Part 17 (2/2)

Lest His chosen race be contaminated by the swinish herds of the mongrel nations G.o.d called upon His people to relinquish for a time the fruits of conquest, that they might be further purged by science and become a pure-bred race of super-men.

”That purification has been accomplished for every German is bred and trained by science as ordained by G.o.d. There are no longer any mongrels among the men of Germany, for every one of you is created for his special purpose and every German is fitted for his particular place as a member of the super-race.

”The time now draws near when the final purpose of our good old German G.o.d is to be fulfilled. The day of this fulfilment is known unto me. The sun which s.h.i.+nes upon this throne is but a symbol of that which has been denied you while all these things were being made ready. But now the day draws near when you shall, under my leaders.h.i.+p, rule over the world and the mongrel peoples. And to each of you shall be given a place in the sun.”

The voice had ceased. A great stillness hung over the mult.i.tude. Eitel I, Emperor of the Germans, threw back his cape and drew his sword. With a sweeping flourish he slashed the paper globe in twain.

From the myriad throated throng came a reverberating shout that rolled and echoed through the vaulted catacomb. The crimson curtain dropped.

The shutters were thrown athwart the reflected beam of sunlight. The lights of man again glowed pale amidst the maze of columns.

Singing and marching, the men filed toward the elevators. The guards urged haste to clear the way, for the G.o.d of the Germans could not stay the march of the sun across the roof of Berlin, and a score of paper globes must yet be slashed for other shouting mult.i.tudes before the sun's last gleam be twisted down to s.h.i.+ne upon a king.

~2~

Although the working hours of the day were scarcely one-fourth gone, it was impossible for me to return to my laboratory for the lighting current was shut off for the day. I therefore decided to utilize the occasion by returning the geography which I had rescued from Bertha.

Dr. Zimmern's invitation to make use of his library had been cordial enough, but its location in Marguerite's apartment had made me a little reticent about going there except in the Doctor's company. Yet I did not wish to admit to Zimmern my sensitiveness in the matter--and the geography had been kept overlong.

This occasion being a holiday, I found the resorts on the Level of Free Women crowded with merrymakers. But I sought the quieter side streets and made my way towards Marguerite's apartment.

”I thought you would be celebrating today,” she said as I entered.

”I feel that I can utilize the time better by reading,” I replied.

”There is so much I want to learn, and, thanks to Dr. Zimmern, I now have the opportunity.”

”But surely you are to see the Emperor in the Place in the Sun,” said Marguerite when she had returned the geography to the secret shelf.

”I have already seen him,” I replied, ”my ticket was for the first performance.”

”It must be a magnificent sight,” she sighed. ”I should so love to see the sunlight. The pictures show us His Majesty's likeness, but what is a picture of sunlight?”

”But you speak only of a reflected beam; how would you like to see real suns.h.i.+ne?”

”Oh, on the roof of Berlin? But that is only for Royalty and the roof guards. I've tried to imagine that, but I know that I fail as a blind man must fail to imagine colour.”

”Close your eyes,” I said playfully, ”and try very hard.”

Solemnly Marguerite closed her eyes.

For a moment I smiled, and then the smile relaxed, for I felt as one who scoffs at prayer.

”And did you see the sunlight?” I asked, as she opened her eyes and gazed at me with dilated pupils.

”No,” she answered hoa.r.s.ely, ”I only saw man-light as far as the walls of Berlin, and beyond that it was all empty blackness--and it frightens me.”

”The fear of darkness,” I said, ”is the fear of ignorance.”

”You try,” and she reached over with a soft touch of her finger tips on my closing eyelids. ”Now keep them closed and tell me what you see. Tell me it is not all black.”

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