第4章
"SirJohnChobham，themanwhoisopposingme，"answeredRobert；
"thatishishouseawaythereamongthetreesontheright。"
Sotherewasanuprightman，possiblyaveryHugoincharacter，whowasthwartinganddefyingtheevildoerinhisnefariouscareer，andtherewasadastardlyplotafoottobreakhisneck！Possiblytheattemptwouldbemadewithinthenextfewhours。Hemustcertainlybewarned。AlethiarememberedhowLadySylviaBroomgate，inNightshadeCourt，hadpretendedtobeboltedwithbyherhorseuptothefrontdoorofathreatenedcountymagnate，andhadwhisperedawarninginhisearwhichsavedhimfrombeingthevictimoffoulmurder。Shewonderediftherewasaquietponyinthestablesonwhichshewouldbeallowedtorideoutalone。Thechanceswerethatshewouldbewatched。RobertwouldcomespurringafterherandseizeherbridlejustasshewasturninginatSirJohn"sgates。
Agroupofmenthattheypassedinavillagestreetgavethemnoveryfriendlylooks，andAlethiathoughtsheheardafurtivehiss；amomentlatertheycameuponanerrandboyridingabicycle。Hehadthefrankopencountenance，neatlybrushedhairandtidyclothesthatbetokenaclearconscienceandagoodmother。Hestaredstraightattheoccupantsofthecar，and，afterhehadpassedthem，sanginhisclear，boyishvoice：
"We"llhangBobbyBludwardonthesourappletree。"
Robertmerelylaughed。Thatwashowhetookthescornandcondemnationofhisfellow-men。Hehadgoadedthemtodesperationwithhisshamelessdepravitytilltheyspokeopenlyofputtinghimtoaviolentdeath，andhelaughed。
Mrs。BludwardprovedtobeofthetypethatAlethiahadsuspected，thin-lipped，cold-eyed，andobviouslydevotedtoherworthlessson。
Fromhernohelpwastobeexpected。Alethialockedherdoorthatnight，andplacedsuchrampartsoffurnitureagainstitthatthemaidhadgreatdifficultyinbreakinginwiththeearlyteainthemorning。
AfterbreakfastAlethia，onthepretextofgoingtolookatanoutlyingrose-garden，slippedawaytothevillagethroughwhichtheyhadpassedonthepreviousevening。SherememberedthatRoberthadpointedouttoherapublicreading-room，andheresheconsidereditpossiblethatshemightmeetSirJohnChobham，orsomeonewhoknewhimwellandwouldcarryamessagetohim。Theroomwasemptywhensheenteredit；aGraphictwelvedaysold，ayetoldercopyofPunch，andoneortwolocalpaperslayuponthecentraltable；theothertableswerestackedforthemostpartwithchessanddraughts-
boards，andwoodenboxesofchessmenanddominoes。Listlesslyshepickeduponeofthepapers，theSentinel，andglancedatitscontents。Suddenlyshestarted，andbegantoreadwithbreathlessattentionaprominentlyprintedarticle，headed"ALittleLimelightonSirJohnChobham。"Thecolourebbedawayfromherface，alookoffrighteneddespaircreptintohereyes。Never，inanynovelthatshehadread，hadadefencelessyoungwomanbeenconfrontedwithasituationlikethis。SirJohn，theHugoofherimagination，was，ifanything，rathermoredepravedanddespicablethanRobertBludward。
Hewasmean，evasive，callouslyindifferenttohiscountry"sinterests，acheat，amanwhohabituallybrokehisword，andwhowasresponsible，withhisassociates，formostofthepoverty，misery，crime，andnationaldegradationwithwhichthecountrywasafflicted。HewasalsoacandidateforParliament，itseemed，andastherewasonlyoneseatinthisparticularlocality，itwasobviousthatthesuccessofeitherRobertorSirJohnwouldmeanachecktotheambitionsoftheother，hence，nodoubt，therivalryandenmitybetweentheseotherwisekindredsouls。Onewasseekingtohavehisenemydonetodeath，theotherwasapparentlytryingtostiruphissupporterstoanactof"Lynchlaw"。Allthisinorderthattheremightbeanunopposedelection，thatoneorotherofthecandidatesmightgointoParliamentwithhoneyedeloquenceonhislipsandbloodonhisheart。Weremenreallysovile？
"ImustgobacktoWebblehintonatonce，"Alethiainformedherastonishedhostessatlunchtime；"Ihavehadatelegram。AfriendisveryseriouslyillandIhavebeensentfor。"
Itwasdreadfultohavetoconcoctlies，butitwouldbemoredreadfultohavetospendanothernightunderthatroof。
Alethiareadsnovelsnowwithevengreaterappreciationthanbefore。
ShehasbeenherselfintheworldoutsideWebblehinton，theworldwherethegreatdramasofsinandvillainyareplayedunceasingly。
Shehadcomeunscathedthroughit，butwhatmighthavehappenedifshehadgoneunsuspectinglytovisitSirJohnChobhamandwarnhimofhisdanger？Whatindeed！ShehadbeensavedbythefearlessoutspokennessofthelocalPress。
THEINTERLOPERS
InaforestofmixedgrowthsomewhereontheeasternspursoftheKarpathians，amanstoodonewinternightwatchingandlistening，asthoughhewaitedforsomebeastofthewoodstocomewithintherangeofhisvision，and，later，ofhisrifle。Butthegameforwhosepresencehekeptsokeenanoutlookwasnonethatfiguredinthesportsman"scalendaraslawfulandproperforthechase；UlrichvonGradwitzpatrolledthedarkforestinquestofahumanenemy。
TheforestlandsofGradwitzwereofwideextentandwellstockedwithgame；thenarrowstripofprecipitouswoodlandthatlayonitsoutskirtwasnotremarkableforthegameitharbouredortheshootingitafforded，butitwasthemostjealouslyguardedofallitsowner"sterritorialpossessions。Afamouslawsuit，inthedaysofhisgrandfather，hadwresteditfromtheillegalpossessionofaneighbouringfamilyofpettylandowners；thedispossessedpartyhadneveracquiescedinthejudgmentoftheCourts，andalongseriesofpoachingaffraysandsimilarscandalshadembitteredtherelationshipsbetweenthefamiliesforthreegenerations。TheneighbourfeudhadgrownintoapersonalonesinceUlrichhadcometobeheadofhisfamily；iftherewasamanintheworldwhomhedetestedandwishedilltoitwasGeorgZnaeym，theinheritorofthequarrelandthetirelessgame-snatcherandraiderofthedisputedborder-forest。Thefeudmight，perhaps，havedieddownorbeencompromisedifthepersonalill-willofthetwomenhadnotstoodintheway；asboystheyhadthirstedforoneanother"sblood，asmeneachprayedthatmisfortunemightfallontheother，andthiswind-
scourgedwinternightUlrichhadbandedtogetherhisforesterstowatchthedarkforest，notinquestoffour-footedquarry，buttokeepalook-outfortheprowlingthieveswhomhesuspectedofbeingafootfromacrossthelandboundary。Theroebuck，whichusuallykeptintheshelteredhollowsduringastorm-wind，wererunninglikedriventhingsto-night，andtherewasmovementandunrestamongthecreaturesthatwerewonttosleepthroughthedarkhours。Assuredlytherewasadisturbingelementintheforest，andUlrichcouldguessthequarterfromwhenceitcame。
Hestrayedawaybyhimselffromthewatcherswhomhehadplacedinambushonthecrestofthehill，andwanderedfardownthesteepslopesamidthewildtangleofundergrowth，peeringthroughthetreetrunksandlisteningthroughthewhistlingandskirlingofthewindandtherestlessbeatingofthebranchesforsightandsoundofthemarauders。Ifonlyonthiswildnight，inthisdark，lonespot，hemightcomeacrossGeorgZnaeym，mantoman，withnonetowitness——
thatwasthewishthatwasuppermostinhisthoughts。Andashesteppedroundthetrunkofahugebeechhecamefacetofacewiththemanhesought。
Thetwoenemiesstoodglaringatoneanotherforalongsilentmoment。Eachhadarifleinhishand，eachhadhateinhisheartandmurderuppermostinhismind。Thechancehadcometogivefullplaytothepassionsofalifetime。Butamanwhohasbeenbroughtupunderthecodeofarestrainingcivilisationcannoteasilynervehimselftoshootdownhisneighbourincoldbloodandwithoutwordspoken，exceptforanoffenceagainsthishearthandhonour。AndbeforethemomentofhesitationhadgivenwaytoactionadeedofNature"sownviolenceoverwhelmedthemboth。Afierceshriekofthestormhadbeenansweredbyasplittingcrashovertheirheads，anderetheycouldleapasideamassoffallingbeechtreehadthundereddownonthem。UlrichvonGradwitzfoundhimselfstretchedontheground，onearmnumbbeneathhimandtheotherheldalmostashelplesslyinatighttangleofforkedbranches，whilebothlegswerepinnedbeneaththefallenmass。Hisheavyshooting-bootshadsavedhisfeetfrombeingcrushedtopieces，butifhisfractureswerenotasseriousastheymighthavebeen，atleastitwasevidentthathecouldnotmovefromhispresentpositiontillsomeonecametoreleasehim。Thedescendingtwighadslashedtheskinofhisface，andhehadtowinkawaysomedropsofbloodfromhiseyelashesbeforehecouldtakeinageneralviewofthedisaster。Athisside，sonearthatunderordinarycircumstanceshecouldalmosthavetouchedhim，layGeorgZnaeym，aliveandstruggling，butobviouslyashelplesslypinioneddownashimself。Allroundthemlayathick-
strewnwreckageofsplinteredbranchesandbrokentwigs。
Reliefatbeingaliveandexasperationathiscaptiveplightbroughtastrangemedleyofpiousthank-offeringsandsharpcursestoUlrich"slips。Georg，whowasearlyblindedwiththebloodwhichtrickledacrosshiseyes，stoppedhisstrugglingforamomenttolisten，andthengaveashort，snarlinglaugh。
"Soyou"renotkilled，asyououghttobe，butyou"recaught，anyway，"hecried；"caughtfast。Ho，whatajest，UlrichvonGradwitzsnaredinhisstolenforest。There"srealjusticeforyou！"
Andhelaughedagain，mockinglyandsavagely。
"I"mcaughtinmyownforest-land，"retortedUlrich。"Whenmymencometoreleaseusyouwillwish，perhaps，thatyouwereinabetterplightthancaughtpoachingonaneighbour"sland，shameonyou。"
Georgwassilentforamoment；thenheansweredquietly：
"Areyousurethatyourmenwillfindmuchtorelease？Ihavemen，too，intheforestto-night，closebehindme，andTHEYwillbeherefirstanddothereleasing。Whentheydragmeoutfromunderthesedamnedbranchesitwon"tneedmuchclumsinessontheirparttorollthismassoftrunkrightoveronthetopofyou。Yourmenwillfindyoudeadunderafallenbeechtree。Forform"ssakeIshallsendmycondolencestoyourfamily。"
"Itisausefulhint，"saidUlrichfiercely。"Mymenhadorderstofollowintenminutestime，sevenofwhichmusthavegonebyalready，andwhentheygetmeout——Iwillrememberthehint。OnlyasyouwillhavemetyourdeathpoachingonmylandsIdon"tthinkI
candecentlysendanymessageofcondolencetoyourfamily。"
"Good，"snarledGeorg，"good。Wefightthisquarrelouttothedeath，youandIandourforesters，withnocursedinterloperstocomebetweenus。Deathanddamnationtoyou，UlrichvonGradwitz。"
"Thesametoyou，GeorgZnaeym，forest-thief，game-snatcher。"
Bothmenspokewiththebitternessofpossibledefeatbeforethem，foreachknewthatitmightbelongbeforehismenwouldseekhimoutorfindhim；itwasabarematterofchancewhichpartywouldarrivefirstonthescene。
Bothhadnowgivenuptheuselessstruggletofreethemselvesfromthemassofwoodthatheldthemdown；Ulrichlimitedhisendeavourstoanefforttobringhisonepartiallyfreearmnearenoughtohisoutercoat-pockettodrawouthiswine-flask。Evenwhenhehadaccomplishedthatoperationitwaslongbeforehecouldmanagetheunscrewingofthestopperorgetanyoftheliquiddownhisthroat。
ButwhataHeaven-sentdraughtitseemed！Itwasanopenwinter，andlittlesnowhadfallenasyet，hencethecaptivessufferedlessfromthecoldthanmighthavebeenthecaseatthatseasonoftheyear；nevertheless，thewinewaswarmingandrevivingtothewoundedman，andhelookedacrosswithsomethinglikeathrobofpitytowherehisenemylay，justkeepingthegroansofpainandwearinessfromcrossinghislips。
"CouldyoureachthisflaskifIthrewitovertoyou？"askedUlrichsuddenly；"thereisgoodwineinit，andonemayaswellbeascomfortableasonecan。Letusdrink，evenifto-nightoneofusdies。"
"No，Icanscarcelyseeanything；thereissomuchbloodcakedroundmyeyes，"saidGeorg，"andinanycaseIdon"tdrinkwinewithanenemy。"
Ulrichwassilentforafewminutes，andlaylisteningtothewearyscreechingofthewind。Anideawasslowlyformingandgrowinginhisbrain，anideathatgainedstrengtheverytimethathelookedacrossatthemanwhowasfightingsogrimlyagainstpainandexhaustion。InthepainandlanguorthatUlrichhimselfwasfeelingtheoldfiercehatredseemedtobedyingdown。
"Neighbour，"hesaidpresently，"doasyoupleaseifyourmencomefirst。Itwasafaircompact。Butasforme，I"vechangedmymind。
Ifmymenarethefirsttocomeyoushallbethefirsttobehelped，asthoughyouweremyguest。Wehavequarrelledlikedevilsallourlivesoverthisstupidstripofforest，wherethetreescan"tevenstanduprightinabreathofwind。Lyinghereto-nightthinkingI"vecometothinkwe"vebeenratherfools；therearebetterthingsinlifethangettingthebetterofaboundarydispute。Neighbour，ifyouwillhelpmetoburytheoldquarrelI——Iwillaskyoutobemyfriend。"
GeorgZnaeymwassilentforsolongthatUlrichthought，perhaps，hehadfaintedwiththepainofhisinjuries。Thenhespokeslowlyandinjerks。
"Howthewholeregionwouldstareandgabbleifwerodeintothemarket-squaretogether。NoonelivingcanrememberseeingaZnaeymandavonGradwitztalkingtooneanotherinfriendship。Andwhatpeacetherewouldbeamongtheforesterfolkifweendedourfeudto-night。Andifwechoosetomakepeaceamongourpeoplethereisnoneothertointerfere，nointerlopersfromoutside……YouwouldcomeandkeeptheSylvesternightbeneathmyroof，andIwouldcomeandfeastonsomehighdayatyourcastle……Iwouldneverfireashotonyourland，savewhenyouinvitedmeasaguest；andyoushouldcomeandshootwithmedowninthemarsheswherethewildfowlare。Inallthecountrysidetherearenonethatcouldhinderifwewilledtomakepeace。Ineverthoughttohavewantedtodootherthanhateyouallmylife，butIthinkIhavechangedmymindaboutthingstoo，thislasthalf-hour。Andyouofferedmeyourwineflask……UlrichvonGradwitz，Iwillbeyourfriend。"
Foraspacebothmenweresilent，turningoverintheirmindsthewonderfulchangesthatthisdramaticreconciliationwouldbringabout。Inthecold，gloomyforest，withthewindtearinginfitfulguststhroughthenakedbranchesandwhistlingroundthetree-
trunks，theylayandwaitedforthehelpthatwouldnowbringreleaseandsuccourtobothparties。Andeachprayedaprivateprayerthathismenmightbethefirsttoarrive，sothathemightbethefirsttoshowhonourableattentiontotheenemythathadbecomeafriend。
Presently，asthewinddroppedforamoment，Ulrichbrokesilence。
"Let"sshoutforhelp，"hesaid；hesaid；"inthislullourvoicesmaycarryalittleway。"
"Theywon"tcarryfarthroughthetreesandundergrowth，"saidGeorg，"butwecantry。Together，then。"
Thetworaisedtheirvoicesinaprolongedhuntingcall。
"Togetheragain，"saidUlrichafewminuteslater，afterlisteninginvainforanansweringhalloo。
"Iheardnothingbutthepestilentialwind，"saidGeorghoarsely。
Therewassilenceagainforsomeminutes，andthenUlrichgaveajoyfulcry。
"Icanseefigurescomingthroughthewood。TheyarefollowinginthewayIcamedownthehillside。"
Bothmenraisedtheirvoicesinasloudashoutastheycouldmuster。
"Theyhearus！They"vestopped。Nowtheyseeus。They"rerunningdownthehilltowardsus，"criedUlrich。
"Howmanyofthemarethere？"askedGeorg。
"Ican"tseedistinctly，"saidUlrich；"nineorten，"
"Thentheyareyours，"saidGeorg；"Ihadonlysevenoutwithme。"
"Theyaremakingallthespeedtheycan，bravelads，"saidUlrichgladly。
"Aretheyyourmen？"askedGeorg。"Aretheyyourmen？"herepeatedimpatientlyasUlrichdidnotanswer。
"No，"saidUlrichwithalaugh，theidioticchatteringlaughofamanunstrungwithhideousfear。
"Whoarethey？"askedGeorgquickly，straininghiseyestoseewhattheotherwouldgladlynothaveseen。
"Wolves。"
QUAILSEED
"Theoutlookisnotencouragingforussmallerbusinesses，"saidMr。
Scarricktotheartistandhissister，whohadtakenroomsoverhissuburbangrocerystore。"Thesebigconcernsareofferingallsortsofattractionstotheshoppingpublicwhichwecouldn"taffordtoimitate，evenonasmallscale——reading-roomsandplay-roomsandgramophonesandHeavenknowswhat。Peopledon"tcaretobuyhalfapoundofsugarnowadaysunlesstheycanlistentoHarryLauderandhavethelatestAustraliancricketscorestickedoffbeforetheireyes。WiththebigChristmasstockwe"vegotinweoughttokeephalfadozenassistantshardatwork，butasitismynephewJimmyandmyselfcanprettywellattendtoitourselves。It"sanicestockofgoods，too，ifIcouldonlyrunitoffinafewweekstime，butthere"snochanceofthat——notunlesstheLondonlinewastogetsnowedupforafortnightbeforeChristmas。IdidhaveasortofideaofengagingMissLuffcombetogiverecitationsduringafternoons；shemadeagreathitatthePostOfficeentertainmentwithherrenderingof"LittleBeatrice"sResolve"。"
"AnythinglesslikelytomakeyourshopafashionableshoppingcentreIcan"timagine，"saidtheartist，withaverygenuineshudder；"ifIweretryingtodecidebetweenthemeritsofCarlsbadplumsandconfectedfigsasawinterdessertitwouldinfuriatemetohavemytrainofthoughtentangledwithlittleBeatrice"sresolvetobeanAngelofLightoragirlscout。No，"hecontinued，"thedesiretogetsomethingthrowninfornothingisarulingpassionwiththefeminineshopper，butyoucan"taffordtopandereffectivelytoit。Whynotappealtoanotherinstinct；whichdominatesnotonlythewomanshopperbutthemaleshopper——infact，theentirehumanrace？"
"Whatisthatinstinct，sir？"saidthegrocer。
***
Mrs。GreyesandMissFrittenhadmissedthe2。18toTown，andastherewasnotanothertraintill3。12theythoughtthattheymightaswellmaketheirgrocerypurchasesatScarrick"s。Itwouldnotbesensational，theyagreed，butitwouldstillbeshopping。
Forsomeminutestheyhadtheshopalmosttothemselves，asfarascustomerswereconcerned，butwhiletheyweredebatingtherespectivevirtuesandblemishesoftwocompetingbrandsofanchovypastetheywerestartledbyanorder，givenacrossthecounter，forsixpomegranatesandapacketofquailseed。Neithercommoditywasingeneraldemandinthatneighbourhood。Equallyunusualwasthestyleandappearanceofthecustomer；aboutsixteenyearsold，withdarkoliveskin，largeduskyeyes，andthink，low-growing，blue-
blackhair，hemighthavemadehislivingasanartist"smodel。Asamatteroffacthedid。Thebowlofbeatenbrassthatheproducedforthereceptionofhispurchaseswasdistinctlythemostastonishingvariationonthestringbagormarketingbasketofsuburbancivilisationthathisfellow-shoppershadeverseen。Hethrewagoldpiece，apparentlyofsomeexoticcurrency，acrossthecounter，anddidnotseemdisposedtowaitforanychangethatmightbeforthcoming。
"Thewineandfigswerenotpaidforyesterday，"hesaid；"keepwhatisoverofthemoneyforourfuturepurchases。"
"Averystrange-lookingboy？"saidMrs。Greyesinterrogativelytothegrocerassoonashiscustomerhadleft。
"Aforeigner，Ibelieve，"saidMr。Scarrick，withashortnessthatwasentirelyoutofkeepingwithhisusuallycommunicativemanner。
"Iwishforapoundandahalfofthebestcoffeeyouhave，"saidanauthoritativevoiceamomentortwolater。Thespeakerwasatall，authoritative-lookingmanofratheroutlandishaspect，remarkableamongotherthingsforafullblackbeard，worninastylemoreinvogueinearlyAssyriathaninaLondonsuburbofthepresentday。
"Hasadark-facedboybeenherebuyingpomegranates？"heaskedsuddenly，asthecoffeewasbeingweighedouttohim。
Thetwoladiesalmostjumpedonhearingthegrocerreplywithanunblushingnegative。
"Wehaveafewpomegranatesinstock，"hecontinued，"buttherehasbeennodemandforthem。"
"Myservantwillfetchthecoffeeasusual，"saidthepurchaser，producingacoinfromawonderfulmetal-workpurse。Asanapparentafterthoughthefiredoutthequestion："Haveyou，perhaps，anyquailseed？"
"No，"saidthegrocer，withouthesitation，"wedon"tstockit。"
"Whatwillhedenynext？"askedMrs。Greyesunderherbreath。WhatmadeitseemsomuchworsewasthefactthatMr。ScarrickhadquiterecentlypresidedatalectureonSavonarola。
Turningupthedeepastrachancollarofhislongcoat，thestrangersweptoutoftheshop，withtheair，MissFrittenafterwardsdescribedit，ofaSatrapproroguingaSanhedrim。WhethersuchapleasantfunctioneverfelltoaSatrap"slotshewasnotquitecertain，butthesimilefaithfullyconveyedhermeaningtoalargecircleofacquaintances。
"Don"tlet"sbotheraboutthe3。12，"saidMrs。Greyes；"let"sgoandtalkthisoveratLauraLipping"s。It"sherday。"
Whenthedark-facedboyarrivedattheshopnextdaywithhisbrassmarketingbowltherewasquiteafairgatheringofcustomers，mostofwhomseemedtobespinningouttheirpurchasingoperationswiththeairofpeoplewhohadverylittletodowiththeirtime。Inavoicethatwasheardallovertheshop，perhapsbecauseeverybodywasintentlylistening，heaskedforapoundofhoneyandapacketofquailseed。
"Morequailseed！"saidMissFritten。"Thosequailsmustbevoracious，orelseitisn"tquailseedatall。"
"Ibelieveit"sopium，andthebeardedmanisadetective，"saidMrs。Greyesbrilliantly。
"Idon"t，"saidLauraLipping；"I"msureit"ssomethingtodowiththePortugueseThrone。"
"MorelikelytobeaPersianintrigueonbehalfoftheex-Shah，"
saidMissFritten；"thebeardedmanbelongstotheGovernmentParty。
Thequail-seedisacountersign，ofcourse；PersiaisalmostnextdoortoPalestine，andquailscomeintotheOldTestament，youknow。"
"Onlyasamiracle，"saidherwell-informedyoungersister；"I"vethoughtallalongitwaspartofaloveintrigue。"
TheboywhohadsomuchinterestandspeculationcentredonhimwasonthepointofdepartingwithhispurchaseswhenhewaswaylaidbyJimmy，thenephew-apprentice，who，fromhispostatthecheeseandbaconcounter，commandedagoodviewofthestreet。
"WehavesomeveryfineJaffaoranges，"hesaidhurriedly，pointingtoacornerwheretheywerestored，behindahighrampartofbiscuittins。Therewasevidentlymoreintheremarkthanmettheear。Theboyflewattheorangeswiththeenthusiasmofaferretfindingarabbitfamilyathomeafteralongdayoffruitlesssubterraneanresearch。Almostatthesamemomentthebeardedstrangerstalkedintotheshop，andflunganorderforapoundofdatesandatinofthebestSmyrnahalvaacrossthecounter。Themostadventuroushousewifeinthelocalityhadneverheardofhalva，butMr。ScarrickwasapparentlyabletoproducethebestSmyrnavarietyofitwithoutamoment"shesitation。
"WemightbelivingintheArabianNights，"saidMissFritten，excitedly。
"Hush！Listen，"beseechedMrs。Greyes。
"Hasthedark-facedboy，ofwhomIspokeyesterday，beenhereto-
day？"askedthestranger。
"We"vehadrathermorepeoplethanusualintheshopto-day，"saidMr。Scarrick，"butIcan"trecallaboysuchasyoudescribe。"
Mrs。GreyesandMissFrittenlookedroundtriumphantlyattheirfriends。Itwas，ofcourse，deplorablethatanyoneshouldtreatthetruthasanarticletemporarilyandexcusablyoutofstock，buttheyfeltgratifiedthatthevividaccountstheyhadgivenofMr。
Scarrick"strafficinfalsehoodsshouldreceiveconfirmationatfirsthand。
"Ishallneveragainbeabletobelievewhathetellsmeabouttheabsenceofcolouringmatterinthejam，"whisperedanauntofMrs。
Greyestragically。
Themysteriousstrangertookhisdeparture；LauraLippingdistinctlysawasnarlofbaffledragerevealitselfbehindhisheavymoustacheandupturnedastrachancollar。Afteracautiousintervaltheseekerafterorangesemergedfrombehindthebiscuittins，havingapparentlyfailedtofindanyindividualorangethatsatisfiedhisrequirements。He，too，tookhisdeparture，andtheshopwasslowlyemptiedofitsparcelandgossipladencustomers。ItwasEmilyYorling"s"day"，andmostoftheshoppersmadetheirwaytoherdrawing-room。Togodirectfromashoppingexpeditiontoateapartywaswhatwasknownlocallyas"livinginawhirl"。
Twoextraassistantshadbeenengagedforthefollowingafternoon，andtheirserviceswereinbriskdemand；theshopwascrowded。
Peopleboughtandbought，andneverseemedtogettotheendoftheirlists。Mr。Scarrickhadneverhadsolittledifficultyinpersuadingcustomerstoembarkonnewexperiencesingrocerywares。
Eventhosewomenwhosepurchaseswereofmodestproportionsdawdledoverthemasthoughtheyhadbrutal，drunkenhusbandstogohometo。
Theafternoonhaddraggeduneventfullyon，andtherewasadistinctbuzzofunpentexcitementwhenadark-eyedboycarryingabrassbowlenteredtheshop。TheexcitementseemedtohavecommunicateditselftoMr。Scarrick；abruptlydesertingaladywhowasmakinginsincereinquiriesaboutthehomelifeoftheBombayduck，heinterceptedthenewcomeronhiswaytotheaccustomedcounterandinformedhim，amidadeathlikehush，thathehadrunoutofquailseed。
Theboylookednervouslyroundtheshop，andturnedhesitatinglytogo。Hewasagainintercepted，thistimebythenephew，whodartedoutfrombehindhiscounterandsaidsomethingaboutabetterlineoforanges。Theboy"shesitationvanished；healmostscuttledintotheobscurityoftheorangecorner。Therewasanexpectantturnofpublicattentiontowardsthedoor，andthetall，beardedstrangermadeareallyeffectiveentrance。TheauntofMrs。Greyesdeclaredafterwardsthatshefoundherselfsub-consciouslyrepeating"TheAssyriancamedownlikeawolfonthefold"underherbreath，andshewasgenerallybelieved。
Thenewcomer，too，wasstoppedbeforehereachedthecounter，butnotbyMr。Scarrickorhisassistant。Aheavilyveiledlady，whomnoonehadhithertonoticed，roselanguidlyfromaseatandgreetedhiminaclear，penetratingvoice。
"YourExcellencydoeshisshoppinghimself？"shesaid。
"Iorderthethingsmyself，"heexplained；"Ifinditdifficulttomakemyservantsunderstand。"
Inalower，butstillperfectlyaudible，voicetheveiledladygavehimapieceofcasualinformation。
"TheyhavesomeexcellentJaffaorangeshere。"Thenwithatinklinglaughshepassedoutoftheshop。
Themanglaredallroundtheshop，andthen，fixinghiseyesinstinctivelyonthebarrierofbiscuittins，demandedloudlyofthegrocer："Youhave，perhaps，somegoodJaffaoranges？"
EveryoneexpectedaninstantdenialonthepartofMr。Scarrickofanysuchpossession。Beforehecouldanswer，however，theboyhadbrokenforthfromhissanctuary。Holdinghisemptybrassbowlbeforehimhepassedoutintothestreet。Hisfacewasvariouslydescribedafterwardsasmaskedwithstudiedindifference，overspreadwithghastlypallor，andblazingwithdefiance。Somesaidthathisteethchattered，othersthathewentoutwhistlingthePersianNationalHymn。Therewasnomistaking，however，theeffectproducedbytheencounteronthemanwhohadseemedtoforceit。Ifarabiddogorarattlesnakehadsuddenlythrustitscompanionshiponhimhecouldscarcelyhavedisplayedagreateraccessofterror。Hisairofauthorityandassertivenesshadgone，hismasterfulstridehadgivenwaytoafurtivepacingtoandfro，asofananimalseekinganoutletforescape。Inadazedperfunctorymanner，alwayswithhiseyesturningtowatchtheshopentrance，hegaveafewrandomorders，whichthegrocermadeashowofenteringinhisbook。Nowandthenhewalkedoutintothestreet，lookedanxiouslyinalldirections，andhurriedbacktokeepuphispretenceofshopping。
Fromoneofthesesortieshedidnotreturn；hehaddashedawayintothedusk，andneitherhenorthedark-facedboynortheveiledladywereseenagainbytheexpectantcrowdsthatcontinuedtothrongtheScarrickestablishmentfordaystocome。
***
"Icanneverthankyouandyoursistersufficiently，"saidthegrocer。
"Weenjoyedthefunofit，"saidtheartistmodestly，"andasforthemodel，itwasawelcomevariationonposingforhoursfor"TheLostHylas"。"
"Atanyrate，"saidthegrocer，"Iinsistonpayingforthehireoftheblackbeard。"
CANOSSA
DemosthenesPlatterbaff，theeminentUnrestInducer，stoodonhistrialforaseriousoffence，andtheeyesofthepoliticalworldwerefocussedonthejury。Theoffence，itshouldbestated，wasseriousfortheGovernmentratherthanfortheprisoner。HehadblownuptheAlbertHallontheeveofthegreatLiberalFederationTangoTea，theoccasiononwhichtheChancelloroftheExchequerwasexpectedtopropoundhisnewtheory："Dopartridgesspreadinfectiousdiseases？"Platterbaffhadchosenhistimewell；theTangoTeahadbeenhurriedlypostponed，buttherewereotherpoliticalfixtureswhichcouldnotbeputoffunderanycircumstances。Thedayafterthetrialtherewastobeaby-
electionatNemesis-on-Hand，andithadbeenopenlyannouncedinthedivisionthatifPlatterbaffwerelanguishingingaolonpollingdaytheGovernmentcandidatewouldbe"outed"toacertainty。
Unfortunately，therecouldbenodoubtormisconceptionastoPlatterbaff"sguilt。Hehadnotonlypleadedguilty，buthadexpressedhisintentionofrepeatinghisescapadeinotherdirectionsassoonascircumstancespermitted；throughoutthetrialhewasbusyexaminingasmallmodeloftheFreeTradeHallinManchester。ThejurycouldnotpossiblyfindthattheprisonerhadnotdeliberatelyandintentionallyblownuptheAlbertHall；thequestionwas：Couldtheyfindanyextenuatingcircumstanceswhichwouldpermitofanacquittal？Ofcourseanysentencewhichthelawmightfeelcompelledtoinflictwouldbefollowedbyanimmediatepardon，butitwashighlydesirable，fromtheGovernment"spointofview，thatthenecessityforsuchanexerciseofclemencyshouldnotarise。Aheadlongpardon，ontheeveofabye-election，withthreatsofaheavyvotingdefectionifitwerewithheldorevendelayed，wouldnotnecessarilybeasurrender，butitwouldlooklikeone。Opponentswouldbeonlytooreadytoattributeungenerousmotives。HencetheanxietyinthecrowdedCourt，andinthelittlegroupsgatheredroundthetape-machinesinWhitehallandDowningStreetandotheraffectedcentres。
Thejuryreturnedfromconsideringtheirverdict；therewasaflutter，anexcitedmurmur，adeath-likehush。Theforemandeliveredhismessage：
"ThejuryfindtheprisonerguiltyofblowinguptheAlbertHall。
Thejurywishtoaddariderdrawingattentiontothefactthataby-electionispendingintheParliamentarydivisionofNemesis-on-
Hand。"
"That，ofcourse，"saidtheGovernmentProsecutor，springingtohisfeet，"isequivalenttoanacquittal？"
"Ihardlythinkso，"saidtheJudge，coldly；"Ifeelobligedtosentencetheprisonertoaweek"simprisonment。"
"AndmaytheLordhavemercyonthepoll，"aJuniorCounselexclaimedirreverently。
Itwasascandaloussentence，butthentheJudgewasnotontheMinisterialsideinpolitics。
Theverdictandsentenceweremadeknowntothepublicattwentyminutespastfiveintheafternoon；athalf-pastfiveadensecrowdwasmassedoutsidethePrimeMinister"sresidencelustilysinging，totheairof"Trelawney"：
"AndshouldourHerorotingaol，Fore"enasingleday，There"sFifteenHundredVotingMenWillvotetheotherway。"
"Fifteenhundred，"saidthePrimeMinister，withashudder；"it"stoohorribletothinkof。Ourmajoritylasttimewasonlyathousandandseven。"
"Thepollopensateightto-morrowmorning，"saidtheChiefOrganiser；"wemusthavehimoutby7a。m。"
"Seven-thirty，"amendedthePrimeMinister；"wemustavoidanyappearanceofprecipitancy。"
"Notlaterthanseven-thirty，then，"saidtheChiefOrganiser；"I
havepromisedtheagentdowntherethatheshallbeabletodisplaypostersannouncing"PlatterbaffisOut，"beforethepollopens。Hesaiditwasouronlychanceofgettingatelegram"RadpropisIn"
to-night。"
Athalf-pastseventhenextmorningthePrimeMinisterandtheChiefOrganisersatatbreakfast，makingaperfunctorymeal，andawaitingthereturnoftheHomeSecretary，whohadgoneinpersontosuperintendthereleasingofPlatterbaff。Despitetheearlinessofthehourasmallcrowdhadgatheredinthestreetoutside，andthehorriblemenacingTrelawneyrefrainofthe"FifteenHundredVotingMen"cameinasteady，monotonouschant。
"Theywillcheerpresentlywhentheyhearthenews，"saidthePrimeMinisterhopefully；"hark！Theyarebooingsomeonenow！ThatmustbeMcKenna。"
TheHomeSecretaryenteredtheroomamomentlater，disasterwrittenonhisface。
"Hewon"tgo！"heexclaimed。
"Won"tgo？Won"tleavegaol？"
"Hewon"tgounlesshehasabrassband。Hesaysheneverhasleftprisonwithoutabrassbandtoplayhimout，andhe"snotgoingtogowithoutonenow。"
"Butsurelythatsortofthingisprovidedbyhissupportersandadmirers？"saidthePrimeMinister；"wecanhardlybesupposedtosupplyareleasedprisonerwithabrassband。HowonearthcouldwedefenditontheEstimates？"
"Hissupporterssayitisuptoustoprovidethemusic，"saidtheHomeSecretary；"theysayweputhiminprison，andit"souraffairtoseethatheleavesitinarespectablemanner。Anyway，hewon"tgounlesshehasaband。"
Thetelephonesquealedshrilly；itwasatrunkcallfromNemesis。
"Pollopensinfiveminutes。IsPlatterbaffoutyet？InHeaven"sname，why——"
TheChiefOrganiserrangoff。
"Thisisnotamomentforstandingondignity，"heobservedbluntly；
"musiciansmustbesuppliedatonce。Platterbaffmusthavehisband。"
"Whereareyougoingtofindthemusicians？"askedtheHomeSecretarywearily；"wecan"temployamilitaryband，infact，I
don"tthinkhe"dhaveoneifweofferedit，andthereain"tanyothers。There"samusicians"strikeon，Isupposeyouknow。"
"Can"tyougetastrikepermit？"askedtheOrganiser。
"I"lltry，"saidtheHomeSecretary，andwenttothetelephone。
Eighto"clockstruck。Thecrowdoutsidechantedwithanincreasingvolumeofsound：
"Willvotetheotherway。"
Atelegramwasbroughtin。ItwasfromthecentralcommitteeroomsatNemesis。"Losingtwentyvotesperminute，"wasitsbriefmessage。
Teno"clockstruck。ThePrimeMinister，theHomeSecretary，theChiefOrganiser，andseveralearnesthelpfulfriendsweregatheredintheinnergatewayoftheprison，talkingvolublytoDemosthenesPlatterbaff，whostoodwithfoldedarmsandsquarelyplantedfeet，silentintheirmidst。Golden-tonguedlegislatorswhoseeloquencehadswayedtheMarconiInquiryCommittee，oratanyratethegreaterpartofit，expendedtheirartsoforatoryinvainonthisstubbornunyieldingman。Withoutabandhewouldnotgo；andtheyhadnoband。
Aquarterpastten，half-past。Aconstantstreamoftelegraphboyspouredinthroughtheprisongates。
"Yamley"sfactoryhandsjustvotedyoucanguesshow，"ranadespairingmessage，andtheotherswereallofthesametenour。
NemesiswasgoingthewayofReading。
"Haveyouanybandinstrumentsofaneasynaturetoplay？"demandedtheChiefOrganiserofthePrisonGovernor；"drums，cymbals，thosesortofthings？"
"Thewardershaveaprivatebandoftheirown，"saidtheGovernor，"butofcourseIcouldn"tallowthementhemselves——"
"Lendustheinstruments，"saidtheChiefOrganiser。
Oneoftheearnesthelpfulfriendswasaskilledperformeronthecornet，theCabinetMinisterswereabletoclashcymbalsmoreorlessintune，andtheChiefOrganiserhassomeknowledgeofthedrum。
"Whattunewouldyouprefer？"heaskedPlatterbaff。
"Thepopularsongofthemoment，"repliedtheAgitatorafteramoment"sreflection。
Itwasatunetheyhadallheardhundredsoftimes，sotherewasnodifficultyinturningoutapassableimitationofit。Totheimprovisedstrainsof"Ididn"twanttodoit"theprisonerstrodeforthtofreedom。Thewordofthesonghadreference，itwasunderstood，totheincarceratingGovernmentandnottothedestroyeroftheAlbertHall。
Theseatwaslost，afterall，byanarrowmajority。ThelocalTradeUnioniststookoffenceatthefactofCabinetMinistershavingpersonallyactedasstrike-breakers，andeventhereleaseofPlatterbafffailedtopacifythem。
Theseatwaslost，butMinistershadscoredamoralvictory。Theyhadshownthattheyknewwhenandhowtoyield。
THETHREAT
SirLulworthQuaynesatintheloungeofhisfavouriterestaurant，theGallusBankiva，discussingtheweaknessesoftheworldwithhisnephew，whohadlatelyreturnedfromamuch-enlivenedexileinthewildsofMexico。Itwasthatblessedseasonoftheyearwhentheasparagusandtheplover"seggareabroadintheland，andtheoysterhasnotyetwithdrawnintoit"ssummerentrenchments，andSirLulworthandhisnephewwereinthatenlightenedafter-dinnermoodwhenpoliticsareseenintheirrightperspective，eventhepoliticsofMexico。
"Mostoftherevolutionsthattakeplaceinthiscountrynowadays，"
saidSirLulworth，"aretheproductofmomentsoflegislativepanic。