下载辰思小说免费APP
\'Don\'tthinkIwaseveryourrival。IwouldnomorehaveproposedtoMarythanIwouldhavemarriedoneofheraunts。Shewassosureofherself，sohappyinhersingle-heartednessthatsheterrifiedme。Mytypeofmanisnotmeantformarriage，forwomenmustbeinthecentreoflife，andwemustalwaysbestandingasideandlookingon。Itisadamnablethingtobeleft-handed。\'
\'Thetroubleaboutyou，mydearchap，\'Isaid，\'isthatyou\'retoohardtoplease。\'
\'That\'sonewayofputtingit。Ishouldputitmoreharshly。IhatemorethanIlove。Allwehumanitariansandpacifistshavehatredasourmainspring。Odd，isn\'tit，forpeoplewhopreachbrotherlylove？Butit\'sthetruth。We\'refullofhatetowardseverythingthatdoesn\'tsquareinwithourideas，everythingthatjarsonourlady-
likenerves。Fellowslikeyouaresoinlovewiththeircausethatthey\'venotimeorinclinationtodetestwhatthwartsthem。We\'venocause-onlynegatives，andthatmeanshatred，andself-torture，andabeastlyjaundiceofsoul。\'
ThenIknewthatWake\'sfaultwasnotspiritualpride，asIhaddiagnoseditatBiggleswick。Themanwasabasedwithhumility。
\'Iseemorethanotherpeoplesee，\'hewenton，\'andIfeelmore。
That\'sthecurseonme。You\'reahappymanandyougetthingsdone，becauseyouonlyseeonesideofacase，onethingatatime。
Howwouldyoulikeitifathousandstringswerealwaystuggingatyou，ifyousawthateverycoursemeantthesacrificeoflovelyanddesirablethings，oreventheshatteringofwhatyouknowtobeunreplaceable？I\'mthekindofstuffpoetsaremadeof，butI
haven\'tthepoet\'sgift，soIstaggerabouttheworldleft-handedandgame-legged……Takethewar。Formetofightwouldbeworsethanforanothermantorunaway。FromthebottomofmyheartI
believethatitneedn\'thavehappened，andthatallwarisablisteringiniquity。Andyetbeliefhasgotverylittletodowithvirtue。I\'mnotasgoodamanasyou，Hannay，whohaveneverthoughtoutanythinginyourlife。MytimeintheLabourbattaliontaughtmesomething。IknewthatwithallmyfineaspirationsIwasn\'tastrueamanasfellowswhosetalkwassillyoathsandwhodidn\'tcareatinker\'scurseabouttheirsoul。\'
IrememberthatIlookedathimwithasuddenunderstanding。\'I
thinkIknowyou。You\'rethesortofchapwhowon\'tfightforhiscountrybecausehecan\'tbesurethatshe\'saltogetherintheright。
Buthe\'dcheerfullydieforher，rightorwrong。\'
Hisfacerelaxedinaslowsmile。\'Queerthatyoushouldsaythat。
Ithinkit\'sprettynearthetruth。Menlikemearen\'tafraidtodie，buttheyhaven\'tquitethecouragetolive。Everymanshouldbehappyinaservicelikeyou，whenheobeysorders。Icouldn\'tgetoninanyservice。Ilackthebumpofveneration。Ican\'tswallowthingsmerelybecauseI\'mtoldto。Mysortarealwaystalkingabout“service“，butwehaven\'tthetemperamenttoserve。I\'dgiveallI
havetobeanordinarycoginthewheel，insteadofaconfoundedoutsiderwhofindsfaultwiththemachinery……Takeagreatviolenthigh-handedfellowlikeyou。Youcansinkyourselftillyoubecomeonlyanameandanumber。Icouldn\'tifItried。I\'mnotsureifIwanttoeither。Iclingtotheoddsandendsthataremyown。\'
\'IwishIhadhadyouinmybattalionayearago，\'Isaid。
\'No，youdon\'t。I\'donlyhavebeenanuisance。I\'vebeenaFabiansinceOxford，butyou\'reabettersocialistthanme。I\'marancidindividualist。\'
\'Butyoumustbefeelingbetteraboutthewar？\'Iasked。
\'Notabitofit。I\'mstilllustingfortheheadsofthepoliticiansthatmadeitandcontinueit。ButIwanttohelpmycountry。
Honestly，Hannay，Ilovetheoldplace。More，Ithink，thanIlovemyself，andthat\'ssayingadevilishlot。Shortoffighting-whichwouldbethesinagainsttheHolySpiritforme-I\'lldomydamnedest。Butyou\'llrememberI\'mnotusedtoteamwork。IfI\'majealousplayer，beatmeoverthehead。\'
Hisvoicewasalmostwistful，andIlikedhimenormously。
\'Blenkironwillseetothat，\'Isaid。\'We\'regoingtobreakyoutoharness，Wake，andthenyou\'llbeahappyman。Youkeepyourmindonthegameandforgetaboutyourself。That\'sthecureforjibbers。\'
AsIjourneyedtoStAntonIthoughtalotaboutthattalk。HewasquiterightaboutMary，whowouldneverhavemarriedhim。A
manwithsuchanangularsoulcouldn\'tfitintoanother\'s。AndthenIthoughtthatthechiefthingaboutMarywasjustherserenecertainty。HereyeshadthatsettledhappylookthatIrememberedtohaveseenonlyinoneotherhumanface，andthatwasPeter\'s……
ButIwonderedifPeter\'seyeswerestillthesame。
Ifoundthecottage，alittlewoodenthingwhichhadbeenleftperchedonitsknollwhenthebighotelsgrewaroundit。Ithadafenceinfront，butbehinditwasopentothehillside。Atthegatestoodabentoldwomanwithafacelikeapippin。Mymake-upmusthavebeengood，forsheacceptedmebeforeIintroducedmyself。
\'Godbethankedyouarecome，\'shecried。\'Thepoorlieutenantneededamantokeephimcompany。Hesleepsnow，ashedoesalwaysintheafternoon，forhislegwearieshiminthenight……Butheisbrave，likeasoldier……Come，Iwillshowyouthehouse，foryoutwowillbealonenow。\'
Steppingsoftlysheledmeindoors，pointingwithawarningfingertothelittlebedroomwherePeterslept。Ifoundakitchenwithabigstoveandaroughfloorofplanking，onwhichlaysomebadlycuredskins。Offitwasasortofpantrywithabedforme。
Sheshowedmethepotsandpansforcookingandthestoresshehadlaidin，andwheretofindwaterandfuel。\'Iwilldothemarketingdaily，\'shesaid，\'andifyouneedme，mydwellingishalfamileuptheroadbeyondthenewchurch。Godbewithyou，youngman，andbekindtothatwoundedone。\'
WhentheWidowSummermatterhaddepartedIsatdowninPeter\'sarm-chairandtookstockoftheplace。Itwasquietandsimpleandhomely，andthroughthewindowcamethegleamofsnowonthediamondhills。OnthetablebesidethestovewerePeter\'scherishedbelongings-hisbuck-skinpouchandthepipewhichJannieGrobelaarhadcarvedforhiminStHelena，analuminiumfieldmatch-boxIhadgivenhim，acheaplarge-printBiblesuchaspadrespresenttowell-disposedprivates，andanoldbattered_Pilgrim\'s_Progresswithgaudypictures。TheillustrationatwhichIopenedshowedFaithfulgoinguptoHeavenfromthefireofVanityFairlikeawoodcockthathasjustbeenflushed。Everythingintheroomwasexquisitelyneat，andIknewthatthatwasPeterandnottheWidowSummermatter。Onapegbehindthedoorhunghismuch-mendedcoat，andstickingoutofapocketI
recognizedasheafofmyownletters。InonecornerstoodsomethingwhichIhadforgottenabout-aninvalidchair。
ThesightofPeter\'splainlittleoddmentsmademefeelsolemn。I
wonderedifhiseyeswouldbelikeMary\'snow，forIcouldnotconceivewhatlifewouldbeforhimasacripple。VerysilentlyI
openedthebedroomdoorandslippedinside。
HewaslyingonacampbedsteadwithoneofthosestripedSwissblanketspulleduproundhisears，andhewasasleep。ItwastheoldPeterbeyonddoubt。Hehadthehunter\'sgiftofbreathingevenlythroughhisnose，andthewhitescaronthedeepbrownofhisforeheadwaswhatIhadalwaysremembered。TheonlychangesinceI
lastsawhimwasthathehadlethisbeardgrowagain，anditwasgrey。
AsIlookedathimtheremembranceofallwehadbeenthroughtogetherfloodedbackuponme，andIcouldhavecriedwithjoyatbeingbesidehim。Women，blesstheirhearts！canneverknowwhatlongcomradeshipmeanstomen；itissomethingnotintheirlives-
somethingthatbelongsonlytothatwild，undomesticatedworldwhichweforswearwhenwefindourmates。EvenMaryunderstoodonlyabitofit。Ihadjustwonherlove，whichwasthegreatestthingthatevercamemyway，butifshehadenteredatthatmomentIwouldscarcelyhaveturnedmyhead。Iwasbackagainintheoldlifeandwasnotthinkingofthenew。
SuddenlyIsawthatPeterwasawakeandwaslookingatme。
\'Dick，\'hesaidinawhisper，\'Dick，myoldfriend。\'
Theblanketwastossedoff，andhislong，leanarmswerestretchedouttome。Igrippedhishands，andforalittlewedidnotspeak。
ThenIsawhowwoefullyhehadchanged。Hisleftleghadshrunk，andfromthekneedownwaslikeapipestem。Hisface，whenawake，showedthelinesofhardsufferingandheseemedshorterbyhalfafoot。ButhiseyeswerestilllikeMary\'s。Indeedtheyseemedtobemorepatientandpeacefulthaninthedayswhenhesatbesidemeonthebuck-waggonandpeeredoverthehunting-veld。
Ipickedhimup-hewasnoheavierthanMary-andcarriedhimtohischairbesidethestove。ThenIboiledwaterandmadetea，aswehadsooftendonetogether。
\'Peter，oldman，\'Isaid，\'we\'reontrekagain，andthisisaverysnuglittle_rondavel。We\'vehadmanygoodyarns，butthisisgoingtobethebest。Firstofall，howaboutyourhealth？\'
\'Good，I\'mastrongmanagain，butslowlikeahippocow。I
havebeenlonelysometimes，butthatisallbynow。Tellmeofthebigbattles。\'
ButIwashungryfornewsofhimandkepthimtohisowncase。
HehadnocomplaintofhistreatmentexceptthathedidnotlikeGermans。Thedoctorsatthehospitalhadbeenclever，hesaid，andhaddonetheirbestforhim，butnervesandsinewsandsmallboneshadbeensowreckedthattheycouldnotmendhisleg，andPeterhadalltheBoer\'sdislikeofamputation。OnedoctorhadbeeninDamaralandandtalkedtohimofthosebakedsunnyplacesandmadehimhomesick。ButhereturnedalwaystohisdislikeofGermans。Hehadseenthemherdingoursoldierslikebrutebeasts，andthecommandanthadafacelikeStummandachinthatstuckoutandwantedhitting。HemadeanexceptionforthegreatairmanLensch，whohaddownedhim。
\'Heisawhiteman，thatone，\'hesaid。\'Hecametoseemeinhospitalandtoldmealotofthings。Ithinkhemadethemtreatmewell。Heisabigman，Dick，whowouldmaketwoofme，andhehasaround，merryfaceandpaleeyeslikeFrickieCellierswhocouldputabulletthroughapauw\'sheadattwohundredyards。HesaidhewassorryIwaslame，forhehopedtohavemorefightswithme。SomewomanthattellsfortuneshadsaidthatIwouldbetheendofhim，buthereckonedshehadgotthethingthewrongwayon。Ihopehewillcomethroughthiswar，forheisagoodman，thoughaGerman……Buttheothers！TheyarelikethefoolintheBible，fatanduglyingoodfortuneandproudandviciouswhentheirluckgoes。Theyarenotapeopletobehappywith。\'
Thenhetoldmethattokeepuphisspiritshehadamusedhimselfwithplayingagame。HehadpridedhimselfonbeingaBoer，andspokencoldlyoftheBritish。Hehadalso，Igathered，impartedmanythingscalculatedtodeceive。SoheleftGermanywithgoodmarks，andinSwitzerlandhadheldhimselfalooffromtheotherBritishwounded，ontheadviceofBlenkiron，whohadmethimassoonashecrossedthefrontier。IgathereditwasBlenkironwhohadhadhimsenttoStAnton，andinhistimethere，asadisgruntledBoer，hehadmixedagooddealwithGermans。
Theyhadpumpedhimaboutourairservice，andPeterhadtoldthemmanyingeniousliesandheardcuriousthingsinreturn。
\'Theyareworkinghard，Dick，\'hesaid。\'Neverforgetthat。TheGermanisastoutenemy，andwhenwebeathimwithamachinehesweatstillhehasinventedanewone。Theyhavegreatpilots，butneversomanygoodonesaswe，andIdonotthinkinordinaryfightingtheycaneverbeatus。ButyoumustwatchLensch，forI
fearhim。Hehasanewmachine，Ihear，withgreatenginesandashortwingspread，butthewingssocamberedthathecanclimbfast。
Thatwillbeasurprisetospringuponus。Youwillsaythatwe\'llsoonbetterit。Soweshall，butifitwasusedatatimewhenwewerepushingharditmightmakethelittledifferencethatlosesbattles。\'
\'Youmean，\'Isaid，\'thatifwehadagreatattackreadyandhaddrivenalltheBocheplanesbackfromourfront，Lenschandhiscircusmightgetoverinspiteofusandblowthegaff？\'
\'Yes，\'hesaidsolemnly。\'Orifwewereattacked，andhadaweakspot，LenschmightshowtheGermanswheretogetthrough。Idonotthinkwearegoingtoattackforalongtime；butIamprettysurethatGermanyisgoingtoflingeverymanagainstus。Thatisthetalkofmyfriends，anditisnotbluff。\'
ThatnightIcookedourmodestdinner，andwesmokedourpipeswiththestovedooropenandthegoodsmellofwoodsmokeinournostrils。ItoldhimofallmydoingsandoftheWildBirdsandIveryandthejobwewereengagedon。Blenkiron\'sinstructionswerethatwetwoshouldlivehumblyandkeepoureyesandearsopen，forwewereoutsidesuspicion-thecantankerouslameBoerandhisloutishservantfromArosa。Somewhereintheplacewasarendezvousofourenemies，andthithercameCheliusonhisdarkerrands。
Peternoddedhisheadsagely，\'IthinkIhaveguessedtheplace。
Thedaughteroftheoldwomanusedtopullmychairsometimesdowntothevillage，andIhavesatincheapinnsandtalkedtoservants。Thereisafresh-waterpanthere，itisallcoveredwithsnownow，andbesideitthereisabighousethattheycallthePinkChalet。Idonotknowmuchaboutit，exceptthatrichfolkliveinit，forIknowtheotherhousesandtheyareharmless。Alsothebighotels，whicharetoocoldandpublicforstrangerstomeetin。\'
IputPetertobed，anditwasajoytometolookafterhim，togivehimhistonicandpreparethehotwaterbottlethatcomfortedhisneuralgia。Hisbehaviourwaslikeadocilechild\'s，andheneverlapsedfromhissunnytemper，thoughIcouldseehowhisleggavehimhell。Theyhadtriedmassageforitandgivenitup，andtherewasnothingforhimbuttoenduretillnatureandhistoughconstitutiondeadenedthetorturednervesagain。Ishiftedmybedoutofthepantryandsleptintheroomwithhim，andwhenIwokeinthenight，asonedoesthefirsttimeinastrangeplace，Icouldtellbyhisbreathingthathewaswakefulandsuffering。
Nextdayabathchaircontainingagrizzledcrippleandpushedbyalimpingpeasantmighthavebeenseendescendingthelonghilltothevillage。Itwasclearfrostyweatherwhichmakesthecheekstingle，andIfeltsofullofbeansthatitwashardtoremembermygameleg。Thevalleywasshutinontheeastbyagreatmassofrocksandglaciers，belongingtoamountainwhosetopcouldnotbeseen。Butonthesouth，abovethesnowyfir-woods，therewasamostdelicatelace-likepeakwithapointlikeaneedle。Ilookedatitwithinterest，forbeyonditlaythevalleywhichledtotheStaubpass，andbeyondthatwasItaly-andMary。
TheoldvillageofStAntonhadonelong，narrowstreetwhichbentatrightanglestoabridgewhichspannedtheriverflowingfromthelake。Thencetheroadclimbedsteeply，butattheotherendofthestreetitranonthelevelbythewater\'sedge，linedwithgimcrackboarding-houses，nowshutteredtotheworld，andafewvillasinpatchesofgarden。Atthefarend，justbeforeitplungedintoapine-wood，apromontoryjuttedintothelake，leavingabroadspacebetweentheroadandthewater。Herewerethegroundsofamoreconsiderabledwelling-snow-coveredlaurelsandrhododendronswithoneortwobiggertrees-andjustonthewater-edgestoodthehouseitself，calledthePinkChalet。
IwheeledPeterpasttheentranceonthecracklingsnowofthehighway。Seenthroughthegapsofthetreesthefrontlookednew，butthebackpartseemedtobeofsomeage，forIcouldseehighwalls，brokenbyfewwindows，hangingoverthewater。Theplacewasnomoreachaletthanadonjon，butIsupposethenamewasgiveninhonourofawoodengalleryabovethefrontdoor。Thewholethingwaswashedinanuglypink。Therewereouthouses-
garageorstablesamongthetrees-andattheentrancetherewerefairlyrecenttracksofanautomobile。
Onourwaybackwehadsomeverybadbeerinacafeandmadefriendswiththewomanwhokeptit。Peterhadtotellherhisstory，andItrottedoutmyauntinZurich，andintheendweheardhergrievances。ShewasatrueSwiss，angryatallthebelligerentswhohadspoiledherlivelihood，hatingGermanymostbutalsofearinghermost。Coffee，tea，fuel，bread，evenmilkandcheesewerehardtogetandcostaransom。Itwouldtakethelandyearstorecover，andtherewouldbenomoretourists，fortherewaslittlemoneyleftintheworld。IdroppedaquestionaboutthePinkChalet，andwastoldthatitbelongedtooneSchweigler，aprofessorofBerne，anoldmanwhocamesometimesforafewdaysinthesummer。Itwasoftenlet，butnotnow。Askedifitwasoccupied，sheremarkedthatsomefriendsoftheSchweiglers-richpeoplefromBasle-hadbeenthereforthewinter。\'Theycomeandgoingreatcars，\'shesaidbitterly，\'andtheybringtheirfoodfromthecities。Theyspendnomoneyinthispoorplace。\'
PresentlyPeterandIfellintoaroutineoflife，asifwehadalwayskepthousetogether。Inthemorninghewentabroadinhischair，intheafternoonIwouldhobbleaboutonmyownerrands。Wesankintothebackgroundandtookitscolour，andalessconspicuouspairneverfacedtheeyeofsuspicion。OnceaweekayoungSwissofficer，whosebusinessitwastolookafterBritishwounded，paidusahurriedvisit。IusedtogetlettersfrommyauntinZurich，SometimeswiththepostmarkofArosa，andnowandthentheseletterswouldcontaincuriouslywordedadviceorinstructionsfromhimwhommyauntcalled\'thekindpatron\'。GenerallyIwastoldtobepatient。SometimesIhadwordaboutthehealthof\'mylittlecousinacrossthemountains\'。OnceIwasbiddenexpectafriendofthepatron\'s，thewisedoctorofwhomhehadoftenspoken，butthoughafterthatIshadowedthePinkChaletfortwodaysnodoctorappeared。
Myinvestigationswereabarrenbusiness。Iusedtogodowntothevillageintheafternoonandsitinanout-of-the-waycafe，talkingslowGermanwithpeasantsandhotelporters，buttherewaslittletolearn。IknewalltherewastohearaboutthePinkChalet，andthatwasnothing。Ayoungmanwhoski-edstayedforthreenightsandspenthisdaysonthealpsabovethefir-woods。Apartyoffour，includingtwowomen，wasreportedtohavebeenthereforanight-allramificationsoftherichfamilyofBasle。Istudiedthehousefromthelake，whichshouldhavebeennicelysweptintoice-rinks，butfromlackofvisitorswasaheapofblownsnow。Thehigholdwallsofthebackpartwerebuiltstraightfromthewater\'sedge。I
rememberItriedashortcutthroughthegroundstothehigh-roadandwasgiven\'Goodafternoon\'byasmilingGermanmanservant。
OnewayandanotherIgatheredtherewereagoodmanyserving-
menabouttheplace-toomanyfortheinfrequentguests。ButbeyondthisIdiscoverednothing。
NotthatIwasbored，forIhadalwaysPetertoturnto。HewasthinkingalotaboutSouthAfrica，andthethinghelikedbestwastogooverwithmeeverydetailofouroldexpeditions。Theybelongedtoalifewhichhecouldthinkaboutwithoutpain，whereasthewarwastoonearandbitterforhim。Helikedtohobbleout-of-doorsafterthedarknesscameandlookathisoldfriends，thestars。
Hecalledthembythewordstheyuseontheveld，andthefirststarofmorninghecalledthe_voorlooper-thelittleboywhoinspanstheoxen-anameIhadnotheardfortwentyyears。Manyagreatyarnwespuninthelongevenings，butIalwayswenttobedwithasoreheart。Thelonginginhiseyeswastoourgent，longingnotforolddaysorfarcountries，butforthehealthandstrengthwhichhadoncebeenhispride。
onenightItoldhimaboutMary。
\'Shewillbeahappy_mysie，\'hesaid，\'butyouwillneedtobeverycleverwithher，forwomenarequeercattleandyouandIdon\'tknowtheirways。TheytellmeEnglishwomendonotcookandmakeclotheslikeourvrouws，sowhatwillshefindtodo？Idoubtanidlewomanwillbelikeamealie-fedhorse。\'
ItwasnogoodexplainingtohimthekindofgirlMarywas，forthatwasaworldentirelybeyondhisken。ButIcouldseethathefeltlonelierthaneveratmynews。SoItoldhimofthehouseI
meanttohaveinEnglandwhenthewarwasover-anoldhouseinagreenhillycountry，withfieldsthatwouldcarryfourheadofcattletotheMorganandfurrowsofclearwater，andorchardsofplumsandapples。\'Andyouwillstaywithusallthetime，\'Isaid。
\'Youwillhaveyourownroomsandyourownboytolookafteryou，andyouwillhelpmetofarm，andwewillcatchfishtogether，andshootthewildduckswhentheycomeupfromthepansintheevening。IhavefoundabettercountrysidethantheHoutbosch，whereyouandIplannedtohaveafarm。Itisablessedandhappyplace，England。\'
Heshookhishead。\'Youareakindman，Dick，butyourpretty_mysiewon\'twantanuglyoldfellowlikemehobblingaboutherhouse……IdonotthinkIwillgobacktoAfrica，forIshouldbesadthereinthesun。IwillfindalittleplaceinEngland，andsomedayIwillvisityou，oldfriend。\'
Thatnighthisstoicismseemedforthefirsttimetofailhim。Hewassilentforalongtimeandwentearlytobed，whereIcanvouchforithedidnotsleep。Buthemusthavethoughtalotinthenighttime，forinthemorninghehadgothimselfinhandandwasascheerfulasasandboy。
Iwatchedhisphilosophywithamazement。ItwasfarbeyondanythingIcouldhavecompassedmyself。Hewassofrailandsopoor，forhehadneverhadanythingintheworldbuthisbodilyfitness，andhehadlostthatnow。Andremember，hehadlostitaftersomemonthsofglitteringhappiness，forintheairhehadfoundtheelementforwhichhehadbeenborn。Sometimeshedroppedahintofthosedayswhenhelivedinthecloudsandinventedanewkindofbattle，andhisvoicealwaysgrewhoarse。I
couldseethatheachedwithlongingfortheirreturn。Andyetheneverhadawordofcomplaint。Thatwastheritualhehadsethimself，hispointofhonour，andhefacedthefuturewiththesamekindofcourageasthatwithwhichhehadtackledawildbeastorLenschhimself。Onlyitneededafarbiggerbrandoffortitude。
Anotherthingwasthathehadfoundreligion。Idoubtifthatistherightwaytoputit，forhehadalwayshadit。MenwholiveinthewildsknowtheyareinthehandsofGod。Buthisoldkindhadbeenatatteredthing，morelikeheathensuperstition，thoughithadalwayskepthimhumble。ButnowhehadtakentoreadingtheBibleandtothinkinginhislonelynights，andhehadgotacreedofhisown。Idaresayitwascrudeenough，Iamsureitwasunorthodox；butiftheproofofreligionisthatitgivesamanapropinbaddays，thenPeter\'swastherealthing。HeusedtoferretaboutintheBibleandthe_Pilgrim\'s_Progress-theywerebothequallyinspiredinhiseyes-andfindtextswhichheinterpretedinhisownwaytomeethiscase。Hetookeverythingquiteliterally。WhathappenedthreethousandyearsagoinPalestinemight，forallheminded，havebeengoingonnextdoor。IusedtochaffhimandtellhimthathewasliketheKaiser，verygoodatfittingtheBibletohispurpose，buthissinceritywassocompletethatheonlysmiled。I
rememberonenight，whenhehadbeenthinkingabouthisflyingdays，hefoundapassageinThessaloniansaboutthedeadrisingtomeettheirLordintheair，andthatcheeredhimalot。Peter，Icouldsee，hadthenotionthathistimeherewouldn\'tbeverylong，andhelikedtothinkthatwhenhegothisreleasehewouldfindoncemoretheoldrapture。
Once，whenIsaidsomethingabouthispatience，hesaidhehadgottotrytoliveuptoMrStandfast。Hehadfixedonthatcharactertofollow，thoughhewouldhavepreferredMrValiant-for-Truthifhehadthoughthimselfgoodenough。HeusedtotalkaboutMrStandfastinhisqueerwayasifhewereafriendofusboth，likeBlenkiron……ItellyouIwashumbledoutofallmypridebytheSightofPeter，souncomplainingandgentleandwise。TheAlmightyHimselfcouldn\'thavemadeaprigoutofhim，andheneverwouldhavethoughtofpreaching。Onlyoncedidhegivemeadvice。Ihadalwaysalikingforshortcuts，andIwasgettingabitrestiveunderthelonginaction。OnedaywhenIexpressedmyfeelingsonthematter，Peteruppedandreadfromthe_Pilgrim\'s_Progress:\'SomealsohavewishedthatthenextwaytotheirFather\'shousewerehere，thattheymightbetroublednomorewitheitherhillsormountainstogoover，buttheWayistheWay，andthereisanend。\'
AllthesamewhenwegotintoMarchandnothinghappenedI
grewprettyanxious。Blenkironhadsaidwewerefightingagainsttime，andhereweretheweeksslippingaway。Hisletterscameoccasionally，alwaysintheshapeofcommunicationsfrommyaunt。
OnetoldmethatIwouldsoonbeoutofajob，forPeter\'srepatriationwasjustaboutthrough，andhemightgethismovementorderanyday。Anotherspokeofmylittlecousinoverthehills，andsaidthatshehopedsoontobegoingtoaplacecalledSantaChiaraintheValSaluzzana。IgotoutthemapinahurryandmeasuredthedistancefromtheretoStAntonandporedoverthetworoadsthither-theshortonebytheStaubPassandthelongonebytheMarjolana。Theselettersmademethinkthatthingswerenearingaclimax，butstillnoinstructionscame。Ihadnothingtoreportinmyownmessages，IhaddiscoverednothinginthePinkChaletbutidleservants，IwasnotevensureifthePinkChaletwerenotaharmlessvilla，andIhadn\'tcomewithinathousandmilesoffindingChelius。
AllmydesiretoimitatePeter\'sstoicismdidn\'tpreventmefromgettingoccasionallyrattledanddespondent。
TheonethingIcoulddowastokeepfit，forIhadanotionI
mightsoonwantallmybodilystrength。Ihadtokeepupmypretenceoflamenessinthedaytime，soIusedtotakemyexerciseatnight。Iwouldsleepintheafternoon，whenPeterhadhissiesta，andthenabouttenintheevening，afterputtinghimtobed，I
wouldslipout-of-doorsandgoforafourorfivehours\'tramp。
Wonderfulwerethosemidnightwanderings。Ipushedupthroughthesnow-ladenpinestotheridgeswherethesnowlayingreatwreathsandscallops，tillIstoodonacrestwithafrozenworldatmyfeetandabovemeahostofglitteringstars。OnceonanightoffullmoonIreachedtheglacieratthevalleyhead，scrambledupthemorainetowheretheicebegan，andpeeredfearfullyintothespectralcrevasses。AtsuchhoursIhadtheearthtomyself，fortherewasnotasoundexcepttheslippingofaburdenofsnowfromthetreesorthecrackandrustlewhichremindedmethataglacierwasamovingriver。Thewarseemedveryfaraway，andIfeltthelittlenessofourhumanstruggles，tillIthoughtofPeterturningfromsidetosidetofindeaseinthecottagefarbelowme。ThenIrealizedthatthespiritofmanwasthegreatestthinginthisspaciousworld……I
wouldgetbackaboutthreeorfour，haveabathinthewaterwhichhadbeenwarminginmyabsence，andcreepintobed，almostashamedofhavingtwosoundlegs，whenabettermanayardawayhadbutone。
OddlyenoughatthesehoursthereseemedmorelifeinthePinkChaletthanbyday。Once，trampingacrossthelakelongaftermidnight，Isawlightsinthelake-frontinwindowswhichforordinarywereblankandshuttered。SeveraltimesIcutacrossthegrounds，whenthemoonwasdark。Ononesuchoccasionagreatcarwithnolightssweptupthedrive，andIheardlowvoicesatthedoor。Anothertimeamanranhastilypastme，andenteredthehousebyalittledoorontheeasternside，whichIhadnotbeforenoticed……Slowlytheconvictionbegantogrowonmethatwewerenotwronginmarkingdownthisplace，thatthingswentonwithinitwhichitdeeplyconcernedustodiscover。ButIwaspuzzledtothinkofaway。Imightbuttinside，butforallIknewitwouldbeupsettingBlenkiron\'splans，forhehadgivenmenoinstructionsabouthousebreaking。Allthisunsettledmeworsethanever。Ibegantolieawakeplanningsomemeansofentrance……I
wouldbeapeasantfromthenextvalleywhohadtwistedhisankle……
Iwouldgoseekinganimaginarycousinamongtheservants……
Iwouldstartafireintheplaceandhavethedoorsflungopentozealousneighbours……
AndthensuddenlyIgotinstructionsinaletterfromBlenkiron。
Itcameinsideaparcelofwarmsocksthatarrivedfrommykindaunt。Buttheletterformewasnotfromher。ItwasinBlenkiron\'slargesprawlinghandandthestyleofitwasallhisown。Hetoldmethathehadaboutfinishedhisjob。HehadgothislineonChelius，whowasthebirdheexpected，andthatbirdwouldsoonwingitswaysouthwardacrossthemountainsforthereasonIknewof。
\'We\'vegotanalmightymoveon，\'hewrote，\'andpleaseGodyou\'regoingtohustlesomeinthenextweek。It\'sgoingbetterthanIeverhoped。\'Butsomethingwasstilltobedone。Hehadstruckacountryman，oneClarenceDonne，ajournalistofKansasCity，whomhehadtakenintothebusiness。Himhedescribedasa\'crackerjack\'andcommendedtomyesteem。HewascomingtoStAnton，fortherewasagameafootatthePinkChalet，whichhewouldgivemenewsof。Iwastomeethimnexteveningatnine-
fifteenatthelittledoorintheeastendofthehouse。\'FortheloveofMike，Dick，\'heconcluded，\'beontimeanddoeverythingClarencetellsyouasifhewasme。It\'samightycomplexaffair，butyouandhehavesandenoughtopullthrough。Don\'tworryaboutyourlittlecousin。She\'ssafeandoutofthejobnow。\'
Myfirstfeelingwasoneofimmenserelief，especiallyatthelastwords。IreadtheletteradozentimestomakesureIhaditsmeaning。Aflashofsuspicioncrossedmymindthatitmightbeafake，principallybecausetherewasnomentionofPeter，whohadfiguredlargeintheothermissives。ButwhyshouldPeterbementionedwhenhewasn\'toninthispiece？Thesignatureconvincedme。OrdinarilyBlenkironsignedhimselfinfullwithafinecommercialflourish。ButwhenIwasattheFronthehadgotintothehabitofmakingakindofhieroglyphicofhissurnametomeandstickingJ。S。afteritinabracket。Thatwashowthisletterwassigned，anditwassureproofitwasallright。
Ispentthatdayandthenextinwildspirits。Peterspottedwhatwason，thoughIdidnottellhimforfearofmakinghimenvious。I
hadtobeextrakindtohim，forIcouldseethatheachedtohaveahandinthebusiness。IndeedheaskedshylyifIcouldn\'tfithimin，andIhadtolieaboutitandsayitwasonlyanotherofmyaimlesscircumnavigationsofthePinkChalet。
\'TryandfindsomethingwhereIcanhelp，\'hepleaded。\'I\'mprettystrongstill，thoughI\'mlame，andIcanshootabit。\'
Ideclaredthathewouldbeusedintime，thatBlenkironhadpromisedhewouldbeused，butforthelifeofmeIcouldn\'tseehow。
Atnineo\'clockontheeveningappointedIwasonthelakeoppositethehouse，closeinundertheshore，makingmywaytotherendezvous。Itwasacoal-blacknight，forthoughtheairwasclearthestarswereshiningwithlittlelight，andthemoonhadnotyetrisen。WithapremonitionthatImightbelongawayfromfood，I
hadbroughtsomeslabsofchocolate，andmypistolandtorchwereinmypocket。Itwasbittercold，butIhadceasedtomindweather，andIworemyonesuitandnoovercoat。
Thehousewaslikeatombforsilence。Therewasnocrackoflightanywhere，andnoneofthosesmellsofsmokeandfoodwhichproclaimhabitation。Itwasaneeriejobscramblingupthesteepbankeastoftheplace，towheretheflatofthegardenstarted，inadarknesssogreatthatIhadtogropemywaylikeablindman。
Ifoundthelittledoorbyfeelingalongtheedgeofthebuilding。
ThenIsteppedintoanadjacentclumpoflaurelstowaitonmycompanion。Hewastherebeforeme。
\'Say，\'IheardarichMiddleWestvoicewhisper，\'areyouJosephZimmer？I\'mnotshoutinganynames，butIguessyouaretheguyIwastoldtomeethere。\'
\'MrDonne？\'Iwhisperedback。
\'Thesame，\'hereplied。\'Shake。\'
Igrippedaglovedandmittenedhandwhichdrewmetowardsthedoor。
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
ILieonaHardBedThejournalistfromKansasCitywasamanofaction。Hewastednowordsinintroducinghimselforunfoldinghisplanofcampaign。
\'You\'vegottofollowme，mister，andnotdeviateoneinchfrommytracks。Theexplainingpartwillcomelater。There\'sbigbusinessinthisshacktonight。\'Heunlockedthelittledoorwithscarcelyasound，slidthecrustofsnowfromhisboots，andprecededmeintoapassageasblackasacellar。Thedoorswungsmoothlybehindus，andafterthesharpout-of-doorstheairsmeltstuffyastheinsideofasafe。
AhandreachedbacktomakesurethatIfollowed。Weappearedtobeinaflaggedpassageunderthemainlevelofthehouse。Myhobnailedbootsslippedonthefloor，andIsteadiedmyselfonthewall，whichseemedtobeofundressedstone。MrDonnemovedsoftlyandassuredly，forhewasbettershodforthejobthanme，andhisguidinghandcamebackconstantlytomakesureofmywhereabouts。
IrememberthatIfeltjustasIhadfeltwhenonthatAugustnightIhadexploredthecreviceoftheCoolin-thesamesensethatsomethingqueerwasgoingtohappen，thesamerecklessnessandcontentment。Movingafootatatimewithimmensecare，wecametoaright-handturning。Twoshallowstepsledustoanotherpassage，andthenmygropinghandsstruckablindwall。TheAmericanwasbesideme，andhismouthwasclosetomyear。
\'Gottocrawlnow，\'hewhispered。\'Youlead，mister，whileI
shedthiscoatofmine。Eightfeetonyourstomachandthenupright。\'
Iwriggledthroughalowtunnel，broadenoughtotakethreemenabreast，butnottwofeethigh。Half-waythroughIfeltsuffocated，forIneverlikedholes，andIhadamomentaryanxietyastowhatwewereafterinthiscellarpilgrimage。PresentlyIsmeltfreeairandgotontomyknees。
\'Right，mister？\'cameawhisperfrombehind。MycompanionseemedtobewaitingtillIwasthroughbeforehefollowed。
\'Right，\'Ianswered，andverycarefullyrosetomyfeet。
Thensomethinghappenedbehindme。Therewasajarandabumpasiftheroofofthetunnelhadsubsided。Iturnedsharplyandgropedatthemouth。Istuckmylegdownandfoundablock。
\'Donne，\'Isaid，asloudasIdared，\'areyouhurt？Whereareyou？\'
Butnoanswercame。
EventhenIthoughtonlyofanaccident。Somethinghadmiscarried，andIwascutoffinthecellarsofanunfriendlyhouseawayfromthemanwhoknewtheroadandhadaplaninhishead。Iwasnotsomuchfrightenedasexasperated。Iturnedfromthetunnel-
mouthandgropedintothedarknessbeforeme。ImightaswellprospectthekindofprisonintowhichIhadblundered。
Itookthreesteps-nomore。Myfeetseemedsuddenlytogofrommeandflyupward。SosuddenwasitthatIfellheavyanddeadlikealog，andmyheadstruckthefloorwithacrashthatforamomentknockedmesenseless。Iwasconsciousofsomethingfallingonmeandofanintolerablepressureonmychest。Istruggledforbreath，andfoundmyarmsandlegspinnedandmywholebodyinakindofwoodenvice。Iwassickwithconcussion，andcoulddonothingbutgaspandchokedownmynausea。Thecutinthebackofmyheadwasbleedingfreelyandthathelpedtoclearmywits，butIlayforaminuteortwoincapableofthought。Ishutmyeyestight，asamandoeswhenheisfightingwithaswoon。
WhenIopenedthemtherewaslight。Itcamefromtheleftsideoftheroom，thebroadglareofastrongelectrictorch。Iwatcheditstupidly，butitgavemethefillipneededtopickupthethreads。I
rememberedthetunnelnowandtheKansasjournalist。ThenbehindthelightIsawafacewhichpulledmyflickeringsensesoutofthemire。
Isawtheheavyulsterandthecap，whichIhadrealized，thoughIhadnotseen，outsideinthedarklaurels。Theybelongedtothejournalist，ClarenceDonne，thetrustedemissaryofBlenkiron。ButI
sawhisfacenow，anditwasthatfacewhichIhadboastedtoBullivantIcouldnevermistakeagainuponearth。Ididnotmistakeitnow，andIrememberIhadafaintsatisfactionthatIhadmadegoodmyword。Ihadnotmistakenit，forIhadnothadthechancetolookatittillthismoment。Isawwithacidclearnessthecommondenominatorofallitsdisguises-theyoungmanwholispedintheseasidevilla，thestoutphilanthropistofBiggleswick，thepulpypanic-strickencreatureoftheTubestation，thetrimFrenchstaffofficerofthePicardychateau……Isawmore，forIsawitbeyondtheneedofdisguise。IwaslookingatvonSchwabing，theexile，whohaddonemoreforGermanythananyarmycommander……
Mary\'swordscamebacktome-\'themostdangerousmanintheworld\'……Iwasnotafraid，orbroken-heartedatfailure，orangry-
notyet，forIwastoodazedandawestruck。Ilookedathimasonemightlookatsomecataclysmofnaturewhichhaddestroyedacontinent。
Thefacewassmiling。
\'Iamhappytoofferyouhospitalityatlast，\'itsaid。
Ipulledmywitsfartheroutofthemudtoattendtohim。Thecross-baronmychestpressedlesshardandIbreathedbetter。ButwhenItriedtospeak，thewordswouldnotcome。
\'Weareoldfriends，\'hewenton。\'Wehaveknowneachotherquiteintimatelyforfouryears，whichisalongtimeinwar。Ihavebeeninterestedinyou，foryouhaveakindofcrudeintelligence，andyouhavecompelledmetotakeyouseriously。Ifyouwereclevereryouwouldappreciatethecompliment。Butyouwerefoolenoughtothinkyoucouldbeatme，andforthatyoumustbepunished。Ohno，don\'tflatteryourselfyouwereeverdangerous。
Youwereonlytroublesomeandpresumptuouslikeamosquitooneflicksoffone\'ssleeve。\'
Hewasleaningagainstthesideofaheavycloseddoor。Helitacigarfromalittlegoldtinderboxandregardedmewithamusedeyes。
\'Youwillhavetimeforreflection，soIproposetoenlightenyoualittle。Youareanobserveroflittlethings。So？Didyoueverseeacatwithamouse？Themouserunsaboutandhidesandmanoeuvresandthinksitisplayingitsowngame。Butatanymomentthecatcanstretchoutitspawandputanendtoit。Youarethemouse，mypoorGeneral-forIbelieveyouareoneofthosefunnyamateursthattheEnglishcallGenerals。AtanymomentduringthelastninemonthsIcouldhaveputanendtoyouwithanod。\'
MynauseahadstoppedandIcouldunderstandwhathesaid，thoughIhadstillnopowertoreply。
\'Letmeexplain，\'hewenton。\'IwatchedwithamusementyourgambolsatBiggleswick。MyeyesfollowedyouwhenyouwenttotheClydeandinyourstupidtwistingsinScotland。Igaveyourope，becauseyouwerefutile，andIhadgraverthingstoattendto。IallowedyoutoamuseyourselfatyourBritishFrontwithchildishinvestigationsandtoplaythefoolinParis。IhavefollowedeverystepofyourcourseinSwitzerland，andIhavehelpedyouridioticYankeefriendtoplotagainstmyself。Whileyouthoughtyouweredrawingyournetaroundme，Iwasdrawingminearoundyou。Iassureyou，ithasbeenacharmingrelaxationfromseriousbusiness。\'
Iknewthemanwaslying。Somepartwastrue，forhehadclearlyfooledBlenkiron；butIrememberedthehurriedflightfromBiggleswickandEaucourtSainte-Annewhenthegamewascertainlyagainsthim。Hehadmeathismercy，andwaswreakinghisvanityonme。Thatmadehimsmallerinmyeyes，andmyfirstawebegantopass。
\'Inevercherishrancour，youknow，\'hesaid。\'Inmybusinessitissillytobeangry，foritwastesenergy。ButIdonottolerateinsolence，mydearGeneral。Andmycountryhasthehabitofdoingjusticeonherenemies。Itmayinterestyoutoknowthattheendisnotfaroff。Germanyhasfacedajealousworldinarmsandsheisabouttobejustifiedofhergreatcourage。Shehasbrokenupbitbybittheclumsyorganizationofheropponents。WhereisRussiatoday，thesteam-rollerthatwastocrushus？WhereisthepoordupeRumania？WhereisthestrengthofItaly，whowasoncetodowondersforwhatshecalledLiberty？Broken，allofthem。Ihaveplayedmypartinthatworkandnowtheneedispast。MycountrywithfreehandsisabouttoturnuponyourarmedrabbleintheWestanddriveitintotheAtlantic。ThenweshalldealwiththeraggedremainsofFranceandthehandfulofnoisyAmericans。BymidsummertherewillbepeacedictatedbytriumphantGermany。\'
\'ByGod，therewon\'t！\'Ihadfoundmyvoiceatlast。
\'ByGod，therewill，\'hesaidpleasantly。\'Itiswhatyoucallamathematicalcertainty。Youwillnodoubtdiebravely，likethesavagetribesthatyourEmpireusedtoconquer。Butwehavethegreaterdisciplineandthestrongerspiritandthebiggerbrain。
Stupidityisalwayspunishedintheend，andyouareastupidrace。
DonotthinkthatyourkinsmenacrosstheAtlanticwillsaveyou。
Theyareacommercialpeopleandbynomeanssureofthemselves。
Whentheyhaveblusteredalittletheywillseereasonandfindsomemeansofsavingtheirfaces。TheircomicPresidentwillmakeaspeechortwoandwriteusasolemnNote，andwewillreplywiththeseriousrhetoricwhichheloves，andthenweshallkissandbefriends。Youknowinyourheartthatitwillbeso。\'
Agreatapathyseemedtosettleonme。Thisbraggingdidnotmakemeangry，andIhadnolongeranywishtocontradicthim。Itmayhavebeentheresultofthefall，butmymindhadstoppedworking。
Iheardhisvoiceasonelistenscasuallytothetickingofaclock。
\'Iwilltellyoumore，\'hewassaying。\'Thisistheeveningofthe18thdayofMarch。YourgeneralsinFranceexpectanattack，buttheyarenotsurewhereitwillcome。SomethinkitmaybeinChampagneorontheAisne，someatYpres，someatStQuentin。
Well，mydearGeneral，youalonewillItakeintoourconfidence。
Onthemorningofthe21st，threedaysfromnow，weattacktherightwingoftheBritishArmy。IntwodaysweshallbeinAmiens。
Onthethirdweshallhavedrivenawedgeasfarasthesea。Theninaweekorsoweshallhaverolledupyourarmyfromtheright，andpresentlyweshallbeinBoulogneandCalais。AfterthatParisfalls，andthenPeace。\'
Imadenoanswer。Theword\'Amiens\'recalledMary，andIwastryingtorememberthedayinJanuarywhensheandIhadmotoredsouthfromthatpleasantcity。
\'WhydoItellyouthesethings？Yourintelligence，foryouarenotaltogetherfoolish，willhavesuppliedtheanswer。Itisbecauseyourlifeisover。AsyourShakespearesays，therestissilence……
No，Iamnotgoingtokillyou。Thatwouldbecrude，andIhatecrudities。Iamgoingnowonalittlejourney，andwhenIreturnintwenty-fourhours\'timeyouwillbemycompanion。YouaregoingtovisitGermany，mydearGeneral。\'
Thatwokemetoattention，andhenoticedit，forhewentonwithgusto。
\'Youhaveheardofthe_Untergrundbahn？No？AndyouboastofanIntelligenceservice！YetyourignoranceissharedbythewholeofyourGeneralStaff。Itisalittleorganizationofmyown。Byitwecantakeunwillinganddangerouspeopleinsideourfrontiertobedealtwithasweplease。SomehavegonefromEnglandandmanyfromFrance。OfficiallyIbelievetheyarerecordedas“missing“，buttheydidnotgoastrayonanybattle-field。Theyhavebeengatheredfromtheirhomesorfromhotelsorofficesoreventhebusystreets。
IwillnotconcealfromyouthattheserviceofourUndergroundRailwayisalittleirregularfromEnglandandFrance。ButfromSwitzerlanditissmoothasatrunkline。Thereareunwatchedspotsonthefrontier，andwehaveouragentsamongthefrontierguards，andwehavenodifficultyaboutpasses。Itisaprettydevice，andyouwillsoonbeprivilegedtoobserveitsworking……InGermanyIcannotpromiseyoucomfort，butIdonotthinkyourlifewillbedull。\'
Ashespokethesewords，hisurbanesmilechangedtoagrinofimpishmalevolence。EventhroughmytorporIfeltthevenomandIshivered。
\'WhenIreturnIshallhaveanothercompanion。\'Hisvoicewashoneyedagain。\'ThereisacertainprettyladywhowastobethebaittoenticemeintoItaly。Itwasso？Well，Ihavefallentothebait。
IhavearrangedthatsheshallmeetmethisverynightatamountaininnontheItalianside。Ihavearranged，too，thatsheshallbealone。
Sheisaninnocentchild，andIdonotthinkthatshehasbeenmorethanatoolintheclumsyhandsofyourfriends。ShewillcomewithmewhenIaskher，andweshallbeamerrypartyintheUndergroundExpress。\'
Myapathyvanished，andeverynerveinmewasaliveatthewords。
\'Youcur！\'Icried。\'Sheloathesthesightofyou。Shewouldn\'ttouchyouwiththeendofabarge-pole。\'
Heflickedtheashfromhiscigar。\'Ithinkyouaremistaken。Iamverypersuasive，andIdonotliketousecompulsionwithawoman。
But，willingornot，shewillcomewithme。IhaveworkedhardandIamentitledtomypleasure，andIhavesetmyheartonthatlittlelady。\'
Therewassomethinginhistone，gross，leering，assured，halfcontemptuous，thatmademybloodboil。Hehadfairlygotmeontheraw，andthehammerbeatviolentlyinmyforehead。Icouldhaveweptwithsheerrage，andittookallmyfortitudetokeepmymouthshut。ButIwasdeterminednottoaddtohistriumph。
Helookedathiswatch。\'Timepasses，\'hesaid。\'Imustdeparttomycharmingassignation。Iwillgiveyourremembrancestothelady。ForgivemeformakingnoarrangementsforyourcomforttillIreturn。Yourconstitutionissosoundthatitwillnotsufferfromaday\'sfasting。TosetyourmindatrestImaytellyouthatescapeisimpossible。Thismechanismhasbeenprovedtoooften，andifyoudidbreakloosefromitmyservantswoulddealwithyou。ButI
mustspeakawordofcaution。Ifyoutamperwithitorstruggletoomuchitwillactinacuriousway。Thefloorbeneathyoucoversashaftwhichrunstothelakebelow。Setacertainspringatworkandyoumayfindyourselfshotdownintothewaterfarbelowtheice，whereyourbodywillrottillthespring……That，ofcourse，isanalternativeopentoyou，ifyoudonotcaretowaitformyreturn。\'
Helitafreshcigar，wavedhishand，andvanishedthroughthedoorway。Asitshutbehindhim，thesoundofhisfootstepsinstantlydiedaway。Thewallsmusthavebeenasthickasaprison\'s。
IsupposeIwaswhatpeopleinbookscall\'stunned\'。Theilluminationduringthepastfewminuteshadbeensodazzlingthatmybraincouldnotmasterit。IrememberveryclearlythatIdidnotthinkabouttheghastlyfailureofourscheme，ortheGermanplanswhichhadbeeninsolentlyunfoldedtomeastoonedeadtotheworld。Isawasinglepicture-aninninasnowyvalley(IsawitasasmallplacelikePeter\'scottage)，asolitarygirl，thatsmilingdevilwhohadleftme，andthentheunknownterroroftheUndergroundRailway。Ithinkmycouragewentforabit，andIcriedwithfeeblenessandrage。ThehammerinmyforeheadhadstoppedforitonlybeatwhenIwasangryinaction。NowthatIlaytrapped，themanhoodhadslippedoutofmyjoints，andifIveryhadstillbeeninthedoorway，IthinkIwouldhavewhinedformercy。IwouldhaveofferedhimalltheknowledgeIhadintheworldifhehadpromisedtoleaveMaryalone。
Happilyhewasn\'tthere，andtherewasnowitnessofmycowardice。Happily，too，itisjustasdifficulttobeacowardforlongastobeahero。ItwasBlenkiron\'sphraseaboutMarythatpulledmetogether-\'Shecan\'tscareandshecan\'tsoil\'。No，byheavens，shecouldn\'t。IcouldtrustmyladyfarbetterthanIcouldtrustmyself。I
wasstillsickwithanxiety，butIwasgettingapullonmyself。Iwasdonein，butIverywouldgetnotriumphoutofme。EitherIwouldgoundertheice，orIwouldfindachanceofputtingabulletthroughmyheadbeforeIcrossedthefrontier。IfIcoulddonothingelseIcouldperishdecently……AndthenIlaughed，andIknewI
waspasttheworst。WhatmademelaughwasthethoughtofPeter。
Ihadbeenpityinghimanhouragoforhavingonlyoneleg，butnowhewasabroadintheliving，breathingworldwithyearsbeforehim，andIlayinthedepths，limblessandlifeless，withmynumberup。
IbegantomuseonthecoldwaterundertheicewhereIcouldgoifIwanted。IdidnotthinkthatIwouldtakethatroad，foraman\'schancesarenotgonetillheisstonedead，butIwasgladthewayexisted……AndthenIlookedatthewallinfrontofme，and，veryfarup，Isawasmallsquarewindow。
ThestarshadbeencloudedwhenIenteredthataccursedhouse，butthemistmusthavecleared。IsawmyoldfriendOrion，thehunter\'sstar，lookingthroughthebars。Andthatsuddenlymademethink。
PeterandIhadwatchedthembynight，andIknewtheplaceofallthechiefconstellationsinrelationtotheStAntonvalley。I
believedthatIwasinaroomonthelakesideofthePinkChalet:I
mustbe，ifIveryhadspokenthetruth。Butifso，IcouldnotconceivablyseeOrionfromitswindow……Therewasnootherpossibleconclusion，Imustbeinaroomontheeastsideofthehouse，andIveryhadbeenlying。HehadalreadyliedinhisboastingofhowhehadoutwittedmeinEnglandandattheFront。HemightbelyingaboutMary……No，Idismissedthathope。Thosewordsofhishadrungtrueenough。
Ithoughtforaminuteandconcludedthathehadliedtoterrorizemeandkeepmequiet；thereforethisinfernalcontraptionhadprobablyitsweakpoint。Ireflected，too，thatIwasprettystrong，farstrongerprobablythanIveryimagined，forhehadneverseenmestripped。SincetheplacewaspitchdarkIcouldnotguesshowthethingworked，butIcouldfeelthecross-barsrigidonmychestandlegsandtheside-barswhichpinnedmyarmstomysides……I
drewalongbreathandtriedtoforcemyelbowsapart。Nothingmoved，norcouldIraisethebarsonmylegsthesmallestfraction。
AgainItried，andagain。Theside-baronmyrightseemedtobelessrigidthantheothers。Imanagedtogetmyrighthandraisedabovethelevelofmythigh，andthenwithastruggleIgotagripwithitonthecross-bar，whichgavemeasmallleverage。WithamightyeffortIdrovemyrightelbowandshoulderagainsttheside-bar。Itseemedtogiveslightly……Isummonedallmystrengthandtriedagain。Therewasacrackandthenasplintering，themassivebarshuffledlimplyback，andmyrightarmwasfreetomovelaterally，thoughthecross-barpreventedmefromraisingit。
WithsomedifficultyIgotatmycoatpocketwherereposedmyelectrictorchandmypistol。WithimmenselabourandnolittlepainIpulledtheformeroutandswitcheditonbydrawingthecatchagainstthecross-bar。ThenIsawmyprisonhouse。
Itwasalittlesquarechamber，veryhigh，withonmyleftthemassivedoorbywhichIveryhaddeparted。Thedarkbaulksofmyrackwereplain，andIcouldroughlymakeouthowthethinghadbeenmanaged。Somespringhadtilteduptheflooring，anddroppedtheframeworkfromitsplaceintheright-handwall。Itwasclamped，Iobserved，byanarrangementinthefloorjustinfrontofthedoor。
IfIcouldgetridofthatcatchitwouldbeeasytofreemyself，fortoamanofmystrengththeweightwouldnotbeimpossiblyheavy。
Myfortitudehadcomebacktome，andIwaslivingonlyinthemoment，chokingdownanyhopeofescape。Myfirstjobwastodestroythecatchthatclampeddowntherack，andforthatmyonlyweaponwasmypistol。Imanagedtogetthelittleelectrictorchjammedinthecornerofthecross-bar，whereitlitupthefloortowardsthedoor。Thenitwashell\'sownbusinessextricatingthepistolfrommypocket。Wristandfingerswerealwayscramping，andIwasinterrorthatImightdropitwhereIcouldnotretrieveit。
Iforcedmyselftothinkoutcalmlythequestionoftheclamp，forapistolbulletisasmallthing，andIcouldnotaffordtomiss。I
reasoneditoutfrommyknowledgeofmechanics，andcametotheconclusionthatthecentreofgravitywasacertainbrightspotofmetalwhichIcouldjustseeunderthecross-bars。Itwasbrightandsomusthavebeenrecentlyrepaired，andthatwasanotherreasonforthinkingitimportant。Thequestionwashowtohitit，forI
couldnotgetthepistolinlinewithmyeye。Letanyonetrythatkindofshooting，withabentarmoverabar，whenyouarelyingflatandlookingatthemarkfromunderthebar，andhewillunderstanditsdifficulties。Ihadsixshotsinmyrevolver，andI
mustfiretwoorthreerangingshotsinanycase。Imustnotexhaustallmycartridges，forImusthaveabulletleftforanyservantwhocametopry，andIwantedoneinreserveformyself。ButIdidnotthinkshotswouldbeheardoutsidetheroom；thewallsweretoothick。
Iheldmywristrigidabovethecross-barandfired。Thebulletwasaninchtotherightofthepieceofbrightsteel。MovingafractionIfiredagain。Ihadgrazeditontheleft。Withachingeyesgluedonthemark，Itriedathirdtime。Isawsomethingleapapart，andsuddenlythewholeframeworkunderwhichIlayfelllooseandmobile……IwasverycoolandrestoredthepistoltomypocketandtookthetorchinmyhandbeforeImoved……Fortunehadbeenkind，forIwasfree。Iturnedonmyface，humpedmyback，andwithoutmuchtroublecrawledoutfromunderthecontraption。
Ididnotallowmyselftothinkofultimateescape，forthatwouldonlyflurryme，andonestepatatimewasenough。IrememberthatIdustedmyclothes，andfoundthatthecutinthebackofmyheadhadstoppedbleeding。Iretrievedmyhat，whichhadrolledintoacornerwhenIfell……ThenIturnedmyattentiontothenextstep。
Thetunnelwasimpossible，andtheonlywaywasthedoor。IfI
hadstoppedtothinkIwouldhaveknownthatthechancesagainstgettingoutofsuchahousewereathousandtoone。Thepistolshotshadbeenmuffledbythecavernouswalls，buttheplace，asI
knew，wasfullofservantsand，evenifIpassedtheimmediatedoor，Iwouldbecollaredinsomepassage。ButIhadmyselfsowellinhandthatItackledthedoorasifIhadbeenprospectingtosinkanewshaftinRhodesia。
Ithadnohandlenor，sofarasIcouldsee，akeyhole……ButI
noticed，asIturnedmytorchontheground，thatfromtheclampwhichIhadshatteredabrassrodsunkinthefloorledtooneofthedoor-posts。Obviouslythethingworkedbyaspringandwasconnectedwiththemechanismoftherack。
Awildthoughtenteredmymindandbroughtmetomyfeet。I
pushedthedooranditswungslowlyopen。Thebulletwhichfreedmehadreleasedthespringwhichcontrolledit。
Thenforthefirsttime，againstallmymaximsofdiscretion，I
begantohope。Itookoffmyhatandfeltmyforeheadburning，sothatIresteditforamomentonthecoolwall……Perhapsmyluckstillheld。WitharushcamethoughtsofMaryandBlenkironandPeterandeverythingwehadlabouredfor，andIwasmadtowin。
Ihadnonotionoftheinteriorofthehouseorwherelaythemaindoortotheouterworld。Mytorchshowedmealongpassagewithsomethinglikeadooratthefarend，butIclickeditoff，forIdidnotdaretouseitnow。Theplacewasdeadlyquiet。AsIlistenedIseemedtohearadooropenfaraway，andthensilencefellagain。
IgropedmywaydownthepassagetillIhadmyhandsonthefardoor。Ihopeditmightopenonthehall，whereIcouldescapebyawindoworabalcony，forIjudgedtheouterdoorwouldbelocked。
Ilistened，andtherecamenosoundfromwithin。Itwasnouselingering，soverystealthilyIturnedthehandleandopeneditacrack。
ItcreakedandIwaitedwithbeatingheartondiscovery，forinsideIsawtheglowoflight。Buttherewasnomovement，soitmustbeempty。Ipokedmyheadinandthenfollowedwithmybody。
Itwasalargeroom，withlogsburninginastove，andthefloorthickwithrugs。Itwaslinedwithbooks，andonatableinthecentreareading-lampwasburning。Severaldispatch-boxesstoodonthetable，andtherewasalittlepileofpapers。Amanhadbeenhereaminutebefore，forahalf-smokedcigarwasburningontheedgeoftheinkstand。
AtthatmomentIrecoveredcompleteuseofmywitsandallmyself-possession。More，therereturnedtomesomeoftheolddevil-
may-carenesswhichbeforehadservedmewell。Iveryhadgone，butthiswashissanctum。justasontheroofsofErzerumIhadburnedtogetatStumm\'spapers，sonowitwasborneinonmethatatallcostsImustlookatthatpile。
Iadvancedtothetableandpickedupthetopmostpaper。Itwasalittletypewrittenblueslipwiththeletteringinitalics，andinacorneracurious，involvedstampinredink。OnitIread:
\'__DieWildvogelmissen_beimkehren。\'
AtthesamemomentIheardstepsandthedooropenedonthefarside，Isteppedbacktowardsthestove，andfingeredthepistolinmypocket。
Amanentered，amanwithascholar\'sstoop，anunkemptbeard，andlargesleepydarkeyes。Atthesightofmehepulledupandhiswholebodygrewtaut。ItwasthePortugueseJew，whosebackI
hadlastseenatthesmithydoorinSkye，andwhobythemercyofGodhadneverseenmyface。
Istoppedfingeringmypistol，forIhadaninspiration。BeforehecouldutterawordIgotinfirst。
\'__DieVogeleinschweiigemim_Walde，\'Isaid。
Hisfacebrokeintoapleasantsmile，andhereplied:
\'_Wartenur，balderubestdu_auch。\'
\'Ach，\'hesaidinGerman，holdingouthishand，\'youhavecomethisway，whenwethoughtyouwouldgobyModane。Iwelcomeyou，forIknowyourexploits。YouareConradi，whodidsonoblyinItaly？\'
Ibowed。\'Yes，IamConradi，\'Isaid。
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
TheColoftheSwallowsHepointedtothesliponthetable。
\'Youhaveseentheorders？\'
Inodded。
\'Thelongday\'sworkisover。Youmustrejoice，foryourparthasbeenthehardest，Ithink。Somedayyouwilltellmeaboutit？\'
Theman\'sfacewashonestandkindly，ratherlikethatoftheengineerGaudian，whomtwoyearsbeforeIhadmetinGermany。
Buthiseyesfascinatedme，fortheyweretheeyesofthedreamerandfanatic，whowouldnotdesistfromhisquestwhilelifelasted。I
thoughtthatIveryhadchosenwellinhiscolleague。
\'Mytaskisnotdoneyet，\'Isaid。\'IcameheretoseeChelius。\'
\'Hewillbebacktomorrowevening。\'
\'Toolate。Imustseehimatonce。HehasgonetoItaly，andI
mustovertakehim。\'
\'Youknowyourdutybest，\'hesaidgravely。
\'Butyoumusthelpme。ImustcatchhimatSantaChiara，foritisabusinessoflifeanddeath。Isthereacartobehad？\'
\'Thereismine。Butthereisnochauffeur。Cheliustookhim。\'
\'IcandrivemyselfandIknowtheroad。ButIhavenopasstocrossthefrontier。\'
\'Thatiseasilysupplied，\'hesaid，smiling。
inonebookcasetherewasashelfofdummybooks。Heunlockedthisandrevealedasmallcupboard，whencehetookatindispatch-
box。Fromsomepapersheselectedone，whichseemedtobealreadysigned。
\'Name？\'heasked。
\'CallmeHansGruberofBrieg，\'Isaid。\'Itraveltopickupmymaster，whoisinthetimbertrade。\'
\'Andyourreturn？\'
\'Iwillcomebackbymyoldroad，\'Isaidmysteriously；andifheknewwhatImeantitwasmorethanIdidmyself。
Hecompletedthepaperandhandedittome。\'Thiswilltakeyouthroughthefrontierposts。Andnowforthecar。Theservantswillbeinbed，fortheyhavebeenpreparingforalongjourney，butI
willmyselfshowityou。ThereisenoughpetrolonboardtotakeyoutoRome。\'
Heledmethroughthehall，unlockedthefrontdoor，andwecrossedthesnowylawntothegarage。Theplacewasemptybutforagreatcar，whichborethemarksofhavingcomefromthemuddylowlands。TomyjoyIsawthatitwasaDaimler，atypewithwhichIwasfamiliar。Ilitthelamps，startedtheengine，andranitoutontotheroad。
\'Youwillwantanovercoat，\'hesaid。
\'Ineverwearthem。\'
\'Food？\'
\'Ihavesomechocolate。IwillbreakfastatSantaChiara。\'
\'Well，Godgowithyou！\'
AminutelaterIwastearingalongthelake-sidetowardsStAntonvillage。
Istoppedatthecottageonthehill。Peterwasnotyetinbed。I
foundhimsittingbythefire，tryingtoread，butIsawbyhisfacethathehadbeenwaitinganxiouslyonmycoming。
\'We\'reinthesoup，oldman，\'IsaidasIshutthedoor。InadozensentencesItoldhimofthenight\'sdoings，ofIvery\'splanandmydesperateerrand。
\'Youwantedashare，\'Icried。\'Well，everythingdependsonyounow。I\'moffafterIvery，andGodknowswhatwillhappen。
Meantime，youhavegottogetontoBlenkiron，andtellhimwhatI\'vetoldyou。HemustgetthenewsthroughtoG。H。Q。somehow。HemusttraptheWildBirdsbeforetheygo。Idon\'tknowhow，buthemust。Tellhimit\'salluptohimandyou，forI\'moutofit。ImustsaveMary，andifGod\'swillingI\'llsettlewithIvery。ButthebigjobisforBlenkiron-andyou。Somehowhehasmadeabadbreak，andtheenemyhasgotaheadofhim。HemustsweatbloodtomakeUp。MyGod，Peter，it\'sthesolemnestmomentofourlives。I
don\'tseeanylight，butwemustn\'tmissanychances。I\'mleavingitalltoyou。\'
Ispokelikeamaninafever，forafterwhatIhadbeenthroughI
wasn\'tquitesane。MycoolnessinthePinkChalethadgivenplacetoacrazyrestlessness。IcanseePeteryet，standingintheringoflamplight，supportinghimselfbyachairback，wrinklinghisbrowsand，ashealwaysdidinmomentsofexcitement，scratchinggentlythetipofhisleftear。Hisfacewashappy。
\'Neverfear，Dick，\'hesaid。\'Itwillallcomeright。
__Onssal\'nplanmaak。\'
Andthen，stillpossessedwithademonofdisquiet，Iwasontheroadagain，headingforthepassthatledtoItaly。
Themisthadgonefromthesky，andthestarswereshiningbrightly。Themoon，nowattheendofitsfirstquarter，wassettinginagapofthemountains，asIclimbedthelowcolfromtheStAntonvalleytothegreaterStaubthal。Therewasfrostandthehardsnowcrackledundermywheels，buttherewasalsothatfeelintheairwhichpreludesstorm。IwonderedifIshouldrunintosnowinthehighhills。Thewholelandwasdeepinpeace。TherewasnotalightinthehamletsIpassedthrough，notasoulonthehighway。
IntheStaubthalIjoinedthemainroadandswungtotheleftupthenarrowingbedofthevalley。Theroadwasinnoblecondition，andthecarwasrunningfinely，asImountedthroughforestsofsnowyPinestoalandwherethemountainscreptclosetogether，andthehighwaycoiledroundtheanglesofgreatcragsorskirtedperilouslysomeprofoundgorge，withonlyalineofwoodenpoststodefenditfromthevoid。Inplacesthesnowstoodinwallsoneitherside，wheretheroadwaskeptopenbyman\'slabour。Inotherpartsitlaythin，andinthedimlightonemighthavefanciedthatonewasrunningthroughopenmeadowlands。
