Another voice, which Tommy fancied was that of the tall,commanding-looking man whose face had seemed familiar to him, said:
“Think of the feelings of Belfast if they could hear you!”
“That is settled, then,” said the sibilant tones. “Now, in the matterof the loan to an English newspaper, you have arranged the detailssatisfactorily, Boris?”
“I think so.”
“That is good. An official denial from Moscow will be forthcoming ifnecessary.”
There was a pause, and then the clear voice of the German broke thesilence:
“I am directed by--Mr. Brown, to place the summaries of the reportsfrom the different unions before you. That of the miners is mostsatisfactory. We must hold back the railways. There may be trouble withthe A.S.E.”
For a long time there was a silence, broken only by the rustle of papersand an occasional word of explanation from the German. Then Tommy heardthe light tap-tap of fingers, drumming on the table.
“And--the date, my friend?” said Number One.
“The 29th.”
The Russian seemed to consider:
“That is rather soon.”
“I know. But it was settled by the principal Labour leaders, and wecannot seem to interfere too much. They must believe it to be entirelytheir own show.”
The Russian laughed softly, as though amused.
“Yes, yes,” he said. “That is true. They must have no inkling that weare using them for our own ends. They are honest men--and that is theirvalue to us. It is curious--but you cannot make a revolution withouthonest men. The instinct of the populace is infallible.” He paused, andthen repeated, as though the phrase pleased him: “Every revolution hashad its honest men. They are soon disposed of afterwards.”
There was a sinister note in his voice.
The German resumed:
“Clymes must go. He is too far-seeing. Number Fourteen will see tothat.”
There was a hoarse murmur.
“That’s all right, gov’nor.” And then after a moment or two: “SupposeI’m nabbed.”
“You will have the best legal talent to defend you,” replied theGerman quietly. “But in any case you will wear gloves fitted with thefinger-prints of a notorious housebreaker. You have little to fear.”
“Oh, I ain’t afraid, gov’nor. All for the good of the cause. The streetsis going to run with blood, so they say.” He spoke with a grim relish.“Dreams of it, sometimes, I does. And diamonds and pearls rolling aboutin the gutter for anyone to pick up!”
Tommy heard a chair shifted. Then Number One spoke:
“Then all is arranged. We are assured of success?”
“I--think so.” But the German spoke with less than his usual confidence.
Number One’s voice held suddenly a dangerous quality:
“What has gone wrong?”
“Nothing; but----”
“But what?”
“The Labour leaders. Without them, as you say, we can do nothing. Ifthey do not declare a general strike on the 29th----”
“Why should they not?”
“As you’ve said, they’re honest. And, in spite of everything we’vedone to discredit the Government in their eyes, I’m not sure that theyhaven’t got a sneaking faith and belief in it.”
“But----”
“I know. They abuse it unceasingly. But, on the whole, public opinionswings to the side of the Government. They will not go against it.”
Again the Russian’s fingers drummed on the table.
“To the point, my friend. I was given to understand that there was acertain document in existence which assured success.”
“That is so. If that document were placed before the leaders, t
he resultwould be immediate. They would publish it broadcast throughout England,and declare for the revolution without a moment’s hesitation. TheGovernment would be broken finally and completely.”
“Then what more do you want?”
“The document itself,” said the German bluntly.
“Ah! It is not in your possession? But you know where it is?”
“No.”
“Does anyone know where it is?”
“One person--perhaps. And we are not sure of that even.”
“Who is this person?”
“A girl.”
Tommy held his breath.
“A girl?” The Russian’s voice rose contemptuously. “And you have notmade her speak? In Russia we have ways of making a girl talk.”
“This case is different,” said the German sullenly.
“How--different?” He paused a moment, then went on: “Where is the girlnow?”
“The girl?”
“Yes.”
“She is----”
But Tommy heard no more. A crashing blow descended on his head, and allwas darkness.