第9章

Slowlymyheadwasgettingclearer，andIwasabletolookroundmyproblem。IbanishedfrommymindthesituationIhadleftbehindme。Blenkironmustcopewiththatasbesthecould。ItlaywithhimtodealwiththeWildBirds，myjobwaswithIveryalone。SometimeintheearlymorninghewouldreachSantaChiara，andtherehewouldfindMary。Beyondthatmyimaginationcouldforecastnothing。Shewouldbealone-Icouldtrusthisclevernessforthat；hewouldtrytoforcehertocomewithhim，orhemightpersuadeherwithsomelyingstory。Well，pleaseGod，Ishouldcomeinforthetailendoftheinterview，andatthethoughtI

cursedthesteepgradientsIwasclimbing，andlongedforsomemagictolifttheDaimlerbeyondthesummitandsetitracingdowntheslopetowardsItaly。

Ithinkitwasabouthalf-pastthreewhenIsawthelightsofthefrontierpost。Theairseemedmilderthaninthevalleys，andtherewasasoftscurryofsnowonmyrightcheek。AcoupleofsleepySwisssentrieswiththeirriflesintheirhandsstumbledoutasIdrewup。

Theytookmypassintothehutandgavemeananxiousquarterofanhourwhiletheyexaminedit。TheperformancewasrepeatedfiftyyardsonattheItalianpost，wheretomyalarmthesentrieswereinclinedtoconversation。Iplayedthepartofthesulkyservant，answeringinmonosyllablesandpretendingtoimmensestupidity。

\'Youareonlyjustintime，friend，\'saidoneinGerman。\'Theweathergrowsbadandsoonthepasswillclose。Ugh，itisascoldaslastwinterontheTonale。Youremember，Giuseppe？\'

Butintheendtheyletmemoveon。ForalittleIfeltmywaygingerly，foronthesummittheroadhadmanytwistsandthesnowwasconfusingtotheeyes。PresentlycameasharpdropandIlettheDaimlergo。Itgrewcolder，andIshiveredalittle；thesnowbecameawetwhitefogaroundtheglowingarcoftheheadlights；andalwaystheroadfell，nowinlongcurves，nowinsteepshortdips，tillIwasawareofaglenopeningtowardsthesouth。FromlonglivinginthewildsIhaveakindofsenseforlandscapewithoutthetestimonyoftheeyes，andIknewwheretheravinenarrowedorwidenedthoughitwasblackdarkness。

InspiteofmyrestlessnessIhadtogoslowly，forafterthefirstrushdownhillIrealizedthat，unlessIwascareful，Imightwreckthecarandspoileverything。Thesurfaceoftheroadonthesouthernslopeofthemountainswasathousandpercentworsethanthatontheother。Iskiddedandside-slipped，andoncegrazedtheedgeofthegorge。Itwasfarmoremaddeningthantheclimbup，forthenithadbeenastraight-forwardgrindwiththeDaimlerdoingitsutmost，whereasnowIhadtoholdherbackbecauseofmyownlackofskill。IreckonthattimecrawlingdownfromthesummitoftheStaubassomeoftheweariesthoursIeverspent。

QuitesuddenlyIranoutoftheillweatherintoadifferentclimate。Theskywasclearaboveme，andIsawthatdawnwasverynear。Thefirstpinewoodswerebeginning，andatlastcameastraightslopewhereIcouldletthecarout。Ibegantorecovermyspirits，whichhadbeenverydashed，andtoreckonthedistanceI

hadstilltotravel……Andthen，withoutwarning，anewworldspranguparoundme。Outoftheblueduskwhiteshapesroselikeghosts，peaksandneedlesanddomesofice，theirbasesfadingmistilyintoshadow，butthetopskindlingtilltheyglowedlikejewels。Ihadneverseensuchasight，andthewonderofitforamomentdroveanxietyfrommyheart。More，itgavemeanearnestofvictory。Iwasinclearaironcemore，andsurelyinthisdiamondetherthefoulthingswhichlovedthedarkmustbeworsted……

AndthenIsaw，amileahead，thelittlesquarered-roofedbuildingwhichIknewtobetheinnofSantaChiara。

Itwasherethatmisfortunemetme。Ihadgrowncarelessnow，andlookedratheratthehousethantheroad。Atonepointthehillsidehadslippeddown-itmusthavebeenrecent，fortheroadwaswellkept-andIdidnotnoticethelandslidetillIwasonit。I

slewedtotheright，tooktoowideacurve，andbeforeIknewthecarwasoverthefaredge。Islappedonthebrakes，buttoavoidturningturtleIhadtoleavetheroadaltogether。Islithereddownasteepbankintoameadow，whereformysinsIranintoafallentreetrunkwithajarthatshookmeoutofmyseatandnearlybrokemyarm。BeforeIexaminedthecarIknewwhathadhappened。Thefrontaxlewasbent，andtheofffrontwheelbadlybuckled。

Ihadnottimetocursemystupidity。Iclamberedbacktotheroadandsetoffrunningdownitatmybestspeed。Iwasmortallystiff，forIvery\'srackwasnotgoodforthejoints，butIrealizeditonlyasadragonmypace，notasanafflictioninitself。Mywholemindwassetonthehousebeforemeandwhatmightbehappeningthere。

Therewasamanatthedooroftheinn，who，whenhecaughtsightofmyfigure，begantomovetomeetme。IsawthatitwasLauncelotWake，andthesightgavemehope。

Buthisfacefrightenedme。Itwasdrawnandhaggardlikeonewhoneversleeps，andhiseyeswerehotcoals。

\'Hannay，\'hecried，\'forGod\'ssakewhatdoesitmean？\'

\'WhereisMary？\'Igasped，andIrememberIclutchedatalapelofhiscoat。

Hepulledmetothelowstonewallbytheroadside。

\'Idon\'tknow，\'hesaidhoarsely。\'Wegotyourorderstocomeherethismorning。WewereatChiavagno，whereBlenkirontoldustowait。ButlastnightMarydisappeared……Ifoundshehadhiredacarriageandcomeonahead。Ifollowedatonce，andreachedhereanhouragotofindhergone……Thewomanwhokeepstheplaceisawayandthereareonlytwooldservantsleft。TheytellmethatMarycameherelate，andthatveryearlyinthemorningaclosedcarcameovertheStaubwithamaninit。Theysayheaskedtoseetheyounglady，andthattheytalkedtogetherforsometime，andthatthenshewentoffwithhiminthecardownthevalley……Imusthavepasseditonmywayup……There\'sbeensomeblackdevilmentthatIcan\'tfollow。Whowastheman？Whowastheman？\'

Helookedasifhewantedtothrottleme。

\'Icantellyouthat，\'Isaid。\'ItwasIvery。\'

Hestaredforasecondasifhedidn\'tunderstand。Thenheleapedtohisfeetandcursedlikeatrooper。\'You\'vebotchedit，asIknewyouwould。Iknewnogoodwouldcomeofyourinfernalsubtleties。\'

AndheconsignedmeandBlenkironandtheBritisharmyandIveryandeverybodyelsetothedevil。

Iwaspastbeingangry。\'Sitdown，man，\'Isaid，\'andlistentome。\'ItoldhimofwhathadhappenedatthePinkChalet。Heheardmeoutwithhisheadinhishands。Thethingwastoobadforcursing。

\'TheUndergroundRailway！\'hegroaned。\'Thethoughtofitdrivesmemad。Whyareyousocalm，Hannay？She\'sinthehandsofthecleverestdevilintheworld，andyoutakeitquietly。Youshouldbearavinglunatic。\'

\'Iwouldbeifitwereanyuse，butIdidallmyravinglastnightinthatdenofIvery\'s。We\'vegottopullourselvestogether，Wake。Firstofall，ItrustMarytotheothersideofeternity。Shewentwithhimofherownfreewill。Idon\'tknowwhy，butshemusthavehadareason，andbesureitwasagoodone，forshe\'sfarclevererthanyouorme……We\'vegottofollowhersomehow。Ivery\'sboundforGermany，buthisrouteisbythePinkChalet，forhehopestopickmeupthere。Hewentdownthevalley；thereforeheisgoingtoSwitzerlandbytheMarjolana。Thatisalongcircuitandwilltakehimmostoftheday。WhyhechosethatwayIdon\'tknow，butthereitis。We\'vegottogetbackbytheStaub。\'

\'Howdidyoucome？\'heasked。

\'That\'sourdamnableluck。Icameinafirst-classsix-cylinderDaimler，whichisnowlyingawreckinameadowamileuptheroad。We\'vegottofootit。\'

\'Wecan\'tdoit。Itwouldtaketoolong。Besides，there\'sthefrontiertopass。\'

IrememberedruefullythatImighthavegotareturnpassportfromthePortugueseJew，ifIhadthoughtofanythingatthetimebeyondgettingtoSantaChiara。

\'Thenwemustmakeacircuitbythehillsideanddodgetheguards。It\'snousemakingdifficulties，Wake。We\'refairlyupagainstit，butwe\'vegottogoontryingtillwedrop。OtherwiseI\'lltakeyouradviceandgomad。\'

\'AndsupposingyougetbacktoStAnton，you\'llfindthehouseshutupandthetravellersgonehoursbeforebytheUndergroundRailway。\'

\'Verylikely。But，man，there\'salwaystheglimmeringofachance。

It\'snogoodchuckinginyourhandtillthegame\'sout。\'

\'Dropyourproverbialphilosophy，MrMartinTupper，andlookupthere。\'

Hehadonefootonthewallandwasstaringatacleftinthesnow-lineacrossthevalley。Theshoulderofahighpeakdroppedsharplytoakindofnickandroseagaininalonggracefulcurveofsnow。Allbelowthenickwasstillindeepshadow，butfromtheconfigurationoftheslopesIjudgedthatatributaryglacierranfromittothemainglacierattheriverhead。

\'That\'stheColledelleRondini，\'hesaid，\'theColoftheSwallows。

ItleadsstraighttotheStaubthalnearGrunewald。OnagooddayI

havedoneitinsevenhours，butit\'snotapassforwinter-time。Ithasbeendoneofcourse，butnotoften……Yet，iftheweatherheld，itmightgoevennow，andthatwouldbringustoStAntonbytheevening。Iwonder\'-andhelookedmeoverwithanappraisingeye-\'Iwonderifyou\'reuptoit。\'

MystiffnesshadgoneandIburnedtosetmyrestlessnesstophysicaltoil。

\'Ifyoucandoit，Ican，\'Isaid。

\'No。Thereyou\'rewrong。You\'reaheftyfellow，butyou\'renomountaineer，andtheiceoftheColledelleRondinineedsknowledge。

Itwouldbeinsanetoriskitwithanovice，iftherewereanyotherway。ButI\'mdamnedifIseeany，andI\'mgoingtochanceit。

Wecangetaropeandaxesintheinn。Areyougame？\'

\'Rightyouare。Sevenhours，yousay。We\'vegottodoitinsix。\'

\'Youwillbehumblerwhenyougetontheice，\'hesaidgrimly。

\'We\'dbetterbreakfast，fortheLordknowswhenweshallseefoodagain。\'

Welefttheinnatfiveminutestonine，withtheskycloudlessandastiffwindfromthenorth-west，whichwefelteveninthedeep-cutvalley。Wakewalkedwithalong，slowstridethattriedmypatience。

Iwantedtohustle，buthebademekeepinstep。\'Youtakeyourordersfromme，forI\'vebeenatthisjobbefore。Disciplineintheranks，remember。\'

Wecrossedtherivergorgebyaplankbridge，andworkedourwayuptherightbank，pastthemoraine，tothesnoutoftheglacier。

Itwasbadgoing，forthesnowconcealedtheboulders，andIoftenflounderedinholes。Wakeneverrelaxedhisstride，butnowandthenhestoppedtosnifftheair。

Iobservedthattheweatherlookedgood，andhediffered。\'It\'stooclear。There\'llbeafull-blowngaleontheColandmostlikelysnowintheafternoon。\'Hepointedtoafatyellowcloudthatwasbeginningtobulgeoverthenearestpeak。AfterthatIthoughthelengthenedhisstride。

\'LuckyIhadthesebootsresoledandnailedatChiavagno，\'wastheonlyotherremarkhemadetillwehadpassedtheseracsofthemainglacierandturnedupthelesserice-streamfromtheColledelleRondini。

Byhalf-pasttenwewerenearitshead，andIcouldseeclearlytheribbonofpureicebetweenblackcragstoosteepforsnowtolieon，whichwasthemeansofascenttotheCol。Theskyhadcloudedover，anduglystreamersfloatedonthehighslopes。Wetiedontheropeatthefootofthebergschrund，whichwaseasytopassbecauseofthewinter\'ssnow。Wakeled，ofcourse，andpresentlywecameontotheicefall。

InmytimeIhaddonealotofscramblingonrocksandusedtopromisemyselfaseasonintheAlpstotestmyselfonthebigpeaks。

IfIevergoitwillbetoclimbthehonestrocktowersaroundChamonix，forIwon\'thaveanythingtodowithsnowmountains。

ThatdayontheColledelleRondinifairlysickenedmeofice。I

daresayImighthavelikeditifIhaddoneitinaholidaymood，atleisureandingoodspirits。Buttocrawlupthatcouloirwithasickheartandadesperateimpulsetohurrywastheworstsortofnightmare。Theplacewasassteepasawallofsmoothblackicethatseemedhardasgranite。Wakedidthestep-cutting，andIadmiredhimenormously。Hedidnotseemtousemuchforce，buteverystepwashewncleanlytherightsize，andtheywerespacedtherightdistance。Inthisjobhewasthetrueprofessional。IwasthankfulBlenkironwasnotwithus，forthethingwouldhavegivenasquirrelvertigo。ThechipsoficeslitheredbetweenmylegsandI

couldwatchthemtilltheybroughtupjustabovethebergschrund。

Theicewasinshadowanditwasbitterlycold。AswecrawledupIhadnottheexerciseofusingtheaxetowarmme，andIgotverynumbstandingononelegwaitingforthenextstep。Worsestill，mylegsbegantocramp。Iwasingoodcondition，butthattimeunderIvery\'srackhadplayedthemischiefwithmylimbs。

Musclesgotoutofplaceinmycalvesandstoodinachinglumps，tillIalmostsquealedwiththepainofit。IwasmortallyafraidI

shouldslip，andeverytimeImovedIcalledouttoWaketowarnhim。HesawwhatwashappeningandgotthepickofhisaxefixedintheicebeforeIwasallowedtostir。Hespokeoftentocheermeup，andhisvoicehadnoneofitsharshness。Hewaslikesomeill-

temperedgeneralsIhaveknown，verygentleinabattle。

Attheendthesnowbegantofall，asoftpowderliketheoverspillofastormragingbeyondthecrest。ItwasjustafterthatthatWakecriedoutthatinfiveminuteswewouldbeatthesummit。Heconsultedhiswrist-watch。\'Jollygoodtime，too。Onlytwenty-fiveminutesbehindmybest。It\'snotoneo\'clock。\'

ThenextIknewIwaslyingflatonapadofsnoweasingmycrampedlegs，whileWakeshoutedinmyearthatwewereinforsomethingbad。Iwasawareofadrivingblizzard，butIhadnothoughtofanythingbuttheblessedrelieffrompain。Ilayforsomeminutesonmybackwithmylegsstiffintheairandthetoesturnedinwards，whilemymusclesfellintotheirproperplace。

Itwascertainlynospottolingerin。Welookeddownintoatroughofdrivingmist，whichsometimesswirledasideandshowedaknuckleofblackrockfarbelow。Weatesomechocolate，whileWakeshoutedinmyearthatnowwehadlessstep-cutting。Hedidhisbesttocheerme，buthecouldnothidehisanxiety。Ourfaceswerefrostedoverlikeawedding-cakeandthestingofthewindwaslikeawhiplashonoureyelids。

Thefirstpartwaseasy，downaslopeoffirmsnowwherestepswerenotneeded。Thencameiceagain，andwehadtocutintoitbelowthefreshsurfacesnow。ThiswassolaboriousthatWaketooktotherocksontherightsideofthecouloir，wheretherewassomeshelterfromthemainforceoftheblast。Ifounditeasier，forI

knewsomethingaboutrocks，butitwasdifficultenoughwitheveryhandholdandfootholdglazed。Presentlyweweredrivenbackagaintotheice，andpainfullycutourwaythroughathroatoftheravinewherethesidesnarrowed。Therethewindwasterrible，forthenarrowsmadeakindoffunnel，andwedescended，plasteredagainstthewall，andscarcelyabletobreathe，whilethetornadopluckedatourbodiesasifitwouldwhiskuslikewispsofgrassintotheabyss。

Afterthatthegorgewidenedandwehadaneasierslope，tillsuddenlywefoundourselvesperchedonagreattongueofrockroundwhichthesnowblewlikethefrothinawhirlpool。Aswestoppedforbreath，WakeshoutedinmyearthatthiswastheBlackStone。

\'Thewhat？\'Iyelled。

\'TheSchwarzstein。TheSwisscallthepasstheSchwarzsteinthor。

YoucanseeitfromGrunewald。\'

Isupposeeverymanhasatingeofsuperstitioninhim。Tohearthatnameinthatferociousplacegavemeasuddenaccessofconfidence。I

seemedtoseeallmydoingsaspartofagreatpredestinedplan。Surelyitwasnotfornothingthatthewordwhichhadbeenthekeyofmyfirstadventureinthelongtussleshouldappearinthislastphase。Ifeltnewstrengthinmylegsandmorevigourinmylungs。\'Agoodomen，\'I

shouted。\'Wake，oldman，we\'regoingtowinout。\'

\'Theworstisstilltocome，\'hesaid。

Hewasright。Togetdownthattongueofrocktothelowersnowsofthecouloirwasajobthatfairlybroughtustotheendofourtether。Icanfeelyetthesour，bleaksmellofwetrockandiceandthehardnervepainthatrackedmyforehead。TheKaffirsusedtosaythatthereweredevilsinthehighberg，andthisplacewasassuredlygivenovertothepowersoftheairwhohadnothoughtofhumanlife。Iseemedtobeintheworldwhichhadenduredfromtheeternitybeforemanwasdreamedof。Therewasnomercyinit，andtheelementswerepittingtheirimmortalstrengthagainsttwopigmieswhohadprofanedtheirsanctuary。Iyearnedforwarmth，fortheglowofafire，foratreeorbladeofgrassoranythingwhichmeanttheshelteredhomelinessofmortality。IknewthenwhattheGreeksmeantbypanic，forIwasscaredbytheapathyofnature。

Buttheterrorgavemeakindofcomfort，too。Iveryandhisdoingsseemedlessformidable。LetmebutgetoutofthiscoldhellandI

couldmeethimwithanewconfidence。

Wakeled，forheknewtheroadandtheroadwantedknowing。

Otherwiseheshouldhavebeenlastontherope，forthatistheplaceofthebettermaninadescent。Ihadsomehorriblemomentsfollowingonwhentheropegrewtaut，forIhadnohelpfromit。

Wezigzaggeddowntherock，sometimesdriventotheiceoftheadjacentcouloirs，sometimesontheouterridgeoftheBlackStone，sometimeswrigglingdownlittlecracksandoverevilboiler-plates。

Thesnowdidnotlieonit，buttherockcrackledwiththiniceoroozedicewater。OftenitwasonlybythegraceofGodthatIdidnotfallheadlong，andpullWakeoutofhisholdtothebergschrundfarbelow。Islippedmorethanonce，butalwaysbyamiraclerecoveredmyself。Tomakethingsworse，Wakewastiring。Icouldfeelhimdragontherope，andhismovementshadnottheprecisiontheyhadhadinthemorning。Hewasthemountaineer，andIthenovice。Ifhegaveout，weshouldneverreachthevalley。

Thefellowwascleargritallthrough。Whenwereachedthefootofthetoothandsathuddledupwithourfacesawayfromthewind，Isawthathewasontheedgeoffainting。WhatthateffortMusthavecosthiminthewayofresolutionyoumayguess，buthedidnotfailtilltheworstwaspast。Hislipswerecolourless，andhewaschokingwiththenauseaoffatigue。Ifoundaflaskofbrandyinhispocket，andamouthfulrevivedhim。

\'I\'mallout，\'hesaid。\'Theroad\'seasiernow，andIcandirectYOU

abouttherest……You\'dbetterleaveme。I\'llonlybeadrag。I\'llcomeonwhenIfeelbetter。\'

\'No，youdon\'t，youoldfool。You\'vegotmeoverthatinfernaliceberg，andI\'mgoingtoseeyouhome。\'

Irubbedhisarmsandlegsandmadehimswallowsomechocolate。

Butwhenhegotonhisfeethewasasdodderyasanoldman。

Happilywehadaneasycoursedownasnowgradient，whichweglissadedinveryunorthodoxstyle。Theswiftmotionfreshenedhimupalittle，andhewasabletoputonthebrakewithhisaxetopreventuscascadingintothebergschrund。Wecrosseditbyasnowbridge，andstartedoutontheseracsoftheSchwarzsteinglacier。

Iamnomountaineer-notofthesnowandicekind，anyway-

butIhaveabigshareofphysicalstrengthandIwanteditallnow。

Forthoseseracswereaninventionofthedevil。Totraversethatlabyrinthinablindingsnowstorm，withafaintingcompanionwhowastooweaktojumpthenarrowestcrevasse，andwhohungontheropelikeleadwhentherewasoccasiontouseit，wasmorethanIcouldmanage。Besides，everystepthatbroughtusnearertothevalleynowincreasedmyeagernesstohurry，andwanderinginthatmazeofclottedicewaslikethenightmarewhenyoustandontherailswiththeexpresscomingandaretooweaktoclimbontheplatform。AssoonaspossibleIlefttheglacierforthehillside，andthoughthatwaslaboriousenoughinallconscience，yetitenabledmetosteerastraightcourse。Wakeneverspokeaword。WhenI

lookedathimhisfacewasashenunderagalewhichshouldhavemadehischeeksglow，andhekepthiseyeshalfclosed。Hewasstaggeringonattheverylimitsofhisendurance……

Byandbywewereonthemoraine，andaftersplashingthroughadozenlittleglacierstreamscameonatrackwhichledupthehillside。WakenoddedfeeblywhenIaskedifthiswasright。ThentomyjoyIsawagnarledpine。

IuntiedtheropeandWakedroppedlikealogontheground。

\'Leaveme，\'hegroaned。\'I\'mfairlydone。I\'llcomeonlater。\'

Andheshuthiseyes。

Mywatchtoldmethatitwasafterfiveo\'clock。

\'Getonmyback，\'Isaid。\'Iwon\'tpartfromyoutillI\'vefoundacottage。You\'reahero。You\'vebroughtmeoverthosedamnedmountainsinablizzard，andthat\'swhatnoothermaninEnglandwouldhavedone。Getup。\'

Heobeyed，forhewastoofargonetoargue。Itiedhiswriststogetherwithahandkerchiefbelowmychin，forIwantedmyarmstoholduphislegs。TheropeandaxesIleftinacachebeneaththepine-tree。

ThenIstartedtrottingdownthetrackforthenearestdwelling。

Mystrengthfeltinexhaustibleandthequicksilverinmybonesdrovemeforward。Thesnowwasstillfalling，butthewindwasdyingdown，andaftertheinfernoofthepassitwaslikesummer。

Theroadwoundovertheshaleofthehillsideandthenintowhatinspringmusthavebeenuplandmeadows。Thenitranamongtrees，andfarbelowmeontherightIcouldheartheglacierriverchurninginitsgorge\'Soonlittleemptyhutsappeared，androughenclosedpaddocks，andpresentlyIcameoutonashelfabovethestreamandsmeltthewood-smokeofahumanhabitation。

Ifoundamiddle-agedpeasantinthecottage，aguidebyprofessioninsummerandawoodcutterinwinter。

\'IhavebroughtmyHerrfromSantaChiara，\'Isaid，\'overtheSchwarzsteinthor。Heisverywearyandmustsleep。\'

IdecantedWakeintoachair，andhisheadnoddedonhischest。

Buthiscolourwasbetter。

\'YouandyourHerrarefools，\'saidthemangruffly，butnotunkindly。\'Hemustsleeporhewillhaveafever。TheSchwarzsteinthorinthisdevil\'sweather！IsheEnglish？\'

\'Yes，\'Isaid，\'likeallmadmen。Buthe\'sagoodHerr，andabravemountaineer。\'

WestrippedWakeofhisRedCrossuniform，nowacollectionofsoppingrags，andgothimbetweenblanketswithahugeearthenwarebottleofhotwaterathisfeet。Thewoodcutter\'swifeboiledmilk，andthis，withalittlebrandyadded，wemadehimdrink。I

wasquiteeasyinmymindabouthim，forIhadseenthisconditionbefore。Inthemorninghewouldbeasstiffasapoker，butrecovered。

\'NowI\'moffforStAnton，\'Isaid。\'Imustgettheretonight。\'

\'Youarethehardyone，\'themanlaughed。\'IwillshowyouthequickroadtoGrunewald，whereistherailway。Withgoodfortuneyoumaygetthelasttrain。\'

IgavehimfiftyfrancsonmyHerr\'sbehalf，learnedhisdirectionsfortheroad，andsetoffafteradraughtofgoat\'smilk，munchingmylastslabofchocolate。Iwasstillstrunguptoamechanicalactivity，andIraneveryinchofthethreemilestotheStaubthalwithoutconsciousnessoffatigue。Iwastwentyminutestoosoonforthetrain，and，asIsatonabenchontheplatform，myenergysuddenlyebbedaway。Thatiswhathappensafteragreatexertion。I

longedtosleep，andwhenthetrainarrivedIcrawledintoacarriagelikeamanwithastroke。Thereseemedtobenoforceleftinmylimbs。IrealizedthatIwasleg-weary，whichisathingyouseesometimeswithhorses，butnotoftenwithmen。

AllthejourneyIlaylikealoginakindofcoma，anditwaswithdifficultythatIrecognizedmydestination，andstumbledoutofthetrain。ButIhadnosooneremergedfromthestationofStAntonthanIgotmysecondwind。Muchsnowhadfallensinceyesterday，butithadstoppednow，theskywasclear，andthemoonwasriding。Thesightofthefamiliarplacebroughtbackallmyanxieties。

ThedayontheColoftheSwallowswaswipedoutofmymemory，andIsawonlytheinnatSantaChiara，andheardWake\'shoarsevoicespeakingofMary。Thelightsweretwinklingfromthevillagebelow，andontherightIsawtheclumpoftreeswhichheldthePinkChalet。

Itookashortcutacrossthefields，avoidingthelittletown。Iranhard，stumblingoften，forthoughIhadgotmymentalenergybackmylegswerestillprecarious。Thestationclockhadtoldmethatitwasnearlyhalf-pastnine。

SoonIwasonthehigh-road，andthenattheChaletgates。Iheardasinadreamwhatseemedtobethreeshrillblastsonawhistle。

Thenabigcarpassedme，makingforStAnton。ForasecondI

wouldhavehailedit，butitwaspastmeandaway。ButIhadaconvictionthatmybusinesslayinthehouse，forIthoughtIverywasthere，andIverywaswhatmattered。

Imarchedupthedrivewithnosortofplaninmyhead，onlyablindrushingonfate。IremembereddimlythatIhadstillthreecartridgesinmyrevolver。

ThefrontdoorstoodopenandIenteredandtiptoeddownthepassagetotheroomwhereIhadfoundthePortugueseJew。Noonehinderedme，butitwasnotforlackofservants。Ihadtheimpressionthattherewerepeoplenearmeinthedarkness，andI

thoughtIheardGermansoftlyspoken。Therewassomeoneaheadofme，perhapsthespeaker，forIcouldhearcarefulfootsteps。Itwasverydark，butarayoflightcamefrombelowthedooroftheroom。ThenbehindmeIheardthehalldoorclang，andthenoiseofakeyturnedinitslock。Ihadwalkedstraightintoatrapandallretreatwascutoff。

Mymindwasbeginningtoworkmoreclearly，thoughmypurposewasstillvague。IwantedtogetatIveryandIbelievedthathewassomewhereinfrontofme。AndthenIthoughtofthedoorwhichledfromthechamberwhereIhadbeenimprisoned。IfI

couldenterthatwayIwouldhavetheadvantageofsurprise。

Igropedontheright-handsideofthepassageandfoundahandle。Itopeneduponwhatseemedtobeadining-room，fortherewasafaintsmelloffood。AgainIhadtheimpressionofpeoplenear，whoforsomeunknownreasondidnotmolestme。AtthefarendIfoundanotherdoor，whichledtoasecondroom，whichI

guessedtobeadjacenttothelibrary。Beyonditagainmustliethepassagefromthechamberwiththerack。Thewholeplacewasasquietasashell。

Ihadguessedright。IwasstandinginthepassagewhereIhadstoodthenightbefore。Infrontofmewasthelibrary，andtherewasthesamechinkoflightshowing。VerysoftlyIturnedthehandleandopeneditacrack……

ThefirstthingthatcaughtmyeyewastheprofileofIvery。Hewaslookingtowardsthewriting-table，wheresomeonewassitting。

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

TheUndergroundRailwayThisisthestorywhichIheardlaterfromMary……

ShewasatMilanwiththenewAnglo-AmericanhospitalwhenshegotBlenkiron\'sletter。SantaChiarahadalwaysbeentheplaceagreedupon，andthismessagementionedspecificallySantaChiara，andfixedadateforherpresencethere。Shewasalittlepuzzledbyit，forshehadnotyethadawordfromIvery，towhomshehadwrittentwicebytheroundaboutaddressinFrancewhichBommaertshadgivenher。ShedidnotbelievethathewouldcometoItalyintheordinarycourseofthings，andshewonderedatBlenkiron\'scertaintyaboutthedate。

ThefollowingmorningcamealetterfromIveryinwhichheardentlypressedforameeting。Itwasthefirstofseveral，fullofstrangetalkaboutsomeapproachingcrisis，inwhichtheforebodingsoftheprophetweremingledwiththesolicitudeofalover。

\'Thestormisabouttobreak，\'hewrote，\'andIcannotthinkonlyofmyownfate。Ihavesomethingtotellyouwhichvitallyconcernsyourself。YousayyouareinLombardy。TheChiavagnovalleyiswithineasyreach，andatitsheadistheinnofSantaChiara，towhichIcomeonthemorningofMarch19th。Meetmethereevenifonlyforhalfanhour，Iimploreyou。Wehavealreadysharedhopesandconfidences，andIwouldnowsharewithyouaknowledgewhichIaloneinEuropepossess。Youhavetheheartofalion，mylady，worthyofwhatIcanbringyou。\'

Wakewassummonedfromthe_Croce_RossaunitwithwhichhewasworkingatVicenza，andtheplanarrangedbyBlenkironwasfaithfullycarriedout。FourofficersoftheAlpini，intheroughdressofpeasantsofthehills，mettheminChiavagnoonthemorningofthe18th。ItwasarrangedthatthehostessofSantaChiarashouldgoonavisittohersister\'sson，leavingtheinn，nowintheshutteredquietofwintertime，underthechargeoftwoancientservants。ThehourofIvery\'scomingonthe19thhadbeenfixedbyhimfornoon，andthatmorningMarywoulddriveupthevalley，whileWakeandtheAlpiniwentinconspicuouslybyotherroutessoastobeinstationaroundtheplacebeforemidday。

Butontheeveningofthe18thattheHoteloftheFourKingsinChiavagnoMaryreceivedanothermessage。ItwasfrommeandtoldherthatIwascrossingtheStaubatmidnightandwouldbeattheinnbeforedawn。Itbeggedhertomeetmethere，tomeetmealonewithouttheothers，becauseIhadthattosaytoherwhichmustbesaidbeforeIvery\'scoming。Ihaveseentheletter。ItwaswritteninahandwhichIcouldnothavedistinguishedfrommyownscrawl。ItwasnotexactlywhatIwouldmyselfhavewritten，buttherewerephrasesinitwhichtoMary\'smindcouldhavecomeonlyfromme。Oh，Iadmititwascunninglydone，especiallythelove-making，whichwasjustthekindofstammeringthingwhichIwouldhaveachievedifIhadtriedtoputmyfeelingsonpaper。

Anyhow，Maryhadnodoubtofitsgenuineness。Sheslippedoffafterdinner，hiredacarriagewithtwobroken-windedscrewsandsetoffupthevalley。SheleftalineforWaketellinghimtofollowaccordingtotheplan-alinewhichhenevergot，forhisanxietywhenhefoundshehadgonedrovehimtoimmediatepursuit。

Atabouttwointhemorningofthe19thafteraslowandicyjourneyshearrivedattheinn，knockeduptheagedservants，madeherselfacupofchocolateoutofhertea-basketandsatdowntowaitonmycoming。

Shehasdescribedtomethattimeofwaiting。Ahome-madecandleinatallearthenwarecandlesticklitupthelittle_salle-a-manger，whichwastheoneroominuse。Theworldwasveryquiet，thesnowmuffledtheroads，anditwascoldwiththepenetratingchillofthesmallhoursofaMarchnight。Always，shehastoldme，willthetasteofchocolateandthesmellofburningtallowbringbacktoherthatstrangeplaceandtheflutteroftheheartwithwhichshewaited。Forshewasontheeveofthecrisisofallourlabours，shewasveryyoung，andyouthhasaquickfancywhichwillnotbechecked。Moreover，itwasIwhowascoming，andsaveforthescrawlofthenightbefore，wehadhadnocommunicationformanyweeks……Shetriedtodistracthermindbyrepeatingpoetry，andthethingthatcameintoherheadwasKeats\'s\'Nightingale\'，anoddpoemforthetimeandplace。

Therewasalongwickerchairamongthefurnishingsoftheroom，andshelaydownonitwithherfurcloakmuffledaroundher。Thereweresoundsofmovementintheinn。Theoldwomanwhohadletherin，withthescentofintrigueofherkind，hadbrightenedwhensheheardthatanotherguestwascoming。Beautifulwomendonottravelatmidnightfornothing。Shealsowasawakeandexpectant。

Thenquitesuddenlycamethesoundofacarslowingdownoutside。Shesprangtoherfeetinatremorofexcitement。ItwaslikethePicardychateauagain-thedimroomandafriendcomingoutofthenight。Sheheardthefrontdooropenandastepinthelittlehall……

ShewaslookingatIvery……Heslippedhisdriving-coatoffasheentered，andbowedgravely。Hewaswearingagreenhuntingsuitwhichintheduskseemedlikekhaki，and，ashewasaboutmyownheight，forasecondshewasmisled。Thenshesawhisfaceandherheartstopped。

\'You！\'shecried。Shehadsunkbackagainonthewickerchair。

\'IhavecomeasIpromised，\'hesaid，\'butalittleearlier。Youwillforgivememyeagernesstobewithyou。\'

Shedidnotheedhiswords，forhermindwasfeverishlybusy。

Myletterhadbeenafraudandthismanhaddiscoveredourplans。

Shewasalonewithhim，foritwouldbehoursbeforeherfriendscamefromChiavagno。Hehadthegameinhishands，andofallourconfederacyshealoneremainedtoconfronthim。Mary\'scouragewasprettynearperfect，andforthemomentshedidnotthinkofherselforherownfate。Thatcamelater。Shewaspossessedwithpoignantdisappointmentatourfailure。Alloureffortshadgonetothewinds，andtheenemyhadwonwithcontemptuousease。Hernervousnessdisappearedbeforetheintenseregret，andherbrainsetcoollyandbusilytowork。

ItwasanewIverywhoconfrontedher，amanwithvigourandpurposeineverylineofhimandthequietconfidenceofpower。Hespokewithaseriouscourtesy。

\'Thetimeformake-believeispast，\'hewassaying。\'Wehavefencedwitheachother。Ihavetoldyouonlyhalfthetruth，andyouhavealwayskeptmeatarm\'slength。Butyouknewinyourheart，mydearestlady，thattheremustbethefulltruthbetweenussomeday，andthatdayhascome。IhaveoftentoldyouthatIloveyou。I

donotcomenowtorepeatthatdeclaration。Icometoaskyoutoentrustyourselftome，tojoinyourfatetomine，forIcanpromiseyouthehappinesswhichyoudeserve。\'

Hepulledupachairandsatbesideher。Icannotputdownallthathesaid，forMary，onceshegraspedthedriftofit，wasbusywithherownthoughtsanddidnotlisten。ButIgatherfromherthathewasverycandidandseemedtogrowashespokeinmentalandmoralstature。Hetoldherwhohewasandwhathisworkhadbeen。Heclaimedthesamepurposeashers，ahatredofwarandapassiontorebuildtheworldintodecency。Butnowhedrewadifferentmoral。HewasaGerman:itwasthroughGermanyalonethatpeaceandregenerationcouldcome。Hiscountrywaspurgedfromherfaults，andthemarvellousGermandisciplinewasabouttoproveitselfintheeyeofgodsandmen。HetoldherwhathehadtoldmeintheroomatthePinkChalet，butwithanothercolouring。

Germanywasnotvengefulorvainglorious，onlypatientandmerciful。

Godwasabouttogiveherthepowertodecidetheworld\'sfate，anditwasforhimandhiskindtoseethatthedecisionwasbeneficent。Thegreatertaskofhispeoplewasonlynowbeginning。

Thatwasthegistofhistalk。Sheappearedtolisten，buthermindwasfaraway。Shemustdelayhimfortwohours，threehours，fourhours。Ifnot，shemustkeepbesidehim。Shewastheonlyoneofourcompanyleftintouchwiththeenemy……

\'IgotoGermanynow，\'hewassaying。\'Iwantyoutocomewithme-tobemywife。\'

Hewaitedforananswer，andgotitintheformofastartledquestion。

\'ToGermany？How？\'

\'Itiseasy，\'hesaid，smiling。\'Thecarwhichiswaitingoutsideisthefirststageofasystemoftravelwhichwehaveperfected。\'ThenhetoldherabouttheUndergroundRailway-notashehadtoldittome，toscare，butasaproofofpowerandforethought。

Hismannerwasperfect。Hewasrespectful，devoted，thoughtfulofallthings。Hewasthesuppliant，notthemaster。Heofferedherpowerandpride，adazzlingcareer，forhehaddeservedwellofhiscountry，thedevotionofthefaithfullover。Hewouldtakehertohismother\'shouse，whereshewouldbewelcomedlikeaprincess。I

havenodoubthewassincere，forhehadmanymoods，andthelibertinewhomhehadrevealedtomeatthePinkChalethadgivenplacetothehonourablegentleman。Hecouldplayallpartswellbecausehecouldbelieveinhimselfinthemall。

Thenhespokeofdanger，notsoastoslighthercourage，buttoemphasizehisownthoughtfulness。Theworldinwhichshehadlivedwascrumbling，andhealonecouldofferarefuge。Shefeltthesteelgauntletthroughthetextureofthevelvetglove。

Allthewhileshehadbeenfuriouslythinking，withherchininherhandintheoldway……Shemightrefusetogo。Hecouldcompelher，nodoubt，fortherewasnohelptobegotfromtheoldservants。ButitmightbedifficulttocarryanunwillingwomanoverthefirststagesoftheUndergroundRailway。Theremightbechances……Supposingheacceptedherrefusalandlefther。Thenindeedhewouldbegoneforeverandourgamewouldhaveclosedwithafiasco。ThegreatantagonistofEnglandwouldgohomerejoicing，takinghissheaveswithhim。

Atthistimeshehadnopersonalfearofhim。Socuriousathingisthehumanheartthathermainpreoccupationwaswithourmission，notwithherownfate。Tofailutterlyseemedtoobitter。

Supposingshewentwithhim。TheyhadstilltogetoutofItalyandcrossSwitzerland。IfshewerewithhimshewouldbeanemissaryoftheAlliesintheenemy\'scamp。Sheaskedherselfwhatcouldshedo，andtoldherself\'Nothing。\'Shefeltlikeasmallbirdinaverylargetrap，andherchiefsensationwasthatofherownpowerlessness。

ButshehadlearnedBlenkiron\'sgospelandknewthatHeavensendsamazingchancestothebold。And，evenasshemadeherdecision，shewasawareofadarkshadowlurkingatthebackofhermind，theshadowofthefearwhichsheknewwasawaitingher。

Forshewasgoingintotheunknownwithamanwhomshehated，amanwhoclaimedtobeherlover。

ItwasthebravestthingIhaveeverheardof，andIhavelivedmylifeamongbravemen。

\'Iwillcomewithyou，\'shesaid。\'Butyoumustn\'tspeaktome，please。IamtiredandtroubledandIwantpeacetothink。\'

Assheroseweaknesscameoverherandsheswayedtillhisarmcaughther。\'IwishIcouldletyourestforalittle，\'hesaidtenderly，\'buttimepresses。Thecarrunssmoothlyandyoucansleepthere。\'

HesummonedoneoftheservantstowhomhehandedMary。

\'Weleaveintenminutes，\'hesaid，andhewentouttoseetothecar。

Mary\'sfirstactinthebedroomtowhichshewastakenwastobathehereyesandbrushherhair。Shefeltdimlythatshemustkeepherheadclear。HersecondwastoscribbleanotetoWake，tellinghimwhathadhappened，andtogiveittotheservantwithatip。

\'Thegentlemanwillcomeinthemorning，\'shesaid。\'Youmustgiveithimatonce，foritconcernsthefateofyourcountry。\'

Thewomangrinnedandpromised。Itwasnotthefirsttimeshehaddoneerrandsforprettyladies。

Iverysettledherinthegreatclosedcarwithmuchsolicitude，andmadehercomfortablewithrugs。Thenhewentbacktotheinnforasecond，andshesawalightmoveinthe_salle-a-manger。HereturnedandspoketothedriverinGerman，takinghisseatbesidehim。

ButfirsthehandedMaryhernotetoWake。\'Ithinkyouleftthisbehindyou，\'hesaid。Hehadnotopenedit。

AloneinthecarMaryslept。ShesawthefiguresofIveryandthechauffeurinthefrontseatdarkagainsttheheadlights，andthentheydislimnedintodreams。Shehadundergoneagreaterstrainthansheknew，andwassunkintheheavysleepofwearynerves。

Whenshewokeitwasdaylight。TheywerestillinItaly，asherfirstglancetoldher，sotheycouldnothavetakentheStaubroute。

Theyseemedtobeamongthefoothills，fortherewaslittlesnow，butnowandthenuptributaryvalleysshehadglimpsesofthehighpeaks。Shetriedhardtothinkwhatitcouldmean，andthenrememberedtheMarjolana。WakehadlabouredtoinstructherinthetopographyoftheAlps，andshehadgraspedthefactofthetwoopenpasses。ButtheMarjolanameantabigcircuit，andtheywouldnotbeinSwitzerlandtilltheevening。Theywouldarriveinthedark，andpassoutofitinthedark，andtherewouldbenochanceofsuccour。Shefeltverylonelyandveryweak。

Throughoutthemorningherfeargrew。ThemorehopelessherchanceofdefeatingIverybecamethemoreinsistentlythedarkshadowcreptoverhermind。Shetriedtosteadyherselfbywatchingtheshowfromthewindows。Thecarswungthroughlittlevillages，pastvineyardsandpine-woodsandtheblueoflakes，andoverthegorgesofmountainstreams。Thereseemedtobenotroubleaboutpassports。Thesentriesatthecontrolswavedareassuringhandwhentheywereshownsomecardwhichthechauffeurheldbetweenhisteeth。Inoneplacetherewasalongishhalt，andshecouldhearIverytalkingItalianwithtwoofficersofBersaglieri，towhomhegavecigars。Theywerefresh-faced，upstandingboys，andforasecondshehadanideaofflingingopenthedoorandappealingtothemtosaveher。Butthatwouldhavebeenfutile，forIverywasclearlyamplycertificated。Shewonderedwhatparthewasnowplaying。

TheMarjolanaroutehadbeenchosenforapurpose。Inonetowniverymetandtalkedtoacivilianofficial，andmorethanoncethecarsloweddownandsomeoneappearedfromthewaysidetospeakawordandvanish。Shewasassistingatthelastgatheringupofthethreadsofagreatplan，beforetheWildBirdsreturnedtotheirnest。

MostlytheseconferencesseemedtobeinItalian，butonceortwiceshegatheredfromthemovementofthelipsthatGermanwasspokenandthatthisroughpeasantorthatblack-hattedbourgeoiswasnotofItalianblood。

Earlyinthemorning，soonaftersheawoke，Iveryhadstoppedthecarandofferedherawell-providedluncheonbasket。Shecouldeatnothing，andwatchedhimbreakfastoffsandwichesbesidethedriver。Intheafternoonheaskedherpermissiontositwithher。

Thecardrewupinalonelyplace，andatea-basketwasproducedbythechauffeur。Iverymadetea，forsheseemedtoolistlesstomove，andshedrankacupwithhim。Afterthatheremainedbesideher。

\'InhalfanhourweshallbeoutofItaly，\'hesaid。ThecarwasrunningupalongvalleytothecurioushollowbetweensnowysaddleswhichisthecrestoftheMarjolana。Heshowedhertheplaceonaroadmap。Asthealtitudeincreasedandtheairgrewcolderhewrappedtherugscloseraroundherandapologizedfortheabsenceofafoot-warmer。\'Inalittle，\'hesaid，\'weshallbeinthelandwhereyourslightestwishwillbelaw。\'

Shedozedagainandsomissedthefrontierpost。WhenshewokethecarwasslippingdownthelongcurvesoftheWeissvalley，beforeitnarrowstothegorgethroughwhichitdebouchesonGrunewald。

\'WeareinSwitzerlandnow，\'sheheardhisvoicesay。Itmayhavebeenfancy，butitseemedtoherthattherewasanewnoteinit。Hespoketoherwiththeassuranceofpossession。TheywereoutsidethecountryoftheAllies，andinalandwherehiswebwasthicklyspread。

\'Wheredowestoptonight？\'sheaskedtimidly。

\'Ifearwecannotstop。Tonightalsoyoumustputupwiththecar。Ihavealittleerrandtodoontheway，whichwilldelayusafewminutes，andthenwepresson。Tomorrow，myfairestone，fatiguewillbeended。\'

Therewasnomistakenowaboutthenoteofpossessioninhisvoice。Mary\'sheartbegantobeatfastandwild。Thetraphadcloseddownonherandshesawthefollyofhercourage。Ithaddeliveredherboundandgaggedintothehandsofonewhomsheloathedmoredeeplyeverymoment，whoseproximitywaslesswelcomethanasnake\'s。Shehadtobitehardonherliptokeepfromscreaming。

Theweatherhadchangedanditwassnowinghard，thesamestormthathadgreetedusontheColoftheSwallows。Thepacewasslowernow，andIverygrewrestless。Helookedfrequentlyathiswatch，andsnatchedthespeaking-tubetotalktothedriver。

Marycaughttheword\'StAnton\'。

\'DowegobyStAnton？\'shefoundvoicetoask。

\'Yes，hesaidshortly。

Thewordgaveherthefaintestglimmeringofhope，forsheknewthatPeterandIhadlivedatStAnton。Shetriedtolookoutoftheblurredwindow，butcouldseenothingexceptthatthetwilightwasfalling。Shebeggedfortheroad-map，andsawthatsofarasshecouldmakeouttheywerestillinthebroadGrunewaldvalleyandthattoreachStAntontheyhadtocrossthelowpassfromtheStaubthal。Thesnowwasstilldriftingthickandthecarcrawled。

Thenshefelttheriseastheymountedtothepass。Herethegoingwasbad，verydifferentfromthedryfrostinwhichIhadcoveredthesameroadthenightbefore。Moreover，thereseemedtobecuriousobstacles。Somecarelesswood-carthaddroppedlogsonthehighway，andmorethanoncebothIveryandthechauffeurhadtogetouttoshiftthem。Inoneplacetherehadbeenasmalllandslidewhichleftlittleroomtopass，andMaryhadtodescendandcrossonfootwhilethedrivertookthecaroveralone。Ivery\'stemperseemedtobesouring。Tothegirl\'sreliefheresumedtheoutsideseat，wherehewasengagedinconstantargumentwiththechauffeur。

Attheheadofthepassstandsaninn，thecomfortablehostelryofHerrKronig，wellknowntoallwhoclamberamongthelesserpeaksoftheStaubthal。Thereinthemiddleofthewaystoodamanwithalantern。

\'Theroadisblockedbyasnowfall，\'hecried。\'Theyareclearingitnow。Itwillbereadyinhalfanhour\'stime。\'

Iverysprangfromhisseatanddartedintothehotel。Hisbusinesswastospeeduptheclearingparty，andHerrKronighimselfaccompaniedhimtothesceneofthecatastrophe。Marysatstill，forshehadsuddenlybecomepossessedofanidea。Shedroveitfromherasfoolishness，butitkeptreturning。Whyhadthosetree-trunksbeenspiltontheroad？Whyhadaneasypassafteramoderatesnowfallbeensuddenlyclosed？

Amancameoutoftheinn-yardandspoketothechauffeur。Itseemedtobeanofferofrefreshment，forthelatterlefthisseatanddisappearedinside。Hewasawayforsometimeandreturnedshiveringandgrumblingattheweather，withthecollarofhisgreatcoatturneduparoundhisears。AlanternhadbeenhungintheporchandashepassedMarysawtheman。Shehadbeenwatchingthebackofhisheadidlyduringthelongdrive，andhadobservedthatitwasoftheroundbullettype，withnonapetotheneck，whichiscommonintheFatherland。Nowshecouldnotseehisneckforthecoatcollar，butshecouldhaveswornthattheheadwasadifferentshape。Themanseemedtosufferacutelyfromthecold，forhebuttonedthecollarroundhischinandpulledhiscapfaroverhisbrows。

Iverycameback，followedbyadragginglineofmenwithspadesandlanterns。Heflunghimselfintothefrontseatandnoddedtothedrivertostart。Themanhadhisenginegoingalreadysoastolosenotime。Hebumpedovertheroughdebrisofthesnowfallandthenfairlyletthecarhum。Iverywasanxiousforspeed，buthedidnotwanthisneckbrokenandheyelledouttotakecare。Thedrivernoddedandsloweddown，butpresentlyhehadgotupspeedagain。

IfIverywasrestless，Marywasworse。Sheseemedsuddenlytohavecomeonthetracesofherfriends。IntheStAntonvalleythesnowhadstoppedandsheletdownthewindowforair，forshewaschokingwithsuspense。Thecarrushedpastthestation，downthehillbyPeter\'scottage，throughthevillage，andalongthelakeshoretothePinkChalet。

Iveryhalteditatthegate。\'Seethatyoufillupwithpetrol，\'hetoldtheman。\'BidGustavgettheDaimlerandbereadytofollowinhalfinhour。\'

HespoketoMarythroughtheopenwindow。

\'Iwillkeepyouonlyaverylittletime。Ithinkyouhadbetterwaitinthecar，foritwillbemorecomfortablethanadismantledhouse。

Aservantwillbringyoufoodandmorerugsforthenightjourney。\'

Thenhevanishedupthedarkavenue。

Mary\'sfirstthoughtwastoslipoutandgetbacktothevillageandtheretofindsomeonewhoknewmeorcouldtakeherwherePeterlived。Butthedriverwouldpreventher，forhehadbeenleftbehindonguard。Shelookedanxiouslyathisback，forhealonestoodbetweenherandliberty。

Thatgentlemanseemedtobeintentonhisownbusiness。AssoonasIvery\'sfootstepshadgrownfaint，hehadbackedthecarintotheentrance，andturneditsothatitfacedtowardsStAnton。

Thenveryslowlyitbegantomove。

Atthesamemomentawhistlewasblownshrillythreetimes。

Thedoorontherighthadopenedandsomeonewhohadbeenwaitingintheshadowsclimbedpainfullyin。Marysawthatitwasalittlemanandthathewasacripple。Shereachedahandtohelphim，andhefellontothecushionsbesideher。Thecarwasgatheringspeed。

Beforesherealizedwhatwashappeningthenew-comerhadtakenherhandandwaspattingit。

AbouttwominuteslaterIwasenteringthegateofthePinkChalet。

CHAPTERNINETEEN

TheCageoftheWildBirds\'Why，MrIvery，comerightin，\'saidthevoiceatthetable。

Therewasascreenbeforeme，stretchingfromthefireplacetokeepoffthedraughtfromthedoorbywhichIhadentered。ItstoodhigherthanmyheadbuttherewerecracksinitthroughwhichIcouldwatchtheroom。IfoundalittletableonwhichI

couldleanmyback，forIwasdroppingwithfatigue。

Blenkironsatatthewriting-tableandinfrontofhimwerelittlerowsofPatiencecards。Woodashesstillsmoulderedinthestove，andalampstoodathisrightelbowwhichlitupthetwofigures。

Thebookshelvesandthecabinetswereintwilight。

\'I\'vebeenhopingtoseeyouforquiteatime。\'Blenkironwasbusyarrangingthelittleheapsofcards，andhisfacewaswreathedinhospitablesmiles。Irememberwonderingwhyheshouldplaythehosttothetruemasterofthehouse。

Iverystooderectbeforehim。Hewasratherasplendidfigurenowthathehadsloughedalldisguisesandwasonthethresholdofhistriumph。Eventhroughthefoginwhichmybrainworkeditwasforceduponmethatherewasamanborntoplayabigpart。HehadajowllikeaRomankingonacoin，andscornfuleyesthatwereusedtomastery。Hewasyoungerthanme，confoundhim，andnowhelookedit。

Hekepthiseyesonthespeaker，whileasmileplayedroundhismouth，averyuglysmile。

\'So，\'hesaid。\'Wehavecaughttheoldcrowtoo。Ihadscarcelyhopedforsuchgoodfortune，and，tospeakthetruth，Ihadnotconcernedmyselfmuchaboutyou。Butnowweshalladdyoutothebag。Andwhatabagofvermintolayoutonthelawn！\'Heflungbackhisheadandlaughed。

\'MrIvery-\'Blenkironbegan，butwascutshort。

\'Dropthatname。Allthatispast，thankGod！IamtheGrafvonSchwabing，anofficeroftheImperialGuard。IamnottheleastoftheweaponsthatGermanyhasusedtobreakherenemies。\'

\'Youdon\'tsay，\'drawledBlenkiron，stillfiddlingwithhisPatiencecards。

Theman\'smomenthadcome，andhewasmindednottomissajotofhistriumph。Hisfigureseemedtoexpand，hiseyekindled，hisvoicerangwithpride。Itwasmelodramaofthebestkindandhefairlyrolleditroundhistongue。Idon\'tthinkIgrudgedithim，forIwasfingeringsomethinginmypocket。Hehadwonallright，buthewouldn\'tenjoyhisvictorylong，forsoonIwouldshoothim。I

hadmyeyeontheveryspotabovehisrightearwhereImeanttoputmybullet……ForIwasveryclearthattokillhimwastheonlywaytoprotectMary。IfearedthewholeseventymillionsofGermanylessthanthisman。Thatwasthesingleideathatremainedfirmagainsttheimmensefatiguethatpresseddownonme。

\'Ihavelittletimetowasteonyou，\'saidhewhohadbeencalledIvery。\'ButIwillspareamomenttotellyouafewtruths。Yourchildishgameneverhadachance。IplayedwithyouinEnglandandIhaveplayedwithyoueversince。YouhavenevermadeamovebutIhavequietlycounteredit。Why，man，yougavemeyourconfidence。TheAmericanMrDonne……\'

\'WhataboutClarence？\'askedBlenkiron。Hisfaceseemedastudyinpurebewilderment。

\'Iwasthatinterestingjournalist。\'

\'Nowtothinkofthat！\'saidBlenkironinasad，gentlevoice。\'I

thoughtIwassafewithClarence。Why，hebroughtmealetterfromoldJoeHooperandheknewalltheboysdownEmporiaway。\'

Iverylaughed。\'Youhaveneverdonemejustice，Ifear；butI

thinkyouwilldoitnow。Yourgangishelplessinmyhands。

GeneralHannay……\'AndIwishIcouldgiveyouanotionofthescornwithwhichhepronouncedtheword\'General\'。

\'Yes-Dick？\'saidBlenkironintently。

\'Hehasbeenmyprisonerfortwenty-fourhours。AndtheprettyMissMary，too。Youareallgoingwithmeinalittletomyowncountry。Youwillnotguesshow。WecallittheUndergroundRailway，andyouwillhavetheprivilegeofstudyingitsworking……Ihadnottroubledmuchaboutyou，forIhadnospecialdislikeofyou。Youareonlyablunderingfool，whatyoucallinyourcountryeasyfruit。\'

\'Ithankyou，Graf，\'Blenkironsaidsolemnly。

\'Butsinceyouarehereyouwilljointheothers……Onelastword。Tobeatineptssuchasyouisnothing。Thereisafargreaterthing。Mycountryhasconquered。YouandyourfriendswillbedraggedatthechariotwheelsofatriumphsuchasRomeneversaw。Doesthatpenetrateyourthickskull？Germanyhaswon，andintwodaysthewholeroundearthwillbestrickendumbbyhergreatness。\'

AsIwatchedBlenkironagreyshadowofhopelessnessseemedtosettleonhisface。Hisbigbodydroopedinhischair，hiseyesfell，andhislefthandshuffledlimplyamonghisPatiencecards。Icouldnotgetmymindtowork，butIpuzzledmiserablyoverhisamazingblunders。Hehadwalkedblindlyintothepithisenemieshaddugforhim。Petermusthavefailedtogetmymessagetohim，andheknewnothingoflastnight\'sworkormymadjourneytoItaly。Wehadallbungled，thewholewretchedbunchofus，PeterandBlenkironandmyself……IhadafeelingatthebackofmyheadthattherewassomethinginitallthatIcouldn\'tunderstand，thatthecatastrophecouldnotbequiteassimpleasitseemed。ButIhadnopowertothink，withtheinsolentfigureofIverydominatingtheroom……ThankGodIhadabulletwaitingforhim。Thatwastheonefixedpointinthechaosofmymind。ForthefirsttimeinmylifeIwasresoluteonkillingoneparticularman，andthepurposegavemeahorridcomfort。

SuddenlyIvery\'svoicerangoutsharp。\'Takeyourhandoutofyourpocket。Youfool，youarecoveredfromthreepointsinthewalls。Amovementandmymenwillmakeasieveofyou。Othersbeforeyouhavesatinthatchair，andIamusedtotakeprecautions。

Quick。Bothhandsonthetable。\'

TherewasnomistakeaboutBlenkiron\'sdefeat。Hewasdoneandout，andIwasleftwiththeonlycard。Heleanedwearilyonhisarmswiththepalmsofhishandsspreadout。

\'Ireckonyou\'vegottenastronghand，Graf，\'hesaid，andhisvoicewasflatwithdespair。

\'Iholdaroyalflush，\'wastheanswer。

Andthensuddenlycameachange。Blenkironraisedhishead，andhissleepy，ruminatingeyeslookedstraightatIvery。

\'Icallyou，\'hesaid。

Ididn\'tbelievemyears。NordidIvery。

\'Thehourforbluffispast，\'hesaid。

\'NeverthelessIcallyou。\'

AtthatmomentIfeltsomeonesqueezethroughthedoorbehindmeandtakehisplaceatmyside。ThelightwassodimthatIsawonlyashort，squarefigure，butafamiliarvoicewhisperedinmyear。\'It\'sme-AndraAmos。Man，thisisagreatploy。I\'mheretoseetheendo\'t。\'

Noprisonerwaitingonthefindingofthejury，nocommanderexpectingnewsofagreatbattle，everhunginmoredesperatesuspensethanIdidduringthenextseconds。Ihadforgottenmyfatigue；mybacknolongerneededsupport。Ikeptmyeyesgluedtothecrackinthescreenandmyearsdrankingreedilyeverysyllable。

Blenkironwasnowsittingboltuprightwithhischininhishands。Therewasnoshadowofmelancholyinhisleanface。

\'IsayIcallyou，HerrGrafvonSchwabing。I\'mgoingtoputyouwiseaboutsomelittlethings。Youdon\'tcarryarms，soIneedn\'twarnyouagainstmonkeyingwithagun。You\'rerightinsayingthattherearethreeplacesinthesewallsfromwhichyoucanshoot。

Well，foryourinformationImaytellyouthatthere\'sgunsinallthree，butthey\'recovering_youatthismoment。Soyou\'dbetterbegood。\'

Iverysprangtoattentionlikearamrod。\'Karl，\'hecried。

\'Gustav！\'

Asifbymagicfiguresstoodoneithersideofhim，likewardersbyacriminal。TheywerenotthesleekGermanfootmenwhomI

hadseenattheChalet。OneIdidnotrecognize。Theotherwasmyservant，GeordieHamilton。

Hegavethemoneglance，lookedroundlikeahuntedanimal，andthensteadiedhimself。Themanhadhisownkindofcourage。

\'I\'vegottensomethingtosaytoyou，\'Blenkirondrawled。\'It\'sbeenatoughfight，butIreckonthehotendofthepokeriswithyou。IcomplimentyouonClarenceDonne。Youfooledmefineoverthatbusiness，anditwasonlybythemercyofGodyoudidn\'twinout。Yousee，therewasjusttheoneofuswhowasliabletorecognizeyouwhateverwayyoutwistedyourface，andthatwasDickHannay。IgiveyougoodmarksforClarence……Fortherest，Ihadyoubeatenflat。\'

Helookedsteadilyathim。\'Youdon\'tbelieveit。Well，I\'llgiveyouproof。I\'vebeenwatchingyourUndergroundRailwayforquiteatime。I\'vehadmymenonthejob，andIreckonmostofthelinesarenowclosedforrepairs。AllbutthetrunklineintoFrance。

ThatI\'mkeepingopen，forsoonthere\'sgoingtobesometrafficonit。\'

AtthatIsawIvery\'seyelidsquiver。Forallhisself-commandhewasbreaking。

\'Iadmitwecutitmightyfine，alongofyourfoolingmeaboutClarence。ButyoustruckabadsnaginGeneralHannay，Graf。

Yourheart-to-hearttalkwithhimwaspoorbusiness。Youreckonedyouhadhimsafe，butthatwastoobigarisktotakewithamanlikeDick，unlessyousawhimcoldbeforeyoulefthim……Hegotawayfromthisplace，andearlythismorningIknewallheknew。

Afterthatitwaseasy。IgotthetelegramyouhadsentthismorninginthenameofClarenceDonneanditmademelaugh。BeforemiddayIhadthiswholeoutfitundermyhand。YourservantshavegonebytheUndergroundRailway-toFrance。Ehrlich-well，I\'msorryaboutEhrlich。\'

IknewnowthenameofthePortugueseJew。

\'Hewasn\'tabadsortofman，\'Blenkironsaidregretfully，\'andhewasplumbhonest。Icouldn\'tgethimtolistentoreason，andhewouldplaywithfirearms。SoIhadtoshoot。\'

\'Dead？\'askedIverysharply。

\'Ye-es。Idon\'tmiss，anditwashimorme。He\'sundertheicenow-whereyouwantedtosendDickHannay。Hewasn\'tyourkind，Graf，andIguesshehassomechanceofgettingintoHeaven。

IfIweren\'tahard-shellPresbyterianI\'dsayaprayerforhissoul。\'

IlookedonlyatIvery。Hisfacehadgoneverypale，andhiseyeswerewandering。Iamcertainhisbrainwasworkingatlightningspeed，buthewasaratinasteeltrapandthespringsheldhim。IfeverIsawamangoingthroughhellitwasnow。Hispasteboardcastlehadcrumbledabouthisearsandhewasgiddywiththefallofit。Themanwasmadeofpride，andeveryproudnerveofhimwascaughtontheraw。

\'Somuchforordinarybusiness，\'saidBlenkiron。\'There\'sthematterofacertainlady。Youhaven\'tbehavedover-niceabouther，Graf，butI\'mnotgoingtoblameyou。Youmaybeheardawhistleblowwhenyouwerecominginhere？No！Why，itsoundedlikeGabriel\'strump。Petermusthaveputsomelungpowerintoit。

Well，thatwasthesignalthatMissMarywassafeinyourcar……

butinourcharge。D\'youcomprehend？\'

Hedid。Theghostofaflushappearedinhischeeks。

\'YouaskaboutGeneralHannay？I\'mnotjustexactlysurewhereDickisatthemoment，butIopinehe\'sinItaly。\'

Ikickedasidethescreen，therebycausingAmosalmosttofallonhisface。

\'I\'mback，\'Isaid，andpulledupanarm-chair，anddroppedintoit。

IthinkthesightofmewasthelaststrawforIvery。Iwasawildenoughfigure，greywithweariness，soaked，dirty，withtheclothesoftheporterJosephZimmerinragsfromthesharprocksoftheSchwarzsteinthor。Ashiseyescaughtminetheywavered，andIsawterrorinthem。Heknewhewasinthepresenceofamortalenemy。

\'Why，Dick，\'saidBlenkironwithabeamingface，\'thisismightyopportune。Howincreationdidyougethere？\'

\'Iwalked，\'Isaid。Ididnotwanttohavetospeak，forIwastootired。IwantedtowatchIvery\'sface。

BlenkirongathereduphisPatiencecards，slippedthemintoalittleleathercaseandputitinhispocket。

\'I\'veonethingmoretotellyou。TheWildBirdshavebeensummonedhome，buttheywon\'tevermakeit。We\'vegatheredthemin-Pavia，andHofgaard，andConradi。Ehrlichisdead。Andyouaregoingtojointherestinourcage。\'

AsIlookedatmyfriend，hisfigureseemedtogaininpresence。

Hesatsquareinhischairwithafacelikeahangingjudge，andhiseyes，sleepynomore，heldIveryasinavice。Hehaddropped，too，hisdrawlandtheidiomsofhisordinaryspeech，andhisvoicecameouthardandmassiveliketheclashofgraniteblocks。