IdidasIwasbid，andfoundmyselfinalittledarkchamberwhichsmeltofchemicals，andwaslitonlybyatinywindowhighupinthewall。Thedoorhadswungbehindmewithaclicklikethedoorofasafe。OnceagainIhadfoundanunexpectedsanctuary。
AllthesameIwasnotcomfortable。Therewassomethingabouttheoldgentlemanwhichpuzzledandratherterrifiedme。Hehadbeentooeasyandready，almostasifhehadexpectedme。Andhiseyeshadbeenhorriblyintelligent。
Nosoundcametomeinthatdarkplace。ForallIknewthepolicemightbesearchingthehouse，andiftheydidtheywouldwanttoknowwhatwasbehindthisdoor。Itriedtopossessmysoulinpatience，andtoforgethowhungryIwas。
ThenItookamorecheerfulview。Theoldgentlemancouldscarcelyrefusemeameal，andIfelltoreconstructingmybreakfast。Baconandeggswouldcontentme，butIwantedthebetterpartofaflitchofbaconandhalfahundredeggs。Andthen，whilemymouthwaswateringinanticipation，therewasaclickandthedoorstoodopen。
Iemergedintothesunlighttofindthemasterofthehousesittinginadeeparmchairintheroomhecalledhisstudy，andregardingmewithcuriouseyes。
’Havetheygone？’Iasked。
’Theyhavegone。Iconvincedthemthatyouhadcrossedthehill。
IdonotchoosethatthepoliceshouldcomebetweenmeandonewhomIamdelightedtohonour。Thisisaluckymorningforyou，MrRichardHannay。’
Ashespokehiseyelidsseemedtotrembleandtofallalittleoverhiskeengreyeyes。InaflashthephraseofScudder’scamebacktome，whenhehaddescribedthemanhemostdreadedintheworld。
Hehadsaidthathe’couldhoodhiseyeslikeahawk’。ThenIsawthatIhadwalkedstraightintotheenemy’sheadquarters。
Myfirstimpulsewastothrottletheoldruffianandmakefortheopenair。Heseemedtoanticipatemyintention，forhesmiledgently，andnoddedtothedoorbehindme。
Iturned，andsawtwomen-servantswhohadmecoveredwithpistols。
Heknewmyname，buthehadneverseenmebefore。AndasthereflectiondartedacrossmymindIsawaslenderchance。
’Idon’tknowwhatyoumean，’Isaidroughly。’AndwhoareyoucallingRichardHannay？Myname’sAinslie。’
’So？’hesaid，stillsmiling。’Butofcourseyouhaveothers。Wewon’tquarrelaboutaname。’
Iwaspullingmyselftogethernow，andIreflectedthatmygarb，lackingcoatandwaistcoatandcollar，wouldatanyratenotbetrayme。Iputonmysurliestfaceandshruggedmyshoulders。
’Isupposeyou’regoingtogivemeupafterall，andIcallitadamneddirtytrick。MyGod，IwishIhadneverseenthatcursedmotor-car！Here’sthemoneyandbedamnedtoyou，’andIflungfoursovereignsonthetable。
Heopenedhiseyesalittle。’Ohno，Ishallnotgiveyouup。MyfriendsandIwillhavealittleprivatesettlementwithyou，thatisall。Youknowalittletoomuch，MrHannay。Youareacleveractor，butnotquitecleverenough。’
Hespokewithassurance，butIcouldseethedawningofadoubtinhismind。
’Oh，forGod’ssakestopjawing，’Icried。’Everything’sagainstme。Ihaven’thadabitoflucksinceIcameonshoreatLeith。
What’stheharminapoordevilwithanemptystomachpickingupsomemoneyhefindsinabust-upmotor-car？That’sallIdone，andforthatI’vebeenchivviedfortwodaysbythoseblastedbobbiesoverthoseblastedhills。ItellyouI’mfairsickofit。Youcandowhatyoulike，oldboy！NedAinslie’sgotnofightleftinhim。’
Icouldseethatthedoubtwasgaining。
’Willyouobligemewiththestoryofyourrecentdoings？’heasked。
’Ican’t，guv’nor，’Isaidinarealbeggar’swhine。’I’venothadabitetoeatfortwodays。Givemeamouthfuloffood，andthenyou’llhearGod’struth。’
Imusthaveshowedmyhungerinmyface，forhesignalledtooneofthemeninthedoorway。Abitofcoldpiewasbroughtandaglassofbeer，andIwolfedthemdownlikeapig-orrather，likeNedAinslie，forIwaskeepingupmycharacter。InthemiddleofmymealhespokesuddenlytomeinGerman，butIturnedonhimafaceasblankasastonewall。
ThenItoldhimmystory-howIhadcomeoffanArchangelshipatLeithaweekago，andwasmakingmywayoverlandtomybrotheratWigtown。Ihadrunshortofcash-Ihintedvaguelyataspree-andIwasprettywellonmyupperswhenIhadcomeonaholeinahedge，and，lookingthrough，hadseenabigmotor-carlyingintheburn。Ihadpokedabouttoseewhathadhappened，andhadfoundthreesovereignslyingontheseatandoneonthefloor。
Therewasnobodythereoranysignofanowner，soIhadpocketedthecash。Butsomehowthelawhadgotafterme。WhenIhadtriedtochangeasovereigninabaker’sshop，thewomanhadcriedonthepolice，andalittlelater，whenIwaswashingmyfaceinaburn，Ihadbeennearlygripped，andhadonlygotawaybyleavingmycoatandwaistcoatbehindme。
’Theycanhavethemoneyback，’Icried，’forafatlotofgoodit’sdoneme。Thoseperishersarealldownonapoorman。Now，ifithadbeenyou，guv’nor，thathadfoundthequids，nobodywouldhavetroubledyou。’
’You’reagoodliar，Hannay，’hesaid。
Iflewintoarage。’Stopfooling，damnyou！Itellyoumyname’sAinslie，andIneverheardofanyonecalledHannayinmyborndays。I’dsoonerhavethepolicethanyouwithyourHannaysandyourmonkey-facedpistoltricks……No，guv’nor，Ibegpardon，I
don’tmeanthat。I’mmuchobligedtoyouforthegrub，andI’llthankyoutoletmegonowthecoast’sclear。’
Itwasobviousthathewasbadlypuzzled。Youseehehadneverseenme，andmyappearancemusthavealteredconsiderablyfrommyphotographs，ifhehadgotoneofthem。IwasprettysmartandwelldressedinLondon，andnowIwasaregulartramp。
’Idonotproposetoletyougo。Ifyouarewhatyousayyouare，youwillsoonhaveachanceofclearingyourself。IfyouarewhatI
believeyouare，Idonotthinkyouwillseethelightmuchlonger。’
Herangabell，andathirdservantappearedfromtheveranda。
’IwanttheLanchesterinfiveminutes，’hesaid。’Therewillbethreetoluncheon。’
Thenhelookedsteadilyatme，andthatwasthehardestordealofall。
Therewassomethingweirdanddevilishinthoseeyes，cold，malignant，unearthly，andmosthellishlyclever。Theyfascinatedmelikethebrighteyesofasnake。Ihadastrongimpulsetothrowmyselfonhismercyandoffertojoinhisside，andifyouconsiderthewayIfeltaboutthewholethingyouwillseethatthatimpulsemusthavebeenpurelyphysical，theweaknessofabrainmesmerizedandmasteredbyastrongerspirit。ButImanagedtostickitoutandeventogrin。
’You’llknowmenexttime，guv’nor，’Isaid。
’Karl，’hespokeinGermantooneofthemeninthedoorway，’youwillputthisfellowinthestoreroomtillIreturn，andyouwillbeanswerabletomeforhiskeeping。’
Iwasmarchedoutoftheroomwithapistolateachear。
Thestoreroomwasadampchamberinwhathadbeentheoldfarmhouse。Therewasnocarpetontheunevenfloor，andnothingtositdownonbutaschoolform。Itwasblackaspitch，forthewindowswereheavilyshuttered。Imadeoutbygropingthatthewallswerelinedwithboxesandbarrelsandsacksofsomeheavystuff。Thewholeplacesmeltofmouldanddisuse。Mygaolersturnedthekeyinthedoor，andIcouldhearthemshiftingtheirfeetastheystoodonguardoutside。
Isatdowninthatchillydarknessinaverymiserableframeofmind。Theoldboyhadgoneoffinamotortocollectthetworuffianswhohadinterviewedmeyesterday。Now，theyhadseenmeastheroadman，andtheywouldrememberme，forIwasinthesamerig。Whatwasaroadmandoingtwentymilesfromhisbeat，pursuedbythepolice？Aquestionortwowouldputthemonthetrack。ProbablytheyhadseenMrTurnbull，probablyMarmietoo;
mostlikelytheycouldlinkmeupwithSirHarry，andthenthewholethingwouldbecrystalclear。WhatchancehadIinthismoorlandhousewiththreedesperadoesandtheirarmedservants？
Ibegantothinkwistfullyofthepolice，nowploddingoverthehillsaftermywraith。Theyatanyratewerefellow-countrymenandhonestmen，andtheirtendermercieswouldbekinderthantheseghoulishaliens。Buttheywouldn’thavelistenedtome。Thatolddevilwiththeeyelidshadnottakenlongtogetridofthem。I
thoughtheprobablyhadsomekindofgraftwiththeconstabulary。
MostlikelyhehadlettersfromCabinetMinisterssayinghewastobegiveneveryfacilityforplottingagainstBritain。That’sthesortofowlishwaywerunourpoliticsintheOldCountry。
Thethreewouldbebackforlunch，soIhadn’tmorethanacoupleofhourstowait。Itwassimplywaitingondestruction，forI
couldseenowayoutofthismess。IwishedthatIhadScudder’scourage，forIamfreetoconfessIdidn’tfeelanygreatfortitude。
TheonlythingthatkeptmegoingwasthatIwasprettyfurious。Itmademeboilwithragetothinkofthosethreespiesgettingthepullonmelikethis。IhopedthatatanyrateImightbeabletotwistoneoftheirnecksbeforetheydownedme。
ThemoreIthoughtofittheangrierIgrew，andIhadtogetupandmoveabouttheroom。Itriedtheshutters，buttheywerethekindthatlockwithakey，andIcouldn’tmovethem。Fromtheoutsidecamethefaintcluckingofhensinthewarmsun。ThenI
gropedamongthesacksandboxes。Icouldn’topenthelatter，andthesacksseemedtobefullofthingslikedog-biscuitsthatsmeltofcinnamon。But，asIcircumnavigatedtheroom，Ifoundahandleinthewallwhichseemedworthinvestigating。
Itwasthedoorofawallcupboard-whattheycalla’press’inScotland-anditwaslocked。Ishookit，anditseemedratherflimsy。ForwantofsomethingbettertodoIputoutmystrengthonthatdoor，gettingsomepurchaseonthehandlebyloopingmybracesroundit。PresentlythethinggavewithacrashwhichI
thoughtwouldbringinmywarderstoinquire。Iwaitedforabit，andthenstartedtoexplorethecupboardshelves。
Therewasamultitudeofqueerthingsthere。Ifoundanoddvestaortwoinmytrouserpocketsandstruckalight。Itwasoutinasecond，butitshowedmeonething。Therewasalittlestockofelectrictorchesononeshelf。Ipickedupone，andfounditwasinworkingorder。
WiththetorchtohelpmeIinvestigatedfurther。Therewerebottlesandcasesofqueer-smellingstuffs，chemicalsnodoubtforexperiments，andtherewerecoilsoffinecopperwireandyanksandyanksofthinoiledsilk。Therewasaboxofdetonators，andalotofcordforfuses。ThenawayatthebackoftheshelfIfoundastoutbrowncardboardbox，andinsideitawoodencase。Imanagedtowrenchitopen，andwithinlayhalfadozenlittlegreybricks，eachacoupleofinchessquare。
Itookupone，andfoundthatitcrumbledeasilyinmyhand。ThenI
smeltitandputmytonguetoit。AfterthatIsatdowntothink。Ihadn’tbeenaminingengineerfornothing，andIknewlentonitewhenIsawit。
WithoneofthesebricksIcouldblowthehousetosmithereens。
IhadusedthestuffinRhodesiaandknewitspower。Butthetroublewasthatmyknowledgewasn’texact。Ihadforgottentheproperchargeandtherightwayofpreparingit，andIwasn’tsureaboutthetiming。Ihadonlyavaguenotion，too，astoitspower，forthoughIhaduseditIhadnothandleditwithmyownfingers。
Butitwasachance，theonlypossiblechance。Itwasamightyrisk，butagainstitwasanabsoluteblackcertainty。IfIusedittheoddswere，asIreckoned，aboutfivetooneinfavourofmyblowingmyselfintothetree-tops;butifIdidn’tIshouldverylikelybeoccupyingasix-footholeinthegardenbytheevening。
ThatwasthewayIhadtolookatit。Theprospectwasprettydarkeitherway，butanyhowtherewasachance，bothformyselfandformycountry。
TheremembranceoflittleScudderdecidedme。Itwasaboutthebeastliestmomentofmylife，forI’mnogoodatthesecold-bloodedresolutions。StillImanagedtorakeuptheplucktosetmyteethandchokebackthehorriddoubtsthatfloodedinonme。IsimplyshutoffmymindandpretendedIwasdoinganexperimentassimpleasGuyFawkesfireworks。
Igotadetonator，andfixedittoacoupleoffeetoffuse。ThenI
tookaquarterofalentonitebrick，andburieditnearthedoorbelowoneofthesacksinacrackofthefloor，fixingthedetonatorinit。ForallIknewhalfthoseboxesmightbedynamite。Ifthecupboardheldsuchdeadlyexplosives，whynottheboxes？InthatcasetherewouldbeagloriousskywardjourneyformeandtheGermanservantsandaboutanacreofsurroundingcountry。Therewasalsotheriskthatthedetonationmightsetofftheotherbricksinthecupboard，forIhadforgottenmostthatIknewaboutlentonite。Butitdidn’tdotobeginthinkingaboutthepossibilities。
Theoddswerehorrible，butIhadtotakethem。
Iensconcedmyselfjustbelowthesillofthewindow，andlitthefuse。ThenIwaitedforamomentortwo。Therewasdeadsilence-
onlyashuffleofheavybootsinthepassage，andthepeacefulcluckofhensfromthewarmout-of-doors。IcommendedmysoultomyMaker，andwonderedwhereIwouldbeinfiveseconds……
Agreatwaveofheatseemedtosurgeupwardsfromthefloor，andhangforablisteringinstantintheair。Thenthewalloppositemeflashedintoagoldenyellowanddissolvedwitharendingthunderthathammeredmybrainintoapulp。Somethingdroppedonme，catchingthepointofmyleftshoulder。
AndthenIthinkIbecameunconscious。
Mystuporcanscarcelyhavelastedbeyondafewseconds。Ifeltmyselfbeingchokedbythickyellowfumes，andstruggledoutofthedebristomyfeet。SomewherebehindmeIfeltfreshair。Thejambsofthewindowhadfallen，andthroughtheraggedrentthesmokewaspouringouttothesummernoon。Isteppedoverthebrokenlintel，andfoundmyselfstandinginayardinadenseandacridfog。Ifeltverysickandill，butIcouldmovemylimbs，andI
staggeredblindlyforwardawayfromthehouse。
Asmallmill-laderaninawoodenaqueductattheothersideoftheyard，andintothisIfell。Thecoolwaterrevivedme，andIhadjustenoughwitslefttothinkofescape。IsquirmeduptheladeamongtheslipperygreenslimetillIreachedthemill-wheel。ThenI
wriggledthroughtheaxleholeintotheoldmillandtumbledontoabedofchaff。Anailcaughttheseatofmytrousers，andIleftawispofheather-mixturebehindme。
Themillhadbeenlongoutofuse。Theladderswererottenwithage，andinthelofttheratshadgnawedgreatholesinthefloor。
Nauseashookme，andawheelinmyheadkeptturning，whilemyleftshoulderandarmseemedtobestrickenwiththepalsy。Ilookedoutofthewindowandsawafogstillhangingoverthehouseandsmokeescapingfromanupperwindow。PleaseGodIhadsettheplaceonfire，forIcouldhearconfusedcriescomingfromtheotherside。
ButIhadnotimetolinger，sincethismillwasobviouslyabadhiding-place。Anyonelookingformewouldnaturallyfollowthelade，andImadecertainthesearchwouldbeginassoonastheyfoundthatmybodywasnotinthestoreroom。FromanotherwindowIsawthatonthefarsideofthemillstoodanoldstonedovecot。IfIcouldgettherewithoutleavingtracksImightfindahiding-place，forIarguedthatmyenemies，iftheythoughtIcouldmove，wouldconcludeIhadmadeforopencountry，andwouldgoseekingmeonthemoor。
Icrawleddownthebrokenladder，scatteringchaffbehindmetocovermyfootsteps。Ididthesameonthemillfloor，andonthethresholdwherethedoorhungonbrokenhinges。Peepingout，I
sawthatbetweenmeandthedovecotwasapieceofbarecobbledground，wherenofootmarkswouldshow。Alsoitwasmercifullyhidbythemillbuildingsfromanyviewfromthehouse。Islippedacrossthespace，gottothebackofthedovecotandprospectedawayofascent。
ThatwasoneofthehardestjobsIevertookon。Myshoulderandarmachedlikehell，andIwassosickandgiddythatIwasalwaysonthevergeoffalling。ButImanageditsomehow。Bytheuseofout-juttingstonesandgapsinthemasonryandatoughivyrootIgottothetopintheend。TherewasalittleparapetbehindwhichIfoundspacetoliedown。ThenIproceededtogooffintoanold-fashionedswoon。
Iwokewithaburningheadandthesunglaringinmyface。ForalongtimeIlaymotionless，forthosehorriblefumesseemedtohaveloosenedmyjointsanddulledmybrain。Soundscametomefromthehouse-menspeakingthroatilyandthethrobbingofastationarycar。TherewasalittlegapintheparapettowhichIwriggled，andfromwhichIhadsomesortofprospectoftheyard。Isawfigurescomeout-aservantwithhisheadboundup，andthenayoungermaninknickerbockers。Theywerelookingforsomething，andmovedtowardsthemill。Thenoneofthemcaughtsightofthewispofclothonthenail，andcriedouttotheother。Theybothwentbacktothehouse，andbroughttwomoretolookatit。Isawtherotundfigureofmylatecaptor，andIthoughtImadeoutthemanwiththelisp。Inoticedthatallhadpistols。
Forhalfanhourtheyransackedthemill。Icouldhearthemkickingoverthebarrelsandpullinguptherottenplanking。Thentheycameoutside，andstoodjustbelowthedovecotarguingfiercely。Theservantwiththebandagewasbeingsoundlyrated。I
heardthemfiddlingwiththedoorofthedovecoteandforonehorridmomentIfanciedtheywerecomingup。Thentheythoughtbetterofit，andwentbacktothehouse。
AllthatlongblisteringafternoonIlaybakingontherooftop。
Thirstwasmychieftorment。Mytonguewaslikeastick，andtomakeitworseIcouldhearthecooldripofwaterfromthemill-
lade。Iwatchedthecourseofthelittlestreamasitcameinfromthemoor，andmyfancyfollowedittothetopoftheglen，whereitmustissuefromanicyfountainfringedwithcoolfernsandmosses。
Iwouldhavegivenathousandpoundstoplungemyfaceintothat。
Ihadafineprospectofthewholeringofmoorland。Isawthecarspeedawaywithtwooccupants，andamanonahillponyridingeast。Ijudgedtheywerelookingforme，andIwishedthemjoyoftheirquest。
ButIsawsomethingelsemoreinteresting。Thehousestoodalmostonthesummitofaswellofmoorlandwhichcrownedasortofplateau，andtherewasnohigherpointnearerthanthebighillssixmilesoff。Theactualsummit，asIhavementioned，wasabiggishclumpoftrees-firsmostly，withafewashesandbeeches。
OnthedovecotIwasalmostonalevelwiththetree-tops，andcouldseewhatlaybeyond。Thewoodwasnotsolid，butonlyaring，andinsidewasanovalofgreenturf，foralltheworldlikeabigcricket-field。
Ididn’ttakelongtoguesswhatitwas。Itwasanaerodrome，andasecretone。Theplacehadbeenmostcunninglychosen。Forsupposeanyonewerewatchinganaeroplanedescendinghere，hewouldthinkithadgoneoverthehillbeyondthetrees。Astheplacewasonthetopofariseinthemidstofabigamphitheatre，anyobserverfromanydirectionwouldconcludeithadpassedoutofviewbehindthehill。Onlyamanverycloseathandwouldrealizethattheaeroplanehadnotgoneoverbuthaddescendedinthemidstofthewood。Anobserverwithatelescopeononeofthehigherhillsmighthavediscoveredthetruth，butonlyherdswentthere，andherdsdonotcarryspy-glasses。WhenIlookedfromthedovecotIcouldseefarawayabluelinewhichIknewwasthesea，andIgrewfurioustothinkthatourenemieshadthissecretconning-towertorakeourwaterways。
ThenIreflectedthatifthataeroplanecamebackthechancesweretentoonethatIwouldbediscovered。SothroughtheafternoonIlayandprayedforthecomingofdarkness，andgladIwaswhenthesunwentdownoverthebigwesternhillsandthetwilighthazecreptoverthemoor。Theaeroplanewaslate。ThegloamingwasfaradvancedwhenIheardthebeatofwingsandsawitvolplaningdownwardtoitshomeinthewood。Lightstwinkledforabitandtherewasmuchcomingandgoingfromthehouse。Thenthedarkfell，andsilence。
ThankGoditwasablacknight。Themoonwaswellonitslastquarterandwouldnotrisetilllate。Mythirstwastoogreattoallowmetotarry，soaboutnineo’clock，sofarasIcouldjudge，Istartedtodescend。Itwasn’teasy，andhalf-waydownIheardthebackdoorofthehouseopen，andsawthegleamofalanternagainstthemillwall。ForsomeagonizingminutesIhungbytheivyandprayedthatwhoeveritwaswouldnotcomeroundbythedovecot。Thenthelightdisappeared，andIdroppedassoftlyasIcouldontothehardsoiloftheyard。
IcrawledonmybellyintheleeofastonedyketillIreachedthefringeoftreeswhichsurroundedthehouse。IfIhadknownhowtodoitIwouldhavetriedtoputthataeroplaneoutofaction，butI
realizedthatanyattemptwouldprobablybefutile。Iwasprettycertainthattherewouldbesomekindofdefenceroundthehouse，soIwentthroughthewoodonhandsandknees，feelingcarefullyeveryinchbeforeme。Itwasaswell，forpresentlyIcameonawireabouttwofeetfromtheground。IfIhadtrippedoverthat，itwoulddoubtlesshaverungsomebellinthehouseandIwouldhavebeencaptured。
AhundredyardsfartheronIfoundanotherwirecunninglyplacedontheedgeofasmallstream。Beyondthatlaythemoor，andinfiveminutesIwasdeepinbrackenandheather。SoonIwasroundtheshoulderoftherise，inthelittleglenfromwhichthemill-ladeflowed。Tenminuteslatermyfacewasinthespring，andI
wassoakingdownpintsoftheblessedwater。
ButIdidnotstoptillIhadputhalfadozenmilesbetweenmeandthataccurseddwelling。
CHAPTERSEVEN
TheDry-FlyFishermanIsatdownonahill-topandtookstockofmyposition。Iwasn’tfeelingveryhappy，formynaturalthankfulnessatmyescapewascloudedbymyseverebodilydiscomfort。Thoselentonitefumeshadfairlypoisonedme，andthebakinghoursonthedovecothadn’thelpedmatters。Ihadacrushingheadache，andfeltassickasacat。
Alsomyshoulderwasinabadway。AtfirstIthoughtitwasonlyabruise，butitseemedtobeswelling，andIhadnouseofmyleftarm。
MyplanwastoseekMrTurnbull’scottage，recovermygarments，andespeciallyScudder’snote-book，andthenmakeforthemainlineandgetbacktothesouth。ItseemedtomethatthesoonerI
gotintouchwiththeForeignOfficeman，SirWalterBullivant，thebetter。Ididn’tseehowIcouldgetmoreproofthanIhadgotalready。Hemustjusttakeorleavemystory，andanyway，withhimIwouldbeinbetterhandsthanthosedevilishGermans。IhadbeguntofeelquitekindlytowardstheBritishpolice。
Itwasawonderfulstarrynight，andIhadnotmuchdifficultyabouttheroad。SirHarry’smaphadgivenmethelieoftheland，andallIhadtodowastosteerapointortwowestofsouth-westtocometothestreamwhereIhadmettheroadman。InallthesetravelsIneverknewthenamesoftheplaces，butIbelievethisstreamwasnolessthantheupperwatersoftheriverTweed。I
calculatedImustbeabouteighteenmilesdistant，andthatmeantI
couldnotgettherebeforemorning。SoImustlieupadaysomewhere，forIwastoooutrageousafiguretobeseeninthesunlight。
Ihadneithercoat，waistcoat，collar，norhat，mytrouserswerebadlytorn，andmyfaceandhandswereblackwiththeexplosion。I
daresayIhadotherbeauties，formyeyesfeltasiftheywerefuriouslybloodshot。AltogetherIwasnospectacleforGod-fearingcitizenstoseeonahighroad。
VerysoonafterdaybreakImadeanattempttocleanmyselfinahillburn，andthenapproachedaherd’scottage，forIwasfeelingtheneedoffood。Theherdwasawayfromhome，andhiswifewasalone，withnoneighbourforfivemiles。Shewasadecentoldbody，andapluckyone，forthoughshegotafrightwhenshesawme，shehadanaxehandy，andwouldhaveuseditonanyevil-doer。ItoldherthatIhadhadafall-Ididn’tsayhow-andshesawbymylooksthatIwasprettysick。LikeatrueSamaritansheaskednoquestions，butgavemeabowlofmilkwithadashofwhiskyinit，andletmesitforalittlebyherkitchenfire。Shewouldhavebathedmyshoulder，butitachedsobadlythatIwouldnotlethertouchit。
Idon’tknowwhatshetookmefor-arepentantburglar，perhaps;forwhenIwantedtopayherforthemilkandtenderedasovereignwhichwasthesmallestcoinIhad，sheshookherheadandsaidsomethingabout’givingittothemthathadarighttoit’。
AtthisIprotestedsostronglythatIthinkshebelievedmehonest，forshetookthemoneyandgavemeawarmnewplaidforit，andanoldhatofherman’s。Sheshowedmehowtowraptheplaidaroundmyshoulders，andwhenIleftthatcottageIwasthelivingimageofthekindofScotsmanyouseeintheillustrationstoBurns’spoems。ButatanyrateIwasmoreorlessclad。
Itwasaswell，fortheweatherchangedbeforemiddaytoathickdrizzleofrain。Ifoundshelterbelowanoverhangingrockinthecrookofaburn，whereadriftofdeadbrackensmadeatolerablebed。ThereImanagedtosleeptillnightfall，wakingverycrampedandwretched，withmyshouldergnawinglikeatoothache。Iatetheoatcakeandcheesetheoldwifehadgivenmeandsetoutagainjustbeforethedarkening。
Ipassoverthemiseriesofthatnightamongthewethills。Therewerenostarstosteerby，andIhadtodothebestIcouldfrommymemoryofthemap。TwiceIlostmyway，andIhadsomenastyfallsintopeat-bogs。Ihadonlyabouttenmilestogoasthecrowflies，butmymistakesmadeitnearertwenty。Thelastbitwascompletedwithsetteethandaverylightanddizzyhead。ButI
managedit，andintheearlydawnIwasknockingatMrTurnbull’sdoor。Themistlaycloseandthick，andfromthecottageIcouldnotseethehighroad。
MrTurnbullhimselfopenedtome-soberandsomethingmorethansober。Hewasprimlydressedinanancientbutwell-tendedsuitofblack;hehadbeenshavednotlaterthanthenightbefore;heworealinencollar;andinhislefthandhecarriedapocketBible。
Atfirsthedidnotrecognizeme。
’Whaeareyethatcomesstravaigin’hereontheSabbathmornin’？’
heasked。
Ihadlostallcountofthedays。SotheSabbathwasthereasonforthisstrangedecorum。
MyheadwasswimmingsowildlythatIcouldnotframeacoherentanswer。Butherecognizedme，andhesawthatIwasill。
’Haeyegotmyspecs？’heasked。
Ifetchedthemoutofmytrouserpocketandgavehimthem。
’Ye’llhaecomeforyourjaicketandwestcoat，’hesaid。’Comein-
bye。Losh，man，ye’reterribledunei’thelegs。HauduptillIgetyetoachair。’
IperceivedIwasinforaboutofmalaria。Ihadagooddealoffeverinmybones，andthewetnighthadbroughtitout，whilemyshoulderandtheeffectsofthefumescombinedtomakemefeelprettybad。BeforeIknew，MrTurnbullwashelpingmeoffwithmyclothes，andputtingmetobedinoneofthetwocupboardsthatlinedthekitchenwalls。
Hewasatruefriendinneed，thatoldroadman。Hiswifewasdeadyearsago，andsincehisdaughter’smarriagehelivedalone。
ForthebetterpartoftendayshedidalltheroughnursingI
needed。Isimplywantedtobeleftinpeacewhilethefevertookitscourse，andwhenmyskinwascoolagainIfoundthatthebouthadmoreorlesscuredmyshoulder。Butitwasabaddishgo，andthoughIwasoutofbedinfivedays，ittookmesometimetogetmylegsagain。
Hewentouteachmorning，leavingmemilkfortheday，andlockingthedoorbehindhim;andcameinintheeveningtositsilentinthechimneycorner。Notasoulcameneartheplace。WhenIwasgettingbetter，heneverbotheredmewithaquestion。Severaltimeshefetchedmeatwodays’oldSCOTSMAN，andInoticedthattheinterestinthePortlandPlacemurderseemedtohavedieddown。
Therewasnomentionofit，andIcouldfindverylittleaboutanythingexceptathingcalledtheGeneralAssembly-someecclesiasticalspree，Igathered。
Onedayheproducedmybeltfromalockfastdrawer。’There’saterribleheapo’sillerin’t，’hesaid。’Ye’dbettercoontittoseeit’sa’there。’
Heneverevensoughtmyname。Iaskedhimifanybodyhadbeenaroundmakinginquiriessubsequenttomyspellattheroad-making。
’Ay，therewasamaninamotor-cawr。Hespeiredwhaehadta’enmyplacethatday，andIletonIthochthimdaft。Buthekeepitonatme，andsyneIsaidhemaunbethinkin’o’mygude-britherfraetheCleuchthatwhileslentmeahaun’。Hewasawersh-lookin’
sowl，andIcouldnaunderstandthehalfo’hisEnglishtongue。’
Iwasgettingrestlessthoselastdays，andassoonasIfeltmyselffitIdecidedtobeoff。ThatwasnottillthetwelfthdayofJune，andasluckwouldhaveitadroverwentpastthatmorningtakingsomecattletoMoffat。HewasamannamedHislop，afriendofTurnbull’s，andhecameintohisbreakfastwithusandofferedtotakemewithhim。
ImadeTurnbullacceptfivepoundsformylodging，andahardjobIhadofit。Thereneverwasamoreindependentbeing。HegrewpositivelyrudewhenIpressedhim，andshyandred，andtookthemoneyatlastwithoutathankyou。WhenItoldhimhowmuchIowedhim，hegruntedsomethingabout’aeguidturndeservin’anither’。Youwouldhavethoughtfromourleave-takingthatwehadpartedindisgust。
Hislopwasacheerysoul，whochatteredallthewayoverthepassanddownthesunnyvaleofAnnan。ItalkedofGallowaymarketsandsheepprices，andhemadeuphismindIwasa’pack-shepherd’
fromthoseparts-whateverthatmaybe。Myplaidandmyoldhat，asIhavesaid，gavemeafinetheatricalScotslook。Butdrivingcattleisamortallyslowjob，andwetookthebetterpartofthedaytocoveradozenmiles。
IfIhadnothadsuchananxiousheartIwouldhaveenjoyedthattime。Itwasshiningblueweather，withaconstantlychangingprospectofbrownhillsandfargreenmeadows，andacontinualsoundoflarksandcurlewsandfallingstreams。ButIhadnomindforthesummer，andlittleforHislop’sconversation，forasthefatefulfifteenthofJunedrewnearIwasoverweighedwiththehopelessdifficultiesofmyenterprise。
IgotsomedinnerinahumbleMoffatpublic-house，andwalkedthetwomilestothejunctiononthemainline。Thenightexpressforthesouthwasnotduetillnearmidnight，andtofillupthetimeIwentuponthehillsideandfellasleep，forthewalkhadtiredme。
Iallbutslepttoolong，andhadtoruntothestationandcatchthetrainwithtwominutestospare。Thefeelofthehardthird-classcushionsandthesmellofstaletobaccocheeredmeupwonderfully。
Atanyrate，IfeltnowthatIwasgettingtogripswithmyjob。
IwasdecantedatCreweinthesmallhoursandhadtowaittillsixtogetatrainforBirmingham。IntheafternoonIgottoReading，andchangedintoalocaltrainwhichjourneyedintothedeepsofBerkshire。
PresentlyIwasinalandoflushwater-meadowsandslowreedystreams。Abouteighto’clockintheevening，awearyandtravel-stainedbeing-acrossbetweenafarm-labourerandavet-
withacheckedblack-and-whiteplaidoverhisarm（forIdidnotdaretowearitsouthoftheBorder），descendedatthelittlestationofArtinswell。Therewereseveralpeopleontheplatform，andI
thoughtIhadbetterwaittoaskmywaytillIwasclearoftheplace。
Theroadledthroughawoodofgreatbeechesandthenintoashallowvalley，withthegreenbacksofdownspeepingoverthedistanttrees。AfterScotlandtheairsmeltheavyandflat，butinfinitelysweet，forthelimesandchestnutsandlilacbushesweredomesofblossom。PresentlyIcametoabridge，belowwhichaclearslowstreamflowedbetweensnowybedsofwater-buttercups。Alittleaboveitwasamill;andthelashermadeapleasantcoolsoundinthescenteddusk。Somehowtheplacesoothedmeandputmeatmyease。IfelltowhistlingasIlookedintothegreendepths，andthetunewhichcametomylipswas’AnnieLaurie’。
Afishermancameupfromthewaterside，andashenearedmehetoobegantowhistle。Thetunewasinfectious，forhefollowedmysuit。Hewasahugemaninuntidyoldflannelsandawide-brimmedhat，withacanvasbagslungonhisshoulder。Henoddedtome，andIthoughtIhadneverseenashrewderorbetter-temperedface。
Heleanedhisdelicateten-footsplit-canerodagainstthebridge，andlookedwithmeatthewater。
’Clear，isn’tit？’hesaidpleasantly。’IbackourKenneranydayagainsttheTest。Lookatthatbigfellow。Fourpoundsifhe’sanounce。Buttheeveningriseisoverandyoucan’ttempt’em。’
’Idon’tseehim，’saidI。
’Look！There！Ayardfromthereedsjustabovethatstickle。’
’I’vegothimnow。Youmightswearhewasablackstone。’
’So，’hesaid，andwhistledanotherbarof’AnnieLaurie’。
’Twisdon’sthename，isn’tit？’hesaidoverhisshoulder，hiseyesstillfixedonthestream。
’No，’Isaid。’Imeantosay，Yes。’Ihadforgottenallaboutmyalias。
’It’sawiseconspiratorthatknowshisownname，’heobserved，grinningbroadlyatamoor-henthatemergedfromthebridge’sshadow。
Istoodupandlookedathim，atthesquare，cleftjawandbroad，linedbrowandthefirmfoldsofcheek，andbegantothinkthathereatlastwasanallyworthhaving。Hiswhimsicalblueeyesseemedtogoverydeep。
Suddenlyhefrowned。’Icallitdisgraceful，’hesaid，raisinghisvoice。’Disgracefulthatanable-bodiedmanlikeyoushoulddaretobeg。Youcangetamealfrommykitchen，butyou’llgetnomoneyfromme。’
Adog-cartwaspassing，drivenbyayoungmanwhoraisedhiswhiptosalutethefisherman。Whenhehadgone，hepickeduphisrod。
’That’smyhouse，’hesaid，pointingtoawhitegateahundredyardson。’Waitfiveminutesandthengoroundtothebackdoor。’
Andwiththatheleftme。
IdidasIwasbidden。Ifoundaprettycottagewithalawnrunningdowntothestream，andaperfectjungleofguelder-roseandlilacflankingthepath。Thebackdoorstoodopen，andagravebutlerwasawaitingme。
’Comethisway，Sir，’hesaid，andheledmealongapassageandupabackstaircasetoapleasantbedroomlookingtowardstheriver。ThereIfoundacompleteoutfitlaidoutforme-dressclotheswithallthefixings，abrownflannelsuit，shirts，collars，ties，shavingthingsandhair-brushes，evenapairofpatentshoes。’SirWalterthoughtashowMrReggie’sthingswouldfityou，Sir，’saidthebutler。’Hekeepssomeclothes’ere，forhecomesregularontheweek-ends。There’sabathroomnextdoor，andI’veprepareda’otbath。Dinnerin’alfanhour，Sir。You’ll’earthegong。’
Thegravebeingwithdrew，andIsatdowninachintz-coveredeasy-chairandgaped。Itwaslikeapantomime，tocomesuddenlyoutofbeggardomintothisorderlycomfort。ObviouslySirWalterbelievedinme，thoughwhyhedidIcouldnotguess。Ilookedatmyselfinthemirrorandsawawild，haggardbrownfellow，withafortnight’sraggedbeard，anddustinearsandeyes，collarless，vulgarlyshirted，withshapelessoldtweedclothesandbootsthathadnotbeencleanedforthebetterpartofamonth。Imadeafinetrampandafairdrover;andhereIwasusheredbyaprimbutlerintothistempleofgraciousease。Andthebestofitwasthattheydidnotevenknowmyname。
Iresolvednottopuzzlemyheadbuttotakethegiftsthegodshadprovided。Ishavedandbathedluxuriously，andgotintothedressclothesandcleancracklingshirt，whichfittedmenotsobadly。BythetimeIhadfinishedthelooking-glassshowedanotunpersonableyoungman。
SirWalterawaitedmeinaduskydining-roomwherealittleroundtablewaslitwithsilvercandles。Thesightofhim-sorespectableandestablishedandsecure，theembodimentoflawandgovernmentandalltheconventions-tookmeabackandmademefeelaninterloper。Hecouldn’tknowthetruthaboutme，orhewouldn’ttreatmelikethis。Isimplycouldnotaccepthishospitalityonfalsepretences。
’I’mmoreobligedtoyouthanIcansay，butI’mboundtomakethingsclear，’Isaid。’I’maninnocentman，butI’mwantedbythepolice。I’vegottotellyouthis，andIwon’tbesurprisedifyoukickmeout。’
Hesmiled。’That’sallright。Don’tletthatinterferewithyourappetite。Wecantalkaboutthesethingsafterdinner。’
Ineverateamealwithgreaterrelish，forIhadhadnothingalldaybutrailwaysandwiches。SirWalterdidmeproud，forwedrankagoodchampagneandhadsomeuncommonfineportafterwards。
itmademealmosthystericaltobesittingthere，waitedonbyafootmanandasleekbutler，andrememberthatIhadbeenlivingforthreeweekslikeabrigand，witheveryman’shandagainstme。I
toldSirWalterabouttiger-fishintheZambesithatbiteoffyourfingersifyougivethemachance，andwediscussedsportupanddowntheglobe，forhehadhuntedabitinhisday。
Wewenttohisstudyforcoffee，ajollyroomfullofbooksandtrophiesanduntidinessandcomfort。ImadeupmymindthatifeverIgotridofthisbusinessandhadahouseofmyown，Iwouldcreatejustsucharoom。Thenwhenthecoffee-cupswereclearedaway，andwehadgotourcigarsalight，myhostswunghislonglegsoverthesideofhischairandbademegetstartedwithmyyarn。
’I’veobeyedHarry’sinstructions，’hesaid，’andthebribeheofferedmewasthatyouwouldtellmesomethingtowakemeup。
I’mready，MrHannay。’
Inoticedwithastartthathecalledmebymypropername。
Ibeganattheverybeginning。ItoldofmyboredominLondon，andthenightIhadcomebacktofindScuddergibberingonmydoorstep。ItoldhimallScudderhadtoldmeaboutKarolidesandtheForeignOfficeconference，andthatmadehimpursehislipsandgrin。
ThenIgottothemurder，andhegrewsolemnagain。HeheardallaboutthemilkmanandmytimeinGalloway，andmydecipheringScudder’snotesattheinn。
’You’vegotthemhere？’heaskedsharply，anddrewalongbreathwhenIwhippedthelittlebookfrommypocket。
Isaidnothingofthecontents。ThenIdescribedmymeetingwithSirHarry，andthespeechesatthehall。Atthathelaugheduproariously。
’Harrytalkeddashednonsense，didhe？Iquitebelieveit。He’sasgoodachapaseverbreathed，buthisidiotofanunclehasstuffedhisheadwithmaggots。Goon，MrHannay。’
Mydayasroadmanexcitedhimabit。Hemademedescribethetwofellowsinthecarveryclosely，andseemedtoberakingbackinhismemory。Hegrewmerryagainwhenheheardofthefateofthatassjopley。
Buttheoldmaninthemoorlandhousesolemnizedhim。AgainI
hadtodescribeeverydetailofhisappearance。
’Blandandbald-headedandhoodedhiseyeslikeabird……Hesoundsasinisterwild-fowl！Andyoudynamitedhishermitage，afterhehadsavedyoufromthepolice。Spiritedpieceofwork，that！’
PresentlyIreachedtheendofmywanderings。Hegotupslowly，andlookeddownatmefromthehearth-rug。
’Youmaydismissthepolicefromyourmind，’hesaid。’You’reinnodangerfromthelawofthisland。’
’GreatScot！’Icried。’Havetheygotthemurderer？’
’No。Butforthelastfortnighttheyhavedroppedyoufromthelistofpossibles。’
’Why？’Iaskedinamazement。
’PrincipallybecauseIreceivedaletterfromScudder。Iknewsomethingoftheman，andhedidseveraljobsforme。Hewashalfcrank，halfgenius，buthewaswhollyhonest。Thetroubleabouthimwashispartialityforplayingalonehand。ThatmadehimprettywelluselessinanySecretService-apity，forhehaduncommongifts。Ithinkhewasthebravestmanintheworld，forhewasalwaysshiveringwithfright，andyetnothingwouldchokehimoff。
Ihadaletterfromhimonthe31stofMay。’
’Buthehadbeendeadaweekbythen。’
’Theletterwaswrittenandpostedonthe23rd。Heevidentlydidnotanticipateanimmediatedecease。Hiscommunicationsusuallytookaweektoreachme，fortheyweresentundercovertoSpainandthentoNewcastle。Hehadamania，youknow，forconcealinghistracks。’
’Whatdidhesay？’Istammered。
’Nothing。Merelythathewasindanger，buthadfoundshelterwithagoodfriend，andthatIwouldhearfromhimbeforethe15thofJune。Hegavemenoaddress，butsaidhewaslivingnearPortlandPlace。Ithinkhisobjectwastoclearyouifanythinghappened。WhenIgotitIwenttoScotlandYard，wentoverthedetailsoftheinquest，andconcludedthatyouwerethefriend。Wemadeinquiriesaboutyou，MrHannay，andfoundyouwererespectable。
IthoughtIknewthemotivesforyourdisappearance-notonlythepolice，theotheronetoo-andwhenIgotHarry’sscrawlI
guessedattherest。Ihavebeenexpectingyouanytimethispastweek。’
Youcanimaginewhataloadthistookoffmymind。Ifeltafreemanoncemore，forIwasnowupagainstmycountry’senemiesonly，andnotmycountry’slaw。
’Nowletushavethelittlenote-book，’saidSirWalter。
Ittookusagoodhourtoworkthroughit。Iexplainedthecypher，andhewasjollyquickatpickingitup。Heemendedmyreadingofitonseveralpoints，butIhadbeenfairlycorrect，onthewhole。Hisfacewasverygravebeforehehadfinished，andhesatsilentforawhile。
’Idon’tknowwhattomakeofit，’hesaidatlast。’Heisrightaboutonething-whatisgoingtohappenthedayaftertomorrow。
Howthedevilcanithavegotknown？Thatisuglyenoughinitself。
ButallthisaboutwarandtheBlackStone-itreadslikesomewildmelodrama。IfonlyIhadmoreconfidenceinScudder’sjudgement。
Thetroubleabouthimwasthathewastooromantic。Hehadtheartistictemperament，andwantedastorytobebetterthanGodmeantittobe。Hehadalotofoddbiases，too。Jews，forexample，madehimseered。Jewsandthehighfinance。
’TheBlackStone，’herepeated。’DERSCHWARZESTEIN。It’slikeapennynovelette。AndallthisstuffaboutKarolides。Thatistheweakpartofthetale，forIhappentoknowthatthevirtuousKarolidesislikelytooutlastusboth。ThereisnoStateinEuropethatwantshimgone。Besides，hehasjustbeenplayinguptoBerlinandViennaandgivingmyChiefsomeuneasymoments。No！Scudderhasgoneoffthetrackthere。Frankly，Hannay，Idon’tbelievethatpartofhisstory。There’ssomenastybusinessafoot，andhefoundouttoomuchandlosthislifeoverit。ButIamreadytotakemyoaththatitisordinaryspywork。AcertaingreatEuropeanPowermakesahobbyofherspysystem，andhermethodsarenottooparticular。Sinceshepaysbypieceworkherblackguardsarenotlikelytostickatamurderortwo。
TheywantournavaldispositionsfortheircollectionattheMarineamt;
buttheywillbepigeon-holed-nothingmore。’
justthenthebutlerenteredtheroom。
’There’satrunk-callfromLondon，SirWalter。It’sMr’Eath，andhewantstospeaktoyoupersonally。’
Myhostwentofftothetelephone。
Hereturnedinfiveminuteswithawhitishface。’IapologizetotheshadeofScudder，’hesaid。’Karolideswasshotdeadthiseveningatafewminutesafterseven。’
CHAPTEREIGHT
TheComingoftheBlackStoneIcamedowntobreakfastnextmorning，aftereighthoursofblesseddreamlesssleep，tofindSirWalterdecodingatelegraminthemidstofmuffinsandmarmalade。Hisfreshrosinessofyesterdayseemedathoughttarnished。
’Ihadabusyhouronthetelephoneafteryouwenttobed，’hesaid。’IgotmyChieftospeaktotheFirstLordandtheSecretaryforWar，andtheyarebringingRoyeroveradaysooner。Thiswireclinchesit。HewillbeinLondonatfive。OddthatthecodewordforaSOUS-CHEFD/ETATMAJOR-GENERALshouldbe\"Porker\"。’
Hedirectedmetothehotdishesandwenton。
’NotthatIthinkitwilldomuchgood。Ifyourfriendswerecleverenoughtofindoutthefirstarrangementtheyarecleverenoughtodiscoverthechange。Iwouldgivemyheadtoknowwheretheleakis。WebelievedtherewereonlyfivemeninEnglandwhoknewaboutRoyer’svisit，andyoumaybecertaintherewerefewerinFrance，fortheymanagethesethingsbetterthere。’
WhileIatehecontinuedtotalk，makingmetomysurpriseapresentofhisfullconfidence。
’Canthedispositionsnotbechanged？’Iasked。
’Theycould，’hesaid。’Butwewanttoavoidthatifpossible。
Theyaretheresultofimmensethought，andnoalterationwouldbeasgood。Besides，ononeortwopointschangeissimplyimpossible。
Still，somethingcouldbedone，Isuppose，ifitwereabsolutelynecessary。Butyouseethedifficulty，Hannay。OurenemiesarenotgoingtobesuchfoolsastopickRoyer’spocketoranychildishgamelikethat。Theyknowthatwouldmeanarowandputusonourguard。Theiraimistogetthedetailswithoutanyoneofusknowing，sothatRoyerwillgobacktoParisinthebeliefthatthewholebusinessisstilldeadlysecret。Iftheycan’tdothattheyfail，for，oncewesuspect，theyknowthatthewholethingmustbealtered。’
’ThenwemuststickbytheFrenchman’ssidetillheishomeagain，’Isaid。’IftheythoughttheycouldgettheinformationinParistheywouldtrythere。ItmeansthattheyhavesomedeepschemeonfootinLondonwhichtheyreckonisgoingtowinout。’
’RoyerdineswithmyChief，andthencomestomyhousewherefourpeoplewillseehim-WhittakerfromtheAdmiralty，myself，SirArthurDrew，andGeneralWinstanley。TheFirstLordisill，andhasgonetoSheringham。AtmyhousehewillgetacertaindocumentfromWhittaker，andafterthathewillbemotoredtoPortsmouthwhereadestroyerwilltakehimtoHavre。Hisjourneyistooimportantfortheordinaryboat-train。HewillneverbeleftunattendedforamomenttillheissafeonFrenchsoil。ThesamewithWhittakertillhemeetsRoyer。Thatisthebestwecando，andit’shardtoseehowtherecanbeanymiscarriage。ButIdon’tmindadmittingthatI’mhorriblynervous。ThismurderofKarolideswillplaythedeuceinthechancelleriesofEurope。’
AfterbreakfastheaskedmeifIcoulddriveacar。
’Well，you’llbemychauffeurtodayandwearHudson’srig。
You’reabouthissize。Youhaveahandinthisbusinessandwearetakingnorisks。Therearedesperatemenagainstus，whowillnotrespectthecountryretreatofanoverworkedofficial。’
WhenIfirstcametoLondonIhadboughtacarandamusedmyselfwithrunningaboutthesouthofEngland，soIknewsomethingofthegeography。ItookSirWaltertotownbytheBathRoadandmadegoodgoing。ItwasasoftbreathlessJunemorning，withapromiseofsultrinesslater，butitwasdeliciousenoughswingingthroughthelittletownswiththeirfreshlywateredstreets，andpastthesummergardensoftheThamesvalley。IlandedSirWalterathishouseinQueenAnne’sGatepunctuallybyhalf-pasteleven。Thebutlerwascomingupbytrainwiththeluggage。
ThefirstthinghedidwastotakemeroundtoScotlandYard。
Therewesawaprimgentleman，withaclean-shaven，lawyer’sface。
’I’vebroughtyouthePortlandPlacemurderer，’wasSirWalter’sintroduction。
Thereplywasawrysmile。’Itwouldhavebeenawelcomepresent，Bullivant。This，Ipresume，isMrRichardHannay，whoforsomedaysgreatlyinterestedmydepartment。’
’MrHannaywillinterestitagain。Hehasmuchtotellyou，butnottoday。Forcertaingravereasonshistalemustwaitforfourhours。Then，Icanpromiseyou，youwillbeentertainedandpossiblyedified。IwantyoutoassureMrHannaythathewillsuffernofurtherinconvenience。’
Thisassurancewaspromptlygiven。’Youcantakeupyourlifewhereyouleftoff，’Iwastold。’Yourflat，whichprobablyyounolongerwishtooccupy，iswaitingforyou，andyourmanisstillthere。Asyouwereneverpubliclyaccused，weconsideredthattherewasnoneedofapublicexculpation。Butonthat，ofcourse，youmustpleaseyourself。’
’Wemaywantyourassistancelateron，MacGillivray，’SirWaltersaidasweleft。
Thenheturnedmeloose。
’Comeandseemetomorrow，Hannay。Ineedn’ttellyoutokeepdeadlyquiet。IfIwereyouIwouldgotobed，foryoumusthaveconsiderablearrearsofsleeptoovertake。Youhadbetterlielow，forifoneofyourBlackStonefriendssawyoutheremightbetrouble。’
Ifeltcuriouslyatalooseend。Atfirstitwasverypleasanttobeafreeman，abletogowhereIwantedwithoutfearinganything。I
hadonlybeenamonthunderthebanofthelaw，anditwasquiteenoughforme。IwenttotheSavoyandorderedverycarefullyaverygoodluncheon，andthensmokedthebestcigarthehousecouldprovide。ButIwasstillfeelingnervous。WhenIsawanybodylookatmeinthelounge，Igrewshy，andwonderediftheywerethinkingaboutthemurder。
AfterthatItookataxianddrovemilesawayupintoNorthLondon。Iwalkedbackthroughfieldsandlinesofvillasandterracesandthenslumsandmeanstreets，andittookmeprettynearlytwohours。Allthewhilemyrestlessnesswasgrowingworse。Ifeltthatgreatthings，tremendousthings，werehappeningorabouttohappen，andI，whowasthecog-wheelofthewholebusiness，wasoutofit。RoyerwouldbelandingatDover，SirWalterwouldbemakingplanswiththefewpeopleinEnglandwhowereinthesecret，andsomewhereinthedarknesstheBlackStonewouldbeworking。Ifeltthesenseofdangerandimpendingcalamity，andI
hadthecuriousfeeling，too，thatIalonecouldavertit，alonecouldgrapplewithit。ButIwasoutofthegamenow。Howcoulditbeotherwise？ItwasnotlikelythatCabinetMinistersandAdmiraltyLordsandGeneralswouldadmitmetotheircouncils。
IactuallybegantowishthatIcouldrunupagainstoneofmythreeenemies。Thatwouldleadtodevelopments。IfeltthatI
wantedenormouslytohaveavulgarscrapwiththosegentry，whereIcouldhitoutandflattensomething。Iwasrapidlygettingintoaverybadtemper。
Ididn’tfeellikegoingbacktomyflat。Thathadtobefacedsometime，butasIstillhadsufficientmoneyIthoughtIwouldputitofftillnextmorning，andgotoahotelforthenight。
Myirritationlastedthroughdinner，whichIhadatarestaurantinJermynStreet。Iwasnolongerhungry，andletseveralcoursespassuntasted。IdrankthebestpartofabottleofBurgundy，butitdidnothingtocheerme。Anabominablerestlessnesshadtakenpossessionofme。HerewasI，averyordinaryfellow，withnoparticularbrains，andyetIwasconvincedthatsomehowIwasneededtohelpthisbusinessthrough-thatwithoutmeitwouldallgotoblazes。Itoldmyselfitwassheersillyconceit，thatfourorfiveofthecleverestpeopleliving，withallthemightoftheBritishEmpireattheirback，hadthejobinhand。YetIcouldn’tbeconvinced。Itseemedasifavoicekeptspeakinginmyear，tellingmetobeupanddoing，orIwouldneversleepagain。
Theupshotwasthatabouthalf-pastnineImadeupmymindtogotoQueenAnne’sGate。VerylikelyIwouldnotbeadmitted，butitwouldeasemyconsciencetotry。
IwalkeddownJermynStreet，andatthecornerofDukeStreetpassedagroupofyoungmen。Theywereineveningdress，hadbeendiningsomewhere，andweregoingontoamusic-hall。OneofthemwasMrMarmadukejopley。
Hesawmeandstoppedshort。