"Idon’tcareabuttonmyselfforPaul’sPenny，orsuchthings，"headmittedinanswertosomeantiquarianopeningsfromtheclergymanwhowasslightlyacquaintedwithhim，"butIweartheKing’scoat，youknow，andit’saseriousthingwhentheKing’suncleleavesathingherewithhisownhandsundermycharge。Butasforsaintsandrelicsandthings，IfearI’mabitofaVoltairian;whatyouwouldcallaskeptic。"
"I’mnotsureit’sevenskepticaltobelieveintheroyalfamilyandnotinthe’Holy’Family，"repliedMr。
Twyford。"But，ofcourse，Icaneasilyemptymypockets，toshowIdon’tcarryabomb。"
Thelittleheapoftheparson’spossessionswhichheleftonthetableconsistedchieflyofpapers，overandaboveapipeandatobaccopouchandsomeRomanandSaxoncoins。Therestwerecataloguesofoldbooks，andpamphlets，likeoneentitled"TheUseofSarum，"oneglanceatwhichwassufficientbothforthecolonelandtheschoolboy。TheycouldnotseetheuseofSarumatall。Thecontentsoftheboy’spocketsnaturallymadealargerheap，andincludedmarbles，aballofstring，anelectrictorch，amagnet，asmallcatapult，and，ofcourse，alargepocketknife，almosttobedescribedasasmalltoolbox，acomplexapparatusonwhichheseemeddisposedtolinger，pointingoutthatitincludedapairofnippers，atoolforpunchingholesinwood，and，aboveall，aninstrumentfortakingstonesoutofahorse’shoof。Thecomparativeabsenceofanyhorseheappearedtoregardasirrelevant，asifitwereamereappendageeasilysupplied。Butwhentheturncameofthegentlemanintheblackgown，hedidnotturnouthispockets，butmerelyspreadouthishands。
"Ihavenopossessions，"hesaid。
"I’mafraidImustaskyoutoemptyyourpocketsandmakesure，"observedthecolonel，gruffly。
"Ihavenopockets，"saidthestranger。
Mr。Twyfordwaslookingatthelongblackgownwithalearnedeye。
"Areyouamonk？"heasked，inapuzzledfashion。
"Iamamagus，"repliedthestranger。"Youhaveheardofthemagi，perhaps？Iamamagician。"
"Oh，Isay！"exclaimedSummersMinor，withprominenteyes。
"ButIwasonceamonk，"wentontheother。"Iamwhatyouwouldcallanescapedmonk。Yes，Ihaveescapedintoeternity。Butthemonksheldonetruthatleast，thatthehighestlifeshouldbewithoutpossessions。Ihavenopocketmoneyandnopockets，andallthestarsaremytrinkets。"
"Theyareoutofreach，anyhow，"observedColonelMorris，inatonewhichsuggestedthatitwaswellforthem。"I’veknownagoodmanymagiciansmyselfinIndia——mangoplantandall。
ButtheIndianonesareallfrauds，I’llswear。Infact，I
hadagooddealoffunshowingthemup。MorefunthanIhaveoverthisdrearyjob，anyhow。ButherecomesMr。Symon，whowillshowyouovertheoldcellardownstairs。"
Mr。Symon，theofficialguardianandguide，wasayoungman，prematurelygray，withagravemouthwhichcontrastedcuriouslywithaverysmall，darkmustachewithwaxedpoints，thatseemedsomehow，separatefromit，asifablackflyhadsettledonhisface。HespokewiththeaccentofOxfordandthepermanentofficial，butinasdeadafashionasthemostindifferenthiredguide。Theydescendedadarkstonestaircase，atthefloorofwhichSymonpressedabuttonandadooropenedonadarkroom，or，rather，aroomwhichhadaninstantbeforebeendark。Foralmostastheheavyirondoorswungopenanalmostblindingblazeofelectriclightsfilledthewholeinterior。
ThefitfulenthusiasmofStinksatoncecaughtfire，andheeagerlyaskedifthelightsandthedoorworkedtogether。
"Yes，it’sallonesystem，"repliedSymon。"ItwasallfittedupforthedayHisRoyalHighnessdepositedthethinghere。Yousee，it’slockedupbehindaglasscaseexactlyasheleftit。"
Aglanceshowedthatthearrangementsforguardingthetreasurewereindeedasstrongastheyweresimple。Asinglepaneofglasscutoffonecorneroftheroom，inanironframeworkletintotherockwallsandthewoodenroofabove;therewasnownopossibilityofreopeningthecasewithoutelaboratelabor，exceptbybreakingtheglass，whichwouldprobablyarousethenightwatchmanwhowasalwayswithinafewfeetofit，evenifhehadfallenasleep。Acloseexaminationwouldhaveshowedmanymoreingenioussafeguards;buttheeyeoftheRev。ThomasTwyford，atleast，wasalreadyrivetedonwhatinterestedhimmuchmore——thedullsilverdiskwhichshoneinthewhitelightagainstaplainbackgroundofblackvelvet。
"St。Paul’sPenny，saidtocommemoratethevisitofSt。PaultoBritain，wasprobablypreservedinthischapeluntiltheeighthcentury，"Symonwassayinginhisclearbutcolorlessvoice。"Intheninthcenturyitissupposedtohavebeencarriedawaybythebarbarians，anditreappears，aftertheconversionofthenorthernGoths，inthepossessionoftheroyalfamilyofGothland。HisRoyalHighness，theDukeofGothland，retaineditalwaysinhisownprivatecustody，andwhenhedecidedtoexhibitittothepublic，placeditherewithhisownhand。Itwasimmediatelysealedupinsuchamanner——"
UnluckilyatthispointSummersMinor，whoseattentionhadsomewhatstrayedfromthereligiouswarsoftheninthcentury，caughtsightofashortlengthofwireappearinginabrokenpatchinthewall。Heprecipitatedhimselfatit，callingout，"Isay，say，doesthatconnect？"
Itwasevidentthatitdidconnect，fornosoonerhadtheboygivenitatwitchthanthewholeroomwentblack，asiftheyhadallbeenstruckblind，andaninstantafterwardtheyheardthedullcrashoftheclosingdoor。
"Well，you’vedoneitnow，"saidSymon，inhistranquilfashion。Thenafterapauseheadded，"I
supposethey’llmissussoonerorlater，andnodoubttheycangetitopen;butitmaytakesomelittletime。"
Therewasasilence，andthentheunconquerableStinksobserved：
"RottenthatIhadtoleavemyelectrictorch。"
"Ithink，"saidhisuncle，withrestraint，"thatwearesufficientlyconvincedofyourinterestinelectricity。"
Thenafterapauseheremarked，moreamiably："I
supposeifIregrettedanyofmyownimpedimenta，itwouldbethepipe。Though，asamatteroffact，it’snotmuchfunsmokinginthedark。Everythingseemsdifferentinthedark。"
"Everythingisdifferentinthedark，"saidathirdvoice，thatofthemanwhocalledhimselfamagician。
Itwasaverymusicalvoice，andratherincontrastwithhissinisterandswarthyvisage，whichwasnowinvisible。"Perhapsyoudon’tknowhowterribleatruththatis。Allyouseearepicturesmadebythesun，facesandfurnitureandflowersandtrees。Thethingsthemselvesmaybequitestrangetoyou。Somethingelsemaybestandingnowwhereyousawatableorachair。Thefaceofyourfriendmaybequitedifferentinthedark。"
Ashort，indescribablenoisebrokethestillness。
Twyfordstartedforasecond，andthensaid，sharply：
"Really，Idon’tthinkit’sasuitableoccasionfortryingtofrightenachild。"
"Who’sachild？"criedtheindignantSummers，withavoicethathadacrow，butalsosomethingofacrackinit。"Andwho’safunk，either？Notme。"
"Iwillbesilent，then，"saidtheothervoiceoutofthedarkness。"Butsilencealsomakesandunmakes。"
TherequiredsilenceremainedunbrokenforalongtimeuntilatlasttheclergymansaidtoSymoninalowvoice：
"Isupposeit’sallrightaboutair？"
"Oh，yes，"repliedtheotheraloud;"there’safireplaceandachimneyintheofficejustbythedoor。"
Aboundandthenoiseofafallingchairtoldthemthattheirrepressiblerisinggenerationhadoncemorethrownitselfacrosstheroom。Theyheardtheejaculation："Achimney！Why，I’llbe——"andtherestwaslostinmuffled，butexultant，cries。
Theunclecalledrepeatedlyandvainly，gropedhiswayatlasttotheopening，and，peeringupit，caughtaglimpseofadiskofdaylight，whichseemedtosuggestthatthefugitivehadvanishedinsafety。
Makinghiswaybacktothegroupbytheglasscase，hefelloverthefallenchairandtookamomenttocollecthimselfagain。HehadopenedhismouthtospeaktoSymon，whenhestopped，andsuddenlyfoundhimselfblinkinginthefullshockofthewhitelight，andlookingovertheotherman’sshoulder，hesawthatthedoorwasstandingopen。
"Sothey’vegotatusatlast，"heobservedtoSymon。
Themanintheblackrobewasleaningagainstthewallsomeyardsaway，withasmilecarvedonhisface。
"HerecomesColonelMorris，"wentonTwyford，stillspeakingtoSymon。"Oneofuswillhavetotellhimhowthelightwentout。Willyou？"
ButSymonstillsaidnothing。Hewasstandingasstillasastatue，andlookingsteadilyattheblackvelvetbehindtheglassscreen。Hewaslookingattheblackvelvetbecausetherewasnothingelsetolookat。St。Paul’sPennywasgone。
ColonelMorrisenteredtheroomwithtwonewvisitors;presumablytwonewsightseersdelayedbytheaccident。Theforemostwasatall，fair，ratherlanguid—lookingmanwithabaldbrowandahigh—bridgednose;hiscompanionwasayoungermanwithlight，curlyhairandfrank，andeveninnocent，eyes。Symonscarcelyseemedtohearthenewcomers;itseemedalmostasifhehadnotrealizedthatthereturnofthelightrevealedhisbroodingattitude。Thenhestartedinaguiltyfashion，andwhenhesawtheelderofthetwostrangers，hispalefaceseemedtoturnashadepaler。
"Whyit’sHorneFisher！"andthenafterapausehesaidinalowvoice，"I’minthedevilofahole，Fisher。"
"Theredoesseemabitofamysterytobeclearedup，"observedthegentlemansoaddressed。
"Itwillneverbeclearedup，"saidthepaleSymon。
"Ifanybodycouldclearitup，youcould。Butnobodycould。"
"IratherthinkIcould，"saidanothervoicefromoutsidethegroup，andtheyturnedinsurprisetorealizethatthemanintheblackrobehadspokenagain。
"You！"saidthecolonel，sharply。"Andhowdoyouproposetoplaythedetective？"
"Idonotproposetoplaythedetective，"answeredtheother，inaclearvoicelikeabell。"Iproposetoplaythemagician。OneofthemagiciansyoushowupinIndia，Colonel。"
Noonespokeforamoment，andthenHorneFishersurprisedeverybodybysaying，"Well，let’sgoupstairs，andthisgentlemancanhaveatry。"
HestoppedSymon，whohadanautomaticfingeronthebutton，saying："No，leaveallthelightson。It’sasortofsafeguard。"
"Thethingcan’tbetakenawaynow，"saidSymon，bitterly。
"Itcanbeputback，"repliedFisher。
Twyfordhadalreadyrunupstairsfornewsofhisvanishingnephew，andhereceivednewsofhiminawaythatatoncepuzzledandreassuredhim。Onthefloorabovelayoneofthoselargepaperdartswhichboysthrowateachotherwhentheschoolmasterisoutoftheroom。Ithadevidentlybeenthrowninatthewindow，andonbeingunfoldeddisplayedascrawlofbadhandwritingwhichran："DearUncle;Iamallright。Meetyouatthehotellateron，"andthenthesignature。
Insensiblycomfortedbythis，theclergymanfoundhisthoughtsrevertingvoluntarilytohisfavoriterelic，whichcameagoodsecondinhissympathiestohisfavoritenephew，andbeforeheknewwherehewashefoundhimselfencircledbythegroupdiscussingitsloss，andmoreorlesscarriedawayonthecurrentoftheirexcitement。Butanundercurrentofquerycontinuedtoruninhismind，astowhathadreallyhappenedtotheboy，andwhatwastheboy’sexactdefinitionofbeingallright。
MeanwhileHorneFisherhadconsiderablypuzzledeverybodywithhisnewtoneandattitude。Hehadtalkedtothecolonelaboutthemilitaryandmechanicalarrangements，anddisplayedaremarkableknowledgebothofthedetailsofdisciplineandthetechnicalitiesofelectricity。Hehadtalkedtotheclergyman，andshownanequallysurprisingknowledgeofthereligiousandhistoricalinterestsinvolvedintherelic。Hehadtalkedtothemanwhocalledhimselfamagician，andnotonlysurprisedbutscandalizedthecompanybyanequallysympatheticfamiliaritywiththemostfantasticformsofOrientaloccultismandpsychicexperiment。Andinthislastandleastrespectablelineofinquiryhewasevidentlypreparedtogofarthest;heopenlyencouragedthemagician，andwasplainlypreparedtofollowthewildestwaysofinvestigationinwhichthatmagusmightleadhim。
"Howwouldyoubeginnow？"heinquired，withananxiouspolitenessthatreducedthecoloneltoacongestionofrage。
"Itisallaquestionofaforce;ofestablishingcommunicationsforaforce，"repliedthatadept，affably，ignoringsomemilitarymutteringsaboutthepoliceforce。"ItiswhatyouintheWestusedtocallanimalmagnetism，butitismuchmorethanthat。I
hadbetternotsayhowmuchmore。Astosettingaboutit，theusualmethodistothrowsomesusceptiblepersonintoatrance，whichservesasasortofbridgeorcordofcommunication，bywhichtheforcebeyondcangivehim，asitwere，anelectricshock，andawakenhishighersenses。Itopensthesleepingeyeofthemind。"
"I’msuspectible，"saidFisher，eitherwithsimplicityorwithabafflingirony。"Whynotopenmymind’seyeforme？MyfriendHaroldMarchherewilltellyouIsometimesseethings，eveninthedark。"
"Nobodyseesanythingexceptinthedark，"saidthemagician。
Heavycloudsofsunsetwereclosingroundthewoodenhut，enormousclouds，ofwhichonlythecorners*couldbeseeninthelittlewindow，likepurplehornsandtails，almostasifsomehugemonsterswereprowlingroundtheplace。Butthepurplewasalreadydeepeningtodarkgray;itwouldsoonbenight。
"Donotlightthelamp，"saidthemaguswithquietauthority，arrestingamovementinthatdirection。"I
toldyoubeforethatthingshappenonlyinthedark。"
Howsuchatopsy—turvysceneevercametobetoleratedinthecolonel’soffice，ofallplaces，wasafterwardapuzzleinthememoryofmany，includingthecolonel。Theyrecalleditlikeasortofnightmare，likesomethingtheycouldnotcontrol。Perhapstherewasreallyamagnetismaboutthemesmerist;
perhapstherewasevenmoremagnetismaboutthemanmesmerized。
Anyhow，themanwasbeingmesmerized，forHorneFisherhadcollapsedintoachairwithhislonglimbslooseandsprawlingandhiseyesstaringatvacancy;
andtheothermanwasmesmerizinghim，makingsweepingmovementswithhisdarklydrapedarmsasifwithblackwings。Thecolonelhadpassedthepointofexplosion，andhedimlyrealizedthateccentricaristocratsareallowedtheirfling。Hecomfortedhimselfwiththeknowledgethathehadalreadysentforthepolice，whowouldbreakupanysuchmasquerade，andwithlightingacigar，theredendofwhich，inthegatheringdarkness，glowedwithprotest。
"Yes，Iseepockets，"themaninthetrancewassaying。"Iseemanypockets，buttheyareallempty。
No;Iseeonepocketthatisnotempty。"
Therewasafaintstirinthestillness，andthemagiciansaid，"Canyouseewhatisinthepocket？"
"Yes，"answeredtheother;"therearetwobrightthings。Ithinktheyaretwobitsofsteel。Oneofthepiecesofsteelisbentorcrooked。"
"Havetheybeenusedintheremovaloftherelicfromdownstairs？"
"Yes。"
Therewasanotherpauseandtheinquireradded，"Doyouseeanythingoftherelicitself？"
"Iseesomethingshiningonthefloor，liketheshadowortheghostofit。Itisoverthereinthecornerbeyondthedesk。"
Therewasamovementofmenturningandthenasuddenstillness，asoftheirstiffening，foroverinthecorneronthewoodenfloortherewasreallyaroundspotofpalelight。Itwastheonlyspotoflightintheroom。Thecigarhadgoneout。
"Itpointstheway，"camethevoiceoftheoracle。
"Thespiritsarepointingthewaytopenitence，andurgingthethieftorestitution。Icanseenothingmore。"Hisvoicetrailedoffintoasilencethatlastedsolidlyformanyminutes，likethelongsilencebelowwhenthethefthadbeencommitted。Thenitwasbrokenbytheringofmetalonthefloor，andthesoundofsomethingspinningandfallinglikeatossedhalfpenny。
"Lightthelamp！"criedFisherinaloudandevenjovialvoice，leapingtohisfeetwithfarlesslanguorthanusual。"Imustbegoingnow，butIshouldliketoseeitbeforeIgo。Why，Icameonpurposetoseeit。"
Thelampwaslit，andhedidseeit，forSt。Paul’sPennywaslyingonthefloorathisfeet。
"Oh，asforthat，"explainedFisher，whenhewasentertainingMarchandTwyfordatlunchaboutamonthlater，"Imerelywantedtoplaywiththemagicianathisowngame。"
"Ithoughtyoumeanttocatchhiminhisowntrap，"
saidTwyford。"Ican’tmakeheadortailofanythingyet，buttomymindhewasalwaysthesuspect。I
don’tthinkhewasnecessarilyathiefinthevulgarsense。Thepolicealwaysseemtothinkthatsilverisstolenforthesakeofsilver，butathinglikethatmightwellbestolenoutofsomereligiousmania。A
runawaymonkturnedmysticmightwellwantitforsomemysticalpurpose。"
"No，"repliedFisher，"therunawaymonkisnotathief。Atanyrateheisnotthethief。Andhe’snotaltogetheraliar，either。Hesaidonetruethingatleastthatnight。"
"Andwhatwasthat？"inquiredMarch。
"Hesaiditwasallmagnetism。Asamatteroffact，itwasdonebymeansofamagnet。"Then，seeingtheystilllookedpuzzled，headded，"Itwasthattoymagnetbelongingtoyournephew，Mr。Twyford。"
"ButIdon’tunderstand，"objectedMarch。"Ifitwasdonewiththeschoolboy’smagnet，Isupposeitwasdonebytheschoolboy。"
"Well，"repliedFisher，reflectively，"itratherdependswhichschoolboy。"
"Whatonearthdoyoumean？"
"Thesoulofaschoolboyisacuriousthing，"Fishercontinued，inameditativemanner。"Itcansurviveagreatmanythingsbesidesclimbingoutofachimney。
Amancangrowgrayingreatcampaigns，andstillhavethesoulofaschoolboy。AmancanreturnwithagreatreputationfromIndiaandbeputinchargeofagreatpublictreasure，andstillhavethesoulofaschoolboy，waitingtobeawakenedbyanaccident。
Anditistentimesmoresowhentotheschoolboyyouaddtheskeptic，whoisgenerallyasortofstuntedschoolboy。Yousaidjustnowthatthingsmightbedonebyreligiousmania。Haveyoueverheardofirreligiousmania？Iassureyouitexistsveryviolently，especiallyinmenwholikeshowingupmagiciansinIndia。Butheretheskeptichadthetemptationofshowingupamuchmoretremendousshamnearerhome。"
AlightcameintoHaroldMarch’seyesashesuddenlysaw，asifafaroff，thewiderimplicationofthesuggestion。ButTwyfordwasstillwrestlingwithoneproblematatime。
"Doyoureallymean，"hesaid，"thatColonelMorristooktherelic？"
"Hewastheonlypersonwhocouldusethemagnet，"repliedFisher。"Infact，yourobligingnephewlefthimanumberofthingshecoulduse。Hehadaballofstring，andaninstrumentformakingaholeinthewoodenfloor——Imadealittleplaywiththatholeinthefloorinmytrance，bytheway;withthelightsleftonbelow，itshonelikeanewshilling。"
Twyfordsuddenlyboundedonhischair。"Butinthatcase，"hecried，inanewandalteredvoice，"whythenofcourse——Yousaidapieceofsteel——？"
"Isaidthereweretwopiecesofsteel，"saidFisher。"Thebentpieceofsteelwastheboy’smagnet。Theotherwastherelicintheglasscase。"
"Butthatissilver，"answeredthearchaeologist，inavoicenowalmostunrecognizable。
"Oh，"repliedFisher，soothingly，"Idaresayitwaspaintedwithsilveralittle。"
Therewasaheavysilence，andatlastHaroldMarchsaid，"Butwhereistherealrelic？"
"Whereithasbeenforfiveyears，"repliedHorneFisher，"inthepossessionofamadmillionairenamedVandam，inNebraska。Therewasaplayfullittlephotographabouthiminasocietypapertheotherday，mentioninghisdelusion，andsayinghewasalwaysbeingtakeninaboutrelics。"
HaroldMarchfrownedatthetablecloth;then，afteraninterval，hesaid："IthinkIunderstandyournotionofhowthethingwasactuallydone;accordingtothat，Morrisjustmadeaholeandfisheditupwithamagnetattheendofastring。Suchamonkeytricklookslikemeremadness，butIsupposehewasmad，partlywiththeboredomofwatchingoverwhathefeltwasafraud，thoughhecouldn’tproveit。Thencameachancetoproveit，tohimselfatleast，andhehadwhathecalled’fun’withit。Yes，IthinkIseealotofdetailsnow。Butit’sjustthewholethingthatknocksme。Howdiditallcometobelikethat？"
Fisherwaslookingathimwithlevellidsandanimmovablemanner。
"Everyprecautionwastaken，"hesaid。"TheDukecarriedthereliconhisownperson，andlockeditupinthecasewithhisownhands。"
Marchwassilent;butTwyfordstammered。"I
don’tunderstandyou。Yougivemethecreeps。Whydon’tyouspeakplainer？"
"IfIspokeplaineryouwouldunderstandmeless，"
saidHorneFisher。
"AllthesameIshouldtry，"saidMarch，stillwithoutliftinghishead。
"Oh，verywell，"repliedFisher，withasigh;"theplaintruthis，ofcourse，thatit’sabadbusiness。
Everybodyknowsit’sabadbusinesswhoknowsanythingaboutit。Butit’salwayshappening，andinonewayonecanhardlyblamethem。Theygetstuckontoaforeignprincessthat’sasstiffasaDutchdoll，andtheyhavetheirfling。Inthiscaseitwasaprettybigfling。"
ThefaceoftheRev。ThomasTwyfordcertainlysuggestedthathewasalittleoutofhisdepthintheseasoftruth，butastheotherwentonspeakingvaguelytheoldgentleman’sfeaturessharpenedandset。
"IfitweresomedecentmorganaticaffairI
wouldn’tsay;buthemusthavebeenafooltothrowawaythousandsonawomanlikethat。Attheenditwassheerblackmail;butit’ssomethingthattheoldassdidn’tgetitoutofthetaxpayers。HecouldonlygetitoutoftheYank，andthereyouare。"
TheRev。ThomasTwyfordhadrisentohisfeet。
"Well，I’mgladmynephewhadnothingtodowithit，"hesaid。"Andifthat’swhattheworldislike，I
hopehewillneverhaveanythingto，dowithit。"
"Ihopenot，"answeredHorneFisher。"NooneknowssowellasIdothatonecanhavefartoomuchtodowithit。"
ForSummersMinorhadindeednothingtodowithit;anditispartofhishighersignificancethathehasreallynothingtodowiththestory，orwithanysuchstories。Theboywentlikeabulletthroughthetangleofthistaleofcrookedpoliticsandcrazymockeryandcameoutontheotherside，pursuinghisownunspoiledpurposes。Fromthetopofthechimneyheclimbedhehadcaughtsightofanewomnibus，whosecolorandnamehehadneverknown，asanaturalistmightseeanewbirdorabotanistanewflower。Andhehadbeensufficientlyenrapturedinrushingafterit，andridingawayuponthatfairyship。
IV。THEBOTTOMLESSWELL
Inanoasis，orgreenisland，intheredandyellowseasofsandthatstretchbeyondEuropetowardthesunrise，therecanbefoundaratherfantasticcontrast，whichisnonethelesstypicalofsuchaiplace，sinceinternationaltreatieshavemadeitanoutpostoftheBritishoccupation。Thesiteisfamousamongarchaeologistsforsomethingthatishardlyamonument，butmerelyaholeintheground。Butitisaroundshaft，likethatofawell，andprobablyapartofsomegreatirrigationworksofremoteanddisputeddate，perhapsmoreancientthananythinginthatancientland。Thereisagreenfringeofpalmandpricklypearroundtheblackmouthofthewell;butnothingoftheuppermasonryremainsexcepttwobulkyandbatteredstonesstandinglikethepillarsofagatewayofnowhere，inwhichsomeofthemoretranscendentalarchaeologists，incertainmoodsatmoonriseorsunset，thinktheycantracethefaintlinesoffiguresorfeaturesofmorethanBabylonianmonstrosity;whilethemorerationalisticarchaeologists，inthemorerationalhoursofdaylight，seenothingbuttwoshapelessrocks。Itmayhavebeennoticed，however，thatallEnglishmenarenotarchaeologists。
Manyofthoseassembledinsuchaplaceforofficialandmilitarypurposeshavehobbiesotherthanarchaeology。AnditisasolemnfactthattheEnglishinthisEasternexilehavecontrivedtomakeasmallgolflinksoutofthegreenscrubandsand;withacomfortableclubhouseatoneendofitandthisprimevalmonumentattheother。Theydidnotactuallyusethisarchaicabyssasabunker，becauseitwasbytraditionunfathomable，andevenforpracticalpurposesunfathomed。Anysportingprojectilesentintoitmightbecountedmostliterallyasalostball。Buttheyoftensaunteredrounditintheirinterludesoftalkingandsmokingcigarettes，andoneofthemhadjustcomedownfromtheclubhousetofindanothergazingsomewhatmoodilyintothewell。
BoththeEnglishmenworelightclothesandwhitepithhelmetsandpuggrees，butthere，forthemostpart，theirresemblanceended。Andtheybothalmostsimultaneouslysaidthesameword，buttheysaiditontwototallydifferentnotesofthevoice。
"Haveyouheardthenews？"askedthemanfromtheclub。"Splendid。"
"Splendid，"repliedthemanbythewell。Butthefirstmanpronouncedthewordasayoungmanmightsayitaboutawoman，andthesecondasanoldmanmightsayitabouttheweather，notwithoutsincerity，butcertainlywithoutfervor。
Andinthisthetoneofthetwomenwassufficientlytypicalofthem。Thefirst，whowasacertainCaptainBoyle，wasofaboldandboyishtype，dark，andwithasortofnativeheatinhisfacethatdidnotbelongtotheatmosphereoftheEast，butrathertotheardorsandambitionsoftheWest。Theotherwasanoldermanandcertainlyanolderresident，acivilianofficial——HorneFisher;andhisdroopingeyelidsanddroopinglightmustacheexpressedalltheparadoxoftheEnglishmanintheEast。Hewasmuchtoohottobeanythingbutcool。
Neitherofthemthoughtitnecessarytomentionwhatitwasthatwassplendid。Thatwouldindeedhavebeensuperfluousconversationaboutsomethingthateverybodyknew。ThestrikingvictoryoveramenacingcombinationofTurksandArabsinthenorth，wonbytroopsunderthecommandofLordHastings，theveteranofsomanystrikingvictories，wasalreadyspreadbythenewspapersallovertheEmpire，letalonetothissmallgarrisonsoneartothebattlefield。
"Now，noothernationintheworldcouldhavedoneathinglikethat，"criedCaptainBoyle，emphatically。
HorneFisherwasstilllookingsilentlyintothewell;amomentlaterheanswered："Wecertainlyhavetheartofunmakingmistakes。That’swherethepooroldPrussianswentwrong。Theycouldonlymakemistakesandsticktothem。Thereisreallyacertaintalentinunmakingamistake。"
"Whatdoyoumean，"askedBoyle，"whatmistakes？"
"Well，everybodyknowsitlookedlikebitingoffmorethanhecouldchew，"repliedHorneFisher。ItwasapeculiarityofMr。Fisherthathealwayssaidthateverybodyknewthingswhichaboutonepersonintwomillionwaseverallowedtohearof。"AnditwascertainlyjollyluckythatTraversturnedupsowellinthenickoftime。Oddhowoftentherightthing’sbeendoneforusbythesecondincommand，evenwhenagreatmanwasfirstincommand。LikeColborneatWaterloo。"
"ItoughttoaddawholeprovincetotheEmpire，"
observedtheother。
"Well，IsupposetheZimmerneswouldhaveinsistedonitasfarasthecanal，"observedFisher，thoughtfully，"thougheverybodyknowsaddingprovincesdoesn’talwayspaymuchnowadays。"
CaptainBoylefrownedinaslightlypuzzledfashion。BeingcloudilyconsciousofneverhavingheardoftheZimmernesinhislife，hecouldonlyremark，stolidly：
"Well，onecan’tbeaLittleEnglander。"
HorneFishersmiled，andhehadapleasantsmile。
"EverymanouthereisaLittleEnglander，"hesaid。"HewisheshewerebackinLittleEngland。"
"Idon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout，I’mafraid，"saidtheyoungerman，rathersuspiciously。
"Onewouldthinkyoudidn’treallyadmireHastingsor—
—or——anything。"
"Iadmirehimnoend，"repliedFisher。"He’sbyfarthebestmanforthispost;heunderstandstheMoslemsandcandoanythingwiththem。That’swhyI’mallagainstpushingTraversagainsthim，merelybecauseofthislastaffair。"
"Ireallydon’tunderstandwhatyou’redrivingat，"
saidtheother，frankly。
"Perhapsitisn’tworthunderstanding，"answeredFisher，lightly，"and，anyhow，weneedn’ttalkpolitics。
DoyouknowtheArablegendaboutthatwell？"
"I’mafraidIdon’tknowmuchaboutArablegends，"saidBoyle，ratherstiffly。
"That’sratheramistake，"repliedFisher，"especiallyfromyourpointofview。LordHastingshimselfisanArablegend。Thatisperhapstheverygreatestthinghereallyis。IfhisreputationwentitwouldweakenusalloverAsiaandAfrica。Well，thestoryaboutthatholeintheground，thatgoesdownnobodyknowswhere，hasalwaysfascinatedme，rather。It’sMohammedaninformnow，butIshouldn’twonderifthetaleisalongwayolderthanMohammed。It’sallaboutsomebodytheycalltheSultanAladdin，notourfriendofthelamp，ofcourse，butratherlikehiminhavingtodowithgeniiorgiantsorsomethingofthatsort。Theysayhecommandedthegiantstobuildhimasortofpagoda，risinghigherandhigheraboveallthestars。TheUtmostfortheHighest，asthepeoplesaidwhentheybuilttheTowerofBabel。ButthebuildersoftheTowerofBabelwerequitemodestanddomesticpeople，likemice，comparedwitholdAladdin。Theyonlywantedatowerthatwouldreachheaven——ameretrifle。Hewantedatowerthatwouldpassheavenandriseaboveit，andgoonrisingforeverandever。AndAllahcasthimdowntoearthwithathunderbolt，whichsankintotheearth，boringaholedeeperanddeeper，tillitmadeawellthatwaswithoutabottomasthetowerwastohavebeenwithoutatop。AnddownthatinvertedtowerofdarknessthesouloftheproudSultanisfallingforeverandever。"
"Whataqueerchapyouare，"saidBoyle。"Youtalkasifafellowcouldbelievethosefables。"
"PerhapsIbelievethemoralandnotthefable，"
answeredFisher。"ButherecomesLadyHastings。
Youknowher，Ithink。"
Theclubhouseonthegolflinkswasused，ofcourse，formanyotherpurposesbesidesthatofgolf。Itwastheonlysocialcenterofthegarrisonbesidethestrictlymilitaryheadquarters;ithadabilliardroomandabar，andevenanexcellentreferencelibraryforthoseofficerswhoweresoperverseastotaketheirprofessionseriously。Amongthesewasthegreatgeneralhimself，whoseheadofsilverandfaceofbronze，likethatofabrazeneagle，wereoftentobefoundbentoverthechartsandfoliosofthelibrary。
ThegreatLordHastingsbelievedinscienceandstudy，asinothersevereidealsoflife，andhadgivenmuchpaternaladviceonthepointtoyoungBoyle，whoseappearancesinthatplaceofresearchwererathermoreintermittent。Itwasfromoneofthesesnatchesofstudythattheyoungmanhadjustcomeoutthroughtheglassdoorsofthelibraryontothegolflinks。But，aboveall，theclubwassoappointedastoservethesocialconveniencesofladiesatleastasmuchasgentlemen，andLadyHastingswasabletoplaythequeeninsuchasocietyalmostasmuchasinherownballroom。Shewaseminentlycalculatedand，assomesaid，eminentlyinclinedtoplaysuchapart。
Shewasmuchyoungerthanherhusband，anattractiveandsometimesdangerouslyattractivelady;andMr。
HorneFisherlookedafterheralittlesardonicallyasshesweptawaywiththeyoungsoldier。Thenhisratherdrearyeyestrayedtothegreenandpricklygrowthsroundthewell，growthsofthatcuriouscactusformationinwhichonethickleafgrowsdirectlyoutoftheotherwithoutstalkortwig。
Itgavehisfancifulmindasinisterfeelingofablindgrowthwithoutshapeorpurpose。A
flowerorshrubintheWestgrowstotheblossomwhichisitscrown，andiscontent。Butthiswasasifhandscouldgrowoutofhandsorlegsgrowoutoflegsinanightmare。"AlwaysaddingaprovincetotheEmpire，"hesaid，withasmile，andthenadded，moresadly，"butIdoubtifIwasright，afterall！"
Astrongbutgenialvoicebrokeinonhismeditationsandhelookedupandsmiled，seeingthefaceofanoldfriend。Thevoicewas，indeed，rathermoregenialthantheface，whichwasatthefirstglancedecidedlygrim。Itwasatypicallylegalface，withangularjawsandheavy，grizzledeyebrows;anditbelongedtoaneminentlylegalcharacter，thoughhewasnowattachedinasemimilitarycapacitytothepoliceofthatwilddistrict。
CuthbertGraynewasperhapsmoreofacriminologistthaneitheralawyerorapoliceman，butinhismorebarbaroussurroundingshehadprovedsuccessfulinturninghimselfintoapracticalcombinationofallthree。ThediscoveryofawholeseriesofstrangeOrientalcrimesstoodtohiscredit。Butasfewpeoplewereacquaintedwith，orattractedto，suchahobbyorbranchofknowledge，hisintellectuallifewassomewhatsolitary。AmongthefewexceptionswasHorneFisher，whohadacuriouscapacityfortalkingtoalmostanybodyaboutalmostanything。
"Studyingbotany，orisitarchaeology？"inquiredGrayne。"Ishallnevercometotheendofyourinterests，Fisher。Ishouldsaythatwhatyoudon’tknowisn’tworthknowing。"
"Youarewrong，"repliedFisher，withaveryunusualabruptness’andevenbitterness。"It’swhatI
doknowthatisn’tworthknowing。Alltheseamysideofthings，allthesecretreasonsandrottenmotivesandbriberyaridblackmailtheycallpolitics。Ineedn’tbesoproudofhavingbeendownallthesesewersthatIshouldbragaboutittothelittleboysinthestreet。"
"Whatdoyoumean？What’sthematterwithyou？"askedhisfriend。"Ineverknewyoutakenlikethisbefore。"
"I’mashamedofmyself，"repliedFisher。"I’vejustbeenthrowingcoldwaterontheenthusiasmsofaboy。"
"Eventhatexplanationishardlyexhaustive，"observedthecriminalexpert。
"Damnednewspapernonsensetheenthusiasmswere，ofcourse，"continuedFisher，"butIoughttoknowthatatthatageillusionscanbeideals。Andthey’rebetterthanthereality，anyhow。Butthereisoneveryuglyresponsibilityaboutjoltingayoungmanoutoftherutofthemostrottenideal。"
"Andwhatmaythatbe？"inquiredhisfriend。
"It’sveryapttosethimoffwiththesameenergyinamuchworsedirection，"answeredFisher;"aprettyendlesssortofdirection，abottomlesspitasdeepasthebottomlesswell。"
Fisherdidnotseehisfrienduntilafortnightlater，whenhefoundhimselfinthegardenatthebackoftheclubhouseontheoppositesidefromthelinks，agardenheavilycoloredandscentedwithsweetsemitropicalplantsintheglowofadesertsunset。
Twoothermenwerewithhim，thethirdbeingthenowcelebratedsecondincommand，familiartoeverybodyasTomTravers，alean，darkman，wholookedolderthanhisyears，withafurrowinhisbrowandsomethingmoroseabouttheveryshapeofhisblackmustache。TheyhadjustbeenservedwithblackcoffeebytheArabnowofficiatingasthetemporaryservantoftheclub，thoughhewasafigurealreadyfamiliar，andevenfamous，astheoldservantofthegeneral。HewentbythenameofSaid，andwasnotableamongotherSemitesforthatunnaturallengthofhisyellowfaceandheightofhisnarrowforeheadwhichissometimesseenamongthem，andgaveanirrationalimpressionofsomethingsinister，inspiteofhisagreeablesmile。
"IneverfeelasifIcouldquitetrustthatfellow，"saidGrayne，whenthemanhadgoneaway。
"It’sveryunjust，Itakeit，forhewascertainlydevotedtoHastings，andsavedhislife，theysay。ButArabsareoftenlikethat，loyaltooneman。Ican’thelpfeelinghemightcutanybodyelse’sthroat，andevendoittreacherously。"
"Well，"saidTravers，witharathersoursmile，"solongasheleavesHastingsalonetheworldwon’tmindmuch。"
Therewasaratherembarrassingsilence，fullofmemoriesofthegreatbattle，andthenHorneFishersaid，quietly：
"Thenewspapersaren’ttheworld，Tom。Don’tyouworryaboutthem。Everybodyinyourworldknowsthetruthwellenough。"
"Ithinkwe’dbetternottalkaboutthegeneraljustnow，"remarkedGrayne，"forhe’sjustcomingoutoftheclub。"
"He’snotcominghere，"saidFisher。"He’sonlyseeinghiswifetothecar。"
Ashespoke，indeed，theladycameoutonthestepsoftheclub，followedbyherhusband，whothenwentswiftlyinfrontofhertoopenthegardengate。
Ashedidsosheturnedbackandspokeforamomenttoasolitarymanstillsittinginacanechairintheshadowofthedoorway，theonlymanleftinthedesertedclubsaveforthethreethatlingeredinthegarden。Fisherpeeredforamomentintotheshadow，andsawthatitwasCaptainBoyle。
Thenextmoment，rathertotheirsurprise，thegeneralreappearedand，remountingthesteps，spokeawordortwotoBoyleinhisturn。ThenhesignaledtoSaid，whohurriedupwithtwocupsofcoffee，andthetwomenre—enteredtheclub，eachcarryinghiscupinhishand。Thenextmomentagleamofwhitelightinthegrowingdarknessshowedthattheelectriclampshadbeenturnedoninthelibrarybeyond。
"Coffeeandscientificresearches，"saidTravers，grimly。"Alltheluxuriesoflearningandtheoreticalresearch。Well，Imustbegoing，forIhavemyworktodoaswell。"Andhegotupratherstiffly，salutedhiscompanions，andstrodeawayintothedusk。
"IonlyhopeBoyleisstickingtoscientificresearches，"saidHorneFisher。"I’mnotverycomfortableabouthimmyself。Butlet’stalkaboutsomethingelse。"
Theytalkedaboutsomethingelselongerthantheyprobablyimagined，untilthetropicalnighthadcomeandasplendidmoonpaintedthewholescenewithsilver;butbeforeitwasbrightenoughtoseebyFisherhadalreadynotedthatthelightsinthelibraryhadbeenabruptlyextinguished。Hewaitedforthetwomentocomeoutbythegardenentrance，butnobodycame。
"Theymusthavegoneforastrollonthelinks，"hesaid。
"Verypossibly，"repliedGrayne。"It’sgoingtobeabeautifulnight。"
Amomentortwoafterhehadspokentheyheardavoicehailingthemoutoftheshadowoftheclubhouse，andwereastonishedtoperceiveTravershurryingtowardthem，callingoutashecame：
"Ishallwantyourhelp，youfellows，"hecried。
"There’ssomethingprettybadoutonthelinks。"
Theyfoundthemselvesplungingthroughtheclubsmokingroomandthelibrarybeyond，incompletedarkness，mentalaswellasmaterial。ButHorneFisher，inspiteofhisaffectationofindifference，wasapersonofacuriousandalmosttranscendentalsensibilitytoatmospheres，andhealreadyfeltthepresenceofsomethingmorethananaccident。Hecollidedwithapieceoffurnitureinthelibrary，andalmostshudderedwiththeshock，forthethingmovedashecouldneverhavefanciedapieceoffurnituremoving。Itseemedtomovelikealivingthing，yieldingandyetstrikingback。ThenextmomentGraynehadturnedonthelights，andhesawhehadonlystumbledagainstoneoftherevolvingbookstandsthathadswungroundandstruckhim;buthisinvoluntaryrecoilhadrevealedtohimhisownsubconscioussenseofsomethingmysteriousandmonstrous。Therewereseveraloftheserevolvingbookcasesstandinghereandthereaboutthelibrary;ononeofthemstoodthetwocupsofcoffee，andonanotheralargeopenbook。ItwasBudge’sbookonEgyptianhieroglyphics，withcoloredplatesofstrangebirdsandgods，andevenasherushedpast，hewasconsciousofsomethingoddaboutthefactthatthis，andnotanyworkofmilitaryscience，shouldbeopeninthatplaceatthatmoment。
Hewasevenconsciousofthegapinthewell—linedbookshelffromwhichithadbeentaken，anditseemedalmosttogapeathiminanuglyfashion，likeagapintheteethofsomesinisterface。
Arunbroughttheminafewminutestotheothersideofthegroundinfrontofthebottomlesswell，andafewyardsfromit，inamoonlightalmostasbroadasdaylight，theysawwhattheyhadcometosee。
ThegreatLordHastingslayproneonhisface，inapostureinwhichtherewasatouchofsomethingstrangeandstiff，withoneelbowerectabovehisbody，thearmbeingdoubled，andhisbig，bonyhandclutchingtherankandraggedgrass。AfewfeetawaywasBoyle，almostasmotionless，butsupportedonhishandsandknees，andstaringatthebody。Itmighthavebeennomorethanshockandaccident;
buttherewassomethingungainlyandunnaturalaboutthequadrupedalpostureandthegapingface。Itwasasifhisreasonhadfledfromhim。Behind，therewasnothingbuttheclearbluesouthernsky，andthebeginningofthedesert，exceptforthetwogreatbrokenstonesinfrontofthewell。Anditwasinsuchalightandatmospherethatmencouldfancytheytracedinthemenormousandevilfaces，lookingdown。
HorneFisherstoopedandtouchedthestronghandthatwasstillclutchingthegrass，anditwasascoldasastone。Hekneltbythebodyandwasbusyforamomentapplyingothertests;thenheroseagain，andsaid，withasortofconfidentdespair：
"LordHastingsisdead。"
Therewasastonysilence，andthenTraversremarked，gruffly："Thisisyourdepartment，Grayne;
IwillleaveyoutoquestionCaptainBoyle。Icanmakenosenseofwhathesays。"
Boylehadpulledhimselftogetherandrisentohisfeet，buthisfacestillworeanawfulexpression，makingitlikeanewmaskorthefaceofanotherman。
"Iwaslookingatthewell，"hesaid，"andwhenI
turnedhehadfallendown。"
Grayne’sfacewasverydark。"Asyousay，thisismyaffair，"hesaid。"Imustfirstaskyoutohelpmecarryhimtothelibraryandletmeexaminethingsthoroughly。"
Whentheyhaddepositedthebodyinthelibrary，GrayneturnedtoFisherandsaid，inavoicethathadrecovereditsfullnessandconfidence，"Iamgoingtolockmyselfinandmakeathoroughexaminationfirst。IlooktoyoutokeepintouchwiththeothersandmakeapreliminaryexaminationofBoyle。Iwilltalktohimlater。Andjusttelephonetoheadquartersforapoliceman，andlethimcomehereatonceandstandbytillIwanthim。"
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