CHAPTERI
"Neverheardasound，"theyoungeroftheafternooncallersadmitted，gettingridofhisemptycupandleaningforwardinhislowchair。"Nomoretea，thankyou，MissFairclough。Donesplendidly，thanks。No，Iwenttobedlastnightsoonaftereleven-theColonelhadbeenroutemarchingusalloffourlegs-andIneverawokeuntilreveillethismorning。Sleepofthejust，andallthatsortofthing，butajollysell，allthesame！
Youhearanythingofit，sir？"heasked，turningtohiscompanion，whowasseatedafewfeetaway。
CaptainGriffithsshookhishead。Hewasamanconsiderablyolderthanhisquestioner，withlong，nervousface，andthickblackhairstreakedwithgrey。Hisfingerswerebony，hiscomplexion，forasoldier，curiouslysallow，andnotwithstandinghisheight，whichwasconsiderable，hewasawkward，attimesalmostuncouth。Hisvoicewashardandunsympathetic，andhiscontributionstothetea-tabletalkhadbeenalmostnegligible。
"Iwasupuntiltwoo’clock，asithappened，"hereplied，"butI
knewnothingaboutthematteruntilitwasbroughttomynoticeofficially。"
HelenFairclough，whowasdoingthehonoursforLadyCranston，herabsenthostess，assumedtheslightairofsuperioritytowhichthecircumstancesofthecaseentitledher。
"Ihearditdistinctly，"shedeclared；"infactitwokemeup。I
hungoutofthewindow，andIcouldheartheenginejustasplainlyasthoughitwereoverthegolflinks。"
Theyoungsubalternsighed。
"RottenluckIhavewiththesethings，"heconfided。"That’sthreetimesthey’vebeenover，andI’veneitherheardnorseenone。Thistimetheysaythatithadthenarrowestshaveonearthofcomingdown。Ofcourse，you’veheardoftheobservationcarfoundonDutchman’sCommonthismorning？"
Thegirlassented。
"Didyouseeit？"sheenquired。
"Notachance，"wasthegloomyreply。"ItwasputontwocoveredtrucksandsentuptoLondonbythefirsttrain。CaptainGriffithscantellyouwhatitwaslike，Idaresay。Youweredownthere，weren’tyou，sir？"
"Isuperintendeditsremoval，"thelatterinformedthem。"Itwasaveryuninterestingaffair。"
"Anybombsinit？"Helenasked。
"Notasignofone。Justahardseat，twosetsoffield-glassesandatelephone。Itseemstohavegotcaughtinsometreesandbeendraggedoff。"
"Howexciting！"thegirlmurmured。"Isupposetherewasn’tanyoneinit？"
Griffithsshookhishead。
"Ibelieve，"heexplained，"thattheseobservationcars，althoughtheyareattachedtomostoftheZeppelins，areseldomusedinnightraids。"
"Ishouldliketohaveseenit，allthesame，"Helenconfessed。
"Youwouldhavebeendisappointed，"herinformantassuredher。
"By-the-by，"headded，alittleawkwardly，"areyounotexpectingLadyCranstonbackthisevening？"
"Iamexpectinghereverymoment。Thecarhasgonedowntothestationtomeether。"
CaptainGriffithsappearedtoreceivethenewswithacertainundemonstrativesatisfaction。Heleanedbackinhischairwiththeairofonewhoiscontenttowait。
"Haveyouheard，MissFairclough，"hisyoungercompanionenquired，alittlediffidently，"whetherLadyCranstonhadanyluckintown？"
HelenFaircloughlookedaway。Therewasaslightmistbeforehereyes。
"Ihadaletterthismorning，"shereplied。"Sheseemstohaveheardnothingatallencouragingsofar。"
"Andyouhaven’theardfromMajorFelsteadhimself，Isuppose？"
Thegirlshookherhead。
"Notaline，"shesighed。"It’stwomonthsnowsincewelasthadaletter。"
"Jollybadlucktogetnippedjustashewasdoingsowell，"theyoungmanobservedsympathetically。
"Itallseemsverycruel，"Helenagreed。"Hewasn’treallyfittogoback，buttheBoardpassedhimbecausetheyweresoshortofofficersandhekeptworryingthem。Hewassoafraidhe’dgetmovedtoanotherbattalion。ThenhewastakenprisonerinthathorriblePervaisaffair，andsenttotheworstcampinGermany。
Sincethen，ofcourse，PhilippaandIhavehadawretchedtime，worrying。"
"MajorFelsteadisLadyCranston’sonlybrother，ishenot？"
Griffithsenquired。
"Andmyonlyfianc=82，"shereplied，withalittlegrimace。"However，don’tletustalkaboutourtroublesanymore，"shecontinued，withaneffortatalightertone。"You’llfindsomecigarettesonthattable，Mr。Harrison。Ican’tthinkwhereNorais。Iexpectshehaspersuadedsomeonetotakeherouttrophy-huntingtoDutchrnan’sCommon。"
"Theroadallthewayislikeacircus，"theyoungsoldierobserved，"andthereisn’tathingtobeseenwhenyougetthere。Thenavalairmenwereallovertheplaceatdaybreak，andCaptainGriffithswasn’tfarbehindthem。Youdidn’tleavemuchforthesightseers，sir，"heconcluded，turningtohisneighbour。
"AsCommandantoftheplace，"CaptainGriffithsreplied，"InaturallyhadtohavetheCommonsearched。Withtheexceptionoftheobservationcar，however，IthinkthatIambetrayingnoconfidencesintellingyouthatwediscoverednothingofinterest。"
"DoyousupposethattheZeppelinwasindifficulties，asshewasflyingsolow？"Helenenquired。
"Itisaperfectlyreasonablehypothesis，"theCommandantassented。
"Twopatrolboatsweresentoutearlythismorning，insearchofher。
AnoldmanwhomIsawatWaburnedeclaresthatshepassedlikealong，blackcloud，justoverhishead，andthathewasalmostdeafenedbythenoiseoftheengines。Personally，Icannotbelievethattheywouldcomedownsolowunlessshewasinsometrouble。"
Thedoorofthecomfortablelibraryinwhichtheywereseatedwassuddenlythrownopen。Anexceedinglyalert-lookingyounglady，verymuchbefreckled，andasyetunemancipatedfromthelongplaitsoftheschoolroom，cameinlikeawhirlwind。Inherhandshecarriedaman’sHomburghat，whichshewavedaloftintriumph。
"Comein，Arthur，"sheshoutedtoayoungsubalternwhowashoveringinthebackground。"LookwhatI’vegot，Helen！Atrophy！
Justlook，Mr。HarrisonandCaptainGriffiths！Ifounditinabush，nottwentyyardsfromwheretheobservationcarcamedown。"
Helenturnedthehataroundinamusedbewilderment。
"But，mydearchild，"sheexclaimed，"thisisnothingbutanordinaryhat！PeoplewhotravelinZeppelinsdon’twearthingslikethat。Howdoyoudo，Mr。Somerfield？"sheadded，smilingattheyoungmanwhohadfollowedNoraintotheroom。
"Don’tthey！"thelatterretorted，withanairofsuperiorknowledge。"Justlookhere！"
Sheturneddowntheliningandshowedittothem。"Whatdoyoumakeofthat？"sheaskedtriumphantly。
Helengazedatthegold-printedlettersalittleincredulously。
"Readitout，"Norainsisted。
Helenobeyed：
"Schmidt，Berlin，UnterdenLinden，127。"
"ThatsoundsGerman，"sheadmitted。
"It’satrophy，allright，"Noradeclared。"Oneofthecrew-=20
probablytheCommander-musthavecomeonboardinahurryandchangedintouniformaftertheyhadstarted。"
"Itismypainfulduty，MissNora，"Harrisonannouncedsolemnly，"toinformyou，onbehalfofCaptainGriffiths，thatallarticlesofwhatsoeverdescription，foundinthevicinityofDutchman’sCommon，whichmightpossiblyhavebelongedtoanyoneintheZeppelin，mustbesentatoncetotheWarOffice。"
"Rubbish！"Norascoffed。"TheWarOfficearen’tgoingtohavemyhat。"
"Duty，"theyoungmanbegan-
"YoucangobacktotheDepotanddoyourduty，then，Mr。Harrison，"
Norainterrupted，"butyou’renotgoingtohavemyhat。I’dthrowitintothefiresoonerthangiveitup。"
"Militaryregulationsmustbeobeyed，MissNora，"CaptainGriffithsventuredthoughtfully。
"Nothingsoimportantashats，"Harrisonputin。"Youseetheyfit-somebody。"
Thegirl’sgesturewasirreverentbutconvincing。"I’dlistentoanythingCaptainGriffithshadtosay，"shedeclared，"butyouboyswhoarelearningtobesoldiersaresimplyeatenupwithconceit。
There’snothinginyourtextbookabouthats。Ifyou’regoingtomakeyourselvesdisagreeableaboutthis，Ishallsimplyignoretheregiment。"
Thetwoyoungmenfellintoattitudesofmockdismay。Noratookachocolatefromabox。
"Bemerciful，MissNora！"Harrisonpleadedtearfully。
"Don’tbreaktheregimentupaltogether，"Somerfieldbegged，withalittlecatchinhisvoice。
"Allverywellforyoutwotobefunny，"Norawenton，revisitingthechocolatebox，"butyou’veheardabouttheSeaforthscorning，haven’tyou？Iadorekilts，andsodoesHelen；don’tyou，Helen？"
"Everywomandoes，"Helenadmitted，smiling。"Isupposethechildreallycankeepthehat，can’tshe？"sheadded，turningtotheCommandant。
"Officiallythematterisoutsidemycognizance，"hedeclared。"I
shallhavenothingtosay。"
Thetwoyoungmenexchangedglances。
"Ahat，"Somerfieldruminated，"especiallyaHomburghat，isscarcelyanappurtenanceofwarfare。"
Hisbrotherofficerstoodforamomentlookinggravelyattheobjectinquestion。ThenhewinkedatSomerfieldandsighed。
"Ishalltakethewholeresponsibility，"hedecidedmagnanimously，"ofsayingnothingaboutthematter。Wecan’taffordtoquarrelwithMissNora，canwe，Somerfield？"
"Notonyourlife，"thatyoungmanagreed。
"Sensibleboys！"Norapronouncedgraciously。
"Thankyouverymuch，CaptainGriffiths，fornotencouragingthemintheirfolly。Youcantakemeasfarasthepost-officewhenyougo，Arthur，"shecontinued，turningtothefortunatepossessoroftheside-car，"andwe’llhavesomegolfto-morrowafternoon，ifyoulike。"
"Won’tMr。Somerfieldhavesometea？"Heleninvited。
"Thankyouverymuch，MissFairclough，"themanreplied；"wehadteasometimeagoatWatson’s，whereIfoundMissNora。"
Norasuddenlyheldupherfinger。"Isn’tthatthecar？"sheasked。
"Why，itmustbemummy，herealready。Yes，Icanhearhervoice！"
Griffiths，whohadmovedeagerlytowardsthewindow，lookedback。
"ItisLadyCranston，"heannouncedsolemnly。
CHAPTERII
Thewomanwhopausedforamomentuponthethresholdofthelibrary，lookinginuponthelittlecompany，wasundeniablybeautiful。Shehadmassesofred-goldhair，alittledisorderedbyherlongrailwayjourney，deep-sethazeleyes，adelicate，almostporcelain-likecomplexion，andasensitive，delightfullyshapedmouth。Herfigurewassmallanddainty，andjustatthatmomentshehadanappearanceofhelplessnesswhichwasalmostchildlike。Nora，afteravigorousembrace，ledherstepmothertowardsachair。
"Comeandsitbythefire，Mummy，"shebegged。"Youlooktiredandcold。"
Philippaexchangedageneralsalutationwithherguests。Shewasstillwearinghertravellingcoat，andherairoffatiguewasunmistakable。Griffiths，whohadnottakenhiseyesoffhersinceherentrance，wheeledaneasy-chairtowardsthehearth-rug，intowhichshesankwithamurmuredwordofthanks。
"You’llhavesometea，won’tyou，dear？"Helenenquired。
Philippashookherhead。Hereyesmetherfriend’sforamoment-itwasonlyaverybriefglance，butthetragedyofsomemutualsorrowseemedcuriouslyrevealedinthatunspokenquestionandanswer。Thetwoyoungsubalternspreparedtotaketheirleave。
Nora，kneelingdown，strokedherstepmother’shand。
"Nonewsatall，then？"Helenfaltered。
"None，"wasthewearyreply。
"Anyamountofnewshere，Mummy，"Noraintervenedcheerfully，"andheapsofexcitement。WehadaZeppelinoverDutchman’sCommonlastnight，andshelostherobservationcar。Mr。Somerfieldtookmeuptherethisafternoon，andIfoundaGermanhat。Nooneelsegotathing，and，wouldyoubelieveit，thosechildrenovertheretriedtotakeitawayfromme。"
Herstepmothersmiledfaintly。
"Iexpectyouarekeepingthehat，dear，"sheobserved。
"Ishouldsayso！"Noraassented。
Philippaheldoutherhandtothetwoyoungmenwhohadbeenwaitingtotaketheirleave。
"Youmustcomeanddineonenightthisweek，bothofyou，"shesaid。
"Myhusbandwillbehomebythelatertrainthisevening，andI’msurehewillbegladtohaveyou。"
"Verykindofyou，LadyCranston，weshallbedelighted，"Harrisondeclared。
"Rather！"hiscompanionechoed。
Noraledthemaway，andHelen，withawordofexcuse，followedthem。
Griffiths，whohadalsorisentohisfeet，camealittlenearertoPhilippa’schair。
"Andyou，too，ofcourse，CaptainGriffiths，"shesaid，smilingpleasantlyupathim。"Mustyouhurryaway？"
"Iwillstay，ifImay，untilMissFaircloughreturns，"heanswered，resuminghisseat。
"Do！"Philippabeggedhim。"Ihavehadsuchamiserabletimeintown。Youcan’tthinkhowrestfulitistobebackhere。"
"Iamafraid，"heobserved，"thatyourjourneyhasnotbeensuccessful。"
Philippashookherhead。
"Ithasbeencompletelyunsuccessful，"shesighed。"Ihavenotbeenabletohearawordaboutmybrother。IamsosorryforpoorHelen，too。Theywereonlyengaged，youknow，afewdaysbeforeheleftforthefrontthislasttime。"
CaptainGriffithsnoddedsympathetically。
"InevermetMajorFelstead，"heremarked，"buteveryonewhohasseemstolikehimverymuch。Hewasdoingsowell，too，uptothatlastunfortunateaffair，wasn’the？"
"Dickisadear，"Philippadeclared。"Ineverknewanyonewithsomanyfriends。Hewouldhavebeencommandinghisbattalionnow，ifonlyhewerefree。Hiscolonelwroteandtoldmesohimself。"
"IwishthereweresomethingIcoulddo，"Griffithsmurmured，alittleawkwardly。"Ithurtsme，LadyCranston，toseeyousoupset。"
Shelookedathimforamomentinfaintsurprise。
"Nobodycandoanything，"shebemoaned。"Thatistheunfortunatepartofitall。"
Herosetohisfeetandwasimmediatelyconscious，ashealwayswaswhenhestoodup，thattherewasafootortwoofhisfigurewhichhehadnoideawhattodowith。
"Youwouldn’tfeellikearideto-morrowmorning，LadyCranston？"heasked，withawistfulnesswhichseemedsomehowstifledinhisratherunpleasantvoice。Sheshookherhead。
"Perhapsonemorninglater，"shereplied，alittlevaguely。"I
haven’tanyheartforanythingjustnow。"
Hetookasombrebutagitatedleaveofhishostess，andwentoutintothetwilight，cursinghislackofease，rememberingthethingswhichhehadmeanttosay，andhatinghimselfforhavingforgottenthem。Philippa，towhomhisdeparturehadbeen，asitalwayswas，arelief，wasalreadyleaningforwardinherchairwithherarmaroundHelen’sneck。
"Ithoughtthatextraordinarymanwouldnevergo，"sheexclaimed，"andIwaslongingtosendforyou，Helen。Londonhasbeensuchadrearychapterofdisappointments。"
"Whatasickeningtimeyoumusthavehad，dear！"
"Itwashorrid，"Philippaassentedsadly，"butyouknowHenryisnouseatall，andIshouldhavefeltmiserableunlessIhadgone。
IhavebeentoeveryfriendattheWarOffice，andeveryfriendwhohasfriendsthere。Ihavemadeeverysortofenquiry，andI
knowjustasmuchnowasIdidwhenIlefthere-thatRichardwasaprisoneratWittenbergthelasttimetheyheard，andthattheyhavereceivednonotificationwhateverconcerninghimforthelasttwomonths。
Helenglancedatthecalendar。
"Itisjusttwomonthsto-day，"shesaidmournfully，"sinceweheard。"
"Andthen，"Philippasighed，"hehadn’treceivedasingleoneofourparcels。"
Helenrosesuddenlytoherfeet。Shewasatall，fairgirlofthebestSaxontype，slimbutnotintheleastangular，witheverypromise，indeed，ofafullerandmoregraciousdevelopmentintheyearstocome。Shewasbarelytwenty-twoyearsold，and，asiscommonwithgirlsofhercomplexion，seemedyounger。Herbright，intelligentfacewas，aboveall，good-humoured。Justatthatmoment，however，therewasaflushofpassionateangerinhercheeks。
"Itmakesmefeelalmostbesidemyself，"sheexclaimed，"thishideousincapacityfordoinganything！Herewearelivinginluxury，withoutasingleprivation，whilstDick，thedearestthingonearthtobothofus，isbeingstarvedandgoadedtodeathinafoulGermanprison！"
"Wemustn’tbelievethatit’squitesobadasthat，dear，"Philipparemonstrated。"Whatisit，Mills？"
Theelderlyman-servantwhohadenteredwithatrayinhisband，bowedashearrangedituponasidetable。
"Ihavetakenthelibertyofbringinginalittlefreshtea，yourladyship，"heannounced，"andsomehotbutteredtoast。Cookhassentsomeofthesandwiches，too，whichyourladyshipgenerallyfancies。"
"Itisverykindofyou，Mills，"Philippasaid，withratherawanlittlesmile。"IhadsometeaatSouthLynn，butitwasverybad。
Youmighttakemycoat，please。"
Shestoodup，andtheheavyfurcoatslippedeasilyawayfromherslim，elegantlittlebody。
"ShallIlightup，yourladyship？"Millsenquired。
"Youmightlightalamp，"Philippadirected，"butdon’tdrawtheblindsuntillighting-uptime。AfterthenoiseofLondon，"shewenton，turningtoHelen，"Ialwaysthinkthatthefaintsoundoftheseaissorestful。"
Themanmovednoiselesslyabouttheroomandreturnedoncemoretohismistress。
"Weshouldbegladtohear，yourladyship，"hesaid，"ifthereisanynewsofMajorFelstead？"Philippashookherhead。
"Noneatall，Iamsorrytosay，Mills！Still，wemusthopeforthebest。Idaresaythatsomeofthesecampsarenotsobadasweimagine。"
"Wemusthopenot，yourladyship，"wasthesomewhatdismalreply。
"ShallIfastenthewindows？"
"Youcanleavethemuntilyoudrawtheblinds，Mills，"Philippadirected。"Iamnotathome，ifanyoneshouldcall。Seethatweareundisturbedforalittletime。"
"Verygood，yourladyship。"
Thedoorwasclosed，andthetwowomenwereoncemorealone。
Philippaheldoutherarms。
"Helen，darling，comeandbenicetome，"shebegged。"Letusbothpretendthatnonewsisgoodnews。Oh，Iknowwhatyouaresuffering，butrememberthatevenifDickisyourlover，heismydear，onlybrother-mytwinbrother，too。Wehavebeensomuchtoeachotherallourlives。He’llstickitout，dear，ifanyhumanbeingcan。Weshallhavehimbackwithussomeday。"
"Butheishungry，"Helensobbed。"Ican’tbeartothinkofhisbeinghungry。EverytimeIsitdowntoeat，italmostchokesme。"
"Isupposehehasforgottenwhatawhiskyandsodaislike，"
Philippamurmured，withalittlecatchinherownthroat。
"Healwaysusedtoloveoneaboutthistime，"Helenfaltered，glancingattheclock。
"Andcigarettes！"Philippaexclaimed。"Iwonderwhethertheygivehimanythingtosmoke。"
"NastyGermantobacco，iftheydo，"Helenrejoinedindignantly。
"AndtothinkthatIhavesenthimatleastsixhundredofhisfavouriteEgyptians！"
Shefelloncemoreonherkneesbyherfriend’sside。Theirarmswereintertwined，theircheekstouching。Oneofthosestrange，femininesilencesofacutesympathyseemedtoholdthemforawhileunderitsthrall。Then，almostatthesamemoment，aqueerawakeningcameforbothofthem。Helen’sarmwasstiffened。
Philippaturnedherhead，buthereyeswerefilledwithincredulousfear。Alittlecurrentofcoolairwasblowingthroughtheroom。
TheFrenchwindowsstoodhalfopen，andwithhisbacktothem，amanwhohadapparentlyenteredtheroomfromthegardensandpassednoiselesslyacrossthesoftcarpet，wasstandingbythedoor，listening。Theyheardhimturnthekey。Then，inabusinesslikemanner，hereturnedtothewindowsandclosedthem，theeyesofthetwowomenfollowinghimallthetime。Satisfied。apparently，withhisprecautions，heturnedtowardsthemjustasanexpressionofindignantenquirybrokefromPhilippa’slips。Helensprangtoherfeet，andPhilippagrippedthesidesofherchair。Thenewcomeradvancedafewstepsnearertothem。
CHAPTERIII
Itseemedtothetwowomen，briefthoughtheperiodofactualsilencewas，thatinthosefewsecondstheyjointlyconceiveddefiniteandlastingimpressionsofthemanwhowastobecome，duringthenextfewweeks，anobjectofthedeepestconcerntobothofthem。Theintruderwasslightlybuilt，oflittlemorethanmediumheight，ofdarkcomplexion，withanalmostimperceptiblemoustacheofmilitarypattern，blackhairdishevelledwiththewind，andeyesofalmostpeculiarbrightness。Hecarriedhimselfwithanassurancewhichwassomewhatremarkableconsideringtheconditionofhistornandmudstainedclothes，theveryqualityofwhichwasalmostundistinguishable。Theyboth，curiouslyenough，formedthesameinstinctiveconvictionthat，notwithstandinghistramplikeappearanceandhisburglariousentrance，thiswasnotapersontobegreatlyfeared。
ThestrangerbrushedasidePhilippa’sincoherentexclamationandopenedtheconversationwithsomeceremony。
"Ladies，"hebegan，withalowbow，"inthefirstplaceletmeoffermymostprofoundapologiesforthisunusualformofentrancetoyourhouse。"
Philipparosefromhereasy-chairandconfrontedhim。Thefirelightplayeduponherred-goldhair，andsurprisehaddriventhewearinessfromherface。Againsttheblackoakofthechimneypieceshehadalmosttheappearanceofaframedcameo。Hervoicewasquitesteady，althoughitsinflectionbetrayedsomeindignation。
"Willyoukindlyexplainwhoyouareandwhatyoumeanbythisextraordinarybehaviour？"shedemanded。
"Itismyearnestintentiontodosowithoutdelay，"heassuredher，hiseyesapparentlyrivetteduponPhilippa。"Kindlypardonme。"
HeheldouthisarmtostopHelen，who，withhereyeuponthebell，hadmadeastealthyattempttoslippasthim。Hereyesflashedasshefelthisfingersuponherarm。
"Howdareyouattempttostopme！"sheexclaimed。
"MydearMissFairclough，"heremonstrated，"intheinterestsofallofus，itisbetterthatweshouldhaveafewmomentsofundisturbedconversation。IamtakingitforgrantedthatIhavethepleasureofaddressingMissFairclough？"
Therewassomethingabouttheman’seasyconfidencewhichwas，initsway，impressiveyetirritating。Helenappearedbereftofwordsandretreatedtoherplacealmostmildly。Philippa’sverydelicateeyebrowsweredrawntogetherinaslightfrown。
"Youareacquaintedwithournames，then？"
"Perfectly，"wasthesuavereply。"You，Ipresume，areLadyCranston？
Imaybepermittedtoadd，"hewenton，lookingathersteadfastly，"thatthedescriptionfromwhichIrecogniseyoudoesyoulessthanjustice。"
"Ifindthatremark，underthecircumstances，impertinent，"Philippatoldhimcoldly。
Heshruggedhisshoulders。Therewasaslightsmileuponhislipsandhiseyestwinkled。
"Alas！"hemurmured，"forthemomentIforgotthesomewhatunusualcircumstancesofourmeeting。PermitmetoofferyouwhatItrustyouwillacceptastheequivalentofaletterofintroduction。"
"Aletterofintroduction，"Philipparepeated，glancingathisdisorderedclothes，"andyoucomeinthroughthewindow！"
"Believeme，"theintruderassuredher，"itwastheonlyway。"
"Perhapsyouwilltellme，then，"Philippademanded，herangergraduallygivingwaytobewilderment，"whatiswrongwithmyfrontdoor？"
"ForallIknow，dearlady，"thenewcomerconfessed，"yoursmaybeanexcellentfrontdoor。Iwouldaskyou，however，toconsidermyappearanceIhavebeenobligedtoconcludethelastfewmilesofmyjourneyinsomewhatignominiousfashion。Myclothes-theywerequiteniceclothes，too，whenIstarted，"headded，lookingdownathimselfruefully-"havesuffered。And，asyouperceive，Ihavelostmyhat。"
"Yourhat？"Helenexclaimed，withasuddenglanceatNora’strophy。
"Precisely！Imighthaveposedbeforeyourbutler，perhaps，asbelongingtowhatyoucallthehatlessbrigade，butthemuduponmyclothes，andtheseunfortunaterentsinmygarments，wouldhavenecessitatedanexplanationwhichIthoughtbetteravoided。Imakemyselfquiteclear，Itrust？"
"Clear？"Philippamurmuredhelplessly。
"Clear？"Helenechoed，withapuzzledfrown。
"Imean，ofcourse，"theirvisitorexplained，"sofarasregardsmychoosingthissomewhatsurreptitiousformofentranceintoyourhouse。"
Philippashruggedhershouldersandmadeadeterminedmovetowardsthebell。Theintruder，however，barredherway。Shelookedupintohisfaceandfounditdifficulttomaintainherindignation。
Hisexpression，besidesbeingdistinctlypleasant，wasfullofarespectfuladmiration。
"Willyoupleaseletmepass？"sheinsisted。
"Madam，"hereplied，"Iamafraidthatitisyourintentiontoringthebell。"
"Ofcourseitis，"sheadmitted。"Don’tdaretopreventme。"
"Madam，Idonotwishtopreventyou，"heassuredher。"Afewmoments’delay-thatisallIpleadfor。"
"Willyouexplainatonce，sir，"Philippademanded，"whatyoumeanbyforcingyourwayintomyhouseinthisextraordinaryfashion，andbylockingthatdoor？"
"Iammostanxioustodoso，"wasthepromptreply。"Iamcorrect，ofcourse，inmyfirstsurmisethatyouareLadyCranston-andyouMissFairclough？"headded，bowingceremoniouslytobothofthem。
"Averygreatpleasure！Irecognisedyoubothquiteeasily，yousee，fromyourdescriptions。"
"Fromourdescriptions？"Philipparepeated。
Thenewcomerbowed。
"Thedescriptions，glowing，indeed，butbynomeansexaggerated，ofyourbrotherRichard，LadyCranston，andyourfianc=82，MissFairclough。"
"Richard？"Philippaalmostshrieked。
"YouhaveseenDick？"Helengasped。
Theintruderdivedinhispocketsandproducedtwosealedenvelopes。
HehandedoneeachsimultaneouslytoHelenandtoPhilippa。
"Mylettersofintroduction，"heexplained，withalittlesighofrelief。"Itrustthatduringtheirperusalyouwillinvitemetohavesometea。Iamalmoststarving。"
Thetwowomenhastenedtowardsthelamp。
"Onemoment，Ibeg，"theirvisitorinterposed。"Ihaveestablished，Itrust，mycredentials。MayIremindyouthatIwascompelledtoensurethesafetyofthesefewminutes’conversationwithyou，bylockingthatdoor。Areyoulikelytobedisturbed？"
"No，no！Nochanceatall，"Philippaassuredhim。
"Ifweare，we’llexplain，"Helenpromised。
"Inthatcase，"theintruderbegged，"perhapsyouwillexcuseme。"
Hemovedtowardsthedoorandsoftlyturnedthekey，thenhedrewthecurtainscarefullyacrosstheFrenchwindows。Afterwardshemadehiswaytowardsthetea-table。AlittlethrobbingcryhadbrokenfromHelen’slips。
"Philippa，"sheexclaimed，"it’sfromDick！It’sDick’shandwriting！"
Philippa’sreplywasincoherent。Shewastearingopenherownenvelope。Withawell-satisfiedsmile，thebearerofthesecommunicationsseizedasandwichinonehandandpouredhimselfoutsometeawiththeother。Heateanddrankwiththerestraintofgood-breeding，butwithavoracitywhichgavepointtohispleaofstarvation。Afewyardsaway，thebreathlesssilencebetweenthetwowomenhadgivenplacetoanalmosthystericalseriesofdisjointedexclamations。
"It’sfromDick！"Helenrepeated。"It’shisowndearhandwriting。
Howshakyitis！He’saliveandwell，Philippa，andhe’sfoundafriend。"
"Iknow-Iknow，"Philippamurmuredtremulously。"Ourparcelshavebeendiscovered，andhegotthemallatonce。Justfancy，Helen，he’sreallynotsoill，afterall！"
Theydrewalittleclosertogether。
"Youreadyoursoutfirst，"Helenproposed，"andthenI’llreadmine。"
Philippanodded。Hervoicehereandtherewasalittleuncertain。
MYDEARESTSISTER，IhaveheardnothingfromyouorHelenforsolongthatIwasreallygettingdesperate。Ihavehadaveryroughtimehere，butbythegraceofProvidenceIstumbledupagainstanoldfriendtheotherday，BertramMaderstrom，whomyoumusthaveheardmespeakofinmycollegedays。Itisn’ttoomuchtosaythathehassavedmylife。Hehasunearthedyourparcels，foundmedecentquarters，andIamgettingdoublerations。Hehaspromised，too，togetthisletterthroughtoyou。=20
Youneedn’tworryaboutmenow，dear。IamfeelingtwicethemanIwasamonthago，andIshallstickitoutnowquiteeasily。
Writemeasoftenaseveryoucan。YourlettersandHelen’smakeallthedifference。
MylovetoyouandtoHenry。
Youraffectionatebrother，RICHARD。
P。S。IsHenryanAdmiralyet？IsupposehewasintheJutlandscrap，whichtheyalltellusherewasagreatGermanvictory。I
hopehecameoutallright。
Philippareadthepostscriptwithalittleshiver。Thenshesetherteethasthoughdeterminedtoignoreit。
"Isn’titwonderful！"sheexclaimed，turningtowardsHelenwithglowingeyes。=20"Nowyours，dear？"
Helen’svoicetrembledassheread。Hereyes，too，attimesweremisty：
DEAREST，IamwritingtoyousodifferentlybecauseIfeelthatyouwillreallygetthisletter。Ihavebadanastonishingstrokeofluck，asyouwillgatherfromPhilippa’snote。Youcan’timaginethedifference。AmonthagoIreallythoughtIshouldhavetochuckitin。NowIamputtingonflesheverydayandbeginningtofeelmyselfagain。IowemylifetoapalwithwhomIwasatcollege，andwhomyouandI，dearest，willhavetorememberallourlives。
Ithinkofyoualways，andmythoughtsareliketheflowersofwhichweseenothinginthesehideoushuts。Mygreatestjoyisindreamingofthedaywhenweshallmeetagain。
Writetomeoften，sweetheart。Yourlettersandmythoughtsofyouaretheonejoyofmylife。
Alwaysyourlover，DICK。
Therewereafewmomentsofsignificantsilence。Thegirlswereleaningtogether，theirarmsaroundoneanother’snecks，theirheadsalmosttouching。Behindthem，theirvisitorcontinuedtoeatanddrink。Heroseatlast，however，reluctantlytohisfeet，andcoughed。Theystarted，suddenlyrememberinghispresence。Philippaturnedimpulsivelytowardshimwithoutstretchedhands。
"Ican’ttellyouhowthankfulwearetoyou，"shedeclared。
"Bothofus，"Helenechoed。
Hetouchedwithhisfingersaboxofcigaretteswhichstooduponthetea-table。
"Youpermit？"heasked。
"Ofcourse，"Philippaassentedeagerly。"Youwillfindsomematchesonthetraythere。Dopleasehelpyourself。IamafraidthatI
musthaveseemedverydiscourteous，butthishasallbeensoamazing。
Won’tyouhavesomefreshteaandsometoast，orwouldn’tyoulikesomemoresandwiches？"
"Nothingmoreatpresent，thankyou，"hereplied。"Ifyoudonotmind，Iwouldrathercontinueourconversation。"
"Theselettersarewonderful，"Philippatoldhimgratefully。"Youknowfromwhomtheycome，ofcourse。Dickismytwinbrother，anduntilthewarwehadscarcelyeverbeenparted。MissFaircloughhereisengagedtobemarriedtohim。Itisquitetwomonthssincewehadaline，andImyselfhavebeeninLondonforthelastthreedays，threeverywearydays，makingenquirieseverywhere。"
"Iamveryhappy，"hesaid，"tohavebroughtyousuchgoodnews。"
Oncemorethenormalaspectofthesituationbegantoreimposeitselfuponthetwowomen。Theyrememberedthelockeddoor，thesecrecyoftheirvisitor’sentrance，andhisdisorderedcondition。
"MayIasktowhomweareindebtedforthisgreatservice？"Philippaenquired。
"MynameforthepresentisHamarLessingham，"wasthesuavereply。
"Forthepresent？"Philipparepeated。"Youhaveperhaps，someexplanationstomake，"shewenton，withsomehesitation；"theconditionofyourclothes，yoursomewhatcuriousformofentrance？"
"Withyourpermission。"
"Onemoment，"Helenintervenedeagerly。"Isitpossible，Mr-=20
Lessingham，thatyouhaveseenMajorFelsteadlately？"
"Amatteroffifty-sixhoursago，MissFairclough。Iamhappytotellyouthatbewaslooking，underthecircumstances，quitereasonablywell。"
Helencaughtupaphotographfromthetablebyherside，andcameovertotheirvisitor’sside。
"Thiswastakenjustbeforebewentoutthefirsttime，"shecontinued。"Isheanythinglikethatnow？"
Mr。HamarLessinghamsighedandshookhishead。
"Youmustexpect，"hewarnedher，"thatprisonandhospitalhavehadtheireffectuponhim。Hewasgainingstrengtheveryday，however，whenIleft。"
Philippaheldoutherhand。Shehadbeenlookingcuriouslyattheirvisitor。
"Helen，dear，afterwardswewillgetMr。LessinghamtotalktousaboutDick，"sheinsisted。"FirsttherearesomequestionswhichImustask。"
Hebowedslightlyanddrewhimselfup。Foramomentitseemedasthoughtheywereenteringuponaduel-theslight，beautifulwomanandthemaninrags。
"Justnow，"shebegan，"youtoldusthatyousawMajorFelstead，mybrother，fifty-sixhoursago。"
"Thatisso，"heassented。
"Butitisimpossible！"shepointedout。"MybrotherisaprisonerofwarinGermany。"
"Precisely，"hereplied，"andnot，Iamafraid，underthehappiestconditions，hehasbeenunfortunateinhiscamp。Letustalkabouthim，shallwe？"
"Areyoumad，"Helendemanded，"orareyoutryingtoconfuseus？"
"Mydearyounglady！"heprotested。"Whysupposesuchathing？I
wasflatteringmyselfthatmyconversationanddeportmentwere，underthecircumstances，perfectlyrational。"
"Butyouaretalkingnonsense，"Philippainsisted。"YousaythatyousawMajorFelsteadfifty-sixhoursago。Youcannotmeanustobelievethatfifty-sixhoursagoyouwereatWittenberg。"
"ThatispreciselywhatIhavebeentryingtotellyou，"heagreed。
"Butitisn’tpossible！"Helengasped。
"Quite，Iassureyou，"hecontinued；"infact，weshouldhavebeenherebeforebutforalittleuncertaintyastoyourarmamentsalongthecoast。Therewasagun，weweretold，somewherenearhere，whichwewerecrediblyinformedhadoncebeenfiredwithouttheslightestaccident。"
Philippa’seyesseemedtogrowlargerandrounder。
"He’sraving！"shedecided。
"Heisn’t！"Helencried，withsuddendivination。"Isthatyourhat？"
sheasked，pointingtothetablewhereNorahadlefthertrophy。
"Itis，"headmittedwithasmile，"butIdonotthinkthatIwillclaimit。"
"YouwereintheobservationcarofthatZeppelin！"
Lessinghamextendedhishand。
"Softly，please，"hebegged。"Youhave，Igather，arrivedatthetruth，butforthemomentshallitbeoursecret？Imadeanexceedinglyuncomfortable，nottosayundignifieddescentfromtheZeppelinwhichpassedoverDutchman’sCommonlastnight。"
"Then，"Philippacried，"youareaGerman！"
"Mydearlady，Ihaveescapedthatmisfortune，"Lessinghamconfessed。"DoyouthinkthatnoneotherthanGermansrideinZeppelins？"
CHAPTERIV
Anewtensenessseemedtohavecreptintothesituation。Theconversation，neverwithoutitsemotionaltendencies，atoncechangeditscharacter。Philippa，coldandreserved，withathreatlurkingallthetimeinhertoneandmanner，becameitsguidingspirit。
"Wemayenquireyourname？"sheasked。
"IamtheBaronMaderstrom，"wasthepromptreply。"Forthepurposeofmybriefresidenceinthiscountry，however，IfancythatthenameofMr。HamarLessinghammightprovokelesscomment。"
"Maderstrom，"Philipparepeated。"YouwereatMagdalenwithmybrother。"
"Forthreeterms，"heassented。
"YouhavevisitedatWoodNorton。Itwasonlyanaccident，then，thatIdidnotmeetyou。"
"Itistrue，"heanswered，withabow。"Ireceivedthemostcharminghospitalitytherefromyourfatherandmother。"
"Why，youarethefriend，"Helenexclaimed，suddenlyseizinghishands，"ofwhomDickspeaksinhisletter！"
"IthasbeenmygreatprivilegetohavebeenofservicetoMajorFelstead，"wasthegraveadmission。"HeandI，duringourcollegedays，weremorethanordinarilyintimate。Isawhisnameinoneofthelistsofprisoners，andIwentatoncetoWittenberg。"
AfreshfloodofquestionswasuponHelen’slips，butPhilippabrushedheraway。
"Pleaseletmespeak，"shesaid。"YouhavebroughtustheselettersfromRichard，forwhichweofferyouourheartfeltthanks，butyoudidnotriskyourliberty，perhapsyourlife，tocomeheresimplyashisambassador。Thereissomethingbeyondthisinyourvisittothiscountry。YoumaybeaSwede，butisitnottruethatatthepresentmomentyouareintheserviceofanenemy？"
Lessinghambowedacquiescence。
"Youareentirelyright，"hemurmured。
"AmIalsorightinconcludingthatyouhavesomeservicetoaskofus？"
"Yourdirectness，dearlady，movesmetoadmiration，"Lessinghamassuredher。"IamheretoaskatriflingfavourinreturnforthosewhichIhaverenderedandthosewhichImayyetrendertoyourbrother。"
"Andthatfavour？"
Theirvisitorlookeddownathistornattire。
"Asuitofyourbrother’sclothes，"hereplied，"andaroominwhichtochange。ThedisposaloftheseragsImayleave，Ipresume，toyouringenuity。"
"Anythingelse？"
"Itismywish，"hecontinued，"toremaininthisneighbourhoodforashort：time-perhapsafortnightandperhapsamonth。Ishouldvalueyourintroductiontothehotelhere，andtheextensionofsuchhospitalityasmayseemfittingtoyou，underthecircumstances。"
"AsMr。HamarLessingham？"=20
"Beyondadoubt。"
Therewasamoment’ssilence。Philippa’sfacehadbecomealmoststony。Shetookasteptowardsthetelephone。Lessingham，however，heldouthishand。
"Yourpurpose？"heenquired。
"IamgoingtoringuptheCommandanthere，"shetoldhim，"andexplainyourpresenceinthishouse。"
"Anheroicimpulse，"heobserved，"buttooimpulsive。"
"Weshallsee，"sheretorted。"Willyouletmepass？
Hisfingersrestrainedherasgentlyaspossible。
"Letmemakeareasonableappealtobothofyou，"hesuggested。
返回顶部