There are no plans for it in existence,
and even if there were he would no more sell them than you would have
accepted a fortune at the hands of Prince d'Abruzzi to remain silent.
The compact has failed; you did that. The agents have scattered--gone to
other duties. That is enough."
"No," said Mr. Grimm. There was a strange fear tearing at his
heart,--"No one knows the inventor more intimately than I." "No," he
said again. "I won from my government a promise to be made good upon a
condition--I must fulfil that condition."
"But there is nothing, promotion, honor, reward, that would compensate
you for the loss of your life," she entreated. "There is still time."
She was pleading now, with her slim white hands resting on his
shoulders, and the blue-gray eyes fixed upon his face.
"It's more than all that," he said. "That condition is you--your
safety."
"For me?" she repeated. "For me? Then, won't you go for--for my sake?"
"No."
"Won't you go if you know you will be killed," and suddenly her face
turned scarlet, "and that your life is dear to me?"
"No."
Isabel dropped upon her knees before him.
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