"Idon’tcareabuttonmyselfforPaul’sPenny，orsuchthings，"headmittedinanswertosomeantiquarianopeningsfromtheclergymanwhowasslightlyacquaintedwithhim，"butIweartheKing’scoat，youknow，andit’saseriousthingwhentheKing’suncleleavesathingherewithhisownhandsundermycharge。Butasforsaintsandrelicsandthings，IfearI’mabitofaVoltairian;whatyouwouldcallaskeptic。"
　　"I’mnotsureit’sevenskepticaltobelieveintheroyalfamilyandnotinthe’Holy’Family，"repliedMr。
　　Twyford。"But，ofcourse，Icaneasilyemptymypockets，toshowIdon’tcarryabomb。"
　　Thelittleheapoftheparson’spossessionswhichheleftonthetableconsistedchieflyofpapers，overandaboveapipeandatobaccopouchandsomeRomanandSaxoncoins。Therestwerecataloguesofoldbooks，andpamphlets，likeoneentitled"TheUseofSarum，"oneglanceatwhichwassufficientbothforthecolonelandtheschoolboy。TheycouldnotseetheuseofSarumatall。Thecontentsoftheboy’spocketsnaturallymadealargerheap，andincludedmarbles，aballofstring，anelectrictorch，amagnet，asmallcatapult，and，ofcourse，alargepocketknife，almosttobedescribedasasmalltoolbox，acomplexapparatusonwhichheseemeddisposedtolinger，pointingoutthatitincludedapairofnippers，atoolforpunchingholesinwood，and，aboveall，aninstrumentfortakingstonesoutofahorse’shoof。Thecomparativeabsenceofanyhorseheappearedtoregardasirrelevant，asifitwereamereappendageeasilysupplied。Butwhentheturncameofthegentlemanintheblackgown，hedidnotturnouthispockets，butmerelyspreadouthishands。
　　"Ihavenopossessions，"hesaid。
　　"I’mafraidImustaskyoutoemptyyourpocketsandmakesure，"observedthecolonel，gruffly。
　　"Ihavenopockets，"saidthestranger。
　　Mr。Twyfordwaslookingatthelongblackgownwithalearnedeye。
　　"Areyouamonk？"heasked，inapuzzledfashion。
　　"Iamamagus，"repliedthestranger。"Youhaveheardofthemagi，perhaps？Iamamagician。"
　　"Oh，Isay！"exclaimedSummersMinor，withprominenteyes。
　　"ButIwasonceamonk，"wentontheother。"Iamwhatyouwouldcallanescapedmonk。Yes，Ihaveescapedintoeternity。Butthemonksheldonetruthatleast，thatthehighestlifeshouldbewithoutpossessions。Ihavenopocketmoneyandnopockets，andallthestarsaremytrinkets。"
　　"Theyareoutofreach，anyhow，"observedColonelMorris，inatonewhichsuggestedthatitwaswellforthem。"I’veknownagoodmanymagiciansmyselfinIndia——mangoplantandall。
　　ButtheIndianonesareallfrauds，I’llswear。Infact，I
　　hadagooddealoffunshowingthemup。MorefunthanIhaveoverthisdrearyjob，anyhow。ButherecomesMr。Symon，whowillshowyouovertheoldcellardownstairs。"
　　Mr。Symon，theofficialguardianandguide，wasayoungman，prematurelygray，withagravemouthwhichcontrastedcuriouslywithaverysmall，darkmustachewithwaxedpoints，thatseemedsomehow，separatefromit，asifablackflyhadsettledonhisface。HespokewiththeaccentofOxfordandthepermanentofficial，butinasdeadafashionasthemostindifferenthiredguide。Theydescendedadarkstonestaircase，atthefloorofwhichSymonpressedabuttonandadooropenedonadarkroom，or，rather，aroomwhichhadaninstantbeforebeendark。Foralmostastheheavyirondoorswungopenanalmostblindingblazeofelectriclightsfilledthewholeinterior。
　　ThefitfulenthusiasmofStinksatoncecaughtfire，andheeagerlyaskedifthelightsandthedoorworkedtogether。
　　"Yes，it’sallonesystem，"repliedSymon。"ItwasallfittedupforthedayHisRoyalHighnessdepositedthethinghere。Yousee，it’slockedupbehindaglasscaseexactlyasheleftit。"
　　Aglanceshowedthatthearrangementsforguardingthetreasurewereindeedasstrongastheyweresimple。Asinglepaneofglasscutoffonecorneroftheroom，inanironframeworkletintotherockwallsandthewoodenroofabove;therewasnownopossibilityofreopeningthecasewithoutelaboratelabor，exceptbybreakingtheglass，whichwouldprobablyarousethenightwatchmanwhowasalwayswithinafewfeetofit，evenifhehadfallenasleep。Acloseexaminationwouldhaveshowedmanymoreingenioussafeguards;buttheeyeoftheRev。ThomasTwyford，atleast，wasalreadyrivetedonwhatinterestedhimmuchmore——thedullsilverdiskwhichshoneinthewhitelightagainstaplainbackgroundofblackvelvet。
　　"St。Paul’sPenny，saidtocommemoratethevisitofSt。PaultoBritain，wasprobablypreservedinthischapeluntiltheeighthcentury，"Symonwassayinginhisclearbutcolorlessvoice。"Intheninthcenturyitissupposedtohavebeencarriedawaybythebarbarians，anditreappears，aftertheconversionofthenorthernGoths，inthepossessionoftheroyalfamilyofGothland。HisRoyalHighness，theDukeofGothland，retaineditalwaysinhisownprivatecustody，andwhenhedecidedtoexhibitittothepublic，placeditherewithhisownhand。Itwasimmediatelysealedupinsuchamanner——"
　　UnluckilyatthispointSummersMinor，whoseattentionhadsomewhatstrayedfromthereligiouswarsoftheninthcentury，caughtsightofashortlengthofwireappearinginabrokenpatchinthewall。Heprecipitatedhimselfatit，callingout，"Isay，say，doesthatconnect？"
　　Itwasevidentthatitdidconnect，fornosoonerhadtheboygivenitatwitchthanthewholeroomwentblack，asiftheyhadallbeenstruckblind，andaninstantafterwardtheyheardthedullcrashoftheclosingdoor。
　　"Well，you’vedoneitnow，"saidSymon，inhistranquilfashion。Thenafterapauseheadded，"I
　　supposethey’llmissussoonerorlater，andnodoubttheycangetitopen;butitmaytakesomelittletime。"
　　Therewasasilence，andthentheunconquerableStinksobserved：
　　"RottenthatIhadtoleavemyelectrictorch。"
　　"Ithink，"saidhisuncle，withrestraint，"thatwearesufficientlyconvincedofyourinterestinelectricity。"
　　Thenafterapauseheremarked，moreamiably："I
　　supposeifIregrettedanyofmyownimpedimenta，itwouldbethepipe。Though，asamatteroffact，it’snotmuchfunsmokinginthedark。Everythingseemsdifferentinthedark。"
　　"Everythingisdifferentinthedark，"saidathirdvoice，thatofthemanwhocalledhimselfamagician。
　　Itwasaverymusicalvoice，andratherincontrastwithhissinisterandswarthyvisage，whichwasnowinvisible。"Perhapsyoudon’tknowhowterribleatruththatis。Allyouseearepicturesmadebythesun，facesandfurnitureandflowersandtrees。Thethingsthemselvesmaybequitestrangetoyou。Somethingelsemaybestandingnowwhereyousawatableorachair。Thefaceofyourfriendmaybequitedifferentinthedark。"
　　Ashort，indescribablenoisebrokethestillness。
　　Twyfordstartedforasecond，andthensaid，sharply：
　　"Really，Idon’tthinkit’sasuitableoccasionfortryingtofrightenachild。"
　　"Who’sachild？"criedtheindignantSummers，withavoicethathadacrow，butalsosomethingofacrackinit。"Andwho’safunk，either？Notme。"
　　"Iwillbesilent，then，"saidtheothervoiceoutofthedarkness。"Butsilencealsomakesandunmakes。"
　　TherequiredsilenceremainedunbrokenforalongtimeuntilatlasttheclergymansaidtoSymoninalowvoice：
　　"Isupposeit’sallrightaboutair？"
　　"Oh，yes，"repliedtheotheraloud;"there’safireplaceandachimneyintheofficejustbythedoor。"
　　Aboundandthenoiseofafallingchairtoldthemthattheirrepressiblerisinggenerationhadoncemorethrownitselfacrosstheroom。Theyheardtheejaculation："Achimney！Why，I’llbe——"andtherestwaslostinmuffled，butexultant，cries。
　　Theunclecalledrepeatedlyandvainly，gropedhiswayatlasttotheopening，and，peeringupit，caughtaglimpseofadiskofdaylight，whichseemedtosuggestthatthefugitivehadvanishedinsafety。
　　Makinghiswaybacktothegroupbytheglasscase，hefelloverthefallenchairandtookamomenttocollecthimselfagain。HehadopenedhismouthtospeaktoSymon，whenhestopped，andsuddenlyfoundhimselfblinkinginthefullshockofthewhitelight，andlookingovertheotherman’sshoulder，hesawthatthedoorwasstandingopen。
　　"Sothey’vegotatusatlast，"heobservedtoSymon。
　　Themanintheblackrobewasleaningagainstthewallsomeyardsaway，withasmilecarvedonhisface。
　　"HerecomesColonelMorris，"wentonTwyford，stillspeakingtoSymon。"Oneofuswillhavetotellhimhowthelightwentout。Willyou？"
　　ButSymonstillsaidnothing。Hewasstandingasstillasastatue，andlookingsteadilyattheblackvelvetbehindtheglassscreen。Hewaslookingattheblackvelvetbecausetherewasnothingelsetolookat。St。Paul’sPennywasgone。
　　ColonelMorrisenteredtheroomwithtwonewvisitors;presumablytwonewsightseersdelayedbytheaccident。Theforemostwasatall，fair，ratherlanguid—lookingmanwithabaldbrowandahigh—bridgednose;hiscompanionwasayoungermanwithlight，curlyhairandfrank，andeveninnocent，eyes。Symonscarcelyseemedtohearthenewcomers;itseemedalmostasifhehadnotrealizedthatthereturnofthelightrevealedhisbroodingattitude。Thenhestartedinaguiltyfashion，andwhenhesawtheelderofthetwostrangers，hispalefaceseemedtoturnashadepaler。
　　"Whyit’sHorneFisher！"andthenafterapausehesaidinalowvoice，"I’minthedevilofahole，Fisher。"
　　"Theredoesseemabitofamysterytobeclearedup，"observedthegentlemansoaddressed。
　　"Itwillneverbeclearedup，"saidthepaleSymon。
　　"Ifanybodycouldclearitup，youcould。Butnobodycould。"
　　"IratherthinkIcould，"saidanothervoicefromoutsidethegroup，andtheyturnedinsurprisetorealizethatthemanintheblackrobehadspokenagain。
　　"You！"saidthecolonel，sharply。"Andhowdoyouproposetoplaythedetective？"
　　"Idonotproposetoplaythedetective，"answeredtheother，inaclearvoicelikeabell。"Iproposetoplaythemagician。OneofthemagiciansyoushowupinIndia，Colonel。"
　　Noonespokeforamoment，andthenHorneFishersurprisedeverybodybysaying，"Well，let’sgoupstairs，andthisgentlemancanhaveatry。"
　　HestoppedSymon，whohadanautomaticfingeronthebutton，saying："No，leaveallthelightson。It’sasortofsafeguard。"
　　"Thethingcan’tbetakenawaynow，"saidSymon，bitterly。
　　"Itcanbeputback，"repliedFisher。
　　Twyfordhadalreadyrunupstairsfornewsofhisvanishingnephew，andhereceivednewsofhiminawaythatatoncepuzzledandreassuredhim。Onthefloorabovelayoneofthoselargepaperdartswhichboysthrowateachotherwhentheschoolmasterisoutoftheroom。Ithadevidentlybeenthrowninatthewindow，andonbeingunfoldeddisplayedascrawlofbadhandwritingwhichran："DearUncle;Iamallright。Meetyouatthehotellateron，"andthenthesignature。
　　Insensiblycomfortedbythis，theclergymanfoundhisthoughtsrevertingvoluntarilytohisfavoriterelic，whichcameagoodsecondinhissympathiestohisfavoritenephew，andbeforeheknewwherehewashefoundhimselfencircledbythegroupdiscussingitsloss，andmoreorlesscarriedawayonthecurrentoftheirexcitement。Butanundercurrentofquerycontinuedtoruninhismind，astowhathadreallyhappenedtotheboy，andwhatwastheboy’sexactdefinitionofbeingallright。
　　MeanwhileHorneFisherhadconsiderablypuzzledeverybodywithhisnewtoneandattitude。Hehadtalkedtothecolonelaboutthemilitaryandmechanicalarrangements，anddisplayedaremarkableknowledgebothofthedetailsofdisciplineandthetechnicalitiesofelectricity。Hehadtalkedtotheclergyman，andshownanequallysurprisingknowledgeofthereligiousandhistoricalinterestsinvolvedintherelic。Hehadtalkedtothemanwhocalledhimselfamagician，andnotonlysurprisedbutscandalizedthecompanybyanequallysympatheticfamiliaritywiththemostfantasticformsofOrientaloccultismandpsychicexperiment。Andinthislastandleastrespectablelineofinquiryhewasevidentlypreparedtogofarthest;heopenlyencouragedthemagician，andwasplainlypreparedtofollowthewildestwaysofinvestigationinwhichthatmagusmightleadhim。
　　"Howwouldyoubeginnow？"heinquired，withananxiouspolitenessthatreducedthecoloneltoacongestionofrage。
　　"Itisallaquestionofaforce;ofestablishingcommunicationsforaforce，"repliedthatadept，affably，ignoringsomemilitarymutteringsaboutthepoliceforce。"ItiswhatyouintheWestusedtocallanimalmagnetism，butitismuchmorethanthat。I
　　hadbetternotsayhowmuchmore。Astosettingaboutit，theusualmethodistothrowsomesusceptiblepersonintoatrance，whichservesasasortofbridgeorcordofcommunication，bywhichtheforcebeyondcangivehim，asitwere，anelectricshock，andawakenhishighersenses。Itopensthesleepingeyeofthemind。"
　　"I’msuspectible，"saidFisher，eitherwithsimplicityorwithabafflingirony。"Whynotopenmymind’seyeforme？MyfriendHaroldMarchherewilltellyouIsometimesseethings，eveninthedark。"
　　"Nobodyseesanythingexceptinthedark，"saidthemagician。
　　Heavycloudsofsunsetwereclosingroundthewoodenhut，enormousclouds，ofwhichonlythecorners*couldbeseeninthelittlewindow，likepurplehornsandtails，almostasifsomehugemonsterswereprowlingroundtheplace。Butthepurplewasalreadydeepeningtodarkgray;itwouldsoonbenight。
　　"Donotlightthelamp，"saidthemaguswithquietauthority，arrestingamovementinthatdirection。"I
　　toldyoubeforethatthingshappenonlyinthedark。"
　　Howsuchatopsy—turvysceneevercametobetoleratedinthecolonel’soffice，ofallplaces，wasafterwardapuzzleinthememoryofmany，includingthecolonel。Theyrecalleditlikeasortofnightmare，likesomethingtheycouldnotcontrol。Perhapstherewasreallyamagnetismaboutthemesmerist;
　　perhapstherewasevenmoremagnetismaboutthemanmesmerized。
　　Anyhow，themanwasbeingmesmerized，forHorneFisherhadcollapsedintoachairwithhislonglimbslooseandsprawlingandhiseyesstaringatvacancy;
　　andtheothermanwasmesmerizinghim，makingsweepingmovementswithhisdarklydrapedarmsasifwithblackwings。Thecolonelhadpassedthepointofexplosion，andhedimlyrealizedthateccentricaristocratsareallowedtheirfling。Hecomfortedhimselfwiththeknowledgethathehadalreadysentforthepolice，whowouldbreakupanysuchmasquerade，andwithlightingacigar，theredendofwhich，inthegatheringdarkness，glowedwithprotest。
　　"Yes，Iseepockets，"themaninthetrancewassaying。"Iseemanypockets，buttheyareallempty。
　　No;Iseeonepocketthatisnotempty。"
　　Therewasafaintstirinthestillness，andthemagiciansaid，"Canyouseewhatisinthepocket？"
　　"Yes，"answeredtheother;"therearetwobrightthings。Ithinktheyaretwobitsofsteel。Oneofthepiecesofsteelisbentorcrooked。"
　　"Havetheybeenusedintheremovaloftherelicfromdownstairs？"
　　"Yes。"
　　Therewasanotherpauseandtheinquireradded，"Doyouseeanythingoftherelicitself？"
　　"Iseesomethingshiningonthefloor，liketheshadowortheghostofit。Itisoverthereinthecornerbeyondthedesk。"
　　Therewasamovementofmenturningandthenasuddenstillness，asoftheirstiffening，foroverinthecorneronthewoodenfloortherewasreallyaroundspotofpalelight。Itwastheonlyspotoflightintheroom。Thecigarhadgoneout。
　　"Itpointstheway，"camethevoiceoftheoracle。
　　"Thespiritsarepointingthewaytopenitence，andurgingthethieftorestitution。Icanseenothingmore。"Hisvoicetrailedoffintoasilencethatlastedsolidlyformanyminutes，likethelongsilencebelowwhenthethefthadbeencommitted。Thenitwasbrokenbytheringofmetalonthefloor，andthesoundofsomethingspinningandfallinglikeatossedhalfpenny。
　　"Lightthelamp！"criedFisherinaloudandevenjovialvoice，leapingtohisfeetwithfarlesslanguorthanusual。"Imustbegoingnow，butIshouldliketoseeitbeforeIgo。Why，Icameonpurposetoseeit。"
　　Thelampwaslit，andhedidseeit，forSt。Paul’sPennywaslyingonthefloorathisfeet。
　　"Oh，asforthat，"explainedFisher，whenhewasentertainingMarchandTwyfordatlunchaboutamonthlater，"Imerelywantedtoplaywiththemagicianathisowngame。"
　　"Ithoughtyoumeanttocatchhiminhisowntrap，"
　　saidTwyford。"Ican’tmakeheadortailofanythingyet，buttomymindhewasalwaysthesuspect。I
　　don’tthinkhewasnecessarilyathiefinthevulgarsense。Thepolicealwaysseemtothinkthatsilverisstolenforthesakeofsilver，butathinglikethatmightwellbestolenoutofsomereligiousmania。A
　　runawaymonkturnedmysticmightwellwantitforsomemysticalpurpose。"
　　"No，"repliedFisher，"therunawaymonkisnotathief。Atanyrateheisnotthethief。Andhe’snotaltogetheraliar，either。Hesaidonetruethingatleastthatnight。"
　　"Andwhatwasthat？"inquiredMarch。
　　"Hesaiditwasallmagnetism。Asamatteroffact，itwasdonebymeansofamagnet。"Then，seeingtheystilllookedpuzzled，headded，"Itwasthattoymagnetbelongingtoyournephew，Mr。Twyford。"
　　"ButIdon’tunderstand，"objectedMarch。"Ifitwasdonewiththeschoolboy’smagnet，Isupposeitwasdonebytheschoolboy。"
　　"Well，"repliedFisher，reflectively，"itratherdependswhichschoolboy。"
　　"Whatonearthdoyoumean？"
　　"Thesoulofaschoolboyisacuriousthing，"Fishercontinued，inameditativemanner。"Itcansurviveagreatmanythingsbesidesclimbingoutofachimney。
　　Amancangrowgrayingreatcampaigns，andstillhavethesoulofaschoolboy。AmancanreturnwithagreatreputationfromIndiaandbeputinchargeofagreatpublictreasure，andstillhavethesoulofaschoolboy，waitingtobeawakenedbyanaccident。
　　Anditistentimesmoresowhentotheschoolboyyouaddtheskeptic，whoisgenerallyasortofstuntedschoolboy。Yousaidjustnowthatthingsmightbedonebyreligiousmania。Haveyoueverheardofirreligiousmania？Iassureyouitexistsveryviolently，especiallyinmenwholikeshowingupmagiciansinIndia。Butheretheskeptichadthetemptationofshowingupamuchmoretremendousshamnearerhome。"
　　AlightcameintoHaroldMarch’seyesashesuddenlysaw，asifafaroff，thewiderimplicationofthesuggestion。ButTwyfordwasstillwrestlingwithoneproblematatime。
　　"Doyoureallymean，"hesaid，"thatColonelMorristooktherelic？"
　　"Hewastheonlypersonwhocouldusethemagnet，"repliedFisher。"Infact，yourobligingnephewlefthimanumberofthingshecoulduse。Hehadaballofstring，andaninstrumentformakingaholeinthewoodenfloor——Imadealittleplaywiththatholeinthefloorinmytrance，bytheway;withthelightsleftonbelow，itshonelikeanewshilling。"
　　Twyfordsuddenlyboundedonhischair。"Butinthatcase，"hecried，inanewandalteredvoice，"whythenofcourse——Yousaidapieceofsteel——？"
　　"Isaidthereweretwopiecesofsteel，"saidFisher。"Thebentpieceofsteelwastheboy’smagnet。Theotherwastherelicintheglasscase。"
　　"Butthatissilver，"answeredthearchaeologist，inavoicenowalmostunrecognizable。
　　"Oh，"repliedFisher，soothingly，"Idaresayitwaspaintedwithsilveralittle。"
　　Therewasaheavysilence，andatlastHaroldMarchsaid，"Butwhereistherealrelic？"
　　"Whereithasbeenforfiveyears，"repliedHorneFisher，"inthepossessionofamadmillionairenamedVandam，inNebraska。Therewasaplayfullittlephotographabouthiminasocietypapertheotherday，mentioninghisdelusion，andsayinghewasalwaysbeingtakeninaboutrelics。"
　　HaroldMarchfrownedatthetablecloth;then，afteraninterval，hesaid："IthinkIunderstandyournotionofhowthethingwasactuallydone;accordingtothat，Morrisjustmadeaholeandfisheditupwithamagnetattheendofastring。Suchamonkeytricklookslikemeremadness，butIsupposehewasmad，partlywiththeboredomofwatchingoverwhathefeltwasafraud，thoughhecouldn’tproveit。Thencameachancetoproveit，tohimselfatleast，andhehadwhathecalled’fun’withit。Yes，IthinkIseealotofdetailsnow。Butit’sjustthewholethingthatknocksme。Howdiditallcometobelikethat？"
　　Fisherwaslookingathimwithlevellidsandanimmovablemanner。
　　"Everyprecautionwastaken，"hesaid。"TheDukecarriedthereliconhisownperson，andlockeditupinthecasewithhisownhands。"
　　Marchwassilent;butTwyfordstammered。"I
　　don’tunderstandyou。Yougivemethecreeps。Whydon’tyouspeakplainer？"
　　"IfIspokeplaineryouwouldunderstandmeless，"
　　saidHorneFisher。
　　"AllthesameIshouldtry，"saidMarch，stillwithoutliftinghishead。
　　"Oh，verywell，"repliedFisher，withasigh;"theplaintruthis，ofcourse，thatit’sabadbusiness。
　　Everybodyknowsit’sabadbusinesswhoknowsanythingaboutit。Butit’salwayshappening，andinonewayonecanhardlyblamethem。Theygetstuckontoaforeignprincessthat’sasstiffasaDutchdoll，andtheyhavetheirfling。Inthiscaseitwasaprettybigfling。"
　　ThefaceoftheRev。ThomasTwyfordcertainlysuggestedthathewasalittleoutofhisdepthintheseasoftruth，butastheotherwentonspeakingvaguelytheoldgentleman’sfeaturessharpenedandset。
　　"IfitweresomedecentmorganaticaffairI
　　wouldn’tsay;buthemusthavebeenafooltothrowawaythousandsonawomanlikethat。Attheenditwassheerblackmail;butit’ssomethingthattheoldassdidn’tgetitoutofthetaxpayers。HecouldonlygetitoutoftheYank，andthereyouare。"
　　TheRev。ThomasTwyfordhadrisentohisfeet。
　　"Well，I’mgladmynephewhadnothingtodowithit，"hesaid。"Andifthat’swhattheworldislike，I
　　hopehewillneverhaveanythingto，dowithit。"
　　"Ihopenot，"answeredHorneFisher。"NooneknowssowellasIdothatonecanhavefartoomuchtodowithit。"
　　ForSummersMinorhadindeednothingtodowithit;anditispartofhishighersignificancethathehasreallynothingtodowiththestory，orwithanysuchstories。Theboywentlikeabulletthroughthetangleofthistaleofcrookedpoliticsandcrazymockeryandcameoutontheotherside，pursuinghisownunspoiledpurposes。Fromthetopofthechimneyheclimbedhehadcaughtsightofanewomnibus，whosecolorandnamehehadneverknown，asanaturalistmightseeanewbirdorabotanistanewflower。Andhehadbeensufficientlyenrapturedinrushingafterit，andridingawayuponthatfairyship。
　　IV。THEBOTTOMLESSWELL
　　Inanoasis，orgreenisland，intheredandyellowseasofsandthatstretchbeyondEuropetowardthesunrise，therecanbefoundaratherfantasticcontrast，whichisnonethelesstypicalofsuchaiplace，sinceinternationaltreatieshavemadeitanoutpostoftheBritishoccupation。Thesiteisfamousamongarchaeologistsforsomethingthatishardlyamonument，butmerelyaholeintheground。Butitisaroundshaft，likethatofawell，andprobablyapartofsomegreatirrigationworksofremoteanddisputeddate，perhapsmoreancientthananythinginthatancientland。Thereisagreenfringeofpalmandpricklypearroundtheblackmouthofthewell;butnothingoftheuppermasonryremainsexcepttwobulkyandbatteredstonesstandinglikethepillarsofagatewayofnowhere，inwhichsomeofthemoretranscendentalarchaeologists，incertainmoodsatmoonriseorsunset，thinktheycantracethefaintlinesoffiguresorfeaturesofmorethanBabylonianmonstrosity;whilethemorerationalisticarchaeologists，inthemorerationalhoursofdaylight，seenothingbuttwoshapelessrocks。Itmayhavebeennoticed，however，thatallEnglishmenarenotarchaeologists。
　　Manyofthoseassembledinsuchaplaceforofficialandmilitarypurposeshavehobbiesotherthanarchaeology。AnditisasolemnfactthattheEnglishinthisEasternexilehavecontrivedtomakeasmallgolflinksoutofthegreenscrubandsand;withacomfortableclubhouseatoneendofitandthisprimevalmonumentattheother。Theydidnotactuallyusethisarchaicabyssasabunker，becauseitwasbytraditionunfathomable，andevenforpracticalpurposesunfathomed。Anysportingprojectilesentintoitmightbecountedmostliterallyasalostball。Buttheyoftensaunteredrounditintheirinterludesoftalkingandsmokingcigarettes，andoneofthemhadjustcomedownfromtheclubhousetofindanothergazingsomewhatmoodilyintothewell。
　　BoththeEnglishmenworelightclothesandwhitepithhelmetsandpuggrees，butthere，forthemostpart，theirresemblanceended。Andtheybothalmostsimultaneouslysaidthesameword，buttheysaiditontwototallydifferentnotesofthevoice。
　　"Haveyouheardthenews？"askedthemanfromtheclub。"Splendid。"
　　"Splendid，"repliedthemanbythewell。Butthefirstmanpronouncedthewordasayoungmanmightsayitaboutawoman，andthesecondasanoldmanmightsayitabouttheweather，notwithoutsincerity，butcertainlywithoutfervor。
　　Andinthisthetoneofthetwomenwassufficientlytypicalofthem。Thefirst，whowasacertainCaptainBoyle，wasofaboldandboyishtype，dark，andwithasortofnativeheatinhisfacethatdidnotbelongtotheatmosphereoftheEast，butrathertotheardorsandambitionsoftheWest。Theotherwasanoldermanandcertainlyanolderresident，acivilianofficial——HorneFisher;andhisdroopingeyelidsanddroopinglightmustacheexpressedalltheparadoxoftheEnglishmanintheEast。Hewasmuchtoohottobeanythingbutcool。
　　Neitherofthemthoughtitnecessarytomentionwhatitwasthatwassplendid。Thatwouldindeedhavebeensuperfluousconversationaboutsomethingthateverybodyknew。ThestrikingvictoryoveramenacingcombinationofTurksandArabsinthenorth，wonbytroopsunderthecommandofLordHastings，theveteranofsomanystrikingvictories，wasalreadyspreadbythenewspapersallovertheEmpire，letalonetothissmallgarrisonsoneartothebattlefield。
　　"Now，noothernationintheworldcouldhavedoneathinglikethat，"criedCaptainBoyle，emphatically。
　　HorneFisherwasstilllookingsilentlyintothewell;amomentlaterheanswered："Wecertainlyhavetheartofunmakingmistakes。That’swherethepooroldPrussianswentwrong。Theycouldonlymakemistakesandsticktothem。Thereisreallyacertaintalentinunmakingamistake。"
　　"Whatdoyoumean，"askedBoyle，"whatmistakes？"
　　"Well，everybodyknowsitlookedlikebitingoffmorethanhecouldchew，"repliedHorneFisher。ItwasapeculiarityofMr。Fisherthathealwayssaidthateverybodyknewthingswhichaboutonepersonintwomillionwaseverallowedtohearof。"AnditwascertainlyjollyluckythatTraversturnedupsowellinthenickoftime。Oddhowoftentherightthing’sbeendoneforusbythesecondincommand，evenwhenagreatmanwasfirstincommand。LikeColborneatWaterloo。"
　　"ItoughttoaddawholeprovincetotheEmpire，"
　　observedtheother。
　　"Well，IsupposetheZimmerneswouldhaveinsistedonitasfarasthecanal，"observedFisher，thoughtfully，"thougheverybodyknowsaddingprovincesdoesn’talwayspaymuchnowadays。"
　　CaptainBoylefrownedinaslightlypuzzledfashion。BeingcloudilyconsciousofneverhavingheardoftheZimmernesinhislife，hecouldonlyremark，stolidly：
　　"Well，onecan’tbeaLittleEnglander。"
　　HorneFishersmiled，andhehadapleasantsmile。
　　"EverymanouthereisaLittleEnglander，"hesaid。"HewisheshewerebackinLittleEngland。"
　　"Idon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout，I’mafraid，"saidtheyoungerman，rathersuspiciously。
　　"Onewouldthinkyoudidn’treallyadmireHastingsor—
　　—or——anything。"
　　"Iadmirehimnoend，"repliedFisher。"He’sbyfarthebestmanforthispost;heunderstandstheMoslemsandcandoanythingwiththem。That’swhyI’mallagainstpushingTraversagainsthim，merelybecauseofthislastaffair。"
　　"Ireallydon’tunderstandwhatyou’redrivingat，"
　　saidtheother，frankly。
　　"Perhapsitisn’tworthunderstanding，"answeredFisher，lightly，"and，anyhow，weneedn’ttalkpolitics。
　　DoyouknowtheArablegendaboutthatwell？"
　　"I’mafraidIdon’tknowmuchaboutArablegends，"saidBoyle，ratherstiffly。
　　"That’sratheramistake，"repliedFisher，"especiallyfromyourpointofview。LordHastingshimselfisanArablegend。Thatisperhapstheverygreatestthinghereallyis。IfhisreputationwentitwouldweakenusalloverAsiaandAfrica。Well，thestoryaboutthatholeintheground，thatgoesdownnobodyknowswhere，hasalwaysfascinatedme，rather。It’sMohammedaninformnow，butIshouldn’twonderifthetaleisalongwayolderthanMohammed。It’sallaboutsomebodytheycalltheSultanAladdin，notourfriendofthelamp，ofcourse，butratherlikehiminhavingtodowithgeniiorgiantsorsomethingofthatsort。Theysayhecommandedthegiantstobuildhimasortofpagoda，risinghigherandhigheraboveallthestars。TheUtmostfortheHighest，asthepeoplesaidwhentheybuilttheTowerofBabel。ButthebuildersoftheTowerofBabelwerequitemodestanddomesticpeople，likemice，comparedwitholdAladdin。Theyonlywantedatowerthatwouldreachheaven——ameretrifle。Hewantedatowerthatwouldpassheavenandriseaboveit，andgoonrisingforeverandever。AndAllahcasthimdowntoearthwithathunderbolt，whichsankintotheearth，boringaholedeeperanddeeper，tillitmadeawellthatwaswithoutabottomasthetowerwastohavebeenwithoutatop。AnddownthatinvertedtowerofdarknessthesouloftheproudSultanisfallingforeverandever。"
　　"Whataqueerchapyouare，"saidBoyle。"Youtalkasifafellowcouldbelievethosefables。"
　　"PerhapsIbelievethemoralandnotthefable，"
　　answeredFisher。"ButherecomesLadyHastings。
　　Youknowher，Ithink。"
　　Theclubhouseonthegolflinkswasused，ofcourse，formanyotherpurposesbesidesthatofgolf。Itwastheonlysocialcenterofthegarrisonbesidethestrictlymilitaryheadquarters;ithadabilliardroomandabar，andevenanexcellentreferencelibraryforthoseofficerswhoweresoperverseastotaketheirprofessionseriously。Amongthesewasthegreatgeneralhimself，whoseheadofsilverandfaceofbronze，likethatofabrazeneagle，wereoftentobefoundbentoverthechartsandfoliosofthelibrary。
　　ThegreatLordHastingsbelievedinscienceandstudy，asinothersevereidealsoflife，andhadgivenmuchpaternaladviceonthepointtoyoungBoyle，whoseappearancesinthatplaceofresearchwererathermoreintermittent。Itwasfromoneofthesesnatchesofstudythattheyoungmanhadjustcomeoutthroughtheglassdoorsofthelibraryontothegolflinks。But，aboveall，theclubwassoappointedastoservethesocialconveniencesofladiesatleastasmuchasgentlemen，andLadyHastingswasabletoplaythequeeninsuchasocietyalmostasmuchasinherownballroom。Shewaseminentlycalculatedand，assomesaid，eminentlyinclinedtoplaysuchapart。
　　Shewasmuchyoungerthanherhusband，anattractiveandsometimesdangerouslyattractivelady;andMr。
　　HorneFisherlookedafterheralittlesardonicallyasshesweptawaywiththeyoungsoldier。Thenhisratherdrearyeyestrayedtothegreenandpricklygrowthsroundthewell，growthsofthatcuriouscactusformationinwhichonethickleafgrowsdirectlyoutoftheotherwithoutstalkortwig。
　　Itgavehisfancifulmindasinisterfeelingofablindgrowthwithoutshapeorpurpose。A
　　flowerorshrubintheWestgrowstotheblossomwhichisitscrown，andiscontent。Butthiswasasifhandscouldgrowoutofhandsorlegsgrowoutoflegsinanightmare。"AlwaysaddingaprovincetotheEmpire，"hesaid，withasmile，andthenadded，moresadly，"butIdoubtifIwasright，afterall！"
　　Astrongbutgenialvoicebrokeinonhismeditationsandhelookedupandsmiled，seeingthefaceofanoldfriend。Thevoicewas，indeed，rathermoregenialthantheface，whichwasatthefirstglancedecidedlygrim。Itwasatypicallylegalface，withangularjawsandheavy，grizzledeyebrows;anditbelongedtoaneminentlylegalcharacter，thoughhewasnowattachedinasemimilitarycapacitytothepoliceofthatwilddistrict。
　　CuthbertGraynewasperhapsmoreofacriminologistthaneitheralawyerorapoliceman，butinhismorebarbaroussurroundingshehadprovedsuccessfulinturninghimselfintoapracticalcombinationofallthree。ThediscoveryofawholeseriesofstrangeOrientalcrimesstoodtohiscredit。Butasfewpeoplewereacquaintedwith，orattractedto，suchahobbyorbranchofknowledge，hisintellectuallifewassomewhatsolitary。AmongthefewexceptionswasHorneFisher，whohadacuriouscapacityfortalkingtoalmostanybodyaboutalmostanything。
　　"Studyingbotany，orisitarchaeology？"inquiredGrayne。"Ishallnevercometotheendofyourinterests，Fisher。Ishouldsaythatwhatyoudon’tknowisn’tworthknowing。"
　　"Youarewrong，"repliedFisher，withaveryunusualabruptness’andevenbitterness。"It’swhatI
　　doknowthatisn’tworthknowing。Alltheseamysideofthings，allthesecretreasonsandrottenmotivesandbriberyaridblackmailtheycallpolitics。Ineedn’tbesoproudofhavingbeendownallthesesewersthatIshouldbragaboutittothelittleboysinthestreet。"
　　"Whatdoyoumean？What’sthematterwithyou？"askedhisfriend。"Ineverknewyoutakenlikethisbefore。"
　　"I’mashamedofmyself，"repliedFisher。"I’vejustbeenthrowingcoldwaterontheenthusiasmsofaboy。"
　　"Eventhatexplanationishardlyexhaustive，"observedthecriminalexpert。
　　"Damnednewspapernonsensetheenthusiasmswere，ofcourse，"continuedFisher，"butIoughttoknowthatatthatageillusionscanbeideals。Andthey’rebetterthanthereality，anyhow。Butthereisoneveryuglyresponsibilityaboutjoltingayoungmanoutoftherutofthemostrottenideal。"
　　"Andwhatmaythatbe？"inquiredhisfriend。
　　"It’sveryapttosethimoffwiththesameenergyinamuchworsedirection，"answeredFisher;"aprettyendlesssortofdirection，abottomlesspitasdeepasthebottomlesswell。"
　　Fisherdidnotseehisfrienduntilafortnightlater，whenhefoundhimselfinthegardenatthebackoftheclubhouseontheoppositesidefromthelinks，agardenheavilycoloredandscentedwithsweetsemitropicalplantsintheglowofadesertsunset。
　　Twoothermenwerewithhim，thethirdbeingthenowcelebratedsecondincommand，familiartoeverybodyasTomTravers，alean，darkman，wholookedolderthanhisyears，withafurrowinhisbrowandsomethingmoroseabouttheveryshapeofhisblackmustache。TheyhadjustbeenservedwithblackcoffeebytheArabnowofficiatingasthetemporaryservantoftheclub，thoughhewasafigurealreadyfamiliar，andevenfamous，astheoldservantofthegeneral。HewentbythenameofSaid，andwasnotableamongotherSemitesforthatunnaturallengthofhisyellowfaceandheightofhisnarrowforeheadwhichissometimesseenamongthem，andgaveanirrationalimpressionofsomethingsinister，inspiteofhisagreeablesmile。
　　"IneverfeelasifIcouldquitetrustthatfellow，"saidGrayne，whenthemanhadgoneaway。
　　"It’sveryunjust，Itakeit，forhewascertainlydevotedtoHastings，andsavedhislife，theysay。ButArabsareoftenlikethat，loyaltooneman。Ican’thelpfeelinghemightcutanybodyelse’sthroat，andevendoittreacherously。"
　　"Well，"saidTravers，witharathersoursmile，"solongasheleavesHastingsalonetheworldwon’tmindmuch。"
　　Therewasaratherembarrassingsilence，fullofmemoriesofthegreatbattle，andthenHorneFishersaid，quietly：
　　"Thenewspapersaren’ttheworld，Tom。Don’tyouworryaboutthem。Everybodyinyourworldknowsthetruthwellenough。"
　　"Ithinkwe’dbetternottalkaboutthegeneraljustnow，"remarkedGrayne，"forhe’sjustcomingoutoftheclub。"
　　"He’snotcominghere，"saidFisher。"He’sonlyseeinghiswifetothecar。"
　　Ashespoke，indeed，theladycameoutonthestepsoftheclub，followedbyherhusband，whothenwentswiftlyinfrontofhertoopenthegardengate。
　　Ashedidsosheturnedbackandspokeforamomenttoasolitarymanstillsittinginacanechairintheshadowofthedoorway，theonlymanleftinthedesertedclubsaveforthethreethatlingeredinthegarden。Fisherpeeredforamomentintotheshadow，andsawthatitwasCaptainBoyle。
　　Thenextmoment，rathertotheirsurprise，thegeneralreappearedand，remountingthesteps，spokeawordortwotoBoyleinhisturn。ThenhesignaledtoSaid，whohurriedupwithtwocupsofcoffee，andthetwomenre—enteredtheclub，eachcarryinghiscupinhishand。Thenextmomentagleamofwhitelightinthegrowingdarknessshowedthattheelectriclampshadbeenturnedoninthelibrarybeyond。
　　"Coffeeandscientificresearches，"saidTravers，grimly。"Alltheluxuriesoflearningandtheoreticalresearch。Well，Imustbegoing，forIhavemyworktodoaswell。"Andhegotupratherstiffly，salutedhiscompanions，andstrodeawayintothedusk。
　　"IonlyhopeBoyleisstickingtoscientificresearches，"saidHorneFisher。"I’mnotverycomfortableabouthimmyself。Butlet’stalkaboutsomethingelse。"
　　Theytalkedaboutsomethingelselongerthantheyprobablyimagined，untilthetropicalnighthadcomeandasplendidmoonpaintedthewholescenewithsilver;butbeforeitwasbrightenoughtoseebyFisherhadalreadynotedthatthelightsinthelibraryhadbeenabruptlyextinguished。Hewaitedforthetwomentocomeoutbythegardenentrance，butnobodycame。
　　"Theymusthavegoneforastrollonthelinks，"hesaid。
　　"Verypossibly，"repliedGrayne。"It’sgoingtobeabeautifulnight。"
　　Amomentortwoafterhehadspokentheyheardavoicehailingthemoutoftheshadowoftheclubhouse，andwereastonishedtoperceiveTravershurryingtowardthem，callingoutashecame：
　　"Ishallwantyourhelp，youfellows，"hecried。
　　"There’ssomethingprettybadoutonthelinks。"
　　Theyfoundthemselvesplungingthroughtheclubsmokingroomandthelibrarybeyond，incompletedarkness，mentalaswellasmaterial。ButHorneFisher，inspiteofhisaffectationofindifference，wasapersonofacuriousandalmosttranscendentalsensibilitytoatmospheres，andhealreadyfeltthepresenceofsomethingmorethananaccident。Hecollidedwithapieceoffurnitureinthelibrary，andalmostshudderedwiththeshock，forthethingmovedashecouldneverhavefanciedapieceoffurnituremoving。Itseemedtomovelikealivingthing，yieldingandyetstrikingback。ThenextmomentGraynehadturnedonthelights，andhesawhehadonlystumbledagainstoneoftherevolvingbookstandsthathadswungroundandstruckhim;buthisinvoluntaryrecoilhadrevealedtohimhisownsubconscioussenseofsomethingmysteriousandmonstrous。Therewereseveraloftheserevolvingbookcasesstandinghereandthereaboutthelibrary;ononeofthemstoodthetwocupsofcoffee，andonanotheralargeopenbook。ItwasBudge’sbookonEgyptianhieroglyphics，withcoloredplatesofstrangebirdsandgods，andevenasherushedpast，hewasconsciousofsomethingoddaboutthefactthatthis，andnotanyworkofmilitaryscience，shouldbeopeninthatplaceatthatmoment。
　　Hewasevenconsciousofthegapinthewell—linedbookshelffromwhichithadbeentaken，anditseemedalmosttogapeathiminanuglyfashion，likeagapintheteethofsomesinisterface。
　　Arunbroughttheminafewminutestotheothersideofthegroundinfrontofthebottomlesswell，andafewyardsfromit，inamoonlightalmostasbroadasdaylight，theysawwhattheyhadcometosee。
　　ThegreatLordHastingslayproneonhisface，inapostureinwhichtherewasatouchofsomethingstrangeandstiff，withoneelbowerectabovehisbody，thearmbeingdoubled，andhisbig，bonyhandclutchingtherankandraggedgrass。AfewfeetawaywasBoyle，almostasmotionless，butsupportedonhishandsandknees，andstaringatthebody。Itmighthavebeennomorethanshockandaccident;
　　buttherewassomethingungainlyandunnaturalaboutthequadrupedalpostureandthegapingface。Itwasasifhisreasonhadfledfromhim。Behind，therewasnothingbuttheclearbluesouthernsky，andthebeginningofthedesert，exceptforthetwogreatbrokenstonesinfrontofthewell。Anditwasinsuchalightandatmospherethatmencouldfancytheytracedinthemenormousandevilfaces，lookingdown。
　　HorneFisherstoopedandtouchedthestronghandthatwasstillclutchingthegrass，anditwasascoldasastone。Hekneltbythebodyandwasbusyforamomentapplyingothertests;thenheroseagain，andsaid，withasortofconfidentdespair：
　　"LordHastingsisdead。"
　　Therewasastonysilence，andthenTraversremarked，gruffly："Thisisyourdepartment，Grayne;
　　IwillleaveyoutoquestionCaptainBoyle。Icanmakenosenseofwhathesays。"
　　Boylehadpulledhimselftogetherandrisentohisfeet，buthisfacestillworeanawfulexpression，makingitlikeanewmaskorthefaceofanotherman。
　　"Iwaslookingatthewell，"hesaid，"andwhenI
　　turnedhehadfallendown。"
　　Grayne’sfacewasverydark。"Asyousay，thisismyaffair，"hesaid。"Imustfirstaskyoutohelpmecarryhimtothelibraryandletmeexaminethingsthoroughly。"
　　Whentheyhaddepositedthebodyinthelibrary，GrayneturnedtoFisherandsaid，inavoicethathadrecovereditsfullnessandconfidence，"Iamgoingtolockmyselfinandmakeathoroughexaminationfirst。IlooktoyoutokeepintouchwiththeothersandmakeapreliminaryexaminationofBoyle。Iwilltalktohimlater。Andjusttelephonetoheadquartersforapoliceman，andlethimcomehereatonceandstandbytillIwanthim。"