Argosy, Vol. 117, No. 2 — page 102: what you’re looking at

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252 © over in boats, but if they took every soul on the place there would only be a score, and of them only Zorn would be of con- sequence—”’ “And the girl—that one who took your -faney?”’ Alda suggested. Fortune looked secretly uneasy. . ‘But suppose you did take them,” he hurried on. ‘There is no satisfactory proof of their intention—” | ‘““ Proof enough to have them all killed.” “Yes, but not to convince the Tower People and the Directorate as they must be convinced, of your ability to rule! Give the Directorate a demonstration of your foresight. See, the Comrades must finally appeal to the Folk for support. That will mean a meeting somewhere here on Man- hattan. When that is held they will all be together. Take officers of the Directorate to the place with you. Let them see and hear for themselves. Then, when you strike, they will understand and applaud you.” “My friend,” Alda smiled shrewdly. “You already know that such a meeting is to be held soon.” ‘“‘ [—I—-yes, I do.” “You did not tell me that!”’ “No, I did not. I—” Fortune hesitated to tell his reason. Frankly, it was due to a certain hesitancy’ in revealing the de- tailed plans of Zorn and Mary. True, he had made no promise of secrecy, yet he felt an obligation. To him the obligation appeared absurd enough, but somewhere within him a conscience was developing, and sometimes it disturbed him with alarming pangs. Now, he realized, was the time to slaugh- ter this conscience once and for all, at least so far as it concerned itself with Zorn and Mary and the Folk. Before his eyes had been dangled a prize beyond his rosiest hope; and the spell of Alda had enmeshed him. ‘“ Win!” counseled his mind. “ Strike boldly. Take everything; Alda and power for your satisfaction, and Mary for your love. Be bold.” . ‘“‘ But I know their plans,” he completed his sentence. ‘‘A great meeting in the ruined tunnels will be held the fourth day THE ARGOSY. of next month. Zorn will be there—all of them! And the Folk will be there, practi- cally every soul in the Under City. Strike then! Strike quickly, take them by sur- prise, put this rebellion dewn, ana your power is certain. The Directorate cannot deny you. Frederick will have no hand in this.” ‘“ Yes,” Alda nodded, “‘ you are right. I will tell Wolff—oh, of course, he must be told! He has the power now. It must be done in his name. But, as you say, the credit will be ours. It can be managed In such a way that Frederick will know noth- ing until he hears we have won. The Di- rectorate will not dare deny us then, when we have proved our power to rule!” “Shall you tell Wolff?” “No, we two. We're comrades now, we'll act together. You are sure of your information?”’ “ Absolutely.” ‘“ Then we'll lose no time about it. To- night—”’ ‘“To-night!” Fortune could not have explained why he shrank from the final act. Probably that troublesome conscience was not yet thoroughly drugged—and yet the affairs of the Folk were no affairs of his. They went to Wolff. Fortune retold his story of the revolution and Alda made her argument. Pale morning was revealing the rumed walls of ancient New York when Fortune left Wolff’s Tower. Although he had reached almost in one stride the goal he had scarcely dared dream he would ever attain, he felt no elation. He was very tired. Toward the Great Towerman, who had revealed in this crisis of government so much of the indecision that was fatal to his success, Fortune felt only peevish contempt. For Alda, had twisted her father skilfully to her own pur- pose he had a certain respect based on fear. In that gray morning all of Alda’s charm had vanished from memory. He saw only an ambitious and resourceful woman whose promises he must accept at face value; who must be watched always lest she bargain better than he did. And of himself, Fortune had, somehow, a poor opinion, indeed. (To be continued NEXT WEEK.) GoOmicbooks (C@)