\"Iknowwhatyoumean，\"saidSymeinalowvoice，\"themaninthedarkroom。ButSundaymusthavekilledhimbynow。\"
\"Perhaps，\"saidtheothersteadily;\"butifso，hewastheonlymanwhomSundayfoundithardtokill。\"
\"Iheardwhatyousaid，\"saidtheProfessor，withhisbackturned。
\"IalsoamholdinghardontothethingIneversaw。\"
AllofasuddenSyme，whowasstandingasifblindwithintrospectivethought，swungroundandcriedout，likeamanwakingfromsleep——
\"WhereistheColonel？Ithoughthewaswithus！\"
\"TheColonel！Yes，\"criedBull，\"whereonearthistheColonel？\"
\"HewenttospeaktoRenard，\"saidtheProfessor。
\"Wecannotleavehimamongallthosebeasts，\"criedSyme。\"Letusdielikegentlemenif——\"
\"DonotpitytheColonel，\"saidRatcliffe，withapalesneer。\"Heisextremelycomfortable。Heis——\"
\"No！no！no！\"criedSymeinakindoffrenzy，\"nottheColoneltoo！
Iwillneverbelieveit！\"
\"Willyoubelieveyoureyes？\"askedtheother，andpointedtothebeach。
Manyoftheirpursuershadwadedintothewatershakingtheirfists，buttheseawasrough，andtheycouldnotreachthepier。
Twoorthreefigures，however，stoodonthebeginningofthestonefootway，andseemedtobecautiouslyadvancingdownit。Theglareofachancelanternlitupthefacesofthetwoforemost。Onefaceworeablackhalf—mask，andunderitthemouthwastwistingaboutinsuchamadnessofnervesthattheblacktuftofbeardwriggledroundandroundlikearestless，livingthing。TheotherwastheredfaceandwhitemoustacheofColonelDucroix。Theywereinearnestconsultation。
\"Yes，heisgonetoo，\"saidtheProfessor，andsatdownonastone。\"Everything’sgone。I’mgone！Ican’ttrustmyownbodilymachinery。Ifeelasifmyownhandmightflyupandstrikeme。\"
\"Whenmyhandfliesup，\"saidSyme，\"itwillstrikesomebodyelse，\"andhestrodealongthepiertowardstheColonel，theswordinonehandandthelanternintheother。
Asiftodestroythelasthopeordoubt，theColonel，whosawhimcoming，pointedhisrevolverathimandfired。TheshotmissedSyme，butstruckhissword，breakingitshortatthehilt。Symerushedon，andswungtheironlanternabovehishead。
\"JudasbeforeHerod！\"hesaid，andstrucktheColoneldownuponthestones。ThenheturnedtotheSecretary，whosefrightfulmouthwasalmostfoamingnow，andheldthelamphighwithsorigidandarrestingagesture，thatthemanwas，asitwere，frozenforamoment，andforcedtohear。
\"Doyouseethislantern？\"criedSymeinaterriblevoice。\"Doyouseethecrosscarvedonit，andtheflameinside？Youdidnotmakeit。Youdidnotlightit，Bettermenthanyou，menwhocouldbelieveandobey，twistedtheentrailsofironandpreservedthelegendoffire。Thereisnotastreetyouwalkon，thereisnotathreadyouwear，thatwasnotmadeasthislanternwas，bydenyingyourphilosophyofdirtandrats。Youcanmakenothing。Youcanonlydestroy。Youwilldestroymankind;youwilldestroytheworld。
Letthatsufficeyou。YetthisoneoldChristianlanternyoushallnotdestroy。Itshallgowhereyourempireofapeswillneverhavethewittofindit。\"
HestrucktheSecretaryoncewiththelanternsothathestaggered;
andthen，whirlingittwiceroundhishead，sentitflyingfarouttosea，whereitflaredlikearoaringrocketandfell。
\"Swords！\"shoutedSyme，turninghisflamingface;tothethreebehindhim。\"Letuschargethesedogs，forourtimehascometodie。\"
Histhreecompanionscameafterhimswordinhand。Syme’sswordwasbroken，butherentabludgeonfromthefistofafisherman，flinginghimdown。Inamomenttheywouldhaveflungthemselvesuponthefaceofthemobandperished，whenaninterruptioncame。
TheSecretary，eversinceSyme’sspeech，hadstoodwithhishandtohisstrickenheadasifdazed;nowhesuddenlypulledoffhisblackmask。
Thepalefacethuspeeledinthelamplightrevealednotsomuchrageasastonishment。Heputuphishandwithananxiousauthority。
\"Thereissomemistake，\"hesaid。\"Mr。Syme，Ihardlythinkyouunderstandyourposition。Iarrestyouinthenameofthelaw。\"
\"Ofthelaw？\"saidSyme，anddroppedhisstick。
\"Certainly！\"saidtheSecretary。\"IamadetectivefromScotlandYard，\"andhetookasmallbluecardfromhispocket。
\"Andwhatdoyousupposeweare？\"askedtheProfessor，andthrewuphisarms。
\"You，\"saidtheSecretarystiffly，\"are，asIknowforafact，membersoftheSupremeAnarchistCouncil。Disguisedasoneofyou，I——\"
Dr。Bulltossedhisswordintothesea。
\"ThereneverwasanySupremeAnarchistCouncil，\"hesaid。\"Wewereallalotofsillypolicemenlookingateachother。Andallthesenicepeoplewhohavebeenpepperinguswithshotthoughtwewerethedynamiters。IknewIcouldn’tbewrongaboutthemob，\"hesaid，beamingovertheenormousmultitude，whichstretchedawaytothedistanceonbothsides。\"Vulgarpeoplearenevermad。I’mvulgarmyself，andIknow。Iamnowgoingonshoretostandadrinktoeverybodyhere。\"
CHAPTERXIII
THEPURSUITOFTHEPRESIDENT
NEXTmorningfivebewilderedbuthilariouspeopletooktheboatforDover。ThepooroldColonelmighthavehadsomecausetocomplain，havingbeenfirstforcedtofightfortwofactionsthatdidn’texist，andthenknockeddownwithanironlantern。Buthewasamagnanimousoldgentleman，andbeingmuchrelievedthatneitherpartyhadanythingtodowithdynamite，hesawthemoffonthepierwithgreatgeniality。
Thefivereconcileddetectiveshadahundreddetailstoexplaintoeachother。TheSecretaryhadtotellSymehowtheyhadcometowearmasksoriginallyinordertoapproachthesupposedenemyasfellow—conspirators;
Symehadtoexplainhowtheyhadfledwithsuchswiftnessthroughacivilisedcountry。Butaboveallthesemattersofdetailwhichcouldbeexplained，rosethecentralmountainofthematterthattheycouldnotexplain。Whatdiditallmean？Iftheywereallharmlessofficers，whatwasSunday？Ifhehadnotseizedtheworld，whatonearthhadhebeenupto？InspectorRatcliffewasstillgloomyaboutthis。
\"Ican’tmakeheadortailofoldSunday’slittlegameanymorethanyoucan，\"hesaid。\"ButwhateverelseSundayis，heisn’tablamelesscitizen。Damnit！doyourememberhisface？\"
\"Igrantyou，\"answeredSyme，\"thatIhaveneverbeenabletoforgetit。\"
\"Well，\"saidtheSecretary，\"Isupposewecanfindoutsoon，fortomorrowwehaveournextgeneralmeeting。Youwillexcuseme，\"
hesaid，witharatherghastlysmile，\"forbeingwellacquaintedwithmysecretarialduties。\"
\"Isupposeyouareright，\"saidtheProfessorreflectively。\"I
supposewemightfinditoutfromhim;butIconfessthatIshouldfeelabitafraidofaskingSundaywhohereallyis。\"
\"Why，\"askedtheSecretary，\"forfearofbombs？\"
\"No，\"saidtheProfessor，\"forfearhemighttellme。\"
\"Letushavesomedrinks，\"saidDr。Bull，afterasilence。
Throughouttheirwholejourneybyboatandtraintheywerehighlyconvivial，buttheyinstinctivelykepttogether。Dr。Bull，whohadalwaysbeentheoptimistoftheparty，endeavouredtopersuadetheotherfourthatthewholecompanycouldtakethesamehansomcabfromVictoria;butthiswasover—ruled，andtheywentinafour—wheeler，withDr。Bullonthebox，singing。TheyfinishedtheirjourneyatanhotelinPiccadillyCircus，soastobeclosetotheearlybreakfastnextmorninginLeicesterSquare。Yeteventhentheadventuresofthedaywerenotentirelyover。Dr。Bull，discontentedwiththegeneralproposaltogotobed，hadstrolledoutofthehotelatabouteleventoseeandtastesomeofthebeautiesofLondon。Twentyminutesafterwards，however，hecamebackandmadequiteaclamourinthehall。Syme，whotriedatfirsttosoothehim，wasforcedatlasttolistentohiscommunicationwithquitenewattention。
\"ItellyouI’veseenhim！\"saidDr。Bull，withthickemphasis。
\"Whom？\"askedSymequickly。\"NotthePresident？\"
\"Notsobadasthat，\"saidDr。Bull，withunnecessarylaughter，\"notsobadasthat。I’vegothimhere。\"
\"Gotwhomhere？\"askedSymeimpatiently。
\"Hairyman，\"saidtheotherlucidly，\"manthatusedtobehairyman——Gogol。Hereheis，\"andhepulledforwardbyareluctantelbowtheidenticalyoungmanwhofivedaysbeforehadmarchedoutoftheCouncilwiththinredhairandapaleface，thefirstofalltheshamanarchistswhohadbeenexposed。
\"Whydoyouworrywithme？\"hecried。\"Youhaveexpelledmeasaspy。\"
\"Weareallspies！\"whisperedSyme。
\"We’reallspies！\"shoutedDr。Bull。\"Comeandhaveadrink。\"
NextmorningthebattalionofthereunitedsixmarchedstolidlytowardsthehotelinLeicesterSquare。
\"Thisismorecheerful，\"saidDr。Bull;\"wearesixmengoingtoaskonemanwhathemeans。\"
\"Ithinkitisabitqueererthanthat，\"saidSyme。\"Ithinkitissixmengoingtoaskonemanwhattheymean。\"
TheyturnedinsilenceintotheSquare，andthoughthehotelwasintheoppositecorner，theysawatoncethelittlebalconyandafigurethatlookedtoobigforit。Hewassittingalonewithbenthead，poringoveranewspaper。Butallhiscouncillors，whohadcometovotehimdown，crossedthatSquareasiftheywerewatchedoutofheavenbyahundredeyes。
Theyhaddisputedmuchupontheirpolicy，aboutwhethertheyshouldleavetheunmaskedGogolwithoutandbegindiplomatically，orwhethertheyshouldbringhiminandblowupthegunpowderatonce。TheinfluenceofSymeandBullprevailedforthelattercourse，thoughtheSecretarytothelastaskedthemwhytheyattackedSundaysorashly。
\"Myreasonisquitesimple，\"saidSyme。\"IattackhimrashlybecauseIamafraidofhim。\"
TheyfollowedSymeupthedarkstairinsilence，andtheyallcameoutsimultaneouslyintothebroadsunlightofthemorningandthebroadsunlightofSunday’ssmile。
\"Delightful！\"hesaid。\"Sopleasedtoseeyouall。Whatanexquisitedayitis。IstheCzardead？\"
TheSecretary，whohappenedtobeforemost，drewhimselftogetherforadignifiedoutburst。
\"No，sir，\"hesaidsternly\"therehasbeennomassacre。Ibringyounewsofnosuchdisgustingspectacles。\"
\"Disgustingspectacles？\"repeatedthePresident，withabright，inquiringsmile。\"YoumeanDr。Bull’sspectacles？\"
TheSecretarychokedforamoment，andthePresidentwentonwithasortofsmoothappeal——
\"Ofcourse，weallhaveouropinionsandevenoureyes，butreallytocallthemdisgustingbeforethemanhimself——\"
Dr。Bulltoreoffhisspectaclesandbrokethemonthetable。
\"Myspectaclesareblackguardly，\"hesaid，\"butI’mnot。Lookatmyface。\"
\"Idaresayit’sthesortoffacethatgrowsonone，\"saidthePresident，\"infact，itgrowsonyou;andwhoamItoquarrelwiththewildfruitsupontheTreeofLife？Idaresayitwillgrowonmesomeday。\"
\"Wehavenotimefortomfoolery，\"saidtheSecretary，breakinginsavagely。\"Wehavecometoknowwhatallthismeans。Whoareyou？
Whatareyou？Whydidyougetusallhere？Doyouknowwhoandwhatweare？Areyouahalf—wittedmanplayingtheconspirator，orareyouaclevermanplayingthefool？Answerme，Itellyou。\"
\"Candidates，\"murmuredSunday，\"areonlyrequiredtoanswereightoutoftheseventeenquestionsonthepaper。AsfarasIcanmakeout，youwantmetotellyouwhatIam，andwhatyouare，andwhatthistableis，andwhatthisCouncilis，andwhatthisworldisforallIknow。Well，Iwillgosofarastorendtheveilofonemystery。Ifyouwanttoknowwhatyouare，youareasetofhighlywell—intentionedyoungjackasses。\"
\"Andyou，\"saidSyme，leaningforward，\"whatareyou？\"
\"I？WhatamI？\"roaredthePresident，andheroseslowlytoanincredibleheight，likesomeenormouswaveabouttoarchabovethemandbreak。\"YouwanttoknowwhatIam，doyou？Bull，youareamanofscience。Grubintherootsofthosetreesandfindoutthetruthaboutthem。Syme，youareapoet。Stareatthosemorningclouds。ButItellyouthis，thatyouwillhavefoundoutthetruthofthelasttreeandthetop—mostcloudbeforethetruthaboutme。Youwillunderstandthesea，andIshallbestillariddle;youshallknowwhatthestarsare，andnotknowwhatI
am。Sincethebeginningoftheworldallmenhavehuntedmelikeawolf——kingsandsages，andpoetsandlawgivers，allthechurches，andallthephilosophies。ButIhaveneverbeencaughtyet，andtheskieswillfallinthetimeIturntobay。Ihavegiventhemagoodrunfortheirmoney，andIwillnow。\"
Beforeoneofthemcouldmove，themonstrousmanhadswunghimselflikesomehugeourang—outangoverthebalustradeofthebalcony。
Yetbeforehedroppedhepulledhimselfupagainasonahorizontalbar，andthrustinghisgreatchinovertheedgeofthebalcony，saidsolemnly——
\"There’sonethingI’lltellyouthoughaboutwhoIam。Iamthemaninthedarkroom，whomadeyouallpolicemen。\"
Withthathefellfromthebalcony，bouncingonthestonesbelowlikeagreatballofindia—rubber，andwentboundingofftowardsthecorneroftheAlhambra，wherehehailedahansom—cabandspranginsideit。Thesixdetectiveshadbeenstandingthunderstruckandlividinthelightofhislastassertion;butwhenhedisappearedintothecab，Syme’spracticalsensesreturnedtohim，andleapingoverthebalconysorecklesslyasalmosttobreakhislegs，hecalledanothercab。
HeandBullsprangintothecabtogether，theProfessorandtheInspectorintoanother，whiletheSecretaryandthelateGogolscrambledintoathirdjustintimetopursuetheflyingSyme，whowaspursuingtheflyingPresident。Sundayledthemawildchasetowardsthenorth—west，hiscabman，evidentlyundertheinfluenceofmorethancommoninducements，urgingthehorseatbreakneckspeed。ButSymewasinnomoodfordelicacies，andhestoodupinhisowncabshouting，\"Stopthief！\"untilcrowdsranalongbesidehiscab，andpolicemenbegantostopandaskquestions。AllthishaditsinfluenceuponthePresident’scabman，whobegantolookdubious，andtoslowdowntoatrot。Heopenedthetraptotalkreasonablytohisfare，andinsodoingletthelongwhipdroopoverthefrontofthecab。Sundayleantforward，seizedit，andjerkeditviolentlyoutoftheman’shand。Thenstandingupinfrontofthecabhimself，helashedthehorseandroaredaloud，sothattheywentdownthestreetslikeaflyingstorm。Throughstreetafterstreetandsquareaftersquarewentwhirlingthispreposterousvehicle，inwhichthefarewasurgingthehorseandthedrivertryingdesperatelytostopit。Theotherthreecabscameafterit（ifthephrasebepermissibleofacab）likepantinghounds。Shopsandstreetsshotbylikerattlingarrows。
Atthehighestecstacyofspeed，Sundayturnedroundonthesplashboardwherehestood，andstickinghisgreatgrinningheadoutofthecab，withwhitehairwhistlinginthewind，hemadeahorriblefaceathispursuers，likesomecolossalurchin。Thenraisinghisrighthandswiftly，heflungaballofpaperinSyme’sfaceandvanished。Symecaughtthethingwhileinstinctivelywardingitoff，anddiscoveredthatitconsistedoftwocrumpledpapers。Onewasaddressedtohimself，andtheothertoDr。Bull，withaverylong，anditistobefearedpartlyironical，stringoflettersafterhisname。Dr。Bull’saddresswas，atanyrate，considerablylongerthanhiscommunication，forthecommunicationconsistedentirelyofthewords：——
\"WhataboutMartinTuppernow？\"
\"Whatdoestheoldmaniacmean？\"askedBull，staringatthewords。
\"Whatdoesyourssay，Syme？\"
Syme’smessagewas，atanyrate，longer，andranasfollows：——
\"NoonewouldregretanythinginthenatureofaninterferencebytheArchdeaconmorethanI。Itrustitwillnotcometothat。But，forthelasttime，whereareyourgoloshes？Thethingistoobad，especiallyafterwhatunclesaid。\"
ThePresident’scabmanseemedtoberegainingsomecontroloverhishorse，andthepursuersgainedalittleastheysweptroundintotheEdgwareRoad。Andherethereoccurredwhatseemedtothealliesaprovidentialstoppage。Trafficofeverykindwasswervingtorightorleftorstopping，fordownthelongroadwascomingtheunmistakableroarannouncingthefire—engine，whichinafewsecondswentbylikeabrazenthunderbolt。Butquickasitwentby，Sundayhadboundedoutofhiscab，sprungatthefire—engine，caughtit，slunghimselfontoit，andwasseenashedisappearedinthenoisydistancetalkingtotheastonishedfiremanwithexplanatorygestures。
\"Afterhim！\"howledSyme。\"Hecan’tgoastraynow。There’snomistakingafire—engine。\"
Thethreecabmen，whohadbeenstunnedforamoment，whippeduptheirhorsesandslightlydecreasedthedistancebetweenthemselvesandtheirdisappearingprey。ThePresidentacknowledgedthisproximitybycomingtothebackofthecar，bowingrepeatedly，kissinghishand，andfinallyflinginganeatly—foldednoteintothebosomofInspectorRatcliffe。Whenthatgentlemanopenedit，notwithoutimpatience，hefounditcontainedthewords：——
\"Flyatonce。Thetruthaboutyourtrouser—stretchersisknown。
——AFRIEND。\"
Thefire—enginehadstruckstillfarthertothenorth，intoaregionthattheydidnotrecognise;andasitranbyalineofhighrailingsshadowedwithtrees，thesixfriendswerestartled，butsomewhatrelieved，toseethePresidentleapfromthefire—engine，thoughwhetherthroughanotherwhimortheincreasingprotestofhisentertainerstheycouldnotsee。Beforethethreecabs，however，couldreachuptothespot，hehadgoneupthehighrailingslikeahugegreycat，tossedhimselfover，andvanishedinadarknessofleaves。
Symewithafuriousgesturestoppedhiscab，jumpedout，andsprangalsototheescalade。Whenhehadonelegoverthefenceandhisfriendswerefollowing，heturnedafaceonthemwhichshonequitepaleintheshadow。
\"Whatplacecanthisbe？\"heasked。\"Canitbetheolddevil’shouse？I’veheardhehasahouseinNorthLondon。\"
\"Allthebetter，\"saidtheSecretarygrimly，plantingafootinafoothold，\"weshallfindhimathome。\"
\"No，butitisn’tthat，\"saidSyme，knittinghisbrows。\"Ihearthemosthorriblenoises，likedevilslaughingandsneezingandblowingtheirdevilishnoses！\"
\"Hisdogsbarking，ofcourse，\"saidtheSecretary。
\"Whynotsayhisblack—beetlesbarking！\"saidSymefuriously，\"snailsbarking！geraniumsbarking！Didyoueverhearadogbarklikethat？\"
Hehelduphishand，andtherecameoutofthethicketalonggrowlingroarthatseemedtogetundertheskinandfreezetheflesh——alowthrillingroarthatmadeathrobbingintheairallaboutthem。
\"ThedogsofSundaywouldbenoordinarydogs，\"saidGogol，andshuddered。
Symehadjumpeddownontheotherside，buthestillstoodlisteningimpatiently。
\"Well，listentothat，\"hesaid，\"isthatadog——anybody’sdog？\"
Therebrokeupontheirearahoarsescreamingasofthingsprotestingandclamouringinsuddenpain;andthen，farofflikeanecho，whatsoundedlikealongnasaltrumpet。
\"Well，hishouseoughttobehell！\"saidtheSecretary;\"andifitishell，I’mgoingin！\"andhesprangoverthetallrailingsalmostwithoneswing。
Theothersfollowed。Theybrokethroughatangleofplantsandshrubs，andcameoutonanopenpath。Nothingwasinsight，butDr。Bullsuddenlystruckhishandstogether。
\"Why，youasses，\"hecried，\"it’stheZoo！\"
Astheywerelookingroundwildlyforanytraceoftheirwildquarry，akeeperinuniformcamerunningalongthepathwithamaninplainclothes。
\"Hasitcomethisway？\"gaspedthekeeper。
\"Haswhat？\"askedSyme。
\"Theelephant！\"criedthekeeper。\"Anelephanthasgonemadandrunaway！\"
\"Hehasrunawaywithanoldgentleman，\"saidtheotherstrangerbreathlessly，\"apooroldgentlemanwithwhitehair！\"
\"Whatsortofoldgentleman？\"askedSyme，withgreatcuriosity。
\"Averylargeandfatoldgentlemaninlightgreyclothes，\"saidthekeepereagerly。
\"Well，\"saidSyme，\"ifhe’sthatparticularkindofoldgentleman，ifyou’requitesurethathe’salargeandfatoldgentlemaningreyclothes，youmaytakemywordforitthattheelephanthasnotrunawaywithhim。Hehasrunawaywiththeelephant。TheelephantisnotmadebyGodthatcouldrunawaywithhimifhedidnotconsenttotheelopement。And，bythunder，thereheis！\"
Therewasnodoubtaboutitthistime。Cleanacrossthespaceofgrass，abouttwohundredyardsaway，withacrowdscreamingandscamperingvainlyathisheels，wentahugegreyelephantatanawfulstride，withhistrunkthrownoutasrigidasaship’sbowsprit，andtrumpetinglikethetrumpetofdoom。OnthebackofthebellowingandplunginganimalsatPresidentSundaywithalltheplacidityofasultan，butgoadingtheanimaltoafuriousspeedwithsomesharpobjectinhishand。
\"Stophim！\"screamedthepopulace。\"He’llbeoutofthegate！\"
\"Stopalandslide！\"saidthekeeper。\"Heisoutofthegate！\"
Andevenashespoke，afinalcrashandroarofterrorannouncedthatthegreatgreyelephanthadbrokenoutofthegatesoftheZoologicalGardens，andwascareeningdownAlbanyStreetlikeanewandswiftsortofomnibus。
\"GreatLord！\"criedBull，\"Ineverknewanelephantcouldgosofast。Well，itmustbehansom—cabsagainifwearetokeephiminsight。\"
Astheyracedalongtothegateoutofwhichtheelephanthadvanished，Symefeltaglaringpanoramaofthestrangeanimalsinthecageswhichtheypassed。Afterwardshethoughtitqueerthatheshouldhaveseenthemsoclearly。Herememberedespeciallyseeingpelicans，withtheirpreposterous，pendantthroats。Hewonderedwhythepelicanwasthesymbolofcharity，exceptitwasthatitwantedagooddealofcharitytoadmireapelican。Herememberedahornbill，whichwassimplyahugeyellowbeakwithasmallbirdtiedonbehindit。Thewholegavehimasensation，thevividnessofwhichhecouldnotexplain，thatNaturewasalwaysmakingquitemysteriousjokes。Sundayhadtoldthemthattheywouldunderstandhimwhentheyhadunderstoodthestars。Hewonderedwhethereventhearchangelsunderstoodthehornbill。
Thesixunhappydetectivesflungthemselvesintocabsandfollowedtheelephantsharingtheterrorwhichhespreadthroughthelongstretchofthestreets。ThistimeSundaydidnotturnround，butofferedthemthesolidstretchofhisunconsciousback，whichmaddenedthem，ifpossible，morethanhispreviousmockeries。JustbeforetheycametoBakerStreet，however，hewasseentothrowsomethingfarupintotheair，asaboydoesaballmeaningtocatchitagain。Butattheirrateofracingitfellfarbehind，justbythecabcontainingGogol;andinfainthopeofaclueorforsomeimpulseunexplainable，hestoppedhiscabsoastopickitup。Itwasaddressedtohimself，andwasquiteabulkyparcel。Onexamination，however，itsbulkwasfoundtoconsistofthirty—threepiecesofpaperofnovaluewrappedoneroundtheother。Whenthelastcoveringwastornawayitreduceditselftoasmallslipofpaper，onwhichwaswritten：——
\"Theword，Ifancy，shouldbe’pink’。\"
ThemanonceknownasGogolsaidnothing，butthemovementsofhishandsandfeetwerelikethoseofamanurgingahorsetorenewedefforts。
Throughstreetafterstreet，throughdistrictafterdistrict，wenttheprodigyoftheflyingelephant，callingcrowdstoeverywindow，anddrivingthetrafficleftandright。Andstillthroughallthisinsanepublicitythethreecabstoiledafterit，untiltheycametoberegardedaspartofaprocession，andperhapstheadvertisementofacircus。Theywentatsucharatethatdistanceswereshortenedbeyondbelief，andSymesawtheAlbertHallinKensingtonwhenhethoughtthathewasstillinPaddington。Theanimal’spacewasevenmorefastandfreethroughtheempty，aristocraticstreetsofSouthKensington，andhefinallyheadedtowardsthatpartofthesky—linewheretheenormousWheelofEarl’sCourtstoodupinthesky。Thewheelgrewlargerandlarger，tillitfilledheavenlikethewheelofstars。
Thebeastoutstrippedthecabs。Theylosthimroundseveralcorners，andwhentheycametooneofthegatesoftheEarl’sCourtExhibitiontheyfoundthemselvesfinallyblocked。Infrontofthemwasanenormouscrowd;inthemidstofitwasanenormouselephant，heavingandshudderingassuchshapelesscreaturesdo。ButthePresidenthaddisappeared。
\"Wherehashegoneto？\"askedSyme，slippingtotheground。
\"GentlemanrushedintotheExhibition，sir！\"saidanofficialinadazedmanner。Thenheaddedinaninjuredvoice：\"Funnygentleman，sir。Askedmetoholdhishorse，andgavemethis。\"
Heheldoutwithdistasteapieceoffoldedpaper，addressed：\"TotheSecretaryoftheCentralAnarchistCouncil。\"
TheSecretary，raging，rentitopen，andfoundwritteninsideit：——
\"Whentheherringrunsamile，LettheSecretarysmile;
Whentheherringtriestofly，LettheSecretarydie。
RusticProverb。\"
\"Whytheeternalcrikey，\"begantheSecretary，\"didyouletthemanin？DopeoplecommonlycometoyouExhibitionridingonmadelephants？Do——\"
\"Look！\"shoutedSymesuddenly。\"Lookoverthere！\"
\"Lookatwhat？\"askedtheSecretarysavagely。
\"Lookatthecaptiveballoon！\"saidSyme，andpointedinafrenzy。
\"WhytheblazesshouldIlookatacaptiveballoon？’demandedtheSecretary。\"Whatistherequeeraboutacaptiveballoon？\"
\"Nothing，\"saidSyme，\"exceptthatitisn’tcaptive！’
TheyallturnedtheireyestowheretheballoonswungandswelledabovetheExhibitiononastring，likeachild’sballoon。Asecondafterwardsthestringcameintwojustunderthecar，andtheballoon，brokenloose，floatedawaywiththefreedomofasoapbubble。
\"Tenthousanddevils！\"shriekedtheSecretary。\"He’sgotintoit！\"
andheshookhisfistsatthesky。
Theballoon，bornebysomechancewind，camerightabovethem，andtheycouldseethegreatwhiteheadofthePresidentpeeringoverthesideandlookingbenevolentlydownonthem。
\"Godblessmysoul！\"saidtheProfessorwiththeelderlymannerthathecouldneverdisconnectfromhisbleachedbeardandparchmentface。\"Godblessmysoul！Iseemedtofancythatsomethingfellonthetopofmyhat！\"
Heputupatremblinghandandtookfromthatshelfapieceoftwistedpaper，whichheopenedabsentlyonlytofinditinscribedwithatruelover’sknotand，thewords：——
\"Yourbeautyhasnotleftmeindifferent。——FromLITTLESNOWDROP。\"
Therewasashortsilence，andthenSymesaid，bitinghisbeard——
\"I’mnotbeatenyet。Theblastedthingmustcomedownsomewhere。
Let’sfollowit！\"
CHAPTERXIV
THESIXPHILOSOPHERS
ACROSSgreenfields，andbreakingthroughbloominghedges，toiledsixdraggleddetectives，aboutfivemilesoutofLondon。TheoptimistofthepartyhadatfirstproposedthattheyshouldfollowtheballoonacrossSouthEnglandinhansom—cabs。Buthewasultimatelyconvincedofthepersistentrefusaloftheballoontofollowtheroads，andthestillmorepersistentrefusalofthecabmentofollowtheballoon。Consequentlythetirelessthoughexasperatedtravellersbrokethroughblackthicketsandploughedthroughploughedfieldstilleachwasturnedintoafiguretoooutrageoustobemistakenforatramp。ThosegreenhillsofSurreysawthefinalcollapseandtragedyoftheadmirablelightgreysuitinwhichSymehadsetoutfromSaffronPark。Hissilkhatwasbrokenoverhisnosebyaswingingbough，hiscoat—tailsweretorntotheshoulderbyarrestingthorns，theclayofEnglandwassplasheduptohiscollar;buthestillcarriedhisyellowbeardforwardwithasilentandfuriousdetermination，andhiseyeswerestillfixedonthatfloatingballofgas，whichinthefullflushofsunsetseemedcolouredlikeasunsetcloud。
\"Afterall，\"hesaid，\"itisverybeautiful！\"
\"Itissingularlyandstrangelybeautiful！\"saidtheProfessor。\"I
wishthebeastlygas—bagwouldburst！\"
\"No，\"saidDr。Bull，\"Ihopeitwon’t。Itmighthurttheoldboy。\"
\"Hurthim！\"saidthevindictiveProfessor，\"hurthim！NotasmuchasI’dhurthimifIcouldgetupwithhim。LittleSnowdrop！\"
\"Idon’twanthimhurt，somehow，\"saidDr。Bull。
\"What！\"criedtheSecretarybitterly。\"Doyoubelieveallthattaleabouthisbeingourmaninthedarkroom？Sundaywouldsayhewasanybody。\"
\"Idon’tknowwhetherIbelieveitornot，\"saidDr。Bull。\"Butitisn’tthatthatImean。Ican’twisholdSunday’sballoontoburstbecause——\"
\"Well，\"saidSymeimpatiently，\"because？\"
\"Well，becausehe’ssojollylikeaballoonhimself，\"saidDr。Bulldesperately。\"Idon’tunderstandawordofallthatideaofhisbeingthesamemanwhogaveusallourbluecards。Itseemstomakeeverythingnonsense。ButIdon’tcarewhoknowsit，IalwayshadasympathyforoldSundayhimself，wickedashewas。Justasifhewasagreatbouncingbaby。HowcanIexplainwhatmyqueersympathywas？Itdidn’tpreventmyfightinghimlikehell！ShallImakeitclearifIsaythatIlikedhimbecausehewassofat？\"
\"Youwillnot，\"saidtheSecretary。
\"I’vegotitnow，\"criedBull，\"itwasbecausehewassofatandsolight。Justlikeaballoon。Wealwaysthinkoffatpeopleasheavy，buthecouldhavedancedagainstasylph。IseenowwhatImean。
Moderatestrengthisshowninviolence，supremestrengthisshowninlevity。Itwasliketheoldspeculations——whatwouldhappenifanelephantcouldleapupintheskylikeagrasshopper？\"
\"Ourelephant，\"saidSyme，lookingupwards，\"hasleaptintotheskylikeagrasshopper。\"
\"Andsomehow，\"concludedBull，\"that’swhyIcan’thelplikingoldSunday。No，it’snotanadmirationofforce，oranysillythinglikethat。Thereisakindofgaietyinthething，asifhewereburstingwithsomegoodnews。Haven’tyousometimesfeltitonaspringday？YouknowNatureplaystricks，butsomehowthatdayprovestheyaregood—naturedtricks。IneverreadtheBiblemyself，butthatparttheylaughatisliteraltruth，’Whyleapye，yehighhills？’Thehillsdoleap——atleast，theytryto……WhydoI
likeSunday？……howcanItellyou？……becausehe’ssuchaBounder。\"
Therewasalongsilence，andthentheSecretarysaidinacurious，strainedvoice——
\"YoudonotknowSundayatall。PerhapsitisbecauseyouarebetterthanI，anddonotknowhell。Iwasafiercefellow，andatriflemorbidfromthefirst。Themanwhositsindarkness，andwhochoseusall，chosemebecauseIhadallthecrazylookofaconspirator——becausemysmilewentcrooked，andmyeyesweregloomy，evenwhenIsmiled。Buttheremusthavebeensomethinginmethatansweredtothenervesinalltheseanarchicmen。ForwhenIfirstsawSundayheexpressedtome，notyourairyvitality，butsomethingbothgrossandsadintheNatureofThings。Ifoundhimsmokinginatwilightroom，aroomwithbrownblinddown，infinitelymoredepressingthanthegenialdarknessinwhichourmasterlives。Hesatthereonabench，ahugeheapofaman，darkandoutofshape。Helistenedtoallmywordswithoutspeakingorevenstirring。Ipouredoutmymostpassionateappeals，andaskedmymosteloquentquestions。Then，afteralongsilence，theThingbegantoshake，andIthoughtitwasshakenbysomesecretmalady。
Itshooklikealoathsomeandlivingjelly。ItremindedmeofeverythingIhadeverreadaboutthebasebodiesthataretheoriginoflife——thedeepsealumpsandprotoplasm。Itseemedlikethefinalformofmatter，themostshapelessandthemostshameful。
Icouldonlytellmyself，fromitsshudderings，thatitwassomethingatleastthatsuchamonstercouldbemiserable。Andthenitbrokeuponmethatthebestialmountainwasshakingwithalonelylaughter，andthelaughterwasatme。Doyouaskmetoforgivehimthat？Itisnosmallthingtobelaughedatbysomethingatoncelowerandstrongerthanoneself。\"
\"Surelyyoufellowsareexaggeratingwildly，\"cutintheclearvoiceofInspectorRatcliffe。\"PresidentSundayisaterriblefellowforone’sintellect，butheisnotsuchaBarnum’sfreakphysicallyasyoumakeout。Hereceivedmeinanordinaryoffice，inagreycheckcoat，inbroaddaylight。Hetalkedtomeinanordinaryway。ButI’lltellyouwhatisatriflecreepyaboutSunday。Hisroomisneat，hisclothesareneat，everythingseemsinorder;buthe’sabsent—minded。Sometimeshisgreatbrighteyesgoquiteblind。Forhoursheforgetsthatyouarethere。Nowabsent—mindednessisjustabittooawfulinabadman。Wethinkofawickedmanasvigilant。Wecan’tthinkofawickedmanwhoishonestlyandsincerelydreamy，becausewedaren’tthinkofawickedmanalonewithhimself。Anabsentmindedmanmeansagood—naturedman。Itmeansamanwho，ifhehappenstoseeyou，willapologise。
Buthowwillyoubearanabsentmindedmanwho，ifhehappenstoseeyou，willkillyou？Thatiswhattriesthenerves，abstractioncombinedwithcruelty。Menhavefeltitsometimeswhentheywentthroughwildforests，andfeltthattheanimalstherewereatonceinnocentandpitiless。Theymightignoreorslay。Howwouldyouliketopasstenmortalhoursinaparlourwithanabsent—mindedtiger？\"
\"AndwhatdoyouthinkofSunday，Gogol？\"askedSyme。