Arnaux 
This was rolled up, wrapped in waterproof 
film, addressed to the Steamship Company, and 
lashed to the under side of Arnaux’s middle 
tail-feather. 
When thrown into the air, he circled round 
the ship, then round again higher, then again 
higher in a wider circle, and he was lost to 
view ; and still higher till quite out of sight and 
feeling of the ship. Shut out from the use of 
all his senses now but one, he gave himself up 
to that. Strong in him it was, and untrammelled 
of that murderous despot /ear. True as a 
needle to the Pole went Arnaux now, no hesita- 
tion, no doubts; within one minute of leaving 
the coop he was speeding straight as a ray of 
light for the loft where he was born, the only 
place on earth where he could be made content. 
That afternoon Billy was on duty when the 
whistle of fast wings was heard; a blue Flyer 
flashed into the loft and made for the water- 
trough. He was gulping down mouthful after 
mouthful, when Billy gasped: “ Why, Arnaux, 
it ’s you, you beauty.” Then, with the quick 
habit of the pigeon-man, he pulled out his 
watch and marked the time, 2:40 p.m. A 
85 
