Part 29 (1/2)
”Remember,” he persisted, ”that in a way, Maggie, I am your guardian. I am responsible, too, for anything which may happen to you whilst you are engaged in work for the good of our cause. You seem to have walked into a trap. Did he threaten you, or what?”
”There was nothing definite,” she answered, ”and yet--he made me understand.”
”Made you understand what?”
”His wishes,” she replied, looking up coolly. ”He offered me the papers.”
”That d.a.m.ned Chinaman!”
There was a cold light in her eyes which Nigel had met with before and dreaded.
”You forget yourself, Nigel,” she said. ”Prince Shan is a great n.o.bleman.”
”The rest? Tell me the rest,” he demanded.
”I am here,” she reminded him.
”And the papers?”
”I came away without them.”
He turned, and, walking to the window, threw it open. The dawn had become almost silvery, and the leaves of the overhanging trees were rustling in the faintest of breezes. Presently he came back.
”What exactly are your feelings for this man, Maggie?” he asked.
For the first time he was struck with a certain pathos in her immobile face. She looked up at him, and there was a gleam almost of fear in her eyes.
”I don't know, Nigel,” she confessed.
He moved restlessly about the room, seemed to notice for the first time the whisky and soda set out upon the sideboard and the open box of cigarettes. He helped himself and came back.
”Did you read the papers?” he asked.
She shook her head.
”I had no chance.”
”You don't know for certain what they were about?”
”I think I do,” she replied. ”I believe they contained the text of the agreement between Immelan and Prince Shan. I believe they would have shown us exactly what we have to fear.”
He stood there for a moment thoughtfully.
”To-night,” he said, ”I find it difficult to concentrate upon these things. Naida was extraordinarily hopeful. She has seen Prince Shan, and between them I believe that they have decided to let Oscar Immelan's scheme alone. Karschoff, too, has heard rumours. He is of the same opinion. Somehow or other, though, I seem to have lost my sense of perspective. A greater fear has come into my heart, Maggie.”
She rose to her feet and laid her hands upon his shoulders.
”Nigel,” she whispered, ”I cannot answer you. I cannot say what you would like me to say, although, on the other hand, there is no surety of what you seem to fear. I am going to bed. I am very tired.”