Whilehedisappearedthroughthefarmhousethegirlremainedforafewmomentslookinguptheroad，andtwoperspiringpolicemencameplowinguptothedoorwhereshestood。Thoughstillangry，shewasstillsilent，andaquarterofanhourlatertheofficershadsearchedthehouseandwerealreadyinspectingthekitchengardenandcornfieldbehindit。Intheuglyreactionofhermoodshemighthavebeentemptedeventopointoutthefugitive，butforasmalldifficultythatshehadnomorenotionthanthepolicemenhadofwherehecouldpossiblyhavegone。Thekitchengardenwasinclosedbyaverylowwall，andthecornfieldbeyondlayaslantlikeasquarepatchonagreatgreenhillonwhichhecouldstillhavebeenseenevenasadotinthedistance。
Everythingstoodsolidinitsfamiliarplace;theappletreewastoosmalltosupportorhideaclimber;theonlyshedstoodopenandobviouslyempty;therewasnosoundsavethedroningofsummerfliesandtheoccasionalflutterofabirdunfamiliarenoughtobesurprisedbythescarecrowinthefield;
therewasscarcelyashadowsaveafewbluelinesthatfellfromthethintree;
everydetailwaspickedoutbythebrilliantdaylightasifinamicroscope。Thegirldescribedthescenelater，withallthepassionaterealismofherrace，and，whetherornothepolicemenhadasimilareyeforthepicturesque，theyhadatleastaneyeforthefactsofthecase，andwerecompelledtogiveupthechaseandretirefromthescene。BridgetRoyceremainedasifinatrance，staringatthesunlitgardeninwhichamanhadjustvanishedlikeafairy。Shewasstillinasinistermood，andthemiracletookinhermindacharacterofunfriendlinessandfear，asifthefairyweredecidedlyabadfairy。Thesunupontheglitteringgardendepressedhermorethanthedarkness，butshecontinuedtostareatit。Thentheworlditselfwenthalf—wittedandshescreamed。Thescarecrowmovedinthesunlight。Ithadstoodwithitsbacktoherinabatteredoldblackhatandatatteredgarment，andwithallitstattersflying，itstrodeawayacrossthehill。
Shedidnotanalyzetheaudacioustrickbywhichthemanhadturnedtohisadvantagethesubtleeffectsoftheexpectedandtheobvious;shewasstillunderthecloudofmoreindividualcomplexities，andshenoticedmustofallthatthevanishingscarecrowdidnoteventurntolookatthefarm。Andthefatesthatwererunningsoadversetohisfantasticcareeroffreedomruledthathisnextadventure，thoughithadthesamesuccessinanotherquarter，shouldincreasethedangerinthisquarter。Amongthemanysimilaradventuresrelatedofhiminthismanneritisalsosaidthatsomedaysafterwardanothergirl，namedMaryCregan，foundhimconcealedonthefarmwheresheworked;andifthestoryistrue，shemustalsohavehadtheshockofanuncannyexperience，forwhenshewasbusyatsomelonelytaskintheyardsheheardavoicespeakingoutofthewell，andfoundthattheeccentrichadmanagedtodrophimselfintothebucketwhichwassomelittlewaybelow，thewellonlypartlyfullofwater。Inthiscase，however，hehadtoappealtothewomantowinduptherope。Andmensayitwaswhenthisnewswastoldtotheotherwomanthathersoulwalkedovertheborderlineoftreason。
Such，atleast，werethestoriestoldofhiminthecountryside，andthereweremanymore——asthathehadstoodinsolentlyinasplendidgreendressinggownonthestepsofagreathotel，andthenledthepoliceachasethroughalongsuiteofgrandapartments，andfinallythroughhisownbedroomontoabalconythatoverhungtheriver。Themomentthepursuerssteppedontothebalconyitbrokeunderthem，andtheydroppedpell—mellintotheeddyingwaters，whileMichael，whohadthrownoffhisgownanddived，wasabletoswimaway。Itwassaidthathehadcarefullycutawaythepropssothattheywouldnotsupportanythingsoheavyasapoliceman。Buthereagainhewasimmediatelyfortunate，yetultimatelyunfortunate，foritissaidthatoneofthemenwasdrowned，leavingafamilyfeudwhichmadealittleriftinhispopularity。Thesestoriescannowbetoldinsomedetail，notbecausetheyarethemostmarvelousofhismanyadventures，butbecausethesealonewerenotcoveredwithsilencebytheloyaltyofthepeasantry。Thesealonefoundtheirwayintoofficialreports，anditisthesewhichthreeofthechiefofficialsofthecountrywerereadinganddiscussingwhenthemoreremarkablepartofthisstorybegins。
Nightwasfaradvancedandthelightsshoneinthecottagethatservedforatemporarypolicestationnearthecoast。Ononesideofitwerethelasthousesofthestragglingvillage，andontheothernothingbutawastemoorlandstretchingawaytowardthesea，thelineofwhichwasbrokenbynolandmarkexceptasolitarytoweroftheprehistoricpatternstillfoundinIreland，standingupasslenderasacolumn，butpointedlikeapyramid。Atawoodentableinfrontofthewindow，whichnormallylookedoutonthislandscape，sattwomeninplainclothes，butwithsomethingofamilitarybearing，forindeedtheywerethetwochiefsofthedetectiveserviceofthatdistrict。
Theseniorofthetwo，bothinageandrank，wasasturdymanwithashortwhitebeard，andfrostyeyebrowsfixedinafrownwhichsuggestedratherworrythanseverity。
HisnamewasMorton，andhewasaLiverpoolmanlongpickledintheIrishquarrels，anddoinghisdutyamongtheminasourfashionnotaltogetherunsympathetic。Hehadspokenafewsentencestohiscompanion，Nolan，atall，darkmanwithacadaverousequineIrishface，whenheseemedtoremembersomethingandtouchedabellwhichranginanotherroom。Thesubordinatehehadsummonedimmediatelyappearedwithasheafofpapersinhishand。
\"Sitdown，Wilson，\"hesaid。\"Thosearethedispositions，Isuppose。\"
\"Yes，\"repliedthethirdofficer。\"IthinkI’vegotallthereistobegotoutofthem，soIsentthepeopleaway。\"
\"DidMaryCregangiveevidence？\"askedMorton，withafrownthatlookedalittleheavierthanusual。
\"No，buthermasterdid，\"answeredthemancalledWilson，whohadflat，redhairandaplain，paleface，notwithoutsharpness。\"Ithinkhe’shangingroundthegirlhimselfandisoutagainstarival。There’salwayssomereasonofthatsortwhenwearetoldthetruthaboutanything。Andyoubettheothergirltoldrightenough。\"
\"Well，let’shopethey’llbesomesortofuse，\"
remarkedNolan，inasomewhathopelessmanner，gazingoutintothedarkness。
\"Anythingistothegood，\"saidMorton，\"thatletsusknowanythingabouthim。\"
\"Doweknowanythingabouthim？\"askedthemelancholyIrishman。
\"Weknowonethingabouthim，\"saidWilson，\"andit’stheonethingthatnobodyeverknewbefore。Weknowwherebeis。\"
\"Areyousure？\"inquiredMorton，lookingathimsharply。
\"Quitesure，\"repliedhisassistant。\"Atthisveryminuteheisinthattowerovertherebytheshore。Ifyougonearenoughyou’llseethecandleburninginthewindow。\"
Ashespokethenoiseofahornsoundedontheroadoutside，andamomentaftertheyheardthethrobbingofamotorcarbroughttoastandstillbeforethedoor。Mortoninstantlysprangtohisfeet。
tlysprangtohisfeet。
\"ThanktheLordthat’sthecarfromDublin，\"hesaid。\"Ican’tdoanythingwithoutspecialauthority，notifheweresittingonthetopofthetowerandputtingouthistongueatus。Butthechiefcandowhathethinksbest。\"
Hehurriedouttotheentranceandwassoonexchanginggreetingswithabighandsomemaninafurcoat，whobroughtintothedingylittlestationtheindescribableglowofthegreatcitiesandtheluxuriesofthegreatworld。
ForthiswasSirWalterCarey，anofficialofsucheminenceinDublinCastlethatnothingshortofthecaseofPrinceMichaelwouldhavebroughthimonsuchajourneyinthemiddleofthenight。ButthecaseofPrinceMichael，asithappened，wascomplicatedbylegalismaswellaslawlessness。Onthelastoccasionhehadescapedbyaforensicquibbleandnot，asusual，byaprivateescapade;anditwasaquestionwhetheratthemomenthewasamenabletothelawornot。Itmightbenecessarytostretchapoint，butamanlikeSirWaltercouldprobablystretchitasfarasheliked。
Whetherheintendedtodosowasaquestiontobeconsidered。Despitethealmostaggressivetouchofluxuryinthefurcoat，itsoonbecameapparentthatSirWalter’slargeleonineheadwasforuseaswellasornament，andheconsideredthemattersoberlyandsanelyenough。Fivechairsweresetroundtheplaindealtable，forwhoshouldSirWalterbringwithhimbuthisyoungrelativeandsecretary，HorneFisher。SirWalterlistenedwithgraveattention，andhissecretarywithpoliteboredom，tothestringofepisodesbywhichthepolicehadtracedtheflyingrebelfromthestepsofthehoteltothesolitarytowerbesidethesea。Thereatleasthewascorneredbetweenthemoorsandthebreakers;andthescoutsentbyWilsonreportedhimaswritingunderasolitarycandle，perhapscomposinganotherofhistremendousproclamations。Indeed，itwouldhavebeentypicalofhimtochooseitastheplaceinwhichfinallytoturntobay。Hehadsomeremoteclaimonit，asonafamilycastle;andthosewhoknewhimthoughthimcapableofimitatingtheprimitiveIrishchieftainswhofellfightingagainstthesea。
\"Isawsomequeer—lookingpeopleleavingasI
camein，\"saidSirWalterCarey。\"Isupposetheywereyourwitnesses。Butwhydotheyturnuphereatthistimeofnight？\"
Mortonsmiledgrimly。\"Theycomeherebynightbecausetheywouldbedeadmeniftheycameherebyday。Theyarecriminalscommittingacrimethatismorehorribleherethantheftormurder。\"
\"Whatcrimedoyoumean？\"askedtheother，withsomecuriosity。
\"Theyarehelpingthelaw，\"saidMorton。
Therewasasilence，andSirWalterconsideredthepapersbeforehimwithanabstractedeye。Atlasthespoke。
\"Quiteso;butlookhere，ifthelocalfeelingisaslivelyasthatthereareagoodmanypointstoconsider。IbelievethenewActwillenablemetocollarhimnowifIthinkitbest。Butisitbest？AseriousrisingwoulddousnogoodinParliament，andthegovernmenthasenemiesinEnglandaswellasIreland。Itwon’tdoifI
havedonewhatlooksalittlelikesharppractice，andthenonlyraisedarevolution。\"
\"It’salltheotherway，\"saidthemancalledWilson，ratherquickly。\"Therewon’tbehalfsomuchofarevolutionifyouarresthimastherewillifyouleavehimlooseforthreedayslonger。But，anyhow，therecan’tbeanythingnowadaysthattheproperpolicecan’tmanage。\"
\"Mr。WilsonisaLondoner，\"saidtheIrishdetective，withasmile。
\"Yes，I’macockney，allright，\"repliedWilson，\"andIthinkI’mallthebetterforthat。Especiallyatthisjob，oddlyenough。\"
SirWalterseemedslightlyamusedatthepertinacityofthethirdofficer，andperhapsevenmoreamusedattheslightaccentwithwhichhespoke，whichrenderedratherneedlesshisboastabouthisorigin。
\"Doyoumeantosay，\"heasked，\"thatyouknowmoreaboutthebusinessherebecauseyouhavecomefromLondon？\"
\"Soundsfunny，Iknow，butIdobelieveit，\"
answeredWilson。\"Ibelievetheseaffairswantfreshmethods。ButmostofallIbelievetheywantafresheye。\"
Thesuperiorofficerslaughed，andtheredhairedmanwentonwithaslighttouchoftemper：
\"Well，lookatthefacts。Seehowthefellowgotawayeverytime，andyou’llunderstandwhatImean。
Whywasheabletostandintheplaceofthescarecrow，hiddenbynothingbutanoldhat？
Becauseitwasavillagepolicemanwhoknewthescarecrowwasthere，wasexpectingit，andthereforetooknonoticeofit。NowIneverexpectascarecrow。I’veneverseenoneinthestreet，andI
stareatonewhenIseeitinthefield。It’sanewthingtomeandworthnoticing。Anditwasjustthesamewhenhehidinthewell。Youarereadytofindawellinaplacelikethat;youlookforawell，andsoyoudon’tseeit。Idon’tlookforit，andthereforeIdolookatit。\"
\"Itiscertainlyanidea，\"saidSirWalter，smiling，\"butwhataboutthebalcony？BalconiesareoccasionallyseeninLondon。\"
\"Butnotriversrightunderthem，asifitwasinVenice，\"repliedWilson。
\"Itiscertainlyanewidea，\"repeatedSirWalter，withsomethinglikerespect。Hehadalltheloveoftheluxuriousclassesfornewideas。Buthealsohadacriticalfaculty，andwasinclinedtothink，afterduereflection，thatitwasatrueideaaswell。
GrowingdawnhadalreadyturnedthewindowpanesfromblacktograywhenSirWaltergotabruptlytohisfeet。Theothersrosealso，takingthisforasignalthatthearrestwastobeundertaken。Buttheirleaderstoodforamomentindeepthought，asifconsciousthathehadcometoapartingoftheways。
Suddenlythesilencewaspiercedbyalong，wailingcryfromthedarkmoorsoutside。Thesilencethatfolloweditseemedmorestartlingthantheshriekitself，anditlasteduntilNolansaid，heavily：
\"’Tisthebanshee。Somebodyismarkedforthegrave。\"
Hislong，large—featuredfacewasaspaleasamoon，anditwaseasytorememberthathewastheonlyIrishmanintheroom。
\"Well，Iknowthatbanshee，\"saidWilson，cheerfully，\"ignorantasyouthinkIamofthesethings。Italkedtothatbansheemyselfanhourago，andIsentthatbansheeuptothetowerandtoldhertosingoutlikethatifshecouldgetaglimpseofourfriendwritinghisproclamation。\"
\"DoyoumeanthatgirlBridgetRoyce？\"askedMorton，drawinghisfrostybrowstogether。\"Hassheturnedking’sevidencetothatextent？\"
\"Yes，\"answeredWilson。\"Iknowverylittleoftheselocalthings，youtellme，butIreckonanangrywomanismuchthesameinallcountries。\"
Nolan，however，seemedstillmoodyandunlikehimself。\"It’sanuglynoiseandanuglybusinessaltogether，\"hesaid。\"Ifit’sreallytheendofPrinceMichaelitmaywellbetheendofotherthingsaswell。Whenthespiritisonhimhewouldescapebyaladderofdeadmen，andwadethroughthatseaifitweremadeofblood。\"
\"Isthattherealreasonofyourpiousalarms？\"
askedWilson，withaslightsneer。
TheIrishman’spalefaceblackenedwithanewpassion。
\"IhavefacedasmanymurderersinCountyClareasyoueverfoughtwithinClaphamjunction，Mr。
Cockney，\"hesaid。
\"Hush，please，\"saidMorton，sharply。\"Wilson，youhavenokindofrighttoimplydoubtofyoursuperior’sconduct。Ihopeyouwillproveyourselfascourageousandtrustworthyashehasalwaysbeen。\"
Thepalefaceofthered—hairedmanseemedashadepaler，buthewassilentandcomposed，andSirWalterwentuptoNolanwithmarkedcourtesy，saying，\"Shallwegooutsidenow，andgetthisbusinessdone？\"
Dawnhadlifted，leavingawidechasmofwhitebetweenagreatgraycloudandthegreatgraymoorland，beyondwhichthetowerwasoutlinedagainstthedaybreakandthesea。
Somethinginitsplainandprimitiveshapevaguelysuggestedthedawninthefirstdaysoftheearth，insomeprehistorictimewheneventhecolorswerehardlycreated，whentherewasonlyblankdaylightbetweencloudandclay。Thesedeadhueswererelievedonlybyonespotofgold——thesparkofthecandlealightinthewindowofthelonelytower，andburningonintothebroadeningdaylight。Asthegroupofdetectives，followedbyacordonofpolicemen，spreadoutintoacrescenttocutoffallescape，thelightinthetowerflashedasifitweremovedforamoment，andthenwentout。Theyknewthemaninsidehadrealizedthedaylightandblownouthiscandle。
\"Thereareotherwindows，aren’tthere？\"askedMorton，\"andadoor，ofcourse，somewhereroundthecorner？Onlyaroundtowerhasnocorners。\"
\"Anotherexampleofmysmallsuggestion，\"
observedWilson，quietly。\"ThatqueertowerwasthefirstthingIsawwhenIcametotheseparts;andIcantellyoualittlemoreaboutit——or，atanyrate，theoutsideofit。Therearefourwindowsaltogether，onealittlewayfromthisone，butjustoutofsight。Thosearebothonthegroundfloor，andsoisthethirdontheotherside，makingasortoftriangle。Butthefourthisjustabovethethird，andIsupposeitlooksonanupperfloor。\"
\"It’sonlyasortofloft，reachedbyaladder，saidNolan。\"I’veplayedintheplacewhenIwasachild。
It’snomorethananemptyshell。\"Andhissadfacegrewsadder，thinkingperhapsofthetragedyofhiscountryandthepartthatheplayedinit。
\"Themanmusthavegotatableandchair，atanyrate，\"saidWilson，\"butnodoubthecouldhavegotthosefromsomecottage。IfImightmakeasuggestion，sir，Ithinkweoughttoapproachallthefiveentrancesatonce，sotospeak。Oneofusshouldgotothedoorandonetoeachwindow;Macbrideherehasaladderfortheupperwindow。\"
Mr。HorneFisherlanguidlyturnedtohisdistinguishedrelativeandspokeforthefirsttime。
\"Iamratheraconverttothecockneyschoolofpsychology，\"hesaidinanalmostinaudiblevoice。
Theothersseemedtofeelthesameinfluenceindifferentways，forthegroupbegantobreakupinthemannerindicated。Mortonmovedtowardthewindowimmediatelyinfrontofthem，wherethehiddenoutlawhadjustsnuffedthecandle;Nolan，alittlefartherwestwardtothenextwindow;whileWilson，followedbyMacbridewiththeladder，wentroundtothetwowindowsattheback。SirWalterCareyhimself，followedbyhissecretary，begantowalkroundtowardtheonlydoor，todemandadmittanceinamoreregularfashion。
\"Hewillbearmed，ofcourse，\"remarkedSirWalter，casually。
\"Byallaccounts，\"repliedHorneFisher，\"hecandomorewithacandlestickthanmostmenwithapistol。
Butheisprettysuretohavethepistol，too。\"
Evenashespokethequestionwasansweredwithatongueofthunder。Mortonhadjustplacedhimselfinfrontofthenearestwindow，hisbroadshoulders。
blockingtheaperture。Foraninstantitwaslitfromwithinaswithredfire，followedbyathunderingthrongofechoes。Thesquareshouldersseemedtoalterinshape，andthesturdyfigurecollapsedamongthetall，rankgrassesatthefootofthetower。Apuffofsmokefloatedfromthewindowlikealittlecloud。
Thetwomenbehindrushedtothespotandraisedhim，buthewasdead。
SirWalterstraightenedhimselfandcalledoutsomethingthatwaslostinanothernoiseoffiring;itwaspossiblethatthepolicewerealreadyavengingtheircomradefromtheotherside。Fisherhadalreadyracedroundtothenextwindow，andanewcryofastonishmentfromhimbroughthispatrontothesamespot。Nolan，theIrishpoliceman，hadalsofallen，sprawlingallhisgreatlengthinthegrass，anditwasredwithhisblood。Hewasstillalivewhentheyreachedhim，buttherewasdeathonhisface，andhewasonlyabletomakeafinalgesturetellingthemthatallwasover;
and，withabrokenwordandaheroiceffort，motioningthemontowherehisothercomradeswerebesiegingthebackofthetower。Stunnedbytheserapidandrepeatedshocks，thetwomencouldonlyvaguelyobeythegesture，and，findingtheirwaytotheotherwindowsattheback，theydiscoveredasceneequallystartling，iflessfinalandtragic。Theothertwoofficerswerenotdeadormortallywounded，butMacbridelaywithabrokenlegandhisladderontopofhim，evidentlythrowndownfromthetopwindowofthetower;whileWilsonlayonhisface，quitestillasifstunned，withhisredheadamongthegrayandsilveroftheseaholly。Inhim，however，theimpotencewasbutmomentary，forhebegantomoveandriseastheotherscameroundthetower。
\"MyGod！it’slikeanexplosion！\"criedSirWalter;
andindeeditwastheonlywordforthisunearthlyenergy，bywhichonemanhadbeenabletodealdeathordestructiononthreesidesofthesamesmalltriangleatthesameinstant。
Wilsonhadalreadyscrambledtohisfeetandwithsplendidenergyflewagainatthewindow，revolverinhand。Hefiredtwiceintotheopeningandthendisappearedinhisownsmoke;butthethudofhisfeetandtheshockofafallingchairtoldthemthattheintrepidLondonerhadmanagedatlasttoleapintotheroom。Thenfollowedacurioussilence;andSirWalter，walkingtothewindowthroughthethinningsmoke，lookedintothehollowshelloftheancienttower。ExceptforWilson，staringaroundhim，therewasnobodythere。
Theinsideofthetowerwasasingleemptyroom，withnothingbutaplainwoodenchairandatableonwhichwerepens，inkandpaper，andthecandlestick。
Halfwayupthehighwalltherewasarudetimberplatformundertheupperwindow，asmallloftwhichwasmorelikealargeshelf。Itwasreachedonlybyaladder，anditseemedtobeasbareasthebarewalls。
Wilsoncompletedhissurveyoftheplaceandthenwentandstaredatthethingsonthetable。Thenhesilentlypointedwithhisleanforefingerattheopenpageofthelargenotebook。Thewriterhadsuddenlystoppedwriting，eveninthemiddleofaword。
\"Isaiditwaslikeanexplosion，\"saidSirWalterCareyatlast。\"Andreallythemanhimselfseemstohavesuddenlyexploded。Buthehasblownhimselfupsomehowwithouttouchingthetower。He’sburstmorelikeabubblethanabomb。\"
\"Hehastouchedmorevaluablethingsthanthetower，\"saidWilson，gloomily。
Therewasalongsilence，andthenSirWaltersaid，seriously：\"Well，Mr。Wilson，Iamnotadetective，andtheseunhappyhappeningshaveleftyouinchargeofthatbranchofthebusiness。Wealllamentthecauseofthis，butIshouldliketosaythatImyselfhavethestrongestconfidenceinyourcapacityforcarryingonthework。Whatdoyouthinkweshoulddonext？\"
Wilsonseemedtorousehimselffromhisdepressionandacknowledgedthespeaker’swordswithawarmercivilitythanhehadhithertoshowntoanybody。Hecalledinafewofthepolicetoassistinroutingouttheinterior，leavingtheresttospreadthemselvesinasearchpartyoutside。
\"Ithink，\"hesaid，\"thefirstthingistomakequitesureabouttheinsideofthisplace，asitwashardlyphysicallypossibleforhimtohavegotoutside。I
supposepoorNolanwouldhavebroughtinhisbansheeandsaiditwassupernaturallypossible。ButI’vegotnousefordisembodiedspiritswhenI’mdealingwithfacts。Andthefactsbeforemeareanemptytowerwithaladder，achair，andatable。\"
\"Thespiritualists，\"saidSirWalter，withasmile，\"wouldsaythatspiritscouldfindagreatdealofuseforatable。\"
\"Idaresaytheycouldifthespiritswereonthetable——inabottle，\"repliedWilson，withacurlofhispalelip。\"Thepeopleroundhere，whenthey’reallsoddenupwithIrishwhisky，maybelieveinsuchthings。Ithinktheywantalittleeducationinthiscountry。\"
HorneFisher’sheavyeyelidsflutteredinafaintattempttorise，asifheweretemptedtoalazyprotestagainstthecontemptuoustoneoftheinvestigator。
\"TheIrishbelievefartoomuchinspiritstobelieveinspiritualism，\"hemurmured。\"Theyknowtoomuchabout’em。IfyouwantasimpleandchildlikefaithinanyspiritthatcomesalongyoucangetitinyourfavoriteLondon。\"
\"Idon’twanttogetitanywhere，\"saidWilson，shortly。\"IsayI’mdealingwithmuchsimplerthingsthanyoursimplefaith，withatableandachairandaladder。NowwhatIwanttosayaboutthematthestartisthis。Theyareallthreemaderoughlyenoughofplainwood。Butthetableandthechairarefairlynewandcomparativelyclean。Theladderiscoveredwithdustandthereisacobwebunderthetoprungofit。Thatmeansthatheborrowedthefirsttwoquiterecentlyfromsomecottage，aswesupposed，buttheladderhasbeenalongtimeinthisrottenolddustbin。
Probablyitwaspartoftheoriginalfurniture，anheirloominthismagnificentpalaceoftheIrishkings。\"
AgainFisherlookedathimunderhiseyelids，butseemedtoosleepytospeak，andWilsonwentonwithhisargument。
\"Nowit’squiteclearthatsomethingveryoddhasjusthappenedinthisplace。Thechancesaretentoone，itseemstome，thatithadsomethingspeciallytodowiththisplace。Probablyhecameherebecausehecoulddoitonlyhere;itdoesn’tseemveryinvitingotherwise。Butthemanknewitofold;theysayitbelongedtohisfamily，sothataltogether，Ithink，everythingpointstosomethingintheconstructionofthetoweritself。\"
\"Yourreasoningseemstomeexcellent，\"saidSirWalter，whowaslisteningattentively。\"Butwhatcoulditbe？\"
\"YouseenowwhatImeanabouttheladder，\"
wentonthedetective;\"it’stheonlyoldpieceoffurniturehereandthefirstthingthatcaughtthatcockneyeyeofmine。Butthereissomethingelse。
Thatloftupthereisasortoflumberroomwithoutanylumber。SofarasIcansee，it’sasemptyaseverythingelse;and，asthingsare，Idon’tseetheuseoftheladderleadingtoit。Itseemstome，asIcan’tfindanythingunusualdownhere，thatitmightpayustolookupthere。\"
Hegotbrisklyoffthetableonwhichhewassitting（fortheonlychairwasallottedtoSirWalter）
andranrapidlyuptheladdertotheplatformabove。
Hewassoonfollowedbytheothers，Mr。Fishergoinglast，however，withanappearanceofconsiderablenonchalance。
Atthisstage，however，theyweredestinedtodisappointment;Wilsonnosedineverycornerlikeaterrierandexaminedtheroofalmostinthepostureofafly，buthalfanhourafterwardtheyhadtoconfessthattheywerestillwithoutaclew。SirWalter’sprivatesecretaryseemedmoreandmorethreatenedwithinappropriateslumber，and，havingbeenthelasttoclimbuptheladder，seemednowtolacktheenergyeventoclimbdownagain。
\"Comealong，Fisher，\"calledoutSirWalterfrombelow，whentheothershadregainedthefloor。\"Wemustconsiderwhetherwe’llpullthewholeplacetopiecestoseewhatit’smadeof。\"
\"I’mcominginaminute，\"saidthevoicefromtheledgeabovetheirheads，avoicesomewhatsuggestiveofanarticulateyawn。
\"Whatareyouwaitingfor？\"askedSirWalter，impatiently。\"Canyouseeanythingthere？\"
\"Well，yes，inaway，\"repliedthevoice，vaguely。
\"Infact，Iseeitquiteplainnow。\"
\"Whatisit？\"askedWilson，sharply，fromthetableonwhichhesatkickinghisheelsrestlessly。
\"Well，it’saman，\"saidHorneFisher。
Wilsonboundedoffthetableasifhehadbeenkickedoffit。\"Whatdoyoumean？\"hecried。\"Howcanyoupossiblyseeaman？\"
\"Icanseehimthroughthewindow，\"repliedthesecretary，mildly。\"Iseehimcomingacrossthemoor。He’smakingabeelineacrosstheopencountrytowardthistower。Heevidentlymeanstopayusavisit。And，consideringwhoitseemstobe，perhapsitwouldbemorepolite。ifwewereallatthedoortoreceivehim。\"Andinaleisurelymannerthesecretarycamedowntheladder。
\"Whoitseemstobe！\"repeatedSirWalterinastonishment。
\"Well，Ithinkit’sthemanyoucallPrinceMichael，\"observedMr。Fisher，airily。\"Infact，I’msureitis。I’veseenthepoliceportraitsofhim。\"
Therewasadeadsilence，andSirWalter’susuallysteadybrainseemedtogoroundlikeawindmill。
\"But，hangitall！\"hesaidatlast，\"evensupposinghisownexplosioncouldhavethrownhimhalfamileaway，withoutpassingthroughanyofthewindows，andlefthimaliveenoughforacountrywalk——eventhen，whythedevilshouldhewalkinthisdirection？
Themurdererdoesnotgenerallyrevisitthesceneofhiscrimesorapidlyasallthat。\"
\"Hedoesn’tknowyetthatitisthesceneofhiscrime，\"answeredHorneFisher。
\"Whatonearthdoyoumean？Youcredithimwithrathersingularabsenceofmind。\"
\"Well，thetruthis，itisn’tthesceneofhiscrime，saidFisher，andwentandlookedoutofthewindow。
Therewasanothersilence，andthenSirWaltersaid，quietly：\"Whatsortofnotionhaveyoureallygotinyourhead，Fisher？Haveyoudevelopedanewtheoryabouthowthisfellowescapedoutoftheringroundhim？\"
\"Heneverescapedatall，\"answeredthemanatthewindow，withoutturninground。\"Heneverescapedoutoftheringbecausehewasneverinsidethering。Hewasnotinthistoweratall，atleastnotwhenweweresurroundingit。\"
Heturnedandleanedbackagainstthewindow，but，inspiteofhisusuallistlessmanner，theyalmostfanciedthatthefaceinshadowwasalittlepale。
\"Ibegantoguesssomethingofthesortwhenweweresomewayfromthetower，\"hesaid。\"Didyounoticethatsortofflashorflickerthecandlegavebeforeitwasextinguished？Iwasalmostcertainitwasonlythelastleaptheflamegiveswhenacandleburnsitselfout。AndthenIcameintothisroomandI
sawthat。\"
HepointedatthetableandSirWaltercaughthisbreathwithasortofcurseathisownblindness。Forthecandleinthecandlestickhadobviouslyburneditselfawaytonothingandlefthim，mentally，atleast，verycompletelyinthedark。
\"Thenthereisasortofmathematicalquestion，\"wentonFisher，leaningbackinhislimpwayandlookingupatthebarewalls，asiftracingimaginarydiagramsthere。\"It’snotsoeasyforamaninthethirdangletofacetheothertwoatthesamemoment，especiallyiftheyareatthebaseofanisosceles。Iamsorryifitsoundslikealectureongeometry，but——\"
\"I’mafraidwehavenotimeforit，\"saidWilson，coldly。\"Ifthismanisreallycomingback，Imustgivemyordersatonce。\"
\"IthinkI’llgoonwithit，though，\"observedFisher，staringattheroofwithinsolentserenity。
\"Imustaskyou，Mr。Fisher，toletmeconductmyinquiryonmyownlines，\"saidWilson，firmly。\"Iamtheofficerinchargenow。\"
\"Yes，\"remarkedHorneFisher，softly，butwithanaccentthatsomehowchilledthehearer。\"Yes。Butwhy？\"
SirWalterwasstaring，forhehadneverseenhisratherlackadaisicalyoungfriendlooklikethatbefore。FisherwaslookingatWilsonwithliftedlids，andtheeyesunderthemseemedtohaveshedorshiftedafilm，asdotheeyesofaneagle。
\"Whyareyoutheofficerinchargenow？\"heasked。\"Whycanyouconducttheinquiryonyourownlinesnow？Howdiditcomeabout，Iwonder，thattheelderofficersarenotheretointerferewithanythingyoudo？\"
Nobodyspoke，andnobodycansayhowsoonanyonewouldhavecollectedhiswitstospeakwhenanoisecamefromwithout。Itwastheheavyandhollowsoundofablowuponthedoorofthetower，andtotheirshakenspiritsitsoundedstrangelylikethehammerofdoom。
ThewoodendoorofthetowermovedonitsrustyhingesunderthehandthatstruckitandPrinceMichaelcameintotheroom。Nobodyhadthesmallestdoubtabouthisidentity。Hislightclothes，thoughfrayedwithhisadventures，wereoffineandalmostfoppishcut，andheworeapointedbeard，orimperial，perhapsasafurtherreminiscenceofLouisNapoleon;
buthewasamuchtallerandmoregracefulmanthathisprototype。Beforeanyonecouldspeakhehadsilencedeveryoneforaninstantwithaslightbutsplendidgestureofhospitality。
\"Gentlemen，\"hesaid，\"thisisapoorplacenow，butyouareheartilywelcome。\"
Wilsonwasthefirsttorecover，andhetookastridetowardthenewcomer。
\"MichaelO’Neill，Iarrestyouintheking’snameforthemurderofFrancisMortonandJamesNolan。
Itismydutytowarnyou——\"
\"No，no，Mr。Wilson，\"criedFisher，suddenly。
\"Youshallnotcommitathirdmurder。\"
SirWalterCareyrosefromhischair，whichfelloverwithacrashbehindhim。\"Whatdoesallthismean？\"hecalledoutinanauthoritativemanner。
\"Itmeans，\"saidFisher，\"thatthisman，HookerWilson，assoonashehadputhisheadinatthatwindow，killedhistwocomradeswhohadputtheirheadsinattheotherwindows，byfiringacrosstheemptyroom。Thatiswhatitmeans。Andifyouwanttoknow，counthowmanytimesheissupposedtohavefiredandthencountthechargesleftinhisrevolver。\"
Wilson，whowasstillsittingonthetable，abruptlyputahandoutfortheweaponthatlaybesidehim。
Butthenextmovementwasthemostunexpectedofall，fortheprincestandinginthedoorwaypassedsuddenlyfromthedignityofastatuetotheswiftnessofanacrobatandrenttherevolveroutofthedetective’shand。
\"Youdog！\"hecried。\"SoyouarethetypeofEnglishtruth，asIamofIrishtragedy——youwhocometokillme，wadingthroughthebloodofyourbrethren。
Iftheyhadfalleninafeudonthehillside，itwouldbecalledmurder，andyetyoursinmightbeforgivenyou。ButI，whoaminnocent，Iwastobeslainwithceremony。Therewouldbelongspeechesandpatientjudgeslisteningtomyvainpleaofinnocence，notingdownmydespairanddisregardingit。Yes，thatiswhatIcallassassination。Butkillingmaybenomurder;thereisoneshotleftinthislittlegun，andI
knowwhereitshouldgo。\"
Wilsonturnedquicklyonthetable，andevenasheturnedhetwistedinagony，forMichaelshothimthroughthebodywherehesat，sothathetumbledoffthetablelikelumber。
Thepolicerushedtolifthim;SirWalterstoodspeechless;andthen，withastrangeandwearygesture，HorneFisherspoke。
\"YouareindeedatypeoftheIrishtragedy，\"hesaid。\"Youwereentirelyintheright，andyouhaveputyourselfinthewrong。\"
Theprince’sfacewaslikemarbleforaspacethentheredawnedinhiseyesalightnotunlikethatofdespair。Helaughedsuddenlyandflungthesmokingpistolontheground。
\"Iamindeedinthewrong，\"hesaid。\"Ihavecommittedacrimethatmayjustlybringacurseonmeandmychildren。\"
HorneFisherdidnotseementirelysatisfiedwiththisverysuddenrepentance;hekepthiseyesonthemanandonlysaid，inalowvoice，\"Whatcrimedoyoumean？\"
\"IhavehelpedEnglishjustice，\"repliedPrinceMichael。\"Ihaveavengedyourking’sofficers;Ihavedonetheworkofhishangman。ForthattrulyI
deservetobehanged。\"
Andheturnedtothepolicewithagesturethatdidnotsomuchsurrendertothem，butrathercommandthemtoarresthim。
ThiswasthestorythatHorneFishertoldtoHaroldMarch，thejournalist，manyyearsafter，inalittle，butluxurious，restaurantnearPiccadilly。HehadinvitedMarchtodinnersometimeaftertheaffairhecalled\"TheFaceintheTarget，\"andtheconversationhadnaturallyturnedonthatmysteryandafterwardonearliermemoriesofFisher’slifeandthewayinwhichhewasledtostudysuchproblemsasthoseofPrinceMichael。HorneFisherwasfifteenyearsolder;histhinhairhadfadedtofrontalbaldness，andhislong，thinhandsdroppedlesswithaffectationandmorewithfatigue。AndhetoldthestoryoftheIrishadventureofhisyouth，becauseitrecordedthefirstoccasiononwhichhehadevercomeincontactwithcrime，ordiscoveredhowdarklyandhowterriblycrimecanbeentangledwithlaw。
\"HookerWilsonwasthefirstcriminalIeverknew，andhewasapoliceman，\"explainedFisher，twirlinghiswineglass。\"Andallmylifehasbeenamixed—upbusinessofthesort。Hewasamanofveryrealtalent，andperhapsgenius，andwellworthstudying，bothasadetectiveandacriminal。Hiswhitefaceandredhairweretypicalofhim，forhewasoneofthosewhoarecoldandyetonfireforfame;andhecouldcontrolanger，butnotambition。
Heswallowedthesnubsofhissuperiorsinthatfirstquarrel，thoughheboiledwithresentment;butwhenhesuddenlysawthetwoheadsdarkagainstthedawnandframedinthetwowindows，hecouldnotmissthechance，notonlyofrevenge，butoftheremovalofthetwoobstaclestohispromotion。Hewasadeadshotandcountedonsilencingboth，thoughproofagainsthimwouldhavebeenhardinanycase。But，asamatteroffact，hehadanarrowescape，inthecaseofNolan，wholivedjustlongenoughtosay，’Wilson’andpoint。Wethoughthewassummoninghelpforhiscomrade，buthewasreallydenouncinghismurderer。Afterthatitwaseasytothrowdowntheladderabovehim（foramanupaladdercannotseeclearlywhatisbelowandbehind）
andtothrowhimselfonthegroundasanothervictimofthecatastrophe。
\"Buttherewasmixedupwithhismurderousambitionarealbelief，notonlyinhisowntalents，butinhisowntheories。Hedidbelieveinwhathecalledafresheye，andhedidwantscopeforfreshmethods。
Therewassomethinginhisview，butitfailedwheresuchthingscommonlyfail，becausethefresheyecannotseetheunseen。Itistrueabouttheladderandthescarecrow，butnotaboutthelifeandthesoul;andhemadeabadmistakeaboutwhatamanlikeMichaelwoulddowhenheheardawomanscream。
AllMichael’sveryvanityandvainglorymadehimrushoutatonce;hewouldhavewalkedintoDublinCastleforalady’sglove。Callithisposeorwhatyouwill，buthewouldhavedoneit。Whathappenedwhenhemetherisanotherstory，andonewemayneverknow，butfromtalesI’veheardsince，theymusthavebeenreconciled。Wilsonwaswrongthere;buttherewassomething，forallthat，inhisnotionthatthenewcomerseesmost，andthatthemanonthespotmayknowtoomuchtoknowanything。Hewasrightaboutsomethings。Hewasrightaboutme。\"
\"Aboutyou？\"askedHaroldMarchinsomewonder。
\"Iamthemanwhoknowstoomuchtoknowanything，or，atanyrate，todoanything，\"saidHorneFisher。\"Idon’tmeanespeciallyaboutIreland。ImeanaboutEngland。Imeanaboutthewholewaywearegoverned，andperhapstheonlywaywecanbegoverned。Youaskedmejustnowwhatbecameofthesurvivorsofthattragedy。Well，Wilsonrecoveredandwemanagedtopersuadehimtoretire。ButwehadtopensionthatdamnablemurderermoremagnificentlythananyherowhoeverfoughtforEngland。ImanagedtosaveMichaelfromtheworst，butwehadtosendthatperfectlyinnocentmantopenalservitudeforacrimeweknowhenevercommitted，anditwasonlyafterwardthatwecouldconniveinasneakishwayathisescape。AndSirWalterCareyisPrimeMinisterofthiscountry，whichhewouldprobablyneverhavebeenifthetruthhadbeentoldofsuchahorriblescandalinhisdepartment。ItmighthavedoneforusaltogetherinIreland;itwouldcertainlyhavedoneforhim。Andheismyfather’soldfriend，andhasalwayssmotheredmewithkindness。I
amtootangledupwiththewholething，yousee，andI
wascertainlyneverborntosetitright。Youlookdistressed，nottosayshocked，andI’mnotatalloffendedatit。Letuschangethesubjectbyallmeans，ifyoulike。WhatdoyouthinkofthisBurgundy？It’sratheradiscoveryofmine，liketherestaurantitself。\"
Andheproceededtotalklearnedlyandluxuriantlyonallthewinesoftheworld;onwhichsubject，also，somemoralistswouldconsiderthatheknewtoomuch。
III。THESOULOFTHESCHOOLBOY
AlargemapofLondonwouldbeneededtodisplaythewildandzigzagcourseofoneday’sjourneyundertakenbyanuncleandhisnephew;or，tospeakmoretruly，ofanephewandhisuncle。Forthenephew，aschoolboyonaholiday，wasintheorythegodinthecar，orinthecab，tram，tube，andsoon，whilehisunclewasatmostapriestdancingbeforehimandofferingsacrifices。Toputitmoresoberly，theschoolboyhadsomethingofthestolidairofayoungdukedoingthegrandtour，whilehiselderlyrelativewasreducedtothepositionofacourier，whoneverthelesshadtopayforeverythinglikeapatron。TheschoolboywasofficiallyknownasSummersMinor，andinamoresocialmannerasStinks，theonlypublictributetohiscareerasanamateurphotographerandelectrician。TheunclewastheRev。ThomasTwyford，aleanandlivelyoldgentlemanwithared，eagerfaceandwhitehair。Hewasintheordinarywayacountryclergyman，buthewasoneofthosewhoachievetheparadoxofbeingfamousinanobscureway，becausetheyarefamousinanobscureworld。Inasmallcircleofecclesiasticalarchaeologists，whoweretheonlypeoplewhocouldevenunderstandoneanother’sdiscoveries，heoccupiedarecognizedandrespectableplace。Andacriticmighthavefoundeveninthatday’sjourneyatleastasmuchoftheuncle’shobbyasofthenephew’sholiday。
Hisoriginalpurposehadbeenwhollypaternalandfestive。But，likemanyotherintelligentpeople，hewasnotabovetheweaknessofplayingwithatoytoamusehimself，onthetheorythatitwouldamuseachild。Histoyswerecrownsandmitersandcroziersandswordsofstate;andhehadlingeredoverthem，tellinghimselfthattheboyoughttoseeallthesightsofLondon。Andattheendoftheday，afteratremendoustea，herathergavethegameawaybywindingupwithavisitinwhichhardlyanyhumanboycouldbeconceivedastakinganinterest——anundergroundchambersupposedtohavebeenachapel，recentlyexcavatedonthenorthbankoftheThames，andcontainingliterallynothingwhateverbutoneoldsilvercoin。Butthecoin，tothosewhoknew，wasmoresolitaryandsplendidthantheKoh—i—noor。ItwasRoman，andwassaidtobeartheheadofSt。Paul;androunditragedthemostvitalcontroversiesabouttheancientBritishChurch。Itcouldhardlybedenied，however，thatthecontroversiesleftSummersMinorcomparativelycold。
Indeed，thethingsthatinterestedSummersMinor，andthethingsthatdidnotinteresthim，hadmystifiedandamusedhisuncleforseveralhours。HeexhibitedtheEnglishschoolboy’sstartlingignoranceandstartlingknowledge——knowledgeofsomespecialclassificationinwhichhecangenerallycorrectandconfoundhiselders。Heconsideredhimselfentitled，atHamptonCourtonaholiday，toforgettheverynamesofCardinalWolseyorWilliamofOrange;buthecouldhardlybedraggedfromsomedetailsaboutthearrangementoftheelectricbellsintheneighboringhotel。HewassolidlydazedbyWestminsterAbbey，whichisnotsounnaturalsincethatchurchbecamethelumberroomofthelargerandlesssuccessfulstatuaryoftheeighteenthcentury。ButhehadamagicandminuteknowledgeoftheWestminsteromnibuses，andindeedofthewholeomnibussystemofLondon，thecolorsandnumbersofwhichheknewasaheraldknowsheraldry。Hewouldcryoutagainstamomentaryconfusionbetweenalight—greenPaddingtonandadark—greenBayswatervehicle，ashisunclewouldattheidentificationofaGreekikonandaRomanimage。
\"Doyoucollectomnibuseslikestamps？\"askedhisuncle。\"Theymustneedaratherlargealbum。Ordoyoukeeptheminyourlocker？\"
\"Ikeeptheminmyhead，\"repliedthenephew，withlegitimatefirmness。
\"Itdoesyoucredit，Iadmit，\"repliedtheclergyman。\"Isupposeitwerevaintoaskforwhatpurposeyouhavelearnedthatoutofathousandthings。Therehardlyseemstobeacareerinit，unlessyoucouldbepermanentlyonthepavementtopreventoldladiesgettingintothewrongbus。Well，wemustgetoutofthisone，forthisisourplace。I
wanttoshowyouwhattheycallSt。Paul’sPenny。\"
\"IsitlikeSt。Paul’sCathedral？\"askedtheyouthwithresignation，astheyalighted。
Attheentrancetheireyeswerearrestedbyasingularfigureevidentlyhoveringtherewithasimilaranxietytoenter。Itwasthatofadark，thinmaninalongblackroberatherlikeacassock;buttheblackcaponhisheadwasoftoostrangeashapetobeabiretta。Itsuggested，rather，somearchaicheaddressofPersiaorBabylon。Hehadacuriousblackbeardappearingonlyatthecornersofhischin，andhislargeeyeswereoddlysetinhisfaceliketheflatdecorativeeyespaintedinoldEgyptianprofiles。Beforetheyhadgatheredmorethanageneralimpressionofhim，hehaddivedintothedoorwaythatwastheirowndestination。
Nothingcouldbeseenabovegroundofthesunkensanctuaryexceptastrongwoodenhut，ofthesortrecentlyrunupformanymilitaryandofficialpurposes，thewoodenfloorofwhichwasindeedamereplatformovertheexcavatedcavitybelow。Asoldierstoodasasentryoutside，andasuperiorsoldier，anAnglo—Indianofficerofdistinction，satwritingatthedeskinside。Indeed，thesightseerssoonfoundthatthisparticularsightwassurroundedwiththemostextraordinaryprecautions。IhavecomparedthesilvercointotheKoh—i—noor，andinonesenseitwasevenconventionallycomparable，sincebyahistoricalaccidentitwasatonetimealmostcountedamongtheCrownjewels，oratleasttheCrownrelics，untiloneoftheroyalprincespubliclyrestoredittotheshrinetowhichitwassupposedtobelong。Othercausescombinedtoconcentrateofficialvigilanceuponit;therehadbeenascareaboutspiescarryingexplosivesinsmallobjects，andoneofthoseexperimentalorderswhichpasslikewavesoverbureaucracyhaddecreedfirstthatallvisitorsshouldchangetheirclothesforasortofofficialsackcloth，andthen（whenthismethodcausedsomemurmurs）
thattheyshouldatleastturnouttheirpockets。
ColonelMorris，theofficerincharge，wasashort，activemanwithagrimandleatheryface，butalivelyandhumorouseye——acontradictionborneoutbyhisconduct，forheatoncederidedthesafeguardsandyetinsistedonthem。