Hethinksthepeopleelectedhim。IknowIdid。NoraNashvillewasgettingfiftydollarsaweekinvaudevillewhenItookholdofher；nowshegetsathousand。IevenmadepeoplebelieveMrs。Hampton—RhodeswasasocietyleaderatNewport，whenallsheeversawofNewportwasBergersandtheMuschenheim—Kings。Why，IamthemanthatmadetheAmericanPeoplebelieveRussiandancerscandance！"
　　"It’splaintoseeyouhateyourself，"said’Peter。"Youmustnotgetsodespondentoryoumightcommitsuicide。Howmuchmoneywillyouwant？"
　　"Howmuchhaveyougot？"
　　"Allkinds，"saidPeter。"Someinaletter—of—creditthatmyfatherearnedfromthefretfulpig，andmuchmoreincashthatIwonatpokerfromthepashas。Whenthat’sgoneI’vegottogotoworkandearnmyliving。MeanwhileyoursalaryisahundredaweekandallyouneedtoboostGilmanandtheOrderoftheCrescent。WearenowtheGilmanDefense，Publicity，andDevelopmentCommittee，andyouwillbeginbyintroducingmetothemanIamtobribe。"
　　"Inthiscountryyoudon’tneedanyintroductiontothemanyouwanttobribe，"exclaimedStetson；"youjustbribehim！"
　　Thatsamenightinthesmoking—roomofthehotel，PeterandStetsonmadetheirfirstmoveinthegameofwinningforProfessorGilmantheOrderoftheCrescent。StetsonpresentedPetertoayoungeffendiinafrockcoatandfez。StetsoncalledhimOsman。Hewasaclerkintheforeignofficeandappearedtobe"afriendofafriendofafriend"oftheassistantthirdsecretary。
　　Thefivevolumesofthe"RiseandFall"werespreadbeforehim，andPeterdemandedtoknowwhysodistinguishedascholarasDoctorGilmanhadnotreceivedsomerecognitionfromthecountryhehadsosympatheticallydescribed。Osmanfingeredthevolumesdoubtfully，andpromisedthemattershouldbebroughtatoncetotheattentionofthegrandvizier。
　　AfterhehaddepartedStetsonexplainedthatOsmanhadjustaslittlechanceofgettingwithinspeakingdistanceofthegrandvizierasoftheladiesofhisharem。
　　"It’slikeTammany，"saidStetson；"therearesachems，districtleaders，andlieutenants。Eachofthemisentitledtotradeorgiveawayafewofthesedecorations，justaseachdistrictleadergetshispercentageofjobsinthestreetcleaningdepartment。Thisfellowwillgotohispatron，hispatronwillgotosomeundersecretaryinthecabinet，hewillputituptoapalacefavorite，andtheywilldivideyourmoney。
　　"Intimetheministerofforeignaffairswillsignyourbrevetandahundredothers，withoutknowingwhatheissigning；thenyoucableme，andtheStaroftheCrescentwillburstupontheUnitedStatesinawaythatwillmakeHalley’scometlooklikeawaxmatch。"
　　ThenextdayStetsonandthetutorsailedforhomeandPeterwasleftalonetopursue，ashesupposed，theOrderoftheCrescent。Onthecontrary，hefoundthattheOrderoftheCrescentwaspursuinghim。Hehadnotappreciatedthat，fromunderlingsandbackstairpoliticians，anitinerantshowmanlikeStetsonandtheonlysonofanAmericanCroesuswouldreceiveverydifferenttreatment。
　　Withintwenty—fourhoursafatmanwithablue—blackbeardanddiamondringscalledwithOsmantoapologizeforthelatter。Osman，thefatmanexplained——hadbeenabouttomakeafatalerror。ForDoctorGilmanhehadaskedtheOrderoftheCrescentofthefifthclass，thesameclassthathadbeengivenStetson。Thefifthclass，thefatmanexplained，wasallverywellfortradesmen，dragomans，andeunuchs，butasanhonorforasavantasdistinguishedasthefriendofhis。
　　Hallowell，thefourthclasswouldhardlybehighenough。Thefees，thefatmanadded，wouldAlsobehigher；but，hepointedout，itwasworththedifference，becausethefourthclassentitledthewearertoasalutefromallsentries。
　　"TherearefewsentriesatStillwater，"saidPeter；"butI
　　wantthebestandIwantitquick。Getmethefourthclass。"
　　ThenextmorninghewassurprisedbyanearlyvisitfromStimsonoftheembassy。Thesecretarywasconsiderablyannoyed。
　　"MydearHallowell，"heprotested，"whythedevildidn’tyoutellmeyouwantedadecoration？OfcoursetheStatedepartmentexpresslyforbidsustoaskforoneforourselves，orforanyoneelse。Butwhat’stheConstitutionbetweenfriends？I’llgetitforyouatonce——but，ontwoconditions：
　　thatyoudon’ttellanybodyIgotit，andthatyoutellmewhyyouwantit，andwhatyoueverdidtodeserveit。"
　　Instead，Peterexplainedfullyandsosympatheticallythatthediplomatdemandedthathe，too，shouldbeenrolledasoneoftheGilmanDefenseCommittee。
　　"DoctorGilman’shistory，"hesaid，"mustbepresentedtotheSultan。Youmusthavethefivevolumesreboundinredandgreen，thecolorsofMohammed，andwithasmuchgoldtoolingastheycancarry。Ihope，"headded，theyarenotsoiled。"
　　"Notbyme，"Peterassuredhim。
　　"Iwilltakethemmyself，"continuedStimson，"toMuleyPasha，theministerofforeignaffairs，andaskhimtopresentthemtohisImperialMajesty。Hewillpromisetodoso，buthewon’t；butheknowsIknowhewon’tsothatisallright。AndinreturnhewillpresentuswiththeOrderoftheCrescentofthethirdclass。"
　　"Goingup！"exclaimedPeter。"Thethirdclass。Thatwillcostmemyentireletter—of—credit。"
　　"Notatall，"saidStimson。"I’vesavedyoufromthegrafters。Itwillcostyouonlywhatyoupaytohavethebooksrebound。AndtheTHIRDclassisarealhonorofwhichanyonemightbeproud。Youwearitroundyourneck，andatyourfuneralitentitlesyoutoanescortofathousandsoldiers。"
　　"I’dratherputupwithfewersoldiers，"saidPeter，"andwearitlongerroundmyneckWhat’sthematterwithourgettingthesecondclassorthefirstclass？"
　　AtsuchignoranceStimsoncouldnotrepressasmile。
　　"Thefirstclass，"heexplainedpatiently，"istheGreatGrandCross，andisgivenonlytoreigningsovereigns。ThesecondiscalledtheGrandCross，andisbestowedonlyoncrownedprinces，primeministers，andmenofworld—widefame……"
　　"What’sthematterwithDoctorGilman’sbeingofworld—widefame？"saidPeter。"Hewillbesomeday，whenStetsonstartsboosting。"
　　"Someday，"retortedStimsonstiffly，"Imaybeanambassador。WhenIamIhopetogettheGrandCrossoftheCrescent，butnotnow。I’msorryyou’renotsatisfied，"headdedaggrievedly。"Noonecangetyouanythinghigherthanthethirdclass，andImaylosemyofficialheadaskingforthat。"
　　"NothingistoogoodforoldmanGilman，"saidPeter，"norforyou。Yougetthethirdclassforhim，andI’llhavefathermakeyouanambassador。"
　　ThatnightatpokerattheclubPetersatnexttoPrinceAbdul，whohadcomefromareceptionattheGrandvizier’sandstillworehisdecorations。DecorationsnowfascinatedPeter，andthoseonthecoatoftheyoungprinceheregardedwithwide—eyedawe。HealsoregardedAbdulwithwide—eyedawe，becausehewasthefavoritenephewoftheSultan，andbecauseheenjoyedthereputationofhavingtheworstreputationinTurkey。Peterwonderedwhy。HealwayshadfoundAbdulcharming，distinguished，courteoustothevergeofhumility，mostcleverlycynical，mostbrilliantlyamusing。Atpokerhealmostinvariablywon，andwhiledoingsowassopolitelybored，soindifferenttohiscardsandthecardsheldbyothers，thatPeterdeclaredhehadnevermethisequal。
　　Inapauseinthegame，whilesomeonetorethecoveroffafreshpack，PeterpointedatthestarofdiamondsthatnestledbehindthelapelofAbdul’scoat。
　　"MayIaskwhatthatis？"saidPeter。
　　Theprincefrownedathisdiamondsunburstasthoughitannoyedhim，andthensmileddelightedly。
　　"Itisanorder，"hesaidinaquickaside，"bestowedonlyuponmenofworld—widefame。Idinedto—night，"heexplained，"withyourcharmingcompatriot，Mr。JosephStimson。"
　　"AndJoetold？"saidPeter。
　　Theprincenodded。"Joetold，"herepeated；"butitisallarranged。Yourdistinguishedfriend，theSageofStillwater，willreceivetheCrescentofthethirdclass。"
　　Peter’seyeswerestillfastenedhungrilyuponthediamondsunburst。
　　"Why，"hedemanded，"can’tsomeonegethimonelikethat？"
　　Asthoughabouttotakeoffensetheprinceraisedhiseyebrows，andthenthoughtbetterofitandsmiled。
　　"ThereareonlytwomeninallTurkey，"hesaid，"whocoulddothat。"
　　"AndistheSultantheotherone？"askedPeter。Theprincegaspedasthoughhehadsuddenlysteppedbeneathacoldshower，andthenlaughedlongandsilently。
　　"Youflatterme，"hemurmured。
　　"Youknowyoucouldifyouliked！"whisperedPeterstoutly。
　　ApparentlyAbduldidnothearhim。"Iwilltakeonecard，"hesaid。
　　Towardtwointhemorningtherewasseventy—fivethousandfrancsinthepot，andallsavePrinceAbdulandPeterhaddroppedout。"Willyoudivide？"askedtheprince。
　　"WhyshouldI？"saidPeter。"I’vegotyoubeatnow。Doyouraisemeorcall？"Theprincecalledandlaiddownafullhouse。Petershowedfourtens。
　　"Iwilldealyouonehand，doubleorquits，"saidtheprince。
　　OvertheendofhiscigarPetersquintedatthegreatheapofmother—of—pearlcountersandgold—piecesandbank—notes。
　　"Youwillpaymedoublewhatisonthetable，"hesaid，"oryouquitowingmenothing。"
　　Theprincenodded。
　　"Goahead，"saidPeter。
　　Theprincedealtthemeachahandanddiscardedtwocards。
　　Peterheldaseven，apairofkings，andapairoffours。
　　Hopingtodrawanotherking，whichmightgivehimathreehigherthanthethreeheldbyAbdul，hethrewawaythesevenandthelowerpair。Hecaughtanotherking。Theprinceshowedthreequeensandshruggedhisshoulders。
　　Peter，leaningtowardhim，spokeoutofthecornerofhismouth。
　　"I’llmakeyouasportingproposition，"hemurmured。"Youowemeahundredandfiftythousandfrancs。"I’llstakethatagainstwhatonlytwomenintheempirecangiveme。"
　　Theprinceallowedhiseyestotravelslowlyroundthecircleofthetable。ButthepuzzledglancesoftheotherplayersshowedthattothemPeter’sproposalconveyednomeaning。
　　Theprincesmiledcynically。
　　"Foryourself？"hedemanded。
　　"ForDoctorGilman，"saidPeter。
　　"Wewillcutfordealandonehandwilldecide，"saidtheprince。Hisvoicedroppedtoawhisper。"Andnoonemusteverknow，"hewarned。
　　Peteralsocouldbecynical。
　　"NoteventheSultan，"hesaid。
　　Abdulwonthedealandgavehimselfaverygoodhand。ButthehandhedealtPeterwasthebetterone。
　　Theprincewasagoodloser。ThenextafternoontheGAZETTE
　　OFFICIALLYannouncedthatuponDoctorHenryGilman，professoremeritusoftheUniversityofStillwater，U。S。A。，theSultanhadbeengraciouslypleasedtoconfertheGrandCrossoftheOrderoftheCrescent。
　　PeterflashedthegreatnewstoStetson。ThecablecaughthimatQuarantine。Itread："CapturedCrescent，GrandCross。Getbusy。"
　　ButbeforeStetsoncouldgetbusythecampaignofpublicityhadbeenbrilliantlyopenedfromConstantinople。PrinceAbdul，althoughpitchforkedintotheGilmanDefenseCommittee，provedhimselfoneofitsmostenthusiasticmembers。
　　"FormeitbecomesacaseofNOBLESSEOBLIGE，"hedeclared。
　　"Ifitisworthdoingatallitisworthdoingwell。To—daytheSultanwillcommandthatthe"RiseandFall"betranslatedintoArabic，andthatitbeplacedinthenationallibrary。Moreover，theUniversityofConstantinople，theCollegeofSalonica，andtheNationalHistoricalSocietyhaveeachelectedDoctorGilmananhonorarymember。Iproposedhim，thePatriarchofMesopotamiasecondedhim。AndtheTurkishambassadorinAmericahasbeeninstructedtopresenttheinsigniawithhisownhands。"
　　NorwasPeterorStimsonidle。ToassistStetsoninhispress—work，andtofurthertheideathatallEuropewasnowclamoringforthe"Riseandfall，"Peterpaidanimpecuniousbutover—educateddragomantotranslateitintofivelanguages，andStimsonofficiallywroteofthis，andofthebestowaloftheCrescenttotheStateDepartment。HepointedoutthatnotsinceGeneralGranthadpassedthroughEuropehadtheSultansohighlyhonoredanAmerican。Headdedhehadbeenrequestedbythegrandvizier——whohadbeenrequestedbyPrinceAbdul——torequesttheStateDepartmenttoinformDoctorGilmanofthesehighhonors。Arequestfromsuchasourcewasacommandand，asdesired，theStateDepartmentwroteasrequestedbythegrandviziertoDoctorGilman，andtenderedcongratulations。ThefactwassentoutbrieflyfromWashingtonbyAssociatedPress。ThisofficialrecognitionbytheGovernmentandbythenewspaperswasallandmorethanStetsonwanted。Hetookoffhiscoatandwithamegaphone，ratherthanapen，toldthepeopleoftheUnitedStateswhoDoctorGilmanwas，whotheSultanwas，whataGrandCrosswas，andwhyAmerica’sgreatesthistorianwasnotwithouthonorsaveinhisowncountry。Columnsofthiswerepaidforandappearedas"patentinsides，"withaportraitofDoctorGilmantakenfromtheSTILLWATERCOLLEGEANNUAL，andapictureoftheGrandCrossdrawnfromimagination，ineighthundrednewspapersoftheMiddle，Western，andEasternStates。specialarticles，paragraphs，portraits，andpicturesoftheGrandCrossfollowed，and，usingStillwaterashisbase，Stetsoncontinuedtofloodthecountry。YoungHines，thelocalcorrespondent，actingunderinstructionsbycablefromPeter，introducedhimtoDoctorGilmanasatravellerwholecturedonTurkey，andonewhowasahumbleadmireroftheauthorofthe"Riseandfall。"Stetson，havingstudieditasastudentcramsanexamination，beggedthathemightsitatthefeetofthemaster。Andforseveralevenings，actuallyathisfeet，onthestepsoftheivy—coveredcottage，thedisguisedpress—agentdrewfromtheunworldlyandunsuspectingscholarthesimplestoryofhislife。Tothis，stillinhischaracterasdiscipleandstudent，headdedphotographshehimselfmadeofthemaster，ofthemaster’sivy—coveredcottage，ofhisfavoritewalkacrossthecampus，ofthegreathistorianatworkathisdesk，atworkinhisrosegarden，atplaywithhiswifeonthecroquetlawn。Thesehehelduntiltheinsigniashouldbeactuallypresented。ThispleasingdutyfelltotheTurkishambassador，who，muchtohisastonishment，hadreceivedinstructionstoproceedtoStillwater，Massachusetts，aplaceofwhichhehadneverheard，andpresenttoaDoctorGilman，ofwhomhehadneverheard，theGrandCrossoftheCrescent。Assoonastheinsigniaarrivedintheofficialmail—bagasecretarybroughtitfromWashingtontoBoston，andtheambassadortravelleddownfromBarHarbortoreceiveit，andwiththesecretarytookthelocaltraintoStillwater。
　　Thereceptionextendedtohimthereisstillrememberedbytheambassadorasoneofthehappiestincidentsofhisdistinguishedcareer。NeversincehecametorepresenthisimperialMajestyintheWesternrepublichaditsbarbariansgreetedhiminamannerinanywaysonearlyapproachinghisownideaofwhatwashisdue。
　　"Thisambassador，"HineshadexplainedtothemayorofStillwater，whowasalsotheproprietorofitslargestdepartmentstore，"isthepersonalrepresentativeoftheSultan。Sowe’vegottotreathimright。"
　　"It’sexactly，"addedStetson，"asthoughtheSultanhimselfwerecoming。"
　　"AndsofewcrownedheadsvisitStillwater，"continuedHines，"thatweoughttoshowweappreciatethisone，especiallyashecomestopaythehighesthonorknowntoEuropetooneofourtownsmen。"
　　Themayorchewednervouslyonhiscigar。
　　"What’dIbetterdo？"heasked。
　　"Mr。Stetsonhere，"Hinespointedout，"haslivedinTurkey，andheknowswhattheyexpect。Maybehewillhelpus。"
　　"Willyou？"beggedthemayor。
　　"Iwill，"saidStetson。
　　Thentheyvisitedthecollegeauthorities。ChancellorBlackandmostofthefacultywereontheirvacations。Buttherewerehalfadozenprofessorsstillintheirhomesaroundthecampus，anditwaspointedouttothemthatthecominghonortoonelatelyoftheirnumberreflectedgloryuponthecollegeanduponthem，andthattheyshouldtakeofficialaction。
　　Itwasalsosuggestedthatforphotographicpurposestheyshouldweartheiracademicrobes，caps，andhoods。Tothesesuggestions，withalacrity——partlybecausetheyalllovedDoctorGilmanandpartlybecausetheyhadneverbeenphotographedbyamoving—picturemachine——theyallagreed。Soitcameaboutthatwhentheambassador，hotandcrossanddustysteppedofftheway—trainatStillwaterstationhefoundtohisdelightedamazementaredcarpetstretchingtoaperfectlynewautomobile，acompanyofthelocalmilitiapresentingarms，acommittee，consistingofthemayorinahighhatandwhiteglovesandthreeprofessorsingownsandcoloredhoods，andtheStillwatersilverCornetBandplayingwhat，afterseveralrepetitions，theambassadorwasgraciouslypleasedtorecognizeashisnationalanthem。
　　Theambassadorforgotthathewashotandcross。Heforgotthathewasdusty。Hisfaceradiatedsatisfactionandperspiration。Hereatlastwerepeoplewhoappreciatedhimandhishighoffice。Andasthemayorhelpedhimintotheautomobile，andthosestudentswholivedinStillwaterwelcomedhimwithstrangeyells，andthemoving—picturemachineaimedathimpointblank，hebeamedwithcondescension。Butinwardlyhewasillatease。
　　inwardlyhewaschastisinghimselfforhaving，throughhisignoranceofAmerica，failedtoappreciatetheimportanceofthemanhehadcometohonor。WhenherememberedhehadneverevenheardofDoctorGilmanheblushedwithconfusion。AndwhenherecollectedthathehadbeenalmostonthepointofrefusingtocometoStillwater，thathehadconsideredleavingthepresentationtohissecretary，heshuddered。WhatmightnottheSultanhavedonetohim！Whatanarrowescape！
　　Attractedbytheband，bythesightoftheirfellowtownsmeninkhaki，bythesightofthestoutgentlemanintheredfez，byatremendouslikingandrespectforDoctorGilman，theentiretownofStillwatergatheredoutsidehiscottage。Andinside，theoldprofessor，tremblingandbewilderedandyetstrangelyhappy，bowedhisshoulderswhiletheambassadorslippedoverthemthebroadgreenscarfanduponhisonlyfrockcoatpinnedthediamondsunburst。InwoefulembarrassmentDoctorGilmansmiledandbowedandsmiled，andthen，asthedelightedmayorofStillwatershouted，"Speech，"
　　insuddenpanichereachedouthishandquicklyandcovertly，andfoundthehandofhiswife。
　　"Now，then，threeLongones！"yelledthecheerleader。"Now，then，’SeetheConqueringHero！’"yelledthebandmaster。
　　"Attention！Presentarms！"yelledthemilitiacaptain；andthetownspeopleandtheprofessorsapplaudedandwavedtheirhatsandhandkerchiefs。AndDoctorGilmanandhiswife，hefrightenedandconfused，shehappyandproud，andtakingitallasamatterofcourse，stoodarminarmintheframeofhoneysucklesandbowedandbowedandbowed。Andtheambassadorsofarunbentastodrinkchampagne，whichappearedmysteriouslyintubsoficefromtherearoftheivy—coveredcottage，withthemayor，withthewivesoftheprofessors，withthestudents，withthebandmaster。Indeed，sooftendidheunbendthatwhentheperfectlynewautomobileconveyedhimbacktotheTouraine，hewassleepinghappilyandsmilinginhissleep。
　　PeterhadarrivedinAmericaatthesametimeashadtheinsignia，butHinesandStetsonwouldnotlethimshowhimselfinStillwater。Theywereafraidifallthreeconspiratorsforegatheredtheymightinadvertentlydropsomeclewthatwouldleadtosuspicionanddiscovery。
　　SoPeterworkedfromNewYork，andhisfirstactwasanonymouslytosupplyhisfatherandChancellorBlackwithAllthenewspaperaccountsofthegreatcelebrationatStillwater。WhenDoctorblackreadthemhechoked。NeverbeforehadStillwaterCollegebeenbroughtsoprominentlybeforethepublic，andneverbeforehadherpresidentbeensoutterlyandcompletelyignored。Andwhatmadeitworsewasthatherecognizedthatevenhadhebeenpresenthecouldnothaveshownhisface。Howcouldhe，whohad，aseveryoneconnectedwiththecollegenowknew，outofspiteandwithoutcause，dismissedanoldandfaithfulservant，joininchantinghispraises。Heonlyhopedhispatron，Hallowellsenior，mightnothearofGilman’striumph。ButHallowellseniorheardlittleofanythingelse。Athisoffice，athisclubs，onthegolf—links，everyonehemetcongratulatedhimonthehighandpeculiardistinctionthathadcometohispetcollege。
　　"Youcertainlyhavethedarnedestluckinbackingtherighthorse，"exclaimedarivalpork—packerenviously。"NowifI
　　payahundredthousandforaVelasquezitturnsouttobeabadcopyworththirtydollars，butyoupayaprofessorthreethousandandhebringsyouinhalfamilliondollars’worthoffreeadvertising。Why，thisDoctorGilman’sdoingasmuchforyourcollegeasDoctorOslerdidforJohnsHopkinsorasWalterCampdoesforYale。"
　　Mr。HallowellreceivedtheseCongratulationsasgracefullyashewasable，andinsecretragedatChancellorBlack。Eachdayhisrageincreased。ItseemedasthoughtherewouldneverbeanendtoDoctorGilman。Thestonehehadrejectedhadbecomethecorner—stoneofStillwater。Wheneverheopenedanewspaperhefeltlikeexclaiming："Willnooneridmeofthispestilentfellow？"Forthe"RiseandFall，"inaneditiondeluxelimitedtotwohundredcopies，wasbeingboughtupbyallhisbook—collectingmillionairefriends；apopulareditionwasonviewinthewindowsofeverybook—
　　shop；Itwasofferedasaprizetosubscriberstoallthemoresedatemagazines，andthenameandfeaturesofthedistinguishedauthorhadbecomefamousandfamiliar。Notadaypassedbutthatsomenewhonor，atleastsothenewspapersstated，wasthrustuponhim。ParagraphsannouncedthathewastobethenextexchangeprofessortoBerlin；thatinMayhewastolectureattheSorbonne；thatinJunehewastoreceiveadegreefromOxford。
　　Afresh—watercollegeononeoftheGreatLakesleapedtothefrontbyofferinghimthechairofhistoryatthatseatoflearningatasalaryoffivethousanddollarsayear。SomeofthehonorsthathadbeenthrustuponDoctorGilmanexistedonlyintheimaginationofPeterandStetson，butthisofferhappenedtobegenuine。
　　"DoctorGilmanrejecteditwithoutconsideration。Hereadtheletterfromthetrusteestohiswifeandshookhishead。
　　"WecouldnotbehappyawayfromStillwater，"hesaid。"Wehaveonlyamonthmoreinthecottage，butafterthatwestillcanwalkpastit；wecanlookintothegardenandseetheflowerssheplanted。Wecanvisittheplacewhereshelies。Butifwewentawayweshouldbelonelyandmiserableforher，andshewouldbelonelyforus。"
　　Mr。HallowellcouldnotknowwhyDoctorGilmanhadrefusedtoleaveStillwater；butwhenhereadthatthesmallEasterncollegeatwhichDoctorGilmanhadgraduatedhadofferedtomakehimitspresident，hisjealousyknewnobounds。
　　HetelegraphedtoBlack："ReinstateGilmanatonce；offerhimsixthousand——offerhimwhateverhewants，butmakehimpromisefornoconsiderationtoleaveStillwaterheisonlymemberfacultyeverbroughtanycredittothecollegeifwelosehimI’llholdyouresponsible。"
　　Thenextmorning，hatinhand，smilingingratiatingly，theChancellorcalleduponDoctorGilmanandatesomuchhumblepiethatforaweekhesufferedacutementalindigestion。ButlittledidHallowellseniorcareforthat。Hehadgotwhathewanted。DoctorGilman，thedistinguished，wasbackinthefaculty，andhadmadeonlyonecondition——thathemightliveuntilhediedintheivy—coveredcottage。
　　Twoweekslater，whenPeterarrivedatStillwatertotakethehistoryexamination，which，shouldhepassit，wouldgivehimhisdegree，hefoundoneverysideevidencesofthe"worldwidefame"hehimselfhadcreated。Thenewsstandatthedepot，thebook—stores，thedrugstores，thepicture—shops，allspokeofDoctorGilman；andpostcardsshowingtheivy—
　　coveredcottage，photographsandenlargementsofDoctorGilman，advertisementsofthedifferent。editionsof"the"
　　historyproclaimedhisfame。Peter，fascinatedbythesuccessofhisownhandiwork，approachedtheivy—coveredcottageinaspiritalmostofawe。ButMrs。Gilmanwelcomedhimwiththesamekindly，sympatheticsmilewithwhichshealwaysgavecouragetotheunhappyonescomingupforexaminations，andDoctorGilman’shighhonorsinnowayhadspoiledhisgentlecourtesy。
　　Theexaminationwasinwriting，andwhenPeterhadhandedinhispapersDoctorGilmanaskedhimifhewouldpreferatoncetoknowtheresult。
　　"Ishouldindeed！"Peterassuredhim。
　　"ThenIregrettotellyou，Hallowell，"saidtheprofessor，"thatyouhavenotpassed。Icannotpossiblygiveyouamarkhigherthanfive。"InrealsympathythesageofStillwaterraisedhiseyes，buttohisgreatastonishmenthefoundthatPeter，sofarfrombeingcastdownortakingoffense，wassmilingdelightedly，muchasafondparentmightsmileupontheprecociousactofabelovedchild。
　　"Iamafraid，"saidDoctorGilmangently，"thatthissummeryoudidnotworkveryhardforyourdegree！"
　　PeterLaughedandpickeduphishat。
　　"Totellyouthetruth，Professor，"hesaid，"you’rerightI
　　gotworkingforsomethingworthwhile——andIforgotaboutthedegree。"
　　Chapter3。THEINVASIONOFENGLAND
　　ThisisthetrueinsidestoryoftheinvasionofEnglandin1911bytheGermans，andwhyitfailed。IgotmydatafromBaronvonGottlieb，atthetimemilitaryattach？oftheGermanGovernmentwiththeRussianarmyinthesecondRussian—JapaneseWar，whenRussiadroveJapanoutofManchuria，andreducedhertoathird—ratepower。Hetoldmeofhispartintheinvasionaswesat，afterthebombardmentofTokio，ontherampartsoftheEmperor’spalace，watchingthewallsofthepaperhousesbelowusglowingandsmokingliketheashesofaprairiefire。
　　Twoyearsbefore，atthetimeoftheinvasion，vonGottliebhadbeenCarlSchultz，thehead—waiterattheEastCliffHotelatCromer，andaspy。
　　TheotherendofthestorycametomethroughLesterFord，theLondoncorrespondentoftheNewYorkRepublic。TheygavemepermissiontotellitinanyfashionIpleased，anditisheresetdownforthefirsttime。
　　Intellingthestory，myconscienceisnotintheleastdisturbed，forIhaveyettofindanyonewhowillbelieveit。
　　Whatleddirectlytotheinvasionwasthatsomeweek—endguestoftheEastCliffHotelleftacopyof"TheRiddleoftheSands"inthecoffee—room，wherevonGottliebfoundit；
　　andthefactthatFordattendedtheShakespeareBall。Hadneitheroftheseeventstakenplace，theGermanflagmightnowbeflyingoverBuckinghamPalace。And，thenagain，itmightnot。
　　AseveryGermanknows，"TheRiddleoftheSands"isanovelwrittenbyaverycleverEnglishmaninwhichisdisclosedaplanfortheinvasionofhiscountry。Accordingtothisplananarmyofinfantrywastobeembarkedinlighters，towedbyshallow—draft，sea—goingtugs，anddespatchedsimultaneouslyfromthesevenriversthatformtheFrisianIsles。Fromtheretheyweretobeconvoyedbybattle—shipstwohundredandfortymilesthroughtheNorthSea，andthrownuponthecoastofNorfolksomewherebetweentheWashandMundesley。Thefactthatthiscoastislow—lyingandborderedbysandflatswhichatlowwateraredry，thatEnglandmaintainsnoNorthSeasquadron，andthathernearestnavalbaseisatChatham，seemtopointtoitasthespotbestadaptedforsucharaid。
　　WhatvonGottliebthoughtwasevidencedbythefactthatassoonashereadthebookhemailedittotheGermanAmbassadorinLondon，andunderseparatecoversenthimaletter。Inthishesaid："IsuggestyourExcellencybringthisbooktothenoticeofacertainroyalpersonage，andoftheStrategyBoard。GeneralBolivarsaid，’Whenyouwantarms，takethemfromtheenemy。’Doesnotthisalsofollowwhenyouwantideas？"
　　WhattheStrategyBoardthoughtoftheplanisamatterofhistory。Thiswasin1910。Ayearlater，duringthecoronationweek，LesterFordwenttoClarkson’storentamonk’srobeinwhichtoappearattheShakespeareBall，andwhiletheassistantdepartedinsearchoftherobe，Fordwasleftaloneinasmallroomhungwithfull—lengthmirrorsandshelves，andpackedwiththeuniformsthatClarksonrentsforCoventGardenballsandamateurtheatricals。Whilewaiting，Fordgratifiedalong，secretlycherisheddesiretobeholdhimselfasamilitaryman，bytryingonalltheuniformsonthelowershelves；andasaresult，whentheassistantreturned，insteadoffindingayoungAmericaninEnglishclothesandahighhat，hewasconfrontedbyaGermanofficerinaspikedhelmetfightingaduelwithhimselfinthemirror。Theassistantretreatedprecipitately，andFord，consciousthatheappearedridiculous，triedtoturnthetablesbysaying，"DoesaGermanuniformalwaysaffectaTerritoriallikethat？"
　　Theassistantlaughedgood—naturedly。
　　"Itdidgivemequiteaturn，"hesaid。"It’sthistalkofinvasion，Ifancy。Butforafact，sir，ifIwasaCoastGuard，andyoucamealongthebeachdressedlikethat，I’dtakeashotatyou，justonthechance，anyway。"
　　"And，quiteright，too！"saidFord。
　　HewaswonderingwhentheinvasiondidcomewhetherhewouldstickathispostinLondonanddutifullyforwardthenewstohispaper，orplaytruantandasawarcorrespondentwatchthenewsinthemaking。SothewordsofMr。Clarkson’sassistantdidnotsinkin。ButafewweekslateryoungMajorBellewrecalledthem。BellewwasgivingadinnerontheterraceoftheSavoyRestaurant。Hisguestswerehisnephew，youngHerbert，whowasonlyfiveyearsyoungerthanhisuncle，andHerbert’sfriendBirrell，anIrishman，bothintheirthirdtermattheuniversity。Afterfiveyears’serviceinIndia，Bellewhadspentthelast"Eights"weekatOxford，andwascomplainingbitterlythatsincehisdaytheundergraduatehaddeteriorated。Hehadfoundhimserious，giventostudy，fartoowellbehaved。InsteadofJorrocks，hereadGalsworthy；insteadof"wines"hefoundpleasureindebatingclubswherehediscussedsocialism。Ragging，practicaljokes，ingenioushoaxes，thatoncewerewonttosetEnglandinaroar，werealostart。Hisundergraduateguestscombatedthesechargesfiercely。Hiscriticismstheydeclaredunjustandwithoutintelligence。
　　"You’retalkingrot！"saidhisdutifulnephew。"TakePhilhere，forexample。I’veroomedwithhimthreeyearsandIcantestifythathehasneveropenedabook。HeneverheardofGalsworthyuntilyouspokeofhim。Andyoucanseeforyourselfhistablemannersarequiteasbadasyours！"
　　"Worse！"assentedBirrellloyally。
　　"Andasforragging！Whatrags，inyourday，wereasgoodasours；astheCarrieNationrag，forinstance，whenfivehundredpeoplesatthroughatemperancelectureandneverguessedtheywerelisteningtoamanfromBalliol？"
　　"AndtheAbyssinianAmbassadorrag！"criedHerbert。"Whatpricethat？WhentheDREADNOUGHTmannedtheyardsforhimandgavehimseventeenguns。ThatwasanOxfordrag，andcarriedthroughbyOxfordmen。Thecountryhasn’tstoppedlaughingyet。Yougiveusarag！"challengedHerbert。"Makeitashardasyoulike；somethingrisky，somethingthatwillmakethecountrysitup，somethingthatwillsendusalltojail，andPhilandIwillputitthroughwhetherittakesonemanoradozen。Goon，"hepersisted，"AndIbetwecangetfiftyvolunteersrighthereintownandallofthemundergraduates。"
　　"Giveyoutheidea，yes！"mockedBellew，tryingtogaintime。
　　"That’sjustwhatIsay。Youboysto—dayaresodull。Youlackinitiative。It’stheideathatcounts。Anybodycandotheacting。That’sjustamateurtheatricals！"
　　"Isit！"snortedHerbert。"Ifyouwanttoknowwhatstagefrightis，justgoonboardaBritishbattle—shipwithyourfacecoveredwithburntcorkandinsistonbeingtreatedlikeanambassador。You’llfindit’salittledifferentfromafirstnightwiththeSimlaThespians！"
　　Fordhadnopartinthedebate。Hehadbeensmokingcomfortablyandwithwell—timednods，impartiallyencouragingeachdisputant。Butnowhesuddenlylaidhiscigaruponhisplate，and，afterglancingquicklyabouthim，leanedeagerlyforward。Theywereatthecornertableoftheterrace，and，asitwasnowpastnineo’clock，theotherdinershaddepartedtothetheatresandtheywerequitealone。Belowthem，outsidetheopenwindows，werethetreesoftheembankment，andbeyond，theThames，blockedtothewestbythegreatshadowsoftheHousesofParliament，litonlybytheflameinthetowerthatshowedtheLowerHousewasstillsitting。
　　"I’LLgiveyouanideaforarag，"whisperedFord。"Onethatisrisky，thatwillmakethecountrysitup，thatoughttolandyouinJail？Haveyouread’TheRiddleoftheSands’？"
　　BellewandHerbertnodded；Birrellmadenosign。
　　"Don’tmindhim，"exclaimedHerbertimpatiently。"HEneverreadsanything！Goon！"
　　"It’sthebookmosttalkedabout，"explainedFord。"Andwhatelseismosttalkedabout？"Heansweredhisownquestion。
　　"ThelandingoftheGermansinMoroccoandthechanceofwar。
　　Now，Iaskyou，withthatbookineverybody’smind，andthewarscareineverybody’smind，whatwouldhappenifGermansoldiersappearedto—nightontheNorfolkcoastjustwherethebooksaystheywillappear？Notonesoldier，butdozensofsoldiers；notinoneplace，butintwentyplaces？"
　　"Whatwouldhappen？"roaredMajorBellewloyally。"TheBoyScoutswouldfalloutofbedandkickthemintothesea！"
　　"Shutup！"snappedhisnephewirreverently。HeshookFordbythearm。"How？"hedemandedbreathlessly。"Howarewetodoit？Itwouldtakehundredsofmen。"
　　"Twomen，"correctedFord，"Andathirdmantodrivethecar。
　　IthoughtitoutonedayatClarkson’swhenIcameacrossalotofGermanuniforms。Ithoughtofitasanewspaperstory，asatricktofindouthowpreparedyoupeoplearetomeetinvasion。Andwhenyousaidjustnowthatyouwantedachancetogotojail——"
　　"What’syourplan？"interruptedBirrell。
　　"Wewouldstartjustbeforedawn——"beganFord。
　　"We？"demandedHerbert。"Areyouinthis？"
　　"AmIinit？"criedFordindignantly。"It’smyownprivateinvasion！I’mlettingyouboysinonthegroundfloor。IfI
　　don’tgo，therewontbeanyinvasion！"
　　Thetwopink—cheekedyouthsglancedateachotherinquiringlyandthennodded。
　　"Weacceptyourservices，sir，"saidBirrellgravely。"What’syourplan？"
　　InastonishmentMajorBellewglancedfromonetotheotherandthenslappedthetablewithhisopenpalm。Hisvoiceshookwithrighteousindignation。
　　"Ofallthepreposterous，outrageous——Areyoumad？"hedemanded。"DoyousupposeforoneminuteIwillallow——"
　　Hisnephewshruggedhisshouldersand，rising，pushedbackhischair。
　　"Oh，yougotothedevil！"heexclaimedcheerfully。"Comeon，Ford，"hesaid。"We’llfindsomeplacewhereunclecan’thearus。"
　　Twodayslateratouringcarcarryingthreeyoungmen，inthetwenty—onemilesbetweenWellsandCromer，brokedowneleventimes。Eachtimethismisfortunebefellthemoneyoungmanscatteredtoolsintheroadandonhiskneeshammeredostentatiouslyatthetinhood；andtheothertwooccupantsofthecarsaunteredtothebeach。Theretheychuckedpebblesatthewavesandthenslowlyretracedtheirsteps。Eachtimetheroutebywhichtheyreturnedwasdifferentfromtheonebywhichtheyhadsetforth。Sometimestheyfollowedthebeatenpathdownthecliffor，asitchancedtobe，acrossthemarshes；sometimestheysliddownthefaceofthecliff；
　　sometimestheylostthemselvesbehindthehedgesandinthelanesofthevillages。Butwhentheyagainreachedthecartheprocedureofeachwasalike——eachproducedapencilandonthefaceofhis"HalfInch"roadmaptracedstrange，fantasticsigns。
　　Atlunch—timetheystoppedattheEastCliffHotelatCromerandmadenumerousandtrivialinquiriesabouttheCromergolflinks。Theyhadcome，theyvolunteered，fromElyforadayofsea—bathingandgolf；theywerereturningafterdinner。
　　Thehead—waiteroftheEastCliffHotelgavethemtheinformationtheydesired。Hewasanintelligenthead—waiter，young，andofpleasant，nottosaydistinguished，bearing。Inafrockcoathemighteasilyhavebeenmistakenforsomethingevenmoreimportantthanahead—waiter——foraGermanriding—
　　master，aleaderofaHungarianband，amanagerofaRitzhotel。Buthewasnotabovehisstation。Heevenassistedtheporterincarryingthecoatsandgolfbagsofthegentlemenfromthecartothecoffee—roomwhere，withtheintuitionofthehomingpigeon，thethreestrangershad，unaided，foundtheirway。AsCarlSchultzfollowed，carryingthedust—coats，aroadmapfellfromthepocketofoneofthemtothefloor。
　　CarlSchultzpickeditup，andwasabouttoreplaceit，whenhiseyeswereheldbynotesscrawledroughlyinpencil。Withanexpressionthatnolongerwasthatofahead—waiter，Carlcastoneswiftglanceabouthimandthenslippedintotheemptycoat—roomandlockedthedoor。Fiveminuteslater，withasmilethatplayeduneasilyoverafacegrowngraywithanxiety，Carlpresentedthemaptothetallestofthethreestrangers。Itwasopensothatthepencilmarksweremostobvious。ByhisaccentitwasevidentthetallestofthethreestrangerswasanAmerican。
　　"Whatthedevil！"heprotested；"whichofyouboyshasbeenplayinghobwithmymap？"
　　Forjustaninstantthetwopink—cheekedonesregardedhimwithdisfavor；until，forjustaninstant，hiseyebrowsroseand，withaglance，hesignifiedthewaiter。
　　"Oh，that！"exclaimedtheyoungerone。"TheAutomobileClubaskedustomarkdownpetrolstations。Thosemarksmeanthat’swhereyoucanbuypetrol。"
　　Thehead—waiterbreatheddeeply。Withanassuredandhappycountenance，hedepartedand，forthetwo—hundredthtimethatday，lookedfromthewindowsofthedining—roomoutoverthetumblingbreakerstothegraystretchofsea。Asthoughfearfulthathisfacewouldexposehissecret，heglancedcarefullyabouthimandthen，assuredhewasalone，leanedeagerlyforward，scanningtheempty，tossingwaters。
　　Inhismind’seyehebeheldrollingtug—boatsstrainingagainstlonglinesofscows，againstthedeadweightoffield—guns，againstthepullofthousandsofmotionless，silentfigures，eachinkhaki，eachinablackleatherhelmet，eachwithonehundredandfiftyrounds。
　　InhisownlanguageCarlSchultzreprovedhimself。
　　"Patience，"hemuttered；"patience！Bytento—nightallwillbedark。Therewillbenostars。Therewillbenomoon。Theveryheavensfightforus，andbysunriseouroutpostswillbetwentymilesinland！"
　　Atlunch—timeCarlSchultzcarefully，obsequiouslywaiteduponthethreestrangers。Hegavethemtheirchoiceofsoup，thickorclear，ofgooseberrypieorHalf—Paypudding。Heacceptedtheirshillingsgratefully，andwhentheydepartedforthelinkshebowedthemontheirway。AndastheircarturnedupJettyStreet，foroneinstant，heagainallowedhiseyestosweepthedullgrayocean。Brown—sailedfishing—boatswerebeatingintowardCromer。OnthehorizonlineaNorwegiantrampwasdrawingalengtheningscarfofsmoke。
　　Saveforthesetheseawasempty。
　　BygraciouspermissionofthemanageressCarlhadobtainedanafternoonoff，and，changinghiscoat，hemountedhisbicycleandsetforthtowardOverstrand。Onhiswayhenoddedtothelocalconstable，tothepostmanonhisrounds，tothedriverofthechar？banc。HehadbeenayearinCromerandwaswellknownandwellliked。
　　ThreemilesfromCromer，atthetopofthehighesthillinOverstrand，thechimneysofahouseshowedaboveathicktangleoffir—trees。Betweenthetreesandtheroadroseawall，high，compact，forbidding。Carlopenedthegateinthewallandpushedhisbicycleupawindingpathhemmedinbybushes。Atthesoundofhisfeetonthegravelthebushesnewapart，andamansprangintothewalkandconfrontedhim。
　　But，atsightofthehead—waiter，thelegsofthemanbecamerigid，hisheelsclickedtogether，hishandwentsharplytohisvisor。
　　Behindthehouse，surroundedoneverysidebytrees，wasatinylawn。Inthecentreofthelawn，whereoncehadbeenatenniscourt，therenowstoodaslimmast。Fromthismastdangledtinywiresthatrantoakitchentable。Onthetable，itsbrassworkshininginthesun，wasanewandperfectlygoodwirelessoutfit，andbesideit，withhishandonthekey，wasaheavilybuilt，heavilybeardedGerman。Inhisturn，Carldrewhislegstogether，hisheelsclicked，hishandstucktohisvisor。
　　"Ihavebeeninconstantcommunication，"saidthemanwiththebeard。"Theywillbeherejustbeforethedawn。ReturntoCromervandopenlyfromthepost—officetelegraphyourcousininLondon：’Willmeetyouto—morrowattheCrystalPalace。’
　　Onreceiptofthat，inthelasteditionofallofthisafternoon’spapers，hewillinsertthefinaladvertisement。
　　Thirtythousandofourownpeoplewillreadit。Theywillknowthemomenthascome！"
　　AsCarlcoastedbacktoCromerheflashedpastmanyprettygardenswhere，uponthelawns，meninflannelswerebusyattennisor，withprettyladies，deeplyoccupiedindrinkingtea。Carlsmiledgrimly。Highabovehimonthesky—lineofthecliffhesawthethreestrangershehadservedatluncheon。Theyweredrivingbeforethemthreeinnocuousgolfballs。
　　"Anationofwasters，"mutteredtheGerman，"sleepingattheirposts。TheyarefiddlingwhileEnglandfalls！"
　　Mr。Shutliffe，ofStiffkey，hadledhiscowinfromthemarsh，andwasabouttoclosethecow—barndoor，whenthreesoldiersappearedsuddenlyaroundthewallofthevillagechurch。Theyrandirectlytowardhim。Itwasnineo’clock，butthetwilightstillheld。Theuniformsthemenworewereunfamiliar，butinhisdayMr。Shutliffehadseenmanyuniforms，andtohimalluniformslookedalike。ThetallestsoldiersnappedatMr。Shutliffefiercelyinastrangetongue。
　　"Dubistgefangen！"heannounced。"DasDorfistbesetzt。WosindunsereLeute？"hedemanded。
　　"You’ll’avetoexcuseme，sir，"saidMr。Shutliffe，"butI
　　amatrifle’ardof’earing。"
　　ThesoldieraddressedhiminEnglish。
　　"Whatisthenameofthisvillage？"hedemanded。
　　Mr。Shuttiffe，havinglivedinthevillageupwardofeightyyears，recalleditsnamewithdifficulty。
　　"Haveyouseenanyofourpeople？"
　　WithanotherpainfuleffortofmemoryMr。Shutliffeshookhishead。
　　"Goindoors！"commandedthesoldier，"Andputoutalllights，andremainindoors。Wehavetakenthisvillage。WeareGermans。Youareaprisoner！Doyouunderstand？"
　　"Yes，sir，thank’ee，sir，kindly，"stammeredMr。Shutliffe。
　　"MayIlockinthepigsfirst，sir？"
　　Oneofthesoldierscoughedexplosively，andranaway，andthetwootherstrottedafterhim。Whentheylookedback，Mr。
　　Shutliffewasstillstandinguncertainlyinthedusk，mildlyconcernedastowhetherheshouldlockupthepigsorobeytheGermangentleman。
　　Thethreesoldiershaltedbehindthechurchwall。
　　"Thatwasafinestart！"mockedHerbert。"Ofcourse，youhadtopickouttheVillageIdiot。Iftheyareallgoingtotakeitlikethat，wehadbetterpackupandgohome。"
　　"Thevillageinnisstillopen，"saidFord。"We’llcloseIt。"
　　Theyenteredwithfixedbayonetsanddroppedthebuttsoftheirriflesonthesandedfloor。Amaningaiterschokedoverhisaleandtwofishermenremovedtheirclaypipesandstared。Thebar—maidalonearosetotheoccasion。
　　"Now，then，"sheexclaimedbriskly，"Whatwayisthattocometumblingintoarespectableplace？Noneofyourtea—gardentricksinhere，youngfellow，mylad，or——"
　　Thetallestofthethreeintruders，indeepgutturalaccents，interruptedhersharply。
　　"WeareGermans！"hedeclared。"Thisvillageiscaptured。Youareprisonersofwar。Thoselightsyouwilloutput，andyourselveslockin。Ifyouintothestreetgo，wewillshoot！"
　　Hegaveacommandinastrangelanguage；sostrange，indeed，thatthesoldierswithhimfailedtoentirelygrasphismeaning，andoneshoulderedhisrifle，whiletheotherbroughthispolitelytoasalute。
　　"Youass！"mutteredthetallGerman。"Getout！"
　　Astheychargedintothestreet，theyheardbehindthemawildfeminineshriek，thenacrashofpotteryandglass，thensilence，andaninstantlatertheShipInnwasburiedindarkness。
　　"ThatwillholdStiffkeyforawhile！"saidFord。"Now，backtothecar。"
　　Butbetweenthemandthecarloomedsuddenlyatallandimpressivefigure。Hishelmetandhismeasuredtreaduponthedesertedcobble—stonesproclaimedhiscalling。
　　"Theconstable！"whisperedHerbert。"Hemustseeus，buthemustn’tspeaktous。"
　　Foramomentthethreemenshowedthemselvesinthemiddleofthestreet，andthen，asthoughatsightofthepolicemantheyhadtakenalarm，disappearedthroughanopeningbetweentwohouses。Fiveminuteslateramotor—car，withitscanvastopconcealingitsoccupants，rodeslowlyintoStiffkey’smainstreetandhaltedbeforetheconstable。Thedriverofthecarworealeatherskull—capandgoggles。Fromhisnecktohisheelshewascoveredbyaraincoat。
　　"Mr。Policeman，"hebegan；"whenIturnedinherethreesoldierssteppedinfrontofmycarandpointedriflesatme。
　　Thentheyranofftowardthebeach。What’stheidea——
　　manoeuvres？Because，they’venorightto——"
　　"Yes，sir，"thepolicemanassuredhimpromptly；"Isawthem。
　　It’smanoeuvres，sir。Territorials。"
　　"Theydidn’tlooklikeTerritorials，"objectedthechauffeur。
　　"TheylookedlikeGermans。"
　　Protectedbythedeepeningdusk，theconstablemadenoefforttoconcealagrin。
　　"JustTerritorials，sir，"heprotestedsoothingly；
　　"skylarkingmaybe，butmeaningnoharm。Still，I’llhavealookround，andwarn’em。"
　　Avoicefrombeneaththecanvasbrokeinangrily：
　　"Itellyou，theywereGermans。It’seitherasillyjoke，orit’sserious，andyououghttoreportit。It’syourdutytowarntheCoastGuard。"
　　Theconstableconsidereddeeply。
　　"Iwouldn’ttakeitonmyselftowaketheCoastGuard，"heprotested；"notatthistimeofthenight。ButifanyGermans’beenannoyingyou，gentlemen，andyouwishtolodgeacomplaintagainstthem，yougivemeyourcards——"
　　"Yegods！"criedthemanintherearofthecar。"Goon！"hecommanded。
　　AsthecarspedoutofStiffkey，Herbertexclaimedwithdisgust：
　　"What’stheuse！"heprotested。"Youcouldn’twakethesepeoplewithdynamite！Ivotewechuckitandgohome。"
　　"TheylittleknowofEnglandwhoonlyStiffkeyknow，"chantedthechauffeurreprovingly。"Why，wehaven’tbegunyet。Waittillwemeetalivewire！"
　　TwomilesfartheralongtheroadtoCromer，youngBradshaw，thejob—master’ssonatBlakeney，wasleadinghisbicycleupthehill。Aheadofhimsomethingheavyfloppedfromthebankintotheroad——andinthelightofhisacetylenelamphesawasoldier。Thesoldierdodgedacrosstheroadandscrambledthroughthehedgeonthebankopposite。Hewasfollowedbyanothersoldier，andthenbyathird。Thelastmanhalted。
　　"Putoutthatlight，"hecommanded。"Gotoyourhomeandtellnoonewhatyouhaveseen。Ifyouattempttogiveanalarmyouwillbeshot。Oursentriesareplacedeveryfiftyyardsalongthisroad。"
　　Thesoldierdisappearedfrominfrontoftherayoflightandfollowedhiscomrades，andaninstantlateryoungBradshawheardthemslidingoverthecliff’sedgeandthepebblesclatteringtothebeachbelow。YoungBradshawstoodquitestill。Inhisheartwasmuchfear——fearoflaughter，ofridicule，offailure。Butofnootherkindoffear。Softly，silentlyheturnedhisbicyclesothatitfaceddownthelonghillhehadjustclimbed。Thenhesnappedoffthelight。HehadbeenreliablyinformedthatinambushateveryfiftyyardsalongtheroadtoBlakeney，sentrieswerewaitingtofireonhim。Andheproposedtorunthegauntlet。Hesawthatitwasforthismomentthat，firstasavolunteerandlaterasaTerritorial，hehaddrilledinthetownhall，practicedontheriflerange，andinmixedmanoeuvressleptinsixinchesofmud。Ashethrewhislegacrosshisbicycle，Herbert，fromthemotor—carfartherupthehill，firedtwoshotsoverhishead。These，heexplainedtoFord，wereintendedtogive"verisimilitudetoanotherwisebaldandunconvincingnarrative。"AndthesighingofthebulletsgaveyoungBradshawexactlywhathewanted——theassurancethathewasnotthevictimofapracticaljoke。Hethrewhisweightforwardand，liftinghisfeet，coasteddownhillatfortymilesanhourintothemainstreetofBlakeney。Tenminuteslater，whenthecarfollowed，amobofmensocompletelyblockedthewater—frontthatFordwasforcedtostop。Hishead—lightsilluminatedhundredsoffaces，anxious，sceptical，eager。AgentlemanwithawhitemustacheandalookofaretiredarmyofficerpushedhiswaytowardFord，thecrowdmakingroomforhim，andthenclosinginhiswake。
　　"Haveyouseenany——anysoldiers？"hedemanded。
　　"Germansoldiers！"Fordanswered。"Theytriedtocatchus，butwhenIsawwhotheywere，Iranthroughthemtowarnyou。
　　Theyfiredand——"
　　"Howmany——andwhere？"
　　"Ahalf—companyatStiffkeyandahalf—milefartheronaregiment。Wedidn’tknowthentheywereGermans，notuntiltheystoppedus。You’dbettertelephonethegarrison，and——"
　　"Thankyou！"snappedtheelderlygentleman。"Ihappentobeincommandofthisdistrict。Whatareyournames？"
　　Fordpushedthecarforward，partingthecrowd。
　　"I’venotimeforthat！"hecalled。"We’vegottowarneverycoasttowninNorfolk。YoutakemytipandgetLondononthelongdistance！"
　　AstheyranthroughthenightFordspokeoverhisshoulder。
　　"We’vegotthemguessing，"hesaid。"Now，whatwewantisalivewire，someonewithimagination，someonewithauthoritywhowillwakethecountryside。"
　　"Looksaheadthere，"saidBirrell，"asthoughithadn’tgonetobed。"
　　Beforethem，asonaMafekingnight，everywindowinCleyshonewithlights。Inthemainstreetwerefishermen，shopkeepers，"trippers"inflannels，summerresidents。Thewomenhadturnedoutasthoughtowitnessadisplayoffireworks。Girlswereclingingtothearmsoftheirescorts，shiveringindelightedterror。TheproprietoroftheRedLionspranginfrontofthecarandwavedhisarms。
　　"What’sthistaleaboutGermans？"hedemandedjocularly。
　　"Youcanseetheirlightsfromthebeach，"saidFord。
　　"They’velandedtworegimentsbetweenhereandWells。
　　Stiffkeyistaken，andthey’vecutallthewiressouth。"
　　Theproprietorrefusedtobe"had。"
　　"Let’emallcome！"hemocked。
　　"Allright，"returnedFord。"Let’emcome，butdon’ttakeitlyingdown！Getthosewomenoffthestreets，andgodowntothebeach，anddrivetheGermansback！Gangway，"heshouted，andthecarshotforward。"Wewarnedyou，"hecalled，"Andit’suptoyouto——"
　　Hiswordswerelostinthedistance。Butbehindhimaman’svoicerosewitharoarlikearocketandwasmetwithasavage，deep—throatedcheer。
　　OutsidethevillageFordbroughtthecartoahaltandswunginhisseat。
　　"Thisthingisgoingtofail！"hecriedpetulantly。"Theydon’tbelieveus。We’vegottoshowourselves——manytimes——
　　inadozenplaces。"
　　"TheBritishmindmovesslowly，"saidBirrell，theIrishman。
　　"Now，ifthishadhappenedinmynativeland——"
　　Hewasinterruptedbythescreechofasiren，andademoncarthatspurnedtheroad，thatsplatteredthemwithpebbles，torepastanddisappearedinthedarkness。Asitfleddownthelaneoftheirhead—lights，theysawthatmeninkhakiclungtoitssides，werepackedinitstonneau，wereswayingfromitsrunningboards。Beforetheycouldfindtheirvoicesamotorcycle，drivenasthoughtheangelofdeathwereatthewheel，shavedtheirmud—guardand，initsturn，vanishedintothenight。
　　"Thingsarelookingup！"saidFord。"Whereisournextstop？
　　AsIsaidbefore，whatwewantisaliveone。"
　　Herbertpressedhiselectrictorchagainsthisroadmap。
　　"Wearenextbilledtoappear，"hesaid，"aboutaquarterofamilefromhere，atthesignal—toweroftheGreatEasternRailroad，wherewevisitthenighttelegraphoperatorandgivehimthesurprisepartyofhislife。"
　　Thethreemenhadmountedthestepsofthesignal—towersoquietlythat，whentheoperatorheardthem，theyalreadysurroundedhim。HesawthreeGermansoldierswithfierceupturnedmustaches，withflat，squathelmets，withlongbrownrifles。Theysawanan鎚ic，pale—facedyouthwithoutacoatorcollar，forthenightwaswarm，whosankbacklimplyinhischairandgazedspeechlesswithwide—bulgingeyes。
　　Inharsh，gutturaltonesFordaddressedhim。"Youareaprisoner，"hesaid。"WetakeoverthisofficeinthenameoftheGermanEmperor。Getout！"
　　Asthoughinstinctivelyseekinghisonlyweaponofdefence，thehandoftheboyoperatormovedacrossthetabletothekeyofhisinstrument。Fordflunghisrifleuponit。
　　"No，youdon’t！"hegrowled。"Getout！"
　　Witheyesstillbulging，theboyliftedhimselfintoasittingposture。
　　"Mypay——mymonth’spay？"hestammered。"CanItakeIt？"
　　Theexpressiononthefaceoftheconquerorrelaxed。
　　"Takeitandgetout，"Fordcommanded。
　　Witheyesstillfixedinfascinatedterrorupontheinvader，theboypulledopenthedrawerofthetablebeforehimandfumbledwiththepapersinside。
　　"Quick！"criedFord。
　　Theboywasveryquick。Hishandleapedfromthedrawerlikeasnake，andFordfoundhimselflookingintoarevolverofthelargestcalibreissuedbyacivilizedpeople。Birrellfellupontheboy’sshoulders，Herberttwistedthegunfromhisfingersandhurleditthroughthewindow，andalmostasquicklyhurledhimselfdownthestepsofthetower。Birrellleapedafterhim。Fordremainedonlylongenoughtoshout：
　　"Don’ttouchthatinstrument！Ifyouattempttosendamessagethrough，wewillshoot。Wegotocutthewires！"
　　Foraminute，theboyinthetowersatrigid，hisearsstrained，hisheartbeatinginsharp，suffocatingstabs。
　　Then，withhisleftarmraisedtoguardhisface，hesanktohiskneesand，leaningforwardacrossthetable，invitingashebelievedhisdeath，heopenedthecircuitandthroughthenightflashedoutawarningtohispeople。
　　Whentheyhadtakentheirplacesinthecar，HerberttouchedFordontheshoulder。
　　"Yourlastremark，"hesaid，"wasthatwhatwewantedwasaliveone。"
　　"Don’tmentionit！"saidFord。"Hejammedthatgunhalfdownmythroat。Icantasteitstill。Wheredowegofromhere？"
　　"Accordingtotheroutewemappedoutthisafternoon，"saidHerbert，"WearenowscheduledtogiveexhibitionsatthecoasttownsofSalthouseandWeybourne，but——"
　　"Notwithme！"exclaimedBirrellfiercely。"ThosetownshavebeentippedoffbynowbyBlakeneyandCley，andtheBoyScoutswouldclubustodeath。IvotewetakethebackroadstoMorston，anddropinonalonelyCoastGuard。IfaCoastGuardseesus，theauthoritieswillhavetobelievehim，andthey’llcalloutthenavy。"
　　Herbertconsultedhismap。
　　"ThereisaCoastGuard，"hesaid，"stationedjusttheothersideofMorston。And，"headdedfervently，"letushopehe’slonely。"
　　Theylosttheirwayinthebackroads，andwhentheyagainreachedthecoastanhourhadpassed。Itwasnowquitedark。
　　Therewerenostars，normoon，butaftertheyhadleftthecarinasidelaneandhadsteppedoutuponthecliff，theysawformilesalongthecoastgreatbeaconfiresburningfiercely。
　　Herbertcametoanabrupthalt。