Part 28 (1/2)
”Because you said a moment ago that it was your business to be six hours ahead of everyone else. You're countless centuries behind Harden and me.
We have taken a leap into the future. If you want to know what humanity will be, look at us closely. You'll get some hints that should be valuable. I admit that our bodies are old-fas.h.i.+oned in their size and shape, but not our emotions.”
The telephone bell rang in the hall and Jason jumped up.
”I think that's for me.”
He went out. I remained sitting calmly in my chair. An absolute serenity surrounded me. All that Jason did or said was like looking at an interesting play. I was perfectly content to sit and think--think of Jason, of what his motives were, of the reason why a man is blind where his desires are at work, of the new life, of the new organizations that would be necessary. I was like a glutton before a table piled high with delicacies and with plenty of time to spare. Sarakoff seemed to be in the same condition for he lay with his eyes half shut, motionless and absorbed.
Jason entered the room suddenly. He carried his hat and stick.
”Two more murders reported from Greenwich, and ten from Birmingham. It's becoming serious, Harden! I'm off to Downing Street. Watch the morning editions!”
CHAPTER XXIII
AT DOWNING STREET
That night, at eight o'clock, I was summoned to Downing Street. I left Sarakoff lying on the sofa, apparently asleep. I drove the first part of the way in a taxi, but at the corner of Orchard Street the cab very nearly collided with another vehicle, and in a moment I was a helpless creature of fear. So I walked the rest of the way, much to the astonishment of the driver, who thought I was a lunatic. It was a fine crisp evening and the streets were unusually full. Late editions of the paper were still being cried, and under the lamps were groups of people, talking excitedly.
From what I could gather from s.n.a.t.c.hes of conversation that I overheard, it seemed that many thought the millennium was at hand. I mused on this, wondering if beneath the busy exterior of life there lurked in people's hearts a secret imperishable conviction. And, after all, was it not a millennium--the final triumph of science--the conquest of the irrational by the rational?
There was a good deal of drunkenness, and crowds of men and women, linked arm and arm, went by, singing senseless songs. In Piccadilly Circus the scene was unusually animated. Here, beyond doubt, the Jason press had produced a powerful impression. The restaurants and bars blazed with light. Crowds streamed in and out and a spirit of hilarious excitement pervaded everyone. Irresponsibility--that was the universal att.i.tude; and I became deeply occupied in thinking how the germ should have brought about such a temper in the mult.i.tude. Only occasionally did I catch the blue stain in the eyes of the throng about me.
I reached Downing Street and was shown straight into a large, rather bare room. By the fireplace sat Jason, and beside him, on the hearthrug, stood the Premier. Jason introduced me and I was greeted with quiet courtesy.
”I intend to make a statement in the House to-night and would like to put a few questions to you,” said the Premier in a slow clear voice.
”The Home Secretary has been considering whether you and Dr. Sarakoff should be arrested. I see no use in that. What you have done cannot be undone.”
”That is true.”
”In matters like this,” he continued, ”it is always a question of taking sides. Either we must oppose you and the germ, or we must side with you, and extol the virtues of the new discovery. A neutral att.i.tude would only rouse irritation. I have therefore looked into the evidence connected with the effects claimed for the germ, and have received reports on the rate of its spread. It would seem that it is of benefit to man, so far as can be judged at present, and that its course cannot be stayed.”
I a.s.sented, and remained gazing abstractedly at the fire.
He continued in a sterner tone--
”It may, however, be necessary to place you and Dr. Sarakoff under police protection. There is no saying what may happen. Your action in letting loose the germ in the water supply of Birmingham was unfortunate. You have taken a great liberty with humanity, whatever may result from it.”
”Medical men have no sense of proportion,” murmured Jason. ”Science makes them so helpless.”
”I see no kind of helplessness in rescuing humanity from disease,” I answered calmly. ”Please tell me what you want to know.”
They both looked at me attentively. The Premier took out a pair of pince-nez and began to clean the lenses, still watching me.
”France is unwilling to let the germ into her territory. Can measures be taken to stop its access to the Continent?”
”No. It will get there inevitably. It has probably got there long ago.
It is air borne and water borne and probably sea borne as well. The whole world will be infected sooner or later. There is no immunity possible.”