Withtheelectrictorchinhishandhestrucktheforemostofthemsofuriouslyinthefacethatthemanstumbledandrolledoverontheslimygrass;butthetorchwasbrokenandextinguished，leavingeverythinginadenserobscurity。Heflunganothermanflatagainstthetemplewall，sothatheslidtotheground;butathirdandfourthcarriedFisheroffhisfeetandbegantobearhim，struggling，towardthedoorway。Eveninthebewildermentofthebattlehewasconsciousthatthedoorwasstandingopen。Somebodywassummoningtheroughsfrominside。
　　Themomenttheywerewithintheyhurledhimuponasortofbenchorbedwithviolence，butnodamage;forthesettee，orwhateveritwas，seemedtobecomfortablycushionedforhisreception。Theirviolencehadinitagreatelementofhaste，andbeforehecouldrisetheyhadallrushedforthedoortoescape。Whateverbanditstheywerethatinfestedthisdesertisland，theywereobviouslyuneasyabouttheirjobandveryanxioustobequitofit。Hehadtheflyingfancythatregularcriminalswouldhardlybeinsuchapanic。Thenextmomentthegreatdoorcrashedtoandhecouldheartheboltsshriekastheyshotintotheirplace，andthefeetoftheretreatingmenscamperingandstumblingalongthecauseway。Butrapidlyasithappened，itdidnothappenbeforeFisherhaddonesomethingthathewantedtoto。Unabletorisefromhissprawlingattitudeinthatflashoftime，hehadshotoutoneofhislonglegsandhookeditroundtheankleofthelastmandisappearingthroughthedoor。Themanswayedandtoppledoverinsidetheprisonchamber，andthedoorclosedbetweenhimandhisfleeingcompanions。Clearlytheywereintoomuchhastetorealizethattheyhadleftoneoftheircompanybehind。
　　Themansprangtohisfeetagainandhammeredandkickedfuriouslyatthedoor。Fisher’ssenseofhumorbegantorecoverfromthestruggleandhesatuponhissofawithsomethingofhisnativenonchalance。Butashelistenedtothecaptivecaptorbeatingonthedooroftheprison，anewandcuriousreflectioncametohim。
　　Thenaturalcourseforamanthuswishingtoattracthisfriends’attentionwouldbetocallout，toshoutaswellaskick。Thismanwasmakingasmuchnoiseashecouldwithhisfeetandhands，butnotasoundcamefromhisthroat。Whycouldn’thespeak？
　　Atfirsthethoughtthemanmightbegagged，whichwasmanifestlyabsurd。Thenhisfancyfellbackontheuglyideathatthemanwasdumb。Hehardlyknewwhyitwassouglyanidea，butitaffectedhisimaginationinadarkanddisproportionatefashion。
　　Thereseemedtobesomethingcreepyabouttheideaofbeingleftinadarkroomwithadeafmute。Itwasalmostasifsuchadefectwereadeformity。Itwasalmostasifitwentwithotherandworsedeformities。
　　Itwasasiftheshapehecouldnottraceinthedarknessweresomeshapethatshouldnotseethesun。
　　Thenhehadaflashofsanityandalsoofinsight。
　　Theexplanationwasverysimple，butratherinteresting。Obviouslythemandidnotusehisvoicebecausehedidnotwishhisvoicetoberecognized。
　　HehopedtoescapefromthatdarkplacebeforeFisherfoundoutwhohewas。Andwhowashe？Onethingatleastwasclear。HewasoneorotherofthefourorfivemenwithwhomFisherhadalreadytalkedintheseparts，andinthedevelopmentofthatstrangestory。
　　"NowIwonderwhoyouare，"hesaid，aloud，withallhisoldlazyurbanity。"Isupposeit’snousetryingtothrottleyouinordertofindout;
　　itwouldbedispleasingtopassthenightwithacorpse。BesidesImightbethecorpse。I’vegotnomatchesandI’vesmashedmytorch，soIcanonlyspeculate。Whocouldyoube，now？
　　Letusthink。"
　　ThemanthusgeniallyaddressedhaddesistedfromdrummingonthedoorandretreatedsullenlyintoacornerasFishercontinuedtoaddresshiminaflowingmonologue。
　　"Probablyyouarethepoacherwhosaysheisn’tapoacher。Hesayshe’salandedproprietor;buthewillpermitmetoinformhimthat，whateverheis，he’safool。WhathopecanthereeverbeofafreepeasantryinEnglandifthepeasantsthemselvesaresuchsnobsastowanttobegentlemen？Howcanwemakeademocracywithnodemocrats？Asitis，youwanttobealandlordandsoyouconsenttobeacriminal。Andinthat，youknow，youareratherlikesomebodyelse。And，nowIthinkofit，perhapsyouaresomebodyelse。"
　　Therewasasilencebrokenbybreathingfromthecornerandthemurmuroftherisingstorm，thatcameinthroughthesmallgratingabovetheman’shead。HorneFishercontinued：
　　"Areyouonlyaservant，perhaps，thatrathersinisteroldservantwhowasbutlertoHawkerandVerner？Ifso，youarecertainlytheonlylinkbetweenthetwoperiods。Butifso，whydoyoudegradeyourselftoservethisdirtyforeigner，whenyouatleastsawthelastofagenuinenationalgentry？
　　Peoplelikeyouaregenerallyatleastpatriotic。
　　Doesn’tEnglandmeananythingtoyou，Mr。Usher？
　　Allofwhicheloquenceispossiblywasted，asperhapsyouarenotMr。Usher。
　　"MorelikelyyouareVernerhimself;andit’snogoodwastingeloquencetomakeyouashamedofyourself。NorisitanygoodtocurseyouforcorruptingEngland;norareyoutherightpersontocurse。ItistheEnglishwhodeservetobecursed，andarecursed，becausetheyallowedsuchvermintocrawlintothehighplacesoftheirheroesandtheirkings。Iwon’tdwellontheideathatyou’reVerner，orthethrottlingmightbegin，afterall。Isthereanyoneelseyoucouldbe？Surelyyou’renotsomeservantoftheotherrivalorganization。Ican’tbelieveyou’reGryce，theagent;andyetGrycehadasparkofthefanaticinhiseye，too;andmenwilldoextraordinarythingsinthesepaltryfeudsofpolitics。Orifnottheservant，isitthe……No，Ican’tbelieveit……nottheredbloodofmanhoodandliberty……notthedemocraticideal……"
　　Hesprangupinexcitement，andatthesamemomentagrowlofthundercamethroughthegratingbeyond。Thestormhadbroken，andwithitanewlightbrokeonhismind。Therewassomethingelsethatmighthappeninamoment。
　　"Doyouknowwhatthatmeans？"hecried。"ItmeansthatGodhimselfmayholdacandletoshowmeyourinfernalface。"
　　Thennextmomentcameacrashofthunder;butbeforethethunderawhitelighthadfilledthewholeroomforasinglesplitsecond。
　　Fisherhadseentwothingsinfrontofhim。Onewastheblack—and—whitepatternoftheirongratingagainstthesky;theotherwasthefaceinthecorner。
　　Itwasthefaceofhisbrother。
　　NothingcamefromHorneFisher’slipsexceptaChristianname，whichwasfollowedbyasilencemoredreadfulthanthedark。Atlasttheotherfigurestirredandsprangup，andthevoiceofHarryFisherwasheardforthefirsttimeinthathorribleroom。
　　"You’veseenme，Isuppose，"hesaid，"andwemayaswellhavealightnow。Youcouldhaveturneditonatanytime，ifyou’dfoundtheswitch。"
　　Hepressedabuttoninthewallandallthedetailsofthatroomsprangintosomethingstrongerthandaylight。Indeed，thedetailsweresounexpectedthatforamomenttheyturnedthecaptive’srockingmindfromthelastpersonalrevelation。Theroom，sofarfrombeingadungeoncell，wasmorelikeadrawing—room，evenalady’sdrawing—room，exceptforsomeboxesofcigarsandbottlesofwinethatwerestackedwithbooksandmagazinesonasidetable。Asecondglanceshowedhimthatthemoremasculinefittingswerequiterecent，andthatthemorefemininebackgroundwasquiteold。Hiseyecaughtastripoffadedtapestry，whichstartledhimintospeech，tothemomentaryoblivionofbiggermatters。
　　"Thisplacewasfurnishedfromthegreathouse，"
　　hesaid。
　　"Yes，"repliedtheother，"andIthinkyouknowwhy。"
　　"IthinkIdo，"saidHorneFisher，"andbeforeIgoontomoreextraordinarythingsIwill，saywhatI
　　think。SquireHawkerplayedboththebigamistandthebandit。HisfirstwifewasnotdeadwhenhemarriedtheJewess;shewasimprisonedonthisisland。Sheborehimachildhere，whonowhauntshisbirthplaceunderthenameofLongAdam。AbankruptcycompanypromoternamedWernerdiscoveredthesecretandblackmailedthesquireintosurrenderingtheestate。
　　That’sallquiteclearandveryeasy。
　　Andnowletmegoontosomethingmoredifficult。
　　Andthatisforyoutoexplainwhatthedevilyouaredoingkidnapingyourbornbrother。
　　AfterapauseHenryFisheranswered：
　　"Isupposeyoudidn’texpecttoseeme，"hesaid。
　　"But，afterall，whatcouldyouexpect？"’
　　"I’mafraidIdon’tfollow，"saidHorneFisher。
　　"Imeanwhatelsecouldyouexpect，aftermakingsuchamuckofit？"saidhisbrother，sulkily。"Weallthoughtyouweresoclever。Howcouldweknowyouweregoingtobe——well，really，sucharottenfailure？"
　　"Thisisrathercurious，"saidthecandidate，frowning。"Withoutvanity，Iwasnotundertheimpressionthatmycandidaturewasafailure。Allthebigmeetingsweresuccessfulandcrowdsofpeoplehavepromisedmevotes。"
　　"Ishouldjollywellthinktheyhad，"said’Henry，grimly。"You’vemadealandslidewithyourconfoundedacresandacow，andVernercanhardlygetavoteanywhere。Oh，it’stoorottenforanything！"
　　"Whatonearthdoyoumean？"
　　"Why，youlunatic，"criedHenry，intonesofringingsincerity，"youdon’tsupposeyouweremeanttoWIN
　　theseat，didyou？Oh，it’stoochildish！ItellyouVerner’sgottogetin。Ofcoursehe’sgottogetin。
　　He’stohavetheExchequernextsession，andthere’stheEgyptianloanandLordknowswhatelse。WeonlywantedyoutosplittheReformvotebecauseaccidentsmighthappenafterHugheshadmadeascoreatBarkington。"
　　"Isee，"saidFisher，"andyou，Ithink，areapillarandornamentoftheReformparty。Asyousay，Iamnotclever。"
　　Theappealtopartyloyaltyfellondeafears;forthepillarofReformwasbroodingonotherthings。Atlasthesaid，inamoretroubledvoice：
　　"Ididn’twantyoutocatchme;Iknewitwouldbeashock。ButItellyouwhat，youneverwouldhavecaughtmeifIhadn’tcomeheremyself，toseetheydidn’tilltreatyouandtomakesureeverythingwasascomfortableasitcouldbe。"Therewasevenasortofbreakinhisvoiceasheadded，"IgotthosecigarsbecauseIknewyoulikedthem。"
　　Emotionsarequeerthings，andtheidiocyofthisconcessionsuddenlysoftenedHorneFisherlikeanunfathomablepathos。
　　"Nevermind，oldchap，"hesaid;"we’llsaynomoreaboutit。I’lladmitthatyou’rereallyaskind—heartedandaffectionateascoundrelandhypocriteaseversoldhimselftoruinhiscountry。There，Ican’tsayhandsomerthanthat。Thankyouforthecigars，oldman。I’llhaveoneifyoudon’tmind。"
　　BythetimethatHorneFisherhadendedhistellingofthisstorytoHaroldMarchtheyhadcomeoutintooneofthepublicparksandtakenaseatonariseofgroundoverlookingwidegreenspacesunderablueandemptysky;andtherewassomethingincongruousinthewordswithwhichthenarrationended。
　　"Ihavebeeninthatroomeversince，"saidHorneFisher。"Iaminitnow。Iwontheelection，butI
　　neverwenttotheHouse。Mylifehasbeenalifeinthatlittleroomonthatlonelyisland。Plentyofbooksandcigarsandluxuries，plentyofknowledgeandinterestandinformation，butneveravoiceoutofthattombtoreachtheworldoutside。Ishallprobablydiethere。"Andhesmiledashelookedacrossthevastgreenparktothegrayhorizon。
　　VIII。THEVENGEANCEOFTHESTATUE
　　Itwasonthesunnyverandaofaseasidehotel，overlookingapatternofflowerbedsandastripofbluesea，thatHorneFisherandHaroldMarchhadtheirfinalexplanation，whichmightbecalledanexplosion。
　　HaroldMarchhadcometothelittletableandsatdownatitwithasubduedexcitementsmolderinginhissomewhatcloudyanddreamyblueeyes。Inthenewspaperswhichhetossedfromhimontothetabletherewasenoughtoexplainsomeifnotallofhisemotion。Publicaffairsineverydepartmenthadreachedacrisis。Thegovernmentwhichhadstoodsolongthatmenwereusedtoit，astheyareusedtoahereditarydespotism，hadbeguntobeaccusedOfblundersandevenoffinancialabuses。SomesaidthattheexperimentofattemptingtoestablishapeasantryinthewestofEngland，onthelinesofanearlyfancyofHorneFisher’s，hadresultedinnothingbutdangerousquarrelswithmoreindustrialneighbors。
　　Therehadbeenparticularcomplaintsoftheilltreatmentofharmlessforeigners，chieflyAsiatics，whohappenedtobeemployedinthenewscientificworksconstructedonthecoast。Indeed，thenewPowerwhichhadariseninSiberia，backedbyJapanandotherpowerfulallies，wasinclinedtotakethematterupintheinterestsofitsexiledsubjects;andtherehadbeenwildtalkaboutambassadorsandultimatums。
　　Butsomethingmuchmoreserious，initspersonalinterestforMarchhimself，seemedtofillhismeetingwithhisfriendwithamixtureofembarrassmentandindignation。
　　PerhapsitincreasedhisannoyancethattherewasacertainunusuallivelinessabouttheusuallylanguidfigureofFisher。TheordinaryimageofhiminMarch’smindwasthatofapallidandbald—browedgentleman，whoseemedtobeprematurelyoldaswellasprematurelybald。Hewasrememberedasamanwhoexpressedtheopinionsofapessimistinthelanguageofalounger。EvennowMarchcouldnotbecertainwhetherthechangewasmerelyasortofmasqueradeofsunshine，orthateffectofclearcolorsandclean—cutoutlinesthatisalwaysvisibleontheparadeofamarineresort，relievedagainstthebluedadoofthesea。ButFisherhadaflowerinhisbuttonhole，andhisfriendcouldhaveswornhecarriedhiscanewithsomethingalmostliketheswaggerofafighter。WithsuchcloudsgatheringoverEngland，thepessimistseemedtobetheonlymanwhocarriedhisownsunshine。
　　"Lookhere，"saidHaroldMarch，abruptly，"you’vebeennoendofafriendtome，andIneverwassoproudofafriendshipbefore;butthere’ssomethingI
　　mustgetoffmychest。ThemoreIfoundout，thelessIunderstoodhowyoucouldstandit。AndItellyouI’mgoingtostanditnolonger。"
　　HorneFishergazedacrossathimgravelyandattentively，butratherasifhewerealongwayoff。
　　"YouknowIalwayslikedyou，"saidFisher，quietly，"butIalsorespectyou，whichisnotalwaysthesamething。YoumaypossiblyguessthatIlikeagoodmanypeopleIdon’trespect。Perhapsitismytragedy，perhapsitismyfault。Butyouareverydifferent，andIpromiseyouthis：thatIwillnevertrytokeepyouassomebodytobeliked，atthepriceofyournotbeingrespected。"
　　"Iknowyouaremagnanimous，"saidMarchafterasilence，"andyetyoutolerateandperpetuateeverythingthatismean。"Thenafteranothersilenceheadded："Doyourememberwhenwefirstmet，whenyouwerefishinginthatbrookintheaffairofthetarget？Anddoyourememberyousaidthat，afterall，itmightdonoharmifIcouldblowthewholetangleofthissocietytohellwithdynamite。"
　　"Yes，andwhatofthat？"askedFisher。
　　"OnlythatI’mgoingtoblowittohellwithdynamite，"saidHaroldMarch，"andIthinkitrighttogiveyoufairwarning。ForalongtimeIdidn’tbelievethingswereasbadasyousaidtheywere。ButI
　　neverfeltasifIcouldhavebottledupwhatyouknew，supposingyoureallyknewit。Well，thelongandtheshortofitisthatI’vegotaconscience;andnow，atlast，I’vealsogotachance。I’vebeenputinchargeofabigindependentpaper，withafreehand，andwe’regoingtoopenacannonadeoncorruption。"
　　"Thatwillbe——Attwood，Isuppose，"saidFisher，reflectively。"Timbermerchant。KnowsalotaboutChina。"
　　"HeknowsalotaboutEngland，"saidMarch，doggedly，"andnowIknowit，too，we’renotgoingtohushitupanylonger。Thepeopleofthiscountryhavearighttoknowhowthey’reruled——or，rather，ruined。
　　TheChancellorisinthepocketofthemoneylendersandhastodoasheistold;otherwisehe’sbankrupt，andabadsortofbankruptcy，too，withnothingbutcardsandactressesbehindit。ThePrimeMinisterwasinthepetrol—contractbusiness;anddeepinit，too。TheForeignMinisterisawreckofdrinkanddrugs。WhenyousaythatplainlyaboutamanwhomaysendthousandsofEnglishmentodiefornothing，you’recalledpersonal。Ifapoorenginedrivergetsdrunkandsendsthirtyorfortypeopletodeath，nobodycomplainsoftheexposurebeingpersonal。
　　Theenginedriverisnotaperson。"
　　"Iquiteagreewithyou，"saidFisher，calmly。"Youareperfectlyright。"
　　"Ifyouagreewithus，，whythedevildon’tyouactwithus？"demandedhisfriend。"Ifyouthinkit’sright，whydon’tyoudowhat’sright？It’sawfultothinkofamanofyourabilitiessimplyblockingtheroadtoreform。"
　　"Wehaveoftentalkedaboutthat，"repliedFisher，withthesamecomposure。"ThePrimeMinisterismyfather’sfriend。TheForeignMinistermarriedmysister。TheChancelloroftheExchequerismyfirstcousin。Imentionthegenealogyinsomedetailjustnowforaparticularreason。ThetruthisIhaveacuriouskindofcheerfulnessatthemoment。Itisn’taltogetherthesunandthesea，sir。Iamenjoyinganemotionthatisentirelynewtome;ahappysensationIneverrememberhavinghadbefore。"
　　"Whatthedevildoyoumean？"
　　"Iamfeelingproudofmyfamily，"saidHorneFisher。
　　HaroldMarchstaredathimwithroundblueeyes，andseemedtoomuchmystifiedeventoaskaquestion。Fisherleanedbackinhischairinhislazyfashion，andsmiledashecontinued。
　　"Lookhere，mydearfellow。Letmeaskaquestioninturn。YouimplythatIhavealwaysknownthesethingsaboutmyunfortunatekinsmen。
　　SoIhave。DoyousupposethatAttwoodhasn’talwaysknownthem？Doyousupposehehasn’talwaysknownyouasanhonestmanwhowouldsaythesethingswhenhegotachance？WhydoesAttwoodunmuzzleyoulikeadogatthismoment，afteralltheseyears？Iknowwhyhedoes;Iknowagoodmanythings，fartoomanythings。Andtherefore，asIhavethehonortoremark，Iamproudofmyfamilyatlast。"
　　"Butwhy？"repeatedMarch，ratherfeebly。
　　"IamproudoftheChancellorbecausehegambledandtheForeignMinisterbecausehedrankandthePrimeMinisterbecausehetookacommissiononacontract，"saidFisher，firmly。"Iamproudofthembecausetheydidthesethings，andcanbedenouncedforthem，andknowtheycanbedenouncedforthem，andareSTANDINGFIRMFORALLTHAT。Itakeoffmyhattothembecausetheyaredefyingblackmail，andrefusingtosmashtheircountrytosavethemselves。I
　　salutethemasiftheyweregoingtodieonthebattlefield。"
　　Afterapausehecontinued："Anditwillbeabattlefield，too，andnotametaphoricalone。Wehaveyieldedtoforeignfinancierssolongthatnowitiswarorruin，Eventhepeople，eventhecountrypeople，arebeginningtosuspectthattheyarebeingruined。Thatisthemeaningoftheregrettable，incidentsinthenewspapers。"
　　"ThemeaningoftheoutragesonOrientals？"askedMarch。
　　"ThemeaningoftheoutragesonOrientals，"
　　repliedFisher，"isthatthefinanciershaveintroducedChineselaborintothiscountrywiththedeliberateintentionofreducingworkmenandpeasantstostarvation。Ourunhappypoliticianshavemadeconcessionafterconcession;andnowtheyareaskingconcessionswhichamounttoourorderingamassacreofourownpoor。Ifwedonotfightnowweshallneverfightagain。TheywillhaveputEnglandinaneconomicpositionofstarvinginaweek。Butwearegoingtofightnow;Ishouldn’twonderiftherewereanultimatuminaweekandan。invasioninafortnight。Allthepastcorruptionandcowardiceishamperingus，ofcourse;theWestcountryisprettystormyanddoubtfuleveninamilitarysense;andtheIrishregimentsthere，thataresupposedtosupportusbythenewtreaty，areprettywellinmutiny;for，ofcourse，thisinfernalcooliecapitalismisbeingpushedinIreland，too。Butit’stostopnow;andifthegovernmentmessageofreassurancegetsthroughtothemintime，theymayturnupafterallbythetimetheenemylands。Formypooroldgangisgoingtostandtoitsgunsatlast。Ofcourseit’sonlynaturalthatwhentheyhavebeenwhitewashedforhalfacenturyasparagons，theirsinsshouldcomebackonthemattheverymomentwhentheyarebehavinglikemenforthefirsttimeintheirlives。Well，Itellyou，March，Iknowtheminsideout;andIknowtheyarebehavinglikeheroes。Everymanofthemoughttohaveastatue，andonthepedestalwordslikethoseofthenoblestruffianoftheRevolution：’Quemonnomsoitfletri;quelaFrancesoitlibre。’"
　　"GoodGod！"criedMarch，"shallwenevergettothebottomofyourminesandcountermines？"
　　AfterasilenceFisheransweredinalowervoice，lookinghisfriendintheeyes。
　　"Didyouthinktherewasnothingbutevilatthebottomofthem？"heasked，gently。"DidyouthinkI
　　hadfoundnothingbutfilthinthedeepseasintowhichfatehasthrownme？Believeme，youneverknowthebestaboutmentillyouknowtheworstaboutthem。Itdoesnotdisposeoftheirstrangehumansoulstoknowthattheywereexhibitedtotheworldasimpossiblyimpeccablewaxworks，whoneverlookedafterawomanorknewthemeaningofabribe。Eveninapalace，lifecanbelivedwell;andeveninaParliament，lifecanbelivedwithoccasionaleffortstoliveitwell。Itellyouitisastrueoftheserichfoolsandrascalsasitistrueofeverypoorfootpadandpickpocket;thatonlyGodknowshowgoodtheyhavetriedtobe。Godaloneknowswhattheconsciencecansurvive，orhowamanwhohaslosthishonorwillstilltrytosavehissoul。"
　　Therewasanothersilence，andMarchsatstaringatthetableandFisheratthesea。ThenFishersuddenlysprangtohisfeetandcaughtuphishatandstickwithallhisnewalertnessandevenpugnacity。
　　"Lookhere，oldfellow，"hecried，"letusmakeabargain。BeforeyouopenyourcampaignforAttwoodcomedownandstaywithusforoneweek，tohearwhatwe’rereallydoing。
　　ImeanwiththeFaithfulFew，formerlyknownastheOldGang，occasionallytobedescribedastheLowLot。Therearereallyonlyfiveofusthatarequitefixed，andorganizingthenationaldefense;andwe’relivinglikeagarrisoninasortofbroken—downhotelinKent。Comeandseewhatwe’rereallydoingandwhatthereistobedone，anddousjustice。Andafterthat，withunalterableloveandaffectionforyou，publishandbedamned。"
　　Thusitcameaboutthatinthelastweekbeforewar，wheneventsmovedmostrapidly，HaroldMarchfoundhimselfoneofasortofsmallhousepartyofthepeoplehewasproposingtodenounce。Theywerelivingsimplyenough，forpeoplewiththeirtastes，inanoldbrown—brickinnfacedwithivyandsurroundedbyratherdismalgardens。Atthebackofthebuildingthegardenranupverysteeplytoaroadalongtheridgeabove;andazigzagpathscaledtheslopeinsharpangles，turningtoandfroamidevergreenssosomberthattheymightratherbecalledeverblack。
　　Hereandthereuptheslopewerestatueshavingallthecoldmonstrosityofsuchminorornamentsoftheeighteenthcentury;andawholerowofthemranasonaterracealongthelastbankatthebottom，oppositethebackdoor。ThisdetailfixeditselffirstinMarch’smindmerelybecauseitfiguredinthefirstconversationhehadwithoneofthecabinetministers。
　　Thecabinetministerswereratherolderthanhehadexpectedtofindthem。ThePrimeMinisternolongerlookedlikeaboy，thoughhestilllookedalittlelikeababy。Butitwasoneofthoseoldandvenerablebabies，andthebabyhadsoftgrayhair。
　　Everythingabouthimwassoft，tohisspeechandhiswayofwalking;butoverandabovethathischieffunctionseemedtobesleep。Peopleleftalonewithhimgotsousedtohiseyesbeingclosedthattheywerealmoststartledwhentheyrealizedinthestillnessthattheeyeswerewideopen，andevenwatching。Onethingatleastwouldalwaysmaketheoldgentlemanopenhiseyes。Theonethinghereallycaredforinthisworldwashishobbyofarmoredweapons，especiallyEasternweapons，andhewouldtalkforhoursaboutDamascusbladesandArabswordmanship。LordJamesHerries，theChancelloroftheExchequer，wasashort，dark，sturdymanwithaverysallowfaceandaverysullenmanner，whichcontrastedwiththegorgeousflowerinhisbuttonholeandhisfestivetrickofbeingalwaysslightlyoverdressed。Itwassomethingofaeuphemismtocallhimawell—knownmanabouttown。Therewasperhapsmoremysteryinthequestionofhowamanwholivedforpleasureseemedtogetsolittlepleasureoutofit。SirDavidArcher，theForeignSecretary，wastheonlyoneofthemwhowasaself—mademan，andtheonlyoneofthemwholookedlikeanaristocrat。Hewastallandthinandveryhandsome，withagrizzledbeard;hisgrayhairwasverycurly，andevenroseinfrontintworebelliousringletsthatseemedtothefancifultotrembleliketheantennaeofsomegiantinsect，ortostirsympatheticallywiththerestlesstuftedeyebrowsoverhisratherhaggardeyes。FortheForeignSecretarymadenosecretofhissomewhatnervouscondition，whatevermightbethecauseofit。
　　"Doyouknowthatmoodwhenonecouldscreambecauseamatiscrooked？"hesaidtoMarch，astheywalkedupanddowninthebackgardenbelowthelineofdingystatues。"Womengetintoitwhenthey’veworkedtoohard;andI’vebeenworkingprettyhardlately，ofcourse。ItdrivesmemadwhenHerrieswillwearhishatalittlecrooked——habitoflookinglikeagaydog。
　　SometimeIswearI’llknockitoff。ThatstatueofBritanniaoverthereisn’tquitestraight;itsticksforwardabitasiftheladyweregoingtotoppleover。
　　Thedamnedthingisthatitdoesn’ttoppleoverandbedonewithit。See，it’sclampedwithanironprop。
　　Don’tbesurprisedifIgetupinthemiddleofthenighttohikeitdown。"
　　Theypacedthepathforafewmomentsinsilenceandthenhecontinued。"It’soddthoselittlethingsseemspeciallybigwhentherearebiggerthingstoworryabout。We’dbettergoinanddosomework。"
　　HorneFisherevidentlyallowedforalltheneuroticpossibilitiesofArcherandthedissipatedhabitsofHerries;andwhateverhisfaithintheirpresentfirmness，didnotundulytaxtheirtimeandattention，eveninthecaseofthePrimeMinister。Hehadgottheconsentofthelatterfinallytothecommittingoftheimportantdocuments，withtheorderstotheWesternarmies，tothecareofalessconspicuousandmoresolidperson——anuncleofhisnamedHorneHewitt，arathercolorlesscountrysquirewhohadbeenagoodsoldier，andwasthemilitaryadviserofthecommittee。Hewaschargedwithexpeditingthegovernmentpledge，alongwiththeconcertedmilitaryplans，tothehalf—mutinouscommandinthewest;
　　andthestillmoreurgenttaskofseeingthatitdidnotfallintothehandsoftheenemy，whomightappearatanymomentfromtheeast。Overandabovethismilitaryofficial，theonlyotherpersonpresentwasapoliceofficial，acertainDoctorPrince，originallyapolicesurgeonandnowadistinguisheddetective，senttobeabodyguardtothegroup。Hewasasquare—facedmanwithbigspectaclesandagrimacethatexpressedtheintentionofkeepinghismouthshut。Nobodyelsesharedtheircaptivityexceptthehotelproprietor，acrustyKentishmanwithacrab—appleface，oneortwoofhisservants，andanotherservantprivatelyattachedtoLordJamesHerries。HewasayoungScotchmannamedCampbell，wholookedmuchmoredistinguishedthanhisbilious—lookingmaster，havingchestnuthairandalongsaturninefacewithlargebutfinefeatures。Hewasprobablytheonereallyefficientpersoninthehouse。
　　Afteraboutfourdaysoftheinformalcouncil，Marchhadcometofeelasortofgrotesquesublimityaboutthesedubiousfigures，defiantinthetwilightofdanger，asiftheywerehunchbacksandcripplesleftalonetodefendatown。Allwereworkinghard;andhehimselflookedupfromwritingapageofmemorandainaprivateroomtoseeHorneFisherstandinginthedoorway，accouteredasiffortravel。
　　HefanciedthatFisherlookedalittlepale;andafteramomentthatgentlemanshutthedoorbehindhimandsaid，quietly：
　　"Well，theworsthashappened。Ornearlytheworst。"
　　"Theenemyhaslanded，"criedMarch，andsprangerectoutofhischair。
　　"Oh，Iknewtheenemywouldland，"saidFisher，withcomposure。"Yes，he’slanded;butthat’snottheworstthatcouldhappen。Theworstisthatthere’saleakofsomesort，evenfromthisfortressofours。It’sbeenabitofashocktome，Icantellyou;thoughI
　　supposeit’sillogical。Afterall，Iwasfullofadmirationatfindingthreehonestmeninpolitics。I
　　oughtnottobefullofastonishmentifIfindonlytwo。"
　　Heruminatedamomentandthensaid，insuchafashionthatMarchcouldhardlytellifhewerechangingthesubjectorno：
　　"It’shardatfirsttobelievethatafellowlikeHerries，whohadpickledhimselfinvicelikevinegar，canhaveanyscrupleleft。ButaboutthatI’venoticedacuriousthing。Patriotismisnotthefirstvirtue。
　　PatriotismrotsintoPrussianismwhenyoupretenditisthefirstvirtue。Butpatriotismissometimesthelastvirtue。Amanwillswindleorseducewhowillnotsellhiscountry。Butwhoknows？"
　　"Butwhatistobedone？"criedMarch，indignantly。
　　"Myunclehasthepaperssafeenough，"repliedFisher，"andissendingthemwestto—night;butsomebodyistryingtogetatthemfromout。side，Ifearwiththeassistanceofsomebodyin。side。AllIcandoatpresentistotrytoheadoffthemanoutside;andImustgetawaynowanddoit。Ishallbebackinabouttwenty—fourhours。
　　WhileI’mawayIwantyoutokeepaneyeonthesepeopleandfindoutwhatyoucan。Aurevoir。"Hevanisheddownthestairs;andfromthewindowMarchcouldseehimmountamotorcycleandtrailawaytowardtheneighboringtown。
　　Onthefollowingmorning，Marchwassittinginthewindowseatoftheoldinnparlor，whichwasoak—paneledandordinarilyratherdark;butonthatoccasionitwasfullofthewhitelightofacuriouslyclearmorning——themoonhadshonebrilliantlyforthelasttwoorthreenights。Hewashimselfsomewhatinshadowinthecornerofthewindowseat;andLordJamesHerries，cominginhastilyfromthegardenbehind，didnotseehim。LordJamesclutchedthebackofachair，asiftosteadyhimself，and，sittingdownabruptlyatthetable，litteredwiththelastmeal，pouredhimselfoutatumblerofbrandyanddrankit。
　　HesatwithhisbacktoMarch，buthisyellowfaceappearedinaroundmirrorbeyonandthetingeofitwaslikethatofsomehorriblemalady。AsMarchmovedhestartedviolentlyandfacedround。
　　"MyGod！"hecried，"haveyouseenwhat’soutside？"
　　"Outside？"repeatedtheother，glancingoverhisshoulderatthegarden。
　　"Oh，goandlookforyourself，"criedHerriesinasortoffury。"Hewitt’smurderedandhispapersstolen，that’sall。"
　　Heturnedhisbackagainandsatdownwithathud;hissquareshoulderswereshaking。HaroldMarchdartedoutofthedoorwayintothebackgardenwithitssteepslopeofstatues。
　　ThefirstthinghesawwasDoctorPrince，thedetective，peeringthroughhisspectaclesatsomethingontheground;thesecondwasthethinghewaspeeringat。Evenafterthesensationalnewshehadheardinside，thesightwassomethingofasensation。
　　ThemonstrousstoneimageofBritanniawaslyingproneandfacedownwardonthegardenpath;andtherestuckoutatrandomfromunderneathit，likethelegsofasmashedfly，anarmcladinawhiteshirtsleeveandalegcladinakhakitrouser，andhairoftheunmistakablesandygraythatbelongedtoHorneFisher’sunfortunateuncle。Therewerepoolsofbloodandthelimbswerequitestiffindeath。
　　"Couldn’tthishavebeenanaccident？"saidMarch，findingwordsatlast。
　　"Lookforyourself，Isay，"repeatedtheharshvoiceofHerries，whohadfollowedhimwithrestlessmovementsoutofthedoor。"Thepapersaregone，I
　　tellyou。Thefellowtorethecoatoffthecorpseandcutthepapersoutoftheinnerpocket。There’sthecoatoverthereonthebank，withthegreatslashinit。"
　　"Butwaitaminute，"saidthedetective，Prince，quietly。"Inthatcasethereseemstobesomethingofamystery。Amurderermightsomehowhavemanagedtothrowthestatuedownonhim，asheseemstohavedone。ButIbethecouldn’teasilyhavelifteditupagain。I’vetried;andI’msureitwouldwantthreemenatleast。Yetwemustsuppose，onthattheory，thatthemurdererfirstknockedhimdownashewalkedpast，usingthestatueasastoneclub，thenlifteditupagain，tookhimoutanddeprivedhimofhiscoat，thenputhimbackagaininthepostureofdeathandneatlyreplacedthestatue。Itellyouit’sphysicallyimpossible。Andhowelsecouldhehaveunclothedamancoveredwiththatstonemonument？It’sworsethantheconjurer’strick，whenamanshufflesacoatoffwithhiswriststied。"
　　"Couldhehavethrowndownthestatueafterhe’dstrippedthecorpse？"askedMarch。
　　"Andwhy？"askedPrince，sharply。"Ifhe’dkilledhismanandgothispapers，he’dbeawaylikethewind。Hewouldn’tpotteraboutinagardenexcavatingthepedestalsofstatues。Besides——Hullo，who’sthatupthere？"
　　Highontheridgeabovethem，drawnindarkthinlinesagainstthesky，wasafigurelookingsolongandleanastobealmostspidery。Thedarksilhouetteoftheheadshowedtwosmalltuftslikehorns;andtheycouldalmosthaveswornthatthehornsmoved。
　　"Archer！"shoutedHerries，withsuddenpassion，andcalledtohimwithcursestocomedown。Thefiguredrewbackatthefirstcry，withanagitatedmovementsoabruptasalmosttobecalledanantic。
　　Thenextmomentthemanseemedtoreconsiderandcollecthimself，andbegantocomedownthezigzaggardenpath，butwithobviousreluctance，hisfeetfallinginslowerandslowerrhythm。ThroughMarch’smindwerethrobbingthephrasesthatthismanhimselfhadused，aboutgoingmadinthemiddleofthenightandwreckingthestonefigure。justso，hecouldfancy，themaniacwhohaddonesuchathingmightclimbthecrestofthehill，inthatfeverishdancingfashion，andlookdownonthewreckhehadmade。Butthewreckhehadmadeherewasnotonlyawreckofstone。
　　Whenthemanemergedatlastontothegardenpath，withthefulllightonhisfaceandfigure，hewaswalkingslowlyindeed，buteasily，andwithnoappearanceoffear。
　　"Thisisaterriblething，"hesaid。"Isawitfromabove;Iwastakingastrollalongtheridge。"
　　"Doyoumeanthatyousawthemurder？"
　　demandedMarch，"ortheaccident？Imeandidyouseethestatuefall？"
　　"No，"saidArcher，"ImeanIsawthestatuefallen。"
　　Princeseemedtobepayingbutlittleattention;hiseyewasrivetedonanobjectlyingonthepathayardortwofromthecorpse。Itseemedtobearustyironbarbentcrookedatoneend。
　　"OnethingIdon’tunderstand，’hesaid，"isallthisblood。Thepoorfellow’sskullisn’tsmashed;mostlikelyhisneckisbroken;butbloodseemstohavespoutedasifallhisarteriesweresevered。Iwaswonderingifsomeotherinstrument……thatironthing，forinstance;butIdon’tseethateventhatissharpenough。Isupposenobodyknowswhatitis。"
　　"Iknowwhatitis，"saidArcherinhisdeepbutsomewhatshakyvoice。"I’veseenitinmynightmares。Itwastheironclamporproponthepedestal，stuckontokeepthewretchedimageuprightwhenitbegantowabble，Isuppose。Anyhow，itwasalwaysstuckinthestoneworkthere;andI
　　supposeitcameoutwhenthethingcollapsed。"
　　DoctorPrincenodded，buthecontinuedtolookdownatthepoolsofbloodandthebarofiron。
　　"I’mcertainthere’ssomethingmoreunderneathallthis，"hesaidatlast。"Perhapssomethingmoreunderneaththestatue。Ihaveahugesortofhunchthatthereis。Wearefourmennowandbetweenuswecanliftthatgreattombstonethere。"
　　Theyallbenttheirstrengthtothebusiness;therewasasilencesaveforheavybreathing;andthen，afteraninstantofthetotteringandstaggeringofeightlegs，thegreatcarvencolumnofrockwasrolledaway，andthebodylyinginitsshirtandtrouserswasfullyrevealed。ThespectaclesofDoctorPrinceseemedalmosttoenlargewitharestrainedradiancelikegreateyes;forotherthingswererevealedalso。
　　OnewasthattheunfortunateHewitthadadeepgashacrossthejugular，whichthetriumphantdoctorinstantlyidentifiedashavingbeenmadewithasharpsteeledgelikearazor。Theotherwasthatimmediatelyunderthebanklaylitteredthreeshiningscrapsofsteel，eachnearlyafootlong，onepointedandanotherfittedintoagorgeouslyjeweledhiltorhandle。ItwasevidentlyasortoflongOrientalknife，longenoughtobecalledasword，butwithacuriouswavyedge;andtherewasatouchortwoofbloodonthepoint。
　　"Ishouldhaveexpectedmoreblood，hardlyonthepoint，"observedDoctorPrince，thoughtfully，"butthisiscertainlytheinstrument。Theslashwascertainlymadewithaweaponshapedlikethis，andprobablytheslashingofthepocketaswell。Isupposethebrutethrewinthestatue，bywayofgivinghimapublicfuneral。"
　　Marchdidnotanswer;hewasmesmerizedbythestrangestonesthatglitteredonthestrangeswordhilt;
　　andtheirpossiblesignificancewasbroadeninguponhimlikeadreadfuldawn。ItwasacuriousAsiaticweapon。HeknewwhatnamewasconnectedinhismemorywithcuriousAsiaticweapons。LordJamesspokehissecretthoughtforhim，andyetitstartledhimlikeanirrelevance。
　　"WhereisthePrimeMinister？"Herrieshadcried，suddenly，andsomehowlikethebarkofadogatsomediscovery。
　　DoctorPrinceturnedonhimhisgogglesandhisgrimface;anditwasgrimmerthanever。
　　"Icannotfindhimanywhere，"hesaid。"Ilookedforhimatonce，assoonasIfoundthepapersweregone。Thatservantofyours，Campbell，madeamostefficientsearch，buttherearenotraces。"
　　Therewasalongsilence，attheendofwhichHerriesutteredanothercry，butuponanentirelynewnote。
　　"Well，youneedn’tlookforhimanylonger，"hesaid，"forherehecomes，alongwithyourfriendFisher。Theylookasifthey’dbeenforalittlewalkingtour。"
　　ThetwofiguresapproachingupthepathwereindeedthoseofFisher，splashedwiththemireoftravelandcarryingascratchlikethatofabrambleacrossonesideofhisbaldforehead，andofthegreatandgray—hairedstatesmanwholookedlikeababyandwasinterestedinEasternswordsandswordmanship。Butbeyondthisbodilyrecognition，Marchcouldmakeneitherheadnortailoftheirpresenceordemeanor，whichseemedtogiveafinaltouchofnonsensetothewholenightmare。Themorecloselyhewatchedthem，astheystoodlisteningtotherevelationsofthedetective，themorepuzzledhewasbytheirattitude——Fisherseemedgrievedbythedeathofhisuncle，buthardlyshockedatit;theoldermanseemedalmostopenlythinkingaboutsomethingelse，andneitherhadanythingtosuggestaboutafurtherpursuitofthefugitivespyandmurderer，inspiteoftheprodigiousimportanceofthedocumentshehadstolen。Whenthedetectivehadgoneofftobusyhimselfwiththatdepartmentofthebusiness，totelephoneandwritehisreport，whenHerrieshadgoneback，probablytothebrandybottle，andthePrimeMinisterhadblandlysaunteredawaytowardacomfortablearmchairinanotherpartofthegarden，HorneFisherspokedirectlytoHaroldMarch。
　　"Myfriend，"hesaid，"Iwantyoutocomewithmeatonce;thereisnooneelseIcantrustsomuchasthat。Thejourneywilltakeusmostoftheday，andthechiefbusinesscannotbedonetillnightfall。Sowecantalkthingsoverthoroughlyontheway。ButIwantyoutobewithme;forIratherthinkitismyhour。"
　　MarchandFisherbothhadmotorbicycles;andthefirsthalfoftheirday’sjourneyconsistedincoastingeastwardamidtheunconversationalnoiseofthoseuncomfortableengines。ButwhentheycameoutbeyondCanterburyintotheflatsofeasternKent，Fisherstoppedatapleasantlittlepublichousebesideasleepystream;andtheysatdowntocatandtodrinkandtospeakalmostforthefirsttime。Itwasabrilliantafternoon，birdsweresinginginthewoodbehind，andthesunshonefullontheiralebenchandtable;butthefaceofFisherinthestrongsunlighthadagravityneverseenonitbefore。
　　"Beforewegoanyfarther，"hesaid，"thereissomethingyououghttoknow。YouandIhaveseensomemysteriousthingsandgottothebottomofthembeforenow;andit’sonlyrightthatyoushouldgettothebottomofthisone。ButindealingwiththedeathofmyuncleImustbeginattheotherendfromwhereourolddetectiveyarnsbegan。Iwillgiveyouthestepsofdeductionpresently，ifyouwanttolistentothem;butIdidnotreachthetruthofthisbystepsofdeduction。Iwillfirstofalltellyouthetruthitself，becauseIknewthetruthfromthefirst。TheothercasesIapproachedfromtheoutside，butinthiscaseIwasinside。Imyselfwastheverycoreandcenterofeverything。"
　　Somethinginthespeaker’spendenteyelidsandgravegrayeyessuddenlyshookMarchtohisfoundations;andhecried，distractedly，"Idon’tunderstand！"asmendowhentheyfearthattheydounderstand。Therewasnosoundforaspacebutthehappychatterofthebirds，andthenHorneFishersaid，calmly：
　　"ItwasIwhokilledmyuncle。Ifyouparticularlywantmore，itwasIwhostolethestatepapersfromhim。"
　　"Fisher！"criedhisfriendinastrangledvoice。
　　"Letmetellyouthewholethingbeforewepart，"
　　continuedtheother，"andletmeputit，forthesakeofclearness，asweusedtoputouroldproblems。Nowtherearetwothingsthatarepuzzlingpeopleaboutthatproblem，aren’tthere？Thefirstishowthemurderermanagedtoslipoffthedeadman’scoat，whenhewasalreadypinnedtothegroundwiththatstoneincubus。Theother，whichismuchsmallerandlesspuzzling，isthefactoftheswordthatcuthisthroatbeingslightlystainedatthepoint，insteadofagooddealmorestainedattheedge。Well，Icandisposeofthefirstquestioneasily。HorneHewitttookoffhisowncoatbeforehewaskilled。Imightsayhetookoffhiscoattobekilled。"
　　"Doyoucallthatanexplanation？"exclaimedMarch。"Thewordsseemmoremeaningless，thanthefacts。"
　　"Well，letusgoontotheotherfacts，"continuedFisher，equably。"ThereasonthatparticularswordisnotstainedattheedgewithHewitt’sbloodisthatitwasnotusedtokillHewitt。
　　"Butthedoctor，"protestedMarch，"declareddistinctlythatthewoundwasmadebythatparticularsword。"
　　"Ibegyourpardon，"repliedFisher。"Hedidnotdeclarethatitwasmadebythatparticularsword。Hedeclareditwasmadebyaswordofthatparticularpattern。"
　　"Butitwasquiteaqueerandexceptionalpattern，"
　　arguedMarch;"surelyitisfartoofantasticacoincidencetoimagine——"
　　"Itwasafantasticcoincidence，"reflectedHorneFisher。"It’sextraordinarywhatcoincidencesdosometimesoccur。Bytheoddestchanceintheworld，byonechanceinamillion，itsohappenedthatanotherswordofexactlythesameshapewasinthesamegardenatthesametime。Itmaybepartlyexplained，bythefactthatIbroughtthembothintothegardenmyself……come，mydearfellow;surelyyoucanseenowwhatitmeans。Putthosetwothingstogether;thereweretwoduplicateswordsandhetookoffhiscoatforhimself。ItmayassistyourspeculationstorecallthefactthatIamnotexactlyanassassin。"
　　"Aduel！"exclaimedMarch，recoveringhimself。
　　"OfcourseIoughttohavethoughtofthat。Butwhowasthespywhostolethepapers？"
　　"Myunclewasthespywhostolethepapers，"
　　repliedFisher，"orwhotriedtostealthepaperswhenIstoppedhim——intheonlywayIcould。Thepapers，thatshouldhavegonewesttoreassureourfriendsandgivethemtheplansforrepellingtheinvasion，wouldinafewhourshavebeeninthehandsoftheinvader。WhatcouldIdo？TohavedenouncedoneofourfriendsatthismomentwouldhavebeentoplayintothehandsofyourfriendAttwood，andallthepartyofpanicandslavery。Besides，itmaybethatamanoverfortyhasasubconsciousdesiretodieashehaslived，andthatIwanted，inasense，tocarrymysecretstothegrave。Perhapsahobbyhardenswithage;andmyhobbyhasbeensilence。PerhapsIfeelthatIhavekilledmymother’sbrother，butIhavesavedmymother’sname。Anyhow，IchoseatimewhenIknewyouwereallasleep，andhewaswalkingaloneinthegarden。Isawallthestonestatuesstandinginthemoonlight;andImyselfwaslikeoneofthosestonestatueswalking。Inavoicethatwasnotmyown，Itoldhimofhistreasonanddemandedthepapers;andwhenherefused，Iforcedhimtotakeoneofthetwoswords。TheswordswereamongsomespecimenssentdownhereforthePrimeMinister’sinspection;heisacollector，youknow;theyweretheonlyequalweaponsIcouldfind。
　　Tocutanuglytaleshort，wefoughtthereonthepathinfrontoftheBritanniastatue;hewasamanofgreatstrength，butIhadsomewhattheadvantageinskill。
　　Hisswordgrazedmyforeheadalmostatthemomentwhenminesankintothejointinhisneck。Hefellagainstthestatue，likeCaesaragainstPompey’s，hangingontotheironrail;hisswordwasalreadybroken。WhenIsawthebloodfromthatdeadlywound，everythingelsewentfromme;Idroppedmyswordandranasiftolifthimup。AsIbenttowardhimsomethinghappenedtooquickformetofollow。I
　　donotknowwhethertheironbarwasrottedwithrustandcameawayinhishand，orwhetherherentitoutoftherockwithhisapelikestrength;butthethingwasinhishand，andwithhisdyingenergiesheswungitovermyhead，asIkneltthereunarmedbesidehim。
　　Ilookedupwildlytoavoidtheblow，andsawaboveusthegreatbulkofBritannialeaningoutwardlikethefigureheadofaship。ThenextinstantIsawitwasleaninganinchortwomorethanusual，andalltheskieswiththeiroutstandingstarsseemedtobeleaningwithit。Forthethirdseconditwasasiftheskiesfell;andinthefourthIwasstandinginthequietgarden，lookingdownonthatflatruinofstoneandboneatwhichyouwerelookingto—day。HehadpluckedoutthelastpropthathelduptheBritishgoddess，andshehadfallenandcrushedthetraitorinherfall。IturnedanddartedforthecoatwhichIknewtocontainthepackage，rippeditupwithmysword，andracedawayupthegardenpathtowheremymotorbikewaswaitingontheroadabove。Ihadeveryreasonforhaste;butIfledwithoutlookingbackatthestatueandthe。body;andIthinkthethingIfledfromwasthesightofthatappallingallegory。
　　"ThenIdidtherestofwhatIhadtodo。AllthroughthenightandintothedaybreakandthedaylightIwenthummingthroughthevillagesandmarketsofSouthEnglandlikeatravelingbullet，tillI
　　cametotheheadquartersintheWestwherethetroublewas。Iwasjustintime。Iwasabletoplacardtheplace，sotospeak，withthenewsthatthegovernmenthadnotbetrayedthem，andthattheywouldfindsupportsiftheywouldpusheastwardagainsttheenemy。There’snotimetotellyouallthathappened;butItellyouitwasthedayofmylife。A
　　triumphlikeatorchlightprocession，withtorchlightsthatmighthavebeenfirebrands。Themutiniessimmereddown;themenofSomersetandthewesterncountiescamepouringintothemarketplaces;themenwhodiedwithArthurandstoodfirmwithAlfred。TheIrishregimentsralliedtothem，afterascenelikeariot，andmarchedeastwardoutofthetownsingingFeniansongs。Therewasallthatisnotunderstood，aboutthedarklaughterofthatpeople，inthedelightwithwhich，evenwhenmarchingwiththeEnglishtothedefenseofEngland，theyshoutedatthetopoftheirvoices，’Highuponthegallowstreestoodthenoble—heartedthree……WithEngland’scruelcordaboutthemcast。’However，thechoruswas’GodsaveIreland，’andwecouldallhavesungthatjustthen，inonesenseoranother。
　　"Buttherewasanothersidetomymission。I
　　carriedtheplansofthedefense;andtoagreatextent，luckily，theplansoftheinvasionalso。Iwon’tworryyouwithstrategics;butweknewwheretheenemyhadpushedforwardthegreatbatterythatcoveredallhismovements;andthoughourfriendsfromtheWestcouldhardlyarriveintimetointerceptthemainmovement，theymightgetwithinlongartilleryrangeofthebatteryandshellit，iftheyonlyknewexactlywhereitwas。Theycouldhardlytellthatunlesssomebodyroundaboutheresentupsomesortofsignal。But，somehow，Iratherfancythatsomebodywill。"
　　Withthathegotupfromthetable，andtheyremountedtheirmachinesandwenteastwardintotheadvancingtwilightofevening。ThelevelsofthelandscapeWererepeatedinflatstripsoffloatingcloudandthelastcolorsofdayclungtothecircleofthehorizon。Reced。ingfartherandfartherbehindthemwasthesemicircleofthelasthills;anditwasquitesuddenlythattheysawafaroffthedimlineofthesea。Itwasnotastripofbrightblueastheyhadseenitfromthesunnyveranda，butofasinisterandsmokyviolet，atintthatseemedominousanddark。
　　HereHorneFisherdismountedoncemore。
　　"Wemustwalktherestoftheway，"hesaid，"andthelastbitofallImustwalkalone。"
　　Hebentdownandbegantounstrapsomethingfromhisbicycle。Itwassomethingthathadpuzzledhiscompanionallthewayinspiteofwhatheldhimtomoreinterestingriddles;itappearedtobeseverallengthsofpolestrappedtogetherandwrappedupinpaper。Fishertookitunderhisarmandbegantopickhiswayacrosstheturf。Thegroundwasgrowingmoretum。bledandirregularandhewaswalkingtowardamassofthicketsandsmallwoods;nightgrewdarkereverymoment。"Wemustnottalkanymore，"saidFisher。"Ishallwhispertoyouwhenyouaretohalt。Don’ttrytofollowmethen，foritwillonlyspoiltheshow;onemancanbarelycrawlsafelytothespot，andtwowouldcertainlybecaught。"
　　"Iwouldfollowyouanywhere，"repliedMarch，"butIwouldhalt，too，ifthatisbetter。"
　　"Iknowyouwould，"saidhisfriendinalowvoice。
　　"Perhapsyou’retheonlymanIeverquitetrustedinthisworld。"
　　Afewpacesfartherontheycametotheendofagreatridgeormoundlookingmonstrousagainstthedimsky;andFisherstoppedwithagesture。Hecaughthiscompanion’shandandwrungitwithaviolenttenderness，andthendartedforwardintothedarkness。Marchcouldfaintlyseehisfigurecrawlingalongundertheshadowoftheridge，thenhelostsightofit，andthenhesawitagainstandingonanothermoundtwohundredyardsaway。Besidehimstoodasingularerectionmadeapparentlyoftworods。Hebentoveritandtherewastheflareofalight;allMarch’sschoolboymemorieswokeinhim，andheknewwhatitwas。Itwasthestandofarocket。Theconfused，incongruousmemoriesstillpossessedhimuptotheverymomentofafiercebutfamiliarsound;andaninstantaftertherocketleftitsperchandwentupintoendlessspacelikeastarryarrowaimedatthestars。MarchthoughtsuddenlyofthesignsofthelastdaysandknewhewaslookingattheapocalypticmeteorofsomethinglikeaDayofjudgment。
　　Farupintheinfiniteheavenstherocketdroopedandsprangintoscarletstars。Foramomentthewholelandscapeouttotheseaandbacktothecrescentofthewoodedhillswaslikealakeofrubylight，ofaredstrangelyrichandglorious，asiftheworldweresteepedinwineratherthanblood，ortheearthwereanearthlyparadise，overwhichpausedforeverthesanguinemomentofmorning。
　　"GodsaveEngland！"criedFisher，withatonguelikethepealofatrumpet。"AndnowitisforGodtosave。"
　　Asdarknesssankagainoverlandandsea，therecameanothersound;farawayinthepassesofthehillsbehindthemthegunsspokelikethebayingofgreathounds。Somethingthatwasnotarocket，thatcamenothissingbutscreaming，wentoverHaroldMarch’sheadandexpandedbeyondthemoundintolightanddeafeningdin，staggeringthebrainwithunbearablebrutalitiesofnoise。Anothercame，andthenanother，andtheworldwasfullofuproarandvolcanicvaporandchaoticlight。TheartilleryoftheWestcountryandtheIrishhadlocatedthegreatenemybattery，andwerepoundingittopieces。
　　InthemadexcitementofthatmomentMarchpeeredthroughthestorm，lookingagainforthelongleanfigurethatstoodbesidethestandoftherocket。
　　Thenanotherflashlitupthewholeridge。Thefigurewasnotthere。
　　Beforethefiresoftherockethadfadedfromthesky，longbeforethefirstgunhadsoundedfromthedistanthills，asplutterofriflefirehadflashedandflickeredallaroundfromthehiddentrenchesoftheenemy。Somethinglayintheshadowatthefootoftheridge，asstiffasthestickofthefallenrocket;andthemanwhoknewtoomuchknewwhatisworthknowing。