Slowlymyheadwasgettingclearer，andIwasabletolookroundmyproblem。IbanishedfrommymindthesituationIhadleftbehindme。Blenkironmustcopewiththatasbesthecould。ItlaywithhimtodealwiththeWildBirds，myjobwaswithIveryalone。SometimeintheearlymorninghewouldreachSantaChiara，andtherehewouldfindMary。Beyondthatmyimaginationcouldforecastnothing。Shewouldbealone-Icouldtrusthisclevernessforthat；hewouldtrytoforcehertocomewithhim，orhemightpersuadeherwithsomelyingstory。Well，pleaseGod，Ishouldcomeinforthetailendoftheinterview，andatthethoughtI
cursedthesteepgradientsIwasclimbing，andlongedforsomemagictolifttheDaimlerbeyondthesummitandsetitracingdowntheslopetowardsItaly。
Ithinkitwasabouthalf-pastthreewhenIsawthelightsofthefrontierpost。Theairseemedmilderthaninthevalleys，andtherewasasoftscurryofsnowonmyrightcheek。AcoupleofsleepySwisssentrieswiththeirriflesintheirhandsstumbledoutasIdrewup。
Theytookmypassintothehutandgavemeananxiousquarterofanhourwhiletheyexaminedit。TheperformancewasrepeatedfiftyyardsonattheItalianpost，wheretomyalarmthesentrieswereinclinedtoconversation。Iplayedthepartofthesulkyservant，answeringinmonosyllablesandpretendingtoimmensestupidity。
\'Youareonlyjustintime，friend，\'saidoneinGerman。\'Theweathergrowsbadandsoonthepasswillclose。Ugh，itisascoldaslastwinterontheTonale。Youremember，Giuseppe？\'
Butintheendtheyletmemoveon。ForalittleIfeltmywaygingerly，foronthesummittheroadhadmanytwistsandthesnowwasconfusingtotheeyes。PresentlycameasharpdropandIlettheDaimlergo。Itgrewcolder，andIshiveredalittle；thesnowbecameawetwhitefogaroundtheglowingarcoftheheadlights；andalwaystheroadfell，nowinlongcurves，nowinsteepshortdips，tillIwasawareofaglenopeningtowardsthesouth。FromlonglivinginthewildsIhaveakindofsenseforlandscapewithoutthetestimonyoftheeyes，andIknewwheretheravinenarrowedorwidenedthoughitwasblackdarkness。
InspiteofmyrestlessnessIhadtogoslowly，forafterthefirstrushdownhillIrealizedthat，unlessIwascareful，Imightwreckthecarandspoileverything。Thesurfaceoftheroadonthesouthernslopeofthemountainswasathousandpercentworsethanthatontheother。Iskiddedandside-slipped，andoncegrazedtheedgeofthegorge。Itwasfarmoremaddeningthantheclimbup，forthenithadbeenastraight-forwardgrindwiththeDaimlerdoingitsutmost，whereasnowIhadtoholdherbackbecauseofmyownlackofskill。IreckonthattimecrawlingdownfromthesummitoftheStaubassomeoftheweariesthoursIeverspent。
QuitesuddenlyIranoutoftheillweatherintoadifferentclimate。Theskywasclearaboveme，andIsawthatdawnwasverynear。Thefirstpinewoodswerebeginning，andatlastcameastraightslopewhereIcouldletthecarout。Ibegantorecovermyspirits，whichhadbeenverydashed，andtoreckonthedistanceI
hadstilltotravel……Andthen，withoutwarning，anewworldspranguparoundme。Outoftheblueduskwhiteshapesroselikeghosts，peaksandneedlesanddomesofice，theirbasesfadingmistilyintoshadow，butthetopskindlingtilltheyglowedlikejewels。Ihadneverseensuchasight，andthewonderofitforamomentdroveanxietyfrommyheart。More，itgavemeanearnestofvictory。Iwasinclearaironcemore，andsurelyinthisdiamondetherthefoulthingswhichlovedthedarkmustbeworsted……
AndthenIsaw，amileahead，thelittlesquarered-roofedbuildingwhichIknewtobetheinnofSantaChiara。
Itwasherethatmisfortunemetme。Ihadgrowncarelessnow，andlookedratheratthehousethantheroad。Atonepointthehillsidehadslippeddown-itmusthavebeenrecent，fortheroadwaswellkept-andIdidnotnoticethelandslidetillIwasonit。I
slewedtotheright，tooktoowideacurve，andbeforeIknewthecarwasoverthefaredge。Islappedonthebrakes，buttoavoidturningturtleIhadtoleavetheroadaltogether。Islithereddownasteepbankintoameadow，whereformysinsIranintoafallentreetrunkwithajarthatshookmeoutofmyseatandnearlybrokemyarm。BeforeIexaminedthecarIknewwhathadhappened。Thefrontaxlewasbent，andtheofffrontwheelbadlybuckled。
Ihadnottimetocursemystupidity。Iclamberedbacktotheroadandsetoffrunningdownitatmybestspeed。Iwasmortallystiff，forIvery\'srackwasnotgoodforthejoints，butIrealizeditonlyasadragonmypace，notasanafflictioninitself。Mywholemindwassetonthehousebeforemeandwhatmightbehappeningthere。
Therewasamanatthedooroftheinn，who，whenhecaughtsightofmyfigure，begantomovetomeetme。IsawthatitwasLauncelotWake，andthesightgavemehope。
Buthisfacefrightenedme。Itwasdrawnandhaggardlikeonewhoneversleeps，andhiseyeswerehotcoals。
\'Hannay，\'hecried，\'forGod\'ssakewhatdoesitmean？\'
\'WhereisMary？\'Igasped，andIrememberIclutchedatalapelofhiscoat。
Hepulledmetothelowstonewallbytheroadside。
\'Idon\'tknow，\'hesaidhoarsely。\'Wegotyourorderstocomeherethismorning。WewereatChiavagno，whereBlenkirontoldustowait。ButlastnightMarydisappeared……Ifoundshehadhiredacarriageandcomeonahead。Ifollowedatonce，andreachedhereanhouragotofindhergone……Thewomanwhokeepstheplaceisawayandthereareonlytwooldservantsleft。TheytellmethatMarycameherelate，andthatveryearlyinthemorningaclosedcarcameovertheStaubwithamaninit。Theysayheaskedtoseetheyounglady，andthattheytalkedtogetherforsometime，andthatthenshewentoffwithhiminthecardownthevalley……Imusthavepasseditonmywayup……There\'sbeensomeblackdevilmentthatIcan\'tfollow。Whowastheman？Whowastheman？\'
Helookedasifhewantedtothrottleme。
\'Icantellyouthat，\'Isaid。\'ItwasIvery。\'
Hestaredforasecondasifhedidn\'tunderstand。Thenheleapedtohisfeetandcursedlikeatrooper。\'You\'vebotchedit，asIknewyouwould。Iknewnogoodwouldcomeofyourinfernalsubtleties。\'
AndheconsignedmeandBlenkironandtheBritisharmyandIveryandeverybodyelsetothedevil。
Iwaspastbeingangry。\'Sitdown，man，\'Isaid，\'andlistentome。\'ItoldhimofwhathadhappenedatthePinkChalet。Heheardmeoutwithhisheadinhishands。Thethingwastoobadforcursing。
\'TheUndergroundRailway！\'hegroaned。\'Thethoughtofitdrivesmemad。Whyareyousocalm，Hannay？She\'sinthehandsofthecleverestdevilintheworld，andyoutakeitquietly。Youshouldbearavinglunatic。\'
\'Iwouldbeifitwereanyuse，butIdidallmyravinglastnightinthatdenofIvery\'s。We\'vegottopullourselvestogether，Wake。Firstofall，ItrustMarytotheothersideofeternity。Shewentwithhimofherownfreewill。Idon\'tknowwhy，butshemusthavehadareason，andbesureitwasagoodone，forshe\'sfarclevererthanyouorme……We\'vegottofollowhersomehow。Ivery\'sboundforGermany，buthisrouteisbythePinkChalet，forhehopestopickmeupthere。Hewentdownthevalley；thereforeheisgoingtoSwitzerlandbytheMarjolana。Thatisalongcircuitandwilltakehimmostoftheday。WhyhechosethatwayIdon\'tknow，butthereitis。We\'vegottogetbackbytheStaub。\'
\'Howdidyoucome？\'heasked。
\'That\'sourdamnableluck。Icameinafirst-classsix-cylinderDaimler，whichisnowlyingawreckinameadowamileuptheroad。We\'vegottofootit。\'
\'Wecan\'tdoit。Itwouldtaketoolong。Besides，there\'sthefrontiertopass。\'
IrememberedruefullythatImighthavegotareturnpassportfromthePortugueseJew，ifIhadthoughtofanythingatthetimebeyondgettingtoSantaChiara。
\'Thenwemustmakeacircuitbythehillsideanddodgetheguards。It\'snousemakingdifficulties，Wake。We\'refairlyupagainstit，butwe\'vegottogoontryingtillwedrop。OtherwiseI\'lltakeyouradviceandgomad。\'
\'AndsupposingyougetbacktoStAnton，you\'llfindthehouseshutupandthetravellersgonehoursbeforebytheUndergroundRailway。\'
\'Verylikely。But，man，there\'salwaystheglimmeringofachance。
It\'snogoodchuckinginyourhandtillthegame\'sout。\'
\'Dropyourproverbialphilosophy，MrMartinTupper，andlookupthere。\'
Hehadonefootonthewallandwasstaringatacleftinthesnow-lineacrossthevalley。Theshoulderofahighpeakdroppedsharplytoakindofnickandroseagaininalonggracefulcurveofsnow。Allbelowthenickwasstillindeepshadow，butfromtheconfigurationoftheslopesIjudgedthatatributaryglacierranfromittothemainglacierattheriverhead。
\'That\'stheColledelleRondini，\'hesaid，\'theColoftheSwallows。
ItleadsstraighttotheStaubthalnearGrunewald。OnagooddayI
havedoneitinsevenhours，butit\'snotapassforwinter-time。Ithasbeendoneofcourse，butnotoften……Yet，iftheweatherheld，itmightgoevennow，andthatwouldbringustoStAntonbytheevening。Iwonder\'-andhelookedmeoverwithanappraisingeye-\'Iwonderifyou\'reuptoit。\'
MystiffnesshadgoneandIburnedtosetmyrestlessnesstophysicaltoil。
\'Ifyoucandoit，Ican，\'Isaid。
\'No。Thereyou\'rewrong。You\'reaheftyfellow，butyou\'renomountaineer，andtheiceoftheColledelleRondinineedsknowledge。
Itwouldbeinsanetoriskitwithanovice，iftherewereanyotherway。ButI\'mdamnedifIseeany，andI\'mgoingtochanceit。
Wecangetaropeandaxesintheinn。Areyougame？\'
\'Rightyouare。Sevenhours，yousay。We\'vegottodoitinsix。\'
\'Youwillbehumblerwhenyougetontheice，\'hesaidgrimly。
\'We\'dbetterbreakfast，fortheLordknowswhenweshallseefoodagain。\'
Welefttheinnatfiveminutestonine，withtheskycloudlessandastiffwindfromthenorth-west，whichwefelteveninthedeep-cutvalley。Wakewalkedwithalong，slowstridethattriedmypatience。
Iwantedtohustle，buthebademekeepinstep。\'Youtakeyourordersfromme，forI\'vebeenatthisjobbefore。Disciplineintheranks，remember。\'
Wecrossedtherivergorgebyaplankbridge，andworkedourwayuptherightbank，pastthemoraine，tothesnoutoftheglacier。
Itwasbadgoing，forthesnowconcealedtheboulders，andIoftenflounderedinholes。Wakeneverrelaxedhisstride，butnowandthenhestoppedtosnifftheair。
Iobservedthattheweatherlookedgood，andhediffered。\'It\'stooclear。There\'llbeafull-blowngaleontheColandmostlikelysnowintheafternoon。\'Hepointedtoafatyellowcloudthatwasbeginningtobulgeoverthenearestpeak。AfterthatIthoughthelengthenedhisstride。
\'LuckyIhadthesebootsresoledandnailedatChiavagno，\'wastheonlyotherremarkhemadetillwehadpassedtheseracsofthemainglacierandturnedupthelesserice-streamfromtheColledelleRondini。
Byhalf-pasttenwewerenearitshead，andIcouldseeclearlytheribbonofpureicebetweenblackcragstoosteepforsnowtolieon，whichwasthemeansofascenttotheCol。Theskyhadcloudedover，anduglystreamersfloatedonthehighslopes。Wetiedontheropeatthefootofthebergschrund，whichwaseasytopassbecauseofthewinter\'ssnow。Wakeled，ofcourse，andpresentlywecameontotheicefall。
InmytimeIhaddonealotofscramblingonrocksandusedtopromisemyselfaseasonintheAlpstotestmyselfonthebigpeaks。
IfIevergoitwillbetoclimbthehonestrocktowersaroundChamonix，forIwon\'thaveanythingtodowithsnowmountains。
ThatdayontheColledelleRondinifairlysickenedmeofice。I
daresayImighthavelikeditifIhaddoneitinaholidaymood，atleisureandingoodspirits。Buttocrawlupthatcouloirwithasickheartandadesperateimpulsetohurrywastheworstsortofnightmare。Theplacewasassteepasawallofsmoothblackicethatseemedhardasgranite。Wakedidthestep-cutting，andIadmiredhimenormously。Hedidnotseemtousemuchforce，buteverystepwashewncleanlytherightsize，andtheywerespacedtherightdistance。Inthisjobhewasthetrueprofessional。IwasthankfulBlenkironwasnotwithus，forthethingwouldhavegivenasquirrelvertigo。ThechipsoficeslitheredbetweenmylegsandI
couldwatchthemtilltheybroughtupjustabovethebergschrund。
Theicewasinshadowanditwasbitterlycold。AswecrawledupIhadnottheexerciseofusingtheaxetowarmme，andIgotverynumbstandingononelegwaitingforthenextstep。Worsestill，mylegsbegantocramp。Iwasingoodcondition，butthattimeunderIvery\'srackhadplayedthemischiefwithmylimbs。
Musclesgotoutofplaceinmycalvesandstoodinachinglumps，tillIalmostsquealedwiththepainofit。IwasmortallyafraidI
shouldslip，andeverytimeImovedIcalledouttoWaketowarnhim。HesawwhatwashappeningandgotthepickofhisaxefixedintheicebeforeIwasallowedtostir。Hespokeoftentocheermeup，andhisvoicehadnoneofitsharshness。Hewaslikesomeill-
temperedgeneralsIhaveknown，verygentleinabattle。
Attheendthesnowbegantofall，asoftpowderliketheoverspillofastormragingbeyondthecrest。ItwasjustafterthatthatWakecriedoutthatinfiveminuteswewouldbeatthesummit。Heconsultedhiswrist-watch。\'Jollygoodtime，too。Onlytwenty-fiveminutesbehindmybest。It\'snotoneo\'clock。\'
ThenextIknewIwaslyingflatonapadofsnoweasingmycrampedlegs，whileWakeshoutedinmyearthatwewereinforsomethingbad。Iwasawareofadrivingblizzard，butIhadnothoughtofanythingbuttheblessedrelieffrompain。Ilayforsomeminutesonmybackwithmylegsstiffintheairandthetoesturnedinwards，whilemymusclesfellintotheirproperplace。
Itwascertainlynospottolingerin。Welookeddownintoatroughofdrivingmist，whichsometimesswirledasideandshowedaknuckleofblackrockfarbelow。Weatesomechocolate，whileWakeshoutedinmyearthatnowwehadlessstep-cutting。Hedidhisbesttocheerme，buthecouldnothidehisanxiety。Ourfaceswerefrostedoverlikeawedding-cakeandthestingofthewindwaslikeawhiplashonoureyelids。
Thefirstpartwaseasy，downaslopeoffirmsnowwherestepswerenotneeded。Thencameiceagain，andwehadtocutintoitbelowthefreshsurfacesnow。ThiswassolaboriousthatWaketooktotherocksontherightsideofthecouloir，wheretherewassomeshelterfromthemainforceoftheblast。Ifounditeasier，forI
knewsomethingaboutrocks，butitwasdifficultenoughwitheveryhandholdandfootholdglazed。Presentlyweweredrivenbackagaintotheice，andpainfullycutourwaythroughathroatoftheravinewherethesidesnarrowed。Therethewindwasterrible，forthenarrowsmadeakindoffunnel，andwedescended，plasteredagainstthewall，andscarcelyabletobreathe，whilethetornadopluckedatourbodiesasifitwouldwhiskuslikewispsofgrassintotheabyss。
Afterthatthegorgewidenedandwehadaneasierslope，tillsuddenlywefoundourselvesperchedonagreattongueofrockroundwhichthesnowblewlikethefrothinawhirlpool。Aswestoppedforbreath，WakeshoutedinmyearthatthiswastheBlackStone。
\'Thewhat？\'Iyelled。
\'TheSchwarzstein。TheSwisscallthepasstheSchwarzsteinthor。
YoucanseeitfromGrunewald。\'
Isupposeeverymanhasatingeofsuperstitioninhim。Tohearthatnameinthatferociousplacegavemeasuddenaccessofconfidence。I
seemedtoseeallmydoingsaspartofagreatpredestinedplan。Surelyitwasnotfornothingthatthewordwhichhadbeenthekeyofmyfirstadventureinthelongtussleshouldappearinthislastphase。Ifeltnewstrengthinmylegsandmorevigourinmylungs。\'Agoodomen，\'I
shouted。\'Wake，oldman，we\'regoingtowinout。\'
\'Theworstisstilltocome，\'hesaid。
Hewasright。Togetdownthattongueofrocktothelowersnowsofthecouloirwasajobthatfairlybroughtustotheendofourtether。Icanfeelyetthesour，bleaksmellofwetrockandiceandthehardnervepainthatrackedmyforehead。TheKaffirsusedtosaythatthereweredevilsinthehighberg，andthisplacewasassuredlygivenovertothepowersoftheairwhohadnothoughtofhumanlife。Iseemedtobeintheworldwhichhadenduredfromtheeternitybeforemanwasdreamedof。Therewasnomercyinit，andtheelementswerepittingtheirimmortalstrengthagainsttwopigmieswhohadprofanedtheirsanctuary。Iyearnedforwarmth，fortheglowofafire，foratreeorbladeofgrassoranythingwhichmeanttheshelteredhomelinessofmortality。IknewthenwhattheGreeksmeantbypanic，forIwasscaredbytheapathyofnature。
Buttheterrorgavemeakindofcomfort，too。Iveryandhisdoingsseemedlessformidable。LetmebutgetoutofthiscoldhellandI
couldmeethimwithanewconfidence。
Wakeled，forheknewtheroadandtheroadwantedknowing。
Otherwiseheshouldhavebeenlastontherope，forthatistheplaceofthebettermaninadescent。Ihadsomehorriblemomentsfollowingonwhentheropegrewtaut，forIhadnohelpfromit。
Wezigzaggeddowntherock，sometimesdriventotheiceoftheadjacentcouloirs，sometimesontheouterridgeoftheBlackStone，sometimeswrigglingdownlittlecracksandoverevilboiler-plates。
Thesnowdidnotlieonit，buttherockcrackledwiththiniceoroozedicewater。OftenitwasonlybythegraceofGodthatIdidnotfallheadlong，andpullWakeoutofhisholdtothebergschrundfarbelow。Islippedmorethanonce，butalwaysbyamiraclerecoveredmyself。Tomakethingsworse，Wakewastiring。Icouldfeelhimdragontherope，andhismovementshadnottheprecisiontheyhadhadinthemorning。Hewasthemountaineer，andIthenovice。Ifhegaveout，weshouldneverreachthevalley。
Thefellowwascleargritallthrough。Whenwereachedthefootofthetoothandsathuddledupwithourfacesawayfromthewind，Isawthathewasontheedgeoffainting。WhatthateffortMusthavecosthiminthewayofresolutionyoumayguess，buthedidnotfailtilltheworstwaspast。Hislipswerecolourless，andhewaschokingwiththenauseaoffatigue。Ifoundaflaskofbrandyinhispocket，andamouthfulrevivedhim。
\'I\'mallout，\'hesaid。\'Theroad\'seasiernow，andIcandirectYOU
abouttherest……You\'dbetterleaveme。I\'llonlybeadrag。I\'llcomeonwhenIfeelbetter。\'
\'No，youdon\'t，youoldfool。You\'vegotmeoverthatinfernaliceberg，andI\'mgoingtoseeyouhome。\'
Irubbedhisarmsandlegsandmadehimswallowsomechocolate。
Butwhenhegotonhisfeethewasasdodderyasanoldman。
Happilywehadaneasycoursedownasnowgradient，whichweglissadedinveryunorthodoxstyle。Theswiftmotionfreshenedhimupalittle，andhewasabletoputonthebrakewithhisaxetopreventuscascadingintothebergschrund。Wecrosseditbyasnowbridge，andstartedoutontheseracsoftheSchwarzsteinglacier。
Iamnomountaineer-notofthesnowandicekind，anyway-
butIhaveabigshareofphysicalstrengthandIwanteditallnow。
Forthoseseracswereaninventionofthedevil。Totraversethatlabyrinthinablindingsnowstorm，withafaintingcompanionwhowastooweaktojumpthenarrowestcrevasse，andwhohungontheropelikeleadwhentherewasoccasiontouseit，wasmorethanIcouldmanage。Besides，everystepthatbroughtusnearertothevalleynowincreasedmyeagernesstohurry，andwanderinginthatmazeofclottedicewaslikethenightmarewhenyoustandontherailswiththeexpresscomingandaretooweaktoclimbontheplatform。AssoonaspossibleIlefttheglacierforthehillside，andthoughthatwaslaboriousenoughinallconscience，yetitenabledmetosteerastraightcourse。Wakeneverspokeaword。WhenI
lookedathimhisfacewasashenunderagalewhichshouldhavemadehischeeksglow，andhekepthiseyeshalfclosed。Hewasstaggeringonattheverylimitsofhisendurance……
Byandbywewereonthemoraine，andaftersplashingthroughadozenlittleglacierstreamscameonatrackwhichledupthehillside。WakenoddedfeeblywhenIaskedifthiswasright。ThentomyjoyIsawagnarledpine。
IuntiedtheropeandWakedroppedlikealogontheground。
\'Leaveme，\'hegroaned。\'I\'mfairlydone。I\'llcomeonlater。\'
Andheshuthiseyes。
Mywatchtoldmethatitwasafterfiveo\'clock。
\'Getonmyback，\'Isaid。\'Iwon\'tpartfromyoutillI\'vefoundacottage。You\'reahero。You\'vebroughtmeoverthosedamnedmountainsinablizzard，andthat\'swhatnoothermaninEnglandwouldhavedone。Getup。\'
Heobeyed，forhewastoofargonetoargue。Itiedhiswriststogetherwithahandkerchiefbelowmychin，forIwantedmyarmstoholduphislegs。TheropeandaxesIleftinacachebeneaththepine-tree。
ThenIstartedtrottingdownthetrackforthenearestdwelling。
Mystrengthfeltinexhaustibleandthequicksilverinmybonesdrovemeforward。Thesnowwasstillfalling，butthewindwasdyingdown，andaftertheinfernoofthepassitwaslikesummer。
Theroadwoundovertheshaleofthehillsideandthenintowhatinspringmusthavebeenuplandmeadows。Thenitranamongtrees，andfarbelowmeontherightIcouldheartheglacierriverchurninginitsgorge\'Soonlittleemptyhutsappeared，androughenclosedpaddocks，andpresentlyIcameoutonashelfabovethestreamandsmeltthewood-smokeofahumanhabitation。
Ifoundamiddle-agedpeasantinthecottage，aguidebyprofessioninsummerandawoodcutterinwinter。
\'IhavebroughtmyHerrfromSantaChiara，\'Isaid，\'overtheSchwarzsteinthor。Heisverywearyandmustsleep。\'
IdecantedWakeintoachair，andhisheadnoddedonhischest。
Buthiscolourwasbetter。
\'YouandyourHerrarefools，\'saidthemangruffly，butnotunkindly。\'Hemustsleeporhewillhaveafever。TheSchwarzsteinthorinthisdevil\'sweather！IsheEnglish？\'
\'Yes，\'Isaid，\'likeallmadmen。Buthe\'sagoodHerr，andabravemountaineer。\'
WestrippedWakeofhisRedCrossuniform，nowacollectionofsoppingrags，andgothimbetweenblanketswithahugeearthenwarebottleofhotwaterathisfeet。Thewoodcutter\'swifeboiledmilk，andthis，withalittlebrandyadded，wemadehimdrink。I
wasquiteeasyinmymindabouthim，forIhadseenthisconditionbefore。Inthemorninghewouldbeasstiffasapoker，butrecovered。
\'NowI\'moffforStAnton，\'Isaid。\'Imustgettheretonight。\'
\'Youarethehardyone，\'themanlaughed。\'IwillshowyouthequickroadtoGrunewald，whereistherailway。Withgoodfortuneyoumaygetthelasttrain。\'
IgavehimfiftyfrancsonmyHerr\'sbehalf，learnedhisdirectionsfortheroad，andsetoffafteradraughtofgoat\'smilk，munchingmylastslabofchocolate。Iwasstillstrunguptoamechanicalactivity，andIraneveryinchofthethreemilestotheStaubthalwithoutconsciousnessoffatigue。Iwastwentyminutestoosoonforthetrain，and，asIsatonabenchontheplatform，myenergysuddenlyebbedaway。Thatiswhathappensafteragreatexertion。I
longedtosleep，andwhenthetrainarrivedIcrawledintoacarriagelikeamanwithastroke。Thereseemedtobenoforceleftinmylimbs。IrealizedthatIwasleg-weary，whichisathingyouseesometimeswithhorses，butnotoftenwithmen。
AllthejourneyIlaylikealoginakindofcoma，anditwaswithdifficultythatIrecognizedmydestination，andstumbledoutofthetrain。ButIhadnosooneremergedfromthestationofStAntonthanIgotmysecondwind。Muchsnowhadfallensinceyesterday，butithadstoppednow，theskywasclear，andthemoonwasriding。Thesightofthefamiliarplacebroughtbackallmyanxieties。
ThedayontheColoftheSwallowswaswipedoutofmymemory，andIsawonlytheinnatSantaChiara，andheardWake\'shoarsevoicespeakingofMary。Thelightsweretwinklingfromthevillagebelow，andontherightIsawtheclumpoftreeswhichheldthePinkChalet。
Itookashortcutacrossthefields，avoidingthelittletown。Iranhard，stumblingoften，forthoughIhadgotmymentalenergybackmylegswerestillprecarious。Thestationclockhadtoldmethatitwasnearlyhalf-pastnine。
SoonIwasonthehigh-road，andthenattheChaletgates。Iheardasinadreamwhatseemedtobethreeshrillblastsonawhistle。
Thenabigcarpassedme，makingforStAnton。ForasecondI
wouldhavehailedit，butitwaspastmeandaway。ButIhadaconvictionthatmybusinesslayinthehouse，forIthoughtIverywasthere，andIverywaswhatmattered。
Imarchedupthedrivewithnosortofplaninmyhead，onlyablindrushingonfate。IremembereddimlythatIhadstillthreecartridgesinmyrevolver。
ThefrontdoorstoodopenandIenteredandtiptoeddownthepassagetotheroomwhereIhadfoundthePortugueseJew。Noonehinderedme，butitwasnotforlackofservants。Ihadtheimpressionthattherewerepeoplenearmeinthedarkness，andI
thoughtIheardGermansoftlyspoken。Therewassomeoneaheadofme，perhapsthespeaker，forIcouldhearcarefulfootsteps。Itwasverydark，butarayoflightcamefrombelowthedooroftheroom。ThenbehindmeIheardthehalldoorclang，andthenoiseofakeyturnedinitslock。Ihadwalkedstraightintoatrapandallretreatwascutoff。
Mymindwasbeginningtoworkmoreclearly，thoughmypurposewasstillvague。IwantedtogetatIveryandIbelievedthathewassomewhereinfrontofme。AndthenIthoughtofthedoorwhichledfromthechamberwhereIhadbeenimprisoned。IfI
couldenterthatwayIwouldhavetheadvantageofsurprise。
Igropedontheright-handsideofthepassageandfoundahandle。Itopeneduponwhatseemedtobeadining-room，fortherewasafaintsmelloffood。AgainIhadtheimpressionofpeoplenear，whoforsomeunknownreasondidnotmolestme。AtthefarendIfoundanotherdoor，whichledtoasecondroom，whichI
guessedtobeadjacenttothelibrary。Beyonditagainmustliethepassagefromthechamberwiththerack。Thewholeplacewasasquietasashell。
Ihadguessedright。IwasstandinginthepassagewhereIhadstoodthenightbefore。Infrontofmewasthelibrary，andtherewasthesamechinkoflightshowing。VerysoftlyIturnedthehandleandopeneditacrack……
ThefirstthingthatcaughtmyeyewastheprofileofIvery。Hewaslookingtowardsthewriting-table，wheresomeonewassitting。
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
TheUndergroundRailwayThisisthestorywhichIheardlaterfromMary……
ShewasatMilanwiththenewAnglo-AmericanhospitalwhenshegotBlenkiron\'sletter。SantaChiarahadalwaysbeentheplaceagreedupon，andthismessagementionedspecificallySantaChiara，andfixedadateforherpresencethere。Shewasalittlepuzzledbyit，forshehadnotyethadawordfromIvery，towhomshehadwrittentwicebytheroundaboutaddressinFrancewhichBommaertshadgivenher。ShedidnotbelievethathewouldcometoItalyintheordinarycourseofthings，andshewonderedatBlenkiron\'scertaintyaboutthedate。
ThefollowingmorningcamealetterfromIveryinwhichheardentlypressedforameeting。Itwasthefirstofseveral，fullofstrangetalkaboutsomeapproachingcrisis，inwhichtheforebodingsoftheprophetweremingledwiththesolicitudeofalover。
\'Thestormisabouttobreak，\'hewrote，\'andIcannotthinkonlyofmyownfate。Ihavesomethingtotellyouwhichvitallyconcernsyourself。YousayyouareinLombardy。TheChiavagnovalleyiswithineasyreach，andatitsheadistheinnofSantaChiara，towhichIcomeonthemorningofMarch19th。Meetmethereevenifonlyforhalfanhour，Iimploreyou。Wehavealreadysharedhopesandconfidences，andIwouldnowsharewithyouaknowledgewhichIaloneinEuropepossess。Youhavetheheartofalion，mylady，worthyofwhatIcanbringyou。\'
Wakewassummonedfromthe_Croce_RossaunitwithwhichhewasworkingatVicenza，andtheplanarrangedbyBlenkironwasfaithfullycarriedout。FourofficersoftheAlpini，intheroughdressofpeasantsofthehills，mettheminChiavagnoonthemorningofthe18th。ItwasarrangedthatthehostessofSantaChiarashouldgoonavisittohersister\'sson，leavingtheinn，nowintheshutteredquietofwintertime，underthechargeoftwoancientservants。ThehourofIvery\'scomingonthe19thhadbeenfixedbyhimfornoon，andthatmorningMarywoulddriveupthevalley，whileWakeandtheAlpiniwentinconspicuouslybyotherroutessoastobeinstationaroundtheplacebeforemidday。
Butontheeveningofthe18thattheHoteloftheFourKingsinChiavagnoMaryreceivedanothermessage。ItwasfrommeandtoldherthatIwascrossingtheStaubatmidnightandwouldbeattheinnbeforedawn。Itbeggedhertomeetmethere，tomeetmealonewithouttheothers，becauseIhadthattosaytoherwhichmustbesaidbeforeIvery\'scoming。Ihaveseentheletter。ItwaswritteninahandwhichIcouldnothavedistinguishedfrommyownscrawl。ItwasnotexactlywhatIwouldmyselfhavewritten，buttherewerephrasesinitwhichtoMary\'smindcouldhavecomeonlyfromme。Oh，Iadmititwascunninglydone，especiallythelove-making，whichwasjustthekindofstammeringthingwhichIwouldhaveachievedifIhadtriedtoputmyfeelingsonpaper。
Anyhow，Maryhadnodoubtofitsgenuineness。Sheslippedoffafterdinner，hiredacarriagewithtwobroken-windedscrewsandsetoffupthevalley。SheleftalineforWaketellinghimtofollowaccordingtotheplan-alinewhichhenevergot，forhisanxietywhenhefoundshehadgonedrovehimtoimmediatepursuit。
Atabouttwointhemorningofthe19thafteraslowandicyjourneyshearrivedattheinn，knockeduptheagedservants，madeherselfacupofchocolateoutofhertea-basketandsatdowntowaitonmycoming。
Shehasdescribedtomethattimeofwaiting。Ahome-madecandleinatallearthenwarecandlesticklitupthelittle_salle-a-manger，whichwastheoneroominuse。Theworldwasveryquiet，thesnowmuffledtheroads，anditwascoldwiththepenetratingchillofthesmallhoursofaMarchnight。Always，shehastoldme，willthetasteofchocolateandthesmellofburningtallowbringbacktoherthatstrangeplaceandtheflutteroftheheartwithwhichshewaited。Forshewasontheeveofthecrisisofallourlabours，shewasveryyoung，andyouthhasaquickfancywhichwillnotbechecked。Moreover，itwasIwhowascoming，andsaveforthescrawlofthenightbefore，wehadhadnocommunicationformanyweeks……Shetriedtodistracthermindbyrepeatingpoetry，andthethingthatcameintoherheadwasKeats\'s\'Nightingale\'，anoddpoemforthetimeandplace。
Therewasalongwickerchairamongthefurnishingsoftheroom，andshelaydownonitwithherfurcloakmuffledaroundher。Thereweresoundsofmovementintheinn。Theoldwomanwhohadletherin，withthescentofintrigueofherkind，hadbrightenedwhensheheardthatanotherguestwascoming。Beautifulwomendonottravelatmidnightfornothing。Shealsowasawakeandexpectant。
Thenquitesuddenlycamethesoundofacarslowingdownoutside。Shesprangtoherfeetinatremorofexcitement。ItwaslikethePicardychateauagain-thedimroomandafriendcomingoutofthenight。Sheheardthefrontdooropenandastepinthelittlehall……
ShewaslookingatIvery……Heslippedhisdriving-coatoffasheentered，andbowedgravely。Hewaswearingagreenhuntingsuitwhichintheduskseemedlikekhaki，and，ashewasaboutmyownheight，forasecondshewasmisled。Thenshesawhisfaceandherheartstopped。
\'You！\'shecried。Shehadsunkbackagainonthewickerchair。
\'IhavecomeasIpromised，\'hesaid，\'butalittleearlier。Youwillforgivememyeagernesstobewithyou。\'
Shedidnotheedhiswords，forhermindwasfeverishlybusy。
Myletterhadbeenafraudandthismanhaddiscoveredourplans。
Shewasalonewithhim，foritwouldbehoursbeforeherfriendscamefromChiavagno。Hehadthegameinhishands，andofallourconfederacyshealoneremainedtoconfronthim。Mary\'scouragewasprettynearperfect，andforthemomentshedidnotthinkofherselforherownfate。Thatcamelater。Shewaspossessedwithpoignantdisappointmentatourfailure。Alloureffortshadgonetothewinds，andtheenemyhadwonwithcontemptuousease。Hernervousnessdisappearedbeforetheintenseregret，andherbrainsetcoollyandbusilytowork。
ItwasanewIverywhoconfrontedher，amanwithvigourandpurposeineverylineofhimandthequietconfidenceofpower。Hespokewithaseriouscourtesy。
\'Thetimeformake-believeispast，\'hewassaying。\'Wehavefencedwitheachother。Ihavetoldyouonlyhalfthetruth，andyouhavealwayskeptmeatarm\'slength。Butyouknewinyourheart，mydearestlady，thattheremustbethefulltruthbetweenussomeday，andthatdayhascome。IhaveoftentoldyouthatIloveyou。I
donotcomenowtorepeatthatdeclaration。Icometoaskyoutoentrustyourselftome，tojoinyourfatetomine，forIcanpromiseyouthehappinesswhichyoudeserve。\'
Hepulledupachairandsatbesideher。Icannotputdownallthathesaid，forMary，onceshegraspedthedriftofit，wasbusywithherownthoughtsanddidnotlisten。ButIgatherfromherthathewasverycandidandseemedtogrowashespokeinmentalandmoralstature。Hetoldherwhohewasandwhathisworkhadbeen。Heclaimedthesamepurposeashers，ahatredofwarandapassiontorebuildtheworldintodecency。Butnowhedrewadifferentmoral。HewasaGerman:itwasthroughGermanyalonethatpeaceandregenerationcouldcome。Hiscountrywaspurgedfromherfaults，andthemarvellousGermandisciplinewasabouttoproveitselfintheeyeofgodsandmen。HetoldherwhathehadtoldmeintheroomatthePinkChalet，butwithanothercolouring。
Germanywasnotvengefulorvainglorious，onlypatientandmerciful。
Godwasabouttogiveherthepowertodecidetheworld\'sfate，anditwasforhimandhiskindtoseethatthedecisionwasbeneficent。Thegreatertaskofhispeoplewasonlynowbeginning。
Thatwasthegistofhistalk。Sheappearedtolisten，buthermindwasfaraway。Shemustdelayhimfortwohours，threehours，fourhours。Ifnot，shemustkeepbesidehim。Shewastheonlyoneofourcompanyleftintouchwiththeenemy……
\'IgotoGermanynow，\'hewassaying。\'Iwantyoutocomewithme-tobemywife。\'
Hewaitedforananswer，andgotitintheformofastartledquestion。
\'ToGermany？How？\'
\'Itiseasy，\'hesaid，smiling。\'Thecarwhichiswaitingoutsideisthefirststageofasystemoftravelwhichwehaveperfected。\'ThenhetoldherabouttheUndergroundRailway-notashehadtoldittome，toscare，butasaproofofpowerandforethought。
Hismannerwasperfect。Hewasrespectful，devoted，thoughtfulofallthings。Hewasthesuppliant，notthemaster。Heofferedherpowerandpride，adazzlingcareer，forhehaddeservedwellofhiscountry，thedevotionofthefaithfullover。Hewouldtakehertohismother\'shouse，whereshewouldbewelcomedlikeaprincess。I
havenodoubthewassincere，forhehadmanymoods，andthelibertinewhomhehadrevealedtomeatthePinkChalethadgivenplacetothehonourablegentleman。Hecouldplayallpartswellbecausehecouldbelieveinhimselfinthemall。
Thenhespokeofdanger，notsoastoslighthercourage，buttoemphasizehisownthoughtfulness。Theworldinwhichshehadlivedwascrumbling，andhealonecouldofferarefuge。Shefeltthesteelgauntletthroughthetextureofthevelvetglove。
Allthewhileshehadbeenfuriouslythinking，withherchininherhandintheoldway……Shemightrefusetogo。Hecouldcompelher，nodoubt，fortherewasnohelptobegotfromtheoldservants。ButitmightbedifficulttocarryanunwillingwomanoverthefirststagesoftheUndergroundRailway。Theremightbechances……Supposingheacceptedherrefusalandlefther。Thenindeedhewouldbegoneforeverandourgamewouldhaveclosedwithafiasco。ThegreatantagonistofEnglandwouldgohomerejoicing，takinghissheaveswithhim。
Atthistimeshehadnopersonalfearofhim。Socuriousathingisthehumanheartthathermainpreoccupationwaswithourmission，notwithherownfate。Tofailutterlyseemedtoobitter。
Supposingshewentwithhim。TheyhadstilltogetoutofItalyandcrossSwitzerland。IfshewerewithhimshewouldbeanemissaryoftheAlliesintheenemy\'scamp。Sheaskedherselfwhatcouldshedo，andtoldherself\'Nothing。\'Shefeltlikeasmallbirdinaverylargetrap，andherchiefsensationwasthatofherownpowerlessness。
ButshehadlearnedBlenkiron\'sgospelandknewthatHeavensendsamazingchancestothebold。And，evenasshemadeherdecision，shewasawareofadarkshadowlurkingatthebackofhermind，theshadowofthefearwhichsheknewwasawaitingher。
Forshewasgoingintotheunknownwithamanwhomshehated，amanwhoclaimedtobeherlover。
ItwasthebravestthingIhaveeverheardof，andIhavelivedmylifeamongbravemen。
\'Iwillcomewithyou，\'shesaid。\'Butyoumustn\'tspeaktome，please。IamtiredandtroubledandIwantpeacetothink。\'
Assheroseweaknesscameoverherandsheswayedtillhisarmcaughther。\'IwishIcouldletyourestforalittle，\'hesaidtenderly，\'buttimepresses。Thecarrunssmoothlyandyoucansleepthere。\'
HesummonedoneoftheservantstowhomhehandedMary。
\'Weleaveintenminutes，\'hesaid，andhewentouttoseetothecar。
Mary\'sfirstactinthebedroomtowhichshewastakenwastobathehereyesandbrushherhair。Shefeltdimlythatshemustkeepherheadclear。HersecondwastoscribbleanotetoWake，tellinghimwhathadhappened，andtogiveittotheservantwithatip。
\'Thegentlemanwillcomeinthemorning，\'shesaid。\'Youmustgiveithimatonce，foritconcernsthefateofyourcountry。\'
Thewomangrinnedandpromised。Itwasnotthefirsttimeshehaddoneerrandsforprettyladies。
Iverysettledherinthegreatclosedcarwithmuchsolicitude，andmadehercomfortablewithrugs。Thenhewentbacktotheinnforasecond，andshesawalightmoveinthe_salle-a-manger。HereturnedandspoketothedriverinGerman，takinghisseatbesidehim。
ButfirsthehandedMaryhernotetoWake。\'Ithinkyouleftthisbehindyou，\'hesaid。Hehadnotopenedit。
AloneinthecarMaryslept。ShesawthefiguresofIveryandthechauffeurinthefrontseatdarkagainsttheheadlights，andthentheydislimnedintodreams。Shehadundergoneagreaterstrainthansheknew，andwassunkintheheavysleepofwearynerves。
Whenshewokeitwasdaylight。TheywerestillinItaly，asherfirstglancetoldher，sotheycouldnothavetakentheStaubroute。
Theyseemedtobeamongthefoothills，fortherewaslittlesnow，butnowandthenuptributaryvalleysshehadglimpsesofthehighpeaks。Shetriedhardtothinkwhatitcouldmean，andthenrememberedtheMarjolana。WakehadlabouredtoinstructherinthetopographyoftheAlps，andshehadgraspedthefactofthetwoopenpasses。ButtheMarjolanameantabigcircuit，andtheywouldnotbeinSwitzerlandtilltheevening。Theywouldarriveinthedark，andpassoutofitinthedark，andtherewouldbenochanceofsuccour。Shefeltverylonelyandveryweak。
Throughoutthemorningherfeargrew。ThemorehopelessherchanceofdefeatingIverybecamethemoreinsistentlythedarkshadowcreptoverhermind。Shetriedtosteadyherselfbywatchingtheshowfromthewindows。Thecarswungthroughlittlevillages，pastvineyardsandpine-woodsandtheblueoflakes，andoverthegorgesofmountainstreams。Thereseemedtobenotroubleaboutpassports。Thesentriesatthecontrolswavedareassuringhandwhentheywereshownsomecardwhichthechauffeurheldbetweenhisteeth。Inoneplacetherewasalongishhalt，andshecouldhearIverytalkingItalianwithtwoofficersofBersaglieri，towhomhegavecigars。Theywerefresh-faced，upstandingboys，andforasecondshehadanideaofflingingopenthedoorandappealingtothemtosaveher。Butthatwouldhavebeenfutile，forIverywasclearlyamplycertificated。Shewonderedwhatparthewasnowplaying。
TheMarjolanaroutehadbeenchosenforapurpose。Inonetowniverymetandtalkedtoacivilianofficial，andmorethanoncethecarsloweddownandsomeoneappearedfromthewaysidetospeakawordandvanish。Shewasassistingatthelastgatheringupofthethreadsofagreatplan，beforetheWildBirdsreturnedtotheirnest。
MostlytheseconferencesseemedtobeinItalian，butonceortwiceshegatheredfromthemovementofthelipsthatGermanwasspokenandthatthisroughpeasantorthatblack-hattedbourgeoiswasnotofItalianblood。
Earlyinthemorning，soonaftersheawoke，Iveryhadstoppedthecarandofferedherawell-providedluncheonbasket。Shecouldeatnothing，andwatchedhimbreakfastoffsandwichesbesidethedriver。Intheafternoonheaskedherpermissiontositwithher。
Thecardrewupinalonelyplace，andatea-basketwasproducedbythechauffeur。Iverymadetea，forsheseemedtoolistlesstomove，andshedrankacupwithhim。Afterthatheremainedbesideher。
\'InhalfanhourweshallbeoutofItaly，\'hesaid。ThecarwasrunningupalongvalleytothecurioushollowbetweensnowysaddleswhichisthecrestoftheMarjolana。Heshowedhertheplaceonaroadmap。Asthealtitudeincreasedandtheairgrewcolderhewrappedtherugscloseraroundherandapologizedfortheabsenceofafoot-warmer。\'Inalittle，\'hesaid，\'weshallbeinthelandwhereyourslightestwishwillbelaw。\'
Shedozedagainandsomissedthefrontierpost。WhenshewokethecarwasslippingdownthelongcurvesoftheWeissvalley，beforeitnarrowstothegorgethroughwhichitdebouchesonGrunewald。
\'WeareinSwitzerlandnow，\'sheheardhisvoicesay。Itmayhavebeenfancy，butitseemedtoherthattherewasanewnoteinit。Hespoketoherwiththeassuranceofpossession。TheywereoutsidethecountryoftheAllies，andinalandwherehiswebwasthicklyspread。
\'Wheredowestoptonight？\'sheaskedtimidly。
\'Ifearwecannotstop。Tonightalsoyoumustputupwiththecar。Ihavealittleerrandtodoontheway，whichwilldelayusafewminutes，andthenwepresson。Tomorrow，myfairestone，fatiguewillbeended。\'
Therewasnomistakenowaboutthenoteofpossessioninhisvoice。Mary\'sheartbegantobeatfastandwild。Thetraphadcloseddownonherandshesawthefollyofhercourage。Ithaddeliveredherboundandgaggedintothehandsofonewhomsheloathedmoredeeplyeverymoment，whoseproximitywaslesswelcomethanasnake\'s。Shehadtobitehardonherliptokeepfromscreaming。
Theweatherhadchangedanditwassnowinghard，thesamestormthathadgreetedusontheColoftheSwallows。Thepacewasslowernow，andIverygrewrestless。Helookedfrequentlyathiswatch，andsnatchedthespeaking-tubetotalktothedriver。
Marycaughttheword\'StAnton\'。
\'DowegobyStAnton？\'shefoundvoicetoask。
\'Yes，hesaidshortly。
Thewordgaveherthefaintestglimmeringofhope，forsheknewthatPeterandIhadlivedatStAnton。Shetriedtolookoutoftheblurredwindow，butcouldseenothingexceptthatthetwilightwasfalling。Shebeggedfortheroad-map，andsawthatsofarasshecouldmakeouttheywerestillinthebroadGrunewaldvalleyandthattoreachStAntontheyhadtocrossthelowpassfromtheStaubthal。Thesnowwasstilldriftingthickandthecarcrawled。
Thenshefelttheriseastheymountedtothepass。Herethegoingwasbad，verydifferentfromthedryfrostinwhichIhadcoveredthesameroadthenightbefore。Moreover，thereseemedtobecuriousobstacles。Somecarelesswood-carthaddroppedlogsonthehighway，andmorethanoncebothIveryandthechauffeurhadtogetouttoshiftthem。Inoneplacetherehadbeenasmalllandslidewhichleftlittleroomtopass，andMaryhadtodescendandcrossonfootwhilethedrivertookthecaroveralone。Ivery\'stemperseemedtobesouring。Tothegirl\'sreliefheresumedtheoutsideseat，wherehewasengagedinconstantargumentwiththechauffeur。
Attheheadofthepassstandsaninn，thecomfortablehostelryofHerrKronig，wellknowntoallwhoclamberamongthelesserpeaksoftheStaubthal。Thereinthemiddleofthewaystoodamanwithalantern。
\'Theroadisblockedbyasnowfall，\'hecried。\'Theyareclearingitnow。Itwillbereadyinhalfanhour\'stime。\'
Iverysprangfromhisseatanddartedintothehotel。Hisbusinesswastospeeduptheclearingparty，andHerrKronighimselfaccompaniedhimtothesceneofthecatastrophe。Marysatstill，forshehadsuddenlybecomepossessedofanidea。Shedroveitfromherasfoolishness，butitkeptreturning。Whyhadthosetree-trunksbeenspiltontheroad？Whyhadaneasypassafteramoderatesnowfallbeensuddenlyclosed？
Amancameoutoftheinn-yardandspoketothechauffeur。Itseemedtobeanofferofrefreshment，forthelatterlefthisseatanddisappearedinside。Hewasawayforsometimeandreturnedshiveringandgrumblingattheweather，withthecollarofhisgreatcoatturneduparoundhisears。AlanternhadbeenhungintheporchandashepassedMarysawtheman。Shehadbeenwatchingthebackofhisheadidlyduringthelongdrive，andhadobservedthatitwasoftheroundbullettype，withnonapetotheneck，whichiscommonintheFatherland。Nowshecouldnotseehisneckforthecoatcollar，butshecouldhaveswornthattheheadwasadifferentshape。Themanseemedtosufferacutelyfromthecold，forhebuttonedthecollarroundhischinandpulledhiscapfaroverhisbrows。
Iverycameback，followedbyadragginglineofmenwithspadesandlanterns。Heflunghimselfintothefrontseatandnoddedtothedrivertostart。Themanhadhisenginegoingalreadysoastolosenotime。Hebumpedovertheroughdebrisofthesnowfallandthenfairlyletthecarhum。Iverywasanxiousforspeed，buthedidnotwanthisneckbrokenandheyelledouttotakecare。Thedrivernoddedandsloweddown，butpresentlyhehadgotupspeedagain。
IfIverywasrestless，Marywasworse。Sheseemedsuddenlytohavecomeonthetracesofherfriends。IntheStAntonvalleythesnowhadstoppedandsheletdownthewindowforair，forshewaschokingwithsuspense。Thecarrushedpastthestation，downthehillbyPeter\'scottage，throughthevillage，andalongthelakeshoretothePinkChalet。
Iveryhalteditatthegate。\'Seethatyoufillupwithpetrol，\'hetoldtheman。\'BidGustavgettheDaimlerandbereadytofollowinhalfinhour。\'
HespoketoMarythroughtheopenwindow。
\'Iwillkeepyouonlyaverylittletime。Ithinkyouhadbetterwaitinthecar，foritwillbemorecomfortablethanadismantledhouse。
Aservantwillbringyoufoodandmorerugsforthenightjourney。\'
Thenhevanishedupthedarkavenue。
Mary\'sfirstthoughtwastoslipoutandgetbacktothevillageandtheretofindsomeonewhoknewmeorcouldtakeherwherePeterlived。Butthedriverwouldpreventher，forhehadbeenleftbehindonguard。Shelookedanxiouslyathisback，forhealonestoodbetweenherandliberty。
Thatgentlemanseemedtobeintentonhisownbusiness。AssoonasIvery\'sfootstepshadgrownfaint，hehadbackedthecarintotheentrance，andturneditsothatitfacedtowardsStAnton。
Thenveryslowlyitbegantomove。
Atthesamemomentawhistlewasblownshrillythreetimes。
Thedoorontherighthadopenedandsomeonewhohadbeenwaitingintheshadowsclimbedpainfullyin。Marysawthatitwasalittlemanandthathewasacripple。Shereachedahandtohelphim，andhefellontothecushionsbesideher。Thecarwasgatheringspeed。
Beforesherealizedwhatwashappeningthenew-comerhadtakenherhandandwaspattingit。
AbouttwominuteslaterIwasenteringthegateofthePinkChalet。
CHAPTERNINETEEN
TheCageoftheWildBirds\'Why，MrIvery，comerightin，\'saidthevoiceatthetable。
Therewasascreenbeforeme，stretchingfromthefireplacetokeepoffthedraughtfromthedoorbywhichIhadentered。ItstoodhigherthanmyheadbuttherewerecracksinitthroughwhichIcouldwatchtheroom。IfoundalittletableonwhichI
couldleanmyback，forIwasdroppingwithfatigue。
Blenkironsatatthewriting-tableandinfrontofhimwerelittlerowsofPatiencecards。Woodashesstillsmoulderedinthestove，andalampstoodathisrightelbowwhichlitupthetwofigures。
Thebookshelvesandthecabinetswereintwilight。
\'I\'vebeenhopingtoseeyouforquiteatime。\'Blenkironwasbusyarrangingthelittleheapsofcards，andhisfacewaswreathedinhospitablesmiles。Irememberwonderingwhyheshouldplaythehosttothetruemasterofthehouse。
Iverystooderectbeforehim。Hewasratherasplendidfigurenowthathehadsloughedalldisguisesandwasonthethresholdofhistriumph。Eventhroughthefoginwhichmybrainworkeditwasforceduponmethatherewasamanborntoplayabigpart。HehadajowllikeaRomankingonacoin，andscornfuleyesthatwereusedtomastery。Hewasyoungerthanme，confoundhim，andnowhelookedit。
Hekepthiseyesonthespeaker，whileasmileplayedroundhismouth，averyuglysmile。
\'So，\'hesaid。\'Wehavecaughttheoldcrowtoo。Ihadscarcelyhopedforsuchgoodfortune，and，tospeakthetruth，Ihadnotconcernedmyselfmuchaboutyou。Butnowweshalladdyoutothebag。Andwhatabagofvermintolayoutonthelawn！\'Heflungbackhisheadandlaughed。
\'MrIvery-\'Blenkironbegan，butwascutshort。
\'Dropthatname。Allthatispast，thankGod！IamtheGrafvonSchwabing，anofficeroftheImperialGuard。IamnottheleastoftheweaponsthatGermanyhasusedtobreakherenemies。\'
\'Youdon\'tsay，\'drawledBlenkiron，stillfiddlingwithhisPatiencecards。
Theman\'smomenthadcome，andhewasmindednottomissajotofhistriumph。Hisfigureseemedtoexpand，hiseyekindled，hisvoicerangwithpride。Itwasmelodramaofthebestkindandhefairlyrolleditroundhistongue。Idon\'tthinkIgrudgedithim，forIwasfingeringsomethinginmypocket。Hehadwonallright，buthewouldn\'tenjoyhisvictorylong，forsoonIwouldshoothim。I
hadmyeyeontheveryspotabovehisrightearwhereImeanttoputmybullet……ForIwasveryclearthattokillhimwastheonlywaytoprotectMary。IfearedthewholeseventymillionsofGermanylessthanthisman。Thatwasthesingleideathatremainedfirmagainsttheimmensefatiguethatpresseddownonme。
\'Ihavelittletimetowasteonyou，\'saidhewhohadbeencalledIvery。\'ButIwillspareamomenttotellyouafewtruths。Yourchildishgameneverhadachance。IplayedwithyouinEnglandandIhaveplayedwithyoueversince。YouhavenevermadeamovebutIhavequietlycounteredit。Why，man，yougavemeyourconfidence。TheAmericanMrDonne……\'
\'WhataboutClarence？\'askedBlenkiron。Hisfaceseemedastudyinpurebewilderment。
\'Iwasthatinterestingjournalist。\'
\'Nowtothinkofthat！\'saidBlenkironinasad，gentlevoice。\'I
thoughtIwassafewithClarence。Why，hebroughtmealetterfromoldJoeHooperandheknewalltheboysdownEmporiaway。\'
Iverylaughed。\'Youhaveneverdonemejustice，Ifear；butI
thinkyouwilldoitnow。Yourgangishelplessinmyhands。
GeneralHannay……\'AndIwishIcouldgiveyouanotionofthescornwithwhichhepronouncedtheword\'General\'。
\'Yes-Dick？\'saidBlenkironintently。
\'Hehasbeenmyprisonerfortwenty-fourhours。AndtheprettyMissMary，too。Youareallgoingwithmeinalittletomyowncountry。Youwillnotguesshow。WecallittheUndergroundRailway，andyouwillhavetheprivilegeofstudyingitsworking……Ihadnottroubledmuchaboutyou，forIhadnospecialdislikeofyou。Youareonlyablunderingfool，whatyoucallinyourcountryeasyfruit。\'
\'Ithankyou，Graf，\'Blenkironsaidsolemnly。
\'Butsinceyouarehereyouwilljointheothers……Onelastword。Tobeatineptssuchasyouisnothing。Thereisafargreaterthing。Mycountryhasconquered。YouandyourfriendswillbedraggedatthechariotwheelsofatriumphsuchasRomeneversaw。Doesthatpenetrateyourthickskull？Germanyhaswon，andintwodaysthewholeroundearthwillbestrickendumbbyhergreatness。\'
AsIwatchedBlenkironagreyshadowofhopelessnessseemedtosettleonhisface。Hisbigbodydroopedinhischair，hiseyesfell，andhislefthandshuffledlimplyamonghisPatiencecards。Icouldnotgetmymindtowork，butIpuzzledmiserablyoverhisamazingblunders。Hehadwalkedblindlyintothepithisenemieshaddugforhim。Petermusthavefailedtogetmymessagetohim，andheknewnothingoflastnight\'sworkormymadjourneytoItaly。Wehadallbungled，thewholewretchedbunchofus，PeterandBlenkironandmyself……IhadafeelingatthebackofmyheadthattherewassomethinginitallthatIcouldn\'tunderstand，thatthecatastrophecouldnotbequiteassimpleasitseemed。ButIhadnopowertothink，withtheinsolentfigureofIverydominatingtheroom……ThankGodIhadabulletwaitingforhim。Thatwastheonefixedpointinthechaosofmymind。ForthefirsttimeinmylifeIwasresoluteonkillingoneparticularman，andthepurposegavemeahorridcomfort。
SuddenlyIvery\'svoicerangoutsharp。\'Takeyourhandoutofyourpocket。Youfool，youarecoveredfromthreepointsinthewalls。Amovementandmymenwillmakeasieveofyou。Othersbeforeyouhavesatinthatchair，andIamusedtotakeprecautions。
Quick。Bothhandsonthetable。\'
TherewasnomistakeaboutBlenkiron\'sdefeat。Hewasdoneandout，andIwasleftwiththeonlycard。Heleanedwearilyonhisarmswiththepalmsofhishandsspreadout。
\'Ireckonyou\'vegottenastronghand，Graf，\'hesaid，andhisvoicewasflatwithdespair。
\'Iholdaroyalflush，\'wastheanswer。
Andthensuddenlycameachange。Blenkironraisedhishead，andhissleepy，ruminatingeyeslookedstraightatIvery。
\'Icallyou，\'hesaid。
Ididn\'tbelievemyears。NordidIvery。
\'Thehourforbluffispast，\'hesaid。
\'NeverthelessIcallyou。\'
AtthatmomentIfeltsomeonesqueezethroughthedoorbehindmeandtakehisplaceatmyside。ThelightwassodimthatIsawonlyashort，squarefigure，butafamiliarvoicewhisperedinmyear。\'It\'sme-AndraAmos。Man，thisisagreatploy。I\'mheretoseetheendo\'t。\'
Noprisonerwaitingonthefindingofthejury，nocommanderexpectingnewsofagreatbattle，everhunginmoredesperatesuspensethanIdidduringthenextseconds。Ihadforgottenmyfatigue；mybacknolongerneededsupport。Ikeptmyeyesgluedtothecrackinthescreenandmyearsdrankingreedilyeverysyllable。
Blenkironwasnowsittingboltuprightwithhischininhishands。Therewasnoshadowofmelancholyinhisleanface。
\'IsayIcallyou，HerrGrafvonSchwabing。I\'mgoingtoputyouwiseaboutsomelittlethings。Youdon\'tcarryarms，soIneedn\'twarnyouagainstmonkeyingwithagun。You\'rerightinsayingthattherearethreeplacesinthesewallsfromwhichyoucanshoot。
Well，foryourinformationImaytellyouthatthere\'sgunsinallthree，butthey\'recovering_youatthismoment。Soyou\'dbetterbegood。\'
Iverysprangtoattentionlikearamrod。\'Karl，\'hecried。
\'Gustav！\'
Asifbymagicfiguresstoodoneithersideofhim，likewardersbyacriminal。TheywerenotthesleekGermanfootmenwhomI
hadseenattheChalet。OneIdidnotrecognize。Theotherwasmyservant，GeordieHamilton。
Hegavethemoneglance，lookedroundlikeahuntedanimal，andthensteadiedhimself。Themanhadhisownkindofcourage。
\'I\'vegottensomethingtosaytoyou，\'Blenkirondrawled。\'It\'sbeenatoughfight，butIreckonthehotendofthepokeriswithyou。IcomplimentyouonClarenceDonne。Youfooledmefineoverthatbusiness，anditwasonlybythemercyofGodyoudidn\'twinout。Yousee，therewasjusttheoneofuswhowasliabletorecognizeyouwhateverwayyoutwistedyourface，andthatwasDickHannay。IgiveyougoodmarksforClarence……Fortherest，Ihadyoubeatenflat。\'
Helookedsteadilyathim。\'Youdon\'tbelieveit。Well，I\'llgiveyouproof。I\'vebeenwatchingyourUndergroundRailwayforquiteatime。I\'vehadmymenonthejob，andIreckonmostofthelinesarenowclosedforrepairs。AllbutthetrunklineintoFrance。
ThatI\'mkeepingopen，forsoonthere\'sgoingtobesometrafficonit。\'
AtthatIsawIvery\'seyelidsquiver。Forallhisself-commandhewasbreaking。
\'Iadmitwecutitmightyfine，alongofyourfoolingmeaboutClarence。ButyoustruckabadsnaginGeneralHannay，Graf。
Yourheart-to-hearttalkwithhimwaspoorbusiness。Youreckonedyouhadhimsafe，butthatwastoobigarisktotakewithamanlikeDick，unlessyousawhimcoldbeforeyoulefthim……Hegotawayfromthisplace，andearlythismorningIknewallheknew。
Afterthatitwaseasy。IgotthetelegramyouhadsentthismorninginthenameofClarenceDonneanditmademelaugh。BeforemiddayIhadthiswholeoutfitundermyhand。YourservantshavegonebytheUndergroundRailway-toFrance。Ehrlich-well，I\'msorryaboutEhrlich。\'
IknewnowthenameofthePortugueseJew。
\'Hewasn\'tabadsortofman，\'Blenkironsaidregretfully，\'andhewasplumbhonest。Icouldn\'tgethimtolistentoreason，andhewouldplaywithfirearms。SoIhadtoshoot。\'
\'Dead？\'askedIverysharply。
\'Ye-es。Idon\'tmiss，anditwashimorme。He\'sundertheicenow-whereyouwantedtosendDickHannay。Hewasn\'tyourkind，Graf，andIguesshehassomechanceofgettingintoHeaven。
IfIweren\'tahard-shellPresbyterianI\'dsayaprayerforhissoul。\'
IlookedonlyatIvery。Hisfacehadgoneverypale，andhiseyeswerewandering。Iamcertainhisbrainwasworkingatlightningspeed，buthewasaratinasteeltrapandthespringsheldhim。IfeverIsawamangoingthroughhellitwasnow。Hispasteboardcastlehadcrumbledabouthisearsandhewasgiddywiththefallofit。Themanwasmadeofpride，andeveryproudnerveofhimwascaughtontheraw。
\'Somuchforordinarybusiness，\'saidBlenkiron。\'There\'sthematterofacertainlady。Youhaven\'tbehavedover-niceabouther，Graf，butI\'mnotgoingtoblameyou。Youmaybeheardawhistleblowwhenyouwerecominginhere？No！Why，itsoundedlikeGabriel\'strump。Petermusthaveputsomelungpowerintoit。
Well，thatwasthesignalthatMissMarywassafeinyourcar……
butinourcharge。D\'youcomprehend？\'
Hedid。Theghostofaflushappearedinhischeeks。
\'YouaskaboutGeneralHannay？I\'mnotjustexactlysurewhereDickisatthemoment，butIopinehe\'sinItaly。\'
Ikickedasidethescreen，therebycausingAmosalmosttofallonhisface。
\'I\'mback，\'Isaid，andpulledupanarm-chair，anddroppedintoit。
IthinkthesightofmewasthelaststrawforIvery。Iwasawildenoughfigure，greywithweariness，soaked，dirty，withtheclothesoftheporterJosephZimmerinragsfromthesharprocksoftheSchwarzsteinthor。Ashiseyescaughtminetheywavered，andIsawterrorinthem。Heknewhewasinthepresenceofamortalenemy。
\'Why，Dick，\'saidBlenkironwithabeamingface，\'thisismightyopportune。Howincreationdidyougethere？\'
\'Iwalked，\'Isaid。Ididnotwanttohavetospeak，forIwastootired。IwantedtowatchIvery\'sface。
BlenkirongathereduphisPatiencecards，slippedthemintoalittleleathercaseandputitinhispocket。
\'I\'veonethingmoretotellyou。TheWildBirdshavebeensummonedhome，buttheywon\'tevermakeit。We\'vegatheredthemin-Pavia，andHofgaard，andConradi。Ehrlichisdead。Andyouaregoingtojointherestinourcage。\'
AsIlookedatmyfriend，hisfigureseemedtogaininpresence。
Hesatsquareinhischairwithafacelikeahangingjudge，andhiseyes，sleepynomore，heldIveryasinavice。Hehaddropped，too，hisdrawlandtheidiomsofhisordinaryspeech，andhisvoicecameouthardandmassiveliketheclashofgraniteblocks。