第8章

"Yes，thecleverdevil!"exclaimedHavill，unabletodepreciatelonger。

"How?"

"Theriddlethathasworriedmethreeweekshehassolvedinawaywhichissimplicityitself。Hehasgotit，andIamundone!"

"Nonsense，don"tgiveway。Let"smakeatracing。"

"Theground-planwillbesufficient，"saidHavill，hiscouragereviving。"Theideaissosimple，thatifonceseenitisnoteasilyforgotten。"

AroughtracingofSomerset"sdesignwasquicklymade，andblowingoutthecandlewithawaveofhishand，theyoungergentlemanlockedthedoor，andtheywentdownstairsagain。

"Ishouldneverhavethoughtofit，"saidHavill，astheywalkedhomeward。

"Onemanhasneedofanothereverytenyears:Ognidiecianniunuomohabisognodell"altro，astheysayinItaly。You"llhelpmeforthisturnifIhaveneedofyou?"

"Ishallneverhavethepower。"

"Oyes，youwill。Amanwhocancontrivetogetadmittedtoacompetitionbywritingaletterabusinganotherman，hasanyamountofpower。Thestrokewasagoodone。"

Havillwassilenttillhesaid，"Ithinkthesegustsmeanthatwearetohaveastormofrain。"

Darelookedup。Theskywasovercast，thetreesshivered，andadroportwobegantostrikeintothewalkers"coatsfromtheeast。TheywerenotfarfromtheinnatSleeping-Green，whereDarehadlodgings，occupyingtheroomswhichhadbeenusedbySomersettillhegavethemupformorecommodiouschambersatMarkton；andtheydecidedtoturnintheretilltherainshouldbeover。

HavingpossessedhimselfofSomerset"sbrainsHavillwasinclinedtobejovial，andorderedthebestinwinesthatthehouseafforded。Beforestartingfromhometheyhaddrunkasmuchaswasgoodforthem；sothattheirpotationsheresoonbegantohaveamarkedeffectupontheirtongues。Therainbeatuponthewindowswithadulldoggedpertinacitywhichseemedtosignifyboundlessreservesofthesameandlongcontinuance。Thewindrose，thesigncreaked，andthecandleswaved。Theweatherhad，intruth，brokenupfortheseason，andthiswasthefirstnightofthechange。

"Well，hereweare，"saidHavill，ashepouredoutanotherglassofthebrandiedliquorcalledoldportatSleeping-

Green；"anditseemsthatherewearetoremainforthepresent。"

"Iamathomeanywhere!"criedthelad，whosebrowwashotandeyewild。

Havill，whohadnotdrunkenoughtoaffecthisreasoning，helduphisglasstothelightandsaid，"Inevercanquitemakeoutwhatyouare，orwhatyourageis。Areyousixteen，one-

and-twenty，ortwenty-seven?AndareyouanEnglishman，Frenchman，Indian，American，orwhat?Youseemnottohavetakenyourdegreesintheseparts。"

"That"sasecret，myfriend，"saidDare。"Iamacitizenoftheworld。Iowenocountrypatriotism，andnokingorqueenobedience。Amanwhosecountryhasnoboundaryisyouronlytruegentleman。"

"Well，wherewereyouborn——somewhere，Isuppose?"

"Itwouldbeafactworththetelling。Thesecretofmybirthlieshere。"AndDareslappedhisbreastwithhisrighthand。

"Literally，justunderyourshirt-front；orfiguratively，inyourheart?"askedHavill。

"Literallythere。Itisnecessarythatitshouldberecorded，forone"sownmemoryisatreacherousbookofreference，shouldverificationberequiredatatimeofdelirium，disease，ordeath。"

Havillaskednofurtherwhathemeant，andwenttothedoor。

FindingthattherainstillcontinuedhereturnedtoDare，whowasbythistimesinkingdowninaone-sidedattitude，asifhungupbytheshoulder。Informinghiscompanionthathewasbutlittleinclinedtomovefarinsuchatempestuousnight，hedecidedtoremainintheinntillnextmorning。Oncallinginthelandlord，however，theylearntthatthehousewasfulloffarmersontheirwayhomefromalargesheep-fairintheneighbourhood，andthatseveralofthese，havingdecidedtostayonaccountofthesametempestuousweather，hadalreadyengagedthesparebeds。IfMr。Darewouldgiveuphisroom，andshareadouble-beddedroomwithMr。Havill，thethingcouldbedone，butnototherwise。

Tothisthetwocompanionsagreed，andpresentlywentupstairswithasgentlemanlyawalkandverticalacandleastheycouldexhibitunderthecircumstances。

Theotherinmatesoftheinnsoonretiredtorest，andthestormragedonunheededbyalllocalhumanity。

III。

Attwoo"clocktherainlesseneditsfury。Athalf-pasttwotheobscuredmoonshoneforth；andatthreeHavillawoke。Theblindhadnotbeenpulleddownovernight，andthemoonlightstreamedintotheroom，acrossthebedwhereonDarewassleeping。Helayonhisback，hisarmsthrownout；andhiswell-curvedyouthfulformlookedlikeanunpedestaledDionysusinthecolourlesslunarrays。

SleephadclearedHavill"smindfromthedrowsingeffectsofthelastnight"ssitting，andhethoughtofDare"smysteriousmannerinspeakingofhimself。ThisladresembledtheEtruscanyouthTages，inonerespect，thatofbeingaboywith，seemingly，thewisdomofasage；andtheeffectofhispresencewasnowheightenedbyallthosesinisterandmysticattributeswhicharelentbynocturnalenvironment。Hewhoinbroaddaylightmightbebutayoungchevalierd"industriewasnowanunlimitedpossibilityinsocialphenomena。Havillrememberedhowtheladhadpointedtohisbreast，andsaidthathissecretwasliterallykeptthere。Thearchitectwastoomuchofaprovincialtohavequenchedthecommoncuriositythatwaspartofhisnaturebytheacquiredmetropolitanindifferencetootherpeople"sliveswhich，inessencemoreunworthyeventhantheformer，causeslesspracticalinconvenienceinitsexercise。

Darewasbreathingprofoundly。Instigatedasabovementioned，Havillgotoutofbedandstoodbesidethesleeper。Afteramoment"spausehegentlypulledbacktheunfastenedcollarofDare"snightshirtandsawawordtattooedindistinctcharactersonhisbreast。BeforetherewastimeforHavilltodecipheritDaremovedslightly，asifconsciousofdisturbance，andHavillhastenedbacktobed。Darebestirredhimselfyetmore，whereuponHavillbreathedheavily，thoughkeepinganintentglanceontheladthroughhishalf-closedeyestolearnifhehadbeenawareoftheinvestigation。

Darewascertainlyconsciousofsomething，forhesatup，rubbedhiseyes，andgazedaroundtheroom；thenafterafewmomentsofreflectionhedrewsomearticlefrombeneathhispillow。AbluegleamshonefromtheobjectasDarehelditinthemoonlight，andHavillperceivedthatitwasasmallrevolver。

Aclammydewbrokeoutuponthefaceandbodyofthearchitectwhen，steppingoutofbedwiththeweaponinhishand，Darelookedunderthebed，behindthecurtains，outofthewindow，andintoacloset，asifconvincedthatsomethinghadoccurred，butindoubtastowhatitwas。HethencameacrosstowhereHavillwaslyingandstillkeepinguptheappearanceofsleep。Watchinghimawhileandmistrustingtherealityofthissemblance，DarebroughtittothetestbyholdingtherevolverwithinafewinchesofHavill"sforehead。

Havillcouldstandnomore。Crystallizedwithterror，hesaid，withouthowevermovingmorethanhislips，indreadofhastyactiononthepartofDare:"O，goodLord，Dare，Dare，Ihavedonenothing!"

Theyouthsmiledandloweredthepistol。"Iwasonlyfindingoutwhetheritwasyouorsomeburglarwhohadbeenplayingtricksuponme。Ifinditwasyou。"

"Doputawaythatthing!Itistooghastlytoproduceinarespectablebedroom。Whydoyoucarryit?"

"Cosmopolitesalwaysdo。Nowanswermyquestions。Whatwereyouupto?"andDareashespokeplayedwiththepistolagain。

Havillhadrecoveredsomecoolness。"Youcouldnotuseituponme，"hesaidsardonically，watchingDare。"Itwouldberiskingyourneckfortoolittleanobject。"

"Ididnotthinkyouwereshrewdenoughtoseethat，"repliedDarecarelessly，ashereturnedtherevolvertoitsplace。

"Well，whetheryouhaveoutwittedmeorno，youwillkeepthesecretaslongasIchoose。"

"Why?"saidHavill。

"BecauseIkeepyoursecretoftheletterabusingMissP。，andofthepilferedtracingyoucarryinyourpocket。"

"Itisquitetrue，"saidHavill。

Theywenttobedagain。Darewassoonasleep；butHavilldidnotattempttodisturbhimagain。Theeldermansleptbutfitfully。Hewasarousedinthemorningbyaheavyrumblingandjinglingalongthehighwayoverlookedbythewindow，thefrontwallofthehousebeingshakenbythereverberation。

"Thereisnorestformehere，"hesaid，risingandgoingtothewindow，carefullyavoidingtheneighbourhoodofMr。Dare。

WhenHavillhadglancedouthereturnedtodresshimself。

"What"sthatnoise?"saidDare，awakenedbythesamerumble。

"ItistheArtillerygoingaway。"

"Fromwhere?"

"Marktonbarracks。"

"Hurrah!"saidDare，jumpingupinbed。"Ihavebeenwaitingforthatthesesixweeks。"

Havilldidnotaskquestionsastothemeaningofthisunexpectedremark。

WhentheyweredownstairsDare"sfirstactwastoringthebellandaskifhisArmyandNavyGazettehadarrived。

WhiletheservantwasgoneHavillclearedhisthroatandsaid，"Iamanarchitect，andItakeintheArchitect；youareanarchitect，andyoutakeintheArmyandNavyGazette。"

"IamnotanarchitectanymorethanIamasoldier；butI

havetakenintheArmyandNavyGazettethesemanyweeks。"

Whentheywereatbreakfastthepapercamein。Darehastilytoreitopenandglancedatthepages。

"IamgoingtoMarktonafterbreakfast!"hesaidsuddenly，beforelookingup；"wewillwalktogetherifyoulike?"

Theywalkedtogetherasplanned，andenteredMarktonaboutteno"clock。

"Ihavejusttomakeacallhere，"saidDare，whentheywereoppositethebarrack-entranceontheoutskirtsofthetown，wherewheel-tracksandaregularchainofhoof-marksleftbythedepartedbatterieswereimprintedinthegravelbetweentheopengates。"Ishallnotbeamoment。"Havillstoodstillwhilehiscompanionenteredandaskedthecommissaryincharge，orsomebodyrepresentinghim，whenthenewbatterieswouldarrivetotaketheplaceofthosewhichhadgoneaway。

Hewasinformedthatitwouldbeaboutnoon。

"NowIamatyourservice，"saidDare，"andwillhelpyoutorearrangeyourdesignbythenewintellectuallightwehaveacquired。"

TheyenteredHavill"sofficeandsettowork。WhencontrastedwiththetracingfromSomerset"splan，Havill"sdesign，whichwasnotfaradvanced，revealedallitsweaknessestohim。

AfterseeingSomerset"sschemethebandsofHavill"simaginationwereloosened:helaidhisownpreviouseffortsaside，gotfreshsheetsofdrawing-paperanddrewwithvigour。

"Imayaswellstayandhelpyou，"saidDare。"Ihavenothingtodotilltwelveo"clock；andnotmuchthen。"

Sothereheremained。AtaquartertotwelvechildrenandidlersbegantogatheragainsttherailingsofHavill"shouse。

Afewminutespasttwelvethenoiseofanarrivinghostwasheardattheentrancetothetown。ThereuponDareandHavillwenttothewindow。

TheXandYBatteriesoftheZBrigade，RoyalHorseArtillery，wereenteringMarkton，eachheadedbythemajorwithhisbuglerbehindhim。Inamomenttheycameabreastandpassed，everymaninhisplace；thatistosay:

Sixshininghorses，inpairs，harnessedbyrope-traceswhiteasmilk，withadriveroneachnearhorse:twogunnersonthelead-colouredstout-wheeledlimber，theircarcasesjoltedtoajellyforlackofsprings:twogunnersonthelead-colouredstout-wheeledgun-carriage，inthesamepersonalcondition:

thenine-poundergun，dippingitsheavyheadtoearth，asifashamedofitsofficeintheseenlightenedtimes:thecomplementofjinglingandprancingtroopers，ridingatthewheelsandelsewhere:sixshininghorseswiththeirdrivers，andtraceswhiteasmilk，asbefore:twomoregallantjoltedmen，onanotherjoltinglimber，andmorestoutwheelsandlead-colouredpaint:twomorejoltedmenonanotherdroopinggun:morejinglingtroopersonhorseback:againsixshiningdraught-horses，traces，drivers，gun，gunners，leadpaint，stoutwheelsandtroopersasbefore。

Soeachdetachmentlumberedslowlyby，alleyesmartiallyforward，exceptwhenwanderinginquestoffemalebeauty。

"He"safinefellow，ishenot?"saidDare，denotingbyanodamountedofficer，withasallow，yethandsomeface，andblackmoustache，whocameuponabaygeldingwiththemenofhisbattery。

"Whatishe?"saidHavill。

"Acaptainwholacksadvancement。"

"Doyouknowhim?"

"Iknowhim?"

"Yes；doyou?"

Daremadenoreply；andtheywatchedthecaptainasherodepastwithhisdrawnswordinhishand，thesunmakingalittlesunuponitsblade，anduponhisbrilliantlypolishedlongbootsandbrightspurs；alsowarminghisgoldcross-beltandbraidings，whitegloves，busbywithitsredbag，andtallwhiteplume。

Havillseemedtobetooindifferenttopresshisquestioning；

andwhenallthesoldiershadpassedby，Dareobservedtohiscompanionthatheshouldleavehimforashorttime，butwouldreturnintheafternoonornextday。

Afterthishewalkedupthestreetintherearoftheartillery，followingthemtothebarracks。Onreachingthegateshefoundacrowdofpeoplegatheredoutside，lookingwithadmirationatthegunsandgunnersdrawnupwithintheenclosure。Whenthesoldiersweredismissedtotheirquartersthesightseersdispersed，andDarewentthroughthegatestothebarrack-yard。

Thegunswerestandingonthegreen；thesoldiersandhorseswerescatteredabout，andthehandsomecaptainwhomDarehadpointedouttoHavillwasinspectingthebuildingsinthecompanyofthequartermaster。Daremadeamentalnoteofthesethings，and，apparentlychangingapreviousintention，wentoutfromthebarracksandreturnedtothetown。

IV。

ToreturnforawhiletoGeorgeSomerset。Thesunofhislaterexistencehavingvanishedfromthatyoungman"shorizon，heconfinedhimselfcloselytothestudio，superintendingtheexertionsofhisdraughtsmenBowles，Knowles，andCockton，whowerenowinthefullswingofworkingoutSomerset"screationsfromthesketcheshehadpreviouslyprepared。

HehadsofargotthestartofHavillinthecompetitionthat，bythehelpofthesethreegentlemen，hisdesignwassoonfinished。Buthegainednounfairadvantageonthisaccount，anadditionalmonthbeingallowedtoHavilltocompensateforhislaterinformation。

BeforescalinguphisdrawingsSomersetwishedtospendashorttimeinLondon，anddismissinghisassistantstillfurthernotice，helockeduptheroomswhichhadbeenappropriatedasofficeandstudioandpreparedforthejourney。

Itwasafternoon。SomersetwalkedfromthecastleinthedirectionofthewoodtoreachMarktonbyadetour。Hehadnotproceededfarwhenthereapproachedhispathamanridingabayhorsewithasquare-cuttail。Theequestrianworeagrizzledbeard，andlookedatSomersetwithapiercingeyeashenoiselesslyambledneareroverthesoftsodofthepark。

HeprovedtobeMr。CunninghamHaze，chiefconstableofthedistrict，whohadbecomeslightlyknowntoSomersetduringhissojournhere。

"Oneword，Mr。Somerset，"saidtheChief，aftertheyhadexchangednodsofrecognition，reininghishorseashespoke。

Somersetstopped。

"Youhaveastudioatthecastleinwhichyouarepreparingdrawings?"

"Ihave。"

"Haveyouaclerk?"

"Ihadthreetillyesterday，whenIpaidthemoff。"

"Wouldtheyhaveanyrighttoenterthestudiolateatnight?"

"Therewouldhavebeennothingwrongintheirdoingso。

Eitherofthemmighthavegonebackatanytimeforsomethingforgotten。Theylivedquitenearthecastle。"

"Ah，thenallisexplained。IwasridingpastoverthegrassonthenightoflastThursday，andIsawtwopersonsinyourstudiowithalight。Itmusthavebeenabouthalf-pastnineo"clock。Oneofthemcameforwardandpulleddowntheblindsothatthelightfelluponhisface。ButIonlysawitforashorttime。"

"IfitwereKnowlesorCocktonhewouldhavehadabeard。"

"Hehadnobeard。"

"ThenitmusthavebeenBowles。Ayoungman?"

"Quiteyoung。Hiscompanioninthebackgroundseemedolder。"

"Theyareallaboutthesameagereally。Bytheway——itcouldn"thavebeenDare——andHavill，surely!Wouldyourecognizethemagain?"

"Theyoungonepossibly。Theothernotatall，forheremainedintheshade。"

SomersetendeavouredtodiscerninadescriptionbythechiefconstablethefeaturesofMr。Bowles:butitseemedtoapproximatemorecloselytoDareinspiteofhimself。"I"llmakeasketchoftheonlyonewhohadnobusinessthere，andshowittoyou，"hepresentlysaid。"Ishouldlikethisclearedup。"

Mr。CunninghamHazesaidhewasgoingtoToneboroughthatafternoon，butwouldreturnintheeveningbeforeSomerset"sdeparture。Withthistheyparted。ApossiblemotiveforDare"spresenceintheroomshadinstantlypresenteditselftoSomerset"smind，forhehadseenDareenterHavill"sofficemorethanonce，asifhewereatworkthere。

Heaccordinglysatonthenextstile，andtakingouthispocket-bookbeganapencilsketchofDare"shead，toshowtoMr。Hazeintheevening；forifDarehadindeedfoundadmissionwithHavill，orashisagent，thedesignwaslost。

Buthecouldnotmakeadrawingthatwasasatisfactorylikeness。ThenheluckilyrememberedthatDare，intheintensewarmthofadmirationhehadaffectedforSomersetonthefirstdayortwooftheiracquaintance，hadbeggedforhisphotograph，andinreturnforithadleftoneofhimselfonthemantelpiece，takenashesaidbyhisownprocess。

SomersetresolvedtoshowthisproductiontoMr。Haze，asbeingmoretothepurposethanasketch，andinsteadoffinishingthelatter，proceededonhisway。

HeenteredtheoldovergrowndrivewhichwoundindirectlythroughthewoodtoMarkton。Theroad，havingbeenlaidoutforidlingratherthanforprogress，bentsharplyhitherandthitheramongthefissuredtrunksandlayersofhornyleaveswhichlaytherealltheyearround，interspersedwithcushionsofvividgreenmossthatformedoasesintherust-redexpanse。

Reachingapointwheretheroadmadeoneofitsbendsbetweentwolargebeeches，amanandwomanrevealedthemselvesatafewyards"distance，walkingslowlytowardshim。IntheshortandquaintladyherecognizedCharlotteDeStancy，whomherememberednottohaveseenforseveraldays。

Sheslightlyblushedandsaid，"O，thisispleasant，Mr。

Somerset!Letmepresentmybrothertoyou，CaptainDeStancyoftheRoyalHorseArtillery。"

HerbrothercameforwardandshookhandsheartilywithSomerset；andtheyallthreerambledontogether，talkingoftheseason，theplace，thefishing，theshooting，andwhateverelsecameuppermostintheirminds。

CaptainDeStancywasapersonagewhowouldhavebeencalledinterestingbywomenwelloutoftheirteens。Hewasripe，withouthavingdeclinedadigittowardsfogeyism。Hewassufficientlyoldandexperiencedtosuggestagoodlyaccumulationoftouchingamourettesinthechambersofhismemory，andnottoooldforthepossibilityofincreasingthestore。Hewasapparentlyabouteight-and-thirty，lesstallthanhisfatherhadbeen，butadmirablymade；andhiseverymovementexhibitedafinecombinationofstrengthandflexibilityoflimb。Hisfacewassomewhatthinandthoughtful，itscomplexionbeingnaturallypale，thoughdarkenedbyexposuretoawarmersunthanours。Hisfeaturesweresomewhatstriking；hismoustacheandhairravenblack；

andhiseyes，deniedtheattributesofmilitarykeennessbyreasonofthelargenessanddarknessoftheiraspect，acquiredtherebyasoftnessofexpressionthatwasinpartwomanly。

Hismouthasfarasitcouldbeseenreproducedthischaracteristic，whichmighthavebeencalledweakness，orgoodness，accordingtothementalattitudeoftheobserver。

Itwaslargebutwellformed，andshowedanunimpairedlineofteethwithin。Hisdressatpresentwasaheather-colouredruralsuit，cutclosetohisfigure。

"Youknewmycousin，JackRavensbury?"hesaidtoSomerset，astheywenton。"PoorJack:hewasagoodfellow。"

"Hewasaverygoodfellow。"

"Hewouldhavebeenmadeaparsonifhehadlived——itwashisgreatwish。I，ashissenior，andamanoftheworldasI

thoughtmyself，usedtochaffhimaboutitwhenhewasaboy，andtellhimnottobeamilksop，buttoenterthearmy。ButIthinkJackwasright——theparsonshavethebestofit，Iseenow。"

"Theywouldhardlyadmitthat，"saidSomerset，laughing。"NorcanI。"

"NorI，"saidthecaptain"ssister。"SeehowlovelyyoualllookedwithyourbiggunsanduniformwhenyouenteredMarkton；andthenseehowstupidtheparsonslookbycomparison，whentheyflockintoMarktonataVisitation。"

"Ah，yes，"saidDeStancy，""Doubtlessitisabrilliantmasquerade；

Butwhenofthefirstsightyou"vehadyourfill，Itpalls——atleastitdoessouponme，Thisparadiseofpleasureandennui。"

Whenoneisgettingonforforty；

"Whenwehavemadeourlove，andgamedourgaming，Dressed，voted，shone，andmaybe，somethingmore；

Withdandiesdined，heardsenatorsdeclaiming；

Seenbeautiesbroughttomarketbythescore，"

andsoon，therearisesastrongdesireforaquietold-

fashionedcountrylife，inwhichincessantmovementisnotanecessarypartoftheprogramme。"

"Butyouarenotforty，Will?"saidCharlotte。

"Mydear，Iwasthirty-ninelastJanuary。"

"Well，menabouthereareyouthsatthatage。ItwasIndiausedyouupso，whenyouservedintheline，wasitnot?I

wishyouhadnevergonethere!"

"SodoI，"saidDeStancydrily。"ButIoughttogrowayouthagain，liketherest，nowIaminmynativeair。"

Theycametoanarrowbrook，notwiderthanaman"sstride，andMissDeStancyhaltedontheedge。

"Why，Lottie，youusedtojumpiteasilyenough，"saidherbrother。"Butwewon"tmakeherdoitnow。"Hetookherinhisarms，andliftedherover，givingheragratuitousrideforsomeadditionalyards，andsaying，"Youarenotapoundheavier，Lott，thanyouwereattenyearsold……Whatdoyouthinkofthecountryhere，Mr。Somerset?Areyougoingtostaylong?"

"Ithinkverywellofit，"saidSomerset。"ButIleaveto-

morrowmorning，whichmakesitnecessarythatIturnbackinaminuteortwofromwalkingwithyou。"

"That"sadisappointment。Ihadhopedyouweregoingtofinishouttheautumnwithshooting。There"ssome，veryfair，tobegothereonreasonableterms，I"vejustheard。"

"Butyouneednothireany!"spokeupCharlotte。"Paulawouldletyoushootanything，Iamsure。Shehasnotbeenherelongenoughtopreservemuchgame，andthepoachershaditallinMr。Wilkins"time。Butwhatthereisyoumightkillwithpleasuretoher。"

"No，thankyou，"saidDeStancygrimly。"IprefertoremainastrangertoMissPower——MissSteam-Power，sheoughttobecalled——andtoallherpossessions。"

Charlottewassubdued，anddidnotinsistfurther；whileSomerset，beforehecouldfeelhimselfabletodecideonthemoodinwhichthegallantcaptain"sjokeatPaula"sexpenseshouldbetaken，wonderedwhetheritwereamarriedmanorabachelorwhoutteredit。

HehadnotbeenabletokeepthequestionofDeStancy"sdomesticstateoutofhisheadfromthefirstmomentofseeinghim。AssumingDeStancytobeahusband，hefelttheremightbesomeexcuseforhisremark；ifunmarried，Somersetlikedthesatirestillbetter；insuchcircumstancestherewasareliefinthethoughtthatCaptainDeStancy"sprejudicesmightbeinfinitelystrongerthanthoseofhissisterorfather。

"Goingto-morrow，didyousay，Mr。Somerset?"askedMissDeStancy。"Thenwillyoudinewithusto-day?Myfatherisanxiousthatyoushoulddosobeforeyougo。Iamsorrytherewillbeonlyourownfamilypresenttomeetyou；butyoucanleaveasearlyasyouwish。"

Herbrothersecondedtheinvitation，andSomersetpromised，thoughhisleisureforthateveningwasshort。HewasintruthsomewhatinclinedtolikeDeStancy；forthoughthecaptainhadsaidnothingofanyvalueeitheronwar，commerce，science，orart，hehadseemedattractivetotheyoungerman。

Beyondthenaturalinterestasoldierhasforimaginativemindsinthecivilwalksoflife，DeStancy"soccasionalmanifestationsoftaediumvitaeweretoopoeticallyshapedtoberepellent。Gallantrycombinedinhimwithasortofasceticself-repressioninawaythatwascurious。HewasadozenyearsolderthanSomerset:hislifehadbeenpassedingroovesremotefromthoseofSomerset"sownlife；andthelatterdecidedthathewouldliketomeettheartilleryofficeragain。

Biddingthematemporaryfarewell，hewentawaytoMarktonbyashorterpaththanthatpursuedbytheDeStancys，andafterspendingtheremainderoftheafternoonpreparingfordeparture，hesalliedforthjustbeforethedinner-hourtowardsthesuburbanvilla。

HehadbecomeyetmorecuriouswhetheraMrs。DeStancyexisted；iftherewereonehewouldprobablyseeherto-night。

Hehadanirrepressiblehopethattheremightbesuchalady。

Onenteringthedrawing-roomonlythefather，son，anddaughterwereassembled。SomersetfellintotalkwithCharlotteduringthefewminutesbeforedinner，andhisthoughtfounditswayout。

"ThereisnoMrs。DeStancy?"hesaidinanundertone。

"None，"shesaid；"mybrotherisabachelor。"

ThedinnerhavingbeenfixedatanearlyhourtosuitSomerset，theyhadreturnedtothedrawing-roomateighto"clock。Aboutninehewasaimingtogetaway。

"Youarenotoffyet?"saidthecaptain。

"Therewouldhavebeennohurry，"saidSomerset，"hadInotjustrememberedthatIhaveleftonethingundonewhichIwanttoattendtobeforemydeparture。Iwanttoseethechiefconstableto-night。"

"CunninghamHaze?——heistheverymanItoowanttosee。Buthewentoutoftownthisafternoon，andIhardlythinkyouwillseehimto-night。Hisreturnhasbeendelayed。"

"Thenthemattermustwait。"

"Ihaveleftwordathishouseaskinghimtocallhereifhegetshomebeforehalf-pastten；butatanyrateIshallseehimto-morrowmorning。CanIdoanythingforyou，sinceyouareleavingearly?"

Somersetrepliedthatthebusinesswasofnogreatimportance，andbrieflyexplainedthesuspectedintrusionintohisstudio；

thathehadwithhimaphotographofthesuspectedyoungman。

"Ifitisamistake，"addedSomerset，"Ishouldregretputtingmydraughtsman"sportraitintothehandsofthepolice，sinceitmightinjurehischaracter；indeed，itwouldbeunfairtohim。SoIwishtokeepthelikenessinmyownhands，andmerelytoshowittoMr。Haze。That"swhyIprefernottosendit。"

"MymatterwithHazeisthatthebarrackfurnituredoesnotcorrespondwiththeinventories。Ifyoulike，I"llaskyourquestionatthesametimewithpleasure。"

ThereuponSomersetgaveCaptainDeStancyanunfastenedenvelopecontainingtheportrait，askinghimtodestroyitiftheconstableshoulddeclareitnottocorrespondwiththefacethatmethiseyeatthewindow。Soonafter，Somersettookhisleaveofthehousehold。

Hehadnotbeenabsenttenminuteswhenotherwheelswereheardonthegravelwithout，andtheservantannouncedMr。

CunninghamHaze，whohadreturnedearlierthanhehadexpected，andhadcalledasrequested。

Theywentintothedining-roomtodiscusstheirbusiness。

WhenthebarrackmatterhadbeenarrangedDeStancysaid，"I

havealittlecommissiontoexecuteformyfriendMr。

Somerset。Iamtoaskyouifthisportraitofthepersonhesuspectsofunlawfullyenteringhisroomislikethemanyousawthere?"

Thespeakerwasseatedononesideofthedining-tableandMr。

Hazeontheother。AshespokeDeStancypulledtheenvelopefromhispocket，andhalfdrewoutthephotograph，whichhehadnotasyetlookedat，tohanditovertotheconstable。

Intheacthiseyefellupontheportrait，withitsuncertainexpressionofage，assuredlook，andhairworninafringelikeagirl"s。

CaptainDeStancy"sfacebecamestrained，andheleantbackinhischair，havingpreviouslyhadsufficientpoweroverhimselftoclosetheenvelopeandreturnittohispocket。

"Goodheavens，youareill，CaptainDeStancy?"saidthechiefconstable。

"Itwasonlymomentary，"saidDeStancy；"betterinaminute——

aglassofwaterwillputmeright。"

Mr。Hazegothimaglassofwaterfromthesideboard。

"Thesespasmsoccasionallyovertakeme，"saidDeStancywhenhehaddrunk。"Iamalreadybetter。Whatwerewesaying?O，thisaffairofMr。Somerset"s。Ifindthatthisenvelopeisnottherightone。"Heostensiblysearchedhispocketagain。

"Imusthavemislaidit，"hecontinued，rising。"I"llbewithyouagaininamoment。"

DeStancywentintotheroomadjoining，openedanalbumofportraitsthatlayonthetable，andselectedoneofayoungmanquiteunknowntohim，whoseagewassomewhatakintoDare"s，butwhoinnootherattributeresembledhim。

DeStancyplacedthispictureintheoriginalenvelope，andreturnedwithittothechiefconstable，sayinghehadfounditatlast。

"Thankyou，thankyou，"saidCunninghamHaze，lookingitover。

"Ah——IperceiveitisnotwhatIexpectedtosee。Mr。

Somersetwasmistaken。"

Whenthechiefconstablehadleftthehouse，CaptainDeStancyshutthedooranddrewouttheoriginalphotograph。AshelookedatthetranscriptofDare"sfeatureshewasmovedbyapainfulagitation，tillrecallinghimselftothepresent，hecarefullyputtheportraitintothefire。

DuringthefollowingdaysCaptainDeStancy"smannerontheroads，inthestreets，andatbarracks，wasthatofCrusoeafterseeingtheprintofaman"sfootonthesand。

V。

AnybodywhohadcloselyconsideredDareatthistimewouldhavediscoveredthat，shortlyafterthearrivaloftheRoyalHorseArtilleryatMarktonBarracks，hegaveuphisroomattheinnatSleeping-Greenandtookpermanentlodgingsoverabroker"sshopinthetownabove-mentioned。Thepeculiarityoftheroomswasthattheycommandedaviewlengthwiseofthebarracklanealongwhichanysoldier，inthenaturalcourseofthings，wouldpasseithertoenterthetown，tocallatMyrtleVilla，ortogotoStancyCastle。

Dareseemedtoactasiftherewereplentyoftimeforhisbusiness。Somefewdayshadslippedbywhen，perceivingCaptainDeStancywalkpasthiswindowandintothetown，Daretookhishatandcane，andfollowedinthesamedirection。

WhenhewasaboutfiftyyardsshortofMyrtleVillaontheothersideofthetownhesawDeStancyenteritsgate。

Daremountedastilebesidethehighwayandpatientlywaited。

InabouttwentyminutesDeStancycameoutagainandturnedbackinthedirectionofthetown，tillDarewasrevealedtohimonhislefthand。WhenDeStancyrecognizedtheyouthhewasvisiblyagitated，thoughapparentlynotsurprised。

Standingstillamomenthedroppedhisglanceupontheground，andthencameforwardtoDare，whohavingalightedfromthestilestoodbeforethecaptainwithasmile。

"Mydearlad!"saidDeStancy，muchmovedbyrecollections。

HeheldDare"shandforamomentinbothhisown，andturnedaskance。

"Youarenotastonished，"saidDare，stillretaininghissmile，asiftohismindthereweresomethingcomicinthesituation。

"Iknewyouweresomewherenear。Wheredoyoucomefrom?"

"Fromgoingtoandfrointheearth，andwalkingupanddowninit，asSatansaidtohisMaker——Southamptonlast，incommonspeech。"

"Haveyoucomeheretoseeme?"

"Entirely。IdivinedthatyournextquarterswouldbeMarkton，thepreviousbatteriesthatwereatyourstationhavingcomeonhere。Ihavewantedtoseeyoubadly。"

"Youhave?"

"Iamratheroutofcash。Ihavebeenknockingaboutagooddealsinceyoulastheardfromme。"

"IwilldowhatIcanagain。"

"Thanks，captain。"

"But，Willy，Iamafraiditwillnotbemuchatpresent。YouknowIamaspoorasamouse。"

"Butsuchasitis，couldyouwriteachequeforitnow?"

"Iwillsendittoyoufromthebarracks。"

"Ihaveabetterplan。BygettingoverthisstilewecouldgoroundatthebackofthevillastoSleeping-GreenChurch。

Thereisalwaysapen-and-inkinthevestry，andwecanhaveanicetalkontheway。Itwouldbeunwiseformetoappearatthebarracksjustnow。"

"That"strue。"

DeStancysighed，andtheywereabouttowalkacrossthefieldstogether。"No，"saidDare，suddenlystopping:myplansmakeitimperativethatweshouldnotruntheriskofbeingseenineachother"scompanyforlong。Walkon，andI

willfollow。Youcanstrollintothechurchyard，andmoveaboutasifyouwereruminatingontheepitaphs。Therearesomewithexcellentmorals。I"llenterbytheothergate，andwecanmeeteasilyinthevestry-room。"

DeStancylookedgloomy，andwasonthepointofacquiescingwhenheturnedbackandsaid，"Whyshouldyourphotographbeshowntothechiefconstable?"

"Bywhom?"

"Somersetthearchitect。Hesuspectsyourhavingbrokenintohisofficeorsomethingofthesort。"DeStancybrieflyrelatedwhatSomersethadexplainedtohimatthedinner-

table。

"Itwasmerelydiamondcutdiamondbetweenus，onanarchitecturalmatter，"murmuredDare。"Ho!andhesuspects；

andthat"shisremedy!"

"Ihopethisisnothingserious?"askedDeStancygravely。

"Ipeepedathisdrawing——that"sall。Butsincehechoosestomakethatuseofmyphotograph，whichIgavehiminfriendship，I"llmakeuseofhisinawayhelittledreamsof。

Wellnow，let"son。"

AquarterofanhourlatertheymetinthevestryofthechurchatSleeping-Green。

"Ihaveonlyjusttransferredmyaccounttothebankhere，"

saidDeStancy，ashetookouthischeque-book，"anditwillbemoreconvenienttomeatpresenttodrawbutasmallsum。

Iwillmakeupthebalanceafterwards。"

WhenhehadwrittenitDareglancedoverthepaperandsaidruefully，"Itissmall，dad。Well，thereisallthemorereasonwhyIshouldbroachmyscheme，withaviewtomakingsuchdocumentslargerinthefuture。"

"Ishallbegladtohearofanysuchscheme，"answeredDeStancy，withalanguidattemptatjocularity。