"ComradeGregory，"hesaid，"Isupposethismanisadelegate？"
　　Gregory，takenbysurprise，lookeddownandmutteredthenameofSyme;butSymerepliedalmostpertly——
　　"Iamgladtoseethatyourgateiswellenoughguardedtomakeithardforanyonetobeherewhowasnotadelegate。"
　　Thebrowofthelittlemanwiththeblackbeardwas，however，stillcontractedwithsomethinglikesuspicion。
　　"Whatbranchdoyourepresent？"heaskedsharply。
　　"Ishouldhardlycallitabranch，"saidSyme，laughing;"Ishouldcallitattheveryleastaroot。"
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"
　　"Thefactis，"saidSymeserenely，"thetruthisIamaSabbatarian。IhavebeenspeciallysentheretoseethatyoushowadueobservanceofSunday。"
　　Thelittlemandroppedoneofhispapers，andaflickeroffearwentoverallthefacesofthegroup。EvidentlytheawfulPresident，whosenamewasSunday，didsometimessenddownsuchirregularambassadorstosuchbranchmeetings。
　　"Well，comrade，"saidthemanwiththepapersafterapause，"I
　　supposewe’dbettergiveyouaseatinthemeeting？"
　　"Ifyouaskmyadviceasafriend，"saidSymewithseverebenevolence，"Ithinkyou’dbetter。"
　　WhenGregoryheardthedangerousdialogueend，withasuddensafetyforhisrival，heroseabruptlyandpacedthefloorinpainfulthought。Hewas，indeed，inanagonyofdiplomacy。ItwasclearthatSyme’sinspiredimpudencewaslikelytobringhimoutofallmerelyaccidentaldilemmas。Littlewastobehopedfromthem。HecouldnothimselfbetraySyme，partlyfromhonour，butpartlyalsobecause，ifhebetrayedhimandforsomereasonfailedtodestroyhim，theSymewhoescapedwouldbeaSymefreedfromallobligationofsecrecy，aSymewhowouldsimplywalktothenearestpolicestation。Afterall，itwasonlyonenight’sdiscussion，andonlyonedetectivewhowouldknowofit。Hewouldletoutaslittleaspossibleoftheirplansthatnight，andthenletSymego，andchanceit。
　　Hestrodeacrosstothegroupofanarchists，whichwasalreadydistributingitselfalongthebenches。
　　"Ithinkitistimewebegan，"hesaid;"thesteam—tugiswaitingontheriveralready。ImovethatComradeButtonstakesthechair。"
　　Thisbeingapprovedbyashowofhands，thelittlemanwiththepapersslippedintothepresidentialseat。
　　"Comrades，"hebegan，assharpasapistol—shot，"ourmeetingtonightisimportant，thoughitneednotbelong。ThisbranchhasalwayshadthehonourofelectingThursdaysfortheCentralEuropeanCouncil。WehaveelectedmanyandsplendidThursdays。Wealllamentthesaddeceaseoftheheroicworkerwhooccupiedthepostuntillastweek。Asyouknow，hisservicestothecausewereconsiderable。HeorganisedthegreatdynamitecoupofBrightonwhich，underhappiercircumstances，oughttohavekilledeverybodyonthepier。Asyoualsoknow，hisdeathwasasself—denyingashislife，forhediedthroughhisfaithinahygienicmixtureofchalkandwaterasasubstituteformilk，whichbeverageheregardedasbarbaric，andasinvolvingcrueltytothecow。
　　Cruelty，oranythingapproachingtocruelty，revoltedhimalways。
　　Butitisnottoacclaimhisvirtuesthatwearemet，butforahardertask。Itisdifficultproperlytopraisehisqualities，butitismoredifficulttoreplacethem。Uponyou，comrades，itdevolvesthiseveningtochooseoutofthecompanypresentthemanwhoshallbeThursday。IfanycomradesuggestsanameIwillputittothevote。Ifnocomradesuggestsaname，Icanonlytellmyselfthatthatdeardynamiter，whoisgonefromus，hascarriedintotheunknowableabyssesthelastsecretofhisvirtueandhisinnocence。"
　　Therewasastirofalmostinaudibleapplause，suchasissometimesheardinchurch。Thenalargeoldman，withalongandvenerablewhitebeard，perhapstheonlyrealworking—manpresent，roselumberinglyandsaid——
　　"ImovethatComradeGregorybeelectedThursday，"andsatlumberinglydownagain。
　　"Doesanyonesecond？"askedthechairman。
　　Alittlemanwithavelvetcoatandpointedbeardseconded。
　　"BeforeIputthemattertothevote，"saidthechairman，"IwillcallonComradeGregorytomakeastatement。"
　　Gregoryroseamidagreatrumbleofapplause。Hisfacewasdeadlypale，sothatbycontrasthisqueerredhairlookedalmostscarlet。
　　Buthewassmilingandaltogetheratease。Hehadmadeuphismind，andhesawhisbestpolicyquiteplaininfrontofhimlikeawhiteroad。Hisbestchancewastomakeasoftenedandambiguousspeech，suchaswouldleaveonthedetective’smindtheimpressionthattheanarchistbrotherhoodwasaverymildaffairafterall。Hebelievedinhisownliterarypower，hiscapacityforsuggestingfineshadesandpickingperfectwords。Hethoughtthatwithcarehecouldsucceed，inspiteofallthepeoplearoundhim，inconveyinganimpressionoftheinstitution，subtlyanddelicatelyfalse。Symehadoncethoughtthatanarchists，underalltheirbravado，wereonlyplayingthefool。Couldhenotnow，inthehourofperil，makeSymethinksoagain？
　　"Comrades，"beganGregory，inalowbutpenetratingvoice，"itisnotnecessaryformetotellyouwhatismypolicy，foritisyourpolicyalso。Ourbeliefhasbeenslandered，ithasbeendisfigured，ithasbeenutterlyconfusedandconcealed，butithasneverbeenaltered。Thosewhotalkaboutanarchismanditsdangersgoeverywhereandanywheretogettheirinformation，excepttous，excepttothefountainhead。Theylearnaboutanarchistsfromsixpennynovels;theylearnaboutanarchistsfromtradesmen’snewspapers;theylearnaboutanarchistsfromAllySloper’sHalf—HolidayandtheSportingTimes。Theyneverlearnaboutanarchistsfromanarchists。WehavenochanceofdenyingthemountainousslanderswhichareheapeduponourheadsfromoneendofEuropetoanother。Themanwhohasalwaysheardthatwearewalkingplagueshasneverheardourreply。Iknowthathewillnothearittonight，thoughmypassionweretorendtheroof。Foritisdeep，deepundertheearththatthepersecutedarepermittedtoassemble，astheChristiansassembledintheCatacombs。Butif，bysomeincredibleaccident，therewereheretonightamanwhoallhislifehadthusimmenselymisunderstoodus，Iwouldputthisquestiontohim：’WhenthoseChristiansmetinthoseCatacombs，whatsortofmoralreputationhadtheyinthestreetsabove？WhattalesweretoldoftheiratrocitiesbyoneeducatedRomantoanother？Suppose’
　　（Iwouldsaytohim），’supposethatweareonlyrepeatingthatstillmysteriousparadoxofhistory。SupposeweseemasshockingastheChristiansbecausewearereallyasharmlessastheChristians。
　　SupposeweseemasmadastheChristiansbecausewearereallyasmeek。"’
　　Theapplausethathadgreetedtheopeningsentenceshadbeengraduallygrowingfainter，andatthelastworditstoppedsuddenly。Intheabruptsilence，themanwiththevelvetjacketsaid，inahigh，squeakyvoice——
　　"I’mnotmeek！"
　　"ComradeWitherspoontellsus，"resumedGregory，"thatheisnotmeek。Ah，howlittleheknowshimself！Hiswordsare，indeed，extravagant;hisappearanceisferocious，andeven（toanordinarytaste）unattractive。Butonlytheeyeofafriendshipasdeepanddelicateasminecanperceivethedeepfoundationofsolidmeeknesswhichliesatthebaseofhim，toodeepevenforhimselftosee。I
　　repeat，wearethetrueearlyChristians，onlythatwecometoolate。Wearesimple，astheyreveresimple——lookatComradeWitherspoon。Wearemodest，astheyweremodest——lookatme。Wearemerciful——"
　　"No，no！"calledoutMr。Witherspoonwiththevelvetjacket。
　　"Isaywearemerciful，"repeatedGregoryfuriously，"astheearlyChristiansweremerciful。Yetthisdidnotpreventtheirbeingaccusedofeatinghumanflesh。Wedonoteathumanflesh——"
　　"Shame！"criedWitherspoon。"Whynot？"
　　"ComradeWitherspoon，"saidGregory，withafeverishgaiety，"isanxioustoknowwhynobodyeatshim（laughter）。Inoursociety，atanyrate，whichloveshimsincerely，whichisfoundeduponlove——"
　　"No，no！"saidWitherspoon，"downwithlove。"
　　"Whichisfoundeduponlove，"repeatedGregory，grindinghisteeth，"therewillbenodifficultyabouttheaimswhichweshallpursueasabody，orwhichIshouldpursuewereIchosenastherepresentativeofthatbody。Superblycarelessoftheslandersthatrepresentusasassassinsandenemiesofhumansociety，weshallpursuewithmoralcourageandquietintellectualpressure，thepermanentidealsofbrotherhoodandsimplicity。"
　　Gregoryresumedhisseatandpassedhishandacrosshisforehead。
　　Thesilencewassuddenandawkward，butthechairmanroselikeanautomaton，andsaidinacolourlessvoice——
　　"DoesanyoneopposetheelectionofComradeGregory？"
　　Theassemblyseemedvagueandsub—consciouslydisappointed，andComradeWitherspoonmovedrestlesslyonhisseatandmutteredinhisthickbeard。Bythesheerrushofroutine，however，themotionwouldhavebeenputandcarried。Butasthechairmanwasopeninghismouthtoputit，Symesprangtohisfeetandsaidinasmallandquietvoice——
　　"Yes，Mr。Chairman，Ioppose。"
　　Themosteffectivefactinoratoryisanunexpectedchangeinthevoice。Mr。GabrielSymeevidentlyunderstoodoratory。Havingsaidthesefirstformalwordsinamoderatedtoneandwithabriefsimplicity，hemadehisnextwordringandvolleyinthevaultasifoneofthegunshadgoneoff。
　　"Comrades！"hecried，inavoicethatmadeeverymanjumpoutofhisboots，"havewecomehereforthis？Doweliveundergroundlikeratsinordertolistentotalklikethis？ThisistalkwemightlistentowhileeatingbunsataSundaySchooltreat。DowelinethesewallswithweaponsandbarthatdoorwithdeathlestanyoneshouldcomeandhearComradeGregorysayingtous，’Begood，andyouwillbehappy，’’Honestyisthebestpolicy，’and’Virtueisitsownreward’？TherewasnotawordinComradeGregory’saddresstowhichacuratecouldnothavelistenedwithpleasure（hear，hear）。ButIamnotacurate（loudcheers），andIdidnotlistentoitwithpleasure（renewedcheers）。Themanwhoisfittedtomakeagoodcurateisnotfittedtomakearesolute，forcible，andefficientThursday（hear，hear）。"
　　"ComradeGregoryhastoldus，inonlytooapologeticatone，thatwearenottheenemiesofsociety。ButIsaythatwearetheenemiesofsociety，andsomuchtheworseforsociety。Wearetheenemiesofsociety，forsocietyistheenemyofhumanity，itsoldestanditsmostpitilessenemy（hear，hear）。ComradeGregoryhastoldus（apologeticallyagain）thatwearenotmurderers。ThereIagree。Wearenotmurderers，weareexecutioners（cheers）。"
　　EversinceSymehadrisenGregoryhadsatstaringathim，hisfaceidioticwithastonishment。Nowinthepausehislipsofclayparted，andhesaid，withanautomaticandlifelessdistinctness——
　　"Youdamnablehypocrite！"
　　Symelookedstraightintothosefrightfuleyeswithhisownpaleblueones，andsaidwithdignity——
　　"ComradeGregoryaccusesmeofhypocrisy。HeknowsaswellasIdothatIamkeepingallmyengagementsanddoingnothingbutmyduty。
　　Idonotmincewords。Idonotpretendto。IsaythatComradeGregoryisunfittobeThursdayforallhisamiablequalities。HeisunfittobeThursdaybecauseofhisamiablequalities。WedonotwanttheSupremeCouncilofAnarchyinfectedwithamaudlinmercy（hear，hear）。Thisisnotimeforceremonialpoliteness，neitherisitatimeforceremonialmodesty。IsetmyselfagainstComradeGregoryasIwouldsetmyselfagainstalltheGovernmentsofEurope，becausetheanarchistwhohasgivenhimselftoanarchyhasforgottenmodestyasmuchashehasforgottenpride（cheers）。Iamnotamanatall。Iamacause（renewedcheers）。IsetmyselfagainstComradeGregoryasimpersonallyandascalmlyasIshouldchooseonepistolratherthananotheroutofthatrackuponthewall;andIsaythatratherthanhaveGregoryandhismilk—and—watermethodsontheSupremeCouncil，Iwouldoffermyselfforelection——"
　　Hissentencewasdrownedinadeafeningcataractofapplause。Thefaces，thathadgrownfiercerandfiercerwithapprovalashistiradegrewmoreandmoreuncompromising，werenowdistortedwithgrinsofanticipationorclovenwithdelightedcries。AtthemomentwhenheannouncedhimselfasreadytostandforthepostofThursday，aroarofexcitementandassentbrokeforth，andbecameuncontrollable，andatthesamemomentGregorysprangtohisfeet，withfoamuponhismouth，andshoutedagainsttheshouting。
　　"Stop，youblastedmadmen！"hecried，atthetopofavoicethattorehisthroat。"Stop，you——"
　　ButlouderthanGregory’sshoutingandlouderthantheroaroftheroomcamethevoiceofSyme，stillspeakinginapealofpitilessthunder——
　　"IdonotgototheCounciltorebutthatslanderthatcallsusmurderers;Igotoearnit（loudandprolongedcheering）。Tothepriestwhosaysthesemenaretheenemiesofreligion，tothejudgewhosaysthesemenaretheenemiesoflaw，tothefatparliamentarianwhosaysthesemenaretheenemiesoforderandpublicdecency，toalltheseIwillreply，’Youarefalsekings，butyouaretrueprophets。Iamcometodestroyyou，andtofulfilyourprophecies。’"
　　Theheavyclamourgraduallydiedaway，butbeforeithadceasedWitherspoonhadjumpedtohisfeet，hishairandbeardallonend，andhadsaid——
　　"Imove，asanamendment，thatComradeSymebeappointedtothepost。"
　　"Stopallthis，Itellyou！"criedGregory，withfranticfaceandhands。"Stopit，itisall——"
　　Thevoiceofthechairmanclovehisspeechwithacoldaccent。
　　"Doesanyonesecondthisamendment？"hesaid。Atall，tiredman，withmelancholyeyesandanAmericanchinbeard，wasobservedonthebackbenchtobeslowlyrisingtohisfeet。Gregoryhadbeenscreamingforsometimepast;nowtherewasachangeinhisaccent，moreshockingthananyscream。"Iendallthis！"hesaid，inavoiceasheavyasstone。
　　"Thismancannotbeelected。Heisa——"
　　"Yes，"saidSyme，quitemotionless，"whatishe？"Gregory’smouthworkedtwicewithoutsound;thenslowlythebloodbegantocrawlbackintohisdeadface。"Heisamanquiteinexperiencedinourwork，"hesaid，andsatdownabruptly。
　　Beforehehaddoneso，thelong，leanmanwiththeAmericanbeardwasagainuponhisfeet，andwasrepeatinginahighAmericanmonotone——
　　"IbegtosecondtheelectionofComradeSyme。"
　　"Theamendmentwill，asusual，beputfirst，"saidMr。Buttons，thechairman，withmechanicalrapidity。
　　"ThequestionisthatComradeSyme——"
　　Gregoryhadagainsprungtohisfeet，pantingandpassionate。
　　"Comrades，"hecriedout，"Iamnotamadman。"
　　"Oh，oh！"saidMr。Witherspoon。
　　"Iamnotamadman，"reiteratedGregory，withafrightfulsinceritywhichforamomentstaggeredtheroom，"butIgiveyouacounselwhichyoucancallmadifyoulike。No，Iwillnotcallitacounsel，forIcangiveyounoreasonforit。Iwillcallitacommand。Callitamadcommand，butactuponit。Strike，buthearme！Killme，butobeyme！Donotelectthisman。"Truthissoterrible，eveninfetters，thatforamomentSyme’sslenderandinsanevictoryswayedlikeareed。ButyoucouldnothaveguesseditfromSyme’sbleakblueeyes。Hemerelybegan——
　　"ComradeGregorycommands——"
　　Thenthespellwassnapped，andoneanarchistcalledouttoGregory——
　　"Whoareyou？YouarenotSunday";andanotheranarchistaddedinaheaviervoice，"AndyouarenotThursday。"
　　"Comrades，"criedGregory，inavoicelikethatofamartyrwhoinanecstacyofpainhaspassedbeyondpain，"itisnothingtomewhetheryoudetestmeasatyrantordetestmeasaslave。Ifyouwillnottakemycommand，acceptmydegradation。Ikneeltoyou。I
　　throwmyselfatyourfeet。Iimploreyou。Donotelectthisman。"
　　"ComradeGregory，"saidthechairmanafterapainfulpause，"thisisreallynotquitedignified。"
　　Forthefirsttimeintheproceedingstherewasforafewsecondsarealsilence。ThenGregoryfellbackinhisseat，apalewreckofaman，andthechairmanrepeated，likeapieceofclock—worksuddenlystartedagain——
　　"ThequestionisthatComradeSymebeelectedtothepostofThursdayontheGeneralCouncil。"
　　Theroarroselikethesea，thehandsroselikeaforest，andthreeminutesafterwardsMr。GabrielSyme，oftheSecretPoliceService，waselectedtothepostofThursdayontheGeneralCounciloftheAnarchistsofEurope。
　　Everyoneintheroomseemedtofeelthetugwaitingontheriver，thesword—stickandtherevolver，waitingonthetable。Theinstanttheelectionwasendedandirrevocable，andSymehadreceivedthepaperprovinghiselection，theyallsprangtotheirfeet，andthefierygroupsmovedandmixedintheroom。Symefoundhimself，somehoworother，facetofacewithGregory，whostillregardedhimwithastareofstunnedhatred。Theyweresilentformanyminutes。
　　"Youareadevil！"saidGregoryatlast。
　　"Andyouareagentleman，"saidSymewithgravity。
　　"Itwasyouthatentrappedme，"beganGregory，shakingfromheadtofoot，"entrappedmeinto——"
　　"Talksense，"saidSymeshortly。"Intowhatsortofdevils’
　　parliamenthaveyouentrappedme，ifitcomestothat？YoumademeswearbeforeImadeyou。Perhapswearebothdoingwhatwethinkright。Butwhatwethinkrightissodamneddifferentthattherecanbenothingbetweenusinthewayofconcession。Thereisnothingpossiblebetweenusbuthonouranddeath，"andhepulledthegreatcloakabouthisshouldersandpickeduptheflaskfromthetable。
　　"Theboatisquiteready，"saidMr。Buttons，bustlingup。"Begoodenoughtostepthisway。"
　　Withagesturethatrevealedtheshop—walker，heledSymedownashort，iron—boundpassage，thestillagonisedGregoryfollowingfeverishlyattheirheels。Attheendofthepassagewasadoor，whichButtonsopenedsharply，showingasuddenblueandsilverpictureofthemoonlitriver，thatlookedlikeasceneinatheatre。Closetotheopeninglayadark，dwarfishsteam—launch，likeababydragonwithoneredeye。
　　Almostintheactofsteppingonboard，GabrielSymeturnedtothegapingGregory。
　　"Youhavekeptyourword，"hesaidgently，withhisfaceinshadow。
　　"Youareamanofhonour，andIthankyou。Youhavekeptitevendowntoasmallparticular。Therewasonespecialthingyoupromisedmeatthebeginningoftheaffair，andwhichyouhavecertainlygivenmebytheendofit。"
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"criedthechaoticGregory。"WhatdidIpromiseyou？"
　　"Averyentertainingevening，"saidSyme，andhemadeamilitarysalutewiththesword—stickasthesteamboatslidaway。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　THETALEOFADETECTIVE
　　GABRIELSYMEwasnotmerelyadetectivewhopretendedtobeapoet;
　　hewasreallyapoetwhohadbecomeadetective。Norwashishatredofanarchyhypocritical。Hewasoneofthosewhoaredrivenearlyinlifeintotooconservativeanattitudebythebewilderingfollyofmostrevolutionists。Hehadnotattaineditbyanytametradition。Hisrespectabilitywasspontaneousandsudden，arebellionagainstrebellion。Hecameofafamilyofcranks，inwhichalltheoldestpeoplehadallthenewestnotions。Oneofhisunclesalwayswalkedaboutwithoutahat，andanotherhadmadeanunsuccessfulattempttowalkaboutwithahatandnothingelse。Hisfathercultivatedartandself—realisation;hismotherwentinforsimplicityandhygiene。Hencethechild，duringhistendereryears，waswhollyunacquaintedwithanydrinkbetweentheextremesofabsinthandcocoa，ofbothofwhichhehadahealthydislike。ThemorehismotherpreachedamorethanPuritanabstinencethemoredidhisfatherexpandintoamorethanpaganlatitude;andbythetimetheformerhadcometoenforcingvegetarianism，thelatterhadprettywellreachedthepointofdefendingcannibalism。
　　Beingsurroundedwitheveryconceivablekindofrevoltfrominfancy，Gabrielhadtorevoltintosomething，soherevoltedintotheonlythingleft——sanity。Buttherewasjustenoughinhimofthebloodofthesefanaticstomakeevenhisprotestforcommonsensealittletoofiercetobesensible。Hishatredofmodernlawlessnesshadbeencrownedalsobyanaccident。Ithappenedthathewaswalkinginasidestreetattheinstantofadynamiteoutrage。Hehadbeenblindanddeafforamoment，andthenseen，thesmokeclearing，thebrokenwindowsandthebleedingfaces。
　　Afterthathewentaboutasusual——quiet，courteous，rathergentle;
　　buttherewasaspotonhismindthatwasnotsane。Hedidnotregardanarchists，asmostofusdo，asahandfulofmorbidmen，combiningignorancewithintellectualism。Heregardedthemasahugeandpitilessperil，likeaChineseinvasion。
　　Hepouredperpetuallyintonewspapersandtheirwaste—paperbasketsatorrentoftales，versesandviolentarticles，warningmenofthisdelugeofbarbaricdenial。Butheseemedtobegettingnonearerhisenemy，and，whatwasworse，noneareraliving。AshepacedtheThamesembankment，bitterlybitingacheapcigarandbroodingontheadvanceofAnarchy，therewasnoanarchistwithabombinhispocketsosavageorsosolitaryashe。Indeed，healwaysfeltthatGovernmentstoodaloneanddesperate，withitsbacktothewall。Hewastooquixotictohavecaredforitotherwise。
　　HewalkedontheEmbankmentonceunderadarkredsunset。Theredriverreflectedtheredsky，andtheybothreflectedhisanger。Thesky，indeed，wassoswarthy，andthelightontheriverrelativelysolurid，thatthewateralmostseemedoffiercerflamethanthesunsetitmirrored。Itlookedlikeastreamofliteralfirewindingunderthevastcavernsofasubterraneancountry。
　　Symewasshabbyinthosedays。Heworeanold—fashionedblackchimney—pothat;hewaswrappedinayetmoreold—fashionedcloak，blackandragged;andthecombinationgavehimthelookoftheearlyvillainsinDickensandBulwerLytton。Alsohisyellowbeardandhairweremoreunkemptandleoninethanwhentheyappearedlongafterwards，cutandpointed，onthelawnsofSaffronPark。Along，lean，blackcigar，boughtinSohofortwopence，stoodoutfrombetweenhistightenedteeth，andaltogetherhelookedaverysatisfactoryspecimenoftheanarchistsuponwhomhehadvowedaholywar。PerhapsthiswaswhyapolicemanontheEmbankmentspoketohim，andsaid"Goodevening。"
　　Syme，atacrisisofhismorbidfearsforhumanity，seemedstungbythemerestolidityoftheautomaticofficial，amerebulkofblueinthetwilight。
　　"Agoodeveningisit？"hesaidsharply。"Youfellowswouldcalltheendoftheworldagoodevening。Lookatthatbloodyredsunandthatbloodyriver！Itellyouthatifthatwereliterallyhumanblood，spiltandshining，youwouldstillbestandinghereassolidasever，lookingoutforsomepoorharmlesstrampwhomyoucouldmoveon。Youpolicemenarecrueltothepoor，butIcouldforgiveyouevenyourcrueltyifitwerenotforyourcalm。"
　　"Ifwearecalm，"repliedthepoliceman，"itisthecalmoforganisedresistance。"
　　"Eh？"saidSyme，staring。
　　"Thesoldiermustbecalminthethickofthebattle，"pursuedthepoliceman。"Thecomposureofanarmyistheangerofanation。"
　　"GoodGod，theBoardSchools！"saidSyme。"Isthisundenominationaleducation？"
　　"No，"saidthepolicemansadly，"Ineverhadanyofthoseadvantages。TheBoardSchoolscameaftermytime。WhateducationIhadwasveryroughandold—fashioned，Iamafraid。"
　　"Wheredidyouhaveit？"askedSyme，wondering。
　　"Oh，atHarrow，"saidthepolicemanTheclasssympathieswhich，falseastheyare，arethetruestthingsinsomanymen，brokeoutofSymebeforehecouldcontrolthem。
　　"But，goodLord，man，"hesaid，"yououghtn’ttobeapoliceman！"
　　Thepolicemansighedandshookhishead。
　　"Iknow，"hesaidsolemnly，"IknowIamnotworthy。"
　　"Butwhydidyoujointhepolice？"askedSymewithrudecuriosity。
　　"Formuchthesamereasonthatyouabusedthepolice，"repliedtheother。"Ifoundthattherewasaspecialopeningintheserviceforthosewhosefearsforhumanitywereconcernedratherwiththeaberrationsofthescientificintellectthanwiththenormalandexcusable，thoughexcessive，outbreaksofthehumanwill。ItrustImakemyselfclear。"
　　"Ifyoumeanthatyoumakeyouropinionclear，"saidSyme，"I
　　supposeyoudo。Butasformakingyourselfclear，itisthelastthingyoudo。HowcomesamanlikeyoutobetalkingphilosophyinabluehelmetontheThamesembankment？
　　"Youhaveevidentlynotheardofthelatestdevelopmentinourpolicesystem，"repliedtheother。"Iamnotsurprisedatit。Wearekeepingitratherdarkfromtheeducatedclass，becausethatclasscontainsmostofourenemies。Butyouseemtobeexactlyintherightframeofmind。Ithinkyoumightalmostjoinus。"
　　"Joinyouinwhat？"askedSyme。
　　"Iwilltellyou，"saidthepolicemanslowly。"Thisisthesituation：Theheadofoneofourdepartments，oneofthemostcelebrateddetectivesinEurope，haslongbeenofopinionthatapurelyintellectualconspiracywouldsoonthreatentheveryexistenceofcivilisation。HeiscertainthatthescientificandartisticworldsaresilentlyboundinacrusadeagainsttheFamilyandtheState。Hehas，therefore，formedaspecialcorpsofpolicemen，policemenwhoarealsophilosophers。Itistheirbusinesstowatchthebeginningsofthisconspiracy，notmerelyinacriminalbutinacontroversialsense。Iamademocratmyself，andIamfullyawareofthevalueoftheordinarymaninmattersofordinaryvalourorvirtue。Butitwouldobviouslybeundesirabletoemploythecommonpolicemaninaninvestigationwhichisalsoaheresyhunt。"
　　Syme’seyeswerebrightwithasympatheticcuriosity。
　　"Whatdoyoudo，then？"hesaid。
　　"Theworkofthephilosophicalpoliceman，"repliedthemaninblue，"isatoncebolderandmoresubtlethanthatoftheordinarydetective。Theordinarydetectivegoestopot—housestoarrestthieves;wegotoartistictea—partiestodetectpessimists。Theordinarydetectivediscoversfromaledgeroradiarythatacrimehasbeencommitted。Wediscoverfromabookofsonnetsthatacrimewillbecommitted。Wehavetotracetheoriginofthosedreadfulthoughtsthatdrivemenonatlasttointellectualfanaticismandintellectualcrime。WewereonlyjustintimetopreventtheassassinationatHartlepool，andthatwasentirelyduetothefactthatourMr。Wilks（asmartyoungfellow）thoroughlyunderstoodatriolet。"
　　"Doyoumean，"askedSyme，"thatthereisreallyasmuchconnectionbetweencrimeandthemodernintellectasallthat？"
　　"Youarenotsufficientlydemocratic，"answeredthepoliceman，"butyouwererightwhenyousaidjustnowthatourordinarytreatmentofthepoorcriminalwasaprettybrutalbusiness。ItellyouIamsometimessickofmytradewhenIseehowperpetuallyitmeansmerelyawarupontheignorantandthedesperate。Butthisnewmovementofoursisaverydifferentaffair。WedenythesnobbishEnglishassumptionthattheuneducatedarethedangerouscriminals。
　　WeremembertheRomanEmperors。WerememberthegreatpoisoningprincesoftheRenaissance。Wesaythatthedangerouscriminalistheeducatedcriminal。Wesaythatthemostdangerouscriminalnowistheentirelylawlessmodernphilosopher。Comparedtohim，burglarsandbigamistsareessentiallymoralmen;myheartgoesouttothem。Theyaccepttheessentialidealofman;theymerelyseekitwrongly。Thievesrespectproperty。Theymerelywishthepropertytobecometheirpropertythattheymaymoreperfectlyrespectit。
　　Butphilosophersdislikepropertyasproperty;theywishtodestroytheveryideaofpersonalpossession。Bigamistsrespectmarriage，ortheywouldnotgothroughthehighlyceremonialandevenritualisticformalityofbigamy。Butphilosophersdespisemarriageasmarriage。Murderersrespecthumanlife;theymerelywishtoattainagreaterfulnessofhumanlifeinthemselvesbythesacrificeofwhatseemstothemtobelesserlives。Butphilosophershatelifeitself，theirownasmuchasotherpeople’s。"
　　Symestruckhishandstogether。
　　"Howtruethatis，"hecried。"Ihavefeltitfrommyboyhood，butnevercouldstatetheverbalantithesis。Thecommoncriminalisabadman，butatleastheis，asitwere，aconditionalgoodman。
　　Hesaysthatifonlyacertainobstacleberemoved——sayawealthyuncle——heisthenpreparedtoaccepttheuniverseandtopraiseGod。Heisareformer，butnotananarchist。Hewishestocleansetheedifice，butnottodestroyit。Buttheevilphilosopherisnottryingtoalterthings，buttoannihilatethem。Yes，themodernworldhasretainedallthosepartsofpoliceworkwhicharereallyoppressiveandignominious，theharryingofthepoor，thespyingupontheunfortunate。Ithasgivenupitsmoredignifiedwork，thepunishmentofpowerfultraitorstheintheStateandpowerfulheresiarchsintheChurch。Themodernssaywemustnotpunishheretics。Myonlydoubtiswhetherwehavearighttopunishanybodyelse。"
　　"Butthisisabsurd！"criedthepoliceman，claspinghishandswithanexcitementuncommoninpersonsofhisfigureandcostume，"butitisintolerable！Idon’tknowwhatyou’redoing，butyou’rewastingyourlife。Youmust，youshall，joinourspecialarmyagainstanarchy。Theirarmiesareonourfrontiers。Theirboltisreadytofall。Amomentmore，andyoumaylosethegloryofworkingwithus，perhapsthegloryofdyingwiththelastheroesoftheworld。"
　　"Itisachancenottobemissed，certainly，"assentedSyme，"butstillIdonotquiteunderstand。Iknowaswellasanybodythatthemodernworldisfulloflawlesslittlemenandmadlittlemovements。But，beastlyastheyare，theygenerallyhavetheonemeritofdisagreeingwitheachother。Howcanyoutalkoftheirleadingonearmyorhurlingonebolt。Whatisthisanarchy？"
　　"Donotconfuseit，"repliedtheconstable，"withthosechancedynamiteoutbreaksfromRussiaorfromIreland，whicharereallytheoutbreaksofoppressed，ifmistaken，men。Thisisavastphilosophicmovement，consistingofanouterandaninnerring。
　　Youmightevencalltheouterringthelaityandtheinnerringthepriesthood。Iprefertocalltheouterringtheinnocentsection，theinnerringthesupremelyguiltysection。Theouterring——themainmassoftheirsupporters——aremerelyanarchists;
　　thatis，menwhobelievethatrulesandformulashavedestroyedhumanhappiness。Theybelievethatalltheevilresultsofhumancrimearetheresultsofthesystemthathascalleditcrime。Theydonotbelievethatthecrimecreatesthepunishment。Theybelievethatthepunishmenthascreatedthecrime。Theybelievethatifamanseducedsevenwomenhewouldnaturallywalkawayasblamelessastheflowersofspring。Theybelievethatifamanpickedapockethewouldnaturallyfeelexquisitelygood。TheseIcalltheinnocentsection。"
　　"Oh！"saidSyme。
　　"Naturally，therefore，thesepeopletalkabout’ahappytimecoming’;’theparadiseofthefuture’;’mankindfreedfromthebondageofviceandthebondageofvirtue，’andsoon。Andsoalsothemenoftheinnercirclespeak——thesacredpriesthood。Theyalsospeaktoapplaudingcrowdsofthehappinessofthefuture，andofmankindfreedatlast。Butintheirmouths"——andthepolicemanloweredhisvoice——"intheirmouthsthesehappyphraseshaveahorriblemeaning。Theyareundernoillusions;theyaretoointellectualtothinkthatmanuponthisearthcaneverbequitefreeoforiginalsinandthestruggle。Andtheymeandeath。Whentheysaythatmankindshallbefreeatlast，theymeanthatmankindshallcommitsuicide。Whentheytalkofaparadisewithoutrightorwrong，theymeanthegrave。
　　Theyhavebuttwoobjects，todestroyfirsthumanityandthenthemselves。Thatiswhytheythrowbombsinsteadoffiringpistols。
　　Theinnocentrankandfilearedisappointedbecausethebombhasnotkilledtheking;butthehigh—priesthoodarehappybecauseithaskilledsomebody。"
　　"HowcanIjoinyou？"askedSyme，withasortofpassion。
　　"Iknowforafactthatthereisavacancyatthemoment，"saidthepoliceman，"asIhavethehonourtobesomewhatintheconfidenceofthechiefofwhomIhavespoken。Youshouldreallycomeandseehim。Orrather，Ishouldnotsayseehim，nobodyeverseeshim;butyoucantalktohimifyoulike。"
　　"Telephone？"inquiredSyme，withinterest。
　　"No，"saidthepolicemanplacidly，"hehasafancyforalwayssittinginapitch—darkroom。Hesaysitmakeshisthoughtsbrighter。Docomealong。"
　　Somewhatdazedandconsiderablyexcited，Symeallowedhimselftobeledtoaside—doorinthelongrowofbuildingsofScotlandYard。
　　Almostbeforeheknewwhathewasdoing，hehadbeenpassedthroughthehandsofaboutfourintermediateofficials，andwassuddenlyshownintoaroom，theabruptblacknessofwhichstartledhimlikeablazeoflight。Itwasnottheordinarydarkness，inwhichformscanbefaintlytraced;itwaslikegoingsuddenlystone—blind。
　　"Areyouthenewrecruit？"askedaheavyvoice。
　　Andinsomestrangeway，thoughtherewasnottheshadowofashapeinthegloom，Symeknewtwothings：first，thatitcamefromamanofmassivestature;andsecond，thatthemanhadhisbacktohim。
　　"Areyouthenewrecruit？"saidtheinvisiblechief，whoseemedtohaveheardallaboutit。"Allright。Youareengaged。"
　　Syme，quitesweptoffhisfeet，madeafeeblefightagainstthisirrevocablephrase。
　　"Ireallyhavenoexperience，"hebegan。
　　"Noonehasanyexperience，"saidtheother，"oftheBattleofArmageddon。"
　　"ButIamreallyunfit——"
　　"Youarewilling，thatisenough，"saidtheunknown。
　　"Well，really，"saidSyme，"Idon’tknowanyprofessionofwhichmerewillingnessisthefinaltest。"
　　"Ido，"saidtheother——"martyrs。Iamcondemningyoutodeath。
　　Goodday。"
　　ThusitwasthatwhenGabrielSymecameoutagainintothecrimsonlightofevening，inhisshabbyblackhatandshabby，lawlesscloak，hecameoutamemberoftheNewDetectiveCorpsforthefrustrationofthegreatconspiracy。Actingundertheadviceofhisfriendthepoliceman（whowasprofessionallyinclinedtoneatness），hetrimmedhishairandbeard，boughtagoodhat，cladhimselfinanexquisitesummersuitoflightblue—grey，withapaleyellowflowerinthebutton—hole，and，inshort，becamethatelegantandratherinsupportablepersonwhomGregoryhadfirstencounteredinthelittlegardenofSaffronPark。Beforehefinallyleftthepolicepremiseshisfriendprovidedhimwithasmallbluecard，onwhichwaswritten，"TheLastCrusade，"andanumber，thesignofhisofficialauthority。Heputthiscarefullyinhisupperwaistcoatpocket，litacigarette，andwentforthtotrackandfighttheenemyinallthedrawing—roomsofLondon。Wherehisadventureultimatelyledhimwehavealreadyseen。Atabouthalf—pastoneonaFebruarynighthefoundhimselfsteaminginasmalltugupthesilentThames，armedwithswordstickandrevolver，thedulyelectedThursdayoftheCentralCouncilofAnarchists。
　　WhenSymesteppedoutontothesteam—tughehadasingularsensationofsteppingoutintosomethingentirelynew;notmerelyintothelandscapeofanewland，butevenintothelandscapeofanewplanet。Thiswasmainlyduetotheinsaneyetsoliddecisionofthatevening，thoughpartlyalsotoanentirechangeintheweatherandtheskysinceheenteredthelittletavernsometwohoursbefore。Everytraceofthepassionateplumageofthecloudysunsethadbeensweptaway，andanakedmoonstoodinanakedsky。Themoonwassostrongandfullthat（byaparadoxoftentobenoticed）
　　itseemedlikeaweakersun。Itgave，notthesenseofbrightmoonshine，butratherofadeaddaylight。
　　Overthewholelandscapelayaluminousandunnaturaldiscoloration，asofthatdisastroustwilightwhichMiltonspokeofasshedbythesunineclipse;sothatSymefelleasilyintohisfirstthought，thathewasactuallyonsomeotherandemptierplanet，whichcircledroundsomesadderstar。Butthemorehefeltthisglitteringdesolationinthemoonlitland，themorehisownchivalricfollyglowedinthenightlikeagreatfire。Eventhecommonthingshecarriedwithhim——thefoodandthebrandyandtheloadedpistol——tookonexactlythatconcreteandmaterialpoetrywhichachildfeelswhenhetakesagunuponajourneyorabunwithhimtobed。Thesword—stickandthebrandy—flask，thoughinthemselvesonlythetoolsofmorbidconspirators，becametheexpressionsofhisownmorehealthyromance。Thesword—stickbecamealmosttheswordofchivalry，andthebrandythewineofthestirrup—cup。Foreventhemostdehumanisedmodernfantasiesdependonsomeolderandsimplerfigure;theadventuresmaybemad，buttheadventurermustbesane。ThedragonwithoutSt。
　　Georgewouldnotevenbegrotesque。Sothisinhumanlandscapewasonlyimaginativebythepresenceofamanreallyhuman。ToSyme’sexaggerativemindthebright，bleakhousesandterracesbytheThameslookedasemptyasthemountainsofthemoon。Buteventhemoonisonlypoeticalbecausethereisamaninthemoon。
　　Thetugwasworkedbytwomen，andwithmuchtoilwentcomparativelyslowly。TheclearmoonthathadlitupChiswickhadgonedownbythetimethattheypassedBattersea，andwhentheycameundertheenormousbulkofWestminsterdayhadalreadybeguntobreak。Itbrokelikethesplittingofgreatbarsoflead，showingbarsofsilver;andthesehadbrightenedlikewhitefirewhenthetug，changingitsonwardcourse，turnedinwardtoalargelandingstageratherbeyondCharingCross。
　　ThegreatstonesoftheEmbankmentseemedequallydarkandgiganticasSymelookedupatthem。Theywerebigandblackagainstthehugewhitedawn。TheymadehimfeelthathewaslandingonthecolossalstepsofsomeEgyptianpalace;and，indeed，thethingsuitedhismood，forhewas，inhisownmind，mountingtoattackthesolidthronesofhorribleandheathenkings。Heleaptoutoftheboatontooneslimystep，andstood，adarkandslenderfigure，amidtheenormousmasonry。Thetwomeninthetugputheroffagainandturnedupstream。Theyhadneverspokenaword。
　　CHAPTERV
　　THEFEASTOFFEAR
　　ATfirstthelargestonestairseemedtoSymeasdesertedasapyramid;butbeforehereachedthetophehadrealisedthattherewasamanleaningovertheparapetoftheEmbankmentandlookingoutacrosstheriver。Asafigurehewasquiteconventional，cladinasilkhatandfrock—coatofthemoreformaltypeoffashion;
　　hehadaredflowerinhisbuttonhole。AsSymedrewnearertohimstepbystep，hedidnotevenmoveahair;andSymecouldcomecloseenoughtonoticeeveninthedim，palemorninglightthathisfacewaslong，paleandintellectual，andendedinasmalltriangulartuftofdarkbeardattheverypointofthechin，allelsebeingclean—shaven。Thisscrapofhairalmostseemedamereoversight;therestofthefacewasofthetypethatisbestshaven——clear—cut，ascetic，andinitswaynoble。Symedrewcloserandcloser，notingallthis，andstillthefiguredidnotstir。
　　AtfirstaninstincthadtoldSymethatthiswasthemanwhomhewasmeanttomeet。Then，seeingthatthemanmadenosign，hehadconcludedthathewasnot。Andnowagainhehadcomebacktoacertaintythatthemanhadsomethingtodowithhismadadventure。
　　Forthemanremainedmorestillthanwouldhavebeennaturalifastrangerhadcomesoclose。Hewasasmotionlessasawax—work，andgotonthenervessomewhatinthesameway。Symelookedagainandagainatthepale，dignifiedanddelicateface，andthefacestilllookedblanklyacrosstheriver。ThenhetookoutofhispocketthenotefromButtonsprovinghiselection，andputitbeforethatsadandbeautifulface。Thenthemansmiled，andhissmilewasashock，foritwasallononeside，goingupintherightcheekanddownintheleft。
　　Therewasnothing，rationallyspeaking，toscareanyoneaboutthis。Manypeoplehavethisnervoustrickofacrookedsmile，andinmanyitisevenattractive。ButinallSyme’scircumstances，withthedarkdawnandthedeadlyerrandandthelonelinessonthegreatdrippingstones，therewassomethingunnervinginit。
　　Therewasthesilentriverandthesilentman，amanofevenclassicface。Andtherewasthelastnightmaretouchthathissmilesuddenlywentwrong。
　　Thespasmofsmilewasinstantaneous，andtheman’sfacedroppedatonceintoitsharmoniousmelancholy。Hespokewithoutfurtherexplanationorinquiry，likeamanspeakingtoanoldcolleague。
　　"IfwewalkuptowardsLeicesterSquare，"hesaid，"weshalljustbeintimeforbreakfast。Sundayalwaysinsistsonanearlybreakfast。Haveyouhadanysleep？"
　　"No，"saidSyme。
　　"NorhaveI，"answeredthemaninanordinarytone。"Ishalltrytogettobedafterbreakfast。"
　　Hespokewithcasualcivility，butinanutterlydeadvoicethatcontradictedthefanaticismofhisface。Itseemedalmostasifallfriendlywordsweretohimlifelessconveniences，andthathisonlylifewashate。Afterapausethemanspokeagain。
　　"Ofcourse，theSecretaryofthebranchtoldyoueverythingthatcanbetold。ButtheonethingthatcanneverbetoldisthelastnotionofthePresident，forhisnotionsgrowlikeatropicalforest。Soincaseyoudon’tknow，I’dbettertellyouthatheiscarryingouthisnotionofconcealingourselvesbynotconcealingourselvestothemostextraordinarylengthsjustnow。Originally，ofcourse，wemetinacellunderground，justasyourbranchdoes。
　　ThenSundaymadeustakeaprivateroomatanordinaryrestaurant。
　　Hesaidthatifyoudidn’tseemtobehidingnobodyhuntedyouout。
　　Well，heistheonlymanonearth，Iknow;butsometimesIreallythinkthathishugebrainisgoingalittlemadinitsoldage。Fornowweflauntourselvesbeforethepublic。Wehaveourbreakfastonabalcony——onabalcony，ifyouplease——overlookingLeicesterSquare。"
　　"Andwhatdothepeoplesay？"askedSyme。
　　"It’squitesimplewhattheysay，"answeredhisguide。
　　"Theysaywearealotofjollygentlemenwhopretendtheyareanarchists。"
　　"Itseemstomeaverycleveridea，"saidSyme。
　　"Clever！Godblastyourimpudence！Clever！"criedouttheotherinasudden，shrillvoicewhichwasasstartlinganddiscordantashiscrookedsmile。"Whenyou’veseenSundayforasplitsecondyou’llleaveoffcallinghimclever。"
　　Withthistheyemergedoutofanarrowstreet，andsawtheearlysunlightfillingLeicesterSquare。Itwillneverbeknown，I
　　suppose，whythissquareitselfshouldlooksoalienandinsomewayssocontinental。Itwillneverbeknownwhetheritwastheforeignlookthatattractedtheforeignersortheforeignerswhogaveittheforeignlook。Butonthisparticularmorningtheeffectseemedsingularlybrightandclear。BetweentheopensquareandthesunlitleavesandthestatueandtheSaracenicoutlinesoftheAlhambra，itlookedthereplicaofsomeFrenchorevenSpanishpublicplace。AndthiseffectincreasedinSymethesensation，whichinmanyshapeshehadhadthroughthewholeadventure，theeeriesensationofhavingstrayedintoanewworld。Asafact，hehadboughtbadcigarsroundLeicesterSquareeversincehewasaboy。Butasheturnedthatcorner，andsawthetreesandtheMoorishcupolas，hecouldhaveswornthathewasturningintoanunknownPlacedesomethingorotherinsomeforeigntown。
　　Atonecornerofthesquarethereprojectedakindofangleofaprosperousbutquiethotel，thebulkofwhichbelongedtoastreetbehind。InthewalltherewasonelargeFrenchwindow，probablythewindowofalargecoffee—room;andoutsidethiswindow，almostliterallyoverhangingthesquare，wasaformidablybuttressedbalcony，bigenoughtocontainadining—table。Infact，itdidcontainadining—table，ormorestrictlyabreakfast—table;androundthebreakfast—table，glowinginthesunlightandevidenttothestreet，wereagroupofnoisyandtalkativemen，alldressedintheinsolenceoffashion，withwhitewaistcoatsandexpensivebutton—holes。Someoftheirjokescouldalmostbeheardacrossthesquare。ThenthegraveSecretarygavehisunnaturalsmile，andSymeknewthatthisboisterousbreakfastpartywasthesecretconclaveoftheEuropeanDynamiters。