CHAPTERI
\"Neverheardasound，\"theyoungeroftheafternooncallersadmitted，gettingridofhisemptycupandleaningforwardinhislowchair。\"Nomoretea，thankyou，MissFairclough。Donesplendidly，thanks。No，Iwenttobedlastnightsoonaftereleven-theColonelhadbeenroutemarchingusalloffourlegs-andIneverawokeuntilreveillethismorning。Sleepofthejust，andallthatsortofthing，butajollysell，allthesame！
Youhearanythingofit，sir？\"heasked，turningtohiscompanion，whowasseatedafewfeetaway。
CaptainGriffithsshookhishead。Hewasamanconsiderablyolderthanhisquestioner，withlong，nervousface，andthickblackhairstreakedwithgrey。Hisfingerswerebony，hiscomplexion，forasoldier，curiouslysallow，andnotwithstandinghisheight，whichwasconsiderable，hewasawkward，attimesalmostuncouth。Hisvoicewashardandunsympathetic，andhiscontributionstothetea-tabletalkhadbeenalmostnegligible。
\"Iwasupuntiltwoo’clock，asithappened，\"hereplied，\"butI
knewnothingaboutthematteruntilitwasbroughttomynoticeofficially。\"
HelenFairclough，whowasdoingthehonoursforLadyCranston，herabsenthostess，assumedtheslightairofsuperioritytowhichthecircumstancesofthecaseentitledher。
\"Ihearditdistinctly，\"shedeclared；\"infactitwokemeup。I
hungoutofthewindow，andIcouldheartheenginejustasplainlyasthoughitwereoverthegolflinks。\"
Theyoungsubalternsighed。
\"RottenluckIhavewiththesethings，\"heconfided。\"That’sthreetimesthey’vebeenover，andI’veneitherheardnorseenone。Thistimetheysaythatithadthenarrowestshaveonearthofcomingdown。Ofcourse，you’veheardoftheobservationcarfoundonDutchman’sCommonthismorning？\"
Thegirlassented。
\"Didyouseeit？\"sheenquired。
\"Notachance，\"wasthegloomyreply。\"ItwasputontwocoveredtrucksandsentuptoLondonbythefirsttrain。CaptainGriffithscantellyouwhatitwaslike，Idaresay。Youweredownthere，weren’tyou，sir？\"
\"Isuperintendeditsremoval，\"thelatterinformedthem。\"Itwasaveryuninterestingaffair。\"
\"Anybombsinit？\"Helenasked。
\"Notasignofone。Justahardseat，twosetsoffield-glassesandatelephone。Itseemstohavegotcaughtinsometreesandbeendraggedoff。\"
\"Howexciting！\"thegirlmurmured。\"Isupposetherewasn’tanyoneinit？\"
Griffithsshookhishead。
\"Ibelieve，\"heexplained，\"thattheseobservationcars，althoughtheyareattachedtomostoftheZeppelins，areseldomusedinnightraids。\"
\"Ishouldliketohaveseenit，allthesame，\"Helenconfessed。
\"Youwouldhavebeendisappointed，\"herinformantassuredher。
\"By-the-by，\"headded，alittleawkwardly，\"areyounotexpectingLadyCranstonbackthisevening？\"
\"Iamexpectinghereverymoment。Thecarhasgonedowntothestationtomeether。\"
CaptainGriffithsappearedtoreceivethenewswithacertainundemonstrativesatisfaction。Heleanedbackinhischairwiththeairofonewhoiscontenttowait。
\"Haveyouheard，MissFairclough，\"hisyoungercompanionenquired，alittlediffidently，\"whetherLadyCranstonhadanyluckintown？\"
HelenFaircloughlookedaway。Therewasaslightmistbeforehereyes。
\"Ihadaletterthismorning，\"shereplied。\"Sheseemstohaveheardnothingatallencouragingsofar。\"
\"Andyouhaven’theardfromMajorFelsteadhimself，Isuppose？\"
Thegirlshookherhead。
\"Notaline，\"shesighed。\"It’stwomonthsnowsincewelasthadaletter。\"
\"Jollybadlucktogetnippedjustashewasdoingsowell，\"theyoungmanobservedsympathetically。
\"Itallseemsverycruel，\"Helenagreed。\"Hewasn’treallyfittogoback，buttheBoardpassedhimbecausetheyweresoshortofofficersandhekeptworryingthem。Hewassoafraidhe’dgetmovedtoanotherbattalion。ThenhewastakenprisonerinthathorriblePervaisaffair，andsenttotheworstcampinGermany。
Sincethen，ofcourse，PhilippaandIhavehadawretchedtime，worrying。\"
\"MajorFelsteadisLadyCranston’sonlybrother，ishenot？\"
Griffithsenquired。
\"Andmyonlyfianc=82，\"shereplied，withalittlegrimace。\"However，don’tletustalkaboutourtroublesanymore，\"shecontinued，withaneffortatalightertone。\"You’llfindsomecigarettesonthattable，Mr。Harrison。Ican’tthinkwhereNorais。Iexpectshehaspersuadedsomeonetotakeherouttrophy-huntingtoDutchrnan’sCommon。\"
\"Theroadallthewayislikeacircus，\"theyoungsoldierobserved，\"andthereisn’tathingtobeseenwhenyougetthere。Thenavalairmenwereallovertheplaceatdaybreak，andCaptainGriffithswasn’tfarbehindthem。Youdidn’tleavemuchforthesightseers，sir，\"heconcluded，turningtohisneighbour。
\"AsCommandantoftheplace，\"CaptainGriffithsreplied，\"InaturallyhadtohavetheCommonsearched。Withtheexceptionoftheobservationcar，however，IthinkthatIambetrayingnoconfidencesintellingyouthatwediscoverednothingofinterest。\"
\"DoyousupposethattheZeppelinwasindifficulties，asshewasflyingsolow？\"Helenenquired。
\"Itisaperfectlyreasonablehypothesis，\"theCommandantassented。
\"Twopatrolboatsweresentoutearlythismorning，insearchofher。
AnoldmanwhomIsawatWaburnedeclaresthatshepassedlikealong，blackcloud，justoverhishead，andthathewasalmostdeafenedbythenoiseoftheengines。Personally，Icannotbelievethattheywouldcomedownsolowunlessshewasinsometrouble。\"
Thedoorofthecomfortablelibraryinwhichtheywereseatedwassuddenlythrownopen。Anexceedinglyalert-lookingyounglady，verymuchbefreckled，andasyetunemancipatedfromthelongplaitsoftheschoolroom，cameinlikeawhirlwind。Inherhandshecarriedaman’sHomburghat，whichshewavedaloftintriumph。
\"Comein，Arthur，\"sheshoutedtoayoungsubalternwhowashoveringinthebackground。\"LookwhatI’vegot，Helen！Atrophy！
Justlook，Mr。HarrisonandCaptainGriffiths！Ifounditinabush，nottwentyyardsfromwheretheobservationcarcamedown。\"
Helenturnedthehataroundinamusedbewilderment。
\"But，mydearchild，\"sheexclaimed，\"thisisnothingbutanordinaryhat！PeoplewhotravelinZeppelinsdon’twearthingslikethat。Howdoyoudo，Mr。Somerfield？\"sheadded，smilingattheyoungmanwhohadfollowedNoraintotheroom。
\"Don’tthey！\"thelatterretorted，withanairofsuperiorknowledge。\"Justlookhere！\"
Sheturneddowntheliningandshowedittothem。\"Whatdoyoumakeofthat？\"sheaskedtriumphantly。
Helengazedatthegold-printedlettersalittleincredulously。
\"Readitout，\"Norainsisted。
Helenobeyed：
\"Schmidt，Berlin，UnterdenLinden，127。\"
\"ThatsoundsGerman，\"sheadmitted。
\"It’satrophy，allright，\"Noradeclared。\"Oneofthecrew-=20
probablytheCommander-musthavecomeonboardinahurryandchangedintouniformaftertheyhadstarted。\"
\"Itismypainfulduty，MissNora，\"Harrisonannouncedsolemnly，\"toinformyou，onbehalfofCaptainGriffiths，thatallarticlesofwhatsoeverdescription，foundinthevicinityofDutchman’sCommon，whichmightpossiblyhavebelongedtoanyoneintheZeppelin，mustbesentatoncetotheWarOffice。\"
\"Rubbish！\"Norascoffed。\"TheWarOfficearen’tgoingtohavemyhat。\"
\"Duty，\"theyoungmanbegan-
\"YoucangobacktotheDepotanddoyourduty，then，Mr。Harrison，\"
Norainterrupted，\"butyou’renotgoingtohavemyhat。I’dthrowitintothefiresoonerthangiveitup。\"
\"Militaryregulationsmustbeobeyed，MissNora，\"CaptainGriffithsventuredthoughtfully。
\"Nothingsoimportantashats，\"Harrisonputin。\"Youseetheyfit-somebody。\"
Thegirl’sgesturewasirreverentbutconvincing。\"I’dlistentoanythingCaptainGriffithshadtosay，\"shedeclared，\"butyouboyswhoarelearningtobesoldiersaresimplyeatenupwithconceit。
There’snothinginyourtextbookabouthats。Ifyou’regoingtomakeyourselvesdisagreeableaboutthis，Ishallsimplyignoretheregiment。\"
Thetwoyoungmenfellintoattitudesofmockdismay。Noratookachocolatefromabox。
\"Bemerciful，MissNora！\"Harrisonpleadedtearfully。
\"Don’tbreaktheregimentupaltogether，\"Somerfieldbegged，withalittlecatchinhisvoice。
\"Allverywellforyoutwotobefunny，\"Norawenton，revisitingthechocolatebox，\"butyou’veheardabouttheSeaforthscorning，haven’tyou？Iadorekilts，andsodoesHelen；don’tyou，Helen？\"
\"Everywomandoes，\"Helenadmitted，smiling。\"Isupposethechildreallycankeepthehat，can’tshe？\"sheadded，turningtotheCommandant。
\"Officiallythematterisoutsidemycognizance，\"hedeclared。\"I
shallhavenothingtosay。\"
Thetwoyoungmenexchangedglances。
\"Ahat，\"Somerfieldruminated，\"especiallyaHomburghat，isscarcelyanappurtenanceofwarfare。\"
Hisbrotherofficerstoodforamomentlookinggravelyattheobjectinquestion。ThenhewinkedatSomerfieldandsighed。
\"Ishalltakethewholeresponsibility，\"hedecidedmagnanimously，\"ofsayingnothingaboutthematter。Wecan’taffordtoquarrelwithMissNora，canwe，Somerfield？\"
\"Notonyourlife，\"thatyoungmanagreed。
\"Sensibleboys！\"Norapronouncedgraciously。
\"Thankyouverymuch，CaptainGriffiths，fornotencouragingthemintheirfolly。Youcantakemeasfarasthepost-officewhenyougo，Arthur，\"shecontinued，turningtothefortunatepossessoroftheside-car，\"andwe’llhavesomegolfto-morrowafternoon，ifyoulike。\"
\"Won’tMr。Somerfieldhavesometea？\"Heleninvited。
\"Thankyouverymuch，MissFairclough，\"themanreplied；\"wehadteasometimeagoatWatson’s，whereIfoundMissNora。\"
Norasuddenlyheldupherfinger。\"Isn’tthatthecar？\"sheasked。
\"Why，itmustbemummy，herealready。Yes，Icanhearhervoice！\"
Griffiths，whohadmovedeagerlytowardsthewindow，lookedback。
\"ItisLadyCranston，\"heannouncedsolemnly。
CHAPTERII
Thewomanwhopausedforamomentuponthethresholdofthelibrary，lookinginuponthelittlecompany，wasundeniablybeautiful。Shehadmassesofred-goldhair，alittledisorderedbyherlongrailwayjourney，deep-sethazeleyes，adelicate，almostporcelain-likecomplexion，andasensitive，delightfullyshapedmouth。Herfigurewassmallanddainty，andjustatthatmomentshehadanappearanceofhelplessnesswhichwasalmostchildlike。Nora，afteravigorousembrace，ledherstepmothertowardsachair。
\"Comeandsitbythefire，Mummy，\"shebegged。\"Youlooktiredandcold。\"
Philippaexchangedageneralsalutationwithherguests。Shewasstillwearinghertravellingcoat，andherairoffatiguewasunmistakable。Griffiths，whohadnottakenhiseyesoffhersinceherentrance，wheeledaneasy-chairtowardsthehearth-rug，intowhichshesankwithamurmuredwordofthanks。
\"You’llhavesometea，won’tyou，dear？\"Helenenquired。
Philippashookherhead。Hereyesmetherfriend’sforamoment-itwasonlyaverybriefglance，butthetragedyofsomemutualsorrowseemedcuriouslyrevealedinthatunspokenquestionandanswer。Thetwoyoungsubalternspreparedtotaketheirleave。
Nora，kneelingdown，strokedherstepmother’shand。
\"Nonewsatall，then？\"Helenfaltered。
\"None，\"wasthewearyreply。
\"Anyamountofnewshere，Mummy，\"Noraintervenedcheerfully，\"andheapsofexcitement。WehadaZeppelinoverDutchman’sCommonlastnight，andshelostherobservationcar。Mr。Somerfieldtookmeuptherethisafternoon，andIfoundaGermanhat。Nooneelsegotathing，and，wouldyoubelieveit，thosechildrenovertheretriedtotakeitawayfromme。\"
Herstepmothersmiledfaintly。
\"Iexpectyouarekeepingthehat，dear，\"sheobserved。
\"Ishouldsayso！\"Noraassented。
Philippaheldoutherhandtothetwoyoungmenwhohadbeenwaitingtotaketheirleave。
\"Youmustcomeanddineonenightthisweek，bothofyou，\"shesaid。
\"Myhusbandwillbehomebythelatertrainthisevening，andI’msurehewillbegladtohaveyou。\"
\"Verykindofyou，LadyCranston，weshallbedelighted，\"Harrisondeclared。
\"Rather！\"hiscompanionechoed。
Noraledthemaway，andHelen，withawordofexcuse，followedthem。
Griffiths，whohadalsorisentohisfeet，camealittlenearertoPhilippa’schair。
\"Andyou，too，ofcourse，CaptainGriffiths，\"shesaid，smilingpleasantlyupathim。\"Mustyouhurryaway？\"
\"Iwillstay，ifImay，untilMissFaircloughreturns，\"heanswered，resuminghisseat。
\"Do！\"Philippabeggedhim。\"Ihavehadsuchamiserabletimeintown。Youcan’tthinkhowrestfulitistobebackhere。\"
\"Iamafraid，\"heobserved，\"thatyourjourneyhasnotbeensuccessful。\"
Philippashookherhead。
\"Ithasbeencompletelyunsuccessful，\"shesighed。\"Ihavenotbeenabletohearawordaboutmybrother。IamsosorryforpoorHelen，too。Theywereonlyengaged，youknow，afewdaysbeforeheleftforthefrontthislasttime。\"
CaptainGriffithsnoddedsympathetically。
\"InevermetMajorFelstead，\"heremarked，\"buteveryonewhohasseemstolikehimverymuch。Hewasdoingsowell，too，uptothatlastunfortunateaffair，wasn’the？\"
\"Dickisadear，\"Philippadeclared。\"Ineverknewanyonewithsomanyfriends。Hewouldhavebeencommandinghisbattalionnow，ifonlyhewerefree。Hiscolonelwroteandtoldmesohimself。\"
\"IwishthereweresomethingIcoulddo，\"Griffithsmurmured，alittleawkwardly。\"Ithurtsme，LadyCranston，toseeyousoupset。\"
Shelookedathimforamomentinfaintsurprise。
\"Nobodycandoanything，\"shebemoaned。\"Thatistheunfortunatepartofitall。\"
Herosetohisfeetandwasimmediatelyconscious，ashealwayswaswhenhestoodup，thattherewasafootortwoofhisfigurewhichhehadnoideawhattodowith。
\"Youwouldn’tfeellikearideto-morrowmorning，LadyCranston？\"heasked，withawistfulnesswhichseemedsomehowstifledinhisratherunpleasantvoice。Sheshookherhead。
\"Perhapsonemorninglater，\"shereplied，alittlevaguely。\"I
haven’tanyheartforanythingjustnow。\"
Hetookasombrebutagitatedleaveofhishostess，andwentoutintothetwilight，cursinghislackofease，rememberingthethingswhichhehadmeanttosay，andhatinghimselfforhavingforgottenthem。Philippa，towhomhisdeparturehadbeen，asitalwayswas，arelief，wasalreadyleaningforwardinherchairwithherarmaroundHelen’sneck。
\"Ithoughtthatextraordinarymanwouldnevergo，\"sheexclaimed，\"andIwaslongingtosendforyou，Helen。Londonhasbeensuchadrearychapterofdisappointments。\"
\"Whatasickeningtimeyoumusthavehad，dear！\"
\"Itwashorrid，\"Philippaassentedsadly，\"butyouknowHenryisnouseatall，andIshouldhavefeltmiserableunlessIhadgone。
IhavebeentoeveryfriendattheWarOffice，andeveryfriendwhohasfriendsthere。Ihavemadeeverysortofenquiry，andI
knowjustasmuchnowasIdidwhenIlefthere-thatRichardwasaprisoneratWittenbergthelasttimetheyheard，andthattheyhavereceivednonotificationwhateverconcerninghimforthelasttwomonths。
Helenglancedatthecalendar。
\"Itisjusttwomonthsto-day，\"shesaidmournfully，\"sinceweheard。\"
\"Andthen，\"Philippasighed，\"hehadn’treceivedasingleoneofourparcels。\"
Helenrosesuddenlytoherfeet。Shewasatall，fairgirlofthebestSaxontype，slimbutnotintheleastangular，witheverypromise，indeed，ofafullerandmoregraciousdevelopmentintheyearstocome。Shewasbarelytwenty-twoyearsold，and，asiscommonwithgirlsofhercomplexion，seemedyounger。Herbright，intelligentfacewas，aboveall，good-humoured。Justatthatmoment，however，therewasaflushofpassionateangerinhercheeks。
\"Itmakesmefeelalmostbesidemyself，\"sheexclaimed，\"thishideousincapacityfordoinganything！Herewearelivinginluxury，withoutasingleprivation，whilstDick，thedearestthingonearthtobothofus，isbeingstarvedandgoadedtodeathinafoulGermanprison！\"
\"Wemustn’tbelievethatit’squitesobadasthat，dear，\"Philipparemonstrated。\"Whatisit，Mills？\"
Theelderlyman-servantwhohadenteredwithatrayinhisband，bowedashearrangedituponasidetable。
\"Ihavetakenthelibertyofbringinginalittlefreshtea，yourladyship，\"heannounced，\"andsomehotbutteredtoast。Cookhassentsomeofthesandwiches，too，whichyourladyshipgenerallyfancies。\"
\"Itisverykindofyou，Mills，\"Philippasaid，withratherawanlittlesmile。\"IhadsometeaatSouthLynn，butitwasverybad。
Youmighttakemycoat，please。\"
Shestoodup，andtheheavyfurcoatslippedeasilyawayfromherslim，elegantlittlebody。
\"ShallIlightup，yourladyship？\"Millsenquired。
\"Youmightlightalamp，\"Philippadirected，\"butdon’tdrawtheblindsuntillighting-uptime。AfterthenoiseofLondon，\"shewenton，turningtoHelen，\"Ialwaysthinkthatthefaintsoundoftheseaissorestful。\"
Themanmovednoiselesslyabouttheroomandreturnedoncemoretohismistress。
\"Weshouldbegladtohear，yourladyship，\"hesaid，\"ifthereisanynewsofMajorFelstead？\"Philippashookherhead。
\"Noneatall，Iamsorrytosay，Mills！Still，wemusthopeforthebest。Idaresaythatsomeofthesecampsarenotsobadasweimagine。\"
\"Wemusthopenot，yourladyship，\"wasthesomewhatdismalreply。
\"ShallIfastenthewindows？\"
\"Youcanleavethemuntilyoudrawtheblinds，Mills，\"Philippadirected。\"Iamnotathome，ifanyoneshouldcall。Seethatweareundisturbedforalittletime。\"
\"Verygood，yourladyship。\"
Thedoorwasclosed，andthetwowomenwereoncemorealone。
Philippaheldoutherarms。
\"Helen，darling，comeandbenicetome，\"shebegged。\"Letusbothpretendthatnonewsisgoodnews。Oh，Iknowwhatyouaresuffering，butrememberthatevenifDickisyourlover，heismydear，onlybrother-mytwinbrother，too。Wehavebeensomuchtoeachotherallourlives。He’llstickitout，dear，ifanyhumanbeingcan。Weshallhavehimbackwithussomeday。\"
\"Butheishungry，\"Helensobbed。\"Ican’tbeartothinkofhisbeinghungry。EverytimeIsitdowntoeat，italmostchokesme。\"
\"Isupposehehasforgottenwhatawhiskyandsodaislike，\"
Philippamurmured，withalittlecatchinherownthroat。
\"Healwaysusedtoloveoneaboutthistime，\"Helenfaltered，glancingattheclock。
\"Andcigarettes！\"Philippaexclaimed。\"Iwonderwhethertheygivehimanythingtosmoke。\"
\"NastyGermantobacco，iftheydo，\"Helenrejoinedindignantly。
\"AndtothinkthatIhavesenthimatleastsixhundredofhisfavouriteEgyptians！\"
Shefelloncemoreonherkneesbyherfriend’sside。Theirarmswereintertwined，theircheekstouching。Oneofthosestrange，femininesilencesofacutesympathyseemedtoholdthemforawhileunderitsthrall。Then，almostatthesamemoment，aqueerawakeningcameforbothofthem。Helen’sarmwasstiffened。
Philippaturnedherhead，buthereyeswerefilledwithincredulousfear。Alittlecurrentofcoolairwasblowingthroughtheroom。
TheFrenchwindowsstoodhalfopen，andwithhisbacktothem，amanwhohadapparentlyenteredtheroomfromthegardensandpassednoiselesslyacrossthesoftcarpet，wasstandingbythedoor，listening。Theyheardhimturnthekey。Then，inabusinesslikemanner，hereturnedtothewindowsandclosedthem，theeyesofthetwowomenfollowinghimallthetime。Satisfied。apparently，withhisprecautions，heturnedtowardsthemjustasanexpressionofindignantenquirybrokefromPhilippa’slips。Helensprangtoherfeet，andPhilippagrippedthesidesofherchair。Thenewcomeradvancedafewstepsnearertothem。
CHAPTERIII
Itseemedtothetwowomen，briefthoughtheperiodofactualsilencewas，thatinthosefewsecondstheyjointlyconceiveddefiniteandlastingimpressionsofthemanwhowastobecome，duringthenextfewweeks，anobjectofthedeepestconcerntobothofthem。Theintruderwasslightlybuilt，oflittlemorethanmediumheight，ofdarkcomplexion，withanalmostimperceptiblemoustacheofmilitarypattern，blackhairdishevelledwiththewind，andeyesofalmostpeculiarbrightness。Hecarriedhimselfwithanassurancewhichwassomewhatremarkableconsideringtheconditionofhistornandmudstainedclothes，theveryqualityofwhichwasalmostundistinguishable。Theyboth，curiouslyenough，formedthesameinstinctiveconvictionthat，notwithstandinghistramplikeappearanceandhisburglariousentrance，thiswasnotapersontobegreatlyfeared。
ThestrangerbrushedasidePhilippa’sincoherentexclamationandopenedtheconversationwithsomeceremony。
\"Ladies，\"hebegan，withalowbow，\"inthefirstplaceletmeoffermymostprofoundapologiesforthisunusualformofentrancetoyourhouse。\"
Philipparosefromhereasy-chairandconfrontedhim。Thefirelightplayeduponherred-goldhair，andsurprisehaddriventhewearinessfromherface。Againsttheblackoakofthechimneypieceshehadalmosttheappearanceofaframedcameo。Hervoicewasquitesteady，althoughitsinflectionbetrayedsomeindignation。
\"Willyoukindlyexplainwhoyouareandwhatyoumeanbythisextraordinarybehaviour？\"shedemanded。
\"Itismyearnestintentiontodosowithoutdelay，\"heassuredher，hiseyesapparentlyrivetteduponPhilippa。\"Kindlypardonme。\"
HeheldouthisarmtostopHelen，who，withhereyeuponthebell，hadmadeastealthyattempttoslippasthim。Hereyesflashedasshefelthisfingersuponherarm。
\"Howdareyouattempttostopme！\"sheexclaimed。
\"MydearMissFairclough，\"heremonstrated，\"intheinterestsofallofus，itisbetterthatweshouldhaveafewmomentsofundisturbedconversation。IamtakingitforgrantedthatIhavethepleasureofaddressingMissFairclough？\"
Therewassomethingabouttheman’seasyconfidencewhichwas，initsway，impressiveyetirritating。Helenappearedbereftofwordsandretreatedtoherplacealmostmildly。Philippa’sverydelicateeyebrowsweredrawntogetherinaslightfrown。
\"Youareacquaintedwithournames，then？\"
\"Perfectly，\"wasthesuavereply。\"You，Ipresume，areLadyCranston？
Imaybepermittedtoadd，\"hewenton，lookingathersteadfastly，\"thatthedescriptionfromwhichIrecogniseyoudoesyoulessthanjustice。\"
\"Ifindthatremark，underthecircumstances，impertinent，\"Philippatoldhimcoldly。
Heshruggedhisshoulders。Therewasaslightsmileuponhislipsandhiseyestwinkled。
\"Alas！\"hemurmured，\"forthemomentIforgotthesomewhatunusualcircumstancesofourmeeting。PermitmetoofferyouwhatItrustyouwillacceptastheequivalentofaletterofintroduction。\"
\"Aletterofintroduction，\"Philipparepeated，glancingathisdisorderedclothes，\"andyoucomeinthroughthewindow！\"
\"Believeme，\"theintruderassuredher，\"itwastheonlyway。\"
\"Perhapsyouwilltellme，then，\"Philippademanded，herangergraduallygivingwaytobewilderment，\"whatiswrongwithmyfrontdoor？\"
\"ForallIknow，dearlady，\"thenewcomerconfessed，\"yoursmaybeanexcellentfrontdoor。Iwouldaskyou，however，toconsidermyappearanceIhavebeenobligedtoconcludethelastfewmilesofmyjourneyinsomewhatignominiousfashion。Myclothes-theywerequiteniceclothes，too，whenIstarted，\"headded，lookingdownathimselfruefully-\"havesuffered。And，asyouperceive，Ihavelostmyhat。\"
\"Yourhat？\"Helenexclaimed，withasuddenglanceatNora’strophy。
\"Precisely！Imighthaveposedbeforeyourbutler，perhaps，asbelongingtowhatyoucallthehatlessbrigade，butthemuduponmyclothes，andtheseunfortunaterentsinmygarments，wouldhavenecessitatedanexplanationwhichIthoughtbetteravoided。Imakemyselfquiteclear，Itrust？\"
\"Clear？\"Philippamurmuredhelplessly。
\"Clear？\"Helenechoed，withapuzzledfrown。
\"Imean，ofcourse，\"theirvisitorexplained，\"sofarasregardsmychoosingthissomewhatsurreptitiousformofentranceintoyourhouse。\"
Philippashruggedhershouldersandmadeadeterminedmovetowardsthebell。Theintruder，however，barredherway。Shelookedupintohisfaceandfounditdifficulttomaintainherindignation。
Hisexpression，besidesbeingdistinctlypleasant，wasfullofarespectfuladmiration。
\"Willyoupleaseletmepass？\"sheinsisted。
\"Madam，\"hereplied，\"Iamafraidthatitisyourintentiontoringthebell。\"
\"Ofcourseitis，\"sheadmitted。\"Don’tdaretopreventme。\"
\"Madam，Idonotwishtopreventyou，\"heassuredher。\"Afewmoments’delay-thatisallIpleadfor。\"
\"Willyouexplainatonce，sir，\"Philippademanded，\"whatyoumeanbyforcingyourwayintomyhouseinthisextraordinaryfashion，andbylockingthatdoor？\"
\"Iammostanxioustodoso，\"wasthepromptreply。\"Iamcorrect，ofcourse，inmyfirstsurmisethatyouareLadyCranston-andyouMissFairclough？\"headded，bowingceremoniouslytobothofthem。
\"Averygreatpleasure！Irecognisedyoubothquiteeasily，yousee，fromyourdescriptions。\"
\"Fromourdescriptions？\"Philipparepeated。
Thenewcomerbowed。
\"Thedescriptions，glowing，indeed，butbynomeansexaggerated，ofyourbrotherRichard，LadyCranston，andyourfianc=82，MissFairclough。\"
\"Richard？\"Philippaalmostshrieked。
\"YouhaveseenDick？\"Helengasped。
Theintruderdivedinhispocketsandproducedtwosealedenvelopes。
HehandedoneeachsimultaneouslytoHelenandtoPhilippa。
\"Mylettersofintroduction，\"heexplained，withalittlesighofrelief。\"Itrustthatduringtheirperusalyouwillinvitemetohavesometea。Iamalmoststarving。\"
Thetwowomenhastenedtowardsthelamp。
\"Onemoment，Ibeg，\"theirvisitorinterposed。\"Ihaveestablished，Itrust，mycredentials。MayIremindyouthatIwascompelledtoensurethesafetyofthesefewminutes’conversationwithyou，bylockingthatdoor。Areyoulikelytobedisturbed？\"
\"No，no！Nochanceatall，\"Philippaassuredhim。
\"Ifweare，we’llexplain，\"Helenpromised。
\"Inthatcase，\"theintruderbegged，\"perhapsyouwillexcuseme。\"
Hemovedtowardsthedoorandsoftlyturnedthekey，thenhedrewthecurtainscarefullyacrosstheFrenchwindows。Afterwardshemadehiswaytowardsthetea-table。AlittlethrobbingcryhadbrokenfromHelen’slips。
\"Philippa，\"sheexclaimed，\"it’sfromDick！It’sDick’shandwriting！\"
Philippa’sreplywasincoherent。Shewastearingopenherownenvelope。Withawell-satisfiedsmile，thebearerofthesecommunicationsseizedasandwichinonehandandpouredhimselfoutsometeawiththeother。Heateanddrankwiththerestraintofgood-breeding，butwithavoracitywhichgavepointtohispleaofstarvation。Afewyardsaway，thebreathlesssilencebetweenthetwowomenhadgivenplacetoanalmosthystericalseriesofdisjointedexclamations。
\"It’sfromDick！\"Helenrepeated。\"It’shisowndearhandwriting。
Howshakyitis！He’saliveandwell，Philippa，andhe’sfoundafriend。\"
\"Iknow-Iknow，\"Philippamurmuredtremulously。\"Ourparcelshavebeendiscovered，andhegotthemallatonce。Justfancy，Helen，he’sreallynotsoill，afterall！\"
Theydrewalittleclosertogether。
\"Youreadyoursoutfirst，\"Helenproposed，\"andthenI’llreadmine。\"
Philippanodded。Hervoicehereandtherewasalittleuncertain。
MYDEARESTSISTER，IhaveheardnothingfromyouorHelenforsolongthatIwasreallygettingdesperate。Ihavehadaveryroughtimehere，butbythegraceofProvidenceIstumbledupagainstanoldfriendtheotherday，BertramMaderstrom，whomyoumusthaveheardmespeakofinmycollegedays。Itisn’ttoomuchtosaythathehassavedmylife。Hehasunearthedyourparcels，foundmedecentquarters，andIamgettingdoublerations。Hehaspromised，too，togetthisletterthroughtoyou。=20
Youneedn’tworryaboutmenow，dear。IamfeelingtwicethemanIwasamonthago，andIshallstickitoutnowquiteeasily。
Writemeasoftenaseveryoucan。YourlettersandHelen’smakeallthedifference。
MylovetoyouandtoHenry。
Youraffectionatebrother，RICHARD。
P。S。IsHenryanAdmiralyet？IsupposehewasintheJutlandscrap，whichtheyalltellusherewasagreatGermanvictory。I
hopehecameoutallright。
Philippareadthepostscriptwithalittleshiver。Thenshesetherteethasthoughdeterminedtoignoreit。
\"Isn’titwonderful！\"sheexclaimed，turningtowardsHelenwithglowingeyes。=20\"Nowyours，dear？\"
Helen’svoicetrembledassheread。Hereyes，too，attimesweremisty：
DEAREST，IamwritingtoyousodifferentlybecauseIfeelthatyouwillreallygetthisletter。Ihavebadanastonishingstrokeofluck，asyouwillgatherfromPhilippa’snote。Youcan’timaginethedifference。AmonthagoIreallythoughtIshouldhavetochuckitin。NowIamputtingonflesheverydayandbeginningtofeelmyselfagain。IowemylifetoapalwithwhomIwasatcollege，andwhomyouandI，dearest，willhavetorememberallourlives。
Ithinkofyoualways，andmythoughtsareliketheflowersofwhichweseenothinginthesehideoushuts。Mygreatestjoyisindreamingofthedaywhenweshallmeetagain。
Writetomeoften，sweetheart。Yourlettersandmythoughtsofyouaretheonejoyofmylife。
Alwaysyourlover，DICK。
Therewereafewmomentsofsignificantsilence。Thegirlswereleaningtogether，theirarmsaroundoneanother’snecks，theirheadsalmosttouching。Behindthem，theirvisitorcontinuedtoeatanddrink。Heroseatlast，however，reluctantlytohisfeet，andcoughed。Theystarted，suddenlyrememberinghispresence。Philippaturnedimpulsivelytowardshimwithoutstretchedhands。
\"Ican’ttellyouhowthankfulwearetoyou，\"shedeclared。
\"Bothofus，\"Helenechoed。
Hetouchedwithhisfingersaboxofcigaretteswhichstooduponthetea-table。
\"Youpermit？\"heasked。
\"Ofcourse，\"Philippaassentedeagerly。\"Youwillfindsomematchesonthetraythere。Dopleasehelpyourself。IamafraidthatI
musthaveseemedverydiscourteous，butthishasallbeensoamazing。
Won’tyouhavesomefreshteaandsometoast，orwouldn’tyoulikesomemoresandwiches？\"
\"Nothingmoreatpresent，thankyou，\"hereplied。\"Ifyoudonotmind，Iwouldrathercontinueourconversation。\"
\"Theselettersarewonderful，\"Philippatoldhimgratefully。\"Youknowfromwhomtheycome，ofcourse。Dickismytwinbrother，anduntilthewarwehadscarcelyeverbeenparted。MissFaircloughhereisengagedtobemarriedtohim。Itisquitetwomonthssincewehadaline，andImyselfhavebeeninLondonforthelastthreedays，threeverywearydays，makingenquirieseverywhere。\"
\"Iamveryhappy，\"hesaid，\"tohavebroughtyousuchgoodnews。\"
Oncemorethenormalaspectofthesituationbegantoreimposeitselfuponthetwowomen。Theyrememberedthelockeddoor，thesecrecyoftheirvisitor’sentrance，andhisdisorderedcondition。
\"MayIasktowhomweareindebtedforthisgreatservice？\"Philippaenquired。
\"MynameforthepresentisHamarLessingham，\"wasthesuavereply。
\"Forthepresent？\"Philipparepeated。\"Youhaveperhaps，someexplanationstomake，\"shewenton，withsomehesitation；\"theconditionofyourclothes，yoursomewhatcuriousformofentrance？\"
\"Withyourpermission。\"
\"Onemoment，\"Helenintervenedeagerly。\"Isitpossible，Mr-=20
Lessingham，thatyouhaveseenMajorFelsteadlately？\"
\"Amatteroffifty-sixhoursago，MissFairclough。Iamhappytotellyouthatbewaslooking，underthecircumstances，quitereasonablywell。\"
Helencaughtupaphotographfromthetablebyherside，andcameovertotheirvisitor’sside。
\"Thiswastakenjustbeforebewentoutthefirsttime，\"shecontinued。\"Isheanythinglikethatnow？\"
Mr。HamarLessinghamsighedandshookhishead。
\"Youmustexpect，\"hewarnedher，\"thatprisonandhospitalhavehadtheireffectuponhim。Hewasgainingstrengtheveryday，however，whenIleft。\"
Philippaheldoutherhand。Shehadbeenlookingcuriouslyattheirvisitor。
\"Helen，dear，afterwardswewillgetMr。LessinghamtotalktousaboutDick，\"sheinsisted。\"FirsttherearesomequestionswhichImustask。\"
Hebowedslightlyanddrewhimselfup。Foramomentitseemedasthoughtheywereenteringuponaduel-theslight，beautifulwomanandthemaninrags。
\"Justnow，\"shebegan，\"youtoldusthatyousawMajorFelstead，mybrother，fifty-sixhoursago。\"
\"Thatisso，\"heassented。
\"Butitisimpossible！\"shepointedout。\"MybrotherisaprisonerofwarinGermany。\"
\"Precisely，\"hereplied，\"andnot，Iamafraid，underthehappiestconditions，hehasbeenunfortunateinhiscamp。Letustalkabouthim，shallwe？\"
\"Areyoumad，\"Helendemanded，\"orareyoutryingtoconfuseus？\"
\"Mydearyounglady！\"heprotested。\"Whysupposesuchathing？I
wasflatteringmyselfthatmyconversationanddeportmentwere，underthecircumstances，perfectlyrational。\"
\"Butyouaretalkingnonsense，\"Philippainsisted。\"YousaythatyousawMajorFelsteadfifty-sixhoursago。Youcannotmeanustobelievethatfifty-sixhoursagoyouwereatWittenberg。\"
\"ThatispreciselywhatIhavebeentryingtotellyou，\"heagreed。
\"Butitisn’tpossible！\"Helengasped。
\"Quite，Iassureyou，\"hecontinued；\"infact，weshouldhavebeenherebeforebutforalittleuncertaintyastoyourarmamentsalongthecoast。Therewasagun，weweretold，somewherenearhere，whichwewerecrediblyinformedhadoncebeenfiredwithouttheslightestaccident。\"
Philippa’seyesseemedtogrowlargerandrounder。
\"He’sraving！\"shedecided。
\"Heisn’t！\"Helencried，withsuddendivination。\"Isthatyourhat？\"
sheasked，pointingtothetablewhereNorahadlefthertrophy。
\"Itis，\"headmittedwithasmile，\"butIdonotthinkthatIwillclaimit。\"
\"YouwereintheobservationcarofthatZeppelin！\"
Lessinghamextendedhishand。
\"Softly，please，\"hebegged。\"Youhave，Igather，arrivedatthetruth，butforthemomentshallitbeoursecret？Imadeanexceedinglyuncomfortable，nottosayundignifieddescentfromtheZeppelinwhichpassedoverDutchman’sCommonlastnight。\"
\"Then，\"Philippacried，\"youareaGerman！\"
\"Mydearlady，Ihaveescapedthatmisfortune，\"Lessinghamconfessed。\"DoyouthinkthatnoneotherthanGermansrideinZeppelins？\"
CHAPTERIV
Anewtensenessseemedtohavecreptintothesituation。Theconversation，neverwithoutitsemotionaltendencies，atoncechangeditscharacter。Philippa，coldandreserved，withathreatlurkingallthetimeinhertoneandmanner，becameitsguidingspirit。
\"Wemayenquireyourname？\"sheasked。
\"IamtheBaronMaderstrom，\"wasthepromptreply。\"Forthepurposeofmybriefresidenceinthiscountry，however，IfancythatthenameofMr。HamarLessinghammightprovokelesscomment。\"
\"Maderstrom，\"Philipparepeated。\"YouwereatMagdalenwithmybrother。\"
\"Forthreeterms，\"heassented。
\"YouhavevisitedatWoodNorton。Itwasonlyanaccident，then，thatIdidnotmeetyou。\"
\"Itistrue，\"heanswered，withabow。\"Ireceivedthemostcharminghospitalitytherefromyourfatherandmother。\"
\"Why，youarethefriend，\"Helenexclaimed，suddenlyseizinghishands，\"ofwhomDickspeaksinhisletter！\"
\"IthasbeenmygreatprivilegetohavebeenofservicetoMajorFelstead，\"wasthegraveadmission。\"HeandI，duringourcollegedays，weremorethanordinarilyintimate。Isawhisnameinoneofthelistsofprisoners，andIwentatoncetoWittenberg。\"
AfreshfloodofquestionswasuponHelen’slips，butPhilippabrushedheraway。
\"Pleaseletmespeak，\"shesaid。\"YouhavebroughtustheselettersfromRichard，forwhichweofferyouourheartfeltthanks，butyoudidnotriskyourliberty，perhapsyourlife，tocomeheresimplyashisambassador。Thereissomethingbeyondthisinyourvisittothiscountry。YoumaybeaSwede，butisitnottruethatatthepresentmomentyouareintheserviceofanenemy？\"
Lessinghambowedacquiescence。
\"Youareentirelyright，\"hemurmured。
\"AmIalsorightinconcludingthatyouhavesomeservicetoaskofus？\"
\"Yourdirectness，dearlady，movesmetoadmiration，\"Lessinghamassuredher。\"IamheretoaskatriflingfavourinreturnforthosewhichIhaverenderedandthosewhichImayyetrendertoyourbrother。\"
\"Andthatfavour？\"
Theirvisitorlookeddownathistornattire。
\"Asuitofyourbrother’sclothes，\"hereplied，\"andaroominwhichtochange。ThedisposaloftheseragsImayleave，Ipresume，toyouringenuity。\"
\"Anythingelse？\"
\"Itismywish，\"hecontinued，\"toremaininthisneighbourhoodforashort：time-perhapsafortnightandperhapsamonth。Ishouldvalueyourintroductiontothehotelhere，andtheextensionofsuchhospitalityasmayseemfittingtoyou，underthecircumstances。\"
\"AsMr。HamarLessingham？\"=20
\"Beyondadoubt。\"
Therewasamoment’ssilence。Philippa’sfacehadbecomealmoststony。Shetookasteptowardsthetelephone。Lessingham，however，heldouthishand。
\"Yourpurpose？\"heenquired。
\"IamgoingtoringuptheCommandanthere，\"shetoldhim，\"andexplainyourpresenceinthishouse。\"
\"Anheroicimpulse，\"heobserved，\"buttooimpulsive。\"
\"Weshallsee，\"sheretorted。\"Willyouletmepass？
Hisfingersrestrainedherasgentlyaspossible。
\"Letmemakeareasonableappealtobothofyou，\"hesuggested。
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