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He wanted to get right away from London and everybody and lie in the
quiet darkness and stare up at the stars.
His plans grew so definite that presently he was in his dressing-
gown and turning out the maps in the lower drawer of his study
bureau. He would go down into Surrey with a knapsack, wander along
the North Downs until the Guildford gap was reached, strike across
the Weald country to the South Downs and then beat eastward. The
very thought of it brought a coolness to his mind. He knew that
over those southern hills one could be as lonely as in the
wilderness and as free to talk to God. And there he would settle
something. He would make a plan for his life and end this torment.
When Merkle came in to him in the morning he was fast asleep.
The familiar curtain rings awakened Benham. He turned his head
over, stared for a moment and then remembered.
"Merkle," he said, "I am going for a walking tour. I am going off
this morning. Haven't I a rucksack?"
"You 'ave a sort of canvas bag, sir, with pockets to it," said
Merkle.


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