Part 14 (2/2)
”You must forgive Mademoiselle,” said Bellamy, ”if she is a little upset this morning. She knows, of course, as I know and you know, that Von Behrling was playing a desperate game, and that he carried his life in his hands. Yet his death has been a shock--has been a shock, I may say, to both of us. From your point of view,” Bellamy went on, ”it was doubtless deserved, but--”
”What, in G.o.d's name, is this that you say?” the Baron interrupted.
”I do not understand at all! You speak of Von Behrling's death!
What do you mean?”
Bellamy looked at him as one who listens to strange words.
”Baron,” he said, ”between us who know so much there is surely no need for you to play a part. Von Behrling knew that you were watching him. Your spies were shadowing him as they have done me.
He knew that he was running terrible risks. He was not unprepared and he has paid. It is not for us--”
”Now, in G.o.d's name, tell me the truth!” Baron de Streuss interrupted once more. ”What is it that you are saying about Von Behrling's death?”
Bellamy drew a little breath between his teeth. He leaned forward with his hands resting upon the table.
”Do you mean to say that you do not know?”
”Upon my soul, no!” replied the Baron.
Bellamy threw open the newspaper before him.
”Von Behrling was murdered last night, ten minutes after our interview.”
CHAPTER XII
BARON DE STREUSS' PROPOSAL
The Baron adjusted his eyegla.s.s with shaking fingers. His face now was waxen-white as he spread out the newspaper upon the table and read the paragraph word by word.
TERRIBLE CRIME IN THE CITY
Early this morning the body of a man was discovered in a narrow pa.s.sageway leading from Crooked Friars to Royal Street, under circ.u.mstances which leave little doubt but that the man's death was owing to foul play.
The deceased had apparently been stabbed, and had received several severe blows about the head. He was shabbily dressed but was well supplied with money, and he was wearing a gold watch and chain when he was found.
LATER
There appears to be no further doubt but that the man found in the entry leading from Crooked Friars had been the victim of a particularly murderous a.s.sault. Neither his clothes nor his linen bore any mark by means of which he could be identified. The body has been removed to the nearest mortuary, and an inquest will shortly be held.
Streuss looked up from the newspaper and the reality of his surprise was apparent. He had all the appearance of a man shaken with emotion.
While he looked at his two companions wonderingly, strange thoughts were forming in his mind.
”Von Behrling dead!” he muttered. ”But who--who could have done this?”
”Until this moment,” Bellamy answered dryly, ”it was not a matter concerning which we had any doubt. The only wonder to us was that it should have been done too late.”
”You mean,” Streuss said slowly, ”that he was murdered after he had completed his bargain with you?”
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