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BehindmeIcouldhearthepursuers，givingtonguelikehoundpuppies，fortheyhadattractedsomeprettydrunkengentlementotheirparty。
Iwasbadlypuzzledwheretoturn，whenInoticedoutsidethestationalonglineofblurredlights，whichcouldonlymeanatrainwiththecarriageblindsdown。Ithadanengineattachedandseemedtobewaitingfortheadditionofacoupleoftruckstostart。Itwasawildchance，buttheonlyoneIsaw。Iscrambledacrossapieceofwasteground，climbedanembankmentandfoundmyselfonthemetals。Iduckedunderthecouplingsandgotonthefarsideofthetrain，awayfromtheenemy。
Thensimultaneouslytwothingshappened。Iheardtheyellsofmypursuersadozenyardsoff，andthetrainjoltedintomotion。I
jumpedonthefootboard，andlookedintoanopenwindow。Thecompartmentwaspackedwithtroops，sixasideandtwomensittingonthefloor，andthedoorwaslocked。Idivedheadforemostthroughthewindowandlandedontheneckofawearywarriorwhohadjustdroppedofftosleep。
WhileIwasfallingImadeupmymindonmyconduct。Imustbeintoxicated，forIknewtheinfinitesympathyoftheBritishsoldiertowardsthosethusovertaken。Theypulledmetomyfeet，andthemanIhaddescendedonrubbedhisskullandblasphemouslydemandedexplanations。
\'Gen\'lmen，\'Ihiccoughed，\'I\'pologize。Iwaslateforthisbl-blightedtrainandImus\'beinE\'inburgh\'morroworI\'llgetthesack。I\'pologize。IfI\'vehurtmyfriend\'shead，I\'llkissitandmakeitwell。\'
Atthistherewasagreatlaugh。\'Ye\'dbetteraccept，Pete，\'saidone。\'It\'sthefirsttimeanybodyeverofferedtokissyouruglyheid。\'
AmanaskedmewhoIwas，andIappearedtobesearchingforacard-case。
\'Losht，\'Igroaned。\'Losht，andso\'smyweebagandI\'vebashedmypo\'hat。I\'manawfulsight，gen\'lmen-anawfulwarningtobeintimefortrains。I\'mJohnJohnstone，managingclerktoMessrsWatters，Brown&Elph\'stone，923Charl\'tteStreet，E\'inburgh。I\'vebeenupnorthseein\'mymamma。\'
\'YeshouldbeinFrance，\'saidoneman。
\'Wish\'tIwas，buttheywouldn\'tletme。“MrJohnstone，“theysaid，“ye\'renodamgood。Ye\'vevaricoseveinsandabadheart，“
theysaid。SoIsays，“Goodmornin\'，gen\'lmen。Don\'tblamemeifthecountry\'sru\'ned“。That\'swhatIsaid。\'
Ihadbythistimeoccupiedtheonlyremainingspaceleftonthefloor。Withthephilosophyoftheirracethemenhadacceptedmypresence，andwereturningagaintotheirowntalk。Thetrainhadgotupspeed，andasIjudgedittobeaspecialofsomekindI
lookedforfewstoppings。Moreoveritwasnotacorridorcarriage，butoneoftheold-fashionedkind，soIwassafeforatimefromtheunwelcomeattentionofconductors。Istretchedmylegsbelowtheseat，restedmyheadagainstthekneesofabrawnygunner，andsettleddowntomakethebestofit。
Myreflectionswerenotpleasant。Ihadgotdowntoofarbelowthesurface，andhadthenakedfeelingyougetinadreamwhenyouthinkyouhavegonetothetheatreinyournightgown。Ihadhadthreenamesintwodays，andasmanycharacters。IfeltasifIhadnohomeorpositionanywhere，andwasonlyastraydogwitheverybody\'shandandfootagainstme。Itwasanuglysensation，anditwasnotredeemedbyanyacutefearoranyknowledgeofbeingmixedupinsomedesperatedrama。IknewIcouldeasilygoontoEdinburgh，andwhenthepolicemadetrouble，astheywould，awiretoScotlandYardwouldsettlemattersinacoupleofhours。
Therewasn\'tasuspicionofbodilydangertorestoremydignity。
TheworstthatcouldhappenwouldbethatIverywouldhearofmybeingbefriendedbytheauthorities，andthepartIhadsettledtoplaywouldbeimpossible。Hewouldcertainlyhear。Ihadthegreatestrespectforhisintelligenceservice。
Yetthatwasbadenough。SofarIhaddonewell。IhadputGressonoffthescent。IhadfoundoutwhatBullivantwantedtoknow，andIhadonlytoreturnunostentatiouslytoLondontohavewonoutonthegame。Itoldmyselfallthat，butitdidn\'tcheermyspirits。Iwasfeelingmeanandhuntedandverycoldaboutthefeet。
ButIhaveatoughknuckleofobstinacyinmewhichmakesmeunwillingtogiveupathingtillIamfairlychokedoffit。Thechanceswerebadlyagainstme。TheScottishpolicewereactivelyinterestedinmymovementsandwouldbereadytowelcomemeatmyjourney\'send。Ihadruinedmyhat，andmyclothes，asAmoshadobserved，werenotrespectable。Ihadgotridofafour-days\'
beardthenightbefore，buthadcutmyselfintheprocess，andwhatwithmyweather-beatenfaceandtangledhairlookedlikeratinkerthanadecentbagman。IthoughtwithlongingofmyportmanteauinthePentlandHotel，Edinburgh，andtheneatbluesergesuitandthecleanlinenthatreposedinit。Itwasnocaseforasubtlegame，forIheldnocards。StillIwasdeterminednottochuckinmyhandtillIwasforcedto。IfthetrainstoppedanywhereIwouldgetout，andtrusttomyownwitsandthestandingluckoftheBritishArmyfortherest。
Thechancecamejustafterdawn，whenwehaltedatalittlejunction。Igotupyawningandtriedtoopenthedoor，tillI
remembereditwaslocked。ThereuponIstuckmylegsoutofthewindowonthesideawayfromtheplatform，andwasimmediatelyseizeduponbyasleepySeaforthwhothoughtIcontemplatedsuicide。
\'Letmego，\'Isaid。\'I\'llbebackinajiffy。\'
\'Lethimgang，jock，\'saidanothervoice。\'Yekenwhataman\'slikewhenhe\'sbeenonthebash。Thecauldair\'llsoberhim。\'
Iwasreleased，andaftersomegymnasticsdroppedonthemetalsandmademywayroundtherearofthetrain。AsIclamberedontheplatformitbegantomove，andafacelookedoutofoneofthebackcarriages。ItwasLinklaterandherecognizedme。Hetriedtogetout，butthedoorwaspromptlyslammedbyanindignantporter。Iheardhimprotest，andhekepthisheadouttillthetrainwentroundthecurve。Thatcookedmygooseallright。Hewouldwiretothepolicefromthenextstation。
Meantimeinthatclean，bare，chillyplacetherewasonlyonetraveller。Hewasaslimyoungman，withakit-bagandagun-case。
Hisclotheswerebeautiful，agreenHomburghat，asmartgreentweedovercoat，andbootsasbrightlypolishedasahorsechestnut。
IcaughthisprofileashegaveuphisticketandtomyamazementI
recognizedit。
Thestation-masterlookedaskanceatmeasIpresentedmyself，dilapidatedanddishevelled，totheofficialgaze。Itriedtospeakinatoneofauthority。
\'Whoisthemanwhohasjustgoneout？\'
\'Whaur\'syourticket？\'
\'IhadnotimetogetoneatMuirtown，andasyouseeIhaveleftmyluggagebehindme。TakeitoutofthatpoundandI\'llcomebackforthechange。IwanttoknowifthatwasSirArchibaldRoylance。\'
Helookedsuspiciouslyatthenote。\'Ithinkthat\'sthename。He\'sacaptainupattheFleein\'School。Whatwasyewantin\'withhim？\'
Ichargedthroughthebooking-officeandfoundmymanabouttoenterabiggreymotor-car。
\'Archie，\'Icriedandbeathimontheshoulders。
Heturnedroundsharply。\'Whatthedevil-！Whoareyou？\'
Andthenrecognitioncreptintohisfaceandhegaveajoyousshout。\'Myholyaunt！TheGeneraldisguisedasCharlieChaplin！CanIdriveyouanywhere，sir？\'
CHAPTERNINE
ITaketheWingsofaDove\'Drivemesomewheretobreakfast，Archie，\'Isaid，\'forI\'mperishinghungry。\'
HeandIgotintothetonneau，andthedriverswungusoutofthestationroadupalonginclineofhill。SirArchiehadbeenoneofmysubalternsintheoldLennoxHighlanders，andhadleftusbeforetheSommetojointheFlyingCorps。IhadheardthathehadgothiswingsandhaddonewellbeforeArras，andwasnowtrainingpilotsathome。Hehadbeenalight-heartedyouth，whohadenduredagooddealofrough-tonguingfrommeforhissinsofomission。ButitwasthecasualclassofladIwaslookingfornow。
Isawhimstealamusedglancesatmyappearance。
\'Beenseein\'abitoflife，sir？\'heinquiredrespectfully。
\'I\'mbeinghuntedbythepolice，\'Isaid。
\'Dirtydogs！Butdon\'tworry，sir；we\'llgetyouoffallright。I\'vebeeninthesamefixmyself。Youcanliesnuginmylittleloghut，forthatoldimageGibbonswon\'tblab。Or，tellyouwhat，I\'vegotanauntwholivesnearhereandshe\'sabitofasportsman。Youcanhideinhermoatedgrangetillthebobbiesgettired。\'
IthinkitwasArchie\'scalmacceptanceofmypositionasnaturalandbecomingthatrestoredmygoodtemper。HewasfartoowellbredtoaskwhatcrimeIhadcommitted，andIdidn\'tproposetoenlightenhimmuch。ButasweswungupthemoorlandroadIlethimknowthatIwasservingtheGovernment，butthatitwasnecessarythatIshouldappeartobeunauthenticatedandthatthereforeImustdodgethepolice。Hewhistledhisappreciation。
\'Gad，that\'sadeepgame。Sortofcamouflage？Speakingfrommyexperienceitiseasytooverdothatkindofstunt。WhenIwasatMisieuxtheFrenchstartedouttocamouflagethecaravanswheretheykeeptheirpigeons，andtheydiditsodamnedwellthatthepoorlittlebirdscouldn\'thit\'emoff，andspentthenightout。\'
Weenteredthewhitegatesofabigaerodrome，skirtedaforestoftentsandhuts，anddrewupatashantyonthefarconfinesoftheplace。Thehourwashalfpastfour，andtheworldwasstillasleep。
Archienoddedtowardsoneofthehangars，fromthemouthofwhichprojectedthepropellerendofanaeroplane。
\'I\'mbywayofflyin\'thatbusdowntoFarntontomorrow，\'heremarked。\'It\'sthenewShark-Gladas。Gotamouthlikeatree。\'
Anideaflashedintomymind。
\'You\'regoingthismorning，\'Isaid。
\'Howdidyouknow？\'heexclaimed。\'I\'mduetogotoday，butthegrouseupinCaithnesswantedshootin\'sobadlythatIdecidedtowangleanotherday\'sleave。Theycan\'texpectamantostartforthesouthofEnglandwhenhe\'sjustoffafrowsyjourney。\'
\'Allthesameyou\'regoingtobeastoutfellowandstartintwohours\'time。Andyou\'regoingtotakemewithyou。\'
Hestaredblankly，andthenburstintoaroaroflaughter。\'You\'rethemantogotiger-shootin\'with。Butwhatpricemycommandant？
He\'snotabadchap，butatrifleshaggyaboutthefetlocks。Hewon\'tappreciatethejoke。\'
\'Heneedn\'tknow。Hemustn\'tknow。Thisisanaffairbetweenyouandmetillit\'sfinished。IpromiseyouI\'llmakeitallsquarewiththeFlyingCorps。GetmedowntoFarntonbeforeevening，andyou\'llhavedoneagoodpieceofworkforthecountry。\'
\'Right-o！Let\'shaveatubandabitofbreakfast，andthenI\'myourman。I\'lltellthemtogetthebusready。\'
InArchie\'sbedroomIwashedandshavedandborrowedagreentweedcapandabrand-newAquascutum。Thelattercoveredthedeficienciesofmyraiment，andwhenIcommandeeredapairofglovesIfeltalmostrespectable。Gibbons，whoseemedtobeajack-of-all-trades，cookedussomebaconandanomelette，andasheateArchieyarned。Inthebattalionhisconversationhadbeenmostlyofrace-meetingsandtheforsakendelightsoftown，butnowhehadforgottenallthat，and，likeeverygoodairmanIhaveeverknown，wallowedenthusiasticallyin\'shop\'。IhaveadeeprespectfortheFlyingCorps，butitisapttochangeitsjargoneverymonth，anditsconversationishardforthelaymantofollow。Hewasdesperatelykeenaboutthewar，whichhesawwhollyfromtheviewpointoftheair。Arrastohimwasoverbeforetheinfantrycrossedthetop，andthetoughbitoftheSommewasOctober，notSeptember。Hecalculatedthatthebigair-fightinghadnotcomealongyet，andallhehopedforwastobeallowedouttoFrancetohavehisshareinit。Likeallgoodairmen，too，hewasverymodestabouthimself。
\'I\'vedoneabitofsteeple-chasin\'andhuntin\'andI\'vegoodhandsforahorse，soIcanhandleabusfairlywell。It\'sallamatterofhands，youknow。Thereain\'thalftheriskoftheinfantrydownbelowyou，andamilliontimesthefun。jollygladIchanged，sir。\'
WetalkedofPeter，andheputhimabouttop。Voss，hethought，wastheonlyBochethatcouldcomparewithhim，forhehadn\'tmadeuphismindaboutLensch。TheFrenchmanGuynemerherankedhigh，butinadifferentway。IrememberhehadnorespectforRichthofenandhiscelebratedcircus。
Atsixsharpwewerereadytogo。Acoupleofmechanicshadgotoutthemachine，andArchieputonhiscoatandglovesandclimbedintothepilot\'sseat，whileIsqueezedinbehindintheobserver\'splace。Theaerodromewaswakingup，butIsawnoofficersabout。
WewerescarcelyseatedwhenGibbonscalledourattentiontoamotor-carontheroad，andpresentlyweheardashoutandsawmenwavinginourdirection。
\'Bettergetoff，mylad，\'Isaid。\'Theselooklikemyfriends。\'
Theenginestartedandthemechanicsstoodclear。AswetaxiedovertheturfIlookedbackandsawseveralfiguresrunninginourdirection。Thenextsecondwehadleftthebumpyearthforthesmoothhighroadoftheair。
Ihadflownseveraldozentimesbefore，generallyovertheenemylineswhenIwantedtoseeformyselfhowthelandlay。Thenwehadflownlow，andbeennicelydustedbytheHunArchies，nottospeakofanoccasionalmachine-gun。ButnevertillthathourhadI
realizedthejoyofastraightflightinaswiftplaneinperfectweather。Archiedidn\'tlosetime。Soonthehangarsbehindlookedlikeachild\'stoys，andtheworldranawayfromustillitseemedlikeagreatgoldenbowlspillingoverwiththequintessenceoflight。Theairwascoldandmyhandsnumbed，butIneverfeltthem。Aswethrobbedandtoresouthward，sometimesbumpingineddies，sometimesswimmingevenlyinastreamofmotionlessether，myheadandheartgrewaslightasaboy\'s。Iforgotallaboutthevexationsofmyjobandsawonlyitsjoyfulcomedy。Ididn\'tthinkthatanythingonearthcouldworrymeagain。Fartotheleftwasawedgeofsilverandbesideitaclusteroftoyhouses。ThatmustbeEdinburgh，wherereposedmyportmanteau，andwhereamostefficientpoliceforcewasnowinquiringforme。AtthethoughtI
laughedsoloudthatArchiemusthaveheardme。Heturnedround，sawmygrinningface，andgrinnedback。Thenhesignalledtometostrapmyselfin。Iobeyed，andheproceededtopractise\'stunts\'-
theloop，thespinningnose-dive，andothersIdidn\'tknowthenamesof。Itwasgloriousfun，andhehandledhismachineasagoodridercoaxesanervoushorseoverastiffhurdle。Hehadthatextrasomethinginhisbloodthatmakesthegreatpilot。
Presentlythechessboardofgreenandbrownhadchangedtoadeeppurplewithfaintsilverylineslikeveinsinarock。WewerecrossingtheBorderhills，theplacewhereIhadleggeditforwearydayswhenIwasmixedupintheBlackStonebusiness。Whatamarvellouselementwasthisair，whichtookonefarabovethefatiguesofhumanity！Archiehaddonewelltochange。Peterhadbeenthewiseman。IfeltatremendouspityformyoldfriendhobblingaboutaGermanprison-yard，whenhehadonceflownahawk。IreflectedthatIhadwastedmylifehitherto。AndthenI
rememberedthatallthisgloryhadonlyoneuseinwarandthatwastohelpthemuddyBritishinfantrymantodownhisHunopponent。
Hewasthefellow，afterall，thatdecidedbattles，andthethoughtcomfortedme。
Agreatexhilarationisoftentheprecursorofdisaster，andminewastohaveasuddendownfall。ItwasgettingonfornoonandwewerewellintoEngland-IguessedfromtheriverswehadpassedthatweweresomewhereinthenorthofYorkshire-whenthemachinebegantomakeoddsounds，andwebumpedinperfectlycalmpatchesofair。Wedivedandthenclimbed，buttheconfoundedthingkeptsputtering。Archiepassedbackaslipofpaperonwhichhehadscribbled:\'Engineconked。MustlandatMicklegill。Verysorry。\'Sowedroppedtoalowerelevationwherewecouldseeclearlythehousesandroadsandthelongswellingridgesofamoorlandcountry。Icouldneverhavefoundmywayabout，butArchie\'spractisedeyekneweverylandmark。Weweretrundlingalongveryslowlynow，andevenIwassoonabletopickupthehangarsofabigaerodrome。
WemadeMicklegill，butonlybytheskinofourteeth。WeweresolowthatthesmokychimneysofthecityofBradfieldsevenmilestotheeastwerehalfhiddenbyaridgeofdown。Archieachievedacleverdescentintheleeofabeltoffirs，andgotoutfullofimprecationsagainsttheGladasengine。\'I\'llgouptothecampandreport，\'hesaid，\'andsendmechanicsdowntotinkerthisdarnedgramophone。You\'dbettergoforawalk，sir。Idon\'twanttoanswerquestionsaboutyoutillwe\'rereadytostart。Ireckonit\'llbeanhour\'sjob。\'
ThecheerfulnessIhadacquiredintheupperairstillfilledme。I
satdowninaditch，asmerryasasand-boy，andlitapipe。Iwaspossessedbyaboyishspiritofcasualadventure，andwaitedonthenextturnoffortune\'swheelwithonlyapleasantamusement。
Thatturnwasnotlongincoming。Archieappearedverybreathless。
\'Lookhere，sir，there\'sthedeuceofarowupthere。They\'vebeenwirin\'aboutyoualloverthecountry，andtheyknowyou\'rewithme。They\'vegotthepolice，andthey\'llhaveyouinfiveminutesifyoudon\'tlegit。Iliedlikebilly-oandsaidIhadneverheardofyou，butthey\'recomin\'toseeforthemselves。ForGod\'ssakegetoff……You\'dbetterkeepincoverdownthathollowandroundthebackofthesetrees。I\'llstayhereandtrytobrazenitout。
I\'llgetstrafedtoblazesanyhow……Ihopeyou\'llgetmeoutofthescrape，sir。\'
\'Don\'tyouworry，mylad，\'Isaid。\'I\'llmakeitallsquarewhenI
getbacktotown。I\'llmakeforBradfield，forthisplaceisabitconspicuous。Goodbye，Archie。You\'reagoodchapandI\'llseeyoudon\'tsuffer。\'
Istartedoffdownthehollowofthemoor，tryingtomakespeedatoneforlackofstrategy，foritwashardtoknowhowmuchmypursuerscommandedfromthathigherground。Theymusthaveseenme，forIheardwhistlesblownandmen\'scries。Istruckaroad，crossedit，andpassedaridgefromwhichIhadaviewofBradfieldsixmilesoff。AndasIranIbegantoreflectthatthiskindofchasecouldnotlastlong。Theywereboundtoroundmeupinthenexthalf-hourunlessIcouldpuzzlethem。Butinthatbaregreenplacetherewasnocover，anditlookedasifmychanceswereprettymuchthoseofaharecoursedbyagoodgreyhoundonanakedmoor。
Suddenlyfromjustinfrontofmecameafamiliarsound。Itwastheroarofguns-theslamoffield-batteriesandtheboomofsmallhowitzers。IwonderedifIhadgoneoffmyhead。AsIploddedontherattleofmachine-gunswasadded，andovertheridgebeforemeIsawthedustandfumesofburstingshells。IconcludedthatIwasnotmad，andthatthereforetheGermansmusthavelanded。I
crawledupthelastslope，quiteforgettingthepursuitbehindme。
AndthenI\'mblessedifIdidnotlookdownonaveritablebattle。
Thereweretwosetsoftrencheswithbarbedwireandallthefixings，onesetfilledwithtroopsandtheotherempty。Ontheselattershellswerebursting，buttherewasnosignoflifeinthem。Intheotherlinesthereseemedthebetterpartoftwobrigades，andthefirsttrenchwasstiffwithbayonets。MyfirstthoughtwasthatHomeForceshadgonedotty，forthiskindofshowcouldhavenosortoftrainingvalue。AndthenIsawotherthings-camerasandcamera-menonplatformsontheflanks，andmenwithmegaphonesbehindthemonwoodenscaffoldings。Oneofthemegaphoneswasgoingfullblastallthetime。
Isawthemeaningoftheperformanceatlast。Somemovie-
merchanthadgotagraftwiththeGovernment，andtroopshadbeenturnedouttomakeawarfilm。ItoccurredtomethatifIweremixedupinthatpushImightgetthecoverIwaslookingfor。I
scurrieddownthehilltothenearestcamera-man。
AsIran，thefirstwaveoftroopswentoverthetop。Theydidituncommonwell，fortheyenteredintothespiritofthething，andwentoverwithgrimfacesandthatslow，purposefullopethatIhadseeninmyownfellowsatArras。Smokegrenadesburstamongthem，andnowandthensomeresourcefulmountebankwouldrollover。AltogetheritwasaboutthebestshowIhaveeverseen。Thecamerasclicked，thegunsbanged，abackgroundofboyscoutsapplauded，andthedustroseinbillowstothesky。
Butallthesamesomethingwaswrong。Icouldimaginethatthiskindofbusinesstookagooddealofplanningfromthepointofviewofthemovie-merchant，forhispurposewasnotthesameasthatoftheofficerincommand。Youknowhowaphotographerfinicksaboutandisdissatisfiedwithaposethatseemsallrighttohissitter。Ishouldhavethoughtthespectacleenoughtogetanycinemaaudienceofftheirfeet，butthemanonthescaffoldingnearmejudgeddifferently。Hemadehismegaphoneboomliketheswan-songofadyingbuffalo。Hewantedtochangesomethinganddidn\'tknowhowtodoit。Hehoppedononeleg；hetookthemegaphonefromhismouthtocurse；hewaveditlikeabannerandyelledatsomeoppositenumberontheotherflank。Andthenhispatienceforsookhimandheskippeddowntheladder，droppinghismegaphone，pastthecamera-men，ontothebattlefield。
Thatwashisundoing。Hegotinthewayofthesecondwaveandwasswalloweduplikealeafinatorrent。ForamomentIsawaredfaceandaloud-checkedsuit，andtherestwassilence。Hewascarriedonoverthehill，orrolledintoanenemytrench，butanyhowhewaslosttomyken。
Ibaggedhismegaphoneandhoppedupthestepstotheplatform。
AtlastIsawachanceoffirst-classcover，forwithArchie\'scoatandcapImadeaverygoodappearanceasamovie-merchant。Twowaveshadgoneoverthetop，andthecinema-men，workinglikebeavers，hadfilmedthelot。Buttherewasstillafairamountoftroopstoplaywith，andIdeterminedtotangleupthatoutfitsothatthefellowswhowereaftermewouldhavebetterthingstothinkabout。
MyadvantagewasthatIknewhowtocommandmen。Icouldseethatmyoppositenumberwiththemegaphonewashelpless，forthemistakewhichhadsweptmymanintoashell-holehadreducedhimtoimpotence。ThetroopsseemedtobemainlyinchargeofN。C。O。s(Icouldimaginethattheofficerswouldtrytoshirkthisbusiness)，andanN。C。O。isthemostliteralcreatureonearth。SowithmymegaphoneIproceededtochangethebattleorder。
Ibroughtupthethirdwavetothefronttrenches。Inaboutthreeminutesthemenhadrecognizedtheprofessionaltouchandweremovingsmartlytomyorders。Theythoughtitwaspartoftheshow，andtheobedientcamerasclickedateverythingthatcameintotheirorbit。Myaimwastodeploythetroopsontoonarrowafrontsothattheywereboundtofanoutward，andIhadtobequickaboutit，forIdidn\'tknowwhenthehaplessmovie-merchantmightberetrievedfromthebattle-fieldanddisputemyauthority。
Ittakesalongtimetostraightenathingout，butitdoesnottakelongtotangleit，especiallywhenthethingissodelicateamachineasdisciplinedtroops。InabouteightminutesIhadproducedchaos。Theflanksspreadout，inspiteofalltheshepherdingoftheN。C。O。s，andthefringeengulfedthephotographers。Thecamerasontheirlittleplatformswentdownlikeninepins。Itwassolemntoseethestartledfaceofaphotographer，takenunawares，supplicatingthepurposefulinfantry，beforehewassweptoffhisfeetintospeechlessness。
Itwasnoplaceformetolingerin，soIchuckedawaythemegaphoneandgotmixedupwiththetailofthethirdwave。Iwassweptonandcametoanchorintheenemytrenches，whereIfound，asIexpected，myprofaneandbreathlesspredecessor，themovie-
merchant。Ihadnothingtosaytohim，soIstucktothetrenchtillitendedagainsttheslopeofthehill。
Onthatflank，deliriouswithexcitement，stoodaknotofboyscouts。MybusinesswastogettoBradfieldasquickasmylegswouldtakeme，andasinconspicuouslyasthegodswouldpermit。
UnhappilyIwasfartoogreatanobjectofinteresttothatnurseryofheroes。Everyboyscoutisanamateurdetectiveandhungryforknowledge。Iwasfollowedbyseveral，whopliedmewithquestions，andweretoldthatIwasofftoBradfieldtohurryuppartofthecinemaoutfit。Itsoundedlameenough，forthatcinemaoutfitwasalreadypastprayingfor。
Wereachedtheroadandagainstastonewallstoodseveralbicycles。Iselectedoneandpreparedtomount。
\'That\'sMrEmmott\'smachine，\'saidoneboysharply。\'Hetoldmetokeepaneyeonit。\'
\'Imustborrowit，sonny，\'Isaid。\'MrEmmott\'smyverygoodfriendandwon\'tobject。\'
FromtheplacewherewestoodIoverlookedthebackofthebattle-fieldandcouldseeananxiouscongressofofficers。Icouldseeothers，too，whoseappearanceIdidnotlike。TheyhadnotbeentherewhenIoperatedonthemegaphone。TheymusthavecomedownhillfromtheaerodromeandinalllikelihoodwerethepursuersIhadavoided。TheexhilarationwhichIhadwonintheairandwhichhadcarriedmeintothetomfooleryofthepasthalf-hourwasebbing。Ihadthehuntedfeelingoncemore，andgrewmiddle-agedandcautious。Ihadabaddishrecordfortheday，whatwithgettingArchieintoascrapeandbustingupanofficialcinemashow-
neitherconsistentwiththedutiesofabrigadier-general。Besides，I
hadstilltogettoLondon。
Ihadnotgonetwohundredyardsdowntheroadwhenaboyscout，pedallingfuriously，cameupabreastme。
\'ColonelEdgeworthwantstoseeyou，\'hepanted。\'You\'retocomebackatonce。\'
\'TellhimIcan\'twaitnow，\'Isaid。\'I\'llpaymyrespectstohiminanhour。\'
\'Hesaidyouweretocomeatonce，\'saidthefaithfulmessenger。
\'He\'sinanawfultemperwithyou，andhe\'sgotbobbieswithhim。\'
Iputonpaceandlefttheboybehind。IreckonedIhadthebetterpartoftwomiles\'startandcouldbeatanythingexceptpetrol。Butmyenemieswereboundtohavecars，soIhadbettergetofftheroadassoonaspossible。Icoasteddownalonghilltoabridgewhichspannedasmalldiscolouredstreamthatflowedinawoodedglen。Therewasnobodyforthemomentonthehillbehindme，soI
slippedintothecovert，shovedthebicycleunderthebridge，andhidArchie\'saquascutuminabramblethicket。IwasnowinmyowndisreputabletweedsandIhopedthatthesheddingofmymostconspicuousgarmentwouldpuzzlemypursuersiftheyshouldcatchupwithme。
ButthisIwasdeterminedtheyshouldnotdo。Imadegoodgoingdownthatstreamandoutintoalanewhichledfromthedownstothemarket-gardensroundthecity。IthankedHeavenI
hadgotridoftheaquascutum，fortheAugustafternoonwaswarmandmypacewasnotleisurely。WhenIwasinsecludedgroundI
ran，andwhenanyonewasinsightIwalkedsmartly。
AsIwentIreflectedthatBradfieldwouldseetheendofmyadventures。ThepoliceknewthatIwasthereandwouldwatchthestationsandhuntmedownifIlingeredintheplace。Iknewnoonethereandhadnochanceofgettinganeffectivedisguise。IndeedI
verysoonbegantowonderifIshouldgetevenasfarasthestreets。
ForatthemomentwhenIhadgotaliftonthebackofafishmonger\'scartandwasscreenedbyitsflappingcanvas，twofigurespassedonmotor-bicycles，andoneofthemwastheinquisitiveboyscout。Themainroadfromtheaerodromewasprobablynowbeingpatrolledbymotor-cars。Itlookedasiftherewouldbeadegradingarrestinoneofthesuburbs。
Thefish-cart，helpedbyhalfacrowntothedriver，tookmepasttheoutlyingsmall-villadom，betweenlonglinesofworkmen\'shouses，tonarrowcobbledlanesandthepurlieusofgreatfactories。
AssoonasIsawthestreetswellcrowdedIgotoutandwalked。InmyoldclothesImusthaveappearedlikesomesecond-classbookieorseedyhorse-coper。TheonlyrespectablethingIhadaboutmewasmygoldwatch。Ilookedatthetimeandfoundithalfpastfive。
Iwantedfoodandwascastingaboutforaneating-housewhenIheardthepurrofamotor-cycleandacrosstheroadsawtheintelligentboyscout。Hesawme，too，andputonthebrakewithasharpnesswhichcausedhimtoskidandallbutcometogriefunderthewheelsofawool-wagon。Thatgavemetimetoeffacemyselfbydartingupasidestreet。IhadanunpleasantsensethatIwasabouttobetrapped，forinaplaceIknewnothingofIhadnotachancetousemywits。
Iremembertryingfeverishlytothink，andIsupposethatmypreoccupationmademecareless。Iwasnowinaveritableslum，andwhenIputmyhandtomyvestpocketIfoundthatmywatchhadgone。
Thatputthetopstoneonmydepression。Thereactionfromthewildburnoutoftheforenoonhadleftmeverycoldaboutthefeet。I
wasgettingintotheunder-worldagainandtherewasnochanceofasecondArchieRoylanceturninguptorescueme。Irememberyetthesoursmellofthefactoriesandthemistofsmokeintheeveningair。
ItisasmellIhavenevermetsincewithoutasortofdullingofspirit。
PresentlyIcameoutintoamarket-place。Whistleswereblowing，andtherewasagreathurryingofpeoplebackfromthemills。Thecrowdgavemeamomentarysenseofsecurity，andIwasjustabouttoinquiremywaytotherailwaystationwhensomeonejostledmyarm。
Arough-lookingfellowinmechanic\'sclotheswasbesideme。
\'Mate，\'hewhispered。\'I\'vegotsummato\'yourshere。\'Andtomyamazementheslippedmywatchintomyhand。
\'Itwastookbymistake。We\'refriendso\'yours。You\'rerightenoughifyoudowhatItellyou。There\'sapeelerovertheregothiseyeonyou。FollowmeandI\'llgetyouoff。\'
Ididn\'tmuchliketheman\'slooks，butIhadnochoice，andanyhowhehadgivenmebackmywatch。HesidledintoanalleybetweentallhousesandIsidledafterhim。Thenhetooktohisheels，andledmeatwistingcoursethroughsmellycourtsintoatanyardandthenbyanarrowlanetotheback-quartersofafactory。
Twicewedoubledback，andonceweclimbedawallandfollowedthebankofablue-blackstreamwithafilthyscumonit。Thenwegotintoaverymeanquarterofthetown，andemergedinadingygarden，strewnwithtincansandbrokenflowerpots。Byabackdoorweenteredoneofthecottagesandmyguideverycarefullylockeditbehindhim。
Helitthegasanddrewtheblindsinasmallparlourandlookedatmelongandquizzically。Hespokenowinaneducatedvoice。
\'Iasknoquestions，\'hesaid，\'butit\'smybusinesstoputmyservicesatyourdisposal。Youcarrythepassport。\'
Istaredathim，andhepulledouthiswatchandshowedawhite-
and-purplecrossinsidethelid。
\'Idon\'tdefendallthepeopleweemploy，\'hesaid，grinning。
\'Men\'smoralsarenotalwaysasgoodastheirpatriotism。Oneofthempinchedyourwatch，andwhenhesawwhatwasinsideithereportedtome。Wesoonpickedupyourtrail，andobservedyouwereinabitoftrouble。AsIsay，Iasknoquestions。Whatcanwedoforyou？\'
\'IwanttogettoLondonwithoutanyquestionsasked。They\'relookingformeinmypresentrig，soI\'vegottochangeit。\'
\'That\'seasyenough，\'hesaid。\'MakeyourselfcomfortableforalittleandI\'llfixyouup。Thenighttraingoesateleven-thirty……
You\'llfindcigarsinthecupboardandthere\'sthisweek\'s_Criticonthattable。It\'sgotagoodarticleonConrad，ifyoucareforsuchthings。\'
Ihelpedmyselftoacigarandspentaprofitablehalf-hourreadingaboutthevicesoftheBritishGovernment。Thenmyhostreturnedandbademeascendtohisbedroom。\'You\'rePrivateHenryTomkinsofthe12thGloucesters，andyou\'llfindyourclothesreadyforyou。I\'llsendonyourpresenttogsifyougivemeanaddress。\'
IdidasIwasbid，andpresentlyemergedintheuniformofaBritishprivate，completedowntotheshapelessbootsandthedropsicalputtees。Thenmyfriendtookmeinhandandfinishedthetransformation。Hestartedonmyhairwithscissorsandarrangedalockwhich，whenwelloiled，curledovermyforehead。Myhandswerehardandroughandonlyneededsomegrubbinessandhackingaboutthenailstopassmuster。Withmycaponthesideofmyhead，apackonmyback，aservicerifleinmyhands，andmypocketsburstingwithpennypicturepapers，IwastheverymodeloftheBritishsoldierreturningfromleave。IhadalsoapacketofWoodbinecigarettesandahunchofbread-and-cheeseforthejourney。AndIhadarailwaywarrantmadeoutinmynameforLondon。
Thenmyfriendgavemesupper-breadandcoldmeatandabottleofBass，whichIwolfedsavagely，forIhadhadnothingsincebreakfast。Hewasacuriousfellow，asdiscreetasatombstone，veryreadytospeakaboutgeneralsubjects，butneveroncecomingneartheintimatebusinesswhichhadlinkedhimandmeandHeavenknewhowmanyothersbymeansofalittlepurple-and-whitecrossinawatch-case。IrememberwetalkedaboutthetopicsthatusedtobepopularatBiggleswick-thebigpoliticalthingsthatbeginwithcapitalletters。HetookAmos\'sviewofthesoundnessoftheBritishworking-man，buthesaidsomethingwhichmademethink。HewasconvincedthattherewasatremendouslotofGermanspyworkabout，andthatmostofthepractitionerswereinnocent。
\'TheordinaryBritondoesn\'truntotreason，buthe\'snotverybright。Aclevermaninthatkindofgamecanmakebetteruseofafoolthanarogue。\'
Ashesawmeoffhegavemeapieceofadvice。\'GetoutoftheseclothesassoonasyoureachLondon。PrivateTomkinswillfrankyououtofBradfield，butitmightn\'tbeahealthyaliasinthemetropolis。\'
Ateleven-thirtyIwassafeinthetrain，talkingthejargonofthereturningsoldierwithhalfadozenofmyowntypeinasmokythird-classcarriage。Ihadbeenluckyinmyescape，foratthestationentranceandontheplatformIhadnoticedseveralmenwiththeunmistakablelookofplainclothespolice。Also-thoughthismayhavebeenmyfancy-IthoughtIcaughtinthecrowdaglimpseofthebagmanwhohadcalledhimselfLinklater。
CHAPTERTEN
TheAdvantagesofanAirRaidThetrainwasabominablylate。Itwasdueateight-twenty-seven，butitwasnearlytenwhenwereachedStPancras。IhadresolvedtogostraighttomyroomsinWestminster，buyingonthewayacapandwaterprooftoconcealmyuniformshouldanyonebenearmydooronmyarrival。ThenIwouldringupBlenkironandtellhimallmyadventures。Ibreakfastedatacoffee-stall，leftmypackandrifleinthecloak-room，andwalkedoutintotheclearsunnymorning。
Iwasfeelingverypleasedwithmyself。Lookingbackonmymadcapjourney，Iseemedtohavehadanamazingrunofluckandtobeentitledtoalittlecredittoo。Itoldmyselfthatpersistencealwayspaysandthatnobodyisbeatentillheisdead。AllBlenkiron\'sinstructionshadbeenfaithfullycarriedout。IhadfoundIvery\'spostoffice。Ihadlaidthelinesofourownspecialcommunicationswiththeenemy，andsofarasIcouldseeIhadleftnocluebehindme。IveryandGressontookmeforawell-meaningnincompoop。ItwastruethatIhadarousedprofoundsuspicioninthebreastsoftheScottishpolice。Butthatmatterednothing，forCorneliusBrand，thesuspect，wouldpresentlydisappear，andtherewasnothingagainstthatrisingsoldier，Brigadier-GeneralRichardHannay，whowouldsoonbeonhiswaytoFrance。Afterallthispieceofservicehadnotbeensoveryunpleasant。IlaughedwhenIrememberedmygrimforebodingsinGloucestershire。Bullivanthadsaiditwouldbedamnablyriskyinthelongrun，butherewastheendandIhadneverbeenindangerofanythingworsethanmakingafoolofmyself。
Irememberthat，asImademywaythroughBloomsbury，IwasnotthinkingsomuchofmytriumphantreporttoBlenkironasofmyspeedyreturntotheFront。SoonIwouldbewithmybelovedbrigadeagain。IhadmissedMessinesandthefirstpartofThirdYpres，butthebattlewasstillgoingon，andIhadyetachance。I
mightgetadivision，fortherehadbeentalkofthatbeforeIleft。I
knewtheArmyCommanderthoughtalotofme。ButonthewholeIhopedIwouldbeleftwiththebrigade。AfterallIwasanamateursoldier，andIwasn\'tcertainofmypowerswithabiggercommand。
InCharingCrossRoadIthoughtofMary，andthebrigadeseemedsuddenlylessattractive。Ihopedthewarwouldn\'tlastmuchlonger，thoughwithRussiaheadingstraightforthedevilI
didn\'tknowhowitwasgoingtostopverysoon。IwasdeterminedtoseeMarybeforeIleft，andIhadagoodexcuse，forIhadtakenmyordersfromher。Theprospectentrancedme，andIwasmooningalonginahappydream，whenIcollidedviolentlywithinagitatedcitizen。
ThenIrealizedthatsomethingveryoddwashappening。
Therewasadullsoundlikethepoppingofthecorksofflatsoda-waterbottles。Therewasahumming，too，fromveryfarupintheskies。Peopleinthestreetwereeitherstaringattheheavensorrunningwildlyforshelter。Amotor-businfrontofmeemptieditscontentsinatwinkling；ataxipulledupwithajarandthedriverandfaredivedintoasecond-handbookshop。Ittookmeamomentortwotorealizethemeaningofitall，andIhadscarcelydonethiswhenIgotaverypracticalproof。Ahundredyardsawayabombfellonastreetisland，shiveringeverywindow-paneinawideradius，andsendingsplintersofstoneflyingaboutmyhead。IdidwhatIhaddoneahundredtimesbeforeattheFront，anddroppedflatonmyface。
Themanwhosayshedoesn\'tmindbeingbombedorshellediseitheraliaroramaniac。ThisLondonairraidseemedtomeasingularlyunpleasantbusiness。Ithinkitwasthesightofthedecentcivilizedlifearoundoneandtheorderlystreets，forwhatwasperfectlynaturalinarubble-heaplikeYpresorArrasseemedanoutragehere。IrememberoncebeinginbilletsinaFlandersvillagewhereIhadtheMaire\'shouseandsatinaroomupholsteredincutvelvet，withwaxflowersonthemantelpieceandoilpaintingsofthreegenerationsonthewalls。TheBochetookitintohisheadtoshelltheplacewithalong-rangenavalgun，andIsimplyloathedit。
Itwashorribletohavedustandsplintersblownintothatsnug，homelyroom，whereasifIhadbeeninaruinedbarnIwouldn\'thavegiventhethingtwothoughts。InthesamewaybombsdroppingincentralLondonseemedagrotesqueindecency。Ihatedtoseeplumpcitizenswithwildeyes，andnursemaidswithscaredchildren，andmiserablewomenscuttlinglikerabbitsinawarren。
Thedronegrewlouder，and，lookingup，Icouldseetheenemyplanesflyinginabeautifulformation，veryleisurelyasitseemed，withallLondonattheirmercy。Anotherbombfelltotheright，andpresentlybitsofourownshrapnelwereclatteringviciouslyaroundme。Ithoughtitabouttimetotakecover，andranshamelesslyforthebestplaceIcouldsee，whichwasaTubestation。Fiveminutesbeforethestreethadbeencrowded；nowIleftbehindmeadesertdottedwithonebusandthreeemptytaxicabs。
IfoundtheTubeentrancefilledwithexcitedhumanity。Onestoutladyhadfainted，andanursehadbecomehysterical，butonthewholepeoplewerebehavingwell。Oddlyenoughtheydidnotseeminclinedtogodownthestairstothecompletesecurityofunderground；butpreferredrathertocollectwheretheycouldstillgetaglimpseoftheupperworld，asiftheyweretornbetweenfearoftheirlivesandinterestinthespectacle。Thatcrowdgavemeagooddealofrespectformycountrymen。Butseveralwerebadlyrattled，andonemanalittlewayoff，whosebackwasturned，kepttwitchinghisshouldersasifhehadthecolic。
Iwatchedhimcuriously，andamovementofthecrowdbroughthisfaceintoprofile。ThenIgaspedwithamazement，forIsawthatitwasIvery。
AndyetitwasnotIvery。Therewerethefamiliarnondescriptfeatures，theblandness，theplumpness，butall，sotospeak，inruins。
Themanwasinablindfunk。Hisfeaturesseemedtobedislimningbeforemyeyes。Hewasgrowingsharper，finer，inawayyounger，amanwithoutgriponhimself，ashapelesscreatureinprocessoftransformation。Hewasbeingreducedtohisrudiments。Underthespellofpanichewasbecominganewman。
AndthecrazythingwasthatIknewthenewmanbetterthantheold。
Myhandswerejammedclosetomysidesbythecrowd；Icouldscarcelyturnmyhead，anditwasnottheoccasionforone\'sneighbourstoobserveone\'sexpression。Ifithadbeen，minemusthavebeenastudy。Mymindwasfarawayfromairraids，backinthehotsummerweatherOf1914。Isawarowofvillasperchedonaheadlandabovethesea。Inthegardenofoneofthemtwomenwereplayingtennis，whileIwascrouchingbehindanadjacentbush。Oneofthesewasaplumpyoungmanwhoworeacolouredscarfroundhiswaistandbabbledofgolfhandicaps……Isawhimagaininthevilladining-room，wearingadinner-jacket，andlispingalittle……Isatoppositehimatbridge，IbeheldhimcollaredbytwoofMacgillivray\'smen，whenhiscomradehadrushedforthethirty-ninestepsthatledtothesea……Isaw，too，thesitting-roomofmyoldflatinPortlandPlaceandheardlittleScudder\'squick，anxiousvoicetalkingaboutthethreemenhefearedmostonearth，oneofwhomlispedinhisspeech。Ihadthoughtthatallthreehadlongagobeenlaidundertheturf……
Hewasnotlookingmyway，andIcoulddevourhisfaceinsafety。Therewasnoshadowofdoubt。Ihadalwaysputhimdownasthemostamazingactoronearth，forhadhenotplayedthepartoftheFirstSeaLordanddeludedthatofficer\'sdailycolleagues？Buthecoulddofarmorethananyhumanactor，forhecouldtakeonanewpersonalityandwithitanewappearance，andlivesteadilyinthecharacterasifhehadbeenborninit……Mymindwasablank，andIcouldonlymakeblindgropingsatconclusions……Howhadheescapedthedeathofaspyandamurderer，forIhadlastseenhiminthehandsofjustice？……OfcoursehehadknownmefromthefirstdayinBiggleswick……Ihadthoughttoplaywithhim，andhehadplayedmostcunninglyanddamnablywithme。Inthatsweatingsardine-tinofrefugeesIshiveredinthebitternessofmychagrin。
AndthenIfoundhisfaceturnedtomine，andIknewthatherecognizedme。
more，IknewthatheknewthatIhadrecognizedhim-notasIvery，butasthatotherman。Therecameintohiseyesacuriouslookofcomprehension，whichforamomentovercamehisfunk。
Ihadsenseenoughtoseethatthatputthefinallidonit。TherewasstillsomethingdoingifhebelievedthatIwasblind，butifheoncethoughtthatIknewthetruthhewouldbethroughourmeshesanddisappearlikeafog。
Myfirstthoughtwastogetathimandcollarhimandsummoneverybodytohelpmebydenouncinghimforwhathewas。ThenI
sawthatthatwasimpossible。Iwasaprivatesoldierinaborroweduniform，andhecouldeasilyturnthestoryagainstme。Imustusesurerweapons。ImustgettoBullivantandMacgillivrayandsettheirbigmachinetowork。AboveallImustgettoBlenkiron。
Istartedtosqueezeoutofthatpush，forairraidsnowseemedfartootrivialtogiveathoughtto。Moreoverthegunshadstopped，butsosheeplikeishumannaturethatthecrowdstillhungtogether，andittookmeagoodfifteenminutestoedgemywaytotheopenair。Ifoundthatthetroublewasover，andthestreethadresumeditsusualappearance。Busesandtaxiswererunning，andvolubleknotsofpeoplewererecountingtheirexperiences。IstartedoffforBlenkiron\'sbookshop，asthenearestharbourofrefuge。
ButinPiccadillyCircusIwasstoppedbyamilitarypoliceman。
Heaskedmynameandbattalion，andIgavehimthem，whilehissuspiciouseyeranovermyfigure。Ihadnopackorrifle，andthecrushintheTubestationhadnotimprovedmyappearance。I
explainedthatIwasgoingbacktoFrancethatevening，andheaskedformywarrant。IfancymypreoccupationmademenervousandIliedbadly。IsaidIhadleftitwithmykitinthehouseofmymarriedsister，butIfumbledingivingtheaddress。Icouldseethatthefellowdidnotbelieveawordofit。
justthenupcameanA。P。M。Hewasapompousdug-out，verysplendidinhisredtabsandprobablybuckedupathavingjustbeenunderfire。Anyhowhewasouttowalkinthestrictpathofduty。
\'Tomkins！\'hesaid。\'Tomkins！We\'vegotsomefellowofthatnameonourrecords。Bringhimalong，Wilson。\'
\'But，sir，\'Isaid，\'Imust-Isimplymustmeetmyfriend。It\'surgentbusiness，andIassureyouI\'mallright。Ifyoudon\'tbelieveme，I\'lltakeataxiandwe\'llgodowntoScotlandYardandI\'llstandbywhattheysay。\'
Hisbrowgrewdarkwithwrath。\'Whatinfernalnonsenseisthis？
ScotlandYard！WhatthedevilhasScotlandYardtodowithit？
You\'reanimposter。Icanseeitinyourface。I\'llhaveyourdepotrungup，andyou\'llbeinjailinacoupleofhours。IknowadeserterwhenIseehim。Bringhimalong，Wilson。Youknowwhattodoifhetriestobolt。\'
Ihadamomentarythoughtofbreakingaway，butdecidedthattheoddsweretoomuchagainstme。Fumingwithimpatience，I
followedtheA。P。M。tohisofficeonthefirstfloorinasidestreet。
Thepreciousminuteswereslippingpast；Ivery，nowthoroughlywarned，wasmakinggoodhisescape；andI，thesolerepositoryofadeadlysecret，wastrampinginthisabsurdprocession。
TheA。P。M。issuedhisorders。Hegaveinstructionsthatmydepotshouldberungup，andhebadeWilsonremovemetowhathecalledtheguard-room。Hesatdownathisdesk，andbusiedhimselfwithamassofbuffdockets。
indesperationIrenewedmyappeal。\'IimploreyoutotelephonetoMrMacgillivrayatScotlandYard。It\'samatteroflifeanddeath，Sir。You\'retakingaverybigresponsibilityifyoudon\'t。\'
Ihadhopelesslyoffendedhisbrittledignity。\'AnymoreofyourinsolenceandI\'llhaveyouputinirons。I\'llattendtoyousoonenoughforyourcomfort。GetoutofthistillIsendforyou。\'
AsIlookedathisfoolish，irritablefaceIrealizedthatIwasfairlyUPagainstit。ShortofassaultandbatteryoneverybodyIwasboundtosubmit。Isalutedrespectfullyandwasmarchedaway。
ThehoursIspentinthatbareanteroomarelikeanightmareinmyrecollection。Asergeantwasbusyatadeskwithmorebuffdocketsandanorderlywaitedonastoolbyatelephone。Ilookedatmywatchandobservedthatitwasoneo\'clock。SoontheslammingofadoorannouncedthattheA。P。M。hadgonetolunch。Itriedconversationwiththefatsergeant，butheverysoonshutmeup。SoIsathuncheduponthewoodenformandchewedthecudofmyvexation。
Ithoughtwithbitternessofthesatisfactionwhichhadfilledmeinthemorning。Ihadfanciedmyselfthedevilofafinefellow，andIhadbeennomorethanamountebank。Theadventuresofthepastdaysseemedmerelychildish。IhadbeentellingliesandcuttingcapersoverhalfBritain，thinkingIwasplayingadeepgame，andI
hadonlybeenbehavinglikeaschoolboy。Onsuchoccasionsamanisrarelyjusttohimself，andtheintensityofmyself-abasementwouldhavesatisfiedmyworstenemy。Itdidn\'tconsolemethatthefutilityofitallwasnotmyblame。Iwaslookingforexcuses。Itwasthefactsthatcriedoutagainstme，andonthefactsIhadbeenanidioticfailure。
ForofcourseIveryhadplayedwithme，playedwithmesincethefirstdayatBiggleswick。Hehadapplaudedmyspeechesandflatteredme，andadvisedmetogototheClyde，laughingatmeallthetime。Gresson，too，hadknown。NowIsawitall。HehadtriedtodrownmebetweenColonsayandMull。ItwasGressonwhohadsetthepoliceonmeinMorvern。ThebagmanLinklaterhadbeenoneofGresson\'screatures。Theonlymeagreconsolationwasthattheganghadthoughtmedangerousenoughtoattempttomurderme，andthattheyknewnothingaboutmydoingsinSkye。OfthatI
waspositive。Theyhadmarkedmedown，butforseveraldaysIhadslippedcleanoutoftheirken。
AsIwentoveralltheincidents，Iaskedifeverythingwasyetlost。IhadfailedtohoodwinkIvery，butIhadfoundouthispostoffice，andifheonlybelievedIhadn\'trecognizedhimforthemiscreantoftheBlackStonehewouldgooninhisoldwaysandplayintoBlenkiron\'shands。Yes，butIhadseenhiminundress，sotospeak，andheknewthatIhadsoseenhim。Theonlythingnowwastocollarhimbeforeheleftthecountry，fortherewasampleevidencetohanghimon。ThelawmuststretchoutitslongarmandcollecthimandGressonandthePortugueseJew，trythembycourtmartial，andputthemdecentlyunderground。
Buthehadnowhadmorethananhour\'swarning，andIwasentangledwithred-tapeinthisdamnedA。P。M。\'soffice。Thethoughtdrovemefrantic，andIgotupandpacedthefloor。Isawtheorderlywithratherascaredfacemakingreadytopressthebell，andInoticedthatthefatsergeanthadgonetolunch。
\'Say，mate，\'Isaid，\'don\'tyoufeelinclinedtodoapoorfellowagoodturn？IknowI\'mforitallright，andI\'lltakemymedicinelikealamb。ButIwantbadlytoputatelephonecallthrough。\'
\'Itain\'tallowed，\'wastheanswer。\'I\'dget\'ellfromtheoldman。\'
\'Buthe\'sgoneout，\'Iurged。\'Idon\'twantyoutodoanythingwrong，mate，Ileaveyoutodothetalkin\'ifyou\'llonlysendmymessage。I\'mflushofmoney，andIdon\'tmindhandin\'youaquidforthejob。\'
Hewasapinchedlittlemanwithaweakchin，andheobviouslywavered。
\'\'Ood\'yewanttotalkto？\'heasked。
\'ScotlandYard，\'Isaid，\'thehomeofthepolice。Lordblessyou，therecan\'tbenoharminthat。Ye\'veonlygottoringupScotlandYard-I\'llgiveyouthenumber-andgivethemessagetoMrMacgillivray。He\'stheheadbummerofallthebobbies。\'
\'Thatsoundsabitofallright，\'hesaid。\'Theoldman\'ewon\'tbebackfor\'alfanhour，northesergeantneither。Let\'sseeyourquidthough。\'
Ilaidapoundnoteontheformbesideme。\'It\'syours，mate，ifyougetthroughtoScotlandYardandspeakthepieceI\'mgoin\'togiveyou。\'
Hewentovertotheinstrument。\'Whatd\'youwanttosaytotheblokewiththelongname？\'
\'SaythatRichardHannayisdetainedattheA。P。M。\'sofficeinClaxtonStreet。Sayhe\'sgotimportantnews-sayurgentandsecretnews-andaskMrMacgillivraytodosomethingaboutitatonce。\'
\'But\'Annayain\'tthenameyougave。\'
\'Lordblessyou，no。Didyouneverhearofamanborrowin\'
anothername？Anyhowthat\'stheoneIwantyoutogive。\'
\'ButifthisMacmancomesround\'ere，they\'llknow\'e\'sbinrungup，andI\'ll\'avetheoldmandownonme。\'
Ittooktenminutesandasecondpoundnotetogethimpastthishurdle。Byandbyhescrewedupcourageandrangupthenumber。
Ilistenedwithsomenervousnesswhilehegavemymessage-hehadtorepeatittwice-andwaitedeagerlyonthenextwords。
\'No，sir，\'Iheardhimsay，“edon\'twantyoutocomeround\'ere。
Ethinksas\'ow-Imeantosay，\'ewants-\'
Itookalongstrideandtwitchedthereceiverfromhim。
\'Macgillivray，\'Isaid，\'isthatyou？RichardHannay！FortheloveofGodcomeroundherethisinstantanddelivermefromtheclutchesofatomfoolA。P。M。I\'vegotthemostdeadlynews。
There\'snotasecondtowaste。ForGod\'ssakecomequick！\'ThenI
added:\'JusttellyourfellowstogatherIveryinatonce。Youknowhislairs。\'
Ihungupthereceiverandfacedapaleandindignantorderly。
\'It\'sallright，\'Isaid。\'Ipromiseyouthatyouwon\'tgetintoanytroubleonmyaccount。Andthere\'syourtwoquid。\'
Thedoorinthenextroomopenedandshut。TheA。P。M。hadreturnedfromlunch……
Tenminuteslaterthedooropenedagain。IheardMacgillivray\'svoice，anditwasnotpitchedindulcettones。Hehadrunupagainstminorofficialdomandwasmakinghaywithit。
Iwasmyownmasteroncemore，soIforsookthecompanyoftheorderly。IfoundamostrattledofficertryingtosaveafewragsofhisdignityandtheformidablefigureofMacgillivrayinstructinghiminmanners。
\'Gladtoseeyou，Dick，\'hesaid。\'ThisisGeneralHannay，sir。Itmaycomfortyoutoknowthatyourfollymayhavemadejustthedifferencebetweenyourcountry\'svictoryanddefeat。Ishallhaveawordtosaytoyoursuperiors。\'
Itwashardlyfair。Ihadtoputinawordfortheoldfellow，whoseredtabsseemedsuddenlytohavegrowndingy。
\'Itwasmyblamewearingthiskit。We\'llcallitamisunderstandingandforgetit。ButIwouldsuggestthatcivilityisnotwastedevenonapoordevilofadefaultingprivatesoldier。\'
OnceinMacgillivray\'scar，Ipouredoutmytale。\'Tellmeit\'sanightmare，\'Icried。\'TellmethatthethreemenwecollectedontheRuffwereshotlongago。\'
\'Two，\'hereplied，\'butoneescaped。Heavenknowshowhemanagedit，buthedisappearedcleanoutoftheworld。\'
\'Theplumponewholispedinhisspeech？\'
Macgillivraynodded。
\'Well，we\'reinforitthistime。Haveyouissuedinstructions？\'
\'Yes。Withluckweshallhaveourhandsonhimwithinanhour。
We\'veournetroundallhishaunts。\'
\'Buttwohours\'start！It\'sabighandicap，foryou\'redealingwithagenius。\'
\'YetIthinkwecanmanageit。Whereareyouboundfor？\'
ItoldhimmyroomsinWestminsterandthentomyoldflatinParkLane。\'Thedayofdisguisesispast。InhalfanhourI\'llbeRichardHannay。It\'llbeacomforttogetintouniformagain。ThenI\'lllookupBlenkiron。\'
Hegrinned。\'Igatheryou\'vehadariotoustime。We\'vehadagoodmanyanxiousmessagesfromthenorthaboutacertainMrBrand。Icouldn\'tdiscourageourmen，forIfancieditmighthavespoiledyourgame。IheardthatlastnighttheyhadlosttouchwithyouinBradfield，soIratherexpectedtoseeyouheretoday。EfficientbodyofmentheScottishpolice。\'
\'Especiallywhentheyhavevariousenthusiasticamateurhelpers。\'
\'So？\'hesaid。\'Yes，ofcourse。Theywouldhave。ButIhopepresentlytocongratulateyouonthesuccessofyourmission。\'
\'I\'llbetyouaponyyoudon\'t，\'Isaid。
\'Ineverbetonaprofessionalsubject。Whythispessimism？\'
\'OnlythatIknowourgentlemanbetterthanyou。I\'vebeentwiceupagainsthim。He\'sthekindofwickedthatdon\'tceasefromtroublingtillthey\'restone-dead。AndeventhenI\'dwanttoseethebodycrematedandtaketheashesintomid-oceanandscatterthem。
I\'vegotafeelingthathe\'sthebiggestthingyouorIwillevertackle。\'
CHAPTERELEVEN
TheValleyofHumiliationIcollectedsomebaggageandapileofnewlyarrivedlettersfrommyroomsinWestminsterandtookataxitomyParkLaneflat。
UsuallyIhadgonebacktothatoldplacewithagreatfeelingofcomfort，likeaboyfromschoolwhorangesabouthisroomathomeandexamineshistreasures。IusedtoliketoseemyhuntingtrophiesonthewallandtosinkintomyownarmchairsButnowI
hadnopleasureinthething。Ihadabath，andchangedintouniform，andthatmademefeelinbetterfightingtrim。ButI
sufferedfromaheavyconvictionofabjectfailure，andhadnoshareinMacgillivray\'soptimism。TheawewithwhichtheBlackStoneganghadfilledmethreeyearsbeforehadrevivedathousandfold。
Personalhumiliationwastheleastpartofmytrouble。Whatworriedmewasthesenseofbeingupagainstsomethinginhumanlyformidableandwiseandstrong。IbelievedIwaswillingtoowndefeatandchuckupthegame。
AmongtheunopenedletterswasonefromPeter，averybulkyonewhichIsatdowntoreadatleisure。Itwasacuriousepistle，farthelongesthehadeverwrittenme，anditssizemademeunderstandhisloneliness。HewasstillathisGermanprison-camp，butexpectingeverydaytogotoSwitzerland。HesaidhecouldgetbacktoEnglandorSouthAfrica，ifhewanted，fortheywereclearthathecouldneverbeacombatantagain；buthethoughthehadbetterstayinSwitzerland，forhewouldbeunhappyinEnglandwithallhisfriendsfighting。Asusualhemadenocomplaints，andseemedtobeverygratefulforhissmallmercies。Therewasadoctorwhowaskindtohim，andsomegoodfellowsamongtheprisoners。
ButPeter\'sletterwasmadeupchieflyofreflection。Hehadalwaysbeenabitofaphilosopher，andnow，inhisisolation，hehadtakentothinkinhard，andpouredouttheresultstomeonpagesofthinpaperinhisclumsyhandwriting。Icouldreadbetweenthelinesthathewashavingastifffightwithhimself。Hewastryingtokeephiscouragegoinginfaceofthebitteresttrialhecouldbecalledontoface-acrippledoldage。HehadalwaysknownagooddealabouttheBible，andthatandthe_Pilgrim\'s_Progresswerehischiefaidsinreflection。Bothhetookquiteliterally，asiftheywerenewspaperreportsofactualrecentevents。
HementionedthataftermuchconsiderationhehadreachedtheconclusionthatthethreegreatestmenhehadeverheardoformetwereMrValiant-for-Truth，theApostlePaul，andacertainBillyStrangwhohadbeenwithhiminMashonalandin\'92。BillyIknewallabout；hehadbeenPeter\'sheroandleadertillaliongothimintheBlaauwberg。PeterpreferredValiant-for-TruthtoMrGreatheart，I
think，becauseofhissuperiortruculence，for，beingverygentlehimself，helovedaboldspeaker。Afterthathedroppedintoaveinofself-examination。Heregrettedthathefellfarshortofanyofthethree。HethoughtthathemightwithluckresembleMrStandfast，forlikehimhehadnotmuchtroubleinkeepingwakeful，andwasalsoas\'poorasahowler\'，anddidn\'tcareforwomen。Heonlyhopedthathecouldimitatehiminmakingagoodend。
ThenfollowedsomeremarksofPeter\'soncourage，whichcametomeinthatLondonroomasifspokenbyhislivingvoice。Ihaveneverknownanyonesobrave，sobravebyinstinct，oranyonewhohatedsomuchtobetoldso。Itwasalmosttheonlythingthatcouldmakehimangry。Allhislifehehadbeenfacingdeath，andtotakerisksseemedtohimasnaturalastogetupinthemorningandeathisbreakfast。Buthehadstartedouttoconsidertheverythingwhichbeforehehadtakenforgranted，andhereisanextractfromhisconclusions。Iparaphrasehim，forhewasnotgrammatical。
__It\'seasyenoughtobebraveifyou\'refeelingwellandhavefoodinsideyou。Andit\'snotsodifficultevenifyou\'reshortofamealandseedy，forthatmakesyouinclinedtogamble。Imeanbybeingbraveplayingthegamebytherightruleswithoutlettingitworryyouthatyoumayverylikelygetknockedonthehead。It\'sthewisestwaytosaveyourskin。Itdoesn\'tdotothinkaboutdeathifyou\'refacingacharginglionortryingtobluffalotofsavages。Ifyouthinkaboutityou\'llgetit；ifyoudon\'t，theoddsareyouwon\'t。Thatkindofcourageisonlygoodnervesandexperience……Mostcourageisexperience。Mostpeoplearealittlescaredatnewthings……
__Youwantabiggerhearttofacedangerwhichyougoouttolookfor，andwhichdoesn\'tcometoyouintheordinarywayofbusiness。
Still，that\'sPrettymuchthesamething-goodnervesandgoodhealth，andanaturallikingforrows。Yousee，Dick，inallthatgamethere\'salotOffun。There\'sexcitementandthefunofusingyourwitsandskill，andyouknowthatthebadbitscan\'tlastlong。WhenArcollsentmetoMakapan\'skraalIdidn\'taltogetherfancythejob，butattheworstitwasthreepartssport，andIgotsoexcitedthatIneverthoughtoftherisktillitwasover……
__Butthebigcourageisthecold-bloodedkind，thekindthatneverletsgoevenwhenyou\'refeelingemptyinside，andyourblood\'sthin，andthere\'snokindoffunorprofittobehad，andthetrouble\'snotoverinanhourortwobutlastsformonthsandyears。Oneofthemenherewasspeakingaboutthatkind，andhecalledit\'Fortitude\'。Ireckonfortitude\'sthebiggestthingamancanhave-justtogoonenduringwhenthere\'snogutsorheartleftinyou。BillyhaditwhenhetrekkedsolitaryfromGarungozetotheLimpopowithfeverandabrokenarmjusttoshowthePortugoosesthathewouldn\'tbedownedbythem。ButtheheadmanatthejobwastheApostle_Paul……
Peterwaswritingforhisowncomfort，forfortitudewasallthatwaslefttohimnow。Buthiswordscameprettystraighttome，andIreadthemagainandagain，forIneededthelesson。HerewasI
losingheartjustbecauseIhadfailedinthefirstroundandmypridehadtakenaknock。Ifelthonestlyashamedofmyself，andthatmademeafarhappierman。Therecouldbenoquestionofdroppingthebusiness，whateveritsdifficulties。IhadaqueerreligiousfeelingthatIveryandIhadourfortunesintertwined，andthatnowillofminecouldkeepusapart。Ihadfacedhimbeforethewarandwon；
Ihadfacedhimagainandlost；thethirdtimeorthetwentiethtimewewouldreachafinaldecision。Thewholebusinesshadhithertoappearedtomeatrifleunreal，atanyratemyownconnectionwithit。Ihadbeendocilelyobeyingorders，butmyrealselfhadbeenstandingasideandwatchingmydoingswithacertainaloofness。
ButthathourintheTubestationhadbroughtmeintotheserum，andIsawtheaffairnotasBullivant\'sorevenBlenkiron\'s，butasmyown。BeforeIhadbeenitchingtogetbacktotheFront；nowI
wantedtogetontoIvery\'strail，thoughitshouldtakemethroughthenetherpit。Peterwasright；fortitudewasthethingamanmustpossessifhewouldsavehissoul。
Thehourspassed，and，asIexpected，therecamenowordfromMacgillivray。Ihadsomedinnersentuptomeatseveno\'clock，andabouteightIwasthinkingoflookingupBlenkiron。justthencameatelephonecallaskingmetogoroundtoSirWalterBullivant\'shouseinQueenAnne\'sGate。
TenminuteslaterIwasringingthebell，andthedoorwasopenedtomebythesameimpassivebutlerwhohadadmittedmeonthatfamousnightthreeyearsbefore。Nothinghadchangedinthepleasantgreen-panelledhall；thealcovewasthesameaswhenI
hadwatchedfromitthedepartureofthemanwhonowcalledhimselfIvery；thetelephonebooklayintheveryplacefromwhichIhadsnatcheditinordertoringuptheFirstSeaLord。Andinthebackroom，wherethatnightfiveanxiousofficialshadconferred，I
foundSirWalterandBlenkiron。
Bothlookedworried，theAmericanfeverishlyso。Hewalkedupanddownthehearthrug，suckinganunlitblackcigar。
\'Say，Dick，\'hesaid，thisisabadbusiness。Itwasn\'tnofaultofyours。Youdidfine。Itwasus-meandSirWalterandMrMacgillivraythatwerethequitters。\'
\'Anynews？\'Iasked。
\'Sofarthecover\'sdrawnblank，\'SirWalterreplied。\'Itwasthedevil\'sownworkthatourfriendlookedyourwaytoday。You\'reprettycertainhesawthatyourecognizedhim？\'
\'Absolutely。AssureasthatheknewIrecognizedhiminyourhallthreeyearsagowhenhewasswaggeringasLordAlloa。\'
\'No，\'saidBlenkirondolefully，thatlittleflickerofrecognitionisjusttheonethingyoucan\'tbewrongabout。Landalive！IwishMrMacgillivraywouldcome。\'
Thebellrang，andthedooropened，butitwasnotMacgillivray。
Itwasayounggirlinawhiteball-gown，withaclusterofbluecornflowersatherbreast。ThesightofherfetchedSirWalteroutofhischairsosuddenlythatheupsethiscoffeecup。
