\"Asnakegotintoyourhen-runyesterdaymorningandkilledsixoutofsevenpullets，firstmesmerisingthemwithitseyesandthenbitingthemastheystoodhelpless。TheseventhpulletwasoneofthatFrenchsort，withfeathersalloveritseyes，soitescapedthemesmericsnare，andjustflewatwhatitcouldseeofthesnakeandpeckedittopieces。\"
\"Thankyou，\"saidBlenkinthropestiffly；\"it\'saverycleverinvention。Ifsuchathinghadreallyhappenedinmypoultry-runIadmitIshouldhavebeenproudandinterestedtotellpeopleaboutit。ButI\'drathersticktofact，evenifitisplainfact。\"AllthesamehisminddweltwistfullyonthestoryoftheSeventhPullet。Hecouldpicturehimselftellingitinthetrainamidtheabsorbedinterestofhisfellow-passengers。
Unconsciouslyallsortsoflittledetailsandimprovementsbegantosuggestthemselves。
Wistfulnesswasstillhisdominantmoodwhenhetookhisseatintherailwaycarriagethenextmorning。
OppositehimsatStevenham，whohadattainedtoarecognisedbrevetofimportancethroughthefactofanunclehavingdroppeddeadintheactofvotingataParliamentaryelection。Thathadhappenedthreeyearsago，butStevenhamwasstilldeferredtoonallquestionsofhomeandforeignpolitics。
\"Hullo，how\'sthegiantmushroom，orwhateveritwas？\"wasallthenoticeBlenkinthropegotfromhisfellowtravellers。
YoungDuckby，whomhemildlydisliked，speedilymonopolisedthegeneralattentionbyanaccountofadomesticbereavement。
\"Hadfouryoungpigeonscarriedofflastnightbyawhackingbigrat。Oh，amonsterhemusthavebeen；youcouldtellbythesizeoftheholehemadebreakingintotheloft。\"
Nomoderate-sizedrateverseemedtocarryoutanypredatoryoperationsintheseregions；theywereallenormousintheirenormity。
\"Prettyhardlinesthat，\"continuedDuckby，seeingthathehadsecuredtheattentionandrespectofthecompany；\"foursqueakerscarriedoffatoneswoop。You\'dfinditratherhardtomatchthatinthewayofunlooked-
forbadluck。\"
\"Ihadsixpulletsoutofapenofsevenkilledbyasnakeyesterdayafternoon，\"saidBlenkinthrope，inavoicewhichhehardlyrecognisedashisown。
\"Byasnake？\"cameinexcitedchorus。
\"Itfascinatedthemwithitsdeadly，glitteringeyes，oneaftertheother，andstruckthemdownwhiletheystoodhelpless。Abedriddenneighbour，whowasn\'tabletocallforassistance，witnesseditallfromherbedroomwindow。\"
\"Well，Inever！\"brokeinthechorus，withvariations。
\"Theinterestingpartofitisabouttheseventhpullet，theonethatdidn\'tgetkilled，\"resumedBlenkinthrope，slowlylightingacigarette。Hisdiffidencehadlefthim，andhewasbeginningtorealisehowsafeandeasydepravitycanseemonceonehasthecouragetobegin。\"ThesixdeadbirdswereMinorcas；theseventhwasaHoudanwithamopoffeathersalloveritseyes。Itcouldhardlyseethesnakeatall，soofcourseitwasn\'tmesmerisedliketheothers。Itjustcouldseesomethingwrigglingontheground，andwentforitandpeckedittodeath。\"
\"Well，I\'mblessed！\"exclaimedthechorus。
InthecourseofthenextfewdaysBlenkinthropediscoveredhowlittlethelossofone\'sself-respectaffectsonewhenonehasgainedtheesteemoftheworld。
Hisstoryfounditswayintooneofthepoultrypapers，andwascopiedthenceintoadailynews-sheetasamatterofgeneralinterest。AladywrotefromtheNorthofScotlandrecountingasimilarepisodewhichshehadwitnessedasoccurringbetweenastoatandablindgrouse。Somehowalieseemssomuchlessreprehensiblewhenonecancallitalee。
ForawhiletheadapteroftheSeventhPulletstoryenjoyedtothefullhisalteredstandingasapersonofconsequence，onewhohadhadsomeshareinthestrangeeventsofhistimes。ThenhewasthrustonceagainintothecoldgreybackgroundbythesuddenblossomingintoimportanceofSmith-Paddon，adailyfellow-traveller，whoselittlegirlhadbeenknockeddownandnearlyhurtbyacarbelongingtoamusical-comedyactress。Theactresswasnotinthecaratthetime，butshewasinnumerousphotographswhichappearedintheillustratedpapersofZotoDobreeninquiringafterthewell-beingofMaisie，daughterofEdmundSmith-Paddon，Esq。WiththisnewhumaninteresttoabsorbthemthetravellingcompanionswerealmostrudewhenBlenkinthropetriedtoexplainhiscontrivanceforkeepingvipersandperegrinefalconsoutofhischicken-run。
Gorworth，towhomheunburdenedhimselfinprivate，gavehimthesamecounselasheretofore。
\"Inventsomething。\"
\"Yes，butwhat？\"
Thereadyaffirmativecoupledwiththequestionbetrayedasignificantshiftingoftheethicalstandpoint。
ItwasafewdayslaterthatBlenkinthroperevealedachapteroffamilyhistorytothecustomarygatheringintherailwaycarriage。
\"Curiousthinghappenedtomyaunt，theonewholivesinParis，\"hebegan。Hehadseveralaunts，buttheywereallgeographicallydistributedoverGreaterLondon。
\"ShewassittingonaseatintheBoistheotherafternoon，afterlunchingattheRoumanianLegation。\"
Whateverthestorygainedinpicturesquenessfromthedragging-inofdiplomatic\"atmosphere，\"itceasedfromthatmomenttocommandanyacceptanceasarecordofcurrentevents。Gorworthhadwarnedhisneophytethatthiswouldbethecase，butthetraditionalenthusiasmoftheneophytehadtriumphedoverdiscretion。
\"Shewasfeelingratherdrowsy，theeffectprobablyofthechampagne，whichshe\'snotinthehabitoftakinginthemiddleoftheday。\"
Asubduedmurmurofadmirationwentroundthecompany。Blenkinthrope\'sauntswerenotusedtotakingchampagneinthemiddleoftheyear，regardingitexclusivelyasaChristmasandNewYearaccessory。
\"Presentlyaratherportlygentlemanpassedbyherseatandpausedaninstanttolightacigar。Atthatmomentayoungishmancameupbehindhim，drewthebladefromaswordstick，andstabbedhimhalfadozentimesthroughandthrough。\'Scoundrel，\'hecriedtohisvictim，\'youdonotknowme。MynameisHenriLeturc。\'
Theeldermanwipedawaysomeofthebloodthatwasspatteringhisclothes，turnedtohisassailant，andsaid：`Andsincewhenhasanattemptedassassinationbeenconsideredanintroduction？\'Thenhefinishedlightinghiscigarandwalkedaway。Myaunthadintendedscreamingforthepolice，butseeingtheindifferencewithwhichtheprincipalintheaffairtreatedthemattershefeltthatitwouldbeanimpertinenceonherparttointerfere。OfcourseIneedhardlysaysheputthewholethingdowntotheeffectsofawarm，drowsyafternoonandtheLegationchampagne。Nowcomestheastonishingpartofmystory。AfortnightlaterabankmanagerwasstabbedtodeathwithaswordstickinthatverypartoftheBois。Hisassassinwasthesonofacharwomanformerlyworkingatthebank，whohadbeendismissedfromherjobbythemanageronaccountofchronicintemperance。HisnamewasHenriLeturc。\"
FromthatmomentBlenkinthropewastacitlyacceptedastheMunchausenoftheparty。Noeffortwassparedtodrawhimoutfromdaytodayintheexerciseoftestingtheirpowersofcredulity，andBlenkinthrope，inthefalsesecurityofanassuredandreceptiveaudience，waxedindustriousandingeniousinsupplyingthedemandformarvels。Duckby\'ssatiricalstoryofatameotterthathadatankinthegardentoswimin，andwhinedrestlesslywheneverthewater-ratewasoverdue，wasscarcelyanunfairparodyofsomeofBlenkinthrope\'swilderefforts。AndthenonedaycameNemesis。
ReturningtohisvillaoneeveningBlenkinthropefoundhiswifesittinginfrontofapackofcards，whichshewasscrutinisingwithunusualconcentration。
\"Thesameoldpatience-game？\"heaskedcarelessly。
\"No，dear；thisistheDeath\'sHeadpatience，themostdifficultofthemall。I\'venevergotittoworkout，andsomehowIshouldberatherfrightenedifIdid。
Motheronlygotitoutonceinherlife；shewasafraidofit，too。Hergreat-aunthaddoneitonceandfallendeadfromexcitementthenextmoment，andmotheralwayshadafeelingthatshewoulddieifsheevergotitout。
Shediedthesamenightthatshedidit。Shewasinbadhealthatthetime，certainly，butitwasastrangecoincidence。\"
\"Don\'tdoitifitfrightensyou，\"wasBlenkinthrope\'spracticalcommentashelefttheroom。A
fewminuteslaterhiswifecalledtohim。
\"John，itgavemesuchaturn，Inearlygotitout。
Onlythefiveofdiamondsheldmeupattheend。I
reallythoughtI\'ddoneit。\"
\"Why，youcandoit，\"saidBlenkinthrope，whohadcomebacktotheroom；\"ifyoushifttheeightofclubsontothatopenninethefivecanbemovedontothesix。\"
Hiswifemadethesuggestedmovewithhasty，tremblingfingers，andpiledtheoutstandingcardsontotheirrespectivepacks。Thenshefollowedtheexampleofhermotherandgreat-grand-aunt。
Blenkinthropehadbeengenuinelyfondofhiswife，butinthemidstofhisbereavementonedominantthoughtobtrudeditself。Somethingsensationalandrealhadatlastcomeintohislife；nolongerwasitagrey，colourlessrecord。Theheadlineswhichmightappropriatelydescribehisdomestictragedykeptshapingthemselvesinhisbrain。\"Inheritedpresentimentcomestrue。\"\"TheDeath\'sHeadpatience：Card-gamethatjustifieditssinisternameinthreegenerations。\"HewroteoutafullstoryofthefataloccurrencefortheESSEXVEDETTE，theeditorofwhichwasafriendofhis，andtoanotherfriendhegaveacondensedaccount，tobetakenuptotheofficeofoneofthehalfpennydailies。
Butinbothcaseshisreputationasaromancerstoodfatallyinthewayofthefulfilmentofhisambitions。
\"NottherightthingtobeMunchauseninginatimeofsorrow\"agreedhisfriendsamongthemselves，andabriefnoteofregretatthe\"suddendeathofthewifeofourrespectedneighbour，Mr。JohnBlenkinthrope，fromheartfailure，\"appearinginthenewscolumnofthelocalpaperwastheforlornoutcomeofhisvisionsofwidespreadpublicity。
Blenkinthropeshrankfromthesocietyofhiserstwhiletravellingcompanionsandtooktotravellingtownwardsbyanearliertrain。Hesometimestriestoenlistthesympathyandattentionofachanceacquaintanceindetailsofthewhistlingprowessofhisbestcanaryorthedimensionsofhislargestbeetroot；hescarcelyrecogniseshimselfasthemanwhowasoncespokenaboutandpointedoutastheowneroftheSeventhPullet。
THEBLINDSPOT
\"YOU\'VEjustcomebackfromAdelaide\'sfuneral，haven\'tyou？\"saidSirLulworthtohisnephew；\"Isupposeitwasverylikemostotherfunerals？\"
\"I\'lltellyouallaboutitatlunch，\"saidEgbert。
\"You\'lldonothingofthesort。Itwouldn\'tberespectfuleithertoyourgreat-aunt\'smemoryortothelunch。WebeginwithSpanisholives，thenaborshch，thenmoreolivesandabirdofsomekind，andaratherenticingRhenishwine，notatallexpensiveaswinesgointhiscountry，butstillquitelaudableinitsway。
Nowthere\'sabsolutelynothinginthatmenuthatharmonisesintheleastwiththesubjectofyourgreat-
auntAdelaideorherfuneral。Shewasacharmingwoman，andquiteasintelligentasshehadanyneedtobe，butsomehowshealwaysremindedmeofanEnglishcook\'sideaofaMadrascurry。\"
\"Sheusedtosayyouwerefrivolous，\"saidEgbert。
Somethinginhistonesuggestedthatheratherendorsedtheverdict。
\"IbelieveIonceconsiderablyscandalisedherbydeclaringthatclearsoupwasamoreimportantfactorinlifethanaclearconscience。Shehadverylittlesenseofproportion。Bytheway，shemadeyouherprincipalheir，didn\'tshe？\"
\"Yes，\"saidEgbert，\"andexecutoraswell。It\'sinthatconnectionthatIparticularlywanttospeaktoyou。\"
\"Businessisnotmystrongpointatanytime，\"saidSirLulworth，\"andcertainlynotwhenwe\'reontheimmediatethresholdoflunch。\"
\"Itisn\'texactlybusiness，\"explainedEgbert，ashefollowedhisuncleintothedining-room。
\"It\'ssomethingratherserious。Veryserious。\"
\"Thenwecan\'tpossiblyspeakaboutitnow，\"saidSirLulworth；\"noonecouldtalkseriouslyduringaborshch。Abeautifullyconstructedborshch，suchasyouaregoingtoexperiencepresently，oughtnotonlytobanishconversationbutalmosttoannihilatethought。
Lateron，whenwearriveatthesecondstageofolives，I
shallbequitereadytodiscussthatnewbookonBorrow，or，ifyoupreferit，thepresentsituationintheGrandDuchyofLuxemburg。ButIabsolutelydeclinetotalkanythingapproachingbusinesstillwehavefinishedwiththebird。\"
ForthegreaterpartofthemealEgbertsatinanabstractedsilence，thesilenceofamanwhosemindisfocussedononetopic。Whenthecoffeestagehadbeenreachedhelaunchedhimselfsuddenlyathwarthisuncle\'sreminiscencesoftheCourtofLuxemburg。
\"IthinkItoldyouthatgreat-auntAdelaidehadmademeherexecutor。Therewasn\'tverymuchtobedoneinthewayoflegalmatters，butIhadtogothroughherpapers。\"
\"Thatwouldbeafairlyheavytaskinitself。I
shouldimaginetherewerereamsoffamilyletters。\"
\"Stacksofthem，andmostofthemhighlyuninteresting。Therewasonepacket，however，whichI
thoughtmightrepayacarefulperusal。ItwasabundleofcorrespondencefromherbrotherPeter。\"
\"TheCanonoftragicmemory，\"saidLulworth。
\"Exactly，oftragicmemory，asyousay；atragedythathasneverbeenfathomed。\"
\"Probablythesimplestexplanationwasthecorrectone，\"saidSirLulworth；\"heslippedonthestonestaircaseandfracturedhisskullinfalling。\"
Egbertshookhishead。\"Themedicalevidenceallwenttoprovethattheblowontheheadwasstruckbysomeonecomingupbehindhim。Awoundcausedbyviolentcontactwiththestepscouldnotpossiblyhavebeeninflictedatthatangleoftheskull。Theyexperimentedwithadummyfigurefallingineveryconceivableposition。\"
\"Butthemotive？\"exclaimedSirLulworth；\"noonehadanyinterestindoingawaywithhim，andthenumberofpeoplewhodestroyCanonsoftheEstablishedChurchforthemerefunofkillingmustbeextremelylimited。
Ofcoursethereareindividualsofweakmentalbalancewhodothatsortofthing，buttheyseldomconcealtheirhandiwork；theyaremoregenerallyinclinedtoparadeit。\"
\"Hiscookwasundersuspicion，\"saidEgbertshortly。
\"Iknowhewas，\"saidSirLulworth，\"simplybecausehewasabouttheonlypersononthepremisesatthetimeofthetragedy。ButcouldanythingbesillierthantryingtofastenachargeofmurderontoSebastien？Hehadnothingtogain，infact，agooddealtolose，fromthedeathofhisemployer。TheCanonwaspayinghimquiteasgoodwagesasIwasabletoofferhimwhenI
tookhimoverintomyservice。Ihavesinceraisedthemtosomethingalittlemoreinaccordancewithhisrealworth，butatthetimehewasgladtofindanewplacewithouttroublingaboutanincreaseofwages。Peoplewerefightingrathershyofhim，andhehadnofriendsinthiscountry。No；ifanyoneintheworldwasinterestedintheprolongedlifeandunimpaireddigestionoftheCanonitwouldcertainlybeSebastien。\"
\"Peopledon\'talwaysweightheconsequencesoftheirrashacts，\"saidEgbert，\"otherwisetherewouldbeveryfewmurderscommitted。Sebastienisamanofhottemper。\"
\"Heisasoutherner，\"admittedSirLulworth；\"tobegeographicallyexactIbelievehehailsfromtheFrenchslopesofthePyrenees。Itookthatintoconsiderationwhenhenearlykilledthegardener\'sboytheotherdayforbringinghimaspurioussubstituteforsorrel。Onemustalwaysmakeallowancesfororiginandlocalityandearlyenvironment；`TellmeyourlongitudeandI\'llknowwhatlatitudetoallowyou，\'ismymotto。\"
\"There，yousee，\"saidEgbert，\"henearlykilledthegardener\'sboy。\"
\"MydearEgbert，betweennearlykillingagardener\'sboyandaltogetherkillingaCanonthereisawidedifference。Nodoubtyouhaveoftenfeltatemporarydesiretokillagardener\'sboy；youhavenevergivenwaytoit，andIrespectyouforyourself-control。ButI
don\'tsupposeyouhaveeverwantedtokillanoctogenarianCanon。Besides，asfarasweknow，therehadneverbeenanyquarrelordisagreementbetweenthetwomen。Theevidenceattheinquestbroughtthatoutveryclearly。\"
\"Ah！\"saidEgbert，withtheairofamancomingatlastintoadeferredinheritanceofconversationalimportance，\"thatispreciselywhatIwanttospeaktoyouabout。\"
Hepushedawayhiscoffeecupanddrewapocket-bookfromhisinnerbreast-pocket。Fromthedepthsofthepocket-bookheproducedanenvelope，andfromtheenvelopeheextractedaletter，closelywritteninasmall，neathandwriting。
\"OneoftheCanon\'snumerousletterstoAuntAdelaide，\"heexplained，\"writtenafewdaysbeforehisdeath。Hermemorywasalreadyfailingwhenshereceivedit，andIdaresaysheforgotthecontentsassoonasshehadreadit；otherwise，inthelightofwhatsubsequentlyhappened，weshouldhaveheardsomethingofthisletterbeforenow。IfithadbeenproducedattheinquestI
fancyitwouldhavemadesomedifferenceinthecourseofaffairs。Theevidence，asyouremarkedjustnow，chokedoffsuspicionagainstSebastienbydisclosinganutterabsenceofanythingthatcouldbeconsideredamotiveorprovocationforthecrime，ifcrimetherewas。\"
\"Oh，readtheletter，\"saidSirLulworthimpatiently。
\"It\'salongramblingaffair，likemostofhislettersinhislateryears，\"saidEgbert。\"I\'llreadthepartthatbearsimmediatelyonthemystery。
\"\'IverymuchfearIshallhavetogetridofSebastien。Hecooksdivinely，buthehasthetemperofafiendorananthropoidape，andIamreallyinbodilyfearofhim。WehadadisputetheotherdayastothecorrectsortoflunchtobeservedonAshWednesday，andIgotsoirritatedandannoyedathisconceitandobstinacythatatlastIthrewacupfulofcoffeeinhisfaceandcalledhimatthesametimeanimpudentjackanapes。Verylittleofthecoffeewentactuallyinhisface，butIhaveneverseenahumanbeingshowsuchdeplorablelackofself-control。Ilaughedatthethreatofkillingmethathesplutteredoutinhisrage，andthoughtthewholethingwouldblowover，butIhaveseveraltimessincecaughthimscowlingandmutteringinahighlyunpleasantfashion，andlatelyIhavefanciedthathewasdoggingmyfootstepsaboutthegrounds，particularlywhenIwalkofaneveningintheItalianGarden。\'
\"ItwasonthestepsintheItalianGardenthatthebodywasfound，\"commentedEgbert，andresumedreading。
\"\'Idaresaythedangerisimaginary；butIshallfeelmoreateasewhenhehasquittedmyservice。\'\"
Egbertpausedforamomentattheconclusionoftheextract；then，ashisunclemadenoremark，headded：\"IflackofmotivewastheonlyfactorthatsavedSebastienfromprosecutionIfancythisletterwillputadifferentcomplexiononmatters。\"
\"Haveyoushownittoanyoneelse？\"askedSirLulworth，reachingouthishandfortheincriminatingpieceofpaper。
\"No，\"saidEgbert，handingitacrossthetable，\"I
thoughtIwouldtellyouaboutitfirst。Heavens，whatareyoudoing？\"
Egbert\'svoicerosealmosttoascream。SirLulworthhadflungthepaperwellandtrulyintotheglowingcentreofthegrate。Thesmall，neathand-
writingshrivelledintoblackflakynothingness。
\"Whatonearthdidyoudothatfor？\"gaspedEgbert。
\"ThatletterwasouronepieceofevidencetoconnectSebastienwiththecrime。\"
\"ThatiswhyIdestroyedit，\"saidSirLulworth。
\"Butwhyshouldyouwanttoshieldhim？\"criedEgbert；\"themanisacommonmurderer。\"
\"Acommonmurderer，possibly，butaveryuncommoncook。\"
DUSK
NORMANGORTSBYsatonabenchinthePark，withhisbacktoastripofbush-plantedsward，fencedbytheparkrailings，andtheRowfrontinghimacrossawidestretchofcarriagedrive。HydeParkCorner，withitsrattleandhootoftraffic，layimmediatelytohisright。ItwassomethirtyminutespastsixonanearlyMarchevening，andduskhadfallenheavilyoverthescene，duskmitigatedbysomefaintmoonlightandmanystreetlamps。
Therewasawideemptinessoverroadandsidewalk，andyetthereweremanyunconsideredfiguresmovingsilentlythroughthehalf-light，ordottedunobtrusivelyonbenchandchair，scarcelytobedistinguishedfromtheshadowedgloominwhichtheysat。
ThescenepleasedGortsbyandharmonisedwithhispresentmood。Dusk，tohismind，wasthehourofthedefeated。Menandwomen，whohadfoughtandlost，whohidtheirfallenfortunesanddeadhopesasfaraspossiblefromthescrutinyofthecurious，cameforthinthishourofgloaming，whentheirshabbyclothesandbowedshouldersandunhappyeyesmightpassunnoticed，or，atanyrate，unrecognised。
Akingthatisconqueredmustseestrangelooks，Sobitterathingistheheartofman。
Thewanderersintheduskdidnotchoosetohavestrangelooksfastenonthem，thereforetheycameoutinthisbat-fashion，takingtheirpleasuresadlyinapleasure-groundthathademptiedofitsrightfuloccupants。Beyondtheshelteringscreenofbushesandpalingscamearealmofbrilliantlightsandnoisy，rushingtraffic。Ablazing，many-tieredstretchofwindowsshonethroughtheduskandalmostdispersedit，markingthehauntsofthoseotherpeople，whoheldtheirowninlife\'sstruggle，oratanyratehadnothadtoadmitfailure。SoGortsby\'simaginationpicturedthingsashesatonhisbenchinthealmostdesertedwalk。Hewasinthemoodtocounthimselfamongthedefeated。
Moneytroublesdidnotpressonhim；hadhesowishedhecouldhavestrolledintothethoroughfaresoflightandnoise，andtakenhisplaceamongthejostlingranksofthosewhoenjoyedprosperityorstruggledforit。Hehadfailedinamoresubtleambition，andforthemomenthewasheartsoreanddisillusionised，andnotdisinclinedtotakeacertaincynicalpleasureinobservingandlabellinghisfellowwanderersastheywenttheirwaysinthedarkstretchesbetweenthelamp-lights。
Onthebenchbyhissidesatanelderlygentlemanwithadroopingairofdefiancethatwasprobablytheremainingvestigeofself-respectinanindividualwhohadceasedtodefysuccessfullyanybodyoranything。Hisclothescouldscarcelybecalledshabby，atleasttheypassedmusterinthehalf-light，butone\'simaginationcouldnothavepicturedthewearerembarkingonthepurchaseofahalf-crownboxofchocolatesorlayingoutninepenceonacarnationbuttonhole。Hebelongedunmistakablytothatforlornorchestratowhosepipingnoonedances；hewasoneoftheworld\'slamenterswhoinducenoresponsiveweeping。AsherosetogoGortsbyimaginedhimreturningtoahomecirclewherehewassnubbedandofnoaccount，ortosomebleaklodgingwherehisabilitytopayaweeklybillwasthebeginningandendoftheinterestheinspired。Hisretreatingfigurevanishedslowlyintotheshadows，andhisplaceonthebenchwastakenalmostimmediatelybyayoungman，fairlywelldressedbutscarcelymorecheerfulofmienthanhispredecessor。Asiftoemphasisethefactthattheworldwentbadlywithhimthenew-cornerunburdenedhimselfofanangryandveryaudibleexpletiveasheflunghimselfintotheseat。
\"Youdon\'tseeminaverygoodtemper，\"saidGortsby，judgingthathewasexpectedtotakeduenoticeofthedemonstration。
Theyoungmanturnedtohimwithalookofdisarmingfranknesswhichputhiminstantlyonhisguard。
\"Youwouldn\'tbeinagoodtemperifyouwereinthefixI\'min，\"hesaid；\"I\'vedonethesilliestthingI\'veeverdoneinmylife。\"
\"Yes？\"saidGortsbydispassionately。
\"Cameupthisafternoon，meaningtostayatthePatagonianHotelinBerkshireSquare，\"continuedtheyoungman；\"whenIgotthereIfoundithadbeenpulleddownsomeweeksagoandacinematheatrerunuponthesite。ThetaxidriverrecommendedmetoanotherhotelsomewayoffandIwentthere。Ijustsentalettertomypeople，givingthemtheaddress，andthenIwentouttobuysomesoap-I\'dforgottentopackanyandIhateusinghotelsoap。ThenIstrolledaboutabit，hadadrinkatabarandlookedattheshops，andwhenIcametoturnmystepsbacktothehotelIsuddenlyrealisedthatIdidn\'trememberitsnameorevenwhatstreetitwasin。There\'sanicepredicamentforafellowwhohasn\'tanyfriendsorconnectionsinLondon！OfcourseI
canwiretomypeoplefortheaddress，buttheywon\'thavegotmylettertillto-morrow；meantimeI\'mwithoutanymoney，cameoutwithaboutashillingonme，whichwentinbuyingthesoapandgettingthedrink，andhereI
am，wanderingaboutwithtwopenceinmypocketandnowheretogoforthenight。\"
Therewasaneloquentpauseafterthestoryhadbeentold。\"IsupposeyouthinkI\'vespunyouratheranimpossibleyarn，\"saidtheyoungmanpresently，withasuggestionofresentmentinhisvoice。
\"Notatallimpossible，\"saidGortsbyjudicially；\"I
rememberdoingexactlythesamethingonceinaforeigncapital，andonthatoccasionthereweretwoofus，whichmadeitmoreremarkable。Luckilywerememberedthatthehotelwasonasortofcanal，andwhenwestruckthecanalwewereabletofindourwaybacktothehotel。\"
Theyouthbrightenedatthereminiscence。\"InaforeigncityIwouldn\'tmindsomuch，\"hesaid；\"onecouldgotoone\'sConsulandgettherequisitehelpfromhim。Hereinone\'sownlandoneisfarmorederelictifonegetsintoafix。UnlessIcanfindsomedecentchaptoswallowmystoryandlendmesomemoneyIseemlikelytospendthenightontheEmbankment。I\'mglad，anyhow，thatyoudon\'tthinkthestoryoutrageouslyimprobable。\"
Hethrewagooddealofwarmthintothelastremark，asthoughperhapstoindicatehishopethatGortsbydidnotfallfarshortoftherequisitedecency。
\"Ofcourse，\"saidGortsbyslowly，\"theweakpointofyourstoryisthatyoucan\'tproducethesoap。\"
Theyoungmansatforwardhurriedly，feltrapidlyinthepocketsofhisovercoat，andthenjumpedtohisfeet。
\"Imusthavelostit，\"hemutteredangrily。
\"Toloseanhotelandacakeofsoapononeafternoonsuggestswilfulcarelessness，\"saidGortsby，buttheyoungmanscarcelywaitedtoheartheendoftheremark。Heflittedawaydownthepath，hisheadheldhigh，withanairofsomewhatjadedjauntiness。
\"Itwasapity，\"musedGortsby；\"thegoingouttogetone\'sownsoapwastheoneconvincingtouchinthewholestory，andyetitwasjustthatlittledetailthatbroughthimtogrief。Ifhehadhadthebrilliantforethoughttoprovidehimselfwithacakeofsoap，wrappedandsealedwithallthesolicitudeofthechemist\'scounter，hewouldhavebeenageniusinhisparticularline。Inhisparticularlinegeniuscertainlyconsistsofaninfinitecapacityfortakingprecautions。\"
WiththatreflectionGortsbyrosetogo；ashedidsoanexclamationofconcernescapedhim。Lyingonthegroundbythesideofthebenchwasasmallovalpacket，wrappedandsealedwiththesolicitudeofachemist\'scounter。Itcouldbenothingelsebutacakeofsoap，andithadevidentlyfallenoutoftheyouth\'sovercoatpocketwhenheflunghimselfdownontheseat。InanothermomentGortsbywasscuddingalongthedusk-
shroudedpathinanxiousquestforayouthfulfigureinalightovercoat。Hehadnearlygivenupthesearchwhenhecaughtsightoftheobjectofhispursuitstandingirresolutelyontheborderofthecarriagedrive，evidentlyuncertainwhethertostrikeacrosstheParkormakeforthebustlingpavementsofKnightsbridge。HeturnedroundsharplywithanairofdefensivehostilitywhenhefoundGortsbyhailinghim。
\"Theimportantwitnesstothegenuinenessofyourstoryhasturnedup，\"saidGortsby，holdingoutthecakeofsoap；\"itmusthaveslidoutofyourovercoatpocketwhenyousatdownontheseat。Isawitonthegroundafteryouleft。Youmustexcusemydisbelief，butappearanceswerereallyratheragainstyou，andnow，asI
appealedtothetestimonyofthesoapIthinkIoughttoabidebyitsverdict。Iftheloanofasovereignisanygoodtoyou-\"
Theyoungmanhastilyremovedalldoubtonthesubjectbypocketingthecoin。
\"Hereismycardwithmyaddress，\"continuedGortsby；\"anydaythisweekwilldoforreturningthemoney，andhereisthesoap-don\'tloseitagainit\'sbeenagoodfriendtoyou。\"
\"Luckythingyourfindingit，\"saidtheyouth，andthen，withacatchinhisvoice，heblurtedoutawordortwoofthanksandfledheadlonginthedirectionofKnightsbridge。
\"Poorboy，heasnearlyaspossiblebrokedown，\"
saidGortsbytohimself。\"Idon\'twondereither；therelieffromhisquandarymusthavebeenacute。It\'salessontomenottobetoocleverinjudgingbycircumstances。\"
AsGortsbyretracedhisstepspasttheseatwherethelittledramahadtakenplacehesawanelderlygentlemanpokingandpeeringbeneathitandonallsidesofit，andrecognisedhisearlierfellowoccupant。
\"Haveyoulostanything，sir？\"heasked。
\"Yes，sir，acakeofsoap。\"
ATOUCHOFREALISM
\"IHOPEyou\'vecomefullofsuggestionsforChristmas，\"saidLadyBlonzetoherlatestarrivedguest；
\"theold-fashionedChristmasandtheup-to-dateChristmasarebothsoplayedout。Iwanttohavesomethingreallyoriginalthisyear。\"
\"IwasstayingwiththeMathesonslastmonth，\"saidBlancheBovealeagerly，\"andwehadsuchagoodidea。
Everyoneinthehouse-partyhadtobeacharacterandbehaveconsistentlyallthetime，andattheendofthevisitonehadtoguesswhateveryone\'scharacterwas。
Theonewhowasvotedtohaveactedhisorhercharacterbestgotaprize。\"
\"Itsoundsamusing，\"saidLadyBlonze。
\"IwasSt。FrancisofAssisi，\"continuedBlanche；
\"wehadn\'tgottokeeptoourrightsexes。Ikeptgettingupinthemiddleofameal，andthrowingoutfoodtothebirds；yousee，thechiefthingthatoneremembersofSt。Francisisthathewasfondofthebirds。Everyonewassostupidaboutit，andthoughtthatIwastheoldmanwhofeedsthesparrowsintheTuileriesGardens。
ThenColonelPentleywastheJollyMilleronthebanksofDee。\"
\"Howonearthdidhedothat？\"askedBertievanTahn。
\"\'Helaughedandsangfrommorntillnight，\'\"
explainedBlanche。
\"Howdreadfulfortherestofyou，\"saidBertie；
\"andanywayhewasn\'tonthebanksofDee。\"
\"Onehadtoimaginethat，\"saidBlanche。
\"Ifyoucouldimagineallthatyoumightaswellimaginecattleonthefurtherbankandkeeponcallingthemhome，Mary-fashion，acrossthesandsofDee。OryoumightchangetherivertotheYarrowandimagineitwasonthetopofyou，andsayyouwereWillie，orwhoeveritwas，drownedinYarrow。\"
\"Ofcourseit\'seasytomakefunofit，\"saidBlanchesharply，\"butitwasextremelyinterestingandamusing。Theprizewasratherafiasco，though。Yousee，MillieMathesonsaidhercharacterwasLadyBountiful，andasshewasourhostessofcourseweallhadtovotethatshehadcarriedouthercharacterbetterthananyone。OtherwiseIoughttohavegottheprize。\"
\"It\'squiteanideaforaChristmasparty，\"saidLadyBlonze；\"wemustcertainlydoithere。\"
SirNicholaswasnotsoenthusiastic。\"Areyouquitesure，mydear，thatyou\'rewiseindoingthisthing？\"hesaidtohiswifewhentheywerealonetogether。\"ItmightdoverywellattheMathesons，wheretheyhadratherastaid，elderlyhouse-party，buthereitwillbeadifferentmatter。ThereistheDurmotflapper，forinstance，whosimplystopsatnothing，andyouknowwhatVanTahnislike。ThenthereisCyrilSkatterly；hehasmadnessononesideofhisfamilyandaHungariangrandmotherontheother。\"
\"Idon\'tseewhattheycoulddothatwouldmatter，\"
saidLadyBlonze。
\"It\'stheunknownthatistobedreaded，\"saidSirNicholas。\"IfSkatterlytookitintohisheadtorepresentaBullofBashan，well，I\'drathernotbehere。\"
\"Ofcourseweshan\'tallowanyBiblecharacters。
Besides，Idon\'tknowwhattheBullsofBashanreallydidthatwassoverydreadful；theyjustcameroundandgaped，asfarasIremember。\"
\"Mydear，youdon\'tknowwhatSkatterly\'sHungarianimaginationmightn\'treadintothepart；itwouldbesmallsatisfactiontosaytohimafterwards：\'You\'vebehavedasnoBullofBashanwouldhavebehaved。\'\"
\"Oh，you\'reanalarmist，\"saidLadyBlonze；I
particularlywanttohavethisideacarriedout。Itwillbesuretobetalkedaboutalot。\"
\"Thatisquitepossible，\"saidSirNicholas。
****
Dinnerthateveningwasnotaparticularlylivelyaffair；thestrainoftryingtoimpersonateaself-
imposedcharacterortogleanhintsofidentityfromotherpeople\'sconductactedasacheckonthenaturalfestivityofsuchagathering。Therewasageneralfeelingofgratitudeandacquiescencewhengood-naturedRachelKlammersteinsuggestedthatthereshouldbeanhourortwo\'srespitefrom\"thegame\"whiletheyalllistenedtoalittlepiano-playingafterdinner。
Rachel\'sloveofpianomusicwasnotindiscriminate，andconcentrateditselfchieflyonselectionsrenderedbyheridolisedoffspring，MoritzandAugusta，who，todothemjustice，playedremarkablywell。
TheKlammersteinsweredeservedlypopularasChristmasguests；theygaveexpensivegiftslavishlyonChristmasDayandNewYear，andMrs。Klammersteinhadalreadydroppedhintsofherintentiontopresenttheprizeforthebestenactedcharacterinthegamecompetition。Everyonehadbrightenedatthisprospect；
ifithadfallentoLadyBlonze，ashostess，toprovidetheprize，shewouldhaveconsideredthatalittlesouvenirofsometwentyortwenty-fiveshillings\'valuewouldmeetthecase，whereascomingfromaKlammersteinsourceitwouldcertainlyruntoseveralguineas。
TheclosetimeforimpersonationeffortscametoanendwiththefinalwithdrawalofMoritzandAugustafromthepiano。BlancheBovealretiredearly，leavingtheroominaseriesoflabouredleapsthatshehopedmightberecognisedasatolerableimitationofPavlova。VeraDurmot，thesixteen-year-oldflapper，expressedherconfidentopinionthattheperformancewasintendedtotypifyMarkTwain\'sfamousjumpingfrog，andherdiagnosisofthecasefoundgeneralacceptance。Anotherguesttosetanexampleofearlybed-goingwasWaldoPlubley，whoconductedhislifeonaminutelyregulatedsystemoftime-tablesandhygienicroutine。Waldowasaplump，indolentyoungmanofseven-and-twenty，whosemotherhadearlyinhislifedecidedforhimthathewasunusuallydelicate，andbydintofmuchcoddlingandhome-keepinghadsucceededinmakinghimphysicallysoftandmentallypeevish。Ninehours\'unbrokensleep，precededbyelaboratebreathingexercisesandotherhygienicritual，wasamongtheindispensableregulationswhichWaldoimposedonhimself，andtherewereinnumerablesmallobservanceswhichheexactedfromthosewhowereinanywayobligedtoministertohisrequirements；aspecialteapotforthedecoctionofhisearlyteawasalwayssolemnlyhandedovertothebedroomstaffofanyhouseinwhichhehappenedtobestaying。
Noonehadeverquitemasteredthemechanismofthispreciousvessel，butBertievanTahnwasresponsibleforthelegendthatitsspouthadtobekeptfacingnorthduringtheprocessofinfusion。
Onthisparticularnighttheirreducibleninehourswereseverelymutilatedbythesuddenandbynomeansnoiselessincursionofapyjama-cladfigureintoWaldo\'sroomatanhourmidwaybetweenmidnightanddawn。
\"Whatisthematter？Whatareyoulookingfor？\"
askedtheawakenedandastonishedWaldo，slowlyrecognisingVanTahn，whoappearedtobesearchinghastilyforsomethinghehadlost。
\"Lookingforsheep，\"wasthereply。
\"Sheep？\"exclaimedWaldo。
\"Yes，sheep。Youdon\'tsupposeI\'mlookingforgiraffes，doyou？\"
\"Idon\'tseewhyyoushouldexpecttofindeitherinmyroom，\"retortedWaldofuriously。
\"Ican\'targuethematteratthishourofthenight，\"saidBertie，andbeganhastilyrummaginginthechestofdrawers。Shirtsandunderwearwentflyingontothefloor。
\"Therearenosheephere，Itellyou，\"screamedWaldo。
\"I\'veonlygotyourwordforit，\"saidBertie，whiskingmostofthebedclothesontothefloor；\"ifyouweren\'tconcealingsomethingyouwouldn\'tbesoagitated。\"
WaldowasbythistimeconvincedthatVanTahnwasravingmad，andmadeananxious，efforttohumourhim。
\"Gobacktobedlikeadearfellow，\"hepleaded，\"andyoursheepwillturnupallrightinthemorning。\"
\"Idaresay，\"saidBertiegloomily，\"withouttheirtails。NicefoolIshalllookwithalotofManxsheep。\"
AndbywayofemphasisinghisannoyanceattheprospecthesentWaldo\'spillowsflyingtothetopofthewardrobe。
\"ButWHYnotails？\"askedWaldo，whoseteethwerechatteringwithfearandrageandloweredtemperature。
\"Mydearboy，haveyouneverheardtheballadofLittleBo-Peep？\"saidBertiewithachuckle。\"It\'smycharacterintheGame，youknow。IfIdidn\'tgohuntingaboutformylostsheepnoonewouldbeabletoguesswhoIwas；andnowgotosleepyweepslikeagoodchildorI
shallbecrosswithyou。\"
\"Ileaveyoutoimagine，\"wroteWaldointhecourseofalonglettertohismother，\"howmuchsleepIwasabletorecoverthatnight，andyouknowhowessentialnineuninterruptedhoursofslumberaretomyhealth。\"
OntheotherhandhewasabletodevotesomewakefulhourstoexercisesinbreathingwrathandfuryagainstBertievanTahn。
BreakfastatBlonzecourtwasascatteredmeal，onthe\"comewhenyouplease\"principle，butthehouse-partywassupposedtogatherinfullstrengthatlunch。Onthedayafterthe\"Game\"hadbeenstartedtherewere，however，somenotableabsentees。WaldoPlubley，forinstance，wasreportedtobenursingaheadache。Alargebreakfastandan\"A。B。C。\"hadbeentakenuptohisroom，buthehadmadenoappearanceintheflesh。
\"Iexpecthe\'splayinguptosomecharacter，\"saidVeraDurmot；\"isn\'tthereathingofMoliere\'s，\'LE
MALADEIMAGINAIRE\'？Iexpecthe\'sthat。\"
Eightorninelistscameout，andweredulypencilledwiththesuggestion。
\"AndwherearetheKlammersteins？\"askedLadyBlonze；\"they\'reusuallysopunctual。\"
\"Anothercharacterpose，perhaps，\"saidBertievanTahn；\"\'theLostTenTribes。\'\"
\"Butthereareonlythreeofthem。Besides，they\'llwanttheirlunch。Hasn\'tanyoneseenanythingofthem？\"
\"Didn\'tyoutakethemoutinyourcar？\"askedBlancheBoveal，addressingherselftoCyrilSkatterly。
\"Yes，tookthemouttoSlogberryMoorimmediatelyafterbreakfast。MissDurmotcametoo。\"
\"IsawyouandVeracomeback，\"saidLadyBlonze，\"butIdidn\'tseetheKlammersteins。Didyouputthemdowninthevillage？\"
\"No，\"saidSkatterlyshortly。
\"Butwherearethey？Wheredidyouleavethem？\"
\"WeleftthemonSlogberryMoor，\"saidVeracalmly。
\"OnSlogberryMoor？Why，it\'smorethanthirtymilesaway！Howaretheygoingtogetback？\"
\"Wedidn\'tstoptoconsiderthat，\"saidSkatterly；
\"weaskedthemtogetoutforamoment，onthepretencethatthecarhadstuck，andthenwedashedofffullspeedandleftthemthere。\"
\"Buthowdareyoudosuchathing？It\'smostinhuman！Why，it\'sbeensnowingforthelasthour。\"
\"Iexpectthere\'llbeacottageorfarmhousesomewhereiftheywalkamileortwo。\"
\"Butwhyonearthhaveyoudoneit？\"
Thequestioncameinachorusofindignantbewilderment。
\"THATwouldbetellingwhatourcharactersaremeanttobe，\"saidVera。
\"Didn\'tIwarnyou？\"saidSirNicholastragicallytohiswife。
\"It\'ssomethingtodowithSpanishhistory；wedon\'tmindgivingyouthatclue，\"saidSkatterly，helpinghimselfcheerfullytosalad，andthenBertievanTahnbrokeforthintopealsofjoyouslaughter。
\"I\'vegotit！FerdinandandIsabelladeportingtheJews！Oh，lovely！Thosetwohavecertainlywontheprize；weshan\'tgetanythingtobeatthatforthoroughness。\"
LadyBlonze\'sChristmaspartywastalkedaboutandwrittenabouttoanextentthatshehadnotanticipatedinhermostambitiousmoments。ThelettersfromWaldo\'smotherwouldalonehavemadeitmemorable。
COUSINTERESA
BASSETHARROWCLUFFreturnedtothehomeofhisfathers，afteranabsenceoffouryears，distinctlywellpleasedwithhimself。Hewasonlythirty-one，buthehadputinsomeusefulserviceinanout-of-the-way，thoughnotunimportant，corneroftheworld。Hehadquietedaprovince，keptopenatraderoute，enforcedthetraditionofrespectwhichisworththeransomofmanykingsinout-of-the-wayregions，anddonethewholebusinessonratherlessexpenditurethanwouldberequisitefororganisingacharityinthehomecountry。InWhitehallandplaceswheretheythink，theydoubtlessthoughtwellofhim。Itwasnotinconceivable，hisfatherallowedhimselftoimagine，thatBasset\'snamemightfigureinthenextlistofHonours。
Bassetwasinclinedtoberathercontemptuousofhishalf-brother，Lucas，whomhefoundfeverishlyengrossedinthesamemedleyofelaboratefutilitiesthathadclaimedhiswholetimeandenergies，suchastheywere，fouryearsago，andalmostasfarbackbeforethatashecouldremember。Itwasthecontemptofthemanofactionforthemanofactivities，anditwasprobablyreciprocated。Lucaswasanover-wellnourishedindividual，somenineyearsBasset\'ssenior，withacolouringthatwouldhavebeenacceptedasasignofintensivecultureinanasparagus，butprobablymeantinthiscasemereabstentionfromexercise。Hishairandforeheadfurnishedarecessionalnoteinapersonalitythatwasinallotherrespectsobtrusiveandassertive。
TherewascertainlynoSemiticbloodinLucas\'sparentage，buthisappearancecontrivedtoconveyatleastasuggestionofJewishextraction。ClovisSangrail，whoknewmostofhisassociatesbysight，saiditwasundoubtedlyacaseofprotectivemimicry。
TwodaysafterBasset\'sreturn，Lucasfriskedintolunchinastateoftwitteringexcitementthatcouldnotberestrainedevenfortheimmediateconsiderationofsoup，buthadtobeverballydischargedinsplutteringcompetitionwithmouthfulsofvermicelli。