisle between +the worm-eaten and decaying benches and through the outside door, which +Lutchester closed and locked behind them. The rush of cold air was like +new life to Graham. + +"I can walk all right now," he muttered. "My God, we'll give these +fellows hell for this!" + +They made their very difficult way across a plot of ground from which a +row of dilapidated cottages had been razed to the ground. The fog still +hung around them and seemed to bring with it a curious silence, +although the dying traffic from one of the main thoroughfares reached +them in muffled notes. Lutchester climbed to the top of a pile of +rubbish and then, turning around, held out his hand. + +"Up here," he directed. + +Graham struggled up until he stood by his companion's side. The latter +stood quite still, listening for a moment. Then he climbed a little +higher and swung around, holding out his hand once more. + +"I'm on top of the wall," he said. "Come +on." + +Graham's knees were shaking, but with Lutchester's help he staggered up +and reached his side. On the pavement below a man in chauffeur's livery +was standing, holding out his hands, and by the side of the curbstone a +closed car was waiting. Somehow or other the two reached the pavement. +Lutchester almost pushed his companion into the limousine and stepped +in after him. The chauffeur sprang to his seat and the car glided off. +Graham just realised that there was a woman by his side whose face was +vaguely familiar. Then the waves broke in upon his ears once more. + +"I was right, then, it seems," Pamela observed approvingly. "You were +just the man for this little affair." + +Lutchester sighed. + +"Unfortunately," he confessed, "a messenger boy would have been as +effective. I stumbled over to the chapel--rubber shoes, you observe," +he remarked, pointing downwards--"and soon discovered that blinds had +been let down all round and that there were people inside. There was +just a faint chink in one, and I caught a glimpse of several men, your +friend Oscar amongst them. Having," he went on, "an immense regard for +my personal safety, I was hesitating what means to adopt when the +lights were lowered, and it seemed to me that the men were +disappearing." + +"Do go on," Pamela murmured. "This is most exciting." + +"In a sense it was disappointing," Lutchester complained. "I had +pictured for myself a dramatic entrance ... a quiet turning of the key, +a soft approach--owing to my shoes," he reminded her--"a cough, +perhaps, or a breath ... discovery, me with a revolver in my hand +pointed to the arch-villain--'If you stir you're a dead man!' ... +Natural collapse of the villain. With my left hand I slash the bonds +which hold Graham, with my right I cover the miscreants. One of them, +perhaps, might creep behind me, and I hesitate. If I move my revolver +the other two will get the drop on me--I think that is the correct +expression? A wonderful moment, that, Miss Van Teyl!" + +"But it didn't happen," she protested. + +"Ah! I forgot that," he acknowledged. "Still, I was prepared, I had the +revolver all right. But as you say, it didn't happen. I made my way to +the chapel door, let myself in, found our friend lying in a +half-comatose state upon one of the blue plush Henry sofas, in the +shadow of a horrible deal pulpit. I gathered that he had been left +there to reflect upon his sins. There was a bottle of remarkably fine +brandy within reach, which I tested, and with which I dosed our friend +here. I then cut away his bonds, arm in arm we walked down the aisle, I +locked up the place, threw the key away, kicked my shins half-a-dozen +times crossing that disgusting little plot of land, climbed boldly to +the top of the wall, and behold!" + +Pamela smiled upon him in congratulatory fashion. + +"On the whole," she said, "I am quite glad that I telephoned to you." + +"You showed a sound discretion," he admitted. + +"If he had not been lame," she confessed, "I should have sent to +Captain Holderness." + +"That would have been a great mistake," Lutchester assured her. +"Holderness is a good fellow but devoid of imagination. He is great on +constituted authority. He would have probably marched up with a squad +of heavy-footed policemen--and found nothing." + +"Yet I must confess," Pamela persisted, with a frankness unaccountable +even to herself, "that if I could have thought of any one else I should +never have telephoned to you." + +"And why not?" + +"Because I should not have classified you as being of the adventurous +type," she declared. + +Lutchester looked injured. + +"After all," he protested, "that is not my fault. That is due to your +singular lack of perception. However, I am able to return the +compliment. I, for my part, should have thought that you were more +interested in the fashions than in paying exceedingly rash visits to +degenerate orientals and negroes." + +"Perhaps some day," she remarked, "we may understand one another +better." + +He met her gaze with a certain seriousness. + +"I hope that we may," he said. + +For some reason they were both silent for a moment. Her tone had +changed a little when she spoke again. + +"You are sure," she asked, "that you do not mind my leaving the rest of +this affair in your hands? There are reasons, which I cannot tell you +of just now, which make me anxious not to appear in it at all." + +"I accept the charge as a privilege," he assented. "We are within a few +yards of my rooms now. I promise you that I will look after Captain +Graham and advise him as to the proper course for him to pursue." + +The car came to a standstill. + +"This then," she said, holding out her hand, "will be good-by for the +present." + +He held her fingers for a moment without reply. Quite suddenly she +decided that she liked him. Then he lifted Graham, who was half asleep, +half unconscious, to his feet, and assisted him from the car. + +"Where shall I tell the man to go to?" he inquired. + +"He knows," she answered with sudden taciturnity. + +"Wherever it may be, then," he replied, "bon voyage!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + + +It was about half-an-hour later when Sandy Graham opened his eyes and +began to feel the life once more warm in his veins. He was seated in +the most comfortable easy-chair of John Lutchester's bachelor +sitting-room. By his side was a coffee equipage and a decanter of +brandy. His head still throbbed, and his bones ached, but his mind was +beginning to grow clearer. Lutchester, who had been seated at the +writing table, swung round in his chair at the sound of his guest's +movement. + +"Feeling better, eh?" he asked. + +"I am all right now," was the somewhat shaky reply. "Got a head like a +turnip and a tongue like a lime-kiln, but I'm beginning--to feel +myself." + +"How's your memory?" + +"Hazy. Let me see.... My God, I've been robbed, haven't I!" + +"So I imagine," Lutchester replied. "You rather asked for it, didn't +you?" + +Graham moved uneasily in his place. He had suddenly the feeling of +being back at school--and in the presence of the headmaster. + +"I suppose I did in a way," he admitted, "but at Henry's--why, I've +always looked upon the place as a club more than anything else." + +"I am afraid that I can't agree with you there," Lutchester observed. +"I should consider Henry's a remarkably cosmopolitan restaurant, where +a man in your position should exercise more than even ordinary +restraint." + +"I suppose I was wrong," Graham muttered, "but I had been working for +about ten hours on end, and then rushed up to London in the car to try +and keep my appointment with Holderness." + +"Stop anywhere on the way?" + +"We had a few drinks," Graham confessed. "I was so done up. Perhaps I +had more than I meant to. However, it's no use bothering about that +now. I've been robbed, and that's all there is about it. Could we get +on to Scotland Yard from here?" + +"We could, but I don't think we will," Lutchester replied. + +Graham was puzzled. + +"Why not?" he demanded. "That formula was the most wonderful thing that +has ever been put together, and the whole thing's so simple. I've been +afraid every second that some one else might stumble upon it." + +"It is without doubt a great loss," Lutchester admitted. "All the same, +I don't fancy that it's a Scotland Yard business exactly. Have you any +idea who robbed you?" + +Graham paused to think. His eyes were still troubled and uncertain. + +"It's coming back to me," he muttered. "I remember that beastly barn of +a chapel. There were Jules, and that musician fellow, and the big +American. He emptied my pockets ... Why, of course, I remember how +angry he was ... My pocketbook was gone! They left me alone to write +out the formula again, and then you came.... How on earth did you +tumble on to my being there, Lutchester?" + +"It was Miss Pamela Van Teyl whom you must thank," Lutchester told him, +"not me. It seems she knew more about Henry's than any of us. She'd +come up against some of the crew in Berlin, and she guessed they were +holding you for that formula. She got the key out of one of those men +and then telephoned to me for my help." + +"And I never even thanked her," Graham murmured weakly. + +There was a moment's silence. The recovering man's consciousness of his +position and of events was evidently as yet incomplete. He sat up +suddenly in his chair, gripping the sides of it. His eyes were large +with reminiscent trouble. + +"My pocketbook had gone when they searched me," he muttered. + +"Are you sure that you had it with you when you came into Henry's?" +Lutchester inquired. + +"Absolutely certain." + +"Do you think you can remember now what happened when you went +upstairs?" + +"I reached the lavatory all right--you were with me then, weren't you?" +Graham said reflectively. "I hung up my coat while I washed, but there +was no one else in the room. Then you went downstairs and I brushed my +hair and just stopped to light a cigarette. You know that on the +right-hand side of the landing there is a room where the musicians +change. Joseph, that black devil, was standing in the doorway. He +grinned as I came into sight. 'Lady wants to speak to you for a moment, +Captain Graham,' he said. Well, you know how harmless the fellow +looks--just a good-natured, smiling nigger. I never dreamed of anything +wrong. As a matter of fact, I thought that Peggy Vincent--that's a +young lady I often go to Henry's with--wanted to have a word with me +before I joined our party. I stepped inside the room, and that's just +about all I can remember. It must have been jolly quick. His arm shot +round my neck, the door was closed, and that other brute--Hassan, I +think it was--held something over my face." + +"But that room was searched," Lutchester reminded him. + +"Well I came to just a little," Graham explained, "I found that I was +in a sort of cupboard place, behind the lockers these fellows have for +their clothes. It opens with a spring lock, and you'd never notice it, +searching the room." + +"Who was the first person you saw when you recovered consciousness?" + +Graham's forehead was wrinkled in the effort to remember. + +"I can't quite get hold of it," he confessed, "but I have a sort of +fancy I can't altogether get rid of that there was a woman about." + +Lutchester looked at the end of the cigarette he had just lit. + +"A woman?" he repeated. "That's queer." + +"I can't remember anything definitely until I woke up in that chapel," +Graham continued, "but when they searched me and found that the +pocketbook had gone, Fischer, the big American, muttered some woman's +name. I was queer just at the moment, but it sounded very much to me +like Miss Van Teyl's. He rang her up on the telephone." + +"Did they suspect Miss Van Teyl, then, of having taken your +pocketbook?" + +Graham shook his head. + +"I lost the drift of things just then," he admitted. "She couldn't have +done, in any case. Forgive me, but aren't we wasting time, Mr. +Lutchester? We must do something. Couldn't you ring up Scotland Yard +now?" + +"I certainly could," Lutchester assented, "but, as I told you just now, +I don't think that I will." + +Graham stared at him. + +"But why not?" + +"For certain very definite reasons with which you needn't trouble +yourself just now," Lutchester pronounced. "The formula has gone, +without a doubt, but it certainly isn't in the hands of any of the +people at Henry's." + +"But there's that American fellow--Fischer!" Graham exclaimed. "He was +the ringleader!" + +"Just so," Lutchester murmured thoughtfully. "However, he hasn't got +the formula." + +"But he planned the attack upon me," Graham protested. "He is an +enemy--a German--sheltering himself under his American naturalization. +Surely we're going for him?" + +"He's a wrong 'un, of course," Lutchester admitted, "but he hasn't got +the formula." + +"But we must do something!" Graham continued, his anger rising as his +strength returned. "Why, the place is a perfect den of conspirators! I +expect Ferrani himself is in it, and there's that other maitre d'hotel, +Jules, and those black beasts, Joseph and Hassan, besides Fischer. My +God, they shall pay for this!" + +Lutchester nodded. + +"I dare say they will," he admitted, "but not quite in the way you are +thinking of." + +Graham half rose to his feet. + +"Look here," he said, "I'm sane enough now, aren't I, and in my proper +senses? You are not going to suggest that we don't turn the police on +to that damned place?" + +"I certainly am," was the brief reply. + +Graham was aghast. + +"What do you mean to do, then?" + +"Leave them alone for the present. Not one of them has the formula. Not +one of them even knows where it is." + +"But the attack upon me?" + +"You asked for all you got," Lutchester told him curtly, "and perhaps a +little more." + +The first tinge of colour came back to Graham's cheeks. His eyes +flashed with anger. + +"Perhaps I did," he admitted, "but that doesn't alter the fact that I'm +going to have some of my own back out of them." + +Lutchester crossed his legs and turned round in his chair. For the +first time he directly faced his visitor. His tone, though not +unkindly, was imperative. + +"Young fellow," he said, "you'll have to listen to me about this." + +A smouldering sense of revolt suddenly found words. + +"Listen to you? What the devil have you got to do with it?" Graham +demanded. + +"I hate to remind any one of an obligation," Lutchester answered, "but +I am under the impression that, together with Miss Van Teyl, of course, +I rescued you from an exceedingly inconvenient situation." + +"I haven't had time yet to tell you how grateful I am," Graham said +awkwardly. "You were a brick, of course, and how you and Miss Van Teyl +tumbled on to the whole thing I can't imagine. But I don't understand +what you're getting at now. You can't suggest that I am to leave these +fellows alone and not give information to the police?" + +"The character of the place," Lutchester assured him, "is already +perfectly well known to the heads of the police. The matter will be +dealt with, but not in the way you suggest. And so far as regards +Fischer, I do not wish him interfered with for the present." + +"You do not wish him interfered with?" Graham repeated. "Where the +devil do you come in at all?" + +"You can leave me out of the matter for the present. You want the +formula back, don't you?" + +"My God, yes!" Graham muttered fervently. "It's all very well to give +one a pencil and a piece of paper and say 'Write it out,' but there are +calculations and proportions--" + +"Precisely," Lutchester interrupted. "You want it back again. Why not +let Fischer do the business? He has an idea where it's gone. The thing +to do seems to me to follow him." + +"To follow Fischer?" Graham repeated vaguely. + +"Precisely. If he thinks the formula is in England, Fischer will stay +in England. If he thinks that it has gone abroad he will go abroad. If +we leave him free we can watch which he does." + +Graham swallowed half a wineglassful of the brandy by his side. Then he +leaned forward. + +"Look here," he said, "you'll forgive me if I repeat myself and ask you +once more--what the hell has all this got to do with you?" + +"Just this much," Lutchester replied, "that I insist upon your taking +the course of action in this matter which I propose." + +"You mean," Graham protested, working himself gradually into a state of +wrath, "that I am to go back to my rooms as though nothing had +happened, see Holderness and the others to-morrow, and not have a word +of explanation to offer? That I am to leave those blackguards at +Henry's to try their dirty games on some one else, and let Fischer, the +man who was fully inclined to become my murderer, go away unharmed? I +think not, Mr. Lutchester. I am much obliged for your help, but you are +talking piffle." + +"What do you propose to do, then?" + +"I am going round to Scotland Yard myself." + +Lutchester rose to his feet. + +"Stay where you are for a minute, please," he begged. + +He passed into a smaller room, and Graham could hear faintly the sound +of the telephone. In a minute or two his host returned. + +"Go in there and speak, Graham," he invited. "You will find some one +you know at the other end." + +Graham did as he was bidden, and Lutchester closed the door after him. +For a few minutes the latter sat in his chair, smoking quietly, his +eyes fixed upon the fire. Then his unwilling guest reappeared. He came +into the room a little unsteadily and looked with new eyes at the man +who seemed so unaccountably to have taken over the control of his +affairs. + +"I don't understand all this," he muttered. "Who the devil are you, +anyway, Lutchester?" + +"A very ordinary person, I can assure you," was the quiet reply. +"However, you are satisfied, I suppose, that my advice is good?" + +"Yes, I am satisfied," Graham answered nervously. "You know that--that +I'm under arrest?" + +Lutchester nodded. + +"Well, you're not asking for my sympathy, I suppose?" he observed +drily. + +The young man flushed. + +"I know that I behaved like a fool," he admitted. "All the same, I've +been working night and day for weeks on this problem. I haven't even +been up to town once. I must say I think they seem inclined to be a +little hard on me." + +"No one is going to be in the least hard on you," Lutchester assured +him. "You have committed a frightful indiscretion, and all that is +asked of you now is to keep your mouth shut. If you do that, I think a +way will be found for you out of your troubles." + +"But what is to become of me?" Graham demanded. + +"I understand that you are to be taken to Northumberland to-morrow," +Lutchester informed him. "There you will be allowed every facility for +fresh experiments. In the meantime, I have promised to give you a +shakedown here for the night. You will find a soldier on guard outside +your door, but you can treat him as your servant." + +"You are very kind," Graham faltered, a little vaguely. "If only I +could understand--" + +Lutchester rose to his feet. His manner became more serious, his tone +had in it a note of finality. + +"Captain Graham," he interrupted, "don't try to understand. I will tell +you as much as this, if it helps you. Henry's Restaurant will be placed +under the closest surveillance, but we wish nothing disturbed there at +the moment until we have discovered the future plans of Mr. Oscar +Fischer." + +"The big German-American," Graham muttered. "He's the man you ought to +get hold of." + +"Some day I hope that we may," Lutchester declared. "For the moment, +however, we want him undisturbed. You would scarcely believe it, +perhaps, if I told you that the theft of your formulas is only a slight +thing compared to the bigger business that man has on hand. There is +something else at the back of his head which is worth heaven and earth +to us to understand. We want the formula and we shall have it, but more +than anything else in the world we want to know why Fischer has pledged +his word in Berlin to bring this war to an end within three months. We +have to find that out, and we are going to find it out--from him. You +see, I have treated you with confidence, Captain Graham. Now let me +show you to your room." Graham put his hand to his forehead. + +"I feel as though this were some sort of nightmare," he muttered. "I've +known you for several months, Mr. Lutchester, and I have never heard +you say a serious word. You dance at Henry's; you made a good soldier, +they said, but you'd had enough of it in twelve months; you play +auction bridge in the afternoons; and you talk about the war as though +it were simply an irritating circumstance. And to-night--" + +Lutchester threw open the door of his own bedroom and pointed to the +bathroom beyond. + +"My man has put out everything he thinks you may want," he said. "Try +and get a good night's sleep. And, Graham." + +"Yes?" + +"Don't bother your head about me, and don't ask any more questions." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + + +The _Lapland_ was two days out from Tilbury before Pamela appeared on +deck, followed by her maid with an armful of cushions, and the deck +steward with her rugs. She had scarcely made herself comfortable in a +sunny corner when she was aware of the approach of a large, familiar +figure. Her astonishment was entirely genuine. + +"Mr. Fischer!" she exclaimed. "Why, how on earth did you catch this +steamer? I thought you were coming on the Thursday boat?" + +"Some inducement to change my mind," Mr. Fischer replied, drawing a +chair up to her side. + +"Meaning me?" + +"I guess that's so!" + +"Of course, I'm exceedingly flattered," Pamela observed, "or rather I +should be if I believed you, but I don't see how you could leave a +supper-party at Henry's and go straight to Tilbury." + +"Say, how did you know I was supping at Henry's?" he inquired. + +"Because I was there for luncheon myself, as you know," she answered +carelessly, "and I heard you order your table for supper." + +Mr. Fischer nodded reminiscently. + +"I always wind up with a little supper at Henry's, on my last night in +London," he remarked. "It left me two hours to get down to Tilbury, but +it don't take me long to start for anywhere when I once make up my +mind. That's the American of us, I suppose. Besides, I never need much +in the way of luggage. I keep clothes over on the other side and +clothes in New York, and a grip always ready packed for a journey." + +"You're so typical," she murmured, smiling. + +"I don't know about that," he replied. "My business makes it necessary +for me to be always on the go. Have you heard from your brother +lately?" + +Pamela shook her head. + +"Jimmy is the most terrible correspondent," she complained. "I don't +think I've had any mail from him for two months." + +"You didn't know that he and I were sharing rooms together, then, in +the Plaza Hotel, I suppose?" + +Pamela turned her head a little and gazed at her companion in genuine +surprise. + +"Sharing rooms in the Plaza Hotel?" she repeated.... "You and Jimmy?" + +"I guess that's so," Mr. Fischer assented. "We were doing business +together one day, and the subject cropped up somehow or other. Your +brother was thinking of making a move, and I'd just been shown these +rooms, which were a trifle on the large side for me. I made him an +offer and he jumped at it." + +"I hope you're not leading James into extravagant ways," she remarked +anxiously. "I loved his little apartment in Forty-Second Street and it +was so inexpensive." + +"Your brother's share of these rooms isn't anything more than he can +afford," Mr. Fischer assured her. "That I can promise you. I guess his +firm is doing well just now. If they've many more clients like me they +are." + +"It is very nice of you to put business in his way," Pamela said +thoughtfully. "I wonder why you do it, Mr. Fischer?" + +"Why shouldn't I?" + +"Well," Pamela went on, her eyes travelling out seaward for a moment, +"you seem to be one of those sort of men, Mr. Fischer, who never do +anything without an object." + +"_Some_ powers of observation," he admitted blithely. + +"You have an object in being kind to Jimmy, then?" + +Mr. Fischer produced a cigar case and selected a cheroot. + +"Mind my smoking?" + +"Not in the least. The only time I mind things is when people don't +answer my questions." + +"I was only kind of hesitating," Mr. Fischer went on, leaning back once +more in his chair. "You want the truth, don't you?" + +"I never think anything else is worth while." + +"In the first place, then," her companion began, "your brother belongs +to what I suppose is known as the exclusive set in New York. I am a +Westerner with few friends there. Through him I have obtained +introductions to several people whom it was interesting to me, from a +business point of view, to know." + +"I see," Pamela murmured. "You are at least frank, Mr. Fischer." + +"I am going to be more frank still," he promised her. "Then another +reason, of course, was because I liked him, and a third, which I am not +sure wasn't the chief of all, because he was your brother." + +Pamela laughed gaily. + +"Is that necessary?" + +"Necessary or not, it's the truth," he assured her. "I am a man of +quick impressions and lasting ones." + +"But we've never met except on a steamer," Pamela reminded him. + +"I know it's the fashion," Mr. Fischer said, "to turn up one's nose at +steamer acquaintances. It isn't like that with me. You see, I don't +have as much opportunity of meeting folk as some others, perhaps. The +most interesting people I've known socially I've met on steamers. I sat +at your table, side by side with you, Miss Van Teyl, for seven days a +few months ago. I guess I'll remember those seven days as long as I +live." + +Pamela turned her head and looked at him. The faintly derisive smile +died away from her lips. The man was in earnest. A certain curiosity +stole into her eyes as the seconds passed. She studied his hard, strong +face, with its great jaw and prominent forehead; the mouth, a little +too full, and belying the rest of his physiognomy, yet with its own +peculiar strength. He had taken off his spectacles, and it seemed to +her that the cold, flinty light of his eyes had caught for a moment +some touch of the softer blue of the sea or the sky. Seated, he lost +some of the awkwardness of his too great and ill-carried height. It +seemed to her that he was at least a person to be reckoned with, either +in friendship or enmity. + +"Are you an American born, Mr. Fischer," she asked him. + +He shook his head. + +"I was born at Offenbach," he told her, "near Frankfurt. My father +brought me out to America when I was eleven years old." + +"You must find the present condition of things a little trying for +you," she observed. + +Oscar Fischer put on his glasses again. He did not answer for several +moments. + +"That opens up a subject, Miss Van Teyl," he said, "which some day I +should like to discuss with you." + +"Why not now?" she invited. "I feel much more inclined for conversation +than reading." + +"Tell me, then, to begin with," he asked thoughtfully, "on which side +are your sympathies?" + +"I try to do my duty as an American citizen," she replied promptly, +"and that is to have no sympathies. Our dear country has set the world +an example of what neutrality should be. I think it is the duty of us +Americans to try and bring ourselves into exactly the same line of +feeling." + +He changed his position a little uneasily. His attitude became less of +a sprawl. His eyes were fixed upon her face. + +"I fear," he said, "that we are going to begin by a disagreement. I do +not consider that America has realised in the least the duties of a +neutral nation." + +"You must explain that at once, if you please, before we go any +further," Pamela insisted. + +"Is this neutrality?" Fischer demanded, his rather harsh voice almost +raucous now with a touch of real feeling. "America ships daily millions +of dollars' worth of those things that make war possible, to France, to +Italy, above all to England. She keeps them supplied with ammunition, +clothing, scientific instruments, food--a dozen things which make war +easier. To Germany she sends nothing. Is that neutrality?" + +"But America is perfectly willing to deal in the same way with +Germany," Pamela pointed out. "German agents can come and place their +orders and take away whatever they want. The market is as much open to +her as to the Allies." + +Fischer was sitting bolt upright in his chair now. There was a little +spot of colour in his cheeks and his eyes flashed behind his +spectacles. He struck the side of the chair. He was very angry. + +"That is Jesuitical," he declared. "It is perfectly well-known that +Germany is not in a position to fetch munitions from America. +Therefore, I say that there is no neutrality in supplying one side in +the war with goods which the other is unable to procure." + +"Then you place upon America the onus of Germany's naval inferiority," +Pamela remarked drily. + +"Germany's maritime inferiority does not exist," Mr. Fischer protested. +"When the moment arrives that the High Seas fleet comes out for action +the world will know the truth." + +"Then hadn't it better come," Pamela suggested, "and clear the ocean +for your commerce?" + +"That isn't the point," Fischer insisted. "We have wandered from the +main issue. I say that America abandons its neutrality when it helps +the Allies to continue the war." + +"I don't think you will find," Pamela replied, "that international law +prevents any neutral country from supplying either combatant with +munitions. If one country can fetch the things and the other can't, +that is the misfortune of the country that can't. For one moment look +at the matter from England's point of view. She has built up a mighty +navy to keep the seas clear for exactly this purpose--to continue her +commerce from abroad. Germany instead has built up a mighty army, with +which she has overrun Europe. Germany has had the advantage from her +army. Why shouldn't England have the advantage from her navy?" + +"Let me ask you the question you asked me a few minutes ago," her +companion begged. "Were you born in America--or England?" + +"I was born in America," Pamela told him; "so were my parents and my +grandparents. I claim to be American to the backbone. I claim even to +treat any sympathies I might have in this affair as prejudices, and not +even to allow them a single corner in my brain." + +Mr. Fischer sat quite still for several moments. He was struggling very +hard to keep his temper. In the end he succeeded. + +"We will not, then, pursue the subject of America's neutrality," he +said, "because it is obvious that we disagree fundamentally. But tell +me this, now, as an American and a patriot. Which do you think would be +better for America--That Germany and Austria won this war, or the +Allies?" + +"Upon that question I have not altogether made up my mind," Pamela +confessed. + +"Then there is room there for a discussion," Mr. Fischer pointed out +eagerly. "I should like to put my views before you on this matter." + +"And I should love to hear them," Pamela replied, "but I feel just now +as though we had talked enough politics. Do you know that I came up on +deck in a state of great agitation?" + +"Submarine alarms from the stewardess?" Mr. Fischer suggested. + +"I am not afraid of submarines, but I have a most profound dislike for +thieves," Pamela declared. + +"You have not had anything stolen?" he asked quickly. + +"I have not," Pamela replied, "but the only reason seems to be that I +have nothing worth stealing. When I got back from luncheon this +afternoon I found that my stateroom had been systematically searched." + +She turned her head a little lazily and looked at her neighbour. His +expression was entirely sympathetic. + +"Your jewellery?" + +"Deposited with the purser." + +"I congratulate you," he said. + +"Nothing has been stolen," she observed, "but one hates the feeling of +insecurity, all the same. Both my steward and stewardess are old +friends. It must have been a very clever person who found his way into +my room." + +"A very clever person," Mr. Fischer objected, "would have known that +you had deposited your jewels with the purser." + +"If it was my jewels of which they were in search," Pamela murmured. +"By the bye, do you remember all that fuss about the disappearance of a +young soldier that morning at Henry's?" + +Fischer nodded. + +"I heard something about it," he confessed. "They were talking about it +at dinner-time." + +"I had an idea that you might be interested," Pamela went on. "He was +rather a foolish young man. He came into the restaurant telling every +one at the top of his voice that he had made a great discovery! Even in +London, which is, I should think, the most prosaic city in the world, +there must be people who are on the lookout to pick up war secrets." + +"Even in London, as you remark," Fischer assented. + +"You didn't hear the end of the affair, I suppose?" she asked him. + +The steward had arrived with afternoon tea. Fischer threw into the sea +the cigar which he had been smoking. + +"I do not think," he said, "that the end has been reached yet." + +Pamela sighed. + +"Les oreilles ennemies!" she quoted. "I suppose one has to be careful +everywhere." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + + +It was one evening towards the end of the voyage, and about an hour +after dinner. A huge form loomed out of the darkness, continuing its +steady promenade along the unlit portion of the deck. Pamela, moved by +some caprice, abandoned her caution of the last few days and called +out. + +"Mr. Fischer!" + +He stopped short. The sparks flew from the red end of his cigar, which +he tossed into the sea. He hastened towards her. + +"Miss Van Teyl?" he replied, a little hesitatingly. + +"How clever of you to know my voice!" she observed. "I am in the humour +to talk. Will you sit down, please?" + +Mr. Fischer humbly drew a chair to her side. + +"I had an idea," he said, "that you had been avoiding me the last two +or three days." + +"I have," she admitted. + +"Have I offended you, then?" + +"Scarcely that," she replied, "only, you see, it seemed waste of time +to talk to you with the foils on, and a little dangerous, perhaps, to +talk to you with them off." + +His face reflected his admiration. + +"Miss Van Teyl," he declared, "you are quite a wonderful person. I have +never believed very much in women before. Perhaps that is the reason +why I have never married." + +"Dear me, are you a woman-hater?" she asked. + +He looked at her steadfastly. + +"I have made use of women as playthings," he confessed. "Until I met +you I never thought of them as companions, as partners." + +She laughed at him through the darkness, and at the sound of her laugh +his eyes glowed. + +"Really, I am very much flattered," she said. "You give me credit for +intelligence, then?" + +"I give you credit for every gift a woman should have," he answered +enthusiastically. "I recognise in you the woman I have sometimes +dreamed of." + +Again she laughed. + +"Don't tell me, Mr. Fischer," she protested, "that ever in your +practical life you have spent a single moment in dreams?" + +"I have spent many," he assured her, "but they have all been since I +knew you." + +Pamela sighed. + +"I have never been through a voyage," she observed, "without a love +affair. Still, I never suspected you, Mr. Fischer." + +"You suspected me, perhaps, of other things." + +She nodded. + +"I am full of suspicions about you," she admitted. "I am not going to +tell you what they are, of course." + +"There is one thing of which I am guilty," he confessed. "I should like +to tell you about it right now." + +"Could I guess it?" + +"You're clever enough." + +"You like me, don't you, Mr. Fischer?" + +"Better than any woman in the world," he answered promptly. "And my +confession is--well, just that. Will you marry me?" + +Pamela shook her head. + +"Quite early in life," she confided, "I made up my mind that I would +never give a definite answer to any one who proposed to me on a +steamer. I suppose it's the wind, or is it the stars, or the silence, +or what? I have known the sanest of men, even like you, Mr. Fischer, +become quite maudlin." + +"I am brimful of common sense at the present moment," he declared +earnestly. "You and I could do great things together, if only I could +get you to look at one certain matter from my point of view; to see it +as I see it." + +"A political matter?" she inquired naively. + +"I want to try and persuade you," he confessed, "that America has +everything in the world to gain from Germany's success, and everything +to lose if the Allies should triumph in this war and Great Britain +should continue her tyranny of the seas." + +"It's an extraordinarily interesting subject," Pamela admitted. + +"It is almost as absorbing," he declared, "as the other matter which +just now lies even nearer to my heart." + +She withdrew her fingers from his sudden clutch. + +"Mr. Fischer," she told him, "what I said just now was quite final. I +will not be made love to on a steamer." + +"When we land," he continued eagerly, "you will be coming to see your +brother, won't you?" + +She nodded. + +"Of course! I am coming to the Plaza Hotel. That, I suppose, is good +news for you, Mr. Fischer." + +"Of course it is," he answered, "but why do you say so?" + +"It will give you so many opportunities," she murmured. + +"Of seeing you?" + +She shook her head. + +"Of searching my belongings." + +There was a moment's silence. She heard his quick breath through the +darkness. His voice assumed its harsher tone. + +"You believe that it was I who searched your stateroom?" + +"I am sure that it was you, or some one acting for you." + +"What is it, then, of which I am in search?" he demanded. + +"Captain Graham's formula," she replied. "I think you want that a good +deal more than you want me." + +"You have it then?" he asked fiercely. + +She sighed. + +"You jump so to conclusions. I didn't say so." + +"You went up the stairs ... you were the only person who went up just +at that one psychological moment! He had his pocketbook with him when +he came in--he told Holderness so." + +"And when you searched him it was gone," she remarked calmly. "Dear +me!" + +"How do you know that I searched him?" Fischer demanded. + +"How dare you ask me to give away my secrets?" she replied. + +"Listen," he began, striving with an almost painful effort to keep his +voice down to the level of a whisper, "you and I together, we could do +the most marvellous things. I could let you into all my schemes. They +are great. They will be successful. After the war is over--" + +He held his breath for a moment. The tramp of approaching footsteps +warned him of the coming of an intruder. The Captain came to a +standstill before their chairs and saluted. + +"Miss Van Teyl," he said, "there will be a mutiny in the saloon if you +don't come down and sing." + +She almost sprang to her feet. The ship was rolling a little, and she +laid her fingers upon his arm. + +"I meant to come long ago," she declared, "but Mr. Fischer has been so +interesting. You will finish telling me your experiences another time, +won't you?" she called out over her shoulder. "There is so much that I +still want to hear." + +Fischer's reply was almost ungracious. He watched their departure in +silence, and afterwards leaned further back in his chair. With long, +nervous fingers he drew a black cigar from his case and lit it. Then he +folded his arms. For more than half an hour he sat there motionless, +smoking furiously. He looked out into the chaos of the windy darkness, +he heard voices riding upon the seas, shrieking and calling to him, +voices to which he had been deaf too long. The burden of these later +years of turbulent, brazen, selfish struggling, rolled back. He had +been a sentimentalist once, a willing seeker after things which seemed +to have passed him by. At his age, he told himself, a man should still +find more than one place in the world. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + + +James Van Teyl glanced curiously at the small, dark figure standing +patiently before him, and then back again at the wireless cable which +he held in his fingers. He was just back from a tiring day in Wall +Street, and was reclining in the most comfortable easy-chair of his +Hotel Plaza sitting-room. + +"Gee!" he murmured. "This beats me. The last thing I should have +thought we wanted here was a valet. The fellow who looks after this +suite has scarcely anything else to do. What did you say your name +was?" + +"Nikasti, sir." + +Van Teyl carefully reconsidered the cable. It certainly seemed to leave +no room for misunderstanding. + +Please engage for our service, as valet, Nikasti. See that he enters on +his duties at once. Hope land this evening. Your sister on board sends +love.--F. + +"Well that seems clear enough," the young man muttered, thrusting the +form into his waistcoat pocket. "You're here to stay, I guess, Nikasti? +I see you've brought your kit along." + +"In case you decided to engage me, sir," the man replied. + +"Oh, you are engaged right enough," Van Teyl assured him. "You'd better +make the best job you can of putting out my evening clothes. If you +ring for the floor valet, he'll help you. The bedrooms are through that +door." + +"Very good, sir!" + +"I am going down to the barber's now," Van Teyl continued, rising to +his feet. "Just remember this, Nikasti--what a name, by the bye!" + +"I could be called Kato," the man suggested. + +"Kato for me all the time," his prospective employer agreed. "Well, +listen. My sister, Miss Van Teyl, arrives from Europe on the _Lapland_ +this evening. If she comes in or rings up, say I'm here and I want to +see her at once. You understand?" + +"I understand, sir." + +Van Teyl strolled out, and Kato disappeared into the inner room. The +floor valet, dressed in the dark blue livery of the hotel, was already +laying out his master's dinner clothes. He eyed the intruder a little +truculently. + +"Who are you, anyway?" he inquired. + +"My name is Nikasti," was the quiet reply. "Mr. Van Teyl has engaged me +as his valet, to wait upon him and Mr. Fischer." + +The man laid down the shirt into which he was fixing the studs. + +"That's some news," he remarked bitterly. + +"To wait on Mr. Van Teyl and Mr. Fischer, eh? What the hell do they +want you for?" + +Nikasti shook his head slowly. He was very small, and his dark eyes +seemed filled with melancholy. + +"It is not for a very long time," he ventured. + +"Long enough to do me out of my five dollars' tip every week," the man +grumbled. "I'm a married man, too, and a good American. Blast you +fellows, coming and taking our jobs away! Can't think what they let you +into the country for." + +"I am sorry," Nikasti murmured. + +"Your sorrow don't bring me in my five dollars," the valet retorted +bitterly. "There's only two suites on this floor to work for, anyway, +and this is the only one worth a cent." + +"I am taking the situation," the other explained, "for the sake of +experience. I do not wish to rob you of your earnings. I will pay you +the five dollars a week while I stay here. You shall help me with the +work." + +"That's a deal, my little yellow-skinned kid," the valet agreed in a +tone of relief. "I'll show you where the things are kept." + +His new coadjutor bowed. + +"The telephone is ringing in the master's room," he observed. "You +shall remain here, and I will answer it." + +"That goes, Jappy," the man acquiesced. "If it's a young lady take her +name, but don't say that Mr. Van Teyl's about. Forward young baggages +some of them are." + +Nikasti glided from the room, closed the door, and approached the +telephone receiver. + +"Yes," he acknowledged, "these are the rooms of Mr. Van Teyl... No, +madam, Mr. Van Teyl is not in at present." + +There was a moment's pause. Nikasti's face was impenetrable as he +listened, but his eyes glowed. + +"Yes, I understand, madam," he said softly. "You are Miss Van Teyl, and +you wish to speak to your brother. The moment Mr. Van Teyl returns I +will ring you up or fetch you." + +He replaced the receiver upon its hook, and returned to the bedroom. +For some little time he was initiated into the mysteries of his new +master's studs, boots and shoes, and general taste in wearing apparel. +Then the latter entered the sitting-room, and Nikasti obeyed his +summons. + +"Anyone called me up?" he inquired. + +"No one, sir." + +Van Teyl glanced at the clock in an undecided manner. + +"I'll change right away," he decided. "Just set things to rights in +here, fill my cigarette case, and hang round by the telephone." + +Nikasti bowed, and the young man disappeared into the inner room. His +new attendant waited until the door was closed. Then he removed the +receiver from its hook, laid it upon the table, and moved stealthily +towards the open fireplace. For several moments he remained in an +attitude of listening, then with quick, lithe fingers he drew from his +pocket a cable dispatch, reread it with an air of complete absorption, +and committed it to the flames. He watched it burn, and turned away +from the contemplation of its grey ashes with a sigh of content. +Suddenly he started. The door of the sitting-room had been opened and +closed. A tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing gold-rimmed spectacles, a +long travelling coat and a Homburg hat, was standing watching him. +Nikasti was only momentarily disturbed. His look of gentle inquiry was +perfect. + +"You wish to see my master--Mr. Van Teyl?" he asked. + +"Where is he?" Fischer demanded. + +"He is dressing in the next apartment. I will take him your name." + +Fischer threw his coat and hat upon the table. + +"That'll do directly," he replied. "So you're Nikasti?" + +They looked at one another for a moment. The face of the Japanese was +smooth, bland, and imperturbable. His eyes were innocent even of any +question. Fischer's forehead was wrinkled, and his brows drawn close +together. + +"I am Nikasti," the other acknowledged--"Kato Nikasti. Mr. Van Teyl has +just engaged me as his valet." + +"You can take off the gloves," Fischer told him. "I am Oscar Fischer." + +"Oscar Fischer," Nikasti repeated. + +"Yes! ... Burning something when I came in weren't you? Looked like a +cable, eh?" + +"A dispatch from London," Nikasti confided. + +"Nothing that would interest me, eh?" + +"It was a family message," was the calm response. "It did not concern +the affair which is between us." + +"How came you to speak English like this?" Fischer inquired. + +"I was at Oxford University for two years," Nikasti told him, "and in +the Embassy at London for five more." + +"Before you took up your present job, eh?" + +Nikasti assented silently. Fischer glanced around as though to make +sure that they were still alone. + +"I have the communication with me," he announced, "which we are to +discuss. The terms of our proposal are clearly set out, and they are +signed by the Highest of all himself. The letter embodying them was +handed to me three weeks ago to-day in Berlin. Have you been to +Washington?" + +Nikasti shook his head. + +"I do not go to Washington," he said. "You will understand that +diplomatically, as you would put it, I do not exist. Neither is it +necessary. I am here to listen." + +Fischer nodded. + +"There need be very little delay, then," he observed, "before we get to +work." + +Nikasti bowed and raised his forefinger in warning. + +"I think," he whispered, "that Mr. Van Teyl has finished dressing." + + + + +CHAPTER X + + +Van Teyl, as he hastened forward to meet his friend, presented at first +sight a very good type of the well-groomed, athletic young American. He +was over six feet tall, with smooth, dark hair brushed back from his +forehead, a strong, clean-shaven face and good features. Only, as he +drew nearer, there was evident a slight, unnatural quivering at the +corner of his lips. The cordiality of his greeting, too, was a little +overdone. + +"Welcome home, Fischer! Why, man, you're looking fine. Had a pleasant +voyage?" + +"Storms for the first few days--after that all right," Fischer replied. + +"Any submarines?" + +"Not a sight of one. Seen your sister yet?" + +"Not yet. I've been waiting about for a telephone message. She hadn't +arrived, a few minutes ago." + +Fischer frowned. + +"I want us three to meet--you and she and I--the first moment she sets +foot in the hotel," he declared. + +"What's the hurry?" Van Teyl demanded. "You must have seen plenty of +her the last ten days." + +"That," Fischer insisted, "was a different matter. See here, Jimmy, +I'll be frank with you." + +He walked to the door of the bedroom, opened it, and looked inside. Its +sole occupant was Nikasti, who was at the far end, putting away some +clothes. Fischer closed the door firmly and returned. + +"I want you to understand this, James," he began. "Your sister is +meddling in certain things she'd best leave alone." + +Van Teyl lit a cigarette. + +"No use talking to me," he observed. "Pamela's her own mistress, and +she's gone her own way ever since she came of age." + +"She's got to quit," Fischer pronounced. "That's all there is about it. +You and I will have to talk this out. Where are you dining?" + +"Downstairs," Van Teyl replied gloomily. "I was thinking of waiting for +Pamela." + +"You leave word to have your people let you know directly she arrives," +Fischer advised, "and come along with me." + +Van Teyl allowed himself to be led towards the door. Nikasti, with a +due sense of his new duties, glided past them, rang for the lift, and +watched them descend. Fischer turned at once towards the dining room. + +"Thank God we're in a civilised country," he observed, "and that I +don't have to change when I don't want to!" + +They found a quiet table, and Fischer, displaying much interest in the +menu, ordered a somewhat extensive dinner. + +"Grapefruit and Maryland chicken are worth coming back to," he +declared. "Now see here, James, let's get to business. You've got to +help me with your sister." + +"But how?" Van Teyl demanded. "Pamela and I are good pals, of course, +but she has a will of her own in all she does, and I don't fancy that +anything I could say would influence her very much." + +"There are two things about your sister," Fischer continued. "The first +is that she's got to quit this secret service business she's got +herself mixed up in." + +"Don't talk nonsense!" Van Teyl exclaimed. "Pamela doesn't care a fig +about politics." + +Fischer grunted scornfully. + +"You don't know much about your sister, young fellow," he said. +"Internal politics over here may not interest her a cent, but she's +crazy about America as a country, and she's shrewd enough to see things +coming that a great many of you over here aren't looking for. Anyway, +she came bang up against me in a little scheme I had on the night +before I left Europe, and somewhere about her she's got concealed a +document which I'd gladly buy for a quarter of a million dollars." + +Van Teyl drank off his second cocktail. + +"Some money!" he observed. "How did she come by the prize?" + +"Played up for it, just as I did," Fischer replied. "She was clever +enough to make use of my scaffolding, and got up the ladder first. I'm +not squealing, but I've got to have that document, whatever it costs +me." + +Van Teyl was silent for a moment. There was an undercurrent of +something threatening in his companion's manner, of which he had taken +note. + +"And the second thing you mentioned?" he asked. "What is that?" + +Fischer, as though to give due emphasis to his statement, indulged in a +brief pause. Then he leaned a little forward and spoke very slowly and +very forcibly. + +"I want to marry her," he declared. + +Van Teyl learned back in his chair and gazed at his vis-a-vis in blank +astonishment. + +"You must be a damned fool, Fischer!" he exclaimed. + +"You think so?" was the unruffled reply. "I wonder why?" + +"I'll tell you why, if you want to know," Van Teyl continued bluntly. +"I know of four of the richest and best-looking young men in America, +two ambassadors, an English peer, and an Italian prince, who have +proposed to Pamela during the last twelve months alone. She refused +every one of them." + +"Well," Fischer remarked, "she must marry some time." + +Van Teyl looked at him insolently. + +"I shouldn't think you'd have a dog's chance," he pronounced. + +There was a little glitter behind Fischer's spectacles. + +"Up till now," he admitted smoothly, "I have not been fortunate. I must +confess, however, that I was hoping for your good offices." + +"Pamela wouldn't take the slightest notice of anything I might say," +Van Teyl declared. "Besides, I should hate you to marry her." + +"A little blunt, are you not, my young friend?" Fischer remarked +amiably. "Still, to continue, there is also the matter of that +document. I must confess that I exercised all my ingenuity to obtain +possession of it on the steamer." + +"You would!" Van Teyl muttered. + +"Your sister, however," Fischer continued, "was wise enough to have it +locked up in the purser's safe the moment she set foot upon the +steamer. She gave me the slip when she got it back, and eluded me, +somehow, on the quay. She will scarcely have had time to part with it +yet, though. When she arrives here to-night, it will in all probability +be in her possession." + +"Well?" Van Teyl demanded. "You don't suggest that I should rob her of +it, I suppose?" + +"Not at all," Fischer replied. "On the other hand, you might very well +induce her to give it up voluntarily, or at least to treat with me." + +"You don't know Pamela," was Van Teyl's curt reply. + +"I know her sufficiently," Fischer went on, leaning over the table, "to +believe that she would sacrifice a great deal to save her brother from +Sing Sing." + +Van Teyl took the thrust badly. He started as though he had been +stabbed, and his face became almost ghastly in its pallor. He tossed +off a glass of wine hastily. + +"Just what do you mean by that?" he asked thickly. + +"Are you prepared," Fischer continued, "to have me visit your office +to-morrow morning and examine my accounts and securities in the +presence of your partners?" + +"Why not?" Van Teyl faltered. "What the hell do you mean?" + +"I mean, James Van Teyl," his companion declared, "that I should find +you a matter of a hundred thousand dollars short. I mean that you've +realised on some of my securities, gambled on your own account with the +proceeds, and lost. You did this as regards one stock at least, with a +forged transfer, which I hold." + +Van Teyl looked almost piteously around. Life seemed suddenly to have +become an unreal thing--the crowds of well-dressed diners, the gentle +splashing of the water from the fountains in the winter garden, the +distant murmuring of music from behind the canopy of palms. So this was +the end of it! All that week he had hoped against hope. He had been +told of a sure thing. Next week he had meant to have a great gamble. +Everything was to have gone his way, after all. And now it was too +late. Fischer knew, and Fischer was a cruel man!... + +The unnatural silence came to an end. Only Fischer's voice seemed to +come from a long way off. + +"Drink your wine, James Van Teyl," he advised, "and listen to me. +You've been under obligations to me from the start. I meant you to be. +I brought a great business to your firm, and I insisted upon having you +interested. I had a motive, as I have for most things I do. You are +well placed socially in New York, and I am not. You are also above +suspicion, which I am not. It suited me to take this suite in the +Plaza, nominally in our joint names, but to pay the whole account +myself. It suited me because I required the shelter of your social +position. You understand?" + +"I always understand," Van Teyl muttered. + +"Just so. Only, whereas you simply thought me a snob, I had in reality +a different and very definite purpose. We come now, however, to your +present obligation to me. I can, if I choose, tear up your forged +transfer, submit to the loss of my money, and leave you secure. I shall +do so if you are able to induce your sister to hand over to me those +few lines of writing--to which, believe me, she has no earthly +right--and to accept me as a prospective suitor." + +Van Teyl was drinking steadily now, but every mouthful of food seemed +almost to choke him. Red-eyed and defiant, he faced his torturer. + +"You're talking rot!" he declared. "Pamela wouldn't marry you if you +were the last man on earth, and if she's got anything she wants to +keep, she'll keep it." + +"And see her brother disgraced," Fischer reminded him, "tried at the +Criminal Court for theft and sent to Sing Sing? It's a good name in New +York, yours, you know. The Van Teyls have held up their heads high for +more than one generation. Your sister will not fancy seeing it dragged +down into the mire." + +For a single moment the young man seemed about to throw himself upon +his companion, Fischer, perfectly unmoved, watched him, nevertheless, +like a cat. + +"Better sit tight," he enjoined. "Drop it now or people will be +watching us. I have ordered some of the old brandy. A liqueur or two +will steady you, perhaps. Afterwards we will go upstairs and take your +sister into our confidence." + +Van Teyl nodded. + +"Very well," he agreed hoarsely. "We'll hear what Pamela has to say." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + + +Nikasti, with a low bow, watched the disappearance of the lift into +which his two new masters, James Van Teyl and Oscar Fischer, had +stepped. He waited until the indicator registered its safe arrival on +the ground floor. Then he slowly retraced his steps along the corridor, +entered the sitting-room, and took up the telephone receiver, which was +still lying upon the table. + +"Will you give me number 77," he asked--"Miss Van Teyl's suite?" + +There was a moment's silence--then a voice at the other end to which he +made obeisance. + +"It is Miss Van Teyl who speaks? I am Mr. Van Teyl's valet. Mr. Van +Teyl is here now and will be glad if you will come in." + +He replaced the receiver, listened and waited. In a few moments there +was the sound of a light footstep outside. The door was opened and +Pamela entered. She was still wearing the grey tailor-made costume in +which she had left the steamer. + +"Why, where is Mr. Van Teyl?" she asked, looking around the room. "I +have been ringing up for the last ten minutes and couldn't get any +answer. I did not realise that it was the next suite." + +"Mr. Van Teyl is close at hand, madam," Nikasti replied. "If you will +kindly be seated, I will fetch him." + +"How long have you been valet here?" Pamela asked curiously. + +"For a few hours only, madam," was the grave reply. "If you will be so +good as to wait." + +He bowed low and left the room. Pamela took up an evening paper and for +a few minutes buried herself in its contents. Then suddenly she held it +away from her and listened. A queer and unaccountable impulse inspired +her with a certain mistrust. There was no sound of movement in the +adjoining bedchamber, nor any sign of her brother's presence. She +opened the door and peered in. It was empty and in darkness. Then, +moved by that same unaccountable impulse, she crossed the room and +listened at the door which led into her own suite, and which she +perceived was bolted on this side as well as her own. She listened at +first idly, afterwards breathlessly. In a few moments she was convinced +that her senses were not playing her false. Some one was moving +stealthily about in her room, the key to which was even at that moment +in her hand. She hastened to the door, to be confronted by another +surprise. The handle turned but the door refused to open. She was +locked in. + +Pamela was both generous and insistent in the matter of bells. She +found four, and she rang them all together. The consequences were +speedy, and in their way satisfactory. Nikasti himself, a breathless +chambermaid, a hurt but dignified waiter, and the floor valet, who had +not even stopped to put on his coat, entered together. They seemed a +little stupefied at finding Pamela alone and no sign of any +disturbance. + +"Why was I locked in here?" Pamela demanded indignantly, taking them +en bloc. + +There was a little chorus of non-comprehension. Nikasti stepped +forward, waved to the others to be silent, and bowed almost to the +ground. + +"It was a mistake easily to be understood, madam," he explained. "The +handle is a little stiff, perhaps, but the door was not locked. We all +reached here together, I myself barely a yard in advance. No key was +used--and behold!" + +Pamela was disposed to argue, but a moment's reflection induced her to +change her mind. This falsehood of Nikasti's was at least interesting. +She waved the hotel servants away. + +"I am sorry to have troubled you," she said. "I will remember it when I +pay my bill." + +They took their leave, Nikasti showing them out. When the last had +departed, he turned back to the centre table, from the other side of +which Pamela was watching him curiously. + +"I cannot imagine," she remarked, "how I could have made such a mistake +about the door. I tried it twice or three times and it certainly seemed +to me to be locked." + +Nikasti moved a step nearer towards her. Something of the servility of +his manner had gone. For the first time she looked at him closely, +appreciated the tense immobility of his features, the still, +penetrating light of his cold eyes. A queer premonition of trouble for +a moment unsteadied her. + +"There was no mistake," he said softly. "The door was locked." + +Even then she did not fully understand the position. She leaned a +little towards him. + +"It was locked?" she repeated. + +"I locked it," he told her. "It is locked now, securely. I have been +searching in your room for something which I did not find. I think that +you had better give it to me. It will save trouble." + +"Are you mad?" she demanded breathlessly. + +"Do I seem so?" he replied. "There is no person more sane than I. I +require from you the formula of the new explosive, which you stole in +Henry's restaurant eleven days ago." + +The sense of mystery passed. It was simply trouble of the ordinary sort +from an unexpected source. + +"Dear me!" she murmured. "Every one seems interested in my little +adventure. How did you hear about it?" + +"I destroyed the cable telling me of all that happened only a few +minutes ago," he explained. "It was the foolish talk of the young +inventor which gave his secret to the world to scramble for." + +"It was very clever of your informant," she remarked, "to suggest that +I was the fortunate thief. Why not Oscar Fischer? It was his plot, not +mine." + +The eyes of the little Japanese seemed suddenly to narrow. He realised +quite well that she was talking simply to gain time. + +"Madam," he insisted, "the formula. It is for my country, and for my +country I would risk much." + +"I do not doubt it," she replied; "but if I hold it, I hold it for my +country, too, and there is nothing you would risk for Japan from which +I should shrink for America." + +He laid his hands upon the table. She turned her ring and clenched her +hand. She could see his spring coming, realised in those few seconds +that here was an opponent of more desperate and subtle calibre than +Joseph. Whether her wits might have failed her, fate remained her +friend. There was a knock at the door. + +"You hear?" she cried breathlessly. "There is some one there. Shall I +call out?" + +His hands and knee were gone from the table. He was once more his old +self, so completely the servant that for a moment even Pamela was +puzzled. It seemed as though the events of the last few seconds might +have been part of a disordered dream. Nikasti played to the cue of her +fevered question and entirely ignored them. He opened the door with a +respectful flourish--and John Lutchester walked in. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + + +Pamela's first shock of surprise did not readily pass. In the first +place, John Lutchester's appearance in America at all was entirely +unexpected. In the second, by what possible means could he have arrived +at this precise and psychological moment? + +"You!" she exclaimed, a little helplessly. "Mr. Lutchester!" + +He smiled as he shook hands. Nikasti had slipped noiselessly from the +room. Pamela made no effort to detain him. She had a curious feeling +that the things which had passed between them concerned their two +selves only. So had no desire whatever to hand him over to retributive +justice. + +"You are surprised," he observed. "So far as my presence here is +concerned, I knew quite well that I was coming some time ago, but it +was one of those matters, you understand, Miss Van Teyl, that one is +scarcely at liberty to talk about. I am here in connection with my +work." + +"Your work," she repeated weakly. "I thought that you were in the +Ministry of Munitions?" + +"Precisely," he admitted. "I have a travelling inspectorship. You see, +I don't mind telling you this, but it is just as well, if you will +forgive my mentioning it, Miss Van Teyl, that these things are not +spoken of to any one. My business over here is supposed to be secret. I +am going round some of the factories from which we are drawing +supplies." + +She drew a long breath and began to feel a little more like herself. + +"Well, after this," she declared, "I shall be surprised at nothing. I +have had one shock already this evening, and you are the second." + +"The first, I trust, was not disagreeable?" + +She shrugged her shoulders. + +"Without flattering you," she answered, "I think I could say that I +prefer the second." + +"I had an idea," Lutchester remarked diffidently, "that my arrival +seemed either opportune or inopportune--I could not quite tell which. +Were you in any way troubled or embarrassed by the presence of the +little Japanese gentleman?" + +"Of course not," she replied. "Why, he is Jimmy's valet." + +"How absurd of me!" Lutchester murmured. "By the bye, if Jimmy is your +brother--Mr. Van Teyl--I have a letter to him from a pal in town--Dicky +Green. It was to present it that I found my way up here this evening. I +was told that he might put me in the way of a little golf during my +spare time over here." + +He produced the note and laid it upon the table. Pamela glanced at it +and then at Lutchester. He was carefully dressed in dinner clothes, +black tie and white waistcoat. He was, as usual, perfectly groomed and +immaculate. He had what she could only describe to herself as an +everyday air about him. He seemed entirely free from any mental +pressure or the wear and tear of great events. + +"Golf?" she repeated wonderingly. "You expect to have a little spare +time, then?" + +"Well, I hope so," Lutchester replied. "One must have exercise. By the +bye," he went on, "is your brother in, do you happen to know? Perhaps +it would be more convenient if I came round in the morning? I am +staying in the hotel." + +"Oh, for goodness sake, don't go away," she begged. "Jimmy will be here +presently, for certain. To tell you the truth, we have been rather +playing hide-and-seek this evening, but it hasn't been altogether his +fault. Please sit down over there--you will find cigarettes on the +sideboard--and talk to me." + +"Delighted," he agreed, taking the chair opposite to her. "I suppose +you want to know what became of poor Graham?" + +A sudden bewilderment appeared in her face. She leaned towards him. Her +forehead was knitted, her eyes puzzled. There was a new problem to be +solved. + +"Why, Mr. Lutchester," she demanded, "how on earth did you get here?" + +"Across the Atlantic," he replied amiably. "Bit too far the other way +round." + +"Yes, but what on?" she persisted. "I went straight on to the _Lapland_ +after we parted last week, and only arrived here an hour or so ago. +There was no other passenger steamer sailing for three days." + +"I was a stowaway," he told her confidentially--"helped to shovel coals +all the way over." + +"Don't talk nonsense!" she protested a little sharply. "I dislike +mysteries. Look at you! A stowaway, indeed! Tell me the truth +at once?" + +He leaned forward in his chair towards her. An ingenuous smile parted +his lips. He had the air of a schoolboy repeating a mischievous secret. + +"The fact is, Miss Van Teyl," he confided, "I don't want it talked +about, you know, but I had a joy ride over." + +"A what?" + +"A joy ride," he repeated. "A cousin of mine is in command of a +destroyer, and she was under orders to sail for New York. He hadn't the +slightest right, really, to bring a passenger, as she was coming over +on a special mission, but I had word about the trip over here, so I +slipped on board late one night--not a word to any one, you +understand--and--well, here I am. A more awful voyage," he went on +impressively, "you couldn't imagine. I was sore all over within +twenty-four hours of starting. There's practically no deck on those +things, you know, for sitting out or anything of that sort. The British +Navy's nowhere for comfort, I can tell you. The biggest liner for me, +going back!" + +Pamela was still a little dazed. Lutchester's story did not sound in +the least convincing. For the moment, however, she accepted his account +of himself. + +"Tell me now," she begged, "about Captain Graham?" + +"You haven't heard, then?" + +"I have heard nothing. How should I hear?" + +"I took him straight back to my rooms after we left you," Lutchester +began. "He was in an awful state of nerves and drugs and drink. Then I +put him to bed as soon as I could, and rang up a pal of mine at the War +Office to take him in hand." + +"Do you believe," she asked curiously, "that he had really been robbed +of his formula?" + +"Those amiable people who were interviewing him in the chapel seemed to +think so," Lutchester observed. + +"But you! What do you think?" she persisted. He smiled in superior +fashion. + +"I find it rather hard to bring myself to believe that any one would +take the trouble," he confided. "I have heard it said in my department +that there have been thirty-one new explosives invented since the +beginning of the war. Two of them only are in use, and they're not much +better than the old stuff." + +Pamela nodded understandingly. + +"All the same," she remarked, "I am not at all sure that was the case +with Captain Graham's invention. There were rumours for days before +that something wonderful was happening on Salisbury Plain. They had to +cover up whole acres of ground after his last experiments, and a man +who was down there told me that it seemed just as though the life had +been sucked out of it." + +"Where did you collect all this information?" her visitor inquired. + +She shrugged her shoulders. + +"One hears everything in London." + +Lutchester was sitting with his finger-tips pressed together. For a +moment his attention seemed fixed upon them. + +"There are things," he said, "which one hears, too, in the far corners +of the world--on the Atlantic, for instance." + +"You have had some news?" she interrupted. + +"It is really a private piece of information," he told her, "and it +won't be in the papers--not the way the thing happened, anyway--but I +don't suppose there's any harm in telling you, as we were both more or +less mixed up in the affair. Graham was shot the next day, on his way +up to Northumberland." + +"Shot?" she exclaimed incredulously. + +"Murdered, if you'd like the whole thrill," Lutchester continued. "Of +course, we didn't get many particulars in the wireless, but we gathered +that he was shot by some one passing him in a more powerful car on a +lonely stretch of the Great North Road." + +Pamela shuddered. She was for the moment profoundly impressed. A +certain air of unreality which had hung over the events of that night +was suddenly banished. The whole tragedy rose up before her eyes. The +effect of it was almost stupefying. + +"Gave me quite a shock," Lutchester confided. "Somehow or other I had +never been able to take that night quite seriously. There was more than +a dash of melodrama in it, wasn't there? Seems now as though those +fellows must have been in earnest, though." + +"And as though Captain Graham's formula," she reminded him gravely, +"was the real thing." + +"Whereupon," Lutchester observed, "our first interest in the affair +receives a certain stimulus. Some one stole the formula. To judge from +the behaviour of those amiable gentlemen connected with Henry's +Restaurant, it wasn't they. Some one had been before them. Have you any +theories, Miss Van Teyl?" + +"I can tell you who has," she replied. "Do you remember when we were +all grouped around that notice--Mefiez-vous! Taisez-vous! Les oreilles +ennemies vous ecoutent!?" + +"Of course I do," he assented. + +"Do you remember Baron Sunyea making a remark afterwards? He had been +standing by and heard everything Graham said." + +"Can't say that I do," Lutchester regretted, "but I remember seeing him +about the place." + +"You promise to say or do nothing without my permission, if I tell you +something?" she went on. + +"Naturally!" + +"See, then, how diplomacy or secret service work, or whatever you like +to call it, can gather the ends of the world together! Only a quarter +of an hour ago that Japanese valet of my brother's, having searched my +rooms in vain, demanded from me that formula!" + +"From you?" Lutchester gasped. "But you haven't got it!" + +"Of course not. On the other hand Sunyea pitched upon me as being one +of the possible thieves, and cabled his instructions over." + +"Have you got it?" he asked abruptly. + +"If I had," she smiled, "I should not tell you." + +"But come," he expostulated, "the thing's no use to you." + +"So Baron Sunyea evidently thought," she laughed. "We'll leave that, if +you don't mind." + +Lutchester was still looking a little bewildered. + +"I had an idea when I came in," he muttered, "that things were a little +scrappy between you and the Japanese gentleman." + +She was suddenly serious. + +"Now that I have told you the truth," she said, "I really ought to +thank you. You certainly seem to have a knack of appearing when you are +wanted." + +"Fluke this time, I'm afraid," he acknowledged, "but I rather like the +suggestion. You ought to see a great deal of me, Miss Van Teyl. Do you +realise that I am a stranger in New York, and any hospitality you can +show me may be doubly rewarded? Are you going to take me round and show +me the sights?" + +"Are you going to have any time for sight-seeing?" + +"Well, I hope so. Why not? A fellow can't do more than a certain number +of hours' work in a day." + +She looked at him curiously. + +"And yet," she murmured, "you expect to win the war!" + +"Of course we shall win the war," he assured her confidently. "You +haven't any doubt about that yourself, have you, Miss Van Teyl?" + +"I don't know," she told him calmly. + +Lutchester was almost horrified. He rose to his feet and stood looking +down at his companion. + +"Tell me what on earth you mean?" he demanded. "We always win in the +long run, even if we muddle things about a little." + +"I was just contrasting in my mind," she said thoughtfully, "some of +the Germans whom I have met since the war, with some of the Englishmen. +They are taking it very seriously, you know, Mr. Lutchester. They don't +find time for luncheon parties or sight-seeing." + +"That's just their way," he protested. "They turn themselves into +machines. They are what we used to call suckers at school, but you can +take my word for it that before next autumn they will be on the run." + +"You call them suckers," she observed. "That's because they're always +working, always studying, always experimenting. Supposing they got hold +of something like this new explosive?" + +"First of all," he told her, "I don't believe in it, and secondly, if +it exists, the formula isn't in their hands." + +"Supposing it is in mine?" she suggested. "I might sell it to them." + +"I'd trust you all the time," he laughed lightheartedly. "I can't see +you giving a leg up to the Huns.... Will you lunch with me at one +o'clock to-morrow, please?" + +"Certainly not," she replied. "You must attend to your work, whatever +it is." + +"That's all very well," he grumbled, "but every one has an hour off for +luncheon." + +"People who win wars don't lunch," she declared severely. "Here's +Jimmy--I can hear his voice--and he's brought some one up with him. +I'll--let you know about lunch." + +The door opened. James Van Teyl and Fischer entered together. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + + +The first few seconds after the entrance of the two men were +monopolised by the greetings of Pamela with her brother. Fischer stood +a little in the background, his eyes fixed upon Lutchester. His brain +was used to emergencies, but he found himself here confronted by an +unanswerable problem. + +"Say, this is Mr. Lutchester, isn't it?" he inquired, holding out his +hand. + +"The same," Lutchester assented politely. "We met at Henry's some ten +days ago, didn't we?" + +"Mr. Lutchester has brought us a letter from Dicky Green, Jimmy," +Pamela explained, as she withdrew from her brother's arms. "Quite +unnecessary, as it happens, because I met him in London just before we +sailed." + +"Very glad to meet you, Mr. Lutchester," Jimmy declared, wringing his +hand with American cordiality. "Dicky's an old pal of mine--one of the +best. We graduated in the same year from Harvard." + +Conversation for a few minutes was platitudinous. Van Teyl, although he +showed few signs of his recent excesses, was noisy and boisterous, +clutching at this brief escape from a situation which he dreaded. +Fischer on the other hand, remained in the back-ground, ominously +silent, thinking rapidly, speculating and theorising as to the +coincidence, if it were coincidence, of finding Lutchester and Pamela +together. He listened to the former's polite conversation, never once +letting his eyes wander from his face. All his thoughts were +concentrated upon one problem. The mysterious escape of Sandy Graham, +which had sent him flying from the country, remained unsolved. Of +Pamela's share in it he had already his suspicions. Was it possible +that Lutchester was the other and the central figure in that remarkable +rescue? He waited his opportunity, and, during a momentary lull in the +cheerful conversation, broke in with his first question. + +"Say, Mr. Lutchester, you haven't any twin brother, have you?" + +"No brother at all," Lutchester admitted. + +"Then, how did you get over here? You were at Henry's weren't you, on +the night the _Lapland_ sailed? You didn't cross with us, and there's +no other steamer due for two days." + +"Then I can't be here," Lutchester declared. "The thing's impossible." + +"Guess you'll have to explain, if you want to save me from a sleepless +night," Fischer persisted. + +Lutchester smiled. He had the air of one enjoying the situation +immensely. + +"Well," he said, "I have had to confess to Miss Van Teyl here, so I +may as well make a clean breast of it to you. To every one else I meet +in New York, I shall say that I came over on the _Lapland_. I really +came over on a destroyer." + +Fischer's face seemed to become more set and grim than ever. + +"A British destroyer," he muttered to himself. + +"It was kind of a joy ride," Lutchester explained confidentially, "a +cousin of mine who was in command came in to see me and say good-by, +just after I'd received my orders from the head of my department to +come out here on the next steamer, and he smuggled me on board that +night. Mum's the word, though, if you please. We asked nobody's leave. +It would have taken about a month to have heard anything definite from +the Admiralty." + +"A British destroyer come across the Atlantic, eh?" Mr. Fischer +muttered. "She must have come out on a special mission, then, I +imagine." + +"That is not for me to say," Lutchester observed, with stiff reticence. + +Pamela suddenly and purposely intervened. She turned towards Fischer. + +"Mr. Lutchester brought some rather curious news," she observed. "He +got it by wireless. Do you remember all the fuss there was about the +disappearance of Captain Holderness' friend at Henry's?" + +"I heard something about it," he admitted grimly. + +"Well, Captain Graham was in my party, so naturally I was more +interested than any one else. To all appearance he entered Henry's +Restaurant, walked up the stairs, and disappeared into the skies. The +place was ransacked everywhere for him, but he never turned up. Well, +the very next day he was murdered in a motor-car on his way to +Northumberland." + +"Incredible!" Fischer murmured. + +"Seems a queer set out," Lutchester remarked, "but it's quite true. He +was supposed to have discovered a marvellous new explosive, the formula +for which had been stolen. He was on his way up to Northumberland to +make fresh experiments." + +"For myself I have little faith," Fischer observed, "in any new +explosives. In Germany they believe, I understand, that the limit of +destructiveness has been attained." + +"The Germans should know," Lutchester admitted carelessly. "I'm afraid +they are still a good deal ahead of us in most scientific matters. I +will take the liberty, of calling some time to-morrow, Miss Van Teyl, +and hope I shall have the pleasure of improving my acquaintance with +your brother. Good night, Mr. Fischer." + +"Are you staying in the hotel?" the latter inquired. + +"On the fifteenth floor," was the somewhat gloomy reply. "I shan't be +able to shave in front of the window without feeling giddy. However, I +suppose that's America. Good-by, everybody." + +With a little inclusive and farewell bow he disappeared. They heard him +make his way down the corridor and ring for the lift. Rather a curious +silence ensued, which was broken at last by Pamela. + +"Is that," she asked, throwing herself into an easy-chair and selecting +a cigarette, "just an ordinary type of a nice, well-bred, +unintelligent, self-sufficient Englishman, or--" + +"Or what?" Fischer asked, with interest. + +Pamela watched the smoke curl from the end of her cigarette. + +"Well, I scarcely know how to finish," she confessed, "only sometimes +when I am talking to him I feel that he can scarcely be as big a fool +as he seems, and then I wonder. Jimmy," she went on, shaking her head +at him, "you're not looking well. You've been sitting up too late and +getting into bad habits during my absence. Open confession, now, if you +please. If it's a girl, I shall give you my blessing." + +Van Teyl groaned and said nothing. A foreboding of impending trouble +depressed Pamela. She turned towards Fischer and found in his grim face +confirmation of her fears. + +"What does this mean?" she demanded. + +"Your brother will explain," Fischer replied. "It is better that he +should tell you everything." + +"Everything?" she repeated. "What is there to tell. What have you to do +with my brother, anyway?" she added fiercely. + +"You must not look at me as though I were in any way to blame for what +has happened," was the insistent reply. "On the contrary, I have been +very lenient with your brother. I am still prepared to be lenient--upon +certain conditions." + +The light of battle was in Pamela's eyes. She fought against the +significance of the man's ominous words. This was his first blow, then, +and directed against her. + +"I begin to understand," she said. "Please go on. Let me hear +everything." + +Van Teyl had turned to the sideboard. He mixed and drank off a whisky +and soda. Then he swung around. + +"I'll make a clean breast of it in a few words, Pamela," he promised. +"I've gambled with Fischer's money, lost it, forged a transfer of his +certificates to meet my liabilities, and I am in his power. He could +have me hammered and chucked into Sing Sing, if he wanted to. That's +all there is about it." + +Pamela stood the shock well. She turned to Fischer. + +"How much of this are you responsible for?" she asked. + +"That," he objected, "is an impotent question. It is not I who had the +moulding of your brother's character. It is not I who made him a forger +and a weakling." + +Van Teyl's arm was upraised. An oath broke from his lips. Pamela seized +him firmly and drew him away. + +"Be quiet, James," she begged. "Let us hear what Mr. Fischer is going +to do about it." + +"That depends upon you," was the cold reply. + +Pamela stood at the head of the table, between the two men, and +laughed. Her brother had sunk into a chair, and his head had dropped +moodily upon his folded arms. She looked from one to the other and a +new sense of strength inspired her. She felt that if she were not +indeed entirely mistress of the situation, yet the elements of triumph +were there to her hand. + +"This is living, at any rate," she declared. "First of all I discover +that your Japanese servant is a spy--" + +"Nikasti!" Van Teyl interrupted furiously. "Blast him! I knew that +there was something wrong about that fellow, Fischer." + +Fischer frowned. + +"What's he been up to?" he inquired. + +"Well, to begin with," Pamela explained, "he searched my room, then he +locked me in here, and was proceeding to threaten me when fortunately +Mr. Lutchester arrived." + +"Threaten you--what about?" Fischer demanded. + +"He seemed to have an absurd idea," Pamela explained sweetly, "that I +might have somewhere concealed upon my person the formula which was +stolen from Captain Graham last Monday week at Henry's Restaurant. It +makes quite a small world of it, doesn't it?" + +"I will deal with Nikasti for this," Fischer promised, "if it is true. +Meanwhile?" + +"No sooner have I got over that little shock," Pamela went on, "than +you turn up with this melodramatic story, and an offer from Mr. +Fischer, which I can read in his face. Really, I feel that I shall hear +the buzz of a cinema machine in a moment. How much do you owe him, +Jimmy?" + +"Eighty-nine thousand dollars," the young man groaned. + +"I'll write you a cheque to-morrow morning," Pamela promised. "Will +that do, Mr. Fischer?" + +"It is the last thing I desire," was the calm reply. + +"Really! Well, perhaps now you will come to the point. Perhaps you will +tell me what it is that you do want?" + +"Stolen property," Fischer announced deliberately--"stolen property, +however, to which I have a greater right than you." + +She laughed at him mockingly. + +"I think not, Mr. Fischer," she said. "You really don't deserve it, you +know." + +"And why not?" + +"Just see how you have bungled! You bait the trap, the poor man walks +into it, and you allow another to forestall you. Not only that, but you +actually allow Japan to come into the game, and but for Mr. +Lutchester's appearance we might both of us have been left plante la. +No, Mr. Fischer! You don't deserve the formula, and you shall not have +it. I'll pay my brother's debt to you in dollars--no other way." + +"Dollars," Mr. Fischer told her sternly, "will never buy the forged +transfer. Dollars will never keep your brother out of the city police +court or Sing Sing afterwards. There isn't much future for a young man +who has been through it." + +Van Teyl was upon him suddenly with a low, murderous cry. Fischer had +no time to resist, no chance of success if he had attempted it. He was +borne backwards on to the lounge, his assailant's hand upon his throat. +The young man was beside himself with drink and fury. The words poured +from his lips, incoherent, hot with rage. + +"You--hound! You've made my life a hell! You've plotted and schemed to +get me into your power!... There! Do you feel the life going out of +you?... My sister, indeed! You!... You scum of the earth! You ..." + +"James!" + +The sound of Pamela's voice unnerved him. His fit of passion was spent. +She dragged him easily away. + +"Don't be a fool, Jimmy!" she begged. "You can't settle accounts like +that." + +"Can't I?" he muttered. "If we'd been alone, Pamela ... my God, if he +and I had been alone here!" + +"Jimmy," she said, "you're a fool, and you've been drinking. Fetch the +water bottle." + +He obeyed, and she dashed water in Fischer's face. Presently he opened +his eyes, groaned and sat up. There were two livid marks upon his +throat. Van Teyl watched him like a crouching animal. His eyes were +still lit with sullen fire. The lust for killing was upon him. Fischer +sat up and blinked. He felt the atmosphere of the room, and he knew his +danger. His hand stole into his hip pocket, and a small revolver +suddenly flashed upon his knees. He drew a long breath of relief. He +was like a fugitive who had found sanctuary. + +"So that's the game, James Van Teyl, is it?" he exclaimed. "Now +listen." + +He adjusted the revolver with a click. His cruel, long fingers were +pressed around its stock. + +"I am not threatening you," he went on. "I am not fond of violence, and +I don't believe in it. This is just in case you come a single yard +nearer to me. Now, Miss Van Teyl, my business is with you. We won't +fence any longer. You will hand over to me the pocketbook which you +stole from Captain Graham in Henry's Restaurant. Hand it over to me +intact, you understand. In return I will give you the forged transfer +of stock, and leave it to your sense of honour as to whether you care +to pay your brother's debt or not. If you decline to consider my +proposition, I shall ring up Joseph Neville, your brother's senior +partner. I shall not even wait for to-morrow, mind. I shall make an +appointment, and I shall place in his hands the proof of your brother's +robbery." + +"Perhaps," Pamela murmured, "I was wrong to stop you. Jimmy.... +Anything else, Mr. Fischer?" + +"Just this. I would rather have carried this matter through in a +friendly fashion, for reasons at which I think you can guess." + +She shook her head. + +"You flatter my intelligence!" she told him scornfully. + +"I will explain, then. I desire to offer myself as your suitor." + +She laughed at him without restraint or consideration. + +"I would rather marry my brother's valet!" she declared. + +"You are entirely wrong," he protested. "You are wrong, too, in holding +up cards against me. We are on the same side. You are an American, and +so am I. I swear that I desire nothing that is not for your good. You +have wonderful gifts, and I have great wealth and opportunities. I have +also a sincere and very heartfelt admiration for you." + +"I have never been more flattered!" Pamela scoffed. + +He looked a little wistfully from one to the other. Antagonism and +dislike were written in their faces. Even Pamela, who was skilled in +the art of subterfuge, made little effort to conceal her aversion. +Nevertheless, he continued doggedly. + +"What does it matter," he demanded, "who handles this formula--you or +I? Our faces are turned in the same direction. There is this difference +only with me. I want to make it the basis of a kindlier feeling in +Washington towards my father's country." + +Pamela's eyebrows were raised. + +"Are you sure," she asked, "that the formula itself would not find its +way into your father's country?" + +"As to that I pledge my word," he replied. "I am an American citizen." + +"Looks like it, doesn't he!" Van Teyl jeered. + +"Tell us what you have been doing in Berlin, then?" Pamela inquired. + +"I had a definite mission there," Fischer assured them, "which I hope +to bring to a definite conclusion. If you are an American citizen in +the broadest sense of the word, England is no more to you than Germany. +I want to place before some responsible person in the American +Government, a proposal--an official proposal--the acceptance of which +will be in years to come of immense benefit to her." + +"And the quid pro quo?" Pamela asked gently. + +"I am not here for the purpose of gratifying curiosity," Fischer +replied, "but if you will take this matter up seriously, you shall be +the person through whom this proposal shall be brought before the +American Government. The whole of the negotiations shall be conducted +through you. If you succeed, you will be known throughout history as +the woman who saved America from her great and growing danger. If you +fail, you will be no worse off than you are now." + +"And you propose to hand over the conduct of these negotiations to me," +Pamela observed, "in return for what?" + +"The pocketbook which you took from Captain Graham." + +"So there we are, back again at the commencement of our discussion," +Pamela remarked. "Are you going to repeat that you want this formula +for Washington and not for Berlin?" + +"My first idea," Fischer confessed, "was to hand it over to Germany. I +have changed my views. Germany has great explosives of her own. This +formula shall be used in a different fashion. It shall be a lever in +the coming negotiations between America and Germany." + +"We have had a great deal of conversation to no practical purpose," +Pamela declared. "Why are you so sure that I have the formula?" + +Fischer frowned slightly. He had recovered himself now, and his tone +was as steady and quiet as ever. Only occasionally his eyes wandered to +where James Van Teyl was fidgetting about the table, and at such times +his fingers tightened upon the stock of his revolver. + +"It is practically certain that you have the papers," he pointed out. +"You were the first person to go up the stairs after Graham had been +rendered unconscious. Joseph admits that he had been forced to leave +him--the orchestra was waiting to play. He was alone in that little +room. That you should have known of its existence and his presence +there is surprising, but nothing more. Furthermore, I am convinced that +you were in some way concerned with his rescue later. You visited +Hassan and you visited Joseph. From the latter you procured the key of +the chapel. If only he had had the courage to tell the truth--well, we +will let that pass. You have the papers, Miss Van Teyl. I am bidding a +great price for them. If you are a wise woman, you will not hesitate." + +There was a knock at the door. They all three turned towards it a +little impatiently. Even Pamela and her brother felt the grip of an +absorbing problem. To their surprise, it was Lutchester who reappeared +upon the threshold. In his hand he held a small sealed packet. + +"So sorry to disturb you all," he apologised. "I have something here +which I believe belongs to you, Miss Van Teyl. I thought I'd better +bring it up and explain. From the way your little Japanese friend was +holding on to it, I thought it might be important. It is a little torn, +but that isn't my fault." + +He held it out to Pamela. It was a long packet torn open at one end. +From it was protruding a worn, brown pocketbook. Pamela's hand closed +upon it mechanically. There was a dazed look in her eyes. Fischer's +fingers stole once more towards the pocket into which, at Lutchester's +entrance, he had slipped his revolver. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + + +Lutchester, to all appearance, remained sublimely unconscious of the +tension which his words and appearance seemed to have created. He had +strolled a little further into the room, and was looking down at the +packet which he still held. + +"You are wondering how I got hold of this, of course?" he observed. +"Just one of those simple little coincidences which either mean a great +deal or nothing at all." + +"How did you know it was mine?" Pamela asked, almost under her breath. + +"I'll explain," Lutchester continued. "I was in the lobby of the hotel, +a few minutes ago, when I heard the fire bell outside. I hurried out +and watched the engines go by from the sidewalk. I have always been +rather interested in--" + +"Never mind that, please. Go on," Pamela asked, almost under her +breath. + +"Certainly," Lutchester assented. "On the way back, then, I saw a +little Japanese, who was coming out of the hotel, knocked down by a +taxicab which skidded nearly into the door. I don't think he was badly +hurt--I'm not even sure that he was hurt at all. I picked up this +packet from the spot where he had been lying, and I was on the point of +taking it to the office when I saw your name upon it, Miss Van Teyl, in +what seemed to me to be your own handwriting, so I thought I'd bring it +up." + +He laid it upon the table. Pamela's eyes seemed fastened upon it. She +turned it over nervously. + +"It is very kind of you, Mr. Lutchester," she murmured. + +"I'll be perfectly frank," he went on. "I should have found out where +the little man who dropped it had disappeared to, and restored it to +him, but I fancied--of course, I may have been wrong--that you and he +were having some sort of a disagreement, a few minutes ago, when I +happened to come in. Anyway, that was in my mind, and I thought I'd run +no risks." + +"You did the very kindest and most considerate thing," Pamela declared. + +"The little Japanese must have been our new valet," James Van Teyl +observed. "I'm beginning to think that he is not going to be much of an +acquisition." + +"You'll probably see something of him in a few minutes," Lutchester +remarked. "I will wish you good night, Miss Van Teyl. Good night!" + +Pamela's reiterated thanks were murmured and perfunctory. Even James +Van Teyl's hospitable instincts seemed numbed. They allowed Lutchester +to depart with scarcely a word. With the closing of the door, speech +brought them some relief from a state of tension which was becoming +intolerable. Even then Fischer at first said nothing. He had risen +noiselessly to his feet, his right hand was in the sidepocket of his +coat, his eyes were fixed upon the table. + +"So this is why you insisted upon a valet!" James Van Teyl exclaimed, +his voice thick with anger. "He's planted here to rob for you! Is that +it, eh, Fischer?" + +Pamela drew the packet towards her and stood with her right palm +covering it. Fischer seemed still at a loss for words. + +"I can assure you," he said at last fervently, "that if that packet was +stolen from Miss Van Teyl by Nikasti, it was done without my +instigation. It is as much a surprise to me as to any of you. We can +congratulate ourselves that it is not on the way to Japan." + +Pamela nodded. + +"He is speaking the truth," she asserted. "Nikasti is not out to steal +for others. He is playing the same game as all of us, only he is +playing it for his own hand. Mr. Fischer has brought him here for some +purpose of his own, without a doubt, but I am quite sure that Nikasti +never meant to be any one's cat's-paw." + +"Believe me, that is the truth," Fischer agreed. "I will admit that I +brought Nikasti here with a purpose, but upon my honour I swear that +until this evening I never dreamed that he even knew of the existence +of the formula." + +"Oh! we are not the only people in the world who are clever," Pamela +declared, with an unnatural little laugh. "The first man who took note +of Sandy Graham's silly words as he rushed into Henry's was Baron +Sunyea. I saw him stiffen as he listened. He even uttered a word of +remonstrance. Japan in London heard. Japan in your sitting-room here, +in ten days' time, knew everything there was to be known." + +"I didn't bring Nikasti here for this," Fischer insisted. + +"Perhaps not," Pamela conceded, "but if you're a good American, what +are you doing at all with a Japanese secret agent?" + +"If you trust me, you shall know," Fischer promised. "Listen to reason. +Let us have finished with one affair at a time. You very nearly lost +that formula to Japan. Hand over the pocketbook. You see how dangerous +it is for it to remain in your possession. I'll keep my share of the +bargain. I'll put my scheme before you. Come, be reasonable. See, +here's the forged transfer." + +He drew a paper from his pocket and spread it out upon the table. His +long, hairy fingers were shaking with nervousness. + +"Come, make it a deal," he persisted, "You can pay me the defalcations +or not, as you choose. There is your brother's freedom and the honour +of your name, in exchange for that pocketbook." + +Pamela, after all her hesitation, seemed to make up her mind with +startling suddenness. She thrust the pocketbook towards Fischer, took +the transfer from his fingers and tore it into small pieces. + +"I give in," she said. "This time you have scored. We will talk about +the other matter tomorrow." + +Fischer buttoned up the packet carefully in his breast pocket. His eyes +glittered. He turned towards the door. On the threshold he looked +around. He stretched out his hand towards Pamela. + +"Believe me, you have done well," he assured her hoarsely. "I shall +keep my word. I will set you in the path of great things." + +He left the room, and they heard the furious ringing of the lift bell. +Pamela was tearing into smaller pieces the forged transfer. Van Teyl, a +little pale, but with new life in his frame, was watching the fragments +upon the floor. There was a tap at the door. Nikasti entered. Pamela's +fingers paused in their task. Van Teyl stared at him. The newcomer was +carrying the evening papers, which he laid down upon the table. + +"Is there anything more I can do before I go to bed, sir?" he asked, +with his usual reverential little bow. + +"Aren't you hurt?" Van Teyl exclaimed. + +"Hurt?" Nikasti replied wonderingly. "Oh, no!" + +"Weren't you knocked down by a taxicab," Pamela asked, "outside the +hotel?" + +Nikasti looked from one to the other with an air of gentle surprise. + +"I have been to my rooms in the servants' quarters," he told them, "on +the upper floor. I have not been downstairs at all. I have been +unpacking and arranging my own humble belongings." + +Van Teyl clasped his forehead. + +"Let me get this!" he exclaimed. "You haven't been down in the lobby of +the hotel, you haven't been knocked down by a taxicab that skidded, you +haven't lost a pocketbook which you had previously stolen from my +sister?" + +Nikasti shook his head. He seemed completely mystified. He watched +Pamela's face carefully. + +"Perhaps there has been some mistake," he suggested quietly. "My +English is sometimes not very good. I would not dream of trying to rob +the young lady. I have not lost any pocketbook. I have not descended +lower down in the hotel than this floor." + +Van Teyl waved him away, accepted his farewell salutation, and waited +until the door was closed. + +"Look here, Pamela," he protested, turning almost appealingly towards +her, "my brain wasn't made for this sort of thing. What in thunder does +it all mean?" + +Pamela looked at the fragments of paper upon the floor and sank back in +an easy chair. + +"Jimmy," she confided, "I don't know." + + + + +CHAPTER XV + + +Pamela opened her eyes the next morning upon a distinctly pleasing +sight. At the foot of her bed was an enormous basket of pink +carnations. On the counterpane by her side lay a smaller cluster of +twelve very beautiful dark red Gloire de Dijon roses. Attached to these +latter was a note. + +"When did these flowers come, Leah?" Pamela asked the maid who was +moving about the room. + +"An hour ago, madam," the girl told her. + +"Read the name on the card," Pamela directed, pointing to the mass of +pink blossoms. + +"Mr. Oscar H. Fischer," the girl read out, "with respectful +compliments." + +Pamela smiled. + +"He doesn't know, then," she murmured to herself. "Get my bath ready, +Leah." + +The maid disappeared into the inner room. Pamela tore open the note +attached to the roses by her side, and read it slowly through: + +Dear Miss Van Teyl, + +I am so very sorry, but the luncheon we had half-planned for to-day +must be postponed. I have an urgent message to go south; to +inspect--but no secrets! It's horribly disappointing. I hope we may +meet in a few days. + +Sincerely yours, + +JOHN LUTCHESTER. + +Pamela laid down the note, conscious of an indefined but distinct +sensation of disappointment. After all, it was not so wonderful to wake +up and find oneself in New York. The sun was pleasant, the little puffs +of air which came in through the window across the park, delightful and +exhilarating, yet something had gone out of the day. Accustomed to +self-analysis, she asked herself swiftly--what? It was, without a +doubt, something to do with Lutchester's departure. She tried to face +the question of her disappointment. Was it possible to feel any real +interest in a man who preferred a Government post to the army at such a +time, and who had brought his golf clubs out to America? Her +imagination for a moment revolved around the problem of his apparently +uninteresting and yet, in some respects, contradictory personality. Was +it really her fancy or had she, every now and then, detected behind +that flamboyant manner traces of something deeper and more serious, +something which seemed to indicate a life and aims of which nothing +appeared upon the surface? She clasped her knees and sat up in bed, +listening to the sound of the running water in the next room. Was there +any possible explanation of his opportune appearance on the night +before with a dummy pocketbook and a concocted story? The cleverest man +on earth could surely never have gauged her position with Fischer and +intervened in such a manner at the psychological moment. + +Yet he had done it, she reflected, gazing thoughtfully at Fischer's +gift. If, indeed, he knew what was passing around him to that extent, +how much more knowledge might he not possess? She felt the little +silken belt around her waist. At least there was no one who could take +Sandy Graham's secret from her until she chose to give it up. Supposing +for a moment that Lutchester was also out for the great things, was he +fooled by her attitude? If he knew so much, he must know that the +secret remained with her. Perhaps, after all, he was only a philanderer +in intrigue.... + +Pamela bathed and dressed, sent for her brother, and, to his horror, +insisted upon an American breakfast. + +"It's quite time I came back to look after you, Jimmy," she said +severely, as she watched him send away his grapefruit and gaze +helplessly at his bacon and eggs. "You're going to turn over a new +leaf, young man." + +"I shan't be sorry," he confessed fervently. "I tell you, Pamela, when +you have a thing like this hanging over you, it's hell--some hell! You +just want to drown your thoughts and keep going all the time." + +She nodded sagely. + +"Well, that's over now, Jimmy," she said, "and I meant you to listen to +me. It's more than likely that Mr. Fischer may find out at any moment +that the mysterious pocketbook, which came from heaven knows where, is +a faked one. He may be horrid about it." + +"While we are on that," Van Teyl interrupted, "I couldn't sleep a wink +last night for trying to imagine where on earth that fellow Lutchester +came in, and what his game was." + +"I have a headache this morning, trying to puzzle out the same thing," +Pamela told him. + +"He seems such an ordinary sort of chap," Van Teyl continued +thoughtfully. "Good sportsman, no doubt, and all that sort of thing, +but the last fellow in the world to concoct a yarn, and if he did, what +was his object?" + +"Jimmy," his sister begged, "let's quit. Of course, I know a little +more than you do, but the little more that I do know only makes it more +confusing. Now, to make it worse, he's gone away." + +"What, this morning?" + +"Gone away on his Government work," Pamela announced. "I had a note and +some roses from him. Don't let's talk about it, Jimmy. I keep on +getting new ideas, and it makes my brain whirl. I want to talk about +you." + +"I'm a rotten lot to talk about," he sighed. + +She patted his hand. + +"You're nothing of the sort, dear, and you've got to remember now that +you're out of the trouble. But listen. Hurry down to the office as +early as you can and set about straightening things out, so that if Mr. +Fischer tries to make trouble, he won't be able to do it. There's my +cheque for eighty-nine thousand dollars I made out last night before I +went to bed," she added, passing it over to him. "Just replace what +stocks you're short of and get yourself out of the mess, and don't +waste any time about it." + +His face glowed as he looked across the table. + +"You're the most wonderful sister, Pamela." + +"Nonsense!" she interrupted. "Nonsense! I ought not to have left you +alone all this time, and, besides, I'm pretty sure he helped you into +this trouble for his own ends. Anyway, we are all right now. I shall be +in New York for a few days before I go to Washington. When I do go, you +must see whether you can get leave and come with me." + +"That's bully," he declared. "I'll get leave, right enough. There's +never been less doing in Wall Street. But say, Pamela, I don't seem to +half understand what's going on. You've given up most of your friends, +and you spend months away there in Europe in all sorts of corners. Now +you come back and you seem mixed up in regular secret service work. +Where do you come in, anyway? What are you going to Washington for?" + +She smiled. + +"Queer tastes, haven't I, Jimmy?" + +"Queer for a girl." + +"That's prejudice," she objected, shaking her head. "Nowadays there are +few things a woman can't do. To tell you the truth, my new interest in +life started three years ago, when Uncle Theodore found out that I was +going to Rome for the winter." + +"So Uncle Theodore started it, did he?" + +She nodded. + +"That's the worst of having an uncle in the Administration, isn't it? +Well, of course, he gave me letters to every one in Rome, and I found +out what he wanted quite easily, and without the inquiries going +through the Embassy at all. Sometimes, as you can understand, that's a +great advantage. I found it simply fascinating--the work, I mean--and +after three or four more commissions--well, they recognised me at +Washington. I have been to most of the capitals in Europe at different +times, with small affairs to arrange at each, or information to get. +Sometimes it's been just about commercial things. Since the war, +though, of course, it's been more exciting than ever. If I were an +Englishwoman instead of an American, I could tell them some things in +London which they'd find pretty surprising. It's not my affair, though, +and I keep what information I do pick up until it works in with +something else for our own good. I knew quite well in Berlin, for +instance, to speak of something you've heard of, that Henry's +Restaurant in London was being used as a centre of espionage by the +Germans. That is why I was on the lookout, the day I went there." + +"You mean the day that pocketbook was stolen that the whole world seems +crazy about?" Van Teyl asked. + +She nodded. + +"I believe it is perfectly true," she said, "that a young man called +Graham has invented an entirely new explosive, the formula for which he +brought to Henry's with him that day. It isn't only what happens when +the shell explodes, but a sort of putrefaction sets in all round, and +they say that everything within a mile dies. There were spies down even +watching his experiments. There were spies following him up to London, +there were spies in Henry's Restaurant when like a fool he gave the +thing away. Fischer was the ringleader of this lot, and he meant having +the formula from Graham that night. I don't want to bore you, Jimmy, +but I got there first." + +"Bore me!" the young man repeated. "Why, it's like a modern Arabian +Nights. I can't imagine you in the thick of this sort of thing, +Pamela." + +"It's very easy to slip into the way of anything you like," she +answered. "I knew exactly what they were going to do to Captain Graham, +and I got there before them. When they searched him, the formula had +gone. Fischer caught my steamer and worried me all the way over. He +thought he had us in a corner last night, and then a miracle happened." + +"You mean that fellow Lutchester turning up?" + +"Yes, I mean that," Pamela admitted. + +"Say, didn't that Jap fellow get the pocketbook from your rooms at all, +then?" Van Teyl asked. "I couldn't follow it all last night." + +"He searched my rooms," Pamela replied, "and failed to find it. +Afterwards, when he and I were alone in your sitting-room, heaven knows +what would have happened, but for the miraculous arrival of Mr. +Lutchester, whom I had left behind in London, come to pay an evening +call in the Hotel Plaza, New York!" + +Van Teyl shook his head slowly, got up from his seat, lit a cigarette, +and came back again. + +"Pam," he confessed, "my brain won't stand it. You're not going to tell +me that Lutchester's in the game? Why, a simpler sort of fellow I never +spoke to." + +"I can't make up my own mind about Mr. Lutchester," Pamela sighed. "He +helped me in London on the night I sailed--in fact, he was very useful +indeed--but why he invented that story about Nikasti, brought a dummy +pocketbook into the room and helped us out of all our troubles, unless +it was by sheer and brilliant instinct, I cannot imagine." + +"Let me get on to this," Van Teyl said. "Even the pocketbook was a +fake, then?" + +She nodded. + +"I shouldn't be likely to leave things I risk my life for about my +bedroom," she told him. + +"Where is it, then--the real thing?" he asked. + +She smiled. + +"If you must know, Jimmy," she confided, dropping her voice, "it's in a +little compartment of a silk belt around my waist. It will remain there +until I get to Washington, or until Mr. Haskall comes to me." + +"Haskall, the Government explosives man?" + +Pamela nodded. + +"Even he won't get it without Government authority." + +"Now, tell me, Pamela," Van Teyl went on--"you're a far-seeing girl--I +suppose we should get it in the neck from Germany some day or other, if +the Germans won? Why don't you hand the formula over to the British, +and give them a chance to get ahead?" + +"That's a sensible question, Jimmy, and I'll try to answer it," Pamela +promised. "Because when once the shells are made and used, the secret +will be gone. I think it very likely that it would enable England to +win the war; but, you see, I am an American, not English, and I'm all +American. I have been in touch with things pretty closely for some time +now, and I see trouble ahead for us before very long. I can't exactly +tell you where it's coming from, but I feel it. I want America to have +something up her sleeve, that's why." + +"You're a great girl, Pamela," her brother declared. "I'm off downtown, +feeling a different man. And, Pamela, I haven't said much, but God +bless you, and as long as I live I'm going as straight as a die. I've +had my lesson." + +He bent over her a little clumsily and kissed her. Pamela walked to the +door with him. + +"Be a dear," she called out, "and come back early. And, Jimmy!" ... + +"Hullo?'" + +"Put things right at the office at once," she whispered with emphasis. +"Fischer hasn't found out yet. I sent him a message this morning, +thanking him for the carnations, and asking him to walk with me in the +park after breakfast, I shall keep him away till lunch time, at least." + +The young man looked at her, and at Nikasti, who out in the corridor +was holding his hat and cane. Then he chuckled. + +"And they say that things don't happen in New York!" he murmured, as he +turned away. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + + +An elderly New Yorker, a man of fashion, renowned for his social +perceptions, pressed his companion's arm at the entrance to Central +Park and pointed to Pamela. + +"There goes a typical New York girl," he said, "and the best-looking +I've seen for many a long day. You can go all round Europe, Freddie, +and not see a girl with a face and figure like that. She had that frank +way, too, of looking you in the eyes." + +"I know," the other assented. "Gibson's girls all had it. Kind of look +which seems to say--'I know you find me nice and I don't mind. I wonder +whether you're nice, too.'" + +Pamela strolled along the park with Fischer by her side. She wore a +tailor-made costume of black and white tweed, and a smart hat, in which +yellow seemed the predominating colour. Her shoes, her gloves, the +little tie about her throat, were all the last word in the simple +elegance of suitability. Fischer walked by her side--a powerful, +determined figure in a carefully-pressed blue serge suit and a brown +Homburg hat. He wore a rose in his buttonhole, and he carried a +cane--both unusual circumstances. After fifty years of strenuous +living, Mr. Fischer seemed suddenly to have found a new thing in the +world. + +"This is a pleasant idea of yours, Miss Van Teyl," he said. + +"I haven't disturbed your morning, I hope?" she asked. + +"I guess, if you have, it isn't the way you mean," he replied. "You've +disturbed a good deal of my time and thoughts lately." + +"Well, you've had your own way now," she sighed, looking at him out of +the corner of her eyes. "I suppose you always get your own way in the +end, don't you, Mr. Fischer?" + +"Generally," he admitted. "I tell you, though, Miss Van Teyl," he went +on earnestly, "if you're alluding to last night's affair, I hated the +whole business. It was my duty, and the opportunity was there, but with +what I have I am satisfied. With reference to that little debt of your +brother's--" + +"Please don't say a word, Mr. Fischer," she interrupted. "You will find +that all put right as soon as you get down to Wall Street. Tell me, +what have you done with your prize?" + +Mr. Fischer looked very humble. + +"Miss Van Teyl," he said, "for certain reasons I am going to tell you +the truth. Perhaps it will be the best in the long run. We may even +before long be working together. So I start by being honest with you. +The pocketbook is by now on its way to Germany." + +"To Germany?" she exclaimed. "And after all your promises!" + +"Ah, but think, Miss Van Teyl," he pleaded. "I throw aside all +subterfuge. In your heart you know well what I am and what I stand for. +I deny it no longer. I am a German-American, working for Germany, +simply because America does not need my help. If America were at war +with any country in the world, my brains, my knowledge, my wealth would +be hers. But now it is different. Germany is surrounded by many +enemies, and she calls for her sons all over the world to remember the +Fatherland. You can sympathise a little with my unfortunate country, +Miss Van Teyl, and yet remain a good American. You are not angry with +me?" + +"I suppose I ought to be, but I am not in the least," she assured him. +"I never had any doubt as to the destination of that packet." + +"That," he admitted, "is a relief to me. Let us wipe the matter from +our memories, Miss Van Teyl." + +"One word," she begged, "and that only of curiosity. Did you examine +the contents of the pocketbook?" + +He turned his head and looked at her. For a moment he had lost the +greater spontaneity of his new self. He was again the cold, calculating +machine. + +"No," he answered, "except to take out and destroy what seemed to be a +few private memoranda. There was a bill for flowers, a note from a +young lady--some rubbish of that sort. The remaining papers were all +calculations and figures, chemical formulae." + +"Are you a chemist, Mr. Fischer?" she inquired. + +"Not in the least," he acknowledged. "I recognised just enough of the +formulae on the last page to realise that there were entirely new +elements being dealt with." + +She nodded. + +"I only asked out of curiosity. I agree. Let us put it out of our +thoughts. You see, I am generous. We have fought a battle, you and I, +and I have lost. Yet we remain friends." + +"It is more than your friendship that I want, Miss Van Teyl," he +pleaded, his voice shaking a little. "I am years older than you, I +know, and, by your standards, I fear unattractive. But you love power, +and I have it. I will take you into my schemes. I will show you how +those live who stand behind the clouds and wield the thunders." + +She looked at him with genuine surprise. It was necessary to readjust +some of her impressions of him. Oscar Fischer was, after all, a human +being. + +"What you say is all very well so far as it goes," she told him. "I +admit that a life of scheming and adventure attracts me. I love power. +I can think of nothing more wonderful than to feel the machinery of the +world--the political world--roar or die away, according to the touch of +one's fingers. Oh, yes, we're alike so far as that is concerned! But +there is a very vital difference. You are only an American by accident. +I am one by descent. For me there doesn't exist any other country. For +you Germany comes first." + +"But can't you realise," he went on eagerly, "that even this is for the +best? America to-day is hypnotised by a maudlin, sentimental affection +for England, a country from whom she never received anything but harm. +We want to change that. We want to kill for ever the misunderstandings +between the two greatest nations in the world. My creed of life could +be yours, too, without a single lapse from your patriotism. Friendship, +alliance, brotherhood, between Germany and America. That would be my +text." + +"Shall I be perfectly frank?" Pamela asked. + +"Nothing else is worth while," was the instant answer. + +"Well, then," she continued, "I can quite see that Germany has +everything to gain from America's friendship, but I cannot see the quid +pro quo." + +"And yet it is so clear," Fischer insisted. "Your own cloud may not be +very large just now, but it is growing, and, before you know it, it +will be upon you. Can you not realise why Japan is keeping out of this +war? She is conserving her strength. Millions flow into her coffers +week by week. In a few years time, Japan, for the first time in her +history, will know what it is to possess solid wealth. What does she +want it for, do you think? She has no dreams of European aggression, or +her soldiers would be fighting there now. China is hers for the taking, +a rich prize ready to fall into her mouth at any moment. But the end +and aim of all Japanese policy, the secret Mecca of her desires, is to +repay with the sword the insults your country has heaped upon her. It +is for that, believe me, that her arsenals are working night and day, +her soldiers are training, her fleet is in reserve. While you haggle +about a few volunteers, Japan is strengthening and perfecting a mighty +army for one purpose and one purpose only. Unless you wake up, you will +be in the position that Great Britain was in two years ago. Even now, +work though you may, you will never wholly make up for lost time. The +one chance for you is friendship with Germany." + +"Will Germany be in a position to help us after the war?" Pamela asked. + +"Never doubt it," Fischer replied vehemently. "Before peace is signed +the sea power of England will be broken. Financially she will be +ruined. She is a country without economic science, without foresight, +without statesmen. The days of her golden opportunities have passed, +frittered away. Unless we of our great pity bind up her wounds, England +will bleed to death before the war is over." + +"That, you must remember," Pamela said practically, "is your point of +view." + +"I could tell you things--" he began. + +"Don't," she begged. "I know what your outlook is now. Be definite. +Leaving aside that other matter, what is your proposition to me?" + +Fischer walked for a while in silence. They had turned back some time +since, and were once more nearing the Plaza. + +"You ask me to leave out what is most vital," he said at last. "I have +never been married, Miss Van Teyl. I am wealthy. I am promised great +honours at the end of this war. When that comes, I shall rest. If +you will be my wife, you can choose your home, you can choose your +title." + +She shook her head. + +"But I am not sure that I even like you, Mr. Fischer," she objected. +"We have fought in opposite camps, and you have had the bad taste to be +victorious. Besides which, you were perfectly brutal to James, and I am +not at all sure that I don't resent your bargain with me. As a matter +of fact, I am feeling very bitter towards you." + +"You should not," he remonstrated earnestly. "Remember that, after all, +women are only dabblers in diplomacy. Their very physique prevents them +from playing the final game. You have brains, of course, but there are +other things--experience, courage, resource. You would be a wonderful +helpmate, Miss Van Teyl, even if your individual and unaided efforts +have not been entirely successful." + +She sighed. Pamela just then was a picture of engaging humility. + +"It is so hard for me," she murmured, "I do not want to marry yet. I do +not wish to think of it. And so far as you are concerned, Mr. +Fischer--well, I am simply furious when I think of your attitude last +night. But I love adventures." + +"I will promise you all the adventures that can be crammed into your +life," he urged. + +"But be more definite," she persisted. "Where should we start? You are +over here now on some important mission. Tell me more about it?" + +"I cannot just yet," he answered. "All that I can promise you is that, +if I am successful, it will stop the war just as surely as Captain Graham's +new explosive." + +"I thought you were going to make a confidante of me," she complained. + +He suddenly gripped her arm. It was the first time he had touched her, +and she felt a queer surging of the blood to her head, a sudden and +almost uncontrollable repulsion. The touch of his long fingers was like +flame; his eyes, behind their sheltering spectacles, glowed in a +curious, disconcerting fashion. + +"To the woman who was my pledged wife," he said, "I would tell +everything. From the woman who gave me her hand and became my ally I +would have no secrets. Come, I have a message, more than a message, to +the American people. I am taking it to Washington before many hours +have passed. If it is your will, it should be you to whom I will +deliver it." + +Pamela walked on with her head in the air. Fischer was leaning a little +towards her. Every now and then his mouth twitched slightly. His eyes +seemed to be seeking to reach the back of her brain. + +"Please go now," she begged. "I can't think clearly while you are here, +and I want to make up my mind. I will send to you when I am ready." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + + +Pamela sat that afternoon on the balcony of the country club at +Baltusrol and approved of her surroundings. Below her stretched a +pleasant vista of rolling greensward, dotted here and there with the +figures of the golfers. Beyond, the misty blue background of rising +hills. + +"I can't tell you how peaceful this all seems, Jimmy," she said to her +brother, who had brought her out in his automobile. "One doesn't notice +the air of strain over on the Continent, because it's the same +everywhere, but it gets a little on one's nerves, all the same. I +positively love it here." + +"It's fine to have you," was the hearty response. "Gee, that fellow +coming to the sixteenth hole can play some!" + +Pamela directed her attention idly towards the figure which her brother +indicated--a man in light tweeds, who played with an easy and graceful +swing, and with the air of one to whom the game presented no +difficulties whatever. She watched him drive for the seventeenth--a +long, raking ball, fully fifty yards further than his opponent's-- +watched him play a perfect mashie shot to the green and hole out in +three. + +"A birdie," James Van Teyl murmured. "I say, Pamela!" + +She took no notice. Her eyes were still following the figure of the +golfer. She watched him drive at the last hole, play a chip shot on to +the green, and hit the hole for a three. The frown deepened upon her +forehead. She was looking very uncompromising when the two men ascended +the steps. + +"I didn't know, Mr. Lutchester, that there were any factories down this +way," she remarked severely, as he paused before her in surprise. + +For a single moment she fancied that she saw a flash of annoyance in +his eyes. It was gone so swiftly, however, that she remained uncertain. +He held out his hand, laughing. + +"Fairly caught out, Miss Van Teyl," he confessed. "You see, I was +tempted, and I fell." + +His companion, an elderly, clean-shaven man, passed on. Pamela glanced +after him. + +"Who is your opponent?" she asked. + +"Just some one I picked up on the tee," Lutchester explained. "How is +our friend Fischer this morning?" + +"I walked with him for an hour in the Park," Pamela replied. "He seemed +quite cheerful. I have scarcely thanked you yet for returning the +pocketbook, have I?" + +His face was inscrutable. + +"Couldn't keep a thing that didn't belong to me, could I?" he observed. + +"You have a marvellous gift for discovering lost property," she +murmured. + +"For discovering the owners, you mean," he retorted, with a little bow. + +"You're some golfer, I see, Mr. Lutchester," Van Teyl interposed. + +"I was on my game to-day," Lutchester admitted. "With a little luck at +the seventh," he continued earnestly, "I might have tied the amateur +record. You see, my ball--but there, I mustn't bore you now. I must +look after my opponent and stand him a drink. We shall meet again, I +daresay." + +Lutchester passed on, and Pamela glanced up at her brother. + +"Is he a sphinx or a fool?" she whispered. + +"Don't ask me," Van Teyl replied. "Seems to me you were a bit rough on +him, anyway. I don't see why the fellow shouldn't have a day's holiday +before he gets to work. If I had his swing, it would interfere with my +career, I know that, well enough." + +"Did you recognise the man with whom he was playing?" Pamela inquired. + +"Can't say that I did. His face seems familiar, too." + +"Go and see if you can find out his name," Pamela begged. "It isn't +ordinary curiosity. I really want to know." + +"That's easy enough," Van Teyl replied, rising from his place. "And +I'll order tea at the same time." + +Pamela leaned a little further back in her chair. Her eyes seemed to be +fixed upon the pleasant prospect of wooded slopes and green, +upward-stretching sward. As a matter of fact, she saw only two faces-- +Fischer's and Lutchester's. Her chief impulse in life for the immediate +present seemed to have resolved itself into a fierce, almost a +passionate curiosity. It was the riddle of those two brains which she +was so anxious to solve. ... Fischer, the cold, subtle intriguer, with +schemes at the back of his mind which she knew quite well that, even in +the moment of his weakness, he intended to keep to himself; and +Lutchester, with his almost cynical devotion to pleasure, yet with his +unaccountable habit of suggesting a strength and qualities to which he +neither laid nor established any claim. Of the two men it was +Lutchester who piqued her, with whom she would have found more pleasure +in the battle of wits. She found herself alternately furious and +puzzled with him, yet her uneasiness concerning him possessed more +disquieting, more fascinating possibilities than any of the emotions +inspired by the other man. + +Van Teyl returned to her presently, a little impressed. + +"Thought I knew that chap's face," he observed. "It's Eli Hamblin-- +Senator Hamblin, you know." + +"A friend and confidant of the President," she murmured. "A Westerner, +too. I wonder what he's doing here ... Jimmy!" + +"Hallo, Sis?" + +"You've just got to be a dear," Pamela begged. "Go to the caddy master, +or professional, or some one, and find out whether Mr. Lutchester met +him here by accident or whether they arrived together." + +"You'll turn me into a regular sleuthhound," he laughed. "However, here +goes." + +He strolled off again, and Pamela found herself forced to become +mundane and frivolous whilst she chatted with some newly-arrived +acquaintances. It was not until some little time after her brother's +return that she found herself alone with him. + +"Well?" she asked eagerly. + +"They arrived within a few minutes of one another," Van Teyl announced. +"Senator Hamblin bought a couple of new balls and made some inquiries +about the course, but said nothing about playing. Lutchester, who +appears not to have known him, came up later and asked him if he'd like +a game. That's all I could find out." + +Pamela pointed to a little cloud of dust in the distance. + +"And there they go," she observed, "together." + +Van Teyl threw himself into a chair and accepted the cup of tea which +his sister handed him. + +"Well," he inquired, "what do you make of it?" + +"There's more in that question than you think, James," Pamela replied. +"All the same, I think I shall be able to answer it in a few days." + +Another little crowd of acquaintances discovered them, and Pamela was +soon surrounded by a fresh group of admirers. They all went out +presently to inspect the new tennis courts. Pamela and her brother were +beset with invitations. + +"You positively must stay down and dine with us, and go home by +moonlight," Mrs. Saunders, a lively young matron with a large country +house close by, insisted. "Jimmy's neglected me terribly these last few +months, and as for you, Pamela, I haven't seen you for a year." + +"I'd love to if we can," Pamela assured her, "but Jimmy will have to +telephone first." + +"Then do be quick about it," Mrs. Saunders begged, "It doesn't matter a +bit about clothes. We've twenty people staying in the house now, and +half of us won't change, if that makes you more comfortable. Jimmy, if +you fail at that telephone I'll never forgive you." + +But Van Teyl, who had caught the little motion of his sister's head +towards the city, proved equal to the occasion. He returned presently, +driving the car. + +"Got to go," he announced as he made his farewells. "Can't be helped, +Pamela. Frightfully sorry, Mrs. Saunders, we are wanted up in New +York." + +Pamela sighed. + +"I was so afraid of it," she regretted as she waved her adieux. . . . . + +An hour or so later the city broke before them in murky waves. Pamela, +who had been leaning back in the car, deep in thought, sat up. + +"You are a perfect dear, James," she said. "Do you think you could +stand having Mr. Fischer to dinner one evening this week?" + +"Sure!" he replied, a little curiously. "If you want to keep friends +with him for any reason, I don't bear him any ill-will." + +"I just want to talk to him," Pamela murmured, "that's all." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + + +There was a ripple of interest and a good deal of curiosity that +afternoon, in the lounge and entrance hall of the Hotel Plaza, when a +tall, grey-moustached gentleman of military bearing descended from the +automobile which had brought him from the station, and handed in his +name at the desk, inquiring for Mr. Fischer. + +"Will you send my name up--the Baron von Schwerin," he directed. + +The clerk, who had recognised the newcomer, took him under his personal +care. + +"Mr. Fischer is up in his rooms, expecting you, Baron," he announced. +"If you'll come this way, I'll take you up." + +The Baron followed his guide to the lift and along the corridor to the +suite of rooms occupied by Mr. Fischer and his young friend, James Van +Teyl. Mr. Fischer himself opened the door. The two men clasped hands +cordially, and the clerk discreetly withdrew. + +"Back with us once more, Fischer," Von Schwerin exclaimed fervently. +"You are wonderful. Tell me," he added, looking around, "we are to be +alone here?" + +"Absolutely," Fischer replied. "The young man I share these apartments +with--James Van Teyl--has taken his sister out to Baltusrol. They will +not be back until seven o'clock. We are sure of solitude." + +"Good!" Von Schwerin exclaimed. "And you have news--I can see it in +your face." + +Fischer rolled up easy chairs and produced a box of cigars. + +"Yes," he assented, with a little glitter in his eyes, "I have news. +Things have moved with me. I think that, with the help of an idiotic +Englishman, we shall solve the riddle of what our professors have +called the consuming explosive. I sent the formula home to Germany, by +a trusty hand, only a few hours ago." + +"Capital!" Von Schwerin declared. "It was arranged in London, that?" + +"Partly in London and partly here," Fischer replied. + +Von Schwerin made a grimace. + +"If you can find those who are willing to help you here, you are +fortunate indeed," he sighed. "My life's work has lain amongst these +people. In the days of peace, all seemed favourable to us. Since the +war, even those people whom I thought my friends seem to have lost +their heads, to have lost their reasoning powers." + +"After all," Fischer muttered, "it is race calling to race. But come, +we have more direct business on hand. Nikasti is here." + +Von Schwerin nodded a little gloomily. + +"Washington knows nothing of his coming," he observed. "I attended the +Baron Yung's reception last week, informally. I threw out very broad +hints, but Yung would not be drawn. Nikasti represents the Secret +Service of Japan, unofficially and without responsibility." + +"Nevertheless," Fischer pointed out, "what he says will reach the ear +of his country, and reach it quickly. You've gone through the papers I +sent you?" + +"Carefully," Von Schwerin replied. "And the autograph letter?" + +"That I have," Fischer announced. "I will fetch Nikasti." + +He crossed the room and opened the door leading into the bedchambers. + +"Are you there, Kato?" he cried. + +"I am coming, sir," was the instant reply. + +Nikasti appeared, a few moments later. He was carrying a dress coat on +his arm, and he held a clothes brush in his hand. It was obvious that +he had studied with nice care the details of his new part. + +"You can sit down, Nikasti," Fischer invited. "This is the Baron von +Schwerin. He has something to say to you." + +Nikasti bowed very low. He declined the chair, however, to which +Fischer pointed. + +"I am your valet and the valet of Mr. Van Teyl," he murmured. "It is +not fitting for me to be seated. I listen." + +Von Schwerin drew his chair a little nearer. + +"I plunge at once," he said, "into the middle of things. There is +always the fear that we may be disturbed." + +Nikasti inclined his head. + +"It is best," he agreed. + +"You are aware," Von Schwerin continued, "that the Imperial Government +of Germany has already made formal overtures, through a third party, to +the Emperor of Japan with reference to an alteration in our relations?" + +"There was talk of this in Tokio," Nikasti observed softly. "Japan, +however, is under obligations--treaty obligations. Her honour demands +that these should be kept." + +"The honour of a country," Baron von Schwerin acknowledged, "is, +without doubt, a sacred charge upon her rulers, but above all things in +heaven or on earth, the interests of her people must be their first +consideration. If a time should come when the two might seem to clash, +then it is the task of the statesman to recognise this fact." + +Nikasti bowed. + +"It is spoken," he confessed, "like a great man." + +"Your country," Von Schwerin continued, "is at war with mine because it +seemed to her rulers that her interests lay with the Allies rather than +with Germany. I will admit that my country was at fault. We did not +recognise to its full extent the value of friendship with Japan. We did +not bid high enough for your favours. Asia concerned us very little. We +looked upon the destruction of our interests there in the same spirit +as that with which we contemplated the loss of our colonies. All that +might happen would be temporary. Our influence in Asia, our colonies, +will remain with us or perish, according to the result of the war in +Europe. But our statesmen overlooked one thing." + +"Our factories," Nikasti murmured. + +"Precisely! We have had our agents all over the world for years. Some +are good, a few are easily deceived. There is no country in the world +where apparently so much liberty is granted to foreigners as in Japan. +There is no country where the capacity for manufacture and output has +been so grossly underestimated by our agents, as yours." + +Nikasti smiled. + +"I had something to do with that," he announced. "It was Karl Neumann, +was it not, on whom you relied? I supplied him with much information." + +Von Schwerin's face clouded for a moment. + +"You mean that you fooled him, I suppose," he said. "Well, it is all +part of the game. That is over now. We want your exports to Russia +stopped." + +"Ah!" Nikasti murmured reflectively. "Stopped!" + +"We ask no favours," Von Schwerin continued. "The issue of the war is +written across the face of the skies for those who care to read." + +Nikasti looked downwards at the dress coat which he was carrying. Then +he glanced up at Von Schwerin. + +"Perhaps our eyes have been dazzled," he said. "Will you not +interpret?" + +"The end of the war will be a peace of exhaustion," Von Schwerin +explained. "Our loftier dreams of conquest we must abandon. Germany has +played her part, but Austria, alas! has failed. Peace will leave us all +very much where we were. Very well, then, I ask you, what has Japan +gained? You answer China? I deny it. Yet even if it were true, it will +take you five hundred years to make a great country of China. Suppose +for a moment you had been on the other side. What about Australia?... +New Zealand?" + +"Are those things under present consideration?" Nikasti queried. + +"Why not?" Von Schwerin replied. "Listen. Close your exports to Russia +within the next thirty days. Build up for yourselves a stock of +ammunition, add to your fleet, and prepare. Within a year of the +cessation of war, there is no reason why your national dream should not +be realised. Your fleet may sail for San Francisco. The German fleet +shall make a simultaneous attack upon the eastern coast of +Massachusetts and New York." + +"The German fleet," Nikasti repeated. "And England?" + +Von Schwerin's eyes flashed for a moment. + +"If the English fleet is still in being," he declared, "it will be a +crippled and defeated fleet, but, for the sake of your point of view, I +will assume that it exists. Even then there will be nothing to prevent +the German fleet from steaming in what waters it pleases. If our shells +fall upon New York on the day when your warships are sighted off the +Californian coast, do you suppose that America could resist? With her +seaboard, her fleet is contemptible. For her wealth, her army is a +farce. She has neglected for a great many years to pay her national +insurance. She is the one country in the world who can be bled for the +price of empires." + +Fischer, who had been smoking furiously, spat out the end of a fresh +cigar. + +"It will be a just retribution," he interposed, with smothered +fierceness. "Under the guise of neutrality, America has been +responsible for the lives of hundreds of thousands of my countrymen. +That we never can, we never shall, forget. The wealth which makes these +people fat is blood-money, and Germany will take her vengeance." + +"For whom do you speak?" Nikasti inquired. + +Von Schwerin rose from his place. + +"For the greatest of all." + +"Do I take anything but words to Tokio?" the Japanese asked softly. + +Fischer unfolded a pocketbook and drew from it a parchment envelope. + +"You take this letter," he said, "which I brought over myself from +Berlin, signed and written not more than three weeks ago. I ask you to +believe in no vague promises. I bring you the pledged faith of the +greatest ruler on earth. What do you say, Nikasti? Will you accept our +mission? Will you go back to Tokio and see the Emperor?" + +Nikasti bowed. + +"I will go back," he promised. "I will sail as soon as I can make +arrangements. But I cannot tell you what the issue may be. We Japanese +are not a self-seeking nation. Above and higher than all things are our +ideals and our honour. I cannot tell what answer our Sovereign may give +to this." + +"These are the days when the truest patriotism demands the most sublime +sacrifices," Von Schwerin declared. "Above all the ethics of +individuals comes the supreme necessity of self-preservation." + +The Japanese smiled slightly. + +"Ah!" he said, "there speaks the philosophy of your country, Baron, the +paean of materialism." + +"The destinies of nations," Baron von Schwerin exclaimed, "are above +the man-made laws of a sentimental religion! One needs, nowadays, more +than to survive. It is necessary to flourish." + +Nikasti stood suddenly to attention. + +"It is Mr. Van Teyl who returns," he warned them. + +He glided from the room, shaking out a little the dress coat which he +had been carrying. The two men looked after him. Fischer threw his +cigar savagely away and lit another. + +"Curse these orientals!" he muttered. "They listen and listen, and one +never knows. Van Teyl won't be here for hours. That was just an excuse +to get away." + +But there was a smile of triumph on Von Schwerin's lips. + +"I know them better than you do, Fischer," he declared. "Nikasti is our +man!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + + +High up in one of the topmost chambers of the Hotel Plaza, Nikasti, +after his conference with Von Schwerin and Fischer, sought solitude. He +opened the high windows, out of which he could scarcely see, dragged up +a chest of drawers and perched himself, Oriental fashion, on the top, +his long yellow fingers intertwined around his knees, his soft brown +eyes gazing over the wooded slopes of the Park. He was away from the +clamour of tongues, from the poisoned clouds of sophistry, even from +the disturbance of his own thoughts, incited by specious arguments to +some form of reciprocity. Here he sat in the clouds and searched for +the true things. His eyes seemed to be travelling over the battlefields +of Europe. He saw the swaying fortunes of mighty armies, he looked into +council chambers, he seemed to feel the pulses of the great world force +which kept going this most amazing Juggernaut. He saw the furnaces of +Japan, blazing by night and day; saw the forms of hundreds of thousands +of his fellow creatures bent to their task; saw the streams of ships +leaving his ports, laden down with stores; saw the great guns speeding +across Siberia, the endless trains of ammunition, the rifles, food for +the famine-stricken giants who beat upon the air with empty fists. He +saw the gold come streaming back. He saw it poured into the banks, the +pockets of the merchants, the homes of his people. He saw brightening +days throughout the land. He saw the slow but splendid strength of the +nation rejoicing in its new possibilities. And beyond that, what? +Wealth was the great means towards the great end, but if the great end +were once lost sight of, there was no more hideous poison than that +stream of enervating prosperity. He remembered his own diatribes +concerning the decadence of England; how he had pointed to the gold +poison, to the easy living of the poor, the blatant luxury of the rich. +He had pointed to the soft limbs, the cities which had become pools of +sensuality, to the daily life which, calling for no effort, had seen +the passing of the spirit and the triumph of the gross. And what about +his own people? Mankind was the same the world over. The gold which was +bringing strength and life to the nation might very soon exude the same +poisonous fumes, might very soon be laying its thrall upon a people to +whom living had become an easier thing. However it might be for other, +the Western nations, for his own he firmly believed that war alone, +with its thousand privations, its call to the chivalry of his people, +was the one great safeguard. China! The days had gone by when the +taking of China could inspire. It was to greater things they must look. +Australia. New Zealand! Had any Western race the right to flaunt her +Empire's flag in Asiatic seas? And America! Once again he felt the slow +rising of wrath as he recalled the insults of past years ... the +adventurous sons of his country treated like savages and negroes by +that uncultured, strong-limbed race of coarse-fibered, unimaginative +materialists. There was a call, indeed, to the soul of his country to +avenge, to make safe, the homes and lives of her colonists. Across the +seas he looked into the council chambers of the wise men of his race. +He saw the men whose word would tell. He watched their faces turned +towards him, waiting; heard the beginning of the conflict of thoughts +and minds--blind fidelity to the cause which they had espoused, or a +rougher, more splendid, more selfish stroke for the greatness of Japan +and Japan only. "If we break our faith we lose our honour," one +murmured. "There is no honour save the care of my people," he heard one +of his greatest countrymen reply. + +So he sat and thought, revolved in his mind arguments, morals, +philosophy. It was the problem which had confronted the great Emperor, +his own ancestor, who had lived for three months on the floor of the +Temple, asking but one question of the Silent Powers: "Through what +gate shall I lead my nation to greatness?" + +The senses of the man who crouched in his curious attitude, with his +eyes still piercing the heavens, were mobile and extraordinary things. +No disturbing sounds had reached him from outside. His isolation seemed +complete and impregnable. Yet, without turning his head, he was +perfectly conscious of the slow opening of the door. His whole frame +stiffened. He was conscious for one bitter second of a lapse from the +careful guarding of his ways. That second passed, however, and left him +prepared even for danger, his brain and muscles alike tense. He turned +his head. The expression of slow surprise, which even parted his lips +and narrowed his eyes, was only half assumed. + +"What do you wish?" he asked. + +Lutchester did not for a moment reply. He had closed the door behind +him carefully, and was looking around the room now with evident +interest. Its bareness of furniture and decoration were noteworthy, but +on the top of the ugly chest of drawers was a great bowl of roses, a +queer little ivory figure set in an arched frame of copper--a figure +almost sacerdotal, with its face turned towards the east--and a little +shower of rose leaves, which could scarcely have fallen there by +accident, at the foot of the pedestal. Lutchester inclined his head +gravely, as he looked towards it, a gesture entirely reverential, +almost an obeisance. Nikasti's eyes were clouded with curiosity. He +slipped down to the ground. + +"I have travelled in your country," Lutchester said gravely, as though +in explanation. "I have visited your temples. I may say that I have +prayed there." + +"And now?" Nikasti asked. + +"I am for my country what you are for yours," Lutchester proceeded. +"You see, I know when it is best to speak the truth. I am in New York +because you are in New York, and if you leave on Saturday for Japan it +may happen--of this I am not sure--but I say that it may happen that I +shall accompany you." + +"I shall be much honoured," Nikasti murmured. + +"You came here," Lutchester continued, "to meet an emissary from +Berlin. Your country, which could listen to no official word from any +one of her official enemies, can yet, through you, learn what is in +their minds. You have seen to-day Fischer and the Baron von Schwerin. +Fischer has probably presented to you the letter which he has brought +from Berlin. Von Schwerin has expounded further the proposition and the +price which form part of his offer." + +Nikasti's face was imperturbable, but there was trouble in his eyes. + +"You have found your way to much knowledge,", he muttered. + +"I must find my way to more. I must know what Germany offers you. I +must know what is at the back of your mind when you repeat this offer +in Tokio." + +"You can make, then, the unwilling speak?" Nikasti demanded. + +"Even that is amongst the possibilities," Lutchester affirmed. "Strange +things have been done for the cause which such as you and I revere." + +Nikasti showed his white teeth for a moment in a smile meant to be +contemptuous. + +"It is a great riddle, this, which we toss from one to the other," he +observed. "I am the simple valet of two gentlemen living in the hotel. +You have listened, perhaps, to fairy tales, or dreamed them yourself, +sir." + +"It is no fairy tale," Lutchester rejoined, "that you are Prince +Nikasti, the third son of the great Marquis Ato, that you and I met +more than once in London when you were living there some years ago; +that you travelled through our country, and drew up so scathing an +indictment of our domestic and industrial position that, but for their +clumsy diplomacy, your country would probably have made overtures to +Germany. Ever since those days I have wondered about you. I have +wondered whether you are with your country in her friendship towards +England." + +"I have no friends but my country's friends," Nikasti declared, "no +enemies save her enemies. But to-day those things of which you have +spoken do not concern me. I am the Japanese valet of Mr. Fischer and +Mr. Van Teyl." + +Lutchester, as though by accident, came a step further into the room. +Nikasti's eyes never left his face. Perhaps at that moment each knew +the other's purpose, though their tongues clung to the other things. + +"Will you talk to me, Japan?" Lutchester asked calmly. "You have +listened to Germany. I am England." + +"If you have anything to say," Nikasti replied, "Baron Yung is at +Washington." + +"You and I know well," Lutchester continued, "that ambassadors are but +the figureheads in the world's history. Speak to me of the things which +concern our nations, Nikasti. Tell me of the letter you bear to the +Emperor. You have nothing to lose. Sit down and talk to me, man to man. +You have heard Germany. Hear England. Tell me of the promises made to +you within the last hour, and I will show you how they can never be +kept. Let us talk of your country's future. You and I can tell one +another much." + +"A valet knows nothing," Nikasti murmured. + +Lutchester came a step nearer. Nikasti, in retreating, was now almost +in a corner of the room. + +"Listen," Lutchester went on, "for many years I have suspected that you +are an enemy of my country. That is the reason why, when our +Intelligence Department learnt of your mission, I chose to come myself +to meet you. And now we meet, Nikasti, face to face, and all that you +are willing to do for your country, I am willing to do for mine, and +unless you sit down and talk this matter out with me as man to man, you +will not leave New York." + +The arm of the Japanese stole with the most perfect naturalness inside +his coat, and Lutchester knew then that the die was cast. The line of +blue steel flashed out too late. The hand which gripped the +strangely-shaped little knife was held as though in a vice, and +Lutchester's other arm was suddenly thrown around the neck of his +assailant, his fingers pressed against his windpipe. + +"Drop the knife," he ordered. + +It fell clattering on to the hard floor. Nikasti, however, twisted +himself almost free, took a flying leap sideways, and seized his +adversary's leg. In another moment he came down upon the floor with a +crash. Lutchester's grip upon him, a little crueller now, was like a +band of steel. + +"There are many ways of playing this game. It is you who have chosen +this one," he said. "It's no use, Nikasti. I know as much of your own +science as you do. You're my man now until I choose to let you free, +and before I do that I am going to read the letter which you are taking +to Japan." + +Nikasti's eyes were red with fury, but every movement was torture. +Lutchester held him easily with one hand, felt over him with the other, +drew the letter from his vest, and, shaking it free from its envelope, +held it out and read it. When he had finished, he replaced it in the +envelope and pushed it back into the other's breast pocket. + +"Now," he directed, "you can get up." + +Nikasti scrambled to his feet. There were livid marks under his eyes. +For a moment he had lost all his vitality, he was like a beaten +creature. + +"You would never have done this," he muttered, "ten years ago, I grow +old." + +"So that is the letter which you are taking to your Emperor!" +Lutchester said. "You think it worth while! You can really see the +German fleet steaming past the British Isles, out into the Atlantic, +and bombarding New York!" + +Nikasti made no reply. Lutchester looked at him for a moment +thoughtfully. There was a light once more in the beaten man's eyes--a +queer, secretive gleam. Lutchester stooped down and picked up the knife +from the floor. + +"Nikasti," he enjoined, "listen to me, for your country's sake. The +promise contained in that letter is barely worth the paper it is +written on, so long as the British fleet remains what it is. But, apart +from that, I tell you here, of my own profound conviction--and I will +prove it to you before many days are past--Germany does not intend to +keep this promise." + +Nikasti made no reply. His face was expressionless. + +"Germany has but one idea," Lutchester continued. "She means to play +you and America off against one another. I have found out her offer to +you. All I can say is, if you take it seriously you are not the man I +think you. Now I will tell you what I am going to do. I am going to +find out her offer to America. I will bring that to you, and you shall +see the two side by side. Then you shall know how much you can rely +upon a country whose diplomacy is bred and born of lies, who cheats at +every move of the game, who makes you a deliberate offer here which she +never has the least intention of keeping. Have you anything to say to +me, Nikasti?" + +Nikasti raised his eyes for one moment. + +"I have nothing to say," he replied. "I am the valet of Mr. Fischer and +Mr. Van Teyl. These things are not of my concern." + +Lutchester shrugged his shoulders. + +"Whatever you may be," he concluded, "and however much you may resent +all that has happened, I know that you will wait. I might go direct to +Washington, but I prefer to come to you, if it remains possible. Before +you leave this country we will meet again, and, when you have heard me, +you will tear that letter which you are treasuring next your heart into +small pieces." + +Lutchester turned and left the room, closing the door behind him. +Nikasti crouched in his place without movement. The ache in his heart +seemed to be shining out of his face. He turned slowly towards the +little figure of black ivory, his head drooped lower--he was filled +with a great shame. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + + +Fischer raised his eyebrows in mild surprise to find Nikasti waiting +for him in the sitting room that evening, with his overcoat and evening +hat. He closed the door of the bedroom from which he had issued +carefully behind him. + +"You don't need to go on with this business now that we have had our +little talk," he remonstrated. + +"I cannot leave until the twentieth," Nikasti replied. "I think it best +that I remain here. Your cocktail, sir." + +Fischer accepted the glass with a good-humoured little laugh. + +"Well," he said, "I suppose you know what you want to do, but it seems +to me unnecessary. Say, is anything wrong with you? You seem shaken, +somehow." + +"I am quite well," Nikasti declared gravely. "I am very well indeed." + +Fischer stared at him searchingly from behind his spectacles. + +"You don't look it," he observed. "If you'll take my advice, you'll get +away from here and rest somewhere quietly for a few days. Why don't you +try one of the summer hotels on Long Island?" + +Nikasti shook his head. + +"Until I sail," he decided, "I stay here. It is better so." + +"You know best, of course," Fischer replied. "Where's Mr. Van Teyl?" + +"He has gone out with his sister, sir--the young lady in the next +suite," Nikasti announced. + +Fischer sighed for a moment. Then he finished his cocktail, drew on his +gloves, and turned towards the door. + +"Well, good night," he said. "Perhaps you are wise to stay here. +Remember always what it is that you carry about with you." + +"I shall remember," Nikasti promised. + +Fischer entered his automobile and drove to a fashionable restaurant in +the neighbourhood of Fifth Avenue. Arrived here, he made his way to a +room on the first floor, into which he was ushered by one of the head +waiters. Von Schwerin was already there, talking with a little company +of men. + +"Ah, our friend Fischer!" the latter exclaimed. "That makes our number +complete." + +A waiter handed around cocktails. Fischer smiled as he raised his glass +to his lips. + +"It is something, at least," he confided, "to be back in a country +where one can speak freely. I raise my arm. Von Schwerin and +gentlemen--'To the Fatherland!'" + +They all drank fervently and with a little guttural murmur. Von +Schwerin set down his empty glass. He was looking a little glum. + +"In many ways, my dear Fischer," he said, "one sympathises with that +speech of yours; but the truth is best, and it is to talk truths that +we have met this evening. We are gaining no ground here. I am not sure +that we are not losing." + +There was a moment's disturbed and agitated silence. + +"It is bad to hear," one little man acknowledged, with a sigh, "but who +can doubt it? There is a fever which has caught hold of this country, +which blazes in the towns and smoulders in the country places, and that +is the fever of money-making. Men are blinded with the passion of it. +They tell me that even Otto Schmidt in Milwaukee has turned his great +factories into ammunition works." + +Von Schwerin's eyes flashed. + +"Let him be careful," he muttered, "that one morning those are not +blackened walls upon which he looks! We go to dinner now, gentlemen, +and, until we are alone afterwards, not one word concerning the great +things." + +The partition doors leading into the dining room were thrown back and +the little company of men sat down to dine. There were fourteen of +them, and their names were known throughout the world. There was a +steel millionaire, half-a-dozen Wall Street magnates, a clothing +manufacturer, whose house in Fifth Avenue was reputed to have cost two +millions. There was not one of them who was not a patriot--to Germany. +They ate and drank through the courses of an abnormally long dinner +with the businesslike thoroughness of their race. When at last the +coffee and liqueurs had been served, the waiters by prearrangement +disappeared, and with a little flourish Von Schwerin locked the door. +Once more he raised his glass. + +"To the Kaiser and the Fatherland!" he cried in a voice thick with +emotion. + +For a moment a little flash of something almost like spirituality +lightened the gathering. They were at least men with a purpose, and an +unselfish purpose. + +"Oscar Fischer," Von Schwerin said, "my friends, all of you, you know +how strenuous my labours have been during the last year. You know that +three times the English Ambassador has almost demanded my recall, and +three times the matter has hung in the balance. I have watched events +in Washington, not through my own but through a thousand eyes. My +fingers are on the pulse of the country, so what I say to you needs +nothing in the way of substantiation. The truth is best. +Notwithstanding all my efforts, and the efforts of every one of you, +the great momentum of public feeling, from California to Massachusetts, +has turned slowly towards the cause of our enemies. Washington is +hopelessly against us. The huge supplies which leave these shores day +by day for England and France will continue. Fresh plants are being +laid down for the manufacture of weapons and ammunition to be used +against our country. The hand of diplomacy is powerless. We can +struggle no longer. Even those who favour our cause are drunk with the +joy of the golden harvest they are reaping. This country has spoken +once and for all, and its voice is for our most hated enemy." + +There were a variety of guttural and sympathetic ejaculations. A dozen +earnest faces turned towards Von Schwerin. + +"Diplomacy," Von Schwerin continued, "has failed. We come to the next +step. There have been isolated acts of self-sacrifice, splendid in +themselves but systemless. Only the day before yesterday a great +factory at Detroit was burned to the ground, and I can assure you, +gentlemen, I who know, that a thousand bales of cloth, destined for +France, lie in a charred, heap amongst the ruins. That fire was no +accident." + +There was a brief silence. Fischer nodded approvingly. Von Schwerin +filled his glass. + +"This," he went on, "was the individual act of a brave and faithful +patriot. The time has come for us, too, to remember that we are at war. +I have striven for you with the weapons of diplomacy and I have failed. +I ask you now to face the situation with me--to make use of the only +means left to us." + +No one hesitated. Possibly ruin stared them in the face, but not one +flinched. Their heads drew closer together. They discussed the ways and +means of the new campaign. + +"We must add largely to our numbers," Von Schwerin said, "and we had +better have a fund. So far as regards money, I take it for granted--" + +There was a little chorus of fierce whispers. Five million dollars were +subscribed by men who were willing, if necessary, to find fifty. + +"It is enough," their leader assured them. "Much of our labours will be +amongst those to whom money is no object. Only remember, all of you, +this. We shall be a society without a written word, with no roll of +membership, without documents or institution, for complicity in the +things which follow will mean ruin. You are willing to face that?" + +Again that strange, passionate instinct of unanimity prevailed. To all +appearance it was a gathering of commonplace, commercialised and +bourgeois, easy-living men, but the touch of the spirit was there. +Fischer leaned a little forward. + +"In two months' time," he said, "every factory in America which is +earning its blood money shall be in danger. There will be a reign of +terror. Each State will operate independently and secretly." + +"Our friend Fischer," Von Schwerin told them, "has promised to stay +over here for the present to organise this undertaking. I, alas! am +bound to remain always a little aloof, but the time may come, and very +soon, too, when I shall be a free lance. On that day I shall throw my +lot in with yours, to the last drop of my blood and the last hour of my +liberty. Until then, trust Oscar Fischer. He has done great deeds +already. He will show you the way to more." + +Fischer took off his spectacles and wiped them. + +"Our first proceeding," he said, "sounds paradoxical. It must be that +we cease to exist. There can be no longer any meetings amongst us who +stand in this country for Germany. Gatherings of this sort are +finished. We meet, one or two of us, perhaps, by accident, in the clubs +and in the streets, in our houses and perhaps in the restaurants, but +the bond which unites us, and which no human power could ever sever +because it is of the spirit, that bond from to-night is intangible. +Wait, all of you, for a message. The task given to each shall not be +too great." + +Mr. Max H. Bookam, a little black-bearded man who had started life +tailoring in a garret, and was now a multi-millionaire, raised his +glass. + +"No task shall seem too great," he muttered. "No risk shall make us +afraid. Even the exile shall take up his burden." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + + +Mr. Fischer's business later on that night led him into unsavoury +parts. He left his car at the corner of Fourteenth Street, and, after a +moment's reflection, as though to refresh his memory, he made his way +slowly eastwards. He wore an unusually shabby overcoat, and a felt hat +drawn over his eyes, both of which garments he had concealed in the +automobile. Even then, however, his appearance made him an object of +some comment. A little gang of toughs first jostled him and then turned +and followed in his footsteps. A man came out of the shadows, and they +broke away with an oath. + +"That cop'll get his head broke some day," Fischer heard one of them +mutter, with appropriate adjectives. + +There were others who looked curiously at him. One man's hand he felt +running over his pockets as he pushed past him. A couple of women came +screaming down the street and seized him by the arms. He shook himself +free, and listened without a word to their torrent of abuse. The lights +here seemed to burn more dimly. Even the flares from the drinking dens +seemed secretive, and the shadowy places impenetrable. It was before a +saloon that at last he paused, listened for a moment to the sound of a +cracked piano inside, and entered. The place was packed, and, +fortunately for him, a scrap of some interest between two +villainous-looking Italians in a distant corner was occupying the +attention of many of the patrons. A man with white, staring face was +banging at a crazy piano without a movement of his body, his whole +energies apparently directed towards drowning the tumult of oaths and +hideous execrations which came from the two combatants. A drunken +Irishman, rolling about on the floor, kicked at him savagely as he +passed. An undersized little creature, with the face of an old man but +the figure of a boy, marked him from a distant corner and crept +stealthily towards his side. Fischer reached the counter at last and +stood there for a moment, waiting. Two huge, rough-looking negroes, in +soiled linen clothes, were dispensing the drinks. As one of them +passed, Fischer struck the counter with his forefinger, six or seven +times, observing a particular rhythm. The negro started, turned his +heavily-lidded, repulsive eyes upon Fischer, and nodded slightly. He +handed out the drink he had in his hand, and leaned over the counter. + +"Want the boss?" he demanded. + +Fischer assented. The negro lifted the flap of the counter and opened a +trapdoor, leading apparently into a cellar beneath. + +"Step right down," he muttered. "Don't let the boys catch on. Get out +of that, Tim," he added thickly to the dwarflike figure, whose slender +fingers were suddenly nearing Fischer's neck. + +The creature seemed to melt away. Fischer dived and descended a dozen +steps or so into another bare looking apartment, the door of which was +half open. There were three men seated at the solitary deal table, +which was almost the only article of furniture to be seen. One, +sombrely dressed in legal black, with a pale face and fiercely +inquiring eyes, half rose to his feet as the newcomer entered. +Another's hand went to his hip pocket. The man who was sitting between +the two, however--a great red-headed Irishman--rose to his feet and +pushed them back to their places. + +"There's no cause for alarm, now, boys," he declared. "This is a friend +of mine. I won't make you acquainted, because we're all better friends +strangers down in these parts. Hop it off, you two. Sit down here, Mr. +Stranger." + +The two men stole away. The Irishman poured out a glassful of neat +whisky and passed it to his visitor. + +"Clients of mine," he explained. "Tim Crooks is in politics. Got your +message, boss. What's the figure?" + +"Two thousand!" + +The Irishman whistled and looked thoughtfully down at the table. + +"Isn't it enough?" Fischer asked. + +"Enough?" was the hoarse reply. "Why, there isn't one of my toughs that +wouldn't go rat-hunting for a quarter of that. If it's any one in these +parts, twelve hours is all I want." + +"It isn't!" + +The Irishman's face fell. + +"Some swell, I suppose? Fifth Avenue way and the swagger parts, eh?" + +Fischer assented silently. His host poured himself out some whisky and +drank it as though it were water. + +"You see, boss," he pointed out, "it's no use sending greenhorns out on +a job like that, because they only squeak if they're pinched, and +pinched they're sure to be; and all my regulars are what we call in +sanctuary." + +"You mean they are hiding already?" + +"That's some truth," was the grim admission. "The cops ain't going to +trouble to come after 'em, so long as they keep here, but they'd nab +'em fast enough if they showed their noses beyond the end of +Fourteenth. Still, I'd like to oblige you, guv'nor. I don't know who +you are, and don't want, but my boys speak fine of you. You know Ed +Swindles?" + +"Not by name," Fischer confessed. + +"He did that little job up at Detroit," the Irishman went on, dropping +his voice a little. "I tell you he's a genius at handling a bomb, is +Ed. Blew that old factory into brick-ends, he did. He's in the saloon +upstairs--got his girl with him. They've been doing a round of the +dancing saloons." + +"That's all right, but what about this job?" Fischer inquired, a little +impatiently. + +The Irishman glanced behind him. Then he dropped his voice a little. + +"Look here, guv'nor," he said, "I've some idea, if it pans out. You've +heard of the Heste case?" + +"You mean the girl who was murdered?" + +"Yes! Well, the chap that did it is within a few feet of where we're +sitting." + +Fischer took off his spectacles and rubbed them. In the dim light his +face looked more grim and powerful than ever. + +"Isn't that a little dangerous?" he observed. "The police mean having +him." + +"You're dead right," the Irishman replied. "They've got to have him, +and he knows it. They'd keep their hands off any one in these parts if +they could, but this bloke's different. He done it too thick, and he's +got the public squealing. Now if we could get him out for long enough, +he's the man for your job. Come right along, boss." + +He rose heavily to his feet, crossed the room, and threw open the door +of what was little more than a cupboard at the further end. The place +was in darkness, but a human form sprang suddenly upright. His white +face and glaring eyes were the only visible objects in a shroud of +darkness. + +"That's all right, kid," the Irishman said soothingly. "No cops yet. +This is a gentleman on business. Wait till I fix a light." + +He stepped back, and brought a candle from the table at which he had +been seated. Fischer helped him light it, and by degrees the interior +of the little apartment was illuminated. Its contents were almost +negligible--there was simply a foul piece of rug in the corner, and a +broken chair. With his back to the wall crouched a slim, apparently +young man, with a perfectly bloodless face and black eyes under which +were blue lines. His clothes were torn and covered with dust, as though +he had dragged himself about the floor, and one of his hands was +bleeding. + +"The gentleman's on business, Jake," his host repeated. + +"Give me some whisky," the young man mumbled. + +The Irishman shaded his eyes. + +"Holy Moses! why, you've finished that bottle!" he exclaimed. + +"It's like water," the fugitive replied in a hot whisper, "I drink and +I feel nothing; I taste nothing--I forget nothing! Give me something +stronger." + +He tossed off without hesitation the tumbler half full of whisky which +his guardian fetched him. Then he came out. + +"I'm sick of this," he declared. "I'll sit at your table. It's no use +talking to me of jobs," he went on. "I couldn't get out of here. I made +for the docks, but they headed me off. They know where I am. They'll +have me sooner or later." + +"Yes, they'll have you right enough," the Irishman assented; "but if +there was any chance in the world, this gent could give it to you. He's +got a job he wants done up amongst the swells in Fifth Avenue, and +there's money enough in it to buy Anna herself, if you want her. Anna's +our real toff down here," he explained, turning to Fischer, "and all +the boys are crazy about her." + +Jake shook his head, unimpressed. He fixed his eyes upon Fischer, +moistened his lips a little, and spoke in a sort of croaky whisper. + +"Money's no use to me," he said, "nor women either--I'm through with +them. You know what I done? I killed my girl. That's what I'm going to +the chair for. But if I could get out of this, I'd do your job. I'm +kind of hating people. I can't get my girl's face out of my mind. +Perhaps if I did your job I'd have another one to think about." + +"Pleasant company, ain't he?" the Irishman grunted. "He's the real +goods." + +Fischer stared at the young man as though fascinated. He seemed beyond +and outside human comprehension. Their host was sitting with his hands +in his pockets and his feet on another chair. The braces hung from his +shoulders upon the floor, his collarless shirt had fallen a little +open. His face, with its little tuft of red side whiskers and unshaven +chin, was reminiscent of the forests. + +"If you want this job fixed, Mr. Stranger," he said, "I don't know as +Jake here couldn't take it on. It'd have to be done like this. Jake's a +real toney chauffeur--drive anything. If you had your automobile at a +spot I could tell you of one evening, just at dusk, I might get him +that far, in a set of chauffeur's clothes. Once on the box of your +auto, he'd be out of this and could give 'em the slip for a bit. It's +the only way I can think of, to get him near the game." + +"The arrangement would suit me," Fischer admitted. + +Jake suddenly showed a gleaming set of unexpectedly white teeth. His +eyes stared more than ever. + +"I'm game! I'm on to this," he cried fiercely. "You can have all there +is coming to me, Sullivan, if I get nabbed, but I'm going to take my +risk. I hate this hole! It's a rat's den." + +"Then get you back to your cupboard, Jake," the Irishman enjoined. +"I've got to talk business to the gent." + +The young man rose to his feet. He took the bottle of whisky under his +arm. His face was still ashen, but his tone was steady. He gripped +Fischer by the arm. + +"I will do your job," he promised. "I will do it thoroughly." + +He slouched across the floor, entered his cupboard, and disappeared. +Fischer was suddenly aware of the moisture upon his forehead. There was +something animallike, absolutely inhuman, about this creature with whom +he had made his murderous bargain. + +"I have no money here, of course," he reminded his companion. + +"Don't know as I blame you, guv'nor," the other observed with a grin. +"I saw my toughs lay out a guy only the other day for flashing a +smaller wad than you'd carry. You know the rules, and I guess I'll ring +up the bank to-morrow morning at eleven o'clock. Does that go?" + +"You'll find the deposit there," Fischer promised. "You'd better let me +know when he's ready to take the job on." + +The Irishman walked to the foot of the steps with his visitor. + +"Give Joe the double knock on the trapdoor," he directed, "and get out +of the saloon as quick as you can. There's a Dago about there keeps our +hands full. Got anything with you?" + +Fischer nodded. His hand stole out of his overcoat pocket. + +"Better give them one if they look like trouble," his host advised. +"They've plenty of spunk, but I can tell you they make tracks for their +holes if they hear one of those things bark." + +"They shall hear it fast enough, if they try to hustle me," Fischer +observed grimly. + +"You've some pluck," the Irishman declared, as he watched his departing +guest ascend the steps. "Sure, this is no place for cowards, anyway. +And good night and good luck to you! Jake will do your job slick, if +any one could." + +Fischer beat his little tattoo upon the trapdoor, crawled through it +and underneath the flap in the counter, out into the saloon. He paused +for a moment to look around, on his way to the door. The fight was +apparently over, for every one was standing at the counter, drinking +with a swarthy-faced man whose cheeks were stained with blood. From a +distant corner came the sound of groans. The air seemed heavier than +ever with foul tobacco smoke. The man at the piano still thrashed out +his unmelodious chords. Some women in a corner were pretending to +dance. One or two of them looked curiously at Fischer, but he passed +out, unchallenged. Even the air of the slum outside seemed pure and +fresh after the heated den he had left. He reached the corner of the +street in safety and stepped quickly into his car. He threw both +windows wide open and murmured an order to the chauffeur. Then he +leaned back and closed his eyes for a moment. He was a man not +overburdened with imagination, but it seemed to him just then that he +would never be able altogether to forget the face of that ghastly, +dehumanised creature, crouching like some terrified wild animal in his +fetid refuge. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + + +Mrs. Theodore Hastings was forty-eight years old, which her friends +said was the reason why her mansion on Fifth Avenue was furnished and +lit with the delicate sombreness of an old Italian palace. There was +about it none of the garishness, the almost resplendent brilliancy +associated with the abodes of many of our neighbours. Although her +masseuse confidently assured her that she looked twenty-eight, Mrs. +Hastings preferred not to put the matter to the test. She received her +carefully selected dinner guests in a great library with cedarwood +walls, furnished with almost Victorian sobriety, and illuminated by +myriads of hidden lights. Pamela, being a relative, received the +special consideration of an affectionately bestowed embrace. + +"Pamela, my child, wasn't it splendid I heard that you were in New +York!" she exclaimed. "Quite by accident, too. I think you treat your +relatives shamefully." + +Her niece laughed. + +"Well, anyhow, you're the first of them I've seen at all, and directly +Jim told me he was coming to you, I made him ring up in case you had +room for me." + +"Jimmy was a dear," Mrs. Hastings declared, "and, of course, there +couldn't be a time when there wouldn't be room for you. Even now, at +the last moment, though, I haven't quite made up my mind where to put +you. Choose, dear. Will you have a Western bishop or a rather dull +Englishman?" + +"What is the name of the Englishman?" Pamela asked, with sudden +intuition. + +"Lutchester, dear. Quite a nice name, but I know nothing about him. He +brought letters to your uncle. Rather a queer time for Englishmen to be +travelling about, we thought, but still, there he is. Seems to have +found some people he knows--and I declare he is coming towards you!" + +"I met him in London," Pamela whispered, "and I never could get on with +bishops." + +The dinner table was large, and arranged with that wonderful simplicity +which Mrs. Hastings had adopted as the keynote of her New York parties. +She had taken, in fact, simplicity under her wing and made a new thing +of it. There were more flowers than silver, and cut glass than heavy +plate. There seemed to be an almost ostentatious desire to conceal the +fact that Mr. Hastings had robbed the American public of a good many +million dollars. + +"Of course," Pamela declared, as they took their places, and she nodded +a greeting to some friends around the table, "fate is throwing us +together in the most unaccountable manner." + +"I accept its vagaries with resignation," Lutchester replied. "Besides, +it is quite time we met again. You promised to show me New York, and I +haven't seen you for days." + +"I don't even remember the promise," Pamela laughed, "but in any case I +have changed my mind. I am not sure that you are the nice, +simple-minded person you profess to be. I begin to have doubts about +you." + +"Interest grows with mystery," Lutchester remarked complacently. "Let +us hope that I am promoted in your mind." + +"Well, I am not at all sure. Of course, I am not an Englishman, so it +is of no particular interest to me, but if you really came over here on +important affairs, I am not sure that I approve of your playing golf +the day after your arrival." + +"That, perhaps, was thoughtless," he admitted, "but one gets so short +of exercise on board ship." + +"Of course," Pamela observed tentatively, "I'd forgive you even now if +you'd only be a little more frank with me." + +"I am prepared to be candour itself," he assured her. + +"Tell me," she begged, "the whole extent of your mission in America?" + +He glanced around. + +"If we were alone," he replied, "I might court indiscretion so far as +to tell you." + +"Then we will leave the answer to that question until after dinner," +she said. + +She talked to her left-hand neighbour for a few moments, and Lutchester +followed suit. They turned to one another again, however, at the first +opportunity. + +"I have conceived," she told him, "a great admiration for Mr. Oscar +Fischer." + +"A very able man," Lutchester agreed. + +"He is not only that," Pamela continued, "but he is a man with large +principles and great ideas." + +"Principles!" Lutchester murmured. + +"Of course, you don't like him," Pamela went on, "and I don't wonder at +it. He is thoroughly German, isn't he?" + +"Almost prejudiced, I'm afraid," Lutchester assented. + +"Don't be silly," Pamela protested. "Why, he's German by birth, and +although you English people are much too pig-headed to see any good in +an enemy, I think you must admit that the way they all hang together-- +Germans, I mean, all over the world--is perfectly wonderful." + +"There have been a few remarks of the same sort," Lutchester reminded +her, "about the inhabitants of the British Empire--Canadians, +Australians, New Zealanders, for instance." + +"As a matter of fact," Pamela admitted generously, "I consider that +your Colonials understand the word patriotism better than the ordinary +Englishman. With them, as with the Germans, it is almost a passionate +impulse. Your hearts may be in the right places, but you always give +one the impression of finding the whole thing rather a bore." + +"Well, so it is," Lutchester insisted. "Who wants to give up a very +agreeable profession and enter upon a career of bloodshed, abandon all +one's habits, and lose most of one's friends? No, we are honest about +that, at any rate! Germany may be enjoying this war. We aren't." + +"What was your profession?" Pamela inquired. + +"Diplomacy," Lutchester confided. "I intended to become an ambassador." + +"Do you think you have the requisite gifts?" + +"What are they?" + +"Secrecy, subtlety, caution, and highly-developed intelligence," she +replied. "How's that?" + +"All those gifts," he assured her, "I possess." + +She fanned herself for a moment and looked at him. + +"We are not a modest race ourselves," she said, "but I think you can +give us a lead. By the bye, were you playing golf with Senator Hamblin +by accident the other afternoon?" + +"You mean the old Johnny down at Baltusrol?" he asked coolly. "I picked +him up wandering about by the professionals' shed." + +"Did you talk politics with him?" + +"We gassed a bit about the war," Lutchester admitted cheerfully. + +Pamela laughed. She leaned a little forward. The buzz of conversation +now was insistent all around them. + +"Of you two," she whispered, "I prefer Fischer." + +Lutchester considered the matter for some time. + +"Well, there's no accounting for tastes," he said presently. "I +shouldn't have thought him exactly your type." + +"He may not be," Pamela confessed, "but at least he has the courage to +speak what is in his mind." + +Lutchester smiled. + +"So Fischer has taken you into his confidence, has he?" he murmured. +"Well, now, that seems queer to me. I should have thought your +interests would have lain the other way." + +"As an individual?" + +"As an American." + +"I am not wholly convinced of that." + +"Come," he protested, "what is the use of a friend from whom you are +separated by an unnegotiable space?" + +"What unnegotiable space?" + +"The Atlantic." + +"And why is the Atlantic unnegotiable?" + +"Because of a little affair called the British fleet," Lutchester +pointed out. + +"There is also," she reminded him drily, "a German fleet, and they +haven't met yet." + +"Ah! I had almost forgotten there was such a thing," he murmured. +"Where do they keep it?" + +"You know. You aren't nearly so stupid as you pretend to be," she said, +a little impatiently. "I should like you so much better if you would be +frank with me." + +"What about those qualifications for my ambassadorial career?" he +reminded her--"Secrecy, subtlety, caution." + +"The master of these," she whispered, rising to her feet in response to +her hostess's signal, "knows when to abandon them--" + +Lutchester changed his place to a vacant chair by James Van Teyl's +side. + +"I was going to ask you, Mr. Van Teyl," he inquired, "whether your +Japanese servant was altogether a success? I think I shall have to get +a temporary servant while I am over here." + +"Nikasti was entirely Fischer's affair," Van Teyl replied, "and I can't +say much about him as I have given up my share of the apartments at the +Plaza. The fellow's all right, I dare say, but we hadn't the slightest +use for a valet. The man on the floor's good enough for any one." + +"By the bye," Lutchester inquired, "is Fischer still in New York?" + +"No, he's in Washington," Van Teyl replied. "I believe he's expected +back to-morrow.... Say, can I ask you a question?" + +Lutchester almost imperceptibly drew his chair a little closer. + +"Of course you can," he assented. + +"What I want to know," Van Teyl continued confidentially, "is how you +get that long run on your cleek shots? I saw you play the sixteenth +hole, and it looked to me as though the ball were never going to stop." + +Lutchester smiled. + +"I have made a special study of that shot," he confided. "Yes, I can +tell you how it's done, but it needs a lot of practice. It's done in +turning over the wrists sharply just at the moment of impact. You get +everything there is to be got into the stroke that way, and you keep +the ball low, too." + +"Gee, I must try that!" Van Teyl observed, making spasmodic movements +with his wrists. "When could we have a day down at Baltusrol?" + +"It will have to be next week, I'm afraid, if you don't mind," +Lutchester replied. "I've a good many appointments in New York, and I +may have to go to Washington myself. By the bye, I thought our host +lived there." + +"So he does," Van Teyl assented. "Nowadays, though, it seems to have +become the fashion for politicians to own a house up in New York and do +some entertaining here. They're after the financial interest, I +suppose." + +"Is your uncle a keen politician?" + +"Keen as mustard," Van Teyl answered. "So's my aunt. She'd give her +soul to have the old man nominated for the Presidency." + +"Any chance of it?" + +"Not an earthly! He'll come a mucker, though, some day, trying. He'd +take any outside chance. For a clever man he's the vainest thing I +know." + +Lutchester smiled enigmatically as he followed the example of the +others and rose to his feet. + +"Even in America, then," he observed, "your great men have their +weaknesses." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + + +Fischer, exactly one week after his nocturnal visit to Fourteenth +Street, hurried out of the train at the Pennsylvania Station, almost +tore the newspapers from the news stand, glanced through them one by +one and threw them back. The attendant, open-mouthed, ventured upon a +mild protest. Fischer threw him a dollar bill, caught up his handbag, +and made for the entrance. He was the first passenger from the +Washington Limited to reach the street and spring into a taxi. + +"The Plaza Hotel," he ordered. "Get along." + +They arrived at the Plaza in less than ten minutes. Mr. Fischer tipped +the driver lavishly, suffered the hall porter to take his bag, returned +his greeting mechanically, and walked with swift haste to the tape +machine. He held up the strips with shaking fingers, dropped them +again, hurried to the lift, and entered his rooms. Nikasti was in the +sitting-room, arranging some flowers. Fischer did not even stop to +reply to his reverential greeting. + +"Where's Mr. Van Teyl?" he demanded. + +"Mr. Van Teyl has gone away, sir," was the calm reply. "He left here +the day before yesterday. There is a letter." + +Fischer took no notice. He was already gripping the telephone receiver. + +"982, Wall," he said--"an urgent call." + +He stood waiting, his face an epitome of breathless suspense. Soon a +voice answered him. + +"That the office of Neville, Brooks and Van Teyl?" he demanded. "Yes! +Put me through to Mr. Van Teyl. Urgent!" + +Another few seconds of waiting, then once more he bent over the +instrument. + +"That you, Van Teyl?... Yes, Fischer speaking. Oh, never mind about +that! Listen. What price are Anglo-French?... No, say about what?... +Ninety-five?... Sell me a hundred thousand.... What's that?... What?... +Of course it's a big deal! Never mind that. I'm good enough, aren't I? +There'll be no rise that'll wipe out half a million dollars. I've got +that lying in cash at Guggenheimer's. If you need the money, I'll bring +it you in half an hour. Get out into the market and sell. Damn you, +what's it matter about news! Right! Sorry, Jim. See you later." + +Fischer put down the telephone and wiped his forehead. Notwithstanding +the fatigue in his face, there was a glint of triumph there. He laid +his hand upon Nikasti's shoulder. + +"My friend," he said, "there's big proof coming of what I said to you +the other day. You'll find that letter you carry will mean a different +thing now. There's news in the air." + +"There has been a great battle, perhaps?" Nikasti asked slowly. + +"All that is to be known you will hear before evening," Fischer +replied. "Tell some one to send me some coffee. I have come through +from Washington. I am tired." + +He sank a little abruptly into an easy-chair, took off his spectacles, +and leaned his head back upon the cushions. In the sunlight his face +was almost ghastly. A queer sense of weakness had suddenly assailed +him. His mind flitted back through a vista of sleepless nights, of +strenuous days, of passions held in leash, excitement ground down. + +"I am tired," he said. "Telephone down to the office, Nikasti, for a +doctor." + +Nikasti obeyed, and his summons was promptly answered. The doctor who +arrived was pleasantly but ominously grave. In the middle of his +examination the telephone rang. Fischer, without ceremony, moved to the +receiver. It was Van Teyl speaking. + +"I've sold your hundred thousand Anglo-French," he announced. "It's +done the whole market in, though--knocked the bottom out of it. They've +fallen a point and a half. Shall I begin to buy back for you? You'll +make a bit." + +"Not a share," Fischer answered fiercely. "Wait!" + +"Have you any news you're keeping up your sleeve?" Van Teyl persisted. + +"If I have, it's my own affair," was the curt reply, "and I don't tell +news over the telephone, anyway. Watch the market, and go on selling +where you can." + +"I shall do as you order," Van Teyl replied, "but you're all against +the general tone here. By the bye, you got my letter?" + +"I haven't opened it yet," Fischer snapped. "What's the matter?" + +"Pamela and I have taken a little flat in Fifty-eighth Street. Seems a +little abrupt, but she didn't want to be alone, and she hates hotels. +We felt sure you'd understand." + +"Yes, I understand," Fischer said. "Good-by! I'm busy." + +The doctor completed his examination. When he had finished he mentioned +his fee. + +"You work too hard, and you live in an atmosphere of too great strain. +The natural consequences are already beginning to show themselves. If I +give you medicine, it will only encourage you to keep on wasting +yourself, but you can have medicine if you like." + +"Send me something to take for the next fortnight," Fischer replied. +"After that, I'll take my chance." + +The doctor wrote a prescription and took his leave. Fischer leaned back +in his chair and closed his eyes. His mind travelled back through these +latter days of his over-strenuous life. In such minutes of relaxation, +few of which he permitted himself, he realised with bitter completeness +the catastrophe which had overtaken him--him, Oscar Fischer, of all men +on earth. Into his life of grim purposes, of lofty and yet narrow +ambitions, of almost superhuman tenacity, had crept the one weakening +strain whose presence in other men he had always scoffed at and +derived. There was a new and enervating glamour over the days, a new +and hatefully powerful rival for all his thoughts and dreams. Ten years +ago, he reflected sadly, this might have made a different man of him, +might have unlocked the gates into another, more peaceful and beautiful +world, visions of which had sometimes vaguely disturbed him in his cold +and selfish climb. Now it could only mean suffering. This was the first +stroke. It was the assertion of humanity which was responsible for his +present weakness. How far might it not drag him down? + +There should be a fight, at any rate, he told himself, as an hour or +two later he made his way downtown. He paid several calls in the +vicinity of Wall Street, and finished up in Van Teyl's office. That +young man greeted him with a certain relief. + +"You know the tone of the market's still against you, Fischer," he +warned him once more. + +Fischer threw himself into the client's easy-chair. The furniture in +the office seemed less distinct than usual. He was conscious of a +certain haziness of outline in everything. Van Teyl's face, even, was +shrouded in a little mist. Then he suddenly found himself fighting +fiercely, fighting for his consciousness, fighting against a wave of +giddiness, a deadly sinking of the heart, a strange slackening of all +his nerve power. The young stockbroker rose hastily to his feet. + +"Anything wrong, old fellow?" he asked anxiously. + +"A glass of water," Fischer begged. + +He was conscious of drinking it, vaguely conscious that he was winning. +Soon the office had regained its ordinary appearance, his pulse was +beating more regularly. He had once more the feeling of living--of +living, though in a minor key. + +"A touch of liver," he murmured. "What did you say about the markets?" + +"You look pretty rotten," Van Teyl remarked sympathetically. "Shall I +send out for some brandy?" + +"Not for me," Fischer scoffed. "I don't need it. What price are +Anglo-French?" + +"Ninety-four. You've only done them in a point, after all, and that's +nominal. I daresay I could get ten thousand back at that." + +"Let them alone," was the calm reply. "I'll sell another fifty thousand +at ninety-four." + +"Look here," Van Teyl said, swinging round in his chair, "I like the +business and I know you can finance it, but are you sure that you +realise what you are doing? Every one believes Anglo-French have +touched their bottom. They've only to go back to where they were--say +five points--and you'd lose half a million." + +Fischer smiled a little wearily. + +"That small sum in arithmetic," he remonstrated, "had already passed +through my brain. Send in your selling order, Jim, and come out to +lunch with me. I've come straight through from Washington--only got in +this morning." + +Van Teyl called in his clerk and gave a few orders. Then he took up his +hat and left the office with his client. + +"From Washington, eh?" he remarked curiously, as they passed into the +crowded streets. "So that accounts--" + +He broke off abruptly. His companion's warning fingers had tightened +upon his arm. + +"Quite right!" Van Teyl confessed. "There's gossip enough about now, +and they seem to have tumbled to it that you're our client. The office +has been besieged this morning. Sorry, Ned, I'm busy," he went on, to a +man who tried to catch his arm. "See you later, Fred. I'll be in after +lunch, Mr. Borrodaile. No, nothing fresh that I know of." + +Fischer smiled grimly. + +"Got you into a kind of hornets' nest, eh?" he observed. + +"It's been like this all the morning," Van Teyl told him. "They believe +I know something. Even the newspaper men are tumbling to it. We'll +lunch up at the club. Maybe we'll get a little peace there." + +They stepped into the hall of a great building, and took one of the +interminable row of lifts. A few minutes later they were seated at a +side table in a dining room on the top floor of one of the huge modern +skyscrapers. Below them stretched a silent panorama of the city; +beyond, a picturesque view of the river. A fresh breeze blew in through +the opened window. They were above the noise, even, of the street cars. + +"Order me a small bottle of champagne, James," Fischer begged, "and +some steak." + +Van Teyl stared at his companion and laughed as he took up the wine +list. + +"Well, that's the first time, Fischer, I've known you to touch a drop +of anything before the evening! I'll have a whisky and soda with you. +Thank God we're away from that inquisitive crowd for a few minutes! Are +you going to give me an idea of what's moving?" + +Fischer watched the wine being poured into his glass. + +"Not until this evening," he said. "I want you to bring your sister and +come and dine at the new roof-garden." + +"I don't know whether Pamela has any engagement," Van Teyl began, a +little dubiously. + +"Please go and see," Fischer begged earnestly. "The telephones are just +outside. Tell your sister that I particularly wish her to accept my +invitation. Tell her that there will be news." + +Van Teyl went out to the telephone. Fischer sipped his champagne and +crumbled up his bread, his eyes fixed a little dreamily on the grey +river. He was already conscious of the glow of the wine in his veins. +The sensation was half pleasurable, in a sense distasteful to him. He +resented this artificial humanity. He had the feeling of a man who has +stooped to be doped by a quack doctor. And he was a little afraid. + +His young companion returned triumphant. + +"Had a little trouble with Pamela," he observed, as he resumed his +place at the table. "She was thinking of the opera with a girl friend +she picked up this morning. However, the idea of news, I think, +clinched it. We'll be at the Oriental at eight o'clock, eh?" + +Fischer looked up from the fascinating patchwork below. Already there +was anticipation in his face. + +"I am very glad," he said. "There will certainly be news." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + + +"Now indeed I feel that I am in New York," Pamela declared, as she +broke off one of the blossoms of the great cluster of deep red roses by +her side, and gazed downward over her shoulder at the far-flung carpet +of lights. "One sees little bits of America in every country of the +world, but never this." + +Fischer, unusually grave and funereal-looking in his dinner clothes and +black tie, followed her gesture with thoughtful eyes. Everything that +was ugly in the stretching arms of the city seemed softened, shrouded +and bejewelled. Even the sounds, the rattle and roar of the overhead +railways, the clanging of the electric car bells, the shrieking of the +sirens upon the river, seemed somehow to have lost their harsh note, to +have become the human cry of the great live city, awaking and +stretching itself for the night. + +"I agree with you," he said. "You dine at the Ritz-Carlton and you +might be in Paris. You dine here, and one knows that you are in +America." + +"Yet even here we have become increasingly luxurious," Pamela remarked, +looking around. "The glass and linen upon the tables are quite French; +those shaded lights are exquisite. That little band, too, was playing +at the Ritz three years ago. I am sure that the maitre d'hotel who +brought us to our table was once at the Cafe de Paris." + +"Money would draw all those things from Europe even to the Sahara," +Fischer observed, "so long as there were plenty of it. But millions +could not buy our dining table in the clouds." + +"A little effort of the imagination, fortunately," Pamela laughed, +looking upwards. "There are stars, but no clouds." + +"I guess one of them is going to slip down to the next table before +long," Van Teyl observed, with a little movement of his head. + +They all three turned around and looked at the wonderful bank of pink +roses within a few feet of them. + +"One of the opera women, I daresay," the young man continued. "They are +rather fond of this place." + +Pamela leaned forward. Fischer was watching the streets below; Only a +short distance away was a huge newspaper building, flaring with lights. +The pavements fringing it were thronged with a little stationary crowd. +A row of motor-bicycles was in waiting. A night edition of the paper +was almost due. + +"Mr. Fischer," she asked, "what about that news?" + +He withdrew his eyes from the street. Almost unconsciously he +straightened himself a little in his place. There was pride in his +tone. Behind his spectacles his eyes flashed. + +"I would have told it you before," he said, "but you would not have +believed it. Soon--in a very few moments--the news will be known. You +will see it break away in waves from that building down there, so I +will bear with your incredulity. The German and British fleets have +met, and the victory has remained with us." + +"With us?" Pamela repeated. + +"With Germany," Fischer corrected himself hastily. + +"Is this true?" James Van Teyl almost shouted. "Fischer, are you sure +of what you're saying? Why, it's incredible!" + +"It is true," was the proud reply. "The German Navy has been a long +time proving itself. It has done so now. To-day every German citizen is +the proudest creature breathing. He knew before that his armies were +invincible. He knows now that his fleet is destined to make his country +the mistress of the seas. England's day is over. Her ships were badly +handled and foolishly flung into battle. She has lost many of her +finest units. Her Navy is to-day a crippled and maimed force. The +German fleet is out in the North Sea, waiting for an enemy who has +disappeared." + +"It is inconceivable," Pamela gasped. + +"I do not ask you to believe my word," Fischer exclaimed. "Look!" + +As though the flood gates had been suddenly opened, the stream of +patient waiters broke away from the newspaper building below. Like +little fireflies, the motor-bicycles were tearing down the different +thoroughfares. Boys like ants, with their burden of news sheets, were +running in every direction. Motor-trucks had started on their furious +race. Even the distant echoes of their cries came faintly up. Fischer +called a messenger and sent him for a paper. + +"I do not know what report you will see," he said, "but from whatever +source it comes it will confirm my story. The news is too great and +sweeping to be contradicted or ignored." + +"If it's true," Van Teyl muttered, "you've made a fortune in my office +to-day. It looks like it, too. There was something wrong with +Anglo-French beside your selling for the last hour this afternoon. I +couldn't get buyers to listen for a moment." + +"Yes, I shall have made a great deal of money," Fischer admitted, +"money which I shall value because it comes magnificently, but I hope +that this victory may help me to win other things." + +He looked fixedly at Pamela, and she moved uneasily in her chair. +Almost unconsciously the man himself seemed somehow associated with his +cause, to be assuming a larger and more tolerant place in her thoughts. +Perhaps there was some measure of greatness about him after all. The +strain of waiting for the papers became almost intolerable. At last the +boy reappeared. The great black headlines were stretched out before +her. She felt the envelopment of Fischer's triumph. The words were +there in solid type, and the paper itself was one of the most reliable. + +GREAT NAVAL BATTLE IN THE NORTH SEA. + +BRITISH ADMIRALTY ADMITS SERIOUS LOSSES. + +"QUEEN MARY," "INDEFATIGABLE," AND MANY FINE SHIPS LOST. + +Pamela looked up from the sheet. + +"It is too wonderful," she whispered, with a note of awe in her tone. +"I don't think that any one ever expected this. We all believed in the +British Navy." + +"There is nothing," Fischer declared, "that England can do which +Germany cannot do better." + +"And America best of all," Pamela said. + +Fischer bowed. + +"That is one comparison which will never now be made," he declared, +"for from to-night Germany and America will draw nearer together. The +bubble of British naval omnipotence is pricked." + +"Meanwhile," Van Teyl observed, putting his paper away, "we are +neglecting our dinner. Nothing like a good dose of sensationalism for +giving us an appetite." + +Fischer was watching his glass being filled with champagne. He seized +it by the stem. His eyes for a moment travelled upwards. + +"I am an American citizen," he said, with a strange fervour in his +tone, "but for the moment I am called back. And so I lift my glass and +I drink--I alone, without invitation to you others--to those brave +souls who have made of the North Sea a holy battle-ground." + +He drained his glass and set it down empty. Pamela watched him as +though fascinated. For a single moment she was conscious of a queer +sensation of personal pity for some shadowy and absent friend, of +something almost like a lump in her throat, a strange instinct of +antagonism towards the man by her side so enveloped in beatific +satisfaction--then she frowned when she realised that she had been +thinking of Lutchester, that her first impulse had been one of sympathy +for him. The moment passed. The service of dinner was pressed more +insistently upon them. James Van Teyl, who had been leaning back in his +chair, talking to one of the maitres d'hotel, dismissed him with a +little nod and entrusted them with a confidence. + +"Say, do you know who's coming to the next table?" he exclaimed. +"Sonia!" + +They were all interested. + +"You won't mind?" Fischer asked diffidently. + +"In a restaurant, how absurd!" Pamela laughed. "Why, I'm dying to see +her. I wonder how it is that some of these greatest singers in the +world lead such extraordinary lives that people can never know anything +of them." + +"Society is tolerant enough nowadays," her brother observed, "but Sonia +won't give them even a decent chance to wink at her eccentricities. She +crossed, you know, on the Prince Doronda's yacht, for fear they +wouldn't let her land." + +"Here she comes," Pamela whispered. + +There was a moment's spellbound silence. Two maitres d'hotel were +hurrying in front. A pathway from the lift had been cleared as though +for a royal personage. Sonia, in white from head to foot, a dream of +white lace and chinchilla, with a Russian crown of pearls in her glossy +black hair, and a rope of pearls around her neck, came like a waxen +figure, with scarlet lips and flashing eyes, towards her table. And +behind her--Lutchester! Pamela felt her fingers gripping the +tablecloth. Her first impulse, curiously enough, was one of wild fury +with herself for that single instant's pity. Her face grew cold and +hard. She felt herself sitting a little more upright. Her eyes remained +fixed upon the newcomers. + +Lutchester's behaviour was admirable. His glance swept their little +table without even a shadow of interest. He ignored with passive +unconcern the mistake of Van Teyl's attempted greeting. He looked +through Fischer as though he had been a ghost. He stood by Sonia's side +while she seated herself, and listened with courteous pleasure to her +excited admiration of the flowers and the wonderful vista. Then he took +his own place. In his right hand he was carrying an evening paper with +its flaming headlines. + +"That," Fischer pronounced, struggling to keep the joy from his tone, +"is very British and very magnificent!" + + * * * * * + +Pamela had imperfect recollections of the rest of the evening. She +remembered that she was more than usually gay throughout dinner-time, +but that she was the first to jump at the idea of a hurried departure +and a visit to a cabaret. Every now and then she caught a glimpse of +Sonia's face, saw the challenging light in her brilliant eyes, heard +little scraps of her conversation. The Frenchwoman spoke always in her +own language, with a rather shrill voice, which made Lutchester's +replies sound graver and quieter than usual. More than once Pamela's +eyes rested upon the broad lines of his back. He sat all the time like +a rock, courteous, at times obviously amusing, but underneath it all +she fancied that she saw some signs of the disturbance from which she +herself was suffering. She rose to her feet at last with a little sigh +of relief. It was an ordeal through which she had passed. + +Once in the lift, her brother and Fischer discussed Lutchester's +indiscretion volubly. + +"I suppose," Van Teyl declared, "that there isn't a man in New York who +wouldn't have jumped at the chance of dining alone with Sonia, but for +an Englishman, on a night like this," he went on, glancing at the +paper, "say, he must have some nerve!" + +"Or else," Fischer remarked, "a wonderful indifference. So far as I +have studied the Anglo-Saxon temperament, I should be inclined to vote +for the indifference. That is why I think Germany will win the war. +Every man in that country prays for his country's success, not only in +words, but with his soul. I have not found the same spirit in England." + +"The English people," Pamela interposed, "have a genius for concealment +which amounts to stupidity." + +"I have a theory," Fischer said, "that to be phlegmatic after a certain +pitch is a sign of low vitality. However, we shall see. Certainly, if +England is to be saved from her present trouble, it will not be the +Lutchesters of the world who will do it, nor, it seems, her Navy." + +They found their way to a large cabaret, where Pamela listened to an +indifferent performance a little wearily. The news of what was termed a +naval disaster to Great Britain was flashed upon the screen, and, +generally speaking, the audience was stunned. Fischer behaved +throughout the evening with tact and discretion. He made few references +to the matter, and was careful not to indulge in any undue +exhilaration. Once, when Van Teyl had left the box, however, to speak +to some friends, he turned earnestly to Pamela. + +"Will it please you soon," he begged, "to resume our conversation of +the other day? However you may look at it, things have changed, have +they not? An invincible British Navy has been one of the fundamental +principles of beliefs in American politics. Now that it is destroyed, +the outlook is different. I could go myself to the proper quarter in +Washington, or Von Schwerin is here to be my spokesman. I have a fancy, +though, to work with you. You know why." + +She moved uneasily in her place. + +"I have no idea," she objected, "what it is that you have to propose. +Besides, I am only just a woman who has been entrusted with a few +diplomatic errands." + +"You are the niece of Senator Hastings," Fischer reminded her, "and +Hastings is the man through whom I should like my proposal to go to the +President. It is an honest offer which I have to make, and although it +cannot pass through official channels, it is official in the highest +sense of the word, because it comes to me from the one man who is in a +position to make himself responsible for it." + +Her brother came back to the box before Pamela could reply, but, as +they parted that night, she gave Fischer her hand. + +"Come and see our new quarters," she invited. "I shall be at home any +time to-morrow afternoon." + +It was one of the moments of Fischer's life. He bowed low over her +fingers. + +"I accept, with great pleasure," he murmured. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + + +Sonia had the air of one steeped in an almost ecstatic content. On her +return from the roof garden she had exchanged her wonderful gown for a +white silk negligee, and her headdress of pearls for a quaint little +cap. She was stretched upon a sofa drawn before the wide-flung French +windows of her little sitting-room at the Ritz-Carlton, a salon +decorated in pink and white, and filled almost to overflowing with the +roses which she loved. By her side, in an easy chair which she had +pressed him to draw up to her couch, sat Lutchester. + +"This," she murmured, "is one of the evenings which I adore. I have no +work, no engagements--just one friend with whom to talk. My fine +clothes have done. I am myself," she added, stretching out her arms. "I +have my cigarettes, my iced sherbet, and the lights and murmur of the +city there below to soothe me. And you to talk with me, my friend. What +are you thinking of me--that I am a little animal who loves comfort too +much, eh?" + +Lutchester smiled. + +"We all love comfort," he replied. "Some of us are franker than others +about it." + +She made a little grimace. + +"Comfort! It is my own word, but what a word! It is luxury I +worship--luxury--and a friend. Is that, perhaps, another +word too slight, eh?" + +He met the provocative gleam of her eyes with a smile of amusement. + +"You are just the same child, Sonia," he remarked. "Neither climate nor +country, nor the few passing years, can change you." + +"It is you who have grown older and sterner," she pouted. "It is you who +have lost the gift of living to-day as though to-morrow were not. There +was a time, was there not, John, when you did not care to sit always so +far away?" + +She laid her hand--ringless, over-manicured, but delicately white---- +upon his. He smoothed it gently. + +"You see, Sonia," he sighed, "troubles have come that harden the hearts +even of the gayest of us." + +She frowned. + +"You are not going to remind me--" she began. + +"If I reminded you of anything, Sonia," he interrupted, "I would remind +you that you are a Frenchwoman." + +She stretched out her hand restlessly and took one of the Russian +cigarettes from a bowl by her side. + +"You are not, by any chance, going to talk seriously, dear John?" + +"I am," he assured her, "very seriously." + +"Oh, la, la!" she laughed. "You, my dear, gay companion, you who have +shaken the bells all your life, you are going to talk seriously! And +to-night, when we meet again after so long. Ah, well, why should I be +surprised?" she went on, with a pout. + +"You have changed. When one looks into your face, one sees the +difference. But to me, of all people in the world! Why talk seriously +to me! I am just Sonia, the gipsy nightingale. I know nothing of +serious things." + +"You carry one very serious secret in your heart," he told her gravely, +"one little pain which must sometimes stab you. You are a Frenchwoman, +and yet--" + +Lutchester paused for a moment. Sonia, too, seemed suddenly to have +awakened into a state of tense and vivid emotion. The cigarette burned +away between her fingers. Her great eyes were fixed upon Lutchester. +There was something almost like fear in their questioning depths. + +"Finish! Finish!" she insisted. "Continue!" + +"And yet," he went on, "your very dear friend, the friend for whose +sake you are here in America, is your country's enemy." + +She raised herself a little upon the couch. + +"That is not true," she declared furiously. "Maurice loves France. His +heart aches for the misery that has come upon her. It is your country +only which he hates. If France had but possessed the courage to stand +by herself, to resist when England forced her friendship upon her, none +of this tragedy would ever have happened. Maurice has told me so +himself. France could have peace today, peace at her own price." + +"There is no peace which would leave France with a soul, save the peace +which follows victory," Lutchester replied sternly. + +She crushed her cigarette nervously in her fingers, threw it away, and +lit another. + +"I will not talk of these things with you," she cried. "It was not for +this that you sought me out, eh? Tell me at once? Were these the +thoughts you had in your mind when you sent your little note?--when you +chose to show yourself once more in my life?" + +For the first time of his own accord, he drew his chair a little nearer +to hers. He took her hand. She gave him both unresistingly. + +"Listen, dear Sonia," he said, "it is true that I am a changed man. I +am older than when we met last, and there are the other things. You +remember the Chateau d'Albert?" + +"Of course!" she murmured. "And the young Duc d'Albert's wonderful +house party. We all motored there from Paris. You and I were together! +You have forgotten that, eh?" + +"I lay in that orchard for two days," he went on grimly, "with a hole +in my side and one leg pretty nearly done for. I saw things I can never +forget, in those days, Sonia. D'Albert himself was killed. It was in +that first mad rush. Of the Chateau there remains but four blackened +walls." + +"_Pauvre enfant_!" she murmured. "But you are well and strong again +now, is it not so? You will not fight again, eh? You were never a +soldier, dear friend." + +"Just now," he confided, "I have other work to do. It is that other +work which has brought me to America." + +She drew him a little closer to her. Her eyes questioned him. + +"There is, perhaps, now," she asked, "a woman in your life?" + +"There is," he admitted. + +She made a grimace. + +"But how clumsy to tell me, even though I asked," she exclaimed. "What +is she like? ... But no, I do not wish to hear of her! If she is all +the world to you, why did you send me that little note? Why are you +here?" + +"Because we were once dear friends, Sonia," he said, "because I wish to +save you from great trouble." + +She shrank from him a little fearfully. + +"What do you mean?" + +"Sonia," he continued, with a note of sternness in his tone, "during +the last two years you have gone back and forth between New York and +Paris, six times. I do not think that you can make that journey again." + +She was standing now, with one hand gripping the edge of the table. + +"John! ... John! ... What do you mean?" she demanded, and this time her +own voice was hard. + +"I mean," he said, "that when you leave here for Paris you will be +watched day and night. The moment you set foot upon French soil you +will be arrested and searched. If anything is found upon you, such as a +message from your friend in Washington--well, you know what it would +mean. Can't you see, you foolish child, the risk you have been running? +Would you care to be branded as a spy?--you, a daughter of France?" + +She struck at him. Her lace sleeves had fallen back, and her white arm, +with its little clenched fist, flashed through the twilight, aimlessly +yet passionately. + +"You dare to call me a spy! You, John?" she shrieked. "But it is +horrible." + +"It is the work of a spy," he told her gravely, "to bring a letter from +any person in a friendly capital and deliver it to an enemy. That is +what you have done, Sonia, many times since the beginning of the war, +so far without detection. It is because you are Sonia that I have come +to save you from doing it again." + +She groped her way back to the couch. She threw herself upon it with +her back towards him, her head buried in her hands. + +"The letters are only between friends," she faltered. "They have +nothing to do with the war." + +"You may have believed that," Lutchester replied gently, "but it is not +true. You have been made the bearer of confidential communications from +the Austrian Embassy here to certain people in Paris whom we will not +name. I have pledged my word, Sonia, that this shall cease." + +She sprang to her feet. All the feline joy of her languorous ease +seemed to have departed. She was quivering and nervous. She stood over +her writing-table. + +"A telegraph blank!" she exclaimed. "Quick! I will not see Maurice +again. Oh, how I have suffered! This shall end it. See, I have written +'Good-by!' He will understand. If he comes, I will not see him. Ring +the bell quickly. There--it is finished!" + +A page-boy appeared, and she handed him the telegram. Then she turned a +little pathetically to Lutchester. + +"Maurice was foolish--very often foolish," she went on unsteadily, "but +he has loved me, and a woman loves love so much. Now I shall be lonely. +And yet, there is a great weight gone from my mind. Always I wondered +about those letters. You will be my friend, John? You will not leave me +all alone?" + +He patted her hand. + +"Dear Sonia," he whispered, "solitude is not the worst thing one has to +bear, these days. Try and remember, won't you, that all the men who +might have loved you are fighting for your country, one way or +another." + +"It is all so sad," she faltered, "and you--you are so stern and +changed." + +"It is with me only as it is with the whole world," he told her. +"To-night, though, you have relieved me of one anxiety." + +Her eyes once more were for a moment frightened. + +"There was danger for poor little me?" + +He nodded. + +"It is past," he assured her. + +"And it is you who have saved me," she murmured. "Ah, Mr. John," she +added, as she walked with him to the door, "if ever there comes to me a +lover, not for the days only but _pour la vie,_ I hope that he may be +an Englishman like you, whom all the world trusts." + +He laughed and raised her fingers to his lips. + +"Over-faithful, you called us once," he reminded her. + +"But that was when I was a child," she said, "and in days like these we +are children no longer." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + + +Lutchester left Sonia and the Ritz-Carlton a few minutes before +midnight, to find a great yellow moon overhead, which seemed to have +risen somewhere at the back of Central Park. The broad thoroughfare up +which he turned seemed to have developed a new and unfamiliar beauty. +The electric lamps shone with a pale and almost unnatural glow. The +flashing lights of the automobiles passing up and down were almost +whimsically unnecessary. Lutchester walked slowly up Fifth Avenue in +the direction of his hotel. + +Something--the beauty of the night, perhaps, or some faint aftermath of +sentimentality born of Sonia's emotion--tempted him during those few +moments to relax. He threw aside his mask and breathed the freer for +it. Once more he was a human being, treading the streets of a real +city, his feet very much upon the earth, his heart full of the simplest +things. All the scheming of the last few days was forgotten, the great +issues, the fine yet devious way to be steered amidst the rocks which +beset him; even the depression of the calamitous news from the North +Sea passed away. He was a very simple human being, and he was in love. +It was all so unpractical, so illusionary, and yet so real. Events, +actual happenings--he thrust all thoughts of these away from his mind. +What she might be thinking of him at the moment he ignored. He was +content to let his thoughts rest upon her, to walk through the moonlit +street, his brain and heart revelling in that subtle facility of the +imagination which brought her so easily to his presence. It was such a +vividly real Pamela, too, who spoke and walked and moved by his side. +His memory failed him nowhere, followed faithfully the kaleidoscopic +changes in her face and tone, showed him even that long, grateful, +searching glance when their eyes had met in Von Teyl's sitting-room. +There had been times when she had shown clearly enough that she was +anxious to understand, anxious to believe in him. He clung to the +memory of these; pushed into the background that faint impression he +had had of her at the roof-garden, serene and proud, yet with a faint +look of something like pain in her startled eyes. + +A large limousine passed him slowly, crawling up Fifth Avenue. +Lutchester, with all his gifts of observation dormant, took no notice +of its occupant, who leaned forward, raised the speaking-tube to his +lips, and talked for a moment to his chauffeur. The car glided round a +side street and came to a standstill against the curb. Its solitary +passenger stepped quietly out and entered a restaurant. The chauffeur +backed the car a little, slipped from his place, and followed +Lutchester. + +By chance the little throng of people here became thicker for a few +moments and then ceased. Lutchester drew a little sigh of relief as he +saw before him almost an empty pavement. Then, just as he was relapsing +once more into thought, some part of his subconscious instinct suddenly +leaped into warning life. Without any actual perception of what it +might mean, he felt the thrill of imminent danger, connected it with +that soft footfall behind him, and swung round in time to seize a +deadly uplifted hand which seemed to end in a shimmer of dull steel. +His assailant flung himself upon Lutchester with the lithe ferocity of +a cat, clinging to his body, twisting and turning his arm to wrest it +free. It was a matter of seconds only before his intended victim, with +a fierce backward twist, broke the man's wrist and, wrenching himself +free from the knees which clung around him, flung him forcibly against +the railings which bordered the pavement. Lutchester paused for a +moment to recover his breath and looked around. A man from the other +side of the street was running towards them, but no one else seemed to +have noticed the struggle which had begun and finished in less than +thirty seconds. The man, who was half-way across the thoroughfare, +suddenly stopped short. He shouted a warning to Lutchester, who swung +around. His late assailant, who had been lying motionless, had raised +himself slightly, with a revolver clenched in his left hand. +Lutchester's spring on one side saved his life, for the bullet passed +so close to his cheek that he felt the rush and heat of the air. The +man in the center of the road was busy shouting an alarm vociferously, +and other people on both sides of the thoroughfare were running up. +Lutchester's eyes now never left the dark, doubled-up figure upon the +pavement. His whole body was tense. He was prepared at the slightest +movement to spring in upon his would-be murderer. The man's eyes seemed +to be burning in his white face. He called out to Lutchester hoarsely. + +"Don't move or I shall shoot!" + +He looked up and down the street. One of the nearest of the hastening +figures was a policeman. He turned the revolver against his own temple +and pulled the trigger.... + +Lutchester and a policeman walked slowly back along Fifth Avenue. +Behind them, a little crowd was still gathered around the spot from +which the body of the dead man had already been removed in an +ambulance. + +"I really remember nothing," Lutchester told his companion, "until I +heard the footsteps behind me, and, turning round, saw the knife. This +is simply an impression of mine--that he might have descended from the +car which passed me and stopped just round the corner of that street." + +"He's a chauffeur, right enough," the inspector remarked. "It don't +seem to have been a chance job, either. Looks as though he meant doing +you in. Got any enemies?" + +"None that I know of," Lutchester answered cautiously. "Why, the car's +there still," he added, as they reached the corner. + +"And no chauffeur," the other muttered. + +The officer searched the car and drew out a license from the flap +pocket. The commissionaire from the restaurant approached them. + +"Say, what are you doing with that car?" he demanded. + +"Better fetch the gentleman to whom it belongs," the inspector +directed. + +"What's up, anyway?" the man persisted. + +"You do as you're told," was the sharp reply. + +The commissionaire disappeared. The officer studied the license which +he had just opened. + +"What's the name?" Lutchester inquired. + +The man hesitated for a moment, then passed it over. + +"Oscar H. Fischer," he said. "Happen to know the name?" + +Lutchester's face was immovable. He passed the license back again. They +both turned round. Mr. Fischer had issued from the restaurant. + +"What's wrong?" he asked hastily. "The commissionaire says you want me, +Mr. Officer?" + +The inspector produced his pocketbook. + +"Just want to ask you a few questions about your chauffeur, sir." + +Fischer glanced at the driver's seat of the car, as though aware of the +man's disappearance for the first time. + +"What's become of the fellow?" he inquired. + +"Shot himself," the inspector replied, "after a deliberate attempt to +murder this gentleman." + +Mr. Fischer's composure was admirable. There was a touch of gravity +mingled with his bewilderment. Nevertheless, he avoided meeting +Lutchester's eyes. + +"You horrify me!" he exclaimed. "Why, the fellow's only been driving +for me for a few hours." + +"That so?" the officer remarked, with a grunt. "Get any references with +him?" + +"As a matter of fact, I did not," Fischer admitted frankly. "I +discharged my chauffeur yesterday, at a moment's notice, and this man +happened to call just as I was wanting the car out this afternoon. He +promised to bring me references to-morrow from Mr. Gould and others. I +engaged him on that understanding. He told me that his name was Kay-- +Robert Kay. That is all that I know about him, except that he was an +excellent driver. I am exceedingly sorry Mr. Lutchester," he went on, +turning towards him, "that this should have happened." + +"So you two know one another, eh?" the officer observed. + +"Oh, yes, we know one another!" Lutchester admitted drily. + +"I shall have to ask you both for your names and addresses," the +official continued. "I think I won't ask you any more questions at +present. Seems to me headquarters had better take this on." + +"I shall be quite at your service," Lutchester promised. + +The man made a few more notes, saluted, and took his leave. Fischer and +Lutchester remained for a moment upon the pavement. + +"It is a dangerous custom," Lutchester remarked, "to take a servant +without a reference." + +"It will be a warning to me for the remainder of my life," Fischer +declared. + +"I, too, have learnt something," Lutchester concluded, as he turned +away. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + + +Fischer, as he waited for Pamela the following afternoon in the +sitting-room of her flat on Fifty-eighth Street, felt that although the +practical future of his life might be decided in other places, it was +here that its real climax would be reached. Pamela herself was to +pronounce sentence upon him. He was feeling scarcely at his best. An +examination in the courthouse, which he had imagined would last only a +few minutes, had been protracted throughout the afternoon. The district +attorney had asked him a great many questions, some rather awkward +ones, and the inquiry itself had been almost grudgingly adjourned for a +few hours. And here, in Pamela's sitting-room, the first things which +caught his eye were the headlines of one of the afternoon papers: + +WESTERN MILLIONAIRE ENGAGES +THE GIRL HESTE'S MURDERER +AS CHAUFFEUR! + +ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE +IN FIFTH AVENUE +LAST NIGHT. + +Fischer pushed the newspaper impatiently away, and, in the act of doing +so, the door was opened and Pamela entered. She came towards him with +outstretched hand. + +"I see you are looking at the account of your misdeeds," she said, as +she seated herself behind a tea tray. "Will you tell me why a cautious +man like you engages, without reference, a chauffeur who turns out to +be a murderer?" + +Fischer frowned irritably. + +"For four hours," he complained, "several lawyers and a most +inquisitive police captain have been asking me the same question in a +hundred different ways. I engaged the man because I needed a chauffeur +badly. He was to have brought his references this morning. I was only +trusting him for a matter of a few hours." + +"And during those few hours," she observed, "he seems to have developed +a violent antipathy to Mr. Lutchester." + +"I do not understand the affair at all," Mr. Fischer declared, "and, if +I may say so, I am a little weary of it. I came here to discuss another +matter altogether." + +She leaned back in her place. + +"What have you come to discuss, Mr. Fischer?" + +"That depends so much upon you," he replied. "If you give me any +encouragement, I can put before you a great proposition. If your +prejudices, however, remain as I think they always have been, on the +side of England, why then I can do nothing." + +"If I counted for anything," Pamela said, "I mean to say if it mattered +to any one what my attitude was, I would start by admitting that my +sympathies are somewhat on the side of the Allies. On the other hand, +my sympathies amount to nothing at all compared with my interest in the +welfare of the United States. I am perfectly selfish in that respect." + +"Then you have an open mind to hear what I have to say," Fischer +remarked. "I am glad of it. You encourage me to proceed." + +"That is all very well," Pamela said, stirring her tea, "but I cannot +help asking once more why you come to me at all? What have I to do with +any proposition you may have to make?" + +"Just this," he explained. "I have a serious and authentic proposition +to make to the American Government. I cannot make it officially-- +although it comes from the highest of all sources--for the most obvious +reasons. It may seem better worth listening to to-day, perhaps, than a +week ago, so far as you are concerned. That is because you believed in +British invincibility upon the sea. I never did." + +"Go on, please," Pamela begged. "I am still waiting to realise my +position in all this." + +"I should like," Fischer declared, "my proposition to reach the +President through Senator Hastings, and Senator Hastings is your +uncle." + +"I see," Pamela murmured. + +"My offer itself is a very simple one," Fischer continued. "Your secret +service is so bad that you probably know nothing of what is happening. +Ours, on the other hand, is still marvellously good, and what I am +going to tell you is surely the truth. Japan is accumulating great +wealth. She is saving her ships and men for one purpose, and one purpose +only. Europe could not bribe her highly enough to take a more active part +in this war. Her price was one which could not be paid. She demanded a +free hand with the United States." + +"This," Pamela admitted, "is quite interesting, but it is entirely in +the realms of conjecture, is it not?" + +"Not wholly," Fischer insisted. "At the proper time I should be +prepared to bring you evidence that tentative proposals were made by +Japan to both England and France, asking what would be their attitude, +should she provide them with half a million men and undertake +transport, if at the conclusion of the war she desired a settlement +with the United States. The answer from France and England was the +same--that they could not countenance an inimical attitude towards the +States." + +"You are bound to admit, then," Pamela remarked, "that England played +the game here." + +"The bribe was not big enough," Fischer replied drily. "England would +sell her soul, but not for a mess of pottage. To proceed, however, +Japan has practically kept out of the war. She is enjoying a prosperity +never known before, and for every million pounds' worth of munitions +she exports to Russia, she puts calmly on one side twenty-five per +cent, to accumulate for her own use. At the conclusion of the war she +will be in a position she has never occupied before, and while the rest +of the world is still gasping, she will proceed to carry out what has +been the dream of her life--the invasion of your Western States." + +"I admit that this is plausible," Pamela confessed, "but you are only +pointing out a very obvious danger, for which I imagine that we are +already fairly well prepared." + +"Believe me," Fischer said earnestly, "you are not. It is this fact +which makes the whole situation so vital to you. Later on in our +negotiations, I will show you proof of your danger. Meanwhile, let me +proceed to the offer which I am empowered to make, which comes direct +from the one person in Germany whose word is unshakable." + +Pamela changed her position a little, as though to escape from the +sunlight which was finding its way underneath the broad blinds. Her +eyes were fixed upon her visitor. She listened intently to every word +he had to say. Despite some vague feeling of mistrust, which she +acknowledged to herself might well have been prejudiced, she found the +situation interesting, even stimulating. Her few excursions into the +world of high politics had never brought her into such a position as +this. She felt both flattered and interested--attracted, too, in some +nameless way, by the man's personality, his persistence, his daring, +his whole-heartedness. The situation was instinct with interest to her. + +"But why make it to me?" she murmured. + +"You are to be my delegate," he answered. "Take the substance of what I +say to you, to your uncle. Try, for your country's sake, to interest +him in it. The offer which I make shall save you a vast amount of +sacrifice. It shall save your dislocating the industries of the country +and sowing the seeds of a disturbing and yet inadequate militarism. I +offer you, in short, a German alliance against Japan." + +"The value of that offer," Pamela remarked thoughtfully, "would depend +rather upon the issue of the present war, wouldn't it?" + +Fischer's face darkened. His tone was almost irritable. + +"That is already preordained," he said firmly. "You see, I will be +quite frank with you. Germany has lost her chance of sweeping and +complete victory. The result of the war will be a return to the +status-quo-ante. Yet, believe me, Germany will be strong enough to +settle some of the debts she owes, and the debt to Japan is one of +these." + +"Still, there is the practical question of getting men and ships over +from Germany to America," Pamela persisted. + +"It is already solved," was the swift reply. "At the proper time I will +show you and prove how it can be done. At present, not one word can +pass my lips. It is one of the secrets on which the future of Germany +depends." + +"And the price?" Pamela asked. + +"That America adopts our view as to the high seas traffic," Fischer +replied. "This would mean the stopping of all supplies, munitions and +ammunition from America to England. We offer you an alliance. We ask +only for your real and actual neutrality for the remainder of the war. +We offer a great and substantial advantage, a safeguard for your +country's future, in return for what? Simply that America will pursue +the course of honour and integrity to all nations." + +"America," Pamela declared, "has never failed in this." + +Fischer shrugged his shoulders. + +"There is more than one point of view," he reminded her. "Will you take +my message with you to Washington to-morrow?" + +"Yes," Pamela promised, "I will do that. The rest, of course, remains +with others. I do not myself go so far, even," she added, "as to +declare myself in sympathy with you." + +"And yet," he insisted, with swift violence, "it is your sympathy which +I desire more than anything in the world--your sympathy, your help, +your companionship; a little--a very little at first--of your love." + +"I am afraid that I am not a very satisfactory person from that point +of view," Pamela confessed. "I have a great sympathy with every man who +is really out for the great things, but so far as you are concerned, +Mr. Fischer, or any one else," she went on, after a moment's +hesitation, "I have no personal feeling." + +"That shall come," he declared. + +"Then please wait a little time before you talk to me again like this," +she said, rising and holding out her hand. "At present there is no sign +of it." + +"There is so much that I could offer you," he pleaded, gripping the +hand which she had given him in farewell, "so much that I could do for +your country. Believe me, I am not talking idly." + +"I do believe that," she admitted. "You are a very clever man, Mr. +Fischer, and I think that you represent all that you claim. Perhaps, if +we really do negotiate--" + +"But you must!" he interrupted impatiently. "You must listen to me for +every reason--politically for your country's sake, personally because I +shall offer you and give you happiness and a position you could never +find elsewhere." + +For a moment her eyes seemed to be looking through him, as though some +vision of things outside the room were troubling her. Her finger had +already touched the bell and a servant was standing upon the threshold. + +"We shall meet in Washington," Mr. Fischer concluded, with an air of a +prophet, as he took his leave. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + + +It was within half an hour of closing time that same afternoon when +Lutchester walked into James Van Teyl's office. The young man greeted +him with some surprise. + +"Will you do some business for me?" Lutchester asked, without any +preliminaries. + +"Sure!" + +"How many Anglo-French will you buy for me? I can obtain credit by +cable to-morrow through any bank for twenty or thirty thousand pounds." + +"You want to buy Anglo-French?" Van Teyl repeated softly. + +His visitor nodded. + +"Any news?" + +Lutchester hesitated, and Van Teyl continued with an apologetic +gesture. + +"I beg your pardon. That's not my job, anyway, to ask questions. I'll +buy you twenty-five thousand, if you like. Guess they can't drop much +lower." + +Lutchester sat down. + +"Thank you," he said, "I will wait." + +A little ripple of excitement went through the office as Van Teyl +started his negotiations. It seemed to Lutchester that several +telephones and half a dozen perspiring young men were called into his +service. In the end Van Teyl made out a note and handed it to him. + +"I could have done better for you yesterday," he observed. "The market +is strengthening all the time. There are probably some rumours." + +A boy went by along the pavement outside waving a handful of papers. +His cry floated in through the open window: + +REPORTED LOSS OF MANY MORE GERMAN +BATTLESHIPS. +BRITISH CLAIM VICTORY. + +Van Teyl grinned. + +"You got here just in time," he murmured, "but I suppose you knew all +about this." + +"I have known since three o'clock," Lutchester replied, "that all the +reports of a German victory were false. You will find, when the truth +is known, that the German losses were greater than the British." + +"Then if that's so," Van Teyl remarked, "I've got one client who'll +lose a hatful which you ought to make. Coming up town?" + +"I should like, if I may?" Lutchester said, "to be permitted to pay my +respects to your sister." + +"Why, that's fine!" Van Teyl exclaimed unconvincingly. "We'll take the +subway up." + +They left the office and plunged into the indescribable horrors of +their journey. When they stepped out into the sunlit street in another +atmosphere, Van Teyl laid his hand upon his companion's arm in friendly +fashion. + +"Say, Lutchester," he began, "I don't know that you are going to find +Pamela exactly all that she might be in the way of amiability and so +on. I know these things are done on the other side, but here it's +considered trying your friends pretty high to take a lady of Sonia's +reputation where you are likely to meet your friends. No offence, eh?" + +"Certainly not," Lutchester replied. "I was sorry, of course, to see +you last night. On the other hand, Sonia is an old friend, and my +dinner with her had an object. I think I could explain it to your +sister." + +"I don't know that I should try," Van Teyl advised. "For all her +cosmopolitanism, Pamela has some quaint ideas. However, I thought I'd +warn you, in case she's a bit awkward." + +Pamela, however, had no idea of being awkward. She welcomed Lutchester +with a very sweet smile, and gave him the tips of her fingers. + +"I was wondering whether we should see you again before we went," she +said. "We are leaving for Washington to-morrow." + +"By the three o'clock train, I hope?" he ventured. + +She raised her eyebrows. + +"Why, are you going, too?" + +"I hope so." + +"I should have thought most of the munition works," she observed, "were +further north." + +"They are," he acknowledged, "but I have business in Washington. By the +bye, will you both come out and dine with me to-night?" + +Van Teyl glanced at his sister. She shook her head. + +"I am so sorry," she said, "but we are engaged. Perhaps we shall see +something of you in Washington." + +"I have no doubt you will," Lutchester replied "All the same," he +added, "it would give me very great pleasure to entertain you at dinner +this evening." + +"Why particularly this evening?" she asked. + +He looked at her with a queer directness, and Pamela felt certain very +excellent resolutions crumbling. She suffered her brother to leave the +room without a word. + +"Because," he explained, "I think you will find a different atmosphere +everywhere. There will be news in the evening papers." + +"News?" she repeated eagerly. "You know I am always interested in +that." + +"The reports of a German naval victory were not only exaggerated," +Lutchester said calmly; "they were untrue. Our own official +announcement was clumsy and tactless, but you will find it amplified +and explained to-night." + +Pamela listened with an interest which bordered upon excitement. + +"You are sure?" she exclaimed. + +"Absolutely," he replied. "My notification is official." + +"So you think if we dined with you, the atmosphere to-night would be +different?" she observed, with a sudden attempt at the recondite. + +Lutchester looked into her eyes without flinching. Pamela, to her +annoyance, was worsted in the momentary duel. + +"We cannot always choose our atmosphere," he reminded her. + +"Mademoiselle Sonia is perhaps connected with the regulation of the +munition supplies from America?" + +"Mademoiselle Sonia," Lutchester asserted, "is an old friend of mine. +Apart from that, it was my business to talk to her." + +"Your business?" + +Lutchester assented with perfect gravity. + +"Within a day or two," he said, "now, if you made a point of it, I +could explain a great deal." + +Pamela threw herself into a chair almost irritably. + +"You have the cult of being mysterious, Mr. Lutchester," she declared. +"To be quite frank with you, you seem to be the queerest mixture of any +man I ever knew." + +"It is the fault of circumstances," he regretted, "if I am sometimes +compelled to present myself to you in an unfavourable light. Those +circumstances are passing. You will soon begin to value me at my true +worth." + +"We had half promised," Pamela murmured, "to go out with Mr. Fischer +this evening." + +"The more reason for my intervention," Lutchester observed. "Fischer is +not a fit person for you to associate with." + +She laughed curiously. + +"People who saw you at the roof-garden last night might say that you +were scarcely a judge," Pamela retorted. + +"People who did not know the circumstances might have considered me +guilty of an indiscretion," Lutchester admitted, "but they would have +been entirely wrong. On the other hand, your friend Fischer is a +would-be murderer, a liar, and is at the present moment engaged in +intrigues which are a most immoral compound of duplicity and cunning." + +"I shall begin to think," Pamela murmured, "that you don't like Mr. +Fischer!" + +"I detest him heartily," Lutchester confessed. + +"I find him singularly interesting," Pamela announced, sitting up in +her chair. + +"I dare say you do," Lutchester replied. "Women are always bad judges +of our sex. All the same, you are not going to marry him." + +"How do you know he wants to marry me?" Pamela demanded. + +"Instinct!" + +"And what do you mean by saying that I am not going to marry him?" + +"Because," Lutchester announced, "you are going to marry some one +else." + +Pamela rose to her feet. There was a little spot +of colour in her cheeks. + +"Am I indeed!" she exclaimed. "And whom, pray?" + +"That I will tell you at Washington," Lutchester promised. + +"You know his name, then?" + +"I know him intimately," was the cool reply. "What about our dinner +to-night?" + +"We are going to dine with Mr. Fischer," Pamela decided. + +"I really don't think so," Lutchester objected. "For one thing, Mr. +Fischer will probably have to attend the police court again later on." + +"What about?" + +"For having hired a famous murderer to try and get rid of me." +Lutchester explained suavely. + +"Do you really believe that?" Pamela scoffed. "Why should he want to +get rid of you? What harm can you do him?" + +"I am trying to find out," Lutchester replied grimly. "Still, since you +ask the question, the pocketbook which is on its way to Germany, and +which I picked up when Nikasti was taken ill--" + +"Oh, yes, I know about that!" Pamela interrupted. "That is the one +thing that always sets me thinking about you. What did you do it for? +How did you know what it meant to me?" + +"Divination, I imagine," Lutchester answered, "or perhaps I was +thinking what it might mean to Mr. Fischer." + +She looked at him and her face was a study in mixed expressions. Her +forehead was a little knitted, her eyes almost strained in their desire +to read him; her lips were petulant. + +"Dear me, what a puzzle you are!" she exclaimed. "All the same, I am +going to wait for Mr. Fischer. It doesn't matter whether one dines or +sups. I suppose he will get away from the police court sometime or +other." + +"But anyway," he protested, "you've heard all that Mr. Fischer has to +say. Now I, on the other hand, haven't shown you my hand yet." + +"Heard all that Mr. Fischer has to say?" she repeated. + +"Certainly! Wasn't he here for several hours with you this afternoon? +Didn't he promise you an alliance with Germany against Japan, if you +could persuade certain people at Washington to change their tone and +attitude towards the export of munitions?" + +"This," she declared, trying to keep a certain agitation from her tone, +"is mere bluff." + +Lutchester was suddenly very serious indeed. + +"Listen," he said, "I can prove to you, if you will, that it is not +bluff. I can prove to you that I really know something of what I am +talking about." + +"There is nothing I should like better," she declared. + +"To begin with then," Lutchester said, "the pocketbook which Nikasti is +supposed to have stolen from your room, the pocketbook of young Sandy +Graham, which Mr. Fischer has sent to Germany, does not contain the +formula of the new explosive, or any other formula that amounts to +anything." + +"Just how do you know that?" she demanded. + +"To continue," Lutchester said, playing with a little ornament upon the +mantelpiece, "you have an appointment--within half an hour, I +believe--with Mr. Paul Haskall, who is a specialist in explosives, +having an official position with the American Government." + +She had ceased to struggle any longer with her surprise. She looked at +him fixedly but remained silent. + +"It is your belief," he proceeded, "that you are going to hand over to +him the formula of which we were speaking." + +"It is no belief," she replied. "It is certainty. I took it myself from +Graham's pocket." + +Lutchester nodded. + +"Good! Have you opened it?" + +"I have," she declared. "It is without doubt, the formula." + +"On the other hand, I am here to assure you that it is not," Lutchester +replied. + +Her hand was tearing at the cushion by her side. She moistened her +lips. There was something about Lutchester hatefully convincing. + +"What do you mean?" she demanded. "Is this a trick. You won't get it! +No one but Mr. Haskall will get that formula from me!" + +Lutchester smiled. + +"It will only puzzle him when he gets it! To tell you the truth, the +formula is rubbish." + +"I don't believe you," she said firmly. "If you think you are going to +interfere with my handing it over to him, you are mistaken." + +"I have no wish to do anything of the sort," Lutchester assured her. +"Make a bargain with me. Mr. Haskall will be here soon. Unfasten the +little package you are carrying somewhere about your person, hand him +the envelope and watch his face. If he tells you that what you have +offered him is a coherent and possible formula for an explosive, then +you can look upon me for ever afterwards as the poor, foolish person +you sometimes seem to consider me. If, on the other hand, he tells you +that it is rubbish, I shall expect you at the Ritz-Carlton at half-past +eight." + +There was a ring at the bell. She rose to her feet. + +"I accept," she declared. "That is Mr. Haskall. And, by the bye, Mr. +Lutchester, don't order too elaborate a dinner, for I am very much +afraid you will have to eat it all yourself. Now, au revoir," she +added, as the door was opened in obedience to her summons and a servant +stood prepared to show him out. "If we don't turn up to-night, you will +know the reason." + +"I am very hopeful," Lutchester replied, as he turned away. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + + +At five-and-twenty minutes past eight that evening Lutchester, who was +waiting in the entrance hall of the Ritz-Carlton, became just a little +restless. At half-past, his absorption in an evening paper, over the +top of which he looked at every newcomer, was almost farcical. At +five-and-twenty to nine Pamela arrived. He advanced down the lounge to +meet her. Her face was inscrutable, her smile conventional. Yet she had +come! He looked over his shoulder towards the men's coat room. + +"Your brother?" + +"I sent Jim to his club," she said. "I want to have a confidential talk +with you, Mr. Lutchester." + +"I am very flattered," he told her, with real earnestness. + +She vanished for a few moments in the cloakroom, and reappeared, a +radiant vision in deep blue silk. Her hair was gathered in a coil at +the top of her head, and surmounted with an ornament of pearls. + +"You are looking at my headdress," she remarked, as they walked into +the room. "It is the style you admire, is it not?" + +He murmured something vague, but he knew that he was forgiven. They +were ushered to their places by a portly maitre d'hotel, and she +approved of his table. It was set almost in an alcove, and was +partially hidden from the other diners. + +"Is this seclusion vanity or flattery?" + +"As a matter of fact, it is rather a popular table," he told her. "We +have an excellent view of the room, and yet one can talk here without +being disturbed." + +"To talk to you is exactly what I wish to do," she said, as they took +their places. "We commence, if you please, with a question. Mr. Fischer +thought that he had that formula and he hasn't. I could have sworn that +it was in my possession--and it isn't. Where is it?" + +"I took it to the War Office before I left England," he told her +simply. "They will have the first few tons of the stuff ready next +month." + +"You!" she cried, "But where did you get it?" + +"I happened to be first, that's all," he explained. "You see, I had the +advantage of a little inside information. I could have exposed the +whole affair if I had thought it wise. I preferred, however, to let +matters take their course. Young Graham deserved all he got there, and +I made sure of being the first to go through his papers. I'm afraid I +must confess that I left a bogus formula for you." + +"I had begun to suspect this," Pamela confessed. "You don't mind being +put into the witness box, do you?" she added, as she pushed aside the +menu with a little sigh of satisfaction. "How wonderfully you order an +American dinner!" + +"I am so glad I have chosen what you like," he said, "and as to being +in the witness box--well, I am going to place myself in the +confessional, and that is very much the same thing, isn't it?" + +"To begin at the beginning, then--about that destroyer?" + +"My mission over here was really important," he admitted. "I couldn't +catch the _Lapland_, so the Admiralty sent me over." + +"And your golf with Senator Hamblin? It wasn't altogether by accident +you met him down at Baltusrol, was it?" + +"It was not," he confessed, "I had reason to suspect that certain +proposals from Berlin were to be put forward to the President either +through his or Senator Hastings' mediation. There were certain facts in +connection with them, which I desired to be the first to lay before the +authorities." + +She looked around the room and recognised some of her friends. For some +reason or other she felt remarkably light-hearted. + +"For a poor vanquished woman," she observed, turning back to +Lutchester, "I feel extraordinarily gay to-night. Tell me some more." + +He bowed. + +"Mademoiselle Sonia," he proceeded, "has been a friend of mine since +she sang in the cafes of Buda Pesth. I dined with her, however, because +it had come to my knowledge that she was behaving in a very foolish +manner." + +Pamela nodded understandingly. + +"She was the friend of Count Maurice Ziduski, wasn't she?" + +"She is no longer," Lutchester replied. "She sailed for France this +morning without seeing him. She has remembered that she is a +Frenchwoman." + +"It was you who reminded her!" + +"Love so easily makes people forgetful," he said, "and I think that +Sonia was very fond of Maurice Ziduski. She is a thoughtless, +passionate woman, easily swayed through her affections, and she had no +idea of the evil she was doing." + +"So that disposes of Sonia," Pamela reflected. + +"Sonia was only an interlude," Lutchester declared. "She really doesn't +come into this affair at all. The one person who does come into it, +whom you and I must speak of, is Fischer." + +"A most interesting man," Pamela sighed. "I really think his wife would +have a most exciting life." + +"She would!" Lutchester agreed. "She'd probably be allowed to visit him +once every fourteen days in care of a warder." + +"Spite!" Pamela exclaimed, with a suspicious little quiver at the +corner of her lips. + +Lutchester shook his head. + +"Fischer is too near the end of his rope for me to feel spiteful," he +said, "though I am quite prepared to grant that he may be capable of +considerable mischief yet. A man who has the sublime effrontery to +attempt to come to an agreement with two countries, each behind the +other's back, is a little more than Machiavellian, isn't he?" + +"Is that true of Mr. Fischer?" + +"Absolutely," Lutchester assured her. "He is over here for the purpose +of somehow or other making it known informally in Washington that +Germany would be willing to pledge herself to an alliance with America +against Japan, after the war, if America will alter her views as to the +export of munitions to the Allies." + +"Well, that's a reasonable proposition, isn't it, from his point of +view?" Pamela remarked. "It may not be a very agreeable one from yours, +but it is certainly one which he has a right to make." + +"Entirely," Lutchester agreed, "but where he goes wrong is that his +primary object in coming here was to meet Hie chief of the Japanese +Secret Service, to whom he has made a proposition of precisely similar +character." + +Pamela set down her glass. + +"You are not in earnest!" + +"Absolutely." + +"Nikasti?" + +"Precisely! He came all the way from Japan to confer with Fischer. +Probably, if we knew the whole truth, those rooms at the Plaza Hotel, +and the social partnership of your brother and Fischer, were arranged +for no other reason than to provide a safe personality for Nikasti in +this country, and a safe place for him to talk things over with +Fischer." + +"Mr. Fischer was paying nearly the whole of the expenses of the Plaza +suite," Pamela observed thoughtfully. + +"Naturally," Lutchester replied. "Your brother's name was a good, safe +name to get behind. But to conclude with our friend Nikasti. He is +supposed to leave New York next Saturday, and to carry to the Emperor +of Japan an autograph letter from a nameless person, promising him, if +Japan will cease the export of munitions to Russia, the aid of Germany +in her impending campaign against America." + +"An autograph letter, did you say?" Pamela almost gasped. + +"An autograph letter," Lutchester repeated firmly. "Now don't you agree +with me that Fischer's game is just a little too daring?" + +"It is preposterous!" she cried. + +"I have a theory," Lutchester continued, "that Fischer was never +intended to use more than one of these letters. It was intended that he +should study the situation here, approach one side, and, if +unsuccessful, try the other. Fischer, however, conceived a more +magnificent idea. He seems to be trying both at the same time. It is +the sublime egotism of the Teutonic mind." + +"It is monstrous!" Pamela exclaimed indignantly. + +"It is almost as monstrous," Lutchester agreed, "as his daring to raise +his eyes to you, although, so far as you are concerned, I believe that +he is as honest as the man knows how to be." + +"And why," she asked, "do you credit him with so much good faith?" + +"Because," Lutchester replied, "if he had not been actuated by personal +motives, he would never have sought you out as an intermediary. There +are other sources open to him, by means of which he could make equally +sure of reaching the President's ear. His idea was to impress you. It +was foolish but natural." + +Pamela was deep in thought. There was an angry spot of colour burning +in her cheek. + +"Do you mean to tell me, Mr. Lutchester," she persisted, "that this +afternoon, say, when with every appearance of earnestness he was +begging me to put these propositions before my uncle, he had really +made precisely similar overtures to Japan?" + +"I give you my word that this is the truth," Lutchester assured her +solemnly. + +She looked at him with something almost like wonder in her eyes. + +"But you?" she exclaimed. "How do you know this? How can you be sure of +it?" + +"I have seen the autograph letter which Nikasti has in his possession," +he announced. + +"You mean that Mr. Fischer showed it to you?" she exclaimed +incredulously. + +Lutchester hesitated. + +"There are methods," he said, "which those who fight in the dark places +for their country are forced sometimes to make use of. I have seen the +letter. I have half convinced those who represent Japan in this matter +of Fischer's duplicity. With your help I am hoping wholly to do so." + +Pamela leaned for a moment back in her chair. + +"Really," she declared, "I am beginning to have the feeling that I am +living almost too rapidly. Let us have a breathing spell. I wonder what +all these other people are talking about." + +"Probably," he suggested, with a little glance around, "about +themselves. We will follow their example. Will you marry me, please, +Miss Van Teyl?" + +"We haven't even come to the ice yet," she sighed, "and you pass from +high politics to flagrant personalities. Are you a sensationalist, Mr. +Lutchester?" + +"Not in the least," he protested. "I simply asked you an extremely +important question quite calmly." + +"It isn't a question that should be asked calmly," she objected. + +"I have immense self-control," he told her, "but if you'd like me to +abandon it--" + +"For heaven's sake, no!" she interrupted. "Tell me more about Mr. +Fischer." + +"You won't forget to answer my little question later on, will you?" he +begged. "To proceed, then. I spent some little time this afternoon with +your chief of the police here, and I fancy that the person you speak of +is becoming a little too blatant even for a broad-minded country like +this. He belongs to an informal company of wealthy sympathisers with +Germany, who propose to start a campaign of destruction at all the +factories manufacturing munitions for the Allies. They have put +aside--I believe it is several million dollars, for purposes of +bribery. They don't seem to realise, as my friend pointed out to me +this afternoon, that the days for this sort of thing in New York have +passed. Some of them will be in prison before they know where they +are." + +"Exactly why did you come to America?" she asked, a little abruptly. + +"To meet Nikasti and to look after Fischer." + +"Well, you seem to have done that pretty effectually!" + +"Also," he went on calmly, "to keep an eye upon you." + +"Professionally?" + +"You ask me to give away too many secrets," he whispered, leaning +towards her. + +She made a little grimace. + +"Tell me some more about your little adventure in Fifth Avenue?" she +begged. + +He smiled grimly. + +"You wouldn't believe me," he reminded her, "but it really was one of +Fischer's little jokes. It very nearly came off, too. As a matter of +fact," he went on, "Fischer isn't really clever. He is too obstinate, +too convinced in his own mind that things must go the way he wants them +to, that Fate is the servant of his will. It's a sort of national +trait, you know, very much like the way we English bury our heads in +the sand when we hear unpleasant truths. The last thing Fischer wants +is advertisement, and yet he goes to some of his Fourteenth Street +friends and unearths a popular desperado to get rid of me. The fellow +happens most unexpectedly to fail, and now Fischer has to face a good +many awkward questions and a good deal of notoriety. No, I don't think +Fischer is really clever." + +Pamela sighed. + +"In that case, I suppose I shall have to say 'No' to him," she decided. +"After waiting all this time, I couldn't bear to be married to a fool." + +"You won't be," he assured her cheerfully. + +"More British arrogance," she murmured. "Now see what's going to happen +to us!" + +A tall, elderly man, with smooth white hair plastered over his +forehead, very precisely dressed, and with a gait so careful as to be +almost mincing, was approaching their table. Pamela held out her hands. + +"My dear uncle!" she exclaimed. "And I thought that you and aunt never +dined at restaurants!" + +Mr. Hastings stood with his fingers resting lightly upon the table. He +glanced at Lutchester without apparent recognition. + +"You remember Mr. Lutchester?" Pamela murmured. + +Mr. Hastings' manner lacked the true American cordiality, but he +hastened to extend his hand. + +"Of course!" he declared. "I was not fortunate enough, however, to see +much of you the other evening, Mr. Lutchester. We have several mutual +friends whom I should be glad to hear about." + +"I shall pay my respects to Mrs. Hastings, if I may, very shortly," +Lutchester promised. + +"Are you with friends here, uncle?" Pamela inquired. + +"We are the guests of Mr. Oscar Fischer," the Senator announced. + +Pamela raised her eyebrows. + +"So you know Mr. Fischer, uncle?" + +"Naturally," Mr. Hastings replied, with some dignity. "Oscar Fischer is +one of the most important men in the State which I represent. He is a +man of great wealth and industry and immense influence." + +Pamela made a little grimace. Her uncle noticed it and frowned. + +"He has just been telling us of his voyage with you, Pamela. Perhaps, +if Mr. Lutchester can spare you," he went on, with a little bow across +the table, "you will come and take your coffee with us. Your aunt is +leaving for Washington, probably to-morrow, and wishes to arrange for +you to travel with her. Mr. Lutchester may also, perhaps, give us the +pleasure of his company for a few minutes," he added, after a slight +but obvious pause. + +"Thank you," Pamela answered quickly, "I am Mr. Lutchester's guest this +evening. If you are still here, I shall love to come and speak to aunt +for a moment later on. If not, I will ring up to-morrow morning." + +The bland, almost episcopal serenity of Senator Hastings' face was +somewhat disturbed. It was obvious that the situation displeased him. + +"I think, Pamela," he said, "that you had better come and speak to your +aunt before you leave." + +His bow to Lutchester was the bow of a politician to an adversary. He +made his way back in leisurely fashion to the table from which he had +come, exchanging a few words with many acquaintances. Pamela watched +him with a twinkle in her eyes. + +"I am becoming so unpopular," she murmured. "I can read in my uncle's +tone that my aunt and he disapprove of our dining together here. And as +for Mr. Fischer. I'm afraid he'll break off our prospective alliance." + +Lutchester smiled. + +"Prospective is the only word to use," he observed. "By the bye, are +you particularly fond of your uncle?" + +"Not riotously," she admitted. "He has been kind to me once or twice, +but he's rather a starchy old person." + +"In that case," Lutchester decided, "we won't interfere." + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + + +Fischer had by no means the appearance of a discomfited man that +evening, when some time later Pamela and Lutchester approached the +little group of which he seemed, somehow, to have become the central +figure. It was a small party, but, in its way, a distinguished one. +Pamela's aunt was a member of an historic American family, and a woman +of great social position, not only in New York but in Washington +itself. Of the remaining guests, one was a financial magnate of +world-wide fame, and the other, Senator Joyce, a politician of such +eminence that his name was freely mentioned as a possible future +president. Mrs. Hastings greeted Pamela and her escort without +enthusiasm. + +"My dear child," she exclaimed, "how extraordinary to find you here!" + +"Is it?" Pamela observed indifferently. "You know Mr. Lutchester, don't +you, aunt?" + +Mrs. Hastings remembered her late dinner guest, but her recognition was +icy and barely polite. She turned away at once and resumed her +conversation with Fischer. Lutchester was not introduced to either of +the other members of the party. He laid his hand on the back of an +empty chair and turned it round for Pamela, but she stopped him with a +word of thanks. Something had gone from her own naturally pleasant +tone. She held her hand higher, even, than her aunt's, as she turned a +little insistently towards her. + +"So sorry, aunt," she announced, "but we are going now. Good night!" + +Mrs. Hastings disapproved. + +"We have seen nothing of you yet, Pamela," she said stiffly. "You had +better stay with us and we will drop you on our way home." + +Pamela shook her head. + +"I am coming with you to-morrow, you know," she reminded her aunt. +"To-night I am Mr. Lutchester's guest and he will see me home." + +Mrs. Hastings drew her niece a little closer to her. + +"Is this part of your European manners, Pamela?" she whispered, "that +you dine alone in a restaurant with an acquaintance? Let me tell you +frankly that I dislike the idea most heartily. My chaperonage is always +at your service, and any girl of your age in America would be delighted +to avail herself of it." + +"It is very kind of you, aunt," Pamela replied, "but in a general way I +finished with chaperons long ago." + +"Where is Jimmy?" Mrs. Hastings inquired. + +"He was coming with us to-night," Pamela explained, "but I asked him +particularly to stay away. I have seen so little of Mr. Lutchester +since he arrived, and I want to talk to him." + +The financial magnate awoke from a comatose inertia and suddenly +gripped Lutchester by the hand. + +"Lutchester," he repeated to himself. "I thought I knew your face. +Stayed with your uncle down at Monte Carlo once. You came there for a +week." + +Lutchester acknowledged his recollection of the fact and the two men +exchanged a few commonplace remarks. Mrs. Hastings took the opportunity +to try and induce Pamela to converse with Fischer. + +"We have all been so interested to-night," she said, "in hearing what +Mr. Fischer has to say about the situation on the other side." + +Pamela was primed for combat. + +"Has Mr. Fischer been telling you fairy tales?" she laughed. + +"Fairy tales?" her aunt repeated severely. "I don't understand." + +Fischer's steel grey eyes flashed behind his spectacles. + +"I'm afraid that Miss Van Teyl's prejudices," he observed bitterly, +"are very firmly fixed." + +"Then she is no true American," Mrs. Hastings pronounced didactically. + +"Oh, I can assure you that I am not prejudiced," Pamela declared, +"only, you see, I, too, have just arrived from the other side, and I +have been able to use my own eyes and judgment. If there is any +prejudice in the matter, why should it not come from Mr. Fischer? He +has the very good excuse of his German birth." + +"Mr. Fischer is an American citizen," Mrs. Hastings reminded her niece, +"and personally, I think that the American of German birth is one of +the most loyal and long-suffering persons I know. I cannot say as much +for the English people who are living over here. And as to fairy +stories--" + +Pamela intervened, turning towards Fischer with a little laugh. + +"Oh, he can't even deny those! What about the great German victory in +the North Sea, Mr. Fischer? Do you happen to have seen the latest +telegrams?" + +"Our first reports were perhaps a little too glowing," Mr. Fischer +acknowledged. "That, under the circumstances, is, I think, only +natural. But the facts remain that the invincible English and the +untried German fleets have met, to the advantage of the German." + +Pamela shook her head. + +"I cannot even allow that," she objected. "The advantage, if there was +any, rested on the other side. But I just want you to remember what we +were told in that first wonderful outpouring of fabricated news--that +the naval supremacy of England was gone for ever, that the freedom of +the seas was assured, that German merchant vessels were steaming home +from all directions! No, Mr. Fischer! Between ourselves, I think that +your cause needs a few fairy stories, and I look upon you as one of the +greatest experts in the world when it comes to concocting them." + +Fischer, who had risen to his feet half way through Pamela's speech, +was obviously a little taken aback by her direct attack. Mrs. Hastings +took no pains to conceal her annoyance. + +"For a young girl of your age, Pamela," she said sternly, "I consider +that you express your opinions far too freely. Your attitude, too, is +unjustifiable." + +"Ah, well, you see, I am a little prejudiced against Mr. Fischer," +Pamela laughed, turning towards him. "He happened to defeat one of my +pet schemes." + +"But I am ready to further your dearest one," he reminded her, dropping +his voice, and leading her a little on one side. "What about our +alliance?" + +"You scarcely need my aid," she observed, with a shrug of the +shoulders. + +He remonstrated vigorously. There was a revived hopefulness in his +tone. Perhaps, after all, here was the secret of her displeasure with +him. + +"You wonder, perhaps, to see me with your uncle. I give you my word +that it is a dinner of courtesy only. I give you my word that I have +not opened my lips on political matters. I have been waiting for your +answer." + +"I have lost faith in you," she told him calmly. "I am not even certain +that you possess the authority you spoke of." + +"If that is all," he replied eagerly, "you shall see it with your own +eyes. You are staying with your uncle and aunt in Washington, are you +not? I shall call upon you immediately I arrive, and bring it with me." + +She nodded. + +"Well, that remains a challenge, then, Mr. Fischer. And now, if you are +quite ready," she added, turning to Lutchester.... "Good-by, +everybody!" + +"Aren't your ears burning?" Pamela asked, after Lutchester had handed +her into a taxicab and taken his place by her side. "I can absolutely +feel them talking about us." + +"I seem to be most regrettably unpopular," Lutchester remarked. + +"Even now I am puzzled about that," Pamela confessed, "but you see my +aunt considers herself the arbitress of what is right or wrong in +social matters, and she is exceedingly narrow-minded. In her eyes it is +no doubt a greater misdemeanour for me to have dined at the +Ritz-Carlton alone with you, than if I had conspired against the +Government." + +"And this, I thought, was the land of freedom for your sex!" + +"Ah, but my aunt is rather an exception," Pamela reminded him. "The one +thing I cannot understand, however, is that she should have allowed +herself to be seen dining with Mr. Oscar Fischer at the Ritz-Carlton. I +should have thought that would have been almost as heinous to her as my +own little slip from grace." + +"Is your aunt by way of being interested in politics?" Lutchester +inquired. + +"Not in a general way," Pamela replied, "but she is intensely +ambitious, and she'd give her soul if Uncle Theodore could get a +nomination for the Presidency." + +"Perhaps she is taking up the German-American cause, then," Lutchester +suggested. "It is a possible platform, at any rate." + +"I foresee a new party," Pamela murmured thoughtfully. "Now I come to +think of it, Mr. Elsworthy, the fat old gentleman who knew your uncle, +is very pro-German." + +He leaned towards her. + +"We have had enough politics," he insisted. "There is the other thing. +Couldn't I have my answer?" + +She let him take her fingers. In the cool darkness through which they +were rushing her face seemed white, her head was a little averted. He +tried to draw her to him, but she was unyielding. + +"Please not," she begged. "I like you--and I'm glad I like you," she +added, "but I don't feel certain about anything. Couldn't we be just +friends a little longer?" + +"It must be as you say, but I am horribly in love with you," he +confessed. "That may sound rather a bald way of saying so, but it's the +truth, Pamela, dear." + +His clasp upon her fingers was tightened. She turned towards him. Her +expression was serious but delightful. + +"Well, let me tell you this much, at least," she confided. "I have +never before in my life been so glad to hear any one say so.... And +here we are at home, and there's Jimmy on the doorstep. What is it, +Jimmy," she asked, waving her hand. + +He came down towards her in a state of great excitement. + +"Say, we've had to open up the office again!" he exclaimed. "The +telegrams are rolling in now. That so-called German naval victory was a +fake. The Britishers came out right on top. You know you stand to net at +least half a million, Mr. Lutchester? The worst of it is I have another +client who's going to lose it." + +Pamela shook her head at Lutchester. + +"The possibility of increased responsibilities," he whispered. "A +married man needs something to fall back upon." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + + +The offices of Messrs. Neville, Brooks, and Van Teyl were the scene of +something like pandemonium. Van Teyl himself, bathed in perspiration, +rushed into his room for the twentieth time. He almost flung the +newspaper man who was waiting for him through the door. + +"No, we don't know a darned thing," he declared. "We've no special +information. The only reason we're up to our neck in Anglo-French is +because we've two big clients dealing." + +"It's just a few personal notes about those clients we'd like to +handle." + +"Oh, get out as quick as you can!" Van Teyl snapped. "This isn't a +bucket shop or a pool room. The names of our clients concerns ourselves +only." + +"What do you think Anglo-French are going to do, Mr. Van Teyl?" + +"I can't tell," was the prompt answer, "but I can tell what's going to +happen if you don't clear out." + +The newspaper man took a hurried leave. Van Teyl seized the telephone +receiver, only to put it down with a little shout of relief as the door +opened and Lutchester entered. + +"Thank God!" he exclaimed. "Why, I've been ringing you up for an hour +and a half." + +"Sorry," Lutchester replied, "I was down at the barber's the first time +you got through, and then I had some cables to send off." + +"Look here," Van Teyl continued, gripping him by the shoulder, "is six +hundred and forty thousand dollars, or thereabouts, profit enough for +you on your Anglo-French?" + +"It sounds adequate," Lutchester confessed, laying his hat and cane +carefully upon the table and drawing up an easy-chair. "How much is Mr. +Fischer going to lose?" + +"God knows! If you allow me to sell at the present moment, you'll ease +the market, and he'll lose about what you make." + +"And if I decide to hold my Anglo-French?" + +"You'll have to provide us with about a couple of million dollars," Van +Teyl replied, "and I should think you would pretty well break Fischer +for a time. Frankly, he's an important client, and we don't want him +broken, even temporarily." + +"What do you want me to do, then?" + +"Give us authority to sell," Van Teyl begged. "Can't you hear them +yapping about in the office outside? They're round me all the time like +a pack of hounds. Honestly, if I don't sell some Anglo-French before +lunch-time to-day, they look like wrecking the office." + +Lutchester knocked the end of a cigarette thoughtfully against the side +of his chair. + +"All right," he decided, "I don't want you to suffer any inconvenience. +Besides, I am going to Washington this afternoon. You can keep on +selling as long as the market's steady. Directly it sags, hold off. If +necessary, even buy a few more. You understand me? Don't sell a single +block under to-day's price. Keep the market at that figure. It's an +easy job, because next week Anglo-French will go up again." + +Van Teyl was moved to a rare flash of admiration. + +"You're a cool hand, Lutchester," he declared, "considering you're not +a business man." + +"Fischer's the man who'll need to keep cool," Lutchester remarked, +lighting his cigarette. "What about a little lunch?" + +The stockbroker scarcely heard him. He had struck a bell, and the +office seemed suddenly filled with clerks. Van Teyl's words were +incoherent--a string of strange directions, punctuated by slang which +was, so far as Lutchester was concerned, unintelligible. The whole +place seemed to wake into a clamour of telephone bells, shouts, the +clanging and opening of the lift gates, and the hurried tramp of +footsteps in the corridors outside. Lutchester rose to his feet. He was +looking very comfortable and matter-of-fact in his grey tweed suit and +soft felt hat. + +"Perhaps," he observed pleasantly, "I am out of place here. Drop me a +line and let me know how things are going to the Hotel Capitol at +Washington." + +"That's all right," Van Teyl promised. "I'll get you on the +long-distance 'phone. I was coming myself with Pamela for a few days, +but this little deal of yours has set things buzzing.... Say, who's +that?" + +The door opened, and Fischer paused upon the threshold. Certainly, of +all the people concerned, the two speculators themselves seemed the +least moved by the excitement they were causing. Fischer was dressed +with his usual spick-and-span neatness, and his appearance betrayed no +sign of flurry or excitement. He nodded grimly to Lutchester. + +"My congratulations," he said. "You seem to have rigged the Press here +to some purpose." + +Lutchester raised his eyebrows. + +"I don't even know a newspaper man in New York," he declared. + +The newcomer gave vent to a little gesture of derision. + +"Then you've some very clever friends! You'd better make the most of +their offices. The German version of the naval battle will be confirmed +and amplified within twenty-four hours, and then your Anglo-French will +touch mud." + +"If that is your idea," Lutchester remarked suavely, "why buy now? Why +not wait till next week? Come," he went on, "I will have a little +flutter with you, if you like, Fischer. I will bet you five thousand +dollars, and Van Teyl here shall hold the stakes, that a week hence +to-day Anglo-French stand higher than they do at this moment." + +Fischer hesitated. Then he turned away. + +"I am not a sportsman, Mr. Lutchester," he said. + +Lutchester brushed away a little dust from his coat sleeve. + +"No," he murmured, "I agree with you. Good morning!" + +Lutchester walked out into the sun-baked streets, and with his absence +Fischer abandoned his almost unnatural calm. He strode up and down the +room, fuming with rage. At every fresh click of the tape machine, he +snatched at the printed slip eagerly and threw it away with an oath. No +one took any notice of him. Van Teyl rushed in and out, telephones +clanged, perspiring clerks dashed in with copies of contracts to add to +the small pile upon the desk. There came a quiet moment presently. Van +Teyl wiped the perspiration from his forehead and drank a tumblerful of +water. + +"Fischer," he asked, "what made you go into this so big? You must have +known there was always the risk of your wireless report beating it up a +little too tall." + +"It wasn't our report at all that I went by," Fischer confessed +gloomily. "It was the English Admiralty announcement that did it. Can +you conceive," he went on, striking the table with his fist, "any +nation at war, with a grain of common sense or an ounce of +self-respect, issuing a statement like that?--an apology for a defeat +which, damn it all, never happened! Say the thing was a drawn battle, +which is about what it really was. It didn't suit the Germans to fight +it to a finish. They'd everything to lose and little to gain. So in +effect they left the Britishers there and passed back behind their own +minefield. So far as regards reports, that was victory enough for any +one except those muddle-headed civilians at Whitehall. They deceived +the world with that infernal bulletin, and incidentally me. It was on +that statement I gave you my orders, not on ours." + +"It's a damned unfortunate business!" Van Teyl sighed. "You're only +half way out yet, and it's cost you nearly three hundred thousand." + +A dull spot of purple colour burned in Fischer's cheeks. His upper lip +was drawn in, his appearance for a moment was repulsive. + +"It isn't the money I mind," he muttered. "It's Lutchester." + +Van Teyl was discreetly silent. Fischer seemed to read his thoughts. He +leaned across the table. + +"A wonderful fellow, your friend Lutchester," he sneered. "An Admirable +Crichton of finance and diplomacy and love-making, eh? But the end +isn't just yet. I promise you one thing, James Van Teyl. He isn't going +to marry your sister." + +"I'd a damned sight sooner she married him than you!" Van Teyl blazed +out. + +Fischer was taken aback. He had held for so long the upper hand with +this young man that for the moment he had forgotten that circumstances +were changed between them. Van Teyl rose to his feet. The bonds of the +last few months had snapped. He spoke like a free man. + +"Look here, Fischer," he said, "you've had me practically in your power +for the best part of a year, but now I'm through with you. I'm out of +your debt, no thanks to you, and I'm going to keep out. I am working on +your business as hard as though you were my own brother, and I'll go on +doing it. I'll get you out of this mess as well as I can, and after +that you can take your damned business where you please." + +"So that's it, is it?" Fischer scoffed. "A rich brother-in-law coming +along, eh? ... No, don't do that," stepping quickly backwards as Van +Teyl's fist shot out. + +"Then keep my sister's name out of this conversation," Van Teyl +insisted. "If you are wise, you'll clear out altogether. They're at it +again." + +Fischer, however, glanced at the clock and remained. At the next lull, +he hung down the tape and turned to his companion. + +"Say, there's no use quarrelling, James," he declared. "I'm going to +leave you to it now. Guess I said a little more than I meant to, but I +tell you I hate that fellow Lutchester. I hate him just as though I +were the typical German and he were the typical Britisher, and there +was nothing but a sea of hate between us. Shake hands, Jim." + +Van Teyl obeyed without enthusiasm. Fischer drew a chair to the table +and wrote out a cheque, which he passed across. + +"I'll drop into the bank and let them know about this," he said. "You +can make up accounts and let me hear how the balance stands. I'll wipe +it out by return, whatever it is." + +Fischer passed out of the offices a few minutes later, followed by many +curious eyes, and stepped into his automobile. A young man who had +brushed against him pushed a note into his hand. Fischer opened it as +his car swung slowly through the traffic:-- + +Guards at all Connecticut factories doubled. O'Hagan caught last night +in precincts of small arms factory. Was taken alive, disobeying orders. +Be careful. + +Fischer tore the note into small pieces. His face was grimmer than ever +as he leaned back amongst the cushions. There were evil things awaiting +him outside Wall Street. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + + +Lutchester breathed the air of Washington and felt almost homesick. The +stateliness of the city, its sedate and quiescent air after the turmoil +of New York, impressed him profoundly. Everywhere its diplomatic +associations made themselves felt. Congress was in session, and the +faces of the men whom he met continually in the hotels and restaurants +seemed to him some index of the world power which flung its +far-reaching arms from beneath the Capitol dome. + +One afternoon a few days after his arrival he called at the Hastings' +house, a great Colonial mansion within a stone's throw of his own +headquarters. The mention of his name, however, seemed to chill all the +hospitality out of the smiling face of the southern butler who answered +his ring. Miss Van Teyl was out, and from the man's manner it was +obvious that Miss Van Teyl would continue to be out for a very long +time. Lutchester retraced his steps to the British Embassy, where he +had spent most of the morning, and made his way to the sitting-room of +one of the secretaries. The Honourable Philip Downing, who was eagerly +waiting for a cable recalling him to take up a promised commission, +welcomed him heartily. + +"Things are slack here to-day, old fellow. Let's go out to the Country +Club and have a few sets of tennis or a game of golf, whichever you +prefer," he suggested. "I've done my little lot till the evening." + +"Show on to-night, isn't there?" Lutchester inquired. + +"Just a reception. You're going to put in an appearance?" + +"I fancy so. Have you got your list of guests handy?" + +The young man dived into a drawer and produced a few typewritten +sheets. + +"Alphabetical list of acceptances, with here and there a few personal +notes," he pointed out, with an air of self-satisfaction. "I go through +this list with the chief while he's changing for dinner." + +Lutchester ran his forefinger down the list. + +"Senator Theodore and Mrs. Hastings," he quoted. "By the bye, they have +a niece staying with them." + +"Want a card for her?" the Honourable Philip inquired with a grin. + +"I should like it sent off this moment," Lutchester replied. + +The young man took a square, gilt-edged card from a drawer by his side, +filled it out at Lutchester's dictation, rang the bell, and dispatched +it by special messenger. + +"I've got my little buzzer outside," he observed. "We'll make tracks +for the club, if you're ready." + +The two men played several sets of tennis and afterwards lounged in two +wicker chairs, underneath a gigantic plane tree in a corner of the +lawn. The place was crowded, and Philip Downing was an excellent +showman. + +"Washington," he explained, "has never been so divided into opposite +camps, and this is almost the only common meeting ground. Every one has +to come here, of course. The German Staff play tennis and the Austrians +all go in for polo. Here comes Ziduski. He's most fearfully popular +with the ladies here--does us a lot of harm, they say. He's a great +sticker for etiquette. He used to nod and call me Phil. Now you watch. +He'll bow from his waist, as though he had corsets on. As a matter of +fact, he's a good sportsman." + +Count Ziduski's bow was stiff enough but his intention was obvious. He +stopped before the two men, exchanged a somewhat stilted greeting with +Philip Downing, and turned to Lutchester. + +"I believe," he said, "that I have the honour of addressing Mr. +Lutchester?" + +Lutchester rose to his feet. + +"That is my name," he admitted. + +"We have met in Rome, I think, and in Paris," the Count reminded him. +"If I might beg for the favour of a few moments' conversation with +you." + +The two men strolled away together. The Count plunged at once into the +middle of things. + +"It is you, sir, I believe, whom I have to thank for the abrupt +departure of Mademoiselle Sonia from New York?" + +"Quite true," Lutchester admitted. + +"Under different circumstances," the Count proceeded, "I might regard +such interference in my affairs in a different manner. Here, of course, +that is impossible. I speak to you out of regard for the lady in +question. You appear in some mysterious manner to have discovered the +fact that she was in the habit of bringing entirely unimportant and +non-political messages from dear friends in France." + +"Mademoiselle Sonia," Lutchester said calmly, "had for a brief space of +time forgotten herself. She was engaged in carrying out espionage work +on your behalf. I believe I may say that she will do so no more." + +The Count was a man of medium height, thin, with complexion absolutely +colourless, and deep-set, tired eyes. At this moment, however, he +seemed endowed with the spirit of a new virility. The cane which he +grasped might have been a dagger. His smooth tones nursed a threat. + +"Mr. Lutchester," he declared, "if harm should come to her through your +information, I swear to God that you shall pay!" + +Lutchester's manner was mild and unprovocative. + +"Count," he replied, "we make no war upon women. Sonia has repented, +and the knowledge which I have of her misdeeds will be shared by no +one. She has gone back to her country to work for the Red Cross there. +So far as I am concerned, that is the end." + +The two men walked a few steps further in unbroken silence. Then the +Count raised his hat. + +"Mr. Lutchester," he said, "yours is the reply of an honourable enemy. +I might have trusted you, but Sonia is half of my life. I offer you my +thanks." + +He strolled away, and Lutchester rejoined his young friend. + +"The lion and the lamb seem to have parted safely!" the latter +exclaimed. "Now sit by my side and I will show you interesting things. +Those four irreproachable young men over there in tennis flannels are +all from the German Embassy. The two elder ones behind are Austrians. +All those women are the wives of Senators who sympathise with Germany. +Their husbands look like it, don't they? To-day they have an addition +to their ranks--the thin, elderly man there, whose clothes were +evidently made in London. That's Senator Hastings. He is a personal +friend of the President. Jove, what a beautiful girl with Mrs. +Hastings!" + +"That," Lutchester told him, "is the young lady to whom you have just +sent a card of invitation for to-night." + +"Then here's hoping that she comes," Philip Downing observed, finishing +his glass of mint julep. "Is she a pal of yours?" + +"Yes, I know her," Lutchester admitted. + +"Let's go and butt in, then," Downing suggested. "I love breaking up +these little gatherings. You'll see them all stiffen when we come near. +I hope they haven't got hold of Hastings, though." + +The two men rose to their feet and crossed the lawn. Fischer, who had +suddenly appeared in the background, whispered something in Mrs. +Hastings' ear. She swung around to Pamela, a second too late. Pamela, +with a word of excuse to the young man with whom she was talking, +stepped away from the circle and held out her hand to Lutchester. + +"So you have really come to Washington!" she exclaimed. + +"As a rescuer," Lutchester replied. "I feel that I have a mission. We +cannot afford to lose your sympathies. May I introduce Philip Downing?" + +Pamela shook hands with the young man and took her place between them. + +"I've been envying you your seat under the tree," she said. "Couldn't +we go there for a few moments?" + +Mrs. Hastings detached herself and approached them. She received Philip +Downing's bow cordially, and she was almost civil to Lutchester. + +"I can't have my niece taken away," she protested. "We are just going +in to tea, Pamela." + +Pamela shook her head. + +"I am going to sit under that tree with Mr. Lutchester and Mr. +Downing," she declared. "Tea doesn't attract me in the least, and that +tree does." + +Mrs. Hastings accepted defeat with a somewhat cynical gracefulness. She +closed her lorgnette with a little snap. + +"You leave us all desolated, my dear Pamela," she said. "You remind me +of what your poor dear father used to say--'Almost any one could live +with Pamela if she always had her own way.'" + +Pamela laughed as she strolled across the lawn. + +"Aren't one's relatives trying!" she murmured. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + + +Philip Downing very soon justified the profession to which he belonged +by strolling off with some excuse about paying his respects to some +acquaintances. Pamela and Lutchester immediately dropped the somewhat +frivolous tone of their conversation. + +"You know that things are moving with our friend Fischer?" she began. + +"I gathered so," Lutchester assented. + +"His scheme is growing into shape," she went on. "You know what +wonderful people his friends are for organising. Well, they are going +to start a society all through the States and nominate for its +president--Uncle Theodore." + +"Will they have any show at all?" Lutchester asked curiously. + +She shrugged her shoulders. + +"Who can tell? The German-Americans are very powerful indeed all +through the West, and then the pacifists will join them. You see, I +believe that although the soul of the country is with the Allies, +England is the most tactless country in the world. She is always giving +little pinpricks to the Government over here, either about maritime law +or one thing or another. Then all those articles in the papers about +America being too proud to fight, the sneering tone of some, even, of +the leading reviews, did a lot of harm. Uncle Theodore is going to +stand for what they call the true neutrality. That is to say, no +munitions, no help for either side." + +"Well, I don't know anything about American politics," Lutchester +confessed, "but I shouldn't think he'd have an earthly chance." + +"Money is immensely powerful," she went on reflectively, "and many of +the great money interests of the country are controlled by +German-Americans. Mr. Fischer has almost thrown me over politically, +but Uncle Theodore is crazy about the idea of a German pledge to +protect America against Japan. That is going to be the great argument +which he will keep up his sleeve until after the nomination." + +"Fischer's trump card," Lutchester observed. "He hasn't shown you a +certain autograph letter yet, I suppose?" + +She shook her head. + +"He may have shown it to Uncle Theodore. I'm afraid he doesn't mean to +approach me again. He seems to have completely changed his attitude +towards me since the night he saw us at the Ritz-Carlton dining +together. He was going to show me the letter the first day after his +arrival in Washington. Instead of that, he has been in the house for +hours at a time without making the slightest attempt to see me." + +"Faithless fellow!" Lutchester murmured. "Nothing like an Englishman, +after all, for absolute fidelity." + +"Do you really think so?" Pamela inquired anxiously. "Do you think I +should be safe in trusting my heart and future to an Englishman?" + +"To one particular Englishman, yes!" was the firm reply. "I was rather +hoping you might have made up your mind." + +"Too many things to think about," she laughed. "How long are you going +to stay in Washington?" + +"A few hours or days or weeks--until I have finished the work that +brought me here." + +"And what exactly is that?" + +"You ask me lightly," he replied, "but, if you are willing, I have +decided to take you into my confidence. Our friend Nikasti will be here +to-morrow. He was to have sailed for Japan yesterday, but he has +postponed his voyage for a few days. Do you know much about the +Japanese, Miss Pamela?" + +"Very little," she acknowledged. + +"Well, I will tell you one thing. They are not very good at forgiving. +There was only one way I could deal with Nikasti in New York, and it +was a brutal way. I have seen him twice since. He wouldn't look me in +the eyes. I know what that means. He hates me. In a sense I don't +believe he would allow that to interfere in any way with his mission. +In another sense it would. The Allies, above all things, have need of +Japan. We want Japan and America to be friends. We don't want Germany +butting in between the two. Baron Yung is a very clever man, but he is +even more impenetrable than his countrymen generally are. Our people +here admit that they find it difficult to progress with him very far. +They believe that secretly he is in sympathy with Nikasti's reports-- +but you don't know about those, I suppose?" + +"I don't think I do," she admitted. + +"Nikasti was sent to England some years ago to report upon us as a +country. Japan at that time was meditating an alliance with one of the +great European Powers. Obviously it must be Germany or England. Nikasti +travelled all through England, studied our social life, measured our +weaknesses; did the same through Germany, returned to Japan, and gave +his vote in favour of Germany. I have even seen a copy of his report. +He laid great stress upon the absolute devotion to sport of our young +men, and the entire absence of any patriotic sentiment or any means of +national defence. Well, as you know, for various reasons his counsels +were over-ridden, and Japan chose the British alliance. That was +entirely the fault of imperfect German diplomacy. At a time like this, +though, I cannot help thinking that some elements of his former +distrust still remain in Nikasti's mind, and I have an idea that Baron +Yung is, to a certain extent, a sympathiser. I've got to get at the +bottom of this before I leave the States. If I need your help, will you +give it me?" + +"If I can," she promised. + +They saw Mrs. Hastings' figure on the terrace, waving, and Pamela rose +reluctantly to her feet. + +"I don't suppose," Lutchester continued, as they strolled across the +lawn, "that you have very much influence with your uncle, or that he +would listen very much to anything that you have to say, but if he is +really in earnest about this thing, he is going to play a terribly +dangerous game. As things are at present, he has a very pleasant and +responsible position as the supporter and friend of very able men. With +regard to this new movement, he may find the whole ground crumble away +beneath his feet. Fischer is playing the game of a madman. It isn't +only political defeat that might come to him, but disgrace--even +dishonour." + +"You frighten me," Pamela confessed gravely. + +Lutchester sighed. + +"Your uncle," he went on, "is one of those thoroughly conceited, +egotistical men who will probably listen to no one. You see, I have +found out a little about him already. But they tell me that her social +position means a great deal to your aunt. Neither her birth nor her +friends could save her if Fischer drags your uncle to his chariot +wheels." + +"Do you think, perhaps, that you underestimate Mr. Fischer's position +over here?" she asked thoughtfully. + +"I don't think I do," he replied, "but here is something which you have +scarcely appreciated. Fischer has had the effrontery to link himself up +with a little crowd of Germans all through the States, who are making +organised attempts to destroy the factories where ammunitions are being +made for the Allies. That sort of thing, you know, would bring any one, +however, distantly connected with it, to Sing Sing.... One moment," he +added quickly, as Mrs. Hastings stepped forward to meet them; "the +reception at the British Embassy to-night?" + +"The others are going," she said. "My aunt didn't feel she was +sufficiently--" + +"We sent you a card round especially this afternoon," Lutchester +interrupted. "You'll come?" + +"How nice of you! Of course I will," she promised. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV + + +"Small affair, this," Downing observed, as he piloted Lutchester +through the stately reception rooms of the Embassy. "You see, we are +all living a sort of touchy life here, nowadays. We try to be civil to +any of the German or Austrian lot when we meet, but of course they +don't come to our functions. And every now and then some of those +plaguey neutrals get the needle and they don't come, so we never know +quite where we are, Guadopolis has been avoiding us lately, and I hear +he was seen out at the Lakewood Country Club with Count Reszka, the +Rumanian Minister, a few days ago. Gave the Chief quite a little +flurry, that did." + +"There's an idea over in London," Lutchester remarked, "that a good +deal of the war is being shaped in Washington nowadays." + +"That is the Chief's notion," Downing assented. "I know he's pining to +talk to you, so we'll go and do the dutiful." + +Lutchester was welcomed as an old friend by both the Ambassador and his +wife. The former drew him to a divan from which he could watch the +entrance to the rooms, and sat by his side. + +"I am glad they sent you out, Lutchester," he said earnestly. "If ever +a country needed watching by a man with intelligence and experience, +this one does to-day." + +"Do you happen to know that fellow Oscar Fischer?" Lutchester asked. + +"I do, and I consider him one of the most dangerous people in the +States for us," the Ambassador declared. "He has a great following, +huge wealth, and, although he is not a man of culture, he doesn't go +about his job in that bull-headed way that most of them do." + +"He's trying things on with Japan," Lutchester observed. "I think I +shall manage to checkmate him there all right. But there's another +scheme afloat that I don't follow so closely. You know Senator +Hastings, I suppose?" + +The Ambassador nodded. + +"Senator Theodore Hastings," he repeated thoughtfully. "Yes, he's +rather a dark horse. He is supposed to be the President's bosom friend, +but I hear whispers that he'd give his soul for a nomination, adopt any +cause or fight any one's battle." + +"That's my own idea of him," Lutchester replied, "and I think you will +find him in the field with a pretty definite platform before long." + +"You think he's mixed up with Fischer?" the Ambassador inquired. + +"I'm sure he is," Lutchester assented. "Not only that, but they have +something up their sleeve. I think I can guess what it is, but I'm not +sure. How have things seemed to you here lately?" + +"To tell you the truth, I haven't liked the look of them," the +Ambassador confided. "There's something afoot, and I can't be sure what +it is. Look at the crowd to-night. Of course, all the Americans are +here, but the diplomatic attendance has never been so thin. The +Rumanian Minister and his wife, the Italian, the Spanish, and the +Swedish representatives are all absent. I have just heard, too, that +Baron von Schwerin is giving a dinner-party." + +Lutchester looked thoughtfully at the little stream of people. The +Ambassador left him for a few moments to welcome some late comers. He +returned presently and resumed his seat by Lutchester's side. + +"Of course," he continued, lowering his voice, "all formal +communications between us and the enemy Embassies have ceased, but it +has come to be an understood thing, to avoid embarrassments to our +mutual friends, that we do not hold functions on the same day. I heard +that Von Schwerin was giving this dinner-party, so I sent round this +morning to inquire. The reply was that it was entirely a private one. +One of our youngsters brought us in a list of the guests a short time +ago. I see Hastings is one of them, and Fischer, and Rumania and Greece +will be represented. Now Hastings was to have been here, and as a rule +the neutrals are very punctilious." + +"I suppose the way that naval affair was represented didn't do us any +good," Lutchester observed. + +"It did us harm, without a doubt," was the lugubrious admission. +"Still, fortunately, these people over here are clever enough to +understand our idiosyncrasies. I honestly think we'd rather whine about +a defeat than glory in a victory." + +"Diplomatically, too," Lutchester remarked thoughtfully, "I should have +said that things seemed all right here. The President comes in for a +great deal of abuse in some countries. Personally, I think he has been +wonderful." + +The Ambassador nodded. + +"You and I both know, Lutchester," he said, "that the last thing we +want is to find America dragged into this war. Such a happening would +be nothing more nor less than a catastrophe in itself, to say nothing +of the internal dissensions here. On the other hand, as things are now, +Washington is becoming a perfect arena for diplomatic chicanery, and I +have just an instinct--I can't define it in any way--which leads me to +believe that some fresh trouble has started within the last twenty-four +hours." + +Lady Ridlingshawe motioned to her husband with her fan, and he rose at +once to his feet. + +"I must leave you to look after yourself for a time, Lutchester," he +concluded. "You'll find plenty of people here you know. Don't go until +you've seen me again." + +Lutchester wandered off in search of Pamela. He found her with Mrs. +Hastings, surrounded by a little crowd of acquaintances. Pamela waved +her fan, and they made way for him. + +"Mr. Lutchester, I have been looking everywhere for you!" she +exclaimed. "What a secretive person you are! Why couldn't you tell me +that Lady Ridlingshawe was your cousin? I want you to take me to her, +please, I met her sister out in Nice." + +She laid her fingers upon his arm, and they passed out of the little +circle. + +"All bluff, of course," she murmured. "Find the quietest place you can. +I want to talk to you." + +They wandered out on to a balcony where some of the younger people were +taking ices. She leaned over the wooden rail. + +"Listen," she said, "I adore this atmosphere, and I am perfectly +certain there is something going on--something exciting, I mean. You +know that the Baron von Schwerin has a dinner-party?" + +"I know that," he assented. + +"Uncle Theodore is going with Mr. Fischer. He was invited at the last +moment, and I understand that his presence was specially requested." + +Lutchester stood for a short time in an absorbed and sombre silence. In +the deep blue twilight his face seemed to have fallen into sterner +lines. Without a doubt he was disturbed. Pamela looked at him +anxiously. + +"Is anything the matter?" she asked. + +He shook his head. + +"Nothing definite, only for the last few hours I have felt that things +here are reaching a crisis. There is something going on around us, +something which seems to fill Fischer and his friends with confidence, +something which I don't quite understand, and which it is my business +to understand. That is really what is worrying me." + +She nodded sympathetically and glanced around for a moment. + +"Let me tell you something," she whispered. "This evening my uncle came +into my room just before dinner. There is a little safe built in the +wall for jewellery. He begged for the loan of it. His library safe, he +said, was out of order. I couldn't see what he put in, but when he had +closed the door he stood looking at it for a moment curiously. I made +some jesting remark about its being a treasure chest, but he answered +me seriously. 'You are going to sleep to-night, Pamela,' he said, +'within a few yards of a dozen or so of written words which will change +the world's history.'" + +Lutchester was listening intently. There was a prolonged pause. + +"Well?" he asked, at last. + +She glanced at the little Yale key which hung from her bracelet. + +"Nothing! I was just wondering how I should be able to sleep through +the night without opening the safe." + +"But surely your uncle didn't give you the key!" + +She shook her head. + +"I don't suppose he knows I have such a thing," she replied. "He has a +master-key himself to all the safes, which he used. This is one the +housekeeper gave me as soon as I arrived." + +Lutchester looked out into the darkness. + +"Tell me," he inquired, "is that your house--the next one to this?" + +"That's the old Hastings' house," she assented. "They are all family +mansions along here." + +"It looks an easy place to burgle," he remarked. + +She laughed quietly. + +"I should think it would be," she admitted. "There are any quantity of +downstair windows. We don't have burglaries in Washington, though +--certainly not this side of the city." + +A little bevy of young people had found their way into the gardens. +Lutchester waited until they had passed out of earshot before he spoke +again. + +"I have reason to believe," he continued, "that in the course of their +negotiations Fischer has deposited with your uncle a certain autograph +letter, of which we have already spoken, making definite proposals to +America if she will change her attitude on the neutrality question." + +"The written words," Pamela murmured. + +Lutchester's hand suddenly closed upon her wrist. She was surprised to +find his fingers so cold, yet marvellously tenacious. + +"You are going to lose that key and I am going to find it," he said, +quietly. "I am sorry--but you must." + +"I am going to do nothing of the sort," Pamela objected. + +His fingers remained like a cold vice upon her wrist. She made no +effort to draw it away. + +"Listen," he said; "do you believe that the Hastings-cum-Fischer party +is going to be the best thing that could happen for America?" + +"I certainly do not," she admitted. + +"Then do as I beg. Let me take that key from your bracelet. You shall +have no other responsibility." + +"And what are you going to do with it?" + +"You must leave that to me," he answered. "I will tell you as much as I +can. I stopped Nikasti sailing for Japan, but I made a mortal enemy of +him at the same time. He has come to Washington to consult with his +Ambassador. They are together tonight. It is my mission to convince +them of Germany's duplicity." + +"I see.... And you think that these written words--?" + +"Give the key to me," he begged, "and ask no questions." + +She shook her head. + +"I should object most strongly to nocturnal disturbers of my slumbers!" + +It seemed to her that his frame had become tenser, his tone harder. The +grip of his fingers was still upon her wrist. + +"Even your objection," he said, "might not relieve you of the +possibility of their advent." + +"Don't be silly," she answered, "and, above all, don't try to threaten +me. If you want my help--" + +She looked steadfastly across at the looming outline of the Hastings' +house. + +"I do want your help," he assured her. + +"How long should you require the letter for?" + +"One hour," he replied. + +She led him down some steps on to the smooth lawns which encircled the +house. They passed in and out of some gigantic shrubs until at last +they came to a paling. She felt along it for a few yards. + +"There is a gate there," she told him. "Can you do anything with it?" + +It was fastened by an old lock. He lifted it off its hinges, and they +both passed through. + +"Keep behind the shrubs as much as you can," she whispered. "There is a +way into the house from the verandah here." + +They reached at last the shadow of the building. She paused. + +"Wait here for me," she continued. "I would rather enter the house +without being seen, if I can, but it doesn't really matter. I can make +some excuse for coming back. Don't move from where you are." + +She glided away from him and disappeared. Lutchester waited, standing +well back in the shadow of the shrubs. From the Embassy came all the +time the sound of music, occasionally even the murmur of voices; from +the dark house in front of him, nothing. Suddenly he heard what seemed +to be the opening of a window, and then soft footsteps. Pamela appeared +round the corner of the building, a white, spectral figure against that +background of deep blue darkness. She came on tiptoe, running down the +steps and holding her skirts with both hands. + +"Not a soul has seen me," she whispered. "Take this quickly." + +She thrust an envelope into his hands, and something hard with it. + +"That's Uncle Theodore's seal," she explained. "He sealed up the +envelope when he put it in there. Now come back quickly to the Embassy. +You must please hurry with what you want to do. If I have left when you +return, you must come back to exactly this place. That window"--she +pointed upwards--"will be wide open. You must throw a pine cone or a +pebble through it. I shall be waiting." + +"I understand," he assured her. + +They retraced their steps. Once more they drew near to the Embassy. The +night had grown warmer and more windows had been opened. They reached +the verandah. She touched his hand for a moment. + +"Well," she said, "I don't know whether I have been wise or not. Try +and be back in less than an hour, if you can. I am going in alone." + +She left him, and Lutchester, after a few brief words with the +Ambassador, hurried away to his task. In twenty minutes he stood before +a tall, grey-stone building, a few blocks away, was admitted by a +Japanese butler, and conducted, after some hesitation, into a large +room at the back of the house. An elderly man, dressed for the evening, +with the lapel of his coat covered with orders, was awaiting him. + +"I am a stranger to you, Baron," Lutchester began. + +"That does not matter," was the grave reply. "Ten minutes ago I had an +urgent telephone call from our mutual friend. His Excellency told me +that he was sending a special messenger, and begged me to give you a +few minutes. I have left a conference of some importance, and I am +here." + +"A few minutes will be enough," Lutchester promised. "I am engaged by +the English Government upon Secret Service work. I came to America, +following a man named Fischer. You have heard of him?" + +"I have heard of him," the Ambassador acknowledged. + +"In New York," Lutchester continued, "he met one of your countrymen, +Prince Nikasti, a man, I may add," Lutchester went on, "for whom I have +the highest respect and esteem, although quite openly, years ago, he +pronounced himself unfavourably disposed towards my country. The object +of Fischer's meeting with Prince Nikasti was to convey to him certain +definite proposals on behalf of the German Government. They wish for a +rapprochement with your country. They offer certain terms, confirmation +of which Fischer brought with him in an autograph letter." + +There was a moment's silence. Not a word came from the man who seemed +to have learnt the gift of sitting with absolute immovability. Even his +eyes did not blink. He sat and waited. + +"The proposals made to you are plausible and deserving of +consideration," Lutchester proceeded. "Do not think that there exists +in my mind, or would exist in the mind of any Englishman knowing of +them, any feeling of resentment that these proposals should have been +received by you for consideration. Nothing in this world counts to +those who follow the arts of diplomacy, save the simple welfare of the +people whom he represents. It is therefore the duty of every patriot to +examine carefully all proposals made to him likely to militate to the +advantage of his own people. You have a letter, offering you certain +terms to withdraw from your present alliances. Here is a letter from +the same source, in the same handwriting, written to America. Break the +seal yourself. It was brought to this country by Fischer, in the same +dispatch box as yours, to be handed to some responsible person in the +American Government. It was handed to Senator Theodore Hastings. It is +to form part of his platform on the day when his nomination as +President is announced. It must be back in his safe within +three-quarters of an hour. Break the seal and read it." + +The Japanese held out his hand, broke the seal of the envelope, and +read. His face remained immovable. When he had finished he looked up at +his visitor. + +"I am permitted to take a copy?" he asked. + +"Certainly!" + +He touched a bell, spoke down a mouthpiece, and with almost necromantic +swiftness two young men were in the room. A camera was dragged out, a +little flash of light shot up to the ceiling, and the attaches vanished +as quickly as they had come. The Ambassador replaced the document in +its envelope, handed a stick of sealing-wax and a candle to Lutchester, +who leaned over and resealed the envelope. + +"The negative?" he enquired. + +"Will be kept under lock and key," the Ambassador promised. "It will +pass into the archives of Japanese history. In future we shall know." + +Once more he touched a bell. The door was opened. Lutchester found +himself escorted into the street. He was back at the Embassy in time to +meet a little stream of departing guests. Lady Ridlingshawe patted him +on the shoulder with her fan. + +"Deserter!" she exclaimed, reproachfully, "Wherever have you been +hiding?" + +Lutchester made some light reply and passed on. He made his way out +into the gardens. The darkness now was a little more sombre, and he had +to grope his way to the palings. Soon he stood before the dark outline +of the adjoining house. In the window towards which he was making his +way a single candle in a silver candlestick was burning. He paused +underneath and listened. Then he took a pine cone which he had picked +up on his way and threw it through the open window. The candle was +withdrawn. A shadowy form leaned out. + +"I'm quite alone," she assured him softly. "Can you throw it in?" + +He nodded. + +"I think so." + +His first effort was successful. The seal followed, wrapped up in his +handkerchief. A moment or two later he saw Pamela's face at the window. + +"Good night!" she whispered. "Quickly, please. There is still some one +about downstairs." + +The light was extinguished. Lutchester made his way cautiously back, +replaced the gate upon its hinges and reached the shelter of the Embassy, +denuded now of guests. He found Downing in the smoking-room. + +"Can I get a whisky and soda?" Lutchester asked, in response to the +latter's vociferous greeting. + +"Call it a highball," was the prompt reply, "and you can have as many +as you like. Have you earned it?" he added, a little curiously. + +"I almost believe that I have," Lutchester assented. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV + + +Mr. Oscar Fischer and his friend, Senator Theodore Hastings, stood side +by side, a week later, in the bar of one of the most fashionable of New +York hotels. They were passing away the few minutes before Pamela and +her aunt would be ready to join them in the dining room above. + +"Very little news, I fancy," Hastings remarked, glancing at the tape +which was passing through his companion's fingers. + +"Nothing--of any importance," Fischer replied. "Nothing." + +The older man glanced searchingly at his companion, the change in whose +tone was ominous. Fischer was standing with the tape in his hand, his +eyes glued upon a certain paragraph. The Senator took out his +eyeglasses and looked over his friend's shoulder. + +"What's this?" he demanded. "Eh?" + +Fischer was fighting a great battle and fighting it well. + +"Something wrong, apparently, with Frank Roughton," he observed; "an +old college friend of mine. They made him Governor of----only last +year." + +Hastings read the item thoughtfully. + +Governor Roughton this morning tendered his resignation as Governor of +the State of----. We understand that it was at once accepted. Numerous +arrests have taken place with reference to the great explosion at the +Bembridge powder factory. + +"Looks rather fishy, that," Hastings observed thoughtfully. + +"I'm sorry for Roughton," Fischer declared. "He was a perfectly +straight man, and I am sure he has done his best." + +"Great friend of yours?" the other asked curiously. + +"We were intimately acquainted," was the brief answer. + +The two men finished their cocktails in silence. On their way upstairs +the Senator took his companion's arm. + +"Fischer," he said, "you'll forgive me if I put a certain matter to you +plainly?" + +"Naturally!" + +"Within the last few days," Hastings proceeded, "there have been seven +explosions or fires at various factories throughout the States. It is a +somewhat significant circumstance," he added, after a slight pause, +"that every one of these misfortunes has occurred at a factory where +munitions of some sort for the Allies have been in process of +manufacture. Shrewd men have naturally come to the conclusion that +there is some organisation at work." + +"I should doubt it," Fischer replied. "You must remember that there is +always a great risk of disasters in factories where explosives are +being handled. It is a new thing to many of the manufacturers here, +and it is obvious that they are not making use of all the necessary +precautions." + +"I see," Hastings observed, reflectively. "So that is how you would +explain this epidemic of disasters, eh?" + +"Certainly!" + +"At the same time, Fischer, to set my mind entirely at rest," Hastings +continued, "I should like your assurance that you have nothing whatever +to do with any organisation, should there be such a thing, including in +its object the destruction of American property." + +"I will do more than answer your question in the direct negative," was +the firm reply. "I will assure you that no such organisation exists." + +"I am relieved to hear it," Hastings confessed. "This resignation of +Roughton, however, seems a strange thing. Most of these fires have +occurred in his State.... Ah! there is Senator Joyce waiting for us, +and Pamela and Mrs. Hastings." + +Mr. Hastings as a host was in his element. His manners and tact, which +his enemies declared were far too perfect, were both admirably +displayed in the smaller ways of life. He guided the conversation into +light yet opportune subjects, and he utterly ignored the fact that +Senator Joyce, one of the great politicians of the day, whose support +of his nomination was already more than half promised, seemed distrait +and a little cold. It was Pamela who quite inadvertently steered the +conversation into a dangerous channel. + +"What has Governor Roughton been doing, Mr. Fischer?" she asked. + +There was a moment's silence. Pamela's question had fallen something +like a bombshell amongst the little party. It was their guest who +replied. + +"The matter is occupying the attention of the country very largely at +the moment, Miss Van Teyl," he said. "It is perhaps unfortunate that +Governor Roughton seems to have allowed his sympathies to be so clearly +known." + +"He is a German by birth, is he not?" Pamela inquired. + +"Most decidedly not," Fischer asserted. "I was at Harvard with him." + +"All the same," Pamela murmured under her breath, "I think that he was +born at Stuttgart." + +"He is an American citizen," Senator Joyce observed, "and has reached a +high position here. We of the Administration may be wrong," he +continued, "but we believe, and we think that we have a right to +believe, that when any man of conscience and ideals takes the oath, he +is free from all previous prejudices. He is an American citizen-- +nothing more and nothing less." + +"Of course, that is magnificent," Pamela declared, "but it isn't common +sense, is it, and you haven't answered my original question yet." + +"I am not in a position to do so, Miss Van Teyl," Joyce replied. "The +trouble probably is that Governor Roughton has been considered +incompetent as so many of these disasters have taken place unhindered +in his State." + +"There was a rumour," Pamela persisted, "that he was under arrest." + +"Quite untrue, I am sure," Fischer muttered. + +There was a general diversion of the conversation, but the sense of +uneasiness remained. Pamela and Mrs. Hastings, at the conclusion of the +little banquet, acting upon a hint from their host, made their way to +one of the small drawing-rooms for their coffee. Left alone, the three +men drew their chairs closer together. Joyce's fine face seemed somehow +to have become a little harder and more unsympathetic. He sipped the +water, which was his only beverage, and pushed away the cigars in which +he generally indulged. + +"Mr. Hastings," he pronounced, "I have given the subject of supporting +your nomination my deepest consideration. I was at one time, I must +confess, favourably disposed towards the idea. I have changed my mind. +I have decided to give my support to the present Administration." + +Fischer's face was dark with anger. He even allowed an expletive to +escape from his lips. Hastings, however, remained master of himself. + +"I will not conceal from you, Mr. Joyce," he confessed, "that I am +exceedingly disappointed. You have fully considered everything, I +presume--our pledge, for instance, to nominate you as my successor?" + +"I have considered everything," Joyce replied. "The drawback in my +mind, to be frank with you, is that I doubt whether you would receive +sufficient support throughout the country. It is my idea," he went on, +"although I may be wrong, of course, that the support of the +German-Americans who, you must allow me to maintain, are an exceedingly +unneutral part of America, will place you in an unpopular position. +Should you succeed in getting yourself elected, which I very much +doubt, you will be an unpopular President. I would rather wait my +time." + +"You have changed your views," Fischer muttered. + +"To be perfectly frank with you, I have," Joyce acknowledged. "These +outrages throughout the States are, to my mind, blatant and criminal. +Directly or indirectly, the German-American public is responsible for +them--indirectly, by inflammatory speeches, reckless journalism, and +point-blank laudation of illegal acts; directly--well, here I can speak +only from my own suspicions, so I will remain silent. But my mind is +made up. A man in this country, as you know," he added, "need make only +one mistake and his political future is blasted. I am not inclined to +risk making that one mistake." + +Hastings sighed. He was making a brave effort to conceal a great +disappointment. + +"One cannot argue with you, Mr. Joyce," he regretted. "You have come to +a certain conclusion, and words are not likely to alter it. There is no +one I would so dearly have loved to number amongst my supporters, but I +see that it is a privilege for which I may not hope.... We will, if you +are ready, Fischer, join the ladies." + +They rose from the table a few minutes later. + +Fischer, who had been eagerly watching his opportunity, drew Senator +Joyce on one side for a moment as they passed down the crowded +corridor. + +"Mr. Joyce," he said, "I have heard your decision to-night with deeper +regret than I can express, yet more than ever it has brought home one +truth to me. Our position towards you was a wrong one. We offered you a +reversion when we should have offered you the thing itself." + +Senator Joyce swung around. + +"Say, Mr. Fischer, what are you getting at?" he asked bluntly. + +"I mean that it is Hastings and I who should have been your supporters, +and you who should have been our candidate," Fischer suggested boldly. +"What about it? It isn't too late." + +"Nothing doing, sir," was the firm reply. "Theodore Hastings may not be +exactly my type of man, but I am not out to see him cornered like that, +and besides, to tell you the honest truth, Mr. Fischer," he added, +pausing at the door, "when I stand for the Presidency, I want to do so +not on the nomination of you or your friends, or any underground +schemers. I want the support of the real American citizen. I want to be +free from, all outside ties and obligations. I want to stand for +America, and America only, I not only want to be President, you see, +but I want to be the chosen President of the right sort of people.... I +am going to ask you to excuse me to the ladies and our host, Mr. +Fischer," he concluded, holding out his hand. "I had a note asking me +to visit the Attorney General, which I only received on my way here. I +have an idea that it is about this Roughton business." + +Fischer returned to the others alone. Hastings was clearly disturbed at +his guest's departure. His friend and supporter, however, affected to +treat it lightly. + +"Joyce is like all these lawyers," he declared. "He is simply waiting +to see which way the wind blows. I have come across them many times. +They like to wait till parties are evenly balanced, till their support +makes all the difference, and clinch their bargain then." + +"I should have said," Pamela remarked, "that Mr. Joyce was a man above +that sort of thing." + +"Every man has his price and his weak spot," her uncle observed +didactically. "Joyce's price is the Presidency. His weak spot is +popular adulation. I agree with Fischer. He will probably join us +later." + +Mr. Hastings was summoned to the telephone, a moment or two later. Mrs. +Hastings sat down to write a note, and Pamela moved her place over to +Fischer's side. His face brightened at her spontaneous movement. She +shook her head, however, at the little compliment with which he +welcomed her. + +"This afternoon," she said softly, "I met Mr. Lutchester." + +"Is he back in New York?" Fischer asked, frowning. + +Pamela nodded. + +"He told me something which I feel inclined to tell you," she +continued, glancing into her companion's haggard face with a gleam of +sympathy in her eyes. "You'll probably see it in the newspapers +to-morrow morning. Governor Roughton's resignation was compulsory. He +is under arrest." + +"For negligence?" + +"For participation," was the grave reply. "Mr. Lutchester has been down +to--the city where these things took place. He only got back late this +afternoon." + +"Lutchester again!" Fischer muttered. + +"You see, it's rather in his line," Pamela reminded him. "He is over +here to superintend the production of munitions from the factories +which are working for the British Government." + +"He is over here as a sort of general mischief-maker!" Fischer +exclaimed fiercely. "Do I understand that he has been down in----?" + +Pamela nodded. + +"He went down with one of the heads of the New York police." + +She turned away, but Fischer caught at her wrist. + +"You know more than this!" he cried hoarsely. + +The agony in the man's face and tone touched her. After all, he was +fighting for the great things. There was nothing mean about Fischer, +nothing selfish about his lying and his crimes. + +"I have told you all that I can," she whispered, "but if you hurried, +you could catch the _New York_ to-night--and I think I should advise +you to go." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI + + +Fischer, on leaving his unsuccessful dinner party, drove direct to the +residence of Mr. Max H. Bookam, in Fifth Avenue. The butler who +admitted him looked a little blank at his inquiry. + +"Mr. Bookam was expected home yesterday, sir," he announced. "He has +not arrived, however." + +"Has there been any telegram from him?--any news as to the cause of his +non-return?" Fischer persisted. + +"I believe that Mr. Kaye, his secretary, has some information, sir," +the man admitted. "Perhaps you would like to see him." + +Fischer did not hesitate, and was conducted at once to the study in +which Mr. Bookam was wont to indulge in various nefarious Stock +Exchange adventures. The room was occupied on this occasion by a +dejected-looking young man, with pasty face and gold spectacles. The +apartment, as Fischer was quick to notice, showed signs of a strange +disorder. + +"Where's Mr. Bookam?" he asked quickly. + +The young man walked to the door, shook it to be sure that it was +closed, and came back again. His tone was ominous, almost dramatic. + +"In the State Prison at----, sir," he announced. + +"What for?" Fischer demanded, breathing a little thickly. + +"I have no certain information," the secretary replied, with a +noncommittal air. "All I know is that I had a long-distance telephone +to burn certain documents, but before I could do so the room and the +house were searched by New York detectives, whose warrant it was +useless to resist." + +"But what's the charge against Mr. Bookam?" + +"It's something to do with the disasters in----," the young man +confided. "The Governor of the State, who is Mr. Bookam's cousin, is in +the same trouble.... Better sit down a moment, sir. You're looking +white." + +Mr. Fischer threw himself into an easy-chair. He felt like a man who +has built a mighty piece of machinery, has set it swinging through +space, and watches now its imminent collapse; watches some tiny but +ghastly flaw, pregnant with disaster, growing wider and wider before +his eyes. + +"What papers did the police take away with them?" he asked. + +"There wasn't very much for them," the secretary replied. "There was a +list of the names of the proposed organisation which, owing to your +very wise intervention, was never formed. There was a list of factories +throughout the United States in which munitions are being made, with a +black mark against those holding the most important contracts. And +there was a letter from Governor Roughton." + +"Mr. Bookam hasn't drawn any cheques lately for large amounts?" Fischer +inquired eagerly. + +"There are three in his private cheque-book, sir, the counterfoils of +which are not filled in," was the somewhat dreary admission. + +Fischer groaned as he received the news. + +"Have you any idea about those cheques?" he demanded. + +"I am afraid," the other acknowledged, "that Mr. Bookam was not very +discreet. I reminded him of your advice--that the money should be +passed through Sullivan--but he didn't seem to think it worth while." + +"Look here, let me know the worst at once," Fischer insisted. "Do you +believe that any one of those cheques was made payable to any of the +men who are under arrest?" + +"I am afraid," the secretary declared sadly, "that the proceeds of one +were found on the person of Ed. Swindles, intact." + +Fischer sat for a moment with his head buried in his hands. "That any +man could have been such a fool. An organisation would have been a +thousand times safer. Max Bookam was only a very worthy and industrious +clothing manufacturer, with an intense love for the Fatherland and a +great veneration for all her institutions. What he had done, he had +done whole-heartedly but foolishly. He was a man who should never have +been trusted for a moment in the game. After all, the pawns count...." + +Fischer took his leave and reached his hotel a little before midnight. +Already he had begun to look over his shoulder in the street. He found +his rooms empty with a sense of relief, marred by one little +disappointment. Nikasti was to have been there to bid him farewell-- +Nikasti on his way back to Japan. He ascertained from the office of the +hotel that there had been no telephone message or caller. Then he +turned to his correspondence, some presentiment already clutching at +his strained nerves. There was a letter in a large envelope, near the +bottom of the pile, addressed to him in Nikasti's fine handwriting. He +tore open the envelope, and slow horror seized him as he realised its +contents. A long photograph unrolled itself before his eyes. The first +few words brought confusion and horror to his sense. His brain reeled. +This was defeat, indeed! It was a photograph of that other autograph +letter. The one which he had given to Nikasti to carry to Japan lay-- +gross sacrilege!--about him in small pieces. There was no other line, +no message, nothing but this damning proof of his duplicity. + +A kind of mental torture seized him. He fought like a caged man for +some way out. Every sort of explanation occurred to him only to be +rejected, every sort of subterfuge, only to be cast aside with a kind +of ghastly contempt. He felt suddenly stripped bare. His tongue could +serve him no more. He snatched at the telephone receiver and rang up +the number for which he searched eagerly through the book. + +"Is that the office of the American Steamship Company?" he asked. + +"Yes." + +"What time will the _New York_ sail?" + +"In three-quarters of an hour. Who's speaking?" + +"Mr. Oscar Fischer. Keep anything you have for me." + +He threw down the receiver for fear of a refusal, packed a few things +feverishly in a dressing bag, dashed the rest of his correspondence +into his pocket, and with the bag in one hand, and an overcoat over the +other arm, he hastened out into the street. He was obliged at first to +board a street car. Afterwards he found a taxicab, and drove under the +great wooden shed as the last siren was blowing. He hurried up the +gangway, a grim, remorseful figure, a sense of defeat gnawing at his +heart, a bitter, haunting fear still with him even when, with a shriek +of the tugs, the great steamer swung into the river. He was leaving +forever the work to which he had given so much of his life, leaving it +a fugitive and dishonoured. The blaze of lights, the screaming of the +great ferry-boats, all the triumphant, brazen noises of the mighty +city, sounded like a requiem to him as in the darkest part of the +promenade deck he leaned over the railing and nursed his agony, the +supreme agony of an ambitious man--failure. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII + + +"What has become," Mrs. Theodore Hastings asked her niece one afternoon +about a month later, "of your delightful friend, Mr. Lutchester?" + +Pamela laid down her book and looked across at her aunt with wide-open +eyes. + +"Why, I thought you didn't like him, aunt?" + +"I cannot remember saying so, my dear," Mrs. Hastings replied. "I had +nothing against the man himself. It was simply his attitude with regard +to some of your uncle's plans, of which we disapproved." + +Pamela nodded. They were seated on the piazza of the Hastings' country +house at Manchester. + +"I see!... And uncle's plans," she went on reflectively, "have become a +little changed, haven't they?" + +Mrs. Hastings coughed. + +"There is no doubt," she admitted, "that your Uncle Theodore was +inveigled into supporting, to a certain extent, a party whose leaders +have shown themselves utterly irresponsible. The moment these horrible +things began to come out, however, your uncle finally cut himself loose +from them." + +"Very wise of him," Pamela murmured. + +"Who could have believed," Mrs. Hastings demanded, "that men like Oscar +Fischer, Max Bookam and a dozen other well-known and prominent +millionaires, would have stooped to encourage the destruction of American +property and lives, simply through blind devotion to the country of their +birth. I could understand," she went on, "both your uncle and I perfectly +understood that their sympathies were German rather than English, but +we shared a common belief that notwithstanding this they were Americans +first and foremost. It was in this belief that your uncle was led into +temporary association with them." + +"Bad luck," Pamela sighed. "I am afraid it hasn't done Uncle Theodore +any good." + +Mrs. Hastings went on with her knitting for a moment. + +"My child," she said, "it has probably imperilled, if it has not +completely ruined, one of the great hopes which your uncle and I have +sometimes entertained. We are both of us, however, quite philosophical +about it. Even at this moment I am convinced that if these men had +acted with discretion, and been content to wield political influence +rather than to have resorted to such fanatical means, they would have +represented a great power at the next election. As things are, I admit +that their cause is lost for the time. I believe that your uncle is +contemplating an early visit to England. He is of the opinion that +perhaps he has misunderstood the Allied point of view, and he is going +to study matters at first hand." + +Pamela nodded. + +"I think he is very wise, aunt," she declared. "I quite expect that he +will come back a warm advocate of the Allies. No one would have a ghost +of a chance who went to the country here on the other ticket." + +"I believe that that is your uncle's point of view," Mrs. Hastings +assented.... "Why don't you ask Mr. Lutchester down for a couple of +days?" + +"If you mean it, I certainly will," Pamela agreed. + +"Quite incidentally," her aunt continued, "I heard the nicest possible +things about him in Washington. Lady Ridlingshawe told me that the +Lutchesters are one of the oldest families in England. He is a cousin +of the Duke of Worcester, and is extraordinarily well connected in +other directions. I must say he has a most distinguished appearance. +A well-bred Englishman is so different from these foreigners." + +Pamela laid down her book and drew her writing block towards her. + +"I'll write and invite him down at once," she suggested. + +"Your uncle will be delighted," Mrs. Hastings purred.... + +Lutchester received his invitation in New York and arrived in +Manchester three days later. Pamela met him at the station with a +couple of boatmen by her side. + +"If you wouldn't mind sailing home?" she proposed. "The house is +practically on an island, and the tide is just right. These men will +take your luggage." + +They walked down to the little dock together. + +Pamela talked all the time, but Lutchester was curiously tongue-tied. + +"You'll find Uncle Theodore, and aunt, too, most amusing," she +confided. "It is perfectly obvious that there is nothing uncle regrets +so much as his temporary linking up with Fischer and his friends; in +fact, he is going to Europe almost at once--I am convinced for no other +reason than to give him an excuse, upon his return, for blossoming out +as a fervent supporter of the Allies." + +"Are you going too?" Lutchester inquired. "Shall I? Well, I am not +really sure," she declared, as they reached the little wooden dock. "I +suppose I shall, especially if I can find something to do. I may even +turn nurse." + +"You will be able to find plenty to do," he assured her. "If nothing +else turns up, you can help me." + +They stepped on to the yacht. Pamela, a radiant vision in white, with +white flannel skirt, white jersey and tam-o'-shanter, took the helm, +and was busy for a few moments getting clear. Afterwards she leaned +back amongst the cushions, with Lutchester by her side. + +"In the agitation of missing that buoy," he reminded her, "you forgot +to answer my last suggestion." + +"Is there any way in which I could help you?" she asked. + +"You can help me in the greatest of all ways," he replied promptly. +"You can give me just that help which only the woman who cares can give +to the man who cares for her, and if that isn't exciting enough," he +went on, after a moment's pause, "well, I dare say I can find you some +work in the censor's department." + +"Isn't censoring a little dull?" she murmured. + +"Then you choose--" + +Her hand slipped into his. A little breeze filled their sails at that +moment. The wonderful blue water of the bay sparkled with a million +gleams of sunshine. Lutchester drew a great breath of content. + +"That's aunt on the landing-stage, watching us through her glasses," +Pamela pointed out, making a feeble attempt to withdraw her hand. + +"It will save us the trouble," he observed, resisting her effort, "of +explanations." + +Lutchester found his host and hostess unexpectedly friendly. They even +accepted with cheerful philosophy the news that Lutchester's work in +America was almost finished for the time, and that Pamela was to +accompany him to Europe almost immediately. After dinner, when the two +men were left at the table, Hastings became almost confidential. + +"So far as regards the sympathies of this country, Mr. Lutchester," he +said, "the final die has been cast within the last few weeks. There has +always been," he proceeded, "a certain irritation existing between even +the Anglo-Saxon Americans and your country. We have fancied so often +that you have adopted little airs of superiority towards us, and that +your methods of stating your intentions have not always taken account +of our own little weaknesses. Then America, you know, loves a good +fight, and the Germans are a wonderful military people. They were +fighting like giants whilst you in England were still slacking. But it +is Germany herself, or rather her sons and friends, who have destroyed +her chances for her. Fischer, for instance," he went on, fingering his +wineglass. "I have always looked upon Oscar Fischer as a brilliant and +far-seeing man. He was one of those who set themselves deliberately to +win America for the Germans. A more idiotic bungle than he has made of +things I could scarcely conceive. He has reproduced the diplomatic +methods which have made Germany unpopular throughout the world. He has +tried bullying, cajolery, and false-hood, and last of all he has +plunged into crime. No German-American will henceforth ever have weight +in the counsels of this country. I do not mind confessing," Mr. +Hastings continued, as he himself filled his guest's glass and then his +own, "that I myself was at one time powerfully attracted towards the +Teuton cause. They are a nation wonderful in science, wonderful in +warfare, with strong and admirable national characteristics. Yet they +are going to lose this war through sheer lack of tact, for the want of +that kindliness, that generosity of temperament, which exists and makes +friends in nations as in individuals. The world for Germany, you know, +and hell for her enemies!... But I am keeping you." + +Lutchester drank his wine and rose to his feet. + +"Pamela is sitting on the rocks there," Mr. Hastings observed. "I think +that she wants to sail you over to Misery Island. We get some unearthly +meal there at ten o'clock and come back by moonlight. It is a sort of +torture which we always inflict upon our guests. My wife and I will +follow in the launch." + +"To Misery Island!" Lutchester repeated. + +His host smiled as he led the way to the piazza steps. Pamela had +already stepped into the boat, and with the help of a boatman was +adjusting the sail. She waved her hand gaily and pointed to the level +stretch of placid water, still faintly brilliant in the dying sunlight. + +"You think that we shall reach Misery Island before the tide turns?" +she called out. + +Lutchester stepped lightly into the boat and took the place to which +she pointed. + +"I am content," he said, "to take my chance." + + +THE END + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Pawns Count, by E. 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Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: The Pawns Count + +Author: E. Phillips Oppenheim + +Release Date: February, 2006 [EBook #9836] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on October 23, 2003] +[Date last updated: January 1, 2006] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE PAWNS COUNT *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Anuradha Valsa Raj +and PG Distributed Proofreaders + + + + +THE PAWNS COUNT + +BY + +E. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM + + +1918 + + +FOREWORD + +"I am for England and England only," John Lutchester, the Englishman, +asserted. + +"I am for Japan and Japan only," Nikasti, the Jap, insisted. + +"I am for Germany first and America afterwards," Oscar Fischer, the +German-American pronounced. + +"I am for America first, America only, America always," Pamela Van +Teyl, the American girl, declared. + +They were all right except the German-American. + + + + +CHAPTER I + + +Mefiez-Vous! + +Taisez-Vous! + +Les Oreilles Ennemies Vous Ecoutent! + +The usual little crowd was waiting in the lobby of a fashionable London +restaurant a few minutes before the popular luncheon hour. Pamela Van +Teyl, a very beautiful American girl, dressed in the extreme of +fashion, which she seemed somehow to justify, directed the attention of +her companions to the notice affixed to the wall facing them. + +"Except," she declared, "for you poor dears who have been hurt, that is +the first thing I have seen in England which makes me realise that you +are at war." + +The younger of her two escorts, Captain Richard Holderness, who wore +the uniform of a well-known cavalry regiment, glanced at the notice a +little impatiently. + +"What rot it seems!" he exclaimed. "We get fed up with that sort of +thing in France. It's always the same at every little railway station +and every little inn. 'Mefiez-vous! Taisez-vous!' They might spare us +over here." + +John Lutchester, a tall, clean-shaven man, dressed in civilian clothes, +raised his eyeglass and read out the notice languidly. + +"Well, I don't know," he observed. "Some of you Service fellows--not +the Regulars, of course--do gas a good deal when you come back. I don't +suppose you any of you know anything, so it doesn't really matter," he +added, glancing at his watch. + +"Army's full of Johnnies, who come from God knows where nowadays," +Holderness assented gloomily. "No wonder they can't keep their mouths +shut." + +"Seems to me you need them all," Miss Pamela Van Teyl remarked with a +smile. + +"Of course we do," Holderness assented, "and Heaven forbid that any of +us Regulars should say a word against them. Jolly good stuff in them, +too, as the Germans found out last month." + +"All the same," Lutchester continued, still studying the notice, "news +does run over London like quicksilver. If you step down to the American +bar here, for instance, you'll find that Charles is one of the +best-informed men about the war in London. He has patrons in the Army, +in the Navy, and in the Flying Corps, and it's astonishing how +communicative they seem to become after the second or third cocktail." + +"Cocktail, mark you, Miss Van Teyl," Holderness pointed out. "We poor +Englishmen could keep our tongues from wagging before we acquired some +of your American habits." + +"The habits are all right," Pamela retorted. "It's your heads that are +wrong." + +"The most valued product of your country," Lutchester murmured, "is +more dangerous to our hearts than to our heads." + +She made a little grimace and turned away, holding out her hand to a +new arrival--a tall, broad-shouldered man, with a strong, cold face and +keen, grey eyes, aggressive even behind his gold-rimmed spectacles. +There was a queer change in his face as his eyes met Pamela's. He +seemed suddenly to become more human. His pleasure at seeing her was +certainly more than the usual transatlantic politeness. + +"Mr. Fischer," she exclaimed, "they are saying hard things about our +country! Please protect me." + +He bowed over her fingers. Then he looked up. His tone was impressive. + +"If I thought that you needed protection, Miss Van Teyl--" + +"Well, I can assure you that I do," she interrupted, laughing. "You +know my friends, don't you?" + +"I think I have that pleasure," the American replied, shaking hands +with Lutchester and Holderness. + +"Now we'll get an independent opinion," the former observed, pointing +to the wall. "We were discussing that notice, Mr. Fischer. You're +almost as much a Londoner as a New Yorker. What do you think?--is it +superfluous or not?" + +Fischer read it out and smiled. + +"Well," he admitted, "in America we don't lay much store by that sort +of thing, but I don't know as we're very good judges about what goes on +over here. I shouldn't call this place, anyway, a hotbed of intrigue. +Excuse me!" + +He moved off to greet some incoming guests--a well-known stockbroker +and his partner. Lutchester looked after him curiously. + +"Is Mr. Fischer one of your typical millionaires, Miss Van Teyl?" he +asked. + +She shrugged her shoulders. + +"We have no typical millionaires," she assured him. "They come from all +classes and all States." + +"Fischer is a Westerner, isn't he?" + +Pamela nodded, but did not pursue the conversation. Her eyes were fixed +upon a girl who had just entered, and who was looking a little +doubtfully around, a girl plainly but smartly dressed, with fluffy +light hair, dark eyes, and a very pleasant expression. Pamela, who was +critical of her own sex, found the newcomer attractive. + +"Is that, by any chance, one of our missing guests, Captain +Holderness?" she inquired, turning towards him. "I don't know why, but +I have an idea that it is your sister." + +"By Jove, yes!" the young man assented, stepping forward. "Here we are, +Molly, and at last you are going to meet Miss Van Teyl. I've bored +Molly stiff, talking about you," he explained, as Pamela held out her +hand. + +The girls, who stood talking together for a moment, presented rather a +striking contrast. Molly Holderness was pretty but usual. Pamela was +beautiful and unusual. She had the long, slim body of a New York girl, +the complexion and eyes of a Southerner, the savoir faire of a +Frenchwoman. She was extraordinarily cosmopolitan, and yet +extraordinarily American. She impressed every one, as she did Molly +Holderness at that moment, with a sense of charm. One could almost +accept as truth her own statement--that she valued her looks chiefly +because they helped people to forget that she had brains. + +"I won't admit that I have ever been bored, Miss Van Teyl," Molly +Holderness assured her, "but Dick has certainly told me all sorts of +wonderful things about you--how kind you were in New York, and what a +delightful surprise it was to see you down at the hospital at Nice. I +am afraid he must have been a terrible crock then." + +"Got well in no time as soon as Miss Van Teyl came along," Holderness +declared. "It was a bit dreary down there at first. None of my lot were +sent south, and a familiar face means a good deal when you've got your +lungs full of that rotten gas and are feeling like nothing on earth. I +wonder where that idiot Sandy is. I told him to be here a quarter of an +hour before you others--thought we might have had a quiet chat first. +Will you stand by the girls for a moment, Lutchester, while I have a +look round?" he added. + +He hobbled away, one of the thousands who were thronging the streets +and public places of London--brave, simple-minded young men, all of +them, with tangled recollections in their brains of blood and fire and +hell, and a game leg or a lost arm to remind them that the whole thing +was not a nightmare. He looked a little disconsolately around, and was +on the point of rejoining the others when the friend for whom he was +searching came hurriedly through the turnstile doors. + +"Sandy, old chap," Holderness exclaimed, with an air of relief, "here +you are at last!" + +"Cheero, Dick!" was the light-hearted reply. "Fearfully sorry I'm late, +but listen--just listen for one moment." + +The newcomer threw his hat and coat to the attendant. He was a rather +short, freckled young man, with a broad, high forehead and +light-coloured hair. His eyes just now were filled with the enthusiasm +which trembled in his tone. + +"Dick," he continued, gripping his friend's arm tightly, "I'm late, I +know, but I've great news. I've motored straight up from Salisbury +Plain. I've done it! I swear to you, Dick, I've done it!" + +"Done what?" Holderness demanded, a little bewildered. + +"I've perfected my explosive--the thing I was telling you about last +week," was the triumphant reply. "The whole world's struggling for it, +Dick. The German chemists have been working night and day for three +years, just for one little formula, and I've got it! One of my shells, +which fell in a wood at daylight this morning, killed every living +thing within a mile of it. The bark fell off the trees, and the +labourers in a field beyond threw down their implements and ran for +their lives. It's the principle of intensification. The poison feeds on +its own vapours. The formula--I've got it in my pocket-book--" + +"Look here, old fellow," Holderness interrupted, "it's all splendid, of +course, and I'm dying to hear you talk about it, but come along now and +be introduced to Miss Van Teyl. Molly's over there, waiting, and we're +all half starved." + +"So am I," was the cheerful answer. "Hullo, Lutchester, how are you? +Just one moment. I must get a wash, I motored straight through, and I'm +choked with dust. Where do I go?" + +"I'll show you," Lutchester volunteered. "Hurry up." + +The two men sprang up the stairs towards the dressing-room, and +Holderness strolled back to where his sister and Pamela were talking to +a small, dark young man, with rather high cheek-bones and olive +complexion. Pamela turned around with a smile. + +"I have found an old friend," she told him. "Baron Sunyea--Captain +Holderness. Baron Sunyea used to be in the Japanese Embassy at +Washington." + +The two men shook hands. + +"I was interested," the Japanese said slowly, "in your conversation +just now about that notice. Your young friend was telling you news very +loudly indeed, it seemed to me, which you would not like known across +the North Sea. Am I not right?" + +"In a sense you are, of course," Holderness admitted, "but here at +Henry's--why, the place is like a club. Where are the enemies' ears to +come from, I should like to know?" + +"Where we least expect to find them, as a rule," was the grave reply. + +"Quite right," Lutchester, who had just rejoined them, agreed. "They +still say, you know, that our home Secret Service is just as bad as our +foreign Secret Service is good." + +Holderness smiled in somewhat superior fashion. + +"Can't say that I have much faith in that spy talk," he declared. "No +doubt there was any quantity of espionage before the war, but it's +pretty well weeded out now. I say, how good civilisation is!" he went +on, his eyes dwelling lovingly on the interior of the restaurant. +"Tophole, isn't it, Lutchester--these smart girls, with their furs and +violets and perfumes, the little note of music in the distance, the +cheerful clatter of plates, the smiling faces of the waiters, and the +undercurrent of pleasant voices. Don't laugh at me, please, Miss Van +Teyl. I've three weeks more of it, by George--perhaps more. I don't go +up before my Board till Thursday fortnight. Dash it, I wish Sandy would +hurry up!" + +"You never told me how you got your wound," Pamela observed, as the +conversation flagged for a moment. + +"Can't even remember," was the careless reply. "We were all scrapping +away as hard as we could one afternoon, and nearly a dozen of us got +the knock, all at the same time. It's quite all right now, though, +except for the stiffness. It was the gas did me in.... What a fellow +Sandy is! You people must be starving." + +They waited for another five minutes. Then Holderness limped towards +the stairs with a little imprecation. Lutchester stopped him. + +"Don't you go, Holderness," he begged. "I'll find him and bring him +down by the scruff of the neck." + +He strode up the stairs on a mission which ended in unexpected failure. +Presently he returned, a slight frown upon his forehead. + +"I am awfully sorry," he announced, "but I can't find him anywhere. I +left him washing his hands, and he said he'd be down in a moment. Are +you quite sure that we haven't missed him?" + +"There hasn't been a sign of him," Molly declared promptly. "I am so +hungry that my eyes have been glued upon the staircase all the time." + +Pamela, who had slipped away a few moments before, rejoined them with a +little expression of surprise. + +"Isn't Captain Graham here yet?" she asked incredulously. + +"Not a sign of him," Holderness replied. "Queer set out, isn't it? We +won't wait a moment longer. Take my sister and Miss Van Teyl in, will +you?" he went on, laying his hand on Lutchester's shoulder. "Ferrani +will look after you. I'll follow directly." + +The chief maitre d'hotel advanced to meet them with a gesture of +invitation, and led them to a table arranged for five. The restaurant +was crowded, and the coloured band, from the space against the wall on +their left, was playing a lively one-step. Ferrani was buttonholed by +an important client as they crossed the threshold, and they lingered +for a moment, waiting for his guidance. Whilst they stood there, a +curious thing happened. The leader of the orchestra seemed to draw his +fingers recklessly across the strings of his instrument and to produce +a discord which was almost appalling. A half-pained, half-amused +exclamation rippled down the room. For a moment the music ceased. The +conductor, who was responsible for the disturbance, was sitting +motionless, his hand hanging down by his side. His features remained +imperturbable, but the gleam of his white teeth, and a livid little +streak under his eyes gave to his usually good-humoured face an utterly +altered, almost a malignant expression. Ferrani stepped across and +spoke to him for a moment angrily. The man took up his instrument, +waved his hand, and the music re-commenced in a subdued note. Pamela +turned to the chief maitre d'hotel, who had now re-joined them. + +"What an extraordinary breakdown!" she exclaimed. "Is your leader a man +of nerves?" + +"Never have I heard such a thing in all my days," Ferrani assured them +fervently. "Joseph is one of the most wonderful performers in the +world. His control over his instrument is marvellous.... Captain +Holderness asked particularly for this table." + +They seated themselves at the table reserved for them against the wall. +Their cicerone was withdrawing with a low bow, but Pamela leaned over +to speak to him. + +"Your music," she told him, "is quite wonderful. The orchestra consists +entirely of Americans, I suppose?" + +"Entirely, madam," Ferrani assented. "They are real Southern darkies, +from Joseph, the leader, down to little Peter, who blows the +motor-horn." + +Pamela's interest in the matter remained unabated. + +"I tell you it makes one feel almost homesick to hear them play," she +went on, with a little sigh. "Did they come direct from the States?" + +Ferrani shook his head. + +"From Paris, madam. Before that, for a little time, they were at the +Winter Garden in Berlin. They made quite a European tour of it before +they arrived here." + +"And he is the leader--the man whom you call Joseph," Pamela observed. +"A broad, good-humoured face--not much intelligence, I should imagine." + +Ferrani's protest was vigorous and gesticulatory. He evidently had +ideas of his own concerning Joseph. + +"More, perhaps, than you would think, madam," he declared. "He knows +how to make a bargain, believe me. It cost us more than I would like to +tell you to get these fellows here." + +Pamela looked him in the eyes. + +"Be careful, Monsieur Ferrani," she advised, "that it does not cost you +more to get rid of them." + +She leaned back in her place, apparently tired of the subject, and +Ferrani, a little puzzled, made his bow and withdrew. The music was +once more in full swing. Their luncheon was served, and Lutchester did +his best to entertain his companions. Their eyes, however, every few +seconds strayed towards the door. There was no sign of the missing +guest. + + + + +CHAPTER II + + +Molly Holderness, for whom Graham's absence possessed, perhaps, more +significance than the others, relapsed very soon into a strained and +anxious silence. Pamela and Lutchester, on the other hand, divided +their attention between a very excellent luncheon and an even flow of +personal, almost inquisitorial conversation. + +"You will find," Pamela warned her companion almost as they took their +places, "that I am a very curious person. I am more interested in +people than in events. Tell me something about your work at the War +Office?" + +"I am not at the War Office," he replied. + +"Well, what is it that you do, then?" she asked. "Captain Holderness +told me that you had been out in France, fighting, but that you had +some sort of official position at home now." + +"I am at the Ministry of Munitions," he explained. + +"Well, tell me about that, then?" she suggested. "Is it as exciting as +fighting?" + +He shook his head. + +"It has advantages," he admitted, "but I should scarcely say that +excitement figured amongst them." + +She looked at him thoughtfully. Lutchester was a little over +thirty-five years of age, tall and of sinewy build. His colouring was +neutral, his complexion inclined to be pale, his mouth straight and +firm, his grey eyes rather deep-set. Without possessing any of the +stereotyped qualifications, he was sufficiently good-looking. + +"I wonder you didn't prefer soldiering," she observed. + +He smiled for a moment, and Pamela felt unreasonably annoyed at the +twinkle in his eyes. + +"I am not a soldier by profession," he said, "but I went out with the +Expeditionary Force and had a year of it. They kept me here, after a +slight wound, to take up my old work again." + +"Your old work," she repeated. "I didn't know there was such a thing as +a Ministry of Munitions before the war." + +He deliberately changed the conversation, directing Pamela's attention +to the crowded condition of the room. + +"Gay scene, isn't it?" he remarked. + +"Very!" she assented drily. + +"Do you come here to dance?" he inquired. + +She shook her head. + +"You must remember that I have been living in Paris for some months," +she told him. "You won't be annoyed if I tell you that the way you +English people are taking the war simply maddens me. Your young +soldiers talk about it as though it were a sort of picnic, your +middle-aged clubmen seem to think that it was invented to give them a +fresh interest in their newspapers, and the rest of you seem to think +of nothing but the money you are making. And Paris.... No, I don't +think I should care to dance here!" + +Lutchester nodded, but Pamela fancied somehow or other that his +attitude was not wholly sympathetic. His tone, with its slight note of +admonition, irritated her. + +"You must be careful," he said, "not to be too much misled by +externals." + +Pamela opened her lips for a quick reply, but checked herself. + +Captain Holderness and Ferrani had entered the room and were +approaching their table, talking earnestly. The latter especially was +looking perplexed and anxious. + +"It's the queerest thing I ever knew," Holderness pronounced. "We've +searched every hole and corner upstairs, and there isn't a sign of +Sandy." + +"Have you tried the bar?" Lutchester inquired. + +"Both the bar and the grillroom," Ferrani assured him. + +"If he had been suddenly taken ill--" Molly murmured. + +"But there is no place in which he could have been taken ill which we +have not searched," Ferrani reminded her. + +"And besides," Holderness intervened, "Sandy was in the very pink of +health, and bubbling over with high-spirits." + +"One noticed that," Lutchester remarked, a little drily. + +"He might almost have been called garrulous," Pamela agreed. + +Ferrani took grave leave of them, and Holderness seated himself at the +table. + +"Well, let's get on with luncheon, anyway," he advised. "It's no good +bothering. The best thing we can do is to conclude that the impossible +has happened--that Sandy has met with some pals and will be here +presently." + +"Or possibly," Lutchester suggested, "that he has done what certainly +seems the most reasonable thing--gone straight off to the War Office +with his formula and forgotten all about us. Let us return the +compliment and forget all about him." + +They finished their luncheon a little more cheerfully. As the +cigarettes were handed round, Pamela's eyes looked longingly at a tray +of Turkish coffee which was passing. + +"I'm a rotten host," Holderness declared, "but, to tell you the truth, +this queer prank of Sandy's has driven everything else out of my mind. +Here, Hassan!" + +The coloured man in gorgeous oriental livery turned at once with a +smile. He approached the table, bowing to each of them in turn. Pamela +watched him intently, and, as his eyes met hers, Hassan's hands began +to shake. + +"The waiter is bringing us ordinary coffee," Holderness explained. +"Please countermand it and bring us Turkish coffee for four." + +The man had lost his savoir faire. His wonderful smile had turned into +something sickly, his bland speech of thanks into a mumble. He turned +away almost sheepishly. + +"Hassan doesn't seem to like us to-day," Molly remarked. + +"I should have said that he was drunk," her brother observed, looking +after him curiously. + +There was certainly something the matter with Hassan, for it was at +least a quarter of an hour before he reappeared and served his +specially prepared concoction with the usual ceremony but with more +restraint. Molly and the two men, after Hassan had sprinkled the +contents of his mysterious little flask into their coffee, gave him +their hands for the customary salute. When he came to Pamela he +hesitated. She shook her head and he fell back, bowing respectfully, +his hand tracing cabalistic signs across his heart. For a moment before +he departed, he raised his eyes and glanced at her. It was like the +mute appeal of some hurt or frightened animal. + +"You don't approve of Hassan's little ceremony?" Lutchester asked her. + +She shrugged her shoulders. + +"In America," she observed, "I think we look upon coloured people of +any sort a little differently. Well, we've certainly given your friend +a chance," she went on, glancing at the little jewelled watch upon her +wrist, "We've outstayed almost every one here." + +Their host paid the bill, and they strolled reluctantly towards the +door, Holderness and Pamela a few steps behind. + +"Now what are your sister and Mr. Lutchester studying again?" the +latter inquired, as they reached the lobby. + +Molly had paused once more before the notice on the wall, which seemed +somehow to have fascinated her. She read it out, lingering on every +word: + +MEFIEZ-VOUS! +TAISEZ-VOUS! +LES OREILLES ENNEMIES VOUS +ECOUTENT! + +Holderness listened with a frown. Then he turned suddenly to +Lutchester, who was standing by his side. + +"It would be too ridiculous, wouldn't it--you couldn't in any way +connect the idea behind that notice with Sandy's disappearance?" + +"I was wondering about that myself," Lutchester confessed. "To tell you +the truth, I have been wondering all luncheon-time. If ever a man broke +the letter and the spirit of that simple warning I should say your +excitable young friend, Captain Graham, did." + +"But here at Henry's," Holderness protested, "with friends on every +side! Isn't it a little too ridiculous! We'll wait until the last +person is out of the place, anyway," he added. + +The crowd soon began to thin. Ferrani, seeing them still waiting, +approached with a little bow. + +"Your friend," he asked, "he has not arrived, eh?" + +"No sign of him," Holderness replied gloomily. + +"What about his hat and coat?" Ferrani inquired, with a sudden +inspiration. + +"Great idea," Holderness assented, turning towards the cloakroom +attendant. "Don't you remember my friend, James?" he went on. "He +arrived about half-past one, and threw his coat and hat over to you." + +The attendant nodded and glanced towards an empty peg. + +"I remember him quite well, sir," he acknowledged. "Number sixty-seven +was his number." + +"Where are his things, then?" + +"Gone, sir," the man replied. + +"Do you remember his asking for them?" + +The attendant shook his head. + +"Can't say that I do, sir," he acknowledged, "but they've gone right +enough." + +A party of outgoing guests claimed the man's attention. Holderness +turned away. + +"This thing is getting on my nerves," he declared. "Does it seem likely +that Sandy should chuck his luncheon without a word of explanation, +come out and get his coat and hat and walk off? And, besides, where was +he all the time we were looking for him?" + +It was unanswerable, inexplicable. They all looked at one another +almost helplessly. Pamela held out her hand. + +"Well," she announced, "I am sorry, but I'm afraid that I must go. I +have a great many things to attend to this afternoon." + +"You are going away soon?" Lutchester inquired. + +She hesitated, and at that moment Mr. Fischer, who had been saying +farewell to his guests, turned towards her. + +"You are not thinking of the trip home yet, Miss Van Teyl?" he asked. + +"Oh, I don't know," she answered a little evasively. "I'm out of humour +with London just now." + +"Perhaps we shall be fellow-passengers on Thursday?" he ventured. "I am +going over on the _New York_." + +"I never make plans," she told him. + +"In any case," Mr. Fischer continued, "I shall anticipate our early +meeting in New York. I heard from your brother only yesterday." + +She looked at him with a slight frown. + +"From James?" + +Mr. Fischer nodded. + +"Why, I didn't know," she observed, "that you and he were acquainted." + +"I have had large transactions with his firm, and naturally I have seen +a good deal of Mr. Van Teyl," the other explained. "He looks after the +interests of us Western clients." + +Pamela turned a little abruptly away, and Lutchester walked with her to +the door. + +"You will let me see that they bring your car round?" he asked. + +She shook her head. + +"Thank you, no," she replied, holding out her hand. "I have not yet +said good-by to Captain Holderness and his sister. Good-by, Mr. +Lutchester!" + +Her farewell was purposely chilly. It seemed as though the slight +sparring in which they had indulged throughout luncheon-time, had found +its culmination in an antipathy which she had no desire to conceal. +Lutchester, however, only smiled. + +"Nowadays," he observed, "that is a word which it is never necessary to +use." + +She withdrew her hand from his somewhat too tenacious clasp. Something +in his manner puzzled as well as irritated her. + +"Do you mean that you, too, are thinking of taking a holiday from your +strenuous labours?" she asked. "Perhaps America is the safest country +in the world just now for an Englishman who--" + +She stopped short, realising the lengths towards which her causeless +pique was carrying her. + +"Prefers departmental work to fighting, were you going to add?" he said +quietly. "Well, perhaps you are right. At any rate, I will content +myself by saying au revoir." + +He passed through the turnstile door and disappeared. Pamela made her +adieux to Holderness and his sister, and then, recognising some +acquaintances, turned back into the restaurant to speak to them. +Fischer, who had just received his hat and cane from the cloakroom +attendant, stood watching her. + + + + +CHAPTER III + + +Pamela, after a brief conversation with her friends, once more left the +restaurant. In the lobby she called Ferrani to her. + +"Has Mr. Fischer gone, Ferrani?" she asked. + +"Not two minutes ago," the man replied. "You wish to speak to him? I +can stop him even now." + +She shook her head. + +"On the contrary," she said drily, "Mr. Fischer represents a type of my +countrymen of whom I am not very fond. He is a great patron of yours, +is he not?" + +"He is a large shareholder in the company," Ferrani confessed. + +"Then your restaurant will prosper," she told him. "Mr. Fischer has the +name of being very fortunate.... That was a wonderful luncheon you gave +us to-day." + +"Madame is very kind." + +"Will you do me a favour?" + +Ferrani's gesture was all-expressive. Words were entirely superfluous. + +"I want two addresses, please. First, the address of Joseph, your head +musician, and, secondly, the address of Hassan, your coffee-maker." + +Ferrani effectually concealed any surprise he might have felt. He tore +a page from his pocket-book. + +"Both I know," he declared. "Hassan lodges at a shop eighty yards away. +The name is Haines, and there are newspaper placards outside the door." + +"That is quite enough," Pamela murmured. + +"As for Monsieur Joseph," Ferrani continued, "that is a different +matter. He has, I understand, a small flat in Tower Mansions, Tower +Street, leading off the Edgware Road. The number is 18C. So!" + +He wrote it down and passed it to her. Pamela thanked him and stood up. + +"Now that I have done as you asked me," Ferrani concluded, "let me add +a word. Both these men are already off duty and have left the +restaurant. If you wish to communicate with either of them, I advise +you to do so by letter." + +"You are a very courteous gentleman, Mr. Ferrani," Pamela declared, +dropping him a little mock curtsey, "and good morning!" + +She made her way into the street outside, shook her head to the +commissionaire's upraised whistle, and strolled along until she came to +a cross street down which several motor-cars were waiting. She +approached one--a very handsome limousine--and checked the driver who +would have sprung from his seat. + +"George," she said, "I am going to pay a call at a disreputable-looking +news-shop, just where I am pointing. You can't bring the car there, as +the street is too narrow. You might follow me on foot and be about." + +The young man touched his hat and obeyed. A few yards down the street +Pamela found her destination, and entered a gloomy little shop. A +slatternly woman looked at her curiously from behind the counter. + +"I am told that Hassan lodges here, the coffee-maker from Henry's," +Pamela began. + +The woman looked at her in a peculiar fashion. + +"Well?" + +"I wish to see him." + +"You can't, then," was the curt answer. "He's at his prayers." + +"At what?" Pamela exclaimed. + +"At his prayers," the woman repeated brusquely. "There," she added, +throwing open the door which led into the premises behind, "can't you +hear him, poor soul? He's been pinching some more charms from ladies' +bracelets, or something of the sort, I reckon. He's always in trouble. +He goes on like this for an hour or so and then he forgives himself." + +Pamela stood by the open door and listened--listened to a strange, +wailing chant, which rose and fell with almost weird monotony. + +"Very interesting," she observed. "I have heard that sort of thing +before. Now will you kindly tell Hassan that I wish to speak to him, or +shall I go and find him for myself?" + +"Well, you've got some brass!" the woman declared, with a sneer. + +"And some gold," Pamela assented, passing a pound note over to the +woman. + +"Do you want to see him alone?" the latter asked, almost snatching at +the note, but still regarding Pamela with distrustful curiosity. + +"Of course," was the calm reply. + +The woman opened her lips and closed them again, sniffed, and led the +way down a short passage, at the end of which was a door. + +"There you are," she muttered, throwing it open. "You've arst for it, +mind. 'Tain't my business." + +She slouched her way back again into the shop. At first Pamela could +scarcely see anything except a dark figure on his knees before a closed +and shrouded window. Then she saw Hassan rise to his feet, saw the +glitter of his eyes. + +"Pull up the blind, Hassan," she directed. + +He came a step nearer to her. The gloom in the apartment was +extraordinary. Only his shape and his eyes were visible. + +"Do as I tell you," she ordered. "Pull up the blind. It will be +better." + +He hesitated. Then he obeyed. Even then the interior of the room seemed +shadowy and obscure. Pamela could only see, in contrast with the rest +of the house, that it was wonderfully and spotlessly clean. In one +corner, barely concealed by a low screen, his bed stood upon the floor. +Hassan muttered something in an Oriental tongue. Pamela interrupted +him. She spoke in the soothing tone one uses towards a child. + +"That's all right, Hassan," she said. "Sorry to have interrupted you at +your prayers, but it had to be done. You know me?" + +"Yes, mistress," he answered unwillingly. "I your dragoman one year in +Cairo. What you want here, mistress?" + +"You know that I know," she went on, "that you are a Turk and a +Mohammedan, and not an Egyptian at all." + +"Yes, mistress, you know that," he muttered. + +"And you also know," she continued, "that if I give you away to the +authorities you will be sent at once to a very uncomfortable internment +camp, where you won't even have an opportunity to wash more than once a +day, where you will have to herd with all sorts of people, who will +make fun of your colour and your religion--" + +"Don't, mistress!" he shouted suddenly. "You will not tell. I think you +will not tell!" + +He was sidling a little towards her. Again one of those curious changes +seemed to have transformed him from a dumb, passive creature into a +savage. There was menace in his eyes. She waved him back without +moving. + +"I have come to make a bargain with you, Hassan," she said, "just a few +words, that is all. Not quite so near, please." + +He paused. There was a moment's silence. His face was within a foot of +hers, lowering, black, bestial. Her eyes met his without a tremor. Her +full, sweet lips only curved into a faintly contemptuous line. + +"You cannot frighten me, Hassan," she declared. "No man has ever done +that. And outside I have a chauffeur with muscles of iron, who waits +for me. Be reasonable. Listen. There are secrets connected with your +restaurant." + +"I know nothing," he began at once; "nothing, mistress--nothing!" + +"Quite naturally," she continued. "I only need one piece of +information. A man disappeared there this morning. I just have to find +him. That's all there is about it. At half-past one he was inveigled +into the musicians' room and by some means or other rendered +unconscious. At three o'clock he had been removed. I want to know what +became of him. You help me and the whole world can believe you to be an +Egyptian for the rest of their lives. If you can't help me it is rather +unfortunate for you, because I shall tell the police at once who and +what you are. Don't waste time, Hassan." + +He stood thinking, rubbing his hands and bowing before her, yet, as she +knew very well, with murder in his heart. Once she saw his long fingers +raised a little. + +"Quite useless, Hassan," she warned him. "They hang you in England, you +know, for any little trifle such as you are thinking of. Be sensible, +and I may even leave a few pound notes behind me." + +"Mistress should ask Joseph," he muttered. "I know nothing." + +"Oh, mistress is going to ask Joseph all right," she assured him, "but +I want a little information from you, too. You've got to earn your +freedom, you know, Hassan. Come, what do they do with the people who +disappear from the restaurant?" + +"Not understand," was the almost piteous reply. + +Pamela sighed. She had again the air of one being patient with a child. + +"See here, Hassan," she went on, "a few days ago I went over that +restaurant from top to bottom with the manager. There is the musicians' +room, isn't there, just over the entrance hall? I suppose those little +glass places in the floor are movable, and then one can hear every word +that is spoken below. I am right so far, am I not?" + +Hassan answered nothing. His breathing, however, had become a little +deeper. + +"An unsuspecting person, passing from the toilet rooms upstairs, could +easily be induced to enter. I think that there must be another exit +from that room. Yes?" + +"Yes!" Hassan faltered. + +"To where?" + +"The wine-cellars." + +"And from there?" + +Hassan was suddenly voluble. Truth unlocked his tongue. + +"Not know, mistress--not know another thing. No one enters wine-cellar +but three men. One of those not know. If I guess--I, Hassan--I look at +little chapel left standing in waste place. Perhaps I wonder sometimes, +but I not know." + +Pamela drew three notes from her gold purse, smoothed them out and +handed them over. + +"Three pounds, Hassan, silence, and good day! You'll live longer if you +open your windows now and then, and get a little fresh air, instead of +praying yourself hoarse." + +Again the black figure swayed perilously towards her. She affected not +to notice, not to notice the hand which seemed for a moment as though +it would snatch the door handle from her grasp. She passed out +pleasantly and without haste. The last sound she heard was a groan. + +"Done your bit o' business, eh?" the landlady asked curiously. + +Pamela nodded assent. + +"Rather an odd sort of lodger for you, isn't he?" + +"Not so odd as his visitors," the woman retorted, with an evil sneer. + +Pamela passed into the narrow street and drew a long sigh of relief. +Then she entered her car and gave the chauffeur an address from the +slip of paper which she carried in her hand. When they stopped outside +the little block of flats he prepared to follow her. + +"Tough neighbourhood this, madam," he said. + +"Maybe, George," she replied, waving him back, "but you've got to stay +down here. If the man I am going to see thought I was frightened of him +I wouldn't have a chance. If I am not down in half an hour you can try +number 18C." + +The chauffeur resumed his place on the driving-seat of the car. Pamela, +heartily disliking her surroundings, was escorted by a shabby porter to +a shabbier lift. + +"You'll find Mr. Joseph in," the lift boy assured her with a grin. + +Pamela found the number at the end of an unswept stone passage. At her +third summons the door was cautiously opened by a large, +repulsive-looking woman, with a mass of peroxidised hair. She stared at +her visitor first in amazement, then in rapidly gathering resentment. + +"Mr. Joseph is at home," she admitted truculently, in response to +Pamela's inquiry. "What might you be wanting with him?" + +"If you will be so good as to let me in I will explain to Mr. Joseph," +Pamela replied. + +The woman seemed on the point of slamming the door. Suddenly there was +a voice from behind her shoulder. Joseph appeared--not the smiling, +joyous Joseph of Henry's but a sullen-looking negro, dressed in shirt +and trousers only, with a heavy under-lip and frowning forehead. + +"Let the lady pass and get into the kitchen, Nora," he ordered, "Come +this way, mam." + +Pamela followed her guide into a parlour, redolent of stale cigar +smoke, with oilcloth on the floor and varnished walls, an abode even +more horrible than Hassan's lair. Joseph closed the door carefully +behind him, and made no apology for his dishabille. He simply faced +Pamela. + +"Say, what is it you want with me?" he demanded truculently. + +"A trifle," she answered. "The key of the chapel in the little plot of +waste ground next Henry's." + +She meant him to be staggered, and he was. He reeled back for a moment. + +"What the hell are you talking about?" he gasped. + +"Facts," Pamela replied. "Do you want to save yourself, Joseph? You can +do it if you choose." + +He folded his arms and stood in front of the closed door. Without a +collar, his neck bulged unpleasantly behind. There was nothing whatever +left of the suave and genial chef d'orchestra. + +"Save myself from what, eh? Just let me get wise about it." + +Pamela's eyebrows were daintily elevated. + +"Dear me!" she murmured. "I thought you were more intelligent. Listen. +You know where we met last? Let me remind you. You were playing in the +Winter Garden at Berlin, and the gentleman whom I was with, an attache +at the American Embassy, spoke to you. He told me a good deal about +your past life, Joseph, and your present one. You are in the pay of the +Secret Service of Germany. Am I to go to Scotland Yard and tell them +so?" + +He looked at her wickedly. + +"You'd have to get out of here first." + +"Don't be silly," she advised him contemptuously. "Remember you're +talking to an American woman and don't waste your breath. You can be in +the Secret Service of any country you like, without interference from +me. On the other hand, there's just one thing I want from you." + +"What is it? I haven't got any key." + +"I want to discover exactly what has become of Captain Graham," she +declared. + +"What, the guy that missed his lunch to-day?" he growled. + +"I see you know all about it," she continued equably. + +"So he's your spark, is he?" Joseph observed slowly, his eyes blinking +as he leaned a little forward. + +"On the contrary," Pamela replied, "I have never met him. However, +that's beside the point. Do I have the key of that chapel?" + +"You do not." + +"Have you got it?" + +"Right here," Joseph assented, dangling it before her eyes. + +"I think it's a fair bargain I'm offering you," she reminded him. "You +lose the key and keep your place. You only have to keep your mouth shut +and nothing happens." + +"Nothing doing," the negro declared shortly. "Keys as important as this +ain't lost. If I part with it, I get the chuck, and I probably get into +the same mess as the others. If I keep it--" + +"If you keep it," Pamela interrupted, "you will probably stand with +your back to the light in the Tower within the next few days. They've +left off being lenient with spies over here." + +He looked at her, and there were things in his eyes which few women in +the world could have seen without terror. Pamela's lips only came a +little closer together. She pressed the inside of the ring upon her +third finger, and a ray of green fire seemed to shoot forward. + +"I guess I'm up against it," he growled, taking a step forward. "I'll +have something of what's coming to me, if I swing for it." + +His arm was suddenly around her, his face hideously close. He gave a +little snarl as he felt the pinprick through his shirt sleeve. Then he +went spinning round and round with his hand to his head. + +"What in God's name!" he spluttered. "What in hell--!" + +He reeled against the horsehair easy-chair and slipped on to the floor. +Pamela calmly closed her ring, stooped over him, withdrew the key from +his pocket, crossed the room and the dingy little hall with swift +footsteps, and, without waiting for the lift, fled down the stone +steps. Before she reached the bottom, she heard the shrill ringing of +the lift bell, the angry shouting of the woman. Pamela, however, +strolled quietly out and took her place in the car. + +"Back to the hotel, George," she directed the chauffeur. "Don't stop if +they call to you from the flats." + +The young man sprang up to his seat and the car glided off. Pamela +leaned forward and looked at herself in the mirror. There was a shade +more colour in her face, perhaps, than usual, but her low waves of +chestnut hair were unruffled. She used her powder puff with attentive +skill and leaned back. + +"That's the disagreeable part of it over, anyway," she sighed to +herself contentedly. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + + +The last of the supper-guests had left Henry's Restaurant, the +commissionaire's whistle was silent. The light laughter and frivolous +adieux of the departing guests seemed to have melted away into a world +somewhere beyond the pale of the unseasonable fog. The little strip of +waste ground adjoining was wrapped in gloom and silence. The exterior +of the bare and deserted chapel, long since unconsecrate, was dull and +lifeless. Inside, however, began the march of strange things. First of +all, the pinprick of light of a tiny electric torch seemed as though it +had risen from the floor, and Hassan, pushing back a trap-door, stepped +into the bare, dusty conventicle. He listened for a moment, then made a +tour of the windows, touched a spring in the wall, and drew down long, +thick blinds. Afterwards he passed between the row of dilapidated +benches and paused at the entrance door. He stooped down, examined the +keyless lock, shook it gently, gazed upwards and downwards as though in +vain search of bolts that were never there. His white teeth gleamed for +a moment in the darkness. He turned away with a little shiver. + +"Not my fault," he muttered to himself. "Not my fault." + +He listened for a moment intently, as though for footsteps outside. The +disturbance, however, came from the other end of the building. There +was a sharp knocking from the trap-door by which he had ascended. He +touched an electric knob. The place was dimly yet sufficiently +illuminated. He hastened towards the further end of the place and +pulled up the trap-door. A melancholy-looking little procession slowly +emerged. First of all came Joseph, stepping backwards, supporting the +head and shoulders of Graham, still bound and gagged. After him came a +dark, swarthy-faced wine waiter, who supported Graham's feet. Behind +followed Fischer, carrying his silk hat and cane in his hand. He paused +for a moment as he stepped on the floor of the chapel, and brushed the +dust from his trousers. + +"You can take out the gag now," he ordered the two men. "There isn't +much shout in him." + +They laid him upon a couch, and Joseph obeyed the order. Graham's head +swung helplessly on one side. His eyes opened, however, and he +struggled for consciousness. His lips twitched for a moment. In these +long hours he had almost forgotten the habit of speech. The words, when +they came, sounded strange to him. + +"What--where am I? What do you want with me?" + +Fischer laid his hat and stick upon a table, on which also stood a +telephone instrument. + +"The formula, my young friend," he replied, "for that wonderful +explosive of which you spoke in the lobby." + +A sudden accession of nervous strength brought something almost like +passion into the young man's reply, although to himself there still +seemed some unreality in the words which might have come from the walls +or the roof--surely not from his lips. + +"I'll see you damned first!" + +Fischer smiled. The man was good-looking, in his way, but this was a +pale and ugly smile. + +"My request was merely a matter of courtesy," he remarked. "The +difficulty of searching you is not formidable. It would have been +undertaken long ago but for the fact that the restaurant has been +crowded and gags sometimes slip. Besides, there was no hurry. Observe!" + +He leaned over Graham, who for the first time struggled furiously but +ineffectually with his bonds. His fingers all the time were straining +towards the inside pocket of his coat. Fischer nodded understandingly. + +"Allow me to anticipate you," he said. + +With a quick thrust he drew a little handful of papers from the pocket +of his captive. One by one he glanced them through and flung them on to +the floor. As he came towards the end of his search, however, his +expression of confident complacency vanished. His lips shrivelled up a +little, his eyes narrowed. The last folded sheet of paper--a little +perfumed note from Peggy, thanking Sandy for his beautiful roses--he +crumpled fiercely into a little ball. He opened his lips to speak, then +he paused. A new light broke in upon him. The fury had passed from +Sandy Graham's face. In its stead there was an expression of blank +astonishment. + +"Where is the formula?" Fischer asked fiercely. + +There was no reply. Sandy Graham was still staring at the little pile +of papers upon the floor. Fischer made a brief examination of the other +pockets. Then he stepped back. His voice shook, his face was dark and +malevolent. + +"Joseph, Hassan, Jules--listen to me!" he ordered. "Did any one else +enter the musicians' room whilst he was lying in the alcove?" + +"Impossible!" Jules declared. + +"The door was locked," Hassan murmured. + +"Stop!" Joseph exclaimed. + +Fischer wheeled round upon him. + +"Well?" he exclaimed. "Get on, then. Who?" + +Joseph moistened his lips. He was still feeling sore and dizzy, but he +began to see his way. + +"You noticed, perhaps," he said, "the American girl--the beautiful +young lady with this guy's friends? She was waiting with the others for +Captain Graham to come down. I saw her go up the stairs. I saw her come +down again, three minutes later." + +"Miss Van Teyl?" Fischer exclaimed, with a frown. "You're mad, Joseph!" + +The negro laughed grimly. + +"Am I!" he retorted. "I tell you this, Master Fischer. She was in +Berlin where I was, and she was at the Embassy every day. She was asked +to leave there. They put her over the frontier into Holland. I knew her +when she came into the restaurant. She's no society young lady, she +ain't! Bet you she was on to the goods." + +Fischer hesitated for a moment. The thoughts were chasing one another +through his brain. Then he took up the receiver from the telephone +instrument which stood upon the table. + +"1560 Mayfair," he asked in a low tone. + +They all stood listening, grouped around Graham's writhing figure. + +"Hullo! Is that Claridge's Hotel?" Fischer went on. "I am speaking from +Giro's. Put me through, if you please, to Miss Van Teyl's apartments... +What? Repeat that, will you?... Thank you." + +Fischer laid down the receiver. He turned towards the others. He was +breathing a little quickly, and his eyes glittered behind his +gold-rimmed spectacles. + +"Miss Van Teyl," he announced, "has left for Tilbury. She is going out +on the _Lapland_ this morning. My God, she's got the formula!" + +There was a moment's silence. Joseph was standing by with a wicked look +on his face. + +"I saw her slip away," he muttered, "and I watched her come down again. +There was just time." + +Fischer turned suddenly to where Graham was lying. He drew a sheet of +writing paper from the rack upon the table, and a pencil from his +pocket. There was an evil and concentrated significance in his tone. + +"That formula," he said, "can be written again. I think you had better +write it." + +"I'll see you damned first!" was the weak but prompt reply. + +Fischer bent a little lower over the prostrate figure, "Look here," he +went on, "we don't run risks like this for nothing. You're better dead +than alive, so far as we are concerned, anyway. We'd planned to take +the formula from you, and you can guess the rest. There are cellars +underneath here into which no one ever goes who matters. Now here's a +chance of life for you. Write down that formula--truthfully, mind--and +we'll discuss the matter of taking your parole." + +"See you damned first!" Graham repeated, his voice a little more +tremulous but still convincing. + +Fischer stood upright and turned to Jules. + +"Get a bottle of brandy and a glass," he ordered. + +The man pushed open the trap-door and disappeared. He came back again +in a few moments, with a bottle in one hand and a glass in the other. +Fischer poured out some of the cordial and drew a small table up to +Graham's side. + +"There," he said, loosening the cord around his left wrist, "drink +that, and think it over. We shall be gone for about ten minutes. If you +change your mind before, ring that little hand-bell. If you have not +changed your mind when we return, it will be the cellars." + +"Beasts!" Graham muttered. + +Fischer shrugged his shoulders. For a moment he had straightened +himself. His face had softened, but it was in tune with his thoughts. + +"I would twist the necks of a million fools like you," he said, "for +the sake of--" + +He paused, leaving his sentence uncompleted, and beckoned to the other +men. They followed him through the trap-door and down into the cellars +below. The place was once more silent. Graham rolled from side to side, +drew a long breath, and tugged vainly at his bonds. The effort +overtaxed his strength. He seemed to feel the darkness closing in upon +him, the rushing of the sea in his ears.... + + + + +CHAPTER V + + +So far as Sandy Graham was concerned, his unconsciousness might have +lasted an hour or a day. As a matter of fact, it was scarcely a minute +after the disappearance of Fischer and his confederates when he was +conscious of a rush of cold air in the place, and beheld the vision of +a tiny flash of light at the lower end of the gloomy building. +Immediately afterwards he heard the soft closing of a door and beheld a +tall, shadowy figure slowly approaching. He lay quite still and looked +at it, and his heart began to beat with hope. One of the lights had +been left burning, and there was something in the bearing and attitude +of the man who finally came to a standstill by his side, which was +entirely reassuring. + +"Lutchester!" he faltered. "My God, how did you get here?" + +"Offices of a young lady," Lutchester observed, producing a knife from +his pocket. "Allow me!" + +He cut the cords which still secured Graham's limbs. Then he looked +around him. + +"How did they bring you here?" he whispered. "I suppose there is a +passage from the restaurant?" + +"Up through a trapdoor there," Graham explained, pointing. + +Lutchester stood over it and listened intently. + +Then he turned around, lifted the glass of brandy from the table, smelt +it approvingly, and tasted it. + +"Excellent!" he pronounced. "The 1840. Allow me!" + +He refilled the glass and handed it to Sandy, who gulped down the +contents. The effect was almost instantaneous. In less than a minute he +had staggered to his feet. + +"Feel strong enough to walk about fifty yards?" Lutchester inquired. + +"I'd walk to hell to get out of this place!" was the prompt reply. + +Lutchester took his arm, and they passed down the dusty aisle between +the worm-eaten and decaying benches and through the outside door, which +Lutchester closed and locked behind them. The rush of cold air was like +new life to Graham. + +"I can walk all right now," he muttered. "My God, we'll give these +fellows hell for this!" + +They made their very difficult way across a plot of ground from which a +row of dilapidated cottages had been razed to the ground. The fog still +hung around them and seemed to bring with it a curious silence, +although the dying traffic from one of the main thoroughfares reached +them in muffled notes. Lutchester climbed to the top of a pile of +rubbish and then, turning around, held out his hand. + +"Up here," he directed. + +Graham struggled up until he stood by his companion's side. The latter +stood quite still, listening for a moment. Then he climbed a little +higher and swung around, holding out his hand once more. + +"I'm on top of the wall," he said. "Come +on." + +Graham's knees were shaking, but with Lutchester's help he staggered up +and reached his side. On the pavement below a man in chauffeur's livery +was standing, holding out his hands, and by the side of the curbstone a +closed car was waiting. Somehow or other the two reached the pavement. +Lutchester almost pushed his companion into the limousine and stepped +in after him. The chauffeur sprang to his seat and the car glided off. +Graham just realised that there was a woman by his side whose face was +vaguely familiar. Then the waves broke in upon his ears once more. + +"I was right, then, it seems," Pamela observed approvingly. "You were +just the man for this little affair." + +Lutchester sighed. + +"Unfortunately," he confessed, "a messenger boy would have been as +effective. I stumbled over to the chapel--rubber shoes, you observe," +he remarked, pointing downwards--"and soon discovered that blinds had +been let down all round and that there were people inside. There was +just a faint chink in one, and I caught a glimpse of several men, your +friend Oscar amongst them. Having," he went on, "an immense regard for +my personal safety, I was hesitating what means to adopt when the +lights were lowered, and it seemed to me that the men were +disappearing." + +"Do go on," Pamela murmured. "This is most exciting." + +"In a sense it was disappointing," Lutchester complained. "I had +pictured for myself a dramatic entrance ... a quiet turning of the key, +a soft approach--owing to my shoes," he reminded her--"a cough, +perhaps, or a breath ... discovery, me with a revolver in my hand +pointed to the arch-villain--'If you stir you're a dead man!' ... +Natural collapse of the villain. With my left hand I slash the bonds +which hold Graham, with my right I cover the miscreants. One of them, +perhaps, might creep behind me, and I hesitate. If I move my revolver +the other two will get the drop on me--I think that is the correct +expression? A wonderful moment, that, Miss Van Teyl!" + +"But it didn't happen," she protested. + +"Ah! I forgot that," he acknowledged. "Still, I was prepared, I had the +revolver all right. But as you say, it didn't happen. I made my way to +the chapel door, let myself in, found our friend lying in a +half-comatose state upon one of the blue plush Henry sofas, in the +shadow of a horrible deal pulpit. I gathered that he had been left +there to reflect upon his sins. There was a bottle of remarkably fine +brandy within reach, which I tested, and with which I dosed our friend +here. I then cut away his bonds, arm in arm we walked down the aisle, I +locked up the place, threw the key away, kicked my shins half-a-dozen +times crossing that disgusting little plot of land, climbed boldly to +the top of the wall, and behold!" + +Pamela smiled upon him in congratulatory fashion. + +"On the whole," she said, "I am quite glad that I telephoned to you." + +"You showed a sound discretion," he admitted. + +"If he had not been lame," she confessed, "I should have sent to +Captain Holderness." + +"That would have been a great mistake," Lutchester assured her. +"Holderness is a good fellow but devoid of imagination. He is great on +constituted authority. He would have probably marched up with a squad +of heavy-footed policemen--and found nothing." + +"Yet I must confess," Pamela persisted, with a frankness unaccountable +even to herself, "that if I could have thought of any one else I should +never have telephoned to you." + +"And why not?" + +"Because I should not have classified you as being of the adventurous +type," she declared. + +Lutchester looked injured. + +"After all," he protested, "that is not my fault. That is due to your +singular lack of perception. However, I am able to return the +compliment. I, for my part, should have thought that you were more +interested in the fashions than in paying exceedingly rash visits to +degenerate orientals and negroes." + +"Perhaps some day," she remarked, "we may understand one another +better." + +He met her gaze with a certain seriousness. + +"I hope that we may," he said. + +For some reason they were both silent for a moment. Her tone had +changed a little when she spoke again. + +"You are sure," she asked, "that you do not mind my leaving the rest of +this affair in your hands? There are reasons, which I cannot tell you +of just now, which make me anxious not to appear in it at all." + +"I accept the charge as a privilege," he assented. "We are within a few +yards of my rooms now. I promise you that I will look after Captain +Graham and advise him as to the proper course for him to pursue." + +The car came to a standstill. + +"This then," she said, holding out her hand, "will be good-by for the +present." + +He held her fingers for a moment without reply. Quite suddenly she +decided that she liked him. Then he lifted Graham, who was half asleep, +half unconscious, to his feet, and assisted him from the car. + +"Where shall I tell the man to go to?" he inquired. + +"He knows," she answered with sudden taciturnity. + +"Wherever it may be, then," he replied, "bon voyage!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + + +It was about half-an-hour later when Sandy Graham opened his eyes and +began to feel the life once more warm in his veins. He was seated in +the most comfortable easy-chair of John Lutchester's bachelor +sitting-room. By his side was a coffee equipage and a decanter of +brandy. His head still throbbed, and his bones ached, but his mind was +beginning to grow clearer. Lutchester, who had been seated at the +writing table, swung round in his chair at the sound of his guest's +movement. + +"Feeling better, eh?" he asked. + +"I am all right now," was the somewhat shaky reply. "Got a head like a +turnip and a tongue like a lime-kiln, but I'm beginning--to feel +myself." + +"How's your memory?" + +"Hazy. Let me see.... My God, I've been robbed, haven't I!" + +"So I imagine," Lutchester replied. "You rather asked for it, didn't +you?" + +Graham moved uneasily in his place. He had suddenly the feeling of +being back at school--and in the presence of the headmaster. + +"I suppose I did in a way," he admitted, "but at Henry's--why, I've +always looked upon the place as a club more than anything else." + +"I am afraid that I can't agree with you there," Lutchester observed. +"I should consider Henry's a remarkably cosmopolitan restaurant, where +a man in your position should exercise more than even ordinary +restraint." + +"I suppose I was wrong," Graham muttered, "but I had been working for +about ten hours on end, and then rushed up to London in the car to try +and keep my appointment with Holderness." + +"Stop anywhere on the way?" + +"We had a few drinks," Graham confessed. "I was so done up. Perhaps I +had more than I meant to. However, it's no use bothering about that +now. I've been robbed, and that's all there is about it. Could we get +on to Scotland Yard from here?" + +"We could, but I don't think we will," Lutchester replied. + +Graham was puzzled. + +"Why not?" he demanded. "That formula was the most wonderful thing that +has ever been put together, and the whole thing's so simple. I've been +afraid every second that some one else might stumble upon it." + +"It is without doubt a great loss," Lutchester admitted. "All the same, +I don't fancy that it's a Scotland Yard business exactly. Have you any +idea who robbed you?" + +Graham paused to think. His eyes were still troubled and uncertain. + +"It's coming back to me," he muttered. "I remember that beastly barn of +a chapel. There were Jules, and that musician fellow, and the big +American. He emptied my pockets ... Why, of course, I remember how +angry he was ... My pocketbook was gone! They left me alone to write +out the formula again, and then you came.... How on earth did you +tumble on to my being there, Lutchester?" + +"It was Miss Pamela Van Teyl whom you must thank," Lutchester told him, +"not me. It seems she knew more about Henry's than any of us. She'd +come up against some of the crew in Berlin, and she guessed they were +holding you for that formula. She got the key out of one of those men +and then telephoned to me for my help." + +"And I never even thanked her," Graham murmured weakly. + +There was a moment's silence. The recovering man's consciousness of his +position and of events was evidently as yet incomplete. He sat up +suddenly in his chair, gripping the sides of it. His eyes were large +with reminiscent trouble. + +"My pocketbook had gone when they searched me," he muttered. + +"Are you sure that you had it with you when you came into Henry's?" +Lutchester inquired. + +"Absolutely certain." + +"Do you think you can remember now what happened when you went +upstairs?" + +"I reached the lavatory all right--you were with me then, weren't you?" +Graham said reflectively. "I hung up my coat while I washed, but there +was no one else in the room. Then you went downstairs and I brushed my +hair and just stopped to light a cigarette. You know that on the +right-hand side of the landing there is a room where the musicians +change. Joseph, that black devil, was standing in the doorway. He +grinned as I came into sight. 'Lady wants to speak to you for a moment, +Captain Graham,' he said. Well, you know how harmless the fellow +looks--just a good-natured, smiling nigger. I never dreamed of anything +wrong. As a matter of fact, I thought that Peggy Vincent--that's a +young lady I often go to Henry's with--wanted to have a word with me +before I joined our party. I stepped inside the room, and that's just +about all I can remember. It must have been jolly quick. His arm shot +round my neck, the door was closed, and that other brute--Hassan, I +think it was--held something over my face." + +"But that room was searched," Lutchester reminded him. + +"Well I came to just a little," Graham explained, "I found that I was +in a sort of cupboard place, behind the lockers these fellows have for +their clothes. It opens with a spring lock, and you'd never notice it, +searching the room." + +"Who was the first person you saw when you recovered consciousness?" + +Graham's forehead was wrinkled in the effort to remember. + +"I can't quite get hold of it," he confessed, "but I have a sort of +fancy I can't altogether get rid of that there was a woman about." + +Lutchester looked at the end of the cigarette he had just lit. + +"A woman?" he repeated. "That's queer." + +"I can't remember anything definitely until I woke up in that chapel," +Graham continued, "but when they searched me and found that the +pocketbook had gone, Fischer, the big American, muttered some woman's +name. I was queer just at the moment, but it sounded very much to me +like Miss Van Teyl's. He rang her up on the telephone." + +"Did they suspect Miss Van Teyl, then, of having taken your +pocketbook?" + +Graham shook his head. + +"I lost the drift of things just then," he admitted. "She couldn't have +done, in any case. Forgive me, but aren't we wasting time, Mr. +Lutchester? We must do something. Couldn't you ring up Scotland Yard +now?" + +"I certainly could," Lutchester assented, "but, as I told you just now, +I don't think that I will." + +Graham stared at him. + +"But why not?" + +"For certain very definite reasons with which you needn't trouble +yourself just now," Lutchester pronounced. "The formula has gone, +without a doubt, but it certainly isn't in the hands of any of the +people at Henry's." + +"But there's that American fellow--Fischer!" Graham exclaimed. "He was +the ringleader!" + +"Just so," Lutchester murmured thoughtfully. "However, he hasn't got +the formula." + +"But he planned the attack upon me," Graham protested. "He is an +enemy--a German--sheltering himself under his American naturalization. +Surely we're going for him?" + +"He's a wrong 'un, of course," Lutchester admitted, "but he hasn't got +the formula." + +"But we must do something!" Graham continued, his anger rising as his +strength returned. "Why, the place is a perfect den of conspirators! I +expect Ferrani himself is in it, and there's that other maitre d'hotel, +Jules, and those black beasts, Joseph and Hassan, besides Fischer. My +God, they shall pay for this!" + +Lutchester nodded. + +"I dare say they will," he admitted, "but not quite in the way you are +thinking of." + +Graham half rose to his feet. + +"Look here," he said, "I'm sane enough now, aren't I, and in my proper +senses? You are not going to suggest that we don't turn the police on +to that damned place?" + +"I certainly am," was the brief reply. + +Graham was aghast. + +"What do you mean to do, then?" + +"Leave them alone for the present. Not one of them has the formula. Not +one of them even knows where it is." + +"But the attack upon me?" + +"You asked for all you got," Lutchester told him curtly, "and perhaps a +little more." + +The first tinge of colour came back to Graham's cheeks. His eyes +flashed with anger. + +"Perhaps I did," he admitted, "but that doesn't alter the fact that I'm +going to have some of my own back out of them." + +Lutchester crossed his legs and turned round in his chair. For the +first time he directly faced his visitor. His tone, though not +unkindly, was imperative. + +"Young fellow," he said, "you'll have to listen to me about this." + +A smouldering sense of revolt suddenly found words. + +"Listen to you? What the devil have you got to do with it?" Graham +demanded. + +"I hate to remind any one of an obligation," Lutchester answered, "but +I am under the impression that, together with Miss Van Teyl, of course, +I rescued you from an exceedingly inconvenient situation." + +"I haven't had time yet to tell you how grateful I am," Graham said +awkwardly. "You were a brick, of course, and how you and Miss Van Teyl +tumbled on to the whole thing I can't imagine. But I don't understand +what you're getting at now. You can't suggest that I am to leave these +fellows alone and not give information to the police?" + +"The character of the place," Lutchester assured him, "is already +perfectly well known to the heads of the police. The matter will be +dealt with, but not in the way you suggest. And so far as regards +Fischer, I do not wish him interfered with for the present." + +"You do not wish him interfered with?" Graham repeated. "Where the +devil do you come in at all?" + +"You can leave me out of the matter for the present. You want the +formula back, don't you?" + +"My God, yes!" Graham muttered fervently. "It's all very well to give +one a pencil and a piece of paper and say 'Write it out,' but there are +calculations and proportions--" + +"Precisely," Lutchester interrupted. "You want it back again. Why not +let Fischer do the business? He has an idea where it's gone. The thing +to do seems to me to follow him." + +"To follow Fischer?" Graham repeated vaguely. + +"Precisely. If he thinks the formula is in England, Fischer will stay +in England. If he thinks that it has gone abroad he will go abroad. If +we leave him free we can watch which he does." + +Graham swallowed half a wineglassful of the brandy by his side. Then he +leaned forward. + +"Look here," he said, "you'll forgive me if I repeat myself and ask you +once more--what the hell has all this got to do with you?" + +"Just this much," Lutchester replied, "that I insist upon your taking +the course of action in this matter which I propose." + +"You mean," Graham protested, working himself gradually into a state of +wrath, "that I am to go back to my rooms as though nothing had +happened, see Holderness and the others to-morrow, and not have a word +of explanation to offer? That I am to leave those blackguards at +Henry's to try their dirty games on some one else, and let Fischer, the +man who was fully inclined to become my murderer, go away unharmed? I +think not, Mr. Lutchester. I am much obliged for your help, but you are +talking piffle." + +"What do you propose to do, then?" + +"I am going round to Scotland Yard myself." + +Lutchester rose to his feet. + +"Stay where you are for a minute, please," he begged. + +He passed into a smaller room, and Graham could hear faintly the sound +of the telephone. In a minute or two his host returned. + +"Go in there and speak, Graham," he invited. "You will find some one +you know at the other end." + +Graham did as he was bidden, and Lutchester closed the door after him. +For a few minutes the latter sat in his chair, smoking quietly, his +eyes fixed upon the fire. Then his unwilling guest reappeared. He came +into the room a little unsteadily and looked with new eyes at the man +who seemed so unaccountably to have taken over the control of his +affairs. + +"I don't understand all this," he muttered. "Who the devil are you, +anyway, Lutchester?" + +"A very ordinary person, I can assure you," was the quiet reply. +"However, you are satisfied, I suppose, that my advice is good?" + +"Yes, I am satisfied," Graham answered nervously. "You know that--that +I'm under arrest?" + +Lutchester nodded. + +"Well, you're not asking for my sympathy, I suppose?" he observed +drily. + +The young man flushed. + +"I know that I behaved like a fool," he admitted. "All the same, I've +been working night and day for weeks on this problem. I haven't even +been up to town once. I must say I think they seem inclined to be a +little hard on me." + +"No one is going to be in the least hard on you," Lutchester assured +him. "You have committed a frightful indiscretion, and all that is +asked of you now is to keep your mouth shut. If you do that, I think a +way will be found for you out of your troubles." + +"But what is to become of me?" Graham demanded. + +"I understand that you are to be taken to Northumberland to-morrow," +Lutchester informed him. "There you will be allowed every facility for +fresh experiments. In the meantime, I have promised to give you a +shakedown here for the night. You will find a soldier on guard outside +your door, but you can treat him as your servant." + +"You are very kind," Graham faltered, a little vaguely. "If only I +could understand--" + +Lutchester rose to his feet. His manner became more serious, his tone +had in it a note of finality. + +"Captain Graham," he interrupted, "don't try to understand. I will tell +you as much as this, if it helps you. Henry's Restaurant will be placed +under the closest surveillance, but we wish nothing disturbed there at +the moment until we have discovered the future plans of Mr. Oscar +Fischer." + +"The big German-American," Graham muttered. "He's the man you ought to +get hold of." + +"Some day I hope that we may," Lutchester declared. "For the moment, +however, we want him undisturbed. You would scarcely believe it, +perhaps, if I told you that the theft of your formulas is only a slight +thing compared to the bigger business that man has on hand. There is +something else at the back of his head which is worth heaven and earth +to us to understand. We want the formula and we shall have it, but more +than anything else in the world we want to know why Fischer has pledged +his word in Berlin to bring this war to an end within three months. We +have to find that out, and we are going to find it out--from him. You +see, I have treated you with confidence, Captain Graham. Now let me +show you to your room." Graham put his hand to his forehead. + +"I feel as though this were some sort of nightmare," he muttered. "I've +known you for several months, Mr. Lutchester, and I have never heard +you say a serious word. You dance at Henry's; you made a good soldier, +they said, but you'd had enough of it in twelve months; you play +auction bridge in the afternoons; and you talk about the war as though +it were simply an irritating circumstance. And to-night--" + +Lutchester threw open the door of his own bedroom and pointed to the +bathroom beyond. + +"My man has put out everything he thinks you may want," he said. "Try +and get a good night's sleep. And, Graham." + +"Yes?" + +"Don't bother your head about me, and don't ask any more questions." + + + + +CHAPTER VII + + +The _Lapland_ was two days out from Tilbury before Pamela appeared on +deck, followed by her maid with an armful of cushions, and the deck +steward with her rugs. She had scarcely made herself comfortable in a +sunny corner when she was aware of the approach of a large, familiar +figure. Her astonishment was entirely genuine. + +"Mr. Fischer!" she exclaimed. "Why, how on earth did you catch this +steamer? I thought you were coming on the Thursday boat?" + +"Some inducement to change my mind," Mr. Fischer replied, drawing a +chair up to her side. + +"Meaning me?" + +"I guess that's so!" + +"Of course, I'm exceedingly flattered," Pamela observed, "or rather I +should be if I believed you, but I don't see how you could leave a +supper-party at Henry's and go straight to Tilbury." + +"Say, how did you know I was supping at Henry's?" he inquired. + +"Because I was there for luncheon myself, as you know," she answered +carelessly, "and I heard you order your table for supper." + +Mr. Fischer nodded reminiscently. + +"I always wind up with a little supper at Henry's, on my last night in +London," he remarked. "It left me two hours to get down to Tilbury, but +it don't take me long to start for anywhere when I once make up my +mind. That's the American of us, I suppose. Besides, I never need much +in the way of luggage. I keep clothes over on the other side and +clothes in New York, and a grip always ready packed for a journey." + +"You're so typical," she murmured, smiling. + +"I don't know about that," he replied. "My business makes it necessary +for me to be always on the go. Have you heard from your brother +lately?" + +Pamela shook her head. + +"Jimmy is the most terrible correspondent," she complained. "I don't +think I've had any mail from him for two months." + +"You didn't know that he and I were sharing rooms together, then, in +the Plaza Hotel, I suppose?" + +Pamela turned her head a little and gazed at her companion in genuine +surprise. + +"Sharing rooms in the Plaza Hotel?" she repeated.... "You and Jimmy?" + +"I guess that's so," Mr. Fischer assented. "We were doing business +together one day, and the subject cropped up somehow or other. Your +brother was thinking of making a move, and I'd just been shown these +rooms, which were a trifle on the large side for me. I made him an +offer and he jumped at it." + +"I hope you're not leading James into extravagant ways," she remarked +anxiously. "I loved his little apartment in Forty-Second Street and it +was so inexpensive." + +"Your brother's share of these rooms isn't anything more than he can +afford," Mr. Fischer assured her. "That I can promise you. I guess his +firm is doing well just now. If they've many more clients like me they +are." + +"It is very nice of you to put business in his way," Pamela said +thoughtfully. "I wonder why you do it, Mr. Fischer?" + +"Why shouldn't I?" + +"Well," Pamela went on, her eyes travelling out seaward for a moment, +"you seem to be one of those sort of men, Mr. Fischer, who never do +anything without an object." + +"_Some_ powers of observation," he admitted blithely. + +"You have an object in being kind to Jimmy, then?" + +Mr. Fischer produced a cigar case and selected a cheroot. + +"Mind my smoking?" + +"Not in the least. The only time I mind things is when people don't +answer my questions." + +"I was only kind of hesitating," Mr. Fischer went on, leaning back once +more in his chair. "You want the truth, don't you?" + +"I never think anything else is worth while." + +"In the first place, then," her companion began, "your brother belongs +to what I suppose is known as the exclusive set in New York. I am a +Westerner with few friends there. Through him I have obtained +introductions to several people whom it was interesting to me, from a +business point of view, to know." + +"I see," Pamela murmured. "You are at least frank, Mr. Fischer." + +"I am going to be more frank still," he promised her. "Then another +reason, of course, was because I liked him, and a third, which I am not +sure wasn't the chief of all, because he was your brother." + +Pamela laughed gaily. + +"Is that necessary?" + +"Necessary or not, it's the truth," he assured her. "I am a man of +quick impressions and lasting ones." + +"But we've never met except on a steamer," Pamela reminded him. + +"I know it's the fashion," Mr. Fischer said, "to turn up one's nose at +steamer acquaintances. It isn't like that with me. You see, I don't +have as much opportunity of meeting folk as some others, perhaps. The +most interesting people I've known socially I've met on steamers. I sat +at your table, side by side with you, Miss Van Teyl, for seven days a +few months ago. I guess I'll remember those seven days as long as I +live." + +Pamela turned her head and looked at him. The faintly derisive smile +died away from her lips. The man was in earnest. A certain curiosity +stole into her eyes as the seconds passed. She studied his hard, strong +face, with its great jaw and prominent forehead; the mouth, a little +too full, and belying the rest of his physiognomy, yet with its own +peculiar strength. He had taken off his spectacles, and it seemed to +her that the cold, flinty light of his eyes had caught for a moment +some touch of the softer blue of the sea or the sky. Seated, he lost +some of the awkwardness of his too great and ill-carried height. It +seemed to her that he was at least a person to be reckoned with, either +in friendship or enmity. + +"Are you an American born, Mr. Fischer," she asked him. + +He shook his head. + +"I was born at Offenbach," he told her, "near Frankfurt. My father +brought me out to America when I was eleven years old." + +"You must find the present condition of things a little trying for +you," she observed. + +Oscar Fischer put on his glasses again. He did not answer for several +moments. + +"That opens up a subject, Miss Van Teyl," he said, "which some day I +should like to discuss with you." + +"Why not now?" she invited. "I feel much more inclined for conversation +than reading." + +"Tell me, then, to begin with," he asked thoughtfully, "on which side +are your sympathies?" + +"I try to do my duty as an American citizen," she replied promptly, +"and that is to have no sympathies. Our dear country has set the world +an example of what neutrality should be. I think it is the duty of us +Americans to try and bring ourselves into exactly the same line of +feeling." + +He changed his position a little uneasily. His attitude became less of +a sprawl. His eyes were fixed upon her face. + +"I fear," he said, "that we are going to begin by a disagreement. I do +not consider that America has realised in the least the duties of a +neutral nation." + +"You must explain that at once, if you please, before we go any +further," Pamela insisted. + +"Is this neutrality?" Fischer demanded, his rather harsh voice almost +raucous now with a touch of real feeling. "America ships daily millions +of dollars' worth of those things that make war possible, to France, to +Italy, above all to England. She keeps them supplied with ammunition, +clothing, scientific instruments, food--a dozen things which make war +easier. To Germany she sends nothing. Is that neutrality?" + +"But America is perfectly willing to deal in the same way with +Germany," Pamela pointed out. "German agents can come and place their +orders and take away whatever they want. The market is as much open to +her as to the Allies." + +Fischer was sitting bolt upright in his chair now. There was a little +spot of colour in his cheeks and his eyes flashed behind his +spectacles. He struck the side of the chair. He was very angry. + +"That is Jesuitical," he declared. "It is perfectly well-known that +Germany is not in a position to fetch munitions from America. +Therefore, I say that there is no neutrality in supplying one side in +the war with goods which the other is unable to procure." + +"Then you place upon America the onus of Germany's naval inferiority," +Pamela remarked drily. + +"Germany's maritime inferiority does not exist," Mr. Fischer protested. +"When the moment arrives that the High Seas fleet comes out for action +the world will know the truth." + +"Then hadn't it better come," Pamela suggested, "and clear the ocean +for your commerce?" + +"That isn't the point," Fischer insisted. "We have wandered from the +main issue. I say that America abandons its neutrality when it helps +the Allies to continue the war." + +"I don't think you will find," Pamela replied, "that international law +prevents any neutral country from supplying either combatant with +munitions. If one country can fetch the things and the other can't, +that is the misfortune of the country that can't. For one moment look +at the matter from England's point of view. She has built up a mighty +navy to keep the seas clear for exactly this purpose--to continue her +commerce from abroad. Germany instead has built up a mighty army, with +which she has overrun Europe. Germany has had the advantage from her +army. Why shouldn't England have the advantage from her navy?" + +"Let me ask you the question you asked me a few minutes ago," her +companion begged. "Were you born in America--or England?" + +"I was born in America," Pamela told him; "so were my parents and my +grandparents. I claim to be American to the backbone. I claim even to +treat any sympathies I might have in this affair as prejudices, and not +even to allow them a single corner in my brain." + +Mr. Fischer sat quite still for several moments. He was struggling very +hard to keep his temper. In the end he succeeded. + +"We will not, then, pursue the subject of America's neutrality," he +said, "because it is obvious that we disagree fundamentally. But tell +me this, now, as an American and a patriot. Which do you think would be +better for America--That Germany and Austria won this war, or the +Allies?" + +"Upon that question I have not altogether made up my mind," Pamela +confessed. + +"Then there is room there for a discussion," Mr. Fischer pointed out +eagerly. "I should like to put my views before you on this matter." + +"And I should love to hear them," Pamela replied, "but I feel just now +as though we had talked enough politics. Do you know that I came up on +deck in a state of great agitation?" + +"Submarine alarms from the stewardess?" Mr. Fischer suggested. + +"I am not afraid of submarines, but I have a most profound dislike for +thieves," Pamela declared. + +"You have not had anything stolen?" he asked quickly. + +"I have not," Pamela replied, "but the only reason seems to be that I +have nothing worth stealing. When I got back from luncheon this +afternoon I found that my stateroom had been systematically searched." + +She turned her head a little lazily and looked at her neighbour. His +expression was entirely sympathetic. + +"Your jewellery?" + +"Deposited with the purser." + +"I congratulate you," he said. + +"Nothing has been stolen," she observed, "but one hates the feeling of +insecurity, all the same. Both my steward and stewardess are old +friends. It must have been a very clever person who found his way into +my room." + +"A very clever person," Mr. Fischer objected, "would have known that +you had deposited your jewels with the purser." + +"If it was my jewels of which they were in search," Pamela murmured. +"By the bye, do you remember all that fuss about the disappearance of a +young soldier that morning at Henry's?" + +Fischer nodded. + +"I heard something about it," he confessed. "They were talking about it +at dinner-time." + +"I had an idea that you might be interested," Pamela went on. "He was +rather a foolish young man. He came into the restaurant telling every +one at the top of his voice that he had made a great discovery! Even in +London, which is, I should think, the most prosaic city in the world, +there must be people who are on the lookout to pick up war secrets." + +"Even in London, as you remark," Fischer assented. + +"You didn't hear the end of the affair, I suppose?" she asked him. + +The steward had arrived with afternoon tea. Fischer threw into the sea +the cigar which he had been smoking. + +"I do not think," he said, "that the end has been reached yet." + +Pamela sighed. + +"Les oreilles ennemies!" she quoted. "I suppose one has to be careful +everywhere." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + + +It was one evening towards the end of the voyage, and about an hour +after dinner. A huge form loomed out of the darkness, continuing its +steady promenade along the unlit portion of the deck. Pamela, moved by +some caprice, abandoned her caution of the last few days and called +out. + +"Mr. Fischer!" + +He stopped short. The sparks flew from the red end of his cigar, which +he tossed into the sea. He hastened towards her. + +"Miss Van Teyl?" he replied, a little hesitatingly. + +"How clever of you to know my voice!" she observed. "I am in the humour +to talk. Will you sit down, please?" + +Mr. Fischer humbly drew a chair to her side. + +"I had an idea," he said, "that you had been avoiding me the last two +or three days." + +"I have," she admitted. + +"Have I offended you, then?" + +"Scarcely that," she replied, "only, you see, it seemed waste of time +to talk to you with the foils on, and a little dangerous, perhaps, to +talk to you with them off." + +His face reflected his admiration. + +"Miss Van Teyl," he declared, "you are quite a wonderful person. I have +never believed very much in women before. Perhaps that is the reason +why I have never married." + +"Dear me, are you a woman-hater?" she asked. + +He looked at her steadfastly. + +"I have made use of women as playthings," he confessed. "Until I met +you I never thought of them as companions, as partners." + +She laughed at him through the darkness, and at the sound of her laugh +his eyes glowed. + +"Really, I am very much flattered," she said. "You give me credit for +intelligence, then?" + +"I give you credit for every gift a woman should have," he answered +enthusiastically. "I recognise in you the woman I have sometimes +dreamed of." + +Again she laughed. + +"Don't tell me, Mr. Fischer," she protested, "that ever in your +practical life you have spent a single moment in dreams?" + +"I have spent many," he assured her, "but they have all been since I +knew you." + +Pamela sighed. + +"I have never been through a voyage," she observed, "without a love +affair. Still, I never suspected you, Mr. Fischer." + +"You suspected me, perhaps, of other things." + +She nodded. + +"I am full of suspicions about you," she admitted. "I am not going to +tell you what they are, of course." + +"There is one thing of which I am guilty," he confessed. "I should like +to tell you about it right now." + +"Could I guess it?" + +"You're clever enough." + +"You like me, don't you, Mr. Fischer?" + +"Better than any woman in the world," he answered promptly. "And my +confession is--well, just that. Will you marry me?" + +Pamela shook her head. + +"Quite early in life," she confided, "I made up my mind that I would +never give a definite answer to any one who proposed to me on a +steamer. I suppose it's the wind, or is it the stars, or the silence, +or what? I have known the sanest of men, even like you, Mr. Fischer, +become quite maudlin." + +"I am brimful of common sense at the present moment," he declared +earnestly. "You and I could do great things together, if only I could +get you to look at one certain matter from my point of view; to see it +as I see it." + +"A political matter?" she inquired naively. + +"I want to try and persuade you," he confessed, "that America has +everything in the world to gain from Germany's success, and everything +to lose if the Allies should triumph in this war and Great Britain +should continue her tyranny of the seas." + +"It's an extraordinarily interesting subject," Pamela admitted. + +"It is almost as absorbing," he declared, "as the other matter which +just now lies even nearer to my heart." + +She withdrew her fingers from his sudden clutch. + +"Mr. Fischer," she told him, "what I said just now was quite final. I +will not be made love to on a steamer." + +"When we land," he continued eagerly, "you will be coming to see your +brother, won't you?" + +She nodded. + +"Of course! I am coming to the Plaza Hotel. That, I suppose, is good +news for you, Mr. Fischer." + +"Of course it is," he answered, "but why do you say so?" + +"It will give you so many opportunities," she murmured. + +"Of seeing you?" + +She shook her head. + +"Of searching my belongings." + +There was a moment's silence. She heard his quick breath through the +darkness. His voice assumed its harsher tone. + +"You believe that it was I who searched your stateroom?" + +"I am sure that it was you, or some one acting for you." + +"What is it, then, of which I am in search?" he demanded. + +"Captain Graham's formula," she replied. "I think you want that a good +deal more than you want me." + +"You have it then?" he asked fiercely. + +She sighed. + +"You jump so to conclusions. I didn't say so." + +"You went up the stairs ... you were the only person who went up just +at that one psychological moment! He had his pocketbook with him when +he came in--he told Holderness so." + +"And when you searched him it was gone," she remarked calmly. "Dear +me!" + +"How do you know that I searched him?" Fischer demanded. + +"How dare you ask me to give away my secrets?" she replied. + +"Listen," he began, striving with an almost painful effort to keep his +voice down to the level of a whisper, "you and I together, we could do +the most marvellous things. I could let you into all my schemes. They +are great. They will be successful. After the war is over--" + +He held his breath for a moment. The tramp of approaching footsteps +warned him of the coming of an intruder. The Captain came to a +standstill before their chairs and saluted. + +"Miss Van Teyl," he said, "there will be a mutiny in the saloon if you +don't come down and sing." + +She almost sprang to her feet. The ship was rolling a little, and she +laid her fingers upon his arm. + +"I meant to come long ago," she declared, "but Mr. Fischer has been so +interesting. You will finish telling me your experiences another time, +won't you?" she called out over her shoulder. "There is so much that I +still want to hear." + +Fischer's reply was almost ungracious. He watched their departure in +silence, and afterwards leaned further back in his chair. With long, +nervous fingers he drew a black cigar from his case and lit it. Then he +folded his arms. For more than half an hour he sat there motionless, +smoking furiously. He looked out into the chaos of the windy darkness, +he heard voices riding upon the seas, shrieking and calling to him, +voices to which he had been deaf too long. The burden of these later +years of turbulent, brazen, selfish struggling, rolled back. He had +been a sentimentalist once, a willing seeker after things which seemed +to have passed him by. At his age, he told himself, a man should still +find more than one place in the world. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + + +James Van Teyl glanced curiously at the small, dark figure standing +patiently before him, and then back again at the wireless cable which +he held in his fingers. He was just back from a tiring day in Wall +Street, and was reclining in the most comfortable easy-chair of his +Hotel Plaza sitting-room. + +"Gee!" he murmured. "This beats me. The last thing I should have +thought we wanted here was a valet. The fellow who looks after this +suite has scarcely anything else to do. What did you say your name +was?" + +"Nikasti, sir." + +Van Teyl carefully reconsidered the cable. It certainly seemed to leave +no room for misunderstanding. + +Please engage for our service, as valet, Nikasti. See that he enters on +his duties at once. Hope land this evening. Your sister on board sends +love.--F. + +"Well that seems clear enough," the young man muttered, thrusting the +form into his waistcoat pocket. "You're here to stay, I guess, Nikasti? +I see you've brought your kit along." + +"In case you decided to engage me, sir," the man replied. + +"Oh, you are engaged right enough," Van Teyl assured him. "You'd better +make the best job you can of putting out my evening clothes. If you +ring for the floor valet, he'll help you. The bedrooms are through that +door." + +"Very good, sir!" + +"I am going down to the barber's now," Van Teyl continued, rising to +his feet. "Just remember this, Nikasti--what a name, by the bye!" + +"I could be called Kato," the man suggested. + +"Kato for me all the time," his prospective employer agreed. "Well, +listen. My sister, Miss Van Teyl, arrives from Europe on the _Lapland_ +this evening. If she comes in or rings up, say I'm here and I want to +see her at once. You understand?" + +"I understand, sir." + +Van Teyl strolled out, and Kato disappeared into the inner room. The +floor valet, dressed in the dark blue livery of the hotel, was already +laying out his master's dinner clothes. He eyed the intruder a little +truculently. + +"Who are you, anyway?" he inquired. + +"My name is Nikasti," was the quiet reply. "Mr. Van Teyl has engaged me +as his valet, to wait upon him and Mr. Fischer." + +The man laid down the shirt into which he was fixing the studs. + +"That's some news," he remarked bitterly. + +"To wait on Mr. Van Teyl and Mr. Fischer, eh? What the hell do they +want you for?" + +Nikasti shook his head slowly. He was very small, and his dark eyes +seemed filled with melancholy. + +"It is not for a very long time," he ventured. + +"Long enough to do me out of my five dollars' tip every week," the man +grumbled. "I'm a married man, too, and a good American. Blast you +fellows, coming and taking our jobs away! Can't think what they let you +into the country for." + +"I am sorry," Nikasti murmured. + +"Your sorrow don't bring me in my five dollars," the valet retorted +bitterly. "There's only two suites on this floor to work for, anyway, +and this is the only one worth a cent." + +"I am taking the situation," the other explained, "for the sake of +experience. I do not wish to rob you of your earnings. I will pay you +the five dollars a week while I stay here. You shall help me with the +work." + +"That's a deal, my little yellow-skinned kid," the valet agreed in a +tone of relief. "I'll show you where the things are kept." + +His new coadjutor bowed. + +"The telephone is ringing in the master's room," he observed. "You +shall remain here, and I will answer it." + +"That goes, Jappy," the man acquiesced. "If it's a young lady take her +name, but don't say that Mr. Van Teyl's about. Forward young baggages +some of them are." + +Nikasti glided from the room, closed the door, and approached the +telephone receiver. + +"Yes," he acknowledged, "these are the rooms of Mr. Van Teyl... No, +madam, Mr. Van Teyl is not in at present." + +There was a moment's pause. Nikasti's face was impenetrable as he +listened, but his eyes glowed. + +"Yes, I understand, madam," he said softly. "You are Miss Van Teyl, and +you wish to speak to your brother. The moment Mr. Van Teyl returns I +will ring you up or fetch you." + +He replaced the receiver upon its hook, and returned to the bedroom. +For some little time he was initiated into the mysteries of his new +master's studs, boots and shoes, and general taste in wearing apparel. +Then the latter entered the sitting-room, and Nikasti obeyed his +summons. + +"Anyone called me up?" he inquired. + +"No one, sir." + +Van Teyl glanced at the clock in an undecided manner. + +"I'll change right away," he decided. "Just set things to rights in +here, fill my cigarette case, and hang round by the telephone." + +Nikasti bowed, and the young man disappeared into the inner room. His +new attendant waited until the door was closed. Then he removed the +receiver from its hook, laid it upon the table, and moved stealthily +towards the open fireplace. For several moments he remained in an +attitude of listening, then with quick, lithe fingers he drew from his +pocket a cable dispatch, reread it with an air of complete absorption, +and committed it to the flames. He watched it burn, and turned away +from the contemplation of its grey ashes with a sigh of content. +Suddenly he started. The door of the sitting-room had been opened and +closed. A tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing gold-rimmed spectacles, a +long travelling coat and a Homburg hat, was standing watching him. +Nikasti was only momentarily disturbed. His look of gentle inquiry was +perfect. + +"You wish to see my master--Mr. Van Teyl?" he asked. + +"Where is he?" Fischer demanded. + +"He is dressing in the next apartment. I will take him your name." + +Fischer threw his coat and hat upon the table. + +"That'll do directly," he replied. "So you're Nikasti?" + +They looked at one another for a moment. The face of the Japanese was +smooth, bland, and imperturbable. His eyes were innocent even of any +question. Fischer's forehead was wrinkled, and his brows drawn close +together. + +"I am Nikasti," the other acknowledged--"Kato Nikasti. Mr. Van Teyl has +just engaged me as his valet." + +"You can take off the gloves," Fischer told him. "I am Oscar Fischer." + +"Oscar Fischer," Nikasti repeated. + +"Yes! ... Burning something when I came in weren't you? Looked like a +cable, eh?" + +"A dispatch from London," Nikasti confided. + +"Nothing that would interest me, eh?" + +"It was a family message," was the calm response. "It did not concern +the affair which is between us." + +"How came you to speak English like this?" Fischer inquired. + +"I was at Oxford University for two years," Nikasti told him, "and in +the Embassy at London for five more." + +"Before you took up your present job, eh?" + +Nikasti assented silently. Fischer glanced around as though to make +sure that they were still alone. + +"I have the communication with me," he announced, "which we are to +discuss. The terms of our proposal are clearly set out, and they are +signed by the Highest of all himself. The letter embodying them was +handed to me three weeks ago to-day in Berlin. Have you been to +Washington?" + +Nikasti shook his head. + +"I do not go to Washington," he said. "You will understand that +diplomatically, as you would put it, I do not exist. Neither is it +necessary. I am here to listen." + +Fischer nodded. + +"There need be very little delay, then," he observed, "before we get to +work." + +Nikasti bowed and raised his forefinger in warning. + +"I think," he whispered, "that Mr. Van Teyl has finished dressing." + + + + +CHAPTER X + + +Van Teyl, as he hastened forward to meet his friend, presented at first +sight a very good type of the well-groomed, athletic young American. He +was over six feet tall, with smooth, dark hair brushed back from his +forehead, a strong, clean-shaven face and good features. Only, as he +drew nearer, there was evident a slight, unnatural quivering at the +corner of his lips. The cordiality of his greeting, too, was a little +overdone. + +"Welcome home, Fischer! Why, man, you're looking fine. Had a pleasant +voyage?" + +"Storms for the first few days--after that all right," Fischer replied. + +"Any submarines?" + +"Not a sight of one. Seen your sister yet?" + +"Not yet. I've been waiting about for a telephone message. She hadn't +arrived, a few minutes ago." + +Fischer frowned. + +"I want us three to meet--you and she and I--the first moment she sets +foot in the hotel," he declared. + +"What's the hurry?" Van Teyl demanded. "You must have seen plenty of +her the last ten days." + +"That," Fischer insisted, "was a different matter. See here, Jimmy, +I'll be frank with you." + +He walked to the door of the bedroom, opened it, and looked inside. Its +sole occupant was Nikasti, who was at the far end, putting away some +clothes. Fischer closed the door firmly and returned. + +"I want you to understand this, James," he began. "Your sister is +meddling in certain things she'd best leave alone." + +Van Teyl lit a cigarette. + +"No use talking to me," he observed. "Pamela's her own mistress, and +she's gone her own way ever since she came of age." + +"She's got to quit," Fischer pronounced. "That's all there is about it. +You and I will have to talk this out. Where are you dining?" + +"Downstairs," Van Teyl replied gloomily. "I was thinking of waiting for +Pamela." + +"You leave word to have your people let you know directly she arrives," +Fischer advised, "and come along with me." + +Van Teyl allowed himself to be led towards the door. Nikasti, with a +due sense of his new duties, glided past them, rang for the lift, and +watched them descend. Fischer turned at once towards the dining room. + +"Thank God we're in a civilised country," he observed, "and that I +don't have to change when I don't want to!" + +They found a quiet table, and Fischer, displaying much interest in the +menu, ordered a somewhat extensive dinner. + +"Grapefruit and Maryland chicken are worth coming back to," he +declared. "Now see here, James, let's get to business. You've got to +help me with your sister." + +"But how?" Van Teyl demanded. "Pamela and I are good pals, of course, +but she has a will of her own in all she does, and I don't fancy that +anything I could say would influence her very much." + +"There are two things about your sister," Fischer continued. "The first +is that she's got to quit this secret service business she's got +herself mixed up in." + +"Don't talk nonsense!" Van Teyl exclaimed. "Pamela doesn't care a fig +about politics." + +Fischer grunted scornfully. + +"You don't know much about your sister, young fellow," he said. +"Internal politics over here may not interest her a cent, but she's +crazy about America as a country, and she's shrewd enough to see things +coming that a great many of you over here aren't looking for. Anyway, +she came bang up against me in a little scheme I had on the night +before I left Europe, and somewhere about her she's got concealed a +document which I'd gladly buy for a quarter of a million dollars." + +Van Teyl drank off his second cocktail. + +"Some money!" he observed. "How did she come by the prize?" + +"Played up for it, just as I did," Fischer replied. "She was clever +enough to make use of my scaffolding, and got up the ladder first. I'm +not squealing, but I've got to have that document, whatever it costs +me." + +Van Teyl was silent for a moment. There was an undercurrent of +something threatening in his companion's manner, of which he had taken +note. + +"And the second thing you mentioned?" he asked. "What is that?" + +Fischer, as though to give due emphasis to his statement, indulged in a +brief pause. Then he leaned a little forward and spoke very slowly and +very forcibly. + +"I want to marry her," he declared. + +Van Teyl learned back in his chair and gazed at his vis-a-vis in blank +astonishment. + +"You must be a damned fool, Fischer!" he exclaimed. + +"You think so?" was the unruffled reply. "I wonder why?" + +"I'll tell you why, if you want to know," Van Teyl continued bluntly. +"I know of four of the richest and best-looking young men in America, +two ambassadors, an English peer, and an Italian prince, who have +proposed to Pamela during the last twelve months alone. She refused +every one of them." + +"Well," Fischer remarked, "she must marry some time." + +Van Teyl looked at him insolently. + +"I shouldn't think you'd have a dog's chance," he pronounced. + +There was a little glitter behind Fischer's spectacles. + +"Up till now," he admitted smoothly, "I have not been fortunate. I must +confess, however, that I was hoping for your good offices." + +"Pamela wouldn't take the slightest notice of anything I might say," +Van Teyl declared. "Besides, I should hate you to marry her." + +"A little blunt, are you not, my young friend?" Fischer remarked +amiably. "Still, to continue, there is also the matter of that +document. I must confess that I exercised all my ingenuity to obtain +possession of it on the steamer." + +"You would!" Van Teyl muttered. + +"Your sister, however," Fischer continued, "was wise enough to have it +locked up in the purser's safe the moment she set foot upon the +steamer. She gave me the slip when she got it back, and eluded me, +somehow, on the quay. She will scarcely have had time to part with it +yet, though. When she arrives here to-night, it will in all probability +be in her possession." + +"Well?" Van Teyl demanded. "You don't suggest that I should rob her of +it, I suppose?" + +"Not at all," Fischer replied. "On the other hand, you might very well +induce her to give it up voluntarily, or at least to treat with me." + +"You don't know Pamela," was Van Teyl's curt reply. + +"I know her sufficiently," Fischer went on, leaning over the table, "to +believe that she would sacrifice a great deal to save her brother from +Sing Sing." + +Van Teyl took the thrust badly. He started as though he had been +stabbed, and his face became almost ghastly in its pallor. He tossed +off a glass of wine hastily. + +"Just what do you mean by that?" he asked thickly. + +"Are you prepared," Fischer continued, "to have me visit your office +to-morrow morning and examine my accounts and securities in the +presence of your partners?" + +"Why not?" Van Teyl faltered. "What the hell do you mean?" + +"I mean, James Van Teyl," his companion declared, "that I should find +you a matter of a hundred thousand dollars short. I mean that you've +realised on some of my securities, gambled on your own account with the +proceeds, and lost. You did this as regards one stock at least, with a +forged transfer, which I hold." + +Van Teyl looked almost piteously around. Life seemed suddenly to have +become an unreal thing--the crowds of well-dressed diners, the gentle +splashing of the water from the fountains in the winter garden, the +distant murmuring of music from behind the canopy of palms. So this was +the end of it! All that week he had hoped against hope. He had been +told of a sure thing. Next week he had meant to have a great gamble. +Everything was to have gone his way, after all. And now it was too +late. Fischer knew, and Fischer was a cruel man!... + +The unnatural silence came to an end. Only Fischer's voice seemed to +come from a long way off. + +"Drink your wine, James Van Teyl," he advised, "and listen to me. +You've been under obligations to me from the start. I meant you to be. +I brought a great business to your firm, and I insisted upon having you +interested. I had a motive, as I have for most things I do. You are +well placed socially in New York, and I am not. You are also above +suspicion, which I am not. It suited me to take this suite in the +Plaza, nominally in our joint names, but to pay the whole account +myself. It suited me because I required the shelter of your social +position. You understand?" + +"I always understand," Van Teyl muttered. + +"Just so. Only, whereas you simply thought me a snob, I had in reality +a different and very definite purpose. We come now, however, to your +present obligation to me. I can, if I choose, tear up your forged +transfer, submit to the loss of my money, and leave you secure. I shall +do so if you are able to induce your sister to hand over to me those +few lines of writing--to which, believe me, she has no earthly +right--and to accept me as a prospective suitor." + +Van Teyl was drinking steadily now, but every mouthful of food seemed +almost to choke him. Red-eyed and defiant, he faced his torturer. + +"You're talking rot!" he declared. "Pamela wouldn't marry you if you +were the last man on earth, and if she's got anything she wants to +keep, she'll keep it." + +"And see her brother disgraced," Fischer reminded him, "tried at the +Criminal Court for theft and sent to Sing Sing? It's a good name in New +York, yours, you know. The Van Teyls have held up their heads high for +more than one generation. Your sister will not fancy seeing it dragged +down into the mire." + +For a single moment the young man seemed about to throw himself upon +his companion, Fischer, perfectly unmoved, watched him, nevertheless, +like a cat. + +"Better sit tight," he enjoined. "Drop it now or people will be +watching us. I have ordered some of the old brandy. A liqueur or two +will steady you, perhaps. Afterwards we will go upstairs and take your +sister into our confidence." + +Van Teyl nodded. + +"Very well," he agreed hoarsely. "We'll hear what Pamela has to say." + + + + +CHAPTER XI + + +Nikasti, with a low bow, watched the disappearance of the lift into +which his two new masters, James Van Teyl and Oscar Fischer, had +stepped. He waited until the indicator registered its safe arrival on +the ground floor. Then he slowly retraced his steps along the corridor, +entered the sitting-room, and took up the telephone receiver, which was +still lying upon the table. + +"Will you give me number 77," he asked--"Miss Van Teyl's suite?" + +There was a moment's silence--then a voice at the other end to which he +made obeisance. + +"It is Miss Van Teyl who speaks? I am Mr. Van Teyl's valet. Mr. Van +Teyl is here now and will be glad if you will come in." + +He replaced the receiver, listened and waited. In a few moments there +was the sound of a light footstep outside. The door was opened and +Pamela entered. She was still wearing the grey tailor-made costume in +which she had left the steamer. + +"Why, where is Mr. Van Teyl?" she asked, looking around the room. "I +have been ringing up for the last ten minutes and couldn't get any +answer. I did not realise that it was the next suite." + +"Mr. Van Teyl is close at hand, madam," Nikasti replied. "If you will +kindly be seated, I will fetch him." + +"How long have you been valet here?" Pamela asked curiously. + +"For a few hours only, madam," was the grave reply. "If you will be so +good as to wait." + +He bowed low and left the room. Pamela took up an evening paper and for +a few minutes buried herself in its contents. Then suddenly she held it +away from her and listened. A queer and unaccountable impulse inspired +her with a certain mistrust. There was no sound of movement in the +adjoining bedchamber, nor any sign of her brother's presence. She +opened the door and peered in. It was empty and in darkness. Then, +moved by that same unaccountable impulse, she crossed the room and +listened at the door which led into her own suite, and which she +perceived was bolted on this side as well as her own. She listened at +first idly, afterwards breathlessly. In a few moments she was convinced +that her senses were not playing her false. Some one was moving +stealthily about in her room, the key to which was even at that moment +in her hand. She hastened to the door, to be confronted by another +surprise. The handle turned but the door refused to open. She was +locked in. + +Pamela was both generous and insistent in the matter of bells. She +found four, and she rang them all together. The consequences were +speedy, and in their way satisfactory. Nikasti himself, a breathless +chambermaid, a hurt but dignified waiter, and the floor valet, who had +not even stopped to put on his coat, entered together. They seemed a +little stupefied at finding Pamela alone and no sign of any +disturbance. + +"Why was I locked in here?" Pamela demanded indignantly, taking them +en bloc. + +There was a little chorus of non-comprehension. Nikasti stepped +forward, waved to the others to be silent, and bowed almost to the +ground. + +"It was a mistake easily to be understood, madam," he explained. "The +handle is a little stiff, perhaps, but the door was not locked. We all +reached here together, I myself barely a yard in advance. No key was +used--and behold!" + +Pamela was disposed to argue, but a moment's reflection induced her to +change her mind. This falsehood of Nikasti's was at least interesting. +She waved the hotel servants away. + +"I am sorry to have troubled you," she said. "I will remember it when I +pay my bill." + +They took their leave, Nikasti showing them out. When the last had +departed, he turned back to the centre table, from the other side of +which Pamela was watching him curiously. + +"I cannot imagine," she remarked, "how I could have made such a mistake +about the door. I tried it twice or three times and it certainly seemed +to me to be locked." + +Nikasti moved a step nearer towards her. Something of the servility of +his manner had gone. For the first time she looked at him closely, +appreciated the tense immobility of his features, the still, +penetrating light of his cold eyes. A queer premonition of trouble for +a moment unsteadied her. + +"There was no mistake," he said softly. "The door was locked." + +Even then she did not fully understand the position. She leaned a +little towards him. + +"It was locked?" she repeated. + +"I locked it," he told her. "It is locked now, securely. I have been +searching in your room for something which I did not find. I think that +you had better give it to me. It will save trouble." + +"Are you mad?" she demanded breathlessly. + +"Do I seem so?" he replied. "There is no person more sane than I. I +require from you the formula of the new explosive, which you stole in +Henry's restaurant eleven days ago." + +The sense of mystery passed. It was simply trouble of the ordinary sort +from an unexpected source. + +"Dear me!" she murmured. "Every one seems interested in my little +adventure. How did you hear about it?" + +"I destroyed the cable telling me of all that happened only a few +minutes ago," he explained. "It was the foolish talk of the young +inventor which gave his secret to the world to scramble for." + +"It was very clever of your informant," she remarked, "to suggest that +I was the fortunate thief. Why not Oscar Fischer? It was his plot, not +mine." + +The eyes of the little Japanese seemed suddenly to narrow. He realised +quite well that she was talking simply to gain time. + +"Madam," he insisted, "the formula. It is for my country, and for my +country I would risk much." + +"I do not doubt it," she replied; "but if I hold it, I hold it for my +country, too, and there is nothing you would risk for Japan from which +I should shrink for America." + +He laid his hands upon the table. She turned her ring and clenched her +hand. She could see his spring coming, realised in those few seconds +that here was an opponent of more desperate and subtle calibre than +Joseph. Whether her wits might have failed her, fate remained her +friend. There was a knock at the door. + +"You hear?" she cried breathlessly. "There is some one there. Shall I +call out?" + +His hands and knee were gone from the table. He was once more his old +self, so completely the servant that for a moment even Pamela was +puzzled. It seemed as though the events of the last few seconds might +have been part of a disordered dream. Nikasti played to the cue of her +fevered question and entirely ignored them. He opened the door with a +respectful flourish--and John Lutchester walked in. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + + +Pamela's first shock of surprise did not readily pass. In the first +place, John Lutchester's appearance in America at all was entirely +unexpected. In the second, by what possible means could he have arrived +at this precise and psychological moment? + +"You!" she exclaimed, a little helplessly. "Mr. Lutchester!" + +He smiled as he shook hands. Nikasti had slipped noiselessly from the +room. Pamela made no effort to detain him. She had a curious feeling +that the things which had passed between them concerned their two +selves only. So had no desire whatever to hand him over to retributive +justice. + +"You are surprised," he observed. "So far as my presence here is +concerned, I knew quite well that I was coming some time ago, but it +was one of those matters, you understand, Miss Van Teyl, that one is +scarcely at liberty to talk about. I am here in connection with my +work." + +"Your work," she repeated weakly. "I thought that you were in the +Ministry of Munitions?" + +"Precisely," he admitted. "I have a travelling inspectorship. You see, +I don't mind telling you this, but it is just as well, if you will +forgive my mentioning it, Miss Van Teyl, that these things are not +spoken of to any one. My business over here is supposed to be secret. I +am going round some of the factories from which we are drawing +supplies." + +She drew a long breath and began to feel a little more like herself. + +"Well, after this," she declared, "I shall be surprised at nothing. I +have had one shock already this evening, and you are the second." + +"The first, I trust, was not disagreeable?" + +She shrugged her shoulders. + +"Without flattering you," she answered, "I think I could say that I +prefer the second." + +"I had an idea," Lutchester remarked diffidently, "that my arrival +seemed either opportune or inopportune--I could not quite tell which. +Were you in any way troubled or embarrassed by the presence of the +little Japanese gentleman?" + +"Of course not," she replied. "Why, he is Jimmy's valet." + +"How absurd of me!" Lutchester murmured. "By the bye, if Jimmy is your +brother--Mr. Van Teyl--I have a letter to him from a pal in town--Dicky +Green. It was to present it that I found my way up here this evening. I +was told that he might put me in the way of a little golf during my +spare time over here." + +He produced the note and laid it upon the table. Pamela glanced at it +and then at Lutchester. He was carefully dressed in dinner clothes, +black tie and white waistcoat. He was, as usual, perfectly groomed and +immaculate. He had what she could only describe to herself as an +everyday air about him. He seemed entirely free from any mental +pressure or the wear and tear of great events. + +"Golf?" she repeated wonderingly. "You expect to have a little spare +time, then?" + +"Well, I hope so," Lutchester replied. "One must have exercise. By the +bye," he went on, "is your brother in, do you happen to know? Perhaps +it would be more convenient if I came round in the morning? I am +staying in the hotel." + +"Oh, for goodness sake, don't go away," she begged. "Jimmy will be here +presently, for certain. To tell you the truth, we have been rather +playing hide-and-seek this evening, but it hasn't been altogether his +fault. Please sit down over there--you will find cigarettes on the +sideboard--and talk to me." + +"Delighted," he agreed, taking the chair opposite to her. "I suppose +you want to know what became of poor Graham?" + +A sudden bewilderment appeared in her face. She leaned towards him. Her +forehead was knitted, her eyes puzzled. There was a new problem to be +solved. + +"Why, Mr. Lutchester," she demanded, "how on earth did you get here?" + +"Across the Atlantic," he replied amiably. "Bit too far the other way +round." + +"Yes, but what on?" she persisted. "I went straight on to the _Lapland_ +after we parted last week, and only arrived here an hour or so ago. +There was no other passenger steamer sailing for three days." + +"I was a stowaway," he told her confidentially--"helped to shovel coals +all the way over." + +"Don't talk nonsense!" she protested a little sharply. "I dislike +mysteries. Look at you! A stowaway, indeed! Tell me the truth +at once?" + +He leaned forward in his chair towards her. An ingenuous smile parted +his lips. He had the air of a schoolboy repeating a mischievous secret. + +"The fact is, Miss Van Teyl," he confided, "I don't want it talked +about, you know, but I had a joy ride over." + +"A what?" + +"A joy ride," he repeated. "A cousin of mine is in command of a +destroyer, and she was under orders to sail for New York. He hadn't the +slightest right, really, to bring a passenger, as she was coming over +on a special mission, but I had word about the trip over here, so I +slipped on board late one night--not a word to any one, you +understand--and--well, here I am. A more awful voyage," he went on +impressively, "you couldn't imagine. I was sore all over within +twenty-four hours of starting. There's practically no deck on those +things, you know, for sitting out or anything of that sort. The British +Navy's nowhere for comfort, I can tell you. The biggest liner for me, +going back!" + +Pamela was still a little dazed. Lutchester's story did not sound in +the least convincing. For the moment, however, she accepted his account +of himself. + +"Tell me now," she begged, "about Captain Graham?" + +"You haven't heard, then?" + +"I have heard nothing. How should I hear?" + +"I took him straight back to my rooms after we left you," Lutchester +began. "He was in an awful state of nerves and drugs and drink. Then I +put him to bed as soon as I could, and rang up a pal of mine at the War +Office to take him in hand." + +"Do you believe," she asked curiously, "that he had really been robbed +of his formula?" + +"Those amiable people who were interviewing him in the chapel seemed to +think so," Lutchester observed. + +"But you! What do you think?" she persisted. He smiled in superior +fashion. + +"I find it rather hard to bring myself to believe that any one would +take the trouble," he confided. "I have heard it said in my department +that there have been thirty-one new explosives invented since the +beginning of the war. Two of them only are in use, and they're not much +better than the old stuff." + +Pamela nodded understandingly. + +"All the same," she remarked, "I am not at all sure that was the case +with Captain Graham's invention. There were rumours for days before +that something wonderful was happening on Salisbury Plain. They had to +cover up whole acres of ground after his last experiments, and a man +who was down there told me that it seemed just as though the life had +been sucked out of it." + +"Where did you collect all this information?" her visitor inquired. + +She shrugged her shoulders. + +"One hears everything in London." + +Lutchester was sitting with his finger-tips pressed together. For a +moment his attention seemed fixed upon them. + +"There are things," he said, "which one hears, too, in the far corners +of the world--on the Atlantic, for instance." + +"You have had some news?" she interrupted. + +"It is really a private piece of information," he told her, "and it +won't be in the papers--not the way the thing happened, anyway--but I +don't suppose there's any harm in telling you, as we were both more or +less mixed up in the affair. Graham was shot the next day, on his way +up to Northumberland." + +"Shot?" she exclaimed incredulously. + +"Murdered, if you'd like the whole thrill," Lutchester continued. "Of +course, we didn't get many particulars in the wireless, but we gathered +that he was shot by some one passing him in a more powerful car on a +lonely stretch of the Great North Road." + +Pamela shuddered. She was for the moment profoundly impressed. A +certain air of unreality which had hung over the events of that night +was suddenly banished. The whole tragedy rose up before her eyes. The +effect of it was almost stupefying. + +"Gave me quite a shock," Lutchester confided. "Somehow or other I had +never been able to take that night quite seriously. There was more than +a dash of melodrama in it, wasn't there? Seems now as though those +fellows must have been in earnest, though." + +"And as though Captain Graham's formula," she reminded him gravely, +"was the real thing." + +"Whereupon," Lutchester observed, "our first interest in the affair +receives a certain stimulus. Some one stole the formula. To judge from +the behaviour of those amiable gentlemen connected with Henry's +Restaurant, it wasn't they. Some one had been before them. Have you any +theories, Miss Van Teyl?" + +"I can tell you who has," she replied. "Do you remember when we were +all grouped around that notice--Mefiez-vous! Taisez-vous! Les oreilles +ennemies vous ecoutent!?" + +"Of course I do," he assented. + +"Do you remember Baron Sunyea making a remark afterwards? He had been +standing by and heard everything Graham said." + +"Can't say that I do," Lutchester regretted, "but I remember seeing him +about the place." + +"You promise to say or do nothing without my permission, if I tell you +something?" she went on. + +"Naturally!" + +"See, then, how diplomacy or secret service work, or whatever you like +to call it, can gather the ends of the world together! Only a quarter +of an hour ago that Japanese valet of my brother's, having searched my +rooms in vain, demanded from me that formula!" + +"From you?" Lutchester gasped. "But you haven't got it!" + +"Of course not. On the other hand Sunyea pitched upon me as being one +of the possible thieves, and cabled his instructions over." + +"Have you got it?" he asked abruptly. + +"If I had," she smiled, "I should not tell you." + +"But come," he expostulated, "the thing's no use to you." + +"So Baron Sunyea evidently thought," she laughed. "We'll leave that, if +you don't mind." + +Lutchester was still looking a little bewildered. + +"I had an idea when I came in," he muttered, "that things were a little +scrappy between you and the Japanese gentleman." + +She was suddenly serious. + +"Now that I have told you the truth," she said, "I really ought to +thank you. You certainly seem to have a knack of appearing when you are +wanted." + +"Fluke this time, I'm afraid," he acknowledged, "but I rather like the +suggestion. You ought to see a great deal of me, Miss Van Teyl. Do you +realise that I am a stranger in New York, and any hospitality you can +show me may be doubly rewarded? Are you going to take me round and show +me the sights?" + +"Are you going to have any time for sight-seeing?" + +"Well, I hope so. Why not? A fellow can't do more than a certain number +of hours' work in a day." + +She looked at him curiously. + +"And yet," she murmured, "you expect to win the war!" + +"Of course we shall win the war," he assured her confidently. "You +haven't any doubt about that yourself, have you, Miss Van Teyl?" + +"I don't know," she told him calmly. + +Lutchester was almost horrified. He rose to his feet and stood looking +down at his companion. + +"Tell me what on earth you mean?" he demanded. "We always win in the +long run, even if we muddle things about a little." + +"I was just contrasting in my mind," she said thoughtfully, "some of +the Germans whom I have met since the war, with some of the Englishmen. +They are taking it very seriously, you know, Mr. Lutchester. They don't +find time for luncheon parties or sight-seeing." + +"That's just their way," he protested. "They turn themselves into +machines. They are what we used to call suckers at school, but you can +take my word for it that before next autumn they will be on the run." + +"You call them suckers," she observed. "That's because they're always +working, always studying, always experimenting. Supposing they got hold +of something like this new explosive?" + +"First of all," he told her, "I don't believe in it, and secondly, if +it exists, the formula isn't in their hands." + +"Supposing it is in mine?" she suggested. "I might sell it to them." + +"I'd trust you all the time," he laughed lightheartedly. "I can't see +you giving a leg up to the Huns.... Will you lunch with me at one +o'clock to-morrow, please?" + +"Certainly not," she replied. "You must attend to your work, whatever +it is." + +"That's all very well," he grumbled, "but every one has an hour off for +luncheon." + +"People who win wars don't lunch," she declared severely. "Here's +Jimmy--I can hear his voice--and he's brought some one up with him. +I'll--let you know about lunch." + +The door opened. James Van Teyl and Fischer entered together. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + + +The first few seconds after the entrance of the two men were +monopolised by the greetings of Pamela with her brother. Fischer stood +a little in the background, his eyes fixed upon Lutchester. His brain +was used to emergencies, but he found himself here confronted by an +unanswerable problem. + +"Say, this is Mr. Lutchester, isn't it?" he inquired, holding out his +hand. + +"The same," Lutchester assented politely. "We met at Henry's some ten +days ago, didn't we?" + +"Mr. Lutchester has brought us a letter from Dicky Green, Jimmy," +Pamela explained, as she withdrew from her brother's arms. "Quite +unnecessary, as it happens, because I met him in London just before we +sailed." + +"Very glad to meet you, Mr. Lutchester," Jimmy declared, wringing his +hand with American cordiality. "Dicky's an old pal of mine--one of the +best. We graduated in the same year from Harvard." + +Conversation for a few minutes was platitudinous. Van Teyl, although he +showed few signs of his recent excesses, was noisy and boisterous, +clutching at this brief escape from a situation which he dreaded. +Fischer on the other hand, remained in the back-ground, ominously +silent, thinking rapidly, speculating and theorising as to the +coincidence, if it were coincidence, of finding Lutchester and Pamela +together. He listened to the former's polite conversation, never once +letting his eyes wander from his face. All his thoughts were +concentrated upon one problem. The mysterious escape of Sandy Graham, +which had sent him flying from the country, remained unsolved. Of +Pamela's share in it he had already his suspicions. Was it possible +that Lutchester was the other and the central figure in that remarkable +rescue? He waited his opportunity, and, during a momentary lull in the +cheerful conversation, broke in with his first question. + +"Say, Mr. Lutchester, you haven't any twin brother, have you?" + +"No brother at all," Lutchester admitted. + +"Then, how did you get over here? You were at Henry's weren't you, on +the night the _Lapland_ sailed? You didn't cross with us, and there's +no other steamer due for two days." + +"Then I can't be here," Lutchester declared. "The thing's impossible." + +"Guess you'll have to explain, if you want to save me from a sleepless +night," Fischer persisted. + +Lutchester smiled. He had the air of one enjoying the situation +immensely. + +"Well," he said, "I have had to confess to Miss Van Teyl here, so I +may as well make a clean breast of it to you. To every one else I meet +in New York, I shall say that I came over on the _Lapland_. I really +came over on a destroyer." + +Fischer's face seemed to become more set and grim than ever. + +"A British destroyer," he muttered to himself. + +"It was kind of a joy ride," Lutchester explained confidentially, "a +cousin of mine who was in command came in to see me and say good-by, +just after I'd received my orders from the head of my department to +come out here on the next steamer, and he smuggled me on board that +night. Mum's the word, though, if you please. We asked nobody's leave. +It would have taken about a month to have heard anything definite from +the Admiralty." + +"A British destroyer come across the Atlantic, eh?" Mr. Fischer +muttered. "She must have come out on a special mission, then, I +imagine." + +"That is not for me to say," Lutchester observed, with stiff reticence. + +Pamela suddenly and purposely intervened. She turned towards Fischer. + +"Mr. Lutchester brought some rather curious news," she observed. "He +got it by wireless. Do you remember all the fuss there was about the +disappearance of Captain Holderness' friend at Henry's?" + +"I heard something about it," he admitted grimly. + +"Well, Captain Graham was in my party, so naturally I was more +interested than any one else. To all appearance he entered Henry's +Restaurant, walked up the stairs, and disappeared into the skies. The +place was ransacked everywhere for him, but he never turned up. Well, +the very next day he was murdered in a motor-car on his way to +Northumberland." + +"Incredible!" Fischer murmured. + +"Seems a queer set out," Lutchester remarked, "but it's quite true. He +was supposed to have discovered a marvellous new explosive, the formula +for which had been stolen. He was on his way up to Northumberland to +make fresh experiments." + +"For myself I have little faith," Fischer observed, "in any new +explosives. In Germany they believe, I understand, that the limit of +destructiveness has been attained." + +"The Germans should know," Lutchester admitted carelessly. "I'm afraid +they are still a good deal ahead of us in most scientific matters. I +will take the liberty, of calling some time to-morrow, Miss Van Teyl, +and hope I shall have the pleasure of improving my acquaintance with +your brother. Good night, Mr. Fischer." + +"Are you staying in the hotel?" the latter inquired. + +"On the fifteenth floor," was the somewhat gloomy reply. "I shan't be +able to shave in front of the window without feeling giddy. However, I +suppose that's America. Good-by, everybody." + +With a little inclusive and farewell bow he disappeared. They heard him +make his way down the corridor and ring for the lift. Rather a curious +silence ensued, which was broken at last by Pamela. + +"Is that," she asked, throwing herself into an easy-chair and selecting +a cigarette, "just an ordinary type of a nice, well-bred, +unintelligent, self-sufficient Englishman, or--" + +"Or what?" Fischer asked, with interest. + +Pamela watched the smoke curl from the end of her cigarette. + +"Well, I scarcely know how to finish," she confessed, "only sometimes +when I am talking to him I feel that he can scarcely be as big a fool +as he seems, and then I wonder. Jimmy," she went on, shaking her head +at him, "you're not looking well. You've been sitting up too late and +getting into bad habits during my absence. Open confession, now, if you +please. If it's a girl, I shall give you my blessing." + +Van Teyl groaned and said nothing. A foreboding of impending trouble +depressed Pamela. She turned towards Fischer and found in his grim face +confirmation of her fears. + +"What does this mean?" she demanded. + +"Your brother will explain," Fischer replied. "It is better that he +should tell you everything." + +"Everything?" she repeated. "What is there to tell. What have you to do +with my brother, anyway?" she added fiercely. + +"You must not look at me as though I were in any way to blame for what +has happened," was the insistent reply. "On the contrary, I have been +very lenient with your brother. I am still prepared to be lenient--upon +certain conditions." + +The light of battle was in Pamela's eyes. She fought against the +significance of the man's ominous words. This was his first blow, then, +and directed against her. + +"I begin to understand," she said. "Please go on. Let me hear +everything." + +Van Teyl had turned to the sideboard. He mixed and drank off a whisky +and soda. Then he swung around. + +"I'll make a clean breast of it in a few words, Pamela," he promised. +"I've gambled with Fischer's money, lost it, forged a transfer of his +certificates to meet my liabilities, and I am in his power. He could +have me hammered and chucked into Sing Sing, if he wanted to. That's +all there is about it." + +Pamela stood the shock well. She turned to Fischer. + +"How much of this are you responsible for?" she asked. + +"That," he objected, "is an impotent question. It is not I who had the +moulding of your brother's character. It is not I who made him a forger +and a weakling." + +Van Teyl's arm was upraised. An oath broke from his lips. Pamela seized +him firmly and drew him away. + +"Be quiet, James," she begged. "Let us hear what Mr. Fischer is going +to do about it." + +"That depends upon you," was the cold reply. + +Pamela stood at the head of the table, between the two men, and +laughed. Her brother had sunk into a chair, and his head had dropped +moodily upon his folded arms. She looked from one to the other and a +new sense of strength inspired her. She felt that if she were not +indeed entirely mistress of the situation, yet the elements of triumph +were there to her hand. + +"This is living, at any rate," she declared. "First of all I discover +that your Japanese servant is a spy--" + +"Nikasti!" Van Teyl interrupted furiously. "Blast him! I knew that +there was something wrong about that fellow, Fischer." + +Fischer frowned. + +"What's he been up to?" he inquired. + +"Well, to begin with," Pamela explained, "he searched my room, then he +locked me in here, and was proceeding to threaten me when fortunately +Mr. Lutchester arrived." + +"Threaten you--what about?" Fischer demanded. + +"He seemed to have an absurd idea," Pamela explained sweetly, "that I +might have somewhere concealed upon my person the formula which was +stolen from Captain Graham last Monday week at Henry's Restaurant. It +makes quite a small world of it, doesn't it?" + +"I will deal with Nikasti for this," Fischer promised, "if it is true. +Meanwhile?" + +"No sooner have I got over that little shock," Pamela went on, "than +you turn up with this melodramatic story, and an offer from Mr. +Fischer, which I can read in his face. Really, I feel that I shall hear +the buzz of a cinema machine in a moment. How much do you owe him, +Jimmy?" + +"Eighty-nine thousand dollars," the young man groaned. + +"I'll write you a cheque to-morrow morning," Pamela promised. "Will +that do, Mr. Fischer?" + +"It is the last thing I desire," was the calm reply. + +"Really! Well, perhaps now you will come to the point. Perhaps you will +tell me what it is that you do want?" + +"Stolen property," Fischer announced deliberately--"stolen property, +however, to which I have a greater right than you." + +She laughed at him mockingly. + +"I think not, Mr. Fischer," she said. "You really don't deserve it, you +know." + +"And why not?" + +"Just see how you have bungled! You bait the trap, the poor man walks +into it, and you allow another to forestall you. Not only that, but you +actually allow Japan to come into the game, and but for Mr. +Lutchester's appearance we might both of us have been left planté là. +No, Mr. Fischer! You don't deserve the formula, and you shall not have +it. I'll pay my brother's debt to you in dollars--no other way." + +"Dollars," Mr. Fischer told her sternly, "will never buy the forged +transfer. Dollars will never keep your brother out of the city police +court or Sing Sing afterwards. There isn't much future for a young man +who has been through it." + +Van Teyl was upon him suddenly with a low, murderous cry. Fischer had +no time to resist, no chance of success if he had attempted it. He was +borne backwards on to the lounge, his assailant's hand upon his throat. +The young man was beside himself with drink and fury. The words poured +from his lips, incoherent, hot with rage. + +"You--hound! You've made my life a hell! You've plotted and schemed to +get me into your power!... There! Do you feel the life going out of +you?... My sister, indeed! You!... You scum of the earth! You ..." + +"James!" + +The sound of Pamela's voice unnerved him. His fit of passion was spent. +She dragged him easily away. + +"Don't be a fool, Jimmy!" she begged. "You can't settle accounts like +that." + +"Can't I?" he muttered. "If we'd been alone, Pamela ... my God, if he +and I had been alone here!" + +"Jimmy," she said, "you're a fool, and you've been drinking. Fetch the +water bottle." + +He obeyed, and she dashed water in Fischer's face. Presently he opened +his eyes, groaned and sat up. There were two livid marks upon his +throat. Van Teyl watched him like a crouching animal. His eyes were +still lit with sullen fire. The lust for killing was upon him. Fischer +sat up and blinked. He felt the atmosphere of the room, and he knew his +danger. His hand stole into his hip pocket, and a small revolver +suddenly flashed upon his knees. He drew a long breath of relief. He +was like a fugitive who had found sanctuary. + +"So that's the game, James Van Teyl, is it?" he exclaimed. "Now +listen." + +He adjusted the revolver with a click. His cruel, long fingers were +pressed around its stock. + +"I am not threatening you," he went on. "I am not fond of violence, and +I don't believe in it. This is just in case you come a single yard +nearer to me. Now, Miss Van Teyl, my business is with you. We won't +fence any longer. You will hand over to me the pocketbook which you +stole from Captain Graham in Henry's Restaurant. Hand it over to me +intact, you understand. In return I will give you the forged transfer +of stock, and leave it to your sense of honour as to whether you care +to pay your brother's debt or not. If you decline to consider my +proposition, I shall ring up Joseph Neville, your brother's senior +partner. I shall not even wait for to-morrow, mind. I shall make an +appointment, and I shall place in his hands the proof of your brother's +robbery." + +"Perhaps," Pamela murmured, "I was wrong to stop you. Jimmy.... +Anything else, Mr. Fischer?" + +"Just this. I would rather have carried this matter through in a +friendly fashion, for reasons at which I think you can guess." + +She shook her head. + +"You flatter my intelligence!" she told him scornfully. + +"I will explain, then. I desire to offer myself as your suitor." + +She laughed at him without restraint or consideration. + +"I would rather marry my brother's valet!" she declared. + +"You are entirely wrong," he protested. "You are wrong, too, in holding +up cards against me. We are on the same side. You are an American, and +so am I. I swear that I desire nothing that is not for your good. You +have wonderful gifts, and I have great wealth and opportunities. I have +also a sincere and very heartfelt admiration for you." + +"I have never been more flattered!" Pamela scoffed. + +He looked a little wistfully from one to the other. Antagonism and +dislike were written in their faces. Even Pamela, who was skilled in +the art of subterfuge, made little effort to conceal her aversion. +Nevertheless, he continued doggedly. + +"What does it matter," he demanded, "who handles this formula--you or +I? Our faces are turned in the same direction. There is this difference +only with me. I want to make it the basis of a kindlier feeling in +Washington towards my father's country." + +Pamela's eyebrows were raised. + +"Are you sure," she asked, "that the formula itself would not find its +way into your father's country?" + +"As to that I pledge my word," he replied. "I am an American citizen." + +"Looks like it, doesn't he!" Van Teyl jeered. + +"Tell us what you have been doing in Berlin, then?" Pamela inquired. + +"I had a definite mission there," Fischer assured them, "which I hope +to bring to a definite conclusion. If you are an American citizen in +the broadest sense of the word, England is no more to you than Germany. +I want to place before some responsible person in the American +Government, a proposal--an official proposal--the acceptance of which +will be in years to come of immense benefit to her." + +"And the quid pro quo?" Pamela asked gently. + +"I am not here for the purpose of gratifying curiosity," Fischer +replied, "but if you will take this matter up seriously, you shall be +the person through whom this proposal shall be brought before the +American Government. The whole of the negotiations shall be conducted +through you. If you succeed, you will be known throughout history as +the woman who saved America from her great and growing danger. If you +fail, you will be no worse off than you are now." + +"And you propose to hand over the conduct of these negotiations to me," +Pamela observed, "in return for what?" + +"The pocketbook which you took from Captain Graham." + +"So there we are, back again at the commencement of our discussion," +Pamela remarked. "Are you going to repeat that you want this formula +for Washington and not for Berlin?" + +"My first idea," Fischer confessed, "was to hand it over to Germany. I +have changed my views. Germany has great explosives of her own. This +formula shall be used in a different fashion. It shall be a lever in +the coming negotiations between America and Germany." + +"We have had a great deal of conversation to no practical purpose," +Pamela declared. "Why are you so sure that I have the formula?" + +Fischer frowned slightly. He had recovered himself now, and his tone +was as steady and quiet as ever. Only occasionally his eyes wandered to +where James Van Teyl was fidgetting about the table, and at such times +his fingers tightened upon the stock of his revolver. + +"It is practically certain that you have the papers," he pointed out. +"You were the first person to go up the stairs after Graham had been +rendered unconscious. Joseph admits that he had been forced to leave +him--the orchestra was waiting to play. He was alone in that little +room. That you should have known of its existence and his presence +there is surprising, but nothing more. Furthermore, I am convinced that +you were in some way concerned with his rescue later. You visited +Hassan and you visited Joseph. From the latter you procured the key of +the chapel. If only he had had the courage to tell the truth--well, we +will let that pass. You have the papers, Miss Van Teyl. I am bidding a +great price for them. If you are a wise woman, you will not hesitate." + +There was a knock at the door. They all three turned towards it a +little impatiently. Even Pamela and her brother felt the grip of an +absorbing problem. To their surprise, it was Lutchester who reappeared +upon the threshold. In his hand he held a small sealed packet. + +"So sorry to disturb you all," he apologised. "I have something here +which I believe belongs to you, Miss Van Teyl. I thought I'd better +bring it up and explain. From the way your little Japanese friend was +holding on to it, I thought it might be important. It is a little torn, +but that isn't my fault." + +He held it out to Pamela. It was a long packet torn open at one end. +From it was protruding a worn, brown pocketbook. Pamela's hand closed +upon it mechanically. There was a dazed look in her eyes. Fischer's +fingers stole once more towards the pocket into which, at Lutchester's +entrance, he had slipped his revolver. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + + +Lutchester, to all appearance, remained sublimely unconscious of the +tension which his words and appearance seemed to have created. He had +strolled a little further into the room, and was looking down at the +packet which he still held. + +"You are wondering how I got hold of this, of course?" he observed. +"Just one of those simple little coincidences which either mean a great +deal or nothing at all." + +"How did you know it was mine?" Pamela asked, almost under her breath. + +"I'll explain," Lutchester continued. "I was in the lobby of the hotel, +a few minutes ago, when I heard the fire bell outside. I hurried out +and watched the engines go by from the sidewalk. I have always been +rather interested in--" + +"Never mind that, please. Go on," Pamela asked, almost under her +breath. + +"Certainly," Lutchester assented. "On the way back, then, I saw a +little Japanese, who was coming out of the hotel, knocked down by a +taxicab which skidded nearly into the door. I don't think he was badly +hurt--I'm not even sure that he was hurt at all. I picked up this +packet from the spot where he had been lying, and I was on the point of +taking it to the office when I saw your name upon it, Miss Van Teyl, in +what seemed to me to be your own handwriting, so I thought I'd bring it +up." + +He laid it upon the table. Pamela's eyes seemed fastened upon it. She +turned it over nervously. + +"It is very kind of you, Mr. Lutchester," she murmured. + +"I'll be perfectly frank," he went on. "I should have found out where +the little man who dropped it had disappeared to, and restored it to +him, but I fancied--of course, I may have been wrong--that you and he +were having some sort of a disagreement, a few minutes ago, when I +happened to come in. Anyway, that was in my mind, and I thought I'd run +no risks." + +"You did the very kindest and most considerate thing," Pamela declared. + +"The little Japanese must have been our new valet," James Van Teyl +observed. "I'm beginning to think that he is not going to be much of an +acquisition." + +"You'll probably see something of him in a few minutes," Lutchester +remarked. "I will wish you good night, Miss Van Teyl. Good night!" + +Pamela's reiterated thanks were murmured and perfunctory. Even James +Van Teyl's hospitable instincts seemed numbed. They allowed Lutchester +to depart with scarcely a word. With the closing of the door, speech +brought them some relief from a state of tension which was becoming +intolerable. Even then Fischer at first said nothing. He had risen +noiselessly to his feet, his right hand was in the sidepocket of his +coat, his eyes were fixed upon the table. + +"So this is why you insisted upon a valet!" James Van Teyl exclaimed, +his voice thick with anger. "He's planted here to rob for you! Is that +it, eh, Fischer?" + +Pamela drew the packet towards her and stood with her right palm +covering it. Fischer seemed still at a loss for words. + +"I can assure you," he said at last fervently, "that if that packet was +stolen from Miss Van Teyl by Nikasti, it was done without my +instigation. It is as much a surprise to me as to any of you. We can +congratulate ourselves that it is not on the way to Japan." + +Pamela nodded. + +"He is speaking the truth," she asserted. "Nikasti is not out to steal +for others. He is playing the same game as all of us, only he is +playing it for his own hand. Mr. Fischer has brought him here for some +purpose of his own, without a doubt, but I am quite sure that Nikasti +never meant to be any one's cat's-paw." + +"Believe me, that is the truth," Fischer agreed. "I will admit that I +brought Nikasti here with a purpose, but upon my honour I swear that +until this evening I never dreamed that he even knew of the existence +of the formula." + +"Oh! we are not the only people in the world who are clever," Pamela +declared, with an unnatural little laugh. "The first man who took note +of Sandy Graham's silly words as he rushed into Henry's was Baron +Sunyea. I saw him stiffen as he listened. He even uttered a word of +remonstrance. Japan in London heard. Japan in your sitting-room here, +in ten days' time, knew everything there was to be known." + +"I didn't bring Nikasti here for this," Fischer insisted. + +"Perhaps not," Pamela conceded, "but if you're a good American, what +are you doing at all with a Japanese secret agent?" + +"If you trust me, you shall know," Fischer promised. "Listen to reason. +Let us have finished with one affair at a time. You very nearly lost +that formula to Japan. Hand over the pocketbook. You see how dangerous +it is for it to remain in your possession. I'll keep my share of the +bargain. I'll put my scheme before you. Come, be reasonable. See, +here's the forged transfer." + +He drew a paper from his pocket and spread it out upon the table. His +long, hairy fingers were shaking with nervousness. + +"Come, make it a deal," he persisted, "You can pay me the defalcations +or not, as you choose. There is your brother's freedom and the honour +of your name, in exchange for that pocketbook." + +Pamela, after all her hesitation, seemed to make up her mind with +startling suddenness. She thrust the pocketbook towards Fischer, took +the transfer from his fingers and tore it into small pieces. + +"I give in," she said. "This time you have scored. We will talk about +the other matter tomorrow." + +Fischer buttoned up the packet carefully in his breast pocket. His eyes +glittered. He turned towards the door. On the threshold he looked +around. He stretched out his hand towards Pamela. + +"Believe me, you have done well," he assured her hoarsely. "I shall +keep my word. I will set you in the path of great things." + +He left the room, and they heard the furious ringing of the lift bell. +Pamela was tearing into smaller pieces the forged transfer. Van Teyl, a +little pale, but with new life in his frame, was watching the fragments +upon the floor. There was a tap at the door. Nikasti entered. Pamela's +fingers paused in their task. Van Teyl stared at him. The newcomer was +carrying the evening papers, which he laid down upon the table. + +"Is there anything more I can do before I go to bed, sir?" he asked, +with his usual reverential little bow. + +"Aren't you hurt?" Van Teyl exclaimed. + +"Hurt?" Nikasti replied wonderingly. "Oh, no!" + +"Weren't you knocked down by a taxicab," Pamela asked, "outside the +hotel?" + +Nikasti looked from one to the other with an air of gentle surprise. + +"I have been to my rooms in the servants' quarters," he told them, "on +the upper floor. I have not been downstairs at all. I have been +unpacking and arranging my own humble belongings." + +Van Teyl clasped his forehead. + +"Let me get this!" he exclaimed. "You haven't been down in the lobby of +the hotel, you haven't been knocked down by a taxicab that skidded, you +haven't lost a pocketbook which you had previously stolen from my +sister?" + +Nikasti shook his head. He seemed completely mystified. He watched +Pamela's face carefully. + +"Perhaps there has been some mistake," he suggested quietly. "My +English is sometimes not very good. I would not dream of trying to rob +the young lady. I have not lost any pocketbook. I have not descended +lower down in the hotel than this floor." + +Van Teyl waved him away, accepted his farewell salutation, and waited +until the door was closed. + +"Look here, Pamela," he protested, turning almost appealingly towards +her, "my brain wasn't made for this sort of thing. What in thunder does +it all mean?" + +Pamela looked at the fragments of paper upon the floor and sank back in +an easy chair. + +"Jimmy," she confided, "I don't know." + + + + +CHAPTER XV + + +Pamela opened her eyes the next morning upon a distinctly pleasing +sight. At the foot of her bed was an enormous basket of pink +carnations. On the counterpane by her side lay a smaller cluster of +twelve very beautiful dark red Gloire de Dijon roses. Attached to these +latter was a note. + +"When did these flowers come, Leah?" Pamela asked the maid who was +moving about the room. + +"An hour ago, madam," the girl told her. + +"Read the name on the card," Pamela directed, pointing to the mass of +pink blossoms. + +"Mr. Oscar H. Fischer," the girl read out, "with respectful +compliments." + +Pamela smiled. + +"He doesn't know, then," she murmured to herself. "Get my bath ready, +Leah." + +The maid disappeared into the inner room. Pamela tore open the note +attached to the roses by her side, and read it slowly through: + +Dear Miss Van Teyl, + +I am so very sorry, but the luncheon we had half-planned for to-day +must be postponed. I have an urgent message to go south; to +inspect--but no secrets! It's horribly disappointing. I hope we may +meet in a few days. + +Sincerely yours, + +JOHN LUTCHESTER. + +Pamela laid down the note, conscious of an indefined but distinct +sensation of disappointment. After all, it was not so wonderful to wake +up and find oneself in New York. The sun was pleasant, the little puffs +of air which came in through the window across the park, delightful and +exhilarating, yet something had gone out of the day. Accustomed to +self-analysis, she asked herself swiftly--what? It was, without a +doubt, something to do with Lutchester's departure. She tried to face +the question of her disappointment. Was it possible to feel any real +interest in a man who preferred a Government post to the army at such a +time, and who had brought his golf clubs out to America? Her +imagination for a moment revolved around the problem of his apparently +uninteresting and yet, in some respects, contradictory personality. Was +it really her fancy or had she, every now and then, detected behind +that flamboyant manner traces of something deeper and more serious, +something which seemed to indicate a life and aims of which nothing +appeared upon the surface? She clasped her knees and sat up in bed, +listening to the sound of the running water in the next room. Was there +any possible explanation of his opportune appearance on the night +before with a dummy pocketbook and a concocted story? The cleverest man +on earth could surely never have gauged her position with Fischer and +intervened in such a manner at the psychological moment. + +Yet he had done it, she reflected, gazing thoughtfully at Fischer's +gift. If, indeed, he knew what was passing around him to that extent, +how much more knowledge might he not possess? She felt the little +silken belt around her waist. At least there was no one who could take +Sandy Graham's secret from her until she chose to give it up. Supposing +for a moment that Lutchester was also out for the great things, was he +fooled by her attitude? If he knew so much, he must know that the +secret remained with her. Perhaps, after all, he was only a philanderer +in intrigue.... + +Pamela bathed and dressed, sent for her brother, and, to his horror, +insisted upon an American breakfast. + +"It's quite time I came back to look after you, Jimmy," she said +severely, as she watched him send away his grapefruit and gaze +helplessly at his bacon and eggs. "You're going to turn over a new +leaf, young man." + +"I shan't be sorry," he confessed fervently. "I tell you, Pamela, when +you have a thing like this hanging over you, it's hell--some hell! You +just want to drown your thoughts and keep going all the time." + +She nodded sagely. + +"Well, that's over now, Jimmy," she said, "and I meant you to listen to +me. It's more than likely that Mr. Fischer may find out at any moment +that the mysterious pocketbook, which came from heaven knows where, is +a faked one. He may be horrid about it." + +"While we are on that," Van Teyl interrupted, "I couldn't sleep a wink +last night for trying to imagine where on earth that fellow Lutchester +came in, and what his game was." + +"I have a headache this morning, trying to puzzle out the same thing," +Pamela told him. + +"He seems such an ordinary sort of chap," Van Teyl continued +thoughtfully. "Good sportsman, no doubt, and all that sort of thing, +but the last fellow in the world to concoct a yarn, and if he did, what +was his object?" + +"Jimmy," his sister begged, "let's quit. Of course, I know a little +more than you do, but the little more that I do know only makes it more +confusing. Now, to make it worse, he's gone away." + +"What, this morning?" + +"Gone away on his Government work," Pamela announced. "I had a note and +some roses from him. Don't let's talk about it, Jimmy. I keep on +getting new ideas, and it makes my brain whirl. I want to talk about +you." + +"I'm a rotten lot to talk about," he sighed. + +She patted his hand. + +"You're nothing of the sort, dear, and you've got to remember now that +you're out of the trouble. But listen. Hurry down to the office as +early as you can and set about straightening things out, so that if Mr. +Fischer tries to make trouble, he won't be able to do it. There's my +cheque for eighty-nine thousand dollars I made out last night before I +went to bed," she added, passing it over to him. "Just replace what +stocks you're short of and get yourself out of the mess, and don't +waste any time about it." + +His face glowed as he looked across the table. + +"You're the most wonderful sister, Pamela." + +"Nonsense!" she interrupted. "Nonsense! I ought not to have left you +alone all this time, and, besides, I'm pretty sure he helped you into +this trouble for his own ends. Anyway, we are all right now. I shall be +in New York for a few days before I go to Washington. When I do go, you +must see whether you can get leave and come with me." + +"That's bully," he declared. "I'll get leave, right enough. There's +never been less doing in Wall Street. But say, Pamela, I don't seem to +half understand what's going on. You've given up most of your friends, +and you spend months away there in Europe in all sorts of corners. Now +you come back and you seem mixed up in regular secret service work. +Where do you come in, anyway? What are you going to Washington for?" + +She smiled. + +"Queer tastes, haven't I, Jimmy?" + +"Queer for a girl." + +"That's prejudice," she objected, shaking her head. "Nowadays there are +few things a woman can't do. To tell you the truth, my new interest in +life started three years ago, when Uncle Theodore found out that I was +going to Rome for the winter." + +"So Uncle Theodore started it, did he?" + +She nodded. + +"That's the worst of having an uncle in the Administration, isn't it? +Well, of course, he gave me letters to every one in Rome, and I found +out what he wanted quite easily, and without the inquiries going +through the Embassy at all. Sometimes, as you can understand, that's a +great advantage. I found it simply fascinating--the work, I mean--and +after three or four more commissions--well, they recognised me at +Washington. I have been to most of the capitals in Europe at different +times, with small affairs to arrange at each, or information to get. +Sometimes it's been just about commercial things. Since the war, +though, of course, it's been more exciting than ever. If I were an +Englishwoman instead of an American, I could tell them some things in +London which they'd find pretty surprising. It's not my affair, though, +and I keep what information I do pick up until it works in with +something else for our own good. I knew quite well in Berlin, for +instance, to speak of something you've heard of, that Henry's +Restaurant in London was being used as a centre of espionage by the +Germans. That is why I was on the lookout, the day I went there." + +"You mean the day that pocketbook was stolen that the whole world seems +crazy about?" Van Teyl asked. + +She nodded. + +"I believe it is perfectly true," she said, "that a young man called +Graham has invented an entirely new explosive, the formula for which he +brought to Henry's with him that day. It isn't only what happens when +the shell explodes, but a sort of putrefaction sets in all round, and +they say that everything within a mile dies. There were spies down even +watching his experiments. There were spies following him up to London, +there were spies in Henry's Restaurant when like a fool he gave the +thing away. Fischer was the ringleader of this lot, and he meant having +the formula from Graham that night. I don't want to bore you, Jimmy, +but I got there first." + +"Bore me!" the young man repeated. "Why, it's like a modern Arabian +Nights. I can't imagine you in the thick of this sort of thing, +Pamela." + +"It's very easy to slip into the way of anything you like," she +answered. "I knew exactly what they were going to do to Captain Graham, +and I got there before them. When they searched him, the formula had +gone. Fischer caught my steamer and worried me all the way over. He +thought he had us in a corner last night, and then a miracle happened." + +"You mean that fellow Lutchester turning up?" + +"Yes, I mean that," Pamela admitted. + +"Say, didn't that Jap fellow get the pocketbook from your rooms at all, +then?" Van Teyl asked. "I couldn't follow it all last night." + +"He searched my rooms," Pamela replied, "and failed to find it. +Afterwards, when he and I were alone in your sitting-room, heaven knows +what would have happened, but for the miraculous arrival of Mr. +Lutchester, whom I had left behind in London, come to pay an evening +call in the Hotel Plaza, New York!" + +Van Teyl shook his head slowly, got up from his seat, lit a cigarette, +and came back again. + +"Pam," he confessed, "my brain won't stand it. You're not going to tell +me that Lutchester's in the game? Why, a simpler sort of fellow I never +spoke to." + +"I can't make up my own mind about Mr. Lutchester," Pamela sighed. "He +helped me in London on the night I sailed--in fact, he was very useful +indeed--but why he invented that story about Nikasti, brought a dummy +pocketbook into the room and helped us out of all our troubles, unless +it was by sheer and brilliant instinct, I cannot imagine." + +"Let me get on to this," Van Teyl said. "Even the pocketbook was a +fake, then?" + +She nodded. + +"I shouldn't be likely to leave things I risk my life for about my +bedroom," she told him. + +"Where is it, then--the real thing?" he asked. + +She smiled. + +"If you must know, Jimmy," she confided, dropping her voice, "it's in a +little compartment of a silk belt around my waist. It will remain there +until I get to Washington, or until Mr. Haskall comes to me." + +"Haskall, the Government explosives man?" + +Pamela nodded. + +"Even he won't get it without Government authority." + +"Now, tell me, Pamela," Van Teyl went on--"you're a far-seeing girl--I +suppose we should get it in the neck from Germany some day or other, if +the Germans won? Why don't you hand the formula over to the British, +and give them a chance to get ahead?" + +"That's a sensible question, Jimmy, and I'll try to answer it," Pamela +promised. "Because when once the shells are made and used, the secret +will be gone. I think it very likely that it would enable England to +win the war; but, you see, I am an American, not English, and I'm all +American. I have been in touch with things pretty closely for some time +now, and I see trouble ahead for us before very long. I can't exactly +tell you where it's coming from, but I feel it. I want America to have +something up her sleeve, that's why." + +"You're a great girl, Pamela," her brother declared. "I'm off downtown, +feeling a different man. And, Pamela, I haven't said much, but God +bless you, and as long as I live I'm going as straight as a die. I've +had my lesson." + +He bent over her a little clumsily and kissed her. Pamela walked to the +door with him. + +"Be a dear," she called out, "and come back early. And, Jimmy!" ... + +"Hullo?'" + +"Put things right at the office at once," she whispered with emphasis. +"Fischer hasn't found out yet. I sent him a message this morning, +thanking him for the carnations, and asking him to walk with me in the +park after breakfast, I shall keep him away till lunch time, at least." + +The young man looked at her, and at Nikasti, who out in the corridor +was holding his hat and cane. Then he chuckled. + +"And they say that things don't happen in New York!" he murmured, as he +turned away. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + + +An elderly New Yorker, a man of fashion, renowned for his social +perceptions, pressed his companion's arm at the entrance to Central +Park and pointed to Pamela. + +"There goes a typical New York girl," he said, "and the best-looking +I've seen for many a long day. You can go all round Europe, Freddie, +and not see a girl with a face and figure like that. She had that frank +way, too, of looking you in the eyes." + +"I know," the other assented. "Gibson's girls all had it. Kind of look +which seems to say--'I know you find me nice and I don't mind. I wonder +whether you're nice, too.'" + +Pamela strolled along the park with Fischer by her side. She wore a +tailor-made costume of black and white tweed, and a smart hat, in which +yellow seemed the predominating colour. Her shoes, her gloves, the +little tie about her throat, were all the last word in the simple +elegance of suitability. Fischer walked by her side--a powerful, +determined figure in a carefully-pressed blue serge suit and a brown +Homburg hat. He wore a rose in his buttonhole, and he carried a +cane--both unusual circumstances. After fifty years of strenuous +living, Mr. Fischer seemed suddenly to have found a new thing in the +world. + +"This is a pleasant idea of yours, Miss Van Teyl," he said. + +"I haven't disturbed your morning, I hope?" she asked. + +"I guess, if you have, it isn't the way you mean," he replied. "You've +disturbed a good deal of my time and thoughts lately." + +"Well, you've had your own way now," she sighed, looking at him out of +the corner of her eyes. "I suppose you always get your own way in the +end, don't you, Mr. Fischer?" + +"Generally," he admitted. "I tell you, though, Miss Van Teyl," he went +on earnestly, "if you're alluding to last night's affair, I hated the +whole business. It was my duty, and the opportunity was there, but with +what I have I am satisfied. With reference to that little debt of your +brother's--" + +"Please don't say a word, Mr. Fischer," she interrupted. "You will find +that all put right as soon as you get down to Wall Street. Tell me, +what have you done with your prize?" + +Mr. Fischer looked very humble. + +"Miss Van Teyl," he said, "for certain reasons I am going to tell you +the truth. Perhaps it will be the best in the long run. We may even +before long be working together. So I start by being honest with you. +The pocketbook is by now on its way to Germany." + +"To Germany?" she exclaimed. "And after all your promises!" + +"Ah, but think, Miss Van Teyl," he pleaded. "I throw aside all +subterfuge. In your heart you know well what I am and what I stand for. +I deny it no longer. I am a German-American, working for Germany, +simply because America does not need my help. If America were at war +with any country in the world, my brains, my knowledge, my wealth would +be hers. But now it is different. Germany is surrounded by many +enemies, and she calls for her sons all over the world to remember the +Fatherland. You can sympathise a little with my unfortunate country, +Miss Van Teyl, and yet remain a good American. You are not angry with +me?" + +"I suppose I ought to be, but I am not in the least," she assured him. +"I never had any doubt as to the destination of that packet." + +"That," he admitted, "is a relief to me. Let us wipe the matter from +our memories, Miss Van Teyl." + +"One word," she begged, "and that only of curiosity. Did you examine +the contents of the pocketbook?" + +He turned his head and looked at her. For a moment he had lost the +greater spontaneity of his new self. He was again the cold, calculating +machine. + +"No," he answered, "except to take out and destroy what seemed to be a +few private memoranda. There was a bill for flowers, a note from a +young lady--some rubbish of that sort. The remaining papers were all +calculations and figures, chemical formulae." + +"Are you a chemist, Mr. Fischer?" she inquired. + +"Not in the least," he acknowledged. "I recognised just enough of the +formulae on the last page to realise that there were entirely new +elements being dealt with." + +She nodded. + +"I only asked out of curiosity. I agree. Let us put it out of our +thoughts. You see, I am generous. We have fought a battle, you and I, +and I have lost. Yet we remain friends." + +"It is more than your friendship that I want, Miss Van Teyl," he +pleaded, his voice shaking a little. "I am years older than you, I +know, and, by your standards, I fear unattractive. But you love power, +and I have it. I will take you into my schemes. I will show you how +those live who stand behind the clouds and wield the thunders." + +She looked at him with genuine surprise. It was necessary to readjust +some of her impressions of him. Oscar Fischer was, after all, a human +being. + +"What you say is all very well so far as it goes," she told him. "I +admit that a life of scheming and adventure attracts me. I love power. +I can think of nothing more wonderful than to feel the machinery of the +world--the political world--roar or die away, according to the touch of +one's fingers. Oh, yes, we're alike so far as that is concerned! But +there is a very vital difference. You are only an American by accident. +I am one by descent. For me there doesn't exist any other country. For +you Germany comes first." + +"But can't you realise," he went on eagerly, "that even this is for the +best? America to-day is hypnotised by a maudlin, sentimental affection +for England, a country from whom she never received anything but harm. +We want to change that. We want to kill for ever the misunderstandings +between the two greatest nations in the world. My creed of life could +be yours, too, without a single lapse from your patriotism. Friendship, +alliance, brotherhood, between Germany and America. That would be my +text." + +"Shall I be perfectly frank?" Pamela asked. + +"Nothing else is worth while," was the instant answer. + +"Well, then," she continued, "I can quite see that Germany has +everything to gain from America's friendship, but I cannot see the quid +pro quo." + +"And yet it is so clear," Fischer insisted. "Your own cloud may not be +very large just now, but it is growing, and, before you know it, it +will be upon you. Can you not realise why Japan is keeping out of this +war? She is conserving her strength. Millions flow into her coffers +week by week. In a few years time, Japan, for the first time in her +history, will know what it is to possess solid wealth. What does she +want it for, do you think? She has no dreams of European aggression, or +her soldiers would be fighting there now. China is hers for the taking, +a rich prize ready to fall into her mouth at any moment. But the end +and aim of all Japanese policy, the secret Mecca of her desires, is to +repay with the sword the insults your country has heaped upon her. It +is for that, believe me, that her arsenals are working night and day, +her soldiers are training, her fleet is in reserve. While you haggle +about a few volunteers, Japan is strengthening and perfecting a mighty +army for one purpose and one purpose only. Unless you wake up, you will +be in the position that Great Britain was in two years ago. Even now, +work though you may, you will never wholly make up for lost time. The +one chance for you is friendship with Germany." + +"Will Germany be in a position to help us after the war?" Pamela asked. + +"Never doubt it," Fischer replied vehemently. "Before peace is signed +the sea power of England will be broken. Financially she will be +ruined. She is a country without economic science, without foresight, +without statesmen. The days of her golden opportunities have passed, +frittered away. Unless we of our great pity bind up her wounds, England +will bleed to death before the war is over." + +"That, you must remember," Pamela said practically, "is your point of +view." + +"I could tell you things--" he began. + +"Don't," she begged. "I know what your outlook is now. Be definite. +Leaving aside that other matter, what is your proposition to me?" + +Fischer walked for a while in silence. They had turned back some time +since, and were once more nearing the Plaza. + +"You ask me to leave out what is most vital," he said at last. "I have +never been married, Miss Van Teyl. I am wealthy. I am promised great +honours at the end of this war. When that comes, I shall rest. If +you will be my wife, you can choose your home, you can choose your +title." + +She shook her head. + +"But I am not sure that I even like you, Mr. Fischer," she objected. +"We have fought in opposite camps, and you have had the bad taste to be +victorious. Besides which, you were perfectly brutal to James, and I am +not at all sure that I don't resent your bargain with me. As a matter +of fact, I am feeling very bitter towards you." + +"You should not," he remonstrated earnestly. "Remember that, after all, +women are only dabblers in diplomacy. Their very physique prevents them +from playing the final game. You have brains, of course, but there are +other things--experience, courage, resource. You would be a wonderful +helpmate, Miss Van Teyl, even if your individual and unaided efforts +have not been entirely successful." + +She sighed. Pamela just then was a picture of engaging humility. + +"It is so hard for me," she murmured, "I do not want to marry yet. I do +not wish to think of it. And so far as you are concerned, Mr. +Fischer--well, I am simply furious when I think of your attitude last +night. But I love adventures." + +"I will promise you all the adventures that can be crammed into your +life," he urged. + +"But be more definite," she persisted. "Where should we start? You are +over here now on some important mission. Tell me more about it?" + +"I cannot just yet," he answered. "All that I can promise you is that, +if I am successful, it will stop the war just as surely as Captain Graham's +new explosive." + +"I thought you were going to make a confidante of me," she complained. + +He suddenly gripped her arm. It was the first time he had touched her, +and she felt a queer surging of the blood to her head, a sudden and +almost uncontrollable repulsion. The touch of his long fingers was like +flame; his eyes, behind their sheltering spectacles, glowed in a +curious, disconcerting fashion. + +"To the woman who was my pledged wife," he said, "I would tell +everything. From the woman who gave me her hand and became my ally I +would have no secrets. Come, I have a message, more than a message, to +the American people. I am taking it to Washington before many hours +have passed. If it is your will, it should be you to whom I will +deliver it." + +Pamela walked on with her head in the air. Fischer was leaning a little +towards her. Every now and then his mouth twitched slightly. His eyes +seemed to be seeking to reach the back of her brain. + +"Please go now," she begged. "I can't think clearly while you are here, +and I want to make up my mind. I will send to you when I am ready." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + + +Pamela sat that afternoon on the balcony of the country club at +Baltusrol and approved of her surroundings. Below her stretched a +pleasant vista of rolling greensward, dotted here and there with the +figures of the golfers. Beyond, the misty blue background of rising +hills. + +"I can't tell you how peaceful this all seems, Jimmy," she said to her +brother, who had brought her out in his automobile. "One doesn't notice +the air of strain over on the Continent, because it's the same +everywhere, but it gets a little on one's nerves, all the same. I +positively love it here." + +"It's fine to have you," was the hearty response. "Gee, that fellow +coming to the sixteenth hole can play some!" + +Pamela directed her attention idly towards the figure which her brother +indicated--a man in light tweeds, who played with an easy and graceful +swing, and with the air of one to whom the game presented no +difficulties whatever. She watched him drive for the seventeenth--a +long, raking ball, fully fifty yards further than his opponent's-- +watched him play a perfect mashie shot to the green and hole out in +three. + +"A birdie," James Van Teyl murmured. "I say, Pamela!" + +She took no notice. Her eyes were still following the figure of the +golfer. She watched him drive at the last hole, play a chip shot on to +the green, and hit the hole for a three. The frown deepened upon her +forehead. She was looking very uncompromising when the two men ascended +the steps. + +"I didn't know, Mr. Lutchester, that there were any factories down this +way," she remarked severely, as he paused before her in surprise. + +For a single moment she fancied that she saw a flash of annoyance in +his eyes. It was gone so swiftly, however, that she remained uncertain. +He held out his hand, laughing. + +"Fairly caught out, Miss Van Teyl," he confessed. "You see, I was +tempted, and I fell." + +His companion, an elderly, clean-shaven man, passed on. Pamela glanced +after him. + +"Who is your opponent?" she asked. + +"Just some one I picked up on the tee," Lutchester explained. "How is +our friend Fischer this morning?" + +"I walked with him for an hour in the Park," Pamela replied. "He seemed +quite cheerful. I have scarcely thanked you yet for returning the +pocketbook, have I?" + +His face was inscrutable. + +"Couldn't keep a thing that didn't belong to me, could I?" he observed. + +"You have a marvellous gift for discovering lost property," she +murmured. + +"For discovering the owners, you mean," he retorted, with a little bow. + +"You're some golfer, I see, Mr. Lutchester," Van Teyl interposed. + +"I was on my game to-day," Lutchester admitted. "With a little luck at +the seventh," he continued earnestly, "I might have tied the amateur +record. You see, my ball--but there, I mustn't bore you now. I must +look after my opponent and stand him a drink. We shall meet again, I +daresay." + +Lutchester passed on, and Pamela glanced up at her brother. + +"Is he a sphinx or a fool?" she whispered. + +"Don't ask me," Van Teyl replied. "Seems to me you were a bit rough on +him, anyway. I don't see why the fellow shouldn't have a day's holiday +before he gets to work. If I had his swing, it would interfere with my +career, I know that, well enough." + +"Did you recognise the man with whom he was playing?" Pamela inquired. + +"Can't say that I did. His face seems familiar, too." + +"Go and see if you can find out his name," Pamela begged. "It isn't +ordinary curiosity. I really want to know." + +"That's easy enough," Van Teyl replied, rising from his place. "And +I'll order tea at the same time." + +Pamela leaned a little further back in her chair. Her eyes seemed to be +fixed upon the pleasant prospect of wooded slopes and green, +upward-stretching sward. As a matter of fact, she saw only two faces-- +Fischer's and Lutchester's. Her chief impulse in life for the immediate +present seemed to have resolved itself into a fierce, almost a +passionate curiosity. It was the riddle of those two brains which she +was so anxious to solve. ... Fischer, the cold, subtle intriguer, with +schemes at the back of his mind which she knew quite well that, even in +the moment of his weakness, he intended to keep to himself; and +Lutchester, with his almost cynical devotion to pleasure, yet with his +unaccountable habit of suggesting a strength and qualities to which he +neither laid nor established any claim. Of the two men it was +Lutchester who piqued her, with whom she would have found more pleasure +in the battle of wits. She found herself alternately furious and +puzzled with him, yet her uneasiness concerning him possessed more +disquieting, more fascinating possibilities than any of the emotions +inspired by the other man. + +Van Teyl returned to her presently, a little impressed. + +"Thought I knew that chap's face," he observed. "It's Eli Hamblin-- +Senator Hamblin, you know." + +"A friend and confidant of the President," she murmured. "A Westerner, +too. I wonder what he's doing here ... Jimmy!" + +"Hallo, Sis?" + +"You've just got to be a dear," Pamela begged. "Go to the caddy master, +or professional, or some one, and find out whether Mr. Lutchester met +him here by accident or whether they arrived together." + +"You'll turn me into a regular sleuthhound," he laughed. "However, here +goes." + +He strolled off again, and Pamela found herself forced to become +mundane and frivolous whilst she chatted with some newly-arrived +acquaintances. It was not until some little time after her brother's +return that she found herself alone with him. + +"Well?" she asked eagerly. + +"They arrived within a few minutes of one another," Van Teyl announced. +"Senator Hamblin bought a couple of new balls and made some inquiries +about the course, but said nothing about playing. Lutchester, who +appears not to have known him, came up later and asked him if he'd like +a game. That's all I could find out." + +Pamela pointed to a little cloud of dust in the distance. + +"And there they go," she observed, "together." + +Van Teyl threw himself into a chair and accepted the cup of tea which +his sister handed him. + +"Well," he inquired, "what do you make of it?" + +"There's more in that question than you think, James," Pamela replied. +"All the same, I think I shall be able to answer it in a few days." + +Another little crowd of acquaintances discovered them, and Pamela was +soon surrounded by a fresh group of admirers. They all went out +presently to inspect the new tennis courts. Pamela and her brother were +beset with invitations. + +"You positively must stay down and dine with us, and go home by +moonlight," Mrs. Saunders, a lively young matron with a large country +house close by, insisted. "Jimmy's neglected me terribly these last few +months, and as for you, Pamela, I haven't seen you for a year." + +"I'd love to if we can," Pamela assured her, "but Jimmy will have to +telephone first." + +"Then do be quick about it," Mrs. Saunders begged, "It doesn't matter a +bit about clothes. We've twenty people staying in the house now, and +half of us won't change, if that makes you more comfortable. Jimmy, if +you fail at that telephone I'll never forgive you." + +But Van Teyl, who had caught the little motion of his sister's head +towards the city, proved equal to the occasion. He returned presently, +driving the car. + +"Got to go," he announced as he made his farewells. "Can't be helped, +Pamela. Frightfully sorry, Mrs. Saunders, we are wanted up in New +York." + +Pamela sighed. + +"I was so afraid of it," she regretted as she waved her adieux. . . . . + +An hour or so later the city broke before them in murky waves. Pamela, +who had been leaning back in the car, deep in thought, sat up. + +"You are a perfect dear, James," she said. "Do you think you could +stand having Mr. Fischer to dinner one evening this week?" + +"Sure!" he replied, a little curiously. "If you want to keep friends +with him for any reason, I don't bear him any ill-will." + +"I just want to talk to him," Pamela murmured, "that's all." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + + +There was a ripple of interest and a good deal of curiosity that +afternoon, in the lounge and entrance hall of the Hotel Plaza, when a +tall, grey-moustached gentleman of military bearing descended from the +automobile which had brought him from the station, and handed in his +name at the desk, inquiring for Mr. Fischer. + +"Will you send my name up--the Baron von Schwerin," he directed. + +The clerk, who had recognised the newcomer, took him under his personal +care. + +"Mr. Fischer is up in his rooms, expecting you, Baron," he announced. +"If you'll come this way, I'll take you up." + +The Baron followed his guide to the lift and along the corridor to the +suite of rooms occupied by Mr. Fischer and his young friend, James Van +Teyl. Mr. Fischer himself opened the door. The two men clasped hands +cordially, and the clerk discreetly withdrew. + +"Back with us once more, Fischer," Von Schwerin exclaimed fervently. +"You are wonderful. Tell me," he added, looking around, "we are to be +alone here?" + +"Absolutely," Fischer replied. "The young man I share these apartments +with--James Van Teyl--has taken his sister out to Baltusrol. They will +not be back until seven o'clock. We are sure of solitude." + +"Good!" Von Schwerin exclaimed. "And you have news--I can see it in +your face." + +Fischer rolled up easy chairs and produced a box of cigars. + +"Yes," he assented, with a little glitter in his eyes, "I have news. +Things have moved with me. I think that, with the help of an idiotic +Englishman, we shall solve the riddle of what our professors have +called the consuming explosive. I sent the formula home to Germany, by +a trusty hand, only a few hours ago." + +"Capital!" Von Schwerin declared. "It was arranged in London, that?" + +"Partly in London and partly here," Fischer replied. + +Von Schwerin made a grimace. + +"If you can find those who are willing to help you here, you are +fortunate indeed," he sighed. "My life's work has lain amongst these +people. In the days of peace, all seemed favourable to us. Since the +war, even those people whom I thought my friends seem to have lost +their heads, to have lost their reasoning powers." + +"After all," Fischer muttered, "it is race calling to race. But come, +we have more direct business on hand. Nikasti is here." + +Von Schwerin nodded a little gloomily. + +"Washington knows nothing of his coming," he observed. "I attended the +Baron Yung's reception last week, informally. I threw out very broad +hints, but Yung would not be drawn. Nikasti represents the Secret +Service of Japan, unofficially and without responsibility." + +"Nevertheless," Fischer pointed out, "what he says will reach the ear +of his country, and reach it quickly. You've gone through the papers I +sent you?" + +"Carefully," Von Schwerin replied. "And the autograph letter?" + +"That I have," Fischer announced. "I will fetch Nikasti." + +He crossed the room and opened the door leading into the bedchambers. + +"Are you there, Kato?" he cried. + +"I am coming, sir," was the instant reply. + +Nikasti appeared, a few moments later. He was carrying a dress coat on +his arm, and he held a clothes brush in his hand. It was obvious that +he had studied with nice care the details of his new part. + +"You can sit down, Nikasti," Fischer invited. "This is the Baron von +Schwerin. He has something to say to you." + +Nikasti bowed very low. He declined the chair, however, to which +Fischer pointed. + +"I am your valet and the valet of Mr. Van Teyl," he murmured. "It is +not fitting for me to be seated. I listen." + +Von Schwerin drew his chair a little nearer. + +"I plunge at once," he said, "into the middle of things. There is +always the fear that we may be disturbed." + +Nikasti inclined his head. + +"It is best," he agreed. + +"You are aware," Von Schwerin continued, "that the Imperial Government +of Germany has already made formal overtures, through a third party, to +the Emperor of Japan with reference to an alteration in our relations?" + +"There was talk of this in Tokio," Nikasti observed softly. "Japan, +however, is under obligations--treaty obligations. Her honour demands +that these should be kept." + +"The honour of a country," Baron von Schwerin acknowledged, "is, +without doubt, a sacred charge upon her rulers, but above all things in +heaven or on earth, the interests of her people must be their first +consideration. If a time should come when the two might seem to clash, +then it is the task of the statesman to recognise this fact." + +Nikasti bowed. + +"It is spoken," he confessed, "like a great man." + +"Your country," Von Schwerin continued, "is at war with mine because it +seemed to her rulers that her interests lay with the Allies rather than +with Germany. I will admit that my country was at fault. We did not +recognise to its full extent the value of friendship with Japan. We did +not bid high enough for your favours. Asia concerned us very little. We +looked upon the destruction of our interests there in the same spirit +as that with which we contemplated the loss of our colonies. All that +might happen would be temporary. Our influence in Asia, our colonies, +will remain with us or perish, according to the result of the war in +Europe. But our statesmen overlooked one thing." + +"Our factories," Nikasti murmured. + +"Precisely! We have had our agents all over the world for years. Some +are good, a few are easily deceived. There is no country in the world +where apparently so much liberty is granted to foreigners as in Japan. +There is no country where the capacity for manufacture and output has +been so grossly underestimated by our agents, as yours." + +Nikasti smiled. + +"I had something to do with that," he announced. "It was Karl Neumann, +was it not, on whom you relied? I supplied him with much information." + +Von Schwerin's face clouded for a moment. + +"You mean that you fooled him, I suppose," he said. "Well, it is all +part of the game. That is over now. We want your exports to Russia +stopped." + +"Ah!" Nikasti murmured reflectively. "Stopped!" + +"We ask no favours," Von Schwerin continued. "The issue of the war is +written across the face of the skies for those who care to read." + +Nikasti looked downwards at the dress coat which he was carrying. Then +he glanced up at Von Schwerin. + +"Perhaps our eyes have been dazzled," he said. "Will you not +interpret?" + +"The end of the war will be a peace of exhaustion," Von Schwerin +explained. "Our loftier dreams of conquest we must abandon. Germany has +played her part, but Austria, alas! has failed. Peace will leave us all +very much where we were. Very well, then, I ask you, what has Japan +gained? You answer China? I deny it. Yet even if it were true, it will +take you five hundred years to make a great country of China. Suppose +for a moment you had been on the other side. What about Australia?... +New Zealand?" + +"Are those things under present consideration?" Nikasti queried. + +"Why not?" Von Schwerin replied. "Listen. Close your exports to Russia +within the next thirty days. Build up for yourselves a stock of +ammunition, add to your fleet, and prepare. Within a year of the +cessation of war, there is no reason why your national dream should not +be realised. Your fleet may sail for San Francisco. The German fleet +shall make a simultaneous attack upon the eastern coast of +Massachusetts and New York." + +"The German fleet," Nikasti repeated. "And England?" + +Von Schwerin's eyes flashed for a moment. + +"If the English fleet is still in being," he declared, "it will be a +crippled and defeated fleet, but, for the sake of your point of view, I +will assume that it exists. Even then there will be nothing to prevent +the German fleet from steaming in what waters it pleases. If our shells +fall upon New York on the day when your warships are sighted off the +Californian coast, do you suppose that America could resist? With her +seaboard, her fleet is contemptible. For her wealth, her army is a +farce. She has neglected for a great many years to pay her national +insurance. She is the one country in the world who can be bled for the +price of empires." + +Fischer, who had been smoking furiously, spat out the end of a fresh +cigar. + +"It will be a just retribution," he interposed, with smothered +fierceness. "Under the guise of neutrality, America has been +responsible for the lives of hundreds of thousands of my countrymen. +That we never can, we never shall, forget. The wealth which makes these +people fat is blood-money, and Germany will take her vengeance." + +"For whom do you speak?" Nikasti inquired. + +Von Schwerin rose from his place. + +"For the greatest of all." + +"Do I take anything but words to Tokio?" the Japanese asked softly. + +Fischer unfolded a pocketbook and drew from it a parchment envelope. + +"You take this letter," he said, "which I brought over myself from +Berlin, signed and written not more than three weeks ago. I ask you to +believe in no vague promises. I bring you the pledged faith of the +greatest ruler on earth. What do you say, Nikasti? Will you accept our +mission? Will you go back to Tokio and see the Emperor?" + +Nikasti bowed. + +"I will go back," he promised. "I will sail as soon as I can make +arrangements. But I cannot tell you what the issue may be. We Japanese +are not a self-seeking nation. Above and higher than all things are our +ideals and our honour. I cannot tell what answer our Sovereign may give +to this." + +"These are the days when the truest patriotism demands the most sublime +sacrifices," Von Schwerin declared. "Above all the ethics of +individuals comes the supreme necessity of self-preservation." + +The Japanese smiled slightly. + +"Ah!" he said, "there speaks the philosophy of your country, Baron, the +paean of materialism." + +"The destinies of nations," Baron von Schwerin exclaimed, "are above +the man-made laws of a sentimental religion! One needs, nowadays, more +than to survive. It is necessary to flourish." + +Nikasti stood suddenly to attention. + +"It is Mr. Van Teyl who returns," he warned them. + +He glided from the room, shaking out a little the dress coat which he +had been carrying. The two men looked after him. Fischer threw his +cigar savagely away and lit another. + +"Curse these orientals!" he muttered. "They listen and listen, and one +never knows. Van Teyl won't be here for hours. That was just an excuse +to get away." + +But there was a smile of triumph on Von Schwerin's lips. + +"I know them better than you do, Fischer," he declared. "Nikasti is our +man!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + + +High up in one of the topmost chambers of the Hotel Plaza, Nikasti, +after his conference with Von Schwerin and Fischer, sought solitude. He +opened the high windows, out of which he could scarcely see, dragged up +a chest of drawers and perched himself, Oriental fashion, on the top, +his long yellow fingers intertwined around his knees, his soft brown +eyes gazing over the wooded slopes of the Park. He was away from the +clamour of tongues, from the poisoned clouds of sophistry, even from +the disturbance of his own thoughts, incited by specious arguments to +some form of reciprocity. Here he sat in the clouds and searched for +the true things. His eyes seemed to be travelling over the battlefields +of Europe. He saw the swaying fortunes of mighty armies, he looked into +council chambers, he seemed to feel the pulses of the great world force +which kept going this most amazing Juggernaut. He saw the furnaces of +Japan, blazing by night and day; saw the forms of hundreds of thousands +of his fellow creatures bent to their task; saw the streams of ships +leaving his ports, laden down with stores; saw the great guns speeding +across Siberia, the endless trains of ammunition, the rifles, food for +the famine-stricken giants who beat upon the air with empty fists. He +saw the gold come streaming back. He saw it poured into the banks, the +pockets of the merchants, the homes of his people. He saw brightening +days throughout the land. He saw the slow but splendid strength of the +nation rejoicing in its new possibilities. And beyond that, what? +Wealth was the great means towards the great end, but if the great end +were once lost sight of, there was no more hideous poison than that +stream of enervating prosperity. He remembered his own diatribes +concerning the decadence of England; how he had pointed to the gold +poison, to the easy living of the poor, the blatant luxury of the rich. +He had pointed to the soft limbs, the cities which had become pools of +sensuality, to the daily life which, calling for no effort, had seen +the passing of the spirit and the triumph of the gross. And what about +his own people? Mankind was the same the world over. The gold which was +bringing strength and life to the nation might very soon exude the same +poisonous fumes, might very soon be laying its thrall upon a people to +whom living had become an easier thing. However it might be for other, +the Western nations, for his own he firmly believed that war alone, +with its thousand privations, its call to the chivalry of his people, +was the one great safeguard. China! The days had gone by when the +taking of China could inspire. It was to greater things they must look. +Australia. New Zealand! Had any Western race the right to flaunt her +Empire's flag in Asiatic seas? And America! Once again he felt the slow +rising of wrath as he recalled the insults of past years ... the +adventurous sons of his country treated like savages and negroes by +that uncultured, strong-limbed race of coarse-fibered, unimaginative +materialists. There was a call, indeed, to the soul of his country to +avenge, to make safe, the homes and lives of her colonists. Across the +seas he looked into the council chambers of the wise men of his race. +He saw the men whose word would tell. He watched their faces turned +towards him, waiting; heard the beginning of the conflict of thoughts +and minds--blind fidelity to the cause which they had espoused, or a +rougher, more splendid, more selfish stroke for the greatness of Japan +and Japan only. "If we break our faith we lose our honour," one +murmured. "There is no honour save the care of my people," he heard one +of his greatest countrymen reply. + +So he sat and thought, revolved in his mind arguments, morals, +philosophy. It was the problem which had confronted the great Emperor, +his own ancestor, who had lived for three months on the floor of the +Temple, asking but one question of the Silent Powers: "Through what +gate shall I lead my nation to greatness?" + +The senses of the man who crouched in his curious attitude, with his +eyes still piercing the heavens, were mobile and extraordinary things. +No disturbing sounds had reached him from outside. His isolation seemed +complete and impregnable. Yet, without turning his head, he was +perfectly conscious of the slow opening of the door. His whole frame +stiffened. He was conscious for one bitter second of a lapse from the +careful guarding of his ways. That second passed, however, and left him +prepared even for danger, his brain and muscles alike tense. He turned +his head. The expression of slow surprise, which even parted his lips +and narrowed his eyes, was only half assumed. + +"What do you wish?" he asked. + +Lutchester did not for a moment reply. He had closed the door behind +him carefully, and was looking around the room now with evident +interest. Its bareness of furniture and decoration were noteworthy, but +on the top of the ugly chest of drawers was a great bowl of roses, a +queer little ivory figure set in an arched frame of copper--a figure +almost sacerdotal, with its face turned towards the east--and a little +shower of rose leaves, which could scarcely have fallen there by +accident, at the foot of the pedestal. Lutchester inclined his head +gravely, as he looked towards it, a gesture entirely reverential, +almost an obeisance. Nikasti's eyes were clouded with curiosity. He +slipped down to the ground. + +"I have travelled in your country," Lutchester said gravely, as though +in explanation. "I have visited your temples. I may say that I have +prayed there." + +"And now?" Nikasti asked. + +"I am for my country what you are for yours," Lutchester proceeded. +"You see, I know when it is best to speak the truth. I am in New York +because you are in New York, and if you leave on Saturday for Japan it +may happen--of this I am not sure--but I say that it may happen that I +shall accompany you." + +"I shall be much honoured," Nikasti murmured. + +"You came here," Lutchester continued, "to meet an emissary from +Berlin. Your country, which could listen to no official word from any +one of her official enemies, can yet, through you, learn what is in +their minds. You have seen to-day Fischer and the Baron von Schwerin. +Fischer has probably presented to you the letter which he has brought +from Berlin. Von Schwerin has expounded further the proposition and the +price which form part of his offer." + +Nikasti's face was imperturbable, but there was trouble in his eyes. + +"You have found your way to much knowledge,", he muttered. + +"I must find my way to more. I must know what Germany offers you. I +must know what is at the back of your mind when you repeat this offer +in Tokio." + +"You can make, then, the unwilling speak?" Nikasti demanded. + +"Even that is amongst the possibilities," Lutchester affirmed. "Strange +things have been done for the cause which such as you and I revere." + +Nikasti showed his white teeth for a moment in a smile meant to be +contemptuous. + +"It is a great riddle, this, which we toss from one to the other," he +observed. "I am the simple valet of two gentlemen living in the hotel. +You have listened, perhaps, to fairy tales, or dreamed them yourself, +sir." + +"It is no fairy tale," Lutchester rejoined, "that you are Prince +Nikasti, the third son of the great Marquis Ato, that you and I met +more than once in London when you were living there some years ago; +that you travelled through our country, and drew up so scathing an +indictment of our domestic and industrial position that, but for their +clumsy diplomacy, your country would probably have made overtures to +Germany. Ever since those days I have wondered about you. I have +wondered whether you are with your country in her friendship towards +England." + +"I have no friends but my country's friends," Nikasti declared, "no +enemies save her enemies. But to-day those things of which you have +spoken do not concern me. I am the Japanese valet of Mr. Fischer and +Mr. Van Teyl." + +Lutchester, as though by accident, came a step further into the room. +Nikasti's eyes never left his face. Perhaps at that moment each knew +the other's purpose, though their tongues clung to the other things. + +"Will you talk to me, Japan?" Lutchester asked calmly. "You have +listened to Germany. I am England." + +"If you have anything to say," Nikasti replied, "Baron Yung is at +Washington." + +"You and I know well," Lutchester continued, "that ambassadors are but +the figureheads in the world's history. Speak to me of the things which +concern our nations, Nikasti. Tell me of the letter you bear to the +Emperor. You have nothing to lose. Sit down and talk to me, man to man. +You have heard Germany. Hear England. Tell me of the promises made to +you within the last hour, and I will show you how they can never be +kept. Let us talk of your country's future. You and I can tell one +another much." + +"A valet knows nothing," Nikasti murmured. + +Lutchester came a step nearer. Nikasti, in retreating, was now almost +in a corner of the room. + +"Listen," Lutchester went on, "for many years I have suspected that you +are an enemy of my country. That is the reason why, when our +Intelligence Department learnt of your mission, I chose to come myself +to meet you. And now we meet, Nikasti, face to face, and all that you +are willing to do for your country, I am willing to do for mine, and +unless you sit down and talk this matter out with me as man to man, you +will not leave New York." + +The arm of the Japanese stole with the most perfect naturalness inside +his coat, and Lutchester knew then that the die was cast. The line of +blue steel flashed out too late. The hand which gripped the +strangely-shaped little knife was held as though in a vice, and +Lutchester's other arm was suddenly thrown around the neck of his +assailant, his fingers pressed against his windpipe. + +"Drop the knife," he ordered. + +It fell clattering on to the hard floor. Nikasti, however, twisted +himself almost free, took a flying leap sideways, and seized his +adversary's leg. In another moment he came down upon the floor with a +crash. Lutchester's grip upon him, a little crueller now, was like a +band of steel. + +"There are many ways of playing this game. It is you who have chosen +this one," he said. "It's no use, Nikasti. I know as much of your own +science as you do. You're my man now until I choose to let you free, +and before I do that I am going to read the letter which you are taking +to Japan." + +Nikasti's eyes were red with fury, but every movement was torture. +Lutchester held him easily with one hand, felt over him with the other, +drew the letter from his vest, and, shaking it free from its envelope, +held it out and read it. When he had finished, he replaced it in the +envelope and pushed it back into the other's breast pocket. + +"Now," he directed, "you can get up." + +Nikasti scrambled to his feet. There were livid marks under his eyes. +For a moment he had lost all his vitality, he was like a beaten +creature. + +"You would never have done this," he muttered, "ten years ago, I grow +old." + +"So that is the letter which you are taking to your Emperor!" +Lutchester said. "You think it worth while! You can really see the +German fleet steaming past the British Isles, out into the Atlantic, +and bombarding New York!" + +Nikasti made no reply. Lutchester looked at him for a moment +thoughtfully. There was a light once more in the beaten man's eyes--a +queer, secretive gleam. Lutchester stooped down and picked up the knife +from the floor. + +"Nikasti," he enjoined, "listen to me, for your country's sake. The +promise contained in that letter is barely worth the paper it is +written on, so long as the British fleet remains what it is. But, apart +from that, I tell you here, of my own profound conviction--and I will +prove it to you before many days are past--Germany does not intend to +keep this promise." + +Nikasti made no reply. His face was expressionless. + +"Germany has but one idea," Lutchester continued. "She means to play +you and America off against one another. I have found out her offer to +you. All I can say is, if you take it seriously you are not the man I +think you. Now I will tell you what I am going to do. I am going to +find out her offer to America. I will bring that to you, and you shall +see the two side by side. Then you shall know how much you can rely +upon a country whose diplomacy is bred and born of lies, who cheats at +every move of the game, who makes you a deliberate offer here which she +never has the least intention of keeping. Have you anything to say to +me, Nikasti?" + +Nikasti raised his eyes for one moment. + +"I have nothing to say," he replied. "I am the valet of Mr. Fischer and +Mr. Van Teyl. These things are not of my concern." + +Lutchester shrugged his shoulders. + +"Whatever you may be," he concluded, "and however much you may resent +all that has happened, I know that you will wait. I might go direct to +Washington, but I prefer to come to you, if it remains possible. Before +you leave this country we will meet again, and, when you have heard me, +you will tear that letter which you are treasuring next your heart into +small pieces." + +Lutchester turned and left the room, closing the door behind him. +Nikasti crouched in his place without movement. The ache in his heart +seemed to be shining out of his face. He turned slowly towards the +little figure of black ivory, his head drooped lower--he was filled +with a great shame. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + + +Fischer raised his eyebrows in mild surprise to find Nikasti waiting +for him in the sitting room that evening, with his overcoat and evening +hat. He closed the door of the bedroom from which he had issued +carefully behind him. + +"You don't need to go on with this business now that we have had our +little talk," he remonstrated. + +"I cannot leave until the twentieth," Nikasti replied. "I think it best +that I remain here. Your cocktail, sir." + +Fischer accepted the glass with a good-humoured little laugh. + +"Well," he said, "I suppose you know what you want to do, but it seems +to me unnecessary. Say, is anything wrong with you? You seem shaken, +somehow." + +"I am quite well," Nikasti declared gravely. "I am very well indeed." + +Fischer stared at him searchingly from behind his spectacles. + +"You don't look it," he observed. "If you'll take my advice, you'll get +away from here and rest somewhere quietly for a few days. Why don't you +try one of the summer hotels on Long Island?" + +Nikasti shook his head. + +"Until I sail," he decided, "I stay here. It is better so." + +"You know best, of course," Fischer replied. "Where's Mr. Van Teyl?" + +"He has gone out with his sister, sir--the young lady in the next +suite," Nikasti announced. + +Fischer sighed for a moment. Then he finished his cocktail, drew on his +gloves, and turned towards the door. + +"Well, good night," he said. "Perhaps you are wise to stay here. +Remember always what it is that you carry about with you." + +"I shall remember," Nikasti promised. + +Fischer entered his automobile and drove to a fashionable restaurant in +the neighbourhood of Fifth Avenue. Arrived here, he made his way to a +room on the first floor, into which he was ushered by one of the head +waiters. Von Schwerin was already there, talking with a little company +of men. + +"Ah, our friend Fischer!" the latter exclaimed. "That makes our number +complete." + +A waiter handed around cocktails. Fischer smiled as he raised his glass +to his lips. + +"It is something, at least," he confided, "to be back in a country +where one can speak freely. I raise my arm. Von Schwerin and +gentlemen--'To the Fatherland!'" + +They all drank fervently and with a little guttural murmur. Von +Schwerin set down his empty glass. He was looking a little glum. + +"In many ways, my dear Fischer," he said, "one sympathises with that +speech of yours; but the truth is best, and it is to talk truths that +we have met this evening. We are gaining no ground here. I am not sure +that we are not losing." + +There was a moment's disturbed and agitated silence. + +"It is bad to hear," one little man acknowledged, with a sigh, "but who +can doubt it? There is a fever which has caught hold of this country, +which blazes in the towns and smoulders in the country places, and that +is the fever of money-making. Men are blinded with the passion of it. +They tell me that even Otto Schmidt in Milwaukee has turned his great +factories into ammunition works." + +Von Schwerin's eyes flashed. + +"Let him be careful," he muttered, "that one morning those are not +blackened walls upon which he looks! We go to dinner now, gentlemen, +and, until we are alone afterwards, not one word concerning the great +things." + +The partition doors leading into the dining room were thrown back and +the little company of men sat down to dine. There were fourteen of +them, and their names were known throughout the world. There was a +steel millionaire, half-a-dozen Wall Street magnates, a clothing +manufacturer, whose house in Fifth Avenue was reputed to have cost two +millions. There was not one of them who was not a patriot--to Germany. +They ate and drank through the courses of an abnormally long dinner +with the businesslike thoroughness of their race. When at last the +coffee and liqueurs had been served, the waiters by prearrangement +disappeared, and with a little flourish Von Schwerin locked the door. +Once more he raised his glass. + +"To the Kaiser and the Fatherland!" he cried in a voice thick with +emotion. + +For a moment a little flash of something almost like spirituality +lightened the gathering. They were at least men with a purpose, and an +unselfish purpose. + +"Oscar Fischer," Von Schwerin said, "my friends, all of you, you know +how strenuous my labours have been during the last year. You know that +three times the English Ambassador has almost demanded my recall, and +three times the matter has hung in the balance. I have watched events +in Washington, not through my own but through a thousand eyes. My +fingers are on the pulse of the country, so what I say to you needs +nothing in the way of substantiation. The truth is best. +Notwithstanding all my efforts, and the efforts of every one of you, +the great momentum of public feeling, from California to Massachusetts, +has turned slowly towards the cause of our enemies. Washington is +hopelessly against us. The huge supplies which leave these shores day +by day for England and France will continue. Fresh plants are being +laid down for the manufacture of weapons and ammunition to be used +against our country. The hand of diplomacy is powerless. We can +struggle no longer. Even those who favour our cause are drunk with the +joy of the golden harvest they are reaping. This country has spoken +once and for all, and its voice is for our most hated enemy." + +There were a variety of guttural and sympathetic ejaculations. A dozen +earnest faces turned towards Von Schwerin. + +"Diplomacy," Von Schwerin continued, "has failed. We come to the next +step. There have been isolated acts of self-sacrifice, splendid in +themselves but systemless. Only the day before yesterday a great +factory at Detroit was burned to the ground, and I can assure you, +gentlemen, I who know, that a thousand bales of cloth, destined for +France, lie in a charred, heap amongst the ruins. That fire was no +accident." + +There was a brief silence. Fischer nodded approvingly. Von Schwerin +filled his glass. + +"This," he went on, "was the individual act of a brave and faithful +patriot. The time has come for us, too, to remember that we are at war. +I have striven for you with the weapons of diplomacy and I have failed. +I ask you now to face the situation with me--to make use of the only +means left to us." + +No one hesitated. Possibly ruin stared them in the face, but not one +flinched. Their heads drew closer together. They discussed the ways and +means of the new campaign. + +"We must add largely to our numbers," Von Schwerin said, "and we had +better have a fund. So far as regards money, I take it for granted--" + +There was a little chorus of fierce whispers. Five million dollars were +subscribed by men who were willing, if necessary, to find fifty. + +"It is enough," their leader assured them. "Much of our labours will be +amongst those to whom money is no object. Only remember, all of you, +this. We shall be a society without a written word, with no roll of +membership, without documents or institution, for complicity in the +things which follow will mean ruin. You are willing to face that?" + +Again that strange, passionate instinct of unanimity prevailed. To all +appearance it was a gathering of commonplace, commercialised and +bourgeois, easy-living men, but the touch of the spirit was there. +Fischer leaned a little forward. + +"In two months' time," he said, "every factory in America which is +earning its blood money shall be in danger. There will be a reign of +terror. Each State will operate independently and secretly." + +"Our friend Fischer," Von Schwerin told them, "has promised to stay +over here for the present to organise this undertaking. I, alas! am +bound to remain always a little aloof, but the time may come, and very +soon, too, when I shall be a free lance. On that day I shall throw my +lot in with yours, to the last drop of my blood and the last hour of my +liberty. Until then, trust Oscar Fischer. He has done great deeds +already. He will show you the way to more." + +Fischer took off his spectacles and wiped them. + +"Our first proceeding," he said, "sounds paradoxical. It must be that +we cease to exist. There can be no longer any meetings amongst us who +stand in this country for Germany. Gatherings of this sort are +finished. We meet, one or two of us, perhaps, by accident, in the clubs +and in the streets, in our houses and perhaps in the restaurants, but +the bond which unites us, and which no human power could ever sever +because it is of the spirit, that bond from to-night is intangible. +Wait, all of you, for a message. The task given to each shall not be +too great." + +Mr. Max H. Bookam, a little black-bearded man who had started life +tailoring in a garret, and was now a multi-millionaire, raised his +glass. + +"No task shall seem too great," he muttered. "No risk shall make us +afraid. Even the exile shall take up his burden." + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + + +Mr. Fischer's business later on that night led him into unsavoury +parts. He left his car at the corner of Fourteenth Street, and, after a +moment's reflection, as though to refresh his memory, he made his way +slowly eastwards. He wore an unusually shabby overcoat, and a felt hat +drawn over his eyes, both of which garments he had concealed in the +automobile. Even then, however, his appearance made him an object of +some comment. A little gang of toughs first jostled him and then turned +and followed in his footsteps. A man came out of the shadows, and they +broke away with an oath. + +"That cop'll get his head broke some day," Fischer heard one of them +mutter, with appropriate adjectives. + +There were others who looked curiously at him. One man's hand he felt +running over his pockets as he pushed past him. A couple of women came +screaming down the street and seized him by the arms. He shook himself +free, and listened without a word to their torrent of abuse. The lights +here seemed to burn more dimly. Even the flares from the drinking dens +seemed secretive, and the shadowy places impenetrable. It was before a +saloon that at last he paused, listened for a moment to the sound of a +cracked piano inside, and entered. The place was packed, and, +fortunately for him, a scrap of some interest between two +villainous-looking Italians in a distant corner was occupying the +attention of many of the patrons. A man with white, staring face was +banging at a crazy piano without a movement of his body, his whole +energies apparently directed towards drowning the tumult of oaths and +hideous execrations which came from the two combatants. A drunken +Irishman, rolling about on the floor, kicked at him savagely as he +passed. An undersized little creature, with the face of an old man but +the figure of a boy, marked him from a distant corner and crept +stealthily towards his side. Fischer reached the counter at last and +stood there for a moment, waiting. Two huge, rough-looking negroes, in +soiled linen clothes, were dispensing the drinks. As one of them +passed, Fischer struck the counter with his forefinger, six or seven +times, observing a particular rhythm. The negro started, turned his +heavily-lidded, repulsive eyes upon Fischer, and nodded slightly. He +handed out the drink he had in his hand, and leaned over the counter. + +"Want the boss?" he demanded. + +Fischer assented. The negro lifted the flap of the counter and opened a +trapdoor, leading apparently into a cellar beneath. + +"Step right down," he muttered. "Don't let the boys catch on. Get out +of that, Tim," he added thickly to the dwarflike figure, whose slender +fingers were suddenly nearing Fischer's neck. + +The creature seemed to melt away. Fischer dived and descended a dozen +steps or so into another bare looking apartment, the door of which was +half open. There were three men seated at the solitary deal table, +which was almost the only article of furniture to be seen. One, +sombrely dressed in legal black, with a pale face and fiercely +inquiring eyes, half rose to his feet as the newcomer entered. +Another's hand went to his hip pocket. The man who was sitting between +the two, however--a great red-headed Irishman--rose to his feet and +pushed them back to their places. + +"There's no cause for alarm, now, boys," he declared. "This is a friend +of mine. I won't make you acquainted, because we're all better friends +strangers down in these parts. Hop it off, you two. Sit down here, Mr. +Stranger." + +The two men stole away. The Irishman poured out a glassful of neat +whisky and passed it to his visitor. + +"Clients of mine," he explained. "Tim Crooks is in politics. Got your +message, boss. What's the figure?" + +"Two thousand!" + +The Irishman whistled and looked thoughtfully down at the table. + +"Isn't it enough?" Fischer asked. + +"Enough?" was the hoarse reply. "Why, there isn't one of my toughs that +wouldn't go rat-hunting for a quarter of that. If it's any one in these +parts, twelve hours is all I want." + +"It isn't!" + +The Irishman's face fell. + +"Some swell, I suppose? Fifth Avenue way and the swagger parts, eh?" + +Fischer assented silently. His host poured himself out some whisky and +drank it as though it were water. + +"You see, boss," he pointed out, "it's no use sending greenhorns out on +a job like that, because they only squeak if they're pinched, and +pinched they're sure to be; and all my regulars are what we call in +sanctuary." + +"You mean they are hiding already?" + +"That's some truth," was the grim admission. "The cops ain't going to +trouble to come after 'em, so long as they keep here, but they'd nab +'em fast enough if they showed their noses beyond the end of +Fourteenth. Still, I'd like to oblige you, guv'nor. I don't know who +you are, and don't want, but my boys speak fine of you. You know Ed +Swindles?" + +"Not by name," Fischer confessed. + +"He did that little job up at Detroit," the Irishman went on, dropping +his voice a little. "I tell you he's a genius at handling a bomb, is +Ed. Blew that old factory into brick-ends, he did. He's in the saloon +upstairs--got his girl with him. They've been doing a round of the +dancing saloons." + +"That's all right, but what about this job?" Fischer inquired, a little +impatiently. + +The Irishman glanced behind him. Then he dropped his voice a little. + +"Look here, guv'nor," he said, "I've some idea, if it pans out. You've +heard of the Heste case?" + +"You mean the girl who was murdered?" + +"Yes! Well, the chap that did it is within a few feet of where we're +sitting." + +Fischer took off his spectacles and rubbed them. In the dim light his +face looked more grim and powerful than ever. + +"Isn't that a little dangerous?" he observed. "The police mean having +him." + +"You're dead right," the Irishman replied. "They've got to have him, +and he knows it. They'd keep their hands off any one in these parts if +they could, but this bloke's different. He done it too thick, and he's +got the public squealing. Now if we could get him out for long enough, +he's the man for your job. Come right along, boss." + +He rose heavily to his feet, crossed the room, and threw open the door +of what was little more than a cupboard at the further end. The place +was in darkness, but a human form sprang suddenly upright. His white +face and glaring eyes were the only visible objects in a shroud of +darkness. + +"That's all right, kid," the Irishman said soothingly. "No cops yet. +This is a gentleman on business. Wait till I fix a light." + +He stepped back, and brought a candle from the table at which he had +been seated. Fischer helped him light it, and by degrees the interior +of the little apartment was illuminated. Its contents were almost +negligible--there was simply a foul piece of rug in the corner, and a +broken chair. With his back to the wall crouched a slim, apparently +young man, with a perfectly bloodless face and black eyes under which +were blue lines. His clothes were torn and covered with dust, as though +he had dragged himself about the floor, and one of his hands was +bleeding. + +"The gentleman's on business, Jake," his host repeated. + +"Give me some whisky," the young man mumbled. + +The Irishman shaded his eyes. + +"Holy Moses! why, you've finished that bottle!" he exclaimed. + +"It's like water," the fugitive replied in a hot whisper, "I drink and +I feel nothing; I taste nothing--I forget nothing! Give me something +stronger." + +He tossed off without hesitation the tumbler half full of whisky which +his guardian fetched him. Then he came out. + +"I'm sick of this," he declared. "I'll sit at your table. It's no use +talking to me of jobs," he went on. "I couldn't get out of here. I made +for the docks, but they headed me off. They know where I am. They'll +have me sooner or later." + +"Yes, they'll have you right enough," the Irishman assented; "but if +there was any chance in the world, this gent could give it to you. He's +got a job he wants done up amongst the swells in Fifth Avenue, and +there's money enough in it to buy Anna herself, if you want her. Anna's +our real toff down here," he explained, turning to Fischer, "and all +the boys are crazy about her." + +Jake shook his head, unimpressed. He fixed his eyes upon Fischer, +moistened his lips a little, and spoke in a sort of croaky whisper. + +"Money's no use to me," he said, "nor women either--I'm through with +them. You know what I done? I killed my girl. That's what I'm going to +the chair for. But if I could get out of this, I'd do your job. I'm +kind of hating people. I can't get my girl's face out of my mind. +Perhaps if I did your job I'd have another one to think about." + +"Pleasant company, ain't he?" the Irishman grunted. "He's the real +goods." + +Fischer stared at the young man as though fascinated. He seemed beyond +and outside human comprehension. Their host was sitting with his hands +in his pockets and his feet on another chair. The braces hung from his +shoulders upon the floor, his collarless shirt had fallen a little +open. His face, with its little tuft of red side whiskers and unshaven +chin, was reminiscent of the forests. + +"If you want this job fixed, Mr. Stranger," he said, "I don't know as +Jake here couldn't take it on. It'd have to be done like this. Jake's a +real toney chauffeur--drive anything. If you had your automobile at a +spot I could tell you of one evening, just at dusk, I might get him +that far, in a set of chauffeur's clothes. Once on the box of your +auto, he'd be out of this and could give 'em the slip for a bit. It's +the only way I can think of, to get him near the game." + +"The arrangement would suit me," Fischer admitted. + +Jake suddenly showed a gleaming set of unexpectedly white teeth. His +eyes stared more than ever. + +"I'm game! I'm on to this," he cried fiercely. "You can have all there +is coming to me, Sullivan, if I get nabbed, but I'm going to take my +risk. I hate this hole! It's a rat's den." + +"Then get you back to your cupboard, Jake," the Irishman enjoined. +"I've got to talk business to the gent." + +The young man rose to his feet. He took the bottle of whisky under his +arm. His face was still ashen, but his tone was steady. He gripped +Fischer by the arm. + +"I will do your job," he promised. "I will do it thoroughly." + +He slouched across the floor, entered his cupboard, and disappeared. +Fischer was suddenly aware of the moisture upon his forehead. There was +something animallike, absolutely inhuman, about this creature with whom +he had made his murderous bargain. + +"I have no money here, of course," he reminded his companion. + +"Don't know as I blame you, guv'nor," the other observed with a grin. +"I saw my toughs lay out a guy only the other day for flashing a +smaller wad than you'd carry. You know the rules, and I guess I'll ring +up the bank to-morrow morning at eleven o'clock. Does that go?" + +"You'll find the deposit there," Fischer promised. "You'd better let me +know when he's ready to take the job on." + +The Irishman walked to the foot of the steps with his visitor. + +"Give Joe the double knock on the trapdoor," he directed, "and get out +of the saloon as quick as you can. There's a Dago about there keeps our +hands full. Got anything with you?" + +Fischer nodded. His hand stole out of his overcoat pocket. + +"Better give them one if they look like trouble," his host advised. +"They've plenty of spunk, but I can tell you they make tracks for their +holes if they hear one of those things bark." + +"They shall hear it fast enough, if they try to hustle me," Fischer +observed grimly. + +"You've some pluck," the Irishman declared, as he watched his departing +guest ascend the steps. "Sure, this is no place for cowards, anyway. +And good night and good luck to you! Jake will do your job slick, if +any one could." + +Fischer beat his little tattoo upon the trapdoor, crawled through it +and underneath the flap in the counter, out into the saloon. He paused +for a moment to look around, on his way to the door. The fight was +apparently over, for every one was standing at the counter, drinking +with a swarthy-faced man whose cheeks were stained with blood. From a +distant corner came the sound of groans. The air seemed heavier than +ever with foul tobacco smoke. The man at the piano still thrashed out +his unmelodious chords. Some women in a corner were pretending to +dance. One or two of them looked curiously at Fischer, but he passed +out, unchallenged. Even the air of the slum outside seemed pure and +fresh after the heated den he had left. He reached the corner of the +street in safety and stepped quickly into his car. He threw both +windows wide open and murmured an order to the chauffeur. Then he +leaned back and closed his eyes for a moment. He was a man not +overburdened with imagination, but it seemed to him just then that he +would never be able altogether to forget the face of that ghastly, +dehumanised creature, crouching like some terrified wild animal in his +fetid refuge. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + + +Mrs. Theodore Hastings was forty-eight years old, which her friends +said was the reason why her mansion on Fifth Avenue was furnished and +lit with the delicate sombreness of an old Italian palace. There was +about it none of the garishness, the almost resplendent brilliancy +associated with the abodes of many of our neighbours. Although her +masseuse confidently assured her that she looked twenty-eight, Mrs. +Hastings preferred not to put the matter to the test. She received her +carefully selected dinner guests in a great library with cedarwood +walls, furnished with almost Victorian sobriety, and illuminated by +myriads of hidden lights. Pamela, being a relative, received the +special consideration of an affectionately bestowed embrace. + +"Pamela, my child, wasn't it splendid I heard that you were in New +York!" she exclaimed. "Quite by accident, too. I think you treat your +relatives shamefully." + +Her niece laughed. + +"Well, anyhow, you're the first of them I've seen at all, and directly +Jim told me he was coming to you, I made him ring up in case you had +room for me." + +"Jimmy was a dear," Mrs. Hastings declared, "and, of course, there +couldn't be a time when there wouldn't be room for you. Even now, at +the last moment, though, I haven't quite made up my mind where to put +you. Choose, dear. Will you have a Western bishop or a rather dull +Englishman?" + +"What is the name of the Englishman?" Pamela asked, with sudden +intuition. + +"Lutchester, dear. Quite a nice name, but I know nothing about him. He +brought letters to your uncle. Rather a queer time for Englishmen to be +travelling about, we thought, but still, there he is. Seems to have +found some people he knows--and I declare he is coming towards you!" + +"I met him in London," Pamela whispered, "and I never could get on with +bishops." + +The dinner table was large, and arranged with that wonderful simplicity +which Mrs. Hastings had adopted as the keynote of her New York parties. +She had taken, in fact, simplicity under her wing and made a new thing +of it. There were more flowers than silver, and cut glass than heavy +plate. There seemed to be an almost ostentatious desire to conceal the +fact that Mr. Hastings had robbed the American public of a good many +million dollars. + +"Of course," Pamela declared, as they took their places, and she nodded +a greeting to some friends around the table, "fate is throwing us +together in the most unaccountable manner." + +"I accept its vagaries with resignation," Lutchester replied. "Besides, +it is quite time we met again. You promised to show me New York, and I +haven't seen you for days." + +"I don't even remember the promise," Pamela laughed, "but in any case I +have changed my mind. I am not sure that you are the nice, +simple-minded person you profess to be. I begin to have doubts about +you." + +"Interest grows with mystery," Lutchester remarked complacently. "Let +us hope that I am promoted in your mind." + +"Well, I am not at all sure. Of course, I am not an Englishman, so it +is of no particular interest to me, but if you really came over here on +important affairs, I am not sure that I approve of your playing golf +the day after your arrival." + +"That, perhaps, was thoughtless," he admitted, "but one gets so short +of exercise on board ship." + +"Of course," Pamela observed tentatively, "I'd forgive you even now if +you'd only be a little more frank with me." + +"I am prepared to be candour itself," he assured her. + +"Tell me," she begged, "the whole extent of your mission in America?" + +He glanced around. + +"If we were alone," he replied, "I might court indiscretion so far as +to tell you." + +"Then we will leave the answer to that question until after dinner," +she said. + +She talked to her left-hand neighbour for a few moments, and Lutchester +followed suit. They turned to one another again, however, at the first +opportunity. + +"I have conceived," she told him, "a great admiration for Mr. Oscar +Fischer." + +"A very able man," Lutchester agreed. + +"He is not only that," Pamela continued, "but he is a man with large +principles and great ideas." + +"Principles!" Lutchester murmured. + +"Of course, you don't like him," Pamela went on, "and I don't wonder at +it. He is thoroughly German, isn't he?" + +"Almost prejudiced, I'm afraid," Lutchester assented. + +"Don't be silly," Pamela protested. "Why, he's German by birth, and +although you English people are much too pig-headed to see any good in +an enemy, I think you must admit that the way they all hang together-- +Germans, I mean, all over the world--is perfectly wonderful." + +"There have been a few remarks of the same sort," Lutchester reminded +her, "about the inhabitants of the British Empire--Canadians, +Australians, New Zealanders, for instance." + +"As a matter of fact," Pamela admitted generously, "I consider that +your Colonials understand the word patriotism better than the ordinary +Englishman. With them, as with the Germans, it is almost a passionate +impulse. Your hearts may be in the right places, but you always give +one the impression of finding the whole thing rather a bore." + +"Well, so it is," Lutchester insisted. "Who wants to give up a very +agreeable profession and enter upon a career of bloodshed, abandon all +one's habits, and lose most of one's friends? No, we are honest about +that, at any rate! Germany may be enjoying this war. We aren't." + +"What was your profession?" Pamela inquired. + +"Diplomacy," Lutchester confided. "I intended to become an ambassador." + +"Do you think you have the requisite gifts?" + +"What are they?" + +"Secrecy, subtlety, caution, and highly-developed intelligence," she +replied. "How's that?" + +"All those gifts," he assured her, "I possess." + +She fanned herself for a moment and looked at him. + +"We are not a modest race ourselves," she said, "but I think you can +give us a lead. By the bye, were you playing golf with Senator Hamblin +by accident the other afternoon?" + +"You mean the old Johnny down at Baltusrol?" he asked coolly. "I picked +him up wandering about by the professionals' shed." + +"Did you talk politics with him?" + +"We gassed a bit about the war," Lutchester admitted cheerfully. + +Pamela laughed. She leaned a little forward. The buzz of conversation +now was insistent all around them. + +"Of you two," she whispered, "I prefer Fischer." + +Lutchester considered the matter for some time. + +"Well, there's no accounting for tastes," he said presently. "I +shouldn't have thought him exactly your type." + +"He may not be," Pamela confessed, "but at least he has the courage to +speak what is in his mind." + +Lutchester smiled. + +"So Fischer has taken you into his confidence, has he?" he murmured. +"Well, now, that seems queer to me. I should have thought your +interests would have lain the other way." + +"As an individual?" + +"As an American." + +"I am not wholly convinced of that." + +"Come," he protested, "what is the use of a friend from whom you are +separated by an unnegotiable space?" + +"What unnegotiable space?" + +"The Atlantic." + +"And why is the Atlantic unnegotiable?" + +"Because of a little affair called the British fleet," Lutchester +pointed out. + +"There is also," she reminded him drily, "a German fleet, and they +haven't met yet." + +"Ah! I had almost forgotten there was such a thing," he murmured. +"Where do they keep it?" + +"You know. You aren't nearly so stupid as you pretend to be," she said, +a little impatiently. "I should like you so much better if you would be +frank with me." + +"What about those qualifications for my ambassadorial career?" he +reminded her--"Secrecy, subtlety, caution." + +"The master of these," she whispered, rising to her feet in response to +her hostess's signal, "knows when to abandon them--" + +Lutchester changed his place to a vacant chair by James Van Teyl's +side. + +"I was going to ask you, Mr. Van Teyl," he inquired, "whether your +Japanese servant was altogether a success? I think I shall have to get +a temporary servant while I am over here." + +"Nikasti was entirely Fischer's affair," Van Teyl replied, "and I can't +say much about him as I have given up my share of the apartments at the +Plaza. The fellow's all right, I dare say, but we hadn't the slightest +use for a valet. The man on the floor's good enough for any one." + +"By the bye," Lutchester inquired, "is Fischer still in New York?" + +"No, he's in Washington," Van Teyl replied. "I believe he's expected +back to-morrow.... Say, can I ask you a question?" + +Lutchester almost imperceptibly drew his chair a little closer. + +"Of course you can," he assented. + +"What I want to know," Van Teyl continued confidentially, "is how you +get that long run on your cleek shots? I saw you play the sixteenth +hole, and it looked to me as though the ball were never going to stop." + +Lutchester smiled. + +"I have made a special study of that shot," he confided. "Yes, I can +tell you how it's done, but it needs a lot of practice. It's done in +turning over the wrists sharply just at the moment of impact. You get +everything there is to be got into the stroke that way, and you keep +the ball low, too." + +"Gee, I must try that!" Van Teyl observed, making spasmodic movements +with his wrists. "When could we have a day down at Baltusrol?" + +"It will have to be next week, I'm afraid, if you don't mind," +Lutchester replied. "I've a good many appointments in New York, and I +may have to go to Washington myself. By the bye, I thought our host +lived there." + +"So he does," Van Teyl assented. "Nowadays, though, it seems to have +become the fashion for politicians to own a house up in New York and do +some entertaining here. They're after the financial interest, I +suppose." + +"Is your uncle a keen politician?" + +"Keen as mustard," Van Teyl answered. "So's my aunt. She'd give her +soul to have the old man nominated for the Presidency." + +"Any chance of it?" + +"Not an earthly! He'll come a mucker, though, some day, trying. He'd +take any outside chance. For a clever man he's the vainest thing I +know." + +Lutchester smiled enigmatically as he followed the example of the +others and rose to his feet. + +"Even in America, then," he observed, "your great men have their +weaknesses." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + + +Fischer, exactly one week after his nocturnal visit to Fourteenth +Street, hurried out of the train at the Pennsylvania Station, almost +tore the newspapers from the news stand, glanced through them one by +one and threw them back. The attendant, open-mouthed, ventured upon a +mild protest. Fischer threw him a dollar bill, caught up his handbag, +and made for the entrance. He was the first passenger from the +Washington Limited to reach the street and spring into a taxi. + +"The Plaza Hotel," he ordered. "Get along." + +They arrived at the Plaza in less than ten minutes. Mr. Fischer tipped +the driver lavishly, suffered the hall porter to take his bag, returned +his greeting mechanically, and walked with swift haste to the tape +machine. He held up the strips with shaking fingers, dropped them +again, hurried to the lift, and entered his rooms. Nikasti was in the +sitting-room, arranging some flowers. Fischer did not even stop to +reply to his reverential greeting. + +"Where's Mr. Van Teyl?" he demanded. + +"Mr. Van Teyl has gone away, sir," was the calm reply. "He left here +the day before yesterday. There is a letter." + +Fischer took no notice. He was already gripping the telephone receiver. + +"982, Wall," he said--"an urgent call." + +He stood waiting, his face an epitome of breathless suspense. Soon a +voice answered him. + +"That the office of Neville, Brooks and Van Teyl?" he demanded. "Yes! +Put me through to Mr. Van Teyl. Urgent!" + +Another few seconds of waiting, then once more he bent over the +instrument. + +"That you, Van Teyl?... Yes, Fischer speaking. Oh, never mind about +that! Listen. What price are Anglo-French?... No, say about what?... +Ninety-five?... Sell me a hundred thousand.... What's that?... What?... +Of course it's a big deal! Never mind that. I'm good enough, aren't I? +There'll be no rise that'll wipe out half a million dollars. I've got +that lying in cash at Guggenheimer's. If you need the money, I'll bring +it you in half an hour. Get out into the market and sell. Damn you, +what's it matter about news! Right! Sorry, Jim. See you later." + +Fischer put down the telephone and wiped his forehead. Notwithstanding +the fatigue in his face, there was a glint of triumph there. He laid +his hand upon Nikasti's shoulder. + +"My friend," he said, "there's big proof coming of what I said to you +the other day. You'll find that letter you carry will mean a different +thing now. There's news in the air." + +"There has been a great battle, perhaps?" Nikasti asked slowly. + +"All that is to be known you will hear before evening," Fischer +replied. "Tell some one to send me some coffee. I have come through +from Washington. I am tired." + +He sank a little abruptly into an easy-chair, took off his spectacles, +and leaned his head back upon the cushions. In the sunlight his face +was almost ghastly. A queer sense of weakness had suddenly assailed +him. His mind flitted back through a vista of sleepless nights, of +strenuous days, of passions held in leash, excitement ground down. + +"I am tired," he said. "Telephone down to the office, Nikasti, for a +doctor." + +Nikasti obeyed, and his summons was promptly answered. The doctor who +arrived was pleasantly but ominously grave. In the middle of his +examination the telephone rang. Fischer, without ceremony, moved to the +receiver. It was Van Teyl speaking. + +"I've sold your hundred thousand Anglo-French," he announced. "It's +done the whole market in, though--knocked the bottom out of it. They've +fallen a point and a half. Shall I begin to buy back for you? You'll +make a bit." + +"Not a share," Fischer answered fiercely. "Wait!" + +"Have you any news you're keeping up your sleeve?" Van Teyl persisted. + +"If I have, it's my own affair," was the curt reply, "and I don't tell +news over the telephone, anyway. Watch the market, and go on selling +where you can." + +"I shall do as you order," Van Teyl replied, "but you're all against +the general tone here. By the bye, you got my letter?" + +"I haven't opened it yet," Fischer snapped. "What's the matter?" + +"Pamela and I have taken a little flat in Fifty-eighth Street. Seems a +little abrupt, but she didn't want to be alone, and she hates hotels. +We felt sure you'd understand." + +"Yes, I understand," Fischer said. "Good-by! I'm busy." + +The doctor completed his examination. When he had finished he mentioned +his fee. + +"You work too hard, and you live in an atmosphere of too great strain. +The natural consequences are already beginning to show themselves. If I +give you medicine, it will only encourage you to keep on wasting +yourself, but you can have medicine if you like." + +"Send me something to take for the next fortnight," Fischer replied. +"After that, I'll take my chance." + +The doctor wrote a prescription and took his leave. Fischer leaned back +in his chair and closed his eyes. His mind travelled back through these +latter days of his over-strenuous life. In such minutes of relaxation, +few of which he permitted himself, he realised with bitter completeness +the catastrophe which had overtaken him--him, Oscar Fischer, of all men +on earth. Into his life of grim purposes, of lofty and yet narrow +ambitions, of almost superhuman tenacity, had crept the one weakening +strain whose presence in other men he had always scoffed at and +derived. There was a new and enervating glamour over the days, a new +and hatefully powerful rival for all his thoughts and dreams. Ten years +ago, he reflected sadly, this might have made a different man of him, +might have unlocked the gates into another, more peaceful and beautiful +world, visions of which had sometimes vaguely disturbed him in his cold +and selfish climb. Now it could only mean suffering. This was the first +stroke. It was the assertion of humanity which was responsible for his +present weakness. How far might it not drag him down? + +There should be a fight, at any rate, he told himself, as an hour or +two later he made his way downtown. He paid several calls in the +vicinity of Wall Street, and finished up in Van Teyl's office. That +young man greeted him with a certain relief. + +"You know the tone of the market's still against you, Fischer," he +warned him once more. + +Fischer threw himself into the client's easy-chair. The furniture in +the office seemed less distinct than usual. He was conscious of a +certain haziness of outline in everything. Van Teyl's face, even, was +shrouded in a little mist. Then he suddenly found himself fighting +fiercely, fighting for his consciousness, fighting against a wave of +giddiness, a deadly sinking of the heart, a strange slackening of all +his nerve power. The young stockbroker rose hastily to his feet. + +"Anything wrong, old fellow?" he asked anxiously. + +"A glass of water," Fischer begged. + +He was conscious of drinking it, vaguely conscious that he was winning. +Soon the office had regained its ordinary appearance, his pulse was +beating more regularly. He had once more the feeling of living--of +living, though in a minor key. + +"A touch of liver," he murmured. "What did you say about the markets?" + +"You look pretty rotten," Van Teyl remarked sympathetically. "Shall I +send out for some brandy?" + +"Not for me," Fischer scoffed. "I don't need it. What price are +Anglo-French?" + +"Ninety-four. You've only done them in a point, after all, and that's +nominal. I daresay I could get ten thousand back at that." + +"Let them alone," was the calm reply. "I'll sell another fifty thousand +at ninety-four." + +"Look here," Van Teyl said, swinging round in his chair, "I like the +business and I know you can finance it, but are you sure that you +realise what you are doing? Every one believes Anglo-French have +touched their bottom. They've only to go back to where they were--say +five points--and you'd lose half a million." + +Fischer smiled a little wearily. + +"That small sum in arithmetic," he remonstrated, "had already passed +through my brain. Send in your selling order, Jim, and come out to +lunch with me. I've come straight through from Washington--only got in +this morning." + +Van Teyl called in his clerk and gave a few orders. Then he took up his +hat and left the office with his client. + +"From Washington, eh?" he remarked curiously, as they passed into the +crowded streets. "So that accounts--" + +He broke off abruptly. His companion's warning fingers had tightened +upon his arm. + +"Quite right!" Van Teyl confessed. "There's gossip enough about now, +and they seem to have tumbled to it that you're our client. The office +has been besieged this morning. Sorry, Ned, I'm busy," he went on, to a +man who tried to catch his arm. "See you later, Fred. I'll be in after +lunch, Mr. Borrodaile. No, nothing fresh that I know of." + +Fischer smiled grimly. + +"Got you into a kind of hornets' nest, eh?" he observed. + +"It's been like this all the morning," Van Teyl told him. "They believe +I know something. Even the newspaper men are tumbling to it. We'll +lunch up at the club. Maybe we'll get a little peace there." + +They stepped into the hall of a great building, and took one of the +interminable row of lifts. A few minutes later they were seated at a +side table in a dining room on the top floor of one of the huge modern +skyscrapers. Below them stretched a silent panorama of the city; +beyond, a picturesque view of the river. A fresh breeze blew in through +the opened window. They were above the noise, even, of the street cars. + +"Order me a small bottle of champagne, James," Fischer begged, "and +some steak." + +Van Teyl stared at his companion and laughed as he took up the wine +list. + +"Well, that's the first time, Fischer, I've known you to touch a drop +of anything before the evening! I'll have a whisky and soda with you. +Thank God we're away from that inquisitive crowd for a few minutes! Are +you going to give me an idea of what's moving?" + +Fischer watched the wine being poured into his glass. + +"Not until this evening," he said. "I want you to bring your sister and +come and dine at the new roof-garden." + +"I don't know whether Pamela has any engagement," Van Teyl began, a +little dubiously. + +"Please go and see," Fischer begged earnestly. "The telephones are just +outside. Tell your sister that I particularly wish her to accept my +invitation. Tell her that there will be news." + +Van Teyl went out to the telephone. Fischer sipped his champagne and +crumbled up his bread, his eyes fixed a little dreamily on the grey +river. He was already conscious of the glow of the wine in his veins. +The sensation was half pleasurable, in a sense distasteful to him. He +resented this artificial humanity. He had the feeling of a man who has +stooped to be doped by a quack doctor. And he was a little afraid. + +His young companion returned triumphant. + +"Had a little trouble with Pamela," he observed, as he resumed his +place at the table. "She was thinking of the opera with a girl friend +she picked up this morning. However, the idea of news, I think, +clinched it. We'll be at the Oriental at eight o'clock, eh?" + +Fischer looked up from the fascinating patchwork below. Already there +was anticipation in his face. + +"I am very glad," he said. "There will certainly be news." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + + +"Now indeed I feel that I am in New York," Pamela declared, as she +broke off one of the blossoms of the great cluster of deep red roses by +her side, and gazed downward over her shoulder at the far-flung carpet +of lights. "One sees little bits of America in every country of the +world, but never this." + +Fischer, unusually grave and funereal-looking in his dinner clothes and +black tie, followed her gesture with thoughtful eyes. Everything that +was ugly in the stretching arms of the city seemed softened, shrouded +and bejewelled. Even the sounds, the rattle and roar of the overhead +railways, the clanging of the electric car bells, the shrieking of the +sirens upon the river, seemed somehow to have lost their harsh note, to +have become the human cry of the great live city, awaking and +stretching itself for the night. + +"I agree with you," he said. "You dine at the Ritz-Carlton and you +might be in Paris. You dine here, and one knows that you are in +America." + +"Yet even here we have become increasingly luxurious," Pamela remarked, +looking around. "The glass and linen upon the tables are quite French; +those shaded lights are exquisite. That little band, too, was playing +at the Ritz three years ago. I am sure that the maitre d'hotel who +brought us to our table was once at the Cafe de Paris." + +"Money would draw all those things from Europe even to the Sahara," +Fischer observed, "so long as there were plenty of it. But millions +could not buy our dining table in the clouds." + +"A little effort of the imagination, fortunately," Pamela laughed, +looking upwards. "There are stars, but no clouds." + +"I guess one of them is going to slip down to the next table before +long," Van Teyl observed, with a little movement of his head. + +They all three turned around and looked at the wonderful bank of pink +roses within a few feet of them. + +"One of the opera women, I daresay," the young man continued. "They are +rather fond of this place." + +Pamela leaned forward. Fischer was watching the streets below; Only a +short distance away was a huge newspaper building, flaring with lights. +The pavements fringing it were thronged with a little stationary crowd. +A row of motor-bicycles was in waiting. A night edition of the paper +was almost due. + +"Mr. Fischer," she asked, "what about that news?" + +He withdrew his eyes from the street. Almost unconsciously he +straightened himself a little in his place. There was pride in his +tone. Behind his spectacles his eyes flashed. + +"I would have told it you before," he said, "but you would not have +believed it. Soon--in a very few moments--the news will be known. You +will see it break away in waves from that building down there, so I +will bear with your incredulity. The German and British fleets have +met, and the victory has remained with us." + +"With us?" Pamela repeated. + +"With Germany," Fischer corrected himself hastily. + +"Is this true?" James Van Teyl almost shouted. "Fischer, are you sure +of what you're saying? Why, it's incredible!" + +"It is true," was the proud reply. "The German Navy has been a long +time proving itself. It has done so now. To-day every German citizen is +the proudest creature breathing. He knew before that his armies were +invincible. He knows now that his fleet is destined to make his country +the mistress of the seas. England's day is over. Her ships were badly +handled and foolishly flung into battle. She has lost many of her +finest units. Her Navy is to-day a crippled and maimed force. The +German fleet is out in the North Sea, waiting for an enemy who has +disappeared." + +"It is inconceivable," Pamela gasped. + +"I do not ask you to believe my word," Fischer exclaimed. "Look!" + +As though the flood gates had been suddenly opened, the stream of +patient waiters broke away from the newspaper building below. Like +little fireflies, the motor-bicycles were tearing down the different +thoroughfares. Boys like ants, with their burden of news sheets, were +running in every direction. Motor-trucks had started on their furious +race. Even the distant echoes of their cries came faintly up. Fischer +called a messenger and sent him for a paper. + +"I do not know what report you will see," he said, "but from whatever +source it comes it will confirm my story. The news is too great and +sweeping to be contradicted or ignored." + +"If it's true," Van Teyl muttered, "you've made a fortune in my office +to-day. It looks like it, too. There was something wrong with +Anglo-French beside your selling for the last hour this afternoon. I +couldn't get buyers to listen for a moment." + +"Yes, I shall have made a great deal of money," Fischer admitted, +"money which I shall value because it comes magnificently, but I hope +that this victory may help me to win other things." + +He looked fixedly at Pamela, and she moved uneasily in her chair. +Almost unconsciously the man himself seemed somehow associated with his +cause, to be assuming a larger and more tolerant place in her thoughts. +Perhaps there was some measure of greatness about him after all. The +strain of waiting for the papers became almost intolerable. At last the +boy reappeared. The great black headlines were stretched out before +her. She felt the envelopment of Fischer's triumph. The words were +there in solid type, and the paper itself was one of the most reliable. + +GREAT NAVAL BATTLE IN THE NORTH SEA. + +BRITISH ADMIRALTY ADMITS SERIOUS LOSSES. + +"QUEEN MARY," "INDEFATIGABLE," AND MANY FINE SHIPS LOST. + +Pamela looked up from the sheet. + +"It is too wonderful," she whispered, with a note of awe in her tone. +"I don't think that any one ever expected this. We all believed in the +British Navy." + +"There is nothing," Fischer declared, "that England can do which +Germany cannot do better." + +"And America best of all," Pamela said. + +Fischer bowed. + +"That is one comparison which will never now be made," he declared, +"for from to-night Germany and America will draw nearer together. The +bubble of British naval omnipotence is pricked." + +"Meanwhile," Van Teyl observed, putting his paper away, "we are +neglecting our dinner. Nothing like a good dose of sensationalism for +giving us an appetite." + +Fischer was watching his glass being filled with champagne. He seized +it by the stem. His eyes for a moment travelled upwards. + +"I am an American citizen," he said, with a strange fervour in his +tone, "but for the moment I am called back. And so I lift my glass and +I drink--I alone, without invitation to you others--to those brave +souls who have made of the North Sea a holy battle-ground." + +He drained his glass and set it down empty. Pamela watched him as +though fascinated. For a single moment she was conscious of a queer +sensation of personal pity for some shadowy and absent friend, of +something almost like a lump in her throat, a strange instinct of +antagonism towards the man by her side so enveloped in beatific +satisfaction--then she frowned when she realised that she had been +thinking of Lutchester, that her first impulse had been one of sympathy +for him. The moment passed. The service of dinner was pressed more +insistently upon them. James Van Teyl, who had been leaning back in his +chair, talking to one of the maitres d'hotel, dismissed him with a +little nod and entrusted them with a confidence. + +"Say, do you know who's coming to the next table?" he exclaimed. +"Sonia!" + +They were all interested. + +"You won't mind?" Fischer asked diffidently. + +"In a restaurant, how absurd!" Pamela laughed. "Why, I'm dying to see +her. I wonder how it is that some of these greatest singers in the +world lead such extraordinary lives that people can never know anything +of them." + +"Society is tolerant enough nowadays," her brother observed, "but Sonia +won't give them even a decent chance to wink at her eccentricities. She +crossed, you know, on the Prince Doronda's yacht, for fear they +wouldn't let her land." + +"Here she comes," Pamela whispered. + +There was a moment's spellbound silence. Two maitres d'hotel were +hurrying in front. A pathway from the lift had been cleared as though +for a royal personage. Sonia, in white from head to foot, a dream of +white lace and chinchilla, with a Russian crown of pearls in her glossy +black hair, and a rope of pearls around her neck, came like a waxen +figure, with scarlet lips and flashing eyes, towards her table. And +behind her--Lutchester! Pamela felt her fingers gripping the +tablecloth. Her first impulse, curiously enough, was one of wild fury +with herself for that single instant's pity. Her face grew cold and +hard. She felt herself sitting a little more upright. Her eyes remained +fixed upon the newcomers. + +Lutchester's behaviour was admirable. His glance swept their little +table without even a shadow of interest. He ignored with passive +unconcern the mistake of Van Teyl's attempted greeting. He looked +through Fischer as though he had been a ghost. He stood by Sonia's side +while she seated herself, and listened with courteous pleasure to her +excited admiration of the flowers and the wonderful vista. Then he took +his own place. In his right hand he was carrying an evening paper with +its flaming headlines. + +"That," Fischer pronounced, struggling to keep the joy from his tone, +"is very British and very magnificent!" + + * * * * * + +Pamela had imperfect recollections of the rest of the evening. She +remembered that she was more than usually gay throughout dinner-time, +but that she was the first to jump at the idea of a hurried departure +and a visit to a cabaret. Every now and then she caught a glimpse of +Sonia's face, saw the challenging light in her brilliant eyes, heard +little scraps of her conversation. The Frenchwoman spoke always in her +own language, with a rather shrill voice, which made Lutchester's +replies sound graver and quieter than usual. More than once Pamela's +eyes rested upon the broad lines of his back. He sat all the time like +a rock, courteous, at times obviously amusing, but underneath it all +she fancied that she saw some signs of the disturbance from which she +herself was suffering. She rose to her feet at last with a little sigh +of relief. It was an ordeal through which she had passed. + +Once in the lift, her brother and Fischer discussed Lutchester's +indiscretion volubly. + +"I suppose," Van Teyl declared, "that there isn't a man in New York who +wouldn't have jumped at the chance of dining alone with Sonia, but for +an Englishman, on a night like this," he went on, glancing at the +paper, "say, he must have some nerve!" + +"Or else," Fischer remarked, "a wonderful indifference. So far as I +have studied the Anglo-Saxon temperament, I should be inclined to vote +for the indifference. That is why I think Germany will win the war. +Every man in that country prays for his country's success, not only in +words, but with his soul. I have not found the same spirit in England." + +"The English people," Pamela interposed, "have a genius for concealment +which amounts to stupidity." + +"I have a theory," Fischer said, "that to be phlegmatic after a certain +pitch is a sign of low vitality. However, we shall see. Certainly, if +England is to be saved from her present trouble, it will not be the +Lutchesters of the world who will do it, nor, it seems, her Navy." + +They found their way to a large cabaret, where Pamela listened to an +indifferent performance a little wearily. The news of what was termed a +naval disaster to Great Britain was flashed upon the screen, and, +generally speaking, the audience was stunned. Fischer behaved +throughout the evening with tact and discretion. He made few references +to the matter, and was careful not to indulge in any undue +exhilaration. Once, when Van Teyl had left the box, however, to speak +to some friends, he turned earnestly to Pamela. + +"Will it please you soon," he begged, "to resume our conversation of +the other day? However you may look at it, things have changed, have +they not? An invincible British Navy has been one of the fundamental +principles of beliefs in American politics. Now that it is destroyed, +the outlook is different. I could go myself to the proper quarter in +Washington, or Von Schwerin is here to be my spokesman. I have a fancy, +though, to work with you. You know why." + +She moved uneasily in her place. + +"I have no idea," she objected, "what it is that you have to propose. +Besides, I am only just a woman who has been entrusted with a few +diplomatic errands." + +"You are the niece of Senator Hastings," Fischer reminded her, "and +Hastings is the man through whom I should like my proposal to go to the +President. It is an honest offer which I have to make, and although it +cannot pass through official channels, it is official in the highest +sense of the word, because it comes to me from the one man who is in a +position to make himself responsible for it." + +Her brother came back to the box before Pamela could reply, but, as +they parted that night, she gave Fischer her hand. + +"Come and see our new quarters," she invited. "I shall be at home any +time to-morrow afternoon." + +It was one of the moments of Fischer's life. He bowed low over her +fingers. + +"I accept, with great pleasure," he murmured. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + + +Sonia had the air of one steeped in an almost ecstatic content. On her +return from the roof garden she had exchanged her wonderful gown for a +white silk negligee, and her headdress of pearls for a quaint little +cap. She was stretched upon a sofa drawn before the wide-flung French +windows of her little sitting-room at the Ritz-Carlton, a salon +decorated in pink and white, and filled almost to overflowing with the +roses which she loved. By her side, in an easy chair which she had +pressed him to draw up to her couch, sat Lutchester. + +"This," she murmured, "is one of the evenings which I adore. I have no +work, no engagements--just one friend with whom to talk. My fine +clothes have done. I am myself," she added, stretching out her arms. "I +have my cigarettes, my iced sherbet, and the lights and murmur of the +city there below to soothe me. And you to talk with me, my friend. What +are you thinking of me--that I am a little animal who loves comfort too +much, eh?" + +Lutchester smiled. + +"We all love comfort," he replied. "Some of us are franker than others +about it." + +She made a little grimace. + +"Comfort! It is my own word, but what a word! It is luxury I +worship--luxury--and a friend. Is that, perhaps, another +word too slight, eh?" + +He met the provocative gleam of her eyes with a smile of amusement. + +"You are just the same child, Sonia," he remarked. "Neither climate nor +country, nor the few passing years, can change you." + +"It is you who have grown older and sterner," she pouted. "It is you who +have lost the gift of living to-day as though to-morrow were not. There +was a time, was there not, John, when you did not care to sit always so +far away?" + +She laid her hand--ringless, over-manicured, but delicately white---- +upon his. He smoothed it gently. + +"You see, Sonia," he sighed, "troubles have come that harden the hearts +even of the gayest of us." + +She frowned. + +"You are not going to remind me--" she began. + +"If I reminded you of anything, Sonia," he interrupted, "I would remind +you that you are a Frenchwoman." + +She stretched out her hand restlessly and took one of the Russian +cigarettes from a bowl by her side. + +"You are not, by any chance, going to talk seriously, dear John?" + +"I am," he assured her, "very seriously." + +"Oh, la, la!" she laughed. "You, my dear, gay companion, you who have +shaken the bells all your life, you are going to talk seriously! And +to-night, when we meet again after so long. Ah, well, why should I be +surprised?" she went on, with a pout. + +"You have changed. When one looks into your face, one sees the +difference. But to me, of all people in the world! Why talk seriously +to me! I am just Sonia, the gipsy nightingale. I know nothing of +serious things." + +"You carry one very serious secret in your heart," he told her gravely, +"one little pain which must sometimes stab you. You are a Frenchwoman, +and yet--" + +Lutchester paused for a moment. Sonia, too, seemed suddenly to have +awakened into a state of tense and vivid emotion. The cigarette burned +away between her fingers. Her great eyes were fixed upon Lutchester. +There was something almost like fear in their questioning depths. + +"Finish! Finish!" she insisted. "Continue!" + +"And yet," he went on, "your very dear friend, the friend for whose +sake you are here in America, is your country's enemy." + +She raised herself a little upon the couch. + +"That is not true," she declared furiously. "Maurice loves France. His +heart aches for the misery that has come upon her. It is your country +only which he hates. If France had but possessed the courage to stand +by herself, to resist when England forced her friendship upon her, none +of this tragedy would ever have happened. Maurice has told me so +himself. France could have peace today, peace at her own price." + +"There is no peace which would leave France with a soul, save the peace +which follows victory," Lutchester replied sternly. + +She crushed her cigarette nervously in her fingers, threw it away, and +lit another. + +"I will not talk of these things with you," she cried. "It was not for +this that you sought me out, eh? Tell me at once? Were these the +thoughts you had in your mind when you sent your little note?--when you +chose to show yourself once more in my life?" + +For the first time of his own accord, he drew his chair a little nearer +to hers. He took her hand. She gave him both unresistingly. + +"Listen, dear Sonia," he said, "it is true that I am a changed man. I +am older than when we met last, and there are the other things. You +remember the Chateau d'Albert?" + +"Of course!" she murmured. "And the young Duc d'Albert's wonderful +house party. We all motored there from Paris. You and I were together! +You have forgotten that, eh?" + +"I lay in that orchard for two days," he went on grimly, "with a hole +in my side and one leg pretty nearly done for. I saw things I can never +forget, in those days, Sonia. D'Albert himself was killed. It was in +that first mad rush. Of the Chateau there remains but four blackened +walls." + +"_Pauvre enfant_!" she murmured. "But you are well and strong again +now, is it not so? You will not fight again, eh? You were never a +soldier, dear friend." + +"Just now," he confided, "I have other work to do. It is that other +work which has brought me to America." + +She drew him a little closer to her. Her eyes questioned him. + +"There is, perhaps, now," she asked, "a woman in your life?" + +"There is," he admitted. + +She made a grimace. + +"But how clumsy to tell me, even though I asked," she exclaimed. "What +is she like? ... But no, I do not wish to hear of her! If she is all +the world to you, why did you send me that little note? Why are you +here?" + +"Because we were once dear friends, Sonia," he said, "because I wish to +save you from great trouble." + +She shrank from him a little fearfully. + +"What do you mean?" + +"Sonia," he continued, with a note of sternness in his tone, "during +the last two years you have gone back and forth between New York and +Paris, six times. I do not think that you can make that journey again." + +She was standing now, with one hand gripping the edge of the table. + +"John! ... John! ... What do you mean?" she demanded, and this time her +own voice was hard. + +"I mean," he said, "that when you leave here for Paris you will be +watched day and night. The moment you set foot upon French soil you +will be arrested and searched. If anything is found upon you, such as a +message from your friend in Washington--well, you know what it would +mean. Can't you see, you foolish child, the risk you have been running? +Would you care to be branded as a spy?--you, a daughter of France?" + +She struck at him. Her lace sleeves had fallen back, and her white arm, +with its little clenched fist, flashed through the twilight, aimlessly +yet passionately. + +"You dare to call me a spy! You, John?" she shrieked. "But it is +horrible." + +"It is the work of a spy," he told her gravely, "to bring a letter from +any person in a friendly capital and deliver it to an enemy. That is +what you have done, Sonia, many times since the beginning of the war, +so far without detection. It is because you are Sonia that I have come +to save you from doing it again." + +She groped her way back to the couch. She threw herself upon it with +her back towards him, her head buried in her hands. + +"The letters are only between friends," she faltered. "They have +nothing to do with the war." + +"You may have believed that," Lutchester replied gently, "but it is not +true. You have been made the bearer of confidential communications from +the Austrian Embassy here to certain people in Paris whom we will not +name. I have pledged my word, Sonia, that this shall cease." + +She sprang to her feet. All the feline joy of her languorous ease +seemed to have departed. She was quivering and nervous. She stood over +her writing-table. + +"A telegraph blank!" she exclaimed. "Quick! I will not see Maurice +again. Oh, how I have suffered! This shall end it. See, I have written +'Good-by!' He will understand. If he comes, I will not see him. Ring +the bell quickly. There--it is finished!" + +A page-boy appeared, and she handed him the telegram. Then she turned a +little pathetically to Lutchester. + +"Maurice was foolish--very often foolish," she went on unsteadily, "but +he has loved me, and a woman loves love so much. Now I shall be lonely. +And yet, there is a great weight gone from my mind. Always I wondered +about those letters. You will be my friend, John? You will not leave me +all alone?" + +He patted her hand. + +"Dear Sonia," he whispered, "solitude is not the worst thing one has to +bear, these days. Try and remember, won't you, that all the men who +might have loved you are fighting for your country, one way or +another." + +"It is all so sad," she faltered, "and you--you are so stern and +changed." + +"It is with me only as it is with the whole world," he told her. +"To-night, though, you have relieved me of one anxiety." + +Her eyes once more were for a moment frightened. + +"There was danger for poor little me?" + +He nodded. + +"It is past," he assured her. + +"And it is you who have saved me," she murmured. "Ah, Mr. John," she +added, as she walked with him to the door, "if ever there comes to me a +lover, not for the days only but _pour la vie,_ I hope that he may be +an Englishman like you, whom all the world trusts." + +He laughed and raised her fingers to his lips. + +"Over-faithful, you called us once," he reminded her. + +"But that was when I was a child," she said, "and in days like these we +are children no longer." + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + + +Lutchester left Sonia and the Ritz-Carlton a few minutes before +midnight, to find a great yellow moon overhead, which seemed to have +risen somewhere at the back of Central Park. The broad thoroughfare up +which he turned seemed to have developed a new and unfamiliar beauty. +The electric lamps shone with a pale and almost unnatural glow. The +flashing lights of the automobiles passing up and down were almost +whimsically unnecessary. Lutchester walked slowly up Fifth Avenue in +the direction of his hotel. + +Something--the beauty of the night, perhaps, or some faint aftermath of +sentimentality born of Sonia's emotion--tempted him during those few +moments to relax. He threw aside his mask and breathed the freer for +it. Once more he was a human being, treading the streets of a real +city, his feet very much upon the earth, his heart full of the simplest +things. All the scheming of the last few days was forgotten, the great +issues, the fine yet devious way to be steered amidst the rocks which +beset him; even the depression of the calamitous news from the North +Sea passed away. He was a very simple human being, and he was in love. +It was all so unpractical, so illusionary, and yet so real. Events, +actual happenings--he thrust all thoughts of these away from his mind. +What she might be thinking of him at the moment he ignored. He was +content to let his thoughts rest upon her, to walk through the moonlit +street, his brain and heart revelling in that subtle facility of the +imagination which brought her so easily to his presence. It was such a +vividly real Pamela, too, who spoke and walked and moved by his side. +His memory failed him nowhere, followed faithfully the kaleidoscopic +changes in her face and tone, showed him even that long, grateful, +searching glance when their eyes had met in Von Teyl's sitting-room. +There had been times when she had shown clearly enough that she was +anxious to understand, anxious to believe in him. He clung to the +memory of these; pushed into the background that faint impression he +had had of her at the roof-garden, serene and proud, yet with a faint +look of something like pain in her startled eyes. + +A large limousine passed him slowly, crawling up Fifth Avenue. +Lutchester, with all his gifts of observation dormant, took no notice +of its occupant, who leaned forward, raised the speaking-tube to his +lips, and talked for a moment to his chauffeur. The car glided round a +side street and came to a standstill against the curb. Its solitary +passenger stepped quietly out and entered a restaurant. The chauffeur +backed the car a little, slipped from his place, and followed +Lutchester. + +By chance the little throng of people here became thicker for a few +moments and then ceased. Lutchester drew a little sigh of relief as he +saw before him almost an empty pavement. Then, just as he was relapsing +once more into thought, some part of his subconscious instinct suddenly +leaped into warning life. Without any actual perception of what it +might mean, he felt the thrill of imminent danger, connected it with +that soft footfall behind him, and swung round in time to seize a +deadly uplifted hand which seemed to end in a shimmer of dull steel. +His assailant flung himself upon Lutchester with the lithe ferocity of +a cat, clinging to his body, twisting and turning his arm to wrest it +free. It was a matter of seconds only before his intended victim, with +a fierce backward twist, broke the man's wrist and, wrenching himself +free from the knees which clung around him, flung him forcibly against +the railings which bordered the pavement. Lutchester paused for a +moment to recover his breath and looked around. A man from the other +side of the street was running towards them, but no one else seemed to +have noticed the struggle which had begun and finished in less than +thirty seconds. The man, who was half-way across the thoroughfare, +suddenly stopped short. He shouted a warning to Lutchester, who swung +around. His late assailant, who had been lying motionless, had raised +himself slightly, with a revolver clenched in his left hand. +Lutchester's spring on one side saved his life, for the bullet passed +so close to his cheek that he felt the rush and heat of the air. The +man in the center of the road was busy shouting an alarm vociferously, +and other people on both sides of the thoroughfare were running up. +Lutchester's eyes now never left the dark, doubled-up figure upon the +pavement. His whole body was tense. He was prepared at the slightest +movement to spring in upon his would-be murderer. The man's eyes seemed +to be burning in his white face. He called out to Lutchester hoarsely. + +"Don't move or I shall shoot!" + +He looked up and down the street. One of the nearest of the hastening +figures was a policeman. He turned the revolver against his own temple +and pulled the trigger.... + +Lutchester and a policeman walked slowly back along Fifth Avenue. +Behind them, a little crowd was still gathered around the spot from +which the body of the dead man had already been removed in an +ambulance. + +"I really remember nothing," Lutchester told his companion, "until I +heard the footsteps behind me, and, turning round, saw the knife. This +is simply an impression of mine--that he might have descended from the +car which passed me and stopped just round the corner of that street." + +"He's a chauffeur, right enough," the inspector remarked. "It don't +seem to have been a chance job, either. Looks as though he meant doing +you in. Got any enemies?" + +"None that I know of," Lutchester answered cautiously. "Why, the car's +there still," he added, as they reached the corner. + +"And no chauffeur," the other muttered. + +The officer searched the car and drew out a license from the flap +pocket. The commissionaire from the restaurant approached them. + +"Say, what are you doing with that car?" he demanded. + +"Better fetch the gentleman to whom it belongs," the inspector +directed. + +"What's up, anyway?" the man persisted. + +"You do as you're told," was the sharp reply. + +The commissionaire disappeared. The officer studied the license which +he had just opened. + +"What's the name?" Lutchester inquired. + +The man hesitated for a moment, then passed it over. + +"Oscar H. Fischer," he said. "Happen to know the name?" + +Lutchester's face was immovable. He passed the license back again. They +both turned round. Mr. Fischer had issued from the restaurant. + +"What's wrong?" he asked hastily. "The commissionaire says you want me, +Mr. Officer?" + +The inspector produced his pocketbook. + +"Just want to ask you a few questions about your chauffeur, sir." + +Fischer glanced at the driver's seat of the car, as though aware of the +man's disappearance for the first time. + +"What's become of the fellow?" he inquired. + +"Shot himself," the inspector replied, "after a deliberate attempt to +murder this gentleman." + +Mr. Fischer's composure was admirable. There was a touch of gravity +mingled with his bewilderment. Nevertheless, he avoided meeting +Lutchester's eyes. + +"You horrify me!" he exclaimed. "Why, the fellow's only been driving +for me for a few hours." + +"That so?" the officer remarked, with a grunt. "Get any references with +him?" + +"As a matter of fact, I did not," Fischer admitted frankly. "I +discharged my chauffeur yesterday, at a moment's notice, and this man +happened to call just as I was wanting the car out this afternoon. He +promised to bring me references to-morrow from Mr. Gould and others. I +engaged him on that understanding. He told me that his name was Kay-- +Robert Kay. That is all that I know about him, except that he was an +excellent driver. I am exceedingly sorry Mr. Lutchester," he went on, +turning towards him, "that this should have happened." + +"So you two know one another, eh?" the officer observed. + +"Oh, yes, we know one another!" Lutchester admitted drily. + +"I shall have to ask you both for your names and addresses," the +official continued. "I think I won't ask you any more questions at +present. Seems to me headquarters had better take this on." + +"I shall be quite at your service," Lutchester promised. + +The man made a few more notes, saluted, and took his leave. Fischer and +Lutchester remained for a moment upon the pavement. + +"It is a dangerous custom," Lutchester remarked, "to take a servant +without a reference." + +"It will be a warning to me for the remainder of my life," Fischer +declared. + +"I, too, have learnt something," Lutchester concluded, as he turned +away. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + + +Fischer, as he waited for Pamela the following afternoon in the +sitting-room of her flat on Fifty-eighth Street, felt that although the +practical future of his life might be decided in other places, it was +here that its real climax would be reached. Pamela herself was to +pronounce sentence upon him. He was feeling scarcely at his best. An +examination in the courthouse, which he had imagined would last only a +few minutes, had been protracted throughout the afternoon. The district +attorney had asked him a great many questions, some rather awkward +ones, and the inquiry itself had been almost grudgingly adjourned for a +few hours. And here, in Pamela's sitting-room, the first things which +caught his eye were the headlines of one of the afternoon papers: + +WESTERN MILLIONAIRE ENGAGES +THE GIRL HESTE'S MURDERER +AS CHAUFFEUR! + +ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE +IN FIFTH AVENUE +LAST NIGHT. + +Fischer pushed the newspaper impatiently away, and, in the act of doing +so, the door was opened and Pamela entered. She came towards him with +outstretched hand. + +"I see you are looking at the account of your misdeeds," she said, as +she seated herself behind a tea tray. "Will you tell me why a cautious +man like you engages, without reference, a chauffeur who turns out to +be a murderer?" + +Fischer frowned irritably. + +"For four hours," he complained, "several lawyers and a most +inquisitive police captain have been asking me the same question in a +hundred different ways. I engaged the man because I needed a chauffeur +badly. He was to have brought his references this morning. I was only +trusting him for a matter of a few hours." + +"And during those few hours," she observed, "he seems to have developed +a violent antipathy to Mr. Lutchester." + +"I do not understand the affair at all," Mr. Fischer declared, "and, if +I may say so, I am a little weary of it. I came here to discuss another +matter altogether." + +She leaned back in her place. + +"What have you come to discuss, Mr. Fischer?" + +"That depends so much upon you," he replied. "If you give me any +encouragement, I can put before you a great proposition. If your +prejudices, however, remain as I think they always have been, on the +side of England, why then I can do nothing." + +"If I counted for anything," Pamela said, "I mean to say if it mattered +to any one what my attitude was, I would start by admitting that my +sympathies are somewhat on the side of the Allies. On the other hand, +my sympathies amount to nothing at all compared with my interest in the +welfare of the United States. I am perfectly selfish in that respect." + +"Then you have an open mind to hear what I have to say," Fischer +remarked. "I am glad of it. You encourage me to proceed." + +"That is all very well," Pamela said, stirring her tea, "but I cannot +help asking once more why you come to me at all? What have I to do with +any proposition you may have to make?" + +"Just this," he explained. "I have a serious and authentic proposition +to make to the American Government. I cannot make it officially-- +although it comes from the highest of all sources--for the most obvious +reasons. It may seem better worth listening to to-day, perhaps, than a +week ago, so far as you are concerned. That is because you believed in +British invincibility upon the sea. I never did." + +"Go on, please," Pamela begged. "I am still waiting to realise my +position in all this." + +"I should like," Fischer declared, "my proposition to reach the +President through Senator Hastings, and Senator Hastings is your +uncle." + +"I see," Pamela murmured. + +"My offer itself is a very simple one," Fischer continued. "Your secret +service is so bad that you probably know nothing of what is happening. +Ours, on the other hand, is still marvellously good, and what I am +going to tell you is surely the truth. Japan is accumulating great +wealth. She is saving her ships and men for one purpose, and one purpose +only. Europe could not bribe her highly enough to take a more active part +in this war. Her price was one which could not be paid. She demanded a +free hand with the United States." + +"This," Pamela admitted, "is quite interesting, but it is entirely in +the realms of conjecture, is it not?" + +"Not wholly," Fischer insisted. "At the proper time I should be +prepared to bring you evidence that tentative proposals were made by +Japan to both England and France, asking what would be their attitude, +should she provide them with half a million men and undertake +transport, if at the conclusion of the war she desired a settlement +with the United States. The answer from France and England was the +same--that they could not countenance an inimical attitude towards the +States." + +"You are bound to admit, then," Pamela remarked, "that England played +the game here." + +"The bribe was not big enough," Fischer replied drily. "England would +sell her soul, but not for a mess of pottage. To proceed, however, +Japan has practically kept out of the war. She is enjoying a prosperity +never known before, and for every million pounds' worth of munitions +she exports to Russia, she puts calmly on one side twenty-five per +cent, to accumulate for her own use. At the conclusion of the war she +will be in a position she has never occupied before, and while the rest +of the world is still gasping, she will proceed to carry out what has +been the dream of her life--the invasion of your Western States." + +"I admit that this is plausible," Pamela confessed, "but you are only +pointing out a very obvious danger, for which I imagine that we are +already fairly well prepared." + +"Believe me," Fischer said earnestly, "you are not. It is this fact +which makes the whole situation so vital to you. Later on in our +negotiations, I will show you proof of your danger. Meanwhile, let me +proceed to the offer which I am empowered to make, which comes direct +from the one person in Germany whose word is unshakable." + +Pamela changed her position a little, as though to escape from the +sunlight which was finding its way underneath the broad blinds. Her +eyes were fixed upon her visitor. She listened intently to every word +he had to say. Despite some vague feeling of mistrust, which she +acknowledged to herself might well have been prejudiced, she found the +situation interesting, even stimulating. Her few excursions into the +world of high politics had never brought her into such a position as +this. She felt both flattered and interested--attracted, too, in some +nameless way, by the man's personality, his persistence, his daring, +his whole-heartedness. The situation was instinct with interest to her. + +"But why make it to me?" she murmured. + +"You are to be my delegate," he answered. "Take the substance of what I +say to you, to your uncle. Try, for your country's sake, to interest +him in it. The offer which I make shall save you a vast amount of +sacrifice. It shall save your dislocating the industries of the country +and sowing the seeds of a disturbing and yet inadequate militarism. I +offer you, in short, a German alliance against Japan." + +"The value of that offer," Pamela remarked thoughtfully, "would depend +rather upon the issue of the present war, wouldn't it?" + +Fischer's face darkened. His tone was almost irritable. + +"That is already preordained," he said firmly. "You see, I will be +quite frank with you. Germany has lost her chance of sweeping and +complete victory. The result of the war will be a return to the +status-quo-ante. Yet, believe me, Germany will be strong enough to +settle some of the debts she owes, and the debt to Japan is one of +these." + +"Still, there is the practical question of getting men and ships over +from Germany to America," Pamela persisted. + +"It is already solved," was the swift reply. "At the proper time I will +show you and prove how it can be done. At present, not one word can +pass my lips. It is one of the secrets on which the future of Germany +depends." + +"And the price?" Pamela asked. + +"That America adopts our view as to the high seas traffic," Fischer +replied. "This would mean the stopping of all supplies, munitions and +ammunition from America to England. We offer you an alliance. We ask +only for your real and actual neutrality for the remainder of the war. +We offer a great and substantial advantage, a safeguard for your +country's future, in return for what? Simply that America will pursue +the course of honour and integrity to all nations." + +"America," Pamela declared, "has never failed in this." + +Fischer shrugged his shoulders. + +"There is more than one point of view," he reminded her. "Will you take +my message with you to Washington to-morrow?" + +"Yes," Pamela promised, "I will do that. The rest, of course, remains +with others. I do not myself go so far, even," she added, "as to +declare myself in sympathy with you." + +"And yet," he insisted, with swift violence, "it is your sympathy which +I desire more than anything in the world--your sympathy, your help, +your companionship; a little--a very little at first--of your love." + +"I am afraid that I am not a very satisfactory person from that point +of view," Pamela confessed. "I have a great sympathy with every man who +is really out for the great things, but so far as you are concerned, +Mr. Fischer, or any one else," she went on, after a moment's +hesitation, "I have no personal feeling." + +"That shall come," he declared. + +"Then please wait a little time before you talk to me again like this," +she said, rising and holding out her hand. "At present there is no sign +of it." + +"There is so much that I could offer you," he pleaded, gripping the +hand which she had given him in farewell, "so much that I could do for +your country. Believe me, I am not talking idly." + +"I do believe that," she admitted. "You are a very clever man, Mr. +Fischer, and I think that you represent all that you claim. Perhaps, if +we really do negotiate--" + +"But you must!" he interrupted impatiently. "You must listen to me for +every reason--politically for your country's sake, personally because I +shall offer you and give you happiness and a position you could never +find elsewhere." + +For a moment her eyes seemed to be looking through him, as though some +vision of things outside the room were troubling her. Her finger had +already touched the bell and a servant was standing upon the threshold. + +"We shall meet in Washington," Mr. Fischer concluded, with an air of a +prophet, as he took his leave. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + + +It was within half an hour of closing time that same afternoon when +Lutchester walked into James Van Teyl's office. The young man greeted +him with some surprise. + +"Will you do some business for me?" Lutchester asked, without any +preliminaries. + +"Sure!" + +"How many Anglo-French will you buy for me? I can obtain credit by +cable to-morrow through any bank for twenty or thirty thousand pounds." + +"You want to buy Anglo-French?" Van Teyl repeated softly. + +His visitor nodded. + +"Any news?" + +Lutchester hesitated, and Van Teyl continued with an apologetic +gesture. + +"I beg your pardon. That's not my job, anyway, to ask questions. I'll +buy you twenty-five thousand, if you like. Guess they can't drop much +lower." + +Lutchester sat down. + +"Thank you," he said, "I will wait." + +A little ripple of excitement went through the office as Van Teyl +started his negotiations. It seemed to Lutchester that several +telephones and half a dozen perspiring young men were called into his +service. In the end Van Teyl made out a note and handed it to him. + +"I could have done better for you yesterday," he observed. "The market +is strengthening all the time. There are probably some rumours." + +A boy went by along the pavement outside waving a handful of papers. +His cry floated in through the open window: + +REPORTED LOSS OF MANY MORE GERMAN +BATTLESHIPS. +BRITISH CLAIM VICTORY. + +Van Teyl grinned. + +"You got here just in time," he murmured, "but I suppose you knew all +about this." + +"I have known since three o'clock," Lutchester replied, "that all the +reports of a German victory were false. You will find, when the truth +is known, that the German losses were greater than the British." + +"Then if that's so," Van Teyl remarked, "I've got one client who'll +lose a hatful which you ought to make. Coming up town?" + +"I should like, if I may?" Lutchester said, "to be permitted to pay my +respects to your sister." + +"Why, that's fine!" Van Teyl exclaimed unconvincingly. "We'll take the +subway up." + +They left the office and plunged into the indescribable horrors of +their journey. When they stepped out into the sunlit street in another +atmosphere, Van Teyl laid his hand upon his companion's arm in friendly +fashion. + +"Say, Lutchester," he began, "I don't know that you are going to find +Pamela exactly all that she might be in the way of amiability and so +on. I know these things are done on the other side, but here it's +considered trying your friends pretty high to take a lady of Sonia's +reputation where you are likely to meet your friends. No offence, eh?" + +"Certainly not," Lutchester replied. "I was sorry, of course, to see +you last night. On the other hand, Sonia is an old friend, and my +dinner with her had an object. I think I could explain it to your +sister." + +"I don't know that I should try," Van Teyl advised. "For all her +cosmopolitanism, Pamela has some quaint ideas. However, I thought I'd +warn you, in case she's a bit awkward." + +Pamela, however, had no idea of being awkward. She welcomed Lutchester +with a very sweet smile, and gave him the tips of her fingers. + +"I was wondering whether we should see you again before we went," she +said. "We are leaving for Washington to-morrow." + +"By the three o'clock train, I hope?" he ventured. + +She raised her eyebrows. + +"Why, are you going, too?" + +"I hope so." + +"I should have thought most of the munition works," she observed, "were +further north." + +"They are," he acknowledged, "but I have business in Washington. By the +bye, will you both come out and dine with me to-night?" + +Van Teyl glanced at his sister. She shook her head. + +"I am so sorry," she said, "but we are engaged. Perhaps we shall see +something of you in Washington." + +"I have no doubt you will," Lutchester replied "All the same," he +added, "it would give me very great pleasure to entertain you at dinner +this evening." + +"Why particularly this evening?" she asked. + +He looked at her with a queer directness, and Pamela felt certain very +excellent resolutions crumbling. She suffered her brother to leave the +room without a word. + +"Because," he explained, "I think you will find a different atmosphere +everywhere. There will be news in the evening papers." + +"News?" she repeated eagerly. "You know I am always interested in +that." + +"The reports of a German naval victory were not only exaggerated," +Lutchester said calmly; "they were untrue. Our own official +announcement was clumsy and tactless, but you will find it amplified +and explained to-night." + +Pamela listened with an interest which bordered upon excitement. + +"You are sure?" she exclaimed. + +"Absolutely," he replied. "My notification is official." + +"So you think if we dined with you, the atmosphere to-night would be +different?" she observed, with a sudden attempt at the recondite. + +Lutchester looked into her eyes without flinching. Pamela, to her +annoyance, was worsted in the momentary duel. + +"We cannot always choose our atmosphere," he reminded her. + +"Mademoiselle Sonia is perhaps connected with the regulation of the +munition supplies from America?" + +"Mademoiselle Sonia," Lutchester asserted, "is an old friend of mine. +Apart from that, it was my business to talk to her." + +"Your business?" + +Lutchester assented with perfect gravity. + +"Within a day or two," he said, "now, if you made a point of it, I +could explain a great deal." + +Pamela threw herself into a chair almost irritably. + +"You have the cult of being mysterious, Mr. Lutchester," she declared. +"To be quite frank with you, you seem to be the queerest mixture of any +man I ever knew." + +"It is the fault of circumstances," he regretted, "if I am sometimes +compelled to present myself to you in an unfavourable light. Those +circumstances are passing. You will soon begin to value me at my true +worth." + +"We had half promised," Pamela murmured, "to go out with Mr. Fischer +this evening." + +"The more reason for my intervention," Lutchester observed. "Fischer is +not a fit person for you to associate with." + +She laughed curiously. + +"People who saw you at the roof-garden last night might say that you +were scarcely a judge," Pamela retorted. + +"People who did not know the circumstances might have considered me +guilty of an indiscretion," Lutchester admitted, "but they would have +been entirely wrong. On the other hand, your friend Fischer is a +would-be murderer, a liar, and is at the present moment engaged in +intrigues which are a most immoral compound of duplicity and cunning." + +"I shall begin to think," Pamela murmured, "that you don't like Mr. +Fischer!" + +"I detest him heartily," Lutchester confessed. + +"I find him singularly interesting," Pamela announced, sitting up in +her chair. + +"I dare say you do," Lutchester replied. "Women are always bad judges +of our sex. All the same, you are not going to marry him." + +"How do you know he wants to marry me?" Pamela demanded. + +"Instinct!" + +"And what do you mean by saying that I am not going to marry him?" + +"Because," Lutchester announced, "you are going to marry some one +else." + +Pamela rose to her feet. There was a little spot +of colour in her cheeks. + +"Am I indeed!" she exclaimed. "And whom, pray?" + +"That I will tell you at Washington," Lutchester promised. + +"You know his name, then?" + +"I know him intimately," was the cool reply. "What about our dinner +to-night?" + +"We are going to dine with Mr. Fischer," Pamela decided. + +"I really don't think so," Lutchester objected. "For one thing, Mr. +Fischer will probably have to attend the police court again later on." + +"What about?" + +"For having hired a famous murderer to try and get rid of me." +Lutchester explained suavely. + +"Do you really believe that?" Pamela scoffed. "Why should he want to +get rid of you? What harm can you do him?" + +"I am trying to find out," Lutchester replied grimly. "Still, since you +ask the question, the pocketbook which is on its way to Germany, and +which I picked up when Nikasti was taken ill--" + +"Oh, yes, I know about that!" Pamela interrupted. "That is the one +thing that always sets me thinking about you. What did you do it for? +How did you know what it meant to me?" + +"Divination, I imagine," Lutchester answered, "or perhaps I was +thinking what it might mean to Mr. Fischer." + +She looked at him and her face was a study in mixed expressions. Her +forehead was a little knitted, her eyes almost strained in their desire +to read him; her lips were petulant. + +"Dear me, what a puzzle you are!" she exclaimed. "All the same, I am +going to wait for Mr. Fischer. It doesn't matter whether one dines or +sups. I suppose he will get away from the police court sometime or +other." + +"But anyway," he protested, "you've heard all that Mr. Fischer has to +say. Now I, on the other hand, haven't shown you my hand yet." + +"Heard all that Mr. Fischer has to say?" she repeated. + +"Certainly! Wasn't he here for several hours with you this afternoon? +Didn't he promise you an alliance with Germany against Japan, if you +could persuade certain people at Washington to change their tone and +attitude towards the export of munitions?" + +"This," she declared, trying to keep a certain agitation from her tone, +"is mere bluff." + +Lutchester was suddenly very serious indeed. + +"Listen," he said, "I can prove to you, if you will, that it is not +bluff. I can prove to you that I really know something of what I am +talking about." + +"There is nothing I should like better," she declared. + +"To begin with then," Lutchester said, "the pocketbook which Nikasti is +supposed to have stolen from your room, the pocketbook of young Sandy +Graham, which Mr. Fischer has sent to Germany, does not contain the +formula of the new explosive, or any other formula that amounts to +anything." + +"Just how do you know that?" she demanded. + +"To continue," Lutchester said, playing with a little ornament upon the +mantelpiece, "you have an appointment--within half an hour, I +believe--with Mr. Paul Haskall, who is a specialist in explosives, +having an official position with the American Government." + +She had ceased to struggle any longer with her surprise. She looked at +him fixedly but remained silent. + +"It is your belief," he proceeded, "that you are going to hand over to +him the formula of which we were speaking." + +"It is no belief," she replied. "It is certainty. I took it myself from +Graham's pocket." + +Lutchester nodded. + +"Good! Have you opened it?" + +"I have," she declared. "It is without doubt, the formula." + +"On the other hand, I am here to assure you that it is not," Lutchester +replied. + +Her hand was tearing at the cushion by her side. She moistened her +lips. There was something about Lutchester hatefully convincing. + +"What do you mean?" she demanded. "Is this a trick. You won't get it! +No one but Mr. Haskall will get that formula from me!" + +Lutchester smiled. + +"It will only puzzle him when he gets it! To tell you the truth, the +formula is rubbish." + +"I don't believe you," she said firmly. "If you think you are going to +interfere with my handing it over to him, you are mistaken." + +"I have no wish to do anything of the sort," Lutchester assured her. +"Make a bargain with me. Mr. Haskall will be here soon. Unfasten the +little package you are carrying somewhere about your person, hand him +the envelope and watch his face. If he tells you that what you have +offered him is a coherent and possible formula for an explosive, then +you can look upon me for ever afterwards as the poor, foolish person +you sometimes seem to consider me. If, on the other hand, he tells you +that it is rubbish, I shall expect you at the Ritz-Carlton at half-past +eight." + +There was a ring at the bell. She rose to her feet. + +"I accept," she declared. "That is Mr. Haskall. And, by the bye, Mr. +Lutchester, don't order too elaborate a dinner, for I am very much +afraid you will have to eat it all yourself. Now, au revoir," she +added, as the door was opened in obedience to her summons and a servant +stood prepared to show him out. "If we don't turn up to-night, you will +know the reason." + +"I am very hopeful," Lutchester replied, as he turned away. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + + +At five-and-twenty minutes past eight that evening Lutchester, who was +waiting in the entrance hall of the Ritz-Carlton, became just a little +restless. At half-past, his absorption in an evening paper, over the +top of which he looked at every newcomer, was almost farcical. At +five-and-twenty to nine Pamela arrived. He advanced down the lounge to +meet her. Her face was inscrutable, her smile conventional. Yet she had +come! He looked over his shoulder towards the men's coat room. + +"Your brother?" + +"I sent Jim to his club," she said. "I want to have a confidential talk +with you, Mr. Lutchester." + +"I am very flattered," he told her, with real earnestness. + +She vanished for a few moments in the cloakroom, and reappeared, a +radiant vision in deep blue silk. Her hair was gathered in a coil at +the top of her head, and surmounted with an ornament of pearls. + +"You are looking at my headdress," she remarked, as they walked into +the room. "It is the style you admire, is it not?" + +He murmured something vague, but he knew that he was forgiven. They +were ushered to their places by a portly maitre d'hotel, and she +approved of his table. It was set almost in an alcove, and was +partially hidden from the other diners. + +"Is this seclusion vanity or flattery?" + +"As a matter of fact, it is rather a popular table," he told her. "We +have an excellent view of the room, and yet one can talk here without +being disturbed." + +"To talk to you is exactly what I wish to do," she said, as they took +their places. "We commence, if you please, with a question. Mr. Fischer +thought that he had that formula and he hasn't. I could have sworn that +it was in my possession--and it isn't. Where is it?" + +"I took it to the War Office before I left England," he told her +simply. "They will have the first few tons of the stuff ready next +month." + +"You!" she cried, "But where did you get it?" + +"I happened to be first, that's all," he explained. "You see, I had the +advantage of a little inside information. I could have exposed the +whole affair if I had thought it wise. I preferred, however, to let +matters take their course. Young Graham deserved all he got there, and +I made sure of being the first to go through his papers. I'm afraid I +must confess that I left a bogus formula for you." + +"I had begun to suspect this," Pamela confessed. "You don't mind being +put into the witness box, do you?" she added, as she pushed aside the +menu with a little sigh of satisfaction. "How wonderfully you order an +American dinner!" + +"I am so glad I have chosen what you like," he said, "and as to being +in the witness box--well, I am going to place myself in the +confessional, and that is very much the same thing, isn't it?" + +"To begin at the beginning, then--about that destroyer?" + +"My mission over here was really important," he admitted. "I couldn't +catch the _Lapland_, so the Admiralty sent me over." + +"And your golf with Senator Hamblin? It wasn't altogether by accident +you met him down at Baltusrol, was it?" + +"It was not," he confessed, "I had reason to suspect that certain +proposals from Berlin were to be put forward to the President either +through his or Senator Hastings' mediation. There were certain facts in +connection with them, which I desired to be the first to lay before the +authorities." + +She looked around the room and recognised some of her friends. For some +reason or other she felt remarkably light-hearted. + +"For a poor vanquished woman," she observed, turning back to +Lutchester, "I feel extraordinarily gay to-night. Tell me some more." + +He bowed. + +"Mademoiselle Sonia," he proceeded, "has been a friend of mine since +she sang in the cafes of Buda Pesth. I dined with her, however, because +it had come to my knowledge that she was behaving in a very foolish +manner." + +Pamela nodded understandingly. + +"She was the friend of Count Maurice Ziduski, wasn't she?" + +"She is no longer," Lutchester replied. "She sailed for France this +morning without seeing him. She has remembered that she is a +Frenchwoman." + +"It was you who reminded her!" + +"Love so easily makes people forgetful," he said, "and I think that +Sonia was very fond of Maurice Ziduski. She is a thoughtless, +passionate woman, easily swayed through her affections, and she had no +idea of the evil she was doing." + +"So that disposes of Sonia," Pamela reflected. + +"Sonia was only an interlude," Lutchester declared. "She really doesn't +come into this affair at all. The one person who does come into it, +whom you and I must speak of, is Fischer." + +"A most interesting man," Pamela sighed. "I really think his wife would +have a most exciting life." + +"She would!" Lutchester agreed. "She'd probably be allowed to visit him +once every fourteen days in care of a warder." + +"Spite!" Pamela exclaimed, with a suspicious little quiver at the +corner of her lips. + +Lutchester shook his head. + +"Fischer is too near the end of his rope for me to feel spiteful," he +said, "though I am quite prepared to grant that he may be capable of +considerable mischief yet. A man who has the sublime effrontery to +attempt to come to an agreement with two countries, each behind the +other's back, is a little more than Machiavellian, isn't he?" + +"Is that true of Mr. Fischer?" + +"Absolutely," Lutchester assured her. "He is over here for the purpose +of somehow or other making it known informally in Washington that +Germany would be willing to pledge herself to an alliance with America +against Japan, after the war, if America will alter her views as to the +export of munitions to the Allies." + +"Well, that's a reasonable proposition, isn't it, from his point of +view?" Pamela remarked. "It may not be a very agreeable one from yours, +but it is certainly one which he has a right to make." + +"Entirely," Lutchester agreed, "but where he goes wrong is that his +primary object in coming here was to meet Hie chief of the Japanese +Secret Service, to whom he has made a proposition of precisely similar +character." + +Pamela set down her glass. + +"You are not in earnest!" + +"Absolutely." + +"Nikasti?" + +"Precisely! He came all the way from Japan to confer with Fischer. +Probably, if we knew the whole truth, those rooms at the Plaza Hotel, +and the social partnership of your brother and Fischer, were arranged +for no other reason than to provide a safe personality for Nikasti in +this country, and a safe place for him to talk things over with +Fischer." + +"Mr. Fischer was paying nearly the whole of the expenses of the Plaza +suite," Pamela observed thoughtfully. + +"Naturally," Lutchester replied. "Your brother's name was a good, safe +name to get behind. But to conclude with our friend Nikasti. He is +supposed to leave New York next Saturday, and to carry to the Emperor +of Japan an autograph letter from a nameless person, promising him, if +Japan will cease the export of munitions to Russia, the aid of Germany +in her impending campaign against America." + +"An autograph letter, did you say?" Pamela almost gasped. + +"An autograph letter," Lutchester repeated firmly. "Now don't you agree +with me that Fischer's game is just a little too daring?" + +"It is preposterous!" she cried. + +"I have a theory," Lutchester continued, "that Fischer was never +intended to use more than one of these letters. It was intended that he +should study the situation here, approach one side, and, if +unsuccessful, try the other. Fischer, however, conceived a more +magnificent idea. He seems to be trying both at the same time. It is +the sublime egotism of the Teutonic mind." + +"It is monstrous!" Pamela exclaimed indignantly. + +"It is almost as monstrous," Lutchester agreed, "as his daring to raise +his eyes to you, although, so far as you are concerned, I believe that +he is as honest as the man knows how to be." + +"And why," she asked, "do you credit him with so much good faith?" + +"Because," Lutchester replied, "if he had not been actuated by personal +motives, he would never have sought you out as an intermediary. There +are other sources open to him, by means of which he could make equally +sure of reaching the President's ear. His idea was to impress you. It +was foolish but natural." + +Pamela was deep in thought. There was an angry spot of colour burning +in her cheek. + +"Do you mean to tell me, Mr. Lutchester," she persisted, "that this +afternoon, say, when with every appearance of earnestness he was +begging me to put these propositions before my uncle, he had really +made precisely similar overtures to Japan?" + +"I give you my word that this is the truth," Lutchester assured her +solemnly. + +She looked at him with something almost like wonder in her eyes. + +"But you?" she exclaimed. "How do you know this? How can you be sure of +it?" + +"I have seen the autograph letter which Nikasti has in his possession," +he announced. + +"You mean that Mr. Fischer showed it to you?" she exclaimed +incredulously. + +Lutchester hesitated. + +"There are methods," he said, "which those who fight in the dark places +for their country are forced sometimes to make use of. I have seen the +letter. I have half convinced those who represent Japan in this matter +of Fischer's duplicity. With your help I am hoping wholly to do so." + +Pamela leaned for a moment back in her chair. + +"Really," she declared, "I am beginning to have the feeling that I am +living almost too rapidly. Let us have a breathing spell. I wonder what +all these other people are talking about." + +"Probably," he suggested, with a little glance around, "about +themselves. We will follow their example. Will you marry me, please, +Miss Van Teyl?" + +"We haven't even come to the ice yet," she sighed, "and you pass from +high politics to flagrant personalities. Are you a sensationalist, Mr. +Lutchester?" + +"Not in the least," he protested. "I simply asked you an extremely +important question quite calmly." + +"It isn't a question that should be asked calmly," she objected. + +"I have immense self-control," he told her, "but if you'd like me to +abandon it--" + +"For heaven's sake, no!" she interrupted. "Tell me more about Mr. +Fischer." + +"You won't forget to answer my little question later on, will you?" he +begged. "To proceed, then. I spent some little time this afternoon with +your chief of the police here, and I fancy that the person you speak of +is becoming a little too blatant even for a broad-minded country like +this. He belongs to an informal company of wealthy sympathisers with +Germany, who propose to start a campaign of destruction at all the +factories manufacturing munitions for the Allies. They have put +aside--I believe it is several million dollars, for purposes of +bribery. They don't seem to realise, as my friend pointed out to me +this afternoon, that the days for this sort of thing in New York have +passed. Some of them will be in prison before they know where they +are." + +"Exactly why did you come to America?" she asked, a little abruptly. + +"To meet Nikasti and to look after Fischer." + +"Well, you seem to have done that pretty effectually!" + +"Also," he went on calmly, "to keep an eye upon you." + +"Professionally?" + +"You ask me to give away too many secrets," he whispered, leaning +towards her. + +She made a little grimace. + +"Tell me some more about your little adventure in Fifth Avenue?" she +begged. + +He smiled grimly. + +"You wouldn't believe me," he reminded her, "but it really was one of +Fischer's little jokes. It very nearly came off, too. As a matter of +fact," he went on, "Fischer isn't really clever. He is too obstinate, +too convinced in his own mind that things must go the way he wants them +to, that Fate is the servant of his will. It's a sort of national +trait, you know, very much like the way we English bury our heads in +the sand when we hear unpleasant truths. The last thing Fischer wants +is advertisement, and yet he goes to some of his Fourteenth Street +friends and unearths a popular desperado to get rid of me. The fellow +happens most unexpectedly to fail, and now Fischer has to face a good +many awkward questions and a good deal of notoriety. No, I don't think +Fischer is really clever." + +Pamela sighed. + +"In that case, I suppose I shall have to say 'No' to him," she decided. +"After waiting all this time, I couldn't bear to be married to a fool." + +"You won't be," he assured her cheerfully. + +"More British arrogance," she murmured. "Now see what's going to happen +to us!" + +A tall, elderly man, with smooth white hair plastered over his +forehead, very precisely dressed, and with a gait so careful as to be +almost mincing, was approaching their table. Pamela held out her hands. + +"My dear uncle!" she exclaimed. "And I thought that you and aunt never +dined at restaurants!" + +Mr. Hastings stood with his fingers resting lightly upon the table. He +glanced at Lutchester without apparent recognition. + +"You remember Mr. Lutchester?" Pamela murmured. + +Mr. Hastings' manner lacked the true American cordiality, but he +hastened to extend his hand. + +"Of course!" he declared. "I was not fortunate enough, however, to see +much of you the other evening, Mr. Lutchester. We have several mutual +friends whom I should be glad to hear about." + +"I shall pay my respects to Mrs. Hastings, if I may, very shortly," +Lutchester promised. + +"Are you with friends here, uncle?" Pamela inquired. + +"We are the guests of Mr. Oscar Fischer," the Senator announced. + +Pamela raised her eyebrows. + +"So you know Mr. Fischer, uncle?" + +"Naturally," Mr. Hastings replied, with some dignity. "Oscar Fischer is +one of the most important men in the State which I represent. He is a +man of great wealth and industry and immense influence." + +Pamela made a little grimace. Her uncle noticed it and frowned. + +"He has just been telling us of his voyage with you, Pamela. Perhaps, +if Mr. Lutchester can spare you," he went on, with a little bow across +the table, "you will come and take your coffee with us. Your aunt is +leaving for Washington, probably to-morrow, and wishes to arrange for +you to travel with her. Mr. Lutchester may also, perhaps, give us the +pleasure of his company for a few minutes," he added, after a slight +but obvious pause. + +"Thank you," Pamela answered quickly, "I am Mr. Lutchester's guest this +evening. If you are still here, I shall love to come and speak to aunt +for a moment later on. If not, I will ring up to-morrow morning." + +The bland, almost episcopal serenity of Senator Hastings' face was +somewhat disturbed. It was obvious that the situation displeased him. + +"I think, Pamela," he said, "that you had better come and speak to your +aunt before you leave." + +His bow to Lutchester was the bow of a politician to an adversary. He +made his way back in leisurely fashion to the table from which he had +come, exchanging a few words with many acquaintances. Pamela watched +him with a twinkle in her eyes. + +"I am becoming so unpopular," she murmured. "I can read in my uncle's +tone that my aunt and he disapprove of our dining together here. And as +for Mr. Fischer. I'm afraid he'll break off our prospective alliance." + +Lutchester smiled. + +"Prospective is the only word to use," he observed. "By the bye, are +you particularly fond of your uncle?" + +"Not riotously," she admitted. "He has been kind to me once or twice, +but he's rather a starchy old person." + +"In that case," Lutchester decided, "we won't interfere." + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + + +Fischer had by no means the appearance of a discomfited man that +evening, when some time later Pamela and Lutchester approached the +little group of which he seemed, somehow, to have become the central +figure. It was a small party, but, in its way, a distinguished one. +Pamela's aunt was a member of an historic American family, and a woman +of great social position, not only in New York but in Washington +itself. Of the remaining guests, one was a financial magnate of +world-wide fame, and the other, Senator Joyce, a politician of such +eminence that his name was freely mentioned as a possible future +president. Mrs. Hastings greeted Pamela and her escort without +enthusiasm. + +"My dear child," she exclaimed, "how extraordinary to find you here!" + +"Is it?" Pamela observed indifferently. "You know Mr. Lutchester, don't +you, aunt?" + +Mrs. Hastings remembered her late dinner guest, but her recognition was +icy and barely polite. She turned away at once and resumed her +conversation with Fischer. Lutchester was not introduced to either of +the other members of the party. He laid his hand on the back of an +empty chair and turned it round for Pamela, but she stopped him with a +word of thanks. Something had gone from her own naturally pleasant +tone. She held her hand higher, even, than her aunt's, as she turned a +little insistently towards her. + +"So sorry, aunt," she announced, "but we are going now. Good night!" + +Mrs. Hastings disapproved. + +"We have seen nothing of you yet, Pamela," she said stiffly. "You had +better stay with us and we will drop you on our way home." + +Pamela shook her head. + +"I am coming with you to-morrow, you know," she reminded her aunt. +"To-night I am Mr. Lutchester's guest and he will see me home." + +Mrs. Hastings drew her niece a little closer to her. + +"Is this part of your European manners, Pamela?" she whispered, "that +you dine alone in a restaurant with an acquaintance? Let me tell you +frankly that I dislike the idea most heartily. My chaperonage is always +at your service, and any girl of your age in America would be delighted +to avail herself of it." + +"It is very kind of you, aunt," Pamela replied, "but in a general way I +finished with chaperons long ago." + +"Where is Jimmy?" Mrs. Hastings inquired. + +"He was coming with us to-night," Pamela explained, "but I asked him +particularly to stay away. I have seen so little of Mr. Lutchester +since he arrived, and I want to talk to him." + +The financial magnate awoke from a comatose inertia and suddenly +gripped Lutchester by the hand. + +"Lutchester," he repeated to himself. "I thought I knew your face. +Stayed with your uncle down at Monte Carlo once. You came there for a +week." + +Lutchester acknowledged his recollection of the fact and the two men +exchanged a few commonplace remarks. Mrs. Hastings took the opportunity +to try and induce Pamela to converse with Fischer. + +"We have all been so interested to-night," she said, "in hearing what +Mr. Fischer has to say about the situation on the other side." + +Pamela was primed for combat. + +"Has Mr. Fischer been telling you fairy tales?" she laughed. + +"Fairy tales?" her aunt repeated severely. "I don't understand." + +Fischer's steel grey eyes flashed behind his spectacles. + +"I'm afraid that Miss Van Teyl's prejudices," he observed bitterly, +"are very firmly fixed." + +"Then she is no true American," Mrs. Hastings pronounced didactically. + +"Oh, I can assure you that I am not prejudiced," Pamela declared, +"only, you see, I, too, have just arrived from the other side, and I +have been able to use my own eyes and judgment. If there is any +prejudice in the matter, why should it not come from Mr. Fischer? He +has the very good excuse of his German birth." + +"Mr. Fischer is an American citizen," Mrs. Hastings reminded her niece, +"and personally, I think that the American of German birth is one of +the most loyal and long-suffering persons I know. I cannot say as much +for the English people who are living over here. And as to fairy +stories--" + +Pamela intervened, turning towards Fischer with a little laugh. + +"Oh, he can't even deny those! What about the great German victory in +the North Sea, Mr. Fischer? Do you happen to have seen the latest +telegrams?" + +"Our first reports were perhaps a little too glowing," Mr. Fischer +acknowledged. "That, under the circumstances, is, I think, only +natural. But the facts remain that the invincible English and the +untried German fleets have met, to the advantage of the German." + +Pamela shook her head. + +"I cannot even allow that," she objected. "The advantage, if there was +any, rested on the other side. But I just want you to remember what we +were told in that first wonderful outpouring of fabricated news--that +the naval supremacy of England was gone for ever, that the freedom of +the seas was assured, that German merchant vessels were steaming home +from all directions! No, Mr. Fischer! Between ourselves, I think that +your cause needs a few fairy stories, and I look upon you as one of the +greatest experts in the world when it comes to concocting them." + +Fischer, who had risen to his feet half way through Pamela's speech, +was obviously a little taken aback by her direct attack. Mrs. Hastings +took no pains to conceal her annoyance. + +"For a young girl of your age, Pamela," she said sternly, "I consider +that you express your opinions far too freely. Your attitude, too, is +unjustifiable." + +"Ah, well, you see, I am a little prejudiced against Mr. Fischer," +Pamela laughed, turning towards him. "He happened to defeat one of my +pet schemes." + +"But I am ready to further your dearest one," he reminded her, dropping +his voice, and leading her a little on one side. "What about our +alliance?" + +"You scarcely need my aid," she observed, with a shrug of the +shoulders. + +He remonstrated vigorously. There was a revived hopefulness in his +tone. Perhaps, after all, here was the secret of her displeasure with +him. + +"You wonder, perhaps, to see me with your uncle. I give you my word +that it is a dinner of courtesy only. I give you my word that I have +not opened my lips on political matters. I have been waiting for your +answer." + +"I have lost faith in you," she told him calmly. "I am not even certain +that you possess the authority you spoke of." + +"If that is all," he replied eagerly, "you shall see it with your own +eyes. You are staying with your uncle and aunt in Washington, are you +not? I shall call upon you immediately I arrive, and bring it with me." + +She nodded. + +"Well, that remains a challenge, then, Mr. Fischer. And now, if you are +quite ready," she added, turning to Lutchester.... "Good-by, +everybody!" + +"Aren't your ears burning?" Pamela asked, after Lutchester had handed +her into a taxicab and taken his place by her side. "I can absolutely +feel them talking about us." + +"I seem to be most regrettably unpopular," Lutchester remarked. + +"Even now I am puzzled about that," Pamela confessed, "but you see my +aunt considers herself the arbitress of what is right or wrong in +social matters, and she is exceedingly narrow-minded. In her eyes it is +no doubt a greater misdemeanour for me to have dined at the +Ritz-Carlton alone with you, than if I had conspired against the +Government." + +"And this, I thought, was the land of freedom for your sex!" + +"Ah, but my aunt is rather an exception," Pamela reminded him. "The one +thing I cannot understand, however, is that she should have allowed +herself to be seen dining with Mr. Oscar Fischer at the Ritz-Carlton. I +should have thought that would have been almost as heinous to her as my +own little slip from grace." + +"Is your aunt by way of being interested in politics?" Lutchester +inquired. + +"Not in a general way," Pamela replied, "but she is intensely +ambitious, and she'd give her soul if Uncle Theodore could get a +nomination for the Presidency." + +"Perhaps she is taking up the German-American cause, then," Lutchester +suggested. "It is a possible platform, at any rate." + +"I foresee a new party," Pamela murmured thoughtfully. "Now I come to +think of it, Mr. Elsworthy, the fat old gentleman who knew your uncle, +is very pro-German." + +He leaned towards her. + +"We have had enough politics," he insisted. "There is the other thing. +Couldn't I have my answer?" + +She let him take her fingers. In the cool darkness through which they +were rushing her face seemed white, her head was a little averted. He +tried to draw her to him, but she was unyielding. + +"Please not," she begged. "I like you--and I'm glad I like you," she +added, "but I don't feel certain about anything. Couldn't we be just +friends a little longer?" + +"It must be as you say, but I am horribly in love with you," he +confessed. "That may sound rather a bald way of saying so, but it's the +truth, Pamela, dear." + +His clasp upon her fingers was tightened. She turned towards him. Her +expression was serious but delightful. + +"Well, let me tell you this much, at least," she confided. "I have +never before in my life been so glad to hear any one say so.... And +here we are at home, and there's Jimmy on the doorstep. What is it, +Jimmy," she asked, waving her hand. + +He came down towards her in a state of great excitement. + +"Say, we've had to open up the office again!" he exclaimed. "The +telegrams are rolling in now. That so-called German naval victory was a +fake. The Britishers came out right on top. You know you stand to net at +least half a million, Mr. Lutchester? The worst of it is I have another +client who's going to lose it." + +Pamela shook her head at Lutchester. + +"The possibility of increased responsibilities," he whispered. "A +married man needs something to fall back upon." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + + +The offices of Messrs. Neville, Brooks, and Van Teyl were the scene of +something like pandemonium. Van Teyl himself, bathed in perspiration, +rushed into his room for the twentieth time. He almost flung the +newspaper man who was waiting for him through the door. + +"No, we don't know a darned thing," he declared. "We've no special +information. The only reason we're up to our neck in Anglo-French is +because we've two big clients dealing." + +"It's just a few personal notes about those clients we'd like to +handle." + +"Oh, get out as quick as you can!" Van Teyl snapped. "This isn't a +bucket shop or a pool room. The names of our clients concerns ourselves +only." + +"What do you think Anglo-French are going to do, Mr. Van Teyl?" + +"I can't tell," was the prompt answer, "but I can tell what's going to +happen if you don't clear out." + +The newspaper man took a hurried leave. Van Teyl seized the telephone +receiver, only to put it down with a little shout of relief as the door +opened and Lutchester entered. + +"Thank God!" he exclaimed. "Why, I've been ringing you up for an hour +and a half." + +"Sorry," Lutchester replied, "I was down at the barber's the first time +you got through, and then I had some cables to send off." + +"Look here," Van Teyl continued, gripping him by the shoulder, "is six +hundred and forty thousand dollars, or thereabouts, profit enough for +you on your Anglo-French?" + +"It sounds adequate," Lutchester confessed, laying his hat and cane +carefully upon the table and drawing up an easy-chair. "How much is Mr. +Fischer going to lose?" + +"God knows! If you allow me to sell at the present moment, you'll ease +the market, and he'll lose about what you make." + +"And if I decide to hold my Anglo-French?" + +"You'll have to provide us with about a couple of million dollars," Van +Teyl replied, "and I should think you would pretty well break Fischer +for a time. Frankly, he's an important client, and we don't want him +broken, even temporarily." + +"What do you want me to do, then?" + +"Give us authority to sell," Van Teyl begged. "Can't you hear them +yapping about in the office outside? They're round me all the time like +a pack of hounds. Honestly, if I don't sell some Anglo-French before +lunch-time to-day, they look like wrecking the office." + +Lutchester knocked the end of a cigarette thoughtfully against the side +of his chair. + +"All right," he decided, "I don't want you to suffer any inconvenience. +Besides, I am going to Washington this afternoon. You can keep on +selling as long as the market's steady. Directly it sags, hold off. If +necessary, even buy a few more. You understand me? Don't sell a single +block under to-day's price. Keep the market at that figure. It's an +easy job, because next week Anglo-French will go up again." + +Van Teyl was moved to a rare flash of admiration. + +"You're a cool hand, Lutchester," he declared, "considering you're not +a business man." + +"Fischer's the man who'll need to keep cool," Lutchester remarked, +lighting his cigarette. "What about a little lunch?" + +The stockbroker scarcely heard him. He had struck a bell, and the +office seemed suddenly filled with clerks. Van Teyl's words were +incoherent--a string of strange directions, punctuated by slang which +was, so far as Lutchester was concerned, unintelligible. The whole +place seemed to wake into a clamour of telephone bells, shouts, the +clanging and opening of the lift gates, and the hurried tramp of +footsteps in the corridors outside. Lutchester rose to his feet. He was +looking very comfortable and matter-of-fact in his grey tweed suit and +soft felt hat. + +"Perhaps," he observed pleasantly, "I am out of place here. Drop me a +line and let me know how things are going to the Hotel Capitol at +Washington." + +"That's all right," Van Teyl promised. "I'll get you on the +long-distance 'phone. I was coming myself with Pamela for a few days, +but this little deal of yours has set things buzzing.... Say, who's +that?" + +The door opened, and Fischer paused upon the threshold. Certainly, of +all the people concerned, the two speculators themselves seemed the +least moved by the excitement they were causing. Fischer was dressed +with his usual spick-and-span neatness, and his appearance betrayed no +sign of flurry or excitement. He nodded grimly to Lutchester. + +"My congratulations," he said. "You seem to have rigged the Press here +to some purpose." + +Lutchester raised his eyebrows. + +"I don't even know a newspaper man in New York," he declared. + +The newcomer gave vent to a little gesture of derision. + +"Then you've some very clever friends! You'd better make the most of +their offices. The German version of the naval battle will be confirmed +and amplified within twenty-four hours, and then your Anglo-French will +touch mud." + +"If that is your idea," Lutchester remarked suavely, "why buy now? Why +not wait till next week? Come," he went on, "I will have a little +flutter with you, if you like, Fischer. I will bet you five thousand +dollars, and Van Teyl here shall hold the stakes, that a week hence +to-day Anglo-French stand higher than they do at this moment." + +Fischer hesitated. Then he turned away. + +"I am not a sportsman, Mr. Lutchester," he said. + +Lutchester brushed away a little dust from his coat sleeve. + +"No," he murmured, "I agree with you. Good morning!" + +Lutchester walked out into the sun-baked streets, and with his absence +Fischer abandoned his almost unnatural calm. He strode up and down the +room, fuming with rage. At every fresh click of the tape machine, he +snatched at the printed slip eagerly and threw it away with an oath. No +one took any notice of him. Van Teyl rushed in and out, telephones +clanged, perspiring clerks dashed in with copies of contracts to add to +the small pile upon the desk. There came a quiet moment presently. Van +Teyl wiped the perspiration from his forehead and drank a tumblerful of +water. + +"Fischer," he asked, "what made you go into this so big? You must have +known there was always the risk of your wireless report beating it up a +little too tall." + +"It wasn't our report at all that I went by," Fischer confessed +gloomily. "It was the English Admiralty announcement that did it. Can +you conceive," he went on, striking the table with his fist, "any +nation at war, with a grain of common sense or an ounce of +self-respect, issuing a statement like that?--an apology for a defeat +which, damn it all, never happened! Say the thing was a drawn battle, +which is about what it really was. It didn't suit the Germans to fight +it to a finish. They'd everything to lose and little to gain. So in +effect they left the Britishers there and passed back behind their own +minefield. So far as regards reports, that was victory enough for any +one except those muddle-headed civilians at Whitehall. They deceived +the world with that infernal bulletin, and incidentally me. It was on +that statement I gave you my orders, not on ours." + +"It's a damned unfortunate business!" Van Teyl sighed. "You're only +half way out yet, and it's cost you nearly three hundred thousand." + +A dull spot of purple colour burned in Fischer's cheeks. His upper lip +was drawn in, his appearance for a moment was repulsive. + +"It isn't the money I mind," he muttered. "It's Lutchester." + +Van Teyl was discreetly silent. Fischer seemed to read his thoughts. He +leaned across the table. + +"A wonderful fellow, your friend Lutchester," he sneered. "An Admirable +Crichton of finance and diplomacy and love-making, eh? But the end +isn't just yet. I promise you one thing, James Van Teyl. He isn't going +to marry your sister." + +"I'd a damned sight sooner she married him than you!" Van Teyl blazed +out. + +Fischer was taken aback. He had held for so long the upper hand with +this young man that for the moment he had forgotten that circumstances +were changed between them. Van Teyl rose to his feet. The bonds of the +last few months had snapped. He spoke like a free man. + +"Look here, Fischer," he said, "you've had me practically in your power +for the best part of a year, but now I'm through with you. I'm out of +your debt, no thanks to you, and I'm going to keep out. I am working on +your business as hard as though you were my own brother, and I'll go on +doing it. I'll get you out of this mess as well as I can, and after +that you can take your damned business where you please." + +"So that's it, is it?" Fischer scoffed. "A rich brother-in-law coming +along, eh? ... No, don't do that," stepping quickly backwards as Van +Teyl's fist shot out. + +"Then keep my sister's name out of this conversation," Van Teyl +insisted. "If you are wise, you'll clear out altogether. They're at it +again." + +Fischer, however, glanced at the clock and remained. At the next lull, +he hung down the tape and turned to his companion. + +"Say, there's no use quarrelling, James," he declared. "I'm going to +leave you to it now. Guess I said a little more than I meant to, but I +tell you I hate that fellow Lutchester. I hate him just as though I +were the typical German and he were the typical Britisher, and there +was nothing but a sea of hate between us. Shake hands, Jim." + +Van Teyl obeyed without enthusiasm. Fischer drew a chair to the table +and wrote out a cheque, which he passed across. + +"I'll drop into the bank and let them know about this," he said. "You +can make up accounts and let me hear how the balance stands. I'll wipe +it out by return, whatever it is." + +Fischer passed out of the offices a few minutes later, followed by many +curious eyes, and stepped into his automobile. A young man who had +brushed against him pushed a note into his hand. Fischer opened it as +his car swung slowly through the traffic:-- + +Guards at all Connecticut factories doubled. O'Hagan caught last night +in precincts of small arms factory. Was taken alive, disobeying orders. +Be careful. + +Fischer tore the note into small pieces. His face was grimmer than ever +as he leaned back amongst the cushions. There were evil things awaiting +him outside Wall Street. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + + +Lutchester breathed the air of Washington and felt almost homesick. The +stateliness of the city, its sedate and quiescent air after the turmoil +of New York, impressed him profoundly. Everywhere its diplomatic +associations made themselves felt. Congress was in session, and the +faces of the men whom he met continually in the hotels and restaurants +seemed to him some index of the world power which flung its +far-reaching arms from beneath the Capitol dome. + +One afternoon a few days after his arrival he called at the Hastings' +house, a great Colonial mansion within a stone's throw of his own +headquarters. The mention of his name, however, seemed to chill all the +hospitality out of the smiling face of the southern butler who answered +his ring. Miss Van Teyl was out, and from the man's manner it was +obvious that Miss Van Teyl would continue to be out for a very long +time. Lutchester retraced his steps to the British Embassy, where he +had spent most of the morning, and made his way to the sitting-room of +one of the secretaries. The Honourable Philip Downing, who was eagerly +waiting for a cable recalling him to take up a promised commission, +welcomed him heartily. + +"Things are slack here to-day, old fellow. Let's go out to the Country +Club and have a few sets of tennis or a game of golf, whichever you +prefer," he suggested. "I've done my little lot till the evening." + +"Show on to-night, isn't there?" Lutchester inquired. + +"Just a reception. You're going to put in an appearance?" + +"I fancy so. Have you got your list of guests handy?" + +The young man dived into a drawer and produced a few typewritten +sheets. + +"Alphabetical list of acceptances, with here and there a few personal +notes," he pointed out, with an air of self-satisfaction. "I go through +this list with the chief while he's changing for dinner." + +Lutchester ran his forefinger down the list. + +"Senator Theodore and Mrs. Hastings," he quoted. "By the bye, they have +a niece staying with them." + +"Want a card for her?" the Honourable Philip inquired with a grin. + +"I should like it sent off this moment," Lutchester replied. + +The young man took a square, gilt-edged card from a drawer by his side, +filled it out at Lutchester's dictation, rang the bell, and dispatched +it by special messenger. + +"I've got my little buzzer outside," he observed. "We'll make tracks +for the club, if you're ready." + +The two men played several sets of tennis and afterwards lounged in two +wicker chairs, underneath a gigantic plane tree in a corner of the +lawn. The place was crowded, and Philip Downing was an excellent +showman. + +"Washington," he explained, "has never been so divided into opposite +camps, and this is almost the only common meeting ground. Every one has +to come here, of course. The German Staff play tennis and the Austrians +all go in for polo. Here comes Ziduski. He's most fearfully popular +with the ladies here--does us a lot of harm, they say. He's a great +sticker for etiquette. He used to nod and call me Phil. Now you watch. +He'll bow from his waist, as though he had corsets on. As a matter of +fact, he's a good sportsman." + +Count Ziduski's bow was stiff enough but his intention was obvious. He +stopped before the two men, exchanged a somewhat stilted greeting with +Philip Downing, and turned to Lutchester. + +"I believe," he said, "that I have the honour of addressing Mr. +Lutchester?" + +Lutchester rose to his feet. + +"That is my name," he admitted. + +"We have met in Rome, I think, and in Paris," the Count reminded him. +"If I might beg for the favour of a few moments' conversation with +you." + +The two men strolled away together. The Count plunged at once into the +middle of things. + +"It is you, sir, I believe, whom I have to thank for the abrupt +departure of Mademoiselle Sonia from New York?" + +"Quite true," Lutchester admitted. + +"Under different circumstances," the Count proceeded, "I might regard +such interference in my affairs in a different manner. Here, of course, +that is impossible. I speak to you out of regard for the lady in +question. You appear in some mysterious manner to have discovered the +fact that she was in the habit of bringing entirely unimportant and +non-political messages from dear friends in France." + +"Mademoiselle Sonia," Lutchester said calmly, "had for a brief space of +time forgotten herself. She was engaged in carrying out espionage work +on your behalf. I believe I may say that she will do so no more." + +The Count was a man of medium height, thin, with complexion absolutely +colourless, and deep-set, tired eyes. At this moment, however, he +seemed endowed with the spirit of a new virility. The cane which he +grasped might have been a dagger. His smooth tones nursed a threat. + +"Mr. Lutchester," he declared, "if harm should come to her through your +information, I swear to God that you shall pay!" + +Lutchester's manner was mild and unprovocative. + +"Count," he replied, "we make no war upon women. Sonia has repented, +and the knowledge which I have of her misdeeds will be shared by no +one. She has gone back to her country to work for the Red Cross there. +So far as I am concerned, that is the end." + +The two men walked a few steps further in unbroken silence. Then the +Count raised his hat. + +"Mr. Lutchester," he said, "yours is the reply of an honourable enemy. +I might have trusted you, but Sonia is half of my life. I offer you my +thanks." + +He strolled away, and Lutchester rejoined his young friend. + +"The lion and the lamb seem to have parted safely!" the latter +exclaimed. "Now sit by my side and I will show you interesting things. +Those four irreproachable young men over there in tennis flannels are +all from the German Embassy. The two elder ones behind are Austrians. +All those women are the wives of Senators who sympathise with Germany. +Their husbands look like it, don't they? To-day they have an addition +to their ranks--the thin, elderly man there, whose clothes were +evidently made in London. That's Senator Hastings. He is a personal +friend of the President. Jove, what a beautiful girl with Mrs. +Hastings!" + +"That," Lutchester told him, "is the young lady to whom you have just +sent a card of invitation for to-night." + +"Then here's hoping that she comes," Philip Downing observed, finishing +his glass of mint julep. "Is she a pal of yours?" + +"Yes, I know her," Lutchester admitted. + +"Let's go and butt in, then," Downing suggested. "I love breaking up +these little gatherings. You'll see them all stiffen when we come near. +I hope they haven't got hold of Hastings, though." + +The two men rose to their feet and crossed the lawn. Fischer, who had +suddenly appeared in the background, whispered something in Mrs. +Hastings' ear. She swung around to Pamela, a second too late. Pamela, +with a word of excuse to the young man with whom she was talking, +stepped away from the circle and held out her hand to Lutchester. + +"So you have really come to Washington!" she exclaimed. + +"As a rescuer," Lutchester replied. "I feel that I have a mission. We +cannot afford to lose your sympathies. May I introduce Philip Downing?" + +Pamela shook hands with the young man and took her place between them. + +"I've been envying you your seat under the tree," she said. "Couldn't +we go there for a few moments?" + +Mrs. Hastings detached herself and approached them. She received Philip +Downing's bow cordially, and she was almost civil to Lutchester. + +"I can't have my niece taken away," she protested. "We are just going +in to tea, Pamela." + +Pamela shook her head. + +"I am going to sit under that tree with Mr. Lutchester and Mr. +Downing," she declared. "Tea doesn't attract me in the least, and that +tree does." + +Mrs. Hastings accepted defeat with a somewhat cynical gracefulness. She +closed her lorgnette with a little snap. + +"You leave us all desolated, my dear Pamela," she said. "You remind me +of what your poor dear father used to say--'Almost any one could live +with Pamela if she always had her own way.'" + +Pamela laughed as she strolled across the lawn. + +"Aren't one's relatives trying!" she murmured. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII + + +Philip Downing very soon justified the profession to which he belonged +by strolling off with some excuse about paying his respects to some +acquaintances. Pamela and Lutchester immediately dropped the somewhat +frivolous tone of their conversation. + +"You know that things are moving with our friend Fischer?" she began. + +"I gathered so," Lutchester assented. + +"His scheme is growing into shape," she went on. "You know what +wonderful people his friends are for organising. Well, they are going +to start a society all through the States and nominate for its +president--Uncle Theodore." + +"Will they have any show at all?" Lutchester asked curiously. + +She shrugged her shoulders. + +"Who can tell? The German-Americans are very powerful indeed all +through the West, and then the pacifists will join them. You see, I +believe that although the soul of the country is with the Allies, +England is the most tactless country in the world. She is always giving +little pinpricks to the Government over here, either about maritime law +or one thing or another. Then all those articles in the papers about +America being too proud to fight, the sneering tone of some, even, of +the leading reviews, did a lot of harm. Uncle Theodore is going to +stand for what they call the true neutrality. That is to say, no +munitions, no help for either side." + +"Well, I don't know anything about American politics," Lutchester +confessed, "but I shouldn't think he'd have an earthly chance." + +"Money is immensely powerful," she went on reflectively, "and many of +the great money interests of the country are controlled by +German-Americans. Mr. Fischer has almost thrown me over politically, +but Uncle Theodore is crazy about the idea of a German pledge to +protect America against Japan. That is going to be the great argument +which he will keep up his sleeve until after the nomination." + +"Fischer's trump card," Lutchester observed. "He hasn't shown you a +certain autograph letter yet, I suppose?" + +She shook her head. + +"He may have shown it to Uncle Theodore. I'm afraid he doesn't mean to +approach me again. He seems to have completely changed his attitude +towards me since the night he saw us at the Ritz-Carlton dining +together. He was going to show me the letter the first day after his +arrival in Washington. Instead of that, he has been in the house for +hours at a time without making the slightest attempt to see me." + +"Faithless fellow!" Lutchester murmured. "Nothing like an Englishman, +after all, for absolute fidelity." + +"Do you really think so?" Pamela inquired anxiously. "Do you think I +should be safe in trusting my heart and future to an Englishman?" + +"To one particular Englishman, yes!" was the firm reply. "I was rather +hoping you might have made up your mind." + +"Too many things to think about," she laughed. "How long are you going +to stay in Washington?" + +"A few hours or days or weeks--until I have finished the work that +brought me here." + +"And what exactly is that?" + +"You ask me lightly," he replied, "but, if you are willing, I have +decided to take you into my confidence. Our friend Nikasti will be here +to-morrow. He was to have sailed for Japan yesterday, but he has +postponed his voyage for a few days. Do you know much about the +Japanese, Miss Pamela?" + +"Very little," she acknowledged. + +"Well, I will tell you one thing. They are not very good at forgiving. +There was only one way I could deal with Nikasti in New York, and it +was a brutal way. I have seen him twice since. He wouldn't look me in +the eyes. I know what that means. He hates me. In a sense I don't +believe he would allow that to interfere in any way with his mission. +In another sense it would. The Allies, above all things, have need of +Japan. We want Japan and America to be friends. We don't want Germany +butting in between the two. Baron Yung is a very clever man, but he is +even more impenetrable than his countrymen generally are. Our people +here admit that they find it difficult to progress with him very far. +They believe that secretly he is in sympathy with Nikasti's reports-- +but you don't know about those, I suppose?" + +"I don't think I do," she admitted. + +"Nikasti was sent to England some years ago to report upon us as a +country. Japan at that time was meditating an alliance with one of the +great European Powers. Obviously it must be Germany or England. Nikasti +travelled all through England, studied our social life, measured our +weaknesses; did the same through Germany, returned to Japan, and gave +his vote in favour of Germany. I have even seen a copy of his report. +He laid great stress upon the absolute devotion to sport of our young +men, and the entire absence of any patriotic sentiment or any means of +national defence. Well, as you know, for various reasons his counsels +were over-ridden, and Japan chose the British alliance. That was +entirely the fault of imperfect German diplomacy. At a time like this, +though, I cannot help thinking that some elements of his former +distrust still remain in Nikasti's mind, and I have an idea that Baron +Yung is, to a certain extent, a sympathiser. I've got to get at the +bottom of this before I leave the States. If I need your help, will you +give it me?" + +"If I can," she promised. + +They saw Mrs. Hastings' figure on the terrace, waving, and Pamela rose +reluctantly to her feet. + +"I don't suppose," Lutchester continued, as they strolled across the +lawn, "that you have very much influence with your uncle, or that he +would listen very much to anything that you have to say, but if he is +really in earnest about this thing, he is going to play a terribly +dangerous game. As things are at present, he has a very pleasant and +responsible position as the supporter and friend of very able men. With +regard to this new movement, he may find the whole ground crumble away +beneath his feet. Fischer is playing the game of a madman. It isn't +only political defeat that might come to him, but disgrace--even +dishonour." + +"You frighten me," Pamela confessed gravely. + +Lutchester sighed. + +"Your uncle," he went on, "is one of those thoroughly conceited, +egotistical men who will probably listen to no one. You see, I have +found out a little about him already. But they tell me that her social +position means a great deal to your aunt. Neither her birth nor her +friends could save her if Fischer drags your uncle to his chariot +wheels." + +"Do you think, perhaps, that you underestimate Mr. Fischer's position +over here?" she asked thoughtfully. + +"I don't think I do," he replied, "but here is something which you have +scarcely appreciated. Fischer has had the effrontery to link himself up +with a little crowd of Germans all through the States, who are making +organised attempts to destroy the factories where ammunitions are being +made for the Allies. That sort of thing, you know, would bring any one, +however, distantly connected with it, to Sing Sing.... One moment," he +added quickly, as Mrs. Hastings stepped forward to meet them; "the +reception at the British Embassy to-night?" + +"The others are going," she said. "My aunt didn't feel she was +sufficiently--" + +"We sent you a card round especially this afternoon," Lutchester +interrupted. "You'll come?" + +"How nice of you! Of course I will," she promised. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV + + +"Small affair, this," Downing observed, as he piloted Lutchester +through the stately reception rooms of the Embassy. "You see, we are +all living a sort of touchy life here, nowadays. We try to be civil to +any of the German or Austrian lot when we meet, but of course they +don't come to our functions. And every now and then some of those +plaguey neutrals get the needle and they don't come, so we never know +quite where we are, Guadopolis has been avoiding us lately, and I hear +he was seen out at the Lakewood Country Club with Count Reszka, the +Rumanian Minister, a few days ago. Gave the Chief quite a little +flurry, that did." + +"There's an idea over in London," Lutchester remarked, "that a good +deal of the war is being shaped in Washington nowadays." + +"That is the Chief's notion," Downing assented. "I know he's pining to +talk to you, so we'll go and do the dutiful." + +Lutchester was welcomed as an old friend by both the Ambassador and his +wife. The former drew him to a divan from which he could watch the +entrance to the rooms, and sat by his side. + +"I am glad they sent you out, Lutchester," he said earnestly. "If ever +a country needed watching by a man with intelligence and experience, +this one does to-day." + +"Do you happen to know that fellow Oscar Fischer?" Lutchester asked. + +"I do, and I consider him one of the most dangerous people in the +States for us," the Ambassador declared. "He has a great following, +huge wealth, and, although he is not a man of culture, he doesn't go +about his job in that bull-headed way that most of them do." + +"He's trying things on with Japan," Lutchester observed. "I think I +shall manage to checkmate him there all right. But there's another +scheme afloat that I don't follow so closely. You know Senator +Hastings, I suppose?" + +The Ambassador nodded. + +"Senator Theodore Hastings," he repeated thoughtfully. "Yes, he's +rather a dark horse. He is supposed to be the President's bosom friend, +but I hear whispers that he'd give his soul for a nomination, adopt any +cause or fight any one's battle." + +"That's my own idea of him," Lutchester replied, "and I think you will +find him in the field with a pretty definite platform before long." + +"You think he's mixed up with Fischer?" the Ambassador inquired. + +"I'm sure he is," Lutchester assented. "Not only that, but they have +something up their sleeve. I think I can guess what it is, but I'm not +sure. How have things seemed to you here lately?" + +"To tell you the truth, I haven't liked the look of them," the +Ambassador confided. "There's something afoot, and I can't be sure what +it is. Look at the crowd to-night. Of course, all the Americans are +here, but the diplomatic attendance has never been so thin. The +Rumanian Minister and his wife, the Italian, the Spanish, and the +Swedish representatives are all absent. I have just heard, too, that +Baron von Schwerin is giving a dinner-party." + +Lutchester looked thoughtfully at the little stream of people. The +Ambassador left him for a few moments to welcome some late comers. He +returned presently and resumed his seat by Lutchester's side. + +"Of course," he continued, lowering his voice, "all formal +communications between us and the enemy Embassies have ceased, but it +has come to be an understood thing, to avoid embarrassments to our +mutual friends, that we do not hold functions on the same day. I heard +that Von Schwerin was giving this dinner-party, so I sent round this +morning to inquire. The reply was that it was entirely a private one. +One of our youngsters brought us in a list of the guests a short time +ago. I see Hastings is one of them, and Fischer, and Rumania and Greece +will be represented. Now Hastings was to have been here, and as a rule +the neutrals are very punctilious." + +"I suppose the way that naval affair was represented didn't do us any +good," Lutchester observed. + +"It did us harm, without a doubt," was the lugubrious admission. +"Still, fortunately, these people over here are clever enough to +understand our idiosyncrasies. I honestly think we'd rather whine about +a defeat than glory in a victory." + +"Diplomatically, too," Lutchester remarked thoughtfully, "I should have +said that things seemed all right here. The President comes in for a +great deal of abuse in some countries. Personally, I think he has been +wonderful." + +The Ambassador nodded. + +"You and I both know, Lutchester," he said, "that the last thing we +want is to find America dragged into this war. Such a happening would +be nothing more nor less than a catastrophe in itself, to say nothing +of the internal dissensions here. On the other hand, as things are now, +Washington is becoming a perfect arena for diplomatic chicanery, and I +have just an instinct--I can't define it in any way--which leads me to +believe that some fresh trouble has started within the last twenty-four +hours." + +Lady Ridlingshawe motioned to her husband with her fan, and he rose at +once to his feet. + +"I must leave you to look after yourself for a time, Lutchester," he +concluded. "You'll find plenty of people here you know. Don't go until +you've seen me again." + +Lutchester wandered off in search of Pamela. He found her with Mrs. +Hastings, surrounded by a little crowd of acquaintances. Pamela waved +her fan, and they made way for him. + +"Mr. Lutchester, I have been looking everywhere for you!" she +exclaimed. "What a secretive person you are! Why couldn't you tell me +that Lady Ridlingshawe was your cousin? I want you to take me to her, +please, I met her sister out in Nice." + +She laid her fingers upon his arm, and they passed out of the little +circle. + +"All bluff, of course," she murmured. "Find the quietest place you can. +I want to talk to you." + +They wandered out on to a balcony where some of the younger people were +taking ices. She leaned over the wooden rail. + +"Listen," she said, "I adore this atmosphere, and I am perfectly +certain there is something going on--something exciting, I mean. You +know that the Baron von Schwerin has a dinner-party?" + +"I know that," he assented. + +"Uncle Theodore is going with Mr. Fischer. He was invited at the last +moment, and I understand that his presence was specially requested." + +Lutchester stood for a short time in an absorbed and sombre silence. In +the deep blue twilight his face seemed to have fallen into sterner +lines. Without a doubt he was disturbed. Pamela looked at him +anxiously. + +"Is anything the matter?" she asked. + +He shook his head. + +"Nothing definite, only for the last few hours I have felt that things +here are reaching a crisis. There is something going on around us, +something which seems to fill Fischer and his friends with confidence, +something which I don't quite understand, and which it is my business +to understand. That is really what is worrying me." + +She nodded sympathetically and glanced around for a moment. + +"Let me tell you something," she whispered. "This evening my uncle came +into my room just before dinner. There is a little safe built in the +wall for jewellery. He begged for the loan of it. His library safe, he +said, was out of order. I couldn't see what he put in, but when he had +closed the door he stood looking at it for a moment curiously. I made +some jesting remark about its being a treasure chest, but he answered +me seriously. 'You are going to sleep to-night, Pamela,' he said, +'within a few yards of a dozen or so of written words which will change +the world's history.'" + +Lutchester was listening intently. There was a prolonged pause. + +"Well?" he asked, at last. + +She glanced at the little Yale key which hung from her bracelet. + +"Nothing! I was just wondering how I should be able to sleep through +the night without opening the safe." + +"But surely your uncle didn't give you the key!" + +She shook her head. + +"I don't suppose he knows I have such a thing," she replied. "He has a +master-key himself to all the safes, which he used. This is one the +housekeeper gave me as soon as I arrived." + +Lutchester looked out into the darkness. + +"Tell me," he inquired, "is that your house--the next one to this?" + +"That's the old Hastings' house," she assented. "They are all family +mansions along here." + +"It looks an easy place to burgle," he remarked. + +She laughed quietly. + +"I should think it would be," she admitted. "There are any quantity of +downstair windows. We don't have burglaries in Washington, though +--certainly not this side of the city." + +A little bevy of young people had found their way into the gardens. +Lutchester waited until they had passed out of earshot before he spoke +again. + +"I have reason to believe," he continued, "that in the course of their +negotiations Fischer has deposited with your uncle a certain autograph +letter, of which we have already spoken, making definite proposals to +America if she will change her attitude on the neutrality question." + +"The written words," Pamela murmured. + +Lutchester's hand suddenly closed upon her wrist. She was surprised to +find his fingers so cold, yet marvellously tenacious. + +"You are going to lose that key and I am going to find it," he said, +quietly. "I am sorry--but you must." + +"I am going to do nothing of the sort," Pamela objected. + +His fingers remained like a cold vice upon her wrist. She made no +effort to draw it away. + +"Listen," he said; "do you believe that the Hastings-cum-Fischer party +is going to be the best thing that could happen for America?" + +"I certainly do not," she admitted. + +"Then do as I beg. Let me take that key from your bracelet. You shall +have no other responsibility." + +"And what are you going to do with it?" + +"You must leave that to me," he answered. "I will tell you as much as I +can. I stopped Nikasti sailing for Japan, but I made a mortal enemy of +him at the same time. He has come to Washington to consult with his +Ambassador. They are together tonight. It is my mission to convince +them of Germany's duplicity." + +"I see.... And you think that these written words--?" + +"Give the key to me," he begged, "and ask no questions." + +She shook her head. + +"I should object most strongly to nocturnal disturbers of my slumbers!" + +It seemed to her that his frame had become tenser, his tone harder. The +grip of his fingers was still upon her wrist. + +"Even your objection," he said, "might not relieve you of the +possibility of their advent." + +"Don't be silly," she answered, "and, above all, don't try to threaten +me. If you want my help--" + +She looked steadfastly across at the looming outline of the Hastings' +house. + +"I do want your help," he assured her. + +"How long should you require the letter for?" + +"One hour," he replied. + +She led him down some steps on to the smooth lawns which encircled the +house. They passed in and out of some gigantic shrubs until at last +they came to a paling. She felt along it for a few yards. + +"There is a gate there," she told him. "Can you do anything with it?" + +It was fastened by an old lock. He lifted it off its hinges, and they +both passed through. + +"Keep behind the shrubs as much as you can," she whispered. "There is a +way into the house from the verandah here." + +They reached at last the shadow of the building. She paused. + +"Wait here for me," she continued. "I would rather enter the house +without being seen, if I can, but it doesn't really matter. I can make +some excuse for coming back. Don't move from where you are." + +She glided away from him and disappeared. Lutchester waited, standing +well back in the shadow of the shrubs. From the Embassy came all the +time the sound of music, occasionally even the murmur of voices; from +the dark house in front of him, nothing. Suddenly he heard what seemed +to be the opening of a window, and then soft footsteps. Pamela appeared +round the corner of the building, a white, spectral figure against that +background of deep blue darkness. She came on tiptoe, running down the +steps and holding her skirts with both hands. + +"Not a soul has seen me," she whispered. "Take this quickly." + +She thrust an envelope into his hands, and something hard with it. + +"That's Uncle Theodore's seal," she explained. "He sealed up the +envelope when he put it in there. Now come back quickly to the Embassy. +You must please hurry with what you want to do. If I have left when you +return, you must come back to exactly this place. That window"--she +pointed upwards--"will be wide open. You must throw a pine cone or a +pebble through it. I shall be waiting." + +"I understand," he assured her. + +They retraced their steps. Once more they drew near to the Embassy. The +night had grown warmer and more windows had been opened. They reached +the verandah. She touched his hand for a moment. + +"Well," she said, "I don't know whether I have been wise or not. Try +and be back in less than an hour, if you can. I am going in alone." + +She left him, and Lutchester, after a few brief words with the +Ambassador, hurried away to his task. In twenty minutes he stood before +a tall, grey-stone building, a few blocks away, was admitted by a +Japanese butler, and conducted, after some hesitation, into a large +room at the back of the house. An elderly man, dressed for the evening, +with the lapel of his coat covered with orders, was awaiting him. + +"I am a stranger to you, Baron," Lutchester began. + +"That does not matter," was the grave reply. "Ten minutes ago I had an +urgent telephone call from our mutual friend. His Excellency told me +that he was sending a special messenger, and begged me to give you a +few minutes. I have left a conference of some importance, and I am +here." + +"A few minutes will be enough," Lutchester promised. "I am engaged by +the English Government upon Secret Service work. I came to America, +following a man named Fischer. You have heard of him?" + +"I have heard of him," the Ambassador acknowledged. + +"In New York," Lutchester continued, "he met one of your countrymen, +Prince Nikasti, a man, I may add," Lutchester went on, "for whom I have +the highest respect and esteem, although quite openly, years ago, he +pronounced himself unfavourably disposed towards my country. The object +of Fischer's meeting with Prince Nikasti was to convey to him certain +definite proposals on behalf of the German Government. They wish for a +rapprochement with your country. They offer certain terms, confirmation +of which Fischer brought with him in an autograph letter." + +There was a moment's silence. Not a word came from the man who seemed +to have learnt the gift of sitting with absolute immovability. Even his +eyes did not blink. He sat and waited. + +"The proposals made to you are plausible and deserving of +consideration," Lutchester proceeded. "Do not think that there exists +in my mind, or would exist in the mind of any Englishman knowing of +them, any feeling of resentment that these proposals should have been +received by you for consideration. Nothing in this world counts to +those who follow the arts of diplomacy, save the simple welfare of the +people whom he represents. It is therefore the duty of every patriot to +examine carefully all proposals made to him likely to militate to the +advantage of his own people. You have a letter, offering you certain +terms to withdraw from your present alliances. Here is a letter from +the same source, in the same handwriting, written to America. Break the +seal yourself. It was brought to this country by Fischer, in the same +dispatch box as yours, to be handed to some responsible person in the +American Government. It was handed to Senator Theodore Hastings. It is +to form part of his platform on the day when his nomination as +President is announced. It must be back in his safe within +three-quarters of an hour. Break the seal and read it." + +The Japanese held out his hand, broke the seal of the envelope, and +read. His face remained immovable. When he had finished he looked up at +his visitor. + +"I am permitted to take a copy?" he asked. + +"Certainly!" + +He touched a bell, spoke down a mouthpiece, and with almost necromantic +swiftness two young men were in the room. A camera was dragged out, a +little flash of light shot up to the ceiling, and the attaches vanished +as quickly as they had come. The Ambassador replaced the document in +its envelope, handed a stick of sealing-wax and a candle to Lutchester, +who leaned over and resealed the envelope. + +"The negative?" he enquired. + +"Will be kept under lock and key," the Ambassador promised. "It will +pass into the archives of Japanese history. In future we shall know." + +Once more he touched a bell. The door was opened. Lutchester found +himself escorted into the street. He was back at the Embassy in time to +meet a little stream of departing guests. Lady Ridlingshawe patted him +on the shoulder with her fan. + +"Deserter!" she exclaimed, reproachfully, "Wherever have you been +hiding?" + +Lutchester made some light reply and passed on. He made his way out +into the gardens. The darkness now was a little more sombre, and he had +to grope his way to the palings. Soon he stood before the dark outline +of the adjoining house. In the window towards which he was making his +way a single candle in a silver candlestick was burning. He paused +underneath and listened. Then he took a pine cone which he had picked +up on his way and threw it through the open window. The candle was +withdrawn. A shadowy form leaned out. + +"I'm quite alone," she assured him softly. "Can you throw it in?" + +He nodded. + +"I think so." + +His first effort was successful. The seal followed, wrapped up in his +handkerchief. A moment or two later he saw Pamela's face at the window. + +"Good night!" she whispered. "Quickly, please. There is still some one +about downstairs." + +The light was extinguished. Lutchester made his way cautiously back, +replaced the gate upon its hinges and reached the shelter of the Embassy, +denuded now of guests. He found Downing in the smoking-room. + +"Can I get a whisky and soda?" Lutchester asked, in response to the +latter's vociferous greeting. + +"Call it a highball," was the prompt reply, "and you can have as many +as you like. Have you earned it?" he added, a little curiously. + +"I almost believe that I have," Lutchester assented. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV + + +Mr. Oscar Fischer and his friend, Senator Theodore Hastings, stood side +by side, a week later, in the bar of one of the most fashionable of New +York hotels. They were passing away the few minutes before Pamela and +her aunt would be ready to join them in the dining room above. + +"Very little news, I fancy," Hastings remarked, glancing at the tape +which was passing through his companion's fingers. + +"Nothing--of any importance," Fischer replied. "Nothing." + +The older man glanced searchingly at his companion, the change in whose +tone was ominous. Fischer was standing with the tape in his hand, his +eyes glued upon a certain paragraph. The Senator took out his +eyeglasses and looked over his friend's shoulder. + +"What's this?" he demanded. "Eh?" + +Fischer was fighting a great battle and fighting it well. + +"Something wrong, apparently, with Frank Roughton," he observed; "an +old college friend of mine. They made him Governor of----only last +year." + +Hastings read the item thoughtfully. + +Governor Roughton this morning tendered his resignation as Governor of +the State of----. We understand that it was at once accepted. Numerous +arrests have taken place with reference to the great explosion at the +Bembridge powder factory. + +"Looks rather fishy, that," Hastings observed thoughtfully. + +"I'm sorry for Roughton," Fischer declared. "He was a perfectly +straight man, and I am sure he has done his best." + +"Great friend of yours?" the other asked curiously. + +"We were intimately acquainted," was the brief answer. + +The two men finished their cocktails in silence. On their way upstairs +the Senator took his companion's arm. + +"Fischer," he said, "you'll forgive me if I put a certain matter to you +plainly?" + +"Naturally!" + +"Within the last few days," Hastings proceeded, "there have been seven +explosions or fires at various factories throughout the States. It is a +somewhat significant circumstance," he added, after a slight pause, +"that every one of these misfortunes has occurred at a factory where +munitions of some sort for the Allies have been in process of +manufacture. Shrewd men have naturally come to the conclusion that +there is some organisation at work." + +"I should doubt it," Fischer replied. "You must remember that there is +always a great risk of disasters in factories where explosives are +being handled. It is a new thing to many of the manufacturers here, +and it is obvious that they are not making use of all the necessary +precautions." + +"I see," Hastings observed, reflectively. "So that is how you would +explain this epidemic of disasters, eh?" + +"Certainly!" + +"At the same time, Fischer, to set my mind entirely at rest," Hastings +continued, "I should like your assurance that you have nothing whatever +to do with any organisation, should there be such a thing, including in +its object the destruction of American property." + +"I will do more than answer your question in the direct negative," was +the firm reply. "I will assure you that no such organisation exists." + +"I am relieved to hear it," Hastings confessed. "This resignation of +Roughton, however, seems a strange thing. Most of these fires have +occurred in his State.... Ah! there is Senator Joyce waiting for us, +and Pamela and Mrs. Hastings." + +Mr. Hastings as a host was in his element. His manners and tact, which +his enemies declared were far too perfect, were both admirably +displayed in the smaller ways of life. He guided the conversation into +light yet opportune subjects, and he utterly ignored the fact that +Senator Joyce, one of the great politicians of the day, whose support +of his nomination was already more than half promised, seemed distrait +and a little cold. It was Pamela who quite inadvertently steered the +conversation into a dangerous channel. + +"What has Governor Roughton been doing, Mr. Fischer?" she asked. + +There was a moment's silence. Pamela's question had fallen something +like a bombshell amongst the little party. It was their guest who +replied. + +"The matter is occupying the attention of the country very largely at +the moment, Miss Van Teyl," he said. "It is perhaps unfortunate that +Governor Roughton seems to have allowed his sympathies to be so clearly +known." + +"He is a German by birth, is he not?" Pamela inquired. + +"Most decidedly not," Fischer asserted. "I was at Harvard with him." + +"All the same," Pamela murmured under her breath, "I think that he was +born at Stuttgart." + +"He is an American citizen," Senator Joyce observed, "and has reached a +high position here. We of the Administration may be wrong," he +continued, "but we believe, and we think that we have a right to +believe, that when any man of conscience and ideals takes the oath, he +is free from all previous prejudices. He is an American citizen-- +nothing more and nothing less." + +"Of course, that is magnificent," Pamela declared, "but it isn't common +sense, is it, and you haven't answered my original question yet." + +"I am not in a position to do so, Miss Van Teyl," Joyce replied. "The +trouble probably is that Governor Roughton has been considered +incompetent as so many of these disasters have taken place unhindered +in his State." + +"There was a rumour," Pamela persisted, "that he was under arrest." + +"Quite untrue, I am sure," Fischer muttered. + +There was a general diversion of the conversation, but the sense of +uneasiness remained. Pamela and Mrs. Hastings, at the conclusion of the +little banquet, acting upon a hint from their host, made their way to +one of the small drawing-rooms for their coffee. Left alone, the three +men drew their chairs closer together. Joyce's fine face seemed somehow +to have become a little harder and more unsympathetic. He sipped the +water, which was his only beverage, and pushed away the cigars in which +he generally indulged. + +"Mr. Hastings," he pronounced, "I have given the subject of supporting +your nomination my deepest consideration. I was at one time, I must +confess, favourably disposed towards the idea. I have changed my mind. +I have decided to give my support to the present Administration." + +Fischer's face was dark with anger. He even allowed an expletive to +escape from his lips. Hastings, however, remained master of himself. + +"I will not conceal from you, Mr. Joyce," he confessed, "that I am +exceedingly disappointed. You have fully considered everything, I +presume--our pledge, for instance, to nominate you as my successor?" + +"I have considered everything," Joyce replied. "The drawback in my +mind, to be frank with you, is that I doubt whether you would receive +sufficient support throughout the country. It is my idea," he went on, +"although I may be wrong, of course, that the support of the +German-Americans who, you must allow me to maintain, are an exceedingly +unneutral part of America, will place you in an unpopular position. +Should you succeed in getting yourself elected, which I very much +doubt, you will be an unpopular President. I would rather wait my +time." + +"You have changed your views," Fischer muttered. + +"To be perfectly frank with you, I have," Joyce acknowledged. "These +outrages throughout the States are, to my mind, blatant and criminal. +Directly or indirectly, the German-American public is responsible for +them--indirectly, by inflammatory speeches, reckless journalism, and +point-blank laudation of illegal acts; directly--well, here I can speak +only from my own suspicions, so I will remain silent. But my mind is +made up. A man in this country, as you know," he added, "need make only +one mistake and his political future is blasted. I am not inclined to +risk making that one mistake." + +Hastings sighed. He was making a brave effort to conceal a great +disappointment. + +"One cannot argue with you, Mr. Joyce," he regretted. "You have come to +a certain conclusion, and words are not likely to alter it. There is no +one I would so dearly have loved to number amongst my supporters, but I +see that it is a privilege for which I may not hope.... We will, if you +are ready, Fischer, join the ladies." + +They rose from the table a few minutes later. + +Fischer, who had been eagerly watching his opportunity, drew Senator +Joyce on one side for a moment as they passed down the crowded +corridor. + +"Mr. Joyce," he said, "I have heard your decision to-night with deeper +regret than I can express, yet more than ever it has brought home one +truth to me. Our position towards you was a wrong one. We offered you a +reversion when we should have offered you the thing itself." + +Senator Joyce swung around. + +"Say, Mr. Fischer, what are you getting at?" he asked bluntly. + +"I mean that it is Hastings and I who should have been your supporters, +and you who should have been our candidate," Fischer suggested boldly. +"What about it? It isn't too late." + +"Nothing doing, sir," was the firm reply. "Theodore Hastings may not be +exactly my type of man, but I am not out to see him cornered like that, +and besides, to tell you the honest truth, Mr. Fischer," he added, +pausing at the door, "when I stand for the Presidency, I want to do so +not on the nomination of you or your friends, or any underground +schemers. I want the support of the real American citizen. I want to be +free from, all outside ties and obligations. I want to stand for +America, and America only, I not only want to be President, you see, +but I want to be the chosen President of the right sort of people.... I +am going to ask you to excuse me to the ladies and our host, Mr. +Fischer," he concluded, holding out his hand. "I had a note asking me +to visit the Attorney General, which I only received on my way here. I +have an idea that it is about this Roughton business." + +Fischer returned to the others alone. Hastings was clearly disturbed at +his guest's departure. His friend and supporter, however, affected to +treat it lightly. + +"Joyce is like all these lawyers," he declared. "He is simply waiting +to see which way the wind blows. I have come across them many times. +They like to wait till parties are evenly balanced, till their support +makes all the difference, and clinch their bargain then." + +"I should have said," Pamela remarked, "that Mr. Joyce was a man above +that sort of thing." + +"Every man has his price and his weak spot," her uncle observed +didactically. "Joyce's price is the Presidency. His weak spot is +popular adulation. I agree with Fischer. He will probably join us +later." + +Mr. Hastings was summoned to the telephone, a moment or two later. Mrs. +Hastings sat down to write a note, and Pamela moved her place over to +Fischer's side. His face brightened at her spontaneous movement. She +shook her head, however, at the little compliment with which he +welcomed her. + +"This afternoon," she said softly, "I met Mr. Lutchester." + +"Is he back in New York?" Fischer asked, frowning. + +Pamela nodded. + +"He told me something which I feel inclined to tell you," she +continued, glancing into her companion's haggard face with a gleam of +sympathy in her eyes. "You'll probably see it in the newspapers +to-morrow morning. Governor Roughton's resignation was compulsory. He +is under arrest." + +"For negligence?" + +"For participation," was the grave reply. "Mr. Lutchester has been down +to--the city where these things took place. He only got back late this +afternoon." + +"Lutchester again!" Fischer muttered. + +"You see, it's rather in his line," Pamela reminded him. "He is over +here to superintend the production of munitions from the factories +which are working for the British Government." + +"He is over here as a sort of general mischief-maker!" Fischer +exclaimed fiercely. "Do I understand that he has been down in----?" + +Pamela nodded. + +"He went down with one of the heads of the New York police." + +She turned away, but Fischer caught at her wrist. + +"You know more than this!" he cried hoarsely. + +The agony in the man's face and tone touched her. After all, he was +fighting for the great things. There was nothing mean about Fischer, +nothing selfish about his lying and his crimes. + +"I have told you all that I can," she whispered, "but if you hurried, +you could catch the _New York_ to-night--and I think I should advise +you to go." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI + + +Fischer, on leaving his unsuccessful dinner party, drove direct to the +residence of Mr. Max H. Bookam, in Fifth Avenue. The butler who +admitted him looked a little blank at his inquiry. + +"Mr. Bookam was expected home yesterday, sir," he announced. "He has +not arrived, however." + +"Has there been any telegram from him?--any news as to the cause of his +non-return?" Fischer persisted. + +"I believe that Mr. Kaye, his secretary, has some information, sir," +the man admitted. "Perhaps you would like to see him." + +Fischer did not hesitate, and was conducted at once to the study in +which Mr. Bookam was wont to indulge in various nefarious Stock +Exchange adventures. The room was occupied on this occasion by a +dejected-looking young man, with pasty face and gold spectacles. The +apartment, as Fischer was quick to notice, showed signs of a strange +disorder. + +"Where's Mr. Bookam?" he asked quickly. + +The young man walked to the door, shook it to be sure that it was +closed, and came back again. His tone was ominous, almost dramatic. + +"In the State Prison at----, sir," he announced. + +"What for?" Fischer demanded, breathing a little thickly. + +"I have no certain information," the secretary replied, with a +noncommittal air. "All I know is that I had a long-distance telephone +to burn certain documents, but before I could do so the room and the +house were searched by New York detectives, whose warrant it was +useless to resist." + +"But what's the charge against Mr. Bookam?" + +"It's something to do with the disasters in----," the young man +confided. "The Governor of the State, who is Mr. Bookam's cousin, is in +the same trouble.... Better sit down a moment, sir. You're looking +white." + +Mr. Fischer threw himself into an easy-chair. He felt like a man who +has built a mighty piece of machinery, has set it swinging through +space, and watches now its imminent collapse; watches some tiny but +ghastly flaw, pregnant with disaster, growing wider and wider before +his eyes. + +"What papers did the police take away with them?" he asked. + +"There wasn't very much for them," the secretary replied. "There was a +list of the names of the proposed organisation which, owing to your +very wise intervention, was never formed. There was a list of factories +throughout the United States in which munitions are being made, with a +black mark against those holding the most important contracts. And +there was a letter from Governor Roughton." + +"Mr. Bookam hasn't drawn any cheques lately for large amounts?" Fischer +inquired eagerly. + +"There are three in his private cheque-book, sir, the counterfoils of +which are not filled in," was the somewhat dreary admission. + +Fischer groaned as he received the news. + +"Have you any idea about those cheques?" he demanded. + +"I am afraid," the other acknowledged, "that Mr. Bookam was not very +discreet. I reminded him of your advice--that the money should be +passed through Sullivan--but he didn't seem to think it worth while." + +"Look here, let me know the worst at once," Fischer insisted. "Do you +believe that any one of those cheques was made payable to any of the +men who are under arrest?" + +"I am afraid," the secretary declared sadly, "that the proceeds of one +were found on the person of Ed. Swindles, intact." + +Fischer sat for a moment with his head buried in his hands. "That any +man could have been such a fool. An organisation would have been a +thousand times safer. Max Bookam was only a very worthy and industrious +clothing manufacturer, with an intense love for the Fatherland and a +great veneration for all her institutions. What he had done, he had +done whole-heartedly but foolishly. He was a man who should never have +been trusted for a moment in the game. After all, the pawns count...." + +Fischer took his leave and reached his hotel a little before midnight. +Already he had begun to look over his shoulder in the street. He found +his rooms empty with a sense of relief, marred by one little +disappointment. Nikasti was to have been there to bid him farewell-- +Nikasti on his way back to Japan. He ascertained from the office of the +hotel that there had been no telephone message or caller. Then he +turned to his correspondence, some presentiment already clutching at +his strained nerves. There was a letter in a large envelope, near the +bottom of the pile, addressed to him in Nikasti's fine handwriting. He +tore open the envelope, and slow horror seized him as he realised its +contents. A long photograph unrolled itself before his eyes. The first +few words brought confusion and horror to his sense. His brain reeled. +This was defeat, indeed! It was a photograph of that other autograph +letter. The one which he had given to Nikasti to carry to Japan lay-- +gross sacrilege!--about him in small pieces. There was no other line, +no message, nothing but this damning proof of his duplicity. + +A kind of mental torture seized him. He fought like a caged man for +some way out. Every sort of explanation occurred to him only to be +rejected, every sort of subterfuge, only to be cast aside with a kind +of ghastly contempt. He felt suddenly stripped bare. His tongue could +serve him no more. He snatched at the telephone receiver and rang up +the number for which he searched eagerly through the book. + +"Is that the office of the American Steamship Company?" he asked. + +"Yes." + +"What time will the _New York_ sail?" + +"In three-quarters of an hour. Who's speaking?" + +"Mr. Oscar Fischer. Keep anything you have for me." + +He threw down the receiver for fear of a refusal, packed a few things +feverishly in a dressing bag, dashed the rest of his correspondence +into his pocket, and with the bag in one hand, and an overcoat over the +other arm, he hastened out into the street. He was obliged at first to +board a street car. Afterwards he found a taxicab, and drove under the +great wooden shed as the last siren was blowing. He hurried up the +gangway, a grim, remorseful figure, a sense of defeat gnawing at his +heart, a bitter, haunting fear still with him even when, with a shriek +of the tugs, the great steamer swung into the river. He was leaving +forever the work to which he had given so much of his life, leaving it +a fugitive and dishonoured. The blaze of lights, the screaming of the +great ferry-boats, all the triumphant, brazen noises of the mighty +city, sounded like a requiem to him as in the darkest part of the +promenade deck he leaned over the railing and nursed his agony, the +supreme agony of an ambitious man--failure. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII + + +"What has become," Mrs. Theodore Hastings asked her niece one afternoon +about a month later, "of your delightful friend, Mr. Lutchester?" + +Pamela laid down her book and looked across at her aunt with wide-open +eyes. + +"Why, I thought you didn't like him, aunt?" + +"I cannot remember saying so, my dear," Mrs. Hastings replied. "I had +nothing against the man himself. It was simply his attitude with regard +to some of your uncle's plans, of which we disapproved." + +Pamela nodded. They were seated on the piazza of the Hastings' country +house at Manchester. + +"I see!... And uncle's plans," she went on reflectively, "have become a +little changed, haven't they?" + +Mrs. Hastings coughed. + +"There is no doubt," she admitted, "that your Uncle Theodore was +inveigled into supporting, to a certain extent, a party whose leaders +have shown themselves utterly irresponsible. The moment these horrible +things began to come out, however, your uncle finally cut himself loose +from them." + +"Very wise of him," Pamela murmured. + +"Who could have believed," Mrs. Hastings demanded, "that men like Oscar +Fischer, Max Bookam and a dozen other well-known and prominent +millionaires, would have stooped to encourage the destruction of American +property and lives, simply through blind devotion to the country of their +birth. I could understand," she went on, "both your uncle and I perfectly +understood that their sympathies were German rather than English, but +we shared a common belief that notwithstanding this they were Americans +first and foremost. It was in this belief that your uncle was led into +temporary association with them." + +"Bad luck," Pamela sighed. "I am afraid it hasn't done Uncle Theodore +any good." + +Mrs. Hastings went on with her knitting for a moment. + +"My child," she said, "it has probably imperilled, if it has not +completely ruined, one of the great hopes which your uncle and I have +sometimes entertained. We are both of us, however, quite philosophical +about it. Even at this moment I am convinced that if these men had +acted with discretion, and been content to wield political influence +rather than to have resorted to such fanatical means, they would have +represented a great power at the next election. As things are, I admit +that their cause is lost for the time. I believe that your uncle is +contemplating an early visit to England. He is of the opinion that +perhaps he has misunderstood the Allied point of view, and he is going +to study matters at first hand." + +Pamela nodded. + +"I think he is very wise, aunt," she declared. "I quite expect that he +will come back a warm advocate of the Allies. No one would have a ghost +of a chance who went to the country here on the other ticket." + +"I believe that that is your uncle's point of view," Mrs. Hastings +assented.... "Why don't you ask Mr. Lutchester down for a couple of +days?" + +"If you mean it, I certainly will," Pamela agreed. + +"Quite incidentally," her aunt continued, "I heard the nicest possible +things about him in Washington. Lady Ridlingshawe told me that the +Lutchesters are one of the oldest families in England. He is a cousin +of the Duke of Worcester, and is extraordinarily well connected in +other directions. I must say he has a most distinguished appearance. +A well-bred Englishman is so different from these foreigners." + +Pamela laid down her book and drew her writing block towards her. + +"I'll write and invite him down at once," she suggested. + +"Your uncle will be delighted," Mrs. Hastings purred.... + +Lutchester received his invitation in New York and arrived in +Manchester three days later. Pamela met him at the station with a +couple of boatmen by her side. + +"If you wouldn't mind sailing home?" she proposed. "The house is +practically on an island, and the tide is just right. These men will +take your luggage." + +They walked down to the little dock together. + +Pamela talked all the time, but Lutchester was curiously tongue-tied. + +"You'll find Uncle Theodore, and aunt, too, most amusing," she +confided. "It is perfectly obvious that there is nothing uncle regrets +so much as his temporary linking up with Fischer and his friends; in +fact, he is going to Europe almost at once--I am convinced for no other +reason than to give him an excuse, upon his return, for blossoming out +as a fervent supporter of the Allies." + +"Are you going too?" Lutchester inquired. "Shall I? Well, I am not +really sure," she declared, as they reached the little wooden dock. "I +suppose I shall, especially if I can find something to do. I may even +turn nurse." + +"You will be able to find plenty to do," he assured her. "If nothing +else turns up, you can help me." + +They stepped on to the yacht. Pamela, a radiant vision in white, with +white flannel skirt, white jersey and tam-o'-shanter, took the helm, +and was busy for a few moments getting clear. Afterwards she leaned +back amongst the cushions, with Lutchester by her side. + +"In the agitation of missing that buoy," he reminded her, "you forgot +to answer my last suggestion." + +"Is there any way in which I could help you?" she asked. + +"You can help me in the greatest of all ways," he replied promptly. +"You can give me just that help which only the woman who cares can give +to the man who cares for her, and if that isn't exciting enough," he +went on, after a moment's pause, "well, I dare say I can find you some +work in the censor's department." + +"Isn't censoring a little dull?" she murmured. + +"Then you choose--" + +Her hand slipped into his. A little breeze filled their sails at that +moment. The wonderful blue water of the bay sparkled with a million +gleams of sunshine. Lutchester drew a great breath of content. + +"That's aunt on the landing-stage, watching us through her glasses," +Pamela pointed out, making a feeble attempt to withdraw her hand. + +"It will save us the trouble," he observed, resisting her effort, "of +explanations." + +Lutchester found his host and hostess unexpectedly friendly. They even +accepted with cheerful philosophy the news that Lutchester's work in +America was almost finished for the time, and that Pamela was to +accompany him to Europe almost immediately. After dinner, when the two +men were left at the table, Hastings became almost confidential. + +"So far as regards the sympathies of this country, Mr. Lutchester," he +said, "the final die has been cast within the last few weeks. There has +always been," he proceeded, "a certain irritation existing between even +the Anglo-Saxon Americans and your country. We have fancied so often +that you have adopted little airs of superiority towards us, and that +your methods of stating your intentions have not always taken account +of our own little weaknesses. Then America, you know, loves a good +fight, and the Germans are a wonderful military people. They were +fighting like giants whilst you in England were still slacking. But it +is Germany herself, or rather her sons and friends, who have destroyed +her chances for her. Fischer, for instance," he went on, fingering his +wineglass. "I have always looked upon Oscar Fischer as a brilliant and +far-seeing man. He was one of those who set themselves deliberately to +win America for the Germans. A more idiotic bungle than he has made of +things I could scarcely conceive. He has reproduced the diplomatic +methods which have made Germany unpopular throughout the world. He has +tried bullying, cajolery, and false-hood, and last of all he has +plunged into crime. No German-American will henceforth ever have weight +in the counsels of this country. I do not mind confessing," Mr. +Hastings continued, as he himself filled his guest's glass and then his +own, "that I myself was at one time powerfully attracted towards the +Teuton cause. They are a nation wonderful in science, wonderful in +warfare, with strong and admirable national characteristics. Yet they +are going to lose this war through sheer lack of tact, for the want of +that kindliness, that generosity of temperament, which exists and makes +friends in nations as in individuals. The world for Germany, you know, +and hell for her enemies!... But I am keeping you." + +Lutchester drank his wine and rose to his feet. + +"Pamela is sitting on the rocks there," Mr. Hastings observed. "I think +that she wants to sail you over to Misery Island. We get some unearthly +meal there at ten o'clock and come back by moonlight. It is a sort of +torture which we always inflict upon our guests. My wife and I will +follow in the launch." + +"To Misery Island!" Lutchester repeated. + +His host smiled as he led the way to the piazza steps. Pamela had +already stepped into the boat, and with the help of a boatman was +adjusting the sail. She waved her hand gaily and pointed to the level +stretch of placid water, still faintly brilliant in the dying sunlight. + +"You think that we shall reach Misery Island before the tide turns?" +she called out. + +Lutchester stepped lightly into the boat and took the place to which +she pointed. + +"I am content," he said, "to take my chance." + + +THE END + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Pawns Count, by E. 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