"I don't believe it," he admitted, "but that sort of thing influences me. Why?"
"There is a woman nearby who can tell," Pauline replied, "Yesterday I gave her money. She said--can you think of it--that I should die happy."
"But it is impossible," she cried. "None clings to life as I do. I am tired of this life. I love the life of cities, the restaurants, the crowds. I am city bred. In a year when conditions are better I shall go back. I shall appear in Berlin again, Petrograd, perhaps and of course in London and they want me in New York. I shall hate to die. But I did not mean to speak of myself. She told me that the man I loved would be successful. Fate makes no mistake. Keep up your courage for you will win and I shall die happy. What more could we want?"
But there were tears in her eyes as she said it.
"What a splendid woman you are!" he said with conviction.
"My dear," she answered, her voice a little uneven, "do not tell that to the woman you love. She would hate me and I want to live a little in your heart without anyone else to share it. Promise me that?"
There was in his mind to tell her Daphne was different. That Daphne would love her too, but he said nothing. Her intuition told her more than his hope could foretell.
"I promise," he answered, "and I promise that I shall never forget."
"Not one moment longer," he whispered. "I dare not."
When Pauline had gone Trent was immeasurably happier in the hope she had given him. Until her visit his only chance of escape had been centered in the expectation that when once his hands were freed he might file the bars. There was now a scheme in his head worth many of that.
Half an hour after she had left two men entered guided by the now assured Hentzi.
"You have complained of the dirt here," the secretary explained, "and it will be removed."
The tiny spring saw was swept up unobserved. Trent saw it disappear now with a smile where before it would have been black tragedy to him.
He slept well that night and shaved himself next morning in high spirits. It was not easy, shaving with handcuffs on, but it was possible. Then he waited for some message from Pauline.
"Count Michæl will see you at ten tonight. My friend, I warn you to be wise and acknowledge defeat."