"Youhaveamotiveforkillinghim，"saidFisher。
　　Thedukecontinuedtostare，butheseemedunabletospeak。
　　"Ihopeyouhadamotiveforkillinghim，"continuedFisher，mildly。"Yousee，it’sratheracurioussituation。
　　Ifyouhaveamotiveformurdering，youprobablydidn’tmurder。Butifyouhadn’tanymotive，why，thenperhaps，youdid。"
　　"Whatonearthareyoutalkingabout？"demandedtheduke，violently。
　　"It’squitesimple，"saidFisher。"Whenyouwentacrosshewaseitheraliveordead。Ifhewasalive，itmightbeyouwhokilledhim，orwhyshouldyouhaveheldyourtongueabouthisdeath？Butifhewasdead，andyouhadareasonforkillinghim，youmighthaveheldyourtongueforfearofbeingaccused。"Thenafterasilenceheadded，abstractedly："Cyprusisabeautifulplace，Ibelieve。Romanticsceneryandromanticpeople。Veryintoxicatingforayoungman。"
　　Thedukesuddenlyclenchedhishandsandsaid，thickly，"Well，Ihadamotive。"
　　"Thenyou’reallright，"saidFisher，holdingouthishandwithanairofhugerelief。"Iwasprettysureyouwouldn’treallydoit;youhadafrightwhenyousawitdone，aswasonlynatural。Likeabaddreamcometrue，wasn’tit？"
　　Whilethiscuriousconversationwaspassing，Harkerhadgoneintothehouse，disregardingthedemonstrationsofthesulkynephew，andcamebackpresentlywithanewairofanimationandasheafofpapersinhishand。
　　"I’vetelephonedforthepolice，"hesaid，stoppingtospeaktoFisher，"butIthinkI’vedonemostoftheirworkforthem。IbelieveI’vefoundoutthetruth。
　　There’sapaperhere——"Hestopped，forFisherwaslookingathimwithasingularexpression;anditwasFisherwhospokenext：
　　"Arethereanypapersthatarenotthere，I
　　wonder？Imeanthatarenottherenow？"Afterapauseheadded："Letushavethecardsonthetable。
　　Whenyouwentthroughhispapersinsuchahurry，Harker，weren’tyoulookingforsomethingto——tomakesureitshouldn’tbefound？"
　　Harkerdidnotturnaredhaironhishardhead，buthelookedattheotheroutofthecornersofhiseyes。
　　"AndIsuppose，"wentonFisher，smoothly，"thatiswhyyou，too，toldusliesabouthavingfoundHookalive。Youknewtherewassomethingtoshowthatyoumighthavekilledhim，andyoudidn’tdaretellushewaskilled。But，believeme，it’smuchbettertobehonestnow。"
　　Harker’shaggardfacesuddenlylitupasifwithinfernalflames。
　　"Honest，"hecried，"it’snotsodamnedfineofyoufellowstobehonest。You’reallbornwithsilverspoonsinyourmouths，andthenyouswaggeraboutwitheverlastingvirtuebecauseyouhaven’tgototherpeople’sspoonsinyourpockets。ButIwasborninaPimlicolodginghouseandIhadtomakemyspoon，andthere’dbeplentytosayIonlyspoiledahornoranhonestman。Andifastrugglingmanstaggersabitoverthelineinhisyouth，inthelowerpartsofthelawwhichareprettydingy，anyhow，there’salwayssomeoldvampiretohangontohimallhislifeforit。"
　　"GuatemalanGolcondas，wasn’tit？"saidFisher，sympathetically。
　　Harkersuddenlyshuddered。Thenhesaid，"I
　　believeyoumustknoweverything，likeGodAlmighty。"
　　"Iknowtoomuch，"saidHorneFisher，"andallthewrongthings。"
　　Theotherthreemenweredrawingnearertothem，butbeforetheycametoonear，Harkersaid，inavoicethathadrecoveredallitsfirmness：
　　"Yes，Ididdestroyapaper，butIreallydidfindapaper，too;andIbelievethatitclearsusall。"
　　"Verywell，"saidFisher，inalouderandmorecheerfultone;"letusallhavethebenefitofit。"
　　"OntheverytopofSirIsaac’spapers，"explainedHarker，"therewasathreateningletterfromamannamedHugo。Itthreatenstokillourunfortunatefriendverymuchinthewaythathewasactuallykilled。Itisawildletter，fulloftaunts;youcanseeitforyourselves;butitmakesaparticularpointofpoorHook’shabitoffishingfromtheisland。Aboveall，themanprofessestobewritingfromaboat。And，sincewealonewentacrosstohim，"andhesmiledinaratheruglyfashion，"thecrimemusthavebeencommittedbyamanpassinginaboat。"
　　"Why，dearme！"criedtheduke，withsomethingalmostamountingtoanimation。"Why，IrememberthemancalledHugoquitewell！HewasasortofbodyservantandbodyguardofSirIsaac。Yousee，SirIsaacwasinsomefearofassault。Hewas——hewasnotverypopularwithseveralpeople。Hugowasdischargedaftersomeroworother;butIrememberhimwell。
　　HewasagreatbigHungarianfellowwithgreatmustachesthatstoodoutoneachsideofhisface。"
　　AdooropenedinthedarknessofHaroldMarch’smemory，or，rather，oblivion，andshowedashininglandscape，likethatofalostdream。Itwasratherawaterscapethanalandscape，athingoffloodedmeadowsandlowtreesandthedarkarchwayofabridge。Andforoneinstanthesawagainthemanwithmustacheslikedarkhornsleapupontothebridgeanddisappear。
　　"Goodheavens！"hecried。"Why，Imetthemurdererthismorning！"
　　HorneFisherandHaroldMarchhadtheirdayontheriver，afterall，forthelittlegroupbrokeupwhenthepolicearrived。TheydeclaredthatthecoincidenceofMarch’sevidencehadclearedthewholecompany，andclinchedthecaseagainsttheflyingHugo。
　　WhetherthatHungarianfugitivewouldeverbecaughtappearedtoHorneFishertobehighlydoubtful;norcanitbepretendedthathedisplayedanyverydemoniacdetectiveenergyinthematterasheleanedbackintheboatcushions，smoking，andwatchingtheswayingreedsslidepast。
　　"Itwasaverygoodnotiontohopupontothebridge，"hesaid。"Anemptyboatmeansverylittle;hehasn’tbeenseentolandoneitherbank，andhe’swalkedoffthebridgewithoutwalkingontoit，sotospeak。He’sgottwenty—fourhours’start;hismustacheswilldisappear，andthenhewilldisappear。
　　Ithinkthereiseveryhopeofhisescape。"
　　"Hope？"repeatedMarch，andstoppedscullingforaninstant。
　　"Yes，hope，"repeatedtheother。"Tobeginwith，I’mnotgoingtobeexactlyconsumedwithCorsicanrevengebecausesomebodyhaskilledHook。PerhapsyoumayguessbythistimewhatHookwas。A
　　damnedblood—suckingblackmailerwasthatsimple，strenuous，self—madecaptainofindustry。Hehadsecretsagainstnearlyeverybody;oneagainstpooroldWestmorelandaboutanearlymarriageinCyprusthatmighthaveputtheduchessinaqueerposition;
　　andoneagainstHarkeraboutsomeflutterwithhisclient’smoneywhenhewasayoungsolicitor。That’swhytheywenttopieceswhentheyfoundhimmurdered，ofcourse。Theyfeltasifthey’ddoneitinadream。ButIadmitIhaveanotherreasonfornotwantingourHungarianfriendactuallyhangedforthemurder。"
　　"Andwhatisthat？"askedhisfriend。
　　"Onlythathedidn’tcommitthemurder，"answeredFisher。
　　HaroldMarchlaiddowntheoarsandlettheboatdriftforamoment。
　　"Doyouknow，Iwashalfexpectingsomethinglikethat，"hesaid。"Itwasquiteirrational，butitwashangingaboutintheatmosphere，likethunderintheair。"
　　"Onthecontrary，it’sfindingHugoguiltythat’sirrational，"repliedFisher。"Don’tyouseethatthey’recondemninghimfortheveryreasonforwhichtheyacquiteverybodyelse？HarkerandWestmorelandweresilentbecausetheyfoundhimmurdered，andknewtherewerepapersthatmadethemlooklikethemurderers。Well，sodidHugofindhimmurdered，andsodidHugoknowtherewasapaperthatwouldmakehimlooklikethemurderer。Hehadwrittenithimselfthedaybefore。"
　　"Butinthatcase，"saidMarch，frowning，"atwhatsortofunearthlyhourinthemorningwasthemurderreallycommitted？ItwasbarelydaylightwhenImethimatthebridge，andthat’ssomewayabovetheisland。"
　　"Theanswerisverysimple，"repliedFisher。"Thecrimewasnotcommittedinthemorning。Thecrimewasnotcommittedontheisland。"
　　Marchstaredattheshiningwaterwithoutreplying，butFisherresumedlikeonewhohadbeenaskedaquestion：
　　"Everyintelligentmurderinvolvestakingadvantageofsomeoneuncommonfeatureinacommonsituation。ThefeatureherewasthefancyofoldHookforbeingthefirstmanupeverymorning，hisfixedroutineasanangler，andhisannoyanceatbeingdisturbed。Themurdererstrangledhiminhisownhouseafterdinneronthenightbefore，carriedhiscorpse，withallhisfishingtackle，acrossthestreaminthedeadofnight，tiedhimtothetree，andlefthimthereunderthestars。Itwasadeadmanwhosatfishingthereallday。Thenthemurdererwentbacktothehouse，or，rather，tothegarage，andwentoffinhismotorcar。Themurdererdrovehisownmotorcar。"
　　Fisherglancedathisfriend’sfaceandwenton。
　　"Youlookhorrified，andthethingishorrible。Butotherthingsarehorrible，too。Ifsomeobscuremanhadbeenhag—riddenbyablackmailerandhadhisfamilyliferuined，youwouldn’tthinkthemurderofhispersecutorthemostinexcusableofmurders。Isitanyworsewhenawholegreatnationissetfreeaswellasafamily？BythiswarningtoSwedenweshallprobablypreventwarandnotprecipitateit，andsavemanythousandlivesrathermorevaluablethanthelifeofthatviper。Oh，I’mnottalkingsophistryorseriouslyjustifyingthething，buttheslaverythatheldhimandhiscountrywasathousandtimeslessjustifiable。IfI’dreallybeensharpIshouldhaveguesseditfromhissmooth，deadlysmilingatdinnerthatnight。DoyourememberthatsillytalkabouthowoldIsaaccouldalwaysplayhisfish？Inaprettyhellishsensehewasafisherofmen。"
　　HaroldMarchtooktheoarsandbegantorowagain。
　　"Iremember，"hesaid，"andabouthowabigfishmightbreakthelineandgetaway。"
　　VI。THEHOLEINTHEWALL
　　Twomen，theoneanarchitectandtheotheranarchaeologist，metonthestepsofthegreathouseatPrior’sPark;andtheirhost，LordBulmer，inhisbreezyway，thoughtitnaturaltointroducethem。Itmustbeconfessedthathewashazyaswellasbreezy，andhadnoveryclearconnectioninhismind，beyondthesensethatanarchitectandanarchaeologistbeginwiththesameseriesofletters。Theworldmustremaininareverentdoubtastowhetherhewould，onthesameprinciples，havepresentedadiplomatisttoadipsomaniacoraratiocinatortoaratcatcher。Hewasabig，fair，bull—neckedyoungman，aboundinginoutwardgestures，unconsciouslyflappinghisglovesandflourishinghisstick。
　　"Youtwooughttohavesomethingtotalkabout，"
　　hesaid，cheerfully。"Oldbuildingsandallthatsortofthing;thisisratheranoldbuilding，bytheway，thoughIsayitwhoshouldn’t。Imustaskyoutoexcusemeamoment;I’vegottogoandseeaboutthecardsforthisChristmasrompmysister’sarranging。Wehopetoseeyouallthere，ofcourse。Julietwantsittobeafancy—dressaffair——abbotsandcrusadersandallthat。
　　Myancestors，Isuppose，afterall。"
　　"Itrusttheabbotwasnotanancestor，"saidthearchaeologicalgentleman，withasmile。
　　"Onlyasortofgreat—uncle，Iimagine，"answeredtheother，laughing;thenhisratherramblingeyerolledroundtheorderedlandscapeinfrontofthehouse;anartificialsheetofwaterornamentedwithanantiquatednymphinthecenterandsurroundedbyaparkoftalltreesnowgrayandblackandfrosty，foritwasinthedepthofaseverewinter。
　　"It’sgettingjollycold，"hislordshipcontinued。"Mysisterhopesweshallhavesomeskatingaswellasdancing。"
　　"Ifthecrusaderscomeinfullarmor，"saidtheother，"youmustbecarefulnottodrownyourancestors。"
　　"Oh，there’snofearofthat，"answeredBulmer;
　　"thispreciouslakeofoursisnottwofeetdeepanywhere。"Andwithoneofhisflourishinggestureshestuckhisstickintothewatertodemonstrateitsshallowness。Theycouldseetheshortendbentinthewater，sothatheseemedforamomenttoleanhislargeweightonabreakingstaff。
　　"Theworstyoucanexpectistoseeanabbotsitdownrathersuddenly，"headded，turningaway。
　　"Well，aurevoir;I’llletyouknowaboutitlater。"
　　Thearchaeologistandthearchitectwereleftonthegreatstonestepssmilingateachother;
　　butwhatevertheircommoninterests，theypresentedaconsiderablepersonalcontrast，andthefancifulmightevenhavefoundsomecontradictionineachconsideredindividually。Theformer，aMr。
　　JamesHaddow，camefromadrowsydenintheInnsofCourt，fullofleatherandparchment，forthelawwashisprofessionandhistoryonlyhishobby;hewasindeed，amongotherthings，thesolicitorandagentofthePrior’sParkestate。Buthehimselfwasfarfromdrowsyandseemedremarkablywideawake，withshrewdandprominentblueeyes，andredhairbrushedasneatlyashisveryneatcostume。Thelatter，whosenamewasLeonardCrane，camestraightfromacrudeandalmostcockneyofficeofbuildersandhouseagentsintheneighboringsuburb，sunningitselfattheendofanewrowofjerry—builthouseswithplansinverybrightcolorsandnoticesinverylargeletters。Butaseriousobserver，atasecondglance，mighthaveseeninhiseyessomethingofthatshiningsleepthatiscalledvision;andhisyellowhair，whilenotaffectedlylong，wasunaffectedlyuntidy。
　　Itwasamanifestifmelancholytruththatthearchitectwasanartist。Buttheartistictemperamentwasfarfromexplaininghim;therewassomethingelseabouthimthatwasnotdefinable，butwhichsomeevenfelttobedangerous。
　　Despitehisdreaminess，hewouldsometimessurprisehisfriendswithartsandevensportsapartfromhisordinarylife，likememoriesofsomepreviousexistence。Onthisoccasion，nevertheless，hehastenedtodisclaimanyauthorityontheotherman’shobby。
　　"Imustn’tappearonfalsepretences，"hesaid，withasmile。"Ihardlyevenknowwhatanarchaeologistis，exceptthataratherrustyremnantofGreeksuggeststhatheisamanwhostudiesoldthings。"
　　"Yes，"repliedHaddow，grimly。"Anarchaeologistisamanwhostudiesoldthingsandfindstheyarenew。"
　　Cranelookedathimsteadilyforamomentandthensmiledagain。
　　"Dareonesuggest，"hesaid，"thatsomeofthethingswehavebeentalkingaboutareamongtheoldthingsthatturnoutnottobeold？"
　　Hiscompanionalsowassilentforamoment，andthesmileonhisruggedfacewasfainterashereplied，quietly：
　　"Thewallroundtheparkisreallyold。TheonegateinitisGothic，andIcannotfindanytraceofdestructionorrestoration。Butthehouseandtheestategenerally——welltheromanticideasreadintothesethingsareoftenratherrecentromances，thingsalmostlikefashionablenovels。Forinstance，theverynameofthisplace，Prior’sPark，makeseverybodythinkofitasamoonlitmediaevalabbey;I
　　daresaythespiritualistsbythistimehavediscoveredtheghostofamonkthere。But，accordingtotheonlyauthoritativestudyofthematterIcanfind，theplacewassimplycalledPrior’sasanyruralplaceiscalledPodger’s。ItwasthehouseofaMr。Prior，afarmhouse，probably，thatstoodhereatsometimeorotherandwasalocallandmark。Oh，thereareagreatmanyexamplesofthesamething，hereandeverywhereelse。Thissuburbofoursusedtobeavillage，andbecausesomeofthepeopleslurredthenameandpronounceditHolliwell，manyaminorpoetindulgedinfanciesaboutaHolyWell，withspellsandfairiesandalltherestofit，fillingthesuburbandrawing—roomswiththeCeltictwilight。Whereasanyoneacquaintedwiththefactsknowsthat’Hollinwall’simplymeans’theholeinthewall，’andprobablyreferredtosomequitetrivialaccident。
　　That’swhatImeanwhenIsaythatwedon’tsomuchfindoldthingsaswefindnewones。"
　　Craneseemedtohavegrownsomewhatinattentivetothelittlelectureonantiquitiesandnovelties，andthecauseofhisrestlessnesswassoonapparent，andindeedapproaching。LordBulmer’ssister，JulietBray，wascomingslowlyacrossthelawn，accompaniedbyonegentlemanandfollowedbytwoothers。Theyoungarchitectwasintheillogicalconditionofmindinwhichhepreferredthreetoone。
　　ThemanwalkingwiththeladywasnootherthantheeminentPrinceBorodino，whowasatleastasfamousasadistinguisheddiplomatistoughttobe，intheinterestsofwhatiscalledsecretdiplomacy。HehadbeenpayingaroundofvisitsatvariousEnglishcountryhouses，andexactlywhathewasdoingfordiplomacyatPrior’sParkwasasmuchasecretasanydiplomatistcoulddesire。Theobviousthingtosayofhisappearancewasthathewouldhavebeenextremelyhandsomeifhehadnotbeenentirelybald。
　　But，indeed，thatwoulditselfbearatherbaldwayofputtingit。Fantasticasitsounds，itwouldfitthecasebettertosaythatpeoplewouldhavebeensurprisedtoseehairgrowingonhim;assurprisedasiftheyhadfoundhairgrowingonthebustofaRomanemperor。Histallfigurewasbuttonedupinatight—waistedfashionthatratheraccentuatedhispotentialbulk，andheworearedflowerinhisbuttonhole。Ofthetwomenwalkingbehindonewasalsobald，butinamorepartialandalsoamoreprematurefashion，forhisdroopingmustachewasstillyellow，andifhiseyesweresomewhatheavyitwaswithlanguorandnotwithage。ItwasHorneFisher，andhewastalkingaseasilyandidlyabouteverythingashealwaysdid。Hisalwaysdid。Hiscompanionwasamorestriking，andevenmorecompanionwasamorestriking，andevenmoresinister，figure，andhehadtheaddedimportanceofbeingLordBulmer’soldestandmostintimatefriend。
　　HewasgenerallyknownwithaseveresimplicityasMr。Brain;butitwasunderstoodthathehadbeenajudgeandpoliceofficialinIndia，andthathehadenemies，whohadrepresentedhismeasuresagainstcrimeasthemselvesalmostcriminal。Hewasabrownskeletonofamanwithdark，deep，sunkeneyesandablackmustachethathidthemeaningofhismouth。Thoughhehadthelookofonewastedbysometropicaldisease，hismovementsweremuchmorealertthanthoseofhisloungingcompanion。
　　"It’sallsettled，"announcedthelady，withgreatanimation，whentheycamewithinhailingdistance。
　　"You’veallgottoputonmasqueradethingsandverylikelyskatesaswell，thoughtheprincesaystheydon’tgowithit;butwedon’tcareaboutthat。It’sfreezingalready，andwedon’toftengetsuchachanceinEngland。"
　　"EveninIndiawedon’texactlyskatealltheyearround，"observedMr。Brain。
　　"AndevenItalyisnotprimarilyassociatedwithice，"saidtheItalian。
　　"Italyisprimarilyassociatedwithices，"remarkedMr。HorneFisher。"Imeanwithicecreammen。
　　MostpeopleinthiscountryimaginethatItalyisentirelypopulatedwithicecreammenandorgangrinders。Therecertainlyarealotofthem;perhapsthey’reaninvadingarmyindisguise。"
　　"Howdoyouknowtheyarenotthesecretemissariesofourdiplomacy？"askedtheprince，withaslightlyscornfulsmile。"Anarmyoforgangrindersmightpickuphints，andtheirmonkeysmightpickupallsortofthings。"
　　"Theorgansareorganizedinfact，"saidtheflippantMr。Fisher。"Well，I’veknownitprettycoldbeforenowinItalyandeveninIndia，upontheHimalayanslopes。Theiceonourownlittleroundpondwillbequitecozybycomparison。"
　　JulietBraywasanattractiveladywithdarkhairandeyebrowsanddancingeyes，andtherewasagenialityandevengenerosityinherratherimperiousways。Inmostmattersshecouldcommandherbrother，thoughthatnobleman，likemanyothermenofvagueideas，wasnotwithoutatouchofthebullywhenhewasatbay。Shecouldcertainlycommandherguests，eventotheextentofdeckingoutthemostrespectableandreluctantofthemwithhermediaevalmasquerade。Anditreallyseemedasifshecouldcommandtheelementsalso，likeawitch。Fortheweathersteadilyhardenedandsharpened;thatnighttheiceofthelake，glimmeringinthemoonlight，waslikeamarblefloor，andtheyhadbeguntodanceandskateonitbeforeitwasdark。
　　Prior’sPark，or，moreproperly，thesurroundingdistrictofHolinwall，wasacountryseatthathadbecomeasuburb;havingoncehadonlyadependentvillageatitsdoors，itnowfoundoutsideallitsdoorsthesignalsoftheexpansionofLondon。Mr。Haddow，whowasengagedinhistoricalresearchesbothinthelibraryandthelocality，couldfindlittleassistanceinthelatter。Hehadalreadyrealized，fromthedocuments，thatPrior’sParkhadoriginallybeensomethinglikePrior’sFarm，namedaftersomelocalfigure，butthenewsocialconditionswereallagainsthistracingthestorybyitstraditions。Hadanyoftherealrusticsremained，hewouldprobablyhavefoundsomelingeringlegendofMr。Prior，howeverremotehemightbe。Butthenewnomadicpopulationofclerksandartisans，constantlyshiftingtheirhomesfromonesuburbtoanother，ortheirchildrenfromoneschooltoanother，couldhavenocorporatecontinuity。
　　Theyhadallthatforgetfulnessofhistorythatgoeseverywherewiththeextensionofeducation。
　　Nevertheless，whenhecameoutofthelibrarynextmorningandsawthewintrytreesstandingroundthefrozenpondlikeablackforest，hefelthemightwellhavebeenfarinthedepthsofthecountry。
　　Theoldwallrunningroundtheparkkeptthatinclosureitselfstillentirelyruralandromantic，andonecouldeasilyimaginethatthedepthsofthatdarkforestfadedawayindefinitelyintodistantvalesandhills。Thegrayandblackandsilverofthewintrywoodwereallthemoresevereorsomberasacontrasttothecoloredcarnivalgroupsthatalreadystoodonandaroundthefrozenpool。Forthehousepartyhadalreadyflungthemselvesimpatientlyintofancydress，andthelawyer，withhisneatblacksuitandredhair，wastheonlymodernfigureamongthem。
　　"Aren’tyougoingtodressup？"askedJuliet，indignantlyshakingathimahornedandtoweringblueheaddressofthefourteenthcenturywhichframedherfaceverybecomingly，fantasticasitwas。
　　"EverybodyherehastobeintheMiddleAges。EvenMr。Brainhasputonasortofbrowndressinggownandsayshe’samonk;andMr。Fishergotholdofsomeoldpotatosacksinthekitchenandsewedthemtogether;he’ssupposedtobeamonk，too。Astotheprince，he’sperfectlyglorious，ingreatcrimsonrobesasacardinal。Helooksasifhecouldpoisoneverybody。Yousimplymustbesomething。"
　　"Iwillbesomethinglaterintheday，"hereplied。
　　"AtpresentIamnothingbutanantiquaryandanattorney。Ihavetoseeyourbrotherpresently，aboutsomelegalbusinessandalsosomelocalinvestigationsheaskedmetomake。ImustlookalittlelikeastewardwhenIgiveanaccountofmystewardship。"
　　"Oh，butmybrotherhasdressedup！"criedthegirl。"Verymuchso。Noend，ifImaysayso。Whyhe’sbearingdownonyounowinallhisglory。"
　　Thenoblelordwasindeedmarchingtowardtheminamagnificentsixteenth—centurycostumeofpurpleandgold，withagold—hiltedswordandaplumedcap，andmannerstomatch。Indeed，therewassomethingmorethanhisusualexpansivenessofbodilyactioninhisappearanceatthatmoment。Italmostseemed，sotospeak，thattheplumesonhishathadgonetohishead。Heflappedhisgreat，gold—linedcloaklikethewingsofafairykinginapantomime;heevendrewhisswordwithaflourishandwaveditaboutashedidhiswalkingstick。Inthelightofaftereventsthereseemedtobesomethingmonstrousandominousaboutthatexuberance，somethingofthespiritthatiscalledfey。Atthetimeitmerelycrossedafewpeople’smindsthathemightpossiblybedrunk。
　　AshestrodetowardhissisterthefirstfigurehepassedwasthatofLeonardCrane，cladinLincolngreen，withthehornandbaldrickandswordappropriatetoRobinHood;forhewasstandingnearesttothelady，where，indeed，hemighthavebeenfoundduringadisproportionatepartofthetime。
　　Hehaddisplayedoneofhisburiedtalentsinthematterofskating，andnowthattheskatingwasoverseemeddisposedtoprolongthepartnership。TheboisterousBulmerplayfullymadeapassathimwithhisdrawnsword，goingforwardwiththelungeintheproperfencingfashion，andmakingasomewhattoofamiliarShakespeareanquotationaboutarodentandaVenetiancoin。
　　ProbablyinCranealsotherewasasubduedexcitementjustthen;anyhow，inoneflashhehaddrawnhisownswordandparried;andthensuddenly，tothesurpriseofeveryone，Bulmer’sweaponseemedtospringoutofhishandintotheairandrolledawayontheringingice。
　　"Well，Inever！"saidthelady，asifwithjustifiableindignation。"Younevertoldmeyoucouldfence，too。"
　　Bulmerputuphisswordwithanairratherbewilderedthanannoyed，whichincreasedtheimpressionofsomethingirresponsibleinhismoodatthemoment;thenheturnedratherabruptlytohislawyer，saying：
　　"Wecansettleupabouttheestateafterdinner;
　　I’vemissednearlyalltheskatingasitis，andIdoubtiftheicewillholdtillto—morrownight。IthinkIshallgetupearlyandhaveaspinbymyself。"
　　"Youwon’tbedisturbedwithmycompany，"saidHorneFisher，inhiswearyfashion。"IfIhavetobeginthedaywithice，intheAmericanfashion，I
　　preferitinsmallerquantities。ButnoearlyhoursformeinDecember。Theearlybirdcatchesthecold。"
　　"Oh，Isha’n’tdieofcatchingacold，"answeredBulmer，andlaughed。
　　Aconsiderablegroupoftheskatingpartyhadconsistedoftheguestsstayingatthehouse，andtheresthadtailedoffintwosandthreessometimebeforemostoftheguestsbegantoretireforthenight。Neighbors，alwaysinvitedtoPrior’sParkonsuchoccasions，wentbacktotheirownhousesinmotorsoronfoot;thelegalandarcheoologicalgentlemanhadreturnedtotheInnsofCourtbyalatetrain，togetapapercalledforduringhisconsultationwithhisclient;andmostoftheotherguestsweredriftingandlingeringatvariousstagesontheirwayuptobed。HorneFisher，asiftodeprivehimselfofanyexcuseforhisrefusalofearlyrising，hadbeenthefirsttoretiretohisroom;but，sleepyashelooked，hecouldnotsleep。Hehadpickedupfromatablethebookofantiquariantopography，inwhichHaddowhadfoundhisfirsthintsabouttheoriginofthelocalname，and，beingamanwithaquietandquaintcapacityforbeinginterestedinanything，hebegantoreaditsteadily，makingnotesnowandthenofdetailsonwhichhispreviousreadinglefthimwithacertaindoubtabouthispresentconclusions。Hisroomwastheonenearesttothelakeinthecenterofthewoods，andwasthereforethequietest，andnoneofthelastechoesoftheevening’sfestivitycouldreachhim。HehadfollowedcarefullytheargumentwhichestablishedthederivationfromMr。Prior’sfarmandtheholeinthewall，anddisposedofanyfashionablefancyaboutmonksandmagicwells，whenhebegantobeconsciousofanoiseaudibleinthefrozensilenceofthenight。Itwasnotaparticularlyloudnoise，butitseemedtoconsistofaseriesofthudsorheavyblows，suchasmightbestruckonawoodendoorbyamanseekingtoenter。Theywerefollowedbysomethinglikeafaintcreakorcrack，asiftheobstaclehadeitherbeenopenedorhadgivenway。
　　Heopenedhisownbedroomdoorandlistened，butasheheardtalkandlaughteralloverthelowerfloors，hehadnoreasontofearthatasummonswouldbeneglectedorthehouseleftwithoutprotection。Hewenttohisopenwindow，lookingoutoverthefrozenpondandthemoonlitstatueinthemiddleoftheircircleofdarklingwoods，andlistenedagain。Butsilencehadreturnedtothatsilentplace，and，afterstraininghisearsforaconsiderabletime，hecouldhearnothingbutthesolitaryhootofadistantdepartingtrain。Thenheremindedhimselfhowmanynamelessnoisescanbeheardbythewakefulduringthemostordinarynight，andshrugginghisshoulders，wentwearilytobed。
　　Heawokesuddenlyandsatupinbedwithhisearsfilled，aswiththunder，withthethrobbingechoesofarendingcry。Heremainedrigidforamoment，andthensprangoutofbed，throwingontheloosegownofsackinghehadwornallday。Hewentfirsttothewindow，whichwasopen，butcoveredwithathickcurtain，sothathisroomwasstillcompletelydark;butwhenhetossedthecurtainasideandputhisheadout，hesawthatagrayandsilverdaybreakhadalreadyappearedbehindtheblackwoodsthatsurroundedthelittlelake，andthatwasallthathedidsee。Thoughthesoundhadcertainlycomeinthroughtheopenwindowfromthisdirection，thewholescenewasstillandemptyunderthemorninglightasunderthemoonlight。
　　Thenthelong，ratherlackadaisicalhandhehadlaidonawindowsillgrippedittighter，asiftomasteratremor，andhispeeringblueeyesgrewbleakwithfear。Itmayseemthathisemotionwasexaggeratedandneedless，consideringtheeffortofcommonsensebywhichhehadconqueredhisnervousnessaboutthenoiseonthepreviousnight。Butthathadbeenaverydifferentsortofnoise。Itmighthavebeenmadebyhalfahundredthings，fromthechoppingofwoodtothebreakingofbottles。Therewasonlyonethinginnaturefromwhichcouldcomethesoundthatechoedthroughthedarkhouseatdaybreak。Itwastheawfularticulatevoiceofman;anditwassomethingworse，forheknewwhatman。
　　Heknewalsothatithadbeenashoutforhelp。Itseemedtohimthathehadheardtheveryword;buttheword，shortasitwas，hadbeenswallowedup，asifthemanhadbeenstifledorsnatchedawayevenashespoke。Onlythemockingreverberationsofitremainedeveninhismemory，buthehadnodoubtoftheoriginalvoice。Hehadnodoubtthatthegreatbull’svoiceofFrancisBray，BaronBulmer，hadbeenheardforthelasttimebetweenthedarknessandtheliftingdawn。
　　Howlonghestoodthereheneverknew，buthewasstartledintolifebythefirstlivingthingthathesawstirringinthathalf—frozenlandscape。Alongthepathbesidethelake，andimmediatelyunderhiswindow，afigurewaswalkingslowlyandsoftly，butwithgreatcomposure——astatelyfigureinrobesofasplendidscarlet;itwastheItalianprince，stillinhiscardinal’scostume。Mostofthecompanyhadindeedlivedintheircostumesforthelastdayortwo，andFisherhimselfhadassumedhisfrockofsackingasaconvenientdressinggown;butthereseemed，nevertheless，somethingunusuallyfinishedandformal，inthewayofanearlybird，aboutthismagnificentredcockatoo。Itwasasiftheearlybirdhadbeenupallnight。
　　"Whatisthematter？"hecalled，sharply，leaningoutofthewindow，andtheItalianturneduphisgreatyellowfacelikeamaskofbrass。
　　"Wehadbetterdiscussitdownstairs，"saidPrinceBorodino。
　　Fisherrandownstairs，andencounteredthegreat，red—robedfigureenteringthedoorwayandblockingtheentrancewithhisbulk。
　　"Didyouhearthatcry？"demandedFisher。
　　"IheardanoiseandIcameout，"answeredthediplomatist，andhisfacewastoodarkintheshadowforitsexpressiontoberead。
　　"ItwasBulmer’svoice，"insistedFisher。"I’llswearitwasBulmer’svoice。"
　　"Didyouknowhimwell？"askedtheother。
　　Thequestionseemedirrelevant，thoughitwasnotillogical，andFishercouldonlyanswerina，randomfashionthatheknewLordBulmeronlyslightly。
　　"Nobodyseemstohaveknownhimwell，"continuedtheItalian，inleveltones。"NobodyexceptthatmanBrain。BrainisratherolderthanBulmer，butIfancytheysharedagoodmanysecrets。"
　　Fishermovedabruptly，asifwakingfromamomentarytrance，andsaid，inanewandmorevigorousvoice，"Butlookhere，hadn’twebettergetoutsideandseeifanythinghashappened。"
　　"Theiceseemstobethawing，"saidtheother，almostwithindifference。
　　Whentheyemergedfromthehouse，darkstainsandstarsinthegrayfieldoficedidindeedindicatethatthefrostwasbreakingup，astheirhosthadprophesiedthedaybefore，andtheverymemoryofyesterdaybroughtbackthemysteryofto—day。
　　"Heknewtherewouldbeathaw，"observedtheprince。"Hewentoutskatingquiteearlyonpurpose。
　　Didhecalloutbecausehelandedinthewater，doyouthink？"
　　Fisherlookedpuzzled。"Bulmerwasthelastmantobellowlikethatbecausehegothisbootswet。Andthat’sallhecoulddohere;thewaterwouldhardlycomeuptothecalfofamanofhissize。Youcanseetheflatweedsonthefloorofthelake，asifitwerethroughathinpaneofglass。No，ifBulmerhadonlybrokentheicehewouldn’thavesaidmuchatthemoment，thoughpossiblyagooddealafterward。Weshouldhavefoundhimstampinganddamningupanddownthispath，andcallingforcleanboots。"
　　"Letushopeweshallfindhimashappilyemployed，"remarkedthediplomatist。"Inthatcasethevoicemusthavecomeoutofthewood。"
　　"I’llswearitdidn’tcomeoutofthehouse，"saidFisher;andthetwodisappearedtogetherintothetwilightofwintrytrees。
　　Theplantationstooddarkagainstthefierycolorsofsunrise，ablackfringehavingthatfeatheryappearancewhichmakestreeswhentheyarebaretheveryreverseofrugged。Hoursandhoursafterward，whenthesamedense，butdelicate，marginwasdarkagainstthegreenishcolorsoppositethesunset，thesearchthusbegunatsunrisehadnotcometoanend。Bysuccessivestages，andtoslowlygatheringgroupsofthecompany，itbecameapparentthatthemostextraordinaryofallgapshadappearedintheparty;theguestscouldfindnotraceoftheirhostanywhere。Theservantsreportedthathisbedhadbeensleptinandhisskatesandhisfancycostumeweregone，asifhehadrisenearlyforthepurposehehadhimselfavowed。Butfromthetopofthehousetothebottom，fromthewallsroundtheparktothepondinthecenter，therewasnotraceofLordBulmer，deadoralive。HorneFisherrealizedthatachillingpremonitionhadalreadypreventedhimfromexpectingtofindthemanalive。Buthisbaldbrowwaswrinkledoveranentirelynewandunnaturalproblem，innotfindingthemanatall。
　　HeconsideredthepossibilityofBulmerhavinggoneoffofhisownaccord，forsomereason;butafterfullyweighingithefinallydismissedit。Itwasinconsistentwiththeunmistakablevoiceheardatdaybreak，andwithmanyotherpracticalobstacles。
　　Therewasonlyonegatewayintheancientandloftywallroundthesmallpark;thelodgekeeperkeptitlockedtilllateinthemorning，andthelodgekeeperhadseennoonepass。Fisherwasfairlysurethathehadbeforehimamathematicalprobleminaninclosedspace。Hisinstincthadbeenfromthefirstsoattunedtothetragedythatitwouldhavebeenalmostarelieftohimtofindthecorpse。Hewouldhavebeengrieved，butnothorrified，tocomeonthenobleman’sbodydanglingfromoneofhisowntreesasfromagibbet，orfloatinginhisownpoollikeapallidweed。Whathorrifiedhimwastofindnothing。
　　Hesoonbecomeconsciousthathewasnotaloneeveninhismostindividualandisolatedexperiments。
　　Heoftenfoundafigurefollowinghimlikehisshadow，insilentandalmostsecretclearingsintheplantationoroutlyingnooksandcornersoftheoldwall。Thedark—mustachedmouthwasasmuteasthedeepeyesweremobile，dartingincessantlyhitherandthither，butitwasclearthatBrainoftheIndianpolicehadtakenupthetraillikeanoldhunterafteratiger。
　　Seeingthathewastheonlypersonalfriendofthevanishedman，thisseemednaturalenough，andFisherresolvedtodealfranklywithhim。
　　"Thissilenceisratherasocialstrain，"hesaid。
　　"MayIbreaktheicebytalkingabouttheweather？——which，bytheway，hasalreadybrokentheice。Iknowthatbreakingtheicemightbearathermelancholymetaphorinthiscase。"
　　"Idon’tthinkso，"repliedBrain，shortly。"Idon’tfancytheicehadmuchtodowithit。Idon’tseehowitcould。"
　　"Whatwouldyouproposedoing？"askedFisher。
　　"Well，we’vesentfortheauthorities，ofcourse，butIhopetofindsomethingoutbeforetheycome，"
　　repliedtheAnglo—Indian。"Ican’tsayIhavemuchhopefrompolicemethodsinthiscountry。Toomuchredtape，habeascorpusandthatsortofthing。Whatwewantistoseethatnobodybolts;thenearestwecouldgettoitwouldbetocollectthecompanyandcountthem，sotospeak。Nobody’sleftlately，exceptthatlawyerwhowaspokingaboutforantiquities。"
　　"Oh，he’soutofit;heleftlastnight，"answeredtheother。"EighthoursafterBulmer’schauffeursawhislawyeroffbythetrainIheardBulmer’sownvoiceasplainasIhearyoursnow。"
　　"Isupposeyoudon’tbelieveinspirits？"saidthemanfromIndia。Afterapauseheadded："There’ssomebodyelseIshouldliketofind，beforewegoafterafellowwithanalibiintheInnerTemple。
　　What’sbecomeofthatfellowingreen——thearchitectdressedupasaforester？Ihaven’tseemhimabout。"
　　Mr。Brainmanagedtosecurehisassemblyofallthedistractedcompanybeforethearrivalofthepolice。Butwhenhefirstbegantocomentoncemoreontheyoungarchitect’sdelayinputtinginanappearance，hefoundhimselfinthepresenceofaminormystery，andapsychologicaldevelopmentofanentirelyunexpectedkind。
　　JulietBrayhadconfrontedthecatastropheofherbrother’sdisappearancewithasomberstoicisminwhichtherewas，perhaps，moreparalysisthanpain;
　　butwhentheotherquestioncametothesurfaceshewasbothagitatedandangry。
　　"Wedon’twanttojumptoanyconclusionsaboutanybody，"Brainwassayinginhisstaccatostyle。"ButweshouldliketoknowalittlemoreaboutMr。Crane。
　　Nobodyseemstoknowmuchabouthim，orwherehecomesfrom。AnditseemsasortofcoincidencethatyesterdayheactuallycrossedswordswithpoorBulmer，andcouldhavestuckhim，too，sinceheshowedhimselfthebetterswordsman。Ofcourse，thatmaybeanaccidentandcouldn’tpossiblybecalledacaseagainstanybody;butthenwehaven’tthemeanstomakearealcaseagainstanybody。Tillthepolicecomeweareonlyapackofveryamateursleuthhounds。"
　　"AndIthinkyou’reapackofsnobs，"saidJuliet。
　　"BecauseMr。Craneisageniuswho’smadehisownway，youtrytosuggesthe’samurdererwithoutdaringtosayso。Becauseheworeatoyswordandhappenedtoknowhowtouseit，youwantustobelieveheuseditlikeabloodthirstymaniacfornoreasonintheworld。Andbecausehecouldhavehitmybrotheranddidn’t，youdeducethathedid。That’sthesortofwayyouargue。Andasforhishavingdisappeared，you’rewronginthatasyouareineverythingelse，forherehecomes。"
　　And，indeed，thegreenfigureofthefictitiousRobinHoodslowlydetacheditselffromthegraybackgroundofthetrees，andcametowardthemasshespoke。
　　Heapproachedthegroupslowly，butwithcomposure;buthewasdecidedlypale，andtheeyesofBrainandFisherhadalreadytakeninonedetailofthegreen—cladfiguremoreclearlythanalltherest。
　　Thehornstillswungfromhisbaldrick，buttheswordwasgone。
　　Rathertothesurpriseofthecompany，Braindidnotfollowupthequestionthussuggested;but，whileretaininganairofleadingtheinquiry，hadalsoanappearanceofchangingthesubject。
　　"Nowwe’reallassembled，"heobserved，quietly，"thereisaquestionIwanttoasktobeginwith。DidanybodyhereactuallyseeLordBulmerthismorning？"
　　LeonardCraneturnedhispalefaceroundthecircleoffacestillhecametoJuliet’s;thenhecompressedhislipsalittleandsaid：
　　"Yes，Isawhim。"
　　"Washealiveandwell？"askedBrain，quickly。
　　"Howwashedressed？"
　　"Heappearedexceedinglywell，"repliedCrane，withacuriousintonation。"Hewasdressedashewasyesterday，inthatpurplecostumecopiedfromtheportraitofhisancestorinthesixteenthcentury。Hehadhisskatesinhishand。"
　　"Andhisswordathisside，Isuppose，"addedthequestioner。"Whereisyourownsword，Mr。Crane？"
　　"Ithrewitaway。"
　　Inthesingularsilencethatensued，thetrainofthoughtinmanymindsbecameinvoluntarilyaseriesofcoloredpictures。
　　Theyhadgrownusedtotheirfancifulgarmentslookingmoregayandgorgeousagainstthedarkgrayandstreakysilveroftheforest，sothatthemovingfiguresglowedlikestained—glasssaintswalking。Theeffecthadbeenmorefittingbecausesomanyofthemhadidlyparodiedpontificalormonasticdress。Butthemostarrestingattitudethatremainedintheirmemorieshadbeenanythingbutmerelymonastic;
　　thatofthemomentwhenthefigureinbrightgreenandtheotherinvividviolethadforamomentmadeasilvercrossoftheircrossingswords。Evenwhenitwasajestithadbeensomethingofadrama;anditwasastrangeandsinisterthoughtthatinthegraydaybreakthesamefiguresinthesameposturemighthavebeenrepeatedasatragedy。
　　"Didyouquarrelwithhim？"askedBrain，suddenly。
　　"Yes，"repliedtheimmovablemaningreen。"Orhequarreledwithme。"
　　"Whydidhequarrelwithyou？"askedtheinvestigator;andLeonardCranemadenoreply。
　　HorneFisher，curiouslyenough，hadonlygivenhalfhisattentiontothiscrucialcross—examination。Hisheavy—liddedeyeshadlanguidlyfollowedthefigureofPrinceBorodino，whoatthisstagehadstrolledawaytowardthefringeofthewood;and，afterapause，asofmeditation，haddisappearedintothedarknessofthetrees。
　　HewasrecalledfromhisirrelevancebythevoiceofJulietBray，whichrangoutwithanaltogethernewnoteofdecision：
　　"Ifthatisthedifficulty，ithadbestbeclearedup。
　　IamengagedtoMr。Crane，andwhenwetoldmybrotherhedidnotapproveofit;thatisall。"
　　NeitherBrainnorFisherexhibitedanysurprise，buttheformeradded，quietly：
　　"Except，Isuppose，thatheandyourbrotherwentoffintothewoodtodiscussit，whereMr。Cranemislaidhissword，nottomentionhiscompanion。"
　　"AndmayIask，"inquiredCrane，withacertainflickerofmockerypassingoverhispallidfeatures，"whatIamsupposedtohavedonewitheitherofthem？LetusadoptthecheerfulthesisthatI
　　amamurderer;ithasyettobeshownthatIamamagician。IfIranyourunfortunatefriendthroughthebody，whatdidIdowiththebody？DidIhaveitcarriedawaybysevenflyingdragons，orwasitmerelyatriflingmatterofturningitintoamilk—whitehind？"
　　"Itisnooccasionforsneering，"saidtheAnglo—Indianjudge，withabruptauthority。"Itdoesn’tmakeitlookbetterforyouthatyoucanjokeabouttheloss。"
　　Fisher’sdreamy，andevendreary，eyewasstillontheedgeofthewoodbehind，andhebecameconsciousofmassesofdarkred，likeastormysunsetcloud，glowingthroughthegraynetworkofthethintrees，andtheprinceinhiscardinal’srobesreemergedontothepathway。Brainhadhadhalfanotionthattheprincemighthavegonetolookforthelostrapier。Butwhenhereappearedhewascarryinginhishand，notasword，butanax。
　　Theincongruitybetweenthemasqueradeandthemysteryhadcreatedacuriouspsychologicalatmosphere。Atfirsttheyhadallfelthorriblyashamedatbeingcaughtinthefoolishdisguisesofafestival，byaneventthathadonlytoomuchthecharacterofafuneral。Manyofthemwouldhavealreadygonebackanddressedinclothesthatweremorefunerealoratleastmoreformal。Butsomehowatthemomentthisseemedlikeasecondmasquerade，moreartificialandfrivolousthanthefirst。Andastheyreconciledthemselvestotheirridiculoustrappings，acurioussensationhadcomeoversomeofthem，notablyoverthemoresensitive，likeCraneandFisherandJuliet，butinsomedegreeovereverybodyexceptthepracticalMr。Brain。Itwasalmostasiftheyweretheghostsoftheirownancestorshauntingthatdarkwoodanddismallake，andplayingsomeoldpartthattheyonlyhalfremembered。Themovementsofthosecoloredfiguresseemedtomeansomethingthathadbeensettledlongbefore，likeasilentheraldry。Acts，attitudes，externalobjects，wereacceptedasanallegoryevenwithoutthekey;andtheyknewwhenacrisishadcome，whentheydidnotknowwhatitwas。
　　Andsomehowtheyknewsubconsciouslythatthewholetalehadtakenanewandterribleturn，whentheysawtheprincestandinthegapofthegaunttrees，inhisrobesofangrycrimsonandwithhisloweringfaceofbronze，bearinginhishandanewshapeofdeath。Theycouldnothavenamedareason，butthetwoswordsseemedindeedtohavebecometoyswordsandthewholetaleofthembrokenandtossedawaylikeatoy。BorodinolookedliketheOldWorldheadsman，cladinterriblered，andcarryingtheaxfortheexecutionofthecriminal。AndthecriminalwasnotCrane。
　　Mr。BrainoftheIndianpolicewasglaringatthenewobject，anditwasamomentortwobeforehespoke，harshlyandalmosthoarsely。
　　"Whatareyoudoingwiththat？"heasked。"Seemstobeawoodman’schopper。"
　　"Anaturalassociationofideas，"observedHorneFisher。"Ifyoumeetacatinawoodyouthinkit’sawildcat，thoughitmayhavejuststrolledfromthedrawing—roomsofa。Asamatteroffact，Ihappentoknowthatisnotthewoodman’schopper。It’sthekitchenchopper，ormeatax，orsomethinglikethat，thatsomebodyhasthrownawayinthewood。IsawitinthekitchenmyselfwhenIwasgettingthepotatosackswithwhichIreconstructedamediaevalhermit。"
　　"Allthesame，itisnotwithoutinterest，"remarkedtheprince，holdingouttheinstrumenttoFisher，whotookitandexamineditcarefully。"Abutcher’scleaverthathasdonebutcher’swork。"
　　"Itwascertainlytheinstrumentofthecrime，"
　　assentedFisher，inalowvoice。
　　Brainwasstaringatthedullbluegleamoftheaxheadwithfierceandfascinatedeyes。"Idon’tunderstandyou，"hesaid。"Thereisno——therearenomarksonit。"
　　"Ithasshednoblood，"answeredFisher，"butforallthatithascommittedacrime。Thisisasnearasthecriminalcametothecrimewhenhecommittedit。"
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"
　　"Hewasnottherewhenhedidit，"explainedFisher。"It’sapoorsortofmurdererwhocan’tmurderpeoplewhenheisn’tthere。"
　　"Youseemtobetalkingmerelyforthesakeofmystification，"saidBrain。"Ifyouhaveanypracticaladvicetogiveyoumightaswellmakeitintelligible。"
　　"TheonlypracticaladviceIcansuggest，"saidFisher，thoughtfully，"isalittleresearchintolocaltopographyandnomenclature。TheysaythereusedtobeaMr。Prior，whohadafarminthisneighborhood。IthinksomedetailsaboutthedomesticlifeofthelateMr。Priorwouldthrowalightonthisterriblebusiness。"