"SirJohnChobham，themanwhoisopposingme，"answeredRobert；
　　"thatishishouseawaythereamongthetreesontheright。"
　　Sotherewasanuprightman，possiblyaveryHugoincharacter，whowasthwartinganddefyingtheevildoerinhisnefariouscareer，andtherewasadastardlyplotafoottobreakhisneck！Possiblytheattemptwouldbemadewithinthenextfewhours。Hemustcertainlybewarned。AlethiarememberedhowLadySylviaBroomgate，inNightshadeCourt，hadpretendedtobeboltedwithbyherhorseuptothefrontdoorofathreatenedcountymagnate，andhadwhisperedawarninginhisearwhichsavedhimfrombeingthevictimoffoulmurder。Shewonderediftherewasaquietponyinthestablesonwhichshewouldbeallowedtorideoutalone。Thechanceswerethatshewouldbewatched。RobertwouldcomespurringafterherandseizeherbridlejustasshewasturninginatSirJohn'sgates。
　　Agroupofmenthattheypassedinavillagestreetgavethemnoveryfriendlylooks，andAlethiathoughtsheheardafurtivehiss；amomentlatertheycameuponanerrandboyridingabicycle。Hehadthefrankopencountenance，neatlybrushedhairandtidyclothesthatbetokenaclearconscienceandagoodmother。Hestaredstraightattheoccupantsofthecar，and，afterhehadpassedthem，sanginhisclear，boyishvoice：
　　"We'llhangBobbyBludwardonthesourappletree。"
　　Robertmerelylaughed。Thatwashowhetookthescornandcondemnationofhisfellow-men。Hehadgoadedthemtodesperationwithhisshamelessdepravitytilltheyspokeopenlyofputtinghimtoaviolentdeath，andhelaughed。
　　Mrs。BludwardprovedtobeofthetypethatAlethiahadsuspected，thin-lipped，cold-eyed，andobviouslydevotedtoherworthlessson。
　　Fromhernohelpwastobeexpected。Alethialockedherdoorthatnight，andplacedsuchrampartsoffurnitureagainstitthatthemaidhadgreatdifficultyinbreakinginwiththeearlyteainthemorning。
　　AfterbreakfastAlethia，onthepretextofgoingtolookatanoutlyingrose-garden，slippedawaytothevillagethroughwhichtheyhadpassedonthepreviousevening。SherememberedthatRoberthadpointedouttoherapublicreading-room，andheresheconsidereditpossiblethatshemightmeetSirJohnChobham，orsomeonewhoknewhimwellandwouldcarryamessagetohim。Theroomwasemptywhensheenteredit；aGraphictwelvedaysold，ayetoldercopyofPunch，andoneortwolocalpaperslayuponthecentraltable；theothertableswerestackedforthemostpartwithchessanddraughts-
　　boards，andwoodenboxesofchessmenanddominoes。Listlesslyshepickeduponeofthepapers，theSentinel，andglancedatitscontents。Suddenlyshestarted，andbegantoreadwithbreathlessattentionaprominentlyprintedarticle，headed"ALittleLimelightonSirJohnChobham。"Thecolourebbedawayfromherface，alookoffrighteneddespaircreptintohereyes。Never，inanynovelthatshehadread，hadadefencelessyoungwomanbeenconfrontedwithasituationlikethis。SirJohn，theHugoofherimagination，was，ifanything，rathermoredepravedanddespicablethanRobertBludward。
　　Hewasmean，evasive，callouslyindifferenttohiscountry'sinterests，acheat，amanwhohabituallybrokehisword，andwhowasresponsible，withhisassociates，formostofthepoverty，misery，crime，andnationaldegradationwithwhichthecountrywasafflicted。HewasalsoacandidateforParliament，itseemed，andastherewasonlyoneseatinthisparticularlocality，itwasobviousthatthesuccessofeitherRobertorSirJohnwouldmeanachecktotheambitionsoftheother，hence，nodoubt，therivalryandenmitybetweentheseotherwisekindredsouls。Onewasseekingtohavehisenemydonetodeath，theotherwasapparentlytryingtostiruphissupporterstoanactof"Lynchlaw"。Allthisinorderthattheremightbeanunopposedelection，thatoneorotherofthecandidatesmightgointoParliamentwithhoneyedeloquenceonhislipsandbloodonhisheart。Weremenreallysovile？
　　"ImustgobacktoWebblehintonatonce，"Alethiainformedherastonishedhostessatlunchtime；"Ihavehadatelegram。AfriendisveryseriouslyillandIhavebeensentfor。"
　　Itwasdreadfultohavetoconcoctlies，butitwouldbemoredreadfultohavetospendanothernightunderthatroof。
　　Alethiareadsnovelsnowwithevengreaterappreciationthanbefore。
　　ShehasbeenherselfintheworldoutsideWebblehinton，theworldwherethegreatdramasofsinandvillainyareplayedunceasingly。
　　Shehadcomeunscathedthroughit，butwhatmighthavehappenedifshehadgoneunsuspectinglytovisitSirJohnChobhamandwarnhimofhisdanger？Whatindeed！ShehadbeensavedbythefearlessoutspokennessofthelocalPress。
　　THEINTERLOPERS
　　InaforestofmixedgrowthsomewhereontheeasternspursoftheKarpathians，amanstoodonewinternightwatchingandlistening，asthoughhewaitedforsomebeastofthewoodstocomewithintherangeofhisvision，and，later，ofhisrifle。Butthegameforwhosepresencehekeptsokeenanoutlookwasnonethatfiguredinthesportsman'scalendaraslawfulandproperforthechase；UlrichvonGradwitzpatrolledthedarkforestinquestofahumanenemy。
　　TheforestlandsofGradwitzwereofwideextentandwellstockedwithgame；thenarrowstripofprecipitouswoodlandthatlayonitsoutskirtwasnotremarkableforthegameitharbouredortheshootingitafforded，butitwasthemostjealouslyguardedofallitsowner'sterritorialpossessions。Afamouslawsuit，inthedaysofhisgrandfather，hadwresteditfromtheillegalpossessionofaneighbouringfamilyofpettylandowners；thedispossessedpartyhadneveracquiescedinthejudgmentoftheCourts，andalongseriesofpoachingaffraysandsimilarscandalshadembitteredtherelationshipsbetweenthefamiliesforthreegenerations。TheneighbourfeudhadgrownintoapersonalonesinceUlrichhadcometobeheadofhisfamily；iftherewasamanintheworldwhomhedetestedandwishedilltoitwasGeorgZnaeym，theinheritorofthequarrelandthetirelessgame-snatcherandraiderofthedisputedborder-forest。Thefeudmight，perhaps，havedieddownorbeencompromisedifthepersonalill-willofthetwomenhadnotstoodintheway；asboystheyhadthirstedforoneanother'sblood，asmeneachprayedthatmisfortunemightfallontheother，andthiswind-
　　scourgedwinternightUlrichhadbandedtogetherhisforesterstowatchthedarkforest，notinquestoffour-footedquarry，buttokeepalook-outfortheprowlingthieveswhomhesuspectedofbeingafootfromacrossthelandboundary。Theroebuck，whichusuallykeptintheshelteredhollowsduringastorm-wind，wererunninglikedriventhingsto-night，andtherewasmovementandunrestamongthecreaturesthatwerewonttosleepthroughthedarkhours。Assuredlytherewasadisturbingelementintheforest，andUlrichcouldguessthequarterfromwhenceitcame。
　　Hestrayedawaybyhimselffromthewatcherswhomhehadplacedinambushonthecrestofthehill，andwanderedfardownthesteepslopesamidthewildtangleofundergrowth，peeringthroughthetreetrunksandlisteningthroughthewhistlingandskirlingofthewindandtherestlessbeatingofthebranchesforsightandsoundofthemarauders。Ifonlyonthiswildnight，inthisdark，lonespot，hemightcomeacrossGeorgZnaeym，mantoman，withnonetowitness——
　　thatwasthewishthatwasuppermostinhisthoughts。Andashesteppedroundthetrunkofahugebeechhecamefacetofacewiththemanhesought。
　　Thetwoenemiesstoodglaringatoneanotherforalongsilentmoment。Eachhadarifleinhishand，eachhadhateinhisheartandmurderuppermostinhismind。Thechancehadcometogivefullplaytothepassionsofalifetime。Butamanwhohasbeenbroughtupunderthecodeofarestrainingcivilisationcannoteasilynervehimselftoshootdownhisneighbourincoldbloodandwithoutwordspoken，exceptforanoffenceagainsthishearthandhonour。AndbeforethemomentofhesitationhadgivenwaytoactionadeedofNature'sownviolenceoverwhelmedthemboth。Afierceshriekofthestormhadbeenansweredbyasplittingcrashovertheirheads，anderetheycouldleapasideamassoffallingbeechtreehadthundereddownonthem。UlrichvonGradwitzfoundhimselfstretchedontheground，onearmnumbbeneathhimandtheotherheldalmostashelplesslyinatighttangleofforkedbranches，whilebothlegswerepinnedbeneaththefallenmass。Hisheavyshooting-bootshadsavedhisfeetfrombeingcrushedtopieces，butifhisfractureswerenotasseriousastheymighthavebeen，atleastitwasevidentthathecouldnotmovefromhispresentpositiontillsomeonecametoreleasehim。Thedescendingtwighadslashedtheskinofhisface，andhehadtowinkawaysomedropsofbloodfromhiseyelashesbeforehecouldtakeinageneralviewofthedisaster。Athisside，sonearthatunderordinarycircumstanceshecouldalmosthavetouchedhim，layGeorgZnaeym，aliveandstruggling，butobviouslyashelplesslypinioneddownashimself。Allroundthemlayathick-
　　strewnwreckageofsplinteredbranchesandbrokentwigs。
　　Reliefatbeingaliveandexasperationathiscaptiveplightbroughtastrangemedleyofpiousthank-offeringsandsharpcursestoUlrich'slips。Georg，whowasearlyblindedwiththebloodwhichtrickledacrosshiseyes，stoppedhisstrugglingforamomenttolisten，andthengaveashort，snarlinglaugh。
　　"Soyou'renotkilled，asyououghttobe，butyou'recaught，anyway，"hecried；"caughtfast。Ho，whatajest，UlrichvonGradwitzsnaredinhisstolenforest。There'srealjusticeforyou！"
　　Andhelaughedagain，mockinglyandsavagely。
　　"I'mcaughtinmyownforest-land，"retortedUlrich。"Whenmymencometoreleaseusyouwillwish，perhaps，thatyouwereinabetterplightthancaughtpoachingonaneighbour'sland，shameonyou。"
　　Georgwassilentforamoment；thenheansweredquietly：
　　"Areyousurethatyourmenwillfindmuchtorelease？Ihavemen，too，intheforestto-night，closebehindme，andTHEYwillbeherefirstanddothereleasing。Whentheydragmeoutfromunderthesedamnedbranchesitwon'tneedmuchclumsinessontheirparttorollthismassoftrunkrightoveronthetopofyou。Yourmenwillfindyoudeadunderafallenbeechtree。Forform'ssakeIshallsendmycondolencestoyourfamily。"
　　"Itisausefulhint，"saidUlrichfiercely。"Mymenhadorderstofollowintenminutestime，sevenofwhichmusthavegonebyalready，andwhentheygetmeout——Iwillrememberthehint。OnlyasyouwillhavemetyourdeathpoachingonmylandsIdon'tthinkI
　　candecentlysendanymessageofcondolencetoyourfamily。"
　　"Good，"snarledGeorg，"good。Wefightthisquarrelouttothedeath，youandIandourforesters，withnocursedinterloperstocomebetweenus。Deathanddamnationtoyou，UlrichvonGradwitz。"
　　"Thesametoyou，GeorgZnaeym，forest-thief，game-snatcher。"
　　Bothmenspokewiththebitternessofpossibledefeatbeforethem，foreachknewthatitmightbelongbeforehismenwouldseekhimoutorfindhim；itwasabarematterofchancewhichpartywouldarrivefirstonthescene。
　　Bothhadnowgivenuptheuselessstruggletofreethemselvesfromthemassofwoodthatheldthemdown；Ulrichlimitedhisendeavourstoanefforttobringhisonepartiallyfreearmnearenoughtohisoutercoat-pockettodrawouthiswine-flask。Evenwhenhehadaccomplishedthatoperationitwaslongbeforehecouldmanagetheunscrewingofthestopperorgetanyoftheliquiddownhisthroat。
　　ButwhataHeaven-sentdraughtitseemed！Itwasanopenwinter，andlittlesnowhadfallenasyet，hencethecaptivessufferedlessfromthecoldthanmighthavebeenthecaseatthatseasonoftheyear；nevertheless，thewinewaswarmingandrevivingtothewoundedman，andhelookedacrosswithsomethinglikeathrobofpitytowherehisenemylay，justkeepingthegroansofpainandwearinessfromcrossinghislips。
　　"CouldyoureachthisflaskifIthrewitovertoyou？"askedUlrichsuddenly；"thereisgoodwineinit，andonemayaswellbeascomfortableasonecan。Letusdrink，evenifto-nightoneofusdies。"
　　"No，Icanscarcelyseeanything；thereissomuchbloodcakedroundmyeyes，"saidGeorg，"andinanycaseIdon'tdrinkwinewithanenemy。"
　　Ulrichwassilentforafewminutes，andlaylisteningtothewearyscreechingofthewind。Anideawasslowlyformingandgrowinginhisbrain，anideathatgainedstrengtheverytimethathelookedacrossatthemanwhowasfightingsogrimlyagainstpainandexhaustion。InthepainandlanguorthatUlrichhimselfwasfeelingtheoldfiercehatredseemedtobedyingdown。
　　"Neighbour，"hesaidpresently，"doasyoupleaseifyourmencomefirst。Itwasafaircompact。Butasforme，I'vechangedmymind。
　　Ifmymenarethefirsttocomeyoushallbethefirsttobehelped，asthoughyouweremyguest。Wehavequarrelledlikedevilsallourlivesoverthisstupidstripofforest，wherethetreescan'tevenstanduprightinabreathofwind。Lyinghereto-nightthinkingI'vecometothinkwe'vebeenratherfools；therearebetterthingsinlifethangettingthebetterofaboundarydispute。Neighbour，ifyouwillhelpmetoburytheoldquarrelI——Iwillaskyoutobemyfriend。"
　　GeorgZnaeymwassilentforsolongthatUlrichthought，perhaps，hehadfaintedwiththepainofhisinjuries。Thenhespokeslowlyandinjerks。
　　"Howthewholeregionwouldstareandgabbleifwerodeintothemarket-squaretogether。NoonelivingcanrememberseeingaZnaeymandavonGradwitztalkingtooneanotherinfriendship。Andwhatpeacetherewouldbeamongtheforesterfolkifweendedourfeudto-night。Andifwechoosetomakepeaceamongourpeoplethereisnoneothertointerfere，nointerlopersfromoutside……YouwouldcomeandkeeptheSylvesternightbeneathmyroof，andIwouldcomeandfeastonsomehighdayatyourcastle……Iwouldneverfireashotonyourland，savewhenyouinvitedmeasaguest；andyoushouldcomeandshootwithmedowninthemarsheswherethewildfowlare。Inallthecountrysidetherearenonethatcouldhinderifwewilledtomakepeace。Ineverthoughttohavewantedtodootherthanhateyouallmylife，butIthinkIhavechangedmymindaboutthingstoo，thislasthalf-hour。Andyouofferedmeyourwineflask……UlrichvonGradwitz，Iwillbeyourfriend。"
　　Foraspacebothmenweresilent，turningoverintheirmindsthewonderfulchangesthatthisdramaticreconciliationwouldbringabout。Inthecold，gloomyforest，withthewindtearinginfitfulguststhroughthenakedbranchesandwhistlingroundthetree-
　　trunks，theylayandwaitedforthehelpthatwouldnowbringreleaseandsuccourtobothparties。Andeachprayedaprivateprayerthathismenmightbethefirsttoarrive，sothathemightbethefirsttoshowhonourableattentiontotheenemythathadbecomeafriend。
　　Presently，asthewinddroppedforamoment，Ulrichbrokesilence。
　　"Let'sshoutforhelp，"hesaid；hesaid；"inthislullourvoicesmaycarryalittleway。"
　　"Theywon'tcarryfarthroughthetreesandundergrowth，"saidGeorg，"butwecantry。Together，then。"
　　Thetworaisedtheirvoicesinaprolongedhuntingcall。
　　"Togetheragain，"saidUlrichafewminuteslater，afterlisteninginvainforanansweringhalloo。
　　"Iheardnothingbutthepestilentialwind，"saidGeorghoarsely。
　　Therewassilenceagainforsomeminutes，andthenUlrichgaveajoyfulcry。
　　"Icanseefigurescomingthroughthewood。TheyarefollowinginthewayIcamedownthehillside。"
　　Bothmenraisedtheirvoicesinasloudashoutastheycouldmuster。
　　"Theyhearus！They'vestopped。Nowtheyseeus。They'rerunningdownthehilltowardsus，"criedUlrich。
　　"Howmanyofthemarethere？"askedGeorg。
　　"Ican'tseedistinctly，"saidUlrich；"nineorten，"
　　"Thentheyareyours，"saidGeorg；"Ihadonlysevenoutwithme。"
　　"Theyaremakingallthespeedtheycan，bravelads，"saidUlrichgladly。
　　"Aretheyyourmen？"askedGeorg。"Aretheyyourmen？"herepeatedimpatientlyasUlrichdidnotanswer。
　　"No，"saidUlrichwithalaugh，theidioticchatteringlaughofamanunstrungwithhideousfear。
　　"Whoarethey？"askedGeorgquickly，straininghiseyestoseewhattheotherwouldgladlynothaveseen。
　　"Wolves。"
　　QUAILSEED
　　"Theoutlookisnotencouragingforussmallerbusinesses，"saidMr。
　　Scarricktotheartistandhissister，whohadtakenroomsoverhissuburbangrocerystore。"Thesebigconcernsareofferingallsortsofattractionstotheshoppingpublicwhichwecouldn'taffordtoimitate，evenonasmallscale——reading-roomsandplay-roomsandgramophonesandHeavenknowswhat。Peopledon'tcaretobuyhalfapoundofsugarnowadaysunlesstheycanlistentoHarryLauderandhavethelatestAustraliancricketscorestickedoffbeforetheireyes。WiththebigChristmasstockwe'vegotinweoughttokeephalfadozenassistantshardatwork，butasitismynephewJimmyandmyselfcanprettywellattendtoitourselves。It'sanicestockofgoods，too，ifIcouldonlyrunitoffinafewweekstime，butthere'snochanceofthat——notunlesstheLondonlinewastogetsnowedupforafortnightbeforeChristmas。IdidhaveasortofideaofengagingMissLuffcombetogiverecitationsduringafternoons；shemadeagreathitatthePostOfficeentertainmentwithherrenderingof'LittleBeatrice'sResolve'。"
　　"AnythinglesslikelytomakeyourshopafashionableshoppingcentreIcan'timagine，"saidtheartist，withaverygenuineshudder；"ifIweretryingtodecidebetweenthemeritsofCarlsbadplumsandconfectedfigsasawinterdessertitwouldinfuriatemetohavemytrainofthoughtentangledwithlittleBeatrice'sresolvetobeanAngelofLightoragirlscout。No，"hecontinued，"thedesiretogetsomethingthrowninfornothingisarulingpassionwiththefeminineshopper，butyoucan'taffordtopandereffectivelytoit。Whynotappealtoanotherinstinct；whichdominatesnotonlythewomanshopperbutthemaleshopper——infact，theentirehumanrace？"
　　"Whatisthatinstinct，sir？"saidthegrocer。
　　***
　　Mrs。GreyesandMissFrittenhadmissedthe2。18toTown，andastherewasnotanothertraintill3。12theythoughtthattheymightaswellmaketheirgrocerypurchasesatScarrick's。Itwouldnotbesensational，theyagreed，butitwouldstillbeshopping。
　　Forsomeminutestheyhadtheshopalmosttothemselves，asfarascustomerswereconcerned，butwhiletheyweredebatingtherespectivevirtuesandblemishesoftwocompetingbrandsofanchovypastetheywerestartledbyanorder，givenacrossthecounter，forsixpomegranatesandapacketofquailseed。Neithercommoditywasingeneraldemandinthatneighbourhood。Equallyunusualwasthestyleandappearanceofthecustomer；aboutsixteenyearsold，withdarkoliveskin，largeduskyeyes，andthink，low-growing，blue-
　　blackhair，hemighthavemadehislivingasanartist'smodel。Asamatteroffacthedid。Thebowlofbeatenbrassthatheproducedforthereceptionofhispurchaseswasdistinctlythemostastonishingvariationonthestringbagormarketingbasketofsuburbancivilisationthathisfellow-shoppershadeverseen。Hethrewagoldpiece，apparentlyofsomeexoticcurrency，acrossthecounter，anddidnotseemdisposedtowaitforanychangethatmightbeforthcoming。
　　"Thewineandfigswerenotpaidforyesterday，"hesaid；"keepwhatisoverofthemoneyforourfuturepurchases。"
　　"Averystrange-lookingboy？"saidMrs。Greyesinterrogativelytothegrocerassoonashiscustomerhadleft。
　　"Aforeigner，Ibelieve，"saidMr。Scarrick，withashortnessthatwasentirelyoutofkeepingwithhisusuallycommunicativemanner。
　　"Iwishforapoundandahalfofthebestcoffeeyouhave，"saidanauthoritativevoiceamomentortwolater。Thespeakerwasatall，authoritative-lookingmanofratheroutlandishaspect，remarkableamongotherthingsforafullblackbeard，worninastylemoreinvogueinearlyAssyriathaninaLondonsuburbofthepresentday。
　　"Hasadark-facedboybeenherebuyingpomegranates？"heaskedsuddenly，asthecoffeewasbeingweighedouttohim。
　　Thetwoladiesalmostjumpedonhearingthegrocerreplywithanunblushingnegative。
　　"Wehaveafewpomegranatesinstock，"hecontinued，"buttherehasbeennodemandforthem。"
　　"Myservantwillfetchthecoffeeasusual，"saidthepurchaser，producingacoinfromawonderfulmetal-workpurse。Asanapparentafterthoughthefiredoutthequestion："Haveyou，perhaps，anyquailseed？"
　　"No，"saidthegrocer，withouthesitation，"wedon'tstockit。"
　　"Whatwillhedenynext？"askedMrs。Greyesunderherbreath。WhatmadeitseemsomuchworsewasthefactthatMr。ScarrickhadquiterecentlypresidedatalectureonSavonarola。
　　Turningupthedeepastrachancollarofhislongcoat，thestrangersweptoutoftheshop，withtheair，MissFrittenafterwardsdescribedit，ofaSatrapproroguingaSanhedrim。WhethersuchapleasantfunctioneverfelltoaSatrap'slotshewasnotquitecertain，butthesimilefaithfullyconveyedhermeaningtoalargecircleofacquaintances。
　　"Don'tlet'sbotheraboutthe3。12，"saidMrs。Greyes；"let'sgoandtalkthisoveratLauraLipping's。It'sherday。"
　　Whenthedark-facedboyarrivedattheshopnextdaywithhisbrassmarketingbowltherewasquiteafairgatheringofcustomers，mostofwhomseemedtobespinningouttheirpurchasingoperationswiththeairofpeoplewhohadverylittletodowiththeirtime。Inavoicethatwasheardallovertheshop，perhapsbecauseeverybodywasintentlylistening，heaskedforapoundofhoneyandapacketofquailseed。
　　"Morequailseed！"saidMissFritten。"Thosequailsmustbevoracious，orelseitisn'tquailseedatall。"
　　"Ibelieveit'sopium，andthebeardedmanisadetective，"saidMrs。Greyesbrilliantly。
　　"Idon't，"saidLauraLipping；"I'msureit'ssomethingtodowiththePortugueseThrone。"
　　"MorelikelytobeaPersianintrigueonbehalfoftheex-Shah，"
　　saidMissFritten；"thebeardedmanbelongstotheGovernmentParty。
　　Thequail-seedisacountersign，ofcourse；PersiaisalmostnextdoortoPalestine，andquailscomeintotheOldTestament，youknow。"
　　"Onlyasamiracle，"saidherwell-informedyoungersister；"I'vethoughtallalongitwaspartofaloveintrigue。"
　　TheboywhohadsomuchinterestandspeculationcentredonhimwasonthepointofdepartingwithhispurchaseswhenhewaswaylaidbyJimmy，thenephew-apprentice，who，fromhispostatthecheeseandbaconcounter，commandedagoodviewofthestreet。
　　"WehavesomeveryfineJaffaoranges，"hesaidhurriedly，pointingtoacornerwheretheywerestored，behindahighrampartofbiscuittins。Therewasevidentlymoreintheremarkthanmettheear。Theboyflewattheorangeswiththeenthusiasmofaferretfindingarabbitfamilyathomeafteralongdayoffruitlesssubterraneanresearch。Almostatthesamemomentthebeardedstrangerstalkedintotheshop，andflunganorderforapoundofdatesandatinofthebestSmyrnahalvaacrossthecounter。Themostadventuroushousewifeinthelocalityhadneverheardofhalva，butMr。ScarrickwasapparentlyabletoproducethebestSmyrnavarietyofitwithoutamoment'shesitation。
　　"WemightbelivingintheArabianNights，"saidMissFritten，excitedly。
　　"Hush！Listen，"beseechedMrs。Greyes。
　　"Hasthedark-facedboy，ofwhomIspokeyesterday，beenhereto-
　　day？"askedthestranger。
　　"We'vehadrathermorepeoplethanusualintheshopto-day，"saidMr。Scarrick，"butIcan'trecallaboysuchasyoudescribe。"
　　Mrs。GreyesandMissFrittenlookedroundtriumphantlyattheirfriends。Itwas，ofcourse，deplorablethatanyoneshouldtreatthetruthasanarticletemporarilyandexcusablyoutofstock，buttheyfeltgratifiedthatthevividaccountstheyhadgivenofMr。
　　Scarrick'strafficinfalsehoodsshouldreceiveconfirmationatfirsthand。
　　"Ishallneveragainbeabletobelievewhathetellsmeabouttheabsenceofcolouringmatterinthejam，"whisperedanauntofMrs。
　　Greyestragically。
　　Themysteriousstrangertookhisdeparture；LauraLippingdistinctlysawasnarlofbaffledragerevealitselfbehindhisheavymoustacheandupturnedastrachancollar。Afteracautiousintervaltheseekerafterorangesemergedfrombehindthebiscuittins，havingapparentlyfailedtofindanyindividualorangethatsatisfiedhisrequirements。He，too，tookhisdeparture，andtheshopwasslowlyemptiedofitsparcelandgossipladencustomers。ItwasEmilyYorling's"day"，andmostoftheshoppersmadetheirwaytoherdrawing-room。Togodirectfromashoppingexpeditiontoateapartywaswhatwasknownlocallyas"livinginawhirl"。
　　Twoextraassistantshadbeenengagedforthefollowingafternoon，andtheirserviceswereinbriskdemand；theshopwascrowded。
　　Peopleboughtandbought，andneverseemedtogettotheendoftheirlists。Mr。Scarrickhadneverhadsolittledifficultyinpersuadingcustomerstoembarkonnewexperiencesingrocerywares。
　　Eventhosewomenwhosepurchaseswereofmodestproportionsdawdledoverthemasthoughtheyhadbrutal，drunkenhusbandstogohometo。
　　Theafternoonhaddraggeduneventfullyon，andtherewasadistinctbuzzofunpentexcitementwhenadark-eyedboycarryingabrassbowlenteredtheshop。TheexcitementseemedtohavecommunicateditselftoMr。Scarrick；abruptlydesertingaladywhowasmakinginsincereinquiriesaboutthehomelifeoftheBombayduck，heinterceptedthenewcomeronhiswaytotheaccustomedcounterandinformedhim，amidadeathlikehush，thathehadrunoutofquailseed。
　　Theboylookednervouslyroundtheshop，andturnedhesitatinglytogo。Hewasagainintercepted，thistimebythenephew，whodartedoutfrombehindhiscounterandsaidsomethingaboutabetterlineoforanges。Theboy'shesitationvanished；healmostscuttledintotheobscurityoftheorangecorner。Therewasanexpectantturnofpublicattentiontowardsthedoor，andthetall，beardedstrangermadeareallyeffectiveentrance。TheauntofMrs。Greyesdeclaredafterwardsthatshefoundherselfsub-consciouslyrepeating"TheAssyriancamedownlikeawolfonthefold"underherbreath，andshewasgenerallybelieved。
　　Thenewcomer，too，wasstoppedbeforehereachedthecounter，butnotbyMr。Scarrickorhisassistant。Aheavilyveiledlady，whomnoonehadhithertonoticed，roselanguidlyfromaseatandgreetedhiminaclear，penetratingvoice。
　　"YourExcellencydoeshisshoppinghimself？"shesaid。
　　"Iorderthethingsmyself，"heexplained；"Ifinditdifficulttomakemyservantsunderstand。"
　　Inalower，butstillperfectlyaudible，voicetheveiledladygavehimapieceofcasualinformation。
　　"TheyhavesomeexcellentJaffaorangeshere。"Thenwithatinklinglaughshepassedoutoftheshop。
　　Themanglaredallroundtheshop，andthen，fixinghiseyesinstinctivelyonthebarrierofbiscuittins，demandedloudlyofthegrocer："Youhave，perhaps，somegoodJaffaoranges？"
　　EveryoneexpectedaninstantdenialonthepartofMr。Scarrickofanysuchpossession。Beforehecouldanswer，however，theboyhadbrokenforthfromhissanctuary。Holdinghisemptybrassbowlbeforehimhepassedoutintothestreet。Hisfacewasvariouslydescribedafterwardsasmaskedwithstudiedindifference，overspreadwithghastlypallor，andblazingwithdefiance。Somesaidthathisteethchattered，othersthathewentoutwhistlingthePersianNationalHymn。Therewasnomistaking，however，theeffectproducedbytheencounteronthemanwhohadseemedtoforceit。Ifarabiddogorarattlesnakehadsuddenlythrustitscompanionshiponhimhecouldscarcelyhavedisplayedagreateraccessofterror。Hisairofauthorityandassertivenesshadgone，hismasterfulstridehadgivenwaytoafurtivepacingtoandfro，asofananimalseekinganoutletforescape。Inadazedperfunctorymanner，alwayswithhiseyesturningtowatchtheshopentrance，hegaveafewrandomorders，whichthegrocermadeashowofenteringinhisbook。Nowandthenhewalkedoutintothestreet，lookedanxiouslyinalldirections，andhurriedbacktokeepuphispretenceofshopping。
　　Fromoneofthesesortieshedidnotreturn；hehaddashedawayintothedusk，andneitherhenorthedark-facedboynortheveiledladywereseenagainbytheexpectantcrowdsthatcontinuedtothrongtheScarrickestablishmentfordaystocome。
　　***
　　"Icanneverthankyouandyoursistersufficiently，"saidthegrocer。
　　"Weenjoyedthefunofit，"saidtheartistmodestly，"andasforthemodel，itwasawelcomevariationonposingforhoursfor'TheLostHylas'。"
　　"Atanyrate，"saidthegrocer，"Iinsistonpayingforthehireoftheblackbeard。"
　　CANOSSA
　　DemosthenesPlatterbaff，theeminentUnrestInducer，stoodonhistrialforaseriousoffence，andtheeyesofthepoliticalworldwerefocussedonthejury。Theoffence，itshouldbestated，wasseriousfortheGovernmentratherthanfortheprisoner。HehadblownuptheAlbertHallontheeveofthegreatLiberalFederationTangoTea，theoccasiononwhichtheChancelloroftheExchequerwasexpectedtopropoundhisnewtheory："Dopartridgesspreadinfectiousdiseases？"Platterbaffhadchosenhistimewell；theTangoTeahadbeenhurriedlypostponed，buttherewereotherpoliticalfixtureswhichcouldnotbeputoffunderanycircumstances。Thedayafterthetrialtherewastobeaby-
　　electionatNemesis-on-Hand，andithadbeenopenlyannouncedinthedivisionthatifPlatterbaffwerelanguishingingaolonpollingdaytheGovernmentcandidatewouldbe"outed"toacertainty。
　　Unfortunately，therecouldbenodoubtormisconceptionastoPlatterbaff'sguilt。Hehadnotonlypleadedguilty，buthadexpressedhisintentionofrepeatinghisescapadeinotherdirectionsassoonascircumstancespermitted；throughoutthetrialhewasbusyexaminingasmallmodeloftheFreeTradeHallinManchester。ThejurycouldnotpossiblyfindthattheprisonerhadnotdeliberatelyandintentionallyblownuptheAlbertHall；thequestionwas：Couldtheyfindanyextenuatingcircumstanceswhichwouldpermitofanacquittal？Ofcourseanysentencewhichthelawmightfeelcompelledtoinflictwouldbefollowedbyanimmediatepardon，butitwashighlydesirable，fromtheGovernment'spointofview，thatthenecessityforsuchanexerciseofclemencyshouldnotarise。Aheadlongpardon，ontheeveofabye-election，withthreatsofaheavyvotingdefectionifitwerewithheldorevendelayed，wouldnotnecessarilybeasurrender，butitwouldlooklikeone。Opponentswouldbeonlytooreadytoattributeungenerousmotives。HencetheanxietyinthecrowdedCourt，andinthelittlegroupsgatheredroundthetape-machinesinWhitehallandDowningStreetandotheraffectedcentres。
　　Thejuryreturnedfromconsideringtheirverdict；therewasaflutter，anexcitedmurmur，adeath-likehush。Theforemandeliveredhismessage：
　　"ThejuryfindtheprisonerguiltyofblowinguptheAlbertHall。
　　Thejurywishtoaddariderdrawingattentiontothefactthataby-electionispendingintheParliamentarydivisionofNemesis-on-
　　Hand。"
　　"That，ofcourse，"saidtheGovernmentProsecutor，springingtohisfeet，"isequivalenttoanacquittal？"
　　"Ihardlythinkso，"saidtheJudge，coldly；"Ifeelobligedtosentencetheprisonertoaweek'simprisonment。"
　　"AndmaytheLordhavemercyonthepoll，"aJuniorCounselexclaimedirreverently。
　　Itwasascandaloussentence，butthentheJudgewasnotontheMinisterialsideinpolitics。
　　Theverdictandsentenceweremadeknowntothepublicattwentyminutespastfiveintheafternoon；athalf-pastfiveadensecrowdwasmassedoutsidethePrimeMinister'sresidencelustilysinging，totheairof"Trelawney"：
　　"AndshouldourHerorotingaol，Fore'enasingleday，There'sFifteenHundredVotingMenWillvotetheotherway。"
　　"Fifteenhundred，"saidthePrimeMinister，withashudder；"it'stoohorribletothinkof。Ourmajoritylasttimewasonlyathousandandseven。"
　　"Thepollopensateightto-morrowmorning，"saidtheChiefOrganiser；"wemusthavehimoutby7a。m。"
　　"Seven-thirty，"amendedthePrimeMinister；"wemustavoidanyappearanceofprecipitancy。"
　　"Notlaterthanseven-thirty，then，"saidtheChiefOrganiser；"I
　　havepromisedtheagentdowntherethatheshallbeabletodisplaypostersannouncing'PlatterbaffisOut，'beforethepollopens。Hesaiditwasouronlychanceofgettingatelegram'RadpropisIn'
　　to-night。"
　　Athalf-pastseventhenextmorningthePrimeMinisterandtheChiefOrganisersatatbreakfast，makingaperfunctorymeal，andawaitingthereturnoftheHomeSecretary，whohadgoneinpersontosuperintendthereleasingofPlatterbaff。Despitetheearlinessofthehourasmallcrowdhadgatheredinthestreetoutside，andthehorriblemenacingTrelawneyrefrainofthe"FifteenHundredVotingMen"cameinasteady，monotonouschant。
　　"Theywillcheerpresentlywhentheyhearthenews，"saidthePrimeMinisterhopefully；"hark！Theyarebooingsomeonenow！ThatmustbeMcKenna。"
　　TheHomeSecretaryenteredtheroomamomentlater，disasterwrittenonhisface。
　　"Hewon'tgo！"heexclaimed。
　　"Won'tgo？Won'tleavegaol？"
　　"Hewon'tgounlesshehasabrassband。Hesaysheneverhasleftprisonwithoutabrassbandtoplayhimout，andhe'snotgoingtogowithoutonenow。"
　　"Butsurelythatsortofthingisprovidedbyhissupportersandadmirers？"saidthePrimeMinister；"wecanhardlybesupposedtosupplyareleasedprisonerwithabrassband。HowonearthcouldwedefenditontheEstimates？"
　　"Hissupporterssayitisuptoustoprovidethemusic，"saidtheHomeSecretary；"theysayweputhiminprison，andit'souraffairtoseethatheleavesitinarespectablemanner。Anyway，hewon'tgounlesshehasaband。"
　　Thetelephonesquealedshrilly；itwasatrunkcallfromNemesis。
　　"Pollopensinfiveminutes。IsPlatterbaffoutyet？InHeaven'sname，why——"
　　TheChiefOrganiserrangoff。
　　"Thisisnotamomentforstandingondignity，"heobservedbluntly；
　　"musiciansmustbesuppliedatonce。Platterbaffmusthavehisband。"
　　"Whereareyougoingtofindthemusicians？"askedtheHomeSecretarywearily；"wecan'temployamilitaryband，infact，I
　　don'tthinkhe'dhaveoneifweofferedit，andthereain'tanyothers。There'samusicians'strikeon，Isupposeyouknow。"
　　"Can'tyougetastrikepermit？"askedtheOrganiser。
　　"I'lltry，"saidtheHomeSecretary，andwenttothetelephone。
　　Eighto'clockstruck。Thecrowdoutsidechantedwithanincreasingvolumeofsound：
　　"Willvotetheotherway。"
　　Atelegramwasbroughtin。ItwasfromthecentralcommitteeroomsatNemesis。"Losingtwentyvotesperminute，"wasitsbriefmessage。
　　Teno'clockstruck。ThePrimeMinister，theHomeSecretary，theChiefOrganiser，andseveralearnesthelpfulfriendsweregatheredintheinnergatewayoftheprison，talkingvolublytoDemosthenesPlatterbaff，whostoodwithfoldedarmsandsquarelyplantedfeet，silentintheirmidst。Golden-tonguedlegislatorswhoseeloquencehadswayedtheMarconiInquiryCommittee，oratanyratethegreaterpartofit，expendedtheirartsoforatoryinvainonthisstubbornunyieldingman。Withoutabandhewouldnotgo；andtheyhadnoband。
　　Aquarterpastten，half-past。Aconstantstreamoftelegraphboyspouredinthroughtheprisongates。
　　"Yamley'sfactoryhandsjustvotedyoucanguesshow，"ranadespairingmessage，andtheotherswereallofthesametenour。
　　NemesiswasgoingthewayofReading。
　　"Haveyouanybandinstrumentsofaneasynaturetoplay？"demandedtheChiefOrganiserofthePrisonGovernor；"drums，cymbals，thosesortofthings？"
　　"Thewardershaveaprivatebandoftheirown，"saidtheGovernor，"butofcourseIcouldn'tallowthementhemselves——"
　　"Lendustheinstruments，"saidtheChiefOrganiser。
　　Oneoftheearnesthelpfulfriendswasaskilledperformeronthecornet，theCabinetMinisterswereabletoclashcymbalsmoreorlessintune，andtheChiefOrganiserhassomeknowledgeofthedrum。
　　"Whattunewouldyouprefer？"heaskedPlatterbaff。
　　"Thepopularsongofthemoment，"repliedtheAgitatorafteramoment'sreflection。
　　Itwasatunetheyhadallheardhundredsoftimes，sotherewasnodifficultyinturningoutapassableimitationofit。Totheimprovisedstrainsof"Ididn'twanttodoit"theprisonerstrodeforthtofreedom。Thewordofthesonghadreference，itwasunderstood，totheincarceratingGovernmentandnottothedestroyeroftheAlbertHall。
　　Theseatwaslost，afterall，byanarrowmajority。ThelocalTradeUnioniststookoffenceatthefactofCabinetMinistershavingpersonallyactedasstrike-breakers，andeventhereleaseofPlatterbafffailedtopacifythem。
　　Theseatwaslost，butMinistershadscoredamoralvictory。Theyhadshownthattheyknewwhenandhowtoyield。
　　THETHREAT
　　SirLulworthQuaynesatintheloungeofhisfavouriterestaurant，theGallusBankiva，discussingtheweaknessesoftheworldwithhisnephew，whohadlatelyreturnedfromamuch-enlivenedexileinthewildsofMexico。Itwasthatblessedseasonoftheyearwhentheasparagusandtheplover'seggareabroadintheland，andtheoysterhasnotyetwithdrawnintoit'ssummerentrenchments，andSirLulworthandhisnephewwereinthatenlightenedafter-dinnermoodwhenpoliticsareseenintheirrightperspective，eventhepoliticsofMexico。
　　"Mostoftherevolutionsthattakeplaceinthiscountrynowadays，"
　　saidSirLulworth，"aretheproductofmomentsoflegislativepanic。