Heshruggedhisshoulders，butavoidedansweringthequestion。
"Ihavenodoubt，"hecontinued，"thatthewholesubjectofMr。
HamarLessinghamisscarcelyworthdiscussing。Yethedoesseemtohavearrivedhereunderalittlehaloofcoincidence。"
"IamafraidIhavescarcelyappreciatedthat，"Philipparemarked；
"infact，hiscomingherehasseemedtomethemostordinarythingintheworld。Afterall，althoughonescarcelyremembersthatsincethewar，thisisahealthresort，andthemanhasbeenill。"
"Quiteright，"SirHenryagreed。"Youarenotgoingtobed，dear？"
Philippahadfoldedupherwork。Shestoodforamomentuponthehearth-rug。Thelittlehardnesswhichhadtightenedhermouthhaddisappeared，hereyeshadsoftened。
"MayIsayjustonewordmore，"shebegged，"aboutourprevious-ouronlyserioussubjectofconversation？Ihavetriedmybestsinceweweremarried，Henry，tomakeyouhappy。"
"Youknowquitewell，"’heassuredher，"thatyouhavesucceeded。"
"Grantmeonefavour，then，"shepleaded。"Giveupyourfishingexpeditionto-morrow，gobacktoLondonbythefirsttrainandletmewritetoLordRayton。Iamsurehewoulddosomethingforyou。"
"Ofcoursehe’ddosomething！"Herhusbandgroaned。"IshouldgetacensorshipinIreland，orapostasinstructoratPortsmouth。"
"Wouldn’tyourathertakeeitherofthosethannothing？"sheasked，"thangoonlivingthelifeyouarelivingnow？"
"Tobeperfectlyfrankwithyou，Philippa，Iwouldn’t，"hedeclaredbluntly。"WhatonearthuseshouldIbeinalandappointment？Why，noonecouldreadmywriting，andmynauticalscienceisentirelyoutofdate。WhyacadetatOsbornecouldfloormeinnotime。"
"Yourefusetoletmewrite，then？"shepersisted。
"Absolutely。"
"YouintendtogoonthatfishingexpeditionwithJimmyDumbleto-morrow？"
"Wouldn’tmissitforanything，"heconfessed。
Philippawassuddenlywhitewithanger。
"Henry，I’vefinished，"shedeclared，holdingoutherhandtokeephimawayfromher。"I’vefinishedwithyouentirely。Iwouldratherbemarriedtoanenemywhowasfightinghonourablyforhiscountrythantoyou。WhatIhavesaid，Imean。Don’tcomenearme。
Don’ttrytotouchme。"
Shesweptpasthimonherwaytothedoor。
"Notevenagood-nightkiss？"heasked，stoopingdown。
Shelookedhimintheeyes。
"Iamnotachild，"shesaidscornfully。
Heclosedthedoorafterher。Foramomentheremainedasthoughundecidedwhethertofollowornot。Hisfacehadsoftenedwithherabsence。Finally，however，heturnedawaywithalittleshrugoftheshoulders，threwhimselfintohiseasy-chairandbegantosmokefuriously。
Thetelephonebelldisturbedhisreflection。Heroseatonceandtookupthereceiver。
"Yes，thisis19，Dreymarsh。Trunkcall？Allright，Iamhere。"
Hewaiteduntilanothervoicecametohimfaintly。
"Cranston？"
"Speaking。"
"That’sright。ThemessageisOdinoBerry，youunderstand？
O-d-i-n-ob-e-r-r-y。"
"I’vegotit，"SirHenryreplied。"Goodnight！"Hehungupthereceiver，crossedtheroomtohisdesk，unlockedoneofthedrawers，andproducedablackmemorandumbook，securedwithabrasslock。
Hedrewakeyfromhiswatchchain，openedthebook，andranhisfingersdownthe0’s。
"Odino，"hemutteredtohimself。"Hereitis：’WehavetrustworthyinformationfromBerlin。’NowBerry。"Heturnedback。"’Youarebeingwatchedbyanenemysecretserviceagent。’"
Herelockedthecipherbookandreplaceditinthedesk。Thenhestrolledovertohiseasy-chairandhelpedhimselftoawhiskyandsodafromthetraywhichMillshadjustarrangeduponthesideboard。
"WehavetrustworthyinformationfromBerlin，"herepeatedtohimself，"thatyouarebeingwatchedbyanenemysecretserviceagent。"
CHAPTERVIII
"Tellme，Mr。Lessingham，"Philippainsisted，"exactlywhatareyouthinkingof？YoulookedsodarkandmysteriousfromtheridgebelowthatI’veclimbeduponpurposetoaskyou。"
Lessinghamheldouthishandtosteadyher。Theywerestandingonasharpspurofthecliffs，thenorthwindblowingintheirfaces，thrashingintolittleflecksofwhitefoamtheseabelow，onwhichthetwilightwasalreadyresting。Foramomentortwoneitherofthemcouldspeak。
"Iwasthinkingofmycountry，"heconfessed。"Iwaslookingthroughtheshadowsthere，rightacrosstheNorthSea。"
"ToGermany？"
Heshookhishead。
"Furtheraway-toSweden。"
"Iforgot，"shemurmured。"Youlookedasthoughyouwereposingforastatueofsomeoneinexile，"sheobserved。"Come，letusgoalittlelowerdown-unlessyouwanttostayhereandbeblowntopieces。"
"Iwasonmywaybacktothehotel，"heansweredquickly，ashefollowedherlead，"buttotellyouthetruthIwasfeelingalittlelonely。"
"That，"shedeclared，"isyourownfault。IaskedyoutocometoMainsailHaulwheneveryoufeltinclined。"
"AsIhavefeltinclinedeversincetheeveningIarrived，"heremarkedwithasmile，"youmight，perhaps，bythistimehavehadalittletoomuchofme。"
"Onthecontrary，"shetoldhim，"Iquiteexpectedyouyesterdayafternoon，totellmehowyouliketheplaceandwhatyouhavebeendoing。Soyouwerethinkingabout-overthere？"sheadded，movingherheadseawards。
"Overthereabsorbsagreatdealofone’sthoughts，"heconfessed，"andtherestofthemhavebeenplayingmequeertricks。"
"Well，Ishouldliketohearaboutthefirsthalf，"sheinsisted。
"Doyouknow，"hereplied，"therearetimeswhenevennowthiswarseemstomelikeanunrealthing，likesomethingIhavebeenreadingabout，somewildimaginingofShelleyoroneoftheunrestrainablepoets。Ican’tbelievethatmillionsoftheflowerofGermany’smanhoodandyourshaveperishedhelplessly，hopelessly，cruelly。
AndFrance-poordecimatedFrance！"
"Well，Germanystartedthewar，youknow，"sheremindedhim。
"Didshe？"heanswered。"Isometimeswonder。EvennowIfancy，iftheofficialpapersofeveryoneofthenationslaysidebyside，withtheirowncasestatedfromtheirownpointofview，evenyoumightfeelalittleconfusedaboutthat。Still，Iamgoingtobeveryhonestwithyou。IthinkmyselfthatGermanywantedwar。"
"Thereyouare，then，"shedeclaredtriumphantly。"Thewholethingisherresponsibility。"
"Idonotquitegosofarasthat，"heprotested。"Yousee，theworldisgovernedbygreatnaturallaws。Asasnowballgrowslargerwithrolling，soittakesupmoreroom。Asachildgrowsoutofitsinfantclothes，itneedsthevestmentsofayouthandthenaman。
AndsowithGermany。Shegrewandgrewuntilthecountrycouldnotholdherchildren，untilherbankscouldnotcontainhermoney，untilshestretchedherarmsoutoneverysideandfeltherselfstifled。Germanycamelateintotheworldandfounditparcelledout，buthadshenotarighttoherplace？Shemadeherselfgreat。
Sheneededspace。"
"Well，"Philippaobserved，"youcouldn’tsupposethatothernationsweregoingtogiveupwhattheyhad，justbecauseshewantedtheirpossessions，couldyou？"
"Perhapsnot，"headmitted。"Andyet，yousee，theimmutablelawcomesinhere。Thestrongermustpossess-notonlythestrongerbyarms，mind，butbyintellect，bylearning，byproficiencyinscience，byutilitarianism。Thereallycruelpart，thepartIwasthinkingofthen，asIlookedoutacrossthesea，isthatthiscrudeandmiserableresorttoarmsshouldbenecessary。"
"IfonlyGermansthemselveswereasbroad-mindedandreasonableasyou，"Philippasighed，"onefeelsthattheremightbesomehopeforthefuture！"
"Iamnotalone，"heassuredher，"but，yousee，alloverGermanythereisspreadlikeaspider’swebthelayreligionofthecitizen-devotiontotheGovernment，blindobediencetotheKaiser。
IndependentthoughthasmadeGermanygreatinscience，inpoliticaleconomy，ineconomics。Butindependentthoughtisneverturnedtowardsherpoliticaldestinies。Thoseareshapedforher。Forgoodorforevilherchildrenhavelearntobedience。"
Theyweredescendingthehillsidenow。Attheirfeetlaythelittletown，blackandsilent。
"Youhavehelpedmetounderstandalittle，"Philippasaid。"Youputthingssogentlyandyetsoclearly。Nowtellme，willyounot，howitisthatyou，whoareaSwedebybirth，arebearingarmsforGermany？"
"Thatisverysimple，"heconfessed。"MymotherwasaGerman，andwhenshediedshebequeathedtomelargeestatesinBavaria，andaveryconsiderablefortune。TheseIcouldneverhaveinheritedunlessIhadchosentodomymilitaryserviceinGermany。Myfamilyisanimpoverishedone，andIhavebrothersandsistersdependentuponme。Underthecircumstances，hesitationonmypartwasimpossible。"
"Butwhenthewarcame？"shequeried。
Helookedatherinsurprise。
"Whatwasthereleftformethen？"hedemanded。"NaturallyIheardnothingbutthevoiceofthosewhomIhadsworntoobey。IwasinthatmadrushthroughBelgium。IwaswoundedatMaubeuge，orelseIshouldhavefollowedhardontheheelsofthatwonderfulretreatofyours。Asitwas，Ilayformanymonthsinhospital。Ijoinedagain-shallIconfessit？-almostunwillingly。Thebloodthirstinessofitallsickenedme。IfoughtatYpres，butI
thinkthatitwassomethingofthecourageofdespair，ofblackmisery。Iwaswoundedagainanddecorated。IsupposeIshallneverbefitforthefrontagain。ItriedtoturntoaccountsomeofmyknowledgeofEnglandandEnglishlife。Thentheysentmehere。"
"Here，ofallplacesintheworld！"Philipparepeatedwonderingly。
"Justlookatus！Wehaveasinglelineofrailway，aperfectlystraightforwardsystemofroads，theordinarynumberofsoldiersbeingtrained，nomysteries，noindustries-nothing。Whatterribleschemeareyouatworkupon，Mr。Lessingham？"
Hesmiled。
"Betweenyouandheconfided，"IamnotatallsurethatIamnothereonafool’serrand-atleastIthoughtsowhenIarrived。"
Sheglancedupathim。
"Andwhynotnow？"
Hemadenoanswer，buttheireyesmetandPhilippalookedhurriedlyaway。Therewasamoment’squeer，strainedsilence。BeforethemloomeduptheoutlineofMainsailHaul。
"Youwillcomeinandhavesometea，won’tyou？"sheinvited。
"IfImay。Believeme，"headded，"ithasonlybeenacertaindiffidencethathaskeptmeawaysolong。"
Shemadenoreply，andtheyenteredthehousetogether。TheyfoundHelenandNora，withthreeorfouryoungmenfromtheDepot，havingteainthedrawing-room。Lessinghamslippedveryeasilyintothepleasantlittlecircle。Ifatriflesubdued，hisquietmanners，andasenseofhumourwhicheverynowandthendisplayeditself，weremostattractive。
"Wishyou’dcomeanddinewithusandmeetourcolonel，sir，"
Harrisonaskedhim。"HewasatMagdalenafewyearsafterMajorFelstead，andIamsureyou’dfindplentytotalkabout。"
"Iamquitesurethatweshould，"Lessinghamreplied。"MayIcome，perhaps，towardstheendofnextweek？=20Iammakingmoststrenuouseffortstoleadanabsolutelyquietlifehere。"
"Wheneveryoulike，sir。Wesha’n’tbeabletoshowyouanythingverywildinthewayofdissipation。Vintageportandadecentcigararetheonlychangeswecanmakeforguests。"
Philippadrewhervisitorononesidepresently，andmadehimsitwithherinadistantcorneroftheroom。
"IknewtherewassomethingIwantedtosaytoyou，"shebegan，"butsomehoworotherIforgotwhenImetyou。MyhusbandwasverymuchstruckwithHelen’simprovedspirits。Don’tyouthinkthatwehadbettertellhim，whenhereturns，thatwehadheardfromMajorFelstead？"
Lessinghamagreed。
"Justlethimthinkthatyourletterscamebypostintheordinaryway，"headvised。"Ishouldn’timagine，fromwhatIhaveseenofyourhusband，thatheisasuspiciousperson，butitisjustpossiblethathemighthaveassociatedthemwithmeifyouhadmentionedthemtheothernight。Whenishecomingback？"
"Ineverknow，"Philippaansweredwithasigh。"Perhapsto-night，perhapsinaweek。Itdependsuponwhatsportheishaving。Youarenotsmoking。"
Lessinghamlitacigarette。
"Ifindyourhusband，"hesaidquietly，"ratheraninterestingtype。
WehavenoonelikethatinGermany。Healmostpuzzlesme。"
Philippaglanceduptofindhercompanion’sdarkeyesfixeduponher。
"ThereisverylittleaboutHenrythatneed，puzzleanyone，"shecomplainedbitterly。"Heisjustanovergrown，spoiltchild，devotedtoamusements，andfollowinghisfancywhereveritleadshim。Whydoyoulookatme，Mr。Lessingham，asthoughyouthoughtIwaskeepingsomethingback？Iamnot，Icanassureyou。"
"PerhapsIwaswondering，"heconfessed，"howyoureallyfelttowardsahusbandwhoseoutlookwassounnatural。"
Shelookeddownatherintertwinedfingers。
"Doyouknow，"shesaidsoftly，"Ifeel，somehoworother，althoughwehaveknownoneanothersuchashorttime，asthoughwewerefriends，andyetthatisaquestionwhichIcouldnotanswer。A
womanmustalwayshavesomesecrets，youknow。"
"Amanmaytrysometimestopreservehis，"hesighed，"butawomaniscleverenough，asarule，todigthemout。"
Afainttingeofcolourstoleintohercheeks。ShewelcomedHelen’sapproachalmosteagerly。
"Awomanmustfirstfeelthewill，"shemurmured，withoutglancingathim。"Helen，doyouthinkwedareaskMr。Lessinghamtocomeanddine？"
"Pleasedonotdiscouragesuchadelightfulsuggestion，"Lessinghambeggedeagerly。
"Ihaven’ttheleastideaofdoingso，"Helenlaughed，"solongasImayhave-sayjusttenminutestotalkaboutDick。"
"Itisabargain，"hepromised。
"Weshallbequitealone，"Philippawarnedhim，"unlessHenryarrives。"
"Itisthegreatattractionofyourinvitation，"heconfessed。
"Ateighto’clock，then。"
CHAPTERIX
"CaptainGriffithstoseeyourladyship。"
Philippa’sfingersrestedforamomentuponthekeyboardofthepianobeforewhichshewasseated，awaitingLessingham’sarrival。
Thensheglancedattheclock。Itwastenminutestoeight。
"Youcanshowhimin，Mills，ifhewishestoseeme。"
CaptainGriffithswasusheredintotheroom-awkward，unwieldly，nervousasusual。Heenteredasthoughinahurry，andtherewasnothinginhismannertodenotethathehadspentthelastfewhoursmakinguphismindtothisvisit。
"Imustapologiseforthismostuntimelycall，LadyCranston，"hesaid，watchingtheclosingofthedoor。"Iwillnottakeupmorethanfiveminutesofyourtime。"
"Weareverypleasedtoseeyouatanytime，CaptainGriffiths，"
Philippasaidhospitably。"Dositdown，please。"
CaptainGriffithsbowedbutremainedstanding。
"Itisverynearyourdinner-time，Iknow，LadyCranston，"hecontinuedapologetically。"Thefactofitis，however，thatasCommandanthereitismydutytoexaminethebonafidesofanystrangersintheplace。ThereisagentlemannamedLessinghamstayingatthehotel，whoIunderstandgaveyournameasreference。"
Philippa’seyeslookedlargerthanever，andherfacemoreinnocent，asshegazedupathervisitor。
"Why，ofcourse，CaptainGriffiths，"shesaid。"Mr。Lessinghamwasatcollegewithmybrother，andoneofhisbestfriends。Hehasshotdownatmyfather’splaceinCheshire。"
"Youarespeakingofyourbrother，MajorFelstead？"
"Myonlybrother。"
"Iamverymuchobligedtoyou，LadyCranston，"CaptainGriffithsdeclared。"IcanseethatweneednotworryanymoreaboutMr。
Lessingham。"
Philippalaughed。
"Itseemsratherold-fashionedtothinkofyouhavingtoworryaboutanyonedownhere，"sheobserved。"Itreallyisaveryharmlessneighbourhood，isn’tit？"
"Thereisn’tmuchgoingon，certainly，"theCommandantadmitted。
"Verydulltheplaceseemsattimes。"
"Nowbeperfectlyfrank，"Philippabeggedhim。"Isthereasinglefactofimportancewhichcouldbelearntinthisplace，worthcommunicatingtotheenemy？Isthedangerofespionagehereworthamoment’sconsideration？"
"That，"CaptainGriffithsrepliedinsomewhatstiltedfashion，"isnotaquestionwhichIshouldbepreparedtoansweroff-hand。"
PhilippashruggedhershouldersandappealedalmostfeverishlytoHelen，whohadjustenteredtheroom。
"Helen，docomeandlistentoCaptainGriffiths！Heismakingmefeelquitecreepy。Therearesecretsabout，itseems，andhewantstoknowallaboutMr。Lessingham。"
Helensmiledwithcompleteself-possession。
"Well，wecansethismindatrestaboutMr。Lessingham，can’twe？"
sheobserved，assheshookhands。
"Wecandomore，"Philippadeclared。"Wecanhelphimtojudgeforhimself。WeareexpectingMr。Lessinghamfordinner，CaptainGriffiths。Dostay。"
"Icouldn’tthinkoftakingyoubystormlikethis，"CaptainGriffithsreplied，withawistfulnesswhichonlymadehisvoicesoundhoarserandmoreunpleasant。"Itismostkindofyou，LadyCranston。Perhapsyouwillgivemeanotheropportunity。"
"Isha’n’tthinkofit，"Philippainsisted。"Youmuststayanddineto-night。Weshallbeapartiecarr=A1e，forNoragoestobeddirectlyafterdinner。IamringingthebelltotellMillstosetanextraplace，"sheadded。
CaptainGriffithsabandonedhimselftofatewithalittleshiverofcomplacency。HewelcomedLessingham，whowaspresentlyannounced，withverymuchlessthanhisusualreserve，andthedinnerwasineverywayasuccess。Towardsitsclose，Philippabecamealittlethoughtful。SheglancedmorethanonceatLessingham，whowassittingbyherside，almostinadmiration。Hisconversation，gayattimes，alwayspolished，wasinterlardedcontinuallywiththose=
=20
littlesocialreminiscencesinevitableamongstmenmovinginacertaincircleofEnglishsociety。ApparentlyRichardFelsteadwasnottheonlyoneofhiscollegefriendswithwhomhehadkeptintouch。ThelastremnantsofCaptainGriffiths’suspicionsseemedtovanishwiththeirsecondglassofport，althoughhismannerbecameinnowaymoregenial。
"Don’tyouthinkyouarealmostalittletoodaring？"Philippaaskedherfavouredguestashehelpedherafterwardstosetoutabridgetable。
"Oneadaptsone’smethodstoone’sadversary，"hemurmured，withasmile，"YourfriendCaptainGriffithshadonlytheveryconventionalsuspicions。ThementionofafewgoodEnglishnames，acquaintancewiththeordinaryEnglishsports，isquitesufficientwithamanlikethat。"
HelenandGriffithsweretalkingattheotherendoftheroom。
Philipparaisedhereyestohercompanion’s。
"Youbecomemoreofamysterythanever，"shedeclared。"Youaremakingmeevencurious。Tellmereallywhyyouhavepaidusthisvisitfromtheclouds？"
Shewassorryalmostassoonasshehadaskedthequestion。Foramomentthecalminsoucianceofhismannerseemedtohavedeparted。
Hiseyesglowed。
"Insearchofnewthings，"heanswered。
"Guns？Fortifications？"
"Neither。"
Aspiritofmischiefpossessedher。Lessingham’smannerwasbafflingandyetprovocative。Foramomentthepoliticalpossibilitiesofhispresencefadedawayfromhermind。Shehadanintensedesiretobreakthroughhisreserve。
"Won’tyoutellme-whyyoucame？"
"Icouldtellyoumoreeasily，"heansweredinalowtone，"whyitwillbethemostmiserabledayofmylifewhenIleave。"
Shelaughedathimwithperfectheartiness。
"Howdelightfultobeflirtedwithagain！"shesighed。"AndI
thoughtallGermanmenweresoheavy，andpaidelaborate，underdonecompliments。Still，yoursecret，sir，please？ThatiswhatIwanttoknow。"
"Ifyouwillhavejustalittlepatience！"hebegged，leaningsoclosetoherthattheirheadsalmosttouched，"IpromisethatIwillnotleavethisplacebeforeItellittoyou。"
Philippa’seyesforthefirsttimedroppedbeforehis。Sheknewperfectlywellwhatsheoughttohavedoneandshewassingularlyindisposedtodoit。Itwasamostpiquantadventure，afterall，anditalmosthelpedhertoforgetthetroublewhichhadbeensittingsoheavilyinherheart。Stillavoidinghiseyes，shecalledtheothers。
"Wearequitereadyforbridge，"sheannounced。
Theyplayedfourorfiverubbers。Lessinghamwasbyfarthemostexpertplayer，andheandPhilippaintheendwerethewinners。
Thetwomenstoodtogetherforamomentortwoatthesideboard，helpingthemselvestowhiskyandsoda。Griffithshadbecomemoretaciturnthanever，andevenPhilippawasforcedtoadmitthatthelatterpartoftheeveninghadscarcelybeenasuccess。
"Doyouplayclubbridgeintown，Mr。Lessingham？"Griffithsasked。
"Never，"wasthecalmreply。
"Youareheadandshouldersaboveourclassdownhere。"
"Verygoodofyoutosayso，"Lessinghamrepliedcourteously。"I
heldgoodcardsto-night。"
"Iwonder，"Griffithswenton，droppinghisvoicealittleandkeepinghiseyesfixeduponhiscompanion，"whattheGermansubstituteforbridgeis。"
"Iwonder，"Lessinghamechoed。
"Asanation，"hisquestionerproceeded，"theyprobablydon’twasteasmuchtimeoncardsaswedo。"
Lessingham’sinterestinthesubjectappearedtobenon-existent。
HestrolledawayfromthesideboardtowardsPhilippa。She，forherpart，waswatchingCaptainGriffiths。
"Somanythanks，LadyCranston，"Lessinghammurmured，"foryourhospitality。"
"Andwhataboutthatsecret？"sheasked。
"Yousee，therearetwo，"heanswered，lookingdownather。"OneIshallmostsurelytellyoubeforeIleavehere，becauseitistheonesecretwhichnomanhaseversucceededinkeepingtohimself。
Asfortheother-"
Hehesitated。Therewassomethingalmostlikepaininhisface。
Shebrokeinhastily。
"Ididnotcallyouawaytoaskabouteither。IhappenedtonoticeCaptainGriffithsjustnow。Doyouknowthatheiswatchingyouveryclosely？"
"Ihadanideaofit，"Lessinghamadmittedindifferently。"Heisratheraclumsyperson，ishenot？"
"Youwillbecareful？"shebeggedearnestly。"Remember，won’tyou，thatHelenandIarereallyinamostdisgracefulpositionifanythingshouldcomeout。"
"Nothingshall，"hepromisedher。"Ithinkyouknow，doyounot，that，whatevermighthappentome，Ishouldfindsomemeanstoprotectyou。"
Forthesecondtimeshefeltacuriouslackofwilltofittinglyreprovehisboldness。Shehadeventostruggletokeephertoneascarelessasherwords。
"Youreallyareadelightfulperson！"sheexclaimed。"Howlongisitsinceyoudescendedfromtheclouds？"
"SometimesIthinkthatIamtherestill，"heanswered，"butIhaveknownyouaboutseventy-sixhours。"
"Whatprecision？"shelaughed。"It’sanationalcharacteristic，isn’tit？CaptainGriffiths，"shecontinued，assheobservedhisapproach，"ifyoureallymustgo，pleasetakeMr。Lessinghamwithyou。Heismakingfunofme。Idon’tallowevenDick’sfriendstodothat。"
Lessingham’sdisclaimerwasinquitethecorrectvein。
"Youmustbothcomeagainverysoon，"theirhostessconcluded，assheshookhands。"Ienjoyedourbridgeimmensely。"
ThetwomenwerealreadyontheirwaytothedoorwhenasuddenideaseemedtooccurtoCaptainGriffiths。Heturnedback。
"By-the-by，LadyCranston，"heasked，"haveyouheardanythingfromyourbrother？"
Philippashookherheadsadly。Helen，who，unlikeherfriend，hadnothadtheadvantageofadistinguishedcareerupontheamateurdramaticstage，turnedawayandheldahandkerchieftohereyes。
"Notaword，"wasPhilippa’ssorrowfulreply。
CaptainGriffithsofferedaclumsyexpressionofhissympathy。
"Badluck！"hesaid。"I’msosorry，LadyCranston。Goodnightoncemore。"
Thistimetheirdeparturewasuninterrupted。Helenremovedherhandkerchieffromhereyes，andPhilippamadealittlegrimaceatthecloseddoor。
"Doyoube1ieve，"Helenaskedseriously，"thatCaptainGriffithshasanysuspicions？"
Philippashruggedhershoulders。
"Ifhehas，whocares？"shereplied，alittledefiantly。"Theveryideaofaduelofwitsbetweenthosetwomenislaughable。"
"Perhapsso，"Helenagreed，withashadeofdoubtinhertone。
CHAPTERX
PhilippaandHelenstarted，afewmorningslater，foroneoftheircustomarywalks。ThecrystallineOctobersunshine，inwhicheverydistanttreeand，seaward，eachslowlytravellingsteamer，seemedtogainanewclearnessofoutline，layuponthedeep-ploughedfields，theyellowingbracken，andthered-goldofthebendingtrees，whilethewestwind，whichhadstrewntheseawithwhite-fleckedwaves，broughtdowntheleavestoformacarpetfortheirfeet，andplayedstrangemusicalongthewood-crestedslope。Inthebrokenlandthroughwhichtheymadetheirway，alandoftreesandmoorland，withhereandthereacultivatedpatch，theyellowgorsestillglowedinunexpectedcorners；queer，scentlessflowersmadesplashesofcolourinthehedgerows；arabbitscurriedsometimesacrosstheirpath；acockpheasant，afteramoment’samazedstare，loweredhisheadandrushedforunnecessaryshelter。Thelongertheylookedupwards，thebluerseemedthesky。Thegrassbeneaththeirfeetwasasgreenandsoftasinspringtime。Drivenbythewind，hereandthereawhite-wingedgullsailedovertheirheads，-acloudofthemresteduponafreshlyturnedlittlesquareofploughedlandbetweentwowoods。Aflightofpigeons，liketornleavestossedaboutbythewind，circledanddriftedabovethem。Philippaseatedherselfuponthetrunkofafallentreeandgazedcontentedlyabouther。
"IfIhadalooking-glassandafewmorehairpins，Ishouldbeperfectlyhappy，"shesighed。"Iamsuremyhairmustlookawful。"
Helenglancedatitadmiringly。
"Ideclinetosaythecorrectthing，"shedeclared。"Iwillonlyremindyouthattherewillbenooneheretolookatit。"
"Iamnotsosure，"Philippareplied。"Thesearethewoodswhichthespecialconstableshauntbydayandbynight。Theygazeupeverytreetrunkforawirelessinstallation，andtheyliebehindhedgesandwatchformysteriousflashes。"
"AreyousuggestingthatwemaymeetMr。Lessingham？"Helenenquired，lazily。"Iamperfectlycertainthatheknowsnothingoftheequipmentofthemelodramaticspy。AstoZeppelins，don’tyourememberhetoldusthathehatedthemandwasterrifiedofbombs。"
"Mydear，"Philipparemonstrated，"Mr。Lessinghamdoesnothingcrude。"
"Andyet，-"Helenbegan。
"YetIsupposethemanhassomethingatthebackofhishead，"
Philippainterrupted。"SometimesIthinkthathehas，sometimesI
believethatRichardmusthaveshownhimmypicture，andhehascomeoverheretoseeifIamreallylikeit。"
"Hedoesbehaveratherlikethat，"hercompanionadmitteddrily。
Phillipaturnedandlookedather。
"Helen，"shesaidseverely，"don’tbeacat。"
"IfIweretoexpressmyopinionofyourbehaviour，"Helenwenton，pickingupapineconeandexaminingit，"Imightastonishyou。"
"Youhaveanevilmind，"Philippayawned，producinghercigarettecase。"WhatyoureallyresentisthatMr。LessinghamsometimesforgetstotalkaboutDick。"
"Thepoormandoesn’tgetmuchchance，"Helenretorted，watchingthebluesmokefromhercigaretteandleaningbackwithanairofcontent。
"Whateverdoyouandhefindtotalkabout，Philippa？"
"Literature-EnglishandGerman，"Philippamurmureddemurely。"Mr。
Lessinghamisremarkablywellread，andheknowsmoreaboutourEnglishpoetsthananymanIhavemetforyears。"
"Iforgotthatyouenjoyedthatsortofthing。"
"Oncemore，don’tbeacat，"Philippaenjoined。"Ifyouwantmetoconfessit，Iwillownupatonce。YouknowwhatasimplelittlethingIam。IadmireMr。Lessinghamexceedingly，andIfindhimamostinterestingcompanion。"
"Youmean，"herfriendobserveddrily"theBaronMaderstrom。"
Philippalookedaroundandfrowned。
"Youaremostindiscreet，Helen，"shedeclared。"Ihavelearntsomethingofthescienceofespionagelately，andIcanassureyouthatallspokenorwrittenwordsaredangerous。ThereisathoroughlyBritishsquirrelinthattreeoverhead，andIamsureheheard。"
"Isupposethesunshinehasgotintoyourhead，"Helengroaned。
"IfyoumeanthatIamfindingitarelieftotalknonsense，youareright，"Philippaassented。"Asamatteroffact，Iamfeelingmostdepressed。Henrytelephonedfromsomewhereorotherbeforebreakfastthismorning，tosaythatheshouldprobablybehometo-nightorto-morrow。Theymusthavelandedsomewheredownthecoast。"
"Youareamostundutifulwife，"Helenpronouncedseverely。"IamsureHenryisadelightfulperson，evenifheisalittleirresponsible，anditisalmostpathetictorememberhowmuchyouwereinlovewithhim，ayearortwoago。"
SomeofthelightnessvanishedfromPhilippa’sface。
"Thatwasbeforethewar，"shesighed。
"IstillthinkHenryisadear，thoughIdon’taltogetherunderstandhim，"Helensaidthoughtfully。
"Nodoubt，"Philippaassented，"butyou’dfindthenotunderstandinghimalittlemoregalling，ifyouwerehiswife。Yousee，Ididn’tknowthatIwasmarryingasortofsportingMr。Skimpole。"
"Iwonder，"Helenreflected，"howHenryandMr。Lessinghamwillgetonwhentheyseemoreofoneanother。"
"Ireallydon’tcare，"Philippaobservedindifferently。
"Iusedtonoticesometimes-thatwassoonafteryouweremarried，"
Helencontinued，"thatHenrywasjustalittleinclinedtobejealous。"
Philippawithdrewhereyesfromthesea。Therewasaqueerlittlesmileuponherlips。
"Well，ifhestillis，"shesaid，"I’llgivehimsomethingtobe=20
jealousabout。"
"PoorMr。Lessingham！"Helenmurmured。
Philippa’seyebrowswereraised。
"PoorMr。Lessingham？"sherepeated。"Idon’tthinkyou’llfindthathe’llbeintheleastsorryforhimself。"
"Hemaybeinearnest，"Helenremindedherfriend。"Youcanbehorriblyattractivewhenyoulike，youknow，Philippa。"
Philippasmiledsweetly。
"Itisjustpossible，"shesaid，"thatImaybeinearnestmyself。
I’vequarrelledprettydesperatelywithHenry，youknow，andI’mahelplesscreaturewithoutalittleadmiration。"
Helenrosesuddenlytoherfeet。Hereyeswerefixeduponafigureapproachingthroughthewood。
"Youreallyaren’trespectable，Philippa，"shedeclared。"Throwawayyourcigarette，forheaven’ssake，andsitup。Someoneiscoming。"
Philippaonlymovedherheadlazily。Thesunlight，whichcamedowninathousandlittlezigzagsthroughthewind-tossedtrees，fellstraightuponherratherpale，defiantlittleface，withitsunexpressedevasivecharm，andseemedtofindanewdepthofcolourinthered-goldofherdisorderedhair。Herslim，perfectbodywasstretchedalmostatfulllength，onelegdrawnalittleup，herhandscarelesslydroopingtowardsthegrass。Thecigarettewasstillburninginthecornerofherlips。
"Idecline，"shesaid，"tothrowawaymycigaretteforanyone。
"Leastofall，Itrust，"afamiliarvoiceinterposed，"forme。"
Philippasatuprightatonce，smoothedherhairandlookedalittleresentfullyatLessingham。Hewaswearingabrowntweedknickerbockersuit，andhecarriedagununderhisarm。
"Whateverareyoudoinguphere，"shedemanded，"anddoyouknowanythingaboutourgamelaws？Youcan’tcomeoutintothewoodshereandshootthingsjustbecauseyoufeellikeit。"
Hedisposedofhisgunandseatedhimselfbetweenthem。
"Thatisquiteallright，"heassuredher。"Yourneighbour，Mr。
Windover，towhomthesewoodsapparentlybelong，askedmetobringmygunoutthismorningandtryandgetawoodcock。"
"Gracious！Youdon’tmeanthatMr。Windoverishere，too？"Philippademanded，lookingaround。Lessinghamshookhishead。
"Hiscarcameforhimattheothersideofthewood，"heexplained。
"HewaswantedtogoontheBench。Ielectedtowalkhome。"
"Andthewoodcock？"sheasked。"Iadorewoodcock。"
Heproducedonefromhispocket，tookupherfelthat，whichwaslyingamongstthebracken，andbusiedhimselfinsulatingthepinfeathersunderthesilkband。
"There，"hesaid，handingittoher，"thefirstwoodcockoftheseason。Wegotfour，andIreallyonlyacceptedoneinthehopethatyouwouldlikeit。IshallleaveitwiththeestimableMills，onmyreturn。"
"Youmustcomeandshareit，"Philippainsisted。"ThoseboysofNora’sarecomingintodinner。Yourgiftshallbethepiecede"ThenmayIdineanothernight？"hebegged。"Thisplaceencouragesinmethegrossestofappetites。"
"Havenofear，"shereplied。"Youwillneverseethatwoodcockagain。Ishallhaveitformyluncheonto-morrow。IordereddinnerbeforeIcameout，andthoughitmaybeasimplefeast，Ipromisethatyoushallnotgoawayhungry。"
"Willyoupromisethatyouwillneversendmeawayhungry？"heasked，droppinghisvoiceforamoment。
Sheturnedandstudiedhim。Helen，whohadstrolledafewyardsaway，wasknee-deepinthegoldenbrownbracken，pickingsomegorgeouslycolouredleavesfromasolitarybramblebush。Lessinghamhadthrownhiscapontotheground，andhiswind-tossedhairandtheunusualcolourinhischeekswereboth，intheirway，becoming。Hisloosebutwell-fittingcountryclothes，histieandsoftcollar，wereallwell-chosenandsuitable。Sheadmiredhishighforeheadandhisfirm，ratherproudmouth。Hiseyesaswellashistonewerefullofseriousness。
"YouknowthatyououghttobesayingthattosomeGretchenawayacrossthatterribleNorthSea，"shelaughed。
"ThereisnoGretchenwhohasevermademyheartshakeasyoudo，"
hewhispered。
Shepickedupherhatandsighed。
"Really，"shesaid，"Ithinkthingsarequitecomplicatedenoughastheyare。Iaminaflutteralldaylong，asitis，aboutyourmissionhereandyourrealidentity。Isimplycouldnotincludeaflirtationamongstmyexcitements。"
"Ihaveneverflirted，"heassuredhergravely。
"Wiseman，"shepronounced，risingtoherfeet。"Come，letusgoandhelpHelenpickleaves。Sheisscratchingherfingersterribly，andI’msureyouhaveaknife。Adear，economicalcreature，Helen，"
sheadded，astheystrolledalong。"Iamperfectlycertainthatthosearedestinedtoadornmydining-table，and，withchrysanthemumsatsixpenceeach，youcan’timaginehowwelcometheyare。Come，producetheknife，Mr。Lessingham。"
Theknifewasforthcoming，andpresentlytheyallturnedtheirfaceshomeward。Philippaarrestedbothhercompanionsontheoutskirtsofthewood，andpointedtothered-tiledlittletown，tothesombre，storm-beatengreychurchontheedgeofthecliff，tothepeacefulfields，thestretchofgorse-sprinkledcommon，andtherollingstretchofgreenturfonthecrownofthecliffs。Beyondwasthefoam-fleckedbluesea，dottedalloverwithcargosteamers。
"Wouldonebelieve，"sheaskedsatirically，"thatthereshouldbescopehereinthisforgottenlittlespotforthebrainsofa-Mr。
Lessingham！"
"RememberthatIwassent，"heprotested。"Theerror，iferrortherebe，isnotmine。"
"Andafterall，"Helenremindedthemboth，"thinkhoweasilyonemaybemisledbyappearances。Youcouldn’timagineanythingmorehonestthanthefacesofthevillagersandthefishermenoneseesabout，yetdoyouknow，Mr。Lessingham，thatwewerevisitedbyburglarslastnight？"
"Seriously？"heasked。
"Withoutadoubt。Ofcourse，MainsailHaulisaninvitationtothieves。Theycouldgetinanywhere。LastnighttheychosetheFrenchwindowsandseemtohavemadethemselvesathomeinthelibrary。"
"Itrust，"Lessinghamsaid，"thattheydidnottakeanythingofvalue？"
"Theytooknothingatall，"Philippasighed。"Thatisthehumiliatingpartofit。Theyevidentlydidn’tlikeourthings。"
"Howdoyouknowthatyouhadburglars，iftheytooknothingaway？"
Lessinghamenquired。
"Sopractical！"Philippamurmured。"Asamatteroffact，Iheardsomeonemovingabout，andIrangthealarmbell。Millswasdownstairsalmostdirectlyandweheardsomeonerunningdownthedrive。TheFrenchwindowswereopen，achairwasoverturnedinthelibrary，andadrawerinmyhusband’sdeskwaswideopen。"
"Theproof，"Lessinghamadmitted，"isoverwhelming。Youwerevisitedbyaburglar。Doesyourhusbandkeepanythingofvalueinhisdesk？"
"Henryhasn’tanythingofvalueintheworld，"Philippareplieddrily，"excepthissecurities，andtheyareatthebank。"
"Withoutgoingsofarastocontradictyou，"Lessinghamobserved，withasmile，"Istillventuretodisagree！"
CHAPTERXI
SirHenrysteppedbackfromthescalesandeyedthefishwhichtheyhadbeenweighing，admiringly。
"Youseethat，Mills？Youseethat，Jimmy？"hepointedout。"Sixandthree-quarterpounds！Iwasrightalmosttoanounce。He’safinefellow！"
"Averyextraordinaryfish，sir，"thebutlerobserved。"Willyouallowmetotakeyouroilskins？Dinnerwasservednearlyanhourago。"
SirHenryslippedoffhisdrippingoverallsandhandedthemover。
"That’sallright，"hereplied。"Listen。Don’tsayawordaboutmyarrivaltoyourmistressatpresent。Ihavesomewritingtodo。
Bringmeaglassofsherryatonce，ormixacocktailifyoucandosowithoutbeingmissed，andtakeJimmyawayandgivehimsomewhiskyandsoda。"
"Butwhataboutyourowndinner，sir？"
"I’llhaveatrayinthegunroom，"hismasterdecided，"sayintwentyminutes’time。And，Mills，whodidyousayweredining？"
"TwooftheyoungofficersfromtheDepot，sir-Mr。HarrisonandMr。Sinclair-andMr。HamarLessingham。"
"Lessingham，eh？SirHenryrepeated，asheseatedhimselfbeforehiswriting-table。"Mills，"headded，inaconfidentialwhisper，"whatportdidyouserve？"
Thebutler’sexpressionwasoneofconsciousrectitude。
"Notthevintage，sir，"heannouncedwithemphasis。"Someveryexcellentwoodport，whichweprocuredforshootingluncheons。
Theyounggentlemenlikeit。"
"You’reajewel，Mills，"hismasterdeclared。"Nowyouunderstand-anaperitifformenow，somewhiskyforJimmyinyourroom，andnotawordaboutmybeinghere。Goodnight，Jimmy。Sorryweweretoolateforthemackerel，butwehadsomegrandsport，allthesame。
You’llhaveadayortwo’srestashorenow。"
"Aye，aye，sir！"Dumblereplied。"Wegotinjustintime。There’ssomethingmorethanasquallcomingupnor’ards。"
SirHenrylistenedforamoment。TheFrenchwindowsshook，therainbeatagainstthepanes，andadullboomingofwindwasclearlyaudiblefromoutside。
"Wetimedthatexcellently，"heagreed。"Comeupandhaveachatto-morrow，Jimmy，ifyourwifewillspareyou。"
"I’llberoundbeforeeleven，sir，"thefishermanpromised，withagrin。
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