ent was i

the driver of the red omnibus should lose one withering participle of the apostrophe he had p

ly upon one leg; and a moment later there was a splintering crash, the blue taxi shed a cabin-trunk and a suit-case on to

na. Still, because of his elevation to the Bench, he had not resigned the fellowship of Man, and,

y. His cassock and the purple about his hat

No, I'm not hurt at all

e other peered at him in the half-light. "My name

recollection came twinkl

putting out his hand.

r. How very s

nce. For the last three months I've been racking m

" said t

ll slapped himse

he cried. "Fores

nstables at once discountenanced any further ebullitio

e though

"If you'll wait a moment, I'll fetch the commissionaire. He can take charge of your l

y good," sa

Molehill has

seated before a comfortable fire, a

"which you and I witnessed in

fault. At the present moment it's lying

his lordship

eur Fore

u and I had witnessed the old gentlem

ing to take it to the Brit

er a little difficulty, they consented, for what it was worth, to put a seal on it. Then I went

ge incredulously. "Bu

o be sent for and his luggage to be brought down. Apparently the doctor attending him had tried to protest, and had been sent away with a flea in his ear. I ca

e night. However, as it happens, it doesn't affect the validity of that will. He's dead now.

at the will we witn

oubt

te covere

. His address was there. I quite intended to. But I had to leave for Vienna very suddenly upon the next day.

t it. So did I. The merest accident

l the way," s

udge

bviously without a penny. Earning his living as a servant. Lyveden, his name was-Anthony Lyveden. Don't let me raise your hopes. I

est. "What about that? Haven't it

the beauty of it. We're upsetting nobody. The other will

infamous

d fellow repents his harshness. Recovered, our Pharaoh hardens his heart an

e. "Besides, now we're going

d the Judge. "Can you

igneur Forest

I can do. 'Without a penny,' you said? Poor fellow. I was going in

nd him yet," sa

free. With the will located, we can advertise. I think, perhaps,

en he counted upon his fingers

, if all goes well, I'll meet you here a w

ortunes of Anthony, occupied another half-hour, when, after exchanging a

alked home

shown such solicitude. After all, who was this Anthony Lyveden? Why had he been at such pains to set this beggar upon horseback? Perhaps Fate had meant him to walk

ce Molehi

as time for his entrance, the leading character would

enly, as the reflec

a dismal fiasco the play would turn. All his interest would have been thrown away. His solicitors would hav

ehill gnawed at

which, for all his prudence, he could not p

to be laid, and Fate had chosen him for the job. Judge or corner-boy, the man himself did not

. Folly, sceptre or rake in hand, she stands or sprawls upon Eternity, bending the ages to her whim. And we, poor things, at once her instruments and butts, stumble about her business, thinking it ours, setting eac

yebrows are lifted, that lip curls, and two fair homes go down in sorrow. This man misses a train, to travel with Fortune in the one that follows. A horse is beaten on the post, and the frantic clerk who has backed it goes

he game

nd fretting in their vanity, but always impotently falling towards that thin neck, where days are nu

t them

nthony Lyveden, yet neither aware of the other's existence, and all four falling, while they fre

e, sirs. 'Tis but the rustle of a gown-a silk knee against satin-u

But for the knowledge that he was about to do all in his power to rectify the wrong, he could not have slept. As it was, the reflection that Anthony Lyveden had yet to be found worried him greatly. It was, of course, most unfortunate that the business had not cropped up before. Here he was on his way to Hampshire, in response to a cry so instant that he had set everything

l he sat down at his bed-roo

arch,

AR VA

you see,

ay to you. Now I must leave ag

y responsible. This, mercifully, it may be in my power to repair. To attempt to do so, ho

that I must keep you waiting, but, if I told you the c

ars permit-and, all being well, I shall be here again one week

ct, it concerns the man of whom you have already written to me, remember, for what it is worth

onate uncle,

lerie French, who received it, it was a great disappointment: and to an eminent

*

xpecting my uncle, and wanted to ask his advice before I took

rm leaned forward

a sheet from a drawer. "Now th

n, D.S.O.," said Vale

e was e

Addr

hesitate

hipping Nort

ress we

ge

k about

und

at I kn

you see

n days

efore

r three

ur had changed i

act

engaged

N

u engage

ctic

was brok

oke i

hy

d him of in

u tell

N

d h

the neigh

three mo

es

ven days ago accident

d him une

pe of reco

es

d he ta

handso

iliation wa

es

emeanour h

es

what

fatuated wit

exclusio

e'd become a priest, and, although he

is his

for a number of years. He and some others, including the owner, are working to get it straight-re-making roads, building bridges

himself devoted to the

act

ny one particular

ngs which I c

ay what t

ump

hing

ard them, h

e hesi

es

eyes of a

e, while the pen was bu

h

o down. Later, I may be of use. I hope you won't need me. The obvious thing to do is to get

id Valerie. "You say some one should s

"He assists me a lot. If he can go, I know of no

be very

bell. To his secretary,

eak to Dr. He

e the gir

waiting, the physici

t would be valueless. It's clear that there's so

brought about,

advise. It is the executive that works the cure

execu

devotion of

no rel

rnoon? ... At four-thirty?" Sir Willoughby looked at Valerie with raised eyebrows. She nodded quickly. "Yes. That'll do ... Miss French. Miss Valerie French ... A case in the country ... Urgent ... She wants your report.

ou so ve

a photograph frame, Valerie rose to her feet. Sir Willoughby rose a

ook it an

have been kind

sician

een Gramarye, but I don't think she'll st

*

ll have spared. The instruction was addressed to the younger of his two carters, and was touching the man and the

was gone from Gramarye, and Anthony reigned in his stead, the duty, when it arose, fell to his lot. Never relishing the idea, he would not have believed that it could become so odious. Ere it h

n in charge the

ake him stagger. This was out of all order. Had he lain sick for a month, the work would have gone as steadily. The truth is, he was investing the conduct of a waggoner's team w

his little list of accessories had become urgent, imperilling the work upon the estate. A few hours in the Metropolis would

the cold grey parlour, whence he administered, passed out of the

n the stables, and Anthony gave his order without more a

ing waste of woodland, teased into flurried liveliness, full of false starts and misdirection, instantly buffeted for every blunder and bellowing good-natured protests a

ars were flicked inside out at the first corner. Not that they cared-either of them-for the sunlight leapt with a joy that took the sting out of t

-five paces away. Apparently absorbed in his work, he never so much as threw the newcomers a glance, and Lyveden was more than half minded to let him be. Patch, however

arply, Lyveden adv

t their work for an instant; but a pleasant smile leapt into the stranger's

re crimes, I'm an habitual criminal. If you really don't want me to draw your cottage, I'll stop. But you must say so right out. And it isn't

smiled

esent. The park's been Nature's playground for ove

"as if you had authority. Am

liked the look of him, there was nothing monstrous about his attire-he might have stepped off a golf-course-and there was a kindly expression upon the intellectual face. Someho

the required encouragement when

I had a place in the country I should have a ten-foot wall about it and a guard-room at every lodge

ye's what you want, you're free to come and work whenever you like. Nobody'll say anything to

rtist; and with that he filled

nt about h

washed Patch, the

offering to house his paraphernalia for the night. After a moment's hesitation, the other accepted.... With the interior of the cabin he was plainly delighted, point

h the ar

rdle," he said. "About

-bye.' If Gramarye suits you,

ser passer, you may.

your woods are worth a

minute later Anthony heard his steps

th. At the time in question he was standing in a large efficient-look

was nervousl

der three. You know what labour is now. In the ole days it was a matter o' 'phonin',

his hands

can I try?"

or three stores-each

get an hodd one, but 'alf a dozen o' 'Lightnin'

thony bowed to

ing the man a slip of paper. "Send

ix aside fo

rig

urchased, had them placed in a

that he had lost the return half of his ticket but twitched the hem of his temper. With a r

had roared as gently as any sucking dove. It was with no true sense of relief that he watched the bustling platforms recede. Them and their fellows, the streets, he bore no grudge. Hideously crowded as

s it was, he was reduced to hugging himself surreptitiously, to staring upon the window and winking at his elusive reflection, which he could dimly focus in the stout pane. After a while he became pitiful of his fellow-travellers. As like as not, po

into Chipping Norton, the ex-o

or an undisguised explosion of ecstasy. Herein, as the noise of the roan's hoofs died away, he was un

t his untasted. Of the cold well-water the latter was undeniably glad, drinking great draughts and presently drawing more and washing lux

her draught of water revived him somewhat, and, after resting a little in

*

lazy eyes rose from his leather-toppe

seat, and, after a word or two upon the

, and he gave me tea the same afternoon. The next day he went up to London-on b

anguage literally into the King's English. Now and again I shall give you rather a free translation, so you mustn't hold me to

igently, and the spea

g, served to enrich the silence investing the latter with an air of couchant dignity which was most compelling. "He is at present the prey of certain malignant forces-the more immediate of them natural; some, I believe, unnatural-and nothing

pale, but her voi

ing he won'

l sorts of rumours are current-all touching Gramarye. Most of them are nonsense, and I wo

ie no

spoke of him as

te, and was the working manager

reathed

. "It's said that he tried to kill Lyveden. That I can't answ

painful si

place?" said V

to his feet and star

wistful fascination about the wilderness. At Girdle they swore it was birdless. It may be. There are such places. I certainly saw neither bird nor beast while I was there. And that's not natural. But it's not what you see and hear: it's what you feel. It's terribly hard to explain, but the place appeals most powerfully to the emotions. You feel an irresistible impulse to go to Something's assistance. Of course my eyes were skinned, so I saw the treachery. But I felt the ap

a ho

essary, he could be moved. But he shouldn't be all

l to have him a

r ho

Valerie. "In

ed his seat and

t?" he said. "I mean, it may be

e to become Major

cialist

ish me to arran

ple

Have you a

es

broth

shook

, do

on, "he will resist

iends who wi

stron

ie sh

es

rust your

lici

ge for two nurses to go to you that afternoon. I shall go back to Girdle to-morrow evening. I hope I shall want your two friends and the chauffeur with the car during the week-end, but I may have to wait. In any even

erything?"

to arrive by night; but I want you to

'll promise not to appear,

ofessional. Remember, I've taken Sperm at his word, and s

Valerie. "You and Sir Willou

hands. "And since of your amazing self-control you've asked no questions, I'l

rply, began to tremble violen

*

when I have no choice but to retrace my steps. This is one of them. Four windy days must be clapped back on to the hasty calendar-four days, sirs, of which three do not matter,

dford

on,

March

r S

Lyvede

is gentleman was rece

the utmost importance, and one which it

e, we shall be much obliged if you will be so good as to inform us where he may now be found, or, failing that, the address to which he proceeded on leaving your house. If

e, de

fait

USH

Bumbl

Shru

tho

nt

er before inserting it in the envelope which he had care

or it was no business of his to read the letters for whose dispat

s all flickered and fidgeted in a manner painful to see. Twice he half rose from his chair, only to sink back upon the edge,

on that he stood beneath the shadow of the Criminal Law. Be that as it may, the ex-financier emerged from prison a broken man. But for the interest of Mr. Blithe, the senior partner of Bulrush & Co., who had had him met at the gates and

educed his overdraft in Heaven goes without saying. Curiously enough, the penetration of the barrier erected upon the obnoxious personality of a managing clerk proved a less formidable business than Mr. Slumper had expe

d up with a

mper? You wan

-financier break into a sweat. But he found his voice somehow,

sir. It's-it's a

ers, except to obtain the addresses. But the heading of this one, sir, happened to catch my eye. The name being familiar, I took the liberty of reading the text. And-and-I'm very l

or smiled e

. Slumper,

r moistene

mbling hand across his mouth. "He left me right at the last. He was very good to-to us.... And I used

leaned

es

aforesaid had seen no good reason why "old Slumper" should not satisfactorily perform the duty and save his betters a wetting. Both paid for their blindness in due season. The principal was dismissed, with the result that, after a heated argument, the accessory before the fact was hit first upon the nose and then upon the left eye

sure it was he

r. I've no d

we shan't forget it. Of course I'll let you know as soon as I hear." The speaker rose to his feet. "So you're getting on all right, are y

Slumper passed humbl

ut any hesitation. Indeed, the pleasurable glow of achievement which it induced u

IDEN

dford

on,

March

r S

eighbourhood. We are anxious to obtain his address in order that we may make to him a communicati

ly obliged; but, if you are unable to do so, kindly cause immediate inquir

t London for Chipping Norton en route f

fait

USH

owman

ici

rd

x

ansion in Town, an estate in Dorsetshire-each of them, as they say, ready to walk into-and nearly three-quarters of a millio

was signalled. The pilot was going aboard. V

istered post. This in due season had been produced to the testator's solicitor, a benevolent gentleman of the Old School, who, after an interview with Sir Giles Moleh

knows, a testator has always been permitted to indulge his utmost eccentricity, and my words fell upon deaf ears. He was a difficult man, sir, was Jonath

d our protégé. That I must leave to you and Blithe to pull off. I've done my p

hand-in-hand, and his lordship's words had contained a subtle instruction to Blithe to shepherd his elderly

t result

l find the street of narrative straight as a French highway, with hill and dale c

*

o'clock of a S

y five minutes. Indeed, the harmonious argument, which had begun as his lordship's car was nearing Magdalen Br

talker, kept the two bubbling with merriment upon a fire of delicate wit. The miles fairly melted beneath their gaiety. Indeed, it w

re. Blithe, you're a stage-manager in a million. The thing's going to pan

Blithe. "With any luck w

nk we'd better pick up Plowman and t

hing, he knows Lyveden

fish by a quarter to one. We'd better mark down an hotel and carry him off

mother's maiden name, where he was born, his age, an

butler?" said Blith

a man-servant in the house. It was a whim of his. If I get the right answer, I shall be e

Giles. "Have you got

dded and tou

. I'll take his specimen signature, and

will. Blames himself out of all reason for keeping the document so long. I sent him a line on Friday to say that we'd found our man. I admit it was rather p

elephone settled it. In fact, that was when the shouting began. Which reminds me that the trunk line

sure who you're talking to, nor how many people are listening; there's no record of what you've said and no eviden

r roll

slipped past Anthony's cottage and so down

th Mrs. Plowman had resulted in a decision not to offer his lordship lunch. That would be attempting too much. Cakes and ale, however, flanked by a dish of sandwiches and a tantalus, made a collation at once independent of service and adaptable to every appetite. Furniture was moved, rugs were transferred, the first floor was spoiled to turn the spare bedroom into Mr. Pl

o the drive, only to hear the deceitful engine once more gathering speed. The fourth time, however, the purr of the engine fell to a steady mutter, which was maintained. The car was not at the gate, but it was not moving. Possibly its occup

ith every circumstance of veneration. Behind them came two other strangers, who might have been equerries. That, for all his

somely. Did he see beer? Splendid. He would have a bottle of beer. Yes, and a sandwich. Excellent. Just the thing after an eighty-mile run. What excellent roads they kept in Oxfo

really must have another sandwich. They're so excellent. And now we want you to come with us in the car and take us to Mr. Lyve

was upon the edge of praying for an occasion of sav

pped. Then Plowman and Orphan alighted and passed up the wasted track. Except for a

id Plowman, "he'll be

he was tappin

d silence. Then a stealthy m

n listened

e Judge and Blithe were

fast shut, Mr. Pl

ps twenty seconds it was renewed, but with

tared at one

id Orphan, with hi

ure, and the next mom

ed an unsavoury smell of something which was not fuel, burning. Scattered about the red-brick floor were black feathers without number, and here and there amid the plumage appeared

-eyed, and Orphan blew di

r raised

he called, smilin

was no

a whisper. Then Plowm

called. "It's Plowma

you spare

eply was v

nced into the room and looked behi

t of the flight of st

r Lyvede

d as if he, too, was

ain't. 'E's gorn aout, 'e 'as.

e latter shook his head, frowning, a

hat?" he

heard to sw

ere," said the voice.

s?" sai

aker hesitated-

edroom, first that he was an infernal liar, secondly that he was being addressed by a magistrate, and thirdly that, unless he de

ith Plowman behind them, Orphan st

aid roughly. "O

e emerged from the cottage a filthy and evil-smelling tramp. A week's sandy stubble bristled upo

upon the beastly apparit

cringing leer familiarly precedent to an appeal for leniency, when the fellow leaned forward, st

he way, me lord. Runned over by a cyar, she were. I only come aout last Toosday, me lord, an' tryin' ter run strite a

adamanthus' own promise of clemency in return for the truth could not have

of the living-room lay the fragments of a pitcher, with the water, which this had held, settled in a pool upon the bricks. A Windsor chair was fallen, Da

*

mouth first the news and then the details of the unpleasant truth. His lordship's contention that Fate was opposed to their endeavours, he found it difficult to dispute. Bel

was glad to be alone. He was mourning a stolen opportunity to repair a great wrong,

e house he noticed two

nterrogatin

ies short. The prelate emerged, however, in

e improvement was mainta

" cried For

r incline

ir-a friend of Mi

ho

raining the s

, sir. Major A

elplessly. Then he put a hand to