第6章

MuchmorelikelythePresidentisridingintriumphthroughParis，orsittingontheruinsofSt。Paul’sCathedral。"

"Thisisabsurd！"saidSyme。"Somethingmayhavehappenedinourabsence;buthecannothavecarriedtheworldwitharushlikethat。Itisquitetrue，"headded，frowningdubiouslyatthedistantfieldsthatlaytowardsthelittlestation，"itiscertainlytruethatthereseemstobeacrowdcomingthisway;

buttheyarenotallthearmythatyoumakeout。"

"Oh，they，"saidthenewdetectivecontemptuously;"notheyarenotaveryvaluableforce。Butletmetellyoufranklythattheyarepreciselycalculatedtoourvalue——wearenotmuch，myboy，inSunday’suniverse。Hehasgotholdofallthecablesandtelegraphshimself。ButtokilltheSupremeCouncilheregardsasatrivialmatter，likeapostcard;itmaybelefttohisprivatesecretary，"andhespatonthegrass。

Thenheturnedtotheothersandsaidsomewhatausterely——

"Thereisagreatdealtobesaidfordeath;butifanyonehasanypreferencefortheotheralternative，Istronglyadvisehimtowalkafterme。"

Withthesewords，heturnedhisbroadbackandstrodewithsilentenergytowardsthewood。Theothersgaveoneglanceovertheirshoulders，andsawthatthedarkcloudofmenhaddetacheditselffromthestationandwasmovingwithamysteriousdisciplineacrosstheplain。Theysawalready，evenwiththenakedeye，blackblotsontheforemostfaces，whichmarkedthemaskstheywore。

Theyturnedandfollowedtheirleader，whohadalreadystruckthewood，anddisappearedamongthetwinklingtrees。

Thesunonthegrasswasdryandhot。Soinplungingintothewoodtheyhadacoolshockofshadow，asofdiverswhoplungeintoadimpool。Theinsideofthewoodwasfullofshatteredsunlightandshakenshadows。Theymadeasortofshudderingveil，almostrecallingthedizzinessofacinematograph。EventhesolidfigureswalkingwithhimSymecouldhardlyseeforthepatternsofsunandshadethatdanceduponthem。Nowaman’sheadwaslitaswithalightofRembrandt，leavingallelseobliterated;nowagainhehadstrongandstaringwhitehandswiththefaceofanegro。Theex—Marquishadpulledtheoldstrawhatoverhiseyes，andtheblackshadeofthebrimcuthisfacesosquarelyintwothatitseemedtobewearingoneoftheblackhalf—masksoftheirpursuers。

ThefancytintedSyme’soverwhelmingsenseofwonder。Washewearingamask？Wasanyonewearingamask？Wasanyoneanything？

Thiswoodofwitchery，inwhichmen’sfacesturnedblackandwhitebyturns，inwhichtheirfiguresfirstswelledintosunlightandthenfadedintoformlessnight，thismerechaosofchiaroscuro（afterthecleardaylightoutside），seemedtoSymeaperfectsymboloftheworldinwhichhehadbeenmovingforthreedays，thisworldwherementookofftheirbeardsandtheirspectaclesandtheirnoses，andturnedintootherpeople。Thattragicself—confidencewhichhehadfeltwhenhebelievedthattheMarquiswasadevilhadstrangelydisappearednowthatheknewthattheMarquiswasafriend。Hefeltalmostinclinedtoaskafterallthesebewildermentswhatwasafriendandwhatanenemy。Wasthereanythingthatwasapartfromwhatitseemed？TheMarquishadtakenoffhisnoseandturnedouttobeadetective。Mighthenotjustaswelltakeoffhisheadandturnouttobeahobgoblin？Wasnoteverything，afterall，likethisbewilderingwoodland，thisdanceofdarkandlight？Everythingonlyaglimpse，theglimpsealwaysunforeseen，andalwaysforgotten。ForGabrielSymehadfoundintheheartofthatsun—splashedwoodwhatmanymodernpaintershadfoundthere。HehadfoundthethingwhichthemodernpeoplecallImpressionism，whichisanothernameforthatfinalscepticismwhichcanfindnofloortotheuniverse。

Asamaninanevildreamstrainshimselftoscreamandwake，Symestrovewithasuddenefforttoflingoffthislastandworstofhisfancies。WithtwoimpatientstridesheovertookthemanintheMarquis’sstrawhat，themanwhomhehadcometoaddressasRatcliffe。Inavoiceexaggerativelyloudandcheerful，hebrokethebottomlesssilenceandmadeconversation。

"MayIask，"hesaid，"whereonearthweareallgoingto？"

Sogenuinehadbeenthedoubtsofhissoul，thathewasquitegladtohearhiscompanionspeakinaneasy，humanvoice。

"WemustgetdownthroughthetownofLancytothesea，"hesaid。

"Ithinkthatpartofthecountryisleastlikelytobewiththem。"

"Whatcanyoumeanbyallthis？"criedSyme。"Theycan’tberunningtherealworldinthatway。Surelynotmanyworkingmenareanarchists，andsurelyiftheywere，meremobscouldnotbeatmodernarmiesandpolice。"

"Meremobs！"repeatedhisnewfriendwithasnortofscorn。"Soyoutalkaboutmobsandtheworkingclassesasiftheywerethequestion。You’vegotthateternalidioticideathatifanarchycameitwouldcomefromthepoor。Whyshouldit？Thepoorhavebeenrebels，buttheyhaveneverbeenanarchists;theyhavemoreinterestthananyoneelseintherebeingsomedecentgovernment。

Thepoormanreallyhasastakeinthecountry。Therichmanhasn’t;hecangoawaytoNewGuineainayacht。Thepoorhavesometimesobjectedtobeinggovernedbadly;therichhavealwaysobjectedtobeinggovernedatall。Aristocratswerealwaysanarchists，asyoucanseefromthebarons’wars。"

"AsalectureonEnglishhistoryforthelittleones，"saidSyme，"thisisallverynice;butIhavenotyetgraspeditsapplication。"

"Itsapplicationis，"saidhisinformant，"thatmostofoldSunday’sright—handmenareSouthAfricanandAmericanmillionaires。Thatiswhyhehasgotholdofallthecommunications;andthatiswhythelastfourchampionsoftheanti—anarchistpoliceforcearerunningthroughawoodlikerabbits。"

"MillionairesIcanunderstand，"saidSymethoughtfully，"theyarenearlyallmad。Butgettingholdofafewwickedoldgentlemenwithhobbiesisonething;gettingholdofgreatChristiannationsisanother。Iwouldbetthenoseoffmyface（forgivetheallusion）

thatSundaywouldstandperfectlyhelplessbeforethetaskofconvertinganyordinaryhealthypersonanywhere。"

"Well，"saidtheother，"itratherdependswhatsortofpersonyoumean。"

"Well，forinstance，"saidSyme，"hecouldneverconvertthatperson，"andhepointedstraightinfrontofhim。

Theyhadcometoanopenspaceofsunlight，whichseemedtoexpresstoSymethefinalreturnofhisowngoodsense;andinthemiddleofthisforestclearingwasafigurethatmightwellstandforthatcommonsenseinanalmostawfulactuality。Burntbythesunandstainedwithperspiration，andgravewiththebottomlessgravityofsmallnecessarytoils，aheavyFrenchpeasantwascuttingwoodwithahatchet。Hiscartstoodafewyardsoff，alreadyhalffulloftimber;andthehorsethatcroppedthegrasswas，likehismaster，valorousbutnotdesperate;likehismaster，hewasevenprosperous，butyetwasalmostsad。ThemanwasaNorman，tallerthantheaverageoftheFrenchandveryangular;andhisswarthyfigurestooddarkagainstasquareofsunlight，almostlikesomeallegoricfigureoflabourfrescoedonagroundofgold。

"Mr。Symeissaying，"calledoutRatcliffetotheFrenchColonel，"thatthisman，atleast，willneverbeananarchist。"

"Mr。Symeisrightenoughthere，"answeredColonelDucroix，laughing，"ifonlyforthereasonthathehasplentyofpropertytodefend。ButIforgotthatinyourcountryyouarenotusedtopeasantsbeingwealthy。"

"Helookspoor，"saidDr。Bulldoubtfully。

"Quiteso，"saidtheColonel;"thatiswhyheisrich。"

"Ihaveanidea，"calledoutDr。Bullsuddenly;"howmuchwouldhetaketogiveusaliftinhiscart？Thosedogsareallonfoot，andwecouldsoonleavethembehind。"

"Oh，givehimanything！"saidSymeeagerly。"Ihavepilesofmoneyonme。"

"Thatwillneverdo，"saidtheColonel;"hewillneverhaveanyrespectforyouunlessyoudriveabargain。"

"Oh，ifhehaggles！"beganBullimpatiently。

"Eriehagglesbecauseheisafreeman，"saidtheother。"Youdonotunderstand;hewouldnotseethemeaningofgenerosity。Heisnotbeingtipped。"

Andevenwhiletheyseemedtoheartheheavyfeetoftheirstrangepursuersbehindthem，theyhadtostandandstampwhiletheFrenchColoneltalkedtotheFrenchwood—cutterwithalltheleisurelybadinageandbickeringofmarket—day。Attheendofthefourminutes，however，theysawthattheColonelwasright，forthewood—cutterenteredintotheirplans，notwiththevagueservilityofatouttoo—wellpaid，butwiththeseriousnessofasolicitorwhohadbeenpaidtheproperfee。HetoldthemthatthebestthingtheycoulddowastomaketheirwaydowntothelittleinnonthehillsaboveLancy，wheretheinnkeeper，anoldsoldierwhohadbecomedevotinhislatteryears，wouldbecertaintosympathisewiththem，andeventotakerisksintheirsupport。Thewholecompany，therefore，piledthemselvesontopofthestacksofwood，andwentrockingintherudecartdowntheotherandsteepersideofthewoodland。Heavyandramshackleaswasthevehicle，itwasdrivenquicklyenough，andtheysoonhadtheexhilaratingimpressionofdistancingaltogetherthose，whoevertheywere，whowerehuntingthem。For，afterall，theriddleastowheretheanarchistshadgotallthesefollowerswasstillunsolved。Oneman’spresencehadsufficedforthem;theyhadfledatthefirstsightofthedeformedsmileoftheSecretary。Symeeverynowandthenlookedbackoverhisshoulderatthearmyontheirtrack。

Asthewoodgrewfirstthinnerandthensmallerwithdistance，hecouldseethesunlitslopesbeyonditandaboveit;andacrossthesewasstillmovingthesquareblackmoblikeonemonstrousbeetle。Intheverystrongsunlightandwithhisownverystrongeyes，whichwerealmosttelescopic，Symecouldseethismassofmenquiteplainly。Hecouldseethemasseparatehumanfigures;

buthewasincreasinglysurprisedbythewayinwhichtheymovedasoneman。Theyseemedtobedressedindarkclothesandplainhats，likeanycommoncrowdoutofthestreets;buttheydidnotspreadandsprawlandtrailbyvariouslinestotheattack，aswouldbenaturalinanordinarymob。Theymovedwithasortofdreadfulandwickedwoodenness，likeastaringarmyofautomatons。

SymepointedthisouttoRatcliffe。

"Yes，"repliedthepoliceman，"that’sdiscipline。That’sSunday。Heisperhapsfivehundredmilesoff，butthefearofhimisonallofthem，likethefingerofGod。Yes，theyarewalkingregularly;andyoubetyourbootsthattheyaretalkingregularly，yes，andthinkingregularly。Buttheoneimportantthingforusisthattheyaredisappearingregularly。"

Symenodded。Itwastruethattheblackpatchofthepursuingmenwasgrowingsmallerandsmallerasthepeasantbelabouredhishorse。

Thelevelofthesunlitlandscape，thoughflatasawhole，fellawayonthefarthersideofthewoodinbillowsofheavyslopetowardsthesea，inawaynotunlikethelowerslopesoftheSussexdowns。TheonlydifferencewasthatinSussextheroadwouldhavebeenbrokenandangularlikealittlebrook，butherethewhiteFrenchroadfellsheerinfrontofthemlikeawaterfall。Downthisdirectdescentthecartclatteredataconsiderableangle，andinafewminutes，theroadgrowingyetsteeper，theysawbelowthemthelittleharbourofLancyandagreatbluearcofthesea。Thetravellingcloudoftheirenemieshadwhollydisappearedfromthehorizon。

Thehorseandcarttookasharpturnroundaclumpofelms，andthehorse’snosenearlystruckthefaceofanoldgentlemanwhowassittingonthebenchesoutsidethelittlecafeof"LeSoleild’Or。"Thepeasantgruntedanapology，andgotdownfromhisseat。Theothersalsodescendedonebyone，andspoketotheoldgentlemanwithfragmentaryphrasesofcourtesy，foritwasquiteevidentfromhisexpansivemannerthathewastheownerofthelittletavern。

Hewasawhite—haired，apple—facedoldboy，withsleepyeyesandagreymoustache;stout，sedentary，andveryinnocent，ofatypethatmayoftenbefoundinFrance，butisstillcommonerinCatholicGermany。Everythingabouthim，hispipe，hispotofbeer，hisflowers，andhisbeehive，suggestedanancestralpeace;onlywhenhisvisitorslookedupastheyenteredtheinn—parlour，theysawthesworduponthewall。

TheColonel，whogreetedtheinnkeeperasanoldfriend，passedrapidlyintotheinn—parlour，andsatdownorderingsomeritualrefreshment。ThemilitarydecisionofhisactioninterestedSyme，whosatnexttohim，andhetooktheopportunitywhentheoldinnkeeperhadgoneoutofsatisfyinghiscuriosity。

"MayIaskyou，Colonel，"hesaidinalowvoice，"whywehavecomehere？"

ColonelDucroixsmiledbehindhisbristlywhitemoustache。

"Fortworeasons，sir，"hesaid;"andIwillgivefirst，notthemostimportant，butthemostutilitarian。Wecameherebecausethisistheonlyplacewithintwentymilesinwhichwecangethorses。"

"Horses！"repeatedSyme，lookingupquickly。

"Yes，"repliedtheother;"ifyoupeoplearereallytodistanceyourenemiesitishorsesornothingforyou，unlessofcourseyouhavebicyclesandmotor—carsinyourpocket。"

"Andwheredoyouadviseustomakefor？"askedSymedoubtfully。

"Beyondquestion，"repliedtheColonel，"youhadbettermakeallhastetothepolicestationbeyondthetown。Myfriend，whomI

secondedundersomewhatdeceptivecircumstances，seemstometoexaggerateverymuchthepossibilitiesofageneralrising;butevenhewouldhardlymaintain，Isuppose，thatyouwerenotsafewiththegendarmes。"

Symenoddedgravely;thenhesaidabruptly——

"Andyourotherreasonforcominghere？"

"Myotherreasonforcominghere，"saidDucroixsoberly，"isthatitisjustaswelltoseeagoodmanortwowhenoneispossiblyneartodeath。"

Symelookedupatthewall，andsawacrudely—paintedandpatheticreligiouspicture。Thenhesaid——

"Youareright，"andthenalmostimmediatelyafterwards，"Hasanyoneseenaboutthehorses？"

"Yes，"answeredDucroix，"youmaybequitecertainthatIgaveordersthemomentIcamein。Thoseenemiesofyoursgavenoimpressionofhurry，buttheywerereallymovingwonderfullyfast，likeawell—trainedarmy。Ihadnoideathattheanarchistshadsomuchdiscipline。Youhavenotamomenttowaste。"

Almostashespoke，theoldinnkeeperwiththeblueeyesandwhitehaircameamblingintotheroom，andannouncedthatsixhorsesweresaddledoutside。

ByDucroix’sadvicethefiveothersequippedthemselveswithsomeportableformoffoodandwine，andkeepingtheirduellingswordsastheonlyweaponsavailable，theyclatteredawaydownthesteep，whiteroad。Thetwoservants，whohadcarriedtheMarquis’sluggagewhenhewasamarquis，wereleftbehindtodrinkatthecafebycommonconsent，andnotatallagainsttheirowninclination。

Bythistimetheafternoonsunwasslantingwestward，andbyitsraysSymecouldseethesturdyfigureoftheoldinnkeepergrowingsmallerandsmaller，butstillstandingandlookingafterthemquitesilently，thesunshineinhissilverhair。Symehadafixed，superstitiousfancy，leftinhismindbythechancephraseoftheColonel，thatthiswasindeed，perhaps，thelasthoneststrangerwhomheshouldeverseeupontheearth。

Hewasstilllookingatthisdwindlingfigure，whichstoodasameregreyblottouchedwithawhiteflameagainstthegreatgreenwallofthesteepdownbehindhim。Andashestaredoverthetopofthedownbehindtheinnkeeper，thereappearedanarmyofblack—cladandmarchingmen。Theyseemedtohangabovethegoodmanandhishouselikeablackcloudoflocusts。Thehorseshadbeensaddlednonetoosoon。

CHAPTERXII

THEEARTHINANARCHY

URGINGthehorsestoagallop，withoutrespecttotheratherruggeddescentoftheroad，thehorsemensoonregainedtheiradvantageoverthemenonthemarch，andatlastthebulkofthefirstbuildingsofLancycutoffthesightoftheirpursuers。

Nevertheless，theridehadbeenalongone，andbythetimetheyreachedtherealtownthewestwaswarmingwiththecolourandqualityofsunset。TheColonelsuggestedthat，beforemakingfinallyforthepolicestation，theyshouldmaketheeffort，inpassing，toattachtothemselvesonemoreindividualwhomightbeuseful。

"Fouroutofthefiverichmeninthistown，"hesaid，"arecommonswindlers。Isupposetheproportionisprettyequalallovertheworld。Thefifthisafriendofmine，andaveryfinefellow;andwhatisevenmoreimportantfromourpointofview，heownsamotor—car。"

"Iamafraid，"saidtheProfessorinhismirthfulway，lookingbackalongthewhiteroadonwhichtheblack，crawlingpatchmightappearatanymoment，"Iamafraidwehavehardlytimeforafternooncalls。"

"DoctorRenard’shouseisonlythreeminutesoff，"saidtheColonel。

"Ourdanger，"saidDr。Bull，"isnottwominutesoff。"

"Yes，"saidSyme，"ifwerideonfastwemustleavethembehind，fortheyareonfoot。"

"Hehasamotor—car，"saidtheColonel。

"Butwemaynotgetit，"saidBull。

"Yes，heisquiteonyourside。"

"Buthemightbeout。"

"Holdyourtongue，"saidSymesuddenly。"Whatisthatnoise？"

Forasecondtheyallsatasstillasequestrianstatues，andforasecond——fortwoorthreeorfourseconds——heavenandearthseemedequallystill。Thenalltheirears，inanagonyofattention，heardalongtheroadthatindescribablethrillandthrobthatmeansonlyonething——horses！

TheColonel’sfacehadaninstantaneouschange，asiflightninghadstruckit，andyetleftitscatheless。

"Theyhavedoneus，"hesaid，withbriefmilitaryirony。"Preparetoreceivecavalry！"

"Wherecantheyhavegotthehorses？"askedSyme，ashemechanicallyurgedhissteedtoacanter。

TheColonelwassilentforalittle，thenhesaidinastrainedvoice——

"IwasspeakingwithstrictaccuracywhenIsaidthatthe’Soleild’Or’wastheonlyplacewhereonecangethorseswithintwentymiles。"

"No！"saidSymeviolently，"Idon’tbelievehe’ddoit。Notwithallthatwhitehair。"

"Hemayhavebeenforced，"saidtheColonelgently。"Theymustbeatleastahundredstrong，forwhichreasonweareallgoingtoseemyfriendRenard，whohasamotor—car。"

Withthesewordsheswunghishorsesuddenlyroundastreetcorner，andwentdownthestreetwithsuchthunderingspeed，thattheothers，thoughalreadywellatthegallop，haddifficultyinfollowingtheflyingtailofhishorse。

Dr。Renardinhabitedahighandcomfortablehouseatthetopofasteepstreet，sothatwhentheridersalightedathisdoortheycouldoncemoreseethesolidgreenridgeofthehill，withthewhiteroadacrossit，standingupabovealltheroofsofthetown。

Theybreathedagaintoseethattheroadasyetwasclear，andtheyrangthebell。

Dr。Renardwasabeaming，brown—beardedman，agoodexampleofthatsilentbutverybusyprofessionalclasswhichFrancehaspreservedevenmoreperfectlythanEngland。Whenthematterwasexplainedtohimhepooh—poohedthepanicoftheex—Marquisaltogether;hesaid，withthesolidFrenchscepticism，thattherewasnoconceivableprobabilityofageneralanarchistrising。"Anarchy，"hesaid，shrugginghisshoulders，"itischildishness！"

"Etca，"criedouttheColonelsuddenly，pointingovertheother’sshoulder，"andthatischildishness，isn’tit？"

Theyalllookedround，andsawacurveofblackcavalrycomesweepingoverthetopofthehillwithalltheenergyofAttila。

Swiftlyastheyrode，however，thewholerankstillkeptwelltogether，andtheycouldseetheblackvizardsofthefirstlineaslevelasalineofuniforms。Butalthoughthemainblacksquarewasthesame，thoughtravellingfaster，therewasnowonesensationaldifferencewhichtheycouldseeclearlyupontheslopeofthehill，asifuponaslantedmap。Thebulkoftheriderswereinoneblock;butoneriderflewfaraheadofthecolumn，andwithfranticmovementsofhandandheelurgedhishorsefasterandfaster，sothatonemighthavefanciedthathewasnotthepursuerbutthepursued。Butevenatthatgreatdistancetheycouldseesomethingsofanatical，sounquestionableinhisfigure，thattheyknewitwastheSecretaryhimself。"Iamsorrytocutshortacultureddiscussion，"saidtheColonel，"butcanyoulendmeyourmotor—carnow，intwominutes？"

"Ihaveasuspicionthatyouareallmad，"saidDr。Renard，smilingsociably;"butGodforbidthatmadnessshouldinanywayinterruptfriendship。Letusgoroundtothegarage。"

Dr。Renardwasamildmanwithmonstrouswealth;hisroomswereliketheMuseedeCluny，andhehadthreemotor—cars。These，however，heseemedtouseverysparingly，havingthesimpletastesoftheFrenchmiddleclass，andwhenhisimpatientfriendscametoexaminethem，ittookthemsometimetoassurethemselvesthatoneofthemevencouldbemadetowork。ThiswithsomedifficultytheybroughtroundintothestreetbeforetheDoctor’shouse。Whentheycameoutofthedimgaragetheywerestartledtofindthattwilighthadalreadyfallenwiththeabruptnessofnightinthetropics。Eithertheyhadbeenlongerintheplacethantheyimagined，orsomeunusualcanopyofcloudhadgatheredoverthetown。Theylookeddownthesteepstreets，andseemedtoseeaslightmistcomingupfromthesea。

"Itisnowornever，"saidDr。Bull。"Ihearhorses。"

"No，"correctedtheProfessor，"ahorse。"

Andastheylistened，itwasevidentthatthenoise，rapidlycomingnearerontherattlingstones，wasnotthenoiseofthewholecavalcadebutthatoftheonehorseman，whohadleftitfarbehind——theinsaneSecretary。

Syme’sfamily，likemostofthosewhoendinthesimplelife，hadonceownedamotor，andheknewallaboutthem。Hehadleaptatonceintothechauffeur’sseat，andwithflushedfacewaswrenchingandtuggingatthedisusedmachinery。Hebenthisstrengthupononehandle，andthensaidquitequietly——

"Iamafraidit’snogo。"

Ashespoke，theresweptroundthecorneramanrigidonhisrushinghorse，withtherushandrigidityofanarrow。Hehadasmilethatthrustouthischinasifitweredislocated。Hesweptalongsideofthestationarycar，intowhichitscompanyhadcrowded，andlaidhishandonthefront。ItwastheSecretary，andhismouthwentquitestraightinthesolemnityoftriumph。

Symewasleaningharduponthesteeringwheel，andtherewasnosoundbuttherumbleoftheotherpursuersridingintothetown。

Thentherecamequitesuddenlyascreamofscrapingiron，andthecarleaptforward。ItpluckedtheSecretarycleanoutofhissaddle，asaknifeiswhippedoutofitssheath，trailedhimkickingterriblyfortwentyyards，andlefthimflungflatupontheroadfarinfrontofhisfrightenedhorse。Asthecartookthecornerofthestreetwithasplendidcurve，theycouldjustseetheotheranarchistsfillingthestreetandraisingtheirfallenleader。

"Ican’tunderstandwhyithasgrownsodark，"saidtheProfessoratlastinalowvoice。

"Goingtobeastorm，Ithink，"saidDr。Bull。"Isay，it’sapitywehaven’tgotalightonthiscar，ifonlytoseeby。"

"Wehave，"saidtheColonel，andfromthefloorofthecarhefishedupaheavy，old—fashioned，carvedironlanternwithalightinsideit。Itwasobviouslyanantique，anditwouldseemasifitsoriginalusehadbeeninsomewaysemi—religious，fortherewasarudemouldingofacrossupononeofitssides。

"Whereonearthdidyougetthat？"askedtheProfessor。

"IgotitwhereIgotthecar，"answeredtheColonel，chuckling，"frommybestfriend。Whileourfriendherewasfightingwiththesteeringwheel，IranupthefrontstepsofthehouseandspoketoRenard，whowasstandinginhisownporch，youwillremember。’I

suppose，’Isaid，’there’snotimetogetalamp。’Helookedup，blinkingamiablyatthebeautifularchedceilingofhisownfronthall。Fromthiswassuspended，bychainsofexquisiteironwork，thislantern，oneofthehundredtreasuresofhistreasurehouse。

Bysheerforcehetorethelampoutofhisownceiling，shatteringthepaintedpanels，andbringingdowntwobluevaseswithhisviolence。Thenhehandedmetheironlantern，andIputitinthecar。WasInotrightwhenIsaidthatDr。Renardwasworthknowing？"

"Youwere，"saidSymeseriously，andhungtheheavylanternoverthefront。Therewasacertainallegoryoftheirwholepositioninthecontrastbetweenthemodernautomobileanditsstrangeecclesiasticallamp。Hithertotheyhadpassedthroughthequietestpartofthetown，meetingatmostoneortwopedestrians，whocouldgivethemnohintofthepeaceorthehostilityoftheplace。Now，however，thewindowsinthehousesbeganonebyonetobelitup，givingagreatersenseofhabitationandhumanity。Dr。Bullturnedtothenewdetectivewhohadledtheirflight，andpermittedhimselfoneofhisnaturalandfriendlysmiles。

"Theselightsmakeonefeelmorecheerful。"

InspectorRatcliffedrewhisbrowstogether。

"Thereisonlyonesetoflightsthatmakememorecheerful，"hesaid，"andtheyarethoselightsofthepolicestationwhichIcanseebeyondthetown。PleaseGodwemaybethereintenminutes。"

ThenallBull’sboilinggoodsenseandoptimismbrokesuddenlyoutofhim。

"Oh，thisisallravingnonsense！"hecried。"Ifyoureallythinkthatordinarypeopleinordinaryhousesareanarchists，youmustbemadderthanananarchistyourself。Ifweturnedandfoughtthesefellows，thewholetownwouldfightforus。"

"No，"saidtheotherwithanimmovablesimplicity，"thewholetownwouldfightforthem。Weshallsee。’

WhiletheywerespeakingtheProfessorhadleantforwardwithsuddenexcitement。

"Whatisthatnoise？"hesaid。

"Oh，thehorsesbehindus，Isuppose，"saidtheColonel。"Ithoughtwehadgotclearofthem。"

"Thehorsesbehindus！No，"saidtheProfessor，"itisnothorses，anditisnotbehindus。"

Almostashespoke，acrosstheendofthestreetbeforethemtwoshiningandrattlingshapesshotpast。Theyweregonealmostinaflash，buteveryonecouldseethattheyweremotor—cars，andtheProfessorstoodupwithapalefaceandsworethattheyweretheothertwomotor—carsfromDr。Renard’sgarage。

"Itellyoutheywerehis，"herepeated，withwildeyes，"andtheywerefullofmeninmasks！"

"Absurd！"saidtheColonelangrily。"Dr。Renardwouldnevergivethemhiscars。"

"Hemayhavebeenforced，"saidRatcliffequietly。"Thewholetownisontheirside。"

"Youstillbelievethat，"askedtheColonelincredulously。

"Youwillallbelieveitsoon，"saidtheotherwithahopelesscalm。

Therewasapuzzledpauseforsomelittletime，andthentheColonelbeganagainabruptly——

"No，Ican’tbelieveit。Thethingisnonsense。TheplainpeopleofapeaceableFrenchtown——"

Hewascutshortbyabangandablazeoflight，whichseemedclosetohiseyes。Asthecarspedonitleftafloatingpatchofwhitesmokebehindit，andSymehadheardashotshriekpasthisear。

"MyGod！"saidtheColonel，"someonehasshotatus。"

"Itneednotinterruptconversation，"saidthegloomyRatcliffe。

"Prayresumeyourremarks，Colonel。Youweretalking，Ithink，abouttheplainpeopleofapeaceableFrenchtown。"

ThestaringColonelwaslongpastmindingsatire。Herolledhiseyesallroundthestreet。

"Itisextraordinary，"hesaid，"mostextraordinary。"

"Afastidiousperson，"saidSyme，"mightevencallitunpleasant。

However，IsupposethoselightsoutinthefieldbeyondthisstreetaretheGendarmerie。Weshallsoongetthere。"

"No，"saidInspectorRatcliffe，"weshallnevergetthere。"

Hehadbeenstandingupandlookingkeenlyaheadofhim。Nowhesatdownandsmoothedhissleekhairwithawearygesture。

"Whatdoyoumean？"askedBullsharply。

"Imeanthatweshallnevergetthere，"saidthepessimistplacidly。"Theyhavetworowsofarmedmenacrosstheroadalready;

Icanseethemfromhere。Thetownisinarms，asIsaiditwas。

Icanonlywallowintheexquisitecomfortofmyownexactitude。"

AndRatcliffesatdowncomfortablyinthecarandlitacigarette，buttheothersroseexcitedlyandstareddowntheroad。Symehadsloweddownthecarastheirplansbecamedoubtful，andhebroughtitfinallytoastandstilljustatthecornerofasidestreetthatrandownverysteeplytothesea。

Thetownwasmostlyinshadow，butthesunhadnotsunk;whereveritslevellightcouldbreakthrough，itpaintedeverythingaburninggold。Upthissidestreetthelastsunsetlightshoneassharpandnarrowastheshaftofartificiallightatthetheatre。

Itstruckthecarofthefivefriends，andlititlikeaburningchariot。Buttherestofthestreet，especiallythetwoendsofit，wasinthedeepesttwilight，andforsomesecondstheycouldseenothing。ThenSyme，whoseeyeswerethekeenest，brokeintoalittlebitterwhistle，andsaid"Itisquitetrue。Thereisacrowdoranarmyorsomesuchthingacrosstheendofthatstreet。"

"Well，ifthereis，"saidBullimpatiently，"itmustbesomethingelse——ashamfightorthemayor’sbirthdayorsomething。Icannotandwillnotbelievethatplain，jollypeopleinaplacelikethiswalkaboutwithdynamiteintheirpockets。Getonabit，Syme，andletuslookatthem。"

Thecarcrawledaboutahundredyardsfarther，andthentheywereallstartledbyDr。Bullbreakingintoahighcrowoflaughter。

"Why，yousillymugs！"hecried，"whatdidItellyou。Thatcrowd’saslaw—abidingasacow，andifitweren’t，it’sonourside。"

"Howdoyouknow？"askedtheprofessor，staring。

"Youblindbat，"criedBull，"don’tyouseewhoisleadingthem？"

Theypeeredagain，andthentheColonel，withacatchinhisvoice，criedout——

"Why，it’sRenard！"

Therewas，indeed，arankofdimfiguresrunningacrosstheroad，andtheycouldnotbeclearlyseen;butfarenoughinfronttocatchtheaccidentoftheeveninglightwasstalkingupanddowntheunmistakableDr。Renard，inawhitehat，strokinghislongbrownbeard，andholdingarevolverinhislefthand。

"WhatafoolI’vebeen！"exclaimedtheColonel。"Ofcourse，thedearoldboyhasturnedouttohelpus。"

Dr。Bullwasbubblingoverwithlaughter，swingingtheswordinhishandascarelesslyasacane。Hejumpedoutofthecarandranacrosstheinterveningspace，callingout——

"Dr。Renard！Dr。Renard！"

AninstantafterSymethoughthisowneyeshadgonemadinhishead。ForthephilanthropicDr。RenardhaddeliberatelyraisedhisrevolverandfiredtwiceatBull，sothattheshotsrangdowntheroad。

AlmostatthesamesecondasthepuffofwhitecloudwentupfromthisatrociousexplosionalongpuffofwhitecloudwentupalsofromthecigaretteofthecynicalRatcliffe。Likealltherestheturnedalittlepale，buthesmiled。Dr。Bull，atwhomthebulletshadbeenfired，justmissinghisscalp，stoodquitestillinthemiddleoftheroadwithoutasignoffear，andthenturnedveryslowlyandcrawledbacktothecar，andclimbedinwithtwoholesthroughhishat。

"Well，"saidthecigarettesmokerslowly，"whatdoyouthinknow？"

"Ithink，"saidDr。Bullwithprecision，"thatIamlyinginbedatNo。217PeabodyBuildings，andthatIshallsoonwakeupwithajump;or，ifthat’snotit，IthinkthatIamsittinginasmallcushionedcellinHanwell，andthatthedoctorcan’tmakemuchofmycase。ButifyouwanttoknowwhatIdon’tthink，I’lltellyou。

Idon’tthinkwhatyouthink。Idon’tthink，andInevershallthink，thatthemassofordinarymenareapackofdirtymodernthinkers。No，sir，I’mademocrat，andIstilldon’tbelievethatSundaycouldconvertoneaveragenavvyorcounter—jumper。No，Imaybemad，buthumanityisn’t。"

SymeturnedhisbrightblueeyesonBullwithanearnestnesswhichhedidnotcommonlymakeclear。

"Youareaveryfinefellow，"hesaid。"Youcanbelieveinasanitywhichisnotmerelyyoursanity。Andyou’rerightenoughabouthumanity，aboutpeasantsandpeoplelikethatjollyoldinnkeeper。

Butyou’renotrightaboutRenard。Isuspectedhimfromthefirst。

He’srationalistic，and，what’sworse，he’srich。Whendutyandreligionarereallydestroyed，itwillbebytherich。"

"Theyarereallydestroyednow，"saidthemanwithacigarette，androsewithhishandsinhispockets。"Thedevilsarecomingon！"

Themeninthemotor—carlookedanxiouslyinthedirectionofhisdreamygaze，andtheysawthatthewholeregimentattheendoftheroadwasadvancinguponthem，Dr。Renardmarchingfuriouslyinfront，hisbeardflyinginthebreeze。

TheColonelsprangoutofthecarwithanintolerantexclamation。

"Gentlemen，"hecried，"thethingisincredible。Itmustbeapracticaljoke。IfyouknewRenardasIdo——it’slikecallingQueenVictoriaadynamiter。Ifyouhadgottheman’scharacterintoyourhead——"

"Dr。Bull，"saidSymesardonically，"hasatleastgotitintohishat。"

"Itellyouitcan’tbe！"criedtheColonel，stamping。

"Renardshallexplainit。Heshallexplainittome，"andhestrodeforward。

"Don’tbeinsuchahurry，"drawledthesmoker。"Hewillverysoonexplainittoallofus。"

ButtheimpatientColonelwasalreadyoutofearshot，advancingtowardstheadvancingenemy。TheexcitedDr。Renardliftedhispistolagain，butperceivinghisopponent，hesitated，andtheColonelcamefacetofacewithhimwithfranticgesturesofremonstrance。

"Itisnogood，"saidSyme。"Hewillnevergetanythingoutofthatoldheathen。Ivotewedrivebangthroughthethickofthem，bangasthebulletswentthroughBull’shat。Wemayallbekilled，butwemustkillatidynumberofthem。"

"Iwon’t’aveit，"saidDr。Bull，growingmorevulgarinthesincerityofhisvirtue。"Thepoorchapsmaybemakingamistake。

GivetheColonelachance。"

"Shallwegoback，then？"askedtheProfessor。

"No，"saidRatcliffeinacoldvoice，"thestreetbehindusisheldtoo。Infact，Iseemtoseethereanotherfriendofyours，Syme。"

Symespunroundsmartly，andstaredbackwardsatthetrackwhichtheyhadtravelled。Hesawanirregularbodyofhorsemengatheringandgallopingtowardstheminthegloom。Hesawabovetheforemostsaddlethesilvergleamofasword，andthenasitgrewnearerthesilvergleamofanoldman’shair。Thenextmoment，withshatteringviolence，hehadswungthemotorroundandsentitdashingdownthesteepsidestreettothesea，likeamanthatdesiredonlytodie。

"Whatthedevilisup？"criedtheProfessor，seizinghisarm。

"Themorningstarhasfallen！"saidSyme，ashisowncarwentdownthedarknesslikeafallingstar。

Theothersdidnotunderstandhiswords，butwhentheylookedbackatthestreetabovetheysawthehostilecavalrycomingroundthecorneranddowntheslopesafterthem;andforemostofallrodethegoodinnkeeper，flushedwiththefieryinnocenceoftheeveninglight。

"Theworldisinsane！"saidtheProfessor，andburiedhisfaceinhishands。

"No，"saidDr。Bullinadamantinehumility，"itisI。"

"Whatarewegoingtodo？"askedtheProfessor。

"Atthismoment，"saidSyme，withascientificdetachment，"Ithinkwearegoingtosmashintoalamppost。"

Thenextinstanttheautomobilehadcomewithacatastrophicjaragainstanironobject。Theinstantafterthatfourmenhadcrawledoutfromunderachaosofmetal，andatallleanlamp—postthathadstoodupstraightontheedgeofthemarineparadestoodout，bentandtwisted，likethebranchofabrokentree。

"Well，wesmashedsomething，"saidtheProfessor，withafaintsmile。"That’ssomecomfort。"

"You’rebecomingananarchist，"saidSyme，dustinghisclotheswithhisinstinctofdaintiness。

"Everyoneis，"saidRatcliffe。

Astheyspoke，thewhite—hairedhorsemanandhisfollowerscamethunderingfromabove，andalmostatthesamemomentadarkstringofmenranshoutingalongthesea—front。Symesnatchedasword，andtookitinhisteeth;hestucktwoothersunderhisarm—pits，tookafourthinhislefthandandthelanterninhisright，andleaptoffthehighparadeontothebeachbelow。

Theothersleaptafterhim，withacommonacceptanceofsuchdecisiveaction，leavingthedebrisandthegatheringmobabovethem。

"Wehaveonemorechance，"saidSyme，takingthesteeloutofhismouth。"Whateverallthispandemoniummeans，Isupposethepolicestationwillhelpus。Wecan’tgetthere，fortheyholdtheway。

Butthere’sapierorbreakwaterrunsoutintotheseajusthere，whichwecoulddefendlongerthananythingelse，likeHoratiusandhisbridge。WemustdefendittilltheGendarmerieturnout。Keepafterme。"

Theyfollowedhimashewentcrunchingdownthebeach，andinasecondortwotheirbootsbrokenotontheseagravel，butonbroad，flatstones。Theymarcheddownalong，lowjetty，runningoutinonearmintothedim，boilingsea，andwhentheycametotheendofittheyfeltthattheyhadcometotheendoftheirstory。Theyturnedandfacedthetown。

Thattownwastransfiguredwithuproar。Allalongthehighparadefromwhichtheyhadjustdescendedwasadarkandroaringstreamofhumanity，withtossingarmsandfieryfaces，gropingandglaringtowardsthem。Thelongdarklinewasdottedwithtorchesandlanterns;butevenwherenoflamelitupafuriousface，theycouldseeinthefarthestfigure，inthemostshadowygesture，anorganisedhate。Itwasclearthattheyweretheaccursedofallmen，andtheyknewnotwhy。

Twoorthreemen，lookinglittleandblacklikemonkeys，leaptovertheedgeastheyhaddoneanddroppedontothebeach。Thesecameploughingdownthedeepsand，shoutinghorribly，andstrovetowadeintotheseaatrandom。Theexamplewasfollowed，andthewholeblackmassofmenbegantorunanddripovertheedgelikeblacktreacle。

ForemostamongthemenonthebeachSymesawthepeasantwhohaddriventheircart。Hesplashedintothesurfonahugecart—horse，andshookhisaxeatthem。

"Thepeasant！"criedSyme。"TheyhavenotrisensincetheMiddleAges。"

"Evenifthepolicedocomenow，"saidtheProfessormournfully，"theycandonothingwiththismob。"

"Nonsence！"saidBulldesperately;"theremustbesomepeopleleftinthetownwhoarehuman。"

"No，"saidthehopelessInspector，"thehumanbeingwillsoonbeextinct。Wearethelastofmankind。"

"Itmaybe，"saidtheProfessorabsently。Thenheaddedinhisdreamyvoice，"Whatisallthatattheendofthe’Dunciad’？

’Norpublicflame;norprivate，darestoshine;

Norhumanlightisleft，norglimpsedivine！

Lo！thydreadEmpire，Chaos，isrestored;

Lightdiesbeforethineuncreatingword：

Thyhand，greatAnarch，letsthecurtainfall;

Anduniversaldarknessburiesall。"’

"Stop！"criedBullsuddenly，"thegendarmesareout。"

Thelowlightsofthepolicestationwereindeedblottedandbrokenwithhurryingfigures，andtheyheardthroughthedarknesstheclashandjingleofadisciplinedcavalry。

"Theyarechargingthemob！"criedBullinecstacyoralarm。

"No，"saidSyme，"theyareformedalongtheparade。"

"Theyhaveunslungtheircarbines，"criedBulldancingwithexcitement。

"Yes，"saidRatcliffe，"andtheyaregoingtofireonus。"

Ashespoketherecamealongcrackleofmusketry，andbulletsseemedtohoplikehailstonesonthestonesinfrontofthem。

"Thegendarmeshavejoinedthem！"criedtheProfessor，andstruckhisforehead。

"Iaminthepaddedcell，"saidBullsolidly。

Therewasalongsilence，andthenRatcliffesaid，lookingoutovertheswollensea，allasortofgreypurple——

"Whatdoesitmatterwhoismadorwhoissane？Weshallallbedeadsoon。"

Symeturnedtohimandsaid——

"Youarequitehopeless，then？"

Mr。Ratcliffekeptastonysilence;thenatlasthesaidquietly——

"No;oddlyenoughIamnotquitehopeless。ThereisoneinsanelittlehopethatIcannotgetoutofmymind。Thepowerofthiswholeplanetisagainstus，yetIcannothelpwonderingwhetherthisonesillylittlehopeishopelessyet。"

"Inwhatorwhomisyourhope？"askedSymewithcuriosity。

"InamanIneversaw，"saidtheother，lookingattheleadensea。