第7章

Withtheelectrictorchinhishandhestrucktheforemostofthemsofuriouslyinthefacethatthemanstumbledandrolledoverontheslimygrass;butthetorchwasbrokenandextinguished，leavingeverythinginadenserobscurity。Heflunganothermanflatagainstthetemplewall，sothatheslidtotheground;butathirdandfourthcarriedFisheroffhisfeetandbegantobearhim，struggling，towardthedoorway。Eveninthebewildermentofthebattlehewasconsciousthatthedoorwasstandingopen。Somebodywassummoningtheroughsfrominside。

Themomenttheywerewithintheyhurledhimuponasortofbenchorbedwithviolence，butnodamage;forthesettee，orwhateveritwas，seemedtobecomfortablycushionedforhisreception。Theirviolencehadinitagreatelementofhaste，andbeforehecouldrisetheyhadallrushedforthedoortoescape。Whateverbanditstheywerethatinfestedthisdesertisland，theywereobviouslyuneasyabouttheirjobandveryanxioustobequitofit。Hehadtheflyingfancythatregularcriminalswouldhardlybeinsuchapanic。Thenextmomentthegreatdoorcrashedtoandhecouldheartheboltsshriekastheyshotintotheirplace，andthefeetoftheretreatingmenscamperingandstumblingalongthecauseway。Butrapidlyasithappened，itdidnothappenbeforeFisherhaddonesomethingthathewantedtoto。Unabletorisefromhissprawlingattitudeinthatflashoftime，hehadshotoutoneofhislonglegsandhookeditroundtheankleofthelastmandisappearingthroughthedoor。Themanswayedandtoppledoverinsidetheprisonchamber，andthedoorclosedbetweenhimandhisfleeingcompanions。Clearlytheywereintoomuchhastetorealizethattheyhadleftoneoftheircompanybehind。

Themansprangtohisfeetagainandhammeredandkickedfuriouslyatthedoor。Fisher’ssenseofhumorbegantorecoverfromthestruggleandhesatuponhissofawithsomethingofhisnativenonchalance。Butashelistenedtothecaptivecaptorbeatingonthedooroftheprison，anewandcuriousreflectioncametohim。

Thenaturalcourseforamanthuswishingtoattracthisfriends’attentionwouldbetocallout，toshoutaswellaskick。Thismanwasmakingasmuchnoiseashecouldwithhisfeetandhands，butnotasoundcamefromhisthroat。Whycouldn’thespeak？

Atfirsthethoughtthemanmightbegagged，whichwasmanifestlyabsurd。Thenhisfancyfellbackontheuglyideathatthemanwasdumb。Hehardlyknewwhyitwassouglyanidea，butitaffectedhisimaginationinadarkanddisproportionatefashion。

Thereseemedtobesomethingcreepyabouttheideaofbeingleftinadarkroomwithadeafmute。Itwasalmostasifsuchadefectwereadeformity。Itwasalmostasifitwentwithotherandworsedeformities。

Itwasasiftheshapehecouldnottraceinthedarknessweresomeshapethatshouldnotseethesun。

Thenhehadaflashofsanityandalsoofinsight。

Theexplanationwasverysimple，butratherinteresting。Obviouslythemandidnotusehisvoicebecausehedidnotwishhisvoicetoberecognized。

HehopedtoescapefromthatdarkplacebeforeFisherfoundoutwhohewas。Andwhowashe？Onethingatleastwasclear。HewasoneorotherofthefourorfivemenwithwhomFisherhadalreadytalkedintheseparts，andinthedevelopmentofthatstrangestory。

"NowIwonderwhoyouare，"hesaid，aloud，withallhisoldlazyurbanity。"Isupposeit’snousetryingtothrottleyouinordertofindout;

itwouldbedispleasingtopassthenightwithacorpse。BesidesImightbethecorpse。I’vegotnomatchesandI’vesmashedmytorch，soIcanonlyspeculate。Whocouldyoube，now？

Letusthink。"

ThemanthusgeniallyaddressedhaddesistedfromdrummingonthedoorandretreatedsullenlyintoacornerasFishercontinuedtoaddresshiminaflowingmonologue。

"Probablyyouarethepoacherwhosaysheisn’tapoacher。Hesayshe’salandedproprietor;buthewillpermitmetoinformhimthat，whateverheis，he’safool。WhathopecanthereeverbeofafreepeasantryinEnglandifthepeasantsthemselvesaresuchsnobsastowanttobegentlemen？Howcanwemakeademocracywithnodemocrats？Asitis，youwanttobealandlordandsoyouconsenttobeacriminal。Andinthat，youknow，youareratherlikesomebodyelse。And，nowIthinkofit，perhapsyouaresomebodyelse。"

Therewasasilencebrokenbybreathingfromthecornerandthemurmuroftherisingstorm，thatcameinthroughthesmallgratingabovetheman’shead。HorneFishercontinued：

"Areyouonlyaservant，perhaps，thatrathersinisteroldservantwhowasbutlertoHawkerandVerner？Ifso，youarecertainlytheonlylinkbetweenthetwoperiods。Butifso，whydoyoudegradeyourselftoservethisdirtyforeigner，whenyouatleastsawthelastofagenuinenationalgentry？

Peoplelikeyouaregenerallyatleastpatriotic。

Doesn’tEnglandmeananythingtoyou，Mr。Usher？

Allofwhicheloquenceispossiblywasted，asperhapsyouarenotMr。Usher。

"MorelikelyyouareVernerhimself;andit’snogoodwastingeloquencetomakeyouashamedofyourself。NorisitanygoodtocurseyouforcorruptingEngland;norareyoutherightpersontocurse。ItistheEnglishwhodeservetobecursed，andarecursed，becausetheyallowedsuchvermintocrawlintothehighplacesoftheirheroesandtheirkings。Iwon’tdwellontheideathatyou’reVerner，orthethrottlingmightbegin，afterall。Isthereanyoneelseyoucouldbe？Surelyyou’renotsomeservantoftheotherrivalorganization。Ican’tbelieveyou’reGryce，theagent;andyetGrycehadasparkofthefanaticinhiseye，too;andmenwilldoextraordinarythingsinthesepaltryfeudsofpolitics。Orifnottheservant，isitthe……No，Ican’tbelieveit……nottheredbloodofmanhoodandliberty……notthedemocraticideal……"

Hesprangupinexcitement，andatthesamemomentagrowlofthundercamethroughthegratingbeyond。Thestormhadbroken，andwithitanewlightbrokeonhismind。Therewassomethingelsethatmighthappeninamoment。

"Doyouknowwhatthatmeans？"hecried。"ItmeansthatGodhimselfmayholdacandletoshowmeyourinfernalface。"

Thennextmomentcameacrashofthunder;butbeforethethunderawhitelighthadfilledthewholeroomforasinglesplitsecond。

Fisherhadseentwothingsinfrontofhim。Onewastheblack—and—whitepatternoftheirongratingagainstthesky;theotherwasthefaceinthecorner。

Itwasthefaceofhisbrother。

NothingcamefromHorneFisher’slipsexceptaChristianname，whichwasfollowedbyasilencemoredreadfulthanthedark。Atlasttheotherfigurestirredandsprangup，andthevoiceofHarryFisherwasheardforthefirsttimeinthathorribleroom。

"You’veseenme，Isuppose，"hesaid，"andwemayaswellhavealightnow。Youcouldhaveturneditonatanytime，ifyou’dfoundtheswitch。"

Hepressedabuttoninthewallandallthedetailsofthatroomsprangintosomethingstrongerthandaylight。Indeed，thedetailsweresounexpectedthatforamomenttheyturnedthecaptive’srockingmindfromthelastpersonalrevelation。Theroom，sofarfrombeingadungeoncell，wasmorelikeadrawing—room，evenalady’sdrawing—room，exceptforsomeboxesofcigarsandbottlesofwinethatwerestackedwithbooksandmagazinesonasidetable。Asecondglanceshowedhimthatthemoremasculinefittingswerequiterecent，andthatthemorefemininebackgroundwasquiteold。Hiseyecaughtastripoffadedtapestry，whichstartledhimintospeech，tothemomentaryoblivionofbiggermatters。

"Thisplacewasfurnishedfromthegreathouse，"

hesaid。

"Yes，"repliedtheother，"andIthinkyouknowwhy。"

"IthinkIdo，"saidHorneFisher，"andbeforeIgoontomoreextraordinarythingsIwill，saywhatI

think。SquireHawkerplayedboththebigamistandthebandit。HisfirstwifewasnotdeadwhenhemarriedtheJewess;shewasimprisonedonthisisland。Sheborehimachildhere，whonowhauntshisbirthplaceunderthenameofLongAdam。AbankruptcycompanypromoternamedWernerdiscoveredthesecretandblackmailedthesquireintosurrenderingtheestate。

That’sallquiteclearandveryeasy。

Andnowletmegoontosomethingmoredifficult。

Andthatisforyoutoexplainwhatthedevilyouaredoingkidnapingyourbornbrother。

AfterapauseHenryFisheranswered：

"Isupposeyoudidn’texpecttoseeme，"hesaid。

"But，afterall，whatcouldyouexpect？"’

"I’mafraidIdon’tfollow，"saidHorneFisher。

"Imeanwhatelsecouldyouexpect，aftermakingsuchamuckofit？"saidhisbrother，sulkily。"Weallthoughtyouweresoclever。Howcouldweknowyouweregoingtobe——well，really，sucharottenfailure？"

"Thisisrathercurious，"saidthecandidate，frowning。"Withoutvanity，Iwasnotundertheimpressionthatmycandidaturewasafailure。Allthebigmeetingsweresuccessfulandcrowdsofpeoplehavepromisedmevotes。"

"Ishouldjollywellthinktheyhad，"said’Henry，grimly。"You’vemadealandslidewithyourconfoundedacresandacow，andVernercanhardlygetavoteanywhere。Oh，it’stoorottenforanything！"

"Whatonearthdoyoumean？"

"Why，youlunatic，"criedHenry，intonesofringingsincerity，"youdon’tsupposeyouweremeanttoWIN

theseat，didyou？Oh，it’stoochildish！ItellyouVerner’sgottogetin。Ofcoursehe’sgottogetin。

He’stohavetheExchequernextsession，andthere’stheEgyptianloanandLordknowswhatelse。WeonlywantedyoutosplittheReformvotebecauseaccidentsmighthappenafterHugheshadmadeascoreatBarkington。"

"Isee，"saidFisher，"andyou，Ithink，areapillarandornamentoftheReformparty。Asyousay，Iamnotclever。"

Theappealtopartyloyaltyfellondeafears;forthepillarofReformwasbroodingonotherthings。Atlasthesaid，inamoretroubledvoice：

"Ididn’twantyoutocatchme;Iknewitwouldbeashock。ButItellyouwhat，youneverwouldhavecaughtmeifIhadn’tcomeheremyself，toseetheydidn’tilltreatyouandtomakesureeverythingwasascomfortableasitcouldbe。"Therewasevenasortofbreakinhisvoiceasheadded，"IgotthosecigarsbecauseIknewyoulikedthem。"

Emotionsarequeerthings，andtheidiocyofthisconcessionsuddenlysoftenedHorneFisherlikeanunfathomablepathos。

"Nevermind，oldchap，"hesaid;"we’llsaynomoreaboutit。I’lladmitthatyou’rereallyaskind—heartedandaffectionateascoundrelandhypocriteaseversoldhimselftoruinhiscountry。There，Ican’tsayhandsomerthanthat。Thankyouforthecigars，oldman。I’llhaveoneifyoudon’tmind。"

BythetimethatHorneFisherhadendedhistellingofthisstorytoHaroldMarchtheyhadcomeoutintooneofthepublicparksandtakenaseatonariseofgroundoverlookingwidegreenspacesunderablueandemptysky;andtherewassomethingincongruousinthewordswithwhichthenarrationended。

"Ihavebeeninthatroomeversince，"saidHorneFisher。"Iaminitnow。Iwontheelection，butI

neverwenttotheHouse。Mylifehasbeenalifeinthatlittleroomonthatlonelyisland。Plentyofbooksandcigarsandluxuries，plentyofknowledgeandinterestandinformation，butneveravoiceoutofthattombtoreachtheworldoutside。Ishallprobablydiethere。"Andhesmiledashelookedacrossthevastgreenparktothegrayhorizon。

VIII。THEVENGEANCEOFTHESTATUE

Itwasonthesunnyverandaofaseasidehotel，overlookingapatternofflowerbedsandastripofbluesea，thatHorneFisherandHaroldMarchhadtheirfinalexplanation，whichmightbecalledanexplosion。

HaroldMarchhadcometothelittletableandsatdownatitwithasubduedexcitementsmolderinginhissomewhatcloudyanddreamyblueeyes。Inthenewspaperswhichhetossedfromhimontothetabletherewasenoughtoexplainsomeifnotallofhisemotion。Publicaffairsineverydepartmenthadreachedacrisis。Thegovernmentwhichhadstoodsolongthatmenwereusedtoit，astheyareusedtoahereditarydespotism，hadbeguntobeaccusedOfblundersandevenoffinancialabuses。SomesaidthattheexperimentofattemptingtoestablishapeasantryinthewestofEngland，onthelinesofanearlyfancyofHorneFisher’s，hadresultedinnothingbutdangerousquarrelswithmoreindustrialneighbors。

Therehadbeenparticularcomplaintsoftheilltreatmentofharmlessforeigners，chieflyAsiatics，whohappenedtobeemployedinthenewscientificworksconstructedonthecoast。Indeed，thenewPowerwhichhadariseninSiberia，backedbyJapanandotherpowerfulallies，wasinclinedtotakethematterupintheinterestsofitsexiledsubjects;andtherehadbeenwildtalkaboutambassadorsandultimatums。

Butsomethingmuchmoreserious，initspersonalinterestforMarchhimself，seemedtofillhismeetingwithhisfriendwithamixtureofembarrassmentandindignation。

PerhapsitincreasedhisannoyancethattherewasacertainunusuallivelinessabouttheusuallylanguidfigureofFisher。TheordinaryimageofhiminMarch’smindwasthatofapallidandbald—browedgentleman，whoseemedtobeprematurelyoldaswellasprematurelybald。Hewasrememberedasamanwhoexpressedtheopinionsofapessimistinthelanguageofalounger。EvennowMarchcouldnotbecertainwhetherthechangewasmerelyasortofmasqueradeofsunshine，orthateffectofclearcolorsandclean—cutoutlinesthatisalwaysvisibleontheparadeofamarineresort，relievedagainstthebluedadoofthesea。ButFisherhadaflowerinhisbuttonhole，andhisfriendcouldhaveswornhecarriedhiscanewithsomethingalmostliketheswaggerofafighter。WithsuchcloudsgatheringoverEngland，thepessimistseemedtobetheonlymanwhocarriedhisownsunshine。

"Lookhere，"saidHaroldMarch，abruptly，"you’vebeennoendofafriendtome，andIneverwassoproudofafriendshipbefore;butthere’ssomethingI

mustgetoffmychest。ThemoreIfoundout，thelessIunderstoodhowyoucouldstandit。AndItellyouI’mgoingtostanditnolonger。"

HorneFishergazedacrossathimgravelyandattentively，butratherasifhewerealongwayoff。

"YouknowIalwayslikedyou，"saidFisher，quietly，"butIalsorespectyou，whichisnotalwaysthesamething。YoumaypossiblyguessthatIlikeagoodmanypeopleIdon’trespect。Perhapsitismytragedy，perhapsitismyfault。Butyouareverydifferent，andIpromiseyouthis：thatIwillnevertrytokeepyouassomebodytobeliked，atthepriceofyournotbeingrespected。"

"Iknowyouaremagnanimous，"saidMarchafterasilence，"andyetyoutolerateandperpetuateeverythingthatismean。"Thenafteranothersilenceheadded："Doyourememberwhenwefirstmet，whenyouwerefishinginthatbrookintheaffairofthetarget？Anddoyourememberyousaidthat，afterall，itmightdonoharmifIcouldblowthewholetangleofthissocietytohellwithdynamite。"

"Yes，andwhatofthat？"askedFisher。

"OnlythatI’mgoingtoblowittohellwithdynamite，"saidHaroldMarch，"andIthinkitrighttogiveyoufairwarning。ForalongtimeIdidn’tbelievethingswereasbadasyousaidtheywere。ButI

neverfeltasifIcouldhavebottledupwhatyouknew，supposingyoureallyknewit。Well，thelongandtheshortofitisthatI’vegotaconscience;andnow，atlast，I’vealsogotachance。I’vebeenputinchargeofabigindependentpaper，withafreehand，andwe’regoingtoopenacannonadeoncorruption。"

"Thatwillbe——Attwood，Isuppose，"saidFisher，reflectively。"Timbermerchant。KnowsalotaboutChina。"

"HeknowsalotaboutEngland，"saidMarch，doggedly，"andnowIknowit，too，we’renotgoingtohushitupanylonger。Thepeopleofthiscountryhavearighttoknowhowthey’reruled——or，rather，ruined。

TheChancellorisinthepocketofthemoneylendersandhastodoasheistold;otherwisehe’sbankrupt，andabadsortofbankruptcy，too，withnothingbutcardsandactressesbehindit。ThePrimeMinisterwasinthepetrol—contractbusiness;anddeepinit，too。TheForeignMinisterisawreckofdrinkanddrugs。WhenyousaythatplainlyaboutamanwhomaysendthousandsofEnglishmentodiefornothing，you’recalledpersonal。Ifapoorenginedrivergetsdrunkandsendsthirtyorfortypeopletodeath，nobodycomplainsoftheexposurebeingpersonal。

Theenginedriverisnotaperson。"

"Iquiteagreewithyou，"saidFisher，calmly。"Youareperfectlyright。"

"Ifyouagreewithus，，whythedevildon’tyouactwithus？"demandedhisfriend。"Ifyouthinkit’sright，whydon’tyoudowhat’sright？It’sawfultothinkofamanofyourabilitiessimplyblockingtheroadtoreform。"

"Wehaveoftentalkedaboutthat，"repliedFisher，withthesamecomposure。"ThePrimeMinisterismyfather’sfriend。TheForeignMinistermarriedmysister。TheChancelloroftheExchequerismyfirstcousin。Imentionthegenealogyinsomedetailjustnowforaparticularreason。ThetruthisIhaveacuriouskindofcheerfulnessatthemoment。Itisn’taltogetherthesunandthesea，sir。Iamenjoyinganemotionthatisentirelynewtome;ahappysensationIneverrememberhavinghadbefore。"

"Whatthedevildoyoumean？"

"Iamfeelingproudofmyfamily，"saidHorneFisher。

HaroldMarchstaredathimwithroundblueeyes，andseemedtoomuchmystifiedeventoaskaquestion。Fisherleanedbackinhischairinhislazyfashion，andsmiledashecontinued。

"Lookhere，mydearfellow。Letmeaskaquestioninturn。YouimplythatIhavealwaysknownthesethingsaboutmyunfortunatekinsmen。

SoIhave。DoyousupposethatAttwoodhasn’talwaysknownthem？Doyousupposehehasn’talwaysknownyouasanhonestmanwhowouldsaythesethingswhenhegotachance？WhydoesAttwoodunmuzzleyoulikeadogatthismoment，afteralltheseyears？Iknowwhyhedoes;Iknowagoodmanythings，fartoomanythings。Andtherefore，asIhavethehonortoremark，Iamproudofmyfamilyatlast。"

"Butwhy？"repeatedMarch，ratherfeebly。

"IamproudoftheChancellorbecausehegambledandtheForeignMinisterbecausehedrankandthePrimeMinisterbecausehetookacommissiononacontract，"saidFisher，firmly。"Iamproudofthembecausetheydidthesethings，andcanbedenouncedforthem，andknowtheycanbedenouncedforthem，andareSTANDINGFIRMFORALLTHAT。Itakeoffmyhattothembecausetheyaredefyingblackmail，andrefusingtosmashtheircountrytosavethemselves。I

salutethemasiftheyweregoingtodieonthebattlefield。"

Afterapausehecontinued："Anditwillbeabattlefield，too，andnotametaphoricalone。Wehaveyieldedtoforeignfinancierssolongthatnowitiswarorruin，Eventhepeople，eventhecountrypeople，arebeginningtosuspectthattheyarebeingruined。Thatisthemeaningoftheregrettable，incidentsinthenewspapers。"

"ThemeaningoftheoutragesonOrientals？"askedMarch。

"ThemeaningoftheoutragesonOrientals，"

repliedFisher，"isthatthefinanciershaveintroducedChineselaborintothiscountrywiththedeliberateintentionofreducingworkmenandpeasantstostarvation。Ourunhappypoliticianshavemadeconcessionafterconcession;andnowtheyareaskingconcessionswhichamounttoourorderingamassacreofourownpoor。Ifwedonotfightnowweshallneverfightagain。TheywillhaveputEnglandinaneconomicpositionofstarvinginaweek。Butwearegoingtofightnow;Ishouldn’twonderiftherewereanultimatuminaweekandan。invasioninafortnight。Allthepastcorruptionandcowardiceishamperingus，ofcourse;theWestcountryisprettystormyanddoubtfuleveninamilitarysense;andtheIrishregimentsthere，thataresupposedtosupportusbythenewtreaty，areprettywellinmutiny;for，ofcourse，thisinfernalcooliecapitalismisbeingpushedinIreland，too。Butit’stostopnow;andifthegovernmentmessageofreassurancegetsthroughtothemintime，theymayturnupafterallbythetimetheenemylands。Formypooroldgangisgoingtostandtoitsgunsatlast。Ofcourseit’sonlynaturalthatwhentheyhavebeenwhitewashedforhalfacenturyasparagons，theirsinsshouldcomebackonthemattheverymomentwhentheyarebehavinglikemenforthefirsttimeintheirlives。Well，Itellyou，March，Iknowtheminsideout;andIknowtheyarebehavinglikeheroes。Everymanofthemoughttohaveastatue，andonthepedestalwordslikethoseofthenoblestruffianoftheRevolution：’Quemonnomsoitfletri;quelaFrancesoitlibre。’"

"GoodGod！"criedMarch，"shallwenevergettothebottomofyourminesandcountermines？"

AfterasilenceFisheransweredinalowervoice，lookinghisfriendintheeyes。

"Didyouthinktherewasnothingbutevilatthebottomofthem？"heasked，gently。"DidyouthinkI

hadfoundnothingbutfilthinthedeepseasintowhichfatehasthrownme？Believeme，youneverknowthebestaboutmentillyouknowtheworstaboutthem。Itdoesnotdisposeoftheirstrangehumansoulstoknowthattheywereexhibitedtotheworldasimpossiblyimpeccablewaxworks，whoneverlookedafterawomanorknewthemeaningofabribe。Eveninapalace，lifecanbelivedwell;andeveninaParliament，lifecanbelivedwithoccasionaleffortstoliveitwell。Itellyouitisastrueoftheserichfoolsandrascalsasitistrueofeverypoorfootpadandpickpocket;thatonlyGodknowshowgoodtheyhavetriedtobe。Godaloneknowswhattheconsciencecansurvive，orhowamanwhohaslosthishonorwillstilltrytosavehissoul。"

Therewasanothersilence，andMarchsatstaringatthetableandFisheratthesea。ThenFishersuddenlysprangtohisfeetandcaughtuphishatandstickwithallhisnewalertnessandevenpugnacity。

"Lookhere，oldfellow，"hecried，"letusmakeabargain。BeforeyouopenyourcampaignforAttwoodcomedownandstaywithusforoneweek，tohearwhatwe’rereallydoing。

ImeanwiththeFaithfulFew，formerlyknownastheOldGang，occasionallytobedescribedastheLowLot。Therearereallyonlyfiveofusthatarequitefixed，andorganizingthenationaldefense;andwe’relivinglikeagarrisoninasortofbroken—downhotelinKent。Comeandseewhatwe’rereallydoingandwhatthereistobedone，anddousjustice。Andafterthat，withunalterableloveandaffectionforyou，publishandbedamned。"

Thusitcameaboutthatinthelastweekbeforewar，wheneventsmovedmostrapidly，HaroldMarchfoundhimselfoneofasortofsmallhousepartyofthepeoplehewasproposingtodenounce。Theywerelivingsimplyenough，forpeoplewiththeirtastes，inanoldbrown—brickinnfacedwithivyandsurroundedbyratherdismalgardens。Atthebackofthebuildingthegardenranupverysteeplytoaroadalongtheridgeabove;andazigzagpathscaledtheslopeinsharpangles，turningtoandfroamidevergreenssosomberthattheymightratherbecalledeverblack。

Hereandthereuptheslopewerestatueshavingallthecoldmonstrosityofsuchminorornamentsoftheeighteenthcentury;andawholerowofthemranasonaterracealongthelastbankatthebottom，oppositethebackdoor。ThisdetailfixeditselffirstinMarch’smindmerelybecauseitfiguredinthefirstconversationhehadwithoneofthecabinetministers。

Thecabinetministerswereratherolderthanhehadexpectedtofindthem。ThePrimeMinisternolongerlookedlikeaboy，thoughhestilllookedalittlelikeababy。Butitwasoneofthoseoldandvenerablebabies，andthebabyhadsoftgrayhair。

Everythingabouthimwassoft，tohisspeechandhiswayofwalking;butoverandabovethathischieffunctionseemedtobesleep。Peopleleftalonewithhimgotsousedtohiseyesbeingclosedthattheywerealmoststartledwhentheyrealizedinthestillnessthattheeyeswerewideopen，andevenwatching。Onethingatleastwouldalwaysmaketheoldgentlemanopenhiseyes。Theonethinghereallycaredforinthisworldwashishobbyofarmoredweapons，especiallyEasternweapons，andhewouldtalkforhoursaboutDamascusbladesandArabswordmanship。LordJamesHerries，theChancelloroftheExchequer，wasashort，dark，sturdymanwithaverysallowfaceandaverysullenmanner，whichcontrastedwiththegorgeousflowerinhisbuttonholeandhisfestivetrickofbeingalwaysslightlyoverdressed。Itwassomethingofaeuphemismtocallhimawell—knownmanabouttown。Therewasperhapsmoremysteryinthequestionofhowamanwholivedforpleasureseemedtogetsolittlepleasureoutofit。SirDavidArcher，theForeignSecretary，wastheonlyoneofthemwhowasaself—mademan，andtheonlyoneofthemwholookedlikeanaristocrat。Hewastallandthinandveryhandsome，withagrizzledbeard;hisgrayhairwasverycurly，andevenroseinfrontintworebelliousringletsthatseemedtothefancifultotrembleliketheantennaeofsomegiantinsect，ortostirsympatheticallywiththerestlesstuftedeyebrowsoverhisratherhaggardeyes。FortheForeignSecretarymadenosecretofhissomewhatnervouscondition，whatevermightbethecauseofit。

"Doyouknowthatmoodwhenonecouldscreambecauseamatiscrooked？"hesaidtoMarch，astheywalkedupanddowninthebackgardenbelowthelineofdingystatues。"Womengetintoitwhenthey’veworkedtoohard;andI’vebeenworkingprettyhardlately，ofcourse。ItdrivesmemadwhenHerrieswillwearhishatalittlecrooked——habitoflookinglikeagaydog。

SometimeIswearI’llknockitoff。ThatstatueofBritanniaoverthereisn’tquitestraight;itsticksforwardabitasiftheladyweregoingtotoppleover。

Thedamnedthingisthatitdoesn’ttoppleoverandbedonewithit。See，it’sclampedwithanironprop。

Don’tbesurprisedifIgetupinthemiddleofthenighttohikeitdown。"

Theypacedthepathforafewmomentsinsilenceandthenhecontinued。"It’soddthoselittlethingsseemspeciallybigwhentherearebiggerthingstoworryabout。We’dbettergoinanddosomework。"

HorneFisherevidentlyallowedforalltheneuroticpossibilitiesofArcherandthedissipatedhabitsofHerries;andwhateverhisfaithintheirpresentfirmness，didnotundulytaxtheirtimeandattention，eveninthecaseofthePrimeMinister。Hehadgottheconsentofthelatterfinallytothecommittingoftheimportantdocuments，withtheorderstotheWesternarmies，tothecareofalessconspicuousandmoresolidperson——anuncleofhisnamedHorneHewitt，arathercolorlesscountrysquirewhohadbeenagoodsoldier，andwasthemilitaryadviserofthecommittee。Hewaschargedwithexpeditingthegovernmentpledge，alongwiththeconcertedmilitaryplans，tothehalf—mutinouscommandinthewest;

andthestillmoreurgenttaskofseeingthatitdidnotfallintothehandsoftheenemy，whomightappearatanymomentfromtheeast。Overandabovethismilitaryofficial，theonlyotherpersonpresentwasapoliceofficial，acertainDoctorPrince，originallyapolicesurgeonandnowadistinguisheddetective，senttobeabodyguardtothegroup。Hewasasquare—facedmanwithbigspectaclesandagrimacethatexpressedtheintentionofkeepinghismouthshut。Nobodyelsesharedtheircaptivityexceptthehotelproprietor，acrustyKentishmanwithacrab—appleface，oneortwoofhisservants，andanotherservantprivatelyattachedtoLordJamesHerries。HewasayoungScotchmannamedCampbell，wholookedmuchmoredistinguishedthanhisbilious—lookingmaster，havingchestnuthairandalongsaturninefacewithlargebutfinefeatures。Hewasprobablytheonereallyefficientpersoninthehouse。

Afteraboutfourdaysoftheinformalcouncil，Marchhadcometofeelasortofgrotesquesublimityaboutthesedubiousfigures，defiantinthetwilightofdanger，asiftheywerehunchbacksandcripplesleftalonetodefendatown。Allwereworkinghard;andhehimselflookedupfromwritingapageofmemorandainaprivateroomtoseeHorneFisherstandinginthedoorway，accouteredasiffortravel。

HefanciedthatFisherlookedalittlepale;andafteramomentthatgentlemanshutthedoorbehindhimandsaid，quietly：

"Well，theworsthashappened。Ornearlytheworst。"

"Theenemyhaslanded，"criedMarch，andsprangerectoutofhischair。

"Oh，Iknewtheenemywouldland，"saidFisher，withcomposure。"Yes，he’slanded;butthat’snottheworstthatcouldhappen。Theworstisthatthere’saleakofsomesort，evenfromthisfortressofours。It’sbeenabitofashocktome，Icantellyou;thoughI

supposeit’sillogical。Afterall，Iwasfullofadmirationatfindingthreehonestmeninpolitics。I

oughtnottobefullofastonishmentifIfindonlytwo。"

Heruminatedamomentandthensaid，insuchafashionthatMarchcouldhardlytellifhewerechangingthesubjectorno：

"It’shardatfirsttobelievethatafellowlikeHerries，whohadpickledhimselfinvicelikevinegar，canhaveanyscrupleleft。ButaboutthatI’venoticedacuriousthing。Patriotismisnotthefirstvirtue。

PatriotismrotsintoPrussianismwhenyoupretenditisthefirstvirtue。Butpatriotismissometimesthelastvirtue。Amanwillswindleorseducewhowillnotsellhiscountry。Butwhoknows？"

"Butwhatistobedone？"criedMarch，indignantly。

"Myunclehasthepaperssafeenough，"repliedFisher，"andissendingthemwestto—night;butsomebodyistryingtogetatthemfromout。side，Ifearwiththeassistanceofsomebodyin。side。AllIcandoatpresentistotrytoheadoffthemanoutside;andImustgetawaynowanddoit。Ishallbebackinabouttwenty—fourhours。

WhileI’mawayIwantyoutokeepaneyeonthesepeopleandfindoutwhatyoucan。Aurevoir。"Hevanisheddownthestairs;andfromthewindowMarchcouldseehimmountamotorcycleandtrailawaytowardtheneighboringtown。

Onthefollowingmorning，Marchwassittinginthewindowseatoftheoldinnparlor，whichwasoak—paneledandordinarilyratherdark;butonthatoccasionitwasfullofthewhitelightofacuriouslyclearmorning——themoonhadshonebrilliantlyforthelasttwoorthreenights。Hewashimselfsomewhatinshadowinthecornerofthewindowseat;andLordJamesHerries，cominginhastilyfromthegardenbehind，didnotseehim。LordJamesclutchedthebackofachair，asiftosteadyhimself，and，sittingdownabruptlyatthetable，litteredwiththelastmeal，pouredhimselfoutatumblerofbrandyanddrankit。

HesatwithhisbacktoMarch，buthisyellowfaceappearedinaroundmirrorbeyonandthetingeofitwaslikethatofsomehorriblemalady。AsMarchmovedhestartedviolentlyandfacedround。

"MyGod！"hecried，"haveyouseenwhat’soutside？"

"Outside？"repeatedtheother，glancingoverhisshoulderatthegarden。

"Oh，goandlookforyourself，"criedHerriesinasortoffury。"Hewitt’smurderedandhispapersstolen，that’sall。"

Heturnedhisbackagainandsatdownwithathud;hissquareshoulderswereshaking。HaroldMarchdartedoutofthedoorwayintothebackgardenwithitssteepslopeofstatues。

ThefirstthinghesawwasDoctorPrince，thedetective，peeringthroughhisspectaclesatsomethingontheground;thesecondwasthethinghewaspeeringat。Evenafterthesensationalnewshehadheardinside，thesightwassomethingofasensation。

ThemonstrousstoneimageofBritanniawaslyingproneandfacedownwardonthegardenpath;andtherestuckoutatrandomfromunderneathit，likethelegsofasmashedfly，anarmcladinawhiteshirtsleeveandalegcladinakhakitrouser，andhairoftheunmistakablesandygraythatbelongedtoHorneFisher’sunfortunateuncle。Therewerepoolsofbloodandthelimbswerequitestiffindeath。

"Couldn’tthishavebeenanaccident？"saidMarch，findingwordsatlast。

"Lookforyourself，Isay，"repeatedtheharshvoiceofHerries，whohadfollowedhimwithrestlessmovementsoutofthedoor。"Thepapersaregone，I

tellyou。Thefellowtorethecoatoffthecorpseandcutthepapersoutoftheinnerpocket。There’sthecoatoverthereonthebank，withthegreatslashinit。"

"Butwaitaminute，"saidthedetective，Prince，quietly。"Inthatcasethereseemstobesomethingofamystery。Amurderermightsomehowhavemanagedtothrowthestatuedownonhim，asheseemstohavedone。ButIbethecouldn’teasilyhavelifteditupagain。I’vetried;andI’msureitwouldwantthreemenatleast。Yetwemustsuppose，onthattheory，thatthemurdererfirstknockedhimdownashewalkedpast，usingthestatueasastoneclub，thenlifteditupagain，tookhimoutanddeprivedhimofhiscoat，thenputhimbackagaininthepostureofdeathandneatlyreplacedthestatue。Itellyouit’sphysicallyimpossible。Andhowelsecouldhehaveunclothedamancoveredwiththatstonemonument？It’sworsethantheconjurer’strick，whenamanshufflesacoatoffwithhiswriststied。"

"Couldhehavethrowndownthestatueafterhe’dstrippedthecorpse？"askedMarch。

"Andwhy？"askedPrince，sharply。"Ifhe’dkilledhismanandgothispapers，he’dbeawaylikethewind。Hewouldn’tpotteraboutinagardenexcavatingthepedestalsofstatues。Besides——Hullo，who’sthatupthere？"

Highontheridgeabovethem，drawnindarkthinlinesagainstthesky，wasafigurelookingsolongandleanastobealmostspidery。Thedarksilhouetteoftheheadshowedtwosmalltuftslikehorns;andtheycouldalmosthaveswornthatthehornsmoved。

"Archer！"shoutedHerries，withsuddenpassion，andcalledtohimwithcursestocomedown。Thefiguredrewbackatthefirstcry，withanagitatedmovementsoabruptasalmosttobecalledanantic。

Thenextmomentthemanseemedtoreconsiderandcollecthimself，andbegantocomedownthezigzaggardenpath，butwithobviousreluctance，hisfeetfallinginslowerandslowerrhythm。ThroughMarch’smindwerethrobbingthephrasesthatthismanhimselfhadused，aboutgoingmadinthemiddleofthenightandwreckingthestonefigure。justso，hecouldfancy，themaniacwhohaddonesuchathingmightclimbthecrestofthehill，inthatfeverishdancingfashion，andlookdownonthewreckhehadmade。Butthewreckhehadmadeherewasnotonlyawreckofstone。

Whenthemanemergedatlastontothegardenpath，withthefulllightonhisfaceandfigure，hewaswalkingslowlyindeed，buteasily，andwithnoappearanceoffear。

"Thisisaterriblething，"hesaid。"Isawitfromabove;Iwastakingastrollalongtheridge。"

"Doyoumeanthatyousawthemurder？"

demandedMarch，"ortheaccident？Imeandidyouseethestatuefall？"

"No，"saidArcher，"ImeanIsawthestatuefallen。"

Princeseemedtobepayingbutlittleattention;hiseyewasrivetedonanobjectlyingonthepathayardortwofromthecorpse。Itseemedtobearustyironbarbentcrookedatoneend。

"OnethingIdon’tunderstand，’hesaid，"isallthisblood。Thepoorfellow’sskullisn’tsmashed;mostlikelyhisneckisbroken;butbloodseemstohavespoutedasifallhisarteriesweresevered。Iwaswonderingifsomeotherinstrument……thatironthing，forinstance;butIdon’tseethateventhatissharpenough。Isupposenobodyknowswhatitis。"

"Iknowwhatitis，"saidArcherinhisdeepbutsomewhatshakyvoice。"I’veseenitinmynightmares。Itwastheironclamporproponthepedestal，stuckontokeepthewretchedimageuprightwhenitbegantowabble，Isuppose。Anyhow，itwasalwaysstuckinthestoneworkthere;andI

supposeitcameoutwhenthethingcollapsed。"

DoctorPrincenodded，buthecontinuedtolookdownatthepoolsofbloodandthebarofiron。

"I’mcertainthere’ssomethingmoreunderneathallthis，"hesaidatlast。"Perhapssomethingmoreunderneaththestatue。Ihaveahugesortofhunchthatthereis。Wearefourmennowandbetweenuswecanliftthatgreattombstonethere。"

Theyallbenttheirstrengthtothebusiness;therewasasilencesaveforheavybreathing;andthen，afteraninstantofthetotteringandstaggeringofeightlegs，thegreatcarvencolumnofrockwasrolledaway，andthebodylyinginitsshirtandtrouserswasfullyrevealed。ThespectaclesofDoctorPrinceseemedalmosttoenlargewitharestrainedradiancelikegreateyes;forotherthingswererevealedalso。

OnewasthattheunfortunateHewitthadadeepgashacrossthejugular，whichthetriumphantdoctorinstantlyidentifiedashavingbeenmadewithasharpsteeledgelikearazor。Theotherwasthatimmediatelyunderthebanklaylitteredthreeshiningscrapsofsteel，eachnearlyafootlong，onepointedandanotherfittedintoagorgeouslyjeweledhiltorhandle。ItwasevidentlyasortoflongOrientalknife，longenoughtobecalledasword，butwithacuriouswavyedge;andtherewasatouchortwoofbloodonthepoint。

"Ishouldhaveexpectedmoreblood，hardlyonthepoint，"observedDoctorPrince，thoughtfully，"butthisiscertainlytheinstrument。Theslashwascertainlymadewithaweaponshapedlikethis，andprobablytheslashingofthepocketaswell。Isupposethebrutethrewinthestatue，bywayofgivinghimapublicfuneral。"

Marchdidnotanswer;hewasmesmerizedbythestrangestonesthatglitteredonthestrangeswordhilt;

andtheirpossiblesignificancewasbroadeninguponhimlikeadreadfuldawn。ItwasacuriousAsiaticweapon。HeknewwhatnamewasconnectedinhismemorywithcuriousAsiaticweapons。LordJamesspokehissecretthoughtforhim，andyetitstartledhimlikeanirrelevance。

"WhereisthePrimeMinister？"Herrieshadcried，suddenly，andsomehowlikethebarkofadogatsomediscovery。

DoctorPrinceturnedonhimhisgogglesandhisgrimface;anditwasgrimmerthanever。

"Icannotfindhimanywhere，"hesaid。"Ilookedforhimatonce，assoonasIfoundthepapersweregone。Thatservantofyours，Campbell，madeamostefficientsearch，buttherearenotraces。"

Therewasalongsilence，attheendofwhichHerriesutteredanothercry，butuponanentirelynewnote。

"Well，youneedn’tlookforhimanylonger，"hesaid，"forherehecomes，alongwithyourfriendFisher。Theylookasifthey’dbeenforalittlewalkingtour。"

ThetwofiguresapproachingupthepathwereindeedthoseofFisher，splashedwiththemireoftravelandcarryingascratchlikethatofabrambleacrossonesideofhisbaldforehead，andofthegreatandgray—hairedstatesmanwholookedlikeababyandwasinterestedinEasternswordsandswordmanship。Butbeyondthisbodilyrecognition，Marchcouldmakeneitherheadnortailoftheirpresenceordemeanor，whichseemedtogiveafinaltouchofnonsensetothewholenightmare。Themorecloselyhewatchedthem，astheystoodlisteningtotherevelationsofthedetective，themorepuzzledhewasbytheirattitude——Fisherseemedgrievedbythedeathofhisuncle，buthardlyshockedatit;theoldermanseemedalmostopenlythinkingaboutsomethingelse，andneitherhadanythingtosuggestaboutafurtherpursuitofthefugitivespyandmurderer，inspiteoftheprodigiousimportanceofthedocumentshehadstolen。Whenthedetectivehadgoneofftobusyhimselfwiththatdepartmentofthebusiness，totelephoneandwritehisreport，whenHerrieshadgoneback，probablytothebrandybottle，andthePrimeMinisterhadblandlysaunteredawaytowardacomfortablearmchairinanotherpartofthegarden，HorneFisherspokedirectlytoHaroldMarch。

"Myfriend，"hesaid，"Iwantyoutocomewithmeatonce;thereisnooneelseIcantrustsomuchasthat。Thejourneywilltakeusmostoftheday，andthechiefbusinesscannotbedonetillnightfall。Sowecantalkthingsoverthoroughlyontheway。ButIwantyoutobewithme;forIratherthinkitismyhour。"

MarchandFisherbothhadmotorbicycles;andthefirsthalfoftheirday’sjourneyconsistedincoastingeastwardamidtheunconversationalnoiseofthoseuncomfortableengines。ButwhentheycameoutbeyondCanterburyintotheflatsofeasternKent，Fisherstoppedatapleasantlittlepublichousebesideasleepystream;andtheysatdowntocatandtodrinkandtospeakalmostforthefirsttime。Itwasabrilliantafternoon，birdsweresinginginthewoodbehind，andthesunshonefullontheiralebenchandtable;butthefaceofFisherinthestrongsunlighthadagravityneverseenonitbefore。

"Beforewegoanyfarther，"hesaid，"thereissomethingyououghttoknow。YouandIhaveseensomemysteriousthingsandgottothebottomofthembeforenow;andit’sonlyrightthatyoushouldgettothebottomofthisone。ButindealingwiththedeathofmyuncleImustbeginattheotherendfromwhereourolddetectiveyarnsbegan。Iwillgiveyouthestepsofdeductionpresently，ifyouwanttolistentothem;butIdidnotreachthetruthofthisbystepsofdeduction。Iwillfirstofalltellyouthetruthitself，becauseIknewthetruthfromthefirst。TheothercasesIapproachedfromtheoutside，butinthiscaseIwasinside。Imyselfwastheverycoreandcenterofeverything。"

Somethinginthespeaker’spendenteyelidsandgravegrayeyessuddenlyshookMarchtohisfoundations;andhecried，distractedly，"Idon’tunderstand！"asmendowhentheyfearthattheydounderstand。Therewasnosoundforaspacebutthehappychatterofthebirds，andthenHorneFishersaid，calmly：

"ItwasIwhokilledmyuncle。Ifyouparticularlywantmore，itwasIwhostolethestatepapersfromhim。"

"Fisher！"criedhisfriendinastrangledvoice。

"Letmetellyouthewholethingbeforewepart，"

continuedtheother，"andletmeputit，forthesakeofclearness，asweusedtoputouroldproblems。Nowtherearetwothingsthatarepuzzlingpeopleaboutthatproblem，aren’tthere？Thefirstishowthemurderermanagedtoslipoffthedeadman’scoat，whenhewasalreadypinnedtothegroundwiththatstoneincubus。Theother，whichismuchsmallerandlesspuzzling，isthefactoftheswordthatcuthisthroatbeingslightlystainedatthepoint，insteadofagooddealmorestainedattheedge。Well，Icandisposeofthefirstquestioneasily。HorneHewitttookoffhisowncoatbeforehewaskilled。Imightsayhetookoffhiscoattobekilled。"

"Doyoucallthatanexplanation？"exclaimedMarch。"Thewordsseemmoremeaningless，thanthefacts。"

"Well，letusgoontotheotherfacts，"continuedFisher，equably。"ThereasonthatparticularswordisnotstainedattheedgewithHewitt’sbloodisthatitwasnotusedtokillHewitt。

"Butthedoctor，"protestedMarch，"declareddistinctlythatthewoundwasmadebythatparticularsword。"

"Ibegyourpardon，"repliedFisher。"Hedidnotdeclarethatitwasmadebythatparticularsword。Hedeclareditwasmadebyaswordofthatparticularpattern。"

"Butitwasquiteaqueerandexceptionalpattern，"

arguedMarch;"surelyitisfartoofantasticacoincidencetoimagine——"

"Itwasafantasticcoincidence，"reflectedHorneFisher。"It’sextraordinarywhatcoincidencesdosometimesoccur。Bytheoddestchanceintheworld，byonechanceinamillion，itsohappenedthatanotherswordofexactlythesameshapewasinthesamegardenatthesametime。Itmaybepartlyexplained，bythefactthatIbroughtthembothintothegardenmyself……come，mydearfellow;surelyyoucanseenowwhatitmeans。Putthosetwothingstogether;thereweretwoduplicateswordsandhetookoffhiscoatforhimself。ItmayassistyourspeculationstorecallthefactthatIamnotexactlyanassassin。"

"Aduel！"exclaimedMarch，recoveringhimself。

"OfcourseIoughttohavethoughtofthat。Butwhowasthespywhostolethepapers？"

"Myunclewasthespywhostolethepapers，"

repliedFisher，"orwhotriedtostealthepaperswhenIstoppedhim——intheonlywayIcould。Thepapers，thatshouldhavegonewesttoreassureourfriendsandgivethemtheplansforrepellingtheinvasion，wouldinafewhourshavebeeninthehandsoftheinvader。WhatcouldIdo？TohavedenouncedoneofourfriendsatthismomentwouldhavebeentoplayintothehandsofyourfriendAttwood，andallthepartyofpanicandslavery。Besides，itmaybethatamanoverfortyhasasubconsciousdesiretodieashehaslived，andthatIwanted，inasense，tocarrymysecretstothegrave。Perhapsahobbyhardenswithage;andmyhobbyhasbeensilence。PerhapsIfeelthatIhavekilledmymother’sbrother，butIhavesavedmymother’sname。Anyhow，IchoseatimewhenIknewyouwereallasleep，andhewaswalkingaloneinthegarden。Isawallthestonestatuesstandinginthemoonlight;andImyselfwaslikeoneofthosestonestatueswalking。Inavoicethatwasnotmyown，Itoldhimofhistreasonanddemandedthepapers;andwhenherefused，Iforcedhimtotakeoneofthetwoswords。TheswordswereamongsomespecimenssentdownhereforthePrimeMinister’sinspection;heisacollector，youknow;theyweretheonlyequalweaponsIcouldfind。

Tocutanuglytaleshort，wefoughtthereonthepathinfrontoftheBritanniastatue;hewasamanofgreatstrength，butIhadsomewhattheadvantageinskill。

Hisswordgrazedmyforeheadalmostatthemomentwhenminesankintothejointinhisneck。Hefellagainstthestatue，likeCaesaragainstPompey’s，hangingontotheironrail;hisswordwasalreadybroken。WhenIsawthebloodfromthatdeadlywound，everythingelsewentfromme;Idroppedmyswordandranasiftolifthimup。AsIbenttowardhimsomethinghappenedtooquickformetofollow。I

donotknowwhethertheironbarwasrottedwithrustandcameawayinhishand，orwhetherherentitoutoftherockwithhisapelikestrength;butthethingwasinhishand，andwithhisdyingenergiesheswungitovermyhead，asIkneltthereunarmedbesidehim。

Ilookedupwildlytoavoidtheblow，andsawaboveusthegreatbulkofBritannialeaningoutwardlikethefigureheadofaship。ThenextinstantIsawitwasleaninganinchortwomorethanusual，andalltheskieswiththeiroutstandingstarsseemedtobeleaningwithit。Forthethirdseconditwasasiftheskiesfell;andinthefourthIwasstandinginthequietgarden，lookingdownonthatflatruinofstoneandboneatwhichyouwerelookingto—day。HehadpluckedoutthelastpropthathelduptheBritishgoddess，andshehadfallenandcrushedthetraitorinherfall。IturnedanddartedforthecoatwhichIknewtocontainthepackage，rippeditupwithmysword，andracedawayupthegardenpathtowheremymotorbikewaswaitingontheroadabove。Ihadeveryreasonforhaste;butIfledwithoutlookingbackatthestatueandthe。body;andIthinkthethingIfledfromwasthesightofthatappallingallegory。

"ThenIdidtherestofwhatIhadtodo。AllthroughthenightandintothedaybreakandthedaylightIwenthummingthroughthevillagesandmarketsofSouthEnglandlikeatravelingbullet，tillI

cametotheheadquartersintheWestwherethetroublewas。Iwasjustintime。Iwasabletoplacardtheplace，sotospeak，withthenewsthatthegovernmenthadnotbetrayedthem，andthattheywouldfindsupportsiftheywouldpusheastwardagainsttheenemy。There’snotimetotellyouallthathappened;butItellyouitwasthedayofmylife。A

triumphlikeatorchlightprocession，withtorchlightsthatmighthavebeenfirebrands。Themutiniessimmereddown;themenofSomersetandthewesterncountiescamepouringintothemarketplaces;themenwhodiedwithArthurandstoodfirmwithAlfred。TheIrishregimentsralliedtothem，afterascenelikeariot，andmarchedeastwardoutofthetownsingingFeniansongs。Therewasallthatisnotunderstood，aboutthedarklaughterofthatpeople，inthedelightwithwhich，evenwhenmarchingwiththeEnglishtothedefenseofEngland，theyshoutedatthetopoftheirvoices，’Highuponthegallowstreestoodthenoble—heartedthree……WithEngland’scruelcordaboutthemcast。’However，thechoruswas’GodsaveIreland，’andwecouldallhavesungthatjustthen，inonesenseoranother。

"Buttherewasanothersidetomymission。I

carriedtheplansofthedefense;andtoagreatextent，luckily，theplansoftheinvasionalso。Iwon’tworryyouwithstrategics;butweknewwheretheenemyhadpushedforwardthegreatbatterythatcoveredallhismovements;andthoughourfriendsfromtheWestcouldhardlyarriveintimetointerceptthemainmovement，theymightgetwithinlongartilleryrangeofthebatteryandshellit，iftheyonlyknewexactlywhereitwas。Theycouldhardlytellthatunlesssomebodyroundaboutheresentupsomesortofsignal。But，somehow，Iratherfancythatsomebodywill。"

Withthathegotupfromthetable，andtheyremountedtheirmachinesandwenteastwardintotheadvancingtwilightofevening。ThelevelsofthelandscapeWererepeatedinflatstripsoffloatingcloudandthelastcolorsofdayclungtothecircleofthehorizon。Reced。ingfartherandfartherbehindthemwasthesemicircleofthelasthills;anditwasquitesuddenlythattheysawafaroffthedimlineofthesea。Itwasnotastripofbrightblueastheyhadseenitfromthesunnyveranda，butofasinisterandsmokyviolet，atintthatseemedominousanddark。

HereHorneFisherdismountedoncemore。

"Wemustwalktherestoftheway，"hesaid，"andthelastbitofallImustwalkalone。"

Hebentdownandbegantounstrapsomethingfromhisbicycle。Itwassomethingthathadpuzzledhiscompanionallthewayinspiteofwhatheldhimtomoreinterestingriddles;itappearedtobeseverallengthsofpolestrappedtogetherandwrappedupinpaper。Fishertookitunderhisarmandbegantopickhiswayacrosstheturf。Thegroundwasgrowingmoretum。bledandirregularandhewaswalkingtowardamassofthicketsandsmallwoods;nightgrewdarkereverymoment。"Wemustnottalkanymore，"saidFisher。"Ishallwhispertoyouwhenyouaretohalt。Don’ttrytofollowmethen，foritwillonlyspoiltheshow;onemancanbarelycrawlsafelytothespot，andtwowouldcertainlybecaught。"

"Iwouldfollowyouanywhere，"repliedMarch，"butIwouldhalt，too，ifthatisbetter。"

"Iknowyouwould，"saidhisfriendinalowvoice。

"Perhapsyou’retheonlymanIeverquitetrustedinthisworld。"

Afewpacesfartherontheycametotheendofagreatridgeormoundlookingmonstrousagainstthedimsky;andFisherstoppedwithagesture。Hecaughthiscompanion’shandandwrungitwithaviolenttenderness，andthendartedforwardintothedarkness。Marchcouldfaintlyseehisfigurecrawlingalongundertheshadowoftheridge，thenhelostsightofit，andthenhesawitagainstandingonanothermoundtwohundredyardsaway。Besidehimstoodasingularerectionmadeapparentlyoftworods。Hebentoveritandtherewastheflareofalight;allMarch’sschoolboymemorieswokeinhim，andheknewwhatitwas。Itwasthestandofarocket。Theconfused，incongruousmemoriesstillpossessedhimuptotheverymomentofafiercebutfamiliarsound;andaninstantaftertherocketleftitsperchandwentupintoendlessspacelikeastarryarrowaimedatthestars。MarchthoughtsuddenlyofthesignsofthelastdaysandknewhewaslookingattheapocalypticmeteorofsomethinglikeaDayofjudgment。

Farupintheinfiniteheavenstherocketdroopedandsprangintoscarletstars。Foramomentthewholelandscapeouttotheseaandbacktothecrescentofthewoodedhillswaslikealakeofrubylight，ofaredstrangelyrichandglorious，asiftheworldweresteepedinwineratherthanblood，ortheearthwereanearthlyparadise，overwhichpausedforeverthesanguinemomentofmorning。

"GodsaveEngland！"criedFisher，withatonguelikethepealofatrumpet。"AndnowitisforGodtosave。"

Asdarknesssankagainoverlandandsea，therecameanothersound;farawayinthepassesofthehillsbehindthemthegunsspokelikethebayingofgreathounds。Somethingthatwasnotarocket，thatcamenothissingbutscreaming，wentoverHaroldMarch’sheadandexpandedbeyondthemoundintolightanddeafeningdin，staggeringthebrainwithunbearablebrutalitiesofnoise。Anothercame，andthenanother，andtheworldwasfullofuproarandvolcanicvaporandchaoticlight。TheartilleryoftheWestcountryandtheIrishhadlocatedthegreatenemybattery，andwerepoundingittopieces。

InthemadexcitementofthatmomentMarchpeeredthroughthestorm，lookingagainforthelongleanfigurethatstoodbesidethestandoftherocket。

Thenanotherflashlitupthewholeridge。Thefigurewasnotthere。

Beforethefiresoftherockethadfadedfromthesky，longbeforethefirstgunhadsoundedfromthedistanthills，asplutterofriflefirehadflashedandflickeredallaroundfromthehiddentrenchesoftheenemy。Somethinglayintheshadowatthefootoftheridge，asstiffasthestickofthefallenrocket;andthemanwhoknewtoomuchknewwhatisworthknowing。