"Asnakegotintoyourhen-runyesterdaymorningandkilledsixoutofsevenpullets，firstmesmerisingthemwithitseyesandthenbitingthemastheystoodhelpless。TheseventhpulletwasoneofthatFrenchsort，withfeathersalloveritseyes，soitescapedthemesmericsnare，andjustflewatwhatitcouldseeofthesnakeandpeckedittopieces。"
　　"Thankyou，"saidBlenkinthropestiffly；"it'saverycleverinvention。Ifsuchathinghadreallyhappenedinmypoultry-runIadmitIshouldhavebeenproudandinterestedtotellpeopleaboutit。ButI'drathersticktofact，evenifitisplainfact。"AllthesamehisminddweltwistfullyonthestoryoftheSeventhPullet。Hecouldpicturehimselftellingitinthetrainamidtheabsorbedinterestofhisfellow-passengers。
　　Unconsciouslyallsortsoflittledetailsandimprovementsbegantosuggestthemselves。
　　Wistfulnesswasstillhisdominantmoodwhenhetookhisseatintherailwaycarriagethenextmorning。
　　OppositehimsatStevenham，whohadattainedtoarecognisedbrevetofimportancethroughthefactofanunclehavingdroppeddeadintheactofvotingataParliamentaryelection。Thathadhappenedthreeyearsago，butStevenhamwasstilldeferredtoonallquestionsofhomeandforeignpolitics。
　　"Hullo，how'sthegiantmushroom，orwhateveritwas？"wasallthenoticeBlenkinthropegotfromhisfellowtravellers。
　　YoungDuckby，whomhemildlydisliked，speedilymonopolisedthegeneralattentionbyanaccountofadomesticbereavement。
　　"Hadfouryoungpigeonscarriedofflastnightbyawhackingbigrat。Oh，amonsterhemusthavebeen；youcouldtellbythesizeoftheholehemadebreakingintotheloft。"
　　Nomoderate-sizedrateverseemedtocarryoutanypredatoryoperationsintheseregions；theywereallenormousintheirenormity。
　　"Prettyhardlinesthat，"continuedDuckby，seeingthathehadsecuredtheattentionandrespectofthecompany；"foursqueakerscarriedoffatoneswoop。You'dfinditratherhardtomatchthatinthewayofunlooked-
　　forbadluck。"
　　"Ihadsixpulletsoutofapenofsevenkilledbyasnakeyesterdayafternoon，"saidBlenkinthrope，inavoicewhichhehardlyrecognisedashisown。
　　"Byasnake？"cameinexcitedchorus。
　　"Itfascinatedthemwithitsdeadly，glitteringeyes，oneaftertheother，andstruckthemdownwhiletheystoodhelpless。Abedriddenneighbour，whowasn'tabletocallforassistance，witnesseditallfromherbedroomwindow。"
　　"Well，Inever！"brokeinthechorus，withvariations。
　　"Theinterestingpartofitisabouttheseventhpullet，theonethatdidn'tgetkilled，"resumedBlenkinthrope，slowlylightingacigarette。Hisdiffidencehadlefthim，andhewasbeginningtorealisehowsafeandeasydepravitycanseemonceonehasthecouragetobegin。"ThesixdeadbirdswereMinorcas；theseventhwasaHoudanwithamopoffeathersalloveritseyes。Itcouldhardlyseethesnakeatall，soofcourseitwasn'tmesmerisedliketheothers。Itjustcouldseesomethingwrigglingontheground，andwentforitandpeckedittodeath。"
　　"Well，I'mblessed！"exclaimedthechorus。
　　InthecourseofthenextfewdaysBlenkinthropediscoveredhowlittlethelossofone'sself-respectaffectsonewhenonehasgainedtheesteemoftheworld。
　　Hisstoryfounditswayintooneofthepoultrypapers，andwascopiedthenceintoadailynews-sheetasamatterofgeneralinterest。AladywrotefromtheNorthofScotlandrecountingasimilarepisodewhichshehadwitnessedasoccurringbetweenastoatandablindgrouse。Somehowalieseemssomuchlessreprehensiblewhenonecancallitalee。
　　ForawhiletheadapteroftheSeventhPulletstoryenjoyedtothefullhisalteredstandingasapersonofconsequence，onewhohadhadsomeshareinthestrangeeventsofhistimes。ThenhewasthrustonceagainintothecoldgreybackgroundbythesuddenblossomingintoimportanceofSmith-Paddon，adailyfellow-traveller，whoselittlegirlhadbeenknockeddownandnearlyhurtbyacarbelongingtoamusical-comedyactress。Theactresswasnotinthecaratthetime，butshewasinnumerousphotographswhichappearedintheillustratedpapersofZotoDobreeninquiringafterthewell-beingofMaisie，daughterofEdmundSmith-Paddon，Esq。WiththisnewhumaninteresttoabsorbthemthetravellingcompanionswerealmostrudewhenBlenkinthropetriedtoexplainhiscontrivanceforkeepingvipersandperegrinefalconsoutofhischicken-run。
　　Gorworth，towhomheunburdenedhimselfinprivate，gavehimthesamecounselasheretofore。
　　"Inventsomething。"
　　"Yes，butwhat？"
　　Thereadyaffirmativecoupledwiththequestionbetrayedasignificantshiftingoftheethicalstandpoint。
　　ItwasafewdayslaterthatBlenkinthroperevealedachapteroffamilyhistorytothecustomarygatheringintherailwaycarriage。
　　"Curiousthinghappenedtomyaunt，theonewholivesinParis，"hebegan。Hehadseveralaunts，buttheywereallgeographicallydistributedoverGreaterLondon。
　　"ShewassittingonaseatintheBoistheotherafternoon，afterlunchingattheRoumanianLegation。"
　　Whateverthestorygainedinpicturesquenessfromthedragging-inofdiplomatic"atmosphere，"itceasedfromthatmomenttocommandanyacceptanceasarecordofcurrentevents。Gorworthhadwarnedhisneophytethatthiswouldbethecase，butthetraditionalenthusiasmoftheneophytehadtriumphedoverdiscretion。
　　"Shewasfeelingratherdrowsy，theeffectprobablyofthechampagne，whichshe'snotinthehabitoftakinginthemiddleoftheday。"
　　Asubduedmurmurofadmirationwentroundthecompany。Blenkinthrope'sauntswerenotusedtotakingchampagneinthemiddleoftheyear，regardingitexclusivelyasaChristmasandNewYearaccessory。
　　"Presentlyaratherportlygentlemanpassedbyherseatandpausedaninstanttolightacigar。Atthatmomentayoungishmancameupbehindhim，drewthebladefromaswordstick，andstabbedhimhalfadozentimesthroughandthrough。'Scoundrel，'hecriedtohisvictim，'youdonotknowme。MynameisHenriLeturc。'
　　Theeldermanwipedawaysomeofthebloodthatwasspatteringhisclothes，turnedtohisassailant，andsaid：`Andsincewhenhasanattemptedassassinationbeenconsideredanintroduction？'Thenhefinishedlightinghiscigarandwalkedaway。Myaunthadintendedscreamingforthepolice，butseeingtheindifferencewithwhichtheprincipalintheaffairtreatedthemattershefeltthatitwouldbeanimpertinenceonherparttointerfere。OfcourseIneedhardlysaysheputthewholethingdowntotheeffectsofawarm，drowsyafternoonandtheLegationchampagne。Nowcomestheastonishingpartofmystory。AfortnightlaterabankmanagerwasstabbedtodeathwithaswordstickinthatverypartoftheBois。Hisassassinwasthesonofacharwomanformerlyworkingatthebank，whohadbeendismissedfromherjobbythemanageronaccountofchronicintemperance。HisnamewasHenriLeturc。"
　　FromthatmomentBlenkinthropewastacitlyacceptedastheMunchausenoftheparty。Noeffortwassparedtodrawhimoutfromdaytodayintheexerciseoftestingtheirpowersofcredulity，andBlenkinthrope，inthefalsesecurityofanassuredandreceptiveaudience，waxedindustriousandingeniousinsupplyingthedemandformarvels。Duckby'ssatiricalstoryofatameotterthathadatankinthegardentoswimin，andwhinedrestlesslywheneverthewater-ratewasoverdue，wasscarcelyanunfairparodyofsomeofBlenkinthrope'swilderefforts。AndthenonedaycameNemesis。
　　ReturningtohisvillaoneeveningBlenkinthropefoundhiswifesittinginfrontofapackofcards，whichshewasscrutinisingwithunusualconcentration。
　　"Thesameoldpatience-game？"heaskedcarelessly。
　　"No，dear；thisistheDeath'sHeadpatience，themostdifficultofthemall。I'venevergotittoworkout，andsomehowIshouldberatherfrightenedifIdid。
　　Motheronlygotitoutonceinherlife；shewasafraidofit，too。Hergreat-aunthaddoneitonceandfallendeadfromexcitementthenextmoment，andmotheralwayshadafeelingthatshewoulddieifsheevergotitout。
　　Shediedthesamenightthatshedidit。Shewasinbadhealthatthetime，certainly，butitwasastrangecoincidence。"
　　"Don'tdoitifitfrightensyou，"wasBlenkinthrope'spracticalcommentashelefttheroom。A
　　fewminuteslaterhiswifecalledtohim。
　　"John，itgavemesuchaturn，Inearlygotitout。
　　Onlythefiveofdiamondsheldmeupattheend。I
　　reallythoughtI'ddoneit。"
　　"Why，youcandoit，"saidBlenkinthrope，whohadcomebacktotheroom；"ifyoushifttheeightofclubsontothatopenninethefivecanbemovedontothesix。"
　　Hiswifemadethesuggestedmovewithhasty，tremblingfingers，andpiledtheoutstandingcardsontotheirrespectivepacks。Thenshefollowedtheexampleofhermotherandgreat-grand-aunt。
　　Blenkinthropehadbeengenuinelyfondofhiswife，butinthemidstofhisbereavementonedominantthoughtobtrudeditself。Somethingsensationalandrealhadatlastcomeintohislife；nolongerwasitagrey，colourlessrecord。Theheadlineswhichmightappropriatelydescribehisdomestictragedykeptshapingthemselvesinhisbrain。"Inheritedpresentimentcomestrue。""TheDeath'sHeadpatience：Card-gamethatjustifieditssinisternameinthreegenerations。"HewroteoutafullstoryofthefataloccurrencefortheESSEXVEDETTE，theeditorofwhichwasafriendofhis，andtoanotherfriendhegaveacondensedaccount，tobetakenuptotheofficeofoneofthehalfpennydailies。
　　Butinbothcaseshisreputationasaromancerstoodfatallyinthewayofthefulfilmentofhisambitions。
　　"NottherightthingtobeMunchauseninginatimeofsorrow"agreedhisfriendsamongthemselves，andabriefnoteofregretatthe"suddendeathofthewifeofourrespectedneighbour，Mr。JohnBlenkinthrope，fromheartfailure，"appearinginthenewscolumnofthelocalpaperwastheforlornoutcomeofhisvisionsofwidespreadpublicity。
　　Blenkinthropeshrankfromthesocietyofhiserstwhiletravellingcompanionsandtooktotravellingtownwardsbyanearliertrain。Hesometimestriestoenlistthesympathyandattentionofachanceacquaintanceindetailsofthewhistlingprowessofhisbestcanaryorthedimensionsofhislargestbeetroot；hescarcelyrecogniseshimselfasthemanwhowasoncespokenaboutandpointedoutastheowneroftheSeventhPullet。
　　THEBLINDSPOT
　　"YOU'VEjustcomebackfromAdelaide'sfuneral，haven'tyou？"saidSirLulworthtohisnephew；"Isupposeitwasverylikemostotherfunerals？"
　　"I'lltellyouallaboutitatlunch，"saidEgbert。
　　"You'lldonothingofthesort。Itwouldn'tberespectfuleithertoyourgreat-aunt'smemoryortothelunch。WebeginwithSpanisholives，thenaborshch，thenmoreolivesandabirdofsomekind，andaratherenticingRhenishwine，notatallexpensiveaswinesgointhiscountry，butstillquitelaudableinitsway。
　　Nowthere'sabsolutelynothinginthatmenuthatharmonisesintheleastwiththesubjectofyourgreat-
　　auntAdelaideorherfuneral。Shewasacharmingwoman，andquiteasintelligentasshehadanyneedtobe，butsomehowshealwaysremindedmeofanEnglishcook'sideaofaMadrascurry。"
　　"Sheusedtosayyouwerefrivolous，"saidEgbert。
　　Somethinginhistonesuggestedthatheratherendorsedtheverdict。
　　"IbelieveIonceconsiderablyscandalisedherbydeclaringthatclearsoupwasamoreimportantfactorinlifethanaclearconscience。Shehadverylittlesenseofproportion。Bytheway，shemadeyouherprincipalheir，didn'tshe？"
　　"Yes，"saidEgbert，"andexecutoraswell。It'sinthatconnectionthatIparticularlywanttospeaktoyou。"
　　"Businessisnotmystrongpointatanytime，"saidSirLulworth，"andcertainlynotwhenwe'reontheimmediatethresholdoflunch。"
　　"Itisn'texactlybusiness，"explainedEgbert，ashefollowedhisuncleintothedining-room。
　　"It'ssomethingratherserious。Veryserious。"
　　"Thenwecan'tpossiblyspeakaboutitnow，"saidSirLulworth；"noonecouldtalkseriouslyduringaborshch。Abeautifullyconstructedborshch，suchasyouaregoingtoexperiencepresently，oughtnotonlytobanishconversationbutalmosttoannihilatethought。
　　Lateron，whenwearriveatthesecondstageofolives，I
　　shallbequitereadytodiscussthatnewbookonBorrow，or，ifyoupreferit，thepresentsituationintheGrandDuchyofLuxemburg。ButIabsolutelydeclinetotalkanythingapproachingbusinesstillwehavefinishedwiththebird。"
　　ForthegreaterpartofthemealEgbertsatinanabstractedsilence，thesilenceofamanwhosemindisfocussedononetopic。Whenthecoffeestagehadbeenreachedhelaunchedhimselfsuddenlyathwarthisuncle'sreminiscencesoftheCourtofLuxemburg。
　　"IthinkItoldyouthatgreat-auntAdelaidehadmademeherexecutor。Therewasn'tverymuchtobedoneinthewayoflegalmatters，butIhadtogothroughherpapers。"
　　"Thatwouldbeafairlyheavytaskinitself。I
　　shouldimaginetherewerereamsoffamilyletters。"
　　"Stacksofthem，andmostofthemhighlyuninteresting。Therewasonepacket，however，whichI
　　thoughtmightrepayacarefulperusal。ItwasabundleofcorrespondencefromherbrotherPeter。"
　　"TheCanonoftragicmemory，"saidLulworth。
　　"Exactly，oftragicmemory，asyousay；atragedythathasneverbeenfathomed。"
　　"Probablythesimplestexplanationwasthecorrectone，"saidSirLulworth；"heslippedonthestonestaircaseandfracturedhisskullinfalling。"
　　Egbertshookhishead。"Themedicalevidenceallwenttoprovethattheblowontheheadwasstruckbysomeonecomingupbehindhim。Awoundcausedbyviolentcontactwiththestepscouldnotpossiblyhavebeeninflictedatthatangleoftheskull。Theyexperimentedwithadummyfigurefallingineveryconceivableposition。"
　　"Butthemotive？"exclaimedSirLulworth；"noonehadanyinterestindoingawaywithhim，andthenumberofpeoplewhodestroyCanonsoftheEstablishedChurchforthemerefunofkillingmustbeextremelylimited。
　　Ofcoursethereareindividualsofweakmentalbalancewhodothatsortofthing，buttheyseldomconcealtheirhandiwork；theyaremoregenerallyinclinedtoparadeit。"
　　"Hiscookwasundersuspicion，"saidEgbertshortly。
　　"Iknowhewas，"saidSirLulworth，"simplybecausehewasabouttheonlypersononthepremisesatthetimeofthetragedy。ButcouldanythingbesillierthantryingtofastenachargeofmurderontoSebastien？Hehadnothingtogain，infact，agooddealtolose，fromthedeathofhisemployer。TheCanonwaspayinghimquiteasgoodwagesasIwasabletoofferhimwhenI
　　tookhimoverintomyservice。Ihavesinceraisedthemtosomethingalittlemoreinaccordancewithhisrealworth，butatthetimehewasgladtofindanewplacewithouttroublingaboutanincreaseofwages。Peoplewerefightingrathershyofhim，andhehadnofriendsinthiscountry。No；ifanyoneintheworldwasinterestedintheprolongedlifeandunimpaireddigestionoftheCanonitwouldcertainlybeSebastien。"
　　"Peopledon'talwaysweightheconsequencesoftheirrashacts，"saidEgbert，"otherwisetherewouldbeveryfewmurderscommitted。Sebastienisamanofhottemper。"
　　"Heisasoutherner，"admittedSirLulworth；"tobegeographicallyexactIbelievehehailsfromtheFrenchslopesofthePyrenees。Itookthatintoconsiderationwhenhenearlykilledthegardener'sboytheotherdayforbringinghimaspurioussubstituteforsorrel。Onemustalwaysmakeallowancesfororiginandlocalityandearlyenvironment；`TellmeyourlongitudeandI'llknowwhatlatitudetoallowyou，'ismymotto。"
　　"There，yousee，"saidEgbert，"henearlykilledthegardener'sboy。"
　　"MydearEgbert，betweennearlykillingagardener'sboyandaltogetherkillingaCanonthereisawidedifference。Nodoubtyouhaveoftenfeltatemporarydesiretokillagardener'sboy；youhavenevergivenwaytoit，andIrespectyouforyourself-control。ButI
　　don'tsupposeyouhaveeverwantedtokillanoctogenarianCanon。Besides，asfarasweknow，therehadneverbeenanyquarrelordisagreementbetweenthetwomen。Theevidenceattheinquestbroughtthatoutveryclearly。"
　　"Ah！"saidEgbert，withtheairofamancomingatlastintoadeferredinheritanceofconversationalimportance，"thatispreciselywhatIwanttospeaktoyouabout。"
　　Hepushedawayhiscoffeecupanddrewapocket-bookfromhisinnerbreast-pocket。Fromthedepthsofthepocket-bookheproducedanenvelope，andfromtheenvelopeheextractedaletter，closelywritteninasmall，neathandwriting。
　　"OneoftheCanon'snumerousletterstoAuntAdelaide，"heexplained，"writtenafewdaysbeforehisdeath。Hermemorywasalreadyfailingwhenshereceivedit，andIdaresaysheforgotthecontentsassoonasshehadreadit；otherwise，inthelightofwhatsubsequentlyhappened，weshouldhaveheardsomethingofthisletterbeforenow。IfithadbeenproducedattheinquestI
　　fancyitwouldhavemadesomedifferenceinthecourseofaffairs。Theevidence，asyouremarkedjustnow，chokedoffsuspicionagainstSebastienbydisclosinganutterabsenceofanythingthatcouldbeconsideredamotiveorprovocationforthecrime，ifcrimetherewas。"
　　"Oh，readtheletter，"saidSirLulworthimpatiently。
　　"It'salongramblingaffair，likemostofhislettersinhislateryears，"saidEgbert。"I'llreadthepartthatbearsimmediatelyonthemystery。
　　"'IverymuchfearIshallhavetogetridofSebastien。Hecooksdivinely，buthehasthetemperofafiendorananthropoidape，andIamreallyinbodilyfearofhim。WehadadisputetheotherdayastothecorrectsortoflunchtobeservedonAshWednesday，andIgotsoirritatedandannoyedathisconceitandobstinacythatatlastIthrewacupfulofcoffeeinhisfaceandcalledhimatthesametimeanimpudentjackanapes。Verylittleofthecoffeewentactuallyinhisface，butIhaveneverseenahumanbeingshowsuchdeplorablelackofself-control。Ilaughedatthethreatofkillingmethathesplutteredoutinhisrage，andthoughtthewholethingwouldblowover，butIhaveseveraltimessincecaughthimscowlingandmutteringinahighlyunpleasantfashion，andlatelyIhavefanciedthathewasdoggingmyfootstepsaboutthegrounds，particularlywhenIwalkofaneveningintheItalianGarden。'
　　"ItwasonthestepsintheItalianGardenthatthebodywasfound，"commentedEgbert，andresumedreading。
　　"'Idaresaythedangerisimaginary；butIshallfeelmoreateasewhenhehasquittedmyservice。'"
　　Egbertpausedforamomentattheconclusionoftheextract；then，ashisunclemadenoremark，headded："IflackofmotivewastheonlyfactorthatsavedSebastienfromprosecutionIfancythisletterwillputadifferentcomplexiononmatters。"
　　"Haveyoushownittoanyoneelse？"askedSirLulworth，reachingouthishandfortheincriminatingpieceofpaper。
　　"No，"saidEgbert，handingitacrossthetable，"I
　　thoughtIwouldtellyouaboutitfirst。Heavens，whatareyoudoing？"
　　Egbert'svoicerosealmosttoascream。SirLulworthhadflungthepaperwellandtrulyintotheglowingcentreofthegrate。Thesmall，neathand-
　　writingshrivelledintoblackflakynothingness。
　　"Whatonearthdidyoudothatfor？"gaspedEgbert。
　　"ThatletterwasouronepieceofevidencetoconnectSebastienwiththecrime。"
　　"ThatiswhyIdestroyedit，"saidSirLulworth。
　　"Butwhyshouldyouwanttoshieldhim？"criedEgbert；"themanisacommonmurderer。"
　　"Acommonmurderer，possibly，butaveryuncommoncook。"
　　DUSK
　　NORMANGORTSBYsatonabenchinthePark，withhisbacktoastripofbush-plantedsward，fencedbytheparkrailings，andtheRowfrontinghimacrossawidestretchofcarriagedrive。HydeParkCorner，withitsrattleandhootoftraffic，layimmediatelytohisright。ItwassomethirtyminutespastsixonanearlyMarchevening，andduskhadfallenheavilyoverthescene，duskmitigatedbysomefaintmoonlightandmanystreetlamps。
　　Therewasawideemptinessoverroadandsidewalk，andyetthereweremanyunconsideredfiguresmovingsilentlythroughthehalf-light，ordottedunobtrusivelyonbenchandchair，scarcelytobedistinguishedfromtheshadowedgloominwhichtheysat。
　　ThescenepleasedGortsbyandharmonisedwithhispresentmood。Dusk，tohismind，wasthehourofthedefeated。Menandwomen，whohadfoughtandlost，whohidtheirfallenfortunesanddeadhopesasfaraspossiblefromthescrutinyofthecurious，cameforthinthishourofgloaming，whentheirshabbyclothesandbowedshouldersandunhappyeyesmightpassunnoticed，or，atanyrate，unrecognised。
　　Akingthatisconqueredmustseestrangelooks，Sobitterathingistheheartofman。
　　Thewanderersintheduskdidnotchoosetohavestrangelooksfastenonthem，thereforetheycameoutinthisbat-fashion，takingtheirpleasuresadlyinapleasure-groundthathademptiedofitsrightfuloccupants。Beyondtheshelteringscreenofbushesandpalingscamearealmofbrilliantlightsandnoisy，rushingtraffic。Ablazing，many-tieredstretchofwindowsshonethroughtheduskandalmostdispersedit，markingthehauntsofthoseotherpeople，whoheldtheirowninlife'sstruggle，oratanyratehadnothadtoadmitfailure。SoGortsby'simaginationpicturedthingsashesatonhisbenchinthealmostdesertedwalk。Hewasinthemoodtocounthimselfamongthedefeated。
　　Moneytroublesdidnotpressonhim；hadhesowishedhecouldhavestrolledintothethoroughfaresoflightandnoise，andtakenhisplaceamongthejostlingranksofthosewhoenjoyedprosperityorstruggledforit。Hehadfailedinamoresubtleambition，andforthemomenthewasheartsoreanddisillusionised，andnotdisinclinedtotakeacertaincynicalpleasureinobservingandlabellinghisfellowwanderersastheywenttheirwaysinthedarkstretchesbetweenthelamp-lights。
　　Onthebenchbyhissidesatanelderlygentlemanwithadroopingairofdefiancethatwasprobablytheremainingvestigeofself-respectinanindividualwhohadceasedtodefysuccessfullyanybodyoranything。Hisclothescouldscarcelybecalledshabby，atleasttheypassedmusterinthehalf-light，butone'simaginationcouldnothavepicturedthewearerembarkingonthepurchaseofahalf-crownboxofchocolatesorlayingoutninepenceonacarnationbuttonhole。Hebelongedunmistakablytothatforlornorchestratowhosepipingnoonedances；hewasoneoftheworld'slamenterswhoinducenoresponsiveweeping。AsherosetogoGortsbyimaginedhimreturningtoahomecirclewherehewassnubbedandofnoaccount，ortosomebleaklodgingwherehisabilitytopayaweeklybillwasthebeginningandendoftheinterestheinspired。Hisretreatingfigurevanishedslowlyintotheshadows，andhisplaceonthebenchwastakenalmostimmediatelybyayoungman，fairlywelldressedbutscarcelymorecheerfulofmienthanhispredecessor。Asiftoemphasisethefactthattheworldwentbadlywithhimthenew-cornerunburdenedhimselfofanangryandveryaudibleexpletiveasheflunghimselfintotheseat。
　　"Youdon'tseeminaverygoodtemper，"saidGortsby，judgingthathewasexpectedtotakeduenoticeofthedemonstration。
　　Theyoungmanturnedtohimwithalookofdisarmingfranknesswhichputhiminstantlyonhisguard。
　　"Youwouldn'tbeinagoodtemperifyouwereinthefixI'min，"hesaid；"I'vedonethesilliestthingI'veeverdoneinmylife。"
　　"Yes？"saidGortsbydispassionately。
　　"Cameupthisafternoon，meaningtostayatthePatagonianHotelinBerkshireSquare，"continuedtheyoungman；"whenIgotthereIfoundithadbeenpulleddownsomeweeksagoandacinematheatrerunuponthesite。ThetaxidriverrecommendedmetoanotherhotelsomewayoffandIwentthere。Ijustsentalettertomypeople，givingthemtheaddress，andthenIwentouttobuysomesoap-I'dforgottentopackanyandIhateusinghotelsoap。ThenIstrolledaboutabit，hadadrinkatabarandlookedattheshops，andwhenIcametoturnmystepsbacktothehotelIsuddenlyrealisedthatIdidn'trememberitsnameorevenwhatstreetitwasin。There'sanicepredicamentforafellowwhohasn'tanyfriendsorconnectionsinLondon！OfcourseI
　　canwiretomypeoplefortheaddress，buttheywon'thavegotmylettertillto-morrow；meantimeI'mwithoutanymoney，cameoutwithaboutashillingonme，whichwentinbuyingthesoapandgettingthedrink，andhereI
　　am，wanderingaboutwithtwopenceinmypocketandnowheretogoforthenight。"
　　Therewasaneloquentpauseafterthestoryhadbeentold。"IsupposeyouthinkI'vespunyouratheranimpossibleyarn，"saidtheyoungmanpresently，withasuggestionofresentmentinhisvoice。
　　"Notatallimpossible，"saidGortsbyjudicially；"I
　　rememberdoingexactlythesamethingonceinaforeigncapital，andonthatoccasionthereweretwoofus，whichmadeitmoreremarkable。Luckilywerememberedthatthehotelwasonasortofcanal，andwhenwestruckthecanalwewereabletofindourwaybacktothehotel。"
　　Theyouthbrightenedatthereminiscence。"InaforeigncityIwouldn'tmindsomuch，"hesaid；"onecouldgotoone'sConsulandgettherequisitehelpfromhim。Hereinone'sownlandoneisfarmorederelictifonegetsintoafix。UnlessIcanfindsomedecentchaptoswallowmystoryandlendmesomemoneyIseemlikelytospendthenightontheEmbankment。I'mglad，anyhow，thatyoudon'tthinkthestoryoutrageouslyimprobable。"
　　Hethrewagooddealofwarmthintothelastremark，asthoughperhapstoindicatehishopethatGortsbydidnotfallfarshortoftherequisitedecency。
　　"Ofcourse，"saidGortsbyslowly，"theweakpointofyourstoryisthatyoucan'tproducethesoap。"
　　Theyoungmansatforwardhurriedly，feltrapidlyinthepocketsofhisovercoat，andthenjumpedtohisfeet。
　　"Imusthavelostit，"hemutteredangrily。
　　"Toloseanhotelandacakeofsoapononeafternoonsuggestswilfulcarelessness，"saidGortsby，buttheyoungmanscarcelywaitedtoheartheendoftheremark。Heflittedawaydownthepath，hisheadheldhigh，withanairofsomewhatjadedjauntiness。
　　"Itwasapity，"musedGortsby；"thegoingouttogetone'sownsoapwastheoneconvincingtouchinthewholestory，andyetitwasjustthatlittledetailthatbroughthimtogrief。Ifhehadhadthebrilliantforethoughttoprovidehimselfwithacakeofsoap，wrappedandsealedwithallthesolicitudeofthechemist'scounter，hewouldhavebeenageniusinhisparticularline。Inhisparticularlinegeniuscertainlyconsistsofaninfinitecapacityfortakingprecautions。"
　　WiththatreflectionGortsbyrosetogo；ashedidsoanexclamationofconcernescapedhim。Lyingonthegroundbythesideofthebenchwasasmallovalpacket，wrappedandsealedwiththesolicitudeofachemist'scounter。Itcouldbenothingelsebutacakeofsoap，andithadevidentlyfallenoutoftheyouth'sovercoatpocketwhenheflunghimselfdownontheseat。InanothermomentGortsbywasscuddingalongthedusk-
　　shroudedpathinanxiousquestforayouthfulfigureinalightovercoat。Hehadnearlygivenupthesearchwhenhecaughtsightoftheobjectofhispursuitstandingirresolutelyontheborderofthecarriagedrive，evidentlyuncertainwhethertostrikeacrosstheParkormakeforthebustlingpavementsofKnightsbridge。HeturnedroundsharplywithanairofdefensivehostilitywhenhefoundGortsbyhailinghim。
　　"Theimportantwitnesstothegenuinenessofyourstoryhasturnedup，"saidGortsby，holdingoutthecakeofsoap；"itmusthaveslidoutofyourovercoatpocketwhenyousatdownontheseat。Isawitonthegroundafteryouleft。Youmustexcusemydisbelief，butappearanceswerereallyratheragainstyou，andnow，asI
　　appealedtothetestimonyofthesoapIthinkIoughttoabidebyitsverdict。Iftheloanofasovereignisanygoodtoyou-"
　　Theyoungmanhastilyremovedalldoubtonthesubjectbypocketingthecoin。
　　"Hereismycardwithmyaddress，"continuedGortsby；"anydaythisweekwilldoforreturningthemoney，andhereisthesoap-don'tloseitagainit'sbeenagoodfriendtoyou。"
　　"Luckythingyourfindingit，"saidtheyouth，andthen，withacatchinhisvoice，heblurtedoutawordortwoofthanksandfledheadlonginthedirectionofKnightsbridge。
　　"Poorboy，heasnearlyaspossiblebrokedown，"
　　saidGortsbytohimself。"Idon'twondereither；therelieffromhisquandarymusthavebeenacute。It'salessontomenottobetoocleverinjudgingbycircumstances。"
　　AsGortsbyretracedhisstepspasttheseatwherethelittledramahadtakenplacehesawanelderlygentlemanpokingandpeeringbeneathitandonallsidesofit，andrecognisedhisearlierfellowoccupant。
　　"Haveyoulostanything，sir？"heasked。
　　"Yes，sir，acakeofsoap。"
　　ATOUCHOFREALISM
　　"IHOPEyou'vecomefullofsuggestionsforChristmas，"saidLadyBlonzetoherlatestarrivedguest；
　　"theold-fashionedChristmasandtheup-to-dateChristmasarebothsoplayedout。Iwanttohavesomethingreallyoriginalthisyear。"
　　"IwasstayingwiththeMathesonslastmonth，"saidBlancheBovealeagerly，"andwehadsuchagoodidea。
　　Everyoneinthehouse-partyhadtobeacharacterandbehaveconsistentlyallthetime，andattheendofthevisitonehadtoguesswhateveryone'scharacterwas。
　　Theonewhowasvotedtohaveactedhisorhercharacterbestgotaprize。"
　　"Itsoundsamusing，"saidLadyBlonze。
　　"IwasSt。FrancisofAssisi，"continuedBlanche；
　　"wehadn'tgottokeeptoourrightsexes。Ikeptgettingupinthemiddleofameal，andthrowingoutfoodtothebirds；yousee，thechiefthingthatoneremembersofSt。Francisisthathewasfondofthebirds。Everyonewassostupidaboutit，andthoughtthatIwastheoldmanwhofeedsthesparrowsintheTuileriesGardens。
　　ThenColonelPentleywastheJollyMilleronthebanksofDee。"
　　"Howonearthdidhedothat？"askedBertievanTahn。
　　"'Helaughedandsangfrommorntillnight，'"
　　explainedBlanche。
　　"Howdreadfulfortherestofyou，"saidBertie；
　　"andanywayhewasn'tonthebanksofDee。"
　　"Onehadtoimaginethat，"saidBlanche。
　　"Ifyoucouldimagineallthatyoumightaswellimaginecattleonthefurtherbankandkeeponcallingthemhome，Mary-fashion，acrossthesandsofDee。OryoumightchangetherivertotheYarrowandimagineitwasonthetopofyou，andsayyouwereWillie，orwhoeveritwas，drownedinYarrow。"
　　"Ofcourseit'seasytomakefunofit，"saidBlanchesharply，"butitwasextremelyinterestingandamusing。Theprizewasratherafiasco，though。Yousee，MillieMathesonsaidhercharacterwasLadyBountiful，andasshewasourhostessofcourseweallhadtovotethatshehadcarriedouthercharacterbetterthananyone。OtherwiseIoughttohavegottheprize。"
　　"It'squiteanideaforaChristmasparty，"saidLadyBlonze；"wemustcertainlydoithere。"
　　SirNicholaswasnotsoenthusiastic。"Areyouquitesure，mydear，thatyou'rewiseindoingthisthing？"hesaidtohiswifewhentheywerealonetogether。"ItmightdoverywellattheMathesons，wheretheyhadratherastaid，elderlyhouse-party，buthereitwillbeadifferentmatter。ThereistheDurmotflapper，forinstance，whosimplystopsatnothing，andyouknowwhatVanTahnislike。ThenthereisCyrilSkatterly；hehasmadnessononesideofhisfamilyandaHungariangrandmotherontheother。"
　　"Idon'tseewhattheycoulddothatwouldmatter，"
　　saidLadyBlonze。
　　"It'stheunknownthatistobedreaded，"saidSirNicholas。"IfSkatterlytookitintohisheadtorepresentaBullofBashan，well，I'drathernotbehere。"
　　"Ofcourseweshan'tallowanyBiblecharacters。
　　Besides，Idon'tknowwhattheBullsofBashanreallydidthatwassoverydreadful；theyjustcameroundandgaped，asfarasIremember。"
　　"Mydear，youdon'tknowwhatSkatterly'sHungarianimaginationmightn'treadintothepart；itwouldbesmallsatisfactiontosaytohimafterwards：'You'vebehavedasnoBullofBashanwouldhavebehaved。'"
　　"Oh，you'reanalarmist，"saidLadyBlonze；I
　　particularlywanttohavethisideacarriedout。Itwillbesuretobetalkedaboutalot。"
　　"Thatisquitepossible，"saidSirNicholas。
　　****
　　Dinnerthateveningwasnotaparticularlylivelyaffair；thestrainoftryingtoimpersonateaself-
　　imposedcharacterortogleanhintsofidentityfromotherpeople'sconductactedasacheckonthenaturalfestivityofsuchagathering。Therewasageneralfeelingofgratitudeandacquiescencewhengood-naturedRachelKlammersteinsuggestedthatthereshouldbeanhourortwo'srespitefrom"thegame"whiletheyalllistenedtoalittlepiano-playingafterdinner。
　　Rachel'sloveofpianomusicwasnotindiscriminate，andconcentrateditselfchieflyonselectionsrenderedbyheridolisedoffspring，MoritzandAugusta，who，todothemjustice，playedremarkablywell。
　　TheKlammersteinsweredeservedlypopularasChristmasguests；theygaveexpensivegiftslavishlyonChristmasDayandNewYear，andMrs。Klammersteinhadalreadydroppedhintsofherintentiontopresenttheprizeforthebestenactedcharacterinthegamecompetition。Everyonehadbrightenedatthisprospect；
　　ifithadfallentoLadyBlonze，ashostess，toprovidetheprize，shewouldhaveconsideredthatalittlesouvenirofsometwentyortwenty-fiveshillings'valuewouldmeetthecase，whereascomingfromaKlammersteinsourceitwouldcertainlyruntoseveralguineas。
　　TheclosetimeforimpersonationeffortscametoanendwiththefinalwithdrawalofMoritzandAugustafromthepiano。BlancheBovealretiredearly，leavingtheroominaseriesoflabouredleapsthatshehopedmightberecognisedasatolerableimitationofPavlova。VeraDurmot，thesixteen-year-oldflapper，expressedherconfidentopinionthattheperformancewasintendedtotypifyMarkTwain'sfamousjumpingfrog，andherdiagnosisofthecasefoundgeneralacceptance。Anotherguesttosetanexampleofearlybed-goingwasWaldoPlubley，whoconductedhislifeonaminutelyregulatedsystemoftime-tablesandhygienicroutine。Waldowasaplump，indolentyoungmanofseven-and-twenty，whosemotherhadearlyinhislifedecidedforhimthathewasunusuallydelicate，andbydintofmuchcoddlingandhome-keepinghadsucceededinmakinghimphysicallysoftandmentallypeevish。Ninehours'unbrokensleep，precededbyelaboratebreathingexercisesandotherhygienicritual，wasamongtheindispensableregulationswhichWaldoimposedonhimself，andtherewereinnumerablesmallobservanceswhichheexactedfromthosewhowereinanywayobligedtoministertohisrequirements；aspecialteapotforthedecoctionofhisearlyteawasalwayssolemnlyhandedovertothebedroomstaffofanyhouseinwhichhehappenedtobestaying。
　　Noonehadeverquitemasteredthemechanismofthispreciousvessel，butBertievanTahnwasresponsibleforthelegendthatitsspouthadtobekeptfacingnorthduringtheprocessofinfusion。
　　Onthisparticularnighttheirreducibleninehourswereseverelymutilatedbythesuddenandbynomeansnoiselessincursionofapyjama-cladfigureintoWaldo'sroomatanhourmidwaybetweenmidnightanddawn。
　　"Whatisthematter？Whatareyoulookingfor？"
　　askedtheawakenedandastonishedWaldo，slowlyrecognisingVanTahn，whoappearedtobesearchinghastilyforsomethinghehadlost。
　　"Lookingforsheep，"wasthereply。
　　"Sheep？"exclaimedWaldo。
　　"Yes，sheep。Youdon'tsupposeI'mlookingforgiraffes，doyou？"
　　"Idon'tseewhyyoushouldexpecttofindeitherinmyroom，"retortedWaldofuriously。
　　"Ican'targuethematteratthishourofthenight，"saidBertie，andbeganhastilyrummaginginthechestofdrawers。Shirtsandunderwearwentflyingontothefloor。
　　"Therearenosheephere，Itellyou，"screamedWaldo。
　　"I'veonlygotyourwordforit，"saidBertie，whiskingmostofthebedclothesontothefloor；"ifyouweren'tconcealingsomethingyouwouldn'tbesoagitated。"
　　WaldowasbythistimeconvincedthatVanTahnwasravingmad，andmadeananxious，efforttohumourhim。
　　"Gobacktobedlikeadearfellow，"hepleaded，"andyoursheepwillturnupallrightinthemorning。"
　　"Idaresay，"saidBertiegloomily，"withouttheirtails。NicefoolIshalllookwithalotofManxsheep。"
　　AndbywayofemphasisinghisannoyanceattheprospecthesentWaldo'spillowsflyingtothetopofthewardrobe。
　　"ButWHYnotails？"askedWaldo，whoseteethwerechatteringwithfearandrageandloweredtemperature。
　　"Mydearboy，haveyouneverheardtheballadofLittleBo-Peep？"saidBertiewithachuckle。"It'smycharacterintheGame，youknow。IfIdidn'tgohuntingaboutformylostsheepnoonewouldbeabletoguesswhoIwas；andnowgotosleepyweepslikeagoodchildorI
　　shallbecrosswithyou。"
　　"Ileaveyoutoimagine，"wroteWaldointhecourseofalonglettertohismother，"howmuchsleepIwasabletorecoverthatnight，andyouknowhowessentialnineuninterruptedhoursofslumberaretomyhealth。"
　　OntheotherhandhewasabletodevotesomewakefulhourstoexercisesinbreathingwrathandfuryagainstBertievanTahn。
　　BreakfastatBlonzecourtwasascatteredmeal，onthe"comewhenyouplease"principle，butthehouse-partywassupposedtogatherinfullstrengthatlunch。Onthedayafterthe"Game"hadbeenstartedtherewere，however，somenotableabsentees。WaldoPlubley，forinstance，wasreportedtobenursingaheadache。Alargebreakfastandan"A。B。C。"hadbeentakenuptohisroom，buthehadmadenoappearanceintheflesh。
　　"Iexpecthe'splayinguptosomecharacter，"saidVeraDurmot；"isn'tthereathingofMoliere's，'LE
　　MALADEIMAGINAIRE'？Iexpecthe'sthat。"
　　Eightorninelistscameout，andweredulypencilledwiththesuggestion。
　　"AndwherearetheKlammersteins？"askedLadyBlonze；"they'reusuallysopunctual。"
　　"Anothercharacterpose，perhaps，"saidBertievanTahn；"'theLostTenTribes。'"
　　"Butthereareonlythreeofthem。Besides，they'llwanttheirlunch。Hasn'tanyoneseenanythingofthem？"
　　"Didn'tyoutakethemoutinyourcar？"askedBlancheBoveal，addressingherselftoCyrilSkatterly。
　　"Yes，tookthemouttoSlogberryMoorimmediatelyafterbreakfast。MissDurmotcametoo。"
　　"IsawyouandVeracomeback，"saidLadyBlonze，"butIdidn'tseetheKlammersteins。Didyouputthemdowninthevillage？"
　　"No，"saidSkatterlyshortly。
　　"Butwherearethey？Wheredidyouleavethem？"
　　"WeleftthemonSlogberryMoor，"saidVeracalmly。
　　"OnSlogberryMoor？Why，it'smorethanthirtymilesaway！Howaretheygoingtogetback？"
　　"Wedidn'tstoptoconsiderthat，"saidSkatterly；
　　"weaskedthemtogetoutforamoment，onthepretencethatthecarhadstuck，andthenwedashedofffullspeedandleftthemthere。"
　　"Buthowdareyoudosuchathing？It'smostinhuman！Why，it'sbeensnowingforthelasthour。"
　　"Iexpectthere'llbeacottageorfarmhousesomewhereiftheywalkamileortwo。"
　　"Butwhyonearthhaveyoudoneit？"
　　Thequestioncameinachorusofindignantbewilderment。
　　"THATwouldbetellingwhatourcharactersaremeanttobe，"saidVera。
　　"Didn'tIwarnyou？"saidSirNicholastragicallytohiswife。
　　"It'ssomethingtodowithSpanishhistory；wedon'tmindgivingyouthatclue，"saidSkatterly，helpinghimselfcheerfullytosalad，andthenBertievanTahnbrokeforthintopealsofjoyouslaughter。
　　"I'vegotit！FerdinandandIsabelladeportingtheJews！Oh，lovely！Thosetwohavecertainlywontheprize；weshan'tgetanythingtobeatthatforthoroughness。"
　　LadyBlonze'sChristmaspartywastalkedaboutandwrittenabouttoanextentthatshehadnotanticipatedinhermostambitiousmoments。ThelettersfromWaldo'smotherwouldalonehavemadeitmemorable。
　　COUSINTERESA
　　BASSETHARROWCLUFFreturnedtothehomeofhisfathers，afteranabsenceoffouryears，distinctlywellpleasedwithhimself。Hewasonlythirty-one，buthehadputinsomeusefulserviceinanout-of-the-way，thoughnotunimportant，corneroftheworld。Hehadquietedaprovince，keptopenatraderoute，enforcedthetraditionofrespectwhichisworththeransomofmanykingsinout-of-the-wayregions，anddonethewholebusinessonratherlessexpenditurethanwouldberequisitefororganisingacharityinthehomecountry。InWhitehallandplaceswheretheythink，theydoubtlessthoughtwellofhim。Itwasnotinconceivable，hisfatherallowedhimselftoimagine，thatBasset'snamemightfigureinthenextlistofHonours。
　　Bassetwasinclinedtoberathercontemptuousofhishalf-brother，Lucas，whomhefoundfeverishlyengrossedinthesamemedleyofelaboratefutilitiesthathadclaimedhiswholetimeandenergies，suchastheywere，fouryearsago，andalmostasfarbackbeforethatashecouldremember。Itwasthecontemptofthemanofactionforthemanofactivities，anditwasprobablyreciprocated。Lucaswasanover-wellnourishedindividual，somenineyearsBasset'ssenior，withacolouringthatwouldhavebeenacceptedasasignofintensivecultureinanasparagus，butprobablymeantinthiscasemereabstentionfromexercise。Hishairandforeheadfurnishedarecessionalnoteinapersonalitythatwasinallotherrespectsobtrusiveandassertive。
　　TherewascertainlynoSemiticbloodinLucas'sparentage，buthisappearancecontrivedtoconveyatleastasuggestionofJewishextraction。ClovisSangrail，whoknewmostofhisassociatesbysight，saiditwasundoubtedlyacaseofprotectivemimicry。
　　TwodaysafterBasset'sreturn，Lucasfriskedintolunchinastateoftwitteringexcitementthatcouldnotberestrainedevenfortheimmediateconsiderationofsoup，buthadtobeverballydischargedinsplutteringcompetitionwithmouthfulsofvermicelli。