\"Andyouhavenothingmoreimmediatethanyourtopographytooffer，\"saidBrain，withasneer，\"tohelpmeavengemyfriend？\"
\"Well，\"saidFisher，\"IshouldfindoutthetruthabouttheHoleintheWall。\"
Thatnight，atthecloseofastormytwilightandunderastrongwestwindthatfollowedthebreakingofthefrost，LeonardCranewaswendinghiswayinawildrotatorywalkroundandroundthehigh，continuouswallthatinclosedthelittlewood。Hewasdrivenbyadesperateideaofsolvingforhimselftheriddlethathadcloudedhisreputationandalreadyeventhreatenedhisliberty。Thepoliceauthorities，nowinchargeoftheinquiry，hadnotarrestedhim，butheknewwellenoughthatifhetriedtomovefarafieldhewouldbeinstantlyarrested。HorneFisher’sfragmentaryhints，thoughhehadrefusedtoexpandthemasyet，hadstirredtheartistictemperamentofthearchitecttoasortofwildanalysis，andhewasresolvedtoreadthehieroglyphupsidedownandeverywayuntilitmadesense。Ifitwassomethingconnectedwithaholeinthewallhewouldfindtheholeinthewall;but，asamatteroffact，hewasunabletofindthefaintestcrackinthewall。Hisprofessionalknowledgetoldhimthatthemasonrywasallofoneworkmanshipandonedate，and，exceptfortheregularentrance，whichthrewnolightonthemystery，hefoundnothingsuggestinganysortofhidingplaceormeansofescape。
Walkinganarrowpathbetweenthewindingwallandthewildeastwardbendandsweepofthegrayandfeatherytrees，seeingshiftinggleamsofalostsunsetwinkingalmostlikelightningasthecloudsoftempestscuddedacrosstheskyandminglingwiththefirstfaintbluelightfromaslowlystrengthenedmoonbehindhim，hebegantofeelhisheadgoingroundashisheelsweregoingroundandroundtheblindrecurrentbarrier。Hehadthoughtsontheborderofthought;fanciesaboutafourthdimensionwhichwasitselfaholetohideanything，ofseeingeverythingfromanewangleoutofanewwindowinthesenses;orofsomemysticallightandtransparency，likethenewraysofchemistry，inwhichhecouldseeBulmer’sbody，horribleandglaring，floatinginaluridhalooverthewoodsandthewall。Hewashauntedalsowiththehint，whichsomehowseemedtobeequallyhorrifying，thatitallhadsomethingtodowithMr。Prior。ThereseemedeventobesomethingcreepyinthefactthathewasalwaysrespectfullyreferredtoasMr。Prior，andthatitwasinthedomesticlifeofthedeadfarmerthathehadbeenbiddentoseektheseedofthesedreadfulthings。Asamatteroffact，hehadfoundthatnolocalinquirieshadrevealedanythingatallaboutthePriorfamily。
Themoonlighthadbroadenedandbrightened，thewindhaddrivenoffthecloudsanditselfdiedfitfullyaway，whenhecameroundagaintotheartificiallakeinfrontofthehouse。Forsomereasonitlookedaveryartificiallake;indeed，thewholescenewaslikeaclassicallandscapewithatouchofWatteau;thePalladianfacadeofthehousepaleinthemoon，andthesamesilvertouchingtheverypaganandnakedmarblenymphinthemiddleofthepond。Rathertohissurprise，hefoundanotherfiguretherebesidethestatue，sittingalmostequallymotionless;andthesamesilverpenciltracedthewrinkledbrowandpatientfaceofHorneFisher，stilldressedasahermitandapparentlypracticingsomethingofthesolitudeofahermit。Nevertheless，helookedupatLeonardCraneandsmiled，almostasifhehadexpectedhim。
\"Lookhere，\"saidCrane，plantinghimselfinfrontofhim，\"canyoutellmeanythingaboutthisbusiness？\"
\"Ishallsoonhavetotelleverybodyeverythingaboutit，\"repliedFisher，\"butI’venoobjectiontotellingyousomethingfirst。But，tobeginwith，willyoutellmesomething？WhatreallyhappenedwhenyoumetBulmerthismorning？Youdidthrowawayyoursword，butyoudidn’tkillhim。\"
\"Ididn’tkillhimbecauseIthrewawaymysword，\"
saidtheother。\"Ididitonpurpose——orI’mnotsurewhatmighthavehappened。\"
Afterapausehewenton，quietly：\"ThelateLordBulmerwasaverybreezygentleman，extremelybreezy。Hewasverygenialwithhisinferiors，andwouldhavehislawyerandhisarchitectstayinginhishouseforallsortsofholidaysandamusements。Buttherewasanothersidetohim，whichtheyfoundoutwhentheytriedtobehisequals。WhenItoldhimthathissisterandIwereengaged，somethinghappenedwhichIsimplycan’tandwon’tdescribe。Itseemedtomelikesomemonstrousupheavalofmadness。ButI
supposethetruthispainfullysimple。Thereissuchathingasthecoarsenessofagentleman。Anditisthemosthorriblethinginhumanity。\"
\"Iknow，\"saidFisher。\"TheRenaissancenoblesoftheTudortimewerelikethat。\"
\"Itisoddthatyoushouldsaythat，\"Cranewenton。
\"Forwhileweweretalkingtherecameonmeacuriousfeelingthatwewererepeatingsomesceneofthepast，andthatIwasreallysomeoutlaw，foundinthewoodslikeRobinHood，andthathehadreallysteppedinallhisplumesandpurpleoutofthepictureframeoftheancestralportrait。Anyhow，hewasthemaninpossession，andheneitherfearedGodnorregardedman。Idefiedhim，ofcourse，andwalkedaway。ImightreallyhavekilledhimifIhadnotwalkedaway。\"
\"Yes，\"saidFisher，nodding，\"hisancestorwasinpossessionandhewasinpossession，andthisistheendofthestory。Itallfitsin。\"
\"Fitsinwithwhat？\"criedhiscompanion，withsuddenimpatience。\"Ican’tmakeheadortailofit。
Youtellmetolookforthesecretintheholeinthewall，butIcan’tfindanyholeinthewall。\"
\"Thereisn’tany，\"saidFisher。\"That’sthesecret。\"
Afterreflectingamoment，headded：\"Unlessyoucallitaholeinthewalloftheworld。Lookhere;I’lltellyouifyoulike，butI’mafraiditinvolvesanintroduction。You’vegottounderstandoneofthetricksofthemodernmind，atendencythatmostpeopleobeywithoutnoticingit。Inthevillageorsuburboutsidethere’saninnwiththesignofSt。GeorgeandtheDragon。NowsupposeI
wentabouttellingeverybodythatthiswasonlyacorruptionofKingGeorgeandtheDragoon。Scoresofpeoplewouldbelieveit，withoutanyinquiry，fromavaguefeelingthatit’sprobablebecauseit’sprosaic。Itturnssomethingromanticandlegendaryintosomethingrecentandordinary。Andthatsomehowmakesitsoundrational，thoughitisunsupportedbyreason。OfcoursesomepeoplewouldhavethesensetorememberhavingseenSt。GeorgeinoldItalianpicturesandFrenchromances，butagoodmanywouldn’tthinkaboutitatall。Theywouldjustswallowtheskepticismbecauseitwasskepticism。Modernintelligencewon’tacceptanythingonauthority。Butitwillacceptanythingwithoutauthority。That’sexactlywhathashappenedhere。
\"WhensomecriticorotherchosetosaythatPrior’sParkwasnotapriory，butwasnamedaftersomequitemodernmannamedPrior，nobodyreallytestedthetheoryatall。ItneveroccurredtoanybodyrepeatingthestorytoaskifthereWASanyMr。Prior，ifanybodyhadeverseenhimorheardofhim。Asamatteroffact，itwasapriory，andsharedthefateofmostpriories——thatis，theTudorgentlemanwiththeplumessimplystoleitbybruteforceandturneditintohisownprivatehouse;hedidworsethings，asyoushallhear。Butthepointhereisthatthisishowthetrickworks，andthetrickworksinthesamewayintheotherpartofthetale。ThenameofthisdistrictisprintedHolinwallinallthebestmapsproducedbythescholars;andtheyalludelightly，notwithoutasmile，tothefactthatitwaspronouncedHoliwellbythemostignorantandold—fashionedofthepoor。Butitisspelledwrongandpronouncedright。\"
\"Doyoumeantosay，\"askedCrane，quickly，\"thattherereallywasawell？\"
\"Thereisawell，\"saidFisher，\"andthetruthliesatthebottomofit。\"
Ashespokehestretchedouthishandandpointedtowardthesheetofwaterinfrontofhim。
\"Thewellisunderthatwatersomewhere，\"
hesaid，\"andthisisnotthefirsttragedyconnectedwithit。Thefounderofthishousedidsomethingwhichhisfellowruffiansveryseldomdid;somethingthathadtobehushedupevenintheanarchyofthepillageofthemonasteries。
Thewellwasconnectedwiththemiraclesofsomesaint，andthelastpriorthatguardeditwassomethinglikeasainthimself;certainlyhewassomethingverylikeamartyr。Hedefiedthenewowneranddaredhimtopollutetheplace，tillthenoble，inafury，stabbedhimandflunghisbodyintothewell，whither，afterfourhundredyears，ithasbeenfollowedbyanheiroftheusurper，cladinthesamepurpleandwalkingtheworldwiththesamepride。\"
\"Buthowdidithappen，\"demandedCrane，\"thatforthefirsttimeBulmerfellinatthatparticularspot？\"
\"Becausetheicewasonlyloosenedatthatparticularspot，bytheonlymanwhoknewit，\"
answeredHorneFisher。\"Itwascrackeddeliberately，withthekitchenchopper，atthatspecialplace;andI
myselfheardthehammeringanddidnotunderstandit。Theplacehadbeencoveredwithanartificiallake，ifonlybecausethewholetruthhadtobecoveredwithanartificiallegend。Butdon’tyouseethatitisexactlywhatthosepagannobleswouldhavedone，todesecrateitwithasortofheathengoddess，astheRomanEmperorbuiltatempletoVenusontheHolySepulchre。Butthetruthcouldstillbetracedout，byanyscholarlymandeterminedtotraceit。Andthismanwasdeterminedtotraceit。\"
\"Whatman？\"askedtheother，withashadowoftheanswerinhismind。
\"Theonlymanwhohasanalibi，\"repliedFisher。
\"JamesHaddow，theantiquarianlawyer，leftthenightbeforethefatality，butheleftthatblackstarofdeathontheice。Heleftabruptly，havingpreviouslyproposedtostay;probably，Ithink，afteranuglyscenewithBulmer，attheirlegalinterview。Asyouknowyourself，Bulmercouldmakeamanfeelprettymurderous，andIratherfancythelawyerhadhimselfirregularitiestoconfess，andwasindangerofexposurebyhisclient。Butit’smyreadingofhumannaturethatamanwillcheatinhistrade，butnotinhishobby。Haddowmayhavebeenadishonestlawyer，buthecouldn’thelpbeinganhonestantiquary。WhenhegotonthetrackofthetruthabouttheHolyWellhehadtofollowitup;hewasnottobebamboozledwithnewspaperanecdotesaboutMr。Priorandaholeinthewall;hefoundouteverything，eventotheexactlocationofthewell，andhewasrewarded，ifbeingasuccessfulassassincanberegardedasareward。\"
\"Andhowdidyougetonthetrackofallthishiddenhistory？\"askedtheyoungarchitect。
AcloudcameacrossthebrowofHorneFisher。\"I
knewonlytoomuchaboutitalready，\"hesaid，\"and，afterall，it’sshamefulformetobespeakinglightlyofpoorBulmer，whohaspaidhispenalty;buttherestofushaven’t。IdaresayeverycigarIsmokeandeveryliqueurIdrinkcomesdirectlyorindirectlyfromtheharryingoftheholyplacesandthepersecutionofthepoor。Afterall，itneedsverylittlepokingaboutinthepasttofindthatholeinthewall，thatgreatbreachinthedefensesofEnglishhistory。Itliesjustunderthesurfaceofathinsheetofshaminformationandinstruction，justastheblackandblood—stainedwellliesjustunderthatfloorofshallowwaterandflatweeds。Oh，theiceisthin，butitbears;itisstrongenoughtosupportuswhenwedressupasmonksanddanceonit，inmockeryofthedear，quaintoldMiddleAges。TheytoldmeImustputonfancydress;soIdidputonfancydress，accordingtomyowntasteandfancy。I
putontheonlycostumeIthinkfitforamanwhohasinheritedthepositionofagentleman，andyethasnotentirelylostthefeelingsofone。\"
Inanswertoalookofinquiry，herosewithasweepinganddownwardgesture。
\"Sackcloth，\"hesaid;\"andIwouldweartheashesaswelliftheywouldstayonmybaldhead。\"
VII。THETEMPLEOFSILENCE
HaroldMarchandthefewwhocultivatedthefriendshipofHorneFisher，especiallyiftheysawsomethingofhiminhisownsocialsetting，wereconsciousofacertainsolitudeinhisverysociability。
Theyseemedtobealwaysmeetinghisrelationsandnevermeetinghisfamily。Perhapsitwouldbetruertosaythattheysawmuchofhisfamilyandnothingofhishome。HiscousinsandconnectionsramifiedlikealabyrinthalloverthegoverningclassofGreatBritain，andheseemedtobeongood，oratleastongood—
humored，termswithmostofthem。ForHorneFisherwasremarkableforacuriousimpersonalinformationandinteresttouchingallsortsoftopics，sothatonecouldsometimesfancythathisculture，likehiscolorless，fairmustacheandpale，droopingfeatures，hadtheneutralnatureofachameleon。Anyhow，hecouldalwaysgetonwithviceroysandCabinetMinistersandallthegreatmenresponsibleforgreatdepartments，andtalktoeachofthemonhisownsubject，onthebranchofstudywithwhichhewasmostseriouslyconcerned。ThushecouldconversewiththeMinisterforWaraboutsilkworms，withtheMinisterofEducationaboutdetectivestories，withtheMinisterofLaboraboutLimogesenamel，andwiththeMinisterofMissionsandMoralProgress（ifthatbehiscorrecttitle）
aboutthepantomimeboysofthelastfourdecades。
Andasthefirstwashisfirstcousin，thesecondhissecondcousin，thethirdhisbrother—in—law，andthefourthhisunclebymarriage，thisconversationalversatilitycertainlyservedinonesensetocreateahappyfamily。ButMarchneverseemedtogetaglimpseofthatdomesticinteriortowhichmenofthemiddleclassesareaccustomedintheirfriendships，andwhichisindeedthefoundationoffriendshipandloveandeverythingelseinanysaneandstablesociety。HewonderedwhetherHorneFisherwasbothanorphanandanonlychild。
Itwas，therefore，withsomethinglikeastartthathefoundthatFisherhadabrother，muchmoreprosperousandpowerfulthanhimself，thoughhardly，Marchthought，soentertaining。SirHenryHarlandFisher，withhalfthealphabetafterhisname，wassomethingattheForeignOfficefarmoretremendousthantheForeignSecretary。Apparently，itraninthefamily，afterall;foritseemedtherewasanotherbrother，AshtonFisher，inIndia，rathermoretremendousthantheViceroy。SirHenryFisherwasaheavier，buthandsomereditionofhisbrother，withabrowequallybald，butmuchmoresmooth。Hewasverycourteous，butashadepatronizing，notonlytoMarch，buteven，asMarchfancied，toHorneFisheraswell。Thelattergentleman，whohadmanyintuitionsaboutthehalf—formedthoughtsofothers，glancedatthetopichimselfastheycameawayfromthegreathouseinBerkeleySquare。
\"Why，don’tyouknow，\"heobservedquietly，\"thatIamthefoolofthefamily？\"
\"Itmustbeacleverfamily，\"saidHaroldMarch，withasmile。
\"Verygracefullyexpressed，\"repliedFisher;\"thatisthebestofhavingaliterarytraining。Well，perhapsitisanexaggerationtosayIamthefoolofthefamily。It’senoughtosayIamthefailureofthefamily。\"
\"Itseemsqueertomethatyoushouldfailespecially，\"remarkedthejournalist。\"Astheysayintheexaminations，whatdidyoufailin？\"
\"Politics，\"repliedhisfriend。\"IstoodforParliamentwhenIwasquiteayoungmanandgotinbyanenormousmajority，withloudcheersandchairingroundthetown。Sincethen，ofcourse，I’vebeenratherunderacloud。\"
\"I’mafraidIdon’tquiteunderstandthe’ofcourse，’\"answeredMarch，laughing。
\"Thatpartofitisn’tworthunderstanding，\"saidFisher。\"Butasamatteroffact，oldchap，theotherpartofitwasratheroddandinteresting。
Quiteadetectivestoryinitsway，aswellasthefirstlessonIhadinwhatmodernpoliticsaremadeof。Ifyoulike，I’lltellyouallaboutit。\"Andthefollowing，recastinalessallusiveandconversationalmanner，isthestorythathetold。
NobodyprivilegedoflateyearstomeetSirHenryHarlandFisherwouldbelievethathehadeverbeencalledHarry。But，indeed，hehadbeenboyishenoughwhenaboy，andthatserenitywhichshoneonhimthroughlife，andwhichnowtooktheformofgravity，hadoncetakentheformofgayety。Hisfriendswouldhavesaidthathewasallthemoreripeinhismaturityforhavingbeenyounginhisyouth。Hisenemieswouldhavesaidthathewasstilllightminded，butnolongerlighthearted。Butinanycase，thewholeofthestoryHorneFisherhadtotellaroseoutoftheaccidentwhichhadmadeyoungHarryFisherprivatesecretarytoLordSaltoun。HencehislaterconnectionwiththeForeignOffice，whichhad，indeed，cometohimasasortoflegacyfromhislordshipwhenthatgreatmanwasthepowerbehindthethrone。ThisisnottheplacetosaymuchaboutSaltoun，littleaswasknownofhimandmuchastherewasworthknowing。
Englandhashadatleastthreeorfoursuchsecretstatesmen。Anaristocraticpolityproduceseverynowandthenanaristocratwhoisalsoanaccident，amanofintellectualindependenceandinsight，aNapoleonborninthepurple。Hisvastworkwasmostlyinvisible，andverylittlecouldbegotoutofhiminprivatelifeexceptacrustyandrathercynicalsenseofhumor。
ButitwascertainlytheaccidentofhispresenceatafamilydinneroftheFishers，andtheunexpectedopinionheexpressed，whichturnedwhatmighthavebeenadinner—tablejokeintoasortofsmallsensationalnovel。
SaveforLordSaltoun，itwasafamilypartyofFishers，fortheonlyotherdistinguishedstrangerhadjustdepartedafterdinner，leavingtheresttotheircoffeeandcigars。Thishadbeenafigureofsomeinterest——ayoungCambridgemannamedEricHugheswhowastherisinghopeofthepartyofReform，towhichtheFisherfamily，alongwiththeirfriendSaltoun，hadlongbeenatleastformallyattached。ThepersonalityofHugheswassubstantiallysummedupinthefactthathetalkedeloquentlyandearnestlythroughthewholedinner，butleftimmediatelyaftertobeintimeforanappointment。Allhisactionshadsomethingatonceambitiousandconscientious;hedranknowine，butwasslightlyintoxicatedwithwords。Andhisfaceandphraseswereonthefrontpageofallthenewspapersjustthen，becausehewascontestingthesafeseatofSirFrancisVernerinthegreatby—electioninthewest。Everybodywastalkingaboutthepowerfulspeechagainstsquirarchywhichhehadjustdelivered;evenintheFishercircleeverybodytalkedaboutitexceptHorneFisherhimselfwhosatinacorner，loweringoverthefire。
\"Wejollywellhavetothankhimforputtingsomenewlifeintotheoldparty，\"AshtonFisherwassaying。\"Thiscampaignagainsttheoldsquiresjusthitsthedegreeofdemocracythereisinthiscounty。
Thisactforextendingcountycouncilcontrolispracticallyhisbill;soyoumaysayhe’sinthegovernmentevenbeforehe’sintheHouse。\"
\"One’seasierthantheother，\"saidHarry，carelessly。\"Ibetthesquire’sabiggerpotthanthecountycouncilinthatcounty。Vernerisprettywellrooted;alltheseruralplacesarewhatyoucallreactionary。Damningaristocratswon’talterit。\"
\"Hedamnsthemratherwell，\"observedAshton。
\"WeneverhadabettermeetingthantheoneinBarkington，whichgenerallygoesConstitutional。Andwhenhesaid，’SirFrancismayboastofblueblood;
letusshowwehaveredblood，’andwentontotalkaboutmanhoodandliberty，theroomsimplyroseathim。\"
\"Speaksverywell，\"saidLordSaltoun，gruffly，makinghisonlycontributiontotheconversationsofar。
ThenthealmostequallysilentHorneFishersuddenlyspoke，without，takinghisbroodingeyesoffthefire。
\"WhatIcan’tunderstand，\"hesaid，\"iswhynobodyiseverslangedfortherealreason。\"
\"Hullo！\"remarkedHarry，humorously，\"youbeginningtotakenotice？\"
\"Well，takeVerner，\"continuedHorneFisher。\"IfwewanttoattackVerner，whynotattackhim？Whycomplimenthimonbeingaromanticreactionaryaristocrat？WhoisVerner？Wheredoeshecomefrom？Hisnamesoundsold，butIneverheardofitbefore，asthemansaidoftheCrucifixion。Whytalkabouthisblueblood？Hisbloodmaybegambogeyellowwithgreenspots，forallanybodyknows。Allweknowisthattheoldsquire，Hawker，somehowranthroughhismoney（andhissecondwife’s，I
suppose，forshewasrichenough），andsoldtheestatetoamannamedVerner。Whatdidhemakehismoneyin？Oil？Armycontracts？\"
\"Idon’tknow，\"saidSaltoun，lookingathimthoughtfully。
\"FirstthingIeverknewyoudidn’tknow，\"criedtheexuberantHarry。
\"Andthere’smore，besides，\"wentonHorneFisher，whoseemedtohavesuddenlyfoundhistongue。\"Ifwewantcountrypeopletovoteforus，whydon’twegetsomebodywithsomenotionaboutthecountry？Wedon’ttalktopeopleinThreadneedleStreetaboutnothingbutturnipsandpigsties。WhydowetalktopeopleinSomersetaboutnothingbutslumsandsocialism？Whydon’twegivethesquire’slandtothesquire’stenants，insteadofdragginginthecountycouncil？\"
\"Threeacresandacow，\"criedHarry，emittingwhattheParliamentaryreportscallanironicalcheer。
\"Yes，\"repliedhisbrother，stubbornly。\"Don’tyouthinkagriculturallaborerswouldratherhavethreeacresandacowthanthreeacresofprintedformsandacommittee？Whydoesn’tsomebodystartayeomanpartyinpolitics，appealingtotheoldtraditionsofthesmalllandowner？Andwhydon’ttheyattackmenlikeVernerforwhattheyare，whichissomethingaboutasoldandtraditionalasanAmericanoiltrust？\"
\"You’dbetterleadtheyeomanpartyyourself，\"
laughedHarry。\"Don’tyouthinkitwouldbeajoke，LordSaltoun，toseemybrotherandhismerrymen，withtheirbowsandbills，marchingdowntoSomersetallinLincolngreeninsteadofLincolnandBennethats？\"
\"No，\"answeredOldSaltoun，\"Idon’tthinkitwouldbeajoke。Ithinkitwouldbeanexceedinglyseriousandsensibleidea。\"
\"Well，I’mjiggered！\"criedHarryFisher，staringathim。\"Isaidjustnowitwasthefirstfactyoudidn’tknow，andIshouldsaythisisthefirstjokeyoudidn’tsee。\"
\"I’veseenagoodmanythingsinmytime，\"saidtheoldman，inhisrathersourfashion。\"I’vetoldagoodmanyliesinmytime，too，andperhapsI’vegotrathersickofthem。Butthereareliesandlies，forallthat。
Gentlemenusedtoliejustasschoolboyslie，becausetheyhungtogetherandpartlytohelponeanotherout。
ButI’mdamnedifIcanseewhyweshouldlieforthesecosmopolitancadswhoonlyhelpthemselves。
They’renotbackingusupanymore;they’resimplycrowdingusout。IfamanlikeyourbrotherlikestogointoParliamentasayeomanoragentlemanoraJacobiteoranAncientBriton，Ishouldsayitwouldbeajollygoodthing。\"
IntheratherstartledsilencethatfollowedHorneFishersprangtohisfeetandallhisdrearymannerdroppedoffhim。
\"I’mreadytodoitto—morrow，\"hecried。\"I
supposenoneofyoufellowswouldbackmeup。\"
ThenHarryFishershowedthefinersideofhisimpetuosity。Hemadeasuddenmovementasiftoshakehands。
\"You’reasport，\"hesaid，\"andI’llbackyouup，ifnobodyelsewill。Butwecanallbackyouup，can’twe？IseewhatLordSaltounmeans，and，ofcourse，he’sright。He’salwaysright。\"
\"SoIwillgodowntoSomerset，\"saidHorneFisher。
\"Yes，itisonthewaytoWestminster，\"saidLordSaltoun，withasmile。
AndsoithappenedthatHorneFisherarrivedsomedayslateratthelittlestationofaratherremotemarkettowninthewest，accompaniedbyalightsuitcaseandalivelybrother。Itmustnotbesupposed，however，thatthebrother’scheerfultoneconsistedentirelyofchaff。Hesupportedthenewcandidatewithhopeaswellashilarity;andatthebackofhisboisterouspartnershiptherewasanincreasingsympathyandencouragement。HarryFisherhadalwayshadanaffectionforhismorequietandeccentricbrother，andwasnowcomingmoreandmoretohavearespectforhim。Asthecampaignproceededtherespectincreasedtoardentadmiration。ForHarrywasstillyoung，andcouldfeelthesortofenthusiasmforhiscaptaininelectioneeringthataschoolboycanfeelforhiscaptainincricket。
Norwastheadmirationundeserved。Asthenewthree—corneredcontestdevelopeditbecameapparenttoothersbesideshisdevotedkinsmanthattherewasmoreinHorneFisherthanhadevermettheeye。Itwasclearthathisoutbreakbythefamilyfiresidehadbeenbuttheculminationofalongcourseofbroodingandstudyingonthequestion。Thetalentheretainedthroughlifeforstudyinghissubject，andevensomebodyselse’ssubject，hadlongbeenconcentratedonthisideaofchampioninganewpeasantryagainstanewplutocracy。Hespoketoacrowdwitheloquenceandrepliedtoanindividualwithhumor，twopoliticalartsthatseemedtocometohimnaturally。HecertainlyknewmuchmoreaboutruralproblemsthaneitherHughes，theReformcandidate，orVerner，theConstitutionalcandidate。
Andheprobedthoseproblemswithahumancuriosity，andwentbelowthesurfaceinawaythatneitherofthemdreamedofdoing。Hesoonbecamethevoiceofpopularfeelingsthatareneverfoundinthepopularpress。Newanglesofcriticism，argumentsthathadneverbeforebeenutteredbyaneducatedvoice，testsandcomparisonsthathadbeenmadeonlyindialectbymendrinkinginthelittlelocalpublichouses，craftshalfforgottenthathadcomedownbysignofhandandtonguefromremoteageswhentheirfatherswerefreeallthiscreatedacuriousanddoubleexcitement。Itstartledthewellinformedbybeinganewandfantasticideatheyhadneverencountered。Itstartledtheignorantbybeinganoldandfamiliarideatheyneverthoughttohaveseenrevived。Mensawthingsinanewlight，andknewnotevenwhetheritwasthesunsetorthedawn。
Practicalgrievancesweretheretomakethemovementformidable。AsFisherwenttoandfroamongthecottagesandcountryinns，itwasborneinonhimwithoutdifficultythatSirFrancisVernerwasaverybadlandlord。Norwasthestoryofhisacquisitionofthelandanymoreancientanddignifiedthanhehadsupposed;thestorywaswellknowninthecountyandinmostrespectswasobviousenough。Hawker，theoldsquire，hadbeenaloose，unsatisfactorysortofperson，hadbeenonbadtermswithhisfirstwife（whodied，assomesaid，ofneglect），andhadthenmarriedaflashySouthAmericanJewesswithafortune。Buthemusthaveworkedhiswaythroughthisfortunealsowithmarvelousrapidity，forhehadbeencompelledtoselltheestatetoVernerandhadgonetoliveinSouthAmerica，possiblyonhiswife’sestates。ButFishernoticedthatthelaxityoftheoldsquirewasfarlesshatedthantheefficiencyofthenewsquire。Verner’shistoryseemedtobefullofsmartbargainsandfinancialfluttersthatleftotherpeopleshortofmoneyandtemper。ButthoughheheardagreatdealaboutVerner，therewasonethingthatcontinuallyeludedhim;somethingthatnobodyknew，thatevenSaltounhadnotknown。HecouldnotfindouthowVernerhadoriginallymadehismoney。
\"Hemusthavekeptitspeciallydark，\"saidHorneFishertohimself。\"Itmustbesomethinghe’sreallyashamedof。Hangitall！whatISamanashamedofnowadays？\"
Andasheponderedonthepossibilitiestheygrewdarkerandmoredistortedinhismind;hethoughtvaguelyofthingsremoteandrepulsive，strangeformsofslaveryorsorcery，andthenofuglythingsyetmoreunnaturalbutnearerhome。ThefigureofVernerseemedtobeblackenedandtransfiguredinhisimagination，andtostandagainstvariedbackgroundsandstrangeskies。
Ashestrodeupavillagestreet，broodingthus，hiseyesencounteredacompletecontrastinthefaceofhisotherrival，theReformcandidate。EricHughes，withhisblownblondhairandeagerundergraduateface，wasjustgettingintohismotorcarandsayingafewfinalwordstohisagent，asturdy，grizzledmannamedGryce。EricHugheswavedhishandinafriendlyfashion;butGryceeyedhimwithsomehostility。EricHugheswasayoungmanwithgenuinepoliticalenthusiasms，，butheknewthatpoliticalopponentsarepeoplewithwhomonemayhavetodineanyday。ButMr。GrycewasagrimlittlelocalRadical，achampionofthechapel，andoneofthosehappypeoplewhoseworkisalsotheirhobby。Heturnedhisbackasthemotorcardroveaway，andwalkedbrisklyupthesunlithighstreetofthelittletown，whistling，withpoliticalpapersstickingoutofhispocket。
Fisherlookedpensivelyaftertheresolutefigureforamoment，andthen，asifbyanimpulse，begantofollowit。Throughthebusymarketplace，amidthebasketsandbarrowsofmarketday，underthepaintedwoodensignoftheGreenDragon，upadarksideentry，underanarch，andthroughatangleofcrookedcobbledstreetsthetwothreadedtheirway，thesquare，struttingfigureinfrontandthelean，loungingfigurebehindhim，likehisshadowinthesunshine。Atlengththeycametoabrownbrickhousewithabrassplate，onwhichwasMr。Gryce’sname，andthatindividualturnedandbeheldhispursuerwithastare。
\"CouldIhaveawordwithyou，sir？\"askedHorneFisher，politely。Theagentstaredstillmore，butassentedcivilly，andledtheotherintoanofficelitteredwithleafletsandhungallroundwithhighlycoloredposterswhichlinkedthenameofHugheswithallthehigherinterestsofhumanity。
\"Mr。HorneFisher，Ibelieve，\"saidMr。Gryce。
\"Muchhonoredbythecall，ofcourse。Can’tpretendtocongratulateyouonenteringthecontest，I’mafraid;youwon’texpectthat。Herewe’vebeenkeepingtheoldflagflyingforfreedomandreform，andyoucomeinandbreakthebattleline。\"
ForMr。ElijahGryceaboundedinmilitarymetaphorsandindenunciationsofmilitarism。Hewasasquare—jawed，blunt—featuredmanwithapugnaciouscockoftheeyebrow。Hehadbeenpickledinthepoliticsofthatcountrysidefromboyhood，hekneweverybody’ssecrets，andelectioneeringwastheromanceofhislife。
\"IsupposeyouthinkI’mdevouredwithambition，\"
saidHorneFisher，inhisratherlistlessvoice，\"aimingatadictatorshipandallthat。Well，IthinkIcanclearmyselfofthechargeofmereselfishambition。Ionlywantcertainthingsdone。Idon’twanttodothem。I
veryseldomwanttodoanything。AndI’vecomeheretosaythatI’mquitewillingtoretirefromthecontestifyoucanconvincemethatwereallywanttodothesamething。\"
TheagentoftheReformpartylookedathimwithanoddandslightlypuzzledexpression，andbeforehecouldreply，Fisherwentoninthesameleveltones：
\"You’dhardlybelieveit，butIkeepaconscienceconcealedaboutme;andIamindoubtaboutseveralthings。Forinstance，webothwanttoturnVerneroutofParliament，butwhatweaponarewetouse？I’veheardalotofgossipagainsthim，butisitrighttoactonmeregossip？JustasIwanttobefairtoyou，soI
wanttobefairtohim。IfsomeofthethingsI’veheardaretrueheoughttobeturnedoutofParliamentandeveryotherclubinLondon。ButI
don’twanttoturnhimoutofParliamentiftheyaren’ttrue。\"
AtthispointthelightofbattlesprangintoMr。
Gryce’seyesandhebecamevoluble，nottosayviolent。He，atanyrate，hadnodoubtthatthestoriesweretrue;hecouldtestify，tohisownknowledge，thattheyweretrue。Vernerwasnotonlyahardlandlord，butameanlandlord，arobberaswellasarackrenter;anygentlemanwouldbejustifiedinhoundinghimout。HehadcheatedoldWilkinsoutofhisfreeholdbyatrickfitforapickpocket;hehaddrivenoldMotherBiddletotheworkhouse;hehadstretchedthelawagainstLongAdam，thepoacher，tillallthemagistrateswereashamedofhim。
\"Soifyou’llserveundertheoldbanner，\"
concludedMr。Gryce，moregenially，\"andturnoutaswindlingtyrantlikethat，I’msureyou’llneverregretit。\"
\"Andifthatisthetruth，\"saidHorneFisher，\"areyougoingtotellit？\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？Tellthetruth？\"demandedGryce。
\"Imeanyouaregoingtotellthetruthasyouhavejusttoldit，\"repliedFisher。\"YouaregoingtoplacardthistownwiththewickednessdonetooldWilkins。
YouaregoingtofillthenewspaperswiththeinfamousstoryofMrs。Biddle。YouaregoingtodenounceVernerfromapublicplatform，naminghimforwhathedidandnamingthepoacherhediditto。
Andyou’regoingtofindoutbywhattradethismanmadethemoneywithwhichheboughttheestate;
andwhenyouknowthetruth，asIsaidbefore，ofcourseyouaregoingtotellit。UponthosetermsI
comeundertheoldflag，asyoucallit，andhauldownmylittlepennon。\"
Theagentwaseyinghimwithacuriousexpression，surlybutnotentirelyunsympathetic。
\"Well，\"hesaid，slowly，\"youhavetodothesethingsinaregularway，youknow，orpeopledon’tunderstand。
I’vehadalotofexperience，andI’mafraidwhatyousaywouldn’tdo。Peopleunderstandslangingsquiresinageneralway，butthosepersonalitiesaren’tconsideredfairplay。Lookslikehittingbelowthebelt。\"
\"OldWilkinshasn’tgotabelt，Isuppose，\"repliedHorneFisher。\"Vernercanhithimanyhow，andnobodymustsayaword。It’sevidentlyveryimportanttohaveabelt。Butapparentlyyouhavetoberatherhighupinsocietytohaveone。Possibly，\"headded，thoughtfully——\"possiblytheexplanationofthephrase’abeltedearl，’themeaningofwhichhasalwaysescapedme。\"
\"Imeanthosepersonalitieswon’tdo，\"returnedGryce，frowningatthetable。
\"AndMotherBiddleandLongAdam，thepoacher，arenotpersonalities，\"saidFisher，\"andsupposewemustn’taskhowVernermadeallthemoneythatenabledhimtobecome——apersonality。\"
Grycewasstilllookingathimunderloweringbrows，butthesingularlightinhiseyeshadbrightened。Atlasthesaid，inanotherandmuchquietervoice：
\"Lookhere，sir。Ilikeyou，ifyoudon’tmindmysayingso。IthinkyouarereallyonthesideofthepeopleandI’msureyou’reabraveman。Alotbraverthanyouknow，perhaps。Wedaren’ttouchwhatyouproposewithabargepole;andsofarfromwantingyouintheoldparty，we’dratheryouranyourownriskbyyourself。ButbecauseIlikeyouandrespectyourpluck，I’lldoyouagoodturnbeforewepart。I
don’twantyoutowastetimebarkingupthewrongtree。Youtalkabouthowthenewsquiregotthemoneytobuy，andtheruinoftheoldsquire，andalltherestofit。Well，I’llgiveyouahintaboutthat，ahintaboutsomethingpreciousfewpeopleknow。\"
\"Iamverygrateful，\"saidFisher，gravely。\"Whatisit？\"
\"It’sintwowords，\"saidtheother。\"Thenewsquirewasquitepoorwhenhebought。Theoldsquirewasquiterichwhenhesold。\"
HorneFisherlookedathimthoughtfullyasheturnedawayabruptlyandbusiedhimselfwiththepapersonhisdesk。ThenFisherutteredashortphraseofthanksandfarewell，andwentoutintothestreet，stillverythoughtful。
Hisreflectionseemedtoendinresolution，and，fallingintoamorerapidstride，hepassedoutofthelittletownalongaroadleadingtowardthegateofthegreatpark，thecountryseatofSirFrancisVerner。Aglitterofsunlightmadetheearlywintermorelikealateautumn，andthedarkwoodsweretouchedhereandtherewithredandgoldenleaves，likethelastraysofalostsunset。Fromahigherpartoftheroadhehadseenthelong，classicalfacadeofthegreathousewithitsmanywindows，almostimmediatelybeneathhim，butwhentheroadrandownunderthewalloftheestate，toppedwithtoweringtreesbehind，herealizedthatitwashalfamileroundtothelodgegates，Afterwalkingforafewminutesalongthelane，however，hecametoaplacewherethewallhadcrackedandwasinprocessofrepair。Asitwas，therewasagreatgapinthegraymasonrythatlookedatfirstasblackasacavernandonlyshowedatasecondglancethetwilightofthetwinklingtrees。Therewassomethingfascinatingaboutthatunexpectedgate，liketheopeningofafairytale。
HorneFisherhadinhimsomethingofthearistocrat，whichisveryneartotheanarchist。Itwascharacteristicofhimthatheturnedintothisdarkandirregularentryascasuallyasintohisownfrontdoor，merelythinkingthatitwouldbeashortcuttothehouse。Hemadehiswaythroughthedimwoodforsomedistanceandwithsomedifficulty，untiltherebegantoshinethroughthetreesalevellight，inlinesofsilver，whichhedidnotatfirstunderstand。Thenextmomenthehadcomeoutintothedaylightatthetopofasteepbank，atthebottomofwhichapathranroundtherimofalargeornamentallake。Thesheetofwaterwhichhehadseenshimmeringthroughthetreeswasofconsiderableextent，butwaswalledinoneverysidewithwoodswhichwerenotonlydark，butdecidedlydismal。Atoneendofthepathwasaclassicalstatueofsomenamelessnymph，andattheotherenditwasflankedbytwoclassicalurns;
butthemarblewasweather—stainedandstreakedwithgreenandgray。Ahundredothersigns，smallerbutmoresignificant，toldhimthathehadcomeonsomeoutlyingcornerofthegroundsneglectedandseldomvisited。Inthemiddleofthelakewaswhatappearedtobeanisland，andontheislandwhatappearedtobemeantforaclassicaltemple，notopenlikeatempleofthewinds，butwithablankwallbetweenitsDoricpillars。Wemaysayitonlyseemedlikeanisland，becauseasecondglancerevealedalowcausewayofflatstonesrunninguptoitfromtheshoreandturningitintoapeninsula。Andcertainlyitonlyseemedlikeatemple，fornobodyknewbetterthanHorneFisherthatnogodhadeverdweltinthatshrine。
\"That’swhatmakesallthisclassicallandscapegardeningsodesolate，\"hesaidtohimself。\"MoredesolatethanStonehengeorthePyramids。Wedon’tbelieveinEgyptianmythology，buttheEgyptiansdid;andIsupposeeventheDruidsbelievedinDruidism。Buttheeighteenth—centurygentlemanwhobuiltthesetemplesdidn’tbelieveinVenusorMercuryanymorethanwedo;that’swhythereflectionofthosepalepillarsinthelakeistrulyonlytheshadowofashade。TheyweremenoftheageofReason;
they，whofilledtheirgardenswiththesestonenymphs，hadlesshopethananymeninallhistoryofreallymeetinganymphintheforest。\"
Hismonologuestoppedaruptlywithasharpnoiselikeathundercrackthatrolledindrearyechoesroundthedismalmere。Heknewatoncewhatitwas——somebodyhadfiredoffagun。Butastothemeaningofithewasmomentarilystaggered，andstrangethoughtsthrongedintohismind。Thenextmomenthelaughed;forhesawlyingalittlewayalongthepathbelowhimthedeadbirdthattheshothadbroughtdown。
Atthesamemoment，however，hesawsomethingelse，whichinterestedhimmore。Aringofdensetreesranroundthebackoftheislandtemple，framingthefacadeofitindarkfoliage，andhecouldhaveswornhesawastirasofsomethingmovingamongtheleaves。Thenextmomenthissuspicionwasconfirmed，foraratherraggedfigurecamefromundertheshadowofthetempleandbegantomovealongthecausewaythatledtothebank。EvenatthatdistancethefigurewasconspicuousbyitsgreatheightandFishercouldseethatthemancarriedagununderhisarm。TherecamebackintohismemoryatoncethenameLongAdam，thepoacher。
Witharapidsenseofstrategyhesometimesshowed，Fishersprangfromthebankandracedroundthelaketotheheadofthelittlepierofstones。
Ifonceamanreachedthemainlandhecouldeasilyvanishintothewoods。ButwhenFisherbegantoadvancealongthestonestowardtheisland，themanwascorneredinablindalleyandcouldonlybacktowardthetemple。Puttinghisbroadshouldersagainstit，hestoodasifatbay;hewasacomparativelyyoungman，withfinelinesinhisleanfaceandfigureandamopofraggedredhair。Thelookinhiseyesmightwellhavebeendisquietingtoanyoneleftalonewithhimonanislandinthemiddleofalake。
\"Goodmorning，\"saidHorneFisher，pleasantly。\"I
thoughtatfirstyouwereamurderer。Butitseemsunlikely，somehow，thatthepartridgerushedbetweenusanddiedforloveofme，liketheheroinesintheromances;soIsupposeyouareapoacher。\"
\"Isupposeyouwouldcallmeapoacher，\"
answeredtheman;andhisvoicewassomethingofasurprisecomingfromsuchascarecrow;ithadthathardfastidiousnesstobefoundinthosewhohavemadeafightfortheirownrefinementamongroughsurroundings。\"IconsiderIhaveaperfectrighttoshootgameinthisplace。ButIamwellawarethatpeopleofyoursorttakemeforathief，andIsupposeyouwilltrytolandmeinjail。\"
\"Therearepreliminarydifficulties，\"repliedFisher。
\"Tobeginwith，themistakeisflattering，butIamnotagamekeeper。StilllessamIthreegamekeepers，whowouldbe，Iimagine，aboutyourfightingweight。
ButIconfessIhaveanotherreasonfornotwantingtojailyou。\"
\"Andwhatisthat？\"askedtheother。
\"OnlythatIquiteagreewithyou，\"answeredFisher。\"Idon’texactlysayyouhavearighttopoach，butInevercouldseethatitwasaswrongasbeingathief。Itseemstomeagainstthewholenormalnotionofpropertythatamanshouldownsomethingbecauseitfliesacrosshisgarden。Hemightaswellownthewind，orthinkhecouldwritehisnameonamorningcloud。Besides，ifwewantpoorpeopletorespectpropertywemustgivethemsomepropertytorespect。Yououghttohavelandofyourown;andI’mgoingtogiveyousomeifIcan。\"
\"Goingtogivemesomeland！\"repeatedLongAdam。
\"Iapologizeforaddressingyouasifyouwereapublicmeeting，\"saidFisher，\"butIamanentirelynewkindofpublicmanwhosaysthesamethinginpublicandinprivate。I’vesaidthistoahundredhugemeetingsthroughoutthecountry，andIsayittoyouonthisqueerlittleislandinthisdismalpond。Iwouldcutupabigestatelikethisintosmallestatesforeverybody，evenforpoachers。IwoulddoinEnglandastheydidinIreland——buythebigmenout，ifpossible;getthemout，anyhow。Amanlikeyououghttohavealittleplaceofhisown。Idon’tsayyoucouldkeeppheasants，butyoumightkeepchickens。\"
Themanstiffenedsuddenlyandheseemedatoncetoblanchandflameatthepromiseasifitwereathreat。
\"Chickens！\"herepeated，withapassionofcontempt。
\"Whydoyouobject？\"askedtheplacidcandidate。
\"Becausekeepinghensisratheramildamusementforapoacher？Whataboutpoachingeggs？\"
\"BecauseIamnotapoacher，\"criedAdam，inarendingvoicethatrangroundthehollowshrinesandurnsliketheechoesofhisgun。\"Becausethepartridgelyingdeadoverthereismypartridge。
Becausethelandyouarestandingonismyland。
Becausemyownlandwasonlytakenfrommebyacrime，andaworsecrimethanpoaching。Thishasbeenasingleestateforhundredsandhundredsofyears，andifyouoranymeddlesomemountebankcomeshereandtalksofcuttingituplikeacake，ifI
everhearawordmoreofyouandyourlevelinglies——\"
\"Youseemtobearatherturbulentpublic，\"
observedHorneFisher，\"butdogoon。WhatwillhappenifItrytodividethisestatedecentlyamongdecentpeople？\"
Thepoacherhadrecoveredagrimcomposureashereplied。\"Therewillbenopartridgetorushinbetween。\"
Withthatheturnedhisback，evidentlyresolvedtosaynomore，andwalkedpastthetempletotheextremeendoftheislet，wherehestoodstaringintothewater。Fisherfollowedhim，but，whenhisrepeatedquestionsevokednoanswer，turnedbacktowardtheshore。Indoingsohetookasecondandcloserlookattheartificialtemple，andnotedsomecuriousthingsaboutit。Mostofthesetheatricalthingswereasthinastheatricalscenery，andheexpectedtheclassicshrinetobeashallowthing，amereshellormask。Buttherewassomesubstantialbulkofitbehind，buriedinthetrees，whichhadagray，labyrinthianlook，likeserpentsofstone，andliftedaloadofleafytowerstothesky。ButwhatarrestedFisher’seyewasthatinthisbulkofgray—whitestonebehindtherewasasingledoorwithgreat，rustyboltsoutside;thebolts，however，werenotshotacrosssoastosecureit。Thenhewalkedroundthesmallbuilding，andfoundnootheropeningexceptonesmallgratinglikeaventilator，highupinthewall。Heretracedhisstepsthoughtfullyalongthecausewaytothebanksofthelake，andsatdownonthestonestepsbetweenthetwosculpturedfuneralurns。Thenhelitacigaretteandsmokeditinruminantmanner;eventuallyhetookoutanotebookandwrotedownvariousphrases，numberingandrenumberingthemtilltheystoodinthefollowingorder：\"（1）SquireHawkerdislikedhisfirstwife。（2）
Hemarriedhissecondwifeforhermoney。（3）LongAdamsaystheestateisreallyhis。（4）LongAdamhangsroundtheislandtemple，whichlookslikeaprison。（5）SquireHawkerwasnotpoorwhenhegaveuptheestate。（6）Vernerwaspoorwhenhegottheestate。\"
Hegazedatthesenoteswithagravitywhichgraduallyturnedtoahardsmile，threwawayhiscigarette，andresumedhissearchforashortcuttothegreathouse。Hesoonpickedupthepathwhich，windingamongclippedhedgesandflowerbeds，broughthiminfrontofitslongPalladianfacade。Ithadtheusualappearanceofbeing，notaprivatehouse，butasortofpublicbuildingsentintoexileintheprovinces。
Hefirstfoundhimselfinthepresenceofthebutler，whoreallylookedmucholderthanthebuilding，forthearchitecturewasdatedasGeorgian;
buttheman’sface，underahighlyunnaturalbrownwig，waswrinkledwithwhatmighthavebeencenturies。Onlyhisprominenteyeswerealiveandalert，asifwithprotest。Fisherglancedathim，andthenstoppedandsaid：
\"Excuseme。Weren’tyouwiththelatesquire，Mr。
Hawker？\"
’Yes，sir，saidtheman，gravely。\"Usherismyname。WhatcanI
doforyou？\"
\"OnlytakemeintoSirFrancisVerner，\"repliedthevisitor。
SirFrancisVernerwassittinginaneasychairbesideasmalltableinalargeroomhungwithtapestries。Onthetablewereasmallflaskandglass，withthegreenglimmerofaliqueurandacupofblackcoffee。Hewascladinaquietgraysuitwithamoderatelyharmoniouspurpletie;
butFishersawsomethingabouttheturnofhisfairmustacheandthelieofhisflathair——itsuddenlyrevealedthathisnamewasFranzWerner。
\"YouareMr。HorneFisher，\"hesaid。\"Won’tyousitdown？\"
\"No，thankyou，\"repliedFisher。\"Ifearthisisnotafriendlyoccasion，andIshallremainstanding。
PossiblyyouknowthatIamalreadystanding——
standingforParliament，infact——\"
\"Iamawarewearepoliticalopponents，\"repliedVerner，raisinghiseyebrows。\"ButIthinkitwouldbebetterifwefoughtinasportingspirit;inaspiritofEnglishfairplay。\"
\"Muchbetter，\"assentedFisher。\"ItwouldbemuchbetterifyouwereEnglishandverymuchbetterifyouhadeverplayedfair。ButwhatI’vecometosaycanbesaidveryshortly。
Idon’tquiteknowhowwestandwiththelawaboutthatoldHawkerstory，butmychiefobjectistopreventEnglandbeingentirelyruledbypeoplelikeyou。Sowhateverthelawwouldsay，Iwillsaynomoreifyouwillretirefromtheelectionatonce。\"
\"Youareevidentlyalunatic，\"saidVerner。
\"Mypsychologymaybealittleabnormal，\"repliedHorneFisher，inaratherhazymanner。\"Iamsubjecttodreams，especiallyday—dreams。Sometimeswhatishappeningtomegrowsvividinacuriousdoubleway，asifithadhappenedbefore。Haveyoueverhadthatmysticalfeelingthatthingshavehappenedbefore？\"
\"Ihopeyouareaharmlesslunatic，\"saidVerner。
ButFisherwasstillstaringinanabsentfashionatthegoldengiganticfiguresandtraceriesofbrownandredinthetapestriesonthewalls;thenhelookedagainatVernerandresumed：\"Ihaveafeelingthatthisinterviewhashappenedbefore，hereinthistapestriedroom，andwearetwoghostsrevisitingahauntedchamber。ButitwasSquireHawkerwhosatwhereyousitanditwasyouwhostoodwhereI
stand。\"Hepausedamomentandthenadded，withsimplicity，\"IsupposeIamablackmailer，too。\"
\"Ifyouare，\"saidSirFrancis，\"Ipromiseyouyoushallgotojail。\"Buthisfacehadashadeonitthatlookedlikethereflectionofthegreenwinegleamingonthetable。HorneFisherregardedhimsteadilyandanswered，quietlyenough：
\"Blackmailersdonotalwaysgotojail。SometimestheygotoParliament。But，thoughParliamentisrottenenoughalready，youshallnotgothereifIcanhelpit。Iamnotsocriminalasyouwereinbargainingwithcrime。Youmadeasquiregiveuphiscountryseat。IonlyaskyoutogiveupyourParliamentaryseat。\"
SirFrancisVernersprangtohisfeetandlookedaboutforoneofthebellropesoftheold—fashioned，curtainedroom。
\"WhereisUsher？\"hecried，withalividface。
\"AndwhoisUsher？\"saidFisher，softly。\"I
wonderhowmuchUsherknowsofthetruth。\"
Verner’shandfellfromthebellropeand，afterstandingforamomentwithrollingeyes，hestrodeabruptlyfromtheroom。Fisherwentbutbytheotherdoor，bywhichhehadentered，and，seeingnosignofUsher，lethimselfoutandbetookhimselfagaintowardthetown。
Thatnightheputanelectrictorchinhispocketandsetoutaloneinthedarknesstoaddthelastlinkstohisargument。Therewasmuchthathedidnotknowyet;buthethoughtheknewwherehecouldfindtheknowledge。Thenightcloseddarkandstormyandtheblackgapinthewalllookedblackerthanever;thewoodseemedtohavegrownthickeranddarkerinaday。Ifthedesertedlakewithitsblackwoodsandgrayurnsandimageslookeddesolateevenbydaylight，underthenightandthegrowingstormitseemedstillmorekkethepoolofAcheroninthelandoflostsouls。Ashesteppedcarefullyalongthejettystonesheseemedtobetravelingfartherandfartherintotheabyssofnight，andtohaveleftbehindhimthelastpointsfromwhichitwouldbepossibletosignaltothelandoftheliving。Thelakeseemedtohavegrownlargerthanasea，butaseaofblackandslimywatersthatsleptwithabominableserenity，asiftheyhadwashedouttheworld。Therewassomuchofthisnightmaresenseofextensionandexpansionthathewasstrangelysurprisedtocometohisdesertislandsosoon。Butheknewitforaplaceofinhumansilenceandsolitude;andhefeltasifhehadbeenwalkingforyears。
Nervinghimselftoamorenormalmood，hepausedunderoneofthedarkdragontreesthatbranchedoutabovehim，and，takingouthistorch，turnedinthedirectionofthedooratthebackofthetemple。Itwasunboltedasbefore，andthethoughtstirredfaintlyinhimthatitwasslightlyopen，thoughonlybyacrack。
Themorehethoughtofit，however，themorecertainhegrewthatthiswasbutoneofthecommonillusionsoflightcomingfromadifferentangle。Hestudiedinamorescientificspiritthedetailsofthedoor，withitsrustyboltsandhinges，whenhebecameconsciousofsomethingverynearhim——indeed，nearlyabovehishead。Somethingwasdanglingfromthetreethatwasnotabrokenbranch。Forsomesecondshestoodasstillasastone，andascold。Whathesawabovehimwerethelegsofamanhanging，presumablyadeadmanhanged。Butthenextmomentheknewbetter。
Themanwasliterallyaliveandkicking;andaninstantafterhehaddroppedtothegroundandturnedontheintruder。Simultaneouslythreeorfourothertreesseemedtocometolifeinthesamefashion。Fiveorsixotherfigureshadfallenontheirfeetfromtheseunnaturalnests。Itwasasiftheplacewereanislandofmonkeys。Butamomentaftertheyhadmadeastampedetowardhim，andwhentheylaidtheirhandsonhimheknewthattheyweremen。