"Wasn’titarag？"hesaid。"Suchasimpleidea——notmyown。I
　　haven’tgotthebrains。Yousee，Iwantedtogointothedetectiveservice，especiallytheanti—dynamitebusiness。Butforthatpurposetheywantedsomeonetodressupasadynamiter;andtheyallsworebyblazesthatIcouldneverlooklikeadynamiter。Theysaidmyverywalkwasrespectable，andthatseenfrombehindI
　　lookedliketheBritishConstitution。TheysaidIlookedtoohealthyandtoooptimistic，andtooreliableandbenevolent;theycalledmeallsortsofnamesatScotlandYard。TheysaidthatifI
　　hadbeenacriminal，Imighthavemademyfortunebylookingsolikeanhonestman;butasIhadthemisfortunetobeanhonestman，therewasnoteventheremotestchanceofmyassistingthembyeverlookinglikeacriminal。ButaslastIwasbroughtbeforesomeoldjosserwhowashighupintheforce，andwhoseemedtohavenoendofaheadonhisshoulders。Andtheretheothersalltalkedhopelessly。Oneaskedwhetherabushybeardwouldhidemynicesmile;anothersaidthatiftheyblackedmyfaceImightlooklikeanegroanarchist;butthisoldchapchippedinwithamostextraordinaryremark。’Apairofsmokedspectacleswilldoit，’hesaidpositively。’Lookathimnow;helookslikeanangelicofficeboy。Puthimonapairofsmokedspectacles，andchildrenwillscreamatthesightofhim。’Andsoitwas，byGeorge！Whenoncemyeyeswerecovered，alltherest，smileandbigshouldersandshorthair，mademelookaperfectlittledevil。AsIsay，itwassimpleenoughwhenitwasdone，likemiracles;butthatwasn’tthereallymiraculouspartofit。Therewasonereallystaggeringthingaboutthebusiness，andmyheadstillturnsatit。"
　　"Whatwasthat？"askedSyme。
　　"I’lltellyou，"answeredthemaninspectacles。"Thisbigpotinthepolicewhosizedmeupsothatheknewhowthegoggleswouldgowithmyhairandsocks——byGod，heneversawmeatall！"
　　Syme’seyessuddenlyflashedonhim。
　　"Howwasthat？"heasked。"Ithoughtyoutalkedtohim。"
　　"SoIdid，"saidBullbrightly;"butwetalkedinapitch—darkroomlikeacoalcellar。There，youwouldneverhaveguessedthat。"
　　"Icouldnothaveconceivedit，"saidSymegravely。
　　"Itisindeedanewidea，"saidtheProfessor。
　　Theirnewallywasinpracticalmattersawhirlwind。AttheinquiryofficeheaskedwithbusinesslikebrevityaboutthetrainsforDover。Havinggothisinformation，hebundledthecompanyintoacab，andputthemandhimselfinsidearailwaycarriagebeforetheyhadproperlyrealisedthebreathlessprocess。TheywerealreadyontheCalaisboatbeforeconversationflowedfreely。
　　"Ihadalreadyarranged，"heexplained，"togotoFranceformylunch;butIamdelightedtohavesomeonetolunchwithme。Yousee，Ihadtosendthatbeast，theMarquis，overwithhisbomb，becausethePresidenthadhiseyeonme，thoughGodknowshow。
　　I’lltellyouthestorysomeday。Itwasperfectlychoking。
　　WheneverItriedtoslipoutofitIsawthePresidentsomewhere，smilingoutofthebow—windowofaclub，ortakingoffhishattomefromthetopofanomnibus。Itellyou，youcansaywhatyoulike，thatfellowsoldhimselftothedevil;hecanbeinsixplacesatonce。"
　　"SoyousenttheMarquisoff，Iunderstand，"askedtheProfessor。
　　"Wasitlongago？Shallwebeintimetocatchhim？"
　　"Yes，"answeredthenewguide，"I’vetimeditall。He’llstillbeatCalaiswhenwearrive。"
　　"ButwhenwedocatchhimatCalais，"saidtheProfessor，"whatarewegoingtodo？"
　　AtthisquestionthecountenanceofDr。Bullfellforthefirsttime。Hereflectedalittle，andthensaid——
　　"Theoretically，Isuppose，weoughttocallthepolice。"
　　"NotI，"saidSyme。"TheoreticallyIoughttodrownmyselffirst。I
　　promisedapoorfellow，whowasarealmodernpessimist，onmywordofhonournottotellthepolice。I’mnohandatcasuistry，butI
　　can’tbreakmywordtoamodernpessimist。It’slikebreakingone’swordtoachild。"
　　"I’minthesameboat，"saidtheProfessor。"ItriedtotellthepoliceandIcouldn’t，becauseofsomesillyoathItook。Yousee，whenIwasanactorIwasasortofall—roundbeast。PerjuryortreasonistheonlycrimeIhaven’tcommitted。IfIdidthatI
　　shouldn’tknowthedifferencebetweenrightandwrong。"
　　"I’vebeenthroughallthat，"saidDr。Bull，"andI’vemadeupmymind。IgavemypromisetotheSecretary——youknowhim，manwhosmilesupsidedown。Myfriends，thatmanisthemostutterlyunhappymanthatwaseverhuman。Itmaybehisdigestion，orhisconscience，orhisnerves，orhisphilosophyoftheuniverse，buthe’sdamned，he’sinhell！Well，Ican’tturnonamanlikethat，andhunthimdown。It’slikewhippingaleper。Imaybemad，butthat’showIfeel;andthere’sjollywelltheendofit。"
　　"Idon’tthinkyou’remad，"saidSyme。"Iknewyouwoulddecidelikethatwhenfirstyou——"
　　"Eh？"saidDr。Bull。
　　"Whenfirstyoutookoffyourspectacles。"
　　Dr。Bullsmiledalittle，andstrolledacrossthedecktolookatthesunlitsea。Thenhestrolledbackagain，kickinghisheelscarelessly，andacompanionablesilencefellbetweenthethreemen。
　　"Well，"saidSyme，"itseemsthatwehaveallthesamekindofmoralityorimmorality，sowehadbetterfacethefactthatcomesofit。"
　　"Yes，"assentedtheProfessor，"you’requiteright;andwemusthurryup，forIcanseetheGreyNosestandingoutfromFrance。"
　　"Thefactthatcomesofit，"saidSymeseriously，"isthis，thatwethreearealoneonthisplanet。Gogolhasgone，Godknowswhere;
　　perhapsthePresidenthassmashedhimlikeafly。OntheCouncilwearethreemenagainstthree，liketheRomanswhoheldthebridge。
　　Butweareworseoffthanthat，firstbecausetheycanappealtotheirorganizationandwecannotappealtoours，andsecondbecause——"
　　"Becauseoneofthoseotherthreemen，"saidtheProfessor，"isnotaman。"
　　Symenoddedandwassilentforasecondortwo，thenhesaid——
　　"Myideaisthis。WemustdosomethingtokeeptheMarquisinCalaistilltomorrowmidday。Ihaveturnedovertwentyschemesinmyhead。Wecannotdenouncehimasadynamiter;thatisagreed。Wecannotgethimdetainedonsometrivialcharge，forweshouldhavetoappear;heknowsus，andhewouldsmellarat。Wecannotpretendtokeephimonanarchistbusiness;hemightswallowmuchinthatway，butnotthenotionofstoppinginCalaiswhiletheCzarwentsafelythroughParis。Wemighttrytokidnaphim，andlockhimupourselves;butheisawell—knownmanhere。Hehasawholebodyguardoffriends;heisverystrongandbrave，andtheeventisdoubtful。TheonlythingIcanseetodoisactuallytotakeadvantageoftheverythingsthatareintheMarquis’sfavour。Iamgoingtoprofitbythefactthatheisahighlyrespectednobleman。
　　Iamgoingtoprofitbythefactthathehasmanyfriendsandmovesinthebestsociety。"
　　"Whatthedevilareyoutalkingabout？"askedtheProfessor。
　　"TheSymesarefirstmentionedinthefourteenthcentury，"saidSyme;"butthereisatraditionthatoneofthemrodebehindBruceatBannockburn。Since1350thetreeisquiteclear。"
　　"He’sgoneoffhishead，"saidthelittleDoctor，staring。
　　"Ourbearings，"continuedSymecalmly，"are’argentachevronguleschargedwiththreecrosscrossletsofthefield。’Themottovaries。"
　　TheProfessorseizedSymeroughlybythewaistcoat。
　　"Wearejustinshore，"hesaid。"Areyouseasickorjokinginthewrongplace？"
　　"Myremarksarealmostpainfullypractical，"answeredSyme，inanunhurriedmanner。"ThehouseofSt。Eustachealsoisveryancient。
　　TheMarquiscannotdenythatheisagentleman。HecannotdenythatIamagentleman。Andinordertoputthematterofmysocialpositionquitebeyondadoubt，Iproposeattheearliestopportunitytoknockhishatoff。Buthereweareintheharbour。"
　　Theywentonshoreunderthestrongsuninasortofdaze。Syme，whohadnowtakentheleadasBullhadtakenitinLondon，ledthemalongakindofmarineparadeuntilhecametosomecafes，emboweredinabulkofgreeneryandoverlookingthesea。Ashewentbeforethemhisstepwasslightlyswaggering，andheswunghissticklikeasword。Hewasmakingapparentlyfortheextremeendofthelineofcafes，buthestoppedabruptly。Withasharpgesturehemotionedthemtosilence，buthepointedwithoneglovedfingertoacafetableunderabankoffloweringfoliageatwhichsattheMarquisdeSt。Eustache，histeethshininginhisthick，blackbeard，andhisbold，brownfaceshadowedbyalightyellowstrawhatandoutlinedagainstthevioletsea。
　　CHAPTERX
　　THEDUEL
　　SYMEsatdownatacafetablewithhiscompanions，hisblueeyessparklinglikethebrightseabelow，andorderedabottleofSaumurwithapleasedimpatience。Hewasforsomereasoninaconditionofcurioushilarity。Hisspiritswerealreadyunnaturallyhigh;theyroseastheSaumursank，andinhalfanhourhistalkwasatorrentofnonsense。HeprofessedtobemakingoutaplanoftheconversationwhichwasgoingtoensuebetweenhimselfandthedeadlyMarquis。Hejotteditdownwildlywithapencil。Itwasarrangedlikeaprintedcatechism，withquestionsandanswers，andwasdeliveredwithanextraordinaryrapidityofutterance。
　　"Ishallapproach。Beforetakingoffhishat，Ishalltakeoffmyown。Ishallsay，’TheMarquisdeSaintEustache，Ibelieve。’Hewillsay，’ThecelebratedMr。Syme，Ipresume。’HewillsayinthemostexquisiteFrench，’Howareyou？’IshallreplyinthemostexquisiteCockney，’Oh，justtheSyme——’"
　　"Oh，shutit，"saidthemaninspectacles。"Pullyourselftogether，andchuckawaythatbitofpaper。Whatareyoureallygoingtodo？"
　　"Butitwasalovelycatechism，"saidSymepathetically。"Doletmereadityou。Ithasonlyforty—threequestionsandanswers，andsomeoftheMarquis’sanswersarewonderfullywitty。Iliketobejusttomyenemy。"
　　"Butwhat’sthegoodofitall？"askedDr。Bullinexasperation。
　　"Itleadsuptomychallenge，don’tyousee，"saidSyme，beaming。
　　"WhentheMarquishasgiventhethirty—ninthreply，whichruns——"
　　"Hasitbyanychanceoccurredtoyou，"askedtheProfessor，withaponderoussimplicity，"thattheMarquismaynotsayalltheforty—threethingsyouhaveputdownforhim？Inthatcase，I
　　understand，yourownepigramsmayappearsomewhatmoreforced。"
　　Symestruckthetablewitharadiantface。
　　"Why，howtruethatis，"hesaid，"andIneverthoughtofit。Sir，youhaveanintellectbeyondthecommon。Youwillmakeaname。"
　　"Oh，you’reasdrunkasanowl！"saidtheDoctor。
　　"Itonlyremains，"continuedSymequiteunperturbed，"toadoptsomeothermethodofbreakingtheice（ifImaysoexpressit）
　　betweenmyselfandthemanIwishtokill。Andsincethecourseofadialoguecannotbepredictedbyoneofitspartiesalone（asyouhavepointedoutwithsuchreconditeacumen），theonlythingtobedone，Isuppose，isfortheoneparty，asfaraspossible，todoallthedialoguebyhimself。AndsoIwill，byGeorge！"Andhestoodupsuddenly，hisyellowhairblowingintheslightseabreeze。
　　Abandwasplayinginacafechantanthiddensomewhereamongthetrees，andawomanhadjuststoppedsinging。OnSyme’sheatedheadthebrayofthebrassbandseemedlikethejarandjingleofthatbarrel—organinLeicesterSquare，tothetuneofwhichhehadoncestooduptodie。HelookedacrosstothelittletablewheretheMarquissat。Themanhadtwocompanionsnow，solemnFrenchmeninfrock—coatsandsilkhats，oneofthemwiththeredrosetteoftheLegionofHonour，evidentlypeopleofasolidsocialposition。
　　Besidestheseblack，cylindricalcostumes，theMarquis，inhisloosestrawhatandlightspringclothes，lookedBohemianandevenbarbaric;buthelookedtheMarquis。Indeed，onemightsaythathelookedtheking，withhisanimalelegance，hisscornfuleyes，andhisproudheadliftedagainstthepurplesea。ButhewasnoChristianking，atanyrate;hewas，rather，someswarthydespot，halfGreek，halfAsiatic，whointhedayswhenslaveryseemednaturallookeddownontheMediterranean，onhisgalleyandhisgroaningslaves。Justso，Symethought，wouldthebrown—goldfaceofsuchatyranthaveshownagainstthedarkgreenolivesandtheburningblue。
　　"Areyougoingtoaddressthemeeting？"askedtheProfessorpeevishly，seeingthatSymestillstoodupwithoutmoving。
　　Symedrainedhislastglassofsparklingwine。
　　"Iam，"hesaid，pointingacrosstotheMarquisandhiscompanions，"thatmeeting。Thatmeetingdispleasesme。Iamgoingtopullthatmeeting’sgreatugly，mahogany—colourednose。"
　　Hesteppedacrossswiftly，ifnotquitesteadily。TheMarquis，seeinghim，archedhisblackAssyrianeyebrowsinsurprise，butsmiledpolitely。
　　"YouareMr。Syme，Ithink，"hesaid。
　　Symebowed。
　　"AndyouaretheMarquisdeSaintEustache，"hesaidgracefully。
　　"Permitmetopullyournose。"
　　Heleantovertodoso，buttheMarquisstartedbackwards，upsettinghischair，andthetwomenintophatsheldSymebackbytheshoulders。
　　"Thismanhasinsultedme！"saidSyme，withgesturesofexplanation。
　　"Insultedyou？"criedthegentlemanwiththeredrosette，"when？"
　　"Oh，justnow，"saidSymerecklessly。"Heinsultedmymother。"
　　"Insultedyourmother！"exclaimedthegentlemanincredulously。
　　"Well，anyhow，"saidSyme，concedingapoint，"myaunt。"
　　"ButhowcantheMarquishaveinsultedyourauntjustnow？"saidthesecondgentlemanwithsomelegitimatewonder。"Hehasbeensittinghereallthetime。"
　　"Ah，itwaswhathesaid！"saidSymedarkly。
　　"Isaidnothingatall，"saidtheMarquis，"exceptsomethingabouttheband。IonlysaidthatIlikedWagnerplayedwell。"
　　"Itwasanallusiontomyfamily，"saidSymefirmly。"MyauntplayedWagnerbadly。Itwasapainfulsubject。Wearealwaysbeinginsultedaboutit。"
　　"Thisseemsmostextraordinary，"saidthegentlemanwhowasdecore，lookingdoubtfullyattheMarquis。
　　"Oh，Iassureyou，"saidSymeearnestly，"thewholeofyourconversationwassimplypackedwithsinisterallusionstomyaunt’sweaknesses。"
　　"Thisisnonsense！"saidthesecondgentleman。"IforonehavesaidnothingforhalfanhourexceptthatIlikedthesingingofthatgirlwithblackhair。"
　　"Well，thereyouareagain！"saidSymeindignantly。"Myaunt’swasred。"
　　"Itseemstome，"saidtheother，"thatyouaresimplyseekingapretexttoinsulttheMarquis。"
　　"ByGeorge！"saidSyme，facingroundandlookingathim，"whatacleverchapyouare！"
　　TheMarquisstartedupwitheyesflaminglikeatiger’s。
　　"Seekingaquarrelwithme！"hecried。"Seekingafightwithme！ByGod！therewasneveramanwhohadtoseeklong。Thesegentlemenwillperhapsactforme。Therearestillfourhoursofdaylight。
　　Letusfightthisevening。"
　　Symebowedwithaquitebeautifulgraciousness。
　　"Marquis，"hesaid，"youractionisworthyofyourfameandblood。
　　PermitmetoconsultforamomentwiththegentlemeninwhosehandsIshallplacemyself。"
　　Inthreelongstridesherejoinedhiscompanions，andthey，whohadseenhischampagne—inspiredattackandlistenedtohisidioticexplanations，werequitestartledatthelookofhim。Fornowthathecamebacktothemhewasquitesober，alittlepale，andhespokeinalowvoiceofpassionatepracticality。
　　"Ihavedoneit，"hesaidhoarsely。"Ihavefixedafightonthebeast。Butlookhere，andlistencarefully。Thereisnotimefortalk。Youaremyseconds，andeverythingmustcomefromyou。Nowyoumustinsist，andinsistabsolutely，ontheduelcomingoffafterseventomorrow，soastogivemethechanceofpreventinghimfromcatchingthe7。45forParis。Ifhemissesthathemisseshiscrime。Hecan’trefusetomeetyouonsuchasmallpointoftimeandplace。Butthisiswhathewilldo。Hewillchooseafieldsomewherenearawaysidestation，wherehecanpickupthetrain。
　　Heisaverygoodswordsman，andhewilltrusttokillingmeintimetocatchit。ButIcanfencewelltoo，andIthinkIcankeephiminplay，atanyrate，untilthetrainislost。Thenperhapshemaykillmetoconsolehisfeelings。Youunderstand？Verywellthen，letmeintroduceyoutosomecharmingfriendsofmine，"andleadingthemquicklyacrosstheparade，hepresentedthemtotheMarquis’ssecondsbytwoveryaristocraticnamesofwhichtheyhadnotpreviouslyheard。
　　Symewassubjecttospasmsofsingularcommonsense，nototherwiseapartofhischaracter。Theywere（ashesaidofhisimpulseaboutthespectacles）poeticintuitions，andtheysometimesrosetotheexaltationofprophecy。
　　Hehadcorrectlycalculatedinthiscasethepolicyofhisopponent。WhentheMarquiswasinformedbyhissecondsthatSymecouldonlyfightinthemorning，hemustfullyhaverealisedthatanobstaclehadsuddenlyarisenbetweenhimandhisbomb—throwingbusinessinthecapital。Naturallyhecouldnotexplainthisobjectiontohisfriends，sohechosethecoursewhichSymehadpredicted。Heinducedhissecondstosettleonasmallmeadownotfarfromtherailway，andhetrustedtothefatalityofthefirstengagement。
　　Whenhecamedownverycoollytothefieldofhonour，noonecouldhaveguessedthathehadanyanxietyaboutajourney;hishandswereinhispockets，hisstrawhatonthebackofhishead，hishandsomefacebrazeninthesun。Butitmighthavestruckastrangerasoddthatthereappearedinhistrain，notonlyhissecondscarryingthesword—case，buttwoofhisservantscarryingaportmanteauandaluncheonbasket。
　　Earlyaswasthehour，thesunsoakedeverythinginwarmth，andSymewasvaguelysurprisedtoseesomanyspringflowersburninggoldandsilverinthetallgrassinwhichthewholecompanystoodalmostknee—deep。
　　WiththeexceptionoftheMarquis，allthemenwereinsombreandsolemnmorning—dress，withhatslikeblackchimney—pots;thelittleDoctorespecially，withtheadditionofhisblackspectacles，lookedlikeanundertakerinafarce。Symecouldnothelpfeelingacomiccontrastbetweenthisfunerealchurchparadeofapparelandtherichandglisteningmeadow，growingwildflowerseverywhere。
　　But，indeed，thiscomiccontrastbetweentheyellowblossomsandtheblackhatswasbutasymbolofthetragiccontrastbetweentheyellowblossomsandtheblackbusiness。Onhisrightwasalittlewood;farawaytohisleftlaythelongcurveoftherailwayline，whichhewas，sotospeak，guardingfromtheMarquis，whosegoalandescapeitwas。Infrontofhim，behindtheblackgroupofhisopponents，hecouldsee，likeatintedcloud，asmallalmondbushinfloweragainstthefaintlineofthesea。
　　ThememberoftheLegionofHonour，whosenameitseemedwasColonelDucroix，approachedtheProfessorandDr。Bullwithgreatpoliteness，andsuggestedthattheplayshouldterminatewiththefirstconsiderablehurt。
　　Dr。Bull，however，havingbeencarefullycoachedbySymeuponthispointofpolicy，insisted，withgreatdignityandinverybadFrench，thatitshouldcontinueuntiloneofthecombatantswasdisabled。SymehadmadeuphismindthathecouldavoiddisablingtheMarquisandpreventtheMarquisfromdisablinghimforatleasttwentyminutes。IntwentyminutestheParistrainwouldhavegoneby。
　　"Toamanofthewell—knownskillandvalourofMonsieurdeSt。
　　Eustache，"saidtheProfessorsolemnly，"itmustbeamatterofindifferencewhichmethodisadopted，andourprincipalhasstrongreasonsfordemandingthelongerencounter，reasonsthedelicacyofwhichpreventmefrombeingexplicit，butforthejustandhonourablenatureofwhichIcan——"
　　"Peste！"brokefromtheMarquisbehind，whosefacehadsuddenlydarkened，"letusstoptalkingandbegin，"andheslashedofftheheadofatallflowerwithhisstick。
　　Symeunderstoodhisrudeimpatienceandinstinctivelylookedoverhisshouldertoseewhetherthetrainwascominginsight。Buttherewasnosmokeonthehorizon。
　　ColonelDucroixkneltdownandunlockedthecase，takingoutapairoftwinswords，whichtookthesunlightandturnedtotwostreaksofwhitefire。HeofferedonetotheMarquis，whosnatcheditwithoutceremony，andanothertoSyme，whotookit，bentit，andpoiseditwithasmuchdelayaswasconsistentwithdignity。
　　ThentheColoneltookoutanotherpairofblades，andtakingonehimselfandgivinganothertoDr。Bull，proceededtoplacethemen。
　　Bothcombatantshadthrownofftheircoatsandwaistcoats，andstoodswordinhand。Thesecondsstoodoneachsideofthelineoffightwithdrawnswordsalso，butstillsombreintheirdarkfrock—coatsandhats。Theprincipalssaluted。TheColonelsaidquietly，"Engage！"andthetwobladestouchedandtingled。
　　WhenthejarofthejoinedironranupSyme’sarm，allthefantasticfearsthathavebeenthesubjectofthisstoryfellfromhimlikedreamsfromamanwakingupinbed。Herememberedthemclearlyandinorderasmeredelusionsofthenerves——howthefearoftheProfessorhadbeenthefearofthetyrannicaccidentsofnightmare，andhowthefearoftheDoctorhadbeenthefearoftheairlessvacuumofscience。Thefirstwastheoldfearthatanymiraclemighthappen，thesecondthemorehopelessmodernfearthatnomiraclecaneverhappen。Buthesawthatthesefearswerefancies，forhefoundhimselfinthepresenceofthegreatfactofthefearofdeath，withitscoarseandpitilesscommonsense。Hefeltlikeamanwhohaddreamedallnightoffallingoverprecipices，andhadwokeuponthemorningwhenhewastobehanged。Forassoonashehadseenthesunlightrundownthechannelofhisfoe’sforeshortenedblade，andassoonashehadfeltthetwotonguesofsteeltouch，vibratingliketwolivingthings，heknewthathisenemywasaterriblefighter，andthatprobablyhislasthourhadcome。
　　Hefeltastrangeandvividvalueinalltheeartharoundhim，inthegrassunderhisfeet;hefelttheloveoflifeinalllivingthings。Hecouldalmostfancythatheheardthegrassgrowing;hecouldalmostfancythatevenashestoodfreshflowerswerespringingupandbreakingintoblossominthemeadow——flowersbloodredandburninggoldandblue，fulfillingthewholepageantofthespring。Andwheneverhiseyesstrayedforaflashfromthecalm，staring，hypnoticeyesoftheMarquis，theysawthelittletuftofalmondtreeagainstthesky—line。Hehadthefeelingthatifbysomemiracleheescapedhewouldbereadytositforeverbeforethatalmondtree，desiringnothingelseintheworld。
　　Butwhileearthandskyandeverythinghadthelivingbeautyofathinglost，theotherhalfofhisheadwasasclearasglass，andhewasparryinghisenemy’spointwithakindofclockworkskillofwhichhehadhardlysupposedhimselfcapable。Oncehisenemy’spointranalonghiswrist，leavingaslightstreakofblood，butiteitherwasnotnoticedorwastacitlyignored。Everynowandthenheriposted，andonceortwicehecouldalmostfancythathefelthispointgohome，butastherewasnobloodonbladeorshirthesupposedhewasmistaken。Thencameaninterruptionandachange。
　　Attheriskoflosingall，theMarquis，interruptinghisquietstare，flashedoneglanceoverhisshoulderatthelineofrailwayonhisright。ThenheturnedonSymeafacetransfiguredtothatofafiend，andbegantofightasifwithtwentyweapons。Theattackcamesofastandfurious，thattheoneshiningswordseemedashowerofshiningarrows。Symehadnochancetolookattherailway;butalsohehadnoneed。HecouldguessthereasonoftheMarquis’ssuddenmadnessofbattle——theParistrainwasinsight。
　　ButtheMarquis’smorbidenergyover—reacheditself。TwiceSyme，parrying，knockedhisopponent’spointfaroutofthefightingcircle;andthethirdtimehisripostewassorapid，thattherewasnodoubtaboutthehitthistime。Syme’sswordactuallybentundertheweightoftheMarquis’sbody，whichithadpierced。
　　Symewasascertainthathehadstuckhisbladeintohisenemyasagardenerthathehasstuckhisspadeintotheground。YettheMarquissprangbackfromthestrokewithoutastagger，andSymestoodstaringathisownsword—pointlikeanidiot。Therewasnobloodonitatall。
　　Therewasaninstantofrigidsilence，andthenSymeinhisturnfellfuriouslyontheother，filledwithaflamingcuriosity。TheMarquiswasprobably，inageneralsense，abetterfencerthanhe，ashehadsurmisedatthebeginning，butatthemomenttheMarquisseemeddistraughtandatadisadvantage。Hefoughtwildlyandevenweakly，andheconstantlylookedawayattherailwayline，almostasifhefearedthetrainmorethanthepointedsteel。Syme，ontheotherhand，foughtfiercelybutstillcarefully，inanintellectualfury，eagertosolvetheriddleofhisownbloodlesssword。Forthispurpose，heaimedlessattheMarquis’sbody，andmoreathisthroatandhead。Aminuteandahalfafterwardshefelthispointentertheman’sneckbelowthejaw。Itcameoutclean。Halfmad，hethrustagain，andmadewhatshouldhavebeenabloodyscarontheMarquis’scheek。Buttherewasnoscar。
　　ForonemomenttheheavenofSymeagaingrewblackwithsupernaturalterrors。Surelythemanhadacharmedlife。Butthisnewspiritualdreadwasamoreawfulthingthanhadbeenthemerespiritualtopsy—turvydomsymbolisedbytheparalyticwhopursuedhim。TheProfessorwasonlyagoblin;thismanwasadevil——perhapshewastheDevil！Anyhow，thiswascertain，thatthreetimeshadahumanswordbeendrivenintohimandmadenomark。WhenSymehadthatthoughthedrewhimselfup，andallthatwasgoodinhimsanghighupintheairasahighwindsingsinthetrees。Hethoughtofallthehumanthingsinhisstory——oftheChineselanternsinSaffronPark，ofthegirl’sredhairinthegarden，ofthehonest，beer—swillingsailorsdownbythedock，ofhisloyalcompanionsstandingby。Perhapshehadbeenchosenasachampionofallthesefreshandkindlythingstocrossswordswiththeenemyofallcreation。"Afterall，"hesaidtohimself，"Iammorethanadevil;
　　Iamaman。IcandotheonethingwhichSatanhimselfcannotdo——I
　　candie，"andasthewordwentthroughhishead，heheardafaintandfar—offhoot，whichwouldsoonbetheroaroftheParistrain。
　　Hefelltofightingagainwithasupernaturallevity，likeaMohammedanpantingforParadise。AsthetraincamenearerandnearerhefanciedhecouldseepeopleputtingupthefloralarchesinParis;hejoinedinthegrowingnoiseandthegloryofthegreatRepublicwhosegatehewasguardingagainstHell。Histhoughtsrosehigherandhigherwiththerisingroarofthetrain，whichended，asifproudly，inalongandpiercingwhistle。Thetrainstopped。
　　Suddenly，totheastonishmentofeveryonetheMarquissprangbackquiteoutofswordreachandthrewdownhissword。Theleapwaswonderful，andnotthelesswonderfulbecauseSymehadplungedhisswordamomentbeforeintotheman’sthigh。
　　"Stop！"saidtheMarquisinavoicethatcompelledamomentaryobedience。"Iwanttosaysomething。"
　　"Whatisthematter？"askedColonelDucroix，staring。"Hastherebeenfoulplay？"
　　"Therehasbeenfoulplaysomewhere，"saidDr。Bull，whowasalittlepale。"OurprincipalhaswoundedtheMarquisfourtimesatleast，andheisnonetheworse。"
　　TheMarquisputuphishandwithacuriousairofghastlypatience。
　　"Pleaseletmespeak，"hesaid。"Itisratherimportant。Mr。
　　Syme，"hecontinued，turningtohisopponent，"wearefightingtoday，ifIrememberright，becauseyouexpressedawish（whichIthoughtirrational）topullmynose。Wouldyouobligemebypullingmynosenowasquicklyaspossible？Ihavetocatchatrain。"
　　"Iprotestthatthisismostirregular，"saidDr。Bullindignantly。
　　"Itiscertainlysomewhatopposedtoprecedent，"saidColonelDucroix，lookingwistfullyathisprincipal。"Thereis，Ithink，onecaseonrecord（CaptainBellegardeandtheBaronZumpt）inwhichtheweaponswerechangedinthemiddleoftheencounterattherequestofoneofthecombatants。Butonecanhardlycallone’snoseaweapon。"
　　"Willyouorwillyounotpullmynose？"saidtheMarquisinexasperation。"Come，come，Mr。Syme！Youwantedtodoit，doit！
　　Youcanhavenoconceptionofhowimportantitistome。Don’tbesoselfish！Pullmynoseatonce，whenIaskyou！"andhebentslightlyforwardwithafascinatingsmile。TheParistrain，pantingandgroaning，hadgratedintoalittlestationbehindtheneighbouringhill。
　　Symehadthefeelinghehadmorethanoncehadintheseadventures——thesensethatahorribleandsublimewaveliftedtoheavenwasjusttopplingover。Walkinginaworldhehalfunderstood，hetooktwopacesforwardandseizedtheRomannoseofthisremarkablenobleman。Hepulledithard，anditcameoffinhishand。
　　Hestoodforsomesecondswithafoolishsolemnity，withthepasteboardproboscisstillbetweenhisfingers，lookingatit，whilethesunandthecloudsandthewoodedhillslookeddownuponthisimbecilescene。
　　TheMarquisbrokethesilenceinaloudandcheerfulvoice。
　　"Ifanyonehasanyuseformylefteyebrow，"hesaid，"hecanhaveit。ColonelDucroix，doacceptmylefteyebrow！It’sthekindofthingthatmightcomeinusefulanyday，"andhegravelytoreoffoneofhisswarthyAssyrianbrows，bringingabouthalfhisbrownforeheadwithit，andpolitelyofferedittotheColonel，whostoodcrimsonandspeechlesswithrage。
　　"IfIhadknown，"hespluttered，"thatIwasactingforapoltroonwhopadshimselftofight——"
　　"Oh，Iknow，Iknow！"saidtheMarquis，recklesslythrowingvariouspartsofhimselfrightandleftaboutthefield。"Youaremakingamistake;butitcan’tbeexplainedjustnow。Itellyouthetrainhascomeintothestation！"
　　"Yes，"saidDr。Bullfiercely，"andthetrainshallgooutofthestation。Itshallgooutwithoutyou。Weknowwellenoughforwhatdevil’swork——"
　　ThemysteriousMarquisliftedhishandswithadesperategesture。
　　Hewasastrangescarecrowstandingthereinthesunwithhalfhisoldfacepeeledoff，andhalfanotherfaceglaringandgrinningfromunderneath。
　　"Willyoudrivememad？"hecried。"Thetrain——"
　　"Youshallnotgobythetrain，"saidSymefirmly，andgraspedhissword。
　　ThewildfigureturnedtowardsSyme，andseemedtobegatheringitselfforasublimeeffortbeforespeaking。
　　"Yougreatfat，blasted，blear—eyed，blundering，thundering，brainless，Godforsaken，doddering，damnedfool！"hesaidwithouttakingbreath。"Yougreatsilly，pink—faced，towheadedturnip！
　　You——"
　　"Youshallnotgobythistrain，"repeatedSyme。
　　"Andwhytheinfernalblazes，"roaredtheother，"shouldIwanttogobythetrain？"
　　"Weknowall，"saidtheProfessorsternly。"YouaregoingtoParistothrowabomb！"
　　"GoingtoJerichotothrowaJabberwock！"criedtheother，tearinghishair，whichcameoffeasily。
　　"Haveyouallgotsofteningofthebrain，thatyoudon’trealisewhatIam？DidyoureallythinkIwantedtocatchthattrain？
　　TwentyParistrainsmightgobyforme。DamnParistrains！"
　　"Thenwhatdidyoucareabout？"begantheProfessor。
　　"WhatdidIcareabout？Ididn’tcareaboutcatchingthetrain;I
　　caredaboutwhetherthetraincaughtme，andnow，byGod！ithascaughtme。"
　　"Iregrettoinformyou，"saidSymewithrestraint，"thatyourremarksconveynoimpressiontomymind。Perhapsifyouweretoremovetheremainsofyouroriginalforeheadandsomeportionofwhatwasonceyourchin，yourmeaningwouldbecomeclearer。Mentallucidityfulfilsitselfinmanyways。Whatdoyoumeanbysayingthatthetrainhascaughtyou？Itmaybemyliteraryfancy，butsomehowIfeelthatitoughttomeansomething。"
　　"Itmeanseverything，"saidtheother，"andtheendofeverything。
　　Sundayhasusnowinthehollowofhishand。"
　　"Us！"repeatedtheProfessor，asifstupefied。"Whatdoyoumeanby’us’？"
　　"Thepolice，ofcourse！"saidtheMarquis，andtoreoffhisscalpandhalfhisface。
　　Theheadwhichemergedwastheblonde，wellbrushed，smooth—hairedheadwhichiscommonintheEnglishconstabulary，butthefacewasterriblypale。
　　"IamInspectorRatcliffe，"hesaid，withasortofhastethatvergedonharshness。"Mynameisprettywellknowntothepolice，andIcanseewellenoughthatyoubelongtothem。Butifthereisanydoubtaboutmyposition，Ihaveacard"andhebegantopullabluecardfromhispocket。
　　TheProfessorgaveatiredgesture。
　　"Oh，don’tshowitus，"hesaidwearily;"we’vegotenoughofthemtoequipapaper—chase。"
　　ThelittlemannamedBull，had，likemanymenwhoseemtobeofamerevivaciousvulgarity，suddenmovementsofgoodtaste。Herehecertainlysavedthesituation。Inthemidstofthisstaggeringtransformationscenehesteppedforwardwithallthegravityandresponsibilityofasecond，andaddressedthetwosecondsoftheMarquis。
　　"Gentlemen，"hesaid，"wealloweyouaseriousapology;butI
　　assureyouthatyouhavenotbeenmadethevictimsofsuchalowjokeasyouimagine，orindeedofanythingundignifiedinamanofhonour。Youhavenotwastedyourtime;youhavehelpedtosavetheworld。Wearenotbuffoons，butverydesperatemenatwarwithavastconspiracy。Asecretsocietyofanarchistsishuntinguslikehares;notsuchunfortunatemadmenasmayhereortherethrowabombthroughstarvationorGermanphilosophy，butarichandpowerfulandfanaticalchurch，achurchofeasternpessimism，whichholdsitholytodestroymankindlikevermin。HowhardtheyhuntusyoucangatherfromthefactthatwearedriventosuchdisguisesasthoseforwhichIapologise，andtosuchpranksasthisonebywhichyousuffer。"
　　TheyoungersecondoftheMarquis，ashortmanwithablackmoustache，bowedpolitely，andsaid——
　　"Ofcourse，Iaccepttheapology;butyouwillinyourturnforgivemeifIdeclinetofollowyoufurtherintoyourdifficulties，andpermitmyselftosaygoodmorning！Thesightofanacquaintanceanddistinguishedfellow—townsmancomingtopiecesintheopenairisunusual，and，uponthewhole，sufficientforoneday。ColonelDucroix，Iwouldinnowayinfluenceyouractions，butifyoufeelwithmethatourpresentsocietyisalittleabnormal，Iamnowgoingtowalkbacktothetown。"
　　ColonelDucroixmovedmechanically，butthentuggedabruptlyathiswhitemoustacheandbrokeout——
　　"No，byGeorge！Iwon’t。Ifthesegentlemenarereallyinamesswithalotoflowwreckerslikethat，I’llseethemthroughit。I
　　havefoughtforFrance，anditishardifIcan’tfightforcivilization。"
　　Dr。Bulltookoffhishatandwavedit，cheeringasatapublicmeeting。
　　"Don’tmaketoomuchnoise，"saidInspectorRatcliffe，"Sundaymayhearyou。"
　　"Sunday！"criedBull，anddroppedhishat。
　　"Yes，"retortedRatcliffe，"hemaybewiththem。"
　　"Withwhom？"askedSyme。
　　"Withthepeopleoutofthattrain，"saidtheother。
　　"Whatyousayseemsutterlywild，"beganSyme。"Why，asamatteroffact——But，myGod，"hecriedoutsuddenly，likeamanwhoseesanexplosionalongwayoff，"byGod！ifthisistruethewholeballylotofusontheAnarchistCouncilwereagainstanarchy！EverybornmanwasadetectiveexceptthePresidentandhispersonalsecretary。Whatcanitmean？"
　　"Mean！"saidthenewpolicemanwithincredibleviolence。"Itmeansthatwearestruckdead！Don’tyouknowSunday？Don’tyouknowthathisjokesarealwayssobigandsimplethatonehasneverthoughtofthem？CanyouthinkofanythingmorelikeSundaythanthis，thatheshouldputallhispowerfulenemiesontheSupremeCouncil，andthentakecarethatitwasnotsupreme？Itellyouhehasboughteverytrust，hehascapturedeverycable，hehascontrolofeveryrailwayline——especiallyofthatrailwayline！"andhepointedashakingfingertowardsthesmallwaysidestation。"Thewholemovementwascontrolledbyhim;halftheworldwasreadytoriseforhim。Buttherewerejustfivepeople，perhaps，whowouldhaveresistedhim……andtheolddevilputthemontheSupremeCouncil，towastetheirtimeinwatchingeachother。Idiotsthatweare，heplannedthewholeofouridiocies！SundayknewthattheProfessorwouldchaseSymethroughLondon，andthatSymewouldfightmeinFrance。Andhewascombininggreatmassesofcapital，andseizinggreatlinesoftelegraphy，whilewefiveidiotswererunningaftereachotherlikealotofconfoundedbabiesplayingblindman’sbuff。"
　　"Well？"askedSymewithasortofsteadiness。
　　"Well，"repliedtheotherwithsuddenserenity，"hehasfoundusplayingblindman’sbufftodayinafieldofgreatrusticbeautyandextremesolitude。Hehasprobablycapturedtheworld;itonlyremainstohimtocapturethisfieldandallthefoolsinit。Andsinceyoureallywanttoknowwhatwasmyobjectiontothearrivalofthattrain，Iwilltellyou。MyobjectionwasthatSundayorhisSecretaryhasjustthismomentgotoutofit。"
　　Symeutteredaninvoluntarycry，andtheyallturnedtheireyestowardsthefar—offstation。Itwasquitetruethataconsiderablebulkofpeopleseemedtobemovingintheirdirection。Buttheyweretoodistanttobedistinguishedinanyway。
　　"ItwasahabitofthelateMarquisdeSt。Eustache，"saidthenewpoliceman，producingaleathercase，"alwaystocarryapairofoperaglasses。EitherthePresidentortheSecretaryiscomingafteruswiththatmob。Theyhavecaughtusinanicequietplacewhereweareundernotemptationstobreakouroathsbycallingthepolice。Dr。Bull，Ihaveasuspicionthatyouwillseebetterthroughthesethanthroughyourownhighlydecorativespectacles。"
　　Hehandedthefield—glassestotheDoctor，whoimmediatelytookoffhisspectaclesandputtheapparatustohiseyes。
　　"Itcannotbeasbadasyousay，"saidtheProfessor，somewhatshaken。"Thereareagoodnumberofthemcertainly，buttheymayeasilybeordinarytourists。"
　　"Doordinarytourists，"askedBull，withthefieldglassestohiseyes，"wearblackmaskshalf—waydowntheface？"
　　Symealmosttoretheglassesoutofhishand，andlookedthroughthem。Mostmenintheadvancingmobreallylookedordinaryenough;
　　butitwasquitetruethattwoorthreeoftheleadersinfrontworeblackhalf—masksalmostdowntotheirmouths。Thisdisguiseisverycomplete，especiallyatsuchadistance，andSymefounditimpossibletoconcludeanythingfromtheclean—shavenjawsandchinsofthementalkinginthefront。Butpresentlyastheytalkedtheyallsmiledandoneofthemsmiledononeside。
　　CHAPTERXI
　　THECRIMINALSCHASETHEPOLICE
　　SYMEputthefield—glassesfromhiseyeswithanalmostghastlyrelief。
　　"ThePresidentisnotwiththem，anyhow，"hesaid，andwipedhisforehead。
　　"Butsurelytheyarerightawayonthehorizon，"saidthebewilderedColonel，blinkingandbuthalfrecoveredfromBull’shastythoughpoliteexplanation。"CouldyoupossiblyknowyourPresidentamongallthosepeople？"
　　"CouldIknowawhiteelephantamongallthosepeople！"answeredSymesomewhatirritably。"Asyouverytrulysay，theyareonthehorizon;butifhewerewalkingwiththem……byGod！Ibelievethisgroundwouldshake。"
　　Afteraninstant’spausethenewmancalledRatcliffesaidwithgloomydecision——
　　"OfcoursethePresidentisn’twiththem。IwishtoGeminihewere。