He paused, having apparently reached the end of his subject.

‘Were you with the poor girl when she died?’ asked the lady presently.

’No.  She’d dined with a party and was in their box, and they were the last people who saw her.  You read about the explosion.  She bolted from the box in the dark, I was told, and as she couldn’t be found afterwards they concluded she had rushed out and taken a cab home.  It seemed natural, I suppose.’

‘Who found her at last?’

’A man called Griggs—­the author, you know.  He carried her to the manager’s room, still alive.  They got a doctor, and as she wanted to see a woman, they sent for Cordova, the singer, from her dressing-room, and the girl died in her arms.  They said it was heart failure, from shock.’

‘It was very sad.’

‘I’m sorry for poor Bamberger,’ said Mr. Van Torp thoughtfully.  ’She was his only child, and he doted on her.  I never saw a man so cut up as he looked.  I wanted to stay, but he said the mere sight of me drove him crazy, poor fellow, and as I had business over here and my passage was taken, I just sailed.  Sometimes the kindest thing one can do is to get out.  So I did.  But I’m very sorry for him.  I wish I could do anything to make it easier for him.  It was nobody’s fault, I suppose, though I do think the people she was with might have prevented her from rushing out in the dark.’

’They were frightened themselves.  How could any one be blamed for her death?’

’Exactly.  But if any one could be made responsible, I know Bamberger would do for him in some way.  He’s a resentful sort of man if any one does him an injury.  Blood for blood is Bamberger’s motto, every time.  One thing I’m sure of.  He’ll run down whoever was responsible for that explosion, and he’ll do for him, whoever he is, if it costs one million to get a conviction.  I wouldn’t like to be the fellow!’

’I can understand wishing to be revenged for the death of one’s only child,’ said the lady thoughtfully.  ‘Cannot you?’

The American turned his hard face to her.

‘Yes,’ he said, ‘I can.  It’s only human, after all.’

She sighed and looked into the fire.  She was married, but she was childless, and that was a constant regret to her.  Mr. Van Torp knew it and understood.

‘To change the subject,’ he said cheerfully, ’I suppose you need money, don’t you?’

‘Oh yes!  Indeed I do!’

Her momentary sadness had already disappeared, and there was almost a ripple in her tone again as she answered.

‘How much?’ asked the millionaire smiling.

She shook her head and smiled too; and as she met his eyes she settled herself and leaned far back in the shabby easy-chair.  She was wonderfully graceful and good to look at in her easy attitude.

‘I’m afraid to tell you how much!’ She shook her head again, as she answered.

‘Well,’ said Mr. Van Torp in an encouraging tone, ’I’ve brought some cash in my pocket, and if it isn’t enough I’ll get you some more to-morrow.  But I won’t give you a cheque.  It’s too compromising.  I thought of that before I left New York, so I brought some English notes from there.’