第4章

THEPURSUIT

XX

AndnowtotellofMr。Hoopdriver，risingwiththesun，vigilant，active，wonderful，thepracticablehalfofthelead—framedwindowstuckopen，earsalert，aneyeflickeringincessantlyinthecornerpanes，inobliqueglancesattheAngelfront。Mrs。Wardorwantedhimtohavehisbreakfastdownstairsinherkitchen，butthatwouldhavemeantabandoningthewatch，andheheldoutstrongly。Thebicycle，cap—a—pie，occupied，underprotest，astrategicpositionintheshop。Hewasexpectantbysixinthemorning。Byninehorriblefearsoppressedhimthathisquesthadescapedhim，andhehadtoreconnoitretheAngelyardinordertosatisfyhimself。Therehefoundtheostler（Howarethemightyfalleninthesedecadentdays！）brushingdownthebicyclesofthechase，andhereturnedrelievedtoMrs。Wardor’spremises。Andabouttentheyemerged，androdequietlyuptheNorthStreet。Hewatchedthemuntiltheyturnedthecornerofthepostoffice，andthenoutintotheroadandupaftertheminfinestyle！Theywentbytheengine—housewheretheoldstocksandthewhippingpostsare，andontotheChichesterroad，andhefollowedgallantly。Sothisgreatchasebegan。

Theydidnotlookround，andhekeptthemjustwithinsight，gettingdownifhechancedtodrawcloselyuponthemroundacorner。Byridingvigorouslyhekeptquiteconvenientlynearthem，fortheymadebutlittlehurry。Hegrewhotindeed，andhiskneeswerealittlestifftobeginwith，butthatwasall。Therewaslittledangeroflosingthem，forathinchalkydustlayupontheroad，andthetrackofhertirewasmilledlikeashilling，andhiswasachequeredribbonalongtheway。SotheyrodebyCobden’smonumentandthroughtheprettiestofvillages，untilatlastthedownsrosesteeplyahead。Theretheystoppedawhileattheonlyinnintheplace，andMr。Hoopdrivertookupapositionwhichcommandedtheinndoor，andmoppedhisfaceandthirstedandsmokedaRedHerringcigarette。Theyremainedintheinnforsometime。Anumberofchubbyinnocentsreturninghomefromschool，stoppedandformedalineinfrontofhim，andwatchedhimquietlybutfirmlyforthespaceoftenminutesorso。"Goaway，"saidhe，andtheyonlyseemedquietlyinterested。Heaskedthemalltheirnamesthen，andtheyansweredindistinctmurmurs。

Hegaveitupatlastandbecamepassiveonhisgate，andsoatlengththeytiredofhim。

ThecoupleunderobservationoccupiedtheinnsolongthatMr。

Hoopdriveratthethoughtoftheirpossibleemploymenthungeredaswellasthirsted。Clearly，theywerelunching。Itwasacloudlessday，andthesunatthemeridianbeatdownuponthetopofMr。Hoopdriver’shead，ashowerbathofsunshine，ahugejetofhotlight。Itmadehisheadswim。Atlasttheyemerged，andtheothermaninbrownlookedbackandsawhim。Theyrodeontothefootofthedown，anddismountingbegantopushtediouslyupthatlongnearlyverticalascentofblindingwhiteroad，Mr。

Hoopdriverhesitated。Itmighttakethemtwentyminutestomountthat。Beyondwasemptydownlandperhapsformiles。Hedecidedtoreturntotheinnandsnatchahastymeal。

Attheinntheygavehimbiscuitsandcheeseandamisleadingpewtermeasureofsturdyale，pleasantunderthepalate，coolinthethroat，butleadeninthelegs，ofahotafternoon。Hefeltamanofsubstanceasheemergedintheblindingsunshine，butevenbythefootofthedownthesunwasinsistingagainthathisskullwastoosmallforhisbrains。Thehillhadgonesteeper，thechalkyroadblazedlikeamagnesiumlight，andhisfrontwheelbegananapparentlyincurablesqueaking。HefeltasamanfromMarswouldfeelifheweresuddenlytransferredtothisplanet，aboutthreetimesasheavyashewaswonttofeel。Thetwolittleblackfigureshadvanishedovertheforeheadofthehill。"Thetracks’llbeallright，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。

Thatwasacomfortingreflection。Itnotonlyjustifiedaslowprogressupthehill，butatthecrestasprawlontheturfbesidetheroad，tocontemplatetheWealdfromthesouth。Inamatteroftwodayshehadcrossedthatspaciousvalley，withitsfrozensurgeofgreenhills，itslittlevillagesandtownshipshereandthere，itscopsesandcornfields，itspondsandstreamslikejeweleryofdiamondsandsilverglitteringinthesun。TheNorthDownswerehidden，farawaybeyondtheWealdenHeights。

DownbelowwasthelittlevillageofCocking，andhalf—wayupthehill，amileperhapstotheright，hungaflockofsheepgrazingtogether。Overheadananxiouspeewitcircledagainsttheblue，andeverynowandthenemitteditsfeeblecry。Upheretheheatwastemperedbyapleasantbreeze。Mr。Hoopdriverwaspossessedbyunreasonablecontentment;helithimselfacigaretteandloungedmorecomfortably。SurelytheSussexaleismadeofthewatersofLethe，ofpoppiesandpleasantdreams。Drowsinesscoiledinsidiouslyabouthim。

Heawokewithaguiltystart，tofindhimselfsprawlingproneontheturfwithhiscapoveroneeye。Hesatup，rubbedhiseyes，andrealisedthathehadslept。Hisheadwasstillatrifleheavy。Andthechase？Hejumpedtohisfeetandstoopedtopick。

uphisoverturnedmachine。Hewhippedouthiswatchandsawthatitwaspasttwoo’clock。"Lordloveus，fancythat！——Butthetracks’llbeallright，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，wheelinghismachinebacktothechalkyroad。"ImustscorchtillIovertakethem。"

Hemountedandrodeasrapidlyastheheatandalingeringlassitudepermitted。Nowandthenhehadtodismounttoexaminethesurfacewheretheroadforked。Heenjoyedthatrather。

"Trackin’，"hesaidaloud，anddecidedintheprivacyofhisownmindthathehadawonderfulinstinctfor’spoor。’SohecamepastGoodwoodstationandLavant，andapproachedChichestertowardsfouro’clock。Andthencameaterriblething。Inplacestheroadbecamehard，inplaceswerethecrowdedindentationsofarecentflockofsheep，andatlastinthethroatofthetowncobblesandthestonystreetsbranchingeast，west，north，andsouth，atastonecrossundertheshadowofthecathedralthetracksvanished。"OCricky！"saidMr。Hoopdriver，dismountingindismayandstandingagape。"Droppedanything？"saidaninhabitantatthekerb。"Yes，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，"I’velostthespoor，"

andwalkeduponhisway，leavingtheinhabitantmarvellingwhatpartofabicycleaspoormightbe。Mr。Hoopdriver，abandoningtracking，beganaskingpeopleiftheyhadseenaYoungLadyinGreyonabicycle。Sixcasualpeoplehadn’t，andhebegantofeeltheinquirywasconspicuous，anddesisted。Butwhatwastobedone？

Hoopdriverwashot，tired，andhungry，andfullofthefirstgnawingsofamonstrousremorse。Hedecidedtogethimselfsometeaandmeat，andintheRoyalGeorgehemeditatedoverthebusinessinamelancholyframeenough。Theyhadpassedoutofhisworld——vanished，andallhiswonderfuldreamsofsomevague，crucialinterferencecollapsedlikeacastleofcards。Whatafoolhehadbeennottosticktothemlikealeech！Hemighthavethought！Butthere！——whatWASthegoodofthatsortofthingnow？

Hethoughtofhertears，ofherhelplessness，ofthebearingoftheothermaninbrown，andhiswrathanddisappointmentsurgedhigher。"WhatCANIdo？"saidMr。Hoopdriveraloud，bringinghisfistdownbesidetheteapot。

WhatwouldSherlockHolmeshavedone？Perhaps，afterall，theremightbesuchthingsascluesintheworld，albeittheageofmiracleswaspast。Buttolookforaclueinthisintricatenetworkofcobbledstreets，toexamineeverymuddyinterstice！

Therewasachancebylookingaboutandinquiryatthevariousinns。Uponthathebegan。Butofcoursetheymighthaveriddenstraightthroughandscarcelyasoulhavemarkedthem。Andthencameapositivelybrilliantidea。"’OwmanywaysarethereoutofChichester？"saidMr。Hoopdriver。ItwasreallyequaltoSherlockHolmes——that。"Ifthey’vemadetracks，Ishallfindthosetracks。

Ifnot——they’reinthetown。"HewastheninEastStreet，andhestartedatoncetomakethecircuitoftheplace，discoveringincidentallythatChichesterisawalledcity。Inpassing，hemadeinquiriesattheBlackSwan，theCrown，andtheRedLionHotel。Atsixo’clockintheevening，hewaswalkingdowncast，intent，asonewhohaddroppedmoney，alongtheroadtowardsBognor，kickingupthedustwithhisshoesandfrettingwithdisappointedpugnacity。Athwarted，crestfallenHoopdriveritwas，asyoumaywellimagine。Andthensuddenlytherejumpeduponhisattention——abroadlineribbedlikeashilling，andclosebesideitonechequered，thateverandagainsplitintotwo。

"Found！"saidMr。Hoopdriverandswungroundonhisheelatonce，andbacktotheRoyalGeorge，helterskelter，forthebicycletheyweremindingforhim。Theostlerthoughthewasconfoundedlyimperious，consideringhismachine。

ATBOGNOR

XXI

Thatseductivegentleman，Bechamel，hadbeenworkinguptoacrisis。Hehadstarteduponthiselopementinaveinoffineromance，immenselyproudofhiswickedness，andreallyasmuchinloveasanartificialoversoulcanbe，withJessie。ButeithershewastheprofoundestofcoquettesorshehadnottheslightestelementofPassion（withalargeP）inhercomposition。Itwarredwithallhisideasofhimselfandthefemininemindtothinkthatundertheirflatteringcircumstancesshereallycouldbesovitallydeficient。Hefoundherpersistentcoolness，hermoreorlessevidentcontemptforhimself，exasperatinginthehighestdegree。Heputittohimselfthatshewasenoughtoprovokeasaint，andtriedtothinkthatwaspiquantandenjoyable，buttheblistersonhisvanityassertedthemselves。Thefactis，hewas，underthisstandingirritation，gettingdowntothenaturalmaninhimselfforonce，andthenaturalmaninhimself，inspiteofOxfordandthejuniorReviewers’Club，wasaPalaeolithiccreatureofsimpletastesandviolentmethods。"I’llbelevelwithyouyet，"ranlikeaploughthroughthesoilofhisthoughts。

Thentherewasthisinfernaldetective。BechamelhadtoldhiswifehewasgoingtoDavostoseeCarter。Tothathehadfanciedshewasreconciled，buthowshewouldtakethisexploitwasentirelyproblematical。Shewasawomanofpeculiarmoralviews，andshemeasuredmaritalinfidelitylargelybyitsproximitytoherself。Outofhersight，andmoreparticularlyoutofthesightoftheotherwomenofherset，viceoftherecogniseddescriptionwas，perhaps，permissibletothosecontemptibleweaklings，men，butthiswasEvilontheHighRoads。Shewasboundtomakeafuss，andthesefussesinvariablytookthefinalformofatightnessofmoneyforBechamel。Albeit，andhefeltitwasheroicofhimtoresolveso，itwasworthdoingifitwastobedone。HisimaginationworkedonakindofmatronlyValkyrie，andthenoiseofpursuitandvengeancewasintheair。Theidyllstillhadthefrontofthestage。Thataccurseddetective，itseemed，hadbeenthrownoffthescent，andthat，atanyrate，gaveanight’srespite。Butthingsmustbebroughttoanissueforthwith。

Byeighto’clockintheevening，inalittledining—roomintheVicunaHotel，Bognor，thecrisishadcome，andJessie，flushedandangryinthefaceandwithherheartsinking，facedhimagainforherlastst，rugglewithhim。Hehadtrickedherthistime，effectually，andluckhadbeenonhisside。ShewasbookedasMrs。Beaumont。Saveforherrefusaltoentertheirroom，andhereccentricityofeatingwithunwashedhands，shehadsofarkeptuptheappearancesofthingsbeforethewaiter。Butthedinnerwasgrimenough。Nowinturnsheappealedtohisbetternatureandmadeextravagantstatementsofherplanstofoolhim。

Hewaswhiteandviciousbythistime，andhisangerquiveredthroughhisposeofbrilliantwickedness。

"Iwillgotothestation，"shesaid。"Iwillgoback——"

"Thelasttrainforanywhereleavesat7。42。"

"Iwillappealtothepolice——"

"Youdon’tknowthem。"

"Iwilltellthesehotelpeople。"

"Theywillturnyououtofdoors。You’reinsuchathoroughlyfalsepositionnow。Theydon’tunderstandunconventionality，downhere。"

Shestampedherfoot。"IfIwanderaboutthestreetsallnight——"

shesaid。

"Youwhohaveneverbeenoutaloneafterdusk？Doyouknowwhatthestreetsofacharminglittleholidayresortarelike——"

"Idon’tcare，"shesaid。"Icangototheclergymanhere。"

"He’sacharmingman。Unmarried。Andmenarereallymorealikethanyouthink。Andanyhow——"

"Well？"

"HowCANyouexplainthelasttwonightstoanyonenow？Themischiefisdone，Jessie。"

"YouCUR，"shesaid，andsuddenlyputherhandtoherbreast。Hethoughtshemeanttofaint，butshestood，withthecolourgonefromherface。

"No，"hesaid。"Iloveyou。"

"Love！"saidshe。

"Yes——love。"

"Therearewaysyet，"shesaid，afterapause。

"Notforyou。Youaretoofulloflifeandhopeyetfor，whatisit？——notthedarkarchnortheblackflowingriver。Don’tyouthinkofit。You’llonlyshirkitwhenthemomentcomes，andturnitallintocomedy。"

Sheturnedroundabruptlyfromhimandstoodlookingoutacrosstheparadeattheshiningseaoverwhichtheafterglowofdayfledbeforetherisingmoon。Hemaintainedhisattitude。Theblindswerestillup，forshehadtoldthewaiternottodrawthem。Therewassilenceforsomemoments。

Atlasthespokeinaspersuasiveavoiceashecouldsummon。

"Takeitsensibly，Jessie。Whyshouldwe，whohavesomuchincommon，quarrelintomelodrama？IswearIloveyou。Youareallthatisbrightanddesirabletome。Iamstrongerthanyou，older;mantoyourwoman。TofindYOUtoo——conventional！"

Shelookedathimoverhershoulder，andhenoticedwithatwingeofdelighthowherlittlechincameoutbeneaththecurveofhercheek。

"MAN！"shesaid。"MantoMYwoman！DoMENlie？WouldaMANusehisfiveandthirtyyears’experiencetooutwitagirlofseventeen？Mantomywomanindeed！Thatsurelyisthelastinsult！"

"Yourreparteeisadmirable，Jessie。Ishouldsaytheydo，though——allthatandmorealsowhentheirheartsweresetonsuchagirlasyourself。ForGod’ssakedropthisshrewishness！Whyshouldyoubeso——difficulttome？HereamIwithMYreputation，MYcareer，atyourfeet。Lookhere，Jessie——onmyhonour，Iwillmarryyou——"

"Godforbid，"shesaid，sopromptlythatsheneverlearnthehadawife，eventhen。Itoccurredtohimthenforthefirsttime，intheflashofherretort，thatshedidnotknowhewasmarried。

"’Tisonlyapre—nuptialsettlement，"hesaid，followingthathint。

Hepaused。

"Youmustbesensible。Thething’syourowndoing。Comeoutonthebeachnowthebeachhereissplendid，andthemoonwillsoonbehigh。"

"_I_WON’T"shesaid，stampingherfoot。

"Well，well——"

"Oh！leavemealone。Letmethink——"

"Think，"hesaid，"ifyouwantto。It’syourcryalways。Butyoucan’tsaveyourselfbythinking，mydeargirl。Youcan’tsaveyourselfinanywaynow。Ifsavingitis——thisparsimony——"

"Oh，go——go。"

"Verywell。Iwillgo。Iwillgoandsmokeacigar。Andthinkofyou，dear……ButdoyouthinkIshoulddoallthisifIdidnotcare？"

"Go，"shewhispered，withoutglancinground。Shecontinuedtostareoutofthewindow。Hestoodlookingatherforamoment，withastrangelightinhiseyes。Hemadeasteptowardsher。"I

HAVEyou，"，hesaid。"Youaremine。Netted——caught。Butmine。"Hewouldhavegoneuptoherandlaidhishanduponher，buthedidnotdaretodothatyet。"Ihaveyouinmyhand，"hesaid，"inmypower。Doyouhear——POWER！"

Sheremainedimpassive。Hestaredatherforhalfaminute，andthen，withasuperbgesturethatwaslostuponher，wenttothedoor。SurelytheinstinctiveabasementofhersexbeforeStrengthwasuponhisside。Hetoldhimselfthathisbattlewaswon。Sheheardthehandlemoveandthecatchclickasthedoorclosedbehindhim。

XXII

AndnowwithoutinthetwilightbeholdMr。Hoopdriver，hischeekshot，hiseyebright！Hisbrainisinatumult。Thenervous，obsequiousHoopdriver，towhomIintroducedyousomedayssince，hasundergoneawonderfulchange。Eversincehelostthat’spoor’

inChichester，hehasbeentormentedbythemosthorriblevisionsoftheshamefulinsultsthatmaybehappening。Thestrangenessofnewsurroundingshasbeenworkingtostripoffthehabitualservilefromhim。Herewasmoonlightrisingoverthememoryofaredsunset，darkshadowsandglowingorangelamps，beautysomewheremysteriouslyraptawayfromhim，tangiblewronginabrownsuitandanunpleasantface，floutinghim。Mr。Hoopdriverforthetime，wasintheworldofRomanceandKnight—errantry，divinelyforgetfulofhissocialpositionorhers;forgetting，too，forthetimeanyofthewretchedtimiditiesthathadtiedhimlongsincebehindthecounterinhisproperplace。Hewasangryandadventurous。Itwasallabouthim，thisvividdramahehadfalleninto，anditwaseludinghim。Hewasfartoogrimlyinearnesttopickupthatlostthreadandmakeaplayofitnow。

Themanwasliving。Hedidnotposewhenhealightedatthecofeetaverneven，norwhenhemadehishastymeal。

AsBechamelcrossedfromtheVicunatowardstheesplanade，Hoopdriver，disappointedandexasperated，camehurryingroundthecornerfromtheTemperanceHotel。AtthesightofBechamel，hisheartjumped，andthetensionofhisangrysuspenseexplodedinto，ratherthangaveplaceto，anexcitedactivityofmind。

TheywereattheVicuna，andshewastherenowalone。Itwastheoccasionhesought。ButhewouldgiveChancenochanceagainsthim。Hewentbackroundthecorner，satdownontheseat，andwatchedBechamelrecedeintothedimnessuptheesplanade，beforehegotupandwalkedintothehotelentrance。"Aladycyclistingrey，"heaskedfor，andfollowedboldlyonthewaiter’sheels。

Thedoorofthedining—roomwasopeningbeforehefeltaqualm。

Andthensuddenlyhewasnearlymindedtoturnandrunforit，andhisfeaturesseemedtohimtobeconvulsed。

Sheturnedwithastart，andlookedathimwithsomethingbetweenterrorandhopeinhereyes。

"CanI——haveafewwords——withyou，alone？"saidMr。Hoopdriver，controllinghisbreathwithdifficulty。Shehesitated，andthenmotionedthewaitertowithdraw。

Mr。Hoopdriverwatchedthedoorshut。Hehadintendedtostepoutintothemiddleoftheroom，foldhisarmsandsay，"Youareintrouble。IamaFriend。Trustme。"Insteadofwhichhestoodpantingandthenspokewithsuddenfamiliarity，hastily，guiltily："Lookhere。Idon’tknowwhatthejuiceisup，butI

thinkthere’ssomethingwrong。Excusemyintruding——ifitisn’tso。I’lldoanythingyouliketohelpyououtofthescrape——ifyou’reinone。That’smymeaning，Ibelieve。WhatcanIdo？I

woulddoanythingtohelpyou。"

Herbrowpuckered，asshewatchedhimmake，withinfiniteemotion，thisremarkablespeech。"YOU！"shesaid。Shewastumultuouslyweighingpossibilitiesinhermind，andhehadscarcelyceasedwhenshehadmadeherresolve。

Shesteppedapaceforward。"Youareagentleman，"shesaid。

"Yes，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。

"CanItrustyou？"

Shedidnotwaitforhisassurance。"Imustleavethishotelatonce。Comehere。"

Shetookhisarmandledhimtothewindow。

"Youcanjustseethegate。Itisstillopen。Throughthatareourbicycles。Godown，getthemout，andIwillcomedowntoyou。

Dareyou？

"Getyourbicycleoutintheroad？"

"Both。Minealoneisnogood。Atonce。Dareyou？"

"Whichway？"

"Gooutbythefrontdoorandround。Iwillfollowinoneminute。"

"Right！"saidMr。Hoopdriver，andwent。

Hehadtogetthosebicycles。HadhebeentoldtogooutandkillBechamelhewouldhavedoneit。HisheadwasaMaeIstromnow。Hewalkedoutofthehotel，alongthefront，andintothebig，blackshadowedcoachyard。Helookedround。Therewerenobicyclesvisible。Thenamanemergedfromthedark，ashortmaninashort，black，shinyjacket。Hoopdriverwascaught。Hemadenoattempttoturnandrunforit。"I’vebeengivingyourmachinesawipeover，sir，"saidtheman，recognisingthesuit，andtouchinghiscap。Hoopdriver’sintelligencenowwasasoaringeagle;heswoopedonthesituationatonce。"That’sright，"hesaid，andadded，beforethepausebecamemarked，"Whereismine？Iwanttolookatthechain。"

Themanledhimintoanopenshed，andwentfumblingforalantern。Hoopdrivermovedthelady’smachineoutofhiswaytothedoor，andthenlaidhandsontheman’smachineandwheeleditoutoftheshedintotheyard。Thegatestoodopenandbeyondwasthepaleroadandaclumpoftreesblackinthetwilight。Hestoopedandexaminedthechainwithtremblingfingers。Howwasittobedone？Somethingbehindthegateseemedtoflutter。Themanmustbegotridofanyhow。

"Isay，"saidHoopdriver，withaninspiration，"canyougetmeascrewdriver？"

Themansimplywalkedacrosstheshed，openedandshutabox，andcameuptothekneelingHoopdriverwithascrewdriverinhishand。Hoopdriverfelthimselfalostman。Hetookthescrewdriverwithatepid"Thanks，"andincontinentlyhadanotherinspiration。

"Isay，"hesaidagain。

"Well？"

"Thisismilestoobig。"

Themanlitthelantern，broughtituptoHoopdriverandputitdownontheground。"Wantasmallerscrewdriver？"hesaid。

HoopdriverhadhishandkerchiefoutandsneezedapromptATICHEW。

Itistheorthodoxthingwhenyouwishtoavoidrecognition。"Assmallasyouhave，"hesaid，outofhispockethandkerchief。

"Iain’tgotnonesmallerthanthat，"saidtheostler。

"Won’tdo，really，"saidHoopdriver，stillwallowinginhishandkerchief。

"I’llseewottheygotinthe’ouse，ifyoulike，sir，"saidtheman。"Ifyouwould，"saidHoopdriver。Andastheman’sheavilynailedbootswentclatteringdowntheyard，Hoopdriverstoodup，tookanoiselesssteptothelady’smachine，laidtremblinghandsonitshandleandsaddle，andpreparedforarush。

Thescullerydooropenedmomentarilyandsentabeamofwarm，yellowlightuptheroad，shutagainbehindtheman，andforthwithHoopdriverrushedthemachinestowardsthegate。Adarkgreyformcameflutteringtomeethim。"Givemethis，"shesaid，"andbringyours。"

Hepassedthethingtoher，touchedherhandinthedarkness，ranback，seizedBechamel’smachine，andfollowed。

Theyellowlightofthescullerydoorsuddenlyflasheduponthecobblesagain。Itwastoolatenowtodoanythingbutescape。Heheardtheostlershoutbehindhim，andcameintotheroad。Shewasupanddimalready。Hegotintothesaddlewithoutablunder。

Inamomenttheostlerwasinthegatewaywithafull—throated"HI！sir！Thatain’tallowed;"andHoopdriverwasovertakingtheYoungLadyinGrey。Forsomemomentstheearthseemedalivewithshoutsof，"Stop’em！"andtheshadowswithambuscadesofpolice。

Theroadsweptround，andtheywereridingoutofsightofthehotel，andbehinddarkhedges，sidebyside。

Shewasweepingwithexcitementasheovertookher。"Brave，"shesaid，"brave！"andheceasedtofeellikeahuntedthief。Helookedoverhisshoulderandabouthim，andsawthattheywerealreadyoutofBognor——fortheVicunastandsattheverywesternmostextremityoftheseafront——andridingonafairwideroad。

XXIII

Theostler（beingafool）rushedviolentlydowntheroadvociferatingafterthem。ThenhereturnedpantingtotheVicunaHotel，andfindingagroupofmenoutsidetheentrance，whowantedtoknowwhatwasUP，stoppedtogivethemthecreamoftheadventure。Thatgavethefugitivesfiveminutes。Thenpushingbreathlesslyintothebar，hehadtomakeitcleartothebarmaidwhatthematterwas，andthe’gov’nor’beingout，theyspentsomemoreprecioustimewondering’what——EVER’wastobedone！inwhichthetwocustomersreturningfromoutsidejoinedwithanimation。Therewerealsomoralremarksandotherirrelevantcontributions。Therewereconflictingideasoftellingthepoliceandpursuingtheflyingcoupleonahorse。Thatmadetenminutes。

ThenStephen，thewaiter，whohadshownHoopdriverup，camedownandlitwonderfullightsandstartedquiteafreshdiscussionbythesimplequestion"WHICH？"Thatturnedtenminutesintoaquarterofanhour。Andinthemidstofthisdiscussion，makingasuddenandawestrickensilence，appearedBechamelinthehallbeyondthebar，walkedwitharesoluteairtothefootofthestaircase，andpassedoutofsight。Youconceivethebackwardpitchofthatexceptionallyshapedcranium？Incredulouseyesstaredintooneanother’sinthebar，ashispaces，muffledbythestaircarpet，wentuptothelanding，turned，reachedthepassageandwalkedintothedining—roomoverhead。

"Itwasn’tthatoneatall，miss，"saidtheostler，"I’dSWEAR"

"Well，that’sMr。Beaumont，"saidthebarmaid，"——anyhow。"

Theirconversationhungcomatoseintheair，switchedupbyBechamel。Theylistenedtogether。Hisfeetstopped。Turned。Wentoutofthediningroom。Downthepassagetothebedroom。Stoppedagain。

"Poorchap！"saidthebarmaid。"She’sawickedwoman！"

"Sssh！"saidStephen。

AfterapauseBechamelwentbacktothedining—room。Theyheardachaircreakunderhim。Interludeofconversationaleyebrows。

"I’mgoingup，"saidStephen，"tobreakthemelancholynewstohim。"

Bechamellookedupfromaweek—oldnewspaperas，withoutknocking，Stephenentered。Bechamel’sfacesuggestedadifferentexpectation。"Begpardon，sir，"saidStephen，withadiplomaticcough。

"Well？"saidBechamel，wonderingsuddenlyifJessiehadkeptsomeofherthreats。Ifso，hewasinforanexplanation。Buthehaditready。Shewasamonomaniac。"Leavemealonewithher，"hewouldsay;"Iknowhowtocalmher。"

"Mrs。Beaumont，"saidStephen。

"WELL？"

"Hasgone。"

Herosewithafinesurprise。"Gone！"hesaidwithahalflaugh。

"Gone，sir。Onherbicycle。"

"Onherbicycle！Why？"

"Shewent，sir，withAnotherGentleman。"

ThistimeBechamelwasreallystartled。"An——otherGentlemen！

WHO？"

"Anothergentlemaninbrown，sir。Wentintotheyard，sir，gotoutthetwobicycles，sir，andwentoff，sir——abouttwentyminutesago。"

Bechamelstoodwithhiseyesroundandhisknuckleonhiships。

Stephen，watchinghimwithimmenseenjoyment，speculatedwhetherthisabandonedhusbandwouldweeporcurse，orrushoffatonceinfuriouspursuit。Butasyetheseemedmerelystunned。

"Brownclothes？"hesaid。"Andfairish？"

"Alittlelikeyourself，sir——inthedark。Theostler，sir，JimDuke——"

Bechamellaughedawry。Then，withinfinitefervour，hesaid——Butletusputinblankcartridge——hesaid，"——————！"

"Imighthavethought！"

Heflunghimselfintothearmchair。

"Damnher，"saidBechamel，foralltheworldlikeacommonman。

"I’llchuckthisinfernalbusiness！They’vegone，eigh？"

"Yessir。"

Well，let’emGO，"saidBechamel，makingamemorablesaying。"Let’emGO。Whocares？AndIwishhimluck。AndbringmesomeBourbonasfastasyoucan，there’sagoodchap。I’lltakethat，andthenI’llhaveanotherlookroundBognorbeforeIturnin。"

Stephenwastoosurprisedtosayanythingbut"Bourbon，sir？"

"Goon，"saidBechamel。"Damnyou！"

Stephen’ssympathieschangedatonce。"Yessir，"hemurmured，fumblingforthedoorhandle，andlefttheroom，marvelling。

Bechamel，havinginthiswaysatisfiedhissenseofappearances，andcomportedhimselfasaPaganshould，sosoonasthewaiter’sfootstepshadpassed，ventedthecreamofhisfeelingsinastreamofblasphemousindecency。WhetherhiswifeorHER

stepmotherhadsentthedetective，SHEhadevidentlygoneoffwithhim，andthatlittlebusinesswasover。Andhewashere，strandedandsold，anass，andasitwere，thesonofmanygenerationsofasses。Andhisonlyrayofhopewasthatitseemedmoreprobable，afterall，thatthegirlhadescapedthroughherstepmother。Inwhichcasethebusinessmightbehushedupyet，andtheevilhourofexplanationwithhiswifeindefinitelypostponed。Thenabruptlytheimageofthatlithefigureingreyknickerbockerswentfriskingacrosshismindagain，andherevertedtohisblasphemies。Hestartedupinagustyfrenzywithavagueideaofpursuit，andincontinentlysatdownagainwithaconcussionthatstirredthebarbelowtoitsdepths。Hebangedthearmsofthechairwithhisfist，andsworeagain。"Ofalltheaccursedfoolsthatwereeverspawned，"hewaschanting，"I，Bechamel——"whenwithanabrupttapandpromptopeningofthedoor，StephenenteredwiththeBourbon。

THEMOONLIGHTRIDE

XXIV

Andsothetwentyminutes’lawpassedintoaninfinity。WeleavethewickedBechamelclothinghimselfwithcursingaswithagarment，——thewretchedcreaturehasalreadysufficientlysulliedourmodestbuttruthfulpages，——weleavetheeagerlittlegroupinthebaroftheVicunaHotel，weleaveallBognoraswehaveleftallChichesterandMidhurstandHaslemereandGuildfordandRipleyandPutney，andfollowthisdearfoolofaHoopdriverofoursandhisYoungLadyinGreyoutuponthemoonlightroad。Howtheyrode！Howtheirheartsbeattogetherandtheirbreathcamefast，andhoweveryshadowwasanticipationandeverynoisepursuit！ForallthatflightMr。HoopdriverwasintheworldofRomance。Hadapolicemanintervenedbecausetheirlampswerenotlit，Hoopdriverhadcuthimdownandriddenon，afterthefashionofaheroborn。HadBechamelariseninthewaywithrapiersforaduel，HoopdriverhadfoughtasonetowhomAgincourtwasarealityanddraperyadream。ItwasRescue，Elopement，Glory！Andshebythesideofhim！Hehadseenherfaceinshadow，withthemorningsunlighttangledinherhair，hehadseenhersympatheticwiththatwarmlightinherface，hehadseenhertroubledandhereyesbrightwithtears。Butwhatlightistherelightingafacelikehers，tocomparewiththesoftglamourofthemidsummermoon？

Theroadturnednorthward，goingroundthroughtheoutskirtsofBognor，inoneplacedarkandheavyunderathickgrowthoftrees，thenamidstvillasagain，somewarmandlamplit，somewhiteandsleepinginthemoonlight;thenbetweenhedges，overwhichtheysawbroadwanmeadowsshroudedinalow—lyingmist。

Theyscarcelyheededwhithertheyrodeatfirst，beingonlyanxioustogetaway，turningoncewestwardwhenthespireofChichestercathedralrosesuddenlynearthemoutofthedewynight，paleandintricateandhigh。Theyrode，speakinglittle，justararewordnowandthen，ataturning，atafootfall，ataroughnessintheroad。

Sheseemedtobetoointentuponescapetogivemuchthoughttohim，butafterthefirsttumultoftheadventure，asflightpassedintomeresteadyridin@@hismindbecameanenormousappreciationoftheposition。Thenightwasawarmwhitesilencesaveforthesubtilerunningoftheirchains。Helookedsidewaysatherasshesatbesidehimwithheranklesgracefullyrulingthetreadles。Nowtheroadturnedwestward，andshewasadarkgreyoutlineagainsttheshimmerofthemoon;andnowtheyfacednorthwards，andthesoftcoldlightpassedcaressinglyoverherhairandtouchedherbrowandcheek。

Thereisamagicqualityinmoonshine;ittouchesallthatissweetandbeautiful，andtherestofthenightishidden。Ithascreatedthefairies，whomthesunlightkills，andfairylandrisesagaininourheartsatthesightofit，thevoicesofthefilmyroute，andtheirfaint，soul—piercingmelodies。Bythemoonlighteveryman，dullclodthoughhebebyday，tastessomethingofEndymion，takessomethingoftheyouthandstrengthofEnidymion，andseesthedearwhitegoddessshiningathimfromhisLady’seyes。Thefirmsubstantialdaylightthingsbecomeghostlyandelusive，thehillsbeyondareaseaofunsubstantialtexture，theworldavisiblespirit，thespiritualwithinusrisesoutofitsdarkness，losessomethingofitsweightandbody，andswimsuptowardsheaven。Thisroadthatwasamereruttedwhitedust，hotunderfoot，blindingtotheeye，isnowasoftgreysilence，withtheglitterofacrystalgrainsetstarlikeinitssilverhereandthere。Overhead，ridingserenelythroughthespaciousblue，isthemotherofthesilence，shewhohasspiritualisedtheworld，alonesavefortwoattendantsteadyshiningstars。Andinsilenceunderherbenigninfluence，underthebenedictionofherlight，rodeourtwowandererssidebysidethroughthetransfiguredandtransfiguringnight。

NowherewasthemoonshiningquitesobrightlyasinMr。

Hoopdriver’sskull。Attheturningsoftheroadhemadehisdecisionswithanairofprofoundpromptitude（andquitehaphazard）。"TheRight，"hewouldsay。Oragain"TheLeft，"asonewhoknew。Soitwasthatinthespaceofanhourtheycameabruptlydownalittlelane，fulltiltuponthesea。Greybeachtotherightofthemandtotheleft，andalittlewhitecottagefastasleepinlandofasleepingfishing—boat。"Hullo！"saidMr。

Hoopdriver，sottovoce。Theydismountedabruptly。Stuntedoaksandthornsroseoutofthehazeofmoonlightthatwastangledinthehedgeoneitherside。

"Youaresafe，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，sweepingoffhiscapwithanairandbowingcourtly。

"Wherearewe？"

"SAFE。"

"ButWHERE？"

"ChichesterHarbour。"Hewavedhisarmseawardasthoughitwasagoal。

"Doyouthinktheywillfollowus？"

"Wehaveturnedandturnedagain。"

ItseemedtoHoopdriverthatheheardhersob。Shestooddimlythere，holdinghermachine，andhe，holdinghis，couldgononearertohertoseeifshesobbedforweepingorforwantofbreath。"Whatarewetodonow？"hervoiceasked。

"Areyoutired？"heasked。

"Iwilldowhathastobedone。"

Thetwoblackfiguresinthebrokenlightweresilentforaspace。"Doyouknow，"shesaid，"Iamnotafraidofyou。Iamsureyouarehonesttome。AndIdonotevenknowyourname！"

Hewastakenwithasuddenshameofhishomelypatronymic。"It’sanuglyname，"hesaid。"Butyouarerightintrustingme。I

would——Iwoulddoanythingforyou……Thisisnothing。"

Shecaughtatherbreath。Shedidnotcaretoaskwhy。ButcomparedwithBechamel！——"Wetakeeachotherontrust，"shesaid。

"Doyouwanttoknow——howthingsarewithme？"

"Thatman，"shewenton，aftertheassentofhislisteningsilence，"promisedtohelpandprotectme。Iwasunhappyathome——nevermindwhy。Astepmother——Idle，unoccupied，hindered，cramped，thatisenough，perhaps。Thenhecameintomylife，andtalkedtomeofartandliterature，andsetmybrainonfire。I

wantedtocomeoutintotheworld，tobeahumanbeing——notathinginahutch。Andhe——"

"Iknow，"saidHoopdriver。

"AndnowhereIam——"

"Iwilldoanything，"saidHoopdriver。

Shethought。"Youcannotimaginemystepmother。No！Icouldnotdescribeher——"

"Iamentirelyatyourservice。Iwillhelpyouwithallmypower。"

"IhavelostanIllusionandfoundaKnight—errant。"ShespokeofBechamelastheIllusion。

Mr。Hoopdriverfeltflattered。Buthehadnoadequateanswer。

"I’mthinking，"hesaid，fullofaraptureofprotectiveresponsibility，"whatwehadbestbedoing。Youaretired，youknow。Andwecan’twanderallnight——afterthedaywe’vehad。"

"ThatwasChichesterwewerenear？"sheasked。

"If，"hemeditated，withatrembleinhisvoice，"youwouldmakeMEyourbrother，MISSBEAUMONT。"

"Yes？"

"Wecouldstoptheretogether——"

Shetookaminutetoanswer。"Iamgoingtolighttheselamps，"

saidHoopdriver。Hebentdowntohisown，andstruckamatchonhisshoe。Shelookedathisfaceinitslight，graveandintent。

Howcouldsheeverhavethoughthimcommonorabsurd？

"Butyoumusttellmeyourname——brother，"shesaid，"Er——Carrington，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，afteramomentarypause。

WhowouldbeHoopdriveronanightlikethis？

"ButtheChristianname？"

"Christianname？MYChristianname。Well——Chris。"Hesnappedhislampandstoodup。"Ifyouwillholdmymachine，Iwilllightyours，"hesaid。

Shecameroundobedientlyandtookhismachine，andforamomenttheystoodfacetoface。"Myname，brotherChris，"shesaid，"isJessie。"

Helookedintohereyes，andhisexcitementseemedarrested。