Part 3 (1/2)
He took a quick step backward,--he was looking into the muzzle of Bellamy's revolver.
”Dorward,” the latter exclaimed, ”I can't help it! Yours is only a personal ambition--I stand for my country. Share the knowledge of that packet with me or I shall shoot.”
”Then shoot and be d--d to you!” Dorward declared fiercely. ”This is my show, not yours. You and your country can go to--”
He broke off without finis.h.i.+ng his sentence. There was a thunderous knocking at the door. The two men looked at one another for a moment, speechless. Then Bellamy, with a smothered oath, replaced the revolver in his pocket.
”You've thrown away our chance,” he said bitterly.
The knocking was repeated. When Bellamy with a shrug of the shoulders answered the summons, three men in plain clothes entered.
They saluted Bellamy, but their eyes were traveling around the room.
”We are seeking Herr Dorward, the American journalist!” one exclaimed.
”He was here but a moment ago.”
Bellamy pointed to the inner door. He had had too much experience in such matters to attempt any prevarication. The three men crossed the room quickly and Bellamy followed in the rear. He heard a cry of disappointment from the foremost as he opened the door. The inner room was empty!
CHAPTER III
”OURS IS A STRANGE COURTs.h.i.+P”
Louise looked up eagerly as he entered.
”There is news!” she exclaimed. ”I can see it in your face.”
”Yes,” Bellamy answered, ”there is news! That is why I have come.
Where can we talk?”
She rose to her feet. Before them the open French windows led on to a smooth green lawn. She took his arm.
”Come outside with me,” she said. ”I am shut up here because I will not see the doctors whom they send, or any one from the Opera House. An envoy from the Palace has been and I have sent him away.”
”You mean to keep your word, then?”
”Have I ever broken it? Never again will I sing in this City. It is so.”
Bellamy looked around. The garden of the villa was enclosed by high gray stone walls. They were secure here, at least, from eavesdroppers. She rested her fingers lightly upon his arm, holding up the skirts of her loose gown with her other hand.
”I have spoken to you,” he said, ”of Dorward, the American journalist.”
She nodded.
”Of course,” she a.s.sented. ”You told me that the Chancellor had promised him an interview for to-day.”
”Well, he went to the Palace and the Chancellor saw him.”.
She looked at him with upraised eyebrows.