The Dark Star

Then he followed Ilse Dumont into the adjoining room, which was lined

with filled bookcases and where the lounges and deep chairs were

covered with leather.

Halting by the library table, Ilse Dumont turned to him--turned on him

a look such as he never before had encountered in any living woman's

eyes--a dead gaze, dreadful, glazed, as impersonal as the fixed regard

of a corpse.

She said: "I came.... They sent for me.... I did not believe they had the right

man.... I could not believe it, Neeland."

A trifle shaken, he said in tones which sounded steady enough: "What frightens you so, Scheherazade?"

"Why did you come? Are you absolutely mad?"

"Mad? No, I don't think so," he replied with a forced smile. "What

threatens me here, Scheherazade?"--regarding her pallid face

attentively.

"Death.... You must have known it when you came."

"Death? No, I didn't know it."

"Did you suppose that if they could get hold of you they'd let you

go?--A man who might carry in his memory the plans for which they

tried to kill you? I wrote to you--I wrote to you to go back to

America! And--this is what you have done instead!"

"Well," he said in a pleasant but rather serious voice, "if you

really believe there is danger for me if I remain here, perhaps I'd

better go."

"You can't go!"

"You think I'll be stopped?"

"Yes. Who is your crazy companion? I heard that he is Alak

Sengoun--the headlong fool--they call Prince Erlik. Is it true?"

"Where did you hear all these things?" he demanded. "Where were you

when you heard them?"

"At the Turkish Embassy. Word came that they had caught you. I did not

believe it; others present doubted it.... But as the rumour concerned

you, I took no chances; I came instantly. I--I had rather be dead

than see you here----" Her voice became unsteady, but she controlled

it at once: "Neeland! Neeland! Why did you come? Why have you undone all I tried

to do for you----?"

He looked intently at Ilse Dumont, then his gaze swept the handsome

suite of rooms. No one seemed to notice him; in perspective, men moved

leisurely about the further salon, where play was going on; and

there seemed to be no one else in sight. And, as he stood there, free,

in full pride and vigour of youth and strength, he became incredulous

that anything could threaten him which he could not take care of.