[WANTS]
REQUIREDIMMEDIATELY，FOREastAfrica，athoroughlycompetentPlaneandDirigibleDriver，acquaintedwithPetrolRadiumandHeliummotorsandgenerators。Low-levelworkonly，butmustunderstandheavy-weightdigs。
MOSSAMEDESTRANSPORTASSOC。
84PalestineBuildings，E。C。
MANWANTED-DIGDRIVERforSouthernAlpswithSaharansummertrips。Highlevels，highspeed。highwages:
ApplyM。SIDNEY
HotelSanStefano。MonteCarlo。
FAMILYDIRIGIBLE。ACOMPETENT，steadymanwantedforslowspeed，lowlevelTangyedirigible。Nonightwork，noseatrips。MustbememberoftheChurchofEngland，andmakehimselfusefulinthegarden。
M。R。
TheRectory，Gray'sBarton，Wilts。
COMMERCIALDIG，CENTRALandSouthernEurope。Asmart，activemanforaL。M。T。Dig。Nightworkonly。HeadquartersLondonandCairo。Alinguistpreferred。
BAGMAN
CharingCrossHotel，W。C。urgent。
FORSALE——ABARGAIN——SinglePlane，narrow-gaugevans，Pinkemotor。Restayedthisautumn。Hansenair-kit，58in。chest，153
collar。Canbeseenbyappointment。
N。2650Thisoffice。
TheBEE-LINEBOOKSHOP
BELT'SWAY-BOOKS，givingtownlightsforalltownsover4，000
pop。aslaiddownbyA。B。O。
THEWORLD。Complete2vols。ThinOxford，limpback。12L6d。
BELT'SCOASTALITINERARY。ShortLightsoftheWorld。7s。6d。
THETRANSATLANTICANDMEDITERRANEANTRAFFICLINES。
ByauthorityoftheA。B。C。Paper，1s。6d。；cloth。2s。6d。Ready，Jan。16。
ARCTICAEROPLANING。SiemensandGait。Cloth，bds。Ss。6d。
LAVALLE'SHEARTOFTHECYCLONE，withsupplementarycharts。4s。
6d。
RIMINGTON'SPITFALLSINTHEAIR，andTableofComparativeDensities3s。6d。
ANGELO'SDESERTINADIRIGIBLE。Newedition，revised。5s。9d。
VAUGHAN'SPLANERACINGINCALMANDSTORM。2s。6d。
VAUGHAN'SHINTSTOTHEAIRMATEUR1s。
HOFMAN'SLAWSOFLIFTANDVELOCITY。Withdiagrams，3s。6d。
DEVITRE'STHEORYOFSHIFTINGBALLASTINDIRIGIBLES。2s。6d。
SANGERSWEATHERSOFTHEWORLD。4s。
SANGER'STEMPERATURESATHIGHALTITUDES。4s。
HAWKIN'SFOGANDHOWToAVOIDIT。3s。
VANZUYLAN'SSECONDARYEFFECTSOFTHUNDERSTORMS。4s。6d。
DAHLGREN'SAIRCURRENTSANDEPIDEMICDISEASES。5s。6d。
REDMAYNE'SDISEASEANDTHEBAROMETER。7s。6d。
WALTON'SHEALTHRESORTSOFTHEGOBIANDSHAMO。3s。6d。
WALTON'STHEPOLEANDPULMONARYCOMPLAINTS。7s。ad。
MUTLOWSHIGHLEVELBACTERIOLOGY。7s。6d。
HALLIWELL'SILLUMINATEDSTARMAP，withclockworkattachment，givingapparentmotionofheavens，boxed，completewithclampsforbinnacle，36inchsize，onlyL2。2。0。
Invaluablefornightwork。WithA。B。C。certificate。L3。10s。
0d。Zalinski'sStandardWorks:
PASSESOFTHEHIMALAYAS，5s。
PASSESOFTHESIERRAS，5s。
PASSESOFTHEROOKIES。5s。
PASSESOFTHEURALS，5s。
Thefourboxed，limpcloth，withcharts，15s。
GRAY'SAIRCURRENTSatMOUNTAINGORGES，7s。6d。
A。C。BELT&SON，READING
SAFETYWEARFORAERONAUTS
Fickers!Flickers!Flickers!
HIGHLEVELFLICKERS
"Hethatisdownneedfearnofall，"
Fearnot!Youwillfalllightlyasdown!
Hansen'sair-kitsaredowninallrespects。Tremendousreductionsinpricesprevioustowinterstocking。Pureparakitwithcelluloseseatandshoulder-pads，weightedtobalance。Unequalledforalldrop-work。
Ourtreblyresilientheavykitistheneplusultraofcomfortandsafety。
Gas-buoyed，waterproof，hail-proof，nonconductingFlickerswithpipeandnozzlefittingalltypesofgenerator。Graduatedtaponlefthip。
Hansen'sFlickersLeadtheAerialFlight197OxfordStreetThenewweightedFlickerwithtweedorcheviotsurfacecannotbedistinguishedfromtheordinarysuittillinflated。
Fickers!Flickers!Flickers!
APPLIANCESFORAIRPLANES
What"SKID"
wastoourforefathersontheground，"PITCH"
istotheirsonsintheair。
Thepopularityofthelarge，unwieldy，slow，expensiveDirigibleoverthelightswift，Planeismainlyduetotheformer'simmunityfrompitch。
Collison'sforward-socketedAirVanrendersitimpossibleforanyplanetopitch。TheC。F。S。isautomatic，simpleasashutter，certain\asapowerhammer，safeasoxygen。Fittedtoanymakeofplane。
COLLISON
186BromptonRoadWorkshops，ChiswickLUNDIEdoMATTERS
SoleAgtsforEast'nHemisphere
STARTERSANDGUIDES
Hotel，club，andprivatehouseplane-starters，slipsandguidesaffixedbyskilledworkmeninaccordancewithlocalbuildinglaws。
Rackstraww'sforty-footcollapsiblesteelstarterswithautomaticreleaseatendoftravel——pricesperfootrun，clampsandcramponsincluded。Thesafestonthemarket。
Weaver&DenisonMiddleboro
AIRPLANESANDDIRIGIBLEGOODS
REMEMBER
Planesareswift——soisDeathPlanesarecheap——soisLifeWhydoestheplanebuilderinsistonthesafetyofhismachines？
Methinksthegentlemanproteststoomuch。
TheStandardDigConstructionCompanydonotbuildkites。
Theybuild，equipandguaranteedirigibles。
StandardDigconstructionCo。
MillwallandBuenosAyres
HOVERS
POWELL'S
WindHoversfor'planeslying-toinheavyweather，savethemotorandstrainontheforebody。Willnotsendtoleeward。"Albatross"
wind-hovers，rigid-ribbed；accordingtoh。p。andweight。
Wefitandtestfreeto40eastofGreenwichVillageL。&W。POWELL
196VictoriaStreet，W。
REMEMBER
Weshallalwaysbepleasedtoseeyou。
Webuildandtestandguaranteeourdirigiblesorallpurposes。
Theygoupwhenyoupleaseandtheydonotcomedowntillyouplease。
Youcanpleaseyourself，but——youmightaswellchooseadirigible。
STANDARDDIRIGIBLECONSTRUCTIONCO。
MillwallandBuenosAyres
GAYERANDHUNT
BirminghamandBirminghamEng。Ala。
Towers。LandingStages，SlipsandLiftspublicandprivateContractorstotheA。B。C。，South-WesternEuropeanPostalConstructionDept。SolepatenteesandownersoftheCollisonanti-quakediagonaltower-tie。OnlygoldmedalKyotoExhibitionofAerialAppliances，1997。
AIRPLANESANDDIRIGIBLES
C。M。C。
OurSyntheticalMineralBEARINGS
arechemicallyandcrystallogicallyidenticalwiththemineralswhosenamestheybear。Anysize，anysurface。Diamond，Rock-Crystal，AgateandRubyBearings-cups，capsandcollarsforthehigherspeeds。Fortractorbearingsandspindles-Imperative。
Forrearpropellers-Indispensable。Forallworkingparts-Advisable。
CommercialMineralsCo。
107Minories
RESURGAM!
IfyouhavenotClothedYOURSELFinaNORMANDIERESURGAM
YOUWILLPROBABLYNOTBEINTERESTEDINOURNEXTWEEK'SLISTOF
AIR-KIT。
RESURGAMAIR-KITEMPORIUM
HYMANS&GRAHAM
1198LowerBroadway，NewYork
REMEMBER!
*Itisnownearly，agenerationsincethePlanewastosupersedetheDirigibleforallpurposes。*TO-DAYnoneofthePlanet'sfreightiscarriedenplane。*LessthantwoperrentofthePlanet'spassengersarecarriedenplane。
Wedesign，equipguaranteeDirigiblesforallpurposes。
StandardDigConstructionCompanyMILLWALLandBUENOSAYRES
BAT-BOATS
FLINT&MANTEL
SOUTHAMPTON
FORSALE
attheendofSeasonthefollowingBat-Boats:
GRISELDA，65knt。，42ft。，430nom。MaginnisMotor，under-rakerudder。
MABELLE，50knt。，40ft。，310HargreavesMotor，Douglas'lock-steeringgear。
IVEMONA，50knt。，35ft。，300HargreavesRadiumaccelerator，Millerkeelandrudder。
TheabovearewellknownontheSouthCoastassound，wholesomeknockaboutboats，withamplecruisingaccommodation。GriseldacarriessparesetofHofmanracingvansandcanbeliedthreefootclearinsmoothwaterwithballast-tankswungaft。Theothersdonotlift，clearofwater，andarerecommendedforbeginners。
Also，byprivatetreaty，racingB。B。Tarpon76winningflags
120knt。，60ft。；Long-Davidsondoubleunder-rakerudder，newthisseasonandunstrained。850nom。Maginnismotor，RadiumrelaysandPondgenerator。Bronzebreakwaterforward，andtreblereinforcedforefootandentry。Talfourdrockeredkeel:TriplesetofHofmanvans，givingmaximumliftingsurfaceof5327sq。ft。
Tarpon-hasbeenliftedandheldsevenfeetfortwomilesbetweentouchandtouch。
OurAutumnListofracingandfamilyBatsreadyonthe9thJanuary。
AIRPLANESANDSTARTERS
HINKSMODERATOR
Monorailoverheadstarterforfamilyandprivateplanesuptotwenty-fivefootoverallAbsolutelySafeHinks&Co……Birmingham
J。D。ARDAGH
IAMNOTCONCERNEDWITHYOURPLANEIAFTERITLEAVESMYGUIDES，BUTTILLTHENIHOLDMYSELFPERSONALLYRESPONSIBLEFORYOURLIFE，SAFETY，ANDCOMFORT。MYHYDRAULICBUFFER-STOPCANNOTRELEASE
TILLTHEMOTORSAREWORKINGUPTOBEARINGSPEED，THUSSECURING
ASAFEANDGRACEFULFLIGHTWITHOUTPITCHING。
Rememberourmotto，"UpwardandOutward，"
anddonottrustyourselftoso-called"rigid"guide-barsJ。D。ARDAGH，BELFASTANDTURIN
ACCESSORIESANDSPARES
CHRISTIANWRIGHT&OLDIS
ESTABLISHED1924
ACCESSORIESandSPARES
HoodedBinnacleswithdip-dialsautomaticallyrecordingchangeoflevelilluminatedface。
Allheightsfrom50to15，000feetL2100
WithAerialBoardofControlcertificateL3110
FootandHandFoghoms；Sirenstonedtoanyclubnote；withair-chestbelt-drivenhornmotorL680
WirelessinstallationssyntonisedtoA。B。C。requirements，inneatmahoganycase，hundredmilerangeL330
Grapnels，mushroom——anchors，pithing-irons，winches，hawsers，snaps，shacklesandmooringropes，forlawn，city，andpublicinstallations。
Detachableunder-cars，aluminumorstampedsteel。
Keeledunder-carsforplanes:single-actiondetaching-gear，turningcarintoboatwithonemotionofthewrist。Invaluableforseatrips。
Head，side，andridinglightsbysizeNos。00to20A。B。C。
Standard。Rocketsandfog-bombsincoloursandtonesoftheprincipalclubsboxed。
AselectionoftwentyL2176
Internationalnight-signalsboxedL1116
Sparegeneratorsguaranteedtoliftingpowermarkedoncoverpricesaccordingtopower。
Wind-nosesfordirigibles——Pegamoid，cane-stiffened，lacqueredcaneoraluminumandfluxforwinterwork。
Smoke-ringcannonforhailstorms，swivelmounted，boworstern。
Propellerblades:metal，tungstenbacked；paper-machewirestiffened；ribbedXyloniteNickson'spatent；allrazor-edgedpricebypitchanddiameter。
Compressedsteelbow-screwsforwinterwork。
FusedRubyorCommercialMineralCo。bearingsandcollars。
Agate-mountedthrust-blocksupto4inch。
Magniac'sbow-rudders——Lavalespatentgrooving。
Wovesteelbeltingsforoutboardmotorsnonmagnetic。
Radiumbatteries，allpowersto150h。p。inpairs。
Heliumbatteries，allpowersto300h。p。tandem。
Stun'slebrakesworkedfromupperorlowerplatform。
Directplunge-brakesworkedfromlowerplatformonly，loadedsilkorfibre，wind-tight。
CATALOGUESFREETHROUGHOUTTHEPLANET
THEFOURANGELS
AsADAMlaya-dreamingbeneaththeAppleTree，TheAngeloftheEarthcamedown，andofferedEarthinfee。
ButAdamdidnotneedit，Northeploughhewouldnotspeedit，Singing:——"EarthandWater，AirandFire，Whatmorecanmortalmandesire？"
TheAppleTree'sinbud。
AsAdamlaya-dreamingbeneaththeAppleTree，TheAngeloftheWatersofferedalltheSeasinfee。
ButAdamwouldnottake'em，Northeshipshewouldn'tmake'em，Singing:——"Water，EarthandAirandFire，Whatmorecanmortalmandesire？"
TheAppleTree'sinleaf。
AsAdamlaya-dreamingbeneaththeAppleTree，TheAngeloftheAirheofferedalltheAirinfee。
ButAdamdidnotcraveit，Northeflighthewouldn'tbraveit，Singing:——"AirandWater，EarthandFire，Whatmorecanmortalmandesire？"
TheAppleTree'sinbloom。
AsAdamlaya-dreamingbeneaththeAppleTree，TheAngeloftheFireroseupandnotawordsaidhe。
Buthewishedafireandmadeit，AndinAdam'shearthelaidit，Singing——"Fire，fire，burningFire，Standupandreachyourheart'sdesire!"
TheAppleBlossom'sset。
AsAdamwasa-workingoutsideofEden-Wall，HeusedtheEarth，heusedtheSeas，heusedtheAirandall；
AndoutofblackdisasterHearosetobethemasterOfEarthandWater，AirandFire，Butneverreachedhisheart'sdesire!
TheAppleTree'scutdown!
ADEALINCOTTON
Longandlongago，whenDevadattawasKingofBenares，IwrotesometalesconcerningStricklandofthePunjabPolicewhomarriedMissYoughal，andAdam，hisson。StricklandhasfinishedhisIndianService，andlivesnowataplaceinEnglandcalledWeston-super-Mare，wherehiswifeplaystheorganinoneofthechurches。Semi-occasionallyhecomesuptoLondon，andoccasionallyhiswifemakeshimvisithisfriends。Otherwiseheplaysgolfandfollowstheharriersforhisfigure'ssake。
IfyourememberthatInfantwhotoldataletoEustaceCleeverthenovelist，youwillrememberthathebecameabaronetwithavastestate。Hehas，owingtocookery，alittlelosthisfigure，butheneverloseshisfriends。Ihavefoundawingofhishouseturnedintoahospitalforsickmen，andthereIoncespentaweekinthecompanyoftwodismalnursesandaspecialistin"Sprue。"Anothertimetheplacewasfullofschoolboys——sonsofAnglo-IndianswhomtheInfanthadcollectedfortheholidays，andtheynearlybrokehiskeeper'sheart。
Butmylastvisitwasbetter。TheInfantcalledmeupbywire，andIfellintothearmsofafriendofmine，ColonelA。L。
Corkran，sothattheyearsdepartedfromus，andwepraisedAllah，whohadnotyetterminatedtheDelights，norseparatedtheCompanions。
SaidCorkran，whenhehadexplainedhowitfelttocommandanativeInfantryregimentontheborder:"TheStricksarecomingforto-night-withtheirboy。"
"Irememberhim。ThelittlefellowIwroteastoryabout，"I
said。"IsheintheService？"
"No。StrickgothimintotheCentro-Euro-AfricaProtectorate。
He'sAssistant-CommissioneratDupe——whereverthatis。
Somaliland，ain'tit，Stalky？"askedtheInfant。
Stalkypuffedouthisnostrilsscornfully。"You'reonlythreethousandmilesout。Lookattheatlas。"
"Anyhow，he'sasrottenfulloffeverastherestofyou，"saidtheInfant，atlengthonthebigdivan。"Andhe'sbringinganativeservantwithhim。Stalkybeanathlete，andtellIppstoputhiminthestableroom。"
"Why？IsheaYao——likethefellowWadebroughthere——whenyourhousekeeperhadfits？"StalkyoftenvisitstheInfant，andhasseensomeoddthings。
"No。He'soneofoldStrickland'sPunjabipolicemen——andquiteEuropean——Ibelieve。"
"Hooray!Haven'ttalkedPunjabiforthreemonths——andaPunjabifromCentralAfricaoughttobeamusin'。"
Weheardthechuffofthemotorintheporch，andthefirsttoenterwasAgnesStrickland，whomtheInfantmakesnosecretofadoring。
Heisdevoted，inafatman'splacidway，toatleasteightdesigningwomen；butshenursedhimoncethroughabadboutofPeshawurfever，andwhensheisinthehouse，itismorethanallhers。
"Youdidn'tsendrugsenough，"shebegan。"Adammighthavetakenachill。"
"It'squitewarminthetonneau。Whydidyoulethimrideinfront？"
"Becausehewantedto，"shereplied，withthemother'ssmile，andwewereintroducedtotheshadowofayoungmanleaningheavilyontheshoulderofabeardedPunjabiMohammedan。
"Thatisallthatcamehomeofhim，"saidhisfathertome。TherewasnothinginitofthechildwithwhomIhadjourneyedtoDalhousiecenturiessince。"
"Andwhatisthisuniform？"StalkyaskedofImamDin，theservant，whocametoattentiononthemarblefloor。
"TheuniformoftheProtectoratetroops，Sahib。ThoughIamtheLittleSahib'sbody-servant，itisnotseemlyforuswhitementobeattendedbyfolkdressedaltogetherasservants。"
"And——andyouwhitemenwaitattableonhorseback？"Stalkypointedtotheman'sspurs。
"TheseIaddedforthesakeofhonourwhenIcametoEngland，"
saidImamDinAdamsmiledtheghostofalittlesmilethatI
begantoremember，andweputhimonthebigcouchforrefreshments。Stalkyaskedhimhowmuchleavehehad，andhesaid"Sixmonths。"
"Buthe'lltakeanothersixonmedicalcertificate，"saidAgnesanxiously。Adamknithisbrows。
"Youdon'twantto——eh？Iknow。Wonderwhatmysecondincommandisdoing。"Stalkytuggedhismoustache，andfelltothinkingofhisSikhs。
"Ah!"saidtheInfant。"I'veonlyafewthousandpheasantstolookafter。Comealonganddressfordinner。We'rejustourselves。Whatflowerisyourhonour'sladyshipcommandingforthetable？"
"Justourselves？"shesaid，lookingatthecrotonsinthegreathall。"Thenlet'shavemarigoldsthelittlecemeteryones。"
Soitwasordered。
Now，marigoldstousmeanhotweather，discomfort，parting，anddeath。Thatsmellinournostrils，andAdam'sservantinwaiting，wenaturallyfellbackmoreandmoreontheoldslang，recallingateachglassthosewhohadgonebefore。Wedidnotsitatthebigtable，butinthebaywindowoverlookingthepark，wheretheywerecartingthelastofthehay。Whentwilightfellwewouldnothavecandles，butwaitedforthemoon，andcontinuedourtalkintheduskthatmakesoneremember。
YoungAdamwasnotinterestedinourpastexceptwhereithadtouchedhisfuture。Ithinkhismotherheldhishandbeneaththetable。ImamDin——shoeless，outofrespecttothefloors——broughthimhismedicine，poureditdropbydrop，andaskedfororders。
"Waittotakehimtohiscotwhenhegrowsweary，"saidhismother，andImamDinretiredintotheshadowbytheancestralportraits。
"Nowwhatd'youexpecttogetoutofyourcountry？"theInfantasked，when——ourIndialaidasidewetalkedAdam'sAfrica。Itrousedhimatonce。
"Rubber-nuts-gums-andsoon，"hesaid。"Butourrealfutureiscotton。IgrewfiftyacresofitlastyearinmyDistrict。"
"MyDistrict!"saidhisfather。"Hearhim，Mummy!"
"Ididthough!IwishIcouldshowyouthesample。SomeManchesterchapssaiditwasasgoodasanySeaIslandcottononthemarket。"
"Butwhatmadeyouacotton-planter，myson？"sheasked。
"MyChiefsaideverymanoughttohaveashoukahobbyofsorts，andhetookthetroubletorideadayoutofhiswaytoshowmeabeltofblacksoilthatwasjustthethingforcotton。"
"Ah!WhatwasyourChieflike？"Stalkyasked，inhissilkiesttones。
"Thebestmanalive——absolutely。Heletsyoublowyourownnoseyourself。Thepeoplecallhim"——Adamjerkedoutsomeheathenphrase——"thatmeanstheManwiththeStoneEyes，youknow。"
"I'mgladofthat。BecauseI'veheardfromotherquarters"
Stalky'ssentenceburnedlikeaslowmatch，buttheexplosionwasnotlongdelayed。"Otherquarters!"Adamthrewoutathinhand。
"Everydoghashisfleas。Ifyoulistentothem，ofcourse!"TheshakeofhisheadwasasIremembereditamonghisfather'spolicementwentyyearsbefore，andhismother'seyesshiningthroughtheduskcalledonmetoadoreit。IkickedStalkyontheshin。Onemustnotmockayoungman'sfirstloveorloyalty。
Alumpofrawcottonappearedonthetable。
"Ithoughttheremightbeaneed。ThereforeIpackeditbetweenourshirts，"saidthevoiceofImamDin。
"DoesheknowasmuchEnglishasthat？"criedtheInfant，whohadforgottenhisEast。
WealladmiredthecottonforAdam'ssake，and，indeed，itwasverylongandglossy。
"It's——it'sonlyanexperiment，"hesaid。"We'resuchawfulpauperswecan'tevenpayforamailcartinmyDistrict。Weuseabiscuit-boxontwobicyclewheels。Ionlygotthemoneyforthat"——hepattedthestuff——"byapurefluke。"
"Howmuchdiditcost？"askedStrickland。
"Withseedandmachinery——abouttwohundredpounds。Ihadthelabourdonebycannibals。"
"Thatsoundspromising。"Stalkyreachedforafreshcigarette。
"No，thankyou，"saidAgnes。"I'vebeenatWeston-super-Marealittletoolongforcannibals。I'llgotothemusic-roomandtryovernextSunday'shymns。"
Sheliftedtheboy'shandlightlytoherlips，andtrippedacrosstheacresofglimmeringfloortothemusic-roomthathadbeentheInfant'sancestors'banquetinghall。Hergreyandsilverdressdisappearedunderthemusicians'gallery；twoelectricsbrokeout，andshestoodbackedagainstthelinesofgildedpipes。
"There'sanabominableself-playingattachmenthere!"shecalled。
"Me!"theInfantanswered，hisnapkinonhisshoulder。"That'showIplayParsifal。"
"Ipreferthedirectexpression。Takeitaway，Ipps。"
WeheardoldIppsskatingobedientlyalloverthefloor。
"Nowforthedirectexpression，"saidStalky，andmovedontheBurgundyrecommendedbythefacultytoenrichfever-thinnedblood。
"It'snothingmuch。Onlythebeltofcotton-soilmychiefshowedmeranrightintotheSheshahelicountry。Wehaven'tbeenabletoprovecannibalismagainstthattribeinthecourts；butwhenaSheshahelioffersyoufourpoundsofwoman'sbreast，tattoomarksandall，skeweredupinaplantainleafbeforebreakfast，you——"
"Naturallyburnthevillagesbeforelunch，"saidStalky。
Adamshookhishead。"Notroops，"hesighed。"ItoldmyChiefaboutit，andhesaidwemustwaittilltheychoppedawhiteman。
HeadvisedmeifeverIfeltlikeitnottocommita——abarrenfelodese，buttolettheSheshahelidoit。Thenhecouldreport，andthenwecouldmop'emup!"
"Mostimmoral!That'showwegot——"Stalkyquotedthenameofaprovincewonbyjustsuchasacrifice。
"Yes，butthebeastsdominatedoneendofmycotton-beltlikeanything。TheychiviedmeoutofitwhenIwenttotakesoilforanalysis——meandImamDin。"
"Sahib!Isthereaneed？"Thevoicecameoutofthedarkness，andtheeyesshoneoverAdam'sshoulderereitceased。
"None。Thenamewastakenintalk。"Adamabolishedhimwithaturnofthefinger。"Icouldn'tmakeacasusbelliofitjustthen，becausemyChiefhadtakenallthetroopstohammeragangofslavekingsupnorth。DidyoueverhearofourwaragainstIbnMakarrah？HepreciousnearlylostustheProtectorateatonetime，thoughhe'sanallyofoursnow。"
"Wasn'theratheraperniciousbrute，evenastheygo？"saidStalky。"Wadetoldmeabouthimlastyear。"
"Well，hisnicknameallthroughthecountrywas'TheMerciful，'
andhedidn'tgetthatfornothing。Noneofourpeopleeverbreathedhispropername。Theysaid'He'or'ThatOne，'andtheydidn'tsayitaloud，either。Hefoughtusforeightmonths。"
"Iremember。Therewasaparagraphaboutitinoneofthepapers，"Isaid。
"Webrokehim，though。No——theslaversdon'tcomeourway，becauseourmenhavethereputationofdyingtoomuch，thefirstmonthafterthey'recaptured。Thatknocksdownprofits，yousee。"
"Whataboutyourcharmingfriends，theSheshahelis？"saidtheInfant。
"There'snomarketforSheshaheli。Peoplewouldassoonbuycrocodiles。Ibelieve，beforeweannexedthecountry，IbnMakarrahdroppeddownon'emonce——totrainhisyoungmen——andsimplyhewed'eminpieces。Thebulkofmypeopleareagriculturistsjusttherightstampforcotton-growers。What'sMotherplaying？——'Onceinroyal'？"
Theorganthathadbeencrooningashappilyasawomanoverherbaberestored，steadiedtoatune。
"Magnificent!Oh，magnificent!"saidtheInfantloyally。Ihadneverheardhimsingbutonce，andthen，thoughitwasearlyinthetolerantmorning，hismesshadrolledhimintoalotuspond。
"Howdidyougetyourcannibalstoworkforyou？"askedStrickland。
"TheygotconvertedtocivilizationaftermyChiefsmashedIbnMakarrah——justatthetimeIwanted'em。YouseemyChiefhadpromisedmeinwritingthatifIcouldscrapeupasurplushewouldnotbagitforhisroadsthistime，butImighthaveitformycottongame。Ionlyneededtwohundredpounds。Ourrevenuesdidn'truntoit。"
"Whatisyourrevenue？"Stalkyaskedinthevernacular。
"Withhut-tax，traders'gameandmininglicenses，notmorethanfourteenthousandrupees；everypennyofitear-markedmonthsahead。"Adamsighed。
"AlsothereisafinefordogsstrayingintheSahib'scamp。Lastyearitexceededthreerupees，"ImamDinsaidquietly。
"Well，Ithoughtthatwasfair。Theyhowledso。Wewereratherstrictonfines。Iworkedupmynativeclerk——BulakiRam——toaferociouspitchofenthusiasm。Heusedtocalculatetheprofitsofourcotton-schemetothreepointsofdecimals，afteroffice。I
tellyouIenviedyourmagistratesherehaulingmoneyoutofmotoristseveryweekIhadmanagedtomakeourordinaryrevenueandexpenditurejustaboutmeet，andIwascrazytogettheoddtwohundredpoundsformycotton。Thatsortofthinggrowsonachapwhenhe'salone——andtalksaloud!"
"Hul-lo!Haveyoubeentherealready？"thefathersaid，andAdamnodded。
"Yes。UsedtospoutwhatIcouldrememberof'Marmion'toatree，sir。Wellthenmyluckturned。OneeveninganEnglish-speakingniggercameintowingacorpsebythefeet。Yougetusedtolittlethingslikethat。Hesaidhe'dfoundit，andpleasewouldIidentify，becauseifitwasoneofIbnMakarrah'smentheremightbeareward。ItwasanoldMohammedan，withastrongdashofArab——asmallboned，bald-headedchap，andIwasjustwonderinghowithadkeptsowellinourclimatewhenitsneezed。Yououghttohaveseenthenigger!Hefetchedahowlandboltedlike——likethedogin'TomSawyer，'whenhesatonthewhat's-its-namebeetle。Heyelpedasheran，andthecorpsewentonsneezing。I
couldseeithadbeensarkied。That'sasortofgum-poison，pater，whichattacksthenervecentres。Ourchiefmedicalofficeriswritingamonographaboutit。SoImamDinandIemptiedoutthecorpseonetime，withmyshavingsoapandtradegunpowder，andhotwater。
"I'dseenacaseofsarkiebefore；sowhentheskinpeeledoffhisfeet，andhestoppedsneezing，Iknewhe'dlive。Hewasbad，though；laylikealogforaweekwhileImamDinandImassagedtheparalysisoutofhim。ThenhetoldushewasaHajji——hadbeenthreetimestoMecca——comeinfromFrenchAfrica，andthathe'dmettheniggerbythewayside——justlikeacaseofthuggee，inIndia——andtheniggerhadpoisonedhim。ThatseemedreasonableenoughbywhatIknewofCoastniggers。"
"Youbelievedhim？"saidhisfatherkeenly。
"TherewasnoreasonIshouldn't。Theniggernevercameback，andtheoldmanstayedwithmefortwomonths，"Adamreturned。"YouknowwhatthebesttypeofaMohammedangentlemancanbe，pater？
Hewasthat。"
"Nonefiner，nonefiner，"wastheanswer。
"ExceptaSikh，"Stalkygrunted。
"He'dbeentoBombay；heknewFrenchAfricainsideout；hecouldquotepoetryandtheKoranalldaylong。Heplayedchess——youdon'tknowwhatthatmeanttome-likeamaster。WeusedtotalkabouttheregenerationofTurkeyandtheSheik-ul-Islambetweenmoves。Oh，everythingunderthesunwetalkedabout!Hewasawfullyopen-minded。Hebelievedinslavery，ofcourse，buthequitesawthatitwouldhavetodieout。That'swhyheagreedwithmeaboutdevelopingtheresourcesofthedistrictbycotton-growing，youknow。"
"Youtalkedofthattoo？"saidStrickland。
"Rather。Wediscusseditforhours。Youdon'tknowwhatitmeanttome。Awonderfulman。ImamDin，wasnotourHajjimarvellous？"
"Mostmarvellous!ItwasallthroughtheHajjithatwefoundthemoneyforourcotton-play。"ImamDinhadmoved，Ifancy，behindStrickland'schair。
"Yes。Itmusthavebeendeadagainsthisconvictionstoo。HebroughtmenewswhenIwasdownwithfeveratDupethatoneofIbnMakarrah'smenwasparadingthroughmyDistrictwithabunchofslaves——intheFork!"
"What'sthematterwiththeFork，thatyoucan'tabideit？"saidStalky。Adam'svoicehadrisenatthelastword。
"Localetiquette，sir，"hereplied，tooearnesttonoticeStalky'satrociouspun。"IfaslaverrunsslavesthroughBritishterritoryheoughttopretendthatthey'rehisservants。Hawkin'
'emaboutintheFork——theforkedstickthatyouputroundtheirnecks，youknow——isinsolence——sameasnotbackingyourtopsailsintheolddays。Besides，itunsettlestheDistrict。"
"Ithoughtyousaidslaversdidn'tcomeyourway，"Iputin。
"Theydon't。ButmyChiefwassmoking'emoutoftheNorthallthatseason，andtheywereboltingintoFrenchterritoryanyroadtheycouldfind。Myordersweretotakenonoticesolongastheycirculated，butopenslave-dealingintheFork，wastoomuch。I
couldn'tgomyself，soItoldacoupleofourMakalalipoliceandImamDintomaketalkwiththegentlemanonetime。Itwasratherrisky，anditmighthavebeenexpensive，butitturneduptrumps。
Theywerebackinafewdayswiththeslaverhedidn'tshowfightandawholecrowdofwitnesses，andwetriedhiminmybedroom，andfinedhimproperly。JusttoshowyouhowdemoralizedthebrutemusthavebeenArabsoftengodottyafteradefeat，he'dsnappedupfourorfiveutterlyuselessSheshaheli，andwasoffering'emtoallandsundryalongtheroad。Why，heoffered'emtoyou，didn'the，ImamDin？"
"Iwaswitnessthatheofferedman-eaters'forsale，"saidImamDin。
"Luckilyformycotton-scheme，thatlanded，himbothways。Yousee，hehadslavedandexposedslavesforsaleinBritishterritory。ThatmeantthedoublefineifIcouldgetitoutofhim。"
"Whatwashisdefence？"saidStrickland，lateofthePunjabPolice。
"AsfarasIremember——butIhadatemperatureof104degreesatthetime——he'dmistakenthemeridiansoflongitude。ThoughthewasinFrenchterritory。Saidhe'dneverdoitagain，ifwe'dlethimoffwithafine。Icouldhaveshakenhandswiththebruteforthat。Hepaidupcashlikeamotoristandwentoffonetime。"
"Didyouseehim？"
"Ye-es。Didn'tI，ImamDin？"
"AssuredlytheSahibbothsawandspoketotheslaver。AndtheSahibalsomadeaspeechtotheman-eaterswhenhefreedthem，andtheysworetosupplyhimwithlabourforallhiscotton-play。
TheSahibleanedonhisownservant'sshoulderthewhile。"
"Iremembersomethingofthat。IrememberBulakiRamgivingmethepaperstosign，andIdistinctlyrememberhimlockingupthemoneyinthesafe——twohundredandtenbeautifulEnglishsovereigns。Youdon'tknowwhatthatmeanttome!Ibelieveitcuredmyfever；andassoonasIcould，IstaggeredoffwiththeHajjitointerviewtheSheshaheliaboutlabour。ThenIfoundoutwhytheyhadbeensokeentowork!Itwasn'tgratitude。Theirbigvillagehadbeenhitbylightningandburnedoutaweekortwobefore，andtheylayflatinrowsaroundmeaskingmeforajob。
Igaveit'em。"
"Andsoyouwereveryhappy？"Hismotherhadstolenupbehindus。
"Youlikedyourcotton，dear？"Shetidiedthelumpaway。
"ByJove，Iwashappy!"Adamyawned。"Nowifanyone，"helookedattheInfant，"carestoputalittlemoneyintothescheme，it'llbethemakingofmyDistrict。Ican'tgiveyoufigures，sir，butIassure——"
"You'lltakeyourarsenic，andImamDin'lltakeyouuptobed，andI'llcomeandtuckyouin。"
Agnesleanedforward，herroundedelbowsonhisshoulders，handsjoinedacrosshisdarkhair，and"Isn'theadarling？"shesaidtous，withjustthesameheart-rendinglifttothelefteyebrowandthesamebreakofhervoiceassentStricklandmadamongthehorsesintheyear'84。Wewerequietwhentheyweregone。WewaitedtillImamDinreturnedtousfromaboveandcoughedatthedoor，asonlydark-heartedAsiacan。
"Now，"saidStrickland，"telluswhattrulybefell，sonofmyservant。"
"AllbefellasourSahibhassaid。Only——onlytherewasanarrangement——alittlearrangementonaccountofhiscotton-play。"
"Tell!Sit!Ibegyourpardon，Infant，"saidStrickland。
ButtheInfanthadalreadymadethesign，andweheardImamDinhunkerdownonthefloor:OnegetslittleoutoftheEastatattention。
"WhenthefevercameonourSahibinourroofedhouseatDupe，"
hebegan，"theHajjilistenedintentlytohistalk。Heexpectedthenamesofwomen；thoughIhadalreadytoldhimthatOurvirtuewasbeyondbelieforcompare，andthatOursoledesirewasthiscotton-play。Beingatlastconvinced，theHajjibreathedonourSahib'sforehead，tosinkintohisbrainnewsconcerningaslave-dealerinhisdistrictwhohadmadeamockofthelaw。
Sahib，"ImamDinturnedtoStrickland，"ourSahibansweredtothosefalsewordsasahorseofbloodanswerstothespur。Hesatup。Heissuedordersfortheapprehensionoftheslavedealer。
Thenhefellback。Thenwelefthim。"
"Alone——servantofmyson，andsonofmyservant？"saidhisfather。
"TherewasanoldwomanwhichbelongedtotheHajji。ShehadcomeinwiththeHajji'smoney-belt。TheHajjitoldherthatifourSahibdied，shewoulddiewithhim。AndtrulyourSahibhadgivenmeorderstodepart。"
"Beingmadwithfever——eh？"
"Whatcouldwedo，Sahib？Thiscotton-playwashisheart'sdesire。Hetalkedofitinhisfever。Thereforeitwashisheart'sdesirethattheHajjiwenttofetch。DoubtlesstheHajjicouldhavegivenhimmoneyenoughoutofhandfortencottonplays；butinthisrespectalsoourSahib'svirtuewasbeyondbelieforcompare。GreatOnesdonotexchangemoneys。
ThereforetheHajjisaid——andIhelpedwithmycounsel——thatwemustmakearrangementstogetthemoneyinallrespectsconformablewiththeEnglishLaw。Itwasgreattroubletous，but——theLawistheLaw。AndtheHajjishowedtheoldwomantheknifebywhichshewoulddieifourSahibdied。SoIaccompaniedtheHajji。"
"Knowingwhohewas？"saidStrickland。
"No!Fearingtheman。Avirtuewentoutfromhimoverbearingthevirtueoflesserpersons。TheHajjitoldBulakiRamtheclerktooccupytheseatofgovernmentatDupetillourreturn。BulakiRamfearedtheHajji，becausetheHajjihadoftengloatinglyappraisedhisskillinfiguresatfivethousandrupeesuponanyslave-block。TheHajjithensaidtome:'Come，andwewillmaketheman-eatersplaythecotton-gameformydelight'sdelight'TheHajjilovedourSahibwiththeloveofafatherforhisson，ofasavedforhissaviour，ofaGreatOneforaGreatOne。ButI