"Andyouhavenothingmoreimmediatethanyourtopographytooffer，"saidBrain，withasneer，"tohelpmeavengemyfriend？"
　　"Well，"saidFisher，"IshouldfindoutthetruthabouttheHoleintheWall。"
　　Thatnight，atthecloseofastormytwilightandunderastrongwestwindthatfollowedthebreakingofthefrost，LeonardCranewaswendinghiswayinawildrotatorywalkroundandroundthehigh，continuouswallthatinclosedthelittlewood。Hewasdrivenbyadesperateideaofsolvingforhimselftheriddlethathadcloudedhisreputationandalreadyeventhreatenedhisliberty。Thepoliceauthorities，nowinchargeoftheinquiry，hadnotarrestedhim，butheknewwellenoughthatifhetriedtomovefarafieldhewouldbeinstantlyarrested。HorneFisher’sfragmentaryhints，thoughhehadrefusedtoexpandthemasyet，hadstirredtheartistictemperamentofthearchitecttoasortofwildanalysis，andhewasresolvedtoreadthehieroglyphupsidedownandeverywayuntilitmadesense。Ifitwassomethingconnectedwithaholeinthewallhewouldfindtheholeinthewall;but，asamatteroffact，hewasunabletofindthefaintestcrackinthewall。Hisprofessionalknowledgetoldhimthatthemasonrywasallofoneworkmanshipandonedate，and，exceptfortheregularentrance，whichthrewnolightonthemystery，hefoundnothingsuggestinganysortofhidingplaceormeansofescape。
　　Walkinganarrowpathbetweenthewindingwallandthewildeastwardbendandsweepofthegrayandfeatherytrees，seeingshiftinggleamsofalostsunsetwinkingalmostlikelightningasthecloudsoftempestscuddedacrosstheskyandminglingwiththefirstfaintbluelightfromaslowlystrengthenedmoonbehindhim，hebegantofeelhisheadgoingroundashisheelsweregoingroundandroundtheblindrecurrentbarrier。Hehadthoughtsontheborderofthought;fanciesaboutafourthdimensionwhichwasitselfaholetohideanything，ofseeingeverythingfromanewangleoutofanewwindowinthesenses;orofsomemysticallightandtransparency，likethenewraysofchemistry，inwhichhecouldseeBulmer’sbody，horribleandglaring，floatinginaluridhalooverthewoodsandthewall。Hewashauntedalsowiththehint，whichsomehowseemedtobeequallyhorrifying，thatitallhadsomethingtodowithMr。Prior。ThereseemedeventobesomethingcreepyinthefactthathewasalwaysrespectfullyreferredtoasMr。Prior，andthatitwasinthedomesticlifeofthedeadfarmerthathehadbeenbiddentoseektheseedofthesedreadfulthings。Asamatteroffact，hehadfoundthatnolocalinquirieshadrevealedanythingatallaboutthePriorfamily。
　　Themoonlighthadbroadenedandbrightened，thewindhaddrivenoffthecloudsanditselfdiedfitfullyaway，whenhecameroundagaintotheartificiallakeinfrontofthehouse。Forsomereasonitlookedaveryartificiallake;indeed，thewholescenewaslikeaclassicallandscapewithatouchofWatteau;thePalladianfacadeofthehousepaleinthemoon，andthesamesilvertouchingtheverypaganandnakedmarblenymphinthemiddleofthepond。Rathertohissurprise，hefoundanotherfiguretherebesidethestatue，sittingalmostequallymotionless;andthesamesilverpenciltracedthewrinkledbrowandpatientfaceofHorneFisher，stilldressedasahermitandapparentlypracticingsomethingofthesolitudeofahermit。Nevertheless，helookedupatLeonardCraneandsmiled，almostasifhehadexpectedhim。
　　"Lookhere，"saidCrane，plantinghimselfinfrontofhim，"canyoutellmeanythingaboutthisbusiness？"
　　"Ishallsoonhavetotelleverybodyeverythingaboutit，"repliedFisher，"butI’venoobjectiontotellingyousomethingfirst。But，tobeginwith，willyoutellmesomething？WhatreallyhappenedwhenyoumetBulmerthismorning？Youdidthrowawayyoursword，butyoudidn’tkillhim。"
　　"Ididn’tkillhimbecauseIthrewawaymysword，"
　　saidtheother。"Ididitonpurpose——orI’mnotsurewhatmighthavehappened。"
　　Afterapausehewenton，quietly："ThelateLordBulmerwasaverybreezygentleman，extremelybreezy。Hewasverygenialwithhisinferiors，andwouldhavehislawyerandhisarchitectstayinginhishouseforallsortsofholidaysandamusements。Buttherewasanothersidetohim，whichtheyfoundoutwhentheytriedtobehisequals。WhenItoldhimthathissisterandIwereengaged，somethinghappenedwhichIsimplycan’tandwon’tdescribe。Itseemedtomelikesomemonstrousupheavalofmadness。ButI
　　supposethetruthispainfullysimple。Thereissuchathingasthecoarsenessofagentleman。Anditisthemosthorriblethinginhumanity。"
　　"Iknow，"saidFisher。"TheRenaissancenoblesoftheTudortimewerelikethat。"
　　"Itisoddthatyoushouldsaythat，"Cranewenton。
　　"Forwhileweweretalkingtherecameonmeacuriousfeelingthatwewererepeatingsomesceneofthepast，andthatIwasreallysomeoutlaw，foundinthewoodslikeRobinHood，andthathehadreallysteppedinallhisplumesandpurpleoutofthepictureframeoftheancestralportrait。Anyhow，hewasthemaninpossession，andheneitherfearedGodnorregardedman。Idefiedhim，ofcourse，andwalkedaway。ImightreallyhavekilledhimifIhadnotwalkedaway。"
　　"Yes，"saidFisher，nodding，"hisancestorwasinpossessionandhewasinpossession，andthisistheendofthestory。Itallfitsin。"
　　"Fitsinwithwhat？"criedhiscompanion，withsuddenimpatience。"Ican’tmakeheadortailofit。
　　Youtellmetolookforthesecretintheholeinthewall，butIcan’tfindanyholeinthewall。"
　　"Thereisn’tany，"saidFisher。"That’sthesecret。"
　　Afterreflectingamoment，headded："Unlessyoucallitaholeinthewalloftheworld。Lookhere;I’lltellyouifyoulike，butI’mafraiditinvolvesanintroduction。You’vegottounderstandoneofthetricksofthemodernmind，atendencythatmostpeopleobeywithoutnoticingit。Inthevillageorsuburboutsidethere’saninnwiththesignofSt。GeorgeandtheDragon。NowsupposeI
　　wentabouttellingeverybodythatthiswasonlyacorruptionofKingGeorgeandtheDragoon。Scoresofpeoplewouldbelieveit，withoutanyinquiry，fromavaguefeelingthatit’sprobablebecauseit’sprosaic。Itturnssomethingromanticandlegendaryintosomethingrecentandordinary。Andthatsomehowmakesitsoundrational，thoughitisunsupportedbyreason。OfcoursesomepeoplewouldhavethesensetorememberhavingseenSt。GeorgeinoldItalianpicturesandFrenchromances，butagoodmanywouldn’tthinkaboutitatall。Theywouldjustswallowtheskepticismbecauseitwasskepticism。Modernintelligencewon’tacceptanythingonauthority。Butitwillacceptanythingwithoutauthority。That’sexactlywhathashappenedhere。
　　"WhensomecriticorotherchosetosaythatPrior’sParkwasnotapriory，butwasnamedaftersomequitemodernmannamedPrior，nobodyreallytestedthetheoryatall。ItneveroccurredtoanybodyrepeatingthestorytoaskifthereWASanyMr。Prior，ifanybodyhadeverseenhimorheardofhim。Asamatteroffact，itwasapriory，andsharedthefateofmostpriories——thatis，theTudorgentlemanwiththeplumessimplystoleitbybruteforceandturneditintohisownprivatehouse;hedidworsethings，asyoushallhear。Butthepointhereisthatthisishowthetrickworks，andthetrickworksinthesamewayintheotherpartofthetale。ThenameofthisdistrictisprintedHolinwallinallthebestmapsproducedbythescholars;andtheyalludelightly，notwithoutasmile，tothefactthatitwaspronouncedHoliwellbythemostignorantandold—fashionedofthepoor。Butitisspelledwrongandpronouncedright。"
　　"Doyoumeantosay，"askedCrane，quickly，"thattherereallywasawell？"
　　"Thereisawell，"saidFisher，"andthetruthliesatthebottomofit。"
　　Ashespokehestretchedouthishandandpointedtowardthesheetofwaterinfrontofhim。
　　"Thewellisunderthatwatersomewhere，"
　　hesaid，"andthisisnotthefirsttragedyconnectedwithit。Thefounderofthishousedidsomethingwhichhisfellowruffiansveryseldomdid;somethingthathadtobehushedupevenintheanarchyofthepillageofthemonasteries。
　　Thewellwasconnectedwiththemiraclesofsomesaint，andthelastpriorthatguardeditwassomethinglikeasainthimself;certainlyhewassomethingverylikeamartyr。Hedefiedthenewowneranddaredhimtopollutetheplace，tillthenoble，inafury，stabbedhimandflunghisbodyintothewell，whither，afterfourhundredyears，ithasbeenfollowedbyanheiroftheusurper，cladinthesamepurpleandwalkingtheworldwiththesamepride。"
　　"Buthowdidithappen，"demandedCrane，"thatforthefirsttimeBulmerfellinatthatparticularspot？"
　　"Becausetheicewasonlyloosenedatthatparticularspot，bytheonlymanwhoknewit，"
　　answeredHorneFisher。"Itwascrackeddeliberately，withthekitchenchopper，atthatspecialplace;andI
　　myselfheardthehammeringanddidnotunderstandit。Theplacehadbeencoveredwithanartificiallake，ifonlybecausethewholetruthhadtobecoveredwithanartificiallegend。Butdon’tyouseethatitisexactlywhatthosepagannobleswouldhavedone，todesecrateitwithasortofheathengoddess，astheRomanEmperorbuiltatempletoVenusontheHolySepulchre。Butthetruthcouldstillbetracedout，byanyscholarlymandeterminedtotraceit。Andthismanwasdeterminedtotraceit。"
　　"Whatman？"askedtheother，withashadowoftheanswerinhismind。
　　"Theonlymanwhohasanalibi，"repliedFisher。
　　"JamesHaddow，theantiquarianlawyer，leftthenightbeforethefatality，butheleftthatblackstarofdeathontheice。Heleftabruptly，havingpreviouslyproposedtostay;probably，Ithink，afteranuglyscenewithBulmer，attheirlegalinterview。Asyouknowyourself，Bulmercouldmakeamanfeelprettymurderous，andIratherfancythelawyerhadhimselfirregularitiestoconfess，andwasindangerofexposurebyhisclient。Butit’smyreadingofhumannaturethatamanwillcheatinhistrade，butnotinhishobby。Haddowmayhavebeenadishonestlawyer，buthecouldn’thelpbeinganhonestantiquary。WhenhegotonthetrackofthetruthabouttheHolyWellhehadtofollowitup;hewasnottobebamboozledwithnewspaperanecdotesaboutMr。Priorandaholeinthewall;hefoundouteverything，eventotheexactlocationofthewell，andhewasrewarded，ifbeingasuccessfulassassincanberegardedasareward。"
　　"Andhowdidyougetonthetrackofallthishiddenhistory？"askedtheyoungarchitect。
　　AcloudcameacrossthebrowofHorneFisher。"I
　　knewonlytoomuchaboutitalready，"hesaid，"and，afterall，it’sshamefulformetobespeakinglightlyofpoorBulmer，whohaspaidhispenalty;buttherestofushaven’t。IdaresayeverycigarIsmokeandeveryliqueurIdrinkcomesdirectlyorindirectlyfromtheharryingoftheholyplacesandthepersecutionofthepoor。Afterall，itneedsverylittlepokingaboutinthepasttofindthatholeinthewall，thatgreatbreachinthedefensesofEnglishhistory。Itliesjustunderthesurfaceofathinsheetofshaminformationandinstruction，justastheblackandblood—stainedwellliesjustunderthatfloorofshallowwaterandflatweeds。Oh，theiceisthin，butitbears;itisstrongenoughtosupportuswhenwedressupasmonksanddanceonit，inmockeryofthedear，quaintoldMiddleAges。TheytoldmeImustputonfancydress;soIdidputonfancydress，accordingtomyowntasteandfancy。I
　　putontheonlycostumeIthinkfitforamanwhohasinheritedthepositionofagentleman，andyethasnotentirelylostthefeelingsofone。"
　　Inanswertoalookofinquiry，herosewithasweepinganddownwardgesture。
　　"Sackcloth，"hesaid;"andIwouldweartheashesaswelliftheywouldstayonmybaldhead。"
　　VII。THETEMPLEOFSILENCE
　　HaroldMarchandthefewwhocultivatedthefriendshipofHorneFisher，especiallyiftheysawsomethingofhiminhisownsocialsetting，wereconsciousofacertainsolitudeinhisverysociability。
　　Theyseemedtobealwaysmeetinghisrelationsandnevermeetinghisfamily。Perhapsitwouldbetruertosaythattheysawmuchofhisfamilyandnothingofhishome。HiscousinsandconnectionsramifiedlikealabyrinthalloverthegoverningclassofGreatBritain，andheseemedtobeongood，oratleastongood—
　　humored，termswithmostofthem。ForHorneFisherwasremarkableforacuriousimpersonalinformationandinteresttouchingallsortsoftopics，sothatonecouldsometimesfancythathisculture，likehiscolorless，fairmustacheandpale，droopingfeatures，hadtheneutralnatureofachameleon。Anyhow，hecouldalwaysgetonwithviceroysandCabinetMinistersandallthegreatmenresponsibleforgreatdepartments，andtalktoeachofthemonhisownsubject，onthebranchofstudywithwhichhewasmostseriouslyconcerned。ThushecouldconversewiththeMinisterforWaraboutsilkworms，withtheMinisterofEducationaboutdetectivestories，withtheMinisterofLaboraboutLimogesenamel，andwiththeMinisterofMissionsandMoralProgress（ifthatbehiscorrecttitle）
　　aboutthepantomimeboysofthelastfourdecades。
　　Andasthefirstwashisfirstcousin，thesecondhissecondcousin，thethirdhisbrother—in—law，andthefourthhisunclebymarriage，thisconversationalversatilitycertainlyservedinonesensetocreateahappyfamily。ButMarchneverseemedtogetaglimpseofthatdomesticinteriortowhichmenofthemiddleclassesareaccustomedintheirfriendships，andwhichisindeedthefoundationoffriendshipandloveandeverythingelseinanysaneandstablesociety。HewonderedwhetherHorneFisherwasbothanorphanandanonlychild。
　　Itwas，therefore，withsomethinglikeastartthathefoundthatFisherhadabrother，muchmoreprosperousandpowerfulthanhimself，thoughhardly，Marchthought，soentertaining。SirHenryHarlandFisher，withhalfthealphabetafterhisname，wassomethingattheForeignOfficefarmoretremendousthantheForeignSecretary。Apparently，itraninthefamily，afterall;foritseemedtherewasanotherbrother，AshtonFisher，inIndia，rathermoretremendousthantheViceroy。SirHenryFisherwasaheavier，buthandsomereditionofhisbrother，withabrowequallybald，butmuchmoresmooth。Hewasverycourteous，butashadepatronizing，notonlytoMarch，buteven，asMarchfancied，toHorneFisheraswell。Thelattergentleman，whohadmanyintuitionsaboutthehalf—formedthoughtsofothers，glancedatthetopichimselfastheycameawayfromthegreathouseinBerkeleySquare。
　　"Why，don’tyouknow，"heobservedquietly，"thatIamthefoolofthefamily？"
　　"Itmustbeacleverfamily，"saidHaroldMarch，withasmile。
　　"Verygracefullyexpressed，"repliedFisher;"thatisthebestofhavingaliterarytraining。Well，perhapsitisanexaggerationtosayIamthefoolofthefamily。It’senoughtosayIamthefailureofthefamily。"
　　"Itseemsqueertomethatyoushouldfailespecially，"remarkedthejournalist。"Astheysayintheexaminations，whatdidyoufailin？"
　　"Politics，"repliedhisfriend。"IstoodforParliamentwhenIwasquiteayoungmanandgotinbyanenormousmajority，withloudcheersandchairingroundthetown。Sincethen，ofcourse，I’vebeenratherunderacloud。"
　　"I’mafraidIdon’tquiteunderstandthe’ofcourse，’"answeredMarch，laughing。
　　"Thatpartofitisn’tworthunderstanding，"saidFisher。"Butasamatteroffact，oldchap，theotherpartofitwasratheroddandinteresting。
　　Quiteadetectivestoryinitsway，aswellasthefirstlessonIhadinwhatmodernpoliticsaremadeof。Ifyoulike，I’lltellyouallaboutit。"Andthefollowing，recastinalessallusiveandconversationalmanner，isthestorythathetold。
　　NobodyprivilegedoflateyearstomeetSirHenryHarlandFisherwouldbelievethathehadeverbeencalledHarry。But，indeed，hehadbeenboyishenoughwhenaboy，andthatserenitywhichshoneonhimthroughlife，andwhichnowtooktheformofgravity，hadoncetakentheformofgayety。Hisfriendswouldhavesaidthathewasallthemoreripeinhismaturityforhavingbeenyounginhisyouth。Hisenemieswouldhavesaidthathewasstilllightminded，butnolongerlighthearted。Butinanycase，thewholeofthestoryHorneFisherhadtotellaroseoutoftheaccidentwhichhadmadeyoungHarryFisherprivatesecretarytoLordSaltoun。HencehislaterconnectionwiththeForeignOffice，whichhad，indeed，cometohimasasortoflegacyfromhislordshipwhenthatgreatmanwasthepowerbehindthethrone。ThisisnottheplacetosaymuchaboutSaltoun，littleaswasknownofhimandmuchastherewasworthknowing。
　　Englandhashadatleastthreeorfoursuchsecretstatesmen。Anaristocraticpolityproduceseverynowandthenanaristocratwhoisalsoanaccident，amanofintellectualindependenceandinsight，aNapoleonborninthepurple。Hisvastworkwasmostlyinvisible，andverylittlecouldbegotoutofhiminprivatelifeexceptacrustyandrathercynicalsenseofhumor。
　　ButitwascertainlytheaccidentofhispresenceatafamilydinneroftheFishers，andtheunexpectedopinionheexpressed，whichturnedwhatmighthavebeenadinner—tablejokeintoasortofsmallsensationalnovel。
　　SaveforLordSaltoun，itwasafamilypartyofFishers，fortheonlyotherdistinguishedstrangerhadjustdepartedafterdinner，leavingtheresttotheircoffeeandcigars。Thishadbeenafigureofsomeinterest——ayoungCambridgemannamedEricHugheswhowastherisinghopeofthepartyofReform，towhichtheFisherfamily，alongwiththeirfriendSaltoun，hadlongbeenatleastformallyattached。ThepersonalityofHugheswassubstantiallysummedupinthefactthathetalkedeloquentlyandearnestlythroughthewholedinner，butleftimmediatelyaftertobeintimeforanappointment。Allhisactionshadsomethingatonceambitiousandconscientious;hedranknowine，butwasslightlyintoxicatedwithwords。Andhisfaceandphraseswereonthefrontpageofallthenewspapersjustthen，becausehewascontestingthesafeseatofSirFrancisVernerinthegreatby—electioninthewest。Everybodywastalkingaboutthepowerfulspeechagainstsquirarchywhichhehadjustdelivered;evenintheFishercircleeverybodytalkedaboutitexceptHorneFisherhimselfwhosatinacorner，loweringoverthefire。
　　"Wejollywellhavetothankhimforputtingsomenewlifeintotheoldparty，"AshtonFisherwassaying。"Thiscampaignagainsttheoldsquiresjusthitsthedegreeofdemocracythereisinthiscounty。
　　Thisactforextendingcountycouncilcontrolispracticallyhisbill;soyoumaysayhe’sinthegovernmentevenbeforehe’sintheHouse。"
　　"One’seasierthantheother，"saidHarry，carelessly。"Ibetthesquire’sabiggerpotthanthecountycouncilinthatcounty。Vernerisprettywellrooted;alltheseruralplacesarewhatyoucallreactionary。Damningaristocratswon’talterit。"
　　"Hedamnsthemratherwell，"observedAshton。
　　"WeneverhadabettermeetingthantheoneinBarkington，whichgenerallygoesConstitutional。Andwhenhesaid，’SirFrancismayboastofblueblood;
　　letusshowwehaveredblood，’andwentontotalkaboutmanhoodandliberty，theroomsimplyroseathim。"
　　"Speaksverywell，"saidLordSaltoun，gruffly，makinghisonlycontributiontotheconversationsofar。
　　ThenthealmostequallysilentHorneFishersuddenlyspoke，without，takinghisbroodingeyesoffthefire。
　　"WhatIcan’tunderstand，"hesaid，"iswhynobodyiseverslangedfortherealreason。"
　　"Hullo！"remarkedHarry，humorously，"youbeginningtotakenotice？"
　　"Well，takeVerner，"continuedHorneFisher。"IfwewanttoattackVerner，whynotattackhim？Whycomplimenthimonbeingaromanticreactionaryaristocrat？WhoisVerner？Wheredoeshecomefrom？Hisnamesoundsold，butIneverheardofitbefore，asthemansaidoftheCrucifixion。Whytalkabouthisblueblood？Hisbloodmaybegambogeyellowwithgreenspots，forallanybodyknows。Allweknowisthattheoldsquire，Hawker，somehowranthroughhismoney（andhissecondwife’s，I
　　suppose，forshewasrichenough），andsoldtheestatetoamannamedVerner。Whatdidhemakehismoneyin？Oil？Armycontracts？"
　　"Idon’tknow，"saidSaltoun，lookingathimthoughtfully。
　　"FirstthingIeverknewyoudidn’tknow，"criedtheexuberantHarry。
　　"Andthere’smore，besides，"wentonHorneFisher，whoseemedtohavesuddenlyfoundhistongue。"Ifwewantcountrypeopletovoteforus，whydon’twegetsomebodywithsomenotionaboutthecountry？Wedon’ttalktopeopleinThreadneedleStreetaboutnothingbutturnipsandpigsties。WhydowetalktopeopleinSomersetaboutnothingbutslumsandsocialism？Whydon’twegivethesquire’slandtothesquire’stenants，insteadofdragginginthecountycouncil？"
　　"Threeacresandacow，"criedHarry，emittingwhattheParliamentaryreportscallanironicalcheer。
　　"Yes，"repliedhisbrother，stubbornly。"Don’tyouthinkagriculturallaborerswouldratherhavethreeacresandacowthanthreeacresofprintedformsandacommittee？Whydoesn’tsomebodystartayeomanpartyinpolitics，appealingtotheoldtraditionsofthesmalllandowner？Andwhydon’ttheyattackmenlikeVernerforwhattheyare，whichissomethingaboutasoldandtraditionalasanAmericanoiltrust？"
　　"You’dbetterleadtheyeomanpartyyourself，"
　　laughedHarry。"Don’tyouthinkitwouldbeajoke，LordSaltoun，toseemybrotherandhismerrymen，withtheirbowsandbills，marchingdowntoSomersetallinLincolngreeninsteadofLincolnandBennethats？"
　　"No，"answeredOldSaltoun，"Idon’tthinkitwouldbeajoke。Ithinkitwouldbeanexceedinglyseriousandsensibleidea。"
　　"Well，I’mjiggered！"criedHarryFisher，staringathim。"Isaidjustnowitwasthefirstfactyoudidn’tknow，andIshouldsaythisisthefirstjokeyoudidn’tsee。"
　　"I’veseenagoodmanythingsinmytime，"saidtheoldman，inhisrathersourfashion。"I’vetoldagoodmanyliesinmytime，too，andperhapsI’vegotrathersickofthem。Butthereareliesandlies，forallthat。
　　Gentlemenusedtoliejustasschoolboyslie，becausetheyhungtogetherandpartlytohelponeanotherout。
　　ButI’mdamnedifIcanseewhyweshouldlieforthesecosmopolitancadswhoonlyhelpthemselves。
　　They’renotbackingusupanymore;they’resimplycrowdingusout。IfamanlikeyourbrotherlikestogointoParliamentasayeomanoragentlemanoraJacobiteoranAncientBriton，Ishouldsayitwouldbeajollygoodthing。"
　　IntheratherstartledsilencethatfollowedHorneFishersprangtohisfeetandallhisdrearymannerdroppedoffhim。
　　"I’mreadytodoitto—morrow，"hecried。"I
　　supposenoneofyoufellowswouldbackmeup。"
　　ThenHarryFishershowedthefinersideofhisimpetuosity。Hemadeasuddenmovementasiftoshakehands。
　　"You’reasport，"hesaid，"andI’llbackyouup，ifnobodyelsewill。Butwecanallbackyouup，can’twe？IseewhatLordSaltounmeans，and，ofcourse，he’sright。He’salwaysright。"
　　"SoIwillgodowntoSomerset，"saidHorneFisher。
　　"Yes，itisonthewaytoWestminster，"saidLordSaltoun，withasmile。
　　AndsoithappenedthatHorneFisherarrivedsomedayslateratthelittlestationofaratherremotemarkettowninthewest，accompaniedbyalightsuitcaseandalivelybrother。Itmustnotbesupposed，however，thatthebrother’scheerfultoneconsistedentirelyofchaff。Hesupportedthenewcandidatewithhopeaswellashilarity;andatthebackofhisboisterouspartnershiptherewasanincreasingsympathyandencouragement。HarryFisherhadalwayshadanaffectionforhismorequietandeccentricbrother，andwasnowcomingmoreandmoretohavearespectforhim。Asthecampaignproceededtherespectincreasedtoardentadmiration。ForHarrywasstillyoung，andcouldfeelthesortofenthusiasmforhiscaptaininelectioneeringthataschoolboycanfeelforhiscaptainincricket。
　　Norwastheadmirationundeserved。Asthenewthree—corneredcontestdevelopeditbecameapparenttoothersbesideshisdevotedkinsmanthattherewasmoreinHorneFisherthanhadevermettheeye。Itwasclearthathisoutbreakbythefamilyfiresidehadbeenbuttheculminationofalongcourseofbroodingandstudyingonthequestion。Thetalentheretainedthroughlifeforstudyinghissubject，andevensomebodyselse’ssubject，hadlongbeenconcentratedonthisideaofchampioninganewpeasantryagainstanewplutocracy。Hespoketoacrowdwitheloquenceandrepliedtoanindividualwithhumor，twopoliticalartsthatseemedtocometohimnaturally。HecertainlyknewmuchmoreaboutruralproblemsthaneitherHughes，theReformcandidate，orVerner，theConstitutionalcandidate。
　　Andheprobedthoseproblemswithahumancuriosity，andwentbelowthesurfaceinawaythatneitherofthemdreamedofdoing。Hesoonbecamethevoiceofpopularfeelingsthatareneverfoundinthepopularpress。Newanglesofcriticism，argumentsthathadneverbeforebeenutteredbyaneducatedvoice，testsandcomparisonsthathadbeenmadeonlyindialectbymendrinkinginthelittlelocalpublichouses，craftshalfforgottenthathadcomedownbysignofhandandtonguefromremoteageswhentheirfatherswerefreeallthiscreatedacuriousanddoubleexcitement。Itstartledthewellinformedbybeinganewandfantasticideatheyhadneverencountered。Itstartledtheignorantbybeinganoldandfamiliarideatheyneverthoughttohaveseenrevived。Mensawthingsinanewlight，andknewnotevenwhetheritwasthesunsetorthedawn。
　　Practicalgrievancesweretheretomakethemovementformidable。AsFisherwenttoandfroamongthecottagesandcountryinns，itwasborneinonhimwithoutdifficultythatSirFrancisVernerwasaverybadlandlord。Norwasthestoryofhisacquisitionofthelandanymoreancientanddignifiedthanhehadsupposed;thestorywaswellknowninthecountyandinmostrespectswasobviousenough。Hawker，theoldsquire，hadbeenaloose，unsatisfactorysortofperson，hadbeenonbadtermswithhisfirstwife（whodied，assomesaid，ofneglect），andhadthenmarriedaflashySouthAmericanJewesswithafortune。Buthemusthaveworkedhiswaythroughthisfortunealsowithmarvelousrapidity，forhehadbeencompelledtoselltheestatetoVernerandhadgonetoliveinSouthAmerica，possiblyonhiswife’sestates。ButFishernoticedthatthelaxityoftheoldsquirewasfarlesshatedthantheefficiencyofthenewsquire。Verner’shistoryseemedtobefullofsmartbargainsandfinancialfluttersthatleftotherpeopleshortofmoneyandtemper。ButthoughheheardagreatdealaboutVerner，therewasonethingthatcontinuallyeludedhim;somethingthatnobodyknew，thatevenSaltounhadnotknown。HecouldnotfindouthowVernerhadoriginallymadehismoney。
　　"Hemusthavekeptitspeciallydark，"saidHorneFishertohimself。"Itmustbesomethinghe’sreallyashamedof。Hangitall！whatISamanashamedofnowadays？"
　　Andasheponderedonthepossibilitiestheygrewdarkerandmoredistortedinhismind;hethoughtvaguelyofthingsremoteandrepulsive，strangeformsofslaveryorsorcery，andthenofuglythingsyetmoreunnaturalbutnearerhome。ThefigureofVernerseemedtobeblackenedandtransfiguredinhisimagination，andtostandagainstvariedbackgroundsandstrangeskies。
　　Ashestrodeupavillagestreet，broodingthus，hiseyesencounteredacompletecontrastinthefaceofhisotherrival，theReformcandidate。EricHughes，withhisblownblondhairandeagerundergraduateface，wasjustgettingintohismotorcarandsayingafewfinalwordstohisagent，asturdy，grizzledmannamedGryce。EricHugheswavedhishandinafriendlyfashion;butGryceeyedhimwithsomehostility。EricHugheswasayoungmanwithgenuinepoliticalenthusiasms，，butheknewthatpoliticalopponentsarepeoplewithwhomonemayhavetodineanyday。ButMr。GrycewasagrimlittlelocalRadical，achampionofthechapel，andoneofthosehappypeoplewhoseworkisalsotheirhobby。Heturnedhisbackasthemotorcardroveaway，andwalkedbrisklyupthesunlithighstreetofthelittletown，whistling，withpoliticalpapersstickingoutofhispocket。
　　Fisherlookedpensivelyaftertheresolutefigureforamoment，andthen，asifbyanimpulse，begantofollowit。Throughthebusymarketplace，amidthebasketsandbarrowsofmarketday，underthepaintedwoodensignoftheGreenDragon，upadarksideentry，underanarch，andthroughatangleofcrookedcobbledstreetsthetwothreadedtheirway，thesquare，struttingfigureinfrontandthelean，loungingfigurebehindhim，likehisshadowinthesunshine。Atlengththeycametoabrownbrickhousewithabrassplate，onwhichwasMr。Gryce’sname，andthatindividualturnedandbeheldhispursuerwithastare。
　　"CouldIhaveawordwithyou，sir？"askedHorneFisher，politely。Theagentstaredstillmore，butassentedcivilly，andledtheotherintoanofficelitteredwithleafletsandhungallroundwithhighlycoloredposterswhichlinkedthenameofHugheswithallthehigherinterestsofhumanity。
　　"Mr。HorneFisher，Ibelieve，"saidMr。Gryce。
　　"Muchhonoredbythecall，ofcourse。Can’tpretendtocongratulateyouonenteringthecontest，I’mafraid;youwon’texpectthat。Herewe’vebeenkeepingtheoldflagflyingforfreedomandreform，andyoucomeinandbreakthebattleline。"
　　ForMr。ElijahGryceaboundedinmilitarymetaphorsandindenunciationsofmilitarism。Hewasasquare—jawed，blunt—featuredmanwithapugnaciouscockoftheeyebrow。Hehadbeenpickledinthepoliticsofthatcountrysidefromboyhood，hekneweverybody’ssecrets，andelectioneeringwastheromanceofhislife。
　　"IsupposeyouthinkI’mdevouredwithambition，"
　　saidHorneFisher，inhisratherlistlessvoice，"aimingatadictatorshipandallthat。Well，IthinkIcanclearmyselfofthechargeofmereselfishambition。Ionlywantcertainthingsdone。Idon’twanttodothem。I
　　veryseldomwanttodoanything。AndI’vecomeheretosaythatI’mquitewillingtoretirefromthecontestifyoucanconvincemethatwereallywanttodothesamething。"
　　TheagentoftheReformpartylookedathimwithanoddandslightlypuzzledexpression，andbeforehecouldreply，Fisherwentoninthesameleveltones：
　　"You’dhardlybelieveit，butIkeepaconscienceconcealedaboutme;andIamindoubtaboutseveralthings。Forinstance，webothwanttoturnVerneroutofParliament，butwhatweaponarewetouse？I’veheardalotofgossipagainsthim，butisitrighttoactonmeregossip？JustasIwanttobefairtoyou，soI
　　wanttobefairtohim。IfsomeofthethingsI’veheardaretrueheoughttobeturnedoutofParliamentandeveryotherclubinLondon。ButI
　　don’twanttoturnhimoutofParliamentiftheyaren’ttrue。"
　　AtthispointthelightofbattlesprangintoMr。
　　Gryce’seyesandhebecamevoluble，nottosayviolent。He，atanyrate，hadnodoubtthatthestoriesweretrue;hecouldtestify，tohisownknowledge，thattheyweretrue。Vernerwasnotonlyahardlandlord，butameanlandlord，arobberaswellasarackrenter;anygentlemanwouldbejustifiedinhoundinghimout。HehadcheatedoldWilkinsoutofhisfreeholdbyatrickfitforapickpocket;hehaddrivenoldMotherBiddletotheworkhouse;hehadstretchedthelawagainstLongAdam，thepoacher，tillallthemagistrateswereashamedofhim。
　　"Soifyou’llserveundertheoldbanner，"
　　concludedMr。Gryce，moregenially，"andturnoutaswindlingtyrantlikethat，I’msureyou’llneverregretit。"
　　"Andifthatisthetruth，"saidHorneFisher，"areyougoingtotellit？"
　　"Whatdoyoumean？Tellthetruth？"demandedGryce。
　　"Imeanyouaregoingtotellthetruthasyouhavejusttoldit，"repliedFisher。"YouaregoingtoplacardthistownwiththewickednessdonetooldWilkins。
　　YouaregoingtofillthenewspaperswiththeinfamousstoryofMrs。Biddle。YouaregoingtodenounceVernerfromapublicplatform，naminghimforwhathedidandnamingthepoacherhediditto。
　　Andyou’regoingtofindoutbywhattradethismanmadethemoneywithwhichheboughttheestate;
　　andwhenyouknowthetruth，asIsaidbefore，ofcourseyouaregoingtotellit。UponthosetermsI
　　comeundertheoldflag，asyoucallit，andhauldownmylittlepennon。"
　　Theagentwaseyinghimwithacuriousexpression，surlybutnotentirelyunsympathetic。
　　"Well，"hesaid，slowly，"youhavetodothesethingsinaregularway，youknow，orpeopledon’tunderstand。
　　I’vehadalotofexperience，andI’mafraidwhatyousaywouldn’tdo。Peopleunderstandslangingsquiresinageneralway，butthosepersonalitiesaren’tconsideredfairplay。Lookslikehittingbelowthebelt。"
　　"OldWilkinshasn’tgotabelt，Isuppose，"repliedHorneFisher。"Vernercanhithimanyhow，andnobodymustsayaword。It’sevidentlyveryimportanttohaveabelt。Butapparentlyyouhavetoberatherhighupinsocietytohaveone。Possibly，"headded，thoughtfully——"possiblytheexplanationofthephrase’abeltedearl，’themeaningofwhichhasalwaysescapedme。"
　　"Imeanthosepersonalitieswon’tdo，"returnedGryce，frowningatthetable。
　　"AndMotherBiddleandLongAdam，thepoacher，arenotpersonalities，"saidFisher，"andsupposewemustn’taskhowVernermadeallthemoneythatenabledhimtobecome——apersonality。"
　　Grycewasstilllookingathimunderloweringbrows，butthesingularlightinhiseyeshadbrightened。Atlasthesaid，inanotherandmuchquietervoice：
　　"Lookhere，sir。Ilikeyou，ifyoudon’tmindmysayingso。IthinkyouarereallyonthesideofthepeopleandI’msureyou’reabraveman。Alotbraverthanyouknow，perhaps。Wedaren’ttouchwhatyouproposewithabargepole;andsofarfromwantingyouintheoldparty，we’dratheryouranyourownriskbyyourself。ButbecauseIlikeyouandrespectyourpluck，I’lldoyouagoodturnbeforewepart。I
　　don’twantyoutowastetimebarkingupthewrongtree。Youtalkabouthowthenewsquiregotthemoneytobuy，andtheruinoftheoldsquire，andalltherestofit。Well，I’llgiveyouahintaboutthat，ahintaboutsomethingpreciousfewpeopleknow。"
　　"Iamverygrateful，"saidFisher，gravely。"Whatisit？"
　　"It’sintwowords，"saidtheother。"Thenewsquirewasquitepoorwhenhebought。Theoldsquirewasquiterichwhenhesold。"
　　HorneFisherlookedathimthoughtfullyasheturnedawayabruptlyandbusiedhimselfwiththepapersonhisdesk。ThenFisherutteredashortphraseofthanksandfarewell，andwentoutintothestreet，stillverythoughtful。
　　Hisreflectionseemedtoendinresolution，and，fallingintoamorerapidstride，hepassedoutofthelittletownalongaroadleadingtowardthegateofthegreatpark，thecountryseatofSirFrancisVerner。Aglitterofsunlightmadetheearlywintermorelikealateautumn，andthedarkwoodsweretouchedhereandtherewithredandgoldenleaves，likethelastraysofalostsunset。Fromahigherpartoftheroadhehadseenthelong，classicalfacadeofthegreathousewithitsmanywindows，almostimmediatelybeneathhim，butwhentheroadrandownunderthewalloftheestate，toppedwithtoweringtreesbehind，herealizedthatitwashalfamileroundtothelodgegates，Afterwalkingforafewminutesalongthelane，however，hecametoaplacewherethewallhadcrackedandwasinprocessofrepair。Asitwas，therewasagreatgapinthegraymasonrythatlookedatfirstasblackasacavernandonlyshowedatasecondglancethetwilightofthetwinklingtrees。Therewassomethingfascinatingaboutthatunexpectedgate，liketheopeningofafairytale。
　　HorneFisherhadinhimsomethingofthearistocrat，whichisveryneartotheanarchist。Itwascharacteristicofhimthatheturnedintothisdarkandirregularentryascasuallyasintohisownfrontdoor，merelythinkingthatitwouldbeashortcuttothehouse。Hemadehiswaythroughthedimwoodforsomedistanceandwithsomedifficulty，untiltherebegantoshinethroughthetreesalevellight，inlinesofsilver，whichhedidnotatfirstunderstand。Thenextmomenthehadcomeoutintothedaylightatthetopofasteepbank，atthebottomofwhichapathranroundtherimofalargeornamentallake。Thesheetofwaterwhichhehadseenshimmeringthroughthetreeswasofconsiderableextent，butwaswalledinoneverysidewithwoodswhichwerenotonlydark，butdecidedlydismal。Atoneendofthepathwasaclassicalstatueofsomenamelessnymph，andattheotherenditwasflankedbytwoclassicalurns;
　　butthemarblewasweather—stainedandstreakedwithgreenandgray。Ahundredothersigns，smallerbutmoresignificant，toldhimthathehadcomeonsomeoutlyingcornerofthegroundsneglectedandseldomvisited。Inthemiddleofthelakewaswhatappearedtobeanisland，andontheislandwhatappearedtobemeantforaclassicaltemple，notopenlikeatempleofthewinds，butwithablankwallbetweenitsDoricpillars。Wemaysayitonlyseemedlikeanisland，becauseasecondglancerevealedalowcausewayofflatstonesrunninguptoitfromtheshoreandturningitintoapeninsula。Andcertainlyitonlyseemedlikeatemple，fornobodyknewbetterthanHorneFisherthatnogodhadeverdweltinthatshrine。
　　"That’swhatmakesallthisclassicallandscapegardeningsodesolate，"hesaidtohimself。"MoredesolatethanStonehengeorthePyramids。Wedon’tbelieveinEgyptianmythology，buttheEgyptiansdid;andIsupposeeventheDruidsbelievedinDruidism。Buttheeighteenth—centurygentlemanwhobuiltthesetemplesdidn’tbelieveinVenusorMercuryanymorethanwedo;that’swhythereflectionofthosepalepillarsinthelakeistrulyonlytheshadowofashade。TheyweremenoftheageofReason;
　　they，whofilledtheirgardenswiththesestonenymphs，hadlesshopethananymeninallhistoryofreallymeetinganymphintheforest。"
　　Hismonologuestoppedaruptlywithasharpnoiselikeathundercrackthatrolledindrearyechoesroundthedismalmere。Heknewatoncewhatitwas——somebodyhadfiredoffagun。Butastothemeaningofithewasmomentarilystaggered，andstrangethoughtsthrongedintohismind。Thenextmomenthelaughed;forhesawlyingalittlewayalongthepathbelowhimthedeadbirdthattheshothadbroughtdown。
　　Atthesamemoment，however，hesawsomethingelse，whichinterestedhimmore。Aringofdensetreesranroundthebackoftheislandtemple，framingthefacadeofitindarkfoliage，andhecouldhaveswornhesawastirasofsomethingmovingamongtheleaves。Thenextmomenthissuspicionwasconfirmed，foraratherraggedfigurecamefromundertheshadowofthetempleandbegantomovealongthecausewaythatledtothebank。EvenatthatdistancethefigurewasconspicuousbyitsgreatheightandFishercouldseethatthemancarriedagununderhisarm。TherecamebackintohismemoryatoncethenameLongAdam，thepoacher。
　　Witharapidsenseofstrategyhesometimesshowed，Fishersprangfromthebankandracedroundthelaketotheheadofthelittlepierofstones。
　　Ifonceamanreachedthemainlandhecouldeasilyvanishintothewoods。ButwhenFisherbegantoadvancealongthestonestowardtheisland，themanwascorneredinablindalleyandcouldonlybacktowardthetemple。Puttinghisbroadshouldersagainstit，hestoodasifatbay;hewasacomparativelyyoungman，withfinelinesinhisleanfaceandfigureandamopofraggedredhair。Thelookinhiseyesmightwellhavebeendisquietingtoanyoneleftalonewithhimonanislandinthemiddleofalake。
　　"Goodmorning，"saidHorneFisher，pleasantly。"I
　　thoughtatfirstyouwereamurderer。Butitseemsunlikely，somehow，thatthepartridgerushedbetweenusanddiedforloveofme，liketheheroinesintheromances;soIsupposeyouareapoacher。"
　　"Isupposeyouwouldcallmeapoacher，"
　　answeredtheman;andhisvoicewassomethingofasurprisecomingfromsuchascarecrow;ithadthathardfastidiousnesstobefoundinthosewhohavemadeafightfortheirownrefinementamongroughsurroundings。"IconsiderIhaveaperfectrighttoshootgameinthisplace。ButIamwellawarethatpeopleofyoursorttakemeforathief，andIsupposeyouwilltrytolandmeinjail。"
　　"Therearepreliminarydifficulties，"repliedFisher。
　　"Tobeginwith，themistakeisflattering，butIamnotagamekeeper。StilllessamIthreegamekeepers，whowouldbe，Iimagine，aboutyourfightingweight。
　　ButIconfessIhaveanotherreasonfornotwantingtojailyou。"
　　"Andwhatisthat？"askedtheother。
　　"OnlythatIquiteagreewithyou，"answeredFisher。"Idon’texactlysayyouhavearighttopoach，butInevercouldseethatitwasaswrongasbeingathief。Itseemstomeagainstthewholenormalnotionofpropertythatamanshouldownsomethingbecauseitfliesacrosshisgarden。Hemightaswellownthewind，orthinkhecouldwritehisnameonamorningcloud。Besides，ifwewantpoorpeopletorespectpropertywemustgivethemsomepropertytorespect。Yououghttohavelandofyourown;andI’mgoingtogiveyousomeifIcan。"
　　"Goingtogivemesomeland！"repeatedLongAdam。
　　"Iapologizeforaddressingyouasifyouwereapublicmeeting，"saidFisher，"butIamanentirelynewkindofpublicmanwhosaysthesamethinginpublicandinprivate。I’vesaidthistoahundredhugemeetingsthroughoutthecountry，andIsayittoyouonthisqueerlittleislandinthisdismalpond。Iwouldcutupabigestatelikethisintosmallestatesforeverybody，evenforpoachers。IwoulddoinEnglandastheydidinIreland——buythebigmenout，ifpossible;getthemout，anyhow。Amanlikeyououghttohavealittleplaceofhisown。Idon’tsayyoucouldkeeppheasants，butyoumightkeepchickens。"
　　Themanstiffenedsuddenlyandheseemedatoncetoblanchandflameatthepromiseasifitwereathreat。
　　"Chickens！"herepeated，withapassionofcontempt。
　　"Whydoyouobject？"askedtheplacidcandidate。
　　"Becausekeepinghensisratheramildamusementforapoacher？Whataboutpoachingeggs？"
　　"BecauseIamnotapoacher，"criedAdam，inarendingvoicethatrangroundthehollowshrinesandurnsliketheechoesofhisgun。"Becausethepartridgelyingdeadoverthereismypartridge。
　　Becausethelandyouarestandingonismyland。
　　Becausemyownlandwasonlytakenfrommebyacrime，andaworsecrimethanpoaching。Thishasbeenasingleestateforhundredsandhundredsofyears，andifyouoranymeddlesomemountebankcomeshereandtalksofcuttingituplikeacake，ifI
　　everhearawordmoreofyouandyourlevelinglies——"
　　"Youseemtobearatherturbulentpublic，"
　　observedHorneFisher，"butdogoon。WhatwillhappenifItrytodividethisestatedecentlyamongdecentpeople？"
　　Thepoacherhadrecoveredagrimcomposureashereplied。"Therewillbenopartridgetorushinbetween。"
　　Withthatheturnedhisback，evidentlyresolvedtosaynomore，andwalkedpastthetempletotheextremeendoftheislet，wherehestoodstaringintothewater。Fisherfollowedhim，but，whenhisrepeatedquestionsevokednoanswer，turnedbacktowardtheshore。Indoingsohetookasecondandcloserlookattheartificialtemple，andnotedsomecuriousthingsaboutit。Mostofthesetheatricalthingswereasthinastheatricalscenery，andheexpectedtheclassicshrinetobeashallowthing，amereshellormask。Buttherewassomesubstantialbulkofitbehind，buriedinthetrees，whichhadagray，labyrinthianlook，likeserpentsofstone，andliftedaloadofleafytowerstothesky。ButwhatarrestedFisher’seyewasthatinthisbulkofgray—whitestonebehindtherewasasingledoorwithgreat，rustyboltsoutside;thebolts，however，werenotshotacrosssoastosecureit。Thenhewalkedroundthesmallbuilding，andfoundnootheropeningexceptonesmallgratinglikeaventilator，highupinthewall。Heretracedhisstepsthoughtfullyalongthecausewaytothebanksofthelake，andsatdownonthestonestepsbetweenthetwosculpturedfuneralurns。Thenhelitacigaretteandsmokeditinruminantmanner;eventuallyhetookoutanotebookandwrotedownvariousphrases，numberingandrenumberingthemtilltheystoodinthefollowingorder："（1）SquireHawkerdislikedhisfirstwife。（2）
　　Hemarriedhissecondwifeforhermoney。（3）LongAdamsaystheestateisreallyhis。（4）LongAdamhangsroundtheislandtemple，whichlookslikeaprison。（5）SquireHawkerwasnotpoorwhenhegaveuptheestate。（6）Vernerwaspoorwhenhegottheestate。"
　　Hegazedatthesenoteswithagravitywhichgraduallyturnedtoahardsmile，threwawayhiscigarette，andresumedhissearchforashortcuttothegreathouse。Hesoonpickedupthepathwhich，windingamongclippedhedgesandflowerbeds，broughthiminfrontofitslongPalladianfacade。Ithadtheusualappearanceofbeing，notaprivatehouse，butasortofpublicbuildingsentintoexileintheprovinces。
　　Hefirstfoundhimselfinthepresenceofthebutler，whoreallylookedmucholderthanthebuilding，forthearchitecturewasdatedasGeorgian;
　　buttheman’sface，underahighlyunnaturalbrownwig，waswrinkledwithwhatmighthavebeencenturies。Onlyhisprominenteyeswerealiveandalert，asifwithprotest。Fisherglancedathim，andthenstoppedandsaid：
　　"Excuseme。Weren’tyouwiththelatesquire，Mr。
　　Hawker？"
　　’Yes，sir，saidtheman，gravely。"Usherismyname。WhatcanI
　　doforyou？"
　　"OnlytakemeintoSirFrancisVerner，"repliedthevisitor。
　　SirFrancisVernerwassittinginaneasychairbesideasmalltableinalargeroomhungwithtapestries。Onthetablewereasmallflaskandglass，withthegreenglimmerofaliqueurandacupofblackcoffee。Hewascladinaquietgraysuitwithamoderatelyharmoniouspurpletie;
　　butFishersawsomethingabouttheturnofhisfairmustacheandthelieofhisflathair——itsuddenlyrevealedthathisnamewasFranzWerner。
　　"YouareMr。HorneFisher，"hesaid。"Won’tyousitdown？"
　　"No，thankyou，"repliedFisher。"Ifearthisisnotafriendlyoccasion，andIshallremainstanding。
　　PossiblyyouknowthatIamalreadystanding——
　　standingforParliament，infact——"
　　"Iamawarewearepoliticalopponents，"repliedVerner，raisinghiseyebrows。"ButIthinkitwouldbebetterifwefoughtinasportingspirit;inaspiritofEnglishfairplay。"
　　"Muchbetter，"assentedFisher。"ItwouldbemuchbetterifyouwereEnglishandverymuchbetterifyouhadeverplayedfair。ButwhatI’vecometosaycanbesaidveryshortly。
　　Idon’tquiteknowhowwestandwiththelawaboutthatoldHawkerstory，butmychiefobjectistopreventEnglandbeingentirelyruledbypeoplelikeyou。Sowhateverthelawwouldsay，Iwillsaynomoreifyouwillretirefromtheelectionatonce。"
　　"Youareevidentlyalunatic，"saidVerner。
　　"Mypsychologymaybealittleabnormal，"repliedHorneFisher，inaratherhazymanner。"Iamsubjecttodreams，especiallyday—dreams。Sometimeswhatishappeningtomegrowsvividinacuriousdoubleway，asifithadhappenedbefore。Haveyoueverhadthatmysticalfeelingthatthingshavehappenedbefore？"
　　"Ihopeyouareaharmlesslunatic，"saidVerner。
　　ButFisherwasstillstaringinanabsentfashionatthegoldengiganticfiguresandtraceriesofbrownandredinthetapestriesonthewalls;thenhelookedagainatVernerandresumed："Ihaveafeelingthatthisinterviewhashappenedbefore，hereinthistapestriedroom，andwearetwoghostsrevisitingahauntedchamber。ButitwasSquireHawkerwhosatwhereyousitanditwasyouwhostoodwhereI
　　stand。"Hepausedamomentandthenadded，withsimplicity，"IsupposeIamablackmailer，too。"
　　"Ifyouare，"saidSirFrancis，"Ipromiseyouyoushallgotojail。"Buthisfacehadashadeonitthatlookedlikethereflectionofthegreenwinegleamingonthetable。HorneFisherregardedhimsteadilyandanswered，quietlyenough：
　　"Blackmailersdonotalwaysgotojail。SometimestheygotoParliament。But，thoughParliamentisrottenenoughalready，youshallnotgothereifIcanhelpit。Iamnotsocriminalasyouwereinbargainingwithcrime。Youmadeasquiregiveuphiscountryseat。IonlyaskyoutogiveupyourParliamentaryseat。"
　　SirFrancisVernersprangtohisfeetandlookedaboutforoneofthebellropesoftheold—fashioned，curtainedroom。
　　"WhereisUsher？"hecried，withalividface。
　　"AndwhoisUsher？"saidFisher，softly。"I
　　wonderhowmuchUsherknowsofthetruth。"
　　Verner’shandfellfromthebellropeand，afterstandingforamomentwithrollingeyes，hestrodeabruptlyfromtheroom。Fisherwentbutbytheotherdoor，bywhichhehadentered，and，seeingnosignofUsher，lethimselfoutandbetookhimselfagaintowardthetown。
　　Thatnightheputanelectrictorchinhispocketandsetoutaloneinthedarknesstoaddthelastlinkstohisargument。Therewasmuchthathedidnotknowyet;buthethoughtheknewwherehecouldfindtheknowledge。Thenightcloseddarkandstormyandtheblackgapinthewalllookedblackerthanever;thewoodseemedtohavegrownthickeranddarkerinaday。Ifthedesertedlakewithitsblackwoodsandgrayurnsandimageslookeddesolateevenbydaylight，underthenightandthegrowingstormitseemedstillmorekkethepoolofAcheroninthelandoflostsouls。Ashesteppedcarefullyalongthejettystonesheseemedtobetravelingfartherandfartherintotheabyssofnight，andtohaveleftbehindhimthelastpointsfromwhichitwouldbepossibletosignaltothelandoftheliving。Thelakeseemedtohavegrownlargerthanasea，butaseaofblackandslimywatersthatsleptwithabominableserenity，asiftheyhadwashedouttheworld。Therewassomuchofthisnightmaresenseofextensionandexpansionthathewasstrangelysurprisedtocometohisdesertislandsosoon。Butheknewitforaplaceofinhumansilenceandsolitude;andhefeltasifhehadbeenwalkingforyears。
　　Nervinghimselftoamorenormalmood，hepausedunderoneofthedarkdragontreesthatbranchedoutabovehim，and，takingouthistorch，turnedinthedirectionofthedooratthebackofthetemple。Itwasunboltedasbefore，andthethoughtstirredfaintlyinhimthatitwasslightlyopen，thoughonlybyacrack。
　　Themorehethoughtofit，however，themorecertainhegrewthatthiswasbutoneofthecommonillusionsoflightcomingfromadifferentangle。Hestudiedinamorescientificspiritthedetailsofthedoor，withitsrustyboltsandhinges，whenhebecameconsciousofsomethingverynearhim——indeed，nearlyabovehishead。Somethingwasdanglingfromthetreethatwasnotabrokenbranch。Forsomesecondshestoodasstillasastone，andascold。Whathesawabovehimwerethelegsofamanhanging，presumablyadeadmanhanged。Butthenextmomentheknewbetter。
　　Themanwasliterallyaliveandkicking;andaninstantafterhehaddroppedtothegroundandturnedontheintruder。Simultaneouslythreeorfourothertreesseemedtocometolifeinthesamefashion。Fiveorsixotherfigureshadfallenontheirfeetfromtheseunnaturalnests。Itwasasiftheplacewereanislandofmonkeys。Butamomentaftertheyhadmadeastampedetowardhim，andwhentheylaidtheirhandsonhimheknewthattheyweremen。