Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-29
E. PHILLIPS OPPENIIEIM
Author of The Moving Finger" The Iustrious Pri
Ambassador" etc.


Bellamy raised his eyebrows
1T is q question: he declared, (which
| you could scarcely expect me to an
Swer.
| continued. "Supposing you decide to &C
cept my offer, how long will 1t be before
| the packet can be placed in my hands,
IF we decide to accept" Bellamy an
swered, there is no reason why there
should be any delay at all.
Streuss was silent for several moments.
| His hands were thrust deep down into the
| pockets of his overcoat: With eyes fixed
| upon the tablecloth, he seemed to be
thinking deeply. till presently he raised
| his head and looked steadily at Bellamy.
You are sure that Won Behrling has
! rot fooled you? You are sure that You
have that identical packet:
Il am absolutely certain that l have,
Bellamy answered, without fiinchng.
Then accept my price and have done
with this matter" Streuss begged. VIII
sign a draft for you here. and | will un-
dertake to bring you the money. or honor
1t wherever you say, within twenty-four
hours"
II cannot decide so quickly said Bel
| lamy. shaking his head. Mile. Idiale
and I must talk together first. am not
sure" he added, whether l might not
find a higher bidder"
Streuss laughed mirthlessly.
There is little fear of that he said.
THE papers are of no use except to us
and to England. To England, will ad-
nit that the foreknowledge of what is to
come would be worth much. although the
eventful result would be the same. 1t is
for that reason that 1 am here. for that
reason that / have made you this offer.
"Mademoiselie and I must discuss it.
Bellamy declared. 1T is not matter
to be decided upon off-hand Remember.
that 1t is not only the packet which you
are offering to buy, but also my career
and my HONOR
lone hundred thousand pounds" Streuss
said, slowly From your own side you
get Notwithstanding but your beggarly
salary and an occasional reprimand One
hundred thousand pounds is not immense
wealth. but it is something
Your offer is a generous one. admit
ted Bellamy. there is no doubt about
that. On the other hand. i cannot decide
without further consideration. 1t Is
big thing for us. remember. l nave
worked very hard for the contents OF that
packet
Once more Streuss felt an uneasy pang
Of intredulity. After ALL was this Eng
fshman playing with him? So he asked:
You are quite sure that you have it,
There is no means of convincing you
of which care to make use. You must
be content with my word. I have the
packet. I paid Won Behrling for 1t and
he gave it to me with his own hands"
II must accept your word" streuss
declared. It give you three days for re-
give me IL 1 refer once more to this"
touching the newspaper which still lay
upon the table. Remember that Ru-
dolph Won Behrling moved about
most of the time upon his heels Yet in
the erd some third person seems to have
interviewed. Are you quite sure that you
know nothing of this?''
Upon my honor" Bellamy REPLIED, Il
have not the slightest information con-
corning Won Behring's death beyond what
you can read there. 1t was as great
surprise to me as to YOU"
1T is ircomprehensible,' Streuss MUIR
INJURED.
Zone % only conclude" Bellamy re
marked, taoughtfuliy, that some one
must have seen him with those notes.
There were people moving about in the
| little restaurant where we met. The rus
| tie of bank notes has cost more than one
man his life
For the present. Streuss said. I'VE
must believe that 1t was SO. Listen to
me. both Of you. You will be wiser II you
| do not delay. You are young people and
the world is before you. With money
| one can do everything. without it life is
but slavery. The world is full of beau
tiful dwelling places for those who have
that not a soul will ever know Of this
transaction If you should decide to &C
| cept my offer
| I'VE shall remember all those things"
/ Bellamy assured him.
| Streuss took up his hat and gloves.
| with your permission. then, mademoi
Sc le" he concluded. turning to Louise
II CO. I must try ard understand for
myself the meaning of this thing which
/ has happened to Won Behrling.'
| do not forget" Bellamy said, that
! il you discover anything, we are equally
interested"
| They heard him go out. Bellamy pur-
posely held the door open until he saw
4 the lift descend. Then he closed it firmly
| and came back into the room. Louise AM
4 he looked at each other, their faces full
| of anxious questioning.
What does 1t mean?" Louise cried.
What can it mean?''
Heaven alone knows!" Bellamy an
| swered. There is not CLEAN of day.
light. My people are absolutely innocent
| Of any attempt upon Won Behrling. II
| Streuss tells the truth. and believe he
does, his people are in the same position
| Who then, In the name of all that is
! miraculous can have murdered and rob-
| bed Won Behrling?
| 1T Is not Vienna. this. or Belgrade
You are right" Bellamy agreed. Lon
don is one Of the most iaw-abiding cities
| in Europe. Besides. the quarter where
| the murder occurred Is entirely unfre-
| quented by the criminal classes. 1t is
! simply region Of great banks and the
offices Of merchant princes"
"Is it possible that there is some one
else who knew about that document?
| Louise asked. some one else who has