\"SirJohnChobham，themanwhoisopposingme，\"answeredRobert；
\"thatishishouseawaythereamongthetreesontheright。\"
Sotherewasanuprightman，possiblyaveryHugoincharacter，whowasthwartinganddefyingtheevildoerinhisnefariouscareer，andtherewasadastardlyplotafoottobreakhisneck！Possiblytheattemptwouldbemadewithinthenextfewhours。Hemustcertainlybewarned。AlethiarememberedhowLadySylviaBroomgate，inNightshadeCourt，hadpretendedtobeboltedwithbyherhorseuptothefrontdoorofathreatenedcountymagnate，andhadwhisperedawarninginhisearwhichsavedhimfrombeingthevictimoffoulmurder。Shewonderediftherewasaquietponyinthestablesonwhichshewouldbeallowedtorideoutalone。Thechanceswerethatshewouldbewatched。RobertwouldcomespurringafterherandseizeherbridlejustasshewasturninginatSirJohn\'sgates。
Agroupofmenthattheypassedinavillagestreetgavethemnoveryfriendlylooks，andAlethiathoughtsheheardafurtivehiss；amomentlatertheycameuponanerrandboyridingabicycle。Hehadthefrankopencountenance，neatlybrushedhairandtidyclothesthatbetokenaclearconscienceandagoodmother。Hestaredstraightattheoccupantsofthecar，and，afterhehadpassedthem，sanginhisclear，boyishvoice：
\"We\'llhangBobbyBludwardonthesourappletree。\"
Robertmerelylaughed。Thatwashowhetookthescornandcondemnationofhisfellow-men。Hehadgoadedthemtodesperationwithhisshamelessdepravitytilltheyspokeopenlyofputtinghimtoaviolentdeath，andhelaughed。
Mrs。BludwardprovedtobeofthetypethatAlethiahadsuspected，thin-lipped，cold-eyed，andobviouslydevotedtoherworthlessson。
Fromhernohelpwastobeexpected。Alethialockedherdoorthatnight，andplacedsuchrampartsoffurnitureagainstitthatthemaidhadgreatdifficultyinbreakinginwiththeearlyteainthemorning。
AfterbreakfastAlethia，onthepretextofgoingtolookatanoutlyingrose-garden，slippedawaytothevillagethroughwhichtheyhadpassedonthepreviousevening。SherememberedthatRoberthadpointedouttoherapublicreading-room，andheresheconsidereditpossiblethatshemightmeetSirJohnChobham，orsomeonewhoknewhimwellandwouldcarryamessagetohim。Theroomwasemptywhensheenteredit；aGraphictwelvedaysold，ayetoldercopyofPunch，andoneortwolocalpaperslayuponthecentraltable；theothertableswerestackedforthemostpartwithchessanddraughts-
boards，andwoodenboxesofchessmenanddominoes。Listlesslyshepickeduponeofthepapers，theSentinel，andglancedatitscontents。Suddenlyshestarted，andbegantoreadwithbreathlessattentionaprominentlyprintedarticle，headed\"ALittleLimelightonSirJohnChobham。\"Thecolourebbedawayfromherface，alookoffrighteneddespaircreptintohereyes。Never，inanynovelthatshehadread，hadadefencelessyoungwomanbeenconfrontedwithasituationlikethis。SirJohn，theHugoofherimagination，was，ifanything，rathermoredepravedanddespicablethanRobertBludward。
Hewasmean，evasive，callouslyindifferenttohiscountry\'sinterests，acheat，amanwhohabituallybrokehisword，andwhowasresponsible，withhisassociates，formostofthepoverty，misery，crime，andnationaldegradationwithwhichthecountrywasafflicted。HewasalsoacandidateforParliament，itseemed，andastherewasonlyoneseatinthisparticularlocality，itwasobviousthatthesuccessofeitherRobertorSirJohnwouldmeanachecktotheambitionsoftheother，hence，nodoubt，therivalryandenmitybetweentheseotherwisekindredsouls。Onewasseekingtohavehisenemydonetodeath，theotherwasapparentlytryingtostiruphissupporterstoanactof\"Lynchlaw\"。Allthisinorderthattheremightbeanunopposedelection，thatoneorotherofthecandidatesmightgointoParliamentwithhoneyedeloquenceonhislipsandbloodonhisheart。Weremenreallysovile？
\"ImustgobacktoWebblehintonatonce，\"Alethiainformedherastonishedhostessatlunchtime；\"Ihavehadatelegram。AfriendisveryseriouslyillandIhavebeensentfor。\"
Itwasdreadfultohavetoconcoctlies，butitwouldbemoredreadfultohavetospendanothernightunderthatroof。
Alethiareadsnovelsnowwithevengreaterappreciationthanbefore。
ShehasbeenherselfintheworldoutsideWebblehinton，theworldwherethegreatdramasofsinandvillainyareplayedunceasingly。
Shehadcomeunscathedthroughit，butwhatmighthavehappenedifshehadgoneunsuspectinglytovisitSirJohnChobhamandwarnhimofhisdanger？Whatindeed！ShehadbeensavedbythefearlessoutspokennessofthelocalPress。
THEINTERLOPERS
InaforestofmixedgrowthsomewhereontheeasternspursoftheKarpathians，amanstoodonewinternightwatchingandlistening，asthoughhewaitedforsomebeastofthewoodstocomewithintherangeofhisvision，and，later，ofhisrifle。Butthegameforwhosepresencehekeptsokeenanoutlookwasnonethatfiguredinthesportsman\'scalendaraslawfulandproperforthechase；UlrichvonGradwitzpatrolledthedarkforestinquestofahumanenemy。
TheforestlandsofGradwitzwereofwideextentandwellstockedwithgame；thenarrowstripofprecipitouswoodlandthatlayonitsoutskirtwasnotremarkableforthegameitharbouredortheshootingitafforded，butitwasthemostjealouslyguardedofallitsowner\'sterritorialpossessions。Afamouslawsuit，inthedaysofhisgrandfather，hadwresteditfromtheillegalpossessionofaneighbouringfamilyofpettylandowners；thedispossessedpartyhadneveracquiescedinthejudgmentoftheCourts，andalongseriesofpoachingaffraysandsimilarscandalshadembitteredtherelationshipsbetweenthefamiliesforthreegenerations。TheneighbourfeudhadgrownintoapersonalonesinceUlrichhadcometobeheadofhisfamily；iftherewasamanintheworldwhomhedetestedandwishedilltoitwasGeorgZnaeym，theinheritorofthequarrelandthetirelessgame-snatcherandraiderofthedisputedborder-forest。Thefeudmight，perhaps，havedieddownorbeencompromisedifthepersonalill-willofthetwomenhadnotstoodintheway；asboystheyhadthirstedforoneanother\'sblood，asmeneachprayedthatmisfortunemightfallontheother，andthiswind-
scourgedwinternightUlrichhadbandedtogetherhisforesterstowatchthedarkforest，notinquestoffour-footedquarry，buttokeepalook-outfortheprowlingthieveswhomhesuspectedofbeingafootfromacrossthelandboundary。Theroebuck，whichusuallykeptintheshelteredhollowsduringastorm-wind，wererunninglikedriventhingsto-night，andtherewasmovementandunrestamongthecreaturesthatwerewonttosleepthroughthedarkhours。Assuredlytherewasadisturbingelementintheforest，andUlrichcouldguessthequarterfromwhenceitcame。
Hestrayedawaybyhimselffromthewatcherswhomhehadplacedinambushonthecrestofthehill，andwanderedfardownthesteepslopesamidthewildtangleofundergrowth，peeringthroughthetreetrunksandlisteningthroughthewhistlingandskirlingofthewindandtherestlessbeatingofthebranchesforsightandsoundofthemarauders。Ifonlyonthiswildnight，inthisdark，lonespot，hemightcomeacrossGeorgZnaeym，mantoman，withnonetowitness——
thatwasthewishthatwasuppermostinhisthoughts。Andashesteppedroundthetrunkofahugebeechhecamefacetofacewiththemanhesought。
Thetwoenemiesstoodglaringatoneanotherforalongsilentmoment。Eachhadarifleinhishand，eachhadhateinhisheartandmurderuppermostinhismind。Thechancehadcometogivefullplaytothepassionsofalifetime。Butamanwhohasbeenbroughtupunderthecodeofarestrainingcivilisationcannoteasilynervehimselftoshootdownhisneighbourincoldbloodandwithoutwordspoken，exceptforanoffenceagainsthishearthandhonour。AndbeforethemomentofhesitationhadgivenwaytoactionadeedofNature\'sownviolenceoverwhelmedthemboth。Afierceshriekofthestormhadbeenansweredbyasplittingcrashovertheirheads，anderetheycouldleapasideamassoffallingbeechtreehadthundereddownonthem。UlrichvonGradwitzfoundhimselfstretchedontheground，onearmnumbbeneathhimandtheotherheldalmostashelplesslyinatighttangleofforkedbranches，whilebothlegswerepinnedbeneaththefallenmass。Hisheavyshooting-bootshadsavedhisfeetfrombeingcrushedtopieces，butifhisfractureswerenotasseriousastheymighthavebeen，atleastitwasevidentthathecouldnotmovefromhispresentpositiontillsomeonecametoreleasehim。Thedescendingtwighadslashedtheskinofhisface，andhehadtowinkawaysomedropsofbloodfromhiseyelashesbeforehecouldtakeinageneralviewofthedisaster。Athisside，sonearthatunderordinarycircumstanceshecouldalmosthavetouchedhim，layGeorgZnaeym，aliveandstruggling，butobviouslyashelplesslypinioneddownashimself。Allroundthemlayathick-
strewnwreckageofsplinteredbranchesandbrokentwigs。
Reliefatbeingaliveandexasperationathiscaptiveplightbroughtastrangemedleyofpiousthank-offeringsandsharpcursestoUlrich\'slips。Georg，whowasearlyblindedwiththebloodwhichtrickledacrosshiseyes，stoppedhisstrugglingforamomenttolisten，andthengaveashort，snarlinglaugh。
\"Soyou\'renotkilled，asyououghttobe，butyou\'recaught，anyway，\"hecried；\"caughtfast。Ho，whatajest，UlrichvonGradwitzsnaredinhisstolenforest。There\'srealjusticeforyou！\"
Andhelaughedagain，mockinglyandsavagely。
\"I\'mcaughtinmyownforest-land，\"retortedUlrich。\"Whenmymencometoreleaseusyouwillwish，perhaps，thatyouwereinabetterplightthancaughtpoachingonaneighbour\'sland，shameonyou。\"
Georgwassilentforamoment；thenheansweredquietly：
\"Areyousurethatyourmenwillfindmuchtorelease？Ihavemen，too，intheforestto-night，closebehindme，andTHEYwillbeherefirstanddothereleasing。Whentheydragmeoutfromunderthesedamnedbranchesitwon\'tneedmuchclumsinessontheirparttorollthismassoftrunkrightoveronthetopofyou。Yourmenwillfindyoudeadunderafallenbeechtree。Forform\'ssakeIshallsendmycondolencestoyourfamily。\"
\"Itisausefulhint，\"saidUlrichfiercely。\"Mymenhadorderstofollowintenminutestime，sevenofwhichmusthavegonebyalready，andwhentheygetmeout——Iwillrememberthehint。OnlyasyouwillhavemetyourdeathpoachingonmylandsIdon\'tthinkI
candecentlysendanymessageofcondolencetoyourfamily。\"
\"Good，\"snarledGeorg，\"good。Wefightthisquarrelouttothedeath，youandIandourforesters，withnocursedinterloperstocomebetweenus。Deathanddamnationtoyou，UlrichvonGradwitz。\"
\"Thesametoyou，GeorgZnaeym，forest-thief，game-snatcher。\"
Bothmenspokewiththebitternessofpossibledefeatbeforethem，foreachknewthatitmightbelongbeforehismenwouldseekhimoutorfindhim；itwasabarematterofchancewhichpartywouldarrivefirstonthescene。
Bothhadnowgivenuptheuselessstruggletofreethemselvesfromthemassofwoodthatheldthemdown；Ulrichlimitedhisendeavourstoanefforttobringhisonepartiallyfreearmnearenoughtohisoutercoat-pockettodrawouthiswine-flask。Evenwhenhehadaccomplishedthatoperationitwaslongbeforehecouldmanagetheunscrewingofthestopperorgetanyoftheliquiddownhisthroat。
ButwhataHeaven-sentdraughtitseemed！Itwasanopenwinter，andlittlesnowhadfallenasyet，hencethecaptivessufferedlessfromthecoldthanmighthavebeenthecaseatthatseasonoftheyear；nevertheless，thewinewaswarmingandrevivingtothewoundedman，andhelookedacrosswithsomethinglikeathrobofpitytowherehisenemylay，justkeepingthegroansofpainandwearinessfromcrossinghislips。
\"CouldyoureachthisflaskifIthrewitovertoyou？\"askedUlrichsuddenly；\"thereisgoodwineinit，andonemayaswellbeascomfortableasonecan。Letusdrink，evenifto-nightoneofusdies。\"
\"No，Icanscarcelyseeanything；thereissomuchbloodcakedroundmyeyes，\"saidGeorg，\"andinanycaseIdon\'tdrinkwinewithanenemy。\"
Ulrichwassilentforafewminutes，andlaylisteningtothewearyscreechingofthewind。Anideawasslowlyformingandgrowinginhisbrain，anideathatgainedstrengtheverytimethathelookedacrossatthemanwhowasfightingsogrimlyagainstpainandexhaustion。InthepainandlanguorthatUlrichhimselfwasfeelingtheoldfiercehatredseemedtobedyingdown。
\"Neighbour，\"hesaidpresently，\"doasyoupleaseifyourmencomefirst。Itwasafaircompact。Butasforme，I\'vechangedmymind。
Ifmymenarethefirsttocomeyoushallbethefirsttobehelped，asthoughyouweremyguest。Wehavequarrelledlikedevilsallourlivesoverthisstupidstripofforest，wherethetreescan\'tevenstanduprightinabreathofwind。Lyinghereto-nightthinkingI\'vecometothinkwe\'vebeenratherfools；therearebetterthingsinlifethangettingthebetterofaboundarydispute。Neighbour，ifyouwillhelpmetoburytheoldquarrelI——Iwillaskyoutobemyfriend。\"
GeorgZnaeymwassilentforsolongthatUlrichthought，perhaps，hehadfaintedwiththepainofhisinjuries。Thenhespokeslowlyandinjerks。
\"Howthewholeregionwouldstareandgabbleifwerodeintothemarket-squaretogether。NoonelivingcanrememberseeingaZnaeymandavonGradwitztalkingtooneanotherinfriendship。Andwhatpeacetherewouldbeamongtheforesterfolkifweendedourfeudto-night。Andifwechoosetomakepeaceamongourpeoplethereisnoneothertointerfere，nointerlopersfromoutside……YouwouldcomeandkeeptheSylvesternightbeneathmyroof，andIwouldcomeandfeastonsomehighdayatyourcastle……Iwouldneverfireashotonyourland，savewhenyouinvitedmeasaguest；andyoushouldcomeandshootwithmedowninthemarsheswherethewildfowlare。Inallthecountrysidetherearenonethatcouldhinderifwewilledtomakepeace。Ineverthoughttohavewantedtodootherthanhateyouallmylife，butIthinkIhavechangedmymindaboutthingstoo，thislasthalf-hour。Andyouofferedmeyourwineflask……UlrichvonGradwitz，Iwillbeyourfriend。\"
Foraspacebothmenweresilent，turningoverintheirmindsthewonderfulchangesthatthisdramaticreconciliationwouldbringabout。Inthecold，gloomyforest，withthewindtearinginfitfulguststhroughthenakedbranchesandwhistlingroundthetree-
trunks，theylayandwaitedforthehelpthatwouldnowbringreleaseandsuccourtobothparties。Andeachprayedaprivateprayerthathismenmightbethefirsttoarrive，sothathemightbethefirsttoshowhonourableattentiontotheenemythathadbecomeafriend。
Presently，asthewinddroppedforamoment，Ulrichbrokesilence。
\"Let\'sshoutforhelp，\"hesaid；hesaid；\"inthislullourvoicesmaycarryalittleway。\"
\"Theywon\'tcarryfarthroughthetreesandundergrowth，\"saidGeorg，\"butwecantry。Together，then。\"
Thetworaisedtheirvoicesinaprolongedhuntingcall。
\"Togetheragain，\"saidUlrichafewminuteslater，afterlisteninginvainforanansweringhalloo。
\"Iheardnothingbutthepestilentialwind，\"saidGeorghoarsely。
Therewassilenceagainforsomeminutes，andthenUlrichgaveajoyfulcry。
\"Icanseefigurescomingthroughthewood。TheyarefollowinginthewayIcamedownthehillside。\"
Bothmenraisedtheirvoicesinasloudashoutastheycouldmuster。
\"Theyhearus！They\'vestopped。Nowtheyseeus。They\'rerunningdownthehilltowardsus，\"criedUlrich。
\"Howmanyofthemarethere？\"askedGeorg。
\"Ican\'tseedistinctly，\"saidUlrich；\"nineorten，\"
\"Thentheyareyours，\"saidGeorg；\"Ihadonlysevenoutwithme。\"
\"Theyaremakingallthespeedtheycan，bravelads，\"saidUlrichgladly。
\"Aretheyyourmen？\"askedGeorg。\"Aretheyyourmen？\"herepeatedimpatientlyasUlrichdidnotanswer。
\"No，\"saidUlrichwithalaugh，theidioticchatteringlaughofamanunstrungwithhideousfear。
\"Whoarethey？\"askedGeorgquickly，straininghiseyestoseewhattheotherwouldgladlynothaveseen。
\"Wolves。\"
QUAILSEED
\"Theoutlookisnotencouragingforussmallerbusinesses，\"saidMr。
Scarricktotheartistandhissister，whohadtakenroomsoverhissuburbangrocerystore。\"Thesebigconcernsareofferingallsortsofattractionstotheshoppingpublicwhichwecouldn\'taffordtoimitate，evenonasmallscale——reading-roomsandplay-roomsandgramophonesandHeavenknowswhat。Peopledon\'tcaretobuyhalfapoundofsugarnowadaysunlesstheycanlistentoHarryLauderandhavethelatestAustraliancricketscorestickedoffbeforetheireyes。WiththebigChristmasstockwe\'vegotinweoughttokeephalfadozenassistantshardatwork，butasitismynephewJimmyandmyselfcanprettywellattendtoitourselves。It\'sanicestockofgoods，too，ifIcouldonlyrunitoffinafewweekstime，butthere\'snochanceofthat——notunlesstheLondonlinewastogetsnowedupforafortnightbeforeChristmas。IdidhaveasortofideaofengagingMissLuffcombetogiverecitationsduringafternoons；shemadeagreathitatthePostOfficeentertainmentwithherrenderingof\'LittleBeatrice\'sResolve\'。\"
\"AnythinglesslikelytomakeyourshopafashionableshoppingcentreIcan\'timagine，\"saidtheartist，withaverygenuineshudder；\"ifIweretryingtodecidebetweenthemeritsofCarlsbadplumsandconfectedfigsasawinterdessertitwouldinfuriatemetohavemytrainofthoughtentangledwithlittleBeatrice\'sresolvetobeanAngelofLightoragirlscout。No，\"hecontinued，\"thedesiretogetsomethingthrowninfornothingisarulingpassionwiththefeminineshopper，butyoucan\'taffordtopandereffectivelytoit。Whynotappealtoanotherinstinct；whichdominatesnotonlythewomanshopperbutthemaleshopper——infact，theentirehumanrace？\"
\"Whatisthatinstinct，sir？\"saidthegrocer。
***
Mrs。GreyesandMissFrittenhadmissedthe2。18toTown，andastherewasnotanothertraintill3。12theythoughtthattheymightaswellmaketheirgrocerypurchasesatScarrick\'s。Itwouldnotbesensational，theyagreed，butitwouldstillbeshopping。
Forsomeminutestheyhadtheshopalmosttothemselves，asfarascustomerswereconcerned，butwhiletheyweredebatingtherespectivevirtuesandblemishesoftwocompetingbrandsofanchovypastetheywerestartledbyanorder，givenacrossthecounter，forsixpomegranatesandapacketofquailseed。Neithercommoditywasingeneraldemandinthatneighbourhood。Equallyunusualwasthestyleandappearanceofthecustomer；aboutsixteenyearsold，withdarkoliveskin，largeduskyeyes，andthink，low-growing，blue-
blackhair，hemighthavemadehislivingasanartist\'smodel。Asamatteroffacthedid。Thebowlofbeatenbrassthatheproducedforthereceptionofhispurchaseswasdistinctlythemostastonishingvariationonthestringbagormarketingbasketofsuburbancivilisationthathisfellow-shoppershadeverseen。Hethrewagoldpiece，apparentlyofsomeexoticcurrency，acrossthecounter，anddidnotseemdisposedtowaitforanychangethatmightbeforthcoming。
\"Thewineandfigswerenotpaidforyesterday，\"hesaid；\"keepwhatisoverofthemoneyforourfuturepurchases。\"
\"Averystrange-lookingboy？\"saidMrs。Greyesinterrogativelytothegrocerassoonashiscustomerhadleft。
\"Aforeigner，Ibelieve，\"saidMr。Scarrick，withashortnessthatwasentirelyoutofkeepingwithhisusuallycommunicativemanner。
\"Iwishforapoundandahalfofthebestcoffeeyouhave，\"saidanauthoritativevoiceamomentortwolater。Thespeakerwasatall，authoritative-lookingmanofratheroutlandishaspect，remarkableamongotherthingsforafullblackbeard，worninastylemoreinvogueinearlyAssyriathaninaLondonsuburbofthepresentday。
\"Hasadark-facedboybeenherebuyingpomegranates？\"heaskedsuddenly，asthecoffeewasbeingweighedouttohim。
Thetwoladiesalmostjumpedonhearingthegrocerreplywithanunblushingnegative。
\"Wehaveafewpomegranatesinstock，\"hecontinued，\"buttherehasbeennodemandforthem。\"
\"Myservantwillfetchthecoffeeasusual，\"saidthepurchaser，producingacoinfromawonderfulmetal-workpurse。Asanapparentafterthoughthefiredoutthequestion：\"Haveyou，perhaps，anyquailseed？\"
\"No，\"saidthegrocer，withouthesitation，\"wedon\'tstockit。\"
\"Whatwillhedenynext？\"askedMrs。Greyesunderherbreath。WhatmadeitseemsomuchworsewasthefactthatMr。ScarrickhadquiterecentlypresidedatalectureonSavonarola。
Turningupthedeepastrachancollarofhislongcoat，thestrangersweptoutoftheshop，withtheair，MissFrittenafterwardsdescribedit，ofaSatrapproroguingaSanhedrim。WhethersuchapleasantfunctioneverfelltoaSatrap\'slotshewasnotquitecertain，butthesimilefaithfullyconveyedhermeaningtoalargecircleofacquaintances。
\"Don\'tlet\'sbotheraboutthe3。12，\"saidMrs。Greyes；\"let\'sgoandtalkthisoveratLauraLipping\'s。It\'sherday。\"
Whenthedark-facedboyarrivedattheshopnextdaywithhisbrassmarketingbowltherewasquiteafairgatheringofcustomers，mostofwhomseemedtobespinningouttheirpurchasingoperationswiththeairofpeoplewhohadverylittletodowiththeirtime。Inavoicethatwasheardallovertheshop，perhapsbecauseeverybodywasintentlylistening，heaskedforapoundofhoneyandapacketofquailseed。
\"Morequailseed！\"saidMissFritten。\"Thosequailsmustbevoracious，orelseitisn\'tquailseedatall。\"
\"Ibelieveit\'sopium，andthebeardedmanisadetective，\"saidMrs。Greyesbrilliantly。
\"Idon\'t，\"saidLauraLipping；\"I\'msureit\'ssomethingtodowiththePortugueseThrone。\"
\"MorelikelytobeaPersianintrigueonbehalfoftheex-Shah，\"
saidMissFritten；\"thebeardedmanbelongstotheGovernmentParty。
Thequail-seedisacountersign，ofcourse；PersiaisalmostnextdoortoPalestine，andquailscomeintotheOldTestament，youknow。\"
\"Onlyasamiracle，\"saidherwell-informedyoungersister；\"I\'vethoughtallalongitwaspartofaloveintrigue。\"
TheboywhohadsomuchinterestandspeculationcentredonhimwasonthepointofdepartingwithhispurchaseswhenhewaswaylaidbyJimmy，thenephew-apprentice，who，fromhispostatthecheeseandbaconcounter，commandedagoodviewofthestreet。
\"WehavesomeveryfineJaffaoranges，\"hesaidhurriedly，pointingtoacornerwheretheywerestored，behindahighrampartofbiscuittins。Therewasevidentlymoreintheremarkthanmettheear。Theboyflewattheorangeswiththeenthusiasmofaferretfindingarabbitfamilyathomeafteralongdayoffruitlesssubterraneanresearch。Almostatthesamemomentthebeardedstrangerstalkedintotheshop，andflunganorderforapoundofdatesandatinofthebestSmyrnahalvaacrossthecounter。Themostadventuroushousewifeinthelocalityhadneverheardofhalva，butMr。ScarrickwasapparentlyabletoproducethebestSmyrnavarietyofitwithoutamoment\'shesitation。
\"WemightbelivingintheArabianNights，\"saidMissFritten，excitedly。
\"Hush！Listen，\"beseechedMrs。Greyes。
\"Hasthedark-facedboy，ofwhomIspokeyesterday，beenhereto-
day？\"askedthestranger。
\"We\'vehadrathermorepeoplethanusualintheshopto-day，\"saidMr。Scarrick，\"butIcan\'trecallaboysuchasyoudescribe。\"
Mrs。GreyesandMissFrittenlookedroundtriumphantlyattheirfriends。Itwas，ofcourse，deplorablethatanyoneshouldtreatthetruthasanarticletemporarilyandexcusablyoutofstock，buttheyfeltgratifiedthatthevividaccountstheyhadgivenofMr。
Scarrick\'strafficinfalsehoodsshouldreceiveconfirmationatfirsthand。
\"Ishallneveragainbeabletobelievewhathetellsmeabouttheabsenceofcolouringmatterinthejam，\"whisperedanauntofMrs。
Greyestragically。
Themysteriousstrangertookhisdeparture；LauraLippingdistinctlysawasnarlofbaffledragerevealitselfbehindhisheavymoustacheandupturnedastrachancollar。Afteracautiousintervaltheseekerafterorangesemergedfrombehindthebiscuittins，havingapparentlyfailedtofindanyindividualorangethatsatisfiedhisrequirements。He，too，tookhisdeparture，andtheshopwasslowlyemptiedofitsparcelandgossipladencustomers。ItwasEmilyYorling\'s\"day\"，andmostoftheshoppersmadetheirwaytoherdrawing-room。Togodirectfromashoppingexpeditiontoateapartywaswhatwasknownlocallyas\"livinginawhirl\"。
Twoextraassistantshadbeenengagedforthefollowingafternoon，andtheirserviceswereinbriskdemand；theshopwascrowded。
Peopleboughtandbought，andneverseemedtogettotheendoftheirlists。Mr。Scarrickhadneverhadsolittledifficultyinpersuadingcustomerstoembarkonnewexperiencesingrocerywares。
Eventhosewomenwhosepurchaseswereofmodestproportionsdawdledoverthemasthoughtheyhadbrutal，drunkenhusbandstogohometo。
Theafternoonhaddraggeduneventfullyon，andtherewasadistinctbuzzofunpentexcitementwhenadark-eyedboycarryingabrassbowlenteredtheshop。TheexcitementseemedtohavecommunicateditselftoMr。Scarrick；abruptlydesertingaladywhowasmakinginsincereinquiriesaboutthehomelifeoftheBombayduck，heinterceptedthenewcomeronhiswaytotheaccustomedcounterandinformedhim，amidadeathlikehush，thathehadrunoutofquailseed。
Theboylookednervouslyroundtheshop，andturnedhesitatinglytogo。Hewasagainintercepted，thistimebythenephew，whodartedoutfrombehindhiscounterandsaidsomethingaboutabetterlineoforanges。Theboy\'shesitationvanished；healmostscuttledintotheobscurityoftheorangecorner。Therewasanexpectantturnofpublicattentiontowardsthedoor，andthetall，beardedstrangermadeareallyeffectiveentrance。TheauntofMrs。Greyesdeclaredafterwardsthatshefoundherselfsub-consciouslyrepeating\"TheAssyriancamedownlikeawolfonthefold\"underherbreath，andshewasgenerallybelieved。
Thenewcomer，too，wasstoppedbeforehereachedthecounter，butnotbyMr。Scarrickorhisassistant。Aheavilyveiledlady，whomnoonehadhithertonoticed，roselanguidlyfromaseatandgreetedhiminaclear，penetratingvoice。
\"YourExcellencydoeshisshoppinghimself？\"shesaid。
\"Iorderthethingsmyself，\"heexplained；\"Ifinditdifficulttomakemyservantsunderstand。\"
Inalower，butstillperfectlyaudible，voicetheveiledladygavehimapieceofcasualinformation。
\"TheyhavesomeexcellentJaffaorangeshere。\"Thenwithatinklinglaughshepassedoutoftheshop。
Themanglaredallroundtheshop，andthen，fixinghiseyesinstinctivelyonthebarrierofbiscuittins，demandedloudlyofthegrocer：\"Youhave，perhaps，somegoodJaffaoranges？\"
EveryoneexpectedaninstantdenialonthepartofMr。Scarrickofanysuchpossession。Beforehecouldanswer，however，theboyhadbrokenforthfromhissanctuary。Holdinghisemptybrassbowlbeforehimhepassedoutintothestreet。Hisfacewasvariouslydescribedafterwardsasmaskedwithstudiedindifference，overspreadwithghastlypallor，andblazingwithdefiance。Somesaidthathisteethchattered，othersthathewentoutwhistlingthePersianNationalHymn。Therewasnomistaking，however，theeffectproducedbytheencounteronthemanwhohadseemedtoforceit。Ifarabiddogorarattlesnakehadsuddenlythrustitscompanionshiponhimhecouldscarcelyhavedisplayedagreateraccessofterror。Hisairofauthorityandassertivenesshadgone，hismasterfulstridehadgivenwaytoafurtivepacingtoandfro，asofananimalseekinganoutletforescape。Inadazedperfunctorymanner，alwayswithhiseyesturningtowatchtheshopentrance，hegaveafewrandomorders，whichthegrocermadeashowofenteringinhisbook。Nowandthenhewalkedoutintothestreet，lookedanxiouslyinalldirections，andhurriedbacktokeepuphispretenceofshopping。
Fromoneofthesesortieshedidnotreturn；hehaddashedawayintothedusk，andneitherhenorthedark-facedboynortheveiledladywereseenagainbytheexpectantcrowdsthatcontinuedtothrongtheScarrickestablishmentfordaystocome。
***
\"Icanneverthankyouandyoursistersufficiently，\"saidthegrocer。
\"Weenjoyedthefunofit，\"saidtheartistmodestly，\"andasforthemodel，itwasawelcomevariationonposingforhoursfor\'TheLostHylas\'。\"
\"Atanyrate，\"saidthegrocer，\"Iinsistonpayingforthehireoftheblackbeard。\"
CANOSSA
DemosthenesPlatterbaff，theeminentUnrestInducer，stoodonhistrialforaseriousoffence，andtheeyesofthepoliticalworldwerefocussedonthejury。Theoffence，itshouldbestated，wasseriousfortheGovernmentratherthanfortheprisoner。HehadblownuptheAlbertHallontheeveofthegreatLiberalFederationTangoTea，theoccasiononwhichtheChancelloroftheExchequerwasexpectedtopropoundhisnewtheory：\"Dopartridgesspreadinfectiousdiseases？\"Platterbaffhadchosenhistimewell；theTangoTeahadbeenhurriedlypostponed，buttherewereotherpoliticalfixtureswhichcouldnotbeputoffunderanycircumstances。Thedayafterthetrialtherewastobeaby-
electionatNemesis-on-Hand，andithadbeenopenlyannouncedinthedivisionthatifPlatterbaffwerelanguishingingaolonpollingdaytheGovernmentcandidatewouldbe\"outed\"toacertainty。
Unfortunately，therecouldbenodoubtormisconceptionastoPlatterbaff\'sguilt。Hehadnotonlypleadedguilty，buthadexpressedhisintentionofrepeatinghisescapadeinotherdirectionsassoonascircumstancespermitted；throughoutthetrialhewasbusyexaminingasmallmodeloftheFreeTradeHallinManchester。ThejurycouldnotpossiblyfindthattheprisonerhadnotdeliberatelyandintentionallyblownuptheAlbertHall；thequestionwas：Couldtheyfindanyextenuatingcircumstanceswhichwouldpermitofanacquittal？Ofcourseanysentencewhichthelawmightfeelcompelledtoinflictwouldbefollowedbyanimmediatepardon，butitwashighlydesirable，fromtheGovernment\'spointofview，thatthenecessityforsuchanexerciseofclemencyshouldnotarise。Aheadlongpardon，ontheeveofabye-election，withthreatsofaheavyvotingdefectionifitwerewithheldorevendelayed，wouldnotnecessarilybeasurrender，butitwouldlooklikeone。Opponentswouldbeonlytooreadytoattributeungenerousmotives。HencetheanxietyinthecrowdedCourt，andinthelittlegroupsgatheredroundthetape-machinesinWhitehallandDowningStreetandotheraffectedcentres。
Thejuryreturnedfromconsideringtheirverdict；therewasaflutter，anexcitedmurmur，adeath-likehush。Theforemandeliveredhismessage：
\"ThejuryfindtheprisonerguiltyofblowinguptheAlbertHall。
Thejurywishtoaddariderdrawingattentiontothefactthataby-electionispendingintheParliamentarydivisionofNemesis-on-
Hand。\"
\"That，ofcourse，\"saidtheGovernmentProsecutor，springingtohisfeet，\"isequivalenttoanacquittal？\"
\"Ihardlythinkso，\"saidtheJudge，coldly；\"Ifeelobligedtosentencetheprisonertoaweek\'simprisonment。\"
\"AndmaytheLordhavemercyonthepoll，\"aJuniorCounselexclaimedirreverently。
Itwasascandaloussentence，butthentheJudgewasnotontheMinisterialsideinpolitics。
Theverdictandsentenceweremadeknowntothepublicattwentyminutespastfiveintheafternoon；athalf-pastfiveadensecrowdwasmassedoutsidethePrimeMinister\'sresidencelustilysinging，totheairof\"Trelawney\"：
\"AndshouldourHerorotingaol，Fore\'enasingleday，There\'sFifteenHundredVotingMenWillvotetheotherway。\"
\"Fifteenhundred，\"saidthePrimeMinister，withashudder；\"it\'stoohorribletothinkof。Ourmajoritylasttimewasonlyathousandandseven。\"
\"Thepollopensateightto-morrowmorning，\"saidtheChiefOrganiser；\"wemusthavehimoutby7a。m。\"
\"Seven-thirty，\"amendedthePrimeMinister；\"wemustavoidanyappearanceofprecipitancy。\"
\"Notlaterthanseven-thirty，then，\"saidtheChiefOrganiser；\"I
havepromisedtheagentdowntherethatheshallbeabletodisplaypostersannouncing\'PlatterbaffisOut，\'beforethepollopens。Hesaiditwasouronlychanceofgettingatelegram\'RadpropisIn\'
to-night。\"
Athalf-pastseventhenextmorningthePrimeMinisterandtheChiefOrganisersatatbreakfast，makingaperfunctorymeal，andawaitingthereturnoftheHomeSecretary，whohadgoneinpersontosuperintendthereleasingofPlatterbaff。Despitetheearlinessofthehourasmallcrowdhadgatheredinthestreetoutside，andthehorriblemenacingTrelawneyrefrainofthe\"FifteenHundredVotingMen\"cameinasteady，monotonouschant。
\"Theywillcheerpresentlywhentheyhearthenews，\"saidthePrimeMinisterhopefully；\"hark！Theyarebooingsomeonenow！ThatmustbeMcKenna。\"
TheHomeSecretaryenteredtheroomamomentlater，disasterwrittenonhisface。
\"Hewon\'tgo！\"heexclaimed。
\"Won\'tgo？Won\'tleavegaol？\"
\"Hewon\'tgounlesshehasabrassband。Hesaysheneverhasleftprisonwithoutabrassbandtoplayhimout，andhe\'snotgoingtogowithoutonenow。\"
\"Butsurelythatsortofthingisprovidedbyhissupportersandadmirers？\"saidthePrimeMinister；\"wecanhardlybesupposedtosupplyareleasedprisonerwithabrassband。HowonearthcouldwedefenditontheEstimates？\"
\"Hissupporterssayitisuptoustoprovidethemusic，\"saidtheHomeSecretary；\"theysayweputhiminprison，andit\'souraffairtoseethatheleavesitinarespectablemanner。Anyway，hewon\'tgounlesshehasaband。\"
Thetelephonesquealedshrilly；itwasatrunkcallfromNemesis。
\"Pollopensinfiveminutes。IsPlatterbaffoutyet？InHeaven\'sname，why——\"
TheChiefOrganiserrangoff。
\"Thisisnotamomentforstandingondignity，\"heobservedbluntly；
\"musiciansmustbesuppliedatonce。Platterbaffmusthavehisband。\"
\"Whereareyougoingtofindthemusicians？\"askedtheHomeSecretarywearily；\"wecan\'temployamilitaryband，infact，I
don\'tthinkhe\'dhaveoneifweofferedit，andthereain\'tanyothers。There\'samusicians\'strikeon，Isupposeyouknow。\"
\"Can\'tyougetastrikepermit？\"askedtheOrganiser。
\"I\'lltry，\"saidtheHomeSecretary，andwenttothetelephone。
Eighto\'clockstruck。Thecrowdoutsidechantedwithanincreasingvolumeofsound：
\"Willvotetheotherway。\"
Atelegramwasbroughtin。ItwasfromthecentralcommitteeroomsatNemesis。\"Losingtwentyvotesperminute，\"wasitsbriefmessage。
Teno\'clockstruck。ThePrimeMinister，theHomeSecretary，theChiefOrganiser，andseveralearnesthelpfulfriendsweregatheredintheinnergatewayoftheprison，talkingvolublytoDemosthenesPlatterbaff，whostoodwithfoldedarmsandsquarelyplantedfeet，silentintheirmidst。Golden-tonguedlegislatorswhoseeloquencehadswayedtheMarconiInquiryCommittee，oratanyratethegreaterpartofit，expendedtheirartsoforatoryinvainonthisstubbornunyieldingman。Withoutabandhewouldnotgo；andtheyhadnoband。
Aquarterpastten，half-past。Aconstantstreamoftelegraphboyspouredinthroughtheprisongates。
\"Yamley\'sfactoryhandsjustvotedyoucanguesshow，\"ranadespairingmessage，andtheotherswereallofthesametenour。
NemesiswasgoingthewayofReading。
\"Haveyouanybandinstrumentsofaneasynaturetoplay？\"demandedtheChiefOrganiserofthePrisonGovernor；\"drums，cymbals，thosesortofthings？\"
\"Thewardershaveaprivatebandoftheirown，\"saidtheGovernor，\"butofcourseIcouldn\'tallowthementhemselves——\"
\"Lendustheinstruments，\"saidtheChiefOrganiser。
Oneoftheearnesthelpfulfriendswasaskilledperformeronthecornet，theCabinetMinisterswereabletoclashcymbalsmoreorlessintune，andtheChiefOrganiserhassomeknowledgeofthedrum。
\"Whattunewouldyouprefer？\"heaskedPlatterbaff。
\"Thepopularsongofthemoment，\"repliedtheAgitatorafteramoment\'sreflection。
Itwasatunetheyhadallheardhundredsoftimes，sotherewasnodifficultyinturningoutapassableimitationofit。Totheimprovisedstrainsof\"Ididn\'twanttodoit\"theprisonerstrodeforthtofreedom。Thewordofthesonghadreference，itwasunderstood，totheincarceratingGovernmentandnottothedestroyeroftheAlbertHall。
Theseatwaslost，afterall，byanarrowmajority。ThelocalTradeUnioniststookoffenceatthefactofCabinetMinistershavingpersonallyactedasstrike-breakers，andeventhereleaseofPlatterbafffailedtopacifythem。
Theseatwaslost，butMinistershadscoredamoralvictory。Theyhadshownthattheyknewwhenandhowtoyield。
THETHREAT
SirLulworthQuaynesatintheloungeofhisfavouriterestaurant，theGallusBankiva，discussingtheweaknessesoftheworldwithhisnephew，whohadlatelyreturnedfromamuch-enlivenedexileinthewildsofMexico。Itwasthatblessedseasonoftheyearwhentheasparagusandtheplover\'seggareabroadintheland，andtheoysterhasnotyetwithdrawnintoit\'ssummerentrenchments，andSirLulworthandhisnephewwereinthatenlightenedafter-dinnermoodwhenpoliticsareseenintheirrightperspective，eventhepoliticsofMexico。
\"Mostoftherevolutionsthattakeplaceinthiscountrynowadays，\"
saidSirLulworth，\"aretheproductofmomentsoflegislativepanic。
