the yellow crayon-第34章

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raised　it　to　his　lips。　　She　gave　him　a　swift；　wonderful　look　and
passed　out。

Mr。　Sabin's　manner　changed　as　though　by　magic。　　He　was　at　once
alert　and　vigorous。

〃My　dear　Passmore；〃　he　said；　〃come　to　the　table。　　We　shall　want
those　Continental　time…tables　and　the　London　A。B。C。　　You　will　have
to　take　a　journey　to…night。〃


CHAPTER　XXXVIII

The　two　women　were　alone　in　the　morning…room　of　Lady　Carey's　house
in　Pont　Street。　　Lucille　was　walking　restlessly　up　and　down　twisting
her　handkerchief　between　her　fingers。　　Lady　Carey　was　watching　her；
more　composed；　to　all　outward　appearance；　but　with　closely　compressed
lips；　and　boding　gleam　in　her　eyes。

〃I　think；〃　Lady　Carey　said；　〃that　you　had　better　see　him。〃

Lucille　turned　almost　fiercely　upon　her。

〃And　why？〃

〃Well；　for　one　thing　he　will　not　understand　your　refusal。　　He　may
be　suspicious。〃

〃What　does　it　matter？　I　have　finished　with　him。　　I　have　done　all
that　I　pledged　myself　to。　　What　more　can　be　expected　of　me？　　I　do
not　wish　to　see　him　again。〃

Lady　Carey　laughed。

〃At　least；〃　she　said；　〃I　think　that　the　poor　man　has　a　right　to
receive　his　conge　from　you。　　You　cannot　break　with　him　without　a
word　of　explanation。　　Perhaps　…　you　may　not　find　it　so　easy　as　it
seems。〃

Lucille　swept　around。

〃What　do　you　mean？〃

Lady　Carey　shrugged　her　shoulders。

〃You　are　in　a　curious　mood；　my　dear　Lucille。　　What　I　mean　is　obvious
enough。　　Brott　is　a　strong　man　and　a　determined　man。　　I　do　not　think
that　he　will　enjoy　being　made　a　fool　of。〃

Lucille　was　indifferent。

〃At　any　rate；〃　she　said；　〃I　shall　not　see　him。　　I　have　quite　made
up　my　mind　about　that。〃

〃And　why　not；　Countess？〃　a　deep　voice　asked　from　the　threshold。
〃What　have　I　done？　　May　I　not　at　least　know　my　fault？〃

Lady　Carey　rose　and　moved　towards　the　door。

〃You　shall　have　it　out　between　yourselves；〃　she　declared；　looking
up；　and　nodding　at　Brott　as　she　passed。　　〃Don't　fight！〃　

〃Muriel！〃

The　cry　was　imperative；　but　Lady　Carey　had　gone。　　Mr。　Brott　closed
the　door　behind　him　and　confronted　Lucille。　　A　brilliant　spot　of
colour　flared　in　her　pale　cheeks。

〃But　this　is　a　trap！〃　　she　exclaimed。　　〃Who　sent　for　you？　　Why　did
you　come？〃

He　looked　at　her　in　surprise。

〃Lucille！〃

His　eyes　were　full　of　passionate　remonstrance。　　She　looked　nervously
from　him　towards　the　door。　　He　intercepted　her　glance。

〃What　have　I　done？〃　he　asked　fiercely。　　〃What　have　I　failed　to　do？
Why　do　you　look　as　though　I　had　forced　myself　upon　you？　　Haven't　I
the　right？　　Don't　you　wish　to　see　me？〃

In　Brott's　face　and　tone　was　all　the　passionate　strenuousness　of　a
great　crisis。　　Lucille　felt　suddenly　helpless　before　the　directness
of　his　gaze；　his　storm　of　questions。　　In　all　their　former　intercourse
it　had　been　she　who　by　virtue　of　her　sex　and　his　blind　love　for　her
had　kept　the　upper　hand。　　And　now　the　position　was　changed。　　All
sorts　of　feeble　explanations；　of　appeals　to　him；　occurred　to　her
dimly；　only　to　be　rejected　by　reason　of　their　ridiculous　inadequacy。
She　was　silent…abjectly　silent。

He　came　a　little　closer　to　her；　and　the　strength　of　the　man　was
manifest　in　his　intense　self…restraint。　　His　words　were　measured；
his　tone　quiet。　　Yet　both　somehow　gave　evidence　of　the　smouldering
fires　beneath。

〃Lucille；〃　he　said；　〃I　find　you　hard　to　understand　to…day。　　You
have　made　me　your　slave；　you　came　once　more　into　my　life　at　its
most　critical　moment；　and　for　your　sake　I　have　betrayed　a　great
trust。　　My　conscience；　my　faith；　and　although　that　counts　for
little；　my　political　career；　were　in　the　balance　against　my　love
for　you。　　You　know　which　conquered。　　At　your　bidding　I　have　made
myself　the　jest　of　every　man　who　buys　the　halfpenny　paper　and
calls　himself　a　politician。　　My　friends　heap　abuse　upon　me；　my
enemies　derision。　　I　cannot　hold　my　position　in　this　new　Cabinet。
I　had　gone　too　far　for　compromise。　　I　wonder　if　you　quite
understand　what　has　happened？〃

〃Oh；　I　have　heard　too　much；〃　she　cried。　　〃Spare　me　the　rest。〃

He　continued　as　though　he　had　not　heard　her。

〃Men　who　have　been　my　intimate　associates　for　many　years；　and　whose
friendship　was　dear　to　me；　cross　the　road　to　avoid：　meeting　me；　day
by　day　I　am　besieged　with　visitors　and　letters　from　the　suffering
people　to　whom　my　word　had　been　pledged；　imploring　me　for　some
explanation；　for　one　word　of　denial。　　Life　has　become　a　hell　for　me；
a　pestilent；　militant　hell！　　Yet；　Lucille；　unless　you　break　faith
with　me　I　make　no　complaint。　　I　am　content。〃

〃I　am　very　sorry；〃　she　said。　　〃I　do　not　think　that　you　have　properly
understood　me。　　I　have　never　made　you　any　promise。〃

For　a　moment　he　lost　control　of　himself。　　She　shrank　back　at　the
blaze　of　indignation；　half　scornful；　half　incredulous；　which　lit　up
his　clear；　grey　eyes。

〃It　is　a　lie！〃　'　he　answered。　　〃Between　you　and　me　it　can　be　no
question　of　words。　　You　were　always　very　careful　of　your　pledges；
but　there　are　limits　even　to　your　caution　…　as　to　my　forbearance。
A　woman　does　not　ask　a　man　who　is　pleading　to　her　for　her　love　to
give　up　everything　else　he　cares　for　in　life　without　hope　of　reward。
It　is　monstrous！　　I　never　sought　you　under　false　pretenses。　　I　never
asked　you　for　your　friendship。　　I　wanted　you。　　I　told　you　so　plainly。
You　won't　deny　that　you　gave　me　hope　…　encouraged　me？　　You　can't
even　deny　that　I　am　within　my　rights　if　I　claim　now　at　this　instant
the　reward　for　my　apostasy。〃

Her　hands　were　suddenly　locked　in　his。　　She　felt　herself　being　drawn
into　his　arms。　　With　a　desperate　effort　she　avoided　his　embrace。　　He
still　held　her　left　wrist；　and　his　face　was　dark　with　passion。

〃Let　me　go！〃　　she　pleaded。

〃Not　I！〃　　he　answered；　with　an　odd；　choked　little　laugh。　　〃You
belong　to　me。　　I　have　paid　the　price。　　I；　too；　am　amongst　the　long
list　of　those　poor　fools　who　have　sold　their　gods　and　their　honour
for　a　woman's　kiss。　　But　I　will　not　be　left　wholly　destitute。　　You
shall　pay　me　for　what　I　have　lost。〃

〃Oh；　you　are　mad！〃　　she　answered。　　〃How　could　you　have　deceived
yourself　so？　　Don't　you　know　that　my　husband　is　in　London？〃

〃The　man　who　calls　himself　Mr。　Sabin？〃　he　answered　roughly。　　〃What
has　that　to　do　with　it？　　You　are　living　apart。　　Saxe　Leinitzer　and
the　Duchess　have　both　told　me　the　history　of　your　married　life。　　Or
is　the　whole　thing　a　monstrous　lie？〃　he　cried；　with　a　sudden　dawning
sense　of　the　truth。　　〃Nonsense！　　I　won't　believe　it。　　Lucille！
You're　not　afraid！　　I　shall　be　good　to　you。　　You　don't　doubt　that。
Sabin　will　divorce　you　of　course。　　You　won't　lose　your　friends。　I　…　〃

There　was　a　sudden　loud　tapping　at　the　door。　　Brott　dropped　her
wrist　and　turned　round　with　an　exclamation　of　anger。　　To　Lucille　it
was　a　Heaven…sent　interposition。　　The　Prince　entered；　pale；　and
with　signs　of　hurry　and　disorder　about　his　usually　immaculate　person。

〃You　are　both　here；〃　he　exclaimed。　　〃Good！　　Lucille；　I　must　speak
with　you　urgently　in　five　minutes。　　Brott；　come　this　way　with　me。〃

Lucille　sank　into　a　chair　with　a　little　murmur　of　relief。　　The
Prince　led　Brott　into　another　room；　and　closed　the　door　carefully
behind　him。

〃Mr。　Brott；〃　he　said；　〃can　I　speak　to　you　as　a　friend　of　Lucille's？〃

Brott；　who　distrusted　the　Prince；　looked　him　steadily　in　the　face。
Saxe　Leinitzer's　agitation　was　too　apparent　to　be　wholly　assumed。
He　had　all　the　appearance　of　being　a　man　desperately　in　earnest。

〃I　have　always　considered　myself　one；〃　Brott　answered。　　〃I　am
beginning　to　doubt；　however；　whether　the　Countess　holds　me　in　the
same　estimation。〃

〃You　found　her　hysterical；　unreasonable；　overwrought！〃　　the　Prince
exclaimed。　　〃That　is　so；　eh？〃

The　Prince　drew　a　long　breath。

〃Brott；〃　he　said；　〃I　am　forced　to　confide　in　you。　　Lucille　is　in
terrible　danger。　　I　am　not　sure　that　there　is　anybody　who　can
effectually　help　her　but　you。　　Are　you　prepared　to　make　a　great
sacrifice　for　her　sake　…　to　leave　England　at　once；　to　take　her　to
the　uttermost　part　of　the　world？〃

Brott's　eyes　were　suddenly　bright。　　The　Prince　quailed　before　the
fierceness　of　his　gaze。

〃She　would　not　go！〃　　he　exclaimed　sharply。

〃She　will；〃　the　Prince　answered。　　〃She　must！　　Not　only　that；　but
you　will　earn　her　eternal　gratitude。　　Listen；　I　must　tell　you　the
predicament　in　which　we　find　ourselves。　　It　places　Lucille's　life
in　your　hands。〃

〃What？〃

The　exclamation　came　like　a　pistol　shot。　　The　Prince　held　up　his
hand。

〃Do　not　interrupt。　　Let　me　speak。　　Every　moment　is　very　valuable。
You　heard　without　doubt　of　the　sudden　death　at　the　Carlton　Hotel。
It　took　place　in　Mr。　Sabin's　sitting…room。　　The　victim　was　Mr。
Sabin's　servant。　　The　inquest　was　this　afternoon。　　The　verdict　was
death　from　the　effect　of　poison。　　The　police　are　hot　upon　the　case。
There　was　no　evidence　as　to　the　person　by　whom　the　poison　was
administered；　but　by　a　hideous　combination　of　circumstances　one
person　before　many　hours　have　passed　will　be　under　the　surveillance
of　the　police。〃

〃And　that　person？〃　Brott　asked。

The　Prince　looked　round　and　lowered　his　voice；　although　the　room
was　empty。

〃Lucille；〃　he　whispered　hoarsely。

Brott　stepped　backwards　as　though　he　were　shot。

〃What　damned　folly！〃　　he　exclaimed。

〃It　is　possible　that　you　may　not　think　so　directly；〃　Saxe　Leinitzer
continued。　　〃The　day　it　happened　Lucille　bought　this　same　poison；
and　it　is　a　rare　one；　from　a　man　who　has　absconded。　　An　hour　before
this　man　was　found　dead；　she　called　at　the　hotel；　left　no　name；　but
went　upstairs　to　Mr。　Sabin's　room；　and　was　alone　there　for　five
minutes；　The　man　died　from　a　single　grain　of　poison　which　had　been
introduced　into　Mr。　Sabin's　special　liqueur　glass；　out　of　which　he
was　accustomed　to　drink　three　or　four　times　a　day。　　All　these　are
absolute　facts；　which　at　any　moment　may　be　discovered　by　the　police。
Added　to　that　she　is　living　apart　from　her　husband；　and　is　known　to
be　on　bad　terms　with　him。〃

Brott　as　gripping　the　back　of　a　chair。　　He　was　white　to　the　lips。

〃You　don't　think；〃　he　cried　hoarsely。　　〃You　can't　believe　…　〃

〃No〃　the　Prince　answered　quickly；　〃I　don't　believe　anything　of　the
sort。　　I　will　tell　you　as　man　to　than　that　I　believe　she　wished　Mr。
Sabin　dead。　　You　yourself　should　know　why。　　But　no；　I　don't　believe
she　went　so　far　as　that。　　It　was　an　accident。　　But　what　we　have　to
do　is　to　save　her。　　Will　you　help？〃

〃Yes。〃

〃She　must　cross　to　the　Continent　to…night　before　the　police　get　on
the　scent。　　Afterwards　she　must　double　back　to　Havre　and　take　the
Bordlaise　for　New　York　on　Saturday。　　Once　there　I　can　guarantee　her
protection。〃

〃Well？〃

〃She　cannot　go　alone。〃

〃You　mean　that　I　should　go　with　her？〃

〃Yes！　　Get　her　right　away；　and　I　will　employ　special　detectives　and
have　the　matter　cleared　up；　if　ever　it　can　be。　　But　if　she　remains
here　I　fear　that　nothing　can　save　her　from　the　horror　of　an　arrest；
even　if　afterwards　We　are　able　to　save　her。　　You　yourself　risk　much；
Brott。　　The　only　question　that　remains　is；　will　you　do　it？〃

〃At　her　bidding　…　yes！〃　　Brott　declared。

〃Wait　here；〃　the　Prince　answered。


CHAPTER　XXXIX

Saxe　Leinitzer　returned　to　the　morning…room；　and　taking　the　key
from　his　pocket　unlocked　the　door。　　Inside　Lucille　was　pale　with
fury。

〃What！　　I　am　a　prisoner；　the