第8章
CHAPTERXXVI
Philippa，latethatafternoon，foundwhatshesought-solitude。
ShehadwalkedalongthesandsuntilDreymarshlayoutofsightontheothersideofaspurofthecliffs。Beforeherstretchedalongandlevelplain，afringeofsand，andabeltofshinglybeach。Therewasnotasignofanyhumanbeinginsight，andofbuildingsonlyaquainttoweronthefarhorizon。
Shefoundadryplaceonthepebbles，removedherhatandsatdown，herhandsclaspedaroundherknees，hereyesturnedseaward。Shehadcomeoutheretothink，butitwasoddhowfugitiveandtransientherthoughtsbecame。Herhusbandwasalwaysthereinthebackground，butinthosemomentsitwasLessinghamwhowasthepredominantfigure。Sherememberedhisearnestness，histendersolicitudeforher，thecouragewhich，whennecessitydemanded，hadflamedupinhim，abornandnaturalquality。Sherememberedtheagonyofthosefewminutesontheprecedingday，whennothingbutwhatstillseemedamiraclehadsavedhim。Atonemomentshefeltherselfinclinedtopraythathemightnevercomeback。Atanother，herheartachedtoseehimoncemore。Sheknewsowellthatifhecameitwouldbeforhersake，thathewouldcometoaskherfinallythequestionwithwhichshehadfenced。Sheknew，too，thathiscomingwouldbethemomentofherlife。Shewassomuchofawoman，andthepassionatecravingofhersextogiveloveforlovewasthereinherheart，almostomnipotent。Andinthebackgroundtherewasthatbitterdesiretobringsufferinguponthemanwhohadtreatedherlikeachild，whohadplacedherinafalsepositionwithallotherwomen，whohaddawdledandidledawayhisdays，heedlessofhisduty，heedlessofeveryseriousobligation。Whenshetriedtoreason，herwayseemedsoclear，andyet，behinditall，therewasthatcoldimpulseofalmostVictorianprudishness，theinheritanceofalonglineofvirtuouswomen，aprudishnesswhichshehadonce，whenshehadbelievedthatitwaspartofhersecondnature，scoffedatasbeingtheoutcomeofoneofthefinerformsofselfishness。
Shetoldherselfthatshehadcometheretodecide，anddecisioncamenonearertoher。Alateafternoonstarshoneweaklyinthesky。Afaint，vaporousmistobscuredthehorizonandfloatedintangledwreathsuponthefaceofthesea。Onlythatlineofsandseemedstillclear-cutanddistinct，andassheglancedalongithereyeswereheldbysomethingapproaching，somethingwhichseemedatfirstnothingbutablack，movingspeck，thengraduallyresolveditselfintothesemblanceofamanonhorseback，gallopingfuriously。Shewatchedhimashedrewnearerandnearer，thesandflyingfromhishorse’shoofs，hisfiguremotionless，hiseyesapparentlyfixeduponsomedistantspot。Itwasnotuntilhehadcomewithinfiftyyardsofherthatsherecognisedhim。Hishorseshiedatthesightofherandwassuddenlyswungroundwithapowerfulwrist。Littlespecksofsand，churnedupinthemomentarystampedeofhoofs，felluponherskirt。Fortherest，shewatchedthestrugglecomposedly，astrugglewhichwasoveralmostassoonasitwasbegun。CaptainGriffithsleaneddownfromhistremblingbutsubduedhorse。
"LadyCranston！"heexclaimedinastonishment。
"That’sme，"shereplied，smilingupathim。"Haveyoubeenridingoffyourbadtemper？"
Heglanceddownathishorse’squiveringsides。Backasfarasonecouldseetherewasthatregularlineofhoofmarks。
"AmIbad-tempered？"heasked。
"Well，"sheobserved，"Idon’tknowyouwellenoughtoanswerthatquestion。Iwassimplythinkingofyesterdayevening。"
Heslippedfromhishorseandstoodbeforeher。Hislong，severefacehadseldomseemedmoremalevolent。
"Ihadenoughtomakemebad-tempered，"hedeclared。"IhadtrackeddownaGermanspy，stepbystep，untilIhadhimthere，waitingforarrest-expectingit，even-andthenIgotthatwickedmessage。"
"Whatwasthatwickedmessageafterall？"sheenquired。
"Thatdoesn’tmatter，"heanswered。"Itwasfromaquarterwheretheyoughttoknowbetter，anditorderedmetomakenoarrest。I
havesenttotheWarOfficeto-dayafullreport，andIamprayingthattheymaychangetheirminds。"
Philippasighed。
"Ifyouhadn’treceivedthattelegramlastnight，"sheobserved，"itseemstomethatIshouldhavebeenawidowto-day。"
Hefrowned，andstruckhisbootheavilywithhisridingwhip。
"Yes，Iheardofthat，"headmitted。"Idaresayifhehadn’tgone，though，someoneelsewould。"
"Wouldyouhavegoneifyouhadbeenthere？"sheasked。
"Ifyouhadtoldmeto，"hereplied，lookingathersteadfastly。
Philippafeltalittleshiver。Therewassomethingominousintheintensityofhisgazeandthemeaningwhichhehadcontrivedtoimparttohistone。Sherosetoherfeet。
"Well，"shesaid，"don’tletmekeepyouhere。Iamgettingcold。"
Hepassedhisarmthroughthebridleofhishorse。"Iwillwalkwithyou，ifImay，"heproposed。Shemadenoreply，andtheysettheirfaceshomewards。
"IhearLessinghamhaslefttheplace，"heremarked，alittleabruptly。
"Oh，Iexpecthe’llcomeback，"Philippareplied。
"Howlongisit，LadyCranston，sinceyoutooktoconsortingwithGermanspies？"heasked。
"Don’tbefoolish-orimpertinent，"sheenjoined。"YouaremakingaridiculousmistakeaboutMr。Lessingham。"
Helaughedunpleasantly。
"Noneedforustofence，"hesaid。"YouandIknowwhoheis。
WhatIdowanttoknow，whatIhavebeenwonderingallthewayfromthepointthere-fourmilesofhardgallopingandonequestion-
whyareyouhisfriend？Whatishetoyou？"
"Really，CaptainGriffiths，"sheprotested，lookingupathim，"ofwhatpossibleinterestcanthatbetoyou？"
"Well，itis，anyhow，"heansweredgruffly。"Anythingthatconcernsyouisofinteresttome。"
Philipparealisedatthatmoment，perhapsforthefirsttime，whatitallmeant。Sherealisedthesignificanceofthoseapparentlypurposelessafternooncalls，whenthroughsheerboredomshehadhadtosendforHelentohelpherout；thesignificanceofthoselongsilences，themelancholyeyeswhichseemedtofollowhermovements。
Shefeltanunaccountabledesiretolaugh，andthen，atthefirsttwitchingsofherlips，sherestrainedherself。Sheknewthattragedywasstalkingbyherside。
"Ithink，CaptainGriffiths，"shesaidgravely，"thatyouaretalkingnonsense，andyouarenotaverygoodhandatit。Won’tyoupleaserideon？"
Hemadenomovementtomounthishorse。Heploddedalongthesoftsandbyherside-aqueer，elongatedfigure，hisgloomyeyesfixedupontheground。
"UntilthisfellowLessinghamcameyouwereneversohard，"hepersisted。
Shelookedathimwithgenuinecuriosity。
"Iwasneversohard？"sherepeated。"DoyouimaginethatIhaveeverforasinglemomentconsideredmydemeanourtowardsyou-youofallpersonsintheworld？Isimplydon’trememberwhenyouhavebeenthereandwhenyouhaven’t。Idon’trememberthehumoursinwhichIhavebeenwhenwehaveconversed。Allthatyouhavesaidseemstometobethemostarrantnonsense。"
Heswunghimselfintothesaddleandgatheredupthereins。
"Thankyou，"hesaidbitterly，"Iunderstand。Onlyletmetellyouthis，"hewenton，hiswhippoisedinhishand。"Youmayhavepowerfulfriendswhosavedyour-"
Hehesitatedsolongthatsheglancedupathimandreadallthathehadwishedtosayinhisface。
"Mywhat？"sheasked。
Hiscouragefailedhim。
"Mr。Lessingham，"heproceeded，"fromarrest。ButifheshowshisfacehereagaininDreymarsh，Isha’n’tstoptoarresthim。Ishallshoothimonsightandchancetheconsequences。"
"They’llhangyou！"shedeclaredsavagely。
Helaughedather。
"HangmeforshootingamanwhomIcanprovetobeaGermanspy？
Theywon’tdare！Theywon’tevendaretoplacemeunderarrestforanhour。Why，whenthetruthbecomesknown，"hewenton，hisvoicegainingcourageasthejusticeofhiscaseimpresseditselfuponhim，"whatdoyousupposeisgoingtohappentotwowomenwhotookthisfellowinandbefriendedhim，introducedhimunderafalsenametotheirfriends，gavehimtherunoftheirhouse-thismanwhomtheyknewallthetimewasaGerman？You，LadyCranston，chafingandscoldingyourhusbandbynightandbydaybecauseheisn’twhereyouthinkheoughttobe；you，sopatrioticthatyoucannotbearthesightofhimoutofuniform；you-thehostess，thebefriender，theGodknowswhatofBertramMaderstrom！Itwillbeaprettytalewhenit’salltold！"
"Ireallythink，"Philippaassertedcalmly，"thatyouarethemostutterlyimpossibleandobnoxiouscreatureIhaveevermet。"
Hisfacewasdangerousforamoment。TheyhadnotyetreachedthepromontorywhichshelteredthemfromDreymarsh。
"Perhaps，"hemuttered，leaningmalignlytowardsher，"Icouldmakemyselfevenmoreobnoxious。"
"Quitepossibly，"shereplied，"onlyIwanttotellyouthis。Ifyoucomeasingleinchnearertome，oneofthemshallshootyou。"
"Yourfriendoryourhusband，eh？"hescoffed。
Shewavedhimon。
"Ithink，"shetoldhim，"thateitherofthemwouldbequitecapableofriddingtheworldofacowardlikeyou。"
"Acoward？"herepeated。
"Precisely！Isn’titacoward’sparttoterroriseawoman？"
"Idon’twanttoterroriseyou，"hesaidsulkily。
"Well，youmustadmitthatyouhaven’tshownanyparticulardesiretomakeyourselfagreeable，"shepointedout。
Heturnedsuddenlyuponher。
"Iamafool，Iknow，"hedeclaredbitterly。"I’manawkward，nervous，miserablefool，myownworstenemyastheysayofmeintheMess，turningthepeopleagainstmeIwanttohavelikeme，stumblingintoeveryblunderafoolcan。I’mthesortofmanwomenmakesportof，andyou’vedoneitforthemcruelly，perfectly。"
"CaptainGriffiths！"sheprotested。"WhenhaveIeverbeenanythingbutkindandcourteoustoyou？"
"Itisn’tyourkindnessIwant，noryourcourtesy！There’sacurseuponmytongue，"hewentondesperately。"I’mnotlikeothermen。
Idon’tknowhowtosaywhatIfeel。Ican’tputitintowords。
Everyonemisunderstandsme。You，too！HereIrodeuptoyouthisafternoonandmyheartwasbeatingforjoy，andinfiveminutesI
hadmadeanenemyofyou。DamnthatfellowLessingham！Itisallhisfault！"
Withouttheslightestwarninghebroughtdownhishuntingcropuponhishorse’sflanks。Themaregaveonegreatplunge，andhewasoff，ridingatafuriousgallop。Philippawatchedhimwithimmenserelief，Inthefardistanceshecouldseetwolittlespecksgrowinglargerandlarger。Shehurriedontowardsthem。
"WhateverdidyoudotoCaptainGriffiths，Mummy？Norademanded。
"Whyhepasseduswithoutlookingdown，gallopinglikeamadman，andhisfacelooked-well，whatdiditlooklike，Helen？"
Helenwasgazinguneasilyalongthesands。
"Likeamanridingforhisenemy，"shedeclared。
CHAPTERXXVII
PhilippaandHelenlookedatoneanotheralittledolefullyacrosstheluncheontable。
"Isupposesonemissesthechild，"Helensaid。
"Ifeeltoodepressedforwords，"Philippaadmitted。
"Afewdaysago，"Helenremindedhercompanion，"weweregettingalltheexcitementthatwasgoodforanyone。"
"Andalittlemore，"Philippaagreed。"Idon’tknowwhythingsseemsoflatnow。Wereallyoughttobegladthatnothingterriblehashappened。"
"WhatwithHenryandMr。Lessinghambothaway，"Helencontinued，"andCaptainGriffithsnotcomingneartheplace，wereallyhaverevertedtothenormal，haven’twe？Iwonder-ifMr。Lessinghamhasgoneback。"
"Idonotthinkso，"Philippamurmured。
Helenfrownedslightly。
"Personally，"shesaid，withsomeemphasis，"Ihopethathehas。"
"Ifweareconsideringthepersonalpointofviewonly，"Philipparetorted，"Ihopethathehasnot。"
Helenlookedherdisapproval。
"Ishouldhavethoughtthatyouhadhadenoughplayingwithfire，"
sheobserved。
"Oneneverhasuntilonehasburnedone’sfingers，"Philippasighed。
"Iknowperfectlywellwhatisthematterwithyou，"shecontinuedseverely。"YouarefrettingbecausecurriedchickenisDick’sfavouritedish。"
"Iamnotsuchababy，"Helenprotested。"Allthesame，itdoesmakeonethink。Iwonder-"
"Iknowexactlywhatyouweregoingtosay，"Philippainterrupted。
"YouweregoingtosaythatyouwonderedwhetherMr。Lessinghamwouldkeephispromise。"
"Whetherhewouldbeableto，"Helencorrected。"Itdoesseemsoimpossible，doesn’tit？"
"SodoesMr。Lessinghamhimself，"Philipparemindedher。"Itisn’texactlyausualthing，isit，tohaveaperfectlycharmingandwell-bredyoungmanstepoutofaZeppelinintoyourdrawing-room。"
"Youreallybelieve，then，"Helenaskedeagerly，"thathewillbeabletokeephispromise？"
Philippanoddedconfidently。
"Doyouknow，"shesaid，"IbelievethatMr。Lessingham，bysomemeansoranother，wouldkeepanypromiseheevermade。IamexpectingtoseeDickatanymomentnow，soyoucangetonwithyourlunch，dear，andnotsitlookingatthecurrywithtearsinyoureyes。"
"Itisn’tthecurrysomuchasthechutney，"Helenprotestedfaintly。
"Heneverwouldtouchanyothersort。"
"Well，Ishouldn’tbesurprisedifhewereheretofinishthebottle，"Philippadeclared。"Ihaveafeelingthismorningthatsomethingisgoingtohappen。"
"HowlonghasNoragoneawayfor？"Helenenquired，afteramoment’spause。
"Afortnightorthreeweeks，"Philippaanswered。"HergrandmotherwiredthatshewouldbegladtohaveheruntilChristmas。"
"Justwhy，"Helenaskedseriously，"haveyousentheraway？"
Philippatoyedwithhercurry，andglancedaroundasthoughsheregrettedMills’absencefromtheroom。
"Ithoughtitbest，"shesaidquietly。"Yousee，Iamnotquitesurewhattheimmediatefutureofthismenageisgoingtobe。"
Helenleanedacrossthetableandlaidherhanduponherfriend’s。
"Dear，"shesighed，"itworriesmesotohearyoutalklikethat。"
"Why？"
"Becauseyouknowperfectlywell，althoughyouprofesstoignoreit，thatatthebottomofyourheartthereisnooneelsebutHenry。
Itisn’tfair，youknow。"
"Towhomisn’titfair？"Philippademanded。
"ToMr。Lessingham。"
Philippawasthoughtfulforafewmoments。
"Perhaps，"sheadmitted，"thatisapointofviewwhichIhavenotsufficientlyconsidered。"
Helenpressedhomeheradvantage。
"Idon’tthinkyourealise，Philippa，"shesaid，"howmadlyinlovewithyouthemanis。Inaperfectlyingenuousway，too。Noonecouldhelpseeingit。"
"Thenwheredoestheunfairnesscomein？"Philippaasked。"Itiswithinmypowertogivehimallthathewants。"
"Butyouwouldn’tdoit，Philippa。Youknowthatyouwouldn’t！"
Helenobjected。"Youmayplaywiththeideainyourmind，butthat’sjustasfarasyou’deverget。"
Philippalookedherfriendsteadilyintheface。"Idisagreewithyou，Helen，"shesaid。Helensetdowntheglasswhichshehadbeenintheactofraisingtoherlips。Itwasherfirstreallyseriousintimationofthetragedywhichhoveredoverherfuturesister-in-law’slife。Somehoworother，Philippahadseemed，eventoher，sofarremovedfromthatstrenuousworldofover-drugged，over-excitedfemininedecadence，towhomthechangingofahusbandoraloverismerelyanincidentintheday’sexcitements。
Philippa，withherfrailandalmostflowerlikebeauty，herloveofthewholesomewaysoflife，andherstrongaffections，representedotherthings。Now，forthefirsttime，Helenwasreallyafraid，afraidforherfriend。
"Butyoucouldn’tever-youwouldn’tleaveHenry！"
Philippaseemedtofindnothingmonstrousintheidea。
"ThatisjustwhatIamseriouslythinkingofdoing，"sheconfided。
Helenaffectedtolaugh，buthermirthwasobviouslyforced。TheirconversationceasedperforcewiththereturnofMillsintotheroom。
Thenthewonderfulthinghappened。Thewindowsofthediningroomfacedthedrivetothehouseandbothwomencouldclearlyseeamotorcarturninatthegateandstopatthefrontdoor。Itwasobviouslyahiredcar，asthedriverwasnotinlivery，butthetall，mulled-upfigureinunfamiliarclotheswhooccupiedthefrontseatwasforthemomentamysterytothem。OnlyHelenseemedtohavesomewonderfulpremonitionofthetruth，apremonitionwhichshewasafraidtoadmiteventoherself。Herhandbegantoshake。
Philippalookedatherinamazement。
"Youlookasthoughyouhadseenaghost，Helen！"sheexclaimed。
"Whoonearthcanitbe，comingatthistimeoftheday？"
Helenwasspeechless，andPhilippadivinedatoncethecauseofheragitation。Shesprangtoherfeet。
"Helen，youdon’timagine-"shegasped。"Listen！"
Therewasavoiceinthehail-afamiliarvoice，thoughstrainedalittleandhoarse；Mills’decorousgreetings，agitatedbutfervent。
Andthen-MajorRichardFelstead！
"Dick！"Helenscreamed，asshethrewherselfintohisarms。"Oh，Dick！Dick！"
Itwasanincoherent，breathlessmoment。Somehoworother，Philippafoundherselfsharingherbrother’sembrace。ThenthefireofquestionsandanswerswaspresentlyinterruptedbyMills，triumphantlybearinginafreshdishofcurry。
"WhatwilltheMajortaketodrink，yourladyship？"heasked。
Felsteadlaughedalittlechokingly。
"Uponmyword，there’ssomethingwonderfullysoundaboutMills！"
hesaid。"It’saghoulishthingtoaskforinthemiddleoftheday，isn’tit，Philippa，butcanIhavesomechampagne？"
"Youcanhavethewholecellarful，"Philippaassuredhimjoyously。
"Besureyoubringthebest，Mills。"
"ThePerrierJonet1904，yourladyship，"wasthemurmuredreply。
Mills’disappearancewasverybrief，andinaveryfewmomentstheyfoundthemselvesseatedoncemoreatthetable。Theysatoneoneithersideofhim，watchinghisglassandhisplate。Bydegreestheirquestionsandhisanswersbecamemoreintelligible。
"Whendidyougethere？"theywantedtoknow。
"IarrivedinHarwichaboutdaylightthismorning，"hetoldthem；
"cameacrossfromHolland。Ihiredacaranddrovestraighthere。"
"Whendidyouknowyouwerecominghome？"Helenasked。
"Onlytwodaysago，"hereplied。"Ineverwassosurprisedinmylife。EvennowIcan’trealisemygoodluck。Ican’tseewhatI’vedone。Thelasttwomonths，infact，seemtometohavebeenadream。
Jove！"hewenton，ashedrankhiswine，"IneverthoughtIshouldbesuchapigastocaresomuchforeatinganddrinking！"
"Andthinkwhatweeksofityouhavebeforeyou？"Helenexplained，clappingherhands。"PhilippaandIwillhaveanewinterestinlife-tomakeyoufat。"
Helaughed。
"Itwon’tbeverydifficult，"hepromisedthem。"Ihadseveralmonthsofsemi-starvationbeforethemiraclehappened。ItwasalljustthechanceofhavinghadapalupatMagdalenwho’sbeenservingintheGermanArmy-BertramMaderstromwashisname。Yourememberhim，Philippa？HewasaSwedeinthosedays。"
"Whatadearhemusthavebeentohaverememberedandtohavebeensofaithful！"Philippaobserved，lookingawayforamoment。
"He’sarealgoodsort，"Felsteaddeclaredenthusiastically，"althoughHeavenknowswhyhe’sturnedGerman！Heworkedlikeaslaveforme。Idaresayhedidn’tfinditsodifficulttogetmebetterquartersandaservant，anddecentfood，butwhentheytoldmethatIwasfree-well，itnearlyknockedmesilly。"
"Thedearfellow！"Philippamurmuredpensively。
"Doyourememberhim，eitherofyou？"Felsteadcontinued。"Rathergood-lookinghewas，andalittleshy，butquiteasportsman。"
"I-seemtoremember，"Philippaadmitted。
"Thenamesoundsfamiliar，"Helenechoed。"Dohavesomemorechutney，Dick。"
"Thanks！WhatapigIammakingofmyself！"heobservedcheerfully。
"YougirlswillthinkIcan’ttalkaboutanyonebutMaderstrom，butthewholebusinessbeatsmesocompletely。Ofcourse，weweregreatpals，inaway，butIneverthoughtthatIwastheappleofhiseye，oranythingofthatsort。Howhegottheinfluence，too，Ican’timagine。Andoh！IknewtherewassomethingelseIwasgoingtoaskyougirls，"Felsteadwenton。"Haveyoueverhadaletter，orratheralettereach，uncensored？Justalineortwo？
IthinkImentionedMaderstromwhichIshouldnothavebeenallowedtodointheordinaryprisonletters。"
Felsteadwashelpinghimselftocheese，andhesawnothingofthequickglancewhichpassedbetweenthetwowomen。
"Yes，wehadthem，Dick，"Philippatoldhim。"Itwasoneafternoon-itdoesn’tseemsoverylongago。Andoh，howthankfulwewere！"
Felsteadnodded。
"Hegotthemacrossallright，then。Tellme，didtheycomethroughHolland？Whatwasthepostmark？"
"Thepostmark，"Philipparepeated，alittledoubtfully。"YouheardwhatDickasked，Helen？Thepostmark？"
"Idon’tthinktherewasone，"Helenreplied，glancinganxiouslyatPhilippa。
Felsteadsetdownhisglass。
"Nopostmark？Youmeannoforeignpostmark，Isuppose？TheywerepostedinEngland，eh？"
Philippashookherhead。
"Theycametous，Dick，"shesaid，"byhand。"
Felsteadwas，withoutadoubt，astonished。HeturnedroundinhischairtowardsPhilippa。
"Byhand？"herepeated。"Doyoumeantosaythattheywereactuallybroughtherebyhand？"
Perhapssomethinginhismannerwarnedthem。Philippalaughedasshebentoverhischair。
"Wewilltellyouhowtheycame，presently，"shedeclared，"butnotuntilyouhavefinishedyourlunch，drunkthelastdropofthatchampagne，andhadatleasttwoglassesoftheportthatMillshasbeendecantingsocarefully。Afterthatwewillsee。JustnowI
haveonlyonefeeling，andIknowthatHelenhasit，too。Nothingelsemattersexceptthatwehaveyouhomeagain。
Felsteadpattedhissisteronthecheek，drewherfacedowntohisandkissedher。
"It’ssowonderfultobeathome！"heexclaimedapologetically。
"ButImustwarnyouthatIamtherabidestpersonalive。IwentouttothewarwithacertainamountofrespectfortheGermans。I
havecomebackloathingthemlikevermin。Ispent-butIwon’tgoon。"
Millsmadehisappearancewiththedecanterofport。
"Ibegyourladyship’spardon，"hesaid，ashefilledFelstead’sglass，"butMr。Lessinghamhasarrivedandisinthelibrary，waitingtoseeyou。"
=20
CHAPTERXXVIII
ToMajorRichardFelstead，Mills’announcementwaswithoutsignificance。Forthefirsttimehebecameconscious，however，ofsomethingwhichseemedalmostlikeasecretunderstandingbetweenhissisterandhisfianc=82e。
"TellMr。LessinghamIshallbewithhiminaminuteortwo，ifhewillkindlywait，"Philippainstructed。
"WhoisMr。Lessingham？"Richardenquired，assoonasthedoorhadclosedbehindMills。"Seemsaqueertimetocall。"
HelenglancedatPhilippa，whoselipsframedadecidednegative。
"Mr。Lessinghamisagentlemanstayingintheneighbourhood，"thelatterreplied。"Youwillprobablymakehisacquaintancebeforelong。Incidentally，hesavedHenry’slifetheothernight。"
"Soundsexciting，"Richardobserved。"WhatformofdestructionwasHenrycourting？"
"Therewasatrawlershipwreckedinthestorm，"Philippaexplained。
"Youcanseeitfromallthefrontwindows。Henrywasonboard，returningfromoneofhisfishingexcursions。TheyweretryingtofindDumble’sanchorageandweredriveninontothatlowridgeofrock。Aropebroke，orsomething，theyhadnomorerockets，andMr。Lessinghamswamoutwiththeline。"
"Soundslikeapluckychap，"Richardadmitted。
Philipparosetoherfeetregretfully。
"Iexpecthehascometowishusgood-by，"shesaid。"I’llleaveyouwithHelen，Dick。Don’tletheroverfeedyou。Andyouknowwherethecigarsare，Helen。TakeDickintothegunroomafterwards。You’llhaveitalltoyourselvesandthereisafirethere。"
Philippaenteredthelibraryinastateofagitationforwhichshewasgladtohavesomereasonableexcuse。SheheldoutbothherhandstoLessingham。
"Dickisback-justarrived！"sheexclaimed。"Ican’ttellyouhowhappyweare，andhowgrateful！"
Lessinghamraisedherfingerstohislips。
"Iamglad，"hesaidsimply。"Doyoumeanthatheisinthehousehere，now？"
"HeisinthediningroomwithHelen。"
Lessinghamforamomentwasthoughtful。
"Don’tyouthink，"hesuggested，"thatitwouldbebettertokeepusapart？"
"Iwaswondering，"sheconfessed。
"Haveyoutoldhimaboutmybringingtheletters？"
Sheshookherhead。
"Wenearlydid。ThenIstopped-Iwasn’tsure。"
"Youwerewise，"hesaid。
"Areyouwise？"sheaskedhimquickly。=20
=20
"Incomingbackhere？"
Shenodded。
"CaptainGriffithsknowseverything，"sheremindedhim。"Heissimplyfuriousbecauseyourarrestwasinterferedwith。Ireallybelievethatheisdangerous。"
Lessinghamwasunmoved。
"Ihadtocomeback，"hesaidsimply。
"Whydidyougoawaysosuddenly？"
"Well，Ihadtodothat，too，"hereplied，"onlythegoverningcauseswereverydifferent。Wewillspeak，ifyoudonotmind，onlyofthecausewhichhasbroughtmeback。ThatIbelieveyouknowalready。"
Philippawascuriouslyafraid。Shelookedtowardsthedoorasthoughwithsomevaguehopeofescape。Sherealisedthatthenecessityfordecisionhadarrived。
"Philippa，"hewenton，"doyouseewhatthisis？"
Hehandedhertwofoldedslipsofpaper。Shestarted。Atthetopofonesherecognisedasmallphotographofherself。
"Whatarethey？"sheasked。"Whatdoesitmean？"
"TheyarepassportsforAmerica，"hetoldher。
"For-forme？"shefaltered。
"Foryouandme。"
Theyslippedfromherfingers。Hepickedthemupfromthecarpet。
Herfacewashiddenforamomentinherhands。
"Iknowsowellhowyouarefeeling，"hesaidhumbly。"Iknowhowterribleashockthismustseemtoyouwhenitcomessonear。Youaresodifferentfromtheotherwomenwhomightdothisthing。Itissomuchharderforyouthanforthem。"
Sheliftedherhead。Therewasstillsomethingofthelookofascaredchildinherface。
"Don’timaginemebetterthanIam，"shebegged。"Iamnotreallydifferentfromanyotherwoman，onlyitisthefirsttimethissortofthinghasevercomeintomylife。"
"Iknow。Yousee，"hewenton，alittlewistfully，"youhavenottakenme，asyet，veryfarintoyourconfidence，Philippa。YouknowthatIloveyouasamanlovesonlyonce。Itsoundslikeanemptyphrasetosayit，butifyouwillgivemeyourlifetotakecareof，Ishallonlyhaveonethought-tomakeyouhappy。CouldIsucceed？Thatiswhatyouhavetoaskyourself。Youarenothappynow。Doyouthinkthat，ifyoustayonhere，thefutureislikelytobeanybetterforyou？"
Sheshookherheaddrearily。
"Ibelieve，"sheconfessed，"thatIhavereachedtheverylimitofmyendurance。"
Hecamealittlenearer。Hishandsresteduponhershouldersverylightly，yettheyseemedlikesomeenvelopingchain。Morethaneverinthosefewmomentssherealisedthespiritualqualitiesofhisface。Hiseyeswereaglow。Hisvoice，alittlebrokenwithemotion，waswonderfullytender。Helookedatherasthoughsheweresomepreciousandsacredthing。
"Iamrich，"hesaid，"andtherearefewpartsoftheworldwherewecouldnotlive。Wecouldfindourwaytotheislands，likeyourgreatwriterStevensoninwhomyoudelightsomuch；islandsfullofcolour，andwonderfulbirds，andstrangeblueskies；
islandswherethepeaceofthetropicsdullsmemory，andtimeheatsonlyintheheart。Theworldisagreatplace，Philippa，andtherearecornerswherethesordidcrimeofthisghastlybutcheryhasscarcelybeenheardof，wherethehorrorandthetaintofitareasthoughtheyneverexisted，wherethesunandmoonarestillunashamed，andthegreymonstersridenowhereuponthesapphireseas。"
"Itsoundslikeafairytale，"shemurmured，withahalfpatheticsmile。
"Lovealwaysfashionslifelikeafairytale，"hereplied。
Shestoodperfectlystill。
"Youmusthavemyanswernow，atthismoment？"sheaskedatlast。
"Thereareyetsomehours，"hetoldher。"Ihaveaverypowerfulautomobilehere，andto-nightthereisafullmoon。Ifweleavehereatteno’clock，wecancatchthesteamerto-morrowafternoon。
Everythinghasbeenmadeveryeasyforme。Andfortune，too，iswithus-yourvindictivecommandant，CaptainGriffiths，isinLondon。Yousee，youhavethewholeafternoonforthought。I
wantyouonlyforyourhappiness。Atteno’clockIshallcomehere。Ifyouarecomingwithme，youmustbereadythen。Youunderstand？"
"Iunderstand，"sheassented，underherbreath。"Andnow，"shewenton，raisinghereyes，"somehowIthinkthatyouareright。
ItwouldbebetterforyouandDicknottomeet。"
"Iamsureofit，"heagreed。"Ishallcomeformyansweratteno’clock。Iwonder-"
Hestoodlookingather，hiseyeshungrytofindsomesigninherface。Therewassomuchkindnessthere，somuchthatmightpass，even，foraffection，andyetsomethingwhich，behinditall，chilledhisconfidence。Helefthissentenceuncompletedandturnedtowardsthedoor。Suddenlyshecalledhimback。Sheheldupherfinger。Herwholeexpressionhadchanged。Shewasalarmed。
"Wait！"shebegged。"IcanhearDick’svoice。Waittillhehascrossedthehail。"
Theybothstood，foramoment，quitesilent。ThentheyheardalittleprotestingcryfromHelen，andagood-humouredlaughfromRichard。Thedoorwasthrownopen。
"Youdon’tmindourcomingthroughtothegunroom，Phil？"herbrotherasked。"We’renot-MyGod！"
Therewasaqueersilence，brokenbyHelen，whostoodonthethreshold，thepictureofdistress。
"Itriedtogethimtogotheotherway，Philippa。
Richardtookaquickstepforward。Hishandswereoutstretched。
"Bertram！"heexclaimed。"Isthisamiracle？Youherewithmysister？"
Lessinghamheldouthishand。SuddenlyRicharddroppedhis。Hisexpressionhadbecomesterner。
"Idon’tunderstand，"hesaidsimply。"Somebodypleaseexplain。"
CHAPTERXXIX
Forafewbriefsecondsnooneseemedinclinedtotakeuponthemselvestheonusofspeech。Richard’samazementseemedtoincreaseuponreflection。
"Maderstrom！"heexclaimed。"Bertram！Whatinthenameofallthat’sdiabolicalareyoudoinghere？"
"Iamjustaderelict，"Lessinghamexplained，withafaintsmile。
"Gladtoseeyou，Richard。YouareadayearlierthanIexpected。"
"YouknewthatIwascoming，then？"Richarddemanded。
"Naturally，"Lessinghamreplied。"Ihadthegreatpleasureofarrangingforyourrelease。"
"Lookhere，"Richardwenton，"I’mgropingaboutabit。Idon’tunderstand。ForgivemeifIrunoffthetrack。I’mnotforgettingourfriendship，Maderstrom，orwhatIowetoyousinceyoucameandfoundmeatWittenburg。Butforallthat，youhaveservedintheGermanArmyandareanenemy，andIwanttoknowwhatyouaredoinghere，inEngland，inmybrother-in-law’shouse。"
"Noparticularharm，Richard，Ipromiseyou，"Lessinghamrepliedmildly。
"Youarehereunderafalsename！"
"HamarLessingham，ifyoudonotmind，"theotherassented。"I
prefermyownname，butIdonotfancythattheuseofitwouldensuremeaverywarmwelcomeoverherejustnow。Besides，"headded，withaglanceatPhilippa，"IhavetoconsiderthefriendswhosehospitalityIhaveenjoyed。"
InashadowysortofwaythetruthbegantodawnuponRichard。Histonebecamegrimmerandhismannermoremenacing。
"Maderstrom，"hesaid，"wemetlastunderdifferentcircumstances。
IwilladmitthatIcutapoorfigure，butminewasatleastanhonourableimprisonment。Iamnotsosurethatyoursisanhonourablefreedom。"
Philippalaidherhanduponherbrother’sarm。
"Dick，dear，dorememberthattheywerestarvingyoutodeath！"
shebegged。
"Youwouldneverhavelivedthroughit，"Helenechoed。
"YouaretalkingtoMr。Lessingham，"Philippaprotested，"asthoughhewereanenemy，insteadofthebestfriendyoueverhadinyourlife。"
Richardwavedthemaway。
"Youmustleavethistous，"heinsisted。"MaderstromandIwillbeabletounderstandoneanother，atanyrate。Whatareyoudoinginthishouse-inEngland？Whatisyourmissionhere？"
"Whateveritmayhavebeen，itisaccomplished，"Lessinghamsaidgravely。"Atthepresentmoment，myplansaretoleaveyourcountryto-night。"
"Accomplished？"Richardrepeated。"Whatthedevildoyoumean？
Accomplished？Areyouplayingthespyinthiscountry？"
"Youwouldprobablyconsidermymissionespionage，"Lessinghamadmitted。
"Andyouhavebroughtittoasuccessfulconclusion？"
"Ihave。"
Philippathrewherarmsaroundherbrother’sneck。"Dick，"shepleaded，"pleaselisten。Mr。Lessinghamhasbeenhere，inthisdistrict，eversincehelandedinEngland。Whatpossibleharmcouldbedo？Wehaven’tasinglesecrettobelearned。Everybodyknowswhereourfewgunsare。Everybodyknowswhereoursoldiersarequartered。Wehaven’taharbouroranysecretfortifications。
Wehaven’tanyshippinginformationwhichitwouldbeoftheleastusesignallinganywhere。Mr。Lessinghamhasspenthistimeamongsttrifleshere。TakeHelenawaysomewhereandforgetthatyouhaveseenhiminthehouse。RememberthathehassavedHenry’slifeaswellasyours。"
"Iinvitenoconsiderationuponthataccount，"Lessinghamdeclared。
"AllthatIdidforyouinGermany，Idid，orshouldhaveattemptedtodo，formyoldfriend。Yourreleasewasdifferent。Iamforcedtoadmitthatitwasthepricepaidformysojournhere。Iwillonlyaskyoutorememberthatthebargainwasmadewithoutyourknowledge，andthatyouareinnowayresponsibleforit。"
"Aprice，"Richardpronouncedfiercely，"whichIrefusetopay！"
Lessinghamshruggedhisshoulders。
"Thealternative，"heconfessed，"isinyourhands。"
Richardmovedtowardsthetelephone。
"Iamsorry，Maderstrom，"hesaid，"butmydutyisclear。WhoisCommandanthere，Philippa？"
Philippastoodbetweenherbrotherandthetelephone。Therewasaqueer，angrypatchofcolourinhercheeks。Hereyeswereonfire。
"Richard，"sheexclaimed，"youshallnotdothisfrommyhouse！
Iforbidyou！"
"Dowhat？"
"Giveinformation。Doyouknowwhatitwouldmeaniftheybelievedyou？"
"Death，"heanswered。"Maderstromknewtheriskheranwhenhecametothiscountryunderafalsename。"
"Perfectly，"Lessinghamadmitted。
"ButIwon’thaveit！"Philippaprotested。"Hehasbecomeourfriend。Daybydaywehavegrowntolikehimbetterandbetter。
Hehassavedyourlife，Dick。Hehasbroughtyoubacktous。
Thinkwhatitisthatyoupurpose！"
"Itiswhateverysoldierhastoface，"Richarddeclared。
"Youmendrivemecrazywithyourfoolishideas！"Philippacrieddesperately。"Thewarisinyourbrains，Ithink。Youwouldcarryitfromthebattlefieldsintoyourdailylife。Becausetwogreatcountriesareatwar，iseverythingtogoby-chivalry？-allthefiner，sweeterfeelingsoflife？Ifyoutwometonthebattlefield，itwouldbedifferent。Hereinmydrawing-room，I
willnothavethisblackdemonofthewardraggedinasanexcuseformurder！TakeDickaway，Helen！"shebegged。"Mr。Lessinghamisleavingto-night。Iwillpledgemywordthatuntilthenheremainsaharmlesscitizen。"
"Womendon’tunderstandthesethings，Philippa-"Richardbegan。
"Thankheavensweunderstandthembetterthanyoumen！"Philippainterruptedfiercely。"Youhavebutoneidea-tostrike-thenarrowideaofmenthatbreedswarfare。Itellyouthatifeveruniversalpeacecomes，ifeverthenationsaretaughtthehorrorofthislustforblood，thiscriminaloutrageagainstcivilisation，itisthewomenwhowillbecometheteachers，becauseamongstyourinstinctsthebrutishonesofforcearethefirsttoleaptothesurfaceattheslightestprovocation。Wewomenseefurther，weknowmore。Isweartoyou，Richard，thatifyouinterfereIwillneverforgiveyouaslongasIlive！"
Richardstaredathissisterinamazement。Thereseemedtobesomenewspiritbornwithinher。Throughoutalltheirdayshehadneverknownhersomuchinearnest，sopassionatelyinsistent。Helookedfromhertothemanwhomshesoughttoprotect，andwhoanswered，unasked，thethoughtsthatwereinhismind。
"WhateverharmImayhavebeenabletodo，"Lessinghamannounced，"isfinished。Ileavethisplaceto-night，probablyforever。AsfortheCommandant，"hewentonwithafaintsmile，"heisalreadyuponmytrack。Thereisnothingyoucantellhimaboutmewhichhedoesnotknow。Itisjustamatterofhours，thetossofacoin，whetherIgetawayornot。"
"They’vefoundyouout，then？"Richardexclaimed。
"Onlyamiraclesavedmefromarrestaweekago，"Lessinghamacknowledged。"YourCommandanthereisatthepresentmomentinLondonforthesolepurposeofdenouncingme。"
"Andyetyouremainhere，payingafternooncalls？"Richardobservedincredulously。"I’mhangedifIcanseethroughthis！"
"Yousee，"Lessinghamexplainedgently。"Iamafatalist！"
ItwasHelenwhofinallyledherloverfromtheroom。Helookedbackfromthedoor。
"Maderstrom，"hesaid，"youknowquitewellhowpersonallyIfeeltowardsyou。Iamgratefulforwhatyouhavedoneforme，eventhoughIambeginningtounderstandyourmotives。Butasregardstheotherthingswearebothsoldiers。IamgoingtotalktoHelenforatime。IwanttounderstandalittlemorethanIdoatpresent。"
Lessinghamnodded。
"Letmehelpyou，"hebegged。"Hereistheissueinplainwords。