XXVI

( b ) How is he to be taken? ⁠—Here a process of exclusions may help us. By road, by rail, by water? By Road. ⁠—There are endless difficulties, especially in leaving the city. ( x ) There are people; and people are curious, and investigate. A hint, a surmise, a doubt as to what might be in the box, would destroy him. ( y ) There are, or there may be, customs and octroi officers to pass. ( z ) His pursuers might follow. This is his highest fear; and in order to prevent his being betrayed he has repelled, so far as he can, even his victim⁠—me! By Rail. ⁠—There is no one in charge of the box. It would have to take its chance of being delayed; and delay would be fatal, with enemies on the track. True, he might escape at night; but what would he be, if left in a strange place with no refuge that he could fly to? This is not what he intends; and he does not mean to risk it. By Water. ⁠—Here is the safest way, in one respect, but with most danger in another. On the water he is powerless except at night; even then he can only summon fog and storm and snow and his wolves. But were he wrecked, the living water would engulf him, helpless; and he would indeed be lost. He could have the vessel drive to land; but if it were unfriendly land, wherein he was not free to move, his position would still be desperate.