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beggar's idea； throwing such fireworks round at breakfast？ He stole
a glance at Kitty to see how she was taking it … and caught her
stealing a glance at him。 Instantly both switched back to Cutty。
Shortly the little comedy was repeated because neither could resist
the invisible force of some half…conscious inquiry。 Third time；
they smiled unembarrassedly。 Mind you； they were both hanging upon
Cutty's words； only their eyes were like little children at church；
restless。 It was spring。
Without being exactly conscious of what he was doing； Hawksley began
to dress Kitty … that is； he visualized her in ball gowns； in sports；
in furs。 He put her on horses； in opera boxes； in limousines。 But
in none of these pictures could he hold her； she insisted upon
returning to her kitchen to fry bacon and eggs。
Then came a twisted thought； rejected only to return； a surprising
thought； so alluring that the sense of shame； of chivalry； could not
press it back。 Cutty's words began to flow into one ear and out of
the other； without sense。 There was in his heart … put there by
the recollection of the jewels … an indescribable bitterness； a
desperate cynicism that urged him to strike out； careless of friend
or foe。 Who could say what would happen to him when he left here？
A flash of spring madness； then to go forth devil…may…care。
She was really beautiful； full of unsuspected fire。 To fan it into
white flame。 The whole affair would depend upon whether she cared
for music。 If she did he would pluck the soul out of her。 She had
saved his life。 Well； what of that？ He had broken yonder man's
bread and eaten his salt。 Still； what of that？ Hadn't he come from
a race of scoundrels？ The blood … he had smothered and repressed
it all his life … to unleash it once； happen what might。 If she
were really fond of music！
Once again Kitty's glance roved back to Hawksley。 This time she
encountered a concentration in his unwavering stare。 She did not
quite like it。 Perhaps he was only thinking about something and
wasn't actually seeing her。 Still； it quieted down the fluttering
gayety of her mood。 There was a sun spot of her own that became
visible whenever her interest in Cutty's monologue lagged。 Perhaps
Hawksley had his sun spot。
〃And so；〃 she heard Cutty say。 〃Mr。 Hawksley is going to become
an American citizen。 Kitty； what are some of the principles of good
citizenship？〃
〃To be nice to policemen。 Not to meddle with politics； because it
is vulgar。 To vote perfunctorily。 To 'let George do it' when there
are reforms to be brought about。 To keep your hat on when the flag
goes by because otherwise you will attract attention。 To find fault
without being able to offer remedies。 To keep in debt because life
here in America would be monotonous without bill collectors。〃
Cutty interrupted with a laugh。 〃Kitty； you'll 'scare Hawksley off
the map！〃
〃Let him know the worst at once；〃 retorted Kitty； flashing a smile
at the victim。
〃Spoofing me … what？〃 said Hawksley； appealing to his host。
This quality of light irony in a woman was a distinct novelty to
Hawksley。 She had humour； then？ So much the better。 An added
zest to the game he was planning。 He recalled now that she was
not of the clinging kind either。 A woman with a humorous turn of
mind was ten times more elusive than a purely sentimental one。
Give him an hour or two with that old Amati … if she really cared
for music！ She would be coming to the apartment again … some
afternoon； when his host was out of the way。 Better still； he
would call her by telephone； the plea of loneliness。 Scoundrel？
Of course he was。 He was not denying that。 He would embark
upon this affair without the smug varnish of self…lies。 Fire … to
play with it！
He ate his portion of beefsteak； potatoes； and toast； and emptied
his coffee cup。 It was really the first substantial meal he had
had in many hours。 A feeling of satisfaction began to permeate
him。 He smiled at Miss Frances； who shook her head dubiously。 She
could not quite make him out pathologically。 Perhaps she had been
treating him as shell…shocked when there was nothing at all the
matter with his nerves。
Presently Kuroki came in with a yellow envelope； which he laid at
the side of Cutty's plate。
〃Telegrams！〃 exploded Cutty。 〃Hang it； I don't want any telegrams！〃
〃Open it and have it over with；〃 suggested Kitty。
〃If you don't mind。〃
It was the worst kind of news … a summons to Washington for
conference。 Which signified that the Government's plans were
completed and that shortly he would be on his way to Piraeus。
A fine muddle！ Hawksley in no condition to send upon his way；
Kitty's affair unsettled； the emeralds still in camera obscura；
Karlov at liberty with his infernal schemes； and Stefani Gregor
his prisoner。 Wild horses； pulling him two ways。 A word； and
Karlov would come to the end of his rope suddenly。 But if he
issued that word the whole fabric he had erected so painstakingly
would blow away like cardboard。 If those emeralds turned up in
the possession of any man but himself the ensuing complications
would be appalling。 For he himself would be forced to tell what
he knew about the stones： Hawksley would be thrust conspicuously
into the limelight； and sooner or later some wild anarch would
kill him。 Known； Hawksley would not have one chance in a
thousand。 Kitty would be dragged into the light and harassed
and his own attitude toward her misunderstood。 All these things；
if he acted upon his oath。 Nevertheless； he determined to risk
suspension of operations until he returned from Washington。 There
was one sound plank to cling to。 He had first…hand information
that anarchistic elements would remain in their noisome cellars
until May first。 If he were not ordered abroad until after that；
no harm would follow his suspension of operations。
〃Bad news？〃 asked Kitty； anxiously。
〃Aggravating rather than bad。 I am called to Washington。 May be
gone four or five days。 Official business。 Leaves things here a
bit in the air。〃
〃I'll stay as long as you need me；〃 said Miss Frances。
〃I'd rather a man now。 You've been a brick。 You need rest。 I've
a chap in mind。 He'll make our friend here toe the mark。 A
physical instructor； ex…pugilist； knows all about broken heads。〃
〃I say； that's ripping！〃 cried Hawksley。 〃Give me your man； and
I'll be off your hands within a week。 The sooner you stop fussing
over me the sooner the crack in my head will cease to bother me。
〃Kuroki will cook for you and Ryan will put you through the necessary
stunts。 The roof； when the weather permits； makes a good exercising
ground。 If you'll excuse me I'll do some telephoning。 Kuroki； pack
my bag for a five…day trip to Washington。 I'll take you down to the
office； Kitty。〃
〃I don't fancy I ever will quite understand you；〃 said Hawksley；
leaning back in his chair； listlessly。 〃Honestly； now； you'd be
perfectly justified in bundling me off to some hotel。 I have funds。
Why all this pother about me？〃
Cutty smiled。 〃When I tackle anything I like to carry it through。
I want to put you on your train