"Well, then, I am in time. Will you see my hand?""Mademoiselle and I," answered Bellamy, "are at least ready to listen to anything you may have to say.""You know quite well," the Baron continued, "what it is that I have come to say, yet I want you to remember this. I do not come to bribe you in any ordinary manner. The things which are to come will happen; they must happen, if not this year, next, - if not next year, within half a decade of years. History is an absolute science. The future as well as the past can be read by those who know the signs.
The thing which has been resolved upon is certain. The knowledge of the contents of those papers by your Government might delay the final catastrophe for a short while; it could do no more. In the long run, it would be better for your country, Mr. Bellamy, in every way, that the end come soon. Therefore, I ask you to perform no traitorous deed. I ask you to do that which is simply reasonable for all of us, which is, indeed, for the advantage of all of us.
restore those papers to me instead of handing them to your Government, and I will pay you for them the sum of one hundred thousand pounds!""One hundred thousand pounds " Bellamy repeated.
"One hundred thousand pounds!" murmured Louise.
There was a brief, intense pause. Louise waited, warned by the expression in Bellamy's face. Silence, she felt, was safest, and it was Bellamy who spoke.
"Baron," said he, "your visit and your proposal are both a little amazing. Forgive me if I speak alone with Mademoiselle for a moment.""Most certainly," the Baron agreed. "I go away and leave you - out of the room, if you will.""It is not necessary," Bellamy replied. "Louise!" The Baron withdrew to the window, and Bellamy led Louise into the furthest corner of the room.
"What can it mean?" he whispered. "What do you suppose has happened?""I cannot imagine. My brain is in a whirl.""If they have not got the pocket-book," Bellamy muttered, "it must have gone with Von Behrling to the Mortuary. If so, there is a chance. Louise, say nothing; leave this to me.""As you will," she assented. "I have no wish to interfere. I only hope that he does not ask me any questions."They came once more into the middle of the room, and the Baron turned to meet them.
"You must forgive Mademoiselle," said Bellamy, "if she is a little upset this morning. She knows, of course, as I know and you know, that Von Behrling was playing a desperate game, and that he carried his life in his hands. Yet his death has been a shock - has been a shock, I may say, to both of us. From your point of view," Bellamy went on, "it was doubtless deserved, but - ""What, in God's name, is this that you say?" the Baron interrupted.
"I do not understand at all! You speak of Von Behrling's death!
What do you mean?"
Bellamy looked at him as one who listens to strange words.
"Baron," he said, "between us who know so much there is surely no need for you to play a part. Von Behrling knew that you were watching him. Your spies were shadowing him as they have done me.
He knew that he was running terrible risks. He was not unprepared and he has paid. It is not for us - ""Now, in God's name, tell me the truth!" Baron de Streuss interrupted once more. "What is it that you are saying about Von Behrling's death?"Bellamy drew a little breath between his teeth. He leaned forward with his hands resting upon the table.
"Do you mean to say that you do not know?""Upon my soul, no!" replied the Baron.
Bellamy threw open the newspaper before him.
"Von Behrling was murdered last night, ten minutes after our interview."