,,w> ,,& ,,! ,,weird ,,by ,,=bes ,,phillips ,,& ,r4 ,,?ur/on ,,hopk9s ,,london3 ,,simpk91 ,,m>%all1 ,,hamilton1 ,,k5t ,,co41 ,,ltd4 ,copyright ,all rights res]v$ #aiaf ,transcrib]'s ,note3 ,m9or typographical errors h be5 correct$ )\t note4 ,punctuation has be5 normalis$4 ,dialect spell+s h be5 reta9$4 ,! oe ligature is %[n z oe4 ,,cont5ts ,,introduction ,,page ,i4 ,,! ,,uncanny ,,"u ,,fire #aa ,,ii4 ,,w> ,,! ,,reveal] #ag ,,iii4 ,,! ,,s\l',s ,,b\nd>y ,,l9e #ba ,,iv4 ,,! ,,spiritual ,,entity #bg ,v4 ,,angels #ca ,,vi4 ,,fell[%ip ,,) ,,! ,,unse5 #ce ,,vii4 ,,! ,,:ite ,,comrade #ci ,,five ,,sket*es ,i4 ,,ombos #di ,,ii4 ,,! ,,de ,,gamelyn ,,traditions #aja ,,iii4 ,,! ,,mills ,,( ,,god #abg ,,iv4 ,,! ,,/ory ,,( ,a ,,spy #acg ,v4 ,,?r\gh ,,! ,,furnace #afa ,,introduction ,,by ,,=bes ,,phillips ,i ,,! ,,uncanny ,,"u ,,fire ,d y ?9k !re is any?+ 9 x8 ,he 0 a clean-set six-foot specim5 ( ,engli% manhood1 an (fic] ( ! ,r4,f4,a4 w\nd$ at ,mons1 :o spoke4 ,i mean ,i hav5't /udi$ ^! subjects mu*--9 fact1 ,i hav5't /udi$ !m at all4 ,sport is m 9 my l9e ?an spiritualism & t k9d ( ?+1 b :5 y h exp]i5ces br\ght "u y\r v nose aga9 & aga91 y _c help ?9k+ !re mu/ be some?+ 9 su* ?+s4 ,he _h j told me t 9 ! la/ few m9utes' sleep he manag$ to get on ! m>* to ,mons he dreamt t he 0 unable to sit 8 horse4 ,! next day he 0 w\nd$ inside 8 "r knee1 n s]i\sly1 b suffici5t to /op him rid+ = a week or two4 ,i %\ld nev] h ?\ght any?+ m ( x--,i mean1 connect+ ! dream ) ! ill-luck--b 9 ! ,s\? ,african campaign !re 7 q rem>kable in/ances4 ,y see1 at su* times :5 y are play+ hide-&-seek ) %rapnel1 (fic]s & m5 get v *ummy :5 we d get a spell = a talk4 ,! ,tommies give u _! confid5ces1 & ask u all k9ds ( /range que/ions ab\t religi\s & sup]-natural ?+s4 ,take premonitions1 = example4 ,h[ %all we acc\nt = ! ,briti% soldi]'s actual v]sions ( ! matt]8 ,!re are c\ntless /ories 9 ?is w>1 9 e w>1 ( m5 hav+ a w>n+1 a sub-consci\s c]ta9ty ( dea?4 ,! battlefield is arm$ ) a full batt]y ( %ot1 :i* ?rill ) human int]e/ & h ar\nd !m a halo ( some?+ uncanny1 sup]normal4 ,x may be t 9 ! /ress & %ock ( battle ! /r+s--"s ( ! /r+s--( ! human in/rum5t get brok52 t poor ,tommy1 gaz+ into ! night ( ! long sil5ce1 becomes a prey to morbid fancies1 :i* pres5tly are work$ up into premonitions4 ,!re may be some?+ 9 ?is1 b ! m5 ( inaction are m prone to fancies ?an m5 on active s]vice4 ,ano!r !ory sugge/s t ! same p[] )9 :i* que/ions1 supplies an answ]4 ,x may be s2 b no "o is anxi\s = ! answ] ,dea? br+s4 ,"o c only smile at ! crass /upidity ( mo/ ( ! explanations giv5 by ^? :o d5y ! exi/5ce ( sup]-natural ag5cies & p[]s4 ,! region ( spiritual dynamics is de/9$ to be ! sci5ce ( ! future4 ,9 a some:at sceptical age x is wor? :ile notic+ t f ! e>lie/ dawn ( hi/ory1 "u v>y+ =ms ( gov]nm5t & civilisation ) :i* we are acqua9t$1 ! belief 9 premonitions 0 un*all5g$4 ,! old ,greeks & ,lat9s 7 ! ke5e/ ?9k]s ! _w s f> has se52 yet !y believ$ 9 gho/s1 om5s1 & premonitions4 7,!y w\ld smile 9 l(ty scorn at "s ( ! sup]/itions to-day taught "u ! ,elem5t>y ,education ,act ( #ahgj47 ,unbelief 9 su* ?+s sup]-natural1 !re=e1 _c be accept$ z a sign ( l(ty m5tality4 ,a j\rnali/ic fri5d 0 /ay+ ) me "s few mon?s ago4 ,we 7 sitt+ smok+ r late aft] d9n]4 ,d y believe 9 gho/s8 ,i ask$4 ,don't be s absurdly fooli%6 he cri$ angrily4 ,t's all "r1 ,i rem>k$ quietly4 ,n[ ,i "k y won't m9d sleep+ 9 our haunt$ room2 _m fooli% p d object4 ,great ,scott6 he ejaculat$1 no haunt$ room = me6 ,nor w\ld he ev5 look at x4 ,he w\ld n face ! logical sequ5ce ( 8 dogmatic unbelief4 ,only a brave man d>e express all he believes4 ,n[ x is well kn[n t e advance 9 sci5tific k is greet$ ) mock+ laught]4 ,we "k ! je]s ) :i* ev5 clev] m5 greet$ ! ,m>coni claims4 ,x is n s _m ye>s ago t a di/+ui%$ memb] ( ! ,fr5* ,academy ( ,sci5ce rose up among/ 8 colleagues & pron\nc$ ! ,edison phonograph to be no?+ m ?an an ac\/ical illusion4 ,s we are told t soldi]s' visions are optical illusions4 ,t is no answ]4 ,call !m optical delusions if y l1 !n ! qu]y arises :at causes ^! optical delusions1 ( :i* we h c\ntless in/ances1 :i* in=m a man ( ! h\r1 & sometimes ! mann]1 ( 8 dea?8 ,to call an effect by ano!r "n does n dispose ( ! cause ( su* effect1 nor is x any solution ( ! my/]y4 ,few ?9k]s n[1 wor?y ( ! "n1 s]i\sly dispute ! exi/5ce ( sup]-natural =ces & influ5ces4 ,! :ole sy/em ( ,*ri/ianity1 ( belief 9 all ages1 is f\nd$ ^u su* ?+s4 ,to-day front-rank m5 are inve/igat+ 9 av5ues ( rese>* :]e once !y sne]$4 ,!re is mu* fraud & *eap talk 9 ord9>y life1 b n "u fire4 ,m5 are n *eap !n1 nor are !y paltry4 ,/range t :]e dea? is busie/ ! evid5ce ( life beyond & above x all %\ld ab\nd4 ,! invisible1 full ( awe1 is also full ( tea*+1 x is pregnant ) :isp]s4 ,! m9d1 tun$ up to a new t5sion1 receives all k9ds ( ,m>coni-l messages4 ,:at s5ds su* :isp]s8 ,is x t 9 ! mom5t ( supreme self-sacrifice & spl5did devotion to duty t spiritual p]ceptions are %>p5$8 ,:o %all say8 ,he 0 hit1 & he ru%$ =w>d %\t+1 ',:y1 !re's my----' !n he dropp$ dead1 b he saw someone1 ( t ,i am sure4 ,s spoke a man ( ! ,a4,s4,c41 :o saw 8 comrade die4 ,deep calls to deep1 & if we put our e> to ! call we may he> ! message4 ,on ! battlefield1 z 9 no o!r place1 !re is ! call ( s\l to s\l1 ( he>t to he>t1 int5sifi$ by all our p[]s ( emotion1 :i* duty calls =? at _! be/4 ,tommy ,atk9s />es m fix$ly into ! dim future1 ! great] ! gloom ! m he se>*es = ! gleam1 & sometimes x is v\*saf$ to him4 ,!re is no d\bt t m9d calls to m9d4 ,aft] all1 "t & space are artificial ?+s4 ,!y _c be spiritual b>ri]s4 ,:y %\ld a "m1 ?9k+ ( h] lad at ! front 9 a supreme mom5t ( affection & deep ye>n+1 n be able to d :at frequ5tly happ5s unconsci\sly among ord9>y acqua9tances8 ,(t5 a ?\ght w pass f "o m9d to ano!r 9 a mom5t ( sil5ce4 ,! uncanny "u fire mu/ take its place among ?+s to be inve/igat$1 ! evid5ce is too conv9c+ to be pooh-pooh$4 ,sci5ce & philosophy are n[ boldly ent]+ ! dim regions ( ! occult 9 se>* ( its laws2 on ! battlefield ,tommy ,atk9s is already !re ?9k+ ov] weird ?+s & he comes to conclusions1 f9d+ ! lights by :i* he /e]s4 ,?is *apt] c\ld n be complete )\t m5tion+ ano!r my/]y ( ! battlefield3 x is ?is--! numb] ( in/ances 9 :i* ! ,g]mans h savagely p\nd$ a *ur* ) _! artill]y1 only to f9d on ent]+ ! ru9 t ! cross 0 /ill !re erect & intact4 ,"o ,uhlan soldi] climb$ ^u an alt> to sma% a crucifix1 slipp$ & put 8 ankle out4 ,t may be a co9cid5ce4 ,next mom5t a %ell kill$ him & "o ( 8 comrades1 ! crucifix rema9$ un9jur$4 ,soldi]s1 ,fr5* & ,briti%1 talk ( ^! uncanny ?+s1 int]pret+ !m 9 sev]al ways1 b ea* ( ^! ways is ! pa?way ( ! _s--p]haps "p ( ! alt> /eps on :i* m5 climb up ?r\gh ! d>kness to ,god4 ,,ii ,,w> ,,! ,,reveal] ,w> is n only ! ,great ,educator1 x is ! ,great ,reveal]4 ,its m>*es & biv\acs1 its battles1 its commonplaces & surprises1 its trials & its triumphs1 are a s+ul> s*ool ( exp]i5ce4 ,! v>i\s impacts ^u man's psy*ological anatomy produce /range results4 ,!y seem l ! bl[s ( "s ,invisible ,sculptor1 produc+ out ( commonplace mat]ial a h]o & x may be a demi-god4 ,! op5+ or*e/ra ( %ot & %ell braces up ! m9d ( ! soldi] & attunes x up to receive new s5sitiv5ess4 ,! bullets play /range dirges on ! /r+s ( life be=e !y break !m1 & ea* dirge has its !me1 "s song ( spiritual ?+s4 ,8 gaze is t[>ds ! sky l9e & he sees /range ?+s1 a :ole batt]y ( lights ea* ( :i* is 9 its way a revelation4 ,! battle *orus cry+ to ! night ( long sil5ce becomes a pray]1 & ! response is ev] helpful4 ,! individual amid ! ?und] ( 8 surr\nd+s 9 ! r$ surge ( battle someh[ nev] all[s 8 s\l to become obscur$4 ,x is tak+ impressions :i* lat] 9 ! day z he sits by ! camp fire cause him to ?9k & to rea* conclusions :i* leave him a diff]5t man f :at he has be54 ,we see ?is 9 ! gl[ ( ! soldi]s' lett]s to ^? he loves3 he has come )9 ! %ad[ ( ! ,div9e ,reality z ! wondr\s book ( ,life & ,dea? op5s on ! battlefield4 ,! result is ! ,soldi]'s ,gospel4 ,x w\ld cause ! devotees ( little ,be!l to fa9t ) its crude sup]/itions & abs5ce ( mean+less & /upid dogma yet its grip ( spiritual ?+s & ,div9e ,aid w\ld make ! ord9>y g to meet+ ,*ri/ian gape ) a/oni%m5t4 ,! soldi]'s simple fai?1 8 will+ endurance1 8 quiet h]oisms1 8 sil5t self-sacrifice1 ?\gh !y call = no l\d] "n ?an duty1 are j ^? *ords :i* l9k him to ! ,great ,h]oism :i* saw its culm9ation 9 ,calv>y4 ,aft] all1 de$s only are ! words ( love4 ,! ,soldi]'s ,gospel is a wond]ful revelation3 ! _w gr[s gratefully small z x appreciates its "w1 wor? & effect ^u ! man4 ,all ! lights by :i* he /e]s sum up good citiz5%ip r ?an sect>ian%ip4 ,we _h long ceas$ to cultivate ! =m]4 ,!re goes a hospital %ip1 & a ,comm&] ( "o ( ,h4,m4 ,patrols po9t$ out to me a transport full ( w\nd$4 ,we ?\ght 9 pity ( t array ( maim$ m51 ( sil5t suff]+1 ( b&ages1 sl+s1 crut*es & artificial limbs1 b sudd5ly !re arose f ! transport a mighty *e] ( greet+ & salutation to ! :ite ensign4 ,t 0 ! reply ( w>'s wreckage to ^? :o piti$4 ,x is a wond]ful ,gospel t produces ?is4 ,b ! invisible1 :ile full ( awe1 does n daunt him1 ! soldi] rea*es out t[>ds ! r unkn[n se>*+ = light & f9d+ x4 ,"u fire means s mu*1 x is fill$ up ) s _m exp]i5ces1 y m>* ?r\gh a lifetime 9 a few seconds1 y get new views ( ! pa/ ye>s f ano!r angle ( vision4 ,%ad[ & d>kness & d\bt are lift$1 ! soldi] is frank & hone/1 he is n hide-b\nd by petty sup]/itions1 he is will+ fairly to consid] & weigh all s5sations1 visions & inn] illum9ations4 ,he is n bl9d$ ) ! dogma ( ei!r agno/icism or sect>ianism1 :ile 8 s5se ( hum\r saves him f _m ( ! errors ( ! v>i\s ,*ri/ian bro!rhoods4 ,curi\s en\gh1 ! p :o object to duty1 :o are unwill+ to /rike a bl[ = righte\sness1 inv>iably belong to "s ( ! freak sects & are devotees ( sect>ianism 9 its n>r[e/ mean+4 ,no d\bt ,vic>i\s ,suff]+ ! root doctr9e ( _m sects 9 ?is c\ntry is responsible = ! g5]al %irk+ ( duty on ! "p ( s _m m5 to-day4 ,m5 look to ! ballot box = _! meat 9 due season4 ,!y want all ! privileges ( citiz5%ip )\t ! responsibilities4 ,! sects ( to-day 9 tea*+ t ! hi/oric ,*ri/ took all our s9s ^u ,8 %\ld] h produc$ a type ( s5tim5tal immorali/ :o creeps "u ! %elt] ( ! ,cross1 cont5t t ,*ri/ %\ld suff] 9 8 place4 ,s long z ! ,cross does n (f5d 8 eyesight1 he is will+ to f9d refuge 9 its %ad[4 ,:]e selfi%ness reigns !re is no vision4 ,! gaze is ^u ga91 p]sonal com=t1 ?+s entirely e>?ly4 ,a man :o is always look+ at mud ?9ks 9 t]ms ( mud4 ,j z a great naturali/ confesses a loss ( ! f9] s5se ( music1 s !re is ! loss ( ! spiritual vision1 = ! spiritual s5se is j z real z any o!r s5se1 b x c become useless & drop out ( our life1 if we d n value x & no long] use x4 ,!re are p ) an arti/ic s5se4 ,!re are m )\t x4 ,! doctr9e ( ! atonem5t is us$ to promote ! crude idea t to put our responsibilities ^u o!rs is m religi\s ?an fac+ !m oneself4 ,*ri/'s atonem5t is no isolat$ fact 9 hi/ory to make m5 c[>ds1 b a su/a9$ attitude ( devotion 9 :i* e man & woman is to take a "p4 ,in/ead ( ?ank+ ,*ri/ = hang+ !re ^u ! ,cross 9 our place we %\ld /rive = ! same c\rage1 ! same endurance1 ! supreme devotion to duty & ! vision ( ,div9e ,aid w be ours p]haps 9 ,angel =m4 ,to ! brave 9 all ages has come ! vision ( high] ?+s4 ,,iii ,,! ,,s\l',s ,,b\nd>y ,,l9e ,i nev] 0 religi\s1 b ?is bus9ess is *ang+ me & _m ?\s&s m1 s writes a soldi]4 ,f ano!r soldi]'s lett] we get1 ,w> is ! mo/ sob]+ influ5ce ,i "k 444 x sob]s _! e day4 ,!y li/5 m att5tively to ! religi\s s]vices4 ,sometimes ,i wi% = ! sake ( ! morals ( our army t we 7 always at w>4 ,:5 ,i 0 9 ,nor!rn ,france ,i came 9 contact ) _m w\nd$ ,fr5* soldi]s1 m5 :o _h gone to ! front z a!i/s & return$ firm believ]s4 ,?ank ! good ,god ,i h really se54 ,i fell w\nd$ 9 tw5ty-?ree places !y tell me4 ,i fell curs+ a ,god ,i did n believe 93 !n a cold h& 0 laid ^u my br[4 ,i look$ up & saw--ah6 my ,god6 h[ beautiful a ,be+4 ,n[ ,i d n want1 ,i d n c>e to live = ,i want to see t beautiful ,be+ aga94 ,i "k ,i %all4 ,leave me4 ,see to ! o!rs4 ,?is 0 a volunt>y /atem5t ( a ,fr5* soldi] :o call$ me to 8 side simply to light a cig>ette = him4 ,i left him p]fectly happy & x 0 q true ab\t 8 numb] ( w\nds4 ,he liv$ only a few h\rs & he knew t he 0 dy+4 ,m5 d n usually tell lies on _! dea? b$s4 ,wond]ful is ! w>p & wo( ( life "u fire4 ,x is ! p>ade ( ! liv+1 ! dead & ^? on ! bord]l&4 ,m5 g ?r\gh ! :ole gamut ( emotions4 ,w> is an object lesson ( laught] & te>s play+ hide & seek ) ea* o!r4 ,! trag$y & ! com$y foll[ close on ea* o!r's heels4 ,deep calls n only to deep b to %all[ z well1 & 9 ! end all notes h>monize4 ,:]e ! swa! ( ! scy! is wide m5's s\ls exp& 9 he>t qualities4 ,amid/ ! wreckage ( a battlefield he picks up all k9ds ( ?+s1 e faculty picks up some?+ & !y become contributions to s\l =ce4 ,! great] ! gloom ! m ! soldi] se>*es = ! gleam4 ,religion & resolution meet 9 ! soldi] & give him deep] vision4 ,he he>s 8 comrade say1 ,i %all be tak5 to-day1 give ?is to ----4 ,examples ( ?is premonition ab\nd4 ,he ent]s a bomb>d$ village1 ! only ?+ /&+ intact frequ5tly is a figure ( ,*ri/ crucifi$1 or ! ,madonna look+ d[n ^u a mass ( crumbl+ ru94 ,^! facts are aga9 & aga9 v]ifi$ by photographs4 ,(t5 ! talk ( ! camp z ! m5 settle d[n by ! fire is ( ! weird & ! uncanny t has happ5$ dur+ ! day2 & !re are pauses :5 ! soldi]s />e into ! emb]s & =get to suck _! pipes4 ,to expla9 ! book ( life1 "o w\ld require ! scrolls ( et]nity4 ,w> ?r[s light on "s ( its /ray pages z !y flutt] = a second on ! w+s ( "t & !n disappe>1 b n be=e x has flung its cressets ( light ^u ! black pall ( d\bt4 ,ev]yone n[ talks ( psy*ic ph5om5a4 ,9 a paltry g5]ation ( sup]ficial ?9k+ ! subject 0 "o = je/1 b !re is f> m 9 x ?an je/]s are likely to discov]4 ,mock+ laught] nev] discov]$ any?+ except ! vacu\s fool4 ,! appe>ances ( spiritual be+s give b scant opportunity = exam9ation b s]i\s inve/igation has n[ tak5 ! place ( *eap sne]+4 ,aft] all religion is f\nd$ ^u a philosophy ( app>itions4 ,! vision ( angels at ,mons is no new ?+4 ,ca?olicism is f\nd$ on su* visions & no religion wor?y ( ! "n is )\t its /ory ( angels4 ,new aspects ( matt] h laid _m mat]iali/ic !ories 9 ! du/1 ! my/]i\s pot5cies ( matt] :i* ! late/ sci5ce is reveal+1 ! en]gy ( electrons1 & radium are giv+ u a new sci5ce ( sup]-s5sual physics & ) x new vi/as ( ?\ght4 ,x is no long] necess>y to apologize = ! "w ( psy*ic rese>*1 t is among intellig5t p4 ,light is ga9+ on ! d>kness4 ,i felt ano!r h& assi/+ me to /e]1 said a sailor man to me :o va9ly tri$ to expla9 h[ he kept 8 boat f :at appe>$ c]ta9 de/ruction4 ,he w\ld scorn to be call$ a religi\s man4 ,!re is no?+ ( ! rant] 9 me--y "k sir1 & he us$ uncomplim5t>y rem>ks :i* ,i omit4 ,b !re sir1 x 0 no skill ( m9e4 ,all ,i saw 0 dea? & de/ruction = me & my mates1 yet ,i knew we %\ld pull ?r\gh all "r4 ,!re 0 ano!r t %ipp$ z pass5g] 9 ! d>kness4 ,! "q ( immortality & ( ! exi/5ce ( spiritual entities :i* _h be5 relegat$ to ! limits ( illusions & dreams 9 ,victorian times by ! fumbl+ amateur philosoph]s ( t day1 c n[ be discuss$ ) quiet 9 ! old philosophic ve9 :i* *>act]iz$ ! great age ( ?\ght :5 ,greek sages argu$ 9 ! ,g>d5s ( ,a!ns4 ,?is fact alone ju/ifies a book ( ! pres5t "*4 ,! bumpti\s & dull ass :o ann\nces ,miracles d n happ51 is n[ se5 9 true p]spective & he cuts a poor figure4 ,app>itions1 telepa?y & clairvoyance are n explanations1 b names = facts dem&+ sep>ate explanations4 ,9 reg>d to su* ! ecclesia/ical damn & ! sci5tific damn h be5 freely us$4 ,if m5 h be5 hypnotiz$ by gho/ /ories1 !y c]ta9ly h be5 delud$ by /ories ( unnatural sci5ce4 ,to d5y activities ( life natural & sup]-natural is r silly consid]+ no man has solv$ ! life pr9ciple4 ,! atoms =m+ ! mat]ial ( ! bra9 may be prov$ ultimately to be id5tical ) ^? t compose a jelly-fi% or a j> ( m>g>9e1 & bra9 appe>s to be ! organ ( m9d1 b x is m9d t grasps ?+s1 places ?+s1 & ?9ks4 ,life is conc]n$ ) ?\ght z well z atoms4 ,x receives ?\ghts f all sides1 sometimes x claims to detect ! ?\ght giv]--& t is to h a full] vision4 ,m5 ?9k quickly on ! field ( battle4 ,!y are n con/ra9$ by a n>r[ education & a n>r[] conv5tionalism to limit _! ?\ghts to :at o!rs ?9k 9 _! own circle4 ,,iv ,,! ,,spiritual ,,entity ,:y is x t m5 9 all ages1 ! be/ ( m51 ! mo/ gift$ ( m51 ) ! evid5ce ( ! s5ses s /rongly aga9/ !m1 h believ$ t a spiritual p]sonal entity survives dea?'s disa/]8 ,t m5 d s is se5 9 all lit]ature & witness$ to 9 all l&s4 ,v$ic hymns1 #c1ejj ye>s old s+ ( a spiritual body ) z cle> a vision z ,s4 ,paul4 ,we are collect+ ! evid5ce t has float$ d[n ! ages & exam9+ x ) a new criticism4 ,! attitude ( ,pooh6 ,bah6 ( ,e>ly ,victorian times is no long] ! m>k ( sup]iority4 ,x is n[1 z x 0 !n1 ! m>k n only ( ignorance b /upid dullness4 ,! frame ( m9d :i* us$ to dismiss ev]y?+ ) ! ^w impossible is n[ recogniz$ n z sci5ce b ignorance4 ,! rese>*es ( a ,crookes1 ( a ,sir ,oliv] ,lodge1 ,my]s1 ,gurney1 ,ro*as1 ,gabriel ,delanne1 ,lombroso1 9 ! region ( ! occult comm& s]i\s att5tion4 ,sw$5borg communicat$ messages f p :o _h long pass$ to _! relatives on matt]s ( fact :i* 7 f\nd accurate 9 e detail4 ,m4 ,ro*as speaks ( an ext]naliz$ consci\sness :i* feels a t\*4 ,)9 man is ! plant & ma*9]y ( all k9ds ( faculties1 "o is ! p]ception ( ! spiritual4 ,_h x be5 tra9$ l 8 s5se ( music1 we %\ld no long] be 9 ! d>k ( despair ov] our dead4 ,! tr5d ( ?\ght to-day is to %[ man a spiritual be+ 9 a spiritual univ]se1 t dea? is m]ely transition4 ,if n1 !n ,god is ! ,cosmic ,murd]]4 ,! spiritual s5se ( man is 8 faculty ( response to ! spiritual _w ar\nd him1 j z 8 musical s5se is 8 measure ( response & 8 reception ( ! _w ( music ar\nd him4 ,by "s magic 9 ! r$ surge ( w>1 ?is spiritual response is %>p5$ & quick5$ z e o!r s5se is1 & ! soldi] sees visions4 ,man work+ )9 "t & space is influ5c$ by :at is beyond ! "o & ! o!r1 ! full significance ( ?is _w w\ld seem to be 9 ano!r s*eme ( ?+s to :i* ?is is only ! ve/ibule4 ,! s\l's wave movem5ts h _! laws4 ,9 t s\l is "s f9e ,m>coni-l in/rum5t :i* regi/]s impressions1 & f "t to "t receives spiritual w>n+s & p]ceives spiritual be+s4 ,s]i\s m5 are n[ boldly inve/igat+4 ,little help comes f ! sect>ians :o seem to begrudge ,god 8 univ]se2 ev]y?+ has to be *eap5$ to ! worm's-eye view ( little ,be!l1 :i* /eep$ 9 politics has long lo/ s5se ( ! spiritual4 ,! old ,greeks & ,lat9s 7 acute ?9k]s1 yet !y believ$ 9 spiritual be+s & _! appe>ances4 ,x 0 only 9 ! days ( *eap ?9k+ t x requir$ a special val\r to express belief 9 ! sup]-natural4 ,! fact is1 mo/ p are l ! devils ( scripture :o believe & tremble )\t admitt+ ! au?ority ( _! belief4 ,x is refre%+ to f9d a writ] l ,mr4 ,w4 ,s4 ,lilley 9 ! ,n9ete5? ,c5tury pr(ess+ 8 absolute belief 9 gho/s4 ,to man1 & x w\ld appe> to man alone on ?is plane1 x is giv5 to explore ! unkn[n & to e/abli% ! communion ( s\l ) s\l4 ,aft] all x is a "q ( evid5ce4 ,if a man say ,i won't believe 9 any?+ sup]-natural :atev] ! evid5ce may be1 x is be/ to leave him to 8 folly4 ,if he w accept ! evid5ce t w\ld pass mu/] 9 a c\rt ( law1 !n y h a common gr\nd1 y c weigh evid5ce4 ,to me ! evid5ce = spiritual appe>ances is ov]:elm+ look+ at x f ! /rictly legal angle ( vision4 ,9 ye>s gone by ! sci5tific g5ius began ) ! ass]tion t ev]y?+ mu/ h _h a beg9n+1 & to ass]t t !re 0 a spiritual ,be+ ) no beg9n+ 0 nons5se4 ,to ! dim indi/9ct cr[d su* appe>$ to be clev] reason+4 ,b our v consci\sness insi/s t !re is some?+ :i* _h no beg9n+1 & ,reason adds1 else !re c\ld be no?+ n[4 ,= example1 ,space c\ld n h _h a beg9n+1 t ,duration c\ld n1 t ,tru? c\ld n1 t someh[1 some:]e ^! ,?ree ,et]nals mu/ h be5 co-et]nal1 incompreh5sible4 ,& 9 ?is ,tr9ity none is a=e or aft] ! o!r1 :i* recalls ! ,a?anasian ,cre$4 ,i _c prove t ,tru? _h no beg9n+1 yet my consci\sness tells me at no p]iod 0 x laid d[n z some?+ new1 t ! %orte/ di/ance betwe5 two po9ts w\ld be a /raight l9e4 ,no ma!matician has ev] prov$ t !re is no b\nd>y to space1 b some?+ )9 me tells me t !re c be no su* b\nd>y4 ,ev5 ,reason tells me t an impassable b\nd>y w\ld only s]ve to indicate ! unlimit$ ext5sion beyond4 ,9 all ages we h ! my/ic4 ,n[ ! my/ic is common to all religions4 ,he is ! man :o has felt ! t\* ( spiritual be+s1 ! call ( ,heav5ly ?+s1 & we h to expla9 him4 ,9 seek+ to d ?is we %all realize "s ( ! tru? ( ! ?+s soldi]s see :i* we h call$ ,! ,weird 9 ,w>4 ,v ,,angels ,! evid5ce = ! exi/5ce & ! appe>ance ( angels does n re/ on ! te/imony m]ely ( m5 :o f\ght at ,mons4 ,b ev5 t evid5ce :i* is accept$ by ! tal5t$ au?or ( ,! ,b[m5 requires "s expla9+ away & he admits t !re is a difficulty 9 ignor+ x4 ,b !re is ! accumulat+ evid5ce ( ! ages4 ,:5 we h expla9$ away ! soldi]s' delusions1 we h to confront ^? ( ! _w's wise/ sons--giants 9 ?\ght4 ,we h to confront ! fact t all great religions h ! !ory ( angels4 ,aft] all1 e good ?\ght may be ! :isp] ( an angel1 e beautiful prospect may be b ! gl9t ( ! w+1 e ray ( light & heat b ! wav+ ( ! robes ( ^? high] spiritual intellig5ces :i* ru% hi!r & ?i!r on ,god's s]vice1 ^: faces see ,god 9 ,heav54 ,su* a belief is j z s\nd1 & f> m philosophical ?an any ( ! guesses ,i h read s f>1 giv5 u z explanation ( su* ph5om5a4 ,i am 9 he>ty agreem5t ) mu* t ,mr4 ,ar?ur ,ma*5 writes 9 8 book ,! ,b[m54 ,x is a book ev]yone %\ld read4 ,t spl5did /ory ( failure & triumph1 ! ,retreat f ,mons1 prompt$ him to write a /ory on an ,angelic ,ho/ com+ to ! aid ( ! ,briti% =ce4 ,he wrote x aft] ! mann] ( ! j\rnali/ :o is an eye-witness ( ! ev5t4 ,_m p /ill believe :at !y read 9 ! newspap]s2 & _m p believ$ 8 /ory4 ,b he is altoge!r wrong :5 he imag9es t he is ! au?or ( ! belief 9 ,angelic visions4 ,i 0 9 ,france he>+ /ories ( angelic int]v5tion long be=e ,mr4 ,ma*5 wrote 8 delightful y>n4 ,a frog might z well imag9e t 8 croak is responsible = ! :ole _w ( music1 z to po/ulate t 8 /ory gave rise to ! !ory ( ,angels4 ,m5 _h visions ( su* long be=e ! fir/ /one ( our v5]able %r9e at ,we/m9/] 0 laid1 be=e ! ,romans built _! fir/ mud huts 9 ! valley ( ! ,tib]1 be=e ! ,pyramids rais$ _! t]rific greatness to ! heav5s4 ,s ,mr4 ,ma*5 ne$ n conc]n himself on t score4 ,! ,anglican ,*ur* has fail$ dismally to keep be=e p ! tea*+ ( ! ,*ur* 9 reg>d to ,angels & ,angelic int]v5tion 9 ! affairs ( m54 ,!re ,i am 9 entire agreem5t ) ,mr4 ,ma*54 ,soldi]s tell _! /ories ( angels & a few bi%ops cackle2 b n "o ( !m d>es to speak ( ! full] belief ( ! ,*ur* 9 angels & ! s\l-inspir+ my/]y ( ! ,communion ( ,sa9ts1 ! int]-relation%ip betwe5 ^? on ! e>?-plane & ^? :o h pass$ to ! high] life4 ,! h>dwork+ prie/ 9 ! slums fe>lessly proclaims ?is "o sacram5t ( life ) ! ,div9e ,life1 8 belief 9 angels & _! help1 9 sa9ts & _! pray]s1 & because he believes he is able to "w "u conditions :i* make life = a cultur$ man almo/ intol]able4 ,b he works1 ?ankful to be left alone by 8 bi%op3 = w> has decl>$ a close "t = rituali/ic curates4 ,b ! soldi] ^: patriotism he has nurtur$ writes home to him tell+ frankly 8 exp]i5ces1 8 dreams1 8 visions4 ,i h se5 _m ( ^! lett]s4 ,! writ]s are n li>s nor are !y hy/]ical subjects1 b f9e specim5s ( heal?y manhood4 ,"h & !re a diss5t+ div9e has rais$ 8 voice to decl>e !re may be some?+ 9 ^! /ories ( angels1 b ! diss5t+ pulpit is "u ! despotism ( ! pew & cry ( ,rome is en\gh4 ,hone/ d\bt is always sure ( a sympa!tic audi5ce1 hone/ belief is greet$ ) ! cry ( sup]/ition or ! cuckoo cry ( ,pop]y4 ,a soldi] sees some?+ sup]-natural4 ,"s "o says ,i "k a hundr$ or a ?\s& soldi]s :o did n see x4 ,a man may witness a murd]4 ,8 evid5ce is accept$ 9 ! law c\rts4 ,!y d n call ! hundr$ ?\s& p :o did n see x 9 pro( t no murd] 0 p]petrat$4 ,few p "k ! fundam5tal pr9ciples ( evid5ce4 ,m p misuse x4 ,,vi ,,fell[%ip ,,) ,,! ,,unse5 ,religion is man's fell[%ip ) ! ,unse51 & x w\ld seem t bi%ops & v>i\s crank div9es are det]m9$ t su* a belief %all be disc\rag$4 ,man's nature has ^u x ! ,hall ,m>ks ( ,heav54 ,wov5 into man's anatomical texture we f9d faculties t transc5d ?is _w1 t are = ev] int5t ^u ! waves t beat ^u u f ano!r %ore4 ,he sees ! coa/l9e ( ano!r _w to :i* he commits 8 dead4 ,we call su* p ,my/ics1 ,ca?olics1 ,se]s1 etc4 ,!y are ! p :o h _h t\* ) ! ,unse54 ,aft] all1 ! p ) actual p]sonal exp]i5ce ( spiritual p[]1 :o %ape _! lives by _! exp]i5ce are ! real assets ( belief4 ,man may or may n be sprung f ! bea/1 he may or may n h be5 rais$ f slime4 ,man's _s did n arise 9 slime1 t at all ev5ts came f a race ( flame4 ,du/ w n acc\nt = ev]y?+4 ,! ,*ur* 9 its greate/ (fice ( all1 ! ,communion ,s]vice1 claims to wor%ip 9 union ) ,angels & ,ar*angels & ) all ! ,company ( ,heav54 ,hav+ proclaim$ ?is trem5d\s fact ! ,*ur*1 = ! mo/ "p leaves x1 & bi%ops view any fur!r annunciation ( ! fact ) suspicion & sometimes ) ?reats4 ,on "o solemn day 9 ! ye> ! ,*ur* invokes ,s4 ,mi*ael & all ,angels4 ,s4 ,mi*ael's ,mass z x is /ill call$4 ,! old tea*+ ( ! ,*ur* bids u lift our eyes to behold ^? m intimate intellig5ces :i* /& ne>] ! ,great & ,c5tral ,my/]y4 ,:5 a soldi] /umbles by *ance ^u "o ( ^? high] be+s he is reg>d$ z ! victim ( halluc9ation1 ( sup]/ition or dr9k or all ( !m4 ,a *apla9 ) dull ,g]man ,prote/antism obscur+ 8 view ( spiritual ?+s treats him z "s unclean ?+4 ,diss5t 9 ,engl& = ye>s has be5 synonym\s ) pro-,g]manism4 ,x has be5 at w> ) ! hi/oric cre$ ( ,*ri/5dom4 ,x 0 bett] = _! aims t angels %\ld n exi/4 ,be=e dull ,g]man ,prote/antism ) its gross mat]ialism rais$ ! pl5tiful crop ( sects 9 ,engl&1 our c\ntry 0 kn[n ?r\gh ,europe z ,m]rie ,engl&4 ,our p lov$ ! fe/ival ( ,s4 ,mi*ael4 ,s4 ,mi*ael's ,mass 0 a r$ lett] day4 ,! ,communion & ,int]-,communion ( e>? ) heav5 0 emphasiz$4 ,families met t day to pray & fea/1 lov]s plight$ _! tro?1 ga!r+s ( relatives & fri5ds 0 ! rule1 joy 0 ! key-note4 ,!n diss5t rais$ its ugly head1 diss5t t _h its bir? 9 ,g]many4 ,^! kill-joys got ! upp] h&4 ,! recognition ( ! ,*ri/-,mass1 ,*ri/mas & ! ,mi*ael-,mass1 ,mi*aelmas1 0 put d[n by law4 ,diss5t has nev] hesitat$ to use compulsion :5 x lay ready to h& to en=ce mat]ialism4 ,s belief 9 angels well nigh ceas$ to exi/4 ,to-day ! revival comes f actual exp]i5ce r ?an f *ur* tea*+4 ,! antagonism to su* belief am\nts to unreasonable heights ( folly4 ,lu!r has s long occupi$ ! place ( ,*ri/ t diss5t has =gott5 :at ,*ri/ taught u 9 reg>d to angels4 ,we ignore ! fact t ,he claim$ to h se5 angels1 & to h _h _! help & m9i/ration4 ,:5 politics mix ) religion1 spirituality dies1 !re is no vision1 = !re is little belief & less s9c]ity4 ,no wond] ! soldi]'s vision ( angels /rikes !m z some?+ altoge!r beyond ! pale ( belief4 ,x is "t t our spiritual fa!rs & o!r /epfa!rs began to give u a lead 9 spiritual ?+s4 ,we are burd5$ ) bi%ops :o play to ! gall]y & ! *eap] press1 :o w\ld r take a confirmation s]vice 9 a coal-pit ?an 9 a consecrat$ %r9e ( pray]1 = ! simple reason t ,confirmation 9 a ,coal-pit gets a flam+ adv]tisem5t 9 e pap]4 ,_! vision is set on notoriety3 ! spiritual vision rec$es4 ,h[ c !y h sympa?y ) ^? :o pi]ce ! b\nd>y l9e t sep>ates ?is _w f a high] plane8 ,m5 :o h sp5t _! lives on (fice seek+ c nev] be se]s or prie/s4 ,p>sons :o beat ! political drum may rise to p[] political1 nev] to ! p[] spiritual4 ,! vision glori\s is to ^? :o face duty1 self-sacrifice1 & see 9 !m ! ,div9e ,call1 :o believe 9 ! sacrifice ( ! ,gospel r ?an its com=t4 ,! *>latan mu/ n dom9ate ! ,*ri/ian 9 our spiritual pa/ors1 if x d1 !n su* are n qualifi$ to m9i/] 9 spiritual ?+s4 ,,vii ,,! ,,:ite ,,comrade ,! /ory t angels f\ght on ! side ( ! ,allies 9 ! battle ( ,mons mu/ re/ ^u evid5ce1 c\pl$ ) exp]i5ce4 ,if we beg9 by assum+ t !re c be no intellig5ces 9 ! univ]se unless !y are clo!d 9 ! regulat$ fa%ion1 !n no am\nt ( evid5ce w suffice4 ,x is a worm's-eye view t reg>ds man z ! la/ ^w 9 m9d4 ,mean:ile ,france is pursu+ ! evid5ce = ano!r /ory exclusively ( ,fr5* orig9 & v\*$ = by m5 to :om ! belief 9 spiritual be+s is repugnant1 viz41 ! app>ition ( ,le ,cam>ade ,blanc1 ( :om at ,nancy1 9 ! ,argonne1 at ,soissons & ,ypres m5 talk$ ) hu%$ voices b ) ! quiet assurance ( m5 :o _h se54 ,x mu/ be some?+ arre/+ :i* *anges an a!i/ into a my/ic4 ,aga9 & aga9 ! ,fr5* w\nd$ speak ( a man 9 :ite b5d+ ov] !m z !y lay on ! field helpless1 & m9i/]+ relief4 ,! my/]i\s "o :om our allies call ! ,comrade 9 ,:ite appe>s simultane\sly on diff]5t p>ts ( ! battlefield4 ,8 mission ev] is "o ( m]cy4 ,! ,liv+ ,*ur* repr9ts f ,"w & ,life an article giv+ a full acc\nt ( ,! ,:ite ,comrade1 furni%$ by a w\nd$ soldi]4 ,all acc\nts agree 9 ! ma9 facts4 ,he is g5]ally obs]v$ aft] sev]e fight+1 he appe>s :]e dea? is busie/1 he ignores %ot & %ell1 he is ev] calm1 collect$1 & br+s ) him an atmosph]e ( peace4 ,m5 ( ! #hg? & #abh? ,fr5* ,infantry :o h be5 fight+ 9 ! ,argonne1 h se5 him1 & on sev]al occasions he has be5 se5 9 ! tr5*es4 ,! soldi]'s acc\nt :i* appe>$ 9 ,! ,liv+ ,*ur* is wor? read+4 ,x is n conclusive evid5ce1 b ! numb] ( su* exp]i5ces has value on ! great subject ( ,spiritual ,int]v5tion4 ,religion pl$ges itself to su* a belief4 ,?is is ! soldi]'s /ory1 "o ( _m simil> /ories3 ,x 0 ! next day4 ,at noon we got ^w to take ! tr5*es 9 front ( u4 ,!y 7 two hundr$ y>ds away1 & we w]5't well />t$ till we knew t ! big guns _h fail$ 9 _! "w ( prep>ation4 ,we _h advanc$ #aej y>ds :5 we f\nd x 0 no good4 ,our capta9 call$ to u to take cov]1 & j !n ,i 0 %ot ?r\gh bo? legs4 ,i fell into a hole ( "s sort4 ,i suppose ,i fa9t$1 = :5 ,i op5$ my eyes ,i 0 all alone4 ,! pa9 0 horrible1 b ,i didn't d>e to move le/ ! ,g]mans %\ld see me1 = !y 7 only fifty y>ds away1 & ,i did n expect m]cy4 ,i 0 glad :5 ! twilight came4 ,!re 7 m5 9 my own company :o w\ld run any risk 9 ! d>kness if !y ?\ght a comrade 0 /ill alive4 ,! night fell1 & soon ,i he>d a /ep1 n /eal?y1 z ,i expect$1 b quiet & firm1 z if nei!r d>kness nor dea? c\ld *eck ^? untr\bl$ feet4 ,s little did ,i guess :at 0 com+ t1 ev5 :5 ,i saw ! gleam ( :ite 9 ! d>kness ,i ?\ght x 0 a peasant 9 a :ite smock1 or p]haps a woman d]ang$4 ,sudd5ly ,i guess$ t x 0 ',! ,comrade 9 ,:ite4' ,at t v mom5t ! ,g]man rifles began to %oot4 ,! bullets c\ld sc>cely miss su* a t>get1 = he flung out 8 arms z ?\gh 9 entreaty1 & !n drew !m back till he /ood l "o ( ^? wayside crosses t we saw s (t5 z we m>*$ ?r\gh ,france4 ,& he spoke4 ,! words s\nd$ famili>1 b all ,i rememb] 0 ! beg9n+1 ',if ?\ had/ kn[n1' & ! end+1 'b n[ !y are hid f ?9e eyes4' ,& !n he /oop$ & ga!r$ me into 8 arms--me1 ! bigge/ man 9 ! regim5t--& c>ri$ me z if ,i _h be5 a *ild4 ,i mu/ h fa9t$ aga91 = ,i awoke to consci\sness 9 a little cave by a /ream1 & ',! ,comrade 9 ,:ite' 0 wa%+ my w\nds & b9d+ !m up4 ,i want$ to "k :at ,i c\ld d = my fri5d to help him or to s]ve him4 ,he 0 look+ t[>d ! /ream & 8 h&s 7 clasp$ 9 pray]2 & !n ,i saw t he1 too1 _h be5 w\nd$4 ,i c\ld see1 z x 71 a %ot-w\nd 9 8 h&1 & z he pray$ a drop ( blood ga!r$ & fell to ! gr\nd4 ,i cri$ out4 ,i c\ld n help x1 = t w\nd ( 8 seem$ to be a m awful ?+ ?an any t bitt] w> _h %[n me4 ',y are w\nd$1 too1' ,i said4 ,p]haps he he>d me1 p]haps x 0 ! look on my face1 b he answ]$ g5tly3 ',?is is an old w\nd1 b x has tr\bl$ me ( late4' ,& !n ,i notic$ sorr[fully t ! same cruel m>k 0 on 8 feet4 ,y w wond] t ,i did n "k soon]4 ,i wond] myself4 ,b x 0 only :5 ,i saw 8 feet t ,i knew him4 ,an incid5t :i* left a great impression ^u me occurr$ at a hospital 9 ,nor? ,we/ ,france 9 ,septemb] #aiad q e>ly 9 ! w>4 ,i 0 visit+ "s w\nd$ ,engli% & ,fr5* soldi]s4 ,"o poor fell[1 a ,p>isian1 call$ me to 8 side4 ,come close1 monsieur1 = ,i w\ld talk 9 a :isp]4 ,y are ,engli%--yes3 & y ,engli% are common s5se1 practical--tell me--d y believe 9 ,god & angels1 su* ?+s z prie/s tea* *ildr5 & wom58 ,my measure ( exp]i5ce 9 life has compell$ my belief 9 angels or spiritual be+s1 & common s5se dem&s my belief 9 a ,supreme ,m9d :i* ,i call ,god1 ! "o ,basic ,fact1 ,i repli$4 ,monsieur ,i w\ld talk ) y4 ,d y believe t ?is ,god has prie/s to reveal su* ?+s to u8 ,! ,great ,supreme ,m9d has prie/s1 lead]s1 prophets1 9 all dep>tm5ts ( k1 music1 ma!matics1 *emi/ry1 navigation or eng9e]+--:y %\ld ,he n h *os5 in/rum5ts to reveal !ological tru?8 ,he lay "s "t quiet1 !n he said1 ,x is good2 n[ ,i feel ,i c tell y1 = y w n smile4 ,= ye>s1 ev] s9ce ,i c\ld ?9k1 ,i h be5 an a!i/4 ,i w5t into ?is w> an a!i/4 ,a few days ago a %ell bur/ ne> me & ,i 0 w\nd$ 9 tw5ty-n9e places4 7,?is /atem5t 0 subsequ5tly sub/antiat$ by ! doctor & a nurs+ si/] ( m]cy47 ,monsieur1 ,i 0 9 great pa93 !n sudd5ly a k9d face 0 look+ into m9e1 some?+ t\*$ my br[1 ! awful pa9 ceas$4 ',y call$ me1' a s(t voice said4 ,!n ,i rememb]$ t :5 ,i 0 w\nd$ ,i _h cri$1 ',oh1 my ,god6' & ,i laugh$1 monsieur1 = ,i 0 an a!i/4 ,!n ,i lo/ consci\sness ) t k9d face /ill b5d+ ov] me4 ,n[ ,i lie & ?9k ( t k9d face4 ,! doctors say maybe ,i %all recov]1 & ! si/]s "h say to me t x is all 9 ! ,good ,god's h&s & ,i am cont5t4 ,i say x is all 9 ! ,good ,god's h&s4 ,:5 t k9d face 0 look+ into m9e ,i cri$ out ',i am an a!i/1' & he j smil$ & said ',b y call$ me4' ,i (f]$ to get a prie/ = ! poor fell[1 b he %ook 8 head4 ,no1 monsieur4 ,i h be5 an enemy ( prie/s all my life--an enemy ( religion--! ,*ur*4 ,to (f] ! rema9+ days ( my wreckage to ,god--no--,i h b a few h\rs to live1 & ,i w\ld ?9k ( t k9d face1 & :5 ,i ?9k ( x ! pa9 ceases4 ,ah1 monsieur1 ,i _h wond]ful argum5ts to %[ t !re 0 no ,god1 & t ! cl]ics are ! p's enemies--yet :5 ,i 0 /ruck d[n ,i call$ ',oh1 my ,god6' ,x is comical4 ,t is :y ! k9d face smil$4 ,ano!r w\nd$ ,fr5* soldi] said to me3 ,:5 ,i g back to ,t\lon ,i %all h some?+ to say to my comrades4 ,i always ?\ght prie/s 7 only half m51 b my ,god6 ,i h se5 !m fight4 ,x is magnific5t4 ,a prie/ l$ u :5 we hesitat$1 ,i got my two w\nds foll[+ him--a prie/4 ,oh6 x is truly unbelievable to ?9k t ,i %\ld foll[ a prie/4 ,he l$ u to triumph4 ,he l$ me to some?+ m4 ,t day ,i knew religion 0 true4 ,i saw some?+ 9 8 face4 ,i saw x aga9 :5 he fell w\nd$1 & ,i 0 w\nd$ b ,i c\ld only ?9k ( him4 ,ah1 life is droll--,n[ ,i g back to ,t\lon ) two bad w\nds & a religion4 ,prie/s--,i h se5 !m fight1 & ,i lie & laugh at myself & my comrades z fools = we ?\ght ( !m z m]e amusem5ts = wom5 & *ildr54 ,i saw prie/s g =w>d :]e my noble comrades held back--my noble comrades :o sne] at prie/s4 ,x is droll4 ,,five ,,sket*es ,,by ,r4 ,,?ur/on ,,hopk9s ,i ,,ombos ,we 7 talk+ at ! club ab\t _s manife/ations1 & retail+ ! usual second or ?ird-h& acc\nts ( family spooks & deceas$ aunts %[+ !mselves to _! sorr[+ relatives4 ,x is /range ! tricks :i* our bra9s w sometimes play u1 said ,b>ton4 ,i rememb] once see+ a gho/ myself1 & ,i c tell y t ! s5sation is a v curi\s "o4 ,x 0 a good _m ye>s ago1 :5 ,i 0 out 9 ,bombay 9 ! ,national ,indian ,bank1 & ,i _h be5 sitt+ up until ! e>ly h\rs try+ to trace "s fraudul5t entries 9 ! bank's books by "o ( our cl]ks :o _h abscond$ ) a consid]able sum ( money4 ,ev]ybody 9 ! bank build+ _h long s9ce gone home or to b$1 :]e ,i ought to h be5 myself1 s ,i 0 va/ly a/oni%$ :5 ,i look$ up f ! l$g] to see somebody sitt+ at ! desk :]e ,i myself _h be5 writ+ a few mom5ts be=e4 ,i felt q upset = a mom5t1 until ,i recognis$ ! intrud]4 ,he 0 nebul\s1 b ,i c\ld see pla9ly en\gh :o x 04 ,a memb] ( y\r family 9 ,engl&8 ask$ ,duck=d1 :o 0 a firm believ] 9 ! good old-fa%ion$ second sight ( ! ,scot* ,highl&]s4 ,b>ton answ]$ 9 8 peculi>ly quiet way4 ,no1 x 0 myself4 ,! appe>ance ( see+ an image ( "o's self is n altoge!r unusual1 ,i believe4 ,b1 ( c\rse1 su* a ?+ is really all nons5se 444 a matt] ( n]ves4 ,n[1 ,i d n ?9k x is fair ( y to put all su* ?+s d[n to n]ves1 said ,capta9 ,crabbe1 :o _h return$ w\nd$ f ,france aft] be+ 9 ! field s9ce ! outbreak ( ! ,great ,w>4 ,if "o _c always expla91 "o ne$ n !re=e ridicule4 ,crabbe made ?is rem>k ) a gravity t 0 some:at unusual ) him4 ,bless my s\l1 boy1 y hav5't be5 see+ ! ,angels ( ,mons or ! ,ag9c\rt ,b[m5 ov] !re 9 ,fl&]s1 h y8 ask$ ,duck=d1 reg>d+ ,crabbe ) a ke5 eye1 & sc5t+ some?+ sav\r+ ( ! my/]i\s1 ! sup]-natural4 ,d y believe 9 ^! /ories8 ,i mean--sup]/itions8 ,capta9 ,crabbe %ook 8 head4 ,n greatly1 he said smil+4 ,b ,i am n "o ( ^? :o ?\ghtlessly laugh at t :i* is out ( ! common1 m]ely because x _c be expla9$ on ord9>y gr\nds4 ,n s9ce ,i h sp5t ne>ly twelve mon?s ov] 9 ,france1 at any rate4 ,are y int]e/$ 9 ! weird8 ,i'd be a fool if ,i wasn't1 said ,duck=d1 select+ a cig> f 8 case4 ,:at's y\r /ory ab\t--,i see y h "o to tell4 ,i am n inquisitive z a rule2 b1 someh[ y\r mann] has w>n$ me t y h some?+ s+ul>ly int]e/+ to tell4 ,crabbe rema9$ sil5t a %ort "t4 ,!n1 look+ at ,duck=d v e>ne/ly1 he answ]$3 ,well1 p]haps ,i may tell y my /ory1 ?\gh ,i w\ld n tell x to all ^! h]etics ar\nd me4 ,inde$1 only two or ?ree o!r p h ev] he>d x4 ,i hate--ah6 m ?an ,i c convey to any liv+ s\l--ev5 to ?9k ab\t x4 ,b to y x may be ( special int]e/4 ,y "k t ,i look ^u all su* ?+s f ! po9t ( a simple1 unbiass$ inquir]1 return$ ,duck=d4 ,come along1 ,crabbe4 ,a good cig> 9 front ( ! c>d room fire1 & y\r /ory1 eh8 ,duck=d l$ ! way up to ! snug c>d room :]e a *e]ful fire 0 blaz+4 ,sit d[n4 ,:]e is t da%$ wait]8 ,oh1 y !re1 ,griggs4 ,come along ) "s :isky & soda4 ,crabbe sat d[n 9 a deep *air by ! fire1 & /ret*$ 8 feet to ! flame4 ,duck=d said no?+2 only pull$ at 8 cig> & pati5tly wait$ = :at he knew 0 soon com+4 ,d y "k--b1 no1 ( c\rse y don't1 he began pres5tly4 ,b c y imag9e h[ x c be t a man c\ld pass all 8 =ce into a bronze /atue & make x live4444 ,y've he>d ^! lit]>y m5 & arti/s talk ab\t putt+ _! s\ls into _! "w1 ,duck=d8 ,duck=d purs$ 8 lips4 ,ev]y?+ lives--ev5 a bronze /atue1 he said s]i\sly4 ,if x 0 n s x w\ld atrophy1 x w\ld crumble & disappe>4 ,look at ! case (---- ,t's j :at old ,ombos said4 ,& if he didn't und]/& all ab\t ^? ?+s1 ,i %\ld jolly well l to be l$ to ! man :o did4 ,ombos told me hundr$s ( times t a man walk$ ab\t ?is e>? ?r[+ 8 =ce into ev]y?+ he came 9 contact )--scatt]+ "s k9d ( p[]2 & ( c\rse t p[] is pick$ up by /ones & h\ses & 444 /atues1 or any?+4 ,ombos misus$ x2 t 0 disa/r\s4 ,x seems to me t x is safe to use ?is god-en]gy only 9 its own prop] sph]e4 ,y h v likely he>d ( m5 :o h tri$ to pass !mselves into inanimate objects8 ,well1 :at w\ld y say if ,i tell y t ,i ev5 ,i--:o sit n[ s sob]ly be=e y1 :om be=e ! w> y knew to be ord9>ily1 a quiet1 peaceably-dispos$1 sport-lov+ ,engli% fell[--_h once be5 "u ! spell ( a bronze /atue t somebody _h pass$ clean into8 ,y 7 "u ! hypnotic influ5ce ( y\r fri5d ,ombos1 probably1 ,i sugge/$4 ,y may ?9k s1 n[2 b y j wait till ,i h told y all ab\t ,ombos1 & ! bronze /atue4 ,!n y'll be able to decide if x 0 trick]y4444 ,x w\ld be diff]5t if y c\ld h se5 ! /atue4 ,!n ,crabbe proce$$ to unfold 8 /range tale4 ,y "k t :5 ! w> fir/ broke out ,i 0 atta*$ to ! ,loam%ires1 & we 7 "o ( ! fir/ ,briti% ,regim5ts to />t = ! l& across ! wat]4 ,aft] six mon?s' fight+1 dur+ :i* e day 0 cr[d$ ) en\gh incid5t to provide a ?ree-reel ?rill] = a c9ema-man1 ,i f\nd myself qu>t]$ at ,ypres4 ,h y ev] be5 to ,ypres8 ,if y h1 x w act z a k9d ( antidote to ^? wret*$ picture po/-c>ds :i* %[ x 9 its la/ phase--a heap ( s5seless wreckage4 ,! ',coal ,boxes1' ',jack ,johnsons' & o!r v>i$ pres5ts f ,krupp's _h n fall5 on ! t[n ) su* lavi%ness at ! "t my regim5t f\nd %elt] !re4 ,x 0 a ,june aft]noon :5 ,i fir/ f\nd my way !re4 ,a mell[ dr[s9ess hung ov] ! ,clo? ,hall & ,ca!dral4 ,x 0 inde$ a v pleasant little t[n4 ,! old h\ses ( ! squ>e1 ! ,prior's ,gate1 ! noble trees1 ! /ret* ( gre5 turf1 all %>$ 9 ! dream-l repose4 ,9 ! ,rue ,b>-le-,duc1 z ev]ybody kn[s1 j :]e x w9ds ar\nd to ! f9e gateway ( ! ,ca!dral1 !re is a r[ ( little %ops ) bulg+ lead$ w9d[s1 du/y & delightful4 ,! "o t took my eye 0 an antique %op4 ,i _h a :ole regim5t ( aunts & uncles at home :o 9 e lett] dem&$ s\v5irs1 & "h 0 ! *ance to lodge a %ipp+ ord]1 ) ab\t a hundr$ labels1 & leave ! old antiqu>ian fogey to s5d 'em (f4 ,x 0 inside t ,i met ,ombos = ! fir/ "t4 ,i select$ ! s\v5irs1 & wrote labels2 b old ,ombos made a devil ( a muddle ov] s5d+ !m (f1 & a v prim maid5 aunt receiv$ a snuff box adorn$ ) a "y ,fr5* lady 9 v scanty attire4444 ,by ! way1 y don't "k my aunt ,sylvia1 d y8 ,crabbe laugh$ he>tily = ! fir/ "t t ev5+4 ,i sp5t "s h\rs 9 ! bulg+ w9d[ ( t old %op exam9+ ! wond]ful collection ( beautiful old ?+s1 & /agg]+ ab\t on piles ( &irons & copp] w>m+ pans1 old ,ombos wat*+ me all ! "t ) an amus$ smile4 ,i c /ill see ,ombos /&+ l a figure c>v$ 9 old ivory1 ) "o sk9ny yell[ h& re/+ on ! edge ( a black oak table4 ',i call all ?is /uff "h rubbi%2 n wor? look+ at4 ,b p d n und]/& real good /uff if ,i %[ x to 'em1' he said1 & smil$ a remotely contemptu\s smile4 ',n[ if y really want to see "s *oice antiques 444' ,he motion$ me to foll[1 & tak+ a light$ tap]1 l$ ! way into a room at ! back ( 8 %op4 ,ombos pott]$ ab\t ) ! tap] on ! end ( a rod2 sudd5ly a big ov]head *&eli] bur/ into light & ,i /ood bl9k+ 9 amazem5t4 ,x 0 "o ( ! mo/ gorge\sly furni%$ oak-panell$ rooms ,i h ev] se54 ,! floor 0 ( black poli%$ ebony1 & /rewn on ! floor 7 priceless leop>d sk9s & ,p]sian rugs4 ,!re 7 heavy ,*9ese tape/ries work$ 9 crimson & gold1 ,tibetan devil-masks1 gold c&elabra1 arm\r ri*ly inlaid ) preci\s /ones1 wondr\s black oak furniture4444 ,b ,i c assure y1 ,i c\ld cont9ue indef9itely describ+ ! cont5ts ( t room )\t giv+ y any adequate idea ( :at x 0 l6 ',h>dly :at y expect$ to see1 eh8' ,ombos said1 & !re 0 a fa9t trace ( mock]y 9 8 tone4 ,i look$ ar\nd me helplessly4 ',no6' ,i said1 s9k+ into a mo/ luxuri\s silk-cu%ion$ divan4 ',tr5*es1 & ?is6 ,i suppose ,i'll wake up soon4' ',w\ld y l to see my bronze /atue ( ,alb]t ( ,cologne8 ,x's ! gem ( my collection1 & has a _w-wide reputation6' ',x's r diff]5t1 y may say4' ,he look$ full ov] my head z ,i spoke1 & foll[+ ! direction ( 8 eyes1 ,i turn$4 ,9 a d>k recess 9 t "p ( ! room /ood a bronze /atue1 "s six feet 9 height4 ,x portray$ ! great my/ic 9 a long habit fa%ion$ aft] a monki% c[l1 & 8 hair & face rem9d$ me ( a bu/ ( ,n]o ,i _h once se5 9 ! gall]y ( ! ,l\vre4 ,ombos told me t ! life ( ,alb]t ,magnus _h be5 writt5 by ,dr4 ,sigh>t4 ,?is ,dom9ican1 magnus 9 magia1 major 9 philosophia1 maximus 9 !ologia1 0 di/+ui%$ alike = 8 k ( ! black art & 8 great virtue1 = au/]ity ( regim51 & dislike ( any =m ( society4 ,= o!r details ( ?is philosoph] ,i mu/ ref] y to ,sigh>t's excell5t monograph & ,mr4 ,james ,mew's "w on ,! ,black ,art f :i* we le>n t ,alb]t ( ,cologne 0 accus$ by ! vulg> ( hold+ illicit comm]ce ) ! devil4 ,!y believ$ z a matt] ( c\rse t he 0 aid$ by ,beelzebub4 ,& leg5ds grew ab\t him 9 wild luxuriance4 ,9 p>ticul> he is cr$it$ ) ! creation ( an &roid1 homunculus1 or1 z "s say1 a fair maid5--an idea :i* ,goe! may h copi$ 9 8 celebrat$ play--able1 accord+ to "s1 to say only ',salve1' b1 accord+ to o!rs1 to pr$ict ) ! un]r+ accuracy ( a ,zadkiel a *ange ( gov]nm5t1 or ! adv5t ( a pe/il5ce1 a royal m>riage or a royal dea?4 ,b all agree t ?is automaton 0 sma%$ by 8 pupil ,?omas ,aqu9as1 :o ought to h kn[n bett] ?an to believe x a device ( ! ,evil ,"o4 ,?is /ory ( ! speak+ /atue may g ) ^? o!r m>vels ( 8 vision ( ! ,holy ,virg9 to enc\rage him 9 !ological /udy1 & 8 /up5d\s g>d5 ( fl[]s & birds & f\nta9s 9 mid-w9t] = ,william ( ,holl&1 & t graci\s sc5t :i* arose aft] a long] "t ?an f\r days out ( 8 sacr$ sepul*re1 & 8 vision ( ,/4 ,dom9ic1 :o himself reveal$ to him ! secret ( ! /one1 :]eby he dis*>g$ all ! debts ( 8 bi%opric4 ,^! bald facts ab\t our fri5d ,magnus mu/ suffice4 ,old ,ombos _h a spl5did edition ( 8 works1 lately publi%$ 9 ,p>is "u ! direction ( a c]ta9 ,augu/ ,borguet2 tw5ty l>ge folios on all imag9able subjects4 ,!y includ$ *apt]s on hawks & adh]+ to ,god1 on meteors & ! my/]y ( ! ,mass1 on ! heal+ ( ! lep] & ! eau de vie4 ,i 0 a gross ,phili/9e 9 ^? days--/ill am1 z a matt] ( fact--& ,i c\ld n appreciate ! /atue4 ,a /r5u\s life ) my ,regim5t _h /ifl$ :at little appreciation = su* ?+s a m leisur$ exi/5ce might h fo/]$4 ,i c\ld n appreciate nor und]/& ! ?+s t ,ombos 0 say+ ab\t ! bronze /atue & ! /range ,ma/] ( ! ,ma/]s x portray$4 ,old ,ombos--y c\ld n help b ?9k t he _h gr[n v mu* l ! /atue himself2 or _h ! /atue gr[n l him8--held up a c&elabra :i* ?rew ! details ( ! bronze figure into relief & ca/ flick]+ reflections on ! d>k oak panell+ ( ! recess4 ',x's an exquisite ?+1' said ,ombos4 ',see h[ he re>s himself on 8 black granite pl9?4 ,a noble pile ( mell[ bronze1 irregul> yet graceful4' ,ombos reg>d$ x smil+ly1 yet ) "o ( 8 que]1 s9i/] looks4 ,x w\ld h be5 h>d to "k :at he 0 ?9k+4 ,he 0 "o ( ^? tall1 emaciat$ *aps1 t make u m5 ( ord9>y /ature feel dw>fi%2 & z ,i look$ at 8 skull-l face ,i wond]$ at fir/ :]e 8 eyes 7 hidd5 444 !y seem$ s f> back 9 ! d>k holl[s on ea* side ( 8 nose4 ,i plac$ myself be=e ,alb]t ( ,cologne--to try & appreciate x1 y "k4 ,well1 ,i didn't ?9k a great deal ( x1 b ( c\rse ,i 0 a ,phili/9e4 ,i _h se5 _m great1 heavy bronzes 9 ! ,briti% ,museum1 & !y hadn't ev5 /irr$ my he>t1 s x is n surpris+ t ?is "o fail$ to affect me4 ,i told ,ombos1 m]ely to please him1 t ,i ?\ght x 0 an extraord9>y piece ( "w4 ,b he v soon saw t ,i 0 n able to appreciate old ,magnus1 & he drew a heavy plu% curta9 back 9 front ( him4 ',come back6 ,come away6' he said4 ',y h n yet ! und]/&+4 ,oh1 x's big6 ,x's a big god1 ,i tell y4' ,ombos 0 v pati5t ) me1 b z he walk$ up & d[n ! room kick+ ! leop>d sk9 rugs ,i knew he 0 ?9k+ :at an idiot ,i 01 & ,i j wait$4 ',y h n yet ! und]/&+1' he mutt]$4 ',x may come to y "o day 444 ! doors ( life & dea? are left aj> f "t to "t1 & ! light ( ,al ,tughrai's lamp ( wisdom %9es out ^u u = a mom5t betwe5 ! op5+ & clos+4' ,! c>v$ ivory face ( old ,ombos seem$ s(t] :5 he said t4 ',did my bro!r c>e = ! old bronze8 ,did he love x z ,i d1 e curve 9 ! lean & cord$ neck 444' ,& !n all ( a sudd5 he walk$ ov] to me6 ',come6' he said1 putt+ 8 h& on my %\ld] & speak+ 9 a voice :i* he _h ! trick ( mak+ wond]fully amiable4 ',de> me1 de> me6 ,h[ ,i mu/ bore y ) my old relics4 ,y want "s tea & muff9s or some?+ ( ! k9d1 eh8 ,w y d me ! hon\r ( tak+ tea ) me8' he said1 lead+ me ?r\gh a door 9 a recess & a wild]ness ( corridors to a small room1 :]e a *>m+ ,fr5* girl presid$ ov] a /eam+ tea-pot ( massive silv]4 ',?is is ,capta9 ,crabbe1' said ,ombos introduc+ me to h]4 ,he turn$ to me4 ',?is is ,m>got1 my niece1' he said ) a smile4 ,i made a /ep =w>d & b[$ slightly2 %e 0 v pretty1 ?is girl1 z %e /ood !re ) ! ri* r$ light f ! silk lamp %ades beh9d h]4 ,%e 0 "o ( ^? d>k1 s$uctive wom5 t look _! be/ 9 a w>m light2 & t ev5+ h] face & figure seem$ in/9ct ) ! joy ( y\?4 ,nev] be=e h ,i ta/$ su* hot-cakes & s&wi*es1 & muff9s 444 !re c\ld be no?+ l !m1 nor any hot-cakes to set above !m 9 all ,europe4 ,! s9i/] look _h n[ q pass$ f my ho/'s face z he sat be=e me /irr+ tea & mun*+ muff9s com=tably2 he seem$ goodhe>t$ness embodi$4 ,on ! table 7 "s wond]ful lucid *9a b[ls fill$ ) cig>ettes1 ,p>as*o & caporal ord9aire1 ,egyptian & e imag9able k9d4 ,aft] tea we pu%$ back our *airs & smok$4 ,8 conv]sation 0 delightful1 & %[$ me at once t he 0 a man ( brilliant gifts1 yet an ecc5tric4 ,i felt mu* z ,m>k ,twa9 mu/ h felt :5 he fir/ met ,rudy>d ,kipl+2 ,twa9 has summ$ up1 9 t inimitable way ( 81 ! feel+ ( be+ 9 ! pres5ce ( an ov]:elm+ p]sonality4 ',i believ$ t he knew m ?an any p]son ,i _h met be=e1 & ,i knew t he knew t ,i knew less ?an any p]son he _h met be=e--?\gh he did n say x1 & ,i 0 n expect+ t he w\ld4'444 ,t 0 exactly h[ ,i felt :5 ,i 0 talk+ tea ) ,ombos 444 8 conv]sation 0 z exhil>at+ z w9e2 8 pres5ce diffus$ a /imulat+ atmosph]e2 ,i felt exalt$ by 8 joy\s en?usiasm4 ,well 7to get on71 aft] ,i left him at ! door ( 8 old %op 7:i* 0 su* a d+y entrance to all ! luxury ( ! int]ior ( ! place71 & ,i ?9k we 7 lo? to "p1 x 0 agre$ betwe5 u t1 %\ld ,i rema9 9 ! t[n1 we 7 to meet aga94 ,z ,i walk$ d[n ! little pave /reet some?+ ,i c\ldn't acc\nt = began to sweep ov] me2 x 0 n m]ely t ! pres5ce ( ,ombos _h fasc9at$ me2 !re 0 some?+ else4 ,!re 0 some?+ t /irr$ 9 my he>t--a ?+ :i* y w n und]/&4 ,if y _h kn[n ,ombos y might h und]/ood4 ,i want$ to g back & h ano!r look at t bronze /atue2 ,i 0 becom+ desp]ately afraid t ,i _h be5 too ha/y 9 my inspection ( x--t ,i _h "u-e/imat$ x4 ,i 0 v "y1 he$less1 self-e/eem$ & smug1 & _h h>dly paus$ to pay a mom5t's tribute to x4 ,i felt t ,alb]t ( ,cologne 0 /&+ !re1 absorb$1 pr\d1 erect1 & defiant1 wait+ = me to f9d my true eyes4 99 99 99 99 99 ,( c\rse1 ,i did see ! bronze /atue aga91 or ,i %\ldn't be sitt+ "h wa/+ y\r "t & pati5ce4 ,)9 a few days ,i w5t r\nd aga9 to ! old %op1 & old ,ombos 0 /&+ !re amid 8 ,que5 ,anne c&le/icks & piles ( books j z if he _h be5 wait+ = me4 ',come 91 come 96' he said1 speak+ 9 a voice t made me feel hone/ly welcome4 ',de> me1 de> me6 ,i am v glad y h n =gott5 me4' ',no1' ,i said4 ',n =gott5 y or ! bronze /atue4 ,x 0 ! only ?+ 9 y\r place t did n int]e/ me :5 ,i fir/ walk$ 94' ,i paus$1 & ,ombos prompt$ me half unconsci\sly3 ',yes8' ',n[6' ,i said1 meet+ 8 eyes mi/+ my own 9 do+ s1 'x is ! only ?+ ,i %\ld l to see4' ',ah6' he said4444 ',well1 ,i told y t he might come ov] y sl[ly2 b ! gods direct rightly :om !y w4 ,i tell y t su* ?+s z ! ,keys ( ,m]cy & ! ,lamps ( ,wisdom are n ga9$ 9 "o swift brea?4 ,:at's ga9$ 9 a few mom5ts is n wor? hav+4 ,all ^? :o h ?r\gh toil & pa9 ent]$ into citiz5%ip 9 ! ,cele/ial ,city w tell y t4 ,gods d n gr[ 9 "o night l mu%rooms4 ,e great ma/]piece is an evolution1 be x a /atue1 a poem1 a pa9t+1 a man--or a god4 ,if x is ev] giv5 to y to see my ,alb]t ( ,cologne z ,i see him y w und]/& :at ,i mean4' ,he turn$ r\nd to me & ,i gave a />t1 ,i c tell y4 ,nev] h ,i se5 su* lurid gleams ( light z ^? t danc$ f ^? two deep-set eyes6 ,i say 'lurid1' = at times1 ! col\r ( !m took a blood r$ hue1 & *ang$ quickly aga9 to a glitt]+ gre54 ,z ,i />$ at him--x 0 all ov] 9 a few seconds--! baleful gl>e seem$ to gr[ 9 int5sity1 till ,i felt z ?\gh ,i 7 endur+ ! mock+ gaze ( ,alb]t ( ,cologne himself2 & v]ily1 ,i half expect$ any mom5t to see ,ombos *ange into a mighty bronze demon or "s appall+1 devili% %ape f ! "u-_w4 ',er--%all we g & h a look at ! /atue8' ,i said1 ) a half-consci\s det]m9ation to see :e!r x really ev] _h exi/$ 7,i 0 beg9n+ to ?9k t ,ombos _h be5 us+ a k9d ( hypnotic influ5ce on me1 ?us induc+ me to see visions72 & also1 z ,i believe1 ) "s vague wi% to %ut out ! sight ( ^? roll+1 glitt]+ eyes4 ,= ! fir/ "t ,i felt t[>ds him a fi]ce ang]1 & ,i f\nd myself mak+ a resolution nev] to return to see him aga9 :5 once ,i 0 free ( ! place4 ',ah6' he said1 ',i ?\ght y'd want to come back & see ,alb]tus ,magnus2 ,i want y to h a good look at him ?is "t & tell me if he looks q z commonplace z he did be=e4 ,su* ?+s c only trickle sl[ly into ! s\l1 b pres5tly1 ah6 !y get "r hold ( "o--!y p]meate "o1 & !n !re comes a "t 444' ,ombos snat*$ at ! heavy curta91 & ! r+s scree*$ on ! brass rod4 ,clo!d 9 8 monki% g>b1 8 face furr[$ & seam$2 ! lu/re ( 8 eyes dimm$ by ! te>s ( c5turies--!re /ood ,alb]tus4 ,! sunk5 *eeks spoke ( ye>s ( /udy & aspiration1 b ! swell+ muscles ( 8 arms1 ! deep *e/1 ! wond]ful h&s--big1 bony1 horrible h&s--spoke ( "o f :om age has tak5 little toll4 ,"h 0 age1 wisdom1 my/icalness1 a subtle s5se ( p5sive melan*oly1 & a p]si/5ce t nev] tires4 ',well1 h[ d y l my /atue ?is "t8' ask$ ,ombos4 ',spl5did6' ,i brea!d4 ',yes1' he said look+ h>d at me4 ',! be/ ( x is ,alb]tus asks = no?+4 ,y c nei!r bribe nor buy him2 y\r flatt]y w n move him2 y\r approbation or blame alike are va9 444 he has ! self-suffici5cy ( ! ,ma/] ( ,ma/]s4' ',yes1' ,i f\nd myself say+ eag]ly4 ',he is ! ,ma/] ( ,ma/]s4' ,sudd5ly he turn$ & ?rew ! curta9 back & took me by ! arm & l$ me away4 ',my =ce is all go+ into ,alb]tus--b ,i mu/ n ov]do x4 ,if ,i /& too long be=e him he dra9s me ( all my god-en]gy1 y "k 444 t leaves me sick & exhau/$4 ,y've he>d ab\t h[ ,mi*ael ,angelo put all 8 p[] into 8 m>ble /atue ( ,moses8 ,y've read ab\t su* ?+s8 ,y "k ! k9d ( gu%4 ,i met a poor1 half-craz$1 devil-driv5 poet-fell[ 9 ,p>is "s ye>s ago :o told me he _h writt5 a great poem2 he _h lur$ ! crucifi$ s\l ( a murd]] into 8 v]ses4 ,conf\nd$ly conceit$ ab\t x1 too1 he 0 444 call$ x ,! ,ballad ( ,read+ ,gaol4 ,bah6 ,x w\ld h tak5 him a lifetime to put a murd]]'s socks into a poem4 ,he 0 a m\ntebank 444 a po/ur]6 ,& :at is ?is w+$ ?+ m5 "n ! s\l8 ,& :o did make ! />s8' ,ombos turn$ demon-l eyes on me1 & 8 :ole face seem$ lit up ) an appall+ mir?4 ',believe !m n1 = !y are n miracul\s ones4 ,!y w be lo/ = ev]2 !y w die4 ,_! books & /atues may live1 b !y w die1 z sure z ! grass gr[s ov] graves4 ,my =ce & body & s\l is pass+ into ! ,ma/] ( ,ma/]s4444 ,i %all live & be a god1 ,i %all /& oblivi\s & indiff]5t to ! c5turies z !y /alk by4' ',y don't mean to tell me 444' ,ombos look$ up1 8 r$-gre5 eyes gleam+ z he answ]$1 ',mo/ c]ta9ly ,i d 444 my s\l w pass into t bronze /atue :5 ,i am ready to give x up4' ',! w>1 ,mr4 ,ombos1' ,i ?\ght z ,i look$ at 8 %rivell$ fe>some figure1 'has turn$ y\r head4 ,!re are c]ta9ly a few bats 9 y\r belfry4 ,y w f9d y\r way into an asylum be=e _m weeks h pass$4' ,y mu/ und]/&1 ,i didn't realize :at k9d ( a *ap ,i 0 deal+ ) !n1 ,i didn't "k t he 0 all cold & calm & ap>t f life 444 v clev] &--philosophical1 b n human4 ',nons5se6 ,h[ c a man's s\l pass into a bronze /atue8' ,i ask$ r te/ily4 ',good heav5s1 man1 d y realize t y're try+ to make me believe t :i* is beyond ! pale ( all human possibility6' ',human possibility6 ,:at is human possibility8 ,i tell y t all ?is is fact2 simply4' ,ombos rose & began to pace to & fro ov] ! ,p]sian rugs l a tig]4 ',i'm n giv5 to imag9+ ?+s4' ',bah6' he grunt$4 ',e *ild w tell y t ! t5d5cy ( spirits to return to ! old haunts ( bodily life is almo/ univ]sal4 ,! univ]sal laws apply 444 !re is no escape f ! great law1 ! attraction ( environm5t4' ',! re/ is m]ely e-day k4 ,h y ev] he>d ( anci5t =mula by :i* ! gross] factors ( ! body may be elim9at$1 leav+ ! e!real portions to reta9 ! _s8 ,d y n und]/& t ! body may be pres]v$ f absolute dis9tegration8 ,! old al*emi/s all knew t dea? c\ld be indef9itely def]r$ 9 ?is way4 ,pr(essor ,va9i left among 8 pap]s a "w ( two ?\s& pages 9 :i* he cle>ly demon/rat$ t x 0 possible = a spiritualiz$ body to reta9 a modifi$ life practically = ev]4 ,any doctor w tell y ! hair & nails ( a dead p]son w (t5 gr[ = ye>s aft]4444' ,ombos turn$ 8 glitt]+ eyes on me a mom5t inquisitively4 ',oh1 tell me all t k9d ( /uff if y l1' ,i prote/$ good-hum\r$ly4 ',x makes no impression on me4 ,i'm a normal man1 ,ombos1 & ,i object to hav+ my free imag9ation h>r[$ ov] ?+s t don't c\nt4 ,beh9d t curta9 is a bronze /atue1 & x nev] c or w be any?+ else b a bronze /atue1 & t's ab\t ! sum & total ( x all4' ',i 0 m]ely tell+ y a few cold & sci5tific facts1' return$ ,ombos argum5tatively4 ',n[1 if ,i wi%$ to impress y x w\ld be easy en\gh4 ,i w\ld l to te/ t s5sitiv5ess :i* y boa/ t y don't possess4 ,i ?9k ,i c\ld give y a sev]e %ak+-up6 ,& ,i w beg9 by tell+ y t ,i w employ m]e vulg> trick]y 444 ! trick]y ( any m\ntebank :o fools p at a c\ntry fair6' ,he look$ at me ) t sl[ smile ( 8--! smile ( ! my/ic--mock+1 my/]i\s4 ,i answ]$ him ) a weak laugh4 ',y may try "s ( y\r tricks1 wiz>d2 b y w fail to impress me1 ,i ?9k6' ',i make x a habit n to fail4' ,8 ke5 eyes flam$1 & 8 br[ 0 d>k & hot4 ,he />t$ up & walk$ ov] to ! small oak escritoire4 ,b5d+ d[n he produc$ a small glass lamp1 & put a light to x4 ,x burnt ) ! imp]ceptible flame ( pure _s ( w9e4 ,he took x & vani%$ a mom5t4 ,:5 he return$1 & set x be=e me1 x gave out a ke5 :ite gl>e & heavily-sc5t$ smoke4 ,he took me by ! arm & po9t$ to ! black velvet curta9 :i* hid ! bronze /atue4 ',see1 !re3 beh9d--?r\gh ! curta94 ,:o is t8' ,:ile ,i look$1 ,ombos gave a /range rasp+ s\nd4 ,!n1 9 a tone ( weird int5sity3 ',see6 ,see6' & he laid 8 h& on m9e 444 ! curta9 0 no long] !re1 & "s vague ?+ ga!r$--! /atue 0 dim beh9d x--! =m ( a man4 ',! veil is drawn1' said ! voice ( ,ombos4 ',ma/]1 ! veil is drawn4 ,see1 if y w4 ,see6' ,9 a fluid light ! =m d>k5$4 ,i saw ,ombos seat$ be=e a table ) 8 head b[$ d[n ov] a folio volume1 quiet & /ill4 ,! head 0 ill to look at1 & ,i knew he 0 dead4444 ,all grew mi/y & fad$ into light aga94 ',! veil is drawn1' he dron$4 ',look aga96' ,aga9 a film ga!r$ 9 ! light & ,i saw ! ,alb]tus ,magnus = a mom5t4 ,!n x *ang$ to ,ombos1 himself4444 ,a lean & grim =m ) dim mock+ features1 & yell[ eyes t glitt]$ & flick]$4444 ,& aga9 ! vision blurr$ & fad$ into light4 ,!n ,ombos da%$ ! lamp aside1 & ! room 0 9 r$ d>kness 444 ! sil5ce & d>kness seem$ to endure = an et]nity4 ,i he>d ! hiss ( a quick indrawn brea? at la/ 444 x 0 my own brea?+4444 ,i op5$ my eyes4 ,i 0 9 ! small room :]e ,i _h tak5 tea ) ,ombos & ,m>got "s weeks be=e4 ,supp] 0 laid on a sup]b octagon table4 ',!y 7 good tricks1 7 !y n8' said ,ombos1 ) an easy laugh4 ,8 ke5 eyes smote ke5 into m9e4 ',n[ y w 9 tru? be able to g away & tell p h[ ,i trick$ y1 h[ x 0 pla9ly all a *eat4' ,at t mom5t ,m>got came 9 ) a big apron ti$ ab\t h]4 ,%e greet$ me pleasantly1 sett+ a tray d[n on ! table4 ',we d our own "w "h1 ,capta9 ,crabbe1' %e said4 ',d y want to make y\rself useful8' ,i rose promptly4 ,my little adv5ture into ! occult _w ) ,ombos _h be5 r exhil>at+4 ,i 0 glad :5 %e told me to foll[ h] out1 ?r\gh a long corridor into ! kit*51 :]e %e gave me a c-op5] & a t9 ( s>d9es4 ',op5 ^? up & turn !m into ?is little di%1 please4 ,& if y h any hygi5ic av]sion to t9n$ ?+s1 please =get x4 ,o!rwise y w h to eat "s ( my hot teacakes4' ,m>got 0 /&+ at ! table1 clean+ a crisp head ( cel]y4 ,! position %[$ me h] pr(ile1 ) a little wisp ( black hair escap+ ne> "o e>4 ,we sat d[n to "o ( ! mo/ *e]ful meals ?ree p h ev] enjoy$4 ,we sat *att+ !re = ne>ly an h\r4 ,all ! :ile ,i 0 try+ to reconcile ?is man ,ombos :o sat talk+ boyi%ly ) ! /ud5t ( occultism & black magic ,i _h talk$ ) an h\r or s be=e4 ,if ,i _h felt any res5tm5t ( ! tricks he _h play$ on me x w\ld h vani%$ utt]ly4 ,aft]w>ds ,m>got made real ,turki% c(fee ov] a da9ty _s lamp 444 once--9 a critical /age 9 ! c(fee-mak+1 too--%e look$ up & h] eyes s\ght m9e2 !n h] r$ lips p>t$ 9 a smile4 ,%e p\r$ out ! c(fee deftly1 bl[+ out ! lamp1 & put ! little copp] pot on a plate4 ,ombos survey$ 8 c(fee ) ! air ( a connoisseur1 8 head turn$ on "o side4 ,m>got produc$ ! b[ls ( cig>ettes & rea*$ ov] my %\ld] to (f] me "o4 ',y want ,egyptian8' %e said smil+4 ',y see ,i h a good memory--y smok$ !m la/ "t4' ,a w>m fa9t p]fume came f h] hair4 ,x 0 t5 o'clock :5 ,i rose to leave1 ,ombos & ,m>got came out to ! front to say good night3 my la/ glimpse1 z ,i walk$ d[n ! pave /reet1 0 ( ,m>got--a b>e-head$ figure1 ) wi/ful grey eyes1 calm ) ! my/]i\s wisdom ( pure womanhood4 ,%e wav$ h] da9ty lace h&k]*ief to me4 ,t 0 ! la/ ( ,ombos 9 ! fle%4 ,! next day1 aft] ,g]man %ells _h p\r$ on ,ypres = six h\rs )\t cessation1 my regim5t left ! t[n1 & we w5t out a mile or two to take ov] "s tr5*es4 ,a mon? lat] my duty took me back to ,ypres1 & ,i f\nd myself walk+ up ! ,rue ,b>-le-,duc t[>ds ! little antique %op4 ,ov]head ! %ells :i/l$ )\t cessation4 ,x 0 n[ a city ( ! dead--"o c\ld n realize t x 0 ! same pleasant little t[n :]e ,i _h met ) s /range an exp]i5ce a few weeks back4 ,m51 *ildr5 & horses 7 ly+ dead 9 e gutt]4 ,9 due c\rse ,i arriv$ at ! %op4 ,a l>ge hole _h be5 ripp$ 9 ! pave road be=e ! door1 & ,i _h to /ep ov] a dead & twi/$ soldi] to ga9 an entrance4 ,( c\rse ! place 0 empty4 ,ombos1 ,alb]tus ,magnus & all ! wond]ful cont5ts ( ! spaci\s old rooms _h disappe>$4 ,i made a se>* ( ! h\se1 & x 0 n )\t a curi\s s5sation 9 my he>t t ,i ent]$ ! room :]e ! ,ma/] ( ,ma/]s _h t[]$ 9 8 ni*e4 ,sil5ce--only ! fa9t boom ( a gun f> away 9 ! ,fr5* tr5*es--awful1 gha/ly sil5ce4 ,!n a deaf5+ ro> & a fall+ ( masonry z ,krupp's m>k$ d[n ano!r h\se 9 ! t[n ( sorr[4 ,! horror ( x6 ,i turn$ dismally away1 out into ! ,rue ,b>-le-,duc1 & along ! squ>e4 ,a few scatt]$ lights %one feebly ?r\gh ! ev5+ mi/1 & ov] t[>ds ! ,norman bridge ! yell[ flames f a burn+ h\se lit up ! sky ) a lurid gl[4 ,at ne>ly e /reet corn] little gr\ps ( civilians _h collect$ & 7 talk+ & ge/iculat+ 9 a t]rifi$ mann]4 ,:5 a big %ell came ) a ho>se1 rattl+ noise ?r\gh ! air1 l a rac+ motor cycle on ! track at ,brookl&s1 !y w\ld ru% into _! homes1 panic-smitt54 ,if dea? w9k$1 & pass$ !m ov]1 out !y w\ld creep aga94 ,& s !y liv$ 9 an inf]no ( %ells = weeks on end4 ,an ambulance wagon ov]turn$ 9 ! middle ( ! road attract$ my att5tion4 ,i c\ld n repress a %udd] z ,i look$ on ! %ell-%att]$ wreck4444 ,x 0 ! old type ( f\r-horse ambulance us$ by ! army 9 ,s\? ,africa2 possibly x _h jolt$ into ! %ell-swept dea?-trap ( ,spion ,kop1 or c>ri$ m5 into ! reek+ ent]ic camps ( ,ladysmi?4 ,well1 x _h made its la/ j\rney ?is "t6 ,! f\r dead horses _h n be5 cut away f ! traces1 & f und]nea? ! huddl$ & twi/$ heap /uck out an arm1 & 9 ! h& 0 clut*$ "o ( ^? %ort1 /umpy :ips :i* are us$ by ! lead driv] ( a gun4 ,i c see t poor *ap 9 my m9d ?ra%+ & urg+ 8 team ( horses into a gallop1 = x 0 n reckon$ wise to me&] ab\t ! /reets ( ,ypres1 & !n--"o bl9d+ cra%4 ,i swung r\nd ) a great desire to get away f ! appall+ sc5e1 & z ,i did s1 ,i notic$ a girl 9 a doorway /ruggl+ 9 ! grip ( a p[]ful1 sw>?y-fac$ man ( middle age4 ,9 ! fad+ light ,i caught a glimpse ( h] face1 & ,i 0 out ( ! %ad[ & by h] side l a sky-rocket4 ',let h] g6' ,i said %ortly4 ',be=e ,i mop out ! gutt] ) y4' ,! man turn$ on me4 ',:o ! devil----' ',t's en\gh6' ,a ,r$ ,cap--a corporal 9 ! ,milit>y ,police--loom$ into view1 & ) an imprecation ! r\gh back$ away f ! girl1 turn$1 & 9 a mom5t 0 lo/ 9 ! gloom4 ,i br\ght my eyes back to ! girl :o _h confront$ me 9 ! r$ light ( sunset1 & ,i /ood gaz+ at h] dumbly1 fasc9at$1 b ) nev] a ^w to say4 ,%e 0 burn+ ) ang] & %ame1 trembl+ l an asp51 too4 ,x 0 ,m>got6 ,! girl glanc$ up at me1 a look t set my he>t ?robb+4 ,x 0 my fir/ real sight ( h] s9ce ,i _h se5 h] t aft]noon ) ,ombos4 ,i _h ?\ght h] pretty !n1 b !re is a di/9ct gap betwe5 a pretty woman & a lovely woman1 & %e 0 z beautiful z a ,greek m>ble4 ,inde$1 b = ! c>m9e ( h] lips1 & long d>k eyela%es1 %e might h be5 *isell$ out ( pellucid /one1 = h] sk9 0 dead :ite4 ,%e 0--or _h be5--beautifully & exp5sively dress$1 & !re 0 bre$+ & ref9em5t 9 e l9e ( h] face4 ',don't y "k me8' ,i said4 ,! girl look$ at me int5tly4 ',i "k y1 ( c\rse1' %e said4 ,i won't wa/e "t 9 try+ to tell y :at my ?\ghts & s5sations 74 ,r ,i w tell y in/ead1 :at ,i did4 ,x 0 "s m9utes lat]1 & already we _h />t$ to walk sl[ly back 9 ! direction ( ! ,rue ,b>-le-,duc4 ',& n[ y want to "k--' %e said4 ',yes--t's x--:at's become ( ,ombos 444 & ! bronze /atue8' ,m>got look$ up at me1 & a /range melan*oly trans=m$ h] face4444 ,%e 0 at a loss = words4444 ',poor ,ombos--oh1 poor1 cranky ,ombos1' %e mutt]$4 ',"o morn+ ,i f\nd him dead 9 8 room1 ) all 8 wond]ful1 br[n1 p[d]y-look+ books4 ,he 0 lean+ on a table ov] an old volume t he 0 fond (4444 ,& !n ! doctors came4 ,he _h di$1 !y aft]w>ds said1 ( failure ( ! he>t's action4' ',dead1' ,i murmur$ me*anically4444 ',!n ev]y?+ 0 v uncom=table4 ,b ,i sav$ a good sum ( money1 & ,i s5t mo/ ( ! valuable ?+s to ,p>is to be sold--no liv+ s\l com+ =w>d to make any claims4 ,ombos left ev]y?+ to me 444 bonds1 securities1 & all4 ,come ?is way--,i h a little room up ! side-/reet4 ',he left me well provid$ =4 ,he----' ',yes2 b :y on e>? d y /ay 9 ?is dead city1' ,i broke 94 ',ss%6444 ,don't int]rupt unless ,i ask y que/ions4 ',i'll tell y all ab\t ev]y?+4 ,x's extraord9>ily difficult4444' ,i wait$4 ',y see1' %e pick$ h] words c>efully1 ',ombos 0 s--que] ab\t t horrible ,alb]tus ,magnus ( 84 ,he _h made me promise nev] to "p ) x & x seem$ to me--/upidly p]haps--t ,i ow$ him t--to see t 8 only wi% 0 c>ri$ out to ! lett]4 ,o!rwise ,i %\ld nev] d>e to h /ay$ "h4 ,y c\ldn't expect me to move ab\t ) a gigantic bronze figure )\t mak+ ample prep>ations4' ',ah6'444 ',?is is :]e ,i live1' %e said 9 a l[ voice4 ,m>got _h halt$ 9 front ( an alley lead+ ov] r\gh cobbles1 into a small squ>e ( :at appe>$ to be old oak-front$ h\ses4 ,a n>r[ passage-way ran d[n by "o side ( ! end h\se4 ',won't y come inside1 &--see ,alb]tus8 ,?is way1' %e said4 ',x's r d>k1 ,i'm afraid4' ,9 pit*-black d>kness1 guid$ by ,m>got's h&1 ,i /umbl$ ?r\gh a doorway into a spaci\s hall--a my/]i\s1 fu/y-smell+ cav]n ( a place--along a passage1 & !n up a flight ( worn /one /airs4 ,x 0 "o ( ^? old h\ses :]e "o c\ld feel ! sil5ce & he> ! %ad[s4 ,! /eps came out ^u a b>e l&+ ) oak-l9$ walls1 lit only by a solit>y flick]+ c&le1 & ,m>got1 halt+ be=e a lock$ door1 op5$ x & motion$ me to ent]4 ,! room 0 9 d>kness1 & ,i knew n :at fe>1 ak9 to t little grey %ad[ ( a fe>1 0 to be f\nd 9 ! d>kness !re4 ,at fir/ ,i hesitat$4 ,!n ,m>got came ) ! c&le1 & z x gutt]$1 ! flame ?rew di/ort$ %ad[s2 at "o mom5t light+ up a d>k spot ) a sudd5 fla%1 & !n s5d+ que]1 erratic reflections *as+ across ! oak panell+4 ,!n a flick] display$ ! unmade b$ on :i* ,m>got _h la94444 ,%e col\r$ deeply4 ',y h /or$ ! bronze /atue 9 "s o!r "p ( ! h\se1' ,i said at a v5ture4 ,%e look$ at me1 z ,i ?\ght1 a little uneasily4 ',y ar5't afraid ( t old /atue8' %e exclaim$4 ',we might at lea/ light up ! c&les1' %e add$1 z ,i made no reply2 & %e turn$ & put a burn+ tap] to ! c&elabra4 ,z ,m>got spoke ! c&les fl>$ up1 & !n1 ) a sudd5 />t ( unexpla9$ dismay1 ,i saw 9 a corn] by ! b$ /ood ! bronze figure4 ,z ,i look$ at x ,i felt ! horror ( nightm>e seize me1 = x bore a /rik+ resemblance to ,ombos4 ,a dreadful exub]ance & vitality seem$ to %9e ?r\gh ! ?+1 an exub]ance :olly malign1 a vitality t foam$ & fro!d ) unimag9able evil4 ,evil beam$ f ! deep cav]n\s eyes2 x le]$ 9 ! demon-l m\?4444 ,ugh6-- ,m>got walk$ up to me & patt$ my %\ld]4 ',well1 & are y really afraid ( t ?+1' %e said1 po9t+ to ! /atue4 ',b1 don't y see8' said ,i4 ',x's sc>cely ! face ( a bronze figure4 ,x's almo/ human4 ,no2 x isn't ev5 human4 ,x's ! face ( "s devil4' ,m>got laugh$4 ',yes3 he isn't v *e]ful1' %e said4 ',sc>cely a b\doir ornam5t1 eh8 ,i'll ?r[ a blanket ov] ,alb]tus if y l4' ',i really wi% y w\ld1' ,i said1 ',i don't c>e s long z he c't gr9 at me4' ,someh[1 ) ! bronze figure cov]$ up1 ,i felt mu* light] & happi]4 ,i ?9k t ,m>got--t ,m>got mu/ h be5 r ov]/ra9$ aft] ! /ruggle ) t brute4 ,%e seem$ to be all n]ves--upset3 insi/$ 9 putt+ h] little :ite h& on m9e 9 a v solemn way1 & ?ank+ me = all sorts ( imag9>y fav\rs4444 ,got 'a :eeze' into h] head1 among o!r rot1 t ,i _h sav$ h] life4 ',look "h1' ,i said4 ',i wi% y w\ldn't talk s jolly silly4 ,i'm n a bit unselfi%1 ,i'm a noveli/4 ,!re 0 no?9' do9' ) my cr[d--regim5t ,i mean--& s ,i came "h to look = copy4 ,t 0 :y ,i p]si/$ 9 see+ y home "h4 ,x 0 all j a matt] ( copy to me--at ! />t4' ,i paus$1 & ,m>got turn$ h] t\rmal9e eyes full on me4 ,_h y ask$ me aft] my fir/ visit to old ,ombos :at ,m>got's eyes 7 l ,i c\ld n h told y ! col\r to save my life4 ,if ,i _h be5 =c$ to weigh out a guess ,i might h said !y 7 a %ade ( grey4 ,grey8 ,"n ( a little dog6 ,yes1 ,i %\ld h call$ 'em grey1 b t w\ld h be5 l describ+ ! ,pyramids by say+ !y 7 /one4 ,h[ev] c ,i describe ! wond] t ,i f\nd 444 ,a sort ( flu% appe>$ on ,crabbe's boyi% face4 ,i--,i'm afraid ,i h run (f ! track ( my /ory a bit1 he /amm]$1 b ,i may z well tell y all ( x4 ,take a dr9k ( :iskey2 said ,duck=d sl[ly1 & take y\r own "t4 ,m>got look$ at me1 h] lips quiv]+4 ',y've n f\nd mu* copy ,i'm afraid1' %e answ]$ despond5tly4 ',n[1' ,i said1 meet+ h] eyes1 'copy matt]s n at all 444 y are all t matt]s4' ,x does n 9 ! lea/ conc]n y or ! /ory to "k :at mann] ( a woman ,m>got is4 ,b ,i might say t %e is 9 fulness a woman--n a fribble1 or "o ( ^? pick-me-up-&-c>ry-me wom54 ,s :5 ,i said pla9 words to h] %e did n pret5d to misund]/&4 ',don't let u be conv5tional1' ,i w5t on1 ',x w\ldn't fit 9 ) ^! wond]ful days a bit4 ,p]haps ,i've no "r to talk to y l ?is--b ,ombos is dead & y seem to h no fri5d 9 ! _w4 ,we h got caught up1 y & ,i1 9 "o ( ! m>vell\s tangles ( ?is great conflict1 & ,god kn[s h[ x's all go+ to end4 ,b x seems to h be5 writt5 9 ! book ( fate t we %\ld meet1 & :e!r ,ombos & 8 bronze /atue haunts me to ! end ( my days or he doesn't1 ,i'm glad ,i h met y1 & to "k = j "o swift h\r ,i've us$ ^! h&s ( m9e 9 y\r s]vice4 ,i w\ldn't take back "o m9ute ( ^! great days6' ,m>got 0 reg>d+ me ) h] wide eyes1 a little />tl$1 b ,i saw beyond ^? r\nds ( t\rmal9e a s(t light4 ',h[ is x8' said ,m>got calmly4 ',a few h\rs ago y hadn't spok5 m ?an a few words to me 444 y don't "k me4' ',9 times ( w>1' ,i rem9d$ h]1 'we live a ye> 9 a day4' ,m>got re/$ h] *9 on h] h&s4 ',:at a /range _w x is1' %e murmur$4 ',conf\nd$ly /range1' ,i agre$4 ',i c't help ?9k+ ev5 n[ t my meet+ ) ,ombos 9 t weird d5 9 ! ,rue ,b>-le-,duc 0 all a dream1 & ,i'm go+ to wake up soon4' ',i didn't mean t1' ,m>got said quietly4 ',t didn't seem s /range to me4 ,p]haps x's because ,i liv$ ) ,ombos = ne>ly f\r ye>s4' ',x 0 j l a page torn f ! ,arabian ,nights to me1' ,i said4 ,%e smil$ at me wanly4 ',! only o!r home ,i've kn[n 0 ) fo/]-p>5ts 9 ,p>is :5 ,i 0 q a *ild1' %e said4 ',i 0 br\ght "h /raight f a conv5t s*ool 9 ,brussels4 ,ombos 0 my gu>dian4 ,he'--%e hesitat$1 %iv]+--',i don't ?9k he 0 q--sane1 b he 0 always v k9d to me4' ',m>got1' ,i /amm]$ z ,i imprison$ h] h&s 9 m9e1 ',i'm go+ to take y out ( ?is mudhole ( a place4444 ,i'm go+ to s5d y ov] to ,engl&4 ,i'll /ay "h & look aft] y to-night1 & to-morr[ ,i'll see y on y\r way4' ,%e dragg$ h] h&s away sudd5ly4 ',b are y sure8' ,m>got said1 half sobb+4 ',please reflect 444 y are 9 too mu* ( a hurry4 ,:5 an idea comes to y--! idea1 t y want me = in/ance--:at d y d8 ,in/ead ( tak+ ! idea = a long1 cool walk1 y sit d[n "h to "w x up 444 x is ! et]nal boyi%ness ( ! ,engli%man4 ,y mu/ fir/ ?9k ( y\r future4' ',b d y ?9k t ! future holds any?+ = me n[ t ,i w\ldn't ?r[ away ) bo? h&s = y8' ,i said1 & ! passion ( my voice :ipp$ ! blood up into t alaba/] face 444 %e put out h] h&s ) a little plead+ movem5t4 ',don't1' %e said aga94 ',i mu/1' ,i said /ubbornly4 ',!re's no?+ 9 ! _w p[]ful en\gh to take y f me 444 if y w h me4 ,m>got1 y mu/ believe me 444 y %all believe me6' ,i add$ almo/ savagely1 & my h&s clos$ r\nd h] wai/ z %e lean$ aga9/ ! back ( a huge old divan4 ,m>got clos$ h] eyes = a mom5t & h] head dropp$ g5tly on my %\ld]4 ,h] hair bru%$ my face1 & ! fa9t musky sc5t t came f x is wov5 into all my aft] memories ( t mom5t1 ,i drew h] clos] & %e sigh$ = v happ9ess1 :ile life drift$ pa/ 9 unc\nt$ m9utes or h\rs4 ,x 0 ! next ev5+ t ,i arrang$ to h "o ( ! ,a4,s4,c4 c>s1--!n runn+ betwe5 ,ypres & ,/4 ,om]1--wait = u outside ,m>got's rooms4 ,"u cov] ( d>kness ,i bundl$ ,m>got into ! motor-lorry1 got ! bronze /atue 91 & jump$ up on ! driv]'s seat beside h]1 & sank d[n ) a gasp ( relief4 ,"o la/ glimpse ( ! little bulgy w9d[ ( ! %op z ! lorry r\nd$ ! corn]1 & !n ,i turn$ & look$ at ! girl4 ,te>s glitt]$ 9 h] eyes1 & h] lips 7 quiv]+4 ,i put my h& out & clos$ ov] h] ice-cold f+]s4 ',m>got6' ,i said1 ',i'm tak+ y to ,b\logne & !n y w g to ,engl& to my home4 ,my p w look aft] y4444' ',b--' %e hesitat$4 ',!re are no buts1' ,i said firmly1 ',y are com+ ) me4 ,y c't /ay 9 ?is inf]nal hole1 l a rat 9 a trap4' ,m>got gave a we>y little sigh & lean$ clos] to me1 giv+ h]self into my c>e z tru/fully z a *ild4 ,until t "t %e _h be5 j a figure 9 ! great w> game t might provide me ) some?+ to 'write up' into a book4 ,t _h be5 my pr9cipal ?\ght4 ,n[1 all 9 a few mom5ts1 h] beauty1 ! fright5$ look :i* _h %one 9 h] great grey eyes1 h] di/ress made me =get all t1 drove all ?\ghts ( traffic ) publi%]s f my m9d4 ,i knew only t x 0 good to help h]4 ,!n ,i set ab\t ?9k+ h[ ,i c\ld get ,m>got & ,alb]tus ,magnus to ,engl&4 ,x 0 go+ to be a difficult game4 ,i w5t c>efully ov] all ! good fell[s ,i knew :o c\ld help me4 ,!re 0 old ,longd5 ( ! ,a4,s4,c4 depot at ,/4 ,om]1 !re 0 ,capta9 ,*e/]1 ! transport (fic] at ,b\logne1 & ,orgles ( ammunition supply at ,cassel1 :i* is a small place :]e ! /r+s ( motors f ! base unload4 ,well1 7to get on17 we arriv$ late t night at ,/4 ,om]1 & by a va/ am\nt ( brib]y & cajol]y ,i got "s ,a4,s4,c4 m5 to knock up a /rong case = ! ,alb]tus ,magnus &--b en\gh4 ,x is suffici5t to say t an (fic] :o 0 go+ home on leave 0 k9d en\gh to see ,m>got z f> z ,b\logne1 & 9 ! fullness ( "t bo? ,alb]tus ,magnus & ! girl came safely to ,engl&4 ,i h endeav\r$ to give y ! facts ( my /range /ory up to ?is po9t1 )\t omission or exagg]ation4 ,i h be5 c>eful n to miss out ! slighte/ items4 ,if ,i h fail$1 x mu/ n be put d[n to =getfulness3 = ,i d n ?9k !re is a s+le ?+ ab\t old ,ombos t has n be5 p]man5tly fix$ 9 my m9d4 ,ev5 n[ ,i h b to %ut my eyes to see ! le]+ face ( ,alb]tus1 to /& once m trembl+ ) t]ror & see t gre5 %ad[ jump into ! dusk ) helli% glee & frolicsome skipp+s & topp+s gallop away1 to walk into ! old libr>y at home & see poor ,price ) 8 knees drawn up & eyes fix$ op5 9 extreme t]ror--,b en\gh4 ,i d n exagg]ate4 ,& n[ ,i mu/ come to :at y'll call ! second "p ( ! /ory--?\gh x 0 all "o long connect$ nightm>e to me4 ,i return$ f ,france1 z y "k1 six mon?s ago1 ) a bullet 9 my leg1 & ?\ght myself 9 ! be/ ( luck to get a 'blighty' "o2 ,i mean a slight w\nd :i* necessitat$ me be+ s5t back to ,engl&4 ,i w5t d[n to a *>m+ old h\se at ,monk's ,ely :i* my fa!r _h lately mov$ into1 & soon drift$ into peaceful ways ( c\ntry life4 ,! trivial little objects & cu/oms ( ru/ic life--^? simple ?+s t are be/ ( all--attract$ me surpris+ly4 ,a delightful room full ( my books & pictures _h be5 prep>$ on ! gr\nd floor ( ! h\se1 b ,i 0 n (t5 9 x4 ,/ill1 ,i accord$ to my bronze /atue a prom95t corn] 9 ! room1 :]e he fr[n$ ^u all my o!r possessions ) t great look ( dis9t]e/$ness :i* only bronze or dea? c typify4 ,a week or two pass$ )\t incid5t1 except t aga9 & aga9 a curi\s feel+ t sometimes ,i 0 n alone 0 pres5t 9 my m9d4 ,9 a way ,i got us$ to x1 because aft] be+ 9 ! tr5*es & look+ 9 ! face ( dea? z a k9d ( hobby ! feel+ ( release & lightness t comes ov] "o drives all o!r tr\bles clean away4 ,b aft] a :ile ?is feel+ seem$ to be gr[+ 9 poignancy4 ,9 fact at ! end ( ! fir/ =tnight ,i m5tion$ x to my fa!r4 ',/range y %\ld h felt l t1' he said "o night aft] d9n]1 'because = ! la/ day or s1 ! same s5sation has be5 creep+ ov] me4 ,:5 is x t y h y\r gho/ly visitor8 ,h y any feel+ n[ ( su* a ?+1 = in/ance8' ,we 7 hav+ a smoke on ! lawn 444 x 0 a beautiful ev5+ ( />s1 & z he spoke ,i felt ! unse5 pres5ce ) t]rific int5sity4 ,at t mom5t ! door t l$ f ! libr>y quietly swung op51 & j z quietly clos$ aga91 z if someone _h pass$ out into ! g>d54 ',did y see t8' ,i said4 ',!re is n a brea? ( w9d /irr+3 odd ?+ t a door %\ld play ^? k9d ( tricks4' ,my fa!r 0 sil5t a mom5t4 ',y felt x !n1' he said4 ',frightfully6' ,i brea!d4 ',let's get back to ! d9+-room1' my fa!r urg$4 ,j z we got up to ! h\se door 7n ! libr>y door :i* op5$ on ! pa?71 ,i saw1 z ,i ?\ght1 a figure move 9 ! bu%es ne> ! libr>y4 ,p]haps x w\ld be bett] to describe x z a %ad[ 444 b ,i c\ld swe> t x 0 ( a gre5i% col\r4 ,= "o mom5t1 f %e] t]ror ( ! unse51 ,i /ood froz5 to ! door/ep1 & !n my fa!r t\*$ my arm & we walk$ 9 toge!r4 ,t ev5+1 my fri5d ,price1 aft] 8 wont1 dropp$ 94 ,i _h j run ! c> r\nd to ! front door & 0 ab\t to run into ! village to br+ ! vic> back to /ay ) u ov] ! week-end--besides ,i badly want$ to get away f ^? inf]nal gu/s ( depression t swept ! place4 ,i did n scruple to keep to my arrangem5ts & told ,price to make himself com=table 9 ! libr>y till my return4 ',y'll f9d cig>s1 spirits--& ! _s1' ,i said jok+ly4 ,he nodd$ & laugh$1 & ,i jump$ into ! c>1 & quickly put a mile betwe5 myself &--! bronze /atue1 = ,i 0 conv9c$ t ,alb]tus ( ,cologne 0 connect$ 9 "s une>?ly way ) ! face ( ,fe> t (t5 turn$ full on me4 ,a half-h\r aft]w>ds ,i _h pull$ up at ! vic>age1 & 0 hang+ on to ! bell :i* gave =? a mighty clam\r4 ,i 0 impati5t to get inside = a mom5t & behold ! good g5ial face ( ! vic>4 ,someh[1 :]ev] ! vic> w5t1 he _h a wond]ful way ( *e]+ ?+s up2 8 pres5ce diffus$ an atmosph]e ( m]rim5t4 ,! door sudd5ly op5$ & ,i 0 face to face ) him3 ',my de> boy1' cri$ ! vic>1 ',i am glad to see y4' ,!n he />$ at me 9 amazem5t4 ',:at h y done to y\rself8 ,y h ag$ ye>s s9ce ,i saw y la/ week4' ',ah1 ,i h ?+s to tell y1' ,i said1 ',?+s t w make y ?9k ,i am (f my head1 b ,i %all conv9ce y----' ,! vic> took my arm & walk$ me up to 8 sanctum1 a f9e spaci\s *amb]1 beautifi$ ) t simplicity :i* ?r[s a wond]ful dignity ov] all1 & t5ds to %[ h[ 9 omission s mu* m ref9em5t is to be discov]$ ?an 9 ornam5t4 ,t\*es ( ! vic>'s ke5 disc]nm5t ( ^? ?+s :i* are wor?y & noble 7 reveal$ on e h&--k ( ?is sort is old] ?an t5 ?\s& ye>s4 ,! room receiv$ "o l a fri5d4 ,! alcoves 7 fill$ ) well-b\nd books1 !re 0 a sup]b ,p]sian c>pet1 old gate-legg$ tables--oak 0 !re ev]y:]e2 9 ! beams & ! %elves & ! mighty writ+ desk4 ,! s]vant _h br\ght 9 a small table ) syphons & spirits1 & _h set a lamp ^u x4 ',help y\rself1' said ! vic>4 ,i p\r$ out a dose ( :isky & 0 lift+ x = a squirt ( soda :5 all at once ,i saw ,fe>2 n appreh5sion1 n =ebod+1 b ,,fe>--! glass fell f my h& & my f+]s sagg$ on ! h&le ( ! syphon4 ,i saw my reflection 9 a long glass1 & my face 0 blea*$ to an unheal?y dull :it5ess4 ,sudd5ly l a %ot1 "r 9 ! middle ( ?+s1 ,i f\nd myself wond]+ ab\t poor ,price4 ,& ,i wasn't only wond]+ someh[ ,i 0 horribly uneasy ab\t him4 ,x came to me t ,i _h be5 he>tless to leave him all alone ) ! /atue4 ,at la/ ,i c\ldn't /& ! /ra9 any long]4 ,i got up4 ',vic>1' ,i said1 ',i'm go+ back to see if ,price is all "r4 ,x w s\nd q mad to y1 ,i expect1 b if y want to "k ! sob] tru?1 ,i w tell y t ,i h j se5 him 9 a vision3 he 0 9 tr\ble1 ,i "k4 ,b come1 let u get into ! c>4 ,i h nev] told anyone my :ole /ory yet1 b ,i %all l to tell y ab\t ,ombos & 8 /atue4 ,i w tell y on ! way back to ,abbot's ,ely4 ,x is ab\t "t1 9 fact1 t ,i tri$ to classify :at ,i h le>n$4' ,i !n briefly relat$ ! /ory ( ,ombos & our acqua9tance4 ,i conceal$ no?+1 dwell+ on ! irresi/ible allur+ influ5ce ( ! bronze /atue4 ,i describ$ ! depression1 ! despair1 ! ov]p[]+ moral weakness :i* seem$ to foll[ me s9ce ! ,alb]tus ,magnus _h become "o ( my possessions4 ,9 %ort1 ,i lift$ ! curta91 = ! fir/ "t1 & %[$ ! vic> a true picture ( ! /range _w ,i _h mov$ 9 = ! la/ few weeks4 ,:5 we _h return$ & back$ ! c> into ! coa* h\se we walk$ across ! lawn to ! back door4 ,"h we met ,clayton1 ! butl]4 ,he appe>$ to be fright5$1 & told me t he _h he>d a k9d ( quiv]+1 sobb+ voice com+ f ! libr>y4 ,he ?\ght ,mr4 ,price 0 ill4 ,we w5t to ! door4 ,x 0 lock$1 & an application ( a sp>e key prov$ t ! o!r key _h be5 left 9 ! lock inside4 ,we knock$ l\dly1 & call$4 ,!re 0 no reply4 ,clayton's conviction t 'some?+ _h happ5$' work$ on my n]ves frightfully1 & 9 ! end ! vic> & ,i =c$ op5 ! door ) "s g>d5+ tools4 ,some?+ _h happ5$4 ,! room 0 9 complete d>kness1 & at fir/ no?+ c\ld be disc]n$ at all4 ,a slight w9d _h got up 9 ! la/ half an h\r2 & x ru/l$ ! trail]s ( ivy aga9/ ! op5$ w9d[s4 ,! heavy curta9s mov$ c>elessly 9 ! draught1 & ! trees creak$ fa9tly4 ,b beyond ^! inevitable noises1 ! room 0 quiet4 ,!n gradually1 ! outl9e ( ! room became visible & ! framework ( ! w9d[ began to %ape itself dimly be=e my eyes4 ,9 ! hazy light f ! glass doors1 & ! vague light ( a lamp 9 ! hall1 ,i saw t ! *e/]field 9 ! w9d[ bay :]e ,price s (t5 l\ng$ 0 t5ant$4 ,a gleam ( 8 light twe$ suit %[$ !re & across t4444 ,oh1 ,i fully expect$ to see ! o!r ?+6 ,across t !re 0 an obscure gre5i% %ad[4 ,i walk$ t[>ds x1 :5 sudd5ly ! %ad[ %ot upw>ds & 0 lo/ to sight4 ,!n ! spr+s ( ! *e/]field creak$ & :eez$1 ! same z !y w :5 sudd5ly releas$ f pressure4 ,clayton came 9 at t mom5t hold+ a c&elabra al(t & ! feeble flames disclos$ poor old ,price4 ,he 0 on 8 back1 8 knees slightly drawn up4 ,! face 0 n ! face ( a man at all--x 0 a horrible mask ( contort$ t]ror4 ,8 eyes 7 op5$ & fix$2 ! m\? 0 twi/$ 9 a gape ( fe>ful wond]4 ',run1 ,clayton1' said ,i2 'a doctor & a policeman6' ,clayton plac$ ! c&elabra on ! table & b\nc$ out & d[n ! front /eps4 ,price 0 dead )\t a d\bt4 ,he _h be5 /rangl$1 ! doctor ?\ght f ! gre5i%-black m>ks on 8 neck & o!r circum/ances4 ,! savage de$ _h be5 accompli%$ ) frightful f]oci\sness & /r5g?4 ,soon ! room 0 9 ! possession ( ! police1 & ! vic> & ,i turn$ out4 ,!re 0 little evid5ce at ! inque/4 ,! cries ( poor ,price _h be5 he>d by my man1 ! body _h be5 f\nd--t 0 ! practical summ+-up ( ! :ole matt]4 ,! doctor gave 8 evid5ce z to ! probability ( murd]1 & ! police evid5ce t5d$ 9 ! same direction4 ,x 0 affirm$ t 7"s w\ld say7 he _h be5 baffl$ by ,price 9 an attempt to rob ! h\se1 _h sacrific$ ! poor fell[ to ! fury ( 8 *eck$ gre$1 & _h aft]w>ds escap$ by ! w9d[4 ,! jury f\nd t ,price _h di$ by ! h& ( "s p]son unkn[n4 ',well1 vic>1' ,i ask$ aft]w>ds1 ':at d y ?9k ( ! v]dict8' ,he told me t f 8 po9t ( view x seem$ to be ! mo/ reasonable "o t c\ld be giv52 & to agree ) ! laws ( common-s5se4 ',yes1' ,i repli$1 'p]haps y are "r f ! common-s5se po9t ( view4 ,nev]!less1 ,i "k t ,price did n die by any human ag5cy4 ,x is too gha/ly2 ,i c /ill see t gre5 %ad[ hov]+ above 8 body on ! c\*4 ,! huge %ad[1 ! ,elem5tal1 ! _s ( ,ombos--:atev] y l to call x--0 !re 9 t room ) ,price4 ,x 0 !re 9 a =m t c\ld be se5 & felt4 ,x is some?+ m sub/antial ?an an ord9>y %ad[ 444 x is a ?+ ( helli% t]ror1 & x comes f t inf]nal bronze /atue4' ,!nce =w>d1 z day foll[$ day1 ! gha/ly memory ( ! murd] ( ,price seem$ to rec$e f my m9d4 ,i nei!r he>d nor saw any?+1 nor did t s5se ( ! unse5 pres5ce lurk+ ab\t ! h\se1 come to me4 ,i 0 beg9n+ to hope t ! spell ( ! bronze /atue _h pass$ away = good4 ,b "o night aft] ?is int]val ,i aga9 felt fe> look+ :itely on me aga94 ,if ,i 7 to describe all ! incid5ts ( ! next few days 9 _! ord] my /ory w\ld nev] come to an end1 & y\r pati5ce w\ld be exhau/$4 ,:]ev] ,i w5t aft] d>k _h fall5 ! %ad[ ( ! unse5 foll[$ me4 ,i _h a passion = invit+ p to /ay ) me1 & ,i long$ = companion%ip ( my k9d :i* ,i _h nev] kn[n be=e2 ,i 0 eag] to ?r[ myself into ! realities ( life4 ,! s5se ( a c]ta9 k9d ( sep>at5ess is hell6 ,j y ask anybody :o kn[s4 ,i call$ on p1 liv$ 9 my c>1 & d9$ out on ! slighte/ provocation4 ,i rememb] ,i sp5t "o ev5+1 7aft] my desp]ate ef=ts to f9d "s good ,sam>itan to be> me company71 ) a p>ty ( road-m5d]s2 ,i help$ !m break up ! /ones & all t k9d ( ?+4 ,b aft] !y _h pack$ up _! tools & tea cans & bid me '?anks & good night1' ,i met fe> on ! homew>d road--a %ad[ among %ad[s4 ,x w\ld be almo/ impossible to describe ! sw]ves t my m9d took f t "t till ! end4 ,! pres5ce ( ! ,alb]tus ,magnus fill$ me by turns ) dread1 bl9d fe>1 an ov]%ad[$ sort ( pleasure1 & utt] hopelessness4 ,i d>e n h x tak5 away2 & ,i knew t its pres5ce 0 driv+ me mad4 ,! vic> told me t if ,i c\ld make up my m9d to h ! /atue remov$ or de/roy$1 x might dispel all my tr\bles4 ,i ought to make an application to ! au?ority on bronzes at ! ,briti% ,museum1 :o w\ld be only too pleas$ to accept x4 ,an application to escape ! company ( ,alb]tus ,magnus6 ,a reque/ t ! ,briti% ,museum w\ld graci\sly take ov] a bronze /atue1 ! s\l ( dep>t$ ,ombos1 & a bl9d t]ror t walk$ at twilight6 ,! vic>'s proposal s5t me into a p>oxysm ( hy/]ical laught]4 ,i'd gone into ! libr>y "o aft]noon ab\t f\r1 z ,i _h heavy arre>s ( lett]-writ+ to make up4 ,x 0 surpris+ t ,i %\ld *oose t room :]e ,alb]tus ,magnus t[]$ 9 8 corn]--& 7,i don't "k :y7 ,i felt vaguely unhappy :5 ,i _h be5 sep>at$ too long f him4 ,by half pa/ six ,i _h f9i%$4 ,i w5t to ! door to r+ = ,clayton to po/ my lett]s1 & turn$ to light up ! c&elabra 7,i =got to say t x 0 a fad ( my fa!r's all ?r\gh 8 life to use c&elabra 9 pref]5ce to electric light or gas71 :5 ,i he>d1 ,i ?\ght ,i he>d a *uckle beh9d me--l[1 fa9t1 b unmi/akably malici\s4 ,! fate ( poor ,price fla%$ into my m9d1 & at ! same "t1 ,i myself 0 wat*+ myself fight on t same *e/]field ) some?+ horrible1 unclean1 intangible4 ,i turn$ r\nd in/antane\sly1 feel+ t ! ,alb]tus ,magnus 0 at 8 helli% game aga94 ,) sudd5 horror ,i saw :]e ! *uckle _h come f4 ,! /atue _h *ang$ f ! bronze-gre5 to a fle%y-gre54 ,x 0 alive1 & ! great muscles 7 twit*+ & quiv]+4 ,to my unutt]able horror1 ,i p]ceiv$ x 0 n ,alb]tus ,magnus4444 ,x 0 ,ombos6 ,8 brea? came 9 horrid little flutt]s1 ) seconds betwe5 ea* "o1 z if he _h j come to life & 0 n q us$ to x4 ,a dreadful vici\sness & vitality %one f 8 gre5 eyes1 & 8 demon-l m\? 0 twi/$ into a gr9 ( unimag9able evil4 ',gods don't gr[ 9 "o night l mu%rooms1' he said ) a le]4 7,!re 0 no mi/ake ab\t 8 voice--x 0 ,ombos2 ! words rang ?r\gh my bra9 z if !y _h be5 %\t$47 ',y c't expect a /atue to turn into a god 9 a brea?1 or to come d[n & skip ab\t 444 x takes "t & fai?4' ,at t mom5t ,i mu/ h gone mad4 ,i snat*$ ! heavy c&elabra & ) a h[l ( rage ,i hurl$ x ) all my =ce at 8 n>r[ le]+ eyes4 ,x /ruck ! solid bronze ) a t]rific cra% & fell at ! base ( ! p$e/al :]eon ,ombos _h /ood a mom5t be=e4 ,clayton ru%$ 9 at ?is juncture1 & we w5t into ! sitt+-room4 ,i saw him wipe 8 =ehead ) ! back ( 8 h&4 ',he's be5 "h aga91 sir1' he said4 ',i 0 /&+ on ! gravel pa? by ! libr>y1 a m9ute ago1 :5 ,i saw him close by me 9 ! bu%es4 ,he came across ! wat]-mead[1 ,i ?9k4 ,& any way he made (f back t way :5 ,i %\t$ at him4 ,begad1 ?\gh1 x'll be wor? a trifle to see :o ?is rascal is1 sir4 ,i wond] :at he's aft]4 ,n ! common k9d ( assass94 ,:at8' 99 99 99 99 99 ,?is 0 ! climax2 ,i felt t ano!r su* enc\nt] w\ld drive me rav+ mad4 ,some:]e !re mu/ be a natural explanation2 x 0 only a "q ( f9d+ x4 ,among o!r ?+s x occurr$ to me t someone1 = reason unkn[n1 might be play+ a s]ies ( practical jokes ^u me1 b x 0 h>d to believe a hoax ( su* malignant & s]i\s int5t4 ,besides1 x did n expla9 ! dea? ( ,price :i*1 ,i felt m & m conv9c$1 0 9 "s way connect$ ) ! bronze /atue4 ,i felt x w\ld be my own fault if ,i did n get "s "p ( ! my/]y cle>$ up soon4 ,x 0 pla91 too1 t ,i mu/ virtually act alone4 ,! fir/ ?+ 0 to f9d a help]1 & aft] ca/+ ab\t me ,i ?\ght ( a memb] ( my company1 ,john ,trav]s1 :o _h lo/ two f+]s at ,*>l]oi at ! fir/ /age ( ! w>4 ,he 0 a giant 9 /ature1 8 muscul> =ce w\ld h w>rant$ him 9 conte/+ a fall or two ) a full-gr[n lion4 ,i wrote to ,trav]s ! same ev5+ & 8 answ] came a c\ple ( days lat]1 say+ t he w\ld be d[n by ! fir/ tra9 t he c\ld cat*4 ,i said no?+ 9 my lett] ab\t ! bronze /atue1 b m]ely m5tion$ t ,i fe>$ a gang ( ?ieves _h m>k$ my h\se d[n1 & ,i want$ 8 help to gu>d ! place = a week or s4 ,well1 ,trav]s arriv$4 ,arm$ ) two new s]vice rifles1 we ea* 9 turn kept wat* ov] ! /atue1 agree+ t a %ot out ( ! w9d[ %\ld w>n ! o!r1 7 any sudd5 dang] to arise4 ,on ! second night ( our vigil ,i retir$ to b$ hugely sleepy4 ,i _h left ,trav]s on gu>d 9 ! libr>y4 ,he 0 seat$ 9 an arm*air "u my ,alb]tus ,magnus1 ) 8 rifle ov] 8 knees4 ,i did n take (f my clo!s1 b ?rew myself1 dress$ z ,i 01 ^u ! b$4 ,det]m9+ to make sure ( "s re/ ,i took a /iff glass ( hot br&y4 ,i slept--,i c\ld sc>cely help sleep+--b n = long1 = ,i sudd5ly awoke f a tumultu\s dream1 my limbs atremble1 & my =ehead /icky ) cold sweat4 ,x seem$ z ?\gh somebody 0 call+ my "n f a va/ di/ance4 ,! room 0 full ( :isp]+s & moan+s & /range uncanny ?+s4 ,some?+ 0 evid5tly at "w 9 my sub-consci\sness4 ,no?+ 0 wrong ) ,trav]s or ,i %\ld h he>d ! report ( 8 rifle4 ,yet some?+ 0 wrong6 ,! conviction grew /rong] & /rong] )9 me4 ,!n came ! fa9t s\nd ( rattl+ at ! brass knob1 & ) sudd5 horror ,i saw ! door op5 a c\ple ( in*es4 ,a pause ( "s seconds & x 0 pu%$ op5 /ill f>!r4 ,= a space ( five seconds my he>t seem$ to /op beat+1 & !n ! wor/ came4 ,y w ?9k ,i 0 beside myself2 b z ! door 0 pu%$ op5 a face peep$ r\nd beh9d x1 & ,i saw two gre5 eyes look+ at me6 ,i _h at once recognis$ ! face1 & ! face 0 t ( ,ombos6 ,he appe>$ to smile at me1 b x 0 a le] ( inscrutable evil & malevol5ce1 & ,i took up my rifle & fir$ at a v5ture4 ,a h[l ( pa91 ho>se ) ang]1 r5t ! air1 & ! face vani%$4444 ,i ru%$ d[n/airs & into ! libr>y4 ,z ,i ent]$1 ! body ( ,trav]s came twi/+ across ! room l a p5ny :irligig4 ,8 head /ruck ! m>ble fire-place ) a frightful dull ?ud1 & he fell a motionless heap on ! floor4 ,i /ruck /raight 9 front ( me ) a rifle--& hit some?+--some?+ t pu%$ pa/ me4 ,!n ! front door op5$ & %ut ) a deaf5+ clang4 ,a sudd5 qualm ( real fe> took hold ( my he>t1 b1 ma/]+ x z be/ ,i c\ld1 ,i op5$ ! front door & tore madly d[n ! drive4 ,i look$ d[n ! hu%$ /reet4 ,pa/ ! lamp-po/s1 skipp+ f ! gloom into ! light & f light into %ad[1 ) a s]ies ( b\nds1 sp$ a horrible api% =m4 ,x b\nd$ along ) incr$ible fleetness1 & 0 soon lo/ to view 9 ! di/ant gloom4 ,j at t mom5t ,clayton came d[n ! drive4 ,i c\ld n speak4 ,i po9t$ to ! libr>y4444 ,i beckon$ him to foll[4 ,on ! floor lay ! dead body ( ,john ,trav]s4 ,! /atue ( ,alb]tus ,magnus _h vani%$6 ,& !re ! /ory ends4 ,i c give no explanation :atev]1 beyond :at ,i h relat$4 ,! bronze figure has nev]1 s f> z ,i "k1 be5 se5 aga91 nor has ! re/less _s ( poor ,ombos walk$ aga9 9 our g>d5 & libr>y4 ,b1 tak+ ! circum/ances into consid]ation1 ! :ole tra9 ( ev5ts po9ts to ! fact t ,ombos _h 9 "s occult way pass$ 8 e!real body into t /atue1 & = t v reason he 0 unable to re/ quietly 9 8 grave4 ,y w cont9ue to live 9 ! h\se at ,abbot's ,ely1 ( c\rse1 said ,duck=d4 ,crabbe %ook 8 head4 ,nev]6 ,i wrote a week ago putt+ x 9 ! ag5t's h&s = sale4 ,!re may be no?+ 9 x1 b ,i h>dly want to make any new exp]im5ts n[4 ,! bronze /atue has disappe>$4 ,i %\ld l to ?9k x 0 /ol5 by a gang ( burgl>s4 ,b ,i rememb] t *uckle--! malici\s mir? ( "s une>?ly ?+1 x seem$4 ,& ,i rememb] 444 let u leave x at t4 ,i want to =get1 to walk 9 ! ,sun%9e1 9 ! cr[d$ ,/r&1 away f ! d>knesses & sil5ces4 ,z ,i say1 !re ! /ory ends4444 ,i h told y all ( x4 99 99 99 99 99 ,b ,capta9 ,crabbe did n tell x all4 ,! be/ "p 0 /rictly private4 ,he m>ri$ ,m>got at half-pa/ t5 on ! foll[+ ,saturday morn+ b "o1 at ,/4 ,george's1 ,h>t ,/reet1 ,bloomsbury4 ,,ii ,,! ,,de ,,gamelyn ,,traditions ,he 0 j an ,iri% soldi]'s son2 a real boy 9 real life1 & 8 "n 0 ,tim1 & t 0 ! only "n he _h besides 8 surname :i* 0 ,gamelyn4 ,& someh[ he 0 p]fectly happy4 ,b "o day he f\nd an old book & read ab\t a boy ^: "n 0 ,victor2 & ! m he read ab\t ,victor ! m ard5t 0 8 wi% to be l ,victor1 & he wi%$ t he _h be5 call$ ,victor--= ,victor 0 a g5ius & a g5tleman1 & all ?+s :i* ,victor put 8 h&s to 7 cr[n$ ) success4 ,b ,tim's "n 0 ,tim ,gamelyn1 :i* 0 un=tunate2 & :5 he w5t to an ,engli% s*ool at ,m>gate !y call$ him1 because 8 hair 0 r$1 ,c>rots :i* 0 he>tbreak+4 ,9 ! book nobody _h ev] je]$ at ,victor or call$ him nicknames2 !y w\ld h be5 dealt ) v sev]ely1 besides !y w\ld n h d>$2 he 0 f> too h]oic4 ,s ,tim became v furi\s :5 ! o!r fell[s call$ him ,c>rots4 ,b ! m he %[$ 8 dislike = ?is "n ! m ! boys made use ( x1 also :5 !y _h "t to sp>e--!y w>m$ _! h&s 9 ! imag9>y heat radiat$ by 8 ruddy hair4 ,x 0 impossible to uphold any dignity "u ! circum/ances1 & he began to wond] :at ,victor w\ld h done 9 a l pr$icam5t4 ,b !n ,victor's hair 0 ri* & br[n & curly1 & no "o c\ld h said a ^w aga9/ x2 ,tim's 0 r$ & ( ! k9d t fate keeps 9 /ock ( ! humble & l[1 & x made a little lump come up 9 8 ?roat :5 he realiz$ x4 ,!n ! football season on1 ,victor1 ,tim well rememb]$1 _h gone 9 = e k9d ( a?letic sport4 ,:5 he _h fir/ arriv$ at a /range bo>d+ s*ool he _h refus$1 ) a he$less laugh1 to say :e!r he c\ld play or n4 ,victor did n ev5 deign to g ne> ! football field = a mon?4 ,b t5 m9utes be=e ! ,mat* ( ! ye> comm5c$ he sudd5ly made up 8 m9d to play4 ,dur+ ! fir/ half ( ! game ,victor _h laid l[2 he 0 wait+4 ,!n 8 eyes fla%$1 & 8 li!1 active figure fla%$ up ! field s5d+ ! ball into ! po/s l a %ot f a gun1 ?us scor+ ! fir/ & only goal4 ,he _h !n fa9t$ away2 & a beautiful girl _h exclaim$ ,a-a-a-a-a-h1 & _h hurri$ to him ) a smell+-bottle & mu* sympa?y4 ,:5 he recov]$1 he sat up & made an apology = /opp+ ! game & 0 l\dly *e]$ by bo? teams4 ,?is 0 ! model :i* ,tim _h to keep 9 8 m9d's eye4 ,9 "o or two ways he succe$$1 & 9 o!rs he fail$--fail$ dismally4 ,:5 ,tim came to ask que/ions ab\t football at ,!t=d ,gramm> ,s*ool he f\nd x 0 q ano!r ?+4 ,9 ! fir/ place ! boys all spoke to him 9 t specially (f5sive y're-only-a-little-kid sort ( way4 ,!y also took x = grant$ t he _h nev] se5 a football 9 8 life4 ,he f\nd x impossible to refuse 7) a c>eless laugh7 to say :e!r he _h ev] kick$ a ball be=e4 ,he 0 told t he w\ld h to play 9 ! next s*ool practice mat*1 & t if he c\ld kick a ball1 he might be all[$ to play 9 a real mat* "o f9e day4 ,:5 ! fir/ practice game comm5c$1 ,tim rememb]$ t an en?usia/ic cr[d _h run by ,victor's side1 %\t+ wildly3 ,hurrah6 hurrah = ,victor4 ,x is true t a few ( ! small] boys %\t$ at him4 ,b :at !y %\t$ 03 ,put a bit ( life into x1 old ,c>rots6 & ,g x1 ,rufus6 ,y'll nev] score a goal if y kick ! ball 9 t "m-may-,i-h-an-orange /yle4 ,dur+ ! fir/ "p ( ! game ,tim 0 r quiet--he 0 wait+ = a gold5 opportunity1 j z ,victor _h wait$4 ,x came :5 ! =w>ds 7 9 full movem5t1 & ! ball came travell+ neatly along ! l9e on ! "r w+4 ,x f9ally came to re/ at ,tim's feet1 & he1 avoid+ a man :o d>t$ at him1 rac$ =w>d a few y>ds4 ,!n some?+1 :i* came ?r\gh ! air l a ,:itehead ,torp$o1 s5t him sp9n+ backw>ds on ! grass4 ,amid/ ro>s ( laught] f ! o!r fell[s1 ! ,:itehead ,torp$o1 7:o 0 a boy & small] ?an ,tim71 spun r\nd1 ran ! ball a few doz5 y>ds1 & s5t x so>+ away ) a v5t kick /raight = ! goal4 ,!re 0 a mom5t ( sil5ce4 ,! ball pit*$ fair & squ>e on ! top b>1 & !n trickl$ g5tly betwe5 ! po/s4 ,a h[l ( joy w5t up f ! small fry :o _h be5 ragg+ ,tim all ! "t4 ,tim sat up & look$ ab\t him4 ,he _h n fa9t$1 b he felt v sick & dizzy1 & nobody sympa?is$ ) him4 ,a small freckle-fac$ boy 0 /&+ ov] him4 ,! gr\nd is slipp]y to-day1 he gr9n$1 ext5d+ a h& to ! un=tunate ,tim1 :o lay on ! sludgy1 squdgy mud gasp+ l a rec5tly-l&$ tr\t4 ,tim accept$1 & scrambl$ pa9fully to 8 feet4 ,! pomp ( battle _h dep>t$ f him4 ,a few weeks aft]w>ds1 z ,tim 0 walk+ across ! wat] mead[s1 he saw a y\? ( s]i\s & agricultural appe>ance ?r[+ a poor1 def5celess little t]ri] into ! mill /ream4 ,e "t ! mis]able little animal crawl$ up on to ! riv] bank ! y\? hurl$ x into ! deep wat] aga94 ,n[1 t 0 ! k9d ( ?+ t ,victor 0 v d[n on4 ,9 e *apt] ,victor puni%$ p = cruelty to animals4 ,victor's blood always boil$ at su* a sight--moreov]1 8 /rong arm always %ot out1 8 eyes always fla%$1 & ! great hulk+ c[>d always lay prone at 8 feet begg+ = m]cy ) clasp$ h&s4 ,s ,tim ga!r$ toge!r 8 recollections ( ,victor's /ock phrases1 & advanc$ on ! /olid y\?3 ,y c[>dly ruffian6 ,h y no feel+s t y ill-treat a man's be/ fri5d 9 t way8 ,! /olid-look+ y\? seem$ slightly a/oni%$4 ,he ?ru/ 8 face =w>d & %ook 8 fi/ "u ,tim's nose4 ,n y\r bloom+ bus9ess1 he said4 ,y %ift4 ,y've got no "r1 began ,tim4 ,"r6 ,! y\?'s note 0 fi]ce4 ,!n he took poor ,tim by ! scruff ( 8 neck1 & obs]v$ t he _h be5 tea*+ ! pup to swim because he 0 wat]-%y1 & t x 0 good = all k9ds ( pups to "k h[ to swim4 ,!n he pu%$ ,tim into ! wat] aft] ! pup 9 ord] to tea* him to keep 8 m\? %ut & m9d 8 own bus9ess4 ,tim w5t away ) ! idea 7p]fectly correct7 t ! /olid-look+ y\?'s h&s t _h gripp$ 8 neck & ! seat ( 8 knick]s 7 v /rong1 & ano!r impression t ev5 ,victor w\ld n h /ood an e>?ly *ance aga9/ su* a fell[4 ,& x 0 j !n t he 0 aw>e ( a little grey idea float+ 9 ! backgr\nd ( 8 m9d t ,victor 0 a bit ( a prig--also a fraud4 ,x annoy$ him t any su* notion %\ld occur to him t ! glory ( 8 h]o 0 an illusion1 & he %ook 8 head to get rid ( x4 ,!n 8 bra9 s5t a wireless t ,victor might be all "r 9 a little toy _w ( 8 own1 peopl$ entirely by h]oes & sc\ndrels1 & ) all ! sc\ndrels physically contemptible2 b t he w\ld h done less brilliantly 9 ! mix$-up old _w t we h got at pres5t4 ,sudd5ly1 z f a cle> sky1 came a bolt ( common-s5se to ,tim1 & he realiz$ he _h be5 a fond & fooli% jay4 ,& t 0 :y1 :5 he _h f9i%$ prep t ev5+1 he ex*ang$ a copy1 b\nd 9 calf1 ( ,victor ! ,valiant = two oranges & a catapult4 ,( c\rse1 ! reaction set 94 ,tim 0 s5t up to ! /ation to br+ home a new bicycle = ! head ma/]1 & he 0 especially w>n$ n to ride x--j to walk x4 ,( c\rse he tri$ to ride x d[n ,ca/le ,hill1 & collid$ viol5tly ) a milk c>t4 ,he return$ ) :at _h be5 a new ma*9e4 ,s ! ,head made him write out "o hundr$ times3 ,& s9ce he _c sp5d or use aright ,! little "t "h giv5 9 8 tru/2 ,b wa/e? x 9 we>y und]light ,( fooli% toil & tr\ble1 /rife & lu/1 ,he naturally clam\rs to inh]it ,! ,ev]la/+ ,future t 8 m]it ,may h full scope--z surely is mo/ j4 ,& ,tim mutt]$1 ,all "r1 keep y\r hair on1 ,b56 ,h'm2 said ! ,head1 ov]he>+ ,tim4 ,write x out two hundr$ times = y\r insol5t conduct4 ,t 0 ! />t ( 8 demoralisation4 ,accord+ to ! laws ( ! ,m$es & ,p]sians1 & ! laws ( ,victor ! ,valiant1 disa/] & di%on\r w\ld be ! end ( ?is6 ,x 0 n at all ! way ,victor w\ld h behav$4 ,z a matt] ( fact on "o occasion :5 a ma/] _h be5 idiotic en\gh to give ,victor a hundr$ l9es1 ! valiant "o _h repli$3 ,p>don me1 sir1 b if ,i may be s presumptu\s ,i ?9k ,i c call y\r att5tion to ! fact t y--un9t5tionally1 ( c\rse--are treat+ me too sev]ely4 ,& ! ma/] _h at once se5 ! error ( 8 ways & reliev$ ,victor ( ! imposition4 ,tim fail$ to get ! v]se writt5 out 9 ! /ipulat$ "t & ! imposition 0 trebl$4 ,also he ga!r$ up ano!r hundr$ l9es = failure to att5d pray]s & ?is plac$ him 9 a /ate ( hopeless bankruptcy4 ,:5 he wrote home to 8 "m4 ,"h is :at he said3 ,,de>e/ ,,"m3 ,i got two hundr$ l9es = break+ ! ,head's bicycle ye/]day4 ,give my love to ,dad4 ,i got ano!r hundr$ l9es to-day = n be+ pres5t at pray]s4 ,b don't y worry--,i am n really bad--,god has =gott5 me1 t is all4 ,y\r lov+ ,son1 ,,tim4 ,& ,tim--su* 0 8 natural depravity--did n mu* c>e4 ,s call\s & indiff]5t did he become t he ceas$ to be hurt :5 ! boys call$ him ,c>rots4 ,9 fact he laugh$4 ,& z he no long] object$ :5 he 0 call$ ,c>rots ! boys dropp$ t "n1 & ! %orte/ "o surviv$4 ,! boys />t$ to call him ,tims & 9 a few mon?s he _h won _! affection f ! l[e/ fag to ! highe/ lad 9 ! s*ool4 ,two ye>s aft]w>ds1 by d9t ( practice & pluck he _h s f> advanc$ t he ran second 9 ! qu>t]-mile at ! ,sports4 ,( c\rse ?is 0 n v h]oic4 ,he 0 rew>d$ = ?is feat ( /r5g? ) a pat5t egg-boil]1 :i* 0 ( no sort ( use to him1 &1 z he discov]$ aft]w>ds1 ( no use to anybody else4 ,b he 0 exce$+ly pr\d ( ! ?+ & also exce$+ly c>eful to conceal ?is fact f ! o!r boys4 ,he became1 to sum up 8 attitude1 less & less l ,victor4 ,b x is n to be presum$ t he 0 s9k+ into m5tal no?+ness4 ,he 0 n p]haps q s ref9$ 9 8 language z he might h be51 he us$ slang1 & sometimes 0 incl9$ to hang 8 hat on ! floor & talk back4 ,he 0 r untidy 9 8 dress4 ,b c]ta9 comp5sat+ qualities ( ! highe/ value 7 appe>+ 9 ,tim4 ,he _h ga!r$ to himself a pl5tiful supply ( gumption--g5ius is all "r1 b if x comes to a sl[-d[n gumption is bett]4 ,8 hatr$ ( swank rea*$ ! po9t ( unreason+ prejudice4 ,he made _m mi/akes2 b dep5d ^u ?is3 ! man :o has nev] made a mi/ake has nev] made any?+ else wor? hav+4 ,& ,tim nev] became a great soldi]1 or a great sailor1 or any?+ great4 ,b he _h good spirits1 & he conceal$ ab\t 8 p]son a he>t ( gold2 & aft] he left ,!t=d ,gramm> ,s*ool1 boys f\nd t someh[ ! games 9 ! old playgr\nd seem$ flat & spiritless4 ,!y said t ?+s w]5't z !y us$ to be 9 ,tim's "t4 ,i h told ! read] t ,tim ,gamelyn's fa!r 0 a retir$ non-commission$ (fic] :o liv$ ne> ,dubl9 on a small private income & a p5sion4 ,x w be se5 t ,tim's p did n roll 9 weal? any to speak (4 ,!y own$ a small f>m ) five c[s1 tw5ty pigs & a flock ( h5s4 ,!re 0 be] always 9 ! cell>1 bacon hang+ up 9 ! kit*5 & a bucket ( s(t soap 9 ! out-h\se4 ,9 ! top lean-to room :]e ,tim slept1 9 ! w9t] "t ! ra9 & sleet drift$ *e]ily 9 ?r\gh ! cracks & cov]$ ! army blankets :i* cov]$ him4 ,b he didn't lie awake ?9k+ ab\t x--boys l ,tim :o help on f>ms />t play+ %ut-eye z soon z !y hit ! pill[4 ,old ,s]geant ,gamelyn came ( an ance/ry :i*1 somebody or o!r ( di/9ction once said--& v truly--is ! backbone ( ! ,briti% ,army4 ,to put x briefly1 if n gracefully1 :at old ,gamelyn didn't "k ab\t soldi]+ w]5't wor? kn[9'6 ,he _h ! t5 ?\s& & t5 comm&m5ts ( ! ,k+'s ,regulations always at 8 f+] tips1 & he & 8 p _h s]v$ 9 ! same battalion1 "u ! same (fic]s or desc5dants = g5]ations4 ,!re 0 ,mi*ael ,gamelyn :o fell at ,malplaquet2 !re 0 ano!r ,gamelyn :o _h s]v$ at ,m9d52 f\r ,gamelyns s]v$ ?r\gh ! ,p59sul>4 ,b only "o came ?r\gh to ,wat]loo4 ,balaclava1 ! ,indian ,mut9y & ,spion ,kop ea* claim$ a ,gamelyn1 & :5 ! ,briti% troops return$ f ,lhasa 9 #aijd !y left "o ,s]geant ,royd5 ,gamelyn--re/+ 9 peace t5 paces to ! re> ( ! ,p>go ,keel+ ,gate4 ,( c\rse ,tim ,gamelyn grew up 9 ! %ad[ ( ^! ?+s4 ,!re 0 an old book 9 8 fa!r's oak kit box :i* ,tim lov$4 ,9 x he read ab\t =gott5 drill & manual ex]cises1 ! uncom=table & graceless manoeuvres ( ! rigid b r$\btable m5 :o f\ght at ,wat]loo4 ,also !re 7 pictures 9 col\r ( w>riors 9 ?ree-corn]$ hats1 high /ocks & p[d]$ wigs4 ,^! m5 ,tim wor%ipp$4 ,he _h by he>t ! qua9t words ( comm& 9 :i* ,well+ton's m5 7 told to *>ge a musket ) p[d] & ball4 ,& ,i d\bt n t he c\ld h tak5 a brigade & m>*$ !m to ! attack ) ! be/ ( ! old-"t s]geants4 ,!n 9 ,augu/ #aiad came ! great w>1 & :5 ,tim sugge/$ go+ into ,dubl9 to see ,colonel ,arbu?not ab\t jo9+ up to t battalion ?r\gh :i* all ! be/ ( ! ,gamelyn m5 _h pass$1 8 "m tri$ to laugh4 ,b ,tim saw ! te>s runn+ d[n h] *eeks1 z %e ?rew h] apron ov] h] head & w5t out to br+ ! clo!s 9 (f ! l9e4 ,8 fa!r !n flung out 8 h& to him & said3 ,good boy1 ,i ?\ght 'twas 9 y4 ,good luck4 ,b :5 ,tim jo9$ 8 regim5t soldi]+ _h tak5 _m new turns4 ,! mod]n rifle w\ld n all[ m5 to m>* into battle ) col\rs fly+ & b&s play+3 ! old brave way 0 impossible 9 ! face ( ma*9e guns4 ,! pomp & pageantry ( battle _h dep>t$ & !re 0 no?+ left b = ! attack+ p>ty to crawl 9 a mo/ inelegant fa%ion ^u ! gr\nd4 ,d[n6 cri$ ! s]geant-in/ructor to poor ,tim1 :o />t$ 8 lessons 9 field tra9+ ) "s vague idea ab\t m>*+ on ! foe ) head & eyes erect & ) pace unfalt]+ & sl[4 ,:5 y get out to ,fl&]s y w h to get "r d[n on y\r belly if y want to live a little long] ?an t5 m9utes4 ,ext5d to five-six-t5 paces & get z close to old "m e>? z possible & hide y\r bloom9' selves6 ,hide y\rselves6 ?\ght ,tim4 ,n ?us is x writt5 9 my fa!r's book ( drill6 ,x pla9ly said !re9 t ! duty ( a soldi] 0 to le>n h[ to die1 n to hide f dea?4 ,cru%$ & deject$ he return$ t morn+ to breakfa/ to wolf a *unk ( bread & butt]1 wa%$ d[n by di%wat]1 misnam$ tea4 ,aft] breakfa/ he retir$ to a corn] & ?\ght x all out4 ,! words ( ! ,s]geant came back to him3 ,hide y\rself if y] want to live6 ,^! words /uck 9 8 memory1 z words :i* br+ a new light on an outlook w4 ,t 0 ! />t ( 8 demoralisation4 ,he 0 ! fir/ ( all 8 l9e :o _h be5 told to hide himself f dea?4 ,no m ! wor/$ brav]y1 ! pipeclay1 lace & sc>let4 ,no m ! old milit>y swagg]4 ,no m ! drumm] boy ) a wai/ l a ,fr5* danc+ girl1 wri/s l ,bomb>di] ,wells1 & %\ld]s l a wood5 man out ( a ,noah's ,ark4 ,no m ! ?robb+ & gr[l+ ( ! drums2 ! /accato detonations & ! insol5t cresc5does ( ! drums4 ,no m ! wild music t ! b&s play$ to ! m5 :o f\ght at ,m9d51 ,malplaquet & ,wyn5dael4 ,no m ! bru%+ ( a comrade's arm "o's own1 inspir+ boldness2 no m a ?\s& r$ coats m>*+ on ! enemy ) sl[ & unfalt]+ pace4 ,tim c\ld see ! m5 ( 8 dreams n[1 9 8 m9d's eye1 m>*+ ) heads & eyes erect 444 see1 too1 ! smoke ( cont9u\s volleys bur/+ out along ! /eady l9es z !y fir$ by sections & companies on _! foes4 ,well1 x 0 all a ?+ ( ! pa/ n[4 ,x 0 pla9ly 8 duty n to be reckless4 ,d n be da%+1 d n expose y\rself1 d n *e] & make a noise1 !y said2 creep along l a worm 9 ! grass2 be crafty1 be w>y--& fall d[n on ! face be=e dea?4 ,x did n /op !re4 ,la/ly & wor/ !y took away ! (fic]s ( 8 dreams4 ,!y ev5 dress$ !m l privates & "s 7 arm$ ) rifles4 ,!re 7 no fla%+ swords to foll[4 ,n once did he see an (fic] any?+ l 8 fa!r's picture ( ! ,duke ( ,well+ton on ! :ite horse po9t+ a curly sword to ! skies & wav+ a cock$ hat4 ,!n !re came ! day :5 ,tim made 8 fir/ acqua9tance ) field tra9+1 & beheld a loose & disord]ly scramble :i* m5 call$ an advance4 ,to him x seem$ j a mob ( ma/]less m51 crawl+ & cr\*+ on ! grass1 fir+ z !y pass$1 & b[+ cr++ly be=e dea?4 ,x 0 a sight he c\ld h>dly endure--an exhibition (f5sive to any soldi] ^: =be>s _h le>nt to a*ieve ! impossible z a matt] ( r\t9e & _h held firm = half a day at ,quatre ,bras ) nev] s mu* z ! flick] ( an eye-lid4 ,gad6 !re c\ld only be "o end to ?is k[-t[+ to dea?1 & t w\ld be disa/] & disgrace4 99 99 99 99 99 ,! long dull pla9s ( nor!rn ,europe /ret*$ be=e ,tim's gaze--great undulations ( h>d1 hot e>? & wav+ grass4 ,he'd be5 m>*+ all day1 & x 0 hot4 ,hot6444 ye ,gods6444 ,on ^? pla9s x 0 l a ,turki% ba?4 ,!n d[n came ! ord]1 & ! battalion flung itself to ! gr\nd4 ,oh1 b x 0 good to re/6 ,t[>ds sunset ! cl\ds pil$ up black] & black]1 & "s hung fro?y ov] ! ridge 9 ! di/ance4 ,z ! sun dropp$1 ! we/ turn$ r$--all blood r$--& he he>d ! ord] to m>*4 ,he he>d ! ^w pass$ d[n ! l9e 9 half :isp]s1 & ! impressive s\nd ( regim5ts gett+ "u arms came to 8 e>s4 ,ano!r five miles !y m>*$ & halt$ = tea4 ,!n all ! m5 became v sil5t--& :ile !y re/$ !y talk$ 9 :isp]s z !y wat*$ ! awful sky4 ,:5 x grew d>k ! flick-flack ( light5+ play$ across ! sky & x %[$ ! m5's faces :ite & drawn4 ,pres5tly ,tim's ,company lieut5ant came up ) ! news t !y w\ld n be able to re/ until morn+ z !y _h anticipat$4 ,!re c\ld be no /opp+1 = ! regim5t _h to rea* ! r5dezv\s at daybreak4 ,z ! /orm roll$ ne>]1 ! w9d got up1 9 puffs--fir/ w>m & !n cold1 & a few drops ( ra9 fell--great drops t fell flop-flop-flop--on ,tim's face4 ,) a fla% t leapt crackl+ ov] ! pla91 ! /orm loos$ itself4 ,! lightn+ turn$ ! ra9 into %eets ( glitt]+ silv]1 & ! hot gr\nd fairly boil$4 ,tim1 ) a ?\s& o!rs dr5*$1 & bl9d$1 /ruggl$ ov] ! slipp]y turf4 ,t 0 a /orm4 ,tim c\ld h se5 to read2 & ! ?und] wre/l$ 9 ! l[ *urn+ cl\ds l a million devils1 & ?r\gh x all ran ! *orus ( w9d & la%+ ra94 ,pres5tly ! /orm less5$ & di$ away1 & ! ra9 settl$ to p\r d[n on !m = an h\r or s4 ,! squel*-squel* ( soak+ boots & ! creak+ ( lea!r equipm5t 0 all he he>d4 ,!y halt$ = breakfa/1 & ,tim *ew$ 8 rations sitt+ on ! sodd5 gr\nd 9 sodd5 clo!s2 & z he sipp$ 8 lukew>m c(fee1 he %iv]$ 9 ! com+ dawn4 ,almo/ imm$iately !y w5t on aga94 ,"r be=e !m1 at ! head ( a valley1 rose a ridge4 ,9 ! creepy light x look$ miles high & a million spitt+ po9ts ( fire fla%$ f x4 ,! ,briti% guns 9 ! woods at ! back !n began1 & !y seem$ to h no relation to ! unv>y+ plumes ( smoke bur/+ above ! long l9es ( fre%-turn$ e>? two ?\s& y>ds away--no connection ) ! scree*+ ( ! %ells ov]head4 ,ext5d$ ord]6 came ! comm&1 & ,tim ) 8 regim5t /umbl$ =w>d4 ,8 brea? came & w5t 9 little pa9ful gasps4 ,f ! "r came a curi\s gasp+ *oke1 & look+1 he saw ! man next to him ?r[ up 8 arms & pit* =w>d on 8 face4 ,sudd5ly he became aw>e ( a peculi> wail+ above him1 z if ! air itself 0 9 torture4 ,aga9 a long l9e ( fire fla%$ out ahead ( him & aga9 came ! wail+ s\nd4 ,a ,bo*e ma*9e-gun loos$ a few belts ( c>tridges 9 ! spasmodic /yle ( h] k9d4 ,!re 0 no mi/ake ab\t x ?is "t--mass$ infantry 7 sweep+ ! pla9 ) rifle fire1 & ! quick-fir]s 7 feel+ = an op5+4 ,ano!r man 0 hit--close to ,tim4 ,he squeal$ l a girl2 & a fell[ ne> turn$ a dirty :ite1 /umbl$1 ) a clatt] fell 9 a fa9t+ fit4 ,t>dily ! m5 advanc$1 & any acute obs]v] w\ld h se5 !y _h little he>t 9 ! bus9ess4 ,"s hung beh9d almo/ unconsci\sly1 & _h to be hurri$ up by ! s]geants4 ,! bullets became m ?ick4 ,a man />t$ to blubb] beh9d4 ,gawd 'ave m]cy6 ,i 444 ,i c't /& x6 ,i won't g on6 he :9$4 ,x turn$ out to be a s]geant1 :o _h brok5 d[n too4 ,he'd _h little re/1 poor *ap1 ?r\gh %eph]d+ 8 company 444 & n[ he _h knock$ "u4 ,! company sway$ & hesitat$4 ,"s ( !m fac$ r\nd4 ,x 0 t\* & g4 ,/eady !re6 ,/eady6 ,come on1 m52 said ,/ansfield1 ! little company lieut5ant1 z ! m5 wav]$ on ! grey edge ( collapse4 ,/eady t company2 :at 9 hell's ! matt] ) 'em4 ,keep y\r m5 up & go+1 ,sir6 %\t$ a capta9 ru%+ ov]4 ,b ! company _h gone all to pieces4 ,! fire ( battle _h dep>t$ f !m1 & x flung itself on ! gr\nd4 ,& soon ! :ole battalion 0 tak+ cov] 9 ! same way4 ,a capta9 call$ on ,tim's company to advance4 ,two m5 obey$ & "o ( !m 0 ,tim4 ,b ! enemy's fire r$\bl$ & ! o!r man 0 %ot1 & s ,tim at once took cov] aga94 ,! say+ ( 8 s]geant-in/ructor 9 ,engl& came to 8 m9d1 t a man mu/ lie d[n & hide if he wi%$ to live1 & he felt q ju/ifi$ 9 hugg+ ! e>?4 ,tim a*$ 9 e in* ( 8 body4 ,surely some?+ 0 snapp+ 9 8 bra91 = ^? du/y khaki figures on ! gr\nd1 ! sky1 ! e>? all seem$ to be danc+ madly ab\t him4 ,x 0 n yet light & ,tim /ra9$ 8 eyes to pi]ce ! d>kness4 ,!n he made a discov]y4 ,a d>k mass1 l "s prehi/oric mon/]1 0 gradually approa*+4 ,tim spoke to a man next to him :o 0 s(tly swe>+ & b&ag+ a %att]$ h&4 ,he pe]$ ?r\gh ! light & half-light ( dawn1 & !n />t$ to laugh 9 a n]v\s way4 ,hell1 mate2 he said1 ! :ole ,g]man race are advanc+ aga9/ u2 x's all up ) u4 ,look1 !y are com+ on l a solid wall 444 spr++ out ( ! e>? j solid 444 no end to 'em4 ,x 0 j ab\t t "t t ,tim obs]v$ a light mi/ ris+ 9 front ( him4 ,x seem$ to sc9tillate & sp>kle z x rose1 & curl$ 9 a sort ( pill> or spiral4 ,great ,heav56 he :isp]$ to himself1 ! ?+ is tak+ %ape4 ,& true en\gh1 9 a v few mom5ts he saw /&+ erect 9 front ( him a tall man--& he 0 dress$ 9 %9+ arm\r2 t 0 ! /range ?+ ab\t him4 ,a /range-look+ fell[ ?is6 ,he 0 m l a ,spani>d ?an an ,engli%man1 ) black eyes & olive complexion4 ,8 expression 0 l(ty & noble1 & 8 tall li! figure 0 9 /rict accordance ) ,briti% traditions4 ,s 7 ! bold features1 :i* 7 r m>r$ by a :ite sc> :i* /ret*$ f 8 left no/ril to ! angle ( 8 jaw4 ,b ! jet-black hair & ! eyes--! deep1 d>k1 *all5g+ eyes--7 ^? ( ,seville4 ,a /raight sword by 8 side & a pa9t$ long-b[ at 8 %\ld] proclaim$ him a b[man4 ,a :ite surcoat ) ! r$ lion ( ,/4 ,george ^u x cov]$ 8 broad *e/1 :ile a sprig ( new-pluck$ furze at ! side ( 8 /eel cap gave a t\* ( gaiety to 8 grim w>-worn clo!s4 ,no soon] _h ,tim look$ up ?an a deep ri* voice exclaim$3 ,corpus ,dom9i6 d y ne$ a lead]8 ,tim 0 n a man to be easily />tl$1 & ) ! bullets :9+ & p+-?udd+ all ar\nd him1 x 0 no mann] ( a "t to be easily />tl$4 ,b ! voice1 on acc\nt ( its une>?ly s\nd1 fairly made him jump4 ,he pick$ up 8 rifle1 & /ood upright4 ,come along6 ,come along6 ! voice w5t on4 ,:y do/ /& !re1 ,de ,gamelyn8 ,oh1 my ,god6 ,i 444 ,i c't /& x6 ,! loss ( blood & ! m>*+ has done = me6 ,s6 com+ into ! fight l a lion1 y g out l a lamb4 ,by ,sa9t ,paul6 ?is is n 9 accordance ) ! ,de ,gamelyn traditions4 ,take up ?y arms6 ,come along6 said ! /rang] tapp+ him on ! %\ld] ) a b>b$ %aft trimm$ ) grey goose fea!r4 ,oh6 please 444 please4444 ,i'm s tir$6 said ,tim1 l a *ild speak+ to its nurse4 ,! b[man saw t ! boy's lips & tongue 7 black ) ?ir/1 & 8 eyes 7 blood-%ot4 ,& :5 ,tim /agg]$ ov] to him all 8 body heav$ & trembl$ l an ov]driv5 horse4 ,sick & dizzy ) pa91 he ca/ himself to e>? aga91 & wait$ = dea?4 ,:y don't !y hit me8444 ,i've tri$1--oh1 s h>d6 he sobb$4 ,/eady !re6 ,/eady1 ,de ,gamelyn6 ,take ?is1 said ! b[man1 & drew some?+ f 8 side & h&$ x to him4 ,x 0 a sword1 if swords be made ( fire1 ( lightn+1 ( dazzl+ lights2 & ! mom5t ,tim grasp$ x all 8 pa9 & dizz9ess fell f him4 ,:at is ?is8 he ask$4 ,! ,sword ( ,life & ,dea?1 said ! b[man4 ,:o ! blazes are y8 ,tim ask$ sceptically4 ,x 0 ) a t\* ( ! ,iri% brogue t a *e]y voice answ]$4 ,a fri5d to a fri5d1 said ! b[man1 & ! devil to a foe4 ,iri%8 ,tim que/ion$4 ,citiz5 ( ! _w 9 "t pa/ 444 n[ a citiz5 ( heav54 ,tim gaz$ at ! /range man 9 e>ne/ scrut9y4 ,he appe>$ q at 8 ease ) bullets :9+ ar\nd him & he unslung a jack ( w9e & drank4 ,may a p>*$ man claim a dr9k ( y\r w9e8 ,tim cri$4 ,give :at y h1 ask :at y ne$4 ,t is ! ,de ,gamelyn code ( law1 said ! man1 & h&$ ,tim ! flagon4 ,y are *e]ful1 sir1 said ,tim1 8 blood some:at w>m$ by ! w9e4 ,9 ! "n ( ! devil1 :o are y1 & ( :at c\ntry8 ,my "n is ,nigel ,de ,gamelyn4 ,my ,"m1 de> s\l1 0 ,fr5*4 ,my fa!r 0 wise en\gh to be an ,iri%man4 ,s mu* = my blood1 :i* unites happily ! practical & ! dream] fluids4 ,i am ( no c\ntry b ,i "k all places f ! ,k+'s tombs at ,rome to ! old inns t /& ab\t ! upp] ,arun4 ,i h m>*$ ) armies ov] ?is t]ritory a=etime4 ,!re is no %ad[1 ,i believe1 on my s\l1 has su* /r5g? 9 him z ,i1 & ,i re/ cont5t to be no?+ to myself & all ?+s to e man4 ,t be+ bliss4 ,z ! b[man spoke1 a bullet kick$ up a cl\d ( du/ at 8 feet4 ,hola1 by my hilt6 x is "t t we 7 /irr+1 he said4 ,leave ^! fell[s to grovel & remove y\rself4 ,foll[3 :o foll[s ,nigel de ,gamelyn8 ,he hit*$ up 8 belt & /rode =w>d ) 8 great b[1 & ,tim saw him s5d a %aft ) a twang+ noise five hundr$ & ?irty paces4 ,"o ( ! ,g]man (fic]s1 t[]+ above ! o!r m51 /ood out di/9ctly1 & !n he dropp$4 ,i'd l to take a look at t knave1 ! b[man rem>k$1 draw+ a fre% arr[ f 8 %eaf4 ,by ! twang ( /r+6 ,i'll swe> ,i drill$ him clean betwe5 8 eyes4 ,! enemy 7 gett+ clos] n[1 & f ! m5 ly+ ar\nd !m broke a viol5t fusillade4 ,x 0 q useless1 b x reliev$ _! n]ves4 ,"s 7 dis*>g+ _! %ots into ! turf a few y>ds 9 front ( !m4 ,o!rs 7 %oot+ at a]oplanes4 ,!n sudd5ly !re came ^u ,tim a great ang]4 ,a bullet /rik+ him br\ght him to 8 s5ses1 & he saw ! m5 sprawl+ belly-flat ab\t him4 ,?is 0 n w>1 ?is ignom9i\s crawl+1 ?is grovell+ 9 ! soil1 ?is halt+6 ,! _s ( 8 fa!rs spoke to him4 ,he rememb]$ "o ( 8 fa!r's fav\rite say+s3 ,! duty ( a man ( ! l9e is to fight1 & if ne$s be1 die1 n to avoid dy+4 ,8 ang] grew--damn !m = a pack ( cr++1 footl+ c[>ds3 he1 ,tim ,gamelyn1 desc5dant ( ! ,de ,gamelyns :o f\ght 9 a hundr$ battles1 w\ld tea* !m h[ m5 ( 8 fa!r's h\se w5t into battle4 ,a s5ior (fic] call$ on ^? ne>e/ to ,tim to advance4 ,& m5 rose up4 ,d4 ,company1 fix bayonets6 ,close 96 came ! ord]4 ,tim gripp$ 8 sword & /rode ov] to ! ,b[man4 ,!n ! advanc+ ,g]mans p\r$ a bla/+ volley on !m4 ,! ,old ,battalion--*>ge6 came ! /5torian voice ( a s5ior4 ,! m5 scrambl$ to _! feet1 & ,tim foll[+ ! ,b[man sprang ahead ( ! ,battalion4 ,! m5 leapt across ! blood-sme>$ grass aft] !m ) ! spe$ ( a w+$ fury1 b !y /ruck ! ,g]mans a doz5 y>ds ahead ( ! battalion4 ,! b[man _h hurl$ aside 8 long b[ & 0 us+ a %ort battle mace ) t]rific effect4 ,z = ,tim3 all he want$ to d 0 to sla%2 /ab & sla% aga9 ) t wond]ful sword4 ,!re foll[$ a nightm>e ( drawn1 gr9n+ faces1 ( fi]ce yells & groans4 ,! mud-/a9$ grey figures /ruck at him wildly1 futilely4 ,on & on ,tim w5t1 8 glitt]+ blade n[ at a :ite face1 n[ at a ?roat1 n[ at a *e/1 /ill /abb+ & ?ru/+ to pass ?r\gh ! wall ( m5 :i* b>r$ 8 way4 ,! man ) ! b[ rang$ up alongside him3 ,on1 man1 on1 9 ! "n ( ,god1 m>* =w>d4444 ,by ,/4 ,george & ,our ,lady6 we are break+ up _! front2 he mutt]$4 ,/rike me crimson6 bell[$ a man ne> to ,tim1 b y're a bloom+ m>vel6 ,^? ,g]man begg>s are go+ d[n = tw5ty y>ds ar\nd y\r 7decorat$7 sword )\t be+ hit at all4 ,look6 ,look6 !re goes ano!r ,hun d[n4 ,let me come ov] ne> y1 mate6 ,b ,tim knew t ,de ,gamelyn ! ,b[man _h summon$ to _! help ! armies ( ! unconqu]$ dead4 ,!y came1 ! ,de ,gamelyns ( all g5]ations f ,crecy to ,wat]loo3 !y f\ght by 8 side1 & ! ma*9e gun bullets1 :i* fell ^u ! du/y e>? l tropical ra91 hurt !m n4 ,aga9 & aga9 ! ,b[man's mace sma%$ & la%$ out be=e him1 & ,tim ?ru/1 & ?ru/ yet aga9 ) 8 sword4 ,he he>d ! deep-?roat$ ro> ( ! b[man's s++ ,! ,song ( ! ,b[4 ,:at ( ! %aft8 ,! %aft 0 cut 9 ,engl&3 ,a long %aft1 a /rong %aft1 ,b>b$ & trim & true2 ,s we'll dr9k all toge!r ,to ! grey goose fea!r ,& ! l& :]e ! grey goose flew4 ,sudd5ly a yell1 horrible & fi]ce1 uprose f ! soldi]s1 & he he>d ! b[man's voice no m4 ,!y're on ! run1 by ,gawd1 !y've got x "r 9 ! neck ?is j\rney1 bell[$ a soldi] z ! ,g]man infantry broke & tail$ away4 ,!n some?+ took ,tim 9 ! *e/1 some?+ wet & r$1 t w5t ?r\gh him4 ,! man next to ,tim saw ! long bayonet /& out beyond 8 back1 saw ,tim sway1 laugh+1 & snap ! /eel %ort z he fell ^u x4 ,a body ( kilt$ m5 sudd5ly swept f ! "r ( ! h>d-press$ battalion1 swept by 9 sil5ce1 & 9 sil5ce swept ! rema9+ ,bo*es up "o side ( ! ridge & d[n ! o!r into et]nity4 ,two days lat] ,colonel ,arbu?not inquir$ aft] ! welf>e ( ,private ,tim ,gamelyn at ! field hospital4 ,he 0 admitt$ suff]+ f sun/roke1 & a t]rible bayonet w\nd4 ,he di$ e>ly 9 ! morn+1 said ! doctor4 ,is x true t he sav$ ! battalion by urg+ our fell[s on at ! critical mom5t8 ,yes1 said ,colonel ,arbu?not1 b d y happ5 to "k if he _h an (fic]'s sword ) him by *ance :5 he 0 c>ri$ 9 "h8 ,all my m5 speak ( a 'sword ( flame' ) :i* he drove ! ,huns be=e him4 ,ev5 h>d5$ soldi]s :o h be5 ?r\gh _m campaigns h be5 babbl+ all sorts ( nons5se ( gho/ly regim5ts ( b[m5 :o help$ to turn ! ,g]man attack6 ,! doctor walk$ ov] to a %elf1 &1 tak+ d[n a ru/y old sword1 plac$ x on ! table4 ,p]haps t is :at y ref] to1 ,colonel1 he said4 ,:]e ! fell[ pick$ x up is a my/]y to me4 ,x mu/ be "s hundr$s ( ye>s old4 ,colonel ,arbu?not took x 9 8 h&s & read ?is inscription on ! blade3 ,,nigel ,,de ,,gamelyn 444 ,,adsum 444 ,,iii ,,! ,,mills ,,( ,,god ,!y 7 putt+ little ,b\dru to b$--! ,r4,h4,a4 & ! ,corps ( ,royal ,eng9e]s & ,/ansfield1 ! big fat ,infantry ,s]geant4 ,8 little si/]1 already tuck$ up 9 b$1 0 ne>ly asleep4 ,b\dru _h be5 all[$ to /ay up till ,s]geant ,/ansfield _h come 9 f duty4 ,! special privilege _h be5 accord$ to ! little ,fr5* boy on ?is1 ! la/ night t ! ,briti% troops 7 to sp5d 9 ! village4 ,b\dru's home 0 9 a portion ( our l9e 9 :i* ! def5ce tr5*es 7 ( ! semi-deta*$ type--!y did n jo9 up ) ! o!r "p ( ! l9e1 & at times ! place 0 di/9ctly unheal?y4 ,sometimes x 0 9 ! h&s ( ! ,huns1 sometimes ! ,briti% ru%$ x1 & held on = a few weeks2 !re _h be5 times :5 x _h be5 occupi$ by bo?1 at o!r times x 0 writt5 on ! squ>$ (ficial maps z no man's l&4 ,x 0 a spot 9 :i* !re 0 always a feel+ ( some?+ dreadful be+ close at h&2 !re 0 an air ( expectancy ab\t x & "o felt !re 0 a m>k$ atmosph]e ( n]ves ab\t4 ,y might be snip$ f ! h\se opposite1 or bl[n out ( ! w9d[s by a sev5te5-in* %ell4 ,y nev] "k4 ,! man :o sold y tobacco ! day be=e might be ly+ /iff 9 ! gutt] next day1 or m probably /ill1 he might be d9+ ) ! ,g]man ,/aff a mile & a half away4 ,all ?is unc]ta9ty1 c\pl$ ) ! fact t ! place 0 full ( spies1 & t valuable in=mation _h be5 f9d+ its way ?r\gh to ! ,g]man l9es1 made ! ,g5]al decide to )draw 8 troops & take up "s tr5*es beh9d x4 ,b\dru sat on ! big arm*air & swung 8 :ite b>e legs defiantly4 ,p]haps x _h bett] be expla9$ t my "l ,b\dru 0 five ye>s old4 ,b\dru go+ to %ut eye8 said ! fat infantry s]geant sugge/ively4 ,! cots are d[n & ! b$s unroll$1 said ! ,r4,h4,a4 man fall+ into ! diction ( ! b>rack-room4 ,no1 said ,b\dru4 ,y mu/ tell me = ! la/ "t ! /ory ab\t ! wick$ ,g]man baby kill] :o 0 turn$ into a pig4 ,! man ( ! guns mu/ tell x1 & ! fat man ( ! infantry %all hide b5ea? ! b$ & make pig %rieks--_m pig %rieks--at ! "t :5 he is kill$4 ,b we %all di/urb little si/] ,elise1 said ! fat s]geant ) visions ( a dismal t5 m9utes w$g$ b5ea? ! small cot & ! floor4 ,elise is n bye-o yet1 pip$ a ?9 voice f :]e two eyes 7 sp>kl+ elfi%ly f a tangle ( gold5 locks4 ,g on1 my ,engli% man--,!re 0 once a big fat baby kill] :o liv$ 9 ,potsdam 444 ,!n ! ,r4,h4,a4 man 7a j\rnali/ by pr(ession1 a duke by incl9ation1 & n[ by de/9y a v clev] gunn]7 began ! fam\s /ory4 ,nev] be=e _h ! tell+ ( t tale be5 giv5 ) su* spl5d\r ( effect4 ,! fat s]geant _h made pig-noises ) multitud9\s yells 9 at lea/ fifte5 diff]5t keys1 & ! little cross-ey$ driv] ( ! ,eng9e]s _h dress$ up 9 a real ,hun helmet & grey coat4 ,! gr& f9ale 9 :i* ! ,eng9e] _h turn$ into a pig on all f\rs & _h be5 m]cilessly put to dea? ) ! fat s]geant's bayonet1 _h fill$ ,b\dru's s\l ) joy4 ,he reflect$ & gloat$ on ! sc5e f> into ! night4 ,!n he fell fa/ asleep & met ) mo/ dazzl+ adv5tures ) a ,g]man soldi] :o _h be5 hid+ 9 ! ,jacobean oak *e/ ) ! fleur-de-lis c>v$ on ! side1 :i* /&s b5ea? ! bulgy lead$ w9d[4 ,z a grey & wret*$ dawn came 9 ) a cold & dispirit+ ra9 !re came to ! e>s ( little ,b\dru ! /eady *amp+ ( m>*+ feet 9 ! /reet bel[4 ,slu%1 slu%1 slu% w5t all ^? feet1 beat+ ! muddy road1 & !n ! noise ( metal on metal woke ! sil5t village /reets z ! guns w5t by4 ,! soldi]s6 ,! soldi]s6 exclaim$ ,b\dru z he b\nd$ ov] & jump$ on to ! ,jacobean *e/ to wat* !m pass4 ,x 0 fat$ t !y 7 ! la/ ,engli% soldi]s t ,b\dru w\ld ev] see4 ,"s weeks lat] ,b\dru's "m 0 busy ) odd jobs 9 ! kit*5 g>d5 & ! *ildr5 7 play+ 9 ! front room1 !re 0 a r+ at ! door & ! s\nd ( a butt-end ( a rifle1 z x gr\nd$ on ! cobble /ones4 ,:5 ,b\dru on tiptoe lift$ ! lat*1 ! door swung op51 & a big man 9 a gre5i% uni=m /ood be=e him4 ,!re 0 no sign ( cap-badge or title on 8 %\ld] /raps1 & he 0 horribly dirty4 ,he c>ri$ two ,engli% ration bags1 besides 8 own rucksack1 & !y 7 all fill$ to bur/+ ) loot4 ,evil beam$ f 8 n>r[1 le]+ eyes2 & :5 he smil$ at ,b\dru x twirl$ 8 demon-l m\? into a grotesque %ape4 ,he look$ bo? deprav$ & suspici\s1 a disreputable sc\ndrel ) a gun1 & t1 y w f9d 9 ! fullness ( "t1 0 j :at he 04 ,let u %ut ! door1 said ,elise4 ,?is is n a pretty man4 ,b ! man f ,/ett9 pu%$ pa/4 ,brat2 said he1 dr9k4 ,b\dru's "m _h hurri$ up to ! door z fa/ z h] bulk & h] /\t legs w\ld p]mit4 ,e day %e _h expect$ a visit f ! ,huns4 ,x 0 useless to argue ) su* a man1 s %e took ! ,g]man 94 ,br&y1 said ! man4 ,!re is only a little left 444 x is ov] !re1 on ! sidebo>d4 ,! soldi] walk$ ov]1 f9i%$ half a bottle1 & ann\nc$ t x 0 l wat]4 ,m1 he ord]$1 ,%oot y if no f9d4 ,! woman at la/ manag$ to une>? a bottle ( good ,burgundy & ano!r bottle ( br&y4 ,he drank bo? ! bottles1 & :5 he _h f9i%$1 he ask$ = m l e o!r ,bo*e w d4 ,!n he *ose ! front b$room & ?rew himself d[n on ! b$ 9 a drunk5 sleep4 ,:5 ! next morn+ broke ! ,fr5* woman w5t to awak5 ! ?ief & :ile ! latt] 0 mak+ 8 toilet little ,b\dru ent]$4 ,he reg>d$ ! ,hun ) gravity = at lea/ five m9utes & !n deliv]$ himself ( 8 op9ion4 ,i don't l y1 he said sl[ly1 reg>d+ ! ,hun1 ) 8 elfi% eyes4 ,i don't l y4 ,i ?9k y may be l ! man 9 ! ,engli% soldi]s' /ory1 :o turn$ into a pig--a baby kill] p]haps4 ,x is because ( y\r r$ hair t ,i ?9k y may turn 444 ,! man f ,/ett9 :o _h be5 try+ to drag a comb ?r\gh 8 horrible be>d & hair1 turn$1 & he look$ l a big r$ devil1 ! sun be+ on 8 head1 & r$ be>d & all4 ,:at's t8 he said1 z he lur*$ om9\sly across ! room4 ,he _h swall[$ ! cont5ts ( a flask ( ,b5$ict9e :i* he _h tak5 f 8 rucksack1 & ! repeat$ dr9ks 7 tak+ effect4 ,i'll sweep ! h\se1 s !re isn't a bug 9 a blanket left--y damn$ brat6 ,he 0 bell[+ l a bull1 *ew+ 8 r$ be>d & mutt]+ to himself4 ,z he pass$ a table1 he knock$ ! empty flask on ! floor4 ,x did n break1 & he vici\sly /amp$ 8 feet on x1 sma%+ x to pieces4 ,he began to g mad f t mom5t4 ,z he kick$ ! wreckage ab\t ! room1 8 glance fell ^u 8 rifle ) ! fix$ bayonet4 ,& !n ! sw9e-dog ran amok4 ,b\dru /ood ) 8 back to ! door3 ! blood froze 9 8 ve9s1 & 8 little body /iff5$ into absolute rigidity4 ,turn into a pig6 %riek$ ! ,hun4 ,:at did y say8 ,turn into 444 ,! bayonet fla%$1 & little ,b\dru--b :at foll[$ %all n be pr9t$4 ,x w\ld be pass+ ! dec5t b\nds ( descriptive writ+ to put x 9 black & :ite4 ,x is suffici5t to say t "s m9utes lat] ! ,hun pris$ ! floor-bo>ds up ) 8 bayonet1 & ,b\dru1 f t mom5t1 )\t w>n+1 or leav+ any trace1 disappe>$ f ! _w4 ,he return$ 9 ! fullness ( "t4 ,& ?is 0 ! way ( x4 ,= ! hundr$? "t t day1 ! ,hun _h gone into ! b$room to look out ( ! bulgy b$room w9d[4 ,fe> began to come ov] him )\t any w>n+1 & he 0 ?9k+ ( little ,b\dru d[n !re 9 ! d>k4 ,! ?+ )9 him t s]v$ him = a he>t 0 beat+ que] rhy?ms 444 ! beat+ s\nd$ l a regim5t ( ,briti% ,infantry on ! m>*4 ,look1 said he to ! h\sewife1 look out on ! road4 ,d y see soldi]s8 ,! good woman1 di/raught betwe5 susp5se & hope = h] little "o1 :o _h be5 miss+ = six long h\rs1 bl9k$ away a te> on h] la%es & pe]$ ?r\gh ! diamond panes4 ,no "o 0 to be se54 ,b betwe5 ?ree & f\r 9 ! morn+ ! fir/ fa9t *amp+ ( m>*+ feet c\ld be he>d & ! ,hun came d[n f ! b$room look+ z pale z dea?4 ,he op5$ ! door & /ood !re li/5+4 ,! insol5t crun*1 crun*1 crun* ( heavy nail-/udd$ s]vice boots came ne>]1 & a khaki column appe>$ on ! w9d+ road4 ,! h\sewife1 ^: a*+ eyes _h se>*$ ! road = ,b\dru all day1 saw !m too4 ,look1 %e cri$1 look6 ,! ,engli% soldi]s are com+4 ,d y see8 ,!y 7 com+6 ,! man f ,/ett9 ru%$ up to ! b$room1 & jump$ into ! oak *e/4 ,n tell ! ,engli%6 ,n tell6 ,fifte5 or tw5ty soldi]s 7 to be he>d gr\nd+ rifles & ?r[+ (f _! equipm5t 9 front ( ! h\se4 ,ent]$ "h ,s]geant ,/ansfield1 & %\t$ gaily to ! h\sewife1 b ! mom5t he look$ into h] pale & worn face he und]/ood t "s sorr[ _h befall5 h]4 ,be=e he c\ld hold h] %e _h slid sil5tly d[n on ! floor1 at 8 feet1 & cov]$ h] face4 ,ah1--ah1--ah6 ,o ,god1 help & pity me6 ,!y h tak5 my little son1 %e cri$4 ,at ?is mom5t a soldi] ru%$ 9 at ! door4 ,i ?9k !re is a man :o looks l a ,bo*e try+ to get out ( ! b$room w9d[6 he said4 ,w y come1 ,s]geant8 ,quick6 ,! s]geant w5t quickly1 & return$ ) "s m5 ) fix$ bayonets & l$ !m up to ! b$room3 ,he told !m to break 94 ,! man 0 on 8 knees1 ) 8 horrible h&s lift$ up 9 supplication4 ,! soldi]s kick$ ! man up & made him g d[n/airs into ! front room4 ,see6 said a soldi]1 :o held 8 bayonet ready1 !re is blood on 8 sleeve4 ,! ,hun curs$ )9 8 he>t4 ,x 0 none ( my %$d+1 he :imp]$4 ,i _h n said s1 return$ ! s]geant quietly4 ,we are "h to f9d t out4 ,p]haps y "k some?+ ab\t ! lo/ *ild8 ,i _h no h& 9 x1 ,god /rike me dead6 ! ,hun answ]$ f]v5tly4 ,at t mom5t !re 0 a sort ( e>?quake up/airs1 a cla% ( fall+ bricks & slates1 a cra%+ p&emonium t s5t ev]yone's he>t to 8 m\?4 ,a %ell _h /ruck ! ro(4 ,!n ! ceil+ above bulg$ l a /uff$ sack & bur/ 9 a cl\d ( p9k-yell[ du/4 ,some?+ dropp$ ) a dead ?ud fair & squ>e 9 ! c5tre ( ! f9e oak refectory table4 ,s]geant ,/ansfield b5t =w>d1 look$1 & !n />t$ back4 ,he gave a cry & turn$ sickly :ite4 ,on ! table lay ! little huddl$ =m ( ,b\dru4 ,! morn+ sun t _h be5 pal+ ! c&les 9 ! sconces1 /ruck ! gold5 hair & />+ eyes1 t _h a few h\rs be=e1 held all ! spr+-"t2 /ruck1 too1 a heavy sc>let pat* on ! little ov]all1 z ! s]geant t5d]ly turn$ ! little body ov]4444 ,oh6 ,god ( ,m]cy6444 ,h[ horrible6 ,a bayonet ?r\gh 8 he>t 444 he mutt]$4 ,! ,hun's sleeve spott$ ) blood came back to 8 m9d1 & fill$ him ) bl9d1 unreason+ rage4 ,y sw9e1 he said4 ,i'll---- ,! man f ,/ett9 sudd5ly felt 8 he>t /op beat+4 ,he /ood petrifi$ = a mom5t2 !n he clut*$ ! table ) "o fev]i% movem5t2 & :5 he saw ! pale *]ub face1 he became cov]$ at once ) p]spiration4 ,!n ! t]ror1 :i* _h p>alyz$ him a second or s1 gave way to ! wild in/9ct ( self-pres]vation4 ,he hit out wildly ) bo? arms1 kick+ out at ! same mom5t4 ,9 a second he 0 out 9 ! hall1 & _h lock$ ! door beh9d him4 ,a door op5$ some:]e outside1 & !y he>d him runn+ d[n ! g>d54 ,"s ( ! m5 snat*$ _! rifles1 ru%$ to ! w9d[1 & ?rew x op54 ,f\r or five %ots rang out simultane\sly1 & ! /5* ( cordite 0 waft$ back on ! %>p morn+ air z ! man f ,/ett9 fell 9 a crumpl$ heap1 8 face buri$ 9 a clump ( violets4 ,! s]geant w5t into ! g>d54 ,hum6 he rem>k$ aft] an in/ant1 dead1 did y say8 ,he's z dead z a doornail 444 anyway1 x's no?+ to d ) u6 ,if ev] a s\l w5t /raight to hell1 he mutt]$ to himself1 x 0 t r$ devil's4 ,,iv ,,! ,,/ory ,,( ,a ,,spy ,donald ,mc,nab1 private 7& di/+ui%$ ornam5t7 ( ! ,london ,regim5t1 lean$ 8 elb[s on ! little oak table 9 ! b> ( ! ,?ree ,nuns1 & ey$ me ) )]+ contempt4 ,f a corn] ( ! settle ,i />$--) a :olly unsuccessful attempt to look unconc]n$--at a qua9t old pa9t+ ( ,s]geant ,br\ghton :o fir/ taught ,engli%m5 to box sci5tifically4 ,:5 ! great are really wra?ful x ill becomes pigmy p to jabb] or argue4 ,s ,i wait$ ) b5t head & respectful sil5ce to :i* ! pass+ moods ( su* an erratic g5ius are entitl$4 ,:5 ,mc,nab & ,i _h met an h\r or s be=e we _h be5 on ! mo/ fri5dly t]ms4 ,we _h bo? ord]$ our p9t ( be]1 fill$ our pipes1 & retir$ to a corn] 9 ! b> p>l\r feel+ at peace ) ! _w--b>r+ ( c\rse ! ,g]man ,empire & _! alli$ =ces4 ,ev]y?+1 9 fact1 made = peace & goodwill betwe5 u2 yet1 because ,i _h spok5 ) "s levity ab\t our incomplete spy sy/em1 ,mc,nab's wra? _h come d[n on my head l ! prov]bial hundr$ ( bricks4 ,x seems /range1 ,i _h rem>k$ to him1 t ! ,huns c always =e/all our mo/ c>efully-prep>$ plans ?r\gh _! almo/ p]fect spy sy/em4 ,our fell[s mu/ be dead /upid at ! game4 ,:y ar5't ^! ,g]man vip]s ev] nabb$8 ,dead /upid6 ,mc,nab _h exclaim$1 aft] gaz+ at me = a m9ute 9 daz$ /upefaction at my unspeakable tem]ity 9 *all5g+ ! pr(ici5cy ( ! ,briti% ,army4 ,get "u y\r ,blanco pot6 ,n[1 :5 ,mc,nab us$ ?is picturesque t]m to me ,i knew t !re 0 a /orm brew+4 ,he only us$ ! expression :5 he wi%$ to be p>ticul>ly cutt+1 & ,i receiv$ 8 repro( )1 ,i hope1 a correct realisation ( my own insignificance4 ,! old _w _h roll$ along = ano!r tw5ty m9utes ere ,mc,nab %ift$ 8 legs1 cle>$ 8 ?roat1 & int]f]$ ) :at 0 left 9 8 tank>d4 ,i wond]1 he said mus+ly to himself1 if ^! poor yobs ov] "h w ev] "k ! true 'i/ory ( ?is bloom9' w>8 ,!n back came a smile to 8 face & he %ook 8 head1 indicat+1 p]haps1 t he _h answ]$ ! "q to 8 complete satisfaction4 ,! joy\sness at ! ?\ght ( "s ( ^? unrecord$ slices ( milit>y hi/ory caus$ my fri5d to drop aga9 into a contemplative mood1 & he />t$ humm+ a little tune "u 8 brea?3 ,hello6 ,hello6 :o's y\r lady fri5d8 ,:o's ! little girlie by y\r side8 ,i've se5 y ) a girl or two1 ,oh1 oh1 oh1 ,i ,,am surpris$ at y6 ,hello6 ,hello6 :at's y\r little game8 ,don't y ?9k x's "t y\r ways to m5d8 ,t's n ! gal ,i saw y ) at ,brighton1 ,oh1 oh1 oh1 :o's y\r lady fri5d8 ,if x is n a rude "q1 ,i v5tur$1 aft] ano!r few mom5ts1 did y ev] see ! capture ( a ,g]man spy ov] 9 ,france1 ,mr4 ,mc,nab8 ,:o are y gett+ at 444 try+ to pull my leg8 he dem&$1 ) increas$ suspicion4 ,come1 come1 ,i laugh$1 let u agree to diff] ab\t our--er--inf]ior spy sy/em4 ,sup]ior1 he insi/$4 ,i surr5d]$ be=e ! gleam ( 8 eye4 ,fool t ,i _h be51 ev] to h imag9$ t ,i c\ld conqu] ,mc,nab's /eely glance6 ,sup]ior !n1 if y pref] x4 ,mc,nab's eyes1 :i* _h gl>$ ) indignation1 lo/ _! fire & assum$ _! normal expression ( calm & rel5tless despotism1 & ! r$ flag ( agitat$ displeasure disappe>$ f 8 tann$ face4 ,he seiz$ ) alacrity ! olive bran* 7also ano!r tank>d ( be]7 :i* ,i held out to him4 ,! hi/ory ( ! ,briti% ,army1 he obs]v$ z he blew at 8 ale 'm9ds me ( a m>ri$ soldi]'s lett] to 8 wife4 ,! mo/ int]e/+ p>ts are all left out 444 d y get me8 ,mc,nab tilt$ 8 hat at a p]il\s angle on "o side ( 8 head1 & ?ru/ 8 h&s deep into 8 pockets4 ,t\*+ ^u "s ( ^? unwritt5 exploits ( ! ,army1 ,i d>kly h9t$3 ,i'll bet ,i c f9d a brilliant hi/oriograph] n a hundr$ miles away f ! ',?ree ,nuns' :o c\ld dictate a few ( 'em t w\ld fairly make ! ,daily ,mail turn gre5 ) envy--eh1 ,mc,nab8 ,i "k ! brilliant bloke y mean1 my fri5d conc$$ mode/ly1 ?\gh call+ me 'orrible names l t w\ld br& y z a swank] or a g5tleman wot _h left 8 mann]s 9 ! hall 9 any b>rack room f "h to ,h9du/an4 ,:5 we 7 re/+ at ,quality ,/reet ne> ,loos1 = example--he paus$ a mom5t1 & ) a playful dig f 8 banana-l ?umb ne>ly knock$ me on ! floor--:y1 "n ( a dog6 ,!re y h a case 9 po9t6 ,a case ( a swank]8 ,a case ( "o ( ^? spies4 ,we caught ! p]i%]4 ,begad1 we did6 ,mc,nab put ! r$-hot end ( a cig>ette into 8 m\?1 /amm]$ ) wra? 9 a m$ley ( int]national pr(anity at ! unexpect$ w>m?1 & w\ld n be com=t$ till 8 fav\rite b>maid _h plac$ a slice ( cool+ lemon on 8 tongue4 ,my fir/ introduction to ! ent]ta9+ sport ( spy track+1 he mumbl$1 0 at ,loos1 :]e ,i 0 s5t ) sev]al hundr$ o!r *aps to help pu% ! ,huns out ( ! ,hoh5zoll]n ,r$\bt4 ,at ! pres5t mom5t1 z y "k 7or ought to by ?is "t71 ,i am a milit>y g5ius 'ighly ?\ght ( at ! ,w> ,(fice1 a /rategi/ ,kit*5] has 8 eye on1 & a model soldi] quot$ e day by my colonel z a %9+ light to ! regim5t4 ,b ( c\rse y mu/ rememb] t a few mon?s ago ,i 0 practically a yob at ! game1 & n[ ( ! fame 7& ! extreme %yness t seems to come ) x7 ( my lat] avat>4 ,we took ov] "s tempor>y billets at a %ady little spot n f> beh9d ! ,briti% tr5*es :i* 0 !n kn[n z ',quality ,/reet1' he cont9u$1 &1 z ,i n unreasonably suppos$ t ! sm>te/ & mo/ intellig5t bloke 9 ! regim5t w\ld be s5t to 'elp ! colonel1 ,i reque/$ ! ,dog's ,leg 7,anglice--lance-corporal7 to po9t out 8 abode to me4 ',ask ! ,qu>t] ,bloke ov] along 9 ! end cottage1 old sport1' he said ) a gr91 'he'll be mo/ 'appy1 ,i've no d\bt to p]sonally conduct to ! old pot-an-pan1 & :ile y're !re j ask him to let y h t jug ( default]s' extra milk = me4' ,x 0 a ':eeze' among ! boys to s5d a poor innoc5t bloke (f = ?is milk4 ,! po9t ( ! ':eeze' is 9 ! fact t z default]s are *aps do+ jank]s 7,anglice--puni%m5t7 !y are h>dly likely to get any extra milk di%$ out to !m4 ,i did n see ! joke at fir/2 b on application to t autocratic begg>--,qu>t]ma/] ,k+ 0 8 tally--he fully expla9$ ?+s to me 9 t )]+ly s>ca/ic mann] peculi> to s]geant-majors & qu>t]-blokes4 ',default]'s milk8' e*o$ he4 ',:y1 y lop-e>$ lep]1 y've got corpuscul> fool wrote z pla9 z a motor lorry numb] all ov] y\r ugly face4 ,if ,i wasn't sure t y 0 n m ( a born idiot ?an a ruddy knave1 etc41 etc41 etc41 ,i w\ld h y slick 9 mu% be=e y\r feet c\ld t\* ! gr\nd6' ,mu* cre/-fall51 & t]ribly mortifi$1 ,i return$ to ! cottage :i* _h be5 select$ to %elt] me noble self1 only to be met !re ) a volley ( d]isive laught]1 repeat$ dem&s = ! jug ( ,default]'s milk1 & que/ions ab\t ! qu>t] bloke's heal?4 ',a cat may look at a ,k+1' said ! ,dog's ,leg1 & fell backw>ds out ( ! op5 w9d[ at 8 own joke1 break+ 'is coll> bone4 ,"o %\ld nev] =get1 at e "t1 z ! ,scriptures say1 t pride allus goes be=e a fall1 & t all ! ,k+'s 'orses & all ! ,k+'s m5 c't n ev5 pick 'im up aga96 ,my murmur$ complim5ts on 8 amaz+ aptness 9 ! k ( ,holy ,writ 7 *eck$ by a sudd5 discov]y t my be/ silv] cig>ette case _h vani%$ f ! table4 ,:i* ( y civilians has /ole ! g5tleman's silv] case8 ,?is "q1 utt]$ n 9 ! fri5dlie/ possible t]ms1 0 address$ to a "y g5tleman ) a v pimply face1 & kaleidoscopic col\r$ socks1 ( ! g5us ,slack]1 :o _h sudd5ly f\nd ! pa9t+ ( ,s]geant ,br\ghton an object ( absorb+ int]e/4 ,?is inquiry meet+ ) no response f ! ,slimy ,slack]1 7to use ,mc,nab's expressive "n = him71 he gave utt]ance to a sigh ( resignation4 ,i believe1 sir1 sugge/$ an old g5tleman :o 0 w>m+ 8 toes at ! fire1 t y deposit$ ! g5tleman's cig>ette case--er--inadv]t5tly 9 y\r own pocket6 ,:y1 /rike me crimson6 cri$ ,mc,nab1 div+ 8 beef-/eaki% h&s into 8 tunic pockets4 ,:y1 s ,i did6 ,i'm ! bigge/ giddy fool at t k9d ( :eeze t ev] liv$4 ,x's a knock-out1 a9't x8 ,nev] m9d--'honi soit qui mal y eighte5 p5ce1' z ! ,fr5* poet bloke said6 ,x s happ5$ t on ! v next day our old man's s]vant w5t sick1 & 9 spite ( my extreme y\? & innoc5ce1 ,i 0 select$ f ! cr[d to fill ! vacant billet4 ,& !n x 0 t ! ,colonel realis$ t fate _h dropp$ a heav5-s5t bless+ on 8 knees 9 ! %ape ( a--well1 9 ! %ape ( an +5i\s bloke l me4 ,he lift$ up 8 voice 9 ?anksgiv+ = t ! ,briti% ,army held w>riors s wise1 & !n look$ up 8 :iskey & cig>s4 ,at "o end ( ,quality ,/reet !re /ood a ,y4,m4,c4,a4 hut4 ,on ! next day :5 ,i pu%$ ! door ( ?is ,bun-,wallah's p>adise op51 ! fir/ p]son ,i saw 0 old ,tommy--,tommy wot _h f\ght up & d[n ! ,god=sak5 veldt ) me = ?ree ye>s on end1 ,tommy :o _h always ! knack ( dropp9' out ( ! blue f n[h]e4 ',well1 'ere's a g6' he cri$ dropp+ half a cup ( boil+ c(fee d[n ano!r *ap's neck1 z 'is smile broad5$1 'x's a 'ell ( a "t s9ce ,i /ruck y4' ,i saw ! dawn ( recognition on 8 ugly mug2 & ,i c\ld h guess$ to a ^w ! joyful expressions ( welcome t 7 spr++ to 8 lips4 ,mc,nab paus$4 ,q s1 ,i prompt$1 see+ ! *ange t took place 9 my fri5d's face4 ,i am afraid ,i %\ld h guess$ dead wrong1 cont9u$ ,mc,nab ) 8 eyes d[nca/4 ,h[ev]1 :at he did spit out 03 '/rike me up a gum-tree if x a9't ! bloke :at borr[$ 'alf a cr[n (f me :5 ,i 0 qu>t]$ at ! ,%ot 9 '#ih4' ,i 0 pretty well work$ up at ?is rem>k2 b ,i said to him ) quiet dignity3 ',i believe1 ,tommy1 t ,i s5t x back by po/4' ',y s5t me back a ?reep5ny bit1' he says1 ) a v naughty ^w1 '& told me x 0 my 'alf cr[n worn d[n4' ',come1 come1 old *um6' ,i laugh$1 'let u =get all ab\t t1 su* a ?+ is really only v small be] inde$4' ',humph6' grunt$ ,tommy4 ',x 0 a blight$ small 'alf cr[n1 too4' ',sit d[n1' he cont9u$1 clut*+ me by ! wri/ & dragg+ me into a vacant *air4 ,x 0 n 9 *ampagne1 ( c\rse1 t we drank ea* o!r's heal?4 ,b y c always tru/ old ,tommy to h a little pig's e> hidd5 some:]e4 ',:at's ! matt] ) a bottle ( ,bass8' says he to me4 '',tis aga9/ ole ,kit*5]'s wi%es1' says ,i4 ',( c\rse x is1' says ,tommy2 '& wot is m1 x's ! ru9 ( de> ole ,engl&--,god bless x6' ',rot y> inn>ds--let's g & 'ave "s1' ,i says be9' always "o to reason out matt]s to a logical conclusion4 ,!re is a l>ge slag heap 9 ! neighb\rhood ( ,quality ,/reet :]e ! ,fr5* & ,g]mans met e>ly 9 ! w>4 ,!y want$ ea* o!r's company exclusive on ?is "h heap4 ,well1 !y met1 & fell to argu9' :e!r ! ,fr5* %\ld 'ave x z a m\nt+ = a few ma*9e-guns or ! ,g]mans %\ld keep x = snip+ purposes4 ,h5ce ! air 0 soon cl\d$ ) %ells1 %rapnel1 & all o!r deadly diseases4 ,see+ ! *ildr5 _h got ov] _! %yness 9 ?is little fright & _h really play$ q a good game1 ?is p>ticul> slag heap 0 be>+ abundant fruit 9 ! way ( trophies4 ,fur!rmore1 ,tommy sugge/$ t x w\ld be inde$ nice if we c\ld make our way !re "o ev5+ & collect a few ,g]man helmets1 bayonets1 & o!r curiosities = ! old p at home4 ,z a result ( our confabulation we f\nd ourselves ab\t t5 t night crawl+ up a h$ge t[>ds ! slag heap 9 "q4 ,:5 we did get !re we w5t & lo/ our blight$ selves4 ,h[ long we 7 crawl+ & twi/+ ab\t t ,gawd-=sak5 heap or :i* way our l9es lay ,i'd no means ( kn[+4 ,b poor old ,tommy roll$ d[n a bank ) an armful ( ,g]man helmets & o!r trophies1 mak+ a noise l a fire eng9e gallop+ up ! ,mile ,end ,road4 ,!n sudd5ly "o ( ^? ,g]man fl>es fell on ! gr\nd ab\t a hundr$ y>ds away1 & all ?+s1 includ+ ,tommy & ,i1 %one out 9 _! nak$ spl5d\r4 ,!n y c take x f me we did see :]e we 74 ,i ?\ght ,tommy 0 hav+ a bad attack ( epileptic fits = a mom5t1 till x transpir$ t he _h flump$ d[n on a dead ,bo*e 9 endeav\r+ to escape ! se>*+ gl>e ( ! fl>e4 ,aft] ! ?+ _h burnt its giddy self out ,tommy crawl$ crab-fa%ion ov] into ! provid5tial cutt+ 9 :i* ,i _h tak5 %elt]4 ,he 0 wip+ 8 =ehead ) ! back ( 8 h&1 & he look$ v solemn & r fright5$4 ',did y spot t *ap cr\*+ 9 t ,v-%ap$ cutt+ d[n !re8' he said4 ',i ?\ght he 0 "o ( our old cr[d at fir/1 b :at ) t curs$ light & ! excitem5t ,i c\ld n be c]ta94' ',i saw no?+4' ',j be=e ! fl>e w5t up ,i notic$ a fla% lamp2 "o ( ^? ?+s us$ to give signals )4 ,i got an awful turn !n4' ',rot1' ,i said3 ',i don't believe a ^w ( x4' ',d y m9d com+ ov] ?is way !n8' said ,tommy4 ,9 ! pit*-black d>kness1 guid$ by ,tommy1 ,i /umbl$ up a pa? :i* ,i'll swe> 0 all ( a "o 9 ?ree gradi5t4 ,we came out ^u a little l$ge ov]look+ :at we n[ knew to be ! ,g]man l9es4 ,tommy motion$ me to keep my eye on ! ,v-%ap$ cutt+ 9 ! slag bel[ u4 ',i ?9k ! begg> is d[n 9 ! extreme angle ( ! ,v1' he :isp]$ z he crawl$ beside me4 ,!n ,i ov]balanc$1 fell ov] ! ridge1 & dropp$ clean on to some?+ s(t & yield+ bel[4 ,r$ specks dott$ ! blackness be=e my eyes = a few mom5ts z ,i b\nc$ on ! h>d /ones4 ,i jump$ up ) a j]k & spun r\nd to f9d1 block+ my pa?1 a m5ac+ figure reg>d+ me ov] ! b>rel ( a ,br[n+ pi/ol4 ,9 ! o!r h& he held an electric tor*4 ',don't move1' he said 9 good ,engli%4 ,8 tone 0 quiet & crisp1 an' 8 face %[$ me t 'e 0 out = blood4 ',i h x 9 my m9d almo/ to be sorry = y1 ,briti% ,tommy1' he said calmly1 ',y "k too mu*4 ,i am go+ to decide on ! be/ way to dis----' ,he got z f> z 'dis'--:5 some?+ leap$ out ( ! %ad[s & he 0 hurl$ back ) a sudd5 ru%4 ,x 0 ,tommy1 & he swung 8 heavy ,bo*e rifle & /ove ! man d[n ) t]rific =ce4 ,!re 0 a dreadful half-*ok$1 :imp] & !n sil5ce4 ,tommy /ood reg>d+ ! /ill =m ) a blea*$ face4 ,he !n b5t ov] him1 b )\t t\*+1 look$ up at me4 ',sav$ a fir+ p>ty ! tr\ble1' he said4 ',he's dead all "r4' ,he /raight5$ himself up4 ',:at ! devil %all we d ) x1 ,mc,nab8' '',tis a spy he 01' ,i answ]$1 '& x's t5 to "o t he has a code or "s k9d ( pap]s tuck$ away on him4 ,j run ?r\gh 8 pockets be=e we leave him4' ',no1 no1' ,tommy said1 ',i c't t\* him he'll haunt me1 sure4' ,! man 0 q dead :5 ,i roll$ him ov]4 ,i took f 8 pockets a lea!r b\nd code book1 ,engli%1 ,fr5* & ,g]man bank notes1 & a gold /op wat*4 ',no good /ay9' "h1' said ,tommy1 ',i vote we crawl back & talk x ov]4 ,?is is a crummy old place4' ,:5 we got back to billets & exam9$ our loot1 x 0 a sure en\gh ,g]man spy's code book1 & x conta9$ a r\gh sket* ( all our tr5*es & :at n1 q suffici5t to use 9 conjunction ) ! squ>$ map he c>ri$4 ,! book 0 pr9t$ 9 ,g]man4 ',y "k1' said ,tommy1 'we mu/ report ?is to ! ,colonel z soon z we c4' ',an' be coll>$ = be+ out at night )\t a pass fir/ ?+8 ,n mu*1' said ,i4 ',we mu/ hide ?is loot4 ,!y may se>* u :5 !y f9d him out !re1' said ,tommy1 look+ to ! future4 ',hide away1 !n1' ,i said1 b my m9d 0 else:]e1 = all ( a sudd51 ,i _h be5 hit 9 ! eye ) a brilliant inspiration4 ,! foll[+ morn+1 :5 ,i took our ole man 8 e>ly tea1 ,i f\nd 'im sitt+ up 9 b$ suck+ a fat cig> & bewild]9' himself ) ! brigade ord]s4 ',i beg y\r p>don1 sir6' ,i says1 'b may ,i h a ^w ) y8' ',y "k1 ,mc,nab1' he says1 screw+ 8 eye-glass into 8 eye ) a smile--'y "k t ,i am at any h\r ( ! day or night glad to h a talk to a man ( und]/&+ l y\rself4' ',t's good ( y1 ,colonel1' ,i says1 'to meet me ) su* k9dness4 ,b ,i ?9k1 z y say1 t ,i h j a little m ?an ! usual %>e ( intellec' "u my hat1 b :at ,i h come to lay be=e y\r notice is ?is3 ,i h discov]$ :y ! ,bo*e guns always regi/] on our artill]y positions ! mom5t !y are tak5 up1 & ! s\rce ( ! leakage ( in=mation4' ',oh1 y h1 h y8' says he4 '',tis a spy1 sir1' says ,i1 '& x's signall+ to ! ,huns he 0 :5 ,i caught him4' ',ano!r bless$ spy leg5d1' he yawn$1 ',i really ?\ght t y1 ,mc,nab1 w\ld be ! la/ man to become afflict$ ) ! spy craze4 ,i h arre/$ half a doz5 s-call$ spies ?is week already only to f9d !y 7 h>mless ru/ics--' ',i beg y\r p>don1 ,colonel1' ,i returns1 ) t *ill+ dignity :i* has at times ev5 made g5]als falt]1 'b !re is no leg5d ab\t ,private ,mc,nab's spy4' ',!n trot out y\r spy1' he says1 '& ,i'll come & look 'im ov]4' ',i n only caught him r$-h&$ at 8 nef>i\s traffick+ 7!m 0 ! v words ,i us$7 444 ,i n only caught ! blight]1 b ,i put 8 light out4' ',:at8' he %\ts1 clut*+ my arm1 'y kill$ ! poor brute4' ',we did--me & ,tommy1 & we f\nd ?is "h code 9 8 fob1' said ,i4 ,) t ,i ?rew ! little code book on ! b$1 & ! old man1 aft] look+ ?r\gh x c>efully 7he c\ld read ,g]man1 our old man71 got out ( b$ & />t$ dress+ 9 a bus9esslike way4 ',%ut t door1 ,mc,nab1' says he1 '& let me h ! b5efit ( y\r invaluable advice4' ,all ( a sudd5 ,i 0 /ruck ) a brilliant inspiration1 & ,i let ! old ,colonel h x = :at x 0 wor?4 ,z x happ5$ ! old man ?\ght a mighty lot ( x--su* a lot1 9 fact1 t by "o o'clock t day he />t$ to imag9e ! inspiration _h come f 8 own f]tile bra94 ,he lik$ to ?9k t x 0 81 &1 ,"l bless 'im1 ,i don't grudge him ! glory4 ,aft] lay+ our heads toge!r1 ! ,colonel w5t back to ! artill]y l9es & sp5t ?ree h\rs talk+ to ! ,batt]y ,major1 & ,i loot$ a doz5 ?ree-p\nd] rockets ( v>-i-ous col\rs out ( ! /ores4 ,9 ! aft]noon ! ,colonel call$ all 8 (fic]s toge!r1 & kept ! blight$ motorcycle dispat* rid]s busy buzz+ up & d[n ! l9e ) messages1 till late 9 ! ev5+4 ',i h call$ y g5tlem5 toge!r1' he says to 8 (fic]1 '9 ord] to ask y to corporate ) me4 ,i %all fire "s rockets f ! slag heap to-night ab\t t5 o'clock4 ,on ! fir/ ( ^! signals ! ,g]mans w op5 a v heavy cannonade on our tr5*es4 ,i'll tr\ble y to h y\r m5 all 9 ! dug-outs1 & "u cov] at a qu>t] to t56' ,t night1 soon aft] ! ,colonel1 ,tommy & ,i />t$ (f = ! slag heap 9 ! d>k1 tak+ ) u a bundle ( rockets4 ,my idea 0 at la/ go+ to be te/$--:at d y ?9k x 01 ,sir8 ,i discreetly pret5d$ my utt] inability to guess4 ,:y1 no?+ m or less ?an to hoi/ ^! ,g]man blokes ) _! own pet>d1 s to speak4 ,we 7 go+ to fool !m by giv+ !m signals 9 _! own code4 ,well1 aft] /umbl+ & grop+ ab\t = half an h\r1 ,mc,nab cont9u$1 we arriv$ at ! spot ne> :]e we _h ov]look$ ! spy4 ',i ?9k ?is is ! l$ge f :i* ,i fell1' ,tommy :isp]$ z we crawl$ on4 ,! next in/ant ! ,colonel disappe>$1 & ! little procession came to an abrupt /&/ill4 ,a cra%+ noise 0 he>d z ! old man ) a qu>t] ( a ton ( slag w5t toboggan+ d[n ! /one-%od slope4 ',?is is ! spot1' ,tommy said t]sely4 ,& up to u came ho>se :isp]$ curses z our ole man tongue-la%$ u = a full m9ute 9 gross & detail4 ',lie q /ill1 ,colonel1' ,i :isp]$1 '! ,hun sw9e-dogs may s5d up a fl>e if !y he> u4' ,b no fl>e fl>$1 & no snip] snip$4 ',?is game gives me ! bloom+ creeps1' old ,tommy mutt]$ %udd]+ly1 ?9k+ ( ,huns & guns ?ree miles deep all r\nd4 ,aft] t ! ,colonel /ruggl$ cle> ( ! 'alf ton ( slag atop o' him4 ,tommy & ,i w&]$ a little m until we got d[n to ! old man4 ,"h we halt$4 ',"h's ! place :]e we left ! dead spy1' said ,tommy1 8 eyes pe]+ into ! d>kness ( ! ,v-%ap$ cutt+4 ',i c /ill see ,fritz ly+ 9 ! corn]4 ,we _h bett] get "r ov] ?is side4 ,come on6' ',i see1' said ! ,colonel4 ',?is is ! key ( ! position4 ,x ov]looks ! ,g]man tr5*es & :5 ! spy 0 us+ 8 fla% lamp he c\ld n be obs]v$ by ! m5 9 our l9es4' ',good ?+ we %ort-circuit$ 8 little game1' reflect$ ,tommy hugg+ an arm full ( rockets4 ',ah6' says he1 f+]+ ! electric tor*4 ',h[ ?is game ( w> makes "o ?9k4 ,my 'orizon has inde$ broad5$4 ,j to ?9k t a few fla%es f ?is little *ap w mean m ?an all ^? glitt]+ />s above to ! ,g]man fell[s 9 ! tr5*es ov] !re4 ,x's simply ridicul\s to wa/e our little conc]t on a few ,huns 9 ! tr5*es to-night4 ,we mu/ socialise ! :ole bloom+ %[4 ,we mu/ get ! head up ( all ! ,huns = miles ar\nd4 ,let u consult ! code book1' he said1 & !n op5+ x he read out "s ( ! rocket codes4 ,!y all seem$ simple en\gh4 ,b he _h "s difficulty 9 f9d+ ! "o he want$1 hav+ fir/ ( all ( c\rse to translate !m into ,engli%2 b pres5tly he seiz$ ^u ! "o he want$1 he repeat$ x ov] ) delight3 ',two gre5 rockets 9 rapid succession mean3 ,enemy mak+ active prep>ations = (f5sive movem5t & :5 foll[$ aft] a suitable int]val by a s+le r$ rocket1 mean3 ,enemy w attack )\t delay4' ',t\* (f two gre5 rockets1 ,mc,nab1 if y please1' said ! ,colonel ) a tremor 9 8 voice4 ,i t\*$ (f two ?ree-p\nd]s :i* rose sev]al ?\s& y>ds1 & bur/ into bun*es ( gorge\s />s4 ,a fa9t clatt]+ noise came to u f ! ,hun tr5*es1 & we all hugg$ ! e>? fairly closely z a rapid fusillade broke out f all qu>t]s4 ,rifles crack$ all ar\nd u to ! ext5t ( ?\s&s1 & ) t a mo/ impressive humm+ noise1 :i* ,i _h nev] _h ! pleasure ( he>+ be=e1 because be+ a soldi] ,i _h always =m$ a "p ( x--! noise ( :ole armies turn+ out to meet an attack4 ',colonel1' ,i says1 'x may h escap$ y t ! angry & 'ighly intellig5t ,bo*e on our front w soon be s5d+ up _! rockets to confuse our own m54 ,might ,i recomm5d a r$ rocket be=e !y op5 _! "p ( ! ball1 & b5d ! lights6 ,t w spell to 'em3 ,enemy w attack )\t delay1 & x w also exp$ite _! artill]y j a leetle4' ,! ,colonel laid 8 h& on my %\ld]4 ',mc,nab1' says he1 '!re's worse blokes ?an y sitt+ on ?rones4 ,!y %all 'ave t r$ rocket4 ,none ! less1' he rem>k$1 '! situation is und5iably gett+ a bit fev]i%4 ,trot out ,r$ ,rufus6' ,i rightly took ! comm& to read3 ',s5d up a r$ rocket4' ,rufus so>$ up into ! sky & bur/ into a r$ gl>e t simply %\t$3 ',"h !y come aft] y' to ! ,huns4 ',oh-h-h-h-h6' exclaim$ old ,tommy z ! twirly-:irly r$ />s fell ?r\gh ! sky4 ',sil5ce6' said ! old man4 ',?is is ! sangu9>y ,briti% ,exp$ition>y ,=ce1 n a 7decorat$7 ,brock's ,b5efit at ! ,cry/al ,palace4 ,:at 9 ,hong-,kong are y jump+ ab\t l a ri*ly decorat$ organ-gr9d]'s monkey =8' ,! ,huns grasp$ ! mean+ ( _! dead spy's signal z soon z x %[$ 9 ! heav5s1 s to speak4 ,we lay belly-flat & held our brea?s = a mom5t or s 9 sil5ce1 b we 7 ab\t ! only sil5t ?+s = a hundr$ miles4 ,fl>es w5t up by ! ?\s& & se>*lights cut up ! sky 9 e direction4 ,all k9ds ( my/]i\s guns got into action & all ! batt]ies = a hundr$ miles mu/ h let drive z well4 ,f !n on1 = at lea/ two h\rs1 ! %ells p\r$ excruciat+-wise into our des]t$ tr5*es )\t cessation1--%rapnel1 high explosive1 six in*1 twelve in*--?\s&s ( p\nds ! ,huns wa/$ t night4 ,i wi% y c\ld h se5 ,tommy b[+ to "r & left ( ! ,g]man tr5*es ackn[l$g+ ! applause :i* ! ,huns w\ld h giv5 him if !y'd kn[n ! facts4 ,on ! o!r h&1 z ! ,colonel obs]v$1 !y might 'ave kill$ him4 ',!y'll h to pull up _! socks at ,krupp's to replace ! %ells !y h blaz$ away 9 ?is little pantomime1' said ,tommy press+ 8 h&s to 8 sides4 ',/> programme--heap big /> programme6 ,phew6 ,oh1 ,i wi% ,i c\ld /op laugh+1 ,i a9't 'ad su* a laugh = ye>s6' ',& 9 ?is little code book "h1' said ! old man1 a h& on ea* ( our %\ld]s1 '!re are hundr$s ( little love messages we c be gett+ ready to surprise 'em )4 ,pres5tly we'll beg9 to s5d 'em in/ructions to conc5trate _! fire on empty h\ses--tell 'em !y are *ock-full ( ,briti% troops4 ,!n !y'll fairly let loose ! b[-y[s ( w>4 ,damme1 h[ _! gunn]s w gun6 ,oblige me by ?9k+ ( f\r hundr$ guns1 pump+ val-u-able %ells into an empty h\se4' ,! exquisite hum\r ( x br\ght u d[n scream+ ) laught] 9 a tangle on ! slag-heap4 ,a se>*light broke out f ! back ( ! ,hun tr5*es & began se>*+ our l9es4 ',!y're look+ = our attack+ p>ty1 or ! ,angels ( ,mons1' pant$ ! old man1 8 knees 9 a %ell hole & 8 face 9 ! grass4 ',well1 let's get our ?+s pack$ & hurry back4 ,i ?9k !y h s5t back = a fre% supply ( %ells4 ,! soon] we get out ( x ! bett]4 ,suffici5t unto ! day--or night1 p]haps "o %\ld say4' ,well1 x's dry "w talk+1 said ,mc,nab1 wi/fully survey+ ! int]ior ( 8 empty mug4 ,i took measures--p9t measures--to allay 8 ?ir/4 ,let me see n[1 he said2 let me see4 ,& did y d any signall+ ) ! fla% lamp ! next night8 ,i timidly h9t$1 ,i believe y m5tion$ t x 0 y\r int5tion4 ,yes1 we did h "s fun1 ,i c tell y1 & 'twas bett] /ill next night4 ,once m we return$1 to ! slag-heap1 !n1 ,mc,nab swept on1 we />t$ to fla% a few messages ov] to ! ,g]man l9es4 ,!y soon pick$ up our signals & aft] a brief int]rogation !y repli$4 ,!n !y />t$ to ask que/ions4 ',at :i* "p ( ! ,briti% l9e w\ld x be wise to laun* an attack8' !y fla%$4 ,& our old man fla%$ back a tr5* t 0 fairly bri/ly ) ma*9e guns4 ,!n !y ask$ o!r que/ions1 b we did n reply4 ,we laid l[ & said no?+1 = y c take x f me1 mi/]1 t a real spy is a man ( few words1 & play+ ) a fla%light 9 enemy l9es is n exactly a heal?y game4 ,_h we h signall$ too freely ! ,huns w\ld h soon become suspici\s1 =1 m>k y1 ! fl>es t we _h popp$ (f at 'em ! night be=e _h left 'em ) an uncom=table feel+ t _! spy 0 tak+ q unreasonable risks4 ,x is ( c\rse mo/ unusual = a spy to make use ( rocket signals4 ,d ,i make myself compreh5sible8 ,p]fectly4 ,did ! ,huns attack8 ,i ask$4 ,mc,nab nodd$4 ,!y attack$ u ?ree days aft]w>ds at five o'clock 9 ! morn+4 ,x 0 l a nightm>e4 ,! ,g]mans came on1 evid5tly ?9k+ !y 7 on a s(t job1 & y c realize :at a wond]ful t>get !y made = ! gunn]s :o _h be5 wait+ = 'em4 ,su* a t>get t gunn]s dream ab\t b nev] see4 ,we _h "s eighte5-&-a-'arf-p\nd]s n five hundr$ y>ds away1 & !y let g "r into ! ?ick ( 'em4 ,& ea* case %ot ) its f\r hundr$ bullets swept & tore _! ranks4 ,) a mighty gasp & some?+ l a groan ! ,huns /agg]$1 recov]$1 & ) wild yells came *>g+ on to a hundr$ ma*9e guns4 ,& all ! "t ! %ells came ov] at !m & tore wide swa!s 9 _! closely-pack$ ranks4 ,!n our boys got into 'em & swept ! rema9+ ,huns into et]nity6 ,unless ?is /ory _h come f su* a highly-reliable f\nta9-head1 ,mc,nab1 ,i murmur$1 aft] a mom5t or s1 ,i w\ld nev] h believ$ t ! :ole ?+ 0 n a fabrication4 ,mc,nab remov$ 8 pot ( be] on "o side1 & lean$ across ! table4 ,i mov$ my *air back quickly1 j miss+ ano!r vigor\s /ab f 8 huge index-f+]4 ,! hi/ory ( ?is w>1 he obs]v$ impressively1 w be int]wov5 ) extraord9>y ?+s l ?is 'ere tale ,i h be5 tell+ y4 ,& y may lay to x1 mi/]1 t ! mo/ extraord9>y ?+s ( all w nev] see ! light ( day 9 ! pr9t$ page4 ,i c q und]/& t1 ,i said po9t$ly2 =1 al?\gh a /ud5t ( milit>y hi/ory ( ?is w> myself1 ,i _c recall a s+le ref]5ce to any ( ! rem>kable ev5ts :i* occurr$ 9 ! tr5*es dur+ ! eight mon?s y 7 ) y\r regim5t ov] !re6 ,mc,nab reg>d$ me = a full m9ute ) rapidly-ris+ *ol]4 ,!n he %ift$ 8 />e f me to an old g5tleman :o 0 w>m+ 8 toes at ! fire4 ,! y>n ,i h told y is z true z ! drill book1 ?\gh y ne$ n believe x if y h consci5ti\s objections4 ,i h be5 rec\nt+ real slices ( hi/ory4 ,lea/ways1 :5 ,i say hi/ory ,i may be wrong1 because !y w nev] appe> 9 hi/ory4 ,b !y 'app5$1 ,mi/]--'app5$ z surely z ,i am sitt+ "h ) an empty pot 9 front o' me4 ,an'--an'---- ,mc,nab /amm]$ 9 8 excitem5t--if any bloke says !y didn't1 be jab]s1 ,i'll--,i'll dr9k 8 be]6 ,b nei!r ! old g5tleman nor any memb] ( ! company wi%$ to disagree ) him1 & he rose up f ! *air ) a mug to ord] 8 f9al half-p9t4 ,he return$ 7a trifle un/eadily1 p]haps7 ) 8 be] & a p>ticul>ly vile cig> 9 8 m\?4 ,:e!r x 0 ! effect ( ! heat or !--er--be] ,i _c say1 b he blund]$ ov] my legs1 caus+ me a %>p tw+e ( pa94 ,:at an awkw>d begg> y are t y c't see to walk /raight1 ,i said4 ,mc,nab look$ d[n at my legs aft] giv+ !m ano!r /irr+ up ) 8 foot4 ,:y1 ,g' bless my s\l1 he said1 x's q true1 ,i am an awkw>d devil4 ,i c]ta9ly %\ld h se5 ^? feet4 ,h[ev] did y get 'em into ! b>8 ,v ,,?r\gh ,,! ,,furnace ,give u our re/1 ,o ,fa!r1 9 ?9e own appo9t$ "t & ( ?y graci\s old5 fa%ion4 ,lay ?y annull+ seal ^u ! o'erlabor$ he>t3 drop ?y heal+ nep5! into ! we>y bra94 ,tea* u n to fe> t :i* br+s u ne>] to ,!e4 ,suff] u to g to sleep ) no m consci\sness ?an ! fl[]s t take no c>e = _! awak5+4 ,give u ?is la/ & be/ ( all ?y gifts--,p>va domus1 magna quies6 ,hilaire ,o',hagan sat 9 ! ,septemb] sun%9e on ! grass t skirt$ ! roadside4 ,= "s "t he _h be5 exam9+ ) a />e ( melan*oly int]e/ ! worn toes ( 8 boots4 ,on 8 head 0 a d+y /raw hat2 to 8 =m & limbs !re hung a fad$ & creas$ coat & a pair ( %9y black tr\s]s2--he held 9 8 h& five %ill+s :i* _h be5 ?ru/ into 8 h& :5 ! prison gates _h op5$ to him t morn+4 ,he _h tak5 ! money & swagg]$ out ) a p>t+ gibe at ! con/able :o clos$ ! doors beh9d him4 ,o',hagan 0 an incorrigible rascal4 ,"s ye>s be=e1 :5 he /ood 9 ! ,assize ,c\rt1 a v5]able judge _h told him s4 ,o',hagan1 said ! judge grimly1 y are :at ,i %\ld t]m an incorrigible rogue1 & ,i %all s5d y to prison = two ye>s ) h>d lab\r4 ,y h run across my pa? _m times be=e4 ,:5 y ga9 y\r lib]ty x w be v mu* to y\r advantage if y keep out ( my way = good & all4 ,o',hagan _h receiv$ ! s5t5ce ) ! same imp]t95t smirk on 8 face z he _h receiv$ _m simil> s5t5ces4 ,n[ he 0 a free man4 ,he 0 p[]ful1 full ( heal?1 &--lazy4 ,he reflect$ al\d1 ) evid5t enjoym5t 7& 9 ! spee* ( a lett]$ g5tleman71 ,?is is inde$ "o ( ^? days :5 x is good to be alive6 ,o',hagan6 came a sudd5 voice1 h>% & au?oritative1 f beh9d him3 ,he rose to 8 feet & fac$ ab\t4 ,9 ! roadway appe>$ ! con/able to :om he _h address$ "s n ov] polite rem>ks on 8 way out ( prison4 ,well8 said ,o',hagan4 ,! con/able snort$4 ,didn't y he> me tell y to move on8 ,we don't want any habitual crim9als hang+ ab\t "h4 ,o',hagan div$ 8 h&s deep into ! pockets ( 8 %9y tr\s]s & sl\*$ along t[>ds ! next village4 ,ab\t a mile ahead 0 an inn he knew ( :]e he might enjoy a great refre%m5t1 & dr9k ! wat]s ( ,le!4 ,he j+l$ ! silv] 9 8 pocket & reflect$ t = "o night at lea/ he c\ld eat /rongly1 & dr9k l>gely1 & sleep deeply4 99 99 99 99 99 ,outside a h\se scre5$ by a my/]i\s t5 foot wall full ( ! pla9 dignity ( unpret5d+ age1 a long grey motor c> 0 /&+4 ,o',hagan turn$ & survey$ x1 & 8 quick eye re/$ ^u a lea!r h& case on a rug b5ea? ! seat4 ,x did n take him a mom5t to snat* x & hide x swiftly b5ea? 8 coat4 ,= a second or s he /ood back aga9/ ! wall4 ,at t mom5t a girl came out ( ! h\se1 9 company ) an eld]ly g5tleman1 & walk$ t[>ds ! c>4 ,o',hagan look$ at ! girl swiftly4 ,at ! same "t %e glanc$ at him1 & _! eyes met4 ,?+s look$ unheal?y = ,o',hagan4 ,b fate 0 altoge!r ) him1 & ! motor mov$ (f & left him /&+ !re ) ! case "u 8 coat4 ,no glori\s figure1 ?is man1 b "o ( ^? :om speciali/s n[ place among/ ! doom$ z curs$ ) ! crim9al in/9ct1 ) ! vices t require lavi% means to fe$ !m--a man :o only feels a ?rill 9 life :5 he is prey+ on 8 fell[s1 or elud+ ! h& ( ju/ice4 99 99 99 99 99 ,o',hagan walk$ d[n ! road a little way ) 8 h& re/+ lov+ly on ! lea!r case4 ,he turn$ a corn]1 cut ?r\gh ! h$ge1 & took a track across a field4 ,9 ! %elt] ( a clump ( bu%es he sat leisurely on ! grass & w5t ov] ! cont5ts4 ,among ! v>i\s odds & ends 0 a lea!r purse4 ,he op5$ x ) trembl+ f+]s4 ,!re 0 a sov]eign1 five "o p\nd notes fold$ up1 eight %ill+s 9 silv]1 & a small silv] cross hang+ on a black silk rib&4 ,he dropp$ ! silv] ) a sigh ( satisfaction into 8 tr\s]s pocket1 & ! notes he /or$ 9 ! l9+ ( 8 hat4 ,he took up ! little cross & 0 ab\t to ?ru/ x into ! ?ick grass1 :5 he paus$ = a mom5t1 & 0 aw>e ( an oppressive feel+4 ,on a sudd51 9 ! mid/ ( m5 & day1 ,& :ile he sat & look$ ar\nd1 ,he seem$ to be 9 a bygone age1 ,& feel himself ! %ad[ ( a dream4 ,o',hagan felt t 8 body 0 decreas+1 s9k+ "u ! gre5 turf1 fall+ d[n1 d[n1 d[n1 & yet ,he 0 /ill above1 gaz+1 wond]+1 op5-ey$1 op5-m\!d1 z x 74 ,gradually1 b none ! less surely1 he 0 be+ cr[d$ r\nd by _m mov+ 8's :i* nev] seem$ to gr[ di/9ct4 ,he seem$ to "k at once he 0 back 9 ! days long pa/4 ,he %ut 8 eyes aga9/ a burn+ t felt l te>s4 ,:5 he op5$ !m aga9 he 0 look+ at 8 own "n1 fairly c>v$ 9 on ! silv] cross 9 qua9t old ,engli% lett]s3 ,hilaire ,o',hagan ,! clump ( bu%es be=e him 0 n[ obscur$ by a ?9 :ite cl\d4 ,z he wat*$ he 0 aw>e ( a figure t /ood out di/9ctly be=e him4 ,he 0 a man ( 8 own height1 ?ick-set1 s]i\s-look+1 9 a monk's mantle & hood4 ,o',hagan gave a hurri$ glance1 & z hurri$ly turn$ 8 head away aga94 ,! face ( ! man exactly resembl$ 8 own4 ,b x 0 an hone/ face1 )\t ! look ( dissipation1 & ! secret furtive air1 :i* he knew m>r$ 8 own features4 ,he also ?\ght he c\ld see a fa9t nimbus r\nd 8 head--b ?is may h be5 illusion4 ,o',hagan mov$ away z if he _h no wi% to see him2 b ! /rang] 0 n to be put (f by any su* trick4 ,he t\*$ ,o',hagan's arm1 & br\ght him to a /&/ill4 ,bro!r6 he said 9 a g5tle voice4 ,o',hagan pull$ himself up %>ply4 ,= a mom5t x seem$ z if he w\ld h refus$ to /ay1 b ! next he realiz$ t x w\ld be ( no use4 ,:at d y want ) me8 he began4 ,i "k ,i'm a ?ief & a drunk>d4 ,d y want to h& me a ,sunday ,s*ool tract8 ,if s get x ov]4 ,! /rang]'s h& tight5$ on 8 arm1 & he began to speak 9 a calm b /rangely ?rill+ voice4 ,x is writt5 !re3 'm5 d n despise a ?ief1 if he /eal to satisfy 8 s\l :5 he is hungry4' ,well8 said ,o',hagan1 try+ to hold a c\nt5ance ( little conc]n4 ,well8 said ! /rang]1 = :y did y /eal8 ,o',hagan c\gh$ & held d[n 8 head4 ,a man )\t scruple & )\t he>t1 ! /rang] rem>k$ to himself4 ,o',hagan look$ up ) a />t4 ,look "h1 he began4 ,y've no "r to---- ,!n ( a sudd5 ! mi/ began to rise f ! clump ( bu%es & ! /rang] vani%$4 ,o',hagan 0 back 9 ! fle%4 ,he /ood !re daz$ = ! mom5t1 ) ! little cross clut*$ 9 8 h&4 ,he sat d[n aga9 & tri$ to =ce 8 _s back to ! o!r sc5e1 b 9 va94 ,he felt t he _h be5 ?rill$ ?r\gh & ?r\gh4 ,! oppression1 h[ev]1 unlike ! /]n-fac$ monk1 did n vani%1 x deep5$4 ,a ?robb+ heada*e came on1 :i* refus$ to be %ak5 (f1 & ev5tually s5t ,o',hagan to ! ,bell ,inn to dr9k /ill deep] ( ! wat]s ( oblivion4 ,! day 0 already fall+ :5 he walk$1 j+l+ 8 silv]1 into ! s&$ b> ( ! ,bell ,inn1 & an h\r or s lat]1 :5 x began to fill ) drov]s & c\ntry folk1 ,o',hagan _h look$ mu* on ! good br[n ale4 ,he 0 9 fact becom+ v noisy4 ,seat$ 9 a corn]1 he sang ,nell & ,rog] at ! ,wake 9 a ho>se voice4 ,! c\ntry folk gr9n$ & look$ at him curi\sly4 ,%ut y\r gab1 old sport1 said a r\gh-look+ drov] at la/1 t song is n fit = dec5t folk to he>4 ,o',hagan swore l any troop]1 & rea*$ 8 h& out to a l>ge _s bottle at 8 elb[1 & = a mom5t ! drov] ?\ght he w\ld get x ?r[n at 8 head4 ,h[ev]1 ,o',hagan rose to 8 feet1 made a b[ to ! company1 & made an apology to ! drov]4 ,he /ood !re1 a blackgu>d on ! face ( him1 b a g5tleman 9 spite ( t undef9able & vaguely repulsive smirk :i* play$ ab\t 8 /raight & ref9$ m\?4 ,he slunk away into ! night4 ,z ,o',hagan walk$ ! night deep5$ 9 ?robs ( ga!r+ d>kness4 ,! s5se ( uneas9ess t _h be5 ) him ev] s9ce ! prie/ 9 ! cassock _h appe>$ to him 0 n to be easily ?r[n (f4 ,he set himself to argue d[n ! uneas9ess = :i* !re 0 no m f\ndation ?an a bad attack ( n]ves aft] ! gloomy life 9 prison4 ,he told himself1 till he believ$ x1 t a man--j a human man--_h be5 cross+ ! fields1 & t be+ smitt5 ) religi\s f]v\r he _h quot$ ! ,scripture al\d1 z he _h (t5 he>d su* p d4 ,he told himself x 0 m]e fancy t 0 ! cause ( ! belief t some?+ 0 %9+ ar\nd ! man's head4 ,z he argu$ ^! ?+s away1 & bani%$ ! face ( 8 visitor1 a c]ta9 sort ( reason usurp$ 8 place4 ,b he did n feel com=table1 h[ev]1 he fell %ort ( any =m ( fe>4 ,x 0 ,o',hagan's :ole bus9ess to f9d desolate corn]s1 :]e he c\ld sleep )\t ! fe> ( int]ruption by ! police2 & h5ce be+ 9 a "p ( ! c\ntry t he knew well1 he be?\ght himself sudd5ly ( ! great b>n next to ! mansion h\se at ,tilney ,/4 ,lawr5ce4 ,x 0 always full ( good hay1 z l>ge z a b>rack & no ?or\ghf>e pass$ )9 a qu>t] ( a mile ( x4 ,9 su* a place1 & ) ! sc5t ( ! hay to lull him1 ,o',hagan ?rew 8 tir$ body d[n1 & soon lo/ all ! c>es ( ! _w 9 complete repose4 ,all 8 life ,o',hagan _h be5 a habitual dream]2 ! nights 7 few1 t is to say1 :5 on awak5+ he did n f9d t "s m5tal traffics & discov]ies _h be5 81 & at times1 ! :ole night ?r\gh he w\ld meet ) mo/ dazzl+ adv5tures4 ,9 prison 8 dreams _h be5 a great solace to him1 & ea* night he _h settl$ d[n to devote ! d>k h\rs to ! cultivation ( joy\s dreams4 ,he 0 "o ( ^? m5 :o w5t to sleep fair & squ>e1 & look$ = dreams4 ,b z ,o',hagan /ret*$ 9 ! hay1 ?+s 7 reveal$ to him t 7 beyond all dreams1 & ( c\rse he c\ld n keep ! /range prie/ out ( ! vision4 ,x op5$ ) f9d+ himself 9 front ( ! doors ( an old *ur*1 :]e1 he und]/ood1 he 0 go+ to hide f someone :o want$ to kill him4 ,he knock$ on ! door & ! man :o op5$ ! door 0 ! v prie/ he _h se5 9 ! aft]noon4 ,he ask$ him to /ep 9 & in/antly turn$ r\nd & walk$ up ! dimly lit aisle1 & ,o',hagan und]/ood t he _h to foll[4 ,9 sil5ce !y pass$ ?r\gh a small ar* 9 ! *ancel & m\nt$ a n>r[ oak /aircase ) _m corn]s & tortu\s turns & arriv$ at a small l&+ ) a /udd$ door set 9 x4 ,q inexplicably ,o',hagan's he>t sank at ! sight ( x4 ,h[ev]1 ! prie/ unlock$ & op5$ x1 & held x op5 = him to ent]1 & )\t com+ 9 himself1 clos$ x4 ,x 0 a small oak room ) a /one floor1 & a curi\s smell at once attract$ 8 notice4 ,x 0 !re--!re1 close to him--"u 8 v nose--! /rong1 acrid od\r ( decay--! nauseat+ smell ( ! grave4 ,look+ ab\t he saw ! floor 0 pav$ ) grave /ones4 ,9 "o corn] /ood a f9e sev5te5? c5tury lead c(f94 ,a curi\s greyi% light %one f x4 ,o',hagan's conjecture _h be5 "r3 !re 0 some?+ awful 9 ! room1 & ) ! t]ror ( nightm>e seiz+ him swiftly by ! ?roat & ?rottl+ him1 he awoke 9 a spasm ( t]ror4 ,o',hagan 0 sitt+ bolt upright ) ! impression t someone _h fla%$ a lant]n 9 8 face1 ?\gh ! b>n 0 absolutely pit* d>k4 ,i've _h a mo/ diabolical nightm>e4 ,x 0 ! dr9k1 he said to himself1 & decid$ to g to sleep aga94 ,b ! excessive heat ( ! b>n w\ld let him re/ no long]4 ,! atmosph]e seem$ to be hot & pung5t1 & he grop$ ab\t & op5$ ! door to let 9 "s air4 ,almo/ at ! same mom5t someone cri$ ,fire6 & %apes ( ?+s began to def9e 9 a s(t grey glimm]+2--& ! gloom 0 brok5 up by a r$ & angry spurt ( flame f a w+ ( ! old manor h\se4 ,aga9 cries ( ,fire6 came to 8 e>s1 & grew & multipli$4 ,o',hagan 0 fully awake 9 an in/ant1 & runn+ at top spe$ t[>ds ! old mansion4 ,:5 he rea*$ x ! :ole sky ab\t 0 illum9at$ by a r$ & angry light4 ,almo/ at ! mom5t ( 8 arrival a t[] ( smoke arose 9 front ( ! por* w9d[1 & ) a t+l+ report1 a pane fell outw>ds at 8 feet4 ,a cr[d ( c[$ & :ite-fac$ c\ntry folk drew back :5 he ru%$ up4 ,!n he look$ up at ! por* w9d[ & saw :at x 0 t made ! p g4 ,he saw a girl's t]rifi$ face at ! w9d[4 ,! girl ,i lift$ ! bag f1 he said al\d4 ,%e'll be burnt to dea?4 ,! heavy hall doors 7 surr\nd$ by ! inmates ( ! h\se :o _h escap$ & ,o',hagan pu%$ ?r\gh !m1 & sprang up ! broad /airway mid *ok+ volumes ( smoke4 ,:5 rea*$ ! room above ! por* ! heat 0 fi]ce1 & ! ro>+ ( ! fire fill$ 8 e>s1 & he _h sc>ce c>ri$ ! t]rifi$ girl out ( ! room :5 a side door fell 91 & a bran* ( flame %ot br&i%+ ?r\gh ! ap]ture1 & ! head ( ! /airs became lit up ) a dreadful & fluctuat+ gl>e4 ,he c>ri$ h] swiftly d[n ! /airs1 he fe>$ e mom5t t !y w\ld crumple & fall 94 ,b he f\ght 8 way grimly1 & 8 j]ky swe> words 7 lo/ 9 ! ro>+ ( ! fire4 ,ano!r mom5t & !y 7 9 ! op54 ,firelight & moonlight illum9at+ ! c\ntry ar\nd ) confus$ & viol5t lu/re1 & bank$ aga9/ ! />s & ! sky !y c\ld see a gl[+ track ( smoke4 ,t 0 a ne> ?+1 ,miss4 ,i ?\ght my end _h come6 %e said1 ! col\r return+ sl[ly to h] face4 ,!re w\ld h be5 no *ance at all if y _h n come up = me1 z ,i 0 !n almo/ suffocat$4 ,x 0 a v brave act6 ,%e did n ?ank him--%e c\ldn't h spok5 pla9 words ( ?anks to save h] life--b ,o',hagan knew :at %e ?\ght--,don't say any m ab\t x1 ,miss1 ,i am really a c[>d at he>t4 ,i'm sure ,i owe my life to y1 %e said e>ne/ly4 ,i "k !re are "s ?+s = :i* ?anks are an insult1 b y w n m9d if ,i (f] y a little tok5 ( gratitude8 ,o',hagan's h& 0 re/+ on a small silv] cross 9 8 pocket1 & 9 ano!r mom5t he solemnly h&$ ! girl ! money & notes he _h /ol54 ,:y1 :atev] is ?is8 ask$ ! girl1 />+ at ,o',hagan 9 bewild]$ amazem5t4 ,t's y\rs1 he said by way ( assi/ance4 ,b ,i don't und]/&6 %e cri$1 greatly puzzl$4 ,well1 ,miss1 ,i suppose x does require "s elucidation1 ,o',hagan repli$ some:at n]v\sly4 ,y see1 x's only a return ( /ol5 goods4 ,y rememb] visit+ a h\se 9 ! big grey motor c> ye/]day1 ,miss8 ,yes4 ,well1 ,i /ole y\r bag f "u ! seat4 ,i h giv5 y back aga9 all t ,i h left4 ,b ,i w take ?is little cross z a tok54 ,he dangl$ ! little silv] *>m be=e h] face1 & be=e %e _h "t to take 9 ! situation ,o',hagan _h disappe>$4 99 99 99 99 99 ,! long pla9s ( ,nor!rn ,europe /ret*$ be=e ! gaze ( a regim5t ( ,briti% infantry--great undulations ( sodd5 e>? left by ! w9t] ra9s & ?aws4 ,!re1 9 ! pi]c+ cold t froze ! feet1 !y wait$ ! signal to advance4 ,/ray bullets :9$ & p+$ z !y /ruck ! wire & s& bags on ! top ( ! tr5*es2 occasionally a man fell on 8 face2 & ! gha/ly *ange 9 ! faces ( ! troops bore te/imony to ! effects4 ,hilaire ,o',hagan lay /ret*$ ^u 8 face1 occasionally look+ t[>ds 8 (fic]4 ,8 he>t beat l ! puls+ ( a motor c>4 ,8 ?roat felt dry1 8 *eeks 7 burn+4 ,at times a cold %iv] pass$ "r ?r\gh 8 frame4 ,he fidget$ & loll$ f "o side1 to ! o!r4 ,x seem$ to him t he _h wait$ h\rs = ! signal to get ov] ! tr5*es4 ,he tri$ to /rike a mat* = 8 pipe2 8 h& 0 trembl+ furi\sly4 ,x occurr$ to him t aft] hav+ pass$ ?r\gh ! gory awfulness ( six mon?s' incessant fight+1 he 0 beg9n+ to lose 8 n]ve4 ,he 0 no long] ma/] ( himself4 ,he 0 afraid4 ,e man has ! in/9ct t prompts fe>1 = ^u t in/9ct ! :ole f\ndation ( life-pres]vation is f\nd$4 ,b ov] & above ?is in/9ct1 common to all ( u1 ,o',hagan _h imag9ation--! graphic1 vivid imag9ation t always lurks 9 ,iri% blood4 ,is n ! entire hi/ory ( ! ,celt a rejection ( ! ?+s ( ?is _w = ! ,%ad[ & ! dream8 ,^u ?is basis ( fe> & imag9ation ,o',hagan />t$ to build1 build+ & build+ until he _h creat$ a gr& /ructure ( bl9d t]ror :i* yield$ a mo/ exquisite torture to 8 m9d4 ,a :i/le s\nd$ & a %udd] trav]s$ ! m5 all d[n ! tr5*4 ,! (fic] call$ to 8 m54 ,he m\nt$ ! p>apet & jump$ ov]4 ,!re 0 a s\nd l ! ru%+ ( a riv] z ! regim5t p\r$ itself ov] ! tr5*4 ,! m5 advanc$ sl[ly & daz$ly4 ,n[ any acute obs]v] w\ld note t ! m5 7 bewild]$ & _h little he>t 9 ! fight4 ,_! faces work$2 & !y /ruggl$ to walk on1 b x seem$ useless4 ,! bullets 7 patt]+ all ar\nd & tak+ heavy toll4 ,!n a few y>ds 9 front a %rapnel %ell kick$ up ! mud4 ,! ,g]man guns _h f\nd ! range4 ,someone %\t$ out ! fatal words ,lie d[n4 ,! regim5t 0 soon hugg+ ! e>?1 :i* 0 ab\t ! be/ ?+ !y c\ld h done4 ,great %[]s ( %rapnel bur/ ov] !m1 & ! bullets /ruck d[n on !m 9 a cont9u\s %[]4 ,"s m5 rose to _! feet1 & ! %rapnel )]$ !m4 ,sudd5ly "o %ell bur/ ov] ,o',hagan1 blott+ out all ar\nd him 9 smoke & du/1 & brutally j]k+ 8 m9d to fulle/ t5sion4 ,?is %ell fire 0 hell6 ,) ! cra% imag9ation & fe> began to "w toge!r 9 8 ov]work$ bra9--bo? at once 9 ! que]e/ jumbl+ mann]4 ,9 a few mom5ts ,o',hagan 0 on 8 feet runn+ away--rac+ z if n m]ely = 8 life1 b 8 s\l4 ,:5 ,o',hagan's bra9 cool$ & 8 sight cle>$ he f\nd himself 9 ! doorway ( a little wreck$ *ur*4 ,! ,g]man %ells _h ga%$ & ripp$ ! sides & ro(1 s t birds flew 9 & out at w4 ,hundr$s ( sp>r[s *irp$ 9 ! oak beams above4 ,! %ells _h pitt$1 />r$ & j]k$ up ! blue flag/ones 9 ! por* on :i* ,o',hagan /ood4 ,p>ts ( ! old *ur* _h be5 %ell$ ne>ly level2 little twi/$ fragm5ts ( beautiful lead$ w9d[s _h be5 swept up 9 a pile outside ) o!r wreckage4 ,z ,o',hagan walk$ up ! aisle a feel+ came ov] him t he knew mu* ( ! old place4 ,a qu9tess5ce & di/illation ( peace & comrade%ip seem$ to inhabit ! s(t gloam ( its *ancel4 ,he f\nd himself drift+ back to pa/ days & see+ dimly 9 a ?9 :ite cl\d faces t seem$ famili> & yet 7 unnameable4 ,!n "o face /ood out di/9ctly1 & ,o',hagan wat*$ x ) brea?less wond] & fasc9ation4 ,he mov$ clos] up to x2 he w\ld h giv5 mu* n to h done s1 b he c\ld n help himself--he look$ clos]1 & x 0--! face ( ! monk :o _h appe>$ to him once be=e4 ,:5 ! cl\d _h cle>$ a little1 ! outl9e ( ! monk we>+ a hood & c[l became visible4 ,!n 0 !re a voice t he id5tifi$ at once despite ! lapse ( two ye>s s9ce he _h la/ he>d x4 ,i h be5 want+ to speak to y1 bro!r1 = _m h\rs1 b some?+ ,i _c expla9 to mortal man has prev5t$ me4 ,! prie/ in/antly turn$ r\nd & ,o',hagan und]/ood t he meant him to foll[4 ,8 he>t sank at once1 & he exp]i5c$ a s5se ( dreadful oppression & =ebod+1 & ) a sudd5 ?rill1 p>tly ( fe>1 & p>tly ( curiosity he foll[$4 ,!y pass$ up ! aisle & a p]fectly famili> /aircase4 ,!n he op5$ a door1 & w5t 91 & at ! same mom5t1 %e] unreason+ t]ror seiz$ him4 ,he 0 afraid1 b did n "k :y3 he 0 simply afraid4 ,!n l a sudd5 recollection1 :5 "o rememb]s "s trivial adv5ture ( *ildhood1 ,o',hagan look$ = ! old lead c(f94 ,he ca/ 8 eyes ab\t ) a c]ta9 air ( proprietor%ip1 & comp>$ ! room ) ! room ( 8 dreams4 ,no?+ _h *ang$4 ,& !n1 ) a sudd5 />t ( unexpla9$ dread1 he saw t ! c(f9 0 9 ! corn]--! same lead5 c(f9 t he knew s well ) ! same curi\s greyi% light com+ f x4 ,!re 0 lett]+ on ! lid4 ,:at's writt5 !re8 ,:at's !re8 ,:o's !re8 he call$4 ,he call$ & cont9u$ to call2 !n ano!r t]ror1 ! t]ror ( ! s\nd ( 8 own voice seiz$ him2 he did n d>e to call aga92 he :isp]$4 ,!re 0 some?+ writt5 on ! c(f9 t 8 m9d reel$ to ent]ta94 ,)\t q kn[+ h[ he came to be !re1 ,o',hagan f\nd himself b5d+ ov] ! c(f94 ,he read ! lett]+1 & x 03 ,hilaire ,o',hagan ob4 #afif aetat #ce4 ,p>va domus1 magna quies4 ,he sank d[n on 8 knees ) a *ildi% sob4 ,sometimes ! old *ur* seem$ absolutely /ill1 & ! only s\nd to be he>d 0 ! sigh+ ( ! night breeze bel[ him 9 ! p9es1 b sometimes ! place seem$ full ( muffl$ movem5ts1 & once ,o',hagan c\ld h sworn t ! l>ge c>v$ h&le ( ! door turn$4 ,ev5 z he /ood !re he he>d /eps j outside1 & ) a sudd5 horror1 he saw ! heavy door sl[ly op54 ,a prie/ /ood 9 ! op5 doorway ) an inscrutable smile on 8 lips--! same clean-%av5 man ) a long aquil9e nose & s+ul>ly squ>e *91 t he _h se5 be=e 9 8 dreams4 ,bro!r1 he said1 9 a mov$ voice4 ,y mu/ g back & help y\r comrades4 ,!re is no peace = y yet4 ,yes1 bro!r1 ,i "k x is writt5 t we %all re/ f our lab\rs--b ! beg9n+ ( our re/ is n yet4 ,we mu/ g & help !m 9 ! fir+ l9e yond]---- ,no1 no1 holy man6 ,o',hagan plead$4 ,i h _h en\gh4444 ,!re is hell ov] !re4 ,!y are call+ u1 don't y he> !m--! liv+ & ! dead---- ,o',hagan c\ld see ^? great gre5 fla%es t bur/ 9 ! sky s ne> to him4 ,he c\ld almo/ he> ! angry zipp+ ( high explosive %rapnel close ov] 8 head4 ,god6 h[ he hat$ x all6 ,h[ h>d x is1 ,fa!r1 to make ^! *ildr5 und]/&6 came s(tly f ! prie/'s lips4 ,o',hagan's regim5t _h retir$ to _! tr5*es 9 good ord]4 ,!y 7 "s ( ^? tr5*es r\nd ab\t ,ypres1 & all ! _w has read h[ ! ,g]mans batt]$ & deliv]$ t]rific infantry attacks on ?is "p ( our l9e )\t cessation4 ,a c]ta9 morn+1 ab\t six o'clock1 ! ,huns decid$ to deliv] a %>p attack1 & !re 0 consid]able artill]y activity on ! "p ( ! ,g]man guns4 ,su* activity 0 spok5 ( 9 ! tr5*es z rais+ ! lid (f ,hell4 ,!re 0 a lull aft] ab\t an h\r's ra9 ( e k9d ( missile t man has inv5t$ to batt] 8 bro!r )4 ,!n ! ,huns came on 9 e>ne/4 ,"s rea*$ ! tr5*es only to be met ) a murd]\s fire3 !y fell 9 little huddl$ heaps 9 ! blood & ! mud & ! slime ( ! tr5*es4 ,b ! :ole ,g]man race seem$ to be fl[+ 9 on ! ,briti%1 & !y fairly got into ! tr5*es1 ?\gh !y 7 twice driv5 out4 ,y>d by y>d ! battalion retir$4 ,! next mom5t an une>?ly1 fluoresc5t light %ot & flood$ along ! tr5*es4 ,! troops gasp$ = a mom5t1 & !n />t$ back4 ,/&+ on a trav]se 9 full view ( ,g]mans & ,engli%m5 0 a tall man ) yell[ hair1 9 a prie/'s cassock4 ,he 0 br&i%+ a sword t fla%$ l a tongue ( flame1 & cry+ ,turn back6 turn back6 advance6 ,private ,hilaire ,o',hagan1 ! des]t]1 /ood beside him hold+ a massive brass alt> cross above 8 head4 ,f t mom5t ,o',hagan behav$ l "o possess$4 ,he hurl$ himself ov] ! trav]se into ! gre5 ( ! ,g]man regim5t1 & />t$ hack+ & /abb+ ) ! po9t$ end ( ! cross4 ,! ,huns did n l ! look ( su* a wild app>ition & refus$ to face him4 ,bit by bit !y retir$ & ,o',hagan took advantage ( a mom5t to take a gre5 silk ,iri% flag1 ) a cr[nless h>p1 f 8 pocket1 & atta* x to ! spike ( ! cross4 ,!n1 ro>+ l a lion & br&i%+ 8 /range weapon1 he fell on !m once m--& z !y broke he saw ! hood$ prie/ driv+ !m be=e him ) 8 flam+ sword4 ,a great joy seem$ to burn up 9 8 s\l4 ,m5 :o wat*$ him said he ran amok4 ,8 great voice rose high above ! *att]+ ma*9e guns 9 a beautiful ,franciscan *ant & ! voice ( ! prie/ jo9$ 94 ,:at ,o',hagan1 be>+ 8 mighty cross1 mu/ h look$ l 9 ! e]ie dawn mi/1 ,heav5 kn[s4 ,b see+ su* an app>ition & he>+ ! /range *ant1 x is possible ! ,huns ?\ght ! devil _h jo9$ 9 ! fight4 ,!n a man 9 ! re> tr5* po9t$ to ! we/1 :]e a great image ( ! cross 0 %9+ aga9/ a blood r$ sky1 & a voice cri$ ,=w>d4 ,x pass$ f man to man1 & ! regim5t advanc$1 h[l+1 ) ,o',hagan4 ,!y drove ! ,g]mans be=e !m l *aff be=e a fan1 & fell back1 9 triumph1 to _! lo/ tr5*es4 ,!y saw ,o',hagan /agg] a little & !n turn r\nd to :]e ! regim5t boil$ ) joy 9 ! tr5*es4 ,y are back1 my *ildr51 he %\t$4 ,x is well1 = my poor s\l desires re/4444 ,aye1 re/ inde$6 ,a great peace settl$ on ,o',hagan's face1 z he sl[ly collaps$ & lay v /ill4 ,n long aft] ?is a c\ntry p>son receiv$ a lett] f a h>e-bra9$ memb] ( 8 flock1 :o = _m ye>s _h be5 good en\gh to keep him 9 t\* ) 8 do+s 9 f> l&s4 ,! old vic> _h he>d t ! "y sc\ndrel1 z he call$ him1 _h jo9$ a volunte] regim5t1 & 0 9 ! ?ick ( ! fight+ ar\nd ,ypres4 ,! lett] 0 writt5 9 p5cil on leaves torn f a note-book4 ,! portion t w int]e/ ! read] ( ?is /ory mo/ is "h quot$4 ,on ,monday ,i came across an old fri5d 787 ( ours--,hilaire ,o',hagan4 ,we _h a bru% ) ab\t five ?\s& ,huns1 & we _h "u-e/imat$ _! /r5g?4 ,!y ru%$ u 9 ! dawn+--a liv+1 gre5i%-grey wave roll$ ov] our tr5*es1 %oot+ & hack+ at ! he>t ( :at _h once be5 a regim5t ( ,briti% ,infantry4 ,:5 ! second wave lapp$ ov]1 our m5 7 ov]borne b !y 7 try+1 by common in/9ct1 to rea* ! second l9e tr5*es :]e !y c\ld re-=m4 ,!n ,i saw ,o',hagan :o _h dropp$ f ,god kn[s :]e1 /&+ silh\ett$ aga9/ ! r$ ( dawn on ! front l9e tr5*4 ,he 0 wav+ a brass cross & ! bullets 7 patt]+ ar\nd him & mak+ a noise l rats skipp+ ab\t an empty h\se4 ,my ,god6 ,pluck6 ,i nev] ?\ght ,o',hagan _h x 9 him4 ,i tell y1 he hurl$ himself d[n on ! rifles ( a ?\s& ,huns1 & 'drove !m h5ce' ) 8 mighty brass cross4 ,our m5 7 soon rally+ on ! lo/ tr5*4 ,! /raggl]s clut*$ at ea* o!r1 & po9t$ to :]e ! cross fla%$ & reel$ 9 ! see?+ mass4 ,"u cov] ( night our be>] p>ty br\ght 9 ,o',hagan /one dead ) ov] tw5ty bullet w\nds 9 him4 ,i "k1 vic>1 :5 y read ?is1 x w fla% into y\r m9d t poor ,o',hagan _h be5 dr9k+ aga94 ,y may bani% any su* ?\ght 444 !re 0 a diff]5t look 9 ,o',hagan's eyes4 ,he _h se5 ! 'immortal light1 all "y & joyful1 million-orb$1 million-col\r$1 z on ! fir/ morn+4' ,we c>ri$ him & 8 cross ov] to an old mona/]y :]e we f\nd "o ( ^? qua9t lead c(f9s--l ! "o 9 ! crypt 9 our old *ur*--& laid him at re/ b5ea? ! cool blue flag/ones outside ! *ancel door4 ,"o ( our m51 a /one-mason 9 times ( peace1 r\ghly grav$ 8 "n on ! slab above him4 ,z ,i walk$ back to ! tr5*es ,i turn$ back to h a la/ look at ! grave4 ,a prie/ 0 /&+ ov] x ) h&s out/ret*$ to bless4444 ,,! ,,end 99 99 99 99 99 ,pr9t$ 9 ,great ,brita9 by ,hazell1 ,watson ,v9ey1 ,ld41 ,london & ,aylesbury1 = ,simpk91 ,m>%all1 ,hamilton1 ,k5t ,co41 ,ltd4