’ByGod，themurderer！’hecried。’Here，youfellows，holdhim！
That’sHannay，themanwhodidthePortlandPlacemurder！’Hegrippedmebythearm，andtheotherscrowdedround。
Iwasn’tlookingforanytrouble，butmyill-tempermademeplaythefool。Apolicemancameup，andIshouldhavetoldhimthetruth，and，ifhedidn’tbelieveit，demandedtobetakentoScotlandYard，orforthatmattertothenearestpolicestation。Butadelayatthatmomentseemedtomeunendurable，andthesightofMarmie’simbecilefacewasmorethanIcouldbear。Iletoutwithmyleft，andhadthesatisfactionofseeinghimmeasurehislengthinthegutter。
Thenbegananunholyrow。Theywereallonmeatonce，andthepolicemantookmeintherear。Igotinoneortwogoodblows，forIthink，withfairplay，Icouldhavelickedthelotofthem，butthepolicemanpinnedmebehind，andoneofthemgothisfingersonmythroat。
ThroughablackcloudofrageIheardtheofficerofthelawaskingwhatwasthematter，andMarmie，betweenhisbrokenteeth，declaringthatIwasHannaythemurderer。
’Oh，damnitall，’Icried，’makethefellowshutup。Iadviseyoutoleavemealone，constable。ScotlandYardknowsallaboutme，andyou’llgetaproperwiggingifyouinterferewithme。’
’You’vegottocomealongofme，youngman，’saidthepoliceman。
’Isawyoustrikethatgentlemancrool’ard。Youbeganittoo，forhewasn’tdoingnothing。Iseenyou。BestgoquietlyorI’llhavetofixyouup。’
ExasperationandanoverwhelmingsensethatatnocostmustI
delaygavemethestrengthofabullelephant。Ifairlywrenchedtheconstableoffhisfeet，flooredthemanwhowasgrippingmycollar，andsetoffatmybestpacedownDukeStreet。Iheardawhistlebeingblown，andtherushofmenbehindme。
Ihaveaveryfairturnofspeed，andthatnightIhadwings。InajiffyIwasinPallMallandhadturneddowntowardsStJames’sPark。IdodgedthepolicemanatthePalacegates，divedthroughapressofcarriagesattheentrancetotheMall，andwasmakingforthebridgebeforemypursuershadcrossedtheroadway。IntheopenwaysoftheParkIputonaspurt。Happilytherewerefewpeopleaboutandnoonetriedtostopme。IwasstakingallongettingtoQueenAnne’sGate。
WhenIenteredthatquietthoroughfareitseemeddeserted。SirWalter’shousewasinthenarrowpart，andoutsideitthreeorfourmotor-carsweredrawnup。Islackenedspeedsomeyardsoffandwalkedbrisklyuptothedoor。Ifthebutlerrefusedmeadmission，orifheevendelayedtoopenthedoor，Iwasdone。
Hedidn’tdelay。Ihadscarcelyrungbeforethedooropened。
’ImustseeSirWalter，’Ipanted。’Mybusinessisdesperatelyimportant。’
Thatbutlerwasagreatman。Withoutmovingamuscleheheldthedooropen，andthenshutitbehindme。’SirWalterisengaged，Sir，andIhaveorderstoadmitnoone。Perhapsyouwillwait。’
Thehousewasoftheold-fashionedkind，withawidehallandroomsonbothsidesofit。Atthefarendwasanalcovewithatelephoneandacoupleofchairs，andtherethebutlerofferedmeaseat。
’Seehere，’Iwhispered。’There’stroubleaboutandI’minit。ButSirWalterknows，andI’mworkingforhim。IfanyonecomesandasksifIamhere，tellhimalie。’
Henodded，andpresentlytherewasanoiseofvoicesinthestreet，andafuriousringingatthebell。Ineveradmiredamanmorethanthatbutler。Heopenedthedoor，andwithafacelikeagravenimagewaitedtobequestioned。Thenhegavethemit。Hetoldthemwhosehouseitwas，andwhathisorderswere，andsimplyfrozethemoffthedoorstep。Icouldseeitallfrommyalcove，anditwasbetterthananyplay。
Ihadn’twaitedlongtilltherecameanotherringatthebell。Thebutlermadenobonesaboutadmittingthisnewvisitor。
WhilehewastakingoffhiscoatIsawwhoitwas。Youcouldn’topenanewspaperoramagazinewithoutseeingthatface-thegreybeardcutlikeaspade，thefirmfightingmouth，thebluntsquarenose，andthekeenblueeyes。IrecognizedtheFirstSeaLord，theman，theysay，thatmadethenewBritishNavy。
Hepassedmyalcoveandwasusheredintoaroomatthebackofthehall。AsthedooropenedIcouldhearthesoundoflowvoices。
Itshut，andIwasleftaloneagain。
FortwentyminutesIsatthere，wonderingwhatIwastodonext。IwasstillperfectlyconvincedthatIwaswanted，butwhenorhowIhadnonotion。Ikeptlookingatmywatch，andasthetimecreptontohalf-pasttenIbegantothinkthattheconferencemustsoonend。InaquarterofanhourRoyershouldbespeedingalongtheroadtoPortsmouth……
ThenIheardabellring，andthebutlerappeared。Thedoorofthebackroomopened，andtheFirstSeaLordcameout。Hewalkedpastme，andinpassingheglancedinmydirection，andforasecondwelookedeachotherintheface。
Onlyforasecond，butitwasenoughtomakemyheartjump。I
hadneverseenthegreatmanbefore，andhehadneverseenme。
Butinthatfractionoftimesomethingsprangintohiseyes，andthatsomethingwasrecognition。Youcan’tmistakeit。Itisaflicker，asparkoflight，aminuteshadeofdifferencewhichmeansonethingandonethingonly。Itcameinvoluntarily，forinamomentitdied，andhepassedon。InamazeofwildfanciesIheardthestreetdoorclosebehindhim。
Ipickedupthetelephonebookandlookedupthenumberofhishouse。Wewereconnectedatonce，andIheardaservant’svoice。
’IshisLordshipathome？’Iasked。
’HisLordshipreturnedhalfanhourago，’saidthevoice，’andhasgonetobed。Heisnotverywelltonight。Willyouleaveamessage，Sir？’
Irangoffandalmosttumbledintoachair。Mypartinthisbusinesswasnotyetended。Ithadbeenacloseshave，butIhadbeenintime。
Notamomentcouldbelost，soImarchedboldlytothedoorofthatbackroomandenteredwithoutknocking。
Fivesurprisedfaceslookedupfromaroundtable。TherewasSirWalter，andDrewtheWarMinister，whomIknewfromhisphotographs。Therewasaslimelderlyman，whowasprobablyWhittaker，theAdmiraltyofficial，andtherewasGeneralWinStanley，conspicuousfromthelongscaronhisforehead。Lastly，therewasashortstoutmanwithaniron-greymoustacheandbushyeyebrows，whohadbeenarrestedinthemiddleofasentence。
SirWalter’sfaceshowedsurpriseandannoyance。
’ThisisMrHannay，ofwhomIhavespokentoyou，’hesaidapologeticallytothecompany。’I’mafraid，Hannay，thisvisitisill-timed。’
Iwasgettingbackmycoolness。’Thatremainstobeseen，Sir，’I
said;’butIthinkitmaybeinthenickoftime。ForGod’ssake，gentlemen，tellmewhowentoutaminuteago？’
’LordAlloa，’SirWaltersaid，reddeningwithanger。
’Itwasnot，’Icried;’itwashislivingimage，butitwasnotLordAlloa。Itwassomeonewhorecognizedme，someoneIhaveseeninthelastmonth。HehadscarcelyleftthedoorstepwhenIrangupLordAlloa’shouseandwastoldhehadcomeinhalfanhourbeforeandhadgonetobed。’
’Who-who-’someonestammered。
’TheBlackStone，’Icried，andIsatdowninthechairsorecentlyvacatedandlookedroundatfivebadlyscaredgentlemen。
CHAPTERNINE
TheThirty-NineSteps’Nonsense！’saidtheofficialfromtheAdmiralty。
SirWaltergotupandlefttheroomwhilewelookedblanklyatthetable。Hecamebackintenminuteswithalongface。’IhavespokentoAlloa，’hesaid。’Hadhimoutofbed-verygrumpy。HewentstraighthomeafterMulross’sdinner。’
’Butit’smadness，’brokeinGeneralWinstanley。’DoyoumeantotellmethatthatmancamehereandsatbesidemeforthebestpartofhalfanhourandthatIdidn’tdetecttheimposture？Alloamustbeoutofhismind。’
’Don’tyouseetheclevernessofit？’Isaid。’Youweretoointerestedinotherthingstohaveanyeyes。YoutookLordAlloaforgranted。Ifithadbeenanybodyelseyoumighthavelookedmoreclosely，butitwasnaturalforhimtobehere，andthatputyoualltosleep。’
ThentheFrenchmanspoke，veryslowlyandingoodEnglish。
’Theyoungmanisright。Hispsychologyisgood。Ourenemieshavenotbeenfoolish！’
Hebenthiswisebrowsontheassembly。
’Iwilltellyouatale，’hesaid。’IthappenedmanyyearsagoinSenegal。Iwasquarteredinaremotestation，andtopassthetimeusedtogofishingforbigbarbelintheriver。AlittleArabmareusedtocarrymyluncheonbasket-oneofthesalteddunbreedyougotatTimbuctoointheolddays。Well，onemorningIhadgoodsport，andthemarewasunaccountablyrestless。Icouldhearherwhinnyingandsquealingandstampingherfeet，andIkeptsoothingherwithmyvoicewhilemymindwasintentonfish。Icouldseeherallthetime，asIthought，outofacornerofmyeye，tetheredtoatreetwentyyardsaway。AfteracoupleofhoursIbegantothinkoffood。Icollectedmyfishinatarpaulinbag，andmoveddownthestreamtowardsthemare，trollingmyline。WhenIgotuptoherIflungthetarpaulinonherback-’
Hepausedandlookedround。
’Itwasthesmellthatgavemewarning。Iturnedmyheadandfoundmyselflookingatalionthreefeetoff……Anoldman-eater，thatwastheterrorofthevillage……Whatwasleftofthemare，amassofbloodandbonesandhide，wasbehindhim。’
’Whathappened？’Iasked。IwasenoughofahuntertoknowatrueyarnwhenIheardit。
’Istuffedmyfishing-rodintohisjaws，andIhadapistol。Alsomyservantscamepresentlywithrifles。Buthelefthismarkonme。’
Heheldupahandwhichlackedthreefingers。
’Consider，’hesaid。’Themarehadbeendeadmorethananhour，andthebrutehadbeenpatientlywatchingmeeversince。Ineversawthekill，forIwasaccustomedtothemare’sfretting，andI
nevermarkedherabsence，formyconsciousnessofherwasonlyofsomethingtawny，andthelionfilledthatpart。IfIcouldblunderthus，gentlemen，inalandwheremen’ssensesarekeen，whyshouldwebusypreoccupiedurbanfolknoterralso？’
SirWalternodded。Noonewasreadytogainsayhim。
’ButIdon’tsee，’wentonWinstanley。’Theirobjectwastogetthesedispositionswithoutourknowingit。NowitonlyrequiredoneofustomentiontoAlloaourmeetingtonightforthewholefraudtobeexposed。’
SirWalterlaugheddryly。’TheselectionofAlloashowstheiracumen。Whichofuswaslikelytospeaktohimabouttonight？Orwashelikelytoopenthesubject？’
IrememberedtheFirstSeaLord’sreputationfortaciturnityandshortnessoftemper。
’Theonethingthatpuzzlesme，’saidtheGeneral，’iswhatgoodhisvisitherewoulddothatspyfellow？Hecouldnotcarryawayseveralpagesoffiguresandstrangenamesinhishead。’
’Thatisnotdifficult，’theFrenchmanreplied。’Agoodspyistrainedtohaveaphotographicmemory。LikeyourownMacaulay。
Younoticedhesaidnothing，butwentthroughthesepapersagainandagain。Ithinkwemayassumethathehaseverydetailstampedonhismind。WhenIwasyoungerIcoulddothesametrick。’
’Well，Isupposethereisnothingforitbuttochangetheplans，’
saidSirWalterruefully。
Whittakerwaslookingveryglum。’DidyoutellLordAlloawhathashappened？’heasked。’No？Well，Ican’tspeakwithabsoluteassurance，butI’mnearlycertainwecan’tmakeanyseriouschangeunlesswealterthegeographyofEngland。’
’Anotherthingmustbesaid，’itwasRoyerwhospoke。’Italkedfreelywhenthatmanwashere。ItoldsomethingofthemilitaryplansofmyGovernment。Iwaspermittedtosaysomuch。Butthatinformationwouldbeworthmanymillionstoourenemies。No，myfriends，Iseenootherway。Themanwhocamehereandhisconfederatesmustbetaken，andtakenatonce。’
’GoodGod，’Icried，’andwehavenotaragofaclue。’
’Besides，’saidWhittaker，’thereisthepost。Bythistimethenewswillbeonitsway。’
’No，’saidtheFrenchman。’Youdonotunderstandthehabitsofthespy。Hereceivespersonallyhisreward，andhedeliverspersonallyhisintelligence。WeinFranceknowsomethingofthebreed。Thereisstillachance，MESAMIS。Thesemenmustcrossthesea，andthereareshipstobesearchedandportstobewatched。Believeme，theneedisdesperateforbothFranceandBritain。’
Royer’sgravegoodsenseseemedtopullustogether。Hewasthemanofactionamongfumblers。ButIsawnohopeinanyface，andIfeltnone。WhereamongthefiftymillionsoftheseislandsandwithinadozenhourswerewetolayhandsonthethreecleverestroguesinEurope？
ThensuddenlyIhadaninspiration。
’WhereisScudder’sbook？’IcriedtoSirWalter。’Quick，man，I
remembersomethinginit。’
Heunlockedthedoorofabureauandgaveittome。
Ifoundtheplace。THIRTY-NINESTEPS，Iread，andagain，THIRTY-NINE
STEPS-ICOUNTEDTHEM-HIGHTIDE10。17P。M。
TheAdmiraltymanwaslookingatmeasifhethoughtIhadgonemad。
’Don’tyouseeit’saclue，’Ishouted。’Scudderknewwherethesefellowslaired-heknewwheretheyweregoingtoleavethecountry，thoughhekeptthenametohimself。Tomorrowwastheday，anditwassomeplacewherehightidewasat10。17。’
’Theymayhavegonetonight，’someonesaid。
’Notthey。Theyhavetheirownsnugsecretway，andtheywon’tbehurried。IknowGermans，andtheyaremadaboutworkingtoaplan。WherethedevilcanIgetabookofTideTables？’
Whittakerbrightenedup。’It’sachance，’hesaid。’Let’sgoovertotheAdmiralty。’
Wegotintotwoofthewaitingmotor-cars-allbutSirWalter，whowentofftoScotlandYard-to’mobilizeMacGillivray’，sohesaid。
Wemarchedthroughemptycorridorsandbigbarechamberswherethecharwomenwerebusy，tillwereachedalittleroomlinedwithbooksandmaps。Aresidentclerkwasunearthed，whopresentlyfetchedfromthelibrarytheAdmiraltyTideTables。Isatatthedeskandtheothersstoodround，forsomehoworotherIhadgotchargeofthisexpedition。
Itwasnogood。Therewerehundredsofentries，andsofarasI
couldsee10。17mightcoverfiftyplaces。Wehadtofindsomewayofnarrowingthepossibilities。
Itookmyheadinmyhandsandthought。Theremustbesomewayofreadingthisriddle。WhatdidScuddermeanbysteps？I
thoughtofdocksteps，butifhehadmeantthatIdidn’tthinkhewouldhavementionedthenumber。Itmustbesomeplacewheretherewereseveralstaircases，andonemarkedoutfromtheothersbyhavingthirty-ninesteps。
ThenIhadasuddenthought，andhuntedupallthesteamersailings。TherewasnoboatwhichleftfortheContinentat10。17p。m。
Whywashightidesoimportant？Ifitwasaharbouritmustbesomelittleplacewherethetidemattered，orelseitwasaheavy-
draughtboat。Buttherewasnoregularsteamersailingatthathour，andsomehowIdidn’tthinktheywouldtravelbyabigboatfromaregularharbour。Soitmustbesomelittleharbourwherethetidewasimportant，orperhapsnoharbouratall。
ButifitwasalittleportIcouldn’tseewhatthestepssignified。
TherewerenosetsofstaircasesonanyharbourthatIhadeverseen。Itmustbesomeplacewhichaparticularstaircaseidentified，andwherethetidewasfullat10。17。Onthewholeitseemedtomethattheplacemustbeabitofopencoast。Butthestaircaseskeptpuzzlingme。
ThenIwentbacktowiderconsiderations。WhereaboutswouldamanbelikelytoleaveforGermany，amaninahurry，whowantedaspeedyandasecretpassage？Notfromanyofthebigharbours。
AndnotfromtheChannelortheWestCoastorScotland，for，remember，hewasstartingfromLondon。Imeasuredthedistanceonthemap，andtriedtoputmyselfintheenemy’sshoes。I
shouldtryforOstendorAntwerporRotterdam，andIshouldsailfromsomewhereontheEastCoastbetweenCromerandDover。
Allthiswasverylooseguessing，andIdon’tpretenditwasingeniousorscientific。Iwasn’tanykindofSherlockHolmes。ButI
havealwaysfanciedIhadakindofinstinctaboutquestionslikethis。Idon’tknowifIcanexplainmyself，butIusedtousemybrainsasfarastheywent，andaftertheycametoablankwallI
guessed，andIusuallyfoundmyguessesprettyright。
SoIsetoutallmyconclusionsonabitofAdmiraltypaper。Theyranlikethis：
FAIRLYCERTAIN
（1）Placewherethereareseveralsetsofstairs;onethatmattersdistinguishedbyhavingthirty-ninesteps。
（2）Fulltideat10。17p。m。Leavingshoreonlypossibleatfulltide。
（3）Stepsnotdocksteps，andsoplaceprobablynotharbour。
（4）Noregularnightsteamerat10。17。Meansoftransportmustbetramp（unlikely），yacht，orfishing-boat。
Theremyreasoningstopped。Imadeanotherlist，whichIheaded’Guessed’，butIwasjustassureoftheoneastheother。
GUESSED
（1）Placenotharbourbutopencoast。
（2）Boatsmall-trawler，yacht，orlaunch。
（3）PlacesomewhereonEastCoastbetweenCromerandDover。
itstruckmeasoddthatIshouldbesittingatthatdeskwithaCabinetMinister，aField-Marshal，twohighGovernmentofficials，andaFrenchGeneralwatchingme，whilefromthescribbleofadeadmanIwastryingtodragasecretwhichmeantlifeordeathforus。
SirWalterhadjoinedus，andpresentlyMacGillivrayarrived。HehadsentoutinstructionstowatchtheportsandrailwaystationsforthethreemenwhomIhaddescribedtoSirWalter。Notthatheoranybodyelsethoughtthatthatwoulddomuchgood。
’Here’sthemostIcanmakeofit，’Isaid。’Wehavegottofindaplacewherethereareseveralstaircasesdowntothebeach，oneofwhichhasthirty-ninesteps。Ithinkit’sapieceofopencoastwithbiggishcliffs，somewherebetweentheWashandtheChannel。Alsoit’saplacewherefulltideisat10。17tomorrownight。’
Thenanideastruckme。’IstherenoInspectorofCoastguardsorsomefellowlikethatwhoknowstheEastCoast？’
Whittakersaidtherewas，andthathelivedinClapham。Hewentoffinacartofetchhim，andtherestofussataboutthelittleroomandtalkedofanythingthatcameintoourheads。Ilitapipeandwentoverthewholethingagaintillmybraingrewweary。
Aboutoneinthemorningthecoastguardmanarrived。Hewasafineoldfellow，withthelookofanavalofficer，andwasdesperatelyrespectfultothecompany。IlefttheWarMinistertocross-examinehim，forIfelthewouldthinkitcheekinmetotalk。
’WewantyoutotellustheplacesyouknowontheEastCoastwheretherearecliffs，andwhereseveralsetsofstepsrundowntothebeach。’
Hethoughtforabit。’Whatkindofstepsdoyoumean，Sir？
Thereareplentyofplaceswithroadscutdownthroughthecliffs，andmostroadshaveasteportwointhem。Ordoyoumeanregularstaircases-allsteps，sotospeak？’
SirArthurlookedtowardsme。’Wemeanregularstaircases，’Isaid。
Hereflectedaminuteortwo。’Idon’tknowthatIcanthinkofany。Waitasecond。There’saplaceinNorfolk-Brattlesham-
besideagolf-course，wherethereareacoupleofstaircases，toletthegentlemengetalostball。’
’That’snotit，’Isaid。
’ThenthereareplentyofMarineParades，ifthat’swhatyoumean。Everyseasideresorthasthem。’
Ishookmyhead。
’It’sgottobemoreretiredthanthat，’Isaid。
’Well，gentlemen，Ican’tthinkofanywhereelse。Ofcourse，there’stheRuff-’
’What’sthat？’Iasked。
’ThebigchalkheadlandinKent，closetoBradgate。It’sgotalotofvillasonthetop，andsomeofthehouseshavestaircasesdowntoaprivatebeach。It’saveryhigh-tonedsortofplace，andtheresidentsthereliketokeepbythemselves。’
ItoreopentheTideTablesandfoundBradgate。Hightidetherewasat10。17P。m。onthe15thofJune。
’We’reonthescentatlast，’Icriedexcitedly。’HowcanIfindoutwhatisthetideattheRuff？’
’Icantellyouthat，Sir，’saidthecoastguardman。’Ioncewaslentahousethereinthisverymonth，andIusedtogooutatnighttothedeep-seafishing。Thetide’stenminutesbeforeBradgate。’
Iclosedthebookandlookedroundatthecompany。
’Ifoneofthosestaircaseshasthirty-ninestepswehavesolvedthemystery，gentlemen，’Isaid。’Iwanttheloanofyourcar，SirWalter，andamapoftheroads。IfMrMacGillivraywillsparemetenminutes，Ithinkwecanpreparesomethingfortomorrow。’
Itwasridiculousinmetotakechargeofthebusinesslikethis，buttheydidn’tseemtomind，andafterallIhadbeenintheshowfromthestart。Besides，Iwasusedtoroughjobs，andtheseeminentgentlemenweretooclevernottoseeit。ItwasGeneralRoyerwhogavememycommission。’Iforone，’hesaid，’amcontenttoleavethematterinMrHannay’shands。’
Byhalf-pastthreeIwastearingpastthemoonlithedgerowsofKent，withMacGillivray’sbestmanontheseatbesideme。
CHAPTERTEN
VariousPartiesConvergingontheSeaApinkandblueJunemorningfoundmeatBradgatelookingfromtheGriffinHoteloverasmoothseatothelightshipontheCocksandswhichseemedthesizeofabell-buoy。Acoupleofmilesfarthersouthandmuchnearertheshoreasmalldestroyerwasanchored。Scaife，MacGillivray’sman，whohadbeenintheNavy，knewtheboat，andtoldmehernameandhercommander’s，soI
sentoffawiretoSirWalter。
AfterbreakfastScaifegotfromahouse-agentakeyforthegatesofthestaircasesontheRuff。Iwalkedwithhimalongthesands，andsatdowninanookofthecliffswhileheinvestigatedthehalf-
dozenofthem。Ididn’twanttobeseen，buttheplaceatthishourwasquitedeserted，andallthetimeIwasonthatbeachIsawnothingbutthesea-gulls。
Ittookhimmorethananhourtodothejob，andwhenIsawhimcomingtowardsme，conningabitofpaper，Icantellyoumyheartwasinmymouth。Everythingdepended，yousee，onmyguessprovingright。
Hereadaloudthenumberofstepsinthedifferentstairs。’Thirty-
four，thirty-five，thirty-nine，forty-two，forty-seven，’and’twenty-
one’wherethecliffsgrewlower。Ialmostgotupandshouted。
WehurriedbacktothetownandsentawiretoMacGillivray。I
wantedhalfadozenmen，andIdirectedthemtodividethemselvesamongdifferentspecifiedhotels。ThenScaifesetouttoprospectthehouseattheheadofthethirty-ninesteps。
Hecamebackwithnewsthatbothpuzzledandreassuredme。
ThehousewascalledTrafalgarLodge，andbelongedtoanoldgentlemancalledAppleton-aretiredstockbroker，thehouse-agentsaid。MrAppletonwasthereagooddealinthesummertime，andwasinresidencenow-hadbeenforthebetterpartofaweek。
Scaifecouldpickupverylittleinformationabouthim，exceptthathewasadecentoldfellow，whopaidhisbillsregularly，andwasalwaysgoodforafiverforalocalcharity。ThenScaifeseemedtohavepenetratedtothebackdoorofthehouse，pretendinghewasanagentforsewing-machines。Onlythreeservantswerekept，acook，aparlour-maid，andahousemaid，andtheywerejustthesortthatyouwouldfindinarespectablemiddle-classhousehold。Thecookwasnotthegossipingkind，andhadprettysoonshutthedoorinhisface，butScaifesaidhewaspositivesheknewnothing。Nextdoortherewasanewhousebuildingwhichwouldgivegoodcoverforobservation，andthevillaontheothersidewastolet，anditsgardenwasroughandshrubby。
IborrowedScaife’stelescope，andbeforelunchwentforawalkalongtheRuff。Ikeptwellbehindtherowsofvillas，andfoundagoodobservationpointontheedgeofthegolf-course。ThereIhadaviewofthelineofturfalongtheclifftop，withseatsplacedatintervals，andthelittlesquareplots，railedinandplantedwithbushes，whencethestaircasesdescendedtothebeach。IsawTrafalgarLodgeveryplainly，ared-brickvillawithaveranda，atennislawnbehind，andinfronttheordinaryseasideflower-gardenfullofmargueritesandscraggygeraniums。TherewasaflagstafffromwhichanenormousUnionJackhunglimplyinthestillair。
PresentlyIobservedsomeoneleavethehouseandsaunteralongthecliff。WhenIgotmyglassesonhimIsawitwasanoldman，wearingwhiteflanneltrousers，abluesergejacket，andastrawhat。
Hecarriedfield-glassesandanewspaper，andsatdownononeoftheironseatsandbegantoread。Sometimeshewouldlaydownthepaperandturnhisglassesonthesea。Helookedforalongtimeatthedestroyer。Iwatchedhimforhalfanhour，tillhegotupandwentbacktothehouseforhisluncheon，whenIreturnedtothehotelformine。
Iwasn’tfeelingveryconfident。Thisdecentcommon-placedwellingwasnotwhatIhadexpected。Themanmightbethebaldarchaeologistofthathorriblemoorlandfarm，orhemightnot。Hewasexactlythekindofsatisfiedoldbirdyouwillfindineverysuburbandeveryholidayplace。Ifyouwantedatypeoftheperfectlyharmlesspersonyouwouldprobablypitchonthat。
Butafterlunch，asIsatinthehotelporch，Iperkedup，forIsawthethingIhadhopedforandhaddreadedtomiss。AyachtcameupfromthesouthanddroppedanchorprettywelloppositetheRuff。Sheseemedaboutahundredandfiftytons，andIsawshebelongedtotheSquadronfromthewhiteensign。SoScaifeandI
wentdowntotheharbourandhiredaboatmanforanafternoon’sfishing。
Ispentawarmandpeacefulafternoon。Wecaughtbetweenusabouttwentypoundsofcodandlythe，andoutinthatdancingblueseaItookacheerierviewofthings。AbovethewhitecliffsoftheRuffIsawthegreenandredofthevillas，andespeciallythegreatflagstaffofTrafalgarLodge。Aboutfouro’clock，whenwehadfishedenough，Imadetheboatmanrowusroundtheyacht，whichlaylikeadelicatewhitebird，readyatamomenttoflee。Scaifesaidshemustbeafastboatforherbuild，andthatshewasprettyheavilyengined。
HernamewastheARIADNE，asIdiscoveredfromthecapofoneofthemenwhowaspolishingbrasswork。Ispoketohim，andgotananswerinthesoftdialectofEssex。AnotherhandthatcamealongpassedmethetimeofdayinanunmistakableEnglishtongue。Ourboatmanhadanargumentwithoneofthemabouttheweather，andforafewminuteswelayonouroarsclosetothestarboardbow。
Thenthemensuddenlydisregardedusandbenttheirheadstotheirworkasanofficercamealongthedeck。Hewasapleasant，clean-lookingyoungfellow，andheputaquestiontousaboutourfishinginverygoodEnglish。Buttherecouldbenodoubtabouthim。Hisclose-croppedheadandthecutofhiscollarandtienevercameoutofEngland。
Thatdidsomethingtoreassureme，butaswerowedbacktoBradgatemyobstinatedoubtswouldnotbedismissed。ThethingthatworriedmewasthereflectionthatmyenemiesknewthatIhadgotmyknowledgefromScudder，anditwasScudderwhohadgivenmethecluetothisplace。IftheyknewthatScudderhadthisclue，wouldtheynotbecertaintochangetheirplans？Toomuchdependedontheirsuccessforthemtotakeanyrisks。ThewholequestionwashowmuchtheyunderstoodaboutScudder’sknowledge。IhadtalkedconfidentlylastnightaboutGermansalwaysstickingtoascheme，butiftheyhadanysuspicionsthatIwasontheirtracktheywouldbefoolsnottocoverit。IwonderedifthemanlastnighthadseenthatIrecognizedhim。SomehowIdidnotthinkhehad，andtothatIhadclung。ButthewholebusinesshadneverseemedsodifficultasthatafternoonwhenbyallcalculationsIshouldhavebeenrejoicinginassuredsuccess。
InthehotelImetthecommanderofthedestroyer，towhomScaifeintroducedme，andwithwhomIhadafewwords。ThenI
thoughtIwouldputinanhourortwowatchingTrafalgarLodge。
Ifoundaplacefartherupthehill，inthegardenofanemptyhouse。FromthereIhadafullviewofthecourt，onwhichtwofigureswerehavingagameoftennis。Onewastheoldman，whomIhadalreadyseen;theotherwasayoungerfellow，wearingsomeclubcoloursinthescarfroundhismiddle。Theyplayedwithtremendouszest，liketwocitygentswhowantedhardexercisetoopentheirpores。Youcouldn’tconceiveamoreinnocentspectacle。Theyshoutedandlaughedandstoppedfordrinks，whenamaidbroughtouttwotankardsonasalver。IrubbedmyeyesandaskedmyselfifIwasnotthemostimmortalfoolonearth。MysteryanddarknesshadhungaboutthemenwhohuntedmeovertheScotchmoorinaeroplaneandmotor-car，andnotablyaboutthatinfernalantiquarian。
ItwaseasyenoughtoconnectthosefolkwiththeknifethatpinnedScuddertothefloor，andwithfelldesignsontheworld’speace。Buthereweretwoguilelesscitizenstakingtheirinnocuousexercise，andsoonabouttogoindoorstoahumdrumdinner，wheretheywouldtalkofmarketpricesandthelastcricketscoresandthegossipoftheirnativeSurbiton。Ihadbeenmakinganettocatchvulturesandfalcons，andloandbehold！twoplumpthrusheshadblunderedintoit。
Presentlyathirdfigurearrived，ayoungmanonabicycle，withabagofgolf-clubsslungonhisback。Hestrolledroundtothetennislawnandwaswelcomedriotouslybytheplayers。Evidentlytheywerechaffinghim，andtheirchaffsoundedhorriblyEnglish。Thentheplumpman，moppinghisbrowwithasilkhandkerchief，announcedthathemusthaveatub。Iheardhisverywords-’I’vegotintoaproperlather，’hesaid。’Thiswillbringdownmyweightandmyhandicap，Bob。I’lltakeyouontomorrowandgiveyouastrokeahole。’Youcouldn’tfindanythingmuchmoreEnglishthanthat。
Theyallwentintothehouse，andleftmefeelingapreciousidiot。
Ihadbeenbarkingupthewrongtreethistime。Thesemenmightbeacting;butiftheywere，wherewastheiraudience？Theydidn’tknowIwassittingthirtyyardsoffinarhododendron。Itwassimplyimpossibletobelievethatthesethreeheartyfellowswereanythingbutwhattheyseemed-threeordinary，game-playing，suburbanEnglishmen，wearisome，ifyoulike，butsordidlyinnocent。
Andyettherewerethreeofthem;andonewasold，andonewasplump，andonewasleananddark;andtheirhousechimedinwithScudder’snotes;andhalfamileoffwaslyingasteamyachtwithatleastoneGermanofficer。IthoughtofKarolideslyingdeadandallEuropetremblingontheedgeofearthquake，andthemenIhadleftbehindmeinLondonwhowerewaitinganxiouslyfortheeventsofthenexthours。Therewasnodoubtthathellwasafootsomewhere。TheBlackStonehadwon，andifitsurvivedthisJunenightwouldbankitswinnings。
Thereseemedonlyonethingtodo-goforwardasifIhadnodoubts，andifIwasgoingtomakeafoolofmyselftodoithandsomely。NeverinmylifehaveIfacedajobwithgreaterdisinclination。Iwouldratherinmythenmindhavewalkedintoadenofanarchists，eachwithhisBrowninghandy，orfacedacharginglionwithapopgun，thanenterthathappyhomeofthreecheerfulEnglishmenandtellthemthattheirgamewasup。Howtheywouldlaughatme！
ButsuddenlyIrememberedathingIonceheardinRhodesiafromoldPeterPienaar。IhavequotedPeteralreadyinthisnarrative。
HewasthebestscoutIeverknew，andbeforehehadturnedrespectablehehadbeenprettyoftenonthewindysideofthelaw，whenhehadbeenwantedbadlybytheauthorities。Peteroncediscussedwithmethequestionofdisguises，andhehadatheorywhichstruckmeatthetime。Hesaid，barringabsolutecertaintieslikefingerprints，merephysicaltraitswereverylittleuseforidentificationifthefugitivereallyknewhisbusiness。Helaughedatthingslikedyedhairandfalsebeardsandsuchchildishfollies。TheonlythingthatmatteredwaswhatPetercalled’atmosphere’。
Ifamancouldgetintoperfectlydifferentsurroundingsfromthoseinwhichhehadbeenfirstobserved，and-thisistheimportantpart-reallyplayuptothesesurroundingsandbehaveasifhehadneverbeenoutofthem，hewouldpuzzlethecleverestdetectivesonearth。Andheusedtotellastoryofhowheonceborrowedablackcoatandwenttochurchandsharedthesamehymn-bookwiththemanthatwaslookingforhim。Ifthatmanhadseenhimindecentcompanybeforehewouldhaverecognizedhim;
buthehadonlyseenhimsnuffingthelightsinapublic-housewitharevolver。
TherecollectionofPeter’stalkgavemethefirstrealcomfortthatIhadhadthatday。Peterhadbeenawiseoldbird，andthesefellowsIwasafterwereaboutthepickoftheaviary。WhatiftheywereplayingPeter’sgame？Afooltriestolookdifferent：aclevermanlooksthesameandisdifferent。
Again，therewasthatothermaximofPeter’swhichhadhelpedmewhenIhadbeenaroadman。’Ifyouareplayingapart，youwillneverkeepitupunlessyouconvinceyourselfthatyouareit。’Thatwouldexplainthegameoftennis。Thosechapsdidn’tneedtoact，theyjustturnedahandleandpassedintoanotherlife，whichcameasnaturallytothemasthefirst。Itsoundsaplatitude，butPeterusedtosaythatitwasthebigsecretofallthefamouscriminals。
Itwasnowgettingonforeighto’clock，andIwentbackandsawScaifetogivehimhisinstructions。Iarrangedwithhimhowtoplacehismen，andthenIwentforawalk，forIdidn’tfeeluptoanydinner。Iwentroundthedesertedgolf-course，andthentoapointonthecliffsfarthernorthbeyondthelineofthevillas。
Onthelittletrimnewly-maderoadsImetpeopleinflannelscomingbackfromtennisandthebeach，andacoastguardfromthewirelessstation，anddonkeysandpierrotspaddinghomewards。
OutatseaintheblueduskIsawlightsappearontheARIADNEandonthedestroyerawaytothesouth，andbeyondtheCocksandsthebiggerlightsofsteamersmakingfortheThames。ThewholescenewassopeacefulandordinarythatIgotmoredashedinspiritseverysecond。IttookallmyresolutiontostrolltowardsTrafalgarLodgeabouthalf-pastnine。
OnthewayIgotapieceofsolidcomfortfromthesightofagreyhoundthatwasswingingalongatanursemaid’sheels。HeremindedmeofadogIusedtohaveinRhodesia，andofthetimewhenItookhimhuntingwithmeinthePalihills。Wewereafterrhebok，thedunkind，andIrecollectedhowwehadfollowedonebeast，andbothheandIhadcleanlostit。Agreyhoundworksbysight，andmyeyesaregoodenough，butthatbucksimplyleakedoutofthelandscape。AfterwardsIfoundouthowitmanagedit。
Againstthegreyrockofthekopjesitshowednomorethanacrowagainstathundercloud。Itdidn’tneedtorunaway;allithadtodowastostandstillandmeltintothebackground。
SuddenlyasthesememorieschasedacrossmybrainIthoughtofmypresentcaseandappliedthemoral。TheBlackStonedidn’tneedtobolt。Theywerequietlyabsorbedintothelandscape。Iwasontherighttrack，andIjammedthatdowninmymindandvowednevertoforgetit。ThelastwordwaswithPeterPienaar。
Scaife’smenwouldbepostednow，buttherewasnosignofasoul。Thehousestoodasopenasamarket-placeforanybodytoobserve。Athree-footrailingseparateditfromthecliffroad;thewindowsontheground-floorwereallopen，andshadedlightsandthelowsoundofvoicesrevealedwheretheoccupantswerefinishingdinner。Everythingwasaspublicandabove-boardasacharitybazaar。Feelingthegreatestfoolonearth，Iopenedthegateandrangthebell。
Amanofmysort，whohastravelledabouttheworldinroughplaces，getsonperfectlywellwithtwoclasses，whatyoumaycalltheupperandthelower。Heunderstandsthemandtheyunderstandhim。Iwasathomewithherdsandtrampsandroadmen，andIwassufficientlyatmyeasewithpeoplelikeSirWalterandthemenI
hadmetthenightbefore。Ican’texplainwhy，butitisafact。Butwhatfellowslikemedon’tunderstandisthegreatcomfortable，satisfiedmiddle-classworld，thefolkthatliveinvillasandsuburbs。
Hedoesn’tknowhowtheylookatthings，hedoesn’tunderstandtheirconventions，andheisasshyofthemasofablackmamba。
Whenatrimparlour-maidopenedthedoor，Icouldhardlyfindmyvoice。
IaskedforMrAppleton，andwasusheredin。Myplanhadbeentowalkstraightintothedining-room，andbyasuddenappearancewakeinthementhatstartofrecognitionwhichwouldconfirmmytheory。ButwhenIfoundmyselfinthatneathalltheplacemasteredme。Therewerethegolf-clubsandtennis-rackets，thestrawhatsandcaps，therowsofgloves，thesheafofwalking-sticks，whichyouwillfindintenthousandBritishhomes。Astackofneatlyfoldedcoatsandwaterproofscoveredthetopofanoldoakchest;
therewasagrandfatherclockticking;andsomepolishedbrasswarming-pansonthewalls，andabarometer，andaprintofChilternwinningtheStLeger。TheplacewasasorthodoxasanAnglicanchurch。WhenthemaidaskedmeformynameIgaveitautomatically，andwasshownintothesmoking-room，ontherightsideofthehall。
Thatroomwasevenworse。Ihadn’ttimetoexamineit，butI
couldseesomeframedgroupphotographsabovethemantelpiece，andIcouldhavesworntheywereEnglishpublicschoolorcollege。
Ihadonlyoneglance，forImanagedtopullmyselftogetherandgoafterthemaid。ButIwastoolate。Shehadalreadyenteredthedining-roomandgivenmynametohermaster，andIhadmissedthechanceofseeinghowthethreetookit。
WhenIwalkedintotheroomtheoldmanattheheadofthetablehadrisenandturnedroundtomeetme。Hewasineveningdress-ashortcoatandblacktie，aswastheother，whomIcalledinmyownmindtheplumpone。Thethird，thedarkfellow，woreabluesergesuitandasoftwhitecollar，andthecoloursofsomecluborschool。
Theoldman’smannerwasperfect。’MrHannay？’hesaidhesitatingly。’Didyouwishtoseeme？Onemoment，youfellows，andI’llrejoinyou。Wehadbettergotothesmoking-room。’
ThoughIhadn’tanounceofconfidenceinme，Iforcedmyselftoplaythegame。Ipulledupachairandsatdownonit。
’Ithinkwehavemetbefore，’Isaid，’andIguessyouknowmybusiness。’
Thelightintheroomwasdim，butsofarasIcouldseetheirfaces，theyplayedthepartofmystificationverywell。
’Maybe，maybe，’saidtheoldman。’Ihaven’taverygoodmemory，butI’mafraidyoumusttellmeyourerrand，Sir，forIreallydon’tknowit。’
’Well，then，’Isaid，andallthetimeIseemedtomyselftobetalkingpurefoolishness-’Ihavecometotellyouthatthegame’sup。Ihaveawarrantforthearrestofyouthreegentlemen。’
’Arrest，’saidtheoldman，andhelookedreallyshocked。’Arrest！
GoodGod，whatfor？’
’ForthemurderofFranklinScudderinLondononthe23rddayoflastmonth。’
’Ineverheardthenamebefore，’saidtheoldmaninadazedvoice。
Oneoftheothersspokeup。’ThatwasthePortlandPlacemurder。
Ireadaboutit。Goodheavens，youmustbemad，Sir！Wheredoyoucomefrom？’
’ScotlandYard，’Isaid。
Afterthatforaminutetherewasuttersilence。Theoldmanwasstaringathisplateandfumblingwithanut，theverymodelofinnocentbewilderment。
Thentheplumponespokeup。Hestammeredalittle，likeamanpickinghiswords。
’Don’tgetflustered，uncle，’hesaid。’Itisallaridiculousmistake;
butthesethingshappensometimes，andwecaneasilysetitright。Itwon’tbehardtoproveourinnocence。IcanshowthatIwasoutofthecountryonthe23rdofMay，andBobwasinanursinghome。
YouwereinLondon，butyoucanexplainwhatyouweredoing。’
’Right，Percy！Ofcoursethat’seasyenough。The23rd！ThatwasthedayafterAgatha’swedding。Letmesee。WhatwasIdoing？I
cameupinthemorningfromWoking，andlunchedattheclubwithCharlieSymons。Then-ohyes，IdinedwiththeFishmongers。I
remember，forthepunchdidn’tagreewithme，andIwasseedynextmorning。Hangitall，there’sthecigar-boxIbroughtbackfromthedinner。’Hepointedtoanobjectonthetable，andlaughednervously。
’Ithink，Sir，’saidtheyoungman，addressingmerespectfully，’youwillseeyouaremistaken。WewanttoassistthelawlikeallEnglishmen，andwedon’twantScotlandYardtobemakingfoolsofthemselves。That’sso，uncle？’
’Certainly，Bob。’Theoldfellowseemedtoberecoveringhisvoice。’Certainly，we’lldoanythinginourpowertoassisttheauthorities。But-butthisisabittoomuch。Ican’tgetoverit。’
’HowNelliewillchuckle，’saidtheplumpman。’Shealwayssaidthatyouwoulddieofboredombecausenothingeverhappenedtoyou。Andnowyou’vegotitthickandstrong，’andhebegantolaughverypleasantly。
’ByJove，yes。justthinkofit！Whatastorytotellattheclub。
Really，MrHannay，IsupposeIshouldbeangry，toshowmyinnocence，butit’stoofunny！Ialmostforgiveyouthefrightyougaveme！Youlookedsoglum，IthoughtImighthavebeenwalkinginmysleepandkillingpeople。’
Itcouldn’tbeacting，itwastooconfoundedlygenuine。Myheartwentintomyboots，andmyfirstimpulsewastoapologizeandclearout。ButItoldmyselfImustseeitthrough，eventhoughI
wastobethelaughing-stockofBritain。Thelightfromthedinner-
tablecandlestickswasnotverygood，andtocovermyconfusionI
gotup，walkedtothedoorandswitchedontheelectriclight。Thesuddenglaremadethemblink，andIstoodscanningthethreefaces。
Well，Imadenothingofit。Onewasoldandbald，onewasstout，onewasdarkandthin。TherewasnothingintheirappearancetopreventthembeingthethreewhohadhuntedmeinScotland，buttherewasnothingtoidentifythem。1simplycan’texplainwhyI
who，asaroadman，hadlookedintotwopairsofeyes，andasNedAinslieintoanotherpair，whyI，whohaveagoodmemoryandreasonablepowersofobservation，couldfindnosatisfaction。Theyseemedexactlywhattheyprofessedtobe，andIcouldnothavesworntooneofthem。
Thereinthatpleasantdining-room，withetchingsonthewalls，andapictureofanoldladyinabibabovethemantelpiece，Icouldseenothingtoconnectthemwiththemoorlanddesperadoes。Therewasasilvercigarette-boxbesideme，andIsawthatithadbeenwonbyPercivalAppleton，Esq。，oftheStBede’sClub，inagolftournament。
IhadtokeepafirmholdofPeterPienaartopreventmyselfboltingoutofthathouse。
’Well，’saidtheoldmanpolitely，’areyoureassuredbyyourscrutiny，Sir？’
Icouldn’tfindaword。
’Ihopeyou’llfinditconsistentwithyourdutytodropthisridiculousbusiness。Imakenocomplaint，butyou’llseehowannoyingitmustbetorespectablepeople。’
Ishookmyhead。
’OLord，’saidtheyoungman。’Thisisabittoothick！’
’Doyouproposetomarchusofftothepolicestation？’askedtheplumpone。’Thatmightbethebestwayoutofit，butIsupposeyouwon’tbecontentwiththelocalbranch。Ihavetherighttoasktoseeyourwarrant，butIdon’twishtocastanyaspersionsuponyou。Youareonlydoingyourduty。Butyou’lladmitit’shorriblyawkward。Whatdoyouproposetodo？’
Therewasnothingtodoexcepttocallinmymenandhavethemarrested，ortoconfessmyblunderandclearout。Ifeltmesmerizedbythewholeplace，bytheairofobviousinnocence-notinnocencemerely，butfrankhonestbewildermentandconcerninthethreefaces。
’Oh，PeterPienaar，’Igroanedinwardly，andforamomentIwasveryneardamningmyselfforafoolandaskingtheirpardon。
’MeantimeIvotewehaveagameofbridge，’saidtheplumpone。
’ItwillgiveMrHannaytimetothinkoverthings，andyouknowwehavebeenwantingafourthplayer。Doyouplay，Sir？’
Iacceptedasifithadbeenanordinaryinvitationattheclub。
Thewholebusinesshadmesmerizedme。Wewentintothesmoking-roomwhereacard-tablewassetout，andIwasofferedthingstosmokeanddrink。Itookmyplaceatthetableinakindofdream。Thewindowwasopenandthemoonwasfloodingthecliffsandseawithagreattideofyellowlight。Therewasmoonshine，too，inmyhead。Thethreehadrecoveredtheircomposure，andweretalkingeasily-justthekindofslangytalkyouwillhearinanygolfclub-house。Imusthavecutarumfigure，sittingthereknittingmybrowswithmyeyeswandering。
Mypartnerwastheyoungdarkone。Iplayafairhandatbridge，butImusthavebeenrankbadthatnight。Theysawthattheyhadgotmepuzzled，andthatputthemmorethaneverattheirease。I
keptlookingattheirfaces，buttheyconveyednothingtome。Itwasnotthattheylookeddifferent;theyweredifferent。IclungdesperatelytothewordsofPeterPienaar。
Thensomethingawokeme。
Theoldmanlaiddownhishandtolightacigar。Hedidn’tpickitupatonce，butsatbackforamomentinhischair，withhisfingerstappingonhisknees。
ItwasthemovementIrememberedwhenIhadstoodbeforehiminthemoorlandfarm，withthepistolsofhisservantsbehindme。
Alittlething，lastingonlyasecond，andtheoddswereathousandtoonethatImighthavehadmyeyesonmycardsatthetimeandmissedit。ButIdidn’t，and，inaflash，theairseemedtoclear。Someshadowliftedfrommybrain，andIwaslookingatthethreemenwithfullandabsoluterecognition。
Theclockonthemantelpiecestruckteno’clock。
Thethreefacesseemedtochangebeforemyeyesandrevealtheirsecrets。Theyoungonewasthemurderer。NowIsawcrueltyandruthlessness，wherebeforeIhadonlyseengood-humour。Hisknife，Imadecertain，hadskeweredScuddertothefloor。HiskindhadputthebulletinKarolides。
Theplumpman’sfeaturesseemedtodislimn，andformagain，asIlookedatthem。Hehadn’taface，onlyahundredmasksthathecouldassumewhenhepleased。Thatchapmusthavebeenasuperbactor。PerhapshehadbeenLordAlloaofthenightbefore;perhapsnot;itdidn’tmatter。IwonderedifhewasthefellowwhohadfirsttrackedScudder，andlefthiscardonhim。Scudderhadsaidhelisped，andIcouldimaginehowtheadoptionofalispmightaddterror。
Buttheoldmanwasthepickofthelot。Hewassheerbrain，icy，cool，calculating，asruthlessasasteamhammer。NowthatmyeyeswereopenedIwonderedwhereIhadseenthebenevolence。Hisjawwaslikechilledsteel，andhiseyeshadtheinhumanluminosityofabird’s。Iwentonplaying，andeverysecondagreaterhatewelledupinmyheart。Italmostchokedme，andIcouldn’tanswerwhenmypartnerspoke。OnlyalittlelongercouldIenduretheircompany。
’Whew！Bob！Lookatthetime，’saidtheoldman。’You’dbetterthinkaboutcatchingyourtrain。Bob’sgottogototowntonight，’
headded，turningtome。Thevoicerangnowasfalseashell。
Ilookedattheclock，anditwasnearlyhalf-pastten。
’Iamafraidhemustputoffhisjourney，’Isaid。
’Oh，damn，’saidtheyoungman。’Ithoughtyouhaddroppedthatrot。I’vesimplygottogo。Youcanhavemyaddress，andI’llgiveanysecurityyoulike。’
’No，’Isaid，’youmuststay。’
AtthatIthinktheymusthaverealizedthatthegamewasdesperate。
TheironlychancehadbeentoconvincemethatIwasplayingthefool，andthathadfailed。Buttheoldmanspokeagain。
’I’llgobailformynephew。Thatoughttocontentyou，MrHannay。’Wasitfancy，ordidIdetectsomehaltinthesmoothnessofthatvoice？
Theremusthavebeen，forasIglancedathim，hiseyelidsfellinthathawk-likehoodwhichfearhadstampedonmymemory。
Iblewmywhistle。
Inaninstantthelightswereout。Apairofstrongarmsgrippedmeroundthewaist，coveringthepocketsinwhichamanmightbeexpectedtocarryapistol。
’SCHNELL，FRANZ，’criedavoice，’DASBOOT，DASBOOT！’AsitspokeI
sawtwoofmyfellowsemergeonthemoonlitlawn。
Theyoungdarkmanleaptforthewindow，wasthroughit，andoverthelowfencebeforeahandcouldtouchhim。Igrappledtheoldchap，andtheroomseemedtofillwithfigures。Isawtheplumponecollared，butmyeyeswereallfortheout-of-doors，whereFranzspedonovertheroadtowardstherailedentrancetothebeachstairs。Onemanfollowedhim，buthehadnochance。Thegateofthestairslockedbehindthefugitive，andIstoodstaring，withmyhandsontheoldboy’sthroat，forsuchatimeasamanmighttaketodescendthosestepstothesea。
Suddenlymyprisonerbrokefrommeandflunghimselfonthewall。Therewasaclickasifaleverhadbeenpulled。Thencamealowrumblingfar，farbelowtheground，andthroughthewindowI
sawacloudofchalkydustpouringoutoftheshaftofthestairway。
Someoneswitchedonthelight。
Theoldmanwaslookingatmewithblazingeyes。
’Heissafe，’hecried。’Youcannotfollowintime……Heisgone……Hehastriumphed……DERSCHWARZESTEINISTINDER
SIEGESKRONE。’
Therewasmoreinthoseeyesthananycommontriumph。Theyhadbeenhoodedlikeabirdofprey，andnowtheyflamedwithahawk’spride。Awhitefanaticheatburnedinthem，andIrealizedforthefirsttimetheterriblethingIhadbeenupagainst。Thismanwasmorethanaspy;inhisfoulwayhehadbeenapatriot。
AsthehandcuffsclinkedonhiswristsIsaidmylastwordtohim。
’IhopeFranzwillbearhistriumphwell。IoughttotellyouthattheARIADNEforthelasthourhasbeeninourhands。’
Threeweekslater，asalltheworldknows，wewenttowar。IjoinedtheNewArmythefirstweek，andowingtomyMatabeleexperiencegotacaptain’scommissionstraightoff。ButIhaddonemybestservice，Ithink，beforeIputonkhaki。