But in your heart, you know very well that you would love me no more
if I forgot my honor and my duty--even for the love of you!"
"It is not your task," she pleaded. "Tell what you know, and leave it to
others. You are too honest to play the spy. You will fail, and it will
cost you your life."
"I shall not fail," I answered steadfastly, "and my life is insured in
Heaven for the sake of the things I carry with me. Have faith in me,
Adele. I swear that I will do my duty and live to realize--everything."
She shook her head sadly.
"There are others," she said, "who could do what you are doing. But for
me there is no one else in the world."
"You shall not need any one else," I declared. "Mine is, after all, a
simple task. You know that I went to see Lord Polloch in London."
"Well?"
"He would not believe me. Why should he? My story sounded wild enough,
and I had no proofs. I only need to gather together a few of these loose
ends, to weave something tangible out of them and show him the results,
and my task is finished."
"Do you suppose," she asked quietly, "that you will be allowed to do
that?"
"I must do my best,"' I answered.
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