Read Online The Great Game by Michael Kurland - Free Book Online Page B

more surely than iron chains!' "
     
                  While Mandl throbbed on, the Ferret slunk outside, saw Hessenkopf, screeched , "My god! That uniform!" and immediately grabbed Hessenkopf and pulled him around the corner of the building. Paul could hear the muffled voice of the Ferret evidently bawling out Hessenkopf, but he couldn't make out what was being said. He thought of sneaking over to listen, but decided it wouldn't be wise. In a minute the Ferret came back, paused to glare at Paul, and went on to the meeting room. Hessenkopf did not return.
     
                  After Mandl had finished and sat down, the group ardently discussed the manifesto. What their argument lacked in logic it made up for in fervor, which increased as the discussion hopped from member to member. They spoke of man's inhumanity to man, and touched on man's inhumanity to woman and child. They dissected the inherent contradictions in the capitalist system that must surely cause its downfall. They reviewed the inherent evils of monarchy and agreed bitterly that kings would never voluntarily vacate their thrones.
     
                  These things, they agreed, made it necessary to agitate the masses, who were too mired in their own misery ever to agitate themselves. Strong measures must be taken to make the lumpen proletariat aware of its own helplessness, of the need for change. Eggs must be broken so that the omelet of social justice might be achieved.
     
                  Then on to the business of the night. Paul was called into the meeting room, where the entire group once again renewed their anarchic vows, raising their right hands and swearing never to reveal the secrets of the organization, under pain of death. They swore to obey the orders of their leaders, which Paul found particularly amusing for an organization of anarchists, but he did not smile. Then the new members were taken aside and taught the elements of the anarchists' cipher, which was not a cipher but a book code based on the Lutheran Bible. Then they all went around the room, shaking hands with each other, replying "Anarchy and revolution!" to each murmured salutation of "Justice and equality!"
     
                  Number One smiled, not an attractive sight. "With this renewal of our vows we once again pledge to fight to liberate the slaves from their masters, the working men from their bosses, the governed from the evil hand of government," he said. "I trust you will prove to be brave and resourceful." He turned and pointed to Paul. "Number Thirty-seven, there is a message that must be delivered." He pulled a large envelope from an inner pocket of his jacket and appeared to consider for a moment before saying, "In the name of the League I entrust you with this letter."
     
                  Paul took the envelope. Number One handed him a slip of paper. "Here's the address. Memorize it and destroy the paper. Deliver it as soon as possible, and only to the person named."
     
                  "Now?"
     
                  "Yes, now. Tonight. You're not afraid of the dark, are you?"
     
                  Paul grinned. Was that sarcasm or solicitude? No matter. He stared at the paper for a moment and then handed it back to Number One. "You destroy the paper. I'll go."
     
                  Paul left the cellar, climbed up the half flight of stairs to the alley entrance, and paused to think. The address was across town, and there was a cab rank at the corner of Bosestrasse, a few blocks away, but a good long walk would be just the thing to clear his head. He paused to button his coat up to the neck and then strode off down the street.
     
                  Inside the cellar room Number One nodded at the man in the gentleman's disguise, and he and one of the sneak-thief trio left and fell in behind Paul. They kept at least a block away and alternated which was closest,