"My friend, you have no _idea_ of the importance of the affair. Probably the bank would have been safe, but governments do not stick at trifles when the destinies of nations are at stake. Almost certainly a colossal bribe would have been offered, and even bank officials are human. So I resolved to be simple, original and daring. I hid the treaty in a house not far from here. How it was done I will tell you another time. What I want you to do is to help me regain it. I would go alone, but now I have begun to think it better to have an aide, in case I fail. You realize what it may mean if we are caught? A prison--for you must not explain. Can you do that?" "I am ready," he said with a laugh. When she looked at him like that he felt that nothing mattered. Besides, it would be a thrill. "Good," she said with enormous appreciation. "And now I am going to bed. I am very sleepy." He rose, gloomily wondering when he should see her again. "Well," he said, with an attempt at cheerfulness, "good night." "You are going?" she asked in surprise. "But why? I want you to stop here." Lionel's heart bounded, and then he looked at her. He was tempted to stay, for she was unlike any other girl he had ever met. But that very reason made him pause. He knew he wanted to kiss her and that he must not. He thought he was not in love with her, because he ought not to be. He knew that he would be in love with her if Lukos were dead. And because he felt that she mattered, he was resolved not to hurt her. "I am sorry," he said, dropping his light tone. "I should like to, but--no!" "Why not?" she asked, looking steadily at him. He looked as steadily at her. "Convention," he said frankly. "If I stop here and people get to know, you will be slandered. That is why." She was silent for a moment and then said softly: "You are better than I thought.... You must certainly stop. As for 'people'--well, I know the world and its miry ways. I know and I do not care." "Your friends?" he suggested, rejoicing in her. "I have only acquaintances, and they do not matter. Will that satisfy you?" He fought against the temptation with a jest, for he felt that the pretty creature could not really know: "You forget the disappointment of Mrs. Barker." She repeated the name wonderingly and he explained. "My landlady. If I do not return she will imagine I have run away to cheat her." It was a poor jest, but only a jest, and he was benumbed at its effect. The lady frowned terribly upon him. Anger swept her lovely features like a thunder-cloud. "How could you?" she cried in heavenly wrath. "How paltry! How pitiable! I knew you for a cheerful gentleman, but to find you a trivial scoffer----" "Why, what have I done?" he stammered, amazed. "It was a mere joke--a laughing phrase--a word----" "Done!" she echoed. "We were both upon the heights, and with your phrase--your joke--your word, you drag us down to the abyss of banality again. I----" Her petulance annoyed him.