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How could her eyes shine so bright and merry?... Karloff, Annesley! Karloff the Russian, Annesley the American; the one a secret agent of his country, the other a former trusted official! No, no! He could not entertain so base a thought against the father of the girl he loved. Had he not admired his clean record, his personal bravery, his fearless honesty?
Before any one of the tragic group could recover from the surprise caused by his unexpected appearance, he had picked up the packet of plans and had dropped it into the fire. Then he leaned with his back against the mantel and faced them, or rather Karloff, of whom he was not quite sure. What! this a hero?
Perhaps the colonel wanted Karloff to touch the plans first, before he touched the money; perhaps Karloff had the same desire, only the other way around. The colonel spoke. "I believe that is all" he said quietly. The knowledge that the deed was done and that there was no retreat gave back to him a particle of his former coolness and strength of mind.
You confided in my rare quality of silence; you confided in me because you had proved me. Man is not infallible, even when he is named Karloff." She lifted from a vase her flowers, from which she shook the water. "Laws have been passed or annulled; laws have died at the executive desk. Who told you that this was to be, or that, long before it came to pass?
"Annesley, whom I believed to be a millionaire, penniless; Karloff one of his creditors? Bob, I do not think that you are treating me fairly. I can't go into this thing blind." "If you will not do it under these conditions, I shall have to find some one who will," resolutely. I looked at the checks and then at him.... Twenty-three thousand dollars!
If you should force me, I could not meet my note save by selling the house my child was born in. Have you discounted it?" "No. Why should I present it at the bank? It does not mature till next Monday, and I am in no need of money." "What a wretch I am!" Karloff raised his shoulders resignedly. "My daughter!" "Or my ducats," whimsically quoted the count.
"Go; there is nothing more to be said." Karloff withdrew. He went soberly. There was nothing sneering nor contemptuous in his attitude. Indeed, there was a frown of pity on his face. He recognized that circumstances had dragged down a noble man; that chance had tricked him of his honor. How he hated his own evil plan!
"My daughter!" cried the father. "Do not interrupt me, father; he will relent; he is not wholly without pity." "No, no! No, no!" Karloff exclaimed, turning his head aside and repelling with his hands, as if he would stamp out the fires of pity which, at the sound of her voice, had burst anew in his heart. "I will not give you up!" She drew her sleeve across her eyes and stood up.
I have tried to win her as an honorable man tries to win the woman he loves; now she must be won by an act of rascality. Heaven nor hell shall force me to give her up. Yes, I love her; and I lower myself to your level to gain her." "To my level! Take care; I am still a man, with a man's strength," cried the colonel. Karloff swept his hand across his forehead.
There was a scowl on the colonel's face, puzzlement on Mrs. Chadwick's, and I don't know what the girl's represented, not having been there with my discerning eyes. Once the American countess raised her lorgnette and murmured: "What a handsome butler!" Karloff, who sat next to her, twisted his mustache and shrugged. He had seen handsome peasants before. They did not interest him.
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