Withtheelectrictorchinhishandhestrucktheforemostofthemsofuriouslyinthefacethatthemanstumbledandrolledoverontheslimygrass;butthetorchwasbrokenandextinguished，leavingeverythinginadenserobscurity。Heflunganothermanflatagainstthetemplewall，sothatheslidtotheground;butathirdandfourthcarriedFisheroffhisfeetandbegantobearhim，struggling，towardthedoorway。Eveninthebewildermentofthebattlehewasconsciousthatthedoorwasstandingopen。Somebodywassummoningtheroughsfrominside。
Themomenttheywerewithintheyhurledhimuponasortofbenchorbedwithviolence，butnodamage;forthesettee，orwhateveritwas，seemedtobecomfortablycushionedforhisreception。Theirviolencehadinitagreatelementofhaste，andbeforehecouldrisetheyhadallrushedforthedoortoescape。Whateverbanditstheywerethatinfestedthisdesertisland，theywereobviouslyuneasyabouttheirjobandveryanxioustobequitofit。Hehadtheflyingfancythatregularcriminalswouldhardlybeinsuchapanic。Thenextmomentthegreatdoorcrashedtoandhecouldheartheboltsshriekastheyshotintotheirplace，andthefeetoftheretreatingmenscamperingandstumblingalongthecauseway。Butrapidlyasithappened，itdidnothappenbeforeFisherhaddonesomethingthathewantedtoto。Unabletorisefromhissprawlingattitudeinthatflashoftime，hehadshotoutoneofhislonglegsandhookeditroundtheankleofthelastmandisappearingthroughthedoor。Themanswayedandtoppledoverinsidetheprisonchamber，andthedoorclosedbetweenhimandhisfleeingcompanions。Clearlytheywereintoomuchhastetorealizethattheyhadleftoneoftheircompanybehind。
Themansprangtohisfeetagainandhammeredandkickedfuriouslyatthedoor。Fisher’ssenseofhumorbegantorecoverfromthestruggleandhesatuponhissofawithsomethingofhisnativenonchalance。Butashelistenedtothecaptivecaptorbeatingonthedooroftheprison，anewandcuriousreflectioncametohim。
Thenaturalcourseforamanthuswishingtoattracthisfriends’attentionwouldbetocallout，toshoutaswellaskick。Thismanwasmakingasmuchnoiseashecouldwithhisfeetandhands，butnotasoundcamefromhisthroat。Whycouldn’thespeak？
Atfirsthethoughtthemanmightbegagged，whichwasmanifestlyabsurd。Thenhisfancyfellbackontheuglyideathatthemanwasdumb。Hehardlyknewwhyitwassouglyanidea，butitaffectedhisimaginationinadarkanddisproportionatefashion。
Thereseemedtobesomethingcreepyabouttheideaofbeingleftinadarkroomwithadeafmute。Itwasalmostasifsuchadefectwereadeformity。Itwasalmostasifitwentwithotherandworsedeformities。
Itwasasiftheshapehecouldnottraceinthedarknessweresomeshapethatshouldnotseethesun。
Thenhehadaflashofsanityandalsoofinsight。
Theexplanationwasverysimple，butratherinteresting。Obviouslythemandidnotusehisvoicebecausehedidnotwishhisvoicetoberecognized。
HehopedtoescapefromthatdarkplacebeforeFisherfoundoutwhohewas。Andwhowashe？Onethingatleastwasclear。HewasoneorotherofthefourorfivemenwithwhomFisherhadalreadytalkedintheseparts，andinthedevelopmentofthatstrangestory。
\"NowIwonderwhoyouare，\"hesaid，aloud，withallhisoldlazyurbanity。\"Isupposeit’snousetryingtothrottleyouinordertofindout;
itwouldbedispleasingtopassthenightwithacorpse。BesidesImightbethecorpse。I’vegotnomatchesandI’vesmashedmytorch，soIcanonlyspeculate。Whocouldyoube，now？
Letusthink。\"
ThemanthusgeniallyaddressedhaddesistedfromdrummingonthedoorandretreatedsullenlyintoacornerasFishercontinuedtoaddresshiminaflowingmonologue。
\"Probablyyouarethepoacherwhosaysheisn’tapoacher。Hesayshe’salandedproprietor;buthewillpermitmetoinformhimthat，whateverheis，he’safool。WhathopecanthereeverbeofafreepeasantryinEnglandifthepeasantsthemselvesaresuchsnobsastowanttobegentlemen？Howcanwemakeademocracywithnodemocrats？Asitis，youwanttobealandlordandsoyouconsenttobeacriminal。Andinthat，youknow，youareratherlikesomebodyelse。And，nowIthinkofit，perhapsyouaresomebodyelse。\"
Therewasasilencebrokenbybreathingfromthecornerandthemurmuroftherisingstorm，thatcameinthroughthesmallgratingabovetheman’shead。HorneFishercontinued：
\"Areyouonlyaservant，perhaps，thatrathersinisteroldservantwhowasbutlertoHawkerandVerner？Ifso，youarecertainlytheonlylinkbetweenthetwoperiods。Butifso，whydoyoudegradeyourselftoservethisdirtyforeigner，whenyouatleastsawthelastofagenuinenationalgentry？
Peoplelikeyouaregenerallyatleastpatriotic。
Doesn’tEnglandmeananythingtoyou，Mr。Usher？
Allofwhicheloquenceispossiblywasted，asperhapsyouarenotMr。Usher。
\"MorelikelyyouareVernerhimself;andit’snogoodwastingeloquencetomakeyouashamedofyourself。NorisitanygoodtocurseyouforcorruptingEngland;norareyoutherightpersontocurse。ItistheEnglishwhodeservetobecursed，andarecursed，becausetheyallowedsuchvermintocrawlintothehighplacesoftheirheroesandtheirkings。Iwon’tdwellontheideathatyou’reVerner，orthethrottlingmightbegin，afterall。Isthereanyoneelseyoucouldbe？Surelyyou’renotsomeservantoftheotherrivalorganization。Ican’tbelieveyou’reGryce，theagent;andyetGrycehadasparkofthefanaticinhiseye，too;andmenwilldoextraordinarythingsinthesepaltryfeudsofpolitics。Orifnottheservant，isitthe……No，Ican’tbelieveit……nottheredbloodofmanhoodandliberty……notthedemocraticideal……\"
Hesprangupinexcitement，andatthesamemomentagrowlofthundercamethroughthegratingbeyond。Thestormhadbroken，andwithitanewlightbrokeonhismind。Therewassomethingelsethatmighthappeninamoment。
\"Doyouknowwhatthatmeans？\"hecried。\"ItmeansthatGodhimselfmayholdacandletoshowmeyourinfernalface。\"
Thennextmomentcameacrashofthunder;butbeforethethunderawhitelighthadfilledthewholeroomforasinglesplitsecond。
Fisherhadseentwothingsinfrontofhim。Onewastheblack—and—whitepatternoftheirongratingagainstthesky;theotherwasthefaceinthecorner。
Itwasthefaceofhisbrother。
NothingcamefromHorneFisher’slipsexceptaChristianname，whichwasfollowedbyasilencemoredreadfulthanthedark。Atlasttheotherfigurestirredandsprangup，andthevoiceofHarryFisherwasheardforthefirsttimeinthathorribleroom。
\"You’veseenme，Isuppose，\"hesaid，\"andwemayaswellhavealightnow。Youcouldhaveturneditonatanytime，ifyou’dfoundtheswitch。\"
Hepressedabuttoninthewallandallthedetailsofthatroomsprangintosomethingstrongerthandaylight。Indeed，thedetailsweresounexpectedthatforamomenttheyturnedthecaptive’srockingmindfromthelastpersonalrevelation。Theroom，sofarfrombeingadungeoncell，wasmorelikeadrawing—room，evenalady’sdrawing—room，exceptforsomeboxesofcigarsandbottlesofwinethatwerestackedwithbooksandmagazinesonasidetable。Asecondglanceshowedhimthatthemoremasculinefittingswerequiterecent，andthatthemorefemininebackgroundwasquiteold。Hiseyecaughtastripoffadedtapestry，whichstartledhimintospeech，tothemomentaryoblivionofbiggermatters。
\"Thisplacewasfurnishedfromthegreathouse，\"
hesaid。
\"Yes，\"repliedtheother，\"andIthinkyouknowwhy。\"
\"IthinkIdo，\"saidHorneFisher，\"andbeforeIgoontomoreextraordinarythingsIwill，saywhatI
think。SquireHawkerplayedboththebigamistandthebandit。HisfirstwifewasnotdeadwhenhemarriedtheJewess;shewasimprisonedonthisisland。Sheborehimachildhere，whonowhauntshisbirthplaceunderthenameofLongAdam。AbankruptcycompanypromoternamedWernerdiscoveredthesecretandblackmailedthesquireintosurrenderingtheestate。
That’sallquiteclearandveryeasy。
Andnowletmegoontosomethingmoredifficult。
Andthatisforyoutoexplainwhatthedevilyouaredoingkidnapingyourbornbrother。
AfterapauseHenryFisheranswered：
\"Isupposeyoudidn’texpecttoseeme，\"hesaid。
\"But，afterall，whatcouldyouexpect？\"’
\"I’mafraidIdon’tfollow，\"saidHorneFisher。
\"Imeanwhatelsecouldyouexpect，aftermakingsuchamuckofit？\"saidhisbrother，sulkily。\"Weallthoughtyouweresoclever。Howcouldweknowyouweregoingtobe——well，really，sucharottenfailure？\"
\"Thisisrathercurious，\"saidthecandidate，frowning。\"Withoutvanity，Iwasnotundertheimpressionthatmycandidaturewasafailure。Allthebigmeetingsweresuccessfulandcrowdsofpeoplehavepromisedmevotes。\"
\"Ishouldjollywellthinktheyhad，\"said’Henry，grimly。\"You’vemadealandslidewithyourconfoundedacresandacow，andVernercanhardlygetavoteanywhere。Oh，it’stoorottenforanything！\"
\"Whatonearthdoyoumean？\"
\"Why，youlunatic，\"criedHenry，intonesofringingsincerity，\"youdon’tsupposeyouweremeanttoWIN
theseat，didyou？Oh，it’stoochildish！ItellyouVerner’sgottogetin。Ofcoursehe’sgottogetin。
He’stohavetheExchequernextsession，andthere’stheEgyptianloanandLordknowswhatelse。WeonlywantedyoutosplittheReformvotebecauseaccidentsmighthappenafterHugheshadmadeascoreatBarkington。\"
\"Isee，\"saidFisher，\"andyou，Ithink，areapillarandornamentoftheReformparty。Asyousay，Iamnotclever。\"
Theappealtopartyloyaltyfellondeafears;forthepillarofReformwasbroodingonotherthings。Atlasthesaid，inamoretroubledvoice：
\"Ididn’twantyoutocatchme;Iknewitwouldbeashock。ButItellyouwhat，youneverwouldhavecaughtmeifIhadn’tcomeheremyself，toseetheydidn’tilltreatyouandtomakesureeverythingwasascomfortableasitcouldbe。\"Therewasevenasortofbreakinhisvoiceasheadded，\"IgotthosecigarsbecauseIknewyoulikedthem。\"
Emotionsarequeerthings，andtheidiocyofthisconcessionsuddenlysoftenedHorneFisherlikeanunfathomablepathos。
\"Nevermind，oldchap，\"hesaid;\"we’llsaynomoreaboutit。I’lladmitthatyou’rereallyaskind—heartedandaffectionateascoundrelandhypocriteaseversoldhimselftoruinhiscountry。There，Ican’tsayhandsomerthanthat。Thankyouforthecigars，oldman。I’llhaveoneifyoudon’tmind。\"
BythetimethatHorneFisherhadendedhistellingofthisstorytoHaroldMarchtheyhadcomeoutintooneofthepublicparksandtakenaseatonariseofgroundoverlookingwidegreenspacesunderablueandemptysky;andtherewassomethingincongruousinthewordswithwhichthenarrationended。
\"Ihavebeeninthatroomeversince，\"saidHorneFisher。\"Iaminitnow。Iwontheelection，butI
neverwenttotheHouse。Mylifehasbeenalifeinthatlittleroomonthatlonelyisland。Plentyofbooksandcigarsandluxuries，plentyofknowledgeandinterestandinformation，butneveravoiceoutofthattombtoreachtheworldoutside。Ishallprobablydiethere。\"Andhesmiledashelookedacrossthevastgreenparktothegrayhorizon。
VIII。THEVENGEANCEOFTHESTATUE
Itwasonthesunnyverandaofaseasidehotel，overlookingapatternofflowerbedsandastripofbluesea，thatHorneFisherandHaroldMarchhadtheirfinalexplanation，whichmightbecalledanexplosion。
HaroldMarchhadcometothelittletableandsatdownatitwithasubduedexcitementsmolderinginhissomewhatcloudyanddreamyblueeyes。Inthenewspaperswhichhetossedfromhimontothetabletherewasenoughtoexplainsomeifnotallofhisemotion。Publicaffairsineverydepartmenthadreachedacrisis。Thegovernmentwhichhadstoodsolongthatmenwereusedtoit，astheyareusedtoahereditarydespotism，hadbeguntobeaccusedOfblundersandevenoffinancialabuses。SomesaidthattheexperimentofattemptingtoestablishapeasantryinthewestofEngland，onthelinesofanearlyfancyofHorneFisher’s，hadresultedinnothingbutdangerousquarrelswithmoreindustrialneighbors。
Therehadbeenparticularcomplaintsoftheilltreatmentofharmlessforeigners，chieflyAsiatics，whohappenedtobeemployedinthenewscientificworksconstructedonthecoast。Indeed，thenewPowerwhichhadariseninSiberia，backedbyJapanandotherpowerfulallies，wasinclinedtotakethematterupintheinterestsofitsexiledsubjects;andtherehadbeenwildtalkaboutambassadorsandultimatums。
Butsomethingmuchmoreserious，initspersonalinterestforMarchhimself，seemedtofillhismeetingwithhisfriendwithamixtureofembarrassmentandindignation。
PerhapsitincreasedhisannoyancethattherewasacertainunusuallivelinessabouttheusuallylanguidfigureofFisher。TheordinaryimageofhiminMarch’smindwasthatofapallidandbald—browedgentleman，whoseemedtobeprematurelyoldaswellasprematurelybald。Hewasrememberedasamanwhoexpressedtheopinionsofapessimistinthelanguageofalounger。EvennowMarchcouldnotbecertainwhetherthechangewasmerelyasortofmasqueradeofsunshine，orthateffectofclearcolorsandclean—cutoutlinesthatisalwaysvisibleontheparadeofamarineresort，relievedagainstthebluedadoofthesea。ButFisherhadaflowerinhisbuttonhole，andhisfriendcouldhaveswornhecarriedhiscanewithsomethingalmostliketheswaggerofafighter。WithsuchcloudsgatheringoverEngland，thepessimistseemedtobetheonlymanwhocarriedhisownsunshine。
\"Lookhere，\"saidHaroldMarch，abruptly，\"you’vebeennoendofafriendtome，andIneverwassoproudofafriendshipbefore;butthere’ssomethingI
mustgetoffmychest。ThemoreIfoundout，thelessIunderstoodhowyoucouldstandit。AndItellyouI’mgoingtostanditnolonger。\"
HorneFishergazedacrossathimgravelyandattentively，butratherasifhewerealongwayoff。
\"YouknowIalwayslikedyou，\"saidFisher，quietly，\"butIalsorespectyou，whichisnotalwaysthesamething。YoumaypossiblyguessthatIlikeagoodmanypeopleIdon’trespect。Perhapsitismytragedy，perhapsitismyfault。Butyouareverydifferent，andIpromiseyouthis：thatIwillnevertrytokeepyouassomebodytobeliked，atthepriceofyournotbeingrespected。\"
\"Iknowyouaremagnanimous，\"saidMarchafterasilence，\"andyetyoutolerateandperpetuateeverythingthatismean。\"Thenafteranothersilenceheadded：\"Doyourememberwhenwefirstmet，whenyouwerefishinginthatbrookintheaffairofthetarget？Anddoyourememberyousaidthat，afterall，itmightdonoharmifIcouldblowthewholetangleofthissocietytohellwithdynamite。\"
\"Yes，andwhatofthat？\"askedFisher。
\"OnlythatI’mgoingtoblowittohellwithdynamite，\"saidHaroldMarch，\"andIthinkitrighttogiveyoufairwarning。ForalongtimeIdidn’tbelievethingswereasbadasyousaidtheywere。ButI
neverfeltasifIcouldhavebottledupwhatyouknew，supposingyoureallyknewit。Well，thelongandtheshortofitisthatI’vegotaconscience;andnow，atlast，I’vealsogotachance。I’vebeenputinchargeofabigindependentpaper，withafreehand，andwe’regoingtoopenacannonadeoncorruption。\"
\"Thatwillbe——Attwood，Isuppose，\"saidFisher，reflectively。\"Timbermerchant。KnowsalotaboutChina。\"
\"HeknowsalotaboutEngland，\"saidMarch，doggedly，\"andnowIknowit，too，we’renotgoingtohushitupanylonger。Thepeopleofthiscountryhavearighttoknowhowthey’reruled——or，rather，ruined。
TheChancellorisinthepocketofthemoneylendersandhastodoasheistold;otherwisehe’sbankrupt，andabadsortofbankruptcy，too，withnothingbutcardsandactressesbehindit。ThePrimeMinisterwasinthepetrol—contractbusiness;anddeepinit，too。TheForeignMinisterisawreckofdrinkanddrugs。WhenyousaythatplainlyaboutamanwhomaysendthousandsofEnglishmentodiefornothing，you’recalledpersonal。Ifapoorenginedrivergetsdrunkandsendsthirtyorfortypeopletodeath，nobodycomplainsoftheexposurebeingpersonal。
Theenginedriverisnotaperson。\"
\"Iquiteagreewithyou，\"saidFisher，calmly。\"Youareperfectlyright。\"
\"Ifyouagreewithus，，whythedevildon’tyouactwithus？\"demandedhisfriend。\"Ifyouthinkit’sright，whydon’tyoudowhat’sright？It’sawfultothinkofamanofyourabilitiessimplyblockingtheroadtoreform。\"
\"Wehaveoftentalkedaboutthat，\"repliedFisher，withthesamecomposure。\"ThePrimeMinisterismyfather’sfriend。TheForeignMinistermarriedmysister。TheChancelloroftheExchequerismyfirstcousin。Imentionthegenealogyinsomedetailjustnowforaparticularreason。ThetruthisIhaveacuriouskindofcheerfulnessatthemoment。Itisn’taltogetherthesunandthesea，sir。Iamenjoyinganemotionthatisentirelynewtome;ahappysensationIneverrememberhavinghadbefore。\"
\"Whatthedevildoyoumean？\"
\"Iamfeelingproudofmyfamily，\"saidHorneFisher。
HaroldMarchstaredathimwithroundblueeyes，andseemedtoomuchmystifiedeventoaskaquestion。Fisherleanedbackinhischairinhislazyfashion，andsmiledashecontinued。
\"Lookhere，mydearfellow。Letmeaskaquestioninturn。YouimplythatIhavealwaysknownthesethingsaboutmyunfortunatekinsmen。
SoIhave。DoyousupposethatAttwoodhasn’talwaysknownthem？Doyousupposehehasn’talwaysknownyouasanhonestmanwhowouldsaythesethingswhenhegotachance？WhydoesAttwoodunmuzzleyoulikeadogatthismoment，afteralltheseyears？Iknowwhyhedoes;Iknowagoodmanythings，fartoomanythings。Andtherefore，asIhavethehonortoremark，Iamproudofmyfamilyatlast。\"
\"Butwhy？\"repeatedMarch，ratherfeebly。
\"IamproudoftheChancellorbecausehegambledandtheForeignMinisterbecausehedrankandthePrimeMinisterbecausehetookacommissiononacontract，\"saidFisher，firmly。\"Iamproudofthembecausetheydidthesethings，andcanbedenouncedforthem，andknowtheycanbedenouncedforthem，andareSTANDINGFIRMFORALLTHAT。Itakeoffmyhattothembecausetheyaredefyingblackmail，andrefusingtosmashtheircountrytosavethemselves。I
salutethemasiftheyweregoingtodieonthebattlefield。\"
Afterapausehecontinued：\"Anditwillbeabattlefield，too，andnotametaphoricalone。Wehaveyieldedtoforeignfinancierssolongthatnowitiswarorruin，Eventhepeople，eventhecountrypeople，arebeginningtosuspectthattheyarebeingruined。Thatisthemeaningoftheregrettable，incidentsinthenewspapers。\"
\"ThemeaningoftheoutragesonOrientals？\"askedMarch。
\"ThemeaningoftheoutragesonOrientals，\"
repliedFisher，\"isthatthefinanciershaveintroducedChineselaborintothiscountrywiththedeliberateintentionofreducingworkmenandpeasantstostarvation。Ourunhappypoliticianshavemadeconcessionafterconcession;andnowtheyareaskingconcessionswhichamounttoourorderingamassacreofourownpoor。Ifwedonotfightnowweshallneverfightagain。TheywillhaveputEnglandinaneconomicpositionofstarvinginaweek。Butwearegoingtofightnow;Ishouldn’twonderiftherewereanultimatuminaweekandan。invasioninafortnight。Allthepastcorruptionandcowardiceishamperingus，ofcourse;theWestcountryisprettystormyanddoubtfuleveninamilitarysense;andtheIrishregimentsthere，thataresupposedtosupportusbythenewtreaty，areprettywellinmutiny;for，ofcourse，thisinfernalcooliecapitalismisbeingpushedinIreland，too。Butit’stostopnow;andifthegovernmentmessageofreassurancegetsthroughtothemintime，theymayturnupafterallbythetimetheenemylands。Formypooroldgangisgoingtostandtoitsgunsatlast。Ofcourseit’sonlynaturalthatwhentheyhavebeenwhitewashedforhalfacenturyasparagons，theirsinsshouldcomebackonthemattheverymomentwhentheyarebehavinglikemenforthefirsttimeintheirlives。Well，Itellyou，March，Iknowtheminsideout;andIknowtheyarebehavinglikeheroes。Everymanofthemoughttohaveastatue，andonthepedestalwordslikethoseofthenoblestruffianoftheRevolution：’Quemonnomsoitfletri;quelaFrancesoitlibre。’\"
\"GoodGod！\"criedMarch，\"shallwenevergettothebottomofyourminesandcountermines？\"
AfterasilenceFisheransweredinalowervoice，lookinghisfriendintheeyes。
\"Didyouthinktherewasnothingbutevilatthebottomofthem？\"heasked，gently。\"DidyouthinkI
hadfoundnothingbutfilthinthedeepseasintowhichfatehasthrownme？Believeme，youneverknowthebestaboutmentillyouknowtheworstaboutthem。Itdoesnotdisposeoftheirstrangehumansoulstoknowthattheywereexhibitedtotheworldasimpossiblyimpeccablewaxworks，whoneverlookedafterawomanorknewthemeaningofabribe。Eveninapalace，lifecanbelivedwell;andeveninaParliament，lifecanbelivedwithoccasionaleffortstoliveitwell。Itellyouitisastrueoftheserichfoolsandrascalsasitistrueofeverypoorfootpadandpickpocket;thatonlyGodknowshowgoodtheyhavetriedtobe。Godaloneknowswhattheconsciencecansurvive，orhowamanwhohaslosthishonorwillstilltrytosavehissoul。\"
Therewasanothersilence，andMarchsatstaringatthetableandFisheratthesea。ThenFishersuddenlysprangtohisfeetandcaughtuphishatandstickwithallhisnewalertnessandevenpugnacity。
\"Lookhere，oldfellow，\"hecried，\"letusmakeabargain。BeforeyouopenyourcampaignforAttwoodcomedownandstaywithusforoneweek，tohearwhatwe’rereallydoing。
ImeanwiththeFaithfulFew，formerlyknownastheOldGang，occasionallytobedescribedastheLowLot。Therearereallyonlyfiveofusthatarequitefixed，andorganizingthenationaldefense;andwe’relivinglikeagarrisoninasortofbroken—downhotelinKent。Comeandseewhatwe’rereallydoingandwhatthereistobedone，anddousjustice。Andafterthat，withunalterableloveandaffectionforyou，publishandbedamned。\"
Thusitcameaboutthatinthelastweekbeforewar，wheneventsmovedmostrapidly，HaroldMarchfoundhimselfoneofasortofsmallhousepartyofthepeoplehewasproposingtodenounce。Theywerelivingsimplyenough，forpeoplewiththeirtastes，inanoldbrown—brickinnfacedwithivyandsurroundedbyratherdismalgardens。Atthebackofthebuildingthegardenranupverysteeplytoaroadalongtheridgeabove;andazigzagpathscaledtheslopeinsharpangles，turningtoandfroamidevergreenssosomberthattheymightratherbecalledeverblack。
Hereandthereuptheslopewerestatueshavingallthecoldmonstrosityofsuchminorornamentsoftheeighteenthcentury;andawholerowofthemranasonaterracealongthelastbankatthebottom，oppositethebackdoor。ThisdetailfixeditselffirstinMarch’smindmerelybecauseitfiguredinthefirstconversationhehadwithoneofthecabinetministers。
Thecabinetministerswereratherolderthanhehadexpectedtofindthem。ThePrimeMinisternolongerlookedlikeaboy，thoughhestilllookedalittlelikeababy。Butitwasoneofthoseoldandvenerablebabies，andthebabyhadsoftgrayhair。
Everythingabouthimwassoft，tohisspeechandhiswayofwalking;butoverandabovethathischieffunctionseemedtobesleep。Peopleleftalonewithhimgotsousedtohiseyesbeingclosedthattheywerealmoststartledwhentheyrealizedinthestillnessthattheeyeswerewideopen，andevenwatching。Onethingatleastwouldalwaysmaketheoldgentlemanopenhiseyes。Theonethinghereallycaredforinthisworldwashishobbyofarmoredweapons，especiallyEasternweapons，andhewouldtalkforhoursaboutDamascusbladesandArabswordmanship。LordJamesHerries，theChancelloroftheExchequer，wasashort，dark，sturdymanwithaverysallowfaceandaverysullenmanner，whichcontrastedwiththegorgeousflowerinhisbuttonholeandhisfestivetrickofbeingalwaysslightlyoverdressed。Itwassomethingofaeuphemismtocallhimawell—knownmanabouttown。Therewasperhapsmoremysteryinthequestionofhowamanwholivedforpleasureseemedtogetsolittlepleasureoutofit。SirDavidArcher，theForeignSecretary，wastheonlyoneofthemwhowasaself—mademan，andtheonlyoneofthemwholookedlikeanaristocrat。Hewastallandthinandveryhandsome，withagrizzledbeard;hisgrayhairwasverycurly，andevenroseinfrontintworebelliousringletsthatseemedtothefancifultotrembleliketheantennaeofsomegiantinsect，ortostirsympatheticallywiththerestlesstuftedeyebrowsoverhisratherhaggardeyes。FortheForeignSecretarymadenosecretofhissomewhatnervouscondition，whatevermightbethecauseofit。
\"Doyouknowthatmoodwhenonecouldscreambecauseamatiscrooked？\"hesaidtoMarch，astheywalkedupanddowninthebackgardenbelowthelineofdingystatues。\"Womengetintoitwhenthey’veworkedtoohard;andI’vebeenworkingprettyhardlately，ofcourse。ItdrivesmemadwhenHerrieswillwearhishatalittlecrooked——habitoflookinglikeagaydog。
SometimeIswearI’llknockitoff。ThatstatueofBritanniaoverthereisn’tquitestraight;itsticksforwardabitasiftheladyweregoingtotoppleover。
Thedamnedthingisthatitdoesn’ttoppleoverandbedonewithit。See，it’sclampedwithanironprop。
Don’tbesurprisedifIgetupinthemiddleofthenighttohikeitdown。\"
Theypacedthepathforafewmomentsinsilenceandthenhecontinued。\"It’soddthoselittlethingsseemspeciallybigwhentherearebiggerthingstoworryabout。We’dbettergoinanddosomework。\"
HorneFisherevidentlyallowedforalltheneuroticpossibilitiesofArcherandthedissipatedhabitsofHerries;andwhateverhisfaithintheirpresentfirmness，didnotundulytaxtheirtimeandattention，eveninthecaseofthePrimeMinister。Hehadgottheconsentofthelatterfinallytothecommittingoftheimportantdocuments，withtheorderstotheWesternarmies，tothecareofalessconspicuousandmoresolidperson——anuncleofhisnamedHorneHewitt，arathercolorlesscountrysquirewhohadbeenagoodsoldier，andwasthemilitaryadviserofthecommittee。Hewaschargedwithexpeditingthegovernmentpledge，alongwiththeconcertedmilitaryplans，tothehalf—mutinouscommandinthewest;
andthestillmoreurgenttaskofseeingthatitdidnotfallintothehandsoftheenemy，whomightappearatanymomentfromtheeast。Overandabovethismilitaryofficial，theonlyotherpersonpresentwasapoliceofficial，acertainDoctorPrince，originallyapolicesurgeonandnowadistinguisheddetective，senttobeabodyguardtothegroup。Hewasasquare—facedmanwithbigspectaclesandagrimacethatexpressedtheintentionofkeepinghismouthshut。Nobodyelsesharedtheircaptivityexceptthehotelproprietor，acrustyKentishmanwithacrab—appleface，oneortwoofhisservants，andanotherservantprivatelyattachedtoLordJamesHerries。HewasayoungScotchmannamedCampbell，wholookedmuchmoredistinguishedthanhisbilious—lookingmaster，havingchestnuthairandalongsaturninefacewithlargebutfinefeatures。Hewasprobablytheonereallyefficientpersoninthehouse。
Afteraboutfourdaysoftheinformalcouncil，Marchhadcometofeelasortofgrotesquesublimityaboutthesedubiousfigures，defiantinthetwilightofdanger，asiftheywerehunchbacksandcripplesleftalonetodefendatown。Allwereworkinghard;andhehimselflookedupfromwritingapageofmemorandainaprivateroomtoseeHorneFisherstandinginthedoorway，accouteredasiffortravel。
HefanciedthatFisherlookedalittlepale;andafteramomentthatgentlemanshutthedoorbehindhimandsaid，quietly：
\"Well，theworsthashappened。Ornearlytheworst。\"
\"Theenemyhaslanded，\"criedMarch，andsprangerectoutofhischair。
\"Oh，Iknewtheenemywouldland，\"saidFisher，withcomposure。\"Yes，he’slanded;butthat’snottheworstthatcouldhappen。Theworstisthatthere’saleakofsomesort，evenfromthisfortressofours。It’sbeenabitofashocktome，Icantellyou;thoughI
supposeit’sillogical。Afterall，Iwasfullofadmirationatfindingthreehonestmeninpolitics。I
oughtnottobefullofastonishmentifIfindonlytwo。\"
Heruminatedamomentandthensaid，insuchafashionthatMarchcouldhardlytellifhewerechangingthesubjectorno：
\"It’shardatfirsttobelievethatafellowlikeHerries，whohadpickledhimselfinvicelikevinegar，canhaveanyscrupleleft。ButaboutthatI’venoticedacuriousthing。Patriotismisnotthefirstvirtue。
PatriotismrotsintoPrussianismwhenyoupretenditisthefirstvirtue。Butpatriotismissometimesthelastvirtue。Amanwillswindleorseducewhowillnotsellhiscountry。Butwhoknows？\"
\"Butwhatistobedone？\"criedMarch，indignantly。
\"Myunclehasthepaperssafeenough，\"repliedFisher，\"andissendingthemwestto—night;butsomebodyistryingtogetatthemfromout。side，Ifearwiththeassistanceofsomebodyin。side。AllIcandoatpresentistotrytoheadoffthemanoutside;andImustgetawaynowanddoit。Ishallbebackinabouttwenty—fourhours。
WhileI’mawayIwantyoutokeepaneyeonthesepeopleandfindoutwhatyoucan。Aurevoir。\"Hevanisheddownthestairs;andfromthewindowMarchcouldseehimmountamotorcycleandtrailawaytowardtheneighboringtown。
Onthefollowingmorning，Marchwassittinginthewindowseatoftheoldinnparlor，whichwasoak—paneledandordinarilyratherdark;butonthatoccasionitwasfullofthewhitelightofacuriouslyclearmorning——themoonhadshonebrilliantlyforthelasttwoorthreenights。Hewashimselfsomewhatinshadowinthecornerofthewindowseat;andLordJamesHerries，cominginhastilyfromthegardenbehind，didnotseehim。LordJamesclutchedthebackofachair，asiftosteadyhimself，and，sittingdownabruptlyatthetable，litteredwiththelastmeal，pouredhimselfoutatumblerofbrandyanddrankit。
HesatwithhisbacktoMarch，buthisyellowfaceappearedinaroundmirrorbeyonandthetingeofitwaslikethatofsomehorriblemalady。AsMarchmovedhestartedviolentlyandfacedround。
\"MyGod！\"hecried，\"haveyouseenwhat’soutside？\"
\"Outside？\"repeatedtheother，glancingoverhisshoulderatthegarden。
\"Oh，goandlookforyourself，\"criedHerriesinasortoffury。\"Hewitt’smurderedandhispapersstolen，that’sall。\"
Heturnedhisbackagainandsatdownwithathud;hissquareshoulderswereshaking。HaroldMarchdartedoutofthedoorwayintothebackgardenwithitssteepslopeofstatues。
ThefirstthinghesawwasDoctorPrince，thedetective，peeringthroughhisspectaclesatsomethingontheground;thesecondwasthethinghewaspeeringat。Evenafterthesensationalnewshehadheardinside，thesightwassomethingofasensation。
ThemonstrousstoneimageofBritanniawaslyingproneandfacedownwardonthegardenpath;andtherestuckoutatrandomfromunderneathit，likethelegsofasmashedfly，anarmcladinawhiteshirtsleeveandalegcladinakhakitrouser，andhairoftheunmistakablesandygraythatbelongedtoHorneFisher’sunfortunateuncle。Therewerepoolsofbloodandthelimbswerequitestiffindeath。
\"Couldn’tthishavebeenanaccident？\"saidMarch，findingwordsatlast。
\"Lookforyourself，Isay，\"repeatedtheharshvoiceofHerries，whohadfollowedhimwithrestlessmovementsoutofthedoor。\"Thepapersaregone，I
tellyou。Thefellowtorethecoatoffthecorpseandcutthepapersoutoftheinnerpocket。There’sthecoatoverthereonthebank，withthegreatslashinit。\"
\"Butwaitaminute，\"saidthedetective，Prince，quietly。\"Inthatcasethereseemstobesomethingofamystery。Amurderermightsomehowhavemanagedtothrowthestatuedownonhim，asheseemstohavedone。ButIbethecouldn’teasilyhavelifteditupagain。I’vetried;andI’msureitwouldwantthreemenatleast。Yetwemustsuppose，onthattheory，thatthemurdererfirstknockedhimdownashewalkedpast，usingthestatueasastoneclub，thenlifteditupagain，tookhimoutanddeprivedhimofhiscoat，thenputhimbackagaininthepostureofdeathandneatlyreplacedthestatue。Itellyouit’sphysicallyimpossible。Andhowelsecouldhehaveunclothedamancoveredwiththatstonemonument？It’sworsethantheconjurer’strick，whenamanshufflesacoatoffwithhiswriststied。\"
\"Couldhehavethrowndownthestatueafterhe’dstrippedthecorpse？\"askedMarch。
\"Andwhy？\"askedPrince，sharply。\"Ifhe’dkilledhismanandgothispapers，he’dbeawaylikethewind。Hewouldn’tpotteraboutinagardenexcavatingthepedestalsofstatues。Besides——Hullo，who’sthatupthere？\"
Highontheridgeabovethem，drawnindarkthinlinesagainstthesky，wasafigurelookingsolongandleanastobealmostspidery。Thedarksilhouetteoftheheadshowedtwosmalltuftslikehorns;andtheycouldalmosthaveswornthatthehornsmoved。
\"Archer！\"shoutedHerries，withsuddenpassion，andcalledtohimwithcursestocomedown。Thefiguredrewbackatthefirstcry，withanagitatedmovementsoabruptasalmosttobecalledanantic。
Thenextmomentthemanseemedtoreconsiderandcollecthimself，andbegantocomedownthezigzaggardenpath，butwithobviousreluctance，hisfeetfallinginslowerandslowerrhythm。ThroughMarch’smindwerethrobbingthephrasesthatthismanhimselfhadused，aboutgoingmadinthemiddleofthenightandwreckingthestonefigure。justso，hecouldfancy，themaniacwhohaddonesuchathingmightclimbthecrestofthehill，inthatfeverishdancingfashion，andlookdownonthewreckhehadmade。Butthewreckhehadmadeherewasnotonlyawreckofstone。
Whenthemanemergedatlastontothegardenpath，withthefulllightonhisfaceandfigure，hewaswalkingslowlyindeed，buteasily，andwithnoappearanceoffear。
\"Thisisaterriblething，\"hesaid。\"Isawitfromabove;Iwastakingastrollalongtheridge。\"
\"Doyoumeanthatyousawthemurder？\"
demandedMarch，\"ortheaccident？Imeandidyouseethestatuefall？\"
\"No，\"saidArcher，\"ImeanIsawthestatuefallen。\"
Princeseemedtobepayingbutlittleattention;hiseyewasrivetedonanobjectlyingonthepathayardortwofromthecorpse。Itseemedtobearustyironbarbentcrookedatoneend。
\"OnethingIdon’tunderstand，’hesaid，\"isallthisblood。Thepoorfellow’sskullisn’tsmashed;mostlikelyhisneckisbroken;butbloodseemstohavespoutedasifallhisarteriesweresevered。Iwaswonderingifsomeotherinstrument……thatironthing，forinstance;butIdon’tseethateventhatissharpenough。Isupposenobodyknowswhatitis。\"
\"Iknowwhatitis，\"saidArcherinhisdeepbutsomewhatshakyvoice。\"I’veseenitinmynightmares。Itwastheironclamporproponthepedestal，stuckontokeepthewretchedimageuprightwhenitbegantowabble，Isuppose。Anyhow，itwasalwaysstuckinthestoneworkthere;andI
supposeitcameoutwhenthethingcollapsed。\"
DoctorPrincenodded，buthecontinuedtolookdownatthepoolsofbloodandthebarofiron。
\"I’mcertainthere’ssomethingmoreunderneathallthis，\"hesaidatlast。\"Perhapssomethingmoreunderneaththestatue。Ihaveahugesortofhunchthatthereis。Wearefourmennowandbetweenuswecanliftthatgreattombstonethere。\"
Theyallbenttheirstrengthtothebusiness;therewasasilencesaveforheavybreathing;andthen，afteraninstantofthetotteringandstaggeringofeightlegs，thegreatcarvencolumnofrockwasrolledaway，andthebodylyinginitsshirtandtrouserswasfullyrevealed。ThespectaclesofDoctorPrinceseemedalmosttoenlargewitharestrainedradiancelikegreateyes;forotherthingswererevealedalso。
OnewasthattheunfortunateHewitthadadeepgashacrossthejugular，whichthetriumphantdoctorinstantlyidentifiedashavingbeenmadewithasharpsteeledgelikearazor。Theotherwasthatimmediatelyunderthebanklaylitteredthreeshiningscrapsofsteel，eachnearlyafootlong，onepointedandanotherfittedintoagorgeouslyjeweledhiltorhandle。ItwasevidentlyasortoflongOrientalknife，longenoughtobecalledasword，butwithacuriouswavyedge;andtherewasatouchortwoofbloodonthepoint。
\"Ishouldhaveexpectedmoreblood，hardlyonthepoint，\"observedDoctorPrince，thoughtfully，\"butthisiscertainlytheinstrument。Theslashwascertainlymadewithaweaponshapedlikethis，andprobablytheslashingofthepocketaswell。Isupposethebrutethrewinthestatue，bywayofgivinghimapublicfuneral。\"
Marchdidnotanswer;hewasmesmerizedbythestrangestonesthatglitteredonthestrangeswordhilt;
andtheirpossiblesignificancewasbroadeninguponhimlikeadreadfuldawn。ItwasacuriousAsiaticweapon。HeknewwhatnamewasconnectedinhismemorywithcuriousAsiaticweapons。LordJamesspokehissecretthoughtforhim，andyetitstartledhimlikeanirrelevance。
\"WhereisthePrimeMinister？\"Herrieshadcried，suddenly，andsomehowlikethebarkofadogatsomediscovery。
DoctorPrinceturnedonhimhisgogglesandhisgrimface;anditwasgrimmerthanever。
\"Icannotfindhimanywhere，\"hesaid。\"Ilookedforhimatonce，assoonasIfoundthepapersweregone。Thatservantofyours，Campbell，madeamostefficientsearch，buttherearenotraces。\"
Therewasalongsilence，attheendofwhichHerriesutteredanothercry，butuponanentirelynewnote。
\"Well，youneedn’tlookforhimanylonger，\"hesaid，\"forherehecomes，alongwithyourfriendFisher。Theylookasifthey’dbeenforalittlewalkingtour。\"
ThetwofiguresapproachingupthepathwereindeedthoseofFisher，splashedwiththemireoftravelandcarryingascratchlikethatofabrambleacrossonesideofhisbaldforehead，andofthegreatandgray—hairedstatesmanwholookedlikeababyandwasinterestedinEasternswordsandswordmanship。Butbeyondthisbodilyrecognition，Marchcouldmakeneitherheadnortailoftheirpresenceordemeanor，whichseemedtogiveafinaltouchofnonsensetothewholenightmare。Themorecloselyhewatchedthem，astheystoodlisteningtotherevelationsofthedetective，themorepuzzledhewasbytheirattitude——Fisherseemedgrievedbythedeathofhisuncle，buthardlyshockedatit;theoldermanseemedalmostopenlythinkingaboutsomethingelse，andneitherhadanythingtosuggestaboutafurtherpursuitofthefugitivespyandmurderer，inspiteoftheprodigiousimportanceofthedocumentshehadstolen。Whenthedetectivehadgoneofftobusyhimselfwiththatdepartmentofthebusiness，totelephoneandwritehisreport，whenHerrieshadgoneback，probablytothebrandybottle，andthePrimeMinisterhadblandlysaunteredawaytowardacomfortablearmchairinanotherpartofthegarden，HorneFisherspokedirectlytoHaroldMarch。
\"Myfriend，\"hesaid，\"Iwantyoutocomewithmeatonce;thereisnooneelseIcantrustsomuchasthat。Thejourneywilltakeusmostoftheday，andthechiefbusinesscannotbedonetillnightfall。Sowecantalkthingsoverthoroughlyontheway。ButIwantyoutobewithme;forIratherthinkitismyhour。\"
MarchandFisherbothhadmotorbicycles;andthefirsthalfoftheirday’sjourneyconsistedincoastingeastwardamidtheunconversationalnoiseofthoseuncomfortableengines。ButwhentheycameoutbeyondCanterburyintotheflatsofeasternKent，Fisherstoppedatapleasantlittlepublichousebesideasleepystream;andtheysatdowntocatandtodrinkandtospeakalmostforthefirsttime。Itwasabrilliantafternoon，birdsweresinginginthewoodbehind，andthesunshonefullontheiralebenchandtable;butthefaceofFisherinthestrongsunlighthadagravityneverseenonitbefore。
\"Beforewegoanyfarther，\"hesaid，\"thereissomethingyououghttoknow。YouandIhaveseensomemysteriousthingsandgottothebottomofthembeforenow;andit’sonlyrightthatyoushouldgettothebottomofthisone。ButindealingwiththedeathofmyuncleImustbeginattheotherendfromwhereourolddetectiveyarnsbegan。Iwillgiveyouthestepsofdeductionpresently，ifyouwanttolistentothem;butIdidnotreachthetruthofthisbystepsofdeduction。Iwillfirstofalltellyouthetruthitself，becauseIknewthetruthfromthefirst。TheothercasesIapproachedfromtheoutside，butinthiscaseIwasinside。Imyselfwastheverycoreandcenterofeverything。\"
Somethinginthespeaker’spendenteyelidsandgravegrayeyessuddenlyshookMarchtohisfoundations;andhecried，distractedly，\"Idon’tunderstand！\"asmendowhentheyfearthattheydounderstand。Therewasnosoundforaspacebutthehappychatterofthebirds，andthenHorneFishersaid，calmly：
\"ItwasIwhokilledmyuncle。Ifyouparticularlywantmore，itwasIwhostolethestatepapersfromhim。\"
\"Fisher！\"criedhisfriendinastrangledvoice。
\"Letmetellyouthewholethingbeforewepart，\"
continuedtheother，\"andletmeputit，forthesakeofclearness，asweusedtoputouroldproblems。Nowtherearetwothingsthatarepuzzlingpeopleaboutthatproblem，aren’tthere？Thefirstishowthemurderermanagedtoslipoffthedeadman’scoat，whenhewasalreadypinnedtothegroundwiththatstoneincubus。Theother，whichismuchsmallerandlesspuzzling，isthefactoftheswordthatcuthisthroatbeingslightlystainedatthepoint，insteadofagooddealmorestainedattheedge。Well，Icandisposeofthefirstquestioneasily。HorneHewitttookoffhisowncoatbeforehewaskilled。Imightsayhetookoffhiscoattobekilled。\"
\"Doyoucallthatanexplanation？\"exclaimedMarch。\"Thewordsseemmoremeaningless，thanthefacts。\"
\"Well，letusgoontotheotherfacts，\"continuedFisher，equably。\"ThereasonthatparticularswordisnotstainedattheedgewithHewitt’sbloodisthatitwasnotusedtokillHewitt。
\"Butthedoctor，\"protestedMarch，\"declareddistinctlythatthewoundwasmadebythatparticularsword。\"
\"Ibegyourpardon，\"repliedFisher。\"Hedidnotdeclarethatitwasmadebythatparticularsword。Hedeclareditwasmadebyaswordofthatparticularpattern。\"
\"Butitwasquiteaqueerandexceptionalpattern，\"
arguedMarch;\"surelyitisfartoofantasticacoincidencetoimagine——\"
\"Itwasafantasticcoincidence，\"reflectedHorneFisher。\"It’sextraordinarywhatcoincidencesdosometimesoccur。Bytheoddestchanceintheworld，byonechanceinamillion，itsohappenedthatanotherswordofexactlythesameshapewasinthesamegardenatthesametime。Itmaybepartlyexplained，bythefactthatIbroughtthembothintothegardenmyself……come，mydearfellow;surelyyoucanseenowwhatitmeans。Putthosetwothingstogether;thereweretwoduplicateswordsandhetookoffhiscoatforhimself。ItmayassistyourspeculationstorecallthefactthatIamnotexactlyanassassin。\"
\"Aduel！\"exclaimedMarch，recoveringhimself。
\"OfcourseIoughttohavethoughtofthat。Butwhowasthespywhostolethepapers？\"
\"Myunclewasthespywhostolethepapers，\"
repliedFisher，\"orwhotriedtostealthepaperswhenIstoppedhim——intheonlywayIcould。Thepapers，thatshouldhavegonewesttoreassureourfriendsandgivethemtheplansforrepellingtheinvasion，wouldinafewhourshavebeeninthehandsoftheinvader。WhatcouldIdo？TohavedenouncedoneofourfriendsatthismomentwouldhavebeentoplayintothehandsofyourfriendAttwood，andallthepartyofpanicandslavery。Besides，itmaybethatamanoverfortyhasasubconsciousdesiretodieashehaslived，andthatIwanted，inasense，tocarrymysecretstothegrave。Perhapsahobbyhardenswithage;andmyhobbyhasbeensilence。PerhapsIfeelthatIhavekilledmymother’sbrother，butIhavesavedmymother’sname。Anyhow，IchoseatimewhenIknewyouwereallasleep，andhewaswalkingaloneinthegarden。Isawallthestonestatuesstandinginthemoonlight;andImyselfwaslikeoneofthosestonestatueswalking。Inavoicethatwasnotmyown，Itoldhimofhistreasonanddemandedthepapers;andwhenherefused，Iforcedhimtotakeoneofthetwoswords。TheswordswereamongsomespecimenssentdownhereforthePrimeMinister’sinspection;heisacollector，youknow;theyweretheonlyequalweaponsIcouldfind。
Tocutanuglytaleshort，wefoughtthereonthepathinfrontoftheBritanniastatue;hewasamanofgreatstrength，butIhadsomewhattheadvantageinskill。
Hisswordgrazedmyforeheadalmostatthemomentwhenminesankintothejointinhisneck。Hefellagainstthestatue，likeCaesaragainstPompey’s，hangingontotheironrail;hisswordwasalreadybroken。WhenIsawthebloodfromthatdeadlywound，everythingelsewentfromme;Idroppedmyswordandranasiftolifthimup。AsIbenttowardhimsomethinghappenedtooquickformetofollow。I
donotknowwhethertheironbarwasrottedwithrustandcameawayinhishand，orwhetherherentitoutoftherockwithhisapelikestrength;butthethingwasinhishand，andwithhisdyingenergiesheswungitovermyhead，asIkneltthereunarmedbesidehim。
Ilookedupwildlytoavoidtheblow，andsawaboveusthegreatbulkofBritannialeaningoutwardlikethefigureheadofaship。ThenextinstantIsawitwasleaninganinchortwomorethanusual，andalltheskieswiththeiroutstandingstarsseemedtobeleaningwithit。Forthethirdseconditwasasiftheskiesfell;andinthefourthIwasstandinginthequietgarden，lookingdownonthatflatruinofstoneandboneatwhichyouwerelookingto—day。HehadpluckedoutthelastpropthathelduptheBritishgoddess，andshehadfallenandcrushedthetraitorinherfall。IturnedanddartedforthecoatwhichIknewtocontainthepackage，rippeditupwithmysword，andracedawayupthegardenpathtowheremymotorbikewaswaitingontheroadabove。Ihadeveryreasonforhaste;butIfledwithoutlookingbackatthestatueandthe。body;andIthinkthethingIfledfromwasthesightofthatappallingallegory。
\"ThenIdidtherestofwhatIhadtodo。AllthroughthenightandintothedaybreakandthedaylightIwenthummingthroughthevillagesandmarketsofSouthEnglandlikeatravelingbullet，tillI
cametotheheadquartersintheWestwherethetroublewas。Iwasjustintime。Iwasabletoplacardtheplace，sotospeak，withthenewsthatthegovernmenthadnotbetrayedthem，andthattheywouldfindsupportsiftheywouldpusheastwardagainsttheenemy。There’snotimetotellyouallthathappened;butItellyouitwasthedayofmylife。A
triumphlikeatorchlightprocession，withtorchlightsthatmighthavebeenfirebrands。Themutiniessimmereddown;themenofSomersetandthewesterncountiescamepouringintothemarketplaces;themenwhodiedwithArthurandstoodfirmwithAlfred。TheIrishregimentsralliedtothem，afterascenelikeariot，andmarchedeastwardoutofthetownsingingFeniansongs。Therewasallthatisnotunderstood，aboutthedarklaughterofthatpeople，inthedelightwithwhich，evenwhenmarchingwiththeEnglishtothedefenseofEngland，theyshoutedatthetopoftheirvoices，’Highuponthegallowstreestoodthenoble—heartedthree……WithEngland’scruelcordaboutthemcast。’However，thechoruswas’GodsaveIreland，’andwecouldallhavesungthatjustthen，inonesenseoranother。
\"Buttherewasanothersidetomymission。I
carriedtheplansofthedefense;andtoagreatextent，luckily，theplansoftheinvasionalso。Iwon’tworryyouwithstrategics;butweknewwheretheenemyhadpushedforwardthegreatbatterythatcoveredallhismovements;andthoughourfriendsfromtheWestcouldhardlyarriveintimetointerceptthemainmovement，theymightgetwithinlongartilleryrangeofthebatteryandshellit，iftheyonlyknewexactlywhereitwas。Theycouldhardlytellthatunlesssomebodyroundaboutheresentupsomesortofsignal。But，somehow，Iratherfancythatsomebodywill。\"
Withthathegotupfromthetable，andtheyremountedtheirmachinesandwenteastwardintotheadvancingtwilightofevening。ThelevelsofthelandscapeWererepeatedinflatstripsoffloatingcloudandthelastcolorsofdayclungtothecircleofthehorizon。Reced。ingfartherandfartherbehindthemwasthesemicircleofthelasthills;anditwasquitesuddenlythattheysawafaroffthedimlineofthesea。Itwasnotastripofbrightblueastheyhadseenitfromthesunnyveranda，butofasinisterandsmokyviolet，atintthatseemedominousanddark。
HereHorneFisherdismountedoncemore。
\"Wemustwalktherestoftheway，\"hesaid，\"andthelastbitofallImustwalkalone。\"
Hebentdownandbegantounstrapsomethingfromhisbicycle。Itwassomethingthathadpuzzledhiscompanionallthewayinspiteofwhatheldhimtomoreinterestingriddles;itappearedtobeseverallengthsofpolestrappedtogetherandwrappedupinpaper。Fishertookitunderhisarmandbegantopickhiswayacrosstheturf。Thegroundwasgrowingmoretum。bledandirregularandhewaswalkingtowardamassofthicketsandsmallwoods;nightgrewdarkereverymoment。\"Wemustnottalkanymore，\"saidFisher。\"Ishallwhispertoyouwhenyouaretohalt。Don’ttrytofollowmethen，foritwillonlyspoiltheshow;onemancanbarelycrawlsafelytothespot，andtwowouldcertainlybecaught。\"
\"Iwouldfollowyouanywhere，\"repliedMarch，\"butIwouldhalt，too，ifthatisbetter。\"
\"Iknowyouwould，\"saidhisfriendinalowvoice。
\"Perhapsyou’retheonlymanIeverquitetrustedinthisworld。\"
Afewpacesfartherontheycametotheendofagreatridgeormoundlookingmonstrousagainstthedimsky;andFisherstoppedwithagesture。Hecaughthiscompanion’shandandwrungitwithaviolenttenderness，andthendartedforwardintothedarkness。Marchcouldfaintlyseehisfigurecrawlingalongundertheshadowoftheridge，thenhelostsightofit，andthenhesawitagainstandingonanothermoundtwohundredyardsaway。Besidehimstoodasingularerectionmadeapparentlyoftworods。Hebentoveritandtherewastheflareofalight;allMarch’sschoolboymemorieswokeinhim，andheknewwhatitwas。Itwasthestandofarocket。Theconfused，incongruousmemoriesstillpossessedhimuptotheverymomentofafiercebutfamiliarsound;andaninstantaftertherocketleftitsperchandwentupintoendlessspacelikeastarryarrowaimedatthestars。MarchthoughtsuddenlyofthesignsofthelastdaysandknewhewaslookingattheapocalypticmeteorofsomethinglikeaDayofjudgment。
Farupintheinfiniteheavenstherocketdroopedandsprangintoscarletstars。Foramomentthewholelandscapeouttotheseaandbacktothecrescentofthewoodedhillswaslikealakeofrubylight，ofaredstrangelyrichandglorious，asiftheworldweresteepedinwineratherthanblood，ortheearthwereanearthlyparadise，overwhichpausedforeverthesanguinemomentofmorning。
\"GodsaveEngland！\"criedFisher，withatonguelikethepealofatrumpet。\"AndnowitisforGodtosave。\"
Asdarknesssankagainoverlandandsea，therecameanothersound;farawayinthepassesofthehillsbehindthemthegunsspokelikethebayingofgreathounds。Somethingthatwasnotarocket，thatcamenothissingbutscreaming，wentoverHaroldMarch’sheadandexpandedbeyondthemoundintolightanddeafeningdin，staggeringthebrainwithunbearablebrutalitiesofnoise。Anothercame，andthenanother，andtheworldwasfullofuproarandvolcanicvaporandchaoticlight。TheartilleryoftheWestcountryandtheIrishhadlocatedthegreatenemybattery，andwerepoundingittopieces。
InthemadexcitementofthatmomentMarchpeeredthroughthestorm，lookingagainforthelongleanfigurethatstoodbesidethestandoftherocket。
Thenanotherflashlitupthewholeridge。Thefigurewasnotthere。
Beforethefiresoftherockethadfadedfromthesky，longbeforethefirstgunhadsoundedfromthedistanthills，asplutterofriflefirehadflashedandflickeredallaroundfromthehiddentrenchesoftheenemy。Somethinglayintheshadowatthefootoftheridge，asstiffasthestickofthefallenrocket;andthemanwhoknewtoomuchknewwhatisworthknowing。