'Yes，thecleverdevil!'exclaimedHavill，unabletodepreciatelonger。
　　'How?'
　　'Theriddlethathasworriedmethreeweekshehassolvedinawaywhichissimplicityitself。Hehasgotit，andIamundone!'
　　'Nonsense，don'tgiveway。Let'smakeatracing。'
　　'Theground-planwillbesufficient，'saidHavill，hiscouragereviving。'Theideaissosimple，thatifonceseenitisnoteasilyforgotten。'
　　AroughtracingofSomerset'sdesignwasquicklymade，andblowingoutthecandlewithawaveofhishand，theyoungergentlemanlockedthedoor，andtheywentdownstairsagain。
　　'Ishouldneverhavethoughtofit，'saidHavill，astheywalkedhomeward。
　　'Onemanhasneedofanothereverytenyears:Ognidiecianniunuomohabisognodell'altro，astheysayinItaly。You'llhelpmeforthisturnifIhaveneedofyou?'
　　'Ishallneverhavethepower。'
　　'Oyes，youwill。Amanwhocancontrivetogetadmittedtoacompetitionbywritingaletterabusinganotherman，hasanyamountofpower。Thestrokewasagoodone。'
　　Havillwassilenttillhesaid，'Ithinkthesegustsmeanthatwearetohaveastormofrain。'
　　Darelookedup。Theskywasovercast，thetreesshivered，andadroportwobegantostrikeintothewalkers'coatsfromtheeast。TheywerenotfarfromtheinnatSleeping-Green，whereDarehadlodgings，occupyingtheroomswhichhadbeenusedbySomersettillhegavethemupformorecommodiouschambersatMarkton；andtheydecidedtoturnintheretilltherainshouldbeover。
　　HavingpossessedhimselfofSomerset'sbrainsHavillwasinclinedtobejovial，andorderedthebestinwinesthatthehouseafforded。Beforestartingfromhometheyhaddrunkasmuchaswasgoodforthem；sothattheirpotationsheresoonbegantohaveamarkedeffectupontheirtongues。Therainbeatuponthewindowswithadulldoggedpertinacitywhichseemedtosignifyboundlessreservesofthesameandlongcontinuance。Thewindrose，thesigncreaked，andthecandleswaved。Theweatherhad，intruth，brokenupfortheseason，andthiswasthefirstnightofthechange。
　　'Well，hereweare，'saidHavill，ashepouredoutanotherglassofthebrandiedliquorcalledoldportatSleeping-
　　Green；'anditseemsthatherewearetoremainforthepresent。'
　　'Iamathomeanywhere!'criedthelad，whosebrowwashotandeyewild。
　　Havill，whohadnotdrunkenoughtoaffecthisreasoning，helduphisglasstothelightandsaid，'Inevercanquitemakeoutwhatyouare，orwhatyourageis。Areyousixteen，one-
　　and-twenty，ortwenty-seven?AndareyouanEnglishman，Frenchman，Indian，American，orwhat?Youseemnottohavetakenyourdegreesintheseparts。'
　　'That'sasecret，myfriend，'saidDare。'Iamacitizenoftheworld。Iowenocountrypatriotism，andnokingorqueenobedience。Amanwhosecountryhasnoboundaryisyouronlytruegentleman。'
　　'Well，wherewereyouborn——somewhere，Isuppose?'
　　'Itwouldbeafactworththetelling。Thesecretofmybirthlieshere。'AndDareslappedhisbreastwithhisrighthand。
　　'Literally，justunderyourshirt-front；orfiguratively，inyourheart?'askedHavill。
　　'Literallythere。Itisnecessarythatitshouldberecorded，forone'sownmemoryisatreacherousbookofreference，shouldverificationberequiredatatimeofdelirium，disease，ordeath。'
　　Havillaskednofurtherwhathemeant，andwenttothedoor。
　　FindingthattherainstillcontinuedhereturnedtoDare，whowasbythistimesinkingdowninaone-sidedattitude，asifhungupbytheshoulder。Informinghiscompanionthathewasbutlittleinclinedtomovefarinsuchatempestuousnight，hedecidedtoremainintheinntillnextmorning。Oncallinginthelandlord，however，theylearntthatthehousewasfulloffarmersontheirwayhomefromalargesheep-fairintheneighbourhood，andthatseveralofthese，havingdecidedtostayonaccountofthesametempestuousweather，hadalreadyengagedthesparebeds。IfMr。Darewouldgiveuphisroom，andshareadouble-beddedroomwithMr。Havill，thethingcouldbedone，butnototherwise。
　　Tothisthetwocompanionsagreed，andpresentlywentupstairswithasgentlemanlyawalkandverticalacandleastheycouldexhibitunderthecircumstances。
　　Theotherinmatesoftheinnsoonretiredtorest，andthestormragedonunheededbyalllocalhumanity。
　　III。
　　Attwoo'clocktherainlesseneditsfury。Athalf-pasttwotheobscuredmoonshoneforth；andatthreeHavillawoke。Theblindhadnotbeenpulleddownovernight，andthemoonlightstreamedintotheroom，acrossthebedwhereonDarewassleeping。Helayonhisback，hisarmsthrownout；andhiswell-curvedyouthfulformlookedlikeanunpedestaledDionysusinthecolourlesslunarrays。
　　SleephadclearedHavill'smindfromthedrowsingeffectsofthelastnight'ssitting，andhethoughtofDare'smysteriousmannerinspeakingofhimself。ThisladresembledtheEtruscanyouthTages，inonerespect，thatofbeingaboywith，seemingly，thewisdomofasage；andtheeffectofhispresencewasnowheightenedbyallthosesinisterandmysticattributeswhicharelentbynocturnalenvironment。Hewhoinbroaddaylightmightbebutayoungchevalierd'industriewasnowanunlimitedpossibilityinsocialphenomena。Havillrememberedhowtheladhadpointedtohisbreast，andsaidthathissecretwasliterallykeptthere。Thearchitectwastoomuchofaprovincialtohavequenchedthecommoncuriositythatwaspartofhisnaturebytheacquiredmetropolitanindifferencetootherpeople'sliveswhich，inessencemoreunworthyeventhantheformer，causeslesspracticalinconvenienceinitsexercise。
　　Darewasbreathingprofoundly。Instigatedasabovementioned，Havillgotoutofbedandstoodbesidethesleeper。Afteramoment'spausehegentlypulledbacktheunfastenedcollarofDare'snightshirtandsawawordtattooedindistinctcharactersonhisbreast。BeforetherewastimeforHavilltodecipheritDaremovedslightly，asifconsciousofdisturbance，andHavillhastenedbacktobed。Darebestirredhimselfyetmore，whereuponHavillbreathedheavily，thoughkeepinganintentglanceontheladthroughhishalf-closedeyestolearnifhehadbeenawareoftheinvestigation。
　　Darewascertainlyconsciousofsomething，forhesatup，rubbedhiseyes，andgazedaroundtheroom；thenafterafewmomentsofreflectionhedrewsomearticlefrombeneathhispillow。AbluegleamshonefromtheobjectasDarehelditinthemoonlight，andHavillperceivedthatitwasasmallrevolver。
　　Aclammydewbrokeoutuponthefaceandbodyofthearchitectwhen，steppingoutofbedwiththeweaponinhishand，Darelookedunderthebed，behindthecurtains，outofthewindow，andintoacloset，asifconvincedthatsomethinghadoccurred，butindoubtastowhatitwas。HethencameacrosstowhereHavillwaslyingandstillkeepinguptheappearanceofsleep。Watchinghimawhileandmistrustingtherealityofthissemblance，DarebroughtittothetestbyholdingtherevolverwithinafewinchesofHavill'sforehead。
　　Havillcouldstandnomore。Crystallizedwithterror，hesaid，withouthowevermovingmorethanhislips，indreadofhastyactiononthepartofDare:'O，goodLord，Dare，Dare，Ihavedonenothing!'
　　Theyouthsmiledandloweredthepistol。'Iwasonlyfindingoutwhetheritwasyouorsomeburglarwhohadbeenplayingtricksuponme。Ifinditwasyou。'
　　'Doputawaythatthing!Itistooghastlytoproduceinarespectablebedroom。Whydoyoucarryit?'
　　'Cosmopolitesalwaysdo。Nowanswermyquestions。Whatwereyouupto?'andDareashespokeplayedwiththepistolagain。
　　Havillhadrecoveredsomecoolness。'Youcouldnotuseituponme，'hesaidsardonically，watchingDare。'Itwouldberiskingyourneckfortoolittleanobject。'
　　'Ididnotthinkyouwereshrewdenoughtoseethat，'repliedDarecarelessly，ashereturnedtherevolvertoitsplace。
　　'Well，whetheryouhaveoutwittedmeorno，youwillkeepthesecretaslongasIchoose。'
　　'Why?'saidHavill。
　　'BecauseIkeepyoursecretoftheletterabusingMissP。，andofthepilferedtracingyoucarryinyourpocket。'
　　'Itisquitetrue，'saidHavill。
　　Theywenttobedagain。Darewassoonasleep；butHavilldidnotattempttodisturbhimagain。Theeldermansleptbutfitfully。Hewasarousedinthemorningbyaheavyrumblingandjinglingalongthehighwayoverlookedbythewindow，thefrontwallofthehousebeingshakenbythereverberation。
　　'Thereisnorestformehere，'hesaid，risingandgoingtothewindow，carefullyavoidingtheneighbourhoodofMr。Dare。
　　WhenHavillhadglancedouthereturnedtodresshimself。
　　'What'sthatnoise?'saidDare，awakenedbythesamerumble。
　　'ItistheArtillerygoingaway。'
　　'Fromwhere?'
　　'Marktonbarracks。'
　　'Hurrah!'saidDare，jumpingupinbed。'Ihavebeenwaitingforthatthesesixweeks。'
　　Havilldidnotaskquestionsastothemeaningofthisunexpectedremark。
　　WhentheyweredownstairsDare'sfirstactwastoringthebellandaskifhisArmyandNavyGazettehadarrived。
　　WhiletheservantwasgoneHavillclearedhisthroatandsaid，'Iamanarchitect，andItakeintheArchitect；youareanarchitect，andyoutakeintheArmyandNavyGazette。'
　　'IamnotanarchitectanymorethanIamasoldier；butI
　　havetakenintheArmyandNavyGazettethesemanyweeks。'
　　Whentheywereatbreakfastthepapercamein。Darehastilytoreitopenandglancedatthepages。
　　'IamgoingtoMarktonafterbreakfast!'hesaidsuddenly，beforelookingup；'wewillwalktogetherifyoulike?'
　　Theywalkedtogetherasplanned，andenteredMarktonaboutteno'clock。
　　'Ihavejusttomakeacallhere，'saidDare，whentheywereoppositethebarrack-entranceontheoutskirtsofthetown，wherewheel-tracksandaregularchainofhoof-marksleftbythedepartedbatterieswereimprintedinthegravelbetweentheopengates。'Ishallnotbeamoment。'Havillstoodstillwhilehiscompanionenteredandaskedthecommissaryincharge，orsomebodyrepresentinghim，whenthenewbatterieswouldarrivetotaketheplaceofthosewhichhadgoneaway。
　　Hewasinformedthatitwouldbeaboutnoon。
　　'NowIamatyourservice，'saidDare，'andwillhelpyoutorearrangeyourdesignbythenewintellectuallightwehaveacquired。'
　　TheyenteredHavill'sofficeandsettowork。WhencontrastedwiththetracingfromSomerset'splan，Havill'sdesign，whichwasnotfaradvanced，revealedallitsweaknessestohim。
　　AfterseeingSomerset'sschemethebandsofHavill'simaginationwereloosened:helaidhisownpreviouseffortsaside，gotfreshsheetsofdrawing-paperanddrewwithvigour。
　　'Imayaswellstayandhelpyou，'saidDare。'Ihavenothingtodotilltwelveo'clock；andnotmuchthen。'
　　Sothereheremained。AtaquartertotwelvechildrenandidlersbegantogatheragainsttherailingsofHavill'shouse。
　　Afewminutespasttwelvethenoiseofanarrivinghostwasheardattheentrancetothetown。ThereuponDareandHavillwenttothewindow。
　　TheXandYBatteriesoftheZBrigade，RoyalHorseArtillery，wereenteringMarkton，eachheadedbythemajorwithhisbuglerbehindhim。Inamomenttheycameabreastandpassed，everymaninhisplace；thatistosay:
　　Sixshininghorses，inpairs，harnessedbyrope-traceswhiteasmilk，withadriveroneachnearhorse:twogunnersonthelead-colouredstout-wheeledlimber，theircarcasesjoltedtoajellyforlackofsprings:twogunnersonthelead-colouredstout-wheeledgun-carriage，inthesamepersonalcondition:
　　thenine-poundergun，dippingitsheavyheadtoearth，asifashamedofitsofficeintheseenlightenedtimes:thecomplementofjinglingandprancingtroopers，ridingatthewheelsandelsewhere:sixshininghorseswiththeirdrivers，andtraceswhiteasmilk，asbefore:twomoregallantjoltedmen，onanotherjoltinglimber，andmorestoutwheelsandlead-colouredpaint:twomorejoltedmenonanotherdroopinggun:morejinglingtroopersonhorseback:againsixshiningdraught-horses，traces，drivers，gun，gunners，leadpaint，stoutwheelsandtroopersasbefore。
　　Soeachdetachmentlumberedslowlyby，alleyesmartiallyforward，exceptwhenwanderinginquestoffemalebeauty。
　　'He'safinefellow，ishenot?'saidDare，denotingbyanodamountedofficer，withasallow，yethandsomeface，andblackmoustache，whocameuponabaygeldingwiththemenofhisbattery。
　　'Whatishe?'saidHavill。
　　'Acaptainwholacksadvancement。'
　　'Doyouknowhim?'
　　'Iknowhim?'
　　'Yes；doyou?'
　　Daremadenoreply；andtheywatchedthecaptainasherodepastwithhisdrawnswordinhishand，thesunmakingalittlesunuponitsblade，anduponhisbrilliantlypolishedlongbootsandbrightspurs；alsowarminghisgoldcross-beltandbraidings，whitegloves，busbywithitsredbag，andtallwhiteplume。
　　Havillseemedtobetooindifferenttopresshisquestioning；
　　andwhenallthesoldiershadpassedby，Dareobservedtohiscompanionthatheshouldleavehimforashorttime，butwouldreturnintheafternoonornextday。
　　Afterthishewalkedupthestreetintherearoftheartillery，followingthemtothebarracks。Onreachingthegateshefoundacrowdofpeoplegatheredoutside，lookingwithadmirationatthegunsandgunnersdrawnupwithintheenclosure。Whenthesoldiersweredismissedtotheirquartersthesightseersdispersed，andDarewentthroughthegatestothebarrack-yard。
　　Thegunswerestandingonthegreen；thesoldiersandhorseswerescatteredabout，andthehandsomecaptainwhomDarehadpointedouttoHavillwasinspectingthebuildingsinthecompanyofthequartermaster。Daremadeamentalnoteofthesethings，and，apparentlychangingapreviousintention，wentoutfromthebarracksandreturnedtothetown。
　　IV。
　　ToreturnforawhiletoGeorgeSomerset。Thesunofhislaterexistencehavingvanishedfromthatyoungman'shorizon，heconfinedhimselfcloselytothestudio，superintendingtheexertionsofhisdraughtsmenBowles，Knowles，andCockton，whowerenowinthefullswingofworkingoutSomerset'screationsfromthesketcheshehadpreviouslyprepared。
　　HehadsofargotthestartofHavillinthecompetitionthat，bythehelpofthesethreegentlemen，hisdesignwassoonfinished。Buthegainednounfairadvantageonthisaccount，anadditionalmonthbeingallowedtoHavilltocompensateforhislaterinformation。
　　BeforescalinguphisdrawingsSomersetwishedtospendashorttimeinLondon，anddismissinghisassistantstillfurthernotice，helockeduptheroomswhichhadbeenappropriatedasofficeandstudioandpreparedforthejourney。
　　Itwasafternoon。SomersetwalkedfromthecastleinthedirectionofthewoodtoreachMarktonbyadetour。Hehadnotproceededfarwhenthereapproachedhispathamanridingabayhorsewithasquare-cuttail。Theequestrianworeagrizzledbeard，andlookedatSomersetwithapiercingeyeashenoiselesslyambledneareroverthesoftsodofthepark。
　　HeprovedtobeMr。CunninghamHaze，chiefconstableofthedistrict，whohadbecomeslightlyknowntoSomersetduringhissojournhere。
　　'Oneword，Mr。Somerset，'saidtheChief，aftertheyhadexchangednodsofrecognition，reininghishorseashespoke。
　　Somersetstopped。
　　'Youhaveastudioatthecastleinwhichyouarepreparingdrawings?'
　　'Ihave。'
　　'Haveyouaclerk?'
　　'Ihadthreetillyesterday，whenIpaidthemoff。'
　　'Wouldtheyhaveanyrighttoenterthestudiolateatnight?'
　　'Therewouldhavebeennothingwrongintheirdoingso。
　　Eitherofthemmighthavegonebackatanytimeforsomethingforgotten。Theylivedquitenearthecastle。'
　　'Ah，thenallisexplained。IwasridingpastoverthegrassonthenightoflastThursday，andIsawtwopersonsinyourstudiowithalight。Itmusthavebeenabouthalf-pastnineo'clock。Oneofthemcameforwardandpulleddowntheblindsothatthelightfelluponhisface。ButIonlysawitforashorttime。'
　　'IfitwereKnowlesorCocktonhewouldhavehadabeard。'
　　'Hehadnobeard。'
　　'ThenitmusthavebeenBowles。Ayoungman?'
　　'Quiteyoung。Hiscompanioninthebackgroundseemedolder。'
　　'Theyareallaboutthesameagereally。Bytheway——itcouldn'thavebeenDare——andHavill，surely!Wouldyourecognizethemagain?'
　　'Theyoungonepossibly。Theothernotatall，forheremainedintheshade。'
　　SomersetendeavouredtodiscerninadescriptionbythechiefconstablethefeaturesofMr。Bowles:butitseemedtoapproximatemorecloselytoDareinspiteofhimself。'I'llmakeasketchoftheonlyonewhohadnobusinessthere，andshowittoyou，'hepresentlysaid。'Ishouldlikethisclearedup。'
　　Mr。CunninghamHazesaidhewasgoingtoToneboroughthatafternoon，butwouldreturnintheeveningbeforeSomerset'sdeparture。Withthistheyparted。ApossiblemotiveforDare'spresenceintheroomshadinstantlypresenteditselftoSomerset'smind，forhehadseenDareenterHavill'sofficemorethanonce，asifhewereatworkthere。
　　Heaccordinglysatonthenextstile，andtakingouthispocket-bookbeganapencilsketchofDare'shead，toshowtoMr。Hazeintheevening；forifDarehadindeedfoundadmissionwithHavill，orashisagent，thedesignwaslost。
　　Buthecouldnotmakeadrawingthatwasasatisfactorylikeness。ThenheluckilyrememberedthatDare，intheintensewarmthofadmirationhehadaffectedforSomersetonthefirstdayortwooftheiracquaintance，hadbeggedforhisphotograph，andinreturnforithadleftoneofhimselfonthemantelpiece，takenashesaidbyhisownprocess。
　　SomersetresolvedtoshowthisproductiontoMr。Haze，asbeingmoretothepurposethanasketch，andinsteadoffinishingthelatter，proceededonhisway。
　　HeenteredtheoldovergrowndrivewhichwoundindirectlythroughthewoodtoMarkton。Theroad，havingbeenlaidoutforidlingratherthanforprogress，bentsharplyhitherandthitheramongthefissuredtrunksandlayersofhornyleaveswhichlaytherealltheyearround，interspersedwithcushionsofvividgreenmossthatformedoasesintherust-redexpanse。
　　Reachingapointwheretheroadmadeoneofitsbendsbetweentwolargebeeches，amanandwomanrevealedthemselvesatafewyards'distance，walkingslowlytowardshim。IntheshortandquaintladyherecognizedCharlotteDeStancy，whomherememberednottohaveseenforseveraldays。
　　Sheslightlyblushedandsaid，'O，thisispleasant，Mr。
　　Somerset!Letmepresentmybrothertoyou，CaptainDeStancyoftheRoyalHorseArtillery。'
　　HerbrothercameforwardandshookhandsheartilywithSomerset；andtheyallthreerambledontogether，talkingoftheseason，theplace，thefishing，theshooting，andwhateverelsecameuppermostintheirminds。
　　CaptainDeStancywasapersonagewhowouldhavebeencalledinterestingbywomenwelloutoftheirteens。Hewasripe，withouthavingdeclinedadigittowardsfogeyism。Hewassufficientlyoldandexperiencedtosuggestagoodlyaccumulationoftouchingamourettesinthechambersofhismemory，andnottoooldforthepossibilityofincreasingthestore。Hewasapparentlyabouteight-and-thirty，lesstallthanhisfatherhadbeen，butadmirablymade；andhiseverymovementexhibitedafinecombinationofstrengthandflexibilityoflimb。Hisfacewassomewhatthinandthoughtful，itscomplexionbeingnaturallypale，thoughdarkenedbyexposuretoawarmersunthanours。Hisfeaturesweresomewhatstriking；hismoustacheandhairravenblack；
　　andhiseyes，deniedtheattributesofmilitarykeennessbyreasonofthelargenessanddarknessoftheiraspect，acquiredtherebyasoftnessofexpressionthatwasinpartwomanly。
　　Hismouthasfarasitcouldbeseenreproducedthischaracteristic，whichmighthavebeencalledweakness，orgoodness，accordingtothementalattitudeoftheobserver。
　　Itwaslargebutwellformed，andshowedanunimpairedlineofteethwithin。Hisdressatpresentwasaheather-colouredruralsuit，cutclosetohisfigure。
　　'Youknewmycousin，JackRavensbury?'hesaidtoSomerset，astheywenton。'PoorJack:hewasagoodfellow。'
　　'Hewasaverygoodfellow。'
　　'Hewouldhavebeenmadeaparsonifhehadlived——itwashisgreatwish。I，ashissenior，andamanoftheworldasI
　　thoughtmyself，usedtochaffhimaboutitwhenhewasaboy，andtellhimnottobeamilksop，buttoenterthearmy。ButIthinkJackwasright——theparsonshavethebestofit，Iseenow。'
　　'Theywouldhardlyadmitthat，'saidSomerset，laughing。'NorcanI。'
　　'NorI，'saidthecaptain'ssister。'SeehowlovelyyoualllookedwithyourbiggunsanduniformwhenyouenteredMarkton；andthenseehowstupidtheparsonslookbycomparison，whentheyflockintoMarktonataVisitation。'
　　'Ah，yes，'saidDeStancy，'"Doubtlessitisabrilliantmasquerade；
　　Butwhenofthefirstsightyou'vehadyourfill，Itpalls——atleastitdoessouponme，Thisparadiseofpleasureandennui。"
　　Whenoneisgettingonforforty；
　　"Whenwehavemadeourlove，andgamedourgaming，Dressed，voted，shone，andmaybe，somethingmore；
　　Withdandiesdined，heardsenatorsdeclaiming；
　　Seenbeautiesbroughttomarketbythescore，"
　　andsoon，therearisesastrongdesireforaquietold-
　　fashionedcountrylife，inwhichincessantmovementisnotanecessarypartoftheprogramme。'
　　'Butyouarenotforty，Will?'saidCharlotte。
　　'Mydear，Iwasthirty-ninelastJanuary。'
　　'Well，menabouthereareyouthsatthatage。ItwasIndiausedyouupso，whenyouservedintheline，wasitnot?I
　　wishyouhadnevergonethere!'
　　'SodoI，'saidDeStancydrily。'ButIoughttogrowayouthagain，liketherest，nowIaminmynativeair。'
　　Theycametoanarrowbrook，notwiderthanaman'sstride，andMissDeStancyhaltedontheedge。
　　'Why，Lottie，youusedtojumpiteasilyenough，'saidherbrother。'Butwewon'tmakeherdoitnow。'Hetookherinhisarms，andliftedherover，givingheragratuitousrideforsomeadditionalyards，andsaying，'Youarenotapoundheavier，Lott，thanyouwereattenyearsold……Whatdoyouthinkofthecountryhere，Mr。Somerset?Areyougoingtostaylong?'
　　'Ithinkverywellofit，'saidSomerset。'ButIleaveto-
　　morrowmorning，whichmakesitnecessarythatIturnbackinaminuteortwofromwalkingwithyou。'
　　'That'sadisappointment。Ihadhopedyouweregoingtofinishouttheautumnwithshooting。There'ssome，veryfair，tobegothereonreasonableterms，I'vejustheard。'
　　'Butyouneednothireany!'spokeupCharlotte。'Paulawouldletyoushootanything，Iamsure。Shehasnotbeenherelongenoughtopreservemuchgame，andthepoachershaditallinMr。Wilkins'time。Butwhatthereisyoumightkillwithpleasuretoher。'
　　'No，thankyou，'saidDeStancygrimly。'IprefertoremainastrangertoMissPower——MissSteam-Power，sheoughttobecalled——andtoallherpossessions。'
　　Charlottewassubdued，anddidnotinsistfurther；whileSomerset，beforehecouldfeelhimselfabletodecideonthemoodinwhichthegallantcaptain'sjokeatPaula'sexpenseshouldbetaken，wonderedwhetheritwereamarriedmanorabachelorwhoutteredit。
　　HehadnotbeenabletokeepthequestionofDeStancy'sdomesticstateoutofhisheadfromthefirstmomentofseeinghim。AssumingDeStancytobeahusband，hefelttheremightbesomeexcuseforhisremark；ifunmarried，Somersetlikedthesatirestillbetter；insuchcircumstancestherewasareliefinthethoughtthatCaptainDeStancy'sprejudicesmightbeinfinitelystrongerthanthoseofhissisterorfather。
　　'Goingto-morrow，didyousay，Mr。Somerset?'askedMissDeStancy。'Thenwillyoudinewithusto-day?Myfatherisanxiousthatyoushoulddosobeforeyougo。Iamsorrytherewillbeonlyourownfamilypresenttomeetyou；butyoucanleaveasearlyasyouwish。'
　　Herbrothersecondedtheinvitation，andSomersetpromised，thoughhisleisureforthateveningwasshort。HewasintruthsomewhatinclinedtolikeDeStancy；forthoughthecaptainhadsaidnothingofanyvalueeitheronwar，commerce，science，orart，hehadseemedattractivetotheyoungerman。
　　Beyondthenaturalinterestasoldierhasforimaginativemindsinthecivilwalksoflife，DeStancy'soccasionalmanifestationsoftaediumvitaeweretoopoeticallyshapedtoberepellent。Gallantrycombinedinhimwithasortofasceticself-repressioninawaythatwascurious。HewasadozenyearsolderthanSomerset:hislifehadbeenpassedingroovesremotefromthoseofSomerset'sownlife；andthelatterdecidedthathewouldliketomeettheartilleryofficeragain。
　　Biddingthematemporaryfarewell，hewentawaytoMarktonbyashorterpaththanthatpursuedbytheDeStancys，andafterspendingtheremainderoftheafternoonpreparingfordeparture，hesalliedforthjustbeforethedinner-hourtowardsthesuburbanvilla。
　　HehadbecomeyetmorecuriouswhetheraMrs。DeStancyexisted；iftherewereonehewouldprobablyseeherto-night。
　　Hehadanirrepressiblehopethattheremightbesuchalady。
　　Onenteringthedrawing-roomonlythefather，son，anddaughterwereassembled。SomersetfellintotalkwithCharlotteduringthefewminutesbeforedinner，andhisthoughtfounditswayout。
　　'ThereisnoMrs。DeStancy?'hesaidinanundertone。
　　'None，'shesaid；'mybrotherisabachelor。'
　　ThedinnerhavingbeenfixedatanearlyhourtosuitSomerset，theyhadreturnedtothedrawing-roomateighto'clock。Aboutninehewasaimingtogetaway。
　　'Youarenotoffyet?'saidthecaptain。
　　'Therewouldhavebeennohurry，'saidSomerset，'hadInotjustrememberedthatIhaveleftonethingundonewhichIwanttoattendtobeforemydeparture。Iwanttoseethechiefconstableto-night。'
　　'CunninghamHaze?——heistheverymanItoowanttosee。Buthewentoutoftownthisafternoon，andIhardlythinkyouwillseehimto-night。Hisreturnhasbeendelayed。'
　　'Thenthemattermustwait。'
　　'Ihaveleftwordathishouseaskinghimtocallhereifhegetshomebeforehalf-pastten；butatanyrateIshallseehimto-morrowmorning。CanIdoanythingforyou，sinceyouareleavingearly?'
　　Somersetrepliedthatthebusinesswasofnogreatimportance，andbrieflyexplainedthesuspectedintrusionintohisstudio；
　　thathehadwithhimaphotographofthesuspectedyoungman。
　　'Ifitisamistake，'addedSomerset，'Ishouldregretputtingmydraughtsman'sportraitintothehandsofthepolice，sinceitmightinjurehischaracter；indeed，itwouldbeunfairtohim。SoIwishtokeepthelikenessinmyownhands，andmerelytoshowittoMr。Haze。That'swhyIprefernottosendit。'
　　'MymatterwithHazeisthatthebarrackfurnituredoesnotcorrespondwiththeinventories。Ifyoulike，I'llaskyourquestionatthesametimewithpleasure。'
　　ThereuponSomersetgaveCaptainDeStancyanunfastenedenvelopecontainingtheportrait，askinghimtodestroyitiftheconstableshoulddeclareitnottocorrespondwiththefacethatmethiseyeatthewindow。Soonafter，Somersettookhisleaveofthehousehold。
　　Hehadnotbeenabsenttenminuteswhenotherwheelswereheardonthegravelwithout，andtheservantannouncedMr。
　　CunninghamHaze，whohadreturnedearlierthanhehadexpected，andhadcalledasrequested。
　　Theywentintothedining-roomtodiscusstheirbusiness。
　　WhenthebarrackmatterhadbeenarrangedDeStancysaid，'I
　　havealittlecommissiontoexecuteformyfriendMr。
　　Somerset。Iamtoaskyouifthisportraitofthepersonhesuspectsofunlawfullyenteringhisroomislikethemanyousawthere?'
　　Thespeakerwasseatedononesideofthedining-tableandMr。
　　Hazeontheother。AshespokeDeStancypulledtheenvelopefromhispocket，andhalfdrewoutthephotograph，whichhehadnotasyetlookedat，tohanditovertotheconstable。
　　Intheacthiseyefellupontheportrait，withitsuncertainexpressionofage，assuredlook，andhairworninafringelikeagirl's。
　　CaptainDeStancy'sfacebecamestrained，andheleantbackinhischair，havingpreviouslyhadsufficientpoweroverhimselftoclosetheenvelopeandreturnittohispocket。
　　'Goodheavens，youareill，CaptainDeStancy?'saidthechiefconstable。
　　'Itwasonlymomentary，'saidDeStancy；'betterinaminute——
　　aglassofwaterwillputmeright。'
　　Mr。Hazegothimaglassofwaterfromthesideboard。
　　'Thesespasmsoccasionallyovertakeme，'saidDeStancywhenhehaddrunk。'Iamalreadybetter。Whatwerewesaying?O，thisaffairofMr。Somerset's。Ifindthatthisenvelopeisnottherightone。'Heostensiblysearchedhispocketagain。
　　'Imusthavemislaidit，'hecontinued，rising。'I'llbewithyouagaininamoment。'
　　DeStancywentintotheroomadjoining，openedanalbumofportraitsthatlayonthetable，andselectedoneofayoungmanquiteunknowntohim，whoseagewassomewhatakintoDare's，butwhoinnootherattributeresembledhim。
　　DeStancyplacedthispictureintheoriginalenvelope，andreturnedwithittothechiefconstable，sayinghehadfounditatlast。
　　'Thankyou，thankyou，'saidCunninghamHaze，lookingitover。
　　'Ah——IperceiveitisnotwhatIexpectedtosee。Mr。
　　Somersetwasmistaken。'
　　Whenthechiefconstablehadleftthehouse，CaptainDeStancyshutthedooranddrewouttheoriginalphotograph。AshelookedatthetranscriptofDare'sfeatureshewasmovedbyapainfulagitation，tillrecallinghimselftothepresent，hecarefullyputtheportraitintothefire。
　　DuringthefollowingdaysCaptainDeStancy'smannerontheroads，inthestreets，andatbarracks，wasthatofCrusoeafterseeingtheprintofaman'sfootonthesand。
　　V。
　　AnybodywhohadcloselyconsideredDareatthistimewouldhavediscoveredthat，shortlyafterthearrivaloftheRoyalHorseArtilleryatMarktonBarracks，hegaveuphisroomattheinnatSleeping-Greenandtookpermanentlodgingsoverabroker'sshopinthetownabove-mentioned。Thepeculiarityoftheroomswasthattheycommandedaviewlengthwiseofthebarracklanealongwhichanysoldier，inthenaturalcourseofthings，wouldpasseithertoenterthetown，tocallatMyrtleVilla，ortogotoStancyCastle。
　　Dareseemedtoactasiftherewereplentyoftimeforhisbusiness。Somefewdayshadslippedbywhen，perceivingCaptainDeStancywalkpasthiswindowandintothetown，Daretookhishatandcane，andfollowedinthesamedirection。
　　WhenhewasaboutfiftyyardsshortofMyrtleVillaontheothersideofthetownhesawDeStancyenteritsgate。
　　Daremountedastilebesidethehighwayandpatientlywaited。
　　InabouttwentyminutesDeStancycameoutagainandturnedbackinthedirectionofthetown，tillDarewasrevealedtohimonhislefthand。WhenDeStancyrecognizedtheyouthhewasvisiblyagitated，thoughapparentlynotsurprised。
　　Standingstillamomenthedroppedhisglanceupontheground，andthencameforwardtoDare，whohavingalightedfromthestilestoodbeforethecaptainwithasmile。
　　'Mydearlad!'saidDeStancy，muchmovedbyrecollections。
　　HeheldDare'shandforamomentinbothhisown，andturnedaskance。
　　'Youarenotastonished，'saidDare，stillretaininghissmile，asiftohismindthereweresomethingcomicinthesituation。
　　'Iknewyouweresomewherenear。Wheredoyoucomefrom?'
　　'Fromgoingtoandfrointheearth，andwalkingupanddowninit，asSatansaidtohisMaker——Southamptonlast，incommonspeech。'
　　'Haveyoucomeheretoseeme?'
　　'Entirely。IdivinedthatyournextquarterswouldbeMarkton，thepreviousbatteriesthatwereatyourstationhavingcomeonhere。Ihavewantedtoseeyoubadly。'
　　'Youhave?'
　　'Iamratheroutofcash。Ihavebeenknockingaboutagooddealsinceyoulastheardfromme。'
　　'IwilldowhatIcanagain。'
　　'Thanks，captain。'
　　'But，Willy，Iamafraiditwillnotbemuchatpresent。YouknowIamaspoorasamouse。'
　　'Butsuchasitis，couldyouwriteachequeforitnow?'
　　'Iwillsendittoyoufromthebarracks。'
　　'Ihaveabetterplan。BygettingoverthisstilewecouldgoroundatthebackofthevillastoSleeping-GreenChurch。
　　Thereisalwaysapen-and-inkinthevestry，andwecanhaveanicetalkontheway。Itwouldbeunwiseformetoappearatthebarracksjustnow。'
　　'That'strue。'
　　DeStancysighed，andtheywereabouttowalkacrossthefieldstogether。'No，'saidDare，suddenlystopping:myplansmakeitimperativethatweshouldnotruntheriskofbeingseenineachother'scompanyforlong。Walkon，andI
　　willfollow。Youcanstrollintothechurchyard，andmoveaboutasifyouwereruminatingontheepitaphs。Therearesomewithexcellentmorals。I'llenterbytheothergate，andwecanmeeteasilyinthevestry-room。'
　　DeStancylookedgloomy，andwasonthepointofacquiescingwhenheturnedbackandsaid，'Whyshouldyourphotographbeshowntothechiefconstable?'
　　'Bywhom?'
　　'Somersetthearchitect。Hesuspectsyourhavingbrokenintohisofficeorsomethingofthesort。'DeStancybrieflyrelatedwhatSomersethadexplainedtohimatthedinner-
　　table。
　　'Itwasmerelydiamondcutdiamondbetweenus，onanarchitecturalmatter，'murmuredDare。'Ho!andhesuspects；
　　andthat'shisremedy!'
　　'Ihopethisisnothingserious?'askedDeStancygravely。
　　'Ipeepedathisdrawing——that'sall。Butsincehechoosestomakethatuseofmyphotograph，whichIgavehiminfriendship，I'llmakeuseofhisinawayhelittledreamsof。
　　Wellnow，let'son。'
　　AquarterofanhourlatertheymetinthevestryofthechurchatSleeping-Green。
　　'Ihaveonlyjusttransferredmyaccounttothebankhere，'
　　saidDeStancy，ashetookouthischeque-book，'anditwillbemoreconvenienttomeatpresenttodrawbutasmallsum。
　　Iwillmakeupthebalanceafterwards。'
　　WhenhehadwrittenitDareglancedoverthepaperandsaidruefully，'Itissmall，dad。Well，thereisallthemorereasonwhyIshouldbroachmyscheme，withaviewtomakingsuchdocumentslargerinthefuture。'
　　'Ishallbegladtohearofanysuchscheme，'answeredDeStancy，withalanguidattemptatjocularity。