(astonished). You have sent him the message which will bring him here!
Wal. (calmly). I want him here.
Mar. Why?
Wal. The writer of this letter is the man who met Lady Glyde at the terminus, on her arrival in London. The count can prove our case--and the count shall prove it!
Mar. Walter!!!
Wal. Leave me before the count comes. Leave me with my friend--here.
Pesca. With me?
Wal. Alone--with you. (He takes MARIAN'S hand, and leads her towards the left entrance.) I am not groping my way in the dark, Marian--I am acting on deliberate conviction. Keep Laura quiet; let her suspect nothing. (MARIAN goes out, turning at the last moment to look anxiously after WALTER. WALTER returns to PESCA, and abruptly questions him.) Have you ever seen Count Fosco before to-day?
Pesca (starting). I have seen him once before--in London.
Wal. Did he see you?
Pesca. No.
Wal. Do you think he saw you at the Inquiry, this morning?
Pesca. I was lost in the crowd. It is impossible he could have seen me.
Wal. I want him to see you. In my presence.
Pesca. You have some reason for this!
Wal. Have you forgotten the churchyard at Old Welmingham, and the letter from Italy which dashed your spirits for the whole morning?
[76]Pesca (alarmed). What do you know about my letter?
Wal. Only what you told me. It came from the secret Political Society, which you joined years since in Italy, and it addressed you on private affairs.
Pesca (more and more uneasy). Well?
Wal. Well--I know the count to be an Italian. I have heard that he is also reported to be a Spy. I want to see if--in either of those two characters--he knows you.
Pesca (distressed). Ask me anything else, Walter! I cannot do this.
(He attempts to leave the room. WALTER stops him.)
Wal. I ask you to do it, in the name of our friendship. Do you refuse me?
Pesca (reluctantly). You know I cannot refuse you!
Wal. (pressing his hand). I hear some one coming. If it is the count, keep your back turned on him until I call to you.
(PESCA retires to the window, and stands looking out. FOSCO appears on the right. He suspiciously notices PESCA, who stands with his back towards FOSCO--then sees WALTER, and approaches him.)
Fosco (with grave politeness). Permit me to explain my intrusion, sir. I am here to see Miss Halcombe.
Wal. Miss Halcombe declines to see you.
Fosco. The lady owes me an answer to a letter of mine.
Wal. The lady leaves the answer to your letter to me.
Fosco. I refuse to accept you as mediator between us. I decline to discuss matters of delicacy in the presence of a witness--(he points to PESCA)--who keeps his face hidden from me.
Wal. You shall see his face. (WALTER turns to PESCA.) My friend! (He presents them to each other.) Professor Pesca--Count Fosco.
(PESCA faces FOSCO as WALTER pronounces his name. FOSCO starts back at the sight of him in a sudden panic of terror, which he is for the moment perfectly unable to control. WALTER closely observes him. After a pause of a moment he recovers himself, and bows to PESCA, with his eyes on the ground. PESCA, visibly ill at case, returns the salute in silence. FOSCO passes his handkerchief over his forehead, and [77]addresses WALTER, to all outward appearance as resolutely as ever.)
Fosco. I maintain my refusal, sir, to treat with you. (He indicates PESCA without looking at him.) If there was anything offensive in my reference to this gentleman as witness, I apologise and withdraw it. In the course of the day I shall expect Miss Halcombe's answer. Mr. Hartright! (He bows slightingly to WALTER.) Professor Pesca!
(He bows profoundly to PESCA, still without looking at him, and goes out on the right. The instant his back it turned, WALTER'S emotion defies control. He addresses PESCA in violent agitation.)
Wal. Arm me with the terror you have inspired in that man, and you arm me with the weapon I want!
Pesca (lifting his hands in horror). No! no!
Wal. You have forgotten him. He remembers, and fears you. Why?
Pesca. Don't ask me!
Wal. I must ask you! I must force the proof out of the count, or Laura loses her place among living beings, and I lose the hope of my life. Yes! I have sworn to restore her to her place in the world, before I ask her to be my wife. Her happiness and my happiness are in your hands!
Pesca. On your honour, and on your soul, is there no other way?
Wal. (bitterly). You have witnessed the struggle--you have seen how it has ended. What risk do you run in helping me?
Pesca (calmly). The risk of my life! (WALTER starts.) Now listen, knowing that. (He lowers his voice, and speaks with growing agitation.) You are right about the man who has just left us. He has betrayed the Brotherhood to which we both belong. His errand in this country is the errand of a Spy. The letter that reached me from Italy ordered me to identify him on his arrival in England.
Wal. Were you able to do it?
Pesca. Thank God I was not able to do it! He is so altered, or so disguised, since I saw him, that I could not recognise him. From the moment when I failed to do this, [78]the whole responsibility passed away from me. I am now the passive instrument that forwards the reports to the chief--nothing more.
Wal. Has his disguise been penetrated? Has he been recognised yet?
Pesca. He has had a long respite. He was only recognised last week.
Wal. A respite from what?
Pesca (dropping his voice to a whisper). Death.
Wal. Death!
Pesca. The sentence of the Brotherhood has been pronounced on him. The laws of the Brotherhood have condemned him to die. Every step he takes is watched. Go where he may, no human laws can save him. He is a doomed man.
Wal. Does he know of his danger?
Pesca. He suspected his danger, for the first time, when I turned my face on him, here, at your request.
Wal. He may attempt to escape!
Pesca. He is certain to attempt it, after seeing me.
Wal. When does the train start for London?
Pesca. In ten minutes.
Wal. We are close to the station here. Hark! (The rumbling of wheels is heard outside.) A carriage is passing the door! (He hurries to the window, and looks out.) The count--driving to the train! (He returns to PESCA.) Tomorrow morning he may leave the country. I must follow him to London--I must see him to-night. Give me the means of showing him that I know his secret. You must have a pass-word in the Brotherhood. Whisper it in my ear.
Pesca. We have no pass-word. We are known by a secret mark that is set on all of us alike. A brand, burnt into the flesh of the left arm--up here. (He points to the inner side of his left arm just under the arm-pit.) Mention that mark to the count, and you will say enough.
Wal. (taking his hat). See Marian for me. Make the best excuse you can. Keep them in this neighbourhood till you hear from me again.
Pesca. Impossible! If you go to London, I go with you.
[79]Wal. Why?
Pesca (lowering his voice once more). You propose to see him to-night. For all I know, to-night may be fixed for his death. There are two men, members of the Brotherhood---mind, I am not in their confidence; I can only guess--there are two hidden men, waiting the fatal moment, who have studied his habits; who have gained his servants; who know every corner of his house.