\"I’vetouchednothinguntilI’vereachedwhatIconsidersanctuary，\"
heobserved。\"Mynerveshavegonerottenforthefirsttimeinmylife。Doyoumind，sir，ifIlockthedoor？\"
\"Goahead，\"SirHenryassented。
Hebroughtthewhiskyandsodahimselfacrosstheroom。Horridgeresumedhisseatandheldouthishandalmosteagerly。Foramomentortwoheshookasthoughhehadanague。Then，justassuddenlyasithadcomeuponhim，thefitpassed。Hedrainedthecontentsofthetumbleratagulp’setitdownemptybyhisside，andstretchedouthishandforacigar。
\"Theendofmyjourneydidn’thelpmattersany，\"hewenton。\"I
daren’tevenmakeforaDutchport，andwewerepickedupeventuallybyatrampsteamerfromNewcastletoLondonwithcoals。Ihadn’tbeenonboardmorethananhourbeforeasubmarinewhichhadbeenfollowingoverhauledus。Ithoughtitwasallupthen，butthefoglifted，andwefoundourselvesalmostinthemidstofasquadronofdestroyersfromHarwich。Imadeanothertransfer，andtheylandedmeintimetocatchtheearlymorningtrainfromFelixstowe。\"
\"Didtheygetthesubmarine？\"hislisteneraskedeagerly。
\"Getit！\"theotherrepeated，withasmile。\"Theyblewitintoscrapmetal。\"
\"Plentyofmovementinyourlife！\"
\"I’verunthegauntletoverthereoncetoooften，\"Horridgesaidgrimly。\"Justlookatmenow，SirHenry。I’mtwenty-nineyearsold，andit’sonlytwoyearsandahalfsinceIwasinvalidedoutofthenavyandtookthisjobon。ThelastpersonIaskedtoguessmyageputmedownatfifty。Whatshouldyouhavesaid？\"
\"Somewherenearit，\"wasthecandidadmission。\"Nevermind，Horridge，you’vedoneyourbit。Youshallpassonyourexperiencetoanewhand，takeyourpensionandtrythesouthcoastofEnglandforafewmonths。Nowlet’sgetonwithit。YouknowwhatIwanttohearabout。\"
Horridgeproducedfromhispocketalongstripofpaper。
\"They’rethere，sir，\"heannounced，\"coaledtothescuppers，everymanstandingtostationsandsteamup。There’sthelist。\"
HehandedthepaperacrosstoSirHenry，whoglanceditdown。
\"Thefastcruisersquadron，\"heobserved。\"Hm！Threenewshipswehaven’tanynoteof。Notransports，then，Horridge？’\"
\"Notasignofone，sir，\"wasthereply。\"They’reafterabombardment。\"
Herosetohisfeet，walkedtoagiantmapofEngland，andtouchedacertainportontheeastcoast。SirHenry’seyesglistened。
\"You’resure？\"
\"Itisacertainty，\"Horridgereplied。\"I’vebeenonthreeofthoseships。I’vedinedwithfouroftheofficers。They’reundersealedorders，andthecrewbelievesthatthey’regoingtoescortouthalfadozencommercedestroyers。ButIhavethetruth。That’stheirobjective，\"Horridgerepeated，touchingoncemorethespotuponthemap，\"andtheyarewaitingjustforonething。\"
SirHenrysmiledthoughtfully。
\"Iknowwhatthey’rewaitingfor，\"hesaid。\"Perhapsifthey’daHerrHorridgetosendoverhereforit，they’dhavegotitbeforenow。Asitis-well，I’mnotsure，\"hewenton。\"Itseemsapitytodisappointthem，doesn’tit？I’dlovetogivethemarunfortheirmoney。\"
Horridgesmiledfaintly。Heknewagooddealabouthiscompanion。
\"They’respoilingforit，sir，\"headmitted。SirHenryspokedownatelephoneandafewminuteslaterEnsolreappeared。
\"FindMr。Horridgeacomfortableroom，\"hischiefdirected，\"andoneofourconfidentialtypists。Youcanmakeoutyourreportatyourleisure，\"hewenton。\"Comeinandseemewhenit’sallfinished。\"
\"Certainly，sir，\"Horridgereplied，rising。
SirHenryheldouthishand。Helookedwithsomethinglikewonderatthenerve-shatteredmanwhohadrisentohisfeetwithacertainairofbriskness。
\"Horridge，\"hesaid，\"IwishIhadyourpluck。\"
\"Idon’tknowanyoneintheservicefromwhomyouneedborrowany，sir，\"wasthequietreply。
CHAPTERXIX
LessinghamsatuponafallentreeonDutchman’sCommonnearthesceneofhisromanticdescent，andlookedratherruefullyoverthemoorland，seawards。Abovehim，theskywascoveredwithlittlemassesofquicklyscuddingclouds。Afugitiveandwaterysunshineshonefeeblyuponawind-tossedseaandarain-soddenlandscape。
Hefoundacertaingrimsatisfactionincomparingthedisorderlinessofthedaywiththetumultinhisownlife。Hefeltthathehadembarkeduponanenterprisegreaterthanhiscapacity，forwhichhewasinmanywaysentirelyunsuitable。Andbehindhimwasthescourgeofthetelegramwhichhehadreceivedafewhoursago，atelegramharmlessenoughtoallappearance，butwhich，decoded，waslikeascourgetohisback。
Yourworkisunsatisfactoryandyourslacknessdeservesreprobation。
Greateventswaituponyou。Theobjectofyoursearchisnecessaryforourimminentoperations。
Thesoundofahorse’shoofsdisturbedhim。CaptainGriffiths，onagreatbaymare，glancedcuriouslyatthelonelyfigurebytheroadside，andthenpulledup。
\"Backagain，Mr。Lessingham？\"heremarked。
\"Asyousee。\"
TheCommandantfidgetedwithhishorseforamoment。ThenheapproachedalittlenearertoLessingham’sside。
\"Youareagoodwalker，Iperceive，Mr。Lessingham，\"heremarked。
\"Whenthefancytakesme，\"wastheequablereply。
\"Haveyoucomeouttoseeournewguns？\"
\"Ihadnoidea，\"Lessinghamansweredindifferently，\"thatyouhadany。\"
Griffithssmiled。
\"Wehaveasmallbatteryofanti-aircraftguns，newlyarrivedfromthesouthofEngland，\"hesaid。\"Thesecretoftheircomingandtheirlocalityhaskepttheneighbourhoodinastateoffermentforthelastweek。\"
Lessinghamremainedprofoundlyuninterested。
\"Theymostofthemspottedtheguns，\"hiscompanioncontinued，\"butnotmanyofthemhavefoundthesearchlightsyet。\"
\"Itseemsalittlelateintheyear，\"Lessinghamobserved，\"tobemakingpreparationsagainstZeppelins。\"
\"Well，theycrosshereprettyoften，youknow，\"Griffithsremindedhim。\"It’sonlyamatterofafewweeksagothatonealmostcametogriefonthiscommon。Wepickeduptheirobservationcarnotfiftyyardsfromwhereyouaresitting。\"
\"Irememberhearingaboutit，\"Lessinghamacknowledged。
\"By-the-by，\"theCommandantcontinued，smoothinghishorse’sneck，\"didn’tyouarrivethateveningortheeveningafter？\"
\"IbelieveIdid。\"
\"LiverpoolStreetorKing’sCross？TheKing’sCrosstrainwasverynearlyheldup。\"
\"Ididn’tcomebytrainatall，\"Lessinghamreplied，glancingforamomentintotheclouds，\"AndnowIcometothinkofit，itmusthavebeentheeveningafter。\"
\"Finecountyformotoring，\"Griffithscontinued，strokinghishorse’shead。
\"TheroadsIhavebeenonseemverygood，\"wasthesomewhatboredadmission。
\"Youhaven’tacarofyourownhere，haveyou？\"
\"Notatpresent。\"
CaptainGriffithsglancedbetweenhishorse’searsforafewmoments。
Thenheturnedoncemoretowardshiscompanion。
\"Mr。Lessingham，\"hesaid，\"youareawarethatIamCommandanthere？\"
\"Ibelieve，\"Lessinghamreplied，\"thatLadyCranstontoldmeso。\"
\"Itismyduty，therefore，\"Griffithswenton，\"totakealittlemorethanordinaryinterestincasualvisitors，especiallyatthistimeoftheyear。Thefactthatyouarewell-knowntoLadyCranstonis，ofcourse，anentirelysatisfactoryexplanationofyourpresencehere。Atthesametime，thereiscertaininformationconcerningstrangersofwhichwekeeparecord，andinyourcasethereisalineortwowhichwehavenotbeenabletofillup。\"
\"IfIcanbeofanyservice，\"Lessinghammurmured。
\"Precisely，\"theotherinterrupted。\"Iknewyouwouldfeellikethat。Nowyourarrivalhere-wehavethedate，Ithink-October6th。Asyouhavejustremarked，youdidn’tcomebytrain。Howdidyoucome？\"
Lessingham’ssurprisewasapparentlyquitegenuine。
\"Isthataquestionwhichyouaskmetoanswer-officially？\"heenquired。
Hisinterlocutorshruggedhisshoulders。
\"Iamnotputtingofficialquestionstoyouatall，\"hereplied，\"noramIcross-examiningyou，asmightbemyduty，underthecircumstances，simplybecauseyourfriendshipwiththeCranstonsis，ofcourse，aguaranteeastoyourposition。Butontheotherhand，Ithinkitwouldbereasonableifyouweretoanswermyquestion。\"
Lessinghamnodded。
\"Perhapsyouareright，\"headmitted。\"Asyoucantellbyfindingmeherethisafternoon，Iamagreatwalker。Iarrived-onfoot。\"
\"Isee，\"Griffithsreflected。\"Theotherquestionwhichweusuallyaskis，wherewasyourlaststoppingplace？\"
\"Stoppingplace？\"Lessinghammurmured。
\"Yes，wheredidyousleepthenightbeforeyoucamehere？\"Griffithspersisted。
Lessinghamshookhisheadasthoughoppressedbysomedistastefulmemory。
\"ButIdidnotsleepatall，\"hecomplained。\"ItwasoneoftheworstnightswhichIhaveeverspentinmylife。\"
CaptainGriffithsgathereduphisreins。
\"Well，\"hesaidwithclumsysarcasm，\"Iammuchobligedtoyou，Mr。
Lessingham，forthestraight-forwardwayinwhichyouhaveansweredmyquestions。Iwon’tbotheryouanymorejustatpresent。ShallIseeyouto-morrownightatMainsailHaul？\"
\"LadyCranstonhasaskedmetodine，\"wasthesomewhatreservedreply。
Hisinquisitornoddedandcanteredaway。Lessinghamlookedafterhimuntilhehaddisappeared，thenheturnedhisfacetowardsDreymarshandwalkedsteadilyintotheloweringafternoon。TwilightwasfallingashereachedMainsailHaul，wherehefoundPhilippaentertainingsomecallers，towhomshepromptlyintroducedhim。Lessinghamgathered，almostinthefirstfewminutes，thathispresenceinDreymarshwasbecomingasubjectofcomment。
\"Myhusbandhasplayedbridgewithyouattheclub，Ithink，\"aladybywhosesidehefoundhimselfobserved。\"Youperhapsdidn’thearmyname-Mrs。Johnson？\"
\"Icongratulateyouuponyourhusband，\"Lessinghamreplied。\"I
rememberhimperfectlywellbecausehekepthistemperwhenI
revoked。\"
\"Dearme！\"sheexclaimed。\"Hemusthavetakenafancytoyou，then。
Asarule，theyrathercomplainabouthimatbridge。\"
\"Iformedtheimpression，\"Lessinghamcontinued，\"thathewasratherabetterplayerthanthemajorityoftheperformersthere。\"
Mrs。Johnson，whowasadarkandsomewhatforbidding-lookinglady，smiled。
\"Hethinksso，atanyrate，\"sheconceded。\"Didn’thetellmethatyouwereinvalidedhomefromthefront？\"
Lessinghamshookhishead。
\"Iamquitesurethatitwasnotmentioned，\"hesaid。\"Wewalkedhometogetherasfarasthehoteloneevening，butwespokeonlyofthegolfandsomeshootingintheneighbourhood。\"
Philippa，whohadbeenmaneuveringtoattractLessingham’sattention，suddenlydroppedthecakebasketwhichshewaspassing。Therewasalittlecommotion。Lessinghamwentdownonhishandsandkneestohelpcollectthefragments，andshefoundanopportunitytowhisperinhisear。
\"Becareful。Thatwomanisacat。Stayandtalktome。Pleasedon’tbother，Mr。Lessingham。Won’tyouringthebellinstead？\"
shecontinued，raisinghervoice。
Lessinghamdidashewasasked，andaffectednottonoticeMrs。
Johnson’sinvitingsmileashereturned。Philippamaderoomforhimbyherside。
\"HelenandIweretalkingthisafternoon，Mr。Lessingham，\"shesaid，\"ofthedayswhenyouandDickwerebothintheMagdalenElevenandbothhadjustachanceofbeingchosenfortheVarsity。Youneverplayed，didyou？\"
Heshookhishead。
\"Nosuchluck。Inanycase，Richardwouldhavebeeninwellbeforeme。Ialwaysmaintainedthathewasthefirstofourgoogliebowlers。\"
\"SoyouwereatMagdalenwithMajorFelstead？\"anothercallerremarkedinmildwonder。
\"Mr。Lessinghamandmybrotherweregreatfriends，\"Philippaexplained。\"Mr。LessinghamusedtocomedowntoshootinCheshire。\"
LadyCranston’sguestswereallconsciousofalittleindefinabledisappointment。Thegossipconcerningthisstranger’sappearanceinDreymarshwaspracticallystrangled。Mrs。Johnson，however，firedapartingshotassherosetogo。
\"YouwerenotinthesameregimentasMajorFelstead，wereyou，Mr。
Lessingham？\"sheasked。\"No，\"heansweredcalmly。
Philippawasbusywithheradieux。Mrs。Johnsonremainedindomitable。
\"Whatwasyourregiment，Mr。Lessingham？\"shepersisted。\"Youmustforgivemyseeminginquisitive，butIamsointerestedinmilitaryaffairs。\"
Lessinghambowedcourteously。
\"Idonotrememberalludingtomysoldieringatall，\"hesaidcoolly，\"butasamatteroffactIamintheGuards。\"
Mrs。JohnsonacceptedPhilippa’shandandtheinevitable。Hergood-bytoLessinghamwasmostaffable。Shewalkeduptheroadwiththevicar。
\"Ithink，Vicar，\"shesaidseverely，\"thatforasmallplace，DreymarshisbecomingoneoftheworstcentresofgossipIeverknew。
EveryonehasbeensayingallsortsofunkindthingsaboutthatcharmingMr。Lessingham，andthereyouare-MajorFelstead’sfriendandaGuardsman！Somehoworother，Ifeltthathebelongedtooneofthecrackregiments。Ishallcertainlyaskhimtodinneronenightnextweek。\"
Thevicarnoddedbenignly。HehadtheutmostrespectforMrs。
Johnson’scook，andhisownstandardofsocialdesirability，towhichtheobjectoftheirdiscussionhadattained。
\"IshouldbehappytomeetMr。Lessinghamatanytime，\"hepronounced，withamplecondescension。InoticedhiminchurchlastSundaymorning。\"
CHAPTERXX
\"Mydearman，whatevershallIdowithyou！\"Philippaexclaimedpathetically，asthedoorcloseduponthelastofhercallers。
\"TheGuards，indeed！\"
Lessinghamsmiledasheresumedhisplacebyherside。
\"Well，\"hesaid，\"Itoldthedearladythetruth。Youwillfindmynamewellupinthelistofthethirty-firstbattalionofthePrussianGuards。\"
Shethrewherselfbackinherchairandlaughed。\"Howamusingitwouldbeifitweren’tallsoterrible！YoureallyareaperfectpoliticalRaffles。Doyouknowthatthisafternoonyouhaveabsolutelyreestablishedyourself？Mr。Johnsonwillprobablycallonyouto-morrow-theymayevenaskyoutodine-thevicarwillwriteandaskforasubscription，andDollyFenwickwillinviteyoutoplaygolfwithher。\"
\"Donotturnmyhead，\"hebegged。
\"Allthesame，\"Philippacontinued，moregravely，\"Ishallneverhaveamoment’speacewhilstyouareintheplace。Iwasthinkingaboutyoulastnight。Idon’tbelieveIhaveeverrealisedbeforehowterribleitwouldbeifyoureallywerediscovered。Whatwouldtheydotoyou？\"
\"Whatevertheymightdo，\"hereplied，alittlewearily，\"Imustobeyorders。Myordersaretoremainhere，butevenifIweretoldthatImightgo，Ishouldfindithard。\"
\"Doyoumeanthat？\"sheasked。
\"Ithinkyouknow，\"heanswered。
\"Youmenaresostrange，\"shewenton，afteramoment’spause。
\"Yougiveussolittletimetoknowyou，youshowussolittleofyourselvesandyouexpectsomuch。\"
\"Weoffereverything，\"heremindedher。
\"Iwanttoavoidplatitudes，\"shesaidthoughtfully，\"butislovequitethesamethingforamanasforawoman？=20
\"Sometimesitismore，\"wasthepromptreply。\"Sometimeslove，forawoman，meansonlyshelter；often，foraman，lovemeanstheblendingofallknowledge，ofallbeauty，allambition，ofallthathehaslearnedfrombooksandfromlife。Sometimesamancanseenofurtherandneedstolooknofurther。\"
Philippasuddenlyfeltthatshewasindanger。Therewassomethinginherheartofwhichshehadneverbeforebeenconscious，somemusic，somestrangeturnofsentimentinLessinghamsvoiceorthewordsthemselves。Itwasmadness，shetoldherselfbreathlessly。
Shewasinlovewithherhusband，ifanyone。Shecouldnothavelostallfeelingforhimsosoon。Sheclaspedherhandstightly。
Lessinghamseemedconsciousofhisadvantage，andleanedtowardsher。
\"IfIwerenotofferingyoumywholelife，\"hepleaded，\"believeme，Iwouldnotopenmylips。IfIwerethinkingofepisodes。I
wouldthrowmyselfintotheseabeforeIaskedyoutogivemeevenyourfingers。Butyou，andyoualone，couldfilltheplaceinmylifewhichIhavealwaysprayedmightbefilled，notforayearorevenadecadeofyears，butforeternity。\"
\"Oh，butyouforget！\"shefaltered。
\"Iremembersomuch，\"hereplied，\"thatIknowitishardforyoutospeak。Therearebondswhichyouhavemadesacred，andyourfingersshrinkfromtearingthemasunder。Ifitwerenotforthis，Philippa-hearthespeechofarenegade-mymandateshouldbetorninpieces。Myinstructionsshouldflutterintothewaste-paperbasket，To-morrowshouldseeusonourwaytoanewcountryandanewlife。Butyoumustbeverysureindeed。\"
\"Isitbecauseofmethatyouarestayinghere？\"sheasked。
\"Uponmyhonour，no，\"heassuredher。\"Imuststayherealittlelonger，whateveritmaymeanforme。AndsoIamcontenttoremainwhatIamtoyouatthisminute。Iaskfromyouonlythatyouremainjustwhatyouare。Butwhenthemomentofmyfreedomcomes，whenmytaskhereisfinishedandIturntogo，thenImustcometoyou。\"
Sherosesuddenlytoherfeet，crossedthefloor，andthrewopenthewindow。Thebreezesweptthroughtheroom，flappingthecurtains，blowingaboutloosearticlesintoastrangeconfusion。
Shestoodthereforseveralmoments，asthoughinsearchofsomerespitefromtheemotionalatmosphereuponwhichshehadturnedherback。Whenshefinallyclosedthewindow，herhairwasinlittlestrandsaboutherface。Hereyesweresoftandherlipsquivering。
\"Youmakemefeel，\"shesaid，takinghishandforamomentandlookingathimalmostpiteously，\"youmakemefeeleverythingexceptonething。\"
\"Exceptonething？\"herepeated。
\"Can’tyouunderstand？\"shecontinued，stretchingoutherhandwithaquick，impulsivelittlemovement。\"IamhereinHenry’shouse，hiswife，themistressofhishousehold。Alltheyearswe’vebeenmarriedIhaveneverthoughtofanotherman。Ihaveneverindulgedineventheidlestflirtation。Andnowsuddenlymylifeseemsupsidedown。Ifeelasthough，ifHenrystoodbeforemenow，I
wouldstrikehimonthecheek。Ifeelsoreallover，andashamed，butIdon’tknowwhetherIhaveceasedtolovehim。Ican’ttell。
Nothingseemstohelpme。IclosemyeyesandItrytothinkofthatnewworldandthatnewlife，andIknowthatthereisnothingrepulsiveinit。Ifeelallthejoyandthestrengthofbeingwithyou。AndthenthereisHenryinthebackground。Heseemstohavehadsomuchofmylove。\"
Hesawthetearsgatheringinhereyes，andhesmiledatherencouragingly。
\"RememberthatatthismomentIamaskingyoufornothing，\"besaid。
\"Justthinkthesethingsout。Itisn’treallyamatterforsorrow，\"
hecontinued。\"Lovemustalwaysmeanhappiness-fortheonewhoisloved。\"
Sheleanedhackinthecornerofthesofatowhichhehadledher，hereyesdrynowbutstillverysoftandsweet。Hesatbyherside，fingeringsomeofthethingsinherworkbasket。Oncesheheldoutherhandandseemedtofindcomfortinhisclasp。Heraisedherfingerstohislipswithoutanyprotestfromher。Shelookedathimwithalittlesmile。
\"Youknow，I’mnotatallanIbsenheroine，\"shedeclared。\"Ican’tseemywaylikethosewonderfulemancipatedwomen。\"
\"Yet，\"hesaidthoughtfully，\"thewaytothesimplethingsissoclear。\"
Confidenceswereatanendforatime，brokenupbytheentranceofNoraandHelen，andsomeyoungmenfromtheDepot，whohadlookedinforagameofbilliards。Lessinghamrosetoleaveassoonasthelatterhadreturnedtotheirgame。Histoneandmannernowwerecompletelychanged。Heseemedillateaseandunhappy。
\"Iamgoingtohaveaday’sfishingto-morrow，\"hetoldPhilippa，\"butImustadmitthatIhaveverylittlefaithinthismanOates。
Theyalltellmethatyourhusbandhasanynumberofchartsofthecoast。DoyouthinkIcouldborrowone？\"
\"Why，ofcourse，\"shereplied，\"ifwecanfindit。\"
Shetookhimovertoherhusband’sdesk，openedsuchofthedrawersaswerenotlocked，andsearchedamongsttheircontentsruthlessly。
Bythetimetheyhadfinishedthelastdrawer，Lessinghamhadquitealittlecollectionofcharts，moreorlessfinished，inhishand。
\"Idon’tknowwhereelsetolook，\"shesaid。\"Youmightgothroughthoseandseeiftheyareofanyuse。Whatisit，Mills？\"sheadded，turningtothedoor。
Millshadenterednoiselessly，andwaswatchingtheproceedingsatSirHenry’sdeskwithadistinctlackoffavour。Helookedawaytowardshismistress，however，ashereplied。
\"Theyoungwomanhascalledwithreferencetoasituationasparlour-maid，yourladyship，\"heannounced。\"Ihaveshownherintothesewingroom。\"LadyCranstonglancedattheclock。
\"Isha’n’tbemorethanfiveortenminutes，\"shepromisedLessingham。
\"JustlookthroughthosetillIcomeback。\"
Shehurriedaway，leavingLessinghamaloneintheroom。Hestoodforamomentlistening。Ontheleft-handside，throughthedoorwhichhadbeenleftajar，hecouldheartheclickofbilliardballsandoccasionalpealsoflaughter。Ontheright-handsidetherewassilence。Hemovedswiftlyacrosstheroomandclosedthedoorleadingintothebilliardroom，depositedonthesofathechartswhichhehadbeencarrying，andhurriedbacktothesecretary。Withasickeningfeelingofoverwhelmingguilt，hedrewfromhispocketakeyandopened，onebyone，thedrawersthroughwhichtheyhadnotsearched。
Ittookhimbarelyfiveminutestodiscover-nothing。Withanairofreliefherearrangedeverything。WhenPhilippareturned，hewassittingonthelounge，goingthroughthechartswhichtheyhadlookedouttogether。
\"Well？\"sheasked。
\"Thereisnothinghere，\"hedecided，\"whichwillhelpmeverymuch。
WithyourpermissionIwilltakethis，\"headded，selectingoneatrandom。
Shenoddedandtheyreplacedtheothers。Thenshetouchedhimonthearm。
\"Listen，\"shesaid，\"areyouperfectlycertainthatthereisnoonecoming？\"
Helistenedforamoment。
\"Ican’thearanyone，\"heanswered。\"They’vestartedafour-handedgameofpoolinthebilliardroom。
Shesmiled。
\"ThenIwilldisclosetoyouHenry’sdramaticsecret。See！\"
Shetouchedthespringinthesideofthesecretary。Thefalseback，withitslittlecollectionoffishingflies，rolledslowlyup。ThelargeandverywonderfulchartonwhichSirHenryhadbestowedsomuchofhistime，wasrevealed。=20Lessinghamgazedatiteagerly。
\"There！\"shesaid。\"ThathasbeenagreatlabouroflovewithHenry。Itisthechart，onagreatscale，fromwhichheworks。I
don’tknowathingaboutit，andforheaven’ssakenevertellHenrythatyouhaveseenit。\"
Hecontinuedtoexaminethechartearnestly。Notapartofitescapedhim。ThenheturnedbacktoPhilippa。
\"Isthatsupposedtobethecoastontheothersideofthepoint？\"
heasked。
\"Idon’texactlyknowwhereitis，\"shereplied。\"EverytimeHenryfindsoutanythingnew，hecomesandworksatit。Ibelievethatverysoonitwillbeperfect。Thenhewillstartonanotherpartofthecoast。\"
\"Thisisnottheonlyonethathehasprepared，then？\"Lessinghamenquired。
Sheshookherhead。
\"Ibelieveitisthefifth，\"shereplied。\"Theyalldisappearwhentheyarefinished，butIhavenoideawhereto。Tometheyseemtorepresentashockingwasteoftime。\"
Lessinghamwassuddenlytaciturn。Heheldouthishand。\"Youarediningwithusto-morrownight，remember，\"shesaid。
\"Iamnotlikelytoforget，\"heassuredher。
\"Anddon’tgetdrowned，\"sheconcluded。\"Idon’tknowanyofthesefishermen-Ihatethemall-butI’mtoldthatOatesistheworst。\"
\"Ithinkthatweshallbequiteallright，\"heassuredher。\"Thanksverymuchforfindingmethecharts。WhatIhaveseenwillhelpme。\"
Helencameinforamomentandtheirfarewellwasmoreorlessperfunctory。Lessinghamwasalmostthankfultoescape。Therewasanunusualflushinhischeeks，asenseofbitterhumiliationinhisheart。Allthefervourwithwhichhehadstartedonhisperilousquesthadfadedaway。Nosenseofdutyorpatriotismcouldrevivehisdroopingspirits。Hefelthimselfsuddenlyanuncleananddishonouredbeing。
CHAPTERXXI
Towardsthreeo’clockonthefollowingafternoon，theboisterouswindofanuncertainmorningsettleddowntoworsethings。Ittorethesprayfromthecrestofthegatheringwaves，dasheditevenagainsttheFrenchwindowsofMainsailHaul，andcameboomingdowntheopenspacescliffwards，liketherumbleofsomesubterraneanartillery。AlittlegroupoffishermeninoilskinsleanedovertherailinganddiscussedthechancesofBenOatesbringinghisboatinsafely。Philippa，also，distractedbyacuriousanxiety，stoodbeforetheblurredwindow，gazingintowhatseemedalmostagreychaos。\"CaptainGriffiths，yourladyship。\"
Sheturnedaroundquicklyattheannouncement。Evenanunwelcomecalleratthatmomentwasalmostarelieftoher。
\"Howniceofyoutocomeandseemeonsuchanafternoon，CaptainGriffiths，\"sheexclaimed，astheyshookhands。\"HelenisoverattheCanteen，Noraishardatworkforonceinherlife，andIseemmostdolefullyalone。\"
Hervisitor’sreceptionofPhilippa’sgreetingpromisedlittleinthewayofenlivenment。Heseemedmoreawkwardandillateasethanever，andhistonewasalmostthreatening。
\"Iamverygladtofindyoualone，LadyCranston，\"hesaid。\"Icamespeciallytohaveafewwordswithyouonacertainmatter。\"
Hermomentaryimpulseofreliefathisvisitpassedaway。Thereseemedtohersomethingsinisterinhismanner。Shewassuddenlyconsciousthattherewasanewdangertobefaced，andthatthisman’sattitudetowardsherwas，forsomereasonorother，inimical。
Afterthefirstshock，however，shepreparedherselftodobattle。
\"Well，youseemverymysterious，\"sheobserved。\"Ihaven’tbrokenanylaws，haveI？Nolightsflashingfromanyofmywindows？\"
\"SofarasIamaware，therearenocomplaintsofthesort，\"theCommandantacknowledged，stillspeakingwithanunnaturalrestraint。
\"Mycall，Ihope，mayhetermed，tosomeextent，atleast，afriendlyone。\"
\"Hownice！\"shesighed。\"Thenyou’llhavesometea，won’tyou？\"
\"Notatpresent，ifyouplease，\"hebegged。\"IhavecometotalktoyouaboutMr。HamarLessingham。\"
\"Really？\"Philippaexclaimed。\"Whateverhasthatpoormanbeendoingnow。\"
\"Dreymarsh，\"hervisitorproceeded，\"havingbeenconstituted，duringthelastfewmonths，aprotectedarea，itismydutytoexamineandenquireintothebusinessofanystrangerwhoappearshere。Mr。HamarLessinghamhasbeenlargelyacceptedwithoutcomment，owingtohisfriendshipwithyou。Iregrettostate，however，thatcertainfactshavecometomyknowledgewhichmakemewonderwhetheryouyourselfmaynotinsomemeasurehavebeendeceived。\"
\"Thissoundsveryridiculous，\"Philippainterposedquietly。
\"Afewweeksago，\"CaptainGriffithcontinued，\"wereceivedinformationthatthisneighbourhoodwouldprobablybevisitedbysomepersonconnectedwiththeSecretServiceofGermany。ThereisstrongevidencethatthepersoninquestionisMr。HamarLessingham。\"
\"AgraduateofMagdalen，mybrother’sintimatefriend，andafrequentvisitoratmyfather’shouseinCheshire，\"Philippaobserved，withfaintsarcasm。
\"Thepossibilityofyourhavingmadeamistake，LadyCranston，\"
CaptainGriffithsrejoined，\"has，Imustconfess，onlyjustoccurredtome。TheauthoritiesatMagdalenCollegehavebeenappealedto，andnooneofthenameofLessinghamwasthereduringanyoneofyourbrother’sterms。\"
Philippatooktheblowwell。Shesimplystaredathercallerinanoncomprehendingmanner。
\"Wehavealsoinformation，\"hecontinuedgravely，\"fromWoodNortonHall-fromyourmother，infact，LadyCranston-thatnocollegefriendofyourbrother，ofthatname，hasevervisitedWoodNorton。\"
\"Goon，\"Philippabegged，alittlefaintly。\"DidIeverlivetheremyself？WasRichardeveratMagdalen？\"
CaptainGriffithsproceededwiththeairofamanwhohasatasktofinishandintendstodoso，regardlessofinterruptions。
\"IhavehadsomeconversationwithMr。Lessingham，inthecourseofwhichIaskedhimtoexplainhismethodofreachinghere，andhislasthabitation。Hesimplyfencedwithmeinthemostbarefacedfashion。Hepracticallydeclinedtogivemeanyaccountofhimself。\"
Philipparoseandrangthebell。
\"IsupposeImustgiveyousometea，\"shesaid，\"althoughyouseemtohavecomehereonpurposetomakemyheadache。\"
\"Myobjectincominghere，\"CaptainGriffithsrejoined，alittlestiffly，\"istosaveyousomemeasureofpersonalannoyance。\"
\"Oh，pleasedon’tthinkthatIamungrateful，\"Philippabegged。
\"Ofcourse，itisallsomeabsurdmistake，andI’msureweshallgettothebottomofitpresently-Tellmewhatyouthinkofthestorm？\"
sheadded，asMillsenteredwiththeteatray。\"Doyouthinkitwillgetanyworse，becauseIamterrifiedtodeathalready？\"
\"Iamnojudgeoftheweatherhere，\"heconfessed。\"Ibelievethefishermenarepreparingforsomethingunusual。\"
Sheseatedherselfbeforetheteatrayandinsisteduponperformingherdutiesashostess。Afterwardsshelaidherhanduponhisarmandaddressedhimwithanairofcompletecandour。
\"Now，CaptainGriffiths，\"shebegan，\"dolistentome。Justonemomentofcommonsense，ifyouplease。WhatdoyousupposetherecouldpossiblybeinourharmlessseasidevillagetoinduceanyonetoriskhislifebycominghereonbehalfoftheSecretServiceofGermany？\"
\"Dreymarsh，\"CaptainGriffithsreplied，\"wasnotmadeaprohibitedareafornothing。\"
\"But，mydearman，bereasonable，\"Philippapersisted。\"Thereareperhapsathousandsoldiersintheplace，theusualpreparationsalongthecliffforcoastdefence，asmallbatteryofanti-aircraftguns，andacoupleofsearchlights。Thereisn’tagrocer’sboyintheplacewhodoesn’tknowallthis。There’snoconcealmentaboutit。YoumustadmitthatGermanydoesn’tneedtosendoveraSecretServiceagenttoacquaintherselfwiththeseinsignificantfacts。\"
Hervisitorsmiledveryfaintly。Itwasthefirsttimehehadrelaxedevensofarasthis。
\"IamnotinpossessionofanyinformationwhichIcanimparttoyou，LadyCranston，\"hesaid，\"butIamnotpreparedtoacceptyourstatementthatDreymarshcontainsnothingofgreaterinterestthanthethingswhichyouhavementioned。\"
TherewasnonecessityforPhilippatoplayapartnow。Thesuggestioncontainedinhervisitor’swordshadreallyleftherinastateofwonder。
\"Youaremakingmyfleshcreep！\"sheexclaimed。\"Youdon’tmeantosaythatwehavesecretshere？\"
\"Ihavesaidthelastwordwhichitispossibleformetosayuponthesubject，\"hedeclared。\"Youwillunderstand，Iamsure，thatIamnothereinthecharacterofaninquisitor。Isimplythoughtitmyduty，inviewofthefactthatyouhadmadeyourselfthesocialsponsorforMr。Lessingham，toplacecertaininformationbeforeyou，andtoask，unofficially，ofcourse，ifyouhaveanyexplanationtogive？Youmayeven，\"hewenton，hesitatingly，\"appreciatethemotiveswhichledmetodoso。\"
\"Mydearman，whatexplanationcouldIhave？\"Philippaprotested，\"itisanabsoluteandundeniablefactthatMr。LessinghamwasatMagdalenwithmybrother，andalsothathevisitedusatWoodNorton。Iknowboththesethingsofmyownknowledge。Theonlypossibleexplanation，therefore，isthatyouhavebeenmisinformed。\"
\"Or，\"CaptainGriffithsventured，\"thatMr。HamarLessinghaminthosedayspassedunderanothername。\"
\"Anothername？\"Philippafaltered。
\"Somesuchname，perhaps，\"hecontinued，\"asBertramMaderstrom\"
Therewasashortsilence。CaptainGriffithshadleanedbackinhischairandwascaressinghisupperlip。HiseyeswerefixeduponPhilippaandPhilippasawnothing。Herlittleheeldughardintothecarpet。Inafewsecondstheroomceasedtospin。
Nevertheless，hervoicesoundedtoherpitifullyinadequate。
\"Whatanabsurdityallthisis！\"sheexclaimed。
\"Maderstrom，\"CaptainGriffithssaidthoughtfully，\"was，curiouslyenough，anintimatecollegefriendofyourbrother’s。HewasalsoavisitoratWoodNortonHall。AtneitherplaceisthereanytraceofMr。HamarLessingham。Perhapsyouhavemadeamistake，LadyCranston。Perhapsyouhaverecognisedthemanandfailedtorememberhisname。Ifso，nowisthemoment。todeclareit。\"
\"Iamverymuchobligedtoyou，\"Philipparetorted，\"butIhavenevermetorheardofthisMr。Maderstrom-\"
\"BaronMaderstrom，\"heinterrupted。
\"BaronMaderstrom，then，inmylife；whereasMr。LessinghamI
rememberperfectly。\"
\"Iamsorry，\"CaptainGriffithssaid，settingdownhisemptyteacupandrisingslowlytohisfeet。\"Wecannothelponeanother，then。\"
\"IfyouwantmetotransferMr。Lessingham，whomIrememberperfectly，intoaGermanbaronwhomIneverheardof，\"Philippadeclaredboldly，\"Iamafraidthatwecan’t。\"
\"BaronMaderstromwasaSwedishnobleman，\"CaptainGriffithsobserved。
\"SwedishorGerman，Iknownothingofhim，\"Philippapersisted。
\"Thereremains，then，nothingmoretobesaid。\"
\"Iamafraidnot，\"Philippaagreedsweetly。
\"Underthecircumstances，\"CaptainGriffithsasked，\"youwillnot，Iamsure，expectmetodineto-night\"
\"NotifyouobjecttomeetingMr。HamarLessingham，\"Philippareplied。
Hervisitor’sfacesuddenlydarkened，andPhilippawonderedvaguelywhetheranythingmorethanprofessionalsuspicionwasresponsibleforthatlittlestormofpassionwhichforamomenttransformedhisappearance。Hequicklyrecovered，however。
\"Imaystill，\"heconcluded，movingtowardsthedoor，\"beforcedtopresentmyselfhereinanothercapacity。\"
CHAPTERXXII
Theconfinementofthehouse，afterthedepartureofherunwelcomevisitor，stifledPhilippa。Attiredinamackintosh，withascarfaroundherhead，shemadeherwayontothequay，and，clingingtotherailing，draggedherselfalongtowherethefishermenweregatheredtogetherinalittlegroup。Thestormasyetshowednosignsofabatement。
\"HasanythingbeenheardofBenOates’boat？\"sheenquired。
Anoldfishermanpointedseawards。
\"Thereshecomes，ma’am，uponthecrestofthatwave；look！\"
\"Willshegetin？\"Philippaaskedeagerly。
Therewerevariedopinions，expressedinindistinctmutterings。
\"She’sweatheringitgrand，\"thefishermantowhomshehadfirstspoken，declared。\"We’vealinereadyyonder，andwe’rereckoningongetting’emashoreallright。LuckyforBenthatthegentlemanalongwithhimisafinesailor。Lookatthat，mum！\"headdedinexcitement。\"Seethewayhebroughtherheadroundtoit，justintime。Boys，they’llcomeinonthenextone！\"
Onebyonethesailorsmadetheirwaytotheveryedgeofthewave-splashedbeach。Therewereafewmoreminutesofbreathlessanxiety。Then，aftertheboathaddisappearedcompletelyfromsight，hiddenbyahugegreywallofsea，sheseemedsuddenlytoclimbtothetopofit，tohoverthere，tobecomemixedupwiththesprayandthesurfandagreatgreenmassofwaters，andthenfinally，withaharshcrashoftimbersandashoutfromthefishermen，tobeflunghighanddryuponthestones。Philippa，clutchingtheironrailing，sawforamomentnothingbutchaos。Herkneesbecameweak。Shewasunabletomove。Therewasaqueerdizzinessinherears。Thesoundofvoicessoundedlikepartofanunrealnightmare。Thenshewasawareofasinglefigureclimbingthestepstowardsher。Therewasbloodtricklingdownhisfacefromthewoundintheforehead，andhewaslimpingslightly。
\"Mr。Lessingham！\"shecalledout，ashereachedthetopmoststep。
Hetookaneagersteptowardsher。
\"Philippa！\"heexclaimed。\"Why，whatareyoudoinghere？\"
\"Iwasfrightened，\"shefaltered。\"Areyouhurt？\"
\"Notintheleast，\"heassuredher。\"Wehadaroughsailhome，that’sall，andthatfellowOatesdrankhimselfhalfunconscious。
Comealong，letmehelpyouupthestepsandoutofthis。\"
Sheclungtohisarm，andtheystruggleduptheprivatepathtothehouse。Millslettheminwithmanyexpressionsofconcern，andHelencamehurryingtothemfromthebackground。
\"Iwentouttoseethestorm，\"Philippaexplainedweakly，\"andI
sawMr。Lessingham’sboatbroughtin。\"
\"AndMr。Lessinghamwillcomethiswayatonce，\"Heleninsisted。
\"Ihaven’thadarealcasesinceIgotmycertificate，andI’mgoingtobindhisheadup。\"
Philippabegantofeelherstrengthreturning。Thehorrorwhichlaybehindthosefewminutesofnightmareroseupagaininhermind。
Millshadhurriedonintothebathroom，andtheothertwowerepreparingtofollow。Shestoppedthem。
\"Mr。Lessingham，\"shesaid，\"listen。CaptainGriffithshasbeenhere。Heknowsorguesseseverything。\"
\"Everything？\"
Philippanodded。
\"Helenmustbindyourheadup，ofcourse，\"shecontinued。\"Afterthat，think！Whatcanwedo？CaptainGriffithsknowsthattherewasnoHamarLessinghamatcollegewithDick，thathenevervisitedWoodNorton，thatthereissomemysteryaboutyourarrivalhere，andhetoldmetomyfacethathebelievesyoutobeBertramMaderstrom。\"
\"Whatameddlesomefellow！\"Lessinghamgrumbled，holdinghishandkerchieftohisforehead。
\"Oh，pleasebeserious！\"Helenbegged，lookingupfromthebandagewhichshewaspreparing。\"Thisishorrible！\"
\"Don’tIknowit！\"Philippagroaned。\"Mr。Lessingham，youmustpleasetryandescapefromhere。Youcanhavethecar，ifyoulike。
Theremustbesomeplacewhereyoucangoandhideuntilyoucangetawayfromthecountry。\"
\"ButI’mdininghereto-night，\"Lessinghamprotested。\"I’mnotgoingtohideanywhere。\"
Thetwowomenexchangedglancesofdespair。
\"Can’tImakeyouunderstand！\"Philippaexclaimedpathetically。
\"You’reindangerhere-reallyindanger！\"
Lessingham’sdemeanourshowednoappreciationofthesituation。
\"Ofcourse，Icanquiteunderstand，\"hesaid，\"thatGriffithsissuspiciousaboutme，but，afterall，noonecanprovethatIhavebrokenthelawhere，andIshallnotmakethingsanybetterbyattemptinganoperabouffeflight。CanIhavemyheadtiedupandcomeandtalktoyouaboutitlateron？\"
\"Oh，ifyoulike，\"Philippaassentedweakly。\"Ican’targue。\"
Shemadeherwayuptoherroomandchangedherwetclothes。Whenshecamedown，Lessinghamwasstandingonthehearthruginthelibrary，withapieceofbutteredtoastinonehandandacupofteaintheother。Hisheadwasveryneatlyboundup，andheseemedquiteathisease。
\"Youknow，\"bebegan，ashewheeledachairuptothefireforher，\"thatmanGriffithsdoesn’tlikeme。Henevertooktomefromthefirst，Icouldseethat。Ifitcomestothat，Idon’tlikeGriffiths。
Heisoneofthosemean，suspicioussortofcharacterswecouldverywelldowithout。\"
Philippa，whohadrehearsedalittlespeechseveraltimesinherbedroom，triedtobefirm。
\"Mr。Lessingham，\"shesaid，\"youknowthatwearebothyourfriends。
Dolisten，please。CaptainGriffithsisCommandanthereandinapositionofauthority。Hehasaverylargepower。Ihonestlybelievethatitishisintentiontohaveyouarrested-ifnotto-night，withinaveryfewdays。\"
\"Idonotseehowhecan，\"Lessinghamobjected，helpinghimselftoanotherpieceoftoast。\"Ihavecommittednocrimehere。Ihaveplayedgolfwithalltherespectableoldgentlemenintheplace，andIhavegiventhecommitteesomeexcellentadviceastothetwonewholes。Ihaveplayedbridgedownattheclub-wewillcallitbridge！-andIhavekeptmytemperlikeanangel。IhavedinedatMessandtoldthematleastadozennewstories。Ihavekeptmyblindsdrawnatnight，andIhavenotawirelesssecretedupthechimney。Ireallycannotseewhattheycoulddotome。\"
Philippatriedbluntness。
\"YouhaveservedintheGermanarmy，andyouarelivinginaprotectedareaunderafalsename，\"shedeclared。
\"Well，ofcourse，thereissometruthinwhatyousay，\"headmitted，\"buteveniftheyhavetumbledtothatandcanproveit，Ishoulddonogoodbyrunningaway。Tobeperfectlyserious，\"headded，settinghiscupdown，\"thereisonlyonethingatthepresentmomentwhichwouldtakemeoutofDreymarsh，andthatisifyoubelievethatmypresenceherewouldfurthercompromiseyouandMissFairclough。\"
Philippawasbeginningtofindhercourage。\"We’reinitalready，uptotheneck，\"sheobserved。\"Ireallydon’tseethatanythingmatterssofarasweareconcerned。\"
\"Inthatcase，\"hedecided，\"Ishallhavethehonourofpresentingmyselfattheusualtime。\"
