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