ThenameJuliaCzechenyiflashedacrossmymemory。ScudderhadsaiditwasthekeytotheKarolidesbusiness，anditoccurredtometotryitonhiscypher。
Itworked。Thefivelettersof’Julia’gavemethepositionofthevowels。AwasJ，thetenthletterofthealphabet，andsorepresentedbyXinthecypher。EwasXXI，andsoon。’Czechenyi’gavemethenumeralsfortheprincipalconsonants。IscribbledthatschemeonabitofpaperandsatdowntoreadScudder’spages。
InhalfanhourIwasreadingwithawhitishfaceandfingersthatdrummedonthetable。
Iglancedoutofthewindowandsawabigtouring-carcominguptheglentowardstheinn。Itdrewupatthedoor，andtherewasthesoundofpeoplealighting。Thereseemedtobetwoofthem，meninaquascutumsandtweedcaps。
Tenminuteslatertheinnkeeperslippedintotheroom，hiseyesbrightwithexcitement。
’There’stwochapsbelowlookingforyou，’hewhispered。
’They’reinthedining-roomhavingwhiskies-and-sodas。Theyaskedaboutyouandsaidtheyhadhopedtomeetyouhere。Oh！andtheydescribedyoujollywell，downtoyourbootsandshirt。Itoldthemyouhadbeenherelastnightandhadgoneoffonamotorbicyclethismorning，andoneofthechapssworelikeanavvy。’
Imadehimtellmewhattheylookedlike。Onewasadark-eyedthinfellowwithbushyeyebrows，theotherwasalwayssmilingandlispedinhistalk。Neitherwasanykindofforeigner;onthismyyoungfriendwaspositive。
ItookabitofpaperandwrotethesewordsinGermanasiftheywerepartofaletter……’BlackStone。Scudderhadgotontothis，buthecouldnotactforafortnight。IdoubtifIcandoanygoodnow，especiallyasKarolidesisuncertainabouthisplans。ButifMrT。advisesIwilldothebestI……’
Imanufactureditratherneatly，sothatitlookedlikealoosepageofaprivateletter。
’Takethisdownandsayitwasfoundinmybedroom，andaskthemtoreturnittomeiftheyovertakeme。’
ThreeminuteslaterIheardthecarbegintomove，andpeepingfrombehindthecurtaincaughtsightofthetwofigures。Onewasslim，theotherwassleek;thatwasthemostIcouldmakeofmyreconnaissance。
Theinnkeeperappearedingreatexcitement。’Yourpaperwokethemup，’hesaidgleefully。’Thedarkfellowwentaswhiteasdeathandcursedlikeblazes，andthefatonewhistledandlookedugly。
Theypaidfortheirdrinkswithhalf-a-sovereignandwouldn’twaitforchange。’
’NowI’lltellyouwhatIwantyoutodo，’Isaid。’GetonyourbicycleandgoofftoNewton-StewarttotheChiefConstable。Describethetwomen，andsayyoususpectthemofhavinghadsomethingtodowiththeLondonmurder。Youcaninventreasons。Thetwowillcomeback，neverfear。Nottonight，forthey’llfollowmefortymilesalongtheroad，butfirstthingtomorrowmorning。Tellthepolicetobeherebrightandearly。’
Hesetofflikeadocilechild，whileIworkedatScudder’snotes。
Whenhecamebackwedinedtogether，andincommondecencyI
hadtolethimpumpme。IgavehimalotofstuffaboutlionhuntsandtheMatabeleWar，thinkingallthewhilewhattamebusinessesthesewerecomparedtothisIwasnowengagedin！WhenhewenttobedIsatupandfinishedScudder。Ismokedinachairtilldaylight，forIcouldnotsleep。
AbouteightnextmorningIwitnessedthearrivaloftwoconstablesandasergeant。Theyputtheircarinacoach-houseundertheinnkeeper’sinstructions，andenteredthehouse。TwentyminuteslaterIsawfrommywindowasecondcarcomeacrosstheplateaufromtheoppositedirection。Itdidnotcomeuptotheinn，butstoppedtwohundredyardsoffintheshelterofapatchofwood。I
noticedthatitsoccupantscarefullyreverseditbeforeleavingit。A
minuteortwolaterIheardtheirstepsonthegraveloutsidethewindow。
Myplanhadbeentoliehidinmybedroom，andseewhathappened。Ihadanotionthat，ifIcouldbringthepoliceandmyothermoredangerouspursuerstogether，somethingmightworkoutofittomyadvantage。ButnowIhadabetteridea。Iscribbledalineofthankstomyhost，openedthewindow，anddroppedquietlyintoagooseberrybush。UnobservedIcrossedthedyke，crawleddownthesideofatributaryburn，andwonthehighroadonthefarsideofthepatchoftrees。Therestoodthecar，veryspickandspaninthemorningsunlight，butwiththedustonherwhichtoldofalongjourney。Istartedher，jumpedintothechauffeur’sseat，andstolegentlyoutontotheplateau。
AlmostatoncetheroaddippedsothatIlostsightoftheinn，butthewindseemedtobringmethesoundofangryvoices。
CHAPTERFOUR
TheAdventureoftheRadicalCandidateYoumaypicturemedrivingthat40h。p。carforallshewasworthoverthecrispmoorroadsonthatshiningMaymorning;glancingbackatfirstovermyshoulder，andlookinganxiouslytothenextturning;thendrivingwithavagueeye，justwideenoughawaketokeeponthehighway。ForIwasthinkingdesperatelyofwhatIhadfoundinScudder’spocket-book。
Thelittlemanhadtoldmeapackoflies。AllhisyarnsabouttheBalkansandtheJew-AnarchistsandtheForeignOfficeConferencewereeyewash，andsowasKarolides。Andyetnotquite，asyoushallhear。Ihadstakedeverythingonmybeliefinhisstory，andhadbeenletdown;herewashisbooktellingmeadifferenttale，andinsteadofbeingonce-bitten-twice-shy，Ibelieveditabsolutely。
Why，Idon’tknow。Itrangdesperatelytrue，andthefirstyarn，ifyouunderstandme，hadbeeninaqueerwaytruealsoinspirit。ThefifteenthdayofJunewasgoingtobeadayofdestiny，abiggerdestinythanthekillingofaDago。ItwassobigthatIdidn’tblameScudderforkeepingmeoutofthegameandwantingtoplayalonehand。That，Iwasprettyclear，washisintention。Hehadtoldmesomethingwhichsoundedbigenough，buttherealthingwassoimmortallybigthathe，themanwhohadfounditout，wanteditallforhimself。Ididn’tblamehim。Itwasrisksafterallthathewaschieflygreedyabout。
Thewholestorywasinthenotes-withgaps，youunderstand，whichhewouldhavefilledupfromhismemory。Hestuckdownhisauthorities，too，andhadanoddtrickofgivingthemallanumericalvalueandthenstrikingabalance，whichstoodforthereliabilityofeachstageintheyarn。Thefournameshehadprintedwereauthorities，andtherewasaman，Ducrosne，whogotfiveoutofapossiblefive;andanotherfellow，Ammersfoort，whogotthree。
Thebarebonesofthetalewereallthatwasinthebook-these，andonequeerphrasewhichoccurredhalfadozentimesinsidebrackets。’（Thirty-ninesteps）’wasthephrase;andatitslasttimeofuseitran-’（Thirty-ninesteps，Icountedthem-hightide10。17
p。m。）’。Icouldmakenothingofthat。
ThefirstthingIlearnedwasthatitwasnoquestionofpreventingawar。Thatwascoming，assureasChristmas：hadbeenarranged，saidScudder，eversinceFebruary1912。Karolideswasgoingtobetheoccasion。Hewasbookedallright，andwastohandinhischecksonJune14th，twoweeksandfourdaysfromthatMaymorning。IgatheredfromScudder’snotesthatnothingonearthcouldpreventthat。HistalkofEpiroteguardsthatwouldskintheirowngrandmotherswasallbilly-o。
ThesecondthingwasthatthiswarwasgoingtocomeasamightysurprisetoBritain。Karolides’deathwouldsettheBalkansbytheears，andthenViennawouldchipinwithanultimatum。
Russiawouldn’tlikethat，andtherewouldbehighwords。ButBerlinwouldplaythepeacemaker，andpouroilonthewaters，tillsuddenlyshewouldfindagoodcauseforaquarrel，pickitup，andinfivehoursletflyatus。Thatwastheidea，andaprettygoodonetoo。Honeyandfairspeeches，andthenastrokeinthedark。WhileweweretalkingaboutthegoodwillandgoodintentionsofGermanyourcoastwouldbesilentlyringedwithmines，andsubmarineswouldbewaitingforeverybattleship。
Butallthisdependeduponthethirdthing，whichwasduetohappenonJune15th。IwouldneverhavegraspedthisifIhadn’toncehappenedtomeetaFrenchstaffofficer，comingbackfromWestAfrica，whohadtoldmealotofthings。Onewasthat，inspiteofallthenonsensetalkedinParliament，therewasarealworkingalliancebetweenFranceandBritain，andthatthetwoGeneralStaffsmeteverynowandthen，andmadeplansforjointactionincaseofwar。Well，inJuneaverygreatswellwascomingoverfromParis，andhewasgoingtogetnothinglessthanastatementofthedispositionoftheBritishHomeFleetonmobilization。
AtleastIgathereditwassomethinglikethat;anyhow，itwassomethinguncommonlyimportant。
Butonthe15thdayofJunethereweretobeothersinLondon-
others，atwhomIcouldonlyguess。Scudderwascontenttocallthemcollectivelythe’BlackStone’。TheyrepresentednotourAllies，butourdeadlyfoes;andtheinformation，destinedforFrance，wastobedivertedtotheirpockets。Anditwastobeused，remember-
usedaweekortwolater，withgreatgunsandswifttorpedoes，suddenlyinthedarknessofasummernight。
ThiswasthestoryIhadbeendecipheringinabackroomofacountryinn，overlookingacabbagegarden。ThiswasthestorythathummedinmybrainasIswunginthebigtouring-carfromglentoglen。
MyfirstimpulsehadbeentowritealettertothePrimeMinister，butalittlereflectionconvincedmethatthatwouldbeuseless。Whowouldbelievemytale？Imustshowasign，sometokeninproof，andHeavenknewwhatthatcouldbe。Aboveall，Imustkeepgoingmyself，readytoactwhenthingsgotriper，andthatwasgoingtobenolightjobwiththepoliceoftheBritishIslesinfullcryaftermeandthewatchersoftheBlackStonerunningsilentlyandswiftlyonmytrail。
Ihadnoveryclearpurposeinmyjourney，butIsteeredeastbythesun，forIrememberedfromthemapthatifIwentnorthI
wouldcomeintoaregionofcoalpitsandindustrialtowns。PresentlyIwasdownfromthemoorlandsandtraversingthebroadhaughofariver。FormilesIranalongsideaparkwall，andinabreakofthetreesIsawagreatcastle。Iswungthroughlittleoldthatchedvillages，andoverpeacefullowlandstreams，andpastgardensblazingwithhawthornandyellowlaburnum。ThelandwassodeepinpeacethatIcouldscarcelybelievethatsomewherebehindmewerethosewhosoughtmylife;ay，andthatinamonth’stime，unlessI
hadthealmightiestofluck，theseroundcountryfaceswouldbepinchedandstaring，andmenwouldbelyingdeadinEnglishfields。
Aboutmid-dayIenteredalongstragglingvillage，andhadamindtostopandeat。Half-waydownwasthePostOffice，andonthestepsofitstoodthepostmistressandapolicemanhardatworkconningatelegram。Whentheysawmetheywakenedup，andthepolicemanadvancedwithraisedhand，andcriedonmetostop。
Inearlywasfoolenoughtoobey。Thenitflasheduponmethatthewirehadtodowithme;thatmyfriendsattheinnhadcometoanunderstanding，andwereunitedindesiringtoseemoreofme，andthatithadbeeneasyenoughforthemtowirethedescriptionofmeandthecartothirtyvillagesthroughwhichImightpass。Ireleasedthebrakesjustintime。Asitwas，thepolicemanmadeaclawatthehood，andonlydroppedoffwhenhegotmyleftinhiseye。
Isawthatmainroadswerenoplaceforme，andturnedintothebyways。Itwasn’taneasyjobwithoutamap，fortherewastheriskofgettingontoafarmroadandendinginaduck-pondorastable-
yard，andIcouldn’taffordthatkindofdelay。IbegantoseewhatanassIhadbeentostealthecar。ThebiggreenbrutewouldbethesafestkindofcluetomeoverthebreadthofScotland。IfIleftitandtooktomyfeet，itwouldbediscoveredinanhourortwoandIwouldgetnostartintherace。
Theimmediatethingtodowastogettotheloneliestroads。
TheseIsoonfoundwhenIstruckupatributaryofthebigriver，andgotintoaglenwithsteephillsallaboutme，andacorkscrewroadattheendwhichclimbedoverapass。HereImetnobody，butitwastakingmetoofarnorth，soIslewedeastalongabadtrackandfinallystruckabigdouble-linerailway。AwaybelowmeIsawanotherbroadishvalley，anditoccurredtomethatifIcrosseditI
mightfindsomeremoteinntopassthenight。Theeveningwasnowdrawingin，andIwasfuriouslyhungry，forIhadeatennothingsincebreakfastexceptacoupleofbunsIhadboughtfromabaker’scart。
justthenIheardanoiseinthesky，andloandbeholdtherewasthatinfernalaeroplane，flyinglow，aboutadozenmilestothesouthandrapidlycomingtowardsme。
IhadthesensetorememberthatonabaremoorIwasattheaeroplane’smercy，andthatmyonlychancewastogettotheleafycoverofthevalley。DownthehillIwentlikebluelightning，screwingmyheadround，wheneverIdared，towatchthatdamnedflyingmachine。SoonIwasonaroadbetweenhedges，anddippingtothedeep-cutglenofastream。ThencameabitofthickwoodwhereIslackenedspeed。
SuddenlyonmyleftIheardthehootofanothercar，andrealizedtomyhorrorthatIwasalmostuponacoupleofgate-poststhroughwhichaprivateroaddebouchedonthehighway。Myhorngaveanagonizedroar，butitwastoolate。Iclappedonmybrakes，butmyimpetuswastoogreat，andtherebeforemeacarwasslidingathwartmycourse。Inasecondtherewouldhavebeenthedeuceofawreck。Ididtheonlythingpossible，andranslapintothehedgeontheright，trustingtofindsomethingsoftbeyond。
ButthereIwasmistaken。Mycarslitheredthroughthehedgelikebutter，andthengaveasickeningplungeforward。Isawwhatwascoming，leaptontheseatandwouldhavejumpedout。Butabranchofhawthorngotmeinthechest，liftedmeupandheldme，whileatonortwoofexpensivemetalslippedbelowme，buckedandpitched，andthendroppedwithanalmightysmashfiftyfeettothebedofthestream。
Slowlythatthornletmego。Isubsidedfirstonthehedge，andthenverygentlyonabowerofnettles。AsIscrambledtomyfeetahandtookmebythearm，andasympatheticandbadlyscaredvoiceaskedmeifIwerehurt。
Ifoundmyselflookingatatallyoungmaningogglesandaleatherulster，whokeptonblessinghissoulandwhinnyingapologies。Formyself，onceIgotmywindback，Iwasrathergladthanotherwise。Thiswasonewayofgettingridofthecar。
’Myblame，Sir，’Iansweredhim。’It’sluckythatIdidnotaddhomicidetomyfollies。That’stheendofmyScotchmotortour，butitmighthavebeentheendofmylife。’
Hepluckedoutawatchandstudiedit。’You’retherightsortoffellow，’hesaid。’Icanspareaquarterofanhour，andmyhouseistwominutesoff。I’llseeyouclothedandfedandsnuginbed。
Where’syourkit，bytheway？Isitintheburnalongwiththecar？’
’It’sinmypocket，’Isaid，brandishingatoothbrush。’I’maColonialandtravellight。’
’AColonial，’hecried。’ByGad，you’retheverymanI’vebeenprayingfor。AreyoubyanyblessedchanceaFreeTrader？’
’Iam，’saidI，withoutthefoggiestnotionofwhathemeant。
Hepattedmyshoulderandhurriedmeintohiscar。Threeminuteslaterwedrewupbeforeacomfortable-lookingshootingboxsetamongpine-trees，andheusheredmeindoors。Hetookmefirsttoabedroomandflunghalfadozenofhissuitsbeforeme，formyownhadbeenprettywellreducedtorags。Iselectedalooseblueserge，whichdifferedmostconspicuouslyfrommyformergarments，andborrowedalinencollar。Thenhehaledmetothedining-room，wheretheremnantsofamealstoodonthetable，andannouncedthatIhadjustfiveminutestofeed。’Youcantakeasnackinyourpocket，andwe’llhavesupperwhenwegetback。I’vegottobeattheMasonicHallateighto’clock，ormyagentwillcombmyhair。’
Ihadacupofcoffeeandsomecoldham，whileheyarnedawayonthehearth-rug。
’Youfindmeinthedeuceofamess，Mr-by-the-by，youhaven’ttoldmeyourname。Twisdon？AnyrelationofoldTommyTwisdonoftheSixtieth？No？Well，youseeI’mLiberalCandidateforthispartoftheworld，andIhadameetingontonightatBrattleburn-that’smychieftown，andaninfernalTorystronghold。
IhadgottheColonialex-Premierfellow，Crumpleton，comingtospeakformetonight，andhadthethingtremendouslybilledandthewholeplaceground-baited。ThisafternoonIhadawirefromtheruffiansayinghehadgotinfluenzaatBlackpool，andhereamI
lefttodothewholethingmyself。Ihadmeanttospeakfortenminutesandmustnowgoonforforty，and，thoughI’vebeenrackingmybrainsforthreehourstothinkofsomething，Isimplycannotlastthecourse。Nowyou’vegottobeagoodchapandhelpme。You’reaFreeTraderandcantellourpeoplewhatawash-outProtectionisintheColonies。Allyoufellowshavethegiftofthegab-IwishtoHeavenIhadit。I’llbeforevermoreinyourdebt。’
IhadveryfewnotionsaboutFreeTradeonewayortheother，butIsawnootherchancetogetwhatIwanted。Myyounggentlemanwasfartooabsorbedinhisowndifficultiestothinkhowodditwastoaskastrangerwhohadjustmisseddeathbyanaceandhadlosta1，000-guineacartoaddressameetingforhimonthespurofthemoment。Butmynecessitiesdidnotallowmetocontemplateoddnessesortopickandchoosemysupports。
’Allright，’Isaid。’I’mnotmuchgoodasaspeaker，butI’lltellthemabitaboutAustralia。’
Atmywordsthecaresoftheagesslippedfromhisshoulders，andhewasrapturousinhisthanks。Helentmeabigdrivingcoat-
andnevertroubledtoaskwhyIhadstartedonamotortourwithoutpossessinganulster-and，asweslippeddownthedustyroads，pouredintomyearsthesimplefactsofhishistory。Hewasanorphan，andhisunclehadbroughthimup-I’veforgottentheuncle’sname，buthewasintheCabinet，andyoucanreadhisspeechesinthepapers。HehadgoneroundtheworldafterleavingCambridge，andthen，beingshortofajob，hisunclehadadvisedpolitics。Igatheredthathehadnopreferenceinparties。’Goodchapsinboth，’hesaidcheerfully，’andplentyofblighters，too。I’mLiberal，becausemyfamilyhavealwaysbeenWhigs。’Butifhewaslukewarmpoliticallyhehadstrongviewsonotherthings。HefoundoutIknewabitabouthorses，andjawedawayabouttheDerbyentries;andhewasfullofplansforimprovinghisshooting。
Altogether，averyclean，decent，callowyoungman。
Aswepassedthroughalittletowntwopolicemensignalledustostop，andflashedtheirlanternsonus。
’Begpardon，SirHarry，’saidone。’We’vegotinstructionstolookoutforacar，andthedescription’snounlikeyours。’
’Right-o，’saidmyhost，whileIthankedProvidenceforthedeviouswaysIhadbeenbroughttosafety。Afterthathespokenomore，forhismindbegantolabourheavilywithhiscomingspeech。
Hislipskeptmuttering，hiseyewandered，andIbegantopreparemyselfforasecondcatastrophe。Itriedtothinkofsomethingtosaymyself，butmymindwasdryasastone。ThenextthingIknewwehaddrawnupoutsideadoorinastreet，andwerebeingwelcomedbysomenoisygentlemenwithrosettes。
Thehallhadaboutfivehundredinit，womenmostly，alotofbaldheads，andadozenortwoyoungmen。Thechairman，aweasellyministerwithareddishnose，lamentedCrumpleton’sabsence，soliloquizedonhisinfluenza，andgavemeacertificateasa’trustedleaderofAustralianthought’。Thereweretwopolicemenatthedoor，andIhopedtheytooknoteofthattestimonial。ThenSirHarrystarted。
Ineverheardanythinglikeit。Hedidn’tbegintoknowhowtotalk。Hehadaboutabushelofnotesfromwhichheread，andwhenheletgoofthemhefellintooneprolongedstutter。Everynowandthenherememberedaphrasehehadlearnedbyheart，straightenedhisback，andgaveitofflikeHenryIrving，andthenextmomenthewasbentdoubleandcrooningoverhispapers。Itwasthemostappallingrot，too。Hetalkedaboutthe’Germanmenace’，andsaiditwasallaToryinventiontocheatthepooroftheirrightsandkeepbackthegreatfloodofsocialreform，butthat’organizedlabour’realizedthisandlaughedtheToriestoscorn。HewasallforreducingourNavyasaproofofourgoodfaith，andthensendingGermanyanultimatumtellinghertodothesameorwewouldknockherintoacockedhat。Hesaidthat，butfortheTories，GermanyandBritainwouldbefellow-workersinpeaceandreform。
Ithoughtofthelittleblackbookinmypocket！AgiddylotScudder’sfriendscaredforpeaceandreform。
YetinaqueerwayIlikedthespeech。Youcouldseethenicenessofthechapshiningoutbehindthemuckwithwhichhehadbeenspoon-fed。Alsoittookaloadoffmymind。Imightn’tbemuchofanorator，butIwasathousandpercentbetterthanSirHarry。
Ididn’tgetonsobadlywhenitcametomyturn。IsimplytoldthemallIcouldrememberaboutAustralia，prayingthereshouldbenoAustralianthere-allaboutitslabourpartyandemigrationanduniversalservice。IdoubtifIrememberedtomentionFreeTrade，butIsaidtherewerenoToriesinAustralia，onlyLabourandLiberals。Thatfetchedacheer，andIwokethemupabitwhenI
startedintotellthemthekindofgloriousbusinessIthoughtcouldbemadeoutoftheEmpireifwereallyputourbacksintoit。
AltogetherIfancyIwasratherasuccess。Theministerdidn’tlikeme，though，andwhenheproposedavoteofthanks，spokeofSirHarry’sspeechas’statesmanlike’andmineashaving’theeloquenceofanemigrationagent’。
Whenwewereinthecaragainmyhostwasinwildspiritsathavinggothisjobover。’Arippingspeech，Twisdon，’hesaid。
’Now，you’recominghomewithme。I’mallalone，andifyou’llstopadayortwoI’llshowyousomeverydecentfishing。’
Wehadahotsupper-andIwanteditprettybadly-andthendrankgroginabigcheerysmoking-roomwithacracklingwoodfire。Ithoughtthetimehadcomeformetoputmycardsonthetable。Isawbythisman’seyethathewasthekindyoucantrust。
’Listen，SirHarry，’Isaid。’I’vesomethingprettyimportanttosaytoyou。You’reagoodfellow，andI’mgoingtobefrank。
Whereonearthdidyougetthatpoisonousrubbishyoutalkedtonight？’
Hisfacefell。’Wasitasbadasthat？’heaskedruefully。’Itdidsoundratherthin。IgotmostofitoutofthePROGRESSIVEMAGAZINE
andpamphletsthatagentchapofminekeepssendingme。Butyousurelydon’tthinkGermanywouldevergotowarwithus？’
’Askthatquestioninsixweeksanditwon’tneedananswer，’I
said。’Ifyou’llgivemeyourattentionforhalfanhourIamgoingtotellyouastory。’
Icanseeyetthatbrightroomwiththedeers’headsandtheoldprintsonthewalls，SirHarrystandingrestlesslyonthestonecurbofthehearth，andmyselflyingbackinanarmchair，speaking。I
seemedtobeanotherperson，standingasideandlisteningtomyownvoice，andjudgingcarefullythereliabilityofmytale。ItwasthefirsttimeIhadevertoldanyonetheexacttruth，sofarasI
understoodit，anditdidmenoendofgood，foritstraightenedoutthethinginmyownmind。Iblinkednodetail。HeheardallaboutScudder，andthemilkman，andthenote-book，andmydoingsinGalloway。Presentlyhegotveryexcitedandwalkedupanddownthehearth-rug。
’Soyousee，’Iconcluded，’youhavegothereinyourhousethemanthatiswantedforthePortlandPlacemurder。Yourdutyistosendyourcarforthepoliceandgivemeup。Idon’tthinkI’llgetveryfar。There’llbeanaccident，andI’llhaveaknifeinmyribsanhourorsoafterarrest。Nevertheless，it’syourduty，asalaw-abidingcitizen。Perhapsinamonth’stimeyou’llbesorry，butyouhavenocausetothinkofthat。’
Hewaslookingatmewithbrightsteadyeyes。’WhatwasyourjobinRhodesia，MrHannay？’heasked。
’Miningengineer，’Isaid。’I’vemademypilecleanlyandI’vehadagoodtimeinthemakingofit。’
’Notaprofessionthatweakensthenerves，isit？’
Ilaughed。’Oh，astothat，mynervesaregoodenough。’Itookdownahunting-knifefromastandonthewall，anddidtheoldMashonatrickoftossingitandcatchingitinmylips。Thatwantsaprettysteadyheart。
Hewatchedmewithasmile。’Idon’twantproof。Imaybeanassontheplatform，butIcansizeupaman。You’renomurdererandyou’renofool，andIbelieveyouarespeakingthetruth。I’mgoingtobackyouup。Now，whatcanIdo？’
’First，Iwantyoutowritealettertoyouruncle。I’vegottogetintouchwiththeGovernmentpeoplesometimebeforethe15thofJune。’
Hepulledhismoustache。’Thatwon’thelpyou。ThisisForeignOfficebusiness，andmyunclewouldhavenothingtodowithit。
Besides，you’dneverconvincehim。No，I’llgoonebetter。I’llwritetothePermanentSecretaryattheForeignOffice。He’smygodfather，andoneofthebestgoing。Whatdoyouwant？’
Hesatdownatatableandwrotetomydictation。ThegistofitwasthatifamancalledTwisdon（IthoughtIhadbettersticktothatname）turnedupbeforeJune15thhewastoentreathimkindly。HesaidTwisdonwouldprovehisbonafidesbypassingtheword’BlackStone’andwhistling’AnnieLaurie’。
’Good，’saidSirHarry。’That’stheproperstyle。Bytheway，you’llfindmygodfather-hisname’sSirWalterBullivant-downathiscountrycottageforWhitsuntide。It’sclosetoArtinswellontheKenner。That’sdone。Now，what’sthenextthing？’
’You’reaboutmyheight。Lendmetheoldesttweedsuityou’vegot。Anythingwilldo，solongasthecolouristheoppositeoftheclothesIdestroyedthisafternoon。Thenshowmeamapoftheneighbourhoodandexplaintomethelieoftheland。Lastly，ifthepolicecomeseekingme，justshowthemthecarintheglen。Iftheotherlotturnup，tellthemIcaughtthesouthexpressafteryourmeeting。’
Hedid，orpromisedtodo，allthesethings。Ishavedofftheremnantsofmymoustache，andgotinsideanancientsuitofwhatI
believeiscalledheathermixture。Themapgavemesomenotionofmywhereabouts，andtoldmethetwothingsIwantedtoknow-
wherethemainrailwaytothesouthcouldbejoinedandwhatwerethewildestdistrictsnearathand。
Attwoo’clockhewakenedmefrommyslumbersinthesmoking-roomarmchair，andledmeblinkingintothedarkstarrynight。Anoldbicyclewasfoundinatool-shedandhandedovertome。
’Firstturntotherightupbythelongfir-wood，’heenjoined。’Bydaybreakyou’llbewellintothehills。ThenIshouldpitchthemachineintoabogandtaketothemoorsonfoot。Youcanputinaweekamongtheshepherds，andbeassafeasifyouwereinNewGuinea。’
Ipedalleddiligentlyupsteeproadsofhillgraveltilltheskiesgrewpalewithmorning。Asthemistsclearedbeforethesun，I
foundmyselfinawidegreenworldwithglensfallingoneverysideandafar-awaybluehorizon。Here，atanyrate，Icouldgetearlynewsofmyenemies。
CHAPTERFIVE
TheAdventureoftheSpectacledRoadmanIsatdownontheverycrestofthepassandtookstockofmyposition。
Behindmewastheroadclimbingthroughalongcleftinthehills，whichwastheupperglenofsomenotableriver。Infrontwasaflatspaceofmaybeamile，allpittedwithbog-holesandroughwithtussocks，andthenbeyondittheroadfellsteeplydownanotherglentoaplainwhosebluedimnessmeltedintothedistance。Toleftandrightwereround-shoulderedgreenhillsassmoothaspancakes，buttothesouth-thatis，thelefthand-therewasaglimpseofhighheatherymountains，whichIrememberedfromthemapasthebigknotofhillwhichIhadchosenformysanctuary。Iwasonthecentralbossofahugeuplandcountry，andcouldseeeverythingmovingformiles。Inthemeadowsbelowtheroadhalfamilebackacottagesmoked，butitwastheonlysignofhumanlife。Otherwisetherewasonlythecallingofploversandthetinklingoflittlestreams。
Itwasnowaboutseveno’clock，andasIwaitedIheardonceagainthatominousbeatintheair。ThenIrealizedthatmyvantage-
groundmightbeinrealityatrap。Therewasnocoverforatomtitinthosebaldgreenplaces。
Isatquitestillandhopelesswhilethebeatgrewlouder。ThenI
sawanaeroplanecomingupfromtheeast。Itwasflyinghigh，butasIlookeditdroppedseveralhundredfeetandbegantocircleroundtheknotofhillinnarrowingcircles，justasahawkwheelsbeforeitpounces。Nowitwasflyingverylow，andnowtheobserveronboardcaughtsightofme。Icouldseeoneofthetwooccupantsexaminingmethroughglasses。
Suddenlyitbegantoriseinswiftwhorls，andthenextIknewitwasspeedingeastwardagaintillitbecameaspeckinthebluemorning。
Thatmademedosomesavagethinking。Myenemieshadlocatedme，andthenextthingwouldbeacordonroundme。Ididn’tknowwhatforcetheycouldcommand，butIwascertainitwouldbesufficient。Theaeroplanehadseenmybicycle，andwouldconcludethatIwouldtrytoescapebytheroad。Inthatcasetheremightbeachanceonthemoorstotherightorleft。Iwheeledthemachineahundredyardsfromthehighway，andplungeditintoamoss-hole，whereitsankamongpond-weedandwater-buttercups。ThenI
climbedtoaknollwhichgavemeaviewofthetwovalleys。
Nothingwasstirringonthelongwhiteribbonthatthreadedthem。
Ihavesaidtherewasnotcoverinthewholeplacetohidearat。
AsthedayadvanceditwasfloodedwithsoftfreshlighttillithadthefragrantsunninessoftheSouthAfricanveld。AtothertimesI
wouldhavelikedtheplace，butnowitseemedtosuffocateme。Thefreemoorlandswereprisonwalls，andthekeenhillairwasthebreathofadungeon。
Itossedacoin-headsright，tailsleft-anditfellheads，soI
turnedtothenorth。InalittleIcametothebrowoftheridgewhichwasthecontainingwallofthepass。Isawthehighroadformaybetenmiles，andfardownitsomethingthatwasmoving，andthatItooktobeamotor-car。BeyondtheridgeIlookedonarollinggreenmoor，whichfellawayintowoodedglens。
Nowmylifeontheveldhasgivenmetheeyesofakite，andI
canseethingsforwhichmostmenneedatelescope……Awaydowntheslope，acoupleofmilesaway，severalmenwereadvancing。
likearowofbeatersatashoot……
Idroppedoutofsightbehindthesky-line。Thatwaywasshuttome，andImusttrythebiggerhillstothesouthbeyondthehighway。
ThecarIhadnoticedwasgettingnearer，butitwasstillalongwayoffwithsomeverysteepgradientsbeforeit。Iranhard，crouchinglowexceptinthehollows，andasIranIkeptscanningthebrowofthehillbeforeme。Wasitimagination，ordidIseefigures-one，two，perhapsmore-movinginaglenbeyondthestream？
Ifyouarehemmedinonallsidesinapatchoflandthereisonlyonechanceofescape。Youmuststayinthepatch，andletyourenemiessearchitandnotfindyou。Thatwasgoodsense，buthowonearthwasItoescapenoticeinthattable-clothofaplace？I
wouldhaveburiedmyselftotheneckinmudorlainbelowwaterorclimbedthetallesttree。Buttherewasnotastickofwood，thebog-holeswerelittlepuddles，thestreamwasaslendertrickle。Therewasnothingbutshortheather，andbarehillbent，andthewhitehighway。
Theninatinybightofroad，besideaheapofstones，Ifoundtheroadman。
Hehadjustarrived，andwaswearilyflingingdownhishammer。
Helookedatmewithafishyeyeandyawned。
’ConfoondthedayIeverlefttheherdin’！’hesaid，asiftotheworldatlarge。’ThereIwasmyainmaister。NowI’maslavetotheGoavernment，tetheredtotheroadside，wi’saireen，andabacklikeasuckle。’
Hetookupthehammer，struckastone，droppedtheimplementwithanoath，andputbothhandstohisears。’Mercyonme！Myheid’sburstin’！’hecried。
Hewasawildfigure，aboutmyownsizebutmuchbent，withaweek’sbeardonhischin，andapairofbighornspectacles。
’Icannadae’t，’hecriedagain。’TheSurveyormaunjustreportme。I’mformybed。’
Iaskedhimwhatwasthetrouble，thoughindeedthatwasclearenough。
’ThetroubleisthatI’mnosober。LastnichtmydochterMerranwaswaddit，andtheydancedtillfowerinthebyre。Meandsomeitherchielssatdowntothedrinkin’，andhereIam。PeetythatI
everlookitonthewinewhenitwasred！’
Iagreedwithhimaboutbed。
’It’seasyspeakin’，’hemoaned。’ButIgotapostcardyestreensayin’thatthenewRoadSurveyorwouldberoundtheday。He’llcomeandhe’llnofindme，orelsehe’llfindmefou，andeitherwayI’madoneman。I’llawa’backtomybedandsayI’mnoweel，butIdootthat’llnohelpme，fortheykenmykindo’no-weel-ness。’
ThenIhadaninspiration。’DoesthenewSurveyorknowyou？’
Iasked。
’Nohim。He’sjustbeenaweekatthejob。Herinsaboutinaweemotor-cawr，andwadspeirtheinsideooto’awhelk。’
’Where’syourhouse？’Iasked，andwasdirectedbyawaveringfingertothecottagebythestream。
’Well，backtoyourbed，’Isaid，’andsleepinpeace。I’lltakeonyourjobforabitandseetheSurveyor。’
Hestaredatmeblankly;then，asthenotiondawnedonhisfuddledbrain，hisfacebrokeintothevacantdrunkard’ssmile。
’You’rethebilly，’hecried。’It’llbeeasyeneuchmanaged。I’vefinishedthatbingo’stanes，soyouneednachaponymairthisforenoon。justtakethebarry，andwheeleneuchmetalfraeyonquarrydoontheroadtomakanitherbingthemorn。Myname’sAlexanderTurnbull，andI’vebeenseevenyearatthetrade，andtwentyaforethatherdin’onLeithenWater。Myfreensca’meEcky，andwhilesSpecky，forIwearglesses，beingwaiki’thesicht。justyouspeaktheSurveyorfair，andca’himSir，andhe’llbefellpleased。I’llbebackormid-day。’
Iborrowedhisspectaclesandfilthyoldhat;strippedoffcoat，waistcoat，andcollar，andgavehimthemtocarryhome;borrowed，too，thefoulstumpofaclaypipeasanextraproperty。Heindicatedmysimpletasks，andwithoutmoreadosetoffatanamblebedwards。
Bedmayhavebeenhischiefobject，butIthinktherewasalsosomethingleftinthefootofabottle。Iprayedthathemightbesafeundercoverbeforemyfriendsarrivedonthescene。
ThenIsettoworktodressforthepart。Iopenedthecollarofmyshirt-itwasavulgarblue-and-whitechecksuchasploughmenwear-andrevealedaneckasbrownasanytinker’s。Irolledupmysleeves，andtherewasaforearmwhichmighthavebeenablacksmith’s，sunburntandroughwitholdscars。Igotmybootsandtrouser-legsallwhitefromthedustoftheroad，andhitchedupmytrousers，tyingthemwithstringbelowtheknee。ThenIsettoworkonmyface。WithahandfulofdustImadeawater-markroundmyneck，theplacewhereMrTurnbull’sSundayablutionsmightbeexpectedtostop。Irubbedagooddealofdirtalsointothesunburnofmycheeks。Aroadman’seyeswouldnodoubtbealittleinflamed，soIcontrivedtogetsomedustinbothofmine，andbydintofvigorousrubbingproducedablearyeffect。
ThesandwichesSirHarryhadgivenmehadgoneoffwithmycoat，buttheroadman’slunch，tiedupinaredhandkerchief，wasatmydisposal。Iatewithgreatrelishseveralofthethickslabsofsconeandcheeseanddrankalittleofthecoldtea。InthehandkerchiefwasalocalpapertiedwithstringandaddressedtoMrTurnbull-
obviouslymeanttosolacehismid-dayleisure。Ididupthebundleagain，andputthepaperconspicuouslybesideit。
Mybootsdidnotsatisfyme，butbydintofkickingamongthestonesIreducedthemtothegranite-likesurfacewhichmarksaroadman’sfoot-gear。ThenIbitandscrapedmyfinger-nailstilltheedgeswereallcrackedanduneven。ThemenIwasmatchedagainstwouldmissnodetail。Ibrokeoneofthebootlacesandretieditinaclumsyknot，andloosedtheothersothatmythickgreysocksbulgedovertheuppers。Stillnosignofanythingontheroad。ThemotorIhadobservedhalfanhouragomusthavegonehome。
Mytoiletcomplete，Itookupthebarrowandbeganmyjourneystoandfromthequarryahundredyardsoff。
IrememberanoldscoutinRhodesia，whohaddonemanyqueerthingsinhisday，oncetellingmethatthesecretofplayingapartwastothinkyourselfintoit。Youcouldneverkeepitup，hesaid，unlessyoucouldmanagetoconvinceyourselfthatyouwereit。SoI
shutoffallotherthoughtsandswitchedthemontotheroad-
mending。Ithoughtofthelittlewhitecottageasmyhome，I
recalledtheyearsIhadspentherdingonLeithenWater，Imademyminddwelllovinglyonsleepinabox-bedandabottleofcheapwhisky。Stillnothingappearedonthatlongwhiteroad。
Nowandthenasheepwanderedofftheheathertostareatme。A
heronfloppeddowntoapoolinthestreamandstartedtofish，takingnomorenoticeofmethanifIhadbeenamilestone。OnI
went，trundlingmyloadsofstone，withtheheavystepoftheprofessional。SoonIgrewwarm，andthedustonmyfacechangedintosolidandabidinggrit。IwasalreadycountingthehourstilleveningshouldputalimittoMrTurnbull’smonotonoustoil。
Suddenlyacrispvoicespokefromtheroad，andlookingupI
sawalittleFordtwo-seater，andaround-facedyoungmaninabowlerhat。
’AreyouAlexanderTurnbull？’heasked。’IamthenewCountyRoadSurveyor。YouliveatBlackhopefoot，andhavechargeofthesectionfromLaidlawbyrestotheRiggs？Good！Afairbitofroad，Turnbull，andnotbadlyengineered。Alittlesoftaboutamileoff，andtheedgeswantcleaning。Seeyoulookafterthat。Goodmorning。
You’llknowmethenexttimeyouseeme。’
Clearlymyget-upwasgoodenoughforthedreadedSurveyor。I
wentonwithmywork，andasthemorninggrewtowardsnoonI
wascheeredbyalittletraffic。Abaker’svanbreastedthehill，andsoldmeabagofgingerbiscuitswhichIstowedinmytrouser-
pocketsagainstemergencies。Thenaherdpassedwithsheep，anddisturbedmesomewhatbyaskingloudly，’Whathadbecomeo’Specky？’
’Inbedwi’thecolic，’Ireplied，andtheherdpassedon……
justaboutmid-dayabigcarstoledownthehill，glidedpastanddrewupahundredyardsbeyond。Itsthreeoccupantsdescendedasiftostretchtheirlegs，andsaunteredtowardsme。
TwoofthemenIhadseenbeforefromthewindowoftheGallowayinn-onelean，sharp，anddark，theothercomfortableandsmiling。Thethirdhadthelookofacountryman-avet，perhaps，orasmallfarmer。Hewasdressedinill-cutknickerbockers，andtheeyeinhisheadwasasbrightandwaryasahen’s。
\"Morning，’saidthelast。’That’safineeasyjobo’yours。’
Ihadnotlookedupontheirapproach，andnow，whenaccosted，Islowlyandpainfullystraightenedmyback，afterthemannerofroadmen;spatvigorously，afterthemannerofthelowScot;andregardedthemsteadilybeforereplying。Iconfrontedthreepairsofeyesthatmissednothing。
’There’swaurjobsandthere’sbetter，’Isaidsententiously。’Iwadratherhaeyours，sittin’a’dayonyourhinderlandsonthaecushions。
It’syouandyourmucklecawrsthatwreckmyroads！Ifwea’hadoorrichts，yesudbemadetomendwhatyebreak。’
Thebright-eyedmanwaslookingatthenewspaperlyingbesideTurnbull’sbundle。
’Iseeyougetyourpapersingoodtime，’hesaid。
Iglancedatitcasually。’Aye，ingudetime。Seein’thatthatpapercam’outlastSetterdayI’mjustSaxdayslate。’
Hepickeditup，glancedatthesuperscription，andlaiditdownagain。Oneoftheothershadbeenlookingatmyboots，andawordinGermancalledthespeaker’sattentiontothem。
’You’veafinetasteinboots，’hesaid。’Thesewerenevermadebyacountryshoemaker。’
’Theywerenot，’Isaidreadily。’TheyweremadeinLondon。I
gotthemfraethegentlemanthatwasherelastyearfortheshootin’。
Whatwashisnamenow？’AndIscratchedaforgetfulhead。
AgainthesleekonespokeinGerman。’Letusgeton，’hesaid。
’Thisfellowisallright。’
Theyaskedonelastquestion。
’Didyouseeanyonepassearlythismorning？Hemightbeonabicycleorhemightbeonfoot。’
Iverynearlyfellintothetrapandtoldastoryofabicyclisthurryingpastinthegreydawn。ButIhadthesensetoseemydanger。Ipretendedtoconsiderverydeeply。
’Iwasnaupveryearly，’Isaid。’Yesee，mydochterwasmerritlastnicht，andwekeepitituplate。Iopenedthehousedooraboutseevenandtherewasnaebodyontheroadthen。SinceIcam’upheretherehasjustbeenthebakerandtheRuchillherd，besidesyougentlemen。’
Oneofthemgavemeacigar，whichIsmeltgingerlyandstuckinTurnbull’sbundle。Theygotintotheircarandwereoutofsightinthreeminutes。
Myheartleapedwithanenormousrelief，butIwentonwheelingmystones。Itwasaswell，fortenminuteslaterthecarreturned，oneoftheoccupantswavingahandtome。Thosegentryleftnothingtochance。
IfinishedTurnbull’sbreadandcheese，andprettysoonIhadfinishedthestones。Thenextstepwaswhatpuzzledme。Icouldnotkeepupthisroadmakingbusinessforlong。AmercifulProvidencehadkeptMrTurnbullindoors，butifheappearedonthescenetherewouldbetrouble。Ihadanotionthatthecordonwasstilltightroundtheglen，andthatifIwalkedinanydirectionIshouldmeetwithquestioners。ButgetoutImust。Noman’snervecouldstandmorethanadayofbeingspiedon。
Istayedatmyposttillfiveo’clock。BythattimeIhadresolvedtogodowntoTurnbull’scottageatnightfallandtakemychanceofgettingoverthehillsinthedarkness。Butsuddenlyanewcarcameuptheroad，andsloweddownayardortwofromme。A
freshwindhadrisen，andtheoccupantwantedtolightacigarette。
Itwasatouringcar，withthetonneaufullofanassortmentofbaggage。Onemansatinit，andbyanamazingchanceIknewhim。
HisnamewasMarmadukejopley，andhewasanoffencetocreation。
Hewasasortofbloodstockbroker，whodidhisbusinessbytoadyingeldestsonsandrichyoungpeersandfoolisholdladies。
’Marmie’wasafamiliarfigure，Iunderstood，atballsandpolo-
weeksandcountryhouses。Hewasanadroitscandal-monger，andwouldcrawlamileonhisbellytoanythingthathadatitleoramillion。IhadabusinessintroductiontohisfirmwhenIcametoLondon，andhewasgoodenoughtoaskmetodinnerathisclub。
Thereheshowedoffatagreatrate，andpatteredabouthisduchessestillthesnobberyofthecreatureturnedmesick。Iaskedamanafterwardswhynobodykickedhim，andwastoldthatEnglishmenreverencedtheweakersex。
Anyhowtherehewasnow，nattilydressed，inafinenewcar，obviouslyonhiswaytovisitsomeofhissmartfriends。Asuddendaftnesstookme，andinasecondIhadjumpedintothetonneauandhadhimbytheshoulder。
’Hullo，jopley，’Isangout。’Wellmet，mylad！’Hegotahorridfright。Hischindroppedashestaredatme。’WhothedevilareYOU？’hegasped。
’Myname’sHannay，’Isaid。’FromRhodesia，youremember。’
’GoodGod，themurderer！’hechoked。
’Justso。Andthere’llbeasecondmurder，mydear，ifyoudon’tdoasItellyou。Givemethatcoatofyours。Thatcap，too。’
Hedidasbid，forhewasblindwithterror。OvermydirtytrousersandvulgarshirtIputonhissmartdriving-coat，whichbuttonedhighatthetopandtherebyhidthedeficienciesofmycollar。Istuckthecaponmyhead，andaddedhisglovestomyget-
up。ThedustyroadmaninaminutewastransformedintooneoftheneatestmotoristsinScotland。OnMrjopley’sheadIclappedTurnbull’sunspeakablehat，andtoldhimtokeepitthere。
ThenwithsomedifficultyIturnedthecar。Myplanwastogobacktheroadhehadcome，forthewatchers，havingseenitbefore，wouldprobablyletitpassunremarked，andMarmie’sfigurewasinnowaylikemine。
’Now，mychild，’Isaid，’sitquitestillandbeagoodboy。Imeanyounoharm。I’monlyborrowingyourcarforanhourortwo。Butifyouplaymeanytricks，andaboveallifyouopenyourmouth，assureasthere’saGodabovemeI’llwringyourneck。SAVEZ？’
Ienjoyedthatevening’sride。Weraneightmilesdownthevalley，throughavillageortwo，andIcouldnothelpnoticingseveralstrange-lookingfolkloungingbytheroadside。ThesewerethewatcherswhowouldhavehadmuchtosaytomeifIhadcomeinothergarborcompany。Asitwas，theylookedincuriouslyon。
Onetouchedhiscapinsalute，andIrespondedgraciously。
AsthedarkfellIturnedupasideglenwhich，asIrememberfromthemap，ledintoanunfrequentedcornerofthehills。Soonthevillageswereleftbehind，thenthefarms，andtheneventhewaysidecottage。Presentlywecametoalonelymoorwherethenightwasblackeningthesunsetgleaminthebogpools。Herewestopped，andIobliginglyreversedthecarandrestoredtoMrjopleyhisbelongings。
’Athousandthanks，’Isaid。’There’smoreuseinyouthanI
thought。Nowbeoffandfindthepolice。’
AsIsatonthehillside，watchingthetail-lightdwindle，IreflectedonthevariouskindsofcrimeIhadnowsampled。Contrarytogeneralbelief，Iwasnotamurderer，butIhadbecomeanunholyliar，ashamelessimpostor，andahighwaymanwithamarkedtasteforexpensivemotor-cars。
CHAPTERSIX
TheAdventureoftheBaldArchaeologistIspentthenightonashelfofthehillside，intheleeofaboulderwheretheheathergrewlongandsoft。Itwasacoldbusiness，forI
hadneithercoatnorwaistcoat。ThesewereinMrTurnbull’skeeping，aswasScudder’slittlebook，mywatchand-worstofall-mypipeandtobaccopouch。Onlymymoneyaccompaniedmeinmybelt，andabouthalfapoundofgingerbiscuitsinmytrouserspocket。
Isuppedoffhalfthosebiscuits，andbywormingmyselfdeepintotheheathergotsomekindofwarmth。Myspiritshadrisen，andIwasbeginningtoenjoythiscrazygameofhide-and-seek。SofarIhadbeenmiraculouslylucky。Themilkman，theliteraryinnkeeper，SirHarry，theroadman，andtheidioticMarmie，wereallpiecesofundeservedgoodfortune。SomehowthefirstsuccessgavemeafeelingthatIwasgoingtopullthethingthrough。
MychieftroublewasthatIwasdesperatelyhungry。WhenaJewshootshimselfintheCityandthereisaninquest，thenewspapersusuallyreportthatthedeceasedwas’well-nourished’。Irememberthinkingthattheywouldnotcallmewell-nourishedifIbrokemyneckinabog-hole。Ilayandtorturedmyself-forthegingerbiscuitsmerelyemphasizedtheachingvoid-withthememoryofallthegoodfoodIhadthoughtsolittleofinLondon。TherewerePaddock’scrispsausagesandfragrantshavingsofbacon，andshapelypoachedeggs-howoftenIhadturnedupmynoseatthem！Therewerethecutletstheydidattheclub，andaparticularhamthatstoodonthecoldtable，forwhichmysoullusted。Mythoughtshoveredoverallvarietiesofmortaledible，andfinallysettledonaporterhousesteakandaquartofbitterwithawelshrabbittofollow。InlonginghopelesslyforthesedaintiesI
fellasleep。
Iwokeverycoldandstiffaboutanhourafterdawn。IttookmealittlewhiletorememberwhereIwas，forIhadbeenverywearyandhadsleptheavily。Isawfirstthepaleblueskythroughanetofheather，thenabigshoulderofhill，andthenmyownbootsplacedneatlyinablaeberrybush。Iraisedmyselfonmyarmsandlookeddownintothevalley，andthatonelooksetmelacingupmybootsinmadhaste。
Forthereweremenbelow，notmorethanaquarterofamileoff，spacedoutonthehillsidelikeafan，andbeatingtheheather。
Marmiehadnotbeenslowinlookingforhisrevenge。
Icrawledoutofmyshelfintothecoverofaboulder，andfromitgainedashallowtrenchwhichslantedupthemountainface。Thisledmepresentlyintothenarrowgullyofaburn，bywayofwhichI
scrambledtothetopoftheridge。FromthereIlookedback，andsawthatIwasstillundiscovered。Mypursuerswerepatientlyquarteringthehillsideandmovingupwards。
KeepingbehindtheskylineIranformaybehalfamile，tillI
judgedIwasabovetheuppermostendoftheglen。ThenIshowedmyself，andwasinstantlynotedbyoneoftheflankers，whopassedthewordtotheothers。Iheardcriescomingupfrombelow，andsawthatthelineofsearchhadchangeditsdirection。Ipretendedtoretreatovertheskyline，butinsteadwentbackthewayIhadcome，andintwentyminuteswasbehindtheridgeoverlookingmysleepingplace。FromthatviewpointIhadthesatisfactionofseeingthepursuitstreamingupthehillatthetopoftheglenonahopelesslyfalsescent。
Ihadbeforemeachoiceofroutes，andIchosearidgewhichmadeananglewiththeoneIwason，andsowouldsoonputadeepglenbetweenmeandmyenemies。Theexercisehadwarmedmyblood，andIwasbeginningtoenjoymyselfamazingly。AsI
wentIbreakfastedonthedustyremnantsofthegingerbiscuits。
Iknewverylittleaboutthecountry，andIhadn’tanotionwhatI
wasgoingtodo。Itrustedtothestrengthofmylegs，butIwaswellawarethatthosebehindmewouldbefamiliarwiththelieoftheland，andthatmyignorancewouldbeaheavyhandicap。Isawinfrontofmeaseaofhills，risingveryhightowardsthesouth，butnorthwardsbreakingdownintobroadridgeswhichseparatedwideandshallowdales。TheridgeIhadchosenseemedtosinkafteramileortwotoamoorwhichlaylikeapocketintheuplands。Thatseemedasgoodadirectiontotakeasanyother。
Mystratagemhadgivenmeafairstart-callittwentyminutes-
andIhadthewidthofaglenbehindmebeforeIsawthefirstheadsofthepursuers。Thepolicehadevidentlycalledinlocaltalenttotheiraid，andthemenIcouldseehadtheappearanceofherdsorgamekeepers。Theyhallooedatthesightofme，andIwavedmyhand。Twodivedintotheglenandbegantoclimbmyridge，whiletheotherskepttheirownsideofthehill。IfeltasifIweretakingpartinaschoolboygameofhareandhounds。
Butverysoonitbegantoseemlessofagame。Thosefellowsbehindwereheftymenontheirnativeheath。LookingbackIsawthatonlythreewerefollowingdirect，andIguessedthattheothershadfetchedacircuittocutmeoff。Mylackoflocalknowledgemightverywellbemyundoing，andIresolvedtogetoutofthistangleofglenstothepocketofmoorIhadseenfromthetops。I
mustsoincreasemydistanceastogetclearawayfromthem，andI
believedIcoulddothisifIcouldfindtherightgroundforit。IftherehadbeencoverIwouldhavetriedabitofstalking，butonthesebareslopesyoucouldseeaflyamileoff。Myhopemustbeinthelengthofmylegsandthesoundnessofmywind，butIneededeasiergroundforthat，forIwasnotbredamountaineer。HowI
longedforagoodAfrikanderpony！
Iputonagreatspurtandgotoffmyridgeanddownintothemoorbeforeanyfiguresappearedontheskylinebehindme。I
crossedaburn，andcameoutonahighroadwhichmadeapassbetweentwoglens。Allinfrontofmewasabigfieldofheatherslopinguptoacrestwhichwascrownedwithanoddfeatheroftrees。Inthedykebytheroadsidewasagate，fromwhichagrass-
growntrackledoverthefirstwaveofthemoor。
Ijumpedthedykeandfollowedit，andafterafewhundredyards-assoonasitwasoutofsightofthehighway-thegrassstoppedanditbecameaveryrespectableroad，whichwasevidentlykeptwithsomecare。Clearlyitrantoahouse，andIbegantothinkofdoingthesame。Hithertomyluckhadheld，anditmightbethatmybestchancewouldbefoundinthisremotedwelling。Anyhowthereweretreesthere，andthatmeantcover。
Ididnotfollowtheroad，buttheburnsidewhichflankeditontheright，wherethebrackengrewdeepandthehighbanksmadeatolerablescreen。ItwaswellIdidso，fornosoonerhadIgainedthehollowthan，lookingback，IsawthepursuittoppingtheridgefromwhichIhaddescended。
AfterthatIdidnotlookback;Ihadnotime。Iranuptheburnside，crawlingovertheopenplaces，andforalargepartwadingintheshallowstream。Ifoundadesertedcottagewitharowofphantompeat-stacksandanovergrowngarden。ThenIwasamongyounghay，andverysoonhadcometotheedgeofaplantationofwind-blownfirs。FromthereIsawthechimneysofthehousesmokingafewhundredyardstomyleft。Iforsooktheburnside，crossedanotherdyke，andalmostbeforeIknewwasonaroughlawn。A
glancebacktoldmethatIwaswelloutofsightofthepursuit，whichhadnotyetpassedthefirstliftofthemoor。
Thelawnwasaveryroughplace，cutwithascytheinsteadofamower，andplantedwithbedsofscrubbyrhododendrons。Abraceofblack-game，whicharenotusuallygardenbirds，roseatmyapproach。Thehousebeforemewastheordinarymoorlandfarm，withamorepretentiouswhitewashedwingadded。Attachedtothiswingwasaglassveranda，andthroughtheglassIsawthefaceofanelderlygentlemanmeeklywatchingme。
Istalkedovertheborderofcoarsehillgravelandenteredtheopenverandadoor。Withinwasapleasantroom，glassononeside，andontheotheramassofbooks。Morebooksshowedinaninnerroom。Onthefloor，insteadoftables，stoodcasessuchasyouseeinamuseum，filledwithcoinsandqueerstoneimplements。
Therewasaknee-holedeskinthemiddle，andseatedatit，withsomepapersandopenvolumesbeforehim，wasthebenevolentoldgentleman。Hisfacewasroundandshiny，likeMrPickwick’s，bigglasseswerestuckontheendofhisnose，andthetopofhisheadwasasbrightandbareasaglassbottle。HenevermovedwhenI
entered，butraisedhisplacideyebrowsandwaitedonmetospeak。
Itwasnotaneasyjob，withaboutfiveminutestospare，totellastrangerwhoIwasandwhatIwanted，andtowinhisaid。Ididnotattemptit。Therewassomethingabouttheeyeofthemanbeforeme，somethingsokeenandknowledgeable，thatIcouldnotfindaword。Isimplystaredathimandstuttered。
’Youseeminahurry，myfriend，’hesaidslowly。
Inoddedtowardsthewindow。Itgaveaprospectacrossthemoorthroughagapintheplantation，andrevealedcertainfigureshalfamileoffstragglingthroughtheheather。
’Ah，Isee，’hesaid，andtookupapairoffield-glassesthroughwhichhepatientlyscrutinizedthefigures。
’Afugitivefromjustice，eh？Well，we’llgointothematteratourleisure。MeantimeIobjecttomyprivacybeingbrokeninuponbytheclumsyruralpoliceman。Gointomystudy，andyouwillseetwodoorsfacingyou。Taketheoneontheleftandcloseitbehindyou。Youwillbeperfectlysafe。’
Andthisextraordinarymantookuphispenagain。
