When we last left our threesome, they were on their way down the Chasm. It was a dark, but not stormy night. They were slowly making their way along a narrow and winding pathway that would hopefully, eventually lead them to freedom.

Patricia and Adele slid into Henry and the three of them fell off the ledge to their deaths. (Err… wait a minute, let me start over.) Patricia and Adele slid into Henry and the three of them fell heavily onto the rocky path.

-Now ladies, you must be more careful, Henry said, as he rose cautiously and brushed himself off. Here, let me give you a hand up, Patricia.

He pulled the teachers to their feet and again told them to watch their steps. It was tricky in the dark but, mercifully, they couldn't see over the side and into the void of the Chasm itself. They clung to the rocky ledges and at some places they even had to crawl on their hand and knees along the ever-descending path.

-It's so blasted dark here. I can't see where I'm going, Adele said. Maybe we should just stay here until it gets light.

-I think we should keep going, if possible. We'll be better off at the bottom if somebody comes along that might want to harm us. Don't you think so, Henry? Patricia asked.

-I'm not sure, Henry answered. If this path gives way up ahead, we might not be able to see it. I have no idea how far it is to the bottom from where we are now. On the other hand, if we stop here on this ledge, there'd be no place to hide. Let's just continue on for a bit longer and see what comes along.

The ledge, as Henry called it, was just that, a very narrow path with no shoulder to speak of, just wide enough for one person to travel. Nobody even wanted to think about what might happen if a person tried to pass by going the other way. They shuddered at the mere thought of it.

Finally, with bruises and banged up elbows and knees, they reached what they thought was the bottom. A small stream of cold, fast-running water coursed through the bolder-strewn wedge of land. They could hear its sound and fury long before they eventually reached it.

-I'm exhausted. Do you mind if we stop for a little while? This was Patricia, rather out of character for her to complain but nevertheless it was she, begging that they rest as they came up on the stream.

-Yes, please, let's do stop. I've got to have some water. If we don't rest, I'll never make it up the other side, Adele chimed in. Henry nodded. They could just barely make out each other's faces in the poor light of the bottomland. Only at high noon did the sun's rays penetrate the lower reaches of the Chasm.

-Ladies, have we any food left? Henry asked as they eased themselves into resting places among the rocks. I think we should eat a bite and then consider our next move.

-Yes, I think there's some crackers here, but that's about it. Adele rummaged around and found what odds and ends they had managed to take away with them from the cave. They shared the food and rested quietly for a few minutes.

-Henry, do you have any idea where we are exactly? Patricia asked.

-Well, madam, as I recall, this is the old footpath that was used by traders before the trestle bridge was built. The traders carried heavy loads between the two villages. I think that's why it was called The Path of Many Days. It took them so long to make the trip. And then there were the thieves along the way, and the toll-takers. There are many stories of evil dealings over the years. Villagers only came this way at their own risk, just as we are today.

-Well, what do you know. So we're very close to where we started. The train track would be just above us then, at the top of this sheer cliff. Not exactly brideshead revisited, but I'll be very happy to see those train tracks, what?

-Yes, indeed. I do agree with you, but it's a very long and rocky road ahead. We would be wise to lighten our loads, take a little with us as possible.

-Ha! Exclaimed Adele. I've nothing much left. I left all my things at the mansion. What I've lugged so far is what I'll take with me, to the ends of the earth if necessary.

-I feel exactly the same way, added Patricia. My journal, my change of dirty clothes, my passport, what little money I have, will only be ripped from my cold dead hands.

-All right then. I guess that's settled. I think we should start as soon as you're able. If we rest too long, we'll be too sore and stiff to move.

-One other thing, do either of you have a weapon of any kind with you?

-What do you mean -- a weapon. We're English you know. Never touch them if possible. Do you still have the major's pistol, or whatever it is they call them these days? Patricia asked of Henry.

-Yes, ma'am, I do. But I don't intend to use it unless we have no other choice. It would draw unnecessary attention to us if I were to fire it. We don't want that now, do we?

-Not on your life. What we want to do is get to the other side, find the nearest railway station and make our way back to England as soon as possible. With you at our side, of course, if that's what you want, Henry?

-Oh, to be in England, Henry answered, that's a dream I've had for years, even since the master first came to the mansion.

-Well, you can make bet on one thing, he'll be one of the very first people I'd like to talk to once we're home again, Adele was quick to add.

-Well, then, let's be off.

As they rose and started making their way along the rock-strewn crevasse, Henry appeared to be looking for something and eventually he spotted it. 

-Look here, ladies. Up ahead. It's a footbridge. I was told there was one. That will be our way across the water and onto the path up the other side. Quickly now, before somebody comes along, let's go.

Henry took off at a trot with the teachers struggling along behind him. It was indeed a narrow bridge over the Chasm's river that trembled and creaked as they started across it single file. Patricia could feel it sway as Henry trod its rickety boards. The frayed ropes provided as handrails bucked with each step as she tottered along after him. Adele watched the two of them weaving their way over the raging water. She took a deep breath and started off just as Henry reached the other side. He motioned them to hurry.

-We've been very lucky so far, he exclaimed once they all had made it safely over to the other side. Now the hard part. We'd better be very quick. Maybe our luck will hold until we reach the top. Come along now.

As they started up the little path, Patricia could feel her calf and thigh muscles complain with every step. She was finding it difficult to catch her breath and she began to sweat as they steadily climbed the narrow ledge of rocky switchbacks that would lead them to freedom. She knew she mustn't say a word though. It was only that one thought -- of home and safety -- that kept her going. No use thinking of the folly they'd been through, what an unwise choice it had been to have taken the teaching assignment in the first place. If she ever got home she promised herself that she would never again leave England.

They climbed and crawled and rested briefly, wordlessly, the entire day, inching their way over the rough terrain. The sun came up and illuminated their path for a few hours and then an early twilight once again descended into the Chasm. With the sun, it felt too hot but when it went down, they felt at first refreshed and then grew chilled as they crept along. They had no way of knowing how much farther it was to the top. They couldn't look up or down for fear of falling. They just kept feeling their way, following Henry as he led them higher and higher up the rocky face of the Chasm.

And then Henry stopped and looked back at them.

-Ladies, he said, I think we're nearly at the top. The path has widened and I think I see something that could be it. He pointed to a large boulder that seemed to teeter over the side. They could even make out some sparse grass and roots of overhanging shrubbery.

-Here's what we'll do. You two stay well behind me and I'll have a look-see. If it's clear, I'll signal and you two come along then.

-But Henry, where could we run if it isn't safe. Back the way we came. I don't think so. We'll be right behind you. Whatever is there, we'll meet it together. Adele nodded as Patricia finished her little speech.

-All right. Come on then.

The two teachers crowded up against Henry and the three of them struggled up and around the boulder crawling the last few feet until they finally reached level ground.

-Where are we, do you think? Adele asked Henry as they brushed themselves off and looked around. It was dusk and the twilight shadows made it difficult to see anything clearly. They were dirty, clothes torn and battered from their long ordeal. They felt worse than they looked.

-Don't know for sure, but I think I see the railway station up ahead there. Let's go that way.

Henry and the teachers plodded along slowly, trying to catch their bearings.

-Look, Patricia, Adele whispered. A person could walk right off the edge of this precipice without even knowing it. There's no guardrail or anything. A person wandering around in the dark could slip and fall and nobody'd ever even find them. Into the Chasm and gone for good and all.

-Hmm, you're right. Gives me the creeps.

-Just ahead! That's the station. I remember it now. Just after the train crossed the bridge, another station on the other side. Remember, Adele? That always seemed funny to me. How much further to the village where we held classes do you think?

-You mean walking?  Don't know. It didn't take long by train though. Could be a few kilometers, maybe more.

They made their way to the station and went round to the ticket window like any would-be passenger. It was closed. Henry banged on it anyhow.

-Hello, there, anybody home? The trio stood pounding on the window pleading with the grillwork.

Then from behind them came a shout.

-Halt!  Who goes there?

They spun around. A soldier stood at the corner of the building, armed with a rifle pointed directly at them. They raised their arms and stood trembling.

-Don't shoot us. We're English. Patricia tried her best to sound unafraid but her voice squeaked out the words in spite of herself.

-Come with me, he said as he pointed the way to the rear of the train station. The trio slowly moved in the direction he pointed.

-Hurry. Move on. To the door, then stop. The soldier gave them terse directions and once they all arrived at the door he pounded on it with his rifle butt.

-Enter! The door opened and another soldier stood before them. He appeared older. The guard saluted him and grunted, pushing the trio into a line in front of him.

-Come in here where it's light, he barked at the teachers.

-That will be all. Back to your post, he said dismissing the guard, as the threesome entered the station's backroom. The furnishings were minimal, a desk, a few battered chairs, a stool at a counter for the ticket master. A telephone!

-See here, sir, Patricia started. I was trying to explain to that man that we're English and we must get back home at once. If we could just use your telephone, I'm sure we can straighten everything out and be on our way.

-Yes, yes, yes. May I see your papers, please?

-Oh, of course. Patricia and Adele both groped into their bags as the guard watched them. Henry remained still, not wanting to attract any attention. The guard eyed him carefully as the ladies pulled their passports out and handed them over.

He opened Patricia's and carefully looked at her picture and compared it to her.

-Hmm. Not a good likeness, but close enough.

-Well, you see, Patricia started, we've been through a lot and we're…how shall I say it…not looking our sharpest at this time. Please excuse the way we look. We've had a very rough few days.

He ignored her pleas and continued looking at their documents. Then his eyebrows lifted and a smile appeared on his face.

-Oh ho. Now I know who you are. You're the teachers. Well, I didn't recognize you at first. We've been waiting for you, wondering when you might show up. He smiled. I have something for you. With that he handed Patricia an envelope.

Patricia looked at Adele, who shrugged.

-Mail? Really Patricia. I didn't know you had a penpal here. Get on with it. Open it, would you, Adele demanded.

Patricia opened the letter with shaking hands. Inside was a handwritten letter, which stated:

Dear Honorable School Teachers Miss Patricia and Miss Adele:

I hope this letter reaches you in good health. We have good news for you. We are all fine at the mansion, awaiting your return. Even the canary has flown back to its cage and is singing gratefully for his birdseed as before. The little dog sits in the drive also awaiting your footsteps.

You see, when the villagers found the major and his men without any clothes, or weapons, everyone laughed and cheered. Even the jeep, his most prized possession, was gone. No one believed in him or his cause any longer. The unpleasantness is over, for good this time, we believe.

Please return to us. We need you.

Your faithful servant, Anna

Patricia looked at the guard who smiled and saluted her.

-You must forgive us, madam, he said. When you came through the door I didn't recognize you. You are so, well, how shall I say this without offending you, different-looking. I remember seeing you both every day on the train, but now…

-You are most certainly forgiven, sir. This information comes as a great surprise to us. Give us a moment, then, would you.

She turned to Adele, who stood, mouth open, in total shock. Henry smiled, obviously pleased at the good news.

-Well, then, whatever shall we do next? Adele?

-Oh, this is a surprise, then, isn't it? I never thought… They turned to Henry. He looked at them for a moment longer before speaking.

-It has been a pleasure to serve you and help you through this ordeal, but now I believe it is time for me to return home. I hope you will understand. If you please, I'll be happy to take you back there with me, if you so desire.

Adele looked at Patricia, who smiled and shook her head slowly from side to side.

-Henry, I believe you're absolutely correct. It's time to go home now, to our own home, if you don't mind.

-If that's your wish, I'll see to it at once. He bowed slightly and clicked his heels, heading to the desk and the telephone.

-Oh, Patricia. I can't believe it. Before long we'll be safe aboard the train, and I can lie back and think of England. We'll be home soon. I just know it. A tear slid down her grimy cheek as she turned and hugged Henry. Thank you so much. We couldn't have done it without you.

Later, settled into their seats on the train, the two teachers contemplated their adventure. They both agreed it was time to give up their travels and settle down to the familiar trappings of home and hearth. England summertime, teatime and all of it -- high time indeed. Yes, indeed, it was...yes...yes...yes...

The End

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