第4章

Aboutfiveo\'clockwecametoapointwhereIdarednotfollow。

Theroadranflatbytheedgeofthesea，sothatseveralmilesofitwerevisible。Moreover，themanhadbeguntolookroundeveryfewminutes。Hewasgettingnearsomethingandwantedtobesurethatnoonewasinhisneighbourhood。Ilefttheroadaccordingly，andtooktothehillside，whichtomyundoingwasonelongcascadeofscreesandtumbledrocks。Isawhimdropoverarisewhichseemedtomarktherimofalittlebayintowhichdescendedoneofthebigcorriesofthemountains。Itmusthavebeenagoodhalf-hourlaterbeforeI，atmygreateraltitudeandwithfarworsegoing，reachedthesamerim。Ilookedintotheglenandmymanhaddisappeared。

Hecouldnothavecrossedit，fortheplacewaswiderthanIhadthought。Aringofblackprecipicescamedowntowithinhalfamileoftheshore，andbetweenthemwasabigstream-long，shallowpoolsattheseaendandachainofwaterfallsabove。Hehadgonetoearthlikeabadgersomewhere，andIdarednotmoveincasehemightbewatchingmefrombehindaboulder。

ButevenasIhesitatedheappearedagain，fordingthestream，hisfacesetontheroadwehadcome。Whateverhiserrandwashehadfinishedit，andwaspostingbacktohismaster。ForamomentI

thoughtIshouldfollowhim，butanotherinstinctprevailed。Hehadnotcometothiswildplaceforthescenery。Somewheredownintheglentherewassomethingorsomebodythatheldthekeyofthemystery。ItwasmybusinesstostaytheretillIhadunlockedit。

Besides，intwohoursitwouldbedark，andIhadhadenoughwalkingforoneday。

Imademywaytothestreamsideandhadalongdrink。Thecorriebehindmewaslitupwiththewesteringsun，andthebaldcliffswereflushedwithpinkandgold。Oneachsideofthestreamwasturflikealawn，perhapsahundredyardswide，andthenatangleoflongheatherandbouldersrightuptotheedgeofthegreatrocks。I

hadneverseenamoredelectableevening，butIcouldnotenjoyitspeacebecauseofmyanxietyaboutthePortugueseJew。Hehadnotbeentheremorethanhalfanhour，justaboutlongenoughforamantotraveltothefirstridgeacrosstheburnandback。Yethehadfoundtimetodohisbusiness。Hemighthaveleftaletterinsomeprearrangedplace-inwhichcaseIwouldstaytheretillthemanitwasmeantforturnedup。Orhemighthavemetsomeone，thoughIdidn\'tthinkthatpossible。AsIscannedtheacresofroughmoorandthenlookedatthesealappingdelicatelyonthegreysandIhadthefeelingthataknottyproblemwasbeforeme。Itwastoodarktotrytotrackhissteps。Thatmustbeleftforthemorning，andIprayedthattherewouldbenoraininthenight。

IateforsuppermostofthebraxyhamandoatcakeIhadbroughtfromMacmorran\'scottage。Ittooksomeself-denial，forI

wasferociouslyhungry，tosavealittleforbreakfastnextmorning。

ThenIpulledheatherandbrackenandmademyselfabedintheshelterofarockwhichstoodonaknollabovethestream。Mybed-

chamberwaswellhidden，butatthesametime，ifanythingshouldappearintheearlydawn，itgavemeaprospect。WithmywaterproofIwasperfectlywarm，and，aftersmokingtwopipes，Ifellasleep。

Mynight\'srestwasbroken。Firstitwasafoxwhichcameandbarkedatmyearandwokemetoapitch-blacknight，withscarcelyastarshowing。Thenexttimeitwasnothingbutawanderinghill-

wind，butasIsatupandlistenedIthoughtIsawasparkoflightneartheedgeofthesea。Itwasonlyforasecond，butitdisquietedme。Igotoutandclimbedonthetopoftherock，butallwasstillsaveforthegentlelapofthetideandthecroakofsomenightbirdamongthecrags。ThethirdtimeIwassuddenlyquitewideawake，andwithoutanyreason，forIhadnotbeendreaming。NowIhaveslepthundredsoftimesalonebesidemyhorseontheveld，andI

neverknewanycauseforsuchawakeningsbuttheone，andthatwasthepresencenearmeofsomehumanbeing。Amanwhoisaccustomedtosolitudegetsthisextrasensewhichannounceslikeanalarm-clocktheapproachofoneofhiskind。

ButIcouldhearnothing。Therewasascrapingandrustlingonthemoor，butthatwasonlythewindandthelittlewildthingsofthehills。Afox，perhaps，orabluehare。Iconvincedmyreason，butnotmysenses，andforlongIlayawakewithmyearsatfullcockandeverynervetense。ThenIfellasleep，andwoketothefirstflushofdawn。

ThesunwasbehindtheCoolinandthehillswereblackasink，butfaroutinthewesternseaswasabroadbandofgold。Igotupandwentdowntotheshore。Themouthofthestreamwasshallow，butasImovedsouthIcametoaplacewheretwosmallcapesenclosedaninlet。Itmusthavebeenafaultinthevolcanicrock，foritsdepthwasportentous。Istrippedanddivedfarintoitscoldabysses，butIdidnotreachthebottom。Icametothesurfaceratherbreathless，andstruckouttosea，whereIfloatedonmybackandlookedatthegreatrampartofcrag。IsawthattheplacewhereI

hadspentthenightwasonlyalittleoasisofgreenatthebaseofoneofthegrimmestcorriestheimaginationcouldpicture。ItwasasdesertasDamaraland。Inoticed，too，howsharplythecliffsrosefromthelevel。Therewerechimneysandgulliesbywhichamanmighthavemadehiswaytothesummit，butnooneofthemcouldhavebeenscaledexceptbyamountaineer。

Iwasfeelingbetternow，withallthefrowsinesswashedoutofme，andIdriedmyselfbyracingupanddowntheheather。ThenI

noticedsomething。Thereweremarksofhumanfeetatthetopofthedeep-waterinlet-notmine，fortheywereontheotherside。

Theshortsea-turfwasbruisedandtrampledinseveralplaces，andtherewerebrokenstemsofbracken。Ithoughtthatsomefishermanhadprobablylandedtheretostretchhislegs。

ButthatsetmethinkingofthePortugueseJew。Afterbreakfastingonmylastmorselsoffood-aknuckleofbraxyandabitofoatcake-Isetabouttrackinghimfromtheplacewherehehadfirstenteredtheglen。Togetmybearings，IwentbackovertheroadI

hadcomemyself，andafteragooddealoftroubleIfoundhisspoor。Itwasprettyclearasfarasthestream，forhehadbeenwalking-orratherrunning-overgroundwithmanypatchesofgravelonit。Afterthatitwasdifficult，andIlostitentirelyintheroughheatherbelowthecrags。AllthatIcouldmakeoutforcertainwasthathehadcrossedthestream，andthathisbusiness，whateveritwas，hadbeenwiththefewacresoftumbledwildernessbelowtheprecipices。

Ispentabusymorningthere，butfoundnothingexcepttheskeletonofasheeppickedcleanbytheravens。Itwasathanklessjob，andIgotverycrossoverit。IhadanuglyfeelingthatIwasonafalsescentandwastingmytime。IwishedtoHeavenIhadoldPeterwithme。HecouldfollowspoorlikeaBushman，andwouldhaveriddledthePortuguesejew\'strackoutofanyjungleonearth。

ThatwasagameIhadneverlearned，forintheolddaysIhadalwaysleftittomynatives。Ichuckedtheattempt，andlaydisconsolatelyonawarmpatchofgrassandsmokedandthoughtaboutPeter。ButmychiefreflectionswerethatIhadbreakfastedatfive，thatitwasnoweleven，thatIwasintolerablyhungry，thattherewasnothingheretofeedagrasshopper，andthatIshouldstarveunlessIgotsupplies。

Itwasalongroadtomycache，buttherewerenotwowaysofit。

Myonlyhopewastosittightintheglen，anditmightinvolveawaitofdays。TowaitImusthavefood，and，thoughitmeantrelinquishingguardforamatterofsixhours，theriskhadtobetaken。Isetoffatabriskpacewithaverydepressedmind。

Fromthemapitseemedthatashortcutlayoverapassintherange。Iresolvedtotakeit，andthatshortcut，likemostofitskind，wasunblessedbyHeaven。Iwillnotdwelluponthediscomfortsofthejourney。Ifoundmyselfslitheringamongscrees，climbingsteepchimneys，andtravellingprecariouslyalongrazor-backs。Theshoeswerenearlyrentfrommyfeetbytheinfernalrocks，whichwereallpittedasifbysomegeologicalsmall-pox。WhenatlastIcrossedthedivide，Ihadahorriblebusinessgettingdownfromoneleveltoanotherinagruesomecorrie，whereeachstepwascomposedofsmoothboiler-plates。ButatlastIwasamongthebogsontheeastside，andcametotheplacebesidetheroadwhereIhadfixedmycache。

ThefaithfulAmoshadnotfailedme。Thereweretheprovisions-

acoupleofsmallloaves，adozentins，andabottleofwhisky。I

madethebestpackIcouldoftheminmywaterproof，swungitonmystick，andstartedback，thinkingthatImustbeverylikethepictureofChristianonthetitle-pageof_Pilgrim\'s_Progress。

IwaslikerChristianbeforeIreachedmydestination-ChristianafterhehadgotuptheHillDifficulty。Themorning\'swalkhadbeenbad，buttheafternoon\'swasworse，forIwasinafevertogetback，and，havinghadenoughofthehills，chosethelongerrouteIhadfollowedthepreviousday。Iwasmortallyafraidofbeingseen，forIcutaqueerfigure，soIavoidedeverystretchofroadwhereIhadnotaclearviewahead。ManywearydetoursI

madeamongmoss-hagsandscreesandthestonychannelsofburns。ButIgotthereatlast，anditwasalmostwithasenseofcomfortthatIflungmypackdownbesidethestreamwhereI

hadpassedthenight。

Iateagoodmeal，litmypipe，andfellintotheequablemoodwhichfollowsuponfatigueendedandhungersatisfied。Thesunwaswestering，anditslightfellupontherock-wallabovetheplacewhereIhadabandonedmysearchforthespoor。

AsIgazedatitidlyIsawacuriousthing。

Itseemedtobesplitintwoandashaftofsunlightcamethroughbetween。Therecouldbenodoubtaboutit。Isawtheendoftheshaftonthemoorbeneath，whilealltherestlayinshadow。Irubbedmyeyes，andgotoutmyglasses。ThenIguessedtheexplanation。

Therewasarocktowercloseagainstthefaceofthemainprecipiceandindistinguishablefromittoanyonelookingdirectattheface。

Onlywhenthesunfellonitobliquelycoulditbediscovered。Andbetweenthetowerandtheclifftheremustbeasubstantialhollow。

Thediscoverybroughtmetomyfeet，andsetmerunningtowardstheendoftheshaftofsunlight。Ilefttheheather，scrambledupsomeyardsofscrees，andhadadifficulttimeonsomeverysmoothslabs，whereonlythefrictionoftweedandroughrockgavemeahold。SlowlyIworkedmywaytowardsthespeckofsunlight，tillIfoundahandhold，andswungmyselfintothecrack。

Ononesidewasthemainwallofthehill，ontheotheratowersomeninetyfeethigh，andbetweenthemalongcrevicevaryinginwidthfromthreetosixfeet。Beyonditthereshowedasmallbrightpatchofsea。

Therewasmore，foratthepointwhereIenteredittherewasanoverhangwhichmadeafinecavern，lowattheentrancebutadozenfeethighinside，andasdryastinder。Here，thoughtI，istheperfecthiding-place。BeforegoingfartherIresolvedtoreturnforfood。Itwasnotveryeasydescending，andIslippedthelasttwentyfeet，landingonmyheadinasoftpatchofscrees。AttheburnsideI

filledmyflaskfromthewhiskybottle，andputhalfaloaf，atinofsardines，atinoftongue，andapacketofchocolateinmywaterproofpockets。LadenasIwas，ittookmesometimetogetupagain，butImanagedit，andstoredmybelongingsinacornerofthecave。

ThenIsetouttoexploretherestofthecrack。

Itslanteddownandthenroseagaintoasmallplatform。Afterthatitdroppedineasystepstothemoorbeyondthetower。IfthePortugueseJewhadcomehere，thatwasthewaybywhichhehadreachedit，forhewouldnothavehadthetimetomakemyascent。I

wentverycautiously，forIfeltIwasontheeveofabigdiscovery。

Theplatformwaspartlyhiddenfrommyendbyabendinthecrack，anditwasmoreorlessscreenedbyanoutlyingbastionofthetowerfromtheotherside。Itssurfacewascoveredwithfinepowderydust，aswerethestepsbeyondit。InsomeexcitementI

kneltdownandexaminedit。

Beyonddoubttherewasspoorhere。IknewthePortuguesejew\'sfootmarksbythistime，andImadethemoutclearly，especiallyinonecorner。Buttherewereotherfootsteps，quitedifferent。Theoneshowedtheracketsofroughcountryboots，theotherswerefromun-nailedsoles。AgainIlongedforPetertomakecertain，thoughIwasprettysureofmyconclusions。ThemanIhadfollowedhadcomehere，andhehadnotstayedlong。Someoneelsehadbeenhere，probablylater，fortheun-nailedshoesoverlaidtherackets。

Thefirstmanmighthaveleftamessageforthesecond。PerhapsthesecondwasthathumanpresenceofwhichIhadbeendimlyconsciousinthenight-time。

Icarefullyremovedalltracesofmyownfootmarks，andwentbacktomycave。Myheadwashummingwithmydiscovery。I

rememberedGresson\'swordtohisfriend:\'Tomorrownight。\'AsI

readit，thePortugueseJewhadtakenamessagefromGressontosomeone，andthatsomeonehadcomefromsomewhereandpickeditup。Themessagecontainedanassignationforthisverynight。I

hadfoundapointofobservation，fornoonewaslikelytocomenearmycave，whichwasreachedfromthemoorbysuchatoilsomeclimb。ThereIshouldbivouacandseewhatthedarknessbroughtforth。Irememberreflectingontheamazingluckwhichhadsofarattendedme。AsIlookedfrommyrefugeatthebluehazeoftwilightcreepingoverthewaters，Ifeltmypulsesquickenwithawildanticipation。

ThenIheardasoundbelowme，andcranedmyneckroundtheedgeofthetower。AmanwasclimbinguptherockbythewayI

hadcome。

CHAPTERSEVEN

IHearoftheWildBirdsIsawanoldgreenfelthat，andbelowitleantweed-cladshoulders。

ThenIsawaknapsackwithastickslungthroughit，astheownerwriggledhiswayontoashelf。Presentlyheturnedhisfaceupwardtojudgetheremainingdistance。Itwasthefaceofayoungman，afacesallowandangular，butnowalittleflushedwiththeday\'ssunandtheworkofclimbing。ItwasafacethatIhadfirstseenatFosseManor。

Ifeltsuddenlysickandheartsore。Idon\'tknowwhy，butIhadneverreallyassociatedtheintellectualsofBiggleswickwithabusinesslikethis。NoneofthembutIvery，andhewasdifferent。Theyhadbeensillyandpriggish，butnomore-Iwouldhavetakenmyoathonit。Yetherewasoneofthemengagedinblacktreasonagainsthisnativeland。SomethingbegantobeatinmytempleswhenIrememberedthatMaryandthismanhadbeenfriends，thathehadheldherhand，andcalledherbyherChristianname。MyfirstimpulsewastowaittillhegotupandthenpitchhimdownamongthebouldersandlethisGermanaccomplicespuzzleoverhisbrokenneck。

WithdifficultyIkeptdownthattideoffury。Ihadmydutytodo，andtokeepontermswiththismanwaspartofit。IhadtoconvincehimthatIwasanaccomplice，andthatmightnotbeeasy。

Ileanedovertheedge，and，ashegottohisfeetontheledgeabovetheboiler-plates，Iwhistledsothatheturnedhisfacetome。

\'Hullo，Wake，\'Isaid。

Hestarted，staredforasecond，andrecognizedme。Hedidnotseemover-pleasedtoseeme。

\'Brand！\'hecried。\'Howdidyougethere？\'

Heswunghimselfupbesideme，straightenedhisbackandunbuckledhisknapsack。\'Ithoughtthiswasmyownprivatesanctuary，andthatnobodyknewitbutme。Haveyouspottedthecave？

It\'sthebestbedroominSkye。\'Histonewas，asusual，ratheracid。

Thatlittlehammerwasbeatinginmyhead。Ilongedtogetmyhandsonhisthroatandchokethesmugtreasoninhim。ButIkeptmymindfixedononepurpose-topersuadehimthatIsharedhissecretandwasonhisside。Hisoff-handself-possessionseemedonlythecleverscreenofthesurprisedconspiratorwhowashuntingforaplan。

Weenteredthecave，andheflunghispackintoacorner。\'LasttimeIwashere，\'hesaid，\'Icoveredthefloorwithheather。Wemustgetsomemoreifwewouldsleepsoft。\'Inthetwilighthewasadimfigure，butheseemedanewmanfromtheoneIhadlastseenintheMootHallatBiggleswick。Therewasawiryvigourinhisbodyandapurposeinhisface。WhatafoolIhadbeentosethimdownasnomorethanaconceitedfidneur！

Hewentouttotheshelfagainandsniffedthefreshevening。

Therewasawonderfulredskyinthewest，butinthecrevicetheshadeshadfallen，andonlythebrightpatchesateitherendtoldofthesunset。

\'Wake，\'Isaid，\'youandIhavetounderstandeachother。I\'mafriendofIveryandIknowthemeaningofthisplace。Idiscovereditbyaccident，butIwantyoutoknowthatI\'mheartandsoulwithyou。Youmaytrustmeintonight\'sjobasifIwereIveryhimself。\'

Heswungroundandlookedatmesharply。Hiseyeswerehotagain，asIrememberedthematourfirstmeeting。

\'Whatdoyoumean？Howmuchdoyouknow？\'

Thehammerwasgoinghardinmyforehead，andIhadtopullmyselftogethertoanswer。

\'Iknowthatattheendofthiscrackamessagewasleftlastnight，andthatsomeonecameoutoftheseaandpickeditup。Thatsomeoneiscomingagainwhendarknessfalls，andtherewillbeanothermessage。\'

Hehadturnedhisheadaway。\'Youaretalkingnonsense。Nosubmarinecouldlandonthiscoast。\'

Icouldseethathewastryingme。

\'Thismorning，\'Isaid，\'Iswaminthedeep-waterinletbelowus。

ItisthemostperfectsubmarineshelterinBritain。\'

Hestillkepthisfacefromme，lookingthewayhehadcome。Foramomenthewassilent，andthenhespokeinthebitter，drawlingvoicewhichhadannoyedmeatFosseManor。

\'Howdoyoureconcilethisbusinesswithyourprinciples，MrBrand？Youwerealwaysapatriot，Iremember，thoughyoudidn\'tseeeyetoeyewiththeGovernment。\'

ItwasnotquitewhatIexpectedandIwasunready。Istammeredinmyreply。\'It\'sbecauseIamapatriotthatIwantpeace。Ithinkthat……Imean……\'

\'Thereforeyouarewillingtohelptheenemytowin？\'

\'Theyhavealreadywon。Iwantthatrecognizedandtheendhurriedon。\'Iwasgettingmymindclearerandcontinuedfluently。

\'Thelongerthewarlasts，theworsethiscountryisruined。Wemustmakethepeoplerealizethetruth，and-\'

Butheswungroundsuddenly，hiseyesblazing。

\'Youblackguard！\'hecried，\'youdamnableblackguard！\'Andheflunghimselfonmelikeawild-cat。

Ihadgotmyanswer。Hedidnotbelieveme，heknewmeforaspy，andhewasdeterminedtodomein。Wewerebeyondfinessenow，andbackattheoldbarbaricgame。Itwashislifeormine。

Thehammerbeatfuriouslyinmyheadasweclosed，andafiercesatisfactionroseinmyheart。

Heneverhadachance，forthoughhewasingoodtrimandhadthelight，wiryfigureofthemountaineer，hehadn\'taquarterofmymuscularstrength。Besides，hewaswronglyplaced，forhehadtheoutsidestation。Hadhebeenontheinsidehemighthavetoppledmeovertheedgebyhissuddenassault。Asitwas，Igrappledhimandforcedhimtotheground，squeezingthebreathoutofhisbodyintheprocess。Imusthavehurthimconsiderably，buthenevergaveacry。WithagooddealoftroubleIlashedhishandsbehindhisbackwiththebeltofmywaterproof，carriedhiminsidethecaveandlaidhiminthedarkendofit。ThenItiedhisfeetwiththestrapofhisownknapsack。Iwouldhavetogaghim，butthatcouldwait。

Ihadstilltocontriveaplanofactionforthenight，forIdidnotknowwhatparthehadbeenmeanttoplayinit。HemightbethemessengerinsteadofthePortugueseJew，inwhichcasehewouldhavepapersabouthisperson。Ifheknewofthecave，othersmighthavethesameknowledge，andIhadbettershifthimbeforetheycame。Ilookedatmywrist-watch，andtheluminousdialshowedthatthehourwashalfpastnine。

ThenInoticedthatthebundleinthecornerwassobbing。

Itwasahorridsoundanditworriedme。IhadalittlepocketelectrictorchandIflasheditonWake\'sface。Ifhewascrying，itwaswithdryeyes。

\'Whatareyougoingtodowithme？\'heasked。

\'Thatdepends，\'Isaidgrimly。

\'Well，I\'mready。Imaybeapoorcreature，butI\'mdamnedifI\'mafraidofyou，oranythinglikeyou。\'Thatwasabravethingtosay，foritwasalie；histeethwerechattering。

\'I\'mreadyforadeal，\'Isaid。

\'Youwon\'tgetit，\'washisanswer。\'Cutmythroatifyoumeanto，butforGod\'ssakedon\'tinsultme……IchokewhenIthinkaboutyou。

Youcometousandwewelcomeyou，andreceiveyouinourhouses，andtellyouourinmostthoughts，andallthetimeyou\'reabloodytraitor。YouwanttosellustoGermany。Youmaywinnow，butbyGod！yourtimewillcome！Thatismylastwordtoyou……youswine！\'

Thehammerstoppedbeatinginmyhead。Isawmyselfsuddenlyasablind，preposterousfool。IstrodeovertoWake，andheshuthiseyesasifheexpectedablow。InsteadIunbuckledthestrapswhichheldhislegsandarms。

\'Wake，oldfellow，\'Isaid，\'I\'mtheworstkindofidiot。I\'lleatallthedirtyouwant。I\'llgiveyouleavetoknockmeblackandblue，andIwon\'tliftahand。Butnotnow。Nowwe\'veanotherjobonhand。Man，we\'reonthesamesideandIneverknewit。It\'stoobadacaseforapologies，butifit\'sanyconsolationtoyouIfeelthelowestdoginEuropeatthismoment。\'

Hewassittinguprubbinghisbruisedshoulders。\'Whatdoyoumean？\'heaskedhoarsely。

\'ImeanthatyouandIareallies。Myname\'snotBrand。I\'masoldier-ageneral，ifyouwanttoknow。IwenttoBiggleswickunderorders，andIcamechasinguphereonthesamejob。Ivery\'sthebiggestGermanagentinBritainandI\'mafterhim。I\'vestruckhiscommunicationlines，andthisverynight，pleaseGod，we\'llgetthelastcluetotheriddle。Doyouhear？We\'reinthisbusinesstogether，andyou\'vegottolendahand。\'

ItoldhimbrieflythestoryofGresson，andhowIhadtrackedhismanhere。AsItalkedweateoursupper，andIwishIcouldhavewatchedWake\'sface。Heaskedquestions，forhewasn\'tconvincedinahurry。IthinkitwasmymentionofMaryLamingtonthatdidthetrick。Idon\'tknowwhy，butthatseemedtosatisfyhim。Buthewasn\'tgoingtogivehimselfaway。

\'Youmaycountonme，\'hesaid，\'forthisisblack，blackguardlytreason。Butyouknowmypolitics，andIdon\'tchangethemforthis。I\'mmoreagainstyouraccursedwarthanever，nowthatI

knowwhatwarinvolves。\'

\'Right-o，\'Isaid，\'I\'mapacifistmyself。Youwon\'tgetanyheroicsaboutwarfromme。I\'mallforpeace，butwe\'vegottodownthosedevilsfirst。\'

Itwasn\'tsafeforeitherofustostickinthatcave，soweclearedawaythemarksofouroccupation，andhidourpacksinadeepcreviceontherock。Wakeannouncedhisintentionofclimbingthetower，whiletherewasstillafaintafterglowoflight。\'It\'sbroadonthetop，andIcankeepawatchouttoseaifanylightshows。I\'vebeenupitbefore。Ifoundthewaytwoyearsago。No，Iwon\'tfallasleepandtumbleoff。IsleptmostoftheafternoononthetopofSgurrVhiconnich，andI\'maswakefulasabatnow。\'

Iwatchedhimshinupthefaceofthetower，andadmiredgreatlythespeedandneatnesswithwhichheclimbed。ThenIfollowedthecrevicesouthwardtothehollowjustbelowtheplatformwhereI

hadfoundthefootmarks。Therewasabigboulderthere，whichpartlyshutofftheviewofitfromthedirectionofourcave。Theplacewasperfectformypurpose，forbetweentheboulderandthewallofthetowerwasanarrowgap，throughwhichIcouldhearallthatpassedontheplatform。IfoundastancewhereIcouldrestincomfortandkeepaneyethroughthecrackonwhathappenedbeyond。

Therewasstillafaintlightontheplatform，butsoonthatdisappearedandblackdarknesssettleddownonthehills。Itwasthedarkofthemoon，and，ashadhappenedthenightbefore，athinwrackblewoverthesky，hidingthestars。Theplacewasverystill，thoughnowandthenwouldcomethecryofabirdfromthecragsthatbeetledaboveme，andfromtheshorethepipeofaternoroyster-catcher。Anowlhootedfromsomewhereuponthetower。

ThatIreckonedwasWake，soIhootedbackandwasanswered。

Iunbuckledmywrist-watchandpocketedit，lestitsluminousdialshouldbetrayme；andInoticedthatthehourwascloseoneleven。Ihadalreadyremovedmyshoes，andmyjacketwasbuttonedatthecollarsoastoshownoshirt。Ididnotthinkthatthecomingvisitorwouldtroubletoexplorethecrevicebeyondtheplatform，butIwantedtobepreparedforemergencies。

Thenfollowedanhourofwaiting。Ifeltwonderfullycheeredandexhilarated，forWakehadrestoredmyconfidenceinhumannature。Inthateerieplacewewerewrappedroundwithmysterylikeafog。Someunknownfigurewascomingoutofthesea，theemissaryofthatPowerwehadbeenatgripswithforthreeyears。Itwasasifthewarhadjustmadecontactwithourownshores，andnever，notevenwhenIwasaloneintheSouthGermanforest，hadIfeltsomuchthesportofawhimsicalfate。IonlywishedPetercouldhavebeenwithme。AndsomythoughtsfledtoPeterinhisprisoncamp，andIlongedforanothersightofmyoldfriendasagirllongsforherlover。

ThenIheardthehootofanowl，andpresentlythesoundofcarefulstepsfellonmyear。Icouldseenothing，butIguesseditwasthePortugueseJew，forIcouldhearthegrindingofheavilynailedbootsonthegrittyrock。

Thefigurewasveryquiet。Itappearedtobesittingdown，andthenitroseandfumbledwiththewallofthetowerjustbeyondtheboulderbehindwhichIsheltered。Itseemedtomoveastoneandtoreplaceit。Afterthatcamesilence，andthenoncemorethehootofanowl。Therewerestepsontherockstaircase，thestepsofamanwhodidnotknowtheroadwellandstumbledalittle。Alsotheywerethestepsofonewithoutnailsinhisboots。

Theyreachedtheplatformandsomeonespoke。ItwasthePortugueseJewandhespokeingoodGerman。

\'__Dievogeleinschweigenim_Walde，\'hesaid。

Theanswercamefromaclear，authoritativevoice。

\'__Wartenur，balderuhestdu_auch。\'

Clearlysomekindofpassword，forsanemendon\'ttalkaboutlittlebirdsinthatkindofsituation。Itsoundedtomelikeindifferentpoetry。

Thenfollowedaconversationinlowtones，ofwhichIonlycaughtoddphrases。Iheardtwonames-CheliusandwhatsoundedlikeaDutchword，Bommaerts。ThentomyjoyIcaught_Effenbein，andwhenuttereditseemedtobefollowedbyalaugh。Iheardtooaphraseseveraltimesrepeated，whichseemedtometobepuregibberish-

__DieStubenvogel_verstehn。Itwasspokenbythemanfromthesea。Andthentheword_Wildvogel。Thepairseemeddementedaboutbirds。

Forasecondanelectrictorchwasflashedintheshelteroftherock，andIcouldseeatanned，beardedfacelookingatsomepapers。Thelightdisappeared，andagainthePortugueseJewwasfumblingwiththestonesatthebaseofthetower。Tomyjoyhewasclosetomycrack，andIcouldheareveryword。\'Youcannotcomehereveryoften，\'hesaid，\'anditmaybehardtoarrangeameeting。See，therefore，theplaceIhavemadetoputthe_Viageffutter。

WhenIgetachanceIwillcomehere，andyouwillcomealsowhenyouareable。Oftentherewillbenothing，butsometimestherewillbemuch。\'

Myluckwasclearlyin，andmyexultationmademecareless。A

stone，onwhichafootrested，slippedandthoughIcheckedmyselfatonce，theconfoundedthingrolleddownintothehollow，makingagreatclatter。Iplasteredmyselfintheembrasureoftherockandwaitedwithabeatingheart。Theplacewaspitchdark，buttheyhadanelectrictorch，andiftheyonceflasheditonmeIwasgone。I

heardthemleavetheplatformandclimbdownintothehollow。

Theretheystoodlistening，whileIheldmybreath。ThenIheard\'_Nix，_mein_freund，\'andthetwowentback，thenavalofficer\'sbootsslippingonthegravel。

Theydidnotleavetheplatformtogether。ThemanfromtheseabadeashortfarewelltothePortugueseJew，listening，Ithought，impatientlytohisfinalmessageasifeagertobegone。Itwasagoodhalf-hourbeforethelattertookhimselfoff，andIheardthesoundofhisnailedbootsdieawayashereachedtheheatherofthemoor。

Iwaitedalittlelonger，andthencrawledbacktothecave。Theowlhooted，andpresentlyWakedescendedlightlybesideme；hemusthaveknowneveryfootholdandhandholdbyhearttodothejobinthatinkyblackness。Irememberthatheaskednoquestionofme，butheusedlanguagerareonthelipsofconscientiousobjectorsaboutthemenwhohadlatelybeeninthecrevice。We，whofourhoursearlierhadbeenatdeathgrips，nowcurleduponthehardfloorliketwotireddogs，andfellsoundasleep。

IwoketofindWakeinathunderingbadtemper。ThethingherememberedmostaboutthenightbeforewasourscrapandthegrosswayIhadinsultedhim。Ididn\'tblamehim，forifanymanhadtakenmeforaGermanspyIwouldhavebeenoutforhisblood，anditwasnogoodexplainingthathehadgivenmegroundsforsuspicion。Hewasastouchyabouthisblessedprinciplesasanoldmaidaboutherage。Iwasfeelingratherextrabuckishmyselfandthatdidn\'timprovematters。Hisfacewaslikeagargoyleaswewentdowntothebeachtobathe，soIheldmytongue。Hewaschewingthecudofhiswoundedpride。

Butthesaltwaterclearedoutthedregsofhisdistemper。Youcouldn\'tbepeevishswimminginthatjolly，shiningsea。Weracedeachotherawaybeyondtheinlettotheouterwater，whichabriskmorningbreezewascurling。Thenbacktoapromontoryofheather，wherethefirstbeamsofthesuncomingovertheCoolindriedourskins。HesathunchedupstaringatthemountainswhileIprospectedtherocksattheedge。OutintheMinchtwodestroyerswerehurryingsouthward，andIwonderedwhereinthatwasteofbluewasthecraftwhichhadcomehereinthenightwatches。

Ifoundthespoorofthemanfromtheseaquitefreshonapatchofgravelabovethetide-mark。

\'There\'sourfriendofthenight，\'Isaid。

\'Ibelievethewholethingwasawhimsy，\'saidWake，hiseyesonthechimneysofSgurrDearg。\'Theywereonlytwonatives-poachers，perhaps，ortinkers。\'

\'Theydon\'tspeakGermanintheseparts。\'

\'ItwasGaelicprobably。\'

\'Whatdoyoumakeofthis，then？\'andIquotedthestuffaboutbirdswithwhichtheyhadgreetedeachother。

Wakelookedinterested。\'That\'s_Uber_allen_Gipfeln。HaveyoueverreadGoethe？\'

\'Neveraword。Andwhatdoyoumakeofthat？\'Ipointedtoaflatrockbelowtide-markcoveredwithatangleofseaweed。Itwasofasofterstonethanthehardstuffinthehillsandsomebodyhadscrapedoffhalftheseaweedandasliceoftheside。\'Thatwasn\'tdoneyesterdaymorning，forIhadmybathhere。\'

Wakegotupandexaminedtheplace。Henosedaboutinthecranniesoftherocksliningtheinlet，andgotintothewateragaintoexplorebetter。Whenhejoinedmehewassmiling。\'Iapologizeformyscepticism，\'hesaid。\'There\'sbeensomepetrol-drivencrafthereinthenight。Icansmellit，forI\'veanoselikearetriever。I

daresayyou\'reontherighttrack。Anyhow，thoughyouseemtoknowabitaboutGerman，youcouldscarcelyinventimmortalpoetry。\'

Wetookourbelongingstoagreencrookoftheburn，andmadeaverygoodbreakfast。Wakehadnothinginhispackbutplasmonbiscuitsandraisins，forthat，hesaid，washismountaineeringprovender，buthewasnotaversetosamplingmytinnedstuff。Hewasadifferent-sizedfellowoutinthehillsfromtheanaemicintellectualofBiggleswick。Hehadforgottenhisbeastlyself-consciousness，andspokeofhishobbywithaseriouspassion。ItseemedhehadscrambledabouteverywhereinEurope，fromtheCaucasustothePyrenees。Icouldseehemustbegoodatthejob，forhedidn\'tbragofhisexploits。Itwasthemountainsthatheloved，notwrigglinghisbodyuphardplaces。TheCoolin，hesaid，werehisfavourites，foronsomeofthemyoucouldgettwothousandfeetofgoodrock。

WegotourglassesonthefaceofSgurrAlasdair，andhesketchedoutformevariouswaysofgettingtoitsgrimsummit。TheCoolinandtheDolomitesforhim，forhehadgrowntiredoftheChamonixaiguilles。IrememberhedescribedwithtremendousgustothejoysofearlydawninTyrol，whenyouascendedthroughacresofflowerymeadowstoatoothofcleanwhitelimestoneagainstacleanbluesky。Hespoke，too，ofthelittlewildhillsintheBavarianWettersteingebirge，andofaguidehehadpickedupthereandtrainedtothejob。

\'TheycalledhimSebastianBuchwieser。Hewasthejolliestboyyoueversaw，andascleveroncragsasachamois。Heisprobablydeadbynow，deadinafilthyjaegerbattalion。That\'syouandyouraccursedwar。\'

\'Well，we\'vegottogetbusyandenditintherightway，\'Isaid。

\'Andyou\'vegottohelp，mylad。\'

Hewasagooddraughtsman，andwithhisassistanceIdrewaroughmapofthecrevicewherewehadroostedforthenight，givingitsbearingscarefullyinrelationtotheburnandthesea。

ThenIwrotedownallthedetailsaboutGressonandthePortugueseJew，anddescribedthelatterinminutedetail。Idescribed，too，mostpreciselythecachewhereithadbeenarrangedthatthemessagesshouldbeplaced。Thatfinishedmystockofpaper，andI

lefttherecordoftheoddmentsoverheardoftheconversationforalatertime。Iputthethinginanoldleathercigarette-caseIpossessed，andhandedittoWake。

\'You\'vegottogostraightofftotheKyleandnotwasteanytimeontheway。Nobodysuspectsyou，soyoucantravelanyroadyouplease。WhenyougetthereyouaskforMrAndrewAmos，whohassomeGovernmentjobintheneighbourhood。Givehimthatpaperfromme。He\'llknowwhattodowithitallright。TellhimI\'llgetsomehowtotheKylebeforemiddaythedayaftertomorrow。Imustcovermytracksabit，soIcan\'tcomewithyou，andIwantthatthinginhishandsjustasfastasyourlegswilltakeyou。Ifanyonetriestostealitfromyou，forGod\'ssakeeatit。Youcanseeforyourselfthatit\'sdevilishimportant。\'

\'IshallbebackinEnglandinthreedays，\'hesaid。\'Anymessageforyourotherfriends？\'

\'Forgetallaboutme。Youneversawmehere。I\'mstillBrand，theamiablecolonialstudyingsocialmovements。IfyoumeetIvery，sayyouheardofmeontheClyde，deepinsedition。ButifyouseeMissLamingtonyoucantellherI\'mpasttheHillDifficulty。I\'mcomingbackassoonasGodwillletme，andI\'mgoingtodroprightintotheBiggleswickpush。OnlythistimeI\'llbealittlemoreadvancedinmyviews……Youneedn\'tgetcross。I\'mnotsayinganythingagainstyourprinciples。Themainpointisthatwebothhatedirtytreason。\'

Heputthecaseinhiswaistcoatpocket。\'I\'llgoroundGarsbheinn，\'

hesaid，\'andoverbyCamasunary。I\'llbeattheKylelongbeforeevening。ImeantanyhowtosleepatBroadfordtonight……

Goodbye，Brand，forI\'veforgottenyourpropername。You\'renotabadfellow，butyou\'velandedmeinmelodramaforthefirsttimeinmysoberexistence。IhaveagrudgeagainstyouformixinguptheCoolinwithashillingshocker。You\'vespoiledtheirsanctity。\'

\'You\'vethewrongnotionofromance，\'Isaid。\'Why，man，lastnightforanhouryouwereinthefrontline-theplacewheretheenemyforcestouchourown。Youwereoverthetop-youwereinNo-man\'s-land。\'

Helaughed。\'Thatisonewaytolookatit\'；andthenhestalkedoffandIwatchedhisleanfiguretillitwasroundtheturnofthehill。

AllthatmorningIsmokedpeacefullybytheburn，andletmythoughtswanderoverthewholebusiness。IhadgotpreciselywhatBlenkironwanted，apostofficefortheenemy。Itwouldneedcarefulhandling，butIcouldseethejuiciestliespassingthatwaytothe_Grosses_Haupiquartier。YetIhadanuglyfeelingatthebackofmyheadthatithadbeenalltooeasy，andthatIverywasnotthemantobedupedinthiswayforlong。Thatsetmethinkingaboutthequeertalkonthecrevice。ThepoetrystuffIdismissedastheordinarypassword，probablychangedeverytime。ButwhowereCheliusandBommaerts，andwhatinthenameofgoodnessweretheWildBirdsandtheCageBirds？TwiceinthepastthreeyearsIhadhadtwosuchriddlestosolve-Scudder\'sscribbleinhispocket-

book，andHarryBullivant\'sthreewords。IrememberedhowithadonlybeenbyconstantchewingatthemthatIhadgotasortofmeaning，andIwonderediffatewouldsomedayexpoundthispuzzlealso。

MeantimeIhadtogetbacktoLondonasinconspicuouslyasI

hadcome。Itmighttakesomedoing，forthepolicewhohadbeenactiveinMorvernmightbestillonthetrack，anditwasessentialthatIshouldkeepoutoftroubleandgivenohinttoGressonandhisfriendsthatIhadbeensofarnorth。However，thatwasforAmostoadvisemeon，andaboutnoonIpickedupmywaterproofwithitsburstingpocketsandsetoffonalongdetourupthecoast。

AllthatblesseddayIscarcelymetasoul。Ipassedadistillerywhichseemedtohavequitbusiness，andintheeveningcametoalittletownontheseawhereIhadabedandsupperinasuperiorkindofpublic-house。

NextdayIstrucksouthwardalongthecoast，andhadtwoexperiencesofinterest。IhadagoodlookatRanna，andobservedthatthe_Tobermorywasnolongerthere。Gressonhadonlywaitedtogethisjobfinished；hecouldprobablytwisttheoldcaptainanywayhewanted。ThesecondwasthatatthedoorofavillagesmithyIsawthebackofthePortugueseJew。HewastalkingGaelicthistime-

goodGaelicitsounded，andinthatknotofidlershewouldhavepassedfortheordinariestkindofgillie。

Hedidnotseeme，andIhadnodesiretogivehimthechance，forIhadanoddfeelingthatthedaymightcomewhenitwouldbegoodforustomeetasstrangers。

ThatnightIputupboldlyintheinnatBroadford，wheretheyfedmenoblyonfreshsea-troutandIfirsttastedanexcellentliqueurmadeofhoneyandwhisky。NextmorningIwasearlyafoot，andwellbeforemiddaywasinsightofthenarrowsoftheKyle，andthetwolittlestoneclachanswhichfaceeachotheracrossthestripofsea。

AbouttwomilesfromtheplaceataturnoftheroadIcameuponafarmer\'sgig，drawnupbythewayside，withthehorsecroppingthemoorlandgrass。Amansatonthebanksmoking，withhisleftarmhookedinthereins。Hewasanoldishman，withashort，squarefigure，andawoollencomforterenvelopedhisthroat。

CHAPTEREIGHT

TheAdventuresofaBagman\'Ye\'repunctualtotime，MrBrand，\'saidthevoiceofAmos。\'Butlosh！man，whathaveyedonetoyourbreeks！Andyourbuits？

Ye\'renojustveryrespectableinyourappearance。\'

Iwasn\'t。TheconfoundedrocksoftheCoolinhadlefttheirmarkonmyshoes，whichmoreoverhadnotbeencleanedforaweek，andthesamehillshadrentmyjacketattheshoulders，andtornmytrousersabovetherightknee，andstainedeverypartofmyapparelwithpeatandlichen。

IcastmyselfonthebankbesideAmosandlitmypipe。\'Didyougetmymessage？\'Iasked。

\'Ay。It\'sgoneonbyasurehandtothedestinationwekenof。

Ye\'vemanagedwell，MrBrand，butIwishyewerebackinLondon。\'

Hesuckedathispipe，andtheshaggybrowswerepulledsolowastohidethewaryeyes。Thenheproceededtothinkaloud。

\'YecannagobackbyMallaig。Idon\'tjustunderstandwhy，butthey\'relookin\'foryoudownthatline。It\'savexatiousbusinesswhenyourfriends，meanin\'thepolis，aredoingtheirbesttoupsetyourplansandyounoabletoenlightenthem。IcouldsendwordtotheChiefConstableandgetyethroughtoLondonwithoutastoplikealoadoffishfromAiberdeen，butthatwouldbespoilin\'thefinecharacterye\'vebeenatsuchpainstoconstruct。Na，na！YemauntaketheriskandtravelbyMuirtownwithoutonycreedentials。\'

\'Itcan\'tbeaverybigrisk，\'Iinterpolated。

\'I\'mnososure。Gresson\'sleftthe_Tobermory。Hewentbyhereyesterday，ontheMallaigboat，andtherewasaweeblackavisedmanwithhimthatgotoutattheKyle。He\'stherestill，stoppin\'atthehotel。Theyca\'himLinklaterandhetravelsinwhisky。Idon\'tlikethelooksofhim。\'

\'ButGressondoesnotsuspectme？\'

\'Maybeno。Butyewouldnalikehimtoseeyehereaways。Yongentrydon\'tleavemuckletochance。BeverycertainthateverymaninGresson\'slotkensallaboutye，andhasyourdescriptiondowntothemoleonyourchin。\'

\'Thenthey\'vegotitwrong，\'Ireplied。

\'Iwasspeakin\'feeguratively，\'saidAmos。\'Iwasconsiderin\'yourcasethefeckofyesterday，andI\'vebroughtthebestIcoulddoforyeinthegig。Iwishyeweremorerespectableclad，butagoodtopcoatwillhidedefeecencies。\'

Frombehindthegig\'sseathepulledoutanancientGladstonebagandrevealeditscontents。Therewasabowlerofavulgarandantiquatedstyle；therewasaready-madeovercoatofsomedarkcloth，ofthekindthataclerkwearsontheroadtotheoffice；therewasapairofdetachablecelluloidcuffs，andtherewasalinencollaranddickie。Alsotherewasasmallhandcase，suchasbagmencarryontheirrounds。

\'That\'syourluggage，\'saidAmoswithpride。\'Thatweebag\'sfullofsamples。Ye\'llmindItooktheprecautionofmeasurin\'yeinGlasgow，sothethings\'llfit。Ye\'vegotanewname，MrBrand，andI\'vetakenaroomforyeinthehotelonthestrengthofit。Ye\'reArchibaldMcCaskie，andye\'retravellin\'forthefirmo\'Todd，Sons&Brothers，ofEdinburgh。Yekenthefolk？Theypublishweereleegiousbooks，thatye\'vebintryingtosellforSabbath-schoolprizestotheFreeKirkministersinSkye。\'

ThenotionamusedAmos，andherelapsedintothesombrechucklewhichwithhimdiddutyforalaugh。

Iputmyhatandwaterproofinthebaganddonnedthebowlerandthetop-coat。Theyfittedfairlywell。Likewisethecuffsandcollar，thoughhereIstruckasnag，forIhadlostmyscarfsomewhereintheCoolin，andAmos，pelican-like，hadtosurrendertherustyblacktiewhichadornedhisownperson。Itwasaqueerrig，andIfeltlikenothingonearthinit，butAmoswassatisfied。

\'MrMcCaskie，sir，\'hesaid，\'ye\'retheverymodelofapublisher\'straveller。Ye\'dbetterlearnafewbiographicaldetails，whichye\'vemaybeforgotten。Ye\'reanEdinburghman，butyeweresomeyearsinLondon，whichexplainsthewayyespeak。Yebideat6，RussellStreet，offtheMeadows，andye\'reanelderintheNethergateU。F。

Kirk。Haveyeonyspecialtasteyecouldleadthecrackonto，ifye\'reengagedinconversation？\'

IsuggestedtheEnglishclassics。

\'Andverysuitable。Yecantrypoalitics，too。Ye\'dbetterbeaFree-traderbutconvertitbyLloydGeorge。That\'sacommoncase，andye\'llneedtobeby-ordinarcommon……IfIwasyou，Iwoulddaunderabouthereforabit，andnoarriveatyourhoteltillafterdark。Thenyecanhaveyoursupperandgangtobed。TheMuirtowntrainleavesathalf-seveninthemorning……Na，yecan\'tcomewithme。Itwouldnadoforustobeseenthegither。IfImeetyeinthestreetI\'llneverletonIknowye。\'

Amosclimbedintothegigandjoltedoffhome。Iwentdowntotheshoreandsatamongtherocks，finishingabouttea-timetheremainsofmyprovisions。InthemellowgloamingIstrolledintotheclachanandgotaboattoputmeovertotheinn。Itprovedtobeacomfortableplace，withamotherlyoldlandladywhoshowedmetomyroomandpromisedhamandeggsandcoldsalmonforsupper。Afteragoodwash，whichIneeded，andanhonestattempttomakemyclothespresentable，Idescendedtothemealinacoffee-

roomlitbyasingledimparafinlamp。

Thefoodwasexcellent，and，asIate，myspiritsrose。IntwodaysIshouldbebackinLondonbesideBlenkironandsomewherewithinaday\'sjourneyofMary。IcouldpicturenoscenenowwithoutthinkinghowMaryfittedintoit。ForhersakeIheldBiggleswickdelectable，becauseIhadseenherthere。Iwasn\'tsureifthiswaslove，butitwassomethingIhadneverdreamedofbefore，somethingwhichInowhuggedthethoughtof。Itmadethewholeearthrosyandgoldenforme，andlifesowellworthlivingthatIfeltlikeamisertowardsthedaystocome。

Ihadaboutfinishedsupper，whenIwasjoinedbyanotherguest。

Seeninthelightofthatinfamouslamp，heseemedasmall，alertfellow，withabushy，blackmoustache，andblackhairpartedinthemiddle。Hehadfedalreadyandappearedtobehungeringforhumansociety。

InthreeminuteshehadtoldmethathehadcomedownfromPortreeandwasonhiswaytoLeith。AminutelaterhehadwhippedoutacardonwhichIread\'J。J。Linklater\'，andinthecornerthenameofHatherwickBros。Hisaccentbetrayedthathehailedfromthewest。

\'I\'vebeenupamongthedistilleries，\'heinformedme。\'It\'sapoorbusinessdistillin\'inthesetimes，wi\'theteetotallersyowlin\'aboutthenation\'sshameandthewaytolosethewar。I\'matemperatemanmysel\'，butIwouldthinkshametospiledecentfolks\'business。

IftheGovernmentwanttostopthedrink，letthembuyusout。

They\'vepermittedustoinvestgoodmoneyinthetrade，andtheymustseethatwegetitback。Theotherwaywillwreckpubliccredit。That\'swhatIsay。Supposin\'someLabourGovernmenttakesthenotionthatsoap\'sbadforthenation？Aretheygoin\'toshutupPortSunlight？Orgoodclothes？Orlumhats？There\'snoendtotheirdaftnessiftheyoncestartonthattrack。Alawfu\'

trade\'salawfu\'trade，saysI，andit\'scontrarytopublicpolicytopititatthemercyofwheencranks。D\'yenoagree，sir？Bytheway，I

havenagotyourname？\'

Itoldhimandherambledon。

\'We\'reblendersanddoaveryhigh-classbusiness，mostlyforeign。

Thewar\'shituswi\'ourexporttrade，ofcourse，butwe\'renoasbadassome。What\'syourline，MrMcCaskie？\'

Whenheheardhewaskeenlyinterested。

\'D\'yesayso？Ye\'refromTodd\'s！Man，Iwasinthebookbusinessmysel\'，tillIchangeditforsomethingaweebitmorelucrative。I

wasontheroadforthreeyearsforAndrewMatheson。Yekenthename-PaternosterRow-I\'veforgottenthenumber。Ihadakindofambitiontostartabook-sellin\'shopofmyownandtomakeLinklatero\'Paisleyabignameinthetrade。ButIgottheofferfromHatherwick\'s，andIwaswantin\'togetmarried，sofilthylucrewontheday。AndI\'mnosorryIchanged。Ifithadnabeenforthiswar，I

wouldhavebeenmakin\'fourfigureswithmysalaryandcommissions……Mypipe\'sout。Haveyouoneofthoserareandvaluablecuriositiescalledaspunk，MrMcCaskie？\'

Hewasamerrylittlegrigofaman，andhebabbledon，tillI

announcedmyintentionofgoingtobed。IfthiswasAmos\'sbagman，whohadbeenseenincompanywithGresson，Iunderstoodhowidlemaybethesuspicionsofacleverman。HehadprobablyforegatheredwithGressonontheSkyeboat，andweariedthatsaturninesoulwithhiscackle。

Iwasupbetimes，paidmybill，ateabreakfastofporridgeandfreshhaddock，andwalkedthefewhundredyardstothestation。Itwasawarm，thickmorning，withnosunvisible，andtheSkyehillsmistytotheirbase。ThethreecoachesonthelittletrainwerenearlyfilledwhenIhadboughtmyticket，andIselectedathird-classsmokingcarriagewhichheldfoursoldiersreturningfromleave。

Thetrainwasalreadymovingwhenalatepassengerhurriedalongtheplatformandclamberedinbesideme。Acheery\'Mornin\'，MrMcCaskie，\'revealedmyfellowguestatthehotel。

Wejoltedawayfromthecoastupabroadglenandthenontoawideexpanseofbogwithbighillsshowingtowardsthenorth。Itwasadrowsyday，andinthatatmosphereofshagandcrowdedhumanityIfeltmyeyesclosing。Ihadashortnap，andwoketofindthatMrLinklaterhadchangedhisseatandwasnowbesideme。

\'We\'llnogetaScotsmantillMuirtown，\'hesaid。\'Haveyenothinginyoursamplesyecouldgivemetoread？\'

Ihadforgottenaboutthesamples。Iopenedthecaseandfoundtheoddestcollectionoflittlebooks，allingaybindings。Somewerereligious，withnameslike_Dew_of_Hermonand_Cool_Siloam；somewereinnocentnarratives，__HowTommysavedhis_Pennies，__AMissionaryChildin_China，and__LittleSusieandher_Uncle。Therewasa__LifeofDavid_Livingstone，achild\'sbookonsea-shells，andarichlygilteditionofthepoemsofoneJamesMontgomery。IofferedtheselectiontoMrLinklater，whogrinnedandchosetheMissionaryChild。\'It\'snotthereadingI\'maccustomedto，\'hesaid。\'Ilikestrongmeat-HallCaineandJackLondon。Bytheway，howd\'yesquarethisbusinessofyourswi\'thebooksellers？WhenIwasinMatheson\'stherewouldhavebeentroubleifwehaddealtdirectwi\'thepubliclikeyou。\'

Theconfoundedfellowstartedtotalkaboutthedetailsofthebooktrade，ofwhichIknewnothing。Hewantedtoknowonwhattermswesold\'juveniles\'，andwhatdiscountwegavethebigwholesalers，andwhatclassofbookweputout\'onsale\'。Ididn\'tunderstandawordofhisjargon，andImusthavegivenmyselfawaybadly，forheaskedmequestionsaboutfirmsofwhichIhadneverheard，andIhadtomakesomekindofanswer。Itoldmyselfthatthedonkeywasharmless，andthathisopinionofmematterednothing，butassoonasIdecentlycouldIpretendedtobeabsorbedinthe_Pilgrim\'s_Progress，agaudycopyofwhichwasamongthesamples。ItopenedattheepisodeofChristianandHopefulintheEnchantedGround，andinthatstuffycarriageIpresentlyfollowedtheexampleofHeedlessandToo-Boldandfellsoundasleep。

Iwasawakenedbythetrainrumblingoverthepointsofalittlemoorlandjunction。Sunkinapleasinglethargy，Isatwithmyeyesclosed，andthencovertlytookaglanceatmycompanion。HehadabandonedtheMissionaryChildandwasreadingalittledun-

colouredbook，andmarkingpassageswithapencil。Hisfacewasabsorbed，anditwasanewface，notthevacant，good-humouredlookofthegarrulousbagman，butsomethingshrewd，purposeful，andformidable。Iremainedhunchedupasifstillsleeping，andtriedtoseewhatthebookwas。Butmyeyes，goodastheyare，couldmakeoutnothingofthetextortitle，exceptthatIhadaverystrongimpressionthatthatbookwasnotwrittenintheEnglishtongue。

Iwokeabruptly，andleanedovertohim。Quickaslightningheslidhispenciluphissleeveandturnedonmewithafatuoussmile。

\'Whatd\'yemakeo\'this，MrMcCaskie？It\'saweebookIpickedupataroupalongwithfiftyothers。Ipaidfiveshillingsforthelot。

ItlookslikeGairman，butinmyyoungdaystheydidnateachusforeignlanguages。\'

Itookthethingandturnedoverthepages，tryingtokeepanysignofintelligenceoutofmyface。ItwasGermanrightenough，alittlemanualofhydrographywithnopublisher\'snameonit。IthadthelookofthekindoftextbookaGovernmentdepartmentmightissuetoitsofficials。

Ihandeditback。\'It\'seitherGermanorDutch。I\'mnotmuchofascholar，barringalittleFrenchandtheLatinIgotatHeriot\'sHospital……Thisisanawfulslowtrain，MrLinklater。\'

Thesoldierswereplayingnap，andthebagmanproposedagameofcards。IrememberedintimethatIwasanelderintheNethergateU。F。Churchandrefusedwithsomeasperity。AfterthatIshutmyeyesagain，forIwantedtothinkoutthisnewphenomenon。

ThefellowknewGerman-thatwasclear。HehadalsobeenseeninGresson\'scompany。Ididn\'tbelievehesuspectedme，thoughI

suspectedhimprofoundly。Itwasmybusinesstokeepstrictlytomypartandgivehimnocausetodoubtme。Hewasclearlypractisinghisownpartonme，andImustappeartotakehimliterallyonhisprofessions。So，presently，Iwokeupandengagedhiminadisputatiousconversationaboutthemoralityofsellingstrongliquors。Herespondedreadily，andputthecaseforalcoholwithmuchpointandvehemence。Thediscussioninterestedthesoldiers，andoneofthem，toshowhewasonLinklater\'sside，producedaflaskandofferedhimadrink。IconcludedbyobservingmoroselythatthebagmanhadbeenabettermanwhenhepeddledbooksforAlexanderMatheson，andthatputtheclosureonthebusiness。

Thattrainwasarecord。Itstoppedateverystation，andintheafternoonitsimplygottiredandsatdowninthemiddleofamoorandreflectedforanhour。Istuckmyheadoutofthewindownowandthen，andsmelttherootyfragranceofbogs，andwhenwehaltedonabridgeIwatchedthetroutinthepoolsofthebrownriver。ThenIsleptandsmokedalternately，andbegantogetfuriouslyhungry。

OnceIwoketohearthesoldiersdiscussingthewar。Therewasanargumentbetweenalance-corporalintheCameronsandasapperprivateaboutsometrivialincidentontheSomme。

\'ItellyeIwasthere，\'saidtheCameron。\'Wewererelievin\'theBlackWatch，andFritzwasshellingtheroad，andwedidnagetuptothelinetilloneo\'clockinthemornin\'。FraeFrickoutCircustothesouthendo\'theHighWoodiseverybito\'fivemile。\'

\'Notabunethree，\'saidthesapperdogmatically。

\'Man，I\'vetrampitit。\'

\'Samehere。Itookupwireeverynichtforaweek。\'

TheCameronlookedmoodilyroundthecompany。\'Iwishtherewasanithermanherethatkenttheplace。Hewadbearmeout。

Theseboysarenogood，fortheydidnajointilllater。Itellyeit\'sfivemile。\'

\'Three，\'saidthesapper。

Temperswererising，foreachofthedisputantsfelthisveracityassailed。ItwastoohotforaquarrelandIwassodrowsythatI

washeedless。

\'Shutup，youfools，\'Isaid。\'Thedistanceissixkilometres，soyou\'rebothwrong。\'

Mytonewassofamiliartothementhatitstoppedthewrangle，butitwasnotthetoneofapublisher\'straveller。MrLinklatercockedhisears。

\'What\'sakilometre，MrMcCaskie？\'heaskedblandly。

\'Multiplybyfiveanddividebyeightandyougetthemiles。\'

Iwasonmyguardnow，andtoldalongstoryofanephewwhohadbeenkilledontheSomme，andhowIhadcorrespondedwiththeWarOfficeabouthiscase。\'Besides，\'Isaid，\'I\'magreatstudento\'thenewspapers，andI\'vereadallthebooksaboutthewar。It\'sadifficulttimethisforusall，andifyoucantakeaseriousinterestinthecampaignithelpsalot。ImeanworkingouttheplacesonthemapandreadingHaig\'sdispatches。\'

\'Justso，\'hesaiddryly，andIthoughthewatchedmewithanoddlookinhiseyes。

Afreshideapossessedme。ThismanhadbeeninGresson\'scompany，heknewGerman，hewasobviouslysomethingverydifferentfromwhatheprofessedtobe。WhatifhewereintheemployofourownSecretService？IhadappearedoutofthevoidattheKyle，andIhadmadebutapoorappearanceasabagman，showingnoknowledgeofmyowntrade。Iwasinanareainterdictedtotheordinarypublic；andhehadgoodreasontokeepaneyeonmymovements。Hewasgoingsouth，andsowasI；clearlywemustsomehowpartcompany。

\'WechangeatMuirtown，don\'twe？\'Iasked。\'Whendoesthetrainforthesouthleave？\'

Heconsultedapockettimetable。\'Ten-thirty-three。There\'sgenerallyfourhourstowait，forwe\'redueinatsix-fifteen。Butthisauldhearsewillbeluckyifit\'sinbynine。\'

Hisforecastwascorrect。WerumbledoutofthehillsintohaughlandsandcaughtaglimpseoftheNorthSea。Thenwewerehungupwhilealonggoodstrainpasseddowntheline。ItwasalmostdarkwhenatlastwecrawledintoMuirtownstationanddisgorgedourloadofhotandwearysoldiery。

IbadeanostentatiousfarewelltoLinklater。\'Verypleasedtohavemetyou。I\'llseeyoulaterontheEdinburghtrain。I\'mforawalktostretchmylegs，andabiteo\'supper。\'Iwasverydeterminedthattheten-thirtyforthesouthshouldleavewithoutme。

Mynotionwastogetabedandamealinsomesecludedinn，andwalkoutnextmorningandpickupaslowtraindowntheline。

Linklaterhaddisappearedtowardstheguard\'svantofindhisluggage，andthesoldiersweresittingontheirpackswiththatairofbeingutterlyandfinallylostandneglectedwhichcharacterizestheBritishfighting-manonajourney。Igaveupmyticketand，sinceI

hadcomeoffanortherntrain，walkedunhinderedintothetown。

Itwasmarketnight，andthestreetswerecrowded。Blue-jacketsfromtheFleet，country-folkintoshop，andeverykindofmilitarydetailthrongedthepavements。Fish-hawkerswerecryingtheirwares，andtherewasatatterdemalionpipermakingthenighthideousatacorner。Itookatortuousrouteandfinallyfixedonamodest-lookingpublic-houseinabackstreet。WhenIinquiredforaroomIcouldfindnooneinauthority，butaslatternlygirlinformedmethattherewasonevacantbed，andthatIcouldhavehamandeggsinthebar。So，afterhittingmyheadviolentlyagainstacross-

beam，Istumbleddownsomestepsandenteredafrowstylittleplacesmellingofspiltbeerandstaletobacco。

Thepromisedhamandeggsprovedimpossible-therewerenoeggstobehadinMuirtownthatnight-butIwasgivencoldmuttonandapintofindifferentale。Therewasnobodyintheplacebuttwofarmersdrinkinghotwhiskyandwateranddiscussingwithsombreinteresttheriseinthepriceoffeeding-stuffs。Iatemysupper，andwasjustpreparingtofindthewhereaboutsofmybedroomwhenthroughthestreetdoorthereenteredadozensoldiers。

Inasecondthequietplacebecameababel。Themenwerestrictlysober；buttheywereinthattemperoffriendlinesswhichdemandsalibationofsomekind。Onewaspreparedtostandtreat；hewastheleaderofthelot，anditwastocelebratetheendofhisleavethathewasentertaininghispals。FromwhereIsatIcouldnotseehim，buthisvoicewasdominant。\'What\'syourfancy，jock？Beerforyou，Andra？Apintandadramforme。Thisisbetterthanvongblongandvongrooge，Davie。Man，whenI\'msittin\'inthoseestamints，astheyca\'them，IoftenlongforaguidScotspublic。\'

Thevoicewasfamiliar。Ishiftedmyseattogetaviewofthespeaker，andthenIhastilydrewback。ItwastheScotsFusilierIhadclippedonthejawindefendingGressonaftertheGlasgowmeeting。

Butbyastrangefatalityhehadcaughtsightofme。

\'Whae\'sthati\'thecorner？\'hecried，leavingthebartostareatme。

Nowitisaqueerthing，butifyouhaveoncefoughtwithaman，thoughonlyforafewseconds，yourememberhisface，andthescrapinGlasgowhadbeenunderalamp。Thejockrecognizedmewellenough。

\'ByGod！\'hecried，\'ifthisisnoabito\'luck！Boys，here\'sthemanIfeuchtwi\'inGlesca。YemindItelledyeaboutit。Helaidmeoot，andit\'smyturntodothesamewi\'him。IhadanotionIwasgauntomak\'anichto\'t。There\'snaebodycanhitGeordieHamiltonwithoutGeordiegettin\'hisainbacksomeday。Getup，man，forI\'mgauntoknocktheheidoffye。\'

Idulygotup，andwiththebestcomposureIcouldmusterlookedhimintheface。

\'You\'remistaken，myfriend。Ineverclappedeyesonyoubefore，andIneverwasinGlasgowinmylife。\'

\'That\'sadamnedlee，\'saidtheFusilier。\'Ye\'retheman，andifye\'reno，ye\'relikeenoughhimtoneedahidin\'！\'

\'Confoundyournonsense！\'Isaid。\'I\'venoquarrelwithyou，andI\'vebetterthingstodothanbescrappingwithastrangerinapublic-house。\'

\'Haveyesae？Well，I\'lllearnyebetter。I\'mgauntohitye，andthenye\'llhaetofechtwhetheryewantitorno。Tam，haudmyjacket，andseethatmydrink\'snoskailed。\'

Thiswasaninfernalnuisance，forarowherewouldbringinthepolice，andmydubiouspositionwouldbelaidbare。Ithoughtofputtingupafight，forIwascertainIcouldlayoutthejockasecondtime，buttheworstofthatwasthatIdidnotknowwherethethingwouldend。Imighthavetofightthelotofthem，andthatmeantanoblepublicshindy。Ididmybesttospeakmyopponentfair。Isaidwewereallgoodfriendsandofferedtostanddrinksfortheparty。ButtheFusilier\'sbloodwasupandhewasspoilingforarow，ablyabettedbyhiscomrades。Hehadhistunicoffnowandwasstampinginfrontofmewithdoubledfists。

IdidthebestthingIcouldthinkofinthecircumstances。Myseatwasclosetothestepswhichledtotheotherpartoftheinn。I

grabbedmyhat，dartedupthem，andbeforetheyrealizedwhatI

wasdoinghadboltedthedoorbehindme。Icouldhearpandemoniumbreaklooseinthebar。

Islippeddownadarkpassagetoanotherwhichranatrightanglestoit，andwhichseemedtoconnectthestreetdooroftheinnitselfwiththebackpremises。Icouldhearvoicesinthelittlehall，andthatstoppedmeshort。

OneofthemwasLinklater\'s，buthewasnottalkingasLinklaterhadtalked。HewasspeakingeducatedEnglish。IheardanotherwithaScotsaccent，whichItooktobethelandlord\'s，andathirdwhichsoundedlikesomesuperiorsortofconstable\'s，verypromptandofficial。Iheardonephrase，too，fromLinklater-\'HecallshimselfMcCaskie。\'Thentheystopped，fortheturmoilfromthebarhadreachedthefrontdoor。TheFusilierandhisfriendswerelookingformebytheotherentrance。

Theattentionofthemeninthehallwasdistracted，andthatgavemeachance。Therewasnothingforitbutthebackdoor。Islippedthroughitintoacourtyardandalmosttumbledoveratubofwater。

Iplantedthethingsothatanyonecomingthatwaywouldfalloverit。Adoorledmeintoanemptystable，andfromthatintoalane。Itwasallabsurdlyeasy，butasIstarteddownthelaneIheardamightyrowandthesoundofangryvoices。SomeonehadgoneintothetubandIhopeditwasLinklater。IhadtakenalikingtotheFusilierjock。

Therewasthebeginningofamoonsomewhere，butthatlanewasverydark。Irantotheleft，forontherightitlookedlikeacul-de-sac。Thisbroughtmeintoaquietroadoftwo-storiedcottageswhichshowedatoneendthelightsofastreet。SoItooktheotherway，forIwasn\'tgoingtohavethewholepopulationofMuirtownonthehue-and-cryafterme。Icameintoacountrylane，andIalsocameintothevanofthepursuit，whichmusthavetakenashortcut。Theyshoutedwhentheysawme，butIhadasmallstart，andleggeditdownthatroadinthebeliefthatIwasmakingforopencountry。

ThatwaswhereIwaswrong。Theroadtookmeroundtotheothersideofthetown，andjustwhenIwasbeginningtothinkI

hadafairchanceIsawbeforemethelightsofasignal-boxandalittletotheleftofitthelightsofthestation。Inhalfanhour\'stimetheEdinburghtrainwouldbeleaving，butIhadmadethatimpossible。