第7章
CHAPTERXXIII
PhilippaandHelenmetinthedrawing-room，afewminutesbeforeeightthatevening。Philippawaswearinganewblackdress，amodelofsimplicitytotheuntutoredeye，butfullofthatundefinableappealtothemysteriouswhicheventhegreatestartistfrequentlyfailstocreateoutofanyformofcolour。Somefancyhadinducedhertostripoffherjewelsatthelastmoment，andsheworenoornamentssaveabandofblackvelvetaroundherneck。Helenlookedathercuriously。
"Isthisafreshschemeforconquest，Philippa？"sheasked，astheystoodtogetherbythelogfire。
Philippaunexpectedlyflushed。
"Idon’tknowwhatIwasthinkingabout，really，"sheconfessed。
"Isthattheexacttime，Iwonder？"
"Twominutestoeight，"Helenreplied。
"Mr。Lessinghamisalwayssopunctual，"Philippamurmured。"IwonderifCaptainGriffithswoulddare！"
"We’vedoneourbesttowarnhim，"Helenremindedherfriend。"Themanissimplypig-headed。"
"Ican’thelpfeelingthathe’sright，"Philippadeclared，"whenhearguesthattheycouldn’treallyproveanythingagainsthim。"
"Doesthatmatter，"Helenaskedanxiously，"solongasheisanenemy，livingunderafalsenamehere？"
"Youdon’tthinkthey’d-they’d-"
"Shoothim？"Helenwhispered，loweringhervoice。"Theycouldn’tdothat！Theycouldn’tdothat！"
Theclockbegantochime。SuddenlyPhilippa，whohadbeenlistening，gavealittleexclamationofrelief。
"Ihearhisvoice！"sheexclaimed。"Thankgoodness！"
Helen’sreliefwasalmostasgreatashercompanion’s。AmomentlaterMillsusheredintheirguest。Hewasstillwearinghisbandage，buthiscolourhadreturned。Heseemed，infact，almostgay。
"Nothinghashappened，then？"Philippademandedanxiously，assoonasthedoorwasclosed。
"Nothingatall，"heassuredthem。"OurfriendGriffithsisterriblyafraidofmakingamistake。"
"Soafraidthathewouldn’tcomeanddine。Nevermind，you’llhavetotakecareofusboth，"sheadded，asMillsannounceddinner。
"I’lldomybest，"hepromised，offeringhisarm。
IftheswordofDamocleswereindeedsuspendedovertheirheads，itseemedonlytoheightenthemerrimentoftheirlittlerepast。
Philippahadorderedchampagne，andthewarmthofthepleasantdiningroom，themanyappurtenancesofluxurybywhichtheyweresurrounded，theglowofthewine，andtheperfumeofthehothouseflowersuponthetable，seemedindeliciouscontrasttothefuryofthestormoutside。Theyallthreeappearedcompletelysuccessfulinastrenuousefforttodismissalldisconcertingsubjectsfromtheirminds。
LessinghamtalkedchieflyoftheEast。HehadtravelledinRussia，Persia，Afghanistan，andIndia，andhehadtheunusualbutstrikinggiftofpaintinglittlewordpicturesofsomeofthescenesofhiswanderings。Itwashalf-pastninebeforetheyrosefromthetable，andLessinghamaccompaniedthemintothelibrary。Withtheadventofcoffee，theywereforthefirsttimereallyalone。LessinghamsatbyPhilippa’sside，andHelenreclinedinalowchaircloseathand。
"Ithink，"hesaid，"thatIcanventurenowtotellyousomenews。"
Helenputdownherwork。Philippalookedathiminsilence，andhereyesseemedtodilate。
"Ihavehesitatedtosayanythingaboutit，"Lessinghamwenton，"becausethereissomuchuncertaintyaboutthesethings，butI
believethatitisnowfinallyarranged。Ithinkthatwithinthenextweekortendays-perhapsalittlebefore，perhapsalittlelater-yourbrotherRichardwillbesetatliberty。"
"Dick？Dickcominghome？"Philippacried，springingupfromherrecliningposition。
"Dick？"Helenfaltered，herworklyingunheededinherlap。"Mr。
Lessingham，doyoumeanit？Isitpossible？
"Itisnotonlypossible，"Lessinghamassuredthem，"butIbelievethatitwillcometopass。Ihavehadtoexercisealittleduplicity，butIfancythatithasbeensuccessful。IhaveinsistedthatwithouthelpfromaninfluentialpersoninDreymarsh，Icannotbringmylaboursheretoasatisfactoryconclusion，andIhavenamedasthepriceofthathelp，Richard’sabsoluteandimmediatefreedom。
Iheardonlythismorningthattherewouldbenodifficulty。"
Helensnatchedupherworkandgropedherwaytowardsthedoor。
"Iwillcomebackinafewminutes，"shepromised，hervoicealittlebroken。
Lessingham，whohadopenedthedoorforher，returnedtohisplace。
TherewerenotearsinPhilippa’sbrillianteyes，buttherewasafaintpatchofcolourinhercheeks，andherlipswerenotquitesteady。Shecaughtathishands。
"Oh，mydear，dearfriend！"shesaid。"Ifonlythatlittlenightmarepartofyoudidnotexist。Ifonlyyoucouldbejustwhatyouseem，andonecouldfeelthatyouwerethereinourlivesforalways！I
feelthatIwanttotalktoyousomuch，toyouandnottheshamyou。
WhatshallIcallyou？"
"Bertram，please，"hewhispered。
"ThenBertram，dear，"shewenton，"formysake，becauseyouhavereallybecomedeartome，becausemyheartachesatthethoughtofyourdanger，andbecause-seehowhonestIam-Iamalittleafraidofmyself-willyougoaway？Thethoughtofyourdangerislikeanightmaretome。Itallseemssoabsurdandunreasonable-ImeanthatthedangerwhichIfearshouldbehangingoveryou。
ButIthinkthatthereisjustalittlesomethingbackofyourbrainofwhichyouhaveneverspoken，whichitwasyourdutytokeeptoyourself，anditisjustthatsomethingwhichbringsthedanger。"
"Iamnotafraidformyself，Philippa，"hetoldher。"ItookafalsestepinlifewhenIcamehere。WhatitwasthatattractedmeIdonotknow。Ithinkitwasthethoughtofthatwildrideamongsttheclouds，andthestarlight。Itseemedsuchawonderfulbeginningtoanyenterprise。And，Philippa，foronepartofmyadventure，thepartwhichconcernsyou，itwasagorgeousprelude，andfortheother-well，itjustdoesnotcountbecauseIhavenofear。Ihavefaithinmyfortune，doyouknowthat？IbelievethatIshallleavethisplaceunharmed，butIbelievethatifIleaveitwithoutyou，I
shallgobacktotheworsthellinwhichamancouldever"Bertram，"shepleaded，"thinkofitall。EvenifIcaredenough-=20
andIdon’t-thereissomethingunnaturalaboutit。Doesn’titstrikeyouashorrible？Mybrother，mycousins，myfather，areallfightingthemenofthenationwhosecauseyouhaveespoused！Thereisahorrible，eternalcloudofhatredwhichitwilltakegenerationstogetridof，ifeveritdisappears。Howcanwetwospeakoflove！
Whatpartoftheworldcouldwecreepintowherepeoplewouldnotshrinkawayfromus？Imayhavelostalittleofmyhearttoyou，Bertram，Imaymissyouwhenyougoaway，Imaywastewearyhoursthinking，butthatisall。Oh，youknowthatitmustbeall！"
"Idonot，"heansweredstubbornly。
"Oh，youmustbereasonable，"shebegged，withalittlebreakinhervoice。"YouknowverywellthatIoughtnottolistentoyou。I
oughtnottowelcomeyouhere。Ioughttobestrongandclosemyears。"
"Butyouwillnotdothat！"
"No！"shefaltered。"Pleasedon’tcomeanynearer。I-"
Shebrokeoffsuddenly。Thestruggleinherfacewasended，herexpressiontransformed。Herfingerwasheldupasthoughtobidhimlisten。Withherotherhandsheclutchedthebackofthecouch。
Hereyeswerefixeduponthedoor。Thelittlepatchofwonderfulcolourfadedfromhercheeks。
"Listen！"shecried，withanoteofterrorinhervoice。"Thatwasthefrontdoor！Someonehascome！Can’tyouhearthem？"
Lessingham’shandstolesuddenlytohispocket。Shecaughttheglitterofsomethinghalfwithdrawn，andshrankbackwithahalf-stifledmoan。
"Notbeforeyou，dear，"hepromised。"Pleasedonotbeafraid。Ifthisistheend，leavemealonewithGriffiths。Ishallnothurthim。Ishallnotforget。Andifbyanychance，"headded，"thisistobeourfarewell，Philippa，youwillrememberthatIloveyouastheflowersoftheworldlovetheirsun。Courage！"
Thedoorfacingthemwasopened。
"CaptainGriffiths，"Millsannounced。
ThroughtheopendoortheycaughtavisionoftwoothersoldiersandInspectorFisher。Griffithscameintotheroomalone，however，andwaiteduntilthedoorwasclosedbeforehespoke。Hecarriedhimselfasawkwardlyasever，buthislong，leanfaceseemedtohavetakentoitselfanewexpression。Hehadtheairofamanindulginginsomestrangepleasure。
"LadyCranston，"hesaid，"Iamverysorrytointrude，butmyvisithereisofficial。"
"Whatisit？"sheaskedhoarsely。
"IhavereceivedconfirmatoryevidenceinthematterofwhichI
spoketoyouthisafternoon，"hewenton。"Iamsorrytodisturbyouatsuchanhour，butitismydutytoarrestthismanonachargeofespionage。"
Lessinghamtoallappearanceremainedunmoved。
"Amostobjectionableword，"heremarked。
"Amostvillainousprofession，"CaptainGriffithsretorted。"Thankheaventhatinthiscountrywearelearningtheartofdealingwithitsdisciples。"
"Thisisallahideousmistake，"Philippadeclaredfeverishly。"I
assureyouthatMr。Lessinghamhasvisitedmyfather’shouse，thathewaswell-knowntomeyearsago。"
"AstheBaronMaderstrom！Whatargumentshehasused，LadyCranston，toinduceyoutoaccepthimhereunderhisnewidentity，Idonotknow，butthefactsareveryclear。"
"Heseemsquiteconvinced，doesn’the？"Lessinghamremarked，turningtoPhilippa。"AndasIgatherthataportionoftheBritishArmy，assistedbythelocalconstabulary，iswaitingformeoutside，perhapsIhadbetterhumourhim。"
"Itwouldbeaswell，sir，"CaptainGriffithsassentedgrimly。"I
amgladtofindyouinthehumourforjesting。"
LessinghamturnedoncemoretoPhilippa。Thistimehistonewasmoreserious。
"LadyCranston，"hebegged，"won’tyoupleaseleaveus？"
"No！"sheansweredhysterically。"Iknowwhyyouwantmeto，andIwon’tgo！Youhavedonenoharm，andnothingshallhappentoyou。
Iwillnotleavetheroom，andyoushallnot-"
Hisgestureofappealcoincidedwiththesobinherthroat。Shebrokedowninherspeech，andCaptainGriffithsmovedastepnearer。
"Ifyouhaveanyweaponinyourpossession，sir，"hesaid，"youhadbetterhanditovertome。"
"Well，doyouknow，"Lessinghamreplied，"Iscarcelyseethenecessity。OnethingIwillpromiseyou，"headded，withasuddenflashinhiseyes，"asinglestepnearer-asinglestep，mind-andyoushallhaveasmuchofmyweaponaswillkeepyouquietfortherestofyourlife。RememberthatsolongasyouarereasonableI
donotthreatenyou。HelpmetopersuadeLadyCranstontoleaveus。"
CaptainGriffithswasoutofhisdepths。Hewasnotacoward，buthe=20hadnohankeringafterdeath，andtherewasdeathinLessingham’sthreatandintheflashofhiseyes。Whilehehesitated，therewasaknockuponthedoor。Millscamesilentlyin。Hecarriedatelegramuponasalver。
"Foryou，sir，"heannounced，addressingCaptainGriffiths。"Anorderlyhasjustbroughtitdown。"
Griffithslookedatthepinkenvelopeandfrowned。Hetoreitopen，however，withoutaword。Asheread，hislong，upperteethclosedinuponhislip。Sohestoodthereuntiltwolittledropsofbloodappeared。
ThenheturnedtoMills。
"Thereisnoanswer，"hesaid。
Themanbowedandlefttheroom。Hewalkedslowlyandhelookedbackfromthedoorway。Itwasscarcelypossibleforevensoperfectlytrainedaservanttoescapefromtheatmosphereoftragedy。
"Somethingtellsme，"Lessinghamremarkedcoolly，assoonasthedoorwasclosed，"thatthatmessageconcernsme。"
TheCommandantmadenoimmediatereply。Hestraightenedoutthetelegramandreaditoncemoreunderthelamplight，asthoughtobesuretherewasnopossiblemistake。Thenhefoldeditupandplaceditinhiswaistcoatpocket。
"Thenotionofyourarrest，sir，"hesaidtoLessinghamharshly，"isapparentlydistastefultosomeoneatheadquarterswhohasnotdigestedmyinformation。Iamwithdrawingmymenforthepresent。"
"You’renotgoingtoarresthim？"Philippacried。
"Iamnot，"CaptainGriffithsanswered。"But，"headded，turningtoLessingham，"thisisonlyarespite。IhavemoreevidencebehindallthatIhaveoffered。YouareBaronBertramMaderstrom，aGermanspy，livinghereinaprohibitedareaunderafalsename。
ThatIknow，andthatIshallprovetothosewhohaveinterferedwithmeintheexecutionofmyduty。Thisisnottheend。"
HelefttheroomwithoutevenawordorasalutetoPhilippa。
Lessinghamlookedafterhimforamoment，thoughtfully。Thenheshruggedhisshoulders。
"IamquitesurethatIdonotlikeCaptainGriffiths，"hedeclared。
"Thereisnobreedingaboutthefellow。"
CHAPTERXXIV
Philippa，evenforsomemomentsafterthedepartureofCaptainGriffithsandhismyrmidons，remainedinasortofnervelesstrance。
Thecrisis，withitsbewilderingdenouement，hadaffectedhercuriously。Lessinghamrosepresentlytohisfeet。
"Iwonder，"heasked，"ifIcouldhaveawhiskyandsoda？"
Shestampedherfootathiminalittlefitofhystericalpassion。
"You’renotnatural！"shecried。"Whiskyandsoda！"
"Well，Idon’tknow，"heprotestedmildly，helpinghimselffromthetableinthebackground。"IratherthoughtIwasbeingparticularlyBritish。Whenindoubt，takeadrink。ThatisRichardalltheworldover，youknow。"
Shebrokeintoalittlemirthlesslaugh。
"Ishallbegintothinkthatyouareaposeur！"sheexclaimed。
Hecrossedtheroomtowardsher。
"PerhapsIam，dear，"heconfessed。"Iwantyoujusttositupandlosethatunnaturallook。Iamnotreallyfullofcheapbravado，butIamaphilosopher。Somethinghashappenedtopostpone-theend。
Goodlucktoit，Isay！"
Heraisedhistumblertohislipsandsetitdownempty。Philipparosetoherfeetandwalkedrestlesslytothewindowandback。
"I’lltryandbereasonabletoo，"shepromised，resumingherseat。
"Iwasright，yousee。CaptainGriffithshasdiscoveredeverything。
CanyoutellmewhatpossiblereasonanyoneinLondoncouldhavehadforinterference？"
"Iseemtohavegotafrienduptherewithoutknowingit，don’tI？"
heobserved。
"Thisisagingmeterribly，"Philippadeclared，throwingherselfbackintoherseat。"AllmylifeIhavehatedmysteries。HereI
amfacetofacewithtwoabsolutelyinsolubleones。CaptainGriffithshasassuredmethatthereishereinDreymarshsomethingofsufficientimportancetoaccountforthepresenceofaforeignspy。Youhaveconfirmedit。Ihavebeentorturingmybrainaboutthatforthelasttwenty-fourhours。Nowtherehappenssomethingmoreinexplicablestill。Youarearrested，andyouarenotarrested。Youridentityisknown，andCaptainGriffithsisforbiddentodohisduty。"
"Itseemspuzzling，doesitnot？"Lessinghamagreed。"Ishouldn’tworryaboutthefirst，butthislastlittleepisodetakessomeexplaining。"
"Ifanythingfurtherhappensthisevening，IthinkIshallgomad，"
Philippasighed。
"Andsomethingisgoingtohappen，"Lessinghamdeclared，risingtohisfeet。"Didyouhearthat？"
Aboveeventheroarofthewindtheyheardthebrazenreportofagunfromalmostunderneaththewindow。Theroomwassuddenlylightenedbyasinglevividflash。
"Amortar！"Lessinghamexclaimed。"Andthatwasarocket，unlessI’mmistaken。"
"Thesignalforthelifeboat！"Philippaannounced。"Iwonderifwecanseeanything。"
Shehastenedtowardsthewindow，butpausedattheabruptopeningofthedoor。Noraburstin，followedmoresedatelybyHelen。
"Mummy，there’sawreck！"theformercriedinexcitement。"Iheardsomethinganhourago，andIgotup，andI’vebeensittingbythewindow，watching。Isawthelifeboatgoout，andthey’resignallingnowfortheotherone。"
"It’squitetrue，Philippa，"Helendeclared。"We’regoingtotryandfightourwaydowntothebeach。"
"I’llgo，too，"Lessinghamdecided。"PerhapsImaybeofuse。"
"We’llallgo，"Philippaagreed。"WaitwhileIgetmythingson。
Whatisit，Mills？"sheadded，asthedooropenedandthelatterpresentedhimself。
"Thereisatrawlerontherocksjustoffthebreakwater，yourladyship，"heannounced。"Theyhavejustsentupfromthebeachtoknowifwecantakesomeofthecrewin。Theyarelandingthemaswellastheycanontheline。"
"Ofcoursewecan，"wasthepromptreply。"Tellthemtosendasmanyastheywantto。Wewillfindroomforthem，somehow。I’llgoupstairsandseeaboutthefires。You’llallcomeback？"sheadded，turningaround。
"Wewillallcomeback，"Lessinghampromised。
Theyfoughttheirwaydowntothebeach。Atfirstthestormcompletelydeafenedallsound。Thelanterns，wavedhereandtherebyunseenhands，seemedpartofsomeghostlytableau，ofwhichtheonlybackgroundwastheragingofthestorm。Thensuddenly，withastartlinghiss，anotherrocketcloveitswaythroughthedarkness。
Theyhadaninstantaneousbutbrilliantviewofallthatwashappening，-sawthetrawlerlyingonitsside，apparentlyonlyafewyardsfromtheshore，sawthelinestretchedtothebeach，onwhich，evenatthatmoment，amanwasbeingdrawnashore，lickedbythespray，hisstrainedfaceandwind-tossedhairclearlyvisible。
Thenallwasdarknessagainmorecompletethanever。Theystruggleddownontotheshingle，wherethelittleclusteroffishermenwerehardatworkwiththeline。AlmostthefirstpersontheyranacrosswasJimmyDumble。Hewasstandingontheedgeofthebreakwaterwithagreatlanterninhishand，superintendingtheline，and，astheydrewnear，Lessingham，whowasalittleinadvance，couldhearhisvoiceabovethestorm。Hewasshoutingtowardsthewreck，hishandtohismouth。
"Sendthemasterovernext，youlubbers，orwe’llcuttheline。Doyouhear？"
Therewasnoreplyor，iftherewas，itwasdrownedinthewind。
Lessinghamgrippedthefishermanbythearm。
"Whomdoyoumeanby’master’？"hedemanded。Dumblescarcelyglancedathisinterlocutor。
"Why，SirHenryCranston，tobesure，"wastheagitatedanswer。
"Theselubbersofseahandsareallcomingofffirst，andthelinewon’tstandformorethananotheroneortwo，"headded，droppinghisvoice。
Thenthethrillofthosefewminutes’excitementunrolleditselfintoagreatdramabeforeLessingham’seyes。SirHenrywasonthatshipasnearasanymanmightwishtobetodeath。
"’Ere’sthenext，"Jimmymuttered，astheyturnedthewindlassvigorously。"Gosh，’e’saheavyone，too！"
Thencameacrywhichsoundedlikeamoanandaboveittheshrillfearfulyellofamanwhofeelshimselfdroppingoutoftheworld’shearing。LessinghamraisedthelanternwhichstoodonthebeachbyJimmy’sside。Thelinehadbroken。Thebodyofitssuspendedtravellerhaddisappeared！Andjustthen，strangelyenough，forthefirsttimeforoveranhour，theheavensopenedinonegreatsheetoflightning，andtheycouldseethefigureofonemanleftontheship，clingingdesperatelytotherigging。
"Tiethelinearoundme，"Jimmyshouted。"Lethergo。Gettheotherendonthewindlass。"
Theypaidouttheropethroughtheirhands。Jimmykickedoffhisbootsandplungedintothecauldron。Heswambarelyadozenstrokesbeforehewascaughtonthetopofanincomingwave，tossedaboutlikeacorkandflungbackuponthebeach，wherehelaygroaning。
Therewasalittlemurmuramongstthefisherman，whorushedtoleanoverhim，"Swimmingain’tnomoreusethantryingtowalkonthewater，"oneofthemdeclared。
Lessinghamraisedthelanternwhichhewascarrying，andflasheditaround。
"Wherearetheyoungladies？"heasked。
"Goneuptothehousewithtwoaswe’vejusttakenoffthewreck，"
someoneinformedhim。
Lessinghamstoopeddown。WillinghandshelpedhimunfastenthecordfromJimmy’swaist。Hetoreoffhisowncoatandwaistcoatandboots。
Somehelped，othersoughttodissuadehim，ashesecuredthelinearoundhisownwaist。
"We’vesentformorerockets，"onemanshoutedinhisear。"Themanwillbebackinhalfanhour。"
Lessinghampushedthemononeside。Hestoodontheedgeofthebeachand，borrowingalantern，watchedforhisopportunity。Thensuddenlyhevanished。Theylookedafterhim。Theycouldseenothingbuttheropeslippingpasttheirfeet，inchbyinch。
Sometimesitwasstationary，=20sometimesitwasdrawntaut。Thefirstgreatwavethatcameflungayardorsoofslackamongstthem。Then，aftertheroarofitsbreakinghaddiedaway，theysawtheropesuddenlytighten，andpassrapidlyout，andtheexcitementbegantothicken。
"That’undidn’tgethim，anyway，"oneofthemmuttered。
"He’llgothroughthenext，withluck，"anotherdeclaredhopefully。
Lessingham，fightingforhisconsciousness，deafenedandhalfstunnedbytheroarofthewatersabouthim，stillfelttheexhilarationofthatgreatstruggle。Helookedonceintoseaswhichseemedtotouchtheclouds，drewhimselfstiff，andplungedintothedepthsofamountainoffoamingwaters，whosesummitseemedtohimlikeoneofthosegrotesqueandnightmare-distortedeffortsoftheopium-eatingbrain。Thentheroarsoundedallbehindhim，andheknewthathewasthroughthebreakers。Heswamtothesideoftheshipandclutchedholdofachain。ItwasSirHenry’sout-stretchedhandwhichpulledhimontothedeck。
"MyGod，thatwasaswim！"thelatterdeclared，ashepulledhisrescuerup，notintheleastrecognisinghim。"Let’shavetheendofthatcord，quick！So！"hewenton，payingitoutthroughhisfingersuntiltheendoftheropeappeared。"You’dbettergetyourbreath，youngman，andthenoveryougo。I’llfollow。"
"I’mdamnedifIdo！"wasthevigorousreply。"YoustartoffwhileIgetmybreath。"
Theyweresuddenlyhalfdrownedwithashowerofspray。SirHenryheldLessinghaminagripofiron，orhewouldhavebeensweptoverboard。
"Getonearmthroughthechains，man，"heshouted。"MyGod！"headded，peeringthroughthegloom。"Lessingham！"
"Well，don’tstoptoworryaboutthat，"wasthefiercereply。"Let’sgetonwithourjob。"
SirHenrythrewoffhisoilskinsandhisunderneathcoat。
"Followmewhentheywavethelanterntwice，"hedirected。"Ifweeitherofusgettheknock-well，thanks！"
LessinghamfeltthegripofSirHenry’shandashepassedhimandwentoverboardintothedarkness。Then，withonearmthroughthechains，hedrewtowardshimbymeansofhisheelthecoatwhichSirHenryhadthrownuponthedeck。Graduallyitcamewithinreachofhisdisengagedhand。Heseizedit，shookitout，anddivedeagerlyintothebreastpocket。Therewereseveralsmallarticleswhichhethrewruthlesslyaway，andthenasquarepacket，wrappedinoilcloth，whichbenttohisfingers。Anotherbreakingwavethrewhimonhisback。Onearmwasstillthroughthechain，theothergrippedwhatsomeilluminatinginstincthadalreadyconvincedhimwasthechart！Assoonashehadrecoveredhisbreath，agrimeffortofhumourpartedhislips。Helaythereforamomentandlaughedtillthespray，thistimewitharushofgreenwaterunderneath，verynearlyswepthimfromhisplace。
Theywerewavingalanternonthebeachwhenhestruggledagaintohisfeet。
Heslippedthelittlepacketdownhisclothesnexttohisskin，andgropedabouttofindtheendofthelinewhichSirHenryandhehadfastenedtoastaplebelowthechains。Thenhedrewalongbreath，grippedtheropeandshouted。Asecondortwolaterhewasbackinthecauldron。
Astheypulledhimontothebeach，hehadbutoneidea。Whateverhappened，hemustnotloseconsciousness。Thepacketwasstillthereagainstthecalfofhisleg。Itmustbehisownhandswhichremovedhisclothes。Itseemedtohimthatthosefewbronzedfaces，thosehalfadozenrudelanterns，hadbecomemagnifiedandmultipliedahundredfold。Itwasanarmyofblue-jerseyedfishermenwhichpattedhimonthebackandwelcomedhim，lanternslikethestarsflashingeverywherearound。Hesethisteethandfoughtagainstthebuzzinginhisears。Hetriedtospeak，andhisvoicesoundedlikeaweak，farawaywhisper。
"Iamallright，"hekeptonsaying。
Thenhefelthimselfleaningontwobrawnyarms。Hisfeetfollowedthemesmericinfluenceoftheirmovement。Washegoingintotheclouds，hewondered？Theystoppedtoopenagate，thegateleadingtothegardensofMainsailHaul。Howdidhegetthere？Hehadnoidea。Moremovementsofhisfeet，andthenunexpectedwarmth。Helookedaroundhim。Therewerevoices。Helistened。Theonevoice？
Theonefacebendingoverhis，hereyeswetwithtears，herwhispersanincoherentstreamofbrokenwords。Thenthewarmthseemedtocomebacktohisveins。Hesatupandfoundhimselfonthecouchinthelibrary，theraindrippingfromhiminlittlepools，andheknewthathehadsucceeded。Hehadnotfainted。
"Iamallright，"herepeated。"WhatamessIammaking！"
Thevoicesaroundhimwerestillalittletangled，butthehandwhichheldasteamingtumblertohislipswasPhilippa’s。
"Drinkitall，"shebegged。
Hefeltthetearscomeintohiseyes，feltthewarmbloodstreamingthroughhisbody，feltalittlewetpatchatthebackofthecalfofhisleg，andthehandwhichsetdowntheemptytumblerwasalmoststeady。
"There’sahotbathready，"Philippatoldhim；"somedryclothes，andabedroomwithafirein。DoletMillsshowyoutheway。"
Heroseatonce，preparedtofollowher。Hisfeetwerenotquitesosteadyashewouldhavewished，butbemadeaverypresentableshow。Mills，withalittleapology，heldouthisarm。Philippawalkedbyhisotherside。
"Assoonasyouhavefinishedyourbathandgotintosomedryclothes，"Philippawhispered，"pleasering，orsendMillstoletusknow。"
Hewasevenabletosmileather。
"Iamquiteallright，"heassuredheroncemore。
CHAPTERXXV
Philippa，unusuallyearlyonthefollowingmorning，glancedattheemptybreakfasttablewithalittleairofdisappointment，andrangthebell。
"Mills，"sheenquired，"isnoonedown？"
"SirHenryis，Ibelieve，onthebeach，yourladyship，"themananswered，"andMissHelenandMissNoraarewithhim。"
"AndMr。Lessingham？"
"Mr。Lessingham，yourladyship，"Millscontinued，lookingcarefullybehindhimasthoughtobesurethatthedoorwasclosed，"hasdisappeared。"
"Disappeared？"Philipparepeated。"Whatdoyoumean，Mills？"
"IleftMr。Lessinghamlastnight，yourladyship，"Millsexplained，"inasuitofthemaster’sclothesandapparentlypreparingforbed-Ishouldsaythismorning，asitwasprobablyabouttwoo’clock。
Icalledhimathalfpasteight，asdesired，andfoundtheroomempty。
Thebedhadnotbeensleptin。"
"Wastherenonoteormessage？"Philippaaskedincredulously。
"Nothing，yourladyship。Oneofthemaidservantsbelievesthatsheheardthefrontdooropenatfiveo’clockthismorning。"
"Ringupthehotel，"Philippainstructed，"andseeifheisthere。"
Millsdepartedtoexecutehiscommission。Philippastoodlookingoutofthewindow，acrossthelawnandshrubberyanddownontothebeach。Therewasstillaheavysea，butitwasmerelytheswellfromthedaybefore。Thewindhaddropped，andthesunwasshiningbrilliantly。SirHenry，Helen，andNorawerestrollingaboutthebeachasthoughsearchingforsomething。Aboutfiftyyardsout，thewreckedtrawlerwaslyingcompletelyonitsside，withtheendofonefunnelvisible。Scatteredgroupsofthevillagerswereexaminingitfromthesands。InduecourseMillsreturned。
"ThehotelpeopleknownothingofMr。Lessingham，yourladyship，beyondthefactthathedidnotreturnlastnight。TheyreceivedamessagefromHill’sGarage，however，abouthalfanhourago，tosaythattheirmechanichaddrivenMr。LessinghamearlythismorningtoNorwich，wherehehadcaughtthemailtraintoLondon，TheboywastosaythatMr。Lessinghamwouldbebackinadayorso。"
Philippapushedopenthewindowsandmadeherwaydowntowardsthebeach。Sheleanedovertherailofthepromenadeandwavedherhandtotheothers，whoclambereduptheshingletomeether。
"Scarcelyseenyouyet，mydear，haveI？"SirHenryobserved。
Hestoopedandkissedherforehead，asalutewhichshesufferedwithoutresponse。Helenpointedtothewreck。
"Itdoesn’tseempossible，doesit，"shesaid，"thatmen’slivesshouldhavebeenlostinthatlittlespace。Twomenweredrowned，theysay，throughthebreakingoftherope。Theyrecoveredthebodiesthismorning。"
"Everythingelseseemstohavebeenwashedonshoreexceptmycoat，"
SirHenrygrumbled。"Iwasdownhereatdaylight，lookingforit。"
"Yourcoat！"Philipparepeatedscornfully。"Fancythinkingofthat，whenyouonlyjustescapedwithyourlife！"
"Buttotellyouthetruth，mydear，"SirHenryexplained，"mypocketbookandpapersofsomevaluewereinthepocketofthatcoat。
Ican’tthinkhowIcametoforgetthem。IthinkitwasthesurpriseofseeingthatfellowLessinghamcrawlontothewrecklookinglikeadrownedrat。Jove，whatapluckhemusthave！"
=20
"Thefishermencantalkofnothingelse，"Noraputinexcitedly。
"Mummy，itwassimplysplendid！HelenandIhadgoneupwithtwooftherescuedmen，butIgotbackjustintimetoseethemfastentheroperoundhiswaistandwatchhimplungein。"
"Howishethismorning？"Helenasked。
"Gone，"Philippareplied。
Theyalllookedatherinsurprise。
"Gone？"SirHenryrepeated。"What，backtothehotel，doyoumean？"
"Hisbedhasnotbeensleptin，"Philippatoldthem。"Hemusthaveslippedawayearlythismorning，gonetoHill’sGarage，hiredacar，andmotoredtoNorwich。FromtherehewentontoLondon。Hehassentwordthathewillbebackinafewdays。"
"IhopetoGodhewon’t！"SirHenrymuttered。
Philippaswungrounduponhim。
"Whatdoyoumeanbythat？"shedemanded。"Don’tyouwanttothankhimforsavingyourlife？"
"Mydear，Icertainlydo，"SirHenryreplied，"butjustnow-well，Iamalittletakenaback。GonetoLondon，eh？ToreawaywithoutwarninginthemiddleofthenighttoLondon！Andcomingback，too-that’sthestrangepartofit！"
Onewouldthink，fromSirHenry’sexpression，thathewasfindingfoodformuchsatisfactioninthisrecitalofLessingham’ssuddendisappearance。
"Heisawonderfulfellow，thisLessingham，"headdedthoughtfully。
"Hemusthave-yes，byGod，hemusthave-Inthatstorm，too！"
"Ifyoucouldspeakcoherently，Henry，"Philippaobserved，"IshouldliketosaythatIamexceedinglyanxioustoknowwhyMr。Lessinghamhasdesertedussoprecipitately。"
SirHenrywouldhavetakenhiswife’sarm，butsheavoidedhim。Heshruggedhisshouldersandploddedupthesteeppathbyherside。
"ThewholequestionofLessinghamisratheraproblem，"hesaid。
"Ofcourse，youandHelenhaveseenverymuchmoreofhimthanI
have。Isn’tittruethatpeoplehavebeguntomakecuriousremarksabouthim？"
"Howdidyouknowthat，Henry？"Philippademanded。
"Well，onehearsthings，"hereplied。"Ishouldgather，fromwhatIheard，thathispositionherehadbecomealittleprecarious。
Hencehissuddendisappearance。"
"Butheiscomingbackagain，"Philipparemindedherhusband。
"Perhaps！"
Philippasignifiedherdesirethatherhusbandshouldremainalittlebehindwithher。Theywalkedsidebysideupthegravelpath。
Philippakeptherhandsclaspedbehindher。
"ToleavethesubjectofMr。Lessinghamforatime，"shebegan，"I
feelveryreluctanttoaskforexplanationsofanythingyoudo，butImustconfesstoacertaincuriosityastowhyIshouldfindyoulunchingattheCantonwithtwoverybeautifulladies，afewdaysago，whenyouleftherewithJimmyDumbletofishforwhiting；andalsowhyyoureturnhereonatrawlerwhichbelongstoanotherpartofthecoast？"
SirHenrymadeagrimace。
"Iwasbeginningtowonderwhethercuriositywasdead，"heobservedgood-humouredly。"Ifyouwouldn’tmindgivingmeanother-well，tobeonthesafesideletussayeightdays-IthinkIshallbeabletoofferyouanexplanationwhichyouwillconsidersatisfactory。"
"Thankyou，"Philipparejoined，withcoldsurprise；"Iseenoreasonwhyyoushouldnotanswersuchsimplequestionsatonce。"
SirHenrysigheddeprecatingly，andmadeanothervainattempttotakehiswife’sarm。
"Philippa，bealittlebrick，"hebegged。"IknowIseemtohavebeenplayingthepartofafooljustlately，buttherehasbeenasortofreasonforit。"
"Whatreasoncouldtherepossiblybe，"shedemanded，"whichyoucouldnotconfideinme？"
Hewassilentforamoment。Whenhespokeagaintherewasanewearnestnessinhistone。
"Philippa，"hesaid，"Ihavebeenworkingforsometimeatalittleschemewhichisn’tripetotalkaboutyet，noteventoyou，butwhichmayleadtosomethingwhichIhopewillalteryouropinion。
Youcouldn’tseeyourwaycleartotrustmealittlelonger，couldyou？"hebegged，withratheraplaintivegleaminhisblueeyes。
"Itwouldmakeitsomucheasierformetosaynomorebutjusthaveyousittight。"
"Iwonder，"sheansweredcoldly，"ifyourealisehowmuchIhavesuffered，sittingtight，asyoucallit，andwaitingforyoutodosomething！"
"Myfishingexcursions，"hewentondesperately，"havenotbeenaltogetheramatterofsport。"
"Iknowthatquitewell，"shereplied。"Youhavebeenmakingthatchartyoupromisedyourmiserablefishermen。Noneofthosethingsinterestme，Henry。Ifear-Iamverymuchinclinedtosaythatnoneofyourdoingsinterestme。Leastofall，"shewenton，hervoicequiveringwithpassion，"doIappreciateintheleastthesemysteriousappealsformypatience。Ihavesomecommonsense，Henry。"
"You’reasuspiciouslittlebeast，"hetoldher。
"Suspicious！"shescoffed。"Whatawordtousefromamanwhogoesofffishingforwhiting，andislunchingattheCarlton，somedaysafterwards，withtwoladiesofextraordinaryattractions！"
"Thatwasatrifleawkward，"SirHenryadmitted，withalittleburstofcandour，"butitgoesinwiththerest，Philippa。"
"Thenitcanstaywiththerest，"sheretorted，"exactlywhereI
haveplaceditinmymind。Pleaseunderstandme。Yourconductforthelasttwelvemonthsabsolvesmefromanytietheremaybebetweenus。Ifthisexplanationthatyoupromisecomes-intime，andI
feellikeit，verywell。Untilitdoes，Iamperfectlyfree，andyou，asmyhusband，arenon-existent。Thatismyreply，Henry，toyourrequestforfurtherindulgence。"
"Ratherafoolishone，mydear，"heanswered，pattinghershoulder，"butthenyouareratherachild，aren’tyou？"
Sheswungawayfromhimangrily。
"Don’ttouchme！"sheexclaimed。"ImeaneverywordofwhatIhavesaid。Asformybeingachild-well，youmaybesorrysomedaythatyouhavepersistedintreatingmelikeone。"
SirHenrypausedforamoment，watchingherdisappearingfigure。
Therewasanunusualshadeoftroubleinhisface。Hisloveforandconfidenceinhiswifehadbeensoabsolutethatevenherthreatshadseemedtohimlikelittlemorselsofwoundedvanitythrowntohimoutofthefrothofhertemper。Yetatthatmomentadarkerthoughtcrossedhismind。Lessingham，herealised，wasnotarival，afterall，tobedespised。Hewasamanofcourageandtact，eventhoughSirHenry，inhisownmind，hadlabelledhimasafool。IfindeedhewerecomingbacktoDreymarsh，whatcoulditbefor？HowmuchhadPhilippaknownabouthim？Hestoodthereforafewmomentsinindecision。Agreatimpulsehadcometohimtobreakhispledge，totellherthetruth。Thenhemadehisdisturbedwayintothebreakfastroom。
"Where’syourmother，Nora？"heasked，asHelentookPhilippa’splaceattheheadofthetable。
"Shewantssomecoffeeandtoastsentuptoherroom。"Noraexplained。"Thewindmadehergiddy。"
SirHenrybreakfastedinsilence，rangthebell，andorderedhiscar。
"Yougoingawayagain，Daddy？"Noraasked。
"IamgoingtoLondonthismorning，"hereplied，alittleabsently。
"ToLondon？"Helenrepeated。"DoesPhilippaknow？"
"Ihaven’ttoldheryet。"
HelenturnedtowardsNora。
"Iwishyou’drunupandseeifyourmotherwantsanymorecoffee，there’sadear，"shesuggested。
Noraacquiescedatonce。Assoonasshehadlefttheroom，HelenleanedoverandlaidherhanduponSirHenry’sarm。
"Don’tgotoLondon，Henry，"shebegged。
"ButmydearHelen，Imust，"hereplied，alittlecurtly。
"Iwouldn’tifIwereyou，"shepersisted。"Youknow，you’vetriedPhilippaveryhighlately，andsheisinanextremelyemotionalstate。Sheisallworkedupaboutlastnight，andIwouldn’tleaveheraloneifIwereyou。"
SirHenry’sblueeyesseemedsuddenlylikepointsofsteelasheleanedtowardsher。
"YouthinkthatsheisinlovewiththatfellowLessingham？"heaskedbluntly。
"No，Idon’t，"Helenreplied，"butIthinksheismorefuriouswithyouthanyoubelieve。Formonthsyouhaveacted-well，howshallIsay？"
"Oh，likeacoward，ifyoulike，orafool。Goon。"
"Shehasaskedforexplanationstowhichsheisperfectlyentitled，"
Helencontinued，"andyouhavegivenhernone。Youhavetreatedherlikesomethingbetweenadollandachild。Philippaisasgoodandsweetasanywomanwhoeverlived，buthasn’titeveroccurredtoyouthatwomenarerathermysteriousbeings？Theymaysometimesdo，outofafurioussenseofbeingwronglytreated，outofasortofaggravatedpique，whattheywouldneverdoforanyotherreason。Ifyoumustgo，comebackto-night，Henry。Comeback，andifyouareobstinate，andwon’ttellPhilippaallthatshehasarighttoknow，tellheraboutthatluncheonintown。"
SirHenryfrowned。
"It’sallverywell，youknow，Helen，"hesaid，"butawomanoughttotrustherhusband。"
"Iamyourfriend，remember，"Helenreplied，"anduponmyword，I
couldn’ttrustandbelieveeveninDick，ifhebehavedasyouhavedoneforthelasttwelvemonths。"
SirHenrymadeagrimace。
"Well，thatsettlesit，Isuppose，then，"heobserved。"I’llhaveonemoretryandseewhatIcandowithPhilippa。Perhapsahintofwhat’sgoingonmaysatisfyher。"
Heclimbedthestairs，meetingNoraonherwaydown，andknockedathiswife’sdoor。Therewasnoreply。Hetriedthehandleandfoundthedoorlocked。
"Areyouthere，Philippa？"heasked。
"Yes！"sherepliedcoldly。
"IamgoingtoLondonthismorning。CanIhaveafewwordswithyoufirst？"
"No！"
SirHenrywasalittletakenaback。
"Don’tbesilly，Philippa，"hepersisted。"Imaybeawayforfourorfivedays。"
Therewasnoanswer。SirHenrysuddenlyrememberedanotherentrancefromanewlyaddedbathroom。HeavailedhimselfofitandfoundPhilippaseatedinaneasy-chair，calmlyprogressingwithherbreakfast。Sheraisedhereyebrowsathisentrance。
"Thesearemyapartments，"sheremindedhim。
"Don’tbealittlefool，"heexclaimedimpatiently。
Philippadeliberatelybutteredherselfapieceoftoast，pickedupherbook，andbecameatonceimmersedinit。
"Youdon’twishtotalktome，then？"hedemanded。
"Idonot，"sheagreed。"Youhavehadalltheopportunitieswhichanymanshouldneed，ofexplainingcertainmatterstome。Mycuriosityinthemhasended；alsomyinterest-inyou。YousayyouaregoingtoLondon。Verywell。Praydonothurryhomeonmyaccount。"
SirHenry，asheturnedtoleavetheroom，madethecommonmistakeofamanarguingwithawoman-heattemptedtohavethelastword。
"PerhapsIambetteroutoftheway，eh？"
"Perhapsso，"Philippaassentedsweetly。