\"Idon’tcareabuttonmyselfforPaul’sPenny，orsuchthings，\"headmittedinanswertosomeantiquarianopeningsfromtheclergymanwhowasslightlyacquaintedwithhim，\"butIweartheKing’scoat，youknow，andit’saseriousthingwhentheKing’suncleleavesathingherewithhisownhandsundermycharge。Butasforsaintsandrelicsandthings，IfearI’mabitofaVoltairian;whatyouwouldcallaskeptic。\"
\"I’mnotsureit’sevenskepticaltobelieveintheroyalfamilyandnotinthe’Holy’Family，\"repliedMr。
Twyford。\"But，ofcourse，Icaneasilyemptymypockets，toshowIdon’tcarryabomb。\"
Thelittleheapoftheparson’spossessionswhichheleftonthetableconsistedchieflyofpapers，overandaboveapipeandatobaccopouchandsomeRomanandSaxoncoins。Therestwerecataloguesofoldbooks，andpamphlets，likeoneentitled\"TheUseofSarum，\"oneglanceatwhichwassufficientbothforthecolonelandtheschoolboy。TheycouldnotseetheuseofSarumatall。Thecontentsoftheboy’spocketsnaturallymadealargerheap，andincludedmarbles，aballofstring，anelectrictorch，amagnet，asmallcatapult，and，ofcourse，alargepocketknife，almosttobedescribedasasmalltoolbox，acomplexapparatusonwhichheseemeddisposedtolinger，pointingoutthatitincludedapairofnippers，atoolforpunchingholesinwood，and，aboveall，aninstrumentfortakingstonesoutofahorse’shoof。Thecomparativeabsenceofanyhorseheappearedtoregardasirrelevant，asifitwereamereappendageeasilysupplied。Butwhentheturncameofthegentlemanintheblackgown，hedidnotturnouthispockets，butmerelyspreadouthishands。
\"Ihavenopossessions，\"hesaid。
\"I’mafraidImustaskyoutoemptyyourpocketsandmakesure，\"observedthecolonel，gruffly。
\"Ihavenopockets，\"saidthestranger。
Mr。Twyfordwaslookingatthelongblackgownwithalearnedeye。
\"Areyouamonk？\"heasked，inapuzzledfashion。
\"Iamamagus，\"repliedthestranger。\"Youhaveheardofthemagi，perhaps？Iamamagician。\"
\"Oh，Isay！\"exclaimedSummersMinor，withprominenteyes。
\"ButIwasonceamonk，\"wentontheother。\"Iamwhatyouwouldcallanescapedmonk。Yes，Ihaveescapedintoeternity。Butthemonksheldonetruthatleast，thatthehighestlifeshouldbewithoutpossessions。Ihavenopocketmoneyandnopockets，andallthestarsaremytrinkets。\"
\"Theyareoutofreach，anyhow，\"observedColonelMorris，inatonewhichsuggestedthatitwaswellforthem。\"I’veknownagoodmanymagiciansmyselfinIndia——mangoplantandall。
ButtheIndianonesareallfrauds，I’llswear。Infact，I
hadagooddealoffunshowingthemup。MorefunthanIhaveoverthisdrearyjob，anyhow。ButherecomesMr。Symon，whowillshowyouovertheoldcellardownstairs。\"
Mr。Symon，theofficialguardianandguide，wasayoungman，prematurelygray，withagravemouthwhichcontrastedcuriouslywithaverysmall，darkmustachewithwaxedpoints，thatseemedsomehow，separatefromit，asifablackflyhadsettledonhisface。HespokewiththeaccentofOxfordandthepermanentofficial，butinasdeadafashionasthemostindifferenthiredguide。Theydescendedadarkstonestaircase，atthefloorofwhichSymonpressedabuttonandadooropenedonadarkroom，or，rather，aroomwhichhadaninstantbeforebeendark。Foralmostastheheavyirondoorswungopenanalmostblindingblazeofelectriclightsfilledthewholeinterior。
ThefitfulenthusiasmofStinksatoncecaughtfire，andheeagerlyaskedifthelightsandthedoorworkedtogether。
\"Yes，it’sallonesystem，\"repliedSymon。\"ItwasallfittedupforthedayHisRoyalHighnessdepositedthethinghere。Yousee，it’slockedupbehindaglasscaseexactlyasheleftit。\"
Aglanceshowedthatthearrangementsforguardingthetreasurewereindeedasstrongastheyweresimple。Asinglepaneofglasscutoffonecorneroftheroom，inanironframeworkletintotherockwallsandthewoodenroofabove;therewasnownopossibilityofreopeningthecasewithoutelaboratelabor，exceptbybreakingtheglass，whichwouldprobablyarousethenightwatchmanwhowasalwayswithinafewfeetofit，evenifhehadfallenasleep。Acloseexaminationwouldhaveshowedmanymoreingenioussafeguards;buttheeyeoftheRev。ThomasTwyford，atleast，wasalreadyrivetedonwhatinterestedhimmuchmore——thedullsilverdiskwhichshoneinthewhitelightagainstaplainbackgroundofblackvelvet。
\"St。Paul’sPenny，saidtocommemoratethevisitofSt。PaultoBritain，wasprobablypreservedinthischapeluntiltheeighthcentury，\"Symonwassayinginhisclearbutcolorlessvoice。\"Intheninthcenturyitissupposedtohavebeencarriedawaybythebarbarians，anditreappears，aftertheconversionofthenorthernGoths，inthepossessionoftheroyalfamilyofGothland。HisRoyalHighness，theDukeofGothland，retaineditalwaysinhisownprivatecustody，andwhenhedecidedtoexhibitittothepublic，placeditherewithhisownhand。Itwasimmediatelysealedupinsuchamanner——\"
UnluckilyatthispointSummersMinor，whoseattentionhadsomewhatstrayedfromthereligiouswarsoftheninthcentury，caughtsightofashortlengthofwireappearinginabrokenpatchinthewall。Heprecipitatedhimselfatit，callingout，\"Isay，say，doesthatconnect？\"
Itwasevidentthatitdidconnect，fornosoonerhadtheboygivenitatwitchthanthewholeroomwentblack，asiftheyhadallbeenstruckblind，andaninstantafterwardtheyheardthedullcrashoftheclosingdoor。
\"Well，you’vedoneitnow，\"saidSymon，inhistranquilfashion。Thenafterapauseheadded，\"I
supposethey’llmissussoonerorlater，andnodoubttheycangetitopen;butitmaytakesomelittletime。\"
Therewasasilence，andthentheunconquerableStinksobserved：
\"RottenthatIhadtoleavemyelectrictorch。\"
\"Ithink，\"saidhisuncle，withrestraint，\"thatwearesufficientlyconvincedofyourinterestinelectricity。\"
Thenafterapauseheremarked，moreamiably：\"I
supposeifIregrettedanyofmyownimpedimenta，itwouldbethepipe。Though，asamatteroffact，it’snotmuchfunsmokinginthedark。Everythingseemsdifferentinthedark。\"
\"Everythingisdifferentinthedark，\"saidathirdvoice，thatofthemanwhocalledhimselfamagician。
Itwasaverymusicalvoice，andratherincontrastwithhissinisterandswarthyvisage，whichwasnowinvisible。\"Perhapsyoudon’tknowhowterribleatruththatis。Allyouseearepicturesmadebythesun，facesandfurnitureandflowersandtrees。Thethingsthemselvesmaybequitestrangetoyou。Somethingelsemaybestandingnowwhereyousawatableorachair。Thefaceofyourfriendmaybequitedifferentinthedark。\"
Ashort，indescribablenoisebrokethestillness。
Twyfordstartedforasecond，andthensaid，sharply：
\"Really，Idon’tthinkit’sasuitableoccasionfortryingtofrightenachild。\"
\"Who’sachild？\"criedtheindignantSummers，withavoicethathadacrow，butalsosomethingofacrackinit。\"Andwho’safunk，either？Notme。\"
\"Iwillbesilent，then，\"saidtheothervoiceoutofthedarkness。\"Butsilencealsomakesandunmakes。\"
TherequiredsilenceremainedunbrokenforalongtimeuntilatlasttheclergymansaidtoSymoninalowvoice：
\"Isupposeit’sallrightaboutair？\"
\"Oh，yes，\"repliedtheotheraloud;\"there’safireplaceandachimneyintheofficejustbythedoor。\"
Aboundandthenoiseofafallingchairtoldthemthattheirrepressiblerisinggenerationhadoncemorethrownitselfacrosstheroom。Theyheardtheejaculation：\"Achimney！Why，I’llbe——\"andtherestwaslostinmuffled，butexultant，cries。
Theunclecalledrepeatedlyandvainly，gropedhiswayatlasttotheopening，and，peeringupit，caughtaglimpseofadiskofdaylight，whichseemedtosuggestthatthefugitivehadvanishedinsafety。
Makinghiswaybacktothegroupbytheglasscase，hefelloverthefallenchairandtookamomenttocollecthimselfagain。HehadopenedhismouthtospeaktoSymon，whenhestopped，andsuddenlyfoundhimselfblinkinginthefullshockofthewhitelight，andlookingovertheotherman’sshoulder，hesawthatthedoorwasstandingopen。
\"Sothey’vegotatusatlast，\"heobservedtoSymon。
Themanintheblackrobewasleaningagainstthewallsomeyardsaway，withasmilecarvedonhisface。
\"HerecomesColonelMorris，\"wentonTwyford，stillspeakingtoSymon。\"Oneofuswillhavetotellhimhowthelightwentout。Willyou？\"
ButSymonstillsaidnothing。Hewasstandingasstillasastatue，andlookingsteadilyattheblackvelvetbehindtheglassscreen。Hewaslookingattheblackvelvetbecausetherewasnothingelsetolookat。St。Paul’sPennywasgone。
ColonelMorrisenteredtheroomwithtwonewvisitors;presumablytwonewsightseersdelayedbytheaccident。Theforemostwasatall，fair，ratherlanguid—lookingmanwithabaldbrowandahigh—bridgednose;hiscompanionwasayoungermanwithlight，curlyhairandfrank，andeveninnocent，eyes。Symonscarcelyseemedtohearthenewcomers;itseemedalmostasifhehadnotrealizedthatthereturnofthelightrevealedhisbroodingattitude。Thenhestartedinaguiltyfashion，andwhenhesawtheelderofthetwostrangers，hispalefaceseemedtoturnashadepaler。
\"Whyit’sHorneFisher！\"andthenafterapausehesaidinalowvoice，\"I’minthedevilofahole，Fisher。\"
\"Theredoesseemabitofamysterytobeclearedup，\"observedthegentlemansoaddressed。
\"Itwillneverbeclearedup，\"saidthepaleSymon。
\"Ifanybodycouldclearitup，youcould。Butnobodycould。\"
\"IratherthinkIcould，\"saidanothervoicefromoutsidethegroup，andtheyturnedinsurprisetorealizethatthemanintheblackrobehadspokenagain。
\"You！\"saidthecolonel，sharply。\"Andhowdoyouproposetoplaythedetective？\"
\"Idonotproposetoplaythedetective，\"answeredtheother，inaclearvoicelikeabell。\"Iproposetoplaythemagician。OneofthemagiciansyoushowupinIndia，Colonel。\"
Noonespokeforamoment，andthenHorneFishersurprisedeverybodybysaying，\"Well，let’sgoupstairs，andthisgentlemancanhaveatry。\"
HestoppedSymon，whohadanautomaticfingeronthebutton，saying：\"No，leaveallthelightson。It’sasortofsafeguard。\"
\"Thethingcan’tbetakenawaynow，\"saidSymon，bitterly。
\"Itcanbeputback，\"repliedFisher。
Twyfordhadalreadyrunupstairsfornewsofhisvanishingnephew，andhereceivednewsofhiminawaythatatoncepuzzledandreassuredhim。Onthefloorabovelayoneofthoselargepaperdartswhichboysthrowateachotherwhentheschoolmasterisoutoftheroom。Ithadevidentlybeenthrowninatthewindow，andonbeingunfoldeddisplayedascrawlofbadhandwritingwhichran：\"DearUncle;Iamallright。Meetyouatthehotellateron，\"andthenthesignature。
Insensiblycomfortedbythis，theclergymanfoundhisthoughtsrevertingvoluntarilytohisfavoriterelic，whichcameagoodsecondinhissympathiestohisfavoritenephew，andbeforeheknewwherehewashefoundhimselfencircledbythegroupdiscussingitsloss，andmoreorlesscarriedawayonthecurrentoftheirexcitement。Butanundercurrentofquerycontinuedtoruninhismind，astowhathadreallyhappenedtotheboy，andwhatwastheboy’sexactdefinitionofbeingallright。
MeanwhileHorneFisherhadconsiderablypuzzledeverybodywithhisnewtoneandattitude。Hehadtalkedtothecolonelaboutthemilitaryandmechanicalarrangements，anddisplayedaremarkableknowledgebothofthedetailsofdisciplineandthetechnicalitiesofelectricity。Hehadtalkedtotheclergyman，andshownanequallysurprisingknowledgeofthereligiousandhistoricalinterestsinvolvedintherelic。Hehadtalkedtothemanwhocalledhimselfamagician，andnotonlysurprisedbutscandalizedthecompanybyanequallysympatheticfamiliaritywiththemostfantasticformsofOrientaloccultismandpsychicexperiment。Andinthislastandleastrespectablelineofinquiryhewasevidentlypreparedtogofarthest;heopenlyencouragedthemagician，andwasplainlypreparedtofollowthewildestwaysofinvestigationinwhichthatmagusmightleadhim。
\"Howwouldyoubeginnow？\"heinquired，withananxiouspolitenessthatreducedthecoloneltoacongestionofrage。
\"Itisallaquestionofaforce;ofestablishingcommunicationsforaforce，\"repliedthatadept，affably，ignoringsomemilitarymutteringsaboutthepoliceforce。\"ItiswhatyouintheWestusedtocallanimalmagnetism，butitismuchmorethanthat。I
hadbetternotsayhowmuchmore。Astosettingaboutit，theusualmethodistothrowsomesusceptiblepersonintoatrance，whichservesasasortofbridgeorcordofcommunication，bywhichtheforcebeyondcangivehim，asitwere，anelectricshock，andawakenhishighersenses。Itopensthesleepingeyeofthemind。\"
\"I’msuspectible，\"saidFisher，eitherwithsimplicityorwithabafflingirony。\"Whynotopenmymind’seyeforme？MyfriendHaroldMarchherewilltellyouIsometimesseethings，eveninthedark。\"
\"Nobodyseesanythingexceptinthedark，\"saidthemagician。
Heavycloudsofsunsetwereclosingroundthewoodenhut，enormousclouds，ofwhichonlythecorners*couldbeseeninthelittlewindow，likepurplehornsandtails，almostasifsomehugemonsterswereprowlingroundtheplace。Butthepurplewasalreadydeepeningtodarkgray;itwouldsoonbenight。
\"Donotlightthelamp，\"saidthemaguswithquietauthority，arrestingamovementinthatdirection。\"I
toldyoubeforethatthingshappenonlyinthedark。\"
Howsuchatopsy—turvysceneevercametobetoleratedinthecolonel’soffice，ofallplaces，wasafterwardapuzzleinthememoryofmany，includingthecolonel。Theyrecalleditlikeasortofnightmare，likesomethingtheycouldnotcontrol。Perhapstherewasreallyamagnetismaboutthemesmerist;
perhapstherewasevenmoremagnetismaboutthemanmesmerized。
Anyhow，themanwasbeingmesmerized，forHorneFisherhadcollapsedintoachairwithhislonglimbslooseandsprawlingandhiseyesstaringatvacancy;
andtheothermanwasmesmerizinghim，makingsweepingmovementswithhisdarklydrapedarmsasifwithblackwings。Thecolonelhadpassedthepointofexplosion，andhedimlyrealizedthateccentricaristocratsareallowedtheirfling。Hecomfortedhimselfwiththeknowledgethathehadalreadysentforthepolice，whowouldbreakupanysuchmasquerade，andwithlightingacigar，theredendofwhich，inthegatheringdarkness，glowedwithprotest。
\"Yes，Iseepockets，\"themaninthetrancewassaying。\"Iseemanypockets，buttheyareallempty。
No;Iseeonepocketthatisnotempty。\"
Therewasafaintstirinthestillness，andthemagiciansaid，\"Canyouseewhatisinthepocket？\"
\"Yes，\"answeredtheother;\"therearetwobrightthings。Ithinktheyaretwobitsofsteel。Oneofthepiecesofsteelisbentorcrooked。\"
\"Havetheybeenusedintheremovaloftherelicfromdownstairs？\"
\"Yes。\"
Therewasanotherpauseandtheinquireradded，\"Doyouseeanythingoftherelicitself？\"
\"Iseesomethingshiningonthefloor，liketheshadowortheghostofit。Itisoverthereinthecornerbeyondthedesk。\"
Therewasamovementofmenturningandthenasuddenstillness，asoftheirstiffening，foroverinthecorneronthewoodenfloortherewasreallyaroundspotofpalelight。Itwastheonlyspotoflightintheroom。Thecigarhadgoneout。
\"Itpointstheway，\"camethevoiceoftheoracle。
\"Thespiritsarepointingthewaytopenitence，andurgingthethieftorestitution。Icanseenothingmore。\"Hisvoicetrailedoffintoasilencethatlastedsolidlyformanyminutes，likethelongsilencebelowwhenthethefthadbeencommitted。Thenitwasbrokenbytheringofmetalonthefloor，andthesoundofsomethingspinningandfallinglikeatossedhalfpenny。
\"Lightthelamp！\"criedFisherinaloudandevenjovialvoice，leapingtohisfeetwithfarlesslanguorthanusual。\"Imustbegoingnow，butIshouldliketoseeitbeforeIgo。Why，Icameonpurposetoseeit。\"
Thelampwaslit，andhedidseeit，forSt。Paul’sPennywaslyingonthefloorathisfeet。
\"Oh，asforthat，\"explainedFisher，whenhewasentertainingMarchandTwyfordatlunchaboutamonthlater，\"Imerelywantedtoplaywiththemagicianathisowngame。\"
\"Ithoughtyoumeanttocatchhiminhisowntrap，\"
saidTwyford。\"Ican’tmakeheadortailofanythingyet，buttomymindhewasalwaysthesuspect。I
don’tthinkhewasnecessarilyathiefinthevulgarsense。Thepolicealwaysseemtothinkthatsilverisstolenforthesakeofsilver，butathinglikethatmightwellbestolenoutofsomereligiousmania。A
runawaymonkturnedmysticmightwellwantitforsomemysticalpurpose。\"
\"No，\"repliedFisher，\"therunawaymonkisnotathief。Atanyrateheisnotthethief。Andhe’snotaltogetheraliar，either。Hesaidonetruethingatleastthatnight。\"
\"Andwhatwasthat？\"inquiredMarch。
\"Hesaiditwasallmagnetism。Asamatteroffact，itwasdonebymeansofamagnet。\"Then，seeingtheystilllookedpuzzled，headded，\"Itwasthattoymagnetbelongingtoyournephew，Mr。Twyford。\"
\"ButIdon’tunderstand，\"objectedMarch。\"Ifitwasdonewiththeschoolboy’smagnet，Isupposeitwasdonebytheschoolboy。\"
\"Well，\"repliedFisher，reflectively，\"itratherdependswhichschoolboy。\"
\"Whatonearthdoyoumean？\"
\"Thesoulofaschoolboyisacuriousthing，\"Fishercontinued，inameditativemanner。\"Itcansurviveagreatmanythingsbesidesclimbingoutofachimney。
Amancangrowgrayingreatcampaigns，andstillhavethesoulofaschoolboy。AmancanreturnwithagreatreputationfromIndiaandbeputinchargeofagreatpublictreasure，andstillhavethesoulofaschoolboy，waitingtobeawakenedbyanaccident。
Anditistentimesmoresowhentotheschoolboyyouaddtheskeptic，whoisgenerallyasortofstuntedschoolboy。Yousaidjustnowthatthingsmightbedonebyreligiousmania。Haveyoueverheardofirreligiousmania？Iassureyouitexistsveryviolently，especiallyinmenwholikeshowingupmagiciansinIndia。Butheretheskeptichadthetemptationofshowingupamuchmoretremendousshamnearerhome。\"
AlightcameintoHaroldMarch’seyesashesuddenlysaw，asifafaroff，thewiderimplicationofthesuggestion。ButTwyfordwasstillwrestlingwithoneproblematatime。
\"Doyoureallymean，\"hesaid，\"thatColonelMorristooktherelic？\"
\"Hewastheonlypersonwhocouldusethemagnet，\"repliedFisher。\"Infact，yourobligingnephewlefthimanumberofthingshecoulduse。Hehadaballofstring，andaninstrumentformakingaholeinthewoodenfloor——Imadealittleplaywiththatholeinthefloorinmytrance，bytheway;withthelightsleftonbelow，itshonelikeanewshilling。\"
Twyfordsuddenlyboundedonhischair。\"Butinthatcase，\"hecried，inanewandalteredvoice，\"whythenofcourse——Yousaidapieceofsteel——？\"
\"Isaidthereweretwopiecesofsteel，\"saidFisher。\"Thebentpieceofsteelwastheboy’smagnet。Theotherwastherelicintheglasscase。\"
\"Butthatissilver，\"answeredthearchaeologist，inavoicenowalmostunrecognizable。
\"Oh，\"repliedFisher，soothingly，\"Idaresayitwaspaintedwithsilveralittle。\"
Therewasaheavysilence，andatlastHaroldMarchsaid，\"Butwhereistherealrelic？\"
\"Whereithasbeenforfiveyears，\"repliedHorneFisher，\"inthepossessionofamadmillionairenamedVandam，inNebraska。Therewasaplayfullittlephotographabouthiminasocietypapertheotherday，mentioninghisdelusion，andsayinghewasalwaysbeingtakeninaboutrelics。\"
HaroldMarchfrownedatthetablecloth;then，afteraninterval，hesaid：\"IthinkIunderstandyournotionofhowthethingwasactuallydone;accordingtothat，Morrisjustmadeaholeandfisheditupwithamagnetattheendofastring。Suchamonkeytricklookslikemeremadness，butIsupposehewasmad，partlywiththeboredomofwatchingoverwhathefeltwasafraud，thoughhecouldn’tproveit。Thencameachancetoproveit，tohimselfatleast，andhehadwhathecalled’fun’withit。Yes，IthinkIseealotofdetailsnow。Butit’sjustthewholethingthatknocksme。Howdiditallcometobelikethat？\"
Fisherwaslookingathimwithlevellidsandanimmovablemanner。
\"Everyprecautionwastaken，\"hesaid。\"TheDukecarriedthereliconhisownperson，andlockeditupinthecasewithhisownhands。\"
Marchwassilent;butTwyfordstammered。\"I
don’tunderstandyou。Yougivemethecreeps。Whydon’tyouspeakplainer？\"
\"IfIspokeplaineryouwouldunderstandmeless，\"
saidHorneFisher。
\"AllthesameIshouldtry，\"saidMarch，stillwithoutliftinghishead。
\"Oh，verywell，\"repliedFisher，withasigh;\"theplaintruthis，ofcourse，thatit’sabadbusiness。
Everybodyknowsit’sabadbusinesswhoknowsanythingaboutit。Butit’salwayshappening，andinonewayonecanhardlyblamethem。Theygetstuckontoaforeignprincessthat’sasstiffasaDutchdoll，andtheyhavetheirfling。Inthiscaseitwasaprettybigfling。\"
ThefaceoftheRev。ThomasTwyfordcertainlysuggestedthathewasalittleoutofhisdepthintheseasoftruth，butastheotherwentonspeakingvaguelytheoldgentleman’sfeaturessharpenedandset。
\"IfitweresomedecentmorganaticaffairI
wouldn’tsay;buthemusthavebeenafooltothrowawaythousandsonawomanlikethat。Attheenditwassheerblackmail;butit’ssomethingthattheoldassdidn’tgetitoutofthetaxpayers。HecouldonlygetitoutoftheYank，andthereyouare。\"
TheRev。ThomasTwyfordhadrisentohisfeet。
\"Well，I’mgladmynephewhadnothingtodowithit，\"hesaid。\"Andifthat’swhattheworldislike，I
hopehewillneverhaveanythingto，dowithit。\"
\"Ihopenot，\"answeredHorneFisher。\"NooneknowssowellasIdothatonecanhavefartoomuchtodowithit。\"
ForSummersMinorhadindeednothingtodowithit;anditispartofhishighersignificancethathehasreallynothingtodowiththestory，orwithanysuchstories。Theboywentlikeabulletthroughthetangleofthistaleofcrookedpoliticsandcrazymockeryandcameoutontheotherside，pursuinghisownunspoiledpurposes。Fromthetopofthechimneyheclimbedhehadcaughtsightofanewomnibus，whosecolorandnamehehadneverknown，asanaturalistmightseeanewbirdorabotanistanewflower。Andhehadbeensufficientlyenrapturedinrushingafterit，andridingawayuponthatfairyship。
IV。THEBOTTOMLESSWELL
Inanoasis，orgreenisland，intheredandyellowseasofsandthatstretchbeyondEuropetowardthesunrise，therecanbefoundaratherfantasticcontrast，whichisnonethelesstypicalofsuchaiplace，sinceinternationaltreatieshavemadeitanoutpostoftheBritishoccupation。Thesiteisfamousamongarchaeologistsforsomethingthatishardlyamonument，butmerelyaholeintheground。Butitisaroundshaft，likethatofawell，andprobablyapartofsomegreatirrigationworksofremoteanddisputeddate，perhapsmoreancientthananythinginthatancientland。Thereisagreenfringeofpalmandpricklypearroundtheblackmouthofthewell;butnothingoftheuppermasonryremainsexcepttwobulkyandbatteredstonesstandinglikethepillarsofagatewayofnowhere，inwhichsomeofthemoretranscendentalarchaeologists，incertainmoodsatmoonriseorsunset，thinktheycantracethefaintlinesoffiguresorfeaturesofmorethanBabylonianmonstrosity;whilethemorerationalisticarchaeologists，inthemorerationalhoursofdaylight，seenothingbuttwoshapelessrocks。Itmayhavebeennoticed，however，thatallEnglishmenarenotarchaeologists。
Manyofthoseassembledinsuchaplaceforofficialandmilitarypurposeshavehobbiesotherthanarchaeology。AnditisasolemnfactthattheEnglishinthisEasternexilehavecontrivedtomakeasmallgolflinksoutofthegreenscrubandsand;withacomfortableclubhouseatoneendofitandthisprimevalmonumentattheother。Theydidnotactuallyusethisarchaicabyssasabunker，becauseitwasbytraditionunfathomable，andevenforpracticalpurposesunfathomed。Anysportingprojectilesentintoitmightbecountedmostliterallyasalostball。Buttheyoftensaunteredrounditintheirinterludesoftalkingandsmokingcigarettes，andoneofthemhadjustcomedownfromtheclubhousetofindanothergazingsomewhatmoodilyintothewell。
BoththeEnglishmenworelightclothesandwhitepithhelmetsandpuggrees，butthere，forthemostpart，theirresemblanceended。Andtheybothalmostsimultaneouslysaidthesameword，buttheysaiditontwototallydifferentnotesofthevoice。
\"Haveyouheardthenews？\"askedthemanfromtheclub。\"Splendid。\"
\"Splendid，\"repliedthemanbythewell。Butthefirstmanpronouncedthewordasayoungmanmightsayitaboutawoman，andthesecondasanoldmanmightsayitabouttheweather，notwithoutsincerity，butcertainlywithoutfervor。
Andinthisthetoneofthetwomenwassufficientlytypicalofthem。Thefirst，whowasacertainCaptainBoyle，wasofaboldandboyishtype，dark，andwithasortofnativeheatinhisfacethatdidnotbelongtotheatmosphereoftheEast，butrathertotheardorsandambitionsoftheWest。Theotherwasanoldermanandcertainlyanolderresident，acivilianofficial——HorneFisher;andhisdroopingeyelidsanddroopinglightmustacheexpressedalltheparadoxoftheEnglishmanintheEast。Hewasmuchtoohottobeanythingbutcool。
Neitherofthemthoughtitnecessarytomentionwhatitwasthatwassplendid。Thatwouldindeedhavebeensuperfluousconversationaboutsomethingthateverybodyknew。ThestrikingvictoryoveramenacingcombinationofTurksandArabsinthenorth，wonbytroopsunderthecommandofLordHastings，theveteranofsomanystrikingvictories，wasalreadyspreadbythenewspapersallovertheEmpire，letalonetothissmallgarrisonsoneartothebattlefield。
\"Now，noothernationintheworldcouldhavedoneathinglikethat，\"criedCaptainBoyle，emphatically。
HorneFisherwasstilllookingsilentlyintothewell;amomentlaterheanswered：\"Wecertainlyhavetheartofunmakingmistakes。That’swherethepooroldPrussianswentwrong。Theycouldonlymakemistakesandsticktothem。Thereisreallyacertaintalentinunmakingamistake。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean，\"askedBoyle，\"whatmistakes？\"
\"Well，everybodyknowsitlookedlikebitingoffmorethanhecouldchew，\"repliedHorneFisher。ItwasapeculiarityofMr。Fisherthathealwayssaidthateverybodyknewthingswhichaboutonepersonintwomillionwaseverallowedtohearof。\"AnditwascertainlyjollyluckythatTraversturnedupsowellinthenickoftime。Oddhowoftentherightthing’sbeendoneforusbythesecondincommand，evenwhenagreatmanwasfirstincommand。LikeColborneatWaterloo。\"
\"ItoughttoaddawholeprovincetotheEmpire，\"
observedtheother。
\"Well，IsupposetheZimmerneswouldhaveinsistedonitasfarasthecanal，\"observedFisher，thoughtfully，\"thougheverybodyknowsaddingprovincesdoesn’talwayspaymuchnowadays。\"
CaptainBoylefrownedinaslightlypuzzledfashion。BeingcloudilyconsciousofneverhavingheardoftheZimmernesinhislife，hecouldonlyremark，stolidly：
\"Well，onecan’tbeaLittleEnglander。\"
HorneFishersmiled，andhehadapleasantsmile。
\"EverymanouthereisaLittleEnglander，\"hesaid。\"HewisheshewerebackinLittleEngland。\"
\"Idon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout，I’mafraid，\"saidtheyoungerman，rathersuspiciously。
\"Onewouldthinkyoudidn’treallyadmireHastingsor—
—or——anything。\"
\"Iadmirehimnoend，\"repliedFisher。\"He’sbyfarthebestmanforthispost;heunderstandstheMoslemsandcandoanythingwiththem。That’swhyI’mallagainstpushingTraversagainsthim，merelybecauseofthislastaffair。\"
\"Ireallydon’tunderstandwhatyou’redrivingat，\"
saidtheother，frankly。
\"Perhapsitisn’tworthunderstanding，\"answeredFisher，lightly，\"and，anyhow，weneedn’ttalkpolitics。
DoyouknowtheArablegendaboutthatwell？\"
\"I’mafraidIdon’tknowmuchaboutArablegends，\"saidBoyle，ratherstiffly。
\"That’sratheramistake，\"repliedFisher，\"especiallyfromyourpointofview。LordHastingshimselfisanArablegend。Thatisperhapstheverygreatestthinghereallyis。IfhisreputationwentitwouldweakenusalloverAsiaandAfrica。Well，thestoryaboutthatholeintheground，thatgoesdownnobodyknowswhere，hasalwaysfascinatedme，rather。It’sMohammedaninformnow，butIshouldn’twonderifthetaleisalongwayolderthanMohammed。It’sallaboutsomebodytheycalltheSultanAladdin，notourfriendofthelamp，ofcourse，butratherlikehiminhavingtodowithgeniiorgiantsorsomethingofthatsort。Theysayhecommandedthegiantstobuildhimasortofpagoda，risinghigherandhigheraboveallthestars。TheUtmostfortheHighest，asthepeoplesaidwhentheybuilttheTowerofBabel。ButthebuildersoftheTowerofBabelwerequitemodestanddomesticpeople，likemice，comparedwitholdAladdin。Theyonlywantedatowerthatwouldreachheaven——ameretrifle。Hewantedatowerthatwouldpassheavenandriseaboveit，andgoonrisingforeverandever。AndAllahcasthimdowntoearthwithathunderbolt，whichsankintotheearth，boringaholedeeperanddeeper，tillitmadeawellthatwaswithoutabottomasthetowerwastohavebeenwithoutatop。AnddownthatinvertedtowerofdarknessthesouloftheproudSultanisfallingforeverandever。\"
\"Whataqueerchapyouare，\"saidBoyle。\"Youtalkasifafellowcouldbelievethosefables。\"
\"PerhapsIbelievethemoralandnotthefable，\"
answeredFisher。\"ButherecomesLadyHastings。
Youknowher，Ithink。\"
Theclubhouseonthegolflinkswasused，ofcourse，formanyotherpurposesbesidesthatofgolf。Itwastheonlysocialcenterofthegarrisonbesidethestrictlymilitaryheadquarters;ithadabilliardroomandabar，andevenanexcellentreferencelibraryforthoseofficerswhoweresoperverseastotaketheirprofessionseriously。Amongthesewasthegreatgeneralhimself，whoseheadofsilverandfaceofbronze，likethatofabrazeneagle，wereoftentobefoundbentoverthechartsandfoliosofthelibrary。
ThegreatLordHastingsbelievedinscienceandstudy，asinothersevereidealsoflife，andhadgivenmuchpaternaladviceonthepointtoyoungBoyle，whoseappearancesinthatplaceofresearchwererathermoreintermittent。Itwasfromoneofthesesnatchesofstudythattheyoungmanhadjustcomeoutthroughtheglassdoorsofthelibraryontothegolflinks。But，aboveall，theclubwassoappointedastoservethesocialconveniencesofladiesatleastasmuchasgentlemen，andLadyHastingswasabletoplaythequeeninsuchasocietyalmostasmuchasinherownballroom。Shewaseminentlycalculatedand，assomesaid，eminentlyinclinedtoplaysuchapart。
Shewasmuchyoungerthanherhusband，anattractiveandsometimesdangerouslyattractivelady;andMr。
HorneFisherlookedafterheralittlesardonicallyasshesweptawaywiththeyoungsoldier。Thenhisratherdrearyeyestrayedtothegreenandpricklygrowthsroundthewell，growthsofthatcuriouscactusformationinwhichonethickleafgrowsdirectlyoutoftheotherwithoutstalkortwig。
Itgavehisfancifulmindasinisterfeelingofablindgrowthwithoutshapeorpurpose。A
flowerorshrubintheWestgrowstotheblossomwhichisitscrown，andiscontent。Butthiswasasifhandscouldgrowoutofhandsorlegsgrowoutoflegsinanightmare。\"AlwaysaddingaprovincetotheEmpire，\"hesaid，withasmile，andthenadded，moresadly，\"butIdoubtifIwasright，afterall！\"
Astrongbutgenialvoicebrokeinonhismeditationsandhelookedupandsmiled，seeingthefaceofanoldfriend。Thevoicewas，indeed，rathermoregenialthantheface，whichwasatthefirstglancedecidedlygrim。Itwasatypicallylegalface，withangularjawsandheavy，grizzledeyebrows;anditbelongedtoaneminentlylegalcharacter，thoughhewasnowattachedinasemimilitarycapacitytothepoliceofthatwilddistrict。
CuthbertGraynewasperhapsmoreofacriminologistthaneitheralawyerorapoliceman，butinhismorebarbaroussurroundingshehadprovedsuccessfulinturninghimselfintoapracticalcombinationofallthree。ThediscoveryofawholeseriesofstrangeOrientalcrimesstoodtohiscredit。Butasfewpeoplewereacquaintedwith，orattractedto，suchahobbyorbranchofknowledge，hisintellectuallifewassomewhatsolitary。AmongthefewexceptionswasHorneFisher，whohadacuriouscapacityfortalkingtoalmostanybodyaboutalmostanything。
\"Studyingbotany，orisitarchaeology？\"inquiredGrayne。\"Ishallnevercometotheendofyourinterests，Fisher。Ishouldsaythatwhatyoudon’tknowisn’tworthknowing。\"
\"Youarewrong，\"repliedFisher，withaveryunusualabruptness’andevenbitterness。\"It’swhatI
doknowthatisn’tworthknowing。Alltheseamysideofthings，allthesecretreasonsandrottenmotivesandbriberyaridblackmailtheycallpolitics。Ineedn’tbesoproudofhavingbeendownallthesesewersthatIshouldbragaboutittothelittleboysinthestreet。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？What’sthematterwithyou？\"askedhisfriend。\"Ineverknewyoutakenlikethisbefore。\"
\"I’mashamedofmyself，\"repliedFisher。\"I’vejustbeenthrowingcoldwaterontheenthusiasmsofaboy。\"
\"Eventhatexplanationishardlyexhaustive，\"observedthecriminalexpert。
\"Damnednewspapernonsensetheenthusiasmswere，ofcourse，\"continuedFisher，\"butIoughttoknowthatatthatageillusionscanbeideals。Andthey’rebetterthanthereality，anyhow。Butthereisoneveryuglyresponsibilityaboutjoltingayoungmanoutoftherutofthemostrottenideal。\"
\"Andwhatmaythatbe？\"inquiredhisfriend。
\"It’sveryapttosethimoffwiththesameenergyinamuchworsedirection，\"answeredFisher;\"aprettyendlesssortofdirection，abottomlesspitasdeepasthebottomlesswell。\"
Fisherdidnotseehisfrienduntilafortnightlater，whenhefoundhimselfinthegardenatthebackoftheclubhouseontheoppositesidefromthelinks，agardenheavilycoloredandscentedwithsweetsemitropicalplantsintheglowofadesertsunset。
Twoothermenwerewithhim，thethirdbeingthenowcelebratedsecondincommand，familiartoeverybodyasTomTravers，alean，darkman，wholookedolderthanhisyears，withafurrowinhisbrowandsomethingmoroseabouttheveryshapeofhisblackmustache。TheyhadjustbeenservedwithblackcoffeebytheArabnowofficiatingasthetemporaryservantoftheclub，thoughhewasafigurealreadyfamiliar，andevenfamous，astheoldservantofthegeneral。HewentbythenameofSaid，andwasnotableamongotherSemitesforthatunnaturallengthofhisyellowfaceandheightofhisnarrowforeheadwhichissometimesseenamongthem，andgaveanirrationalimpressionofsomethingsinister，inspiteofhisagreeablesmile。
\"IneverfeelasifIcouldquitetrustthatfellow，\"saidGrayne，whenthemanhadgoneaway。
\"It’sveryunjust，Itakeit，forhewascertainlydevotedtoHastings，andsavedhislife，theysay。ButArabsareoftenlikethat，loyaltooneman。Ican’thelpfeelinghemightcutanybodyelse’sthroat，andevendoittreacherously。\"
\"Well，\"saidTravers，witharathersoursmile，\"solongasheleavesHastingsalonetheworldwon’tmindmuch。\"
Therewasaratherembarrassingsilence，fullofmemoriesofthegreatbattle，andthenHorneFishersaid，quietly：
\"Thenewspapersaren’ttheworld，Tom。Don’tyouworryaboutthem。Everybodyinyourworldknowsthetruthwellenough。\"
\"Ithinkwe’dbetternottalkaboutthegeneraljustnow，\"remarkedGrayne，\"forhe’sjustcomingoutoftheclub。\"
\"He’snotcominghere，\"saidFisher。\"He’sonlyseeinghiswifetothecar。\"
Ashespoke，indeed，theladycameoutonthestepsoftheclub，followedbyherhusband，whothenwentswiftlyinfrontofhertoopenthegardengate。
Ashedidsosheturnedbackandspokeforamomenttoasolitarymanstillsittinginacanechairintheshadowofthedoorway，theonlymanleftinthedesertedclubsaveforthethreethatlingeredinthegarden。Fisherpeeredforamomentintotheshadow，andsawthatitwasCaptainBoyle。
Thenextmoment，rathertotheirsurprise，thegeneralreappearedand，remountingthesteps，spokeawordortwotoBoyleinhisturn。ThenhesignaledtoSaid，whohurriedupwithtwocupsofcoffee，andthetwomenre—enteredtheclub，eachcarryinghiscupinhishand。Thenextmomentagleamofwhitelightinthegrowingdarknessshowedthattheelectriclampshadbeenturnedoninthelibrarybeyond。
\"Coffeeandscientificresearches，\"saidTravers，grimly。\"Alltheluxuriesoflearningandtheoreticalresearch。Well，Imustbegoing，forIhavemyworktodoaswell。\"Andhegotupratherstiffly，salutedhiscompanions，andstrodeawayintothedusk。
\"IonlyhopeBoyleisstickingtoscientificresearches，\"saidHorneFisher。\"I’mnotverycomfortableabouthimmyself。Butlet’stalkaboutsomethingelse。\"
Theytalkedaboutsomethingelselongerthantheyprobablyimagined，untilthetropicalnighthadcomeandasplendidmoonpaintedthewholescenewithsilver;butbeforeitwasbrightenoughtoseebyFisherhadalreadynotedthatthelightsinthelibraryhadbeenabruptlyextinguished。Hewaitedforthetwomentocomeoutbythegardenentrance，butnobodycame。
\"Theymusthavegoneforastrollonthelinks，\"hesaid。
\"Verypossibly，\"repliedGrayne。\"It’sgoingtobeabeautifulnight。\"
Amomentortwoafterhehadspokentheyheardavoicehailingthemoutoftheshadowoftheclubhouse，andwereastonishedtoperceiveTravershurryingtowardthem，callingoutashecame：
\"Ishallwantyourhelp，youfellows，\"hecried。
\"There’ssomethingprettybadoutonthelinks。\"
Theyfoundthemselvesplungingthroughtheclubsmokingroomandthelibrarybeyond，incompletedarkness，mentalaswellasmaterial。ButHorneFisher，inspiteofhisaffectationofindifference，wasapersonofacuriousandalmosttranscendentalsensibilitytoatmospheres，andhealreadyfeltthepresenceofsomethingmorethananaccident。Hecollidedwithapieceoffurnitureinthelibrary，andalmostshudderedwiththeshock，forthethingmovedashecouldneverhavefanciedapieceoffurnituremoving。Itseemedtomovelikealivingthing，yieldingandyetstrikingback。ThenextmomentGraynehadturnedonthelights，andhesawhehadonlystumbledagainstoneoftherevolvingbookstandsthathadswungroundandstruckhim;buthisinvoluntaryrecoilhadrevealedtohimhisownsubconscioussenseofsomethingmysteriousandmonstrous。Therewereseveraloftheserevolvingbookcasesstandinghereandthereaboutthelibrary;ononeofthemstoodthetwocupsofcoffee，andonanotheralargeopenbook。ItwasBudge’sbookonEgyptianhieroglyphics，withcoloredplatesofstrangebirdsandgods，andevenasherushedpast，hewasconsciousofsomethingoddaboutthefactthatthis，andnotanyworkofmilitaryscience，shouldbeopeninthatplaceatthatmoment。
Hewasevenconsciousofthegapinthewell—linedbookshelffromwhichithadbeentaken，anditseemedalmosttogapeathiminanuglyfashion，likeagapintheteethofsomesinisterface。
Arunbroughttheminafewminutestotheothersideofthegroundinfrontofthebottomlesswell，andafewyardsfromit，inamoonlightalmostasbroadasdaylight，theysawwhattheyhadcometosee。
ThegreatLordHastingslayproneonhisface，inapostureinwhichtherewasatouchofsomethingstrangeandstiff，withoneelbowerectabovehisbody，thearmbeingdoubled，andhisbig，bonyhandclutchingtherankandraggedgrass。AfewfeetawaywasBoyle，almostasmotionless，butsupportedonhishandsandknees，andstaringatthebody。Itmighthavebeennomorethanshockandaccident;
buttherewassomethingungainlyandunnaturalaboutthequadrupedalpostureandthegapingface。Itwasasifhisreasonhadfledfromhim。Behind，therewasnothingbuttheclearbluesouthernsky，andthebeginningofthedesert，exceptforthetwogreatbrokenstonesinfrontofthewell。Anditwasinsuchalightandatmospherethatmencouldfancytheytracedinthemenormousandevilfaces，lookingdown。
HorneFisherstoopedandtouchedthestronghandthatwasstillclutchingthegrass，anditwasascoldasastone。Hekneltbythebodyandwasbusyforamomentapplyingothertests;thenheroseagain，andsaid，withasortofconfidentdespair：
\"LordHastingsisdead。\"
Therewasastonysilence，andthenTraversremarked，gruffly：\"Thisisyourdepartment，Grayne;
IwillleaveyoutoquestionCaptainBoyle。Icanmakenosenseofwhathesays。\"
Boylehadpulledhimselftogetherandrisentohisfeet，buthisfacestillworeanawfulexpression，makingitlikeanewmaskorthefaceofanotherman。
\"Iwaslookingatthewell，\"hesaid，\"andwhenI
turnedhehadfallendown。\"
Grayne’sfacewasverydark。\"Asyousay，thisismyaffair，\"hesaid。\"Imustfirstaskyoutohelpmecarryhimtothelibraryandletmeexaminethingsthoroughly。\"
Whentheyhaddepositedthebodyinthelibrary，GrayneturnedtoFisherandsaid，inavoicethathadrecovereditsfullnessandconfidence，\"Iamgoingtolockmyselfinandmakeathoroughexaminationfirst。IlooktoyoutokeepintouchwiththeothersandmakeapreliminaryexaminationofBoyle。Iwilltalktohimlater。Andjusttelephonetoheadquartersforapoliceman，andlethimcomehereatonceandstandbytillIwanthim。\"