登陆注册
4617500000028

第28章

You must be content with my word. I have the packet. I paid Von Behrling for it and he gave it to me with his own hands.""I must accept your word," Streuss declared. "I give you three days for reflection. Before I go, Mr. Bellamy, forgive me if I refer once more to this," - touching the newspaper which still lay upon the table. "Remember that Rudolph Von Behrling moved about a marked man. Your spies and mine were most of the time upon his heels. Yet in the end some third person seems to have intervened. Are you quite sure that you know nothing of this?""Upon my honor," Bellamy replied, "I have not the slightest information concerning Von Behrling's death beyond what you can read there. It was as great a surprise to me as to you.""It is incomprehensible," Streuss murmured.

"One can only conclude," Bellamy remarked thoughtfully, "that someone must have seen him with those notes. There were people moving about in the little restaurant where we met. The rustle of bank-notes has cost more than one man his life.

"For the present," Streuss said, "we must believe that it was so.

Listen to me, both of you. You will be wiser if you do not delay.

You are young people, and the world is before you. With money one can do everything. Without it, life is but a slavery. The world is full of beautiful dwelling-places for those who have the means to choose. Remember, too, that not a soul will ever know of this transaction, if you should decide to accept my offer.""We shall remember all those things," Bellamy assured him.

Streuss took up his hat and gloves.

"With your permission, then, Mademoiselle," he concluded, turning to Louise, "I go. I must try and understand for myself the meaning of this thing which has happened to Von Behrling.""Do not forget," Bellamy said, "that if you discover anything, we are equally interested." . . .

They heard him go out. Bellamy purposely held the door open until he saw the lift descend. Then he closed it firmly and came back into the room. Louise and he looked at each other, their faces full of anxious questioning.

"What does it mean?" Louise cried. "What can it mean?""Heaven alone knows!" Bellamy answered. "There is not a gleam of daylight. My people are absolutely innocent of any attempt upon Von Behrling. If Streuss tells the truth, and I believe he does, his people are in the same position. Who, then, in the name of all that is miraculous, can have murdered and robbed Von Behrling?""In London, too," Louise murmured. "It is not Vienna, this, or Belgrade.""You are right," Bellamy agreed. "London is one of the most law-abiding cities in Europe. Besides, the quarter where the murder occurred is entirely unfrequented by the criminal classes. It is simply a region of great banks and the offices of merchant princes.

"Is it possible that there is some one else who knew about that document?" Louise asked, - "some one else who has been watching Von Behrling?"Bellamy shook his head.

"How can that be? Besides, if any one else were really on his track, they must have believed that he had parted with it to me. I shall go back now to Downing Street to ask for a letter to the Chief of Scotland Yard. If anything comes out, I must have plenty of warning.""And I," she said, with an approving nod, "shall go back to bed again. These days are too strenuous for me. Won't you stay and take your coffee with me?"Bellamy held her hand for a moment in his.

"Dear," he said, "I would stay, but you understand, don't you, what a maze this is into which we have wandered. Von Behrling has been murdered by some person who seems to have dropped from the skies.

Whoever they may be, they have in their possession my twenty thousand pounds and the packet which should have been mine. I must trace them if I can, Louise. It is a poor chance, but I must do my best. I myself am of the opinion that Von Behrling was murdered for the money, and for the money only. If so, that packet may be in the hands of people who have no idea what use to make of it.

They may even destroy it. If Streuss returns and you are forced to see him, be careful. Remember, we have the document - we are hesitating. So long as he believes that it is in our possession, he will not look elsewhere.""I will be careful," Louise promised, with her arms around his neck.

"And, dear, take care. When I think of poor Rudolph Von Behrling, I tremble, also, for you. It seems to me that your danger is no less than his.""I do not go about with twenty thousand pounds in my pocket-book,"with a smile.

She shook her head.

"No, but Streuss believes that you have the document which he is pledged to recover. Be careful that they do not lead you into a trap. They are not above anything, these men. I heard once of a Bulgarian in Vienna who was tortured - tortured almost to death - before he spoke. Then they thrust him into a lunatic asylum.

Remember, dear, they have no consciences and no pity.""We are in London," he reminded her.

"So was Von Behrling," she answered quickly, - "not only in London but in a safe part of London. Yet he is dead.""It was not their doing," he declared. "In their own country, they have the whole machinery of their wonderful police system at their backs, and no fear of the law in their hearts. Here they must needs go cautiously. I don't think you need be afraid," he added, smiling, as he opened the door. "I think I can promise you that if you will do me the honor we will sup together to-night.""You must fetch me from the Opera House," Louise insisted. "It is a bargain. I have suffered enough neglect at your hands. One thing, David, - where do you go first from here?""To find the man," Bellamy answered gravely, "who was watching Von Behrling when he left me. If any man in England knows anything of the murder, it must be he. He should be at my rooms by now."

同类推荐
  • 吹剑录外集

    吹剑录外集

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • The Romantic Adventures of a Milkmaid

    The Romantic Adventures of a Milkmaid

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 翠娱阁评选十六名家小品

    翠娱阁评选十六名家小品

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 江城秋霁

    江城秋霁

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 十不二门

    十不二门

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • Winter Kills

    Winter Kills

    President Timothy Kegan is assassinated while riding in a motorcade in Philadelphia; a single shooter is caught and convicted. Fourteen years later, the slain President's brother, Nick, hears a deathbed confession that upends everything he thought he knew about his brother's death. In a desperate rush to find the real killer, Nick must navigate the murky waters of a conspiracy that involves the CIA, oil barons, the police force, movie stars, and people at the highest level of government.A gripping political thriller, this book contains disturbing echoes of the Kennedy Assassination. Rife with political intrigue, it addresses many mysteries that remain unsolved in the real life JFK case--and it's sure to keep you turning pages.
  • 修罗邪妃

    修罗邪妃

    离王府,到处弥漫着大红喜色,新房极尽奢华,只是与这喜庆的颜色象相不符的是,整个离王府的下人脸上皆无喜色,只为新房里的女子感到惋惜。靠近右边窗户的石柱,透过窗柩朦胧的月色洒下一片清冷光华,为整个房间附上一层银霜。空气中弥漫着幽兰的馨香,与对面的紫檀木妆台散发出的香味混为一体,带着令人微醉的气息。一道莹润光滑的珠帘静静垂落着。珠帘之后,摆放着一张刺绣屏风,屏风后隐隐显出一张质地……
  • 绝色王妃不倾城

    绝色王妃不倾城

    古画、血玉镯、姻缘果,冥冥之中的天意,前世今生未了的情缘……
  • 国学经典导读(下册)(中华诵·经典诵读行动)

    国学经典导读(下册)(中华诵·经典诵读行动)

    方水清等主编的《国学经典导读》是一本关于中国文化经典的综合导读作品,分上、中、下三册,下册收录了《诗经》、《左传》、《史记》、《战国策》、《古文观止》、《孙子兵法》等著作,对每部作品都按“原文”(或“原诗”)、“译文”、“师说”、“知识卡片”、“故事链接”五部分进行详细解释,以便为读者深入了解传统文化经典,提供必要的阅读门径与学习指南。
  • 田园喜嫁

    田园喜嫁

    作为苏家的三女儿,苏槿最大的愿望就是不要被娘亲乱点鸳鸯谱。她只想种种田挣挣钱,过自己的小日子。什么?你想要与我结发同枕?本姑娘既然不是你想要的贤妻,为何还要与你永结同心?
  • 须摩提长者经

    须摩提长者经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 终极英语日常用语1980句

    终极英语日常用语1980句

    本书内容包括:用餐宴请;居家交流;职场办公;校园求学;旅游出行;逛街购物等基本交际口语。
  • 给心灵洗个澡(提升版)

    给心灵洗个澡(提升版)

    生活就如同两扇窗,一扇窗的外面充满着快乐,另一扇窗的外面则全是不幸。当我们打开不幸的窗户时,生活的阴暗将我们围得水泄不通,看到的是理想的破灭,生活的无助和人生的无奈;而当我们打开快乐的窗户时,生活的阳光便滋润着我们的皮肤,映入眼帘的全是各种各样的美好事物。本书为我们打开了快乐之窗。本书通过一个个感动心灵的小故事,让人们明白如何才能在当今社会拥有一颗健康的心灵,保持积极乐观的心态,去创造幸福美好的人生。相信读者一定会从中受益,把书中的指导原理运用到现实生活中,获得心灵的洗涤与升华!
  • 衣的现象学

    衣的现象学

    人人都要穿衣服,可你是否想过,人为什么要穿衣服?选择衣服,就是选择理想中的自己衣服,是生活中确定自我的手段——“我”是谁?是男是女?是大人还是孩子?有什么样的性格?从事什么样的职业?有着什么样的爱好?性别、职业、年龄、生活方式……衣服就这样演绎着我们的性别属性及社会属性,逐步地、具体地塑造出每个人的人格。穿衣服,界定着我们在社会中的位置——有人着装低调朴素,有人偏爱奇装异服;有时我们希望通过衣服让自己备受瞩目,有时却希望隐身于人海之中。对衣服的选择,折射着他人眼中自我的形象,又体现着自我与他人的距离。某种程度上,衣服就代表着人本身。
  • 韩娱之请签收

    韩娱之请签收

    缘分,从送外卖开始!群号:97058129