Hethinksthepeopleelectedhim。IknowIdid。NoraNashvillewasgettingfiftydollarsaweekinvaudevillewhenItookholdofher；nowshegetsathousand。IevenmadepeoplebelieveMrs。Hampton—RhodeswasasocietyleaderatNewport，whenallsheeversawofNewportwasBergersandtheMuschenheim—Kings。Why，IamthemanthatmadetheAmericanPeoplebelieveRussiandancerscandance！\"
\"It’splaintoseeyouhateyourself，\"said’Peter。\"Youmustnotgetsodespondentoryoumightcommitsuicide。Howmuchmoneywillyouwant？\"
\"Howmuchhaveyougot？\"
\"Allkinds，\"saidPeter。\"Someinaletter—of—creditthatmyfatherearnedfromthefretfulpig，andmuchmoreincashthatIwonatpokerfromthepashas。Whenthat’sgoneI’vegottogotoworkandearnmyliving。MeanwhileyoursalaryisahundredaweekandallyouneedtoboostGilmanandtheOrderoftheCrescent。WearenowtheGilmanDefense，Publicity，andDevelopmentCommittee，andyouwillbeginbyintroducingmetothemanIamtobribe。\"
\"Inthiscountryyoudon’tneedanyintroductiontothemanyouwanttobribe，\"exclaimedStetson；\"youjustbribehim！\"
Thatsamenightinthesmoking—roomofthehotel，PeterandStetsonmadetheirfirstmoveinthegameofwinningforProfessorGilmantheOrderoftheCrescent。StetsonpresentedPetertoayoungeffendiinafrockcoatandfez。StetsoncalledhimOsman。Hewasaclerkintheforeignofficeandappearedtobe\"afriendofafriendofafriend\"oftheassistantthirdsecretary。
Thefivevolumesofthe\"RiseandFall\"werespreadbeforehim，andPeterdemandedtoknowwhysodistinguishedascholarasDoctorGilmanhadnotreceivedsomerecognitionfromthecountryhehadsosympatheticallydescribed。Osmanfingeredthevolumesdoubtfully，andpromisedthemattershouldbebroughtatoncetotheattentionofthegrandvizier。
AfterhehaddepartedStetsonexplainedthatOsmanhadjustaslittlechanceofgettingwithinspeakingdistanceofthegrandvizierasoftheladiesofhisharem。
\"It’slikeTammany，\"saidStetson；\"therearesachems，districtleaders，andlieutenants。Eachofthemisentitledtotradeorgiveawayafewofthesedecorations，justaseachdistrictleadergetshispercentageofjobsinthestreetcleaningdepartment。Thisfellowwillgotohispatron，hispatronwillgotosomeundersecretaryinthecabinet，hewillputituptoapalacefavorite，andtheywilldivideyourmoney。
\"Intimetheministerofforeignaffairswillsignyourbrevetandahundredothers，withoutknowingwhatheissigning；thenyoucableme，andtheStaroftheCrescentwillburstupontheUnitedStatesinawaythatwillmakeHalley’scometlooklikeawaxmatch。\"
ThenextdayStetsonandthetutorsailedforhomeandPeterwasleftalonetopursue，ashesupposed，theOrderoftheCrescent。Onthecontrary，hefoundthattheOrderoftheCrescentwaspursuinghim。Hehadnotappreciatedthat，fromunderlingsandbackstairpoliticians，anitinerantshowmanlikeStetsonandtheonlysonofanAmericanCroesuswouldreceiveverydifferenttreatment。
Withintwenty—fourhoursafatmanwithablue—blackbeardanddiamondringscalledwithOsmantoapologizeforthelatter。Osman，thefatmanexplained——hadbeenabouttomakeafatalerror。ForDoctorGilmanhehadaskedtheOrderoftheCrescentofthefifthclass，thesameclassthathadbeengivenStetson。Thefifthclass，thefatmanexplained，wasallverywellfortradesmen，dragomans，andeunuchs，butasanhonorforasavantasdistinguishedasthefriendofhis。
Hallowell，thefourthclasswouldhardlybehighenough。Thefees，thefatmanadded，wouldAlsobehigher；but，hepointedout，itwasworththedifference，becausethefourthclassentitledthewearertoasalutefromallsentries。
\"TherearefewsentriesatStillwater，\"saidPeter；\"butI
wantthebestandIwantitquick。Getmethefourthclass。\"
ThenextmorninghewassurprisedbyanearlyvisitfromStimsonoftheembassy。Thesecretarywasconsiderablyannoyed。
\"MydearHallowell，\"heprotested，\"whythedevildidn’tyoutellmeyouwantedadecoration？OfcoursetheStatedepartmentexpresslyforbidsustoaskforoneforourselves，orforanyoneelse。Butwhat’stheConstitutionbetweenfriends？I’llgetitforyouatonce——but，ontwoconditions：
thatyoudon’ttellanybodyIgotit，andthatyoutellmewhyyouwantit，andwhatyoueverdidtodeserveit。\"
Instead，Peterexplainedfullyandsosympatheticallythatthediplomatdemandedthathe，too，shouldbeenrolledasoneoftheGilmanDefenseCommittee。
\"DoctorGilman’shistory，\"hesaid，\"mustbepresentedtotheSultan。Youmusthavethefivevolumesreboundinredandgreen，thecolorsofMohammed，andwithasmuchgoldtoolingastheycancarry。Ihope，\"headded，theyarenotsoiled。\"
\"Notbyme，\"Peterassuredhim。
\"Iwilltakethemmyself，\"continuedStimson，\"toMuleyPasha，theministerofforeignaffairs，andaskhimtopresentthemtohisImperialMajesty。Hewillpromisetodoso，buthewon’t；butheknowsIknowhewon’tsothatisallright。AndinreturnhewillpresentuswiththeOrderoftheCrescentofthethirdclass。\"
\"Goingup！\"exclaimedPeter。\"Thethirdclass。Thatwillcostmemyentireletter—of—credit。\"
\"Notatall，\"saidStimson。\"I’vesavedyoufromthegrafters。Itwillcostyouonlywhatyoupaytohavethebooksrebound。AndtheTHIRDclassisarealhonorofwhichanyonemightbeproud。Youwearitroundyourneck，andatyourfuneralitentitlesyoutoanescortofathousandsoldiers。\"
\"I’dratherputupwithfewersoldiers，\"saidPeter，\"andwearitlongerroundmyneckWhat’sthematterwithourgettingthesecondclassorthefirstclass？\"
AtsuchignoranceStimsoncouldnotrepressasmile。
\"Thefirstclass，\"heexplainedpatiently，\"istheGreatGrandCross，andisgivenonlytoreigningsovereigns。ThesecondiscalledtheGrandCross，andisbestowedonlyoncrownedprinces，primeministers，andmenofworld—widefame……\"
\"What’sthematterwithDoctorGilman’sbeingofworld—widefame？\"saidPeter。\"Hewillbesomeday，whenStetsonstartsboosting。\"
\"Someday，\"retortedStimsonstiffly，\"Imaybeanambassador。WhenIamIhopetogettheGrandCrossoftheCrescent，butnotnow。I’msorryyou’renotsatisfied，\"headdedaggrievedly。\"Noonecangetyouanythinghigherthanthethirdclass，andImaylosemyofficialheadaskingforthat。\"
\"NothingistoogoodforoldmanGilman，\"saidPeter，\"norforyou。Yougetthethirdclassforhim，andI’llhavefathermakeyouanambassador。\"
ThatnightatpokerattheclubPetersatnexttoPrinceAbdul，whohadcomefromareceptionattheGrandvizier’sandstillworehisdecorations。DecorationsnowfascinatedPeter，andthoseonthecoatoftheyoungprinceheregardedwithwide—eyedawe。HealsoregardedAbdulwithwide—eyedawe，becausehewasthefavoritenephewoftheSultan，andbecauseheenjoyedthereputationofhavingtheworstreputationinTurkey。Peterwonderedwhy。HealwayshadfoundAbdulcharming，distinguished，courteoustothevergeofhumility，mostcleverlycynical，mostbrilliantlyamusing。Atpokerhealmostinvariablywon，andwhiledoingsowassopolitelybored，soindifferenttohiscardsandthecardsheldbyothers，thatPeterdeclaredhehadnevermethisequal。
Inapauseinthegame，whilesomeonetorethecoveroffafreshpack，PeterpointedatthestarofdiamondsthatnestledbehindthelapelofAbdul’scoat。
\"MayIaskwhatthatis？\"saidPeter。
Theprincefrownedathisdiamondsunburstasthoughitannoyedhim，andthensmileddelightedly。
\"Itisanorder，\"hesaidinaquickaside，\"bestowedonlyuponmenofworld—widefame。Idinedto—night，\"heexplained，\"withyourcharmingcompatriot，Mr。JosephStimson。\"
\"AndJoetold？\"saidPeter。
Theprincenodded。\"Joetold，\"herepeated；\"butitisallarranged。Yourdistinguishedfriend，theSageofStillwater，willreceivetheCrescentofthethirdclass。\"
Peter’seyeswerestillfastenedhungrilyuponthediamondsunburst。
\"Why，\"hedemanded，\"can’tsomeonegethimonelikethat？\"
Asthoughabouttotakeoffensetheprinceraisedhiseyebrows，andthenthoughtbetterofitandsmiled。
\"ThereareonlytwomeninallTurkey，\"hesaid，\"whocoulddothat。\"
\"AndistheSultantheotherone？\"askedPeter。Theprincegaspedasthoughhehadsuddenlysteppedbeneathacoldshower，andthenlaughedlongandsilently。
\"Youflatterme，\"hemurmured。
\"Youknowyoucouldifyouliked！\"whisperedPeterstoutly。
ApparentlyAbduldidnothearhim。\"Iwilltakeonecard，\"hesaid。
Towardtwointhemorningtherewasseventy—fivethousandfrancsinthepot，andallsavePrinceAbdulandPeterhaddroppedout。\"Willyoudivide？\"askedtheprince。
\"WhyshouldI？\"saidPeter。\"I’vegotyoubeatnow。Doyouraisemeorcall？\"Theprincecalledandlaiddownafullhouse。Petershowedfourtens。
\"Iwilldealyouonehand，doubleorquits，\"saidtheprince。
OvertheendofhiscigarPetersquintedatthegreatheapofmother—of—pearlcountersandgold—piecesandbank—notes。
\"Youwillpaymedoublewhatisonthetable，\"hesaid，\"oryouquitowingmenothing。\"
Theprincenodded。
\"Goahead，\"saidPeter。
Theprincedealtthemeachahandanddiscardedtwocards。
Peterheldaseven，apairofkings，andapairoffours。
Hopingtodrawanotherking，whichmightgivehimathreehigherthanthethreeheldbyAbdul，hethrewawaythesevenandthelowerpair。Hecaughtanotherking。Theprinceshowedthreequeensandshruggedhisshoulders。
Peter，leaningtowardhim，spokeoutofthecornerofhismouth。
\"I’llmakeyouasportingproposition，\"hemurmured。\"Youowemeahundredandfiftythousandfrancs。\"I’llstakethatagainstwhatonlytwomenintheempirecangiveme。\"
Theprinceallowedhiseyestotravelslowlyroundthecircleofthetable。ButthepuzzledglancesoftheotherplayersshowedthattothemPeter’sproposalconveyednomeaning。
Theprincesmiledcynically。
\"Foryourself？\"hedemanded。
\"ForDoctorGilman，\"saidPeter。
\"Wewillcutfordealandonehandwilldecide，\"saidtheprince。Hisvoicedroppedtoawhisper。\"Andnoonemusteverknow，\"hewarned。
Peteralsocouldbecynical。
\"NoteventheSultan，\"hesaid。
Abdulwonthedealandgavehimselfaverygoodhand。ButthehandhedealtPeterwasthebetterone。
Theprincewasagoodloser。ThenextafternoontheGAZETTE
OFFICIALLYannouncedthatuponDoctorHenryGilman，professoremeritusoftheUniversityofStillwater，U。S。A。，theSultanhadbeengraciouslypleasedtoconfertheGrandCrossoftheOrderoftheCrescent。
PeterflashedthegreatnewstoStetson。ThecablecaughthimatQuarantine。Itread：\"CapturedCrescent，GrandCross。Getbusy。\"
ButbeforeStetsoncouldgetbusythecampaignofpublicityhadbeenbrilliantlyopenedfromConstantinople。PrinceAbdul，althoughpitchforkedintotheGilmanDefenseCommittee，provedhimselfoneofitsmostenthusiasticmembers。
\"FormeitbecomesacaseofNOBLESSEOBLIGE，\"hedeclared。
\"Ifitisworthdoingatallitisworthdoingwell。To—daytheSultanwillcommandthatthe\"RiseandFall\"betranslatedintoArabic，andthatitbeplacedinthenationallibrary。Moreover，theUniversityofConstantinople，theCollegeofSalonica，andtheNationalHistoricalSocietyhaveeachelectedDoctorGilmananhonorarymember。Iproposedhim，thePatriarchofMesopotamiasecondedhim。AndtheTurkishambassadorinAmericahasbeeninstructedtopresenttheinsigniawithhisownhands。\"
NorwasPeterorStimsonidle。ToassistStetsoninhispress—work，andtofurthertheideathatallEuropewasnowclamoringforthe\"Riseandfall，\"Peterpaidanimpecuniousbutover—educateddragomantotranslateitintofivelanguages，andStimsonofficiallywroteofthis，andofthebestowaloftheCrescenttotheStateDepartment。HepointedoutthatnotsinceGeneralGranthadpassedthroughEuropehadtheSultansohighlyhonoredanAmerican。Headdedhehadbeenrequestedbythegrandvizier——whohadbeenrequestedbyPrinceAbdul——torequesttheStateDepartmenttoinformDoctorGilmanofthesehighhonors。Arequestfromsuchasourcewasacommandand，asdesired，theStateDepartmentwroteasrequestedbythegrandviziertoDoctorGilman，andtenderedcongratulations。ThefactwassentoutbrieflyfromWashingtonbyAssociatedPress。ThisofficialrecognitionbytheGovernmentandbythenewspaperswasallandmorethanStetsonwanted。Hetookoffhiscoatandwithamegaphone，ratherthanapen，toldthepeopleoftheUnitedStateswhoDoctorGilmanwas，whotheSultanwas，whataGrandCrosswas，andwhyAmerica’sgreatesthistorianwasnotwithouthonorsaveinhisowncountry。Columnsofthiswerepaidforandappearedas\"patentinsides，\"withaportraitofDoctorGilmantakenfromtheSTILLWATERCOLLEGEANNUAL，andapictureoftheGrandCrossdrawnfromimagination，ineighthundrednewspapersoftheMiddle，Western，andEasternStates。specialarticles，paragraphs，portraits，andpicturesoftheGrandCrossfollowed，and，usingStillwaterashisbase，Stetsoncontinuedtofloodthecountry。YoungHines，thelocalcorrespondent，actingunderinstructionsbycablefromPeter，introducedhimtoDoctorGilmanasatravellerwholecturedonTurkey，andonewhowasahumbleadmireroftheauthorofthe\"Riseandfall。\"Stetson，havingstudieditasastudentcramsanexamination，beggedthathemightsitatthefeetofthemaster。Andforseveralevenings，actuallyathisfeet，onthestepsoftheivy—coveredcottage，thedisguisedpress—agentdrewfromtheunworldlyandunsuspectingscholarthesimplestoryofhislife。Tothis，stillinhischaracterasdiscipleandstudent，headdedphotographshehimselfmadeofthemaster，ofthemaster’sivy—coveredcottage，ofhisfavoritewalkacrossthecampus，ofthegreathistorianatworkathisdesk，atworkinhisrosegarden，atplaywithhiswifeonthecroquetlawn。Thesehehelduntiltheinsigniashouldbeactuallypresented。ThispleasingdutyfelltotheTurkishambassador，who，muchtohisastonishment，hadreceivedinstructionstoproceedtoStillwater，Massachusetts，aplaceofwhichhehadneverheard，andpresenttoaDoctorGilman，ofwhomhehadneverheard，theGrandCrossoftheCrescent。Assoonastheinsigniaarrivedintheofficialmail—bagasecretarybroughtitfromWashingtontoBoston，andtheambassadortravelleddownfromBarHarbortoreceiveit，andwiththesecretarytookthelocaltraintoStillwater。
Thereceptionextendedtohimthereisstillrememberedbytheambassadorasoneofthehappiestincidentsofhisdistinguishedcareer。NeversincehecametorepresenthisimperialMajestyintheWesternrepublichaditsbarbariansgreetedhiminamannerinanywaysonearlyapproachinghisownideaofwhatwashisdue。
\"Thisambassador，\"HineshadexplainedtothemayorofStillwater，whowasalsotheproprietorofitslargestdepartmentstore，\"isthepersonalrepresentativeoftheSultan。Sowe’vegottotreathimright。\"
\"It’sexactly，\"addedStetson，\"asthoughtheSultanhimselfwerecoming。\"
\"AndsofewcrownedheadsvisitStillwater，\"continuedHines，\"thatweoughttoshowweappreciatethisone，especiallyashecomestopaythehighesthonorknowntoEuropetooneofourtownsmen。\"
Themayorchewednervouslyonhiscigar。
\"What’dIbetterdo？\"heasked。
\"Mr。Stetsonhere，\"Hinespointedout，\"haslivedinTurkey，andheknowswhattheyexpect。Maybehewillhelpus。\"
\"Willyou？\"beggedthemayor。
\"Iwill，\"saidStetson。
Thentheyvisitedthecollegeauthorities。ChancellorBlackandmostofthefacultywereontheirvacations。Buttherewerehalfadozenprofessorsstillintheirhomesaroundthecampus，anditwaspointedouttothemthatthecominghonortoonelatelyoftheirnumberreflectedgloryuponthecollegeanduponthem，andthattheyshouldtakeofficialaction。
Itwasalsosuggestedthatforphotographicpurposestheyshouldweartheiracademicrobes，caps，andhoods。Tothesesuggestions，withalacrity——partlybecausetheyalllovedDoctorGilmanandpartlybecausetheyhadneverbeenphotographedbyamoving—picturemachine——theyallagreed。Soitcameaboutthatwhentheambassador，hotandcrossanddustysteppedofftheway—trainatStillwaterstationhefoundtohisdelightedamazementaredcarpetstretchingtoaperfectlynewautomobile，acompanyofthelocalmilitiapresentingarms，acommittee，consistingofthemayorinahighhatandwhiteglovesandthreeprofessorsingownsandcoloredhoods，andtheStillwatersilverCornetBandplayingwhat，afterseveralrepetitions，theambassadorwasgraciouslypleasedtorecognizeashisnationalanthem。
Theambassadorforgotthathewashotandcross。Heforgotthathewasdusty。Hisfaceradiatedsatisfactionandperspiration。Hereatlastwerepeoplewhoappreciatedhimandhishighoffice。Andasthemayorhelpedhimintotheautomobile，andthosestudentswholivedinStillwaterwelcomedhimwithstrangeyells，andthemoving—picturemachineaimedathimpointblank，hebeamedwithcondescension。Butinwardlyhewasillatease。
inwardlyhewaschastisinghimselfforhaving，throughhisignoranceofAmerica，failedtoappreciatetheimportanceofthemanhehadcometohonor。WhenherememberedhehadneverevenheardofDoctorGilmanheblushedwithconfusion。AndwhenherecollectedthathehadbeenalmostonthepointofrefusingtocometoStillwater，thathehadconsideredleavingthepresentationtohissecretary，heshuddered。WhatmightnottheSultanhavedonetohim！Whatanarrowescape！
Attractedbytheband，bythesightoftheirfellowtownsmeninkhaki，bythesightofthestoutgentlemanintheredfez，byatremendouslikingandrespectforDoctorGilman，theentiretownofStillwatergatheredoutsidehiscottage。Andinside，theoldprofessor，tremblingandbewilderedandyetstrangelyhappy，bowedhisshoulderswhiletheambassadorslippedoverthemthebroadgreenscarfanduponhisonlyfrockcoatpinnedthediamondsunburst。InwoefulembarrassmentDoctorGilmansmiledandbowedandsmiled，andthen，asthedelightedmayorofStillwatershouted，\"Speech，\"
insuddenpanichereachedouthishandquicklyandcovertly，andfoundthehandofhiswife。
\"Now，then，threeLongones！\"yelledthecheerleader。\"Now，then，’SeetheConqueringHero！’\"yelledthebandmaster。
\"Attention！Presentarms！\"yelledthemilitiacaptain；andthetownspeopleandtheprofessorsapplaudedandwavedtheirhatsandhandkerchiefs。AndDoctorGilmanandhiswife，hefrightenedandconfused，shehappyandproud，andtakingitallasamatterofcourse，stoodarminarmintheframeofhoneysucklesandbowedandbowedandbowed。Andtheambassadorsofarunbentastodrinkchampagne，whichappearedmysteriouslyintubsoficefromtherearoftheivy—coveredcottage，withthemayor，withthewivesoftheprofessors，withthestudents，withthebandmaster。Indeed，sooftendidheunbendthatwhentheperfectlynewautomobileconveyedhimbacktotheTouraine，hewassleepinghappilyandsmilinginhissleep。
PeterhadarrivedinAmericaatthesametimeashadtheinsignia，butHinesandStetsonwouldnotlethimshowhimselfinStillwater。Theywereafraidifallthreeconspiratorsforegatheredtheymightinadvertentlydropsomeclewthatwouldleadtosuspicionanddiscovery。
SoPeterworkedfromNewYork，andhisfirstactwasanonymouslytosupplyhisfatherandChancellorBlackwithAllthenewspaperaccountsofthegreatcelebrationatStillwater。WhenDoctorblackreadthemhechoked。NeverbeforehadStillwaterCollegebeenbroughtsoprominentlybeforethepublic，andneverbeforehadherpresidentbeensoutterlyandcompletelyignored。Andwhatmadeitworsewasthatherecognizedthatevenhadhebeenpresenthecouldnothaveshownhisface。Howcouldhe，whohad，aseveryoneconnectedwiththecollegenowknew，outofspiteandwithoutcause，dismissedanoldandfaithfulservant，joininchantinghispraises。Heonlyhopedhispatron，Hallowellsenior，mightnothearofGilman’striumph。ButHallowellseniorheardlittleofanythingelse。Athisoffice，athisclubs，onthegolf—links，everyonehemetcongratulatedhimonthehighandpeculiardistinctionthathadcometohispetcollege。
\"Youcertainlyhavethedarnedestluckinbackingtherighthorse，\"exclaimedarivalpork—packerenviously。\"NowifI
payahundredthousandforaVelasquezitturnsouttobeabadcopyworththirtydollars，butyoupayaprofessorthreethousandandhebringsyouinhalfamilliondollars’worthoffreeadvertising。Why，thisDoctorGilman’sdoingasmuchforyourcollegeasDoctorOslerdidforJohnsHopkinsorasWalterCampdoesforYale。\"
Mr。HallowellreceivedtheseCongratulationsasgracefullyashewasable，andinsecretragedatChancellorBlack。Eachdayhisrageincreased。ItseemedasthoughtherewouldneverbeanendtoDoctorGilman。Thestonehehadrejectedhadbecomethecorner—stoneofStillwater。Wheneverheopenedanewspaperhefeltlikeexclaiming：\"Willnooneridmeofthispestilentfellow？\"Forthe\"RiseandFall，\"inaneditiondeluxelimitedtotwohundredcopies，wasbeingboughtupbyallhisbook—collectingmillionairefriends；apopulareditionwasonviewinthewindowsofeverybook—
shop；Itwasofferedasaprizetosubscriberstoallthemoresedatemagazines，andthenameandfeaturesofthedistinguishedauthorhadbecomefamousandfamiliar。Notadaypassedbutthatsomenewhonor，atleastsothenewspapersstated，wasthrustuponhim。ParagraphsannouncedthathewastobethenextexchangeprofessortoBerlin；thatinMayhewastolectureattheSorbonne；thatinJunehewastoreceiveadegreefromOxford。
Afresh—watercollegeononeoftheGreatLakesleapedtothefrontbyofferinghimthechairofhistoryatthatseatoflearningatasalaryoffivethousanddollarsayear。SomeofthehonorsthathadbeenthrustuponDoctorGilmanexistedonlyintheimaginationofPeterandStetson，butthisofferhappenedtobegenuine。
\"DoctorGilmanrejecteditwithoutconsideration。Hereadtheletterfromthetrusteestohiswifeandshookhishead。
\"WecouldnotbehappyawayfromStillwater，\"hesaid。\"Wehaveonlyamonthmoreinthecottage，butafterthatwestillcanwalkpastit；wecanlookintothegardenandseetheflowerssheplanted。Wecanvisittheplacewhereshelies。Butifwewentawayweshouldbelonelyandmiserableforher，andshewouldbelonelyforus。\"
Mr。HallowellcouldnotknowwhyDoctorGilmanhadrefusedtoleaveStillwater；butwhenhereadthatthesmallEasterncollegeatwhichDoctorGilmanhadgraduatedhadofferedtomakehimitspresident，hisjealousyknewnobounds。
HetelegraphedtoBlack：\"ReinstateGilmanatonce；offerhimsixthousand——offerhimwhateverhewants，butmakehimpromisefornoconsiderationtoleaveStillwaterheisonlymemberfacultyeverbroughtanycredittothecollegeifwelosehimI’llholdyouresponsible。\"
Thenextmorning，hatinhand，smilingingratiatingly，theChancellorcalleduponDoctorGilmanandatesomuchhumblepiethatforaweekhesufferedacutementalindigestion。ButlittledidHallowellseniorcareforthat。Hehadgotwhathewanted。DoctorGilman，thedistinguished，wasbackinthefaculty，andhadmadeonlyonecondition——thathemightliveuntilhediedintheivy—coveredcottage。
Twoweekslater，whenPeterarrivedatStillwatertotakethehistoryexamination，which，shouldhepassit，wouldgivehimhisdegree，hefoundoneverysideevidencesofthe\"worldwidefame\"hehimselfhadcreated。Thenewsstandatthedepot，thebook—stores，thedrugstores，thepicture—shops，allspokeofDoctorGilman；andpostcardsshowingtheivy—
coveredcottage，photographsandenlargementsofDoctorGilman，advertisementsofthedifferent。editionsof\"the\"
historyproclaimedhisfame。Peter，fascinatedbythesuccessofhisownhandiwork，approachedtheivy—coveredcottageinaspiritalmostofawe。ButMrs。Gilmanwelcomedhimwiththesamekindly，sympatheticsmilewithwhichshealwaysgavecouragetotheunhappyonescomingupforexaminations，andDoctorGilman’shighhonorsinnowayhadspoiledhisgentlecourtesy。
Theexaminationwasinwriting，andwhenPeterhadhandedinhispapersDoctorGilmanaskedhimifhewouldpreferatoncetoknowtheresult。
\"Ishouldindeed！\"Peterassuredhim。
\"ThenIregrettotellyou，Hallowell，\"saidtheprofessor，\"thatyouhavenotpassed。Icannotpossiblygiveyouamarkhigherthanfive。\"InrealsympathythesageofStillwaterraisedhiseyes，buttohisgreatastonishmenthefoundthatPeter，sofarfrombeingcastdownortakingoffense，wassmilingdelightedly，muchasafondparentmightsmileupontheprecociousactofabelovedchild。
\"Iamafraid，\"saidDoctorGilmangently，\"thatthissummeryoudidnotworkveryhardforyourdegree！\"
PeterLaughedandpickeduphishat。
\"Totellyouthetruth，Professor，\"hesaid，\"you’rerightI
gotworkingforsomethingworthwhile——andIforgotaboutthedegree。\"
Chapter3。THEINVASIONOFENGLAND
ThisisthetrueinsidestoryoftheinvasionofEnglandin1911bytheGermans，andwhyitfailed。IgotmydatafromBaronvonGottlieb，atthetimemilitaryattach？oftheGermanGovernmentwiththeRussianarmyinthesecondRussian—JapaneseWar，whenRussiadroveJapanoutofManchuria，andreducedhertoathird—ratepower。Hetoldmeofhispartintheinvasionaswesat，afterthebombardmentofTokio，ontherampartsoftheEmperor’spalace，watchingthewallsofthepaperhousesbelowusglowingandsmokingliketheashesofaprairiefire。
Twoyearsbefore，atthetimeoftheinvasion，vonGottliebhadbeenCarlSchultz，thehead—waiterattheEastCliffHotelatCromer，andaspy。
TheotherendofthestorycametomethroughLesterFord，theLondoncorrespondentoftheNewYorkRepublic。TheygavemepermissiontotellitinanyfashionIpleased，anditisheresetdownforthefirsttime。
Intellingthestory，myconscienceisnotintheleastdisturbed，forIhaveyettofindanyonewhowillbelieveit。
Whatleddirectlytotheinvasionwasthatsomeweek—endguestoftheEastCliffHotelleftacopyof\"TheRiddleoftheSands\"inthecoffee—room，wherevonGottliebfoundit；
andthefactthatFordattendedtheShakespeareBall。Hadneitheroftheseeventstakenplace，theGermanflagmightnowbeflyingoverBuckinghamPalace。And，thenagain，itmightnot。
AseveryGermanknows，\"TheRiddleoftheSands\"isanovelwrittenbyaverycleverEnglishmaninwhichisdisclosedaplanfortheinvasionofhiscountry。Accordingtothisplananarmyofinfantrywastobeembarkedinlighters，towedbyshallow—draft，sea—goingtugs，anddespatchedsimultaneouslyfromthesevenriversthatformtheFrisianIsles。Fromtheretheyweretobeconvoyedbybattle—shipstwohundredandfortymilesthroughtheNorthSea，andthrownuponthecoastofNorfolksomewherebetweentheWashandMundesley。Thefactthatthiscoastislow—lyingandborderedbysandflatswhichatlowwateraredry，thatEnglandmaintainsnoNorthSeasquadron，andthathernearestnavalbaseisatChatham，seemtopointtoitasthespotbestadaptedforsucharaid。
WhatvonGottliebthoughtwasevidencedbythefactthatassoonashereadthebookhemailedittotheGermanAmbassadorinLondon，andunderseparatecoversenthimaletter。Inthishesaid：\"IsuggestyourExcellencybringthisbooktothenoticeofacertainroyalpersonage，andoftheStrategyBoard。GeneralBolivarsaid，’Whenyouwantarms，takethemfromtheenemy。’Doesnotthisalsofollowwhenyouwantideas？\"
WhattheStrategyBoardthoughtoftheplanisamatterofhistory。Thiswasin1910。Ayearlater，duringthecoronationweek，LesterFordwenttoClarkson’storentamonk’srobeinwhichtoappearattheShakespeareBall，andwhiletheassistantdepartedinsearchoftherobe，Fordwasleftaloneinasmallroomhungwithfull—lengthmirrorsandshelves，andpackedwiththeuniformsthatClarksonrentsforCoventGardenballsandamateurtheatricals。Whilewaiting，Fordgratifiedalong，secretlycherisheddesiretobeholdhimselfasamilitaryman，bytryingonalltheuniformsonthelowershelves；andasaresult，whentheassistantreturned，insteadoffindingayoungAmericaninEnglishclothesandahighhat，hewasconfrontedbyaGermanofficerinaspikedhelmetfightingaduelwithhimselfinthemirror。Theassistantretreatedprecipitately，andFord，consciousthatheappearedridiculous，triedtoturnthetablesbysaying，\"DoesaGermanuniformalwaysaffectaTerritoriallikethat？\"
Theassistantlaughedgood—naturedly。
\"Itdidgivemequiteaturn，\"hesaid。\"It’sthistalkofinvasion，Ifancy。Butforafact，sir，ifIwasaCoastGuard，andyoucamealongthebeachdressedlikethat，I’dtakeashotatyou，justonthechance，anyway。\"
\"And，quiteright，too！\"saidFord。
HewaswonderingwhentheinvasiondidcomewhetherhewouldstickathispostinLondonanddutifullyforwardthenewstohispaper，orplaytruantandasawarcorrespondentwatchthenewsinthemaking。SothewordsofMr。Clarkson’sassistantdidnotsinkin。ButafewweekslateryoungMajorBellewrecalledthem。BellewwasgivingadinnerontheterraceoftheSavoyRestaurant。Hisguestswerehisnephew，youngHerbert，whowasonlyfiveyearsyoungerthanhisuncle，andHerbert’sfriendBirrell，anIrishman，bothintheirthirdtermattheuniversity。Afterfiveyears’serviceinIndia，Bellewhadspentthelast\"Eights\"weekatOxford，andwascomplainingbitterlythatsincehisdaytheundergraduatehaddeteriorated。Hehadfoundhimserious，giventostudy，fartoowellbehaved。InsteadofJorrocks，hereadGalsworthy；insteadof\"wines\"hefoundpleasureindebatingclubswherehediscussedsocialism。Ragging，practicaljokes，ingenioushoaxes，thatoncewerewonttosetEnglandinaroar，werealostart。Hisundergraduateguestscombatedthesechargesfiercely。Hiscriticismstheydeclaredunjustandwithoutintelligence。
\"You’retalkingrot！\"saidhisdutifulnephew。\"TakePhilhere，forexample。I’veroomedwithhimthreeyearsandIcantestifythathehasneveropenedabook。HeneverheardofGalsworthyuntilyouspokeofhim。Andyoucanseeforyourselfhistablemannersarequiteasbadasyours！\"
\"Worse！\"assentedBirrellloyally。
\"Andasforragging！Whatrags，inyourday，wereasgoodasours；astheCarrieNationrag，forinstance，whenfivehundredpeoplesatthroughatemperancelectureandneverguessedtheywerelisteningtoamanfromBalliol？\"
\"AndtheAbyssinianAmbassadorrag！\"criedHerbert。\"Whatpricethat？WhentheDREADNOUGHTmannedtheyardsforhimandgavehimseventeenguns。ThatwasanOxfordrag，andcarriedthroughbyOxfordmen。Thecountryhasn’tstoppedlaughingyet。Yougiveusarag！\"challengedHerbert。\"Makeitashardasyoulike；somethingrisky，somethingthatwillmakethecountrysitup，somethingthatwillsendusalltojail，andPhilandIwillputitthroughwhetherittakesonemanoradozen。Goon，\"hepersisted，\"AndIbetwecangetfiftyvolunteersrighthereintownandallofthemundergraduates。\"
\"Giveyoutheidea，yes！\"mockedBellew，tryingtogaintime。
\"That’sjustwhatIsay。Youboysto—dayaresodull。Youlackinitiative。It’stheideathatcounts。Anybodycandotheacting。That’sjustamateurtheatricals！\"
\"Isit！\"snortedHerbert。\"Ifyouwanttoknowwhatstagefrightis，justgoonboardaBritishbattle—shipwithyourfacecoveredwithburntcorkandinsistonbeingtreatedlikeanambassador。You’llfindit’salittledifferentfromafirstnightwiththeSimlaThespians！\"
Fordhadnopartinthedebate。Hehadbeensmokingcomfortablyandwithwell—timednods，impartiallyencouragingeachdisputant。Butnowhesuddenlylaidhiscigaruponhisplate，and，afterglancingquicklyabouthim，leanedeagerlyforward。Theywereatthecornertableoftheterrace，and，asitwasnowpastnineo’clock，theotherdinershaddepartedtothetheatresandtheywerequitealone。Belowthem，outsidetheopenwindows，werethetreesoftheembankment，andbeyond，theThames，blockedtothewestbythegreatshadowsoftheHousesofParliament，litonlybytheflameinthetowerthatshowedtheLowerHousewasstillsitting。
\"I’LLgiveyouanideaforarag，\"whisperedFord。\"Onethatisrisky，thatwillmakethecountrysitup，thatoughttolandyouinJail？Haveyouread’TheRiddleoftheSands’？\"
BellewandHerbertnodded；Birrellmadenosign。
\"Don’tmindhim，\"exclaimedHerbertimpatiently。\"HEneverreadsanything！Goon！\"
\"It’sthebookmosttalkedabout，\"explainedFord。\"Andwhatelseismosttalkedabout？\"Heansweredhisownquestion。
\"ThelandingoftheGermansinMoroccoandthechanceofwar。
Now，Iaskyou，withthatbookineverybody’smind，andthewarscareineverybody’smind，whatwouldhappenifGermansoldiersappearedto—nightontheNorfolkcoastjustwherethebooksaystheywillappear？Notonesoldier，butdozensofsoldiers；notinoneplace，butintwentyplaces？\"
\"Whatwouldhappen？\"roaredMajorBellewloyally。\"TheBoyScoutswouldfalloutofbedandkickthemintothesea！\"
\"Shutup！\"snappedhisnephewirreverently。HeshookFordbythearm。\"How？\"hedemandedbreathlessly。\"Howarewetodoit？Itwouldtakehundredsofmen。\"
\"Twomen，\"correctedFord，\"Andathirdmantodrivethecar。
IthoughtitoutonedayatClarkson’swhenIcameacrossalotofGermanuniforms。Ithoughtofitasanewspaperstory，asatricktofindouthowpreparedyoupeoplearetomeetinvasion。Andwhenyousaidjustnowthatyouwantedachancetogotojail——\"
\"What’syourplan？\"interruptedBirrell。
\"Wewouldstartjustbeforedawn——\"beganFord。
\"We？\"demandedHerbert。\"Areyouinthis？\"
\"AmIinit？\"criedFordindignantly。\"It’smyownprivateinvasion！I’mlettingyouboysinonthegroundfloor。IfI
don’tgo，therewontbeanyinvasion！\"
Thetwopink—cheekedyouthsglancedateachotherinquiringlyandthennodded。
\"Weacceptyourservices，sir，\"saidBirrellgravely。\"What’syourplan？\"
InastonishmentMajorBellewglancedfromonetotheotherandthenslappedthetablewithhisopenpalm。Hisvoiceshookwithrighteousindignation。
\"Ofallthepreposterous，outrageous——Areyoumad？\"hedemanded。\"DoyousupposeforoneminuteIwillallow——\"
Hisnephewshruggedhisshouldersand，rising，pushedbackhischair。
\"Oh，yougotothedevil！\"heexclaimedcheerfully。\"Comeon，Ford，\"hesaid。\"We’llfindsomeplacewhereunclecan’thearus。\"
Twodayslateratouringcarcarryingthreeyoungmen，inthetwenty—onemilesbetweenWellsandCromer，brokedowneleventimes。Eachtimethismisfortunebefellthemoneyoungmanscatteredtoolsintheroadandonhiskneeshammeredostentatiouslyatthetinhood；andtheothertwooccupantsofthecarsaunteredtothebeach。Theretheychuckedpebblesatthewavesandthenslowlyretracedtheirsteps。Eachtimetheroutebywhichtheyreturnedwasdifferentfromtheonebywhichtheyhadsetforth。Sometimestheyfollowedthebeatenpathdownthecliffor，asitchancedtobe，acrossthemarshes；sometimestheysliddownthefaceofthecliff；
sometimestheylostthemselvesbehindthehedgesandinthelanesofthevillages。Butwhentheyagainreachedthecartheprocedureofeachwasalike——eachproducedapencilandonthefaceofhis\"HalfInch\"roadmaptracedstrange，fantasticsigns。
Atlunch—timetheystoppedattheEastCliffHotelatCromerandmadenumerousandtrivialinquiriesabouttheCromergolflinks。Theyhadcome，theyvolunteered，fromElyforadayofsea—bathingandgolf；theywerereturningafterdinner。
Thehead—waiteroftheEastCliffHotelgavethemtheinformationtheydesired。Hewasanintelligenthead—waiter，young，andofpleasant，nottosaydistinguished，bearing。Inafrockcoathemighteasilyhavebeenmistakenforsomethingevenmoreimportantthanahead—waiter——foraGermanriding—
master，aleaderofaHungarianband，amanagerofaRitzhotel。Buthewasnotabovehisstation。Heevenassistedtheporterincarryingthecoatsandgolfbagsofthegentlemenfromthecartothecoffee—roomwhere，withtheintuitionofthehomingpigeon，thethreestrangershad，unaided，foundtheirway。AsCarlSchultzfollowed，carryingthedust—coats，aroadmapfellfromthepocketofoneofthemtothefloor。
CarlSchultzpickeditup，andwasabouttoreplaceit，whenhiseyeswereheldbynotesscrawledroughlyinpencil。Withanexpressionthatnolongerwasthatofahead—waiter，Carlcastoneswiftglanceabouthimandthenslippedintotheemptycoat—roomandlockedthedoor。Fiveminuteslater，withasmilethatplayeduneasilyoverafacegrowngraywithanxiety，Carlpresentedthemaptothetallestofthethreestrangers。Itwasopensothatthepencilmarksweremostobvious。ByhisaccentitwasevidentthetallestofthethreestrangerswasanAmerican。
\"Whatthedevil！\"heprotested；\"whichofyouboyshasbeenplayinghobwithmymap？\"
Forjustaninstantthetwopink—cheekedonesregardedhimwithdisfavor；until，forjustaninstant，hiseyebrowsroseand，withaglance，hesignifiedthewaiter。
\"Oh，that！\"exclaimedtheyoungerone。\"TheAutomobileClubaskedustomarkdownpetrolstations。Thosemarksmeanthat’swhereyoucanbuypetrol。\"
Thehead—waiterbreatheddeeply。Withanassuredandhappycountenance，hedepartedand，forthetwo—hundredthtimethatday，lookedfromthewindowsofthedining—roomoutoverthetumblingbreakerstothegraystretchofsea。Asthoughfearfulthathisfacewouldexposehissecret，heglancedcarefullyabouthimandthen，assuredhewasalone，leanedeagerlyforward，scanningtheempty，tossingwaters。
Inhismind’seyehebeheldrollingtug—boatsstrainingagainstlonglinesofscows，againstthedeadweightoffield—guns，againstthepullofthousandsofmotionless，silentfigures，eachinkhaki，eachinablackleatherhelmet，eachwithonehundredandfiftyrounds。
InhisownlanguageCarlSchultzreprovedhimself。
\"Patience，\"hemuttered；\"patience！Bytento—nightallwillbedark。Therewillbenostars。Therewillbenomoon。Theveryheavensfightforus，andbysunriseouroutpostswillbetwentymilesinland！\"
Atlunch—timeCarlSchultzcarefully，obsequiouslywaiteduponthethreestrangers。Hegavethemtheirchoiceofsoup，thickorclear，ofgooseberrypieorHalf—Paypudding。Heacceptedtheirshillingsgratefully，andwhentheydepartedforthelinkshebowedthemontheirway。AndastheircarturnedupJettyStreet，foroneinstant，heagainallowedhiseyestosweepthedullgrayocean。Brown—sailedfishing—boatswerebeatingintowardCromer。OnthehorizonlineaNorwegiantrampwasdrawingalengtheningscarfofsmoke。
Saveforthesetheseawasempty。
BygraciouspermissionofthemanageressCarlhadobtainedanafternoonoff，and，changinghiscoat，hemountedhisbicycleandsetforthtowardOverstrand。Onhiswayhenoddedtothelocalconstable，tothepostmanonhisrounds，tothedriverofthechar？banc。HehadbeenayearinCromerandwaswellknownandwellliked。
ThreemilesfromCromer，atthetopofthehighesthillinOverstrand，thechimneysofahouseshowedaboveathicktangleoffir—trees。Betweenthetreesandtheroadroseawall，high，compact，forbidding。Carlopenedthegateinthewallandpushedhisbicycleupawindingpathhemmedinbybushes。Atthesoundofhisfeetonthegravelthebushesnewapart，andamansprangintothewalkandconfrontedhim。
But，atsightofthehead—waiter，thelegsofthemanbecamerigid，hisheelsclickedtogether，hishandwentsharplytohisvisor。
Behindthehouse，surroundedoneverysidebytrees，wasatinylawn。Inthecentreofthelawn，whereoncehadbeenatenniscourt，therenowstoodaslimmast。Fromthismastdangledtinywiresthatrantoakitchentable。Onthetable，itsbrassworkshininginthesun，wasanewandperfectlygoodwirelessoutfit，andbesideit，withhishandonthekey，wasaheavilybuilt，heavilybeardedGerman。Inhisturn，Carldrewhislegstogether，hisheelsclicked，hishandstucktohisvisor。
\"Ihavebeeninconstantcommunication，\"saidthemanwiththebeard。\"Theywillbeherejustbeforethedawn。ReturntoCromervandopenlyfromthepost—officetelegraphyourcousininLondon：’Willmeetyouto—morrowattheCrystalPalace。’
Onreceiptofthat，inthelasteditionofallofthisafternoon’spapers，hewillinsertthefinaladvertisement。
Thirtythousandofourownpeoplewillreadit。Theywillknowthemomenthascome！\"
AsCarlcoastedbacktoCromerheflashedpastmanyprettygardenswhere，uponthelawns，meninflannelswerebusyattennisor，withprettyladies，deeplyoccupiedindrinkingtea。Carlsmiledgrimly。Highabovehimonthesky—lineofthecliffhesawthethreestrangershehadservedatluncheon。Theyweredrivingbeforethemthreeinnocuousgolfballs。
\"Anationofwasters，\"mutteredtheGerman，\"sleepingattheirposts。TheyarefiddlingwhileEnglandfalls！\"
Mr。Shutliffe，ofStiffkey，hadledhiscowinfromthemarsh，andwasabouttoclosethecow—barndoor，whenthreesoldiersappearedsuddenlyaroundthewallofthevillagechurch。Theyrandirectlytowardhim。Itwasnineo’clock，butthetwilightstillheld。Theuniformsthemenworewereunfamiliar，butinhisdayMr。Shutliffehadseenmanyuniforms，andtohimalluniformslookedalike。ThetallestsoldiersnappedatMr。Shutliffefiercelyinastrangetongue。
\"Dubistgefangen！\"heannounced。\"DasDorfistbesetzt。WosindunsereLeute？\"hedemanded。
\"You’ll’avetoexcuseme，sir，\"saidMr。Shutliffe，\"butI
amatrifle’ardof’earing。\"
ThesoldieraddressedhiminEnglish。
\"Whatisthenameofthisvillage？\"hedemanded。
Mr。Shuttiffe，havinglivedinthevillageupwardofeightyyears，recalleditsnamewithdifficulty。
\"Haveyouseenanyofourpeople？\"
WithanotherpainfuleffortofmemoryMr。Shutliffeshookhishead。
\"Goindoors！\"commandedthesoldier，\"Andputoutalllights，andremainindoors。Wehavetakenthisvillage。WeareGermans。Youareaprisoner！Doyouunderstand？\"
\"Yes，sir，thank’ee，sir，kindly，\"stammeredMr。Shutliffe。
\"MayIlockinthepigsfirst，sir？\"
Oneofthesoldierscoughedexplosively，andranaway，andthetwootherstrottedafterhim。Whentheylookedback，Mr。
Shutliffewasstillstandinguncertainlyinthedusk，mildlyconcernedastowhetherheshouldlockupthepigsorobeytheGermangentleman。
Thethreesoldiershaltedbehindthechurchwall。
\"Thatwasafinestart！\"mockedHerbert。\"Ofcourse，youhadtopickouttheVillageIdiot。Iftheyareallgoingtotakeitlikethat，wehadbetterpackupandgohome。\"
\"Thevillageinnisstillopen，\"saidFord。\"We’llcloseIt。\"
Theyenteredwithfixedbayonetsanddroppedthebuttsoftheirriflesonthesandedfloor。Amaningaiterschokedoverhisaleandtwofishermenremovedtheirclaypipesandstared。Thebar—maidalonearosetotheoccasion。
\"Now，then，\"sheexclaimedbriskly，\"Whatwayisthattocometumblingintoarespectableplace？Noneofyourtea—gardentricksinhere，youngfellow，mylad，or——\"
Thetallestofthethreeintruders，indeepgutturalaccents，interruptedhersharply。
\"WeareGermans！\"hedeclared。\"Thisvillageiscaptured。Youareprisonersofwar。Thoselightsyouwilloutput，andyourselveslockin。Ifyouintothestreetgo，wewillshoot！\"
Hegaveacommandinastrangelanguage；sostrange，indeed，thatthesoldierswithhimfailedtoentirelygrasphismeaning，andoneshoulderedhisrifle，whiletheotherbroughthispolitelytoasalute。
\"Youass！\"mutteredthetallGerman。\"Getout！\"
Astheychargedintothestreet，theyheardbehindthemawildfeminineshriek，thenacrashofpotteryandglass，thensilence，andaninstantlatertheShipInnwasburiedindarkness。
\"ThatwillholdStiffkeyforawhile！\"saidFord。\"Now，backtothecar。\"
Butbetweenthemandthecarloomedsuddenlyatallandimpressivefigure。Hishelmetandhismeasuredtreaduponthedesertedcobble—stonesproclaimedhiscalling。
\"Theconstable！\"whisperedHerbert。\"Hemustseeus，buthemustn’tspeaktous。\"
Foramomentthethreemenshowedthemselvesinthemiddleofthestreet，andthen，asthoughatsightofthepolicemantheyhadtakenalarm，disappearedthroughanopeningbetweentwohouses。Fiveminuteslateramotor—car，withitscanvastopconcealingitsoccupants，rodeslowlyintoStiffkey’smainstreetandhaltedbeforetheconstable。Thedriverofthecarworealeatherskull—capandgoggles。Fromhisnecktohisheelshewascoveredbyaraincoat。
\"Mr。Policeman，\"hebegan；\"whenIturnedinherethreesoldierssteppedinfrontofmycarandpointedriflesatme。
Thentheyranofftowardthebeach。What’stheidea——
manoeuvres？Because，they’venorightto——\"
\"Yes，sir，\"thepolicemanassuredhimpromptly；\"Isawthem。
It’smanoeuvres，sir。Territorials。\"
\"Theydidn’tlooklikeTerritorials，\"objectedthechauffeur。
\"TheylookedlikeGermans。\"
Protectedbythedeepeningdusk，theconstablemadenoefforttoconcealagrin。
\"JustTerritorials，sir，\"heprotestedsoothingly；
\"skylarkingmaybe，butmeaningnoharm。Still，I’llhavealookround，andwarn’em。\"
Avoicefrombeneaththecanvasbrokeinangrily：
\"Itellyou，theywereGermans。It’seitherasillyjoke，orit’sserious，andyououghttoreportit。It’syourdutytowarntheCoastGuard。\"
Theconstableconsidereddeeply。
\"Iwouldn’ttakeitonmyselftowaketheCoastGuard，\"heprotested；\"notatthistimeofthenight。ButifanyGermans’beenannoyingyou，gentlemen，andyouwishtolodgeacomplaintagainstthem，yougivemeyourcards——\"
\"Yegods！\"criedthemanintherearofthecar。\"Goon！\"hecommanded。
AsthecarspedoutofStiffkey，Herbertexclaimedwithdisgust：
\"What’stheuse！\"heprotested。\"Youcouldn’twakethesepeoplewithdynamite！Ivotewechuckitandgohome。\"
\"TheylittleknowofEnglandwhoonlyStiffkeyknow，\"chantedthechauffeurreprovingly。\"Why，wehaven’tbegunyet。Waittillwemeetalivewire！\"
TwomilesfartheralongtheroadtoCromer，youngBradshaw，thejob—master’ssonatBlakeney，wasleadinghisbicycleupthehill。Aheadofhimsomethingheavyfloppedfromthebankintotheroad——andinthelightofhisacetylenelamphesawasoldier。Thesoldierdodgedacrosstheroadandscrambledthroughthehedgeonthebankopposite。Hewasfollowedbyanothersoldier，andthenbyathird。Thelastmanhalted。
\"Putoutthatlight，\"hecommanded。\"Gotoyourhomeandtellnoonewhatyouhaveseen。Ifyouattempttogiveanalarmyouwillbeshot。Oursentriesareplacedeveryfiftyyardsalongthisroad。\"
Thesoldierdisappearedfrominfrontoftherayoflightandfollowedhiscomrades，andaninstantlateryoungBradshawheardthemslidingoverthecliff’sedgeandthepebblesclatteringtothebeachbelow。YoungBradshawstoodquitestill。Inhisheartwasmuchfear——fearoflaughter，ofridicule，offailure。Butofnootherkindoffear。Softly，silentlyheturnedhisbicyclesothatitfaceddownthelonghillhehadjustclimbed。Thenhesnappedoffthelight。HehadbeenreliablyinformedthatinambushateveryfiftyyardsalongtheroadtoBlakeney，sentrieswerewaitingtofireonhim。Andheproposedtorunthegauntlet。Hesawthatitwasforthismomentthat，firstasavolunteerandlaterasaTerritorial，hehaddrilledinthetownhall，practicedontheriflerange，andinmixedmanoeuvressleptinsixinchesofmud。Ashethrewhislegacrosshisbicycle，Herbert，fromthemotor—carfartherupthehill，firedtwoshotsoverhishead。These，heexplainedtoFord，wereintendedtogive\"verisimilitudetoanotherwisebaldandunconvincingnarrative。\"AndthesighingofthebulletsgaveyoungBradshawexactlywhathewanted——theassurancethathewasnotthevictimofapracticaljoke。Hethrewhisweightforwardand，liftinghisfeet，coasteddownhillatfortymilesanhourintothemainstreetofBlakeney。Tenminuteslater，whenthecarfollowed，amobofmensocompletelyblockedthewater—frontthatFordwasforcedtostop。Hishead—lightsilluminatedhundredsoffaces，anxious，sceptical，eager。AgentlemanwithawhitemustacheandalookofaretiredarmyofficerpushedhiswaytowardFord，thecrowdmakingroomforhim，andthenclosinginhiswake。
\"Haveyouseenany——anysoldiers？\"hedemanded。
\"Germansoldiers！\"Fordanswered。\"Theytriedtocatchus，butwhenIsawwhotheywere，Iranthroughthemtowarnyou。
Theyfiredand——\"
\"Howmany——andwhere？\"
\"Ahalf—companyatStiffkeyandahalf—milefartheronaregiment。Wedidn’tknowthentheywereGermans，notuntiltheystoppedus。You’dbettertelephonethegarrison，and——\"
\"Thankyou！\"snappedtheelderlygentleman。\"Ihappentobeincommandofthisdistrict。Whatareyournames？\"
Fordpushedthecarforward，partingthecrowd。
\"I’venotimeforthat！\"hecalled。\"We’vegottowarneverycoasttowninNorfolk。YoutakemytipandgetLondononthelongdistance！\"
AstheyranthroughthenightFordspokeoverhisshoulder。
\"We’vegotthemguessing，\"hesaid。\"Now，whatwewantisalivewire，someonewithimagination，someonewithauthoritywhowillwakethecountryside。\"
\"Looksaheadthere，\"saidBirrell，\"asthoughithadn’tgonetobed。\"
Beforethem，asonaMafekingnight，everywindowinCleyshonewithlights。Inthemainstreetwerefishermen，shopkeepers，\"trippers\"inflannels，summerresidents。Thewomenhadturnedoutasthoughtowitnessadisplayoffireworks。Girlswereclingingtothearmsoftheirescorts，shiveringindelightedterror。TheproprietoroftheRedLionspranginfrontofthecarandwavedhisarms。
\"What’sthistaleaboutGermans？\"hedemandedjocularly。
\"Youcanseetheirlightsfromthebeach，\"saidFord。
\"They’velandedtworegimentsbetweenhereandWells。
Stiffkeyistaken，andthey’vecutallthewiressouth。\"
Theproprietorrefusedtobe\"had。\"
\"Let’emallcome！\"hemocked。
\"Allright，\"returnedFord。\"Let’emcome，butdon’ttakeitlyingdown！Getthosewomenoffthestreets，andgodowntothebeach，anddrivetheGermansback！Gangway，\"heshouted，andthecarshotforward。\"Wewarnedyou，\"hecalled，\"Andit’suptoyouto——\"
Hiswordswerelostinthedistance。Butbehindhimaman’svoicerosewitharoarlikearocketandwasmetwithasavage，deep—throatedcheer。
OutsidethevillageFordbroughtthecartoahaltandswunginhisseat。
\"Thisthingisgoingtofail！\"hecriedpetulantly。\"Theydon’tbelieveus。We’vegottoshowourselves——manytimes——
inadozenplaces。\"
\"TheBritishmindmovesslowly，\"saidBirrell，theIrishman。
\"Now，ifthishadhappenedinmynativeland——\"
Hewasinterruptedbythescreechofasiren，andademoncarthatspurnedtheroad，thatsplatteredthemwithpebbles，torepastanddisappearedinthedarkness。Asitfleddownthelaneoftheirhead—lights，theysawthatmeninkhakiclungtoitssides，werepackedinitstonneau，wereswayingfromitsrunningboards。Beforetheycouldfindtheirvoicesamotorcycle，drivenasthoughtheangelofdeathwereatthewheel，shavedtheirmud—guardand，initsturn，vanishedintothenight。
\"Thingsarelookingup！\"saidFord。\"Whereisournextstop？
AsIsaidbefore，whatwewantisaliveone。\"
Herbertpressedhiselectrictorchagainsthisroadmap。
\"Wearenextbilledtoappear，\"hesaid，\"aboutaquarterofamilefromhere，atthesignal—toweroftheGreatEasternRailroad，wherewevisitthenighttelegraphoperatorandgivehimthesurprisepartyofhislife。\"
Thethreemenhadmountedthestepsofthesignal—towersoquietlythat，whentheoperatorheardthem，theyalreadysurroundedhim。HesawthreeGermansoldierswithfierceupturnedmustaches，withflat，squathelmets，withlongbrownrifles。Theysawanan鎚ic，pale—facedyouthwithoutacoatorcollar，forthenightwaswarm，whosankbacklimplyinhischairandgazedspeechlesswithwide—bulgingeyes。
Inharsh，gutturaltonesFordaddressedhim。\"Youareaprisoner，\"hesaid。\"WetakeoverthisofficeinthenameoftheGermanEmperor。Getout！\"
Asthoughinstinctivelyseekinghisonlyweaponofdefence，thehandoftheboyoperatormovedacrossthetabletothekeyofhisinstrument。Fordflunghisrifleuponit。
\"No，youdon’t！\"hegrowled。\"Getout！\"
Witheyesstillbulging，theboyliftedhimselfintoasittingposture。
\"Mypay——mymonth’spay？\"hestammered。\"CanItakeIt？\"
Theexpressiononthefaceoftheconquerorrelaxed。
\"Takeitandgetout，\"Fordcommanded。
Witheyesstillfixedinfascinatedterrorupontheinvader，theboypulledopenthedrawerofthetablebeforehimandfumbledwiththepapersinside。
\"Quick！\"criedFord。
Theboywasveryquick。Hishandleapedfromthedrawerlikeasnake，andFordfoundhimselflookingintoarevolverofthelargestcalibreissuedbyacivilizedpeople。Birrellfellupontheboy’sshoulders，Herberttwistedthegunfromhisfingersandhurleditthroughthewindow，andalmostasquicklyhurledhimselfdownthestepsofthetower。Birrellleapedafterhim。Fordremainedonlylongenoughtoshout：
\"Don’ttouchthatinstrument！Ifyouattempttosendamessagethrough，wewillshoot。Wegotocutthewires！\"
Foraminute，theboyinthetowersatrigid，hisearsstrained，hisheartbeatinginsharp，suffocatingstabs。
Then，withhisleftarmraisedtoguardhisface，hesanktohiskneesand，leaningforwardacrossthetable，invitingashebelievedhisdeath，heopenedthecircuitandthroughthenightflashedoutawarningtohispeople。
Whentheyhadtakentheirplacesinthecar，HerberttouchedFordontheshoulder。
\"Yourlastremark，\"hesaid，\"wasthatwhatwewantedwasaliveone。\"
\"Don’tmentionit！\"saidFord。\"Hejammedthatgunhalfdownmythroat。Icantasteitstill。Wheredowegofromhere？\"
\"Accordingtotheroutewemappedoutthisafternoon，\"saidHerbert，\"WearenowscheduledtogiveexhibitionsatthecoasttownsofSalthouseandWeybourne，but——\"
\"Notwithme！\"exclaimedBirrellfiercely。\"ThosetownshavebeentippedoffbynowbyBlakeneyandCley，andtheBoyScoutswouldclubustodeath。IvotewetakethebackroadstoMorston，anddropinonalonelyCoastGuard。IfaCoastGuardseesus，theauthoritieswillhavetobelievehim，andthey’llcalloutthenavy。\"
Herbertconsultedhismap。
\"ThereisaCoastGuard，\"hesaid，\"stationedjusttheothersideofMorston。And，\"headdedfervently，\"letushopehe’slonely。\"
Theylosttheirwayinthebackroads，andwhentheyagainreachedthecoastanhourhadpassed。Itwasnowquitedark。
Therewerenostars，normoon，butaftertheyhadleftthecarinasidelaneandhadsteppedoutuponthecliff，theysawformilesalongthecoastgreatbeaconfiresburningfiercely。
Herbertcametoanabrupthalt。
