MuchmorelikelythePresidentisridingintriumphthroughParis，orsittingontheruinsofSt。Paul’sCathedral。\"
\"Thisisabsurd！\"saidSyme。\"Somethingmayhavehappenedinourabsence;buthecannothavecarriedtheworldwitharushlikethat。Itisquitetrue，\"headded，frowningdubiouslyatthedistantfieldsthatlaytowardsthelittlestation，\"itiscertainlytruethatthereseemstobeacrowdcomingthisway;
buttheyarenotallthearmythatyoumakeout。\"
\"Oh，they，\"saidthenewdetectivecontemptuously;\"notheyarenotaveryvaluableforce。Butletmetellyoufranklythattheyarepreciselycalculatedtoourvalue——wearenotmuch，myboy，inSunday’suniverse。Hehasgotholdofallthecablesandtelegraphshimself。ButtokilltheSupremeCouncilheregardsasatrivialmatter，likeapostcard;itmaybelefttohisprivatesecretary，\"andhespatonthegrass。
Thenheturnedtotheothersandsaidsomewhatausterely——
\"Thereisagreatdealtobesaidfordeath;butifanyonehasanypreferencefortheotheralternative，Istronglyadvisehimtowalkafterme。\"
Withthesewords，heturnedhisbroadbackandstrodewithsilentenergytowardsthewood。Theothersgaveoneglanceovertheirshoulders，andsawthatthedarkcloudofmenhaddetacheditselffromthestationandwasmovingwithamysteriousdisciplineacrosstheplain。Theysawalready，evenwiththenakedeye，blackblotsontheforemostfaces，whichmarkedthemaskstheywore。
Theyturnedandfollowedtheirleader，whohadalreadystruckthewood，anddisappearedamongthetwinklingtrees。
Thesunonthegrasswasdryandhot。Soinplungingintothewoodtheyhadacoolshockofshadow，asofdiverswhoplungeintoadimpool。Theinsideofthewoodwasfullofshatteredsunlightandshakenshadows。Theymadeasortofshudderingveil，almostrecallingthedizzinessofacinematograph。EventhesolidfigureswalkingwithhimSymecouldhardlyseeforthepatternsofsunandshadethatdanceduponthem。Nowaman’sheadwaslitaswithalightofRembrandt，leavingallelseobliterated;nowagainhehadstrongandstaringwhitehandswiththefaceofanegro。Theex—Marquishadpulledtheoldstrawhatoverhiseyes，andtheblackshadeofthebrimcuthisfacesosquarelyintwothatitseemedtobewearingoneoftheblackhalf—masksoftheirpursuers。
ThefancytintedSyme’soverwhelmingsenseofwonder。Washewearingamask？Wasanyonewearingamask？Wasanyoneanything？
Thiswoodofwitchery，inwhichmen’sfacesturnedblackandwhitebyturns，inwhichtheirfiguresfirstswelledintosunlightandthenfadedintoformlessnight，thismerechaosofchiaroscuro（afterthecleardaylightoutside），seemedtoSymeaperfectsymboloftheworldinwhichhehadbeenmovingforthreedays，thisworldwherementookofftheirbeardsandtheirspectaclesandtheirnoses，andturnedintootherpeople。Thattragicself—confidencewhichhehadfeltwhenhebelievedthattheMarquiswasadevilhadstrangelydisappearednowthatheknewthattheMarquiswasafriend。Hefeltalmostinclinedtoaskafterallthesebewildermentswhatwasafriendandwhatanenemy。Wasthereanythingthatwasapartfromwhatitseemed？TheMarquishadtakenoffhisnoseandturnedouttobeadetective。Mighthenotjustaswelltakeoffhisheadandturnouttobeahobgoblin？Wasnoteverything，afterall，likethisbewilderingwoodland，thisdanceofdarkandlight？Everythingonlyaglimpse，theglimpsealwaysunforeseen，andalwaysforgotten。ForGabrielSymehadfoundintheheartofthatsun—splashedwoodwhatmanymodernpaintershadfoundthere。HehadfoundthethingwhichthemodernpeoplecallImpressionism，whichisanothernameforthatfinalscepticismwhichcanfindnofloortotheuniverse。
Asamaninanevildreamstrainshimselftoscreamandwake，Symestrovewithasuddenefforttoflingoffthislastandworstofhisfancies。WithtwoimpatientstridesheovertookthemanintheMarquis’sstrawhat，themanwhomhehadcometoaddressasRatcliffe。Inavoiceexaggerativelyloudandcheerful，hebrokethebottomlesssilenceandmadeconversation。
\"MayIask，\"hesaid，\"whereonearthweareallgoingto？\"
Sogenuinehadbeenthedoubtsofhissoul，thathewasquitegladtohearhiscompanionspeakinaneasy，humanvoice。
\"WemustgetdownthroughthetownofLancytothesea，\"hesaid。
\"Ithinkthatpartofthecountryisleastlikelytobewiththem。\"
\"Whatcanyoumeanbyallthis？\"criedSyme。\"Theycan’tberunningtherealworldinthatway。Surelynotmanyworkingmenareanarchists，andsurelyiftheywere，meremobscouldnotbeatmodernarmiesandpolice。\"
\"Meremobs！\"repeatedhisnewfriendwithasnortofscorn。\"Soyoutalkaboutmobsandtheworkingclassesasiftheywerethequestion。You’vegotthateternalidioticideathatifanarchycameitwouldcomefromthepoor。Whyshouldit？Thepoorhavebeenrebels，buttheyhaveneverbeenanarchists;theyhavemoreinterestthananyoneelseintherebeingsomedecentgovernment。
Thepoormanreallyhasastakeinthecountry。Therichmanhasn’t;hecangoawaytoNewGuineainayacht。Thepoorhavesometimesobjectedtobeinggovernedbadly;therichhavealwaysobjectedtobeinggovernedatall。Aristocratswerealwaysanarchists，asyoucanseefromthebarons’wars。\"
\"AsalectureonEnglishhistoryforthelittleones，\"saidSyme，\"thisisallverynice;butIhavenotyetgraspeditsapplication。\"
\"Itsapplicationis，\"saidhisinformant，\"thatmostofoldSunday’sright—handmenareSouthAfricanandAmericanmillionaires。Thatiswhyhehasgotholdofallthecommunications;andthatiswhythelastfourchampionsoftheanti—anarchistpoliceforcearerunningthroughawoodlikerabbits。\"
\"MillionairesIcanunderstand，\"saidSymethoughtfully，\"theyarenearlyallmad。Butgettingholdofafewwickedoldgentlemenwithhobbiesisonething;gettingholdofgreatChristiannationsisanother。Iwouldbetthenoseoffmyface（forgivetheallusion）
thatSundaywouldstandperfectlyhelplessbeforethetaskofconvertinganyordinaryhealthypersonanywhere。\"
\"Well，\"saidtheother，\"itratherdependswhatsortofpersonyoumean。\"
\"Well，forinstance，\"saidSyme，\"hecouldneverconvertthatperson，\"andhepointedstraightinfrontofhim。
Theyhadcometoanopenspaceofsunlight，whichseemedtoexpresstoSymethefinalreturnofhisowngoodsense;andinthemiddleofthisforestclearingwasafigurethatmightwellstandforthatcommonsenseinanalmostawfulactuality。Burntbythesunandstainedwithperspiration，andgravewiththebottomlessgravityofsmallnecessarytoils，aheavyFrenchpeasantwascuttingwoodwithahatchet。Hiscartstoodafewyardsoff，alreadyhalffulloftimber;andthehorsethatcroppedthegrasswas，likehismaster，valorousbutnotdesperate;likehismaster，hewasevenprosperous，butyetwasalmostsad。ThemanwasaNorman，tallerthantheaverageoftheFrenchandveryangular;andhisswarthyfigurestooddarkagainstasquareofsunlight，almostlikesomeallegoricfigureoflabourfrescoedonagroundofgold。
\"Mr。Symeissaying，\"calledoutRatcliffetotheFrenchColonel，\"thatthisman，atleast，willneverbeananarchist。\"
\"Mr。Symeisrightenoughthere，\"answeredColonelDucroix，laughing，\"ifonlyforthereasonthathehasplentyofpropertytodefend。ButIforgotthatinyourcountryyouarenotusedtopeasantsbeingwealthy。\"
\"Helookspoor，\"saidDr。Bulldoubtfully。
\"Quiteso，\"saidtheColonel;\"thatiswhyheisrich。\"
\"Ihaveanidea，\"calledoutDr。Bullsuddenly;\"howmuchwouldhetaketogiveusaliftinhiscart？Thosedogsareallonfoot，andwecouldsoonleavethembehind。\"
\"Oh，givehimanything！\"saidSymeeagerly。\"Ihavepilesofmoneyonme。\"
\"Thatwillneverdo，\"saidtheColonel;\"hewillneverhaveanyrespectforyouunlessyoudriveabargain。\"
\"Oh，ifhehaggles！\"beganBullimpatiently。
\"Eriehagglesbecauseheisafreeman，\"saidtheother。\"Youdonotunderstand;hewouldnotseethemeaningofgenerosity。Heisnotbeingtipped。\"
Andevenwhiletheyseemedtoheartheheavyfeetoftheirstrangepursuersbehindthem，theyhadtostandandstampwhiletheFrenchColoneltalkedtotheFrenchwood—cutterwithalltheleisurelybadinageandbickeringofmarket—day。Attheendofthefourminutes，however，theysawthattheColonelwasright，forthewood—cutterenteredintotheirplans，notwiththevagueservilityofatouttoo—wellpaid，butwiththeseriousnessofasolicitorwhohadbeenpaidtheproperfee。HetoldthemthatthebestthingtheycoulddowastomaketheirwaydowntothelittleinnonthehillsaboveLancy，wheretheinnkeeper，anoldsoldierwhohadbecomedevotinhislatteryears，wouldbecertaintosympathisewiththem，andeventotakerisksintheirsupport。Thewholecompany，therefore，piledthemselvesontopofthestacksofwood，andwentrockingintherudecartdowntheotherandsteepersideofthewoodland。Heavyandramshackleaswasthevehicle，itwasdrivenquicklyenough，andtheysoonhadtheexhilaratingimpressionofdistancingaltogetherthose，whoevertheywere，whowerehuntingthem。For，afterall，theriddleastowheretheanarchistshadgotallthesefollowerswasstillunsolved。Oneman’spresencehadsufficedforthem;theyhadfledatthefirstsightofthedeformedsmileoftheSecretary。Symeeverynowandthenlookedbackoverhisshoulderatthearmyontheirtrack。
Asthewoodgrewfirstthinnerandthensmallerwithdistance，hecouldseethesunlitslopesbeyonditandaboveit;andacrossthesewasstillmovingthesquareblackmoblikeonemonstrousbeetle。Intheverystrongsunlightandwithhisownverystrongeyes，whichwerealmosttelescopic，Symecouldseethismassofmenquiteplainly。Hecouldseethemasseparatehumanfigures;
buthewasincreasinglysurprisedbythewayinwhichtheymovedasoneman。Theyseemedtobedressedindarkclothesandplainhats，likeanycommoncrowdoutofthestreets;buttheydidnotspreadandsprawlandtrailbyvariouslinestotheattack，aswouldbenaturalinanordinarymob。Theymovedwithasortofdreadfulandwickedwoodenness，likeastaringarmyofautomatons。
SymepointedthisouttoRatcliffe。
\"Yes，\"repliedthepoliceman，\"that’sdiscipline。That’sSunday。Heisperhapsfivehundredmilesoff，butthefearofhimisonallofthem，likethefingerofGod。Yes，theyarewalkingregularly;andyoubetyourbootsthattheyaretalkingregularly，yes，andthinkingregularly。Buttheoneimportantthingforusisthattheyaredisappearingregularly。\"
Symenodded。Itwastruethattheblackpatchofthepursuingmenwasgrowingsmallerandsmallerasthepeasantbelabouredhishorse。
Thelevelofthesunlitlandscape，thoughflatasawhole，fellawayonthefarthersideofthewoodinbillowsofheavyslopetowardsthesea，inawaynotunlikethelowerslopesoftheSussexdowns。TheonlydifferencewasthatinSussextheroadwouldhavebeenbrokenandangularlikealittlebrook，butherethewhiteFrenchroadfellsheerinfrontofthemlikeawaterfall。Downthisdirectdescentthecartclatteredataconsiderableangle，andinafewminutes，theroadgrowingyetsteeper，theysawbelowthemthelittleharbourofLancyandagreatbluearcofthesea。Thetravellingcloudoftheirenemieshadwhollydisappearedfromthehorizon。
Thehorseandcarttookasharpturnroundaclumpofelms，andthehorse’snosenearlystruckthefaceofanoldgentlemanwhowassittingonthebenchesoutsidethelittlecafeof\"LeSoleild’Or。\"Thepeasantgruntedanapology，andgotdownfromhisseat。Theothersalsodescendedonebyone，andspoketotheoldgentlemanwithfragmentaryphrasesofcourtesy，foritwasquiteevidentfromhisexpansivemannerthathewastheownerofthelittletavern。
Hewasawhite—haired，apple—facedoldboy，withsleepyeyesandagreymoustache;stout，sedentary，andveryinnocent，ofatypethatmayoftenbefoundinFrance，butisstillcommonerinCatholicGermany。Everythingabouthim，hispipe，hispotofbeer，hisflowers，andhisbeehive，suggestedanancestralpeace;onlywhenhisvisitorslookedupastheyenteredtheinn—parlour，theysawthesworduponthewall。
TheColonel，whogreetedtheinnkeeperasanoldfriend，passedrapidlyintotheinn—parlour，andsatdownorderingsomeritualrefreshment。ThemilitarydecisionofhisactioninterestedSyme，whosatnexttohim，andhetooktheopportunitywhentheoldinnkeeperhadgoneoutofsatisfyinghiscuriosity。
\"MayIaskyou，Colonel，\"hesaidinalowvoice，\"whywehavecomehere？\"
ColonelDucroixsmiledbehindhisbristlywhitemoustache。
\"Fortworeasons，sir，\"hesaid;\"andIwillgivefirst，notthemostimportant，butthemostutilitarian。Wecameherebecausethisistheonlyplacewithintwentymilesinwhichwecangethorses。\"
\"Horses！\"repeatedSyme，lookingupquickly。
\"Yes，\"repliedtheother;\"ifyoupeoplearereallytodistanceyourenemiesitishorsesornothingforyou，unlessofcourseyouhavebicyclesandmotor—carsinyourpocket。\"
\"Andwheredoyouadviseustomakefor？\"askedSymedoubtfully。
\"Beyondquestion，\"repliedtheColonel，\"youhadbettermakeallhastetothepolicestationbeyondthetown。Myfriend，whomI
secondedundersomewhatdeceptivecircumstances，seemstometoexaggerateverymuchthepossibilitiesofageneralrising;butevenhewouldhardlymaintain，Isuppose，thatyouwerenotsafewiththegendarmes。\"
Symenoddedgravely;thenhesaidabruptly——
\"Andyourotherreasonforcominghere？\"
\"Myotherreasonforcominghere，\"saidDucroixsoberly，\"isthatitisjustaswelltoseeagoodmanortwowhenoneispossiblyneartodeath。\"
Symelookedupatthewall，andsawacrudely—paintedandpatheticreligiouspicture。Thenhesaid——
\"Youareright，\"andthenalmostimmediatelyafterwards，\"Hasanyoneseenaboutthehorses？\"
\"Yes，\"answeredDucroix，\"youmaybequitecertainthatIgaveordersthemomentIcamein。Thoseenemiesofyoursgavenoimpressionofhurry，buttheywerereallymovingwonderfullyfast，likeawell—trainedarmy。Ihadnoideathattheanarchistshadsomuchdiscipline。Youhavenotamomenttowaste。\"
Almostashespoke，theoldinnkeeperwiththeblueeyesandwhitehaircameamblingintotheroom，andannouncedthatsixhorsesweresaddledoutside。
ByDucroix’sadvicethefiveothersequippedthemselveswithsomeportableformoffoodandwine，andkeepingtheirduellingswordsastheonlyweaponsavailable，theyclatteredawaydownthesteep，whiteroad。Thetwoservants，whohadcarriedtheMarquis’sluggagewhenhewasamarquis，wereleftbehindtodrinkatthecafebycommonconsent，andnotatallagainsttheirowninclination。
Bythistimetheafternoonsunwasslantingwestward，andbyitsraysSymecouldseethesturdyfigureoftheoldinnkeepergrowingsmallerandsmaller，butstillstandingandlookingafterthemquitesilently，thesunshineinhissilverhair。Symehadafixed，superstitiousfancy，leftinhismindbythechancephraseoftheColonel，thatthiswasindeed，perhaps，thelasthoneststrangerwhomheshouldeverseeupontheearth。
Hewasstilllookingatthisdwindlingfigure，whichstoodasameregreyblottouchedwithawhiteflameagainstthegreatgreenwallofthesteepdownbehindhim。Andashestaredoverthetopofthedownbehindtheinnkeeper，thereappearedanarmyofblack—cladandmarchingmen。Theyseemedtohangabovethegoodmanandhishouselikeablackcloudoflocusts。Thehorseshadbeensaddlednonetoosoon。
CHAPTERXII
THEEARTHINANARCHY
URGINGthehorsestoagallop，withoutrespecttotheratherruggeddescentoftheroad，thehorsemensoonregainedtheiradvantageoverthemenonthemarch，andatlastthebulkofthefirstbuildingsofLancycutoffthesightoftheirpursuers。
Nevertheless，theridehadbeenalongone，andbythetimetheyreachedtherealtownthewestwaswarmingwiththecolourandqualityofsunset。TheColonelsuggestedthat，beforemakingfinallyforthepolicestation，theyshouldmaketheeffort，inpassing，toattachtothemselvesonemoreindividualwhomightbeuseful。
\"Fouroutofthefiverichmeninthistown，\"hesaid，\"arecommonswindlers。Isupposetheproportionisprettyequalallovertheworld。Thefifthisafriendofmine，andaveryfinefellow;andwhatisevenmoreimportantfromourpointofview，heownsamotor—car。\"
\"Iamafraid，\"saidtheProfessorinhismirthfulway，lookingbackalongthewhiteroadonwhichtheblack，crawlingpatchmightappearatanymoment，\"Iamafraidwehavehardlytimeforafternooncalls。\"
\"DoctorRenard’shouseisonlythreeminutesoff，\"saidtheColonel。
\"Ourdanger，\"saidDr。Bull，\"isnottwominutesoff。\"
\"Yes，\"saidSyme，\"ifwerideonfastwemustleavethembehind，fortheyareonfoot。\"
\"Hehasamotor—car，\"saidtheColonel。
\"Butwemaynotgetit，\"saidBull。
\"Yes，heisquiteonyourside。\"
\"Buthemightbeout。\"
\"Holdyourtongue，\"saidSymesuddenly。\"Whatisthatnoise？\"
Forasecondtheyallsatasstillasequestrianstatues，andforasecond——fortwoorthreeorfourseconds——heavenandearthseemedequallystill。Thenalltheirears，inanagonyofattention，heardalongtheroadthatindescribablethrillandthrobthatmeansonlyonething——horses！
TheColonel’sfacehadaninstantaneouschange，asiflightninghadstruckit，andyetleftitscatheless。
\"Theyhavedoneus，\"hesaid，withbriefmilitaryirony。\"Preparetoreceivecavalry！\"
\"Wherecantheyhavegotthehorses？\"askedSyme，ashemechanicallyurgedhissteedtoacanter。
TheColonelwassilentforalittle，thenhesaidinastrainedvoice——
\"IwasspeakingwithstrictaccuracywhenIsaidthatthe’Soleild’Or’wastheonlyplacewhereonecangethorseswithintwentymiles。\"
\"No！\"saidSymeviolently，\"Idon’tbelievehe’ddoit。Notwithallthatwhitehair。\"
\"Hemayhavebeenforced，\"saidtheColonelgently。\"Theymustbeatleastahundredstrong，forwhichreasonweareallgoingtoseemyfriendRenard，whohasamotor—car。\"
Withthesewordsheswunghishorsesuddenlyroundastreetcorner，andwentdownthestreetwithsuchthunderingspeed，thattheothers，thoughalreadywellatthegallop，haddifficultyinfollowingtheflyingtailofhishorse。
Dr。Renardinhabitedahighandcomfortablehouseatthetopofasteepstreet，sothatwhentheridersalightedathisdoortheycouldoncemoreseethesolidgreenridgeofthehill，withthewhiteroadacrossit，standingupabovealltheroofsofthetown。
Theybreathedagaintoseethattheroadasyetwasclear，andtheyrangthebell。
Dr。Renardwasabeaming，brown—beardedman，agoodexampleofthatsilentbutverybusyprofessionalclasswhichFrancehaspreservedevenmoreperfectlythanEngland。Whenthematterwasexplainedtohimhepooh—poohedthepanicoftheex—Marquisaltogether;hesaid，withthesolidFrenchscepticism，thattherewasnoconceivableprobabilityofageneralanarchistrising。\"Anarchy，\"hesaid，shrugginghisshoulders，\"itischildishness！\"
\"Etca，\"criedouttheColonelsuddenly，pointingovertheother’sshoulder，\"andthatischildishness，isn’tit？\"
Theyalllookedround，andsawacurveofblackcavalrycomesweepingoverthetopofthehillwithalltheenergyofAttila。
Swiftlyastheyrode，however，thewholerankstillkeptwelltogether，andtheycouldseetheblackvizardsofthefirstlineaslevelasalineofuniforms。Butalthoughthemainblacksquarewasthesame，thoughtravellingfaster，therewasnowonesensationaldifferencewhichtheycouldseeclearlyupontheslopeofthehill，asifuponaslantedmap。Thebulkoftheriderswereinoneblock;butoneriderflewfaraheadofthecolumn，andwithfranticmovementsofhandandheelurgedhishorsefasterandfaster，sothatonemighthavefanciedthathewasnotthepursuerbutthepursued。Butevenatthatgreatdistancetheycouldseesomethingsofanatical，sounquestionableinhisfigure，thattheyknewitwastheSecretaryhimself。\"Iamsorrytocutshortacultureddiscussion，\"saidtheColonel，\"butcanyoulendmeyourmotor—carnow，intwominutes？\"
\"Ihaveasuspicionthatyouareallmad，\"saidDr。Renard，smilingsociably;\"butGodforbidthatmadnessshouldinanywayinterruptfriendship。Letusgoroundtothegarage。\"
Dr。Renardwasamildmanwithmonstrouswealth;hisroomswereliketheMuseedeCluny，andhehadthreemotor—cars。These，however，heseemedtouseverysparingly，havingthesimpletastesoftheFrenchmiddleclass，andwhenhisimpatientfriendscametoexaminethem，ittookthemsometimetoassurethemselvesthatoneofthemevencouldbemadetowork。ThiswithsomedifficultytheybroughtroundintothestreetbeforetheDoctor’shouse。Whentheycameoutofthedimgaragetheywerestartledtofindthattwilighthadalreadyfallenwiththeabruptnessofnightinthetropics。Eithertheyhadbeenlongerintheplacethantheyimagined，orsomeunusualcanopyofcloudhadgatheredoverthetown。Theylookeddownthesteepstreets，andseemedtoseeaslightmistcomingupfromthesea。
\"Itisnowornever，\"saidDr。Bull。\"Ihearhorses。\"
\"No，\"correctedtheProfessor，\"ahorse。\"
Andastheylistened，itwasevidentthatthenoise，rapidlycomingnearerontherattlingstones，wasnotthenoiseofthewholecavalcadebutthatoftheonehorseman，whohadleftitfarbehind——theinsaneSecretary。
Syme’sfamily，likemostofthosewhoendinthesimplelife，hadonceownedamotor，andheknewallaboutthem。Hehadleaptatonceintothechauffeur’sseat，andwithflushedfacewaswrenchingandtuggingatthedisusedmachinery。Hebenthisstrengthupononehandle，andthensaidquitequietly——
\"Iamafraidit’snogo。\"
Ashespoke，theresweptroundthecorneramanrigidonhisrushinghorse，withtherushandrigidityofanarrow。Hehadasmilethatthrustouthischinasifitweredislocated。Hesweptalongsideofthestationarycar，intowhichitscompanyhadcrowded，andlaidhishandonthefront。ItwastheSecretary，andhismouthwentquitestraightinthesolemnityoftriumph。
Symewasleaningharduponthesteeringwheel，andtherewasnosoundbuttherumbleoftheotherpursuersridingintothetown。
Thentherecamequitesuddenlyascreamofscrapingiron，andthecarleaptforward。ItpluckedtheSecretarycleanoutofhissaddle，asaknifeiswhippedoutofitssheath，trailedhimkickingterriblyfortwentyyards，andlefthimflungflatupontheroadfarinfrontofhisfrightenedhorse。Asthecartookthecornerofthestreetwithasplendidcurve，theycouldjustseetheotheranarchistsfillingthestreetandraisingtheirfallenleader。
\"Ican’tunderstandwhyithasgrownsodark，\"saidtheProfessoratlastinalowvoice。
\"Goingtobeastorm，Ithink，\"saidDr。Bull。\"Isay，it’sapitywehaven’tgotalightonthiscar，ifonlytoseeby。\"
\"Wehave，\"saidtheColonel，andfromthefloorofthecarhefishedupaheavy，old—fashioned，carvedironlanternwithalightinsideit。Itwasobviouslyanantique，anditwouldseemasifitsoriginalusehadbeeninsomewaysemi—religious，fortherewasarudemouldingofacrossupononeofitssides。
\"Whereonearthdidyougetthat？\"askedtheProfessor。
\"IgotitwhereIgotthecar，\"answeredtheColonel，chuckling，\"frommybestfriend。Whileourfriendherewasfightingwiththesteeringwheel，IranupthefrontstepsofthehouseandspoketoRenard，whowasstandinginhisownporch，youwillremember。’I
suppose，’Isaid，’there’snotimetogetalamp。’Helookedup，blinkingamiablyatthebeautifularchedceilingofhisownfronthall。Fromthiswassuspended，bychainsofexquisiteironwork，thislantern，oneofthehundredtreasuresofhistreasurehouse。
Bysheerforcehetorethelampoutofhisownceiling，shatteringthepaintedpanels，andbringingdowntwobluevaseswithhisviolence。Thenhehandedmetheironlantern，andIputitinthecar。WasInotrightwhenIsaidthatDr。Renardwasworthknowing？\"
\"Youwere，\"saidSymeseriously，andhungtheheavylanternoverthefront。Therewasacertainallegoryoftheirwholepositioninthecontrastbetweenthemodernautomobileanditsstrangeecclesiasticallamp。Hithertotheyhadpassedthroughthequietestpartofthetown，meetingatmostoneortwopedestrians，whocouldgivethemnohintofthepeaceorthehostilityoftheplace。Now，however，thewindowsinthehousesbeganonebyonetobelitup，givingagreatersenseofhabitationandhumanity。Dr。Bullturnedtothenewdetectivewhohadledtheirflight，andpermittedhimselfoneofhisnaturalandfriendlysmiles。
\"Theselightsmakeonefeelmorecheerful。\"
InspectorRatcliffedrewhisbrowstogether。
\"Thereisonlyonesetoflightsthatmakememorecheerful，\"hesaid，\"andtheyarethoselightsofthepolicestationwhichIcanseebeyondthetown。PleaseGodwemaybethereintenminutes。\"
ThenallBull’sboilinggoodsenseandoptimismbrokesuddenlyoutofhim。
\"Oh，thisisallravingnonsense！\"hecried。\"Ifyoureallythinkthatordinarypeopleinordinaryhousesareanarchists，youmustbemadderthanananarchistyourself。Ifweturnedandfoughtthesefellows，thewholetownwouldfightforus。\"
\"No，\"saidtheotherwithanimmovablesimplicity，\"thewholetownwouldfightforthem。Weshallsee。’
WhiletheywerespeakingtheProfessorhadleantforwardwithsuddenexcitement。
\"Whatisthatnoise？\"hesaid。
\"Oh，thehorsesbehindus，Isuppose，\"saidtheColonel。\"Ithoughtwehadgotclearofthem。\"
\"Thehorsesbehindus！No，\"saidtheProfessor，\"itisnothorses，anditisnotbehindus。\"
Almostashespoke，acrosstheendofthestreetbeforethemtwoshiningandrattlingshapesshotpast。Theyweregonealmostinaflash，buteveryonecouldseethattheyweremotor—cars，andtheProfessorstoodupwithapalefaceandsworethattheyweretheothertwomotor—carsfromDr。Renard’sgarage。
\"Itellyoutheywerehis，\"herepeated，withwildeyes，\"andtheywerefullofmeninmasks！\"
\"Absurd！\"saidtheColonelangrily。\"Dr。Renardwouldnevergivethemhiscars。\"
\"Hemayhavebeenforced，\"saidRatcliffequietly。\"Thewholetownisontheirside。\"
\"Youstillbelievethat，\"askedtheColonelincredulously。
\"Youwillallbelieveitsoon，\"saidtheotherwithahopelesscalm。
Therewasapuzzledpauseforsomelittletime，andthentheColonelbeganagainabruptly——
\"No，Ican’tbelieveit。Thethingisnonsense。TheplainpeopleofapeaceableFrenchtown——\"
Hewascutshortbyabangandablazeoflight，whichseemedclosetohiseyes。Asthecarspedonitleftafloatingpatchofwhitesmokebehindit，andSymehadheardashotshriekpasthisear。
\"MyGod！\"saidtheColonel，\"someonehasshotatus。\"
\"Itneednotinterruptconversation，\"saidthegloomyRatcliffe。
\"Prayresumeyourremarks，Colonel。Youweretalking，Ithink，abouttheplainpeopleofapeaceableFrenchtown。\"
ThestaringColonelwaslongpastmindingsatire。Herolledhiseyesallroundthestreet。
\"Itisextraordinary，\"hesaid，\"mostextraordinary。\"
\"Afastidiousperson，\"saidSyme，\"mightevencallitunpleasant。
However，IsupposethoselightsoutinthefieldbeyondthisstreetaretheGendarmerie。Weshallsoongetthere。\"
\"No，\"saidInspectorRatcliffe，\"weshallnevergetthere。\"
Hehadbeenstandingupandlookingkeenlyaheadofhim。Nowhesatdownandsmoothedhissleekhairwithawearygesture。
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"askedBullsharply。
\"Imeanthatweshallnevergetthere，\"saidthepessimistplacidly。\"Theyhavetworowsofarmedmenacrosstheroadalready;
Icanseethemfromhere。Thetownisinarms，asIsaiditwas。
Icanonlywallowintheexquisitecomfortofmyownexactitude。\"
AndRatcliffesatdowncomfortablyinthecarandlitacigarette，buttheothersroseexcitedlyandstareddowntheroad。Symehadsloweddownthecarastheirplansbecamedoubtful，andhebroughtitfinallytoastandstilljustatthecornerofasidestreetthatrandownverysteeplytothesea。
Thetownwasmostlyinshadow，butthesunhadnotsunk;whereveritslevellightcouldbreakthrough，itpaintedeverythingaburninggold。Upthissidestreetthelastsunsetlightshoneassharpandnarrowastheshaftofartificiallightatthetheatre。
Itstruckthecarofthefivefriends，andlititlikeaburningchariot。Buttherestofthestreet，especiallythetwoendsofit，wasinthedeepesttwilight，andforsomesecondstheycouldseenothing。ThenSyme，whoseeyeswerethekeenest，brokeintoalittlebitterwhistle，andsaid\"Itisquitetrue。Thereisacrowdoranarmyorsomesuchthingacrosstheendofthatstreet。\"
\"Well，ifthereis，\"saidBullimpatiently，\"itmustbesomethingelse——ashamfightorthemayor’sbirthdayorsomething。Icannotandwillnotbelievethatplain，jollypeopleinaplacelikethiswalkaboutwithdynamiteintheirpockets。Getonabit，Syme，andletuslookatthem。\"
Thecarcrawledaboutahundredyardsfarther，andthentheywereallstartledbyDr。Bullbreakingintoahighcrowoflaughter。
\"Why，yousillymugs！\"hecried，\"whatdidItellyou。Thatcrowd’saslaw—abidingasacow，andifitweren’t，it’sonourside。\"
\"Howdoyouknow？\"askedtheprofessor，staring。
\"Youblindbat，\"criedBull，\"don’tyouseewhoisleadingthem？\"
Theypeeredagain，andthentheColonel，withacatchinhisvoice，criedout——
\"Why，it’sRenard！\"
Therewas，indeed，arankofdimfiguresrunningacrosstheroad，andtheycouldnotbeclearlyseen;butfarenoughinfronttocatchtheaccidentoftheeveninglightwasstalkingupanddowntheunmistakableDr。Renard，inawhitehat，strokinghislongbrownbeard，andholdingarevolverinhislefthand。
\"WhatafoolI’vebeen！\"exclaimedtheColonel。\"Ofcourse，thedearoldboyhasturnedouttohelpus。\"
Dr。Bullwasbubblingoverwithlaughter，swingingtheswordinhishandascarelesslyasacane。Hejumpedoutofthecarandranacrosstheinterveningspace，callingout——
\"Dr。Renard！Dr。Renard！\"
AninstantafterSymethoughthisowneyeshadgonemadinhishead。ForthephilanthropicDr。RenardhaddeliberatelyraisedhisrevolverandfiredtwiceatBull，sothattheshotsrangdowntheroad。
AlmostatthesamesecondasthepuffofwhitecloudwentupfromthisatrociousexplosionalongpuffofwhitecloudwentupalsofromthecigaretteofthecynicalRatcliffe。Likealltherestheturnedalittlepale，buthesmiled。Dr。Bull，atwhomthebulletshadbeenfired，justmissinghisscalp，stoodquitestillinthemiddleoftheroadwithoutasignoffear，andthenturnedveryslowlyandcrawledbacktothecar，andclimbedinwithtwoholesthroughhishat。
\"Well，\"saidthecigarettesmokerslowly，\"whatdoyouthinknow？\"
\"Ithink，\"saidDr。Bullwithprecision，\"thatIamlyinginbedatNo。217PeabodyBuildings，andthatIshallsoonwakeupwithajump;or，ifthat’snotit，IthinkthatIamsittinginasmallcushionedcellinHanwell，andthatthedoctorcan’tmakemuchofmycase。ButifyouwanttoknowwhatIdon’tthink，I’lltellyou。
Idon’tthinkwhatyouthink。Idon’tthink，andInevershallthink，thatthemassofordinarymenareapackofdirtymodernthinkers。No，sir，I’mademocrat，andIstilldon’tbelievethatSundaycouldconvertoneaveragenavvyorcounter—jumper。No，Imaybemad，buthumanityisn’t。\"
SymeturnedhisbrightblueeyesonBullwithanearnestnesswhichhedidnotcommonlymakeclear。
\"Youareaveryfinefellow，\"hesaid。\"Youcanbelieveinasanitywhichisnotmerelyyoursanity。Andyou’rerightenoughabouthumanity，aboutpeasantsandpeoplelikethatjollyoldinnkeeper。
Butyou’renotrightaboutRenard。Isuspectedhimfromthefirst。
He’srationalistic，and，what’sworse，he’srich。Whendutyandreligionarereallydestroyed，itwillbebytherich。\"
\"Theyarereallydestroyednow，\"saidthemanwithacigarette，androsewithhishandsinhispockets。\"Thedevilsarecomingon！\"
Themeninthemotor—carlookedanxiouslyinthedirectionofhisdreamygaze，andtheysawthatthewholeregimentattheendoftheroadwasadvancinguponthem，Dr。Renardmarchingfuriouslyinfront，hisbeardflyinginthebreeze。
TheColonelsprangoutofthecarwithanintolerantexclamation。
\"Gentlemen，\"hecried，\"thethingisincredible。Itmustbeapracticaljoke。IfyouknewRenardasIdo——it’slikecallingQueenVictoriaadynamiter。Ifyouhadgottheman’scharacterintoyourhead——\"
\"Dr。Bull，\"saidSymesardonically，\"hasatleastgotitintohishat。\"
\"Itellyouitcan’tbe！\"criedtheColonel，stamping。
\"Renardshallexplainit。Heshallexplainittome，\"andhestrodeforward。
\"Don’tbeinsuchahurry，\"drawledthesmoker。\"Hewillverysoonexplainittoallofus。\"
ButtheimpatientColonelwasalreadyoutofearshot，advancingtowardstheadvancingenemy。TheexcitedDr。Renardliftedhispistolagain，butperceivinghisopponent，hesitated，andtheColonelcamefacetofacewithhimwithfranticgesturesofremonstrance。
\"Itisnogood，\"saidSyme。\"Hewillnevergetanythingoutofthatoldheathen。Ivotewedrivebangthroughthethickofthem，bangasthebulletswentthroughBull’shat。Wemayallbekilled，butwemustkillatidynumberofthem。\"
\"Iwon’t’aveit，\"saidDr。Bull，growingmorevulgarinthesincerityofhisvirtue。\"Thepoorchapsmaybemakingamistake。
GivetheColonelachance。\"
\"Shallwegoback，then？\"askedtheProfessor。
\"No，\"saidRatcliffeinacoldvoice，\"thestreetbehindusisheldtoo。Infact，Iseemtoseethereanotherfriendofyours，Syme。\"
Symespunroundsmartly，andstaredbackwardsatthetrackwhichtheyhadtravelled。Hesawanirregularbodyofhorsemengatheringandgallopingtowardstheminthegloom。Hesawabovetheforemostsaddlethesilvergleamofasword，andthenasitgrewnearerthesilvergleamofanoldman’shair。Thenextmoment，withshatteringviolence，hehadswungthemotorroundandsentitdashingdownthesteepsidestreettothesea，likeamanthatdesiredonlytodie。
\"Whatthedevilisup？\"criedtheProfessor，seizinghisarm。
\"Themorningstarhasfallen！\"saidSyme，ashisowncarwentdownthedarknesslikeafallingstar。
Theothersdidnotunderstandhiswords，butwhentheylookedbackatthestreetabovetheysawthehostilecavalrycomingroundthecorneranddowntheslopesafterthem;andforemostofallrodethegoodinnkeeper，flushedwiththefieryinnocenceoftheeveninglight。
\"Theworldisinsane！\"saidtheProfessor，andburiedhisfaceinhishands。
\"No，\"saidDr。Bullinadamantinehumility，\"itisI。\"
\"Whatarewegoingtodo？\"askedtheProfessor。
\"Atthismoment，\"saidSyme，withascientificdetachment，\"Ithinkwearegoingtosmashintoalamppost。\"
Thenextinstanttheautomobilehadcomewithacatastrophicjaragainstanironobject。Theinstantafterthatfourmenhadcrawledoutfromunderachaosofmetal，andatallleanlamp—postthathadstoodupstraightontheedgeofthemarineparadestoodout，bentandtwisted，likethebranchofabrokentree。
\"Well，wesmashedsomething，\"saidtheProfessor，withafaintsmile。\"That’ssomecomfort。\"
\"You’rebecomingananarchist，\"saidSyme，dustinghisclotheswithhisinstinctofdaintiness。
\"Everyoneis，\"saidRatcliffe。
Astheyspoke，thewhite—hairedhorsemanandhisfollowerscamethunderingfromabove，andalmostatthesamemomentadarkstringofmenranshoutingalongthesea—front。Symesnatchedasword，andtookitinhisteeth;hestucktwoothersunderhisarm—pits，tookafourthinhislefthandandthelanterninhisright，andleaptoffthehighparadeontothebeachbelow。
Theothersleaptafterhim，withacommonacceptanceofsuchdecisiveaction，leavingthedebrisandthegatheringmobabovethem。
\"Wehaveonemorechance，\"saidSyme，takingthesteeloutofhismouth。\"Whateverallthispandemoniummeans，Isupposethepolicestationwillhelpus。Wecan’tgetthere，fortheyholdtheway。
Butthere’sapierorbreakwaterrunsoutintotheseajusthere，whichwecoulddefendlongerthananythingelse，likeHoratiusandhisbridge。WemustdefendittilltheGendarmerieturnout。Keepafterme。\"
Theyfollowedhimashewentcrunchingdownthebeach，andinasecondortwotheirbootsbrokenotontheseagravel，butonbroad，flatstones。Theymarcheddownalong，lowjetty，runningoutinonearmintothedim，boilingsea，andwhentheycametotheendofittheyfeltthattheyhadcometotheendoftheirstory。Theyturnedandfacedthetown。
Thattownwastransfiguredwithuproar。Allalongthehighparadefromwhichtheyhadjustdescendedwasadarkandroaringstreamofhumanity，withtossingarmsandfieryfaces，gropingandglaringtowardsthem。Thelongdarklinewasdottedwithtorchesandlanterns;butevenwherenoflamelitupafuriousface，theycouldseeinthefarthestfigure，inthemostshadowygesture，anorganisedhate。Itwasclearthattheyweretheaccursedofallmen，andtheyknewnotwhy。
Twoorthreemen，lookinglittleandblacklikemonkeys，leaptovertheedgeastheyhaddoneanddroppedontothebeach。Thesecameploughingdownthedeepsand，shoutinghorribly，andstrovetowadeintotheseaatrandom。Theexamplewasfollowed，andthewholeblackmassofmenbegantorunanddripovertheedgelikeblacktreacle。
ForemostamongthemenonthebeachSymesawthepeasantwhohaddriventheircart。Hesplashedintothesurfonahugecart—horse，andshookhisaxeatthem。
\"Thepeasant！\"criedSyme。\"TheyhavenotrisensincetheMiddleAges。\"
\"Evenifthepolicedocomenow，\"saidtheProfessormournfully，\"theycandonothingwiththismob。\"
\"Nonsence！\"saidBulldesperately;\"theremustbesomepeopleleftinthetownwhoarehuman。\"
\"No，\"saidthehopelessInspector，\"thehumanbeingwillsoonbeextinct。Wearethelastofmankind。\"
\"Itmaybe，\"saidtheProfessorabsently。Thenheaddedinhisdreamyvoice，\"Whatisallthatattheendofthe’Dunciad’？
’Norpublicflame;norprivate，darestoshine;
Norhumanlightisleft，norglimpsedivine！
Lo！thydreadEmpire，Chaos，isrestored;
Lightdiesbeforethineuncreatingword：
Thyhand，greatAnarch，letsthecurtainfall;
Anduniversaldarknessburiesall。\"’
\"Stop！\"criedBullsuddenly，\"thegendarmesareout。\"
Thelowlightsofthepolicestationwereindeedblottedandbrokenwithhurryingfigures，andtheyheardthroughthedarknesstheclashandjingleofadisciplinedcavalry。
\"Theyarechargingthemob！\"criedBullinecstacyoralarm。
\"No，\"saidSyme，\"theyareformedalongtheparade。\"
\"Theyhaveunslungtheircarbines，\"criedBulldancingwithexcitement。
\"Yes，\"saidRatcliffe，\"andtheyaregoingtofireonus。\"
Ashespoketherecamealongcrackleofmusketry，andbulletsseemedtohoplikehailstonesonthestonesinfrontofthem。
\"Thegendarmeshavejoinedthem！\"criedtheProfessor，andstruckhisforehead。
\"Iaminthepaddedcell，\"saidBullsolidly。
Therewasalongsilence，andthenRatcliffesaid，lookingoutovertheswollensea，allasortofgreypurple——
\"Whatdoesitmatterwhoismadorwhoissane？Weshallallbedeadsoon。\"
Symeturnedtohimandsaid——
\"Youarequitehopeless，then？\"
Mr。Ratcliffekeptastonysilence;thenatlasthesaidquietly——
\"No;oddlyenoughIamnotquitehopeless。ThereisoneinsanelittlehopethatIcannotgetoutofmymind。Thepowerofthiswholeplanetisagainstus，yetIcannothelpwonderingwhetherthisonesillylittlehopeishopelessyet。\"
\"Inwhatorwhomisyourhope？\"askedSymewithcuriosity。
\"InamanIneversaw，\"saidtheother，lookingattheleadensea。