\"ComradeGregory，\"hesaid，\"Isupposethismanisadelegate？\"
Gregory，takenbysurprise，lookeddownandmutteredthenameofSyme;butSymerepliedalmostpertly——
\"Iamgladtoseethatyourgateiswellenoughguardedtomakeithardforanyonetobeherewhowasnotadelegate。\"
Thebrowofthelittlemanwiththeblackbeardwas，however，stillcontractedwithsomethinglikesuspicion。
\"Whatbranchdoyourepresent？\"heaskedsharply。
\"Ishouldhardlycallitabranch，\"saidSyme，laughing;\"Ishouldcallitattheveryleastaroot。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Thefactis，\"saidSymeserenely，\"thetruthisIamaSabbatarian。IhavebeenspeciallysentheretoseethatyoushowadueobservanceofSunday。\"
Thelittlemandroppedoneofhispapers，andaflickeroffearwentoverallthefacesofthegroup。EvidentlytheawfulPresident，whosenamewasSunday，didsometimessenddownsuchirregularambassadorstosuchbranchmeetings。
\"Well，comrade，\"saidthemanwiththepapersafterapause，\"I
supposewe’dbettergiveyouaseatinthemeeting？\"
\"Ifyouaskmyadviceasafriend，\"saidSymewithseverebenevolence，\"Ithinkyou’dbetter。\"
WhenGregoryheardthedangerousdialogueend，withasuddensafetyforhisrival，heroseabruptlyandpacedthefloorinpainfulthought。Hewas，indeed，inanagonyofdiplomacy。ItwasclearthatSyme’sinspiredimpudencewaslikelytobringhimoutofallmerelyaccidentaldilemmas。Littlewastobehopedfromthem。HecouldnothimselfbetraySyme，partlyfromhonour，butpartlyalsobecause，ifhebetrayedhimandforsomereasonfailedtodestroyhim，theSymewhoescapedwouldbeaSymefreedfromallobligationofsecrecy，aSymewhowouldsimplywalktothenearestpolicestation。Afterall，itwasonlyonenight’sdiscussion，andonlyonedetectivewhowouldknowofit。Hewouldletoutaslittleaspossibleoftheirplansthatnight，andthenletSymego，andchanceit。
Hestrodeacrosstothegroupofanarchists，whichwasalreadydistributingitselfalongthebenches。
\"Ithinkitistimewebegan，\"hesaid;\"thesteam—tugiswaitingontheriveralready。ImovethatComradeButtonstakesthechair。\"
Thisbeingapprovedbyashowofhands，thelittlemanwiththepapersslippedintothepresidentialseat。
\"Comrades，\"hebegan，assharpasapistol—shot，\"ourmeetingtonightisimportant，thoughitneednotbelong。ThisbranchhasalwayshadthehonourofelectingThursdaysfortheCentralEuropeanCouncil。WehaveelectedmanyandsplendidThursdays。Wealllamentthesaddeceaseoftheheroicworkerwhooccupiedthepostuntillastweek。Asyouknow，hisservicestothecausewereconsiderable。HeorganisedthegreatdynamitecoupofBrightonwhich，underhappiercircumstances，oughttohavekilledeverybodyonthepier。Asyoualsoknow，hisdeathwasasself—denyingashislife，forhediedthroughhisfaithinahygienicmixtureofchalkandwaterasasubstituteformilk，whichbeverageheregardedasbarbaric，andasinvolvingcrueltytothecow。
Cruelty，oranythingapproachingtocruelty，revoltedhimalways。
Butitisnottoacclaimhisvirtuesthatwearemet，butforahardertask。Itisdifficultproperlytopraisehisqualities，butitismoredifficulttoreplacethem。Uponyou，comrades，itdevolvesthiseveningtochooseoutofthecompanypresentthemanwhoshallbeThursday。IfanycomradesuggestsanameIwillputittothevote。Ifnocomradesuggestsaname，Icanonlytellmyselfthatthatdeardynamiter，whoisgonefromus，hascarriedintotheunknowableabyssesthelastsecretofhisvirtueandhisinnocence。\"
Therewasastirofalmostinaudibleapplause，suchasissometimesheardinchurch。Thenalargeoldman，withalongandvenerablewhitebeard，perhapstheonlyrealworking—manpresent，roselumberinglyandsaid——
\"ImovethatComradeGregorybeelectedThursday，\"andsatlumberinglydownagain。
\"Doesanyonesecond？\"askedthechairman。
Alittlemanwithavelvetcoatandpointedbeardseconded。
\"BeforeIputthemattertothevote，\"saidthechairman，\"IwillcallonComradeGregorytomakeastatement。\"
Gregoryroseamidagreatrumbleofapplause。Hisfacewasdeadlypale，sothatbycontrasthisqueerredhairlookedalmostscarlet。
Buthewassmilingandaltogetheratease。Hehadmadeuphismind，andhesawhisbestpolicyquiteplaininfrontofhimlikeawhiteroad。Hisbestchancewastomakeasoftenedandambiguousspeech，suchaswouldleaveonthedetective’smindtheimpressionthattheanarchistbrotherhoodwasaverymildaffairafterall。Hebelievedinhisownliterarypower，hiscapacityforsuggestingfineshadesandpickingperfectwords。Hethoughtthatwithcarehecouldsucceed，inspiteofallthepeoplearoundhim，inconveyinganimpressionoftheinstitution，subtlyanddelicatelyfalse。Symehadoncethoughtthatanarchists，underalltheirbravado，wereonlyplayingthefool。Couldhenotnow，inthehourofperil，makeSymethinksoagain？
\"Comrades，\"beganGregory，inalowbutpenetratingvoice，\"itisnotnecessaryformetotellyouwhatismypolicy，foritisyourpolicyalso。Ourbeliefhasbeenslandered，ithasbeendisfigured，ithasbeenutterlyconfusedandconcealed，butithasneverbeenaltered。Thosewhotalkaboutanarchismanditsdangersgoeverywhereandanywheretogettheirinformation，excepttous，excepttothefountainhead。Theylearnaboutanarchistsfromsixpennynovels;theylearnaboutanarchistsfromtradesmen’snewspapers;theylearnaboutanarchistsfromAllySloper’sHalf—HolidayandtheSportingTimes。Theyneverlearnaboutanarchistsfromanarchists。WehavenochanceofdenyingthemountainousslanderswhichareheapeduponourheadsfromoneendofEuropetoanother。Themanwhohasalwaysheardthatwearewalkingplagueshasneverheardourreply。Iknowthathewillnothearittonight，thoughmypassionweretorendtheroof。Foritisdeep，deepundertheearththatthepersecutedarepermittedtoassemble，astheChristiansassembledintheCatacombs。Butif，bysomeincredibleaccident，therewereheretonightamanwhoallhislifehadthusimmenselymisunderstoodus，Iwouldputthisquestiontohim：’WhenthoseChristiansmetinthoseCatacombs，whatsortofmoralreputationhadtheyinthestreetsabove？WhattalesweretoldoftheiratrocitiesbyoneeducatedRomantoanother？Suppose’
（Iwouldsaytohim），’supposethatweareonlyrepeatingthatstillmysteriousparadoxofhistory。SupposeweseemasshockingastheChristiansbecausewearereallyasharmlessastheChristians。
SupposeweseemasmadastheChristiansbecausewearereallyasmeek。\"’
Theapplausethathadgreetedtheopeningsentenceshadbeengraduallygrowingfainter，andatthelastworditstoppedsuddenly。Intheabruptsilence，themanwiththevelvetjacketsaid，inahigh，squeakyvoice——
\"I’mnotmeek！\"
\"ComradeWitherspoontellsus，\"resumedGregory，\"thatheisnotmeek。Ah，howlittleheknowshimself！Hiswordsare，indeed，extravagant;hisappearanceisferocious，andeven（toanordinarytaste）unattractive。Butonlytheeyeofafriendshipasdeepanddelicateasminecanperceivethedeepfoundationofsolidmeeknesswhichliesatthebaseofhim，toodeepevenforhimselftosee。I
repeat，wearethetrueearlyChristians，onlythatwecometoolate。Wearesimple，astheyreveresimple——lookatComradeWitherspoon。Wearemodest，astheyweremodest——lookatme。Wearemerciful——\"
\"No，no！\"calledoutMr。Witherspoonwiththevelvetjacket。
\"Isaywearemerciful，\"repeatedGregoryfuriously，\"astheearlyChristiansweremerciful。Yetthisdidnotpreventtheirbeingaccusedofeatinghumanflesh。Wedonoteathumanflesh——\"
\"Shame！\"criedWitherspoon。\"Whynot？\"
\"ComradeWitherspoon，\"saidGregory，withafeverishgaiety，\"isanxioustoknowwhynobodyeatshim（laughter）。Inoursociety，atanyrate，whichloveshimsincerely，whichisfoundeduponlove——\"
\"No，no！\"saidWitherspoon，\"downwithlove。\"
\"Whichisfoundeduponlove，\"repeatedGregory，grindinghisteeth，\"therewillbenodifficultyabouttheaimswhichweshallpursueasabody，orwhichIshouldpursuewereIchosenastherepresentativeofthatbody。Superblycarelessoftheslandersthatrepresentusasassassinsandenemiesofhumansociety，weshallpursuewithmoralcourageandquietintellectualpressure，thepermanentidealsofbrotherhoodandsimplicity。\"
Gregoryresumedhisseatandpassedhishandacrosshisforehead。
Thesilencewassuddenandawkward，butthechairmanroselikeanautomaton，andsaidinacolourlessvoice——
\"DoesanyoneopposetheelectionofComradeGregory？\"
Theassemblyseemedvagueandsub—consciouslydisappointed，andComradeWitherspoonmovedrestlesslyonhisseatandmutteredinhisthickbeard。Bythesheerrushofroutine，however，themotionwouldhavebeenputandcarried。Butasthechairmanwasopeninghismouthtoputit，Symesprangtohisfeetandsaidinasmallandquietvoice——
\"Yes，Mr。Chairman，Ioppose。\"
Themosteffectivefactinoratoryisanunexpectedchangeinthevoice。Mr。GabrielSymeevidentlyunderstoodoratory。Havingsaidthesefirstformalwordsinamoderatedtoneandwithabriefsimplicity，hemadehisnextwordringandvolleyinthevaultasifoneofthegunshadgoneoff。
\"Comrades！\"hecried，inavoicethatmadeeverymanjumpoutofhisboots，\"havewecomehereforthis？Doweliveundergroundlikeratsinordertolistentotalklikethis？ThisistalkwemightlistentowhileeatingbunsataSundaySchooltreat。DowelinethesewallswithweaponsandbarthatdoorwithdeathlestanyoneshouldcomeandhearComradeGregorysayingtous，’Begood，andyouwillbehappy，’’Honestyisthebestpolicy，’and’Virtueisitsownreward’？TherewasnotawordinComradeGregory’saddresstowhichacuratecouldnothavelistenedwithpleasure（hear，hear）。ButIamnotacurate（loudcheers），andIdidnotlistentoitwithpleasure（renewedcheers）。Themanwhoisfittedtomakeagoodcurateisnotfittedtomakearesolute，forcible，andefficientThursday（hear，hear）。\"
\"ComradeGregoryhastoldus，inonlytooapologeticatone，thatwearenottheenemiesofsociety。ButIsaythatwearetheenemiesofsociety，andsomuchtheworseforsociety。Wearetheenemiesofsociety，forsocietyistheenemyofhumanity，itsoldestanditsmostpitilessenemy（hear，hear）。ComradeGregoryhastoldus（apologeticallyagain）thatwearenotmurderers。ThereIagree。Wearenotmurderers，weareexecutioners（cheers）。\"
EversinceSymehadrisenGregoryhadsatstaringathim，hisfaceidioticwithastonishment。Nowinthepausehislipsofclayparted，andhesaid，withanautomaticandlifelessdistinctness——
\"Youdamnablehypocrite！\"
Symelookedstraightintothosefrightfuleyeswithhisownpaleblueones，andsaidwithdignity——
\"ComradeGregoryaccusesmeofhypocrisy。HeknowsaswellasIdothatIamkeepingallmyengagementsanddoingnothingbutmyduty。
Idonotmincewords。Idonotpretendto。IsaythatComradeGregoryisunfittobeThursdayforallhisamiablequalities。HeisunfittobeThursdaybecauseofhisamiablequalities。WedonotwanttheSupremeCouncilofAnarchyinfectedwithamaudlinmercy（hear，hear）。Thisisnotimeforceremonialpoliteness，neitherisitatimeforceremonialmodesty。IsetmyselfagainstComradeGregoryasIwouldsetmyselfagainstalltheGovernmentsofEurope，becausetheanarchistwhohasgivenhimselftoanarchyhasforgottenmodestyasmuchashehasforgottenpride（cheers）。Iamnotamanatall。Iamacause（renewedcheers）。IsetmyselfagainstComradeGregoryasimpersonallyandascalmlyasIshouldchooseonepistolratherthananotheroutofthatrackuponthewall;andIsaythatratherthanhaveGregoryandhismilk—and—watermethodsontheSupremeCouncil，Iwouldoffermyselfforelection——\"
Hissentencewasdrownedinadeafeningcataractofapplause。Thefaces，thathadgrownfiercerandfiercerwithapprovalashistiradegrewmoreandmoreuncompromising，werenowdistortedwithgrinsofanticipationorclovenwithdelightedcries。AtthemomentwhenheannouncedhimselfasreadytostandforthepostofThursday，aroarofexcitementandassentbrokeforth，andbecameuncontrollable，andatthesamemomentGregorysprangtohisfeet，withfoamuponhismouth，andshoutedagainsttheshouting。
\"Stop，youblastedmadmen！\"hecried，atthetopofavoicethattorehisthroat。\"Stop，you——\"
ButlouderthanGregory’sshoutingandlouderthantheroaroftheroomcamethevoiceofSyme，stillspeakinginapealofpitilessthunder——
\"IdonotgototheCounciltorebutthatslanderthatcallsusmurderers;Igotoearnit（loudandprolongedcheering）。Tothepriestwhosaysthesemenaretheenemiesofreligion，tothejudgewhosaysthesemenaretheenemiesoflaw，tothefatparliamentarianwhosaysthesemenaretheenemiesoforderandpublicdecency，toalltheseIwillreply，’Youarefalsekings，butyouaretrueprophets。Iamcometodestroyyou，andtofulfilyourprophecies。’\"
Theheavyclamourgraduallydiedaway，butbeforeithadceasedWitherspoonhadjumpedtohisfeet，hishairandbeardallonend，andhadsaid——
\"Imove，asanamendment，thatComradeSymebeappointedtothepost。\"
\"Stopallthis，Itellyou！\"criedGregory，withfranticfaceandhands。\"Stopit，itisall——\"
Thevoiceofthechairmanclovehisspeechwithacoldaccent。
\"Doesanyonesecondthisamendment？\"hesaid。Atall，tiredman，withmelancholyeyesandanAmericanchinbeard，wasobservedonthebackbenchtobeslowlyrisingtohisfeet。Gregoryhadbeenscreamingforsometimepast;nowtherewasachangeinhisaccent，moreshockingthananyscream。\"Iendallthis！\"hesaid，inavoiceasheavyasstone。
\"Thismancannotbeelected。Heisa——\"
\"Yes，\"saidSyme，quitemotionless，\"whatishe？\"Gregory’smouthworkedtwicewithoutsound;thenslowlythebloodbegantocrawlbackintohisdeadface。\"Heisamanquiteinexperiencedinourwork，\"hesaid，andsatdownabruptly。
Beforehehaddoneso，thelong，leanmanwiththeAmericanbeardwasagainuponhisfeet，andwasrepeatinginahighAmericanmonotone——
\"IbegtosecondtheelectionofComradeSyme。\"
\"Theamendmentwill，asusual，beputfirst，\"saidMr。Buttons，thechairman，withmechanicalrapidity。
\"ThequestionisthatComradeSyme——\"
Gregoryhadagainsprungtohisfeet，pantingandpassionate。
\"Comrades，\"hecriedout，\"Iamnotamadman。\"
\"Oh，oh！\"saidMr。Witherspoon。
\"Iamnotamadman，\"reiteratedGregory，withafrightfulsinceritywhichforamomentstaggeredtheroom，\"butIgiveyouacounselwhichyoucancallmadifyoulike。No，Iwillnotcallitacounsel，forIcangiveyounoreasonforit。Iwillcallitacommand。Callitamadcommand，butactuponit。Strike，buthearme！Killme，butobeyme！Donotelectthisman。\"Truthissoterrible，eveninfetters，thatforamomentSyme’sslenderandinsanevictoryswayedlikeareed。ButyoucouldnothaveguesseditfromSyme’sbleakblueeyes。Hemerelybegan——
\"ComradeGregorycommands——\"
Thenthespellwassnapped，andoneanarchistcalledouttoGregory——
\"Whoareyou？YouarenotSunday\";andanotheranarchistaddedinaheaviervoice，\"AndyouarenotThursday。\"
\"Comrades，\"criedGregory，inavoicelikethatofamartyrwhoinanecstacyofpainhaspassedbeyondpain，\"itisnothingtomewhetheryoudetestmeasatyrantordetestmeasaslave。Ifyouwillnottakemycommand，acceptmydegradation。Ikneeltoyou。I
throwmyselfatyourfeet。Iimploreyou。Donotelectthisman。\"
\"ComradeGregory，\"saidthechairmanafterapainfulpause，\"thisisreallynotquitedignified。\"
Forthefirsttimeintheproceedingstherewasforafewsecondsarealsilence。ThenGregoryfellbackinhisseat，apalewreckofaman，andthechairmanrepeated，likeapieceofclock—worksuddenlystartedagain——
\"ThequestionisthatComradeSymebeelectedtothepostofThursdayontheGeneralCouncil。\"
Theroarroselikethesea，thehandsroselikeaforest，andthreeminutesafterwardsMr。GabrielSyme，oftheSecretPoliceService，waselectedtothepostofThursdayontheGeneralCounciloftheAnarchistsofEurope。
Everyoneintheroomseemedtofeelthetugwaitingontheriver，thesword—stickandtherevolver，waitingonthetable。Theinstanttheelectionwasendedandirrevocable，andSymehadreceivedthepaperprovinghiselection，theyallsprangtotheirfeet，andthefierygroupsmovedandmixedintheroom。Symefoundhimself，somehoworother，facetofacewithGregory，whostillregardedhimwithastareofstunnedhatred。Theyweresilentformanyminutes。
\"Youareadevil！\"saidGregoryatlast。
\"Andyouareagentleman，\"saidSymewithgravity。
\"Itwasyouthatentrappedme，\"beganGregory，shakingfromheadtofoot，\"entrappedmeinto——\"
\"Talksense，\"saidSymeshortly。\"Intowhatsortofdevils’
parliamenthaveyouentrappedme，ifitcomestothat？YoumademeswearbeforeImadeyou。Perhapswearebothdoingwhatwethinkright。Butwhatwethinkrightissodamneddifferentthattherecanbenothingbetweenusinthewayofconcession。Thereisnothingpossiblebetweenusbuthonouranddeath，\"andhepulledthegreatcloakabouthisshouldersandpickeduptheflaskfromthetable。
\"Theboatisquiteready，\"saidMr。Buttons，bustlingup。\"Begoodenoughtostepthisway。\"
Withagesturethatrevealedtheshop—walker，heledSymedownashort，iron—boundpassage，thestillagonisedGregoryfollowingfeverishlyattheirheels。Attheendofthepassagewasadoor，whichButtonsopenedsharply，showingasuddenblueandsilverpictureofthemoonlitriver，thatlookedlikeasceneinatheatre。Closetotheopeninglayadark，dwarfishsteam—launch，likeababydragonwithoneredeye。
Almostintheactofsteppingonboard，GabrielSymeturnedtothegapingGregory。
\"Youhavekeptyourword，\"hesaidgently，withhisfaceinshadow。
\"Youareamanofhonour，andIthankyou。Youhavekeptitevendowntoasmallparticular。Therewasonespecialthingyoupromisedmeatthebeginningoftheaffair，andwhichyouhavecertainlygivenmebytheendofit。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"criedthechaoticGregory。\"WhatdidIpromiseyou？\"
\"Averyentertainingevening，\"saidSyme，andhemadeamilitarysalutewiththesword—stickasthesteamboatslidaway。
CHAPTERIV
THETALEOFADETECTIVE
GABRIELSYMEwasnotmerelyadetectivewhopretendedtobeapoet;
hewasreallyapoetwhohadbecomeadetective。Norwashishatredofanarchyhypocritical。Hewasoneofthosewhoaredrivenearlyinlifeintotooconservativeanattitudebythebewilderingfollyofmostrevolutionists。Hehadnotattaineditbyanytametradition。Hisrespectabilitywasspontaneousandsudden，arebellionagainstrebellion。Hecameofafamilyofcranks，inwhichalltheoldestpeoplehadallthenewestnotions。Oneofhisunclesalwayswalkedaboutwithoutahat，andanotherhadmadeanunsuccessfulattempttowalkaboutwithahatandnothingelse。Hisfathercultivatedartandself—realisation;hismotherwentinforsimplicityandhygiene。Hencethechild，duringhistendereryears，waswhollyunacquaintedwithanydrinkbetweentheextremesofabsinthandcocoa，ofbothofwhichhehadahealthydislike。ThemorehismotherpreachedamorethanPuritanabstinencethemoredidhisfatherexpandintoamorethanpaganlatitude;andbythetimetheformerhadcometoenforcingvegetarianism，thelatterhadprettywellreachedthepointofdefendingcannibalism。
Beingsurroundedwitheveryconceivablekindofrevoltfrominfancy，Gabrielhadtorevoltintosomething，soherevoltedintotheonlythingleft——sanity。Buttherewasjustenoughinhimofthebloodofthesefanaticstomakeevenhisprotestforcommonsensealittletoofiercetobesensible。Hishatredofmodernlawlessnesshadbeencrownedalsobyanaccident。Ithappenedthathewaswalkinginasidestreetattheinstantofadynamiteoutrage。Hehadbeenblindanddeafforamoment，andthenseen，thesmokeclearing，thebrokenwindowsandthebleedingfaces。
Afterthathewentaboutasusual——quiet，courteous，rathergentle;
buttherewasaspotonhismindthatwasnotsane。Hedidnotregardanarchists，asmostofusdo，asahandfulofmorbidmen，combiningignorancewithintellectualism。Heregardedthemasahugeandpitilessperil，likeaChineseinvasion。
Hepouredperpetuallyintonewspapersandtheirwaste—paperbasketsatorrentoftales，versesandviolentarticles，warningmenofthisdelugeofbarbaricdenial。Butheseemedtobegettingnonearerhisenemy，and，whatwasworse，noneareraliving。AshepacedtheThamesembankment，bitterlybitingacheapcigarandbroodingontheadvanceofAnarchy，therewasnoanarchistwithabombinhispocketsosavageorsosolitaryashe。Indeed，healwaysfeltthatGovernmentstoodaloneanddesperate，withitsbacktothewall。Hewastooquixotictohavecaredforitotherwise。
HewalkedontheEmbankmentonceunderadarkredsunset。Theredriverreflectedtheredsky，andtheybothreflectedhisanger。Thesky，indeed，wassoswarthy，andthelightontheriverrelativelysolurid，thatthewateralmostseemedoffiercerflamethanthesunsetitmirrored。Itlookedlikeastreamofliteralfirewindingunderthevastcavernsofasubterraneancountry。
Symewasshabbyinthosedays。Heworeanold—fashionedblackchimney—pothat;hewaswrappedinayetmoreold—fashionedcloak，blackandragged;andthecombinationgavehimthelookoftheearlyvillainsinDickensandBulwerLytton。Alsohisyellowbeardandhairweremoreunkemptandleoninethanwhentheyappearedlongafterwards，cutandpointed，onthelawnsofSaffronPark。Along，lean，blackcigar，boughtinSohofortwopence，stoodoutfrombetweenhistightenedteeth，andaltogetherhelookedaverysatisfactoryspecimenoftheanarchistsuponwhomhehadvowedaholywar。PerhapsthiswaswhyapolicemanontheEmbankmentspoketohim，andsaid\"Goodevening。\"
Syme，atacrisisofhismorbidfearsforhumanity，seemedstungbythemerestolidityoftheautomaticofficial，amerebulkofblueinthetwilight。
\"Agoodeveningisit？\"hesaidsharply。\"Youfellowswouldcalltheendoftheworldagoodevening。Lookatthatbloodyredsunandthatbloodyriver！Itellyouthatifthatwereliterallyhumanblood，spiltandshining，youwouldstillbestandinghereassolidasever，lookingoutforsomepoorharmlesstrampwhomyoucouldmoveon。Youpolicemenarecrueltothepoor，butIcouldforgiveyouevenyourcrueltyifitwerenotforyourcalm。\"
\"Ifwearecalm，\"repliedthepoliceman，\"itisthecalmoforganisedresistance。\"
\"Eh？\"saidSyme，staring。
\"Thesoldiermustbecalminthethickofthebattle，\"pursuedthepoliceman。\"Thecomposureofanarmyistheangerofanation。\"
\"GoodGod，theBoardSchools！\"saidSyme。\"Isthisundenominationaleducation？\"
\"No，\"saidthepolicemansadly，\"Ineverhadanyofthoseadvantages。TheBoardSchoolscameaftermytime。WhateducationIhadwasveryroughandold—fashioned，Iamafraid。\"
\"Wheredidyouhaveit？\"askedSyme，wondering。
\"Oh，atHarrow，\"saidthepolicemanTheclasssympathieswhich，falseastheyare，arethetruestthingsinsomanymen，brokeoutofSymebeforehecouldcontrolthem。
\"But，goodLord，man，\"hesaid，\"yououghtn’ttobeapoliceman！\"
Thepolicemansighedandshookhishead。
\"Iknow，\"hesaidsolemnly，\"IknowIamnotworthy。\"
\"Butwhydidyoujointhepolice？\"askedSymewithrudecuriosity。
\"Formuchthesamereasonthatyouabusedthepolice，\"repliedtheother。\"Ifoundthattherewasaspecialopeningintheserviceforthosewhosefearsforhumanitywereconcernedratherwiththeaberrationsofthescientificintellectthanwiththenormalandexcusable，thoughexcessive，outbreaksofthehumanwill。ItrustImakemyselfclear。\"
\"Ifyoumeanthatyoumakeyouropinionclear，\"saidSyme，\"I
supposeyoudo。Butasformakingyourselfclear，itisthelastthingyoudo。HowcomesamanlikeyoutobetalkingphilosophyinabluehelmetontheThamesembankment？
\"Youhaveevidentlynotheardofthelatestdevelopmentinourpolicesystem，\"repliedtheother。\"Iamnotsurprisedatit。Wearekeepingitratherdarkfromtheeducatedclass，becausethatclasscontainsmostofourenemies。Butyouseemtobeexactlyintherightframeofmind。Ithinkyoumightalmostjoinus。\"
\"Joinyouinwhat？\"askedSyme。
\"Iwilltellyou，\"saidthepolicemanslowly。\"Thisisthesituation：Theheadofoneofourdepartments，oneofthemostcelebrateddetectivesinEurope，haslongbeenofopinionthatapurelyintellectualconspiracywouldsoonthreatentheveryexistenceofcivilisation。HeiscertainthatthescientificandartisticworldsaresilentlyboundinacrusadeagainsttheFamilyandtheState。Hehas，therefore，formedaspecialcorpsofpolicemen，policemenwhoarealsophilosophers。Itistheirbusinesstowatchthebeginningsofthisconspiracy，notmerelyinacriminalbutinacontroversialsense。Iamademocratmyself，andIamfullyawareofthevalueoftheordinarymaninmattersofordinaryvalourorvirtue。Butitwouldobviouslybeundesirabletoemploythecommonpolicemaninaninvestigationwhichisalsoaheresyhunt。\"
Syme’seyeswerebrightwithasympatheticcuriosity。
\"Whatdoyoudo，then？\"hesaid。
\"Theworkofthephilosophicalpoliceman，\"repliedthemaninblue，\"isatoncebolderandmoresubtlethanthatoftheordinarydetective。Theordinarydetectivegoestopot—housestoarrestthieves;wegotoartistictea—partiestodetectpessimists。Theordinarydetectivediscoversfromaledgeroradiarythatacrimehasbeencommitted。Wediscoverfromabookofsonnetsthatacrimewillbecommitted。Wehavetotracetheoriginofthosedreadfulthoughtsthatdrivemenonatlasttointellectualfanaticismandintellectualcrime。WewereonlyjustintimetopreventtheassassinationatHartlepool，andthatwasentirelyduetothefactthatourMr。Wilks（asmartyoungfellow）thoroughlyunderstoodatriolet。\"
\"Doyoumean，\"askedSyme，\"thatthereisreallyasmuchconnectionbetweencrimeandthemodernintellectasallthat？\"
\"Youarenotsufficientlydemocratic，\"answeredthepoliceman，\"butyouwererightwhenyousaidjustnowthatourordinarytreatmentofthepoorcriminalwasaprettybrutalbusiness。ItellyouIamsometimessickofmytradewhenIseehowperpetuallyitmeansmerelyawarupontheignorantandthedesperate。Butthisnewmovementofoursisaverydifferentaffair。WedenythesnobbishEnglishassumptionthattheuneducatedarethedangerouscriminals。
WeremembertheRomanEmperors。WerememberthegreatpoisoningprincesoftheRenaissance。Wesaythatthedangerouscriminalistheeducatedcriminal。Wesaythatthemostdangerouscriminalnowistheentirelylawlessmodernphilosopher。Comparedtohim，burglarsandbigamistsareessentiallymoralmen;myheartgoesouttothem。Theyaccepttheessentialidealofman;theymerelyseekitwrongly。Thievesrespectproperty。Theymerelywishthepropertytobecometheirpropertythattheymaymoreperfectlyrespectit。
Butphilosophersdislikepropertyasproperty;theywishtodestroytheveryideaofpersonalpossession。Bigamistsrespectmarriage，ortheywouldnotgothroughthehighlyceremonialandevenritualisticformalityofbigamy。Butphilosophersdespisemarriageasmarriage。Murderersrespecthumanlife;theymerelywishtoattainagreaterfulnessofhumanlifeinthemselvesbythesacrificeofwhatseemstothemtobelesserlives。Butphilosophershatelifeitself，theirownasmuchasotherpeople’s。\"
Symestruckhishandstogether。
\"Howtruethatis，\"hecried。\"Ihavefeltitfrommyboyhood，butnevercouldstatetheverbalantithesis。Thecommoncriminalisabadman，butatleastheis，asitwere，aconditionalgoodman。
Hesaysthatifonlyacertainobstacleberemoved——sayawealthyuncle——heisthenpreparedtoaccepttheuniverseandtopraiseGod。Heisareformer，butnotananarchist。Hewishestocleansetheedifice，butnottodestroyit。Buttheevilphilosopherisnottryingtoalterthings，buttoannihilatethem。Yes，themodernworldhasretainedallthosepartsofpoliceworkwhicharereallyoppressiveandignominious，theharryingofthepoor，thespyingupontheunfortunate。Ithasgivenupitsmoredignifiedwork，thepunishmentofpowerfultraitorstheintheStateandpowerfulheresiarchsintheChurch。Themodernssaywemustnotpunishheretics。Myonlydoubtiswhetherwehavearighttopunishanybodyelse。\"
\"Butthisisabsurd！\"criedthepoliceman，claspinghishandswithanexcitementuncommoninpersonsofhisfigureandcostume，\"butitisintolerable！Idon’tknowwhatyou’redoing，butyou’rewastingyourlife。Youmust，youshall，joinourspecialarmyagainstanarchy。Theirarmiesareonourfrontiers。Theirboltisreadytofall。Amomentmore，andyoumaylosethegloryofworkingwithus，perhapsthegloryofdyingwiththelastheroesoftheworld。\"
\"Itisachancenottobemissed，certainly，\"assentedSyme，\"butstillIdonotquiteunderstand。Iknowaswellasanybodythatthemodernworldisfulloflawlesslittlemenandmadlittlemovements。But，beastlyastheyare，theygenerallyhavetheonemeritofdisagreeingwitheachother。Howcanyoutalkoftheirleadingonearmyorhurlingonebolt。Whatisthisanarchy？\"
\"Donotconfuseit，\"repliedtheconstable，\"withthosechancedynamiteoutbreaksfromRussiaorfromIreland，whicharereallytheoutbreaksofoppressed，ifmistaken，men。Thisisavastphilosophicmovement，consistingofanouterandaninnerring。
Youmightevencalltheouterringthelaityandtheinnerringthepriesthood。Iprefertocalltheouterringtheinnocentsection，theinnerringthesupremelyguiltysection。Theouterring——themainmassoftheirsupporters——aremerelyanarchists;
thatis，menwhobelievethatrulesandformulashavedestroyedhumanhappiness。Theybelievethatalltheevilresultsofhumancrimearetheresultsofthesystemthathascalleditcrime。Theydonotbelievethatthecrimecreatesthepunishment。Theybelievethatthepunishmenthascreatedthecrime。Theybelievethatifamanseducedsevenwomenhewouldnaturallywalkawayasblamelessastheflowersofspring。Theybelievethatifamanpickedapockethewouldnaturallyfeelexquisitelygood。TheseIcalltheinnocentsection。\"
\"Oh！\"saidSyme。
\"Naturally，therefore，thesepeopletalkabout’ahappytimecoming’;’theparadiseofthefuture’;’mankindfreedfromthebondageofviceandthebondageofvirtue，’andsoon。Andsoalsothemenoftheinnercirclespeak——thesacredpriesthood。Theyalsospeaktoapplaudingcrowdsofthehappinessofthefuture，andofmankindfreedatlast。Butintheirmouths\"——andthepolicemanloweredhisvoice——\"intheirmouthsthesehappyphraseshaveahorriblemeaning。Theyareundernoillusions;theyaretoointellectualtothinkthatmanuponthisearthcaneverbequitefreeoforiginalsinandthestruggle。Andtheymeandeath。Whentheysaythatmankindshallbefreeatlast，theymeanthatmankindshallcommitsuicide。Whentheytalkofaparadisewithoutrightorwrong，theymeanthegrave。
Theyhavebuttwoobjects，todestroyfirsthumanityandthenthemselves。Thatiswhytheythrowbombsinsteadoffiringpistols。
Theinnocentrankandfilearedisappointedbecausethebombhasnotkilledtheking;butthehigh—priesthoodarehappybecauseithaskilledsomebody。\"
\"HowcanIjoinyou？\"askedSyme，withasortofpassion。
\"Iknowforafactthatthereisavacancyatthemoment，\"saidthepoliceman，\"asIhavethehonourtobesomewhatintheconfidenceofthechiefofwhomIhavespoken。Youshouldreallycomeandseehim。Orrather，Ishouldnotsayseehim，nobodyeverseeshim;butyoucantalktohimifyoulike。\"
\"Telephone？\"inquiredSyme，withinterest。
\"No，\"saidthepolicemanplacidly，\"hehasafancyforalwayssittinginapitch—darkroom。Hesaysitmakeshisthoughtsbrighter。Docomealong。\"
Somewhatdazedandconsiderablyexcited，Symeallowedhimselftobeledtoaside—doorinthelongrowofbuildingsofScotlandYard。
Almostbeforeheknewwhathewasdoing，hehadbeenpassedthroughthehandsofaboutfourintermediateofficials，andwassuddenlyshownintoaroom，theabruptblacknessofwhichstartledhimlikeablazeoflight。Itwasnottheordinarydarkness，inwhichformscanbefaintlytraced;itwaslikegoingsuddenlystone—blind。
\"Areyouthenewrecruit？\"askedaheavyvoice。
Andinsomestrangeway，thoughtherewasnottheshadowofashapeinthegloom，Symeknewtwothings：first，thatitcamefromamanofmassivestature;andsecond，thatthemanhadhisbacktohim。
\"Areyouthenewrecruit？\"saidtheinvisiblechief，whoseemedtohaveheardallaboutit。\"Allright。Youareengaged。\"
Syme，quitesweptoffhisfeet，madeafeeblefightagainstthisirrevocablephrase。
\"Ireallyhavenoexperience，\"hebegan。
\"Noonehasanyexperience，\"saidtheother，\"oftheBattleofArmageddon。\"
\"ButIamreallyunfit——\"
\"Youarewilling，thatisenough，\"saidtheunknown。
\"Well，really，\"saidSyme，\"Idon’tknowanyprofessionofwhichmerewillingnessisthefinaltest。\"
\"Ido，\"saidtheother——\"martyrs。Iamcondemningyoutodeath。
Goodday。\"
ThusitwasthatwhenGabrielSymecameoutagainintothecrimsonlightofevening，inhisshabbyblackhatandshabby，lawlesscloak，hecameoutamemberoftheNewDetectiveCorpsforthefrustrationofthegreatconspiracy。Actingundertheadviceofhisfriendthepoliceman（whowasprofessionallyinclinedtoneatness），hetrimmedhishairandbeard，boughtagoodhat，cladhimselfinanexquisitesummersuitoflightblue—grey，withapaleyellowflowerinthebutton—hole，and，inshort，becamethatelegantandratherinsupportablepersonwhomGregoryhadfirstencounteredinthelittlegardenofSaffronPark。Beforehefinallyleftthepolicepremiseshisfriendprovidedhimwithasmallbluecard，onwhichwaswritten，\"TheLastCrusade，\"andanumber，thesignofhisofficialauthority。Heputthiscarefullyinhisupperwaistcoatpocket，litacigarette，andwentforthtotrackandfighttheenemyinallthedrawing—roomsofLondon。Wherehisadventureultimatelyledhimwehavealreadyseen。Atabouthalf—pastoneonaFebruarynighthefoundhimselfsteaminginasmalltugupthesilentThames，armedwithswordstickandrevolver，thedulyelectedThursdayoftheCentralCouncilofAnarchists。
WhenSymesteppedoutontothesteam—tughehadasingularsensationofsteppingoutintosomethingentirelynew;notmerelyintothelandscapeofanewland，butevenintothelandscapeofanewplanet。Thiswasmainlyduetotheinsaneyetsoliddecisionofthatevening，thoughpartlyalsotoanentirechangeintheweatherandtheskysinceheenteredthelittletavernsometwohoursbefore。Everytraceofthepassionateplumageofthecloudysunsethadbeensweptaway，andanakedmoonstoodinanakedsky。Themoonwassostrongandfullthat（byaparadoxoftentobenoticed）
itseemedlikeaweakersun。Itgave，notthesenseofbrightmoonshine，butratherofadeaddaylight。
Overthewholelandscapelayaluminousandunnaturaldiscoloration，asofthatdisastroustwilightwhichMiltonspokeofasshedbythesunineclipse;sothatSymefelleasilyintohisfirstthought，thathewasactuallyonsomeotherandemptierplanet，whichcircledroundsomesadderstar。Butthemorehefeltthisglitteringdesolationinthemoonlitland，themorehisownchivalricfollyglowedinthenightlikeagreatfire。Eventhecommonthingshecarriedwithhim——thefoodandthebrandyandtheloadedpistol——tookonexactlythatconcreteandmaterialpoetrywhichachildfeelswhenhetakesagunuponajourneyorabunwithhimtobed。Thesword—stickandthebrandy—flask，thoughinthemselvesonlythetoolsofmorbidconspirators，becametheexpressionsofhisownmorehealthyromance。Thesword—stickbecamealmosttheswordofchivalry，andthebrandythewineofthestirrup—cup。Foreventhemostdehumanisedmodernfantasiesdependonsomeolderandsimplerfigure;theadventuresmaybemad，buttheadventurermustbesane。ThedragonwithoutSt。
Georgewouldnotevenbegrotesque。Sothisinhumanlandscapewasonlyimaginativebythepresenceofamanreallyhuman。ToSyme’sexaggerativemindthebright，bleakhousesandterracesbytheThameslookedasemptyasthemountainsofthemoon。Buteventhemoonisonlypoeticalbecausethereisamaninthemoon。
Thetugwasworkedbytwomen，andwithmuchtoilwentcomparativelyslowly。TheclearmoonthathadlitupChiswickhadgonedownbythetimethattheypassedBattersea，andwhentheycameundertheenormousbulkofWestminsterdayhadalreadybeguntobreak。Itbrokelikethesplittingofgreatbarsoflead，showingbarsofsilver;andthesehadbrightenedlikewhitefirewhenthetug，changingitsonwardcourse，turnedinwardtoalargelandingstageratherbeyondCharingCross。
ThegreatstonesoftheEmbankmentseemedequallydarkandgiganticasSymelookedupatthem。Theywerebigandblackagainstthehugewhitedawn。TheymadehimfeelthathewaslandingonthecolossalstepsofsomeEgyptianpalace;and，indeed，thethingsuitedhismood，forhewas，inhisownmind，mountingtoattackthesolidthronesofhorribleandheathenkings。Heleaptoutoftheboatontooneslimystep，andstood，adarkandslenderfigure，amidtheenormousmasonry。Thetwomeninthetugputheroffagainandturnedupstream。Theyhadneverspokenaword。
CHAPTERV
THEFEASTOFFEAR
ATfirstthelargestonestairseemedtoSymeasdesertedasapyramid;butbeforehereachedthetophehadrealisedthattherewasamanleaningovertheparapetoftheEmbankmentandlookingoutacrosstheriver。Asafigurehewasquiteconventional，cladinasilkhatandfrock—coatofthemoreformaltypeoffashion;
hehadaredflowerinhisbuttonhole。AsSymedrewnearertohimstepbystep，hedidnotevenmoveahair;andSymecouldcomecloseenoughtonoticeeveninthedim，palemorninglightthathisfacewaslong，paleandintellectual，andendedinasmalltriangulartuftofdarkbeardattheverypointofthechin，allelsebeingclean—shaven。Thisscrapofhairalmostseemedamereoversight;therestofthefacewasofthetypethatisbestshaven——clear—cut，ascetic，andinitswaynoble。Symedrewcloserandcloser，notingallthis，andstillthefiguredidnotstir。
AtfirstaninstincthadtoldSymethatthiswasthemanwhomhewasmeanttomeet。Then，seeingthatthemanmadenosign，hehadconcludedthathewasnot。Andnowagainhehadcomebacktoacertaintythatthemanhadsomethingtodowithhismadadventure。
Forthemanremainedmorestillthanwouldhavebeennaturalifastrangerhadcomesoclose。Hewasasmotionlessasawax—work，andgotonthenervessomewhatinthesameway。Symelookedagainandagainatthepale，dignifiedanddelicateface，andthefacestilllookedblanklyacrosstheriver。ThenhetookoutofhispocketthenotefromButtonsprovinghiselection，andputitbeforethatsadandbeautifulface。Thenthemansmiled，andhissmilewasashock，foritwasallononeside，goingupintherightcheekanddownintheleft。
Therewasnothing，rationallyspeaking，toscareanyoneaboutthis。Manypeoplehavethisnervoustrickofacrookedsmile，andinmanyitisevenattractive。ButinallSyme’scircumstances，withthedarkdawnandthedeadlyerrandandthelonelinessonthegreatdrippingstones，therewassomethingunnervinginit。
Therewasthesilentriverandthesilentman，amanofevenclassicface。Andtherewasthelastnightmaretouchthathissmilesuddenlywentwrong。
Thespasmofsmilewasinstantaneous，andtheman’sfacedroppedatonceintoitsharmoniousmelancholy。Hespokewithoutfurtherexplanationorinquiry，likeamanspeakingtoanoldcolleague。
\"IfwewalkuptowardsLeicesterSquare，\"hesaid，\"weshalljustbeintimeforbreakfast。Sundayalwaysinsistsonanearlybreakfast。Haveyouhadanysleep？\"
\"No，\"saidSyme。
\"NorhaveI，\"answeredthemaninanordinarytone。\"Ishalltrytogettobedafterbreakfast。\"
Hespokewithcasualcivility，butinanutterlydeadvoicethatcontradictedthefanaticismofhisface。Itseemedalmostasifallfriendlywordsweretohimlifelessconveniences，andthathisonlylifewashate。Afterapausethemanspokeagain。
\"Ofcourse，theSecretaryofthebranchtoldyoueverythingthatcanbetold。ButtheonethingthatcanneverbetoldisthelastnotionofthePresident，forhisnotionsgrowlikeatropicalforest。Soincaseyoudon’tknow，I’dbettertellyouthatheiscarryingouthisnotionofconcealingourselvesbynotconcealingourselvestothemostextraordinarylengthsjustnow。Originally，ofcourse，wemetinacellunderground，justasyourbranchdoes。
ThenSundaymadeustakeaprivateroomatanordinaryrestaurant。
Hesaidthatifyoudidn’tseemtobehidingnobodyhuntedyouout。
Well，heistheonlymanonearth，Iknow;butsometimesIreallythinkthathishugebrainisgoingalittlemadinitsoldage。Fornowweflauntourselvesbeforethepublic。Wehaveourbreakfastonabalcony——onabalcony，ifyouplease——overlookingLeicesterSquare。\"
\"Andwhatdothepeoplesay？\"askedSyme。
\"It’squitesimplewhattheysay，\"answeredhisguide。
\"Theysaywearealotofjollygentlemenwhopretendtheyareanarchists。\"
\"Itseemstomeaverycleveridea，\"saidSyme。
\"Clever！Godblastyourimpudence！Clever！\"criedouttheotherinasudden，shrillvoicewhichwasasstartlinganddiscordantashiscrookedsmile。\"Whenyou’veseenSundayforasplitsecondyou’llleaveoffcallinghimclever。\"
Withthistheyemergedoutofanarrowstreet，andsawtheearlysunlightfillingLeicesterSquare。Itwillneverbeknown，I
suppose，whythissquareitselfshouldlooksoalienandinsomewayssocontinental。Itwillneverbeknownwhetheritwastheforeignlookthatattractedtheforeignersortheforeignerswhogaveittheforeignlook。Butonthisparticularmorningtheeffectseemedsingularlybrightandclear。BetweentheopensquareandthesunlitleavesandthestatueandtheSaracenicoutlinesoftheAlhambra，itlookedthereplicaofsomeFrenchorevenSpanishpublicplace。AndthiseffectincreasedinSymethesensation，whichinmanyshapeshehadhadthroughthewholeadventure，theeeriesensationofhavingstrayedintoanewworld。Asafact，hehadboughtbadcigarsroundLeicesterSquareeversincehewasaboy。Butasheturnedthatcorner，andsawthetreesandtheMoorishcupolas，hecouldhaveswornthathewasturningintoanunknownPlacedesomethingorotherinsomeforeigntown。
Atonecornerofthesquarethereprojectedakindofangleofaprosperousbutquiethotel，thebulkofwhichbelongedtoastreetbehind。InthewalltherewasonelargeFrenchwindow，probablythewindowofalargecoffee—room;andoutsidethiswindow，almostliterallyoverhangingthesquare，wasaformidablybuttressedbalcony，bigenoughtocontainadining—table。Infact，itdidcontainadining—table，ormorestrictlyabreakfast—table;androundthebreakfast—table，glowinginthesunlightandevidenttothestreet，wereagroupofnoisyandtalkativemen，alldressedintheinsolenceoffashion，withwhitewaistcoatsandexpensivebutton—holes。Someoftheirjokescouldalmostbeheardacrossthesquare。ThenthegraveSecretarygavehisunnaturalsmile，andSymeknewthatthisboisterousbreakfastpartywasthesecretconclaveoftheEuropeanDynamiters。