Even
if we are prepared to defend, I am afraid that we shall see things
on the Continent in which we shall be driven to interfere, or else
suffer the greatest blow which our prestige has ever known. If we
could only tell what was coming!" he wound up, looking once more at
those empty sheets of paper. "It is this darkness which is so
alarming!"

Bellamy turned toward the door.

"You have the telephone in your bedroom, sir?" he asked.

"Yes, ring me up at any time in the night or morning, if you have
news."

Bellamy drove at once to Dover Street. It was half-past one, but
he had no fear of not being admitted. Louise's French maid answered
the bell.

"Madame has not retired?" Bellamy inquired.

"But no, sir," the woman assured him, with a welcoming smile. "It
is only a few minutes ago that she has returned."

Bellamy was ushered at once into her room. She was gorgeous in blue
satin and pearls. Her other maid was taking off her jewels. She
dismissed both the women abruptly.

"I absolutely couldn't avoid a supper-party," she said, holding out
her hands. "You expected that, of course. You were not at the
Opera House?"

He shook his head, and walking to the door tried the handle. It
was securely closed. He came back slowly to her side. Her eyes
were questioning him fiercely.

"Well?" she exclaimed. "Well?"

"Have you heard from Von Behrling?"

"No," she answered. "He knew that I must sing to-night. I have
been expecting him to telephone every moment since I got home. You
have seen him?"

"I have seen him," Bellamy admitted. "Either he has deceived us
both, or the most unfortunate mistake in the world has happened.
Listen. I met him where he appointed. He was there, disguised,
almost unrecognizable. He was nervous and desperate; he had the air
of a man who has cut himself adrift from the world. I gave him the
money,--twenty thousand pounds in Bank of England notes, Louise,--and
he gave me the papers, or what we thought were the papers.
He told me that he was keeping a false duplicate upon him for a
little time, in case he was seized, but that he was going to
Liverpool Street station to wait, and would telephone you from the
hotel there later on. You have not heard yet, then?"

She shook her head.

"There has been no message, but go on."

"He gave me the wrong document--the wrong envelope," continued
Bellamy. "When I took it to--to Downing Street, it was full of
blank paper."

T