Withoutmorewordsthegreatcriminalinvestigatorwentintothelightedlibrary，shuttingthedoorbehindhim，andFisher，withoutreplying，turnedandbegantotalkquietlytoTravers。\"Itiscurious，\"hesaid，\"thatthethingshouldhappenjustinfrontofthatplace。\"
\"Itwouldcertainlybeverycurious，\"repliedTravers，\"iftheplaceplayedanypartinit。\"
\"Ithink，\"repliedFisher，\"thatthepartitdidn’tplayismorecuriousstill。\"
AndwiththeseapparentlymeaninglesswordsheturnedtotheshakenBoyleand，takinghisarm，begantowalkhimupanddowninthemoonlight，talkinginlowtones。
DawnhadbeguntobreakabruptandwhitewhenCuthbertGrayneturnedoutthelightsinthelibraryandcameoutontothelinks。Fisherwasloungingaboutalone，inhislistlessfashion;butthepolicemessengerforwhomhehadsentwasstandingatattentioninthebackground。
\"IsentBoyleoffwithTravers，\"observedFisher，carelessly;\"he’lllookafterhim，andhe’dbetterhavesomesleep，anyhow。\"
\"Didyougetanythingoutofhim？\"askedGrayne。
\"DidhetellyouwhatheandHastingsweredoing？\"
\"Yes，\"answeredFisher，\"hegavemeaprettyclearaccount，afterall。HesaidthatafterLadyHastingswentoffinthecarthegeneralaskedhimtotakecoffeewithhiminthelibraryandlookupapointaboutlocalantiquities。HehimselfwasbeginningtolookforBudge’sbookinoneoftherevolvingbookstandswhenthegeneralfounditinoneofthebookshelvesonthewall。Afterlookingatsomeoftheplatestheywentout，itwouldseem，ratherabruptly，ontothelinks，andwalkedtowardtheoldwell;andwhileBoylewaslookingintoitheheardathudbehindhim，andturnedroundtofindthegenerallyingaswefoundhim。Hehimselfdroppedonhiskneestoexaminethebody，andthenwasparalyzedwithasortofterrorandcouldnotcomenearertoitortouchit。
ButIthinkverylittleofthat;peoplecaughtinarealshockofsurprisearesometimesfoundinthequeerestpostures。\"
Grayneworeagrimsmileofattention，andsaid，afterashortsilence：
\"Well，hehasn’ttoldyoumanylies。It’sreallyacreditablyclearandconsistentaccountofwhathappened，witheverythingofimportanceleftout。\"
\"Haveyoudiscoveredanythinginthere？\"askedFisher。
\"Ihavediscoveredeverything，\"answeredGrayne。
Fishermaintainedasomewhatgloomysilence，astheotherresumedhisexplanationinquietandassuredtones。
\"Youwerequiteright，Fisher，whenyousaidthatyoungfellowwasindangerofgoingdowndarkwaystowardthepit。Whetherorno，asyoufancied，thejoltyougavetohisviewofthegeneralhadanythingtodowithit，hehasnotbeentreatingthegeneralwellforsometime。It’sanunpleasantbusiness，andIdon’twanttodwellonit;butit’sprettyplainthathiswifewasnottreatinghimwell，either。Idon’tknowhowfaritwent，butitwentasfarasconcealment，anyhow;forwhenLadyHastingsspoketoBoyleitwastotellhimshehadhiddenanoteintheBudgebookinthelibrary。Thegeneraloverheard，orcamesomehowtoknow，andhewentstraighttothebookandfoundit。HeconfrontedBoylewithit，andtheyhadascene，ofcourse。AndBoylewasconfrontedwithsomethingelse;hewasconfrontedwithanawfulalternative，inwhichthelifeofoneoldmanmeantruinandhisdeathmeanttriumphandevenhappiness。\"
\"Well，\"observedFisher，atlast，\"Idon’tblamehimfornottellingyouthewoman’spartofthestory。Buthowdoyouknowabouttheletter？\"
\"Ifounditonthegeneral’sbody，\"answeredGrayne，\"butIfoundworsethingsthanthat。
ThebodyhadstiffenedinthewayratherpeculiartopoisonsofacertainAsiaticsort。ThenI
examinedthecoffeecups，andIknewenoughchemistrytofindpoisoninthedregsofoneofthem。Now，theGeneralwentstraighttothebookcase，leavinghiscupofcoffeeonthebookstandinthemiddleoftheroom。Whilehisbackwasturned，andBoylewaspretendingtoexaminethebookstand，hewasleftalonewiththecoffeecup。Thepoisontakesabouttenminutestoact，andtenminutes’walkwouldbringthemtothebottomlesswell。\"
\"Yes，\"remarkedFisher，\"andwhataboutthebottomlesswell？\"
\"Whathasthebottomlesswellgottodowithit？\"
askedhisfriend。
\"Ithasnothingtodowithit，\"repliedFisher。\"ThatiswhatIfindutterlyconfoundingandincredible。\"
\"Andwhyshouldthatparticularholeinthegroundhaveanythingtodowithit？\"
\"Itisaparticularholeinyourcase，\"saidFisher。
\"ButIwon’tinsistonthatjustnow。Bytheway，thereisanotherthingIoughttotellyou。IsaidIsentBoyleawayinchargeofTravers。ItwouldbejustastruetosayIsentTraversinchargeofBoyle。\"
\"Youdon’tmeantosayyoususpectTomTravers？\"criedtheother。
her。
\"HewasadealbittereragainstthegeneralthanBoyleeverwas，\"observedHorneFisher，withacuriousindifference。
\"Man，you’renotsayingwhatyoumean，\"criedGrayne。\"ItellyouIfoundthepoisoninoneofthecoffeecups。\"
\"TherewasalwaysSaid，ofcourse，\"addedFisher，\"eitherforhatredorhire。Weagreedhewascapableofalmostanything。\"
\"Andweagreedhewasincapableofhurtinghismaster，\"retortedGrayne。
\"Well，well，\"saidFisher，amiably，\"Idaresayyouareright;butIshouldjustliketohavealookatthelibraryandthecoffeecups。\"
Hepassedinside，whileGrayneturnedtothepolicemaninattendanceandhandedhimascribblednote，tobetelegraphedfromheadquarters。Themansalutedandhurriedoff;andGrayne，followinghisfriendintothelibrary，foundhimbesidethebookstandinthemiddleoftheroom，onwhichweretheemptycups。
\"ThisiswhereBoylelookedforBudge，orpretendedtolookforhim，accordingtoyouraccount，\"hesaid。
AsFisherspokehebentdowninahalf—crouchingattitude，tolookatthevolumesinthelow，revolvingshelf，forthewholebookstandwasnotmuchhigherthananordinarytable。Thenextmomenthesprangupasifhehadbeenstung。
\"Oh，myGod！\"hecried。
Veryfewpeople，ifany，hadeverseenMr。
HorneFisherbehaveashebehavedjustthen。Heflashedaglanceatthedoor，sawthattheopenwindowwasnearer，wentoutofitwithaflyingleap，asifoverahurdle，andwentracingacrosstheturf，inthetrackofthedisappearingpoliceman。Grayne，whostoodstaringafterhim，soonsawhistall，loosefigure，returning，restoredtoallitsnormallimpnessandairofleisure。Hewasfanninghimselfslowlywithapieceofpaper，thetelegramhehadsoviolentlyintercepted。
\"LuckyIstoppedthat，\"heobserved。\"Wemustkeepthisaffairasquietasdeath。Hastingsmustdieofapoplexyorheartdisease。\"
\"Whatonearthisthetrouble？\"demandedtheotherinvestigator。
\"Thetroubleis，\"saidFisher，\"thatinafewdaysweshouldhavehadaveryagreeablealternative——ofhanginganinnocentmanorknockingtheBritishEmpiretohell。\"
\"Doyoumeantosay，\"askedGrayne，\"thatthisinfernalcrimeisnottobepunished？\"
Fisherlookedathimsteadily。
\"Itisalreadypunished，\"hesaid。
Afteramoment’spausehewenton。\"Youreconstructedthecrimewithadmirableskill，oldchap，andnearlyallyousaidwastrue。Twomenwithtwocoffeecupsdidgointothelibraryanddidputtheircupsonthebookstandanddidgotogethertothewell，andoneofthemwasamurdererandhadputpoisonintheother’scup。ButitwasnotdonewhileBoylewaslookingattherevolvingbookcase。Hedidlookatit，though，searchingfortheBudgebookwiththenoteinit，butI
fancythatHastingshadalreadymovedittotheshelvesonthewall。Itwaspartofthatgrimgamethatheshouldfinditfirst。
\"Now，howdoesamansearcharevolvingbookcase？Hedoesnotgenerallyhopallrounditinasquattingattitude，likeafrog。Hesimplygivesitatouchandmakesitrevolve。\"
Hewasfrowningatthefloorashespoke，andtherewasalightunderhisheavylidsthatwasnotoftenseenthere。Themysticismthatwasburieddeepunderallthecynicismofhisexperiencewasawakeandmovinginthedepths。Hisvoicetookunexpectedturnsandinflections，almostasiftwomenwerespeaking。
\"ThatwaswhatBoyledid;hebarelytouchedthething，anditwentroundaselasilyastheworldgoesround。Yes，verymuchastheworldgoesround，forthehandthatturneditwasnothis。God，whoturnsthewheelofallthestars，touchedthatwheelandbroughtitfullcircle，thatHisdreadfuljusticemightreturn。\"
\"Iambeginning，\"saidGrayne，slowly，\"tohavesomehazyandhorribleideaofwhatyoumean。\"
\"Itisverysimple，\"saidFisher，\"whenBoylestraightenedhimselffromhisstoopingposture，somethinghadhappenedwhichhehadnotnoticed，whichhisenemyhadnotnoticed，whichnobodyhadnoticed。Thetwocoffeecupshadexactlychangedplaces。\"
TherockyfaceofGrayneseemedtohavesustainedashockinsilence;notalineofitaltered，buthisvoicewhenitcamewasunexpectedlyweakened。
\"Iseewhatyoumean，\"hesaid，\"and，asyousay，thelesssaidaboutitthebetter。Itwasnottheloverwhotriedtogetridofthehusband，but——theotherthing。Andatalelikethataboutamanlikethatwouldruinushere。Hadyouanyguessofthisatthestart？\"
\"Thebottomlesswell，asItoldyou，\"answeredFisher，quietly;\"thatwaswhatstumpedmefromthestart。Notbecauseithadanythingtodowithit，becauseithadnothingtodowithit。\"
Hepausedamoment，asifchoosinganapproach，andthenwenton：\"Whenamanknowshisenemywillbedeadintenminutes，andtakeshimtotheedgeofanunfathomablepit，hemeanstothrowhisbodyintoit。Whatelseshouldhedo？Abornfoolwouldhavethesensetodoit，andBoyleisnotabornfool。
Well，whydidnotBoyledoit？ThemoreIthoughtofitthemoreIsuspectedtherewassomemistakeinthemurder，sotospeak。Somebodyhadtakensomebodytheretothrowhimin，andyethewasnotthrownin。Ihadalreadyanugly，unformedideaofsomesubstitutionorreversalofparts;thenIstoopedtoturnthebookstandmyself，byaccident，andI
instantlykneweverything，forIsawthetwocupsrevolveoncemore，likemoonsinthesky。\"
Afterapause，CuthbertGraynesaid，\"Andwhatarewetosaytothenewspapers？\"
\"Myfriend，HaroldMarch，iscomingalongfromCairoto—day，\"saidFisher。\"Heisaverybrilliantandsuccessfuljournalist。Butforallthathe’sathoroughlyhonorableman，soyoumustnottellhimthetruth。\"
HalfanhourlaterFisherwasagainwalkingtoandfroinfrontoftheclubhouse，withCaptainBoyle，thelatterbythistimewithaverybuffetedandbewilderedair;perhapsasadderandawiserman。
\"Whataboutme，then？\"hewassaying。\"AmI
cleared？AmInotgoingtobecleared？\"
\"Ibelieveandhope，\"answeredFisher，\"thatyouarenotgoingtobesuspected。Butyouarecertainlynotgoingtobecleared。Theremustbenosuspicionagainsthim，andthereforenosuspicionagainstyou。
Anysuspicionagainsthim，letalonesuchastoryagainsthim，wouldknockusendwaysfromMaltatoMandalay。HewasaheroaswellasaholyterroramongtheMoslems。Indeed，youmightalmostcallhimaMoslemherointheEnglishservice。OfcoursehegotonwiththempartlybecauseofhisownlittledoseofEasternblood;hegotitfromhismother，thedancerfromDamascus;everybodyknowsthat。\"
\"Oh，\"repeatedBoyle，mechanically，staringathimwithroundeyes，\"everybodyknowsthat。\"
\"Idaresaytherewasatouchofitinhisjealousyandferociousvengeance，\"wentonFisher。\"But，forallthat，thecrimewouldruinusamongtheArabs，allthemorebecauseitwassomethinglikeacrimeagainsthospitality。It’sbeenhatefulforyouandit’sprettyhorridforme。Buttherearesomethingsthatdamnedwellcan’tbedone，andwhileI’malivethat’soneofthem。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"askedBoyle，glancingathimcuriously。\"Whyshouldyou，ofallpeople，besopassionateaboutit？\"
HorneFisherlookedattheyoungmanwithabafflingexpression。
\"Isuppose，\"hesaid，\"it’sbecauseI’maLittleEnglander。\"
\"Icannevermakeoutwhatyoumeanbythatsortofthing，\"answeredBoyle，doubtfully。
\"DoyouthinkEnglandissolittleasallthat？\"saidFisher，withawarmthinhiscoldvoice，\"thatitcan’tholdamanacrossafewthousandmiles。Youlecturedmewithalotofidealpatriotism，myyoungfriend;butit’spracticalpatriotismnowforyouandme，andwithnoliestohelpit。Youtalkedasifeverythingalwayswentrightwithusallovertheworld，inatriumphantcrescendoculminatinginHastings。Itellyoueverythinghasgonewrongwithushere，exceptHastings。Hewastheonenamewehadlefttoconjurewith，andthatmustn’tgoaswell，no，byGod！
It’sbadenoughthatagangofinfernalJewsshouldplantushere，wherethere’snoearthlyEnglishinteresttoserve，andallhellbeatingupagainstus，simplybecauseNoseyZimmernhaslentmoneytohalftheCabinet。It’sbadenoughthatanoldpawnbrokerfromBagdadshouldmakeusfighthisbattles;wecan’tfightwithourrighthandcutoff。OuronescorewasHastingsandhisvictory，whichwasreallysomebodyelse’svictory。TomTravershastosuffer，andsohaveyou。\"
Then，afteramoment’ssilence，hepointedtowardthebottomlesswellandsaid，inaquietertone：
\"ItoldyouthatIdidn’tbelieveinthephilosophyoftheTowerofAladdin。Idon’tbelieveintheEmpiregrowinguntilitreachesthesky;Idon’tbelieveintheUnionJackgoingupandupeternallyliketheTower。
ButifyouthinkIamgoingtolettheUnionJackgodownanddowneternally，likethebottomlesswell，downintotheblacknessofthebottomlesspit，downindefeatandderision，amidthejeersoftheveryJewswhohavesuckedusdry——noIwon’t，andthat’sflat;notiftheChancellorwereblackmailedbytwentymillionaireswiththeirgutterrags，notifthePrimeMinistermarriedtwentyYankeeJewesses，notifWoodvilleandCarstairshadsharesintwentyswindlingmines。Ifthethingisreallytottering，Godhelpit，itmustn’tbewewhotipitover。\"
Boylewasregardinghimwithabewildermentthatwasalmostfear，andhadevenatouchofdistaste。
\"Somehow，\"hesaid，\"thereseemstobesomethingratherhorridaboutthethingsyouknow。\"
\"Thereis，\"repliedHorneFisher。\"Iamnotatallpleasedwithmysmallstockofknowledgeandreflection。Butasitispartlyresponsibleforyournotbeinghanged，Idon’tknowthatyouneedcomplainofit。\"
And，asifalittleashamedofhisfirstboast，heturnedandstrolledawaytowardthebottomlesswell。
V。THEFADOFTHEFISHERMAN
Athingcansometimesbetooextraordinarytoberemembered。Ifitiscleanoutofthecourseofthings，andhasapparentlynocausesandnoconsequences，subsequenteventsdonotrecallit，anditremainsonlyasubconsciousthing，tobestirredbysomeaccidentlongafter。Itdriftsapartlikeaforgottendream;anditwasinthehourofmanydreams，atdaybreakandverysoonaftertheendofdark，thatsuchastrangesightwasgiventoamanscullingaboatdownariverintheWestcountry。Themanwasawake;indeed，heconsideredhimselfratherwideawake，beingthepoliticaljournalist，HaroldMarch，onhiswaytointerviewvariouspoliticalcelebritiesintheircountryseats。Butthethinghesawwassoinconsequentthatitmighthavebeenimaginary。Itsimplyslippedpasthismindandwaslostinlaterandutterlydifferentevents;nordidheevenrecoverthememorytillhehadlongafterwarddiscoveredthemeaning。
Palemistsofmorninglayonthefieldsandtherushesalongonemarginoftheriver;alongtheothersideranawalloftawnybrickalmostoverhangingthewater。Hehadshippedhisoarsandwasdriftingforamomentwiththestream，whenheturnedhisheadandsawthatthemonotonyofthelongbrickwallwasbrokenbyabridge;ratheraneleganteighteenth—centurysortofbridgewithlittlecolumnsofwhitestoneturninggray。Therehadbeenfloodsandtheriverstillstoodveryhigh，withdwarfishtreeswaistdeepinit，andratheranarrowarcofwhitedawngleamedunderthecurveofthebridge。
Ashisownboatwentunderthedarkarchwayhesawanotherboatcomingtowardhim，rowedbyamanassolitaryashimself。Hisposturepreventedmuchbeingseenofhim，butashenearedthebridgehestoodupintheboatandturnedround。Hewasalreadysoclosetothedarkentry，however，thathiswholefigurewasblackagainstthemorninglight，andMarchcouldseenothingofhisfaceexcepttheendoftwolongwhiskersormustachesthatgavesomethingsinistertothesilhouette，likehornsinthewrongplace。
EventhesedetailsMarchwouldneverhavenoticedbutforwhathappenedinthesameinstant。Asthemancameunderthelowbridgehemadealeapatitandhung，withhislegsdangling，lettingtheboatfloatawayfromunderhim。Marchhadamomentaryvisionoftwoblackkickinglegs;thenofoneblackkickingleg;andthenofnothingexcepttheeddyingstreamandthelongperspectiveofthewall。Butwheneverhethoughtofitagain，longafterward，whenheunderstoodthestoryinwhichitfigured，itwasalwaysfixedinthatonefantasticshape——asifthosewildlegswereagrotesquegravenornamentofthebridgeitself，inthemannerofagargoyle。Atthemomenthemerelypassed，staring，downthestream。
Hecouldseenoflyingfigureonthebridge，soitmusthavealreadyfled;buthewashalfconsciousofsomefaintsignificanceinthefactthatamongthetreesroundthebridgeheadoppositethewallhesawalamp—post;and，besidethelamp—post，thebroadbluebackofanunconsciouspoliceman。
Evenbeforereachingtheshrineofhispoliticalpilgrimagehehadmanyotherthingstothinkofbesidestheoddincidentofthebridge;forthemanagementofaboatbyasolitarymanwasnotalwayseasyevenonsuchasolitarystream。Andindeeditwasonlybyanunforeseenaccidentthathewassolitary。Theboathadbeenpurchasedandthewholeexpeditionplannedinconjunctionwithafriend，whohadatthelastmomentbeenforcedtoalterallhisarrangements。HaroldMarchwastohavetraveledwithhisfriendHorneFisheronthatinlandvoyagetoWillowoodPlace，wherethePrimeMinisterwasaguestatthemoment。MoreandmorepeoplewerehearingofHaroldMarch，forhisstrikingpoliticalarticleswereopeningtohimthedoorsoflargerandlargersalons;buthehadnevermetthePrimeMinisteryet。ScarcelyanybodyamongthegeneralpublichadeverheardofHorneFisher;buthehadknownthePrimeMinisterallhislife。Forthesereasons，hadthetwotakentheprojectedjourneytogether，MarchmighthavebeenslightlydisposedtohastenitandFishervaguelycontenttolengthenitout。
ForFisherwasoneofthosepeoplewhoarebornknowingthePrimeMinister。Theknowledgeseemedtohavenoveryexhilaranteffect，andinhiscaseboresomeresemblancetobeingborntired。Buthewasdistinctlyannoyedtoreceive，justashewasdoingalittlelightpackingoffishingtackleandcigarsforthejourney，atelegramfromWillowoodaskinghimtocomedownatoncebytrain，asthePrimeMinisterhadtoleavethatnight。Fisherknewthathisfriendthejournalistcouldnotpossiblystarttillthenextday，andhelikedhisfriendthejournalist，andhadlookedforwardtoafewdaysontheriver。HedidnotparticularlylikeordislikethePrimeMinister，butheintenselydislikedthealternativeofafewhoursinthetrain。Nevertheless，heacceptedPrimeMinistersasheacceptedrailwaytrains——aspartofasystemwhichhe，atleast，wasnottherevolutionistsentonearthtodestroy。SohetelephonedtoMarch，askinghim，withmanyapologeticcursesandfaintdamns，totaketheboatdowntheriverasarranged，thattheymightmeetatWillowoodbythetimesettled;thenhewentoutsideandhailedataxicabtotakehimtotherailwaystation。Therehepausedatthebookstalltoaddtohislightluggageanumberofcheapmurderstories，whichhereadwithgreatpleasure，andwithoutanypremonitionthathewasabouttowalkintoasstrangeastoryinreallife。
Alittlebeforesunsethearrived，withhislightsuitcaseinhand，beforethegateofthelongriversidegardensofWillowoodPlace，oneofthesmallerseatsofSirIsaacHook，themasterofmuchshippingandmanynewspapers。Heenteredbythegategivingontheroad，attheoppositesidetotheriver，buttherewasamixedqualityinallthatwaterylandscapewhichperpetuallyremindedatravelerthattheriverwasnear。Whitegleamsofwaterwouldshinesuddenlylikeswordsorspearsinthegreenthickets。
Andeveninthegardenitself，dividedintocourtsandcurtainedwithhedgesandhighgardentrees，therehungeverywhereintheairthemusicofwater。Thefirstofthegreencourtswhichheenteredappearedtobeasomewhatneglectedcroquetlawn，inwhichwasasolitaryyoungmanplayingcroquetagainsthimself。Yethewasnotanenthusiastforthegame，orevenforthegarden;andhissallowbutwell—featuredfacelookedrathersullenthanotherwise。Hewasonlyoneofthoseyoungmenwhocannotsupporttheburdenofconsciousnessunlesstheyaredoingsomething，andwhoseconceptionsofdoingsomethingarelimitedtoagameofsomekind。Hewasdarkandwell。dressedinalightholidayfashion，andFisherrecognizedhimatonceasayoungmannamedJamesBullen，called，forsomeunknownreason，Bunker。HewasthenephewofSirIsaac;
but，whatwasmuchmoreimportantatthemoment，hewasalsotheprivatesecretaryofthePrimeMinister。
\"Hullo，Bunker！\"observedHorneFisher。\"You’rethesortofmanIwantedtosee。Hasyourchiefcomedownyet？\"
\"He’sonlystayingfordinner，\"repliedBullen，withhiseyeontheyellowball。\"He’sgotagreatspeechto—morrowatBirminghamandhe’sgoingstraightthroughto—night。He’smotoringhimselfthere;drivingthecar，Imean。It’stheonethinghe’sreallyproudof。\"
\"Youmeanyou’restayingherewithyouruncle，likeagoodboy？\"repliedFisher。\"ButwhatwilltheChiefdoatBirminghamwithouttheepigramswhisperedtohimbyhisbrilliantsecretary？\"
\"Don’tyoustartraggingme，\"saidtheyoungmancalledBunker。\"I’monlytoogladnottogotrailingafterhim。Hedoesn’tknowathingaboutmapsormoneyorhotelsoranything，andIhavetodanceaboutlikeacourier。Asformyuncle，asI’msupposedtocomeintotheestate，it’sonlydecenttobeheresometimes。\"
\"Veryproper，\"repliedtheother。\"Well，Ishallseeyoulateron，\"and，crossingthelawn，hepassedoutthroughagapinthehedge。
Hewaswalkingacrossthelawntowardthelandingstageontheriver，andstillfeltallaroundhim，underthedomeofgoldenevening，anOldWorldsavorandreverberationinthatriverhauntedgarden。
Thenextsquareofturfwhichhecrossedseemedatfirstsightquitedeserted，tillhesawinthetwilightoftreesinonecornerofitahammockandinthehammockaman，readinganewspaperandswingingonelegovertheedgeofthenet。
Himalsohehailedbyname，andthemanslippedtothegroundandstrolledforward。Itseemedfatedthatheshouldfeelsomethingofthepastintheaccidentsofthatplace，forthefiguremightwellhavebeenanearly—Victorianghostrevisitingtheghostsofthecroquethoopsandmallets。Itwasthefigureofanelderlymanwithlongwhiskersthatlookedalmostfantastic，andaquaintandcarefulcutofcollarandcravat。Havingbeenafashionabledandyfortyyearsago，hehadmanagedtopreservethedandyismwhileignoringthefashions。Awhitetop—hatlaybesidetheMorningPostinthehammockbehindhim。ThiswastheDukeofWestmoreland，therelicofafamilyreallysomecenturiesold;andtheantiquitywasnotheraldrybuthistory。NobodyknewbetterthanFisherhowraresuchnoblemenareinfact，andhownumerousinfiction。ButwhetherthedukeowedthegeneralrespectheenjoyedtothegenuinenessofhispedigreeortothefactthatheownedavastamountofveryvaluablepropertywasapointaboutwhichMr。Fisher’sopinionmighthavebeenmoreinterestingtodiscover。
\"Youwerelookingsocomfortable，\"saidFisher，\"thatIthoughtyoumustbeoneoftheservants。I’mlookingforsomebodytotakethisbagofmine;I
haven’tbroughtamandown，asIcameawayinahurry。\"
\"NorhaveI，forthatmatter，\"repliedtheduke，withsomepride。\"Ineverdo。Ifthere’soneanimalaliveI
loatheit’savalet。Ilearnedtodressmyselfatanearlyageandwassupposedtodoitdecently。Imaybeinmysecondchildhood，butI’venotgosofarasbeingdressedlikeachild。\"
\"ThePrimeMinisterhasn’tbroughtavalet;he’sbroughtasecretaryinstead，\"observedFisher。
\"Devilishinferiorjob。Didn’tIhearthatHarkerwasdownhere？\"
\"He’soverthereonthelandingstage，\"repliedtheduke，indifferently，andresumedthestudyoftheMorningPost。
Fishermadehiswaybeyondthelastgreenwallofthegardenontoasortoftowingpathlookingontheriverandawoodenislandopposite。
There，indeed，hesawalean，darkfigurewithastoopalmostlikethatofavulture，aposturewellknowninthelawcourtsasthatofSirJohnHarker，theAttorney—General。Hisfacewaslinedwithheadwork，foraloneamongthethreeidlersinthegardenhewasamanwhohadmadehisownway;androundhisbaldbrowandhollowtemplesclungdullredhair，quiteflat，likeplatesofcopper。
\"Ihaven’tseenmyhostyet，\"saidHorneFisher，inaslightlymoreserioustonethanhehadusedtotheothers，\"butIsupposeIshallmeethimatdinner。\"
\"Youcanseehimnow;butyoucan’tmeethim，\"
answeredHarker。
Henoddedhisheadtowardoneendoftheislandopposite，and，lookingsteadilyinthesamedirection，theotherguestcouldseethedomeofabaldheadandthetopofafishingrod，bothequallymotionless，risingoutofthetallundergrowthagainstthebackgroundofthestreambeyond。Thefishermanseemedtobeseatedagainstthestumpofatreeandfacingtowardtheotherbank，sothathisfacecouldnotbeseen，buttheshapeofhisheadwasunmistakable。
\"Hedoesn’tliketobedisturbedwhenhe’sfishing，\"
continuedHarker。\"It’sasortoffadofhistoeatnothingbutfish，andhe’sveryproudofcatchinghisown。Ofcoursehe’sallforsimplicity，likesomanyofthesemillionaires。Helikestocomeinsayinghe’sworkedforhisdailybreadlikealaborer。\"
\"Doesheexplainhowheblowsalltheglassandstuffsalltheupholstery，\"askedFisher，\"andmakesallthesilverforks，andgrowsallthegrapesandpeaches，anddesignsallthepatternsonthecarpets？
I’vealwaysheardhewasabusyman。\"
\"Idon’tthinkhementionedit，\"answeredthelawyer。\"Whatisthemeaningofthissocialsatire？\"
\"Well，Iamatrifletired，\"saidFisher，\"oftheSimpleLifeandtheStrenuousLifeaslivedbyourlittleset。We’reallreallydependentinnearlyeverything，andweallmakeafussaboutbeingindependentinsomething。ThePrimeMinisterprideshimselfondoingwithoutachauffeur，buthecan’tdowithoutafactotumandJack—of—all—trades;andpooroldBunkerhastoplaythepartofauniversalgenius，whichGodknowshewasnevermeantfor。Thedukeprideshimselfondoingwithoutavalet，but，forallthat，hemustgivealotofpeopleaninfernallotoftroubletocollectsuchextraordinaryoldclothesashewears。HemusthavethemlookedupintheBritishMuseumorexcavatedoutofthetombs。Thatwhitehatalonemustrequireasortofexpeditionfittedouttofindit，liketheNorthPole。AndherewehaveoldHookpretendingtoproducehisownfishwhenhecouldn’tproducehisownfishknivesorfishforkstoeatitwith。Hemaybesimpleaboutsimplethingslikefood，butyoubethe’sluxuriousaboutluxuriousthings，especiallylittlethings。Idon’tincludeyou;you’veworkedtoohardtoenjoyplayingatwork。\"
\"Isometimesthink，\"saidHarker，\"thatyouconcealahorridsecretofbeingusefulsometimes。Haven’tyoucomedownheretoseeNumberOnebeforehegoesontoBirmingham？\"
HorneFisheranswered，inalowervoice：\"Yes;
andIhopetobeluckyenoughtocatchhimbeforedinner。He’sgottoseeSirIsaacaboutsomethingjustafterward。\"
\"Hullo！\"exclaimedHarker。\"SirIsaac’sfinishedhisfishing。Iknowheprideshimselfongettingupatsunriseandgoinginatsunset。\"
Theoldmanontheislandhadindeedrisentohisfeet，facingroundandshowingabushofgraybeardwithrathersmall，sunkenfeatures，butfierceeyebrowsandkeen，cholericeyes。Carefullycarryinghisfishingtackle，hewasalreadymakinghiswaybacktothemainlandacrossabridgeofflatstepping—stonesalittlewaydowntheshallowstream;thenheveeredround，comingtowardhisguestsandcivillysalutingthem。Therewereseveralfishinhisbasketandhewasinagoodtemper。
\"Yes，\"hesaid，acknowledgingFisher’spoliteexpressionofsurprise，\"Igetupbeforeanybodyelseinthehouse，Ithink。Theearlybirdcatchestheworm。\"
\"Unfortunately，\"saidHarker，\"itistheearlyfishthatcatchestheworm。\"
\"Buttheearlymancatchesthefish，\"repliedtheoldman，gruffly。
\"ButfromwhatIhear，SirIsaac，youarethelateman，too，\"interposedFisher。\"Youmustdowithverylittlesleep。\"
\"Ineverhadmuchtimeforsleeping，\"answeredHook，\"andIshallhavetobethelatemanto—night，anyhow。ThePrimeMinisterwantstohaveatalk，hetellsme，and，allthingsconsidered，Ithinkwe’dbetterbedressingfordinner。\"
Dinnerpassedoffthateveningwithoutawordofpoliticsandlittleenoughbutceremonialtrifles。
ThePrimeMinister，LordMerivale，whowasalong，slimmanwithcurlygrayhair，wasgravelycomplimentarytohishostabouthissuccessasafishermanandtheskillandpatiencehedisplayed;
theconversationflowedliketheshallowstreamthroughthestepping—stones。
\"Itwantspatiencetowaitforthem，nodoubt，\"saidSirIsaac，\"andskilltoplaythem，butI’mgenerallyprettyluckyatit。\"
\"Doesabigfisheverbreakthelineandgetaway？\"inquiredthepolitician，withrespectfulinterest。
\"NotthesortoflineIuse，\"answeredHook，withsatisfaction。\"Iratherspecializeintackle，asamatteroffact。Ifhewerestrongenoughtodothat，he’dbestrongenoughtopullmeintotheriver。\"
\"Agreatlosstothecommunity，\"saidthePrimeMinister，bowing。
Fisherhadlistenedtoallthesefutilitieswithinwardimpatience，waitingforhisownopportunity，andwhenthehostrosehesprangtohisfeetwithanalertnessherarelyshowed。HemanagedtocatchLordMerivalebeforeSirIsaacborehimoffforthefinalinterview。Hehadonlyafewwordstosay，buthewantedtogetthemsaid。
Hesaid，inalowvoiceasheopenedthedoorforthePremier，\"IhaveseenMontmirail;hesaysthatunlessweprotestimmediatelyonbehalfofDenmark，Swedenwillcertainlyseizetheports。\"
LordMerivalenodded。\"I’mjustgoingtohearwhatHookhastosayaboutit，\"hesaid。
\"Iimagine，\"saidFisher，withafaintsmile，\"thatthereisverylittledoubtwhathewillsayaboutit。\"
Merivaledidnotanswer，butloungedgracefullytowardthelibrary，whitherhishosthadalreadyprecededhim。Therestdriftedtowardthebilliardroom，Fishermerelyremarkingtothelawyer：\"Theywon’tbelong。Weknowthey’repracticallyinagreement。\"
\"HookentirelysupportsthePrimeMinister，\"
assentedHarker。
\"OrthePrimeMinisterentirelysupportsHook，\"
saidHorneFisher，andbeganidlytoknocktheballsaboutonthebilliardtable。
HorneFishercamedownnextmorninginalateandleisurelyfashion，aswashisreprehensiblehabit;
hehadevidentlynoappetiteforcatchingworms。Buttheotherguestsseemedtohavefeltasimilarindifference，andtheyhelpedthemselvestobreakfastfromthesideboardatintervalsduringthehoursverginguponlunch。Sothatitwasnotmanyhourslaterwhenthefirstsensationofthatstrangedaycameuponthem。Itcameintheformofayoungmanwithlighthairandacandidexpression，whocamescullingdowntheriveranddisembarkedatthelandingstage。Itwas，infact，nootherthanMr。
HaroldMarch，whosejourneyhadbegunfarawayuptheriverintheearliesthoursofthatday。Hearrivedlateintheafternoon，havingstoppedforteainalargeriversidetown，andhehadapinkeveningpaperstickingoutofhispocket。Hefellontheriversidegardenlikeaquietandwell—behavedthunderbolt，buthewasathunderboltwithoutknowingit。
Thefirstexchangeofsalutationsandintroductionswascommonplaceenough，andconsisted，indeed，oftheinevitablerepetitionofexcusesfortheeccentricseclusionofthehost。Hehadgonefishingagain，ofcourse，andmustnotbedisturbedtilltheappointedhour，thoughhesatwithinastone’sthrowofwheretheystood。
\"Youseeit’shisonlyhobby，\"observedHarker，apologetically，\"and，afterall，it’shisownhouse;andhe’sveryhospitableinotherways。\"
\"I’mratherafraid，\"saidFisher，inalowervoice，\"thatit’sbecomingmoreofamaniathanahobby。I
knowhowitiswhenamanofthatagebeginstocollectthings，ifit’sonlycollectingthoserottenlittleriverfish。YourememberTalbot’sunclewithhistoothpicks，andpooroldBuzzyandthewasteofcigarashes。Hookhasdonealotofbigthingsinhistime——thegreatdealintheSwedishtimbertradeandthePeaceConferenceatChicago——butIdoubtwhetherhecaresnowforanyofthosebigthingsashecaresforthoselittlefish。\"
\"Oh，come，come，\"protestedtheAttorney—General。
\"You’llmakeMr。Marchthinkhehascometocallonalunatic。Believeme，Hookonlydoesitforfun，likeanyothersport，onlyhe’softhekindthattakeshisfunsadly。ButIbetiftherewerebignewsabouttimberorshipping，hewoulddrophisfunandhisfishallright。\"
\"Well，Iwonder，\"saidHorneFisher，lookingsleepilyattheislandintheriver。
\"Bytheway，isthereanynewsofanything？\"askedHarkerofHaroldMarch。\"Iseeyou’vegotaneveningpaper;oneofthoseenterprisingeveningpapersthatcomeoutinthemorning。\"
\"ThebeginningofLordMerivale’sBirminghamspeech，\"repliedMarch，handinghimthepaper。\"It’sonlyaparagraph，butitseemstomerathergood。\"
Harkertookthepaper，flappedandrefoldedit，andlookedatthe\"StopPress\"news。Itwas，asMarchhadsaid，onlyaparagraph。ButitwasaparagraphthathadapeculiareffectonSirJohnHarker。Hisloweringbrowsliftedwithaflickerandhiseyesblinked，andforamomenthisleatheryjawwasloosened。Helookedinsomeoddfashionlikeaveryoldman。Then，hardeninghisvoiceandhandingthepapertoFisherwithoutatremor，hesimplysaid：
\"Well，here’sachanceforthebet。You’vegotyourbignewstodisturbtheoldman’sfishing。\"
HorneFisherwaslookingatthepaper，andoverhismorelanguidandlessexpressivefeaturesachangealsoseemedtopass。Eventhatlittleparagraphhadtwoorthreelargeheadlines，andhiseyeencountered，\"SensationalWarningtoSweden，\"
and，\"WeShallProtest。\"
\"Whatthedevil——\"hesaid，andhiswordssoftenedfirsttoawhisperandthenawhistle。
\"WemusttelloldHookatonce，orhe’llneverforgiveus，\"saidHarker。\"He’llprobablywanttoseeNumberOneinstantly，thoughitmaybetoolatenow。I’mgoingacrosstohimatonce。IbetI’llmakehimforgethisfish，anyhow。\"And，turninghisback，hemadehiswayhurriedlyalongtheriversidetothecausewayofflatstones。
MarchwasstaringatFisher，inamazementattheeffecthispinkpaperhadproduced。
\"Whatdoesitallmean？\"hecried。\"IalwayssupposedweshouldprotestindefenseoftheDanishports，fortheirsakesandourown。WhatisallthisbotherationaboutSirIsaacandtherestofyou？Doyouthinkitbadnews？\"
\"Badnews！\"repeatedFisher，withasortofsoftemphasisbeyondexpression。
\"Isitasbadasallthat？\"askedhisfriend，atlast。
\"Asbadasallthat？\"repeatedFisher。\"Whyofcourseit’sasgoodasitcanbe。It’sgreatnews。It’sgloriousnews！That’swherethedevilofitcomesin，toknockusallsilly。It’sadmirable。It’sinestimable。
Itisalsoquiteincredible。\"
Hegazedagainatthegrayandgreencolorsoftheislandandtheriver，andhisratherdrearyeyetraveledslowlyroundtothehedgesandthelawns。
\"Ifeltthisgardenwasasortofdream，\"hesaid，\"andIsupposeImustbedreaming。Butthereisgrassgrowingandwatermoving;andsomethingimpossiblehashappened。\"
Evenashespokethedarkfigurewithastooplikeavultureappearedinthegapofthehedgejustabovehim。
\"Youhavewonyourbet，\"saidHarker，inaharshandalmostcroakingvoice。\"Theoldfoolcaresfornothingbutfishing。Hecursedmeandtoldmehewouldtalknopolitics。\"
\"Ithoughtitmightbeso，\"saidFisher，modestly。
\"Whatareyougoingtodonext？\"
\"Ishallusetheoldidiot’stelephone，anyhow，\"
repliedthelawyer。\"Imustfindoutexactlywhathashappened。I’vegottospeakfortheGovernmentmyselfto—morrow。\"Andhehurriedawaytowardthehouse。
Inthesilencethatfollowed，averybewildeingsilencesofarasMarchwasconcerned，theysawthequaintfigureoftheDukeofWestmoreland，withhiswhitehatandwhiskers，approachingthemacrossthegarden。Fisherinstantlysteppedtowardhimwiththepinkpaperinhishand，and，withafewwords，pointedouttheapocalypticparagraph。Theduke，whohadbeenwalkingslowly，stoodquitestill，andforsomesecondshelookedlikeatailor’sdummystandingandstaringoutsidesomeantiquatedshop。
ThenMarchheardhisvoice，anditwashighandalmosthysterical：
\"Buthemustseeit;hemustbemadetounderstand。Itcannothavebeenputtohimproperly。\"Then，withacertainrecoveryoffullnessandevenpomposityinthevoice，\"Ishallgoandtellhimmyself。\"
Amongthequeerincidentsofthatafternoon，Marchalwaysrememberedsomethingalmostcomicalabouttheclearpictureoftheoldgentlemaninhiswonderfulwhitehatcarefullysteppingfromstonetostoneacrosstheriver，likeafigurecrossingthetrafficinPiccadilly。Thenhedisappearedbehindthetreesoftheisland，andMarchandFisherturnedtomeettheAttorney—General，whowascomingoutofthehousewithavisageofgrimassurance。
\"Everybodyissaying，\"hesaid，\"thatthePrimeMinisterhasmadethegreatestspeechofhislife。
Perorationandloudandprolongedcheers。Corruptfinanciersandheroicpeasants。WewillnotdesertDenmarkagain。\"
Fishernoddedandturnedawaytowardthetowingpath，wherehesawthedukereturningwitharatherdazedexpression。Inanswertoquestion，hesaid，inahuskyandconfidentialvoice：
\"Ireallythinkourpoorfriendcannotbehimself。
Herefusedtolisten;he——ah——suggestedthatImightfrightenthefish。\"
AkeenearmighthavedetectedamurmurfromMr。Fisheronthesubjectofawhitehat，butSirJohnHarkerstruckitmoredecisively：
\"Fisherwasquiteright。Ididn’tbelieveitmyself，butit’squiteclearthattheoldfellowisfixedonthisfishingnotionbynow。Ifthehousecaughtfirebehindhimhewouldhardlymovetillsunset。\"
Fisherhadcontinuedhisstrolltowardthehigherembankedgroundofthetowingpath，andhenowsweptalongandsearchinggaze，nottowardtheisland，buttowardthedistantwoodedheightsthatwerethewallsofthevalley。Aneveningskyasclearasthatofthepreviousdaywassettlingdownalloverthedimlandscape，buttowardthewestitwasnowredratherthangold;therewasscarcelyanysoundbutthemonotonousmusicoftheriver。Thencamethesoundofahalf—stifledexclamationfromHorneFisher，andHaroldMarchlookedupathiminwonder。
\"Youspokeofbadnews，\"saidFisher。\"Well，thereisreallybadnewsnow。Iamafraidthisisabadbusiness。\"
\"Whatbadnewsdoyoumean？\"askedhisfriend，consciousofsomethingstrangeandsinisterinhisvoice。
\"Thesunhasset，\"answeredFisher。
Hewentonwiththeairofoneconsciousofhavingsaidsomethingfatal。\"Wemustgetsomebodytogoacrosswhomhewillreallylistento。Hemaybemad，butthere’smethodinhismadness。Therenearlyalwaysismethodinmadness。
It’swhatdrivesmenmad，beingmethodical。Andhenevergoesonsittingthereaftersunset，withthewholeplacegettingdark。Where’shisnephew？I
believehe’sreallyfondofhisnephew。\"
\"Look！\"criedMarch，abruptly。\"Why，he’sbeenacrossalready。Thereheiscomingback。\"
And，lookinguptheriveroncemore，theysaw，darkagainstthesunsetreflections，thefigureofJamesBullensteppinghastilyandratherclumsilyfromstonetostone。Onceheslippedonastonewithaslightsplash。Whenherejoinedthegrouponthebankhisolivefacewasunnaturallypale。
Theotherfourmenhadalreadygatheredonthesamespotandalmostsimultaneouslywerecallingouttohim，\"Whatdoeshesaynow？\"
\"Nothing。Hesays——nothing。\"
Fisherlookedattheyoungmansteadilyforamoment;thenhestartedfromhisimmobility。and，makingamotiontoMarchtofollowhim，himselfstrodedowntotherivercrossing。Inafewmomentstheywereonthelittlebeatentrackthatranroundthewoodedisland，totheothersideofitwherethefishermansat。Thentheystoodandlookedathim，withoutaword。
SirIsaacHookwasstillsittingproppedupagainstthestumpofthetree，andthatforthebestofreasons。Alengthofhisowninfalliblefishinglinewastwistedandtightenedtwiceroundhisthroatandthentwiceroundthewoodenpropbehindhim。Theleadinginvestigatorranforwardandtouchedthefisherman’shand，anditwasascoldasafish。
\"Thesunhasset，\"saidHorneFisher，inthesameterribletones，\"andhewillneverseeitriseagain。\"
Tenminutesafterwardthefivemen，shakenbysuchashock，wereagaintogetherinthegarden，lookingatoneanotherwithwhitebutwatchfulfaces。
Thelawyerseemedthemostalertofthegroup;hewasarticulateifsomewhatabrupt。
\"Wemustleavethebodyasitisandtelephoneforthepolice，\"hesaid。\"Ithinkmyownauthoritywillstretchtoexaminingtheservantsandthepoorfellow’spapers，toseeifthereisanythingthatconcernsthem。Ofcourse，noneofyougentlemenmustleavethisplace。\"
Perhapstherewassomethinginhisrapidandrigorouslegalitythatsuggestedtheclosingofanetortrap。Anyhow，youngBullensuddenlybrokedown，orperhapsblewup，forhisvoicewaslikeanexplosioninthesilentgarden。
\"Inevertouchedhim，\"hecried。\"IswearIhadnothingtodowithit！\"
\"Whosaidyouhad？\"demandedHarker，withahardeye。\"Whydoyoucryoutbeforeyou’rehurt？\"
\"Becauseyoualllookatmelikethat，\"criedtheyoungman，angrily。\"DoyouthinkIdon’tknowyou’realwaystalkingaboutmydamneddebtsandexpectations？\"
RathertoMarch’ssurprise，Fisherhaddrawnawayfromthisfirstcollision，leadingthedukewithhimtoanotherpartofthegarden。Whenhewasoutofearshotoftheothershesaid，withacurioussimplicityofmanner：
\"Westmoreland，Iamgoingstraighttothepoint。\"
\"Well？\"saidtheother，staringathimstolidly。