第6章
"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。"