Part 48 (1/2)
”Where is it?” she cried. ”You have not parted with it?
”I have not,” Laverick replied gravely. ”It is in the safe deposit of a hotel to which I have moved.”
She closed her eyes and drew a long breath of relief.
”You are not well,” Laverick said. ”Let me help you to a chair.”
She sat down wearily.
”Why have you moved to a hotel?” she asked.
”To tell you the truth,” Laverick answered, ”I seem to have wandered into a sort of modern Arabian Nights. Three times to-day attempts have been made to get that doc.u.ment from me by force. I have been followed whereever I went. I felt that it was not safe in my chambers, so I moved to a hotel and deposited it in their strong-room. I have come to the conclusion that the best thing I can do is to open it to-morrow morning, and decide for myself as to its destination.”
Louise sat quite still for several moments. Then she opened her eyes.
”What you say is an immense relief to me, Mr. Laverick,” she declared. ”I perceive now that we have made a mistake. We should have told you the whole truth from the first. This afternoon when Mr. Bellamy left me, it was to come to you and tell you everything.”
Laverick listened gravely.
”Really,” he said, ”it seems to me the wisest course. I haven't the least desire to keep the doc.u.ment. I cannot think why Bellamy did not treat me with confidence from the first--”
He stopped short. Suddenly he understood. Something in Louise's face gave him the hint.
”Of course!” he murmured to himself.
”Mr. Laverick,” Louise said quietly, ”in this matter I am no man's judge, yet, as you and I know well, that paper could have come into your hands in one way, and one way only. There may be some explanation. If so, it is for you to offer it or not, as you think best. Mr. Bellamy and I are allies in this matter. It is not our business to interfere with the course of justice. You will run no risk in parting with that paper.
”Where can I see Bellamy?” Laverick Inquired, rising and taking up his hat.
”He would go straight to your rooms,” she answered. ”Did you leave word there where you had gone?”
”Purposely I did not,” Laverick replied. ”I had better try and find him, perhaps.”
”It is not necessary,” she announced. ”No wonder that you feel yourself to have wandered into the Arabian Nights, Mr. Laverick.
There are two sets of spies who follow you everywhere--two sets that I know of. There may be another.”
”You think that Bellamy will find me?” he asked.
”I am sure of it.”
”Then I'll go back to the hotel and wait.”
She hurried him away, but at the door she detained him for a moment.
”Mr. Laverick,” she said, looking at him earnestly, ”somehow or other I cannot help believing that you are an honest man.”
Laverick sighed. He opened his lips but closed them again.
”You are very kind, Mademoiselle,” he declared simply.