TO
THOMASARTHURNELSON
（LOTHIANANDBORDERHORSE）
MyDearTommy，YouandIhavelongcherishedanaffectionforthatelementaltypeoftalewhichAmericanscallthe’dimenovel’andwhichweknowasthe’shocker’-theromancewheretheincidentsdefytheprobabilities，andmarchjustinsidethebordersofthepossible。DuringanillnesslastwinterIexhaustedmystoreofthoseaidstocheerfulness，andwasdriventowriteoneformyself。Thislittlevolumeistheresult，andIshouldliketoputyournameonitinmemoryofourlongfriendship，inthedayswhenthewildestfictionsaresomuchlessimprobablethanthefacts。
J。B。
CONTENTS
1。TheManWhoDied2。TheMilkmanSetsOutonhisTravels3。TheAdventureoftheLiteraryInnkeeper4。TheAdventureoftheRadicalCandidate5。TheAdventureoftheSpectacledRoadman6。TheAdventureoftheBaldArchaeologist7。TheDry-FlyFisherman8。TheComingoftheBlackStone9。TheThirty-NineSteps10。VariousPartiesConvergingontheSeaCHAPTERONE
TheManWhoDiedIreturnedfromtheCityaboutthreeo’clockonthatMayafternoonprettywelldisgustedwithlife。IhadbeenthreemonthsintheOldCountry，andwasfedupwithit。IfanyonehadtoldmeayearagothatIwouldhavebeenfeelinglikethatIshouldhavelaughedathim;buttherewasthefact。Theweathermademeliverish，thetalkoftheordinaryEnglishmanmademesick，Icouldn’tgetenoughexercise，andtheamusementsofLondonseemedasflatassoda-
waterthathasbeenstandinginthesun。’RichardHannay，’Ikepttellingmyself，’youhavegotintothewrongditch，myfriend，andyouhadbetterclimbout。’
ItmademebitemylipstothinkoftheplansIhadbeenbuildingupthoselastyearsinBulawayo。Ihadgotmypile-notoneofthebigones，butgoodenoughforme;andIhadfiguredoutallkindsofwaysofenjoyingmyself。MyfatherhadbroughtmeoutfromScotlandattheageofsix，andIhadneverbeenhomesince;soEnglandwasasortofArabianNightstome，andIcountedonstoppingtherefortherestofmydays。
ButfromthefirstIwasdisappointedwithit。InaboutaweekI
wastiredofseeingsights，andinlessthanamonthIhadhadenoughofrestaurantsandtheatresandrace-meetings。Ihadnorealpaltogoaboutwith，whichprobablyexplainsthings。Plentyofpeopleinvitedmetotheirhouses，buttheydidn’tseemmuchinterestedinme。TheywouldflingmeaquestionortwoaboutSouthAfrica，andthengetontheirownaffairs。AlotofImperialistladiesaskedmetoteatomeetschoolmastersfromNewZealandandeditorsfromVancouver，andthatwasthedismalestbusinessofall。HerewasI，thirty-sevenyearsold，soundinwindandlimb，withenoughmoneytohaveagoodtime，yawningmyheadoffallday。Ihadjustaboutsettledtoclearoutandgetbacktotheveld，forIwasthebestboredmanintheUnitedKingdom。
ThatafternoonIhadbeenworryingmybrokersaboutinvestmentstogivemymindsomethingtoworkon，andonmywayhomeIturnedintomyclub-ratherapot-house，whichtookinColonialmembers。Ihadalongdrink，andreadtheeveningpapers。TheywerefulloftherowintheNearEast，andtherewasanarticleaboutKarolides，theGreekPremier。Iratherfanciedthechap。Fromallaccountsheseemedtheonebigmanintheshow;
andheplayedastraightgametoo，whichwasmorethancouldbesaidformostofthem。IgatheredthattheyhatedhimprettyblacklyinBerlinandVienna，butthatweweregoingtostickbyhim，andonepapersaidthathewastheonlybarrierbetweenEuropeandArmageddon。IrememberwonderingifIcouldgetajobinthoseparts。ItstruckmethatAlbaniawasthesortofplacethatmightkeepamanfromyawning。
Aboutsixo’clockIwenthome，dressed，dinedattheCafeRoyal，andturnedintoamusic-hall。Itwasasillyshow，allcaperingwomenandmonkey-facedmen，andIdidnotstaylong。ThenightwasfineandclearasIwalkedbacktotheflatIhadhirednearPortlandPlace。Thecrowdsurgedpastmeonthepavements，busyandchattering，andIenviedthepeopleforhavingsomethingtodo。Theseshop-girlsandclerksanddandiesandpolicemenhadsomeinterestinlifethatkeptthemgoing。Igavehalf-a-crowntoabeggarbecauseIsawhimyawn;hewasafellow-sufferer。AtOxfordCircusIlookedupintothespringskyandImadeavow。IwouldgivetheOldCountryanotherdaytofitmeintosomething;ifnothinghappened，IwouldtakethenextboatfortheCape。
MyflatwasthefirstfloorinanewblockbehindLanghamPlace。
Therewasacommonstaircase，withaporterandaliftmanattheentrance，buttherewasnorestaurantoranythingofthatsort，andeachflatwasquiteshutofffromtheothers。Ihateservantsonthepremises，soIhadafellowtolookaftermewhocameinbytheday。Hearrivedbeforeeighto’clockeverymorningandusedtodepartatseven，forIneverdinedathome。
IwasjustfittingmykeyintothedoorwhenInoticedamanatmyelbow。Ihadnotseenhimapproach，andthesuddenappearancemademestart。Hewasaslimman，withashortbrownbeardandsmall，gimletyblueeyes。Irecognizedhimastheoccupantofaflatonthetopfloor，withwhomIhadpassedthetimeofdayonthestairs。
’CanIspeaktoyou？’hesaid。’MayIcomeinforaminute？’Hewassteadyinghisvoicewithaneffort，andhishandwaspawingmyarm。
Igotmydooropenandmotionedhimin。Nosoonerwasheoverthethresholdthanhemadeadashformybackroom，whereI
usedtosmokeandwritemyletters。Thenheboltedback。
’Isthedoorlocked？’heaskedfeverishly，andhefastenedthechainwithhisownhand。
’I’mverysorry，’hesaidhumbly。’It’samightyliberty，butyoulookedthekindofmanwhowouldunderstand。I’vehadyouinmymindallthisweekwhenthingsgottroublesome。Say，willyoudomeagoodturn？’
’I’lllistentoyou，’Isaid。’That’sallI’llpromise。’Iwasgettingworriedbytheanticsofthisnervouslittlechap。
Therewasatrayofdrinksonatablebesidehim，fromwhichhefilledhimselfastiffwhisky-and-soda。Hedrankitoffinthreegulps，andcrackedtheglassashesetitdown。
’Pardon，’hesaid，’I’mabitrattledtonight。Yousee，Ihappenatthismomenttobedead。’
Isatdowninanarmchairandlitmypipe。
’Whatdoesitfeellike？’Iasked。IwasprettycertainthatIhadtodealwithamadman。
Asmileflickeredoverhisdrawnface。’I’mnotmad-yet。Say，Sir，I’vebeenwatchingyou，andIreckonyou’reacoolcustomer。I
reckon，too，you’reanhonestman，andnotafraidofplayingaboldhand。I’mgoingtoconfideinyou。Ineedhelpworsethananymaneverneededit，andIwanttoknowifIcancountyouin。’
’Getonwithyouryarn，’Isaid，’andI’lltellyou。’
Heseemedtobracehimselfforagreateffort，andthenstartedonthequeerestrigmarole。Ididn’tgetholdofitatfirst，andIhadtostopandaskhimquestions。Buthereisthegistofit：
HewasanAmerican，fromKentucky，andaftercollege，beingprettywelloff，hehadstartedouttoseetheworld。Hewroteabit，andactedaswarcorrespondentforaChicagopaper，andspentayearortwoinSouth-EasternEurope。Igatheredthathewasafinelinguist，andhadgottoknowprettywellthesocietyinthoseparts。
HespokefamiliarlyofmanynamesthatIrememberedtohaveseeninthenewspapers。
Hehadplayedaboutwithpolitics，hetoldme，atfirstfortheinterestofthem，andthenbecausehecouldn’thelphimself。Ireadhimasasharp，restlessfellow，whoalwayswantedtogetdowntotherootsofthings。Hegotalittlefurtherdownthanhewanted。
IamgivingyouwhathetoldmeaswellasIcouldmakeitout。
AwaybehindalltheGovernmentsandthearmiestherewasabigsubterraneanmovementgoingon，engineeredbyverydangerouspeople。Hehadcomeonitbyaccident;itfascinatedhim;hewentfurther，andthenhegotcaught。Igatheredthatmostofthepeopleinitwerethesortofeducatedanarchiststhatmakerevolutions，butthatbesidethemtherewerefinancierswhowereplayingformoney。
Aclevermancanmakebigprofitsonafallingmarket，anditsuitedthebookofbothclassestosetEuropebytheears。
Hetoldmesomequeerthingsthatexplainedalotthathadpuzzledme-thingsthathappenedintheBalkanWar，howonestatesuddenlycameoutontop，whyalliancesweremadeandbroken，whycertainmendisappeared，andwherethesinewsofwarcamefrom。TheaimofthewholeconspiracywastogetRussiaandGermanyatloggerheads。
WhenIaskedwhy，hesaidthattheanarchistlotthoughtitwouldgivethemtheirchance。Everythingwouldbeinthemelting-
pot，andtheylookedtoseeanewworldemerge。Thecapitalistswouldrakeintheshekels，andmakefortunesbybuyingupwreckage。
Capital，hesaid，hadnoconscienceandnofatherland。Besides，theJewwasbehindit，andtheJewhatedRussiaworsethanhell。
’Doyouwonder？’hecried。’Forthreehundredyearstheyhavebeenpersecuted，andthisisthereturnmatchforthepogroms。TheJewiseverywhere，butyouhavetogofardownthebackstairstofindhim。TakeanybigTeutonicbusinessconcern。IfyouhavedealingswithitthefirstmanyoumeetisPrincevonundZuSomething，anelegantyoungmanwhotalksEton-and-HarrowEnglish。
Buthecutsnoice。Ifyourbusinessisbig，yougetbehindhimandfindaprognathousWestphalianwitharetreatingbrowandthemannersofahog。HeistheGermanbusinessmanthatgivesyourEnglishpaperstheshakes。Butifyou’reonthebiggestkindofjobandareboundtogettotherealboss，tentooneyouarebroughtupagainstalittlewhite-facedJewinabath-chairwithaneyelikearattlesnake。Yes，Sir，heisthemanwhoisrulingtheworldjustnow，andhehashisknifeintheEmpireoftheTzar，becausehisauntwasoutragedandhisfatherfloggedinsomeone-horselocationontheVolga。’
IcouldnothelpsayingthathisJew-anarchistsseemedtohavegotleftbehindalittle。
’Yesandno，’hesaid。’Theywonuptoapoint，buttheystruckabiggerthingthanmoney，athingthatcouldn’tbebought，theoldelementalfightinginstinctsofman。Ifyou’regoingtobekilledyouinventsomekindofflagandcountrytofightfor，andifyousurviveyougettolovethething。Thosefoolishdevilsofsoldiershavefoundsomethingtheycarefor，andthathasupsettheprettyplanlaidinBerlinandVienna。Butmyfriendshaven’tplayedtheirlastcardbyalongsight。They’vegottentheaceuptheirsleeves，andunlessIcankeepaliveforamonththeyaregoingtoplayitandwin。’
’ButIthoughtyouweredead，’Iputin。
’MORSJANUAVITAE，’hesmiled。（Irecognizedthequotation：itwasaboutalltheLatinIknew。）’I’mcomingtothat，butI’vegottoputyouwiseaboutalotofthingsfirst。Ifyoureadyournewspaper，I
guessyouknowthenameofConstantineKarolides？’
Isatupatthat，forIhadbeenreadingabouthimthatveryafternoon。
’Heisthemanthathaswreckedalltheirgames。Heistheonebigbraininthewholeshow，andhehappensalsotobeanhonestman。Thereforehehasbeenmarkeddownthesetwelvemonthspast。Ifoundthatout-notthatitwasdifficult，foranyfoolcouldguessasmuch。ButIfoundoutthewaytheyweregoingtogethim，andthatknowledgewasdeadly。That’swhyIhavehadtodecease。’
Hehadanotherdrink，andImixeditforhimmyself，forIwasgettinginterestedinthebeggar。
’Theycan’tgethiminhisownland，forhehasabodyguardofEpirotesthatwouldskintheirgrandmothers。Butonthe15thdayofJuneheiscomingtothiscity。TheBritishForeignOfficehastakentohavingInternationaltea-parties，andthebiggestofthemisdueonthatdate。NowKarolidesisreckonedtheprincipalguest，andifmyfriendshavetheirwayhewillneverreturntohisadmiringcountrymen。’
’That’ssimpleenough，anyhow，’Isaid。’Youcanwarnhimandkeephimathome。’
’Andplaytheirgame？’heaskedsharply。’Ifhedoesnotcometheywin，forhe’stheonlymanthatcanstraightenoutthetangle。
AndifhisGovernmentarewarnedhewon’tcome，forhedoesnotknowhowbigthestakeswillbeonJunethe15th。’
’WhatabouttheBritishGovernment？’Isaid。’They’renotgoingtolettheirguestsbemurdered。Tipthemthewink，andthey’lltakeextraprecautions。’
’Nogood。Theymightstuffyourcitywithplain-clothesdetectivesanddoublethepoliceandConstantinewouldstillbeadoomedman。Myfriendsarenotplayingthisgameforcandy。Theywantabigoccasionforthetakingoff，withtheeyesofallEuropeonit。He’llbemurderedbyanAustrian，andthere’llbeplentyofevidencetoshowtheconnivanceofthebigfolkinViennaandBerlin。Itwillallbeaninfernallie，ofcourse，butthecasewilllookblackenoughtotheworld。I’mnottalkinghotair，myfriend。I
happentoknoweverydetailofthehellishcontrivance，andIcantellyouitwillbethemostfinishedpieceofblackguardismsincetheBorgias。Butit’snotgoingtocomeoffifthere’sacertainmanwhoknowsthewheelsofthebusinessaliverighthereinLondononthe15thdayofJune。Andthatmanisgoingtobeyourservant，FranklinP。Scudder。’
Iwasgettingtolikethelittlechap。Hisjawhadshutlikearat-
trap，andtherewasthefireofbattleinhisgimletyeyes。Ifhewasspinningmeayarnhecouldactuptoit。
’Wheredidyoufindoutthisstory？’Iasked。
’IgotthefirsthintinaninnontheAchenseeinTyrol。Thatsetmeinquiring，andIcollectedmyothercluesinafur-shopintheGalicianquarterofBuda，inaStrangers’ClubinVienna，andinalittlebookshopofftheRacknitzstrasseinLeipsic。IcompletedmyevidencetendaysagoinParis。Ican’ttellyouthedetailsnow，forit’ssomethingofahistory。WhenIwasquitesureinmyownmindI
judgeditmybusinesstodisappear，andIreachedthiscitybyamightyqueercircuit。IleftParisadandifiedyoungFrench-American，andI
sailedfromHamburgaJewdiamondmerchant。InNorwayIwasanEnglishstudentofIbsencollectingmaterialsforlectures，butwhenI
leftBergenIwasacinema-manwithspecialskifilms。AndIcameherefromLeithwithalotofpulp-woodpropositionsinmypockettoputbeforetheLondonnewspapers。TillyesterdayIthoughtIhadmuddiedmytrailsome，andwasfeelingprettyhappy。Then……’
Therecollectionseemedtoupsethim，andhegulpeddownsomemorewhisky。
’ThenIsawamanstandinginthestreetoutsidethisblock。I
usedtostaycloseinmyroomallday，andonlyslipoutafterdarkforanhourortwo。Iwatchedhimforabitfrommywindow，andI
thoughtIrecognizedhim……Hecameinandspoketotheporter……WhenIcamebackfrommywalklastnightIfoundacardinmyletter-box。ItborethenameofthemanIwantleasttomeetonGod’searth。’
Ithinkthatthelookinmycompanion’seyes，thesheernakedscareonhisface，completedmyconvictionofhishonesty。MyownvoicesharpenedabitasIaskedhimwhathedidnext。
’IrealizedthatIwasbottledassureasapickledherring，andthattherewasonlyonewayout。Ihadtodie。IfmypursuersknewI
wasdeadtheywouldgotosleepagain。’
’Howdidyoumanageit？’
’ItoldthemanthatvaletsmethatIwasfeelingprettybad，andI
gotmyselfuptolooklikedeath。Thatwasn’tdifficult，forI’mnoslouchatdisguises。ThenIgotacorpse-youcanalwaysgetabodyinLondonifyouknowwheretogoforit。Ifetcheditbackinatrunkonthetopofafour-wheeler，andIhadtobeassistedupstairstomyroom。YouseeIhadtopileupsomeevidencefortheinquest。Iwenttobedandgotmymantomixmeasleeping-
draught，andthentoldhimtoclearout。Hewantedtofetchadoctor，butIsworesomeandsaidIcouldn’tabideleeches。WhenI
wasleftaloneIstartedintofakeupthatcorpse。Hewasmysize，andIjudgedhadperishedfromtoomuchalcohol，soIputsomespiritshandyabouttheplace。Thejawwastheweakpointinthelikeness，soIblewitawaywitharevolver。Idaresaytherewillbesomebodytomorrowtosweartohavingheardashot，buttherearenoneighboursonmyfloor，andIguessedIcouldriskit。SoIleftthebodyinbeddressedupinmypyjamas，witharevolverlyingonthebed-clothesandaconsiderablemessaround。ThenIgotintoasuitofclothesIhadkeptwaitingforemergencies。Ididn’tdaretoshaveforfearofleavingtracks，andbesides，itwasn’tanykindofusemytryingtogetintothestreets。Ihadhadyouinmymindallday，andthereseemednothingtodobuttomakeanappealtoyou。
IwatchedfrommywindowtillIsawyoucomehome，andthenslippeddownthestairtomeetyou……There，Sir，Iguessyouknowaboutasmuchasmeofthisbusiness。’
Hesatblinkinglikeanowl，flutteringwithnervesandyetdesperatelydetermined。BythistimeIwasprettywellconvincedthathewasgoingstraightwithme。Itwasthewildestsortofnarrative，butIhadheardinmytimemanysteeptaleswhichhadturnedouttobetrue，andIhadmadeapracticeofjudgingthemanratherthanthestory。Ifhehadwantedtogetalocationinmyflat，andthencutmythroat，hewouldhavepitchedamilderyarn。
’Handmeyourkey，’Isaid，’andI’lltakealookatthecorpse。
Excusemycaution，butI’mboundtoverifyabitifIcan。’
Heshookhisheadmournfully。’Ireckonedyou’daskforthat，butIhaven’tgotit。It’sonmychainonthedressing-table。Ihadtoleaveitbehind，forIcouldn’tleaveanycluestobreedsuspicions。
Thegentrywhoareaftermeareprettybright-eyedcitizens。You’llhavetotakemeontrustforthenight，andtomorrowyou’llgetproofofthecorpsebusinessrightenough。’
Ithoughtforaninstantortwo。’Right。I’lltrustyouforthenight。I’lllockyouintothisroomandkeepthekey。justoneword，MrScudder。Ibelieveyou’restraight，butifsobeyouarenotI
shouldwarnyouthatI’mahandymanwithagun。’
’Sure，’hesaid，jumpingupwithsomebriskness。’Ihaven’ttheprivilegeofyourname，Sir，butletmetellyouthatyou’reawhiteman。I’llthankyoutolendmearazor。’
Itookhimintomybedroomandturnedhimloose。Inhalfanhour’stimeafigurecameoutthatIscarcelyrecognized。Onlyhisgimlety，hungryeyeswerethesame。Hewasshavedclean，hishairwaspartedinthemiddle，andhehadcuthiseyebrows。Further，hecarriedhimselfasifhehadbeendrilled，andwastheverymodel，eventothebrowncomplexion，ofsomeBritishofficerwhohadhadalongspellinIndia。Hehadamonocle，too，whichhestuckinhiseye，andeverytraceoftheAmericanhadgoneoutofhisspeech。
’Myhat！MrScudder-’Istammered。
’NotMrScudder，’hecorrected;’CaptainTheophilusDigby，ofthe40thGurkhas，presentlyhomeonleave。I’llthankyoutorememberthat，Sir。’
Imadehimupabedinmysmoking-roomandsoughtmyowncouch，morecheerfulthanIhadbeenforthepastmonth。Thingsdidhappenoccasionally，eveninthisGod-forgottenmetropolis。
Iwokenextmorningtohearmyman，Paddock，makingthedeuceofarowatthesmoking-roomdoor。PaddockwasafellowIhaddoneagoodturntooutontheSelakwe，andIhadinspannedhimasmyservantassoonasIgottoEngland。Hehadaboutasmuchgiftofthegabasahippopotamus，andwasnotagreathandatvaleting，butIknewIcouldcountonhisloyalty。
’Stopthatrow，Paddock，’Isaid。’There’safriendofmine，Captain-Captain’（Icouldn’trememberthename）’dossingdowninthere。Getbreakfastfortwoandthencomeandspeaktome。’
ItoldPaddockafinestoryabouthowmyfriendwasagreatswell，withhisnervesprettybadfromoverwork，whowantedabsoluterestandstillness。Nobodyhadgottoknowhewashere，orhewouldbebesiegedbycommunicationsfromtheIndiaOfficeandthePrimeMinisterandhiscurewouldberuined。IamboundtosayScudderplayedupsplendidlywhenhecametobreakfast。HefixedPaddockwithhiseyeglass，justlikeaBritishofficer，askedhimabouttheBoerWar，andslungoutatmealotofstuffaboutimaginarypals。Paddockcouldn’tlearntocallme’Sir’，buthe’sirred’Scudderasifhislifedependedonit。
Ilefthimwiththenewspaperandaboxofcigars，andwentdowntotheCitytillluncheon。WhenIgotbackthelift-manhadanimportantface。
’Nawstybusiness’erethismorning，Sir。GentinNo。15beenandshot’isself。They’vejusttook’imtothemortiary。Thepoliceareuptherenow。’
IascendedtoNo。15，andfoundacoupleofbobbiesandaninspectorbusymakinganexamination。Iaskedafewidioticquestions，andtheysoonkickedmeout。ThenIfoundthemanthathadvaletedScudder，andpumpedhim，butIcouldseehesuspectednothing。Hewasawhiningfellowwithachurchyardface，andhalf-
a-crownwentfartoconsolehim。
Iattendedtheinquestnextday。Apartnerofsomepublishingfirmgaveevidencethatthedeceasedhadbroughthimwood-pulppropositions，andhadbeen，hebelieved，anagentofanAmericanbusiness。
Thejuryfounditacaseofsuicidewhileofunsoundmind，andthefeweffectswerehandedovertotheAmericanConsultodealwith。IgaveScudderafullaccountoftheaffair，anditinterestedhimgreatly。Hesaidhewishedhecouldhaveattendedtheinquest，forhereckoneditwouldbeaboutasspicyastoreadone’sownobituarynotice。
Thefirsttwodayshestayedwithmeinthatbackroomhewasverypeaceful。Hereadandsmokedabit，andmadeaheapofjottingsinanote-book，andeverynightwehadagameofchess，atwhichhebeatmehollow。Ithinkhewasnursinghisnervesbacktohealth，forhehadhadaprettytryingtime。ButonthethirddayI
couldseehewasbeginningtogetrestless。HefixedupalistofthedaystillJune15th，andtickedeachoffwitharedpencil，makingremarksinshorthandagainstthem。Iwouldfindhimsunkinabrownstudy，withhissharpeyesabstracted，andafterthosespellsofmeditationhewasapttobeverydespondent。
ThenIcouldseethathebegantogetedgyagain。Helistenedforlittlenoises，andwasalwaysaskingmeifPaddockcouldbetrusted。
Onceortwicehegotverypeevish，andapologizedforit。Ididn’tblamehim。Imadeeveryallowance，forhehadtakenonafairlystiffjob。
Itwasnotthesafetyofhisownskinthattroubledhim，butthesuccessoftheschemehehadplanned。Thatlittlemanwascleangritallthrough，withoutasoftspotinhim。Onenighthewasverysolemn。
’Say，Hannay，’hesaid，’IjudgeIshouldletyouabitdeeperintothisbusiness。Ishouldhatetogooutwithoutleavingsomebodyelsetoputupafight。’AndhebegantotellmeindetailwhatIhadonlyheardfromhimvaguely。
Ididnotgivehimverycloseattention。Thefactis，Iwasmoreinterestedinhisownadventuresthaninhishighpolitics。IreckonedthatKarolidesandhisaffairswerenotmybusiness，leavingallthattohim。Soalotthathesaidslippedcleanoutofmymemory。IrememberthathewasveryclearthatthedangertoKarolideswouldnotbegintillhehadgottoLondon，andwouldcomefromtheveryhighestquarters，wheretherewouldbenothoughtofsuspicion。Hementionedthenameofawoman-JuliaCzechenyi-ashavingsomethingtodowiththedanger。Shewouldbethedecoy，Igathered，togetKarolidesoutofthecareofhisguards。Hetalked，too，aboutaBlackStoneandamanthatlispedinhisspeech，andhedescribedveryparticularlysomebodythatheneverreferredtowithoutashudder-
anoldmanwithayoungvoicewhocouldhoodhiseyeslikeahawk。
Hespokeagooddealaboutdeath，too。Hewasmortallyanxiousaboutwinningthroughwithhisjob，buthedidn’tcarearushforhislife。
’Ireckonit’slikegoingtosleepwhenyouareprettywelltiredout，andwakingtofindasummerdaywiththescentofhaycominginatthewindow。IusedtothankGodforsuchmorningswaybackintheBlue-Grasscountry，andIguessI’llthankHimwhenIwakeupontheothersideofJordan。’
Nextdayhewasmuchmorecheerful，andreadthelifeofStonewallJacksonmuchofthetime。IwentouttodinnerwithaminingengineerIhadgottoseeonbusiness，andcamebackabouthalf-pasttenintimeforourgameofchessbeforeturningin。
Ihadacigarinmymouth，Iremember，asIpushedopenthesmoking-roomdoor。Thelightswerenotlit，whichstruckmeasodd。IwonderedifScudderhadturnedinalready。
Isnappedtheswitch，buttherewasnobodythere。ThenIsawsomethinginthefarcornerwhichmademedropmycigarandfallintoacoldsweat。
Myguestwaslyingsprawledonhisback。Therewasalongknifethroughhisheartwhichskeweredhimtothefloor。
CHAPTERTWO
TheMilkmanSetsOutonhisTravelsIsatdowninanarmchairandfeltverysick。Thatlastedformaybefiveminutes，andwassucceededbyafitofthehorrors。ThepoorstaringwhitefaceonthefloorwasmorethanIcouldbear，andI
managedtogetatable-clothandcoverit。ThenIstaggeredtoacupboard，foundthebrandyandswallowedseveralmouthfuls。I
hadseenmendieviolentlybefore;indeedIhadkilledafewmyselfintheMatabeleWar;butthiscold-bloodedindoorbusinesswasdifferent。StillImanagedtopullmyselftogether。Ilookedatmywatch，andsawthatitwashalf-pastten。
Anideaseizedme，andIwentovertheflatwithasmall-toothcomb。Therewasnobodythere，noranytraceofanybody，butI
shutteredandboltedallthewindowsandputthechainonthedoor。
Bythistimemywitswerecomingbacktome，andIcouldthinkagain。Ittookmeaboutanhourtofigurethethingout，andIdidnothurry，for，unlessthemurderercameback，Ihadtillaboutsixo’clockinthemorningformycogitations。
Iwasinthesoup-thatwasprettyclear。AnyshadowofadoubtImighthavehadaboutthetruthofScudder’stalewasnowgone。
Theproofofitwaslyingunderthetable-cloth。Themenwhoknewthatheknewwhatheknewhadfoundhim，andhadtakenthebestwaytomakecertainofhissilence。Yes;buthehadbeeninmyroomsfourdays，andhisenemiesmusthavereckonedthathehadconfidedinme。SoIwouldbethenexttogo。Itmightbethatverynight，ornextday，orthedayafter，butmynumberwasupallright。
ThensuddenlyIthoughtofanotherprobability。SupposingI
wentoutnowandcalledinthepolice，orwenttobedandletPaddockfindthebodyandcalltheminthemorning。WhatkindofastorywasItotellaboutScudder？IhadliedtoPaddockabouthim，andthewholethinglookeddesperatelyfishy。IfImadeacleanbreastofitandtoldthepoliceeverythinghehadtoldme，theywouldsimplylaughatme。TheoddswereathousandtoonethatI
wouldbechargedwiththemurder，andthecircumstantialevidencewasstrongenoughtohangme。FewpeopleknewmeinEngland;I
hadnorealpalwhocouldcomeforwardandsweartomycharacter。
Perhapsthatwaswhatthosesecretenemieswereplayingfor。Theywerecleverenoughforanything，andanEnglishprisonwasasgoodawayofgettingridofmetillafterJune15thasaknifeinmychest。
Besides，ifItoldthewholestory，andbyanymiraclewasbelieved，Iwouldbeplayingtheirgame。Karolideswouldstayathome，whichwaswhattheywanted。SomehoworotherthesightofScudder’sdeadfacehadmademeapassionatebelieverinhisscheme。Hewasgone，buthehadtakenmeintohisconfidence，andIwasprettywellboundtocarryonhiswork。
Youmaythinkthisridiculousforamanindangerofhislife，butthatwasthewayIlookedatit。Iamanordinarysortoffellow，notbraverthanotherpeople，butIhatetoseeagoodmandowned，andthatlongknifewouldnotbetheendofScudderifIcouldplaythegameinhisplace。
Ittookmeanhourortwotothinkthisout，andbythattimeI
hadcometoadecision。Imustvanishsomehow，andkeepvanishedtilltheendofthesecondweekinJune。ThenImustsomehowfindawaytogetintouchwiththeGovernmentpeopleandtellthemwhatScudderhadtoldme。IwishedtoHeavenhehadtoldmemore，andthatIhadlistenedmorecarefullytothelittlehehadtoldme。Iknewnothingbutthebarestfacts。Therewasabigriskthat，evenifIweatheredtheotherdangers，Iwouldnotbebelievedintheend。Imusttakemychanceofthat，andhopethatsomethingmighthappenwhichwouldconfirmmytaleintheeyesoftheGovernment。
Myfirstjobwastokeepgoingforthenextthreeweeks。Itwasnowthe24thdayofMay，andthatmeanttwentydaysofhidingbeforeIcouldventuretoapproachthepowersthatbe。Ireckonedthattwosetsofpeoplewouldbelookingforme-Scudder’senemiestoputmeoutofexistence，andthepolice，whowouldwantmeforScudder’smurder。Itwasgoingtobeagiddyhunt，anditwasqueerhowtheprospectcomfortedme。Ihadbeenslacksolongthatalmostanychanceofactivitywaswelcome。WhenI
hadtositalonewiththatcorpseandwaitonFortuneIwasnobetterthanacrushedworm，butifmyneck’ssafetywastohangonmyownwitsIwaspreparedtobecheerfulaboutit。
MynextthoughtwaswhetherScudderhadanypapersabouthimtogivemeabettercluetothebusiness。Idrewbackthetable-clothandsearchedhispockets，forIhadnolongeranyshrinkingfromthebody。Thefacewaswonderfullycalmforamanwhohadbeenstruckdowninamoment。Therewasnothinginthebreast-pocket，andonlyafewloosecoinsandacigar-holderinthewaistcoat。Thetrousersheldalittlepenknifeandsomesilver，andthesidepocketofhisjacketcontainedanoldcrocodile-skincigar-case。TherewasnosignofthelittleblackbookinwhichIhadseenhimmakingnotes。Thathadnodoubtbeentakenbyhismurderer。
ButasIlookedupfrommytaskIsawthatsomedrawershadbeenpulledoutinthewriting-table。Scudderwouldneverhavelefttheminthatstate，forhewasthetidiestofmortals。Someonemusthavebeensearchingforsomething-perhapsforthepocket-book。
Iwentroundtheflatandfoundthateverythinghadbeenransacked-theinsideofbooks，drawers，cupboards，boxes，eventhepocketsoftheclothesinmywardrobe，andthesideboardinthedining-room。Therewasnotraceofthebook。Mostlikelytheenemyhadfoundit，buttheyhadnotfounditonScudder’sbody。
ThenIgotoutanatlasandlookedatabigmapoftheBritishIsles。Mynotionwastogetofftosomewilddistrict，wheremyveldcraftwouldbeofsomeusetome，forIwouldbelikeatrappedratinacity。IconsideredthatScotlandwouldbebest，formypeoplewereScotchandIcouldpassanywhereasanordinaryScotsman。IhadhalfanideaatfirsttobeaGermantourist，formyfatherhadhadGermanpartners，andIhadbeenbroughtuptospeakthetongueprettyfluently，nottomentionhavingputinthreeyearsprospectingforcopperinGermanDamaraland。ButI
calculatedthatitwouldbelessconspicuoustobeaScot，andlessinalinewithwhatthepolicemightknowofmypast。IfixedonGallowayasthebestplacetogo。ItwasthenearestwildpartofScotland，sofarasIcouldfigureitout，andfromthelookofthemapwasnotoverthickwithpopulation。
AsearchinBradshawinformedmethatatrainleftStPancrasat7。10，whichwouldlandmeatanyGallowaystationinthelateafternoon。Thatwaswellenough，butamoreimportantmatterwashowIwastomakemywaytoStPancras，forIwasprettycertainthatScudder’sfriendswouldbewatchingoutside。Thispuzzledmeforabit;thenIhadaninspiration，onwhichIwenttobedandsleptfortwotroubledhours。
Igotupatfourandopenedmybedroomshutters。Thefaintlightofafinesummermorningwasfloodingtheskies，andthesparrowshadbeguntochatter。Ihadagreatrevulsionoffeeling，andfeltaGod-forgottenfool。Myinclinationwastoletthingsslide，andtrusttotheBritishpolicetakingareasonableviewofmycase。ButasIreviewedthesituationIcouldfindnoargumentstobringagainstmydecisionofthepreviousnight，sowithawrymouthIresolvedtogoonwithmyplan。Iwasnotfeelinginanyparticularfunk;onlydisinclinedtogolookingfortrouble，ifyouunderstandme。
Ihuntedoutawell-usedtweedsuit，apairofstrongnailedboots，andaflannelshirtwithacollar。IntomypocketsIstuffedaspareshirt，aclothcap，somehandkerchiefs，andatooth-brush。Ihaddrawnagoodsumingoldfromthebanktwodaysbefore，incaseScuddershouldwantmoney，andItookfiftypoundsofitinsovereignsinabeltwhichIhadbroughtbackfromRhodesia。ThatwasaboutallIwanted。ThenIhadabath，andcutmymoustache，whichwaslonganddrooping，intoashortstubblyfringe。
Nowcamethenextstep。Paddockusedtoarrivepunctuallyat7。30andlethimselfinwithalatch-key。Butabouttwentyminutestoseven，asIknewfrombitterexperience，themilkmanturnedupwithagreatclatterofcans，anddepositedmyshareoutsidemydoor。IhadseenthatmilkmansometimeswhenIhadgoneoutforanearlyride。Hewasayoungmanaboutmyownheight，withanill-nourishedmoustache，andheworeawhiteoverall。OnhimI
stakedallmychances。
Iwentintothedarkenedsmoking-roomwheretheraysofmorninglightwerebeginningtocreepthroughtheshutters。ThereI
breakfastedoffawhisky-and-sodaandsomebiscuitsfromthecupboard。
Bythistimeitwasgettingonforsixo’clock。IputapipeinMyPocketandfilledmypouchfromthetobaccojaronthetablebythefireplace。
AsIpokedintothetobaccomyfingerstouchedsomethinghard，andIdrewoutScudder’slittleblackpocket-book……
Thatseemedtomeagoodomen。Iliftedtheclothfromthebodyandwasamazedatthepeaceanddignityofthedeadface。’Goodbye，oldchap，’Isaid;’Iamgoingtodomybestforyou。Wishmewell，whereveryouare。’
ThenIhungaboutinthehallwaitingforthemilkman。Thatwastheworstpartofthebusiness，forIwasfairlychokingtogetoutofdoors。Six-thirtypassed，thensix-forty，butstillhedidnotcome。
Thefoolhadchosenthisdayofalldaystobelate。
AtoneminuteafterthequartertosevenIheardtherattleofthecansoutside。Iopenedthefrontdoor，andtherewasmyman，singlingoutmycansfromabunchhecarriedandwhistlingthroughhisteeth。Hejumpedabitatthesightofme。
’Comeinhereamoment，’Isaid。’Iwantawordwithyou。’AndIledhimintothedining-room。
’Ireckonyou’reabitofasportsman，’Isaid，’andIwantyoutodomeaservice。Lendmeyourcapandoverallfortenminutes，andhere’sasovereignforyou。’
Hiseyesopenedatthesightofthegold，andhegrinnedbroadly。
’Wot’sthegyme？’heasked。
’Abet，’Isaid。’Ihaven’ttimetoexplain，buttowinitI’vegottobeamilkmanforthenexttenminutes。Allyou’vegottodoistostayheretillIcomeback。You’llbeabitlate，butnobodywillcomplain，andyou’llhavethatquidforyourself。’
’Right-o！’hesaidcheerily。’Iain’tthemantospoilabitofsport。
’Ere’stherig，guv’nor。’
Istuckonhisflatbluehatandhiswhiteoverall，pickedupthecans，bangedmydoor，andwentwhistlingdownstairs。Theporteratthefoottoldmetoshutmyjaw，whichsoundedasifmymake-upwasadequate。
AtfirstIthoughttherewasnobodyinthestreet。ThenIcaughtsightofapolicemanahundredyardsdown，andaloafershufflingpastontheotherside。Someimpulsemademeraisemyeyestothehouseopposite，andthereatafirst-floorwindowwasaface。Astheloaferpassedhelookedup，andIfanciedasignalwasexchanged。
Icrossedthestreet，whistlinggailyandimitatingthejauntyswingofthemilkman。ThenItookthefirstsidestreet，andwentupaleft-handturningwhichledpastabitofvacantground。Therewasnooneinthelittlestreet，soIdroppedthemilk-cansinsidethehoardingandsentthecapandoverallafterthem。Ihadonlyjustputonmyclothcapwhenapostmancameroundthecorner。Igavehimgoodmorningandheansweredmeunsuspiciously。Atthemomenttheclockofaneighbouringchurchstruckthehourofseven。
Therewasnotasecondtospare。AssoonasIgottoEustonRoadItooktomyheelsandran。TheclockatEustonStationshowedfiveminutespastthehour。AtStPancrasIhadnotimetotakeaticket，letalonethatIhadnotsettleduponmydestination。A
portertoldmetheplatform，andasIentereditIsawthetrainalreadyinmotion。Twostationofficialsblockedtheway，butI
dodgedthemandclamberedintothelastcarriage。
Threeminuteslater，aswewereroaringthroughthenortherntunnels，anirateguardinterviewedme。HewroteoutformeatickettoNewton-Stewart，anamewhichhadsuddenlycomebacktomymemory，andheconductedmefromthefirst-classcompartmentwhereIhadensconcedmyselftoathird-classsmoker，occupiedbyasailorandastoutwomanwithachild。Hewentoffgrumbling，andasImoppedmybrowIobservedtomycompanionsinmybroadestScotsthatitwasasorejobcatchingtrains。Ihadalreadyentereduponmypart。
’Theimpidenceo’thatgyaird！’saidtheladybitterly。’HeneeditaScotchtonguetopithiminhisplace。Hewascomplainin’o’thisweannohaein’aticketandhernofowertillAugusttwalmonth，andhewasobjectin’tothisgentlemanspittin’。’
Thesailormoroselyagreed，andIstartedmynewlifeinanatmosphereofprotestagainstauthority。IremindedmyselfthataweekagoIhadbeenfindingtheworlddull。
CHAPTERTHREE
TheAdventureoftheLiteraryInnkeeperIhadasolemntimetravellingnorththatday。ItwasfineMayweather，withthehawthornfloweringoneveryhedge，andIaskedmyselfwhy，whenIwasstillafreeman，IhadstayedoninLondonandnotgotthegoodofthisheavenlycountry。Ididn’tdarefacetherestaurantcar，butIgotaluncheon-basketatLeedsandshareditwiththefatwoman。AlsoIgotthemorning’spapers，withnewsaboutstartersfortheDerbyandthebeginningofthecricketseason，andsomeparagraphsabouthowBalkanaffairsweresettlingdownandaBritishsquadronwasgoingtoKiel。
WhenIhaddonewiththemIgotoutScudder’slittleblackpocket-bookandstudiedit。Itwasprettywellfilledwithjottings，chieflyfigures，thoughnowandthenanamewasprintedin。Forexample，Ifoundthewords’Hofgaard’，’Luneville’，and’Avocado’
prettyoften，andespeciallytheword’Pavia’。
NowIwascertainthatScudderneverdidanythingwithoutareason，andIwasprettysurethattherewasacypherinallthis。
Thatisasubjectwhichhasalwaysinterestedme，andIdidabitatitmyselfonceasintelligenceofficeratDelagoaBayduringtheBoerWar。Ihaveaheadforthingslikechessandpuzzles，andI
usedtoreckonmyselfprettygoodatfindingoutcyphers。Thisonelookedlikethenumericalkindwheresetsoffigurescorrespondtothelettersofthealphabet，butanyfairlyshrewdmancanfindthecluetothatsortafteranhourortwo’swork，andIdidn’tthinkScudderwouldhavebeencontentwithanythingsoeasy。SoI
fastenedontheprintedwords，foryoucanmakeaprettygoodnumericalcypherifyouhaveakeywordwhichgivesyouthesequenceoftheletters。
Itriedforhours，butnoneofthewordsanswered。ThenIfellasleepandwokeatDumfriesjustintimetobundleoutandgetintotheslowGallowaytrain。TherewasamanontheplatformwhoselooksIdidn’tlike，butheneverglancedatme，andwhenIcaughtsightofmyselfinthemirrorofanautomaticmachineIdidn’twonder。Withmybrownface，myoldtweeds，andmyslouch，Iwastheverymodelofoneofthehillfarmerswhowerecrowdingintothethird-classcarriages。
Itravelledwithhalfadozeninanatmosphereofshagandclaypipes。Theyhadcomefromtheweeklymarket，andtheirmouthswerefullofprices。IheardaccountsofhowthelambinghadgoneuptheCairnandtheDeuchandadozenothermysteriouswaters。
Abovehalfthemenhadlunchedheavilyandwerehighlyflavouredwithwhisky，buttheytooknonoticeofme。Werumbledslowlyintoalandoflittlewoodedglensandthentoagreatwidemoorlandplace，gleamingwithlochs，withhighbluehillsshowingnorthwards。
Aboutfiveo’clockthecarriagehademptied，andIwasleftaloneasIhadhoped。Igotoutatthenextstation，alittleplacewhosenameIscarcelynoted，setrightintheheartofabog。ItremindedmeofoneofthoseforgottenlittlestationsintheKarroo。Anoldstation-masterwasdigginginhisgarden，andwithhisspadeoverhisshouldersaunteredtothetrain，tookchargeofaparcel，andwentbacktohispotatoes。Achildoftenreceivedmyticket，andI
emergedonawhiteroadthatstraggledoverthebrownmoor。
Itwasagorgeousspringevening，witheveryhillshowingasclearasacutamethyst。Theairhadthequeer，rootysmellofbogs，butitwasasfreshasmid-ocean，andithadthestrangesteffectonmyspirits。Iactuallyfeltlight-hearted。Imighthavebeenaboyoutforaspringholidaytramp，insteadofamanofthirty-sevenverymuchwantedbythepolice。IfeltjustasIusedtofeelwhenIwasstartingforabigtrekonafrostymorningonthehighveld。Ifyoubelieveme，Iswungalongthatroadwhistling。Therewasnoplanofcampaigninmyhead，onlyjusttogoonandoninthisblessed，honest-smellinghillcountry，foreverymileputmeinbetterhumourwithmyself。
InaroadsideplantingIcutawalking-stickofhazel，andpresentlystruckoffthehighwayupabypathwhichfollowedtheglenofabrawlingstream。IreckonedthatIwasstillfaraheadofanypursuit，andforthatnightmightpleasemyself。ItwassomehourssinceI
hadtastedfood，andIwasgettingveryhungrywhenIcametoaherd’scottagesetinanookbesideawaterfall。Abrown-facedwomanwasstandingbythedoor，andgreetedmewiththekindlyshynessofmoorlandplaces。WhenIaskedforanight’slodgingshesaidIwaswelcometothe’bedintheloft’，andverysoonshesetbeforemeaheartymealofhamandeggs，scones，andthicksweetmilk。
Atthedarkeninghermancameinfromthehills，aleangiant，whoinonestepcoveredasmuchgroundasthreepacesofordinarymortals。Theyaskedmenoquestions，fortheyhadtheperfectbreedingofalldwellersinthewilds，butIcouldseetheysetmedownasakindofdealer，andItooksometroubletoconfirmtheirview。Ispokealotaboutcattle，ofwhichmyhostknewlittle，andI
pickedupfromhimagooddealaboutthelocalGallowaymarkets，whichItuckedawayinmymemoryforfutureuse。AttenIwasnoddinginmychair，andthe’bedintheloft’receivedawearymanwhoneveropenedhiseyestillfiveo’clocksetthelittlehomesteada-goingoncemore。
Theyrefusedanypayment，andbysixIhadbreakfastedandwasstridingsouthwardsagain。MynotionwastoreturntotherailwaylineastationortwofartheronthantheplacewhereIhadalightedyesterdayandtodoubleback。Ireckonedthatthatwasthesafestway，forthepolicewouldnaturallyassumethatIwasalwaysmakingfartherfromLondoninthedirectionofsomewesternport。I
thoughtIhadstillagoodbitofastart，for，asIreasoned，itwouldtakesomehourstofixtheblameonme，andseveralmoretoidentifythefellowwhogotonboardthetrainatStPancras。
itwasthesamejolly，clearspringweather，andIsimplycouldnotcontrivetofeelcareworn。IndeedIwasinbetterspiritsthanI
hadbeenformonths。OveralongridgeofmoorlandItookmyroad，skirtingthesideofahighhillwhichtheherdhadcalledCairnsmoreofFleet。Nestingcurlewsandploverswerecryingeverywhere，andthelinksofgreenpasturebythestreamsweredottedwithyounglambs。Alltheslacknessofthepastmonthswasslippingfrommybones，andIsteppedoutlikeafour-year-old。By-and-byI
cametoaswellofmoorlandwhichdippedtothevaleofalittleriver，andamileawayintheheatherIsawthesmokeofatrain。
Thestation，whenIreachedit，provedtobeidealformypurpose。
Themoorsurgeduparounditandleftroomonlyforthesingleline，theslendersiding，awaiting-room，anoffice，thestation-
master’scottage，andatinyyardofgooseberriesandsweet-william。
Thereseemednoroadtoitfromanywhere，andtoincreasethedesolationthewavesofatarnlappedontheirgreygranitebeachhalfamileaway。IwaitedinthedeepheathertillIsawthesmokeofaneast-goingtrainonthehorizon。ThenIapproachedthetinybooking-officeandtookaticketforDumfries。
Theonlyoccupantsofthecarriagewereanoldshepherdandhisdog-awall-eyedbrutethatImistrusted。Themanwasasleep，andonthecushionsbesidehimwasthatmorning’sSCOTSMAN。EagerlyI
seizedonit，forIfancieditwouldtellmesomething。
ThereweretwocolumnsaboutthePortlandPlaceMurder，asitwascalled。MymanPaddockhadgiventhealarmandhadthemilkmanarrested。Poordevil，itlookedasifthelatterhadearnedhissovereignhardly;butformehehadbeencheapattheprice，forheseemedtohaveoccupiedthepoliceforthebetterpartoftheday。InthelatestnewsIfoundafurtherinstalmentofthestory。Themilkmanhadbeenreleased，Iread，andthetruecriminal，aboutwhoseidentitythepolicewerereticent，wasbelievedtohavegotawayfromLondonbyoneofthenorthernlines。Therewasashortnoteaboutmeastheowneroftheflat。Iguessedthepolicehadstuckthatin，asaclumsycontrivancetopersuademethatIwasunsuspected。
Therewasnothingelseinthepaper，nothingaboutforeignpoliticsorKarolides，orthethingsthathadinterestedScudder。I
laiditdown，andfoundthatwewereapproachingthestationatwhichIhadgotoutyesterday。Thepotato-diggingstation-masterhadbeengingeredupintosomeactivity，forthewest-goingtrainwaswaitingtoletuspass，andfromithaddescendedthreemenwhowereaskinghimquestions。Isupposedthattheywerethelocalpolice，whohadbeenstirredupbyScotlandYard，andhadtracedmeasfarasthisone-horsesiding。SittingwellbackintheshadowI
watchedthemcarefully。Oneofthemhadabook，andtookdownnotes。Theoldpotato-diggerseemedtohaveturnedpeevish，butthechildwhohadcollectedmyticketwastalkingvolubly。Allthepartylookedoutacrossthemoorwherethewhiteroaddeparted。I
hopedtheyweregoingtotakeupmytracksthere。
Aswemovedawayfromthatstationmycompanionwokeup。
Hefixedmewithawanderingglance，kickedhisdogviciously，andinquiredwherehewas。Clearlyhewasverydrunk。
’That’swhatcomeso’bein’ateetotaller，’heobservedinbitterregret。
IexpressedmysurprisethatinhimIshouldhavemetablue-
ribbonstalwart。
’Ay，butI’mastrongteetotaller，’hesaidpugnaciously。’ItookthepledgelastMartinmas，andIhavenatouchedadropo’whiskysinsyne。NotevenatHogmanay，thoughIwassairtemptit。’
Heswunghisheelsupontheseat，andburrowedafrowsyheadintothecushions。
’Andthat’sa’Iget，’hemoaned。’Aheidhetterthanhellfire，andtwaeeenlookin’differentwaysfortheSabbath。’
’Whatdidit？’Iasked。
’Adrinktheyca’brandy。Bein’ateetotallerIkeepitoffthewhisky，butIwasnip-nippin’a’dayatthisbrandy，andIdoubtI’llnobeweelforafortnicht。’Hisvoicediedawayintoasplutter，andsleeponcemorelaiditsheavyhandonhim。
Myplanhadbeentogetoutatsomestationdowntheline，butthetrainsuddenlygavemeabetterchance，foritcametoastandstillattheendofaculvertwhichspannedabrawlingporter-colouredriver。Ilookedoutandsawthateverycarriagewindowwasclosedandnohumanfigureappearedinthelandscape。SoIopenedthedoor，anddroppedquicklyintothetangleofhazelswhichedgedtheline。
itwouldhavebeenallrightbutforthatinfernaldog。UndertheimpressionthatIwasdecampingwithitsmaster’sbelongings，itstartedtobark，andallbutgotmebythetrousers。Thiswokeuptheherd，whostoodbawlingatthecarriagedoorinthebeliefthatI
hadcommittedsuicide。Icrawledthroughthethicket，reachedtheedgeofthestream，andincoverofthebushesputahundredyardsorsobehindme。ThenfrommyshelterIpeeredback，andsawtheguardandseveralpassengersgatheredroundtheopencarriagedoorandstaringinmydirection。IcouldnothavemadeamorepublicdepartureifIhadleftwithabuglerandabrassband。
Happilythedrunkenherdprovidedadiversion。Heandhisdog，whichwasattachedbyaropetohiswaist，suddenlycascadedoutofthecarriage，landedontheirheadsonthetrack，androlledsomewaydownthebanktowardsthewater。Intherescuewhichfollowedthedogbitsomebody，forIcouldhearthesoundofhardswearing。
Presentlytheyhadforgottenme，andwhenafteraquarterofamile’scrawlIventuredtolookback，thetrainhadstartedagainandwasvanishinginthecutting。
Iwasinawidesemicircleofmoorland，withthebrownriverasradius，andthehighhillsformingthenortherncircumference。Therewasnotasignorsoundofahumanbeing，onlytheplashingwaterandtheinterminablecryingofcurlews。Yet，oddlyenough，forthefirsttimeIfelttheterrorofthehuntedonme。ItwasnotthepolicethatIthoughtof，buttheotherfolk，whoknewthatIknewScudder’ssecretanddarednotletmelive。IwascertainthattheywouldpursuemewithakeennessandvigilanceunknowntotheBritishlaw，andthatoncetheirgripclosedonmeIshouldfindnomercy。
Ilookedback，buttherewasnothinginthelandscape。Thesunglintedonthemetalsofthelineandthewetstonesinthestream，andyoucouldnothavefoundamorepeacefulsightintheworld。
NeverthelessIstartedtorun。Crouchinglowintherunnelsofthebog，Irantillthesweatblindedmyeyes。ThemooddidnotleavemetillIhadreachedtherimofmountainandflungmyselfpantingonaridgehighabovetheyoungwatersofthebrownriver。
Frommyvantage-groundIcouldscanthewholemoorrightawaytotherailwaylineandtothesouthofitwheregreenfieldstooktheplaceofheather。Ihaveeyeslikeahawk，butIcouldseenothingmovinginthewholecountryside。ThenIlookedeastbeyondtheridgeandsawanewkindoflandscape-shallowgreenvalleyswithplentifulfirplantationsandthefaintlinesofdustwhichspokeofhighroads。LastofallIlookedintotheblueMaysky，andthereIsawthatwhichsetmypulsesracing……
Lowdowninthesouthamonoplanewasclimbingintotheheavens。IwasascertainasifIhadbeentoldthatthataeroplanewaslookingforme，andthatitdidnotbelongtothepolice。ForanhourortwoIwatcheditfromapitofheather。Itflewlowalongthehill-tops，andtheninnarrowcirclesoverthevalleyupwhichI
hadcome’Thenitseemedtochangeitsmind，rosetoagreatheight，andflewawaybacktothesouth。
Ididnotlikethisespionagefromtheair，andIbegantothinklesswellofthecountrysideIhadchosenforarefuge。Theseheatherhillswerenosortofcoverifmyenemieswereinthesky，andImustfindadifferentkindofsanctuary。Ilookedwithmoresatisfactiontothegreencountrybeyondtheridge，forthereI
shouldfindwoodsandstonehouses。
AboutsixintheeveningIcameoutofthemoorlandtoawhiteribbonofroadwhichwoundupthenarrowvaleofalowlandstream。AsIfollowedit，fieldsgaveplacetobent，theglenbecameaplateau，andpresentlyIhadreachedakindofpasswhereasolitaryhousesmokedinthetwilight。Theroadswungoverabridge，andleaningontheparapetwasayoungman。
Hewassmokingalongclaypipeandstudyingthewaterwithspectacledeyes。Inhislefthandwasasmallbookwithafingermarkingtheplace。Slowlyherepeated-
AswhenaGryphonthroughthewildernessWithwingedstep，o’erhillandmoorydalePursuestheArimaspian。
Hejumpedroundasmysteprungonthekeystone，andIsawapleasantsunburntboyishface。
’Goodeveningtoyou，’hesaidgravely。’It’safinenightfortheroad。’
Thesmellofpeatsmokeandofsomesavouryroastfloatedtomefromthehouse。
’Isthatplaceaninn？’Iasked。
’Atyourservice，’hesaidpolitely。’Iamthelandlord，Sir，andI
hopeyouwillstaythenight，fortotellyouthetruthIhavehadnocompanyforaweek。’
Ipulledmyselfupontheparapetofthebridgeandfilledmypipe。Ibegantodetectanally。
’You’reyoungtobeaninnkeeper，’Isaid。
’Myfatherdiedayearagoandleftmethebusiness。Ilivetherewithmygrandmother。It’saslowjobforayoungman，anditwasn’tmychoiceofprofession。’
’Whichwas？’
Heactuallyblushed。’Iwanttowritebooks，’hesaid。
’Andwhatbetterchancecouldyouask？’Icried。’Man，I’veoftenthoughtthataninnkeeperwouldmakethebeststory-tellerintheworld。’
’Notnow，’hesaideagerly。’Maybeintheolddayswhenyouhadpilgrimsandballad-makersandhighwaymenandmail-coachesontheroad。Butnotnow。Nothingcomesherebutmotor-carsfulloffatwomen，whostopforlunch，andafishermanortwointhespring，andtheshootingtenantsinAugust。Thereisnotmuchmaterialtobegotoutofthat。Iwanttoseelife，totraveltheworld，andwritethingslikeKiplingandConrad。ButthemostI’vedoneyetistogetsomeversesprintedinCHAMBERS’SJOURNAL。’
Ilookedattheinnstandinggoldeninthesunsetagainstthebrownhills。
’I’veknockedabitabouttheworld，andIwouldn’tdespisesuchahermitage。D’youthinkthatadventureisfoundonlyinthetropicsoramonggentryinredshirts？Maybeyou’rerubbingshoulderswithitatthismoment。’
’That’swhatKiplingsays，’hesaid，hiseyesbrightening，andhequotedsomeverseabout’Romancebringingupthe9。15’。
’Here’satruetaleforyouthen，’Icried，’andamonthfromnowyoucanmakeanoveloutofit。’
SittingonthebridgeinthesoftMaygloamingIpitchedhimalovelyyarn。Itwastrueinessentials，too，thoughIalteredtheminordetails。ImadeoutthatIwasaminingmagnatefromKimberley，whohadhadalotoftroublewithI。D。B。andhadshownupagang。
Theyhadpursuedmeacrosstheocean，andhadkilledmybestfriend，andwerenowonmytracks。
Itoldthestorywell，thoughIsayitwhoshouldn’t。IpicturedaflightacrosstheKalaharitoGermanAfrica，thecrackling，parchingdays，thewonderfulblue-velvetnights。Idescribedanattackonmylifeonthevoyagehome，andImadeareallyhorridaffairofthePortlandPlacemurder。’You’relookingforadventure，’Icried;
’well，you’vefoundithere。Thedevilsareafterme，andthepoliceareafterthem。It’saracethatImeantowin。’
’ByGod！’hewhispered，drawinghisbreathinsharply，’itisallpureRiderHaggardandConanDoyle。’
’Youbelieveme，’Isaidgratefully。
’OfcourseIdo，’andheheldouthishand。’Ibelieveeverythingoutofthecommon。Theonlythingtodistrustisthenormal。’
Hewasveryyoung，buthewasthemanformymoney。
’Ithinkthey’reoffmytrackforthemoment，butImustliecloseforacoupleofdays。Canyoutakemein？’
Hecaughtmyelbowinhiseagernessanddrewmetowardsthehouse。’Youcanlieassnughereasifyouwereinamoss-hole。I’llseethatnobodyblabs，either。Andyou’llgivemesomemorematerialaboutyouradventures？’
AsIenteredtheinnporchIheardfromfaroffthebeatofanengine。TheresilhouettedagainsttheduskyWestwasmyfriend，themonoplane。
Hegavemearoomatthebackofthehouse，withafineoutlookovertheplateau，andhemademefreeofhisownstudy，whichwasstackedwithcheapeditionsofhisfavouriteauthors。Ineversawthegrandmother，soIguessedshewasbedridden。AnoldwomancalledMargitbroughtmemymeals，andtheinnkeeperwasaroundmeatallhours。Iwantedsometimetomyself，soIinventedajobforhim。
Hehadamotor-bicycle，andIsenthimoffnextmorningforthedailypaper，whichusuallyarrivedwiththepostinthelateafternoon。I
toldhimtokeephiseyesskinned，andmakenoteofanystrangefigureshesaw，keepingaspecialsharplook-outformotorsandaeroplanes。ThenIsatdowninrealearnesttoScudder’snote-book。
HecamebackatmiddaywiththeSCOTSMAN。Therewasnothinginit，exceptsomefurtherevidenceofPaddockandthemilkman，andarepetitionofyesterday’sstatementthatthemurdererhadgoneNorth。Buttherewasalongarticle，reprintedfromTHETIMES，aboutKarolidesandthestateofaffairsintheBalkans，thoughtherewasnomentionofanyvisittoEngland。Igotridoftheinnkeeperfortheafternoon，forIwasgettingverywarminmysearchforthecypher。
AsItoldyou，itwasanumericalcypher，andbyanelaboratesystemofexperimentsIhadprettywelldiscoveredwhatwerethenullsandstops。Thetroublewasthekeyword，andwhenIthoughtoftheoddmillionwordshemighthaveusedIfeltprettyhopeless。
Butaboutthreeo’clockIhadasuddeninspiration。
