Page:The Riddle of the Sands- A Record of Secret Service (IA dli.granth.107255).pdf/13

 allaying the rumours that were current; secondly, because in such a form the narrative would not carry conviction, and would thus defeat its own end. The persons and the events were indissolubly connected; to evade, abridge, suppress, would be to convey to the reader the idea of a concocted hoax. Indeed, I took, bolder ground still, urging that the story should be made as explicit and circumstantial as possible, frankly and honestly for the purpose of entertaining and so of attracting a wide circle of readers. Even anonymity was undesirable. Nevertheless, certain precautions were, imperatively needed.

To cut the matter short, they asked for my assistance and received it at once. It was arranged that I should edit the book; that "Carruthers" should give me his diary and recount to me in fuller detail and from his own point of view all the phases of the "quest," as they used to call it; that Mr. "Davies" should meet me with his charts and maps and do the same; and that the whole story should be written, as from the mouth of the former, with its humours and errors, its light and its dark side, just as it happened; with the following few limitations. The year it belongs to is disguised the names of persons are throughout fictitious; and, at my instance, certain slight liberties have been taken to conceal the identity of the English characters.

Remember, also, that these persons are living now in the midst of us, and if you find one topic touched on with a light and hesitating pen do not blame the Editor, who, whether they are known or not, would rather say too little than say a word that might savour of impertinence. E. C. March, 1903