Whilehedisappearedthroughthefarmhousethegirlremainedforafewmomentslookinguptheroad，andtwoperspiringpolicemencameplowinguptothedoorwhereshestood。Thoughstillangry，shewasstillsilent，andaquarterofanhourlatertheofficershadsearchedthehouseandwerealreadyinspectingthekitchengardenandcornfieldbehindit。Intheuglyreactionofhermoodshemighthavebeentemptedeventopointoutthefugitive，butforasmalldifficultythatshehadnomorenotionthanthepolicemenhadofwherehecouldpossiblyhavegone。Thekitchengardenwasinclosedbyaverylowwall，andthecornfieldbeyondlayaslantlikeasquarepatchonagreatgreenhillonwhichhecouldstillhavebeenseenevenasadotinthedistance。
Everythingstoodsolidinitsfamiliarplace;theappletreewastoosmalltosupportorhideaclimber;theonlyshedstoodopenandobviouslyempty;therewasnosoundsavethedroningofsummerfliesandtheoccasionalflutterofabirdunfamiliarenoughtobesurprisedbythescarecrowinthefield;
therewasscarcelyashadowsaveafewbluelinesthatfellfromthethintree;
everydetailwaspickedoutbythebrilliantdaylightasifinamicroscope。Thegirldescribedthescenelater，withallthepassionaterealismofherrace，and，whetherornothepolicemenhadasimilareyeforthepicturesque，theyhadatleastaneyeforthefactsofthecase，andwerecompelledtogiveupthechaseandretirefromthescene。BridgetRoyceremainedasifinatrance，staringatthesunlitgardeninwhichamanhadjustvanishedlikeafairy。Shewasstillinasinistermood，andthemiracletookinhermindacharacterofunfriendlinessandfear，asifthefairyweredecidedlyabadfairy。Thesunupontheglitteringgardendepressedhermorethanthedarkness，butshecontinuedtostareatit。Thentheworlditselfwenthalf—wittedandshescreamed。Thescarecrowmovedinthesunlight。Ithadstoodwithitsbacktoherinabatteredoldblackhatandatatteredgarment，andwithallitstattersflying，itstrodeawayacrossthehill。
Shedidnotanalyzetheaudacioustrickbywhichthemanhadturnedtohisadvantagethesubtleeffectsoftheexpectedandtheobvious;shewasstillunderthecloudofmoreindividualcomplexities，andshenoticedmustofallthatthevanishingscarecrowdidnoteventurntolookatthefarm。Andthefatesthatwererunningsoadversetohisfantasticcareeroffreedomruledthathisnextadventure，thoughithadthesamesuccessinanotherquarter，shouldincreasethedangerinthisquarter。Amongthemanysimilaradventuresrelatedofhiminthismanneritisalsosaidthatsomedaysafterwardanothergirl，namedMaryCregan，foundhimconcealedonthefarmwheresheworked;andifthestoryistrue，shemustalsohavehadtheshockofanuncannyexperience，forwhenshewasbusyatsomelonelytaskintheyardsheheardavoicespeakingoutofthewell，andfoundthattheeccentrichadmanagedtodrophimselfintothebucketwhichwassomelittlewaybelow，thewellonlypartlyfullofwater。Inthiscase，however，hehadtoappealtothewomantowinduptherope。Andmensayitwaswhenthisnewswastoldtotheotherwomanthathersoulwalkedovertheborderlineoftreason。
Such，atleast，werethestoriestoldofhiminthecountryside，andthereweremanymore——asthathehadstoodinsolentlyinasplendidgreendressinggownonthestepsofagreathotel，andthenledthepoliceachasethroughalongsuiteofgrandapartments，andfinallythroughhisownbedroomontoabalconythatoverhungtheriver。Themomentthepursuerssteppedontothebalconyitbrokeunderthem，andtheydroppedpell—mellintotheeddyingwaters，whileMichael，whohadthrownoffhisgownanddived，wasabletoswimaway。Itwassaidthathehadcarefullycutawaythepropssothattheywouldnotsupportanythingsoheavyasapoliceman。Buthereagainhewasimmediatelyfortunate，yetultimatelyunfortunate，foritissaidthatoneofthemenwasdrowned，leavingafamilyfeudwhichmadealittleriftinhispopularity。Thesestoriescannowbetoldinsomedetail，notbecausetheyarethemostmarvelousofhismanyadventures，butbecausethesealonewerenotcoveredwithsilencebytheloyaltyofthepeasantry。Thesealonefoundtheirwayintoofficialreports，anditisthesewhichthreeofthechiefofficialsofthecountrywerereadinganddiscussingwhenthemoreremarkablepartofthisstorybegins。
Nightwasfaradvancedandthelightsshoneinthecottagethatservedforatemporarypolicestationnearthecoast。Ononesideofitwerethelasthousesofthestragglingvillage，andontheothernothingbutawastemoorlandstretchingawaytowardthesea，thelineofwhichwasbrokenbynolandmarkexceptasolitarytoweroftheprehistoricpatternstillfoundinIreland，standingupasslenderasacolumn，butpointedlikeapyramid。Atawoodentableinfrontofthewindow，whichnormallylookedoutonthislandscape，sattwomeninplainclothes，butwithsomethingofamilitarybearing，forindeedtheywerethetwochiefsofthedetectiveserviceofthatdistrict。
Theseniorofthetwo，bothinageandrank，wasasturdymanwithashortwhitebeard，andfrostyeyebrowsfixedinafrownwhichsuggestedratherworrythanseverity。
HisnamewasMorton，andhewasaLiverpoolmanlongpickledintheIrishquarrels，anddoinghisdutyamongtheminasourfashionnotaltogetherunsympathetic。Hehadspokenafewsentencestohiscompanion，Nolan，atall，darkmanwithacadaverousequineIrishface，whenheseemedtoremembersomethingandtouchedabellwhichranginanotherroom。Thesubordinatehehadsummonedimmediatelyappearedwithasheafofpapersinhishand。
"Sitdown，Wilson，"hesaid。"Thosearethedispositions，Isuppose。"
"Yes，"repliedthethirdofficer。"IthinkI’vegotallthereistobegotoutofthem，soIsentthepeopleaway。"
"DidMaryCregangiveevidence？"askedMorton，withafrownthatlookedalittleheavierthanusual。
"No，buthermasterdid，"answeredthemancalledWilson，whohadflat，redhairandaplain，paleface，notwithoutsharpness。"Ithinkhe’shangingroundthegirlhimselfandisoutagainstarival。There’salwayssomereasonofthatsortwhenwearetoldthetruthaboutanything。Andyoubettheothergirltoldrightenough。"
"Well，let’shopethey’llbesomesortofuse，"
remarkedNolan，inasomewhathopelessmanner，gazingoutintothedarkness。
"Anythingistothegood，"saidMorton，"thatletsusknowanythingabouthim。"
"Doweknowanythingabouthim？"askedthemelancholyIrishman。
"Weknowonethingabouthim，"saidWilson，"andit’stheonethingthatnobodyeverknewbefore。Weknowwherebeis。"
"Areyousure？"inquiredMorton，lookingathimsharply。
"Quitesure，"repliedhisassistant。"Atthisveryminuteheisinthattowerovertherebytheshore。Ifyougonearenoughyou’llseethecandleburninginthewindow。"
Ashespokethenoiseofahornsoundedontheroadoutside，andamomentaftertheyheardthethrobbingofamotorcarbroughttoastandstillbeforethedoor。Mortoninstantlysprangtohisfeet。
tlysprangtohisfeet。
"ThanktheLordthat’sthecarfromDublin，"hesaid。"Ican’tdoanythingwithoutspecialauthority，notifheweresittingonthetopofthetowerandputtingouthistongueatus。Butthechiefcandowhathethinksbest。"
Hehurriedouttotheentranceandwassoonexchanginggreetingswithabighandsomemaninafurcoat，whobroughtintothedingylittlestationtheindescribableglowofthegreatcitiesandtheluxuriesofthegreatworld。
ForthiswasSirWalterCarey，anofficialofsucheminenceinDublinCastlethatnothingshortofthecaseofPrinceMichaelwouldhavebroughthimonsuchajourneyinthemiddleofthenight。ButthecaseofPrinceMichael，asithappened，wascomplicatedbylegalismaswellaslawlessness。Onthelastoccasionhehadescapedbyaforensicquibbleandnot，asusual，byaprivateescapade;anditwasaquestionwhetheratthemomenthewasamenabletothelawornot。Itmightbenecessarytostretchapoint，butamanlikeSirWaltercouldprobablystretchitasfarasheliked。
Whetherheintendedtodosowasaquestiontobeconsidered。Despitethealmostaggressivetouchofluxuryinthefurcoat，itsoonbecameapparentthatSirWalter’slargeleonineheadwasforuseaswellasornament，andheconsideredthemattersoberlyandsanelyenough。Fivechairsweresetroundtheplaindealtable，forwhoshouldSirWalterbringwithhimbuthisyoungrelativeandsecretary，HorneFisher。SirWalterlistenedwithgraveattention，andhissecretarywithpoliteboredom，tothestringofepisodesbywhichthepolicehadtracedtheflyingrebelfromthestepsofthehoteltothesolitarytowerbesidethesea。Thereatleasthewascorneredbetweenthemoorsandthebreakers;andthescoutsentbyWilsonreportedhimaswritingunderasolitarycandle，perhapscomposinganotherofhistremendousproclamations。Indeed，itwouldhavebeentypicalofhimtochooseitastheplaceinwhichfinallytoturntobay。Hehadsomeremoteclaimonit，asonafamilycastle;andthosewhoknewhimthoughthimcapableofimitatingtheprimitiveIrishchieftainswhofellfightingagainstthesea。
"Isawsomequeer—lookingpeopleleavingasI
camein，"saidSirWalterCarey。"Isupposetheywereyourwitnesses。Butwhydotheyturnuphereatthistimeofnight？"
Mortonsmiledgrimly。"Theycomeherebynightbecausetheywouldbedeadmeniftheycameherebyday。Theyarecriminalscommittingacrimethatismorehorribleherethantheftormurder。"
"Whatcrimedoyoumean？"askedtheother，withsomecuriosity。
"Theyarehelpingthelaw，"saidMorton。
Therewasasilence，andSirWalterconsideredthepapersbeforehimwithanabstractedeye。Atlasthespoke。
"Quiteso;butlookhere，ifthelocalfeelingisaslivelyasthatthereareagoodmanypointstoconsider。IbelievethenewActwillenablemetocollarhimnowifIthinkitbest。Butisitbest？AseriousrisingwoulddousnogoodinParliament，andthegovernmenthasenemiesinEnglandaswellasIreland。Itwon’tdoifI
havedonewhatlooksalittlelikesharppractice，andthenonlyraisedarevolution。"
"It’salltheotherway，"saidthemancalledWilson，ratherquickly。"Therewon’tbehalfsomuchofarevolutionifyouarresthimastherewillifyouleavehimlooseforthreedayslonger。But，anyhow，therecan’tbeanythingnowadaysthattheproperpolicecan’tmanage。"
"Mr。WilsonisaLondoner，"saidtheIrishdetective，withasmile。
"Yes，I’macockney，allright，"repliedWilson，"andIthinkI’mallthebetterforthat。Especiallyatthisjob，oddlyenough。"
SirWalterseemedslightlyamusedatthepertinacityofthethirdofficer，andperhapsevenmoreamusedattheslightaccentwithwhichhespoke，whichrenderedratherneedlesshisboastabouthisorigin。
"Doyoumeantosay，"heasked，"thatyouknowmoreaboutthebusinessherebecauseyouhavecomefromLondon？"
"Soundsfunny，Iknow，butIdobelieveit，"
answeredWilson。"Ibelievetheseaffairswantfreshmethods。ButmostofallIbelievetheywantafresheye。"
Thesuperiorofficerslaughed，andtheredhairedmanwentonwithaslighttouchoftemper：
"Well，lookatthefacts。Seehowthefellowgotawayeverytime，andyou’llunderstandwhatImean。
Whywasheabletostandintheplaceofthescarecrow，hiddenbynothingbutanoldhat？
Becauseitwasavillagepolicemanwhoknewthescarecrowwasthere，wasexpectingit，andthereforetooknonoticeofit。NowIneverexpectascarecrow。I’veneverseenoneinthestreet，andI
stareatonewhenIseeitinthefield。It’sanewthingtomeandworthnoticing。Anditwasjustthesamewhenhehidinthewell。Youarereadytofindawellinaplacelikethat;youlookforawell，andsoyoudon’tseeit。Idon’tlookforit，andthereforeIdolookatit。"
"Itiscertainlyanidea，"saidSirWalter，smiling，"butwhataboutthebalcony？BalconiesareoccasionallyseeninLondon。"
"Butnotriversrightunderthem，asifitwasinVenice，"repliedWilson。
"Itiscertainlyanewidea，"repeatedSirWalter，withsomethinglikerespect。Hehadalltheloveoftheluxuriousclassesfornewideas。Buthealsohadacriticalfaculty，andwasinclinedtothink，afterduereflection，thatitwasatrueideaaswell。
GrowingdawnhadalreadyturnedthewindowpanesfromblacktograywhenSirWaltergotabruptlytohisfeet。Theothersrosealso，takingthisforasignalthatthearrestwastobeundertaken。Buttheirleaderstoodforamomentindeepthought，asifconsciousthathehadcometoapartingoftheways。
Suddenlythesilencewaspiercedbyalong，wailingcryfromthedarkmoorsoutside。Thesilencethatfolloweditseemedmorestartlingthantheshriekitself，anditlasteduntilNolansaid，heavily：
"’Tisthebanshee。Somebodyismarkedforthegrave。"
Hislong，large—featuredfacewasaspaleasamoon，anditwaseasytorememberthathewastheonlyIrishmanintheroom。
"Well，Iknowthatbanshee，"saidWilson，cheerfully，"ignorantasyouthinkIamofthesethings。Italkedtothatbansheemyselfanhourago，andIsentthatbansheeuptothetowerandtoldhertosingoutlikethatifshecouldgetaglimpseofourfriendwritinghisproclamation。"
"DoyoumeanthatgirlBridgetRoyce？"askedMorton，drawinghisfrostybrowstogether。"Hassheturnedking’sevidencetothatextent？"
"Yes，"answeredWilson。"Iknowverylittleoftheselocalthings，youtellme，butIreckonanangrywomanismuchthesameinallcountries。"
Nolan，however，seemedstillmoodyandunlikehimself。"It’sanuglynoiseandanuglybusinessaltogether，"hesaid。"Ifit’sreallytheendofPrinceMichaelitmaywellbetheendofotherthingsaswell。Whenthespiritisonhimhewouldescapebyaladderofdeadmen，andwadethroughthatseaifitweremadeofblood。"
"Isthattherealreasonofyourpiousalarms？"
askedWilson，withaslightsneer。
TheIrishman’spalefaceblackenedwithanewpassion。
"IhavefacedasmanymurderersinCountyClareasyoueverfoughtwithinClaphamjunction，Mr。
Cockney，"hesaid。
"Hush，please，"saidMorton，sharply。"Wilson，youhavenokindofrighttoimplydoubtofyoursuperior’sconduct。Ihopeyouwillproveyourselfascourageousandtrustworthyashehasalwaysbeen。"
Thepalefaceofthered—hairedmanseemedashadepaler，buthewassilentandcomposed，andSirWalterwentuptoNolanwithmarkedcourtesy，saying，"Shallwegooutsidenow，andgetthisbusinessdone？"
Dawnhadlifted，leavingawidechasmofwhitebetweenagreatgraycloudandthegreatgraymoorland，beyondwhichthetowerwasoutlinedagainstthedaybreakandthesea。
Somethinginitsplainandprimitiveshapevaguelysuggestedthedawninthefirstdaysoftheearth，insomeprehistorictimewheneventhecolorswerehardlycreated，whentherewasonlyblankdaylightbetweencloudandclay。Thesedeadhueswererelievedonlybyonespotofgold——thesparkofthecandlealightinthewindowofthelonelytower，andburningonintothebroadeningdaylight。Asthegroupofdetectives，followedbyacordonofpolicemen，spreadoutintoacrescenttocutoffallescape，thelightinthetowerflashedasifitweremovedforamoment，andthenwentout。Theyknewthemaninsidehadrealizedthedaylightandblownouthiscandle。
"Thereareotherwindows，aren’tthere？"askedMorton，"andadoor，ofcourse，somewhereroundthecorner？Onlyaroundtowerhasnocorners。"
"Anotherexampleofmysmallsuggestion，"
observedWilson，quietly。"ThatqueertowerwasthefirstthingIsawwhenIcametotheseparts;andIcantellyoualittlemoreaboutit——or，atanyrate，theoutsideofit。Therearefourwindowsaltogether，onealittlewayfromthisone，butjustoutofsight。Thosearebothonthegroundfloor，andsoisthethirdontheotherside，makingasortoftriangle。Butthefourthisjustabovethethird，andIsupposeitlooksonanupperfloor。"
"It’sonlyasortofloft，reachedbyaladder，saidNolan。"I’veplayedintheplacewhenIwasachild。
It’snomorethananemptyshell。"Andhissadfacegrewsadder，thinkingperhapsofthetragedyofhiscountryandthepartthatheplayedinit。
"Themanmusthavegotatableandchair，atanyrate，"saidWilson，"butnodoubthecouldhavegotthosefromsomecottage。IfImightmakeasuggestion，sir，Ithinkweoughttoapproachallthefiveentrancesatonce，sotospeak。Oneofusshouldgotothedoorandonetoeachwindow;Macbrideherehasaladderfortheupperwindow。"
Mr。HorneFisherlanguidlyturnedtohisdistinguishedrelativeandspokeforthefirsttime。
"Iamratheraconverttothecockneyschoolofpsychology，"hesaidinanalmostinaudiblevoice。
Theothersseemedtofeelthesameinfluenceindifferentways，forthegroupbegantobreakupinthemannerindicated。Mortonmovedtowardthewindowimmediatelyinfrontofthem，wherethehiddenoutlawhadjustsnuffedthecandle;Nolan，alittlefartherwestwardtothenextwindow;whileWilson，followedbyMacbridewiththeladder，wentroundtothetwowindowsattheback。SirWalterCareyhimself，followedbyhissecretary，begantowalkroundtowardtheonlydoor，todemandadmittanceinamoreregularfashion。
"Hewillbearmed，ofcourse，"remarkedSirWalter，casually。
"Byallaccounts，"repliedHorneFisher，"hecandomorewithacandlestickthanmostmenwithapistol。
Butheisprettysuretohavethepistol，too。"
Evenashespokethequestionwasansweredwithatongueofthunder。Mortonhadjustplacedhimselfinfrontofthenearestwindow，hisbroadshoulders。
blockingtheaperture。Foraninstantitwaslitfromwithinaswithredfire，followedbyathunderingthrongofechoes。Thesquareshouldersseemedtoalterinshape，andthesturdyfigurecollapsedamongthetall，rankgrassesatthefootofthetower。Apuffofsmokefloatedfromthewindowlikealittlecloud。
Thetwomenbehindrushedtothespotandraisedhim，buthewasdead。
SirWalterstraightenedhimselfandcalledoutsomethingthatwaslostinanothernoiseoffiring;itwaspossiblethatthepolicewerealreadyavengingtheircomradefromtheotherside。Fisherhadalreadyracedroundtothenextwindow，andanewcryofastonishmentfromhimbroughthispatrontothesamespot。Nolan，theIrishpoliceman，hadalsofallen，sprawlingallhisgreatlengthinthegrass，anditwasredwithhisblood。Hewasstillalivewhentheyreachedhim，buttherewasdeathonhisface，andhewasonlyabletomakeafinalgesturetellingthemthatallwasover;
and，withabrokenwordandaheroiceffort，motioningthemontowherehisothercomradeswerebesiegingthebackofthetower。Stunnedbytheserapidandrepeatedshocks，thetwomencouldonlyvaguelyobeythegesture，and，findingtheirwaytotheotherwindowsattheback，theydiscoveredasceneequallystartling，iflessfinalandtragic。Theothertwoofficerswerenotdeadormortallywounded，butMacbridelaywithabrokenlegandhisladderontopofhim，evidentlythrowndownfromthetopwindowofthetower;whileWilsonlayonhisface，quitestillasifstunned，withhisredheadamongthegrayandsilveroftheseaholly。Inhim，however，theimpotencewasbutmomentary，forhebegantomoveandriseastheotherscameroundthetower。
"MyGod！it’slikeanexplosion！"criedSirWalter;
andindeeditwastheonlywordforthisunearthlyenergy，bywhichonemanhadbeenabletodealdeathordestructiononthreesidesofthesamesmalltriangleatthesameinstant。
Wilsonhadalreadyscrambledtohisfeetandwithsplendidenergyflewagainatthewindow，revolverinhand。Hefiredtwiceintotheopeningandthendisappearedinhisownsmoke;butthethudofhisfeetandtheshockofafallingchairtoldthemthattheintrepidLondonerhadmanagedatlasttoleapintotheroom。Thenfollowedacurioussilence;andSirWalter，walkingtothewindowthroughthethinningsmoke，lookedintothehollowshelloftheancienttower。ExceptforWilson，staringaroundhim，therewasnobodythere。
Theinsideofthetowerwasasingleemptyroom，withnothingbutaplainwoodenchairandatableonwhichwerepens，inkandpaper，andthecandlestick。
Halfwayupthehighwalltherewasarudetimberplatformundertheupperwindow，asmallloftwhichwasmorelikealargeshelf。Itwasreachedonlybyaladder，anditseemedtobeasbareasthebarewalls。
Wilsoncompletedhissurveyoftheplaceandthenwentandstaredatthethingsonthetable。Thenhesilentlypointedwithhisleanforefingerattheopenpageofthelargenotebook。Thewriterhadsuddenlystoppedwriting，eveninthemiddleofaword。
"Isaiditwaslikeanexplosion，"saidSirWalterCareyatlast。"Andreallythemanhimselfseemstohavesuddenlyexploded。Buthehasblownhimselfupsomehowwithouttouchingthetower。He’sburstmorelikeabubblethanabomb。"
"Hehastouchedmorevaluablethingsthanthetower，"saidWilson，gloomily。
Therewasalongsilence，andthenSirWaltersaid，seriously："Well，Mr。Wilson，Iamnotadetective，andtheseunhappyhappeningshaveleftyouinchargeofthatbranchofthebusiness。Wealllamentthecauseofthis，butIshouldliketosaythatImyselfhavethestrongestconfidenceinyourcapacityforcarryingonthework。Whatdoyouthinkweshoulddonext？"
Wilsonseemedtorousehimselffromhisdepressionandacknowledgedthespeaker’swordswithawarmercivilitythanhehadhithertoshowntoanybody。Hecalledinafewofthepolicetoassistinroutingouttheinterior，leavingtheresttospreadthemselvesinasearchpartyoutside。
"Ithink，"hesaid，"thefirstthingistomakequitesureabouttheinsideofthisplace，asitwashardlyphysicallypossibleforhimtohavegotoutside。I
supposepoorNolanwouldhavebroughtinhisbansheeandsaiditwassupernaturallypossible。ButI’vegotnousefordisembodiedspiritswhenI’mdealingwithfacts。Andthefactsbeforemeareanemptytowerwithaladder，achair，andatable。"
"Thespiritualists，"saidSirWalter，withasmile，"wouldsaythatspiritscouldfindagreatdealofuseforatable。"
"Idaresaytheycouldifthespiritswereonthetable——inabottle，"repliedWilson，withacurlofhispalelip。"Thepeopleroundhere，whenthey’reallsoddenupwithIrishwhisky，maybelieveinsuchthings。Ithinktheywantalittleeducationinthiscountry。"
HorneFisher’sheavyeyelidsflutteredinafaintattempttorise，asifheweretemptedtoalazyprotestagainstthecontemptuoustoneoftheinvestigator。
"TheIrishbelievefartoomuchinspiritstobelieveinspiritualism，"hemurmured。"Theyknowtoomuchabout’em。IfyouwantasimpleandchildlikefaithinanyspiritthatcomesalongyoucangetitinyourfavoriteLondon。"
"Idon’twanttogetitanywhere，"saidWilson，shortly。"IsayI’mdealingwithmuchsimplerthingsthanyoursimplefaith，withatableandachairandaladder。NowwhatIwanttosayaboutthematthestartisthis。Theyareallthreemaderoughlyenoughofplainwood。Butthetableandthechairarefairlynewandcomparativelyclean。Theladderiscoveredwithdustandthereisacobwebunderthetoprungofit。Thatmeansthatheborrowedthefirsttwoquiterecentlyfromsomecottage，aswesupposed，buttheladderhasbeenalongtimeinthisrottenolddustbin。
Probablyitwaspartoftheoriginalfurniture，anheirloominthismagnificentpalaceoftheIrishkings。"
AgainFisherlookedathimunderhiseyelids，butseemedtoosleepytospeak，andWilsonwentonwithhisargument。
"Nowit’squiteclearthatsomethingveryoddhasjusthappenedinthisplace。Thechancesaretentoone，itseemstome，thatithadsomethingspeciallytodowiththisplace。Probablyhecameherebecausehecoulddoitonlyhere;itdoesn’tseemveryinvitingotherwise。Butthemanknewitofold;theysayitbelongedtohisfamily，sothataltogether，Ithink，everythingpointstosomethingintheconstructionofthetoweritself。"
"Yourreasoningseemstomeexcellent，"saidSirWalter，whowaslisteningattentively。"Butwhatcoulditbe？"
"YouseenowwhatImeanabouttheladder，"
wentonthedetective;"it’stheonlyoldpieceoffurniturehereandthefirstthingthatcaughtthatcockneyeyeofmine。Butthereissomethingelse。
Thatloftupthereisasortoflumberroomwithoutanylumber。SofarasIcansee，it’sasemptyaseverythingelse;and，asthingsare，Idon’tseetheuseoftheladderleadingtoit。Itseemstome，asIcan’tfindanythingunusualdownhere，thatitmightpayustolookupthere。"
Hegotbrisklyoffthetableonwhichhewassitting（fortheonlychairwasallottedtoSirWalter）
andranrapidlyuptheladdertotheplatformabove。
Hewassoonfollowedbytheothers，Mr。Fishergoinglast，however，withanappearanceofconsiderablenonchalance。
Atthisstage，however，theyweredestinedtodisappointment;Wilsonnosedineverycornerlikeaterrierandexaminedtheroofalmostinthepostureofafly，buthalfanhourafterwardtheyhadtoconfessthattheywerestillwithoutaclew。SirWalter’sprivatesecretaryseemedmoreandmorethreatenedwithinappropriateslumber，and，havingbeenthelasttoclimbuptheladder，seemednowtolacktheenergyeventoclimbdownagain。
"Comealong，Fisher，"calledoutSirWalterfrombelow，whentheothershadregainedthefloor。"Wemustconsiderwhetherwe’llpullthewholeplacetopiecestoseewhatit’smadeof。"
"I’mcominginaminute，"saidthevoicefromtheledgeabovetheirheads，avoicesomewhatsuggestiveofanarticulateyawn。
"Whatareyouwaitingfor？"askedSirWalter，impatiently。"Canyouseeanythingthere？"
"Well，yes，inaway，"repliedthevoice，vaguely。
"Infact，Iseeitquiteplainnow。"
"Whatisit？"askedWilson，sharply，fromthetableonwhichhesatkickinghisheelsrestlessly。
"Well，it’saman，"saidHorneFisher。
Wilsonboundedoffthetableasifhehadbeenkickedoffit。"Whatdoyoumean？"hecried。"Howcanyoupossiblyseeaman？"
"Icanseehimthroughthewindow，"repliedthesecretary，mildly。"Iseehimcomingacrossthemoor。He’smakingabeelineacrosstheopencountrytowardthistower。Heevidentlymeanstopayusavisit。And，consideringwhoitseemstobe，perhapsitwouldbemorepolite。ifwewereallatthedoortoreceivehim。"Andinaleisurelymannerthesecretarycamedowntheladder。
"Whoitseemstobe！"repeatedSirWalterinastonishment。
"Well，Ithinkit’sthemanyoucallPrinceMichael，"observedMr。Fisher，airily。"Infact，I’msureitis。I’veseenthepoliceportraitsofhim。"
Therewasadeadsilence，andSirWalter’susuallysteadybrainseemedtogoroundlikeawindmill。
"But，hangitall！"hesaidatlast，"evensupposinghisownexplosioncouldhavethrownhimhalfamileaway，withoutpassingthroughanyofthewindows，andlefthimaliveenoughforacountrywalk——eventhen，whythedevilshouldhewalkinthisdirection？
Themurdererdoesnotgenerallyrevisitthesceneofhiscrimesorapidlyasallthat。"
"Hedoesn’tknowyetthatitisthesceneofhiscrime，"answeredHorneFisher。
"Whatonearthdoyoumean？Youcredithimwithrathersingularabsenceofmind。"
"Well，thetruthis，itisn’tthesceneofhiscrime，saidFisher，andwentandlookedoutofthewindow。
Therewasanothersilence，andthenSirWaltersaid，quietly："Whatsortofnotionhaveyoureallygotinyourhead，Fisher？Haveyoudevelopedanewtheoryabouthowthisfellowescapedoutoftheringroundhim？"
"Heneverescapedatall，"answeredthemanatthewindow，withoutturninground。"Heneverescapedoutoftheringbecausehewasneverinsidethering。Hewasnotinthistoweratall，atleastnotwhenweweresurroundingit。"
Heturnedandleanedbackagainstthewindow，but，inspiteofhisusuallistlessmanner，theyalmostfanciedthatthefaceinshadowwasalittlepale。
"Ibegantoguesssomethingofthesortwhenweweresomewayfromthetower，"hesaid。"Didyounoticethatsortofflashorflickerthecandlegavebeforeitwasextinguished？Iwasalmostcertainitwasonlythelastleaptheflamegiveswhenacandleburnsitselfout。AndthenIcameintothisroomandI
sawthat。"
HepointedatthetableandSirWaltercaughthisbreathwithasortofcurseathisownblindness。Forthecandleinthecandlestickhadobviouslyburneditselfawaytonothingandlefthim，mentally，atleast，verycompletelyinthedark。
"Thenthereisasortofmathematicalquestion，"wentonFisher，leaningbackinhislimpwayandlookingupatthebarewalls，asiftracingimaginarydiagramsthere。"It’snotsoeasyforamaninthethirdangletofacetheothertwoatthesamemoment，especiallyiftheyareatthebaseofanisosceles。Iamsorryifitsoundslikealectureongeometry，but——"
"I’mafraidwehavenotimeforit，"saidWilson，coldly。"Ifthismanisreallycomingback，Imustgivemyordersatonce。"
"IthinkI’llgoonwithit，though，"observedFisher，staringattheroofwithinsolentserenity。
"Imustaskyou，Mr。Fisher，toletmeconductmyinquiryonmyownlines，"saidWilson，firmly。"Iamtheofficerinchargenow。"
"Yes，"remarkedHorneFisher，softly，butwithanaccentthatsomehowchilledthehearer。"Yes。Butwhy？"
SirWalterwasstaring，forhehadneverseenhisratherlackadaisicalyoungfriendlooklikethatbefore。FisherwaslookingatWilsonwithliftedlids，andtheeyesunderthemseemedtohaveshedorshiftedafilm，asdotheeyesofaneagle。
"Whyareyoutheofficerinchargenow？"heasked。"Whycanyouconducttheinquiryonyourownlinesnow？Howdiditcomeabout，Iwonder，thattheelderofficersarenotheretointerferewithanythingyoudo？"
Nobodyspoke，andnobodycansayhowsoonanyonewouldhavecollectedhiswitstospeakwhenanoisecamefromwithout。Itwastheheavyandhollowsoundofablowuponthedoorofthetower，andtotheirshakenspiritsitsoundedstrangelylikethehammerofdoom。
ThewoodendoorofthetowermovedonitsrustyhingesunderthehandthatstruckitandPrinceMichaelcameintotheroom。Nobodyhadthesmallestdoubtabouthisidentity。Hislightclothes，thoughfrayedwithhisadventures，wereoffineandalmostfoppishcut，andheworeapointedbeard，orimperial，perhapsasafurtherreminiscenceofLouisNapoleon;
buthewasamuchtallerandmoregracefulmanthathisprototype。Beforeanyonecouldspeakhehadsilencedeveryoneforaninstantwithaslightbutsplendidgestureofhospitality。
"Gentlemen，"hesaid，"thisisapoorplacenow，butyouareheartilywelcome。"
Wilsonwasthefirsttorecover，andhetookastridetowardthenewcomer。
"MichaelO’Neill，Iarrestyouintheking’snameforthemurderofFrancisMortonandJamesNolan。
Itismydutytowarnyou——"
"No，no，Mr。Wilson，"criedFisher，suddenly。
"Youshallnotcommitathirdmurder。"
SirWalterCareyrosefromhischair，whichfelloverwithacrashbehindhim。"Whatdoesallthismean？"hecalledoutinanauthoritativemanner。
"Itmeans，"saidFisher，"thatthisman，HookerWilson，assoonashehadputhisheadinatthatwindow，killedhistwocomradeswhohadputtheirheadsinattheotherwindows，byfiringacrosstheemptyroom。Thatiswhatitmeans。Andifyouwanttoknow，counthowmanytimesheissupposedtohavefiredandthencountthechargesleftinhisrevolver。"
Wilson，whowasstillsittingonthetable，abruptlyputahandoutfortheweaponthatlaybesidehim。
Butthenextmovementwasthemostunexpectedofall，fortheprincestandinginthedoorwaypassedsuddenlyfromthedignityofastatuetotheswiftnessofanacrobatandrenttherevolveroutofthedetective’shand。
"Youdog！"hecried。"SoyouarethetypeofEnglishtruth，asIamofIrishtragedy——youwhocometokillme，wadingthroughthebloodofyourbrethren。
Iftheyhadfalleninafeudonthehillside，itwouldbecalledmurder，andyetyoursinmightbeforgivenyou。ButI，whoaminnocent，Iwastobeslainwithceremony。Therewouldbelongspeechesandpatientjudgeslisteningtomyvainpleaofinnocence，notingdownmydespairanddisregardingit。Yes，thatiswhatIcallassassination。Butkillingmaybenomurder;thereisoneshotleftinthislittlegun，andI
knowwhereitshouldgo。"
Wilsonturnedquicklyonthetable，andevenasheturnedhetwistedinagony，forMichaelshothimthroughthebodywherehesat，sothathetumbledoffthetablelikelumber。
Thepolicerushedtolifthim;SirWalterstoodspeechless;andthen，withastrangeandwearygesture，HorneFisherspoke。
"YouareindeedatypeoftheIrishtragedy，"hesaid。"Youwereentirelyintheright，andyouhaveputyourselfinthewrong。"
Theprince’sfacewaslikemarbleforaspacethentheredawnedinhiseyesalightnotunlikethatofdespair。Helaughedsuddenlyandflungthesmokingpistolontheground。
"Iamindeedinthewrong，"hesaid。"Ihavecommittedacrimethatmayjustlybringacurseonmeandmychildren。"
HorneFisherdidnotseementirelysatisfiedwiththisverysuddenrepentance;hekepthiseyesonthemanandonlysaid，inalowvoice，"Whatcrimedoyoumean？"
"IhavehelpedEnglishjustice，"repliedPrinceMichael。"Ihaveavengedyourking’sofficers;Ihavedonetheworkofhishangman。ForthattrulyI
deservetobehanged。"
Andheturnedtothepolicewithagesturethatdidnotsomuchsurrendertothem，butrathercommandthemtoarresthim。
ThiswasthestorythatHorneFishertoldtoHaroldMarch，thejournalist，manyyearsafter，inalittle，butluxurious，restaurantnearPiccadilly。HehadinvitedMarchtodinnersometimeaftertheaffairhecalled"TheFaceintheTarget，"andtheconversationhadnaturallyturnedonthatmysteryandafterwardonearliermemoriesofFisher’slifeandthewayinwhichhewasledtostudysuchproblemsasthoseofPrinceMichael。HorneFisherwasfifteenyearsolder;histhinhairhadfadedtofrontalbaldness，andhislong，thinhandsdroppedlesswithaffectationandmorewithfatigue。AndhetoldthestoryoftheIrishadventureofhisyouth，becauseitrecordedthefirstoccasiononwhichhehadevercomeincontactwithcrime，ordiscoveredhowdarklyandhowterriblycrimecanbeentangledwithlaw。
"HookerWilsonwasthefirstcriminalIeverknew，andhewasapoliceman，"explainedFisher，twirlinghiswineglass。"Andallmylifehasbeenamixed—upbusinessofthesort。Hewasamanofveryrealtalent，andperhapsgenius，andwellworthstudying，bothasadetectiveandacriminal。Hiswhitefaceandredhairweretypicalofhim，forhewasoneofthosewhoarecoldandyetonfireforfame;andhecouldcontrolanger，butnotambition。
Heswallowedthesnubsofhissuperiorsinthatfirstquarrel，thoughheboiledwithresentment;butwhenhesuddenlysawthetwoheadsdarkagainstthedawnandframedinthetwowindows，hecouldnotmissthechance，notonlyofrevenge，butoftheremovalofthetwoobstaclestohispromotion。Hewasadeadshotandcountedonsilencingboth，thoughproofagainsthimwouldhavebeenhardinanycase。But，asamatteroffact，hehadanarrowescape，inthecaseofNolan，wholivedjustlongenoughtosay，’Wilson’andpoint。Wethoughthewassummoninghelpforhiscomrade，buthewasreallydenouncinghismurderer。Afterthatitwaseasytothrowdowntheladderabovehim（foramanupaladdercannotseeclearlywhatisbelowandbehind）
andtothrowhimselfonthegroundasanothervictimofthecatastrophe。
"Buttherewasmixedupwithhismurderousambitionarealbelief，notonlyinhisowntalents，butinhisowntheories。Hedidbelieveinwhathecalledafresheye，andhedidwantscopeforfreshmethods。
Therewassomethinginhisview，butitfailedwheresuchthingscommonlyfail，becausethefresheyecannotseetheunseen。Itistrueabouttheladderandthescarecrow，butnotaboutthelifeandthesoul;andhemadeabadmistakeaboutwhatamanlikeMichaelwoulddowhenheheardawomanscream。
AllMichael’sveryvanityandvainglorymadehimrushoutatonce;hewouldhavewalkedintoDublinCastleforalady’sglove。Callithisposeorwhatyouwill，buthewouldhavedoneit。Whathappenedwhenhemetherisanotherstory，andonewemayneverknow，butfromtalesI’veheardsince，theymusthavebeenreconciled。Wilsonwaswrongthere;buttherewassomething，forallthat，inhisnotionthatthenewcomerseesmost，andthatthemanonthespotmayknowtoomuchtoknowanything。Hewasrightaboutsomethings。Hewasrightaboutme。"
"Aboutyou？"askedHaroldMarchinsomewonder。
"Iamthemanwhoknowstoomuchtoknowanything，or，atanyrate，todoanything，"saidHorneFisher。"Idon’tmeanespeciallyaboutIreland。ImeanaboutEngland。Imeanaboutthewholewaywearegoverned，andperhapstheonlywaywecanbegoverned。Youaskedmejustnowwhatbecameofthesurvivorsofthattragedy。Well，Wilsonrecoveredandwemanagedtopersuadehimtoretire。ButwehadtopensionthatdamnablemurderermoremagnificentlythananyherowhoeverfoughtforEngland。ImanagedtosaveMichaelfromtheworst，butwehadtosendthatperfectlyinnocentmantopenalservitudeforacrimeweknowhenevercommitted，anditwasonlyafterwardthatwecouldconniveinasneakishwayathisescape。AndSirWalterCareyisPrimeMinisterofthiscountry，whichhewouldprobablyneverhavebeenifthetruthhadbeentoldofsuchahorriblescandalinhisdepartment。ItmighthavedoneforusaltogetherinIreland;itwouldcertainlyhavedoneforhim。Andheismyfather’soldfriend，andhasalwayssmotheredmewithkindness。I
amtootangledupwiththewholething，yousee，andI
wascertainlyneverborntosetitright。Youlookdistressed，nottosayshocked，andI’mnotatalloffendedatit。Letuschangethesubjectbyallmeans，ifyoulike。WhatdoyouthinkofthisBurgundy？It’sratheradiscoveryofmine，liketherestaurantitself。"
Andheproceededtotalklearnedlyandluxuriantlyonallthewinesoftheworld;onwhichsubject，also，somemoralistswouldconsiderthatheknewtoomuch。
III。THESOULOFTHESCHOOLBOY
AlargemapofLondonwouldbeneededtodisplaythewildandzigzagcourseofoneday’sjourneyundertakenbyanuncleandhisnephew;or，tospeakmoretruly，ofanephewandhisuncle。Forthenephew，aschoolboyonaholiday，wasintheorythegodinthecar，orinthecab，tram，tube，andsoon，whilehisunclewasatmostapriestdancingbeforehimandofferingsacrifices。Toputitmoresoberly，theschoolboyhadsomethingofthestolidairofayoungdukedoingthegrandtour，whilehiselderlyrelativewasreducedtothepositionofacourier，whoneverthelesshadtopayforeverythinglikeapatron。TheschoolboywasofficiallyknownasSummersMinor，andinamoresocialmannerasStinks，theonlypublictributetohiscareerasanamateurphotographerandelectrician。TheunclewastheRev。ThomasTwyford，aleanandlivelyoldgentlemanwithared，eagerfaceandwhitehair。Hewasintheordinarywayacountryclergyman，buthewasoneofthosewhoachievetheparadoxofbeingfamousinanobscureway，becausetheyarefamousinanobscureworld。Inasmallcircleofecclesiasticalarchaeologists，whoweretheonlypeoplewhocouldevenunderstandoneanother’sdiscoveries，heoccupiedarecognizedandrespectableplace。Andacriticmighthavefoundeveninthatday’sjourneyatleastasmuchoftheuncle’shobbyasofthenephew’sholiday。
Hisoriginalpurposehadbeenwhollypaternalandfestive。But，likemanyotherintelligentpeople，hewasnotabovetheweaknessofplayingwithatoytoamusehimself，onthetheorythatitwouldamuseachild。Histoyswerecrownsandmitersandcroziersandswordsofstate;andhehadlingeredoverthem，tellinghimselfthattheboyoughttoseeallthesightsofLondon。Andattheendoftheday，afteratremendoustea，herathergavethegameawaybywindingupwithavisitinwhichhardlyanyhumanboycouldbeconceivedastakinganinterest——anundergroundchambersupposedtohavebeenachapel，recentlyexcavatedonthenorthbankoftheThames，andcontainingliterallynothingwhateverbutoneoldsilvercoin。Butthecoin，tothosewhoknew，wasmoresolitaryandsplendidthantheKoh—i—noor。ItwasRoman，andwassaidtobeartheheadofSt。Paul;androunditragedthemostvitalcontroversiesabouttheancientBritishChurch。Itcouldhardlybedenied，however，thatthecontroversiesleftSummersMinorcomparativelycold。
Indeed，thethingsthatinterestedSummersMinor，andthethingsthatdidnotinteresthim，hadmystifiedandamusedhisuncleforseveralhours。HeexhibitedtheEnglishschoolboy’sstartlingignoranceandstartlingknowledge——knowledgeofsomespecialclassificationinwhichhecangenerallycorrectandconfoundhiselders。Heconsideredhimselfentitled，atHamptonCourtonaholiday，toforgettheverynamesofCardinalWolseyorWilliamofOrange;buthecouldhardlybedraggedfromsomedetailsaboutthearrangementoftheelectricbellsintheneighboringhotel。HewassolidlydazedbyWestminsterAbbey，whichisnotsounnaturalsincethatchurchbecamethelumberroomofthelargerandlesssuccessfulstatuaryoftheeighteenthcentury。ButhehadamagicandminuteknowledgeoftheWestminsteromnibuses，andindeedofthewholeomnibussystemofLondon，thecolorsandnumbersofwhichheknewasaheraldknowsheraldry。Hewouldcryoutagainstamomentaryconfusionbetweenalight—greenPaddingtonandadark—greenBayswatervehicle，ashisunclewouldattheidentificationofaGreekikonandaRomanimage。
"Doyoucollectomnibuseslikestamps？"askedhisuncle。"Theymustneedaratherlargealbum。Ordoyoukeeptheminyourlocker？"
"Ikeeptheminmyhead，"repliedthenephew，withlegitimatefirmness。
"Itdoesyoucredit，Iadmit，"repliedtheclergyman。"Isupposeitwerevaintoaskforwhatpurposeyouhavelearnedthatoutofathousandthings。Therehardlyseemstobeacareerinit，unlessyoucouldbepermanentlyonthepavementtopreventoldladiesgettingintothewrongbus。Well，wemustgetoutofthisone，forthisisourplace。I
wanttoshowyouwhattheycallSt。Paul’sPenny。"
"IsitlikeSt。Paul’sCathedral？"askedtheyouthwithresignation，astheyalighted。
Attheentrancetheireyeswerearrestedbyasingularfigureevidentlyhoveringtherewithasimilaranxietytoenter。Itwasthatofadark，thinmaninalongblackroberatherlikeacassock;buttheblackcaponhisheadwasoftoostrangeashapetobeabiretta。Itsuggested，rather，somearchaicheaddressofPersiaorBabylon。Hehadacuriousblackbeardappearingonlyatthecornersofhischin，andhislargeeyeswereoddlysetinhisfaceliketheflatdecorativeeyespaintedinoldEgyptianprofiles。Beforetheyhadgatheredmorethanageneralimpressionofhim，hehaddivedintothedoorwaythatwastheirowndestination。
Nothingcouldbeseenabovegroundofthesunkensanctuaryexceptastrongwoodenhut，ofthesortrecentlyrunupformanymilitaryandofficialpurposes，thewoodenfloorofwhichwasindeedamereplatformovertheexcavatedcavitybelow。Asoldierstoodasasentryoutside，andasuperiorsoldier，anAnglo—Indianofficerofdistinction，satwritingatthedeskinside。Indeed，thesightseerssoonfoundthatthisparticularsightwassurroundedwiththemostextraordinaryprecautions。IhavecomparedthesilvercointotheKoh—i—noor，andinonesenseitwasevenconventionallycomparable，sincebyahistoricalaccidentitwasatonetimealmostcountedamongtheCrownjewels，oratleasttheCrownrelics，untiloneoftheroyalprincespubliclyrestoredittotheshrinetowhichitwassupposedtobelong。Othercausescombinedtoconcentrateofficialvigilanceuponit;therehadbeenascareaboutspiescarryingexplosivesinsmallobjects，andoneofthoseexperimentalorderswhichpasslikewavesoverbureaucracyhaddecreedfirstthatallvisitorsshouldchangetheirclothesforasortofofficialsackcloth，andthen（whenthismethodcausedsomemurmurs）
thattheyshouldatleastturnouttheirpockets。
ColonelMorris，theofficerincharge，wasashort，activemanwithagrimandleatheryface，butalivelyandhumorouseye——acontradictionborneoutbyhisconduct，forheatoncederidedthesafeguardsandyetinsistedonthem。
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