"Iknowwhatyoumean，"saidSymeinalowvoice，"themaninthedarkroom。ButSundaymusthavekilledhimbynow。"
　　"Perhaps，"saidtheothersteadily;"butifso，hewastheonlymanwhomSundayfoundithardtokill。"
　　"Iheardwhatyousaid，"saidtheProfessor，withhisbackturned。
　　"IalsoamholdinghardontothethingIneversaw。"
　　AllofasuddenSyme，whowasstandingasifblindwithintrospectivethought，swungroundandcriedout，likeamanwakingfromsleep——
　　"WhereistheColonel？Ithoughthewaswithus！"
　　"TheColonel！Yes，"criedBull，"whereonearthistheColonel？"
　　"HewenttospeaktoRenard，"saidtheProfessor。
　　"Wecannotleavehimamongallthosebeasts，"criedSyme。"Letusdielikegentlemenif——"
　　"DonotpitytheColonel，"saidRatcliffe，withapalesneer。"Heisextremelycomfortable。Heis——"
　　"No！no！no！"criedSymeinakindoffrenzy，"nottheColoneltoo！
　　Iwillneverbelieveit！"
　　"Willyoubelieveyoureyes？"askedtheother，andpointedtothebeach。
　　Manyoftheirpursuershadwadedintothewatershakingtheirfists，buttheseawasrough，andtheycouldnotreachthepier。
　　Twoorthreefigures，however，stoodonthebeginningofthestonefootway，andseemedtobecautiouslyadvancingdownit。Theglareofachancelanternlitupthefacesofthetwoforemost。Onefaceworeablackhalf—mask，andunderitthemouthwastwistingaboutinsuchamadnessofnervesthattheblacktuftofbeardwriggledroundandroundlikearestless，livingthing。TheotherwastheredfaceandwhitemoustacheofColonelDucroix。Theywereinearnestconsultation。
　　"Yes，heisgonetoo，"saidtheProfessor，andsatdownonastone。"Everything’sgone。I’mgone！Ican’ttrustmyownbodilymachinery。Ifeelasifmyownhandmightflyupandstrikeme。"
　　"Whenmyhandfliesup，"saidSyme，"itwillstrikesomebodyelse，"andhestrodealongthepiertowardstheColonel，theswordinonehandandthelanternintheother。
　　Asiftodestroythelasthopeordoubt，theColonel，whosawhimcoming，pointedhisrevolverathimandfired。TheshotmissedSyme，butstruckhissword，breakingitshortatthehilt。Symerushedon，andswungtheironlanternabovehishead。
　　"JudasbeforeHerod！"hesaid，andstrucktheColoneldownuponthestones。ThenheturnedtotheSecretary，whosefrightfulmouthwasalmostfoamingnow，andheldthelamphighwithsorigidandarrestingagesture，thatthemanwas，asitwere，frozenforamoment，andforcedtohear。
　　"Doyouseethislantern？"criedSymeinaterriblevoice。"Doyouseethecrosscarvedonit，andtheflameinside？Youdidnotmakeit。Youdidnotlightit，Bettermenthanyou，menwhocouldbelieveandobey，twistedtheentrailsofironandpreservedthelegendoffire。Thereisnotastreetyouwalkon，thereisnotathreadyouwear，thatwasnotmadeasthislanternwas，bydenyingyourphilosophyofdirtandrats。Youcanmakenothing。Youcanonlydestroy。Youwilldestroymankind;youwilldestroytheworld。
　　Letthatsufficeyou。YetthisoneoldChristianlanternyoushallnotdestroy。Itshallgowhereyourempireofapeswillneverhavethewittofindit。"
　　HestrucktheSecretaryoncewiththelanternsothathestaggered;
　　andthen，whirlingittwiceroundhishead，sentitflyingfarouttosea，whereitflaredlikearoaringrocketandfell。
　　"Swords！"shoutedSyme，turninghisflamingface;tothethreebehindhim。"Letuschargethesedogs，forourtimehascometodie。"
　　Histhreecompanionscameafterhimswordinhand。Syme’sswordwasbroken，butherentabludgeonfromthefistofafisherman，flinginghimdown。Inamomenttheywouldhaveflungthemselvesuponthefaceofthemobandperished，whenaninterruptioncame。
　　TheSecretary，eversinceSyme’sspeech，hadstoodwithhishandtohisstrickenheadasifdazed;nowhesuddenlypulledoffhisblackmask。
　　Thepalefacethuspeeledinthelamplightrevealednotsomuchrageasastonishment。Heputuphishandwithananxiousauthority。
　　"Thereissomemistake，"hesaid。"Mr。Syme，Ihardlythinkyouunderstandyourposition。Iarrestyouinthenameofthelaw。"
　　"Ofthelaw？"saidSyme，anddroppedhisstick。
　　"Certainly！"saidtheSecretary。"IamadetectivefromScotlandYard，"andhetookasmallbluecardfromhispocket。
　　"Andwhatdoyousupposeweare？"askedtheProfessor，andthrewuphisarms。
　　"You，"saidtheSecretarystiffly，"are，asIknowforafact，membersoftheSupremeAnarchistCouncil。Disguisedasoneofyou，I——"
　　Dr。Bulltossedhisswordintothesea。
　　"ThereneverwasanySupremeAnarchistCouncil，"hesaid。"Wewereallalotofsillypolicemenlookingateachother。Andallthesenicepeoplewhohavebeenpepperinguswithshotthoughtwewerethedynamiters。IknewIcouldn’tbewrongaboutthemob，"hesaid，beamingovertheenormousmultitude，whichstretchedawaytothedistanceonbothsides。"Vulgarpeoplearenevermad。I’mvulgarmyself，andIknow。Iamnowgoingonshoretostandadrinktoeverybodyhere。"
　　CHAPTERXIII
　　THEPURSUITOFTHEPRESIDENT
　　NEXTmorningfivebewilderedbuthilariouspeopletooktheboatforDover。ThepooroldColonelmighthavehadsomecausetocomplain，havingbeenfirstforcedtofightfortwofactionsthatdidn’texist，andthenknockeddownwithanironlantern。Buthewasamagnanimousoldgentleman，andbeingmuchrelievedthatneitherpartyhadanythingtodowithdynamite，hesawthemoffonthepierwithgreatgeniality。
　　Thefivereconcileddetectiveshadahundreddetailstoexplaintoeachother。TheSecretaryhadtotellSymehowtheyhadcometowearmasksoriginallyinordertoapproachthesupposedenemyasfellow—conspirators;
　　Symehadtoexplainhowtheyhadfledwithsuchswiftnessthroughacivilisedcountry。Butaboveallthesemattersofdetailwhichcouldbeexplained，rosethecentralmountainofthematterthattheycouldnotexplain。Whatdiditallmean？Iftheywereallharmlessofficers，whatwasSunday？Ifhehadnotseizedtheworld，whatonearthhadhebeenupto？InspectorRatcliffewasstillgloomyaboutthis。
　　"Ican’tmakeheadortailofoldSunday’slittlegameanymorethanyoucan，"hesaid。"ButwhateverelseSundayis，heisn’tablamelesscitizen。Damnit！doyourememberhisface？"
　　"Igrantyou，"answeredSyme，"thatIhaveneverbeenabletoforgetit。"
　　"Well，"saidtheSecretary，"Isupposewecanfindoutsoon，fortomorrowwehaveournextgeneralmeeting。Youwillexcuseme，"
　　hesaid，witharatherghastlysmile，"forbeingwellacquaintedwithmysecretarialduties。"
　　"Isupposeyouareright，"saidtheProfessorreflectively。"I
　　supposewemightfinditoutfromhim;butIconfessthatIshouldfeelabitafraidofaskingSundaywhohereallyis。"
　　"Why，"askedtheSecretary，"forfearofbombs？"
　　"No，"saidtheProfessor，"forfearhemighttellme。"
　　"Letushavesomedrinks，"saidDr。Bull，afterasilence。
　　Throughouttheirwholejourneybyboatandtraintheywerehighlyconvivial，buttheyinstinctivelykepttogether。Dr。Bull，whohadalwaysbeentheoptimistoftheparty，endeavouredtopersuadetheotherfourthatthewholecompanycouldtakethesamehansomcabfromVictoria;butthiswasover—ruled，andtheywentinafour—wheeler，withDr。Bullonthebox，singing。TheyfinishedtheirjourneyatanhotelinPiccadillyCircus，soastobeclosetotheearlybreakfastnextmorninginLeicesterSquare。Yeteventhentheadventuresofthedaywerenotentirelyover。Dr。Bull，discontentedwiththegeneralproposaltogotobed，hadstrolledoutofthehotelatabouteleventoseeandtastesomeofthebeautiesofLondon。Twentyminutesafterwards，however，hecamebackandmadequiteaclamourinthehall。Syme，whotriedatfirsttosoothehim，wasforcedatlasttolistentohiscommunicationwithquitenewattention。
　　"ItellyouI’veseenhim！"saidDr。Bull，withthickemphasis。
　　"Whom？"askedSymequickly。"NotthePresident？"
　　"Notsobadasthat，"saidDr。Bull，withunnecessarylaughter，"notsobadasthat。I’vegothimhere。"
　　"Gotwhomhere？"askedSymeimpatiently。
　　"Hairyman，"saidtheotherlucidly，"manthatusedtobehairyman——Gogol。Hereheis，"andhepulledforwardbyareluctantelbowtheidenticalyoungmanwhofivedaysbeforehadmarchedoutoftheCouncilwiththinredhairandapaleface，thefirstofalltheshamanarchistswhohadbeenexposed。
　　"Whydoyouworrywithme？"hecried。"Youhaveexpelledmeasaspy。"
　　"Weareallspies！"whisperedSyme。
　　"We’reallspies！"shoutedDr。Bull。"Comeandhaveadrink。"
　　NextmorningthebattalionofthereunitedsixmarchedstolidlytowardsthehotelinLeicesterSquare。
　　"Thisismorecheerful，"saidDr。Bull;"wearesixmengoingtoaskonemanwhathemeans。"
　　"Ithinkitisabitqueererthanthat，"saidSyme。"Ithinkitissixmengoingtoaskonemanwhattheymean。"
　　TheyturnedinsilenceintotheSquare，andthoughthehotelwasintheoppositecorner，theysawatoncethelittlebalconyandafigurethatlookedtoobigforit。Hewassittingalonewithbenthead，poringoveranewspaper。Butallhiscouncillors，whohadcometovotehimdown，crossedthatSquareasiftheywerewatchedoutofheavenbyahundredeyes。
　　Theyhaddisputedmuchupontheirpolicy，aboutwhethertheyshouldleavetheunmaskedGogolwithoutandbegindiplomatically，orwhethertheyshouldbringhiminandblowupthegunpowderatonce。TheinfluenceofSymeandBullprevailedforthelattercourse，thoughtheSecretarytothelastaskedthemwhytheyattackedSundaysorashly。
　　"Myreasonisquitesimple，"saidSyme。"IattackhimrashlybecauseIamafraidofhim。"
　　TheyfollowedSymeupthedarkstairinsilence，andtheyallcameoutsimultaneouslyintothebroadsunlightofthemorningandthebroadsunlightofSunday’ssmile。
　　"Delightful！"hesaid。"Sopleasedtoseeyouall。Whatanexquisitedayitis。IstheCzardead？"
　　TheSecretary，whohappenedtobeforemost，drewhimselftogetherforadignifiedoutburst。
　　"No，sir，"hesaidsternly"therehasbeennomassacre。Ibringyounewsofnosuchdisgustingspectacles。"
　　"Disgustingspectacles？"repeatedthePresident，withabright，inquiringsmile。"YoumeanDr。Bull’sspectacles？"
　　TheSecretarychokedforamoment，andthePresidentwentonwithasortofsmoothappeal——
　　"Ofcourse，weallhaveouropinionsandevenoureyes，butreallytocallthemdisgustingbeforethemanhimself——"
　　Dr。Bulltoreoffhisspectaclesandbrokethemonthetable。
　　"Myspectaclesareblackguardly，"hesaid，"butI’mnot。Lookatmyface。"
　　"Idaresayit’sthesortoffacethatgrowsonone，"saidthePresident，"infact，itgrowsonyou;andwhoamItoquarrelwiththewildfruitsupontheTreeofLife？Idaresayitwillgrowonmesomeday。"
　　"Wehavenotimefortomfoolery，"saidtheSecretary，breakinginsavagely。"Wehavecometoknowwhatallthismeans。Whoareyou？
　　Whatareyou？Whydidyougetusallhere？Doyouknowwhoandwhatweare？Areyouahalf—wittedmanplayingtheconspirator，orareyouaclevermanplayingthefool？Answerme，Itellyou。"
　　"Candidates，"murmuredSunday，"areonlyrequiredtoanswereightoutoftheseventeenquestionsonthepaper。AsfarasIcanmakeout，youwantmetotellyouwhatIam，andwhatyouare，andwhatthistableis，andwhatthisCouncilis，andwhatthisworldisforallIknow。Well，Iwillgosofarastorendtheveilofonemystery。Ifyouwanttoknowwhatyouare，youareasetofhighlywell—intentionedyoungjackasses。"
　　"Andyou，"saidSyme，leaningforward，"whatareyou？"
　　"I？WhatamI？"roaredthePresident，andheroseslowlytoanincredibleheight，likesomeenormouswaveabouttoarchabovethemandbreak。"YouwanttoknowwhatIam，doyou？Bull，youareamanofscience。Grubintherootsofthosetreesandfindoutthetruthaboutthem。Syme，youareapoet。Stareatthosemorningclouds。ButItellyouthis，thatyouwillhavefoundoutthetruthofthelasttreeandthetop—mostcloudbeforethetruthaboutme。Youwillunderstandthesea，andIshallbestillariddle;youshallknowwhatthestarsare，andnotknowwhatI
　　am。Sincethebeginningoftheworldallmenhavehuntedmelikeawolf——kingsandsages，andpoetsandlawgivers，allthechurches，andallthephilosophies。ButIhaveneverbeencaughtyet，andtheskieswillfallinthetimeIturntobay。Ihavegiventhemagoodrunfortheirmoney，andIwillnow。"
　　Beforeoneofthemcouldmove，themonstrousmanhadswunghimselflikesomehugeourang—outangoverthebalustradeofthebalcony。
　　Yetbeforehedroppedhepulledhimselfupagainasonahorizontalbar，andthrustinghisgreatchinovertheedgeofthebalcony，saidsolemnly——
　　"There’sonethingI’lltellyouthoughaboutwhoIam。Iamthemaninthedarkroom，whomadeyouallpolicemen。"
　　Withthathefellfromthebalcony，bouncingonthestonesbelowlikeagreatballofindia—rubber，andwentboundingofftowardsthecorneroftheAlhambra，wherehehailedahansom—cabandspranginsideit。Thesixdetectiveshadbeenstandingthunderstruckandlividinthelightofhislastassertion;butwhenhedisappearedintothecab，Syme’spracticalsensesreturnedtohim，andleapingoverthebalconysorecklesslyasalmosttobreakhislegs，hecalledanothercab。
　　HeandBullsprangintothecabtogether，theProfessorandtheInspectorintoanother，whiletheSecretaryandthelateGogolscrambledintoathirdjustintimetopursuetheflyingSyme，whowaspursuingtheflyingPresident。Sundayledthemawildchasetowardsthenorth—west，hiscabman，evidentlyundertheinfluenceofmorethancommoninducements，urgingthehorseatbreakneckspeed。ButSymewasinnomoodfordelicacies，andhestoodupinhisowncabshouting，"Stopthief！"untilcrowdsranalongbesidehiscab，andpolicemenbegantostopandaskquestions。AllthishaditsinfluenceuponthePresident’scabman，whobegantolookdubious，andtoslowdowntoatrot。Heopenedthetraptotalkreasonablytohisfare，andinsodoingletthelongwhipdroopoverthefrontofthecab。Sundayleantforward，seizedit，andjerkeditviolentlyoutoftheman’shand。Thenstandingupinfrontofthecabhimself，helashedthehorseandroaredaloud，sothattheywentdownthestreetslikeaflyingstorm。Throughstreetafterstreetandsquareaftersquarewentwhirlingthispreposterousvehicle，inwhichthefarewasurgingthehorseandthedrivertryingdesperatelytostopit。Theotherthreecabscameafterit（ifthephrasebepermissibleofacab）likepantinghounds。Shopsandstreetsshotbylikerattlingarrows。
　　Atthehighestecstacyofspeed，Sundayturnedroundonthesplashboardwherehestood，andstickinghisgreatgrinningheadoutofthecab，withwhitehairwhistlinginthewind，hemadeahorriblefaceathispursuers，likesomecolossalurchin。Thenraisinghisrighthandswiftly，heflungaballofpaperinSyme’sfaceandvanished。Symecaughtthethingwhileinstinctivelywardingitoff，anddiscoveredthatitconsistedoftwocrumpledpapers。Onewasaddressedtohimself，andtheothertoDr。Bull，withaverylong，anditistobefearedpartlyironical，stringoflettersafterhisname。Dr。Bull’saddresswas，atanyrate，considerablylongerthanhiscommunication，forthecommunicationconsistedentirelyofthewords：——
　　"WhataboutMartinTuppernow？"
　　"Whatdoestheoldmaniacmean？"askedBull，staringatthewords。
　　"Whatdoesyourssay，Syme？"
　　Syme’smessagewas，atanyrate，longer，andranasfollows：——
　　"NoonewouldregretanythinginthenatureofaninterferencebytheArchdeaconmorethanI。Itrustitwillnotcometothat。But，forthelasttime，whereareyourgoloshes？Thethingistoobad，especiallyafterwhatunclesaid。"
　　ThePresident’scabmanseemedtoberegainingsomecontroloverhishorse，andthepursuersgainedalittleastheysweptroundintotheEdgwareRoad。Andherethereoccurredwhatseemedtothealliesaprovidentialstoppage。Trafficofeverykindwasswervingtorightorleftorstopping，fordownthelongroadwascomingtheunmistakableroarannouncingthefire—engine，whichinafewsecondswentbylikeabrazenthunderbolt。Butquickasitwentby，Sundayhadboundedoutofhiscab，sprungatthefire—engine，caughtit，slunghimselfontoit，andwasseenashedisappearedinthenoisydistancetalkingtotheastonishedfiremanwithexplanatorygestures。
　　"Afterhim！"howledSyme。"Hecan’tgoastraynow。There’snomistakingafire—engine。"
　　Thethreecabmen，whohadbeenstunnedforamoment，whippeduptheirhorsesandslightlydecreasedthedistancebetweenthemselvesandtheirdisappearingprey。ThePresidentacknowledgedthisproximitybycomingtothebackofthecar，bowingrepeatedly，kissinghishand，andfinallyflinginganeatly—foldednoteintothebosomofInspectorRatcliffe。Whenthatgentlemanopenedit，notwithoutimpatience，hefounditcontainedthewords：——
　　"Flyatonce。Thetruthaboutyourtrouser—stretchersisknown。
　　——AFRIEND。"
　　Thefire—enginehadstruckstillfarthertothenorth，intoaregionthattheydidnotrecognise;andasitranbyalineofhighrailingsshadowedwithtrees，thesixfriendswerestartled，butsomewhatrelieved，toseethePresidentleapfromthefire—engine，thoughwhetherthroughanotherwhimortheincreasingprotestofhisentertainerstheycouldnotsee。Beforethethreecabs，however，couldreachuptothespot，hehadgoneupthehighrailingslikeahugegreycat，tossedhimselfover，andvanishedinadarknessofleaves。
　　Symewithafuriousgesturestoppedhiscab，jumpedout，andsprangalsototheescalade。Whenhehadonelegoverthefenceandhisfriendswerefollowing，heturnedafaceonthemwhichshonequitepaleintheshadow。
　　"Whatplacecanthisbe？"heasked。"Canitbetheolddevil’shouse？I’veheardhehasahouseinNorthLondon。"
　　"Allthebetter，"saidtheSecretarygrimly，plantingafootinafoothold，"weshallfindhimathome。"
　　"No，butitisn’tthat，"saidSyme，knittinghisbrows。"Ihearthemosthorriblenoises，likedevilslaughingandsneezingandblowingtheirdevilishnoses！"
　　"Hisdogsbarking，ofcourse，"saidtheSecretary。
　　"Whynotsayhisblack—beetlesbarking！"saidSymefuriously，"snailsbarking！geraniumsbarking！Didyoueverhearadogbarklikethat？"
　　Hehelduphishand，andtherecameoutofthethicketalonggrowlingroarthatseemedtogetundertheskinandfreezetheflesh——alowthrillingroarthatmadeathrobbingintheairallaboutthem。
　　"ThedogsofSundaywouldbenoordinarydogs，"saidGogol，andshuddered。
　　Symehadjumpeddownontheotherside，buthestillstoodlisteningimpatiently。
　　"Well，listentothat，"hesaid，"isthatadog——anybody’sdog？"
　　Therebrokeupontheirearahoarsescreamingasofthingsprotestingandclamouringinsuddenpain;andthen，farofflikeanecho，whatsoundedlikealongnasaltrumpet。
　　"Well，hishouseoughttobehell！"saidtheSecretary;"andifitishell，I’mgoingin！"andhesprangoverthetallrailingsalmostwithoneswing。
　　Theothersfollowed。Theybrokethroughatangleofplantsandshrubs，andcameoutonanopenpath。Nothingwasinsight，butDr。Bullsuddenlystruckhishandstogether。
　　"Why，youasses，"hecried，"it’stheZoo！"
　　Astheywerelookingroundwildlyforanytraceoftheirwildquarry，akeeperinuniformcamerunningalongthepathwithamaninplainclothes。
　　"Hasitcomethisway？"gaspedthekeeper。
　　"Haswhat？"askedSyme。
　　"Theelephant！"criedthekeeper。"Anelephanthasgonemadandrunaway！"
　　"Hehasrunawaywithanoldgentleman，"saidtheotherstrangerbreathlessly，"apooroldgentlemanwithwhitehair！"
　　"Whatsortofoldgentleman？"askedSyme，withgreatcuriosity。
　　"Averylargeandfatoldgentlemaninlightgreyclothes，"saidthekeepereagerly。
　　"Well，"saidSyme，"ifhe’sthatparticularkindofoldgentleman，ifyou’requitesurethathe’salargeandfatoldgentlemaningreyclothes，youmaytakemywordforitthattheelephanthasnotrunawaywithhim。Hehasrunawaywiththeelephant。TheelephantisnotmadebyGodthatcouldrunawaywithhimifhedidnotconsenttotheelopement。And，bythunder，thereheis！"
　　Therewasnodoubtaboutitthistime。Cleanacrossthespaceofgrass，abouttwohundredyardsaway，withacrowdscreamingandscamperingvainlyathisheels，wentahugegreyelephantatanawfulstride，withhistrunkthrownoutasrigidasaship’sbowsprit，andtrumpetinglikethetrumpetofdoom。OnthebackofthebellowingandplunginganimalsatPresidentSundaywithalltheplacidityofasultan，butgoadingtheanimaltoafuriousspeedwithsomesharpobjectinhishand。
　　"Stophim！"screamedthepopulace。"He’llbeoutofthegate！"
　　"Stopalandslide！"saidthekeeper。"Heisoutofthegate！"
　　Andevenashespoke，afinalcrashandroarofterrorannouncedthatthegreatgreyelephanthadbrokenoutofthegatesoftheZoologicalGardens，andwascareeningdownAlbanyStreetlikeanewandswiftsortofomnibus。
　　"GreatLord！"criedBull，"Ineverknewanelephantcouldgosofast。Well，itmustbehansom—cabsagainifwearetokeephiminsight。"
　　Astheyracedalongtothegateoutofwhichtheelephanthadvanished，Symefeltaglaringpanoramaofthestrangeanimalsinthecageswhichtheypassed。Afterwardshethoughtitqueerthatheshouldhaveseenthemsoclearly。Herememberedespeciallyseeingpelicans，withtheirpreposterous，pendantthroats。Hewonderedwhythepelicanwasthesymbolofcharity，exceptitwasthatitwantedagooddealofcharitytoadmireapelican。Herememberedahornbill，whichwassimplyahugeyellowbeakwithasmallbirdtiedonbehindit。Thewholegavehimasensation，thevividnessofwhichhecouldnotexplain，thatNaturewasalwaysmakingquitemysteriousjokes。Sundayhadtoldthemthattheywouldunderstandhimwhentheyhadunderstoodthestars。Hewonderedwhethereventhearchangelsunderstoodthehornbill。
　　Thesixunhappydetectivesflungthemselvesintocabsandfollowedtheelephantsharingtheterrorwhichhespreadthroughthelongstretchofthestreets。ThistimeSundaydidnotturnround，butofferedthemthesolidstretchofhisunconsciousback，whichmaddenedthem，ifpossible，morethanhispreviousmockeries。JustbeforetheycametoBakerStreet，however，hewasseentothrowsomethingfarupintotheair，asaboydoesaballmeaningtocatchitagain。Butattheirrateofracingitfellfarbehind，justbythecabcontainingGogol;andinfainthopeofaclueorforsomeimpulseunexplainable，hestoppedhiscabsoastopickitup。Itwasaddressedtohimself，andwasquiteabulkyparcel。Onexamination，however，itsbulkwasfoundtoconsistofthirty—threepiecesofpaperofnovaluewrappedoneroundtheother。Whenthelastcoveringwastornawayitreduceditselftoasmallslipofpaper，onwhichwaswritten：——
　　"Theword，Ifancy，shouldbe’pink’。"
　　ThemanonceknownasGogolsaidnothing，butthemovementsofhishandsandfeetwerelikethoseofamanurgingahorsetorenewedefforts。
　　Throughstreetafterstreet，throughdistrictafterdistrict，wenttheprodigyoftheflyingelephant，callingcrowdstoeverywindow，anddrivingthetrafficleftandright。Andstillthroughallthisinsanepublicitythethreecabstoiledafterit，untiltheycametoberegardedaspartofaprocession，andperhapstheadvertisementofacircus。Theywentatsucharatethatdistanceswereshortenedbeyondbelief，andSymesawtheAlbertHallinKensingtonwhenhethoughtthathewasstillinPaddington。Theanimal’spacewasevenmorefastandfreethroughtheempty，aristocraticstreetsofSouthKensington，andhefinallyheadedtowardsthatpartofthesky—linewheretheenormousWheelofEarl’sCourtstoodupinthesky。Thewheelgrewlargerandlarger，tillitfilledheavenlikethewheelofstars。
　　Thebeastoutstrippedthecabs。Theylosthimroundseveralcorners，andwhentheycametooneofthegatesoftheEarl’sCourtExhibitiontheyfoundthemselvesfinallyblocked。Infrontofthemwasanenormouscrowd;inthemidstofitwasanenormouselephant，heavingandshudderingassuchshapelesscreaturesdo。ButthePresidenthaddisappeared。
　　"Wherehashegoneto？"askedSyme，slippingtotheground。
　　"GentlemanrushedintotheExhibition，sir！"saidanofficialinadazedmanner。Thenheaddedinaninjuredvoice："Funnygentleman，sir。Askedmetoholdhishorse，andgavemethis。"
　　Heheldoutwithdistasteapieceoffoldedpaper，addressed："TotheSecretaryoftheCentralAnarchistCouncil。"
　　TheSecretary，raging，rentitopen，andfoundwritteninsideit：——
　　"Whentheherringrunsamile，LettheSecretarysmile;
　　Whentheherringtriestofly，LettheSecretarydie。
　　RusticProverb。"
　　"Whytheeternalcrikey，"begantheSecretary，"didyouletthemanin？DopeoplecommonlycometoyouExhibitionridingonmadelephants？Do——"
　　"Look！"shoutedSymesuddenly。"Lookoverthere！"
　　"Lookatwhat？"askedtheSecretarysavagely。
　　"Lookatthecaptiveballoon！"saidSyme，andpointedinafrenzy。
　　"WhytheblazesshouldIlookatacaptiveballoon？’demandedtheSecretary。"Whatistherequeeraboutacaptiveballoon？"
　　"Nothing，"saidSyme，"exceptthatitisn’tcaptive！’
　　TheyallturnedtheireyestowheretheballoonswungandswelledabovetheExhibitiononastring，likeachild’sballoon。Asecondafterwardsthestringcameintwojustunderthecar，andtheballoon，brokenloose，floatedawaywiththefreedomofasoapbubble。
　　"Tenthousanddevils！"shriekedtheSecretary。"He’sgotintoit！"
　　andheshookhisfistsatthesky。
　　Theballoon，bornebysomechancewind，camerightabovethem，andtheycouldseethegreatwhiteheadofthePresidentpeeringoverthesideandlookingbenevolentlydownonthem。
　　"Godblessmysoul！"saidtheProfessorwiththeelderlymannerthathecouldneverdisconnectfromhisbleachedbeardandparchmentface。"Godblessmysoul！Iseemedtofancythatsomethingfellonthetopofmyhat！"
　　Heputupatremblinghandandtookfromthatshelfapieceoftwistedpaper，whichheopenedabsentlyonlytofinditinscribedwithatruelover’sknotand，thewords：——
　　"Yourbeautyhasnotleftmeindifferent。——FromLITTLESNOWDROP。"
　　Therewasashortsilence，andthenSymesaid，bitinghisbeard——
　　"I’mnotbeatenyet。Theblastedthingmustcomedownsomewhere。
　　Let’sfollowit！"
　　CHAPTERXIV
　　THESIXPHILOSOPHERS
　　ACROSSgreenfields，andbreakingthroughbloominghedges，toiledsixdraggleddetectives，aboutfivemilesoutofLondon。TheoptimistofthepartyhadatfirstproposedthattheyshouldfollowtheballoonacrossSouthEnglandinhansom—cabs。Buthewasultimatelyconvincedofthepersistentrefusaloftheballoontofollowtheroads，andthestillmorepersistentrefusalofthecabmentofollowtheballoon。Consequentlythetirelessthoughexasperatedtravellersbrokethroughblackthicketsandploughedthroughploughedfieldstilleachwasturnedintoafiguretoooutrageoustobemistakenforatramp。ThosegreenhillsofSurreysawthefinalcollapseandtragedyoftheadmirablelightgreysuitinwhichSymehadsetoutfromSaffronPark。Hissilkhatwasbrokenoverhisnosebyaswingingbough，hiscoat—tailsweretorntotheshoulderbyarrestingthorns，theclayofEnglandwassplasheduptohiscollar;buthestillcarriedhisyellowbeardforwardwithasilentandfuriousdetermination，andhiseyeswerestillfixedonthatfloatingballofgas，whichinthefullflushofsunsetseemedcolouredlikeasunsetcloud。
　　"Afterall，"hesaid，"itisverybeautiful！"
　　"Itissingularlyandstrangelybeautiful！"saidtheProfessor。"I
　　wishthebeastlygas—bagwouldburst！"
　　"No，"saidDr。Bull，"Ihopeitwon’t。Itmighthurttheoldboy。"
　　"Hurthim！"saidthevindictiveProfessor，"hurthim！NotasmuchasI’dhurthimifIcouldgetupwithhim。LittleSnowdrop！"
　　"Idon’twanthimhurt，somehow，"saidDr。Bull。
　　"What！"criedtheSecretarybitterly。"Doyoubelieveallthattaleabouthisbeingourmaninthedarkroom？Sundaywouldsayhewasanybody。"
　　"Idon’tknowwhetherIbelieveitornot，"saidDr。Bull。"Butitisn’tthatthatImean。Ican’twisholdSunday’sballoontoburstbecause——"
　　"Well，"saidSymeimpatiently，"because？"
　　"Well，becausehe’ssojollylikeaballoonhimself，"saidDr。Bulldesperately。"Idon’tunderstandawordofallthatideaofhisbeingthesamemanwhogaveusallourbluecards。Itseemstomakeeverythingnonsense。ButIdon’tcarewhoknowsit，IalwayshadasympathyforoldSundayhimself，wickedashewas。Justasifhewasagreatbouncingbaby。HowcanIexplainwhatmyqueersympathywas？Itdidn’tpreventmyfightinghimlikehell！ShallImakeitclearifIsaythatIlikedhimbecausehewassofat？"
　　"Youwillnot，"saidtheSecretary。
　　"I’vegotitnow，"criedBull，"itwasbecausehewassofatandsolight。Justlikeaballoon。Wealwaysthinkoffatpeopleasheavy，buthecouldhavedancedagainstasylph。IseenowwhatImean。
　　Moderatestrengthisshowninviolence，supremestrengthisshowninlevity。Itwasliketheoldspeculations——whatwouldhappenifanelephantcouldleapupintheskylikeagrasshopper？"
　　"Ourelephant，"saidSyme，lookingupwards，"hasleaptintotheskylikeagrasshopper。"
　　"Andsomehow，"concludedBull，"that’swhyIcan’thelplikingoldSunday。No，it’snotanadmirationofforce，oranysillythinglikethat。Thereisakindofgaietyinthething，asifhewereburstingwithsomegoodnews。Haven’tyousometimesfeltitonaspringday？YouknowNatureplaystricks，butsomehowthatdayprovestheyaregood—naturedtricks。IneverreadtheBiblemyself，butthatparttheylaughatisliteraltruth，’Whyleapye，yehighhills？’Thehillsdoleap——atleast，theytryto……WhydoI
　　likeSunday？……howcanItellyou？……becausehe’ssuchaBounder。"
　　Therewasalongsilence，andthentheSecretarysaidinacurious，strainedvoice——
　　"YoudonotknowSundayatall。PerhapsitisbecauseyouarebetterthanI，anddonotknowhell。Iwasafiercefellow，andatriflemorbidfromthefirst。Themanwhositsindarkness，andwhochoseusall，chosemebecauseIhadallthecrazylookofaconspirator——becausemysmilewentcrooked，andmyeyesweregloomy，evenwhenIsmiled。Buttheremusthavebeensomethinginmethatansweredtothenervesinalltheseanarchicmen。ForwhenIfirstsawSundayheexpressedtome，notyourairyvitality，butsomethingbothgrossandsadintheNatureofThings。Ifoundhimsmokinginatwilightroom，aroomwithbrownblinddown，infinitelymoredepressingthanthegenialdarknessinwhichourmasterlives。Hesatthereonabench，ahugeheapofaman，darkandoutofshape。Helistenedtoallmywordswithoutspeakingorevenstirring。Ipouredoutmymostpassionateappeals，andaskedmymosteloquentquestions。Then，afteralongsilence，theThingbegantoshake，andIthoughtitwasshakenbysomesecretmalady。
　　Itshooklikealoathsomeandlivingjelly。ItremindedmeofeverythingIhadeverreadaboutthebasebodiesthataretheoriginoflife——thedeepsealumpsandprotoplasm。Itseemedlikethefinalformofmatter，themostshapelessandthemostshameful。
　　Icouldonlytellmyself，fromitsshudderings，thatitwassomethingatleastthatsuchamonstercouldbemiserable。Andthenitbrokeuponmethatthebestialmountainwasshakingwithalonelylaughter，andthelaughterwasatme。Doyouaskmetoforgivehimthat？Itisnosmallthingtobelaughedatbysomethingatoncelowerandstrongerthanoneself。"
　　"Surelyyoufellowsareexaggeratingwildly，"cutintheclearvoiceofInspectorRatcliffe。"PresidentSundayisaterriblefellowforone’sintellect，butheisnotsuchaBarnum’sfreakphysicallyasyoumakeout。Hereceivedmeinanordinaryoffice，inagreycheckcoat，inbroaddaylight。Hetalkedtomeinanordinaryway。ButI’lltellyouwhatisatriflecreepyaboutSunday。Hisroomisneat，hisclothesareneat，everythingseemsinorder;buthe’sabsent—minded。Sometimeshisgreatbrighteyesgoquiteblind。Forhoursheforgetsthatyouarethere。Nowabsent—mindednessisjustabittooawfulinabadman。Wethinkofawickedmanasvigilant。Wecan’tthinkofawickedmanwhoishonestlyandsincerelydreamy，becausewedaren’tthinkofawickedmanalonewithhimself。Anabsentmindedmanmeansagood—naturedman。Itmeansamanwho，ifhehappenstoseeyou，willapologise。
　　Buthowwillyoubearanabsentmindedmanwho，ifhehappenstoseeyou，willkillyou？Thatiswhattriesthenerves，abstractioncombinedwithcruelty。Menhavefeltitsometimeswhentheywentthroughwildforests，andfeltthattheanimalstherewereatonceinnocentandpitiless。Theymightignoreorslay。Howwouldyouliketopasstenmortalhoursinaparlourwithanabsent—mindedtiger？"
　　"AndwhatdoyouthinkofSunday，Gogol？"askedSyme。