Part 34 (2/2)
She studied him, and dreaded him, loathing his claim on her, longing to order him never to speak again to her, yet strangely interested in his future power for evil. The thought occurred to her that if she could learn his new schemes she might thwart them. That would be some atonement for what she had not prevented before. This inspiration brightened her so suddenly and gave such an eagerness to her manner that he saw the light and grew suspicious--a spy has to be, for he carries a weapon that has only one cartridge in it.
Marie Louise waited for him to explain his purpose till the suspense began to show; then she said, bluntly:
”What mischief are you up to now?”
”Mitschief--me?” he asked, all innocently.
”You said you wanted to see me.”
”I always want to see you. You interest--my eyes--my heart--”
”Please don't.” She said it with the effect of slamming a door.
She looked him full in the eyes angrily, then remembered her curiosity. He saw her gaze waver with a double motive.
It is strange how people can fence with their glances, as if they were emanations from the eyes instead of mere reflections of light back and forth. But however it is managed, this man and this woman played their stares like two foils feeling for an opening. At length he surrendered and resolved to appeal:
”How do you feel about--about us?”
”Who are us?”
”We Germans.”
”We are not Germans. I'm American.”
”Then England is your greater enemy than Germany.”
She wanted to smile at that, but she said:
”Perhaps.”
He pleaded for his cause. ”America ought not to have joined the war against the _Vaterland_. It is only a few Americans--bankers who lended money to England--who wish to fight us.”
Up-stairs Jake's heart bounded. Here was a fellow-spirit. He listened for Marie Louise's response; he caught the doubt in her tone. She could not stomach such an absurdity:
”Bos.h.!.+” she said.
It sounded like ”Boche!” And Nicky flushed.
”You have been in this Was.h.i.+ngton town too long. I think I shall go now.”
Marie Louise made no objection. She had not found out what he was up to, but she was sick of duplicity, sick of the sight of him and all he stood for. She did not even ask him to come again. She went to the door with him and stood there a moment, long enough for the man who was shadowing Nicky to identify her. She watched Nicky go and hoped that she had seen the last of him. But up-stairs the great heart of Jake Nuddle was seething with excitement. He ran to the front window, caught a glimpse of Nicky, and hurried back down the stairs.
Abbie called out, ”Where you goin'?”
Jake did not answer such a meddlesome question, but he said to Marie Louise, as he brushed past her on the stairs:
<script>