MuchmorelikelythePresidentisridingintriumphthroughParis，orsittingontheruinsofSt。Paul’sCathedral。"
　　"Thisisabsurd！"saidSyme。"Somethingmayhavehappenedinourabsence;buthecannothavecarriedtheworldwitharushlikethat。Itisquitetrue，"headded，frowningdubiouslyatthedistantfieldsthatlaytowardsthelittlestation，"itiscertainlytruethatthereseemstobeacrowdcomingthisway;
　　buttheyarenotallthearmythatyoumakeout。"
　　"Oh，they，"saidthenewdetectivecontemptuously;"notheyarenotaveryvaluableforce。Butletmetellyoufranklythattheyarepreciselycalculatedtoourvalue——wearenotmuch，myboy，inSunday’suniverse。Hehasgotholdofallthecablesandtelegraphshimself。ButtokilltheSupremeCouncilheregardsasatrivialmatter，likeapostcard;itmaybelefttohisprivatesecretary，"andhespatonthegrass。
　　Thenheturnedtotheothersandsaidsomewhatausterely——
　　"Thereisagreatdealtobesaidfordeath;butifanyonehasanypreferencefortheotheralternative，Istronglyadvisehimtowalkafterme。"
　　Withthesewords，heturnedhisbroadbackandstrodewithsilentenergytowardsthewood。Theothersgaveoneglanceovertheirshoulders，andsawthatthedarkcloudofmenhaddetacheditselffromthestationandwasmovingwithamysteriousdisciplineacrosstheplain。Theysawalready，evenwiththenakedeye，blackblotsontheforemostfaces，whichmarkedthemaskstheywore。
　　Theyturnedandfollowedtheirleader，whohadalreadystruckthewood，anddisappearedamongthetwinklingtrees。
　　Thesunonthegrasswasdryandhot。Soinplungingintothewoodtheyhadacoolshockofshadow，asofdiverswhoplungeintoadimpool。Theinsideofthewoodwasfullofshatteredsunlightandshakenshadows。Theymadeasortofshudderingveil，almostrecallingthedizzinessofacinematograph。EventhesolidfigureswalkingwithhimSymecouldhardlyseeforthepatternsofsunandshadethatdanceduponthem。Nowaman’sheadwaslitaswithalightofRembrandt，leavingallelseobliterated;nowagainhehadstrongandstaringwhitehandswiththefaceofanegro。Theex—Marquishadpulledtheoldstrawhatoverhiseyes，andtheblackshadeofthebrimcuthisfacesosquarelyintwothatitseemedtobewearingoneoftheblackhalf—masksoftheirpursuers。
　　ThefancytintedSyme’soverwhelmingsenseofwonder。Washewearingamask？Wasanyonewearingamask？Wasanyoneanything？
　　Thiswoodofwitchery，inwhichmen’sfacesturnedblackandwhitebyturns，inwhichtheirfiguresfirstswelledintosunlightandthenfadedintoformlessnight，thismerechaosofchiaroscuro（afterthecleardaylightoutside），seemedtoSymeaperfectsymboloftheworldinwhichhehadbeenmovingforthreedays，thisworldwherementookofftheirbeardsandtheirspectaclesandtheirnoses，andturnedintootherpeople。Thattragicself—confidencewhichhehadfeltwhenhebelievedthattheMarquiswasadevilhadstrangelydisappearednowthatheknewthattheMarquiswasafriend。Hefeltalmostinclinedtoaskafterallthesebewildermentswhatwasafriendandwhatanenemy。Wasthereanythingthatwasapartfromwhatitseemed？TheMarquishadtakenoffhisnoseandturnedouttobeadetective。Mighthenotjustaswelltakeoffhisheadandturnouttobeahobgoblin？Wasnoteverything，afterall，likethisbewilderingwoodland，thisdanceofdarkandlight？Everythingonlyaglimpse，theglimpsealwaysunforeseen，andalwaysforgotten。ForGabrielSymehadfoundintheheartofthatsun—splashedwoodwhatmanymodernpaintershadfoundthere。HehadfoundthethingwhichthemodernpeoplecallImpressionism，whichisanothernameforthatfinalscepticismwhichcanfindnofloortotheuniverse。
　　Asamaninanevildreamstrainshimselftoscreamandwake，Symestrovewithasuddenefforttoflingoffthislastandworstofhisfancies。WithtwoimpatientstridesheovertookthemanintheMarquis’sstrawhat，themanwhomhehadcometoaddressasRatcliffe。Inavoiceexaggerativelyloudandcheerful，hebrokethebottomlesssilenceandmadeconversation。
　　"MayIask，"hesaid，"whereonearthweareallgoingto？"
　　Sogenuinehadbeenthedoubtsofhissoul，thathewasquitegladtohearhiscompanionspeakinaneasy，humanvoice。
　　"WemustgetdownthroughthetownofLancytothesea，"hesaid。
　　"Ithinkthatpartofthecountryisleastlikelytobewiththem。"
　　"Whatcanyoumeanbyallthis？"criedSyme。"Theycan’tberunningtherealworldinthatway。Surelynotmanyworkingmenareanarchists，andsurelyiftheywere，meremobscouldnotbeatmodernarmiesandpolice。"
　　"Meremobs！"repeatedhisnewfriendwithasnortofscorn。"Soyoutalkaboutmobsandtheworkingclassesasiftheywerethequestion。You’vegotthateternalidioticideathatifanarchycameitwouldcomefromthepoor。Whyshouldit？Thepoorhavebeenrebels，buttheyhaveneverbeenanarchists;theyhavemoreinterestthananyoneelseintherebeingsomedecentgovernment。
　　Thepoormanreallyhasastakeinthecountry。Therichmanhasn’t;hecangoawaytoNewGuineainayacht。Thepoorhavesometimesobjectedtobeinggovernedbadly;therichhavealwaysobjectedtobeinggovernedatall。Aristocratswerealwaysanarchists，asyoucanseefromthebarons’wars。"
　　"AsalectureonEnglishhistoryforthelittleones，"saidSyme，"thisisallverynice;butIhavenotyetgraspeditsapplication。"
　　"Itsapplicationis，"saidhisinformant，"thatmostofoldSunday’sright—handmenareSouthAfricanandAmericanmillionaires。Thatiswhyhehasgotholdofallthecommunications;andthatiswhythelastfourchampionsoftheanti—anarchistpoliceforcearerunningthroughawoodlikerabbits。"
　　"MillionairesIcanunderstand，"saidSymethoughtfully，"theyarenearlyallmad。Butgettingholdofafewwickedoldgentlemenwithhobbiesisonething;gettingholdofgreatChristiannationsisanother。Iwouldbetthenoseoffmyface（forgivetheallusion）
　　thatSundaywouldstandperfectlyhelplessbeforethetaskofconvertinganyordinaryhealthypersonanywhere。"
　　"Well，"saidtheother，"itratherdependswhatsortofpersonyoumean。"
　　"Well，forinstance，"saidSyme，"hecouldneverconvertthatperson，"andhepointedstraightinfrontofhim。
　　Theyhadcometoanopenspaceofsunlight，whichseemedtoexpresstoSymethefinalreturnofhisowngoodsense;andinthemiddleofthisforestclearingwasafigurethatmightwellstandforthatcommonsenseinanalmostawfulactuality。Burntbythesunandstainedwithperspiration，andgravewiththebottomlessgravityofsmallnecessarytoils，aheavyFrenchpeasantwascuttingwoodwithahatchet。Hiscartstoodafewyardsoff，alreadyhalffulloftimber;andthehorsethatcroppedthegrasswas，likehismaster，valorousbutnotdesperate;likehismaster，hewasevenprosperous，butyetwasalmostsad。ThemanwasaNorman，tallerthantheaverageoftheFrenchandveryangular;andhisswarthyfigurestooddarkagainstasquareofsunlight，almostlikesomeallegoricfigureoflabourfrescoedonagroundofgold。
　　"Mr。Symeissaying，"calledoutRatcliffetotheFrenchColonel，"thatthisman，atleast，willneverbeananarchist。"
　　"Mr。Symeisrightenoughthere，"answeredColonelDucroix，laughing，"ifonlyforthereasonthathehasplentyofpropertytodefend。ButIforgotthatinyourcountryyouarenotusedtopeasantsbeingwealthy。"
　　"Helookspoor，"saidDr。Bulldoubtfully。
　　"Quiteso，"saidtheColonel;"thatiswhyheisrich。"
　　"Ihaveanidea，"calledoutDr。Bullsuddenly;"howmuchwouldhetaketogiveusaliftinhiscart？Thosedogsareallonfoot，andwecouldsoonleavethembehind。"
　　"Oh，givehimanything！"saidSymeeagerly。"Ihavepilesofmoneyonme。"
　　"Thatwillneverdo，"saidtheColonel;"hewillneverhaveanyrespectforyouunlessyoudriveabargain。"
　　"Oh，ifhehaggles！"beganBullimpatiently。
　　"Eriehagglesbecauseheisafreeman，"saidtheother。"Youdonotunderstand;hewouldnotseethemeaningofgenerosity。Heisnotbeingtipped。"
　　Andevenwhiletheyseemedtoheartheheavyfeetoftheirstrangepursuersbehindthem，theyhadtostandandstampwhiletheFrenchColoneltalkedtotheFrenchwood—cutterwithalltheleisurelybadinageandbickeringofmarket—day。Attheendofthefourminutes，however，theysawthattheColonelwasright，forthewood—cutterenteredintotheirplans，notwiththevagueservilityofatouttoo—wellpaid，butwiththeseriousnessofasolicitorwhohadbeenpaidtheproperfee。HetoldthemthatthebestthingtheycoulddowastomaketheirwaydowntothelittleinnonthehillsaboveLancy，wheretheinnkeeper，anoldsoldierwhohadbecomedevotinhislatteryears，wouldbecertaintosympathisewiththem，andeventotakerisksintheirsupport。Thewholecompany，therefore，piledthemselvesontopofthestacksofwood，andwentrockingintherudecartdowntheotherandsteepersideofthewoodland。Heavyandramshackleaswasthevehicle，itwasdrivenquicklyenough，andtheysoonhadtheexhilaratingimpressionofdistancingaltogetherthose，whoevertheywere，whowerehuntingthem。For，afterall，theriddleastowheretheanarchistshadgotallthesefollowerswasstillunsolved。Oneman’spresencehadsufficedforthem;theyhadfledatthefirstsightofthedeformedsmileoftheSecretary。Symeeverynowandthenlookedbackoverhisshoulderatthearmyontheirtrack。
　　Asthewoodgrewfirstthinnerandthensmallerwithdistance，hecouldseethesunlitslopesbeyonditandaboveit;andacrossthesewasstillmovingthesquareblackmoblikeonemonstrousbeetle。Intheverystrongsunlightandwithhisownverystrongeyes，whichwerealmosttelescopic，Symecouldseethismassofmenquiteplainly。Hecouldseethemasseparatehumanfigures;
　　buthewasincreasinglysurprisedbythewayinwhichtheymovedasoneman。Theyseemedtobedressedindarkclothesandplainhats，likeanycommoncrowdoutofthestreets;buttheydidnotspreadandsprawlandtrailbyvariouslinestotheattack，aswouldbenaturalinanordinarymob。Theymovedwithasortofdreadfulandwickedwoodenness，likeastaringarmyofautomatons。
　　SymepointedthisouttoRatcliffe。
　　"Yes，"repliedthepoliceman，"that’sdiscipline。That’sSunday。Heisperhapsfivehundredmilesoff，butthefearofhimisonallofthem，likethefingerofGod。Yes，theyarewalkingregularly;andyoubetyourbootsthattheyaretalkingregularly，yes，andthinkingregularly。Buttheoneimportantthingforusisthattheyaredisappearingregularly。"
　　Symenodded。Itwastruethattheblackpatchofthepursuingmenwasgrowingsmallerandsmallerasthepeasantbelabouredhishorse。
　　Thelevelofthesunlitlandscape，thoughflatasawhole，fellawayonthefarthersideofthewoodinbillowsofheavyslopetowardsthesea，inawaynotunlikethelowerslopesoftheSussexdowns。TheonlydifferencewasthatinSussextheroadwouldhavebeenbrokenandangularlikealittlebrook，butherethewhiteFrenchroadfellsheerinfrontofthemlikeawaterfall。Downthisdirectdescentthecartclatteredataconsiderableangle，andinafewminutes，theroadgrowingyetsteeper，theysawbelowthemthelittleharbourofLancyandagreatbluearcofthesea。Thetravellingcloudoftheirenemieshadwhollydisappearedfromthehorizon。
　　Thehorseandcarttookasharpturnroundaclumpofelms，andthehorse’snosenearlystruckthefaceofanoldgentlemanwhowassittingonthebenchesoutsidethelittlecafeof"LeSoleild’Or。"Thepeasantgruntedanapology，andgotdownfromhisseat。Theothersalsodescendedonebyone，andspoketotheoldgentlemanwithfragmentaryphrasesofcourtesy，foritwasquiteevidentfromhisexpansivemannerthathewastheownerofthelittletavern。
　　Hewasawhite—haired，apple—facedoldboy，withsleepyeyesandagreymoustache;stout，sedentary，andveryinnocent，ofatypethatmayoftenbefoundinFrance，butisstillcommonerinCatholicGermany。Everythingabouthim，hispipe，hispotofbeer，hisflowers，andhisbeehive，suggestedanancestralpeace;onlywhenhisvisitorslookedupastheyenteredtheinn—parlour，theysawthesworduponthewall。
　　TheColonel，whogreetedtheinnkeeperasanoldfriend，passedrapidlyintotheinn—parlour，andsatdownorderingsomeritualrefreshment。ThemilitarydecisionofhisactioninterestedSyme，whosatnexttohim，andhetooktheopportunitywhentheoldinnkeeperhadgoneoutofsatisfyinghiscuriosity。
　　"MayIaskyou，Colonel，"hesaidinalowvoice，"whywehavecomehere？"
　　ColonelDucroixsmiledbehindhisbristlywhitemoustache。
　　"Fortworeasons，sir，"hesaid;"andIwillgivefirst，notthemostimportant，butthemostutilitarian。Wecameherebecausethisistheonlyplacewithintwentymilesinwhichwecangethorses。"
　　"Horses！"repeatedSyme，lookingupquickly。
　　"Yes，"repliedtheother;"ifyoupeoplearereallytodistanceyourenemiesitishorsesornothingforyou，unlessofcourseyouhavebicyclesandmotor—carsinyourpocket。"
　　"Andwheredoyouadviseustomakefor？"askedSymedoubtfully。
　　"Beyondquestion，"repliedtheColonel，"youhadbettermakeallhastetothepolicestationbeyondthetown。Myfriend，whomI
　　secondedundersomewhatdeceptivecircumstances，seemstometoexaggerateverymuchthepossibilitiesofageneralrising;butevenhewouldhardlymaintain，Isuppose，thatyouwerenotsafewiththegendarmes。"
　　Symenoddedgravely;thenhesaidabruptly——
　　"Andyourotherreasonforcominghere？"
　　"Myotherreasonforcominghere，"saidDucroixsoberly，"isthatitisjustaswelltoseeagoodmanortwowhenoneispossiblyneartodeath。"
　　Symelookedupatthewall，andsawacrudely—paintedandpatheticreligiouspicture。Thenhesaid——
　　"Youareright，"andthenalmostimmediatelyafterwards，"Hasanyoneseenaboutthehorses？"
　　"Yes，"answeredDucroix，"youmaybequitecertainthatIgaveordersthemomentIcamein。Thoseenemiesofyoursgavenoimpressionofhurry，buttheywerereallymovingwonderfullyfast，likeawell—trainedarmy。Ihadnoideathattheanarchistshadsomuchdiscipline。Youhavenotamomenttowaste。"
　　Almostashespoke，theoldinnkeeperwiththeblueeyesandwhitehaircameamblingintotheroom，andannouncedthatsixhorsesweresaddledoutside。
　　ByDucroix’sadvicethefiveothersequippedthemselveswithsomeportableformoffoodandwine，andkeepingtheirduellingswordsastheonlyweaponsavailable，theyclatteredawaydownthesteep，whiteroad。Thetwoservants，whohadcarriedtheMarquis’sluggagewhenhewasamarquis，wereleftbehindtodrinkatthecafebycommonconsent，andnotatallagainsttheirowninclination。
　　Bythistimetheafternoonsunwasslantingwestward，andbyitsraysSymecouldseethesturdyfigureoftheoldinnkeepergrowingsmallerandsmaller，butstillstandingandlookingafterthemquitesilently，thesunshineinhissilverhair。Symehadafixed，superstitiousfancy，leftinhismindbythechancephraseoftheColonel，thatthiswasindeed，perhaps，thelasthoneststrangerwhomheshouldeverseeupontheearth。
　　Hewasstilllookingatthisdwindlingfigure，whichstoodasameregreyblottouchedwithawhiteflameagainstthegreatgreenwallofthesteepdownbehindhim。Andashestaredoverthetopofthedownbehindtheinnkeeper，thereappearedanarmyofblack—cladandmarchingmen。Theyseemedtohangabovethegoodmanandhishouselikeablackcloudoflocusts。Thehorseshadbeensaddlednonetoosoon。
　　CHAPTERXII
　　THEEARTHINANARCHY
　　URGINGthehorsestoagallop，withoutrespecttotheratherruggeddescentoftheroad，thehorsemensoonregainedtheiradvantageoverthemenonthemarch，andatlastthebulkofthefirstbuildingsofLancycutoffthesightoftheirpursuers。
　　Nevertheless，theridehadbeenalongone，andbythetimetheyreachedtherealtownthewestwaswarmingwiththecolourandqualityofsunset。TheColonelsuggestedthat，beforemakingfinallyforthepolicestation，theyshouldmaketheeffort，inpassing，toattachtothemselvesonemoreindividualwhomightbeuseful。
　　"Fouroutofthefiverichmeninthistown，"hesaid，"arecommonswindlers。Isupposetheproportionisprettyequalallovertheworld。Thefifthisafriendofmine，andaveryfinefellow;andwhatisevenmoreimportantfromourpointofview，heownsamotor—car。"
　　"Iamafraid，"saidtheProfessorinhismirthfulway，lookingbackalongthewhiteroadonwhichtheblack，crawlingpatchmightappearatanymoment，"Iamafraidwehavehardlytimeforafternooncalls。"
　　"DoctorRenard’shouseisonlythreeminutesoff，"saidtheColonel。
　　"Ourdanger，"saidDr。Bull，"isnottwominutesoff。"
　　"Yes，"saidSyme，"ifwerideonfastwemustleavethembehind，fortheyareonfoot。"
　　"Hehasamotor—car，"saidtheColonel。
　　"Butwemaynotgetit，"saidBull。
　　"Yes，heisquiteonyourside。"
　　"Buthemightbeout。"
　　"Holdyourtongue，"saidSymesuddenly。"Whatisthatnoise？"
　　Forasecondtheyallsatasstillasequestrianstatues，andforasecond——fortwoorthreeorfourseconds——heavenandearthseemedequallystill。Thenalltheirears，inanagonyofattention，heardalongtheroadthatindescribablethrillandthrobthatmeansonlyonething——horses！
　　TheColonel’sfacehadaninstantaneouschange，asiflightninghadstruckit，andyetleftitscatheless。
　　"Theyhavedoneus，"hesaid，withbriefmilitaryirony。"Preparetoreceivecavalry！"
　　"Wherecantheyhavegotthehorses？"askedSyme，ashemechanicallyurgedhissteedtoacanter。
　　TheColonelwassilentforalittle，thenhesaidinastrainedvoice——
　　"IwasspeakingwithstrictaccuracywhenIsaidthatthe’Soleild’Or’wastheonlyplacewhereonecangethorseswithintwentymiles。"
　　"No！"saidSymeviolently，"Idon’tbelievehe’ddoit。Notwithallthatwhitehair。"
　　"Hemayhavebeenforced，"saidtheColonelgently。"Theymustbeatleastahundredstrong，forwhichreasonweareallgoingtoseemyfriendRenard，whohasamotor—car。"
　　Withthesewordsheswunghishorsesuddenlyroundastreetcorner，andwentdownthestreetwithsuchthunderingspeed，thattheothers，thoughalreadywellatthegallop，haddifficultyinfollowingtheflyingtailofhishorse。
　　Dr。Renardinhabitedahighandcomfortablehouseatthetopofasteepstreet，sothatwhentheridersalightedathisdoortheycouldoncemoreseethesolidgreenridgeofthehill，withthewhiteroadacrossit，standingupabovealltheroofsofthetown。
　　Theybreathedagaintoseethattheroadasyetwasclear，andtheyrangthebell。
　　Dr。Renardwasabeaming，brown—beardedman，agoodexampleofthatsilentbutverybusyprofessionalclasswhichFrancehaspreservedevenmoreperfectlythanEngland。Whenthematterwasexplainedtohimhepooh—poohedthepanicoftheex—Marquisaltogether;hesaid，withthesolidFrenchscepticism，thattherewasnoconceivableprobabilityofageneralanarchistrising。"Anarchy，"hesaid，shrugginghisshoulders，"itischildishness！"
　　"Etca，"criedouttheColonelsuddenly，pointingovertheother’sshoulder，"andthatischildishness，isn’tit？"
　　Theyalllookedround，andsawacurveofblackcavalrycomesweepingoverthetopofthehillwithalltheenergyofAttila。
　　Swiftlyastheyrode，however，thewholerankstillkeptwelltogether，andtheycouldseetheblackvizardsofthefirstlineaslevelasalineofuniforms。Butalthoughthemainblacksquarewasthesame，thoughtravellingfaster，therewasnowonesensationaldifferencewhichtheycouldseeclearlyupontheslopeofthehill，asifuponaslantedmap。Thebulkoftheriderswereinoneblock;butoneriderflewfaraheadofthecolumn，andwithfranticmovementsofhandandheelurgedhishorsefasterandfaster，sothatonemighthavefanciedthathewasnotthepursuerbutthepursued。Butevenatthatgreatdistancetheycouldseesomethingsofanatical，sounquestionableinhisfigure，thattheyknewitwastheSecretaryhimself。"Iamsorrytocutshortacultureddiscussion，"saidtheColonel，"butcanyoulendmeyourmotor—carnow，intwominutes？"
　　"Ihaveasuspicionthatyouareallmad，"saidDr。Renard，smilingsociably;"butGodforbidthatmadnessshouldinanywayinterruptfriendship。Letusgoroundtothegarage。"
　　Dr。Renardwasamildmanwithmonstrouswealth;hisroomswereliketheMuseedeCluny，andhehadthreemotor—cars。These，however，heseemedtouseverysparingly，havingthesimpletastesoftheFrenchmiddleclass，andwhenhisimpatientfriendscametoexaminethem，ittookthemsometimetoassurethemselvesthatoneofthemevencouldbemadetowork。ThiswithsomedifficultytheybroughtroundintothestreetbeforetheDoctor’shouse。Whentheycameoutofthedimgaragetheywerestartledtofindthattwilighthadalreadyfallenwiththeabruptnessofnightinthetropics。Eithertheyhadbeenlongerintheplacethantheyimagined，orsomeunusualcanopyofcloudhadgatheredoverthetown。Theylookeddownthesteepstreets，andseemedtoseeaslightmistcomingupfromthesea。
　　"Itisnowornever，"saidDr。Bull。"Ihearhorses。"
　　"No，"correctedtheProfessor，"ahorse。"
　　Andastheylistened，itwasevidentthatthenoise，rapidlycomingnearerontherattlingstones，wasnotthenoiseofthewholecavalcadebutthatoftheonehorseman，whohadleftitfarbehind——theinsaneSecretary。
　　Syme’sfamily，likemostofthosewhoendinthesimplelife，hadonceownedamotor，andheknewallaboutthem。Hehadleaptatonceintothechauffeur’sseat，andwithflushedfacewaswrenchingandtuggingatthedisusedmachinery。Hebenthisstrengthupononehandle，andthensaidquitequietly——
　　"Iamafraidit’snogo。"
　　Ashespoke，theresweptroundthecorneramanrigidonhisrushinghorse，withtherushandrigidityofanarrow。Hehadasmilethatthrustouthischinasifitweredislocated。Hesweptalongsideofthestationarycar，intowhichitscompanyhadcrowded，andlaidhishandonthefront。ItwastheSecretary，andhismouthwentquitestraightinthesolemnityoftriumph。
　　Symewasleaningharduponthesteeringwheel，andtherewasnosoundbuttherumbleoftheotherpursuersridingintothetown。
　　Thentherecamequitesuddenlyascreamofscrapingiron，andthecarleaptforward。ItpluckedtheSecretarycleanoutofhissaddle，asaknifeiswhippedoutofitssheath，trailedhimkickingterriblyfortwentyyards，andlefthimflungflatupontheroadfarinfrontofhisfrightenedhorse。Asthecartookthecornerofthestreetwithasplendidcurve，theycouldjustseetheotheranarchistsfillingthestreetandraisingtheirfallenleader。
　　"Ican’tunderstandwhyithasgrownsodark，"saidtheProfessoratlastinalowvoice。
　　"Goingtobeastorm，Ithink，"saidDr。Bull。"Isay，it’sapitywehaven’tgotalightonthiscar，ifonlytoseeby。"
　　"Wehave，"saidtheColonel，andfromthefloorofthecarhefishedupaheavy，old—fashioned，carvedironlanternwithalightinsideit。Itwasobviouslyanantique，anditwouldseemasifitsoriginalusehadbeeninsomewaysemi—religious，fortherewasarudemouldingofacrossupononeofitssides。
　　"Whereonearthdidyougetthat？"askedtheProfessor。
　　"IgotitwhereIgotthecar，"answeredtheColonel，chuckling，"frommybestfriend。Whileourfriendherewasfightingwiththesteeringwheel，IranupthefrontstepsofthehouseandspoketoRenard，whowasstandinginhisownporch，youwillremember。’I
　　suppose，’Isaid，’there’snotimetogetalamp。’Helookedup，blinkingamiablyatthebeautifularchedceilingofhisownfronthall。Fromthiswassuspended，bychainsofexquisiteironwork，thislantern，oneofthehundredtreasuresofhistreasurehouse。
　　Bysheerforcehetorethelampoutofhisownceiling，shatteringthepaintedpanels，andbringingdowntwobluevaseswithhisviolence。Thenhehandedmetheironlantern，andIputitinthecar。WasInotrightwhenIsaidthatDr。Renardwasworthknowing？"
　　"Youwere，"saidSymeseriously，andhungtheheavylanternoverthefront。Therewasacertainallegoryoftheirwholepositioninthecontrastbetweenthemodernautomobileanditsstrangeecclesiasticallamp。Hithertotheyhadpassedthroughthequietestpartofthetown，meetingatmostoneortwopedestrians，whocouldgivethemnohintofthepeaceorthehostilityoftheplace。Now，however，thewindowsinthehousesbeganonebyonetobelitup，givingagreatersenseofhabitationandhumanity。Dr。Bullturnedtothenewdetectivewhohadledtheirflight，andpermittedhimselfoneofhisnaturalandfriendlysmiles。
　　"Theselightsmakeonefeelmorecheerful。"
　　InspectorRatcliffedrewhisbrowstogether。
　　"Thereisonlyonesetoflightsthatmakememorecheerful，"hesaid，"andtheyarethoselightsofthepolicestationwhichIcanseebeyondthetown。PleaseGodwemaybethereintenminutes。"
　　ThenallBull’sboilinggoodsenseandoptimismbrokesuddenlyoutofhim。
　　"Oh，thisisallravingnonsense！"hecried。"Ifyoureallythinkthatordinarypeopleinordinaryhousesareanarchists，youmustbemadderthanananarchistyourself。Ifweturnedandfoughtthesefellows，thewholetownwouldfightforus。"
　　"No，"saidtheotherwithanimmovablesimplicity，"thewholetownwouldfightforthem。Weshallsee。’
　　WhiletheywerespeakingtheProfessorhadleantforwardwithsuddenexcitement。
　　"Whatisthatnoise？"hesaid。
　　"Oh，thehorsesbehindus，Isuppose，"saidtheColonel。"Ithoughtwehadgotclearofthem。"
　　"Thehorsesbehindus！No，"saidtheProfessor，"itisnothorses，anditisnotbehindus。"
　　Almostashespoke，acrosstheendofthestreetbeforethemtwoshiningandrattlingshapesshotpast。Theyweregonealmostinaflash，buteveryonecouldseethattheyweremotor—cars，andtheProfessorstoodupwithapalefaceandsworethattheyweretheothertwomotor—carsfromDr。Renard’sgarage。
　　"Itellyoutheywerehis，"herepeated，withwildeyes，"andtheywerefullofmeninmasks！"
　　"Absurd！"saidtheColonelangrily。"Dr。Renardwouldnevergivethemhiscars。"
　　"Hemayhavebeenforced，"saidRatcliffequietly。"Thewholetownisontheirside。"
　　"Youstillbelievethat，"askedtheColonelincredulously。
　　"Youwillallbelieveitsoon，"saidtheotherwithahopelesscalm。
　　Therewasapuzzledpauseforsomelittletime，andthentheColonelbeganagainabruptly——
　　"No，Ican’tbelieveit。Thethingisnonsense。TheplainpeopleofapeaceableFrenchtown——"
　　Hewascutshortbyabangandablazeoflight，whichseemedclosetohiseyes。Asthecarspedonitleftafloatingpatchofwhitesmokebehindit，andSymehadheardashotshriekpasthisear。
　　"MyGod！"saidtheColonel，"someonehasshotatus。"
　　"Itneednotinterruptconversation，"saidthegloomyRatcliffe。
　　"Prayresumeyourremarks，Colonel。Youweretalking，Ithink，abouttheplainpeopleofapeaceableFrenchtown。"
　　ThestaringColonelwaslongpastmindingsatire。Herolledhiseyesallroundthestreet。
　　"Itisextraordinary，"hesaid，"mostextraordinary。"
　　"Afastidiousperson，"saidSyme，"mightevencallitunpleasant。
　　However，IsupposethoselightsoutinthefieldbeyondthisstreetaretheGendarmerie。Weshallsoongetthere。"
　　"No，"saidInspectorRatcliffe，"weshallnevergetthere。"
　　Hehadbeenstandingupandlookingkeenlyaheadofhim。Nowhesatdownandsmoothedhissleekhairwithawearygesture。
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"askedBullsharply。
　　"Imeanthatweshallnevergetthere，"saidthepessimistplacidly。"Theyhavetworowsofarmedmenacrosstheroadalready;
　　Icanseethemfromhere。Thetownisinarms，asIsaiditwas。
　　Icanonlywallowintheexquisitecomfortofmyownexactitude。"
　　AndRatcliffesatdowncomfortablyinthecarandlitacigarette，buttheothersroseexcitedlyandstareddowntheroad。Symehadsloweddownthecarastheirplansbecamedoubtful，andhebroughtitfinallytoastandstilljustatthecornerofasidestreetthatrandownverysteeplytothesea。
　　Thetownwasmostlyinshadow，butthesunhadnotsunk;whereveritslevellightcouldbreakthrough，itpaintedeverythingaburninggold。Upthissidestreetthelastsunsetlightshoneassharpandnarrowastheshaftofartificiallightatthetheatre。
　　Itstruckthecarofthefivefriends，andlititlikeaburningchariot。Buttherestofthestreet，especiallythetwoendsofit，wasinthedeepesttwilight，andforsomesecondstheycouldseenothing。ThenSyme，whoseeyeswerethekeenest，brokeintoalittlebitterwhistle，andsaid"Itisquitetrue。Thereisacrowdoranarmyorsomesuchthingacrosstheendofthatstreet。"
　　"Well，ifthereis，"saidBullimpatiently，"itmustbesomethingelse——ashamfightorthemayor’sbirthdayorsomething。Icannotandwillnotbelievethatplain，jollypeopleinaplacelikethiswalkaboutwithdynamiteintheirpockets。Getonabit，Syme，andletuslookatthem。"
　　Thecarcrawledaboutahundredyardsfarther，andthentheywereallstartledbyDr。Bullbreakingintoahighcrowoflaughter。
　　"Why，yousillymugs！"hecried，"whatdidItellyou。Thatcrowd’saslaw—abidingasacow，andifitweren’t，it’sonourside。"
　　"Howdoyouknow？"askedtheprofessor，staring。
　　"Youblindbat，"criedBull，"don’tyouseewhoisleadingthem？"
　　Theypeeredagain，andthentheColonel，withacatchinhisvoice，criedout——
　　"Why，it’sRenard！"
　　Therewas，indeed，arankofdimfiguresrunningacrosstheroad，andtheycouldnotbeclearlyseen;butfarenoughinfronttocatchtheaccidentoftheeveninglightwasstalkingupanddowntheunmistakableDr。Renard，inawhitehat，strokinghislongbrownbeard，andholdingarevolverinhislefthand。
　　"WhatafoolI’vebeen！"exclaimedtheColonel。"Ofcourse，thedearoldboyhasturnedouttohelpus。"
　　Dr。Bullwasbubblingoverwithlaughter，swingingtheswordinhishandascarelesslyasacane。Hejumpedoutofthecarandranacrosstheinterveningspace，callingout——
　　"Dr。Renard！Dr。Renard！"
　　AninstantafterSymethoughthisowneyeshadgonemadinhishead。ForthephilanthropicDr。RenardhaddeliberatelyraisedhisrevolverandfiredtwiceatBull，sothattheshotsrangdowntheroad。
　　AlmostatthesamesecondasthepuffofwhitecloudwentupfromthisatrociousexplosionalongpuffofwhitecloudwentupalsofromthecigaretteofthecynicalRatcliffe。Likealltherestheturnedalittlepale，buthesmiled。Dr。Bull，atwhomthebulletshadbeenfired，justmissinghisscalp，stoodquitestillinthemiddleoftheroadwithoutasignoffear，andthenturnedveryslowlyandcrawledbacktothecar，andclimbedinwithtwoholesthroughhishat。
　　"Well，"saidthecigarettesmokerslowly，"whatdoyouthinknow？"
　　"Ithink，"saidDr。Bullwithprecision，"thatIamlyinginbedatNo。217PeabodyBuildings，andthatIshallsoonwakeupwithajump;or，ifthat’snotit，IthinkthatIamsittinginasmallcushionedcellinHanwell，andthatthedoctorcan’tmakemuchofmycase。ButifyouwanttoknowwhatIdon’tthink，I’lltellyou。
　　Idon’tthinkwhatyouthink。Idon’tthink，andInevershallthink，thatthemassofordinarymenareapackofdirtymodernthinkers。No，sir，I’mademocrat，andIstilldon’tbelievethatSundaycouldconvertoneaveragenavvyorcounter—jumper。No，Imaybemad，buthumanityisn’t。"
　　SymeturnedhisbrightblueeyesonBullwithanearnestnesswhichhedidnotcommonlymakeclear。
　　"Youareaveryfinefellow，"hesaid。"Youcanbelieveinasanitywhichisnotmerelyyoursanity。Andyou’rerightenoughabouthumanity，aboutpeasantsandpeoplelikethatjollyoldinnkeeper。
　　Butyou’renotrightaboutRenard。Isuspectedhimfromthefirst。
　　He’srationalistic，and，what’sworse，he’srich。Whendutyandreligionarereallydestroyed，itwillbebytherich。"
　　"Theyarereallydestroyednow，"saidthemanwithacigarette，androsewithhishandsinhispockets。"Thedevilsarecomingon！"
　　Themeninthemotor—carlookedanxiouslyinthedirectionofhisdreamygaze，andtheysawthatthewholeregimentattheendoftheroadwasadvancinguponthem，Dr。Renardmarchingfuriouslyinfront，hisbeardflyinginthebreeze。
　　TheColonelsprangoutofthecarwithanintolerantexclamation。
　　"Gentlemen，"hecried，"thethingisincredible。Itmustbeapracticaljoke。IfyouknewRenardasIdo——it’slikecallingQueenVictoriaadynamiter。Ifyouhadgottheman’scharacterintoyourhead——"
　　"Dr。Bull，"saidSymesardonically，"hasatleastgotitintohishat。"
　　"Itellyouitcan’tbe！"criedtheColonel，stamping。
　　"Renardshallexplainit。Heshallexplainittome，"andhestrodeforward。
　　"Don’tbeinsuchahurry，"drawledthesmoker。"Hewillverysoonexplainittoallofus。"
　　ButtheimpatientColonelwasalreadyoutofearshot，advancingtowardstheadvancingenemy。TheexcitedDr。Renardliftedhispistolagain，butperceivinghisopponent，hesitated，andtheColonelcamefacetofacewithhimwithfranticgesturesofremonstrance。
　　"Itisnogood，"saidSyme。"Hewillnevergetanythingoutofthatoldheathen。Ivotewedrivebangthroughthethickofthem，bangasthebulletswentthroughBull’shat。Wemayallbekilled，butwemustkillatidynumberofthem。"
　　"Iwon’t’aveit，"saidDr。Bull，growingmorevulgarinthesincerityofhisvirtue。"Thepoorchapsmaybemakingamistake。
　　GivetheColonelachance。"
　　"Shallwegoback，then？"askedtheProfessor。
　　"No，"saidRatcliffeinacoldvoice，"thestreetbehindusisheldtoo。Infact，Iseemtoseethereanotherfriendofyours，Syme。"
　　Symespunroundsmartly，andstaredbackwardsatthetrackwhichtheyhadtravelled。Hesawanirregularbodyofhorsemengatheringandgallopingtowardstheminthegloom。Hesawabovetheforemostsaddlethesilvergleamofasword，andthenasitgrewnearerthesilvergleamofanoldman’shair。Thenextmoment，withshatteringviolence，hehadswungthemotorroundandsentitdashingdownthesteepsidestreettothesea，likeamanthatdesiredonlytodie。
　　"Whatthedevilisup？"criedtheProfessor，seizinghisarm。
　　"Themorningstarhasfallen！"saidSyme，ashisowncarwentdownthedarknesslikeafallingstar。
　　Theothersdidnotunderstandhiswords，butwhentheylookedbackatthestreetabovetheysawthehostilecavalrycomingroundthecorneranddowntheslopesafterthem;andforemostofallrodethegoodinnkeeper，flushedwiththefieryinnocenceoftheeveninglight。
　　"Theworldisinsane！"saidtheProfessor，andburiedhisfaceinhishands。
　　"No，"saidDr。Bullinadamantinehumility，"itisI。"
　　"Whatarewegoingtodo？"askedtheProfessor。
　　"Atthismoment，"saidSyme，withascientificdetachment，"Ithinkwearegoingtosmashintoalamppost。"
　　Thenextinstanttheautomobilehadcomewithacatastrophicjaragainstanironobject。Theinstantafterthatfourmenhadcrawledoutfromunderachaosofmetal，andatallleanlamp—postthathadstoodupstraightontheedgeofthemarineparadestoodout，bentandtwisted，likethebranchofabrokentree。
　　"Well，wesmashedsomething，"saidtheProfessor，withafaintsmile。"That’ssomecomfort。"
　　"You’rebecomingananarchist，"saidSyme，dustinghisclotheswithhisinstinctofdaintiness。
　　"Everyoneis，"saidRatcliffe。
　　Astheyspoke，thewhite—hairedhorsemanandhisfollowerscamethunderingfromabove，andalmostatthesamemomentadarkstringofmenranshoutingalongthesea—front。Symesnatchedasword，andtookitinhisteeth;hestucktwoothersunderhisarm—pits，tookafourthinhislefthandandthelanterninhisright，andleaptoffthehighparadeontothebeachbelow。
　　Theothersleaptafterhim，withacommonacceptanceofsuchdecisiveaction，leavingthedebrisandthegatheringmobabovethem。
　　"Wehaveonemorechance，"saidSyme，takingthesteeloutofhismouth。"Whateverallthispandemoniummeans，Isupposethepolicestationwillhelpus。Wecan’tgetthere，fortheyholdtheway。
　　Butthere’sapierorbreakwaterrunsoutintotheseajusthere，whichwecoulddefendlongerthananythingelse，likeHoratiusandhisbridge。WemustdefendittilltheGendarmerieturnout。Keepafterme。"
　　Theyfollowedhimashewentcrunchingdownthebeach，andinasecondortwotheirbootsbrokenotontheseagravel，butonbroad，flatstones。Theymarcheddownalong，lowjetty，runningoutinonearmintothedim，boilingsea，andwhentheycametotheendofittheyfeltthattheyhadcometotheendoftheirstory。Theyturnedandfacedthetown。
　　Thattownwastransfiguredwithuproar。Allalongthehighparadefromwhichtheyhadjustdescendedwasadarkandroaringstreamofhumanity，withtossingarmsandfieryfaces，gropingandglaringtowardsthem。Thelongdarklinewasdottedwithtorchesandlanterns;butevenwherenoflamelitupafuriousface，theycouldseeinthefarthestfigure，inthemostshadowygesture，anorganisedhate。Itwasclearthattheyweretheaccursedofallmen，andtheyknewnotwhy。
　　Twoorthreemen，lookinglittleandblacklikemonkeys，leaptovertheedgeastheyhaddoneanddroppedontothebeach。Thesecameploughingdownthedeepsand，shoutinghorribly，andstrovetowadeintotheseaatrandom。Theexamplewasfollowed，andthewholeblackmassofmenbegantorunanddripovertheedgelikeblacktreacle。
　　ForemostamongthemenonthebeachSymesawthepeasantwhohaddriventheircart。Hesplashedintothesurfonahugecart—horse，andshookhisaxeatthem。
　　"Thepeasant！"criedSyme。"TheyhavenotrisensincetheMiddleAges。"
　　"Evenifthepolicedocomenow，"saidtheProfessormournfully，"theycandonothingwiththismob。"
　　"Nonsence！"saidBulldesperately;"theremustbesomepeopleleftinthetownwhoarehuman。"
　　"No，"saidthehopelessInspector，"thehumanbeingwillsoonbeextinct。Wearethelastofmankind。"
　　"Itmaybe，"saidtheProfessorabsently。Thenheaddedinhisdreamyvoice，"Whatisallthatattheendofthe’Dunciad’？
　　’Norpublicflame;norprivate，darestoshine;
　　Norhumanlightisleft，norglimpsedivine！
　　Lo！thydreadEmpire，Chaos，isrestored;
　　Lightdiesbeforethineuncreatingword：
　　Thyhand，greatAnarch，letsthecurtainfall;
　　Anduniversaldarknessburiesall。"’
　　"Stop！"criedBullsuddenly，"thegendarmesareout。"
　　Thelowlightsofthepolicestationwereindeedblottedandbrokenwithhurryingfigures，andtheyheardthroughthedarknesstheclashandjingleofadisciplinedcavalry。
　　"Theyarechargingthemob！"criedBullinecstacyoralarm。
　　"No，"saidSyme，"theyareformedalongtheparade。"
　　"Theyhaveunslungtheircarbines，"criedBulldancingwithexcitement。
　　"Yes，"saidRatcliffe，"andtheyaregoingtofireonus。"
　　Ashespoketherecamealongcrackleofmusketry，andbulletsseemedtohoplikehailstonesonthestonesinfrontofthem。
　　"Thegendarmeshavejoinedthem！"criedtheProfessor，andstruckhisforehead。
　　"Iaminthepaddedcell，"saidBullsolidly。
　　Therewasalongsilence，andthenRatcliffesaid，lookingoutovertheswollensea，allasortofgreypurple——
　　"Whatdoesitmatterwhoismadorwhoissane？Weshallallbedeadsoon。"
　　Symeturnedtohimandsaid——
　　"Youarequitehopeless，then？"
　　Mr。Ratcliffekeptastonysilence;thenatlasthesaidquietly——
　　"No;oddlyenoughIamnotquitehopeless。ThereisoneinsanelittlehopethatIcannotgetoutofmymind。Thepowerofthiswholeplanetisagainstus，yetIcannothelpwonderingwhetherthisonesillylittlehopeishopelessyet。"
　　"Inwhatorwhomisyourhope？"askedSymewithcuriosity。
　　"InamanIneversaw，"saidtheother，lookingattheleadensea。