'Yes，thecleverdevil!'exclaimedHavill，unabletodepreciatelonger。
'How?'
'Theriddlethathasworriedmethreeweekshehassolvedinawaywhichissimplicityitself。Hehasgotit，andIamundone!'
'Nonsense，don'tgiveway。Let'smakeatracing。'
'Theground-planwillbesufficient，'saidHavill，hiscouragereviving。'Theideaissosimple，thatifonceseenitisnoteasilyforgotten。'
AroughtracingofSomerset'sdesignwasquicklymade，andblowingoutthecandlewithawaveofhishand，theyoungergentlemanlockedthedoor，andtheywentdownstairsagain。
'Ishouldneverhavethoughtofit，'saidHavill，astheywalkedhomeward。
'Onemanhasneedofanothereverytenyears:Ognidiecianniunuomohabisognodell'altro，astheysayinItaly。You'llhelpmeforthisturnifIhaveneedofyou?'
'Ishallneverhavethepower。'
'Oyes，youwill。Amanwhocancontrivetogetadmittedtoacompetitionbywritingaletterabusinganotherman，hasanyamountofpower。Thestrokewasagoodone。'
Havillwassilenttillhesaid，'Ithinkthesegustsmeanthatwearetohaveastormofrain。'
Darelookedup。Theskywasovercast，thetreesshivered，andadroportwobegantostrikeintothewalkers'coatsfromtheeast。TheywerenotfarfromtheinnatSleeping-Green，whereDarehadlodgings，occupyingtheroomswhichhadbeenusedbySomersettillhegavethemupformorecommodiouschambersatMarkton；andtheydecidedtoturnintheretilltherainshouldbeover。
HavingpossessedhimselfofSomerset'sbrainsHavillwasinclinedtobejovial，andorderedthebestinwinesthatthehouseafforded。Beforestartingfromhometheyhaddrunkasmuchaswasgoodforthem；sothattheirpotationsheresoonbegantohaveamarkedeffectupontheirtongues。Therainbeatuponthewindowswithadulldoggedpertinacitywhichseemedtosignifyboundlessreservesofthesameandlongcontinuance。Thewindrose，thesigncreaked，andthecandleswaved。Theweatherhad，intruth，brokenupfortheseason，andthiswasthefirstnightofthechange。
'Well，hereweare，'saidHavill，ashepouredoutanotherglassofthebrandiedliquorcalledoldportatSleeping-
Green；'anditseemsthatherewearetoremainforthepresent。'
'Iamathomeanywhere!'criedthelad，whosebrowwashotandeyewild。
Havill，whohadnotdrunkenoughtoaffecthisreasoning，helduphisglasstothelightandsaid，'Inevercanquitemakeoutwhatyouare，orwhatyourageis。Areyousixteen，one-
and-twenty，ortwenty-seven?AndareyouanEnglishman，Frenchman，Indian，American，orwhat?Youseemnottohavetakenyourdegreesintheseparts。'
'That'sasecret，myfriend，'saidDare。'Iamacitizenoftheworld。Iowenocountrypatriotism，andnokingorqueenobedience。Amanwhosecountryhasnoboundaryisyouronlytruegentleman。'
'Well，wherewereyouborn——somewhere，Isuppose?'
'Itwouldbeafactworththetelling。Thesecretofmybirthlieshere。'AndDareslappedhisbreastwithhisrighthand。
'Literally，justunderyourshirt-front；orfiguratively，inyourheart?'askedHavill。
'Literallythere。Itisnecessarythatitshouldberecorded，forone'sownmemoryisatreacherousbookofreference，shouldverificationberequiredatatimeofdelirium，disease，ordeath。'
Havillaskednofurtherwhathemeant，andwenttothedoor。
FindingthattherainstillcontinuedhereturnedtoDare，whowasbythistimesinkingdowninaone-sidedattitude，asifhungupbytheshoulder。Informinghiscompanionthathewasbutlittleinclinedtomovefarinsuchatempestuousnight，hedecidedtoremainintheinntillnextmorning。Oncallinginthelandlord，however，theylearntthatthehousewasfulloffarmersontheirwayhomefromalargesheep-fairintheneighbourhood，andthatseveralofthese，havingdecidedtostayonaccountofthesametempestuousweather，hadalreadyengagedthesparebeds。IfMr。Darewouldgiveuphisroom，andshareadouble-beddedroomwithMr。Havill，thethingcouldbedone，butnototherwise。
Tothisthetwocompanionsagreed，andpresentlywentupstairswithasgentlemanlyawalkandverticalacandleastheycouldexhibitunderthecircumstances。
Theotherinmatesoftheinnsoonretiredtorest，andthestormragedonunheededbyalllocalhumanity。
III。
Attwoo'clocktherainlesseneditsfury。Athalf-pasttwotheobscuredmoonshoneforth；andatthreeHavillawoke。Theblindhadnotbeenpulleddownovernight，andthemoonlightstreamedintotheroom，acrossthebedwhereonDarewassleeping。Helayonhisback，hisarmsthrownout；andhiswell-curvedyouthfulformlookedlikeanunpedestaledDionysusinthecolourlesslunarrays。
SleephadclearedHavill'smindfromthedrowsingeffectsofthelastnight'ssitting，andhethoughtofDare'smysteriousmannerinspeakingofhimself。ThisladresembledtheEtruscanyouthTages，inonerespect，thatofbeingaboywith，seemingly，thewisdomofasage；andtheeffectofhispresencewasnowheightenedbyallthosesinisterandmysticattributeswhicharelentbynocturnalenvironment。Hewhoinbroaddaylightmightbebutayoungchevalierd'industriewasnowanunlimitedpossibilityinsocialphenomena。Havillrememberedhowtheladhadpointedtohisbreast，andsaidthathissecretwasliterallykeptthere。Thearchitectwastoomuchofaprovincialtohavequenchedthecommoncuriositythatwaspartofhisnaturebytheacquiredmetropolitanindifferencetootherpeople'sliveswhich，inessencemoreunworthyeventhantheformer，causeslesspracticalinconvenienceinitsexercise。
Darewasbreathingprofoundly。Instigatedasabovementioned，Havillgotoutofbedandstoodbesidethesleeper。Afteramoment'spausehegentlypulledbacktheunfastenedcollarofDare'snightshirtandsawawordtattooedindistinctcharactersonhisbreast。BeforetherewastimeforHavilltodecipheritDaremovedslightly，asifconsciousofdisturbance，andHavillhastenedbacktobed。Darebestirredhimselfyetmore，whereuponHavillbreathedheavily，thoughkeepinganintentglanceontheladthroughhishalf-closedeyestolearnifhehadbeenawareoftheinvestigation。
Darewascertainlyconsciousofsomething，forhesatup，rubbedhiseyes，andgazedaroundtheroom；thenafterafewmomentsofreflectionhedrewsomearticlefrombeneathhispillow。AbluegleamshonefromtheobjectasDarehelditinthemoonlight，andHavillperceivedthatitwasasmallrevolver。
Aclammydewbrokeoutuponthefaceandbodyofthearchitectwhen，steppingoutofbedwiththeweaponinhishand，Darelookedunderthebed，behindthecurtains，outofthewindow，andintoacloset，asifconvincedthatsomethinghadoccurred，butindoubtastowhatitwas。HethencameacrosstowhereHavillwaslyingandstillkeepinguptheappearanceofsleep。Watchinghimawhileandmistrustingtherealityofthissemblance，DarebroughtittothetestbyholdingtherevolverwithinafewinchesofHavill'sforehead。
Havillcouldstandnomore。Crystallizedwithterror，hesaid，withouthowevermovingmorethanhislips，indreadofhastyactiononthepartofDare:'O，goodLord，Dare，Dare，Ihavedonenothing!'
Theyouthsmiledandloweredthepistol。'Iwasonlyfindingoutwhetheritwasyouorsomeburglarwhohadbeenplayingtricksuponme。Ifinditwasyou。'
'Doputawaythatthing!Itistooghastlytoproduceinarespectablebedroom。Whydoyoucarryit?'
'Cosmopolitesalwaysdo。Nowanswermyquestions。Whatwereyouupto?'andDareashespokeplayedwiththepistolagain。
Havillhadrecoveredsomecoolness。'Youcouldnotuseituponme，'hesaidsardonically，watchingDare。'Itwouldberiskingyourneckfortoolittleanobject。'
'Ididnotthinkyouwereshrewdenoughtoseethat，'repliedDarecarelessly，ashereturnedtherevolvertoitsplace。
'Well，whetheryouhaveoutwittedmeorno，youwillkeepthesecretaslongasIchoose。'
'Why?'saidHavill。
'BecauseIkeepyoursecretoftheletterabusingMissP。，andofthepilferedtracingyoucarryinyourpocket。'
'Itisquitetrue，'saidHavill。
Theywenttobedagain。Darewassoonasleep；butHavilldidnotattempttodisturbhimagain。Theeldermansleptbutfitfully。Hewasarousedinthemorningbyaheavyrumblingandjinglingalongthehighwayoverlookedbythewindow，thefrontwallofthehousebeingshakenbythereverberation。
'Thereisnorestformehere，'hesaid，risingandgoingtothewindow，carefullyavoidingtheneighbourhoodofMr。Dare。
WhenHavillhadglancedouthereturnedtodresshimself。
'What'sthatnoise?'saidDare，awakenedbythesamerumble。
'ItistheArtillerygoingaway。'
'Fromwhere?'
'Marktonbarracks。'
'Hurrah!'saidDare，jumpingupinbed。'Ihavebeenwaitingforthatthesesixweeks。'
Havilldidnotaskquestionsastothemeaningofthisunexpectedremark。
WhentheyweredownstairsDare'sfirstactwastoringthebellandaskifhisArmyandNavyGazettehadarrived。
WhiletheservantwasgoneHavillclearedhisthroatandsaid，'Iamanarchitect，andItakeintheArchitect；youareanarchitect，andyoutakeintheArmyandNavyGazette。'
'IamnotanarchitectanymorethanIamasoldier；butI
havetakenintheArmyandNavyGazettethesemanyweeks。'
Whentheywereatbreakfastthepapercamein。Darehastilytoreitopenandglancedatthepages。
'IamgoingtoMarktonafterbreakfast!'hesaidsuddenly，beforelookingup；'wewillwalktogetherifyoulike?'
Theywalkedtogetherasplanned，andenteredMarktonaboutteno'clock。
'Ihavejusttomakeacallhere，'saidDare，whentheywereoppositethebarrack-entranceontheoutskirtsofthetown，wherewheel-tracksandaregularchainofhoof-marksleftbythedepartedbatterieswereimprintedinthegravelbetweentheopengates。'Ishallnotbeamoment。'Havillstoodstillwhilehiscompanionenteredandaskedthecommissaryincharge，orsomebodyrepresentinghim，whenthenewbatterieswouldarrivetotaketheplaceofthosewhichhadgoneaway。
Hewasinformedthatitwouldbeaboutnoon。
'NowIamatyourservice，'saidDare，'andwillhelpyoutorearrangeyourdesignbythenewintellectuallightwehaveacquired。'
TheyenteredHavill'sofficeandsettowork。WhencontrastedwiththetracingfromSomerset'splan，Havill'sdesign，whichwasnotfaradvanced，revealedallitsweaknessestohim。
AfterseeingSomerset'sschemethebandsofHavill'simaginationwereloosened:helaidhisownpreviouseffortsaside，gotfreshsheetsofdrawing-paperanddrewwithvigour。
'Imayaswellstayandhelpyou，'saidDare。'Ihavenothingtodotilltwelveo'clock；andnotmuchthen。'
Sothereheremained。AtaquartertotwelvechildrenandidlersbegantogatheragainsttherailingsofHavill'shouse。
Afewminutespasttwelvethenoiseofanarrivinghostwasheardattheentrancetothetown。ThereuponDareandHavillwenttothewindow。
TheXandYBatteriesoftheZBrigade，RoyalHorseArtillery，wereenteringMarkton，eachheadedbythemajorwithhisbuglerbehindhim。Inamomenttheycameabreastandpassed，everymaninhisplace；thatistosay:
Sixshininghorses，inpairs，harnessedbyrope-traceswhiteasmilk，withadriveroneachnearhorse:twogunnersonthelead-colouredstout-wheeledlimber，theircarcasesjoltedtoajellyforlackofsprings:twogunnersonthelead-colouredstout-wheeledgun-carriage，inthesamepersonalcondition:
thenine-poundergun，dippingitsheavyheadtoearth，asifashamedofitsofficeintheseenlightenedtimes:thecomplementofjinglingandprancingtroopers，ridingatthewheelsandelsewhere:sixshininghorseswiththeirdrivers，andtraceswhiteasmilk，asbefore:twomoregallantjoltedmen，onanotherjoltinglimber，andmorestoutwheelsandlead-colouredpaint:twomorejoltedmenonanotherdroopinggun:morejinglingtroopersonhorseback:againsixshiningdraught-horses，traces，drivers，gun，gunners，leadpaint，stoutwheelsandtroopersasbefore。
Soeachdetachmentlumberedslowlyby，alleyesmartiallyforward，exceptwhenwanderinginquestoffemalebeauty。
'He'safinefellow，ishenot?'saidDare，denotingbyanodamountedofficer，withasallow，yethandsomeface，andblackmoustache，whocameuponabaygeldingwiththemenofhisbattery。
'Whatishe?'saidHavill。
'Acaptainwholacksadvancement。'
'Doyouknowhim?'
'Iknowhim?'
'Yes；doyou?'
Daremadenoreply；andtheywatchedthecaptainasherodepastwithhisdrawnswordinhishand，thesunmakingalittlesunuponitsblade，anduponhisbrilliantlypolishedlongbootsandbrightspurs；alsowarminghisgoldcross-beltandbraidings，whitegloves，busbywithitsredbag，andtallwhiteplume。
Havillseemedtobetooindifferenttopresshisquestioning；
andwhenallthesoldiershadpassedby，Dareobservedtohiscompanionthatheshouldleavehimforashorttime，butwouldreturnintheafternoonornextday。
Afterthishewalkedupthestreetintherearoftheartillery，followingthemtothebarracks。Onreachingthegateshefoundacrowdofpeoplegatheredoutside，lookingwithadmirationatthegunsandgunnersdrawnupwithintheenclosure。Whenthesoldiersweredismissedtotheirquartersthesightseersdispersed，andDarewentthroughthegatestothebarrack-yard。
Thegunswerestandingonthegreen；thesoldiersandhorseswerescatteredabout，andthehandsomecaptainwhomDarehadpointedouttoHavillwasinspectingthebuildingsinthecompanyofthequartermaster。Daremadeamentalnoteofthesethings，and，apparentlychangingapreviousintention，wentoutfromthebarracksandreturnedtothetown。
IV。
ToreturnforawhiletoGeorgeSomerset。Thesunofhislaterexistencehavingvanishedfromthatyoungman'shorizon，heconfinedhimselfcloselytothestudio，superintendingtheexertionsofhisdraughtsmenBowles，Knowles，andCockton，whowerenowinthefullswingofworkingoutSomerset'screationsfromthesketcheshehadpreviouslyprepared。
HehadsofargotthestartofHavillinthecompetitionthat，bythehelpofthesethreegentlemen，hisdesignwassoonfinished。Buthegainednounfairadvantageonthisaccount，anadditionalmonthbeingallowedtoHavilltocompensateforhislaterinformation。
BeforescalinguphisdrawingsSomersetwishedtospendashorttimeinLondon，anddismissinghisassistantstillfurthernotice，helockeduptheroomswhichhadbeenappropriatedasofficeandstudioandpreparedforthejourney。
Itwasafternoon。SomersetwalkedfromthecastleinthedirectionofthewoodtoreachMarktonbyadetour。Hehadnotproceededfarwhenthereapproachedhispathamanridingabayhorsewithasquare-cuttail。Theequestrianworeagrizzledbeard，andlookedatSomersetwithapiercingeyeashenoiselesslyambledneareroverthesoftsodofthepark。
HeprovedtobeMr。CunninghamHaze，chiefconstableofthedistrict，whohadbecomeslightlyknowntoSomersetduringhissojournhere。
'Oneword，Mr。Somerset，'saidtheChief，aftertheyhadexchangednodsofrecognition，reininghishorseashespoke。
Somersetstopped。
'Youhaveastudioatthecastleinwhichyouarepreparingdrawings?'
'Ihave。'
'Haveyouaclerk?'
'Ihadthreetillyesterday，whenIpaidthemoff。'
'Wouldtheyhaveanyrighttoenterthestudiolateatnight?'
'Therewouldhavebeennothingwrongintheirdoingso。
Eitherofthemmighthavegonebackatanytimeforsomethingforgotten。Theylivedquitenearthecastle。'
'Ah，thenallisexplained。IwasridingpastoverthegrassonthenightoflastThursday，andIsawtwopersonsinyourstudiowithalight。Itmusthavebeenabouthalf-pastnineo'clock。Oneofthemcameforwardandpulleddowntheblindsothatthelightfelluponhisface。ButIonlysawitforashorttime。'
'IfitwereKnowlesorCocktonhewouldhavehadabeard。'
'Hehadnobeard。'
'ThenitmusthavebeenBowles。Ayoungman?'
'Quiteyoung。Hiscompanioninthebackgroundseemedolder。'
'Theyareallaboutthesameagereally。Bytheway——itcouldn'thavebeenDare——andHavill，surely!Wouldyourecognizethemagain?'
'Theyoungonepossibly。Theothernotatall，forheremainedintheshade。'
SomersetendeavouredtodiscerninadescriptionbythechiefconstablethefeaturesofMr。Bowles:butitseemedtoapproximatemorecloselytoDareinspiteofhimself。'I'llmakeasketchoftheonlyonewhohadnobusinessthere，andshowittoyou，'hepresentlysaid。'Ishouldlikethisclearedup。'
Mr。CunninghamHazesaidhewasgoingtoToneboroughthatafternoon，butwouldreturnintheeveningbeforeSomerset'sdeparture。Withthistheyparted。ApossiblemotiveforDare'spresenceintheroomshadinstantlypresenteditselftoSomerset'smind，forhehadseenDareenterHavill'sofficemorethanonce，asifhewereatworkthere。
Heaccordinglysatonthenextstile，andtakingouthispocket-bookbeganapencilsketchofDare'shead，toshowtoMr。Hazeintheevening；forifDarehadindeedfoundadmissionwithHavill，orashisagent，thedesignwaslost。
Buthecouldnotmakeadrawingthatwasasatisfactorylikeness。ThenheluckilyrememberedthatDare，intheintensewarmthofadmirationhehadaffectedforSomersetonthefirstdayortwooftheiracquaintance，hadbeggedforhisphotograph，andinreturnforithadleftoneofhimselfonthemantelpiece，takenashesaidbyhisownprocess。
SomersetresolvedtoshowthisproductiontoMr。Haze，asbeingmoretothepurposethanasketch，andinsteadoffinishingthelatter，proceededonhisway。
HeenteredtheoldovergrowndrivewhichwoundindirectlythroughthewoodtoMarkton。Theroad，havingbeenlaidoutforidlingratherthanforprogress，bentsharplyhitherandthitheramongthefissuredtrunksandlayersofhornyleaveswhichlaytherealltheyearround，interspersedwithcushionsofvividgreenmossthatformedoasesintherust-redexpanse。
Reachingapointwheretheroadmadeoneofitsbendsbetweentwolargebeeches，amanandwomanrevealedthemselvesatafewyards'distance，walkingslowlytowardshim。IntheshortandquaintladyherecognizedCharlotteDeStancy，whomherememberednottohaveseenforseveraldays。
Sheslightlyblushedandsaid，'O，thisispleasant，Mr。
Somerset!Letmepresentmybrothertoyou，CaptainDeStancyoftheRoyalHorseArtillery。'
HerbrothercameforwardandshookhandsheartilywithSomerset；andtheyallthreerambledontogether，talkingoftheseason，theplace，thefishing，theshooting，andwhateverelsecameuppermostintheirminds。
CaptainDeStancywasapersonagewhowouldhavebeencalledinterestingbywomenwelloutoftheirteens。Hewasripe，withouthavingdeclinedadigittowardsfogeyism。Hewassufficientlyoldandexperiencedtosuggestagoodlyaccumulationoftouchingamourettesinthechambersofhismemory，andnottoooldforthepossibilityofincreasingthestore。Hewasapparentlyabouteight-and-thirty，lesstallthanhisfatherhadbeen，butadmirablymade；andhiseverymovementexhibitedafinecombinationofstrengthandflexibilityoflimb。Hisfacewassomewhatthinandthoughtful，itscomplexionbeingnaturallypale，thoughdarkenedbyexposuretoawarmersunthanours。Hisfeaturesweresomewhatstriking；hismoustacheandhairravenblack；
andhiseyes，deniedtheattributesofmilitarykeennessbyreasonofthelargenessanddarknessoftheiraspect，acquiredtherebyasoftnessofexpressionthatwasinpartwomanly。
Hismouthasfarasitcouldbeseenreproducedthischaracteristic，whichmighthavebeencalledweakness，orgoodness，accordingtothementalattitudeoftheobserver。
Itwaslargebutwellformed，andshowedanunimpairedlineofteethwithin。Hisdressatpresentwasaheather-colouredruralsuit，cutclosetohisfigure。
'Youknewmycousin，JackRavensbury?'hesaidtoSomerset，astheywenton。'PoorJack:hewasagoodfellow。'
'Hewasaverygoodfellow。'
'Hewouldhavebeenmadeaparsonifhehadlived——itwashisgreatwish。I，ashissenior，andamanoftheworldasI
thoughtmyself，usedtochaffhimaboutitwhenhewasaboy，andtellhimnottobeamilksop，buttoenterthearmy。ButIthinkJackwasright——theparsonshavethebestofit，Iseenow。'
'Theywouldhardlyadmitthat，'saidSomerset，laughing。'NorcanI。'
'NorI，'saidthecaptain'ssister。'SeehowlovelyyoualllookedwithyourbiggunsanduniformwhenyouenteredMarkton；andthenseehowstupidtheparsonslookbycomparison，whentheyflockintoMarktonataVisitation。'
'Ah，yes，'saidDeStancy，'"Doubtlessitisabrilliantmasquerade；
Butwhenofthefirstsightyou'vehadyourfill，Itpalls——atleastitdoessouponme，Thisparadiseofpleasureandennui。"
Whenoneisgettingonforforty；
"Whenwehavemadeourlove，andgamedourgaming，Dressed，voted，shone，andmaybe，somethingmore；
Withdandiesdined，heardsenatorsdeclaiming；
Seenbeautiesbroughttomarketbythescore，"
andsoon，therearisesastrongdesireforaquietold-
fashionedcountrylife，inwhichincessantmovementisnotanecessarypartoftheprogramme。'
'Butyouarenotforty，Will?'saidCharlotte。
'Mydear，Iwasthirty-ninelastJanuary。'
'Well，menabouthereareyouthsatthatage。ItwasIndiausedyouupso，whenyouservedintheline，wasitnot?I
wishyouhadnevergonethere!'
'SodoI，'saidDeStancydrily。'ButIoughttogrowayouthagain，liketherest，nowIaminmynativeair。'
Theycametoanarrowbrook，notwiderthanaman'sstride，andMissDeStancyhaltedontheedge。
'Why，Lottie，youusedtojumpiteasilyenough，'saidherbrother。'Butwewon'tmakeherdoitnow。'Hetookherinhisarms，andliftedherover，givingheragratuitousrideforsomeadditionalyards，andsaying，'Youarenotapoundheavier，Lott，thanyouwereattenyearsold……Whatdoyouthinkofthecountryhere，Mr。Somerset?Areyougoingtostaylong?'
'Ithinkverywellofit，'saidSomerset。'ButIleaveto-
morrowmorning，whichmakesitnecessarythatIturnbackinaminuteortwofromwalkingwithyou。'
'That'sadisappointment。Ihadhopedyouweregoingtofinishouttheautumnwithshooting。There'ssome，veryfair，tobegothereonreasonableterms，I'vejustheard。'
'Butyouneednothireany!'spokeupCharlotte。'Paulawouldletyoushootanything，Iamsure。Shehasnotbeenherelongenoughtopreservemuchgame，andthepoachershaditallinMr。Wilkins'time。Butwhatthereisyoumightkillwithpleasuretoher。'
'No，thankyou，'saidDeStancygrimly。'IprefertoremainastrangertoMissPower——MissSteam-Power，sheoughttobecalled——andtoallherpossessions。'
Charlottewassubdued，anddidnotinsistfurther；whileSomerset，beforehecouldfeelhimselfabletodecideonthemoodinwhichthegallantcaptain'sjokeatPaula'sexpenseshouldbetaken，wonderedwhetheritwereamarriedmanorabachelorwhoutteredit。
HehadnotbeenabletokeepthequestionofDeStancy'sdomesticstateoutofhisheadfromthefirstmomentofseeinghim。AssumingDeStancytobeahusband，hefelttheremightbesomeexcuseforhisremark；ifunmarried，Somersetlikedthesatirestillbetter；insuchcircumstancestherewasareliefinthethoughtthatCaptainDeStancy'sprejudicesmightbeinfinitelystrongerthanthoseofhissisterorfather。
'Goingto-morrow，didyousay，Mr。Somerset?'askedMissDeStancy。'Thenwillyoudinewithusto-day?Myfatherisanxiousthatyoushoulddosobeforeyougo。Iamsorrytherewillbeonlyourownfamilypresenttomeetyou；butyoucanleaveasearlyasyouwish。'
Herbrothersecondedtheinvitation，andSomersetpromised，thoughhisleisureforthateveningwasshort。HewasintruthsomewhatinclinedtolikeDeStancy；forthoughthecaptainhadsaidnothingofanyvalueeitheronwar，commerce，science，orart，hehadseemedattractivetotheyoungerman。
Beyondthenaturalinterestasoldierhasforimaginativemindsinthecivilwalksoflife，DeStancy'soccasionalmanifestationsoftaediumvitaeweretoopoeticallyshapedtoberepellent。Gallantrycombinedinhimwithasortofasceticself-repressioninawaythatwascurious。HewasadozenyearsolderthanSomerset:hislifehadbeenpassedingroovesremotefromthoseofSomerset'sownlife；andthelatterdecidedthathewouldliketomeettheartilleryofficeragain。
Biddingthematemporaryfarewell，hewentawaytoMarktonbyashorterpaththanthatpursuedbytheDeStancys，andafterspendingtheremainderoftheafternoonpreparingfordeparture，hesalliedforthjustbeforethedinner-hourtowardsthesuburbanvilla。
HehadbecomeyetmorecuriouswhetheraMrs。DeStancyexisted；iftherewereonehewouldprobablyseeherto-night。
Hehadanirrepressiblehopethattheremightbesuchalady。
Onenteringthedrawing-roomonlythefather，son，anddaughterwereassembled。SomersetfellintotalkwithCharlotteduringthefewminutesbeforedinner，andhisthoughtfounditswayout。
'ThereisnoMrs。DeStancy?'hesaidinanundertone。
'None，'shesaid；'mybrotherisabachelor。'
ThedinnerhavingbeenfixedatanearlyhourtosuitSomerset，theyhadreturnedtothedrawing-roomateighto'clock。Aboutninehewasaimingtogetaway。
'Youarenotoffyet?'saidthecaptain。
'Therewouldhavebeennohurry，'saidSomerset，'hadInotjustrememberedthatIhaveleftonethingundonewhichIwanttoattendtobeforemydeparture。Iwanttoseethechiefconstableto-night。'
'CunninghamHaze?——heistheverymanItoowanttosee。Buthewentoutoftownthisafternoon，andIhardlythinkyouwillseehimto-night。Hisreturnhasbeendelayed。'
'Thenthemattermustwait。'
'Ihaveleftwordathishouseaskinghimtocallhereifhegetshomebeforehalf-pastten；butatanyrateIshallseehimto-morrowmorning。CanIdoanythingforyou，sinceyouareleavingearly?'
Somersetrepliedthatthebusinesswasofnogreatimportance，andbrieflyexplainedthesuspectedintrusionintohisstudio；
thathehadwithhimaphotographofthesuspectedyoungman。
'Ifitisamistake，'addedSomerset，'Ishouldregretputtingmydraughtsman'sportraitintothehandsofthepolice，sinceitmightinjurehischaracter；indeed，itwouldbeunfairtohim。SoIwishtokeepthelikenessinmyownhands，andmerelytoshowittoMr。Haze。That'swhyIprefernottosendit。'
'MymatterwithHazeisthatthebarrackfurnituredoesnotcorrespondwiththeinventories。Ifyoulike，I'llaskyourquestionatthesametimewithpleasure。'
ThereuponSomersetgaveCaptainDeStancyanunfastenedenvelopecontainingtheportrait，askinghimtodestroyitiftheconstableshoulddeclareitnottocorrespondwiththefacethatmethiseyeatthewindow。Soonafter，Somersettookhisleaveofthehousehold。
Hehadnotbeenabsenttenminuteswhenotherwheelswereheardonthegravelwithout，andtheservantannouncedMr。
CunninghamHaze，whohadreturnedearlierthanhehadexpected，andhadcalledasrequested。
Theywentintothedining-roomtodiscusstheirbusiness。
WhenthebarrackmatterhadbeenarrangedDeStancysaid，'I
havealittlecommissiontoexecuteformyfriendMr。
Somerset。Iamtoaskyouifthisportraitofthepersonhesuspectsofunlawfullyenteringhisroomislikethemanyousawthere?'
Thespeakerwasseatedononesideofthedining-tableandMr。
Hazeontheother。AshespokeDeStancypulledtheenvelopefromhispocket，andhalfdrewoutthephotograph，whichhehadnotasyetlookedat，tohanditovertotheconstable。
Intheacthiseyefellupontheportrait，withitsuncertainexpressionofage，assuredlook，andhairworninafringelikeagirl's。
CaptainDeStancy'sfacebecamestrained，andheleantbackinhischair，havingpreviouslyhadsufficientpoweroverhimselftoclosetheenvelopeandreturnittohispocket。
'Goodheavens，youareill，CaptainDeStancy?'saidthechiefconstable。
'Itwasonlymomentary，'saidDeStancy；'betterinaminute——
aglassofwaterwillputmeright。'
Mr。Hazegothimaglassofwaterfromthesideboard。
'Thesespasmsoccasionallyovertakeme，'saidDeStancywhenhehaddrunk。'Iamalreadybetter。Whatwerewesaying?O，thisaffairofMr。Somerset's。Ifindthatthisenvelopeisnottherightone。'Heostensiblysearchedhispocketagain。
'Imusthavemislaidit，'hecontinued，rising。'I'llbewithyouagaininamoment。'
DeStancywentintotheroomadjoining，openedanalbumofportraitsthatlayonthetable，andselectedoneofayoungmanquiteunknowntohim，whoseagewassomewhatakintoDare's，butwhoinnootherattributeresembledhim。
DeStancyplacedthispictureintheoriginalenvelope，andreturnedwithittothechiefconstable，sayinghehadfounditatlast。
'Thankyou，thankyou，'saidCunninghamHaze，lookingitover。
'Ah——IperceiveitisnotwhatIexpectedtosee。Mr。
Somersetwasmistaken。'
Whenthechiefconstablehadleftthehouse，CaptainDeStancyshutthedooranddrewouttheoriginalphotograph。AshelookedatthetranscriptofDare'sfeatureshewasmovedbyapainfulagitation，tillrecallinghimselftothepresent，hecarefullyputtheportraitintothefire。
DuringthefollowingdaysCaptainDeStancy'smannerontheroads，inthestreets，andatbarracks，wasthatofCrusoeafterseeingtheprintofaman'sfootonthesand。
V。
AnybodywhohadcloselyconsideredDareatthistimewouldhavediscoveredthat，shortlyafterthearrivaloftheRoyalHorseArtilleryatMarktonBarracks，hegaveuphisroomattheinnatSleeping-Greenandtookpermanentlodgingsoverabroker'sshopinthetownabove-mentioned。Thepeculiarityoftheroomswasthattheycommandedaviewlengthwiseofthebarracklanealongwhichanysoldier，inthenaturalcourseofthings，wouldpasseithertoenterthetown，tocallatMyrtleVilla，ortogotoStancyCastle。
Dareseemedtoactasiftherewereplentyoftimeforhisbusiness。Somefewdayshadslippedbywhen，perceivingCaptainDeStancywalkpasthiswindowandintothetown，Daretookhishatandcane，andfollowedinthesamedirection。
WhenhewasaboutfiftyyardsshortofMyrtleVillaontheothersideofthetownhesawDeStancyenteritsgate。
Daremountedastilebesidethehighwayandpatientlywaited。
InabouttwentyminutesDeStancycameoutagainandturnedbackinthedirectionofthetown，tillDarewasrevealedtohimonhislefthand。WhenDeStancyrecognizedtheyouthhewasvisiblyagitated，thoughapparentlynotsurprised。
Standingstillamomenthedroppedhisglanceupontheground，andthencameforwardtoDare，whohavingalightedfromthestilestoodbeforethecaptainwithasmile。
'Mydearlad!'saidDeStancy，muchmovedbyrecollections。
HeheldDare'shandforamomentinbothhisown，andturnedaskance。
'Youarenotastonished，'saidDare，stillretaininghissmile，asiftohismindthereweresomethingcomicinthesituation。
'Iknewyouweresomewherenear。Wheredoyoucomefrom?'
'Fromgoingtoandfrointheearth，andwalkingupanddowninit，asSatansaidtohisMaker——Southamptonlast，incommonspeech。'
'Haveyoucomeheretoseeme?'
'Entirely。IdivinedthatyournextquarterswouldbeMarkton，thepreviousbatteriesthatwereatyourstationhavingcomeonhere。Ihavewantedtoseeyoubadly。'
'Youhave?'
'Iamratheroutofcash。Ihavebeenknockingaboutagooddealsinceyoulastheardfromme。'
'IwilldowhatIcanagain。'
'Thanks，captain。'
'But，Willy，Iamafraiditwillnotbemuchatpresent。YouknowIamaspoorasamouse。'
'Butsuchasitis，couldyouwriteachequeforitnow?'
'Iwillsendittoyoufromthebarracks。'
'Ihaveabetterplan。BygettingoverthisstilewecouldgoroundatthebackofthevillastoSleeping-GreenChurch。
Thereisalwaysapen-and-inkinthevestry，andwecanhaveanicetalkontheway。Itwouldbeunwiseformetoappearatthebarracksjustnow。'
'That'strue。'
DeStancysighed，andtheywereabouttowalkacrossthefieldstogether。'No，'saidDare，suddenlystopping:myplansmakeitimperativethatweshouldnotruntheriskofbeingseenineachother'scompanyforlong。Walkon，andI
willfollow。Youcanstrollintothechurchyard，andmoveaboutasifyouwereruminatingontheepitaphs。Therearesomewithexcellentmorals。I'llenterbytheothergate，andwecanmeeteasilyinthevestry-room。'
DeStancylookedgloomy，andwasonthepointofacquiescingwhenheturnedbackandsaid，'Whyshouldyourphotographbeshowntothechiefconstable?'
'Bywhom?'
'Somersetthearchitect。Hesuspectsyourhavingbrokenintohisofficeorsomethingofthesort。'DeStancybrieflyrelatedwhatSomersethadexplainedtohimatthedinner-
table。
'Itwasmerelydiamondcutdiamondbetweenus，onanarchitecturalmatter，'murmuredDare。'Ho!andhesuspects；
andthat'shisremedy!'
'Ihopethisisnothingserious?'askedDeStancygravely。
'Ipeepedathisdrawing——that'sall。Butsincehechoosestomakethatuseofmyphotograph，whichIgavehiminfriendship，I'llmakeuseofhisinawayhelittledreamsof。
Wellnow，let'son。'
AquarterofanhourlatertheymetinthevestryofthechurchatSleeping-Green。
'Ihaveonlyjusttransferredmyaccounttothebankhere，'
saidDeStancy，ashetookouthischeque-book，'anditwillbemoreconvenienttomeatpresenttodrawbutasmallsum。
Iwillmakeupthebalanceafterwards。'
WhenhehadwrittenitDareglancedoverthepaperandsaidruefully，'Itissmall，dad。Well，thereisallthemorereasonwhyIshouldbroachmyscheme，withaviewtomakingsuchdocumentslargerinthefuture。'
'Ishallbegladtohearofanysuchscheme，'answeredDeStancy，withalanguidattemptatjocularity。