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The Wisdom of Father Brown
Chesterton, Gilbert Keith
Published: 1914 Categories(s): Fiction, Mystery & Detective, Religious, Short Stories Source: http://www.gutenberg.org
About Chesterton: Gilbert Keith Chesterton (29 May 1874 – 14 June 1936) was one of the most influential English writers of the 20th century. His prolific and diverse output included journalism, philosophy, poetry, biography, Christian apologetics, fantasy and detective fiction. Chesterton has been called the "prince of paradox." Time magazine, in a review of a biography of Chesterton, observed of his writing style: "Whenever possible Chesterton made his points with popular sayings, proverbs, allegories—first carefully turning them inside out." For example, Chesterton wrote the following: Thieves respect property. They merely wish the property to become their property that they may more perfectly respect it. Chesterton is well known for his reasoned apologetics and even those who disagree with him have recognized the universal appeal of such works as Orthodoxy and The Everlasting Man. Chesterton, as political thinker, cast aspersions on both Liberalism and Conservatism, saying: The whole modern world has divided itself into Conservatives and Progressives. The business of Progressives is to go on making mistakes. The business of the Conservatives is to prevent the mistakes from being corrected. Chesterton routinely referred to himself as an "orthodox" Christian, and came to identify such a position with Catholicism more and more, eventually converting to Roman Catholicism. George Bernard Shaw, Chesterton's "friendly enemy" according to Time, said of him, "He was a man of colossal genius". Also available on Feedbooks for Chesterton: • The Man Who Was Thursday: a Nightmare (1908) • Heretics (1905) • The Innocence of Father Brown (1911) • Eugenics and Other Evils (1922) • Orthodoxy (1908) • The Napoleon of Notting Hill (1904) • The Wild Knight and Other Poems (1900) Copyright: This work is available for countries where copyright is Life+70 and in the USA. Note: This book is brought to you by Feedbooks. http://www.feedbooks.com Strictly for personal use, do not use this file for commercial purposes.
The Absence of Mr Glass
THE consulting-rooms of Dr Orion Hood, the eminent criminologist and specialist in certain moral disorders, lay along the sea-front at Scarborough, in a series of very large and well-lighted french windows, which showed the North Sea like one endless outer wall of blue-green marble. In such a place the sea had something of the monotony of a blue-green dado: for the chambers themselves were ruled throughout by a terrible tidiness not unlike the terrible tidiness of the sea. It must not be supposed that Dr Hood's apartments excluded luxury, or even poetry. These things were there, in their place; but one felt that they were never allowed out of their place. Luxury was there: there stood upon a special table eight or ten boxes of the best cigars; but they were built upon a plan so that the strongest were always nearest the wall and the mildest nearest the window. A tantalus containing three kinds of spirit, all of a liqueur excellence, stood always on this table of luxury; but the fanciful have asserted that the whisky, brandy, and rum seemed always to stand at the same level. Poetry was there: the left-hand corner of the room was lined with as complete a set of English classics as the right hand could show of English and foreign physiologists. But if one took a volume of Chaucer or Shelley from that rank, its absence irritated the mind like a gap in a man's front teeth. One could not say the books were never read; probably they were, but there was a sense of their being chained to their places, like the Bibles in the old churches. Dr Hood treated his private book-shelf as if it were a public library. And if this strict scientific intangibility steeped even the shelves laden with lyrics and ballads and the tables laden with drink and tobacco, it goes without saying that yet more of such heathen holiness protected the other shelves that held the specialist's library, and the other tables that sustained the frail and even fairylike instruments of chemistry or mechanics. Dr Hood paced the length of his string of apartments, bounded—as the boys' geographies say—on the east by the North Sea and on the west by the serried ranks of his sociological and criminologist library. He was clad in an artist's velvet, but with none of an artist's negligence; his hair was heavily shot with grey, but growing thick and healthy; his face was lean, but sanguine and expectant. Everything about him and his room indicated something at once rigid and restless, like that great northern sea by which (on pure principles of hygiene) he had built his home. Fate, being in a funny mood, pushed the door open and introduced into those long, strict, sea-flanked apartments one who was perhaps the
" broke in the little man called Brown." "You see. his heavy umbrella slipped between his knees with a thud. His hat tumbled to the carpet. he reached after the one and ducked after the other." said the man with the clerical hat. with a cold intensity of manner. "Why. "And still.most startling opposite of them and their master. what can be more important than that?" The great Orion Hood's scientific triumphs had deprived him of many things—some said of his health. At the last plea of the ingenuous priest a chuckle broke out of him from inside. her mother won't let them get engaged. The new-comer regarded the doctor with that beaming but breathless geniality which characterizes a corpulent charwoman who has just managed to stuff herself into an omnibus. The doctor regarded the new-comer with a restrained astonishment. but with an unimpaired smile on his round face spoke simultaneously as follows: "My name is Brown. "Maggie MacNab and young Todhunter want to get married. which seemed to find its own hat and umbrella as unmanageable as a mass of luggage. and he threw 4 . Pray excuse me if I am wrong. the door opened inwards and there shambled into the room a shapeless little figure." By this time he had sprawlingly recovered the hat. In answer to a curt but civil summons. It is true that I have sometimes been consulted by the police in cases of peculiar difficulty and importance. as if setting everything quite right. the man was the very embodiment of all that is homely and helpless. but the eyes under them were bright with something that might be anger or might be amusement. "I do not quite understand. and my work is almost entirely literary and educational. I've come about that business of the MacNabs. The brows of Dr Hood were drawn down darkly. Pray excuse me. It is a rich confusion of social self-congratulation and bodily disarray. and made an odd little bobbing bow over it. I am Dr Hood. clerical but not common in England. "I hardly understand you. they want to get married. not unlike that he would have shown if some huge but obviously harmless sea-beast had crawled into his room. others of his God." And he leaned back in his chair in radiant rationality. this is of the greatest importance. the hat was a broad-curved black hat. I have heard. Now. but they had not wholly despoiled him of his sense of the absurd." he said. "I fear you have mistaken the chambers. you often help people out of such troubles. but—" "Oh. The umbrella was a black and prosaic bundle long past repair." replied the scientist.
therefore (being of a pessimistic turn). "is a very decent man so far as I know. In the last and straggliest of those streets which runs along the sea like a sea-wall there is a very honest but rather sharp-tempered member of my flock. than as if he were (as he was) practically thanking the Curator of Kew Gardens for coming with him into a field to find a fourleaved clover." said Dr Hood. "Mr Brown. I dare say there is a great deal to be said on both sides." continued the cleric." asked Dr Hood. It was rather as if he were thanking a stranger in a smoking-room for some trouble in passing the matches.himself into an arm-chair in an ironical attitude of the consulting physician. and between her and the daughter. Mr Brown. with huge and silent amusement. "This young James Todhunter. I will give the MacNab family my best advice. He is a bright. and obliging like a born courtier. but nobody knows what his trade is. a question of whether some friend of yours called Maggie is a suitable fiancee for some friend of hers called Todhunter. I will take it on. is quite sure it is something dreadful. and probably connected with dynamite. and I'm the priest of the little Catholic Church I dare say you've seen beyond those straggly streets." he said gravely. Well." "It is indeed a hideous enigma. "what does she want?" "Why. agile like a monkey." "And the young woman of the house. She has one daughter. "That is just the awful complication. as good as I gave the French Republic and the King of England—no. I understand." cried Father Brown. but still with a queer kind of simplicity. and between her and the lodgers—well. better: fourteen years better. sitting up eagerly. I have nothing else to do this afternoon. the little man began his recital: "I told you my name was Brown. the young man called Todhunter. At present she has only one lodger. she wants to marry him. and she lets lodgings. but then nobody knows very much. Mrs MacNab. He seems to have quite a pocketful of money. where the town ends towards the north. a widow called MacNab. With scarcely a semi-colon after his hearty thanks. for he wants to marry the young woman of the house. clean-shaven like an actor. brownish little fellow. I am a sportsman. It is now. The dynamite must be of a shy and 5 . Tell me your story. "it is quite fourteen and a half years since I was personally asked to test a personal problem: then it was the case of an attempt to poison the French President at a Lord Mayor's Banquet." The little clergyman called Brown thanked him with unquestionable warmth. that's the fact. well. but he has given more trouble than all the rest.
till he was heard talking to the lodger at his open window. This story is told by the family with the fiercest mystification. You know how the tales grow like grass on such a patch of ignorance as that. who is ready to go to church with him tomorrow.noiseless sort. Now the root fact in all history is Race. he has made himself equally popular with the eldest daughter. it is best to look first to the main tendencies of Nature. A particular flower may not be dead in early winter. Todhunter is always found alone. and of this dreamy 6 . condescended expansively. like the massacre of flies in winter or the return of birds in spring. but I really think Mrs MacNab prefers her own original tale: that the Other Man (or whatever it is) crawls out every night from the big box in the corner. The great specialist having condescended to the priest's simplicity. which is kept locked all day. To the scientific eye all human history is a series of collective movements. for the poor fellow only shuts himself up for several hours of the day and studies something behind a locked door. though." A man warmly concerned with any large theories has always a relish for applying them to any triviality. when the door is opened. That is all that anyone knows for certain. And yet there is the little fellow in his respectable black jacket. therefore. unworldly and perishing stock which we commonly call the Celts. he is tirelessly kind with the younger children. a particular pebble may never be wetted with the tide. He pays his rent to the tick. swarthy. who once came out of the sea-mists and apparently out of the sea. He settled himself with comfort in his arm-chair and began to talk in the tone of a somewhat absent-minded lecturer: "Even in a minute instance. You see. Race produces legal and ethical wars. but the tide is coming in. as punctual and innocent as a parlour clock. how this sealed door of Todhunter's is treated as the gate of all the fancies and monstrosities of the 'Thousand and One Nights'. stepping softly across the sandy fields and through the small back garden at twilight. and can keep them amused for a day on end. He declares his privacy is temporary and justified. last and most urgent of all. Small. and. and promises to explain before the wedding. There are tales of a mysterious tall man in a silk hat. he is practically a teetotaller. of whom your friends the MacNabs are specimens. but the flowers are dying. destructions or migrations. There is no stronger case than that of the wild. but Mrs MacNab will tell you a great deal more than even she is certain of. Race produces religion. Todhunter dashed down his window with violence. and the man in the high hat melted into the sea-fog again. There are tales of two voices heard talking in the room. The colloquy seemed to end in a quarrel.
someone with swishing skirts was marshalled hurriedly down the corridor. Two separate voices: for James speaks low. "Then I ran to the back-yard. you must come at once. just as they still accept (you will excuse me for saying) that superstitious explanation of all incidents which you and your Church represent.' But we're talking too much. Her apology was almost as abrupt as a command. and the other voice was high and quavery. and managed to climb on to the 7 . He sees thousands of Mrs MacNabs. Maggie?" he said. still breathing hard from her rush. It is not remarkable that such people. they accept easily the superstitious explanation of any incidents. dropping their little drop of morbidity in the tea-cups of their friends. who had been studying the young lady with marked interest. as it were. sir. with your small parochial responsibilities. "but I had to follow Father Brown at once. "I heard it through the door. "Why. what has happened.' and then.' or 'No. "I'm sorry to interrupt you. She had sea-blown blonde hair." "That man Glass?" repeated the priest in some perplexity. "That man Glass has been with him again. and the door opened on a young girl. I think—for I heard James say again and again. should put fantastic features into what are probably plain events. I heard them talking through the door quite plain. You. with a burr. "James has been murdered. in great impatience. a little high in relief as well as in colour. terrified with this particular tale of two voices and a tall man out of the sea." answered the girl. he sees—" Before the scientist could conclude his sentence." answered the girl shortly. it's nothing less than life or death. in its ultimate average as uniform as a tribe of birds. But the man with the scientific imagination sees. see only this particular Mrs MacNab. and there may be time yet. decently dressed but disordered and red-hot with haste. 'That's right." "But time for what?" asked Dr Hood. in the Scotch manner. "What is there about Mr Glass and his money troubles that should impel such urgency?" "I tried to break down the door and couldn't. the whole clans of MacNab scattered over the whole world. another and more impatient summons sounded from without. for all I can make out. Mr Glass. 'Two or three. and would have been entirely beautiful if her cheek-bones had not been. with the sea moaning behind them and the Church (excuse me again) droning in front of them. in thousands of houses." she said. Mr Glass.and drifting blood. "I know his name is Glass." answered the girl. They were quarrelling—about money. Mr Glass." Father Brown began to get to his feet in some disorder.
and his view—" "Has been largely altered. but I swear I saw James lying huddled up in a corner. she was a little like a demon herself. The aspect of this edge of the town was not entirely without justification for the doctor's hints about desolate moods and environments. or perhaps more. and the priest at an energetic trot entirely devoid of distinction. with the trick of an old detective. with more disturbing details of her own. A few feet from it lay what looked like a long knife or short sword. the afternoon was closing with a premature and partly lurid twilight. the criminologist with a lounging grace (which was not without a certain leopard-like swiftness). The doctor and the priest made scant reply to her shrill reiterations of her daughter's story. but a third lay smashed in a star of crystal upon the carpet. As I have nothing else to do. gathering his errant hat and umbrella and standing up. In the scrappy back garden of the MacNabs which ran down towards the sand. and her fierce face in shadow. "I do not think this young lady is so Celtic as I had supposed. and there Dr Hood. as if he were drugged or strangled. but with an ornamental and pictured handle. or against the latter for having dared to want to marry her daughter. to the divided vows of vengeance against Mr Glass for murdering. and as Mrs MacNab ran down the street to meet them with lean hands similarly spread." said Father Brown. The scattered houses stood farther and farther apart in a broken string along the seashore." "This is very serious. put his shoulder sharply to the panel and burst in the door. I will put on my hat and stroll down town with you. even for a flash. It opened on a scene of silent catastrophe. and seemed to be empty. could doubt that the room had been the theatre of some thrilling collision between two. Two wine glasses stood ready for wine on a side-table. No one seeing it. two black. "in point of fact I was just putting your case before this gentleman. and for not having lived to do it. straight. It was an dim. barren-looking trees stood up like demon hands held up in astonishment." In a few minutes all three were approaching the dreary tail of the MacNabs' street: the girl with the stern and breathless stride of the mountaineer.window-sill that looks into the room. which showed the black trees against 8 . persons. the sea was of an inky purple and murmuring ominously. its dull blade just caught a grey glint from the dreary window behind." said the scientist gravely. They passed through the narrow passage in the front of the house until they came to the lodger's door at the back. and against Mr Todhunter for being murdered. Playing-cards lay littered across the table or fluttered about the floor as if a game had been interrupted.
but one of its splinters lies on the high bracket beside the mantelpiece. An old dandy. Towards the opposite corner of the room was rolled a gentleman's silk top hat. "my reason for it might seem a little far-fetched. I should think. so much so. Mr Todhunter." "By the way. His brown eyes were alive and shifted alertly. "aren't you going to untie the man first?" "I say 'old' with intention. "I may say at once that it is possible that the man Glass was bald or nervous through dissipation rather than age. returning with it and peering into the inside with a pocket lens." "But. That hat is of a stylish shape and systematically brushed and burnished. It has none. when we take the hairless head together with the tone common in senile anger. lay Mr James Todhunter. "might it not be as well to untie Mr Todhunter?" "Our lesson from the drinking-vessels does not end here." proceeded the specialist. with a scarf across his mouth. that one almost looked to see it still rolling. Dr Orion Hood paused for one instant on the doormat and drank in the whole scene of voiceless violence. indeed. and with the lens I should see the tiny hairs in a hat recently worn. patience).the leaden level of the sea. good heavens!" called out Miss MacNab. This wineglass has been smashed all over the place. Nevertheless. thrown like a sack of potatoes. The hair of human beings falls out in very varying degrees. "How to explain the absence of Mr Glass and the presence of Mr Glass's hat? For Mr Glass is not a careless man with his clothes. and he was almost certainly tall. he was probably vigorous. and six or seven ropes knotted round his elbows and ankles. I might rely in some degree on the story of his previous appearance at the window. It was so much too large for him that it almost slipped down on to his shoulders. Now when this is taken with the high-pitched and querulous voice which Miss MacNab described so vividly (patience. though not with certainty" continued the expositor. though not very new. as a tall man in a silk hat. And in the corner behind it." said Father Brown. "Mr Glass's hat. and gravely put it upon the head of the yet pinioned Todhunter. but almost always falls out slightly. as 9 . which leads me to guess that Mr Glass is bald. my dear lady. but I think I have more exact indication. I should think we may deduce some advance in years. but corded like a railway trunk. picked up the tall silk hat. No such fragment could have fallen there if the vessel had been smashed in the hand of a comparatively short man like Mr Todhunter." said the doctor. as if it had just been knocked off his head. Then he stepped swiftly across the carpet.
even moving him a little and half-turning him round by the shoulders. what are the chief facts known of Mr Todhunter? They are substantially three: that he is economical." "Are you going to take those ropes off?" asked the girl stubbornly." he said. perhaps rather too fond of them. surely it is obvious that there are the three chief marks of the kind of man who is blackmailed. lifted his round face and said: "What do you mean?" The man of science had picked up the peculiar dagger-sword from the carpet and was examining it intently as he answered: "Because you find Mr Todhunter tied up. the respectable man with a mystery. Now. not for mine. I seriously ask you to compose your flock. they have been produced for a particular companion. using blows and a bare weapon." "I should not advise you." "Look here. is a quiet thrifty gentleman. Mr Glass is a gentleman not unknown on the fringes of society. but there is no appearance of his possessing any wine. These two men have met here today and have quarrelled. or at least of the type: tall.has been remarked. that he is more or less wealthy. elderly. Miss MacNab. and that he has a secret. were these vessels to contain? I would at once suggest some brandy or whisky." cried the young woman. "you all jump to the conclusion that Mr Glass had tied him up. I suppose. we have seen something of the figure and quality of Mr Glass. There are four objections to this: First. for their sakes. from a flask in the pocket of Mr Glass. but somewhat frayed. I think these ropes will do very well till your friends the police bring the handcuffs. and then. essentially an abstainer. perhaps of a luxurious sort. Dr Hood replaced the silk hat carefully on the side table. fashionable. Mr Todhunter may or may not possess this wine-service. We have the two typical figures of a tragedy of hush money: on the one hand. then. we may go farther. What. And surely it is equally obvious that the faded finery. the profligate habits. certainly fond of play and strong waters. the West-end vulture with a scent for a mystery." Father Brown. "to be in any hurry to fetch the police. Father Brown. We have thus something like a picture of the man. escaped. but he only answered: "No. Well. "if you don't let me pass to untie him I'll run outside and scream for the police." said Dr Hood gravely. on the other. and went across to the captive. why should a gentleman so dressy 10 . But. He studied him intently. and the shrill irritation of Mr Glass are the unmistakable marks of the kind of man who blackmails him. as it happens. These cards and wine-cups are no part of his normal habit. who had been looking dully at the carpet.
"I happen to know something about knots. "I have looked at all the knots on Mr Todhunter." said the expert with a singular intonation." reiterated Hood quietly. whose eyes had remained open with a rather vacant admiration. rather than that the blackmailer would try to kill the goose that lays his golden egg. "this is the only exit. not one of them would have been made by an enemy really trying to pinion him. Every one of those knots he has made himself and could loosen himself. we have a pretty complete story. the ropes." he said in a simple. if he left of his own free will? Second. moving towards the window. There. even as he. which is the most morbid of human things.as our friend Glass leave his hat behind him. because it is a crime concealing a crime. The face of the little Catholic priest." he continued. Well. For the whole air was dense with the morbidity of blackmail. writhing polypi who had crawled up from the sea to see the end of this tragedy. I will tell her. It is much more likely that the blackmailed person would try to kill his incubus. Third. this blade here has a tiny touch of blood at the point. One could almost fancy they were sea-monsters like krakens or cuttlefish. the room was darkening. a black plaster on a blacker wound. the sea-blighted boughs of the garden trees looked leaner and blacker than ever. to make us think him the victim of the struggle instead of the wretched Glass. "Ah. please. It was not the blank curiosity of his first innocence. had suddenly become knotted with a curious frown. bothered manner." There was a rather depressed silence. "do you mean that Todhunter can tie himself up all alone and untie himself all alone?" 11 ." "But the ropes?" inquired the priest. It was rather that creative curiosity which comes when a man has the beginnings of an idea. they are quite a branch of criminal science. dead or alive. Add to all this primary probability. yet they seemed to have come nearer to the window. Mr Glass took that wound away with him. had once crawled up from the sea. The whole of this affair of the ropes is a clever fake. the villain and victim of it. "Say it again. the terrible man in the tall hat." "What?" cried the audience on quite different notes of astonishment. but there is no wound on Mr Todhunter. and it is locked on the inside. which was commonly complacent and even comic. whose corpse may be hidden in the garden or stuffed up the chimney. "Miss MacNab very much wanted to know why I did not set Mr Todhunter free from his ropes. I think. I did not do it because Mr Todhunter can set himself free from them at any minute he chooses.
in some exasperation. "Yes. I think he is laughing at you. A place may be permitted to intuition. though necessarily incomplete. "the profession of Mr Todhunter. and peered with quite a new impulsiveness into the partially-covered face of the captive. "my facts are all inevitable. Then he turned to the fuming specialist. but the blood on the sword point sent him into mortal convulsions of amusement. looking at one object after another with what seemed to be a vacant stare. I think." cried the young woman." He shuffled about the room. now I know about it. the mere facts are rather commonplace and comic by comparison."That is what I mean. "Dr Hood. that's it!" he cried in a certain excitement." said Dr Hood. perhaps (or poetry if you prefer the 12 . I'm a little inclined to laugh at myself. with a start. look at his eyes!" Both the Professor and the girl followed the direction of his glance. "not to put too fine a point on it. And indeed. "His eyes do look queer. And though the broad black scarf completely masked the lower half of Todhunter's visage. and then invariably bursting into an equally vacant laugh. "Jerusalem!" ejaculated Brown suddenly." replied the Reverend Brown apologetically. "Can't you see it in the man's face? Why." said the doctor. bosh!" cried Father Brown: "can't you see he's laughing?" "Laughing!" repeated the doctor. "the eyes have certainly a singular expression. Then he turned his own rather fatuous face to the company. still more uproariously over the broken glass. I believe it's hurting him!" "Not that. strongly moved." he cried enthusiastically." "I have no notion what you are talking about. "You brutes. a highly irritating process for those who had to watch it. "I wonder if it could possibly be that!" He scuttled across the room rather like a rabbit." "Now you know about what?" asked Hood. How much more godlike that is than if you had only ferreted out the mere facts! Indeed. But I should interpret those transverse wrinkles as expressing rather such slight psychological abnormality—" "Oh." said Dr Hood rather haughtily. "you are a great poet! You have called an uncreated being out of the void." replied the priest. He laughed very much over the hat. they did grow conscious of something struggling and intense about the upper part of it. "but what on earth can he be laughing at?" "Well. "Now I know.
Orion Hood broke into a contemptuous laugh. a hat that is his. so to speak. if you follow me. "But it doesn't fit him. let us take the first proof we found. "What?" cried Dr Hood." protested Hood. in common speech. the first fact we fell over when we fell into this room. "that there is no such person?" The priest made a sign of assent. a difference between a man's hat and the hats that are his. ribbons. as you say." "Do you mean inside Mr Todhunter's clothes?" inquired Mrs MacNab sternly." he added reflectively." he answered. "My good sir. "he is absent from the Nature of Things." cried Hood impatiently." said the reverend gentleman with rapidity. He is so extremely absent. whose hat is this?" "It is Mr Todhunter's.term). "if you will walk down the street to the nearest hatter's shop." he said. "Well. "that there was never anybody so absent as Mr Glass. rolls of coloured paper. "He couldn't possibly wear it!" Father Brown shook his head with ineffable mildness." cried the mild little man. What could Todhunter get out of this one old hat?" "Rabbits. 13 . that's it. sweetmeats. Mr Todhunter hasn't got a scratch on him. I suppose." "Do you seriously mean." said the specialist with a smile. the absence of Mr Glass." "Do you mean he is absent from the town?" demanded the doctor. "Didn't you see it all when you found out the faked ropes? It's just the same with the sword. but only because the corresponding details cannot as yet be ascertained." said the little priest." "But a hatter." "And what is the shade of difference?" asked the criminologist with a slight sneer." answered Father Brown. but he's got a scratch in him." he said. "I said it was his hat. "that's the first idea to get fixed. "It does seem a pity. "can get money out of his stock of new hats. "I never said he could wear it. Or. If there is no Mr Glass. In the absence of Mr Glass—" "That's it. "before we go on to the hundred and one other evidences. nodding quite eagerly. "I mean he is absent from everywhere." replied Father Brown promptly. "Rabbits. you will see that there is. goldfish. with his first movement akin to impatience. if you insist on a shade of difference." replied Father Brown.
"I do not mean inside Mr Todhunter's clothes," said Father Brown. "I mean inside Mr Todhunter." "Well, what in the name of Bedlam do you mean?" "Mr Todhunter," explained Father Brown placidly, "is learning to be a professional conjurer, as well as juggler, ventriloquist, and expert in the rope trick. The conjuring explains the hat. It is without traces of hair, not because it is worn by the prematurely bald Mr Glass, but because it has never been worn by anybody. The juggling explains the three glasses, which Todhunter was teaching himself to throw up and catch in rotation. But, being only at the stage of practice, he smashed one glass against the ceiling. And the juggling also explains the sword, which it was Mr Todhunter's professional pride and duty to swallow. But, again, being at the stage of practice, he very slightly grazed the inside of his throat with the weapon. Hence he has a wound inside him, which I am sure (from the expression on his face) is not a serious one. He was also practising the trick of a release from ropes, like the Davenport Brothers, and he was just about to free himself when we all burst into the room. The cards, of course, are for card tricks, and they are scattered on the floor because he had just been practising one of those dodges of sending them flying through the air. He merely kept his trade secret, because he had to keep his tricks secret, like any other conjurer. But the mere fact of an idler in a top hat having once looked in at his back window, and been driven away by him with great indignation, was enough to set us all on a wrong track of romance, and make us imagine his whole life overshadowed by the silk-hatted spectre of Mr Glass." "But What about the two voices?" asked Maggie, staring. "Have you never heard a ventriloquist?" asked Father Brown. "Don't you know they speak first in their natural voice, and then answer themselves in just that shrill, squeaky, unnatural voice that you heard?" There was a long silence, and Dr Hood regarded the little man who had spoken with a dark and attentive smile. "You are certainly a very ingenious person," he said; "it could not have been done better in a book. But there is just one part of Mr Glass you have not succeeded in explaining away, and that is his name. Miss MacNab distinctly heard him so addressed by Mr Todhunter." The Rev. Mr Brown broke into a rather childish giggle. "Well, that," he said, "that's the silliest part of the whole silly story. When our juggling friend here threw up the three glasses in turn, he counted them aloud as he caught them, and also commented aloud when he failed to catch
them. What he really said was: 'One, two and three—missed a glass one, two—missed a glass.' And so on." There was a second of stillness in the room, and then everyone with one accord burst out laughing. As they did so the figure in the corner complacently uncoiled all the ropes and let them fall with a flourish. Then, advancing into the middle of the room with a bow, he produced from his pocket a big bill printed in blue and red, which announced that ZALADIN, the World's Greatest Conjurer, Contortionist, Ventriloquist and Human Kangaroo would be ready with an entirely new series of Tricks at the Empire Pavilion, Scarborough, on Monday next at eight o'clock precisely.
The Paradise of Thieves
THE great Muscari, most original of the young Tuscan poets, walked swiftly into his favourite restaurant, which overlooked the Mediterranean, was covered by an awning and fenced by little lemon and orange trees. Waiters in white aprons were already laying out on white tables the insignia of an early and elegant lunch; and this seemed to increase a satisfaction that already touched the top of swagger. Muscari had an eagle nose like Dante; his hair and neckerchief were dark and flowing; he carried a black cloak, and might almost have carried a black mask, so much did he bear with him a sort of Venetian melodrama. He acted as if a troubadour had still a definite social office, like a bishop. He went as near as his century permitted to walking the world literally like Don Juan, with rapier and guitar. For he never travelled without a case of swords, with which he had fought many brilliant duels, or without a corresponding case for his mandolin, with which he had actually serenaded Miss Ethel Harrogate, the highly conventional daughter of a Yorkshire banker on a holiday. Yet he was neither a charlatan nor a child; but a hot, logical Latin who liked a certain thing and was it. His poetry was as straightforward as anyone else's prose. He desired fame or wine or the beauty of women with a torrid directness inconceivable among the cloudy ideals or cloudy compromises of the north; to vaguer races his intensity smelt of danger or even crime. Like fire or the sea, he was too simple to be trusted. The banker and his beautiful English daughter were staying at the hotel attached to Muscari's restaurant; that was why it was his favourite restaurant. A glance flashed around the room told him at once, however, that the English party had not descended. The restaurant was glittering, but still comparatively empty. Two priests were talking at a table in a corner, but Muscari (an ardent Catholic) took no more notice of them than of a couple of crows. But from a yet farther seat, partly concealed behind a dwarf tree golden with oranges, there rose and advanced towards the poet a person whose costume was the most aggressively opposite to his own. This figure was clad in tweeds of a piebald check, with a pink tie, a sharp collar and protuberant yellow boots. He contrived, in the true tradition of 'Arry at Margate, to look at once startling and commonplace. But as the Cockney apparition drew nearer, Muscari was astounded to observe that the head was distinctly different from the body. It was an Italian head: fuzzy, swarthy and very vivacious, that rose abruptly out of
" said the man in tweeds. but of the Italian of the future. "But I am a rather curious sort of courier. he was but too well attuned to the excitements of that profession. but when he appeared in the world he failed." "A courier!" cried Muscari. laughing." answered Ezza gravely. This youth had been a prodigy at college. as the face of an old but forgotten friend name Ezza. as if changing the subject. "That is why I have become a Futurist—and a courier.the standing collar like cardboard and the comic pink tie. Men who see the short cut to good living will never go by the new elaborate roads. he said abruptly: "He has a daughter—and a son. "It will pay me. the newest chemistry. first publicly as a dramatist and a demagogue." "That is your old mistake. with a very enigmatic smile. they are too intelligent. But you daren't 17 . In fact it was a head he knew." "Not the banker in this hotel?" inquired the poet. I believe. the newest carving. "Ezza!" cried the poet." "Well. rising and shaking hands in a pleasant astonishment. and his family. with some eagerness. "Does it pay well?" asked the troubadour innocently. Muscari. shaking his head. He recognized it. I've seen you in many costumes in the green room. I suppose." Then. "and the mistake of Italy. the newest motors." remarked Muscari. "the father and son are. In the sixteenth century we Tuscans made the morning: we had the newest steel. a man of the name of Harrogate. or D'Annunzio. but I never expected to see you dressed up as an Englishman." answered the courier. a traveller." "This." "In that case. "is not the costume of an Englishman. "Is that the last of your list of trades? And whom are you conducting?" "Oh. Why should we not now have the newest factories. is the star of Italy" said the other. and then privately for years on end as an actor." affirmed Muscari. "Well. Muscari had known him last behind the footlights." answered Muscari." "The daughter is divine. above all the dire erection of English holiday array." said Ezza. But granted his harmless qualities doesn't that banker strike you as a splendid instance of my argument? Harrogate has millions in his safes. and it was believed that some moral calamity had swallowed him up. to me Marconi. "You cannot make Italians really progressive. "That's the man. "I confess I prefer the Italian of the past. human. the newest finance—the newest clothes?" "Because they are not worth having. a commission agent or a journalist. and European fame was promised him when he was barely fifteen. and I have—the hole in my pocket.
was first heard of in the 18 . like a goddess's. He was a massive elderly man with a boiled blue eye and faded grey-sandy moustaches. he moves from chair to chair like a paralytic. but for his heavy stoop he might have been a colonel." "I'm stupid enough for that. for the moment at least. upon Ethel Harrogate. or bolder than I. but from something yet more romantic. signorina." said Ezza gloomily. with the awful relish of a schoolgirl. You're too strong-minded for business. You won't get on. curly-haired. His son Frank was a really fine lad. "worthy to rank with your own Robin Hood. still haunted that ridge and held that pass of the Apennines. Ezza. Miss Harrogate was specially radiant and ready for conversation on this occasion. as indeed he was. which his fathers made. He's a conscientious. the true cut-throats of the modern legend. a fond daughter but an arrant flirt. "that all that country isn't ruled by the King of Italy. but he's got money simply because he collects money. she was all these things with a sort of golden good-nature that made her very pride pleasing and her worldly respectability a fresh and hearty thing. All eyes. fond of fashionable pleasures. he's got eyes like blue buttons. Montano. for here he comes. he's not energetic. He was drinking the Classic. did indeed enter the room. He's not clever. The poet Muscari drew a deep breath as if he were drinking something. Proud of her father's prosperity. and her family had fallen into the easier Continental habit. Ezza studied her with a gaze equally intense and far more baffling. The danger was not from rock and avalanche." she cried." Mr Harrogate. Who is the King of Thieves?" "A great man. kindly old blockhead. To be clever enough to get all that money. but by the King of Thieves. but nobody looked at him. whose golden Greek head and colour of the dawn seemed set purposely above that sapphire sea. sun-burnt and strenuous. the great financier. were riveted. "They say. They were in an eddy of excitement about some alleged peril in the mountain path they were to attempt that week. the King of Thieves." replied Muscari. as usual. Ethel had been earnestly assured that brigands. "But I should suggest a suspension of your critique of the banker. one must be stupid enough to want it. as a boy collects stamps. allowing the stranger Muscari and even the courier Ezza to share their table and their talk.say—you can't say—that he's cleverer than I. He carried several unopened letters in his hand. In Ethel Harrogate conventionality crowned itself with a perfection and splendour of its own. or even more energetic. but nobody looked at him either.
" "It can never be utterly stamped out. with a sneer. "Mr Frank Harrogate. "Do you really think the pass is dangerous?" Muscari threw back his black mane. "If Signor Muscari were English he would still be looking for highwaymen in Wandsworth." he said. there is no more danger of being captured in Italy than of being scalped in Boston. I say one word and go: take care of your sister in her great sorrow. turning her glorious eyes on Muscari. taking his leave. I think. Mr Harrogate. but he belongs to history if not to fable. but with the fires beneath. but I do not mean to presume on it." "Then you propose to attempt it?" asked Mr Harrogate. in every mountain ravine. and the latter was astonished to realize that though a Roman priest the man was an Englishman. "I am crossing it tomorrow." Muscari answered. distributing peals of silvery satire. He vaguely remembered meeting him at the social crushes of some of his Catholic friends.mountains some ten years ago. The shorter priest turned and walked towards the banker's son." "A poet is privileged. Six times the Italian Government tried to dislodge him. "would never be allowed in England. The odd thing I have to say will come far better from a stranger. it sounds rather dreadful." cried the girl." "Now that sort of thing. a white-haired Italian. rich in grace and green gaiety." "It is perfectly safe. But the man spoke before his memories could collect themselves. "I have had an introduction. the taller. and was defeated in six pitched battles as if by Napoleon. gun in hand. There may have been some old jailbird called a King in the time of our grandmothers. as the beauty retired with the banker. Brigandage is utterly stamped out. Our peasants are like their mountains. we had better choose another route." said the courier contemptuously. But the courier thought it perfectly safe. At about the same instant the two priests in the corner rose. after all. But his wild authority spread with the swiftness of a silent revolution." replied Ezza. There is a point of human despair where the northern poor take to drink—and our own poor take to daggers." 19 . the courier and the poet. when people said brigands were extinct." observed the banker weightily. "I know it is dangerous:" he said." The young Harrogate was left behind for a moment emptying a glass of white wine and lighting a cigarette. Believe me. "Oh. perhaps. frowning. "because armed revolt is a recreation natural to southerners. his sentinels. Men found his fierce proclamations nailed in every mountain village. "I have been over it twenty times.
on the other side of her sat the priest. remembering a vague fear of his own. He had planted his person at a flying leap next to the lovely Englishwoman. he alleged merely that business led him also to cross the mountains of the midland. and Muscari (with much boyish gratification) buckled on a kind of cutlass under his black cloak. the desert still blossomed like the rose. But young Harrogate could not but connect his presence with the mystical fears and warnings of yesterday. A day or two afterwards a coach containing the company was really crawling and staggering up the spurs of the menacing mountain range. the hues of a hundred flowering 20 . The coach was a kind of commodious wagonette. The courier and the young banker carried loaded revolvers. The fields were burnished in sun and wind with the colour of kingfisher and parrot and humming-bird. and Muscari made his mountain journey coincide with theirs. The white road climbed like a white cat. that dragged her spirit up alone with his into purple preposterous heavens with wheeling suns. who dominated the expedition with his scientific activity and breezy wit." said the strange priest. And yet. though so far conceded in formal act that some slight protection was employed. invented by the modernist talent of the courier. and then. the financial family were firm in their original purpose. "or can you be thinking of Muscari?" "One is never thinking of the real sorrow. the courier and the father and son were on the banc behind. Muscari was in towering spirits. leaving the other almost with his mouth open. however high they went. But there was something in the crazy and gorgeous ascent. and he stared at his sombre adviser in puzzledom. "One can only be kind when it comes. Between Ezza's cheery denial of the danger and Muscari's boisterous defiance of it. and his talk to Ethel might well have made her think him a maniac." And he passed promptly from the room.Even for Frank's truly fraternal indifference the radiance and derision of his sister still seemed to sparkle and ring. The theory of danger from thieves was banished from thought and speech. it was flung round far-off headlands like a lasso. amid crags like peaks loaded with woods like orchards. "Do you mean the brigands?" he asked. it spanned sunless chasms like a tight-rope. A more surprising feature was the appearance at the coast-town station of the little priest of the restaurant. he could hear her laughter still from the garden of the hotel. seriously believing in the peril. whose name was Brown and who was fortunately a silent individual.
that is also the secret of the revolution—that a thing can be violent and yet fruitful. the horses stirred doubtfully. trailing garments of the hills. or like a Dutch tulip garden blown to the stars with dynamite. than Muscari had given him credit for. One horse reared up to his full height—the titanic and terrifying height of a horse when he becomes a biped. green. "it was not your fault that Troy fell. "the secret of the volcano. indeed." answered Muscari. and they became ungovernable. the whole company were equally lucky. There are no lovelier meadows and woodlands than the English." As they spoke they came under overwhelming cliffs that spread almost like wings above a corner of peculiar peril. the gorge of Glencoe laden with the fruits of Kent. if less dignified in their form of ejection. The elderly and lethargic banker sprang erect in the coach and leapt over the precipice before the tilted vehicle could take him there. Into this they were all tipped or tumbled with little damage. save that their 21 . rent with earthquakes. The driver leapt to the earth to hold their heads. It was rather like a mosaic palace. "It is never your fault. At the moment when the gorgeous mountain walls went round the poet's head like a purple windmill a thing happened which was superficially even more startling. But Ethel Harrogate had never before seen the southern parks tilted on the splintered northern peaks." she said after a difficult silence. "And yet rather fruitless. but in the second it was as sensible as a safe investment.flowers. for he landed in a lap of land which might have been specially padded with turf and clover to receive him." and she smiled at him. "It is our secret. As it happened. Shocked by the big shadow on the narrow ledge. who clung to him. as well as more sagacity. no nobler crests or chasms than those of Snowdon and Glencoe. There was nothing here of that chill and desolation that in Britain one associates with high and wild scenery. Immediately under this abrupt turn of the road was a grassy and flowery hollow like a sunken meadow." said Ethel. and shouted aloud." answered he. "if I die tonight I die unmarried and a fool. a sort of green velvet pocket in the long. The Yorkshireman had evidently more promptitude. In the first flash it looked as wild as suicide. "It's like Kew Gardens on Beachy Head. It was just enough to alter the equilibrium." he admitted. It was for such moments that he lived." "You are rather violent yourself. Muscari threw an arm round Ethel. the whole coach heeled over like a ship and crashed through the fringe of bushes over the cliff." "It is not my fault if you have come.
On the other side of him the grass partly hid Miss Ethel's sunshade. made her an absurdly theatrical bow. perhaps it's one of Muscari's melodramatic tricks. leaning his elbows on the edge of the turf. When he had done so. Then he looked up at the road from which they had fallen and saw. The wrecked coach still hung above. so that they scrambled to their feet and stood in the grass trembling. unobtrusive manner he uncorked and sniffed it. "I think I'm justified. The first to sit up was the little priest. who was saying: "We have fallen into heaven. "perhaps the poison isn't hers. drawing his cutlass. in a quick. "it can't be hers! Has her sorrow come on her already?" He slipped it into his own waistcoat pocket. Muscari then perceived that another tanned and tattered man. "till I know a little more. except his sudden and silent appearance. and he did not answer. and then." Muscari set the lady lightly on her feet." he said. it is a sign. The priest picked it up. was looking at them from the ledge just below. very poorly dressed and extremely sunburnt. with a short gun under his arm. entangled in the tough hedge. Beyond it lay the broad sombrero fallen from the head of Muscari." He gazed painfully at the girl. Looking around him at the confused and startled group in the hollow. and the horses plunged painfully down the slope. and just beyond it lay a curious little glass bottle hardly two inches long. "After all. looking down on them. Frank Harrogate heard him say to himself: "Now why on earth have we fallen just here?" He blinked at the litter around him. he returned to the elder Harrogate. Mortals climb up and they fall down. A very quiet man. very broad and crooked. there was nothing else remarkable about him. a most remarkable thing occurred. at that moment being raised out of the flowers by Muscari. and his heavy face turned the colour of clay. The poet asked him who he was. came out of the bushes and took hold of the horses' heads. hacked hard at the taut reins of the horses. buckled on his belt. and recovered his own very clumsy umbrella." And indeed she rose out of the sea of colours so beautiful and happy a vision that the priest felt his suspicion shaken and shifted. who scratched his head with a face of foolish wonder.smallest baggage and even the contents of their pockets were scattered in the grass around them. "Heaven deliver us!" he muttered. after a glance at the address." he thought. but it is only gods and goddesses who can fall upwards. He had a queer-shaped knife. the muzzles 22 . and beside it a sealed business letter which.
known by the name of the Paradise of Thieves. with a kind of monstrous gaiety. he advanced fearlessly on the four carbines. But I have succeeded more than you and fill a bigger place in history. except Father Brown. ironical Italian face seemed to grow longer and longer in the evening light. I tell you!" thundered Muscari from above. we can cut our way out yet. and here I shall certainly die. and looked towards him for their orders." cried the strange courier in a voice equally loud and full. There are only six of them. together with some caves underneath it. wading in wild grass and flowers.' but the better kind that reserves his last bullet. Here I mostly live. "You thought." And. with the same easy yet sinister smile." he said. "This pretty little nest where we are all picnicking." cried the poet impatiently. "is. I have been acting epics while you have been writing them. "This was a trap. "Will you stand there talking nonsense about yourself with a woman to save and three strong men to help you? What do you call yourself?" "I call myself Montano. Ezza. if you will oblige me by shooting the coachman first. "he was bribed to upset his master. he turned." "The coachman. it is unnoticeable.of four other carbines and four other brown faces with bright but quite motionless eyes. I was the failure among our schoolfellows." All were staring at him thunderstruck and still." went on the courier-brigand. and his lean. and I welcome you all to my summer palace. It is my principal stronghold on these hills. I am not the kind of criminal that 'reserves his defence." said Ezza. "and you thought you were the success. who heaved a huge sigh as of relief and fingered the little phial in his 23 . brandishing his cutlass to wave the others on. It is something better than impregnable. who was standing grimly with his hands in his pockets. "happens to be a servant of Mr Harrogate's. his hands in his pockets. "I am the King of Thieves. Then put the lady in the middle." "Come on. but finding that no one followed except young Harrogate." "Then shoot him all the more." And even as he spoke five more silent men with weapons ready came out of the bushes. for (as you have doubtless noticed) the eyrie is invisible both from the road above and from the valley below. He beheld the courier still standing slightly astride in the centre of the grassy ring. Muscari. "The brigands!" cried Muscari. One of them held a large paper in his hand. if the gendarmes ever track me here. and we will break the line up there—with a rush.
Who 24 . since you will be able to check it. glancing over it." He paused with an unpleasing smile. and passed a bundle of papers and envelopes to the brigand. And so (since it is impossible to get anything out of them). I am asking from the friends of the Harrogate family a ransom of three thousand pounds. but seemingly cowed. I need not expound the quaint old ritual of ransom. like Cato. "Excellent!" cried that outlaw gaily. He had held back in a hang-dog style when his son and Muscari had made a bold movement to break out of the brigand trap. Now since it would be really immoral to announce such a thing to a credulous public if it had not occurred. continuing his address with the same kind of dangerous politeness. and seemed suddenly to be listening with great attention. and which after that will be posted on a tree by every village in the valley." he said. I resume the points of my proclamation. which it is incumbent upon me to keep up. Mr Samuel Harrogate. if you will pardon my simplicity of speech. which he has given up to me. "so far we are all cosy. and every cross-road in the hills. let us.pocket. continued: "My other intentions are clearly set forth in this public document. "It only remains for me. red-faced and sulky. I next announce that I have found on his person notes and bonds for two thousand pounds. and Father Brown blinked repeatedly at him. That leap from the failing carriage seemed to have used up his last virility. The Reverend Father Brown and the celebrated Signor Muscari I shall release tomorrow at dawn and escort to my outposts. I will not weary you with the verbalism. I suggest that Mr Harrogate senior should now give me the two thousand pounds in his pocket. the substance of my proclamation is this: I announce first that I have captured the English millionaire. however." The banker looked at him under lowering brows. of course. "to explain to my guests the social conditions upon which I have the pleasure of entertaining them. "that's much more probable. seize the opportunity to show our admiration for classic literature and our reverence for Holy Church." The King of Thieves was. "Thank God!" he muttered. The poison belongs to this robber-chief. and even this only applies to a part of the company. The third item is that of ransom. so soon to be published to all Italy. I suggest it should occur without further delay. which I am sure is almost insulting to that family in its moderate estimate of their importance. never have any money. And now his red and trembling hand went reluctantly to his breastpocket. Poets and priests. He carries it so that he may never be captured. the colossus of finance. The brigand captain took the large paper from the attendant brigand and. which I will hand round in a moment.
and Muscari turned his aquiline nose on him in an instantaneous irritation. when it was his whole purpose to lure him 25 . "Santa Maria! I should have thought the brigand was plain enough." said Father Brown agnostically." All the time that he had been speaking. He slapped his sword back in the scabbard and went and flung himself somewhat sulkily on one of the green banks. "What do you mean?" asked the other sharply. let me assure you that I am comfortably off here for accommodation. admired this filial devotion. but meanwhile. As four of you left the room. Why should the brigand-courier warn his patron. the dubious-looking men with carbines and dirty slouch hats had been gathering silently in such preponderating numbers that even Muscari was compelled to recognize his sally with the sword as hopeless. so the words must have had some meaning. you and Miss Harrogate went ahead. for I did not know. you know the blow may smash her any minute. But if it meant this capture in the hills." "I find three curious difficulties. even by a hint. let her have a little fun. with the illogicality of a lover." "But in what way?" persisted his companion.would not pay triple this sum for another day's association with such a domestic circle? I will not conceal from you that the document ends with certain legal phrases about the unpleasant things that may happen if the money is not paid. "Well. "I mean I am puzzled. speaking sparely and rather low. wine and cigars.' Mr Harrogate answered nothing. but the girl had already gone over to soothe and comfort her father. and yet was irritated by it. He glanced around him. for her natural affection for his person was as strong or stronger than her somewhat snobbish pride in his success. I wonder. The priest sat down within a yard or two. or whatever his name is. talking and laughing. On the impulse of the moment I warned her brother that she might be in peril. the banker and the courier came behind. and bid you for the present a sportsman-like welcome to the luxuries of the Paradise of Thieves. First of all I must tell you I was lunching in that restaurant at the seaside. Muscari. "I am puzzled about Ezza or Montano. ladies and gentlemen." said the priest in a quiet voice. "I should like to have your opinion on them. I said nothing of its nature. any brigands left in the mountains?" "There may be." said the poet tartly. He seems to me much more inexplicable as a brigand even than he was as a courier. But I could not help hearing Ezza say these words—'Well." replied the priest. "do people still think me too romantic? Are there. the thing is nonsense.
"Explain yourself. The quarter of a company of any kind of soldiers could have blown us over the precipice. which hangs over Miss Harrogate's head?" "Disaster to Miss Harrogate!" ejaculated the poet. whose animal senses were alert and impatient. It is also quite true. Harrogate's friends would be far likelier to fear for his fate if they thought the thieves were poor and desperate. It is something else. It never could be a fortress. sitting up with some ferocity. but he could have sworn the evening breeze bore with it something like the pulsation of horses' hoofs and a distant hallooing. Why.into the mountain-mousetrap? It could not have meant that. but you are leading me deeper in the dark. known both to courier and banker." "All my riddles. it has some other strange sort of importance. "is this bank we are sitting on. as he says. rubbing up his black hair for once with an unaffected gesture. it is not an entrenched position. however." resumed the priest reflectively. For it is actually commanded from above by the common high-road across the mountains—the very place where the police would most probably pass. and is therefore a hidingplace. I think it would be the worst fortress in the world. some value that I do not understand. still in meditation. in fact. Yet the spoliation on the spot was emphasized and even put first in the demand. Why does our brigand-courier call this his chief fortress and the Paradise of Thieves? It is certainly a soft spot to fall on and a sweet spot to look at. it is like the scene for some romantic comedy. It is more like an accidental theatre or a natural green-room. go on. Whatever is the meaning of this odd little nook of grass and flowers. "And here is the second of them. Muscari. it is like… . heard a new noise in the mountains. five shabby short guns held us helpless here about half an hour ago. that it is invisible from valley and peak. What may be the third objection to the King of the Thieves?" "The third objection. "You may think you enlighten me. Quite the other way. But if not." said Father Brown. Why should Ezza Montano want so specially to tell all Europe that he had picked the pocket before he levied the blackmail?" "I cannot imagine. Why did he put so prominently in his demand for ransom the fact that he had taken two thousand pounds from his victim on the spot? It had no faintest tendency to evoke the ransom." As the little priest's words lengthened and lost themselves in a dull and dreamy sincerity. what is this disaster. revolve round our bandit chief. Even for him the sound was as yet very small and faint. But it is not a fortress. 26 ." said Muscari.
sneering face and made a movement with his hand." said the banker in a choking voice." "It is useless. then he put his hand instinctively as if on his heart. revolver in hand. steadying himself against a tree and peering down the road.At the same moment. branches broke. but in what was evidently a kind of guerrilla discipline. for he had assumed a flapped fantastic hat and swinging baldric and cutlass in his capacity of bandit king. don't let us leave everything to the police. Muscari meanwhile. "I won't have it. Then the noises from both quarters seemed to meet on the road above. springing to his feet and waving his hat. had crested the bank up to the road. father. as if watching unseen for an enemy. who was trembling violently. The brigands swayed and huddled. Fall on the rear of these ruffians. men cried out. "an Italian gentleman has led the way. and a great light came into his face like the light of the revelation of death. and the evening air was full of little metallic noises as they cocked their pistols. friends. The gendarmes are rescuing us. Instead of occupying the road along the ridge." said Frank very warmly. and long before the vibration had touched the less-experienced English ears. let us rescue the gendarmes!" And throwing his hat over the trees. but was astounded to hear himself imperatively recalled by the raucous voice of his father. cursing and whispering. You wouldn't have it said that the English hung back. beginning to shake the mountain road." said the older man. that is so dreadfully modern. not in confusion. and struck the brigand king heavily on the shoulder. "it is useless. Frank Harrogate jumped up and ran across to help him. "A rescue!" cried Muscari. 27 . they sprinkled themselves along the side of it behind the trees and the hedge. horses neighed. The brigands scattered at the signal. he drew his cutlass once more and began to escalade the slope up to the road. without waiting for support. who seemed to be in great agitation. or trailed their scabbards over the stones. The noise beyond grew stronger. He was a strange figure as he stood there." "But. and a voice could be clearly heard calling out orders. come. The next moment he turned his olive. "the gendarmes are on them! Now for freedom and a blow for it! Now to be rebels against robbers! Come. Montano the brigand ran up the bank above them and stood in the broken hedge. but the bright prosaic tweed of the courier showed through in patches all over him. "I command you not to interfere." Father Brown looked at the banker. or loosened their knives. but really on the little bottle of poison. We must submit to our lot.
and requesting the favour of a word or two." was the equally grave reply. I mean?" "Yes. "What's the good." responded the ex-courier in complete good humour." said the cleric. and it was not easy to discern much of the progress of the struggle. It was more like a town crowd preventing the passage of the police than anything the poet had ever pictured as the last stand of doomed and outlawed men of blood." "Why?" asked the astonished man of letters." said Father Brown. and if I ever had a private character. You will permit me the impertinent intimacy. "Does she care about you?" "I think so. and found the odd little priest standing there like a small Noah with a large hat. "Then go over there and offer yourself. But even as the two short blades crossed and clashed the King of Thieves deliberately dropped his point and laughed. "in this queer crisis personalities may be pardoned. "I am an actor. I am no more a genuine brigand than I am a genuine courier. "this damned farce will soon be over. who are bound to break through in any case. "Is your courage a sham as well as your honesty?" "Everything about me is a sham. Just as he was rolling his eyes in bewilderment he felt a touch on his elbow. who seemed more inclined to harass and hustle the invaders than to kill them. and Muscari. "Because." "What do you mean. you shuffler?" panted the fire-eating poet. "except the rescue. and you can't fight a duel with that." 28 .causing him to stagger and swing round. I have forgotten it." said the priest: "offer her everything you can. "Signor Muscari. "her Doom is coming up the road. I may tell you without offence of a way in which you will do more good than by helping the gendarmes. but do you care about that girl? Care enough to marry her and make her a good husband. sent a slash at his head which he was compelled to catch and parry. The time is short. old man?" he said in spirited Italian slang. with his back to the skirmish up the road. Montano also had his cutlass unsheathed. I am only a bundle of masks. save that tall men were pushing their horses' muzzles through a clinging crowd of brigands." "Nothing is coming up the road. offer her heaven and earth if you've got them." argued Muscari. without further speech." said the poet quite simply. Darkness was deepening under the mountain walls." And he laughed with boyish pleasure and fell into his old straddling attitude.
so as to explain both the disappearance of the money and the disappearance of himself." "Not of two thousand pounds. Encountering the King of the Thieves in his path." The great banker nodded with an odd air of business assent. "He was a great brigand if you like. broken in an extraordinary way by the banker. was largely mixed with admiration." said the financier. There was a momentary silence. This last trick of his I believe to be absolutely unprecedented. seemed to reflect a moment. and a tall officer with cocked hat. But for years he's been doing things as good as that. flinging up his hands. which he expressed volubly to Father Brown. "and be ready to rescue her from the rescue." he said. a grey imperial. Passing on. that was hours ago. Then. "if you play these tricks. too. with an abrupt and terrible composure. there was a noise of dismounting." 29 . I arrest you in the name of the law for embezzlement of the funds of the Hull and Huddersfield Bank. and actually got himself captured by sham brigands in his own pay. But this time he did not fall into a little meadow just beneath. who cried out in a hoarse and strangled voice: "Robbed! I've been robbed!" "Why. quite as good as that. That demand for ransom was really taken seriously by most of the police. "only of a small bottle." cried his son in astonishment: "when you were robbed of two thousand pounds. and a paper in his hand appeared in the gap that was the gate of the Paradise of Thieves. and the great cocked hats of the mounted gendarmerie were seen passing along above the broken hedge. Another order was given. to become a wreck of bones in the valley. They dived into bushes and thick grass like defeated men pursued." The policeman with the grey imperial was striding across the green hollow. and before they could interpose took a half turn and a step that brought him to the edge of the outer mountain wall. The anger of the Italian policeman. the policeman halted before the Harrogate group and said: "Samuel Harrogate. "It was like him to escape us at last." Again to Muscari's artistic eye it seemed scarcely like the capture of a great outlaw at bay. you go over there. he clapped him on the shoulder with something between a caress and a buffet and gave him a push that sent him staggering away."Well. "You'll get into trouble." said his adviser." Almost as he spoke the hedges were broken all along the ridge by a rush of the escaping brigands. He fled with the company's money to Italy. he fell a thousand feet below." he said. He will be a serious loss to his family. he leapt exactly as he leapt out of the coach.
bustle and new things every morning. "Didn't I tell you I was a Futurist? I really do believe in those things if I believe in anything." said Muscari. Change.Muscari was leading away the unhappy daughter. "Birmingham. energetic. as she did for many a year after. "And where are you going next?" he asked him over his shoulder. I am going to Manchester. puffing a cigarette. to enlightened. But even in that tragic wreck he could not help having a smile and a hand of half-mocking friendship for the indefensible Ezza Montano." answered the actor. Leeds. Huddersfield. Liverpool. who held hard to him. Chicago—in short. Hull." 30 . civilized society!" "In short. "to the real Paradise of Thieves. Glasgow.
M. Paul Hirsch was a saint of science. with a depressing fixity of outlook but great mobility of exposition. They both had black beards that did not seem to belong to their faces. one sticking out from each corner of his emphatic chin. he held something of the position of Darwin doubled with the position of Tolstoy. scientist. who had come to see him to arrange for the disarmament of the whole planet. after the strange French fashion which makes real hair look like artificial." M. in short. by way of a change. despite his sceptical system. however. They were both pupils of the great Dr Hirsch. dreamy. the secret of which the Government was carefully guarding. Armagnac. was rather distressed by Armagnac's proposal that (by way of beginning) the soldiers should shoot their officers. They were both atheists. They were both short. his views on disarmament were moderate and evolutionary—the Republican Government put considerable confidence in him as to various chemical improvements. brisk and bold. But he was neither an anarchist nor an antipatriot. and a slight fine imposed for its use in private life. M. But his antimilitarism was of a peculiar and Gallic sort. something in the subconsciousness of these Gauls was irritated at his pleading for peace in so peaceful a manner. Dr Hirsch. And indeed it was in this regard that the two men differed most from their leader and father in philosophy. Brun had become prominent by his proposal that the common expression "Adieu" should be obliterated from all the French classics. 31 . He was. M. morality. humane. An eminent and very wealthy English Quaker. Brun had a dark wedge of beard apparently affixed under his lower lip. They were both young. and. citoyens". had two beards. not devoid of transcendentalism. more like a German than a Frenchman. though born in France and covered with the most triumphant favours of French education.The Duel of Dr Hirsch M. citoyens" to "Aux greves. MAURICE BRUN and M." he said. "Then. if somewhat frigid. His large and daring cosmic theories advertised his austere life and innocent. To their party throughout Europe. "the very name of your imagined God will have echoed for the last time in the ear of man. He had lately even discovered a noiseless explosive. publicist and moralist. Armagnac specialized rather in a resistance to militarism. Armand Armagnac were crossing the sunlit Champs Elysee with a kind of vivacious respectability. and wished the chorus of the Marseillaise altered from "Aux armes. and much as they admired him. was temperamentally of another type—mild.
it was evident that the invader had been expelled from the house opposite. except for one soldier drinking coffee at one table. and Armagnac said: "He may have excellent reasons for not meeting the man himself. 32 . go over to the cafe and wait at one of the tables outside. He is a Chauvinist officer. P. gay with shrubs and tiles. There is going to be another Dreyfus case. I have locked myself in my study. M. interrupted only in one place where a large cafe ran out into the street. into which the two Frenchmen passed in animated talk. Beneath this was the entrance into a kind of court. having a strict suit of black. He has been kicking the furniture about in all the other rooms. opposite that cafe. and at another a large man drinking a small syrup and a priest drinking nothing. I will try to send him over to you. He is sitting on the stairs. The shrubs under the archway swayed and burst apart. he was a far more presentable man of science than his master. Dr Hirsch. Simon. Brun borrowed the letter. With all the gravity of a great physician handling a prescription. I cannot meet him myself. running along in front of the first-floor windows. That gentleman ripped it up with a racial impatience. who might very well have passed for a doctor himself. Simon handed a letter to M. Otherwise the cafe seemed empty. where they procured two tall glasses of horrible green absinthe. In fact. If you love me. Dubosc. There is a man in this house whom I refuse to meet. Armagnac looked at M. Brun. HIRSCH M. and rapidly read the following: I cannot come down to speak to you. also painted green. and looked at M. as that unwelcome guest was shot out of them like a cannon-ball. The door was opened to them by the doctor's old servant. grey hair. but—" There was an abrupt silence. I want you to answer him and deal with him. who was a forked radish of a fellow. an iron balcony. spectacles. a row of chestnuts shattered the sunshine. Armagnac. Armagnac. which they could drink apparently in any weather and at any time. and a confidential manner. Maurice Brun cleared his throat and said: "Of course we must help the master in every way. I cannot: I will not. Then both betook themselves briskly to one of the little tables under the chestnuts opposite.His house stood in a handsome street near the Elysee—a street which in that strong summer seemed almost as full of foliage as the park itself. but—" Before either could complete a sentence. read it. Almost opposite to this were the white and green blinds of the great scientist's house. with just enough bulb of a head to make his body insignificant.
however. swathed round up the man's ears and falling in front inside his jacket like a sort of fancy waistcoat. We caught a German spy in the Vosges yesterday. they can be silent eloquently—the politicians! But the time has come when we that cannot speak must speak. His face was brown like a nut. Hirsch invented it. Oh. there was a small but everclustering crowd. It is a direction for finding the secret of this new Noiseless Powder. Betrayed by that man. shouted as Camille Desmoulins once shouted when he scattered the oak-leaves among the populace. and he had a huge black moustache like the horns of a bison. but I took it direct to the man who wrote it—the man in that house! It is in his hand. It is signed with his initials. It was a scarf of strong dead colours. "I cannot speak! God help me. probably of Oriental fabrication. but his legs were neat and active in kneebreeches and knitted stockings. Hirsch wrote this note about it. a figure that had indeed something generally Tyrolean about it. they tried to hush it up. though he hears my voice across this street and shakes where he sits! Oh. but they were too late.He was a sturdy figure in a small and tilted Tyrolean felt hat. his dark hair was brushed back stiffly in front and cropped close behind. Men were already running from the street corners. more like a Hungarian squire than an ordinary French officer. and was found in a German's pocket. I am Jules Dubosc. Betrayed at this moment. His first act when he burst out of the archway was to call in a clarion voice down the street: "Are there any Frenchmen here?" as if he were calling for Christians in Mecca. and his French patriotism was so impulsive as to be slightly absurd. With the prompt French instinct for the politics of the street. and seizing a branch of chestnut to steady himself. outlining a square and powerful skull. but this was hidden by a big coloured scarf. His French. Colonel of Artillery. he had very bright and restless brown eyes. sprung on one of the tables. 'Tell the man the formula for powder is 33 . was obviously that of a native. Armagnac and Brun instantly stood up. The man's shoulders were big and broad. This note is in German. dark red and old gold and purple. Altogether the man had something a shade barbaric about him. the man with the black moustache had already run across to a corner of the cafe. Such a substantial head is generally based on a bull neck. that is why I am speaking! The fellows in their filthy parliaments who learn to speak also learn to be silent—silent as that spy cowering in the house opposite! Silent as he is when I beat on his bedroom door! Silent as he is now. and a paper was found on him—a paper I hold in my hand. Belfort. "Frenchmen!" he volleyed. You are betrayed to the Prussians.
and he wore blue spectacles. and in referring him to my seconds I am strictly—" 34 . led by Armagnac and Brun. He must be careful. he spoke with a sort of prim decision. He refers me to two strangers in a cafe as to two flunkeys. The mass of the crowd was Nationalist. The first is to my foes. To my foes I say: It is true I will not meet M. It is true I have asked two other men to confront him for me." shouted Brun. there is another arbitration this gentleman owes me as a gentleman. "… only two things to say to you now. He refuses to explain. Dubosc. "If this is a military secret. so that the mob fell silent in the middle of his third sentence.'" He rattled short sentences like a quick-firing gun. Every instant the human sea grew wider and wider.in grey envelope in first drawer to the left of Secretary's desk. his cheeks and chin were fully fringed with one of those irritating beards that begin far from the mouth. and already in threatening uproar.H. it was already certain that the place would be burst into like the Bastille. Before I am triumphantly cleared before a court. If he had any explanation it could have been given in complete confidence. when the broken french window opened and Dr Hirsch came out on the balcony. War Office. though he is storming outside this very room. in red ink. it surged up against the rails and steps of the traitor's house. And I will tell you why! Because I will not and must not see him—because it would be against all rules of dignity and honour to see him. He was very pale. The indignant Colonel plunged once more under the archway and was heard crying and thundering inside. and a minority of equally angry Intellectuals. His coat hung on him as on a peg. but that was the only festive thing about him. "why do you yell about it in the street?" "I will tell you why I do!" roared Dubosc above the roaring crowd. but I am going back into it. he wore his carrot-coloured hair long and weedy. He has thrown me out of the house. with the people of Paris behind me!" A shout seemed to shake the very facade of mansions and two stones flew. but he was plainly the sort of man who is either mad or right. one breaking a window above the balcony. His long bare neck and sloping shoulders were the shape of a champagne bottle. P. the second to my friends. Livid as he was. "I went to this man in straight and civil style. only made the majority more militant. For an instant the fury half turned to laughter. for he was an absurd figure in such a scene.
My books are successful. but they could hear him say: "To my friends—I myself should always prefer weapons purely intellectual. then?" asked the priest "That's just the odd thing. he was an abstemious epicure. Once more a few sentences were inaudible. my theories are unrefuted. At one of the central tables a very stumpy little priest sat in complete solitude. but it seems to me in this case we've made a mistake. round which red pepper. until a tall shadow fell across the table. who came out presently. and his friend Flambeau sat down opposite. for the ornamental trees stood so thick around and among the tables as to give something of the dimness and the dazzle of a small orchard. satisfied. One was the common soldier with the coffee. I am the Duc de Valognes." 35 . Though unroofed by any glass or gilt plaster.. The Duke and I thought it as well to investigate the charge. I give my proofs: I will pay this barbaric bribe. and even the Doctor's enemies roared applause at this unexpected defiance. I cannot speak like Clemenceau and Deroulede. If he's a French patriot he didn't write it." replied Flambeau. and I'm all against the French atheists like Hirsch. "I'm afraid I must chuck this business. well—because it doesn't give information to Germany. were rigidly ranked." said he heavily. lemons. and to these an evolved humanity will certainly confine itself. whom his friend the priest sought at first to dissuade. Flambeau was gloomy. In the early evening a light dinner was spread at the back of the Cafe Charlemagne. and I must say I'm glad we did. the guests were nearly all under a delicate and irregular roof of leaves." "Is the paper a forgery. and then walked away alone. and applied himself to a pile of whitebait with the gravest sort of enjoyment. for their words are like echoes of their pistols. who said simply: "I will act for you. but I suffer in politics from a prejudice almost physical in the French.Armagnac and Brun were waving their hats wildly. etc." Two men were instantly found in the crowd itself to offer their services to Colonel Dubosc. because it gives information to Germany. brown bread and butter. His daily living being very plain. "It's exactly like Hirsch's writing. sir. He did not lift his eyes from his plate. The French ask for a duellist as the English ask for a sportsman. and nobody can point out any mistake in it. and then go back to reason for the rest of my life. But it wasn't written by Hirsch. But our own most precious truth is the fundamental force of matter and heredity. And if he's a German spy he didn't write it." The other was the big man. "I'm all on the side of the French soldiers like Dubosc. Well. he had a peculiar taste for sudden and isolated luxuries.
It's manifestly absurd to say that Hirsch can have made a mistake about a paper that nobody knew of but himself." "The man who wrote that note knew all about the facts. The Doctor has been dabbling in some of the old brimstone after all. what?" repeated Flambeau. "You are sure the grey envelope was in the left cupboard?" he asked. I think we must chuck it up and apologize to old Carrots. "What?" he asked. "If it had only just been grey! Hang it all. It isn't written in red ink. "It is. "Wrong." Father Brown seemed to cogitate. but in ordinary black ink. "He could never have got 'em so wrong without 36 . you frighten me. "Flambeau." "And it is?" asked Father Brown. except the inventor himself and the Minister for War. And innocent or guilty. in an altered voice. Dr Hirsch knew all about the facts. the Duke and I have actually been allowed to inspect the secret drawer at the War Office where the Hirsch formula is kept. but the Minister permitted it to save Hirsch from fighting." said his friend gloomily. "and wrong exactly where Dr Hirsch would have been right—about the hiding-place of his own secret formula in his own official department." replied the other." replied Flambeau. the whole business is black. he lifted a little whitebait on his fork. "It is a clumsy forgery by somebody who knew nothing of the real hiding-place. After that we really can't support Dubosc if his revelation is a mare's nest. "Well. it might as well have been grey." said the priest."You mean the information is wrong?" asked Father Brown." said his clerical companion soberly. By favour of Hirsch and the authorities." said the other seriously." "But I tell you he couldn't have written such a note!" cried Flambeau." "What the deuce are you frightened of?" "I'm frightened of a white envelope. "It was not grey. "The note is utterly wrong about the facts. "Positive. We are the only people who have ever known it. eating heartily. As a fact the cupboard with the secret drawer is some way to the left of the desk. "The grey envelope—it was a white envelope really—was—" Father Brown put down the small silver fish and the fork and stared across at his companion. It says the paper is in the cupboard on the right of the Secretary's desk. or can have tried to help a foreign thief by telling him to fumble in the wrong drawer. It says the grey envelope contains a long document written in red ink. But if it was white.
You have to know an awful lot to be wrong on every subject—like the devil. I mean the men who must have known the truth. I don't mean they behaved well. and red ink instead of black. that can't be a coincidence. I thought it must be the chance blunders of a forger.knowing about 'em. don't you know." said his friend firmly. and often duped. I can't describe these things." answered Brown. with a face of blank bewilderment. I was puzzled in the Dreyfus case. then? Treason?" asked Flambeau. You would say if you found no such house that it was all made up. Not by the horrible things imputed both ways. And yet the French statesmen and soldiers went on as if they knew he wasn't a wronged man but simply a wrong 'un. Well. I mean the conspirators. and whether his family seems happy. and by what subjects he chooses—and avoids. I don't mean the political parties. It finishes this. But three is a mystical number. I mean they behaved as if they were sure. "I don't understand this Hirsch affair at all." "But what could it mean?" demanded the diner opposite. what puzzled me was the sincerity of both parties. the rank and file are always roughly honest." "What was it. Well. with a dog but no cat. It wasn't. But I say no. "I don't know that either. and where they drank coffee but not tea. "I can't conceive. Now Dreyfus went on like a man who knew he was a wronged man. where cats were common and dogs instantly shot. As long as it was only the left drawer instead of the right. where tea was drunk in quarts and coffee forbidden—then you would know you had found the house. resuming his dinner. I can always grasp moral evidence easier than the other sorts. it finishes things." said Brown. as you say. "The only thing I can think of… . I know (though it's not modern to say so) that human nature in the highest places is still capable of being Cenci or Borgia. with a front garden but no back garden. where there was a back garden and no front garden. should none of them be right by accident. I mean the persons of the play. I go by a man's eyes and voice. I know what I mean. I never understood that Dreyfus case. if they were conspirators." 37 ." "Do you mean—?" "I mean a man telling lies on chance would have told some of the truth. The man must have known that particular house to be so accurately inaccurate. No—. the colour of ink. the colour of envelope. if he was a traitor. That the direction about the drawer. I mean the traitor. "Suppose someone sent you to find a house with a green door and a blue blind. I say if you found a house where the door was blue and the blind green.
You don't doubt him?" "My friend. I doubt the whole story. and I shall go through with it. Suppose this brought him into spy circles." said the small priest." said Father Brown gently.' I think it is psychologically possible—in an enlightened age. In the stillness Flambeau shifted his seat sharply—making an isolated and echoing noise—and threw his elbow over the angle of it. I mean. "It's not entirely their fault. laying down his knife and fork in a kind of cold despair. because Dreyfus's document (if it was his document) was literally correct. Suppose he kept up his contradictory position in a confused way by never telling the foreign spies the truth. Suppose he even thought he was saving his country by misleading the foreigner. Everything." "I wasn't thinking of Dreyfus. Silence had sunk around them with the emptying of the tables. it was already late." answered Flambeau. The better part of him (what was left of it) would still say: 'I have not helped the enemy." cried Flambeau impatiently. that has happened today. Old Dubosc may be a bit mad. "I doubt everything. "he's not a patch on my principal. but they have no instincts." said his friend." said Father Brown. There is something in this business quite different from the ordinary police 38 .' The meaner part of him would already be saying: 'But they may have the sense to see that means the right. I mean those things that make a woman refuse to dance with a man or a man to touch an investment. but letting it more and more be guessed. you know. "if Hirsch is not better than a timid treason-monger… " "You mustn't be too hard on them. "began to give the enemy information because it was false information." he said. "What's the matter with you?" Flambeau demanded." went on the priest. Something in the stolid way he did so caused Flambeau's fierce black eyes to ramble over his companion afresh."I wish I did. rather harshly. "and it certainly would explain Dreyfus being certain he was wronged and his judges being sure he was guilty. though it has been acted before my face. I said it was the left drawer. and little loans were made to him." "It may be psychologically possible. They've been taught that it's all a matter of degree. as if accidentally entangled in the trees. But it won't wash historically. "And what has it to do with old Hirsch?" "Suppose a person in a position of trust. "Well." Father Brown continued to consume whitebait. though the sunlight still clung to everything. and little ties tied on to him. but he's a sort of patriot after all." "Anyhow. I doubt every sight that my eyes have seen since morning. "Dubosc's all right in that way.
mystery where one man is more or less lying and the other man more or less telling the truth. knew that his friend 39 . But there was always one flash when the foolish mask fell. in a kind of rational rage. "If all you can suggest is that notion of a message conveyed by contraries. "then and there—before everybody—when the swords are drawn." "But what can this mean?" cried Flambeau. But that's the queer thing about the whole business." "Nor me either. "I have extraordinary news. He is packing up to leave the country.' It looks as if… as if it were meant to be seen through at once. "He can't be afraid of that little Hirsch! Confound it!" he cried. like a penny dreadful: 'In the purple grotto you will find the golden casket. "nobody could be afraid of Hirsch!" "I believe it's some plot!" snapped Valognes—"some plot of the Jews and Freemasons. The lie is like a schoolboy's. officials or officers. but… well." said the Duke gruffly. but curiously contented." "What?" cried Flambeau." said the priest promptly. and the wise mask fitted itself in its place." Almost before they could take it in a short figure in French uniform had walked up to their table like the wind. or it was written by the French official to help German officers. to look quite different from that. You'd expect. most certainly scientific and strictly professional terms. it could shine with ignorance as well as with knowledge. Very well. But this thing's elaborately simple. "I have just come from this Colonel of ours. I call it uncommonly clever. It's meant to work up glory for Hirsch… " The face of Father Brown was commonplace. and sat down with a sort of thump. and he asks us to make his excuses sur le terrain. or it was written by the French official to mislead German officers. what would you call it?" "I should call it thin." replied Flambeau frowning." said the Duc de Valognes. And you and I have to do it while he is leaving the country. "I should call it uncommonly thin. probably a cipher. Well! I've told you the only theory I can think of that could satisfy anybody. and Flambeau. certainly abbreviations. You'd expect a secret paper passing between such people. It doesn't satisfy me. Here both men… . with an incredulity quite frightful—"apologize?" "Yes. Dubosc's and Hirsch's and that fancy of mine. while the other went on eating fish with an air of entire resignation. who knew his friend. Either that note was written by a French officer to ruin a French official. There are only three versions.
a bag in each hand." "Don't talk so loud. all shut fast and featureless save for the chalk scribbles of some passing gamin." The other two started and shrank farther back into the shadow of the wall." replied the Duke. "All Paris will cheer him now our cursed Colonel has turned tail." "Well." Nothing more could be got out of him until the cab swept round the corner by the Hotel Saint Louis. He's packing up. "for a very short journey. where they got out. interrupted at intervals by dull-hued and dirt-stained doors." said Father Brown. A colourless. for the sturdy figure of their runaway principal could indeed be seen shuffling along in the twilight in front." said Flambeau rather bitterly. where we drove with him. and he led the party up a side lane already in deep shadow with the growing dusk. but suddenly standing up. "He's round at the Hotel Saint Louis by the Elysee. But we may still be in time to catch him if we go there in a motor-cab.had suddenly understood. but somehow looking as inaccessible as a range of 40 . in fact. do you think?" asked Flambeau. "I don't think he can get away yet. irritably. he has had to do everything for himself. frowning at the table. "he's packing to go a long journey… " "No. I tell you." Then he somewhat inconsequently added: "He lives a very lonely life. showed at intervals over the top of the wall. continuous wall ran down one flank of it. when the Duke impatiently asked whether Hirsch was guilty of treason or not." said Father Brown. It was clear he was already escaping from the hotel. mostly rather depressing evergreens. and beyond them in the grey and purple gloaming could be seen the back of some long terrace of tall Parisian houses. He looked much the same as when they first saw him. really comparatively close. quite simply. and look like the wrong side of the stage scenery. he answered rather absently: "No. except that he had changed his picturesque mountaineering knickers for a conventional pair of trousers. "your cursed Colonel is just in front. The tops of trees. "Where did you last see our precious Colonel?" asked Flambeau. if he's ambitious. Brown said nothing. only of ambition—like Caesar. The lane down which they followed him was one of those that seem to be at the back of things. Once." "Will he be there still. For one of the shortest. lowering his voice. but finished his plate of fish. he ought to be satisfied now.
Then he threw up his long arms and swung himself aloft like a monkey and stood on the top of the wall. with his back to the whole theatre of events. smiting his hip. "that fellow's disappeared. biting his black moustache in a fury of curiosity. "Do you mean suicide?" he asked. "Dubosc's escape is more elaborate than we thought. like the dark tree-tops. A red blind had been pulled down over the light." he exclaimed in French. Valognes's eyes brightened. it's the back of the street where old Hirsch lives. Flambeau was looking round him in rather a weird way. "You will not find his body. "Why. "He's only gone into one of these garden doors. they'll meet after all!" And with sudden Gallic vivacity he hopped up on the wall beside Flambeau and sat there positively kicking his legs with excitement. A kind of cry came from Flambeau on the wall above. Flambeau could just see Colonel Dubosc walking about in a brilliantly-lighted and luxurious 41 ." he said." he said. leaning against the wall. like a blasted fairy!" "He has a key. "but I suppose he is escaping from France.marble mountains. and by risking his neck along a branch that looked as treacherous as a twig. had the instincts of an aristocrat." "He is escaping from everywhere. but his voice sank. The Duke. who had the instincts of a burglar (and a detective). I thought I could recognize the back of a house as well as the back of a man. however stimulated. but pulled crookedly. but Flambeau. The Duke looked at the priest." replied the other." answered Father Brown. "My God. so that it gaped on one side. On the other side of the lane ran the high gilt railings of a gloomy park. twilit trees. "I know what this place is now! Why. "Do you know. his enormous figure dark against the purple sky. and desired rather to stare at the house than to spy on it. and looking wistfully across to the park palings and the twinkling. "there is something about this place that—" "Hullo!" called out the Duke sharply. Vanished. The priest alone remained below." and as he spoke they heard one of the dull wooden doors close again with a click in front of them. and stood in front of it for a moment. had already swung himself from the wall into the fork of a straggling tree from which he could crawl quite close to the only illuminated window in the back of the high dark house." "And Dubosc's gone in there!" cried the Duke." explained their clerical friend. Flambeau strode up to the door thus shut almost in his face.
"They will jolly well have to meet if we capture them and force them to fight. These opposites won't do. and repeated them in a low voice. he heard the words of his colleagues by the wall." said Father Brown. The solidity and squareness of Dubosc's chest and shoulders was all a powerful piece of padding and came off with his coat." "Oh. Under the wall Father Brown was going on in heavy meditation. They don't work. but Valognes turned his head sharply at a suppressed exclamation from Flambeau. he—was clean-shaven and very pate." said the priest. "Yes. and solid instead of liquid." said Father Brown. Nothing remained of the Colonel but his bright. and to think it was fate? This is something of the kind. peering into the lighted room. his big black moustache had gone. after a pace or two. "It is all just like what I was saying to Flambeau. proceed to take his coat off. "If God Almighty held the truncheon of the lists.bedroom. as if to himself. there's something wrong. That investigator." "They will not meet on the Day of Judgement. "why on earth shouldn't they meet like other people?" "They are the opposite of each other. what does all this mysticism mean?" cried the Duc de Valognes. had just seen the Colonel. They don't fight." "There are people in Paris who will cure them of such morbid fancies. but more curious. if one of them stood ready. Have you read a queer psychological story by Henry James. and so on all along the line—then there's something wrong. but he soon dropped the thought for another. "They contradict each other. they will meet now after all!" "They will never meet. If it's white instead of black. In his shirt and trousers he was a comparatively slim gentleman. impatiently. and turned again so that the strong light fell on his face." said Valognes vindictively. who walked across the bedroom to the bathroom with no more pugnacious purpose than that of washing himself. with a queer kind of smile. "Hirsch was right when he said that in such an affair the principals must not meet." He continued to gaze at the darkening trees opposite. brown eyes. One of these men 42 . His brown complexion had gone. They cancel out. But close as Flambeau was to the house. He bent over a basin. the other would not come. Flambeau's first thought was that this really looked like a fight. of two persons who so perpetually missed meeting each other by accident that they began to feel quite frightened of each other. Monsieur. so to speak. hawk-like. if St Michael blew the trumpet for the swords to cross—even then. dried his dripping hands and face on a towel.
and had already fitted round his face a sort of framework of rank red hair. the other has low shirt-collars. one strong and the other weak. Seen thus in the glass the white face looked like the face of Judas laughing horribly and surrounded by capering flames of hell. One has hair cropped to his skull. One has a moustache and no beard.is fair and the other dark. and there's something wrong. Monsieur. one stout and the other slim. 43 . but a scarf to hide his neck. so you can't see his chin. Things made so opposite are things that cannot quarrel. A few moments later a roar of popular applause from the street beyond announced that Dr Hirsch had once more appeared upon the balcony. so you can't see his mouth. It's all too neat and correct. For a spasm Flambeau saw the fierce. but in front of a looking-glass. Slipping on a loose black coat. but long hair to bide his skull. the other has a beard and no moustache. like a lock and a key… " Flambeau was peering into the house with a visage as white as a sheet. Like a face and a mask. Wherever the one sticks out the other sinks in. red-brown eyes dancing. the figure vanished towards the front of the house. hanging disordered from the head and clinging round the jaws and chin while leaving the mocking mouth uncovered. The occupant of the room was standing with his back to him. then they were covered with a pair of blue spectacles.
opalescent and empty. He was so unique that nobody could quite decide whether he was a great aristocrat who had taken up Art. One side of the passage was a blank wall. one at each end. now shut up. however. capable and popular. the sharper walker who seemed to have the shorter patience. for the building it supported was an old unsuccessful theatre restaurant. But 44 . or a great artist whom the aristocrats had taken up. Sir Wilson Seymour was the kind of man whose importance is known to everybody who knows. He was the one intelligent man on twenty unintelligent committees—on every sort of subject. for each approached the door at the upper end with equal coolness and confidence. In the Arts especially he was omnipotent. was of a diverse and incomparable kind. knocked at the door. In this and everything else each man was opposite and neither could be called inferior. The covered passage opened at one end on one of the steep streets of the Adelphi. both were in the first public rank. from the reform of the Royal Academy to the project of bimetallism for Greater Britain. But everything about them. so they both arrived before the secret stage door almost at the same instant. Nevertheless. even in that inky outline. Persons of that eminence often like to have such private exits and entrances. and waited a moment before one of them. They saluted each other with civility. As public persons. The evening daylight in the streets was large and luminous. with equal speed. The other side of the passage contained two doors. for meeting friends or avoiding them. and at the other on a terrace overlooking the sunset-coloured river. and in this case by the star actor and actress in the Shakespearean performance of the day. The passage was comparatively long and dark. so each man could see the other as a mere black silhouette at the other end. from their glory to their good looks. As private persons both were handsome. Neither was what was commonly called the stage door. they were a sort of special and private stage doors used by very special performers. for they were both men of striking appearance and they hated each other. The two men in question were certainly two such friends.The Man in the Passage TWO men appeared simultaneously at the two ends of a sort of passage running along the side of the Apollo Theatre in the Adelphi. each man knew the other. The more you mixed with the innermost ring in every polity or profession. but the man who walked fast was the man from the other end of the tunnel. men who evidently knew the doors and counted on their opening. the more often you met Sir Wilson Seymour. Not.
His hair also was curly. In thousands of English homes he appeared enormous above England. Indeed. as it does in those old admirals of Velazquez with whose dark portraits his house was hung. Fashion could have found no fault with his high silk hat—. his silver-knobbed cane a shade longer than scores of such gloves and canes flapped and flourished about the theatres and the restaurants. His fame. whose broken-down face and figure and black shabby coat and trousers contrasted queerly with the glittering interior of the great actress's dressingroom. You could not get away from hearing of him wherever you were. and the great march across China. perhaps. but fair and cropped close to a strong. but merely as strong and handsome. it was worn longer than the common yet he did not look effeminate. You did not have to be in the best society to have heard of Captain Cutler. yet would have struck nobody as short. was ten times more wide. The other man was not so tall. yet it was unlike anyone else's hat—a little higher. as Chaucer said of the Miller's. his portrait was on every other postcard. his jaw was square. His grey gloves were a shade bluer. His appearance was "distinguished" in exactly the same sense. His face was somewhat square. in the wild school of caricature then current. of the siege of Hong-Kong. It was fitted and filled with looking-glasses at every angle of refraction. His hair was silver-grey. it was at once conventional and unique. His military moustache and the carriage of his shoulders showed him a soldier. his maps and battles in every other illustrated paper. it was curly but it did not look curled. Mr Max Beerbohm had represented him as a proposition in the fourth book of Euclid. but he had a pair of those peculiar frank and piercing blue eyes which are more common in sailors. though probably more temporary.you could not meet him for five minutes without realizing that you had really been ruled by him all your life. For he also was a public man. but he did not look old. popular and spontaneous than the other man's. Yet he had infinitely less power in England than Sir Wilson Seymour. even his jacket was square. and adding something to his natural height. massive head—the sort of head you break a door with. though with quite another sort of success. so that they looked like the hundred facets of one huge 45 . songs in his honour in every other music-hall turn or on every other barrel-organ. slender figure had a slight stoop yet it looked the reverse of feeble. like Nelson. his shoulders were square. His tall. His carefully pointed beard made him look more manly and militant than otherwise. The door was opened to them by an aged servant or "dresser".
a few flowers. and moving in mystical dances. however. for the other room was the private room of the great actor with whom Miss Aurora was performing. He had really been attracted to it by the leaf-like shape. a few coloured cushions. but especially to boys and to men growing grey. and another sort of present from Sir Wilson Seymour. a man looked only at the woman's face. he hoped she would— 46 . so that the very silence seemed to be a roar of applause. and her heavy. and might well have been worn in the time of Theseus and Hippolyta. were multiplied by all the mirrors into the madness of the Arabian Nights. She greeted both men with the beaming and baffling smile which kept so many males at the same just dangerous distance from her. In about half a minute. which was rather a curiosity.diamond—if one could get inside a diamond. it was an ancient Greek dagger of the Mycenaean Epoch. calling him Parkinson. They both spoke to the dingy dresser by name. expressed all the elusive individuality of an elfin queen. It was made of brass like all the Heroic weapons. and one well-deserved. and she was of the kind that does not inflame admiration without inflaming jealousy. the great American actor. Parkinson said she was in the other room. He had picked up a trifle. the green costume. that gleamed like blue and green metals. which were as tropical and expensive as his victories. A shade crossed the brow of both visitors. Set in dreamy and exquisite scenery. offered later on and more nonchalantly by that gentleman. She was clad in a somewhat strange garb of peacock green and peacock blue satins. but he would go and tell her. She accepted some flowers from Cutler. she was producing a particularly poetical and fantastic interpretation of Midsummer Night's Dream: in which the artistic prominence was given to Oberon and Titania. hot brown hair framed one of those magic faces which are dangerous to all men. sharp enough to prick anyone still. The other features of luxury. but. But when personally confronted in what was still broad daylight. the inner door opened. it was as perfect as a Greek vase. If it was of any interest to Miss Rome or could come in anywhere in the play. and danced and changed places perpetually as the shuffling attendant shifted a mirror outwards or shot one back against the wall. he said. and against his conventional unconventionality to give anything so obvious as flowers. even in private life. Isidore Bruno. In company with her male colleague. oddly enough. and she entered as she always did. or in other words to Bruno and herself. such as delight children and aesthetes. a few scraps of stage costume. like burnished beetle-wings. For it was against his breeding to show eagerness. and asking for the lady as Miss Aurora Rome.
Nearly six-foot-six. showed at that moment a combination of high cheekbones with set white teeth. It was a very short man in the black uniform of the Roman secular clergy." A shrewd observer might have remarked that the emotional temperature rather rose at so unemotional an interruption. nay. even the abject Parkinson. It was evident that the great Aurora. He did not. The presence of the one man who did not care about her increased Miss Rome's sense that everybody else was in love with her. though by no means indifferent to the admiration of the other sex. The man like a black wooden Noah (who was not wholly without shrewdness) noted it with a considerable but contained amusement. His vivid black eyes rolled volcanically. in that deep voice like a drum of passion that had moved so many audiences. A shrewd person might also have noted a yet odder thing. just as a stranger coming in with frost on his coat will reveal that a room is like a furnace. however. "will you—" He stopped indecisively because a sixth figure had suddenly presented itself just inside the doorway—a figure so incongruous in the scene as to be almost comic. for the little priest did admire and even enjoy 47 . handsome as it was. and who followed her about the room with eyes or feet. but said with dull civility: "I believe Miss Rome sent for me. "Aurora. He leaned on a sort of huntingspear. who had known her before her triumphs. in the gorgeous leopard skin and golden-brown garments of Oberon. who was more of a contrast to the explanatory Seymour than even Captain Cutler. with the dumb fascination of a dog. Sir Wilson with that daily hardening concentration with which old Hedonists take to a hobby." he began. silvery wand. wanted at this moment to get rid of all the men who admired her and be left alone with the man who did not—did not admire her in that sense at least. the soldier with all the simple selfishness of a man of will rather than mind. and of more than theatrical thews and muscles. and looking (especially in such a presence as Bruno's and Aurora's) rather like the wooden Noah out of an ark. seem conscious of any contrast. which across a theatre looked a slight. his bronzed face. and each in a somewhat dangerous way: the actor with all the appetite of a savage and a spoilt child. looked like a barbaric god. The detachment of a professional celibate seemed to reveal to the others that they stood round the woman as a ring of amorous rivals. but which in the small and comparatively crowded room looked as plain as a pikestaff—and as menacing.The inner door burst open and a big figure appeared. Isidore Bruno. which recalled certain American conjectures about his origin in the Southern plantations.
elegant and unconscious as was his posture. was pachydermatous to ideas. and walked towards the door. The little priest watched. banging the door. Yet a second or two after Seymour's brow darkened again. Bruno. was at once achieved. he had to be treated differently. But at this open appeal to his rival there glowed in his opal eyeballs all the sensitive insolence of the slave. the exit of the enraged Bruno. hatless. and then it will be quite lovely. There was. Cutler. the British officer. and that was one half of humanity—the other half. you know. perhaps. As to old Seymour. he had to be left to the last. dashing open the door. only one thing that Aurora Rome was clever about. and then turn sharply and run laughing down the passage towards the other end. and ran out to the threshold to speed the parting guest. to the piteous Parkinson. He had already handed his spear in a lordly style. Cutler had indeed risen stiffly and suddenly." said Aurora in a whisper to Seymour. but he would die rather than ignore a definite commission from a lady. He would ignore all hints. A man in his position has so many rivals. the big actor. The only way to move him was to appeal to him in confidence as an old friend. like a Napoleonic campaign. without my favourite flower. The priest did really admire Miss Rome as she achieved all these three objects in one selected action." The first object of her diplomacy. turning his head this way and that like a bewildered bulldog. he knotted his enormous brown fists for an instant. the end on the terrace above the Thames. the swift precision of her policy for expelling all while banishing none. to let him into the secret of the clearance. was so babyish that it was easy to send him off in brute sulks. She went across to Captain Cutler and said in her sweetest manner: "I shall value all these flowers. because they must be your favourite flowers. and was about to assume one of the cushioned seats like a throne. disappeared into his own apartments beyond. and then. as if at a word of command. and he seemed relieved when he heard the lady call out some last instructions to the Captain. and he remembered that at the 48 . Seymour seemed to be listening. But meanwhile Miss Rome's experiment in mobilizing the British Army had not succeeded so simply as seemed probable. But perhaps there was something ostentatiously elegant about the languid figure of Seymour leaning against one of the looking-glasses that brought him up short at the entrance. but punctilious about behaviour. Do go over to that shop round the corner and get me some liliesof-the-valley. like a sceptre. "I must show this stupid man where to go.the firm feminine diplomacy with which she set about her task. But they won't be complete.
strolled out himself into the upper end of the passage. pulling out looking-glasses and pushing them in again. It ran along the passage like a path of gold. quite naturally. Every time he pulled out the frame of a new glass." said the priest sadly. as he bent over something and straightened himself again. and the square face of Cutler was thrust into the same doorway. Father Brown and Parkinson were left alone. and they were neither of them men with a taste for superfluous conversation." The three men looked down. a brisk running of feet broke upon the pavement outside. In the instant of time in which all this happened Father Brown stepped out into the top of the passage. a new black figure of Father Brown appeared. and at once walked briskly towards what he saw. turning somersaults like acrobats. The dresser went round the room. Father Brown seemed quite unconscious of this cloud of witnesses. but followed Parkinson with an idly attentive eye till he took himself and his absurd spear into the farther room of Bruno. At the same instant Sir Wilson Seymour burst back into the room. "Where's that dagger of mine?" Before Father Brown could turn in his heavy boots Seymour was plunging about the room looking for the weapon. And before he could possibly find that weapon or any other. He sprang to his feet and stood rigidly listening. the angles of each refraction. He was still grotesquely grasping a bunch of lilies-ofthe-valley. "Who's that man in the passage?" he cried. and I came as quickly as I could. turning their backs to everybody like very rude persons. the absurd glass chamber was full of Father Browns. 49 . and then. white as ivory. I have come too late. and made a stride towards him. At this the other two men dropped their quarrel and darted after him. looked down it.other end of the passage was the corresponding entrance to Bruno's private room. Then he abandoned himself to such abstract meditations as always amused him—calculating the angles of the mirrors. "Miss Rome sent for me. Cutler calling out: "What are you doing? Who are you?" "My name is Brown. "What's that creature down the passage? Is this some of your tricks?" "My tricks!" hissed his pale rival. upside down in the air like angels. "What's this?" he cried. he said some civil words to Father Brown about the revival of Byzantine architecture in the Westminster Cathedral. his dingy dark coat and trousers looking all the more dismal since he was still holding the festive fairy spear of King Oberon. the angle at which each must fit into the wall… when he heard a strong but strangled cry. He did not lose his dignity. and in one of them at least the life died in that late light of afternoon.
and confronted Bruno in his dressing-room. brought against him by his furious opponent. Her dress was torn away as in a struggle.and in the midst of it Aurora Rome lay lustrous in her robes of green and gold. but till he was removed from 50 . and sat down suddenly on one of the richly cushioned chairs. looked at it weakly with a working face." And before the others could appreciate his intention he snatched up the dagger. He moved shakily towards it. then moved shakily back into the dressing-room again. Bruno had twisted the dagger out of his grasp and disabled him just below the wrist. The brass dagger lay flat and gleaming a yard or so away. but the wound from which the blood was welling was on the other side. though the room already rang with their blows and they began to struggle for the dagger. leaving the right shoulder bare. As he did so. Seymour. with a movement so sudden that it might have been passion or play-acting. They treated Cutler with a certain solemn attention. and pointed out that he had got a slight slash on the hand. with her dead face turned upwards. There was a blank stillness for a measurable time. sprang at the other door at the lower end of the passage. took Sir Wilson Seymour by the throat. was whistling for the police at the end of the passage. who are not without elements of the journalist." "Drink isn't good enough for me. and. Seymour looked at him steadily without either fight or fear. "You need not kill me. Even as Cutler bore him back across tilted chair and table. so that they could hear far off a flower-girl's laugh outside Charing Cross. "I shall do that on my own account. and someone whistling furiously for a taxicab in one of the streets off the Strand. The idea that the great national hero of the hour had arrested a wrongdoer with his own hand doubtless had its weight with the police. bolt and all. Not yours—but I think I know whose. Father Brown instantly ran across to him. old Parkinson tottered in his wavering way out of the door and caught sight of the corpse lying in the passage. after a few formal inquiries. "but I'll have blood for this before I die." he said in a voice quite cold." replied Cutler. who retained some practical sense." The Captain's hand hesitated and dropped. taking no notice of Cutler and the colossal actor. Then the Captain. The injury was really slight. burst it open. When the police arrived it was to tear the two men from an almost ape-like grapple. to arrest Isidore Bruno upon a charge of murder. and the other added with the same icy candour: "If I find I haven't the nerve to do it with that dagger I can do it in a month with drink.
"I would not add to your troubles if it weren't common justice to warn you. "A silly little scratch. The mind of the little priest was always a rabbit-warren of wild thoughts that jumped too quickly for him to catch them. She was his air. and Cutler said sharply: "To hurt whom?" "To hurt yourselves. with some random apologies for any rudeness they might have shown. They took leave of Father Brown at the corner of the road. I shall be bound to say that after the cry was heard each of you rushed into the room in a wild state and began quarrelling about a dagger." he said huskily." asked Father Brown quietly. who sat in a black huddle on the gorgeous chair. don't he?" said the constable confidentially to Cutler. "The two deaths. with contempt. "if I say you have done all you can to hurt?" They both started as if guiltily. They'll be sure to subpoena me. looking down the road. You hurt yourselves with that. You've done nearly everything you could do to hang yourselves. As far as my words on oath can go. you might either of you have done it. The silence was first broken by Cutler." said Seymour heavily. but also cryptic." answered the priest. who seemed not untouched by a rough tenderness. "I wish I was him. if this actor should be acquitted." "Hurt myself!" exclaimed the Captain." said Seymour in a strange voice.the room the half-savage prisoner stared at the running blood with a steady smile. and then Captain Cutler must have hurt himself with the dagger. "This poor fellow was gone when I got across to him. to the woman who had died. not without eloquence. "We had better all be going." "We are all dead. Like the white tail of a rabbit he had the vanishing thought that he was certain of their grief. Cutler made no answer. Both their faces were tragic. He's just dead." And he stood looking down at old Parkinson. "Looks a cannibal sort of chap." "Will you understand my motives. and he's dried up. "I remember he used to watch her wherever she walked more than—anybody. He also had paid his tribute. but said sharply a moment after: "We must attend to the… the death… " and his voice escaped from articulation. "we have done all we can to help." came in the voice of the priest from the farther side of the room. but not so certain of their innocence." 51 .
" in the Press of London and the provinces. the prosecutor for the Crown was Sir Walter Cowdray. nodding. If it be true that in the twentieth century more space is given to murder than to politics. "We know there's blood on the brass now." Before either could make sufficient sense of it even to answer. was the coincidence of persons.C. for their levity comes from a living impatience of professional solemnity."Which drew blood. 52 . one of those who are jeered at as humorous judges. The true reason. The trial was presided over by Mr Justice Monkhouse. The medical evidence involved no contradictions. who was mistaken for a mere flaneur by those who misunderstood the Irish character—and those who had not been examined by him. and the reports of examination and cross-examination." "I know you did. As modern newspapers are conducted. the barristers were well balanced. the most honest and most important news is the police news. while the serious judge is really filled with frivolity. by the most popular soldier of the patriotic season. So vast was the excitement that for some weeks the Press really told the truth. and the rest of this somewhat singular business can practically be recorded from reports of Bruno's trial. And so we shall never know whether there was blood on it before. Father Brown had politely excused himself and gone stumping up the road with his stumpy old umbrella. "so did Captain Cutler. agreeing with the eminent surgeon who had later examined the body. and then Seymour said. even if intolerable are at least reliable. of course." replied the priest. the doctor. a heavy. K. The victim was a popular actress.. That's what seems so improbable." There was a silence. The prisoner was defended by Mr Patrick Butler. with an emphasis quite alien to his daily accent: "But I saw a man in the passage. and how to be rhetorical with reluctance. the accused was a popular actor. In those extraordinary circumstances the Press was paralysed into probity and accuracy. if interminable. but who are generally much more serious than the serious judges. But even this would hardly explain the enormous omnipresence and widely distributed detail of "The Bruno Case. whom Seymour had summoned on the spot." or "The Passage Mystery." answered the cleric Brown with a face of wood. as it were. Aurora Rome had been stabbed with some sharp instrument such as a knife or dagger. but weighty advocate of the sort that knows how to seem English and trustworthy. because he is filled with vanity. All the chief actors being of a worldly importance. and the accused had been caught red-handed. it is for the excellent reason that murder is a more serious subject.
though not explained. Though himself much more of a public man than the judge. where was the prisoner's dressing-room. in order to point out to Captain Cutler a flower-shop at which he was to buy her some more flowers. but quite 53 . He had been calling on Miss Rome at the theatre. and though everyone looked at him as they would at the Prime Minister or the Archbishop of Canterbury. and this did not seem to fit in particularly well with the direction and finality of the blow. When these details had been supplied. Did he see anything in the passage? Yes. chiefly concerned with the presence or absence of any proof of a struggle. at least. who had then returned to his own dressing-room. which seemed at once sympathetic and creepy: "Did you see it distinctly?" Sir Wilson Seymour. had his excellent brains in full working-order. He was also refreshingly lucid. Some official detective evidence followed. and for all his usual composure seemed to have more than his usual pallor. but perfectly. of which the blade was short. He had then distinctly heard the deceased. he had met Captain Cutler there. during which the witness looked down.some instrument. "Very distinctly as regards its outline. When the doctor first saw her she could hardly have been dead for twenty minutes. Then the barrister said in a lower voice. as he was on the committees. the only suggestion of this was the tearing of the dress at the shoulder. he conveyed exactly the fine shade of self-effacement before the King's justice. they could have said nothing of his part in it but that it was that of a private gentleman. he saw something in the passage. the first of the important witnesses was called. Sir Wilson Seymour gave evidence as he did everything else that he did at all—not only well. he had strolled out to the head of the passage himself and looked down it towards the prisoner's door. Sir Walter Cowdray allowed an impressive interval. they had been joined for a short time by the accused. In idle curiosity as to the rapid movement of his friends. who asked for the deceased lady and said his name was Brown. they had then been joined by a Roman Catholic priest. Miss Rome had then gone just outside the theatre to the entrance of the passage. with an accent on the noun. The wound was just over the heart. and she had died instantly. Therefore when Father Brown found her she could hardly have been dead for three. turn round laughing and run down the passage towards its other end. having sent the Captain on his errand. exchanging a few words with the priest. however moved. and the witness had remained in the room.
Cowdray was resuming his seat with his solemn face. "When I saw daylight between the long legs I was sure it was a man. K. for instance. and white silk whiskers." replied the witness. and they felt it as gigantic. smoothing his black silk robes." The witness lowered his steady eyes once more and added: "I had noticed the fact before. The passage is of such length that anyone in the middle of it appears quite black against the light at the other end. as if he had got what he wanted. he seemed to swell taller and taller when an eyes had been torn away from him. "I shall only detain you a moment." said Mr Butler.C. but they felt his figure in the dock. "like a tall man." said Mr Butler. "What did it look like to you?" "It looked to me. as regards the details inside the outline. And it had something that looked like long hair." Butler's sleepy eyes opened as suddenly as some silent explosion. "I'm afraid it is the vulgar test of trousers." "Thank you. They seemed to be holding their eyes away from the prisoner by main force. and the judge leaned forward and made a note." There was another silence. "It is hardly a point of fact." he said." answered Seymour quietly. indeed not at all. after all." said Sir Walter patiently. like the figure of the murdered woman?" "Not in the least. when the counsel for the defence sprang up and stopped him. There was something about the thing that was not exactly a woman and yet was not quite a man. the dispatching 54 . of course I shall do so. or his boots or whatever he happened to be looking at. "After all!" he repeated slowly. but his account of the opening incidents was solidly the same. after a few final particulars to which there were many other witnesses." he said. He described the return of Bruno to his dressing-room. who was a rusticlooking person with red eyebrows and an expression of partial slumber. refined smile seemed to pass over Seymour's features. "but if his lordship would like me to answer for my impression. "So you did think at first it was a woman?" Seymour looked troubled for the first time. Tall as Bruno was to the eye. or his book. Captain Cutler was a far less plausible and composed witness than Sir Wilson. and sat down suddenly. Sir Wilson was leaving the witness-box. or his umbrellahandle.. somehow the curves were different.indistinctly. "what was the outline like? Was it." Everyone in court kept his eyes riveted on his pen. when Captain Cutler first entered it. "Well. "Will you tell his lordship how you knew it was a man?" A faint.
he said it looked more like a beast—with a too obvious snarl at the prisoner." he said. "Or again. because the prisoner was wicked and foreign and even partly black. no!" "The last witness said it was. with unscrupulous swiftness. and his struggle with Bruno. the thing he saw in the passage. looking at Cutler sleepily. he said he was no art critic—with a somewhat too obvious sneer at Seymour. But unfortunately Sir Walter had somehow got it into his head (mostly by some ramifications of his family's religion) that Father Brown was on the side of the prisoner. in a hoarse and rather faint voice. and tell the plain facts without any jesuitry." he said.of himself to buy a bunch of lilies-of-the-valley. and bristles sticking out of its head like a pig—" Mr Butler cut short his curious impatience in the middle. in his simplicity. But the man was plainly shaken with sorrow and sincere anger. But he could give little artistic assistance about the black figure that he and Seymour had seen. although (as was his custom) even in being brief. "You used a rather remarkable expression. "Never mind whether its hair was like a pig's. and sat down suddenly for the second time. was rather heavy and square than otherwise?" "He may have been bending forward. so that it was like cross-examining a child. "What do you mean by saying that it looked more like a beast than a man or a woman?" Cutler seemed seriously agitated. he seemed to take a long time about it. compared with the others. The third. "Great Scott. his suspicion of Seymour." he said." said Cutler. When Father Brown began. that his head seemed hardly to come above the box. his return to the upper end of the passage." said Mr Butler. and Cowdray quickly excused him from confirming facts that were already fairly clear. witness called by Sir Walter Cowdray was the little Catholic clergyman. Therefore he took Father Brown up sharply whenever that proud pontiff tried to explain anything. so little. and told him to answer yes or no." commented the counsel. "was it like a woman's?" "A woman's!" cried the soldier. he may not. 55 . "Perhaps I oughtn't to have said that. "but when the brute has huge humped shoulders like a chimpanzee. The defending counsel also was again brief in his cross-examination. "And did the figure have any of those serpentine and semi-feminine curves to which eloquent allusion has been made? No? No feminine curves? The figure. Asked if it was a man or a woman. Asked about its outline. if I understand you. to say who he thought the man in the passage was. the barrister told him that he did not want his theories.
"I mean daggers aren't the only things with short blades. "You are a most extraordinary witness. sitting down in triumphant jocularity. black projections curved upwards on each side of the head or top. but real sense of some monstrosity." Those in court had been wrought up to an irrational. And you say you saw the black shape. had literally gone mad in the box. just when she'd sent for me to settle their family troubles—and I came just too late. Butler. if they're that sort of fancy spear they had in theatres. And spears catch at the end of the steel just like daggers." he said. and the other a devil… ."A black shape was seen in the passage. K. He couldn't bear what he'd done. sprang to his feet in an extraordinary stillness. And the figure in the passage. but he had long known the literal nature of obedience. "was short and thick. was a shifting nightmare: one called it a woman." assented Brown. you know the experts say the crime was committed with a short blade?" "A short blade.." said Father Brown. but had two sharp. "It was the devil come to eat Protestants. "I know who it was. what shape was it?" Father Brown blinked as under rebuke. "The shape. and the other a beast. and—" "Oh! the devil with horns." "No.C. he had himself hurried on to explain. without stopping. who was the man you saw in the passage?" "He was myself. no doubt." he said. he shot at Brown the apparently disconnected question: "You have heard about this dagger. Spears have short blades. "but there is something about you that makes me think you are trying to tell the truth." said the priest dispassionately. like the spear poor old Parkinson killed his wife with. Well. Well. They had forgotten the figure in the dock and thought only of the figure in the passage. But the judge still 56 ." The general impression in court was that the little priest. rather like horns. described by three capable and respectable men who had all seen it." Before the audience could quite dismiss the idea that the priest had really seen himself doing murder with a short dagger with a long hilt (which seemed somehow to make it more horrible). and said quite calmly: "Your lordship will allow me to cross-examine?" And then." ejaculated Cowdray. nodding solemnly like an owl. God forgive me! But he died penitent—he just died of being penitent. who was gobbling away. The judge was looking at Father Brown with level and piercing eyes. "but a very long hilt.
"The poor lady's dress was torn. "but they asked me for the shape." There was another vast and unnatural silence. but no one noticed it now." 57 . and the counsel for the defence went on with his questions unperturbed. when two such distinguished men don't?" Father Brown blinked even more painfully than before." said Butler." said Brown." he asked. and so I—" The judge leaned forward. "And can you tell us why. How do you account for signs of struggle. and as she did so Parkinson came out of the prisoner's room and lunged with the spear. that was what I was trying to say. "And you mean to say that when Captain Cutler saw that chimpanzee with humped shoulders and hog's bristles. and this time it was the judge who spoke. "If Parkinson did it with that pantomime spear. what he saw was Sir Wilson Seymour?" "Yes. "When I was in the dressing-room I noticed that some of them could probably be slid out into the passage. the man you saw was yourself—in a mirror?" "Yes." explained Father Brown. then he stammered: "Really. "So you really mean that when you looked down that passage. my lord. like the dress dragged off the shoulder?" He had slipped into treating his mere witness as an expert." "A panel?" repeated the barrister in a curious voice. "It was a looking-glass on the other side. "because it was caught in a panel that slid to just behind her. my lord. and our hats have corners just like horns. "you should know your own figure in a looking-glass. and said in specially distinct tones: "Do you really mean to say that when Sir Wilson Seymour saw that wild what-you-call-him with curves and a woman's hair and a man's trousers. my lord.looked at him with bright and steady eyes of interest." The judge leaned back in his chair with a luxuriance in which it was hard to separate the cynicism and the admiration. he simply saw himself?" "Yes. my lord. I don't know unless it's because I don't look at it so often. She struggled to free herself." said the witness." said Father Brown. his old eyes yet more brilliant. "he must have thrust from four yards away.
It depends whether you get hold of the stick by the right end." "But surely. before I will take it as a sign that I am to shed it. That's a test from the circulation of the blood. they must be as sentimental as a man who thinks a woman is in love with him if she blushes. "I've been reading. blood will have to flow up the Matterhorn. "it might point pretty straight at something or other. the other end of the stick always points the opposite way." "There's a disadvantage in a stick pointing straight. when he was chaplain to his co-religionists in a prison in Chicago—where the Irish population displayed a capacity both for crime and penitence which kept him tolerably 58 . From the problem of the licence in cross-examination." "Do you really mean. "of this new psychometric method they talk about so much." insisted Flambeau. I saw the thing done once and I've never believed in it since. What do you think of it?" "I think it very interesting. "What is it? Why." "What sentimentalists men of science are!" exclaimed Father Brown. "has been guaranteed by some of the greatest American men of science." replied Father Brown." remarked the other. and their neighbourhood or some such accidental influence had turned their talk to matters of legal process." replied Brown. "that you think the two methods equally valuable?" "I think them equally valueless. their talk strayed to Roman and mediaeval torture." "The method. You know what I mean. fast or slow." demanded his friend. in dead folk or living. and a jolly rotten test. "Blood flows. they put a pulsometer on a man's wrist and judge by how his heart goes at the pronunciation of certain words." said Flambeau." And he proceeded to tell the story of his disillusionment. discovered by the immortal Harvey.The Mistake of the Machine FLAMBEAU and his friend the priest were sitting in the Temple Gardens about sunset. It happened nearly twenty years before. "it reminds me of that interesting idea in the Dark Ages that blood would flow from a corpse if the murderer touched it. "and how much more sentimental must American men of science be! Who but a Yankee would think of proving anything from heart-throbs? Why." answered the other. too. especially in America. to the examining magistrate in France and the Third Degree in America. Blood will have to flow very funnily. for so many more million reasons than we can ever know.
he was in the Republic in his youth. The official second-in-command under the Governor was an ex-detective named Greywood Usher. though he heartily disliked his theories. All our exclusive citizens will recall the Perambulator Parade Dinner. but there is talk of a pretty parody of the simple manners and customs at the other end of Society's scale. His theories were extremely complicated and were held with extreme simplicity." 59 . One evening he had sent for the priest. The official selected from the papers a scrap of newspaper cutting. or locked in the jewelled bosoms of our city's gayest leaders. occasionally varying a very rigid visage with an odd apologetic grimace. at which the confections handed round were sarcastically moulded in the forms of human arms and legs. in which Last-Trick Todd. This would be all the more telling." asked Usher. which he handed across to the cleric. The witticism which will inspire this evening is as yet in Mr Todd's pretty reticent intellect." "Well. took a seat in silence at a table piled and littered with papers. caused so many of our prominent debutantes to look even younger than their years. careful-spoken Yankee philosopher. as hospitable Todd is entertaining in Lord Falconroy." answered Father Brown. Equally elegant and more miscellaneous and large-hearted in social outlook was Last-Trick's show the year previous. and comes into an income of nearly twelve hundred million dollars. "I cannot think at this moment of anything in this world that would interest me less. And. and Father Brown liked him. the famous traveller. unless the just anger of the Republic is at last going to electrocute journalists for writing like that. a true-blooded aristocrat fresh from England's oakgroves. words rather fail me.busy. and waited. according to his custom. "does that interest you?" "Why. and ran as follows: "Society's brightest widower is once more on the Freak Dinner stunt. and during which more than one of our gayest mental gymnasts was heard offering to eat his partner. Lord Falconroy's travels began before his ancient feudal title was resurrected. Miss Etta Todd is one of our deep-souled New Yorkers. a cadaverous. and fashion murmurs a sly reason for his return. who. the popular Cannibal Crush Lunch. He liked Father Brown in a slightly patronizing way. at his palatial home at Pilgrim's Pond. It appeared to be an extract from one of the pinkest of American Society papers. I don't quite see why it should interest you either. who read it gravely.
I really did. Don't look so surprised. is a perfect no-man's land tumbling away to the prairies. his brains beaten out as with a club. and a young 60 ." admitted the priest cheerfully. the literary style is somewhat improved. "he isn't up any tree. however. Father Brown opened his innocent eyes wide. for which one man has always been found sufficient. He may be in any hole or up any tree. apparently with a finger dipped in blood: 'This was self-defence and he had the gun. "I got hold of him with the crooked end of a walking-stick. The authorities. The convict settlement at Sequah is thirty miles from here. Convict Escapes. found the corpse of the warder who patrols the top of the north wall of the prison. and the country beyond. You know I sometimes take a turn in the country lanes outside this dismal place. I am keeping the bullet for Pilgrim's Pond—O. been hurled from the high wall.R. but he gave everyone the impression of a man with a black past and a dangerous future. the steepest and most difficult exit. with my short legs. how do you know?" asked Father Brown. running about this State after an athletic assassin of that sort. The unfortunate officer had. I meant no harm to him or any man but one. "Would you like to speak to him?" inquired Usher." said the governor. the country between is wild and tangled enough. "Why. when daylight had fully revealed the scene of murder. I should cut a poor figure. rising and lazily stretching his lanky legs before the fire. I was walking early this evening up a steep lane with dark hedges and grey-looking ploughed fields on both sides. does that interest you?" The paragraph was headed "Savage Murder of a Warder. and handing across another scrap of newspaper. Further inquiries showed that one of the cells was empty. how did your men get hold of him?" "I got hold of him myself. where he will surely have the sense to go." "He isn't in any hole. and his gun was missing. "but still I don't see what I can do for you." "Well." and ran: "Just before dawn this morning a shout for help was heard in the Convict Settlement at Sequah in this State." "Why. it was found that he had written on the wall above the body a fragmentary sentence.' A man must have used most fiendish treachery or most savage and amazing bodily daring to have stormed such a wall in spite of an armed man. hurrying in the direction of the cry. well. it had been occupied by a rather sullen ruffian giving his name as Oscar Rian. "He is here?" he exclaimed. blinking. He was only temporarily detained for some comparatively trivial assault."Ah!" said Mr Usher dryly. I doubt whether anybody could find him. "Well." drawled the American. Finally.
" "A brilliant piece of rapid deduction. and I sent my walking-stick flying. the coat-collar in which his head was buried made him look like a hunchback. By the light of it I saw a man running across the field towards the road. It at once occurred to me that he had somehow managed to change his convict clothes for some confederate's clothes which did not fit him." replied the governor coolly. and our fellows came running up to secure him. so that I must have seen the streaky look of blowing hair. "I pass over the first as too simple to be emphasized—I mean that fashionable athletes do not run across ploughed fields or scratch their eyes out in bramble hedges. "We soon found out who he was." remarked Brown. I slung my hooked cane at his legs." said Father Brown. They were so ill-fitting as to be quite grotesque. "if you had found he was a popular athlete practising a mile race." "It would have been rather awkward. and the long loose sleeves looked as if he had no hands." said the other gravely. crossing the road. In the instant in which he appeared up against the moon.—or rather (for I heard the strong branches breaking and snapping like bayonets) as if he himself were made of stone. but when he came to the thick black hedge he went through it as if it were made of spiders' webs.moon was up and silvering the road. "because you had read in the newspaper cutting that morning that a convict had run away." observed the priest simply. but I had guessed it with the first glint of the moon on him. even as he appeared in black outline against the moonrise. There were more decisive details to a fairly well-trained eye. Then I remembered that beyond these ploughed fields he was crossing lay Pilgrim's Pond. Then I blew my whistle long and loud." "You thought it was the runaway convict." "I had somewhat better grounds. Probably the same 61 . running with his body bent and at a good mile-race trot. He appeared to be much exhausted. tripping him and bringing him down. The man was clad in coarse and ragged clothes. "but had he got a gun?" As Usher stopped abruptly in his walk the priest added apologetically: "I've been told a bullet is not half so useful without it." said Usher grimly. there was a pretty stiff wind against which he was running." "He had no gun." "He was not. Second. if the hair had not been very short. for which (you will remember) the convict was keeping his bullet. Nor do they run all doubled up like a crouching dog. but they were something more than merely coarse and ragged. "but that was doubtless due to some very natural mischance or change of plans.
as you know." said Usher. "And it's hardly worth speculating on." "Well. "Yes. It was some two hours ago. So it looked to me. on the face of it. which is the mention of Pilgrim's Pond. or some clerk in a business he'd busted. radiantly explanatory style." His clerical friend asked faintly: "But how?" And Greywood Usher threw down the newspapers and took up the two press-cuttings again. it is not even odd. till another little discovery woke up what I have of the detective in me. of the millionaire Ireton Todd. LastTrick Todd has made himself big by his own considerable abilities. You will notice that these two cuttings have only one thing in common. I think. "for we know it's the man by this time.policy that made him change the clothes made him drop the gun. that is possible enough. Our people aren't like the English. greasy. "Last-Trick Todd counts for a great deal in this rum affair. that a jailbird should take his gun to Pilgrim's Pond." said Usher. When I had my prisoner safe. half-liquid shores in which they say our fathers used to make witches walk until they sank. "That's how the whole thing looks supposing this Rian made for Pilgrim's Pond to kill Todd. he began to repent the coat he had left behind him in the blood of his victim. Todd might easily get dropped by some man he'd never even heard of." "Anyhow. and there's no doubt that many of those on whom he has shown his abilities would like to show theirs on him with a shot-gun. who will forgive a man for being rich if he throws away money on hospitals or horses. but in this country the relations of employers and employed are considerably strained. the moonlight was more luminous. one of those that rose on stepping-stones—" "Of our dead selves to higher things." he said. Petroleum." He stretched himself once more before the fire and continued talking in his expansive. "Well. and I could see the long white streaks of it lying on the mysterious mere with its grey. the one nearest to the pool or lake after which the place is named. Last-Trick is a man of mental endowments and a high public character. "let's begin at the beginning. some labourer he'd locked out. turning to some other papers. about seven by this time. "To begin with. 62 ." assented his companion." answered the priest. I picked up my cane again and strolled down the two or three turns of country road that brought me to one of the side entrances of Todd's grounds. I know that. You also know that he is a remarkable character. the estate. It is not mysterious. there is no mystery here at all. since you are so obstinate.
and a voice of terrible distinctness was heard shouting across the dark garden to know where Lord Falconroy was. and a figure appeared black against the illuminated interior—a muffled figure bending forward. then she stood up for an instant on the terrace of turf that looks towards the slimy lake. "She retraced her steps in equal secrecy and the door closed behind her again.I'd forgotten the exact tale. there was something very strange both about the rags and the furtiveness in a person coming out of those rooms lined with gold. so dismal that they look more like huge fungoids than decent foliage. as if specially for the application of a cautious eye. Some of the others seemed to have gone to the lower windows or on to the steps. and were calling up to him that Falconroy had gone for a stroll down to the Pilgrim's Pond an hour before. It closed the door behind it. She took cautiously the curved garden path which brought her within half a hundred yards of me—. the millionaire's daughter. She was unnaturally pale. and that in a more authoritative capacity I already held all the cards in my hand. A window was thrown up in one of the upper floors. As she swung it the second time a flicker of its light fell for a moment on her own face. my attention was very sharply arrested by something much closer. I was about to climb the fence and follow. for he was missing from every room in the house. when I realized that the detective fever that had lured me into the adventure was rather undignified. but just round the corner of the house so that I could not see it. I crouched behind the fence which ran not more than two hundred yards from one wing of the great mansion. As I stood peering at this misty pool. and holding her flaming lantern above her head she deliberately swung it three times to and fro as for a signal. a face that I knew. I have heard it on many a political platform or meeting of directors. but it was all too dim and distant for one to be certain of the fact. and which was fortunately split in places. and could not be traced 63 . It seemed to be the figure of a woman. wrapped up in a ragged cloak and evidently disguised to avoid notice. it was Ireton Todd himself. and her head was bundled in her borrowed plebeian shawl. A door had opened in the dark bulk of the left wing. evidently peering out into the night. I fancied I saw the faint figure of a man moving from the house towards it. and has two queer wrinkled trees. which threw a patch of imperfect light on the dress and figure of the wearer. There was no mistaking that voice. I was just turning away when a new noise broke on the night. Besides. and still less of the details. but I am certain it was Etta Todd. but you know the place I mean. and I saw it was carrying a lantern. it lies north of Todd's house towards the wilderness.
This case.since. that our friend with the cropped hair came to kill Falconroy and not Todd. except for the one reason mentioned in the pink paper—that the lord is paying his attentions to the millionaire's daughter. Hanover Square. and it looks as if he had delivered the goods. Our crop-haired friend. There is no reason why anybody in America should want to kill an English lord newly landed. or even in her hanging on to him. If so. but risen comparatively late in life. and returned here not later than eight o'clock. but that's because you are English. you know he is a pillar of the State. then. You don't do justice to the climbing and aspiring power of our more remarkable citizens. Todd's daughter was fully eighteen when her father first made his pile. despite his illfitting clothes. Many of our most influential citizens have not only risen recently. and you fancy he had a father. as he evidently wasn't. the hand that held the lantern may not be unconnected with the hand that held the gun. You do not realize that a comparatively few years ago he may have been in a tenement or (quite likely) in a jail. "I know the notion will seem to you jarring and even comic. "I now ask you to recall that little Society paragraph which seemed to you so painfully lacking in interest. to a crossing-sweeper on ticket-of-leave." replied Greywood Usher. But. I whipped out of the way of the general search that must follow. sir. It sounds to you like saying the Archbishop of Canterbury's daughter will be married in St George's. No more handy place to shoot a man than in the curious geological surroundings of that pool." "Well. You are in error. You don't allow for our national buoyancy and uplift. so there isn't really anything impossible in her having a hanger-on in low life. and I could hear him plunging down the stairs inside. there are many reasons why people in America might want to kill Todd. and 64 . to judge by the lantern business. "as I know you don't cotton to the march of science in these matters. "and what did you do next?" "I reckon you'll be shocked. and perhaps take a little more than I'm given. You see a good-looking grey-haired man in evening-dress with a sort of authority about him. where a body thrown down would sink through thick slime to a depth practically unknown. as I have pointed out. it is most likely that he was keeping it for Lord Falconroy. will make a noise. I am given a good deal of discretion here." said the priest patiently. must be an aspiring lover. as I think she must be doing. Let us suppose. Then Todd cried 'Mighty Murder!' and shut down the window violently. Repossessing myself of my former and wiser purpose. If the convict was not keeping the shot for Todd.
and the machine simply recorded the variations of his pulse. you make me tired!" "I'm sorry. "I sat the man in the ill-fitting clothes in a comfortable chair. "nor can it tell the truth. and simply wrote words on a blackboard. I don't want to be rude.I thought it was an excellent opportunity to test that Psychometric Machine I told you about." "Why. why shouldn't he tell from your manner that the word that might hang him was coming? I should ask for more than words myself before I hanged anybody. as I'll show you. and when I wrote 'falcon' he was tremendously agitated." said the other. "that the reliable machine always has to be worked by an unreliable machine. throwing the papers about. "I only point out what seems a reasonable possibility." went on Usher positively. what do you mean?" asked the detective. "Oh. in my opinion. If you could tell by his manner when the word that might hang him had come. that he did not observe your manner? Who is to prove that you were not tremendously agitated? There was no machine tied on to your pulse. The trick is to introduce some word connected with the supposed crime in a list of words connected with something quite different." said Brown with a smile." "Well." said Father Brown. this one wasn't." "It did in this case. 65 . Who else in this republic has any reason to jump at the name of a newly-arrived Englishman like Falconroy except the man who's shot him? Isn't that better evidence than a lot of gabble from witnesses—if the evidence of a reliable machine?" "You always forget. Thus I wrote 'heron' and 'eagle' and 'owl'. but how do you know that you did it naturally? How do you know." said Usher. "the most unreliable machine I know of." Usher smote the table and rose in a sort of angry triumph. but how do you know you observed it right? You say the words have to come in a natural way." "Criminals also can be as cool as cucumbers. and I don't think you will consider Man to be an offensive or inaccurate description of yourself. if you come to that." said Father Brown. and I simply observed his manner. "I was as cool as a cucumber. that machine can't lie. Now." "No machine can lie." "I tell you. that machine just bounded. yet a list in which it occurs quite naturally. "I mean Man. and when I began to make an 'r' at the end of the word." observed his companion." cried the American in the utmost excitement. You say you observed his manner. "And almost as cool as you.
This might mean. He professed total ignorance of the crime and the whole question. His clothes were ill-fitting. "I rather want to insist. of course. Her lean finger seemed to pick him out as if it were a pea-shooter."And that. He was silent and dignified as they are. and showed nothing but a sullen impatience for something sensible that might come to take him out of his meaningless scrape. I tried the machine first just in order to test the thing in other ways afterwards and the machine. gaping with glee and hate." he cried. Though the word was a mere howl. but it reminded me more of the desperate decency of the comparatively respectable poor. as they do. twenty faces were turned. is right. He turned to me and began to say in a low voice: 'Oh. If you must know all about me—' "At the same instant one of the poor women sitting on the long bench stood up. screaming aloud and pointing at him with her finger. he seemed to have a big. under all the stains of his plunging through ploughed fields or bursting through dusty hedges. I can't stick this any more. quite in accordance with theirs. if it comes to that. I have never in my life heard anything more demoniacally distinct. There was really nothing against the man at all. if anything. every syllable was as clear as a separate stroke on the clock. and the machine was right. But I'm not quite so ignorant. If I had never heard the words. mostly thieves and streetwalkers. There was nothing against him in the world except that little finger on the dial that pointed to the change of his pulse. 'They've got Drugger Davis!' "Among the wretched women. sir. and in every sense acted as you would expect an innocent man to act. "Then." He paused a moment and resumed with less excitement. Moreover. I think he had already more or less made up his mind to clear things up by something like a confession. that he had only just broken prison. but they were rather better. Drugger Davis was one 66 . I should have known by the very shock upon his features that the so-called Oscar Rian had heard his real name. as I've said. His demeanour was. the man was comparatively clean. "'Drugger Davis!' she shouted. that so far I had very little to go on except the scientific experiment. sir. than those of the submerged class to which he evidently belonged. By the time I came with him out of the private room into the vestibule where all sorts of other people were awaiting examination. "is just what I'm going to give you. but buried. I am bound to confess. the machine was on its trial. He asked me more than once if he could telephone for a lawyer who had helped him a long time ago in a trade dispute. you may be surprised to hear. grievance.
lending money instead of borrowing it. curiously enough because he did it in the same manner as those milder—or meaner—crimes for which he was fixed pretty often. "Why should he be innocent of that crime?" "Why. Well. Very often. but still with the same bad result for them. and they were found drugged with cigarettes or chocolates and their whole property missing. and as for the convict who killed the warder. You talk as if a miser on Monday were always a spendthrift on Tuesday. "you've saved him from the electrical chair. Now what have you got to say to my poor little machine after that? Hasn't the machine done for him? Or do you prefer to say that the woman and I have done for him?" "As to what you've done for him. what was more practical still. that he turned up afterwards as the lowest kind of moneylender. "why. He didn't write on the wall with his own hand. You seem to think that all sins are kept together in a bag. since then. rising and shaking himself in a floppy way.of the most terrible and depraved criminals that ever baffled our police. well-bred-looking brute. Then came one case where the girl was found dead. but still to such poor widows as he might personally fascinate. I will tell you what he didn't do. and. but deliberation could not quite be proved." replied Father Brown. I suppose it's obvious that you haven't got him. there is your innocent man. Mr Davis is innocent of that crime. bless us all!" cried the small man in one of his rare moments of animation. to say he 67 . and a poison at the worst. Even. and he used mostly to go about with barmaids or shop-girls and do them out of their money. he went a good deal farther. If that is so. You tell me this man you have here spent weeks and months wheedling needy women out of small sums of money. though. at any rate. He didn't storm a spiked wall against a man with a loaded gun. for the sake of argument. Let it be granted—let us admit. as he still is. He was a handsome." "What do you mean?" demanded the other. to some extent. the criminal could not be found. that he used a drug at the best. I heard a rumour of his having reappeared somewhere in the opposite character this time. that he did all this. But he was never entirely fixed for it. and there is his innocent record. and cheated most poor people in the same patient and pacific style. I don't think they can kill Drugger Davis on that old vague story of the poison. It is certain he had done murder more than once long before his last exploit with the warder. because he's guilty of the other crimes! I don't know what you people are made of. four criminals and three warders have identified him and confirmed the story.
" said Usher. The mere shock to his eyes had rendered his ears.had done it. The moment before Greywood Usher had been coming to the conclusion that Father Brown might possibly be mad. He didn't explain that he had no quarrel with the poor warder. the voice of Father Brown fell soft but distinct." The amazed American had already parted his lips in protest when the door of his private and official room was hammered and rattled in an unceremonious way to which he was totally unaccustomed. Don't you try any of your hide-and-seek on me. But. Sounds paradoxical. He didn't stop to state that his justification was self-defence. "I have a suggestion to make. "but it seems a little confusing. 68 ." he said. One would think you'd never had any vices of your own. The moment after he began to think he was mad himself. I don't know this gentleman—but—but I think I know him. you don't seem to be like I am a bit." shouted the being in the red handkerchief. and I'll let up on the fancy clockwork. I reckon I'm not a man with no pull. initials in a man's blood." "I reckon the Cosmos is cracked. He didn't write his own. he had never in all his placid scientific existence heard a man like that speak to him first. The rest of his face was almost undiscoverable. Now. but he thought he had never seen such a baboon dressed as a scarecrow as this. in good and evil? Why. and fell asprawl in his round office chair. old man Usher. "I'm getting tired. above all. He didn't name the house of the rich man to which he was going with the gun. and further buried in a squalid red scarf or handkerchief. Leave go of my guests. I know. with a greasy squash hat still askew on his head. Mr Usher prided himself on having seen most of the roughest specimens in the State. Saints alive! Can't you see the whole character is different. almost useless. "See here. both of which were glaring like a tiger's. At last he rang a bell with a hand of violence. There burst and fell into his private room a man in the filthiest rags. and a shabby green shade shoved up from one of his eyes. While the bell was still strong and pealing. The door flew open. I don't get fooled any. Keep him here for a split instant and you'll feel pretty mean. you know him—you know him quite well—but you don't know him—naturally. being masked with a matted beard and whiskers through which the nose could barely thrust itself." The eminent Usher was regarding the bellowing monster with an amazement which had dried up all other sentiments.
"Now, see here," vociferated the stranger, striking the table, but speaking in a voice that was all the more mysterious because it was comparatively mild and rational though still resounding. "I won't let you in. I want—" "Who in hell are you?" yelled Usher, suddenly sitting up straight. "I think the gentleman's name is Todd," said the priest. Then he picked up the pink slip of newspaper. "I fear you don't read the Society papers properly," he said, and began to read out in a monotonous voice, "'Or locked in the jewelled bosoms of our city's gayest leaders; but there is talk of a pretty parody of the manners and customs of the other end of Society's scale.' There's been a big Slum Dinner up at Pilgrim's Pond tonight; and a man, one of the guests, disappeared. Mr Ireton Todd is a good host, and has tracked him here, without even waiting to take off his fancy-dress." "What man do you mean?" "I mean the man with comically ill-fitting clothes you saw running across the ploughed field. Hadn't you better go and investigate him? He will be rather impatient to get back to his champagne, from which he ran away in such a hurry, when the convict with the gun hove in sight." "Do you seriously mean—" began the official. "Why, look here, Mr Usher," said Father Brown quietly, "you said the machine couldn't make a mistake; and in one sense it didn't. But the other machine did; the machine that worked it. You assumed that the man in rags jumped at the name of Lord Falconroy, because he was Lord Falconroy's murderer. He jumped at the name of Lord Falconroy because he is Lord Falconroy." "Then why the blazes didn't he say so?" demanded the staring Usher. "He felt his plight and recent panic were hardly patrician," replied the priest, "so he tried to keep the name back at first. But he was just going to tell it you, when"—and Father Brown looked down at his boots—"when a woman found another name for him." "But you can't be so mad as to say," said Greywood Usher, very white, "that Lord Falconroy was Drugger Davis." The priest looked at him very earnestly, but with a baffling and undecipherable face. "I am not saying anything about it," he said. "I leave all the rest to you. Your pink paper says that the title was recently revived for him; but those papers are very unreliable. It says he was in the States in youth; but the whole story seems very strange. Davis and Falconroy are both pretty considerable cowards, but so are lots of other men. I would not hang a
dog on my own opinion about this. But I think," he went on softly and reflectively, "I think you Americans are too modest. I think you idealize the English aristocracy—even in assuming it to be so aristocratic. You see a good-looking Englishman in evening-dress; you know he's in the House of Lords; and you fancy he has a father. You don't allow for our national buoyancy and uplift. Many of our most influential noblemen have not only risen recently, but—" "Oh, stop it!" cried Greywood Usher, wringing one lean hand in impatience against a shade of irony in the other's face. "Don't stay talking to this lunatic!" cried Todd brutally. "Take me to my friend." Next morning Father Brown appeared with the same demure expression, carrying yet another piece of pink newspaper. "I'm afraid you neglect the fashionable press rather," he said, "but this cutting may interest you." Usher read the headlines, "Last-Trick's Strayed Revellers: Mirthful Incident near Pilgrim's Pond." The paragraph went on: "A laughable occurrence took place outside Wilkinson's Motor Garage last night. A policeman on duty had his attention drawn by larrikins to a man in prison dress who was stepping with considerable coolness into the steering-seat of a pretty high-toned Panhard; he was accompanied by a girl wrapped in a ragged shawl. On the police interfering, the young woman threw back the shawl, and all recognized Millionaire Todd's daughter, who had just come from the Slum Freak Dinner at the Pond, where all the choicest guests were in a similar deshabille. She and the gentleman who had donned prison uniform were going for the customary joy-ride." Under the pink slip Mr Usher found a strip of a later paper, headed, "Astounding Escape of Millionaire's Daughter with Convict. She had Arranged Freak Dinner. Now Safe in—" Mr Greenwood Usher lifted his eyes, but Father Brown was gone.
The Head of Caesar
THERE is somewhere in Brompton or Kensington an interminable avenue of tall houses, rich but largely empty, that looks like a terrace of tombs. The very steps up to the dark front doors seem as steep as the side of pyramids; one would hesitate to knock at the door, lest it should be opened by a mummy. But a yet more depressing feature in the grey facade is its telescopic length and changeless continuity. The pilgrim walking down it begins to think he will never come to a break or a corner; but there is one exception—a very small one, but hailed by the pilgrim almost with a shout. There is a sort of mews between two of the tall mansions, a mere slit like the crack of a door by comparison with the street, but just large enough to permit a pigmy ale-house or eatinghouse, still allowed by the rich to their stable-servants, to stand in the angle. There is something cheery in its very dinginess, and something free and elfin in its very insignificance. At the feet of those grey stone giants it looks like a lighted house of dwarfs. Anyone passing the place during a certain autumn evening, itself almost fairylike, might have seen a hand pull aside the red half-blind which (along with some large white lettering) half hid the interior from the street, and a face peer out not unlike a rather innocent goblin's. It was, in fact, the face of one with the harmless human name of Brown, formerly priest of Cobhole in Essex, and now working in London. His friend, Flambeau, a semi-official investigator, was sitting opposite him, making his last notes of a case he had cleared up in the neighbourhood. They were sitting at a small table, close up to the window, when the priest pulled the curtain back and looked out. He waited till a stranger in the street had passed the window, to let the curtain fall into its place again. Then his round eyes rolled to the large white lettering on the window above his head, and then strayed to the next table, at which sat only a navvy with beer and cheese, and a young girl with red hair and a glass of milk. Then (seeing his friend put away the pocket-book), he said softly: "If you've got ten minutes, I wish you'd follow that man with the false nose." Flambeau looked up in surprise; but the girl with the red hair also looked up, and with something that was stronger than astonishment. She was simply and even loosely dressed in light brown sacking stuff; but she was a lady, and even, on a second glance, a rather needlessly
"The man with the false nose!" repeated Flambeau. They never go into such places from choice." said the young lady. The young woman's eyes followed his.haughty one. Father Brown took a small book out of his pocket and began to read steadily. squeezed his huge form out of the little door of the dwarf tavern. I read it like that myself when I was woolgathering just now. if ever you freely ask my help. He went down there"—and he jerked his thumb over his shoulder in one of his undistinguished gestures—"and can't have passed three lamp-posts yet. and rested there also. "Only to arm myself with knowledge enough to help you. except—" "Well?" she repeated. "No. rising from the table.'" "Well?" inquired the staring young lady." answered Father Brown." "You are a most singular person. and then. like the thing in the Psalms. round the wrist of which ran a very slight thread of artistic pattern. but in pure puzzledom. "I want you to find out. just enough to distinguish it from a working-dress of a common woman and make it more like the working-dress of a lady art-student. he betrayed no consciousness of the fact that the red-haired lady had left her own table and sat down opposite him. I ask it as a favour." he replied. Then his dubious eye roamed again to the white lettering on the glass front of the public-house. it is a perfectly decent place—but ladies like you don't—don't generally think so. "from outside the place looks—well. answering her thoughts. madam." he said. "What is your object in all this?" "Not to trouble you about it." "But why should I need help?" 72 ." said Father Brown. He seemed to find much food for thought in this. very gently. At last she leaned over and said in a low. "You see. with an expression between perplexity and amusement. "Except an unfortunate few who don't go in to drink milk. "Who's he?" "I haven't a notion. and melted into the twilight. strong voice: "Why do you say that? How do you know it's false?" He lifted his rather heavy eyelids. it says 'Ales. "It doesn't say 'Sela'. "What does it matter what it says?" His ruminating eye roved to the girl's light canvas sleeve. I only want to know the direction." Flambeau gazed at his friend for some time. but his reply was very slow and hesitant. which fluttered in considerable embarrassment.
" "But why?" she insisted. that sort of thing. I didn't think he could. he'll be back soon. and found the public-house was the only shelter in this wilderness of stone… . "You couldn't have come in to see protegees. He looked at her steadily for the first time. who's obviously respectable… besides. The priest smiled in his turn. or you'd have spoken to the woman of the place. "I don't say it's the sort of nose one would wear out of mere foppery. "This man. and she answered almost grimly: "Well." She looked back at him for some time with a heated face." remonstrated the red-haired girl." "The wax always spots like that just a little in this weather. This street is the only original long lane that has no turning. humour broke out of her eyes and the corners of her mouth. I don't think I went beyond the licence of a stranger in glancing at the only man who passed immediately after… . humble friends. And as I thought he looked like the wrong sort… and you looked like the right sort… ." 73 . I think. then." answered Father Brown with entire simplicity. very quietly. perhaps you'll answer my question. That man. "There was a crooked man and he went a crooked mile… ." "Why. wears it because his real nose is so much nicer." said Father Brown. in which there hung a red shadow of anger. "What is the nursery-rhyme?" observed Brown absent-mindedly. that is all." "Then why did you send him out?" she cried. or you'd have gone through into the parlour… and you couldn't have come in because you were ill. "But it's such a crooked nose. and he certainly can't find out anything by stumping down a road like this… . I fancy. and a Roman nose." he admitted. leaning forward with yet warmer curiosity. what's he done?" she demanded. has gone a very crooked road—by following his nose. and said: "Because I hoped you would speak to me." After a pause she added: "I had the honour to ask you why you thought the man's nose was false. and the houses on both sides are shut up… . rather shakily. I held myself ready to help if he annoyed you. "But I think you could tell me more about that than I can tell you. I could only suppose that you'd seen somebody coming whom you didn't want to meet.He continued his dreamy monologue. She had the proud. you don't look ill in that way. "I don't want to force your confidence by a hair. As for my friend. but only unhappy… . despite her anxieties. as it did in Marie Antoinette. impetuous face that goes with reddish colouring. if you're so keen on my conversation.
might well complain of this." said the priest in a low voice." she said desperately. "You are more of a mystery than all the others. He took no pleasures." said the red-haired girl doggedly. then her hands loosened slowly. as the highest honour he could offer. actually with a yet smaller allowance. He was prouder of his Collection than of his coat-ofarms—nobody could say more than that. His extraordinary character came out most in his will. my name is Christabel Carstairs. He mixed up these Roman halfpence with the honour of the Carstairs family in the same stiff. and my father was that Colonel Carstairs you've probably heard of. and she sat down again. and that I don't know. "except why I am telling you. but with clenched hands. and I am sure he meant it in contempt. you'll understand it is a necessary part of the story. idolatrous way as his father before him. he lived for the Collection. he spent nothing on himself.The girl sprang to her feet and stood quite quietly. but Arthur is my father over again." "What we all dread most. and sent him to Australia on a small allowance." "I will tell you everything. Often he would not trouble to dress for his simple meals. Well. With its rope and tassel and his pale. in acknowledgement of Arthur's loyalty and rectitude and the distinctions he had already gained in mathematics and economics at Cambridge. the nearest I can say is that he was very like a Roman coin himself. who made the famous Carstairs Collection of Roman coins. but pattered about among the corded brown-paper parcels (which no one else was allowed to touch) in an old brown dressing-gown. my brother Giles. noblesse oblige and all that. He acted as if Roman money must be guarded by all the Roman virtues. "is a maze with no centre. and when I say that ours is a good old family. He meant it as a reward. thin. He then made a will leaving the Carstairs Collection. He quarrelled with one son." She picked at the darned table-cloth and went on: "You look as if you knew what isn't snobbery as well as what is. refined face. That is why atheism is only a nightmare. I could never describe my father to you. "but I feel there might be a heart in your mystery. Though he had some differences with my father in early youth. He left me practically all his pretty large fortune. no sooner had he taken over the Collection than he became like a pagan priest dedicated to a temple. to my brother Arthur. you may say. though. He had two sons and one daughter. He was as handsome and as genuine and as valuable and as metallic and as out-of-date. he would appear dressed like a decidedly fashionable 74 . my chief danger is in my brother's high-and-dry notions. Every now and then. it made him look like an old ascetic monk. indeed. "Arthur. like one about to stride away.
and Philip wishing he had it. if you've known any young people. one or two at a time. you won't be shocked if I say that I got into rather a low frame of mind with all this. His name does not affect my tale. and I think the atmosphere of coins might count in excuse for him. it's not for his sake. combined with the exact curve of the Roman nose and something in the very lift of the long. watching Arthur handle some packets of coins he had just purchased and slowly shunt them. and said and thought we were in love with each other. and the colour. I'm not like my brother Arthur. but that was only when he went up to the London sales or shops to make an addition to the Carstairs Collection. Poor Giles was the same. I can't help enjoying enjoyment. as you shall hear. I made a bolt for my shrimping-net and tam-o'-shanter and was just going to slip out. Then I suddenly remembered Giles telling Philip of a coin that was like him. I was waiting rather impatiently in the front drawing-room. but for the story. It was a bronze coin. foolish thoughts with which my head 75 . and don't know whether I despise it now as a flirtation or bear it as a broken heart. and a retired sea-captain living a few doors off had a son about five years older than myself. We used to go shrimping together. because I am telling you everything. We lived then at a little seaside watering-place in South Wales. wiry neck. If I tell you he had bronzed curly hair and a falconish sort of face. Perhaps you can fancy the wild. but I tell you it was Philip Hawker. But I am so rattled with more dreadful things that I can hardly read my own feeling.gentleman. As soon as I heard the heavy door close on him finally. But he didn't behave any worse than I did. who had been a friend of Giles before he went to the Colonies. "Now. bronzed by the sea also. from the other side of the family. into his own dark study and museum which was at the back of the house. "I come now to the silly part of the story. I got a lot of romance and rubbish where I got my red hair. and I certainly thought I was. I think a man as clever as you can guess the sort of thing that would begin to relieve the monotony for an unruly girl of seventeen placed in such a position. though he really did wrong and nearly went to prison. at least he certainly said he was. for it was the cause of a very curious coincidence. I assure you. made the head of Caesar on it the almost precise portrait of Philip Hawker. the frame of mind in which one begins to say that the Ancient Romans were all very well in their way. "One summer afternoon. when I saw that my brother had left behind him one coin that lay gleaming on the long bench by the window. when I had promised to go shrimping along the sands with Philip.
it would be a bond between us for ever. the enormous. There was a great red sunset. above all. and a yellow head of some broom or gorse in the garden rapped against the glass of the window. or the sunset. I felt all the Roman Empire on my back as well as the Carstairs pedigree. and I gave him the head of Caesar. he might have been looking at a ship. which was well away from the dry land. We were quite alone in a circle of sea-water and wet sand. Nature and the Carstairs Collection had come to grips at last. I felt a thousand such things at once. with his head a little on one side. wet sands. like the pit. It seemed to me that if I could only run away with this. I must have felt immediately after that it was a mere leap of unreasonable nerves. some hundred yards out to sea. for the man was only a dark dot in the distance. the very thought of such fanatical cruelty heightened my old hatred of his dingy old antiquarian fussiness and my longing for the youth and liberty that called to me from the sea. until I came over the loose. "Nature is older than the Carstairs Collection. Outside was strong sunlight with a wind.went round. as I gazed. for. And yet my heart rose higher and higher like a child's kite. I thought of that living and growing gold calling to me from all the heaths of the world—and then of that dead. whatever my start sprang from was prophetic. It was not till I had torn off my shoes and stockings and waded to where he stood. hardly rising over the ankle for half a mile. which was like touching hot iron. "At the very instant I had a shock of fancy: that a man far away on the sand-hills was looking at me intently. As I ran down the streets to the sea. where Philip stood already up to his ankles in the shallow shining water. and a thief of the Carstairs treasure! I believe my brother could see me burned like a witch for such a thing. the coin clenched tight in my fist. Then there yawned under me. A Carstairs a thief. It was not only the old lion argent that was roaring in my ear. But then. There was no earthly logical evidence that he was looking at me. and the long stretch of low water. but all the eagles of the Caesars seemed flapping and screaming in pursuit of me. or the sea-gulls. Nevertheless. dry sand-hills and to the flat. the unbearable thought. and I could only just see that he was standing quite still and gazing. dull gold and bronze and brass of my brother's growing dustier and dustier as life went by. or at any of the people who still strayed here and there on the shore between us. that I turned and looked round. I felt as if I had had a gift from the fairies. of what Arthur would think of it. and give it to Philip like a wild sort of wedding-ring. awful notion of what I was doing. he started 76 . was like a lake of ruby flame.
walking briskly in a bee-line towards us across the wide wet sands. but he looked rather hairy. was just slightly turned sideways at the tip. Then he said. because the beard began very high up in his face. I don't know why a touch on the nose should affect my imagination so much. "I can't tell you the sense of monstrosity and miracle I had when he thus silently burst the barrier between land and water. yet this gave a pink-and-white wax look which somehow (I don't know why) rather increased the horror. but he seemed to be a demon disregarding a law of Nature. nor were the eyes behind them shifty. If he had hesitated an instant at the water's edge it would have been nothing. as if. and came on at me with the steadiness of a travelling bullet. just under the cheekbones. which was otherwise of a good shape. As he drew nearer and nearer I saw that he was dark and bearded. His complexion was neither sallow nor livid. The only oddity one could fix was that his nose. The stranger came on till he stood within two yards of me. yet I cannot tell you what a living nightmare it was to me. It was as if a house had flown up into the sky or a man's head had fallen off.' 77 . Philip was some yards away with his back to me. As it was. priggish accent. "'Any little assistance. His dark beard was not really long or wild—. when it was soft. In spite of these he walked straight into the sea without a flash of hesitation. 'that may obviate the necessity of my communicating with the family. And as if he had just that moment moved it. It was as if he had walked straight off a cliff and still marched steadily in mid-air.' he continued with the same queer. and that his eyes were marked with dark spectacles. The thing was hardly a deformity. bending over his net. with a clearly modulated and rather mincing articulation: 'Would it discommode you to contribute elsewhere a coin with a somewhat different superscription?' "With one exception there was nothing definably abnormal about him. from the old black top hat on his head to the solid black boots on his feet. it had been tapped on one side with a toy hammer. I think it seemed as if he could move his nose like a finger. His tinted glasses were not really opaque. but on the contrary rather clear and youthful. he seemed to look so much at me alone as not to notice the ocean. but regarded me steadily. As he stood there in the sunset-stained water he affected me as some hellish sea-monster just risen roaring out of a sea like blood. He was dressed poorly but respectably in black. the water washing half-way up to his knees. but of a blue kind common enough. He was only wetting his boots.
But my persecutor walked as daintily as he talked. "This stroke comforted me somehow. as if sulky or ashamed. "'Philip. they could not 'X-ray' the coin in my closed hand. all things considered. he parted with me at his own gate. but it may have been only the exertion of stooping and the red evening light. He stepped on to a stone breakwater that ran out from among the roots of the sand-hills. green and slippery with seaweed.' And as the man hovered and opened his mouth. when we had crested the sand-hills. and if I had. I had not. but Philip showed none of his usual elation at his own prowess. How could he have found out? I had stolen the thing suddenly and on impulse.' I cried helplessly. been followed in the street. picking his way and picking his phrases. though it might well increase my peril. He merely said gruffly to the man: 'You clear out of this. I was certainly alone. until at last. and all my merely superstitious fears and doubts were swallowed up in one overpowering. set off wading shoreward without paying further attention to him.' "When Philip lifted his head at last from mending his net he looked rather red. The man standing on the sand-hills could no more have seen what I gave Philip than shoot a fly in one eye. Philip struck him a buffet on it that sent him flying from the top of the tallest sand-hill to the bottom. Though as affectionate as ever. than we. like the man in the fairy-tale. 'Go back. I may have only had another of the morbid fancies that seemed to be dancing about me."Then it rushed over me that I was being blackmailed for the theft of the bronze piece. he still seemed cast down. 'ask this man what he wants. Philip's patience (which was by no means so conspicuous on most occasions) seemed to snap. for I always made sure of being unobserved when I slipped out to see Philip in this way. I ought to put the coin back in the Collection. and so struck homeward. Father Brown presented him to the 78 . I saw him crawling out below. covered with sand.' And. I heard his delicate. and before I could ask him anything fully. practical question. and he still followed me. to all appearance. He turned suddenly. I can't talk to you now. saying. who were young and used to it. He said that. detestable voice appealing to me over my shoulder. but that he himself would keep it 'for the present'. perhaps thinking our incubus would find it less easy to walk on such rough stones. with two remarks that struck me as strange. And then he added quite suddenly and irrelevantly: 'You know Giles is back from Australia?'" The door of the tavern opened and the gigantic shadow of the investigator Flambeau fell across the table. motioning me to follow.
lady in his own slight. handed the priest a small slip of paper. This renewed timidity on his part was so different from the impudence with which he had walked into the sea. Anyhow. He turned a corner some six houses down. I sat at the drawing-room window looking on to the garden. "Yet almost the instant he saw me move in the window he turned and ran out of the garden by the back gate. Arthur. he still stood in warm sunlight. and tried to think it out. would not hear or answer a bell. 379. but had that waxen bloom still upon it that belongs to a barber's dummy. "I went up the steep street to my own house with my head in a whirl. Putney. and I can't tell you how horrid he looked among the tulips and all those tall. In desperation I thrust two shillings into the horrid thing's hand. Because. But Flambeau. which stood open and by which he had undoubtedly entered. And because his face was not pale. and had a 79 . made myself some tea. whose help must be my ruin. He went off sulking. He stood quite still. we've all read a lot about pale-faced phantoms in the dark. the girl was soon reiterating her story to two listeners. for. perhaps. So I took the shock the more sharply because I'd seen it so slowly. but more sheepishly than I had expected—perhaps he had been shaken by his fall—and I watched the star of sand splashed on his back receding down the road with a horrid vindictive pleasure. browsing about in his brown dressing-gown in a brown study. on which I found a milk-can—and the man with the twisted nose. that he feared confronting Arthur more than I knew. mentioning his knowledge and sympathy in such cases. as he bowed and sat down. it had not begun to clear when I came to the doorstep. when I had thought it out. of course." The girl was going on with her story. which still glowed with the last full evening light. gaudy. persuasive style of speech. except my brother. and told him to call again in a few days. Brown accepted it with some surprise and read on it: "Cab to Wagga Wagga. though he cast a long evening shadow. I fancied. Oh. But I was too distracted and dreamy to look at the lawns and flower-pots and flower-beds with any concentration. almost hothouse-looking flowers. "Then I let myself in. I settled down at last. with his face towards me. "The man or monster I'd sent away was standing quite still in the middle of the garden. The milk-can told me the servants were all out. Mafeking Avenue. that I felt vaguely comforted. It looked as if we'd stuck up a waxwork instead of a statue in the centre of our garden. and almost without knowing. Thus there was no one to help me in the house. but this was more dreadful than anything of that kind could ever be.
but that doesn't matter. I dare say I had no right to touch. Anyhow. I could swear I saw a second black window with something on it that was like a snail. It seemed to me that something like a snail was on the outside of the window-pane. but rather pleasantly than otherwise. "My brother's chair was empty. any more than it was a snail. And yet I was saved that very night by a pure accident. with hateful. But the man with the crooked nose was sitting waiting for his return.quiet dinner alone (for it was against the rules to disturb Arthur when he was rearranging the museum). I slammed the shutters together somehow. my thoughts. I went down. After ten minutes' curious thinking. as he so often did. He went off at last. and the staring face and eyes behind it were at first invisible and afterwards grey like a ghost. "I think I screamed loud and long. My brother might cast me out and curse me for ever. crushed against the glass. feeling ruined in every sense. and returned. late but radiant. It was the tip of a crooked nose. If the thing was crawling close all around the house like a cat. rushed up to my room and locked myself in. I suppose. but he was a gentleman. But. as if it had just turned from left to right like an elephant's proboscis. His face was composed and occupied. But when I stared harder. but I think his unconsciousness of my presence was more frightful still. for bargains. though it was mine. it looked white with the pressure. I was looking blankly. uncurtained. but his nose-tip still had the air of being the most mobile part of his face. I rushed at the window and then recoiled with a strangled scream that any man but Arthur must have heard. having nearly secured a treasure that was an added splendour even to the family 80 . it was more like a man's thumb pressed on the pane. and he was obviously out. it might have purposes worse even than blackmail. and actually reading one of my brother's books under my brother's lamp. "For it was not a thumb. at another window. but by this time black as a slate with the final night-fall. What I did next does matter: I gave him all the money I had. With my fear and courage re-awakened together. it had that curled look that a thumb has. and would defend me on the spot. "It might be best to go to Arthur after all. Arthur had gone off suddenly to London. I had thought him poisonous enough while he was pursuing and watching me. including a good deal in paper which. tactful regrets all in long words. a little released. knocked on the door and then went in: to see the last and worst sight. and I sat down. fled to Philip and lost themselves. and. with his hat still insolently on his head. even as I passed.
" said Flambeau." she said. how it can have happened. in order to make some sort of secondary life for myself. it ought to have happened. "I'll be there". when I saw the abomination of desolation walking alive down the long straight street and the rest is as this gentleman has said. to be near the curio-shop in question." remarked Father Brown rather gloomily. I don't deserve to be helped. "Yes. too. and almost instantly left the place. and he would be the blacker villain. it is just. and." admitted Flambeau. he insisted on my packing at once and going up with him to lodgings he had already taken in Fulham. That night the detective and the priest were still talking of the matter as they drew near the Fulham house. "would think first of this Australian brother who's been in trouble before. with bursting brains. unless… " "Well?" asked his companion patiently. with respect. I paid for a few lessons at the Art Schools. "this Hawker hears his love insulted. But I can't see how on earth he could know that Hawker had got it. who's come back so suddenly and who's just the man to have shabby confederates. on reflection. and then rose and put her gloves on. but doesn't strike till he's got to the soft 81 . "Have you noted another thing?" went on Flambeau eagerly. Thus in spite of myself. Because the bargain might still misfire any moment. will you be at home if we call at your Fulham place in an hour and a half hence?" The girl looked at him. and I don't question or complain of my punishment. I was coming back from them this evening. "Not so extraordinary as the answer. My brother was often at the South Kensington Museum. But I still question. Am I punished by miracle? or how can anyone but Philip and myself know I gave him a tiny coin in the middle of the sea?" "It is an extraordinary problem. "Unless the girl's lover comes in. But I can't see how he can come into the thing by any process of thought. "Of course the superficial.Collection. "I've got only one thing to say. but he bore down all other topics with his over-powering projects. Flambeau lowered his voice. a tenement strangely mean even for a temporary residence of the Carstairs family. unless Hawker signalled to him or his representative across the shore." "That is true. "Miss Carstairs. He was so resplendent that I was almost emboldened to confess the abstraction of the lesser gem—. I fled from my foe almost in the dead of night—but from Philip also… ." assented the priest. The Australian chap did know that Hawker wanted the coin.
"don't you think it's the best thing she can do to stop outside—with you to look after her? You see." cried his friend. Flambeau let himself and his friend into the empty house and passed into the outer parlour. It was empty of all occupants but one. and then wrote him blackmailing letters in another hand." observed Brown confidently. obviously. here we are. 82 . "I guessed on the sands and now I know." said the young man. where he can be victor in a mere sham-fight. Only two are needed as agents. nodding." And he handed it to the man with the nose. my friend. "Miss Carstairs. but at least three people for blackmail" "Why?" asked the priest softly. Flambeau's eyes rolled." said Father Brown politely. the priest said: "You miss a logical step. "wouldn't go in till you came. in an undertone. It lies between few people. and one at least whom exposure would horrify.sand-hills. Three persons are needed as ideas." said Father Brown. I rather guess you have guessed it all yourself." "Well." "What can you mean?" asked the other. "And now." "My God!" cried Flambeau." said Hawker without ceremony. that was why I let him fall soft." asked Brown. one to threaten exposure. "Why shouldn't a blackmailer. "there must be one to be exposed. unchanged. "threaten his victim with himself? Suppose a wife became a rigid teetotaller in order to frighten her husband into concealing his pub-frequenting. in a low voice. "you don't mean—" An active figure ran down the steps of the house and showed under the golden lamplight the unmistakable head that resembled the Roman coin. You want one person for suicide. take it from the start." Taking a latchkey from the girl and the coin from Hawker. but at least three. following him in a good disguise." "That is true again. threatened the boy with his own sham paternal strictness! Suppose—but. save that he had taken off his black coat and was wearing a brown dressing-gown. he might have hurt his ally. "Well." "Yes. threatening to tell his wife! Why shouldn't it work? Suppose a father forbade a son to gamble and then." After a long ruminant pause. The man whom Father Brown had seen pass the tavern was standing against the wall as if at bay. If he'd struck amid rocks and sea. two people for murder. "Is this man a coin-collector?" he asked. "We have come. "to give back this coin to its owner.
"and he is a coin-collector of a somewhat singular kind. Mere figure and gait. But it was too late. they are probably getting on very well. "This. are more likely to remind us of somebody than a well-made-up face quite close. He blackmailed his brother from Australia for his little forgotten crime (that is why he took the cab to Wagga Wagga in Putney). "Stop him!" shouted Father Brown. but very modern English coins. and grew fonder of the real money denied him. for I… but we must go and see how the poor young people are getting on. and." The man changed colour so horribly that the crooked nose stood out on his face like a separate and comic thing. in the same strange. "and so this great numismatist and coin-collector was nothing but a vulgar miser. nevertheless. by the way. In dead silence Flambeau strode across and telephoned for doctor and police." he said." he said. He not only sold the Collection bit by bit. indulgent tone. He hated the Roman money he had." growled the detective. however distant. "You shall see. Across the table the body of the man in the brown dressing-gown lay amid his burst and gaping brown-paper parcels." "I think. The priest held up the bronze head of Caesar. bounding and half falling over a chair. "was all that was left of the Carstairs Collection. out of which poured and rolled. "What is there wrong about a miser that is not often as wrong about a collector? What is wrong. "that I have not lost all the family qualities. And that. but sank bit by bit to the basest ways of making money—even to blackmailing his own family in a disguise."This man is Mr Arthur Carstairs." said Flambeau. and you see he did resent it a little. with more than common gentleness: "It was a cruel will his wicked father made. He spoke. not Roman." 83 . except… thou shalt not make to thyself any graven image. slamming the door." And he turned suddenly and strode into an inner room." There was another silence. Flambeau had the door open. "that in spite of everything. "Well. thou shalt not bow down to them nor serve them. with a sort of despairing dignity." "Is there so great a difference?" asked Father Brown. An empty medicine bottle lay on the floor. after a wrench or two. then." said the priest positively." After a silence he went on. he blackmailed his sister for the theft he alone could have noticed. is why she had that supernatural guess when he was away on the sand-dunes.
opening letters and marking proofs to the merry tune of a typewriter. his mouth firm and his tones final. and as for you. the Devil's Ear of Eyre? The head of the family. who was a senile soap-boiler with three ineradicable mistakes in his mind. as for many journalists in authority. sat at his desk. and the quite mysterious terror which forced the King to pardon the murderers. A letter from one of these lay immediately before him. or as the old women call it down here. Nor indeed was the expression altogether misleading.The Purple Wig MR EDWARD NUTT. and the very able staff he had collected to run the paper. and a blue pencil. fair man. He was a stoutish. ran down it with a blue eye. he ripped open the letter from his more distinguished contributor. Of course I don't believe in the old legend about James I." and the word "Jew" to the word "Alien. fear of libel actions. is the Duke of Exmoor. It might truly be said of him. His life was a series of distracted compromises between the proprietor of the paper (and of him). There was a lot of alleged witchcraft mixed up with it. you know. was about the blackest business in English history—the poisoning of Overbury by that witch's cat Frances Howard. which bore a postmark of Devonshire. his movements were resolute. in his shirt-sleeves. not even in journalism. but his round. worked by a vigorous young lady. Then. The legend. some of whom were brilliant and experienced men and (what was even worse) sincere enthusiasts for the political policy of the paper. with a more thoughtful eye. fear of misprints. you don't believe in anything. He took up a strip of proof instead. altered the word "adultery" to the word "impropriety. fear of lost advertisements. and read as follows: DEAR NUTT. he is one of the few really stiff old Tory aristocrats left. he seemed almost to hesitate before opening it. what about an article on that rum business of the Eyres of Exmoor. fear of the sack. you'll probably remember." rang a bell and sent it flying upstairs.—As I see you're working Spooks and Dooks at the same time. rather babyish blue eyes had a bewildered and even wistful look that rather contradicted all this. and rapid and resolute as he was. and the story goes that a man-servant listening at the keyhole heard the truth 84 . the industrious editor of the Daily Reformer. that his most familiar emotion was one of continuous fear. And I think I'm on the track of a story that will make trouble. a sound old crusted tyrant it is quite in our line to make trouble about.
Then he took up another strip of proof and a blue pencil. either a symbol or a delusion or disease or something. take down a letter to Mr Finn. I fancy. Most men rather admire the nobs for having a good time. I dare say. NUTT." DEAR FINN. then he called out in a strong. and if you did. loud and entirely lifeless voice. and despair in the high places of the earth. the elf-shaped ear is still recurrent in the family. By the end of the week I think I can get you the truth about it. copy should reach us second post Saturday. This elaborate epistle he articulated as if it were all one word. And though he had to be loaded with lands and gold and made an ancestor of dukes. it was in excellent English.—I think it would do. had given to somebody else the task of breaking it up into sub- 85 . as usual. something quite natural. E.—Yours ever. but the editor. If a miracle happened in your office. Though written violently. And the Ear is in it somehow. Well. how inhuman. healthful activities did Mr Nutt disport himself. Mr Nutt reflected a moment. But that is not the point The point is that there really is something queer about Exmoor and his family. but I think we surrender too much when we admit that aristocracy has made even the aristocrats happy. The reason I point it out to you is this: It seems to me that we make a mistake in attacking aristocracy entirely for its champagne and diamonds. dictating to the same typist. now so many bishops are agnostics. and the expression "shoot down" to the expression "repress". how downright diabolist. I suggest a series of articles pointing out how dreary. FRANCIS FINN. and using the same blue pencil on the first instalment of Mr Finn's revelations. and the bodily ear with which he heard grew large and monstrous as by magic.in a talk between the King and Carr. and Miss Barlow rattled it down as if it were all one word. In such happy. but quite abnormal. Another tradition says that Cavaliers just after James I began to wear their hair long only to cover the ear of the first Lord Exmoor.—Yours. so awful was the secret. you couldn't use it for copy. in which every syllable sounded alike: "Miss Barlow. but you couldn't begin with a better one than the Ear of the Eyres. until the ensuing Saturday found him at the same desk. The opening was a sound piece of slashing invective about the evil secrets of princes. please. and altered the word "supernatural" to the word "marvellous". you'd have to hush it up. This also is no doubt fanciful. staring at his left boot. There are plenty of instances. you don't believe in black magic. is the very smell and atmosphere of some of these great houses.
Now that I know them all better. I was walking along a public path that threads through a private Devonshire orchard and seems to point towards Devonshire cider. He will use the real names of the parties. brown-haired head and a round snub nose. who might have lived a hundred years ago. Then followed the legend of the Ear. facing me. and "The Eerie Ear". except the antique cut of his white clerical necktie and the barred wrinkles across his brow.headings. more strictly. the sensational proclamations—they will come at the end. step by step. of a stricter cut. thatched all over with the thatch that looks like brown and grey hair grown before history. I know that journalism largely consists in saying "Lord Jones Dead" to people who never knew that Lord Jones was alive. And at this table sat three gentlemen. but also clad in clerical black. was as commonplace a person as could be seen anywhere. and then the substance of his later discoveries. I could not exactly say what it was that gave me the sense of antiquity. with a round. there is no difficulty about disentangling the impressions. both because he was bigger in all three dimensions. fat man dressed completely in black. He proposes to tell his story as it occurred. to say truth. The dominant figure. was a tall. and so on through a hundred happy changes. amplified from Finn's first letter. before teetotallers and brewers between them destroyed freedom. with a rubicund. as follows: I know it is the practice of journalists to put the end of the story at the beginning and call it a headline. when I came suddenly upon just such a place as the path suggested. like many other journalistic customs. consisting really of a cottage and two barns. and under the sign was one of those long rustic tables that used to stand outside most of the free English inns. It was a long. but just then they looked like three very solid ghosts. which were of a spicier sort. 86 . who in most cases are ready to confirm his testimony. It was only when I saw his broad curved hat lying on the table beside him that I realized why I connected him with anything ancient. and that the Daily Reformer has to set a better example in such things. Looking at him again. As for the headlines. even apoplectic visage. is bad journalism. but a rather bald and rather bothered brow. who. But outside the door was a sign which called it the Blue Dragon. as "Peeress and Poisons". It was even less easy to fix the impression in the case of the man at the right end of the table. low inn. He was a Roman Catholic priest. Your present correspondent thinks that this. "The Eyres in their Eyrie". and because he sat centrally in the length of the table.
the old gentleman in the tight pantaloons. surprised me with a yet wider culture. But. the old-world errand on which I had come. The unobtrusive yet unusual colour was all the more notable because his hair was almost unnaturally healthy and curling. The big man in black seemed very learned. and could not venture to do so at all abruptly. genteel lips rather primly than otherwise. old-fashioned wine-glasses. thin glass. to stop him. I did not need to summon much of my impudence to sit down at the long table and order some cider. the small man in black. seemed rather distant and haughty. and so on. especially about local antiquities. had really more to do with it than the rest. but he evidently held the old gentleman in considerable respect. he proceeded to tell me some of the most horrible stories I have ever heard in my life: how one of the Eyres in the former ages had hanged his own father. one or two lemons and two churchwarden pipes. and puffing at intervals at his long churchwarden pipe. Being a hardened reporter. but the third man. sallow. I could see that the big man opposite me was trying. And all this red roll of impieties came from his thin. Some of the tales. aquiline face which seemed somehow all the more saturnine because his lantern jaws were imprisoned in his collar and neckcloth more in the style of the old stock. after all analysis. His lank limbs were clad. are not fit for public print—. at the other end of the table. and another had set fire to a church full of children. as he sat sipping the wine out of his tall. indeed. in very tight grey sleeves and pantaloons. I incline to think that what gave me my first old-fashioned impression was simply a set of tall. he had a long. though he was both slighter in physical presence and more inconsiderate in his dress. though he talked much less. or the thing that was done in the quarry. perhaps. So we got on very well together. And the little priest at the other end of the-table. and another had his wife scourged at the cart tail through the village. the abominable story of the Spotted Dog. and it being apparently a public inn. and his hair (which ought to have been dark brown) was of an odd dim. I thought the subject seemed to embarrass the other two a little. And also. russet colour which. looked rather purple than red. if anything. I might also say clutched. until I slid into the subject of the Duke of Exmoor and his ancestry. but it broke the spell of the third man's silence most successfully. such as the story of the Scarlet Nuns. in conjunction with his yellow face.Perhaps the third man. and he wore it full. Speaking with restraint and with the accent of a highly educated gentleman. though free from any such air of 87 .
" I said to the other two. looked steadily at the table. then he deliberately broke his long pipe and glass on the table and stood up. "You don't mean that fable about the fantastic ear?" I demanded. "That is the Duke of Exmoor. and there was another silence. My name is Brown. The curse of the Eyres of old has lain heavy on this country. They know there are none who have suffered from it as I have. with some irrelevance. "These gentlemen. "if that is the Duke. he did not at first seem to take it in. and strode away among the green twilight of the twinkling apple-trees." "But. he added equally quietly. "That is an extraordinary old gentleman. "but it is not outside ordinary science or natural law for a family to have some deformity frequently reappearing—such as one ear bigger than the other. his lips still prim. Then he said at last. the Duke's librarian." answered the priest called Brown. and seemed to listen to the recital with great pain—as well as he might. "to be very fond of the Exmoor pedigree. "that they have left a curse on him. still looking at the table." Then he added." He looked at me a moment. "Don't you know who he is?" I reaffirmed my ignorance. "will tell you whether I have cause to like it." 88 . "That's why he wears a wig.embarrassment." Then. before I could collect my scattered senses." answered the little man thoughtfully. the very picture of a perfect gentleman with the framing temper of a fiend." And with that he crushed a piece of the fallen glass under his heel. but with an air of regularizing things: "My friend here is Doctor Mull. "I've heard of it. then the little priest said. They used to crop criminals' ears in the sixteenth century. but whitening and tightening. I've sometimes thought it was a wild version of one of those mutilation stories." "I hardly think it was that." I said to the narrator. "do you happen to know what the Exmoor family has done to him? Who is he?" The big man in black was staring at me with the wild air of a baffled bull. "You don't seem." he said. of course. why does he damn all the old dukes like that?" "He seems really to believe." It was a few moments before his meaning dawned on me. but surely it must be a superstitious yarn spun out of something much simpler. and many have suffered from it." I stammered.
He has been a tyrant to me as to everybody else. where a stronger man than any of us tried to defy the secret. because it's really more defending the poor Duke than giving him away. hide under that purple wig something he thinks it would blast the sons of man to see. He does. "and yet that is just what I mean by saying you are unjust to him after all." replied Dr Mull quite simply. he was strongly moved and. like a man trying to think out his duty. He lets the whole world do everything for him—except dress him. Understand.The big librarian had buried his big bald brow in his big red hands. and whom he seemed to trust implicitly." The librarian turned to him and seemed to forget my presence. like a criminal mutilation. I know it is so. who had been his patron and instructor. I know it is worse than that. Up to a certain point it was a common enough tale of the decline of a great family's fortunes—the tale of a family lawyer. and I know it is not a mere natural disfigurement. He would fetch a man a mile to ring a bell a yard off—if it would summon another man three miles to fetch a matchbox three yards off. "He seems a pleasant old party. Gentlemen. because a man told me who was present at a scene that no man could invent. he took advantage of the Duke's carelessness 89 . and was scared away from it. but Mull went on in oblivion of me. the Duke does really feel the bitterness about the curse that he uttered just now. His lawyer. had the sense to cheat honestly. Anybody is kicked out of the house without a character who is so much as found near his dressing-room door. I think. or a hereditary disproportion in the features. "but you are right. a little heated with wine. however. And that he insists on doing in a literal solitude like a desert. Don't fancy because you see him sitting here that he isn't a great lord in the worst sense of the word." cut in the priest. or even keep faith with him. "for the valet would want to brush his wig. and the librarian proceeded to tell the tale as he had heard it from his predecessor in the same post. Didn't you ever hear of the time when he very nearly lost all the estates?" The priest shook his head. "I don't mind telling you. "No. speaking out of the cavern of his hands. too. if the expression explains itself. Instead of using funds he held in trust. a body servant to hold up his opera-glasses—" "But not a valet to brush his clothes." I opened my mouth to speak. Father." I remarked. "I don't know how you know it. Father Brown." he said." he groaned. He must have a footman to carry his walking-stick. I've no reason to defend him. "No. with sincere shame and terror. with a curious dryness. "You do the man a wrong after all.
and then a moneylender: but as solicitor to the Eyres he had the sense. and if you take it I shall take off my wig… . in dead silence. and the lawyer's eyes altered. and since then Exmoor has been feared more for a warlock than even for a landlord and a magistrate. though certainly not more than thirty. "for now I can take the whole estate. "but you will not take it… . in which it might be necessary for the Duke to let him hold them in reality. proposed to the great landlord that they should halve the estates between them. and struck back as such men do strike. by one Green against the Duke of Exmoor. but the Duke always called him Elisha." Well. and with a passion I think at least partisan. but his eyes still blazed. simply ran from the room and never reappeared in the countryside. Why not? Why? because it would mean the crack of doom for me. who came to him one night to have a three-cornered cut on his forehead plastered. He had risen very rapidly. to keep technically straight until he was ready to deal the final blow. and at least begun. but from very dirty beginnings. you pitiful plucked fowl. I learned from an old apothecary in the village that there was a bald man in evening dress. The law will give it to me. The blow fell at dinner. I think it due to Dr Mull to record that my two first inquiries have confirmed his story. with a steady smile.to put the family in a financial hole." he said. The sequel certainly could not be overlooked. Now Dr Mull told his story with rather wild theatrical gestures. Why. I was quite conscious of the possibility that the whole was the extravagance of an old braggart and gossip. giving the name of Green. was white as ashes. "The law will give it you. But before I end this half of my discoveries. presumably in reference to the fact that he was quite bald. smashed a decanter on the man's bald head as suddenly as I had seen him smash the glass that day in the orchard. you may say what you like and make it mean what you like. 90 ." Exmoor. but not his smile. as I say. it seems. being first a "nark" or informer. He rose tottering to his feet. and the old librarian said he should never forget the very look of the lampshades and the decanters. It left a red triangular scar on the scalp." he said. But no man shall see mine and live. But Mull swears it is the solemn fact that the lawyer. And I learnt from the legal records and old newspapers that there was a lawsuit threatened. for the Duke. as the little lawyer. after shaking his knotted fists in the air for an instant. anyone can see your bare head. The lawyer's name was Isaac Green. "I am glad of that.
It looks more like a sunset-cloud coming through the wood. E. Why doesn't he conceal the family curse better." went on the priest." "I don't think I understand.Mr Nutt. perhaps anxious about the storm in which his mysterious master had vanished: anyway. I venture to say. monotonous voice: "Take down a letter to Mr Finn. I owe it all to the small priest Brown." DEAR FINN." I answered. A day or two afterward found the active and judicious editor examining. The big librarian had left the table. and will give a much more practical shock to the public. wrote some highly incongruous words across the top of the copy. a Spiritualist. I've altered him to Mr Brown. and certainly all over America and the Colonies. why doesn't he make it look like hair? There never was hair of that colour in this world. Yours. of the Daily Reformer. "There's one thing I don't like about the Duke's wig—the colour. with a cheerful simplicity which somehow seemed rather flippant under the circumstances. "I dare say he's got good reason to cover his ears. perhaps ashamed of his long tongue. but I have had to headline it a bit. he betook himself heavily in the Duke's tracks through the trees. I freely confess it is quite different from anything I expected to discover. and called to Miss Barlow in the same loud. 91 . that the words I now write will be read all over Europe. and our public would never stand a Romanist priest in the story—you must keep your eye on the suburbs. the second instalment of Mr Finn's tale of mysteries in high life. It began with the words: I have made an astounding discovery. Father Brown had picked up one of the lemons and was eyeing it with an odd pleasure. But if he wants to use hair. NUTT.—Your copy will do. like King Midas. And yet I heard all I have to tell before I left this same little wooden table in this same little wood of apple-trees. with blue eyes that seemed to grow rounder and rounder. without any vanity. made some highly mysterious marks down the side of it. if he's really so ashamed of it? Shall I tell you? It's because he isn't ashamed of it." I said. he is an extraordinary man. "What a lovely colour a lemon is!" he said. He's proud of it" "It's an ugly wig to be proud of—and an ugly story. "I can quite understand that it's nicer to cover them with hair than with brass plates or leather flaps.
"of that stream of blood and poison that spurted from his thin lips the instant you so much as mentioned his ancestors. I am very willing to hear you." The Duke came round the corner and resumed his seat at the head of the table with all his native dignity. like a huge bear. My own mother's family had a banshee. Why should he show every stranger over such a Chamber of Horrors unless he is proud of it? He doesn't conceal his wig. he shut his hand so sharply. I don't suggest you're either more snobbish or more morbid than the rest of us: but don't you feel in a vague way that a genuine old family curse is rather a fine thing to have? Would you be ashamed. "Why does he really hide the secret of what he does with the purple wig? Because it isn't the sort of secret we suppose. he doesn't conceal the family crimes—but—" The little man's voice changed so suddenly. Whatever I have attained of the journalist made me stand still. he doesn't conceal his blood. and for the sake of the days when we met before." "By Jove!" I cried." he went on." "And think. it has comforted me in many a cold hour. and they are snobs about their own sorrows." Whatever I retain of the gentleman made me stand up. The Duke addressed the priest with great seriousness."Consider." It somehow completed the thrill of my fanciful nerves that at that instant the Duke appeared again silently among the glimmering trees. "Father Brown. now I come to think of it. "how you yourself really feel about such things. "But. Father Brown had added quite composedly. "If. that it had all the abruptness of a small explosion on the table. to you only. if the heir of the Glamis horror called you his friend? or if Byron's family had confided. with his soft foot and sunset-hued hair. and. and his eyes so rapidly grew rounder and brighter like a waking owl's. "he does really conceal his toilet. the evil adventures of their race? Don't be too hard on the aristocrats themselves if their heads are as weak as ours would be. "Doctor Mull informs me that you have come here to make a request. Before he came within earshot. coming round the corner of the house in company with his librarian. "and that's true enough. he doesn't conceal his family curse. the priest had made a momentarily detaining motion." he 92 . But I presume you would rather be heard in private." he said. The embarrassment of the librarian left him hovering on his hind legs." he ended. wouldn't you be a little proud." replied this curious little man. I no longer profess an observance of the religion of my fathers. but for their sakes. Before this paralysis could pass.
If you think some truth unbearable. and all by which alone you live. even of my own faith and flock. but I am very glad I did it. I wish we could have all Devonshire here to see you do it. All over this country I have found hundreds. "To see you take off your wig. You shall not spell the first letter of what is written on the altar of the Unknown God. arching his eyebrows." "To see me do what?" asked the Duke. "I refuse. whilst wrestling. The true God was made flesh and dwelt among us." said the Duke in a voice of inhuman pity. and I could not banish from my own brain the fancy that the trees all around us were filling softly in the silence with devils instead of birds. look at it." said Father Brown." said Father Brown. "I refuse. I would urge that as many people as possible should be present." said the little priest. "Take off your wig. "I call your bluff. If the devil tells you something is too fearful to look at. And I say to you. "you and all you believe. I will spare you the hint.said. bear it. "I know his name." "The Cross of Christ be between me and harm. I could see the librarian's great legs wavering under him like the shadows of stems in a pool. "Your Grace. Take off that wig or I will knock it off. but I forced his head until the hairy cap fell off it. wherever you find men ruled merely by mystery. The Duke's face did not move. "your Grace will permit me my real petition. When he said. or if I retain any right to advise you." I suppose I can be prosecuted for assault. it is Satan." "If I did." "I know the Unknown God." said the Duke in a low voice." I cried. If I gave you the faintest hint of the load of horror I have to bear alone. in listening to this extraordinary duel half a thought had come into my head. but he looked at his petitioner with a glassy stare which was the most awful expression I have ever seen on a human face. with an unconscious grandeur of certitude that stood up like a granite tower. For three long instants he strained against me as if he had all hell to help him. I shut my eyes as it fell." I was leaning over the table in ungovernable excitement. hear it. in the same voice of stone. would be the first to shrivel and perish. I admit that. "I spare you. I entreat your Grace to end this nightmare now and here at this table." I simply sprang on him. you would lie shrieking at these feet of mine and begging to know no more. If he says something is too terrible to hear. 93 . You would have an instant to know the great Nothing before you died. it is the mystery of iniquity. whose imaginations are poisoned by the spell which I implore you to break.
This man with the odd scar and the ordinary ears is not an impostor. in his snobbish soul. and it is likely enough that he did invoke it as a kind of curse in the violent scene (which undoubtedly happened) in which he struck Green with the decanter. Green pressed his claim and got the estates. and as it will be till God sends us braver men. has been (except for my technical assault) strictly legal and constitutional from its first beginnings. His ears are just like everybody else's." And now let me tell the readers of the Daily Reformer what I think the most remarkable thing in the whole affair." said Father Brown. I think. After a decent interval the beautiful English Government revived the "extinct" peerage of Exmoor. as is usual. please take down a letter to Mr Finn. "and he did get the whole estate after all. but strangely enough did not even glance at his ears.—You must be mad. I think it very typical of the real case against our aristocracy as it is. "Mr Green. His head and mine were both bending over the bald head of the wigless Duke. They like that But you must know the Exmoors would never 94 . he has not stolen another man's coronet. Then the silence was snapped by the librarian exclaiming: "What can it mean? Why. The old Duke really had a slight malformation of the ear. who was also by this time at the Duke's side. So that thousands of poor English people trembled before a mysterious chieftain with an ancient destiny and a diadem of evil stars—when they are really trembling before a guttersnipe who was a pettifogger and a pawnbroker not twelve years ago. and pointed to a three-cornered cicatrice. we can't touch this. long healed." DEAR FINN. What happened was this. the dispossessed nobleman shot himself and died without issue. I wanted vampires and the bad old days and aristocracy hand-in-hand with superstition. This man used the old feudal fables—properly. Mr Nutt put down the manuscript and called out with unusual sharpness: "Miss Barlow. the man had nothing to hide. Though (in one sense) he wears another man's wig and claims another man's ear. which will seem to you as wild and purple as a Persian fairy-tale. but still discernible. He really is the one and only Duke of Exmoor. on the most important person. He stared with an almost comical seriousness at his bald forehead. which really was more or less hereditary. the person who had got the property." The priest walked straight up to him. really envied and admired them." he said politely. and bestowed it. This transformation scene. "that is what he had to hide.I was awakened by a cry from Mull." "Yes. He really was morbid about it. But the contest ended very differently.
As Miss Barlow rattled away cheerfully. Besides. And what would our people say then. he'd sack me by wire if I lost him it with such lunacy as this. E. old SoapSuds was sick enough at not getting his peerage last year. automatically and by force of habit. he crumpled up the copy and tossed it into the waste-paper basket." 95 . Sir Simon is one of Exmoor's greatest pals.—Yours." And how can he write about Normans if the man's only a solicitor? Do be reasonable. And what about Duffey? He's doing us some rattling articles on "The Heel of the Norman. altered the word "God" to the word "circumstances.forgive this. I should like to know! Why. NUTT. but not before he had. and it would ruin that cousin of the Eyres that's standing for us at Bradford.
oddly enough. she's all right. one eye winks. When Flambeau asked whether this rocky gate of the twisted river was not the gate of Fairyland. According to him there had been captains among these coves and islets compared with whom Drake was practically a landsman. he agreed with them. they were in the right river-channel. This Cecil Fanshaw was. When Fanshaw more excitedly indicated a rock that was like Merlin. he said "Yes. high- 96 . now retired. and ask if. exactly side by side. and though he was never of the sort that either grumbles or breaks down. but that if one light was hidden behind the other. the adventurous title of "Westward Ho!" only meant that all Devonshire men wished they were living in Cornwall. He heard Fanshaw add that his country was full of such quaint fables and idioms. it didn't mean this: it meant that while they saw two of the coast lights. but that they were heroes still: that near that very spot there was an old admiral. he looked at it. his spirits did not rise above patience and civility. He heard that the coast was death to all but careful seamen. as a claimant to the laurels of Elizabethan seamanship. who was scarred by thrilling voyages full of adventures. perhaps. down she sinks. he also heard that the ship's cat was asleep. and signified assent. He heard Flambeau laugh." He heard the most important things and the most trivial with the same tasteless absorption. of the kind that commonly urges such crude but pleasing enthusiasms. When Flambeau pointed out a rock shaped like a dragon. a young Cornish squire and an enthusiast for Cornish coast scenery. his friend Flambeau had taken him on a cruise in a small yacht with Sir Cecil Fanshaw." He heard Flambeau say to Fanshaw that no doubt this meant the pilot must keep both eyes open and be spry. in person. he looked at it and thought it very like a dragon. he also heard the pilot deliver the oracle "Both eyes bright. But Brown was still rather weak. He heard that Fanshaw couldn't find his cigarholder anywhere. and who had in his youth found the last group of eight Pacific Islands that was added to the chart of the world. He heard Fanshaw say there was no need to be silly. they were going on the rocks. light-haired. one near and the other distant. And he heard Fanshaw say to Flambeau that. he even pitted this part of Cornwall against Devonshire. He had lately fallen ill with over-work. a very young man. he was no very happy sailor. that not only had Cornish captains been heroes.The Perishing of the Pendragons FATHER BROWN was in no mood for adventures. it was the very home of romance. and when he began to recover. When the other two men praised the ragged violet sunset or the ragged volcanic crags.
the woods seemed to be making broken and flying attempts at bridge-building—as if the boat were passing from the romance of a valley to the romance of a hollow and so to the supreme romance of a tunnel. as usual. The big shoulders. For at the extreme 97 . there was something exceptional. The water seemed to widen and split. he saw no human beings. a ship with a very high prow—or. but in such remote parts still uncommon: a dark-haired lady. but the curves of the country-side suggested that it was closing in on either hand. Beyond this mere look of things there was little for Brown's freshening fancy to feed on.coloured. If Father Brown ever attached any importance to either of these. but an almost girlish delicacy of tint and type. dim blue with mere depth of distance. with faggots and osiers cut in the forest. with an eager profile. and the water grew calmer and the air warmer and more earthly. The trampled earth of the river-banks and the peaty stain in the pools did not look drab but glowing umber. They had reached that phase just after sunset when air and water both look bright. The river was still well wide and deep enough for a pleasure boat so small as theirs. but heard them as a tired man hears a tune in the railway wheels. a very high funnel. with a boyish bravado of spirits. except some gipsies trailing along the river bank. No one can calculate the turns of mood in convalescence: but Father Brown's depression must have had a great deal to do with his mere unfamiliarity with the sea. he seemed to wake up and take notice like a baby. All these trivialities Brown heard and saw. About this particular evening. black brows and black mousquetaire swagger of Flambeau were a great contrast. bare-headed. With the rate at which they went. so that even dark colours on that day look more gorgeous than bright colours on cloudier days. It was one of those rare atmospheres in which a smoked-glass slide seems to have been slid away from between us and Nature. or saw them as a sick man sees the pattern of his wall-paper. This magic clearness and intensity in the colours was further forced on Brown's slowly reviving senses by something romantic and even secret in the very form of the landscape. and the dark woods astir in the breeze did not look. and paddling her own canoe. he certainly forgot them at the next turn of the river which brought in sight a singular object. being cloven by the dark wedge of a fish-shaped and wooded islet. and one sight no longer unconventional. to speak more strictly. For as the river mouth narrowed like the neck of a bottle. however. the islet seemed to swim towards them like a ship. but earth and all its growing things look almost black by comparison. but more like wind-tumbled masses of some vivid violet blossom.
The travellers looked at it with that paradoxical feeling we have when something reminds us of something. Fanshaw's eyes were shining. giving the whole a most patchy and puzzling appearance. And he found himself reflecting that the oddity seemed to consist in a particular shape cut out in an incongruous material. unlike anything they could remember or connect with any purpose. my friend. some of such wood cut raw and recent. and a great deal more of the same sort of wood painted black with tar. which appeared to be coloured and leaded in an old-fashioned but more elaborate style. and he spoke triumphantly. seasoned oak. some again of white pinewood. she would be received by the Admiral in a house exactly such as she was accustomed to. even when he was mystified. but it was too high for its breadth to be called anything but a tower. it's a modern fact with the Pendragons. I fancy. but never in such architectural proportions. whom we call the Admiral. Now you shall see whether I exaggerate about the mariners of Cornwall. though he retired before getting the rank. This place belongs to Old Pendragon. These black beams were set crooked or crisscross at all kinds of angles. or a frock-coat cut out of tartan. but which most of us see imitated in some show called "Old London" or "Shakespeare's England'. It was in view only long enough for the priest to see that. it was a comfortable and well-kept country-house. Father Brown. who was still staring at the tower. and that in a most unequal and eccentric way. "What on earth's this?" said Flambeau. He was sure he had seen timbers of different tints arranged like that somewhere. Some of the planks and beams were of good. however oldfashioned. faced with black beams. There were one or two windows. that's why I've brought you here. with flower-beds in front of it. Through a gap in the foliage there appeared for a moment one of those old wooden houses. 98 . The next moment a glimpse through the dark trees told him all he wanted to know and he laughed. If Queen Elizabeth were to rise from the grave and come up this river in a gilded barge.point nearest them stood up an odd-looking building. It was not specially high. The spirit of Raleigh and Hawkins is a memory with the Devon folk. Yet it appeared to be built entirely of wood. and yet we are certain it is something very different. was clever in analysing his own mystification. It had none of the piebald and crazy look of the tower that seemed made out of its refuse. "Aha! you've not seen a place quite like this before. as if one saw a top-hat made of tin. which are still to be found here and there in England.
" said Father Brown. And she would find an English Captain still talking fiercely of fresh lands to be found in little ships. As it happened the ship had already turned into the river mouth and was close to comparatively shallow water. "which would not please her Renaissance eye. That Elizabethan domestic architecture is charming in its way." asked Father Brown. in every panel on the wall or plate on the table. was bringing home three Spanish gentlemen in honourable captivity. instantly drew his sword and flew at Pendragon. as he sailed home from the Spanish Main. Pendragon drove his blade through the other's body and the second Spaniard was accounted for. that he at least was yet living. "do you mean that it has been rebuilt?" "Oh. But he was a man of flaming and tigerish temper." "For what other reason. It was built by the Pendragons in the very days of the Spanish wars. who was the brother of the first. but should know by very certain signs that he and his 99 . and after a short but furious combat in which both got three wounds in as many minutes." answered Fanshaw." said the young squire with relish. there's a strange story about that. intending to escort them to Elizabeth's court. as much as if she had dined with Drake. "that's the most romantic and Elizabethan part of the business. and was soon near enough to it to stand up to his waist in water. and she wished to be the first to see her husband's ship. but it's against the very nature of it to break out into turrets. and holding up both arms to Heaven—like a prophet calling plagues upon a wicked city—he called out to Pendragon in a piercing and terrible voice. The third Spaniard sprang over the side of the ship. and coming to high words with one of them. The story goes that the lady of Sir Peter Pendragon built it in this place and to this height. and that generation after generation the house of Pendragon should never see him or his. that he would go on living. too. that he would live for ever. A second Spaniard. who (I fear) had some of the faults of the pirates as well as the virtues of the sailor.in every corner and casement. into the sea. it's always been rebuilt in the old way. King Arthur was here and Merlin and the fairies before him. "You are really in a land of strange stories. struck out for the shore. he caught him by the throat and flung him by accident or design. The story goes that Sir Peter Pendragon." "And yet. And turning again to face the ship. because from the top you can just see the corner where vessels turn into the river mouth." "She'd find a rum sort of thing in the garden. and though it's needed patching and even rebuilding for another reason.
"Many years ago. as you would put it. and Father Brown. looked all the quainter." They followed him on to the island. and one at least. on practically the same spot where Sir Peter threw the Spaniard overboard. as they left it behind." "What a pity!" exclaimed Flambeau." Indeed. The tower. and the family can't be called lucky. and. to my own knowledge. such as often enclose parks or gardens. With that he dived under the wave. being so curved that the house was now out of sight. I believe there's a family compact or something. here's the landing stage. and this one looked lopsided.vengeance were alive." said Flambeau irrelevantly. and over the top of which the dark trees tossed to and fro like black and purple plumes upon the hearse of a giant. of the Admiral's near kin have perished by shipwreck. but not many things like the Pendragon Tower. seemed singularly improved in briskness. though he is as keen on it as ever. As you may easily suppose." replied Fanshaw. somehow looked a much larger park than 100 . the black-haired young lady was letting her canoe float slowly and silently past the strange islet. any accident happening to this Cornish family would be connected with it by rural credulity. "She's going. "there are plenty of them in the world. the avenue had the usual appearance of the entrance to a gentleman's grounds. without showing the least intention of extending her interest from the tower to the yacht. for good-looking young women would call him off any topic." "There's that girl in the canoe again." said Fanshaw impatiently. They entered a wooded avenue between two fences of thin greyish wood. and was either drowned or swam so long under water that no hair of his head was seen afterwards. "Never mind girls. "She seems bothered by the queer tower just as we were. Well. which Fanshaw had already caused to lie alongside the island. I think. just under the tower. for more than two. because such entrances are usually flanked by two towers. let's come ashore and see the old boy. But for this." "When did your friend the Admiral tell you this family history?" asked Father Brown. as the girl in the canoe paddled off. plenty of superstitions and scandals have followed in the track of the Spaniard's curse. and no doubt. But it is perfectly true that this tower has been burnt down two or three times. "he hasn't been to sea for some time now. with a strong glow of curiosity on her oval and olive face. whether from the mere touch of dry land. or the interest of something on the other bank of the river (which he stared at very hard for some seconds). and was looking intently up at the strange tower.
but shorter than the cavalry. "I've really got to cut down this fence somehow. but he almost thought the whole place must be growing larger. making the opening about fourteen feet wide in all. Fanshaw peered into the dark opening and uttered an exclamation of astonishment." And sure enough. brought down another and similar strip of fence. but 101 . a mystical monotony was the only character of their march. though the details seemed afterwards to decompose into accidents. they used to have them in artillery and the—" As he spoke the blade plucked itself out of the crack it had made and came down again with a more ponderous slash. Anyhow. but the front flap of it was turned up straight to the sky. Father Brown was. bent over it and said in a startled voice: "Why. Closer observation showed that it was a slightly curved blade of metal that shone faintly in the fading light. and after waggling a little to extricate itself (accompanied with curses in the darkness) split it down to the ground with a second. it's a sabre! I believe I know the sort. Then it was pulled out again. a little fanciful in his fatigue. "My dear Admiral!" he exclaimed. "No. and a great gap of dark coppice gaped in the paling. he heaved up his weapon once more. splitting the fissiparous fence to the bottom with a rending noise. Flambeau. Then through this larger forest gateway he came out into the evening light. hacking twice. and. But I'll only carve another bit off the front door. who like all Frenchmen had been a soldier. flashed above the fence some feet further along. He wore an ordinary dark-blue jacket. and the two corners pulled down lower than the ears. it's spoiling all the plants. with a chip of grey wood sticking to his sword-blade. and again split it halfway down with the first stroke. and then broke into a jolly laugh. and no one else here can do it. with nothing special about the buttons. and then come out and welcome you. and pointed to something sticking out through the grey fence—something that looked at first rather like the imprisoned horn of some beast. For instance. heavy and curved." it said. Then a kick of devilish energy sent the whole loosened square of thin wood flying into the pathway. He momentarily fulfilled all Fanshaw's fable of an old piratical Admiral. so that it stood across his forehead in a crescent like the old cocked hat worn by Nelson.any plantation on such an island could really be. until Fanshaw suddenly stopped. "do you—er—do you generally cut out a new front door whenever you want to go for a walk?" The voice in the gloom swore again. perhaps. as things do in a nightmare. he wore a broad-brimmed hat as protection against the sun.
When Fanshaw had presented his two friends to their host he fell again into a tone of rallying the latter about his wreckage of the fence and his apparent rage of profanity. and the third of some white. and you had to stick on this muddy little rockery in a sort of rustic pond. The corners of the expiring sunset which seemed to cling about the corners of the house gave glimpses here and there of the colours of remoter flowerbeds. and yet somehow suggested it. The Admiral pooh-poohed it at first as a piece of necessary but annoying garden work. I—" He swung up the heavy steel again. "I feel like that. but at length the ring of real energy came back into his laughter. but seemed rather to glow like gold apples of the Hesperides—Father Brown thought he had never seen a figure so expressive of all the romances about the countries of the Sun. When I remember how I've cut down a mile and a half of green poisonous jungle with an old cutlass half as sharp as this. He was tall and loose. a second of yellow tulips. That is. but without eyebrows. His colour was curiously attractive. it reminded one vaguely of a blood-orange." he said laughing. and this time sundered the wall of wood from top to bottom at one stroke. while partly tropical. perhaps I do go at it a bit rabidly. A heavy. but furiously flinging the sword some yards down the path. and he cried with a mixture of impatience and good humour: "Well. Under the bridge of the hat his eagle face looked eager. and he held in his hand a short sabre which was like a navy cutlass. you must have some dinner. all the more because it was not only clean-shaven. and then remember I must stop here and chop this matchwood." The semicircle of lawn in front of the house was varied by three circular garden beds. It seemed almost as if all the hair had come off his face from his thrusting it through a throng of elements. one of red tulips. and feel a kind of pleasure in smashing anything. why. because of some confounded old bargain scribbled in a family Bible. His eyes were prominent and piercing.the combination of it with white linen trousers somehow had a sailorish look. but about twice as big. hairy and rather sullen-looking gardener was hanging up a heavy coil of garden hose. and walked with a sort of swagger. that while it was ruddy and sanguine. waxen-looking blossoms that the visitors did not know and presumed to be exotic. "and now let's go up to the house. and 102 . So would you if your only pleasure was in cruising about to find some new Cannibal Islands. which was not a sailor's roll. there was a yellow in it that was in no way sickly.
who is fond of such things." "Ah. and it looks just as like it." replied the sceptical traveller. while Fanshaw was so amused with what looked like a performing pigmy on his little stand." said Flambeau. and both arms were held very stiffly up in the air. that he could not control his laughter. and on the brown oak beam across the doorway were some confused carvings that looked almost as barbaric. The first seemed to be the outline of some tower or other building. here. "but you don't know how much of the old legend may have been made up from the old figures. the face was rubbed and featureless. it would be more heraldic to suppose it a tower crowned with laurel than with fire. "here is the legend of the Spaniard plain enough. as if someone had just had tea there. and standing on it peered unaffectedly through his spectacles at the mouldings in the oak. As they passed indoors. Besides. He was gazing at three carved symbols. seemed still to convey some sense to him. will 103 . "that it should exactly confirm the old legend. ending in an escalloped line like the waves. but interrupted in the middle by a curious jagged rock. The entrance was flanked with two of those half-featured lumps of stone with holes for eyes that are said to be South Sea idols. and here are the two curses: the wrecked ship and the burning of Pendragon Tower." muttered Father Brown. "Don't you know that that sort of half-man. the little cleric hopped suddenly on to the table. Admiral Pendragon looked very much astonished. which was either a fault in the wood or some conventional representation of the water coming in. blinking. I think they call it? And though the third thing isn't so very heraldic." "But it seems rather odd. Fanshaw. "And how many other things might it not be?" he said. which. like a half-lion or half-stag. is quite common in heraldry? Might not that line through the ship be one of those parti-per-pale lines. Just outside the steps of the porch stood a little painted green garden table. though not particularly annoyed. Here he is holding up his arms and cursing in the sea. "Well. But Father Brown was not likely to notice either the laughter or the astonishment. crowned with what looked like curly-pointed ribbons." Pendragon shook his head with a kind of venerable amusement. it isn't the only old legend. indented. The third represented the upper half of a human figure. though very worn and obscure. The second was clearer: an old Elizabethan galley with decorative waves beneath it.in a treeless space on one side of the house opening upon the river stood a tall brass tripod on which was tilted a big brass telescope.
a damp dab of mud like this confounded island seems the last place where one would think of fires. Gentlemen. "and some of them. "it's only some canoe going by. then Fanshaw said. Someone saw a blaze hereabout. but that alone. 104 . you want your dinner. someone keeping sheep on the uplands inland thought he saw a flame hovering over Pendragon Tower. appeared in the doorway and told him that dinner was served. a lean man in black. and he said hastily: "But. But the antiquarian superstition in Fanshaw was still quivering. They were all thrown a little off their balance. Then Pendragon broke into a scornful laugh again. "that there was no thunder and lightning at all in the two or three shipwrecks I know of in our family." "What is that fire over there?" asked Father Brown with a gentle suddenness. would show what a very little way these unhappy coincidences really go. and jumped down from the little table. There was another silence in which they heard the continuous murmur of the river. if seriously examined." "It's more like what it is. as they saw a long. "Gipsies!" he said. "It so happens. "they've been camping about here for about a week. pointing to the woods on the left river-bank. of course. what's that hissing noise quite near the island? It's very like fire. on evidence as decent as one ever gets for such things." said the Admiral." and he turned as if to enter the house. One story credits my unfortunate ancestor with having had the Spaniard cut in two. and that will fit the pretty picture also. the butler." "Why. laughing as he led the way. I don't deny. how do you mean?" asked Fanshaw.tell you there are other versions of the tale. Another obligingly credits our family with the possession of a tower full of snakes and explains those little. in a doubtful and perhaps disappointed tone: "Then you don't think there is anything in the tales of the tower in flames?" "There are the tales. and much more horrible ones. wriggly things in that way. with very black hair and a very long. yellow face." Almost as he spoke. and the more fanciful Fanshaw had even some difficulty in recovering his. Well. as he walked home through a wood. And a third theory supposes the crooked line on the ship to be a conventionalized thunderbolt." replied his host coolly." "Oh!" said Father Brown. don't you know. shrugging his shoulders. thin stream of blue smoke ascending silently into the end of the evening light." said the Admiral. Admiral.
Towards the end of the dinner they took their yellow clothes and black faces out of the room. I don't know where you got it. but the truth is I can't stand the fellow. Then he said. the Admiral's only servants were two negroes. very scientifically stuffed. There were. "Please don't think me impertinent. I've brought these friends of mine with the idea of their helping you. But the alien colour culminated in the fact that. who seemed to have entirely woken up. But such things were less prominent on the white panelling than some cases of quaint-coloured South American birds. "I'm a man of science. somewhat quaintly clad in tight uniforms of yellow. and one brown sixteenth-century map with Tritons and little ships dotted about a curly sea. I don't ask for curiosity. Admiral Pendragon. his clerical friend. until the dessert and decanters were set down and the last of the servants vanished. three antiquated cutlasses in a trophy over the fireplace. leaving only the black clothes and yellow face of the butler. "and so had that girl!" 105 . The priest's instinctive trick of analysing his own impressions told him that the colour and the little neat coat-tails of these bipeds had suggested the word "Canary." answered Pendragon very briskly." and so by a mere pun connected them with southward travel." Rather to Flambeau's surprise. with a bright eye cocked at a red tropical bird. fantastic shells from the Pacific. took up the digression and talked natural history with his host with a flow of words and much unexpected information. Fanshaw. "By Jove!" he cried. "I'm rather sorry you take this so lightly. without altering his tone.The dining-room was as nautical as the cabin of a ship. as they know a good deal of these things." said Fanshaw to the host. indeed. though I've no excuse for discharging a family servant. Don't you really believe in the family story at all?" "I don't believe in anything. besides the butler. and several instruments so rude and queer in shape that savages might have used them either to kill their enemies or to cook them. Have I made a bad shot if I guess you don't want these old things talked of before your butler?" The Admiral lifted the hairless arches over his eyes and exclaimed: "Well. Spanish-looking hair. would say my blood moved against men with that black." Flambeau struck the table with his heavy fist. but its note was rather that of the modern than the Elizabethan captain. with his fairy tales. but really for my guidance and your convenience. "for the truth is.
I suppose. If all the Pendragons sailed about anyhow. But. and then it'll all end in smoke—tobacco smoke. and had a son who became a sailor like all the rest of us. he somehow combined Fanshaw's superstition with a good deal of my scepticism—they were always fighting in him. and both disasters are discussed in a normal way by navigators. and I quarrelled with my father pretty heartily. My father. But he's practically sure to be here some time tonight." "Very good wine. But if we went to sea one at a time in strict order of succession to the property. and after my first voyages. That's why I say it will be all right when Walter returns. very gently. and will inherit the proper estate. and young. of course." said Father Brown. after my own nephew. It was a silly notion. I fear. a very bad wine-bibber. The girl he's engaged to was coming today. He drank and put down the glass with a composed face." "And your father and brother. by succession. it set this forest of superstition on fire. We'll crack that old lie when we crack a bottle of this wine." "Yes. 106 . You looked surprised. gravely lifting his glass. His body was never found. coming up this coast out of the Atlantic."I hope it'll all end tonight. Well. my father had two sons. and men saw the flaming tower everywhere. he thought there would be too much chance of natural catastrophes to prove anything. he developed a notion which he thought somehow would settle finally whether the curse was truth or trash. "but. You see. coming. with southern hair and eyes. "died at sea. no one knows where." groaned the Admiral. for I was an ambitious man and was left to the last. on the voyage home from Tasmania. as you see. but his hand had started at the exact moment when he became conscious of a face looking in through the garden window just behind the Admiral—the face of a woman. unless I tell you the story. I remained a bachelor. but my elder brother married. swarthy. I most sincerely beg your pardon": for he had spilt a small spot of wine on the table-cloth. was washed up on these Cornish rocks. lots of other people besides Pendragons were drowned. "when my nephew comes back safe from his ship." said the priest. but I was so afraid of some chance delay frightening her that I wired her not to come till she heard from me. I tell you it was from perfectly natural mishap. I think. My brother's ship was sunk. but like a mask of tragedy." continued the Admiral. You won't understand. my father was a strange man. he thought it might show whether any connected fate followed the family as a family. "by one of those brutal accidents on which are built all the lying mythologies of mankind. they were both shipwrecked.
' And now." he said with idiotic cheerfulness. "If I could find a spud or something I'd do it myself. but he replied with the utmost solemnity." he said. laughing and half remonstrating." replied the Admiral." he cried. "Please forgive me for everything. "This business is perfectly natural." Here he swung round and fixed Father Brown with a face of frightful concentration. "there can't be any objection to my sleeping in your delightful summer-house. that one can always find some small occupation that is helpful to others. "I think the lawn wants weeding. beating a tattoo on the back of his chair. explaining to them. Flambeau and the priest were still dawdling about the garden in the dark. and my friends if they like. "Let's go and water the flowers. "but wouldn't you be an atheist to keep sane in all this devilry?" Some three hours afterwards Fanshaw." he said. in a maddening little sermon. suddenly slinging the broom away. and when he spoke again it was in a lower voice." They followed him. with which he began energetically to brush the fallen leaves off the grass." "The idea is utterly ridiculous. saying with an air of wistful 107 ." he added. and it began to dawn on the other two that Father Brown had no intention of going to bed either in the tower or the house. "will you do me a favour? Let me.After a pause the priest spoke again in his mild manner. There is no curse in it at all." Admiral Pendragon sat down again as abruptly as he had risen." Father Brown smiled. from which the face had instantly vanished. but he sat quite still." said he dreamily. "There is one thing I know about this matter." With the same mixed emotions they watched him uncoil some considerable lengths of the large garden hose. "including spilling the wine. "Admiral. You may call me an atheist. "as George Herbert says: 'Who sweeps an Admiral's garden in Cornwall as for Thy laws makes that and the action fine." said Brown in his most sympathetic tone. He did not find a spud. "In that case. "You do it at your own peril. "Always some little thing to be done. I am an atheist." he said. with ringing violence. But it seems to me you are not quite so easy about the flaming tower as you try to be. but he found an old broom made of twigs. stop in that tower of yours just for tonight? Do you know that in my business you're an exorcist almost before anything else?" Pendragon sprang to his feet and paced swiftly to and fro across the window. "I tell you there is nothing in it.
You should have seen me with the spud! Talking of tools." replied the reverend gentleman weakly." cried Flambeau. "How very dreadful!" said Father Brown. and Sir Cecil could have that sword the Admiral threw away by the fence here. and the water shot out straight and solid as a long rod of steel." he said. and sent the driving water from his hose into the heart of the red patch." As he spoke a most beautiful rose-red light seemed to burst into blossom like a gigantic rose. with the hose still spouting in his hand. "Why. looking round in a sort of wonder. "Your river mist. The gardener caught the cold crash of the water full in his face like the crash of a cannon-ball. who was very white. How grey everything looks!" "The mist's rising from the river.discrimination: "The red tulips before the yellow. "But you can't mean—" "I mean. "Mine does seem to be a rather kill or cure sort of watering." "By the Lord it has." he shouted. staggered." said Father Brown. Look a bit dry. Flambeau. don't you think?" He turned the little tap on the instrument." said the staring Flambeau." He made a wavering half-turn of apology towards the gardener. "I suppose it's a pity I didn't find the spud. I upset some wine at dinner. "do you know. I've hit a man!" He stood with his head forward for a moment as if looking or listening. "Put down that hose. This story is going to end in smoke." cried Fanshaw. hailing them with a brandished rake and a horribly bellowing voice. "has a rum smell. still trailing the hose behind him. you've cut off the tulip's head. scratching his head. but accompanied with a crackling and rattling noise that was like the laughter of devils." said Father Brown. you've got that swordstick. The tower was quite close. 108 . "why. Samson. "put down that hose and go to your—" "I am fearfully clumsy." he admitted. "Look out. but its outline was curiously dim. I think. "The sign of the flaming tower." Father Brown stood ruefully contemplating the decapitated plant. you always carry? That's right. Almost as he spoke the huge figure of the hairy gardener appeared on a higher ridge of the trenched and terraced lawn. slipped and went sprawling with his boots in the air. and then set off at a trot towards the tower. "that one of the Admiral's scientific predictions is coming true tonight. "My God! what is this?" cried Sir Cecil Fanshaw.
" "This is rather a curious kind of tower."Lucky we hadn't gone to bed!" ejaculated Fanshaw. He kept his finger along the nozzle of the pipe to ensure the aim." said the priest quietly. Flambeau's enormous strength more than redressed the odds in the fight. nobody can be killed. but Fanshaw only said rather absently: "Well. He heard also the water broken by the paddles of a 109 . he merely imagined how it would whirl round them as they wrestled. and attended to no other business. He heard the crashing fall. He gave two brief directions to his friends. waving others to come on. He never turned his head to look at the strange fight that followed between the foes and friends of the mysterious fire. especially as the fourth man still hovered near the house. they looked like devils carrying instruments of torture. a terrible change came over his countenance." observed Father Brown. with their black faces and yellow figures. the exciting incidents that began to tumble themselves about the island garden. Ask her if they could get some buckets across and fill them from the river." "You may remember. and never took his eye off the patch of flame which had begun by spreading. "that the wooden fence that might have carried it was cut away. When the priest heard the voice. there's rope down by those faggots." The other was: "As soon as you get a chance. it always kills people who are somewhere else. whoever they are. But he remained composed." At the same instant the monstrous figure of the gardener with the streaming beard stood again on the green ridge against the sky. But in the blood-red glare. and the cries of both the blacks as Flambeau and Fanshaw bound them. she's over on the bank with the gipsies. knowing only by the noise and that semi-conscious corner of the eye. anyhow. One was: "Knock these fellows down somehow and tie them up. Behind him came the two negroes." Flambeau turned electrified eyes upon his friend. but now seemed to shrink a little as it hissed under the torch of the long silver spear of water. In the dim garden behind them a distant voice was heard calling out brief directions." Then he closed his mouth and continued to water the new red flower as ruthlessly as he had watered the red tulip. He almost felt the island shake when Flambeau collided with the huge gardener. "when it takes to killing people. also with the old crooked cutlasses out of the trophy. but now waving not a rake but a cutlass. "I suppose it can't spread to the house. call out to that canoeing girl. only a shadow and a voice. They want to take away my nice hose. and his friend's gasp of triumph as he dashed on to the first negro.
" cried Flambeau impatiently. or Mr Walter Pendragon coming home. as it grew narrower and narrower under the flood from the pipe and buckets. where he has sent so many others. the figure sprang upon one of the higher river banks and disappeared with a splash into the dark and driving river. She might have seen something to interest her: the sign of the ship. had once more slightly diminished. Flambeau and Fanshaw. he may very well have waded ashore. like a strangled thing.canoe. "He has been washed down to the rocks by now. It was echoed by a howl not to be called human. now reinforced by some of the gipsies. which had lately once more increased. He has been within a shave of another shipwreck. if the lady hadn't had the sense to suspect the old Admiral's telegram and come down to watch him. It's enough to say that whenever this tower. "Can't you put it simply in words of one syllable?" "Yes. Don't let's talk about anything. and perhaps even the sign of the half-man. down she sinks. both in the cries of the pursued and the ropes carried by the pursuers." said Flambeau. Then. Don't let's talk about the old Admiral. "is how the father and brother died. "You can do no more. because it somehow suggested one of the chasing games of children in a garden. the voices of gipsies answering and coming nearer. to look through that telescope at the river mouth and the river. as the being broke from their hold and ran along the garden." answered Brown. the plumping and sucking noise of empty buckets plunged into a full stream. with its pitch and resin-wood. had rushed after the mysterious man by the house. Then came a cry that very nearly made him turn his head. don't talk in these parables. But all this was less to him than the fact that the red rent. if it were morning yet. one eye blinks. He knew the use of a family legend. the girl's voice giving orders. with his eye on the hose. and would never have escaped it. The wicked uncle of the legends very nearly got his estate after all. but Father Brown still kept his eye on it as he went on speaking: "I thought of asking this young lady.'" The fire hissed and shrieked more and more." "And that. and finally the sound of many feet around the fire. and he heard from the other end of the garden the Frenchman's cry of horror and astonishment. she's all right. but was more horrible still. for though he is certainly safe by now. "'Both eyes bright. in a way that was as horrible as the chase of a lunatic. really caught fire. the spark on the horizon always looked like the twin light to the coast light-house." 110 ." said Brown in a voice cold with pain." "Oh. Three times at least it raced round the whole island. I fear. finding them closing in on every side.
Put the same feather with a ribbon and an artificial flower and everyone will think it's for a lady's hat. but you don't think so because you're all smoking cigars." "But how do you know?" asked Fanshaw. indeed. and he only started once." "I was sea-sick. He received no answer: Father Brown was asleep. and might (had he been moved by romantic curiosities) have received the combined thanks of the man from the ship and the girl from the canoe." cried Fanshaw. But his fatigue had fallen on him once more." he said rather wearily. and then refused to linger. he did not speak again." answered Brown. save for civilities. "I saw the rock you thought was like a dragon. So you saw that map among tropic birds and shells and thought it was a map of Pacific Islands. "Do you think most men would have seen that?" asked Flambeau. He saw that the frustrated fire was extinguished. "That's no cigar-ash." "Do you mean Pendragon's chart of his Pacific Islands?" asked Fanshaw. escorted by an enthusiastic crowd. But feeling horrible has nothing to do with not seeing things. a book and a stack of writing-paper. till they were all safe round a cigar-box in the cabin of the yacht. "Put a feather with a fossil and a bit of coral and everyone will think it's a specimen. though he actually heard young Pendragon.Father Brown did not answer. come tramping up the river bank. 111 . Put the same feather with an inkbottle. and the one like Merlin." And he closed his eyes. and—" "You seem to have noticed a lot as we came in. "You thought it was a chart of the Pacific Islands. "We thought you were rather abstracted. That's just the way I got my first faint suspicion about the chart. "I felt simply horrible. "That's from the fire. and most men will swear they've seen a quill pen." said Father Brown simply. It was the map of this river. when Flambeau abruptly told him he had dropped cigar-ash on his trousers.
turning up his coat-collar and drawing a woollen scarf rather closer round his neck. In the grey distance the big bandstand of a watering-place stood up like a giant mushroom with six legs. no fresh snow had fallen. forward and back. or a tree that looked more ugly than a lamp-post. Half a mile farther on Father Brown was puzzled first by little labyrinths of flowerless flower-pots. between weak curly paths studded with seats with curly backs. A light fall of snow had half-melted into a few strips. and. flat. The line of the sea looked frozen in the very vividness of its violetblue. where the monotony was the more inhuman for being broken at very long intervals by a lamp-post that looked less civilized than a tree. save two pedestrians. though one had much longer legs and took much longer strides than the other. though quite equally ugly. "that we are approaching a pleasure resort. it was drearier still along the edges of the flat Essex coast. If it was dreary in a hundred bleak offices and yawning drawing-rooms. and he always preferred. the ugly lamp-posts became less few and far between and more ornamental. like the vein of a frozen finger. and had to take them when he could. also looking leaden rather than silver. and was going north-eastward along the coast. when the daylight is silver rather than gold and pewter rather than silver.The God of the Gongs IT was one of those chilly and empty afternoons in early winter. they found that the shore was beginning to be formally embanked. The priest had had a fancy for visiting his old parish at Cobhole. but Father Brown had few holidays. After walking a mile or two farther." 112 . so as to parallel the pale ribbon of the foam. but a ribbon of the old snow ran along the very margin of the coast. quiet-coloured plants that look less like a garden than a tessellated pavement. He faintly sniffed the atmosphere of a certain sort of seaside town that he did not specially care about. so as to form something like a parade. walking at a brisk pace. It did not seem a very appropriate place or time for a holiday. covered with the low. ex-criminal and ex-detective. if possible. looking ahead along the parade by the sea." said Father Brown. For miles and miles. there was no breathing soul. to take them in company with his old friend Flambeau. when it had been fixed again by the seal of frost. "I suppose. he saw something that put the matter beyond a doubt.
Inland the little wintry gardens faded into a confused grey copse. But they'll have to chuck the rotten place into the sea. They try to revive these places in the winter. he hopped up on to the raised platform. were long low barns of a lonely farmhouse. But there was something fantastic about the snow combined with something artificial about the gold that haunted Flambeau as well as his friend with some association he could not capture. the whole being raised about five feet above the parade on a round wooden platform like a drum. and the gilt on the pagodas is like gilt on gingerbread. "Oh. and there's talk about holding one of the great glove-fights here. Flambeau turned abruptly at an exclamation behind him. where the snow on the mountain looks like sugar. It looks just like a little pagan temple. He instantly held out his hand. and to be addressed to his heels rather than his head. like a bird's. it gave in those level wastes a sense of seeing yet farther and farther across land and sea. I think—Lord Pooley's experiment." And with an agility hardly to be expected of him. "I've got it. and the next instant his own towering figure was visible on that quaint elevation. "It's Japanese. and the priest was looking up at it with a curiosity that had something rather odd about it. He was just tall enough. beyond that. For some reason or other the platform had given way under Father Brown. and beyond that nothing but the long East Anglian plains. rather tawdry kind of erection for its purpose: a flattened dome or canopy. or short enough. "Let's have a look at the god. he had the Sicilian Singers down at Christmas. it's as dreary as a lost railway-carriage. laughing. and seemed to float rather than fly. in the distance. his head a little on one side. Seawards there was no sail or sign of life save a few seagulls: and even they looked like the last snowflakes. Slight as was the difference of height." "Yes. gilt here and there." said Flambeau. It seemed to come from lower down than might have been expected. and the unfortunate little man had dropped through to the level of the parade. It's like those fanciful Japanese prints. for his head alone to stick out of the 113 ." he said at last. and lifted on six slender pillars of painted wood." answered Flambeau. It was the conventional." said Father Brown. "a pleasure resort to which few people just now have the pleasure of resorting. This must be Seawood. very well. but it never succeeds except with Brighton and the old ones." They had come under the big bandstand. but he could hardly help laughing at what he saw. but which he knew was at once artistic and alien."I fear.
"Don't you want to get out?" The priest was holding a splinter of the broken wood between his finger and thumb. His face was no longer disconcerted. The Sacrifice.hole in the broken wood. "Well?" asked his tall friend. his friend following. perhaps. and once more could see nothing but seas as wintry as the snow. looking like St John the Baptist's head on a charger. and snows as level as the sea. no. "What's that house over there?" he asked." said Flambeau. In a moment he began to laugh a little. still with his big brown hand extended. "This wood must be rotten. "I have found what was sometimes more important. "Have you found the god of the temple?" "No. quite alarmed. The face wore a disconcerted expression. Father Brown did not answer." answered Father Brown. but rather resolute. without any clerical head in it. Father Brown jumped off the bandstand. I rather think I want to get in. At last he said thoughtfully: "Want to get out? Why. and." cried Flambeau impatiently. Let me help you out. Following his finger." And he dived into the darkness under the wooden floor so abruptly as to knock off his big curved clerical hat and leave it lying on the boards above. and they saw a small. and the little priest came scrambling out of the hole faster than he had fallen in. and there was a sort of trouble on his brow. as did." But the little priest was looking rather curiously at the corners and edges of the wood alleged to be rotten. with a knot in his forehead. and stood well back from the shore—. "Though it seems odd it should bear me. It was not a large building." "What the devil do you mean?" cried Flambeau. rather flashy hotel. There came a scurrying noise behind him. and he suddenly pointed at it. at the landscape. and you go through the weak place. and did not immediately reply. and as they walked in the direction indicated the trees fell away to right and left. "Come along. but a glint of ornament on it suggested that it was part of the same watering-place scheme of decoration as the bandstand. Flambeau saw for the first time the corners of a building nearer than the farmhouse. He was staring. perhaps only through the reflections of the snow. such as is common in 114 . the little gardens and the curly-backed iron seats. but screened for the most part with a fringe of trees. a trifle paler than usual. Flambeau looked once more inland and out to sea. that of St John the Baptist.
and said in a deferential. "Excuse me if I detain you a few minutes. one of the iron garden-seats with curly backs that had adorned the gardens. though not undignified. dropping back a little into his motionless manner. Presumably." "Much obliged. "Oh.resorts—the hotel of the Saloon Bar rather than the Bar Parlour. it would be the pasteboard ham and empty mug of the pantomime. they were not altogether confirmed." said their host. turning to his hostel. just in front of the extreme end of the iron seat stood a small round restaurant table." said Father Brown. he jumped up like a jack-in-the-box when they came within three. manner: "Will you step inside." said the dark man. but one hardly expected to find anyone doing it in such weather. As I told you." said Flambeau." 115 . He could only say amiably: "Oh. "But my friend would be glad of a glass of sherry. running almost the whole length of the frontage." began Flambeau. I have no staff—" And he went towards the black windows of his shuttered and unlighted inn. but the man turned to reassure him. But though he might have been a waxwork when they were within four yards of him. if he really can do it. I'm sure. In this. "My waiters are all Italians. its gimcrack quality had something spectral in its melancholy. and gazing at the sea in a state of almost astonishing immobility. however. "So you are the proprietor?" "Yes. You know the great fight between Malvoli and Nigger Ned is coming off after all?" "I'm afraid we can't wait to trouble your hospitality seriously. to keep out the cold and drink success to the Latin champion. it was placed so that visitors might sit there and look at the sea. but I can get you anything simple myself. which was apparently closed. "I could find my way in the dark. Nevertheless. and on this stood a small bottle of Chablis and a plate of almonds and raisins. Behind the table and on the seat sat a dark-haired young man. bareheaded. sir—certainly. you see. and I thought it only fair they should see their countryman beat the black. As they drew nearer and nearer to the place they saw in front of the buffet. Almost the whole frontage was of gilt plaster and figured glass. witch-like trees. "I have the keys. it doesn't really matter. thank you very much." he said. They both felt vaguely that if any food or drink were offered at such a hostelry. and between that grey seascape and the grey. but much longer. but he did not object to it in the least. gentlemen? I have no staff at present." "Sherry." Flambeau did not understand the sherry.
sure enough. in all their (often outrageous) adventures. As instant evidence proved. nothing had so chilled their blood as that voice of an ogre. and will stop in hotels for the night only. except that his black necktie was worn rather high. and." said Father Brown. the proprietor had told. you see—from the station." 116 . But he reflected that head cooks are proverbially arrogant. when this big fight is coming on after all. it is hardly weather for basking on the shore. "I rather wonder. artificial. there appeared in the doorway a big white bulk with white cap and white apron. "They come from the other end of the town. Nor was there anything notable in the face." "Or on the seat. He will be starting presently. perhaps. Sherry. sir?" And. nothing but the literal truth. "close by here—just by that bandstand. the host had come back with the sherry. or was." answered the priest. But both Flambeau and Father Brown have often confessed that. He was interrupted by a bellowing human voice that came out of the bowels of the uninhabited hotel. and pointed to the little table. as befits a cook. besides. It thundered some foreign name loudly but inaudibly. then and after." The hotel proprietor shrugged his shoulders. But somehow something in the contrast of colour and caste increased his surprise that the hotel proprietor should answer the call of the cook. "I had forgotten my cook. and the hotel proprietor moved more sharply towards it than he had done for Flambeau's sherry. his dark clothes had nothing distinctive about them." said the man with the motionless face. but with the needless emphasis of a black face. The silence that ensued was broken by their host saying quietly: "Whereabouts did you meet the one man on your march?" "Curiously enough. They are only interested in the sport. He was a quiet. rather sallow. sounding suddenly out of a silent and empty inn. and that was the great thing. giving the impression that the other was larger. "My cook!" cried the proprietor hastily. and not the cook the call of the proprietor. "I have to keep a look-out. We only met one man for miles. "that there are so few people about the beach. well-featured fellow."I didn't mean—" began Father Brown. except something that was probably a mere nervous trick—a habit of opening one eye more narrowly than the other. After all. Flambeau had often heard that negroes made good cooks. like a stock. and secured by a gold pin with some grotesque head to it." said Flambeau. three miles from here.
and he could almost fancy the left eye grew larger as he gazed. put it down and rose to his feet. It was fixed at the throat rather in the way that nurses fix children's comforters with a safety-pin. but he had a flourish and old-fashioned whiskers and moustachios. But he was a very different figure from the confused mass of white and black that had appeared for an instant in the doorway. He was buttoned and buckled up to his bursting eyeballs in the most brilliant fashion. dark or dyed. as in the pictures of foreign financiers. 117 ." he resumed. Flambeau felt quite certain that one of his eyes was naturally larger than the other. staring at his friend in amazement. "but he was—" As has been said. and then shut it again. "was not a safetypin. still ostentatiously pulling on his yellow gloves.Flambeau. And in the way he carried his cane in one hand and his cigar in the other there was a certain attitude—an attitude we must always remember when we talk of racial prejudices: something innocent and insolent—the cake walk. But as I was saying. He also was black. a queer music-hall figure against that grey and frosty scene—"as I was saying. "I'm not surprised that they lynch them. "What was he like?" "It was rather dark when I saw him. the hotel-keeper can be proved to have told the precise truth. The red flower stood up in his buttonhole aggressively. as the negro." The man sitting on the long iron bench was also gazing placidly out to sea. betook himself briskly towards the watering-place. Both were now well opened. A tall black hat was tilted on his broad black head—a hat of the sort that the French wit has compared to eight mirrors. But somehow the black man was like the black hat. pulling his gloves on." began Father Brown. Only this. who had sat on the long iron seat to finish his sherry." said Father Brown. Now he was once more in repose. It is needless to say that he wore white spats and a white slip inside his waistcoat. even as they spoke. looking after him." added the priest. as if it had suddenly grown there. His phrase that the cook was starting presently was fulfilled to the letter. gazing placidly out to sea. He opened his mouth to speak. round his neck was wrapped a long purple scarf that thrashed out in the wind as he walked. and yet his glossy skin flung back the light at eight angles or more. for the cook came out." said the dark-haired man thoughtfully. "Curious. "Sometimes." "I am never surprised. "at any work of hell." said Flambeau. I couldn't describe the man very minutely.
brushing the brim of his hat. His shoulders abruptly altered their shape. Without ceremony he snatched up the little priest." continued the cleric. as he held it vertical. Flambeau's shoulders again filled out and altered suddenly. but his large brown hands were resting on the end of the long iron seat." As he spoke a black feather from one of the ornamental firs fell. Three hinges and a lock burst at the same instant. in spite of the classic model of Anchises. and went racing towards Seawood as fast as his long legs could carry him. Flambeau had no weapon. at the end of which there was a closed back garden door. slung him astraddle on his shoulders. and the eyes in his head might have belonged to two different men. that made the stranger quail and dodge. but Father Brown's face only wore a broad grin. The mere height of the thing. leaving the flat and shining dagger he had dropped exactly where it had fallen. and he heaved the whole huge thing high over his head. He caught the little priest by the elbow and ran him down a grey perspective of barren back garden. and he went out into the empty path behind. before the shock of the iron crash. Then came another distant detonation. and had the carved head of a monkey or some such thing. Father Brown had his back to him. looked like a long iron ladder by which he was inviting men to climb towards the stars. as Samson carried the gates of Gaza. Flambeau bent over it an instant in violent silence. It startled him more than the small and distant detonation that had come just before. carrying the great garden door with him. like a headsman's axe about to fall. Then he flung the garden door over the garden wall. Then he made a movement of blinding swiftness. "We must get away from here instantly. "and it was fixed in a rather odd way—he wore pince-nez and a broad black—" The motionless man continued to gaze at the sea. It had hardly been a dignified escape. and then dart into his inn. in the level evening light. 118 . and in that flash might have fallen dead on his face. and the door he was trying to open shook under the bullet buried in it. just as a third shot picked up a spurt of snow and dust behind his heel. and then said: "The door is locked. But the long shadow. flinging the huge seat away with furious indifference on the beach."It was a very long gold pin." cried Flambeau. It was not until nearly two miles farther on that he set his small companion down. It was the shock of that shadow. looked like a giant brandishing the Eiffel Tower.
as they resumed their more conventional tramp through the streets on the edge of the town. voiceless structure. I think—happened to live at Sutton? They were eventually released." "I did meet him in a way." They walked on through some streets in silence. I acted on impulse. I think the most heartbreaking are places like that bandstand." "And I suppose. where no outrage need be feared." said Flambeau. because two suspected men—ice-cream men. when I came out on a vast circle of land." Brown said." said Flambeau. "I don't know what all this means. but I take it I may trust my own eyes that you never met the man you have so accurately described. for his pince-nez was broken under him. on the Downs round that part." "I had hoped he had only a little. Of all God-forsaken dustbins of Nature. But I'm afraid I didn't describe him so very accurately after all. after an impatient silence. and the long gold pin wasn't stuck through his purple scarf but through his heart. "Do you remember what was called the Sutton Mystery. The yellow lamps were beginning to be lit in the cold blue twilight." "It's odd you should mention Epsom. even in my criminal days. A bird sailed in heaven over it. I know (from an Irish policeman who is a friend of mine) that he was found close up to the Epsom Grand 119 . biting his finger rather nervously—"I did really. I can fancy a morbid man feeling he must kill his rival in the solitude and irony of such a scene. "that glass-eyed guy had something to do with it. tier above tier of seats." said the priest. "and I may have been wrong in what I did."Well. that were meant to be festive and are forlorn. and over me lifted a vast. I remember once taking a tramp in your glorious Surrey hills. As a fact. It was the Grand Stand at Epsom. "I never murdered anyone." said the other in a lower voice. thinking of nothing but gorse and skylarks. But I fear this business has deep roots and dark." answered Brown in a rather troubled voice. Highly coloured bills announcing the glove-fight between Nigger Ned and Malvoli were slapped about the walls. "Well. because it was under that bandstand affair. And it was too dark to see him properly. but I can almost sympathize with anyone doing it in such a dreary place. and they were evidently approaching the more central parts of the town. And I felt that no one would ever be happy there again. as huge as a Roman amphitheatre and as empty as a new letter-rack. A man was found strangled. it was said.
" They had emerged on a small square. and he had the eyes of fever and a high-bridged. and what do you want. No. Flambeau? Do you feel sure a wise murderer would always want the spot to be lonely? It's very." assented Flambeau. as the fight was coming on soon. they passed through the hall of combat itself. and flanked with two giant photographs of Malvoli and Nigger Ned. you know. short of that. frost-bitten nose. only hidden by one of the lower doors being pushed back." "I'm not so sure he—" began Brown." answered the little priest. There he stopped and asked to see Lord Pooley. roped. and. about the ropes after the fourth—Well. "I didn't know pugilism was your latest hobby." 120 . "Hallo!" cried Flambeau in great surprise." said Father Brown. They passed rapidly through ante-rooms and inner rooms. "Don't you think there's something rather tricky about this solitude. "I have come to prevent a man being killed. "Not so sure he was murdered?" queried his companion. the more certain he is to be seen. The attendant observed that his lordship was very busy. the more alone he is. brilliantly lighted. as his clerical friend stumped straight up the broad steps. In a few moments the rather baffled Flambeau found himself in the presence of a man who was still shouting directions to another man going out of the room. and still the cleric did not look round or pause till he came to a clerk at a desk outside a door marked "Committee". "Be careful. very seldom a man is quite alone. Are you going to see the fight?" "I don't think there will be any fight. but Father Brown had a good-tempered tedium of reiteration for which the official mind is generally not prepared.Stand—in fact. And. of which the principal building was gay with gilding. and padded with innumerable seats and boxes. He was half grey and half flaxen. here we are at the Pavilion or Palace. gaudy with posters. with simplicity. I think there must be some other—Why. raised. "Only a word. or the man wouldn't have been murdered there. "But it rather confirms my view that such pleasure places look awfully lonely out of season. "Not so sure he was murdered out of the season." "That is queer." replied Father Brown. was worried—especially about money. like most of the few remaining to our race. or whatever they call it. and stopped. I wonder!" Lord Pooley was a gentleman.
Lord Pooley bounded off his chair as if a spring had flung him from it. "I'm damned if I'll stand any more of this!" he cried. "You and your committees and parsons and petitions! Weren't there parsons in the old days, when they fought without gloves? Now they're fighting with the regulation gloves, and there's not the rag of a possibility of either of the boxers being killed." "I didn't mean either of the boxers," said the little priest. "Well, well, well!" said the nobleman, with a touch of frosty humour. "Who's going to be killed? The referee?" "I don't know who's going to be killed," replied Father Brown, with a reflective stare. "If I did I shouldn't have to spoil your pleasure. I could simply get him to escape. I never could see anything wrong about prizefights. As it is, I must ask you to announce that the fight is off for the present." "Anything else?" jeered the gentleman with feverish eyes. "And what do you say to the two thousand people who have come to see it?" "I say there will be one thousand nine-hundred and ninety-nine of them left alive when they have seen it," said Father Brown. Lord Pooley looked at Flambeau. "Is your friend mad?" he asked. "Far from it," was the reply. "And look here," resumed Pooley in his restless way, "it's worse than that. A whole pack of Italians have turned up to back Malvoli—swarthy, savage fellows of some country, anyhow. You know what these Mediterranean races are like. If I send out word that it's off we shall have Malvoli storming in here at the head of a whole Corsican clan." "My lord, it is a matter of life and death," said the priest. "Ring your bell. Give your message. And see whether it is Malvoli who answers." The nobleman struck the bell on the table with an odd air of new curiosity. He said to the clerk who appeared almost instantly in the doorway: "I have a serious announcement to make to the audience shortly. Meanwhile, would you kindly tell the two champions that the fight will have to be put off." The clerk stared for some seconds as if at a demon and vanished. "What authority have you for what you say?" asked Lord Pooley abruptly. "Whom did you consult?" "I consulted a bandstand," said Father Brown, scratching his head. "But, no, I'm wrong; I consulted a book, too. I picked it up on a bookstall in London—very cheap, too."
He had taken out of his pocket a small, stout, leather-bound volume, and Flambeau, looking over his shoulder, could see that it was some book of old travels, and had a leaf turned down for reference. "'The only form in which Voodoo—'" began Father Brown, reading aloud. "In which what?" inquired his lordship. "'In which Voodoo,'" repeated the reader, almost with relish, "'is widely organized outside Jamaica itself is in the form known as the Monkey, or the God of the Gongs, which is powerful in many parts of the two American continents, especially among half-breeds, many of whom look exactly like white men. It differs from most other forms of devil-worship and human sacrifice in the fact that the blood is not shed formally on the altar, but by a sort of assassination among the crowd. The gongs beat with a deafening din as the doors of the shrine open and the monkeygod is revealed; almost the whole congregation rivet ecstatic eyes on him. But after—'" The door of the room was flung open, and the fashionable negro stood framed in it, his eyeballs rolling, his silk hat still insolently tilted on his head. "Huh!" he cried, showing his apish teeth. "What this? Huh! Huh! You steal a coloured gentleman's prize—prize his already—yo' think yo' jes' save that white 'Talian trash—" "The matter is only deferred," said the nobleman quietly. "I will be with you to explain in a minute or two." "Who you to—" shouted Nigger Ned, beginning to storm. "My name is Pooley," replied the other, with a creditable coolness. "I am the organizing secretary, and I advise you just now to leave the room." "Who this fellow?" demanded the dark champion, pointing to the priest disdainfully. "My name is Brown," was the reply. "And I advise you just now to leave the country." The prize-fighter stood glaring for a few seconds, and then, rather to the surprise of Flambeau and the others, strode out, sending the door to with a crash behind him. "Well," asked Father Brown rubbing his dusty hair up, "what do you think of Leonardo da Vinci? A beautiful Italian head." "Look here," said Lord Pooley, "I've taken a considerable responsibility, on your bare word. I think you ought to tell me more about this." "You are quite right, my lord," answered Brown. "And it won't take long to tell." He put the little leather book in his overcoat pocket. "I think
we know all that this can tell us, but you shall look at it to see if I'm right. That negro who has just swaggered out is one of the most dangerous men on earth, for he has the brains of a European, with the instincts of a cannibal. He has turned what was clean, common-sense butchery among his fellow-barbarians into a very modern and scientific secret society of assassins. He doesn't know I know it, nor, for the matter of that, that I can't prove it." There was a silence, and the little man went on. "But if I want to murder somebody, will it really be the best plan to make sure I'm alone with him?" Lord Pooley's eyes recovered their frosty twinkle as he looked at the little clergyman. He only said: "If you want to murder somebody, I should advise it." Father Brown shook his head, like a murderer of much riper experience. "So Flambeau said," he replied, with a sigh. "But consider. The more a man feels lonely the less he can be sure he is alone. It must mean empty spaces round him, and they are just what make him obvious. Have you never seen one ploughman from the heights, or one shepherd from the valleys? Have you never walked along a cliff, and seen one man walking along the sands? Didn't you know when he's killed a crab, and wouldn't you have known if it had been a creditor? No! No! No! For an intelligent murderer, such as you or I might be, it is an impossible plan to make sure that nobody is looking at you." "But what other plan is there?" "There is only one," said the priest. "To make sure that everybody is looking at something else. A man is throttled close by the big stand at Epsom. Anybody might have seen it done while the stand stood empty—any tramp under the hedges or motorist among the hills. But nobody would have seen it when the stand was crowded and the whole ring roaring, when the favourite was coming in first—or wasn't. The twisting of a neck-cloth, the thrusting of a body behind a door could be done in an instant—so long as it was that instant. It was the same, of course," he continued turning to Flambeau, "with that poor fellow under the bandstand. He was dropped through the hole (it wasn't an accidental hole) just at some very dramatic moment of the entertainment, when the bow of some great violinist or the voice of some great singer opened or came to its climax. And here, of course, when the knock-out blow came—it would not be the only one. That is the little trick Nigger Ned has adopted from his old God of Gongs." "By the way, Malvoli—" Pooley began.
the Black Man meant in England almost what he once meant in Scotland. with nomadic preachers and nigger minstrels. "and horridly well hidden. pained—and the negro got away. before the two friends saw it again. too. They are octoroons and African half-bloods of various shades. "he would blacken his face. The man of the hotel was found drifting dead on the sea like so much seaweed." The blaze of the spring season had burst upon Seawood. he is really a clever man. Every negro in England was put under special regulations and made to report himself. and for a month or two the main purpose of the British Empire was to prevent the buck nigger (who was so in both senses) escaping by any English port." Flambeau." said the priest. "I fear the English decline to draw any fine distinction between the moral character produced by my religion and that which blooms out of Voodoo. They must have found him at the ports if he had only whitened his face. "He must be still in England. and murdered three policemen with his closed left hand. the outgoing ships would no more have taken a nigger than a basilisk. Persons of a figure remotely reconcilable with his were subjected to quite extraordinary inquisitions." "Well. Almost on every hand the secret of their purpose perished with them. littering its foreshore with famines and bathing-machines. as if each white complexion were made up like a mask. Nigger Ned had been overtaken a mile or two away. made to scrub their faces before going on board ship. his right eye was closed in peace. leaning motionless on the parapet. of greasepaint. The remaining officer was surprised—nay." observed Flambeau. but I fear we English think all foreigners are much the same so long as they are dark and dirty." "You see. with a smile. "has nothing to do with it." he added. laughed and said: "My dear fellow!" 124 . and glistened like glass in the moon. but what would he do?" "I think. I dare say he has some Italians with him. and long before the storm of pursuit after the strange secret society had died away. But this was enough to set all the English papers in a flame. For people had found out how fearful and vast and silent was the force of the savage secret society. Also." said Father Brown apologetically. and by the time Flambeau and Father Brown were leaning on the parade parapet in April. "And I'm sure he wouldn't whiten his face. but his left eye was wide open. but our amiable friends are not Italians."Malvoli." said Father Brown.
moved one finger for an instant into the direction of the soot-masked niggers singing on the sands.Father Brown. also leaning motionless on the parapet. 125 .
and in the broadening light he realized that he had been to the house which belonged to an Anglo-Indian Major named Putnam.The Salad of Colonel Cray FATHER BROWN was walking home from Mass on a white weird morning when the mists were slowly lifting—one of those mornings when the very element of light appears as something mysterious and new. whose thought was always (in the only intelligent sense of the words) free thought. and in this case the two attitudes were aptly tested. or still less on such an errand. He was just about to resume his trudge in the twilight. But he never consciously carried his actions outside the sphere of his own duty. Father Brown was made of two men. one of the many noises made by an animal. The scattered trees outlined themselves more and more out of the vapour. who could not easily be stopped. who was much simpler but much stronger. and that the Major had a native cook from Malta who 126 . It was not like anything else that he could think of. At yet more distant intervals appeared the houses upon the broken fringe of the suburb. telling himself it was no affair of his. Then the grey sky-line brightened into silver. but instinctively twisting and untwisting twenty theories about what the odd noises might mean. as if they were first drawn in grey chalk and then in charcoal. He supposed it must be the echo. their outlines became clearer and clearer until he recognized many in which he had chance acquaintances. but it was not this that puzzled him most. all that went on like his breathing or circulation. But as he passed under the shadow of one handsome villa with verandas and wide ornate gardens. The first full noise was immediately followed by a series of fainter noises—as he counted them. the three things nearest to it seemed to be the noise made by siphons of soda-water. who was as modest as a primrose and as punctual as a clock. about six. even unconsciously. and many more the names of whose owners he knew. But all the windows and doors were sealed. It was the unmistakable noise of a pistol or carbine or some light firearm discharged. none of the people were of the sort that would be up at such a time. and answering as many of them as he could. He could not help. who went his small round of duties and never dreamed of altering it. he heard a noise that made him almost involuntarily stop. asking himself all the questions that there were to be asked. but the odd thing was that the echo was not in the least like the original sound. There was a man of action. and the noise made by a person attempting to conceal laughter. None of which seemed to make much sense. There was also a man of reflection.
He had evidently come out of his house in a hurry. coming nearer. and more athletic. He had a large palm-leaf hat on the back of his head (suggesting a halo that was by no means appropriate to the face)." The Major looked at him rather queerly with his good-humoured gooseberry eyes.was of his communion. when the front door was flung open. All this Father Brown absorbed in detail more at leisure. were comparatively tasteful. The figure was much longer." The Major was still looking at him quietly. but with protruding eyes. short and very broad. releasing a flood of gaslight on the face of the fading mist. Major Putnam was a bald-headed. Then. the pyjamas." answered Father Brown. which. but otherwise he was clad only in a very vivid suit of striped scarlet and yellow pyjamas. at first a mere shadow in the haze. and another figure in pyjamas sprang or tumbled out into the garden. He also began to remember that pistol-shots are sometimes serious things. being of white with a light lemon-yellow stripe. "did you fire that shot?" 127 ." replied the other. "I thought I had better look in. though glowing enough to behold. but handsome. wore a kind of innocent grin. and the priest was not surprised when he called out without further ceremony: "Did you hear that noise?" "Yes. indeed. a large dustbin. But the face was a good-humoured one. The man was haggard. on a fresh morning. He turned back and went in at the garden gate. he had an aquiline profile and rather deep-sunken eyes. accompanied with consequences with which he was legitimately concerned. and even now. "but it seemed to have a singular sort of echo. must have been. with some hesitation. "It sounded like a gun or something. leaner. in case anything was the matter. "Cray!" exclaimed the Major. as he afterwards discovered. it was. Round the corner of this came a figure. staring at him. with one of those rather apoplectic faces that are produced by a prolonged attempt to combine the oriental climate with the occidental luxuries. For the moment he only saw one thing about the man. though equally tropical. and a slight air of oddity arising from the combination of coal-black hair with a much lighter moustache. which was the revolver in his hand. pretty chilly to wear. making for the front door. bull-necked man. apparently bending and peering about. rather unusually solid. Half-way down one side of the house stood out a projection like a very low shed. it solidified into a figure that was. though evidently puzzled and inquisitive. "What do you think the noise was?" he asked. more sunburned than the other.
" "Nor I. The interior exhibited a paradox often to be marked in such morning hours: that the rooms seemed brighter than the sky outside. "It's lucky you didn't turn your artillery on him or you might have given him quite a bad cold." said Cray stubbornly. "I never heard before that a service revolver was a thing to be sneezed at. Father Brown was surprised to see the whole dining-table set out as for a festive meal." said Major Putnam." answered Cray with gravity. Old cruet-stand gone. at that time of the morning. Even the old silver cream-jug gone. I am ready to answer your question of whether it was a burglar. It was common enough. If you were chased everywhere by devils and nearly—" The Major seemed to intervene rather hurriedly." "I have heard of him. but to find it freshly spread so early was unusual. "did he fall or cry out." "They're simply a blind. "I'll tell you exactly what he did. rather sharply. with napkins in their rings." said Father Brown faintly. "Fish-knives and forks gone. At last he spoke."Yes. And now. after a bewildered pause. spluttering: "All the silver gone!" he gasped. Father Brown." Father Brown's hand went half-way to his head. he said: "Was it a burglar?" "Let us go inside. and wine-glasses of some six unnecessary shapes set beside every plate. He knew now what it was that was neither soda-water nor the snorting of a dog. even after the Major had turned out the one gaslight in the front hall. "Well." he said. I know better than you why—" 128 . to find the remains of a banquet over-night. While he stood wavering in the hall Major Putnam rushed past him and sent a raging eye over the whole oblong of the tablecloth." retorted the black-haired gentleman hotly. "and so would you in my place." Then. "He sneezed. And then to Brown: "I don't know whether you've met Colonel Cray of the Royal Artillery. with the gesture of a man remembering somebody's name. "This is my friend Father Brown." said the priest innocently. "Did you—did you hit anything?" "I thought so. of course." ejaculated the staring Major. and led the way into his house." he said. or anything?" Colonel Cray was regarding his host with a strange and steady stare. "I know better than you why people persecute this house. "Did he—" asked Major Putnam in a lowered voice. I did.
whatever else he observed.The Major patted him on the shoulder with a gesture almost peculiar to the soothing of a sick child. It was in no way rationally reassuring." "I think you once told me. and saw Colonel Cray's tall figure bent almost double. which took him round the next corner of the house to within a yard or two of the projecting dustbin." "A burglar with a bad cold. Then." Major Putnam nodded. but Father Brown never observed his own appearance. By the time he came round to the garden door again he found a group there which seemed to roll away morbidities as the sunlight had already rolled away the mists. with some ashes on his hair. I think he sometimes fancies things." observed Father Brown. "that might assist you to trace him in the neighbourhood. whose lean. then he stepped towards it. as if engaged in some mysterious prayers. He's lived in very wild places. He remained thus for a measurable period. and. which was now even tinged with sunshine. "He must be far beyond trace now." The Major shook his head in a sombre manner. his red festive face seemed bursting with a commonplace cordiality. for fear my friend here has been a little too free with his bullets. and got on the wrong side of the law. He stood regarding this dismal object for some minute and a half—. Major Putnam had managed to slip inside and plunge into a proper shirt and trousers. to be frank with you. minutely examining the condition of gravel and grass. While the Major strolled unobtrusively towards him. "I suppose we'd better follow him outside. thus normally set off. he added in a husky. but at the same time shrugged his shoulders. it was simply broadly comic. like a cluster of Dickens's characters. and said: "It was a burglar. as the restless man with the revolver turned again towards the door in the garden." he said. "I don't want any more—shall we say. the priest took an equally indolent turn. lifted the lid and put his head inside. Dust and other discolouring matter shook upwards as he did so. Obviously it was a burglar. with a crimson cummerbund." said Brown. and a light square jacket over all. but then he was talking to his cook—the swarthy son of Malta. I fear. sneezing?" They passed out into the morning light." he said. yellow and rather 129 . He was indeed emphatic. "that he believes some Indian secret society is pursuing him. confidential voice: "I doubt whether I should send for the police. and walked unconcernedly away. Then he came out again.
" she was saying: "I always told you not to have that old-fashioned cruet-stand. I wish to goodness now you hadn't asked Cousin Oliver to take me to the musical service. She was one of those handsome women who will always be handsome. and the Colonel has to leave by then. The only other person he even admitted to be a judge of an omelette was his friend Cray—and as Brown remembered this. The third item in the group of the cook and the epicure was also known to Father Brown. because the beauty is not in an air or a tint." said Putnam. as you might know by now. "It serves you right. In the new presence of daylight and people clothed and in their right mind. for cookery was the Major's hobby. But though she was not yet middle-aged and her auburn hair was of a Titianesque fullness in form and colour. you mustn't be a housekeeper every hour of the day. my dear. but in the very structure of the head and features. "I'm old-fashioned myself. "Well." "I want to go to church. and you Indian gentlemen can't enjoy what you call a dinner without a lot of hot things. much more the housekeeper than the ward. as you see. The cook might well be careworn. with rather severe eyes." "And vanish together. I don't believe you men can manage alone." "I prefer it. looking at her very amiably. there was a look in her mouth and around her eyes which suggested that some sorrows wasted her. the Major's ward and housekeeper. He was one of those amateurs who always know more than the professional." said the Major. and for the first time guessed that "fancies things" might be an euphemism. And it's time you had a treat. It's Sunday. The taller and more elegant man was still in his night-garb. as winds waste at last the edges of a Greek 130 . Seeing him thus quadrupedal in the grass. if you are not going to bother about the burglar. to judge by her apron. and at this moment." she said. Audrey. still looking for traces of the burglar. and now crawling about the garden on his hands and knees. and I know you want to hear the music. with tousled black hair. and now and again." she retorted. we can." "Oh yes. and the things keep together. to all appearance. and we've often done ourselves well in very rough places. the priest raised his eyebrows rather sadly. tucked-up sleeves and resolute manner. placably. it was Audrey Watson. I shouldn't bother about the lunch. "Marco has all the sauces. the sight of him was rather a shock.careworn face contrasted quaintly with his snow-white cap and costume. It isn't over till half-past twelve. he turned to look for the other officer. striking the ground with his hand in anger at not finding him. and we can't send for vinegar and all that in the town.
" "What do you mean?" snapped Cray quite savagely. and how I have the devil in me against poor harmless natives." After a pause he said: "Look here. You are struggling against it. the black. unbrushed head was lifted abruptly. They never strive against it. You want what no madman ever wants. who. for reasons best known to himself. But I was a good-natured man once—as good-natured as Putnam. There was nothing in all this that could conceivably concern the tragedy in Miss Watson's face. but the other had no need of the direction. had arranged for a special dejeuner to be set out and consumed in the course of the morning. even when there aren't any. But you are trying to find traces of the burglar. was enthusiastic for music. and by a half conscious instinct. Father Brown gathered. with wild eyes. or even." answered the little man." explained Father Brown. like the rest?" "I have considered the thesis. not to be done out of a final feast with an old crony. "always encourage their own morbidity. while Audrey and other graver persons were at morning service. "And I incline to think you are not. and would go even to church to get it. composedly. the other gourmet. I've never seen you before. but that is a true word!" he cried. though a scientific man of a somewhat bitter type. "By hell. from the course of the conversation. And indeed. Dr Oliver Oman. Father Brown turned again to the seeming lunatic grubbing about in the grass. "Real madmen. but that Putnam. permitted. in the ordinary sense. When he strolled across to him. During the last words Cray had sprung or staggered to his feet and was regarding the cleric with agitated eyes." said Brown. "I suppose you think I'm mad. For indeed the little domestic difficulty of which she was now speaking so decisively was rather comic than tragic. "They are all at me here that the fellow was only after the silver—as if I shouldn't be only too pleased to think so! She's been at me. that Cray." "And what is that?" "You want to be proved wrong. had lingered much longer than politeness required. but you shall judge of the whole story. as if in some surprise at his continued presence. "she's been at me today about how cruel I was to shoot a poor harmless house-breaker. "Well!" cried Cray. had to leave before the usual lunch-time. Old Putnam and I were friends in the 131 ." and he tossed his tousled black head towards Audrey.temple. his host. She was going there under the escort of a relative and old friend of hers. Father Brown.
which I did through passage after passage. I confess I nearly fell on the great stone platform on which I had emerged. owing to some accidents on the Afghan border. There was nothing to do but to walk forward. only we were both invalided home for a bit. "'If you had only seen the Monkey's Feet. Curious things. very tolerant—you would only be tortured 132 . It opened with difficulty. which I could only trace by touch. when a more horrible thing happened. not without horror. secured by a latch of elaborate Eastern ironwork. with a brown face and a black coat. to realize that it was an idol. still we should be very moderate. like a loathsome large finger. but I think the most hateful thing about him was that he was in European dress. I know what they think I am. and then to a blind door. Just in front of me was something that looked like a mountain. I was prepared. and I must have mistaken the door. which was half turned into a greenish twilight by a multitude of small but steady lamps below. for shrouded priests or naked fakirs. They showed merely the feet or fringes of some huge and empty architecture. The result of them was that Putnam wants it broken off. an idol with its back to me. If you had seen the Monkey's Face. But this seemed to say that the devilry was over all the earth. But on the journey back things happened. and still more by a thing like a tail or extra limb turned up behind and pointing. 'we should have been very gentle—you would only be tortured and die. and we all travelled back together. he directed me to a little place opposite his lodgings. I had begun. As indeed I found it to be. but which I loosened at last. I got my command much sooner than most men. these are the facts. And worst of all. the door behind me sank back and settled into its place with a noise as of innumerable bolts. I was engaged to Audrey out there. Then I came to a flight of steps. pitch-dark. He had a carved smile on his face. smiling steadily. but. "Well. to judge by the small squat head. I think. "It was hardly half human. I have since found he was quite right. and without other preface. I guessed. The last day we were in an Indian city I asked Putnam if I could get some Trichinopoli cigars. at some symbol graven in the centre of the vast stone back. to guess at the hieroglyphic. and even Audrey keeps it hanging on—and I know what they mean. of copper flesh and ivory teeth. I came out again upon gloom. but as I turned back.' he said. A door opened silently in the temple wall behind me and a man came out. in the dim light. but 'opposite' is a dangerous word when one decent house stands opposite five or six squalid ones.same mess. and then only on darkness. So do you.
and not my story.' "When he said the words I heard the elaborate iron latch with which I had struggled.' And with that he was swallowed once more in the wall behind. possible that some of its images or talismans were in such a place. I woke again in the dark with a sensation that could not be put in colder or more literal words than that a breath bit like an adder. I'll simply tell you. and as it happened our bedrooms overlooked the open sea.' said the smiling man. you must go free. automatically unlock itself: and then. who had called the other thing a chance scratch. on our journey home together. and you shall judge which of us is right. "The third happened in Malta. and could not help thinking of the words in the temple. with his jolly common sense. 'Henceforth a hair shall slay you like a sword. and fell rather than jumped into the garden below. like a thread or a hair. was bound to take seriously the fact of finding me half insensible on the grass at dawn. I shrank back out of its way.and live. later. trailed across my throat. which almost came up 133 . it is. weapons shall come against you out of nowhere. and lay thinking of nothing in particular. Then the soldier continued: "Putnam. and you shall die many times." Cray paused. the line across my neck was a line of blood. far down the dark passages I had passed. or type of tribes and customs where the curse had been put on me. we must pronounce the worst sentence. and I went out into the street. or town. It was a jumble of tavern and curiosity-shop. anyhow. Putnam. and from that time dates his doubt of my mental balance. pooh-poohed all my fears. Existence was an agony of extinction. Its curse was there. I heard the heavy street-door shifting its own bolts backwards. and a breath shall bite you like an adder. "The second happened in a lodging in Port Said. the three things that have happened since. which is—Go Free. of course. But I fear it was my mental state he took seriously. but hundreds of miles from the temple. "The first happened in an Indian village on the edge of the jungle. I woke in black midnight. I dashed my head against walls until I dashed it against a window. and though there was nothing there remotely suggesting the cult of the Monkey. when I felt a faint tickling thing. in the fewest words. and Father Brown unaffectedly sat down on the lawn and began to pick daisies. But as you have seen the Monkey's Tail. poor fellow. Well. "'It is vain to ask for mercy. But when I got up and sought lights and a mirror. We were in a fortress there. of course.
and there seemed again the faintest touch of hurry and embarrassment. save for a flat white outer wall as bare as the sea. who was poring over an open book on the smoking-table—a book which he dropped rather guiltily." answered the doctor. Oman laughed mildly. and has been in Mexico and Australia. laying his hand on the big book he had dropped. Cray introduced him civilly enough. In the Major's study and den of curios they came suddenly on a third party. "but by all means come into his study. Cray seemed to find something specially irritating in the small prayerbook in Oman's dark-gloved hand. idols. and the Cannibal Islands for all I know. who seemed anxious to change the subject." he asked. I know. but without offence. What I did see was a sort of stick or branch circling. whether Audrey knew it or not." Father Brown threw away a daisy-chain he was making. "all these spears and things are from India?" "From everywhere. well-featured. in the empty sky. and rose with a wistful look. But it's rather too large to take to church. from which one might get a hint?" "Plenty of those. were rivals. "I didn't know that was in your line." he said rather rudely. though not much use. but he showed such disfavour in his very face that Brown guessed the two men. who have small gloved hands." replied Cray. It was one of those queer-shaped war-clubs some Eastern tribes use. "Putnam is an old soldier. "This is more so." Then he closed the larger book." he said. or a sail on the horizon." 134 . though almost dark enough for an Asiatic. silk-hatted and dressed for the street. as Dr Oman. and who speak with perfectly modulated voices." said the priest. There was a full moon. as I walked to the window. but it was not dark. Dr Oman was a very well-dressed gentleman indeed. But it had come from no human hand. and heard the voice of Putnam downstairs still giving a lecture on cookery to the cook. "got any Eastern curios. I fear. "I suppose. It flew straight in at my window and smashed the lamp beside the pillow I had just quitted." As they entered they passed Miss Watson buttoning her gloves for church. I could have seen a bird on the bare battlement. Nor was the priest wholly unsympathetic with the prejudice. selfsupported. weapons and so on. "Has Major Putnam. But Father Brown had to tell himself sharply that one should be in charity even with those who wax their pointed beards.to our window-sills. I woke up again. "a dictionary of drugs and such things. and turned.
"I hope it was not in the Cannibal Islands," said Brown, "that he learnt the art of cookery." And he ran his eyes over the stew-pots or other strange utensils on the wall. At this moment the jolly subject of their conversation thrust his laughing, lobsterish face into the room. "Come along, Cray," he cried. "Your lunch is just coming in. And the bells are ringing for those who want to go to church." Cray slipped upstairs to change; Dr Oman and Miss Watson betook themselves solemnly down the street, with a string of other churchgoers; but Father Brown noticed that the doctor twice looked back and scrutinized the house; and even came back to the corner of the street to look at it again. The priest looked puzzled. "He can't have been at the dustbin," he muttered. "Not in those clothes. Or was he there earlier today?" Father Brown, touching other people, was as sensitive as a barometer; but today he seemed about as sensitive as a rhinoceros. By no social law, rigid or implied, could he be supposed to linger round the lunch of the Anglo-Indian friends; but he lingered, covering his position with torrents of amusing but quite needless conversation. He was the more puzzling because he did not seem to want any lunch. As one after another of the most exquisitely balanced kedgerees of curries, accompanied with their appropriate vintages, were laid before the other two, he only repeated that it was one of his fast-days, and munched a piece of bread and sipped and then left untasted a tumbler of cold water. His talk, however, was exuberant. "I'll tell you what I'll do for you," he cried—, "I'll mix you a salad! I can't eat it, but I'll mix it like an angel! You've got a lettuce there." "Unfortunately it's the only thing we have got," answered the goodhumoured Major. "You must remember that mustard, vinegar, oil and so on vanished with the cruet and the burglar." "I know," replied Brown, rather vaguely. "That's what I've always been afraid would happen. That's why I always carry a cruet-stand about with me. I'm so fond of salads." And to the amazement of the two men he took a pepper-pot out of his waistcoat pocket and put it on the table. "I wonder why the burglar wanted mustard, too," he went on, taking a mustard-pot from another pocket. "A mustard plaster, I suppose. And vinegar"—and producing that condiment—"haven't I heard something about vinegar and brown paper? As for oil, which I think I put in my left—"
His garrulity was an instant arrested; for lifting his eyes, he saw what no one else saw—the black figure of Dr Oman standing on the sunlit lawn and looking steadily into the room. Before he could quite recover himself Cray had cloven in. "You're an astounding card," he said, staring. "I shall come and hear your sermons, if they're as amusing as your manners." His voice changed a little, and he leaned back in his chair. "Oh, there are sermons in a cruet-stand, too," said Father Brown, quite gravely. "Have you heard of faith like a grain of mustard-seed; or charity that anoints with oil? And as for vinegar, can any soldiers forget that solitary soldier, who, when the sun was darkened—" Colonel Cray leaned forward a little and clutched the tablecloth. Father Brown, who was making the salad, tipped two spoonfuls of the mustard into the tumbler of water beside him; stood up and said in a new, loud and sudden voice—"Drink that!" At the same moment the motionless doctor in the garden came running, and bursting open a window cried: "Am I wanted? Has he been poisoned?" "Pretty near," said Brown, with the shadow of a smile; for the emetic had very suddenly taken effect. And Cray lay in a deck-chair, gasping as for life, but alive. Major Putnam had sprung up, his purple face mottled. "A crime!" he cried hoarsely. "I will go for the police!" The priest could hear him dragging down his palm-leaf hat from the peg and tumbling out of the front door; he heard the garden gate slam. But he only stood looking at Cray; and after a silence said quietly: "I shall not talk to you much; but I will tell you what you want to know. There is no curse on you. The Temple of the Monkey was either a coincidence or a part of the trick; the trick was the trick of a white man. There is only one weapon that will bring blood with that mere feathery touch: a razor held by a white man. There is one way of making a common room full of invisible, overpowering poison: turning on the gas—the crime of a white man. And there is only one kind of club that can be thrown out of a window, turn in mid-air and come back to the window next to it: the Australian boomerang. You'll see some of them in the Major's study." With that he went outside and spoke for a moment to the doctor. The moment after, Audrey Watson came rushing into the house and fell on her knees beside Cray's chair. He could not hear what they said to each
other; but their faces moved with amazement, not unhappiness. The doctor and the priest walked slowly towards the garden gate. "I suppose the Major was in love with her, too," he said with a sigh; and when the other nodded, observed: "You were very generous, doctor. You did a fine thing. But what made you suspect?" "A very small thing," said Oman; "but it kept me restless in church till I came back to see that all was well. That book on his table was a work on poisons; and was put down open at the place where it stated that a certain Indian poison, though deadly and difficult to trace, was particularly easily reversible by the use of the commonest emetics. I suppose he read that at the last moment—" "And remembered that there were emetics in the cruet-stand," said Father Brown. "Exactly. He threw the cruet in the dustbin—where I found it, along with other silver—for the sake of a burglary blind. But if you look at that pepper-pot I put on the table, you'll see a small hole. That's where Cray's bullet struck, shaking up the pepper and making the criminal sneeze." There was a silence. Then Dr Oman said grimly: "The Major is a long time looking for the police." "Or the police in looking for the Major?" said the priest. "Well, goodbye."
" and pragmatists alternated with pugilists in the long procession of its portraits. headlines such as "Darwin Chews Dirt. But many American papers seized on the challenge as a great event. of the Western Sun." And Mr Calhoun Kidd. of which English papers are innocent. For while the journalism of the States permits a pantomimic vulgarity long past anything English. The last of a summer sunset clung about Cumnor and the low wooded hills. says Thinker Boulnois. and seeing the door of a genuine feudal old- 138 . a face dried up with its own eagerness. Critic Boulnois says He Jumps the Shocks"—or "Keep Catastrophic. William James figured there as well as "Weary Willie.The Strange Crime of John Boulnois MR CALHOUN KIDD was a very young gentleman with a very old face. to receive the interviewer. and had named the hour of nine that evening. in a somewhat dazed manner. though Boulnois's theory (which was that of a comparatively stationary universe visited occasionally by convulsions of change) had some rather faddy fashionableness at Oxford. That fated philosopher had consented. articles of valuable intelligence and enthusiasm were presented with headlines apparently written by an illiterate maniac." Those. it also shows a real excitement about the most earnest mental problems. This was in allusion to a great journalistic declaration (attributed to Mr Kidd himself) that "he guessed the sun would rise in the west yet. Thus. if American citizens did a bit more hustling. however. By the paradox already noted. or rather incapable. was bidden to take his butterfly tie and lugubrious visage down to the little house outside Oxford where Thinker Boulnois lived in happy ignorance of such a title. The Sun was full of the most solemn matters treated in the most farcical way. who mock American journalism from the standpoint of somewhat mellower traditions forget a certain paradox which partly redeems it. the romantic Yankee was both doubtful of his road and inquisitive about his surroundings. and the Sun threw the shadow of Mr Boulnois quite gigantically across its pages. framed in blue-black hair and a black butterfly tie. when a very unobtrusive Oxford man named John Boulnois wrote in a very unreadable review called the Natural Philosophy Quarterly a series of articles on alleged weak points in Darwinian evolution. and got so far as to be named "Catastrophism". He was the emissary in England of the colossal American daily called the Western Sun—also humorously described as the "Rising Sunset". it fluttered no corner of the English papers.
who was drinking very bad whisky. Smart Society. "You're a journalist. yet somehow in the very act and instant one could realize that the man had been brought up as a gentleman." replied his companion gloomily. "I shall be passing it myself in a minute. his clothes were coarse and careless. that he was a brother journalist." And he laughed rather unpleasantly." asked Kidd. with the courtesy of his nation. and had to wait some little time for a reply to it. The only other person present was a lean man with close red hair and loose. "Could you do me the favour. "But I shan't catch her at home. caused Kidd to guess. Nothing could be more different than his cynical negligence from the dapper dryness of the young American. The whisky. but I'm going on to Pendragon Park to try and see the fun. The Champion Arms. horsey-looking clothes. "Are you interested in Catastrophism?" asked the wondering Yankee. he went in to make inquiries. and there are going to be some. which came out in the course of talk. removing his cigar. "of directing me to the Grey Cottage. thin fingers." With that he spat on the floor. too?" asked the other pressman. of course. was James Dalroy. with the promise of formidable passions yet to be loosed. "Sir Claude Champion's place—haven't you come down for that. and attached to a pink paper which he heartily despised." said the red-haired man. His face was pale and dissipated. The American pressman considered him with more attention. I regret to say. and I never pretend it isn't. he was the son of a bankrupt Irish landlord. His name. "I'm interested in catastrophes. but smoking a very good cigar." replied the other." said Kidd. but something in his pencil and open notebook. but he had a good seal ring on one of his long. called Smart Society. aren't you?" "I have come to see Mr Boulnois. but it was a clever and sensitive face." "What is Pendragon Park?" asked Calhoun Kidd. was the choice brand of The Champion Arms. standing open. correctly. looking up. where Mr Boulnois lives. "I've come to see Mrs Boulnois.country inn. as I understand?" "It's a few yards down the road. felt none of that interest in Boulnois on Darwin which was such a credit to the head and hearts of the Western 139 . In the bar parlour he rang the bell. in the capacity of reporter and of something painfully like a spy. the cigar he had probably brought with him from London. and perhaps in the expression of his alert blue eye. "Mine's a filthy trade.
than there was to know—it would never have crossed his wildest dreams to connect so showy an aristocrat with the newly-unearthed founder of Catastrophism. which had been snap-shotted so often both for Smart Society and the Western Sun. to snuff up the scent of a scandal which might very well end in the Divorce Court. Sir Claude was really rather magnificent in other than American eyes. Sir Claude had carried the arts of publicity to perfection. acting. The two had hunted in couples at school and college. while Boulnois was a poor scholar and. literature. music. Boulnois had married a beautiful and not unsuccessful actress. A year or two before. as the great traveller who wrote books about the Himalayas. falsely pretended to know) Sir Claude Champion. That faultless falcon profile with purple-black Italian eye. but the idea of their intimate acquaintanceship would have struck Kidd as equally incongruous. But whether the two men could be friends much longer was becoming a dark and ugly question. but an ardent one. Boulnois's cottage stood just outside the gates of Pendragon Park. So were the Pope and the Derby Winner. as the great sportsman who raced yachts round the world. above all. it seemed. There was in him none of that antiquarian frivolity that we convey by the word "dilettante". Such. and the proximity of the household to Champion's had given that flighty celebrity opportunities for behaving in a way that could not but cause painful and rather base excitement. There was something of the Renascence Prince about his omnivorous culture and restless publicity—. an unknown one). or even a disease. they still kept in very close touch with each other. Sir Claude Champion was known to the readers of the Western Sun as well as Mr Boulnois. was nevertheless the fact. according to Dalroy's account. He had heard of (and written about.Sun. though their social destinies had been very different (for Champion was a great landlord and almost a millionaire. Indeed. and as the great dabbler in art. until just lately. or to guess that Sir Claude Champion and John Boulnois could be intimate friends. nay. but which was at present hovering between Grey Cottage and Pendragon Park. gave everyone the impression of a man eaten by ambition as by a fire. and he seemed to take a crazy pleasure in being equally ostentatious in an intrigue that could do him no sort of honour. as "one of the brightest and wealthiest of England's Upper Ten". as the politician who swept constituencies with a startling sort of Tory Democracy. and. But though Kidd knew a great deal about Sir Claude—a great deal more. Dalroy had come down. to whom he was devoted in his own shy and ponderous style. he was not only a great amateur. and. in fact. Footmen from Pendragon were 140 .
he could see that the house. betook himself smartly up the road towards the Grey Cottage. was larger and more luxurious than it looked at first. "Yes. But I don't believe it's possible." said Calhoun Kidd in a deep voice. but lighter on the left side of the sky." said the young man with red hair. Inside the garden hedge. A dog-kennel and a beehive stood outside. having finished a milk and soda. in which he was to play Romeo to a Juliet it was needless to name. and seeing by his watch that the hour of the "Thinker's" appointment had just struck. was so close under the pines and palisades of the Park that Kidd at first mistook it for the Park Lodge. as it were. "I don't think it can go on without a smash. however. The Grey Cottage. The last of the daylight had faded. with the promise of a rising moon. sir." answered Dalroy. he went in and knocked at the front door. with a rising voice. and the plain. in a square of stiff. though unpretentious enough. studded here and there with a star." "But see here. had been marked by Sir Claude Champion for an open-air rendering of Romeo and Juliet. But if he's square he's thick—what you might call cubic. balls and masquerades perpetually filled the grounds in which the baronet paraded Mrs Boulnois. the moon was rising behind a plantation of prosperous pear trees. marked by Mr Kidd for the exposition of Catastrophism." said the interviewer. "Old Boulnois may be squared—or he may be square. "but he has been obliged to go out suddenly." he said. high thorn-hedges. leaving his cynical informant to his whisky and tobacco. elderly man-servant who opened the door was brief but dignified. Must you be going on? I shall be following myself in a minute or two. getting up and shaking himself. like symbols of old English country-life. the dog that came out of the kennel was reverendlooking and reluctant to bark. "Do you know where he went to?" 141 . Finding the name on the narrow wooden gate. the skies were of a dark. I had an appointment. like slate.perpetually leaving bouquets for Mrs Boulnois. "Mr Boulnois asked me to offer his apologies. "but even a man of grand intellectual powers can't be such a blighted fool as all that. carriages and motor-cars were perpetually calling at the cottage for Mrs Boulnois. That very evening. and was quite a different kind of place from a porter's lodge. which stood entrenched." "He is a man of grand intellectual powers." But Calhoun Kidd. green-grey. like the Queen of Love and Beauty at a tournament.
In that case I reckon a man from the Western Sun will be on the spot. sir. heavy-faced old butler with his prehistoric shirt-front. "No. But as he went on he was more and more inclined to conclude. and was surprised how swiftly he could see the image of an appropriate and local ghost. of something that is none the less incurably sad because it is strangely unreal. He thought hazily of ghosts. thinking he heard steps in front of him. startled."To Pendragon Park. but he did not realize as yet that this was because he was coming nearer to the lights of the great house and garden. He felt a strong desire to hustle them all along a bit and teach them business habits. brutally. there was in the 142 ." said the man shortly. was annoyed. It was partly the raven colour of the pine-woods. The trees were as black and orderly as plumes upon a hearse. that curious compound of impudence and sensitiveness. and began to close the door." And he shut the door." said Mr Calhoun Kidd. He could see nothing in front but the twin sombre walls of pine and the wedge of starlit sky above them. Kidd started a little. sir. the hoary old dog and the grizzled. At first he thought he must have fancied it or been mocked by a mere echo of his own tramp. he set off. that there really were other feet upon the road. The apex of the triangle of dark-blue sky was growing brighter and bluer. "Did he go with Mrs—with the rest of the party?" he asked rather vaguely. one with a face as white as Pierrot's. the word "Ravenswood" came into his head repeatedly. but partly also an indescribable atmosphere almost described in Scott's great tragedy." And turning the corner by the open lodge-gates. "If that's the way he goes on he deserves to lose his wife's purest devotion. as he went up that strange." said the servant. "But perhaps he's gone over to make a row. The American. and then went out alone. stumping up the long avenue of black pine-woods that pointed in abrupt perspective towards the inner gardens of Pendragon Park. More than once. the smell of something that died in the eighteenth century. rather sombrely. but with an air of duty not done. "he stayed behind. He was a man with more literary than direct natural associations. there were still a few stars. and above all the scatter-brained old philosopher who couldn't keep an appointment. with the remains of his reason. black road of tragic artifice. but patched with black. he stopped. of wrongs that will never now be righted. He only felt that the atmosphere was growing more intense. the smell of dank gardens and broken urns. and the drowsy old moon.
and then he stood rooted as by a blast of magic.sadness more violence and secrecy—more—he hesitated for the word. being clad from neck to heel in tight crimson. He looked round wildly in the direction from which the dazzling missile had come. those black curls already grizzled—he had seen the thousand public portraits of Sir Claude Champion. and then said it with a jerk of laughter—Catastrophism. He ran like a hare and bent to look at it. Nevertheless. a kind of small round hill or dome of grass. But there were other red drops upon the blade which were not dubious. It fell on the pathway far in front of him and lay there glistening like a large needle. It is vain to say that he felt as if he had got into a dream. and saw that at this point the sable facade of fir and pine was interrupted by a smaller road at right angles. Kidd could see the finger of the dial stand up dark against the sky like the dorsal fin of a shark and the vain moonlight clinging to that idle clock. brought him in full view of the long. and having a sundial in the highest point in the centre. Something happened such as would have happened in such a place in a forgotten tale. like Byron with a Roman nose. with a lake and fountains in front of it. it is a tune to which we can go to sleep. The wild red figure reeled an instant against the sundial. faintly 143 . he did not look at this. when he turned it. it wakes us up like the pang of a perfect chord. at the angle of the steep green bank of the terraced garden. More pines. but this time he felt quite certain that he had got into a book. ringed and crowned with three concentric fences of roses. If one appropriate thing happens. the next it had rolled down the steep bank and lay at the American's feet. Though he saw it there only for a moment. But he saw something else clinging to it also. lighted house. Above him. having something more interesting to look at. for one wild moment—the figure of a man. clean-shaven and so unnaturally young. like a giant mole-hill. with glints of gold. That white face flung up to heaven. we are accustomed to the clatter of the incongruous. was one of those small picturesque surprises common in the old landscape gardening. though it was outlandish and incredible in costume. yet he knew in one flash of moonlight who it was. more pathway slid past him. For we human beings are used to inappropriate things. Over the black pine-wood came flying and flashing in the moon a naked sword—such a slender and sparkling rapier as may have fought many an unjust duel in that ancient park. Seen at close quarters it had rather a showy look: the big red jewels in the hilt and guard were a little dubious. which.
144 . Once more he seemed to hear phantasmal footsteps. "Boulnois… . A gaudy. then came a moan. But there was a long red stain down the bank from which the man had rolled—that was no part of the play. All this morbid impressionism must be Kidd's excuse for having cried out. but before he could speak. you devil?" James Dalroy smiled his unpleasing smile. a solid prosperous-looking man. In Kidd rose from its depth all that acrid humour that is the strange salt of the seriousness of his race. Dalroy had a sinister air of keeping appointments that hadn't. waving vaguely towards the place where the sword fell. and started to find another figure already near him. he was… " Kidd bent his head down to hear more. which darted over Kidd dubiously." The American knelt down by the body. Mr Calhoun Kidd shouted and shouted again. but a lively eye. He knew the figure. "you must fetch a doctor. Boulnois. "See here. he was. and yet it terrified him. I say… ." he said sharply and with command. "Were you too late also?" asked the doctor. propped up the head and used some last efforts at restoration.moving one arm. "All these Champions are papists. of course the tight crimson suit was part of the play. felt the heart. I suppose. but before the other journalist reappeared. The moonlight discoloured everything. Boulnois did it… jealous of me… he was jealous. he was already prepared to assert they were too late. He had been run through the body. and then it managed to speak. if Boulnois failed to keep appointments that had been made. against Dalroy's red hair his wan face looked not so much white as pale green. and then fell rigid with a thud. the fallen figure made another movement of the arm. The dissipated youth who had called himself Dalroy had a horribly quiet way with him. with conventional moustache and whiskers. unnatural gold ornament on the arm suddenly reminded Kidd of Romeo and Juliet. brutally and beyond all reason: "Did you do this. followed by a doctor and a priest. too." said Dalroy in an undecipherable manner. This man's dead. and just managed to catch the words: "Boulnois… with my own sword… he threw it… " Again the failing hand waved towards the sword." "And a priest.
"I may be in a position to give the old country a fact or two." "There again. The rest of the group made increased haste towards the lodge-gates. John Boulnois was going to stay in all this evening."In one sense. which looked ludicrously large and theatrical when attached to his dumpy figure." drawled the representative of the Sun. "has anyone got a light?" The Yankee journalist took an electric torch from his pocket." said the Yankee grimly. But John Boulnois changed his mind. Yes. "I'll say good night to you. "I was too late to save the man. gentlemen. The doctor stared at him gloomily with a reddening brow—. for there came towards him a presence that might have 145 . and now returned with the fallen sword." said Calhoun Kidd. a shorter figure in the background. without glancing at the point or pommel. "I fear I'm no use here. with a brief sigh." said the doctor gruffly—. "Just before the police come. I heard the dead man denounce his assassin. John Boulnois left his home abruptly and all alone. "but we haven't alarmed anyone else yet. drawing his eyebrows together. but I guess I was in time to hear something of importance. sir." he said. Then the priest. which he examined with blinking care." "Does Mrs Boulnois know?" asked James Dalroy. and at last stopped dead. and the priest held it close to the middle part of the blade. It was his silent way of acknowledging an equally silent approach. and whistled softly." The little priest had stepped out into the main avenue. where an inspector and two constables could already be seen in consultation with the lodge-keeper. Then. I think we hold what the all-wise police call a clue—have you sent for them?" "Yes." he said apologetically." "And who was the assassin?" asked the doctor." said the doctor. "I have not told her. but he did not contradict. His butler told me so. said mildly: "I understood that Mr Boulnois was not coming to Pendragon Park this evening." And he walked away up the dark avenue towards the house. "Boulnois. his hands clasped behind him and his big head bent in cogitation. and again Kidd was conscious of an irrational desire to hit him on his curling mouth. on the steps of the house. he handed the long weapon to the doctor. "but here come the police. But the little priest only walked slower and slower in the dim cloister of pine. at once clerical and commonplace. he fixed up a real good appointment there with me. and came over to this darned Park an hour or so ago.
and then nodded. Will you tell me why you haven't jumped to the conclusion of poor John's guilt. as generally conceived. Then he looked at her and immediately said: "I see you know about Sir Claude. "Father Brown. like some old Greek statues. "I don't think he did it. or fling the sword away among the pines. But such as they are. but we can't generally change our instinctive tastes and ways of doing things." Again he did not answer." "How do you know I know?" she asked steadily." He turned his blank. something very like a moral impossibility. "Mrs Boulnois?" he replied gravely. and passed his hand across his forehead. they don't fit in with Mr Boulnois being the murderer. and a face so startingly pale between them that she might have been chryselephantine—made. Boulnois might commit a murder. I know your husband only slightly.satisfied even Calhoun Kidd's demands for a lovely and aristocratic ghost." Father Brown returned her gaze with a long. though low. He would not snatch Romeo's sword from its romantic scabbard. but asked another: "Have you seen your husband?" "My husband is at home. she had golden hair in two long shining ropes. yet more gravely. but I want you to do me a favour first. It was a young woman in silvery satins of a Renascence design." she said. But her eyes were very bright. "Two very little things. one's very trivial and the other very vague." Father Brown looked honestly embarrassed. was confident. Please do not think I mean that Boulnois could not be so wicked. "Shall I tell you something more?" she said. I attach a good deal of importance to vague ideas. He did not answer the question. but not this murder. "Father Brown?" she said. round face up to the stars and continued absentmindedly: "To take the vague idea first. or slay his foe on the sundial as on a kind of altar. "I am going to tell you all I know." said the lady. I think a moral impossibility the biggest of all impossibilities. with a rather fearful smile. We can direct our moral wills. "He has nothing to do with this. as all the rest have done? Don't mind what you say: I—I know about the gossip and the appearances that are against me. If Boulnois killed anyone he'd do it 146 . but I think this crime of his. Anybody can be wicked—as wicked as he chooses. All those things that 'aren't evidence' are what convince me. grave stare. out of ivory and gold. with a curiously intense expression on her face. or leave his body among the roses. and you don't either. "At least. and the woman drew nearer to him. and her voice." he said. that is.
"is a great man." "Why?" asked the other. No." she said. "for love of you?" An extraordinary expression flashed across her face." she repeated. but length is an advantage in lunging at an enemy. and it is the solemn truth that he has never dreamed of being so. "He hated my husband because… it is so strange I hardly know how to say it… because… " "Yes?" said Brown patiently. and looked at him with eyes like diamonds. They were half-way down the blade of the sword. At least. He no more expects to be famous for thinking than for smoking cigars. finger-prints can be detected quite a time after they are made if they're on some polished surface like glass or steel. On all that side he has a sort of splendid stupidity. or anything her companion had expected: her voice became suddenly strong and full." she said. and seemed still to be listening. "There were finger-prints on that sword. My husband has never been celebrated or successful. he differed from most detectives in fact and fiction in a small point—he never pretended not to understand when he understood perfectly well. "whom it is easier to kill with a dagger than a sword." "Ah!" she said. "I saw him do it. Whose prints they were I have no earthly clue." said Father Brown." "He died. He has never grown up. the romantic setting is not like Boulnois. These were on a polished surface." said Brown. "Because my husband wouldn't hate him. and then the priest said quietly but abruptly: "Am I right. Sir Claude Champion was not a great man: he was a celebrated and successful man. "My husband. modesty." Father Brown only nodded.quietly and heavily. It's more like Champion. very different from pity. or read a loose Greek poet. "And the trivial thing was this. at most enemies." "I know." said the woman. then? Did Sir Claude kill himself?" "Yes" she said. "There is only one enemy. remorse." "Except one. "I don't believe. He still liked Champion 147 . Mrs Boulnois drew near once more with the same contained glow of certainty. "he ever cared about me a rap. with a face like marble. and turned his round face from the sky to the lady. but why should anybody hold a sword half-way down? It was a long sword. as he'd do any other doubtful thing—take a tenth glass of port. At all enemies except one. "Oneself." There was a long silence. He hated my husband." said Father Brown.
He went mad and killed himself for that." said Father Brown. like a dependant—to make him feel a failure. he had got an interesting book and a cigar. the last link snapped that held back his devilish hatred. he lies there in the garden dead of his own jealousy to produce jealousy. and one paper wanted to interview him. And Champion wanted to be envied. and John is sitting in the dining-room reading a book. Well. "of all the things wherein the king had honoured him. Then he began to lay that insane siege to my own love and honour which has been the talk of the shire. Nobody could do it now. as the body cannot fly. They began to attract attention. Nobody could have explained to my husband. and he said: 'All these things profit me nothing while I see Mordecai the Jew sitting in the gate. You will ask me why I allowed such atrocious attentions. he admired him as he would admire a conjuring trick done at the dinner-table. and there are some things the soul cannot do. I told this to Sir Claude." "Yes." 148 . and John would accept or refuse amiably with one eye off. but just as we were starting he said he wouldn't. Champion put John in a little house at his very door. especially in America. The monomaniac suddenly saw despair. He thinks no more about such things than—than an absent-minded lion." "And Haman began to tell them. He stabbed himself. After five years of it John had not turned a hair. and it was his death-blow. I answer that I could not have declined them except by explaining to my husband. If you said to him in so many words. so to speak. Champion would burst in on John's shabbiest hours or homeliest meals with some dazzling present or announcement or expedition that made it like the visit of Haroun Alraschid.exactly as he liked him at school. and Sir Claude Champion was a monomaniac.' he would think the joke a little vulgar: that it could be anything but a joke—that notion could find no crack in his great skull to get in by. When Champion (who was interviewed nearly every day) heard of this late little crumb of success falling to his unconscious rival. But he couldn't be got to conceive the notion of envying Champion. "I think I begin to understand. don't you see?" she cried. "the whole picture is made for that—the place is planned for it." said Father Brown." Mrs Boulnois continued. 'Champion is stealing your wife." "Oh.'" "The crisis came. John was to come and see us act this evening. like one lazy schoolboy agreeing or disagreeing with another. He never felt it. crying out like a devil that Boulnois was slaying him. "when I persuaded John to let me take down some of his speculations and send them to a magazine.
with a narrow triangular opening of shirt-front: he had 149 . and the instant the priest entered he noted the long ash stand out unbroken on his cigar. in all your very vivid account. slow-moving man with a massive head. a small and neat maid-servant showed him into the diningroom. "I shan't interrupt you a moment. burly features. right!" rejoined the cleric energetically. "Right. "He wouldn't mind. I don't think he imagines that America really is a place. "Why. what can you mean?" she cried. and yet it seemed rather bewilderment than confusion or fear." said the priest in his pleasant. "All the servants were out of the house. thank goodness!" Father Brown started and spun half round like an absurd teetotum. what?" he cried seeming galvanized into sudden life. and blunt. Mr Boulnois." she said. seeing the theatricals. Mrs Boulnois." "No. Your husband is not sitting in the dining-room reading a book. and his visitor was conscious of a certain deep and virile indifference in the man which his wife had called greatness. "Don't get up. and your butler told him Mr Boulnois had gone to Pendragon Park after all.There was another silence. and then the little priest said: "There is only one weak point. John Boulnois was a big." "You don't understand. That American reporter told me he had been to your house. partly grey and partly bald. wondering. prosaic way. "Look here—I say—can I make your husband hear if I go to the house?" "Oh. "He has been here for half an hour at least. I fear I break in on some of your scientific studies. He laid down a gory yellow "shocker" without even feeling its incongruity enough to comment on it humorously. where Boulnois sat reading by a shaded lamp. the servants will be back by now." thought Father Brown." said Mrs Boulnois." When Father Brown reached the house with the beehive and the drowsy dog. In fact. He turned once to say: "Better get hold of that Yankee. and set off scuttling up the path towards the Park gates." Her bright eyes widened to an almost electric glare.'" He said it with neither frown nor smile. exactly as his wife described him. And we don't keep a butler. A decanter of port and a wineglass were at his elbow. "What. or 'Crime of John Boulnois' will be all over the Republic in large letters. "I was reading 'The Bloody Thumb." said Boulnois. he had the air of sitting where he had sat when his dinner was cleared away. He was in shabby and very old-fashioned evening-dress.
assumed it that evening in his original purpose of going to see his wife act Juliet. and there was a little man with his mouth open to speak and his notebook open to write in. "quite the contrary. I came here specially to let you off the little penance which would otherwise have followed your little offence. "I know it was a strange crime." assented the other. smiling." "I know. muscularly couldn't. "but one often has to choose between feeling a damned fool and being one." said Father Brown." said the clerical gentleman. "I've seen him. and I thought for one long. I remembered the Yankee interviewer I had forgotten." said the philosopher slowly. That is my crime. Then I did it like a man lifting the world. physically. "I won't keep you long from 'The Bloody Thumb' or any other catastrophic affairs." "I didn't commit murder. "but only perjury. collecting his heavy hat and umbrella with an air of some amusement. The little sins are sometimes harder to confess than the big ones—but that's why it's so important to confess them." "It makes one feel. Father Brown. eternity—I can't convey it… the cigars were within reach… the matches were within reach… the Thumb had four more appearances to… it was not only a peace. "such a damned fool. but a red bar began to show across his broad brow. but a plenitude. smiling. I opened the front door. "I only came to ask you about the crime you committed this evening. Your crime is committed by every fashionable hostess six times a week: and yet you find it sticks to your tongue like a nameless atrocity. "but sitting in that chair with that story I was as happy as a schoolboy on a half-holiday. mortal minute that I couldn't get out of that chair—literally." "And what. It was security. I said I had gone across to Pendragon Park and shut the door in his face." asked Boulnois. and I tell you that murder—" "I understand." "I shan't inflict any penance. His hair was parted in the middle." Boulnois looked at him steadily." assented Brown in a low voice. "Stranger than murder perhaps—to you. and I don't know what penance you would inflict for it. "is the little penance I have so luckily been let off?" 150 ." continued the Catastrophist mildly." said Father Brown." "I can't analyse myself well. because I knew all the servants were out. Then that bell rang." went on Boulnois. and he seemed like one discovering embarrassment for the first time.
" said Father Brown. 151 ."Being hanged.
The Fairy Tale of Father Brown THE picturesque city and state of Heiligwaldenstein was one of those toy kingdoms of which certain parts of the German Empire still consist. bright colours of such a day. Despite his prosaic appearance and generally practical walk of life. but it was yet more like that lavish and glowing use of the colour which a child extracts from a shilling paint-box. 152 . But in merely looking at it one could not dismiss that impression of childishness which is the most charming side of Germany—those little pantomime. But he never composed anything in the form of fiction." he said. He took a childish pleasure. Amid the brisk. he did feel rather as if he had entered a fairy tale. Father Brown was not without a certain streak of romance in his composition. and in the heraldic framework of such a town. in the formidable sword-stick which Flambeau always flung as he walked. The sky was as Prussian a blue as Potsdam itself could require. Nay. And there's worse than that. gilded by the sunshine. paternal monarchies in which a king seems as domestic as a cook. with some faint memories of the ogre's club in a coloured toy-book. as many children do. horrible swords. It had come under the Prussian hegemony quite late in history—hardly fifty years before the fine summer day when Flambeau and Father Brown found themselves sitting in its gardens and drinking its beer. if one put oneself in the way? It's a splendid back-scene for them. The German soldiers by the innumerable sentry-boxes looked strangely like German toys. Even the grey-ribbed trees looked young. as soon will be shown. and in a pattern against the strong blue looked like innumerable childish figures. looked the more like the gilt gingerbread. For it was brilliant weather. unless it be the tale that follows: "I wonder." "You are mistaken. There had been not a little of war and wild justice there within living memory. but I always have a kind of feeling that they would fight you with pasteboard sabres more than real. and the clean-cut battlements of the castle. what do you mean?" asked Father Brown. "whether one would have real adventures in a place like this. though he generally kept his daydreams to himself. "In this place they not only fight with swords." "Why. as a younger brother might. and which now stood upright beside his tall mug of Munich. but kill without swords. for the pointed buds on them were still pink." said his friend. he even found himself eyeing the knobbed and clumsy head of his own shabby umbrella. in his sleepy irresponsibility.
sword in hand. retired into something like a hermitage. Crows that are crowned and kings— These things be many as vermin. and the third. the one genuine hero among Mr Swinburne's heroes. but not at all easily. Ludwig. as I'll explain in a minute. despicably. it is by no means certain that the occupation would ever have been successful had not one of the three brothers. of course." replied Flambeau. though not a traitor. He was a soldier of distinguished skill and success. Or something of that kind. you remember: Wolves with the hair of the ermine. They tell me that not long ago he could still be seen about the neighbourhood occasionally. had always been tame and even timid compared with his active brothers." said Father Brown. Heinrich. "Don't you know the story of the late Prince of this place? It was one of the great police mysteries about twenty years ago." he said." replied the other. was killed. by surrendering all the secrets of the insurrection. He was defeated in several battles by the celebrated Arnhold brothers—the three guerrilla patriots to whom Swinburne wrote a poem. "Perhaps you know as much about it as I do. "I mean a bullet in the brain. Yet Three shall abide these things. became converted to a Christian quietism which was almost Quakerish. We saw his portrait in the gallery there—a handsome old gentleman if he'd had any hair or eyebrows. "I didn't know you'd been here before. and hadn't been wrinkled all over like a vulture. that this place was forcibly annexed at the time of Bismarck's very earliest schemes of consolidation—forcibly." His friend looked at him in some surprise. who. and never mixed with men except to give nearly all he had to the poor. "I saw him once."Why. with very wild. "I should say this was the only place in Europe where a man was ever shot without firearms. nearly blind. a man in a black cloak." "I know. but he had things to harass him. but very decisively declined to abide these things any longer. white hair." "Do you mean a bow and arrow?" asked Brown in some wonder. in the capture of the city. After this. but he didn't have altogether an easy job with this little place. but a face of astonishing softness. 153 . Paul. Indeed. You remember. The empire (or what wanted to be one) sent Prince Otto of Grossenmark to rule the place in the Imperial interests. and. ensured its overthrow and his own ultimate promotion to the post of chamberlain to Prince Otto. that is.
He was a very able detective in the German service. still looking at the red budding of the branches over his head. The populace had been supposed to be disarmed ever since the suppression of the revolt. and he was the last survivor of them. He multiplied the ordinary daily and nightly guard round his castle till there seemed to be more sentry-boxes than houses in the town." said Father Brown. and only comes from my old friend Grimm. Yes. But he went further yet. He was in charge here of the inquiry about Prince Otto. too. on an absolute and literal disarmament. and even in this he erected another sort of central cabin or cupboard. Some say that under the floor of this again was a secret hole in the earth. and then resumed: 154 . and doubtful characters were shot without mercy. died long before?" "Died. of course." He paused a moment to drain the greater part of his dark lager at a draught. in his anxiety to avoid the grave. He lived almost entirely in a little room that was in the very centre of the enormous labyrinth of all the other rooms. and we had many interesting chats. lined with steel. by very well-organized officials over a small and familiar area. Perhaps somebody introduced a firearm so new that it didn't even look like a firearm. certainly with tea-kettles." "Human science can never be quite certain of things like that. "if only because of the difficulty about definition and connotation. that's the story of the Arnholds. Perhaps it looked like a thimble or something. According to Grimm. so that. "and that's about as much as we can say. but I forgot to ask him anything about the bullet. so far as human strength and science can be absolutely certain of anything. and he tried to arrest me. like a safe or a battleship. probably with tea-cosies." repeated Flambeau. You must understand that towards the end of his life he began to have those tricks of the nerves not uncommon with tyrants." "You mean that the Prince. "but my information is fragmentary. no more than large enough to hold him. It was carried out. as governments very seldom insist. with extraordinary thoroughness and severity. but Otto now insisted. Prince Otto was absolutely certain that nobody could introduce so much as a toy pistol into Heiligwaldenstein. what happened was this. and. On the other hand. What is a weapon? People have been murdered with the mildest domestic comforts. I arrested him instead. I doubt if he would know it was a weapon—until it was fired into him. and of all the men who played parts in that drama. if you showed an Ancient Briton a revolver.Anyhow." answered Flambeau. he was willing to go into a place pretty much like it. Was the bullet at all peculiar?" "Not that I ever heard of.
"that this was the one secret his brothers had not told him. Next came words of a terrible clearness. hurried to the inmost chamber. discovered there was everything there except the Prince himself. coming nearer. and gradually the Chamberlain—you saw his portrait. And even as he did so he heard a burst of cries and tumult in the long rooms and corridors without. and a meaningless sort of smile underneath—the Chamberlain. When it did open it was empty. "Otto. but very late. with his 155 . He went and looked into the hole in the ground. remembering the man's mad fits of fear. 'You have not told him… ' and was soon afterwards incapable of speech. It was a brilliant gathering. He searched all the outer salons. upon which (as it was said) the small city-state had so long maintained its credit and been able to negotiate with its neighbours even under the ceaseless bombardment of bigger armies. for there are no men who like wearing their decorations so much as the men of science—as anybody knows who has ever been to a soiree of the Royal Society."On the evening in question. and next one man. and said. the deputation of distinguished geologists and mineralogists from Paris and Berlin were there in the most magnificent and appropriate dress. of course. then. even beyond the castle. which seemed deeper and somehow all the more like a grave—that is his account." replied Flambeau. "But what about the brother who ratted? Hadn't he anything to tell the Prince?" "He always asseverated that he did not know. was lying in the dews of the darkening twilight in the woods beyond the castle." said Father Brown with a smile. rushing into the room and telling the news as briefly as such news is told. because he had to receive certain visitors whom he really wished to meet. Hitherto it had never been found by the most exacting inquiry which could—" "Which could be quite certain of discovering a toy pistol. and loud enough to be distinct if each word had not killed the other. Anyhow. when he looked at Heinrich but pointed at Paul. "First it was a distant din and thrill of something unthinkable on the horizon of the crowd. serious eyes. but the steel turret or cabin erected in the middle of it took some time to open. It is only right to say that it received some support from fragmentary words—spoken by the great Ludwig in the hour of death. the Prince was expected to appear in one of the outer rooms. I say. too. too: a man with black eyebrows. Prince of Heiligwaldenstein and Grossenmark. They were geological experts sent to investigate the old question of the alleged supply of gold from the rocks round here. Next it was a wordless clamour startlingly close. That also was empty. it seems.
and the news. If she just pulled their heads off. The blood still pulsed from his shattered temple and jaw. But. he thought—uglier than the blood and bullet—was that the flowers were quite short. "What an odd person you are!" he said. "Some girl attached to the Court named Hedwig von something or other. it looks as if—" And he hesitated. said how horrible it was. especially the mining experts. when they came up at her call." "Who found his body?" asked Father Brown. Flambeau stared at him. "who had been out in the wood picking wild flowers. except that the sash or scarf had been unbound and lay rather crumpled by his side. of course." replied his friend. as to receive his guests within. "Yes." said the priest. as a child does." replied Flambeau. he was a riddle—he who had always hidden in the inmost chamber out there in the wet woods. However. it looks rather as if she had snatched them nervously. unarmed and alone. staring rather vacantly at the veil of the branches above him. "Well." "Of course. The consternation it created was something beyond even that natural in a Court at the fall of a potentate. but it was the only part of him that moved like a living thing. were in the wildest doubt and excitement." "Had she picked any?" asked the priest. "Well?" inquired the other. had to be carried back to the castle. "I particularly remember that the Chamberlain.arms flung out and his face flung up to the moon. plucked close under the head. Before he could be lifted he was dead. to see a girl holding spring flowers and bending over that—that bloody collapse. The foreign visitors. "That's exactly what old Grimm said. or old Grimm or somebody. as well as many important Prussian officials. and some even said that the Prince's secret apartments and strong military protection were due less to fear of the populace than to the pursuit of some private investigation of—" "Had the flowers got long stalks?" asked Father Brown. she picks them with plenty of stalk." 156 . after she was there. Experts and officials had been promised great prizes or international advantages. He was clad in his full white and yellow uniform. and it soon began to be clear that the scheme for finding the treasure bulked much bigger in the business than people had supposed. dead or alive. He said the ugliest part of it. "when a grown up girl is really picking flowers. to make an excuse for being there after—well. the main point is that before help arrived he was dead.
He could have been killed. for. what a queer story! What a queer way of killing a man. you can't imagine a big bullet into a man's jaw or brain without using a gun or pistol. before his exploits at Sadowa and Gravelotte. "Rose from the ranks!" he cried. They might have been cherubs flying home to the casements of a sort of celestial nursery. "Well. "She is married to General Schwartz. which was rather romantic. but we have to explain not how he was killed." he said. and was suspected of sympathy with the old revolutionary enthusiasm in her family. laughing." Father Brown's smooth brow became suddenly constricted. "No doubt you've heard of his career. "I don't think I remember. He had distinguished himself even. to tell the truth. "But that and every other suspicion breaks down on the one point—the want of a weapon. as you say. in fact. he rose from the ranks. she was a little suspect. "Don't think me rude. and finished his beer. but how he was shot. And there was no pistol. Only beyond the tower glimmered the wood in which the man had lain dead. Paul Arnhold. Flambeau started a little." said his companion. "Was the other bullet found?" he demanded. But to think of hate so patient—" 157 . and made a mouth as if to whistle. All the same. but I suppose it was the only one possible. frowning more and more. I leave it to you. "There was only one in his head. though the niece and ward of the wicked old Chamberlain." said Flambeau. well. But she was very romantic. The oldest tower of the castle." "All right."I know what you're driving at. however romantic you are. And the fact is we can't." said Flambeau rather gloomily. with lots of other things—even with his own military sash. stood up as grotesque as the ale-mug. Let me think this out for a moment. but as homely. "Hold on! Hold on! Hold on!" cried Brown. my friend. which is very unusual even in the smallest of the German… " Father Brown sat up suddenly." said Flambeau." "How do you know there were two shots?" asked the little priest. though there were two pistol shots. with a quite unusual concentration of curiosity. the Dragon Tower. "What became of this Hedwig eventually?" asked the priest at last. A slight breeze stirred the budding trees and blew up into the sky cloudlets of white and pink that seemed to make the sky bluer and the whole coloured scene more quaint. They had the girl most ruthlessly searched. "but there was another bullet-hole in the sash.
By whom? By what?" "He was shot by his own orders." "I suppose." said the priest." he said. As I explained before. "I am only on my holiday. with rain still dropping from the trees and dew already clustering. "that you've got some notion in your head. and the pink baby fingers of the budding trees seemed spreading and stretching to reach them. He had deliberately chosen the least frequented side of his palace. He had no wish to be specially noticed himself. but it won't easily get the bullet out of his. "His great passion was not the much nobler dread of death. For this legend of the gold he had left Grossenmark and invaded Heiligwaldenstein." The little pink clouds. if you like. but even that was more frequented than he liked. had floated up to crown the turrets of the gilt gingerbread castle. One of the innumerable sentries saluted him. when Father Brown suddenly spoke again: "It was on a dismal night. He had realized suddenly that he could do without them. he might easily have been strangled. what is your theory?" Father Brown laughed. But there was no particular chance of officious or diplomatic pursuit. but the strange desire of gold. until he had come to the conclusion that. Only this place reminds me of fairy stories. and. and then. but he did not notice it. All the full-dressed diplomatists he left behind were unimportant. Perhaps I ought to say he died of having a sash. I know about the bullet. the renegade really told the 158 ." "Well. I know it doesn't sound like having a disease. yes. grey and already greasy with rain." said Brown carefully. I'll tell you a story. "In what way did they kill the man?" "They killed him with the sash." replied Father Brown." said Flambeau. swallowed him up like a swamp. anyhow. for his exit had been a sudden impulse. as Flambeau protested: "Yes. for this he had long questioned and cross-questioned the false Chamberlain."What do you mean?" demanded the other. But he was shot. that looked rather like sweet-stuff. He was glad when the great trees. the blue sky began to take a bright violet of evening. touching his ignorance. For this and only this he had bought the traitor and butchered the hero. "You mean he committed suicide?" "I didn't say by his own wish. "I haven't got any theories. that Prince Otto of Grossenmark stepped hurriedly out of a side door of the castle and walked swiftly into the wood. "I said by his own orders.
stood the hermitage. he had been an enemy. for he had thought of another way to get the desire of his eyes. Nor was there much cause for fear. "Away at the upper end of a rambling mountain path to which he was making his way. paid and promised money on the chance of gaining the larger amount. He. True. with two old rustic servants. For this he had. somewhat reluctantly. broken abruptly by the three corners of precipice. and not one pinch of powder for his enemies. would probably get the mere money secret out of him. The bronze or copper of it had grown green with the eating airs of that exalted place. in the dim woods. He was safe. even before his new ascetic creed had cut him off from property or pleasures. to say nothing of the fact that the wood and ridge were patrolled at regular intervals. and. rifles so far away. Rifles ranked so close even to that mountain path that a cry from him would bring the soldiers rushing up the hill. Since he was certain there were no private arms in the whole principality. thought Prince Otto. In front was the fall of the cliffs and the vast but cloudy vision of the valley. and with no other voice of man for year after year. could have no real reason for refusing to give up the gold. He had known its place for years. and all along the four facades linking them. Prince Otto looked down with something of a grim smile at the bright. some appeal to his principles. hardly more than a cavern fenced with thorn. and Otto had instantly the thought. And round the palace rifles at the west door and the east door. On the small rock platform stood an old bronze lectern or reading-stand. dwarfed by distance. but he now professed a duty of having no enemies. his avarice was stronger than his fears. that an enemy could not slink into the town by any detour. Behind was the black cave. "It was all the more clear when he had crested the ridge and found how naked was the nest of his old enemy. in any case. beyond the river. so low that it was hard to believe that a man could enter it. and made no effort to find it. Some concession to his cause. He found himself on a small platform of rock. he was a hundred times more certain there were none in the Quaker's little hermitage on the hill. among the pillared rocks along the ridge that hangs above the town. groaning under a great German Bible. in which the third of the great brethren had long hidden himself from the world. at the north door and the south. in spite of his network of military precautions. and to get it cheap. where he lived on herbs. square labyrinths of the lamp-lit city below him. For as far as the eye could see there ran the rifles of his friends. masked with green thorn. 'Even if 159 . and for this he had stolen out of his palace like a thief in the rain.truth. Otto was no coward.
but they had not the frosty silver on the hair. "'He has spoken of gold. 'I should like only one word with you.' said the old man. They were peasants. They wore dull-black gowns like his own. stood a very old man in a black robe that fell as straight as the cliffs around him. too.' said the Prince of Heiligwaldenstein. with broad. and turned away his face to the mountains. I am dead. because you were always right. We will not talk about who was right or wrong in that. blunt visages and blinking eyes.' 160 . as a mere ghost of those great quarrels. with quite unusual courtesy. and the rain had ceased. Let him cease to speak. But when the word 'gold' was said he held out his hand as if in arrest of something. controlling himself almost to a point of conciliation. 'They trust in their horses… ' "'Sir. "'I fear we have not met. 'He has spoken of things not lawful.' said the Prince. you have proved yourself above the suspicion that… ' "The old man in the black gown had hitherto continued to gaze at him with watery blue eyes and a sort of weak wisdom in his face. and looking across the valley. and the wintry hair that seemed to drip over his eyebrows like icicles. nor the frost-bitten refinement of the features. for one instant turning on Otto his drooping. Croat or Magyar. 'since that awful cannonade in which your poor brother died. 'but we will trust in the name of the Lord of Hosts… . 'that I do not come here to haunt you.' "'… and in their chariots.' Moonrise had already made a deathly dawn behind the crests and crags. but at least there was one point on which we were never wrong.' "'All my brothers died. but his courage and diplomatic sense stood firm. made a groping movement and gripped the reading-stand.' "'I hope you'll understand. still looking across the valley. delicate features.' he said. they must be rusted by now. being nearly blind.' His last words were inaudible.' went on the old man weakly. but whose white hair and weak voice seemed alike to waver in the wind. Whatever is to be said of the policy of your family. he added: 'You see. but he closed the book reverently and.' he said. "Behind the lectern. For the first time something troubled the Prince. Then. He was evidently reading some daily lesson as part of his religious exercises. no one for one moment imagines that you were moved by the mere gold.they had arms. Instantly his two servants slipped out of the low-browed cavern and supported him.
when the mouth was stopped and the voice strangled by a strong. and then began to read: 'The tongue is a little member. which startled and stiffened him. and that they had done it with his own military scarf. "The moon had risen in strengthening silver."Otto had the vice of his Prussian type and tradition. with a patience that had something horrible about it. but—' "Something in the very voice made the Prince turn suddenly and plunge down the mountain-path he had climbed. Rifles were so near that the wood and ridge could be patrolled at regular intervals. till he came to the Epistle of St James. nocturnal blue between the black stripes of the pines about the castle. therefore it was useless to hide in the wood till morning. and it was impossible. A cry from him would bring his soldiers rushing up the hill. but he could not speak. He felt himself repeating the phrases of his former mood with a murderous irony. But from him no cry would come. He tried again and again. Once more he looked down grimly at the bright. and the sky showed in stripes of bright. soft gag suddenly twisted round his head like a tourniquet. the men who had knotted that gag knew the difference between what a man can do with his hands in front of him and what he can do with his hands behind his head. his arms were free to use any gesture or wave any signal. "The old man went again weakly to his great brazen-supported Bible. he was ill acquainted with the emotion of surprise. turned over the leaves. Consequently. and ill prepared for the next movement. Flowers of some wide and feathery sort—for he had never noticed such things before—were at once luminous and 161 . which is to regard success not as an incident but as a quality. Rifles were ranked so far away that an enemy could not slink into the town by any detour. He conceived himself and his like as perpetually conquering peoples who were perpetually being conquered. His legs were free to leap like an antelope on the mountains. and he smiled no more. square labyrinths of the lamp-lit city below him. A dumb devil was in him. It was fully forty seconds before he even realized that the two Hungarian servants had done it. He had opened his mouth to answer the hermit. therefore it was vain to return to the city by any remote course. "He had come close to the woods that walled in the castle before he had quite realized what his wordless state meant and was meant to mean. every one of whom would shoot him dead if he could not answer the challenge. Far as the eye could see ran the rifles of his friends. He was half-way towards the gardens of the palace before he even tried to tear the strangling scarf from his neck and jaws.
but with his face so bandaged by a kind of mask made of his own military scarf that nothing but open. and then he saw whom he had slain. dead eyes could be seen. since not unknown in his profession. we shall probably never know. He was a private named Schwartz. glittering stonily in the moonlight. Naturally. in that little wood. and broke with a slight snap. and would do no more harm either with gold or steel. He knew with half his mind that he was drawing near to the castle of an ogre—he had forgotten that he was the ogre. Otto of Grossenmark lay very peacefully among the fairy trees. and then a shot that shrieked as it came and then was stilled suddenly by impact. He remembered asking his mother if bears lived in the old park at home. but in that wood he felt something unfathomably German—the fairy tale. in which place there was nothing to connect him with the disaster. But we can know. and deserved to marry a man who became something of a hero. as if it were a charm against enchantment. that is why there was a shot-hole in the scarf. The bullet had gone through the gag into the jaw. young Schwartz tore off the mysterious silken mask and cast it on the grass. "He tried to scream and was silent. The stalk was stronger than he expected. according to the strict orders of the garrison. as if crawling about the roots of the trees. "The sentry who had fired. "We cannot be certain of the next phase. he heard the halloo. horrible as was its occasion. Perhaps his reason had been suddenly unseated by the unnatural captivity he carried with him. and what he found was a bald man in uniform. The second challenge came. 'Who goes there?' Then he remembered the scarf was not in its usual place. 162 . She persuaded the sentry to go back to his post. only the silver pencil of the moon would pick out and trace here and there the intricate ornament of his uniform. But I incline to believe that there was a fairy tale. but only one shot.discoloured by the moonshine. She remained by the body and gave the alarm. or the old wrinkles on his brow. I fancy. if not correctly. She did the bold and the wise thing. Whether the young lady named Hedwig had any previous knowledge of the soldier she saved and eventually married. Carefully trying to place it in his scarf. after all. and seemed indescribably fantastic as they clustered. He stooped to pick a flower. or whether she came accidentally upon the accident and their intimacy began that night. naturally ran forward to find some trace of his quarry. that this Hedwig was a heroine. he was but one of the most loyal and orderly of fifty such sentries within call. May God have mercy on his soul.
" answered the priest. the Arnhold who betrayed his brethren. "Well. since she had not got. painted sort of smile that seemed to contradict the black warning in his eyes." "Where are you going?" asked his friend. 163 . "I wonder what part—I wonder if a man is less a traitor when he is twice a traitor?" And he ruminated long before the portrait of a white-haired man with black eyebrows and a pink. "I'm going to have another look at that portrait of the Chamberlain." said Father Brown rising cheerfully "I hope they're happy.and there was nothing to connect her with the disaster either. any firearms. and could not have.
first published in 1908. during adolescence Chesterton was troubled by thoughts of suicide. providing an invaluable contribution to one of the major debates of the last century . the "answer to a riddle" in his 164 . Gilbert Keith Chesterton The Man Who Was Thursday: A Nightmare is a novel by G. The novel has been described as "one of the hidden hinges of twentiethcentury writing. Chesterton considered this book a companion to his other work. Chesterton that has become a classic of Christian apologetics. His consistently engaging but often wayward humour is mixed liberally with daring flights of fancy and some startling turns of thought. In the book's preface Chesterton states the purpose is to "attempt an explanation." The Man Who Was Thursday: a Nightmare . Heretics. stumpy Catholic priest with "uncanny insight into human evil. the nonsense-fantastical tradition of Lewis Carroll and Edward Lear pivots and becomes the nightmare-fantastical tradition of Kafka and Borges. the novel is not an exploration or rebuttal of anarchist thought. not of whether the Christian Faith can be believed. Orthodoxy. He sees it as the answer to natural human needs. K. Gilbert Keith Chesterton Twelve mysteries featuring Father Brown. In Christianity he found answers to many of the dilemmas and paradoxes of life. The book has been referred to as a metaphysical thriller. before our eyes. Although it deals with anarchists. the place where." In it. the short. Gilbert Keith Chesterton Orthodoxy (1908) is a book by G.Loved this book ? Similar users also downloaded The Innocence of Father Brown. Gilbert Keith Chesterton Though he was on the whole a fun loving and gregarious man.one that continues to exercise leading thinkers in the present one. K. Chesterton's ad hoc construction of "Philosophical Anarchism" is distinguished from ordinary anarchism and is referred to several times not so much as a rebellion against government but as a rebellion against God." Heretics. Chesterton presents an original view of Christian religion. A highly original collection of essays. Chesterton. but of how he personally has come to believe it. Throughout Heretics he provides a very personal critique of contemporary religious notions.
is chosen. and not simply as an arbitrary truth received from somewhere outside the boundaries of human experience. set in a nearly-unchanged London in 1984. All are bored by the King's antics except for one earnest young man who takes the cry for regional pride seriously – Adam Wayne. Though the novel deals with the future. Though most of the conclusions. To amuse himself.]" The Napoleon of Notting Hill. especially towards the end. Eugenics and Other Evils. my beauty. and Wayne thinks up a few ingenious strategies. Agatha Christie 165 . he institutes elaborate costumes for the provosts of the districts of London. Whose Body?. "fleetest of all thy bounding tribe"). The Secret Adversary.. finally." he said. considering the value of one man's actions and the virtue of respect for one's enemies. the eponymous Napoleon of Notting Hill. The dreary succession of randomly selected Kings of England is broken up when Auberon Quin. a reason which I should like briefly to emphasise and make clear. fought with sword and halberd in the London streets. who cares for nothing but a good joke. While the novel is humorous (one instance has the King sitting on top of an omnibus and speaking to it as to a horse: "Forward. it concentrates not on technology nor on totalitarian government but on a government where no one cares what happens. comparable to Fahrenheit 451 in that respect. are conceived with reference to recent events.[. Dorothy Leigh Sayers Lord Peter Wimsey investigates the sudden appearance of a naked body in the bath of an architect at the same time a noted financier goes missing under strange circumstances. my Arab. the actual bulk of preliminary notes about the science of Eugenics were written before the war. the novel is philosophical.. it is also an adventure story: Chesterton is not afraid to let blood be drawn in his battles. Gilbert Keith Chesterton From the introduction: "I publish these essays at the present time for a particular reason connected with the present situation. and.own words. Chesterton in 1904. K. As the case progresses it becomes clear that the two events are linked in some way. Gilbert Keith Chesterton The Napoleon of Notting Hill is a novel written by G. patting the omnibus encouragingly.
A. and Harper's Magazine in America. All Tuppence has to do is take an all-expenses-paid trip to Paris and pose as someone named Jane Finn. and Mark Ablett is missing. A. and the disappearance of her mysterious employer. and first published in book form in 1860. and Antony Gillingham (with cheerful Bill Beverly at his side) is just the man. is filled with very proper guests when Mark's most improper brother returns from Australia. Julian Symons (in his 1974 introduction to the Penguin edition) reports that "queues formed outside the offices to buy the next instalment. waltzes and quadrilles were called by the book's title.Hiring themselves out as "young adventurers willing to do anything" is a smart move for Tommy and Tuppence. The first episode appeared on 29 November 1859. Bonnets. But with the job comes a threat to her life." (from Wikipedia) 166 .. the study has been locked from the inside. The Woman in White. And Prince Albert sent a copy to Baron Stockmar. perfumes. she's got a secret that's putting both their lives in danger. The Red House Mystery. Gladstone cancelled a theatre engagement to go on reading it. It is considered to be among the first mystery novels and is widely regarded as one of the first (and finest) in the genre of 'sensation novels'. It caused an immediate sensation. When the maid hears an argument in the study it isn't long before the brother dies. Milne The Red House.. following Charles Dickens's own A Tale of Two Cities in Dickens's magazine All the Year Round in England. of a bullet between the eyes! Strangely. Now Tuppence's newest job is playing detective—because if there's a Jane Finn that really exists. serialized in 1859–1860. Only an investigator with remarkable powers of observation could hope to resolve this mystery. The Woman in White was first published as a magazine serial. As was customary at that time. Wilkie Collins The Woman in White is an epistolary novel written by Wilkie Collins in 1859. stately mansion home of Mark Ablett.
www.feedbooks.com Food for the mind 167 .