第4章

"SirJohnChobham，themanwhoisopposingme，"answeredRobert；

"thatishishouseawaythereamongthetreesontheright。"

Sotherewasanuprightman，possiblyaveryHugoincharacter，whowasthwartinganddefyingtheevildoerinhisnefariouscareer，andtherewasadastardlyplotafoottobreakhisneck！Possiblytheattemptwouldbemadewithinthenextfewhours。Hemustcertainlybewarned。AlethiarememberedhowLadySylviaBroomgate，inNightshadeCourt，hadpretendedtobeboltedwithbyherhorseuptothefrontdoorofathreatenedcountymagnate，andhadwhisperedawarninginhisearwhichsavedhimfrombeingthevictimoffoulmurder。Shewonderediftherewasaquietponyinthestablesonwhichshewouldbeallowedtorideoutalone。Thechanceswerethatshewouldbewatched。RobertwouldcomespurringafterherandseizeherbridlejustasshewasturninginatSirJohn\'sgates。

Agroupofmenthattheypassedinavillagestreetgavethemnoveryfriendlylooks，andAlethiathoughtsheheardafurtivehiss；amomentlatertheycameuponanerrandboyridingabicycle。Hehadthefrankopencountenance，neatlybrushedhairandtidyclothesthatbetokenaclearconscienceandagoodmother。Hestaredstraightattheoccupantsofthecar，and，afterhehadpassedthem，sanginhisclear，boyishvoice：

"We\'llhangBobbyBludwardonthesourappletree。"

Robertmerelylaughed。Thatwashowhetookthescornandcondemnationofhisfellow-men。Hehadgoadedthemtodesperationwithhisshamelessdepravitytilltheyspokeopenlyofputtinghimtoaviolentdeath，andhelaughed。

Mrs。BludwardprovedtobeofthetypethatAlethiahadsuspected，thin-lipped，cold-eyed，andobviouslydevotedtoherworthlessson。

Fromhernohelpwastobeexpected。Alethialockedherdoorthatnight，andplacedsuchrampartsoffurnitureagainstitthatthemaidhadgreatdifficultyinbreakinginwiththeearlyteainthemorning。

AfterbreakfastAlethia，onthepretextofgoingtolookatanoutlyingrose-garden，slippedawaytothevillagethroughwhichtheyhadpassedonthepreviousevening。SherememberedthatRoberthadpointedouttoherapublicreading-room，andheresheconsidereditpossiblethatshemightmeetSirJohnChobham，orsomeonewhoknewhimwellandwouldcarryamessagetohim。Theroomwasemptywhensheenteredit；aGraphictwelvedaysold，ayetoldercopyofPunch，andoneortwolocalpaperslayuponthecentraltable；theothertableswerestackedforthemostpartwithchessanddraughts-

boards，andwoodenboxesofchessmenanddominoes。Listlesslyshepickeduponeofthepapers，theSentinel，andglancedatitscontents。Suddenlyshestarted，andbegantoreadwithbreathlessattentionaprominentlyprintedarticle，headed"ALittleLimelightonSirJohnChobham。"Thecolourebbedawayfromherface，alookoffrighteneddespaircreptintohereyes。Never，inanynovelthatshehadread，hadadefencelessyoungwomanbeenconfrontedwithasituationlikethis。SirJohn，theHugoofherimagination，was，ifanything，rathermoredepravedanddespicablethanRobertBludward。

Hewasmean，evasive，callouslyindifferenttohiscountry\'sinterests，acheat，amanwhohabituallybrokehisword，andwhowasresponsible，withhisassociates，formostofthepoverty，misery，crime，andnationaldegradationwithwhichthecountrywasafflicted。HewasalsoacandidateforParliament，itseemed，andastherewasonlyoneseatinthisparticularlocality，itwasobviousthatthesuccessofeitherRobertorSirJohnwouldmeanachecktotheambitionsoftheother，hence，nodoubt，therivalryandenmitybetweentheseotherwisekindredsouls。Onewasseekingtohavehisenemydonetodeath，theotherwasapparentlytryingtostiruphissupporterstoanactof"Lynchlaw"。Allthisinorderthattheremightbeanunopposedelection，thatoneorotherofthecandidatesmightgointoParliamentwithhoneyedeloquenceonhislipsandbloodonhisheart。Weremenreallysovile？

"ImustgobacktoWebblehintonatonce，"Alethiainformedherastonishedhostessatlunchtime；"Ihavehadatelegram。AfriendisveryseriouslyillandIhavebeensentfor。"

Itwasdreadfultohavetoconcoctlies，butitwouldbemoredreadfultohavetospendanothernightunderthatroof。

Alethiareadsnovelsnowwithevengreaterappreciationthanbefore。

ShehasbeenherselfintheworldoutsideWebblehinton，theworldwherethegreatdramasofsinandvillainyareplayedunceasingly。

Shehadcomeunscathedthroughit，butwhatmighthavehappenedifshehadgoneunsuspectinglytovisitSirJohnChobhamandwarnhimofhisdanger？Whatindeed！ShehadbeensavedbythefearlessoutspokennessofthelocalPress。

THEINTERLOPERS

InaforestofmixedgrowthsomewhereontheeasternspursoftheKarpathians，amanstoodonewinternightwatchingandlistening，asthoughhewaitedforsomebeastofthewoodstocomewithintherangeofhisvision，and，later，ofhisrifle。Butthegameforwhosepresencehekeptsokeenanoutlookwasnonethatfiguredinthesportsman\'scalendaraslawfulandproperforthechase；UlrichvonGradwitzpatrolledthedarkforestinquestofahumanenemy。

TheforestlandsofGradwitzwereofwideextentandwellstockedwithgame；thenarrowstripofprecipitouswoodlandthatlayonitsoutskirtwasnotremarkableforthegameitharbouredortheshootingitafforded，butitwasthemostjealouslyguardedofallitsowner\'sterritorialpossessions。Afamouslawsuit，inthedaysofhisgrandfather，hadwresteditfromtheillegalpossessionofaneighbouringfamilyofpettylandowners；thedispossessedpartyhadneveracquiescedinthejudgmentoftheCourts，andalongseriesofpoachingaffraysandsimilarscandalshadembitteredtherelationshipsbetweenthefamiliesforthreegenerations。TheneighbourfeudhadgrownintoapersonalonesinceUlrichhadcometobeheadofhisfamily；iftherewasamanintheworldwhomhedetestedandwishedilltoitwasGeorgZnaeym，theinheritorofthequarrelandthetirelessgame-snatcherandraiderofthedisputedborder-forest。Thefeudmight，perhaps，havedieddownorbeencompromisedifthepersonalill-willofthetwomenhadnotstoodintheway；asboystheyhadthirstedforoneanother\'sblood，asmeneachprayedthatmisfortunemightfallontheother，andthiswind-

scourgedwinternightUlrichhadbandedtogetherhisforesterstowatchthedarkforest，notinquestoffour-footedquarry，buttokeepalook-outfortheprowlingthieveswhomhesuspectedofbeingafootfromacrossthelandboundary。Theroebuck，whichusuallykeptintheshelteredhollowsduringastorm-wind，wererunninglikedriventhingsto-night，andtherewasmovementandunrestamongthecreaturesthatwerewonttosleepthroughthedarkhours。Assuredlytherewasadisturbingelementintheforest，andUlrichcouldguessthequarterfromwhenceitcame。

Hestrayedawaybyhimselffromthewatcherswhomhehadplacedinambushonthecrestofthehill，andwanderedfardownthesteepslopesamidthewildtangleofundergrowth，peeringthroughthetreetrunksandlisteningthroughthewhistlingandskirlingofthewindandtherestlessbeatingofthebranchesforsightandsoundofthemarauders。Ifonlyonthiswildnight，inthisdark，lonespot，hemightcomeacrossGeorgZnaeym，mantoman，withnonetowitness——

thatwasthewishthatwasuppermostinhisthoughts。Andashesteppedroundthetrunkofahugebeechhecamefacetofacewiththemanhesought。

Thetwoenemiesstoodglaringatoneanotherforalongsilentmoment。Eachhadarifleinhishand，eachhadhateinhisheartandmurderuppermostinhismind。Thechancehadcometogivefullplaytothepassionsofalifetime。Butamanwhohasbeenbroughtupunderthecodeofarestrainingcivilisationcannoteasilynervehimselftoshootdownhisneighbourincoldbloodandwithoutwordspoken，exceptforanoffenceagainsthishearthandhonour。AndbeforethemomentofhesitationhadgivenwaytoactionadeedofNature\'sownviolenceoverwhelmedthemboth。Afierceshriekofthestormhadbeenansweredbyasplittingcrashovertheirheads，anderetheycouldleapasideamassoffallingbeechtreehadthundereddownonthem。UlrichvonGradwitzfoundhimselfstretchedontheground，onearmnumbbeneathhimandtheotherheldalmostashelplesslyinatighttangleofforkedbranches，whilebothlegswerepinnedbeneaththefallenmass。Hisheavyshooting-bootshadsavedhisfeetfrombeingcrushedtopieces，butifhisfractureswerenotasseriousastheymighthavebeen，atleastitwasevidentthathecouldnotmovefromhispresentpositiontillsomeonecametoreleasehim。Thedescendingtwighadslashedtheskinofhisface，andhehadtowinkawaysomedropsofbloodfromhiseyelashesbeforehecouldtakeinageneralviewofthedisaster。Athisside，sonearthatunderordinarycircumstanceshecouldalmosthavetouchedhim，layGeorgZnaeym，aliveandstruggling，butobviouslyashelplesslypinioneddownashimself。Allroundthemlayathick-

strewnwreckageofsplinteredbranchesandbrokentwigs。

Reliefatbeingaliveandexasperationathiscaptiveplightbroughtastrangemedleyofpiousthank-offeringsandsharpcursestoUlrich\'slips。Georg，whowasearlyblindedwiththebloodwhichtrickledacrosshiseyes，stoppedhisstrugglingforamomenttolisten，andthengaveashort，snarlinglaugh。

"Soyou\'renotkilled，asyououghttobe，butyou\'recaught，anyway，"hecried；"caughtfast。Ho，whatajest，UlrichvonGradwitzsnaredinhisstolenforest。There\'srealjusticeforyou！"

Andhelaughedagain，mockinglyandsavagely。

"I\'mcaughtinmyownforest-land，"retortedUlrich。"Whenmymencometoreleaseusyouwillwish，perhaps，thatyouwereinabetterplightthancaughtpoachingonaneighbour\'sland，shameonyou。"

Georgwassilentforamoment；thenheansweredquietly：

"Areyousurethatyourmenwillfindmuchtorelease？Ihavemen，too，intheforestto-night，closebehindme，andTHEYwillbeherefirstanddothereleasing。Whentheydragmeoutfromunderthesedamnedbranchesitwon\'tneedmuchclumsinessontheirparttorollthismassoftrunkrightoveronthetopofyou。Yourmenwillfindyoudeadunderafallenbeechtree。Forform\'ssakeIshallsendmycondolencestoyourfamily。"

"Itisausefulhint，"saidUlrichfiercely。"Mymenhadorderstofollowintenminutestime，sevenofwhichmusthavegonebyalready，andwhentheygetmeout——Iwillrememberthehint。OnlyasyouwillhavemetyourdeathpoachingonmylandsIdon\'tthinkI

candecentlysendanymessageofcondolencetoyourfamily。"

"Good，"snarledGeorg，"good。Wefightthisquarrelouttothedeath，youandIandourforesters，withnocursedinterloperstocomebetweenus。Deathanddamnationtoyou，UlrichvonGradwitz。"

"Thesametoyou，GeorgZnaeym，forest-thief，game-snatcher。"

Bothmenspokewiththebitternessofpossibledefeatbeforethem，foreachknewthatitmightbelongbeforehismenwouldseekhimoutorfindhim；itwasabarematterofchancewhichpartywouldarrivefirstonthescene。

Bothhadnowgivenuptheuselessstruggletofreethemselvesfromthemassofwoodthatheldthemdown；Ulrichlimitedhisendeavourstoanefforttobringhisonepartiallyfreearmnearenoughtohisoutercoat-pockettodrawouthiswine-flask。Evenwhenhehadaccomplishedthatoperationitwaslongbeforehecouldmanagetheunscrewingofthestopperorgetanyoftheliquiddownhisthroat。

ButwhataHeaven-sentdraughtitseemed！Itwasanopenwinter，andlittlesnowhadfallenasyet，hencethecaptivessufferedlessfromthecoldthanmighthavebeenthecaseatthatseasonoftheyear；nevertheless，thewinewaswarmingandrevivingtothewoundedman，andhelookedacrosswithsomethinglikeathrobofpitytowherehisenemylay，justkeepingthegroansofpainandwearinessfromcrossinghislips。

"CouldyoureachthisflaskifIthrewitovertoyou？"askedUlrichsuddenly；"thereisgoodwineinit，andonemayaswellbeascomfortableasonecan。Letusdrink，evenifto-nightoneofusdies。"

"No，Icanscarcelyseeanything；thereissomuchbloodcakedroundmyeyes，"saidGeorg，"andinanycaseIdon\'tdrinkwinewithanenemy。"

Ulrichwassilentforafewminutes，andlaylisteningtothewearyscreechingofthewind。Anideawasslowlyformingandgrowinginhisbrain，anideathatgainedstrengtheverytimethathelookedacrossatthemanwhowasfightingsogrimlyagainstpainandexhaustion。InthepainandlanguorthatUlrichhimselfwasfeelingtheoldfiercehatredseemedtobedyingdown。

"Neighbour，"hesaidpresently，"doasyoupleaseifyourmencomefirst。Itwasafaircompact。Butasforme，I\'vechangedmymind。

Ifmymenarethefirsttocomeyoushallbethefirsttobehelped，asthoughyouweremyguest。Wehavequarrelledlikedevilsallourlivesoverthisstupidstripofforest，wherethetreescan\'tevenstanduprightinabreathofwind。Lyinghereto-nightthinkingI\'vecometothinkwe\'vebeenratherfools；therearebetterthingsinlifethangettingthebetterofaboundarydispute。Neighbour，ifyouwillhelpmetoburytheoldquarrelI——Iwillaskyoutobemyfriend。"

GeorgZnaeymwassilentforsolongthatUlrichthought，perhaps，hehadfaintedwiththepainofhisinjuries。Thenhespokeslowlyandinjerks。

"Howthewholeregionwouldstareandgabbleifwerodeintothemarket-squaretogether。NoonelivingcanrememberseeingaZnaeymandavonGradwitztalkingtooneanotherinfriendship。Andwhatpeacetherewouldbeamongtheforesterfolkifweendedourfeudto-night。Andifwechoosetomakepeaceamongourpeoplethereisnoneothertointerfere，nointerlopersfromoutside……YouwouldcomeandkeeptheSylvesternightbeneathmyroof，andIwouldcomeandfeastonsomehighdayatyourcastle……Iwouldneverfireashotonyourland，savewhenyouinvitedmeasaguest；andyoushouldcomeandshootwithmedowninthemarsheswherethewildfowlare。Inallthecountrysidetherearenonethatcouldhinderifwewilledtomakepeace。Ineverthoughttohavewantedtodootherthanhateyouallmylife，butIthinkIhavechangedmymindaboutthingstoo，thislasthalf-hour。Andyouofferedmeyourwineflask……UlrichvonGradwitz，Iwillbeyourfriend。"

Foraspacebothmenweresilent，turningoverintheirmindsthewonderfulchangesthatthisdramaticreconciliationwouldbringabout。Inthecold，gloomyforest，withthewindtearinginfitfulguststhroughthenakedbranchesandwhistlingroundthetree-

trunks，theylayandwaitedforthehelpthatwouldnowbringreleaseandsuccourtobothparties。Andeachprayedaprivateprayerthathismenmightbethefirsttoarrive，sothathemightbethefirsttoshowhonourableattentiontotheenemythathadbecomeafriend。

Presently，asthewinddroppedforamoment，Ulrichbrokesilence。

"Let\'sshoutforhelp，"hesaid；hesaid；"inthislullourvoicesmaycarryalittleway。"

"Theywon\'tcarryfarthroughthetreesandundergrowth，"saidGeorg，"butwecantry。Together，then。"

Thetworaisedtheirvoicesinaprolongedhuntingcall。

"Togetheragain，"saidUlrichafewminuteslater，afterlisteninginvainforanansweringhalloo。

"Iheardnothingbutthepestilentialwind，"saidGeorghoarsely。

Therewassilenceagainforsomeminutes，andthenUlrichgaveajoyfulcry。

"Icanseefigurescomingthroughthewood。TheyarefollowinginthewayIcamedownthehillside。"

Bothmenraisedtheirvoicesinasloudashoutastheycouldmuster。

"Theyhearus！They\'vestopped。Nowtheyseeus。They\'rerunningdownthehilltowardsus，"criedUlrich。

"Howmanyofthemarethere？"askedGeorg。

"Ican\'tseedistinctly，"saidUlrich；"nineorten，"

"Thentheyareyours，"saidGeorg；"Ihadonlysevenoutwithme。"

"Theyaremakingallthespeedtheycan，bravelads，"saidUlrichgladly。

"Aretheyyourmen？"askedGeorg。"Aretheyyourmen？"herepeatedimpatientlyasUlrichdidnotanswer。

"No，"saidUlrichwithalaugh，theidioticchatteringlaughofamanunstrungwithhideousfear。

"Whoarethey？"askedGeorgquickly，straininghiseyestoseewhattheotherwouldgladlynothaveseen。

"Wolves。"

QUAILSEED

"Theoutlookisnotencouragingforussmallerbusinesses，"saidMr。

Scarricktotheartistandhissister，whohadtakenroomsoverhissuburbangrocerystore。"Thesebigconcernsareofferingallsortsofattractionstotheshoppingpublicwhichwecouldn\'taffordtoimitate，evenonasmallscale——reading-roomsandplay-roomsandgramophonesandHeavenknowswhat。Peopledon\'tcaretobuyhalfapoundofsugarnowadaysunlesstheycanlistentoHarryLauderandhavethelatestAustraliancricketscorestickedoffbeforetheireyes。WiththebigChristmasstockwe\'vegotinweoughttokeephalfadozenassistantshardatwork，butasitismynephewJimmyandmyselfcanprettywellattendtoitourselves。It\'sanicestockofgoods，too，ifIcouldonlyrunitoffinafewweekstime，butthere\'snochanceofthat——notunlesstheLondonlinewastogetsnowedupforafortnightbeforeChristmas。IdidhaveasortofideaofengagingMissLuffcombetogiverecitationsduringafternoons；shemadeagreathitatthePostOfficeentertainmentwithherrenderingof\'LittleBeatrice\'sResolve\'。"

"AnythinglesslikelytomakeyourshopafashionableshoppingcentreIcan\'timagine，"saidtheartist，withaverygenuineshudder；"ifIweretryingtodecidebetweenthemeritsofCarlsbadplumsandconfectedfigsasawinterdessertitwouldinfuriatemetohavemytrainofthoughtentangledwithlittleBeatrice\'sresolvetobeanAngelofLightoragirlscout。No，"hecontinued，"thedesiretogetsomethingthrowninfornothingisarulingpassionwiththefeminineshopper，butyoucan\'taffordtopandereffectivelytoit。Whynotappealtoanotherinstinct；whichdominatesnotonlythewomanshopperbutthemaleshopper——infact，theentirehumanrace？"

"Whatisthatinstinct，sir？"saidthegrocer。

***

Mrs。GreyesandMissFrittenhadmissedthe2。18toTown，andastherewasnotanothertraintill3。12theythoughtthattheymightaswellmaketheirgrocerypurchasesatScarrick\'s。Itwouldnotbesensational，theyagreed，butitwouldstillbeshopping。

Forsomeminutestheyhadtheshopalmosttothemselves，asfarascustomerswereconcerned，butwhiletheyweredebatingtherespectivevirtuesandblemishesoftwocompetingbrandsofanchovypastetheywerestartledbyanorder，givenacrossthecounter，forsixpomegranatesandapacketofquailseed。Neithercommoditywasingeneraldemandinthatneighbourhood。Equallyunusualwasthestyleandappearanceofthecustomer；aboutsixteenyearsold，withdarkoliveskin，largeduskyeyes，andthink，low-growing，blue-

blackhair，hemighthavemadehislivingasanartist\'smodel。Asamatteroffacthedid。Thebowlofbeatenbrassthatheproducedforthereceptionofhispurchaseswasdistinctlythemostastonishingvariationonthestringbagormarketingbasketofsuburbancivilisationthathisfellow-shoppershadeverseen。Hethrewagoldpiece，apparentlyofsomeexoticcurrency，acrossthecounter，anddidnotseemdisposedtowaitforanychangethatmightbeforthcoming。

"Thewineandfigswerenotpaidforyesterday，"hesaid；"keepwhatisoverofthemoneyforourfuturepurchases。"

"Averystrange-lookingboy？"saidMrs。Greyesinterrogativelytothegrocerassoonashiscustomerhadleft。

"Aforeigner，Ibelieve，"saidMr。Scarrick，withashortnessthatwasentirelyoutofkeepingwithhisusuallycommunicativemanner。

"Iwishforapoundandahalfofthebestcoffeeyouhave，"saidanauthoritativevoiceamomentortwolater。Thespeakerwasatall，authoritative-lookingmanofratheroutlandishaspect，remarkableamongotherthingsforafullblackbeard，worninastylemoreinvogueinearlyAssyriathaninaLondonsuburbofthepresentday。

"Hasadark-facedboybeenherebuyingpomegranates？"heaskedsuddenly，asthecoffeewasbeingweighedouttohim。

Thetwoladiesalmostjumpedonhearingthegrocerreplywithanunblushingnegative。

"Wehaveafewpomegranatesinstock，"hecontinued，"buttherehasbeennodemandforthem。"

"Myservantwillfetchthecoffeeasusual，"saidthepurchaser，producingacoinfromawonderfulmetal-workpurse。Asanapparentafterthoughthefiredoutthequestion："Haveyou，perhaps，anyquailseed？"

"No，"saidthegrocer，withouthesitation，"wedon\'tstockit。"

"Whatwillhedenynext？"askedMrs。Greyesunderherbreath。WhatmadeitseemsomuchworsewasthefactthatMr。ScarrickhadquiterecentlypresidedatalectureonSavonarola。

Turningupthedeepastrachancollarofhislongcoat，thestrangersweptoutoftheshop，withtheair，MissFrittenafterwardsdescribedit，ofaSatrapproroguingaSanhedrim。WhethersuchapleasantfunctioneverfelltoaSatrap\'slotshewasnotquitecertain，butthesimilefaithfullyconveyedhermeaningtoalargecircleofacquaintances。

"Don\'tlet\'sbotheraboutthe3。12，"saidMrs。Greyes；"let\'sgoandtalkthisoveratLauraLipping\'s。It\'sherday。"

Whenthedark-facedboyarrivedattheshopnextdaywithhisbrassmarketingbowltherewasquiteafairgatheringofcustomers，mostofwhomseemedtobespinningouttheirpurchasingoperationswiththeairofpeoplewhohadverylittletodowiththeirtime。Inavoicethatwasheardallovertheshop，perhapsbecauseeverybodywasintentlylistening，heaskedforapoundofhoneyandapacketofquailseed。

"Morequailseed！"saidMissFritten。"Thosequailsmustbevoracious，orelseitisn\'tquailseedatall。"

"Ibelieveit\'sopium，andthebeardedmanisadetective，"saidMrs。Greyesbrilliantly。

"Idon\'t，"saidLauraLipping；"I\'msureit\'ssomethingtodowiththePortugueseThrone。"

"MorelikelytobeaPersianintrigueonbehalfoftheex-Shah，"

saidMissFritten；"thebeardedmanbelongstotheGovernmentParty。

Thequail-seedisacountersign，ofcourse；PersiaisalmostnextdoortoPalestine，andquailscomeintotheOldTestament，youknow。"

"Onlyasamiracle，"saidherwell-informedyoungersister；"I\'vethoughtallalongitwaspartofaloveintrigue。"

TheboywhohadsomuchinterestandspeculationcentredonhimwasonthepointofdepartingwithhispurchaseswhenhewaswaylaidbyJimmy，thenephew-apprentice，who，fromhispostatthecheeseandbaconcounter，commandedagoodviewofthestreet。

"WehavesomeveryfineJaffaoranges，"hesaidhurriedly，pointingtoacornerwheretheywerestored，behindahighrampartofbiscuittins。Therewasevidentlymoreintheremarkthanmettheear。Theboyflewattheorangeswiththeenthusiasmofaferretfindingarabbitfamilyathomeafteralongdayoffruitlesssubterraneanresearch。Almostatthesamemomentthebeardedstrangerstalkedintotheshop，andflunganorderforapoundofdatesandatinofthebestSmyrnahalvaacrossthecounter。Themostadventuroushousewifeinthelocalityhadneverheardofhalva，butMr。ScarrickwasapparentlyabletoproducethebestSmyrnavarietyofitwithoutamoment\'shesitation。

"WemightbelivingintheArabianNights，"saidMissFritten，excitedly。

"Hush！Listen，"beseechedMrs。Greyes。

"Hasthedark-facedboy，ofwhomIspokeyesterday，beenhereto-

day？"askedthestranger。

"We\'vehadrathermorepeoplethanusualintheshopto-day，"saidMr。Scarrick，"butIcan\'trecallaboysuchasyoudescribe。"

Mrs。GreyesandMissFrittenlookedroundtriumphantlyattheirfriends。Itwas，ofcourse，deplorablethatanyoneshouldtreatthetruthasanarticletemporarilyandexcusablyoutofstock，buttheyfeltgratifiedthatthevividaccountstheyhadgivenofMr。

Scarrick\'strafficinfalsehoodsshouldreceiveconfirmationatfirsthand。

"Ishallneveragainbeabletobelievewhathetellsmeabouttheabsenceofcolouringmatterinthejam，"whisperedanauntofMrs。

Greyestragically。

Themysteriousstrangertookhisdeparture；LauraLippingdistinctlysawasnarlofbaffledragerevealitselfbehindhisheavymoustacheandupturnedastrachancollar。Afteracautiousintervaltheseekerafterorangesemergedfrombehindthebiscuittins，havingapparentlyfailedtofindanyindividualorangethatsatisfiedhisrequirements。He，too，tookhisdeparture，andtheshopwasslowlyemptiedofitsparcelandgossipladencustomers。ItwasEmilyYorling\'s"day"，andmostoftheshoppersmadetheirwaytoherdrawing-room。Togodirectfromashoppingexpeditiontoateapartywaswhatwasknownlocallyas"livinginawhirl"。

Twoextraassistantshadbeenengagedforthefollowingafternoon，andtheirserviceswereinbriskdemand；theshopwascrowded。

Peopleboughtandbought，andneverseemedtogettotheendoftheirlists。Mr。Scarrickhadneverhadsolittledifficultyinpersuadingcustomerstoembarkonnewexperiencesingrocerywares。

Eventhosewomenwhosepurchaseswereofmodestproportionsdawdledoverthemasthoughtheyhadbrutal，drunkenhusbandstogohometo。

Theafternoonhaddraggeduneventfullyon，andtherewasadistinctbuzzofunpentexcitementwhenadark-eyedboycarryingabrassbowlenteredtheshop。TheexcitementseemedtohavecommunicateditselftoMr。Scarrick；abruptlydesertingaladywhowasmakinginsincereinquiriesaboutthehomelifeoftheBombayduck，heinterceptedthenewcomeronhiswaytotheaccustomedcounterandinformedhim，amidadeathlikehush，thathehadrunoutofquailseed。

Theboylookednervouslyroundtheshop，andturnedhesitatinglytogo。Hewasagainintercepted，thistimebythenephew，whodartedoutfrombehindhiscounterandsaidsomethingaboutabetterlineoforanges。Theboy\'shesitationvanished；healmostscuttledintotheobscurityoftheorangecorner。Therewasanexpectantturnofpublicattentiontowardsthedoor，andthetall，beardedstrangermadeareallyeffectiveentrance。TheauntofMrs。Greyesdeclaredafterwardsthatshefoundherselfsub-consciouslyrepeating"TheAssyriancamedownlikeawolfonthefold"underherbreath，andshewasgenerallybelieved。

Thenewcomer，too，wasstoppedbeforehereachedthecounter，butnotbyMr。Scarrickorhisassistant。Aheavilyveiledlady，whomnoonehadhithertonoticed，roselanguidlyfromaseatandgreetedhiminaclear，penetratingvoice。

"YourExcellencydoeshisshoppinghimself？"shesaid。

"Iorderthethingsmyself，"heexplained；"Ifinditdifficulttomakemyservantsunderstand。"

Inalower，butstillperfectlyaudible，voicetheveiledladygavehimapieceofcasualinformation。

"TheyhavesomeexcellentJaffaorangeshere。"Thenwithatinklinglaughshepassedoutoftheshop。

Themanglaredallroundtheshop，andthen，fixinghiseyesinstinctivelyonthebarrierofbiscuittins，demandedloudlyofthegrocer："Youhave，perhaps，somegoodJaffaoranges？"

EveryoneexpectedaninstantdenialonthepartofMr。Scarrickofanysuchpossession。Beforehecouldanswer，however，theboyhadbrokenforthfromhissanctuary。Holdinghisemptybrassbowlbeforehimhepassedoutintothestreet。Hisfacewasvariouslydescribedafterwardsasmaskedwithstudiedindifference，overspreadwithghastlypallor，andblazingwithdefiance。Somesaidthathisteethchattered，othersthathewentoutwhistlingthePersianNationalHymn。Therewasnomistaking，however，theeffectproducedbytheencounteronthemanwhohadseemedtoforceit。Ifarabiddogorarattlesnakehadsuddenlythrustitscompanionshiponhimhecouldscarcelyhavedisplayedagreateraccessofterror。Hisairofauthorityandassertivenesshadgone，hismasterfulstridehadgivenwaytoafurtivepacingtoandfro，asofananimalseekinganoutletforescape。Inadazedperfunctorymanner，alwayswithhiseyesturningtowatchtheshopentrance，hegaveafewrandomorders，whichthegrocermadeashowofenteringinhisbook。Nowandthenhewalkedoutintothestreet，lookedanxiouslyinalldirections，andhurriedbacktokeepuphispretenceofshopping。

Fromoneofthesesortieshedidnotreturn；hehaddashedawayintothedusk，andneitherhenorthedark-facedboynortheveiledladywereseenagainbytheexpectantcrowdsthatcontinuedtothrongtheScarrickestablishmentfordaystocome。

***

"Icanneverthankyouandyoursistersufficiently，"saidthegrocer。

"Weenjoyedthefunofit，"saidtheartistmodestly，"andasforthemodel，itwasawelcomevariationonposingforhoursfor\'TheLostHylas\'。"

"Atanyrate，"saidthegrocer，"Iinsistonpayingforthehireoftheblackbeard。"

CANOSSA

DemosthenesPlatterbaff，theeminentUnrestInducer，stoodonhistrialforaseriousoffence，andtheeyesofthepoliticalworldwerefocussedonthejury。Theoffence，itshouldbestated，wasseriousfortheGovernmentratherthanfortheprisoner。HehadblownuptheAlbertHallontheeveofthegreatLiberalFederationTangoTea，theoccasiononwhichtheChancelloroftheExchequerwasexpectedtopropoundhisnewtheory："Dopartridgesspreadinfectiousdiseases？"Platterbaffhadchosenhistimewell；theTangoTeahadbeenhurriedlypostponed，buttherewereotherpoliticalfixtureswhichcouldnotbeputoffunderanycircumstances。Thedayafterthetrialtherewastobeaby-

electionatNemesis-on-Hand，andithadbeenopenlyannouncedinthedivisionthatifPlatterbaffwerelanguishingingaolonpollingdaytheGovernmentcandidatewouldbe"outed"toacertainty。

Unfortunately，therecouldbenodoubtormisconceptionastoPlatterbaff\'sguilt。Hehadnotonlypleadedguilty，buthadexpressedhisintentionofrepeatinghisescapadeinotherdirectionsassoonascircumstancespermitted；throughoutthetrialhewasbusyexaminingasmallmodeloftheFreeTradeHallinManchester。ThejurycouldnotpossiblyfindthattheprisonerhadnotdeliberatelyandintentionallyblownuptheAlbertHall；thequestionwas：Couldtheyfindanyextenuatingcircumstanceswhichwouldpermitofanacquittal？Ofcourseanysentencewhichthelawmightfeelcompelledtoinflictwouldbefollowedbyanimmediatepardon，butitwashighlydesirable，fromtheGovernment\'spointofview，thatthenecessityforsuchanexerciseofclemencyshouldnotarise。Aheadlongpardon，ontheeveofabye-election，withthreatsofaheavyvotingdefectionifitwerewithheldorevendelayed，wouldnotnecessarilybeasurrender，butitwouldlooklikeone。Opponentswouldbeonlytooreadytoattributeungenerousmotives。HencetheanxietyinthecrowdedCourt，andinthelittlegroupsgatheredroundthetape-machinesinWhitehallandDowningStreetandotheraffectedcentres。

Thejuryreturnedfromconsideringtheirverdict；therewasaflutter，anexcitedmurmur，adeath-likehush。Theforemandeliveredhismessage：

"ThejuryfindtheprisonerguiltyofblowinguptheAlbertHall。

Thejurywishtoaddariderdrawingattentiontothefactthataby-electionispendingintheParliamentarydivisionofNemesis-on-

Hand。"

"That，ofcourse，"saidtheGovernmentProsecutor，springingtohisfeet，"isequivalenttoanacquittal？"

"Ihardlythinkso，"saidtheJudge，coldly；"Ifeelobligedtosentencetheprisonertoaweek\'simprisonment。"

"AndmaytheLordhavemercyonthepoll，"aJuniorCounselexclaimedirreverently。

Itwasascandaloussentence，butthentheJudgewasnotontheMinisterialsideinpolitics。

Theverdictandsentenceweremadeknowntothepublicattwentyminutespastfiveintheafternoon；athalf-pastfiveadensecrowdwasmassedoutsidethePrimeMinister\'sresidencelustilysinging，totheairof"Trelawney"：

"AndshouldourHerorotingaol，Fore\'enasingleday，There\'sFifteenHundredVotingMenWillvotetheotherway。"

"Fifteenhundred，"saidthePrimeMinister，withashudder；"it\'stoohorribletothinkof。Ourmajoritylasttimewasonlyathousandandseven。"

"Thepollopensateightto-morrowmorning，"saidtheChiefOrganiser；"wemusthavehimoutby7a。m。"

"Seven-thirty，"amendedthePrimeMinister；"wemustavoidanyappearanceofprecipitancy。"

"Notlaterthanseven-thirty，then，"saidtheChiefOrganiser；"I

havepromisedtheagentdowntherethatheshallbeabletodisplaypostersannouncing\'PlatterbaffisOut，\'beforethepollopens。Hesaiditwasouronlychanceofgettingatelegram\'RadpropisIn\'

to-night。"

Athalf-pastseventhenextmorningthePrimeMinisterandtheChiefOrganisersatatbreakfast，makingaperfunctorymeal，andawaitingthereturnoftheHomeSecretary，whohadgoneinpersontosuperintendthereleasingofPlatterbaff。Despitetheearlinessofthehourasmallcrowdhadgatheredinthestreetoutside，andthehorriblemenacingTrelawneyrefrainofthe"FifteenHundredVotingMen"cameinasteady，monotonouschant。

"Theywillcheerpresentlywhentheyhearthenews，"saidthePrimeMinisterhopefully；"hark！Theyarebooingsomeonenow！ThatmustbeMcKenna。"

TheHomeSecretaryenteredtheroomamomentlater，disasterwrittenonhisface。

"Hewon\'tgo！"heexclaimed。

"Won\'tgo？Won\'tleavegaol？"

"Hewon\'tgounlesshehasabrassband。Hesaysheneverhasleftprisonwithoutabrassbandtoplayhimout，andhe\'snotgoingtogowithoutonenow。"

"Butsurelythatsortofthingisprovidedbyhissupportersandadmirers？"saidthePrimeMinister；"wecanhardlybesupposedtosupplyareleasedprisonerwithabrassband。HowonearthcouldwedefenditontheEstimates？"

"Hissupporterssayitisuptoustoprovidethemusic，"saidtheHomeSecretary；"theysayweputhiminprison，andit\'souraffairtoseethatheleavesitinarespectablemanner。Anyway，hewon\'tgounlesshehasaband。"

Thetelephonesquealedshrilly；itwasatrunkcallfromNemesis。

"Pollopensinfiveminutes。IsPlatterbaffoutyet？InHeaven\'sname，why——"

TheChiefOrganiserrangoff。

"Thisisnotamomentforstandingondignity，"heobservedbluntly；

"musiciansmustbesuppliedatonce。Platterbaffmusthavehisband。"

"Whereareyougoingtofindthemusicians？"askedtheHomeSecretarywearily；"wecan\'temployamilitaryband，infact，I

don\'tthinkhe\'dhaveoneifweofferedit，andthereain\'tanyothers。There\'samusicians\'strikeon，Isupposeyouknow。"

"Can\'tyougetastrikepermit？"askedtheOrganiser。

"I\'lltry，"saidtheHomeSecretary，andwenttothetelephone。

Eighto\'clockstruck。Thecrowdoutsidechantedwithanincreasingvolumeofsound：

"Willvotetheotherway。"

Atelegramwasbroughtin。ItwasfromthecentralcommitteeroomsatNemesis。"Losingtwentyvotesperminute，"wasitsbriefmessage。

Teno\'clockstruck。ThePrimeMinister，theHomeSecretary，theChiefOrganiser，andseveralearnesthelpfulfriendsweregatheredintheinnergatewayoftheprison，talkingvolublytoDemosthenesPlatterbaff，whostoodwithfoldedarmsandsquarelyplantedfeet，silentintheirmidst。Golden-tonguedlegislatorswhoseeloquencehadswayedtheMarconiInquiryCommittee，oratanyratethegreaterpartofit，expendedtheirartsoforatoryinvainonthisstubbornunyieldingman。Withoutabandhewouldnotgo；andtheyhadnoband。

Aquarterpastten，half-past。Aconstantstreamoftelegraphboyspouredinthroughtheprisongates。

"Yamley\'sfactoryhandsjustvotedyoucanguesshow，"ranadespairingmessage，andtheotherswereallofthesametenour。

NemesiswasgoingthewayofReading。

"Haveyouanybandinstrumentsofaneasynaturetoplay？"demandedtheChiefOrganiserofthePrisonGovernor；"drums，cymbals，thosesortofthings？"

"Thewardershaveaprivatebandoftheirown，"saidtheGovernor，"butofcourseIcouldn\'tallowthementhemselves——"

"Lendustheinstruments，"saidtheChiefOrganiser。

Oneoftheearnesthelpfulfriendswasaskilledperformeronthecornet，theCabinetMinisterswereabletoclashcymbalsmoreorlessintune，andtheChiefOrganiserhassomeknowledgeofthedrum。

"Whattunewouldyouprefer？"heaskedPlatterbaff。

"Thepopularsongofthemoment，"repliedtheAgitatorafteramoment\'sreflection。

Itwasatunetheyhadallheardhundredsoftimes，sotherewasnodifficultyinturningoutapassableimitationofit。Totheimprovisedstrainsof"Ididn\'twanttodoit"theprisonerstrodeforthtofreedom。Thewordofthesonghadreference，itwasunderstood，totheincarceratingGovernmentandnottothedestroyeroftheAlbertHall。

Theseatwaslost，afterall，byanarrowmajority。ThelocalTradeUnioniststookoffenceatthefactofCabinetMinistershavingpersonallyactedasstrike-breakers，andeventhereleaseofPlatterbafffailedtopacifythem。

Theseatwaslost，butMinistershadscoredamoralvictory。Theyhadshownthattheyknewwhenandhowtoyield。

THETHREAT

SirLulworthQuaynesatintheloungeofhisfavouriterestaurant，theGallusBankiva，discussingtheweaknessesoftheworldwithhisnephew，whohadlatelyreturnedfromamuch-enlivenedexileinthewildsofMexico。Itwasthatblessedseasonoftheyearwhentheasparagusandtheplover\'seggareabroadintheland，andtheoysterhasnotyetwithdrawnintoit\'ssummerentrenchments，andSirLulworthandhisnephewwereinthatenlightenedafter-dinnermoodwhenpoliticsareseenintheirrightperspective，eventhepoliticsofMexico。

"Mostoftherevolutionsthattakeplaceinthiscountrynowadays，"

saidSirLulworth，"aretheproductofmomentsoflegislativepanic。