Part 13 (2/2)

”Ah, Louise!” he murmured, ”life is getting a little too strenuous.

Perhaps we have given too much of it up to others. What do you think?”

She shook her head.

”Dear, I have felt like that sometimes, yet what can we do? Could we be happy, you and I, in exile, if the things which we dread were coming to pa.s.s? Could I go away and hide while my countrymen were being butchered out of existence?-- And you--you are not the sort of man to be content with an ign.o.ble peace. No, it isn't possible.

Our work may not be over yet--”

There was a knock at the door, and Annette entered with many apologies.

”Mademoiselle,” she explained, ”a thousand pardons, and to Monsieur also, but there is a gentleman here who says that his business is of the most urgent importance, and that he must see you at once. I have done all that I can, but he will not go away. He knows that Monsieur Bellamy is here, too,” she added, turning to him, ”and he says his business has to do with Monsieur as well as Mademoiselle.”

Bellamy almost s.n.a.t.c.hed the card from the girl's fingers. He read out the name in blank amazement.

”Baron de Streuss!”

There was a moment's silence. Louise and he exchanged wondering glances.

”What can this mean?” she asked hoa.r.s.ely.

”Heaven knows!” he answered. ”Let us see him together. After all--after all--”

”You can show the gentleman in, Annette,” her mistress ordered.

”If he has the papers,” Bellamy continued slowly, ”why does he come to us? It is not like these men to be vindictive. Diplomacy to them is nothing--a game of chess. I do not understand.”

The door opened. Annette announced their visitor. Streuss bowed low to Louise--he bowed, also, to Bellamy.

”I need not introduce myself,” he said. ”With Mr. Bellamy I have the honor to be well acquainted. Madame is known to all the world.”

Louise nodded, somewhat coldly.

”We can dispense with an introduction, I think, Monsieur le Baron,”

she said. ”At the same time, you will perhaps explain to what I owe this somewhat unexpected pleasure?”

”Mademoiselle, an explanation there must certainly be. I know that it is an impossible hour. I know, too, that to have forced my presence upon you in this manner may seem discourteous. Yet the urgency of the matter, I am convinced, justifies me.”

Louise motioned him to a chair, but he declined with a little bow of thanks.

”Mademoiselle,” he said, ”and you, Mr. Bellamy, we need not waste words. We have played a game of chess together. You, Mademoiselle, and Mr. Bellamy on the one side--I and my friends upon the other.

The honor of Rudolph Von Behrling was the p.a.w.n for which we fought.

The victory remains with you.”

Bellamy never moved a muscle. Louise, on the contrary, could not help a slight start.

”Under the circ.u.mstances,” the Baron continued smoothly, ”the struggle was uneven. I do myself the justice to remember that from the first I realized that we played a losing game. Mademoiselle,”

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