第4章

’ByGod，themurderer！’hecried。’Here，youfellows，holdhim！

That’sHannay，themanwhodidthePortlandPlacemurder！’Hegrippedmebythearm，andtheotherscrowdedround。

Iwasn’tlookingforanytrouble，butmyill-tempermademeplaythefool。Apolicemancameup，andIshouldhavetoldhimthetruth，and，ifhedidn’tbelieveit，demandedtobetakentoScotlandYard，orforthatmattertothenearestpolicestation。Butadelayatthatmomentseemedtomeunendurable，andthesightofMarmie’simbecilefacewasmorethanIcouldbear。Iletoutwithmyleft，andhadthesatisfactionofseeinghimmeasurehislengthinthegutter。

Thenbegananunholyrow。Theywereallonmeatonce，andthepolicemantookmeintherear。Igotinoneortwogoodblows，forIthink，withfairplay，Icouldhavelickedthelotofthem，butthepolicemanpinnedmebehind，andoneofthemgothisfingersonmythroat。

ThroughablackcloudofrageIheardtheofficerofthelawaskingwhatwasthematter，andMarmie，betweenhisbrokenteeth，declaringthatIwasHannaythemurderer。

’Oh，damnitall，’Icried，’makethefellowshutup。Iadviseyoutoleavemealone，constable。ScotlandYardknowsallaboutme，andyou’llgetaproperwiggingifyouinterferewithme。’

’You’vegottocomealongofme，youngman，’saidthepoliceman。

’Isawyoustrikethatgentlemancrool’ard。Youbeganittoo，forhewasn’tdoingnothing。Iseenyou。BestgoquietlyorI’llhavetofixyouup。’

ExasperationandanoverwhelmingsensethatatnocostmustI

delaygavemethestrengthofabullelephant。Ifairlywrenchedtheconstableoffhisfeet，flooredthemanwhowasgrippingmycollar，andsetoffatmybestpacedownDukeStreet。Iheardawhistlebeingblown，andtherushofmenbehindme。

Ihaveaveryfairturnofspeed，andthatnightIhadwings。InajiffyIwasinPallMallandhadturneddowntowardsStJames’sPark。IdodgedthepolicemanatthePalacegates，divedthroughapressofcarriagesattheentrancetotheMall，andwasmakingforthebridgebeforemypursuershadcrossedtheroadway。IntheopenwaysoftheParkIputonaspurt。Happilytherewerefewpeopleaboutandnoonetriedtostopme。IwasstakingallongettingtoQueenAnne’sGate。

WhenIenteredthatquietthoroughfareitseemeddeserted。SirWalter’shousewasinthenarrowpart，andoutsideitthreeorfourmotor-carsweredrawnup。Islackenedspeedsomeyardsoffandwalkedbrisklyuptothedoor。Ifthebutlerrefusedmeadmission，orifheevendelayedtoopenthedoor，Iwasdone。

Hedidn’tdelay。Ihadscarcelyrungbeforethedooropened。

’ImustseeSirWalter，’Ipanted。’Mybusinessisdesperatelyimportant。’

Thatbutlerwasagreatman。Withoutmovingamuscleheheldthedooropen，andthenshutitbehindme。’SirWalterisengaged，Sir，andIhaveorderstoadmitnoone。Perhapsyouwillwait。’

Thehousewasoftheold-fashionedkind，withawidehallandroomsonbothsidesofit。Atthefarendwasanalcovewithatelephoneandacoupleofchairs，andtherethebutlerofferedmeaseat。

’Seehere，’Iwhispered。’There’stroubleaboutandI’minit。ButSirWalterknows，andI’mworkingforhim。IfanyonecomesandasksifIamhere，tellhimalie。’

Henodded，andpresentlytherewasanoiseofvoicesinthestreet，andafuriousringingatthebell。Ineveradmiredamanmorethanthatbutler。Heopenedthedoor，andwithafacelikeagravenimagewaitedtobequestioned。Thenhegavethemit。Hetoldthemwhosehouseitwas，andwhathisorderswere，andsimplyfrozethemoffthedoorstep。Icouldseeitallfrommyalcove，anditwasbetterthananyplay。

Ihadn’twaitedlongtilltherecameanotherringatthebell。Thebutlermadenobonesaboutadmittingthisnewvisitor。

WhilehewastakingoffhiscoatIsawwhoitwas。Youcouldn’topenanewspaperoramagazinewithoutseeingthatface-thegreybeardcutlikeaspade，thefirmfightingmouth，thebluntsquarenose，andthekeenblueeyes。IrecognizedtheFirstSeaLord，theman，theysay，thatmadethenewBritishNavy。

Hepassedmyalcoveandwasusheredintoaroomatthebackofthehall。AsthedooropenedIcouldhearthesoundoflowvoices。

Itshut，andIwasleftaloneagain。

FortwentyminutesIsatthere，wonderingwhatIwastodonext。IwasstillperfectlyconvincedthatIwaswanted，butwhenorhowIhadnonotion。Ikeptlookingatmywatch，andasthetimecreptontohalf-pasttenIbegantothinkthattheconferencemustsoonend。InaquarterofanhourRoyershouldbespeedingalongtheroadtoPortsmouth……

ThenIheardabellring，andthebutlerappeared。Thedoorofthebackroomopened，andtheFirstSeaLordcameout。Hewalkedpastme，andinpassingheglancedinmydirection，andforasecondwelookedeachotherintheface。

Onlyforasecond，butitwasenoughtomakemyheartjump。I

hadneverseenthegreatmanbefore，andhehadneverseenme。

Butinthatfractionoftimesomethingsprangintohiseyes，andthatsomethingwasrecognition。Youcan’tmistakeit。Itisaflicker，asparkoflight，aminuteshadeofdifferencewhichmeansonethingandonethingonly。Itcameinvoluntarily，forinamomentitdied，andhepassedon。InamazeofwildfanciesIheardthestreetdoorclosebehindhim。

Ipickedupthetelephonebookandlookedupthenumberofhishouse。Wewereconnectedatonce，andIheardaservant’svoice。

’IshisLordshipathome？’Iasked。

’HisLordshipreturnedhalfanhourago，’saidthevoice，’andhasgonetobed。Heisnotverywelltonight。Willyouleaveamessage，Sir？’

Irangoffandalmosttumbledintoachair。Mypartinthisbusinesswasnotyetended。Ithadbeenacloseshave，butIhadbeenintime。

Notamomentcouldbelost，soImarchedboldlytothedoorofthatbackroomandenteredwithoutknocking。

Fivesurprisedfaceslookedupfromaroundtable。TherewasSirWalter，andDrewtheWarMinister，whomIknewfromhisphotographs。Therewasaslimelderlyman，whowasprobablyWhittaker，theAdmiraltyofficial，andtherewasGeneralWinStanley，conspicuousfromthelongscaronhisforehead。Lastly，therewasashortstoutmanwithaniron-greymoustacheandbushyeyebrows，whohadbeenarrestedinthemiddleofasentence。

SirWalter’sfaceshowedsurpriseandannoyance。

’ThisisMrHannay，ofwhomIhavespokentoyou，’hesaidapologeticallytothecompany。’I’mafraid，Hannay，thisvisitisill-timed。’

Iwasgettingbackmycoolness。’Thatremainstobeseen，Sir，’I

said;’butIthinkitmaybeinthenickoftime。ForGod’ssake，gentlemen，tellmewhowentoutaminuteago？’

’LordAlloa，’SirWaltersaid，reddeningwithanger。

’Itwasnot，’Icried;’itwashislivingimage，butitwasnotLordAlloa。Itwassomeonewhorecognizedme，someoneIhaveseeninthelastmonth。HehadscarcelyleftthedoorstepwhenIrangupLordAlloa’shouseandwastoldhehadcomeinhalfanhourbeforeandhadgonetobed。’

’Who-who-’someonestammered。

’TheBlackStone，’Icried，andIsatdowninthechairsorecentlyvacatedandlookedroundatfivebadlyscaredgentlemen。

CHAPTERNINE

TheThirty-NineSteps’Nonsense！’saidtheofficialfromtheAdmiralty。

SirWaltergotupandlefttheroomwhilewelookedblanklyatthetable。Hecamebackintenminuteswithalongface。’IhavespokentoAlloa，’hesaid。’Hadhimoutofbed-verygrumpy。HewentstraighthomeafterMulross’sdinner。’

’Butit’smadness，’brokeinGeneralWinstanley。’DoyoumeantotellmethatthatmancamehereandsatbesidemeforthebestpartofhalfanhourandthatIdidn’tdetecttheimposture？Alloamustbeoutofhismind。’

’Don’tyouseetheclevernessofit？’Isaid。’Youweretoointerestedinotherthingstohaveanyeyes。YoutookLordAlloaforgranted。Ifithadbeenanybodyelseyoumighthavelookedmoreclosely，butitwasnaturalforhimtobehere，andthatputyoualltosleep。’

ThentheFrenchmanspoke，veryslowlyandingoodEnglish。

’Theyoungmanisright。Hispsychologyisgood。Ourenemieshavenotbeenfoolish！’

Hebenthiswisebrowsontheassembly。

’Iwilltellyouatale，’hesaid。’IthappenedmanyyearsagoinSenegal。Iwasquarteredinaremotestation，andtopassthetimeusedtogofishingforbigbarbelintheriver。AlittleArabmareusedtocarrymyluncheonbasket-oneofthesalteddunbreedyougotatTimbuctoointheolddays。Well，onemorningIhadgoodsport，andthemarewasunaccountablyrestless。Icouldhearherwhinnyingandsquealingandstampingherfeet，andIkeptsoothingherwithmyvoicewhilemymindwasintentonfish。Icouldseeherallthetime，asIthought，outofacornerofmyeye，tetheredtoatreetwentyyardsaway。AfteracoupleofhoursIbegantothinkoffood。Icollectedmyfishinatarpaulinbag，andmoveddownthestreamtowardsthemare，trollingmyline。WhenIgotuptoherIflungthetarpaulinonherback-’

Hepausedandlookedround。

’Itwasthesmellthatgavemewarning。Iturnedmyheadandfoundmyselflookingatalionthreefeetoff……Anoldman-eater，thatwastheterrorofthevillage……Whatwasleftofthemare，amassofbloodandbonesandhide，wasbehindhim。’

’Whathappened？’Iasked。IwasenoughofahuntertoknowatrueyarnwhenIheardit。

’Istuffedmyfishing-rodintohisjaws，andIhadapistol。Alsomyservantscamepresentlywithrifles。Buthelefthismarkonme。’

Heheldupahandwhichlackedthreefingers。

’Consider，’hesaid。’Themarehadbeendeadmorethananhour，andthebrutehadbeenpatientlywatchingmeeversince。Ineversawthekill，forIwasaccustomedtothemare’sfretting，andI

nevermarkedherabsence，formyconsciousnessofherwasonlyofsomethingtawny，andthelionfilledthatpart。IfIcouldblunderthus，gentlemen，inalandwheremen’ssensesarekeen，whyshouldwebusypreoccupiedurbanfolknoterralso？’

SirWalternodded。Noonewasreadytogainsayhim。

’ButIdon’tsee，’wentonWinstanley。’Theirobjectwastogetthesedispositionswithoutourknowingit。NowitonlyrequiredoneofustomentiontoAlloaourmeetingtonightforthewholefraudtobeexposed。’

SirWalterlaugheddryly。’TheselectionofAlloashowstheiracumen。Whichofuswaslikelytospeaktohimabouttonight？Orwashelikelytoopenthesubject？’

IrememberedtheFirstSeaLord’sreputationfortaciturnityandshortnessoftemper。

’Theonethingthatpuzzlesme，’saidtheGeneral，’iswhatgoodhisvisitherewoulddothatspyfellow？Hecouldnotcarryawayseveralpagesoffiguresandstrangenamesinhishead。’

’Thatisnotdifficult，’theFrenchmanreplied。’Agoodspyistrainedtohaveaphotographicmemory。LikeyourownMacaulay。

Younoticedhesaidnothing，butwentthroughthesepapersagainandagain。Ithinkwemayassumethathehaseverydetailstampedonhismind。WhenIwasyoungerIcoulddothesametrick。’

’Well，Isupposethereisnothingforitbuttochangetheplans，’

saidSirWalterruefully。

Whittakerwaslookingveryglum。’DidyoutellLordAlloawhathashappened？’heasked。’No？Well，Ican’tspeakwithabsoluteassurance，butI’mnearlycertainwecan’tmakeanyseriouschangeunlesswealterthegeographyofEngland。’

’Anotherthingmustbesaid，’itwasRoyerwhospoke。’Italkedfreelywhenthatmanwashere。ItoldsomethingofthemilitaryplansofmyGovernment。Iwaspermittedtosaysomuch。Butthatinformationwouldbeworthmanymillionstoourenemies。No，myfriends，Iseenootherway。Themanwhocamehereandhisconfederatesmustbetaken，andtakenatonce。’

’GoodGod，’Icried，’andwehavenotaragofaclue。’

’Besides，’saidWhittaker，’thereisthepost。Bythistimethenewswillbeonitsway。’

’No，’saidtheFrenchman。’Youdonotunderstandthehabitsofthespy。Hereceivespersonallyhisreward，andhedeliverspersonallyhisintelligence。WeinFranceknowsomethingofthebreed。Thereisstillachance，MESAMIS。Thesemenmustcrossthesea，andthereareshipstobesearchedandportstobewatched。Believeme，theneedisdesperateforbothFranceandBritain。’

Royer’sgravegoodsenseseemedtopullustogether。Hewasthemanofactionamongfumblers。ButIsawnohopeinanyface，andIfeltnone。WhereamongthefiftymillionsoftheseislandsandwithinadozenhourswerewetolayhandsonthethreecleverestroguesinEurope？

ThensuddenlyIhadaninspiration。

’WhereisScudder’sbook？’IcriedtoSirWalter。’Quick，man，I

remembersomethinginit。’

Heunlockedthedoorofabureauandgaveittome。

Ifoundtheplace。THIRTY-NINESTEPS，Iread，andagain，THIRTY-NINE

STEPS-ICOUNTEDTHEM-HIGHTIDE10。17P。M。

TheAdmiraltymanwaslookingatmeasifhethoughtIhadgonemad。

’Don’tyouseeit’saclue，’Ishouted。’Scudderknewwherethesefellowslaired-heknewwheretheyweregoingtoleavethecountry，thoughhekeptthenametohimself。Tomorrowwastheday，anditwassomeplacewherehightidewasat10。17。’

’Theymayhavegonetonight，’someonesaid。

’Notthey。Theyhavetheirownsnugsecretway，andtheywon’tbehurried。IknowGermans，andtheyaremadaboutworkingtoaplan。WherethedevilcanIgetabookofTideTables？’

Whittakerbrightenedup。’It’sachance，’hesaid。’Let’sgoovertotheAdmiralty。’

Wegotintotwoofthewaitingmotor-cars-allbutSirWalter，whowentofftoScotlandYard-to’mobilizeMacGillivray’，sohesaid。

Wemarchedthroughemptycorridorsandbigbarechamberswherethecharwomenwerebusy，tillwereachedalittleroomlinedwithbooksandmaps。Aresidentclerkwasunearthed，whopresentlyfetchedfromthelibrarytheAdmiraltyTideTables。Isatatthedeskandtheothersstoodround，forsomehoworotherIhadgotchargeofthisexpedition。

Itwasnogood。Therewerehundredsofentries，andsofarasI

couldsee10。17mightcoverfiftyplaces。Wehadtofindsomewayofnarrowingthepossibilities。

Itookmyheadinmyhandsandthought。Theremustbesomewayofreadingthisriddle。WhatdidScuddermeanbysteps？I

thoughtofdocksteps，butifhehadmeantthatIdidn’tthinkhewouldhavementionedthenumber。Itmustbesomeplacewheretherewereseveralstaircases，andonemarkedoutfromtheothersbyhavingthirty-ninesteps。

ThenIhadasuddenthought，andhuntedupallthesteamersailings。TherewasnoboatwhichleftfortheContinentat10。17p。m。

Whywashightidesoimportant？Ifitwasaharbouritmustbesomelittleplacewherethetidemattered，orelseitwasaheavy-

draughtboat。Buttherewasnoregularsteamersailingatthathour，andsomehowIdidn’tthinktheywouldtravelbyabigboatfromaregularharbour。Soitmustbesomelittleharbourwherethetidewasimportant，orperhapsnoharbouratall。

ButifitwasalittleportIcouldn’tseewhatthestepssignified。

TherewerenosetsofstaircasesonanyharbourthatIhadeverseen。Itmustbesomeplacewhichaparticularstaircaseidentified，andwherethetidewasfullat10。17。Onthewholeitseemedtomethattheplacemustbeabitofopencoast。Butthestaircaseskeptpuzzlingme。

ThenIwentbacktowiderconsiderations。WhereaboutswouldamanbelikelytoleaveforGermany，amaninahurry，whowantedaspeedyandasecretpassage？Notfromanyofthebigharbours。

AndnotfromtheChannelortheWestCoastorScotland，for，remember，hewasstartingfromLondon。Imeasuredthedistanceonthemap，andtriedtoputmyselfintheenemy’sshoes。I

shouldtryforOstendorAntwerporRotterdam，andIshouldsailfromsomewhereontheEastCoastbetweenCromerandDover。

Allthiswasverylooseguessing，andIdon’tpretenditwasingeniousorscientific。Iwasn’tanykindofSherlockHolmes。ButI

havealwaysfanciedIhadakindofinstinctaboutquestionslikethis。Idon’tknowifIcanexplainmyself，butIusedtousemybrainsasfarastheywent，andaftertheycametoablankwallI

guessed，andIusuallyfoundmyguessesprettyright。

SoIsetoutallmyconclusionsonabitofAdmiraltypaper。Theyranlikethis：

FAIRLYCERTAIN

（1）Placewherethereareseveralsetsofstairs;onethatmattersdistinguishedbyhavingthirty-ninesteps。

（2）Fulltideat10。17p。m。Leavingshoreonlypossibleatfulltide。

（3）Stepsnotdocksteps，andsoplaceprobablynotharbour。

（4）Noregularnightsteamerat10。17。Meansoftransportmustbetramp（unlikely），yacht，orfishing-boat。

Theremyreasoningstopped。Imadeanotherlist，whichIheaded’Guessed’，butIwasjustassureoftheoneastheother。

GUESSED

（1）Placenotharbourbutopencoast。

（2）Boatsmall-trawler，yacht，orlaunch。

（3）PlacesomewhereonEastCoastbetweenCromerandDover。

itstruckmeasoddthatIshouldbesittingatthatdeskwithaCabinetMinister，aField-Marshal，twohighGovernmentofficials，andaFrenchGeneralwatchingme，whilefromthescribbleofadeadmanIwastryingtodragasecretwhichmeantlifeordeathforus。

SirWalterhadjoinedus，andpresentlyMacGillivrayarrived。HehadsentoutinstructionstowatchtheportsandrailwaystationsforthethreemenwhomIhaddescribedtoSirWalter。Notthatheoranybodyelsethoughtthatthatwoulddomuchgood。

’Here’sthemostIcanmakeofit，’Isaid。’Wehavegottofindaplacewherethereareseveralstaircasesdowntothebeach，oneofwhichhasthirty-ninesteps。Ithinkit’sapieceofopencoastwithbiggishcliffs，somewherebetweentheWashandtheChannel。Alsoit’saplacewherefulltideisat10。17tomorrownight。’

Thenanideastruckme。’IstherenoInspectorofCoastguardsorsomefellowlikethatwhoknowstheEastCoast？’

Whittakersaidtherewas，andthathelivedinClapham。Hewentoffinacartofetchhim，andtherestofussataboutthelittleroomandtalkedofanythingthatcameintoourheads。Ilitapipeandwentoverthewholethingagaintillmybraingrewweary。

Aboutoneinthemorningthecoastguardmanarrived。Hewasafineoldfellow，withthelookofanavalofficer，andwasdesperatelyrespectfultothecompany。IlefttheWarMinistertocross-examinehim，forIfelthewouldthinkitcheekinmetotalk。

’WewantyoutotellustheplacesyouknowontheEastCoastwheretherearecliffs，andwhereseveralsetsofstepsrundowntothebeach。’

Hethoughtforabit。’Whatkindofstepsdoyoumean，Sir？

Thereareplentyofplaceswithroadscutdownthroughthecliffs，andmostroadshaveasteportwointhem。Ordoyoumeanregularstaircases-allsteps，sotospeak？’

SirArthurlookedtowardsme。’Wemeanregularstaircases，’Isaid。

Hereflectedaminuteortwo。’Idon’tknowthatIcanthinkofany。Waitasecond。There’saplaceinNorfolk-Brattlesham-

besideagolf-course，wherethereareacoupleofstaircases，toletthegentlemengetalostball。’

’That’snotit，’Isaid。

’ThenthereareplentyofMarineParades，ifthat’swhatyoumean。Everyseasideresorthasthem。’

Ishookmyhead。

’It’sgottobemoreretiredthanthat，’Isaid。

’Well，gentlemen，Ican’tthinkofanywhereelse。Ofcourse，there’stheRuff-’

’What’sthat？’Iasked。

’ThebigchalkheadlandinKent，closetoBradgate。It’sgotalotofvillasonthetop，andsomeofthehouseshavestaircasesdowntoaprivatebeach。It’saveryhigh-tonedsortofplace，andtheresidentsthereliketokeepbythemselves。’

ItoreopentheTideTablesandfoundBradgate。Hightidetherewasat10。17P。m。onthe15thofJune。

’We’reonthescentatlast，’Icriedexcitedly。’HowcanIfindoutwhatisthetideattheRuff？’

’Icantellyouthat，Sir，’saidthecoastguardman。’Ioncewaslentahousethereinthisverymonth，andIusedtogooutatnighttothedeep-seafishing。Thetide’stenminutesbeforeBradgate。’

Iclosedthebookandlookedroundatthecompany。

’Ifoneofthosestaircaseshasthirty-ninestepswehavesolvedthemystery，gentlemen，’Isaid。’Iwanttheloanofyourcar，SirWalter，andamapoftheroads。IfMrMacGillivraywillsparemetenminutes，Ithinkwecanpreparesomethingfortomorrow。’

Itwasridiculousinmetotakechargeofthebusinesslikethis，buttheydidn’tseemtomind，andafterallIhadbeenintheshowfromthestart。Besides，Iwasusedtoroughjobs，andtheseeminentgentlemenweretooclevernottoseeit。ItwasGeneralRoyerwhogavememycommission。’Iforone，’hesaid，’amcontenttoleavethematterinMrHannay’shands。’

Byhalf-pastthreeIwastearingpastthemoonlithedgerowsofKent，withMacGillivray’sbestmanontheseatbesideme。

CHAPTERTEN

VariousPartiesConvergingontheSeaApinkandblueJunemorningfoundmeatBradgatelookingfromtheGriffinHoteloverasmoothseatothelightshipontheCocksandswhichseemedthesizeofabell-buoy。Acoupleofmilesfarthersouthandmuchnearertheshoreasmalldestroyerwasanchored。Scaife，MacGillivray’sman，whohadbeenintheNavy，knewtheboat，andtoldmehernameandhercommander’s，soI

sentoffawiretoSirWalter。

AfterbreakfastScaifegotfromahouse-agentakeyforthegatesofthestaircasesontheRuff。Iwalkedwithhimalongthesands，andsatdowninanookofthecliffswhileheinvestigatedthehalf-

dozenofthem。Ididn’twanttobeseen，buttheplaceatthishourwasquitedeserted，andallthetimeIwasonthatbeachIsawnothingbutthesea-gulls。

Ittookhimmorethananhourtodothejob，andwhenIsawhimcomingtowardsme，conningabitofpaper，Icantellyoumyheartwasinmymouth。Everythingdepended，yousee，onmyguessprovingright。

Hereadaloudthenumberofstepsinthedifferentstairs。’Thirty-

four，thirty-five，thirty-nine，forty-two，forty-seven，’and’twenty-

one’wherethecliffsgrewlower。Ialmostgotupandshouted。

WehurriedbacktothetownandsentawiretoMacGillivray。I

wantedhalfadozenmen，andIdirectedthemtodividethemselvesamongdifferentspecifiedhotels。ThenScaifesetouttoprospectthehouseattheheadofthethirty-ninesteps。

Hecamebackwithnewsthatbothpuzzledandreassuredme。

ThehousewascalledTrafalgarLodge，andbelongedtoanoldgentlemancalledAppleton-aretiredstockbroker，thehouse-agentsaid。MrAppletonwasthereagooddealinthesummertime，andwasinresidencenow-hadbeenforthebetterpartofaweek。

Scaifecouldpickupverylittleinformationabouthim，exceptthathewasadecentoldfellow，whopaidhisbillsregularly，andwasalwaysgoodforafiverforalocalcharity。ThenScaifeseemedtohavepenetratedtothebackdoorofthehouse，pretendinghewasanagentforsewing-machines。Onlythreeservantswerekept，acook，aparlour-maid，andahousemaid，andtheywerejustthesortthatyouwouldfindinarespectablemiddle-classhousehold。Thecookwasnotthegossipingkind，andhadprettysoonshutthedoorinhisface，butScaifesaidhewaspositivesheknewnothing。Nextdoortherewasanewhousebuildingwhichwouldgivegoodcoverforobservation，andthevillaontheothersidewastolet，anditsgardenwasroughandshrubby。

IborrowedScaife’stelescope，andbeforelunchwentforawalkalongtheRuff。Ikeptwellbehindtherowsofvillas，andfoundagoodobservationpointontheedgeofthegolf-course。ThereIhadaviewofthelineofturfalongtheclifftop，withseatsplacedatintervals，andthelittlesquareplots，railedinandplantedwithbushes，whencethestaircasesdescendedtothebeach。IsawTrafalgarLodgeveryplainly，ared-brickvillawithaveranda，atennislawnbehind，andinfronttheordinaryseasideflower-gardenfullofmargueritesandscraggygeraniums。TherewasaflagstafffromwhichanenormousUnionJackhunglimplyinthestillair。

PresentlyIobservedsomeoneleavethehouseandsaunteralongthecliff。WhenIgotmyglassesonhimIsawitwasanoldman，wearingwhiteflanneltrousers，abluesergejacket，andastrawhat。

Hecarriedfield-glassesandanewspaper，andsatdownononeoftheironseatsandbegantoread。Sometimeshewouldlaydownthepaperandturnhisglassesonthesea。Helookedforalongtimeatthedestroyer。Iwatchedhimforhalfanhour，tillhegotupandwentbacktothehouseforhisluncheon，whenIreturnedtothehotelformine。

Iwasn’tfeelingveryconfident。Thisdecentcommon-placedwellingwasnotwhatIhadexpected。Themanmightbethebaldarchaeologistofthathorriblemoorlandfarm，orhemightnot。Hewasexactlythekindofsatisfiedoldbirdyouwillfindineverysuburbandeveryholidayplace。Ifyouwantedatypeoftheperfectlyharmlesspersonyouwouldprobablypitchonthat。

Butafterlunch，asIsatinthehotelporch，Iperkedup，forIsawthethingIhadhopedforandhaddreadedtomiss。AyachtcameupfromthesouthanddroppedanchorprettywelloppositetheRuff。Sheseemedaboutahundredandfiftytons，andIsawshebelongedtotheSquadronfromthewhiteensign。SoScaifeandI

wentdowntotheharbourandhiredaboatmanforanafternoon’sfishing。

Ispentawarmandpeacefulafternoon。Wecaughtbetweenusabouttwentypoundsofcodandlythe，andoutinthatdancingblueseaItookacheerierviewofthings。AbovethewhitecliffsoftheRuffIsawthegreenandredofthevillas，andespeciallythegreatflagstaffofTrafalgarLodge。Aboutfouro’clock，whenwehadfishedenough，Imadetheboatmanrowusroundtheyacht，whichlaylikeadelicatewhitebird，readyatamomenttoflee。Scaifesaidshemustbeafastboatforherbuild，andthatshewasprettyheavilyengined。

HernamewastheARIADNE，asIdiscoveredfromthecapofoneofthemenwhowaspolishingbrasswork。Ispoketohim，andgotananswerinthesoftdialectofEssex。AnotherhandthatcamealongpassedmethetimeofdayinanunmistakableEnglishtongue。Ourboatmanhadanargumentwithoneofthemabouttheweather，andforafewminuteswelayonouroarsclosetothestarboardbow。

Thenthemensuddenlydisregardedusandbenttheirheadstotheirworkasanofficercamealongthedeck。Hewasapleasant，clean-lookingyoungfellow，andheputaquestiontousaboutourfishinginverygoodEnglish。Buttherecouldbenodoubtabouthim。Hisclose-croppedheadandthecutofhiscollarandtienevercameoutofEngland。

Thatdidsomethingtoreassureme，butaswerowedbacktoBradgatemyobstinatedoubtswouldnotbedismissed。ThethingthatworriedmewasthereflectionthatmyenemiesknewthatIhadgotmyknowledgefromScudder，anditwasScudderwhohadgivenmethecluetothisplace。IftheyknewthatScudderhadthisclue，wouldtheynotbecertaintochangetheirplans？Toomuchdependedontheirsuccessforthemtotakeanyrisks。ThewholequestionwashowmuchtheyunderstoodaboutScudder’sknowledge。IhadtalkedconfidentlylastnightaboutGermansalwaysstickingtoascheme，butiftheyhadanysuspicionsthatIwasontheirtracktheywouldbefoolsnottocoverit。IwonderedifthemanlastnighthadseenthatIrecognizedhim。SomehowIdidnotthinkhehad，andtothatIhadclung。ButthewholebusinesshadneverseemedsodifficultasthatafternoonwhenbyallcalculationsIshouldhavebeenrejoicinginassuredsuccess。

InthehotelImetthecommanderofthedestroyer，towhomScaifeintroducedme，andwithwhomIhadafewwords。ThenI

thoughtIwouldputinanhourortwowatchingTrafalgarLodge。

Ifoundaplacefartherupthehill，inthegardenofanemptyhouse。FromthereIhadafullviewofthecourt，onwhichtwofigureswerehavingagameoftennis。Onewastheoldman，whomIhadalreadyseen;theotherwasayoungerfellow，wearingsomeclubcoloursinthescarfroundhismiddle。Theyplayedwithtremendouszest，liketwocitygentswhowantedhardexercisetoopentheirpores。Youcouldn’tconceiveamoreinnocentspectacle。Theyshoutedandlaughedandstoppedfordrinks，whenamaidbroughtouttwotankardsonasalver。IrubbedmyeyesandaskedmyselfifIwasnotthemostimmortalfoolonearth。MysteryanddarknesshadhungaboutthemenwhohuntedmeovertheScotchmoorinaeroplaneandmotor-car，andnotablyaboutthatinfernalantiquarian。

ItwaseasyenoughtoconnectthosefolkwiththeknifethatpinnedScuddertothefloor，andwithfelldesignsontheworld’speace。Buthereweretwoguilelesscitizenstakingtheirinnocuousexercise，andsoonabouttogoindoorstoahumdrumdinner，wheretheywouldtalkofmarketpricesandthelastcricketscoresandthegossipoftheirnativeSurbiton。Ihadbeenmakinganettocatchvulturesandfalcons，andloandbehold！twoplumpthrusheshadblunderedintoit。

Presentlyathirdfigurearrived，ayoungmanonabicycle，withabagofgolf-clubsslungonhisback。Hestrolledroundtothetennislawnandwaswelcomedriotouslybytheplayers。Evidentlytheywerechaffinghim，andtheirchaffsoundedhorriblyEnglish。Thentheplumpman，moppinghisbrowwithasilkhandkerchief，announcedthathemusthaveatub。Iheardhisverywords-’I’vegotintoaproperlather，’hesaid。’Thiswillbringdownmyweightandmyhandicap，Bob。I’lltakeyouontomorrowandgiveyouastrokeahole。’Youcouldn’tfindanythingmuchmoreEnglishthanthat。

Theyallwentintothehouse，andleftmefeelingapreciousidiot。

Ihadbeenbarkingupthewrongtreethistime。Thesemenmightbeacting;butiftheywere，wherewastheiraudience？Theydidn’tknowIwassittingthirtyyardsoffinarhododendron。Itwassimplyimpossibletobelievethatthesethreeheartyfellowswereanythingbutwhattheyseemed-threeordinary，game-playing，suburbanEnglishmen，wearisome，ifyoulike，butsordidlyinnocent。

Andyettherewerethreeofthem;andonewasold，andonewasplump，andonewasleananddark;andtheirhousechimedinwithScudder’snotes;andhalfamileoffwaslyingasteamyachtwithatleastoneGermanofficer。IthoughtofKarolideslyingdeadandallEuropetremblingontheedgeofearthquake，andthemenIhadleftbehindmeinLondonwhowerewaitinganxiouslyfortheeventsofthenexthours。Therewasnodoubtthathellwasafootsomewhere。TheBlackStonehadwon，andifitsurvivedthisJunenightwouldbankitswinnings。

Thereseemedonlyonethingtodo-goforwardasifIhadnodoubts，andifIwasgoingtomakeafoolofmyselftodoithandsomely。NeverinmylifehaveIfacedajobwithgreaterdisinclination。Iwouldratherinmythenmindhavewalkedintoadenofanarchists，eachwithhisBrowninghandy，orfacedacharginglionwithapopgun，thanenterthathappyhomeofthreecheerfulEnglishmenandtellthemthattheirgamewasup。Howtheywouldlaughatme！

ButsuddenlyIrememberedathingIonceheardinRhodesiafromoldPeterPienaar。IhavequotedPeteralreadyinthisnarrative。

HewasthebestscoutIeverknew，andbeforehehadturnedrespectablehehadbeenprettyoftenonthewindysideofthelaw，whenhehadbeenwantedbadlybytheauthorities。Peteroncediscussedwithmethequestionofdisguises，andhehadatheorywhichstruckmeatthetime。Hesaid，barringabsolutecertaintieslikefingerprints，merephysicaltraitswereverylittleuseforidentificationifthefugitivereallyknewhisbusiness。Helaughedatthingslikedyedhairandfalsebeardsandsuchchildishfollies。TheonlythingthatmatteredwaswhatPetercalled’atmosphere’。

Ifamancouldgetintoperfectlydifferentsurroundingsfromthoseinwhichhehadbeenfirstobserved，and-thisistheimportantpart-reallyplayuptothesesurroundingsandbehaveasifhehadneverbeenoutofthem，hewouldpuzzlethecleverestdetectivesonearth。Andheusedtotellastoryofhowheonceborrowedablackcoatandwenttochurchandsharedthesamehymn-bookwiththemanthatwaslookingforhim。Ifthatmanhadseenhimindecentcompanybeforehewouldhaverecognizedhim;

buthehadonlyseenhimsnuffingthelightsinapublic-housewitharevolver。

TherecollectionofPeter’stalkgavemethefirstrealcomfortthatIhadhadthatday。Peterhadbeenawiseoldbird，andthesefellowsIwasafterwereaboutthepickoftheaviary。WhatiftheywereplayingPeter’sgame？Afooltriestolookdifferent：aclevermanlooksthesameandisdifferent。

Again，therewasthatothermaximofPeter’swhichhadhelpedmewhenIhadbeenaroadman。’Ifyouareplayingapart，youwillneverkeepitupunlessyouconvinceyourselfthatyouareit。’Thatwouldexplainthegameoftennis。Thosechapsdidn’tneedtoact，theyjustturnedahandleandpassedintoanotherlife，whichcameasnaturallytothemasthefirst。Itsoundsaplatitude，butPeterusedtosaythatitwasthebigsecretofallthefamouscriminals。

Itwasnowgettingonforeighto’clock，andIwentbackandsawScaifetogivehimhisinstructions。Iarrangedwithhimhowtoplacehismen，andthenIwentforawalk，forIdidn’tfeeluptoanydinner。Iwentroundthedesertedgolf-course，andthentoapointonthecliffsfarthernorthbeyondthelineofthevillas。

Onthelittletrimnewly-maderoadsImetpeopleinflannelscomingbackfromtennisandthebeach，andacoastguardfromthewirelessstation，anddonkeysandpierrotspaddinghomewards。

OutatseaintheblueduskIsawlightsappearontheARIADNEandonthedestroyerawaytothesouth，andbeyondtheCocksandsthebiggerlightsofsteamersmakingfortheThames。ThewholescenewassopeacefulandordinarythatIgotmoredashedinspiritseverysecond。IttookallmyresolutiontostrolltowardsTrafalgarLodgeabouthalf-pastnine。

OnthewayIgotapieceofsolidcomfortfromthesightofagreyhoundthatwasswingingalongatanursemaid’sheels。HeremindedmeofadogIusedtohaveinRhodesia，andofthetimewhenItookhimhuntingwithmeinthePalihills。Wewereafterrhebok，thedunkind，andIrecollectedhowwehadfollowedonebeast，andbothheandIhadcleanlostit。Agreyhoundworksbysight，andmyeyesaregoodenough，butthatbucksimplyleakedoutofthelandscape。AfterwardsIfoundouthowitmanagedit。

Againstthegreyrockofthekopjesitshowednomorethanacrowagainstathundercloud。Itdidn’tneedtorunaway;allithadtodowastostandstillandmeltintothebackground。

SuddenlyasthesememorieschasedacrossmybrainIthoughtofmypresentcaseandappliedthemoral。TheBlackStonedidn’tneedtobolt。Theywerequietlyabsorbedintothelandscape。Iwasontherighttrack，andIjammedthatdowninmymindandvowednevertoforgetit。ThelastwordwaswithPeterPienaar。

Scaife’smenwouldbepostednow，buttherewasnosignofasoul。Thehousestoodasopenasamarket-placeforanybodytoobserve。Athree-footrailingseparateditfromthecliffroad;thewindowsontheground-floorwereallopen，andshadedlightsandthelowsoundofvoicesrevealedwheretheoccupantswerefinishingdinner。Everythingwasaspublicandabove-boardasacharitybazaar。Feelingthegreatestfoolonearth，Iopenedthegateandrangthebell。

Amanofmysort，whohastravelledabouttheworldinroughplaces，getsonperfectlywellwithtwoclasses，whatyoumaycalltheupperandthelower。Heunderstandsthemandtheyunderstandhim。Iwasathomewithherdsandtrampsandroadmen，andIwassufficientlyatmyeasewithpeoplelikeSirWalterandthemenI

hadmetthenightbefore。Ican’texplainwhy，butitisafact。Butwhatfellowslikemedon’tunderstandisthegreatcomfortable，satisfiedmiddle-classworld，thefolkthatliveinvillasandsuburbs。

Hedoesn’tknowhowtheylookatthings，hedoesn’tunderstandtheirconventions，andheisasshyofthemasofablackmamba。

Whenatrimparlour-maidopenedthedoor，Icouldhardlyfindmyvoice。

IaskedforMrAppleton，andwasusheredin。Myplanhadbeentowalkstraightintothedining-room，andbyasuddenappearancewakeinthementhatstartofrecognitionwhichwouldconfirmmytheory。ButwhenIfoundmyselfinthatneathalltheplacemasteredme。Therewerethegolf-clubsandtennis-rackets，thestrawhatsandcaps，therowsofgloves，thesheafofwalking-sticks，whichyouwillfindintenthousandBritishhomes。Astackofneatlyfoldedcoatsandwaterproofscoveredthetopofanoldoakchest;

therewasagrandfatherclockticking;andsomepolishedbrasswarming-pansonthewalls，andabarometer，andaprintofChilternwinningtheStLeger。TheplacewasasorthodoxasanAnglicanchurch。WhenthemaidaskedmeformynameIgaveitautomatically，andwasshownintothesmoking-room，ontherightsideofthehall。

Thatroomwasevenworse。Ihadn’ttimetoexamineit，butI

couldseesomeframedgroupphotographsabovethemantelpiece，andIcouldhavesworntheywereEnglishpublicschoolorcollege。

Ihadonlyoneglance，forImanagedtopullmyselftogetherandgoafterthemaid。ButIwastoolate。Shehadalreadyenteredthedining-roomandgivenmynametohermaster，andIhadmissedthechanceofseeinghowthethreetookit。

WhenIwalkedintotheroomtheoldmanattheheadofthetablehadrisenandturnedroundtomeetme。Hewasineveningdress-ashortcoatandblacktie，aswastheother，whomIcalledinmyownmindtheplumpone。Thethird，thedarkfellow，woreabluesergesuitandasoftwhitecollar，andthecoloursofsomecluborschool。

Theoldman’smannerwasperfect。’MrHannay？’hesaidhesitatingly。’Didyouwishtoseeme？Onemoment，youfellows，andI’llrejoinyou。Wehadbettergotothesmoking-room。’

ThoughIhadn’tanounceofconfidenceinme，Iforcedmyselftoplaythegame。Ipulledupachairandsatdownonit。

’Ithinkwehavemetbefore，’Isaid，’andIguessyouknowmybusiness。’

Thelightintheroomwasdim，butsofarasIcouldseetheirfaces，theyplayedthepartofmystificationverywell。

’Maybe，maybe，’saidtheoldman。’Ihaven’taverygoodmemory，butI’mafraidyoumusttellmeyourerrand，Sir，forIreallydon’tknowit。’

’Well，then，’Isaid，andallthetimeIseemedtomyselftobetalkingpurefoolishness-’Ihavecometotellyouthatthegame’sup。Ihaveawarrantforthearrestofyouthreegentlemen。’

’Arrest，’saidtheoldman，andhelookedreallyshocked。’Arrest！

GoodGod，whatfor？’

’ForthemurderofFranklinScudderinLondononthe23rddayoflastmonth。’

’Ineverheardthenamebefore，’saidtheoldmaninadazedvoice。

Oneoftheothersspokeup。’ThatwasthePortlandPlacemurder。

Ireadaboutit。Goodheavens，youmustbemad，Sir！Wheredoyoucomefrom？’

’ScotlandYard，’Isaid。

Afterthatforaminutetherewasuttersilence。Theoldmanwasstaringathisplateandfumblingwithanut，theverymodelofinnocentbewilderment。

Thentheplumponespokeup。Hestammeredalittle，likeamanpickinghiswords。

’Don’tgetflustered，uncle，’hesaid。’Itisallaridiculousmistake;

butthesethingshappensometimes，andwecaneasilysetitright。Itwon’tbehardtoproveourinnocence。IcanshowthatIwasoutofthecountryonthe23rdofMay，andBobwasinanursinghome。

YouwereinLondon，butyoucanexplainwhatyouweredoing。’

’Right，Percy！Ofcoursethat’seasyenough。The23rd！ThatwasthedayafterAgatha’swedding。Letmesee。WhatwasIdoing？I

cameupinthemorningfromWoking，andlunchedattheclubwithCharlieSymons。Then-ohyes，IdinedwiththeFishmongers。I

remember，forthepunchdidn’tagreewithme，andIwasseedynextmorning。Hangitall，there’sthecigar-boxIbroughtbackfromthedinner。’Hepointedtoanobjectonthetable，andlaughednervously。

’Ithink，Sir，’saidtheyoungman，addressingmerespectfully，’youwillseeyouaremistaken。WewanttoassistthelawlikeallEnglishmen，andwedon’twantScotlandYardtobemakingfoolsofthemselves。That’sso，uncle？’

’Certainly，Bob。’Theoldfellowseemedtoberecoveringhisvoice。’Certainly，we’lldoanythinginourpowertoassisttheauthorities。But-butthisisabittoomuch。Ican’tgetoverit。’

’HowNelliewillchuckle，’saidtheplumpman。’Shealwayssaidthatyouwoulddieofboredombecausenothingeverhappenedtoyou。Andnowyou’vegotitthickandstrong，’andhebegantolaughverypleasantly。

’ByJove，yes。justthinkofit！Whatastorytotellattheclub。

Really，MrHannay，IsupposeIshouldbeangry，toshowmyinnocence，butit’stoofunny！Ialmostforgiveyouthefrightyougaveme！Youlookedsoglum，IthoughtImighthavebeenwalkinginmysleepandkillingpeople。’

Itcouldn’tbeacting，itwastooconfoundedlygenuine。Myheartwentintomyboots，andmyfirstimpulsewastoapologizeandclearout。ButItoldmyselfImustseeitthrough，eventhoughI

wastobethelaughing-stockofBritain。Thelightfromthedinner-

tablecandlestickswasnotverygood，andtocovermyconfusionI

gotup，walkedtothedoorandswitchedontheelectriclight。Thesuddenglaremadethemblink，andIstoodscanningthethreefaces。

Well，Imadenothingofit。Onewasoldandbald，onewasstout，onewasdarkandthin。TherewasnothingintheirappearancetopreventthembeingthethreewhohadhuntedmeinScotland，buttherewasnothingtoidentifythem。1simplycan’texplainwhyI

who，asaroadman，hadlookedintotwopairsofeyes，andasNedAinslieintoanotherpair，whyI，whohaveagoodmemoryandreasonablepowersofobservation，couldfindnosatisfaction。Theyseemedexactlywhattheyprofessedtobe，andIcouldnothavesworntooneofthem。

Thereinthatpleasantdining-room，withetchingsonthewalls，andapictureofanoldladyinabibabovethemantelpiece，Icouldseenothingtoconnectthemwiththemoorlanddesperadoes。Therewasasilvercigarette-boxbesideme，andIsawthatithadbeenwonbyPercivalAppleton，Esq。，oftheStBede’sClub，inagolftournament。

IhadtokeepafirmholdofPeterPienaartopreventmyselfboltingoutofthathouse。

’Well，’saidtheoldmanpolitely，’areyoureassuredbyyourscrutiny，Sir？’

Icouldn’tfindaword。

’Ihopeyou’llfinditconsistentwithyourdutytodropthisridiculousbusiness。Imakenocomplaint，butyou’llseehowannoyingitmustbetorespectablepeople。’

Ishookmyhead。

’OLord，’saidtheyoungman。’Thisisabittoothick！’

’Doyouproposetomarchusofftothepolicestation？’askedtheplumpone。’Thatmightbethebestwayoutofit，butIsupposeyouwon’tbecontentwiththelocalbranch。Ihavetherighttoasktoseeyourwarrant，butIdon’twishtocastanyaspersionsuponyou。Youareonlydoingyourduty。Butyou’lladmitit’shorriblyawkward。Whatdoyouproposetodo？’

Therewasnothingtodoexcepttocallinmymenandhavethemarrested，ortoconfessmyblunderandclearout。Ifeltmesmerizedbythewholeplace，bytheairofobviousinnocence-notinnocencemerely，butfrankhonestbewildermentandconcerninthethreefaces。

’Oh，PeterPienaar，’Igroanedinwardly，andforamomentIwasveryneardamningmyselfforafoolandaskingtheirpardon。

’MeantimeIvotewehaveagameofbridge，’saidtheplumpone。

’ItwillgiveMrHannaytimetothinkoverthings，andyouknowwehavebeenwantingafourthplayer。Doyouplay，Sir？’

Iacceptedasifithadbeenanordinaryinvitationattheclub。

Thewholebusinesshadmesmerizedme。Wewentintothesmoking-roomwhereacard-tablewassetout，andIwasofferedthingstosmokeanddrink。Itookmyplaceatthetableinakindofdream。Thewindowwasopenandthemoonwasfloodingthecliffsandseawithagreattideofyellowlight。Therewasmoonshine，too，inmyhead。Thethreehadrecoveredtheircomposure，andweretalkingeasily-justthekindofslangytalkyouwillhearinanygolfclub-house。Imusthavecutarumfigure，sittingthereknittingmybrowswithmyeyeswandering。

Mypartnerwastheyoungdarkone。Iplayafairhandatbridge，butImusthavebeenrankbadthatnight。Theysawthattheyhadgotmepuzzled，andthatputthemmorethaneverattheirease。I

keptlookingattheirfaces，buttheyconveyednothingtome。Itwasnotthattheylookeddifferent;theyweredifferent。IclungdesperatelytothewordsofPeterPienaar。

Thensomethingawokeme。

Theoldmanlaiddownhishandtolightacigar。Hedidn’tpickitupatonce，butsatbackforamomentinhischair，withhisfingerstappingonhisknees。

ItwasthemovementIrememberedwhenIhadstoodbeforehiminthemoorlandfarm，withthepistolsofhisservantsbehindme。

Alittlething，lastingonlyasecond，andtheoddswereathousandtoonethatImighthavehadmyeyesonmycardsatthetimeandmissedit。ButIdidn’t，and，inaflash，theairseemedtoclear。Someshadowliftedfrommybrain，andIwaslookingatthethreemenwithfullandabsoluterecognition。

Theclockonthemantelpiecestruckteno’clock。

Thethreefacesseemedtochangebeforemyeyesandrevealtheirsecrets。Theyoungonewasthemurderer。NowIsawcrueltyandruthlessness，wherebeforeIhadonlyseengood-humour。Hisknife，Imadecertain，hadskeweredScuddertothefloor。HiskindhadputthebulletinKarolides。

Theplumpman’sfeaturesseemedtodislimn，andformagain，asIlookedatthem。Hehadn’taface，onlyahundredmasksthathecouldassumewhenhepleased。Thatchapmusthavebeenasuperbactor。PerhapshehadbeenLordAlloaofthenightbefore;perhapsnot;itdidn’tmatter。IwonderedifhewasthefellowwhohadfirsttrackedScudder，andlefthiscardonhim。Scudderhadsaidhelisped，andIcouldimaginehowtheadoptionofalispmightaddterror。

Buttheoldmanwasthepickofthelot。Hewassheerbrain，icy，cool，calculating，asruthlessasasteamhammer。NowthatmyeyeswereopenedIwonderedwhereIhadseenthebenevolence。Hisjawwaslikechilledsteel，andhiseyeshadtheinhumanluminosityofabird’s。Iwentonplaying，andeverysecondagreaterhatewelledupinmyheart。Italmostchokedme，andIcouldn’tanswerwhenmypartnerspoke。OnlyalittlelongercouldIenduretheircompany。

’Whew！Bob！Lookatthetime，’saidtheoldman。’You’dbetterthinkaboutcatchingyourtrain。Bob’sgottogototowntonight，’

headded，turningtome。Thevoicerangnowasfalseashell。

Ilookedattheclock，anditwasnearlyhalf-pastten。

’Iamafraidhemustputoffhisjourney，’Isaid。

’Oh，damn，’saidtheyoungman。’Ithoughtyouhaddroppedthatrot。I’vesimplygottogo。Youcanhavemyaddress，andI’llgiveanysecurityyoulike。’

’No，’Isaid，’youmuststay。’

AtthatIthinktheymusthaverealizedthatthegamewasdesperate。

TheironlychancehadbeentoconvincemethatIwasplayingthefool，andthathadfailed。Buttheoldmanspokeagain。

’I’llgobailformynephew。Thatoughttocontentyou，MrHannay。’Wasitfancy，ordidIdetectsomehaltinthesmoothnessofthatvoice？

Theremusthavebeen，forasIglancedathim，hiseyelidsfellinthathawk-likehoodwhichfearhadstampedonmymemory。

Iblewmywhistle。

Inaninstantthelightswereout。Apairofstrongarmsgrippedmeroundthewaist，coveringthepocketsinwhichamanmightbeexpectedtocarryapistol。

’SCHNELL，FRANZ，’criedavoice，’DASBOOT，DASBOOT！’AsitspokeI

sawtwoofmyfellowsemergeonthemoonlitlawn。

Theyoungdarkmanleaptforthewindow，wasthroughit，andoverthelowfencebeforeahandcouldtouchhim。Igrappledtheoldchap，andtheroomseemedtofillwithfigures。Isawtheplumponecollared，butmyeyeswereallfortheout-of-doors，whereFranzspedonovertheroadtowardstherailedentrancetothebeachstairs。Onemanfollowedhim，buthehadnochance。Thegateofthestairslockedbehindthefugitive，andIstoodstaring，withmyhandsontheoldboy’sthroat，forsuchatimeasamanmighttaketodescendthosestepstothesea。

Suddenlymyprisonerbrokefrommeandflunghimselfonthewall。Therewasaclickasifaleverhadbeenpulled。Thencamealowrumblingfar，farbelowtheground，andthroughthewindowI

sawacloudofchalkydustpouringoutoftheshaftofthestairway。

Someoneswitchedonthelight。

Theoldmanwaslookingatmewithblazingeyes。

’Heissafe，’hecried。’Youcannotfollowintime……Heisgone……Hehastriumphed……DERSCHWARZESTEINISTINDER

SIEGESKRONE。’

Therewasmoreinthoseeyesthananycommontriumph。Theyhadbeenhoodedlikeabirdofprey，andnowtheyflamedwithahawk’spride。Awhitefanaticheatburnedinthem，andIrealizedforthefirsttimetheterriblethingIhadbeenupagainst。Thismanwasmorethanaspy;inhisfoulwayhehadbeenapatriot。

AsthehandcuffsclinkedonhiswristsIsaidmylastwordtohim。

’IhopeFranzwillbearhistriumphwell。IoughttotellyouthattheARIADNEforthelasthourhasbeeninourhands。’

Threeweekslater，asalltheworldknows，wewenttowar。IjoinedtheNewArmythefirstweek，andowingtomyMatabeleexperiencegotacaptain’scommissionstraightoff。ButIhaddonemybestservice，Ithink，beforeIputonkhaki。