THEPURSUIT
　　XX
　　AndnowtotellofMr。Hoopdriver，risingwiththesun，vigilant，active，wonderful，thepracticablehalfofthelead—framedwindowstuckopen，earsalert，aneyeflickeringincessantlyinthecornerpanes，inobliqueglancesattheAngelfront。Mrs。Wardorwantedhimtohavehisbreakfastdownstairsinherkitchen，butthatwouldhavemeantabandoningthewatch，andheheldoutstrongly。Thebicycle，cap—a—pie，occupied，underprotest，astrategicpositionintheshop。Hewasexpectantbysixinthemorning。Byninehorriblefearsoppressedhimthathisquesthadescapedhim，andhehadtoreconnoitretheAngelyardinordertosatisfyhimself。Therehefoundtheostler（Howarethemightyfalleninthesedecadentdays！）brushingdownthebicyclesofthechase，andhereturnedrelievedtoMrs。Wardor’spremises。Andabouttentheyemerged，androdequietlyuptheNorthStreet。Hewatchedthemuntiltheyturnedthecornerofthepostoffice，andthenoutintotheroadandupaftertheminfinestyle！Theywentbytheengine—housewheretheoldstocksandthewhippingpostsare，andontotheChichesterroad，andhefollowedgallantly。Sothisgreatchasebegan。
　　Theydidnotlookround，andhekeptthemjustwithinsight，gettingdownifhechancedtodrawcloselyuponthemroundacorner。Byridingvigorouslyhekeptquiteconvenientlynearthem，fortheymadebutlittlehurry。Hegrewhotindeed，andhiskneeswerealittlestifftobeginwith，butthatwasall。Therewaslittledangeroflosingthem，forathinchalkydustlayupontheroad，andthetrackofhertirewasmilledlikeashilling，andhiswasachequeredribbonalongtheway。SotheyrodebyCobden’smonumentandthroughtheprettiestofvillages，untilatlastthedownsrosesteeplyahead。Theretheystoppedawhileattheonlyinnintheplace，andMr。Hoopdrivertookupapositionwhichcommandedtheinndoor，andmoppedhisfaceandthirstedandsmokedaRedHerringcigarette。Theyremainedintheinnforsometime。Anumberofchubbyinnocentsreturninghomefromschool，stoppedandformedalineinfrontofhim，andwatchedhimquietlybutfirmlyforthespaceoftenminutesorso。"Goaway，"saidhe，andtheyonlyseemedquietlyinterested。Heaskedthemalltheirnamesthen，andtheyansweredindistinctmurmurs。
　　Hegaveitupatlastandbecamepassiveonhisgate，andsoatlengththeytiredofhim。
　　ThecoupleunderobservationoccupiedtheinnsolongthatMr。
　　Hoopdriveratthethoughtoftheirpossibleemploymenthungeredaswellasthirsted。Clearly，theywerelunching。Itwasacloudlessday，andthesunatthemeridianbeatdownuponthetopofMr。Hoopdriver’shead，ashowerbathofsunshine，ahugejetofhotlight。Itmadehisheadswim。Atlasttheyemerged，andtheothermaninbrownlookedbackandsawhim。Theyrodeontothefootofthedown，anddismountingbegantopushtediouslyupthatlongnearlyverticalascentofblindingwhiteroad，Mr。
　　Hoopdriverhesitated。Itmighttakethemtwentyminutestomountthat。Beyondwasemptydownlandperhapsformiles。Hedecidedtoreturntotheinnandsnatchahastymeal。
　　Attheinntheygavehimbiscuitsandcheeseandamisleadingpewtermeasureofsturdyale，pleasantunderthepalate，coolinthethroat，butleadeninthelegs，ofahotafternoon。Hefeltamanofsubstanceasheemergedintheblindingsunshine，butevenbythefootofthedownthesunwasinsistingagainthathisskullwastoosmallforhisbrains。Thehillhadgonesteeper，thechalkyroadblazedlikeamagnesiumlight，andhisfrontwheelbegananapparentlyincurablesqueaking。HefeltasamanfromMarswouldfeelifheweresuddenlytransferredtothisplanet，aboutthreetimesasheavyashewaswonttofeel。Thetwolittleblackfigureshadvanishedovertheforeheadofthehill。"Thetracks’llbeallright，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。
　　Thatwasacomfortingreflection。Itnotonlyjustifiedaslowprogressupthehill，butatthecrestasprawlontheturfbesidetheroad，tocontemplatetheWealdfromthesouth。Inamatteroftwodayshehadcrossedthatspaciousvalley，withitsfrozensurgeofgreenhills，itslittlevillagesandtownshipshereandthere，itscopsesandcornfields，itspondsandstreamslikejeweleryofdiamondsandsilverglitteringinthesun。TheNorthDownswerehidden，farawaybeyondtheWealdenHeights。
　　DownbelowwasthelittlevillageofCocking，andhalf—wayupthehill，amileperhapstotheright，hungaflockofsheepgrazingtogether。Overheadananxiouspeewitcircledagainsttheblue，andeverynowandthenemitteditsfeeblecry。Upheretheheatwastemperedbyapleasantbreeze。Mr。Hoopdriverwaspossessedbyunreasonablecontentment;helithimselfacigaretteandloungedmorecomfortably。SurelytheSussexaleismadeofthewatersofLethe，ofpoppiesandpleasantdreams。Drowsinesscoiledinsidiouslyabouthim。
　　Heawokewithaguiltystart，tofindhimselfsprawlingproneontheturfwithhiscapoveroneeye。Hesatup，rubbedhiseyes，andrealisedthathehadslept。Hisheadwasstillatrifleheavy。Andthechase？Hejumpedtohisfeetandstoopedtopick。
　　uphisoverturnedmachine。Hewhippedouthiswatchandsawthatitwaspasttwoo’clock。"Lordloveus，fancythat！——Butthetracks’llbeallright，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，wheelinghismachinebacktothechalkyroad。"ImustscorchtillIovertakethem。"
　　Hemountedandrodeasrapidlyastheheatandalingeringlassitudepermitted。Nowandthenhehadtodismounttoexaminethesurfacewheretheroadforked。Heenjoyedthatrather。
　　"Trackin’，"hesaidaloud，anddecidedintheprivacyofhisownmindthathehadawonderfulinstinctfor’spoor。’SohecamepastGoodwoodstationandLavant，andapproachedChichestertowardsfouro’clock。Andthencameaterriblething。Inplacestheroadbecamehard，inplaceswerethecrowdedindentationsofarecentflockofsheep，andatlastinthethroatofthetowncobblesandthestonystreetsbranchingeast，west，north，andsouth，atastonecrossundertheshadowofthecathedralthetracksvanished。"OCricky！"saidMr。Hoopdriver，dismountingindismayandstandingagape。"Droppedanything？"saidaninhabitantatthekerb。"Yes，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，"I’velostthespoor，"
　　andwalkeduponhisway，leavingtheinhabitantmarvellingwhatpartofabicycleaspoormightbe。Mr。Hoopdriver，abandoningtracking，beganaskingpeopleiftheyhadseenaYoungLadyinGreyonabicycle。Sixcasualpeoplehadn’t，andhebegantofeeltheinquirywasconspicuous，anddesisted。Butwhatwastobedone？
　　Hoopdriverwashot，tired，andhungry，andfullofthefirstgnawingsofamonstrousremorse。Hedecidedtogethimselfsometeaandmeat，andintheRoyalGeorgehemeditatedoverthebusinessinamelancholyframeenough。Theyhadpassedoutofhisworld——vanished，andallhiswonderfuldreamsofsomevague，crucialinterferencecollapsedlikeacastleofcards。Whatafoolhehadbeennottosticktothemlikealeech！Hemighthavethought！Butthere！——whatWASthegoodofthatsortofthingnow？
　　Hethoughtofhertears，ofherhelplessness，ofthebearingoftheothermaninbrown，andhiswrathanddisappointmentsurgedhigher。"WhatCANIdo？"saidMr。Hoopdriveraloud，bringinghisfistdownbesidetheteapot。
　　WhatwouldSherlockHolmeshavedone？Perhaps，afterall，theremightbesuchthingsascluesintheworld，albeittheageofmiracleswaspast。Buttolookforaclueinthisintricatenetworkofcobbledstreets，toexamineeverymuddyinterstice！
　　Therewasachancebylookingaboutandinquiryatthevariousinns。Uponthathebegan。Butofcoursetheymighthaveriddenstraightthroughandscarcelyasoulhavemarkedthem。Andthencameapositivelybrilliantidea。"’OwmanywaysarethereoutofChichester？"saidMr。Hoopdriver。ItwasreallyequaltoSherlockHolmes——that。"Ifthey’vemadetracks，Ishallfindthosetracks。
　　Ifnot——they’reinthetown。"HewastheninEastStreet，andhestartedatoncetomakethecircuitoftheplace，discoveringincidentallythatChichesterisawalledcity。Inpassing，hemadeinquiriesattheBlackSwan，theCrown，andtheRedLionHotel。Atsixo’clockintheevening，hewaswalkingdowncast，intent，asonewhohaddroppedmoney，alongtheroadtowardsBognor，kickingupthedustwithhisshoesandfrettingwithdisappointedpugnacity。Athwarted，crestfallenHoopdriveritwas，asyoumaywellimagine。Andthensuddenlytherejumpeduponhisattention——abroadlineribbedlikeashilling，andclosebesideitonechequered，thateverandagainsplitintotwo。
　　"Found！"saidMr。Hoopdriverandswungroundonhisheelatonce，andbacktotheRoyalGeorge，helterskelter，forthebicycletheyweremindingforhim。Theostlerthoughthewasconfoundedlyimperious，consideringhismachine。
　　ATBOGNOR
　　XXI
　　Thatseductivegentleman，Bechamel，hadbeenworkinguptoacrisis。Hehadstarteduponthiselopementinaveinoffineromance，immenselyproudofhiswickedness，andreallyasmuchinloveasanartificialoversoulcanbe，withJessie。ButeithershewastheprofoundestofcoquettesorshehadnottheslightestelementofPassion（withalargeP）inhercomposition。Itwarredwithallhisideasofhimselfandthefemininemindtothinkthatundertheirflatteringcircumstancesshereallycouldbesovitallydeficient。Hefoundherpersistentcoolness，hermoreorlessevidentcontemptforhimself，exasperatinginthehighestdegree。Heputittohimselfthatshewasenoughtoprovokeasaint，andtriedtothinkthatwaspiquantandenjoyable，buttheblistersonhisvanityassertedthemselves。Thefactis，hewas，underthisstandingirritation，gettingdowntothenaturalmaninhimselfforonce，andthenaturalmaninhimself，inspiteofOxfordandthejuniorReviewers’Club，wasaPalaeolithiccreatureofsimpletastesandviolentmethods。"I’llbelevelwithyouyet，"ranlikeaploughthroughthesoilofhisthoughts。
　　Thentherewasthisinfernaldetective。BechamelhadtoldhiswifehewasgoingtoDavostoseeCarter。Tothathehadfanciedshewasreconciled，buthowshewouldtakethisexploitwasentirelyproblematical。Shewasawomanofpeculiarmoralviews，andshemeasuredmaritalinfidelitylargelybyitsproximitytoherself。Outofhersight，andmoreparticularlyoutofthesightoftheotherwomenofherset，viceoftherecogniseddescriptionwas，perhaps，permissibletothosecontemptibleweaklings，men，butthiswasEvilontheHighRoads。Shewasboundtomakeafuss，andthesefussesinvariablytookthefinalformofatightnessofmoneyforBechamel。Albeit，andhefeltitwasheroicofhimtoresolveso，itwasworthdoingifitwastobedone。HisimaginationworkedonakindofmatronlyValkyrie，andthenoiseofpursuitandvengeancewasintheair。Theidyllstillhadthefrontofthestage。Thataccurseddetective，itseemed，hadbeenthrownoffthescent，andthat，atanyrate，gaveanight’srespite。Butthingsmustbebroughttoanissueforthwith。
　　Byeighto’clockintheevening，inalittledining—roomintheVicunaHotel，Bognor，thecrisishadcome，andJessie，flushedandangryinthefaceandwithherheartsinking，facedhimagainforherlastst，rugglewithhim。Hehadtrickedherthistime，effectually，andluckhadbeenonhisside。ShewasbookedasMrs。Beaumont。Saveforherrefusaltoentertheirroom，andhereccentricityofeatingwithunwashedhands，shehadsofarkeptuptheappearancesofthingsbeforethewaiter。Butthedinnerwasgrimenough。Nowinturnsheappealedtohisbetternatureandmadeextravagantstatementsofherplanstofoolhim。
　　Hewaswhiteandviciousbythistime，andhisangerquiveredthroughhisposeofbrilliantwickedness。
　　"Iwillgotothestation，"shesaid。"Iwillgoback——"
　　"Thelasttrainforanywhereleavesat7。42。"
　　"Iwillappealtothepolice——"
　　"Youdon’tknowthem。"
　　"Iwilltellthesehotelpeople。"
　　"Theywillturnyououtofdoors。You’reinsuchathoroughlyfalsepositionnow。Theydon’tunderstandunconventionality，downhere。"
　　Shestampedherfoot。"IfIwanderaboutthestreetsallnight——"
　　shesaid。
　　"Youwhohaveneverbeenoutaloneafterdusk？Doyouknowwhatthestreetsofacharminglittleholidayresortarelike——"
　　"Idon’tcare，"shesaid。"Icangototheclergymanhere。"
　　"He’sacharmingman。Unmarried。Andmenarereallymorealikethanyouthink。Andanyhow——"
　　"Well？"
　　"HowCANyouexplainthelasttwonightstoanyonenow？Themischiefisdone，Jessie。"
　　"YouCUR，"shesaid，andsuddenlyputherhandtoherbreast。Hethoughtshemeanttofaint，butshestood，withthecolourgonefromherface。
　　"No，"hesaid。"Iloveyou。"
　　"Love！"saidshe。
　　"Yes——love。"
　　"Therearewaysyet，"shesaid，afterapause。
　　"Notforyou。Youaretoofulloflifeandhopeyetfor，whatisit？——notthedarkarchnortheblackflowingriver。Don’tyouthinkofit。You’llonlyshirkitwhenthemomentcomes，andturnitallintocomedy。"
　　Sheturnedroundabruptlyfromhimandstoodlookingoutacrosstheparadeattheshiningseaoverwhichtheafterglowofdayfledbeforetherisingmoon。Hemaintainedhisattitude。Theblindswerestillup，forshehadtoldthewaiternottodrawthem。Therewassilenceforsomemoments。
　　Atlasthespokeinaspersuasiveavoiceashecouldsummon。
　　"Takeitsensibly，Jessie。Whyshouldwe，whohavesomuchincommon，quarrelintomelodrama？IswearIloveyou。Youareallthatisbrightanddesirabletome。Iamstrongerthanyou，older;mantoyourwoman。TofindYOUtoo——conventional！"
　　Shelookedathimoverhershoulder，andhenoticedwithatwingeofdelighthowherlittlechincameoutbeneaththecurveofhercheek。
　　"MAN！"shesaid。"MantoMYwoman！DoMENlie？WouldaMANusehisfiveandthirtyyears’experiencetooutwitagirlofseventeen？Mantomywomanindeed！Thatsurelyisthelastinsult！"
　　"Yourreparteeisadmirable，Jessie。Ishouldsaytheydo，though——allthatandmorealsowhentheirheartsweresetonsuchagirlasyourself。ForGod’ssakedropthisshrewishness！Whyshouldyoubeso——difficulttome？HereamIwithMYreputation，MYcareer，atyourfeet。Lookhere，Jessie——onmyhonour，Iwillmarryyou——"
　　"Godforbid，"shesaid，sopromptlythatsheneverlearnthehadawife，eventhen。Itoccurredtohimthenforthefirsttime，intheflashofherretort，thatshedidnotknowhewasmarried。
　　"’Tisonlyapre—nuptialsettlement，"hesaid，followingthathint。
　　Hepaused。
　　"Youmustbesensible。Thething’syourowndoing。Comeoutonthebeachnowthebeachhereissplendid，andthemoonwillsoonbehigh。"
　　"_I_WON’T"shesaid，stampingherfoot。
　　"Well，well——"
　　"Oh！leavemealone。Letmethink——"
　　"Think，"hesaid，"ifyouwantto。It’syourcryalways。Butyoucan’tsaveyourselfbythinking，mydeargirl。Youcan’tsaveyourselfinanywaynow。Ifsavingitis——thisparsimony——"
　　"Oh，go——go。"
　　"Verywell。Iwillgo。Iwillgoandsmokeacigar。Andthinkofyou，dear……ButdoyouthinkIshoulddoallthisifIdidnotcare？"
　　"Go，"shewhispered，withoutglancinground。Shecontinuedtostareoutofthewindow。Hestoodlookingatherforamoment，withastrangelightinhiseyes。Hemadeasteptowardsher。"I
　　HAVEyou，"，hesaid。"Youaremine。Netted——caught。Butmine。"Hewouldhavegoneuptoherandlaidhishanduponher，buthedidnotdaretodothatyet。"Ihaveyouinmyhand，"hesaid，"inmypower。Doyouhear——POWER！"
　　Sheremainedimpassive。Hestaredatherforhalfaminute，andthen，withasuperbgesturethatwaslostuponher，wenttothedoor。SurelytheinstinctiveabasementofhersexbeforeStrengthwasuponhisside。Hetoldhimselfthathisbattlewaswon。Sheheardthehandlemoveandthecatchclickasthedoorclosedbehindhim。
　　XXII
　　AndnowwithoutinthetwilightbeholdMr。Hoopdriver，hischeekshot，hiseyebright！Hisbrainisinatumult。Thenervous，obsequiousHoopdriver，towhomIintroducedyousomedayssince，hasundergoneawonderfulchange。Eversincehelostthat’spoor’
　　inChichester，hehasbeentormentedbythemosthorriblevisionsoftheshamefulinsultsthatmaybehappening。Thestrangenessofnewsurroundingshasbeenworkingtostripoffthehabitualservilefromhim。Herewasmoonlightrisingoverthememoryofaredsunset，darkshadowsandglowingorangelamps，beautysomewheremysteriouslyraptawayfromhim，tangiblewronginabrownsuitandanunpleasantface，floutinghim。Mr。Hoopdriverforthetime，wasintheworldofRomanceandKnight—errantry，divinelyforgetfulofhissocialpositionorhers;forgetting，too，forthetimeanyofthewretchedtimiditiesthathadtiedhimlongsincebehindthecounterinhisproperplace。Hewasangryandadventurous。Itwasallabouthim，thisvividdramahehadfalleninto，anditwaseludinghim。Hewasfartoogrimlyinearnesttopickupthatlostthreadandmakeaplayofitnow。
　　Themanwasliving。Hedidnotposewhenhealightedatthecofeetaverneven，norwhenhemadehishastymeal。
　　AsBechamelcrossedfromtheVicunatowardstheesplanade，Hoopdriver，disappointedandexasperated，camehurryingroundthecornerfromtheTemperanceHotel。AtthesightofBechamel，hisheartjumped，andthetensionofhisangrysuspenseexplodedinto，ratherthangaveplaceto，anexcitedactivityofmind。
　　TheywereattheVicuna，andshewastherenowalone。Itwastheoccasionhesought。ButhewouldgiveChancenochanceagainsthim。Hewentbackroundthecorner，satdownontheseat，andwatchedBechamelrecedeintothedimnessuptheesplanade，beforehegotupandwalkedintothehotelentrance。"Aladycyclistingrey，"heaskedfor，andfollowedboldlyonthewaiter’sheels。
　　Thedoorofthedining—roomwasopeningbeforehefeltaqualm。
　　Andthensuddenlyhewasnearlymindedtoturnandrunforit，andhisfeaturesseemedtohimtobeconvulsed。
　　Sheturnedwithastart，andlookedathimwithsomethingbetweenterrorandhopeinhereyes。
　　"CanI——haveafewwords——withyou，alone？"saidMr。Hoopdriver，controllinghisbreathwithdifficulty。Shehesitated，andthenmotionedthewaitertowithdraw。
　　Mr。Hoopdriverwatchedthedoorshut。Hehadintendedtostepoutintothemiddleoftheroom，foldhisarmsandsay，"Youareintrouble。IamaFriend。Trustme。"Insteadofwhichhestoodpantingandthenspokewithsuddenfamiliarity，hastily，guiltily："Lookhere。Idon’tknowwhatthejuiceisup，butI
　　thinkthere’ssomethingwrong。Excusemyintruding——ifitisn’tso。I’lldoanythingyouliketohelpyououtofthescrape——ifyou’reinone。That’smymeaning，Ibelieve。WhatcanIdo？I
　　woulddoanythingtohelpyou。"
　　Herbrowpuckered，asshewatchedhimmake，withinfiniteemotion，thisremarkablespeech。"YOU！"shesaid。Shewastumultuouslyweighingpossibilitiesinhermind，andhehadscarcelyceasedwhenshehadmadeherresolve。
　　Shesteppedapaceforward。"Youareagentleman，"shesaid。
　　"Yes，"saidMr。Hoopdriver。
　　"CanItrustyou？"
　　Shedidnotwaitforhisassurance。"Imustleavethishotelatonce。Comehere。"
　　Shetookhisarmandledhimtothewindow。
　　"Youcanjustseethegate。Itisstillopen。Throughthatareourbicycles。Godown，getthemout，andIwillcomedowntoyou。
　　Dareyou？
　　"Getyourbicycleoutintheroad？"
　　"Both。Minealoneisnogood。Atonce。Dareyou？"
　　"Whichway？"
　　"Gooutbythefrontdoorandround。Iwillfollowinoneminute。"
　　"Right！"saidMr。Hoopdriver，andwent。
　　Hehadtogetthosebicycles。HadhebeentoldtogooutandkillBechamelhewouldhavedoneit。HisheadwasaMaeIstromnow。Hewalkedoutofthehotel，alongthefront，andintothebig，blackshadowedcoachyard。Helookedround。Therewerenobicyclesvisible。Thenamanemergedfromthedark，ashortmaninashort，black，shinyjacket。Hoopdriverwascaught。Hemadenoattempttoturnandrunforit。"I’vebeengivingyourmachinesawipeover，sir，"saidtheman，recognisingthesuit，andtouchinghiscap。Hoopdriver’sintelligencenowwasasoaringeagle;heswoopedonthesituationatonce。"That’sright，"hesaid，andadded，beforethepausebecamemarked，"Whereismine？Iwanttolookatthechain。"
　　Themanledhimintoanopenshed，andwentfumblingforalantern。Hoopdrivermovedthelady’smachineoutofhiswaytothedoor，andthenlaidhandsontheman’smachineandwheeleditoutoftheshedintotheyard。Thegatestoodopenandbeyondwasthepaleroadandaclumpoftreesblackinthetwilight。Hestoopedandexaminedthechainwithtremblingfingers。Howwasittobedone？Somethingbehindthegateseemedtoflutter。Themanmustbegotridofanyhow。
　　"Isay，"saidHoopdriver，withaninspiration，"canyougetmeascrewdriver？"
　　Themansimplywalkedacrosstheshed，openedandshutabox，andcameuptothekneelingHoopdriverwithascrewdriverinhishand。Hoopdriverfelthimselfalostman。Hetookthescrewdriverwithatepid"Thanks，"andincontinentlyhadanotherinspiration。
　　"Isay，"hesaidagain。
　　"Well？"
　　"Thisismilestoobig。"
　　Themanlitthelantern，broughtituptoHoopdriverandputitdownontheground。"Wantasmallerscrewdriver？"hesaid。
　　HoopdriverhadhishandkerchiefoutandsneezedapromptATICHEW。
　　Itistheorthodoxthingwhenyouwishtoavoidrecognition。"Assmallasyouhave，"hesaid，outofhispockethandkerchief。
　　"Iain’tgotnonesmallerthanthat，"saidtheostler。
　　"Won’tdo，really，"saidHoopdriver，stillwallowinginhishandkerchief。
　　"I’llseewottheygotinthe’ouse，ifyoulike，sir，"saidtheman。"Ifyouwould，"saidHoopdriver。Andastheman’sheavilynailedbootswentclatteringdowntheyard，Hoopdriverstoodup，tookanoiselesssteptothelady’smachine，laidtremblinghandsonitshandleandsaddle，andpreparedforarush。
　　Thescullerydooropenedmomentarilyandsentabeamofwarm，yellowlightuptheroad，shutagainbehindtheman，andforthwithHoopdriverrushedthemachinestowardsthegate。Adarkgreyformcameflutteringtomeethim。"Givemethis，"shesaid，"andbringyours。"
　　Hepassedthethingtoher，touchedherhandinthedarkness，ranback，seizedBechamel’smachine，andfollowed。
　　Theyellowlightofthescullerydoorsuddenlyflasheduponthecobblesagain。Itwastoolatenowtodoanythingbutescape。Heheardtheostlershoutbehindhim，andcameintotheroad。Shewasupanddimalready。Hegotintothesaddlewithoutablunder。
　　Inamomenttheostlerwasinthegatewaywithafull—throated"HI！sir！Thatain’tallowed;"andHoopdriverwasovertakingtheYoungLadyinGrey。Forsomemomentstheearthseemedalivewithshoutsof，"Stop’em！"andtheshadowswithambuscadesofpolice。
　　Theroadsweptround，andtheywereridingoutofsightofthehotel，andbehinddarkhedges，sidebyside。
　　Shewasweepingwithexcitementasheovertookher。"Brave，"shesaid，"brave！"andheceasedtofeellikeahuntedthief。Helookedoverhisshoulderandabouthim，andsawthattheywerealreadyoutofBognor——fortheVicunastandsattheverywesternmostextremityoftheseafront——andridingonafairwideroad。
　　XXIII
　　Theostler（beingafool）rushedviolentlydowntheroadvociferatingafterthem。ThenhereturnedpantingtotheVicunaHotel，andfindingagroupofmenoutsidetheentrance，whowantedtoknowwhatwasUP，stoppedtogivethemthecreamoftheadventure。Thatgavethefugitivesfiveminutes。Thenpushingbreathlesslyintothebar，hehadtomakeitcleartothebarmaidwhatthematterwas，andthe’gov’nor’beingout，theyspentsomemoreprecioustimewondering’what——EVER’wastobedone！inwhichthetwocustomersreturningfromoutsidejoinedwithanimation。Therewerealsomoralremarksandotherirrelevantcontributions。Therewereconflictingideasoftellingthepoliceandpursuingtheflyingcoupleonahorse。Thatmadetenminutes。
　　ThenStephen，thewaiter，whohadshownHoopdriverup，camedownandlitwonderfullightsandstartedquiteafreshdiscussionbythesimplequestion"WHICH？"Thatturnedtenminutesintoaquarterofanhour。Andinthemidstofthisdiscussion，makingasuddenandawestrickensilence，appearedBechamelinthehallbeyondthebar，walkedwitharesoluteairtothefootofthestaircase，andpassedoutofsight。Youconceivethebackwardpitchofthatexceptionallyshapedcranium？Incredulouseyesstaredintooneanother’sinthebar，ashispaces，muffledbythestaircarpet，wentuptothelanding，turned，reachedthepassageandwalkedintothedining—roomoverhead。
　　"Itwasn’tthatoneatall，miss，"saidtheostler，"I’dSWEAR"
　　"Well，that’sMr。Beaumont，"saidthebarmaid，"——anyhow。"
　　Theirconversationhungcomatoseintheair，switchedupbyBechamel。Theylistenedtogether。Hisfeetstopped。Turned。Wentoutofthediningroom。Downthepassagetothebedroom。Stoppedagain。
　　"Poorchap！"saidthebarmaid。"She’sawickedwoman！"
　　"Sssh！"saidStephen。
　　AfterapauseBechamelwentbacktothedining—room。Theyheardachaircreakunderhim。Interludeofconversationaleyebrows。
　　"I’mgoingup，"saidStephen，"tobreakthemelancholynewstohim。"
　　Bechamellookedupfromaweek—oldnewspaperas，withoutknocking，Stephenentered。Bechamel’sfacesuggestedadifferentexpectation。"Begpardon，sir，"saidStephen，withadiplomaticcough。
　　"Well？"saidBechamel，wonderingsuddenlyifJessiehadkeptsomeofherthreats。Ifso，hewasinforanexplanation。Buthehaditready。Shewasamonomaniac。"Leavemealonewithher，"hewouldsay;"Iknowhowtocalmher。"
　　"Mrs。Beaumont，"saidStephen。
　　"WELL？"
　　"Hasgone。"
　　Herosewithafinesurprise。"Gone！"hesaidwithahalflaugh。
　　"Gone，sir。Onherbicycle。"
　　"Onherbicycle！Why？"
　　"Shewent，sir，withAnotherGentleman。"
　　ThistimeBechamelwasreallystartled。"An——otherGentlemen！
　　WHO？"
　　"Anothergentlemaninbrown，sir。Wentintotheyard，sir，gotoutthetwobicycles，sir，andwentoff，sir——abouttwentyminutesago。"
　　Bechamelstoodwithhiseyesroundandhisknuckleonhiships。
　　Stephen，watchinghimwithimmenseenjoyment，speculatedwhetherthisabandonedhusbandwouldweeporcurse，orrushoffatonceinfuriouspursuit。Butasyetheseemedmerelystunned。
　　"Brownclothes？"hesaid。"Andfairish？"
　　"Alittlelikeyourself，sir——inthedark。Theostler，sir，JimDuke——"
　　Bechamellaughedawry。Then，withinfinitefervour，hesaid——Butletusputinblankcartridge——hesaid，"——————！"
　　"Imighthavethought！"
　　Heflunghimselfintothearmchair。
　　"Damnher，"saidBechamel，foralltheworldlikeacommonman。
　　"I’llchuckthisinfernalbusiness！They’vegone，eigh？"
　　"Yessir。"
　　Well，let’emGO，"saidBechamel，makingamemorablesaying。"Let’emGO。Whocares？AndIwishhimluck。AndbringmesomeBourbonasfastasyoucan，there’sagoodchap。I’lltakethat，andthenI’llhaveanotherlookroundBognorbeforeIturnin。"
　　Stephenwastoosurprisedtosayanythingbut"Bourbon，sir？"
　　"Goon，"saidBechamel。"Damnyou！"
　　Stephen’ssympathieschangedatonce。"Yessir，"hemurmured，fumblingforthedoorhandle，andlefttheroom，marvelling。
　　Bechamel，havinginthiswaysatisfiedhissenseofappearances，andcomportedhimselfasaPaganshould，sosoonasthewaiter’sfootstepshadpassed，ventedthecreamofhisfeelingsinastreamofblasphemousindecency。WhetherhiswifeorHER
　　stepmotherhadsentthedetective，SHEhadevidentlygoneoffwithhim，andthatlittlebusinesswasover。Andhewashere，strandedandsold，anass，andasitwere，thesonofmanygenerationsofasses。Andhisonlyrayofhopewasthatitseemedmoreprobable，afterall，thatthegirlhadescapedthroughherstepmother。Inwhichcasethebusinessmightbehushedupyet，andtheevilhourofexplanationwithhiswifeindefinitelypostponed。Thenabruptlytheimageofthatlithefigureingreyknickerbockerswentfriskingacrosshismindagain，andherevertedtohisblasphemies。Hestartedupinagustyfrenzywithavagueideaofpursuit，andincontinentlysatdownagainwithaconcussionthatstirredthebarbelowtoitsdepths。Hebangedthearmsofthechairwithhisfist，andsworeagain。"Ofalltheaccursedfoolsthatwereeverspawned，"hewaschanting，"I，Bechamel——"whenwithanabrupttapandpromptopeningofthedoor，StephenenteredwiththeBourbon。
　　THEMOONLIGHTRIDE
　　XXIV
　　Andsothetwentyminutes’lawpassedintoaninfinity。WeleavethewickedBechamelclothinghimselfwithcursingaswithagarment，——thewretchedcreaturehasalreadysufficientlysulliedourmodestbuttruthfulpages，——weleavetheeagerlittlegroupinthebaroftheVicunaHotel，weleaveallBognoraswehaveleftallChichesterandMidhurstandHaslemereandGuildfordandRipleyandPutney，andfollowthisdearfoolofaHoopdriverofoursandhisYoungLadyinGreyoutuponthemoonlightroad。Howtheyrode！Howtheirheartsbeattogetherandtheirbreathcamefast，andhoweveryshadowwasanticipationandeverynoisepursuit！ForallthatflightMr。HoopdriverwasintheworldofRomance。Hadapolicemanintervenedbecausetheirlampswerenotlit，Hoopdriverhadcuthimdownandriddenon，afterthefashionofaheroborn。HadBechamelariseninthewaywithrapiersforaduel，HoopdriverhadfoughtasonetowhomAgincourtwasarealityanddraperyadream。ItwasRescue，Elopement，Glory！Andshebythesideofhim！Hehadseenherfaceinshadow，withthemorningsunlighttangledinherhair，hehadseenhersympatheticwiththatwarmlightinherface，hehadseenhertroubledandhereyesbrightwithtears。Butwhatlightistherelightingafacelikehers，tocomparewiththesoftglamourofthemidsummermoon？
　　Theroadturnednorthward，goingroundthroughtheoutskirtsofBognor，inoneplacedarkandheavyunderathickgrowthoftrees，thenamidstvillasagain，somewarmandlamplit，somewhiteandsleepinginthemoonlight;thenbetweenhedges，overwhichtheysawbroadwanmeadowsshroudedinalow—lyingmist。
　　Theyscarcelyheededwhithertheyrodeatfirst，beingonlyanxioustogetaway，turningoncewestwardwhenthespireofChichestercathedralrosesuddenlynearthemoutofthedewynight，paleandintricateandhigh。Theyrode，speakinglittle，justararewordnowandthen，ataturning，atafootfall，ataroughnessintheroad。
　　Sheseemedtobetoointentuponescapetogivemuchthoughttohim，butafterthefirsttumultoftheadventure，asflightpassedintomeresteadyridin@@hismindbecameanenormousappreciationoftheposition。Thenightwasawarmwhitesilencesaveforthesubtilerunningoftheirchains。Helookedsidewaysatherasshesatbesidehimwithheranklesgracefullyrulingthetreadles。Nowtheroadturnedwestward，andshewasadarkgreyoutlineagainsttheshimmerofthemoon;andnowtheyfacednorthwards，andthesoftcoldlightpassedcaressinglyoverherhairandtouchedherbrowandcheek。
　　Thereisamagicqualityinmoonshine;ittouchesallthatissweetandbeautiful，andtherestofthenightishidden。Ithascreatedthefairies，whomthesunlightkills，andfairylandrisesagaininourheartsatthesightofit，thevoicesofthefilmyroute，andtheirfaint，soul—piercingmelodies。Bythemoonlighteveryman，dullclodthoughhebebyday，tastessomethingofEndymion，takessomethingoftheyouthandstrengthofEnidymion，andseesthedearwhitegoddessshiningathimfromhisLady’seyes。Thefirmsubstantialdaylightthingsbecomeghostlyandelusive，thehillsbeyondareaseaofunsubstantialtexture，theworldavisiblespirit，thespiritualwithinusrisesoutofitsdarkness，losessomethingofitsweightandbody，andswimsuptowardsheaven。Thisroadthatwasamereruttedwhitedust，hotunderfoot，blindingtotheeye，isnowasoftgreysilence，withtheglitterofacrystalgrainsetstarlikeinitssilverhereandthere。Overhead，ridingserenelythroughthespaciousblue，isthemotherofthesilence，shewhohasspiritualisedtheworld，alonesavefortwoattendantsteadyshiningstars。Andinsilenceunderherbenigninfluence，underthebenedictionofherlight，rodeourtwowandererssidebysidethroughthetransfiguredandtransfiguringnight。
　　NowherewasthemoonshiningquitesobrightlyasinMr。
　　Hoopdriver’sskull。Attheturningsoftheroadhemadehisdecisionswithanairofprofoundpromptitude（andquitehaphazard）。"TheRight，"hewouldsay。Oragain"TheLeft，"asonewhoknew。Soitwasthatinthespaceofanhourtheycameabruptlydownalittlelane，fulltiltuponthesea。Greybeachtotherightofthemandtotheleft，andalittlewhitecottagefastasleepinlandofasleepingfishing—boat。"Hullo！"saidMr。
　　Hoopdriver，sottovoce。Theydismountedabruptly。Stuntedoaksandthornsroseoutofthehazeofmoonlightthatwastangledinthehedgeoneitherside。
　　"Youaresafe，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，sweepingoffhiscapwithanairandbowingcourtly。
　　"Wherearewe？"
　　"SAFE。"
　　"ButWHERE？"
　　"ChichesterHarbour。"Hewavedhisarmseawardasthoughitwasagoal。
　　"Doyouthinktheywillfollowus？"
　　"Wehaveturnedandturnedagain。"
　　ItseemedtoHoopdriverthatheheardhersob。Shestooddimlythere，holdinghermachine，andhe，holdinghis，couldgononearertohertoseeifshesobbedforweepingorforwantofbreath。"Whatarewetodonow？"hervoiceasked。
　　"Areyoutired？"heasked。
　　"Iwilldowhathastobedone。"
　　Thetwoblackfiguresinthebrokenlightweresilentforaspace。"Doyouknow，"shesaid，"Iamnotafraidofyou。Iamsureyouarehonesttome。AndIdonotevenknowyourname！"
　　Hewastakenwithasuddenshameofhishomelypatronymic。"It’sanuglyname，"hesaid。"Butyouarerightintrustingme。I
　　would——Iwoulddoanythingforyou……Thisisnothing。"
　　Shecaughtatherbreath。Shedidnotcaretoaskwhy。ButcomparedwithBechamel！——"Wetakeeachotherontrust，"shesaid。
　　"Doyouwanttoknow——howthingsarewithme？"
　　"Thatman，"shewenton，aftertheassentofhislisteningsilence，"promisedtohelpandprotectme。Iwasunhappyathome——nevermindwhy。Astepmother——Idle，unoccupied，hindered，cramped，thatisenough，perhaps。Thenhecameintomylife，andtalkedtomeofartandliterature，andsetmybrainonfire。I
　　wantedtocomeoutintotheworld，tobeahumanbeing——notathinginahutch。Andhe——"
　　"Iknow，"saidHoopdriver。
　　"AndnowhereIam——"
　　"Iwilldoanything，"saidHoopdriver。
　　Shethought。"Youcannotimaginemystepmother。No！Icouldnotdescribeher——"
　　"Iamentirelyatyourservice。Iwillhelpyouwithallmypower。"
　　"IhavelostanIllusionandfoundaKnight—errant。"ShespokeofBechamelastheIllusion。
　　Mr。Hoopdriverfeltflattered。Buthehadnoadequateanswer。
　　"I’mthinking，"hesaid，fullofaraptureofprotectiveresponsibility，"whatwehadbestbedoing。Youaretired，youknow。Andwecan’twanderallnight——afterthedaywe’vehad。"
　　"ThatwasChichesterwewerenear？"sheasked。
　　"If，"hemeditated，withatrembleinhisvoice，"youwouldmakeMEyourbrother，MISSBEAUMONT。"
　　"Yes？"
　　"Wecouldstoptheretogether——"
　　Shetookaminutetoanswer。"Iamgoingtolighttheselamps，"
　　saidHoopdriver。Hebentdowntohisown，andstruckamatchonhisshoe。Shelookedathisfaceinitslight，graveandintent。
　　Howcouldsheeverhavethoughthimcommonorabsurd？
　　"Butyoumusttellmeyourname——brother，"shesaid，"Er——Carrington，"saidMr。Hoopdriver，afteramomentarypause。
　　WhowouldbeHoopdriveronanightlikethis？
　　"ButtheChristianname？"
　　"Christianname？MYChristianname。Well——Chris。"Hesnappedhislampandstoodup。"Ifyouwillholdmymachine，Iwilllightyours，"hesaid。
　　Shecameroundobedientlyandtookhismachine，andforamomenttheystoodfacetoface。"Myname，brotherChris，"shesaid，"isJessie。"
　　Helookedintohereyes，andhisexcitementseemedarrested。