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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1c8071a --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #66815 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/66815) diff --git a/old/66815-0.txt b/old/66815-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 66734f2..0000000 --- a/old/66815-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7935 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of In Caverns Below, by Stanton A. Coblentz - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: In Caverns Below - -Author: Stanton A. Coblentz - -Release Date: November 24, 2021 [eBook #66815] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -Produced by: Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN CAVERNS BELOW *** - - - - - IN CAVERNS BELOW - - By STANTON A. COBLENTZ - - [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from - Wonder Stories March, April, May 1935. - It was published later using the title Hidden World. - Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that - the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] - - - If we were told to list a dozen writers whom we considered great - science-fiction authors, we should certainly place the name of - Stanton A. Coblentz high up in the list. - - When Coblentz writes a short story, it is excellent, but when he - composes a novel, such as the present one, you will have to go far - and wide to find a better story. - - We sincerely believe that "In Caverns Below" will go down in - science-fiction history with the other novels of Stanton A. - Coblentz and will be re-read by the ever-growing multitude of - science-fiction fans during future decades. - - Here we find everything that distinguishes our author's work from - all others--what more can we say? - - * * * * * - -It is now five years since Philip Clay and I were given up by the world -as lost, five years since we plunged into that appalling adventure -from which, even today, we have barely begun to recover. During nine -tenths of that time, we dwelt far from the sight of our fellow men in a -remote and incredible land of wizardry and terror; we made discoveries -which, we are certain, have never been surpassed since Columbus voyaged -westward to the New World; we encountered perils that we still shudder -to recall, and experienced triumphs that make us sigh regretfully in -recollection. And it is only by the rarest of good fortune that we -survive to tell the story to those who, long ago, wept at the news of -our passing. - -One fact in the case, and only one, will be remembered by the public. -In the autumn of 1929, newspapers throughout the country reported that -Philip Clay and Frank Comstock, mining engineers and boon companions, -disappeared in the depths of a silver mine in Nevada. It was generally -believed that a cave-in of unexplained origin had been responsible for -their death, and that they had been crushed beyond recognition, for no -trace of their mutilated bodies was ever found. The world, with its -insatiable appetite for tragedy and horror, was naturally interested -for a time, but as the days and weeks wore by and no further news -was forthcoming, public attention was diverted to other affairs, and -Comstock and Clay were forgotten.... - -Yet it is I, Frank Comstock, who write these words. It is I, Frank -Comstock, who a few months ago returned as if from the grave, to -announce that Clay and I had not been killed in the mine disaster. It -is I, Frank Comstock, who have come back to record my experiences, and -to proclaim that, even in this twentieth century, there are more worlds -about us than our philosophy has ever taken into account. - -Let me therefore go back over these harrowing five years and try to -report, as simply and accurately as I can, each episode in the whole -chain of extraordinary events. - -It will be needless to linger over the preliminaries, to tell how Clay -and I, chums at college, had been partners since our graduation from -Western Institute of Mining twelve years before, how we had pooled -our fortunes and joined our lives and spent all of our time in mutual -experiments and enterprises in the back-regions of Montana, Idaho, and -other states of the mountain belt. Passing over all this, let me tell -how, in September, 1929, we were called to pass judgment upon the old -Carlson Flat silver mine, which an eastern syndicate was just reopening -in a particularly remote region of central Nevada. I recall how, for -two days, we trailed with our pack-team over the desert mountains, -our nostrils assaulted by the fine alkaline dust and our eyes wearied -by the never-ending gray and yellow of the sagebrush. "A God-forsaken -country!" muttered Clay, his fine blue eyes lighted with a reminiscent -gleam, as he thought of the wooded mountains of the north. "Heavens, -but I'll be thankful when we get out of here!" - -Little, however, did he realize how long it would be before we would -get out! - -At last, to our relief, we reached Carlson Flat--as desolate a spot as -was imaginable, at the edge of a narrow barren plateau just beneath -a projecting stony ridge that beetled a thousand feet above us. -Fortunately, the location mattered little, since we spent most of the -time underground; but we did not particularly relish our task in that -old, long-abandoned mine, whose shafts were not only unusually dank and -narrow, but exceptionally deep. For some reason that I cannot explain, -a premonition came to us both; it was as if some voice from within us -cried out, "Flee! Flee, before it is too late!" We seemed to read some -nameless menace in those dark sloping galleries, lighted only by the -fluttering illumination of our torches; and, accustomed though we were -to underground labyrinths, we somehow could not laugh away the sense of -peril that confronted us in every foot-fall and shadow. - -"Guess we're growing soft-headed in our old age!" suggested Clay, with -a forced attempt at jocularity. - -But I still recall how his rugged face, indistinctly visible in the -glare of the flashlight, took on a troubled expression as he uttered -these words; and I know how his unspoken fears communicated themselves -to me in a shudder of apprehension. - -None the less, being reasonable beings, we would not let our misgivings -deter us from investigating the mine. Would that we had taken warning -from our own sense of danger! For, on the third day, we were hurled -into catastrophe. - -It was then that we had decided to inspect the furthest and deepest -section of the diggings. Accompanied by two or three workmen and an -official of the company, we made our way tortuously through galleries -that seemed miles long, and penetrated the dim, dank descent hundreds -of feet beneath the desert floor. As we groped and fumbled silently -downward, I was in far from a cheerful mood, for that weird, mysterious -feeling of peril was still with me, the feeling of walking into a trap! -Besides, as if to lend a basis of reason to my forebodings, what was -that sudden faint trembling of the earth that I seemed to feel every -now and then, that occasional rude jarring of the gallery floor, as -if from the concussion of a distant explosion?--or was it only my -imagination? - -"Did you feel that?" I demanded of Clay, upon being shaken by the -severest of the tremors. But he merely snapped, "Feel what?" and the -pale light of the torches did not reveal the workings of his features. - -"Seemed like an earthquake to me!" I muttered, as the ground beneath my -feet once more gave a slight, almost imperceptible fluttering. - -"Earthquake? Nonsense!" flung back Clay. "How could it be? We're way -out of the earthquake belt, aren't we?" - -I mumbled in the affirmative, but was not reassured. - -Nevertheless, we said no more about the matter, and a few minutes -later we had reached the lower limits of the mine. Forgetting my -fears, I had pushed on with Clay ahead of our companions and was just -turning my flashlight on an ore-producing ledge at the bottom of the -gallery ... when suddenly there occurred that event which only too -completely justified my alarm. - -Like many of life's crises, it was all over in a minute. Yet it seemed -infinitely prolonged, seemed packed with the experience of hours, of -days, almost of years. I can still relive the dagger-shaft of terror -that shot through me when the earth, without warning, gave a quick -convulsive lurch, like the deck of a vessel in a storm at sea; I can -still hear the sharp frightened exclamation from the throat of Clay and -the startled shouts of our companions from down the tunnel. Once more -I listen to the crunching, grinding, and groaning of the earth and the -low rumbling from far subterranean depths; I am again pitched headlong -to the floor as the ground beneath us heaves and threshes; I catch the -panic-gleam in the eyes of my companion as he tries vainly to clutch -a projecting spike of rock; then for an instant, as the commotion -momentarily subsides, I almost succeed in regaining my feet, only to be -hurled down again with a fury that leaves me bruised and bleeding. - -As I strive for the second time to pick myself up, my ears ring with -a tumult as of an avalanche. With terrorizing force, the crash and -thunder of falling rock breaks upon my stunned senses; the roof of the -gallery has collapsed, and Clay and I are cut-off from our companions -in a chamber only a few yards across, at the extreme end of the tunnel! - -Prisoners, both of us! By the wavering rays of a flashlight, we see -ourselves entombed in a stone-walled cell deep underground! But even -as this realization sweeps across our minds, still greater dread -overwhelms us. Our world again sways like a drunken sailor, there is a -fresh roaring in our ears, a huge rock is dislodged and crashes down -from the roof with a howl of demoniac menace, and then, at our very -feet, the tortured earth groans and opens, and a huge black fissure -spreads out beneath us! - -Desperately, like mountain climbers on a crumbling precipice, we strive -to maintain our balance on the narrow floor of our prison. But we are -as helpless as babes. We see the fissure widening, spreading out like -the pitchy jaws of doom; we know that, in an instant, we will no longer -have a foothold; then, at the moment of supreme horror, the light in -Clay's flashlight flickers and goes out, and we are plunged into utter -darkness.... - -At the same time, clutching instinctively at the overhanging rocks, -which delay, but cannot halt our flight, we feel ourselves slipping. -I hear once again Clay's cry of consternation; I hear the uproar of -sliding earth and rock; I feel my arms and shoulders bruised and -mangled; I have a sense of suffocation, a sense of being buried beneath -tons of dead matter; then, all at once, a veil of quietness, of -vacancy, of oblivion blots out my consciousness. - - - - - CHAPTER II - - A Mysterious Light - - -I have always marvelled that Clay and I lived through the cataclysm. -But probably we owe our survival to the fact that the fissure, far -from being perpendicular, sloped at an angle of only thirty or forty -degrees, so that, while rolling over and over in our descent, we were -at least spared a direct drop. - -At all events, we finally did come to a stop without receiving any -fatal hurt. It may have been minutes, or it may have been hours, before -I recovered consciousness; but when at length I came to myself, it was -with a dull aching in the head, and with a sensation of soreness in -every limb and muscle. - -"Where am I?" I gasped, still but hazily aware of what had happened, -and with the sickly, absurd feeling that perhaps I had died and was -reawakening in the Afterlife. And it was only the sound of another -human voice that brought me once more to my senses. - -"Where are you? Would to God I knew!--down in hell, I guess!" came in -mumbled accents from an unseen figure. - -"Much hurt, Phil?" I jerked out, striving vainly to locate my friend -amid the impenetrable blackness. And, as I spoke, I moved to a sitting -position and made my first effort to extricate myself from the rocks -and dust that buried me almost waist-deep. - -"No, not hurt much!" came Clay's drawled reply. "A few little cuts and -bruises, more or less, and one black eye. But what does that amount -to? Couldn't use the eye down here, anyway!" - -And then, after a moment of silence, he asked, "How about you, Frank? -Hope you're not banged up too much." - -"No, I'm all right," I protested, as stanchly as I could, considering -that I felt as if I had been run through a threshing-machine. - -"We'll sure be able to collect big damages!" proceeded Clay, as -optimistically as though we had already made our escape. "But say, old -pal, you certainly were right about the earthquake! That one was a -whopper! I didn't know they had them around this part of the country!" - -"Neither did I!" I declared. And, even as I spoke, a violent shudder -once more went through me. The earth was again trembling! - -"Guess the climate here isn't any too healthy!" decided my friend, -while from somewhere amid the darkness, I heard him shaking off the -débris and struggling to his feet. "Don't know where we are, Frank, but -I wouldn't mind being anywhere else! Come! Where are you, old fellow?" - -As we had lost the flashlights in our fall, it took us several anxious -minutes to locate one another amid that tar-like blackness. Several -times we stumbled over unseen obstacles, and more than once we followed -a false lead; but at length, guided by the sound of each other's -voices, we brushed shoulders in the darkness. And thenceforth, like -lost children, we held hands lest we lose track of each other. - -Where had we fallen?--to what hidden cavern deep in the earth's maw? -This was the question we asked ourselves many times, as we groped -our way down the sloping floor, we could not guess whither. Yet each -moment we were making discoveries. After a few minutes, as we shuffled -cautiously forward, we had passed the débris-littered area and found a -smooth stone floor slanting beneath our feet. And we discovered that, a -yard or two to each side of us, was a polished stone wall! - -"Holy Jerusalem!" whistled my companion. "Who'd have thought the mine -reached down this far?" - -"Mine?" I returned, derisively. "Your misfortunes must have gone to -your head, Phil! When did you ever see a mine with polished walls?" - -"Well, what is it if not a mine?" he flung back in gruff challenge. -"What is it? Just tell me that!" - -Not being able to answer, I remained silent. But a strange suspicion, -which had been forming in my mind, was gradually deepening; and -involuntarily I shuddered once more and pressed closer to my -friend--nor was I reassured by the renewed trembling of the earth which -from time to time interrupted our ruminations. - -I am afraid that grim conjectures came into the mind of Clay also, -for he remained tense and silent for many minutes as we continued to -fumble, like blind men, down those uncanny subterranean corridors. - -"The devil take us both!" he at last muttered, with an attempted levity -that did not serve to conceal his alarm. "You'd think we were going -straight down to Dante's Inferno! Why, I can almost feel the little -imps dancing in the darkness all about us!" - -"The imps be damned!" I snapped in unseemly irritation. - -"Most likely, that's what _we'll_ be," he returned, wryly. And then, in -soberer tones, he spoke again. - -"But seriously, old man, where do you suppose we are?--in the pit of -some extinct volcano?" - -"Possibly--but that doesn't explain why the walls are so smooth and -even." - -"No, it doesn't. However, mightn't it be the channel of a dried-up -subterranean river? In the course of ages, the water might have washed -the walls smooth." - -"It might have," I conceded, briefly. Yet deep within me, there was -the feeling, the persistent feeling, that it was not water that had -hollowed out the passageway. - -For ten or fifteen minutes we plodded on without a word, moving at -a snail's pace in our anxiety, and not aware of any change in our -environment. The walls were still as polished and regular as ever; -the blackness was as absolute and as unbroken; the occasional jarring -of the earth continued at uneven intervals, growing a little more -pronounced than before, but disturbing us less, since we were now -becoming used to it. - -Then, unexpectedly, the gallery curved, turning almost at right angles; -and, as we felt our way around the bend, it curved again at an even -sharper angle; then it curved once more, while, as if to add to our -bewilderment, we discovered several side-galleries branching off in -various directions. - -At the same time, the thuddings of the earth grew more severe than ever -and they were accompanied by rumblings, roars, and reverberations of -terrifying force and insistency. Crash after crash burst upon our ears -as if from some remote storm-center--crash after crash that echoed and -re-echoed eerily in that narrow corridor, until our ear-drums ached -from the strain and our agitated hearts pumped with a thumping rapidity. - -What could it be?--some volcanic disturbance in the heart of the earth? -So we were inclined to believe as, sweating with fear, we halted for a -consultation. In another moment, might we not feel the reek of sulphur -in our nostrils and gasp our last beneath the suffocating fumes? - -For several minutes we conferred, but could reach no conclusion. -Standing there against the invisible cavern wall, with the earth almost -constantly quivering and with low, gruff, distant detonations dinning -upon our ears, we found it difficult, almost impossible to exchange -ideas. That terror which is close to madness was upon us both; and -since the most difficult thing to do was to do nothing at all, it was -not long before we were on our way again. - -A moment later we were to receive a sharp surprise. Groping around -another bend in the gallery, we were startled to see, far ahead of -us, an indistinct patch of light. Vaguely rectangular in shape, and -of an unearthly greenish hue, it wavered and flickered strangely, at -times almost disappearing, at times flaring to a hectic, momentary -brilliance, shot through with flashes of red, orange, and violet. And, -simultaneously, the far-off thunders grew more deep-throated, with -occasional snarls and reports as of siege-artillery. - -"Sacred Catfish!" muttered Clay in awe-stricken tones. "You could -almost believe the old yarns about Satan and his court of devils!" - -I must confess that, hard-headed man of science though I pride myself -on being, a wave of superstitions fright went through me at these -words; some old ancestral terror had gripped me until my legs shook and -all but sank beneath me. Nevertheless, I strove desperately to rally -what remained of my strength. - -"Court of devils?" I tossed back, mockingly. "The only devils are in -your imagination, Phil! It's clear enough what's wrong; the earth is -suffering from a little fit of indigestion, something out of gear down -here in her volcanic entrails. Most likely it'll clear up any moment." - -Hardly were these words out of my mouth when the earth gave a lurch so -violent that we were both knocked off our feet. And for one instant, -the light from down the gallery became a sun-like illumination, by -whose glare I caught a glimpse of Clay's harried face, scarred and red -with newly clotted blood, with one eye half closed, and with a long -gash across the great dome of his forehead. - -Probably I did not present a more inviting sight, for, as we both -picked ourselves up from the cavern floor, he exclaimed, "Say, old -fellow, I ought to have your picture now! The way you're looking, you'd -scare off a brigade of fighting Hottentots!" - -Not thanking him for this compliment, I started away again along the -gallery, whose walls were now and then dimly visible by the flickering -light from ahead. All lingering idea that it was the channel of a -subterranean river was now dissipated! To our astonishment, we saw -that the ceiling formed a perfect triangle, an inverted V like the -roof of a house! Here was the handiwork of man--or else we were both -dreaming! But what man before us had penetrated to these abysmal -labyrinths? - -But it was useless to speculate. Let us go forward and find out! It -is difficult for me today to say how Clay and I, fear-stricken and -wounded, found courage to press on through that hideous, down-sloping -cavern, where at any moment we might expect annihilation. Perhaps it -was that we realized the impossibility of retracing our footsteps -through the darkness; perhaps it was that the light ahead, mysterious -and frightening as it was, seemed less to be dreaded than the gloom -behind; perhaps it was that curiosity, which so often is the father of -recklessness, led us on moth-like toward the seduction of the far-off -radiance. - -In any case, we did continue to move forward, though very slowly and -cautiously; and as by degrees we approached the light, we were relieved -to find that the earth trembled less violently and less often, and that -the illumination down the passageway grew more steady and distinct. - -"See, Phil, I told you the earthquakes would be over soon!" I reassured -my companion; and he, not venturing a reply, merely quickened his -footsteps, as if in tacit agreement. - -Little did either of us foresee how much more violent, how much more -amazing, how much more terrifying our adventures would be after we had -gained the longed-for haven of the light. - - - - - CHAPTER III - - The Brink of the Abyss - - -At last we were drawing near the mysterious light. It had now ceased to -flicker and shone with a steady greenish-yellow glare, so bright as to -illuminate the gallery with a weird radiance, wherein we could clearly -distinguish each other's features. The source of the light, however, -remained an enigma; while we, pressing on with increasing boldness, -were resolved to discover its nature or perish in the attempt. - -In a few minutes we had reached the end of the corridor, and, turning -sharply, we found ourselves in a wider passageway penetrated by scores -of cross-galleries and ending, about a hundred yards beyond, in a -perfect blaze of greenish light. - -"Lord in Heaven!" exclaimed the awe-stricken Clay, as we reached the -new thoroughfare. "Are we dreaming?--or am I simply crazy?" - -"Guess we're both crazy!" I muttered. And then, shielding my eyes from -the glare and nerving myself for a supreme effort, I said, "Come on; -let's find out what's what!" - -"Might as well die exploring!" he conceded grimly as we resumed our -pilgrimage. - -I now noticed for the first time that Clay was walking with a slight -limp; I also noticed that his rude mining costume was not only soiled -with great streaks and blotches of black, but was ripped and torn in a -hundred places, exposing the bare skin every here and there, so that he -looked a perfect ragamuffin. But my own clothes, I could see, were in -an equally sorry condition. - -As we slowly covered the hundred yards to the end of the second -gallery, Clay's mind seemed to center on somber thoughts. I could see -the bleak furrows on his long, lean, battered face; I could read his -disconsolate expression as, with a great hairy hand, he thoughtfully -stroked his dishevelled red locks. But I was little prepared for his -next words. - -"Say, Frank, if anything happens to me, see that my old mother back in -Denver gets my watch as a remembrance. And tell her I was thinking of -her at the last--" - -"The devil I will! Tell her yourself! What's getting into you, Phil?" -I interrupted, almost savagely. "Haven't you as good a chance as I of -getting out of this infernal mess?" - -"I suppose I have, at that!" he acknowledged, wryly. "Guess it's both -of us, or neither!" - -At this point our conversation was interrupted by our arrival at the -end of the second gallery, where we were to make a discovery compared -with which our previous surprises appeared insignificant. - -I remember that it was Clay, who, preceding me by half a dozen feet, -was the first to stop short and gasp out his astonishment. - -"God above!" I heard his swift exclamation; and I observed how, -stricken all but speechless, he gaped open-mouthed into the -green-lighted vacancy beyond. "God above!" he murmured a second time, -before a dumbfounded silence overwhelmed him. - -At a bound I had gained his side; and I too, as I gazed in bewilderment -before me, seemed to have lost my tongue. "Merciful Heavens!" was all -I could mumble in my amazement. "Merciful Heavens, what's this?" And -I rubbed my eyes and pinched my sides, to make sure that I was not -dreaming. - -How shall I describe that stupendous scene which suddenly unfolded -before us? Surely, the discoverer of a new planet could not have had a -deeper sense of awe and wonder! For it was literally a new world that -we beheld. The gallery had ended as if on the brink of a precipice; we -were staring down, through yellowish-green abysses, into a chasm as -wide and deep as the Grand Canyon of Arizona--as wide and deep, but -by no means as irregular--by no means so narrow at the bottom! Unlike -the great gorge of the Colorado River, it showed no unevenness of -structure; sheer stone walls, straight and precipitous as the walls of -a room, shot down beneath us a mile deep; sheer stone walls, equally -precipitous and straight, rose opposite us at a distance of more than -a mile, and between them spread the bare, level floor of the cavern, -which reached to our right and left to an incalculable remoteness. - -An unspeakably weird sensation overcame me as I gazed, in the -thunderstricken silence, at that tremendous excavation. There was -such an atmosphere of unreality about it all that only by degrees -did my startled senses absorb the details--the gentle curve of the -ceiling, which, arching but a few hundred feet above us, revealed -fantastic figures, vaguely man-shaped, that stood out sharply in -cameo--the multitude of greenish-yellow bulbs which, square or rounded -or elongated into rods and spirals, studded the walls by the thousand -and hung in long strings from above--the small round openings like the -portholes of a vessel, which dotted the opposite side of the cavern in -inestimable myriads, confronting us in scores of horizontal lines, and -the little door-like apertures that opened at regular intervals all -along the cavern floor. - - * * * * * - -Long and intently we gazed into that miraculous abyss; many minutes -must have passed while we stood there spellbound. It was I that first -regained some measure of composure; with a shock, I saw my companion -standing entranced, so near the brink of the precipice that I trembled -for his safety. - -With a hasty gesture, I pulled him back a step. "Better watch out, -Phil!" I warned, "else I won't have even your watch to bring back to -your mother!" - -Like a man in a daze, he wiped a grimy hand over his carrot-colored -hair. "Good thing she can't see me now!" he gasped. "Lord preserve me! -she'd be offering up prayers for the soul of her poor boy lost in Hell!" - -"Lost in Hell is right!" I acknowledged, grimly. - -"If I hadn't bit my lips to make sure I was alive, Frank," he -continued, with an ugly grimace of his scarred face, "I'd think we had -both died and were wandering around somewhere in the devil's back yard!" - -Before I had had time to reply, fresh alarm swept aver us both; -once more the earth wavered violently and the distant thunders and -detonations burst out with renewed fury. At the same time, a shaft of -violet light, from some unknown source, shot across the cavern with -lightning swiftness. Then, in the barest fraction of a second, waves of -orange light and of vermilion followed; then, while Clay and I stared -at each other in consternation, the greenish-yellow luminaries all -flickered and seemed about to be extinguished. Simultaneously, our ears -were struck by a distant blast of sound, a little like the notes of a -bugle; and the next instant, as the greenish-yellow lights regained -their former brilliancy, a scene of startling activity became visible -on the cavern floor. - -Had we obeyed the dictates of our hammering hearts, we should have -turned and fled. The impulse to flee was, indeed, powerful within us; -but partly because we did not wish to seem cowards in each other's -eyes, and partly because of our insatiable curiosity, we fought down -our self-protective instinct, flung ourselves full-length upon the -gallery floor, crept to the edge of the abyss, and gazed across. And -there, in that recumbent position, like small boys secretly watching -a ball game, we witnessed a spectacle so unimaginably strange that I -cannot recall it even today without a shudder of the old horror. - - - - - CHAPTER IV - - Thunderbolts - - -From our vantage-point near the cavern roof, we could not clearly -follow all that was happening a mile beneath; however, we were able to -observe more than a little. In the beginning, we were astonished to see -the doors at the base of the excavation all thrown open, to admit a -multitude of black ant-like mites, which we did not at first recognize -as human beings. So minute were they, in view of their distance, that -they might have been mere swarming insects. To discover much about -their appearance or costume was out of the question; nevertheless, -we were not long in learning their nature, for they immediately drew -themselves up into precise rectangular formations, each of which was -divided into scores of long, mathematically even columns. - -"By Heaven!" I gasped, as I lay peeping across the edge of the abyss. -"If it isn't an army!" - -"Sure enough, an army!" agreed Clay, his mouth agape till the lower jaw -seemed ready to drop off. "I'll swear they look like the devil's own -recruits! Just see the banners gleaming!" - -By straining my eyes, I could distinguish flashes of yellow and purple, -as from the waving of battle flags. - -"Say, look down there!" my companion ejaculated the next second, -leaning over the edge of the void until I feared he would take a -mile-long fall. "There's not one army! There's two!" - -"Sure you're not seeing double, old pal?" I demanded. And then, at -the risk of losing my own balance, I leaned out fully as far as Clay, -staring into the dreadful chasm directly below. - -It was indeed as my friend had said! Just under us was a second army, -its innumerable multitudes arrayed in neat rectangles, and its banners -flashing in vermilion and green! - -From the opposite sides of the cavern the two great masses of men, -each composed of scores of thousands of individuals, were approaching -one another with slow and gracefully coördinated movements. Had -they a hostile intent?--or were they merely on friendly parade? So -quietly were they advancing that both Clay and I leapt to the latter -explanation. It would not be long before we would learn our mistake! - -"By my grandmother's ghost, Frank! Where do all those fellows come -from?" exclaimed Clay, turning toward me with eyes bulging in wonder -and alarm. "What would you have said only yesterday, old chap, if some -one had drawn you a picture of all this?" - -"I'd have said he was dafter than a mad hatter!" - -"Chances are we'd have had him locked up!" agreed Clay. "Say, do you -know--" - -But he was not to complete his sentence. For at this point a -never-to-be-forgotten demonstration burst forth. - -It was as if the entire cavern had shot all at once into flames. It was -as if a thunder-storm of unparalleled fury had flared simultaneously -at a hundred points. There came a wave of dazzling white light which -flashed across the cavern on a jagged course and all but blinded us; -then, while our stunned senses reeled beneath the blow, we were smitten -by a clap of thunder so severe that our ear-drums fairly rang. Almost -instantly, other detonations followed, with a banging as of tremendous -explosions; and new lightnings streaked and blazed, with red and green -and orange coruscations as their long twisting lances zigzagged from -wall to wall. At the same time, the ground began to shake once more, to -shake so violently that we had to cling desperately to a rocky ledge; -and from moment to moment the tremors increased in severity. At last we -could understand the source of the earthquakes! - -[Illustration: New lightnings streaked and blazed with red and green -and orange coruscations as their long twisting lances zigzagged from -wall to wall.] - -Speechless as deaf-mutes, Clay and I stared across at one another in -horror. But in his startled eyes I read a message: "Come, let's go!" -And his hand was motioning away down the gallery. - -Gladly I would have followed his suggestion. But I was as if glued -to the ledge. My panic-stricken muscles would not obey my will; I -quivered, rose to my knees, and then dropped down full-length once -more, terrified lest the heaving earth should pitch me over the -cavern edge. - -Yet terror could not subdue curiosity; I still gazed down at that -fantastic cavern floor, over which the colored lightnings flickered. -And what a ghastly discovery I made! Where were those orderly armies -that had thronged across the abyss a minute before? - - * * * * * - -For a moment, I merely gaped wide-eyed, wondering if my senses were -deceiving me. The armies had both vanished! In their place were -multitudes of black specks strewn pell-mell about the cavern floor, in -all manner of distorted positions, some of them bunched together in -great dark heaps, some of them clustered amid little new-made crimson -patches! - -"Do you see? Do you see?" I exclaimed, when a lull in the thunder once -more permitted conversation. "Shot to tatters, the whole lot of them!" - -"Shot to tatters!" Clay echoed, his bruised face performing wry antics -as he spoke. "Wonder what the whole infernal mess was all about." - -"Marvelous, anyway, how they use their lightnings to kill," I commented. - -"Marvelous the way both sides won!" he snapped back. "Doesn't seem to -be much left of either of them!" - -In this statement, however, Clay was mistaken. We were soon to learn -that all too much was left of both factions. - -While the lightnings still leapt and vaulted through space, crossing -and criss-crossing the atmosphere with dagger-flames of blue and -yellow, there rose a low, regular, distant rumbling--a rumbling too -even and continuous for thunder, and yet more ominous-sounding than -thunder, since it gained each moment in force and volume and had a -monotonous, rhythmical, thudding effect reminding one of the motor of -some great machine. - -"God be merciful, what's this coming?" suddenly cried my companion, -pointing far down the cavern. "See, Frank! Can you make out what it is?" - -At the renewed risk of falling over the edge, I peered in the indicated -direction; and, as I did so, I received perhaps the severest shock I -had yet had on this day of horrors. "Lord Almighty!" I gasped. "It's a -battleship on wheels!" - -"It's not one of them! It's two!" shouted Clay. - -And indeed, two monster shapes, each as large as the dreadnoughts of a -modern navy, were gliding toward us out of the greenish-yellow glare -far to the right. With long, pointed, steel-like prows, thin tapering -sterns, and squat funnels belching smoke and steam, they had the shape -and appearance of warships, except that they displayed no masts or -gun-turrets. But little dark tubes curving from their sides looked very -much like guns. - -"See the wheels," yelled Clay, trying to make himself heard above the -increasing uproar of the monsters' approach; and I observed how scores -of wheels, each of them twenty or thirty feet across, were arranged all -along the sides of the great machines, bearing them forward with the -speed of an ocean liner. - -"Seems to be in a hurry!" I yelled back, as I noticed with what steady -roaring haste the vessels pressed forward. - -But I had no time to wonder what the machines might be, or what -incredible people, populating the abysses of the earth, had developed -such giant mechanisms. Before I had half recovered from my surprise, I -was aware that Clay, no longer able to make his voice heard above the -din of the approaching monsters, was nudging my elbow and pointing in -great agitation to our left. - -"See! See there!" I read the unexpressed words on his lips. "Just look -at that! Just look! Just look!" - -Well might he be agitated. From far down the cavern to our left, three -more land-battleships were rumbling toward us, shooting out flashes of -red and white lightning like a challenge, while hastening to meet the -other Titans as though intending a head-on collision. - - - - - CHAPTER V - - Separated! - - -Straight on and on the two sets of battle-monsters came, their ugly -pointed forms half-concealed in puffs and streamers of black smoke. -Waving at the stern of one group, we could distinguish banners of -yellow and purple, while the other group displayed green and vermilion -flags; but otherwise it was hard to tell them apart. On the decks of -all the vessels alike we could see swarms of animated black specks; -from the curved tubes at their sides we observed darts of lightning -intermittently shooting; and meantime their rumbling and roaring made a -pandemonium as of a thousand locomotives in simultaneous action. - -As they drew near each other, the two groups did not relax their speed. -Indeed, their pace was only accelerated! With the velocity of motor -cars on a highway, they raced to within a few hundred yards of each -other, as if intending to ram and destroy. There came a prodigious -hissing of steam as they rolled toward the death-grip; for a moment, -the five rushing monsters were obscured amid clouds of vapor, through -which the blue and yellow lightnings flared in innumerable bolts. Then -our aching ears caught the shock of a concussion so severe that for a -second we were stunned; then other shocks, equally severe, followed one -upon the other, as though a mile high giant were delivering blows with -a sledgehammer; then, while the earth reeled and staggered, we were too -dazed to be aware of anything except a stupendous uproar and commotion. - -But by slow degrees, the din subsided. By slow degrees, the wavering -ground regained its balance. Bewildered and still trembling, Clay and -I nerved ourselves to peer out again across the cavern edge. Yet for -a minute we saw nothing; the depths of the canyon were blanketed in -a fuming yellow vapor which obscured everything like a heavy fog and -tormented our nostrils with acrid odors. - -Owing to our physical discomfort, we did not know how or when the mists -were dissipated. But when at last Clay leaned across the cavern edge -once more, he uttered a surprised "Battle over! Say, it looks like a -tie!" - -"Like a tie?" I echoed, staring into the pit. "But where under -Heaven--where under Heaven are the fighters?" - -"There aren't any more fighters!" mumbled Clay--and this was the -literal truth. The great battle machines, which had snorted and -thundered so violently a few minutes before, were no longer to be seen! -Instead, we looked out upon a spectacle of wild devastation. The rocky -ground, plowed up and torn as by Titanic dredges, had been beaten into -ridges and furrows like the waves of a stormy sea; the opposite canyon -wall had been wrecked as if with dynamite, and great masses of broken -boulders were heaped up where the porthole-like openings had stared. - -But were there no signs at all of the land-battleships? Yes--here and -there along the scarred and charred pit-floor, we saw twisted rods and -wires! Here and there were bent and dented iron plates; here and there -were contorted coils, broken rods, fragments of wheels and axles--mute -testimonials to the fate of those five battle monarchs! - -For a long while we gaped in silence at that desolate battlefield. How -inconceivably powerful were these mysterious people of the depths! -What gigantic forces they controlled to be able to blow up huge steel -vessels like toys! In contemplation of such unheard-of might, I felt -overwhelmed with awe, and I felt crushed, humbled by my own feebleness. - -But quite different was Clay's reaction. I saw his lower lip curl in a -faintly contemptuous expression as he spoke. - -"You know, Frank, what I'm beginning to think? These caves are -inhabited by a lot of crazy men--blank, raving lunatics, the whole set -of them! Why, if they had the sense of a two-year-old, they'd know -enough not to fight when they'd all be blown to smithereens!" - -"Looks that way, doesn't it?" I conceded, begrudgingly. "But how could -we expect to have any wars at all, if every one had the sense of a -two-year-old?" - -Clay opened his mouth to reply. But before he could utter a word, an -event occurred that turned our thoughts to other subjects. - - * * * * * - -From the cavern walls opposite us, where the little round openings had -not been blown away in the recent engagement, a shaft of red lightning -leapt, striking not many yards below us with an ear-splitting din. And -almost instantly another bolt shot out, and another, and another still, -each of them coming nearer us than the last, while our ears rang with -the heavy explosive uproar. That we were not killed instantly was due -more to luck than to our swift action. - -Yet we were not slow about rising and fleeing. Startled as we were, we -realized the nature of the onslaught. We had been seen, mistaken for -enemies, and fired upon! Hostile marksmen, armed with thunderbolts, -were seeking our lives! - -Even as we sprang up and away, a deafening crash resounded at our -heels, and we knew that the ledge where we had lain had been hit and -shattered. The next instant, as we darted along the gallery, an even -louder crash burst forth, and a huge rocky mass, dislodged from the -gallery roof, came roaring and clattering down almost at our feet. - -In that desperate crisis, it was each for himself. As if by instinct, -I knew that if I remained in that main passageway a second longer, I -would be struck and killed; as if by instinct, I turned in my flight -and darted off into the shelter of one of the many side-galleries. -And such was the impulse of my terror that I did not halt even when -reaching this relative safety, but kept on at full speed down the -vaguely lighted corridor, until at last my panting breath and pounding -heart forced me to stop. - -Then, wheeling about, I was swept by a new rush of alarm. Where was -Clay? - -In the fury of my panic, I had forgotten him. And now he was not to be -seen! - -"Phil! Phil!" I cried, suddenly aware of an aloneness, an isolation -such as I had never felt before. "Phil! Phil! Phil!" - -But my words rang uncannily down the dim gallery, with echoes like -devil's mockery. "Phil! Phil! Phil! Where are you, Phil? Where are -you?" I shouted again and again. But still only the echoes came back to -me, like the voice of my own despair, "Where are you, Phil? Where are -you?" - -And then, as I still called without reply, there came a thought that -all but paralyzed me with dread. What if my friend had not been so -fortunate as I? What if he had been hit by one of the death-bolts? - -As this new fear shot over me, I raised my voice more loudly than ever, -"Phil! Phil! _Phil!_ Answer me, Phil! Where are you? Where are you?" -As though the sound of my own shouts would still the tumult storming -within me! - -Furiously I retraced my footsteps. Back along the side-gallery I -dashed, back to the main corridor where I had last seen my old chum. -"Phil! Phil! Phil! Where are you?" I still shouted as I approached; -and my heart sank as my voice, husky from the strain, cried out those -unavailing words. - -Then, with a final throb of expectation, I entered the corridor and -started out across its greenish-yellow spaces. And, as I did so, I -gave a gasp, and hope died within me. The gallery was empty! Clay was -nowhere to be seen! - - - - - CHAPTER VI - - Catastrophe - - -For a long, blank moment of dismay and horror, I stood staring out -across that deserted passageway. I was as one who, in mid-ocean, -suddenly feels the waves foaming over him with no sign of a rescuing -sail. Not until this instant had the full terror of my plight -overwhelmed me; not until this instant had I felt utterly hopeless and -helpless. Now that Clay was gone, it was as if the very under-pinnings -of my world had been torn from beneath me. - -Yet my alarm was not for myself. It was of Clay that I was thinking; it -was Clay's tormented face that flashed before my mind as if surrounded -by a red glare of danger. And the conviction came to me, irrational yet -irresistible, that he had either been slain or was in mortal peril. - -Goaded by that dread, I shook myself out of the inaction that had -seized me as I regained the main gallery. I forgot my personal risk; -I scarcely cared whether or not a death-bolt felled me; I began -running furiously up and down, as recklessly as one who courts his own -destruction. Still no trace of Clay! Surely, he would not willingly -have deserted me! But had he too rushed into one of the side-corridors? -Then why had he not returned? Had he not heard my shouting? Would he -not shout for me as well? - -While these and other questions shot across my mind in baffling -succession, I peered fruitlessly into the shadows of half a score of -side-galleries; and into each of them I called as loudly as my cracked -and broken voice would permit; "Phil! Phil! Phil! Where are you? Where -are you, Phil?" - -But still only the mocking echoes came back to taunt me. - -Had I been a more cautious man, I would have been less ready to cry out -into those mysterious depths. For, while I accomplished nothing for -Clay, I was weaving a grim net of danger about my own head.... - -I had called into the tenth or eleventh passageway, when an answering -yell met my ears--not the welcome voice I craved, but a high-pitched -cry in some unknown tongue, a cry of such unspeakable shrillness -and ferocity that I stopped short as if paralyzed and felt my knees -faltering beneath me and my hair bristling. - -Almost at the same instant, a grisly apparition glided forth amid the -dimness of the side-gallery. I say apparition, for, although it was -solid flesh and blood, it flashed upon me like a ghost--worse than a -ghost!--like the phantom of death himself! Imagine a man-sized figure, -robed from head to foot in black, and with a sable hood, the shape -of a fool's cap! Imagine a face of spectral, chalky white! Imagine a -toothless mouth leering with wide-gaping jaws; imagine the creature -starting forward with black-gloved hands extended, and with that -hideous shriek still shrilling from its lips; imagine-- - -But I did not take time for further observation. Despite all the strain -I had endured, my legs retained their vigor. Not for nothing had I been -on the track team at college! But alas!--as I rushed like a hounded -deer along the main gallery, I was dashed to grief. I do not know what -betrayed me--perhaps a crevice in the floor, perhaps only a pebble; at -all events, I pitched ingloriously head over heels and came painfully -to a halt. - -Hastily picking myself up, regardless of a bruised shin and aching -knee-joint, I was about to resume my flight--when I found my pathway -blocked. All about me, at distances of from ten to twenty yards, were -dozens of beings so strange that they might have been dwellers of -another planet. - -They were riding cross-legged on curious low cars of about the size -and shape of children's coasters--little wheeled vehicles, three or -four feet long, a foot high, and a foot wide, which, with a buzzing of -motors, darted back and forth nervously, frequently colliding with one -another in their haste. This it was which explained their rapidity in -over-taking me. - -But more astonishing than the machines were the creatures themselves. -For a moment, as they ringed me about in a gaping crowd, I had the -uncanny sensation of being imprisoned by phantoms. Like him who had -started me on my flight, they were all black-clad from crown to heel; -they all had faces which, snowy white, seemed scarcely human in their -bloodless pallor. Their hair, protruding in long tufts from beneath -their cone-shaped hats, was either paper-white or gray; their eyes, -narrower than those of most men, gave the impression of being not fully -open, and were curiously pink or salmon-colored; their noses were flat -and stubby, their chins weak and almost unnoticeable, while their -narrow chests were so stooped and pinched that I could have believed -the whole lot of them to be consumptives. - - * * * * * - -Had it not been for the latter features, I might have mistaken them -all for women; for they wore long skirts which came down well below -the knees. The impression of femininity, moreover, was re-inforced by -the V-shaped slits in the backs of their costumes, and by the black -pencilling of the eyebrows, which were overlooked by little snake-like -curves, painted as if for artistic effect. - -But at the first horrified glimpse, I did not observe all these -details. I merely noticed how the creatures surrounded me, keeping at -a distance of not less than ten yards, while rolling restlessly back -and forth in their little cars; I noticed how several of them carried -long dragon-shaped banners of green and vermilion, and how others bore -little pistol-like implements, from which every now and then a forked -lightning-shaft flashed toward the ceiling. And as I gazed out at the -strangers, every other thought was lost in the despairing sense that I -was trapped. - -Yes!--I was trapped as completely as though they had me in irons. The -circle about me was unbroken, and there was no way of escape! - -Several minutes went by, during which nothing of importance happened. -The creatures stared at me, almost glared at me, with every expression -of interest; some of them jabbered to one another in those peculiar -high-pitched voices so unpleasant to my ears; others pointed at me -with curious gestures that may have indicated surprise, derision, or -anger; one of them even stepped forth a little and addressed me in -particularly loud and rasping tones, of which I could understand not -one word. - -But when I, in my turn, called out to them as a test, "Who are you? -Where am I?" they answered with a round of such unpleasant, grating -laughter that I resolved to hold my tongue thenceforth. Evidently -English was not spoken in the caverns beneath the earth. - -I do not know whether the people interpreted my words as mockery, or -were incensed by my failure to answer them intelligibly. In any case, I -could see an expression of hostility, of suspicion deepening in their -salmon eyes, and knew that I had provoked their disfavor. But I was -little prepared for their next action. From a rifle-like machine in -the hand of the foremost man, a coil of wire leapt forth; and, before -I realized the intention or had had a chance to evade it, the coil had -fallen over my neck and was tightening about my shoulders, drawing -my arms together against my sides and binding me as helplessly as a -lassoed steer. - -Naturally, I struggled, but the chief effect was to provoke more of -that unpleasant grating laughter. The metal, which was thick as my -index finger, would not yield to my most frantic efforts. The more I -writhed, the more deeply it cut into my flesh; and the more deeply it -cut into my flesh, the more heartily the chalky-faced folk laughed at -my groans. - -Then after a minute or two, my captors began pulling at the wire. While -some of the little coaster-like machines rolled behind me, and some -rolled ahead, but none approached within ten yards, I was led away down -one of the side-galleries, like a dog at the end of a string, toward a -fate I could hardly conjecture. - - - - - CHAPTER VII - - Deeper and Darker - - -In the course of my thirty-eight years, I have made more than one -hair-raising expedition. I have clung to the slippery sides of -precipices; I have rolled in a ship at sea, with the decks all awash -beneath the mountainous waves; I have been lost in the burning desert -and all but blistered to death; I have roamed glacial barrens, and -remote caves, and serpent-infested jungles. But never have I been -stricken with such fear, never have I suffered such nightmare agonies -as during that journey at the end of a wire, among the clattering -groups of pit-dwellers. - -So bewildered was I, so frightened, and at the same time so angered, -that for a long while I kept little track of where we went. I only -knew that we were making our way down, down, down, among a multitude -of galleries that curved, and curved again, and branched and -inter-branched with baffling intricacy--galleries illuminated with -a greenish-yellow glow by the multitudes of orbs placed at regular -intervals along the walls and ceiling. It seemed that we travelled for -miles, while my captors, on their queer wheeled machines, rolled ahead -of me and behind, but never came within yards of personal contact; and -minute by minute the wire cut more deeply into my skin, checking the -circulation and making it hard for me to hold back a cry of pain. - -After a time, however, I began to take closer note of my surroundings. -I remember, for example, catching a glimpse of a huge, rapidly -revolving wheel, larger than a barn-door, from which a strong draft -of cool air was blowing; I saw through a half-closed door into a hall -filled with machines as high as a five-story building; I was dazzled by -flashes of sun-brilliant lights, and once or twice my ears were smitten -with thunderblasts; I crossed a bridge over a subterranean torrent, -in which I could see half-submerged, illuminated vessels; I passed -walls lined with little round lighted windows, within which I could -distinguish shadowy figures moving; I shuffled along corridors where -long pipes, coils, and strands of wire ran along the walls for great -distances. - -Absorbed in these sights, I had regained something of my composure -before there occurred an event which, for a time, unnerved me -completely. Coming to the end of a narrow passageway, we found -ourselves facing a thoroughfare which, to my unaccustomed eyes, -seemed like a parade-ground of demons. Along a gallery fifty or sixty -yards across, a multitude of little cars were shooting back and forth -with prodigious rapidity. None of them were any larger than the tiny -coaster-like machines of my captors, but all were moving with such -speed that it was difficult, and at times impossible, to follow their -movements. Worst of all, they seemed to pursue no regular route, -but looped and curved at all crazy angles, and so many were the -near-collisions that it made me dizzy merely to look at the vehicles. - -Across this mad avenue my captors set forth with the utmost -nonchalance, weaving their way in and out as unconcernedly as though -not in danger of being knocked to eternity. And I, though I strained -back at my wire till the blood came, was forced to follow. Imagine my -terror! The diabolical little machines, like bolts out of a cannon, -came racing toward me from all sides, and none would relax its speed as -it approached! I felt one of them flitting just to my rear with a rush -of wind; another almost scraped the tips of my shoes as it darted in -front of me; a third would certainly have ended my days on earth had -it not swerved by a fraction of an inch just as it was about to destroy -me. Little wonder that, by the time I had reached the further side, I -was near to nervous prostration! - -I was just heaving a sigh of relief at my deliverance, when there -came a loud crash from behind me; and, glancing back, I saw two of -the little cars jumbled together in a distorted heap, their drivers -sprawled with outstretched limbs along the cavern floor. One of them, -lying motionless in a pool of blood, was evidently already beyond help; -the other was twisting and groaning miserably. But the other riders -were shooting back and forth with the same reckless haste as ever, and -no one seemed to pay the unfortunates any attention. - -Amid all my trials, I had one cause to be thankful: we were to cross -no other driveway that day! Fifteen minutes later, we had reached -our destination; we emerged into a long, straight cavern, with walls -several hundred feet apart and a vaulted ceiling fifty yards high; and -one of my captors, flinging open a little door at one side, motioned me -to enter. - - * * * * * - -Not being allured by the vague, indistinctly lighted interior, I stood -still and made no attempt to obey--at which my master went off into -a fit. A reddish tinge transformed the normal chalky white of his -face; his black-gloved hands shook wrathfully and he uttered a howl of -shrieking command. - -Although I did not understand the words, I could guess their meaning; -however, I still held my ground, disobedient and determined. - -At this, my tormentor, growing more angry still, consulted briefly with -one of his fellows; then, with a resolute motion, he seized a long -two-pronged pole from the cavern wall and thrust this weapon forward so -as to catch me between the prongs. - -Thus held, I was helpless; and though I howled my resentment, I was -shoved through the door like a captive beast. The next moment, I heard -the heavy hinges rattling to a close, and with a bang like thunder, -the door slammed in my face. At last I was in prison! - -By the pale greenish-yellow light, I found myself in a room about -twenty-five feet square, with only one small window, and with a -low ceiling that curved down almost to meet the floor. One or two -stone benches and tables, but no chairs, were scattered about this -compartment; while, at the further end, half a dozen white-faced and -black-robed creatures were cowering miserably. - -But when, with the friendliest of intentions, I approached these -fellow-sufferers, they cringed and withdrew into the remotest corner, -trembling, and uttered sharp, menacing exclamations of fear. Why were -they so afraid of me? Was it that they had never seen a man of my race? - -Being denied their company, I deposited myself on a stone bench across -the room from them, and, with my head buried in my hands, began -drearily reviewing my predicament. Who were these chalk-faced people? -How did they manage to live here beneath the earth? Why had no one ever -heard of them before? What did they intend to do with me? What had -happened to Clay? Was he alive or dead? These questions, and a thousand -more, flitted through my mind in a mad, almost delirious succession, -while, at the same time, I became increasingly aware of a great -fatigue, and increasingly conscious of being hungry and thirsty. - -My head was aching and my tongue was growing dry within my mouth by -the time the prison door opened once more and one of the chalk-faces -entered and deposited a bowl of water and some marble-sized purple -capsules on a table a few yards from me. - -To my surprise, my cell-mates all at once made a dash, as if to seize -these articles, but withdrew in a panic when I stepped forth, and I was -left in undisputed possession of the prizes. - -At one gulp, I consumed the water; then, feeling somewhat better, I -took up the purple capsules and examined them with interest. As I did -so, a grim suspicion came into my mind. I do not know what it was that -gave me this idea--perhaps the vivid color of the pellets; it flashed -over me that these were poison potions, intended as an easy means of -disposing of me. Probably it was from this fate that my cell-mates, -unfriendly though they seemed, had wished to save me in rushing for the -capsules. - -What was more natural therefore than that, horrified by my suspicions, -I should seize the capsules and dash them along the floor? But what -was more astonishing than the actions of my cell-mates, who, with -wild whoops and cries, leapt after these scattered purple globules? I -noticed how they all showed an almost ravenous greed, each fighting to -be first; I also noticed how, as if stricken blind, they began to grope -strangely as they drew near the objects, feeling with clumsy hands -across the floor and apparently finally locating them by touch alone. - -Surely, it was not the dimness of the light that caused this queer -conduct, for they had seen the capsules plainly enough at a distance! - -It was at this point that I made my first great discovery about the -chalk-faces. They were unable to see things clearly close at hand! -Doubtless, their long residence underground had affected their vision. - -It was at this point, also, that I made my second great discovery. The -purple pellets were good to eat! That was manifest, for my cell-mates, -having seized them, thrust them eagerly into their toothless mouths and -smacked their lips in relish. - -Cursing my reckless folly in throwing the capsules away, I made a -rush toward my cell-mates, and, by grasping desperately, managed to -seize the last of the globules barely in time to save it from the -chalk-faces. And then tentatively I put it into my mouth, ready to spit -it out at any indication of poison. But I might have spared my fears. -It had a delicious nutty flavor, and was evidently concentrated food -of a high quality, for I felt a new surge of strength in my veins the -moment I had consumed it. - -It was well that I had taken even this small amount of nourishment; I -was to need all my spare energy in the dread ordeal that lay ahead. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII - - Beneath the Ray - - -In the first dismal moment of my imprisonment, I had anticipated days, -weeks, or even months of confinement. But I might have spared my -fears. I was soon to be released--although under the last conditions I -would have chosen. And the period of my incarceration, though brief in -duration, was to be savage in the torments it inflicted. - -Two or three hours after I had been jailed, the prison door was shoved -violently inward to admit such a ferocious-looking gang of invaders -that my cell-mates all murmured in fright and huddled together at -the extreme end of the room. I too gave a little gasp of alarm, then -tried hard to make myself inconspicuous in a dark corner under the -low-hanging ceiling. In astonishment only exceeded by my apprehension, -I saw a troop of ten beings, who had evidently made every effort to -appear inhuman. The head of each was enveloped in a triangular mask of -steel which came to a hatchet-like point in front and displayed hideous -gaping apertures for the eyes, mouth, and nostrils; their bodies were -encased in dark cloth covered with thin flakes of steel which clattered -as they walked; their feet, which carried long spike-like spurs both in -front and behind, were clothed in iron-plated boots that ran almost to -the knees; their right hands bore shining weapons, shaped a little like -sawed-off shotguns, the ends of which scintillated with flying sparks. - -But perhaps the most remarkable thing about them was the manner in -which they walked. They all stepped forward with movements so stiff -and regular that I had a fleeting suspicion that they were animated -machines; their arms swayed up and down, up and down, in perfect time -with those of their companions; their feet always left the ground with -a peculiar high-swinging motion, like that of prancing horses, although -their pace was by no means a prancing one; the sound of their footsteps -reminded me of cavalry trotting. - -Of course, I recognized their nature very quickly. Their automatic and -mechanical movements made it evident that they were soldiers. - -At a steady pace, they approached my cell-mates, who were shaking and -howling with dread; then abruptly they halted, and their leader pointed -at one of the poor wretches and snapped out a sharp order. - -Instantly the victim uttered a cry, as of lamentation and dismay; then, -sagging to the floor, he was seized by one of the warriors and dragged -away, while the whole party left the room at their odd prancing march. - -As the door rattled to a close behind them, my remaining cell-mates all -dashed toward the one small window, fighting and wrestling with one -another to gain a favorable position. And all the while, from the lips -of them all, there issued the dreariest, most doleful wails that ever -grated on my ears. - -Noting their excitement, and not wishing to be left behind if there -was anything to see, I too darted toward the window. And lo and -behold!--the effect was magical! Avoiding contact with me as though I -were a plague-bearer, the chalk-faces all made way before my coming, -and, whimpering with fear, retreated to the further end of the room. -Thus I was left in undisputed possession of the view! - -It was a strange sight that I beheld as I peered out between the iron -bars--a sight in some ways more appalling than even the clash of the -land-battleships. Glancing out into the broad, high corridor just -outside our prison, I saw my late cell-mate being borne away to the -opposite wall, where he was tied against a stone column shaped like -a gallows. Then, while a group of about fifty chalk-faces gathered -around, gibbering and gesticulating, one of the soldiers uttered what -sounded like a warning cry, at which the spectators all withdrew to a -respectable distance, and a curious-looking machine was wheeled on to -the scene. - -Not until its brown cloth cover had been removed, and it had been put -into operation, could I guess its nature. Although it rested, like a -camera, on an iron tripod, it was unlike any other machine I had ever -observed; it consisted, in the main, of a series of prisms and lenses, -of various shapes and colors, some of them transparent and but a few -inches across, but the foremost of them rounded in form, stained a deep -opaque blue, and fully a yard in diameter. Behind the lenses, there -were numbers of bulbs and wires, and of battery-like tubes; while the -whole instrument, when in operation, made a constant whirring sound, a -little like a motion picture projector. - - * * * * * - -What interested me most of all, however, was the weird light which, -issuing from the foremost lens, was not scattered or diffused like most -rays, but drew sharply to a focus twenty or twenty-five yards ahead of -the machine, making a long cone of the most uncanny violet illumination -I had ever seen. - -Even now, I was not certain of the dread purpose of the apparatus. -But from the hush of awe-stricken expectancy that had come over the -spectators, I surmised that something extraordinary was in store. Nor -was I to be disappointed. One of the soldiers, operating the machine, -turned the violet light-rays on and off two or three times as if for -practice, then gradually moved the instrument so that it pointed -directly toward the wretch tied against the stone column. - -There followed a moment of silence, during which the operator looked -through a little glass tube, as if to make sure of his position and -distance; then he raised his black-gloved hand in an urgent gesture, -and the silence became more absolute than ever, except for a moaning -sound from the tied man; then he took out a little instrument like -a watch and gazed at it intently, as if keeping careful count of the -time.... - -The next instant, while I still wondered what was to happen, I heard -the low regular whirring of the machine. The cone of violet light shot -out, its focus directly at the prisoner's heart. Then the man sagged -and would have fallen except for the ropes that held him. A strangled -cry issued from his throat; dark foam appeared upon his lips; his face, -for an instant, became ghastly purplish red, then turned gray and -colorless.... - -Three or four seconds, and all was over. The victim gave a last -convulsive quiver; the violet light no longer played; the whirring -sound had ceased. But one of the soldiers, whistling a tune, cut the -lifeless form free; and the people, with a loud babbling chatter, -surged back and forth across the gallery as if nothing had occurred. - -The explanation now was clear enough to me. I knew that the machine -generated not only violet but ultra-violet rays of a penetrating power -to reach the heart and check its action by tearing down the tissues. - -Having seen enough for one day, I sank back upon a stone bench, -clasping my aching forehead with both hands and telling myself that I -had fallen amongst the most barbarous race ever known. True, they were -wonderfully advanced scientifically, but would any civilized people -execute a man with a death-ray? Would they not, rather, resort to -humane devices, such as hanging, the guillotine, or the electric chair? - -While absorbed in these ruminations, I was startled to see the prison -door burst open once more, admitting the squad of ten soldiers who -advanced with the same machine-like movements and prancing steps as -before, singled out another of my cell-mates, bore the cringing victim -away, and promptly executed him by means of the violet-ray. - -Four times in the course of the next hour they returned, and each time -withdrew one of my fellow prisoners, who shortly afterwards said his -last farewell to this world. - -What had these men done to justify such treatment? Surely, they were -criminals of a desperate calibre! - -With this reflection, I sought to console myself and to drive out a -terrorizing premonition. But it was by no means consoling to find -myself at length alone in the prison, while the last of my cell-mates -was being crumpled to death by the violet rays. - -Would I now be left to myself? Fervently I prayed to remain undisturbed -for a time, so that the pulsing in my head might subside. But my -prayer was not to be answered. Immediately after disposing of the last -chalk-face, the soldiers returned. I heard the banging of the door, as -it swung on its hinges with a rattling like the thunder of the gates -of doom; I heard the warriors, with their clattering steely garments -and triangular hatchet helmets as they solemnly approached; I saw their -leader lift a black-clad hand and point in my direction with a motion -as automatic as it was inexorable; and, cowering in the furthest dim -recess of the prison, cornered beyond hope of escape, I felt as if I -had already heard the summons of the Last Bugler trumpeting in my ears. - - - - - CHAPTER IX - - Intervention - - -Had I been a condemned criminal sentenced to the electric chair, my -torments would have been less hard to bear. For then, at least, I would -have known that I was suffering justly; I would have been surrounded -by people of my own kind and race; I would have had time in which -to prepare myself, and I would have had to face no such diabolical -instrument as the violet-ray. Oh, how I loathed the sight of that -machine. Even today I cannot think of it without an involuntary start -of fright! Yet, apparently, there was no power on Heaven or Earth to -save me from it. Coolly, deliberately, with the most matter-of-fact -manner, my oppressors dragged me out of prison, pulled me at the end -of a wire to the stone column that had witnessed the six executions, -and, still not approaching me, hurled some heavy iron strands around -the column in such a way as to hold me tightly against it. - -Now it seemed to me that I was living through some horrible nightmare, -persecuted by devils. I saw the ghastly black-and-white figures of the -spectators crowded at a safe distance, their salmon eyes glittering -with pitiless curiosity; I saw the ten soldiers with their hatchet -helmets looking on like the creatures of some delirious vision; I saw -the death-machine being moved into place and watched the operator as -he peered through the little glass tube as if to make sure of his aim. -Then, while I gave a convulsive shudder and grew limp with fright, the -executioner lifted his hand to signify that all was ready.... - -The following seconds seemed each as long as whole hours. For the first -time since my childhood, I had an impulse to pray; my lips opened, -as if to gasp out a supplication to that Supreme Power in whom I no -longer believed; but nothing except a cracked, dry sound came forth, -and I half imagined I already heard my own death-rattle. In that final -second, I seemed to live through my whole life again, as the drowning -are said to do; I was a child in my mother's arms; I was a youth at -college; I was a grown man making love to that auburn-headed one who -might even now be my bride, if-- - -But at this point my remembrances ceased. My ears caught the tell-tale -whirring of the death-machine; my eyes beheld the cone of violet light, -its thin point tapering toward my breast; and, straining with a last -futile effort against the imprisoning wires, I thought that my days on -earth were over. - -Several seconds, long-protracted, tortured seconds--went by. I was -aware of a faint warmth, a slight tickling sensation above the -heart--and that was all. Was my death to be painless? - -Then, in a wild rush, hope came flooding back upon me. Might I not, -after all, be saved? Was I immune to the effects of the rays? - -Yes!--the miracle had happened! Suddenly the whirring of the machine -ceased, the violet-ray snapped off, and the spectators, surging back -and forth with excited cries, showed that they shared my own surprise -at the failure of the execution. - -But was I actually saved? Again I heard the fearful buzzing of the -machine; again the cone of violet light pointed toward me; again I felt -that ticking sensation in my breast. But I still defied the rays of -death! - -After the third fruitless attempt, the chalk-faces seemed ready to -abandon the effort. I saw the soldiers gathered in a little knot as -though in conference; I heard the spectators noisily talking with -explosive exclamations; then, after a minute, to my great relief, one -of the helmeted ones reached out with a long forked pole and loosened -the wires that bound me. - -A moment later, I was a free man! Still mystified as to the reason for -my escape, I felt impulsively at my chest, wondering if I had not been -wounded, ever though I felt no pain. And, as I did so, sudden light -dawned upon me. Beneath my coat, which had been punctured with a little -round incision like a bullet-hole, I felt a small familiar bulge. And -reaching into an inner pocket, I drew forth a little leather-covered -notebook! A deep, charred perforation, reaching almost through the -heavy back cover, showed what it was that had checked the deadly rays! - - * * * * * - -Had my enemies taken the trouble to search me in advance, I would not -have escaped so easily. Only their irrational dread of approaching me -could account for this omission! - -But let me not exult prematurely! Now that the cause of the -interference had been discovered, what was to prevent my captors from -subjecting me once more to the violet rays? - -Evidently, the same idea occurred to them as well. Seeing me take -the notebook out of my pocket, they uttered shrill exclamations of -interest, and the soldiers motioned me to surrender it. At first I -refused, but they bound me again with wires shot from one of the -rifle-like machines, forcing me to drop the book, which one of the -chalk-faces instantly drew toward him with a pronged pole. - -But as he could not see clearly at close range, he placed it twenty or -thirty feet away, and examined it through a sort of binoculars, while -one of his companions turned the pages. I do not know what he found to -interest him, for all that it contained was some mining notes with some -printed matter bearing statistical information, such as the names and -populations of leading cities, the capitals of states, etc. Besides, -it was to be presumed that he could not read English! Nevertheless, -he uttered significant grunts as he looked from page to page, and one -would have thought he had gained invaluable knowledge! - -All this was, however, of little consolation to me, for I still -expected to be executed the next minute. And was I not justified -in this expectation, judging from the way the operator of the -death-machine was testing the apparatus, turning the violet-ray on and -off every few seconds as if for practice? - -Indeed, had it not been for the arrival of Professor Tan Trum, my -execution would have been postponed but a few minutes. - -I mentioned the name of this renowned individual as I afterwards -learned it; for, at the time, of course, I knew nothing of his -distinguished reputation. I was only aware of the approach of a -chalk-face of unusual appearance. He was much taller and thinner than -any of his companions, being well over six feet in height and lean -in proportion, and he bent far forward as he walked. His gray hair -fell in long braids and curls from his massive brow; his embroidered -robe rippled almost to his ankles; and his face, instead of being -cleaned-shaven like that of his fellows, showed a long grizzled beard, -neatly parted in the center. - -At his approach, the others withdrew, not exactly with deference, -but with a little of the awe of children at the appearance of some -authoritative adult, while he, not heeding them in the least, pushed -his way to the front of the crowd, took out his binoculars, and peered -at my notebook from a convenient distance. - -As he did so, I could see his little reddish eyes beaming -enthusiastically. But I was little prepared for the whoop of joy which -he let out, or for his excited leap and rush in the direction of my -notebook. Approaching it, he had to grope like a blind man, since he -had even more trouble than his countrymen in seeing near at hand. -However, he finally managed to locate it, and, hugging it to his side -as though it were some rare art treasure, he uttered another cry of -delight. - -The next moment, I noticed that his eyes were fastened upon me, but I -felt more friendliness than hostility in his glance; indeed, it turned -out that, for the first time since arriving in these nether depths, I -had found a defender. I realized that I personally interested him less -than did my notebook, yet he was so grateful that I could have kissed -his hand when he motioned to my captors, speaking sharply and angrily, -and they once more untied my bonds. - -Yet I was to be disappointed if I imagined the ordeal to be over. I -was, indeed, relieved of the fear of instant execution; but other -trials and perils followed immediately. No sooner was I released -from the wires than the Professor issued an order and several of the -little coaster-like cars were wheeled up. What was my horror when I -was motioned to take my place on one of them! However, it was useless -to protest. Upon my refusal to obey commands, I was pitched on to one -of the vehicles with a two-pronged pole and was made to understand -that any attempt to escape would be severely treated. So I lay on the -car at full length, clinging to a little board projecting in front, -instead of squatting with crossed legs, in the manner of the natives. -Loud was their laughter to see me take this position, and great was -their surprise that I appeared to have no knowledge of the steering -mechanism; but they solved the difficulty by hitching my machine with a -wire to another, which forthwith dragged it away. - -The ride that followed did not last more than ten minutes, but it was -an expedition through Hell itself. My mind kept no clear track of -details; I only know that we roared through narrow tunnels, lurched at -breakneck speed around curves, shot across causeways and bridges, raced -along avenues where other cars swept past in a gray whirl of speed, and -finally came to a halt with such abruptness that I was pitched forward -off my perch, and was only saved from serious injury by falling on -Professor Tan Trum, who drove the car ahead of mine. - - * * * * * - -Not being versed in the native language, I did not know what epithets -of abuse he used; but the sparks that flashed from his salmon eyes, and -the sharp tones of his indignant voice, testified to his anger as he -picked himself up, nursed a bruised arm, and brushed out the rumpled -embroidery of his gown. But, infuriated as he was, I could see that -his first thought was for my notebook, which he still firmly clutched. -Finding this unharmed, he seemed consoled for his injuries. - -We were now joined by half a dozen more chalk-faces, including several -soldiers, who had followed us on other cars, and the whole party, -without delay, started down a brilliantly lighted gallery toward a -great shining hall. As always, most of the chalk-faces kept at a -distance from me, some of them trotting half a dozen yards behind, -and others as many yards ahead; but Professor Tan Trum, surprisingly, -seemed willing to walk at my side--an act of friendliness which filled -me with deep gratitude. - -As we drew near the hall, my companions slackened their pace; when we -had come within a stone's throw of the entrance, I was startled to see -a row of soldiers, their faces hidden in triangular helmets, their -right hands clutching pikes twenty feet high. They all stood stiff -as stone and made no response to our salutes; in fact, such was their -lifeless rigidity that at first I supposed them to be, not living men, -but statues. - -However, after one of our attendants had spoken, slipping a little -something into their hands, two of the soldiers proved themselves to -be human after all; they moved aside a few feet, making room for us to -pass; and, while their pikes gleamed high above us, we entered the hall -beyond. - -I was now surprised to see my companions drop to their knees and move -forward on all fours in a grovelling attitude which I could not be -persuaded to imitate until a sharp cuff on the small of the back taught -me discretion. Even Professor Tan Trum had fallen into a most ungainly -and unbecoming posture; his lanky form, as he crept forward foot by -foot on his hands and knees, impressed me as so ridiculous that I could -not restrain a burst of laughter, which cost me a second and even more -severe cuff on the back. - -But what was it that filled the chalk-faces with such humility? Had -they entered the shrine of a god--or the throne-room of their king? -After a moment, I accepted the latter explanation, although nothing -very kingly-looking met my eyes. There was, to be sure, plenty of pomp -and display; the walls of the hall, which was at least a hundred yards -across, were emblazoned with multitudes of brilliant white, red, and -yellow lights; enormous dragon-shaped banners of green and vermilion -hung from the high fretted ceilings, interspersed with long strings -of swords, pikes, and helmets; in the center, on a raised platform of -polished red sandstone, sat the most remarkable individual it had ever -been my fortune to behold. - -Let me say, to begin with, that he was the smallest man I had -encountered outside of a circus. He may have been four feet high, but -I doubt it; his lean and weazened frame may have been as stout as that -of an eight-year-old, but again I doubt it. The legs, thin as those of -a paralytic, were little more than two dangling sticks; his arms were -scarcely better developed; his head was bald, his mouth toothless, and -his fingers without nails; his eyes were covered with instruments like -binoculars, through which he could see only with difficulty; his ears -were hidden by a mass of wires, and by black projections like telephone -receivers; his nostrils were encased in rubber-like tubes, connecting -with steel tanks which, as I later learned, contained oxygen; his -mouth, likewise, was fitted with breathing tubes, which I saw him -remove only in order to talk, which he did by means of a megaphone. - -In other words, the poor creature seemed to have scarcely one of his -natural faculties intact! - -Yet, to judge from the way in which he was dressed, he was a personage -of note. I shall spare the reader an account of his apparel, except -to say that, unlike his fellows, he was robed not in black, but in -resplendent green and saffron, with a purple crest upon his hairless -pate, and with a string of huge rubies dangling about his neck. -Personally, I did not care for the color scheme, but he himself was -apparently well pleased with it, for all about him, in a gleaming -circle, a row of large mirrors was displayed, and through these he was -feasted with a constant view of himself and could catch every turn and -nod and twist of his imperial countenance. Moreover, other mirrors, -spaced at intervals about the room, caught the reflections of the ones -nearest him and magnified them so that, in no matter what direction -one looked, one was sure to catch the image of that green-and-saffron -figure. - - * * * * * - -It was appropriate that throughout the greater part of the room, except -for the reflection of the central dignitary, there should be nothing at -all. But just around him, with a mincing and obsequious manner, twenty -attendants stood in waiting on the sandstone platform; whenever he made -a move or a gesture, were it only to smooth out his dress or scratch -the back of his neck, at least half of them would rush up to serve him. -I well remember their consternation on one occasion when their master, -with the most undignified suddenness, bent forward and sneezed; for a -moment, not knowing what was the trouble, I thought I was witnessing a -riot as the twenty attendants, like one man, leapt forward to readjust -the nose-tubes, which had been blown out of place. - -All this I observed while my companions and I, on our hands and knees, -crept up to the throne of the potentate. Why should the chalk-faces, -absurd as they were, do reverence to such a monarch? I wondered, for -I now had no doubt that this was their royal lord. But knowing that -there is no accounting for political tastes, I dismissed the mystery as -beyond solution; and, for the sake of good form, I remained crouching -in a respectful attitude after we had finally halted twenty yards from -the throne. - -For half an hour we remained on all fours, miserably waiting--at least, -_I_ was miserable. During all this time the sovereign seemed to take no -note at all of our existence, but remained seated in a sort of dreamy -trance, as if brooding on the mystic bliss of Nirvana. Unfortunately, -it was the rule among the chalk-faces that subjects could not speak -until spoken to; hence we might have remained stooping there all day, -and still not have gained an audience, had the dignitary not eventually -caught sight of me and become interested. - -So interested was he, in fact, that he rose from his seat and tottered -to the edge of the platform--a distance of fully six feet, which -he accomplished with the utmost difficulty, while three attendants -supported him on each side. Then, for at least a minute, he stared at -me intently through his binoculars until, exhausted from the effort, he -had to be carried to his chair and fanned back to life again. - -This process consumed at least ten minutes, during which we all had to -remain in the same uncomfortable attitude. But at length the regal one, -restored by the fanning of his servants and strengthened by hypodermic -injections, was revived sufficiently to be able to speak through the -megaphone which a slave lifted to his mouth. Of course, I did not know -what he said, but the words were high-pitched and squeaky and rasped -upon me like the edge of a file; but the effect was, at least, most -welcome, for all of us, with sighs of relief, were able to rise to our -feet. - -Now Professor Tan Trum, after a flourish and a low bow, waved my -notebook high in the air for all to see and launched forth into speech. -And what a speech it was. The words seemed to trip and fall over one -another, as they came out in a rattling torrent; many minutes went by -with scarcely a pause for breath, while all the other chalk-faces made -scarcely an effort to conceal their yawns. At last even the monarch, -apparently, could endure it no longer; he lifted his arm in a gesture -of command, motioned for the megaphone, and snapped out two short -words--which instantly put an end to Tan Trum's discourse. - - * * * * * - -Not until much later did I learn that the ruler had granted everything -the professor had asked, nor did I know how deeply everything that had -happened affected myself. But his speech, as I afterwards read it in -the court records, ran something as follows: - -"Lord High Dictator Thuno Flâtum, sovereign of the great empire of Wu -and illustrious ruler of the Underworld and the Overworld, I prostrate -myself before you! Long may your distinguished might endure! Long -may your power cause the nations to shake! I come to you today on a -momentous mission, and I trust you will let no thought of my personal -unworthiness deter you from that just decision for which you are so -rightly renowned. Know, O Thuno Flâtum, that this day a stranger of -queer and unprepossessing appearance has been found in our midst. His -dark skin and gray eyes proclaim him to be a member of one of those -colored races of which ancient traditions tell. But he was at first -mistaken for a spy sent out against us by our enemy, Zu, in the war -now being waged. This view was re-inforced by the fact that he was -found in the Scouting Galleries, just above Black Ravine, where the -forces of Your Highness have this day won such a glorious victory. -Hence he was sentenced to be executed, in accordance with that good old -maxim, 'In wartime, kill first and investigate afterwards.' - -"But, as fortune would have it, I arrived in time to save him. Your -Highness will observe the curious little book which I carry in my hand; -this proves him to be not a spy after all, but a creature of some -outside race who arrived in some manner beyond our imagining. It is -preposterous, of course, to suppose that he came from the Overworld, -which, as our scientists have conclusively proved, is incapable of -supporting life, since all living things would be instantly killed by -the sunlight and fresh air. But may he not have come from caverns deep -down in the earth's center, where we have never penetrated? - -"This is my theory, Your Highness, and it is supported by the queer -writing in his book, which I take to be the hieroglyphics of the -crude and undeveloped race of which he is a member. As a philologist, -I cannot but be interested, and as a student of primitive writing, -I consider that here is an unparalleled opportunity for scholarly -research. So I request, Your Highness, that you permit me to take him -to my own home, where I will care for him and will attempt, in case -his mind be capable of absorbing a few simple facts, to educate him in -the rudiments of our language, so as better to study his habits in the -interests of science. I will deliver a full report in not less than -three octavo volumes, before the Royal Institute of Anthropological -Abnormalities, and meanwhile will put up a bond to take every -reasonable care of the prisoner and not to let him bite any one or -escape...." - -Such was the opening of Professor Tan Trum's speech, which continued in -the same vein for thirty pages. It is little wonder, therefore, that -the patience of Dictator Thuno Flâtum finally weakened, and that, with -his permission, I left the hall in the company of Professor Tan Trum, -to be launched by him into a new and unpredictably strange career. - - - - - - - CHAPTER X - - Some Riddles Solved - - -The home of Professor Tan Trum was typical of the so-called "Second -Class" citizen of the country of Wu. It was composed of five or six -small rooms, excavated out of solid rock, and opening on one of the -numerous side-galleries that threaded the underworld. There were no -windows, but light was provided by the yellowish-green electric bulbs; -while a constant supply of air was forced in through whirling fan-like -devices located in little orifices near the front door. All in all, -the Professor's abode was comfortable enough, although I could never -accustom myself to the stone chairs and tables, to the stone beds -without pillows, or to the grotesque hangings and adornments, composed -of small likenesses of swords, helmets and land-battleships, which -constituted the native idea of art. - -The family of the Professor included his wife, Tan Tal, and his three -daughters, Loa, Moa, and Noa. In them I made my first acquaintance with -the feminine half of the population--and not few or slight were the -surprises which they gave me! To begin with, there was the trouble of -telling them apart, and in distinguishing the oldest from the youngest. -On first entering the house, I assumed that Tan Tal, the mother, was -the most youthful of the girls, while Loa, the last-born daughter, -struck me as undoubtedly the parent. And this mistake, absurd as it -may seem, was only natural, owing to the peculiar ideas of beauty -entertained by the ladies of Wu. - -For it was their opinion--in which the men seemed to share--that the -supreme mark of a woman's loveliness was her wrinkles, and that the -more wrinkles she boasted, particularly around the eyes and on the -neck, the more alluring was her appearance. Hence all the damsels used -to spend hours a day with wrinkle-producing creams, with permanent -"wrinkle-wavers," and with other devices to create creases in their -naturally smooth countenances; and only the old and matronly women, -who were past the stage of trying to shine before their lovers, could -afford to neglect the cosmetic arts and to let their features unwrinkle -themselves. - -It was for this reason that the young Loa, who, as I was later told, -had barely reached seventeen, impressed me as a hag of advanced years. -Her cheeks, her forehead, and her neck were furrowed in such a fashion -as to remind me of a crone of ninety; while she was rendered all the -more hideous, to my way of thinking, by the cream-colored paint with -which she had daubed her lips, and by the fact that her eyelashes, -in accordance with native custom, had been shaved away. Yet in the -estimation of the chalk-faces, she was supremely beautiful! - -There was another fact about Loa--and about all the other ladies--which -grated horribly on my sensibilities. This was that, while the men -wore skirts, the women all went around in trousers! All females, above -the age of four or five, wore loose, pajama-like pantaloons of various -colors; and it was considered unseemly, not to say indecent, for a -lady to appear in any other costume; in fact, one of the maidens of my -acquaintance was denied admittance to the best social circles because -once, in jest, she had donned her brother's skirts. - -In the same way, I myself was looked upon with suspicion, not to say -contempt, because the trousers which I wore were considered unbecoming -for a gentleman. Some persons, seeing me from a distance, made a -mistake as to my sex, while others were so shocked that they went away -shuddering with noses pointed high in the air in horror. Only after -Professor Tan Trum had been officially notified of my delinquency, and -had remedied the situation by providing me with one of his old black -skirts, was I able to appear in respectable society. - -I am sure that any of the local youths would have envied me the -privilege that I now endured for several hours each day. This was to be -instructed in the native language and institutions by the "beautiful" -Loa. Professor Tan Trum, of course, supervised my education, but was -so absorbed in his researches into the roots of extinct verbs that he -could not give me more than a few minutes a day. Hence, it was natural -that his daughter, having little else to do with her time, should be my -instructress. - -I must confess that she took her task, on the whole, conscientiously -enough, although her first efforts were not to teach me the language, -but to teach me how to pencil my eyebrows, whiten my cheeks and lips, -and bleach my hair, so as to conform to the native idea of masculine -beauty. Failing in these efforts, she resigned herself with a sigh to -the inevitable; yet from the too-gentle and yearning way in which she -glanced at me from time to time, I could see that my charms, such as -they were, had had too much of an effect on her impressionable young -heart. Already I had intimations that trouble was brewing! - - * * * * * - -But let me pass from this subject, for the present, to mention some -of the astonishing facts I learned under her tutorage. First, of -course, there was the necessity of studying the native language; -but, fortunately, I made rapid steps in this direction, not so much -because of any natural ability, as for the fact that Loa was a capable -teacher, and because I made every effort to remember when she pointed -to object after object and mentioned its native name, and then, after -a time, began linking the words into simple sentences. I was like a -little child first learning the language of its parents; but having, -I confidently believe, a quicker intelligence than a child's, I was -not long in absorbing the rudiments of the vernacular. Within two or -three weeks, I could exchange elementary ideas; within a month, I could -conduct a brief conversation; while, in less than three months, I was -able to carry on an extended colloquy with any member of Tan Trum's -household, and would not miss more than an occasional word, due to the -limits of my vocabulary. - -Strange, unbelievably strange, were my discoveries as to my new home. -The underworld, composed of the twin countries of Wu and Zu, reached -for hundreds of miles in all directions, and probably underlay not only -most of Nevada, but much of Utah, Arizona, and adjoining states. This -whole vast universe, comprising a multiplicity of great caverns and -smaller connecting galleries, some of which reached down eight or ten -miles, was inhabited by a population variously estimated as between -forty and fifty millions--all of them chalk-faced and salmon-eyed, -like the ones I had already seen. Neither Loa nor her father could -tell me how long they had dwelt underground; their written records -dated back thousands of years, and their claim was "Forever"! While -there were traditions that once they had lived above ground, in a land -of blue skies and open air from which they had been driven to escape -annihilation in warfare, there were now no intelligent men to believe -such tales, which were not only preposterous on the surface, but had -never been proven by historical research. It was generally held that -human life had originated in caves underground, and that, as population -multiplied, men had excavated new caves and corridors to take care of -the surplus millions. - -So accustomed had the people become to their subterranean environment -that it was impossible for them to appear above ground, unless they -wore heavy metallic suits, like those of undersea divers, in order to -protect them from the rays of the sun, which their white skins, having -lost all pigment in the course of the ages, were no longer able to -endure. Hence their belief, which scientists had verified by means of -elaborate mathematical proofs, that no life could endure above ground, -and hence the fact that none of them had ever been observed by our -race; for only once every score of years would any scientist of Wu -venture above ground, and even then he would emerge in some desert -place where no human habitation existed. - -But how did the millions of Wu and Zu manage to preserve life -underground? How did they contrive to eat, breathe, and clothe -themselves? That was one of the first questions I asked; and the answer -came to me partly from Loa, and partly from my own observations. - -The secret, as I had early surmised, was to be found in the prodigious -scientific development of the Underworld. I do not exaggerate when -I say that they were centuries in advance of our own race; they had -evolved mechanical formulae and devices of which we have not the -remotest conception. As an engineer by profession, I was naturally much -interested in this phase of their growth; and while I was not able -to study or understand all their numerous contrivances, yet I could -understand enough to fill me with amazement and admiration. Every phase -of the life of Wu, I found, depended upon science. Without it, they -could not have existed for a single day; it was both astonishing and -frightening to know how completely these people had come to rely upon -their own inventions. - - * * * * * - -I shall not take time, at this point, to dwell upon all their elaborate -appliances--which, indeed, would require a separate volume even -for their enumeration. I shall leave out of account the intricate -ventilating system, by which they pumped an adequate supply of air from -the outer world; for I shall have occasion to refer to this again. -Likewise, I shall not now describe their military engines, of which I -have already given some idea, but which I was later to observe more -intimately. I shall begin, therefore, by telling of the manufacture of -food and clothing, which was conducted on principles I had never before -considered possible. - -Let me say, by way of explanation, that my food in the Professor's -house had consisted entirely of queer-looking ingredients, comprised -in part of purple capsules, such as I had been given in prison, and -in part of a stringy, fibrous substance reminding me of seaweed. -I was told, indeed, that the wealthier sections of the population -occasionally enjoyed delicacies such as fish from subterranean rivers, -and mushrooms grown in specially prepared cellars; but if Professor Tan -Trum could afford such luxuries, he would not waste them on a barbarian -such as myself. - -My clothes, likewise, were of a substance I could not recognize--a -woven substance a little like hemp and yet clearly not hemp, for it -was not quite so coarse. But the fibres, on the other hand, did not -resemble those of linen, cotton, silk, or wool. What could it be? -The answer, as I learned from Loa, was that the native clothing, and -likewise the food, was manufactured synthetically. From the most -ordinary chemical ingredients--from oxygen and hydrogen as contained in -water, from carbon as contained in carbon dioxide or in coal, from the -nitrogen found in the air, and from the sulphur and phosphorus of the -mines--they would create compounds resembling natural organic products. - -The simplest of all to manufacture were starch and sugar, and a fibre -like the cellulose of plants. For these, all that was required was -a brilliant lamp, imitating the qualities of sunlight, a chemical -cell which utilized the lamp-rays as the chlorophyll of the vegetable -kingdom utilizes the solar beams, and an adequate supply of water -and carbon. Thus the people might obtain all the carbohydrates they -required for the table, and also all the fibres needed for weaving into -paper and clothes; for, since cellulose constitutes the main ingredient -of cotton and other vegetable fabrics, it was possible to produce a -synthetic equivalent of the garments worn in the world above. - -More difficult was the problem of the nitrogenous foodstuffs; but here -again the ingenuity of the chalk-faces had proved equal to the task. I -was never able to understand by exactly what process they had succeeded -in combining nitrogen with oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, and other -substances to form albumin; but it is certain that this is precisely -what they did, fusing the elements by means of an electric current and -several catalytic agents, whose nature I was unable to learn. - -Let me say, at this point, that I made every effort to find out; -but the formula was the carefully guarded secret of the National -Food Producers, Unlimited, a privately owned corporation, which was -forbidden by law to tell the people the truth about the food they ate. -Hence my efforts not only met with no success, but were so resented -that I was threatened by the Company with imprisonment on the charge of -unpatriotic activities. - -In other fields, however, I was better able to satisfy my curiosity. -I learned something of the power-system, by means of which the -chalk-faces kept their factories running, excavated and illuminated the -galleries, and conducted their warfare; I was told that they generated -electrical energy in part from the flow of underground rivers, and in -part by means of a chemical discovery made so long ago that no one -remembered the inventor. This was the compound knows as Mulflar, an -explosive at times beneficial, and at times annihilating in its effects. - -Once again I was unable to discover the formula, for this was the -exclusive property of the National Power Producers, who found it their -most lucrative source of dividends, and had long ago succeeded in -passing a law prohibiting themselves from making the facts public. The -general principles underlying the invention, however, were well known. -Mulflar was made by the union of nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium, and -sulphur with carbon, hydrogen, and one or two other elements in a -compound both simply and easily produced. Its distinctive feature was -its chemical unstability; its atoms would disintegrate and explode -upon the slightest shock or upon the application of a spark, releasing -a prodigious amount of energy through the conversion of that active -element, hydrogen, into the chemically inert helium. - - * * * * * - -So great was the explosive power of Mulflar that a single gram, -properly directed, was capable of blowing a hundred pounds of rock or -iron to the height of half a mile. Naturally, a substance so dangerous -had to be carefully controlled; and though accidents sometimes did -occur, resulting in the occasional loss of a few hundred lives, in -general it was highly adaptable to industrial uses. Shot off in small -quantities in cannon-like tubes of specially prepared steel, it was -used to set great dynamos into action, and consequently to furnish the -larger part of the electricity indispensable to life. It was the energy -of Mulflar, passed into storage batteries, that made it possible to run -those little coaster-like cars with which I had had such a frightening -experience; it was the energy of Mulflar that kept the lights and the -ventilation in operation, that ran the food and clothing factories, and -that pumped fresh water into pipes throughout the length and depth of -the land. - -But, at the same time, it was the energy of Mulflar that proved to be -the worst enemy of the people. Never had I seen more convincing proof -of how the most beneficial inventions may be transformed into engines -of destruction! For it was Mulflar that accounted for the deadliness of -the warfare waged by the chalk-faces; it was Mulflar that had produced -those lightnings which Clay and I had watched in such fascinated -horror; it was Mulflar that had supplied the motive-power for the -land-battleships; it was Mulflar that had blown those gigantic machines -to tatters. And it was Mulflar that was responsible for even more -horrendous implements, which I was later to observe. - -But before I report my discoveries in this regard, I must describe -other peculiarities of the chalk-faces. And I must tell of one -saddening conversation which I had with Loa and her father--a -conversation which crushed one lingering spark of hope that had -survived until then in the face of all discouragements. - -This was in connection with my friend Clay. Hardly an hour went by but -that I thought of him and his disappearance; hardly an hour but that I -wondered whether he were alive or dead. True, I had heard nothing of -him; but he might have been safe and well only a stone's throw away, -and I would not have known it, since, at the time, I was confined in -the Professor's house as closely as in a prison. Consequently, as soon -as I was able to speak a few words in the native language, I asked -about my friend. - -The result could not have been more disappointing. Both Professor -Tan Trum and his daughter looked astonished when they understood the -nature of my inquiry. "What!" gasped my protector, with a sincerity -that I could not question. "You say there were two like you? I wish -there were! That would double the opportunities for verification of my -theories!" - -"Another like you?" questioned Loa, in milder tones; and then burst -into a giddy explosion of laughter. "Why, that's just too good for -words! I'm sure there couldn't be two like you in the whole deep world!" - -Not knowing whether to take this as a compliment or not, I said -nothing, while the Professor continued. - -"My dear friend, if another man like you had been found anywhere in Wu, -we would know of it instantly. The news would be flashed from end to -end of the country--just as your own arrival has been." - -"My friend wasn't exactly like me," I explained, fighting against a -sinking sensation that all but overcame me. "He was taller, and his -hair was red--" - -For the first time in my experience, the Professor bent nearly double -with laughter, his great ungainly frame rocking back and forth in -mirth. It seemed minutes before he and Loa could suppress their -merriment. "His hair was red?" echoed Tan Trum, riotously. "Red? Red, -you say? My dear man, who ever heard of red hair?" - -And both he and his daughter went off again into spasms of laughter. - -My only consolation was the reflection that, although Clay appeared -hopelessly lost, still, if he ever were found, I would hear of it, -since no red-haired man had ever been seen before in all the land of Wu. - - - - - CHAPTER XI - - Fresh Surprises - - -While I was questioning Professor Tan Trum and his family in regard to -the underworld, they were equally eager in making inquiries as to my -own land. - -Naturally, they were anxious to know where I had come from, and how I -had arrived; but, unfortunately, they already had their own theories -on the subject, and nothing that I could say was able to change their -views. Since they had decided that I had escaped from some cavern far -below them, my story that I had come from the so-called "Overworld" met -with incredulous smiles. Their attitude was about what our own would be -if some stranger should assert that he came from the depths of the sea. -"No use trying to deceive us!" they cried reprovingly. "The Overworld -is not capable of supporting life!" - -And then curiously they asked, "Are the people where you come from all -colored like you?" - -"Colored?" I flung back, a little irritated. "I haven't a speck of -colored blood in my veins! I'm American white, every inch of me!" - -"White?" they jeered, pointing to my face, with its rosy complexion. -"What! you call that white? Why, you're pink!" - -And loud was the laughter that convulsed the family group. - -"If you're white, then what are we?" demanded Loa, insolently -indicating her own snowy features. - -I had nothing to say in reply. I could see that, by comparison with the -chalk-faces, I was indeed the member of a colored race. - -"My dear young man," consoled Professor Tan Trum, with the most -unbearable superciliousness, "do not let the matter of your origin -grieve you. We know that birth is not a matter of choice, and if nature -has made you a member of an inferior race, at least it speaks well for -you that you could rise to join us." - -"But I didn't rise to join you!" I insisted. "I descended! I fell into -your world by accident, through a fissure caused by the shocks of your -warfare." - -This explanation, however, was ignored, while the members of the -family exchanged significant glances, as if to say that I was the most -incorrigible liar they had ever met. - -It was Tan Tal, the charming wife of Tan Trum, who put the next -question. - -"Where you come from, is there only one country?--or is there more than -one, so as to give you someone to fight with?" - -"Oh, there are many countries!" I declared. "We have simply no end of -lands to fight with!" - -At this announcement, the three young daughters of the family tittered -uncontrollably, with the most amused expressions on their milky, -wrinkled countenances. - -"Why, how funny!" laughed Loa. - -"How confusing!" giggled Moa. - -"How absurd!" roared Noa. "Then how do you know which one to fight -first?" - -Professor Tan Trum, unlike his daughters, had been listening with an -unsmiling solemnity of manner. I could see that he did not consider my -statement comical; his massive brow was furrowed with profound thought -as he replied. - -"That is an excellent idea, young man--to divide yourselves into -many countries. It is plain that even the barbarians have ideas. Up -here, you see, we have only two nations, Wu and Zu. Hence we are much -handicapped, from the military point of view. If we want to go to war, -we have only one possible enemy, and that at times grows monotonous. -Again, it becomes difficult sometimes to find excuses for hostilities. -They say that only this year our Secretary of National Defense--poor -fellow!--was driven out of his mind to find a plausible reason for -declaring war on Zu. However, if we had had some other country to -oppose, there would have been no problem at all." - -"Yes, that is so, father," agreed Loa, who by this time had ceased -laughing. "Why not recommend to Dictator Thuno Flâtum that we split up -into several countries?" - -"Excellent!" concurred Tan Tal. "Then we could go to war to defend the -rights of small nations!" - -"But I don't quite understand," I put in, finding the conversation -getting wholly away from me. "You're talking as if war is a good thing! -Up in our world, we call it a curse!" - -"A curse?" echoed all the members of Tan Trum's family. "A curse? Why, -what nonsense!" And loud was the laughter of the ladies. - -"Don't let anyone here catch you saying that!" warned the Professor, -scowling severely. "If one of the Government Police overheard you, -you'd be court-martialed!" - - * * * * * - -Appalled at the enormity of my offense, I gaped at the Professor in -awe-stricken silence. - -"There's no use talking," mused Tan Tal, shaking her head sadly, -"the savagery of the colored races is unquenchable. To think they're -actually opposed to warfare!" - -"It's so unenlightened of them!" condemned Loa. - -"So disgusting!" jeered Moa. - -"So barbarous!" groaned Noa. "Really they must still be in the Stone -Age!" - -"You see, my dear young man," explained the Professor, turning to me -not unkindly, as he observed my bewilderment, "we live in an age of -unreason. Unreason and science--these are the two features of our -life. And both of these tell us that man is a fighting animal. Biology -assures us that he was created with the instinct of aggression, which -is necessary for the sake of self-preservation; and psychology declares -that all the instincts planted in him by nature must be satisfied. -Accordingly, men must satisfy their instinct of self-preservation by -destroying one another. That fact was demonstrated long ago by the -philosophers--to question it would be heresy. So you see, my good young -friend, why it is necessary to fight?" - -There was a vague suspicion in my mind that this argument, reasonable -as it seemed, might not be altogether sound; but before I had had time -to formulate any objections, Tan Tal once more lifted her voice. - -"Besides, there is another reason. If we didn't fight, think of the -loss to industry! Think of all the millions invested in Mulflar Works, -and in land-battleship factories! Why, if we didn't have any war, all -this capital would be wasted." - -"Yes, and my stocks in Mulflar Products, Amalgamated, would go down -to nothing!" groaned the Professor, who seemed to regard this as the -culminating argument. - -Taking advantage of a gap in the conversation, I was now able to ask -the question that had long been puzzling me. - -"What is the present war all about, Professor Tan Trum? What is the -issue, the principle behind it?" - -"Issue? Principle behind it?" shouted Tan Trum, while the ladies -struggled to hold back a fresh outburst of laughter. "What makes you -think there is any issue, any principle behind it? We are fighting for -the national honor--and, certainly, there is no principle behind that!" - -The Professor paused, energetically stroking his two-pointed beard, -glaring at me as though I had been guilty of some offense against -decency. - -"There has to be an official reason for the war, of course," he -resumed, more mildly. "In this case, we were driven to our wits' end, -and couldn't think of anything better than the old Nullnull dispute." - -"Nullnull dispute? What's that?" - -The five chalk-faces all stared at me a little blankly, as if surprised -that there was anyone who had not heard of the Nullnull dispute. - -However, the Professor condescendingly undertook to explain. - -"On the borderline between Wu and Zu is the province of Nullnull. This -is composed of a series of desert caverns, a dozen miles long and about -half as wide. They say that once it was valuable land, containing -lakes and streams and rich ore deposits; but it has been so shot to -pieces that no one lives there now, and it is worthless for everything -except as a place to fly the national flag. It is therefore highly -coveted by both Wu and Zu. In the course of the last thousand years, it -has changed hands one hundred nineteen times, belonging first to one -country, and then to the other, and every time it has been recaptured -there has been an excuse for another war, for of course the citizens of -the defeated land would not be content to have Nullnull wrenched away -from them. Thus the military ardor of the citizens of both countries -has been kept at fever pitch, and we have had no trouble in advancing -our Military Birth Extension Program." - -"Military Birth Extension Program?" I cried. "What under heaven is -that?" - -"What do you think it is?" demanded Tan Trum, a flare of irritation in -his salmon eyes. "Exactly what the name implies! In order to keep a -war going, what do we need most of all, besides money and ammunition? -Naturally, man-power! But present-day warfare is so efficient that -man-power does not last long. It is estimated that the military -turnover is seventy-five per cent a year." - -"Military turnover? And what is that?" - -"Just what the term implies! The percentage of men turned over to the -ranks of the immortals." - -"You mean, the percentage killed?" - - * * * * * - -Tan Trum and the four ladies all glared at me as though I had committed -an impiety. The Professor stroked his beard in indignation; the mouths -of Loa, Moa, and Noa all gaped wide with horror. - -"Killed? Killed, young man?" thundered Tan Trum. "Never use that -word in connection with war! It is not permitted! It is illegal, -unpatriotic! No one is ever killed in war! Millions are sent to the -Blessed Caverns, or converted into deathless heroes, or become the -Unknown Warriors! But no one is ever killed! That is forbidden by law!" - -"Young man," remonstrated Tan Tal, "remarks like yours are enough to -ruin military morale!" - -"If we didn't know you spoke in ignorance, sir, we would have you -examined by the Intelligence Department, which would most likely have -you executed for free speech!" threatened the Professor. - -After a moment, however, he seemed softened by my contrite expression; -and, regaining his good humor, continued. - -"But I was going to explain about our Military Birth Extension Program. -The principle is very simple. We have introduced Birth Uncontrol, and -made it compulsory by law. The idea is that all families should have -as many children as possible--sons, so that they may go out to fight -for their country, and daughters, so that they may bear more sons to -fight for their country. All couples married for ten years or over -are required to pay a tax for every child which they have less than -seven; while, for every child after the seventh, they receive a bonus. -This system works so well that we are able to keep our population -stationary." - -"Stationary?" I cried. "At that rate, it ought to double every -generation!" - -"It would--except for the military turnover. As it happens, our boys -are all enlisted in the reserve corps of the army at the age of six, -and from that time forth are trained for the next war. So rigorous is -the discipline that fifty per cent never reach sixteen. This is, in -fact, one of the great merits of the system, as it ensures the survival -of the fittest. At sixteen the youths are enrolled in the active army, -and are sent to the front to face the boys of Zu. They then are offered -the hope of being permitted to retire from military life at eighteen, -if they should reach that age. But fifteen out of sixteen, in the -course of these two years, enjoy the fate of heroes and go over to the -Blessed Caverns." - -I was about to comment, but refrained, for fear of breaking some penal -law. - -"Besides being profitable, it is a great honor to have many children," -continued the Professor, with zest. "Mothers are given an honorary gold -crescent for every son born to them; and fathers receive an honorary -crescent of silver. Immediately upon the death--" here Tan Trum paused, -and coughed in great embarrassment--"I mean to say, immediately upon -the turnover of a son, the mother and father each receive another -honorary crescent. It is this that makes Birth Uncontrol such a -success." - -"Well, Professor, you yourself don't seem to have starred in that -line," I remarked, with a side glance at Loa, Moa, and Noa, who -surprised me by averting their eyes and sighing. "With only three -daughters to your credit--" - -"Three daughters?" bellowed Tan Trum, his long black-gloved hand -shaking in uncontrollable ire. "And what, pray, of my five sons?" - -"Yes, what of our five sons?" echoed Tan Tal, wiping a tear from the -corner of her eye. - -"Well, what of them?" I demanded. - -"They have all gone to the Blessed Caverns!" sighed the Professor. - -"I have five extra crescents for the dear boys!" confided Tan Tal, -wiping a second tear from her eye. "Poor darlings! The oldest was just -seventeen when he--when he was turned over. I shall always be proud of -their record!" - -"I too!" coincided Tan Trum. "It shall always be a source of melancholy -gratification to look at my five extra silver crescents, which shall -contribute to my honor forever." - -"To your honor?" I cried. "Who was it, then, that died?" - -"Something in me died forever when they--when they were turned over," -he mourned, drawing up his gaunt face in a preternaturally long, solemn -expression. - - * * * * * - -Tan Tal, meanwhile, with all the suppressed fury of outraged -motherhood, was glaring at me as if to devour me whole. "Barbarian!" -she challenged. "What makes you think they died? They shall live -forever in our memory! They shall endure in the annals of their -country! They shall live here--here, in the shrine of my breast!" - -So speaking, she smote the designated part of her anatomy a blow severe -enough to do herself physical injury. - -"They shall live forever--here in the shrine of my breast!" thundered -the Professor, hitting his bony thorax a resounding smack. - -Concluding that these people, though normally sane, had gone mad on -this one topic, I thought it best to change the subject. "Did you say -all the boys of Wu are enlisted in the army?" I inquired. "Are there no -exceptions?" - -"I didn't say there were no exceptions," stated the Professor, assuming -a milder manner. "Naturally, there are! All sons of Second and Third -Class citizens must go to war. But sons of First Class Citizens are -exempted." - -"First Class Citizens? Who are they?" - -"Why, haven't I told you of our three classes? The division is an -ancient one, and is the basis of our social life. The Third Class, -which is the most numerous, is sometimes also called the Hungry Class; -its members are notable for doing most of the country's hard work, and -for being so poor that they rarely have enough to eat. The people of -this class are prohibited by law from thinking, lest thought lead them -to revolt. Above them is the Second or Sedentary Class--to which I have -the honor of belonging--its members usually have enough to eat, hence a -mild amount of thought is permissible, so long as it doesn't give birth -to free speech. But over us all is the First or Master Class, which -makes up less than one per cent of the population and owns ninety-eight -per cent of the country. This, of course, is the class that rules us." - -"But I thought Dictator Thuno Flâtum ruled you." - -"Thuno Flâtum is the head of the Master Class." - -"Let's hope he isn't typical of them," I was on the point of declaring, -remembering this puny individual, with his artificial eyes, ears, and -breathing apparatus. But, fortunately, I held my tongue and did not -make any such treasonous remark. - -"Thuno Flâtum was chosen by the Master Class as their leader," -continued Tan Trum, "since he was considered the strongest of them -all. In other words, his senses, his legs, and his lungs were the most -atrophied." - -Since this was just a bit confusing, I began to wonder if Tan Trum, -after all, were not out of his head. - -"You see," he explained, "for ages the Master Class has prided itself -on its pure blood. None of its members, under pain of death, has ever -been permitted to intermarry with a Second or Third Class citizen. The -result of this long interbreeding has been a distinctive type, unlike -us low-grade people. Thanks to their lives of luxury, and to their -constant use of wheeled vehicles, the Masters have all but forgotten -how to use their legs, which have become thin and shriveled; in the -same way, since they have never filled their lungs by exercise or -labor, their breathing apparatus has almost withered away; while, since -they have rarely used their eyes or ears, these organs too have become -worthless without artificial aid. All these qualities, consequently, -are regarded as signs of superiority--or of 'green blood,' as -aristocracy is called among us; and that Master whose lungs are the -frailest, whose legs are the feeblest, and whose vision is the dimmest, -is chosen to lead the country, since the purity of his lineage is the -most unquestioned." - -Being unable to understand this arrangement, which somehow did not -strike me as altogether sensible, I was so undiplomatic as to let my -doubts be known. "I don't see why the people stand for it," I blurted -out. "I don't see why they let these frail little Masters rule them, -own most of the property, and be excused from fighting, when they--" - -But that was as far as I proceeded. The horrified faces of my hearers -warned me to halt. Never, I am certain, had such impious words entered -their ears before! - -It was a full minute before any of them was able to find speech. "Well, -I never!" gasped Loa at length, her features more wrinkled than ever as -she made a grimace of disgust. "I didn't know we had a radical right in -our own home!" - -"A poisonous radical!" cried Moa. "Who would have believed it?" - -"The next thing, he'll be demanding the single standard in justice, or -some other crazy new-fashioned notion!" exclaimed Noa. - -"He may even be asking honest politics!" contributed Tan Tal, glowering -at me with a resurgence of her previous indignation. - -"This is serious indeed!" conceded the Professor, his long head -wagging with laconic severity. "Of course, allowances must be made -for barbarians; you can't expect to civilize them in a minute. So -I'll tell you what we'll do, folks. We'll take him down tomorrow to -the Commissioner of Public Thought, and make him swallow the Oath of -Fidelity. After that, if he makes any more disloyal statements, he will -have to take the responsibility." - -"Good! Very good!" cried the ladies in chorus. "We should have done -that long ago!" - -"But who's the Commissioner of Public Thought?" I inquired. "And what's -the Oath of Fidelity?" - -"You'll find out, young man, after you've swallowed it!" snapped the -Professor. "And now you've had enough of my time for one day! I must -get back to my researches on the history of the comma in ancient -literature!" - -So saying, the Professor glided from the room with long strides of his -great, ungainly legs, while the four ladies regarded me more than a -little coolly, like one who has betrayed a strange and criminal turn of -mind. - - - - - CHAPTER XII - - I Swallow the Oath - - -It was on the following day that Professor Tan Trum, true to his -promise, took me to visit the Commissioner of Public Thought. Or, -rather, it was on the following "wake"; for the chalk-faces, not having -the guidance of the sun, divide time into periods of about twelve hours -each, which are known alternately as "sleeps" and "wakes." - -As this was the first time I had been out of the Professor's house for -months, except for occasional visits to back galleries for exercise, -I strode along at his side with great glee as he led me through -the winding thoroughfares toward the office of the Commissioner. -Several times, in my joy at being out, I walked carelessly ahead of -my companion, and narrowly missed being felled by one of the small -coaster-like vehicles, or "scootscoots," as they were called; but -despite such near-mishaps, I kept up my good spirits until we had -reached our destination, a long gloomy chamber where fifty chalk-faces -were already waiting in line. - -"The Commissioner's Headquarters are always crowded," stated the -Professor, as we took our places at the foot of the procession. "You -see, all Second and Third Class citizens are required to swallow the -Oath of Fidelity twice a year." - -"What's the purpose of that?" I inquired; but the Professor merely -shook his head and did not deign to answer. However, I saw how the -first in line, having finished his business, passed out a gleaming bit -of silver, which was promptly rung up on a cash register by a little -chalk-face seated at a table; and later I observed how each successive -person, before leaving the room, similarly disposed of a bit of silver, -which likewise was rung up on the cash register. - -For over an hour we remained standing in line; and, to amuse himself -during the interval, Tan Trum read out to me in loud tones the various -signs and placards that hung about the room--signs and placards which I -was not yet able to decipher unaided. - -"Lower class citizens should be seen and not heard!" read the -Professor, sonorously. "And the less seen the better!" Then, turning to -me, he commented, "That is a good old maxim dating back thousands of -years to Tit Wit, our greatest lawgiver. - -"A little thought is a dangerous thing," continued Tan Trum, turning -back to the signs, "and much thought is impossible. Therefore the ideal -citizen will live in a state of sublime thoughtlessness. - -"That is a rule we always do our best to follow," he remarked, turning -to me with a boastful smile. "It is the first of the Silver Rules of -Conduct--silver being our most valued metal, you know. - -"But I suppose it's useless to try to drill such high principles into -the barbarian mind," he meditated. "However, here's the second Silver -Rule. - -"Thoughtlessness is the best policy," he read. "It ensures one the -respect of one's superiors, the confidence of one's equals, and a -successful career in business or politics." - -Seeing that I had no comment to make, my guide proceeded to the third -Silver Rule. - -"Thoughtlessness is next to godliness. A thoughtless mind and soul are -the purest creation of the divine. He who thinks not will be content. -He who thinks not will not spend time on vain revolts. He who thinks -not will never suffer from headaches." - -There were eleven other Silver Rules, all of which the Professor read -with gusto; but my attention had wandered and I scarcely heard what he -said. My mind was far away; I was thinking of Clay and asking myself -where he was, if indeed he were alive at all; I was picturing my -friends in the Overworld, and wishing I might see them once more, and -wondering, as I had wondered so often, whether there were not some way -to climb back through the maze of caverns toward the sunlight and blue -skies.... - -I was awakened from my reveries by hearing a voice snap, "Next!" and -feeling the Professor grab my sleeve and thrust me forward. To my -surprise, I saw that I was now first in line. - -Before me sat a scowling little individual at a stone table, with a -cash register as tall as a grandmother's clock towering above him. - -"Well? What is it?" he barked. - -"This is my protégé," explained the Professor, coming forward. "Being a -barbarian, he knows little of our laws, and I therefore thought it best -to give him the Oath of Fidelity before it is too late." - -"That's all very well," snarled the official, "but who's going to pay?" - -"I'll attend to that," agreed Tan Trum. "As a member of the teaching -profession, I'm allowed a ten per cent discount." - -"Very well!" the other consented. "All accounts strictly cash!" And -then, while the Professor muttered something about "Fidelity oaths come -high this year," the official reached for a long roll of paper printed -with minute characters, which he read aloud from across the room by -means of binoculars, proceeding at such speed and in such mumbling -tones that I could not distinguish a word he said! - -Having finished, he thrust the paper forward, pushed a pen into my -hand, and directed, "Sign here!" - -Although not well versed in the native handwriting, I was able to make -a mark that passed as my signature. - - * * * * * - -With a sigh of relief, I turned away, when I heard the official's voice -ringing out behind me, "Wait a minute! You've forgotten to swallow the -Oath!" - -Unable to imagine what he meant, I wheeled about, and saw that the -paper I had just signed was being rolled into a little pellet in the -official's hands. - -"Here! Swallow this!" he ordered, tossing it to me after it had been -reduced to the size and shape of a marble. - -"Swallow it?" I echoed. "What for?" - -I was aware that several persons behind me in line were tittering; but -I was still unable to take the command literally. - -"Do as the man says!" I heard the Professor's irritated voice shrilling -in my ear. "What use is the Oath of Fidelity if you don't swallow -it--and swallow it whole?" - -I reached for the pellet and regarded it suspiciously. It was hard and -unappetizing, and I would about as soon have swallowed a stone. - -"What are you waiting for?" demanded the official, his pinkish eyes -aflame with anger. "Don't you want to swallow it after all? Or will we -have to call the police and force it down your throat?" - -Realizing that he was in deadly earnest, I could no longer hesitate, -but slowly lifted the pellet toward my lips. - -As I did so, I noticed that it had a bad odor, suggestive of decay; -hence I was more reluctant than ever to swallow it. - -But alas!--there was no hope! "I suppose we'll have to force it down -your throat after all!" threatened the one-eyed one--at which, in sheer -desperation, I thrust the oath into my mouth.... - -But not so easily could I gulp it down. The seconds that followed were -among the most miserable of my existence. Have you ever, dear reader, -experienced the sensation of choking? Have you ever felt a piece of -foreign matter stuck in your throat, cutting off your breath? This was -exactly my plight, for the Oath of Fidelity got caught, and would not -go either up or down. - -They tell me that my face went blue in the ensuing struggle, and that I -sank down and almost fainted. I was aware that Tan Trum, half beside -himself with excitement, was pounding vigorous blows on my back; I was -aware that some one had snatched a tool like a pair of pliers, and was -forcing it down my throat; but I knew little besides this, except the -desperate craving for air, and the furious wish not to die, not to die -just yet.... - -But at last, thanks to heroic efforts, the refractory Oath went down -the passageway after all, and the reviving air entered my lungs. A -minute longer, and the Oath would have killed me.... - -As I gradually regained my senses, I saw the Professor passing out a -bright piece of silver, and heard the ringing of the cash register. - -"Congratulations, young man!" exclaimed Tan Trum, heartily, as he led -me away. "The Oath of Fidelity pretty nearly didn't take--but I'm glad -you swallowed it after all. Now you're a full-fledged citizen of Wu!" - -"Full-fledged citizen? And what does that mean?" - -"It means you've promised to obey all the laws of the land. It means -you've pledged allegiance to Dictator Thuno Flâtum, promised to honor -him, to obey all his orders unquestioningly and never to utter a word -against him. It means you've vowed to lead a life of one hundred per -cent thoughtlessness. It means, finally, that you guarantee to live in -Wu the rest of your days, and never to attempt to leave, under penalty -of death." - -"But I didn't guarantee anything of the kind!" I protested, perceiving -that new and unexpected obstacles were being placed between me and -escape. - -"Indeed you did!" he denied. "Didn't you sign the Oath?" - -"Yes, but I didn't understand what it said." - -"That doesn't matter. No one is supposed to understand. Understanding -is a sign of thought, and thought is a sign of disloyalty. But you did -swallow the Oath, didn't you? That's what makes it legal!" - -Not yet did I realize that this was but one of many unpleasant things I -should have to swallow during my stay in Wu! - - - - - CHAPTER XIII - - An Official Visitor - - -Now that I had swallowed the Oath and become a full-fledged citizen, my -life took a sharp turn--though whether for the better, I could hardly -say. As a free man, I was permitted to wander unescorted through many -of the streets and side-galleries; yet it seemed to me that I had -really less freedom than when confined in the Professor's home. I was -now officially on the Government books, being known as Citizen No. -44,667,023 XZ, Third Class; I had had my photograph taken and filed -with the War Department, my physical measurements recorded and filed -with the Police Department, and my toe-prints registered and filed with -both the War and the Police Departments. Worst of all, I was now to -receive a visit from a sub-agent of the Ministry of Public Unemployment. - -This event occurred on the fifth day--or the fifth "wake"--after I had -swallowed the Oath. I well remember the occasion; I had been practicing -writing the native language, under the tutorage of Loa; and having -noticed a light of warning fondness in her salmon eyes, I was desiring -some tactful way of escape ... when I was startled by the entrance of -Moa, who informed me that a visitor wished to see me. - -A visitor to see me! Who knew me well enough to call upon me down in -this Nether World? For one mad, hopeful instant, the thought came to -me that perhaps it was Clay! Perhaps, after all, he had survived and -discovered my hiding-place! - -But no! In the next room, a weakened little chalk-face with the -features of a fox arose to receive me. "Citizen Number 44,667,023 XZ, -Third Class?" he inquired. - -"I believe that is my name," said I, although not quite certain yet -whether I were an "XZ" or an "XY." - -"I have been detailed to investigate your case," he declared, in such a -businesslike manner that I had a momentary tremor, imagining him to be -a detective. "I do not know why the Government has overlooked you so -long; I understand, sir, that you have been illegally living in a state -of unemployment." - -"Illegally--living in a state of unemployment?" I gasped. - -"So I am told!" he continued, with unsmiling severity. "Do you not -realize, sir, that unemployment is a crime? That is to say, in all -except First Class citizens, who are paid a salary by the State for -being unemployed." - -Fearing that I was about to be punished, I remained silent and -anxiously regarded my visitor. - -"However, we do not wish to be severe with you," he conceded, still -scowling. "This is, after all, your first dereliction, and I have been -instructed to let you off with a reprimand. But we must immediately end -your unemployment." - -"Very well," I assented, vastly relieved. - -"The question is, what valuable labor can you perform?" asked the -chalk-face, taking a chart out of his pocket and withdrawing across the -room so as to examine it through an instrument that looked like a pair -of opera glasses. "Fortunately, owing to the unusual turnover of the -present war, an exceptional number of positions are vacant just now." - -"Good! What are they?" - -My visitor drew up his lean, white face into a puzzled frown, and -answered in a drawl. - -"Well, let's see. There are so many, it's hard to know where to begin. -Now here's one that might do. In the thought-inoculation department of -the army." - -"Thought-inoculation?" - -"Yes, you see it's necessary to be sure that no private in the -army should ever have a thought; otherwise, how could we maintain -discipline? We have found it isn't safe to rely on laws only, so we -have invented an anti-thought serum, which acts on the nervous system -so as to paralyze the thought-centers of the brain. The results are -excellent; the recruit has no power left except to obey orders--which -makes him a perfect soldier." - -"A very good idea," I acknowledged, wishing I might have the formula -of this wonderful serum to bring home for use in our own armies. - -"A derivative of the same drug, known as 'the Mu' is fed by big -business firms to employees. It is taken internally, and the results -are said to be excellent.... However, a job in this department is not -for you!" concluded the agent, sadly. "You're a barbarian, and what do -barbarians know of thought-prevention?" - -"More than you think!" I snapped, defensively. - -"Now here's another good job," he went on, still gazing at the chart -by means of the opera glasses. "We're in need of spies. The recent -turnover in that department--" - -"No, thanks!" I decided. "I don't care to be a spy--" - -"But think of the honor! No profession is more esteemed! If you -survive, you'll be given a high position in the diplomatic corps; and -if, on the other hand, you are turned--" - -"That's just it! I'm satisfied not to be turned over!" I asserted, -remembering the prison I had occupied just after my arrival, and the -execution of my cell-mates beneath the violet ray. - -"It's a glorious death--I mean to say, a glorious turnover!" argued my -visitor. And then, with a disappointed expression, "However, if you're -not out for honors, I suppose we can find you some humbler job. What -about a position in the Mulflar Works?" - -"But is that safe?" - -"Safe?" The Unemployment Agent glared at me angrily. "Who cares if it -is safe? Of course it isn't! You may be blown to shreds and splinters -any wake! But what of that? Is anything safe in modern life? It's all a -matter of the degree of risk! And, besides, the salary is high." - -"I'm not greedy for a high salary," I remarked. - -"Oh, well, if that's the way you feel, of course we can fix you up!" -returned the chalk-face, contemptuously. "There's never much demand for -low-paying jobs." - - * * * * * - -Again he stared at the chart, and, after a moment of indecision, -suggested, "Let's see now--we might make you valet to a First Class -Citizen. The wages are not very good, but the work is easy. All you -would have to do would be to dust off your master's eye-tubes, or hold -his megaphone to his mouth when he speaks, or adjust his breathing -tubes when they get out of order, or merely stand in his reception hall -and look stiff and official when he receives visitors. And whenever -he kicks you or cuffs you or calls you names, you would have to bow -respectfully, and say 'Thank you, sir!' What do you say?" - -"Haven't you anything else?" I asked, in desperation. - -The agent scowled again. "You're a hard man to suit!" he declared. -"I really don't know what else to offer you. If you weren't -a barbarian, we might place you in the Department of Public -Unenlightenment--vulgarly known as the Censorship Bureau--whose -business it is to keep the public from knowing too much. But no--that -won't do at all! Third Class citizens are not eligible!" - -Once more he paused, his long black-draped fingers tapping at his -knees; and for a moment I feared that no further suggestions would be -forthcoming. - -But he was a resourceful man; at last, with a shout of triumph, he -exclaimed, "Ah!--now I have it! Just the thing! The very thing!" - -"The very what?" I asked, hoping he would have a better suggestion this -time. - -"The very job for you!" he ejaculated, slapping his knee in delight. "I -congratulate you, young man! You're a lucky individual! A very lucky -individual!" - -"How so?" I asked doubtfully. - -"Very lucky, I assure you!" he repeated. "We need more office help -for the Ventilation Company. You see, too many of their employees -have volunteered for the war--and have been turned over. So they have -a job just waiting for you in the air-supply division. You may begin -tomorrow." - -"But what is the Ventilation Company? And what's the air-supply -division?" I demanded, none too certain that I wished to accept. - -"Take my word, it's just the thing for you! No ability required! No -thought necessary! Merely do what you are told! And get paid regularly -every five wakes!" - -"But what's the job like?" - -"You'll find out after you're on it! Time enough to worry then!" - -Further discussion followed; but as the agent had no job which he -recommended so highly as the ventilating one, I ended by reluctantly -accepting. - -Immediately upon securing my assent, the visitor let out a whoop of -joy; then, drawing forth a printed sheet and a pencil, he flung them at -me, and directed, "There! Sign on the dotted line!" - -Hesitantly I did as directed, and the agent immediately snatched up the -paper, folded it into an inner pocket, left me instructions where and -when to report to work, bowed, and gingerly left. - -Not until later did I learn that, as a commission for securing me the -work, I had signed over to him all my wages for the first fifty-two -"wakes!" - - - - - CHAPTER XIV - - The Last Straw - - -The Ventilating Company, as I soon discovered, was the most powerful -corporation in Wu. It was literally the breath of the country, for -it controlled the fresh air-supply, and, with the aid of ninety-six -subsidiaries, was said to be highly influential in finance, politics, -and war. Owned by a group of First Class citizens, who supported -themselves in luxury on a fraction of their dividends, the Company -was declared to number Dictator Thuno Flâtum himself among its -stockholders; hence its interests were carefully considered in the -councils of State, and a recommendation of its Directorate was -tantamount to the enactment of a law. It was common gossip that more -than one war had been commenced on the decision of the Ventilating -officials, and that the current conflict with Zu had been stimulated -by them, owing to the fact that the workers had been threatening a -strike, and that it was believed that they needed something to distract -their attention. - -Whatever one might think of the management, one could easily understand -the influence of the Ventilating Company. Truly, it brought a marvelous -service to the people! The more I observed the vast system of air-tubes -and wheels, the more I admired the ingenuity of its creators. I -was informed how ventilating pipes, opening in narrow ducts in the -Overworld, received a constant supply of the fresh air that always -blew in that uninhabitable domain; and I was told how this air, -forced downward by mighty pumps operated by the power of Mulflar, was -delivered in pipes and conduits to every gallery, chamber and private -residence in Wu. This it was that kept the air always fresh and sweet, -and that had averted those noisome odors usually found in underground -passageways. Yet stop the ventilating wheels for a few short hours -only, and the whole country would be faced with danger of suffocation. -Little did I realize what a deadly advantage I was later to find in -this fact! - -My work for the Ventilating Company began humbly enough in view of -the tremendous rôle I was to play. Perched on a stone chair behind a -stone railing in a large, draughty gallery, where a perfect torrent -of air was blowing in order to display "ventilating efficiency," I -had to interview customers, hear their complaints, accept the service -fees which they paid every twenty "wakes," and attempt to sell the -various air-machines displayed about the room. "Do your cleaning by -air." "Have you tried our automatic air-baths?" "Remove dust and germs; -air-filters at reduced rates." "Air-rays for health--recommended -by leading physicians." "Air-heating apparatus--guaranteed for hot -air." These were but a few of the signs I saw scattered about me on a -multitude of curious-looking instruments, some of them reminding me of -electric toasters, others of vacuum cleaners, and a few looming large -and imposing like great dynamos. - -Although I still did not know the principles behind these inventions, -I was able to sell them easily enough. All I had to do was to look -knowing, point to the company's guarantee, and state that the objects -were on sale for a limited period only; and the prospective customers, -particularly if of the fair sex, were rarely able to resist the lure, -even though they understood nothing of the point or purpose of the -apparatus they purchased. The sale of articles under such conditions, -I found, was known to the people of Wu as "good business." It was -said that, as a result of such "good business," nine-tenths of the -population was constantly in debt to the Ventilating Company. - -The other phases of my work were less interesting. What I particularly -disliked was listening to complaints--and what a stream of them there -were! Sometimes the line of complainers reached all the way across the -office and fifty yards down the adjoining gallery! Here, for example -would come a testy-looking old chalk-face, with a squeaky wail, "My -air-service has been very poor of late! Haven't been able to breathe -properly for wakes!" - -... And after I had promised to send an air-man around to his home -to see if his brakes were not out of order, a querulous young woman, -hideous with wrinkles, would exclaim, "See here, young man! Look at -this bill! It's robbery, highway, robbery! The meter must be wrong! -I'm positive we couldn't have breathed that much air!" ... Following -her in line would be a miserable-looking old dame, who would gloomily -display a printed notice, "If you do not pay your bill within five -wakes, we will turn off your air-supply." ... "If you do that, we'll -all smother!" she would moan. "You must give us more time to pay!" - -But I would have to inform her that the rules of the Company made no -exception; that she might smother, for all the Ventilating officials -cared. - -There were constantly other complaints, of an equally grievous -nature--complaints from persons whose air-supply was too hot, and -from persons whose air-supply was too cold, and from persons whose -air-supply had been interrupted, and from persons with an oversupply -of air, and from persons who had ordered Grade A air for the children, -and received only Grade B--in other words, so numerous were the charges -that one would have supposed the entire country to be suffering from -air-complaints. - - * * * * * - -My hours in the Ventilating Office were ten each wake, with one wake -out of every five off duty. I was expected to stay half an hour after -the office formally closed, in order to clean a great ventilating duct, -which opened in a corner of the room. This was a task I disliked even -more than listening to complaints; I would be obliged to creep into -the tube, which was wide enough to admit two men standing abreast, and -would have to reach into its dark recesses with a mop, so as to remove -all dust and foreign matter. The tube, I was told, connected with the -Upper Ventilating Corridors, and had to be kept in condition if our -product were to remain pure. - -After I had been in the Ventilating Office for twenty or thirty -wakes, I could see that, in the monotonous routine of my labors, I -was beginning to fall into that thoughtlessness which was the ideal -of the chalk-faces. I had, in fact, been commended for speaking in -that automatic manner and acting with that vacuity of expression which -betokens an empty mind and an efficient worker; hence I began to fear -that I would suffer from softening of the brain if I did not find some -way to escape. But how was escape possible? Ever since swallowing the -Oath of Fidelity and being granted my freedom, I had been looking about -me for means of returning to the Overworld; but so completely had I -been hedged about that the attempt had seemed hopeless. However, the -time was soon coming when, in sheer desperation, I was to make the dash -for liberty. - -There was something else besides discontent with my work, which was -urging me to flee. Although now supposedly a wage-earning citizen, I -was still living upon the bounty of Professor Tan Trum, since my pay -was going to the Unemployment Agent. Even after he had received his -share, I should have to pay an Employment Tax to the Government, and -various fines and charges to the Ventilating Company, and a fee for -joining the Ventilation Union; and, after that, I would have to buy War -Bonds from the Government, and pay War Taxes, and Residence Taxes, and -Food Taxes, and Clothing Taxes, and Water Taxes, and Air Taxes, and -several other taxes--so that, at a moderate estimate, it would be three -years before I would have a penny for myself. During the first two and -a half years, the more I worked, the more deeply I would be in debt! - -Now all this would have occasioned me no worry; for the natives of -Wu consider it honorable to be in debt, the more so the better; and, -besides, Professor Tan Trum, thanks to his profits from his Mulflar -stocks, was well able to support me. But what I could not endure was -the necessity of living in the Professor's home--of living there in -daily contact with his daughter Loa. - -Alas! I was hopelessly trapped! I do not blame the poor girl; for -some mysterious reason, she had succumbed to my attractions, and the -melting light in her salmon eyes had long ago warned me to be cautious. -Unfortunately, it had never occurred to her that she was not equally -attractive. It was positively pitiable, the way she devoted herself for -hours a day to her wrinkling-machine, diligently putting new wrinkles -into her face, since the old ones did not suffice to win my affection! -And it was even more pitiable the way she turned, still hopeful, -to a new method, and began "producing," as they say in the native -vernacular--in other words, adding on flesh by "producing powders," -"producing baths," a "producing diet," and other means recommended by -the dictators of fashion. - -Now whatever I might have said about Loa's face when I first met -her, I had thought her form perfect. But, owing to her "producing" -methods, she soon grew rotund; her features bulged and puffed, with -a double chin; her stomach protruded; her legs became so fat that -she waddled when she walked; her arms, once graceful, seemed little -more than flabby masses of flesh. Oh, if she had only been content to -remain as nature had made her! Had she but retained her natural form -and unwrinkled countenance, who knows? I might have come to love her! -But, as it was, she daily grew more hideous in my eyes. And no word -or hint of mine could deter her from her purpose. Fatness, next to -wrinkles, was considered the supreme sign of beauty in women; and she -seemed never to suspect that I would not be dazzled by her corpulent -loveliness. - -Since I had no choice but to remain in the same house with her, I of -course had to be civil; but I thought it the best policy to avoid her -as much as possible. Unhappily, in my ignorance of native customs, I -was pursuing the road straight to ruin! - -This fact became painfully evident one day when Professor Tan Trum, -pausing in his researches into some dead and buried language, summoned -me to his study and indicated that he had something important to say. - - * * * * * - -I noticed that he hemmed and hawed to an unusual degree as he motioned -me to a seat opposite him, and seemed actually embarrassed as he began. - -"My dear young man," he at last said, rising, and coming over to place -a fatherly hand on my shoulder, "I have been requested--er--requested -to speak to you by my daughter Loa. For a long time I have -been--er--observing how matters are between you two." - -"Why, I--I have always treated her like a gentleman," it was on my lips -to say, feeling that he was about to upbraid me for my coldness. - -But the kindly smile on his long, lean face showed that I had mistaken -his intention. - -"I have been observing--yes, observing how matters are between you," -he repeated, gradually warming to his subject. "With becoming modesty, -you have not made any undue approach. You have kept your feelings to -yourself, as was only proper, in view of your Third Class status; you -would not insult a Second Class lady by openly declaring yourself. But -I have been observing, my dear young man, I have been observing! How, -after all, could any one resist the allurements of my Loa?" - -So astonished was I at this speech that I sat gaping at the Professor, -my jaw hanging loose, as though I had been accused of a crime. - -"Yes, I have been observing!" he went on, with a paternal blandness of -manner. "I have been consulting with Loa, as was only a father's place, -and have been assured that she--she reciprocates your feelings." - -"She reciprocates my feelings?" I echoed, with a sudden sense that the -world was falling from under my feet. - -"Yes, she reciprocates your feelings! It is only natural, young man, -that you should be overwhelmed--it isn't often that a Second Class -lady reciprocates the feelings of a Third Class suitor! But I have no -prejudices in the matter at all, my boy, no prejudices at all! Though -you're a barbarian by birth, you've recently grown civilized! So, since -my daughter is willing, I can only give my blessings! May your union be -crowned with--" - -But I did not hear the end of the sentence. My head was reeling; I -believe I sank to the floor in a swoon. When I came to myself again, -Loa was bending over me tenderly, tears in her eyes, a bottle of some -strong-smelling solution in her hand. And in the background I saw the -Professor looming, still smiling the same benignant smile. "Poor young -man!" I thought I heard him say. "The shock of this happiness was more -than he could bear!" - -It was then that I decided that safety lay in flight. - - - - - CHAPTER XV - - Flight - - -It was what was known to the chalk-faces as the "mid-sleep." The lights -of the public galleries had been dimmed to a slumberous dullness; the -lamps of the houses had been extinguished, the ventilating currents -were turned low; and only an occasional belated wayfarer or military -guard, darting through the deserted thoroughfares an his little -"scootscoot," gave proof that life still went on in the land of Wu. - -At this silent hour, when the house doors stared in black, almost -invisible lines along the empty passageways, a figure might have been -seen stealthily emerging from one of the doorways and slinking off down -a narrow side-corridor. Had one followed in his footsteps, one would -have observed how he wound and twisted through a multitude of lanes, -sometimes pausing as if uncertain of his course, sometimes huddling -in fright in some dismal alley while a "scootscoot" glided past, but -gradually making his way upward amid the intricacy of the Underworld. - -That fleeing figure, as the reader will have guessed, was none other -than myself. Only half a dozen hours had passed since Professor -Tan Trum had made the shattering revelation about Loa; and I was -now resigned to taking whatever risks lay in the outside world. My -preparations, it is true, had been less complete than would have been -desirable; but I had, at least, found time to ransack the Professor's -pantry and to secrete a pound or two of concentrated food in my -clothing, in addition to a flask of water; and thus equipped, I had -determined to venture abroad. As for my direction--I must confess that -I was none too certain of it, but I had found an old map in the kitchen -closet, and had studied it as well as my haste permitted, in the hope -that it would show me the way through the upper corridors to the -Overworld and safety. - -Let it not be supposed that I had not weighed the dangers. I knew that -I might be seized by the police, that I might be punished as a vagrant -or a spy, or that, even if recognized when caught, I would be charged -with breaking my Oath of Fidelity, and would be subject to the death -penalty. But what were such perils beside the certainty that, if I -remained in Tan Trum's home, I should have to marry his daughter? - -So I stole away hopefully, in the dead of the "mid-sleep," resolved -to escape or perish in the attempt. How far I was from foreseeing -the outcome! For several hours I advanced with the caution of a cat, -and almost with the silence of a cat, since I had removed my heavy -native sandals, in order to walk the more noiselessly. But I was not -certain what to do after the "sleep" was over. Suddenly I was aware -of an ear-ripping sound, like the blast of a siren; the lights in the -galleries flashed into brilliance and I realized that a new "wake" had -begun, and that it would henceforth be impossible to conceal myself. - -I was now in a section of the Underworld I had never before -visited. The narrowness and dinginess of the galleries; the dusty, -dirt-encrusted walls and floors; the foulness of the air, which was not -clear and filtered as in other regions; the nauseating odors, as of -overcrowded humanity; the naked glare of the lights, unprotected by the -yellow-green screens common everywhere else--these and a hundred other -signs showed that I was in an inferior district. - -This fact became even more evident when, after a time, swarms of people -began to pour through little round holes in the ground into all the -passageways. Never before had I seen such desolate-looking chalk-faces! -The clothes of the great majority were in rags; the original fabric was -overlaid with a thousand strips and patches, and, in many cases, bits -of the naked skin showed through; some of the men were without shoes, -and some without coats, and a few were without even the skirts that -were the emblem of masculinity. As for the women--they were equally -tattered, their skirts and trousers often resembling crazy-quilts; but -they had the advantage of being less fat and wrinkled than their more -fortunate sisters, and I thought many of them quite attractive. Most -of them carried babes in their arms, or else a crowd of urchins tagged -at their coat-tails; and the children, too, were clad in threadbare -scraps, some of them being almost naked--which fact did not seem to -bother them at all, for they rollicked and shouted quite as happily as -children the world over. Their elders, however, were drawn and sad of -appearance, and a majority had those pinched and ravaged faces which -come of privation. - -Was this a district of criminals and outcasts? But no! A prominent sign -informed me otherwise. "Residential section--Third Class," I read. Now -I understood why the Third Class was called the Hungry Class. - - * * * * * - -As a majority of the men I passed bore picks, spades, and shovels, -I realized that they were laborers on their way to work. These, -fortunately, took no note of me, but slouched onward with downcast eyes -that seemed to see nothing besides the path on which they walked. Some -of the women, however, did stare at me a little curiously, giving me -the uneasy sense that I might be reported; while now and then some man -or woman, of especially squalid and ragged appearance, would stop me -with a piteous, "Stranger, haven't you a mite of silver to spare?... -I haven't had a scrap to eat since wake before last." Or, again, -"Stranger, haven't you something for the children? The taxes took all -our money, and there's nothing left to feed the babies with." Or else -some small boy or girl would accost me, opening his hand with a piteous -expression, "Stranger, we're hungry!" And the drawn and hollowed faces -would show that they spoke truly! - -With these poor wretches I shared the concentrated food I had taken -from the Professor's house--and it was pathetic to see with what -eagerness they snatched at the food capsules, and how ravenously they -devoured them. - -"What is the matter?" I asked one of the beggars, as I doled out my -last capsule. "Do none of you needy folk work?" - -"Do none of us work?" The man stared at me with manifest surprise. -"Say, you must be one of those Second Class swells, to ask such a -question!" - -I assured him that, on the contrary, I was Third Class, but from -another part of the country; and at this he looked a little mollified, -and went on to explain. - -"Well, I don't know how it is where you come from, but here we all -work. We have to, on account of the unemployment law. Even the -children--those not in the army--are compelled to work from seven years -of age. But, of course, we don't get any wages till the First Class -Citizens take out their dividends, which are guaranteed by law at -fifty per cent a year; and what is left is usually just about enough -to pay the First Class landlords. If we have anything over for food or -clothing, we consider ourselves lucky." - -Feeling indignant against the whole First Class, I proceeded on my -way; and, hastening up a long, dark corridor, I sought to escape from -this miserable Third Class district. Finally, after several hours, I -found myself in a more pleasant and airier realm, but not wholly to my -liking. The caverns were much roomier, but the atmosphere was vaguely -disagreeable with the odor of smoke. "Where am I?" I wondered, as I -approached an open space, where acres of huge cardboard boxes were -piled to a height of fifty feet, surrounded by tall barbed wire fences. -But, on consulting my map, I was unable to solve the enigma; it was -impossible to say whether I was in the "Storage Grottoes," "The Surplus -Food Chambers," or the "Military Warehouses," all of which looked alike -on the chart. The one thing certain was that I was lost. - -Nevertheless, I felt it best not to worry; and, pressing on my way -around the mountains of boxes, I soon discovered the source of the -smoke. A few hundred yards ahead of me, the door of an enormous furnace -opened, revealing gigantic flickering flames, whose heat disturbed me, -even at this distance. - -Undoubtedly, had I been a cautious man, I would now have retreated. But -I was possessed by the demon of curiosity, particularly as I saw two -men working in front of the furnace, stripped to the waist and grimy -with soot and perspiration, while with rapid movements they reached -for the cardboard boxes, throwing them one after another through the -furnace mouth. - -At first I thought they were madmen; but soon decided that the boxes -contained waste matter or fuel, with which to keep the fires burning; -and with this belief in mind, I hastened eagerly forward. Never have I -forgotten the surprise I received! - -As I drew near, the men paused to rest from their exertions, while -mopping their steamy brows, and panting heavily. - -"Well, partner," I heard one of them declare after closing the furnace -door, "that makes eleven gross so far this wake!" - -"Nearer twelve, if you're asking me!" stated the other. "Say, have we -got to those food capsules yet?" - -"Not yet! We're still working on the clothes! There's a couple of -hundred tons more to burn. After that, I don't know how many thousand -tons of food!" - - * * * * * - -Bewildered, I returned to my original supposition that the men were -mad. Yet it seemed to me that they looked normal enough. - -"Beg pardon, friends," I asked, stepping to within a few feet of them, -"I don't like to intrude, but I'm a stranger around these parts. Wonder -if you'd mind telling what's in those boxes?" - -I was now so close to the men that they could not see me clearly. - -"You _must_ be a stranger, if you don't know what's in them!" -ejaculated one of the laborers. "I thought everyone knew!" - -"Just what we've been saying!" added the other. "Food and clothing, of -course!" - -"Not good food and clothing?" - -The two workers stared at me oddly. "Why not?" demanded the first -of the pair. "The very best! We're getting rid of the country's -overproduction!" - -"Say, haven't you ever been to school?" challenged the second. -"Don't you know that overproduction is bad for business? It causes -depressions, low dividends, and low wages! So when we've made more of a -product than anyone can buy, the only thing to do is to burn it! 'Burn -your way to prosperity'--that's an old motto! The more we burn, the -more prosperity!" - -"Why, that's elementary!" added the first worker. "It's taught to every -child in kindergarten! By destroying things, you will raise prices, -which is the chief object of civilization; since the more we have -to pay for things, the more prosperous we will be. Everybody knows -that! It's the First Law of Thoughtlessness, taught by all leading -economists." - -Personally, I have never claimed to know anything of economics, which -has always struck me as a subject too deep for my comprehension; still, -I could not see why so much good food and clothing need be destroyed -when so many Third Class citizens hadn't enough to eat or wear. And so -I humbly asked why the surplus, instead of being burned, could not be -distributed among the poor. - -But I had little expected the effect of my inquiry. Even before the -words were out of my mouth, I could see the faces of my hearers growing -wry with horror. - -"Say, brother," exclaimed the more pugnacious-looking of the pair, "you -must be one of those anarchists we've been hearing about! How can we -give the food and clothing to the poor? They haven't anything to pay -for it, have they?" - -"Raise their wages!" I suggested. - -But my words went unheeded. "By my father's pink eyes!--we haven't time -to waste on any red revolutionist!" snarled the man. "Radicals like -you want to ruin the country! Now get out of here, with your crazy -new-fashioned ideas, or I'll report you to the militia! Get out quick!" - -This final argument being a clinching one, particularly since backed up -with two heavy pairs of fists, I conceded the point, and started away -hastily. As I turned down a side-gallery and caught my last glimpse -of the men, the furnace door stood open again, and they were pitching -great boxes into the flames with furious energy, as if eager to make up -for lost time! - - - - - CHAPTER XVI - - The Green and Vermilion - - -Not half an hour after my encounter with the furnace workers, I had an -even more surprising experience. I was still gradually working my way -upward through the interminable labyrinths, when unexpectedly I came -out on a broad thoroughfare, where great multitudes of chalk-faces -were convening. From the manner in which they lined themselves along -the sides of the avenue, leaving the center clear, I knew that some -sort of a spectacle was expected; and this excited my curiosity, so -much so that I again forgot caution, mingled with the crowds, and -pushed forward so as to secure a position in the front row. Once more, -fortunately, I was protected by the inability of the natives to see -things near at hand; I was now so hemmed in by them that they did not -view me as I really was, and accordingly I felt safer than if observed -at a distance. - -No sooner had I edged my way to the front than the crowd broke into -cheers, which were dinned and repeated in ever-growing volume, while -the spectators seemed to grow mad with excitement, and jumped and -stamped in glee, and flung their arms high in air, and shouted till -their lungs were hoarse. What they were shouting about was not quite -clear to me, although I made an effort to join in the chorus; I -thought, however, that I could make out something like, "Long live the -green and vermilion! Long live the green and vermilion!" and at first -the impression came to me that I was about to witness a football game. -Only on this ground could I explain the mad agitation of the people. - -But as the tumult subsided, a great banner hanging from the ceiling -reminded me that green and vermilion were the national colors of Wu. I -would now have guessed the nature of the celebration, even had it not -been for my conversation with the jovial-looking, portly chalk-face -just to my right. This gentleman, whose cheers had roared into my ears -until I was almost deafened, turned to me genially as soon as the -shouting had died down, and made a remark to me, with an expectant -smile. - -"Well, guess they'll be coming any minute now!" - -"Guess they will!" I agreed, although I still had only the vaguest -notion who "they" might be. - -"This is General Bing's greatest triumph!" went on my garrulous -neighbor. "Just imagine, he's retaken three-fifths of the lower -left-hand corner of Nullnull--at a cost of only a million and a quarter -lives! Marvelous, I call it!" - -"Marvelous!" I concurred. - -"True, he couldn't hold it very long," went on my companion, -ruefully. "He was outnumbered too strongly. But he did keep it a good -three-quarters of a wake! And they say that, when retreating, he didn't -have to vacate more than four-fifths of the lower left-hand corner -of Nullnull, at a cost of another million and a quarter lives. An -extraordinary strategic victory, I call it!" - -"Extraordinary!" I acknowledged. - -"So it's only proper, isn't it, that Thuno Flâtum, our good Dictator, -should grant a triumphal procession, in order that we may pay public -tribute to the greatness of General Bing? Look! here they come!" - -Suddenly the mob let out such a howl of acclaim that I had to clap my -palms to my ears for protection. To the accompaniment of blaring horns, -and of a clanging instrument known as a "bange," which made a noise -resembling a cannonade, an elegant-looking procession of dignitaries -rode into view on slow-moving little "scootscoots." On one of the -foremost cars, surrounded by a bodyguard of a hundred warriors and -several scores of obsequious valets, rode a man in a gorgeous crimson -uniform--none other than General Bing himself! The exalted rank of -this personage would, of course, have been apparent from many facts: -the long ear-tubes, the projecting eye-tubes, the nose-tubes and -mouth-tubes, and his dwarfish stature and weazened legs, all of which -proved him to be a kinsman of Dictator Thuno Flâtum--in short, a First -Class Citizen! - -Just why the General should have been so popular with the Second and -Third Classes was more than I could understand; but so great was public -admiration that many heads bowed themselves into the gutter as he -passed, while countless eyes shed tears of happy emotion. - -"You see, he bears a charmed life," stated the portly neighbor to my -right. "All generals bear charmed lives; that's why we honor them as -heroes. In order to keep their lives charmed, they direct the battles -from a distance of fifty miles, sometimes more; for what a loss to the -country if they should be--er--turned over!" - -"Yes, what a loss!" I coincided. - - * * * * * - -The main body of the procession was now passing--and a gallant sight -it was! There were several other generals who, like Commander-in-Chief -Bing, were dressed either in crimson, or in crimson striped with -black; there were hundreds of banners of green and vermilion, and -several yellow-and-purple banners said to have been captured during -the strategic retreat from Nullnull; there were scores of large-sized -"scootscoots" laden with blackened uniforms taken from the enemy; there -were several dozen war-heroes, who had received the "Dictatorial Badge -of Honor," and were so covered with decorations that it was impossible -to see their faces; there were innumerable placards proclaiming the -vastness of the recent victories, which, it seemed, were without -precedent "in the history of civilized massacre"; and there were, -finally, thousands of common soldiers, who walked twenty abreast -with the peculiar high-swinging foot motion of the native infantry, -reminding me once more of prancing horses, except for the slowness and -automatic precision with which they advanced. - -All these men wore helmets, of the peculiar hatchet shape I had already -observed; and in their hands, instead of swords or rifles, they -carried long poles. On the top of each of these I observed curious -round glittering objects which, at the first glimpse, looked most -attractive, for the wiry sheaths caught the light and flashed it back -resplendently. But, on a closer view, I shuddered and turned pale. -Under each of the gleaming metallic coverings, there leered a naked -skull! - -While I reeled backward, horrified at this sight, I heard the cheers -of the throng. "Look at the proofs of our victory! The proofs of -our victory! Proofs of our victory! Hurrah! Hurrah! _Hurrah!_" they -howled, pointing to the shining protuberances on the poles. Evidently -their vision was so poor that they could not see beneath the sparkling -surface! - -Following the foot soldiers, dozens of huge vans came rumbling down the -avenue, electrically propelled, and bearing great machines that I can -only describe as dragons of a hundred necks, since their steel bodies -bristled with scores of long tapering tubes, twenty feet high, and -pointing in all directions, like the throats of siege guns. - -[Illustration: Their steel bodies bristled with scores of long tapering -tubes, twenty feet high, and pointing in all directions, like the -throats of siege guns.] - -"Just look at them! Just look!" excitedly sputtered the neighbor to my -right, while I was wondering what these engines might be. "If there's -not the lightning-spitters!" - -"The lightning what!" I demanded. - -"Lightning-spitters!" he cried, his voice barely audible above the -rumbling of the machines. "Of course, you've heard of them! One of the -most remarkable inventions of modern times!" - -Even as he spoke, a blade of orange electricity shot from one of the -machines, darting to the ceiling in a swift zigzag, and was succeeded -instantly by blades of green and crimson light, while miniature -thunders rolled. - -Now all at once I understood the nature of the machines! They were the -source of those lightnings which had wiped out whole armies in the -battle cavern, before the dazzled eyes of Clay and myself! They were -the same lightnings that had threatened us both, and that might, for -all I knew, have taken Clay's life! - -"Of course, those are only toy lightnings, for demonstration purposes," -my portly neighbor rambled on, while other shafts of colored light -shot harmlessly upward. "But these same machines have wiped out whole -armies!" - -"What's the principle behind them?" I asked. - -My neighbor shrugged his shoulders. "How do I know? It's a carefully -guarded secret of the authorities. However, they say that the power of -Mulflar is used to generate electricity in the machine--to generate it -in such excessive quantities that the engine becomes supercharged and -releases its energy through the tubes in tremendous lightning blades." - -"I see," said I. "The machine becomes somewhat like a thunder-cloud, -supercharged with positive electricity--" - -"Thunder-cloud?" demanded my companion. "What's that?" - - * * * * * - -I perceived that I had used the wrong illustration, for, of course, -thunder-clouds were not known underground. - -"The only trouble," proceeded my neighbor, after I had vainly tried to -convey an idea of the nature of a thunder-cloud--"the only trouble is -in aiming the lightnings. Of course, we try to direct them accurately -through the different tubes, but they don't always go where we want -them to. You can never tell where the lightning will strike." - -"I should call that a fatal difficulty," said I. - -"Not at all! Wherever it hits, it's certain to kill--that is to say--" -here he paused, greatly embarrassed--"that is to say, to turn over some -of the enemy. And that, after all, is the only thing that counts!" - -I was about to reply, remarking that I perhaps owed my life to the -inexpertness of the foe in aiming the lightnings, when all at once the -crowd broke into song, chanting the National Anthem in a tumultuous -chorus as the last of the lightning-spitters rolled past. - -Unfortunately, I have forgotten all the stanzas except the first two; -but these, which I give in a translation that does scant justice to the -magnificence of the original, will illustrate the theme and idea of the -whole: - - Let us fight forever! - We'll be conquered never - While we've heads to sever - From our brutish foes! - Let us fight forever - With a gay endeavor! - We are keen and clever - With electric blows! - - Where the lightning flashes - In mechanic clashes, - And the thunder crashes, - Grind our foes to dust! - How our fury slashes, - Dealing scarlet gashes, - Till the earth is ashes-- - Lord, in Thee we trust! - -The crowd had just completed the twenty-first stanza, and was singing -the chorus with resounding gusto, when I suddenly observed something -that made me lose all interest in the celebration. Among the throngs -across the gallery, I caught sight of an ugly-looking chalk-face, with -thin slits of eyes and a twisted nose, who was staring at me with such -an intent scrutiny that I felt a chill traveling down my spine. Did he -suspect me of being a spy?--or was he an agent of the government, sent -to arrest me for breaking my Oath of Fidelity and running away from the -Ventilation Office? - -Now all at once I remembered that I was a fugitive from justice; and, -with a tremor of terror, I pushed my way back into the crowd, resolved -on instant flight; while the neighbor to my right, having finished -singing the National Anthem, stepped forward with an excited cry, and -exclaimed, "Oh, just look! The Subterrains are coming; the Subterrains -are coming!" - -But I did not wait to see the Subterrains, whatever they might be. The -vision of that man with the thin slits of eyes and twisted nose drove -all other thoughts from my mind as I wormed my way deeper into the mob; -and the dread of being taken back to face the violet-ray or marry Loa -lent haste to my footsteps. - -Yet it was not to be long before I would learn the nature of the -Subterrain. - - - - - CHAPTER XVII - - Through the Phonoscope - - -I can scarcely recall where I wandered in my haste; I only know that I -followed long twining aisles in a half-darkness, beset by the vision -of a man with slit eyes and twisted nose. I must have traveled half a -mile before at length I turned to glance behind me, confident of having -thrown off my pursuer. But how cruelly I was surprised! About a hundred -yards down the gallery, advancing toward me at no uncertain pace, -strode a chalk-face whom I thought I recognized by his slit eyes. Owing -to the distance, I may have been mistaken; but, in any case, I thought -it wiser to flee than to investigate, and put on my best sprinting gait -as I slipped around a bend in the corridor and off along a narrow, -down-curving passageway. - -Less than a minute later, I passed another turn in the gallery, and -came out, to my surprise, among a crowd of natives in a wide grotto -dominated by a sign in glowing crystalline letters: "Phonoscope -Theatre: Admission, One Silver Finger." - -Now I had no notion what a "phonoscope theatre" might be, but I knew -that a "silver finger" was a fair-sized sum of money--equivalent to the -returns from an average day's labor. Needless to say, I had never yet -had such a sum; hence it might have seemed sheer madness to follow the -idea that leaped into my mind--to seek refuge in the theatre. Yet I had -not a moment's hesitation. Mingling with the crowd, I pressed forward -in a long line filing past a ticket-taker; and since, of course, I was -without the requisite slip of paper, I determined upon strategy to -admit me. Taking advantage of the chalk-faces' inability to see things -near at hand, I seized a little strip of cardboard which chanced to -be in my pocket (it had been used for jotting down some notes during -my lessons from Loa) confidently thrust this into the ticket-taker's -hand, and cried, "Free pass!" knowing that he would have to hold it off -at a distance and examine it with binoculars before discovering the -fraud. Then, while the puzzled official was inspecting the ticket, I -allowed the impatient mob behind to press me forward and lost no time -about passing the theatre door. - -It seemed to me that, as I entered, I heard a confused shouting -outside, and some imprecations calling down the Seven Furies on -someone's head. However, I paid little attention, but remained nicely -hidden in the midst of the crowd as I shuffled down a long aisle in the -most peculiar amusement place I had ever seen. - -It had, indeed, some resemblance to theatres as I had known them, -but was nearer in appearance to the amphitheatres of the Greeks. -Beneath a ceiling that arched to a hundred feet or more, long rows of -benches sloped down toward an open central space or stage, on which -a tall chalk-face with a long three-pointed beard was holding forth -sonorously; while all the spectators, curiously enough, were looking -and listening through queer instruments projecting from the benches, -and rarely seemed to heed the speaker. - -As quickly and inconspicuously as possible, I slipped into one of the -seats, feeling that I had at last eluded my pursuer, and began to -examine the instruments in front of me, of whose purpose I remained -in doubt. There were tubes like earphones, attached by wires to a -little electric socket; and there were other tubes resembling small -telescopes, also attached by wires to a socket. What use could there be -for telescopes in this auditorium? - -So I asked myself, as, following my neighbors' example, I tried to -adjust the instruments. But so cumbrous were they that it was minutes -before I had discovered their purpose. - -While I was struggling with the tubes, I heard the voice of the speaker. - -"Fellow citizens of the Second and Third Classes, you are about to -witness an extraordinary exhibition. Until three years ago, when that -marvelous invention, the Phonoscope, was perfected, it would not have -been possible safely to witness what you are now about to see. For the -benefit of those still unacquainted with this masterly machine, I would -say that if you will arrange the eye- and ear-pieces, and step on the -little lever to your left, you will be just in time for the beginning -of the performance." - -In a few seconds more, I had managed to adjust the earphones and the -telescope-like tubes; and, following the speaker's advice, I stepped -on a little steel rod reminding me of the brake of an automobile. And -instantly there occurred the most remarkable transformation I have ever -witnessed. - - * * * * * - -So sudden was the change that I would have rubbed my eyes like one -in a daze, had they not been pressed close to the lenses. At first -I imagined I was dreaming; the theatre, the long rows of benches, -the tall form of the speaker, had vanished from view; the shuffling, -grating noises of people passing down the aisles, the sonorous voice -of the long-bearded one in front, had all been obliterated. But new -sounds, new sights crowded upon my bewildered senses. - -Looking out upon an enormous cavern like the one where Clay and I had -witnessed the battle, I saw swarms of warriors, tens of thousands -strong, moving in serried ranks across a smooth stone floor, while a -crashing as of many spears was in my ears and a booming like distant -thunder. - -"You now behold a battlefield a hundred miles away," I heard the -speaker proclaim, when, in order to relieve my aching ears, I had -removed the earphones. "The Phonoscope, you see, is connected by wires -with scores of points on the battlefield. Motion picture cameras, at -the other end of the line, are constantly photographing the sights, -which are conveyed to you by an apparatus like television, except that -you may see directly instead of gazing at a screen. At the same time, -radio transmitters catch the sounds and bring them to your ears, so -that you may see and hear the battle from a safe distance. It is hardly -necessary to remind you that before the invention of the Phonoscope, no -one except generals and field-marshals could enjoy such a privilege." - -I was still observing how the army, with yellow-and-purple banners -afloat, was advancing across the field; but I was so interested in the -speaker's words that I was reluctant to clap on the earphones again. - -"Thanks to the Phonoscope," he went on, "war has become much more -interesting than ever before. Previously we had to observe it through -the newspapers, which was altogether too tame. Or else we had to go to -war ourselves--in which case we were all too likely to be--er--turned -over. But now, for the payment of a fee, we can enjoy the spectacle -without enduring any of its hardships. You do not know how much more -popular this has made the fighting. Besides--" here the speaker paused, -and a smile of glowing pleasure overspread his countenance--"Besides, -it has at last put war on a business basis. The fees from the -Phonoscope Theatre have been most satisfactory--most satisfactory. Last -year alone the Government reaped dividends of eleven per cent!" - -It was at this point that my attention was distracted from the speaker -to the battlefield. Out of little round orifices on the cavern walls, -showers of pale phosphorescent silvery orbs suddenly flashed, falling -like shooting stars upon the floor where the purple-and-yellow army was -maneuvering. And all at once those regular, serried ranks became like a -column of ants on whom one has poured hot water. The wildest disorder -prevailed; squadrons of men seemed literally to wither away; I saw a -myriad forms convulsed on the ground, writhing and gesticulating in -mortal anguish, while other myriads fled pell-mell in all directions. - -At the same time, slipping on the earphones, I heard a confused wailing -and groaning, like the agonized cries of a multitude; and so desolate, -so heart-rending was this sound that I had to snatch the earphones off -instantly. - -"You have just beheld the attack of the radium bombs," the speaker was -stating, in matter-of-fact tones. "Radium bombs, as you are aware, -represent the most advanced method of scientific slaughter. They are -more effective than dynamite or even than Mulflar, for they not only -kill all who happen to be near when they fall, but, after falling, they -continue indefinitely to be radioactive, so that all who approach are -afflicted with terrible and incurable sores. That is why you see the -surviving soldiers fleeing so madly. For the same reason, whole vast -regions, far beyond the present battle lines, have been transformed -into a permanent public menace." - -I wondered how the chalk-faces obtained radium enough to use so widely; -but the speaker was not long in informing me. - -"At one time, you know, we could secure the element only in -insignificant quantities. But science is great, and surmounts -many obstacles. About twenty years ago, the renowned chemist Blo -Bla discovered that, by means of a new solution composed of a -chromium-phosphorus compound (the exact formula of which is strictly -guarded) we might extract it efficiently from the pitchblend that -abounds throughout our caverns. - -"It was then that we first conceived the idea of using it for military -purposes. Our main difficulty was not so much in securing the radium as -in manufacturing it into bombs; and this problem we solved by devising -a missile with a body of some less deadly metal, such as iron or lead, -and with a radioactive surface. Unfortunately, there is one minor -disadvantage; the bombs can be made only at a considerable cost to the -workers, who--well, whose turnover, I am sorry to say, is one hundred -per cent every ninety wakes. But such, my friends, is war! Is it not -all for the honor of the country? To end one's days in a radium factory -is considered a glorious turnover!" - - * * * * * - -For several minutes the speaker rambled on in this vein, telling how -the enemy, Zu, had been so dastardly as to duplicate the radium bombs, -at a great cost to the army of Wu.... Then, suddenly stopping in -midsentence, he broke into an exclamation I could hardly catch: "Look -carefully, my friends! Look carefully! The Subterrain is coming! The -Subterrain! The Subterrain!" - -Anxious not to miss anything of interest, I clapped the earphones on -again and glanced once more at the battlefield. And, as I did so, a -scene of shattering fury burst upon my view. - -For one instant, I was aware of the wide cavern floor, with the -stricken multitudes still writhing piteously, while other multitudes -still fled toward the safety of the walls. But, the next instant, all -this had vanished. There was a terrific upheaval of earth and rock, -which for a fraction of a second covered all things in a great blur; -the walls of the cavern sagged, and in places collapsed in avalanches; -the floor became jagged as a lunar landscape, with sharp craters and -deep ravines, and hillocks, bluffs, and gulches where all had been flat -and smooth a moment before. And in my ears was such a thundering that I -reeled and was all but knocked over. - -Hastily snatching off the earphones, I remained gazing with absorbed -interest upon that hideous scene. To my horror, I could no longer see -any trace of the purple-and-yellow army. The fugitives, no less than -the victims of the radium bombs, had all disappeared! And, as the -visible sign of their destruction, a long, thin, dark metallic tube was -projecting from the broken center of the floor, like the neck of some -great carnivorous dinosaur. - -"Ah, that is fine, isn't it, my friends? A very satisfactory enemy -turnover! Very satisfactory, indeed!" the voice of the speaker -rang out, with gloating pleasure. "You see that long tube jutting -above the floor. That is the tip of the Subterrain! You all know, -of course, about this marvelous engine. It is generally conceded to -be the greatest invention of modern times. No other contrivance has -ever produced half so great a turnover. It was the creation of the -renowned engineer Hizz Crazz, who, about fifty years ago, decided that -war was getting too tame, since it was fought all on the surface of -the galleries. Why not make a machine, he asked, which would travel -underground as our submersible vessels travel beneath rivers and lakes? - -"The result was the Subterrain. The principles behind it are admirably -simple; the weapon, which is a relatively slender steel cylinder -accommodating five or six men, gradually works its way through a -narrow excavation already prepared for it by a machine like a powerful -well-borer--the 'cave-blaster,' which operates by the power of Mulflar, -and has made it possible to dig our gigantic war-galleries. - -"But let me go on to tell about the Subterrain itself. Affixed to its -prow is an electric dredge which tears up the earth before it and -deposits it behind; by this means, the Subterrain digs its way forward -at the rate of a quarter of a mile an hour. Meanwhile, its crew, -confined in their narrow compartment, are kept alive by air supplied -through long connecting tubes, in the manner of divers. A delicate -instrument, with a radio attachment, informs the men when they are in -the neighborhood of an enemy cavern--for, of course, the machine is -never used except in wartime. Being within a few feet of a hostile -gallery, the Subterrain halts, retreats a short distance into the -tunnel it has bored, and launches a Mulflar torpedo--whose effects, as -you have observed, are terrible beyond description." - - * * * * * - -It seemed to me that I had now seen enough of the Phonoscope exhibition -for one day, and I began to glance about me for the most inconspicuous -way of retreating. But since a crowd of new arrivals were coming toward -me down the aisle, the moment did not seem opportune. - -"Great as are the merits of the Subterrain," the speaker continued, "it -cannot be denied that it has some minor drawbacks. One of these is that -there is no longer any security for the civilian population during -wartime. One never knows when a Subterrain, boring unnoticed beneath -one's feet, may launch a Mulflar bomb directly at one. It is impossible -to say how many thousands of noncombatants have been turned over in -this manner since the war began. Even First Class Citizens have not -been spared--an intolerable form of barbarity, which will now--thank -the Lord!--be ended by a humanitarian treaty which has just been -negotiated, confining attacks of the Subterrains to regions occupied by -Second and Third Class Citizens." - -It was at this point that I lost interest in the speech. The newcomers -having by this time reached their seats, I had risen to leave ... -when my eyes were riveted on a chalk-face just appearing at the door. -Whether he had come by accident or by design I was never to learn; but -there at the entrance, staring at me with a fascinated gaze, was my -friend of the slit eyes and twisted nose! - -Not waiting to make his closer acquaintance, I darted toward a dark -passageway marked "Exit." And instantly he set up such a howl that the -whole theatre was aroused, and the speaker, startled, halted midway in -his address. "Thief! Robber! Bandit!" was dinned from behind me. "Catch -him! Catch him! Catch him! He's a deserter from the war! Catch him! -Catch him!" - -As I darted into the passageway at a speed that did justice to my -college track training, it was only too evident that the slit-eyed one, -who was apparently a detective, had mistaken me for someone else. But I -did not wait to inform him of his error. Well knowing that the penalty -for a war deserter was death by the violet-ray, well knowing that the -chalk-faces would execute me first and exonerate me afterwards, I did -not check my pace for so much as a fraction of a second as I dashed -away with half the theatre audience at my heels. - -The violet-ray would not have been needed after all, had that -bloodthirsty mob laid hands upon me. "Lynch him! Lynch him! Lynch him!" -screeched the leaders of the multitude, as they raced after me along -the curving galleries. "Lynch him! Burn him! Tear him to bits! The rat! -Cur! Viper!" - -There were also other epithets, some of them quite untranslatable; -while, as I rushed around the bends of those branching corridors, I -could feel the blood-lust of the rabble behind me, could hear their -cries growing more excited, could hear the rattling of pebbles and -great rocks flung after me by the ardent onsweeping patriots. - -Then, suddenly, above the din and screaming of the throng, my ears -caught the screech of a whistle, and I knew that the police were being -summoned, and that, in another minute, I would be trapped beyond -possibility of escape. - -In that critical moment, while my breath came hard and fast and my -heart hammered like a great weight, I slipped around a turn that hid -me temporarily from my pursuers. And, at the same instant, the saving -suggestion came to me. There, on the pavement in front of me, was an -iron lid as large as the manhole of a sewer; its top bore the prominent -letters, "Property of the Ventilation Company! Keep off!" - -Clearly, this was no time for hesitation. With a swift downward lunge, -I thrust the iron lid out of place; with a leap and a plunge, I dropped -into the gaping black hole; and with a desperate wrench of my arms, as -I came to a halt on a slippery steel surface, I pulled the lid into -place above me. - -The next instant, secure in that cranny amid the darkness, I could hear -the mob surging and stamping above my head. - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII - - Mishap Upon Mishap - - -It is impossible to say how long I lay there cramped in the gloom. -It may have been only minutes, but it seemed hours, while the howls -and wailings of the rabble came to my ears through the thin slit of -iron that saved me from their fury. "This way! No, that way! No, you -fools, the other way!" I heard them shrilling in their confusion, as -their feet went scampering in a hundred directions. "Catch him! Catch -him! Don't let the villain get away! We'll teach him; we'll teach him! -We'll make mincemeat of the devil!" And then, more sinister still, I -heard someone exclaiming, "Hey, boys, got the rope?... Knot it tight -there!..." - -At these words I felt an intense desire to creep farther down into my -hiding place, but was unable to do so. My feet were resting on a ledge -only a foot or two wide, and beneath me vacancy seemed to yawn. I felt -sure that I was on the brink of a precipice, for a pebble or fragment -of metal, accidentally dislodged by my foot, rattled for a long while -as it descended. Meantime I was in as uncomfortable a position as one -could imagine; huddled against the iron most awkwardly while a chilly -breath of air continually blew over me. I was not only catching cold, -but--much worse--had reason to fear that I might sneeze at any moment, -so betraying my hiding-place. - -At last, however, the tumult of the multitude subsided, and I could -hear the shouting of my pursuers at a distance, and then at a farther -distance, and then die out entirely ... so that I knew, to my enormous -relief, that they had gone off on the wrong scent. - -Even so, it did not seem safe to lift the iron lid as yet--who knew -what member of the mob might not be lurking about? And so I remained -crouched there in the darkness, waiting, waiting.... - -But I had delayed too long. After a while, I again heard the sound -of voices, of voices lifted in loud excitement. Were my pursuers -returning? Not so! As I held my breath and listened, I recognized that -these were different voices. "The ventilation! What's happened to the -ventilation?" I could hear one of the newcomers crying. "Something must -have blocked it! It's not been working right!" - -"Been out of gear half an hour, at least!" returned another. "They say -the disturbance centers somewhere up this way!" - -"Hard to tell where the trouble is!" grumbled a third. "Complaints -coming in for miles around!" - -"Well, if anything got into one of those pipes," declared the first, -"it would stop the air currents over the whole district!" - -As I listened to this conversation, a thrill of horror and a sense of -guilt shot over me. All too well I understood what was blocking the -ventilation! - -"Remember that last time!" continued one of the men. "Some big rats got -caught in one of the tubes! We had to shoot in some Mulflar, and blow -them to cinders!" - -By this time the men were almost directly above me, and I was fervently -praying for them to pass on without suspecting my presence. But such, -alas!--was not to be. Just as the heavy feet of the foremost rattled on -the iron lid above my head, I was overwhelmed by the desire to sneeze. -The impulse came so suddenly that it was impossible to check; the best -I could do was to muffle it, so that it had a stifled sound not at all -like a sneeze--though still, unfortunately, all too audible. - -I could hear the men pausing just above my head, with surprised -exclamations. I knew that they were listening, waiting; I could almost -feel their attention focused in my direction. - -"What's that?" one of them snapped. "Didn't it sound like a rat?" - -"Sure enough!" cried another. "A rat! That's what's stuffed up the -ventilation!" - -"Most likely a whole colony of rats!" added a fourth. "They grow big -down here, you know!" - -"And here's the very place!" took up the first. "Right in this -air-tube! Well, we'll fix them all right!" And I could hear the man -rattling at the iron lid above my head. - -Never before had I wished so ardently for the power of invisibility. -Never had I had such a desire to compress myself to a thimble's size. -Hopelessly I huddled against my iron ledge; then, fearing that I would -be seen, I resorted to the desperate expedient of hanging over the -brim, holding on to the ledge with both hands, while my body lay along -an iron surface sloping at an angle of forty-five degrees. - -No sooner had I gained this position than I heard the lid heavily -clanging out of place; and a flood of light burst upon me. In the glare -above, several chalk-faces were staring down at me! - -"There it is! A big rat! A mighty big one! One of the biggest I ever -saw!" exclaimed one of the men, in awed tones. - - * * * * * - -Evidently, because of their inability to see things near at hand, they -had mistaken me for a rodent! - -"Well, we'll get rid of him fast enough!" a second man declared. "Just -one minute there! Let me have that brush! I'll spray him with poison!" - -It had never occurred to me, until that moment, to have any sympathy -with a trapped rat. But I could feel boundless sympathy as a huge -brush, malodorous with some vile-smelling concoction, was thrust -through the opening directly at my face. - -I do not know whether I cried out in my terror. But I do know that -my hands, as I struggled to evade that foul oncoming weapon, lost -their precarious grip on the ledge. And, the next instant, I had gone -shooting off into the darkness. - -To this day, I believe that it is a miracle that I survived. Certainly, -the gods of good fortune were with me in the ensuing plunge. I could -easily have broken my head or caved in my ribs against the steel -projections of the ventilating system. Only sheer lucky chance, and -the fact that the ventilating tubes were not perpendicular, saved me -from what, in the words of the natives, would have been a sudden and -horrible "turnover." Down, down, down, I shot, skimming around curves, -banging against unseen bends and corners, tumbling head over heels in -a mad dash, wherein it was impossible to regain my balance. Surely, no -circus performer ever took so strange, so perilous a dive! Only now and -then could I momentarily check my speed, when the tube, for a few feet, -became almost horizontal; but always it would dip sharply again, and I -would go falling once more through the darkness. - -It seemed that I had traveled thus for miles when suddenly, with a -terrific bang, I collided with a wall, and came to a halt, stunned, -bruised, and bleeding in fifty places. With painful difficulty, I -picked myself up, while noting with relief a slit of light through the -partition I had just struck. It was, in fact, not a wall at all, but a -partly opened door! - -Then, as my dazed senses gradually cleared, I became aware of something -familiar in my surroundings. Did this not resemble the ventilating -duct, which opened on the office where I had worked, and which I had so -disliked to clean with a mop? - -Still feeling somewhat dizzy, I crept out of the doorway and found -myself in a large, well-lighted chamber--not, indeed, my former place -of employment, but so similar that I knew it to be another office of -the Ventilation Company. - -Before I had had time to reflect on my plight, or wonder what next to -do, I was startled to see four or five men who, drawn by the noise of -my arrival, came rushing out of several adjoining rooms. - -Upon seeing me, they stopped short with loud, excited cries, -whose import I could not quite gather. I only knew that they were -employees of the Ventilation Company; that they were pointing in much -agitation to my pitiful self, with my torn clothes and blood-smeared -features--and that, in another moment, they would seize me and carry me -away to some new punishment. - -Had I had the energy, I would have crawled back into the ventilating -tube for safety. But so weak had I become that I could only fall -sagging to the floor and wait despairingly while the chalk-faces drew -near. - -"Who in the name of Thuno Flâtum are you? Where did you come from?" -demanded the foremost of the strangers, as he regarded my battered -form. "You know, it's forbidden to enter the ventilating ducts!" - -"Yes, I know!" I moaned. And then--I cannot say by what inspiration--I -added, "I am an employee of the Company." - -"Oh, an employee of the Company?" The chalk-faces stared at one another -significantly, and their manner became more friendly. "Of course, -that's different!" - -Yet their next words struck me like a deadly shock. - -"We had better go and report to the Manager!" they all decided while -I sought to dissuade them with my last remaining gasp of energy. Into -my mind had flashed visions of the penalty for my various breaches of -duty. Well I knew that any Underworld judge would be justified, three -times over, in sentencing me to the violet-ray! - -But, plead as I might, the ventilating men were inexorable. "No, we -must report to the Manager! The rules require it!" they insisted, as -one of them set off to perform his dread duty. - -This assertion was to me as the last straw. Weakened by the day's -torments and by loss of blood, terrified at the thought of the ordeal -that awaited me on the Manager's arrival, I could not endure this new -shock; a merciful unconsciousness swept over me, numbing my pain and -blurring my mind to nothingness. - - - - - CHAPTER XIX - - Affliction and Triumph - - -Great as had been the surprises of the last few hours, still stranger -events awaited me.... - -After swooning away in the Ventilation Office, I remained unconscious -for a long while--so I was afterwards told. When I came to myself -again, it was after a period of blankness, varied by nightmares in -which I saw Loa bending over me solicitously, her milky face more -wrinkled than ever, her fat form bulging until she resembled a -monstrous dumpling. Awakening from a long-protracted dream of this -character, wherein I fled down endless labyrinths in the vain attempt -to elude the enchantress, I found myself in a place so mysterious that -I cried out involuntarily in my bewilderment. - -I was lying at full length, in a sort of bed or couch, with a sheet -drawn over me up to the neck; and I was conscious that all my clothes -had been removed, except for a single shirt-like covering, and that my -head was swathed in bandages. To my right rose a bare wall, and above -me, at a height of three or four feet, stared a blank ceiling; while -to the left, across an aisle little more than a yard wide, I beheld a -sight that gave me the confused impression that I was back again in the -Overworld, in a Pullman car. In neat rows of berths, arranged one above -the other, three tiers high, dozens of men were reclining, one to each -cot, all of them buried up to the neck beneath the sheets! - -Where was I? In prison? In a ward for the insane? In a death-cell, -awaiting execution by some new device more terrible than the violet ray? - -As these questions, and others equally frightening, rushed across my -mind, I began gradually to observe other details. I saw the wires, with -pulley-like attachments, which ran through minute holes in the ceiling -to each of the berths and carried little rattling cars no larger than -a small ink bottle; I saw the vials and tubes, filled with variously -colored liquids and powders, which stood on a neatly numbered shelf -just above my head; and I noted that a copper wire, attached to my left -wrist, ran the length of the bed and out through an opening in the -wall, and that similar wires led to each of the other berths. - -Although the suspicion came to me that these might be intended for the -simultaneous electrocution of us all, I was so weak and weary that even -the dread of imminent death could not disturb me for long; I sank back -upon a pillow composed of some straw-like substance, closed my eyes, -and fell into a refreshing slumber.... - -From this sleep I was aroused with a start by the sound of someone -talking in a voice of thunder. How my heart hammered as I awoke from -that pleasant doze! How I shuddered! What chills crept up and down my -spine! In my bewildered state of mind, it took me a minute to discover -that there was no speaker visible, and that the voice--transmitted by -radio--issued from a huge horn projecting from the ceiling behind me. - -Unfortunately, I had missed the first words of the talk; but, judging -from what I later heard, I believe I can reproduce it fairly accurately. - -"Mechanical Hospital Number 807 QL. Third Class! It is now precisely -fifteen minutes and eleven seconds after the start of the wake! Time -to take your morning tonic! This you will find on the shelf above you: -Number 36 A, in the blue vial. Dissolve two pellets in the distilled -water which you will find in Number 36 B. Drink slowly, and finish with -an ounce of the liquid in 36 C. Then recline, and return to sleep. Our -next announcement will be for the mid-morning repast!" - -With an uncanny suddenness, the machine snapped into silence, while the -occupants of all the other berths, rising slightly out of bed, reached -for the indicated vials and consumed the contents as the voice had -directed. For my own part, however, I was too sick and too bewildered -to seek to follow instructions; I merely sank down into bed again, -thinking that if this were a hospital, certainly it was the queerest I -had ever viewed. - -But still stranger experiences awaited me. The very next moment I -unwittingly made a blunder that led to new discoveries. Finding that -the wire about my wrist irritated me, since it dug into the flesh and -checked the circulation, I pulled at it viciously, and succeeded in -removing it. But no sooner had I disentangled the obstruction than I -was shocked by hearing a bell clanging just above my head, reminding me -of a burglar-alarm. And, from the radio-speaker on the ceiling, a voice -bawled reprovingly. - -"The patient who has just removed his wrist-register will kindly -fasten it on again. We cannot expect to cure him unless this is left -securely in place. For the benefit of any persons still ignorant of -the facts, we may repeat that the wrist-register is the essence of -modern medicine. By means of a faint but constant electric current, it -records the patient's pulse, temperature, and respiration, which are -noted down in the chart-room by automatic wired connections. Thus we -are aware of the patient's condition minute by minute, and are able -to eliminate the necessity of expensive attendants. It is this device -which has made the Mechanical Hospital possible, and has enabled Third -Class Citizens to enjoy the benefits of modern medical knowledge." - - * * * * * - -As I hastily readjusted the wire, I marveled at the medical advances -of the chalk-faces, who have progressed so far above us of the -Overworld. None the less, how I would have welcomed the presence of a -flesh-and-blood physician! - -Let me now pass over the space of a few hours, during which I dozed -from time to time, and from time to time took food or drugs in -accordance with the radio instructions, which were constantly awakening -me from the most invigorating slumbers. The next important event -occurred toward the close of the "wake," when the radio announced -"Visitors' Hour." - -Needless to say, this announcement did net interest me at first, for -who was there to see me? Who, in fact, even knew of my presence here? - -Yet once again I had miscalculated. I was to receive not one visitor, -but several--in fact, two distinct groups! And one group was to be more -alarming than the other. - -No sooner had "Visitors' Hour" begun than I heard four or five heavy -pairs of feet shuffling down the aisle in my direction; and, peering -out of the bed toward the newcomers, I was electrified with fright -at the sight of several familiar faces. There were the very men, the -employees of the Ventilation Company, who had met me yesterday after my -ignominious descent, and had threatened to call the Manager. And among -them--might heaven preserve me!--I noticed the tigerish face of the -Manager himself! - -Only on one other occasion--when I had begun work in the Ventilation -Office--had I encountered this individual, who answered to the name of -Go Grabl. But never could I forget the occasion; he had insisted so -severely on my duties to the Company, and had pointed out the penalties -for violation of the rules so explicitly, that I had thought of him -somewhat as the small boy thinks of the rod-wielding pedagogue. - -And now here he was, cornering me where I was not able to escape him! -Could he not at least wait until I was well? - -Shuddering, I turned my face toward the wall, so as to shut out the -sight of the intruder. But all to no avail! I heard him, along with the -other men, halting opposite my berth; and I could not but catch the -tones of their conversation. - -"There he is!" exclaimed the first of the visitors; and I could imagine -with what contempt he pointed to me. "All beaten up and abraded from -knocking about inside the tube!" - -"No wonder!" declared a second. "He must have gone through at least two -miles of pipe!" - -"When did you say he would be well again?" I heard the powerful voice -of the Manager. "Naturally, we can do nothing until then!" - -"They say he'll be out in a few wakes," returned the first. "Only -suffering from shock, along with surface scratches and bruises." - -"Good!" bawled the Manager. "It would be awkward if he had been turned -over!" - -Oh, would these men never go away and leave me in peace? In despair, I -turned toward them, and opened my mouth to speak. Alas!--they would not -let me get a word in edgeways! - - * * * * * - -But what was this that they were saying? Could I believe my ears? Or -was I only dreaming? - -"It was a wonderful performance," one of the ventilating employees -was declaring. "Yes, a wonderful performance! Personally, I never saw -anything like it. To creep for miles through the ventilation tubes, all -the way from his office to ours! To dust them out and brush away all -obstructions, at the risk of his life! Why, I assure you, Go Grabl, it -was heroism! We were all dumbfounded! The best of it was he succeeded! -He repaired the ventilation! From the moment he left the duct, the air -currents were working properly again!" - -Could it be that I was not dreaming, after all? - -"Such modesty I never saw before!" a second employee was relating. "Can -you believe it, Go Grabl, when we promised to report the affair to you, -he tried to dissuade us! He seemed positively eager not to take the -credit!" - -"Such self-effacement," rang out the heavy voice of the Manager, "is -much to the credit of any worker! It is the ideal that the Company -demands! We will not forget such devoted service!" - -And then, nodding to me with a smile, while I vainly strove to get in a -word at last, he counseled, "Quiet there, my good man, quiet! In your -condition, it is best not to speak; you need all your energy to get -well. But I want you to know that your heroic deeds will not be soon -forgotten. You will be rewarded, my dear man, you will be rewarded. And -now, good-bye! Good-bye!" - -"Good-bye! Good-bye!" echoed the other ventilation employees, and all -bowed low to do me honor. - -Spellbound, I had no word to say; but as they filed off down the aisle, -I could hear the Manager's pleased voice. - -"We will report this exploit in our monthly Company booklet, as an -example to all our workers! It will live in the annals of the Company; -yes, it will live in the annals of the Company!" - -While I was wondering if they were crazy or I, I heard heavy footsteps -thumping toward me along the aisle and glanced out of bed to receive a -new shock. - -Waddling forward as fast as her corpulent form would permit, and with -an ingratiating smile on her wrinkled face, was none other than Loa! -And behind her, benignantly beaming, loomed her father, Professor Tan -Trum! - -"Well, well, well, my boy!" rattled the latter, as he made his way -toward my berth. "Here you are at last! We have been waiting for you -in the reception room a full hour--a full hour, by my watch! They are -not very courteous in these Third Class hospitals! But Loa wanted to -come--so here we are! It would hardly be proper to let a respectable -girl come alone to such quarters," he finished, as he surveyed the -three tiers of berths with a disapproving sniff of his uptilted nose. - -"Oh, my dear, my dear, I'm so glad we've come!" enthused Loa, scarcely -waiting for her father to end. "We've heard all about it! The _Wakely -Screamer_ tells the story in headlines! It even has pictures, showing -how you climbed up the Ventilation Tube! How brave you were, my dear! -How very brave! It makes me feel so honored to know--well, to know that -I can call such a man my very own!" - -And she reached out her capacious arms as if to enfold me--with the -result that I felt ready to swoon again. - -"You can't imagine how nervous I was about you last night, my dear, -when you didn't come home!" continued Loa, in a fluent stream. "I was -afraid you were lost! But father--father here wasn't worried. He was so -absorbed in his researches into the antiquity of the hyphen, he only -growled and said, what if you did get lost? The streets are as safe as -our own home! But I didn't get a wink of sleep--not one wink!--until I -read the news in the _Screamer_. Now, of course, I understand why you -didn't come back!" - -No defeated general, suddenly realizing that his most carefully laid -strategy has failed, could have had a more bitter sinking sensation -than overcame me at that moment. Evidently Loa and her father had not -even guessed that I had run away! - -"My dear boy," the Professor continued, still glancing disparagingly -about the room, "what a miserable rat-hole they've given you to -sleep in! You can't remain here! We'll arrange to take you back home -immediately!" - -"Yes, of course, we'll arrange immediately!" coincided Loa, beaming -upon me with a devouring smile. "You poor dear! We'll give you better -treatment! I'll take care of you myself!" - -Overwhelmed at this idea, I opened my mouth to protest; but the words -stuck in my throat and would not come. Instead, I uttered something -halfway between a gasp and a sob. - -"No, no, dear, don't exert yourself!" urged Loa. "Don't thank us yet! -You're still too weak to speak! But we'll see the authorities--and have -all the arrangements made." - - * * * * * - -The truth is that I _was_ too weak to speak--much too weak! As -Professor Tan Trum nodded good-bye and disappeared along the aisle, -followed by his daughter, who smiled at me in the most infatuated way -imaginable, I relapsed momentarily into a state of coma, from which I -was a long while in recovering. - -It is doubtful if I would have recuperated at all, in less than several -"wakes," had it not been for a message that came to me an hour or -two later, sealed in an envelope that shot to my bedside through a -pneumatic tube. This was so unexpected, and so heartening, that it -helped me more than all the hospital tonics, and even enabled me, for a -time, to drive away the dread vision of Loa. - -The letter, written on the embossed stationery of the Ventilation -Company, ran as follows: - - "No. 44,667,023 XZ, Third Class, - c/o Mechanical Hospital No. 807 QL, Third Class. - - "Dear Sir: - - "By virtue of your distinguished services on the line of duty, we - are honored, on the recommendation of our Manager, Go Grabl, to - promote you from Ventilating Clerk to Ventilating Inspector, the - appointment to take effect as soon as you are able to return to - work. In your new capacity, your hours will be half what you - formerly served, and by way of compensation, your salary will be - doubled. We remain, - - "Appreciatively yours, - "THE VENTILATION COMPANY OF WU, - - "(Per Do Quil, Ninety-Eighth Vice-President)." - -It is from my appointment as Ventilating Inspector that I date the -beginning of my phenomenal rise in the affairs of the Underworld. - - - - - CHAPTER XX - - Ordeal and Crisis - - -For seven "wakes" I remained in the hospital. Even though I did not at -all like the place, with its automatic service and its total absence -of living attendants, still I lived in hourly dread of being removed -and sent back to Professor Tan Trum's home. I knew that, true to his -word, he had put in an application to have me taken out; but what I -did not know was that a thousand formalities had to be observed before -the application could be granted. There were blanks to fill out, and -signatures to secure, and affidavits to sign, and fees to pay, and half -a score of clerks to affix their approval; hence, while Tan Trum and -Loa were doing their frantic best to obtain the release permit, the -"wakes" continued to slip past, and I remained in the hospital. In the -course of time, indeed, Tan Trum's application was duly approved--but -not before I had already been discharged as cured. - -It is a testimony to a naturally strong constitution that I was able -to escape in seven "wakes"; for my worries and torments while in that -hospital were innumerable.... I shall not describe them all; let me -only say that the newspaper reporters alone were enough to give me a -daily attack of chills and fever. The gentlemen of the press, thanks to -the special privileges of their profession, did not confine themselves -to "Visitors' Hour"; at any time of the day or night they would rouse -me from pleasant slumbers, in order to secure my personal story for the -_Wakely Blare_, or in order to learn my views on the topics of the day, -such as the reasons for the peculiar charms of the women of Wu, or the -desirability of improving men's clothing styles by further enlarging -the V-slit on the back. - -Naturally, I was irritated by such questions, and persistently refused -to reply, for I did not see how my work for the Ventilation Company -qualified me to express myself on native fashions, feminine beauty, or -politics. The reporters, however, seemed to feel otherwise; and, in no -way discouraged by my failure to speak, they were so obliging as to -make my opinions for me when I would not mention them myself. Thus, I -was later shown long articles in which I was described as "speaking -volubly," and in which I read the views credited to me on subjects -so diverse as "The Merits of Thuno Flâtum," "The Natural Superiority -of Wu to Zu," "The Future of the Scootscoot," "Why I Am in Love With -Wrinkles," etc. - -It was with intense misgivings that I awaited my release, for how now -avert the day of reckoning? How save myself from the fatal necessity -of returning to Tan Trum's home? Luckily, this problem was solved for -me by the Ventilation Company. Upon presenting myself for work, I was -informed that the Company provided living quarters for its Inspectors -in a great dormitory, so that they might be subject to call at any -hour. While it was not compulsory to reside there, I had not the least -hesitation about my course. I hastily dictated a letter to Tan Trum and -his daughter, thanking them for past favors, but assuring them that, -"much to my regret, the exigencies of my new work make it impossible -for me to continue to accept your hospitality." I also promised that, -as soon as I was able, I would pay back the sum I owed Tan Trum. - -Unhappily, this was not the last I was to see of the Professor, nor of -the Professor's daughter. But before reporting my next encounter with -them, let me tell of my new duties for the Ventilation Company. - -As was to be expected, in view of the doubling of my salary, my new -labors were much less exacting than the old. It was my duty to travel -from place to place, inspecting the ventilating tubes and outlets, -and removing obstructions (this being assumed to be my specialty); -and in order to accomplish this task, wherein I was pretty much my -own master, I had to ride one of the Company-owned little vehicles, -or "scootscoots," which I so intensely loathed. However, I found it -easy enough to run the machine, whose driving mechanism, which was -guaranteed as "moron-proof," was as simple as that of an elevator. But -I was never able to balance myself on it cross-legged with the native -ease, which came only of long practice; nor could I ever quite master -my dread of an early and sudden "turnover," for I constantly observed -collisions on all main thoroughfares; and since there were no traffic -rules, speeding drivers shooting recklessly at one in all directions, -survival was a matter of sheer good luck. - -But by taking roundabout ways and choosing the less frequented -thoroughfares, I succeeded in reducing the risk, till I estimated that -I was about as safe as a voyager through a submarine zone in wartime, -or a lone transoceanic aviator. So fortunate was I, indeed, that in the -first few months I only suffered half a dozen minor mishaps. Except -for some bruises on the head and shoulders, an abrasioned knee and a -sprained wrist, I might be said to have escaped unscathed. - - * * * * * - -In the course of my new activities, I had an opportunity to inspect -the ventilation in all its details, learning by precisely what system -of motors, pumps, valves, and pipes the fresh air was forced down from -the Overworld and distributed throughout Wu, somewhat as the lungs -distribute oxygen to the body. Being an engineer not only by profession -but by inclination, I made a more careful study of the details than -duty required, until I had mastered the facts as a watchmaker masters -the mechanism of a clock. But as yet I had no thought beyond my own -natural mechanical interests, and had no anticipation of the striking -part my newly acquired knowledge was to play. - -It did, indeed, occur to me that, by exploring the ventilating -connections with the outer world, I might find a way to escape from -Wu. But, remembering my harrowing experiences on my first attempt at -escape and knowing that a second attempt might not end so fortunately, -I decided to bide my time and make no rash or premature dash for -freedom. - -Had it not been for one fact, I should have found life as Ventilating -Inspector almost pleasant. The fly in the ointment was the menace of -Loa. I use the word "menace" advisedly, for this is what it seemed to -me. Not even by removing to the Ventilation Dormitory could I relieve -myself of her attentions! Of course, I scrupulously avoided her -whenever possible--but this proved to avail me little. Before I had -been working in my new position for ten "wakes," disconcerting rumors -began to reach my ears. - -"Well, partner," another Inspector exclaimed one day, slapping me on -the back with comradely good humor, "we hear you're in luck! Say, -invite us to the wedding, won't you? How did you ever find such a -lovely girl? So fat and wrinkled, they say! And the daughter of a -Second Class professor! Congratulations! May you have fourteen sons, to -provide a glorious turnover for our country!" - -Naturally I grew indignant at these words, and strenuously denied -having matrimonial intentions. But my companions smiled knowingly, -nudged one another, and protested, "Oh, you can't fool us! We know! We -know! The rumor is everywhere about! You've been engaged for wakes and -wakes! Why, the _Screamer_ announced it issue before last!" - -"The _Screamer_--announced it?" I gasped. - -"Of course! Can't keep it secret any longer, partner!" - -In despair, I sank down upon a seat, my face buried in my hands, my -spirit a prey to the darkest melancholy. Apparently everyone was bent -on forcing me into a union with Loa! - -Meanwhile the girl herself went her way in the blithe assurance that -our nuptials would soon be celebrated. Only one "wake" after the -ventilating employees mentioned the article in the _Screamer_, Loa -herself visited me in the company of her father. - -As they announced themselves unceremoniously into my rooms in the -dormitory, they succeeded in cornering me beyond hope of escape. - -I noticed that Loa, as she entered, was pouting a little, and was -eyeing me reproachfully, and for a moment the wild hope came to me that -perhaps she was angry, and had come to release me from the entanglement. - -No such optimism, however, was justified. "Why haven't you come to -see me all this time, dear?" she began, somewhat accusingly, but in a -manner that showed her willingness to be forgiving. - -"Now, Loa darling," remonstrated the Professor, "haven't I told you a -thousand times that it isn't becoming for a Third Class man to call on -a Second Class lady?--no, not even when they're engaged! So, of course, -Loa, you must come to him instead. He has a right to feel offended at -your neglect." - -But I confessed to feeling no offense, and Loa, her resentment quickly -dissipated, advanced toward me with a smile. - -"See, dear, what I have for you," she announced, taking a little -gleaming object from her handbag. "It's all yours! Your wedding ring!" - -"My wedding ring?" I ejaculated, feeling ready to sink through the -floor. - -"Of course," she declared. "Don't you know it's the custom for the lady -to give the gentleman a ring?" - -"Now, Loa, how could you expect him to know?" demanded Tan Trum -reprovingly. "After all, he was born a barbarian, and still isn't -familiar with civilized ways." - -"Yes, I had forgotten," admitted Loa, apologetically. "Here, dear, is -the ring!" And while I sank down in consternation, wishing to fight -off the gift but not knowing how to refuse, she slipped a little -ruby-studded silver band onto the small finger of my left hand. - -"There, dear!" she went on rapturously. "Isn't it beautiful? It's ruby, -the color of your heart's blood!" - - * * * * * - -I mumbled something, expressive neither of thanks nor of appreciation, -but apparently my hearers did not quite catch my words. As I snatched -at the ring, with the idea of removing it, I was diverted from my -purpose by feeling Loa's arms about my neck, and for a moment we were -locked in an embrace more satisfying, I hope, to her than to me. - -It was Professor Tan Trum who, at this point, unwittingly saved the day. - -"Here, my dears," he said, unfolding an enormous document with a silver -seal. "Here, my dears, is the license! There are only a few minor -details to be filled out." - -I do not know why, but some strange, irrational hope flashed into my -heart at sight of that document. - -Yet as I glanced over the paper, I saw very little to inspire hope. -I read that, as my one and only legal wife, I guaranteed to take, -Loa, the daughter of Professor Tan Trum; that I agreed to obey the -Population Laws and produce as many sons as possible for the benefit -of the Fatherland; and that I promised to rear my children and conduct -my own married life according to the best accepted principles of -Thoughtlessness. At the bottom of the page, I noticed, there was a -space for a notary's signature, which had not yet been filled out; -and under Loa's name I read, written elaborately in gilded letters, -"Eugenically approved!"; while beneath my own name no such inscription -appeared. - -As delicately as I could, I called this fact to the attention of -Professor Tan Trum. But he, as if bent on destroying my last remaining -shred of hope, answered me. - -"Oh, my dear boy, don't let that worry you! Don't let that worry you -at all! A mere formality, I assure you! A fine, stalwart man like -you--even if you were born a barbarian--won't have any trouble meeting -eugenic requirements. Not the least. In fact, I'm determined to clear -away this last technical obstacle at once. So I've a little surprise -for you. I've brought the Eugenics Inspector here with us. He's -waiting right now in the gallery!" - -While I gave a horrified gasp, the Professor went to the door, flung -it open, and called to someone outside. And immediately a rat-faced -little runt of a native, whose tall pointed hat bore an engraved steel -sign, "Eugenics!" entered and bowed low. "Is this the bridegroom?" he -inquired, pointing at me. - -"Yes, yes," acknowledged the Professor. "Come right this way! My -daughter and I will withdraw, leaving you to perform the tests by -yourself. We will be waiting outside." - -Since there was no choice in the matter, I had to agree to the ordeal. -And the Inspector, who declared himself to be a practicing physician, -put me through a severe examination, in which he tested my heart, -my lungs, and all my other organs by means of a wonderful little -instrument which, upon being placed on the skin, immediately registered -any pathological condition, by recording the exceedingly faint -electrical reactions of the body. - -But alas!--he could find nothing wrong with me! "My dear young man," he -congratulated me at the conclusion of the test, "you bewilder me! It is -rarely that I have come across so perfect a case! I will rate you 99 -and 44/100 per cent! From the point of view of Eugenics, you are Grade -A!" - -Probably the Inspector did not understand why I looked so downcast at -this pronouncement, and why I begged, almost forlornly, "But is there -no other test? You're sure you can't disqualify me?" - -"Have no fear!" he assured me. - -And then, glancing at a little document across the room from him, he -added, "To be sure, there are a few questions I must ask, in accordance -with the law. But they are mere matters of form which, I am certain, -will give you no trouble." - -Thereupon he began to fling out scores of queries, in regard to my age, -my occupation, my father's age, my mother's age, the age of my sisters, -brothers, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, great-grandparents, -etc., when they were "turned over." To all these questions, most of -which struck me as utterly silly, I replied as best I could; and always -the Inspector would nod with a pleased "Very good!" and congratulate me -on my perfect record. - - * * * * * - -At last he had come to the final question, and inquired, in a -perfunctory manner, "Military experience? Military experience of your -father, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers?" - -"Well," said I, not in the least anticipating the effect my words were -to have, "I served among my own people in a World War, being in the -Commissary Department for three months. My father never was in any war; -neither were my grandfathers nor great-grandfathers, so far as I know." - -Suddenly the Inspector shot out of his seat and leaped toward me as -though I had confessed complicity in a crime. - -"What?" he demanded. "Your family has never been to war? It has no -military record at all?" - -"My family were all distinguished scholars and scientists." - -"Scholars and scientists?" he flung back, wrathfully. "Scholars and -scientists? What do they amount to? When did they ever fight for their -country? How do you expect, young man, to bring forth a capable progeny -to be turned over in the next war unless you have a good fighting -ancestry?" - -Before this question I remained mute. The first wild surge of hope was -beginning to well up in my heart. - -"How do you expect, young man," repeated the Inspector, growing -more irate every moment, "to bring forth a capable progeny unless -you have had a good fighting ancestry? No, sir, I am sorry to say I -cannot approve of you as eugenic! To permit your marriage would be to -encourage the growth of an unfit, non-combatant population! I regret it -very much, sir, but I must stamp your application, 'Disapproved!'" - -And, with that, the Inspector made a contemptuous bow, and went -stamping out of the room. - -A few minutes later, after Loa had heard the news and had left my -apartment with heartbroken sobs, I executed a solitary dance of joy. At -last I was free, completely free! And how I blessed my father and my -father's father for having had no fighting experience! - - - - - CHAPTER XXI - - Strike! Strike! Strike! - - -The "wakes" went by and gathered into months, and the months lengthened -into a year, and still I performed my duties as Ventilation Inspector, -and could discover no way of escape to the Overworld, and no prospect -of a change in the ordered monotony of my existence. Was I to pass my -whole life thus, and to end my days among the labyrinths of Wu? - -So I often asked, while wondering if it would not be wise to attempt -some new dash for liberty--even though the end might be arrest and the -violet ray! Then all at once, when I was just finishing my first year -as Inspector, my life underwent an extraordinary change. - -The occasion was one of those periodic strikes which menace the -economic security of Wu and enable the people to enjoy the perils and -horrors of warfare even when war has not been officially declared. -On this particular occasion, the strike was especially dangerous; -for those guardians of the public health, the Ventilation employees, -were determined to leave work. Not, indeed, had all the Ventilation -employees so resolved, but in some sections they were unanimous in -their revolt, and the uprising had become so serious that Dictator -Thuno Flâtum was said to have interrupted a fishing expedition for -nearly an hour while he debated the situation with high officials. - -Personally, I looked upon developments with gravest misgivings, for the -Ventilation Brotherhood, composed of fifty thousand workers, had issued -the following ultimatum: - - "To the Directors of the Ventilation Company of Wu, Unlimited, we - pay our respects, and submit that: - - "Within three wakes, they must grant all our demands, or we will - turn off the country's air-supply. - - "Not a ventilation wheel will turn, not a breath of fresh air will - blow until our terms are complied with. - - "If thousands of citizens, including many First Class men and women, - should be suffocated as a result, we shall profoundly regret their - fate, but sentimental considerations, naturally, cannot deter us." - -The demands of the strikers--who were mostly Third Class citizens, of -the kind that did a maximum of work for a minimum of returns--were as -follows: - - 1. That wages be high enough to permit the men to eat every other - "wake." - - 2. That hours be short enough to permit them to sleep every other - night. - - 3. That the Company supply free air to the homes of all its - employees. - -These demands--which were variously branded by officials of the Company -as "Inordinate," "Preposterous," and "Impossible"--were condemned in -no uncertain terms by all First Class citizens, who upbraided the -unpatriotic attitude of the strikers and pointed out that, should their -terms be met, the Ventilation Company could not guarantee to pay its -stockholders more than eleven per cent a year. - -"The arrogance of the people knows no limits!" stated one high -dignitary, who was believed to enjoy the confidence of no less a -personage than Thuno Flâtum himself. "If we were to grant these -exactions, the next thing they would ask would be separate houses -for each family, or Grade A air, or reduction of taxes on the food, -clothing, and water of the Third Class! Doubtless they would expect the -First Class, who are legally tax-exempt, to meet these bills instead! -No! Obviously such insubordination must be checked before it poisons -the entire life of society!" - -This sentiment being echoed by First Class citizens everywhere, a -battle to the finish was promised. "We will smother rather than -submit!" rang out the defiance of the rulers.... "Then we will -all smother together!" thundered the retort of the strikers. And -already, two "wakes" before the expiration of the ultimatum, serious -complications were reported; dozens of strikers, going quietly about -their way bearing banners, "We demand a breathing wage!" had been shot -in the back by electric bolts launched by the police, in return for -what the _Wakely Screamer_ denounced as "their treasonous and seditious -interference with business." - -If this were but the beginning, a civil war seemed in prospect! - - * * * * * - -Now, I personally had little interest in the strike, for my work as -Ventilation Inspector was fairly easy, my wages were fairly good, and I -could see no advantage in facing suffocation merely in order to improve -laboring conditions. Besides, I had had the temerity to consult a -historical reference work, and knew that ventilation strikes had been -occurring at intervals of about thirty years for centuries, and that in -every case hundreds of thousands of persons--mostly invalids, women and -children, in no wise connected with the strike--had been turned over as -a result of interference with the air-supply; while the strikers, if -they had been permitted to return to work at all after the settlement, -had done so on worse conditions than before. - -For this reason, I steadily refused to join the protesting group. - -As the time approached for the strikers to put their ultimatum into -effect, I could see how excited the people were growing. Business -had virtually come to a standstill; along avenues once crowded with -dashing vehicles, the "scootscoots" had almost ceased to run; in every -side-gallery one could see little knots of chalk-faces anxiously -talking, their drawn features and worried eyes bearing testimony to -the concern they felt. "And so you think they will really strike?" -one would ask.... "Undoubtedly!" another would reply. "I stored up -containers of oxygen months ago, for an emergency!"... "Oh, what will -I do about the baby's air!" a third would sigh. "I'm sure there'll be -a terrible turnover if this keeps up!"... "Never fear!" would be the -response. "What's the army for? The government has saved it for just -this occasion!" - -Meanwhile, the _Screamer_ reported that Dictator Thuno Flâtum was still -enjoying his fishing expedition. He had just caught a seven-ounce -minnow, it was said, which he had been able to draw out of a -subterranean lake by means of a new automatic fishing reel. - -At the beginning of that wake on which the ultimatum expired, I -reported for work as usual to the Ventilation Office. But, to my -surprise, the place was almost deserted; the dozens of regular -employees were conspicuously absent; only a worn old drudge of a -janitress, languidly mopping the floor, greeted me upon my arrival. - -She seemed, indeed, astonished to see me. "Say!--but you are brave, -young man!" she gasped. "Don't you value your life?" - -"Don't I value my life?" I echoed. - -"Bless me, it won't be worth much if those strikers find you!" she -exclaimed, looking up from her pail of sops. "They wouldn't do anything -to me, for I'm only a useless old woman. But you, sir--they'll wipe the -floor with you for not joining the strike!" - -"Oh, have no worry; I'm able to defend myself!" - -She stared at me as if wondering whether I were a prodigy or a madman. - -"Do you think so?" she shot out. "Well, then you ought to see what they -did to my neighbor, young Mr. Ty Tan. He was as big and brawny a young -man as you ever saw--took all the prizes in boxing and wrestling. Well, -he wouldn't join the water workers when they went out year before last, -and turned off our drinking supply. Poor fellow! I've always felt so -sorry for him!" - -"What did they do to him?" - -"Poor fellow!" she reiterated. "Poor fellow! It was so foolish of him, -so foolish! When Mr. Ty Tan wouldn't strike--" - -Abruptly she halted. I saw her staring toward the door, an expression -of surprise and fear in her eyes, while she shrank back as if from some -approaching menace. - -Wheeling about, I saw half a dozen ugly-looking men just entering. On -their breasts were prominent banners, reading: "Ventilation Strike. -Sub-committee No. 116." - -With a threatening expression, the newcomers drew near. "We were just -looking around, to see that no one was working!" snarled the leader, as -he glared in my direction. "You know, brother, it isn't good for the -health to be working nowadays." - -Steadily I eyed the men, and deliberately drew a step nearer. "Is that -a threat, or a challenge?" I demanded. - -"Have it as you will!" he growled. "I give you a fair chance, brother, -if you want to walk out of here alive--" - -Already I had resolved on my course. Striding forward before the man -could finish his sentence, I put my full one hundred and seventy pounds -into an uppercut that caught him squarely on the point of the chin, and -sent him reeling to the floor. - -Not being able to see clearly close at hand, he had been unable to ward -off the blow! - -Even as he fell, I followed up my advantage. Being now within arm's -reach of his companions, I began to rain blow upon blow, which they -also, because of their defective vision for things close at hand, were -unable to guard against. In less time than it takes to recount, three -of the men had followed their leader to the floor; while the remaining -two, not knowing what sort of a fighting tornado they had encountered, -had turned and taken to their heels. - -With eyes of admiration and wonder, the scrubwoman stared at me as I -returned from the encounter. "If only Ty Tan could have fought like -that!" she sighed. "Poor Ty! He mightn't have ended as he did!" And -then, warningly, "Still, sir, I would advise you to look out. They -won't let it go at that. They'll see that you're turned over, if they -have to bring out a whole striking brigade." - -"Let them do their worst!" I snorted. And I sat down, crossed my legs, -and complacently awaited developments. I could foresee that I was to -have a busy day. - - - - - CHAPTER XXII - - Blows and Counter-Blows - - -Less than twenty minutes later, a second Striking Sub-committee -arrived. Its members were eight in number, and their method of -swaggering hostility was such that I had no difficulty in repeating -my previous tactics. Before they realized what I was about, I had -gotten too close for them to see me clearly and I aimed my blows so -accurately that, in less than a minute, half the gang lay stretched -upon the floor. The others, not quite realizing what had struck them, -were not long in resorting to that discretion which most men prefer to -valor. Dashing to the door, they leaped upon their "scootscoots," which -awaited just without, and darted away with a lunatic recklessness, -while I stood staring after them with an amused smile. As yet I did not -suspect how tragic the occasion was to be. - -While my felled opponents were staggering to their feet and retreating -by a side-entrance, the sound of a frightful crash came to my ears; -and, rushing out and around a bend in the gallery, I saw that a crowd -had gathered, while in their midst was a shapeless mass that I could -hardly recognize. - -Horrified, I shielded my eyes from the sight; and only by degrees -did the dread truth dawn upon me; the escaping members of the -Sub-committee, in their haste, had collided with some other -"scootscoots," and all four members had been "turned over." - -But such incidents being of daily occurrence, I tried not to let my -mind dwell upon it; and, returning to my seat in the Ventilation -Office, I quietly awaited the next development. - -Not being good at presaging the future, I could not have known how -the news of my exploit was to spread; and how, fanned by rumor, it was -to grow to gigantic proportions. As luck would have it, a reporter for -the _Wakely Blare_, on the rampage for material, happened to be present -at the scene of the collision; and though he had small idea what had -happened, he had no hesitation about accepting the word of onlookers -who knew as little about the affair as he did. Consequently he radioed -his paper a story so good that the editor decided to make it headline -material--in other words, he printed it in red ink all over the front -page, while other news items were driven to footnotes on back pages. - -This article--which is too long to repeat in its entirety--was to the -effect that a regiment of strike-breakers had appeared, no one knew -where from, under the leadership of a redoubtable giant capable of -"turning over" any adversary at a blow. So tremendous was the power of -this group that opponents were said to be under a fatal spell, so that -even fugitives from their vengeance came to certain disaster. As proof -of this fact, the paper cited the destruction of the four members of -the Sub-committee--whose numbers, however, were given as fourteen.... - -Now the speed of the papers of Wu in printing the news is phenomenal. -Thanks to automatic typesetters, which take down the articles from -radio dictation, a matter of only minutes need elapse between the -occurrence of an event and its appearance in print. In fact, on some -occasions the news is reported in "extra-extra" and "super-extra-extra" -editions even while the event is happening; it is recorded that once -the _Screamer_, in a special "scoop"--or "raid," as the natives call -it--announced the death of a high official seventeen minutes before he -actually breathed his last. - -Hence it is not surprising that, less than half an hour after I had -routed the second Sub-committee, papers telling of the exploit were -being flaunted in all the main galleries by the newsgirls (there were -no newsboys, since all the boys had gone to war). - -Now if truth be told, the _Blare_ was extremely glad of the opportunity -to print this story, since, like all the papers, it was owned by -a group of First Class citizens, and therefore was profoundly -"anti-strike," and eager to play up any account hostile to the -strikers. This it was which, along with the desire for circulation--for -which several newspaper proprietors had been known to commit -murder--explained the prompt featuring of the article. - -Even so, the effect of the article would not have been possible had it -not been for one little weakness of the people of Wu. In most ways, -they are not a credulous folk; indeed, one may show them a plain fact -ninety-nine ways without convincing them; but when a statement is once -in print, they consider it inviolable. Never would it occur to them to -question any remark, once it has been subjected to the sacred art of -typography. They imagine that there is a sort of magic connected with -printer's ink, which abhors falsehood somewhat as water abhors fire, -and in this superstition the educated seem to share along with their -more ignorant brothers. - -As a consequence, the rumor of my prowess, once it had attained the -dignity of a place in the _Blare_, had taken on the sanctity of -established knowledge. - - * * * * * - -In view of the fact that the circulation of the _Blare_ was somewhere -in the millions (it being prescribed as compulsory reading for all -persons with a mental age of twelve or under), it was not an hour -before I, along with my imagined regiment of supporters, had become a -subject of discussion for all Wu. And the effect upon the strikers may -well be imagined. It hit them in that vital spot, their morale, with -the result that many began to hesitate whether to remain on strike, -and in some districts it was reported that the men were going back to -work and ventilation was being restored. Most of all, the ignorant were -disturbed by that passage in the story which told of the "mysterious -spell" afflicting all opponents of the new strikebreaker. As this was -nothing tangible for anyone to combat, it was all the more capable of -arousing the terror of the masses, who, being well grounded in all the -precepts of thoughtlessness, were unable to save themselves by reason. - -The consequence was such as to endanger the strike itself. The members -of the Central Strike Committee, threatened with disaffection on all -sides, began to fear that their movement would collapse ignominiously. -Hence they took immediate measures to hit back at the source of their -trouble. - -It was only about two hours after the little episode between myself and -the second Striking Sub-committee, and I was lounging in my chair in -the Ventilation Office, finding things becoming just a little boresome. -The heavy, languid air, growing hot and foul now that the ventilation -had been turned off, was telling upon my nerves; I was getting anxious -to go into action again and do something more to end the strike. How I -would have welcomed the appearance of another Sub-committee! - -But no Sub-committee called. Evidently none could be found to meet me -face to face, after the tales of my prowess! Instead, I was startled to -hear a rattling sound in a pneumatic tube just to my right, and to note -the arrival of a letter in a little steel container, which stated: - - "_TO WHOMEVER IT MAY CONCERN_ - - "But most of all, to the strikebreaker who has been decimating our - men with an army corps of hired thugs. - - "We extend our greetings, and suggest that you immediately withdraw - your horde of brigands. - - "If you do not see fit to comply with this recommendation before the - close of the present wake, and to surrender your arms and position, - we shall make a complete turnover of you and your men. - - "Yours, with many remembrances of the day, - - "THE CENTRAL STRIKING COMMITTEE, - By order of the Grand Commander of the Silver Legion of Wu." - -Now I must confess that I read these words not without a shudder. -The members of the Silver Legion, having been to war, had had long -experience in crime and hence were renowned for the blackness of their -deeds; and it seemed possible that they would make good their threat, -and, by means of Mulflar, the violet ray, or some other nefarious -device, would speedily "turn me over." - -However, I had now gone too far to retreat; if I were to die, I would -at least die fighting. After thinking the matter over for a few -minutes, I came to the conclusion that, as I had little actual power, -my only hope lay in a good old-fashioned "bluff." - -And so, without further waste of time, I wrote the following message: - - * * * * * - - "_To the Central Striking Committee_: - - "I thank you for your respected communication, and for your - greetings, which I return herewith. - - "I beg leave to inform you that I have no intention of withdrawing - with my host of patriotic followers. I suggest, for my part, that - you send in peace terms and settle the Ventilation Strike - immediately. - - "Should you not do so, I shall lose no time in giving a - manifestation of my wrath. - - "Yours, with the utmost courtesy, - - "HIGH CHIEF COMMANDER CITIZENS' ANTI-STRIKE LEAGUE." - -Having awarded myself this title as a final stroke of genius, I -dispatched the letter through a pneumatic tube and sat down to await -results. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII - - I Become Second Class - - -In spite of strikes and minor catastrophes, the war between Wu and Zu -was still being waged. Of late, however, it had grown a bit dull and -unexciting; both factions had been entrenching themselves for a dogged -fight over Nullnull; and, except for the periodic capture and recapture -of a few square yards and the daily "turnover" of several thousand men -on each side, nothing of much consequence was happening. It is this -fact that explains the interest in the Ventilation Strike; for the -people of Wu, thanks to their scrupulous practice of thoughtlessness, -require something to keep them constantly entertained. - -Nevertheless, the inhabitants of Zu had not forgotten that they were -still fighting; and when they heard of the ventilation troubles in Wu, -they hailed the news with vast secret jubilation, and their statesmen -and generals chuckled and vowed to take advantage of the opportunity. -This meant, of course, that they were determined to produce a great -enemy "turnover"; while, in order to accomplish this end, they had -to resort to the Subterrains, those formidable machines which bored -underground and attacked by means of Mulflar torpedoes. - -The result was that, on the day the strike was officially declared, -half a dozen Subterrain assaults were launched in widely scattered -districts throughout Wu. Always the destruction was enormous, although -the "turnover," according to treaty, was limited to Second and Third -Class citizens. But the facts were not known until long afterwards, and -then but imperfectly, since the papers, in their pre-occupation with -weightier matters, rarely had space to give to enemy triumphs. Hence -the explosion that wrecked the headquarters of the Central Striking -Committee was not generally ascribed to its actual source. - -There is no question, in view of subsequent investigations, that this -represented but one of the series of Subterrain attacks; however, it -occurred at such a time and in such a way that another interpretation -seemed possible. The Head of the Committee was known to have received -my letter of defiance, and had just called his secretary to dictate an -ultimatum, which would end my revolt once and for all ... when suddenly -the earth rose beneath his feet, and he and a corps of his assistants -were "turned over" in a disaster that left their offices a charred heap -of ruins. - -Naturally, both the _Blare_ and the _Screamer_ were delighted to report -the tragedy; and having already learned of my letter to the Committee, -the editors of both journals concluded that the occasion called for -another "Extra-extra," which they proceeded to issue without allowing -time for second thought. Since great minds, even in Wu, tend to run in -the same channel, the position taken by both editors was identical: -that the blow had been struck by the "Citizen's Anti-Strike Committee," -whose "High Chief Commander" was fulfilling his promise to give a -"manifestation of his wrath." - -Now I have always been convinced that the attack upon the headquarters -of the Central Committee would have ended the strike, whether or not I -had had any connection with the affair. The workers, deprived of their -leaders, would have been disorganized; and disorganization would have -led to the collapse of the whole movement. But, as it happened, no one -seemed to realize this; no one ever thought of disagreeing with the -_Blare_ and the _Screamer_, which, in order to make sensational news -stories, gave me the entire credit for the accomplishment. Not half a -dozen hours had passed after the Subterrain attack before the strike -was officially over; the laborers, intimidated by dread of a foe who -could take deadly and mysterious vengeance, were afraid to remain -defiant; and such was their general level of thoughtlessness that -reason had no power against their superstitious terror. - -Even while the strike was being settled, I received a visit from a -distinguished delegation. I was still seated in the Ventilation Office, -gnawing at a lunch of concentrated food capsules and amusing myself -by reading of my alleged exploits in the _Screamer_, when the blast -of a whistle at the door made me leap up with a start. Would I have -another Striking Sub-Committee to fight? No!--nothing so alarming! -Riding toward me on "scootscoots" decorated with green and vermilion, -and surrounded by dozens of obsequious lackeys, were three chalk-faces -whose shriveled forms, profuse adornments, and artificial eyes, ears, -and breathing apparatus proclaimed them to be First Class citizens. - - * * * * * - -In accordance with the requirements of good form, I bowed low, sweeping -the floor with the palm of my hand as a sign of deference; but at the -same time I was sorely troubled, for what could such dignitaries desire -of me? - -Without acknowledging my bow, one of the First Class men lifted a -megaphone to his mouth and addressed me abruptly, as was deemed only -proper in the presence of a menial. - -"Tell me, sir, are you the High Chief Commander of the Citizens' -Anti-Strike Committee?" - -With a gasp, I acknowledged being the person referred to. - -The entire procession had now come to a halt at a distance of about -twenty feet, and I could see how the three First Class citizens were -turning their telescope-like eye-pieces in my direction. - -"You have done a noble service in the cause of your country and of the -First Class," continued my interlocutor. "I shall not question you too -much on your methods, lest they prove, well--shall we say in violation -of the letter of the Criminal Code? Allow me to introduce myself, sir, -as the thirteenth Vice-Executive Director of the Ventilation Company." - -Once more I bowed low, taking care to sweep the floor with the palm of -my hand. - -"And I," testified the second First Class man, also through a -megaphone, "am one of the seventeen Political Settlers of the -Ventilation Company." - -"Political Settlers?" I questioned, again performing a perfunctory bow. - -"Yes, indeed!" stated the man, looking a little offended at my -ignorance. "Very important work we do, too! It is our business to -settle things with politicians and political job-sellers." - -"And I, sir," the third of my First Class visitors informed me with -a blare of his megaphone, "am the Senatorial Representative of the -Ventilation Company." - -"Senatorial Representative?"--after another bow. - -"Of course! I am the delegate elected by the Ventilation Company, in -accordance with law, to represent its interests in the Senate. Don't -you know, sir, that every concern doing a business of more than eleven -millions annually is expected to have a representative in the Senate?" - -Knowing nothing of this matter, I thought it best to change the -subject. "And to what, gentlemen," I inquired, "do I owe the honor of -this visit?" - -It was the thirteenth Vice-Executive Director that undertook to reply. - -"You may well ask that question, sir. Not once in ten thousand wakes is -a Third Class citizen, such as you appear to be, flattered with a visit -from the First Class. But your case, sir, is exceptional. Owing to your -unusual services on behalf of the anti-strikers, we have been appointed -by the Directors of the Ventilation Company as a committee of three to -express our personal approval and appreciation." - -"I thank you, gentlemen," said I, once more bowing low, but wondering -if my visitors had gone through all this hocus-pocus merely in order to -express an empty approval. - -"You are the sort of man, sir, that the Company likes to have in its -employ," announced the Political Settler. "Your talents are being -wasted--thrown away--here in this Third Class office. We have decided -to elevate you to a more worthy post." - -"Yes, sir," the Senatorial Representative took up the report, "we will -appoint you to the Engineering Department. As Ventilating Engineer, you -will have two thousand men under your employ, who will be subject to -your orders in all things. This is how we will show our appreciation!" - -This time, when I bowed to the floor, it was as an expression of -sincere gratitude. I could scarcely believe that such a magnificent -promotion awaited me! - -"There is only one difficulty," the thirteenth Vice-Executive Director -bewailed, shaking his head ruefully. "The law forbids an appointment to -the Engineering Department to any one except a First or Second Class -citizen." - -At these words, my heart sank within me. From the beginning, I had felt -that the promised appointment was too good to be true. "Well, I don't -insist on remaining Third Class!" I groaned. - -The Political Settler beamed upon me, and drew his eye-pieces a little -closer against his weazened face. - -"That's just what I was thinking!" he declared. "I knew you wouldn't -insist on remaining Third Class! Well, where there's a politician, -there's a way--as the ancient saying goes. The law, to be sure, -distinctly says that no Third Class citizen may ever become Second -Class; but we'll get around that by proving to the courts that you -really were Second Class all along. Leave that to me, sir--as a -Political Settler, that's my specialty!" - - * * * * * - -I bowed gratefully once more, and assured the man that I had always -felt misplaced in the Third Class. - -But even as I spoke, doubt overcame me. What if there were some hidden -flaw in the offer? What if I should have to pay a heavy fee for being -made Second Class, or should be taxed beyond my capacity? And so I -promptly made inquiries on these points. - -If it had been possible for First Class citizens to laugh, my hearers -would surely have done so. As it was, their slender forms shook -slightly in testimony to the merriment they felt, and a sound like a -dry rattle issued from between their thin lips. - -"Pay a tax for being made Second Class?" growled the Senatorial -Representative, with the manner of one who has been insulted. "I should -say not! Quite the contrary! My colleagues and I have taken care of -that! Why, sir, you will get a tax refund for the taxes you paid in the -Third Class!" - -"Tax refund?" I demanded, thinking I had not heard rightly. - -"Yes! You see, the principle is quite fair and simple," explained the -Political Settler. "Taxation, as all authorities agree, should be -placed where it bears least heavily. Now there are ten times as many -Third Class citizens as First and Second class combined, so naturally -they are much more able to bear the weight of taxation. Therefore all -taxes are placed on the Third Class." - -Now I had not always admired the logic of the chalk-faces; but on this -occasion, seeing that I was about to be favored so richly, it seemed to -me that their reasoning was perfect. - -"Only one thing more!" continued the Political Settler. "There's the -matter of your salary. Considering that you won't have any more taxes -to pay, I trust you will find it sufficient to have your present -remuneration quadrupled." - -For a moment I stood gaping at my benefactor, wondering if he -were trying to make sport of me. But my hesitation was strangely -misconstrued. - -"Well, sir, I don't blame you for being in doubt," sympathized the -thirteenth Vice-Executive Director. "You really should get more than -that, in order to keep up your position in the Second Class. I'll speak -to the other Directors, and see if they can't do something better for -you. Perhaps they'll consent to giving you an annual bonus. Meanwhile -you may report for work the wake after next." - -"Thank you, thank you exceedingly!" I acknowledged, bowing to the floor -for about the twentieth time. - -Then, while my visitors uttered sharp orders to their lackeys and -wheeled ceremoniously away, I sank down upon my chair in a daze of -astonishment. Certainly, if all that I had been promised should come to -pass, I was the luckiest man in Wu! - - - - - CHAPTER XXIV - - A Bold Stroke - - -The duties and obligations of my new position were formidable--if one -looked at them merely on paper. I was the official possessor of seven -titles and sub-titles, from Supervising Engineer to Sub-Director of the -Airways; I was the occupant of a capacious suite of rooms, with a huge -private office importantly marked "Hours by appointment only"; I had -the promised two thousand employees, from office girls to "Ventilating -Linemen," all of them strictly at my bid and call; and I was provided -with whole libraries of literature and a list of "55 everyday rules," -which, I was told, I must scrupulously follow. - -However, I hardly glanced at these rules, and never so much as turned -the pages of the instruction books; for I found that my assistants, at -less than a tenth of my salary, did all the work, while my only task -of any consequence was to sign my pay-check every five "wakes." This, -naturally, left me with much time upon my hands; yet I did not waste my -hours, but devoted them to enlarging my knowledge of the ventilation -system, until there was no man in all Wu who understood the apparatus -so thoroughly as I. It was not to be long before I should put my -information to use. - -In spite of my good fortune--good fortune that made me the envy not -only of the Third Class but of thousands of Second Class citizens--I -was still not contented, for there were many worries on my mind. One -was the dread of encountering Loa, whom I had never seen since being -declared eugenically unfit; I had, indeed, no intention of seeing her -if I could avoid it, but from time to time I ran across her father, -Professor Tan Trum, and always he would look at me with a reproachful -air, and inquire, "Why don't you come around to the house sometime, -my boy? Loa has been asking about you. Now that you are Second Class, -like us, it can no longer be your Class delicacy that keeps you away." -And always I would apologize, make some excuse--the pressure of work, -etc.--and promise to pay him a visit as soon as I was able. But -secretly I was trembling. Who knew but that Loa and her father would -find some way of setting aside the eugenics provision? - -This brings me to my second great worry. Day by day I was growing more -weary of the Underworld and of its network of galleries and chasms -illuminated with the weird greenish-yellow light; day by day I was -becoming more hungry for a sight of the open earth and its blue skies, -its stars and its sunlight and the faces of my own people. And my -thoughts were constantly upon means and opportunities of escape. But -I still was hopelessly imprisoned. More carefully than ever before, I -took stock of my position and found that the only connection between -the Underworld and the Overworld was by means of the ventilating -tubes, some of which admitted the fresh air from above, and others -of which were the outlets for used and vitiated air. But all these -vents had been placed under a military guard, for fear of attack by -Zu, and it was therefore impossible to approach them. Even could I -have approached, however, it would have been doubtful if I could have -climbed to safety through those steep and tortuous tubes. - -Therefore I was forced to postpone hope of rescue till a remote and -improbable future; and though the thought was never far from my mind, I -gave myself to more immediate concerns. - -Before I had been Ventilating Engineer for many "wakes," I began to -turn my attention to a project so vast, so ambitious, so astonishing -in its possibilities that I might have been deemed a madman merely -to conceive of it. It was the Ventilation Strike which had first put -the idea into my mind; and while in the beginning it had seemed too -fantastic for consideration, the idea kept recurring and haunted me -by day and in my dreams, until at length I weighed its advantages -dispassionately, and decided that it was not so impractical as it had -seemed. And thereupon I took the first steps toward that upheaval later -known as the Ventilating Revolution. - -Had it not been for a discovery which I had made a few days before, -the Ventilating Revolution would not have been possible. During my -investigation of the air system, I had come across a certain little -wheel, rusty with age and disuse, which I had turned with surprising -results. Upon being jerked slightly to the right, this wheel set into -operation an electric current which released a steel partition in the -central ventilating tube, blocking the channel somewhat as the human -breathing apparatus would be blocked by a pebble in the windpipe. It -was quite by accident that I had made the discovery, and at first I had -merely amused myself by choking the ventilation for periods of a few -seconds each--not long enough for the effects to be noticed. - - * * * * * - -But gradually, as I toyed with the wheel, a startling realization came -to me. Its rusted condition showed that it had not been used recently; -indeed, it may have been neglected for decades or even for centuries. -Was it not likely that the chalk-faces, because of their inability to -see clearly close at hand, had overlooked its existence? Was it not -conceivable that their ancestors, whose eyes had been less subject -to that paralysis of the muscles of accommodation which came of a -prolonged underground life, had been better able to see things close at -hand, and had made use of this little wheel, whose very existence and -purpose were now unknown and forgotten? - -So I asked myself; and later experience was to give me an affirmative -answer. - -The wheel, located in an unfrequented side-gallery a few hundred yards -from my office, now became the crux of a daring scheme. Suppose that -I were to stage a private strike? Suppose that, on my own account, -I should turn off the air-supply? Suppose that I were to deliver an -ultimatum to the rulers, demanding some supreme prize for myself--yes, -even demanding that I be made First Class, and be given an important -post in the Government! More than that! Why should I not myself take -control? Why not displace Thuno Flâtum? Certainly, I could not be less -fitted to rule! - -To such dizzy heights did ambition lead me! As I have already said, -I dismissed the idea at first as impractical--preposterous! Yet -gradually, despite myself, I was captivated. Did I not have all -resources at my disposal? Would not the people be helpless once their -air had been shut off? Would they not grow as panicky as during the -recent strike and gladly grant anything I asked?--and would I not be -helped by the reputation which those anti-strike organs, the _Blare_ -and the _Screamer_, had unwittingly built up for me? - -Besides, was not my present position ideal for success? Two thousand -ventilating employees, being subject to my orders, would follow -wherever I led; for such was their state of thoughtlessness that they -would act first and inquire afterwards, if at all, and would not know -whether they were shutting off the air-supply or turning it on. - -Despite all these advantages, however, there were scruples and doubts -that preyed upon my mind. Well I knew the results if my one-man strike -should fail; I would be seized as a traitor to the Ventilation Company -and sentenced to the violet ray! And even if the strike were to -succeed--would it be worth the cost? For my own part, I could provide -against the air-stoppage by supplying my office through a small pipe -specially connected with the main ventilating artery; but the millions -of common people would have no such protection, and, if the strike were -long protracted, many of them might be stifled. On what grounds could I -justify such loss of life? - -The answer, however, was ready at hand. Could I attain my objective -and supplant Thuno Flâtum as Dictator, I would take steps to end the -war with Zu--in fact, to outlaw war forever--and the millions of lives -thus saved would far outbalance the paltry few destroyed by the lack of -ventilation. "The gain justifies the means!" I told myself, quoting an -old adage of the chalk-faces; and, fortified by this high moral axiom, -I decided to take the plunge. - -The following day all Wu was thrown into a furor. Another ventilation -strike had been declared, stated the _Blare_ and the _Screamer_ in -a series of "Super-extra-extras." The air-supply had been cut off -entirely--and no one knew who the strikers were or what they demanded. -It was suspected that spies from Zu were behind the plot. - - - - - CHAPTER XXV - - Insurrection in the Air - - -Two "wakes" had gone by without ventilation. The land of Wu was -in a state of profound disorder--disorder compared with which the -disturbances of the previous strike were as nothing. Once more business -had come to a standstill; once more the thoroughfares, usually crowded, -were almost deserted by the "scootscoots"; once more the chalk-faces -stood about in little knots, anxiously talking, their drawn features -and worried eyes bearing testimony to the concern they felt. But now -the temper of the masses was much uglier than before. On the former -occasion, they had been fighting for a principle, and public opinion -had been with the strikers; but the present outbreak did not seem -to involve any principle at all. It meant merely suffering, loss, -and danger without any corresponding gain, and the people were both -frightened and indignant, and in their anger and fear they had no -hesitation about blaming the government for their trouble, on the -theory that governments should know how to rectify all unknown ills and -cataclysms. - -Consequently the Second and Third Class citizens, though usually meek -as babes owing to their thoughtlessness, were becoming unruly and -rebellious. They gathered in wild bands and processions, parading -through the First Class districts and shouting, "We want air! We want -air!" They stormed at the doors of the Ventilation Company, and even -at the palace of Thuno Flâtum and demanded, "Air for our children! -Air for our children!" They grew so bold as to flaunt placards, "A -new deal in air!" "Give us a safe and sane air administration!" and -"We stand for public ownership of the air!" And as if such radical -declarations were not sufficient, some of the ardent air-lovers burst -out in riots, wherein, on several occasions, the stone columns of First -Class dwellings were scarred and damaged, and more than one First -Class citizen was made to flee for his life. The insurrectionists, to -be sure, were always suppressed by the police, who, with rare good -marksmanship, boasted a 98% record of hits against rebellious backs; -moreover, they made excellent use of the "sneeze-gas bomb" (a clever -little weapon which produced a thousand sneezes to the milligram). Yet -in the face of all such discouragements, the rebel tide was rising, and -the authorities were frankly worried. - -Now I must confess that, after two "wakes," the state of the public -galleries was deplorable. The atmosphere, stagnant, hot, and heavy, -reminded me of nothing so much as a New York subway at rush hours; -the odors were such that one would have held one's nose had it been -possible to do so and breathe; the depletion of the oxygen had advanced -so far that many persons were complaining of headaches, while many -others felt as languid and dull as if they had been drugged. Plainly, -matters were becoming serious--so serious that even I, when I stepped -out now and then into the public corridors in order to sample the air, -winced and shuddered and wondered if I had not carried things too far. - -But grave though the situation was becoming, there was now no turning -back. Either I must carry the strike to a successful culmination--or -else I must fail beyond hope of recovery. - -While the whole country was being reduced to a state of acute distress, -no one as yet suspected the source of the trouble. Yet, all the while, -I was secretly moving toward my objective. As soon as the strike began, -I dispatched a message to Dictator Thuno Flâtum through one of those -pneumatic tubes which provide automatic mail service throughout Wu; -and since there was no way of tracing any letter back to its point of -origin amid the ramifications of the postal system, I knew that I was -perfectly safe in this course. And, at the same time, I took care that -Thuno Flâtum's reply should reach me in a manner equally safe. - -The following was my message: - - "_To His Abysmal Excellency_ - Thuno Flâtum - First of the First Class - Prime Dictator and High Chief Potentate of Wu - - "_Greetings_, along with a humble word from one of your subjects. - The air has been turned off, and will remain off until such time as - I decide to turn it on again. If, in the meanwhile, you wish the - ventilation restored, kindly announce in the _Blare_ or the - _Screamer_ when and where you will grant me an audience. But before - our meeting can take place, you must guarantee, on your word of - honor and that of your ancestors, not to permit me to be molested - in any way. Should this condition be violated, the country will - remain airless forever. - - "Yours militantly, - President People's Better Air Association." - - * * * * * - -On the following "wake" I dispatched a similar message, and again on -the third "wake"; while Thuno Flâtum, with characteristic stubbornness, -still withheld his reply. He had had the poor discretion, however, -to give out my letters to the newspapers (or, rather, his secretary -had had such poor discretion, for Thuno Flâtum was known to be too -busy fishing ever to read his correspondence). Hence both the _Blare_ -and the _Screamer_, on three successive "wakes," reproduced my -communications in full, commenting that they were manifestly the work -of a madman who should be hunted by the police and sentenced to the -violet ray. Subsequent developments showed that the editor of neither -paper suspected what an effect the public announcements were to have. - -Meanwhile the officers of the Ventilation Company, driven almost insane -by the failure of the air-supply, had turned from their customary -task of counting dividends in order to try to trace the reason for -the lack of ventilation. All their inspectors and engineers were made -to work overtime; I myself, much to my amusement, was instructed to -exert myself diligently to locate the trouble; and, of course, I made -a great show of seeming to comply, and bustled about my headquarters -officiously, flinging out orders by the dozen, and sending off my -subordinates to search in places where, I knew, they would find -nothing. That the cause of the air-stoppage would not be discovered -seemed a foregone conclusion; for the chalk-faces, thanks to their -inability to see clearly close at hand, might search for years without -being able to notice the all-important little wheel. - -By the third "wake," the Directors of the Ventilation Company were in -despair, Thuno Flâtum and the other high officers of the state were -said to be wearing a worried expression; the Dictator had cancelled an -engagement to play "poli-boli" (an athletic game, played with marbles, -especially popular with First Class citizens); and riots were breaking -out in scores of widely scattered places. Unless imminent relief were -forthcoming, as the _Screamer_ plainly hinted in an editorial, the -"sneeze-gas bombs" would not be able to control the mobs. - -At the same time, the _Blare_, in a front-page article, reversed -its previous attitude, and advised the Dictator to see "the madman -who insolently terms himself President of the People's Better Air -Association." Conditions were becoming so critical, the paper pointed -out, that it would be wise to clutch at any straw; indeed, the scarcity -of air was ruining business, as was evident from the fact that bank -clearings had gone down 75% in the past two "wakes." If the strike -continued another three or four "wakes," the cost might well rise as -high as 100,000,000 "silver fingers." The possible cost in life was not -considered. - -The argument of the _Blare_, as might have been foreseen, proved -unanswerable. The people, loyal as always to the printed word, were -clamorous in demanding that their Dictator see the "President of the -People's Better Air Association"; and no one seemed to remember that -only a few hours before, they had been equally clamorous in begging -their Dictator to refuse the interview. But such little reversals of -opinion were so common in Wu that I was not even surprised. - -Immediately I began making preparations for that meeting which I now -knew to be inevitable. It was not half an hour later when a new edition -of the _Blare_ declared that Thuno Flâtum was awaiting my visit, and, -in fact, had high hopes that our interview would end the strike. And it -was but a few minutes after reading this announcement when I set out on -my private "scootscoot" for the palace of the Dictator. - -I did not, however, go alone. To appear before the sovereign unattended -did not seem either wise or safe, particularly since I had to present -a proposal which, to say the least, was very bold. But who was to -accompany me? This question was very simply answered. Had I not two -thousand ventilation employees who were at my beck and call in all -things? Why not pick an escort of, say, about three or four hundred? - -To be sure, I did not wish to take any of my attendants into my -confidence or let them suspect what I was attempting. But such was -their stage of trained thoughtlessness that it was as easy to keep the -truth from them as from a three-year-old. Besides, there was a clever -little device which I might employ to prevent them from manifesting -any spark of intelligence. This was in the nature of the drug already -mentioned, the drug known as the "muffler"--which employers had been -wont to feed to employees, and which, by paralyzing the cerebral -centers, suspended all mental processes except the purely automatic -ones, so that the victims could take orders with mechanical perfection, -but were incapable of knowing, thinking, or feeling. - -As the Ventilation Company, in the course of its business, always -had a large supply of this drug on hand, I fed it to about 400 of my -followers; and then, its action being immediate, I ordered them all to -take their places at once in "scootscoots" and follow me. - -With this magnificent array of supporters in my wake, I lost no time in -setting off on my visit to Thuno Flâtum. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVI - - Revolution - - -Realizing that I was attempting an experiment which might lead to -disaster, I took one or two simple precautions before visiting Thuno -Flâtum. The first was to disguise myself, for I did not want it known -that it was a stranger, a foreigner, a "colored barbarian," who was -challenging the throne of the Dictator. The disguise was accomplished -simply enough, largely by means of some chalk-like powder, with which -I made my face milky pale; in addition, I used a pair of heavy amber -glasses, so as to conceal the gray of my eyes; and I steeped my hair -in an ashen dye, in order to give it the complexion considered normal. -Thus equipped, I was hardly to be distinguished from the average man of -Wu. - -But as I drew near the Dictator's headquarters, it occurred to me to -take another precaution. Was I not in danger from fanatics who, furious -at my interference with the air-supply, might waylay me and seek my -life? With this thought in mind, I dropped back to a position toward -the rear of the procession, after giving instructions as to where my -henchmen were to proceed. And well that I did so! When we had come to -within half a mile of that brilliant cavern where Thuno Flâtum held -court, we were impeded by a rabble, partly curious, partly hostile, who -flung stones and epithets, and distributed some "sneeze-gas bombs," by -which half a score of my followers were disabled. - -Fortunately, I myself emerged unharmed; and a few minutes later I -arrived, with the majority of my followers, in that great hall which -I so well remembered from my previous visit to the Dictator. As on the -former occasion, the entrance was guarded by a row of soldiers with -twenty-foot pikes and triangular helmets, who stood statuesque and -stone-like, not making so much as a gesture upon our arrival; as on the -former occasion, the walls were emblazoned with white, red, and yellow -lights, with enormous dragon-shaped banners of green and vermilion, -and with long lines of swords, pikes and helmets. And, also as on the -former occasion, Dictator Thuno Flâtum sat before the rows of great -mirrors on the raised platform, adorned with purple crest and a great -string of rubies, while twenty attendants stood about, solicitous to -watch every move and gesture of their imperial master. - -But how different was this arrival from my previous visit! Then -I had been forced to grovel and to approach the sovereign on all -fours, waiting impatiently until his lordship should condescend to -notice my existence. But today I marched boldly forward, with no -hint of deference; and my attendants, reduced to such a state of -thoughtlessness that they did not know themselves to be in the presence -of Thuno Flâtum, unquestioningly followed my example. Not till I was at -the very pedestal of the throne did I pause; and then it was without -any sign of submission. - -"Thuno Flâtum," I announced, with an abrupt bow, "here I am! I come at -your summons, as the President of the People's Better Air Association!" - -It was easy to see that my words had produced consternation. The -helmeted guards, clearly revealed by their reflections in the mirrors, -unbent from their stony rigidity sufficiently to allow the pikes to -tremble in their hands; the body servants of Thuno Flâtum seemed -paralyzed with amazement, and for the moment forgot their attentions -to their regal master in order to stare at me in petrified unbelief. -And a group of spectators, doing obeisance upon their hands and knees, -collapsed with surprise, and did not regain their composure for many -minutes. - -Apparently never before had Thuno Flâtum been addressed so familiarly! - -The monarch himself seemed dumbfounded and leaned forward in his chair -until I feared he would fall out, staring at me with his binocular-like -eye-pieces as if trying to see right through me. - -It was a moment before any of his attendants could recover themselves -sufficiently to lift the megaphone to his mouth. - -"What is that you say?" he squeaked, when at length he was equipped -with his speaking tube. "Do you know that you are addressing the Prime -Dictator and High Chief Potentate of Wu?" - -"To be sure, Your Abysmal Excellency, that is why I am here," I -returned, suavely. "It would hardly suit my purpose to waste time on -any lesser official." - -The "Prime Dictator" glared at me. Owing to the eye-pieces, the -ear-pieces, and the nose-pieces that covered his face, it was -impossible to see his expression clearly; yet I am sure he glared at -me. And his puny little form shook with such a violence of wrath that -not until his attendants had fanned him for five minutes and applied -doses of cold water was he able to find words again. - -"Who are you, to speak to me in this manner?" he at length demanded, in -accents which showed that he had not pierced my disguise. "Your tones -are the uncultivated ones of some Third Class viper! Do you not realize -that you have been guilty of Contempt of the First Class--an offense -worse than treason? Better men have been executed for less atrocious -crimes!" - - * * * * * - -Exhausted with the effort of this long speech, Thuno Flâtum had to be -fanned again by his lackeys and allowed several minutes in which to -recuperate. - -"What's to prevent me from punishing your insolence?" he finally -resumed. "Suppose I order you to be violet-rayed? I've more than a mind -to do so!" - -Through the mirrors, I could see how the guards behind me began to -creep forward, with their pikes pointed in my direction, as if eager -to commit capital punishment upon me. - -Though I could not repress a shudder, I knew that I had no course -except to be bold. "Punish me if you wish, Your Abysmal Excellency," I -challenged, "but my followers cannot be disposed of so easily. Those -you see here are as nothing to the hosts waiting to avenge me." - -"What do I care for your followers?" snapped Thuno Flâtum. "You -cannot cow me with threats! Men of my Class have ruled for a hundred -generations, and there has never been a revolt!" - -"All the more reason that one is due now!" I insisted. "Remember, Your -Abysmal Excellency, what power I hold! I am more precious to you and -your people than a thousand times my weight in silver!" - -Through the mirrors behind me, I could see that the guards were still -creeping forward. Also, I could detect a gleam of mirth in the salmon -eyes of some of the spectators, and realized that my words had been -taken less seriously than I could have wished. - -But my trump card was still up my sleeve. - -"Remember, Your Abysmal Excellency," I warned, "only one man in all Wu -is able to restore your ventilation. That man is I. If I perish, the -secret perishes with me, and you will all be turned over by lack of -air." - -Half-suppressed groans from the spectators, and from Thuno's -attendants, showed that this bolt had struck home. - -"How do I know you speak truth?" demanded the Dictator, with a furious -blare of the megaphone. - -"Test me, Your Abysmal Excellency. If you will agree to my terms, I -will restore the ventilation at any moment you stipulate." - -"You talk like a madman!" barked my opponent through his megaphone. -And then, after a moment's hesitation, "Still, there can be no harm in -hearing your offer. If you do not keep your promise, there will always -be time for punishment. What are your terms?" - -For a moment I did not answer. I stood staring at the Dictator intently -and was moved almost to pity for this contemptible being, with his -shrivelled limbs and artificial organs. Nevertheless, I picked my words -with the utmost caution, for I could see the guards behind me still -creeping forward by inches, while my own followers made way before -them; and I knew that the success or failure of my venture might depend -upon my next utterance. - -[Illustration: I knew that the success or failure of my venture might -depend upon my next utterance.] - -"Your Abysmal Excellency," I began, "according to all reports, you have -ruled long and notably. You have performed great services for the First -Class and for your country. But it is not fair that any man, however -willing, be harnessed too long with the yoke of state. After a time, -his shoulders should be relieved of the burden, so that he may enjoy -the pleasures of private life. It is for this reason, Your Abysmal -Excellency--" - -At this point, my speech was rudely halted. A blast of the Dictator's -megaphone rang through the audience-chamber as shrilly as a cry for -help. And Thuno Flâtum, straining forward with quivering form and face -that turned all colors from white to purple, staggered out of his seat -in his rage, shook his midget fist at me, and collapsed. - -It was several minutes before his attendants could fan him back to life -and his thoughts could find expression. - -"What!" he howled through the megaphone, after being restored to -himself. "What is that you suggest? You impudent rat! Do you have the -daring, the effrontery to ask that I--that I step down--" - -Choked by the fury of his own words, he was unable to continue. - - * * * * * - -An uneasy glance at the mirrors showed me that the guards were still -creeping up from behind, while my followers made way before them like -sheep. I did not care for the looks of their long gleaming pikes, nor -did I like the fascinated glances which the spectators were fastening -upon the pike-bearers, as if awaiting some interesting exhibition. - -Therefore I realized that I must lose no time. "Your Abysmal -Excellency," I pleaded, hastily, "you have caught my idea. For the good -of your country and the restoration of ventilation, it is time that you -step down, and that I step up--" - -By now the Dictator had regained his breath sufficiently to interrupt -me by bellowing through the megaphone. "So, you insolent hound! Now -we have your terms, have we? You would displace me on the throne! You -would displace me--_me_ Thuno Flâtum, the High Chief Potentate of Wu! -Seize him, guards! Seize him!" - -Before I had time to leap aside, I felt heavy arms about my shoulders -and found myself pinned in the iron grip of three guardsmen. - -Though ready to collapse once more with the effort of so much speaking, -Thuno Flâtum was able to bawl once more. - -"Take him away! Away! At once! Waste no time! I'll sign the death -warrant!" - -Vainly I strove to command my followers, to order them to my rescue. -But, automatons that they were, they failed at the crisis; something -had gone wrong with the operation of the drug, and they seemed -powerless to obey. - -As the guards started to drag me off, I saw how excitedly the -Dictator's twenty attendants were laboring to restore him to life. - -"One minute!" I shouted to the guards. "I must have another word with -his Abysmal Excellency!" - -The guards stood hesitating. One of them pulled rudely at my shoulders, -while I repeated the request; but the others seemed doubtful, and by -virtue of loud appeals I was able to restrain them until Thuno Flâtum -had recovered. - -"Take him away! Away! At once!" reiterated the ruler angrily through -his megaphone. "I'll sign the death warrant! We'll kill him by inches -with sulphur fumes--" - -While the guards started to drag me away once more, and my mind -conjured up visions of suffocation by sulphur, I cried out in a last -desperate plea. - -"One minute, Your Excellency! Remember, if I die, you all die too! -Without me, the air will remain off forever!" - -"Without you, the air will remain off forever?" echoed Thuno Flâtum. -"Then let it stay off! What do I care? Have I not my oxygen tanks?" - -And derisively he pointed to the steel tanks connecting with his -breathing tubes. - -Quick as a flash, I saw my opportunity. "So you would breathe while -your people smother?" I demanded. And then, turning to the guards, "Do -your duty, men! Take me away! Thuno Flâtum, your master, will still -breathe oxygen, while you will all smother!" - -The effect of these words was electrical. One of the guards, releasing -me with a hurried gesture, reached for his three-pointed helmet and -flung it off, to reveal a gasping, perspiring individual close to the -last stages of exhaustion. - -"I'm through!" he groaned. "By the gray hairs of my ancestors, I'm -through! For wakes and wakes I've been suffocating in this steel case! -I'm not going to go without air altogether! Let some one else be turned -over if they want! I'm going on strike!" - -"So am I!" announced a second guard, snatching off his helmet. - -"So am I!" snapped a third, and a fourth, and a fifth, until, in a -moment, all the pike-bearers stood unhelmeted and rebellious. "I'm -going on strike! On strike! On strike!" - -"We want air!" one of them started the cry. And "We want air, we want -air, we want air!" began to echo and reverberate throughout the whole -great hall. And the guards, surging forward in an angry mass, lost all -semblance of military order, but swung their pikes furiously in a chaos -of rushing, pushing, scuffling, shouting forms. - -For a moment, Thuno Flâtum was too thunderstricken for words. Then, as -his attendants crowded about him protectively, I thought I heard his -voice lifted during a momentary lull in the storm. "This is sedition! -Sedition! I'll have you all violet-rayed! I'll have you all--" - -But I did not hear the conclusion of the speech. Taking advantage -of the hubbub, I had started hastily toward the door, ordering my -attendants to follow. - -An instant later, as I slipped into the safety of the passageway, I was -aware only of the hoarse yelling of the guardsmen and of the confusion -of waving pikes. At last the Revolution had begun! - - - - - CHAPTER XXVII - - Triumph - - -Hardly had I escaped from Thuno Flâtum's audience hall when I noticed -an athletic looking individual darting from the direction of the -throne-room. Breaking through the ranks of my followers in frantic -agitation, he headed straight toward me; while I, imagining him to be -an agent of justice, hastened my footsteps in the effort to regain my -"scootscoot," which was waiting a few hundred yards away. - -But my efforts were futile. I was too greatly impeded by my attendants, -who had been reduced to such thoughtlessness that they would not get -out of my way; and, try as I might, my pursuer was gaining upon me. -"Wait a minute there! Just a minute!" he shouted, when he had come -within a few dozen yards. "Just a minute! I've something to tell you!" - -But, of course, the only effect was to spur my flight. - -Nevertheless, he finally caught up with me, puffing and panting -prodigiously, just as I had reached my "scootscoot" and was about to -dash away. And only then, as I turned in alarm to confront him, did I -recognize the official yellow badge of the press! - -"I represent the _Screamer!"_ he gasped, when he had halfway regained -his breath. "Let me have your story! Quick! The _Blare_ man will be -here any minute!" - -Surely enough, another individual, racing toward us from far down the -gallery, proved to be a reporter for the _Blare_! - -All at once I realized how foolish my flight had been. Though still -in a hurry to get away, I could find time to present my story to both -newspapers, with a wealth of detail. Although I did not quite foresee -the results, I already had a suspicion that the _Blare_ and the -_Screamer_ would prove my salvation. - -In less than an hour the new editions were on sale, competing with -one another in the sensationalism of their reports. "Air special! -Air special!" I heard the newsgirls crying from the court outside -my apartment window, as I paced back and forth, trying to decide on -my next action. "Insurrection in the guards! Thuno Flâtum defied! -Mysterious stranger demands throne as price of air! Read all about the -great rebellion! Super-super-extra-extra! Super-super-extra-extra!" - -Naturally, I rushed out into the gallery to buy a paper, but was able -to do so only with the greatest difficulty, for people were flocking -from all sides to get copies, and supplies were soon exhausted. -However, I did manage to get a _Screamer_, and this is what I read: - - INSOLENT STRANGER CHALLENGES THUNO FLÂTUM - - MAN IN AMBER SPECTACLES WARNS, "MAKE ME DICTATOR, AND I RESTORE AIR" - - _Guards in a Commotion! Back Claims of Audacious Intruder!_ - -There followed a highly colored account of the day's events, in which -I was described as a "madman seeking to start revolution," while Thuno -Flâtum was represented as "defending his position with the indomitable -might and valor for which the First Class is so justly noted." It was -admitted, however, that I was formidable, being backed by an army -variously estimated as between ten thousand and a hundred thousand -fanatics, of whom several thousand had accompanied me to the Dictator's -throne-room. In the face of such a menace, Thuno Flâtum was more than -courageous--so the papers said--to resist my demands, even though the -country should have to remain unaired for a few "wakes" more. - -As I glanced up from the paper, I could see that the people around me -were profoundly affected by the news. For once, it seemed, an action of -Thuno Flâtum had not met with unquestioning approval.... - -"What's that?" I heard a chalk-face to my left growling savagely. "So -we're to remain without air? Meanwhile the First Class can breathe from -oxygen tanks! Let's have air, I say! Air, air, air! What do I care -who's on the throne, so long as we can breathe.... Tell me, what do you -think, brother?" he demanded, turning in my direction. - -"I thoroughly agree!" said I. - -"So do I!" exclaimed an indignant voice from our right. "The children -haven't had a good clean breath for three wakes! Let Thuno Flâtum's own -children be turned over, if he likes! I want air for mine!" - -"So do I! So do I!" other voices joined in. "Air, air for our -children!" And hundreds enthusiastically echoed this sentiment. - - * * * * * - -I was not unprepared for the events of the next few hours. Toward -the close of the "wake," I went out to stroll along one of the main -galleries; and, seeing a crowd assembled in a great open chamber or -public square, I hastened forward with the feeling that extraordinary -news was abroad. Nor was I mistaken, although at first, amid the -babbling of many tongues, I was unable to discover what had happened. -All that I knew was that the people were gathered about in groups, -chattering excitedly, and that the words "Thuno Flâtum! Thuno Flâtum! -Thuno Flâtum!" mingling with cries of "Air! Air! Air!" occurred again -and again. But though I accosted many persons in my eagerness for -information, none would take time to answer by more than mumbled, -incoherent phrases. - -Yet by mixing with the crowd and listening, I managed to hear some -tell-tale remarks.... "Why, I thought Thuno would rule forever!" one -voice exclaimed: .... "Where did he run to?" demanded another.... -"I don't know. They say he's hiding in the Third Class basements!" -contributed a third.... "But I've heard he's gone fishing!" a fourth -added.... "Who's at the head of things now?".... "No one, they say, -till we get the air back." - -From these scraps of conversation, one fact at least was plain. But who -had overthrown the Dictator? And was his fall actual or but a ruse? - -Gradually, however, other details became evident. Led by the revolting -guards, a mob had stormed Thuno Flâtum's palace, demanding immediate -air, even though the Dictator must retire in favor of "the mysterious -stranger with the amber glasses." And when the ruler had refused, the -tempest of resentment had risen and forced him to flee. - -It was but a short while later when, as I had expected, the _Blare_ -and _Screamer_ came out with new editions. Their version, however, -differed considerably from what I had just heard. For the benefit -of his health, which had been affected by the strain of duties of -state, the Dictator had been advised by his physicians to take a brief -vacation, his whereabouts being concealed so that he might enjoy the -greater seclusion. Both papers ended with the pious hope that their -good sovereign might speedily recover. - -But both, at the same time, suggested that if the self-termed -"President of the People's Better Air Association" would restore the -ventilation without further delay, he would find the people ready to -grant any reasonable demand. - -Acting upon this hint, I dispatched immediate letters to both -newspapers. At precisely four hours and a quarter after the beginning -of the following "wake" I would turn on the air. And, exactly one hour -and a quarter later, I would appear in the Dictator's throne-room, -where Thuno Flâtum's guards might identify me as "the mysterious -stranger" of the amber spectacles. I would, of course, claim my reward -immediately, and would make no guarantee for the continuance of -ventilation unless all my demands were granted. - -Having dispatched these messages, I yawned and settled down for a good -night's sleep. I had need of rest, for tomorrow, I knew, might be one -of the crowning days of my career. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVIII - - Luma the Illustrious - - -The following "wake" I arose early, since there were many things to -keep me busy. First of all, I carefully prepared a speech and wrote a -letter, which I secreted in my pocket for use later in the day; next -I resumed my disguise, with the amber spectacles, the gray-dyed hair, -and the chalk-colored face; and then, taking care not to be seen, I -made my way to the side-gallery containing the rusty old wheel that -controlled the country's ventilation. There I waited, watch in hand, -and at precisely the promised minute, I gave a turn to the wheel, and -was instantly rewarded by feeling an invigorating breeze. - -Now, hastily, I made my way in a "scootscoot" toward Thuno Flâtum's -palace, where I was expected an hour and a quarter later. Gathering -a hundred ventilating employees about me, and ordering them to keep -closely at my side, I acquired a bodyguard suitable for the royal -position I hoped to assume; and, with these surrounding me, I hastened -to keep my appointment. - -As we sped through the various corridors, I noticed that the air was -again in motion, that the heavy depressing atmosphere of the past -few days was already being dissipated. And the people, observing -the change, were crowding out of their homes in throngs, shouting -and screaming at the tops of their lungs, "The ventilation! The -ventilation! The ventilation has been restored!"--while in their -jubilant excitement, they waved banners and blew horns and beat drums -and distributed showers of little colored paper like confetti--behaved -generally like school children at a festival. - -Drawing near the Dictator's palace, we were impeded by the multitudes -who came forth to greet us, shouting and gesticulating and executing -little whirling dances to show their pleasure. All along the galleries -they flaunted flags and placards bearing curious inscriptions: "Our -kingdom for a breath!"--"We demand our daily air!"--"Air for all -classes!"--"By air, and air only, shall we be ruled!"--"Where the -ventilation fails, the people perish!" and--last, but not least--one -that I may translate freely as follows, "Who steals my purse steals -trash, but he who filches from me my good air has left me poor indeed!" - -It was with difficulty that I made my way through the long gallery to -Thuno Flâtum's throne-room, for the crowds, recognizing me by the amber -glasses, insisted in pressing all about us. Only the protective screen -of a hundred attendants saved me from being crushed to death or torn -limb from limb in the people's eagerness to catch a glimpse of me and -show their appreciation. - -At length, however, I did reach the throne-room, where the guards -acknowledged my presence by bowing till their palms scraped the floor, -in the established fashion. As befitted a superior, I seemed not to -notice their salutations, but strode at a slow and stately pace toward -the center of the hall, and then, while thousands watched me in gaping -amazement, I mounted the raised platform of red sandstone, and stood on -the throne of the Dictator. - -As I reached this regal eminence, suddenly someone waved his hands -furiously and broke into cheers; and the multitude, accepting this as -their signal, echoed the cries in a roar of acclaim that did not die -down for many minutes. - -It was long before, by flinging both arms high in air and shouting, I -was able to bring order to the gathering and to launch forth upon the -speech I had prepared. - -"Fellow citizens of the First, Second, and Third Classes," I began, -"this is indeed an auspicious occasion. For the first time in more -than three wakes, we can all breathe freely again. At great cost -of personal sacrifice and labor, I have found a way to turn on the -ventilation--" - -At this point another salvo of cheers broke forth, combined with a -pandemonium of stamping feet, by which my hearers sought to emphasize -their applause. - -"At great cost of personal sacrifice and labor," I resumed, "I have -saved you all, my fellow citizens. For this service I claim no personal -reward, for the satisfaction of rescuing my countrymen will always be -sufficient compensation. However, I have a message to deliver. It is -from your Dictator, his Excellency, Thuno Flâtum." - - * * * * * - -The throng had all at once become silent; several thousand pairs -of eyes and ears strained forward eagerly, intently, while, with a -flourish, I removed a silver-sealed document from an inner pocket. - -"Here is a letter from Thuno Flâtum," I declared, well knowing that the -people, being unable to see clearly close at hand, would have no way -of detecting the falsehood. "Before I read it, let me introduce myself -by the name which our beloved Dictator has always applied to me. I am -called Luma the Illustrious." - -"Luma the Illustrious! Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah for Luma the -Illustrious!" thundered the mob, while hundreds bowed in token of -obeisance. "Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!" And from the rear of the hall -there came a flaunting of green and vermilion banners, in testimony to -the patriotic significance of the occasion. - -"Now listen carefully to the words of Thuno Flâtum!" I shouted, -unfolding the letter I myself had written a few hours before. - -And when the crowd had once more grown silent, I read in sonorous tones: - - "To _His Highness,_ Luma the Illustrious - - "Greetings and heartiest regards - - "Since my poor health makes it necessary for me to renounce the - duties of State for a time, I wish that you, Your Highness, would - rule in my place during my absence. I am confident that it would be - impossible to find any one more competent than your eminent self. - During my absence, the people must grant you the same unquestioning - respect and obedience they would accord to myself. - - "Faithfully your servant, - THUNO FLÂTUM, - _Prime Dictator and High Chief Potentate of Wu."_ - -For a moment, as I folded the document back into my pocket, a -thunderstricken silence possessed the people. Then all at once they -broke into such an uproar as I had never heard before. "Long live -Luma! Long live Luma! Long live Luma the Illustrious!" They cheered -and yelled, while writhing and leaping and stamping and dancing in -irrepressible glee. "Long live Luma! Long live Luma the Illustrious!" -My ruse had succeeded even beyond my expectations! - -Now, as never before, I realized the advantages of thoughtlessness. -My hearers, being all Second and Third Class citizens, had been so -thoroughly trained in this creed that it had never occurred to them to -question my assertions. Already I had resolved that, as Dictator, I -would make thoughtlessness compulsory. - -But alas for my high hopes! Just as I was mentally congratulating -myself on my success, there occurred an event that seemed likely to -undo all I had accomplished. The audience had scarcely ceased shouting -"Long live Luma! Long live Luma! Long live Luma the Illustrious!" when -a commotion arose at the corner nearest the entrance, and I could see -the guards swaying back and forth, as if to throw out some troublesome -intruder. - -"What is it, men? What is it?" I shouted, indiscreetly, not in the -least suspecting the source of the disturbance. - -Momentarily the commotion ceased, while the husky voice of one of the -guards shouted back. - -"Your Abysmal Excellency, what shall I do? There is a man here who -claims to be Thuno Flâtum!" - -At these words, I was as near to heart failure as I ever hope to be. -Momentarily a mist passed before my eyes, and I felt myself quivering -and clutching at an iron railing for support. Then, as the attack of -vertigo passed, I could see how the crowd, awed by the magic words -"Thuno Flâtum," had made way near the source of the commotion, leaving -a figure to wheel toward me on a "scootscoot," accompanied by half a -dozen attendants. - -How well I recognized that shrivelled form, with the bald head, the -toothless mouth, the ear-pieces and eye-pieces, the nose-tubes and -the megaphone! His royal garments were, it is true, a little frayed -and damaged; the purple crest upon his head was torn and bedraggled, -the green and saffron of his uniform was soiled with muddy blotches, -and the string of huge rubies no longer dangled about his neck. -Nevertheless, I had seen enough of the Dictator to identify him even in -his present shabby plight! - -"Your Abysmal Excellency, this man claims to be Thuno Flâtum!" repeated -one of the guards, as the figure on the "scootscoot" drew to within a -few yards of the sandstone platform. - -"Thuno Flâtum! Thuno Flâtum! He claims to be Thuno Flâtum!" I could -hear the mob echoing in surprise. - -"I _am_ Thuno Flâtum!" avowed the intruder with an angry squeak through -the megaphone. "I _am_ Thuno Flâtum!" - - * * * * * - -In that crucial fraction of a second, while all the world seemed to -reel about me, I realized that in an instant I might come crashing down -from my new-won eminence! I must act quickly--else all was lost! - -I do not know what it was that, in that desperate emergency, put the -saving thought into my mind. But my brain was working with the fury -of fever, and somehow, goaded by terror, I leapt at the one means of -salvation. - -"Seize that man! Seize him! Seize him!" I cried, pointing to the -newcomer with a swift imitation of anger. "It is a penal offense to -impersonate the Dictator!" - -"It is a penal offense, a penal offense to impersonate the Dictator!" -echoed the multitude. - -"But I am not impersonating the Dictator! I _am_ Thuno Flâtum! I _am_ -Thuno Flâtum!" insisted the puny figure on the "scootscoot," while his -thin right arm shook in my direction in impotent wrath. - -"Look at him! Just look at him! He claims to be Thuno Flâtum!" I -howled, with a sudden pretense at laughter; and rocked back and forth -in feigned mirth. "When did Thuno Flâtum ever wear soiled saffron? When -did he appear without the royal rubies? Guards, seize the impostor!" - -"Look at him! Look at him! Just look at him! When did Thuno Flâtum ever -wear soiled saffron?" yelled the mob, roaring with me in amusement more -genuine than my own. - -At the same time, the heavy arms of a guard closed about the feeble, -resisting figure. - -"But I am, I _am_ Thuno Flâtum!" he wailed for the last time. "It is -you, you who are the impostor! Only listen, only listen--" - -At this, he was greeted with louder laughter than ever, and the -thunders of public merriment drowned out his words. Luckily for me, he -was hidden from the sight of the majority; while those close at hand -could not see him clearly enough for recognition. - -"Guards, place him in a cell!" I shouted, when the peals of mirth had -begun to subside. "He is a dangerous madman! We will keep him locked up -until--until Thuno Flâtum returns!" - -As a corps of guards disappeared down a side-passage with the manacled -Dictator and his attendants, the crowd burst once more into cheers, -"Long live Luma! Long live Luma! Long live Luma the Illustrious!" - - - - - CHAPTER XXIX - - New Storm-Clouds - - -In order to press on to more crucial events, I shall not linger -over my first few months as Dictator. Clad in the magnificence of -my new office, I dwelt in a spacious suite of rooms with palatial -adornments and scores of attendants; I enjoyed the applause and -veneration of millions who bowed before me as before a god; my comings -and goings were heralded with blasts of trumpets and the rattle of -military trappings; I held court daily on the throne of Thuno Flâtum, -decided matters of public policy and law and issued orders which, -theoretically, could be disobeyed only under pain of death. - -Nevertheless, not all flowed smoothly. To begin with, there was the -secret opposition which I had to face. Both the Second Class and the -Third had accepted me readily enough as sovereign in the absence of -Thuno Flâtum and never so much as inquired why Thuno remained so long -on his vacation; but the First Class, it appeared, had not been trained -to an equal degree of thoughtlessness, and hence could not accept me -so unquestioningly. Many were the murmurs of complaint that came to -my ears; it was muttered that "Luma the Illustrious" was not really -"First of the First Class," as he claimed to be; that, indeed, he was -not First Class at all, but came of plebian birth. In proof of this -blasting accusation, it was pointed out that Luma was too healthy to -be First Class; that his limbs were not shrivelled enough and he could -actually walk long distances, like any Third Class nobody; that his -natural eyesight was good, his ears useful without hearing tubes, and -his lungs capable of functioning without artificial aid; while he was -neither bald nor toothless, as every "green-blooded" aristocrat should -be. In other words, he was a mere undistinguished interloper, without -noble lineage or antecedents. - -So persistent did such complaints become that I finally resolved on -desperate measures, and secretly instituted a drive against the First -Class. One by one the worst offenders disappeared from home, to take -up their lodgings in some remote cell; and only after detectives had -thus disposed of five hundred trouble-makers did the other First Class -citizens appear to agree on the wisdom of holding their tongues. -Thereafter all who questioned the legitimacy of my rule did so strictly -in private; and the First Class was as open as the two other classes -in acknowledging me as lord supreme. - -Meanwhile I was having other difficulties, due to my zeal to remedy -certain evils. While living as Second and Third class citizen, I had -observed scores of things which had seemed in need of reform; and I now -set about, as energetically as I could, to better the condition of the -people. But how obstinately the people objected to any betterment! - -For example, there was the matter of the "scootscoots." Having been -shocked at the innumerable accidents, which cost hundreds of lives -each day and more than once had nearly terminated my own existence, I -set about to establish a system of traffic rules. These were really -what we of the Overworld would consider simple and reasonable: that -all "scootscoots" keep to the right of the road, that green and red -lights be installed to guide traffic at intersections, and that no -"scootscoot" be permitted to travel faster than two miles a minute. -Yet what an uproar was created by these innovations! It was found, -indeed, that wherever the new rules were applied, the death-rate fell -more than ninety per cent--but what did this mean to the speed-hungry -chalk-faces?--nothing--less than nothing! - -"Luma interferes with the rights of private property!" cried the -affronted people. "He seeks to destroy individual initiative! He -attacks our ancient freedom to do as we wish with our own property! -If a man owns a 'scootscoot,' why can't he drive it any way he wants? -Traffic laws are confiscation!" - -Against this uproar it was impossible to make any headway. The new -rules were violated almost as a matter of principle; people would risk -fine and imprisonment sooner than submit. Bootlegging on the traffic -regulations soon became a popular sport; men would openly boast of -having offended, and violations became so frequent that, in disgust, -I abandoned the law, and the people, with shouts of joy, returned to -their old round of injuries and "turnovers." - - * * * * * - -Equally saddening were my experiences with the new food and clothing -laws. Remembering my earlier observations, remembering how the Third -Class had often been ragged and hungry and how vast quantities of good -food and clothes had been consigned to the furnaces, I decreed that -henceforth excess commodities should be distributed to the poor. But -alas--what a blunder this was! The outcry over the traffic rules was as -nothing compared with the storm of protests that greeted my latest move. - -"What! Give the excess to the poor?" howled the First and Second -Classes in an indignant chorus. "Encourage shiftlessness and indolence? -Reward improvidence and laziness? Overturn that good old economic rule, -'He who has most shall give least?' Did our fathers give to the poor? -Did they not burn their excess? Then why depart from their time-honored -rule? To change now would be to insult their memories!" - -Most vigorous of all, however, were the protests of the National Food -Producers and the United Clothing Manufacturers, Unlimited. - -"Your Excellency should realize," they wrote me in an open letter, -published in both the _Blare_ and the _Screamer,_ "that the profits -of business and consequently the prosperity of the nation depend upon -a scarcity of the vital commodities. So long as there is scarcity, -people will pay high prices and stockholders will reap huge dividends; -but as soon as abundance occurs, prices will sink and dividends -will correspondingly wane. This is, you will agree, an intolerable -condition, and should be avoided by every means at our disposal. -Accordingly, we recommend that you repeal the law forbidding us to burn -surplus products." - -Naturally, I paid no heed to this appeal; but I knew that I was -treading on dangerous ground. From the First and Second Classes came -renewed groans and rumblings of discontent, which, despite all the -efforts of the police, I could not suppress; while, to my despair, -I learned that hundreds of tons of food and clothing were still -feeding the flames each "wake," regardless of all my vigilance. -Worst of all, the Third Class--to whom I distributed vast amounts of -commodities--were unsatisfied with what I gave them and clamored for -more in such a grumbling, discontented chorus that I had almost more to -fear from them than from the other classes. - -Yes, hard and bitter, hard and bitter is the path of a Dictator! Before -a few months were over, I began to wish I had not launched forth on my -new career. - -To make matters still more serious, resentment at my other reform -measures was almost equally heated. Thus, there was the order against -adulteration of the air-supply, which brought down on me the wrath of -my old employer, the Ventilation Company; there was the rule raising -the military age of children from six to eight, which sent legions of -patriots fuming to my palace in protest; there was the law that spies -must receive a trial before being executed--which provoked widespread -denunciation on the ground of its "sentimental weakness"; and there -was the enactment taxing the First and Second Classes no less than the -Third--which almost led to armed rebellion before, in self-defense, I -withdrew it and restored the good old conditions, in which only the -Third Class paid taxes. - -Yes, hard and bitter was my path as Dictator! And, after the first half -year, it was to grow harder and bitterer still. - -But before I tell of my further public difficulties, let me mention -one private vexation. This was in connection with my good old friends, -Professor Tan Trum and his daughter Loa. - -For a long while, I had been out of touch with this estimable pair, and -I had hoped that, in my new rôle as "Luma the Illustrious," I would -be able to elude them entirely. But such was not to be. One day, when -delivering a public address in my throne-room, I chanced to notice -two familiar faces among the front ranks of spectators, and I saw how -a certain fat and bewrinkled lady was nudging an elderly man, while -pointing at me in excited recognition. Alas!--even my amber spectacles -and whitened face had not saved me! - -It was only a few "wakes" later when Tan Trum, accompanied by his -daughter, paid me a visit. In view of their many past kindnesses, I -could not refuse them an audience, as I would have liked to do; but I -foresaw that I was to have a difficult time. And, indeed, they were to -make things more than difficult! - - * * * * * - -After congratulating me on my rise, which they ascribed to the training -I had had at their hands, the Professor approached a delicate subject. -Judging from the ogling glances which Loa cast me, and the admiring -light in her little salmon eyes, it was all too evident that she, -magnanimous creature, was willing to forgive me for past rebuffs! - -"How happy your success makes me, my dear boy!" enthused Tan Trum, -wiping a tear from the corner of his eye. "How very happy! A -great burden has been removed from us all. You need no longer be -debarred--er--debarred from lifelong bliss. Loa has been faithful to -you, my boy!" - -"Yes, I have been faithful!" echoed the blushing damsel, with her -wrinkled face downcast. - -"We well realize your position, my dear friend," continued the -Professor, beaming upon me in apparent unconsciousness of my growing -consternation. "Weighed down by cares of State, you have had no time -to pay us a visit. Besides, it would be unseemly for a man in your -high position to visit our humble quarters. To be sure, you might have -summoned us here, but perhaps you hesitated, fearing to shock us too -greatly. Is that not so, my boy?" - -"Yes, that is so!" I groaned. - -"You see, Loa," the Professor went on, turning in a congratulatory -manner to his daughter, "you see what a considerate lover you have! I -always said that you were lucky, my dear. Yes, you are lucky, both of -you! I wish you many, many happy years, blessed by--" - -In desperation, I was ready to clutch at any straw. Remembering my last -escape from the persistent pair, I interrupted Tan Trum hastily. - -"But have you forgotten, Professor? Have you forgotten? Don't you -recall the eugenics test?" - -Both my visitors smiled upon me benignly, as one might smile at the -recollection of sorrow outlived. - -"Of course, we recall!" testified Tan Trum. "It was one of the great -griefs of our life. Poor Loa! How she wept! I actually feared for the -girl's health. It was seven wakes before she began to show a normal -interest in her wrinkles again!" - -"I didn't care what happened to me!" added Loa, looking up with a -demure twinkle in her eye. "Since you were lost to me, it didn't seem -to matter if I lost all my fatness. But now, of course, my dearest, all -that is over!" - -"Yes, now, thank the gods, all that is over!" piously echoed the -Professor. - -"I don't see quite how," I replied, weakly, while a stabbing sensation -seemed to take me at the heart. - -"Why, it's all as plain as light," declared Tan Trum, still smiling. -"Be more cheerful, my dear boy! Since you are now a law to yourself, -what do you care about eugenics? You can declare yourself eugenically -fit, and who will dare to contradict you?" - -All at once, as I realized the truth of these words, I felt a profound -regret at having become Dictator. - -"To be sure, your former disbarment was valid enough," rambled on the -Professor, while in Loa's eyes I caught an adoring flash. "Having no -military ancestry, you naturally weren't qualified to become the father -of a family. But now that you are in a high position, your sons won't -have to go out to fight and be turned over--" - -I do not know how or why--perhaps it was the Professor's reference to -fighting--but at this point an idea leapt into my head. - -"All that is true," I broke in. "I have, as you declare, no fighting -ancestry. Therefore, before assuming domestic responsibilities, I must -justify myself in my own eyes, if not in those of the people. I have -decided that before I can--er--before I can accept my happiness, I must -go forth to the field of honor. Tomorrow I lead the army to battle!" - -This decision, though reached this very moment, now seemed unalterable -and final--my one hope of escape. - -Both the Professor and his daughter looked downhearted. - -"Oh, but that isn't necessary, my dear boy!" frowned the former. "You -have too high a conception of honor!" - -"Why, it's unheard of! The leaders of the country never go forth -to fight!" pleaded Loa, beginning to pout a little. "Their place -is to make others fight! Their own lives are too valuable to risk -being--being turned over!" - -"What do I care for the risk, when my country's welfare is at stake?" I -demanded, vaingloriously. - -And then, firmly entrenched in my new decision, I repeated, "Tomorrow -I go forth to the field of honor! Upon my return I shall send for you -both. Meanwhile kindly give my regards to Tan Tal, Moa, and Noa." - -As the tall form of the Professor, drooping a little gloomily, left the -audience chamber side by side with the rotund figure of his daughter, -I still did not know that I had done more than to postpone the -inevitable; nor had I any intimation of that whirlwind of events which -was to make this my last meeting with Tan Trum and his family. - - - - - CHAPTER XXX - - News from Zu - - -Anxious as I had been to avoid complications with Loa, her coming had -not been the only reason for my sudden decision. For a long while, the -difficulties occasioned by my reform measures had been growing more -serious and the voices of popular complaint more menacing; hence I was -anxious to find some way of diverting public attention. Moreover, the -war with Zu, which dragged on interminably, was daily becoming more -vexing; I still did not dare to antagonize public opinion by ending the -conflict, as I had originally planned; and, to make matters worse, the -enemy had lately attacked with new energy and resourcefulness. Already -they had wrested from us a stretch of Nullnull seven yards deep and -fifty-nine yards wide--a defeat which, though our papers did their best -to conceal it, had somehow become public knowledge, vastly weakening my -prestige. - -I therefore realized that, in order to regain the ground I had lost, Wu -must retake the ground it had lost; and I understood that, in attaining -this objective, my presence on the field would be the best stimulus to -the troops. Not that I actually cared a pin for Nullnull; but, knowing -my reputation to be at stake, I was willing to risk all for the sake -of a little of this barren land. As to whether I was competent to lead -the troops, I felt no doubt at all; all our generals were so thoroughly -versed in thoughtlessness that they did not seem hard to surpass; and, -besides, had I not had six months' experience during the World War, as -a lieutenant in the Commissary Department? - -No action since I had become Dictator evoked such enthusiastic response -as the announcement that I was about to command the army. The _Blare_ -and the _Screamer,_ commending me in full-page editorials, expressed -their thanks that I was ready to bring my people to "the most glorious -turnover in history"; the masses, acclaiming me in wild demonstrations, -cheered and celebrated until one would have thought I had already -achieved a victory, instead of merely having promised one; a delegation -of generals did me the honor of a personal visit and embarrassed me by -presenting their plans, which were featured by an attack on the babes -of Zu, whom they intended to slay in the cradle, in order to avoid -having to slay them later on the battlefield. - -Now I confess that my own plans were a little vague. So weary had I -become of the Underworld that I did not particularly care if I should -be "turned over" in the next engagement; however, I still had some -principles and did not hesitate to antagonize the generals not only by -rejecting the assault on the infants, but by vetoing other projects, -such as the one calling for a Subterrain of unprecedented power, which -would shatter the roof above the capital of Zu, burying the city and -all its people amid the ruins. - -Not quite realizing how the disgruntled generals were to conspire -against me in secret, I set out on a "scootscoot" in the midst of -an army of a hundred thousand picked soldiers, who, with their -three-pointed helmets gleaming savagely while they marched with their -peculiar prancing movement, made a resplendent and magnificent display. -As we proceeded along the main avenues and galleries, the people came -out to greet us with drums and banners, while they were shouting -exultantly, "Have a successful turnover! A successful turnover! A -successful turnover!" And the waving of banners, the stamping of feet, -the discharging of toy explosives, and the glances of admiring eyes -were such as to make the heart rejoice, in haughty contempt of any -minor incident, such as a "turnover." - -Owing to the torrential applause, my advance was greatly retarded -and several "wakes" were consumed in the march to the "depths," -as the natives termed the battle front. And, during the interval, -tremendous changes were afoot. We caught intimations of these in -the bulletins from Zu, which stated that the enemy, terrified at -reports of my approach, were already thinking of retiring from the -"top-line depths." Due to the happy intervention of our Bureau of -Public Delirium (otherwise known as the "Propaganda Office") our spies -in Zu had spread alarming reports as to the new Dictator of Wu; I -was represented as a giant eight feet tall, who, thanks to his amber -glasses, had a supernatural faculty of seeing close at hand, and was -therefore irresistible in battle. The people of Zu--who, it appeared, -had been as well-trained in thoughtlessness as their rivals in Wu--had -been greatly impressed by such reports, which they never thought of -questioning, particularly as the stories were circulated by those -leading papers, the _Fizz_ and the _Pratler_; and the consequence was -that a wave of fear was shooting through the country. - - * * * * * - -To this day I am not certain just what changes occurred in that -disturbed land. Our own papers, of course, were scrupulously -unreliable, since a biased attitude was regarded as a patriotic duty; -nevertheless, I knew that there must be some kernel of truth amid all -the multitudes of rumors. Stories of riots and insurrections; stories -of anti-war demonstrations; stories of the citizens' open refusal to -go forth and be "turned over"; stories of a rebellion of the Third -Class against the First and Second--all these came to us in such a -continual stream that it was clear that something highly significant -was developing. - -Yet I was little prepared for the sequel when, on the fourth "wake" -since my departure for the "depths," we reached the actual war area. I -recognized the region easily enough, by the tremendous chasms, such as -the one which Clay and I had observed on our arrival in Wu; besides, -I could read everywhere the effects of warfare in the torn and broken -galleries, the corridors with walls blown out and with ceilings sagging -or fallen, the rutted and broken roads, threaded with deep gullies, and -the general effect of blackness and devastation, which had blotted out -every sign of human life. - -Now it was that I began to look eagerly for the enemy, who were -rumored to be in hiding hereabouts. My scouts pushed on ahead, being -told to report any sign of hostile activity; while I, pitching camp -in the wilderness at one corner of Nullnull, impatiently awaited that -engagement which would either "turn me over" or make my reputation -forever as the savior of Wu. - -But once more I was to be disappointed. It has been regarded as one of -the first principles of warfare, in all lands and ages, that, in order -to fight, one must have an enemy--and, in this case, where was the -enemy? Alas!--he could not be found! Had he undertaken a "strategical -retreat"? This seemed quite possible, for nowhere amid all that ravaged -land could we catch sight of a warrior of Zu. It now appeared that -we could take all Nullnull without any loss of life; but this, being -against all established precedents, which required a large "turnover," -would have gained me no glory. Hence I could do nothing but wait, -hoping that the men of Zu would be so obliging as to show themselves as -targets; and, while I waited, several more "wakes" dragged past, and -I was told that my own people were beginning to grumble at my want of -action and were demanding more definite "results." - -I was on the point of marching on, although much against my better -judgment (for I feared a trap), when one "wake" a courier dashed into -camp, breathless with haste, and demanded to see me at once. At first -the man was so agitated that his face, instead of being chalky-pale, -was flushed a deep scarlet; and, upon being ushered into my presence, -he was unable to do more than gasp out a few meaningless monosyllables. - -"Your Excellency--Excellency," he panted, when, having made deep -obeisance, he stood before my chair, streaming with perspiration. "Your -Excellency, I--I have just come from Zu!" - -"Yes--what of it?" I demanded. - -"Oh, Your Excellency--Your Abysmal Excellency, the most wonderful -news!" ejaculated my visitor, as by degrees he regained his breath. -"The most marvelous, most miraculous news!" - -"What news? Out with it!" - -Still panting, and with chest powerfully heaving, the man paused for a -moment, the better to regain control of himself. - -"Your Abysmal Excellency," he resumed, in a less excited manner, -although with his tense emotion still manifest, "I have just been -in Zu! I have seen what none of our countrymen have seen! The news -is still censored. But I know that I speak truth. There has been a -revolution in Zu!" - -"A revolution?" I cried, leaping to my feet, while my caller's -excitement began to take fire in me. - -"Indeed, Your Excellency, a great revolution! The people have risen up -and driven Oono Yuno, the old Dictator, from the throne. It was not -because of the war, Your Excellency. They say he did not give them the -right capsules to eat. And now they have a new Dictator." - -"New Dictator? Who may he be?" - -"I wish I knew, Your Excellency. Nobody seems to know. He calls himself -Rah the Righteous. He is said to have the strangest looks of any man in -the world." - -"What does he look like?" I demanded, growing more interested each -moment. - -My informant hesitated. An expression of fear shot across his face, now -growing chalky white once more. "You are sure that you will not punish -me, Your Excellency? The tales are so strange that you will not believe -them. I do not know if I believe them myself." - -"Come, tell me everything!" I insisted, half convinced that I was about -to hear some fairy story. "I will not have you punished." - -"Well, Your Excellency, I know you will laugh. No man like him has ever -been seen before. They say his eyes are blue. And his hair is red." - -"Eyes blue? Hair red?" I gasped. And I reeled backwards and felt -ready to collapse. Had not the Tan Trums assured me, long ago, that -red-haired natives were unheard of? And had not my lost friend Clay -boasted locks of a bright carrot hue? - - - - - CHAPTER XXXI - - Rah the Righteous - - -Hardly had the courier left when I hastily dictated a letter: - - _"To His Abysmal Excellency_ - Rah the Righteous - Dictator of Zu - - "_Whereas_ our army has been maneuvering for wakes on the outskirts - of Nullnull, and has been unable to find any of your followers to - turn over, we conclude that your citizens are too craven to join us - in battle, and therefore demand that you cede the whole of Nullnull - to us immediately and unconditionally. Otherwise, beware! - - "Belligerently yours, - Luma the Illustrious, - _Prime Dictator and High Potentate of Wu."_ - -This letter was, of course, duly written on the official stationery in -the handwriting of the court scribe, and was in the common language -used by both Wu and Zu. But underneath the formal message, to which I -affixed my signature with a flourish, I added the following words in -English: - -"For God's sake, Phil, is it you? If so, let's get together! Frank." - -Knowing that these words would convey no meaning unless the new -Dictator of Zu were my old friend, I hurriedly delivered the letter to -a messenger who, carrying the pink badge of neutrality, was allowed to -travel through enemy territory unmolested. - -Within a few hours, Rah the Righteous would have the communication; -hence it was with the utmost impatience that I waited. Meanwhile copies -of my message were sent to the _Blare_ and the _Screamer,_ which -printed it conspicuously, with laudatory comments on my "firmness" and -"courage" in dealing with Zu. - -Before the "wake" was over, the reply was in my hands: - - _"To His Abysmal Excellency_ - Luma the Illustrious Dictator of Wu - - "_Whereas_ I have just received your missive, and have read it with - astonishment at your effrontery, I refuse unqualifiedly to accept - any of your terms, and demand that you, for your own good, cede the - whole of Nullnull to us. - - "Defiantly yours, - Rah the Righteous, - _Dictator Supreme and Sovereign Commander of Zu."_ - -It was with an amused smile that I read the above message. But what -a leap my heart gave, how I paused in startled delight and almost -cried out for joy at a little postscript, scribbled in English, in a -well-known handwriting: - -"Thank heaven, Frank, it's you! I'd given you up ages ago! Meet me -the beginning of tomorrow wake at the end of gallery C 341, at the -northeast end of Nullnull. Better come disguised. Phil." - -Still unable to overcome my astonishment at the prospective reunion -with my old friend, whom I had long lamented as lost, I passed a -sleepless night; and hours before the brightening camp-lights had -announced the beginning of the new "wake," I had risen from bed, -disguised myself by means of a steel helmet and a long flowing black -robe, and slipped away silently through the wilderness of galleries -that tunneled the borderland of Nullnull. - -I well knew that the adventure was not without its perils; -nevertheless, the hope of seeing Clay again more than sufficed to -overcome my fears. Guided by a flashlight, I kept on at a steady pace -through the darkness, until at length a welcome sign, stamped in the -rock of the cavern wall, informed me that I had reached gallery C 341. - -Down this thoroughfare, which wound tortuously, I proceeded at an -increasing pace, while my eyes explored the shadows in the hope of -encountering a well-known figure. But it seemed as if I had traveled -miles before finally the gallery came to a dead end just ahead, and I -stopped short, dismayed and baffled. My friend was not to be seen! - -Then, as I paused, removing my helmet for the sake of comfort and -wondering whether to retrace my steps, a vague shape withdrew from -the dimness behind a shelf of rock. At first, amid the blackness of -the cavern, illuminated only by my flashlight, the newcomer seemed -more like a ghost than a human being; while, startled by his eerie -appearance, and by his head and shoulders muffled in a heavy cape, I -hesitated to speak. - -But, even at that instant, a well-known voice rang through the air: -"Frank!" - -"Phil!" I called back; and, the next moment, we were gripping each -other's hands in a fervent clasp. - -I do not know how long we lingered there, bound in that delighted -handclasp, or clapping each other on the shoulders with affectionate -glee; while, overcome by emotion, we were too greatly stirred for -coherent speech. - -"Well, old fellow, let's have a look at you!" at last ejaculated Clay, -pulling out a flashlight and casting the rays full upon my face. "Say, -how you've changed! You're looking like your own grandfather!" - -"Years have gone by, you know," I returned, not pleased by this -compliment. "Now let's take a glance at you!" - - * * * * * - -Clay pulled down the mantle that had half hidden his features, and I -saw that his red locks were as abundant as ever--in fact, had grown -long as those of a bobbed-haired girl. He had also sprouted a full red -beard, which greatly added to his impressiveness, while his face had -subtly, unmistakably changed, and deeply graven lines along his cheeks -and brow bore evidence of recent suffering. - -"Say, old pal, I never expected to see you again this side of Saint -Peter's gate!" declared Clay, while I was examining his changed -features. "I thought the lightnings had got you long ago, in the battle -cavern, when we both ran for dear life!" - -"I thought they had got you! I never heard a word of you again till -yesterday!" - -"Nor I of you! By the devil--we're going to have a good time hearing -of each other's troubles! I've had my share, Frank! And you look as if -you've had yours!" - -"Oh, I've been all right," said I. "Let's hear your story first!" - -"No, yours first!" he insisted, and seemed so bent on having his -way that I yielded. Both of us took seats on a rocky ledge amid the -obscurity, and for the next twenty minutes I recited the highlights of -my recent adventures. - -"Jumping snakes, old fellow, but you've had a time of it!" exclaimed -Clay, when I had finished. "Ought to put it in a book when you get -back! But, at that, I don't think you've got me beat one whit!" - -"No? What happened to you?" - -Clay settled back on the ledge, as if seeking a more comfortable berth; -and it was a moment before he spoke. Meanwhile it seemed to me that I -saw, from behind a bend in the gallery, a sudden flutter of light, and -a suspicious shadow moving. But thinking this no more than a sentinel -on his rounds, I tried to dismiss it from my mind. - -"Well, old pal, let's go back to when we parted," Clay began his -narrative, with a reminiscent drawl. "Both of us were pretty much in -a hurry, with lightning bolts flashing all around and likely to knock -us to the other side of tomorrow. I remember scampering down the main -gallery, with the lightning just about missing me on every side; then -I dashed off down a side-gallery, where the lightning couldn't hit; -but I was so mightily scared that I ran till my legs gave out. Then -suddenly I noticed that you were gone, and it came to me that you had -either been hit, or else had dashed off down another side-gallery. So I -started back and lost my head so completely that I cried out, 'Frank! -Frank!' at the top of my voice. Well, I had to pay for that folly! -It wasn't a minute before I was surrounded by white-faced savages, -whooping like wild Indians; and they lost no time about tying me with -wire and carting me away. Later I learned, that they were war-scouts -from Zu, spying on their dear old enemies of Wu. - -"They bore me to their own country and threw me into a dungeon as a -prisoner of war. Once or twice they were on the point of executing me, -but my red hair interested them so much that they changed their minds -just in time to save my neck. Finally they decided to exhibit me in -a circus as a 'Wild man from Poko'--the name they give to the center -of the earth, where they thought I hailed from. But one day, owing to -my ability to see close at hand, I managed to pick the circus lock -and escaped. I turned my hair white by means of some stolen dye and -whitened my face also--then played highwayman, waylaying an obliging -old gentleman and forcing him to change clothes with me--so that I -could now pass as a native. By this time I had learned a good deal of -the language and was able to start life as a Third Class citizen, after -being sponsored by an agent of the Department of Public Unemployment, -who arranged to have me swallow the Oath of Fidelity and take a regular -job, in return for signing over my wages for the first hundred wakes." - -"So, after all, Zu doesn't seem very different from Wu," I commented. - - * * * * * - -Clay laughed. "From all I can make out," he observed, "they're as much -alike as the two halves of a split orange. Guess that's why they hate -each other so heartily." - -"Guess so," said I, while, as Clay settled back to resume his story, I -thought, for a second time, that I could see that mysterious light and -that strange shadowy form flitting across the darkness far down the -gallery. - -"My new work," continued my friend, "was as an employee of the -Synthetic Capsule Producers, who manufacture all the country's food. -By heaven!--how I loathed that job! All I had to do all day was to -mix vitamins in the bread-capsules, making sure that they got just -the right proportion of every vitamin from A to X. I didn't stick at -that long, however; being able to see close at hand, I made myself so -useful that I was promoted time after time, and after about a year -became a Second Class citizen. All the while I was looking for a -way to escape to the Overworld, but couldn't find any; also, I made -a thousand inquiries about you, but no one had ever heard of any -gray-eyed man like you. So I kept on working for the Capsule Producers, -who still kept promoting me, until at last I was General Distribution -Manager--which means that I had pretty much the freedom of the works, -without anything much to do except draw my pay. Then it was that I -started the Great Salt Revolt." - -"Great Salt Revolt?" - -"Yes, haven't you heard of it? About the biggest thing that ever -happened in Zu! All began through an accident, too, or rather, through -experiment. You see, it had struck me that these chalk-faces didn't put -salt enough in their food, and you know how I've always liked salt; so -one fine wake, when no one was looking, I emptied a few kegs of good -old sodium chloride into a batch of dough being made into capsules -for the whole country. The results were excellent, I thought--for the -first time since reaching Zu, I could eat dinner with relish. But the -natives didn't agree. You ought to have seen the faces they made when -they tasted those capsules. Some of them grew deadly sick--suffered -acute indigestion, convulsions, and other severe symptoms, for they had -been so long with only a bare pinch of salt that their systems couldn't -stand the added dose. I tell you, I never saw such wild times. There -was riot, insurrection, almost civil war! The people thought they'd -been poisoned, and they stormed about the Dictator's palace, crying, -'We want better food, better food, better food!' It was the funniest -thing I ever saw." - -"But, certainly, they could recognize the taste of salt!" I objected. -"And, besides, chemists could analyze the capsules." - -"No, they couldn't recognize the taste!" denied Clay. "They've always -had salt in such minute quantities that they don't know what it tastes -like. And as for the chemists--of course, they made the analysis, -but who would believe them? The people had been so well-trained in -thoughtlessness that they couldn't recognize the obvious. So they went -right on believing they'd been poisoned." - -"Even so," I argued, "what was to prevent the authorities from throwing -away the salted food and distributing new capsules?" - -"Nothing, nothing at all would prevent it!" Through the darkness, from -the ledge of rock where Clay sat, I heard a peal of laughter. "Nothing -at all to prevent it, Frank! They did just as you say! But they were -reckoning without me!" - -"Without you?" - -"Yes, without me! You see, I had my own little game to play. It -had come to me that whoever controlled the food controlled the -country--and I was getting tired of a second-rate position. In my job -as General Distribution Manager, it was easy enough to get access to -the food vats--and I arranged to have a few more kegs of salt poured -into the capsule mixture every time as it was made. - -"Then how the sparks did fly! The people, hit in their most vital spot, -were in a revolutionary mood; already old Oono Yuno was tottering on -his throne. When I felt that it was about time to strike, I circulated -an anonymous letter, stating that I, and I alone, knew how to remove -the poison from the food--and offering to give a demonstration. I -won't weary you now, Frank, with the details; it's enough to say -that, when the people found that I could keep my promise and give -them unadulterated food, they hailed me as their savior, threw over -Oono Yuno and his party, whom they blamed for the bad capsules, and -installed me in his place as Dictator, pledged to a policy of 'No salt -in the bread!' So here I am! A wonderful sort of Dictator, don't you -think?" - - * * * * * - -Once more Clay's laughter rang merrily through the darkness. - -"We're a beautiful pair of Dictators, Phil!" said I, joining in his -laughter. - -But my mirth was cut short abruptly, for did I not again see a -mysterious shadow shifting amid the dimness far down the gallery? - -Clay, however, could see nothing, though he strained his eyes in the -attempt. Dismissing the apparition as a creature of my imagination, he -slapped me heartily on the shoulder, and resumed. "Yes, old boy, we've -both struck our gait at last! A lovely couple of dictators! But say, -don't you know that we shouldn't meet like this for a friendly chat? -We're supposed to be enemies!" - -"Yes, deadly enemies!" I laughed, giving him a playful jab in the ribs. - -"If we were found together, it would be treason!" he went on, lightly. -"Dictators of rival countries aren't expected to be friends! It's -against all the rules!" - -"Well, I'll tell you, Phil," I urged, coming to the matter that was -closest to my heart, "we don't have to keep on breaking the rules. What -do you say if we both chuck this dictator job and make a dash for home -and the open air? I know all about the ventilation flues, and if we -tried the climb, by means of ropes--" - -Even through the shadows, I could see my friend shaking his head -disapprovingly. "Hold on there, just a minute, Frank! What the devil's -getting into you!" he interrupted, a little resentfully. "Here I am, -beginning to enjoy myself for the first time, and now you tell me to -leave! I've only been Dictator a few wakes, you know. I want to hang on -a while and find out what it feels like." - -"Oh, you'll find out, all right!" I predicted, remembering my own -experiences. - -"Besides," he pursued, in a little more somber tone, "don't you think -that we both ought to try to settle things down here before making our -get-away? I mean, about this war. What it's all about, I don't know--so -why not end it? Suppose we fix up a little treaty?" - -"A very good idea," I agreed. - -"We'll have to split up Nullnull between Wu and Zu about fifty-fifty. -Then we'll both claim a glorious victory, and the most thoughtless -patriots everywhere will be satisfied. First, of course, you and I will -have to conduct some diplomatic negotiations, couched in the deadliest -and dullest language. Then we'll meet formally as enemies, and sign the -treaty. After that, the war will be over, and everyone will go home -happy." - -"Splendid!" I approved. Yet already a suspicion crossed my mind that -not everything would work out as Clay had predicted. - -"Well, old fellow, I suppose I'd better get along back to my -followers," remarked my friend, as he rose from his ledge and took my -hand in a warm grip. "Might be missed if I stayed away too long. Guess -you're in the same boat yourself. Good-bye, old pal! See you again -soon!" - -How soon he was to see me, and under what distressing circumstances, -was a matter still beyond my knowing. - -Yet, as I started off again through the black recesses, the sight of a -shadowy shape and of a faint swaying light startled me once more like a -silent warning. - - - - - CHAPTER XXXII - - Toppling Thrones - - -According to our agreement, the Dictator of Zu and I lost no time -about negotiating for peace. Our messages, true to the native custom, -were phrased in the most pompous and ponderous language, conveying -the impression that we disdained words of under six syllables; yet -we were not so ruled by formality that we lost sight of our object. -Within about thirty "wakes," we had come to the stage of arranging an -armistice; and Clay and I, meeting with great bluster and ceremony at -the border line of the two countries, but giving no sign of mutual -recognition except for an occasional sly wink, duly affixed our -signatures to the document which officially ended the war between Wu -and Zu. - -All this, however, was not quite so easy as it may sound. Both of us -were splashing in stormy waters--more stormy, perhaps, than either of -us realized. I was unable to keep close track of events in Zu, for the -waves were dashing so threateningly over my own head that I had no -time for outside affairs. But I was soon to learn how closely Clay's -experience paralleled mine. - -Never had any of my acts aroused such opposition as the attempt to -establish peace. Even the move to tax the First and Second Classes had -been less tempestuously received; the _Blare_ and the _Screamer_ openly -condemned me as "capitulating to the enemy," and were not silenced -even by my threat to suspend their publication; the people rose in -mass demonstrations, shouting "Down with Zu! Down with Zu!" I was the -recipient of innumerable petitions which warned against "Peace without -victory!" and protested that "No honorable settlement is possible until -the enemy turnover is double our own." - -At the same time, insidious propaganda was being passed by word of -mouth through every pit and gallery of the land. "What is to become -of the munition makers if we end the war?" it was asked. "They will -lose heavily on their investments." ... "Yes, and a million men will -be thrown out of work," it was added ... "Have we none of the ancient -hardihood of our fathers?" others would cry. "Do we pusillanimously -dread to be turned over?" ... "Let us not surrender until Nullnull -is wholly ours!" still others would shout. "We must make the world -safe for the First Class!" And, mingled with these cries, there were -exclamations about "The lofty ideals of the battle caves!" "The triumph -of thoughtlessness!" and "The turnover to end turnovers!" until the -people were in such a frenzy that nothing I said was able to reach them. - -I was fast approaching despair and was even debating whether it would -not be better to renew the war than to risk a revolution, when a series -of unprecedented events put an end to all my plans. - -Early one "wake" shortly after rising from a sleepless bed, I picked up -a copy of the _Screamer_ and was greeted by news that, I fear, made my -eyes fairly bulge out of my head: - - REBELLION IN ZU! - - _Rah the Righteous Overthrown!_ - - _Country in Turmoil!_ - - "A counter-revolution broke out yesterday in Zu, owing to charges - of military authorities that Dictator Rah the Righteous was - betraying his people into a disgraceful peace. Substantiating their - accusations of treason against the people's interests, they - produced the testimony of two sworn witnesses who asserted that one - wake, shortly after Rah's accession to power, they followed him as - he made his way in disguise into a remote gallery at the border - line of Nullnull. There he held an illicit conversation with one - whom, they say, is high in the circles of the Government of Wu; in - fact, they claim to have identified the second man as no less a - personage than our own Dictator. - - "This tale, which can only be held to be a gross libel so far as - Luma the Illustrious is concerned, has been accepted without - question by the people of Zu. As a result, they have stormed the - royal palace, demanding resumption of the war and threatening the - life of Rah the Righteous, who is now known as Rah the Treasonous. - Rah himself is believed to have escaped, although there are reports - that he was lynched by an infuriated mob. The former Dictator, - Oono Yuno, is said to be on his way back to resume power." - - * * * * * - -It is impossible to describe with what emotion I read this account. -That the throne of Zu had cracked; that the Dictatorial power had been -split asunder; that the renewal of war was likely--all this appeared -as nothing; my one great, my overwhelming concern was with Clay. Where -was he now? Had he escaped the maddened multitude? Or was he already a -martyr to their bloodthirsty frenzy? - -With excited haste, I rushed to my secretary and gave orders that -scouts be sent out, and that if any one answering to the description of -the former Dictator of Zu was found, he was to be offered a sanctuary -in Wu. There seemed, it is true, small chance that he would be found; -but, in my terror for my friend's safety, I wished to leave no stone -unturned. - -Hardly had I issued my orders when one of my palace guards approached -with every evidence of excitement. After bowing to the floor in the -established manner, he addressed me hastily. - -"Your Abysmal Excellency, there is a vagabond outside who asks to -see you. I told him it was impossible, that you were tied up in a -conference; but he insisted until I had a mind to throw him into the -dungeon to cool his impatience. Finally he gave me a bit of paper, and -said that if I passed it to you, you would understand. He must be a -madman, Your Excellency, for the paper is filled with a meaningless -scrawl." - -"Let me see it!" I demanded as I fairly snatched at the rumpled -notepaper which the guard held out. - -I am sure that the man, thoughtless though he was trained to be, was -surprised to note the gasp of astonished joy with which I glanced at -the paper, and the agitated haste with which I demanded, "Quick! Show -the visitor in!" - -As the guard saluted and left, I began to pace rapidly back and forth, -while reading over and over again those few words in a handwriting I -knew so well! - -A minute later, a queer-looking figure entered the room. I do not -wonder that the guard had called him a vagabond; his robe was ripped -and torn in a hundred places, and here and there it was stained with -splashes of blood; a dark hood was drawn over his face, concealing -the hair and the features; his eyes looked out at me from behind -binoculars, such as were worn by near-sighted citizens; his long, -cone-shaped hat was battered and dented as if from a scuffle, and the -black glove was missing from his right hand. - -My visitor waited until the guard had left; then he removed his -binoculars and threw off his hood to reveal a figure familiar and yet -strange. For a moment I gaped in astonishment at that closely cropped -head and that face from which every vestige of a beard had been -shaved--at those eyes, deeply sunken as if from a sleepless vigil--at -the long, drawn features, with the worn and ravaged lines. "Phil!" I -exclaimed. "I hardly recognized you!" - -"No wonder!" he returned, wearily, as he sank down upon a chair, "I've -been through hell itself!" - -"But you're here at last! That's the main thing!" I rejoiced. "Heavens, -you don't know how worried I was!" - -"You don't know how worried _I_ was, old pal!" he replied as he wiped -his perspiring brow and shook his shorn head dolefully. "I ought to -have taken your advice, Frank. This Dictator business doesn't agree -with me!" - -"How did you escape?" I inquired. "The paper says--" - -"Says that Rah the Righteous is about done?" he interrupted. "Well, -there isn't so very much left of him. There wouldn't have been even -mince meat if that mob had gotten me. It was a mighty close call." - -He paused, mopped his brow once more, and continued. - -"By God! When I heard the rabble streaming through the streets, crying -for my blood, you can believe me, old man, I was scared. I had to think -fast! I took just about the quickest shave of my life, cutting off my -red hair and whiskers. Then I pasted them on a dummy, which I placed -near the palace entrance. While the mob was storming the gates, trying -to get at that old scarecrow, I slipped on these binoculars and hood, -dressed in servant's clothes, went out by the back entrance, mixed with -the mob, and even joined in yelling, 'Down with Rah the Righteous!' and -finally escaped through a side-gallery and took a 'scootscoot' here. -I've been all night at it! At the border of Wu I had a tussle with some -sentries and laid three of them flat before I made my get-away. That -explains my nice society appearance, old pal." - -With a rueful grimace, he looked down at his torn, blood-spattered -clothes. - -"Well, don't mind that, Phil, old boy!" I said, coming to him and -slapping him heartily on the shoulder. "I'll look out for you now. -We've stuck together most of our lives, and I guess we can stick it out -just a little longer." - -Yet, even as I uttered these words, I realized how embarrassing it -would be for me to be found sheltering the runaway Dictator of Zu. - - - - - CHAPTER XXXIII - - Toward the Light - - -It was only three "wakes" later when catastrophe struck. - -During the interval, I had been sheltering Clay the best I could, -trying to keep him disguised and hidden, laying out a future course of -action. Many were our hurried little talks in which we decided that -the only safety for either of us lay in the Overworld; however, since -premature flight would be worse than none at all, we were making our -plans coolly and deliberately. Already I had withdrawn the military -guard from the tubes; I had secreted a quantity of hooks, ropes, and -other climbing tackle at the base of one of the flues, which, I knew, -led upward to the Overworld; I had taken steps to secure quantities -of concentrated food, medical supplies, and other necessities, to be -strapped in knapsacks about our backs. - -But before these projects were complete, the tempest broke. Each day -I had seen it brewing more threateningly, and all my efforts against -it were fruitless. The report of the overthrow of the dictator of Zu -and the statement that he and I had been suspected of collusion had -taken dangerous fire in the public mind; demagogues, too numerous to -suppress, had risen to warn the people that I was "conspiring against -their interests"; and these charges, added to complaints about my -conclusion of an "inglorious peace," could not but have an effect upon -a public so far advanced in thoughtlessness as the people of Wu. - -Worst of all my visitor from Zu, on the third "wake" after his arrival, -had unwittingly betrayed me. It would be impossible, I knew, for -him to stay hidden forever; but I had hardly expected him to reveal -himself just when he did--not that I blame him. The whole affair was -an unfortunate accident; for when he came out of the rooms where I had -told him to remain, he had expected to find me alone. But alas! I was -just being interviewed by a reporter for the _Screamer_! Too late I saw -Clay, on whose face a stubbly red beard was again beginning to sprout. -Too late I motioned him to retreat. The knowing gleam in the eyes of -the reporter showed that he had seen all! - -To threaten the journalist, to offer him a bribe, would only have been -to make him more suspicious, and hence more dangerous; my only hope was -that he would misinterpret what he had seen. But in this hope I was -to be cheated. Only a few hours later, the _Screamer_ appeared with -a special edition, describing the "mysterious stranger" seen in the -home of Luma the Illustrious--a stranger whose "foreign origin" was -evident from his queer appearance. It was stated that his eyes were of -an outlandish blue, and that his stubbly hair was faintly red--a color -attributed to only one man in all history. Could it be that the outcast -Dictator of Zu had found shelter beneath Luma's roof? Was Luma plotting -with Rah the Righteous against his own people? - -I have always held that the citizens of Wu cared little about Rah the -Righteous; but so perilously inflamed were they that it required no -more than a spark to set off the conflagration. - -The storm burst over me with cataclysmic suddenness, I had been -having one of my many little discussions with Clay, talking over old -times and planning for the future, when I heard a tremendous thumping -at the door. I opened it to admit one of the guards who entered in -such excitement that he forgot the customary formality of bowing -till his palm scraped the floor. His face, normally white, had grown -red with agitation; his hands fluttered; his salmon eyes gaped wide -with bewilderment and alarm. "Excellency!" he gasped. "Your Abysmal -Excellency! Quick! The mob! The mob! Come! Look! See! Quick!" - -"What's that?" I demanded, startled. "What about the mob?" - -"Come! Look! See!" he repeated, starting away down the long -greenish-yellow gallery. - -Exchanging frightened glances, Clay and I followed in silence until -we had reached the further end of the palace, where the guard lifted -a little slit of stone in one of the walls--a fragment barely an inch -across, just enough to permit us a peep through the thick partition, -while keeping us safe from observation. - - * * * * * - -Instantly a confusion of savage cries came to our ears--cries fierce, -shrill, blood-curdling as the war-shouts of embattled Apaches. "Down -with Luma! Down with Luma! Down with Luma! Lynch him! Stab him! -Massacre him!" I heard, mingled with yells of, "Back with Thuno Flâtum! -Back with Thuno Flâtum! Long live Thuno Flâtum!" And, peering through -the little slit in the wall, I witnessed a sight that made my heart -give a ferocious leap and my hair prickle as if ready to stand on end. - -Back and forth, through the gallery outside, an excited throng was -parading. Hundreds deep, they moved with a swarming fury; their eyes -showed fierce and bloodshot in the greenish-yellow light; their arms -swung through the air with vehement gesticulations. Some brandished -sticks and poles frenziedly; some held ropes coiled into nooses; some -waved faggots ready for lighting, while all, as if possessed by demons, -howled over and over again that bloodthirsty refrain, "Down with Luma! -Down with Luma! Down with Luma! Kill the traitor! Murder him! Turn him -over!" - -At the same time, there came a tremendous battering sound from one -corner of the wall--a sound as of a sledgehammer striking. - -"They're pounding down the gates!" whispered the guard as he hastily -shoved the slit of stone into place again. "Can't hold them back much -longer!" - -"Can't hold them back!" I moaned agreement, knowing that no wild beast -was more to be feared than that mad rabble. And then, frantically -turning to Clay, who stood watching with eyes half popping out of his -head in horror, I screamed, "Come! There's no time to lose!" - -At sprinting speed, we ran back through the gallery, then down a -side-passage beneath the palace, where we paused long enough to -secure provisions and disguise ourselves--Clay by assuming again the -garb in which he had escaped from Zu, and I by smearing my face with -white powder, exchanging my royal clothes for a plain black robe, and -covering my eyes with dark glasses. - -Already, from the palace above us, we could hear the screaming of the -mob. - -"They've broken in!" I muttered. "In a minute they'll be down here!" - -"Let's be off!" he nodded; and while the howling of the multitude grew -louder, we started off down a dark and winding tunnel sloping deep -underground. - -Neither of us spoke as we hastened along, scarcely daring to turn on a -flashlight to guide us. But well enough we knew our destination--the -base of the ventilating flue, where we had concealed the climbing -tackle by which we hoped to reach the Overworld. - -In a straight line, this point was not far; but, in order to avoid -detection, we had to circle miles out of our way, through obscure and -little-used corridors. Hence hours passed before we had approached the -safety point. And then, for a few minutes, we had to face a greater -peril. Separating us from the ventilation flue was a stretch of a more -frequented avenue, from which neither of us might easily escape. - -Yet, there being no choice, we faced the danger resolutely, and, -trusting to our disguise, stepped boldly out of hiding. - -Emerging into the wider thoroughfare, we found the people crowding back -and forth excitedly; but, fortunately, none seemed to take notice of -us. The "scootscoots" rushed hither and thither as crazily as ever, -several of them missing us by inches; while a newsgirl raced here -and there squeaking furiously, "Latest _Screamer_! Buy the latest -_Screamer_! Super-super-super-extra-extra-extra! Great revolution! -Luma the Illustrious abdicates! Thuno Flâtum restored to power! -Super-super-super-extra-extra-extra!" - -"Super-extra-extra! Buy the latest _Blare_!" I heard from another side. -"War with Zu breaks out again! Thuno Flâtum sends troops to the depths! -Huge turnover! Subterrain attacks renewed! Buy the latest _Blare_! -Super-extra-extra!" - -As if to emphasize the truth of these words, we caught a glimpse of -marching helmeted forms, hundreds upon hundreds, tramping with a -prancing military motion along a side-gallery, while over them the -green and vermilion banners demonstratively waved. - -At the same time, a turn in the gallery enabled us to glance into -the mile-deep vastness of a prodigious chasm, such as we had seen -on arriving in the Underworld. Far beneath us, in the eerie depths, -we observed multitudes of tiny forms, drawn up in military columns -and regiments; while from the walls of the abyss, great shafts of -lightning, white and violet and orange and green, began to dart to the -accompaniment of portentous thunders. - -But all these sounds and sights were swept from our consciousness by -demonstrations of a still more alarming nature. Straight toward us, -from down the gallery, a swarm of Third Class citizens came flocking, -thousands deep, wielding spears and ropes and clubs, while they -hoarsely shouted. - -"Down with Luma the Illustrious! Down with Luma! Grab the traitor! Tear -him to bits! Gouge out his heart! Turn him over! Down with him! Down -with him! Down with him!" - -"Quick!" I whispered to Clay, and we slid across the avenue and into -a smaller gallery which, a few yards farther on, gave access to the -ventilating flue. - -"Down with Luma! Down with Luma! Lynch the coward! Tear him to -bits! Down with him! Down with him! Turn him over!" I heard the mob -repeating, with rising fury, as the ventilating lid slammed to a close -above our heads--and the multitude, not observing us, went shouting on -its way down the avenue. - -The next moment Clay and I had seized the ropes and hooks and had begun -the climb back to the Overworld. - - * * * * * - -There is no need to dwell upon our adventures when, tied together with -ropes like mountain climbers, we accomplished the ascent through the -air-tubes. Several hours later, thanks to my expert knowledge of the -ventilation system, we had wearily reached the outlet, and, for the -first time in years, stood beneath the open sky, blinking in the bright -sunlight and exposing our skin to the luxury of the breeze.... - -It was days later when we reached civilization. For scores of miles -we made our way, scarcely knowing where, across the sagebrush barrens -of the Nevada desert; and had we not found water by melting the snow -from the sunless shelves of the peaks, while nourishing our bodies by -concentrated food capsules from Wu, we would not have survived to tell -the story. Even as it was, we had reached the last stages of exhaustion -when, tattered and torn, with our food exhausted and our faces covered -with a ragged growth of beard, we stumbled into a mining camp near -the California border. The startled miners had the surprise of their -lives when two strangers, still dressed fantastically in the pointed -hats and black skirts of Wu, suddenly made their appearance; and it is -not surprising that we were mistaken for madmen and that our story was -greeted with derisive laughter. - -But now that we have been restored to our homes and friends and -are once more full of life and activity, I do not hesitate to make -the facts public, so that the world may know of the unsuspected -civilization inhabiting the chasms beneath the Nevada desert. It is -the purpose of Clay and myself to lead an expedition back to Wu and -Zu, so that we may fathom their miraculous scientific secrets, many -of which we have been unable to penetrate; and it is our hope that we -may set forth at an early date, for we do not know how soon, in their -renewed strife over Nullnull, the people of the Underworld may blow -themselves out of existence, leaving no more than their blackened -labyrinths and crumbling galleries to prove that they ever have lived. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN CAVERNS BELOW *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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Coblentz</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: In Caverns Below</p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Stanton A. Coblentz</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: November 24, 2021 [eBook #66815]</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net</div> - -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN CAVERNS BELOW ***</div> - -<div class="figcenter x-ebookmaker-drop"> - <img src="images/illusc1.jpg" alt=""/> - -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="titlepage"> - -<h1>IN CAVERNS BELOW</h1> - -<h2>By STANTON A. COBLENTZ</h2> - -<p>[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from<br /> -Wonder Stories March, April, May 1935.<br /> -It was published later using the title Hidden World.<br /> -Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that<br /> -the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]</p> - -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p>If we were told to list a dozen writers whom we considered great -science-fiction authors, we should certainly place the name of Stanton -A. Coblentz high up in the list.</p> - -<p>When Coblentz writes a short story, it is excellent, but when he -composes a novel, such as the present one, you will have to go far and -wide to find a better story.</p> - -<p>We sincerely believe that "In Caverns Below" will go down in -science-fiction history with the other novels of Stanton A. Coblentz -and will be re-read by the ever-growing multitude of science-fiction -fans during future decades.</p> - -<p>Here we find everything that distinguishes our author's work from all -others—what more can we say?</p></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>It is now five years since Philip Clay and I were given up by the world -as lost, five years since we plunged into that appalling adventure -from which, even today, we have barely begun to recover. During nine -tenths of that time, we dwelt far from the sight of our fellow men in a -remote and incredible land of wizardry and terror; we made discoveries -which, we are certain, have never been surpassed since Columbus voyaged -westward to the New World; we encountered perils that we still shudder -to recall, and experienced triumphs that make us sigh regretfully in -recollection. And it is only by the rarest of good fortune that we -survive to tell the story to those who, long ago, wept at the news of -our passing.</p> - -<p>One fact in the case, and only one, will be remembered by the public. -In the autumn of 1929, newspapers throughout the country reported that -Philip Clay and Frank Comstock, mining engineers and boon companions, -disappeared in the depths of a silver mine in Nevada. It was generally -believed that a cave-in of unexplained origin had been responsible for -their death, and that they had been crushed beyond recognition, for no -trace of their mutilated bodies was ever found. The world, with its -insatiable appetite for tragedy and horror, was naturally interested -for a time, but as the days and weeks wore by and no further news -was forthcoming, public attention was diverted to other affairs, and -Comstock and Clay were forgotten....</p> - -<p>Yet it is I, Frank Comstock, who write these words. It is I, Frank -Comstock, who a few months ago returned as if from the grave, to -announce that Clay and I had not been killed in the mine disaster. It -is I, Frank Comstock, who have come back to record my experiences, and -to proclaim that, even in this twentieth century, there are more worlds -about us than our philosophy has ever taken into account.</p> - -<p>Let me therefore go back over these harrowing five years and try to -report, as simply and accurately as I can, each episode in the whole -chain of extraordinary events.</p> - -<p>It will be needless to linger over the preliminaries, to tell how Clay -and I, chums at college, had been partners since our graduation from -Western Institute of Mining twelve years before, how we had pooled -our fortunes and joined our lives and spent all of our time in mutual -experiments and enterprises in the back-regions of Montana, Idaho, and -other states of the mountain belt. Passing over all this, let me tell -how, in September, 1929, we were called to pass judgment upon the old -Carlson Flat silver mine, which an eastern syndicate was just reopening -in a particularly remote region of central Nevada. I recall how, for -two days, we trailed with our pack-team over the desert mountains, -our nostrils assaulted by the fine alkaline dust and our eyes wearied -by the never-ending gray and yellow of the sagebrush. "A God-forsaken -country!" muttered Clay, his fine blue eyes lighted with a reminiscent -gleam, as he thought of the wooded mountains of the north. "Heavens, -but I'll be thankful when we get out of here!"</p> - -<p>Little, however, did he realize how long it would be before we would -get out!</p> - -<p>At last, to our relief, we reached Carlson Flat—as desolate a spot as -was imaginable, at the edge of a narrow barren plateau just beneath -a projecting stony ridge that beetled a thousand feet above us. -Fortunately, the location mattered little, since we spent most of the -time underground; but we did not particularly relish our task in that -old, long-abandoned mine, whose shafts were not only unusually dank and -narrow, but exceptionally deep. For some reason that I cannot explain, -a premonition came to us both; it was as if some voice from within us -cried out, "Flee! Flee, before it is too late!" We seemed to read some -nameless menace in those dark sloping galleries, lighted only by the -fluttering illumination of our torches; and, accustomed though we were -to underground labyrinths, we somehow could not laugh away the sense of -peril that confronted us in every foot-fall and shadow.</p> - -<p>"Guess we're growing soft-headed in our old age!" suggested Clay, with -a forced attempt at jocularity.</p> - -<p>But I still recall how his rugged face, indistinctly visible in the -glare of the flashlight, took on a troubled expression as he uttered -these words; and I know how his unspoken fears communicated themselves -to me in a shudder of apprehension.</p> - -<p>None the less, being reasonable beings, we would not let our misgivings -deter us from investigating the mine. Would that we had taken warning -from our own sense of danger! For, on the third day, we were hurled -into catastrophe.</p> - -<p>It was then that we had decided to inspect the furthest and deepest -section of the diggings. Accompanied by two or three workmen and an -official of the company, we made our way tortuously through galleries -that seemed miles long, and penetrated the dim, dank descent hundreds -of feet beneath the desert floor. As we groped and fumbled silently -downward, I was in far from a cheerful mood, for that weird, mysterious -feeling of peril was still with me, the feeling of walking into a trap! -Besides, as if to lend a basis of reason to my forebodings, what was -that sudden faint trembling of the earth that I seemed to feel every -now and then, that occasional rude jarring of the gallery floor, as -if from the concussion of a distant explosion?—or was it only my -imagination?</p> - -<p>"Did you feel that?" I demanded of Clay, upon being shaken by the -severest of the tremors. But he merely snapped, "Feel what?" and the -pale light of the torches did not reveal the workings of his features.</p> - -<p>"Seemed like an earthquake to me!" I muttered, as the ground beneath my -feet once more gave a slight, almost imperceptible fluttering.</p> - -<p>"Earthquake? Nonsense!" flung back Clay. "How could it be? We're way -out of the earthquake belt, aren't we?"</p> - -<p>I mumbled in the affirmative, but was not reassured.</p> - -<p>Nevertheless, we said no more about the matter, and a few minutes -later we had reached the lower limits of the mine. Forgetting my -fears, I had pushed on with Clay ahead of our companions and was just -turning my flashlight on an ore-producing ledge at the bottom of the -gallery ... when suddenly there occurred that event which only too -completely justified my alarm.</p> - -<p>Like many of life's crises, it was all over in a minute. Yet it seemed -infinitely prolonged, seemed packed with the experience of hours, of -days, almost of years. I can still relive the dagger-shaft of terror -that shot through me when the earth, without warning, gave a quick -convulsive lurch, like the deck of a vessel in a storm at sea; I can -still hear the sharp frightened exclamation from the throat of Clay and -the startled shouts of our companions from down the tunnel. Once more -I listen to the crunching, grinding, and groaning of the earth and the -low rumbling from far subterranean depths; I am again pitched headlong -to the floor as the ground beneath us heaves and threshes; I catch the -panic-gleam in the eyes of my companion as he tries vainly to clutch -a projecting spike of rock; then for an instant, as the commotion -momentarily subsides, I almost succeed in regaining my feet, only to be -hurled down again with a fury that leaves me bruised and bleeding.</p> - -<p>As I strive for the second time to pick myself up, my ears ring with -a tumult as of an avalanche. With terrorizing force, the crash and -thunder of falling rock breaks upon my stunned senses; the roof of the -gallery has collapsed, and Clay and I are cut-off from our companions -in a chamber only a few yards across, at the extreme end of the tunnel!</p> - -<p>Prisoners, both of us! By the wavering rays of a flashlight, we see -ourselves entombed in a stone-walled cell deep underground! But even -as this realization sweeps across our minds, still greater dread -overwhelms us. Our world again sways like a drunken sailor, there is a -fresh roaring in our ears, a huge rock is dislodged and crashes down -from the roof with a howl of demoniac menace, and then, at our very -feet, the tortured earth groans and opens, and a huge black fissure -spreads out beneath us!</p> - -<p>Desperately, like mountain climbers on a crumbling precipice, we strive -to maintain our balance on the narrow floor of our prison. But we are -as helpless as babes. We see the fissure widening, spreading out like -the pitchy jaws of doom; we know that, in an instant, we will no longer -have a foothold; then, at the moment of supreme horror, the light in -Clay's flashlight flickers and goes out, and we are plunged into utter -darkness....</p> - -<p>At the same time, clutching instinctively at the overhanging rocks, -which delay, but cannot halt our flight, we feel ourselves slipping. -I hear once again Clay's cry of consternation; I hear the uproar of -sliding earth and rock; I feel my arms and shoulders bruised and -mangled; I have a sense of suffocation, a sense of being buried beneath -tons of dead matter; then, all at once, a veil of quietness, of -vacancy, of oblivion blots out my consciousness.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> - -<h3>A Mysterious Light</h3> - - -<p>I have always marvelled that Clay and I lived through the cataclysm. -But probably we owe our survival to the fact that the fissure, far -from being perpendicular, sloped at an angle of only thirty or forty -degrees, so that, while rolling over and over in our descent, we were -at least spared a direct drop.</p> - -<p>At all events, we finally did come to a stop without receiving any -fatal hurt. It may have been minutes, or it may have been hours, before -I recovered consciousness; but when at length I came to myself, it was -with a dull aching in the head, and with a sensation of soreness in -every limb and muscle.</p> - -<p>"Where am I?" I gasped, still but hazily aware of what had happened, -and with the sickly, absurd feeling that perhaps I had died and was -reawakening in the Afterlife. And it was only the sound of another -human voice that brought me once more to my senses.</p> - -<p>"Where are you? Would to God I knew!—down in hell, I guess!" came in -mumbled accents from an unseen figure.</p> - -<p>"Much hurt, Phil?" I jerked out, striving vainly to locate my friend -amid the impenetrable blackness. And, as I spoke, I moved to a sitting -position and made my first effort to extricate myself from the rocks -and dust that buried me almost waist-deep.</p> - -<p>"No, not hurt much!" came Clay's drawled reply. "A few little cuts and -bruises, more or less, and one black eye. But what does that amount -to? Couldn't use the eye down here, anyway!"</p> - -<p>And then, after a moment of silence, he asked, "How about you, Frank? -Hope you're not banged up too much."</p> - -<p>"No, I'm all right," I protested, as stanchly as I could, considering -that I felt as if I had been run through a threshing-machine.</p> - -<p>"We'll sure be able to collect big damages!" proceeded Clay, as -optimistically as though we had already made our escape. "But say, old -pal, you certainly were right about the earthquake! That one was a -whopper! I didn't know they had them around this part of the country!"</p> - -<p>"Neither did I!" I declared. And, even as I spoke, a violent shudder -once more went through me. The earth was again trembling!</p> - -<p>"Guess the climate here isn't any too healthy!" decided my friend, -while from somewhere amid the darkness, I heard him shaking off the -débris and struggling to his feet. "Don't know where we are, Frank, but -I wouldn't mind being anywhere else! Come! Where are you, old fellow?"</p> - -<p>As we had lost the flashlights in our fall, it took us several anxious -minutes to locate one another amid that tar-like blackness. Several -times we stumbled over unseen obstacles, and more than once we followed -a false lead; but at length, guided by the sound of each other's -voices, we brushed shoulders in the darkness. And thenceforth, like -lost children, we held hands lest we lose track of each other.</p> - -<p>Where had we fallen?—to what hidden cavern deep in the earth's maw? -This was the question we asked ourselves many times, as we groped -our way down the sloping floor, we could not guess whither. Yet each -moment we were making discoveries. After a few minutes, as we shuffled -cautiously forward, we had passed the débris-littered area and found a -smooth stone floor slanting beneath our feet. And we discovered that, a -yard or two to each side of us, was a polished stone wall!</p> - -<p>"Holy Jerusalem!" whistled my companion. "Who'd have thought the mine -reached down this far?"</p> - -<p>"Mine?" I returned, derisively. "Your misfortunes must have gone to -your head, Phil! When did you ever see a mine with polished walls?"</p> - -<p>"Well, what is it if not a mine?" he flung back in gruff challenge. -"What is it? Just tell me that!"</p> - -<p>Not being able to answer, I remained silent. But a strange suspicion, -which had been forming in my mind, was gradually deepening; and -involuntarily I shuddered once more and pressed closer to my -friend—nor was I reassured by the renewed trembling of the earth which -from time to time interrupted our ruminations.</p> - -<p>I am afraid that grim conjectures came into the mind of Clay also, -for he remained tense and silent for many minutes as we continued to -fumble, like blind men, down those uncanny subterranean corridors.</p> - -<p>"The devil take us both!" he at last muttered, with an attempted levity -that did not serve to conceal his alarm. "You'd think we were going -straight down to Dante's Inferno! Why, I can almost feel the little -imps dancing in the darkness all about us!"</p> - -<p>"The imps be damned!" I snapped in unseemly irritation.</p> - -<p>"Most likely, that's what <i>we'll</i> be," he returned, wryly. And then, in -soberer tones, he spoke again.</p> - -<p>"But seriously, old man, where do you suppose we are?—in the pit of -some extinct volcano?"</p> - -<p>"Possibly—but that doesn't explain why the walls are so smooth and -even."</p> - -<p>"No, it doesn't. However, mightn't it be the channel of a dried-up -subterranean river? In the course of ages, the water might have washed -the walls smooth."</p> - -<p>"It might have," I conceded, briefly. Yet deep within me, there was -the feeling, the persistent feeling, that it was not water that had -hollowed out the passageway.</p> - -<p>For ten or fifteen minutes we plodded on without a word, moving at -a snail's pace in our anxiety, and not aware of any change in our -environment. The walls were still as polished and regular as ever; -the blackness was as absolute and as unbroken; the occasional jarring -of the earth continued at uneven intervals, growing a little more -pronounced than before, but disturbing us less, since we were now -becoming used to it.</p> - -<p>Then, unexpectedly, the gallery curved, turning almost at right angles; -and, as we felt our way around the bend, it curved again at an even -sharper angle; then it curved once more, while, as if to add to our -bewilderment, we discovered several side-galleries branching off in -various directions.</p> - -<p>At the same time, the thuddings of the earth grew more severe than ever -and they were accompanied by rumblings, roars, and reverberations of -terrifying force and insistency. Crash after crash burst upon our ears -as if from some remote storm-center—crash after crash that echoed and -re-echoed eerily in that narrow corridor, until our ear-drums ached -from the strain and our agitated hearts pumped with a thumping rapidity.</p> - -<p>What could it be?—some volcanic disturbance in the heart of the earth? -So we were inclined to believe as, sweating with fear, we halted for a -consultation. In another moment, might we not feel the reek of sulphur -in our nostrils and gasp our last beneath the suffocating fumes?</p> - -<p>For several minutes we conferred, but could reach no conclusion. -Standing there against the invisible cavern wall, with the earth almost -constantly quivering and with low, gruff, distant detonations dinning -upon our ears, we found it difficult, almost impossible to exchange -ideas. That terror which is close to madness was upon us both; and -since the most difficult thing to do was to do nothing at all, it was -not long before we were on our way again.</p> - -<p>A moment later we were to receive a sharp surprise. Groping around -another bend in the gallery, we were startled to see, far ahead of -us, an indistinct patch of light. Vaguely rectangular in shape, and -of an unearthly greenish hue, it wavered and flickered strangely, at -times almost disappearing, at times flaring to a hectic, momentary -brilliance, shot through with flashes of red, orange, and violet. And, -simultaneously, the far-off thunders grew more deep-throated, with -occasional snarls and reports as of siege-artillery.</p> - -<p>"Sacred Catfish!" muttered Clay in awe-stricken tones. "You could -almost believe the old yarns about Satan and his court of devils!"</p> - -<p>I must confess that, hard-headed man of science though I pride myself -on being, a wave of superstitions fright went through me at these -words; some old ancestral terror had gripped me until my legs shook and -all but sank beneath me. Nevertheless, I strove desperately to rally -what remained of my strength.</p> - -<p>"Court of devils?" I tossed back, mockingly. "The only devils are in -your imagination, Phil! It's clear enough what's wrong; the earth is -suffering from a little fit of indigestion, something out of gear down -here in her volcanic entrails. Most likely it'll clear up any moment."</p> - -<p>Hardly were these words out of my mouth when the earth gave a lurch so -violent that we were both knocked off our feet. And for one instant, -the light from down the gallery became a sun-like illumination, by -whose glare I caught a glimpse of Clay's harried face, scarred and red -with newly clotted blood, with one eye half closed, and with a long -gash across the great dome of his forehead.</p> - -<p>Probably I did not present a more inviting sight, for, as we both -picked ourselves up from the cavern floor, he exclaimed, "Say, old -fellow, I ought to have your picture now! The way you're looking, you'd -scare off a brigade of fighting Hottentots!"</p> - -<p>Not thanking him for this compliment, I started away again along the -gallery, whose walls were now and then dimly visible by the flickering -light from ahead. All lingering idea that it was the channel of a -subterranean river was now dissipated! To our astonishment, we saw -that the ceiling formed a perfect triangle, an inverted V like the -roof of a house! Here was the handiwork of man—or else we were both -dreaming! But what man before us had penetrated to these abysmal -labyrinths?</p> - -<p>But it was useless to speculate. Let us go forward and find out! It -is difficult for me today to say how Clay and I, fear-stricken and -wounded, found courage to press on through that hideous, down-sloping -cavern, where at any moment we might expect annihilation. Perhaps it -was that we realized the impossibility of retracing our footsteps -through the darkness; perhaps it was that the light ahead, mysterious -and frightening as it was, seemed less to be dreaded than the gloom -behind; perhaps it was that curiosity, which so often is the father of -recklessness, led us on moth-like toward the seduction of the far-off -radiance.</p> - -<p>In any case, we did continue to move forward, though very slowly and -cautiously; and as by degrees we approached the light, we were relieved -to find that the earth trembled less violently and less often, and that -the illumination down the passageway grew more steady and distinct.</p> - -<p>"See, Phil, I told you the earthquakes would be over soon!" I reassured -my companion; and he, not venturing a reply, merely quickened his -footsteps, as if in tacit agreement.</p> - -<p>Little did either of us foresee how much more violent, how much more -amazing, how much more terrifying our adventures would be after we had -gained the longed-for haven of the light.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> - -<h3>The Brink of the Abyss</h3> - - -<p>At last we were drawing near the mysterious light. It had now ceased to -flicker and shone with a steady greenish-yellow glare, so bright as to -illuminate the gallery with a weird radiance, wherein we could clearly -distinguish each other's features. The source of the light, however, -remained an enigma; while we, pressing on with increasing boldness, -were resolved to discover its nature or perish in the attempt.</p> - -<p>In a few minutes we had reached the end of the corridor, and, turning -sharply, we found ourselves in a wider passageway penetrated by scores -of cross-galleries and ending, about a hundred yards beyond, in a -perfect blaze of greenish light.</p> - -<p>"Lord in Heaven!" exclaimed the awe-stricken Clay, as we reached the -new thoroughfare. "Are we dreaming?—or am I simply crazy?"</p> - -<p>"Guess we're both crazy!" I muttered. And then, shielding my eyes from -the glare and nerving myself for a supreme effort, I said, "Come on; -let's find out what's what!"</p> - -<p>"Might as well die exploring!" he conceded grimly as we resumed our -pilgrimage.</p> - -<p>I now noticed for the first time that Clay was walking with a slight -limp; I also noticed that his rude mining costume was not only soiled -with great streaks and blotches of black, but was ripped and torn in a -hundred places, exposing the bare skin every here and there, so that he -looked a perfect ragamuffin. But my own clothes, I could see, were in -an equally sorry condition.</p> - -<p>As we slowly covered the hundred yards to the end of the second -gallery, Clay's mind seemed to center on somber thoughts. I could see -the bleak furrows on his long, lean, battered face; I could read his -disconsolate expression as, with a great hairy hand, he thoughtfully -stroked his dishevelled red locks. But I was little prepared for his -next words.</p> - -<p>"Say, Frank, if anything happens to me, see that my old mother back in -Denver gets my watch as a remembrance. And tell her I was thinking of -her at the last—"</p> - -<p>"The devil I will! Tell her yourself! What's getting into you, Phil?" -I interrupted, almost savagely. "Haven't you as good a chance as I of -getting out of this infernal mess?"</p> - -<p>"I suppose I have, at that!" he acknowledged, wryly. "Guess it's both -of us, or neither!"</p> - -<p>At this point our conversation was interrupted by our arrival at the -end of the second gallery, where we were to make a discovery compared -with which our previous surprises appeared insignificant.</p> - -<p>I remember that it was Clay, who, preceding me by half a dozen feet, -was the first to stop short and gasp out his astonishment.</p> - -<p>"God above!" I heard his swift exclamation; and I observed how, -stricken all but speechless, he gaped open-mouthed into the -green-lighted vacancy beyond. "God above!" he murmured a second time, -before a dumbfounded silence overwhelmed him.</p> - -<p>At a bound I had gained his side; and I too, as I gazed in bewilderment -before me, seemed to have lost my tongue. "Merciful Heavens!" was all -I could mumble in my amazement. "Merciful Heavens, what's this?" And -I rubbed my eyes and pinched my sides, to make sure that I was not -dreaming.</p> - -<p>How shall I describe that stupendous scene which suddenly unfolded -before us? Surely, the discoverer of a new planet could not have had a -deeper sense of awe and wonder! For it was literally a new world that -we beheld. The gallery had ended as if on the brink of a precipice; we -were staring down, through yellowish-green abysses, into a chasm as -wide and deep as the Grand Canyon of Arizona—as wide and deep, but -by no means as irregular—by no means so narrow at the bottom! Unlike -the great gorge of the Colorado River, it showed no unevenness of -structure; sheer stone walls, straight and precipitous as the walls of -a room, shot down beneath us a mile deep; sheer stone walls, equally -precipitous and straight, rose opposite us at a distance of more than -a mile, and between them spread the bare, level floor of the cavern, -which reached to our right and left to an incalculable remoteness.</p> - -<p>An unspeakably weird sensation overcame me as I gazed, in the -thunderstricken silence, at that tremendous excavation. There was -such an atmosphere of unreality about it all that only by degrees -did my startled senses absorb the details—the gentle curve of the -ceiling, which, arching but a few hundred feet above us, revealed -fantastic figures, vaguely man-shaped, that stood out sharply in -cameo—the multitude of greenish-yellow bulbs which, square or rounded -or elongated into rods and spirals, studded the walls by the thousand -and hung in long strings from above—the small round openings like the -portholes of a vessel, which dotted the opposite side of the cavern in -inestimable myriads, confronting us in scores of horizontal lines, and -the little door-like apertures that opened at regular intervals all -along the cavern floor.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Long and intently we gazed into that miraculous abyss; many minutes -must have passed while we stood there spellbound. It was I that first -regained some measure of composure; with a shock, I saw my companion -standing entranced, so near the brink of the precipice that I trembled -for his safety.</p> - -<p>With a hasty gesture, I pulled him back a step. "Better watch out, -Phil!" I warned, "else I won't have even your watch to bring back to -your mother!"</p> - -<p>Like a man in a daze, he wiped a grimy hand over his carrot-colored -hair. "Good thing she can't see me now!" he gasped. "Lord preserve me! -she'd be offering up prayers for the soul of her poor boy lost in Hell!"</p> - -<p>"Lost in Hell is right!" I acknowledged, grimly.</p> - -<p>"If I hadn't bit my lips to make sure I was alive, Frank," he -continued, with an ugly grimace of his scarred face, "I'd think we had -both died and were wandering around somewhere in the devil's back yard!"</p> - -<p>Before I had had time to reply, fresh alarm swept aver us both; -once more the earth wavered violently and the distant thunders and -detonations burst out with renewed fury. At the same time, a shaft of -violet light, from some unknown source, shot across the cavern with -lightning swiftness. Then, in the barest fraction of a second, waves of -orange light and of vermilion followed; then, while Clay and I stared -at each other in consternation, the greenish-yellow luminaries all -flickered and seemed about to be extinguished. Simultaneously, our ears -were struck by a distant blast of sound, a little like the notes of a -bugle; and the next instant, as the greenish-yellow lights regained -their former brilliancy, a scene of startling activity became visible -on the cavern floor.</p> - -<p>Had we obeyed the dictates of our hammering hearts, we should have -turned and fled. The impulse to flee was, indeed, powerful within us; -but partly because we did not wish to seem cowards in each other's -eyes, and partly because of our insatiable curiosity, we fought down -our self-protective instinct, flung ourselves full-length upon the -gallery floor, crept to the edge of the abyss, and gazed across. And -there, in that recumbent position, like small boys secretly watching -a ball game, we witnessed a spectacle so unimaginably strange that I -cannot recall it even today without a shudder of the old horror.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> - -<h3>Thunderbolts</h3> - - -<p>From our vantage-point near the cavern roof, we could not clearly -follow all that was happening a mile beneath; however, we were able to -observe more than a little. In the beginning, we were astonished to see -the doors at the base of the excavation all thrown open, to admit a -multitude of black ant-like mites, which we did not at first recognize -as human beings. So minute were they, in view of their distance, that -they might have been mere swarming insects. To discover much about -their appearance or costume was out of the question; nevertheless, -we were not long in learning their nature, for they immediately drew -themselves up into precise rectangular formations, each of which was -divided into scores of long, mathematically even columns.</p> - -<p>"By Heaven!" I gasped, as I lay peeping across the edge of the abyss. -"If it isn't an army!"</p> - -<p>"Sure enough, an army!" agreed Clay, his mouth agape till the lower jaw -seemed ready to drop off. "I'll swear they look like the devil's own -recruits! Just see the banners gleaming!"</p> - -<p>By straining my eyes, I could distinguish flashes of yellow and purple, -as from the waving of battle flags.</p> - -<p>"Say, look down there!" my companion ejaculated the next second, -leaning over the edge of the void until I feared he would take a -mile-long fall. "There's not one army! There's two!"</p> - -<p>"Sure you're not seeing double, old pal?" I demanded. And then, at -the risk of losing my own balance, I leaned out fully as far as Clay, -staring into the dreadful chasm directly below.</p> - -<p>It was indeed as my friend had said! Just under us was a second army, -its innumerable multitudes arrayed in neat rectangles, and its banners -flashing in vermilion and green!</p> - -<p>From the opposite sides of the cavern the two great masses of men, -each composed of scores of thousands of individuals, were approaching -one another with slow and gracefully coördinated movements. Had -they a hostile intent?—or were they merely on friendly parade? So -quietly were they advancing that both Clay and I leapt to the latter -explanation. It would not be long before we would learn our mistake!</p> - -<p>"By my grandmother's ghost, Frank! Where do all those fellows come -from?" exclaimed Clay, turning toward me with eyes bulging in wonder -and alarm. "What would you have said only yesterday, old chap, if some -one had drawn you a picture of all this?"</p> - -<p>"I'd have said he was dafter than a mad hatter!"</p> - -<p>"Chances are we'd have had him locked up!" agreed Clay. "Say, do you -know—"</p> - -<p>But he was not to complete his sentence. For at this point a -never-to-be-forgotten demonstration burst forth.</p> - -<p>It was as if the entire cavern had shot all at once into flames. It was -as if a thunder-storm of unparalleled fury had flared simultaneously -at a hundred points. There came a wave of dazzling white light which -flashed across the cavern on a jagged course and all but blinded us; -then, while our stunned senses reeled beneath the blow, we were smitten -by a clap of thunder so severe that our ear-drums fairly rang. Almost -instantly, other detonations followed, with a banging as of tremendous -explosions; and new lightnings streaked and blazed, with red and green -and orange coruscations as their long twisting lances zigzagged from -wall to wall. At the same time, the ground began to shake once more, to -shake so violently that we had to cling desperately to a rocky ledge; -and from moment to moment the tremors increased in severity. At last we -could understand the source of the earthquakes!</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus1.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p>New lightnings streaked and blazed with red and green and orange coruscations as their long twisting lances zigzagged from wall to wall.</p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>Speechless as deaf-mutes, Clay and I stared across at one another in -horror. But in his startled eyes I read a message: "Come, let's go!" -And his hand was motioning away down the gallery.</p> - -<p>Gladly I would have followed his suggestion. But I was as if glued -to the ledge. My panic-stricken muscles would not obey my will; I -quivered, rose to my knees, and then dropped down full-length once -more, terrified lest the heaving earth should pitch me over the -cavern edge.</p> - -<p>Yet terror could not subdue curiosity; I still gazed down at that -fantastic cavern floor, over which the colored lightnings flickered. -And what a ghastly discovery I made! Where were those orderly armies -that had thronged across the abyss a minute before?</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>For a moment, I merely gaped wide-eyed, wondering if my senses were -deceiving me. The armies had both vanished! In their place were -multitudes of black specks strewn pell-mell about the cavern floor, in -all manner of distorted positions, some of them bunched together in -great dark heaps, some of them clustered amid little new-made crimson -patches!</p> - -<p>"Do you see? Do you see?" I exclaimed, when a lull in the thunder once -more permitted conversation. "Shot to tatters, the whole lot of them!"</p> - -<p>"Shot to tatters!" Clay echoed, his bruised face performing wry antics -as he spoke. "Wonder what the whole infernal mess was all about."</p> - -<p>"Marvelous, anyway, how they use their lightnings to kill," I commented.</p> - -<p>"Marvelous the way both sides won!" he snapped back. "Doesn't seem to -be much left of either of them!"</p> - -<p>In this statement, however, Clay was mistaken. We were soon to learn -that all too much was left of both factions.</p> - -<p>While the lightnings still leapt and vaulted through space, crossing -and criss-crossing the atmosphere with dagger-flames of blue and -yellow, there rose a low, regular, distant rumbling—a rumbling too -even and continuous for thunder, and yet more ominous-sounding than -thunder, since it gained each moment in force and volume and had a -monotonous, rhythmical, thudding effect reminding one of the motor of -some great machine.</p> - -<p>"God be merciful, what's this coming?" suddenly cried my companion, -pointing far down the cavern. "See, Frank! Can you make out what it is?"</p> - -<p>At the renewed risk of falling over the edge, I peered in the indicated -direction; and, as I did so, I received perhaps the severest shock I -had yet had on this day of horrors. "Lord Almighty!" I gasped. "It's a -battleship on wheels!"</p> - -<p>"It's not one of them! It's two!" shouted Clay.</p> - -<p>And indeed, two monster shapes, each as large as the dreadnoughts of a -modern navy, were gliding toward us out of the greenish-yellow glare -far to the right. With long, pointed, steel-like prows, thin tapering -sterns, and squat funnels belching smoke and steam, they had the shape -and appearance of warships, except that they displayed no masts or -gun-turrets. But little dark tubes curving from their sides looked very -much like guns.</p> - -<p>"See the wheels," yelled Clay, trying to make himself heard above the -increasing uproar of the monsters' approach; and I observed how scores -of wheels, each of them twenty or thirty feet across, were arranged all -along the sides of the great machines, bearing them forward with the -speed of an ocean liner.</p> - -<p>"Seems to be in a hurry!" I yelled back, as I noticed with what steady -roaring haste the vessels pressed forward.</p> - -<p>But I had no time to wonder what the machines might be, or what -incredible people, populating the abysses of the earth, had developed -such giant mechanisms. Before I had half recovered from my surprise, I -was aware that Clay, no longer able to make his voice heard above the -din of the approaching monsters, was nudging my elbow and pointing in -great agitation to our left.</p> - -<p>"See! See there!" I read the unexpressed words on his lips. "Just look -at that! Just look! Just look!"</p> - -<p>Well might he be agitated. From far down the cavern to our left, three -more land-battleships were rumbling toward us, shooting out flashes of -red and white lightning like a challenge, while hastening to meet the -other Titans as though intending a head-on collision.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> - -<h3>Separated!</h3> - - -<p>Straight on and on the two sets of battle-monsters came, their ugly -pointed forms half-concealed in puffs and streamers of black smoke. -Waving at the stern of one group, we could distinguish banners of -yellow and purple, while the other group displayed green and vermilion -flags; but otherwise it was hard to tell them apart. On the decks of -all the vessels alike we could see swarms of animated black specks; -from the curved tubes at their sides we observed darts of lightning -intermittently shooting; and meantime their rumbling and roaring made a -pandemonium as of a thousand locomotives in simultaneous action.</p> - -<p>As they drew near each other, the two groups did not relax their speed. -Indeed, their pace was only accelerated! With the velocity of motor -cars on a highway, they raced to within a few hundred yards of each -other, as if intending to ram and destroy. There came a prodigious -hissing of steam as they rolled toward the death-grip; for a moment, -the five rushing monsters were obscured amid clouds of vapor, through -which the blue and yellow lightnings flared in innumerable bolts. Then -our aching ears caught the shock of a concussion so severe that for a -second we were stunned; then other shocks, equally severe, followed one -upon the other, as though a mile high giant were delivering blows with -a sledgehammer; then, while the earth reeled and staggered, we were too -dazed to be aware of anything except a stupendous uproar and commotion.</p> - -<p>But by slow degrees, the din subsided. By slow degrees, the wavering -ground regained its balance. Bewildered and still trembling, Clay and -I nerved ourselves to peer out again across the cavern edge. Yet for -a minute we saw nothing; the depths of the canyon were blanketed in -a fuming yellow vapor which obscured everything like a heavy fog and -tormented our nostrils with acrid odors.</p> - -<p>Owing to our physical discomfort, we did not know how or when the mists -were dissipated. But when at last Clay leaned across the cavern edge -once more, he uttered a surprised "Battle over! Say, it looks like a -tie!"</p> - -<p>"Like a tie?" I echoed, staring into the pit. "But where under -Heaven—where under Heaven are the fighters?"</p> - -<p>"There aren't any more fighters!" mumbled Clay—and this was the -literal truth. The great battle machines, which had snorted and -thundered so violently a few minutes before, were no longer to be seen! -Instead, we looked out upon a spectacle of wild devastation. The rocky -ground, plowed up and torn as by Titanic dredges, had been beaten into -ridges and furrows like the waves of a stormy sea; the opposite canyon -wall had been wrecked as if with dynamite, and great masses of broken -boulders were heaped up where the porthole-like openings had stared.</p> - -<p>But were there no signs at all of the land-battleships? Yes—here and -there along the scarred and charred pit-floor, we saw twisted rods and -wires! Here and there were bent and dented iron plates; here and there -were contorted coils, broken rods, fragments of wheels and axles—mute -testimonials to the fate of those five battle monarchs!</p> - -<p>For a long while we gaped in silence at that desolate battlefield. How -inconceivably powerful were these mysterious people of the depths! -What gigantic forces they controlled to be able to blow up huge steel -vessels like toys! In contemplation of such unheard-of might, I felt -overwhelmed with awe, and I felt crushed, humbled by my own feebleness.</p> - -<p>But quite different was Clay's reaction. I saw his lower lip curl in a -faintly contemptuous expression as he spoke.</p> - -<p>"You know, Frank, what I'm beginning to think? These caves are -inhabited by a lot of crazy men—blank, raving lunatics, the whole set -of them! Why, if they had the sense of a two-year-old, they'd know -enough not to fight when they'd all be blown to smithereens!"</p> - -<p>"Looks that way, doesn't it?" I conceded, begrudgingly. "But how could -we expect to have any wars at all, if every one had the sense of a -two-year-old?"</p> - -<p>Clay opened his mouth to reply. But before he could utter a word, an -event occurred that turned our thoughts to other subjects.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>From the cavern walls opposite us, where the little round openings had -not been blown away in the recent engagement, a shaft of red lightning -leapt, striking not many yards below us with an ear-splitting din. And -almost instantly another bolt shot out, and another, and another still, -each of them coming nearer us than the last, while our ears rang with -the heavy explosive uproar. That we were not killed instantly was due -more to luck than to our swift action.</p> - -<p>Yet we were not slow about rising and fleeing. Startled as we were, we -realized the nature of the onslaught. We had been seen, mistaken for -enemies, and fired upon! Hostile marksmen, armed with thunderbolts, -were seeking our lives!</p> - -<p>Even as we sprang up and away, a deafening crash resounded at our -heels, and we knew that the ledge where we had lain had been hit and -shattered. The next instant, as we darted along the gallery, an even -louder crash burst forth, and a huge rocky mass, dislodged from the -gallery roof, came roaring and clattering down almost at our feet.</p> - -<p>In that desperate crisis, it was each for himself. As if by instinct, -I knew that if I remained in that main passageway a second longer, I -would be struck and killed; as if by instinct, I turned in my flight -and darted off into the shelter of one of the many side-galleries. -And such was the impulse of my terror that I did not halt even when -reaching this relative safety, but kept on at full speed down the -vaguely lighted corridor, until at last my panting breath and pounding -heart forced me to stop.</p> - -<p>Then, wheeling about, I was swept by a new rush of alarm. Where was -Clay?</p> - -<p>In the fury of my panic, I had forgotten him. And now he was not to be -seen!</p> - -<p>"Phil! Phil!" I cried, suddenly aware of an aloneness, an isolation -such as I had never felt before. "Phil! Phil! Phil!"</p> - -<p>But my words rang uncannily down the dim gallery, with echoes like -devil's mockery. "Phil! Phil! Phil! Where are you, Phil? Where are -you?" I shouted again and again. But still only the echoes came back to -me, like the voice of my own despair, "Where are you, Phil? Where are -you?"</p> - -<p>And then, as I still called without reply, there came a thought that -all but paralyzed me with dread. What if my friend had not been so -fortunate as I? What if he had been hit by one of the death-bolts?</p> - -<p>As this new fear shot over me, I raised my voice more loudly than ever, -"Phil! Phil! <i>Phil!</i> Answer me, Phil! Where are you? Where are you?" -As though the sound of my own shouts would still the tumult storming -within me!</p> - -<p>Furiously I retraced my footsteps. Back along the side-gallery I -dashed, back to the main corridor where I had last seen my old chum. -"Phil! Phil! Phil! Where are you?" I still shouted as I approached; -and my heart sank as my voice, husky from the strain, cried out those -unavailing words.</p> - -<p>Then, with a final throb of expectation, I entered the corridor and -started out across its greenish-yellow spaces. And, as I did so, I -gave a gasp, and hope died within me. The gallery was empty! Clay was -nowhere to be seen!</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> - -<h3>Catastrophe</h3> - - -<p>For a long, blank moment of dismay and horror, I stood staring out -across that deserted passageway. I was as one who, in mid-ocean, -suddenly feels the waves foaming over him with no sign of a rescuing -sail. Not until this instant had the full terror of my plight -overwhelmed me; not until this instant had I felt utterly hopeless and -helpless. Now that Clay was gone, it was as if the very under-pinnings -of my world had been torn from beneath me.</p> - -<p>Yet my alarm was not for myself. It was of Clay that I was thinking; it -was Clay's tormented face that flashed before my mind as if surrounded -by a red glare of danger. And the conviction came to me, irrational yet -irresistible, that he had either been slain or was in mortal peril.</p> - -<p>Goaded by that dread, I shook myself out of the inaction that had -seized me as I regained the main gallery. I forgot my personal risk; -I scarcely cared whether or not a death-bolt felled me; I began -running furiously up and down, as recklessly as one who courts his own -destruction. Still no trace of Clay! Surely, he would not willingly -have deserted me! But had he too rushed into one of the side-corridors? -Then why had he not returned? Had he not heard my shouting? Would he -not shout for me as well?</p> - -<p>While these and other questions shot across my mind in baffling -succession, I peered fruitlessly into the shadows of half a score of -side-galleries; and into each of them I called as loudly as my cracked -and broken voice would permit; "Phil! Phil! Phil! Where are you? Where -are you, Phil?"</p> - -<p>But still only the mocking echoes came back to taunt me.</p> - -<p>Had I been a more cautious man, I would have been less ready to cry out -into those mysterious depths. For, while I accomplished nothing for -Clay, I was weaving a grim net of danger about my own head....</p> - -<p>I had called into the tenth or eleventh passageway, when an answering -yell met my ears—not the welcome voice I craved, but a high-pitched -cry in some unknown tongue, a cry of such unspeakable shrillness -and ferocity that I stopped short as if paralyzed and felt my knees -faltering beneath me and my hair bristling.</p> - -<p>Almost at the same instant, a grisly apparition glided forth amid the -dimness of the side-gallery. I say apparition, for, although it was -solid flesh and blood, it flashed upon me like a ghost—worse than a -ghost!—like the phantom of death himself! Imagine a man-sized figure, -robed from head to foot in black, and with a sable hood, the shape -of a fool's cap! Imagine a face of spectral, chalky white! Imagine a -toothless mouth leering with wide-gaping jaws; imagine the creature -starting forward with black-gloved hands extended, and with that -hideous shriek still shrilling from its lips; imagine—</p> - -<p>But I did not take time for further observation. Despite all the strain -I had endured, my legs retained their vigor. Not for nothing had I been -on the track team at college! But alas!—as I rushed like a hounded -deer along the main gallery, I was dashed to grief. I do not know what -betrayed me—perhaps a crevice in the floor, perhaps only a pebble; at -all events, I pitched ingloriously head over heels and came painfully -to a halt.</p> - -<p>Hastily picking myself up, regardless of a bruised shin and aching -knee-joint, I was about to resume my flight—when I found my pathway -blocked. All about me, at distances of from ten to twenty yards, were -dozens of beings so strange that they might have been dwellers of -another planet.</p> - -<p>They were riding cross-legged on curious low cars of about the size -and shape of children's coasters—little wheeled vehicles, three or -four feet long, a foot high, and a foot wide, which, with a buzzing of -motors, darted back and forth nervously, frequently colliding with one -another in their haste. This it was which explained their rapidity in -over-taking me.</p> - -<p>But more astonishing than the machines were the creatures themselves. -For a moment, as they ringed me about in a gaping crowd, I had the -uncanny sensation of being imprisoned by phantoms. Like him who had -started me on my flight, they were all black-clad from crown to heel; -they all had faces which, snowy white, seemed scarcely human in their -bloodless pallor. Their hair, protruding in long tufts from beneath -their cone-shaped hats, was either paper-white or gray; their eyes, -narrower than those of most men, gave the impression of being not fully -open, and were curiously pink or salmon-colored; their noses were flat -and stubby, their chins weak and almost unnoticeable, while their -narrow chests were so stooped and pinched that I could have believed -the whole lot of them to be consumptives.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Had it not been for the latter features, I might have mistaken them -all for women; for they wore long skirts which came down well below -the knees. The impression of femininity, moreover, was re-inforced by -the V-shaped slits in the backs of their costumes, and by the black -pencilling of the eyebrows, which were overlooked by little snake-like -curves, painted as if for artistic effect.</p> - -<p>But at the first horrified glimpse, I did not observe all these -details. I merely noticed how the creatures surrounded me, keeping at -a distance of not less than ten yards, while rolling restlessly back -and forth in their little cars; I noticed how several of them carried -long dragon-shaped banners of green and vermilion, and how others bore -little pistol-like implements, from which every now and then a forked -lightning-shaft flashed toward the ceiling. And as I gazed out at the -strangers, every other thought was lost in the despairing sense that I -was trapped.</p> - -<p>Yes!—I was trapped as completely as though they had me in irons. The -circle about me was unbroken, and there was no way of escape!</p> - -<p>Several minutes went by, during which nothing of importance happened. -The creatures stared at me, almost glared at me, with every expression -of interest; some of them jabbered to one another in those peculiar -high-pitched voices so unpleasant to my ears; others pointed at me -with curious gestures that may have indicated surprise, derision, or -anger; one of them even stepped forth a little and addressed me in -particularly loud and rasping tones, of which I could understand not -one word.</p> - -<p>But when I, in my turn, called out to them as a test, "Who are you? -Where am I?" they answered with a round of such unpleasant, grating -laughter that I resolved to hold my tongue thenceforth. Evidently -English was not spoken in the caverns beneath the earth.</p> - -<p>I do not know whether the people interpreted my words as mockery, or -were incensed by my failure to answer them intelligibly. In any case, I -could see an expression of hostility, of suspicion deepening in their -salmon eyes, and knew that I had provoked their disfavor. But I was -little prepared for their next action. From a rifle-like machine in -the hand of the foremost man, a coil of wire leapt forth; and, before -I realized the intention or had had a chance to evade it, the coil had -fallen over my neck and was tightening about my shoulders, drawing -my arms together against my sides and binding me as helplessly as a -lassoed steer.</p> - -<p>Naturally, I struggled, but the chief effect was to provoke more of -that unpleasant grating laughter. The metal, which was thick as my -index finger, would not yield to my most frantic efforts. The more I -writhed, the more deeply it cut into my flesh; and the more deeply it -cut into my flesh, the more heartily the chalky-faced folk laughed at -my groans.</p> - -<p>Then after a minute or two, my captors began pulling at the wire. While -some of the little coaster-like machines rolled behind me, and some -rolled ahead, but none approached within ten yards, I was led away down -one of the side-galleries, like a dog at the end of a string, toward a -fate I could hardly conjecture.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> - -<h3>Deeper and Darker</h3> - - -<p>In the course of my thirty-eight years, I have made more than one -hair-raising expedition. I have clung to the slippery sides of -precipices; I have rolled in a ship at sea, with the decks all awash -beneath the mountainous waves; I have been lost in the burning desert -and all but blistered to death; I have roamed glacial barrens, and -remote caves, and serpent-infested jungles. But never have I been -stricken with such fear, never have I suffered such nightmare agonies -as during that journey at the end of a wire, among the clattering -groups of pit-dwellers.</p> - -<p>So bewildered was I, so frightened, and at the same time so angered, -that for a long while I kept little track of where we went. I only -knew that we were making our way down, down, down, among a multitude -of galleries that curved, and curved again, and branched and -inter-branched with baffling intricacy—galleries illuminated with -a greenish-yellow glow by the multitudes of orbs placed at regular -intervals along the walls and ceiling. It seemed that we travelled for -miles, while my captors, on their queer wheeled machines, rolled ahead -of me and behind, but never came within yards of personal contact; and -minute by minute the wire cut more deeply into my skin, checking the -circulation and making it hard for me to hold back a cry of pain.</p> - -<p>After a time, however, I began to take closer note of my surroundings. -I remember, for example, catching a glimpse of a huge, rapidly -revolving wheel, larger than a barn-door, from which a strong draft -of cool air was blowing; I saw through a half-closed door into a hall -filled with machines as high as a five-story building; I was dazzled by -flashes of sun-brilliant lights, and once or twice my ears were smitten -with thunderblasts; I crossed a bridge over a subterranean torrent, -in which I could see half-submerged, illuminated vessels; I passed -walls lined with little round lighted windows, within which I could -distinguish shadowy figures moving; I shuffled along corridors where -long pipes, coils, and strands of wire ran along the walls for great -distances.</p> - -<p>Absorbed in these sights, I had regained something of my composure -before there occurred an event which, for a time, unnerved me -completely. Coming to the end of a narrow passageway, we found -ourselves facing a thoroughfare which, to my unaccustomed eyes, -seemed like a parade-ground of demons. Along a gallery fifty or sixty -yards across, a multitude of little cars were shooting back and forth -with prodigious rapidity. None of them were any larger than the tiny -coaster-like machines of my captors, but all were moving with such -speed that it was difficult, and at times impossible, to follow their -movements. Worst of all, they seemed to pursue no regular route, -but looped and curved at all crazy angles, and so many were the -near-collisions that it made me dizzy merely to look at the vehicles.</p> - -<p>Across this mad avenue my captors set forth with the utmost -nonchalance, weaving their way in and out as unconcernedly as though -not in danger of being knocked to eternity. And I, though I strained -back at my wire till the blood came, was forced to follow. Imagine my -terror! The diabolical little machines, like bolts out of a cannon, -came racing toward me from all sides, and none would relax its speed as -it approached! I felt one of them flitting just to my rear with a rush -of wind; another almost scraped the tips of my shoes as it darted in -front of me; a third would certainly have ended my days on earth had -it not swerved by a fraction of an inch just as it was about to destroy -me. Little wonder that, by the time I had reached the further side, I -was near to nervous prostration!</p> - -<p>I was just heaving a sigh of relief at my deliverance, when there -came a loud crash from behind me; and, glancing back, I saw two of -the little cars jumbled together in a distorted heap, their drivers -sprawled with outstretched limbs along the cavern floor. One of them, -lying motionless in a pool of blood, was evidently already beyond help; -the other was twisting and groaning miserably. But the other riders -were shooting back and forth with the same reckless haste as ever, and -no one seemed to pay the unfortunates any attention.</p> - -<p>Amid all my trials, I had one cause to be thankful: we were to cross -no other driveway that day! Fifteen minutes later, we had reached -our destination; we emerged into a long, straight cavern, with walls -several hundred feet apart and a vaulted ceiling fifty yards high; and -one of my captors, flinging open a little door at one side, motioned me -to enter.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Not being allured by the vague, indistinctly lighted interior, I stood -still and made no attempt to obey—at which my master went off into -a fit. A reddish tinge transformed the normal chalky white of his -face; his black-gloved hands shook wrathfully and he uttered a howl of -shrieking command.</p> - -<p>Although I did not understand the words, I could guess their meaning; -however, I still held my ground, disobedient and determined.</p> - -<p>At this, my tormentor, growing more angry still, consulted briefly with -one of his fellows; then, with a resolute motion, he seized a long -two-pronged pole from the cavern wall and thrust this weapon forward so -as to catch me between the prongs.</p> - -<p>Thus held, I was helpless; and though I howled my resentment, I was -shoved through the door like a captive beast. The next moment, I heard -the heavy hinges rattling to a close, and with a bang like thunder, -the door slammed in my face. At last I was in prison!</p> - -<p>By the pale greenish-yellow light, I found myself in a room about -twenty-five feet square, with only one small window, and with a -low ceiling that curved down almost to meet the floor. One or two -stone benches and tables, but no chairs, were scattered about this -compartment; while, at the further end, half a dozen white-faced and -black-robed creatures were cowering miserably.</p> - -<p>But when, with the friendliest of intentions, I approached these -fellow-sufferers, they cringed and withdrew into the remotest corner, -trembling, and uttered sharp, menacing exclamations of fear. Why were -they so afraid of me? Was it that they had never seen a man of my race?</p> - -<p>Being denied their company, I deposited myself on a stone bench across -the room from them, and, with my head buried in my hands, began -drearily reviewing my predicament. Who were these chalk-faced people? -How did they manage to live here beneath the earth? Why had no one ever -heard of them before? What did they intend to do with me? What had -happened to Clay? Was he alive or dead? These questions, and a thousand -more, flitted through my mind in a mad, almost delirious succession, -while, at the same time, I became increasingly aware of a great -fatigue, and increasingly conscious of being hungry and thirsty.</p> - -<p>My head was aching and my tongue was growing dry within my mouth by -the time the prison door opened once more and one of the chalk-faces -entered and deposited a bowl of water and some marble-sized purple -capsules on a table a few yards from me.</p> - -<p>To my surprise, my cell-mates all at once made a dash, as if to seize -these articles, but withdrew in a panic when I stepped forth, and I was -left in undisputed possession of the prizes.</p> - -<p>At one gulp, I consumed the water; then, feeling somewhat better, I -took up the purple capsules and examined them with interest. As I did -so, a grim suspicion came into my mind. I do not know what it was that -gave me this idea—perhaps the vivid color of the pellets; it flashed -over me that these were poison potions, intended as an easy means of -disposing of me. Probably it was from this fate that my cell-mates, -unfriendly though they seemed, had wished to save me in rushing for the -capsules.</p> - -<p>What was more natural therefore than that, horrified by my suspicions, -I should seize the capsules and dash them along the floor? But what -was more astonishing than the actions of my cell-mates, who, with -wild whoops and cries, leapt after these scattered purple globules? I -noticed how they all showed an almost ravenous greed, each fighting to -be first; I also noticed how, as if stricken blind, they began to grope -strangely as they drew near the objects, feeling with clumsy hands -across the floor and apparently finally locating them by touch alone.</p> - -<p>Surely, it was not the dimness of the light that caused this queer -conduct, for they had seen the capsules plainly enough at a distance!</p> - -<p>It was at this point that I made my first great discovery about the -chalk-faces. They were unable to see things clearly close at hand! -Doubtless, their long residence underground had affected their vision.</p> - -<p>It was at this point, also, that I made my second great discovery. The -purple pellets were good to eat! That was manifest, for my cell-mates, -having seized them, thrust them eagerly into their toothless mouths and -smacked their lips in relish.</p> - -<p>Cursing my reckless folly in throwing the capsules away, I made a -rush toward my cell-mates, and, by grasping desperately, managed to -seize the last of the globules barely in time to save it from the -chalk-faces. And then tentatively I put it into my mouth, ready to spit -it out at any indication of poison. But I might have spared my fears. -It had a delicious nutty flavor, and was evidently concentrated food -of a high quality, for I felt a new surge of strength in my veins the -moment I had consumed it.</p> - -<p>It was well that I had taken even this small amount of nourishment; I -was to need all my spare energy in the dread ordeal that lay ahead.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> - -<h3>Beneath the Ray</h3> - - -<p>In the first dismal moment of my imprisonment, I had anticipated days, -weeks, or even months of confinement. But I might have spared my -fears. I was soon to be released—although under the last conditions I -would have chosen. And the period of my incarceration, though brief in -duration, was to be savage in the torments it inflicted.</p> - -<p>Two or three hours after I had been jailed, the prison door was shoved -violently inward to admit such a ferocious-looking gang of invaders -that my cell-mates all murmured in fright and huddled together at -the extreme end of the room. I too gave a little gasp of alarm, then -tried hard to make myself inconspicuous in a dark corner under the -low-hanging ceiling. In astonishment only exceeded by my apprehension, -I saw a troop of ten beings, who had evidently made every effort to -appear inhuman. The head of each was enveloped in a triangular mask of -steel which came to a hatchet-like point in front and displayed hideous -gaping apertures for the eyes, mouth, and nostrils; their bodies were -encased in dark cloth covered with thin flakes of steel which clattered -as they walked; their feet, which carried long spike-like spurs both in -front and behind, were clothed in iron-plated boots that ran almost to -the knees; their right hands bore shining weapons, shaped a little like -sawed-off shotguns, the ends of which scintillated with flying sparks.</p> - -<p>But perhaps the most remarkable thing about them was the manner in -which they walked. They all stepped forward with movements so stiff -and regular that I had a fleeting suspicion that they were animated -machines; their arms swayed up and down, up and down, in perfect time -with those of their companions; their feet always left the ground with -a peculiar high-swinging motion, like that of prancing horses, although -their pace was by no means a prancing one; the sound of their footsteps -reminded me of cavalry trotting.</p> - -<p>Of course, I recognized their nature very quickly. Their automatic and -mechanical movements made it evident that they were soldiers.</p> - -<p>At a steady pace, they approached my cell-mates, who were shaking and -howling with dread; then abruptly they halted, and their leader pointed -at one of the poor wretches and snapped out a sharp order.</p> - -<p>Instantly the victim uttered a cry, as of lamentation and dismay; then, -sagging to the floor, he was seized by one of the warriors and dragged -away, while the whole party left the room at their odd prancing march.</p> - -<p>As the door rattled to a close behind them, my remaining cell-mates all -dashed toward the one small window, fighting and wrestling with one -another to gain a favorable position. And all the while, from the lips -of them all, there issued the dreariest, most doleful wails that ever -grated on my ears.</p> - -<p>Noting their excitement, and not wishing to be left behind if there -was anything to see, I too darted toward the window. And lo and -behold!—the effect was magical! Avoiding contact with me as though I -were a plague-bearer, the chalk-faces all made way before my coming, -and, whimpering with fear, retreated to the further end of the room. -Thus I was left in undisputed possession of the view!</p> - -<p>It was a strange sight that I beheld as I peered out between the iron -bars—a sight in some ways more appalling than even the clash of the -land-battleships. Glancing out into the broad, high corridor just -outside our prison, I saw my late cell-mate being borne away to the -opposite wall, where he was tied against a stone column shaped like -a gallows. Then, while a group of about fifty chalk-faces gathered -around, gibbering and gesticulating, one of the soldiers uttered what -sounded like a warning cry, at which the spectators all withdrew to a -respectable distance, and a curious-looking machine was wheeled on to -the scene.</p> - -<p>Not until its brown cloth cover had been removed, and it had been put -into operation, could I guess its nature. Although it rested, like a -camera, on an iron tripod, it was unlike any other machine I had ever -observed; it consisted, in the main, of a series of prisms and lenses, -of various shapes and colors, some of them transparent and but a few -inches across, but the foremost of them rounded in form, stained a deep -opaque blue, and fully a yard in diameter. Behind the lenses, there -were numbers of bulbs and wires, and of battery-like tubes; while the -whole instrument, when in operation, made a constant whirring sound, a -little like a motion picture projector.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>What interested me most of all, however, was the weird light which, -issuing from the foremost lens, was not scattered or diffused like most -rays, but drew sharply to a focus twenty or twenty-five yards ahead of -the machine, making a long cone of the most uncanny violet illumination -I had ever seen.</p> - -<p>Even now, I was not certain of the dread purpose of the apparatus. -But from the hush of awe-stricken expectancy that had come over the -spectators, I surmised that something extraordinary was in store. Nor -was I to be disappointed. One of the soldiers, operating the machine, -turned the violet light-rays on and off two or three times as if for -practice, then gradually moved the instrument so that it pointed -directly toward the wretch tied against the stone column.</p> - -<p>There followed a moment of silence, during which the operator looked -through a little glass tube, as if to make sure of his position and -distance; then he raised his black-gloved hand in an urgent gesture, -and the silence became more absolute than ever, except for a moaning -sound from the tied man; then he took out a little instrument like -a watch and gazed at it intently, as if keeping careful count of the -time....</p> - -<p>The next instant, while I still wondered what was to happen, I heard -the low regular whirring of the machine. The cone of violet light shot -out, its focus directly at the prisoner's heart. Then the man sagged -and would have fallen except for the ropes that held him. A strangled -cry issued from his throat; dark foam appeared upon his lips; his face, -for an instant, became ghastly purplish red, then turned gray and -colorless....</p> - -<p>Three or four seconds, and all was over. The victim gave a last -convulsive quiver; the violet light no longer played; the whirring -sound had ceased. But one of the soldiers, whistling a tune, cut the -lifeless form free; and the people, with a loud babbling chatter, -surged back and forth across the gallery as if nothing had occurred.</p> - -<p>The explanation now was clear enough to me. I knew that the machine -generated not only violet but ultra-violet rays of a penetrating power -to reach the heart and check its action by tearing down the tissues.</p> - -<p>Having seen enough for one day, I sank back upon a stone bench, -clasping my aching forehead with both hands and telling myself that I -had fallen amongst the most barbarous race ever known. True, they were -wonderfully advanced scientifically, but would any civilized people -execute a man with a death-ray? Would they not, rather, resort to -humane devices, such as hanging, the guillotine, or the electric chair?</p> - -<p>While absorbed in these ruminations, I was startled to see the prison -door burst open once more, admitting the squad of ten soldiers who -advanced with the same machine-like movements and prancing steps as -before, singled out another of my cell-mates, bore the cringing victim -away, and promptly executed him by means of the violet-ray.</p> - -<p>Four times in the course of the next hour they returned, and each time -withdrew one of my fellow prisoners, who shortly afterwards said his -last farewell to this world.</p> - -<p>What had these men done to justify such treatment? Surely, they were -criminals of a desperate calibre!</p> - -<p>With this reflection, I sought to console myself and to drive out a -terrorizing premonition. But it was by no means consoling to find -myself at length alone in the prison, while the last of my cell-mates -was being crumpled to death by the violet rays.</p> - -<p>Would I now be left to myself? Fervently I prayed to remain undisturbed -for a time, so that the pulsing in my head might subside. But my -prayer was not to be answered. Immediately after disposing of the last -chalk-face, the soldiers returned. I heard the banging of the door, as -it swung on its hinges with a rattling like the thunder of the gates -of doom; I heard the warriors, with their clattering steely garments -and triangular hatchet helmets as they solemnly approached; I saw their -leader lift a black-clad hand and point in my direction with a motion -as automatic as it was inexorable; and, cowering in the furthest dim -recess of the prison, cornered beyond hope of escape, I felt as if I -had already heard the summons of the Last Bugler trumpeting in my ears.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> - -<h3>Intervention</h3> - - -<p>Had I been a condemned criminal sentenced to the electric chair, my -torments would have been less hard to bear. For then, at least, I would -have known that I was suffering justly; I would have been surrounded -by people of my own kind and race; I would have had time in which -to prepare myself, and I would have had to face no such diabolical -instrument as the violet-ray. Oh, how I loathed the sight of that -machine. Even today I cannot think of it without an involuntary start -of fright! Yet, apparently, there was no power on Heaven or Earth to -save me from it. Coolly, deliberately, with the most matter-of-fact -manner, my oppressors dragged me out of prison, pulled me at the end -of a wire to the stone column that had witnessed the six executions, -and, still not approaching me, hurled some heavy iron strands around -the column in such a way as to hold me tightly against it.</p> - -<p>Now it seemed to me that I was living through some horrible nightmare, -persecuted by devils. I saw the ghastly black-and-white figures of the -spectators crowded at a safe distance, their salmon eyes glittering -with pitiless curiosity; I saw the ten soldiers with their hatchet -helmets looking on like the creatures of some delirious vision; I saw -the death-machine being moved into place and watched the operator as -he peered through the little glass tube as if to make sure of his aim. -Then, while I gave a convulsive shudder and grew limp with fright, the -executioner lifted his hand to signify that all was ready....</p> - -<p>The following seconds seemed each as long as whole hours. For the first -time since my childhood, I had an impulse to pray; my lips opened, -as if to gasp out a supplication to that Supreme Power in whom I no -longer believed; but nothing except a cracked, dry sound came forth, -and I half imagined I already heard my own death-rattle. In that final -second, I seemed to live through my whole life again, as the drowning -are said to do; I was a child in my mother's arms; I was a youth at -college; I was a grown man making love to that auburn-headed one who -might even now be my bride, if—</p> - -<p>But at this point my remembrances ceased. My ears caught the tell-tale -whirring of the death-machine; my eyes beheld the cone of violet light, -its thin point tapering toward my breast; and, straining with a last -futile effort against the imprisoning wires, I thought that my days on -earth were over.</p> - -<p>Several seconds, long-protracted, tortured seconds—went by. I was -aware of a faint warmth, a slight tickling sensation above the -heart—and that was all. Was my death to be painless?</p> - -<p>Then, in a wild rush, hope came flooding back upon me. Might I not, -after all, be saved? Was I immune to the effects of the rays?</p> - -<p>Yes!—the miracle had happened! Suddenly the whirring of the machine -ceased, the violet-ray snapped off, and the spectators, surging back -and forth with excited cries, showed that they shared my own surprise -at the failure of the execution.</p> - -<p>But was I actually saved? Again I heard the fearful buzzing of the -machine; again the cone of violet light pointed toward me; again I felt -that ticking sensation in my breast. But I still defied the rays of -death!</p> - -<p>After the third fruitless attempt, the chalk-faces seemed ready to -abandon the effort. I saw the soldiers gathered in a little knot as -though in conference; I heard the spectators noisily talking with -explosive exclamations; then, after a minute, to my great relief, one -of the helmeted ones reached out with a long forked pole and loosened -the wires that bound me.</p> - -<p>A moment later, I was a free man! Still mystified as to the reason for -my escape, I felt impulsively at my chest, wondering if I had not been -wounded, ever though I felt no pain. And, as I did so, sudden light -dawned upon me. Beneath my coat, which had been punctured with a little -round incision like a bullet-hole, I felt a small familiar bulge. And -reaching into an inner pocket, I drew forth a little leather-covered -notebook! A deep, charred perforation, reaching almost through the -heavy back cover, showed what it was that had checked the deadly rays!</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Had my enemies taken the trouble to search me in advance, I would not -have escaped so easily. Only their irrational dread of approaching me -could account for this omission!</p> - -<p>But let me not exult prematurely! Now that the cause of the -interference had been discovered, what was to prevent my captors from -subjecting me once more to the violet rays?</p> - -<p>Evidently, the same idea occurred to them as well. Seeing me take -the notebook out of my pocket, they uttered shrill exclamations of -interest, and the soldiers motioned me to surrender it. At first I -refused, but they bound me again with wires shot from one of the -rifle-like machines, forcing me to drop the book, which one of the -chalk-faces instantly drew toward him with a pronged pole.</p> - -<p>But as he could not see clearly at close range, he placed it twenty or -thirty feet away, and examined it through a sort of binoculars, while -one of his companions turned the pages. I do not know what he found to -interest him, for all that it contained was some mining notes with some -printed matter bearing statistical information, such as the names and -populations of leading cities, the capitals of states, etc. Besides, -it was to be presumed that he could not read English! Nevertheless, -he uttered significant grunts as he looked from page to page, and one -would have thought he had gained invaluable knowledge!</p> - -<p>All this was, however, of little consolation to me, for I still -expected to be executed the next minute. And was I not justified -in this expectation, judging from the way the operator of the -death-machine was testing the apparatus, turning the violet-ray on and -off every few seconds as if for practice?</p> - -<p>Indeed, had it not been for the arrival of Professor Tan Trum, my -execution would have been postponed but a few minutes.</p> - -<p>I mentioned the name of this renowned individual as I afterwards -learned it; for, at the time, of course, I knew nothing of his -distinguished reputation. I was only aware of the approach of a -chalk-face of unusual appearance. He was much taller and thinner than -any of his companions, being well over six feet in height and lean -in proportion, and he bent far forward as he walked. His gray hair -fell in long braids and curls from his massive brow; his embroidered -robe rippled almost to his ankles; and his face, instead of being -cleaned-shaven like that of his fellows, showed a long grizzled beard, -neatly parted in the center.</p> - -<p>At his approach, the others withdrew, not exactly with deference, -but with a little of the awe of children at the appearance of some -authoritative adult, while he, not heeding them in the least, pushed -his way to the front of the crowd, took out his binoculars, and peered -at my notebook from a convenient distance.</p> - -<p>As he did so, I could see his little reddish eyes beaming -enthusiastically. But I was little prepared for the whoop of joy which -he let out, or for his excited leap and rush in the direction of my -notebook. Approaching it, he had to grope like a blind man, since he -had even more trouble than his countrymen in seeing near at hand. -However, he finally managed to locate it, and, hugging it to his side -as though it were some rare art treasure, he uttered another cry of -delight.</p> - -<p>The next moment, I noticed that his eyes were fastened upon me, but I -felt more friendliness than hostility in his glance; indeed, it turned -out that, for the first time since arriving in these nether depths, I -had found a defender. I realized that I personally interested him less -than did my notebook, yet he was so grateful that I could have kissed -his hand when he motioned to my captors, speaking sharply and angrily, -and they once more untied my bonds.</p> - -<p>Yet I was to be disappointed if I imagined the ordeal to be over. I -was, indeed, relieved of the fear of instant execution; but other -trials and perils followed immediately. No sooner was I released -from the wires than the Professor issued an order and several of the -little coaster-like cars were wheeled up. What was my horror when I -was motioned to take my place on one of them! However, it was useless -to protest. Upon my refusal to obey commands, I was pitched on to one -of the vehicles with a two-pronged pole and was made to understand -that any attempt to escape would be severely treated. So I lay on the -car at full length, clinging to a little board projecting in front, -instead of squatting with crossed legs, in the manner of the natives. -Loud was their laughter to see me take this position, and great was -their surprise that I appeared to have no knowledge of the steering -mechanism; but they solved the difficulty by hitching my machine with a -wire to another, which forthwith dragged it away.</p> - -<p>The ride that followed did not last more than ten minutes, but it was -an expedition through Hell itself. My mind kept no clear track of -details; I only know that we roared through narrow tunnels, lurched at -breakneck speed around curves, shot across causeways and bridges, raced -along avenues where other cars swept past in a gray whirl of speed, and -finally came to a halt with such abruptness that I was pitched forward -off my perch, and was only saved from serious injury by falling on -Professor Tan Trum, who drove the car ahead of mine.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Not being versed in the native language, I did not know what epithets -of abuse he used; but the sparks that flashed from his salmon eyes, and -the sharp tones of his indignant voice, testified to his anger as he -picked himself up, nursed a bruised arm, and brushed out the rumpled -embroidery of his gown. But, infuriated as he was, I could see that -his first thought was for my notebook, which he still firmly clutched. -Finding this unharmed, he seemed consoled for his injuries.</p> - -<p>We were now joined by half a dozen more chalk-faces, including several -soldiers, who had followed us on other cars, and the whole party, -without delay, started down a brilliantly lighted gallery toward a -great shining hall. As always, most of the chalk-faces kept at a -distance from me, some of them trotting half a dozen yards behind, -and others as many yards ahead; but Professor Tan Trum, surprisingly, -seemed willing to walk at my side—an act of friendliness which filled -me with deep gratitude.</p> - -<p>As we drew near the hall, my companions slackened their pace; when we -had come within a stone's throw of the entrance, I was startled to see -a row of soldiers, their faces hidden in triangular helmets, their -right hands clutching pikes twenty feet high. They all stood stiff -as stone and made no response to our salutes; in fact, such was their -lifeless rigidity that at first I supposed them to be, not living men, -but statues.</p> - -<p>However, after one of our attendants had spoken, slipping a little -something into their hands, two of the soldiers proved themselves to -be human after all; they moved aside a few feet, making room for us to -pass; and, while their pikes gleamed high above us, we entered the hall -beyond.</p> - -<p>I was now surprised to see my companions drop to their knees and move -forward on all fours in a grovelling attitude which I could not be -persuaded to imitate until a sharp cuff on the small of the back taught -me discretion. Even Professor Tan Trum had fallen into a most ungainly -and unbecoming posture; his lanky form, as he crept forward foot by -foot on his hands and knees, impressed me as so ridiculous that I could -not restrain a burst of laughter, which cost me a second and even more -severe cuff on the back.</p> - -<p>But what was it that filled the chalk-faces with such humility? Had -they entered the shrine of a god—or the throne-room of their king? -After a moment, I accepted the latter explanation, although nothing -very kingly-looking met my eyes. There was, to be sure, plenty of pomp -and display; the walls of the hall, which was at least a hundred yards -across, were emblazoned with multitudes of brilliant white, red, and -yellow lights; enormous dragon-shaped banners of green and vermilion -hung from the high fretted ceilings, interspersed with long strings -of swords, pikes, and helmets; in the center, on a raised platform of -polished red sandstone, sat the most remarkable individual it had ever -been my fortune to behold.</p> - -<p>Let me say, to begin with, that he was the smallest man I had -encountered outside of a circus. He may have been four feet high, but -I doubt it; his lean and weazened frame may have been as stout as that -of an eight-year-old, but again I doubt it. The legs, thin as those of -a paralytic, were little more than two dangling sticks; his arms were -scarcely better developed; his head was bald, his mouth toothless, and -his fingers without nails; his eyes were covered with instruments like -binoculars, through which he could see only with difficulty; his ears -were hidden by a mass of wires, and by black projections like telephone -receivers; his nostrils were encased in rubber-like tubes, connecting -with steel tanks which, as I later learned, contained oxygen; his -mouth, likewise, was fitted with breathing tubes, which I saw him -remove only in order to talk, which he did by means of a megaphone.</p> - -<p>In other words, the poor creature seemed to have scarcely one of his -natural faculties intact!</p> - -<p>Yet, to judge from the way in which he was dressed, he was a personage -of note. I shall spare the reader an account of his apparel, except -to say that, unlike his fellows, he was robed not in black, but in -resplendent green and saffron, with a purple crest upon his hairless -pate, and with a string of huge rubies dangling about his neck. -Personally, I did not care for the color scheme, but he himself was -apparently well pleased with it, for all about him, in a gleaming -circle, a row of large mirrors was displayed, and through these he was -feasted with a constant view of himself and could catch every turn and -nod and twist of his imperial countenance. Moreover, other mirrors, -spaced at intervals about the room, caught the reflections of the ones -nearest him and magnified them so that, in no matter what direction -one looked, one was sure to catch the image of that green-and-saffron -figure.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>It was appropriate that throughout the greater part of the room, except -for the reflection of the central dignitary, there should be nothing at -all. But just around him, with a mincing and obsequious manner, twenty -attendants stood in waiting on the sandstone platform; whenever he made -a move or a gesture, were it only to smooth out his dress or scratch -the back of his neck, at least half of them would rush up to serve him. -I well remember their consternation on one occasion when their master, -with the most undignified suddenness, bent forward and sneezed; for a -moment, not knowing what was the trouble, I thought I was witnessing a -riot as the twenty attendants, like one man, leapt forward to readjust -the nose-tubes, which had been blown out of place.</p> - -<p>All this I observed while my companions and I, on our hands and knees, -crept up to the throne of the potentate. Why should the chalk-faces, -absurd as they were, do reverence to such a monarch? I wondered, for -I now had no doubt that this was their royal lord. But knowing that -there is no accounting for political tastes, I dismissed the mystery as -beyond solution; and, for the sake of good form, I remained crouching -in a respectful attitude after we had finally halted twenty yards from -the throne.</p> - -<p>For half an hour we remained on all fours, miserably waiting—at least, -<i>I</i> was miserable. During all this time the sovereign seemed to take no -note at all of our existence, but remained seated in a sort of dreamy -trance, as if brooding on the mystic bliss of Nirvana. Unfortunately, -it was the rule among the chalk-faces that subjects could not speak -until spoken to; hence we might have remained stooping there all day, -and still not have gained an audience, had the dignitary not eventually -caught sight of me and become interested.</p> - -<p>So interested was he, in fact, that he rose from his seat and tottered -to the edge of the platform—a distance of fully six feet, which -he accomplished with the utmost difficulty, while three attendants -supported him on each side. Then, for at least a minute, he stared at -me intently through his binoculars until, exhausted from the effort, he -had to be carried to his chair and fanned back to life again.</p> - -<p>This process consumed at least ten minutes, during which we all had to -remain in the same uncomfortable attitude. But at length the regal one, -restored by the fanning of his servants and strengthened by hypodermic -injections, was revived sufficiently to be able to speak through the -megaphone which a slave lifted to his mouth. Of course, I did not know -what he said, but the words were high-pitched and squeaky and rasped -upon me like the edge of a file; but the effect was, at least, most -welcome, for all of us, with sighs of relief, were able to rise to our -feet.</p> - -<p>Now Professor Tan Trum, after a flourish and a low bow, waved my -notebook high in the air for all to see and launched forth into speech. -And what a speech it was. The words seemed to trip and fall over one -another, as they came out in a rattling torrent; many minutes went by -with scarcely a pause for breath, while all the other chalk-faces made -scarcely an effort to conceal their yawns. At last even the monarch, -apparently, could endure it no longer; he lifted his arm in a gesture -of command, motioned for the megaphone, and snapped out two short -words—which instantly put an end to Tan Trum's discourse.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Not until much later did I learn that the ruler had granted everything -the professor had asked, nor did I know how deeply everything that had -happened affected myself. But his speech, as I afterwards read it in -the court records, ran something as follows:</p> - -<p>"Lord High Dictator Thuno Flâtum, sovereign of the great empire of Wu -and illustrious ruler of the Underworld and the Overworld, I prostrate -myself before you! Long may your distinguished might endure! Long -may your power cause the nations to shake! I come to you today on a -momentous mission, and I trust you will let no thought of my personal -unworthiness deter you from that just decision for which you are so -rightly renowned. Know, O Thuno Flâtum, that this day a stranger of -queer and unprepossessing appearance has been found in our midst. His -dark skin and gray eyes proclaim him to be a member of one of those -colored races of which ancient traditions tell. But he was at first -mistaken for a spy sent out against us by our enemy, Zu, in the war -now being waged. This view was re-inforced by the fact that he was -found in the Scouting Galleries, just above Black Ravine, where the -forces of Your Highness have this day won such a glorious victory. -Hence he was sentenced to be executed, in accordance with that good old -maxim, 'In wartime, kill first and investigate afterwards.'</p> - -<p>"But, as fortune would have it, I arrived in time to save him. Your -Highness will observe the curious little book which I carry in my hand; -this proves him to be not a spy after all, but a creature of some -outside race who arrived in some manner beyond our imagining. It is -preposterous, of course, to suppose that he came from the Overworld, -which, as our scientists have conclusively proved, is incapable of -supporting life, since all living things would be instantly killed by -the sunlight and fresh air. But may he not have come from caverns deep -down in the earth's center, where we have never penetrated?</p> - -<p>"This is my theory, Your Highness, and it is supported by the queer -writing in his book, which I take to be the hieroglyphics of the -crude and undeveloped race of which he is a member. As a philologist, -I cannot but be interested, and as a student of primitive writing, -I consider that here is an unparalleled opportunity for scholarly -research. So I request, Your Highness, that you permit me to take him -to my own home, where I will care for him and will attempt, in case -his mind be capable of absorbing a few simple facts, to educate him in -the rudiments of our language, so as better to study his habits in the -interests of science. I will deliver a full report in not less than -three octavo volumes, before the Royal Institute of Anthropological -Abnormalities, and meanwhile will put up a bond to take every -reasonable care of the prisoner and not to let him bite any one or -escape...."</p> - -<p>Such was the opening of Professor Tan Trum's speech, which continued in -the same vein for thirty pages. It is little wonder, therefore, that -the patience of Dictator Thuno Flâtum finally weakened, and that, with -his permission, I left the hall in the company of Professor Tan Trum, -to be launched by him into a new and unpredictably strange career.</p> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illusc2.jpg" alt=""/> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> - -<h3>Some Riddles Solved</h3> - - -<p>The home of Professor Tan Trum was typical of the so-called "Second -Class" citizen of the country of Wu. It was composed of five or six -small rooms, excavated out of solid rock, and opening on one of the -numerous side-galleries that threaded the underworld. There were no -windows, but light was provided by the yellowish-green electric bulbs; -while a constant supply of air was forced in through whirling fan-like -devices located in little orifices near the front door. All in all, -the Professor's abode was comfortable enough, although I could never -accustom myself to the stone chairs and tables, to the stone beds -without pillows, or to the grotesque hangings and adornments, composed -of small likenesses of swords, helmets and land-battleships, which -constituted the native idea of art.</p> - -<p>The family of the Professor included his wife, Tan Tal, and his three -daughters, Loa, Moa, and Noa. In them I made my first acquaintance with -the feminine half of the population—and not few or slight were the -surprises which they gave me! To begin with, there was the trouble of -telling them apart, and in distinguishing the oldest from the youngest. -On first entering the house, I assumed that Tan Tal, the mother, was -the most youthful of the girls, while Loa, the last-born daughter, -struck me as undoubtedly the parent. And this mistake, absurd as it -may seem, was only natural, owing to the peculiar ideas of beauty -entertained by the ladies of Wu.</p> - -<p>For it was their opinion—in which the men seemed to share—that the -supreme mark of a woman's loveliness was her wrinkles, and that the -more wrinkles she boasted, particularly around the eyes and on the -neck, the more alluring was her appearance. Hence all the damsels used -to spend hours a day with wrinkle-producing creams, with permanent -"wrinkle-wavers," and with other devices to create creases in their -naturally smooth countenances; and only the old and matronly women, -who were past the stage of trying to shine before their lovers, could -afford to neglect the cosmetic arts and to let their features unwrinkle -themselves.</p> - -<p>It was for this reason that the young Loa, who, as I was later told, -had barely reached seventeen, impressed me as a hag of advanced years. -Her cheeks, her forehead, and her neck were furrowed in such a fashion -as to remind me of a crone of ninety; while she was rendered all the -more hideous, to my way of thinking, by the cream-colored paint with -which she had daubed her lips, and by the fact that her eyelashes, -in accordance with native custom, had been shaved away. Yet in the -estimation of the chalk-faces, she was supremely beautiful!</p> - -<p>There was another fact about Loa—and about all the other ladies—which -grated horribly on my sensibilities. This was that, while the men -wore skirts, the women all went around in trousers! All females, above -the age of four or five, wore loose, pajama-like pantaloons of various -colors; and it was considered unseemly, not to say indecent, for a -lady to appear in any other costume; in fact, one of the maidens of my -acquaintance was denied admittance to the best social circles because -once, in jest, she had donned her brother's skirts.</p> - -<p>In the same way, I myself was looked upon with suspicion, not to say -contempt, because the trousers which I wore were considered unbecoming -for a gentleman. Some persons, seeing me from a distance, made a -mistake as to my sex, while others were so shocked that they went away -shuddering with noses pointed high in the air in horror. Only after -Professor Tan Trum had been officially notified of my delinquency, and -had remedied the situation by providing me with one of his old black -skirts, was I able to appear in respectable society.</p> - -<p>I am sure that any of the local youths would have envied me the -privilege that I now endured for several hours each day. This was to be -instructed in the native language and institutions by the "beautiful" -Loa. Professor Tan Trum, of course, supervised my education, but was -so absorbed in his researches into the roots of extinct verbs that he -could not give me more than a few minutes a day. Hence, it was natural -that his daughter, having little else to do with her time, should be my -instructress.</p> - -<p>I must confess that she took her task, on the whole, conscientiously -enough, although her first efforts were not to teach me the language, -but to teach me how to pencil my eyebrows, whiten my cheeks and lips, -and bleach my hair, so as to conform to the native idea of masculine -beauty. Failing in these efforts, she resigned herself with a sigh to -the inevitable; yet from the too-gentle and yearning way in which she -glanced at me from time to time, I could see that my charms, such as -they were, had had too much of an effect on her impressionable young -heart. Already I had intimations that trouble was brewing!</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>But let me pass from this subject, for the present, to mention some -of the astonishing facts I learned under her tutorage. First, of -course, there was the necessity of studying the native language; -but, fortunately, I made rapid steps in this direction, not so much -because of any natural ability, as for the fact that Loa was a capable -teacher, and because I made every effort to remember when she pointed -to object after object and mentioned its native name, and then, after -a time, began linking the words into simple sentences. I was like a -little child first learning the language of its parents; but having, -I confidently believe, a quicker intelligence than a child's, I was -not long in absorbing the rudiments of the vernacular. Within two or -three weeks, I could exchange elementary ideas; within a month, I could -conduct a brief conversation; while, in less than three months, I was -able to carry on an extended colloquy with any member of Tan Trum's -household, and would not miss more than an occasional word, due to the -limits of my vocabulary.</p> - -<p>Strange, unbelievably strange, were my discoveries as to my new home. -The underworld, composed of the twin countries of Wu and Zu, reached -for hundreds of miles in all directions, and probably underlay not only -most of Nevada, but much of Utah, Arizona, and adjoining states. This -whole vast universe, comprising a multiplicity of great caverns and -smaller connecting galleries, some of which reached down eight or ten -miles, was inhabited by a population variously estimated as between -forty and fifty millions—all of them chalk-faced and salmon-eyed, -like the ones I had already seen. Neither Loa nor her father could -tell me how long they had dwelt underground; their written records -dated back thousands of years, and their claim was "Forever"! While -there were traditions that once they had lived above ground, in a land -of blue skies and open air from which they had been driven to escape -annihilation in warfare, there were now no intelligent men to believe -such tales, which were not only preposterous on the surface, but had -never been proven by historical research. It was generally held that -human life had originated in caves underground, and that, as population -multiplied, men had excavated new caves and corridors to take care of -the surplus millions.</p> - -<p>So accustomed had the people become to their subterranean environment -that it was impossible for them to appear above ground, unless they -wore heavy metallic suits, like those of undersea divers, in order to -protect them from the rays of the sun, which their white skins, having -lost all pigment in the course of the ages, were no longer able to -endure. Hence their belief, which scientists had verified by means of -elaborate mathematical proofs, that no life could endure above ground, -and hence the fact that none of them had ever been observed by our -race; for only once every score of years would any scientist of Wu -venture above ground, and even then he would emerge in some desert -place where no human habitation existed.</p> - -<p>But how did the millions of Wu and Zu manage to preserve life -underground? How did they contrive to eat, breathe, and clothe -themselves? That was one of the first questions I asked; and the answer -came to me partly from Loa, and partly from my own observations.</p> - -<p>The secret, as I had early surmised, was to be found in the prodigious -scientific development of the Underworld. I do not exaggerate when -I say that they were centuries in advance of our own race; they had -evolved mechanical formulae and devices of which we have not the -remotest conception. As an engineer by profession, I was naturally much -interested in this phase of their growth; and while I was not able -to study or understand all their numerous contrivances, yet I could -understand enough to fill me with amazement and admiration. Every phase -of the life of Wu, I found, depended upon science. Without it, they -could not have existed for a single day; it was both astonishing and -frightening to know how completely these people had come to rely upon -their own inventions.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>I shall not take time, at this point, to dwell upon all their elaborate -appliances—which, indeed, would require a separate volume even -for their enumeration. I shall leave out of account the intricate -ventilating system, by which they pumped an adequate supply of air from -the outer world; for I shall have occasion to refer to this again. -Likewise, I shall not now describe their military engines, of which I -have already given some idea, but which I was later to observe more -intimately. I shall begin, therefore, by telling of the manufacture of -food and clothing, which was conducted on principles I had never before -considered possible.</p> - -<p>Let me say, by way of explanation, that my food in the Professor's -house had consisted entirely of queer-looking ingredients, comprised -in part of purple capsules, such as I had been given in prison, and -in part of a stringy, fibrous substance reminding me of seaweed. -I was told, indeed, that the wealthier sections of the population -occasionally enjoyed delicacies such as fish from subterranean rivers, -and mushrooms grown in specially prepared cellars; but if Professor Tan -Trum could afford such luxuries, he would not waste them on a barbarian -such as myself.</p> - -<p>My clothes, likewise, were of a substance I could not recognize—a -woven substance a little like hemp and yet clearly not hemp, for it -was not quite so coarse. But the fibres, on the other hand, did not -resemble those of linen, cotton, silk, or wool. What could it be? -The answer, as I learned from Loa, was that the native clothing, and -likewise the food, was manufactured synthetically. From the most -ordinary chemical ingredients—from oxygen and hydrogen as contained in -water, from carbon as contained in carbon dioxide or in coal, from the -nitrogen found in the air, and from the sulphur and phosphorus of the -mines—they would create compounds resembling natural organic products.</p> - -<p>The simplest of all to manufacture were starch and sugar, and a fibre -like the cellulose of plants. For these, all that was required was -a brilliant lamp, imitating the qualities of sunlight, a chemical -cell which utilized the lamp-rays as the chlorophyll of the vegetable -kingdom utilizes the solar beams, and an adequate supply of water -and carbon. Thus the people might obtain all the carbohydrates they -required for the table, and also all the fibres needed for weaving into -paper and clothes; for, since cellulose constitutes the main ingredient -of cotton and other vegetable fabrics, it was possible to produce a -synthetic equivalent of the garments worn in the world above.</p> - -<p>More difficult was the problem of the nitrogenous foodstuffs; but here -again the ingenuity of the chalk-faces had proved equal to the task. I -was never able to understand by exactly what process they had succeeded -in combining nitrogen with oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, and other -substances to form albumin; but it is certain that this is precisely -what they did, fusing the elements by means of an electric current and -several catalytic agents, whose nature I was unable to learn.</p> - -<p>Let me say, at this point, that I made every effort to find out; -but the formula was the carefully guarded secret of the National -Food Producers, Unlimited, a privately owned corporation, which was -forbidden by law to tell the people the truth about the food they ate. -Hence my efforts not only met with no success, but were so resented -that I was threatened by the Company with imprisonment on the charge of -unpatriotic activities.</p> - -<p>In other fields, however, I was better able to satisfy my curiosity. -I learned something of the power-system, by means of which the -chalk-faces kept their factories running, excavated and illuminated the -galleries, and conducted their warfare; I was told that they generated -electrical energy in part from the flow of underground rivers, and in -part by means of a chemical discovery made so long ago that no one -remembered the inventor. This was the compound knows as Mulflar, an -explosive at times beneficial, and at times annihilating in its effects.</p> - -<p>Once again I was unable to discover the formula, for this was the -exclusive property of the National Power Producers, who found it their -most lucrative source of dividends, and had long ago succeeded in -passing a law prohibiting themselves from making the facts public. The -general principles underlying the invention, however, were well known. -Mulflar was made by the union of nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium, and -sulphur with carbon, hydrogen, and one or two other elements in a -compound both simply and easily produced. Its distinctive feature was -its chemical unstability; its atoms would disintegrate and explode -upon the slightest shock or upon the application of a spark, releasing -a prodigious amount of energy through the conversion of that active -element, hydrogen, into the chemically inert helium.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>So great was the explosive power of Mulflar that a single gram, -properly directed, was capable of blowing a hundred pounds of rock or -iron to the height of half a mile. Naturally, a substance so dangerous -had to be carefully controlled; and though accidents sometimes did -occur, resulting in the occasional loss of a few hundred lives, in -general it was highly adaptable to industrial uses. Shot off in small -quantities in cannon-like tubes of specially prepared steel, it was -used to set great dynamos into action, and consequently to furnish the -larger part of the electricity indispensable to life. It was the energy -of Mulflar, passed into storage batteries, that made it possible to run -those little coaster-like cars with which I had had such a frightening -experience; it was the energy of Mulflar that kept the lights and the -ventilation in operation, that ran the food and clothing factories, and -that pumped fresh water into pipes throughout the length and depth of -the land.</p> - -<p>But, at the same time, it was the energy of Mulflar that proved to be -the worst enemy of the people. Never had I seen more convincing proof -of how the most beneficial inventions may be transformed into engines -of destruction! For it was Mulflar that accounted for the deadliness of -the warfare waged by the chalk-faces; it was Mulflar that had produced -those lightnings which Clay and I had watched in such fascinated -horror; it was Mulflar that had supplied the motive-power for the -land-battleships; it was Mulflar that had blown those gigantic machines -to tatters. And it was Mulflar that was responsible for even more -horrendous implements, which I was later to observe.</p> - -<p>But before I report my discoveries in this regard, I must describe -other peculiarities of the chalk-faces. And I must tell of one -saddening conversation which I had with Loa and her father—a -conversation which crushed one lingering spark of hope that had -survived until then in the face of all discouragements.</p> - -<p>This was in connection with my friend Clay. Hardly an hour went by but -that I thought of him and his disappearance; hardly an hour but that I -wondered whether he were alive or dead. True, I had heard nothing of -him; but he might have been safe and well only a stone's throw away, -and I would not have known it, since, at the time, I was confined in -the Professor's house as closely as in a prison. Consequently, as soon -as I was able to speak a few words in the native language, I asked -about my friend.</p> - -<p>The result could not have been more disappointing. Both Professor -Tan Trum and his daughter looked astonished when they understood the -nature of my inquiry. "What!" gasped my protector, with a sincerity -that I could not question. "You say there were two like you? I wish -there were! That would double the opportunities for verification of my -theories!"</p> - -<p>"Another like you?" questioned Loa, in milder tones; and then burst -into a giddy explosion of laughter. "Why, that's just too good for -words! I'm sure there couldn't be two like you in the whole deep world!"</p> - -<p>Not knowing whether to take this as a compliment or not, I said -nothing, while the Professor continued.</p> - -<p>"My dear friend, if another man like you had been found anywhere in Wu, -we would know of it instantly. The news would be flashed from end to -end of the country—just as your own arrival has been."</p> - -<p>"My friend wasn't exactly like me," I explained, fighting against a -sinking sensation that all but overcame me. "He was taller, and his -hair was red—"</p> - -<p>For the first time in my experience, the Professor bent nearly double -with laughter, his great ungainly frame rocking back and forth in -mirth. It seemed minutes before he and Loa could suppress their -merriment. "His hair was red?" echoed Tan Trum, riotously. "Red? Red, -you say? My dear man, who ever heard of red hair?"</p> - -<p>And both he and his daughter went off again into spasms of laughter.</p> - -<p>My only consolation was the reflection that, although Clay appeared -hopelessly lost, still, if he ever were found, I would hear of it, -since no red-haired man had ever been seen before in all the land of Wu.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> - -<h3>Fresh Surprises</h3> - - -<p>While I was questioning Professor Tan Trum and his family in regard to -the underworld, they were equally eager in making inquiries as to my -own land.</p> - -<p>Naturally, they were anxious to know where I had come from, and how I -had arrived; but, unfortunately, they already had their own theories -on the subject, and nothing that I could say was able to change their -views. Since they had decided that I had escaped from some cavern far -below them, my story that I had come from the so-called "Overworld" met -with incredulous smiles. Their attitude was about what our own would be -if some stranger should assert that he came from the depths of the sea. -"No use trying to deceive us!" they cried reprovingly. "The Overworld -is not capable of supporting life!"</p> - -<p>And then curiously they asked, "Are the people where you come from all -colored like you?"</p> - -<p>"Colored?" I flung back, a little irritated. "I haven't a speck of -colored blood in my veins! I'm American white, every inch of me!"</p> - -<p>"White?" they jeered, pointing to my face, with its rosy complexion. -"What! you call that white? Why, you're pink!"</p> - -<p>And loud was the laughter that convulsed the family group.</p> - -<p>"If you're white, then what are we?" demanded Loa, insolently -indicating her own snowy features.</p> - -<p>I had nothing to say in reply. I could see that, by comparison with the -chalk-faces, I was indeed the member of a colored race.</p> - -<p>"My dear young man," consoled Professor Tan Trum, with the most -unbearable superciliousness, "do not let the matter of your origin -grieve you. We know that birth is not a matter of choice, and if nature -has made you a member of an inferior race, at least it speaks well for -you that you could rise to join us."</p> - -<p>"But I didn't rise to join you!" I insisted. "I descended! I fell into -your world by accident, through a fissure caused by the shocks of your -warfare."</p> - -<p>This explanation, however, was ignored, while the members of the -family exchanged significant glances, as if to say that I was the most -incorrigible liar they had ever met.</p> - -<p>It was Tan Tal, the charming wife of Tan Trum, who put the next -question.</p> - -<p>"Where you come from, is there only one country?—or is there more than -one, so as to give you someone to fight with?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, there are many countries!" I declared. "We have simply no end of -lands to fight with!"</p> - -<p>At this announcement, the three young daughters of the family tittered -uncontrollably, with the most amused expressions on their milky, -wrinkled countenances.</p> - -<p>"Why, how funny!" laughed Loa.</p> - -<p>"How confusing!" giggled Moa.</p> - -<p>"How absurd!" roared Noa. "Then how do you know which one to fight -first?"</p> - -<p>Professor Tan Trum, unlike his daughters, had been listening with an -unsmiling solemnity of manner. I could see that he did not consider my -statement comical; his massive brow was furrowed with profound thought -as he replied.</p> - -<p>"That is an excellent idea, young man—to divide yourselves into -many countries. It is plain that even the barbarians have ideas. Up -here, you see, we have only two nations, Wu and Zu. Hence we are much -handicapped, from the military point of view. If we want to go to war, -we have only one possible enemy, and that at times grows monotonous. -Again, it becomes difficult sometimes to find excuses for hostilities. -They say that only this year our Secretary of National Defense—poor -fellow!—was driven out of his mind to find a plausible reason for -declaring war on Zu. However, if we had had some other country to -oppose, there would have been no problem at all."</p> - -<p>"Yes, that is so, father," agreed Loa, who by this time had ceased -laughing. "Why not recommend to Dictator Thuno Flâtum that we split up -into several countries?"</p> - -<p>"Excellent!" concurred Tan Tal. "Then we could go to war to defend the -rights of small nations!"</p> - -<p>"But I don't quite understand," I put in, finding the conversation -getting wholly away from me. "You're talking as if war is a good thing! -Up in our world, we call it a curse!"</p> - -<p>"A curse?" echoed all the members of Tan Trum's family. "A curse? Why, -what nonsense!" And loud was the laughter of the ladies.</p> - -<p>"Don't let anyone here catch you saying that!" warned the Professor, -scowling severely. "If one of the Government Police overheard you, -you'd be court-martialed!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Appalled at the enormity of my offense, I gaped at the Professor in -awe-stricken silence.</p> - -<p>"There's no use talking," mused Tan Tal, shaking her head sadly, -"the savagery of the colored races is unquenchable. To think they're -actually opposed to warfare!"</p> - -<p>"It's so unenlightened of them!" condemned Loa.</p> - -<p>"So disgusting!" jeered Moa.</p> - -<p>"So barbarous!" groaned Noa. "Really they must still be in the Stone -Age!"</p> - -<p>"You see, my dear young man," explained the Professor, turning to me -not unkindly, as he observed my bewilderment, "we live in an age of -unreason. Unreason and science—these are the two features of our -life. And both of these tell us that man is a fighting animal. Biology -assures us that he was created with the instinct of aggression, which -is necessary for the sake of self-preservation; and psychology declares -that all the instincts planted in him by nature must be satisfied. -Accordingly, men must satisfy their instinct of self-preservation by -destroying one another. That fact was demonstrated long ago by the -philosophers—to question it would be heresy. So you see, my good young -friend, why it is necessary to fight?"</p> - -<p>There was a vague suspicion in my mind that this argument, reasonable -as it seemed, might not be altogether sound; but before I had had time -to formulate any objections, Tan Tal once more lifted her voice.</p> - -<p>"Besides, there is another reason. If we didn't fight, think of the -loss to industry! Think of all the millions invested in Mulflar Works, -and in land-battleship factories! Why, if we didn't have any war, all -this capital would be wasted."</p> - -<p>"Yes, and my stocks in Mulflar Products, Amalgamated, would go down -to nothing!" groaned the Professor, who seemed to regard this as the -culminating argument.</p> - -<p>Taking advantage of a gap in the conversation, I was now able to ask -the question that had long been puzzling me.</p> - -<p>"What is the present war all about, Professor Tan Trum? What is the -issue, the principle behind it?"</p> - -<p>"Issue? Principle behind it?" shouted Tan Trum, while the ladies -struggled to hold back a fresh outburst of laughter. "What makes you -think there is any issue, any principle behind it? We are fighting for -the national honor—and, certainly, there is no principle behind that!"</p> - -<p>The Professor paused, energetically stroking his two-pointed beard, -glaring at me as though I had been guilty of some offense against -decency.</p> - -<p>"There has to be an official reason for the war, of course," he -resumed, more mildly. "In this case, we were driven to our wits' end, -and couldn't think of anything better than the old Nullnull dispute."</p> - -<p>"Nullnull dispute? What's that?"</p> - -<p>The five chalk-faces all stared at me a little blankly, as if surprised -that there was anyone who had not heard of the Nullnull dispute.</p> - -<p>However, the Professor condescendingly undertook to explain.</p> - -<p>"On the borderline between Wu and Zu is the province of Nullnull. This -is composed of a series of desert caverns, a dozen miles long and about -half as wide. They say that once it was valuable land, containing -lakes and streams and rich ore deposits; but it has been so shot to -pieces that no one lives there now, and it is worthless for everything -except as a place to fly the national flag. It is therefore highly -coveted by both Wu and Zu. In the course of the last thousand years, it -has changed hands one hundred nineteen times, belonging first to one -country, and then to the other, and every time it has been recaptured -there has been an excuse for another war, for of course the citizens of -the defeated land would not be content to have Nullnull wrenched away -from them. Thus the military ardor of the citizens of both countries -has been kept at fever pitch, and we have had no trouble in advancing -our Military Birth Extension Program."</p> - -<p>"Military Birth Extension Program?" I cried. "What under heaven is -that?"</p> - -<p>"What do you think it is?" demanded Tan Trum, a flare of irritation in -his salmon eyes. "Exactly what the name implies! In order to keep a -war going, what do we need most of all, besides money and ammunition? -Naturally, man-power! But present-day warfare is so efficient that -man-power does not last long. It is estimated that the military -turnover is seventy-five per cent a year."</p> - -<p>"Military turnover? And what is that?"</p> - -<p>"Just what the term implies! The percentage of men turned over to the -ranks of the immortals."</p> - -<p>"You mean, the percentage killed?"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Tan Trum and the four ladies all glared at me as though I had committed -an impiety. The Professor stroked his beard in indignation; the mouths -of Loa, Moa, and Noa all gaped wide with horror.</p> - -<p>"Killed? Killed, young man?" thundered Tan Trum. "Never use that -word in connection with war! It is not permitted! It is illegal, -unpatriotic! No one is ever killed in war! Millions are sent to the -Blessed Caverns, or converted into deathless heroes, or become the -Unknown Warriors! But no one is ever killed! That is forbidden by law!"</p> - -<p>"Young man," remonstrated Tan Tal, "remarks like yours are enough to -ruin military morale!"</p> - -<p>"If we didn't know you spoke in ignorance, sir, we would have you -examined by the Intelligence Department, which would most likely have -you executed for free speech!" threatened the Professor.</p> - -<p>After a moment, however, he seemed softened by my contrite expression; -and, regaining his good humor, continued.</p> - -<p>"But I was going to explain about our Military Birth Extension Program. -The principle is very simple. We have introduced Birth Uncontrol, and -made it compulsory by law. The idea is that all families should have -as many children as possible—sons, so that they may go out to fight -for their country, and daughters, so that they may bear more sons to -fight for their country. All couples married for ten years or over -are required to pay a tax for every child which they have less than -seven; while, for every child after the seventh, they receive a bonus. -This system works so well that we are able to keep our population -stationary."</p> - -<p>"Stationary?" I cried. "At that rate, it ought to double every -generation!"</p> - -<p>"It would—except for the military turnover. As it happens, our boys -are all enlisted in the reserve corps of the army at the age of six, -and from that time forth are trained for the next war. So rigorous is -the discipline that fifty per cent never reach sixteen. This is, in -fact, one of the great merits of the system, as it ensures the survival -of the fittest. At sixteen the youths are enrolled in the active army, -and are sent to the front to face the boys of Zu. They then are offered -the hope of being permitted to retire from military life at eighteen, -if they should reach that age. But fifteen out of sixteen, in the -course of these two years, enjoy the fate of heroes and go over to the -Blessed Caverns."</p> - -<p>I was about to comment, but refrained, for fear of breaking some penal -law.</p> - -<p>"Besides being profitable, it is a great honor to have many children," -continued the Professor, with zest. "Mothers are given an honorary gold -crescent for every son born to them; and fathers receive an honorary -crescent of silver. Immediately upon the death—" here Tan Trum paused, -and coughed in great embarrassment—"I mean to say, immediately upon -the turnover of a son, the mother and father each receive another -honorary crescent. It is this that makes Birth Uncontrol such a -success."</p> - -<p>"Well, Professor, you yourself don't seem to have starred in that -line," I remarked, with a side glance at Loa, Moa, and Noa, who -surprised me by averting their eyes and sighing. "With only three -daughters to your credit—"</p> - -<p>"Three daughters?" bellowed Tan Trum, his long black-gloved hand -shaking in uncontrollable ire. "And what, pray, of my five sons?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, what of our five sons?" echoed Tan Tal, wiping a tear from the -corner of her eye.</p> - -<p>"Well, what of them?" I demanded.</p> - -<p>"They have all gone to the Blessed Caverns!" sighed the Professor.</p> - -<p>"I have five extra crescents for the dear boys!" confided Tan Tal, -wiping a second tear from her eye. "Poor darlings! The oldest was just -seventeen when he—when he was turned over. I shall always be proud of -their record!"</p> - -<p>"I too!" coincided Tan Trum. "It shall always be a source of melancholy -gratification to look at my five extra silver crescents, which shall -contribute to my honor forever."</p> - -<p>"To your honor?" I cried. "Who was it, then, that died?"</p> - -<p>"Something in me died forever when they—when they were turned over," -he mourned, drawing up his gaunt face in a preternaturally long, solemn -expression.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Tan Tal, meanwhile, with all the suppressed fury of outraged -motherhood, was glaring at me as if to devour me whole. "Barbarian!" -she challenged. "What makes you think they died? They shall live -forever in our memory! They shall endure in the annals of their -country! They shall live here—here, in the shrine of my breast!"</p> - -<p>So speaking, she smote the designated part of her anatomy a blow severe -enough to do herself physical injury.</p> - -<p>"They shall live forever—here in the shrine of my breast!" thundered -the Professor, hitting his bony thorax a resounding smack.</p> - -<p>Concluding that these people, though normally sane, had gone mad on -this one topic, I thought it best to change the subject. "Did you say -all the boys of Wu are enlisted in the army?" I inquired. "Are there no -exceptions?"</p> - -<p>"I didn't say there were no exceptions," stated the Professor, assuming -a milder manner. "Naturally, there are! All sons of Second and Third -Class citizens must go to war. But sons of First Class Citizens are -exempted."</p> - -<p>"First Class Citizens? Who are they?"</p> - -<p>"Why, haven't I told you of our three classes? The division is an -ancient one, and is the basis of our social life. The Third Class, -which is the most numerous, is sometimes also called the Hungry Class; -its members are notable for doing most of the country's hard work, and -for being so poor that they rarely have enough to eat. The people of -this class are prohibited by law from thinking, lest thought lead them -to revolt. Above them is the Second or Sedentary Class—to which I have -the honor of belonging—its members usually have enough to eat, hence a -mild amount of thought is permissible, so long as it doesn't give birth -to free speech. But over us all is the First or Master Class, which -makes up less than one per cent of the population and owns ninety-eight -per cent of the country. This, of course, is the class that rules us."</p> - -<p>"But I thought Dictator Thuno Flâtum ruled you."</p> - -<p>"Thuno Flâtum is the head of the Master Class."</p> - -<p>"Let's hope he isn't typical of them," I was on the point of declaring, -remembering this puny individual, with his artificial eyes, ears, and -breathing apparatus. But, fortunately, I held my tongue and did not -make any such treasonous remark.</p> - -<p>"Thuno Flâtum was chosen by the Master Class as their leader," -continued Tan Trum, "since he was considered the strongest of them -all. In other words, his senses, his legs, and his lungs were the most -atrophied."</p> - -<p>Since this was just a bit confusing, I began to wonder if Tan Trum, -after all, were not out of his head.</p> - -<p>"You see," he explained, "for ages the Master Class has prided itself -on its pure blood. None of its members, under pain of death, has ever -been permitted to intermarry with a Second or Third Class citizen. The -result of this long interbreeding has been a distinctive type, unlike -us low-grade people. Thanks to their lives of luxury, and to their -constant use of wheeled vehicles, the Masters have all but forgotten -how to use their legs, which have become thin and shriveled; in the -same way, since they have never filled their lungs by exercise or -labor, their breathing apparatus has almost withered away; while, since -they have rarely used their eyes or ears, these organs too have become -worthless without artificial aid. All these qualities, consequently, -are regarded as signs of superiority—or of 'green blood,' as -aristocracy is called among us; and that Master whose lungs are the -frailest, whose legs are the feeblest, and whose vision is the dimmest, -is chosen to lead the country, since the purity of his lineage is the -most unquestioned."</p> - -<p>Being unable to understand this arrangement, which somehow did not -strike me as altogether sensible, I was so undiplomatic as to let my -doubts be known. "I don't see why the people stand for it," I blurted -out. "I don't see why they let these frail little Masters rule them, -own most of the property, and be excused from fighting, when they—"</p> - -<p>But that was as far as I proceeded. The horrified faces of my hearers -warned me to halt. Never, I am certain, had such impious words entered -their ears before!</p> - -<p>It was a full minute before any of them was able to find speech. "Well, -I never!" gasped Loa at length, her features more wrinkled than ever as -she made a grimace of disgust. "I didn't know we had a radical right in -our own home!"</p> - -<p>"A poisonous radical!" cried Moa. "Who would have believed it?"</p> - -<p>"The next thing, he'll be demanding the single standard in justice, or -some other crazy new-fashioned notion!" exclaimed Noa.</p> - -<p>"He may even be asking honest politics!" contributed Tan Tal, glowering -at me with a resurgence of her previous indignation.</p> - -<p>"This is serious indeed!" conceded the Professor, his long head -wagging with laconic severity. "Of course, allowances must be made -for barbarians; you can't expect to civilize them in a minute. So -I'll tell you what we'll do, folks. We'll take him down tomorrow to -the Commissioner of Public Thought, and make him swallow the Oath of -Fidelity. After that, if he makes any more disloyal statements, he will -have to take the responsibility."</p> - -<p>"Good! Very good!" cried the ladies in chorus. "We should have done -that long ago!"</p> - -<p>"But who's the Commissioner of Public Thought?" I inquired. "And what's -the Oath of Fidelity?"</p> - -<p>"You'll find out, young man, after you've swallowed it!" snapped the -Professor. "And now you've had enough of my time for one day! I must -get back to my researches on the history of the comma in ancient -literature!"</p> - -<p>So saying, the Professor glided from the room with long strides of his -great, ungainly legs, while the four ladies regarded me more than a -little coolly, like one who has betrayed a strange and criminal turn of -mind.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> - -<h3>I Swallow the Oath</h3> - - -<p>It was on the following day that Professor Tan Trum, true to his -promise, took me to visit the Commissioner of Public Thought. Or, -rather, it was on the following "wake"; for the chalk-faces, not having -the guidance of the sun, divide time into periods of about twelve hours -each, which are known alternately as "sleeps" and "wakes."</p> - -<p>As this was the first time I had been out of the Professor's house for -months, except for occasional visits to back galleries for exercise, -I strode along at his side with great glee as he led me through -the winding thoroughfares toward the office of the Commissioner. -Several times, in my joy at being out, I walked carelessly ahead of -my companion, and narrowly missed being felled by one of the small -coaster-like vehicles, or "scootscoots," as they were called; but -despite such near-mishaps, I kept up my good spirits until we had -reached our destination, a long gloomy chamber where fifty chalk-faces -were already waiting in line.</p> - -<p>"The Commissioner's Headquarters are always crowded," stated the -Professor, as we took our places at the foot of the procession. "You -see, all Second and Third Class citizens are required to swallow the -Oath of Fidelity twice a year."</p> - -<p>"What's the purpose of that?" I inquired; but the Professor merely -shook his head and did not deign to answer. However, I saw how the -first in line, having finished his business, passed out a gleaming bit -of silver, which was promptly rung up on a cash register by a little -chalk-face seated at a table; and later I observed how each successive -person, before leaving the room, similarly disposed of a bit of silver, -which likewise was rung up on the cash register.</p> - -<p>For over an hour we remained standing in line; and, to amuse himself -during the interval, Tan Trum read out to me in loud tones the various -signs and placards that hung about the room—signs and placards which I -was not yet able to decipher unaided.</p> - -<p>"Lower class citizens should be seen and not heard!" read the -Professor, sonorously. "And the less seen the better!" Then, turning to -me, he commented, "That is a good old maxim dating back thousands of -years to Tit Wit, our greatest lawgiver.</p> - -<p>"A little thought is a dangerous thing," continued Tan Trum, turning -back to the signs, "and much thought is impossible. Therefore the ideal -citizen will live in a state of sublime thoughtlessness.</p> - -<p>"That is a rule we always do our best to follow," he remarked, turning -to me with a boastful smile. "It is the first of the Silver Rules of -Conduct—silver being our most valued metal, you know.</p> - -<p>"But I suppose it's useless to try to drill such high principles into -the barbarian mind," he meditated. "However, here's the second Silver -Rule.</p> - -<p>"Thoughtlessness is the best policy," he read. "It ensures one the -respect of one's superiors, the confidence of one's equals, and a -successful career in business or politics."</p> - -<p>Seeing that I had no comment to make, my guide proceeded to the third -Silver Rule.</p> - -<p>"Thoughtlessness is next to godliness. A thoughtless mind and soul are -the purest creation of the divine. He who thinks not will be content. -He who thinks not will not spend time on vain revolts. He who thinks -not will never suffer from headaches."</p> - -<p>There were eleven other Silver Rules, all of which the Professor read -with gusto; but my attention had wandered and I scarcely heard what he -said. My mind was far away; I was thinking of Clay and asking myself -where he was, if indeed he were alive at all; I was picturing my -friends in the Overworld, and wishing I might see them once more, and -wondering, as I had wondered so often, whether there were not some way -to climb back through the maze of caverns toward the sunlight and blue -skies....</p> - -<p>I was awakened from my reveries by hearing a voice snap, "Next!" and -feeling the Professor grab my sleeve and thrust me forward. To my -surprise, I saw that I was now first in line.</p> - -<p>Before me sat a scowling little individual at a stone table, with a -cash register as tall as a grandmother's clock towering above him.</p> - -<p>"Well? What is it?" he barked.</p> - -<p>"This is my protégé," explained the Professor, coming forward. "Being a -barbarian, he knows little of our laws, and I therefore thought it best -to give him the Oath of Fidelity before it is too late."</p> - -<p>"That's all very well," snarled the official, "but who's going to pay?"</p> - -<p>"I'll attend to that," agreed Tan Trum. "As a member of the teaching -profession, I'm allowed a ten per cent discount."</p> - -<p>"Very well!" the other consented. "All accounts strictly cash!" And -then, while the Professor muttered something about "Fidelity oaths come -high this year," the official reached for a long roll of paper printed -with minute characters, which he read aloud from across the room by -means of binoculars, proceeding at such speed and in such mumbling -tones that I could not distinguish a word he said!</p> - -<p>Having finished, he thrust the paper forward, pushed a pen into my -hand, and directed, "Sign here!"</p> - -<p>Although not well versed in the native handwriting, I was able to make -a mark that passed as my signature.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>With a sigh of relief, I turned away, when I heard the official's voice -ringing out behind me, "Wait a minute! You've forgotten to swallow the -Oath!"</p> - -<p>Unable to imagine what he meant, I wheeled about, and saw that the -paper I had just signed was being rolled into a little pellet in the -official's hands.</p> - -<p>"Here! Swallow this!" he ordered, tossing it to me after it had been -reduced to the size and shape of a marble.</p> - -<p>"Swallow it?" I echoed. "What for?"</p> - -<p>I was aware that several persons behind me in line were tittering; but -I was still unable to take the command literally.</p> - -<p>"Do as the man says!" I heard the Professor's irritated voice shrilling -in my ear. "What use is the Oath of Fidelity if you don't swallow -it—and swallow it whole?"</p> - -<p>I reached for the pellet and regarded it suspiciously. It was hard and -unappetizing, and I would about as soon have swallowed a stone.</p> - -<p>"What are you waiting for?" demanded the official, his pinkish eyes -aflame with anger. "Don't you want to swallow it after all? Or will we -have to call the police and force it down your throat?"</p> - -<p>Realizing that he was in deadly earnest, I could no longer hesitate, -but slowly lifted the pellet toward my lips.</p> - -<p>As I did so, I noticed that it had a bad odor, suggestive of decay; -hence I was more reluctant than ever to swallow it.</p> - -<p>But alas!—there was no hope! "I suppose we'll have to force it down -your throat after all!" threatened the one-eyed one—at which, in sheer -desperation, I thrust the oath into my mouth....</p> - -<p>But not so easily could I gulp it down. The seconds that followed were -among the most miserable of my existence. Have you ever, dear reader, -experienced the sensation of choking? Have you ever felt a piece of -foreign matter stuck in your throat, cutting off your breath? This was -exactly my plight, for the Oath of Fidelity got caught, and would not -go either up or down.</p> - -<p>They tell me that my face went blue in the ensuing struggle, and that I -sank down and almost fainted. I was aware that Tan Trum, half beside -himself with excitement, was pounding vigorous blows on my back; I was -aware that some one had snatched a tool like a pair of pliers, and was -forcing it down my throat; but I knew little besides this, except the -desperate craving for air, and the furious wish not to die, not to die -just yet....</p> - -<p>But at last, thanks to heroic efforts, the refractory Oath went down -the passageway after all, and the reviving air entered my lungs. A -minute longer, and the Oath would have killed me....</p> - -<p>As I gradually regained my senses, I saw the Professor passing out a -bright piece of silver, and heard the ringing of the cash register.</p> - -<p>"Congratulations, young man!" exclaimed Tan Trum, heartily, as he led -me away. "The Oath of Fidelity pretty nearly didn't take—but I'm glad -you swallowed it after all. Now you're a full-fledged citizen of Wu!"</p> - -<p>"Full-fledged citizen? And what does that mean?"</p> - -<p>"It means you've promised to obey all the laws of the land. It means -you've pledged allegiance to Dictator Thuno Flâtum, promised to honor -him, to obey all his orders unquestioningly and never to utter a word -against him. It means you've vowed to lead a life of one hundred per -cent thoughtlessness. It means, finally, that you guarantee to live in -Wu the rest of your days, and never to attempt to leave, under penalty -of death."</p> - -<p>"But I didn't guarantee anything of the kind!" I protested, perceiving -that new and unexpected obstacles were being placed between me and -escape.</p> - -<p>"Indeed you did!" he denied. "Didn't you sign the Oath?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, but I didn't understand what it said."</p> - -<p>"That doesn't matter. No one is supposed to understand. Understanding -is a sign of thought, and thought is a sign of disloyalty. But you did -swallow the Oath, didn't you? That's what makes it legal!"</p> - -<p>Not yet did I realize that this was but one of many unpleasant things I -should have to swallow during my stay in Wu!</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> - -<h3>An Official Visitor</h3> - - -<p>Now that I had swallowed the Oath and become a full-fledged citizen, my -life took a sharp turn—though whether for the better, I could hardly -say. As a free man, I was permitted to wander unescorted through many -of the streets and side-galleries; yet it seemed to me that I had -really less freedom than when confined in the Professor's home. I was -now officially on the Government books, being known as Citizen No. -44,667,023 XZ, Third Class; I had had my photograph taken and filed -with the War Department, my physical measurements recorded and filed -with the Police Department, and my toe-prints registered and filed with -both the War and the Police Departments. Worst of all, I was now to -receive a visit from a sub-agent of the Ministry of Public Unemployment.</p> - -<p>This event occurred on the fifth day—or the fifth "wake"—after I had -swallowed the Oath. I well remember the occasion; I had been practicing -writing the native language, under the tutorage of Loa; and having -noticed a light of warning fondness in her salmon eyes, I was desiring -some tactful way of escape ... when I was startled by the entrance of -Moa, who informed me that a visitor wished to see me.</p> - -<p>A visitor to see me! Who knew me well enough to call upon me down in -this Nether World? For one mad, hopeful instant, the thought came to -me that perhaps it was Clay! Perhaps, after all, he had survived and -discovered my hiding-place!</p> - -<p>But no! In the next room, a weakened little chalk-face with the -features of a fox arose to receive me. "Citizen Number 44,667,023 XZ, -Third Class?" he inquired.</p> - -<p>"I believe that is my name," said I, although not quite certain yet -whether I were an "XZ" or an "XY."</p> - -<p>"I have been detailed to investigate your case," he declared, in such a -businesslike manner that I had a momentary tremor, imagining him to be -a detective. "I do not know why the Government has overlooked you so -long; I understand, sir, that you have been illegally living in a state -of unemployment."</p> - -<p>"Illegally—living in a state of unemployment?" I gasped.</p> - -<p>"So I am told!" he continued, with unsmiling severity. "Do you not -realize, sir, that unemployment is a crime? That is to say, in all -except First Class citizens, who are paid a salary by the State for -being unemployed."</p> - -<p>Fearing that I was about to be punished, I remained silent and -anxiously regarded my visitor.</p> - -<p>"However, we do not wish to be severe with you," he conceded, still -scowling. "This is, after all, your first dereliction, and I have been -instructed to let you off with a reprimand. But we must immediately end -your unemployment."</p> - -<p>"Very well," I assented, vastly relieved.</p> - -<p>"The question is, what valuable labor can you perform?" asked the -chalk-face, taking a chart out of his pocket and withdrawing across the -room so as to examine it through an instrument that looked like a pair -of opera glasses. "Fortunately, owing to the unusual turnover of the -present war, an exceptional number of positions are vacant just now."</p> - -<p>"Good! What are they?"</p> - -<p>My visitor drew up his lean, white face into a puzzled frown, and -answered in a drawl.</p> - -<p>"Well, let's see. There are so many, it's hard to know where to begin. -Now here's one that might do. In the thought-inoculation department of -the army."</p> - -<p>"Thought-inoculation?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, you see it's necessary to be sure that no private in the -army should ever have a thought; otherwise, how could we maintain -discipline? We have found it isn't safe to rely on laws only, so we -have invented an anti-thought serum, which acts on the nervous system -so as to paralyze the thought-centers of the brain. The results are -excellent; the recruit has no power left except to obey orders—which -makes him a perfect soldier."</p> - -<p>"A very good idea," I acknowledged, wishing I might have the formula -of this wonderful serum to bring home for use in our own armies.</p> - -<p>"A derivative of the same drug, known as 'the Mu' is fed by big -business firms to employees. It is taken internally, and the results -are said to be excellent.... However, a job in this department is not -for you!" concluded the agent, sadly. "You're a barbarian, and what do -barbarians know of thought-prevention?"</p> - -<p>"More than you think!" I snapped, defensively.</p> - -<p>"Now here's another good job," he went on, still gazing at the chart -by means of the opera glasses. "We're in need of spies. The recent -turnover in that department—"</p> - -<p>"No, thanks!" I decided. "I don't care to be a spy—"</p> - -<p>"But think of the honor! No profession is more esteemed! If you -survive, you'll be given a high position in the diplomatic corps; and -if, on the other hand, you are turned—"</p> - -<p>"That's just it! I'm satisfied not to be turned over!" I asserted, -remembering the prison I had occupied just after my arrival, and the -execution of my cell-mates beneath the violet ray.</p> - -<p>"It's a glorious death—I mean to say, a glorious turnover!" argued my -visitor. And then, with a disappointed expression, "However, if you're -not out for honors, I suppose we can find you some humbler job. What -about a position in the Mulflar Works?"</p> - -<p>"But is that safe?"</p> - -<p>"Safe?" The Unemployment Agent glared at me angrily. "Who cares if it -is safe? Of course it isn't! You may be blown to shreds and splinters -any wake! But what of that? Is anything safe in modern life? It's all a -matter of the degree of risk! And, besides, the salary is high."</p> - -<p>"I'm not greedy for a high salary," I remarked.</p> - -<p>"Oh, well, if that's the way you feel, of course we can fix you up!" -returned the chalk-face, contemptuously. "There's never much demand for -low-paying jobs."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Again he stared at the chart, and, after a moment of indecision, -suggested, "Let's see now—we might make you valet to a First Class -Citizen. The wages are not very good, but the work is easy. All you -would have to do would be to dust off your master's eye-tubes, or hold -his megaphone to his mouth when he speaks, or adjust his breathing -tubes when they get out of order, or merely stand in his reception hall -and look stiff and official when he receives visitors. And whenever -he kicks you or cuffs you or calls you names, you would have to bow -respectfully, and say 'Thank you, sir!' What do you say?"</p> - -<p>"Haven't you anything else?" I asked, in desperation.</p> - -<p>The agent scowled again. "You're a hard man to suit!" he declared. -"I really don't know what else to offer you. If you weren't -a barbarian, we might place you in the Department of Public -Unenlightenment—vulgarly known as the Censorship Bureau—whose -business it is to keep the public from knowing too much. But no—that -won't do at all! Third Class citizens are not eligible!"</p> - -<p>Once more he paused, his long black-draped fingers tapping at his -knees; and for a moment I feared that no further suggestions would be -forthcoming.</p> - -<p>But he was a resourceful man; at last, with a shout of triumph, he -exclaimed, "Ah!—now I have it! Just the thing! The very thing!"</p> - -<p>"The very what?" I asked, hoping he would have a better suggestion this -time.</p> - -<p>"The very job for you!" he ejaculated, slapping his knee in delight. "I -congratulate you, young man! You're a lucky individual! A very lucky -individual!"</p> - -<p>"How so?" I asked doubtfully.</p> - -<p>"Very lucky, I assure you!" he repeated. "We need more office help -for the Ventilation Company. You see, too many of their employees -have volunteered for the war—and have been turned over. So they have -a job just waiting for you in the air-supply division. You may begin -tomorrow."</p> - -<p>"But what is the Ventilation Company? And what's the air-supply -division?" I demanded, none too certain that I wished to accept.</p> - -<p>"Take my word, it's just the thing for you! No ability required! No -thought necessary! Merely do what you are told! And get paid regularly -every five wakes!"</p> - -<p>"But what's the job like?"</p> - -<p>"You'll find out after you're on it! Time enough to worry then!"</p> - -<p>Further discussion followed; but as the agent had no job which he -recommended so highly as the ventilating one, I ended by reluctantly -accepting.</p> - -<p>Immediately upon securing my assent, the visitor let out a whoop of -joy; then, drawing forth a printed sheet and a pencil, he flung them at -me, and directed, "There! Sign on the dotted line!"</p> - -<p>Hesitantly I did as directed, and the agent immediately snatched up the -paper, folded it into an inner pocket, left me instructions where and -when to report to work, bowed, and gingerly left.</p> - -<p>Not until later did I learn that, as a commission for securing me the -work, I had signed over to him all my wages for the first fifty-two -"wakes!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> - -<h3>The Last Straw</h3> - - -<p>The Ventilating Company, as I soon discovered, was the most powerful -corporation in Wu. It was literally the breath of the country, for -it controlled the fresh air-supply, and, with the aid of ninety-six -subsidiaries, was said to be highly influential in finance, politics, -and war. Owned by a group of First Class citizens, who supported -themselves in luxury on a fraction of their dividends, the Company -was declared to number Dictator Thuno Flâtum himself among its -stockholders; hence its interests were carefully considered in the -councils of State, and a recommendation of its Directorate was -tantamount to the enactment of a law. It was common gossip that more -than one war had been commenced on the decision of the Ventilating -officials, and that the current conflict with Zu had been stimulated -by them, owing to the fact that the workers had been threatening a -strike, and that it was believed that they needed something to distract -their attention.</p> - -<p>Whatever one might think of the management, one could easily understand -the influence of the Ventilating Company. Truly, it brought a marvelous -service to the people! The more I observed the vast system of air-tubes -and wheels, the more I admired the ingenuity of its creators. I -was informed how ventilating pipes, opening in narrow ducts in the -Overworld, received a constant supply of the fresh air that always -blew in that uninhabitable domain; and I was told how this air, -forced downward by mighty pumps operated by the power of Mulflar, was -delivered in pipes and conduits to every gallery, chamber and private -residence in Wu. This it was that kept the air always fresh and sweet, -and that had averted those noisome odors usually found in underground -passageways. Yet stop the ventilating wheels for a few short hours -only, and the whole country would be faced with danger of suffocation. -Little did I realize what a deadly advantage I was later to find in -this fact!</p> - -<p>My work for the Ventilating Company began humbly enough in view of -the tremendous rôle I was to play. Perched on a stone chair behind a -stone railing in a large, draughty gallery, where a perfect torrent -of air was blowing in order to display "ventilating efficiency," I -had to interview customers, hear their complaints, accept the service -fees which they paid every twenty "wakes," and attempt to sell the -various air-machines displayed about the room. "Do your cleaning by -air." "Have you tried our automatic air-baths?" "Remove dust and germs; -air-filters at reduced rates." "Air-rays for health—recommended -by leading physicians." "Air-heating apparatus—guaranteed for hot -air." These were but a few of the signs I saw scattered about me on a -multitude of curious-looking instruments, some of them reminding me of -electric toasters, others of vacuum cleaners, and a few looming large -and imposing like great dynamos.</p> - -<p>Although I still did not know the principles behind these inventions, -I was able to sell them easily enough. All I had to do was to look -knowing, point to the company's guarantee, and state that the objects -were on sale for a limited period only; and the prospective customers, -particularly if of the fair sex, were rarely able to resist the lure, -even though they understood nothing of the point or purpose of the -apparatus they purchased. The sale of articles under such conditions, -I found, was known to the people of Wu as "good business." It was -said that, as a result of such "good business," nine-tenths of the -population was constantly in debt to the Ventilating Company.</p> - -<p>The other phases of my work were less interesting. What I particularly -disliked was listening to complaints—and what a stream of them there -were! Sometimes the line of complainers reached all the way across the -office and fifty yards down the adjoining gallery! Here, for example -would come a testy-looking old chalk-face, with a squeaky wail, "My -air-service has been very poor of late! Haven't been able to breathe -properly for wakes!"</p> - -<p>... And after I had promised to send an air-man around to his home -to see if his brakes were not out of order, a querulous young woman, -hideous with wrinkles, would exclaim, "See here, young man! Look at -this bill! It's robbery, highway, robbery! The meter must be wrong! -I'm positive we couldn't have breathed that much air!" ... Following -her in line would be a miserable-looking old dame, who would gloomily -display a printed notice, "If you do not pay your bill within five -wakes, we will turn off your air-supply." ... "If you do that, we'll -all smother!" she would moan. "You must give us more time to pay!"</p> - -<p>But I would have to inform her that the rules of the Company made no -exception; that she might smother, for all the Ventilating officials -cared.</p> - -<p>There were constantly other complaints, of an equally grievous -nature—complaints from persons whose air-supply was too hot, and -from persons whose air-supply was too cold, and from persons whose -air-supply had been interrupted, and from persons with an oversupply -of air, and from persons who had ordered Grade A air for the children, -and received only Grade B—in other words, so numerous were the charges -that one would have supposed the entire country to be suffering from -air-complaints.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>My hours in the Ventilating Office were ten each wake, with one wake -out of every five off duty. I was expected to stay half an hour after -the office formally closed, in order to clean a great ventilating duct, -which opened in a corner of the room. This was a task I disliked even -more than listening to complaints; I would be obliged to creep into -the tube, which was wide enough to admit two men standing abreast, and -would have to reach into its dark recesses with a mop, so as to remove -all dust and foreign matter. The tube, I was told, connected with the -Upper Ventilating Corridors, and had to be kept in condition if our -product were to remain pure.</p> - -<p>After I had been in the Ventilating Office for twenty or thirty -wakes, I could see that, in the monotonous routine of my labors, I -was beginning to fall into that thoughtlessness which was the ideal -of the chalk-faces. I had, in fact, been commended for speaking in -that automatic manner and acting with that vacuity of expression which -betokens an empty mind and an efficient worker; hence I began to fear -that I would suffer from softening of the brain if I did not find some -way to escape. But how was escape possible? Ever since swallowing the -Oath of Fidelity and being granted my freedom, I had been looking about -me for means of returning to the Overworld; but so completely had I -been hedged about that the attempt had seemed hopeless. However, the -time was soon coming when, in sheer desperation, I was to make the dash -for liberty.</p> - -<p>There was something else besides discontent with my work, which was -urging me to flee. Although now supposedly a wage-earning citizen, I -was still living upon the bounty of Professor Tan Trum, since my pay -was going to the Unemployment Agent. Even after he had received his -share, I should have to pay an Employment Tax to the Government, and -various fines and charges to the Ventilating Company, and a fee for -joining the Ventilation Union; and, after that, I would have to buy War -Bonds from the Government, and pay War Taxes, and Residence Taxes, and -Food Taxes, and Clothing Taxes, and Water Taxes, and Air Taxes, and -several other taxes—so that, at a moderate estimate, it would be three -years before I would have a penny for myself. During the first two and -a half years, the more I worked, the more deeply I would be in debt!</p> - -<p>Now all this would have occasioned me no worry; for the natives of -Wu consider it honorable to be in debt, the more so the better; and, -besides, Professor Tan Trum, thanks to his profits from his Mulflar -stocks, was well able to support me. But what I could not endure was -the necessity of living in the Professor's home—of living there in -daily contact with his daughter Loa.</p> - -<p>Alas! I was hopelessly trapped! I do not blame the poor girl; for -some mysterious reason, she had succumbed to my attractions, and the -melting light in her salmon eyes had long ago warned me to be cautious. -Unfortunately, it had never occurred to her that she was not equally -attractive. It was positively pitiable, the way she devoted herself for -hours a day to her wrinkling-machine, diligently putting new wrinkles -into her face, since the old ones did not suffice to win my affection! -And it was even more pitiable the way she turned, still hopeful, -to a new method, and began "producing," as they say in the native -vernacular—in other words, adding on flesh by "producing powders," -"producing baths," a "producing diet," and other means recommended by -the dictators of fashion.</p> - -<p>Now whatever I might have said about Loa's face when I first met -her, I had thought her form perfect. But, owing to her "producing" -methods, she soon grew rotund; her features bulged and puffed, with -a double chin; her stomach protruded; her legs became so fat that -she waddled when she walked; her arms, once graceful, seemed little -more than flabby masses of flesh. Oh, if she had only been content to -remain as nature had made her! Had she but retained her natural form -and unwrinkled countenance, who knows? I might have come to love her! -But, as it was, she daily grew more hideous in my eyes. And no word -or hint of mine could deter her from her purpose. Fatness, next to -wrinkles, was considered the supreme sign of beauty in women; and she -seemed never to suspect that I would not be dazzled by her corpulent -loveliness.</p> - -<p>Since I had no choice but to remain in the same house with her, I of -course had to be civil; but I thought it the best policy to avoid her -as much as possible. Unhappily, in my ignorance of native customs, I -was pursuing the road straight to ruin!</p> - -<p>This fact became painfully evident one day when Professor Tan Trum, -pausing in his researches into some dead and buried language, summoned -me to his study and indicated that he had something important to say.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>I noticed that he hemmed and hawed to an unusual degree as he motioned -me to a seat opposite him, and seemed actually embarrassed as he began.</p> - -<p>"My dear young man," he at last said, rising, and coming over to place -a fatherly hand on my shoulder, "I have been requested—er—requested -to speak to you by my daughter Loa. For a long time I have -been—er—observing how matters are between you two."</p> - -<p>"Why, I—I have always treated her like a gentleman," it was on my lips -to say, feeling that he was about to upbraid me for my coldness.</p> - -<p>But the kindly smile on his long, lean face showed that I had mistaken -his intention.</p> - -<p>"I have been observing—yes, observing how matters are between you," -he repeated, gradually warming to his subject. "With becoming modesty, -you have not made any undue approach. You have kept your feelings to -yourself, as was only proper, in view of your Third Class status; you -would not insult a Second Class lady by openly declaring yourself. But -I have been observing, my dear young man, I have been observing! How, -after all, could any one resist the allurements of my Loa?"</p> - -<p>So astonished was I at this speech that I sat gaping at the Professor, -my jaw hanging loose, as though I had been accused of a crime.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I have been observing!" he went on, with a paternal blandness of -manner. "I have been consulting with Loa, as was only a father's place, -and have been assured that she—she reciprocates your feelings."</p> - -<p>"She reciprocates my feelings?" I echoed, with a sudden sense that the -world was falling from under my feet.</p> - -<p>"Yes, she reciprocates your feelings! It is only natural, young man, -that you should be overwhelmed—it isn't often that a Second Class -lady reciprocates the feelings of a Third Class suitor! But I have no -prejudices in the matter at all, my boy, no prejudices at all! Though -you're a barbarian by birth, you've recently grown civilized! So, since -my daughter is willing, I can only give my blessings! May your union be -crowned with—"</p> - -<p>But I did not hear the end of the sentence. My head was reeling; I -believe I sank to the floor in a swoon. When I came to myself again, -Loa was bending over me tenderly, tears in her eyes, a bottle of some -strong-smelling solution in her hand. And in the background I saw the -Professor looming, still smiling the same benignant smile. "Poor young -man!" I thought I heard him say. "The shock of this happiness was more -than he could bear!"</p> - -<p>It was then that I decided that safety lay in flight.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> - -<h3>Flight</h3> - - -<p>It was what was known to the chalk-faces as the "mid-sleep." The lights -of the public galleries had been dimmed to a slumberous dullness; the -lamps of the houses had been extinguished, the ventilating currents -were turned low; and only an occasional belated wayfarer or military -guard, darting through the deserted thoroughfares an his little -"scootscoot," gave proof that life still went on in the land of Wu.</p> - -<p>At this silent hour, when the house doors stared in black, almost -invisible lines along the empty passageways, a figure might have been -seen stealthily emerging from one of the doorways and slinking off down -a narrow side-corridor. Had one followed in his footsteps, one would -have observed how he wound and twisted through a multitude of lanes, -sometimes pausing as if uncertain of his course, sometimes huddling -in fright in some dismal alley while a "scootscoot" glided past, but -gradually making his way upward amid the intricacy of the Underworld.</p> - -<p>That fleeing figure, as the reader will have guessed, was none other -than myself. Only half a dozen hours had passed since Professor -Tan Trum had made the shattering revelation about Loa; and I was -now resigned to taking whatever risks lay in the outside world. My -preparations, it is true, had been less complete than would have been -desirable; but I had, at least, found time to ransack the Professor's -pantry and to secrete a pound or two of concentrated food in my -clothing, in addition to a flask of water; and thus equipped, I had -determined to venture abroad. As for my direction—I must confess that -I was none too certain of it, but I had found an old map in the kitchen -closet, and had studied it as well as my haste permitted, in the hope -that it would show me the way through the upper corridors to the -Overworld and safety.</p> - -<p>Let it not be supposed that I had not weighed the dangers. I knew that -I might be seized by the police, that I might be punished as a vagrant -or a spy, or that, even if recognized when caught, I would be charged -with breaking my Oath of Fidelity, and would be subject to the death -penalty. But what were such perils beside the certainty that, if I -remained in Tan Trum's home, I should have to marry his daughter?</p> - -<p>So I stole away hopefully, in the dead of the "mid-sleep," resolved -to escape or perish in the attempt. How far I was from foreseeing -the outcome! For several hours I advanced with the caution of a cat, -and almost with the silence of a cat, since I had removed my heavy -native sandals, in order to walk the more noiselessly. But I was not -certain what to do after the "sleep" was over. Suddenly I was aware -of an ear-ripping sound, like the blast of a siren; the lights in the -galleries flashed into brilliance and I realized that a new "wake" had -begun, and that it would henceforth be impossible to conceal myself.</p> - -<p>I was now in a section of the Underworld I had never before -visited. The narrowness and dinginess of the galleries; the dusty, -dirt-encrusted walls and floors; the foulness of the air, which was not -clear and filtered as in other regions; the nauseating odors, as of -overcrowded humanity; the naked glare of the lights, unprotected by the -yellow-green screens common everywhere else—these and a hundred other -signs showed that I was in an inferior district.</p> - -<p>This fact became even more evident when, after a time, swarms of people -began to pour through little round holes in the ground into all the -passageways. Never before had I seen such desolate-looking chalk-faces! -The clothes of the great majority were in rags; the original fabric was -overlaid with a thousand strips and patches, and, in many cases, bits -of the naked skin showed through; some of the men were without shoes, -and some without coats, and a few were without even the skirts that -were the emblem of masculinity. As for the women—they were equally -tattered, their skirts and trousers often resembling crazy-quilts; but -they had the advantage of being less fat and wrinkled than their more -fortunate sisters, and I thought many of them quite attractive. Most -of them carried babes in their arms, or else a crowd of urchins tagged -at their coat-tails; and the children, too, were clad in threadbare -scraps, some of them being almost naked—which fact did not seem to -bother them at all, for they rollicked and shouted quite as happily as -children the world over. Their elders, however, were drawn and sad of -appearance, and a majority had those pinched and ravaged faces which -come of privation.</p> - -<p>Was this a district of criminals and outcasts? But no! A prominent sign -informed me otherwise. "Residential section—Third Class," I read. Now -I understood why the Third Class was called the Hungry Class.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>As a majority of the men I passed bore picks, spades, and shovels, -I realized that they were laborers on their way to work. These, -fortunately, took no note of me, but slouched onward with downcast eyes -that seemed to see nothing besides the path on which they walked. Some -of the women, however, did stare at me a little curiously, giving me -the uneasy sense that I might be reported; while now and then some man -or woman, of especially squalid and ragged appearance, would stop me -with a piteous, "Stranger, haven't you a mite of silver to spare?... -I haven't had a scrap to eat since wake before last." Or, again, -"Stranger, haven't you something for the children? The taxes took all -our money, and there's nothing left to feed the babies with." Or else -some small boy or girl would accost me, opening his hand with a piteous -expression, "Stranger, we're hungry!" And the drawn and hollowed faces -would show that they spoke truly!</p> - -<p>With these poor wretches I shared the concentrated food I had taken -from the Professor's house—and it was pathetic to see with what -eagerness they snatched at the food capsules, and how ravenously they -devoured them.</p> - -<p>"What is the matter?" I asked one of the beggars, as I doled out my -last capsule. "Do none of you needy folk work?"</p> - -<p>"Do none of us work?" The man stared at me with manifest surprise. -"Say, you must be one of those Second Class swells, to ask such a -question!"</p> - -<p>I assured him that, on the contrary, I was Third Class, but from -another part of the country; and at this he looked a little mollified, -and went on to explain.</p> - -<p>"Well, I don't know how it is where you come from, but here we all -work. We have to, on account of the unemployment law. Even the -children—those not in the army—are compelled to work from seven years -of age. But, of course, we don't get any wages till the First Class -Citizens take out their dividends, which are guaranteed by law at -fifty per cent a year; and what is left is usually just about enough -to pay the First Class landlords. If we have anything over for food or -clothing, we consider ourselves lucky."</p> - -<p>Feeling indignant against the whole First Class, I proceeded on my -way; and, hastening up a long, dark corridor, I sought to escape from -this miserable Third Class district. Finally, after several hours, I -found myself in a more pleasant and airier realm, but not wholly to my -liking. The caverns were much roomier, but the atmosphere was vaguely -disagreeable with the odor of smoke. "Where am I?" I wondered, as I -approached an open space, where acres of huge cardboard boxes were -piled to a height of fifty feet, surrounded by tall barbed wire fences. -But, on consulting my map, I was unable to solve the enigma; it was -impossible to say whether I was in the "Storage Grottoes," "The Surplus -Food Chambers," or the "Military Warehouses," all of which looked alike -on the chart. The one thing certain was that I was lost.</p> - -<p>Nevertheless, I felt it best not to worry; and, pressing on my way -around the mountains of boxes, I soon discovered the source of the -smoke. A few hundred yards ahead of me, the door of an enormous furnace -opened, revealing gigantic flickering flames, whose heat disturbed me, -even at this distance.</p> - -<p>Undoubtedly, had I been a cautious man, I would now have retreated. But -I was possessed by the demon of curiosity, particularly as I saw two -men working in front of the furnace, stripped to the waist and grimy -with soot and perspiration, while with rapid movements they reached -for the cardboard boxes, throwing them one after another through the -furnace mouth.</p> - -<p>At first I thought they were madmen; but soon decided that the boxes -contained waste matter or fuel, with which to keep the fires burning; -and with this belief in mind, I hastened eagerly forward. Never have I -forgotten the surprise I received!</p> - -<p>As I drew near, the men paused to rest from their exertions, while -mopping their steamy brows, and panting heavily.</p> - -<p>"Well, partner," I heard one of them declare after closing the furnace -door, "that makes eleven gross so far this wake!"</p> - -<p>"Nearer twelve, if you're asking me!" stated the other. "Say, have we -got to those food capsules yet?"</p> - -<p>"Not yet! We're still working on the clothes! There's a couple of -hundred tons more to burn. After that, I don't know how many thousand -tons of food!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Bewildered, I returned to my original supposition that the men were -mad. Yet it seemed to me that they looked normal enough.</p> - -<p>"Beg pardon, friends," I asked, stepping to within a few feet of them, -"I don't like to intrude, but I'm a stranger around these parts. Wonder -if you'd mind telling what's in those boxes?"</p> - -<p>I was now so close to the men that they could not see me clearly.</p> - -<p>"You <i>must</i> be a stranger, if you don't know what's in them!" -ejaculated one of the laborers. "I thought everyone knew!"</p> - -<p>"Just what we've been saying!" added the other. "Food and clothing, of -course!"</p> - -<p>"Not good food and clothing?"</p> - -<p>The two workers stared at me oddly. "Why not?" demanded the first -of the pair. "The very best! We're getting rid of the country's -overproduction!"</p> - -<p>"Say, haven't you ever been to school?" challenged the second. -"Don't you know that overproduction is bad for business? It causes -depressions, low dividends, and low wages! So when we've made more of a -product than anyone can buy, the only thing to do is to burn it! 'Burn -your way to prosperity'—that's an old motto! The more we burn, the -more prosperity!"</p> - -<p>"Why, that's elementary!" added the first worker. "It's taught to every -child in kindergarten! By destroying things, you will raise prices, -which is the chief object of civilization; since the more we have -to pay for things, the more prosperous we will be. Everybody knows -that! It's the First Law of Thoughtlessness, taught by all leading -economists."</p> - -<p>Personally, I have never claimed to know anything of economics, which -has always struck me as a subject too deep for my comprehension; still, -I could not see why so much good food and clothing need be destroyed -when so many Third Class citizens hadn't enough to eat or wear. And so -I humbly asked why the surplus, instead of being burned, could not be -distributed among the poor.</p> - -<p>But I had little expected the effect of my inquiry. Even before the -words were out of my mouth, I could see the faces of my hearers growing -wry with horror.</p> - -<p>"Say, brother," exclaimed the more pugnacious-looking of the pair, "you -must be one of those anarchists we've been hearing about! How can we -give the food and clothing to the poor? They haven't anything to pay -for it, have they?"</p> - -<p>"Raise their wages!" I suggested.</p> - -<p>But my words went unheeded. "By my father's pink eyes!—we haven't time -to waste on any red revolutionist!" snarled the man. "Radicals like -you want to ruin the country! Now get out of here, with your crazy -new-fashioned ideas, or I'll report you to the militia! Get out quick!"</p> - -<p>This final argument being a clinching one, particularly since backed up -with two heavy pairs of fists, I conceded the point, and started away -hastily. As I turned down a side-gallery and caught my last glimpse -of the men, the furnace door stood open again, and they were pitching -great boxes into the flames with furious energy, as if eager to make up -for lost time!</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> - -<h3>The Green and Vermilion</h3> - - -<p>Not half an hour after my encounter with the furnace workers, I had an -even more surprising experience. I was still gradually working my way -upward through the interminable labyrinths, when unexpectedly I came -out on a broad thoroughfare, where great multitudes of chalk-faces -were convening. From the manner in which they lined themselves along -the sides of the avenue, leaving the center clear, I knew that some -sort of a spectacle was expected; and this excited my curiosity, so -much so that I again forgot caution, mingled with the crowds, and -pushed forward so as to secure a position in the front row. Once more, -fortunately, I was protected by the inability of the natives to see -things near at hand; I was now so hemmed in by them that they did not -view me as I really was, and accordingly I felt safer than if observed -at a distance.</p> - -<p>No sooner had I edged my way to the front than the crowd broke into -cheers, which were dinned and repeated in ever-growing volume, while -the spectators seemed to grow mad with excitement, and jumped and -stamped in glee, and flung their arms high in air, and shouted till -their lungs were hoarse. What they were shouting about was not quite -clear to me, although I made an effort to join in the chorus; I -thought, however, that I could make out something like, "Long live the -green and vermilion! Long live the green and vermilion!" and at first -the impression came to me that I was about to witness a football game. -Only on this ground could I explain the mad agitation of the people.</p> - -<p>But as the tumult subsided, a great banner hanging from the ceiling -reminded me that green and vermilion were the national colors of Wu. I -would now have guessed the nature of the celebration, even had it not -been for my conversation with the jovial-looking, portly chalk-face -just to my right. This gentleman, whose cheers had roared into my ears -until I was almost deafened, turned to me genially as soon as the -shouting had died down, and made a remark to me, with an expectant -smile.</p> - -<p>"Well, guess they'll be coming any minute now!"</p> - -<p>"Guess they will!" I agreed, although I still had only the vaguest -notion who "they" might be.</p> - -<p>"This is General Bing's greatest triumph!" went on my garrulous -neighbor. "Just imagine, he's retaken three-fifths of the lower -left-hand corner of Nullnull—at a cost of only a million and a quarter -lives! Marvelous, I call it!"</p> - -<p>"Marvelous!" I concurred.</p> - -<p>"True, he couldn't hold it very long," went on my companion, -ruefully. "He was outnumbered too strongly. But he did keep it a good -three-quarters of a wake! And they say that, when retreating, he didn't -have to vacate more than four-fifths of the lower left-hand corner -of Nullnull, at a cost of another million and a quarter lives. An -extraordinary strategic victory, I call it!"</p> - -<p>"Extraordinary!" I acknowledged.</p> - -<p>"So it's only proper, isn't it, that Thuno Flâtum, our good Dictator, -should grant a triumphal procession, in order that we may pay public -tribute to the greatness of General Bing? Look! here they come!"</p> - -<p>Suddenly the mob let out such a howl of acclaim that I had to clap my -palms to my ears for protection. To the accompaniment of blaring horns, -and of a clanging instrument known as a "bange," which made a noise -resembling a cannonade, an elegant-looking procession of dignitaries -rode into view on slow-moving little "scootscoots." On one of the -foremost cars, surrounded by a bodyguard of a hundred warriors and -several scores of obsequious valets, rode a man in a gorgeous crimson -uniform—none other than General Bing himself! The exalted rank of -this personage would, of course, have been apparent from many facts: -the long ear-tubes, the projecting eye-tubes, the nose-tubes and -mouth-tubes, and his dwarfish stature and weazened legs, all of which -proved him to be a kinsman of Dictator Thuno Flâtum—in short, a First -Class Citizen!</p> - -<p>Just why the General should have been so popular with the Second and -Third Classes was more than I could understand; but so great was public -admiration that many heads bowed themselves into the gutter as he -passed, while countless eyes shed tears of happy emotion.</p> - -<p>"You see, he bears a charmed life," stated the portly neighbor to my -right. "All generals bear charmed lives; that's why we honor them as -heroes. In order to keep their lives charmed, they direct the battles -from a distance of fifty miles, sometimes more; for what a loss to the -country if they should be—er—turned over!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, what a loss!" I coincided.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The main body of the procession was now passing—and a gallant sight -it was! There were several other generals who, like Commander-in-Chief -Bing, were dressed either in crimson, or in crimson striped with -black; there were hundreds of banners of green and vermilion, and -several yellow-and-purple banners said to have been captured during -the strategic retreat from Nullnull; there were scores of large-sized -"scootscoots" laden with blackened uniforms taken from the enemy; there -were several dozen war-heroes, who had received the "Dictatorial Badge -of Honor," and were so covered with decorations that it was impossible -to see their faces; there were innumerable placards proclaiming the -vastness of the recent victories, which, it seemed, were without -precedent "in the history of civilized massacre"; and there were, -finally, thousands of common soldiers, who walked twenty abreast -with the peculiar high-swinging foot motion of the native infantry, -reminding me once more of prancing horses, except for the slowness and -automatic precision with which they advanced.</p> - -<p>All these men wore helmets, of the peculiar hatchet shape I had already -observed; and in their hands, instead of swords or rifles, they -carried long poles. On the top of each of these I observed curious -round glittering objects which, at the first glimpse, looked most -attractive, for the wiry sheaths caught the light and flashed it back -resplendently. But, on a closer view, I shuddered and turned pale. -Under each of the gleaming metallic coverings, there leered a naked -skull!</p> - -<p>While I reeled backward, horrified at this sight, I heard the cheers -of the throng. "Look at the proofs of our victory! The proofs of -our victory! Proofs of our victory! Hurrah! Hurrah! <i>Hurrah!</i>" they -howled, pointing to the shining protuberances on the poles. Evidently -their vision was so poor that they could not see beneath the sparkling -surface!</p> - -<p>Following the foot soldiers, dozens of huge vans came rumbling down the -avenue, electrically propelled, and bearing great machines that I can -only describe as dragons of a hundred necks, since their steel bodies -bristled with scores of long tapering tubes, twenty feet high, and -pointing in all directions, like the throats of siege guns.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus2.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p>Their steel bodies bristled with scores of long tapering tubes, twenty feet high, and pointing in all directions, like the throats of siege guns.</p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>"Just look at them! Just look!" excitedly sputtered the neighbor to my -right, while I was wondering what these engines might be. "If there's -not the lightning-spitters!"</p> - -<p>"The lightning what!" I demanded.</p> - -<p>"Lightning-spitters!" he cried, his voice barely audible above the -rumbling of the machines. "Of course, you've heard of them! One of the -most remarkable inventions of modern times!"</p> - -<p>Even as he spoke, a blade of orange electricity shot from one of the -machines, darting to the ceiling in a swift zigzag, and was succeeded -instantly by blades of green and crimson light, while miniature -thunders rolled.</p> - -<p>Now all at once I understood the nature of the machines! They were the -source of those lightnings which had wiped out whole armies in the -battle cavern, before the dazzled eyes of Clay and myself! They were -the same lightnings that had threatened us both, and that might, for -all I knew, have taken Clay's life!</p> - -<p>"Of course, those are only toy lightnings, for demonstration purposes," -my portly neighbor rambled on, while other shafts of colored light -shot harmlessly upward. "But these same machines have wiped out whole -armies!"</p> - -<p>"What's the principle behind them?" I asked.</p> - -<p>My neighbor shrugged his shoulders. "How do I know? It's a carefully -guarded secret of the authorities. However, they say that the power of -Mulflar is used to generate electricity in the machine—to generate it -in such excessive quantities that the engine becomes supercharged and -releases its energy through the tubes in tremendous lightning blades."</p> - -<p>"I see," said I. "The machine becomes somewhat like a thunder-cloud, -supercharged with positive electricity—"</p> - -<p>"Thunder-cloud?" demanded my companion. "What's that?"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>I perceived that I had used the wrong illustration, for, of course, -thunder-clouds were not known underground.</p> - -<p>"The only trouble," proceeded my neighbor, after I had vainly tried to -convey an idea of the nature of a thunder-cloud—"the only trouble is -in aiming the lightnings. Of course, we try to direct them accurately -through the different tubes, but they don't always go where we want -them to. You can never tell where the lightning will strike."</p> - -<p>"I should call that a fatal difficulty," said I.</p> - -<p>"Not at all! Wherever it hits, it's certain to kill—that is to say—" -here he paused, greatly embarrassed—"that is to say, to turn over some -of the enemy. And that, after all, is the only thing that counts!"</p> - -<p>I was about to reply, remarking that I perhaps owed my life to the -inexpertness of the foe in aiming the lightnings, when all at once the -crowd broke into song, chanting the National Anthem in a tumultuous -chorus as the last of the lightning-spitters rolled past.</p> - -<p>Unfortunately, I have forgotten all the stanzas except the first two; -but these, which I give in a translation that does scant justice to the -magnificence of the original, will illustrate the theme and idea of the -whole:</p> - -<div class="poetry"> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse">Let us fight forever!</div> - <div class="verse">We'll be conquered never</div> - <div class="verse">While we've heads to sever</div> - <div class="verse indent2">From our brutish foes!</div> - <div class="verse">Let us fight forever</div> - <div class="verse">With a gay endeavor!</div> - <div class="verse">We are keen and clever</div> - <div class="verse indent2">With electric blows!</div> -</div> - <div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse">Where the lightning flashes</div> - <div class="verse">In mechanic clashes,</div> - <div class="verse">And the thunder crashes,</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Grind our foes to dust!</div> - <div class="verse">How our fury slashes,</div> - <div class="verse">Dealing scarlet gashes,</div> - <div class="verse">Till the earth is ashes—</div> - <div class="verse indent2">Lord, in Thee we trust!</div> -</div></div> - -<p>The crowd had just completed the twenty-first stanza, and was singing -the chorus with resounding gusto, when I suddenly observed something -that made me lose all interest in the celebration. Among the throngs -across the gallery, I caught sight of an ugly-looking chalk-face, with -thin slits of eyes and a twisted nose, who was staring at me with such -an intent scrutiny that I felt a chill traveling down my spine. Did he -suspect me of being a spy?—or was he an agent of the government, sent -to arrest me for breaking my Oath of Fidelity and running away from the -Ventilation Office?</p> - -<p>Now all at once I remembered that I was a fugitive from justice; and, -with a tremor of terror, I pushed my way back into the crowd, resolved -on instant flight; while the neighbor to my right, having finished -singing the National Anthem, stepped forward with an excited cry, and -exclaimed, "Oh, just look! The Subterrains are coming; the Subterrains -are coming!"</p> - -<p>But I did not wait to see the Subterrains, whatever they might be. The -vision of that man with the thin slits of eyes and twisted nose drove -all other thoughts from my mind as I wormed my way deeper into the mob; -and the dread of being taken back to face the violet-ray or marry Loa -lent haste to my footsteps.</p> - -<p>Yet it was not to be long before I would learn the nature of the -Subterrain.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2> - -<h3>Through the Phonoscope</h3> - - -<p>I can scarcely recall where I wandered in my haste; I only know that I -followed long twining aisles in a half-darkness, beset by the vision -of a man with slit eyes and twisted nose. I must have traveled half a -mile before at length I turned to glance behind me, confident of having -thrown off my pursuer. But how cruelly I was surprised! About a hundred -yards down the gallery, advancing toward me at no uncertain pace, -strode a chalk-face whom I thought I recognized by his slit eyes. Owing -to the distance, I may have been mistaken; but, in any case, I thought -it wiser to flee than to investigate, and put on my best sprinting gait -as I slipped around a bend in the corridor and off along a narrow, -down-curving passageway.</p> - -<p>Less than a minute later, I passed another turn in the gallery, and -came out, to my surprise, among a crowd of natives in a wide grotto -dominated by a sign in glowing crystalline letters: "Phonoscope -Theatre: Admission, One Silver Finger."</p> - -<p>Now I had no notion what a "phonoscope theatre" might be, but I knew -that a "silver finger" was a fair-sized sum of money—equivalent to the -returns from an average day's labor. Needless to say, I had never yet -had such a sum; hence it might have seemed sheer madness to follow the -idea that leaped into my mind—to seek refuge in the theatre. Yet I had -not a moment's hesitation. Mingling with the crowd, I pressed forward -in a long line filing past a ticket-taker; and since, of course, I was -without the requisite slip of paper, I determined upon strategy to -admit me. Taking advantage of the chalk-faces' inability to see things -near at hand, I seized a little strip of cardboard which chanced to -be in my pocket (it had been used for jotting down some notes during -my lessons from Loa) confidently thrust this into the ticket-taker's -hand, and cried, "Free pass!" knowing that he would have to hold it off -at a distance and examine it with binoculars before discovering the -fraud. Then, while the puzzled official was inspecting the ticket, I -allowed the impatient mob behind to press me forward and lost no time -about passing the theatre door.</p> - -<p>It seemed to me that, as I entered, I heard a confused shouting -outside, and some imprecations calling down the Seven Furies on -someone's head. However, I paid little attention, but remained nicely -hidden in the midst of the crowd as I shuffled down a long aisle in the -most peculiar amusement place I had ever seen.</p> - -<p>It had, indeed, some resemblance to theatres as I had known them, -but was nearer in appearance to the amphitheatres of the Greeks. -Beneath a ceiling that arched to a hundred feet or more, long rows of -benches sloped down toward an open central space or stage, on which -a tall chalk-face with a long three-pointed beard was holding forth -sonorously; while all the spectators, curiously enough, were looking -and listening through queer instruments projecting from the benches, -and rarely seemed to heed the speaker.</p> - -<p>As quickly and inconspicuously as possible, I slipped into one of the -seats, feeling that I had at last eluded my pursuer, and began to -examine the instruments in front of me, of whose purpose I remained -in doubt. There were tubes like earphones, attached by wires to a -little electric socket; and there were other tubes resembling small -telescopes, also attached by wires to a socket. What use could there be -for telescopes in this auditorium?</p> - -<p>So I asked myself, as, following my neighbors' example, I tried to -adjust the instruments. But so cumbrous were they that it was minutes -before I had discovered their purpose.</p> - -<p>While I was struggling with the tubes, I heard the voice of the speaker.</p> - -<p>"Fellow citizens of the Second and Third Classes, you are about to -witness an extraordinary exhibition. Until three years ago, when that -marvelous invention, the Phonoscope, was perfected, it would not have -been possible safely to witness what you are now about to see. For the -benefit of those still unacquainted with this masterly machine, I would -say that if you will arrange the eye- and ear-pieces, and step on the -little lever to your left, you will be just in time for the beginning -of the performance."</p> - -<p>In a few seconds more, I had managed to adjust the earphones and the -telescope-like tubes; and, following the speaker's advice, I stepped -on a little steel rod reminding me of the brake of an automobile. And -instantly there occurred the most remarkable transformation I have ever -witnessed.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>So sudden was the change that I would have rubbed my eyes like one -in a daze, had they not been pressed close to the lenses. At first -I imagined I was dreaming; the theatre, the long rows of benches, -the tall form of the speaker, had vanished from view; the shuffling, -grating noises of people passing down the aisles, the sonorous voice -of the long-bearded one in front, had all been obliterated. But new -sounds, new sights crowded upon my bewildered senses.</p> - -<p>Looking out upon an enormous cavern like the one where Clay and I had -witnessed the battle, I saw swarms of warriors, tens of thousands -strong, moving in serried ranks across a smooth stone floor, while a -crashing as of many spears was in my ears and a booming like distant -thunder.</p> - -<p>"You now behold a battlefield a hundred miles away," I heard the -speaker proclaim, when, in order to relieve my aching ears, I had -removed the earphones. "The Phonoscope, you see, is connected by wires -with scores of points on the battlefield. Motion picture cameras, at -the other end of the line, are constantly photographing the sights, -which are conveyed to you by an apparatus like television, except that -you may see directly instead of gazing at a screen. At the same time, -radio transmitters catch the sounds and bring them to your ears, so -that you may see and hear the battle from a safe distance. It is hardly -necessary to remind you that before the invention of the Phonoscope, no -one except generals and field-marshals could enjoy such a privilege."</p> - -<p>I was still observing how the army, with yellow-and-purple banners -afloat, was advancing across the field; but I was so interested in the -speaker's words that I was reluctant to clap on the earphones again.</p> - -<p>"Thanks to the Phonoscope," he went on, "war has become much more -interesting than ever before. Previously we had to observe it through -the newspapers, which was altogether too tame. Or else we had to go to -war ourselves—in which case we were all too likely to be—er—turned -over. But now, for the payment of a fee, we can enjoy the spectacle -without enduring any of its hardships. You do not know how much more -popular this has made the fighting. Besides—" here the speaker paused, -and a smile of glowing pleasure overspread his countenance—"Besides, -it has at last put war on a business basis. The fees from the -Phonoscope Theatre have been most satisfactory—most satisfactory. Last -year alone the Government reaped dividends of eleven per cent!"</p> - -<p>It was at this point that my attention was distracted from the speaker -to the battlefield. Out of little round orifices on the cavern walls, -showers of pale phosphorescent silvery orbs suddenly flashed, falling -like shooting stars upon the floor where the purple-and-yellow army was -maneuvering. And all at once those regular, serried ranks became like a -column of ants on whom one has poured hot water. The wildest disorder -prevailed; squadrons of men seemed literally to wither away; I saw a -myriad forms convulsed on the ground, writhing and gesticulating in -mortal anguish, while other myriads fled pell-mell in all directions.</p> - -<p>At the same time, slipping on the earphones, I heard a confused wailing -and groaning, like the agonized cries of a multitude; and so desolate, -so heart-rending was this sound that I had to snatch the earphones off -instantly.</p> - -<p>"You have just beheld the attack of the radium bombs," the speaker was -stating, in matter-of-fact tones. "Radium bombs, as you are aware, -represent the most advanced method of scientific slaughter. They are -more effective than dynamite or even than Mulflar, for they not only -kill all who happen to be near when they fall, but, after falling, they -continue indefinitely to be radioactive, so that all who approach are -afflicted with terrible and incurable sores. That is why you see the -surviving soldiers fleeing so madly. For the same reason, whole vast -regions, far beyond the present battle lines, have been transformed -into a permanent public menace."</p> - -<p>I wondered how the chalk-faces obtained radium enough to use so widely; -but the speaker was not long in informing me.</p> - -<p>"At one time, you know, we could secure the element only in -insignificant quantities. But science is great, and surmounts -many obstacles. About twenty years ago, the renowned chemist Blo -Bla discovered that, by means of a new solution composed of a -chromium-phosphorus compound (the exact formula of which is strictly -guarded) we might extract it efficiently from the pitchblend that -abounds throughout our caverns.</p> - -<p>"It was then that we first conceived the idea of using it for military -purposes. Our main difficulty was not so much in securing the radium as -in manufacturing it into bombs; and this problem we solved by devising -a missile with a body of some less deadly metal, such as iron or lead, -and with a radioactive surface. Unfortunately, there is one minor -disadvantage; the bombs can be made only at a considerable cost to the -workers, who—well, whose turnover, I am sorry to say, is one hundred -per cent every ninety wakes. But such, my friends, is war! Is it not -all for the honor of the country? To end one's days in a radium factory -is considered a glorious turnover!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>For several minutes the speaker rambled on in this vein, telling how -the enemy, Zu, had been so dastardly as to duplicate the radium bombs, -at a great cost to the army of Wu.... Then, suddenly stopping in -midsentence, he broke into an exclamation I could hardly catch: "Look -carefully, my friends! Look carefully! The Subterrain is coming! The -Subterrain! The Subterrain!"</p> - -<p>Anxious not to miss anything of interest, I clapped the earphones on -again and glanced once more at the battlefield. And, as I did so, a -scene of shattering fury burst upon my view.</p> - -<p>For one instant, I was aware of the wide cavern floor, with the -stricken multitudes still writhing piteously, while other multitudes -still fled toward the safety of the walls. But, the next instant, all -this had vanished. There was a terrific upheaval of earth and rock, -which for a fraction of a second covered all things in a great blur; -the walls of the cavern sagged, and in places collapsed in avalanches; -the floor became jagged as a lunar landscape, with sharp craters and -deep ravines, and hillocks, bluffs, and gulches where all had been flat -and smooth a moment before. And in my ears was such a thundering that I -reeled and was all but knocked over.</p> - -<p>Hastily snatching off the earphones, I remained gazing with absorbed -interest upon that hideous scene. To my horror, I could no longer see -any trace of the purple-and-yellow army. The fugitives, no less than -the victims of the radium bombs, had all disappeared! And, as the -visible sign of their destruction, a long, thin, dark metallic tube was -projecting from the broken center of the floor, like the neck of some -great carnivorous dinosaur.</p> - -<p>"Ah, that is fine, isn't it, my friends? A very satisfactory enemy -turnover! Very satisfactory, indeed!" the voice of the speaker -rang out, with gloating pleasure. "You see that long tube jutting -above the floor. That is the tip of the Subterrain! You all know, -of course, about this marvelous engine. It is generally conceded to -be the greatest invention of modern times. No other contrivance has -ever produced half so great a turnover. It was the creation of the -renowned engineer Hizz Crazz, who, about fifty years ago, decided that -war was getting too tame, since it was fought all on the surface of -the galleries. Why not make a machine, he asked, which would travel -underground as our submersible vessels travel beneath rivers and lakes?</p> - -<p>"The result was the Subterrain. The principles behind it are admirably -simple; the weapon, which is a relatively slender steel cylinder -accommodating five or six men, gradually works its way through a -narrow excavation already prepared for it by a machine like a powerful -well-borer—the 'cave-blaster,' which operates by the power of Mulflar, -and has made it possible to dig our gigantic war-galleries.</p> - -<p>"But let me go on to tell about the Subterrain itself. Affixed to its -prow is an electric dredge which tears up the earth before it and -deposits it behind; by this means, the Subterrain digs its way forward -at the rate of a quarter of a mile an hour. Meanwhile, its crew, -confined in their narrow compartment, are kept alive by air supplied -through long connecting tubes, in the manner of divers. A delicate -instrument, with a radio attachment, informs the men when they are in -the neighborhood of an enemy cavern—for, of course, the machine is -never used except in wartime. Being within a few feet of a hostile -gallery, the Subterrain halts, retreats a short distance into the -tunnel it has bored, and launches a Mulflar torpedo—whose effects, as -you have observed, are terrible beyond description."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>It seemed to me that I had now seen enough of the Phonoscope exhibition -for one day, and I began to glance about me for the most inconspicuous -way of retreating. But since a crowd of new arrivals were coming toward -me down the aisle, the moment did not seem opportune.</p> - -<p>"Great as are the merits of the Subterrain," the speaker continued, "it -cannot be denied that it has some minor drawbacks. One of these is that -there is no longer any security for the civilian population during -wartime. One never knows when a Subterrain, boring unnoticed beneath -one's feet, may launch a Mulflar bomb directly at one. It is impossible -to say how many thousands of noncombatants have been turned over in -this manner since the war began. Even First Class Citizens have not -been spared—an intolerable form of barbarity, which will now—thank -the Lord!—be ended by a humanitarian treaty which has just been -negotiated, confining attacks of the Subterrains to regions occupied by -Second and Third Class Citizens."</p> - -<p>It was at this point that I lost interest in the speech. The newcomers -having by this time reached their seats, I had risen to leave ... -when my eyes were riveted on a chalk-face just appearing at the door. -Whether he had come by accident or by design I was never to learn; but -there at the entrance, staring at me with a fascinated gaze, was my -friend of the slit eyes and twisted nose!</p> - -<p>Not waiting to make his closer acquaintance, I darted toward a dark -passageway marked "Exit." And instantly he set up such a howl that the -whole theatre was aroused, and the speaker, startled, halted midway in -his address. "Thief! Robber! Bandit!" was dinned from behind me. "Catch -him! Catch him! Catch him! He's a deserter from the war! Catch him! -Catch him!"</p> - -<p>As I darted into the passageway at a speed that did justice to my -college track training, it was only too evident that the slit-eyed one, -who was apparently a detective, had mistaken me for someone else. But I -did not wait to inform him of his error. Well knowing that the penalty -for a war deserter was death by the violet-ray, well knowing that the -chalk-faces would execute me first and exonerate me afterwards, I did -not check my pace for so much as a fraction of a second as I dashed -away with half the theatre audience at my heels.</p> - -<p>The violet-ray would not have been needed after all, had that -bloodthirsty mob laid hands upon me. "Lynch him! Lynch him! Lynch him!" -screeched the leaders of the multitude, as they raced after me along -the curving galleries. "Lynch him! Burn him! Tear him to bits! The rat! -Cur! Viper!"</p> - -<p>There were also other epithets, some of them quite untranslatable; -while, as I rushed around the bends of those branching corridors, I -could feel the blood-lust of the rabble behind me, could hear their -cries growing more excited, could hear the rattling of pebbles and -great rocks flung after me by the ardent onsweeping patriots.</p> - -<p>Then, suddenly, above the din and screaming of the throng, my ears -caught the screech of a whistle, and I knew that the police were being -summoned, and that, in another minute, I would be trapped beyond -possibility of escape.</p> - -<p>In that critical moment, while my breath came hard and fast and my -heart hammered like a great weight, I slipped around a turn that hid -me temporarily from my pursuers. And, at the same instant, the saving -suggestion came to me. There, on the pavement in front of me, was an -iron lid as large as the manhole of a sewer; its top bore the prominent -letters, "Property of the Ventilation Company! Keep off!"</p> - -<p>Clearly, this was no time for hesitation. With a swift downward lunge, -I thrust the iron lid out of place; with a leap and a plunge, I dropped -into the gaping black hole; and with a desperate wrench of my arms, as -I came to a halt on a slippery steel surface, I pulled the lid into -place above me.</p> - -<p>The next instant, secure in that cranny amid the darkness, I could hear -the mob surging and stamping above my head.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> - -<h3>Mishap Upon Mishap</h3> - - -<p>It is impossible to say how long I lay there cramped in the gloom. -It may have been only minutes, but it seemed hours, while the howls -and wailings of the rabble came to my ears through the thin slit of -iron that saved me from their fury. "This way! No, that way! No, you -fools, the other way!" I heard them shrilling in their confusion, as -their feet went scampering in a hundred directions. "Catch him! Catch -him! Don't let the villain get away! We'll teach him; we'll teach him! -We'll make mincemeat of the devil!" And then, more sinister still, I -heard someone exclaiming, "Hey, boys, got the rope?... Knot it tight -there!..."</p> - -<p>At these words I felt an intense desire to creep farther down into my -hiding place, but was unable to do so. My feet were resting on a ledge -only a foot or two wide, and beneath me vacancy seemed to yawn. I felt -sure that I was on the brink of a precipice, for a pebble or fragment -of metal, accidentally dislodged by my foot, rattled for a long while -as it descended. Meantime I was in as uncomfortable a position as one -could imagine; huddled against the iron most awkwardly while a chilly -breath of air continually blew over me. I was not only catching cold, -but—much worse—had reason to fear that I might sneeze at any moment, -so betraying my hiding-place.</p> - -<p>At last, however, the tumult of the multitude subsided, and I could -hear the shouting of my pursuers at a distance, and then at a farther -distance, and then die out entirely ... so that I knew, to my enormous -relief, that they had gone off on the wrong scent.</p> - -<p>Even so, it did not seem safe to lift the iron lid as yet—who knew -what member of the mob might not be lurking about? And so I remained -crouched there in the darkness, waiting, waiting....</p> - -<p>But I had delayed too long. After a while, I again heard the sound -of voices, of voices lifted in loud excitement. Were my pursuers -returning? Not so! As I held my breath and listened, I recognized that -these were different voices. "The ventilation! What's happened to the -ventilation?" I could hear one of the newcomers crying. "Something must -have blocked it! It's not been working right!"</p> - -<p>"Been out of gear half an hour, at least!" returned another. "They say -the disturbance centers somewhere up this way!"</p> - -<p>"Hard to tell where the trouble is!" grumbled a third. "Complaints -coming in for miles around!"</p> - -<p>"Well, if anything got into one of those pipes," declared the first, -"it would stop the air currents over the whole district!"</p> - -<p>As I listened to this conversation, a thrill of horror and a sense of -guilt shot over me. All too well I understood what was blocking the -ventilation!</p> - -<p>"Remember that last time!" continued one of the men. "Some big rats got -caught in one of the tubes! We had to shoot in some Mulflar, and blow -them to cinders!"</p> - -<p>By this time the men were almost directly above me, and I was fervently -praying for them to pass on without suspecting my presence. But such, -alas!—was not to be. Just as the heavy feet of the foremost rattled on -the iron lid above my head, I was overwhelmed by the desire to sneeze. -The impulse came so suddenly that it was impossible to check; the best -I could do was to muffle it, so that it had a stifled sound not at all -like a sneeze—though still, unfortunately, all too audible.</p> - -<p>I could hear the men pausing just above my head, with surprised -exclamations. I knew that they were listening, waiting; I could almost -feel their attention focused in my direction.</p> - -<p>"What's that?" one of them snapped. "Didn't it sound like a rat?"</p> - -<p>"Sure enough!" cried another. "A rat! That's what's stuffed up the -ventilation!"</p> - -<p>"Most likely a whole colony of rats!" added a fourth. "They grow big -down here, you know!"</p> - -<p>"And here's the very place!" took up the first. "Right in this -air-tube! Well, we'll fix them all right!" And I could hear the man -rattling at the iron lid above my head.</p> - -<p>Never before had I wished so ardently for the power of invisibility. -Never had I had such a desire to compress myself to a thimble's size. -Hopelessly I huddled against my iron ledge; then, fearing that I would -be seen, I resorted to the desperate expedient of hanging over the -brim, holding on to the ledge with both hands, while my body lay along -an iron surface sloping at an angle of forty-five degrees.</p> - -<p>No sooner had I gained this position than I heard the lid heavily -clanging out of place; and a flood of light burst upon me. In the glare -above, several chalk-faces were staring down at me!</p> - -<p>"There it is! A big rat! A mighty big one! One of the biggest I ever -saw!" exclaimed one of the men, in awed tones.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Evidently, because of their inability to see things near at hand, they -had mistaken me for a rodent!</p> - -<p>"Well, we'll get rid of him fast enough!" a second man declared. "Just -one minute there! Let me have that brush! I'll spray him with poison!"</p> - -<p>It had never occurred to me, until that moment, to have any sympathy -with a trapped rat. But I could feel boundless sympathy as a huge -brush, malodorous with some vile-smelling concoction, was thrust -through the opening directly at my face.</p> - -<p>I do not know whether I cried out in my terror. But I do know that -my hands, as I struggled to evade that foul oncoming weapon, lost -their precarious grip on the ledge. And, the next instant, I had gone -shooting off into the darkness.</p> - -<p>To this day, I believe that it is a miracle that I survived. Certainly, -the gods of good fortune were with me in the ensuing plunge. I could -easily have broken my head or caved in my ribs against the steel -projections of the ventilating system. Only sheer lucky chance, and -the fact that the ventilating tubes were not perpendicular, saved me -from what, in the words of the natives, would have been a sudden and -horrible "turnover." Down, down, down, I shot, skimming around curves, -banging against unseen bends and corners, tumbling head over heels in -a mad dash, wherein it was impossible to regain my balance. Surely, no -circus performer ever took so strange, so perilous a dive! Only now and -then could I momentarily check my speed, when the tube, for a few feet, -became almost horizontal; but always it would dip sharply again, and I -would go falling once more through the darkness.</p> - -<p>It seemed that I had traveled thus for miles when suddenly, with a -terrific bang, I collided with a wall, and came to a halt, stunned, -bruised, and bleeding in fifty places. With painful difficulty, I -picked myself up, while noting with relief a slit of light through the -partition I had just struck. It was, in fact, not a wall at all, but a -partly opened door!</p> - -<p>Then, as my dazed senses gradually cleared, I became aware of something -familiar in my surroundings. Did this not resemble the ventilating -duct, which opened on the office where I had worked, and which I had so -disliked to clean with a mop?</p> - -<p>Still feeling somewhat dizzy, I crept out of the doorway and found -myself in a large, well-lighted chamber—not, indeed, my former place -of employment, but so similar that I knew it to be another office of -the Ventilation Company.</p> - -<p>Before I had had time to reflect on my plight, or wonder what next to -do, I was startled to see four or five men who, drawn by the noise of -my arrival, came rushing out of several adjoining rooms.</p> - -<p>Upon seeing me, they stopped short with loud, excited cries, -whose import I could not quite gather. I only knew that they were -employees of the Ventilation Company; that they were pointing in much -agitation to my pitiful self, with my torn clothes and blood-smeared -features—and that, in another moment, they would seize me and carry me -away to some new punishment.</p> - -<p>Had I had the energy, I would have crawled back into the ventilating -tube for safety. But so weak had I become that I could only fall -sagging to the floor and wait despairingly while the chalk-faces drew -near.</p> - -<p>"Who in the name of Thuno Flâtum are you? Where did you come from?" -demanded the foremost of the strangers, as he regarded my battered -form. "You know, it's forbidden to enter the ventilating ducts!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I know!" I moaned. And then—I cannot say by what inspiration—I -added, "I am an employee of the Company."</p> - -<p>"Oh, an employee of the Company?" The chalk-faces stared at one another -significantly, and their manner became more friendly. "Of course, -that's different!"</p> - -<p>Yet their next words struck me like a deadly shock.</p> - -<p>"We had better go and report to the Manager!" they all decided while -I sought to dissuade them with my last remaining gasp of energy. Into -my mind had flashed visions of the penalty for my various breaches of -duty. Well I knew that any Underworld judge would be justified, three -times over, in sentencing me to the violet-ray!</p> - -<p>But, plead as I might, the ventilating men were inexorable. "No, we -must report to the Manager! The rules require it!" they insisted, as -one of them set off to perform his dread duty.</p> - -<p>This assertion was to me as the last straw. Weakened by the day's -torments and by loss of blood, terrified at the thought of the ordeal -that awaited me on the Manager's arrival, I could not endure this new -shock; a merciful unconsciousness swept over me, numbing my pain and -blurring my mind to nothingness.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2> - -<h3>Affliction and Triumph</h3> - - -<p>Great as had been the surprises of the last few hours, still stranger -events awaited me....</p> - -<p>After swooning away in the Ventilation Office, I remained unconscious -for a long while—so I was afterwards told. When I came to myself -again, it was after a period of blankness, varied by nightmares in -which I saw Loa bending over me solicitously, her milky face more -wrinkled than ever, her fat form bulging until she resembled a -monstrous dumpling. Awakening from a long-protracted dream of this -character, wherein I fled down endless labyrinths in the vain attempt -to elude the enchantress, I found myself in a place so mysterious that -I cried out involuntarily in my bewilderment.</p> - -<p>I was lying at full length, in a sort of bed or couch, with a sheet -drawn over me up to the neck; and I was conscious that all my clothes -had been removed, except for a single shirt-like covering, and that my -head was swathed in bandages. To my right rose a bare wall, and above -me, at a height of three or four feet, stared a blank ceiling; while -to the left, across an aisle little more than a yard wide, I beheld a -sight that gave me the confused impression that I was back again in the -Overworld, in a Pullman car. In neat rows of berths, arranged one above -the other, three tiers high, dozens of men were reclining, one to each -cot, all of them buried up to the neck beneath the sheets!</p> - -<p>Where was I? In prison? In a ward for the insane? In a death-cell, -awaiting execution by some new device more terrible than the violet ray?</p> - -<p>As these questions, and others equally frightening, rushed across my -mind, I began gradually to observe other details. I saw the wires, with -pulley-like attachments, which ran through minute holes in the ceiling -to each of the berths and carried little rattling cars no larger than -a small ink bottle; I saw the vials and tubes, filled with variously -colored liquids and powders, which stood on a neatly numbered shelf -just above my head; and I noted that a copper wire, attached to my left -wrist, ran the length of the bed and out through an opening in the -wall, and that similar wires led to each of the other berths.</p> - -<p>Although the suspicion came to me that these might be intended for the -simultaneous electrocution of us all, I was so weak and weary that even -the dread of imminent death could not disturb me for long; I sank back -upon a pillow composed of some straw-like substance, closed my eyes, -and fell into a refreshing slumber....</p> - -<p>From this sleep I was aroused with a start by the sound of someone -talking in a voice of thunder. How my heart hammered as I awoke from -that pleasant doze! How I shuddered! What chills crept up and down my -spine! In my bewildered state of mind, it took me a minute to discover -that there was no speaker visible, and that the voice—transmitted by -radio—issued from a huge horn projecting from the ceiling behind me.</p> - -<p>Unfortunately, I had missed the first words of the talk; but, judging -from what I later heard, I believe I can reproduce it fairly accurately.</p> - -<p>"Mechanical Hospital Number 807 QL. Third Class! It is now precisely -fifteen minutes and eleven seconds after the start of the wake! Time -to take your morning tonic! This you will find on the shelf above you: -Number 36 A, in the blue vial. Dissolve two pellets in the distilled -water which you will find in Number 36 B. Drink slowly, and finish with -an ounce of the liquid in 36 C. Then recline, and return to sleep. Our -next announcement will be for the mid-morning repast!"</p> - -<p>With an uncanny suddenness, the machine snapped into silence, while the -occupants of all the other berths, rising slightly out of bed, reached -for the indicated vials and consumed the contents as the voice had -directed. For my own part, however, I was too sick and too bewildered -to seek to follow instructions; I merely sank down into bed again, -thinking that if this were a hospital, certainly it was the queerest I -had ever viewed.</p> - -<p>But still stranger experiences awaited me. The very next moment I -unwittingly made a blunder that led to new discoveries. Finding that -the wire about my wrist irritated me, since it dug into the flesh and -checked the circulation, I pulled at it viciously, and succeeded in -removing it. But no sooner had I disentangled the obstruction than I -was shocked by hearing a bell clanging just above my head, reminding me -of a burglar-alarm. And, from the radio-speaker on the ceiling, a voice -bawled reprovingly.</p> - -<p>"The patient who has just removed his wrist-register will kindly -fasten it on again. We cannot expect to cure him unless this is left -securely in place. For the benefit of any persons still ignorant of -the facts, we may repeat that the wrist-register is the essence of -modern medicine. By means of a faint but constant electric current, it -records the patient's pulse, temperature, and respiration, which are -noted down in the chart-room by automatic wired connections. Thus we -are aware of the patient's condition minute by minute, and are able -to eliminate the necessity of expensive attendants. It is this device -which has made the Mechanical Hospital possible, and has enabled Third -Class Citizens to enjoy the benefits of modern medical knowledge."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>As I hastily readjusted the wire, I marveled at the medical advances -of the chalk-faces, who have progressed so far above us of the -Overworld. None the less, how I would have welcomed the presence of a -flesh-and-blood physician!</p> - -<p>Let me now pass over the space of a few hours, during which I dozed -from time to time, and from time to time took food or drugs in -accordance with the radio instructions, which were constantly awakening -me from the most invigorating slumbers. The next important event -occurred toward the close of the "wake," when the radio announced -"Visitors' Hour."</p> - -<p>Needless to say, this announcement did net interest me at first, for -who was there to see me? Who, in fact, even knew of my presence here?</p> - -<p>Yet once again I had miscalculated. I was to receive not one visitor, -but several—in fact, two distinct groups! And one group was to be more -alarming than the other.</p> - -<p>No sooner had "Visitors' Hour" begun than I heard four or five heavy -pairs of feet shuffling down the aisle in my direction; and, peering -out of the bed toward the newcomers, I was electrified with fright -at the sight of several familiar faces. There were the very men, the -employees of the Ventilation Company, who had met me yesterday after my -ignominious descent, and had threatened to call the Manager. And among -them—might heaven preserve me!—I noticed the tigerish face of the -Manager himself!</p> - -<p>Only on one other occasion—when I had begun work in the Ventilation -Office—had I encountered this individual, who answered to the name of -Go Grabl. But never could I forget the occasion; he had insisted so -severely on my duties to the Company, and had pointed out the penalties -for violation of the rules so explicitly, that I had thought of him -somewhat as the small boy thinks of the rod-wielding pedagogue.</p> - -<p>And now here he was, cornering me where I was not able to escape him! -Could he not at least wait until I was well?</p> - -<p>Shuddering, I turned my face toward the wall, so as to shut out the -sight of the intruder. But all to no avail! I heard him, along with the -other men, halting opposite my berth; and I could not but catch the -tones of their conversation.</p> - -<p>"There he is!" exclaimed the first of the visitors; and I could imagine -with what contempt he pointed to me. "All beaten up and abraded from -knocking about inside the tube!"</p> - -<p>"No wonder!" declared a second. "He must have gone through at least two -miles of pipe!"</p> - -<p>"When did you say he would be well again?" I heard the powerful voice -of the Manager. "Naturally, we can do nothing until then!"</p> - -<p>"They say he'll be out in a few wakes," returned the first. "Only -suffering from shock, along with surface scratches and bruises."</p> - -<p>"Good!" bawled the Manager. "It would be awkward if he had been turned -over!"</p> - -<p>Oh, would these men never go away and leave me in peace? In despair, I -turned toward them, and opened my mouth to speak. Alas!—they would not -let me get a word in edgeways!</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>But what was this that they were saying? Could I believe my ears? Or -was I only dreaming?</p> - -<p>"It was a wonderful performance," one of the ventilating employees -was declaring. "Yes, a wonderful performance! Personally, I never saw -anything like it. To creep for miles through the ventilation tubes, all -the way from his office to ours! To dust them out and brush away all -obstructions, at the risk of his life! Why, I assure you, Go Grabl, it -was heroism! We were all dumbfounded! The best of it was he succeeded! -He repaired the ventilation! From the moment he left the duct, the air -currents were working properly again!"</p> - -<p>Could it be that I was not dreaming, after all?</p> - -<p>"Such modesty I never saw before!" a second employee was relating. "Can -you believe it, Go Grabl, when we promised to report the affair to you, -he tried to dissuade us! He seemed positively eager not to take the -credit!"</p> - -<p>"Such self-effacement," rang out the heavy voice of the Manager, "is -much to the credit of any worker! It is the ideal that the Company -demands! We will not forget such devoted service!"</p> - -<p>And then, nodding to me with a smile, while I vainly strove to get in a -word at last, he counseled, "Quiet there, my good man, quiet! In your -condition, it is best not to speak; you need all your energy to get -well. But I want you to know that your heroic deeds will not be soon -forgotten. You will be rewarded, my dear man, you will be rewarded. And -now, good-bye! Good-bye!"</p> - -<p>"Good-bye! Good-bye!" echoed the other ventilation employees, and all -bowed low to do me honor.</p> - -<p>Spellbound, I had no word to say; but as they filed off down the aisle, -I could hear the Manager's pleased voice.</p> - -<p>"We will report this exploit in our monthly Company booklet, as an -example to all our workers! It will live in the annals of the Company; -yes, it will live in the annals of the Company!"</p> - -<p>While I was wondering if they were crazy or I, I heard heavy footsteps -thumping toward me along the aisle and glanced out of bed to receive a -new shock.</p> - -<p>Waddling forward as fast as her corpulent form would permit, and with -an ingratiating smile on her wrinkled face, was none other than Loa! -And behind her, benignantly beaming, loomed her father, Professor Tan -Trum!</p> - -<p>"Well, well, well, my boy!" rattled the latter, as he made his way -toward my berth. "Here you are at last! We have been waiting for you -in the reception room a full hour—a full hour, by my watch! They are -not very courteous in these Third Class hospitals! But Loa wanted to -come—so here we are! It would hardly be proper to let a respectable -girl come alone to such quarters," he finished, as he surveyed the -three tiers of berths with a disapproving sniff of his uptilted nose.</p> - -<p>"Oh, my dear, my dear, I'm so glad we've come!" enthused Loa, scarcely -waiting for her father to end. "We've heard all about it! The <i>Wakely -Screamer</i> tells the story in headlines! It even has pictures, showing -how you climbed up the Ventilation Tube! How brave you were, my dear! -How very brave! It makes me feel so honored to know—well, to know that -I can call such a man my very own!"</p> - -<p>And she reached out her capacious arms as if to enfold me—with the -result that I felt ready to swoon again.</p> - -<p>"You can't imagine how nervous I was about you last night, my dear, -when you didn't come home!" continued Loa, in a fluent stream. "I was -afraid you were lost! But father—father here wasn't worried. He was so -absorbed in his researches into the antiquity of the hyphen, he only -growled and said, what if you did get lost? The streets are as safe as -our own home! But I didn't get a wink of sleep—not one wink!—until I -read the news in the <i>Screamer</i>. Now, of course, I understand why you -didn't come back!"</p> - -<p>No defeated general, suddenly realizing that his most carefully laid -strategy has failed, could have had a more bitter sinking sensation -than overcame me at that moment. Evidently Loa and her father had not -even guessed that I had run away!</p> - -<p>"My dear boy," the Professor continued, still glancing disparagingly -about the room, "what a miserable rat-hole they've given you to -sleep in! You can't remain here! We'll arrange to take you back home -immediately!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, of course, we'll arrange immediately!" coincided Loa, beaming -upon me with a devouring smile. "You poor dear! We'll give you better -treatment! I'll take care of you myself!"</p> - -<p>Overwhelmed at this idea, I opened my mouth to protest; but the words -stuck in my throat and would not come. Instead, I uttered something -halfway between a gasp and a sob.</p> - -<p>"No, no, dear, don't exert yourself!" urged Loa. "Don't thank us yet! -You're still too weak to speak! But we'll see the authorities—and have -all the arrangements made."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The truth is that I <i>was</i> too weak to speak—much too weak! As -Professor Tan Trum nodded good-bye and disappeared along the aisle, -followed by his daughter, who smiled at me in the most infatuated way -imaginable, I relapsed momentarily into a state of coma, from which I -was a long while in recovering.</p> - -<p>It is doubtful if I would have recuperated at all, in less than several -"wakes," had it not been for a message that came to me an hour or -two later, sealed in an envelope that shot to my bedside through a -pneumatic tube. This was so unexpected, and so heartening, that it -helped me more than all the hospital tonics, and even enabled me, for a -time, to drive away the dread vision of Loa.</p> - -<p>The letter, written on the embossed stationery of the Ventilation -Company, ran as follows:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>"No. 44,667,023 XZ, Third Class,<br /> -c/o Mechanical Hospital No. 807 QL,<br /> -Third Class.</p> - -<p>"Dear Sir:</p> - -<p>"By virtue of your distinguished services on the line of duty, we are -honored, on the recommendation of our Manager, Go Grabl, to promote -you from Ventilating Clerk to Ventilating Inspector, the appointment -to take effect as soon as you are able to return to work. In your new -capacity, your hours will be half what you formerly served, and by way -of compensation, your salary will be doubled. We remain,</p> - -<p class="ph2">"Appreciatively yours,<br /> -"THE VENTILATION COMPANY OF WU,<br /> -"(Per Do Quil, Ninety-Eighth Vice-President)."</p></div> - -<p>It is from my appointment as Ventilating Inspector that I date the -beginning of my phenomenal rise in the affairs of the Underworld.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2> - -<h3>Ordeal and Crisis</h3> - - -<p>For seven "wakes" I remained in the hospital. Even though I did not at -all like the place, with its automatic service and its total absence -of living attendants, still I lived in hourly dread of being removed -and sent back to Professor Tan Trum's home. I knew that, true to his -word, he had put in an application to have me taken out; but what I -did not know was that a thousand formalities had to be observed before -the application could be granted. There were blanks to fill out, and -signatures to secure, and affidavits to sign, and fees to pay, and half -a score of clerks to affix their approval; hence, while Tan Trum and -Loa were doing their frantic best to obtain the release permit, the -"wakes" continued to slip past, and I remained in the hospital. In the -course of time, indeed, Tan Trum's application was duly approved—but -not before I had already been discharged as cured.</p> - -<p>It is a testimony to a naturally strong constitution that I was able -to escape in seven "wakes"; for my worries and torments while in that -hospital were innumerable.... I shall not describe them all; let me -only say that the newspaper reporters alone were enough to give me a -daily attack of chills and fever. The gentlemen of the press, thanks to -the special privileges of their profession, did not confine themselves -to "Visitors' Hour"; at any time of the day or night they would rouse -me from pleasant slumbers, in order to secure my personal story for the -<i>Wakely Blare</i>, or in order to learn my views on the topics of the day, -such as the reasons for the peculiar charms of the women of Wu, or the -desirability of improving men's clothing styles by further enlarging -the V-slit on the back.</p> - -<p>Naturally, I was irritated by such questions, and persistently refused -to reply, for I did not see how my work for the Ventilation Company -qualified me to express myself on native fashions, feminine beauty, or -politics. The reporters, however, seemed to feel otherwise; and, in no -way discouraged by my failure to speak, they were so obliging as to -make my opinions for me when I would not mention them myself. Thus, I -was later shown long articles in which I was described as "speaking -volubly," and in which I read the views credited to me on subjects -so diverse as "The Merits of Thuno Flâtum," "The Natural Superiority -of Wu to Zu," "The Future of the Scootscoot," "Why I Am in Love With -Wrinkles," etc.</p> - -<p>It was with intense misgivings that I awaited my release, for how now -avert the day of reckoning? How save myself from the fatal necessity -of returning to Tan Trum's home? Luckily, this problem was solved for -me by the Ventilation Company. Upon presenting myself for work, I was -informed that the Company provided living quarters for its Inspectors -in a great dormitory, so that they might be subject to call at any -hour. While it was not compulsory to reside there, I had not the least -hesitation about my course. I hastily dictated a letter to Tan Trum and -his daughter, thanking them for past favors, but assuring them that, -"much to my regret, the exigencies of my new work make it impossible -for me to continue to accept your hospitality." I also promised that, -as soon as I was able, I would pay back the sum I owed Tan Trum.</p> - -<p>Unhappily, this was not the last I was to see of the Professor, nor of -the Professor's daughter. But before reporting my next encounter with -them, let me tell of my new duties for the Ventilation Company.</p> - -<p>As was to be expected, in view of the doubling of my salary, my new -labors were much less exacting than the old. It was my duty to travel -from place to place, inspecting the ventilating tubes and outlets, -and removing obstructions (this being assumed to be my specialty); -and in order to accomplish this task, wherein I was pretty much my -own master, I had to ride one of the Company-owned little vehicles, -or "scootscoots," which I so intensely loathed. However, I found it -easy enough to run the machine, whose driving mechanism, which was -guaranteed as "moron-proof," was as simple as that of an elevator. But -I was never able to balance myself on it cross-legged with the native -ease, which came only of long practice; nor could I ever quite master -my dread of an early and sudden "turnover," for I constantly observed -collisions on all main thoroughfares; and since there were no traffic -rules, speeding drivers shooting recklessly at one in all directions, -survival was a matter of sheer good luck.</p> - -<p>But by taking roundabout ways and choosing the less frequented -thoroughfares, I succeeded in reducing the risk, till I estimated that -I was about as safe as a voyager through a submarine zone in wartime, -or a lone transoceanic aviator. So fortunate was I, indeed, that in the -first few months I only suffered half a dozen minor mishaps. Except -for some bruises on the head and shoulders, an abrasioned knee and a -sprained wrist, I might be said to have escaped unscathed.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>In the course of my new activities, I had an opportunity to inspect -the ventilation in all its details, learning by precisely what system -of motors, pumps, valves, and pipes the fresh air was forced down from -the Overworld and distributed throughout Wu, somewhat as the lungs -distribute oxygen to the body. Being an engineer not only by profession -but by inclination, I made a more careful study of the details than -duty required, until I had mastered the facts as a watchmaker masters -the mechanism of a clock. But as yet I had no thought beyond my own -natural mechanical interests, and had no anticipation of the striking -part my newly acquired knowledge was to play.</p> - -<p>It did, indeed, occur to me that, by exploring the ventilating -connections with the outer world, I might find a way to escape from -Wu. But, remembering my harrowing experiences on my first attempt at -escape and knowing that a second attempt might not end so fortunately, -I decided to bide my time and make no rash or premature dash for -freedom.</p> - -<p>Had it not been for one fact, I should have found life as Ventilating -Inspector almost pleasant. The fly in the ointment was the menace of -Loa. I use the word "menace" advisedly, for this is what it seemed to -me. Not even by removing to the Ventilation Dormitory could I relieve -myself of her attentions! Of course, I scrupulously avoided her -whenever possible—but this proved to avail me little. Before I had -been working in my new position for ten "wakes," disconcerting rumors -began to reach my ears.</p> - -<p>"Well, partner," another Inspector exclaimed one day, slapping me on -the back with comradely good humor, "we hear you're in luck! Say, -invite us to the wedding, won't you? How did you ever find such a -lovely girl? So fat and wrinkled, they say! And the daughter of a -Second Class professor! Congratulations! May you have fourteen sons, to -provide a glorious turnover for our country!"</p> - -<p>Naturally I grew indignant at these words, and strenuously denied -having matrimonial intentions. But my companions smiled knowingly, -nudged one another, and protested, "Oh, you can't fool us! We know! We -know! The rumor is everywhere about! You've been engaged for wakes and -wakes! Why, the <i>Screamer</i> announced it issue before last!"</p> - -<p>"The <i>Screamer</i>—announced it?" I gasped.</p> - -<p>"Of course! Can't keep it secret any longer, partner!"</p> - -<p>In despair, I sank down upon a seat, my face buried in my hands, my -spirit a prey to the darkest melancholy. Apparently everyone was bent -on forcing me into a union with Loa!</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the girl herself went her way in the blithe assurance that -our nuptials would soon be celebrated. Only one "wake" after the -ventilating employees mentioned the article in the <i>Screamer</i>, Loa -herself visited me in the company of her father.</p> - -<p>As they announced themselves unceremoniously into my rooms in the -dormitory, they succeeded in cornering me beyond hope of escape.</p> - -<p>I noticed that Loa, as she entered, was pouting a little, and was -eyeing me reproachfully, and for a moment the wild hope came to me that -perhaps she was angry, and had come to release me from the entanglement.</p> - -<p>No such optimism, however, was justified. "Why haven't you come to -see me all this time, dear?" she began, somewhat accusingly, but in a -manner that showed her willingness to be forgiving.</p> - -<p>"Now, Loa darling," remonstrated the Professor, "haven't I told you a -thousand times that it isn't becoming for a Third Class man to call on -a Second Class lady?—no, not even when they're engaged! So, of course, -Loa, you must come to him instead. He has a right to feel offended at -your neglect."</p> - -<p>But I confessed to feeling no offense, and Loa, her resentment quickly -dissipated, advanced toward me with a smile.</p> - -<p>"See, dear, what I have for you," she announced, taking a little -gleaming object from her handbag. "It's all yours! Your wedding ring!"</p> - -<p>"My wedding ring?" I ejaculated, feeling ready to sink through the -floor.</p> - -<p>"Of course," she declared. "Don't you know it's the custom for the lady -to give the gentleman a ring?"</p> - -<p>"Now, Loa, how could you expect him to know?" demanded Tan Trum -reprovingly. "After all, he was born a barbarian, and still isn't -familiar with civilized ways."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I had forgotten," admitted Loa, apologetically. "Here, dear, is -the ring!" And while I sank down in consternation, wishing to fight -off the gift but not knowing how to refuse, she slipped a little -ruby-studded silver band onto the small finger of my left hand.</p> - -<p>"There, dear!" she went on rapturously. "Isn't it beautiful? It's ruby, -the color of your heart's blood!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>I mumbled something, expressive neither of thanks nor of appreciation, -but apparently my hearers did not quite catch my words. As I snatched -at the ring, with the idea of removing it, I was diverted from my -purpose by feeling Loa's arms about my neck, and for a moment we were -locked in an embrace more satisfying, I hope, to her than to me.</p> - -<p>It was Professor Tan Trum who, at this point, unwittingly saved the day.</p> - -<p>"Here, my dears," he said, unfolding an enormous document with a silver -seal. "Here, my dears, is the license! There are only a few minor -details to be filled out."</p> - -<p>I do not know why, but some strange, irrational hope flashed into my -heart at sight of that document.</p> - -<p>Yet as I glanced over the paper, I saw very little to inspire hope. -I read that, as my one and only legal wife, I guaranteed to take, -Loa, the daughter of Professor Tan Trum; that I agreed to obey the -Population Laws and produce as many sons as possible for the benefit -of the Fatherland; and that I promised to rear my children and conduct -my own married life according to the best accepted principles of -Thoughtlessness. At the bottom of the page, I noticed, there was a -space for a notary's signature, which had not yet been filled out; -and under Loa's name I read, written elaborately in gilded letters, -"Eugenically approved!"; while beneath my own name no such inscription -appeared.</p> - -<p>As delicately as I could, I called this fact to the attention of -Professor Tan Trum. But he, as if bent on destroying my last remaining -shred of hope, answered me.</p> - -<p>"Oh, my dear boy, don't let that worry you! Don't let that worry you -at all! A mere formality, I assure you! A fine, stalwart man like -you—even if you were born a barbarian—won't have any trouble meeting -eugenic requirements. Not the least. In fact, I'm determined to clear -away this last technical obstacle at once. So I've a little surprise -for you. I've brought the Eugenics Inspector here with us. He's -waiting right now in the gallery!"</p> - -<p>While I gave a horrified gasp, the Professor went to the door, flung -it open, and called to someone outside. And immediately a rat-faced -little runt of a native, whose tall pointed hat bore an engraved steel -sign, "Eugenics!" entered and bowed low. "Is this the bridegroom?" he -inquired, pointing at me.</p> - -<p>"Yes, yes," acknowledged the Professor. "Come right this way! My -daughter and I will withdraw, leaving you to perform the tests by -yourself. We will be waiting outside."</p> - -<p>Since there was no choice in the matter, I had to agree to the ordeal. -And the Inspector, who declared himself to be a practicing physician, -put me through a severe examination, in which he tested my heart, -my lungs, and all my other organs by means of a wonderful little -instrument which, upon being placed on the skin, immediately registered -any pathological condition, by recording the exceedingly faint -electrical reactions of the body.</p> - -<p>But alas!—he could find nothing wrong with me! "My dear young man," he -congratulated me at the conclusion of the test, "you bewilder me! It is -rarely that I have come across so perfect a case! I will rate you 99 -and 44/100 per cent! From the point of view of Eugenics, you are Grade -A!"</p> - -<p>Probably the Inspector did not understand why I looked so downcast at -this pronouncement, and why I begged, almost forlornly, "But is there -no other test? You're sure you can't disqualify me?"</p> - -<p>"Have no fear!" he assured me.</p> - -<p>And then, glancing at a little document across the room from him, he -added, "To be sure, there are a few questions I must ask, in accordance -with the law. But they are mere matters of form which, I am certain, -will give you no trouble."</p> - -<p>Thereupon he began to fling out scores of queries, in regard to my age, -my occupation, my father's age, my mother's age, the age of my sisters, -brothers, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, great-grandparents, -etc., when they were "turned over." To all these questions, most of -which struck me as utterly silly, I replied as best I could; and always -the Inspector would nod with a pleased "Very good!" and congratulate me -on my perfect record.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>At last he had come to the final question, and inquired, in a -perfunctory manner, "Military experience? Military experience of your -father, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers?"</p> - -<p>"Well," said I, not in the least anticipating the effect my words were -to have, "I served among my own people in a World War, being in the -Commissary Department for three months. My father never was in any war; -neither were my grandfathers nor great-grandfathers, so far as I know."</p> - -<p>Suddenly the Inspector shot out of his seat and leaped toward me as -though I had confessed complicity in a crime.</p> - -<p>"What?" he demanded. "Your family has never been to war? It has no -military record at all?"</p> - -<p>"My family were all distinguished scholars and scientists."</p> - -<p>"Scholars and scientists?" he flung back, wrathfully. "Scholars and -scientists? What do they amount to? When did they ever fight for their -country? How do you expect, young man, to bring forth a capable progeny -to be turned over in the next war unless you have a good fighting -ancestry?"</p> - -<p>Before this question I remained mute. The first wild surge of hope was -beginning to well up in my heart.</p> - -<p>"How do you expect, young man," repeated the Inspector, growing -more irate every moment, "to bring forth a capable progeny unless -you have had a good fighting ancestry? No, sir, I am sorry to say I -cannot approve of you as eugenic! To permit your marriage would be to -encourage the growth of an unfit, non-combatant population! I regret it -very much, sir, but I must stamp your application, 'Disapproved!'"</p> - -<p>And, with that, the Inspector made a contemptuous bow, and went -stamping out of the room.</p> - -<p>A few minutes later, after Loa had heard the news and had left my -apartment with heartbroken sobs, I executed a solitary dance of joy. At -last I was free, completely free! And how I blessed my father and my -father's father for having had no fighting experience!</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2> - -<h3>Strike! Strike! Strike!</h3> - - -<p>The "wakes" went by and gathered into months, and the months lengthened -into a year, and still I performed my duties as Ventilation Inspector, -and could discover no way of escape to the Overworld, and no prospect -of a change in the ordered monotony of my existence. Was I to pass my -whole life thus, and to end my days among the labyrinths of Wu?</p> - -<p>So I often asked, while wondering if it would not be wise to attempt -some new dash for liberty—even though the end might be arrest and the -violet ray! Then all at once, when I was just finishing my first year -as Inspector, my life underwent an extraordinary change.</p> - -<p>The occasion was one of those periodic strikes which menace the -economic security of Wu and enable the people to enjoy the perils and -horrors of warfare even when war has not been officially declared. -On this particular occasion, the strike was especially dangerous; -for those guardians of the public health, the Ventilation employees, -were determined to leave work. Not, indeed, had all the Ventilation -employees so resolved, but in some sections they were unanimous in -their revolt, and the uprising had become so serious that Dictator -Thuno Flâtum was said to have interrupted a fishing expedition for -nearly an hour while he debated the situation with high officials.</p> - -<p>Personally, I looked upon developments with gravest misgivings, for the -Ventilation Brotherhood, composed of fifty thousand workers, had issued -the following ultimatum:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p>"To the Directors of the Ventilation Company of Wu, Unlimited, we pay -our respects, and submit that:</p> - -<p>"Within three wakes, they must grant all our demands, or we will turn -off the country's air-supply.</p> - -<p>"Not a ventilation wheel will turn, not a breath of fresh air will blow -until our terms are complied with.</p> - -<p>"If thousands of citizens, including many First Class men and women, -should be suffocated as a result, we shall profoundly regret their -fate, but sentimental considerations, naturally, cannot deter us."</p></div> - -<p>The demands of the strikers—who were mostly Third Class citizens, of -the kind that did a maximum of work for a minimum of returns—were as -follows:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p>1. That wages be high enough to permit the men to eat every other -"wake."</p> - -<p>2. That hours be short enough to permit them to sleep every other night.</p> - -<p>3. That the Company supply free air to the homes of all its employees.</p></div> - -<p>These demands—which were variously branded by officials of the Company -as "Inordinate," "Preposterous," and "Impossible"—were condemned in -no uncertain terms by all First Class citizens, who upbraided the -unpatriotic attitude of the strikers and pointed out that, should their -terms be met, the Ventilation Company could not guarantee to pay its -stockholders more than eleven per cent a year.</p> - -<p>"The arrogance of the people knows no limits!" stated one high -dignitary, who was believed to enjoy the confidence of no less a -personage than Thuno Flâtum himself. "If we were to grant these -exactions, the next thing they would ask would be separate houses -for each family, or Grade A air, or reduction of taxes on the food, -clothing, and water of the Third Class! Doubtless they would expect the -First Class, who are legally tax-exempt, to meet these bills instead! -No! Obviously such insubordination must be checked before it poisons -the entire life of society!"</p> - -<p>This sentiment being echoed by First Class citizens everywhere, a -battle to the finish was promised. "We will smother rather than -submit!" rang out the defiance of the rulers.... "Then we will -all smother together!" thundered the retort of the strikers. And -already, two "wakes" before the expiration of the ultimatum, serious -complications were reported; dozens of strikers, going quietly about -their way bearing banners, "We demand a breathing wage!" had been shot -in the back by electric bolts launched by the police, in return for -what the <i>Wakely Screamer</i> denounced as "their treasonous and seditious -interference with business."</p> - -<p>If this were but the beginning, a civil war seemed in prospect!</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Now, I personally had little interest in the strike, for my work as -Ventilation Inspector was fairly easy, my wages were fairly good, and I -could see no advantage in facing suffocation merely in order to improve -laboring conditions. Besides, I had had the temerity to consult a -historical reference work, and knew that ventilation strikes had been -occurring at intervals of about thirty years for centuries, and that in -every case hundreds of thousands of persons—mostly invalids, women and -children, in no wise connected with the strike—had been turned over as -a result of interference with the air-supply; while the strikers, if -they had been permitted to return to work at all after the settlement, -had done so on worse conditions than before.</p> - -<p>For this reason, I steadily refused to join the protesting group.</p> - -<p>As the time approached for the strikers to put their ultimatum into -effect, I could see how excited the people were growing. Business -had virtually come to a standstill; along avenues once crowded with -dashing vehicles, the "scootscoots" had almost ceased to run; in every -side-gallery one could see little knots of chalk-faces anxiously -talking, their drawn features and worried eyes bearing testimony to -the concern they felt. "And so you think they will really strike?" -one would ask.... "Undoubtedly!" another would reply. "I stored up -containers of oxygen months ago, for an emergency!"... "Oh, what will -I do about the baby's air!" a third would sigh. "I'm sure there'll be -a terrible turnover if this keeps up!"... "Never fear!" would be the -response. "What's the army for? The government has saved it for just -this occasion!"</p> - -<p>Meanwhile, the <i>Screamer</i> reported that Dictator Thuno Flâtum was still -enjoying his fishing expedition. He had just caught a seven-ounce -minnow, it was said, which he had been able to draw out of a -subterranean lake by means of a new automatic fishing reel.</p> - -<p>At the beginning of that wake on which the ultimatum expired, I -reported for work as usual to the Ventilation Office. But, to my -surprise, the place was almost deserted; the dozens of regular -employees were conspicuously absent; only a worn old drudge of a -janitress, languidly mopping the floor, greeted me upon my arrival.</p> - -<p>She seemed, indeed, astonished to see me. "Say!—but you are brave, -young man!" she gasped. "Don't you value your life?"</p> - -<p>"Don't I value my life?" I echoed.</p> - -<p>"Bless me, it won't be worth much if those strikers find you!" she -exclaimed, looking up from her pail of sops. "They wouldn't do anything -to me, for I'm only a useless old woman. But you, sir—they'll wipe the -floor with you for not joining the strike!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, have no worry; I'm able to defend myself!"</p> - -<p>She stared at me as if wondering whether I were a prodigy or a madman.</p> - -<p>"Do you think so?" she shot out. "Well, then you ought to see what they -did to my neighbor, young Mr. Ty Tan. He was as big and brawny a young -man as you ever saw—took all the prizes in boxing and wrestling. Well, -he wouldn't join the water workers when they went out year before last, -and turned off our drinking supply. Poor fellow! I've always felt so -sorry for him!"</p> - -<p>"What did they do to him?"</p> - -<p>"Poor fellow!" she reiterated. "Poor fellow! It was so foolish of him, -so foolish! When Mr. Ty Tan wouldn't strike—"</p> - -<p>Abruptly she halted. I saw her staring toward the door, an expression -of surprise and fear in her eyes, while she shrank back as if from some -approaching menace.</p> - -<p>Wheeling about, I saw half a dozen ugly-looking men just entering. On -their breasts were prominent banners, reading: "Ventilation Strike. -Sub-committee No. 116."</p> - -<p>With a threatening expression, the newcomers drew near. "We were just -looking around, to see that no one was working!" snarled the leader, as -he glared in my direction. "You know, brother, it isn't good for the -health to be working nowadays."</p> - -<p>Steadily I eyed the men, and deliberately drew a step nearer. "Is that -a threat, or a challenge?" I demanded.</p> - -<p>"Have it as you will!" he growled. "I give you a fair chance, brother, -if you want to walk out of here alive—"</p> - -<p>Already I had resolved on my course. Striding forward before the man -could finish his sentence, I put my full one hundred and seventy pounds -into an uppercut that caught him squarely on the point of the chin, and -sent him reeling to the floor.</p> - -<p>Not being able to see clearly close at hand, he had been unable to ward -off the blow!</p> - -<p>Even as he fell, I followed up my advantage. Being now within arm's -reach of his companions, I began to rain blow upon blow, which they -also, because of their defective vision for things close at hand, were -unable to guard against. In less time than it takes to recount, three -of the men had followed their leader to the floor; while the remaining -two, not knowing what sort of a fighting tornado they had encountered, -had turned and taken to their heels.</p> - -<p>With eyes of admiration and wonder, the scrubwoman stared at me as I -returned from the encounter. "If only Ty Tan could have fought like -that!" she sighed. "Poor Ty! He mightn't have ended as he did!" And -then, warningly, "Still, sir, I would advise you to look out. They -won't let it go at that. They'll see that you're turned over, if they -have to bring out a whole striking brigade."</p> - -<p>"Let them do their worst!" I snorted. And I sat down, crossed my legs, -and complacently awaited developments. I could foresee that I was to -have a busy day.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CHAPTER XXII</h2> - -<h3>Blows and Counter-Blows</h3> - - -<p>Less than twenty minutes later, a second Striking Sub-committee -arrived. Its members were eight in number, and their method of -swaggering hostility was such that I had no difficulty in repeating -my previous tactics. Before they realized what I was about, I had -gotten too close for them to see me clearly and I aimed my blows so -accurately that, in less than a minute, half the gang lay stretched -upon the floor. The others, not quite realizing what had struck them, -were not long in resorting to that discretion which most men prefer to -valor. Dashing to the door, they leaped upon their "scootscoots," which -awaited just without, and darted away with a lunatic recklessness, -while I stood staring after them with an amused smile. As yet I did not -suspect how tragic the occasion was to be.</p> - -<p>While my felled opponents were staggering to their feet and retreating -by a side-entrance, the sound of a frightful crash came to my ears; -and, rushing out and around a bend in the gallery, I saw that a crowd -had gathered, while in their midst was a shapeless mass that I could -hardly recognize.</p> - -<p>Horrified, I shielded my eyes from the sight; and only by degrees -did the dread truth dawn upon me; the escaping members of the -Sub-committee, in their haste, had collided with some other -"scootscoots," and all four members had been "turned over."</p> - -<p>But such incidents being of daily occurrence, I tried not to let my -mind dwell upon it; and, returning to my seat in the Ventilation -Office, I quietly awaited the next development.</p> - -<p>Not being good at presaging the future, I could not have known how -the news of my exploit was to spread; and how, fanned by rumor, it was -to grow to gigantic proportions. As luck would have it, a reporter for -the <i>Wakely Blare</i>, on the rampage for material, happened to be present -at the scene of the collision; and though he had small idea what had -happened, he had no hesitation about accepting the word of onlookers -who knew as little about the affair as he did. Consequently he radioed -his paper a story so good that the editor decided to make it headline -material—in other words, he printed it in red ink all over the front -page, while other news items were driven to footnotes on back pages.</p> - -<p>This article—which is too long to repeat in its entirety—was to the -effect that a regiment of strike-breakers had appeared, no one knew -where from, under the leadership of a redoubtable giant capable of -"turning over" any adversary at a blow. So tremendous was the power of -this group that opponents were said to be under a fatal spell, so that -even fugitives from their vengeance came to certain disaster. As proof -of this fact, the paper cited the destruction of the four members of -the Sub-committee—whose numbers, however, were given as fourteen....</p> - -<p>Now the speed of the papers of Wu in printing the news is phenomenal. -Thanks to automatic typesetters, which take down the articles from -radio dictation, a matter of only minutes need elapse between the -occurrence of an event and its appearance in print. In fact, on some -occasions the news is reported in "extra-extra" and "super-extra-extra" -editions even while the event is happening; it is recorded that once -the <i>Screamer</i>, in a special "scoop"—or "raid," as the natives call -it—announced the death of a high official seventeen minutes before he -actually breathed his last.</p> - -<p>Hence it is not surprising that, less than half an hour after I had -routed the second Sub-committee, papers telling of the exploit were -being flaunted in all the main galleries by the newsgirls (there were -no newsboys, since all the boys had gone to war).</p> - -<p>Now if truth be told, the <i>Blare</i> was extremely glad of the opportunity -to print this story, since, like all the papers, it was owned by -a group of First Class citizens, and therefore was profoundly -"anti-strike," and eager to play up any account hostile to the -strikers. This it was which, along with the desire for circulation—for -which several newspaper proprietors had been known to commit -murder—explained the prompt featuring of the article.</p> - -<p>Even so, the effect of the article would not have been possible had it -not been for one little weakness of the people of Wu. In most ways, -they are not a credulous folk; indeed, one may show them a plain fact -ninety-nine ways without convincing them; but when a statement is once -in print, they consider it inviolable. Never would it occur to them to -question any remark, once it has been subjected to the sacred art of -typography. They imagine that there is a sort of magic connected with -printer's ink, which abhors falsehood somewhat as water abhors fire, -and in this superstition the educated seem to share along with their -more ignorant brothers.</p> - -<p>As a consequence, the rumor of my prowess, once it had attained the -dignity of a place in the <i>Blare</i>, had taken on the sanctity of -established knowledge.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>In view of the fact that the circulation of the <i>Blare</i> was somewhere -in the millions (it being prescribed as compulsory reading for all -persons with a mental age of twelve or under), it was not an hour -before I, along with my imagined regiment of supporters, had become a -subject of discussion for all Wu. And the effect upon the strikers may -well be imagined. It hit them in that vital spot, their morale, with -the result that many began to hesitate whether to remain on strike, -and in some districts it was reported that the men were going back to -work and ventilation was being restored. Most of all, the ignorant were -disturbed by that passage in the story which told of the "mysterious -spell" afflicting all opponents of the new strikebreaker. As this was -nothing tangible for anyone to combat, it was all the more capable of -arousing the terror of the masses, who, being well grounded in all the -precepts of thoughtlessness, were unable to save themselves by reason.</p> - -<p>The consequence was such as to endanger the strike itself. The members -of the Central Strike Committee, threatened with disaffection on all -sides, began to fear that their movement would collapse ignominiously. -Hence they took immediate measures to hit back at the source of their -trouble.</p> - -<p>It was only about two hours after the little episode between myself and -the second Striking Sub-committee, and I was lounging in my chair in -the Ventilation Office, finding things becoming just a little boresome. -The heavy, languid air, growing hot and foul now that the ventilation -had been turned off, was telling upon my nerves; I was getting anxious -to go into action again and do something more to end the strike. How I -would have welcomed the appearance of another Sub-committee!</p> - -<p>But no Sub-committee called. Evidently none could be found to meet me -face to face, after the tales of my prowess! Instead, I was startled to -hear a rattling sound in a pneumatic tube just to my right, and to note -the arrival of a letter in a little steel container, which stated:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p>"<i>TO WHOMEVER IT MAY CONCERN</i></p> - -<p>"But most of all, to the strikebreaker who has been decimating our men -with an army corps of hired thugs.</p> - -<p>"We extend our greetings, and suggest that you immediately withdraw -your horde of brigands.</p> - -<p>"If you do not see fit to comply with this recommendation before the -close of the present wake, and to surrender your arms and position, we -shall make a complete turnover of you and your men.</p> - -<p class="ph2">"Yours, with many remembrances of the day,<br /> -"<span class="smcap">The Central Striking Committee</span>,<br /> -By order of the Grand Commander of the Silver Legion of Wu."</p> -</div> - -<p>Now I must confess that I read these words not without a shudder. -The members of the Silver Legion, having been to war, had had long -experience in crime and hence were renowned for the blackness of their -deeds; and it seemed possible that they would make good their threat, -and, by means of Mulflar, the violet ray, or some other nefarious -device, would speedily "turn me over."</p> - -<p>However, I had now gone too far to retreat; if I were to die, I would -at least die fighting. After thinking the matter over for a few -minutes, I came to the conclusion that, as I had little actual power, -my only hope lay in a good old-fashioned "bluff."</p> - -<p>And so, without further waste of time, I wrote the following message:</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p>"<i>To the Central Striking Committee</i>:</p> - -<p>"I thank you for your respected communication, and for your greetings, -which I return herewith.</p> - -<p>"I beg leave to inform you that I have no intention of withdrawing -with my host of patriotic followers. I suggest, for my part, that you -send in peace terms and settle the Ventilation Strike immediately.</p> - -<p>"Should you not do so, I shall lose no time in giving a manifestation -of my wrath.</p> - -<p class="ph2">"Yours, with the utmost courtesy,<br /> -"<span class="smcap">High Chief Commander Citizens' Anti-Strike League.</span>"</p></div> - -<p>Having awarded myself this title as a final stroke of genius, I -dispatched the letter through a pneumatic tube and sat down to await -results.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illusc3.jpg" alt=""/> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> - -<h3>I Become Second Class</h3> - - -<p>In spite of strikes and minor catastrophes, the war between Wu and Zu -was still being waged. Of late, however, it had grown a bit dull and -unexciting; both factions had been entrenching themselves for a dogged -fight over Nullnull; and, except for the periodic capture and recapture -of a few square yards and the daily "turnover" of several thousand men -on each side, nothing of much consequence was happening. It is this -fact that explains the interest in the Ventilation Strike; for the -people of Wu, thanks to their scrupulous practice of thoughtlessness, -require something to keep them constantly entertained.</p> - -<p>Nevertheless, the inhabitants of Zu had not forgotten that they were -still fighting; and when they heard of the ventilation troubles in Wu, -they hailed the news with vast secret jubilation, and their statesmen -and generals chuckled and vowed to take advantage of the opportunity. -This meant, of course, that they were determined to produce a great -enemy "turnover"; while, in order to accomplish this end, they had -to resort to the Subterrains, those formidable machines which bored -underground and attacked by means of Mulflar torpedoes.</p> - -<p>The result was that, on the day the strike was officially declared, -half a dozen Subterrain assaults were launched in widely scattered -districts throughout Wu. Always the destruction was enormous, although -the "turnover," according to treaty, was limited to Second and Third -Class citizens. But the facts were not known until long afterwards, and -then but imperfectly, since the papers, in their pre-occupation with -weightier matters, rarely had space to give to enemy triumphs. Hence -the explosion that wrecked the headquarters of the Central Striking -Committee was not generally ascribed to its actual source.</p> - -<p>There is no question, in view of subsequent investigations, that this -represented but one of the series of Subterrain attacks; however, it -occurred at such a time and in such a way that another interpretation -seemed possible. The Head of the Committee was known to have received -my letter of defiance, and had just called his secretary to dictate an -ultimatum, which would end my revolt once and for all ... when suddenly -the earth rose beneath his feet, and he and a corps of his assistants -were "turned over" in a disaster that left their offices a charred heap -of ruins.</p> - -<p>Naturally, both the <i>Blare</i> and the <i>Screamer</i> were delighted to report -the tragedy; and having already learned of my letter to the Committee, -the editors of both journals concluded that the occasion called for -another "Extra-extra," which they proceeded to issue without allowing -time for second thought. Since great minds, even in Wu, tend to run in -the same channel, the position taken by both editors was identical: -that the blow had been struck by the "Citizen's Anti-Strike Committee," -whose "High Chief Commander" was fulfilling his promise to give a -"manifestation of his wrath."</p> - -<p>Now I have always been convinced that the attack upon the headquarters -of the Central Committee would have ended the strike, whether or not I -had had any connection with the affair. The workers, deprived of their -leaders, would have been disorganized; and disorganization would have -led to the collapse of the whole movement. But, as it happened, no one -seemed to realize this; no one ever thought of disagreeing with the -<i>Blare</i> and the <i>Screamer</i>, which, in order to make sensational news -stories, gave me the entire credit for the accomplishment. Not half a -dozen hours had passed after the Subterrain attack before the strike -was officially over; the laborers, intimidated by dread of a foe who -could take deadly and mysterious vengeance, were afraid to remain -defiant; and such was their general level of thoughtlessness that -reason had no power against their superstitious terror.</p> - -<p>Even while the strike was being settled, I received a visit from a -distinguished delegation. I was still seated in the Ventilation Office, -gnawing at a lunch of concentrated food capsules and amusing myself -by reading of my alleged exploits in the <i>Screamer</i>, when the blast -of a whistle at the door made me leap up with a start. Would I have -another Striking Sub-Committee to fight? No!—nothing so alarming! -Riding toward me on "scootscoots" decorated with green and vermilion, -and surrounded by dozens of obsequious lackeys, were three chalk-faces -whose shriveled forms, profuse adornments, and artificial eyes, ears, -and breathing apparatus proclaimed them to be First Class citizens.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>In accordance with the requirements of good form, I bowed low, sweeping -the floor with the palm of my hand as a sign of deference; but at the -same time I was sorely troubled, for what could such dignitaries desire -of me?</p> - -<p>Without acknowledging my bow, one of the First Class men lifted a -megaphone to his mouth and addressed me abruptly, as was deemed only -proper in the presence of a menial.</p> - -<p>"Tell me, sir, are you the High Chief Commander of the Citizens' -Anti-Strike Committee?"</p> - -<p>With a gasp, I acknowledged being the person referred to.</p> - -<p>The entire procession had now come to a halt at a distance of about -twenty feet, and I could see how the three First Class citizens were -turning their telescope-like eye-pieces in my direction.</p> - -<p>"You have done a noble service in the cause of your country and of the -First Class," continued my interlocutor. "I shall not question you too -much on your methods, lest they prove, well—shall we say in violation -of the letter of the Criminal Code? Allow me to introduce myself, sir, -as the thirteenth Vice-Executive Director of the Ventilation Company."</p> - -<p>Once more I bowed low, taking care to sweep the floor with the palm of -my hand.</p> - -<p>"And I," testified the second First Class man, also through a -megaphone, "am one of the seventeen Political Settlers of the -Ventilation Company."</p> - -<p>"Political Settlers?" I questioned, again performing a perfunctory bow.</p> - -<p>"Yes, indeed!" stated the man, looking a little offended at my -ignorance. "Very important work we do, too! It is our business to -settle things with politicians and political job-sellers."</p> - -<p>"And I, sir," the third of my First Class visitors informed me with -a blare of his megaphone, "am the Senatorial Representative of the -Ventilation Company."</p> - -<p>"Senatorial Representative?"—after another bow.</p> - -<p>"Of course! I am the delegate elected by the Ventilation Company, in -accordance with law, to represent its interests in the Senate. Don't -you know, sir, that every concern doing a business of more than eleven -millions annually is expected to have a representative in the Senate?"</p> - -<p>Knowing nothing of this matter, I thought it best to change the -subject. "And to what, gentlemen," I inquired, "do I owe the honor of -this visit?"</p> - -<p>It was the thirteenth Vice-Executive Director that undertook to reply.</p> - -<p>"You may well ask that question, sir. Not once in ten thousand wakes is -a Third Class citizen, such as you appear to be, flattered with a visit -from the First Class. But your case, sir, is exceptional. Owing to your -unusual services on behalf of the anti-strikers, we have been appointed -by the Directors of the Ventilation Company as a committee of three to -express our personal approval and appreciation."</p> - -<p>"I thank you, gentlemen," said I, once more bowing low, but wondering -if my visitors had gone through all this hocus-pocus merely in order to -express an empty approval.</p> - -<p>"You are the sort of man, sir, that the Company likes to have in its -employ," announced the Political Settler. "Your talents are being -wasted—thrown away—here in this Third Class office. We have decided -to elevate you to a more worthy post."</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir," the Senatorial Representative took up the report, "we will -appoint you to the Engineering Department. As Ventilating Engineer, you -will have two thousand men under your employ, who will be subject to -your orders in all things. This is how we will show our appreciation!"</p> - -<p>This time, when I bowed to the floor, it was as an expression of -sincere gratitude. I could scarcely believe that such a magnificent -promotion awaited me!</p> - -<p>"There is only one difficulty," the thirteenth Vice-Executive Director -bewailed, shaking his head ruefully. "The law forbids an appointment to -the Engineering Department to any one except a First or Second Class -citizen."</p> - -<p>At these words, my heart sank within me. From the beginning, I had felt -that the promised appointment was too good to be true. "Well, I don't -insist on remaining Third Class!" I groaned.</p> - -<p>The Political Settler beamed upon me, and drew his eye-pieces a little -closer against his weazened face.</p> - -<p>"That's just what I was thinking!" he declared. "I knew you wouldn't -insist on remaining Third Class! Well, where there's a politician, -there's a way—as the ancient saying goes. The law, to be sure, -distinctly says that no Third Class citizen may ever become Second -Class; but we'll get around that by proving to the courts that you -really were Second Class all along. Leave that to me, sir—as a -Political Settler, that's my specialty!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>I bowed gratefully once more, and assured the man that I had always -felt misplaced in the Third Class.</p> - -<p>But even as I spoke, doubt overcame me. What if there were some hidden -flaw in the offer? What if I should have to pay a heavy fee for being -made Second Class, or should be taxed beyond my capacity? And so I -promptly made inquiries on these points.</p> - -<p>If it had been possible for First Class citizens to laugh, my hearers -would surely have done so. As it was, their slender forms shook -slightly in testimony to the merriment they felt, and a sound like a -dry rattle issued from between their thin lips.</p> - -<p>"Pay a tax for being made Second Class?" growled the Senatorial -Representative, with the manner of one who has been insulted. "I should -say not! Quite the contrary! My colleagues and I have taken care of -that! Why, sir, you will get a tax refund for the taxes you paid in the -Third Class!"</p> - -<p>"Tax refund?" I demanded, thinking I had not heard rightly.</p> - -<p>"Yes! You see, the principle is quite fair and simple," explained the -Political Settler. "Taxation, as all authorities agree, should be -placed where it bears least heavily. Now there are ten times as many -Third Class citizens as First and Second class combined, so naturally -they are much more able to bear the weight of taxation. Therefore all -taxes are placed on the Third Class."</p> - -<p>Now I had not always admired the logic of the chalk-faces; but on this -occasion, seeing that I was about to be favored so richly, it seemed to -me that their reasoning was perfect.</p> - -<p>"Only one thing more!" continued the Political Settler. "There's the -matter of your salary. Considering that you won't have any more taxes -to pay, I trust you will find it sufficient to have your present -remuneration quadrupled."</p> - -<p>For a moment I stood gaping at my benefactor, wondering if he -were trying to make sport of me. But my hesitation was strangely -misconstrued.</p> - -<p>"Well, sir, I don't blame you for being in doubt," sympathized the -thirteenth Vice-Executive Director. "You really should get more than -that, in order to keep up your position in the Second Class. I'll speak -to the other Directors, and see if they can't do something better for -you. Perhaps they'll consent to giving you an annual bonus. Meanwhile -you may report for work the wake after next."</p> - -<p>"Thank you, thank you exceedingly!" I acknowledged, bowing to the floor -for about the twentieth time.</p> - -<p>Then, while my visitors uttered sharp orders to their lackeys and -wheeled ceremoniously away, I sank down upon my chair in a daze of -astonishment. Certainly, if all that I had been promised should come to -pass, I was the luckiest man in Wu!</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> - -<h3>A Bold Stroke</h3> - - -<p>The duties and obligations of my new position were formidable—if one -looked at them merely on paper. I was the official possessor of seven -titles and sub-titles, from Supervising Engineer to Sub-Director of the -Airways; I was the occupant of a capacious suite of rooms, with a huge -private office importantly marked "Hours by appointment only"; I had -the promised two thousand employees, from office girls to "Ventilating -Linemen," all of them strictly at my bid and call; and I was provided -with whole libraries of literature and a list of "55 everyday rules," -which, I was told, I must scrupulously follow.</p> - -<p>However, I hardly glanced at these rules, and never so much as turned -the pages of the instruction books; for I found that my assistants, at -less than a tenth of my salary, did all the work, while my only task -of any consequence was to sign my pay-check every five "wakes." This, -naturally, left me with much time upon my hands; yet I did not waste my -hours, but devoted them to enlarging my knowledge of the ventilation -system, until there was no man in all Wu who understood the apparatus -so thoroughly as I. It was not to be long before I should put my -information to use.</p> - -<p>In spite of my good fortune—good fortune that made me the envy not -only of the Third Class but of thousands of Second Class citizens—I -was still not contented, for there were many worries on my mind. One -was the dread of encountering Loa, whom I had never seen since being -declared eugenically unfit; I had, indeed, no intention of seeing her -if I could avoid it, but from time to time I ran across her father, -Professor Tan Trum, and always he would look at me with a reproachful -air, and inquire, "Why don't you come around to the house sometime, -my boy? Loa has been asking about you. Now that you are Second Class, -like us, it can no longer be your Class delicacy that keeps you away." -And always I would apologize, make some excuse—the pressure of work, -etc.—and promise to pay him a visit as soon as I was able. But -secretly I was trembling. Who knew but that Loa and her father would -find some way of setting aside the eugenics provision?</p> - -<p>This brings me to my second great worry. Day by day I was growing more -weary of the Underworld and of its network of galleries and chasms -illuminated with the weird greenish-yellow light; day by day I was -becoming more hungry for a sight of the open earth and its blue skies, -its stars and its sunlight and the faces of my own people. And my -thoughts were constantly upon means and opportunities of escape. But -I still was hopelessly imprisoned. More carefully than ever before, I -took stock of my position and found that the only connection between -the Underworld and the Overworld was by means of the ventilating -tubes, some of which admitted the fresh air from above, and others -of which were the outlets for used and vitiated air. But all these -vents had been placed under a military guard, for fear of attack by -Zu, and it was therefore impossible to approach them. Even could I -have approached, however, it would have been doubtful if I could have -climbed to safety through those steep and tortuous tubes.</p> - -<p>Therefore I was forced to postpone hope of rescue till a remote and -improbable future; and though the thought was never far from my mind, I -gave myself to more immediate concerns.</p> - -<p>Before I had been Ventilating Engineer for many "wakes," I began to -turn my attention to a project so vast, so ambitious, so astonishing -in its possibilities that I might have been deemed a madman merely -to conceive of it. It was the Ventilation Strike which had first put -the idea into my mind; and while in the beginning it had seemed too -fantastic for consideration, the idea kept recurring and haunted me -by day and in my dreams, until at length I weighed its advantages -dispassionately, and decided that it was not so impractical as it had -seemed. And thereupon I took the first steps toward that upheaval later -known as the Ventilating Revolution.</p> - -<p>Had it not been for a discovery which I had made a few days before, -the Ventilating Revolution would not have been possible. During my -investigation of the air system, I had come across a certain little -wheel, rusty with age and disuse, which I had turned with surprising -results. Upon being jerked slightly to the right, this wheel set into -operation an electric current which released a steel partition in the -central ventilating tube, blocking the channel somewhat as the human -breathing apparatus would be blocked by a pebble in the windpipe. It -was quite by accident that I had made the discovery, and at first I had -merely amused myself by choking the ventilation for periods of a few -seconds each—not long enough for the effects to be noticed.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>But gradually, as I toyed with the wheel, a startling realization came -to me. Its rusted condition showed that it had not been used recently; -indeed, it may have been neglected for decades or even for centuries. -Was it not likely that the chalk-faces, because of their inability to -see clearly close at hand, had overlooked its existence? Was it not -conceivable that their ancestors, whose eyes had been less subject -to that paralysis of the muscles of accommodation which came of a -prolonged underground life, had been better able to see things close at -hand, and had made use of this little wheel, whose very existence and -purpose were now unknown and forgotten?</p> - -<p>So I asked myself; and later experience was to give me an affirmative -answer.</p> - -<p>The wheel, located in an unfrequented side-gallery a few hundred yards -from my office, now became the crux of a daring scheme. Suppose that -I were to stage a private strike? Suppose that, on my own account, -I should turn off the air-supply? Suppose that I were to deliver an -ultimatum to the rulers, demanding some supreme prize for myself—yes, -even demanding that I be made First Class, and be given an important -post in the Government! More than that! Why should I not myself take -control? Why not displace Thuno Flâtum? Certainly, I could not be less -fitted to rule!</p> - -<p>To such dizzy heights did ambition lead me! As I have already said, -I dismissed the idea at first as impractical—preposterous! Yet -gradually, despite myself, I was captivated. Did I not have all -resources at my disposal? Would not the people be helpless once their -air had been shut off? Would they not grow as panicky as during the -recent strike and gladly grant anything I asked?—and would I not be -helped by the reputation which those anti-strike organs, the <i>Blare</i> -and the <i>Screamer</i>, had unwittingly built up for me?</p> - -<p>Besides, was not my present position ideal for success? Two thousand -ventilating employees, being subject to my orders, would follow -wherever I led; for such was their state of thoughtlessness that they -would act first and inquire afterwards, if at all, and would not know -whether they were shutting off the air-supply or turning it on.</p> - -<p>Despite all these advantages, however, there were scruples and doubts -that preyed upon my mind. Well I knew the results if my one-man strike -should fail; I would be seized as a traitor to the Ventilation Company -and sentenced to the violet ray! And even if the strike were to -succeed—would it be worth the cost? For my own part, I could provide -against the air-stoppage by supplying my office through a small pipe -specially connected with the main ventilating artery; but the millions -of common people would have no such protection, and, if the strike were -long protracted, many of them might be stifled. On what grounds could I -justify such loss of life?</p> - -<p>The answer, however, was ready at hand. Could I attain my objective -and supplant Thuno Flâtum as Dictator, I would take steps to end the -war with Zu—in fact, to outlaw war forever—and the millions of lives -thus saved would far outbalance the paltry few destroyed by the lack of -ventilation. "The gain justifies the means!" I told myself, quoting an -old adage of the chalk-faces; and, fortified by this high moral axiom, -I decided to take the plunge.</p> - -<p>The following day all Wu was thrown into a furor. Another ventilation -strike had been declared, stated the <i>Blare</i> and the <i>Screamer</i> in -a series of "Super-extra-extras." The air-supply had been cut off -entirely—and no one knew who the strikers were or what they demanded. -It was suspected that spies from Zu were behind the plot.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CHAPTER XXV</h2> - -<h3>Insurrection in the Air</h3> - - -<p>Two "wakes" had gone by without ventilation. The land of Wu was -in a state of profound disorder—disorder compared with which the -disturbances of the previous strike were as nothing. Once more business -had come to a standstill; once more the thoroughfares, usually crowded, -were almost deserted by the "scootscoots"; once more the chalk-faces -stood about in little knots, anxiously talking, their drawn features -and worried eyes bearing testimony to the concern they felt. But now -the temper of the masses was much uglier than before. On the former -occasion, they had been fighting for a principle, and public opinion -had been with the strikers; but the present outbreak did not seem -to involve any principle at all. It meant merely suffering, loss, -and danger without any corresponding gain, and the people were both -frightened and indignant, and in their anger and fear they had no -hesitation about blaming the government for their trouble, on the -theory that governments should know how to rectify all unknown ills and -cataclysms.</p> - -<p>Consequently the Second and Third Class citizens, though usually meek -as babes owing to their thoughtlessness, were becoming unruly and -rebellious. They gathered in wild bands and processions, parading -through the First Class districts and shouting, "We want air! We want -air!" They stormed at the doors of the Ventilation Company, and even -at the palace of Thuno Flâtum and demanded, "Air for our children! -Air for our children!" They grew so bold as to flaunt placards, "A -new deal in air!" "Give us a safe and sane air administration!" and -"We stand for public ownership of the air!" And as if such radical -declarations were not sufficient, some of the ardent air-lovers burst -out in riots, wherein, on several occasions, the stone columns of First -Class dwellings were scarred and damaged, and more than one First -Class citizen was made to flee for his life. The insurrectionists, to -be sure, were always suppressed by the police, who, with rare good -marksmanship, boasted a 98% record of hits against rebellious backs; -moreover, they made excellent use of the "sneeze-gas bomb" (a clever -little weapon which produced a thousand sneezes to the milligram). Yet -in the face of all such discouragements, the rebel tide was rising, and -the authorities were frankly worried.</p> - -<p>Now I must confess that, after two "wakes," the state of the public -galleries was deplorable. The atmosphere, stagnant, hot, and heavy, -reminded me of nothing so much as a New York subway at rush hours; -the odors were such that one would have held one's nose had it been -possible to do so and breathe; the depletion of the oxygen had advanced -so far that many persons were complaining of headaches, while many -others felt as languid and dull as if they had been drugged. Plainly, -matters were becoming serious—so serious that even I, when I stepped -out now and then into the public corridors in order to sample the air, -winced and shuddered and wondered if I had not carried things too far.</p> - -<p>But grave though the situation was becoming, there was now no turning -back. Either I must carry the strike to a successful culmination—or -else I must fail beyond hope of recovery.</p> - -<p>While the whole country was being reduced to a state of acute distress, -no one as yet suspected the source of the trouble. Yet, all the while, -I was secretly moving toward my objective. As soon as the strike began, -I dispatched a message to Dictator Thuno Flâtum through one of those -pneumatic tubes which provide automatic mail service throughout Wu; -and since there was no way of tracing any letter back to its point of -origin amid the ramifications of the postal system, I knew that I was -perfectly safe in this course. And, at the same time, I took care that -Thuno Flâtum's reply should reach me in a manner equally safe.</p> - -<p>The following was my message:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p>"<i>To His Abysmal Excellency</i><br /> -Thuno Flâtum<br /> -First of the First Class<br /> -Prime Dictator and High Chief Potentate of Wu</p> - -<p>"<i>Greetings</i>, along with a humble word from one of your subjects. -The air has been turned off, and will remain off until such time as -I decide to turn it on again. If, in the meanwhile, you wish the -ventilation restored, kindly announce in the <i>Blare</i> or the <i>Screamer</i> -when and where you will grant me an audience. But before our meeting -can take place, you must guarantee, on your word of honor and that of -your ancestors, not to permit me to be molested in any way. Should -this condition be violated, the country will remain airless forever.</p> - -<p class="ph2">"Yours militantly,<br /> -resident People's Better Air Association."</p> -</div> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>On the following "wake" I dispatched a similar message, and again on -the third "wake"; while Thuno Flâtum, with characteristic stubbornness, -still withheld his reply. He had had the poor discretion, however, -to give out my letters to the newspapers (or, rather, his secretary -had had such poor discretion, for Thuno Flâtum was known to be too -busy fishing ever to read his correspondence). Hence both the <i>Blare</i> -and the <i>Screamer</i>, on three successive "wakes," reproduced my -communications in full, commenting that they were manifestly the work -of a madman who should be hunted by the police and sentenced to the -violet ray. Subsequent developments showed that the editor of neither -paper suspected what an effect the public announcements were to have.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the officers of the Ventilation Company, driven almost insane -by the failure of the air-supply, had turned from their customary -task of counting dividends in order to try to trace the reason for -the lack of ventilation. All their inspectors and engineers were made -to work overtime; I myself, much to my amusement, was instructed to -exert myself diligently to locate the trouble; and, of course, I made -a great show of seeming to comply, and bustled about my headquarters -officiously, flinging out orders by the dozen, and sending off my -subordinates to search in places where, I knew, they would find -nothing. That the cause of the air-stoppage would not be discovered -seemed a foregone conclusion; for the chalk-faces, thanks to their -inability to see clearly close at hand, might search for years without -being able to notice the all-important little wheel.</p> - -<p>By the third "wake," the Directors of the Ventilation Company were in -despair, Thuno Flâtum and the other high officers of the state were -said to be wearing a worried expression; the Dictator had cancelled an -engagement to play "poli-boli" (an athletic game, played with marbles, -especially popular with First Class citizens); and riots were breaking -out in scores of widely scattered places. Unless imminent relief were -forthcoming, as the <i>Screamer</i> plainly hinted in an editorial, the -"sneeze-gas bombs" would not be able to control the mobs.</p> - -<p>At the same time, the <i>Blare</i>, in a front-page article, reversed -its previous attitude, and advised the Dictator to see "the madman -who insolently terms himself President of the People's Better Air -Association." Conditions were becoming so critical, the paper pointed -out, that it would be wise to clutch at any straw; indeed, the scarcity -of air was ruining business, as was evident from the fact that bank -clearings had gone down 75% in the past two "wakes." If the strike -continued another three or four "wakes," the cost might well rise as -high as 100,000,000 "silver fingers." The possible cost in life was not -considered.</p> - -<p>The argument of the <i>Blare</i>, as might have been foreseen, proved -unanswerable. The people, loyal as always to the printed word, were -clamorous in demanding that their Dictator see the "President of the -People's Better Air Association"; and no one seemed to remember that -only a few hours before, they had been equally clamorous in begging -their Dictator to refuse the interview. But such little reversals of -opinion were so common in Wu that I was not even surprised.</p> - -<p>Immediately I began making preparations for that meeting which I now -knew to be inevitable. It was not half an hour later when a new edition -of the <i>Blare</i> declared that Thuno Flâtum was awaiting my visit, and, -in fact, had high hopes that our interview would end the strike. And it -was but a few minutes after reading this announcement when I set out on -my private "scootscoot" for the palace of the Dictator.</p> - -<p>I did not, however, go alone. To appear before the sovereign unattended -did not seem either wise or safe, particularly since I had to present -a proposal which, to say the least, was very bold. But who was to -accompany me? This question was very simply answered. Had I not two -thousand ventilation employees who were at my beck and call in all -things? Why not pick an escort of, say, about three or four hundred?</p> - -<p>To be sure, I did not wish to take any of my attendants into my -confidence or let them suspect what I was attempting. But such was -their stage of trained thoughtlessness that it was as easy to keep the -truth from them as from a three-year-old. Besides, there was a clever -little device which I might employ to prevent them from manifesting -any spark of intelligence. This was in the nature of the drug already -mentioned, the drug known as the "muffler"—which employers had been -wont to feed to employees, and which, by paralyzing the cerebral -centers, suspended all mental processes except the purely automatic -ones, so that the victims could take orders with mechanical perfection, -but were incapable of knowing, thinking, or feeling.</p> - -<p>As the Ventilation Company, in the course of its business, always -had a large supply of this drug on hand, I fed it to about 400 of my -followers; and then, its action being immediate, I ordered them all to -take their places at once in "scootscoots" and follow me.</p> - -<p>With this magnificent array of supporters in my wake, I lost no time in -setting off on my visit to Thuno Flâtum.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CHAPTER XXVI</h2> - -<h3>Revolution</h3> - - -<p>Realizing that I was attempting an experiment which might lead to -disaster, I took one or two simple precautions before visiting Thuno -Flâtum. The first was to disguise myself, for I did not want it known -that it was a stranger, a foreigner, a "colored barbarian," who was -challenging the throne of the Dictator. The disguise was accomplished -simply enough, largely by means of some chalk-like powder, with which -I made my face milky pale; in addition, I used a pair of heavy amber -glasses, so as to conceal the gray of my eyes; and I steeped my hair -in an ashen dye, in order to give it the complexion considered normal. -Thus equipped, I was hardly to be distinguished from the average man of -Wu.</p> - -<p>But as I drew near the Dictator's headquarters, it occurred to me to -take another precaution. Was I not in danger from fanatics who, furious -at my interference with the air-supply, might waylay me and seek my -life? With this thought in mind, I dropped back to a position toward -the rear of the procession, after giving instructions as to where my -henchmen were to proceed. And well that I did so! When we had come to -within half a mile of that brilliant cavern where Thuno Flâtum held -court, we were impeded by a rabble, partly curious, partly hostile, who -flung stones and epithets, and distributed some "sneeze-gas bombs," by -which half a score of my followers were disabled.</p> - -<p>Fortunately, I myself emerged unharmed; and a few minutes later I -arrived, with the majority of my followers, in that great hall which -I so well remembered from my previous visit to the Dictator. As on the -former occasion, the entrance was guarded by a row of soldiers with -twenty-foot pikes and triangular helmets, who stood statuesque and -stone-like, not making so much as a gesture upon our arrival; as on the -former occasion, the walls were emblazoned with white, red, and yellow -lights, with enormous dragon-shaped banners of green and vermilion, -and with long lines of swords, pikes and helmets. And, also as on the -former occasion, Dictator Thuno Flâtum sat before the rows of great -mirrors on the raised platform, adorned with purple crest and a great -string of rubies, while twenty attendants stood about, solicitous to -watch every move and gesture of their imperial master.</p> - -<p>But how different was this arrival from my previous visit! Then -I had been forced to grovel and to approach the sovereign on all -fours, waiting impatiently until his lordship should condescend to -notice my existence. But today I marched boldly forward, with no -hint of deference; and my attendants, reduced to such a state of -thoughtlessness that they did not know themselves to be in the presence -of Thuno Flâtum, unquestioningly followed my example. Not till I was at -the very pedestal of the throne did I pause; and then it was without -any sign of submission.</p> - -<p>"Thuno Flâtum," I announced, with an abrupt bow, "here I am! I come at -your summons, as the President of the People's Better Air Association!"</p> - -<p>It was easy to see that my words had produced consternation. The -helmeted guards, clearly revealed by their reflections in the mirrors, -unbent from their stony rigidity sufficiently to allow the pikes to -tremble in their hands; the body servants of Thuno Flâtum seemed -paralyzed with amazement, and for the moment forgot their attentions -to their regal master in order to stare at me in petrified unbelief. -And a group of spectators, doing obeisance upon their hands and knees, -collapsed with surprise, and did not regain their composure for many -minutes.</p> - -<p>Apparently never before had Thuno Flâtum been addressed so familiarly!</p> - -<p>The monarch himself seemed dumbfounded and leaned forward in his chair -until I feared he would fall out, staring at me with his binocular-like -eye-pieces as if trying to see right through me.</p> - -<p>It was a moment before any of his attendants could recover themselves -sufficiently to lift the megaphone to his mouth.</p> - -<p>"What is that you say?" he squeaked, when at length he was equipped -with his speaking tube. "Do you know that you are addressing the Prime -Dictator and High Chief Potentate of Wu?"</p> - -<p>"To be sure, Your Abysmal Excellency, that is why I am here," I -returned, suavely. "It would hardly suit my purpose to waste time on -any lesser official."</p> - -<p>The "Prime Dictator" glared at me. Owing to the eye-pieces, the -ear-pieces, and the nose-pieces that covered his face, it was -impossible to see his expression clearly; yet I am sure he glared at -me. And his puny little form shook with such a violence of wrath that -not until his attendants had fanned him for five minutes and applied -doses of cold water was he able to find words again.</p> - -<p>"Who are you, to speak to me in this manner?" he at length demanded, in -accents which showed that he had not pierced my disguise. "Your tones -are the uncultivated ones of some Third Class viper! Do you not realize -that you have been guilty of Contempt of the First Class—an offense -worse than treason? Better men have been executed for less atrocious -crimes!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Exhausted with the effort of this long speech, Thuno Flâtum had to be -fanned again by his lackeys and allowed several minutes in which to -recuperate.</p> - -<p>"What's to prevent me from punishing your insolence?" he finally -resumed. "Suppose I order you to be violet-rayed? I've more than a mind -to do so!"</p> - -<p>Through the mirrors, I could see how the guards behind me began to -creep forward, with their pikes pointed in my direction, as if eager -to commit capital punishment upon me.</p> - -<p>Though I could not repress a shudder, I knew that I had no course -except to be bold. "Punish me if you wish, Your Abysmal Excellency," I -challenged, "but my followers cannot be disposed of so easily. Those -you see here are as nothing to the hosts waiting to avenge me."</p> - -<p>"What do I care for your followers?" snapped Thuno Flâtum. "You -cannot cow me with threats! Men of my Class have ruled for a hundred -generations, and there has never been a revolt!"</p> - -<p>"All the more reason that one is due now!" I insisted. "Remember, Your -Abysmal Excellency, what power I hold! I am more precious to you and -your people than a thousand times my weight in silver!"</p> - -<p>Through the mirrors behind me, I could see that the guards were still -creeping forward. Also, I could detect a gleam of mirth in the salmon -eyes of some of the spectators, and realized that my words had been -taken less seriously than I could have wished.</p> - -<p>But my trump card was still up my sleeve.</p> - -<p>"Remember, Your Abysmal Excellency," I warned, "only one man in all Wu -is able to restore your ventilation. That man is I. If I perish, the -secret perishes with me, and you will all be turned over by lack of -air."</p> - -<p>Half-suppressed groans from the spectators, and from Thuno's -attendants, showed that this bolt had struck home.</p> - -<p>"How do I know you speak truth?" demanded the Dictator, with a furious -blare of the megaphone.</p> - -<p>"Test me, Your Abysmal Excellency. If you will agree to my terms, I -will restore the ventilation at any moment you stipulate."</p> - -<p>"You talk like a madman!" barked my opponent through his megaphone. -And then, after a moment's hesitation, "Still, there can be no harm in -hearing your offer. If you do not keep your promise, there will always -be time for punishment. What are your terms?"</p> - -<p>For a moment I did not answer. I stood staring at the Dictator intently -and was moved almost to pity for this contemptible being, with his -shrivelled limbs and artificial organs. Nevertheless, I picked my words -with the utmost caution, for I could see the guards behind me still -creeping forward by inches, while my own followers made way before -them; and I knew that the success or failure of my venture might depend -upon my next utterance.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"> - <img src="images/illus3.jpg" alt=""/> - <div class="caption"> - <p>I knew that the success or failure of my venture might depend upon my next utterance.</p> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p>"Your Abysmal Excellency," I began, "according to all reports, you have -ruled long and notably. You have performed great services for the First -Class and for your country. But it is not fair that any man, however -willing, be harnessed too long with the yoke of state. After a time, -his shoulders should be relieved of the burden, so that he may enjoy -the pleasures of private life. It is for this reason, Your Abysmal -Excellency—"</p> - -<p>At this point, my speech was rudely halted. A blast of the Dictator's -megaphone rang through the audience-chamber as shrilly as a cry for -help. And Thuno Flâtum, straining forward with quivering form and face -that turned all colors from white to purple, staggered out of his seat -in his rage, shook his midget fist at me, and collapsed.</p> - -<p>It was several minutes before his attendants could fan him back to life -and his thoughts could find expression.</p> - -<p>"What!" he howled through the megaphone, after being restored to -himself. "What is that you suggest? You impudent rat! Do you have the -daring, the effrontery to ask that I—that I step down—"</p> - -<p>Choked by the fury of his own words, he was unable to continue.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>An uneasy glance at the mirrors showed me that the guards were still -creeping up from behind, while my followers made way before them like -sheep. I did not care for the looks of their long gleaming pikes, nor -did I like the fascinated glances which the spectators were fastening -upon the pike-bearers, as if awaiting some interesting exhibition.</p> - -<p>Therefore I realized that I must lose no time. "Your Abysmal -Excellency," I pleaded, hastily, "you have caught my idea. For the good -of your country and the restoration of ventilation, it is time that you -step down, and that I step up—"</p> - -<p>By now the Dictator had regained his breath sufficiently to interrupt -me by bellowing through the megaphone. "So, you insolent hound! Now -we have your terms, have we? You would displace me on the throne! You -would displace me—<i>me</i> Thuno Flâtum, the High Chief Potentate of Wu! -Seize him, guards! Seize him!"</p> - -<p>Before I had time to leap aside, I felt heavy arms about my shoulders -and found myself pinned in the iron grip of three guardsmen.</p> - -<p>Though ready to collapse once more with the effort of so much speaking, -Thuno Flâtum was able to bawl once more.</p> - -<p>"Take him away! Away! At once! Waste no time! I'll sign the death -warrant!"</p> - -<p>Vainly I strove to command my followers, to order them to my rescue. -But, automatons that they were, they failed at the crisis; something -had gone wrong with the operation of the drug, and they seemed -powerless to obey.</p> - -<p>As the guards started to drag me off, I saw how excitedly the -Dictator's twenty attendants were laboring to restore him to life.</p> - -<p>"One minute!" I shouted to the guards. "I must have another word with -his Abysmal Excellency!"</p> - -<p>The guards stood hesitating. One of them pulled rudely at my shoulders, -while I repeated the request; but the others seemed doubtful, and by -virtue of loud appeals I was able to restrain them until Thuno Flâtum -had recovered.</p> - -<p>"Take him away! Away! At once!" reiterated the ruler angrily through -his megaphone. "I'll sign the death warrant! We'll kill him by inches -with sulphur fumes—"</p> - -<p>While the guards started to drag me away once more, and my mind -conjured up visions of suffocation by sulphur, I cried out in a last -desperate plea.</p> - -<p>"One minute, Your Excellency! Remember, if I die, you all die too! -Without me, the air will remain off forever!"</p> - -<p>"Without you, the air will remain off forever?" echoed Thuno Flâtum. -"Then let it stay off! What do I care? Have I not my oxygen tanks?"</p> - -<p>And derisively he pointed to the steel tanks connecting with his -breathing tubes.</p> - -<p>Quick as a flash, I saw my opportunity. "So you would breathe while -your people smother?" I demanded. And then, turning to the guards, "Do -your duty, men! Take me away! Thuno Flâtum, your master, will still -breathe oxygen, while you will all smother!"</p> - -<p>The effect of these words was electrical. One of the guards, releasing -me with a hurried gesture, reached for his three-pointed helmet and -flung it off, to reveal a gasping, perspiring individual close to the -last stages of exhaustion.</p> - -<p>"I'm through!" he groaned. "By the gray hairs of my ancestors, I'm -through! For wakes and wakes I've been suffocating in this steel case! -I'm not going to go without air altogether! Let some one else be turned -over if they want! I'm going on strike!"</p> - -<p>"So am I!" announced a second guard, snatching off his helmet.</p> - -<p>"So am I!" snapped a third, and a fourth, and a fifth, until, in a -moment, all the pike-bearers stood unhelmeted and rebellious. "I'm -going on strike! On strike! On strike!"</p> - -<p>"We want air!" one of them started the cry. And "We want air, we want -air, we want air!" began to echo and reverberate throughout the whole -great hall. And the guards, surging forward in an angry mass, lost all -semblance of military order, but swung their pikes furiously in a chaos -of rushing, pushing, scuffling, shouting forms.</p> - -<p>For a moment, Thuno Flâtum was too thunderstricken for words. Then, as -his attendants crowded about him protectively, I thought I heard his -voice lifted during a momentary lull in the storm. "This is sedition! -Sedition! I'll have you all violet-rayed! I'll have you all—"</p> - -<p>But I did not hear the conclusion of the speech. Taking advantage -of the hubbub, I had started hastily toward the door, ordering my -attendants to follow.</p> - -<p>An instant later, as I slipped into the safety of the passageway, I was -aware only of the hoarse yelling of the guardsmen and of the confusion -of waving pikes. At last the Revolution had begun!</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CHAPTER XXVII</h2> - -<h3>Triumph</h3> - - -<p>Hardly had I escaped from Thuno Flâtum's audience hall when I noticed -an athletic looking individual darting from the direction of the -throne-room. Breaking through the ranks of my followers in frantic -agitation, he headed straight toward me; while I, imagining him to be -an agent of justice, hastened my footsteps in the effort to regain my -"scootscoot," which was waiting a few hundred yards away.</p> - -<p>But my efforts were futile. I was too greatly impeded by my attendants, -who had been reduced to such thoughtlessness that they would not get -out of my way; and, try as I might, my pursuer was gaining upon me. -"Wait a minute there! Just a minute!" he shouted, when he had come -within a few dozen yards. "Just a minute! I've something to tell you!"</p> - -<p>But, of course, the only effect was to spur my flight.</p> - -<p>Nevertheless, he finally caught up with me, puffing and panting -prodigiously, just as I had reached my "scootscoot" and was about to -dash away. And only then, as I turned in alarm to confront him, did I -recognize the official yellow badge of the press!</p> - -<p>"I represent the <i>Screamer!"</i> he gasped, when he had halfway regained -his breath. "Let me have your story! Quick! The <i>Blare</i> man will be -here any minute!"</p> - -<p>Surely enough, another individual, racing toward us from far down the -gallery, proved to be a reporter for the <i>Blare</i>!</p> - -<p>All at once I realized how foolish my flight had been. Though still -in a hurry to get away, I could find time to present my story to both -newspapers, with a wealth of detail. Although I did not quite foresee -the results, I already had a suspicion that the <i>Blare</i> and the -<i>Screamer</i> would prove my salvation.</p> - -<p>In less than an hour the new editions were on sale, competing with -one another in the sensationalism of their reports. "Air special! -Air special!" I heard the newsgirls crying from the court outside -my apartment window, as I paced back and forth, trying to decide on -my next action. "Insurrection in the guards! Thuno Flâtum defied! -Mysterious stranger demands throne as price of air! Read all about the -great rebellion! Super-super-extra-extra! Super-super-extra-extra!"</p> - -<p>Naturally, I rushed out into the gallery to buy a paper, but was able -to do so only with the greatest difficulty, for people were flocking -from all sides to get copies, and supplies were soon exhausted. -However, I did manage to get a <i>Screamer</i>, and this is what I read:</p> - -<p class="ph1">INSOLENT STRANGER CHALLENGES THUNO FLÂTUM</p> - -<p class="ph1">MAN IN AMBER SPECTACLES WARNS, "MAKE ME DICTATOR, AND I RESTORE AIR"</p> - -<p class="ph1"><i>Guards in a Commotion! Back Claims of Audacious Intruder!</i></p> - -<p>There followed a highly colored account of the day's events, in which -I was described as a "madman seeking to start revolution," while Thuno -Flâtum was represented as "defending his position with the indomitable -might and valor for which the First Class is so justly noted." It was -admitted, however, that I was formidable, being backed by an army -variously estimated as between ten thousand and a hundred thousand -fanatics, of whom several thousand had accompanied me to the Dictator's -throne-room. In the face of such a menace, Thuno Flâtum was more than -courageous—so the papers said—to resist my demands, even though the -country should have to remain unaired for a few "wakes" more.</p> - -<p>As I glanced up from the paper, I could see that the people around me -were profoundly affected by the news. For once, it seemed, an action of -Thuno Flâtum had not met with unquestioning approval....</p> - -<p>"What's that?" I heard a chalk-face to my left growling savagely. "So -we're to remain without air? Meanwhile the First Class can breathe from -oxygen tanks! Let's have air, I say! Air, air, air! What do I care -who's on the throne, so long as we can breathe.... Tell me, what do you -think, brother?" he demanded, turning in my direction.</p> - -<p>"I thoroughly agree!" said I.</p> - -<p>"So do I!" exclaimed an indignant voice from our right. "The children -haven't had a good clean breath for three wakes! Let Thuno Flâtum's own -children be turned over, if he likes! I want air for mine!"</p> - -<p>"So do I! So do I!" other voices joined in. "Air, air for our -children!" And hundreds enthusiastically echoed this sentiment.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>I was not unprepared for the events of the next few hours. Toward -the close of the "wake," I went out to stroll along one of the main -galleries; and, seeing a crowd assembled in a great open chamber or -public square, I hastened forward with the feeling that extraordinary -news was abroad. Nor was I mistaken, although at first, amid the -babbling of many tongues, I was unable to discover what had happened. -All that I knew was that the people were gathered about in groups, -chattering excitedly, and that the words "Thuno Flâtum! Thuno Flâtum! -Thuno Flâtum!" mingling with cries of "Air! Air! Air!" occurred again -and again. But though I accosted many persons in my eagerness for -information, none would take time to answer by more than mumbled, -incoherent phrases.</p> - -<p>Yet by mixing with the crowd and listening, I managed to hear some -tell-tale remarks.... "Why, I thought Thuno would rule forever!" one -voice exclaimed: .... "Where did he run to?" demanded another.... -"I don't know. They say he's hiding in the Third Class basements!" -contributed a third.... "But I've heard he's gone fishing!" a fourth -added.... "Who's at the head of things now?".... "No one, they say, -till we get the air back."</p> - -<p>From these scraps of conversation, one fact at least was plain. But who -had overthrown the Dictator? And was his fall actual or but a ruse?</p> - -<p>Gradually, however, other details became evident. Led by the revolting -guards, a mob had stormed Thuno Flâtum's palace, demanding immediate -air, even though the Dictator must retire in favor of "the mysterious -stranger with the amber glasses." And when the ruler had refused, the -tempest of resentment had risen and forced him to flee.</p> - -<p>It was but a short while later when, as I had expected, the <i>Blare</i> -and <i>Screamer</i> came out with new editions. Their version, however, -differed considerably from what I had just heard. For the benefit -of his health, which had been affected by the strain of duties of -state, the Dictator had been advised by his physicians to take a brief -vacation, his whereabouts being concealed so that he might enjoy the -greater seclusion. Both papers ended with the pious hope that their -good sovereign might speedily recover.</p> - -<p>But both, at the same time, suggested that if the self-termed -"President of the People's Better Air Association" would restore the -ventilation without further delay, he would find the people ready to -grant any reasonable demand.</p> - -<p>Acting upon this hint, I dispatched immediate letters to both -newspapers. At precisely four hours and a quarter after the beginning -of the following "wake" I would turn on the air. And, exactly one hour -and a quarter later, I would appear in the Dictator's throne-room, -where Thuno Flâtum's guards might identify me as "the mysterious -stranger" of the amber spectacles. I would, of course, claim my reward -immediately, and would make no guarantee for the continuance of -ventilation unless all my demands were granted.</p> - -<p>Having dispatched these messages, I yawned and settled down for a good -night's sleep. I had need of rest, for tomorrow, I knew, might be one -of the crowning days of my career.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CHAPTER XXVIII</h2> - -<h3>Luma the Illustrious</h3> - - -<p>The following "wake" I arose early, since there were many things to -keep me busy. First of all, I carefully prepared a speech and wrote a -letter, which I secreted in my pocket for use later in the day; next -I resumed my disguise, with the amber spectacles, the gray-dyed hair, -and the chalk-colored face; and then, taking care not to be seen, I -made my way to the side-gallery containing the rusty old wheel that -controlled the country's ventilation. There I waited, watch in hand, -and at precisely the promised minute, I gave a turn to the wheel, and -was instantly rewarded by feeling an invigorating breeze.</p> - -<p>Now, hastily, I made my way in a "scootscoot" toward Thuno Flâtum's -palace, where I was expected an hour and a quarter later. Gathering -a hundred ventilating employees about me, and ordering them to keep -closely at my side, I acquired a bodyguard suitable for the royal -position I hoped to assume; and, with these surrounding me, I hastened -to keep my appointment.</p> - -<p>As we sped through the various corridors, I noticed that the air was -again in motion, that the heavy depressing atmosphere of the past -few days was already being dissipated. And the people, observing -the change, were crowding out of their homes in throngs, shouting -and screaming at the tops of their lungs, "The ventilation! The -ventilation! The ventilation has been restored!"—while in their -jubilant excitement, they waved banners and blew horns and beat drums -and distributed showers of little colored paper like confetti—behaved -generally like school children at a festival.</p> - -<p>Drawing near the Dictator's palace, we were impeded by the multitudes -who came forth to greet us, shouting and gesticulating and executing -little whirling dances to show their pleasure. All along the galleries -they flaunted flags and placards bearing curious inscriptions: "Our -kingdom for a breath!"—"We demand our daily air!"—"Air for all -classes!"—"By air, and air only, shall we be ruled!"—"Where the -ventilation fails, the people perish!" and—last, but not least—one -that I may translate freely as follows, "Who steals my purse steals -trash, but he who filches from me my good air has left me poor indeed!"</p> - -<p>It was with difficulty that I made my way through the long gallery to -Thuno Flâtum's throne-room, for the crowds, recognizing me by the amber -glasses, insisted in pressing all about us. Only the protective screen -of a hundred attendants saved me from being crushed to death or torn -limb from limb in the people's eagerness to catch a glimpse of me and -show their appreciation.</p> - -<p>At length, however, I did reach the throne-room, where the guards -acknowledged my presence by bowing till their palms scraped the floor, -in the established fashion. As befitted a superior, I seemed not to -notice their salutations, but strode at a slow and stately pace toward -the center of the hall, and then, while thousands watched me in gaping -amazement, I mounted the raised platform of red sandstone, and stood on -the throne of the Dictator.</p> - -<p>As I reached this regal eminence, suddenly someone waved his hands -furiously and broke into cheers; and the multitude, accepting this as -their signal, echoed the cries in a roar of acclaim that did not die -down for many minutes.</p> - -<p>It was long before, by flinging both arms high in air and shouting, I -was able to bring order to the gathering and to launch forth upon the -speech I had prepared.</p> - -<p>"Fellow citizens of the First, Second, and Third Classes," I began, -"this is indeed an auspicious occasion. For the first time in more -than three wakes, we can all breathe freely again. At great cost -of personal sacrifice and labor, I have found a way to turn on the -ventilation—"</p> - -<p>At this point another salvo of cheers broke forth, combined with a -pandemonium of stamping feet, by which my hearers sought to emphasize -their applause.</p> - -<p>"At great cost of personal sacrifice and labor," I resumed, "I have -saved you all, my fellow citizens. For this service I claim no personal -reward, for the satisfaction of rescuing my countrymen will always be -sufficient compensation. However, I have a message to deliver. It is -from your Dictator, his Excellency, Thuno Flâtum."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The throng had all at once become silent; several thousand pairs -of eyes and ears strained forward eagerly, intently, while, with a -flourish, I removed a silver-sealed document from an inner pocket.</p> - -<p>"Here is a letter from Thuno Flâtum," I declared, well knowing that the -people, being unable to see clearly close at hand, would have no way -of detecting the falsehood. "Before I read it, let me introduce myself -by the name which our beloved Dictator has always applied to me. I am -called Luma the Illustrious."</p> - -<p>"Luma the Illustrious! Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah for Luma the -Illustrious!" thundered the mob, while hundreds bowed in token of -obeisance. "Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!" And from the rear of the hall -there came a flaunting of green and vermilion banners, in testimony to -the patriotic significance of the occasion.</p> - -<p>"Now listen carefully to the words of Thuno Flâtum!" I shouted, -unfolding the letter I myself had written a few hours before.</p> - -<p>And when the crowd had once more grown silent, I read in sonorous tones:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p>"To <i>His Highness,</i> Luma the Illustrious</p> - -<p>"Greetings and heartiest regards</p> - -<p>"Since my poor health makes it necessary for me to renounce the duties -of State for a time, I wish that you, Your Highness, would rule in my -place during my absence. I am confident that it would be impossible -to find any one more competent than your eminent self. During my -absence, the people must grant you the same unquestioning respect and -obedience they would accord to myself.</p> - -<p class="ph2">"Faithfully your servant,<br /> -THUNO FLÂTUM,<br /> -<i>Prime Dictator and High Chief Potentate of Wu."</i></p> -</div> - -<p>For a moment, as I folded the document back into my pocket, a -thunderstricken silence possessed the people. Then all at once they -broke into such an uproar as I had never heard before. "Long live -Luma! Long live Luma! Long live Luma the Illustrious!" They cheered -and yelled, while writhing and leaping and stamping and dancing in -irrepressible glee. "Long live Luma! Long live Luma the Illustrious!" -My ruse had succeeded even beyond my expectations!</p> - -<p>Now, as never before, I realized the advantages of thoughtlessness. -My hearers, being all Second and Third Class citizens, had been so -thoroughly trained in this creed that it had never occurred to them to -question my assertions. Already I had resolved that, as Dictator, I -would make thoughtlessness compulsory.</p> - -<p>But alas for my high hopes! Just as I was mentally congratulating -myself on my success, there occurred an event that seemed likely to -undo all I had accomplished. The audience had scarcely ceased shouting -"Long live Luma! Long live Luma! Long live Luma the Illustrious!" when -a commotion arose at the corner nearest the entrance, and I could see -the guards swaying back and forth, as if to throw out some troublesome -intruder.</p> - -<p>"What is it, men? What is it?" I shouted, indiscreetly, not in the -least suspecting the source of the disturbance.</p> - -<p>Momentarily the commotion ceased, while the husky voice of one of the -guards shouted back.</p> - -<p>"Your Abysmal Excellency, what shall I do? There is a man here who -claims to be Thuno Flâtum!"</p> - -<p>At these words, I was as near to heart failure as I ever hope to be. -Momentarily a mist passed before my eyes, and I felt myself quivering -and clutching at an iron railing for support. Then, as the attack of -vertigo passed, I could see how the crowd, awed by the magic words -"Thuno Flâtum," had made way near the source of the commotion, leaving -a figure to wheel toward me on a "scootscoot," accompanied by half a -dozen attendants.</p> - -<p>How well I recognized that shrivelled form, with the bald head, the -toothless mouth, the ear-pieces and eye-pieces, the nose-tubes and -the megaphone! His royal garments were, it is true, a little frayed -and damaged; the purple crest upon his head was torn and bedraggled, -the green and saffron of his uniform was soiled with muddy blotches, -and the string of huge rubies no longer dangled about his neck. -Nevertheless, I had seen enough of the Dictator to identify him even in -his present shabby plight!</p> - -<p>"Your Abysmal Excellency, this man claims to be Thuno Flâtum!" repeated -one of the guards, as the figure on the "scootscoot" drew to within a -few yards of the sandstone platform.</p> - -<p>"Thuno Flâtum! Thuno Flâtum! He claims to be Thuno Flâtum!" I could -hear the mob echoing in surprise.</p> - -<p>"I <i>am</i> Thuno Flâtum!" avowed the intruder with an angry squeak through -the megaphone. "I <i>am</i> Thuno Flâtum!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>In that crucial fraction of a second, while all the world seemed to -reel about me, I realized that in an instant I might come crashing down -from my new-won eminence! I must act quickly—else all was lost!</p> - -<p>I do not know what it was that, in that desperate emergency, put the -saving thought into my mind. But my brain was working with the fury -of fever, and somehow, goaded by terror, I leapt at the one means of -salvation.</p> - -<p>"Seize that man! Seize him! Seize him!" I cried, pointing to the -newcomer with a swift imitation of anger. "It is a penal offense to -impersonate the Dictator!"</p> - -<p>"It is a penal offense, a penal offense to impersonate the Dictator!" -echoed the multitude.</p> - -<p>"But I am not impersonating the Dictator! I <i>am</i> Thuno Flâtum! I <i>am</i> -Thuno Flâtum!" insisted the puny figure on the "scootscoot," while his -thin right arm shook in my direction in impotent wrath.</p> - -<p>"Look at him! Just look at him! He claims to be Thuno Flâtum!" I -howled, with a sudden pretense at laughter; and rocked back and forth -in feigned mirth. "When did Thuno Flâtum ever wear soiled saffron? When -did he appear without the royal rubies? Guards, seize the impostor!"</p> - -<p>"Look at him! Look at him! Just look at him! When did Thuno Flâtum ever -wear soiled saffron?" yelled the mob, roaring with me in amusement more -genuine than my own.</p> - -<p>At the same time, the heavy arms of a guard closed about the feeble, -resisting figure.</p> - -<p>"But I am, I <i>am</i> Thuno Flâtum!" he wailed for the last time. "It is -you, you who are the impostor! Only listen, only listen—"</p> - -<p>At this, he was greeted with louder laughter than ever, and the -thunders of public merriment drowned out his words. Luckily for me, he -was hidden from the sight of the majority; while those close at hand -could not see him clearly enough for recognition.</p> - -<p>"Guards, place him in a cell!" I shouted, when the peals of mirth had -begun to subside. "He is a dangerous madman! We will keep him locked up -until—until Thuno Flâtum returns!"</p> - -<p>As a corps of guards disappeared down a side-passage with the manacled -Dictator and his attendants, the crowd burst once more into cheers, -"Long live Luma! Long live Luma! Long live Luma the Illustrious!"</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CHAPTER XXIX</h2> - -<h3>New Storm-Clouds</h3> - - -<p>In order to press on to more crucial events, I shall not linger -over my first few months as Dictator. Clad in the magnificence of -my new office, I dwelt in a spacious suite of rooms with palatial -adornments and scores of attendants; I enjoyed the applause and -veneration of millions who bowed before me as before a god; my comings -and goings were heralded with blasts of trumpets and the rattle of -military trappings; I held court daily on the throne of Thuno Flâtum, -decided matters of public policy and law and issued orders which, -theoretically, could be disobeyed only under pain of death.</p> - -<p>Nevertheless, not all flowed smoothly. To begin with, there was the -secret opposition which I had to face. Both the Second Class and the -Third had accepted me readily enough as sovereign in the absence of -Thuno Flâtum and never so much as inquired why Thuno remained so long -on his vacation; but the First Class, it appeared, had not been trained -to an equal degree of thoughtlessness, and hence could not accept me -so unquestioningly. Many were the murmurs of complaint that came to -my ears; it was muttered that "Luma the Illustrious" was not really -"First of the First Class," as he claimed to be; that, indeed, he was -not First Class at all, but came of plebian birth. In proof of this -blasting accusation, it was pointed out that Luma was too healthy to -be First Class; that his limbs were not shrivelled enough and he could -actually walk long distances, like any Third Class nobody; that his -natural eyesight was good, his ears useful without hearing tubes, and -his lungs capable of functioning without artificial aid; while he was -neither bald nor toothless, as every "green-blooded" aristocrat should -be. In other words, he was a mere undistinguished interloper, without -noble lineage or antecedents.</p> - -<p>So persistent did such complaints become that I finally resolved on -desperate measures, and secretly instituted a drive against the First -Class. One by one the worst offenders disappeared from home, to take -up their lodgings in some remote cell; and only after detectives had -thus disposed of five hundred trouble-makers did the other First Class -citizens appear to agree on the wisdom of holding their tongues. -Thereafter all who questioned the legitimacy of my rule did so strictly -in private; and the First Class was as open as the two other classes -in acknowledging me as lord supreme.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile I was having other difficulties, due to my zeal to remedy -certain evils. While living as Second and Third class citizen, I had -observed scores of things which had seemed in need of reform; and I now -set about, as energetically as I could, to better the condition of the -people. But how obstinately the people objected to any betterment!</p> - -<p>For example, there was the matter of the "scootscoots." Having been -shocked at the innumerable accidents, which cost hundreds of lives -each day and more than once had nearly terminated my own existence, I -set about to establish a system of traffic rules. These were really -what we of the Overworld would consider simple and reasonable: that -all "scootscoots" keep to the right of the road, that green and red -lights be installed to guide traffic at intersections, and that no -"scootscoot" be permitted to travel faster than two miles a minute. -Yet what an uproar was created by these innovations! It was found, -indeed, that wherever the new rules were applied, the death-rate fell -more than ninety per cent—but what did this mean to the speed-hungry -chalk-faces?—nothing—less than nothing!</p> - -<p>"Luma interferes with the rights of private property!" cried the -affronted people. "He seeks to destroy individual initiative! He -attacks our ancient freedom to do as we wish with our own property! -If a man owns a 'scootscoot,' why can't he drive it any way he wants? -Traffic laws are confiscation!"</p> - -<p>Against this uproar it was impossible to make any headway. The new -rules were violated almost as a matter of principle; people would risk -fine and imprisonment sooner than submit. Bootlegging on the traffic -regulations soon became a popular sport; men would openly boast of -having offended, and violations became so frequent that, in disgust, -I abandoned the law, and the people, with shouts of joy, returned to -their old round of injuries and "turnovers."</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Equally saddening were my experiences with the new food and clothing -laws. Remembering my earlier observations, remembering how the Third -Class had often been ragged and hungry and how vast quantities of good -food and clothes had been consigned to the furnaces, I decreed that -henceforth excess commodities should be distributed to the poor. But -alas—what a blunder this was! The outcry over the traffic rules was as -nothing compared with the storm of protests that greeted my latest move.</p> - -<p>"What! Give the excess to the poor?" howled the First and Second -Classes in an indignant chorus. "Encourage shiftlessness and indolence? -Reward improvidence and laziness? Overturn that good old economic rule, -'He who has most shall give least?' Did our fathers give to the poor? -Did they not burn their excess? Then why depart from their time-honored -rule? To change now would be to insult their memories!"</p> - -<p>Most vigorous of all, however, were the protests of the National Food -Producers and the United Clothing Manufacturers, Unlimited.</p> - -<p>"Your Excellency should realize," they wrote me in an open letter, -published in both the <i>Blare</i> and the <i>Screamer,</i> "that the profits -of business and consequently the prosperity of the nation depend upon -a scarcity of the vital commodities. So long as there is scarcity, -people will pay high prices and stockholders will reap huge dividends; -but as soon as abundance occurs, prices will sink and dividends -will correspondingly wane. This is, you will agree, an intolerable -condition, and should be avoided by every means at our disposal. -Accordingly, we recommend that you repeal the law forbidding us to burn -surplus products."</p> - -<p>Naturally, I paid no heed to this appeal; but I knew that I was -treading on dangerous ground. From the First and Second Classes came -renewed groans and rumblings of discontent, which, despite all the -efforts of the police, I could not suppress; while, to my despair, -I learned that hundreds of tons of food and clothing were still -feeding the flames each "wake," regardless of all my vigilance. -Worst of all, the Third Class—to whom I distributed vast amounts of -commodities—were unsatisfied with what I gave them and clamored for -more in such a grumbling, discontented chorus that I had almost more to -fear from them than from the other classes.</p> - -<p>Yes, hard and bitter, hard and bitter is the path of a Dictator! Before -a few months were over, I began to wish I had not launched forth on my -new career.</p> - -<p>To make matters still more serious, resentment at my other reform -measures was almost equally heated. Thus, there was the order against -adulteration of the air-supply, which brought down on me the wrath of -my old employer, the Ventilation Company; there was the rule raising -the military age of children from six to eight, which sent legions of -patriots fuming to my palace in protest; there was the law that spies -must receive a trial before being executed—which provoked widespread -denunciation on the ground of its "sentimental weakness"; and there -was the enactment taxing the First and Second Classes no less than the -Third—which almost led to armed rebellion before, in self-defense, I -withdrew it and restored the good old conditions, in which only the -Third Class paid taxes.</p> - -<p>Yes, hard and bitter was my path as Dictator! And, after the first half -year, it was to grow harder and bitterer still.</p> - -<p>But before I tell of my further public difficulties, let me mention -one private vexation. This was in connection with my good old friends, -Professor Tan Trum and his daughter Loa.</p> - -<p>For a long while, I had been out of touch with this estimable pair, and -I had hoped that, in my new rôle as "Luma the Illustrious," I would -be able to elude them entirely. But such was not to be. One day, when -delivering a public address in my throne-room, I chanced to notice -two familiar faces among the front ranks of spectators, and I saw how -a certain fat and bewrinkled lady was nudging an elderly man, while -pointing at me in excited recognition. Alas!—even my amber spectacles -and whitened face had not saved me!</p> - -<p>It was only a few "wakes" later when Tan Trum, accompanied by his -daughter, paid me a visit. In view of their many past kindnesses, I -could not refuse them an audience, as I would have liked to do; but I -foresaw that I was to have a difficult time. And, indeed, they were to -make things more than difficult!</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>After congratulating me on my rise, which they ascribed to the training -I had had at their hands, the Professor approached a delicate subject. -Judging from the ogling glances which Loa cast me, and the admiring -light in her little salmon eyes, it was all too evident that she, -magnanimous creature, was willing to forgive me for past rebuffs!</p> - -<p>"How happy your success makes me, my dear boy!" enthused Tan Trum, -wiping a tear from the corner of his eye. "How very happy! A -great burden has been removed from us all. You need no longer be -debarred—er—debarred from lifelong bliss. Loa has been faithful to -you, my boy!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I have been faithful!" echoed the blushing damsel, with her -wrinkled face downcast.</p> - -<p>"We well realize your position, my dear friend," continued the -Professor, beaming upon me in apparent unconsciousness of my growing -consternation. "Weighed down by cares of State, you have had no time -to pay us a visit. Besides, it would be unseemly for a man in your -high position to visit our humble quarters. To be sure, you might have -summoned us here, but perhaps you hesitated, fearing to shock us too -greatly. Is that not so, my boy?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, that is so!" I groaned.</p> - -<p>"You see, Loa," the Professor went on, turning in a congratulatory -manner to his daughter, "you see what a considerate lover you have! I -always said that you were lucky, my dear. Yes, you are lucky, both of -you! I wish you many, many happy years, blessed by—"</p> - -<p>In desperation, I was ready to clutch at any straw. Remembering my last -escape from the persistent pair, I interrupted Tan Trum hastily.</p> - -<p>"But have you forgotten, Professor? Have you forgotten? Don't you -recall the eugenics test?"</p> - -<p>Both my visitors smiled upon me benignly, as one might smile at the -recollection of sorrow outlived.</p> - -<p>"Of course, we recall!" testified Tan Trum. "It was one of the great -griefs of our life. Poor Loa! How she wept! I actually feared for the -girl's health. It was seven wakes before she began to show a normal -interest in her wrinkles again!"</p> - -<p>"I didn't care what happened to me!" added Loa, looking up with a -demure twinkle in her eye. "Since you were lost to me, it didn't seem -to matter if I lost all my fatness. But now, of course, my dearest, all -that is over!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, now, thank the gods, all that is over!" piously echoed the -Professor.</p> - -<p>"I don't see quite how," I replied, weakly, while a stabbing sensation -seemed to take me at the heart.</p> - -<p>"Why, it's all as plain as light," declared Tan Trum, still smiling. -"Be more cheerful, my dear boy! Since you are now a law to yourself, -what do you care about eugenics? You can declare yourself eugenically -fit, and who will dare to contradict you?"</p> - -<p>All at once, as I realized the truth of these words, I felt a profound -regret at having become Dictator.</p> - -<p>"To be sure, your former disbarment was valid enough," rambled on the -Professor, while in Loa's eyes I caught an adoring flash. "Having no -military ancestry, you naturally weren't qualified to become the father -of a family. But now that you are in a high position, your sons won't -have to go out to fight and be turned over—"</p> - -<p>I do not know how or why—perhaps it was the Professor's reference to -fighting—but at this point an idea leapt into my head.</p> - -<p>"All that is true," I broke in. "I have, as you declare, no fighting -ancestry. Therefore, before assuming domestic responsibilities, I must -justify myself in my own eyes, if not in those of the people. I have -decided that before I can—er—before I can accept my happiness, I must -go forth to the field of honor. Tomorrow I lead the army to battle!"</p> - -<p>This decision, though reached this very moment, now seemed unalterable -and final—my one hope of escape.</p> - -<p>Both the Professor and his daughter looked downhearted.</p> - -<p>"Oh, but that isn't necessary, my dear boy!" frowned the former. "You -have too high a conception of honor!"</p> - -<p>"Why, it's unheard of! The leaders of the country never go forth -to fight!" pleaded Loa, beginning to pout a little. "Their place -is to make others fight! Their own lives are too valuable to risk -being—being turned over!"</p> - -<p>"What do I care for the risk, when my country's welfare is at stake?" I -demanded, vaingloriously.</p> - -<p>And then, firmly entrenched in my new decision, I repeated, "Tomorrow -I go forth to the field of honor! Upon my return I shall send for you -both. Meanwhile kindly give my regards to Tan Tal, Moa, and Noa."</p> - -<p>As the tall form of the Professor, drooping a little gloomily, left the -audience chamber side by side with the rotund figure of his daughter, -I still did not know that I had done more than to postpone the -inevitable; nor had I any intimation of that whirlwind of events which -was to make this my last meeting with Tan Trum and his family.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CHAPTER XXX</h2> - -<h3>News from Zu</h3> - - -<p>Anxious as I had been to avoid complications with Loa, her coming had -not been the only reason for my sudden decision. For a long while, the -difficulties occasioned by my reform measures had been growing more -serious and the voices of popular complaint more menacing; hence I was -anxious to find some way of diverting public attention. Moreover, the -war with Zu, which dragged on interminably, was daily becoming more -vexing; I still did not dare to antagonize public opinion by ending the -conflict, as I had originally planned; and, to make matters worse, the -enemy had lately attacked with new energy and resourcefulness. Already -they had wrested from us a stretch of Nullnull seven yards deep and -fifty-nine yards wide—a defeat which, though our papers did their best -to conceal it, had somehow become public knowledge, vastly weakening my -prestige.</p> - -<p>I therefore realized that, in order to regain the ground I had lost, Wu -must retake the ground it had lost; and I understood that, in attaining -this objective, my presence on the field would be the best stimulus to -the troops. Not that I actually cared a pin for Nullnull; but, knowing -my reputation to be at stake, I was willing to risk all for the sake -of a little of this barren land. As to whether I was competent to lead -the troops, I felt no doubt at all; all our generals were so thoroughly -versed in thoughtlessness that they did not seem hard to surpass; and, -besides, had I not had six months' experience during the World War, as -a lieutenant in the Commissary Department?</p> - -<p>No action since I had become Dictator evoked such enthusiastic response -as the announcement that I was about to command the army. The <i>Blare</i> -and the <i>Screamer,</i> commending me in full-page editorials, expressed -their thanks that I was ready to bring my people to "the most glorious -turnover in history"; the masses, acclaiming me in wild demonstrations, -cheered and celebrated until one would have thought I had already -achieved a victory, instead of merely having promised one; a delegation -of generals did me the honor of a personal visit and embarrassed me by -presenting their plans, which were featured by an attack on the babes -of Zu, whom they intended to slay in the cradle, in order to avoid -having to slay them later on the battlefield.</p> - -<p>Now I confess that my own plans were a little vague. So weary had I -become of the Underworld that I did not particularly care if I should -be "turned over" in the next engagement; however, I still had some -principles and did not hesitate to antagonize the generals not only by -rejecting the assault on the infants, but by vetoing other projects, -such as the one calling for a Subterrain of unprecedented power, which -would shatter the roof above the capital of Zu, burying the city and -all its people amid the ruins.</p> - -<p>Not quite realizing how the disgruntled generals were to conspire -against me in secret, I set out on a "scootscoot" in the midst of -an army of a hundred thousand picked soldiers, who, with their -three-pointed helmets gleaming savagely while they marched with their -peculiar prancing movement, made a resplendent and magnificent display. -As we proceeded along the main avenues and galleries, the people came -out to greet us with drums and banners, while they were shouting -exultantly, "Have a successful turnover! A successful turnover! A -successful turnover!" And the waving of banners, the stamping of feet, -the discharging of toy explosives, and the glances of admiring eyes -were such as to make the heart rejoice, in haughty contempt of any -minor incident, such as a "turnover."</p> - -<p>Owing to the torrential applause, my advance was greatly retarded -and several "wakes" were consumed in the march to the "depths," -as the natives termed the battle front. And, during the interval, -tremendous changes were afoot. We caught intimations of these in -the bulletins from Zu, which stated that the enemy, terrified at -reports of my approach, were already thinking of retiring from the -"top-line depths." Due to the happy intervention of our Bureau of -Public Delirium (otherwise known as the "Propaganda Office") our spies -in Zu had spread alarming reports as to the new Dictator of Wu; I -was represented as a giant eight feet tall, who, thanks to his amber -glasses, had a supernatural faculty of seeing close at hand, and was -therefore irresistible in battle. The people of Zu—who, it appeared, -had been as well-trained in thoughtlessness as their rivals in Wu—had -been greatly impressed by such reports, which they never thought of -questioning, particularly as the stories were circulated by those -leading papers, the <i>Fizz</i> and the <i>Pratler</i>; and the consequence was -that a wave of fear was shooting through the country.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>To this day I am not certain just what changes occurred in that -disturbed land. Our own papers, of course, were scrupulously -unreliable, since a biased attitude was regarded as a patriotic duty; -nevertheless, I knew that there must be some kernel of truth amid all -the multitudes of rumors. Stories of riots and insurrections; stories -of anti-war demonstrations; stories of the citizens' open refusal to -go forth and be "turned over"; stories of a rebellion of the Third -Class against the First and Second—all these came to us in such a -continual stream that it was clear that something highly significant -was developing.</p> - -<p>Yet I was little prepared for the sequel when, on the fourth "wake" -since my departure for the "depths," we reached the actual war area. I -recognized the region easily enough, by the tremendous chasms, such as -the one which Clay and I had observed on our arrival in Wu; besides, -I could read everywhere the effects of warfare in the torn and broken -galleries, the corridors with walls blown out and with ceilings sagging -or fallen, the rutted and broken roads, threaded with deep gullies, and -the general effect of blackness and devastation, which had blotted out -every sign of human life.</p> - -<p>Now it was that I began to look eagerly for the enemy, who were -rumored to be in hiding hereabouts. My scouts pushed on ahead, being -told to report any sign of hostile activity; while I, pitching camp -in the wilderness at one corner of Nullnull, impatiently awaited that -engagement which would either "turn me over" or make my reputation -forever as the savior of Wu.</p> - -<p>But once more I was to be disappointed. It has been regarded as one of -the first principles of warfare, in all lands and ages, that, in order -to fight, one must have an enemy—and, in this case, where was the -enemy? Alas!—he could not be found! Had he undertaken a "strategical -retreat"? This seemed quite possible, for nowhere amid all that ravaged -land could we catch sight of a warrior of Zu. It now appeared that -we could take all Nullnull without any loss of life; but this, being -against all established precedents, which required a large "turnover," -would have gained me no glory. Hence I could do nothing but wait, -hoping that the men of Zu would be so obliging as to show themselves as -targets; and, while I waited, several more "wakes" dragged past, and -I was told that my own people were beginning to grumble at my want of -action and were demanding more definite "results."</p> - -<p>I was on the point of marching on, although much against my better -judgment (for I feared a trap), when one "wake" a courier dashed into -camp, breathless with haste, and demanded to see me at once. At first -the man was so agitated that his face, instead of being chalky-pale, -was flushed a deep scarlet; and, upon being ushered into my presence, -he was unable to do more than gasp out a few meaningless monosyllables.</p> - -<p>"Your Excellency—Excellency," he panted, when, having made deep -obeisance, he stood before my chair, streaming with perspiration. "Your -Excellency, I—I have just come from Zu!"</p> - -<p>"Yes—what of it?" I demanded.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Your Excellency—Your Abysmal Excellency, the most wonderful -news!" ejaculated my visitor, as by degrees he regained his breath. -"The most marvelous, most miraculous news!"</p> - -<p>"What news? Out with it!"</p> - -<p>Still panting, and with chest powerfully heaving, the man paused for a -moment, the better to regain control of himself.</p> - -<p>"Your Abysmal Excellency," he resumed, in a less excited manner, -although with his tense emotion still manifest, "I have just been -in Zu! I have seen what none of our countrymen have seen! The news -is still censored. But I know that I speak truth. There has been a -revolution in Zu!"</p> - -<p>"A revolution?" I cried, leaping to my feet, while my caller's -excitement began to take fire in me.</p> - -<p>"Indeed, Your Excellency, a great revolution! The people have risen up -and driven Oono Yuno, the old Dictator, from the throne. It was not -because of the war, Your Excellency. They say he did not give them the -right capsules to eat. And now they have a new Dictator."</p> - -<p>"New Dictator? Who may he be?"</p> - -<p>"I wish I knew, Your Excellency. Nobody seems to know. He calls himself -Rah the Righteous. He is said to have the strangest looks of any man in -the world."</p> - -<p>"What does he look like?" I demanded, growing more interested each -moment.</p> - -<p>My informant hesitated. An expression of fear shot across his face, now -growing chalky white once more. "You are sure that you will not punish -me, Your Excellency? The tales are so strange that you will not believe -them. I do not know if I believe them myself."</p> - -<p>"Come, tell me everything!" I insisted, half convinced that I was about -to hear some fairy story. "I will not have you punished."</p> - -<p>"Well, Your Excellency, I know you will laugh. No man like him has ever -been seen before. They say his eyes are blue. And his hair is red."</p> - -<p>"Eyes blue? Hair red?" I gasped. And I reeled backwards and felt -ready to collapse. Had not the Tan Trums assured me, long ago, that -red-haired natives were unheard of? And had not my lost friend Clay -boasted locks of a bright carrot hue?</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CHAPTER XXXI</h2> - -<h3>Rah the Righteous</h3> - - -<p>Hardly had the courier left when I hastily dictated a letter:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p><i>"To His Abysmal Excellency</i><br /> -Rah the Righteous<br /> -Dictator of Zu</p> - -<p>"<i>Whereas</i> our army has been maneuvering for wakes on the outskirts of -Nullnull, and has been unable to find any of your followers to turn -over, we conclude that your citizens are too craven to join us in -battle, and therefore demand that you cede the whole of Nullnull to us -immediately and unconditionally. Otherwise, beware!</p> - -<p class="ph2">"Belligerently yours,<br /> -Luma the Illustrious,<br /> -<i>Prime Dictator and High Potentate of Wu."</i></p> -</div> - -<p>This letter was, of course, duly written on the official stationery in -the handwriting of the court scribe, and was in the common language -used by both Wu and Zu. But underneath the formal message, to which I -affixed my signature with a flourish, I added the following words in -English:</p> - -<p>"For God's sake, Phil, is it you? If so, let's get together! Frank."</p> - -<p>Knowing that these words would convey no meaning unless the new -Dictator of Zu were my old friend, I hurriedly delivered the letter to -a messenger who, carrying the pink badge of neutrality, was allowed to -travel through enemy territory unmolested.</p> - -<p>Within a few hours, Rah the Righteous would have the communication; -hence it was with the utmost impatience that I waited. Meanwhile copies -of my message were sent to the <i>Blare</i> and the <i>Screamer,</i> which -printed it conspicuously, with laudatory comments on my "firmness" and -"courage" in dealing with Zu.</p> - -<p>Before the "wake" was over, the reply was in my hands:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> -<p><i>"To His Abysmal Excellency</i><br /> -Luma the Illustrious Dictator of Wu</p> - -<p>"<i>Whereas</i> I have just received your missive, and have read it with -astonishment at your effrontery, I refuse unqualifiedly to accept any -of your terms, and demand that you, for your own good, cede the whole -of Nullnull to us.</p> - -<p class="ph2">"Defiantly yours,<br /> -Rah the Righteous,<br /> -<i>Dictator Supreme and Sovereign Commander of Zu."</i></p> -</div> - -<p>It was with an amused smile that I read the above message. But what -a leap my heart gave, how I paused in startled delight and almost -cried out for joy at a little postscript, scribbled in English, in a -well-known handwriting:</p> - -<p>"Thank heaven, Frank, it's you! I'd given you up ages ago! Meet me -the beginning of tomorrow wake at the end of gallery C 341, at the -northeast end of Nullnull. Better come disguised. Phil."</p> - -<p>Still unable to overcome my astonishment at the prospective reunion -with my old friend, whom I had long lamented as lost, I passed a -sleepless night; and hours before the brightening camp-lights had -announced the beginning of the new "wake," I had risen from bed, -disguised myself by means of a steel helmet and a long flowing black -robe, and slipped away silently through the wilderness of galleries -that tunneled the borderland of Nullnull.</p> - -<p>I well knew that the adventure was not without its perils; -nevertheless, the hope of seeing Clay again more than sufficed to -overcome my fears. Guided by a flashlight, I kept on at a steady pace -through the darkness, until at length a welcome sign, stamped in the -rock of the cavern wall, informed me that I had reached gallery C 341.</p> - -<p>Down this thoroughfare, which wound tortuously, I proceeded at an -increasing pace, while my eyes explored the shadows in the hope of -encountering a well-known figure. But it seemed as if I had traveled -miles before finally the gallery came to a dead end just ahead, and I -stopped short, dismayed and baffled. My friend was not to be seen!</p> - -<p>Then, as I paused, removing my helmet for the sake of comfort and -wondering whether to retrace my steps, a vague shape withdrew from -the dimness behind a shelf of rock. At first, amid the blackness of -the cavern, illuminated only by my flashlight, the newcomer seemed -more like a ghost than a human being; while, startled by his eerie -appearance, and by his head and shoulders muffled in a heavy cape, I -hesitated to speak.</p> - -<p>But, even at that instant, a well-known voice rang through the air: -"Frank!"</p> - -<p>"Phil!" I called back; and, the next moment, we were gripping each -other's hands in a fervent clasp.</p> - -<p>I do not know how long we lingered there, bound in that delighted -handclasp, or clapping each other on the shoulders with affectionate -glee; while, overcome by emotion, we were too greatly stirred for -coherent speech.</p> - -<p>"Well, old fellow, let's have a look at you!" at last ejaculated Clay, -pulling out a flashlight and casting the rays full upon my face. "Say, -how you've changed! You're looking like your own grandfather!"</p> - -<p>"Years have gone by, you know," I returned, not pleased by this -compliment. "Now let's take a glance at you!"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Clay pulled down the mantle that had half hidden his features, and I -saw that his red locks were as abundant as ever—in fact, had grown -long as those of a bobbed-haired girl. He had also sprouted a full red -beard, which greatly added to his impressiveness, while his face had -subtly, unmistakably changed, and deeply graven lines along his cheeks -and brow bore evidence of recent suffering.</p> - -<p>"Say, old pal, I never expected to see you again this side of Saint -Peter's gate!" declared Clay, while I was examining his changed -features. "I thought the lightnings had got you long ago, in the battle -cavern, when we both ran for dear life!"</p> - -<p>"I thought they had got you! I never heard a word of you again till -yesterday!"</p> - -<p>"Nor I of you! By the devil—we're going to have a good time hearing -of each other's troubles! I've had my share, Frank! And you look as if -you've had yours!"</p> - -<p>"Oh, I've been all right," said I. "Let's hear your story first!"</p> - -<p>"No, yours first!" he insisted, and seemed so bent on having his -way that I yielded. Both of us took seats on a rocky ledge amid the -obscurity, and for the next twenty minutes I recited the highlights of -my recent adventures.</p> - -<p>"Jumping snakes, old fellow, but you've had a time of it!" exclaimed -Clay, when I had finished. "Ought to put it in a book when you get -back! But, at that, I don't think you've got me beat one whit!"</p> - -<p>"No? What happened to you?"</p> - -<p>Clay settled back on the ledge, as if seeking a more comfortable berth; -and it was a moment before he spoke. Meanwhile it seemed to me that I -saw, from behind a bend in the gallery, a sudden flutter of light, and -a suspicious shadow moving. But thinking this no more than a sentinel -on his rounds, I tried to dismiss it from my mind.</p> - -<p>"Well, old pal, let's go back to when we parted," Clay began his -narrative, with a reminiscent drawl. "Both of us were pretty much in -a hurry, with lightning bolts flashing all around and likely to knock -us to the other side of tomorrow. I remember scampering down the main -gallery, with the lightning just about missing me on every side; then -I dashed off down a side-gallery, where the lightning couldn't hit; -but I was so mightily scared that I ran till my legs gave out. Then -suddenly I noticed that you were gone, and it came to me that you had -either been hit, or else had dashed off down another side-gallery. So I -started back and lost my head so completely that I cried out, 'Frank! -Frank!' at the top of my voice. Well, I had to pay for that folly! -It wasn't a minute before I was surrounded by white-faced savages, -whooping like wild Indians; and they lost no time about tying me with -wire and carting me away. Later I learned, that they were war-scouts -from Zu, spying on their dear old enemies of Wu.</p> - -<p>"They bore me to their own country and threw me into a dungeon as a -prisoner of war. Once or twice they were on the point of executing me, -but my red hair interested them so much that they changed their minds -just in time to save my neck. Finally they decided to exhibit me in -a circus as a 'Wild man from Poko'—the name they give to the center -of the earth, where they thought I hailed from. But one day, owing to -my ability to see close at hand, I managed to pick the circus lock -and escaped. I turned my hair white by means of some stolen dye and -whitened my face also—then played highwayman, waylaying an obliging -old gentleman and forcing him to change clothes with me—so that I -could now pass as a native. By this time I had learned a good deal of -the language and was able to start life as a Third Class citizen, after -being sponsored by an agent of the Department of Public Unemployment, -who arranged to have me swallow the Oath of Fidelity and take a regular -job, in return for signing over my wages for the first hundred wakes."</p> - -<p>"So, after all, Zu doesn't seem very different from Wu," I commented.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Clay laughed. "From all I can make out," he observed, "they're as much -alike as the two halves of a split orange. Guess that's why they hate -each other so heartily."</p> - -<p>"Guess so," said I, while, as Clay settled back to resume his story, I -thought, for a second time, that I could see that mysterious light and -that strange shadowy form flitting across the darkness far down the -gallery.</p> - -<p>"My new work," continued my friend, "was as an employee of the -Synthetic Capsule Producers, who manufacture all the country's food. -By heaven!—how I loathed that job! All I had to do all day was to -mix vitamins in the bread-capsules, making sure that they got just -the right proportion of every vitamin from A to X. I didn't stick at -that long, however; being able to see close at hand, I made myself so -useful that I was promoted time after time, and after about a year -became a Second Class citizen. All the while I was looking for a -way to escape to the Overworld, but couldn't find any; also, I made -a thousand inquiries about you, but no one had ever heard of any -gray-eyed man like you. So I kept on working for the Capsule Producers, -who still kept promoting me, until at last I was General Distribution -Manager—which means that I had pretty much the freedom of the works, -without anything much to do except draw my pay. Then it was that I -started the Great Salt Revolt."</p> - -<p>"Great Salt Revolt?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, haven't you heard of it? About the biggest thing that ever -happened in Zu! All began through an accident, too, or rather, through -experiment. You see, it had struck me that these chalk-faces didn't put -salt enough in their food, and you know how I've always liked salt; so -one fine wake, when no one was looking, I emptied a few kegs of good -old sodium chloride into a batch of dough being made into capsules -for the whole country. The results were excellent, I thought—for the -first time since reaching Zu, I could eat dinner with relish. But the -natives didn't agree. You ought to have seen the faces they made when -they tasted those capsules. Some of them grew deadly sick—suffered -acute indigestion, convulsions, and other severe symptoms, for they had -been so long with only a bare pinch of salt that their systems couldn't -stand the added dose. I tell you, I never saw such wild times. There -was riot, insurrection, almost civil war! The people thought they'd -been poisoned, and they stormed about the Dictator's palace, crying, -'We want better food, better food, better food!' It was the funniest -thing I ever saw."</p> - -<p>"But, certainly, they could recognize the taste of salt!" I objected. -"And, besides, chemists could analyze the capsules."</p> - -<p>"No, they couldn't recognize the taste!" denied Clay. "They've always -had salt in such minute quantities that they don't know what it tastes -like. And as for the chemists—of course, they made the analysis, -but who would believe them? The people had been so well-trained in -thoughtlessness that they couldn't recognize the obvious. So they went -right on believing they'd been poisoned."</p> - -<p>"Even so," I argued, "what was to prevent the authorities from throwing -away the salted food and distributing new capsules?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing, nothing at all would prevent it!" Through the darkness, from -the ledge of rock where Clay sat, I heard a peal of laughter. "Nothing -at all to prevent it, Frank! They did just as you say! But they were -reckoning without me!"</p> - -<p>"Without you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, without me! You see, I had my own little game to play. It -had come to me that whoever controlled the food controlled the -country—and I was getting tired of a second-rate position. In my job -as General Distribution Manager, it was easy enough to get access to -the food vats—and I arranged to have a few more kegs of salt poured -into the capsule mixture every time as it was made.</p> - -<p>"Then how the sparks did fly! The people, hit in their most vital spot, -were in a revolutionary mood; already old Oono Yuno was tottering on -his throne. When I felt that it was about time to strike, I circulated -an anonymous letter, stating that I, and I alone, knew how to remove -the poison from the food—and offering to give a demonstration. I -won't weary you now, Frank, with the details; it's enough to say -that, when the people found that I could keep my promise and give -them unadulterated food, they hailed me as their savior, threw over -Oono Yuno and his party, whom they blamed for the bad capsules, and -installed me in his place as Dictator, pledged to a policy of 'No salt -in the bread!' So here I am! A wonderful sort of Dictator, don't you -think?"</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Once more Clay's laughter rang merrily through the darkness.</p> - -<p>"We're a beautiful pair of Dictators, Phil!" said I, joining in his -laughter.</p> - -<p>But my mirth was cut short abruptly, for did I not again see a -mysterious shadow shifting amid the dimness far down the gallery?</p> - -<p>Clay, however, could see nothing, though he strained his eyes in the -attempt. Dismissing the apparition as a creature of my imagination, he -slapped me heartily on the shoulder, and resumed. "Yes, old boy, we've -both struck our gait at last! A lovely couple of dictators! But say, -don't you know that we shouldn't meet like this for a friendly chat? -We're supposed to be enemies!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, deadly enemies!" I laughed, giving him a playful jab in the ribs.</p> - -<p>"If we were found together, it would be treason!" he went on, lightly. -"Dictators of rival countries aren't expected to be friends! It's -against all the rules!"</p> - -<p>"Well, I'll tell you, Phil," I urged, coming to the matter that was -closest to my heart, "we don't have to keep on breaking the rules. What -do you say if we both chuck this dictator job and make a dash for home -and the open air? I know all about the ventilation flues, and if we -tried the climb, by means of ropes—"</p> - -<p>Even through the shadows, I could see my friend shaking his head -disapprovingly. "Hold on there, just a minute, Frank! What the devil's -getting into you!" he interrupted, a little resentfully. "Here I am, -beginning to enjoy myself for the first time, and now you tell me to -leave! I've only been Dictator a few wakes, you know. I want to hang on -a while and find out what it feels like."</p> - -<p>"Oh, you'll find out, all right!" I predicted, remembering my own -experiences.</p> - -<p>"Besides," he pursued, in a little more somber tone, "don't you think -that we both ought to try to settle things down here before making our -get-away? I mean, about this war. What it's all about, I don't know—so -why not end it? Suppose we fix up a little treaty?"</p> - -<p>"A very good idea," I agreed.</p> - -<p>"We'll have to split up Nullnull between Wu and Zu about fifty-fifty. -Then we'll both claim a glorious victory, and the most thoughtless -patriots everywhere will be satisfied. First, of course, you and I will -have to conduct some diplomatic negotiations, couched in the deadliest -and dullest language. Then we'll meet formally as enemies, and sign the -treaty. After that, the war will be over, and everyone will go home -happy."</p> - -<p>"Splendid!" I approved. Yet already a suspicion crossed my mind that -not everything would work out as Clay had predicted.</p> - -<p>"Well, old fellow, I suppose I'd better get along back to my -followers," remarked my friend, as he rose from his ledge and took my -hand in a warm grip. "Might be missed if I stayed away too long. Guess -you're in the same boat yourself. Good-bye, old pal! See you again -soon!"</p> - -<p>How soon he was to see me, and under what distressing circumstances, -was a matter still beyond my knowing.</p> - -<p>Yet, as I started off again through the black recesses, the sight of a -shadowy shape and of a faint swaying light startled me once more like a -silent warning.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CHAPTER XXXII</h2> - -<h3>Toppling Thrones</h3> - - -<p>According to our agreement, the Dictator of Zu and I lost no time -about negotiating for peace. Our messages, true to the native custom, -were phrased in the most pompous and ponderous language, conveying -the impression that we disdained words of under six syllables; yet -we were not so ruled by formality that we lost sight of our object. -Within about thirty "wakes," we had come to the stage of arranging an -armistice; and Clay and I, meeting with great bluster and ceremony at -the border line of the two countries, but giving no sign of mutual -recognition except for an occasional sly wink, duly affixed our -signatures to the document which officially ended the war between Wu -and Zu.</p> - -<p>All this, however, was not quite so easy as it may sound. Both of us -were splashing in stormy waters—more stormy, perhaps, than either of -us realized. I was unable to keep close track of events in Zu, for the -waves were dashing so threateningly over my own head that I had no -time for outside affairs. But I was soon to learn how closely Clay's -experience paralleled mine.</p> - -<p>Never had any of my acts aroused such opposition as the attempt to -establish peace. Even the move to tax the First and Second Classes had -been less tempestuously received; the <i>Blare</i> and the <i>Screamer</i> openly -condemned me as "capitulating to the enemy," and were not silenced -even by my threat to suspend their publication; the people rose in -mass demonstrations, shouting "Down with Zu! Down with Zu!" I was the -recipient of innumerable petitions which warned against "Peace without -victory!" and protested that "No honorable settlement is possible until -the enemy turnover is double our own."</p> - -<p>At the same time, insidious propaganda was being passed by word of -mouth through every pit and gallery of the land. "What is to become -of the munition makers if we end the war?" it was asked. "They will -lose heavily on their investments." ... "Yes, and a million men will -be thrown out of work," it was added ... "Have we none of the ancient -hardihood of our fathers?" others would cry. "Do we pusillanimously -dread to be turned over?" ... "Let us not surrender until Nullnull -is wholly ours!" still others would shout. "We must make the world -safe for the First Class!" And, mingled with these cries, there were -exclamations about "The lofty ideals of the battle caves!" "The triumph -of thoughtlessness!" and "The turnover to end turnovers!" until the -people were in such a frenzy that nothing I said was able to reach them.</p> - -<p>I was fast approaching despair and was even debating whether it would -not be better to renew the war than to risk a revolution, when a series -of unprecedented events put an end to all my plans.</p> - -<p>Early one "wake" shortly after rising from a sleepless bed, I picked up -a copy of the <i>Screamer</i> and was greeted by news that, I fear, made my -eyes fairly bulge out of my head:</p> - -<div class="blockquot"> - -<p class="ph1">REBELLION IN ZU!</p> - -<p class="ph1"><i>Rah the Righteous Overthrown!</i></p> - -<p class="ph1"><i>Country in Turmoil!</i></p> - -<p>"A counter-revolution broke out yesterday in Zu, owing to charges of -military authorities that Dictator Rah the Righteous was betraying his -people into a disgraceful peace. Substantiating their accusations of -treason against the people's interests, they produced the testimony of -two sworn witnesses who asserted that one wake, shortly after Rah's -accession to power, they followed him as he made his way in disguise -into a remote gallery at the border line of Nullnull. There he held an -illicit conversation with one whom, they say, is high in the circles -of the Government of Wu; in fact, they claim to have identified the -second man as no less a personage than our own Dictator.</p> - -<p>"This tale, which can only be held to be a gross libel so far as Luma -the Illustrious is concerned, has been accepted without question by -the people of Zu. As a result, they have stormed the royal palace, -demanding resumption of the war and threatening the life of Rah the -Righteous, who is now known as Rah the Treasonous. Rah himself is -believed to have escaped, although there are reports that he was -lynched by an infuriated mob. The former Dictator, Oono Yuno, is said -to be on his way back to resume power."</p></div> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>It is impossible to describe with what emotion I read this account. -That the throne of Zu had cracked; that the Dictatorial power had been -split asunder; that the renewal of war was likely—all this appeared -as nothing; my one great, my overwhelming concern was with Clay. Where -was he now? Had he escaped the maddened multitude? Or was he already a -martyr to their bloodthirsty frenzy?</p> - -<p>With excited haste, I rushed to my secretary and gave orders that -scouts be sent out, and that if any one answering to the description of -the former Dictator of Zu was found, he was to be offered a sanctuary -in Wu. There seemed, it is true, small chance that he would be found; -but, in my terror for my friend's safety, I wished to leave no stone -unturned.</p> - -<p>Hardly had I issued my orders when one of my palace guards approached -with every evidence of excitement. After bowing to the floor in the -established manner, he addressed me hastily.</p> - -<p>"Your Abysmal Excellency, there is a vagabond outside who asks to -see you. I told him it was impossible, that you were tied up in a -conference; but he insisted until I had a mind to throw him into the -dungeon to cool his impatience. Finally he gave me a bit of paper, and -said that if I passed it to you, you would understand. He must be a -madman, Your Excellency, for the paper is filled with a meaningless -scrawl."</p> - -<p>"Let me see it!" I demanded as I fairly snatched at the rumpled -notepaper which the guard held out.</p> - -<p>I am sure that the man, thoughtless though he was trained to be, was -surprised to note the gasp of astonished joy with which I glanced at -the paper, and the agitated haste with which I demanded, "Quick! Show -the visitor in!"</p> - -<p>As the guard saluted and left, I began to pace rapidly back and forth, -while reading over and over again those few words in a handwriting I -knew so well!</p> - -<p>A minute later, a queer-looking figure entered the room. I do not -wonder that the guard had called him a vagabond; his robe was ripped -and torn in a hundred places, and here and there it was stained with -splashes of blood; a dark hood was drawn over his face, concealing -the hair and the features; his eyes looked out at me from behind -binoculars, such as were worn by near-sighted citizens; his long, -cone-shaped hat was battered and dented as if from a scuffle, and the -black glove was missing from his right hand.</p> - -<p>My visitor waited until the guard had left; then he removed his -binoculars and threw off his hood to reveal a figure familiar and yet -strange. For a moment I gaped in astonishment at that closely cropped -head and that face from which every vestige of a beard had been -shaved—at those eyes, deeply sunken as if from a sleepless vigil—at -the long, drawn features, with the worn and ravaged lines. "Phil!" I -exclaimed. "I hardly recognized you!"</p> - -<p>"No wonder!" he returned, wearily, as he sank down upon a chair, "I've -been through hell itself!"</p> - -<p>"But you're here at last! That's the main thing!" I rejoiced. "Heavens, -you don't know how worried I was!"</p> - -<p>"You don't know how worried <i>I</i> was, old pal!" he replied as he wiped -his perspiring brow and shook his shorn head dolefully. "I ought to -have taken your advice, Frank. This Dictator business doesn't agree -with me!"</p> - -<p>"How did you escape?" I inquired. "The paper says—"</p> - -<p>"Says that Rah the Righteous is about done?" he interrupted. "Well, -there isn't so very much left of him. There wouldn't have been even -mince meat if that mob had gotten me. It was a mighty close call."</p> - -<p>He paused, mopped his brow once more, and continued.</p> - -<p>"By God! When I heard the rabble streaming through the streets, crying -for my blood, you can believe me, old man, I was scared. I had to think -fast! I took just about the quickest shave of my life, cutting off my -red hair and whiskers. Then I pasted them on a dummy, which I placed -near the palace entrance. While the mob was storming the gates, trying -to get at that old scarecrow, I slipped on these binoculars and hood, -dressed in servant's clothes, went out by the back entrance, mixed with -the mob, and even joined in yelling, 'Down with Rah the Righteous!' and -finally escaped through a side-gallery and took a 'scootscoot' here. -I've been all night at it! At the border of Wu I had a tussle with some -sentries and laid three of them flat before I made my get-away. That -explains my nice society appearance, old pal."</p> - -<p>With a rueful grimace, he looked down at his torn, blood-spattered -clothes.</p> - -<p>"Well, don't mind that, Phil, old boy!" I said, coming to him and -slapping him heartily on the shoulder. "I'll look out for you now. -We've stuck together most of our lives, and I guess we can stick it out -just a little longer."</p> - -<p>Yet, even as I uttered these words, I realized how embarrassing it -would be for me to be found sheltering the runaway Dictator of Zu.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2>CHAPTER XXXIII</h2> - -<h3>Toward the Light</h3> - - -<p>It was only three "wakes" later when catastrophe struck.</p> - -<p>During the interval, I had been sheltering Clay the best I could, -trying to keep him disguised and hidden, laying out a future course of -action. Many were our hurried little talks in which we decided that -the only safety for either of us lay in the Overworld; however, since -premature flight would be worse than none at all, we were making our -plans coolly and deliberately. Already I had withdrawn the military -guard from the tubes; I had secreted a quantity of hooks, ropes, and -other climbing tackle at the base of one of the flues, which, I knew, -led upward to the Overworld; I had taken steps to secure quantities -of concentrated food, medical supplies, and other necessities, to be -strapped in knapsacks about our backs.</p> - -<p>But before these projects were complete, the tempest broke. Each day -I had seen it brewing more threateningly, and all my efforts against -it were fruitless. The report of the overthrow of the dictator of Zu -and the statement that he and I had been suspected of collusion had -taken dangerous fire in the public mind; demagogues, too numerous to -suppress, had risen to warn the people that I was "conspiring against -their interests"; and these charges, added to complaints about my -conclusion of an "inglorious peace," could not but have an effect upon -a public so far advanced in thoughtlessness as the people of Wu.</p> - -<p>Worst of all my visitor from Zu, on the third "wake" after his arrival, -had unwittingly betrayed me. It would be impossible, I knew, for -him to stay hidden forever; but I had hardly expected him to reveal -himself just when he did—not that I blame him. The whole affair was -an unfortunate accident; for when he came out of the rooms where I had -told him to remain, he had expected to find me alone. But alas! I was -just being interviewed by a reporter for the <i>Screamer</i>! Too late I saw -Clay, on whose face a stubbly red beard was again beginning to sprout. -Too late I motioned him to retreat. The knowing gleam in the eyes of -the reporter showed that he had seen all!</p> - -<p>To threaten the journalist, to offer him a bribe, would only have been -to make him more suspicious, and hence more dangerous; my only hope was -that he would misinterpret what he had seen. But in this hope I was -to be cheated. Only a few hours later, the <i>Screamer</i> appeared with -a special edition, describing the "mysterious stranger" seen in the -home of Luma the Illustrious—a stranger whose "foreign origin" was -evident from his queer appearance. It was stated that his eyes were of -an outlandish blue, and that his stubbly hair was faintly red—a color -attributed to only one man in all history. Could it be that the outcast -Dictator of Zu had found shelter beneath Luma's roof? Was Luma plotting -with Rah the Righteous against his own people?</p> - -<p>I have always held that the citizens of Wu cared little about Rah the -Righteous; but so perilously inflamed were they that it required no -more than a spark to set off the conflagration.</p> - -<p>The storm burst over me with cataclysmic suddenness, I had been -having one of my many little discussions with Clay, talking over old -times and planning for the future, when I heard a tremendous thumping -at the door. I opened it to admit one of the guards who entered in -such excitement that he forgot the customary formality of bowing -till his palm scraped the floor. His face, normally white, had grown -red with agitation; his hands fluttered; his salmon eyes gaped wide -with bewilderment and alarm. "Excellency!" he gasped. "Your Abysmal -Excellency! Quick! The mob! The mob! Come! Look! See! Quick!"</p> - -<p>"What's that?" I demanded, startled. "What about the mob?"</p> - -<p>"Come! Look! See!" he repeated, starting away down the long -greenish-yellow gallery.</p> - -<p>Exchanging frightened glances, Clay and I followed in silence until -we had reached the further end of the palace, where the guard lifted -a little slit of stone in one of the walls—a fragment barely an inch -across, just enough to permit us a peep through the thick partition, -while keeping us safe from observation.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Instantly a confusion of savage cries came to our ears—cries fierce, -shrill, blood-curdling as the war-shouts of embattled Apaches. "Down -with Luma! Down with Luma! Down with Luma! Lynch him! Stab him! -Massacre him!" I heard, mingled with yells of, "Back with Thuno Flâtum! -Back with Thuno Flâtum! Long live Thuno Flâtum!" And, peering through -the little slit in the wall, I witnessed a sight that made my heart -give a ferocious leap and my hair prickle as if ready to stand on end.</p> - -<p>Back and forth, through the gallery outside, an excited throng was -parading. Hundreds deep, they moved with a swarming fury; their eyes -showed fierce and bloodshot in the greenish-yellow light; their arms -swung through the air with vehement gesticulations. Some brandished -sticks and poles frenziedly; some held ropes coiled into nooses; some -waved faggots ready for lighting, while all, as if possessed by demons, -howled over and over again that bloodthirsty refrain, "Down with Luma! -Down with Luma! Down with Luma! Kill the traitor! Murder him! Turn him -over!"</p> - -<p>At the same time, there came a tremendous battering sound from one -corner of the wall—a sound as of a sledgehammer striking.</p> - -<p>"They're pounding down the gates!" whispered the guard as he hastily -shoved the slit of stone into place again. "Can't hold them back much -longer!"</p> - -<p>"Can't hold them back!" I moaned agreement, knowing that no wild beast -was more to be feared than that mad rabble. And then, frantically -turning to Clay, who stood watching with eyes half popping out of his -head in horror, I screamed, "Come! There's no time to lose!"</p> - -<p>At sprinting speed, we ran back through the gallery, then down a -side-passage beneath the palace, where we paused long enough to -secure provisions and disguise ourselves—Clay by assuming again the -garb in which he had escaped from Zu, and I by smearing my face with -white powder, exchanging my royal clothes for a plain black robe, and -covering my eyes with dark glasses.</p> - -<p>Already, from the palace above us, we could hear the screaming of the -mob.</p> - -<p>"They've broken in!" I muttered. "In a minute they'll be down here!"</p> - -<p>"Let's be off!" he nodded; and while the howling of the multitude grew -louder, we started off down a dark and winding tunnel sloping deep -underground.</p> - -<p>Neither of us spoke as we hastened along, scarcely daring to turn on a -flashlight to guide us. But well enough we knew our destination—the -base of the ventilating flue, where we had concealed the climbing -tackle by which we hoped to reach the Overworld.</p> - -<p>In a straight line, this point was not far; but, in order to avoid -detection, we had to circle miles out of our way, through obscure and -little-used corridors. Hence hours passed before we had approached the -safety point. And then, for a few minutes, we had to face a greater -peril. Separating us from the ventilation flue was a stretch of a more -frequented avenue, from which neither of us might easily escape.</p> - -<p>Yet, there being no choice, we faced the danger resolutely, and, -trusting to our disguise, stepped boldly out of hiding.</p> - -<p>Emerging into the wider thoroughfare, we found the people crowding back -and forth excitedly; but, fortunately, none seemed to take notice of -us. The "scootscoots" rushed hither and thither as crazily as ever, -several of them missing us by inches; while a newsgirl raced here -and there squeaking furiously, "Latest <i>Screamer</i>! Buy the latest -<i>Screamer</i>! Super-super-super-extra-extra-extra! Great revolution! -Luma the Illustrious abdicates! Thuno Flâtum restored to power! -Super-super-super-extra-extra-extra!"</p> - -<p>"Super-extra-extra! Buy the latest <i>Blare</i>!" I heard from another side. -"War with Zu breaks out again! Thuno Flâtum sends troops to the depths! -Huge turnover! Subterrain attacks renewed! Buy the latest <i>Blare</i>! -Super-extra-extra!"</p> - -<p>As if to emphasize the truth of these words, we caught a glimpse of -marching helmeted forms, hundreds upon hundreds, tramping with a -prancing military motion along a side-gallery, while over them the -green and vermilion banners demonstratively waved.</p> - -<p>At the same time, a turn in the gallery enabled us to glance into -the mile-deep vastness of a prodigious chasm, such as we had seen -on arriving in the Underworld. Far beneath us, in the eerie depths, -we observed multitudes of tiny forms, drawn up in military columns -and regiments; while from the walls of the abyss, great shafts of -lightning, white and violet and orange and green, began to dart to the -accompaniment of portentous thunders.</p> - -<p>But all these sounds and sights were swept from our consciousness by -demonstrations of a still more alarming nature. Straight toward us, -from down the gallery, a swarm of Third Class citizens came flocking, -thousands deep, wielding spears and ropes and clubs, while they -hoarsely shouted.</p> - -<p>"Down with Luma the Illustrious! Down with Luma! Grab the traitor! Tear -him to bits! Gouge out his heart! Turn him over! Down with him! Down -with him! Down with him!"</p> - -<p>"Quick!" I whispered to Clay, and we slid across the avenue and into -a smaller gallery which, a few yards farther on, gave access to the -ventilating flue.</p> - -<p>"Down with Luma! Down with Luma! Lynch the coward! Tear him to -bits! Down with him! Down with him! Turn him over!" I heard the mob -repeating, with rising fury, as the ventilating lid slammed to a close -above our heads—and the multitude, not observing us, went shouting on -its way down the avenue.</p> - -<p>The next moment Clay and I had seized the ropes and hooks and had begun -the climb back to the Overworld.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>There is no need to dwell upon our adventures when, tied together with -ropes like mountain climbers, we accomplished the ascent through the -air-tubes. Several hours later, thanks to my expert knowledge of the -ventilation system, we had wearily reached the outlet, and, for the -first time in years, stood beneath the open sky, blinking in the bright -sunlight and exposing our skin to the luxury of the breeze....</p> - -<p>It was days later when we reached civilization. For scores of miles -we made our way, scarcely knowing where, across the sagebrush barrens -of the Nevada desert; and had we not found water by melting the snow -from the sunless shelves of the peaks, while nourishing our bodies by -concentrated food capsules from Wu, we would not have survived to tell -the story. Even as it was, we had reached the last stages of exhaustion -when, tattered and torn, with our food exhausted and our faces covered -with a ragged growth of beard, we stumbled into a mining camp near -the California border. The startled miners had the surprise of their -lives when two strangers, still dressed fantastically in the pointed -hats and black skirts of Wu, suddenly made their appearance; and it is -not surprising that we were mistaken for madmen and that our story was -greeted with derisive laughter.</p> - -<p>But now that we have been restored to our homes and friends and -are once more full of life and activity, I do not hesitate to make -the facts public, so that the world may know of the unsuspected -civilization inhabiting the chasms beneath the Nevada desert. It is -the purpose of Clay and myself to lead an expedition back to Wu and -Zu, so that we may fathom their miraculous scientific secrets, many -of which we have been unable to penetrate; and it is our hope that we -may set forth at an early date, for we do not know how soon, in their -renewed strife over Nullnull, the people of the Underworld may blow -themselves out of existence, leaving no more than their blackened -labyrinths and crumbling galleries to prove that they ever have lived.</p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN CAVERNS BELOW ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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