第17章

SirLauncelotgotupsteam,heandIloadedupthekettlewithunslakedlimeandcarbolicacid,withatouchoflacticacidaddedthereto,thenfilledthethingupwithwaterandinsertedthesteam-spoutunderthecanopy.

Everythingwasship-shapenow,andwesatdownoneithersideofthecribtostandourwatch.Sandywassogratefulandsocomfortedthatshechargedacoupleofchurch-wardenswithwillow-barkandsumach-tobaccoforus,andtoldustosmokeasmuchaswepleased,itcouldn"tgetunderthecanopy,andshewasusedtosmoke,beingthefirstladyinthelandwhohadeverseenacloudblown.Well,therecouldn"tbeamorecontentedorcomfortablesightthanSirLauncelotinhisnoblearmorsittingingraciousserenityattheendofayardofsnowychurch-warden.Hewasabeautifulman,alovelyman,andwasjustintendedtomakeawifeandchildrenhappy.But,ofcourseGuenever——however,it"snousetocryoverwhat"sdoneandcan"tbehelped.

Well,hestoodwatch-and-watchwithme,rightstraightthrough,forthreedaysandnights,tillthechildwasoutofdanger;thenhetookherupinhisgreatarmsandkissedher,withhisplumesfallingabouthergoldenhead,thenlaidhersoftlyinSandy"slapagainandtookhisstatelywaydownthevasthall,betweentheranksofadmiringmen-at-armsandmenials,andsodisappeared.AndnoinstinctwarnedmethatIshouldneverlookuponhimagaininthisworld!Lord,whataworldofheart-breakitis.

Thedoctorssaidwemusttakethechildaway,ifwewouldcoaxherbacktohealthandstrengthagain.Andshemusthavesea-air.Sowetookaman-of-war,andasuiteoftwohundredandsixtypersons,andwentcruisingabout,andafterafortnightofthiswesteppedashoreontheFrenchcoast,andthedoctorsthoughtitwouldbeagoodideatomakesomethingofastaythere.Thelittlekingofthatregionofferedushishospitalities,andweweregladtoaccept.Ifhehadhadasmanyconveniencesashelacked,weshouldhavebeenplentycomfortableenough;evenasitwas,wemadeoutverywell,inhisqueeroldcastle,bythehelpofcomfortsandluxuriesfromtheship.

AttheendofamonthIsentthevesselhomeforfreshsupplies,andfornews.Weexpectedherbackinthreeorfourdays.Shewouldbringme,alongwithothernews,theresultofacertainexperimentwhichIhadbeenstarting.Itwasaprojectofminetoreplacethetournamentwithsomethingwhichmightfurnishanescapefortheextrasteamofthechivalry,keepthosebucksentertainedandoutofmischief,andatthesametimepreservethebestthinginthem,whichwastheirhardyspiritofemulation.Ihadhadachoicebandoftheminprivatetrainingforsometime,andthedatewasnowarrivingfortheirfirstpubliceffort.

Thisexperimentwasbaseball.Inordertogivethethingvoguefromthestart,andplaceitoutofthereachofcriticism,Ichosemyninesbyrank,notcapacity.Therewasn"taknightineitherteamwhowasn"tascepteredsovereign.Asformaterialofthissort,therewasaglutofitalwaysaroundArthur.Youcouldn"tthrowabrickinanydirectionandnotcrippleaking.Ofcourse,Icouldn"tgetthesepeopletoleaveofftheirarmor;theywouldn"tdothatwhentheybathed.Theyconsentedtodifferentiatethearmorsothatabodycouldtelloneteamfromtheother,butthatwasthemosttheywoulddo.So,oneoftheteamsworechain-mailulsters,andtheotherworeplatearmormadeofmynewBessemersteel.TheirpracticeinthefieldwasthemostfantasticthingIeversaw.Beingball-proof,theyneverskippedoutoftheway,butstoodstillandtooktheresult;

whenaBessemerwasatthebatandaballhithim,itwouldboundahundredandfiftyyardssometimes.Andwhenamanwasrunning,andthrewhimselfonhisstomachtoslidetohisbase,itwaslikeaniron-cladcomingintoport.AtfirstIappointedmenofnoranktoactasumpires,butIhadtodiscontinuethat.Thesepeoplewerenoeasiertopleasethanothernines.

Theumpire"sfirstdecisionwasusuallyhislast;theybrokehimintwowithabat,andhisfriendstotedhimhomeonashutter.Whenitwasnoticedthatnoumpireeversurvivedagame,umpiringgottobeunpopular.SoI

wasobligedtoappointsomebodywhoserankandloftypositionunderthegovernmentwouldprotecthim.

Herearethenamesofthenines:BESSEMERSULSTERS

KINGARTHUR.EMPERORLUCIUS.

KINGLOTOFLOTHIAN.KINGLOGRIS.

KINGOFNORTHGALIS.KINGMARHALTOFIRELAND.

KINGMARSIL.KINGMORGANORE.

KINGOFLITTLEBRITAIN.KINGMARKOFCORNWALL.

KINGLABOR.KINGNENTRESOFGARLOT.

KINGPELLAMOFLISTENGESE.KINGMELIODASOFLIONES.

KINGBAGDEMAGUS.KINGOFTHELAKE.

KINGTOLLEMELAFEINTES.THESOWDANOFSYRIA.

Umpire——CLARENCE.Thefirstpublicgamewouldcertainlydrawfiftythousandpeople;andforsolidfunwouldbeworthgoingaroundtheworldtosee.Everythingwouldbefavorable;itwasbalmyandbeautifulspringweathernow,andNaturewasalltailoredoutinhernewclothes.

AConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur"sCourt-Chapter41Chapter41-TheInterdictHOWEVER,myattentionwassuddenlysnatchedfromsuchmatters;ourchildbegantolosegroundagain,andwehadtogotosittingupwithher,hercasebecamesoserious.Wecouldn"tbeartoallowanybodytohelpinthisservice,sowetwostoodwatch-and-watch,dayinanddayout.Ah,Sandy,whatarightheartshehad,howsimple,andgenuine,andgoodshewas!

Shewasaflawlesswifeandmother;andyetIhadmarriedherfornootherparticularreasons,exceptthatbythecustomsofchivalryshewasmypropertyuntilsomeknightshouldwinherfrommeinthefield.ShehadhuntedBritainoverforme;hadfoundmeatthehanging-boutoutsideofLondon,andhadstraightwayresumedheroldplaceatmysideintheplacidestwayandasofright.IwasaNewEnglander,andinmyopinionthissortofpartnershipwouldcompromiseher,soonerorlater.Shecouldn"tseehow,butIcutargumentshortandwehadawedding.

NowIdidn"tknowIwasdrawingaprize,yetthatwaswhatIdiddraw.

WithinthetwelvemonthIbecameherworshiper;andourswasthedearestandperfectestcomradeshipthateverwas.Peopletalkaboutbeautifulfriendshipsbetweentwopersonsofthesamesex.Whatisthebestofthatsort,ascomparedwiththefriendshipofmanandwife,wherethebestimpulsesandhighestidealsofbotharethesame?Thereisnoplaceforcomparisonbetweenthetwofriendships;theoneisearthly,theotherdivine.

Inmydreams,alongatfirst,Istillwanderedthirteencenturiesaway,andmyunsatisfiedspiritwentcallingandharkingallupanddowntheunreplyingvacanciesofavanishedworld.ManyatimeSandyheardthatimploringcrycomefrommylipsinmysleep.Withagrandmagnanimityshesaddledthatcryofmineuponourchild,conceivingittobethenameofsomelostdarlingofmine.Ittouchedmetotears,anditalsonearlyknockedmeoffmyfeet,too,whenshesmiledupinmyfaceforanearnedreward,andplayedherquaintandprettysurpriseuponme:

"Thenameofonewhowasdeartotheeisherepreserved,heremadeholy,andthemusicofitwillabidealwayinourears.Nowthou"ltkissme,asknowingthenameIhavegiventhechild."

ButIdidn"tknowit,allthesame.Ihadn"tanideaintheworld;butitwouldhavebeencrueltoconfessitandspoilherprettygame;soI

neverleton,butsaid:

"Yes,Iknow,sweetheart——howdearandgooditisofyou,too!ButIwanttoheartheselipsofyours,whicharealsomine,utteritfirst——thenitsmusicwillbeperfect."

Pleasedtothemarrow,shemurmured:

"HELLO-CENTRAL!"

Ididn"tlaugh——Iamalwaysthankfulforthat——butthestrainrupturedeverycartilageinme,andforweeksafterwardIcouldhearmybonesclackwhenIwalked.Sheneverfoundouthermistake.Thefirsttimesheheardthatformofsaluteusedatthetelephoneshewassurprised,andnotpleased;

butItoldherIhadgivenorderforit:thathenceforthandforeverthetelephonemustalwaysbeinvokedwiththatreverentformality,inperpetualhonorandremembranceofmylostfriendandhersmallnamesake.Thiswasnottrue.Butitanswered.

Well,duringtwoweeksandahalfwewatchedbythecrib,andinourdeepsolicitudewewereunconsciousofanyworldoutsideofthatsick-room.

Thenourrewardcame:thecenteroftheuniverseturnedthecornerandbegantomend.Grateful?Itisn"ttheterm.ThereISN"Tanytermforit.

Youknowthatyourself,ifyou"vewatchedyourchildthroughtheValleyoftheShadowandseenitcomebacktolifeandsweepnightoutoftheearthwithoneall-illuminatingsmilethatyoucouldcoverwithyourhand.

Why,wewerebackinthisworldinoneinstant!Thenwelookedthesamestartledthoughtintoeachother"seyesatthesamemoment;morethantwoweeksgone,andthatshipnotbackyet!

InanotherminuteIappearedinthepresenceofmytrain.Theyhadbeensteepedintroubledbodingsallthistime——theirfacesshowedit.Icalledanescortandwegallopedfivemilestoahilltopoverlookingthesea.

Wherewasmygreatcommercethatsolatelyhadmadetheseglisteningexpansespopulousandbeautifulwithitswhite-wingedflocks?Vanished,everyone!

Notasail,fromvergetoverge,notasmoke-bank——justadeadandemptysolitude,inplaceofallthatbriskandbreezylife.

Iwentswiftlyback,sayingnotawordtoanybody.ItoldSandythisghastlynews.Wecouldimaginenoexplanationthatwouldbegintoexplain.

Hadtherebeenaninvasion?anearthquake?apestilence?Hadthenationbeensweptoutofexistence?Butguessingwasprofitless.Imustgo——

atonce.Iborrowedtheking"snavy——a"ship"nobiggerthanasteamlaunch——andwassoonready.

Theparting——ah,yes,thatwashard.AsIwasdevouringthechildwithlastkisses,itbriskedupandjabberedoutitsvocabulary!——thefirsttimeinmorethantwoweeks,anditmadefoolsofusforjoy.Thedarlingmispronunciationsofchildhood!——dearme,there"snomusicthatcantouchit;andhowonegrieveswhenitwastesawayanddissolvesintocorrectness,knowingitwillnevervisithisbereavedearagain.Well,howgooditwastobeabletocarrythatgraciousmemoryawaywithme!

IapproachedEnglandthenextmorning,withthewidehighwayofsaltwateralltomyself.Therewereshipsintheharbor,atDover,buttheywerenakedastosails,andtherewasnosignoflifeaboutthem.ItwasSunday;yetatCanterburythestreetswereempty;strangestofall,therewasnotevenapriestinsight,andnostrokeofabellfelluponmyear.

Themournfulnessofdeathwaseverywhere.Icouldn"tunderstandit.Atlast,inthefurtheredgeofthattownIsawasmallfuneralprocession——justafamilyandafewfriendsfollowingacoffin——nopriest;afuneralwithoutbell,book,orcandle;therewasachurchtherecloseathand,buttheypasseditbyweeping,anddidnotenterit;Iglancedupatthebelfry,andtherehungthebell,shroudedinblack,anditstonguetiedback.NowIknew!NowIunderstoodthestupendouscalamitythathadovertakenEngland.Invasion?Invasionisatrivialitytoit.ItwastheINTERDICT!

Iaskednoquestions;Ididn"tneedtoaskany.TheChurchhadstruck;

thethingformetodowastogetintoadisguise,andgowarily.Oneofmyservantsgavemeasuitofclothes,andwhenweweresafebeyondthetownIputthemon,andfromthattimeItraveledalone;Icouldnotrisktheembarrassmentofcompany.

Amiserablejourney.Adesolatesilenceeverywhere.EveninLondonitself.

Traffichadceased;mendidnottalkorlaugh,orgoingroups,orevenincouples;theymovedaimlesslyabout,eachmanbyhimself,withhisheaddown,andwoeandterrorathisheart.TheTowershowedrecentwar-scars.

Verily,muchhadbeenhappening.

Ofcourse,ImeanttotakethetrainforCamelot.Train!Why,thestationwasasvacantasacavern.Imovedon.ThejourneytoCamelotwasarepetitionofwhatIhadalreadyseen.TheMondayandtheTuesdaydifferedinnowayfromtheSunday.Iarrivedfarinthenight.Frombeingthebestelectric-lightedtowninthekingdomandthemostlikearecumbentsunofanythingyoueversaw,itwasbecomesimplyablot——ablotupondarkness——thatistosay,itwasdarkerandsoliderthantherestofthedarkness,andsoyoucouldseeitalittlebetter;itmademefeelasifmaybeitwassymbolical——asortofsignthattheChurchwasgoingtoKEEPtheupperhandnow,andsnuffoutallmybeautifulcivilizationjustlikethat.Ifoundnolifestirringinthesomberstreets.Igropedmywaywithaheavyheart.

Thevastcastleloomedblackuponthehilltop,notasparkvisibleaboutit.Thedrawbridgewasdown,thegreatgatestoodwide,Ienteredwithoutchallenge,myownheelsmakingtheonlysoundIheard——anditwassepulchralenough,inthosehugevacantcourts.

AConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur"sCourt-Chapter42Chapter42-War!IFOUNDClarencealoneinhisquarters,drownedinmelancholy;andinplaceoftheelectriclight,hehadreinstitutedtheancientrag-lamp,andsatthereinagrislytwilightwithallcurtainsdrawntight.Hesprangupandrushedformeeagerly,saying:

"Oh,it"sworthabillionmilraystolookuponalivepersonagain!"

HeknewmeaseasilyasifIhadn"tbeendisguisedatall.Whichfrightenedme;onemayeasilybelievethat.

"Quick,now,tellmethemeaningofthisfearfuldisaster,"Isaid.

"Howdiditcomeabout?"

"Well,iftherehadn"tbeenanyQueenGuenever,itwouldn"thavecomesoearly;butitwouldhavecome,anyway.Itwouldhavecomeonyourownaccountbyandby;byluck,ithappenedtocomeonthequeen"s."

"ANDSirLauncelot"s?"

"Justso."

"Givemethedetails."

"IreckonyouwillgrantthatduringsomeyearstherehasbeenonlyonepairofeyesinthesekingdomsthathasnotbeenlookingsteadilyaskanceatthequeenandSirLauncelot——"

"Yes,KingArthur"s."

"——andonlyoneheartthatwaswithoutsuspicion——"

"Yes——theking"s;aheartthatisn"tcapableofthinkingevilofafriend."

"Well,thekingmighthavegoneon,stillhappyandunsuspecting,totheendofhisdays,butforoneofyourmodernimprovements——thestock-board.

Whenyouleft,threemilesoftheLondon,CanterburyandDoverwerereadyfortherails,andalsoreadyandripeformanipulationinthestock-market.

Itwaswildcat,andeverybodyknewit.Thestockwasforsaleatagive-away.

WhatdoesSirLauncelotdo,but——"

"Yes,Iknow;hequietlypickedupnearlyallofitforasong;thenheboughtabouttwiceasmuchmore,deliverableuponcall;andhewasabouttocallwhenIleft."

"Verywell,hedidcall.Theboyscouldn"tdeliver.Oh,hehadthem——andhejustsettledhisgripandsqueezedthem.Theywerelaughingintheirsleevesovertheirsmartnessinsellingstocktohimat15and16

andalongtherethatwasn"tworth10.Well,whentheyhadlaughedlongenoughonthatsideoftheirmouths,theyrested-upthatsidebyshiftingthelaughtotheotherside.ThatwaswhentheycompromisedwiththeInvincibleat283!"

"Goodland!"

"Heskinnedthemalive,andtheydeservedit——anyway,thewholekingdomrejoiced.Well,amongtheflayedwereSirAgravaineandSirMordred,nephewstotheking.Endofthefirstact.Actsecond,scenefirst,anapartmentinCarlislecastle,wherethecourthadgoneforafewdays"hunting.Personspresent,thewholetribeoftheking"snephews.MordredandAgravaineproposetocalltheguilelessArthur"sattentiontoGueneverandSirLauncelot.

SirGawaine,SirGareth,andSirGaheriswillhavenothingtodowithit.

Adisputeensues,withloudtalk;inthemidstofitentertheking.MordredandAgravainespringtheirdevastatingtaleuponhim.TABLEAU.AtrapislaidforLauncelot,bytheking"scommand,andSirLauncelotwalksintoit.Hemadeitsufficientlyuncomfortablefortheambushedwitnesses——

towit,Mordred,Agravaine,andtwelveknightsoflesserrank,forhekilledeveryoneofthembutMordred;butofcoursethatcouldn"tstraightenmattersbetweenLauncelotandtheking,anddidn"t."

"Oh,dear,onlyonethingcouldresult——Iseethat.War,andtheknightsoftherealmdividedintoaking"spartyandaSirLauncelot"sparty."

"Yes——thatwasthewayofit.Thekingsentthequeentothestake,proposingtopurifyherwithfire.Launcelotandhisknightsrescuedher,andindoingitslewcertaingoodoldfriendsofyoursandmine——infact,someofthebestweeverhad;towit,SirBeliasleOrgulous,SirSegwarides,SirGrifletleFilsdeDieu,SirBrandiles,SirAglovale——"

"Oh,youtearoutmyheartstrings."

"——wait,I"mnotdoneyet——SirTor,SirGauter,SirGillimer——"

"Theverybestmaninmysubordinatenine.Whatahandyright-fielderhewas!"

"——SirReynold"sthreebrothers,SirDamus,SirPriamus,SirKaytheStranger——"

"Mypeerlessshort-stop!I"veseenhimcatchadaisy-cutterinhisteeth.

Come,Ican"tstandthis!"

"——SirDriant,SirLambegus,SirHerminde,SirPertilope,SirPerimones,and——whomdoyouthink?"

"Rush!Goon."

"SirGaheris,andSirGareth——both!"

"Oh,incredible!TheirloveforLauncelotwasindestructible."

"Well,itwasanaccident.Theyweresimplyonlookers;theywereunarmed,andweremerelytheretowitnessthequeen"spunishment.SirLauncelotsmotedownwhoevercameinthewayofhisblindfury,andhekilledthesewithoutnoticingwhotheywere.Hereisaninstantaneousphotographoneofourboysgotofthebattle;it"sforsaleoneverynews-stand.There——thefiguresnearestthequeenareSirLauncelotwithhisswordup,andSirGarethgaspinghislatestbreath.Youcancatchtheagonyinthequeen"sfacethroughthecurlingsmoke.It"sarattlingbattle-picture."

"Indeed,itis.Wemusttakegoodcareofit;itshistoricalvalueisincalculable.Goon."

"Well,therestofthetaleisjustwar,pureandsimple.LauncelotretreatedtohistownandcastleofJoyousGard,andgatheredthereagreatfollowingofknights.Theking,withagreathost,wentthere,andtherewasdesperatefightingduringseveraldays,and,asaresult,alltheplainaroundwaspavedwithcorpsesandcast-iron.ThentheChurchpatchedupapeacebetweenArthurandLauncelotandthequeenandeverybody——everybodybutSirGawaine.Hewasbitterabouttheslayingofhisbrothers,GarethandGaheris,andwouldnotbeappeased.HenotifiedLauncelottogethimthence,andmakeswiftpreparation,andlooktobesoonattacked.SoLauncelotsailedtohisDuchyofGuiennewithhisfollowing,andGawainesoonfollowedwithanarmy,andhebeguiledArthurtogowithhim.ArthurleftthekingdominSirMordred"shandsuntilyoushouldreturn——"

"Ah——aking"scustomarywisdom!"

"Yes.SirMordredsethimselfatoncetoworktomakehiskingshippermanent.

HewasgoingtomarryGuenever,asafirstmove;butshefledandshutherselfupintheTowerofLondon.Mordredattacked;theBishopofCanterburydroppeddownonhimwiththeInterdict.Thekingreturned;MordredfoughthimatDover,atCanterbury,andagainatBarhamDown.Thentherewastalkofpeaceandacomposition.Terms,MordredtohaveCornwallandKentduringArthur"slife,andthewholekingdomafterward."

"Well,uponmyword!MydreamofarepublictoBEadream,andsoremain."

"Yes.ThetwoarmieslaynearSalisbury.Gawaine——Gawaine"sheadisatDoverCastle,hefellinthefightthere——GawaineappearedtoArthurinadream,atleasthisghostdid,andwarnedhimtorefrainfromconflictforamonth,letthedelaycostwhatitmight.Butbattlewasprecipitatedbyanaccident.ArthurhadgivenorderthatifaswordwasraisedduringtheconsultationovertheproposedtreatywithMordred,soundthetrumpetandfallon!forhehadnoconfidenceinMordred.MordredhadgivenasimilarordertoHISpeople.Well,byandbyanadderbitaknight"sheel;theknightforgotallabouttheorder,andmadeaslashattheadderwithhissword.Insideofhalfaminutethosetwoprodigioushostscametogetherwithacrash!Theybutcheredawayallday.Thentheking——however,wehavestartedsomethingfreshsinceyouleft——ourpaperhas."

"No?Whatisthat?"

"Warcorrespondence!"

"Why,that"sgood."

"Yes,thepaperwasboomingrightalong,fortheInterdictmadenoimpression,gotnogrip,whilethewarlasted.Ihadwarcorrespondentswithbotharmies.

Iwillfinishthatbattlebyreadingyouwhatoneoftheboyssays:

Thenthekinglookedabouthim,andthenwashewareofallhishostandofallhisgoodknightswereleftnomoreonlivebuttwoknights,thatwasSirLucandeButlere,andhisbrotherSirBedivere:andtheywerefullsorewounded.Jesumercy,saidtheking,whereareallmynobleknightsbecomen?AlasthateverIshouldseethisdolefulday.Fornow,saidArthur,Iamcometomineend.ButwouldtoGodthatIwistwherewerethattraitorSirMordred,thathathcausedallthismischief.ThenwasKingArthurwarewhereSirMordredleaneduponhisswordamongagreatheapofdeadmen.

Nowgivememyspear,saidArthuruntoSirLucan,foryonderIhaveespiedthetraitorthatallthiswoehathwrought.Sir,lethimbe,saidSirLucan,forheisunhappy;andifyepassthisunhappyday,yeshallberightwellrevengeduponhim.Goodlord,rememberyeofyournight"sdream,andwhatthespiritofSirGawainetoldyouthisnight,yetGodofhisgreatgoodnesshathpreservedyouhitherto.Therefore,forGod"ssake,mylord,leaveoffbythis.ForblessedbeGodyehavewonthefield:forherewebethreeonlive,andwithSirMordredisnoneonlive.Andifyeleaveoffnow,thiswickeddayofdestinyispast.Tidemedeath,betidemelife,saiththeking,nowIseehimyonderalone,heshallneverescapeminehands,foratabetteravailshallIneverhavehim.Godspeedyouwell,saidSirBedivere.Thenthekinggathisspearinbothhishands,andrantowardSirMordredcrying,Traitor,nowisthydeathdaycome.AndwhenSirMordredheardSirArthur,heranuntilhimwithhissworddrawninhishand.AndthenKingArthursmoteSirMordredundertheshield,withafoinofhisspearthroughoutthebodymorethanafathom.AndwhenSirMordredfeltthathehadhisdeath"swound,hethrusthimself,withthemightthathehad,uptothebuttofKingArthur"sspear.AndrightsohesmotehisfatherArthurwithhisswordholdeninbothhishands,onthesideofthehead,thattheswordpiercedthehelmetandthebrain-pan,andtherewithalSirMordredfellstarkdeadtotheearth.AndthenobleArthurfellinaswoontotheearth,andthereheswoonedoft-times"Thatisagoodpieceofwarcorrespondence,Clarence;youareafirst-ratenewspaperman.Well——isthekingallright?"Didhegetwell?"

"Poorsoul,no.Heisdead."

Iwasutterlystunned;ithadnotseemedtomethatanywoundcouldbemortaltohim.

"Andthequeen,Clarence?"

"Sheisanun,inAlmesbury."

"Whatchanges!andinsuchashortwhile.Itisinconceivable.Whatnext,Iwonder?"

"Icantellyouwhatnext."

"Well?"

"Stakeourlivesandstandbythem!"

"Whatdoyoumeanbythat?"

"TheChurchismasternow.TheInterdictincludedyouwithMordred;

itisnottoberemovedwhileyouremainalive.Theclansaregathering.

TheChurchhasgatheredalltheknightsthatareleftalive,andassoonasyouarediscoveredweshallhavebusinessonourhands."

"Stuff!Withourdeadlyscientificwar-material;withourhostsoftrained——"

"Saveyourbreath——wehaven"tsixtyfaithfulleft!"

"Whatareyousaying?Ourschools,ourcolleges,ourvastworkshops,our——"

"Whenthoseknightscome,thoseestablishmentswillemptythemselvesandgoovertotheenemy.Didyouthinkyouhadeducatedthesuperstitionoutofthosepeople?"

"Icertainlydidthinkit."

"Well,then,youmayunthinkit.Theystoodeverystraineasily——untiltheInterdict.Sincethen,theymerelyputonaboldoutside——athearttheyarequaking.Makeupyourmindtoit——whenthearmiescome,themaskwillfall."

"It"shardnews.Wearelost.Theywillturnourownscienceagainstus."

"Notheywon"t."

"Why?"

"BecauseIandahandfulofthefaithfulhaveblockedthatgame.I"lltellyouwhatI"vedone,andwhatmovedmetoit.Smartasyouare,theChurchwassmarter.ItwastheChurchthatsentyoucruising——throughherservants,thedoctors."

"Clarence!"

"Itisthetruth.Iknowit.EveryofficerofyourshipwastheChurch"spickedservant,andsowaseverymanofthecrew."

"Oh,come!"

"ItisjustasItellyou.Ididnotfindoutthesethingsatonce,butIfoundthemoutfinally.Didyousendmeverbalinformation,bythecommanderoftheship,totheeffectthatuponhisreturntoyou,withsupplies,youweregoingtoleaveCadiz——"

"Cadiz!Ihaven"tbeenatCadizatall!"

"——goingtoleaveCadizandcruiseindistantseasindefinitely,forthehealthofyourfamily?Didyousendmethatword?"

"Ofcoursenot.Iwouldhavewritten,wouldn"tI?"

"Naturally.Iwastroubledandsuspicious.WhenthecommandersailedagainImanagedtoshipaspywithhim.Ihaveneverheardofvesselorspysince.Igavemyselftwoweekstohearfromyouin.ThenIresolvedtosendashiptoCadiz.TherewasareasonwhyIdidn"t."

"Whatwasthat?"

"Ournavyhadsuddenlyandmysteriouslydisappeared!Also,assuddenlyandasmysteriously,therailwayandtelegraphandtelephoneserviceceased,themenalldeserted,poleswerecutdown,theChurchlaidabanupontheelectriclight!Ihadtobeupanddoing——andstraightoff.Yourlifewassafe——nobodyinthesekingdomsbutMerlinwouldventuretotouchsuchamagicianasyouwithouttenthousandmenathisback——Ihadnothingtothinkofbuthowtoputpreparationsinthebesttrimagainstyourcoming.

Ifeltsafemyself——nobodywouldbeanxioustotouchapetofyours.

SothisiswhatIdid.FromourvariousworksIselectedallthemen——

boysImean——whosefaithfulnessunderwhatsoeverpressureIcouldswearto,andIcalledthemtogethersecretlyandgavethemtheirinstructions.

Therearefifty-twoofthem;noneyoungerthanfourteen,andnoneaboveseventeenyearsold."

"Whydidyouselectboys?"

"Becausealltheotherswereborninanatmosphereofsuperstitionandrearedinit.Itisintheirbloodandbones.Weimaginedwehadeducateditoutofthem;theythoughtso,too;theInterdictwokethemuplikeathunderclap!Itrevealedthemtothemselves,anditrevealedthemtome,too.Withboysitwasdifferent.SuchashavebeenunderourtrainingfromseventotenyearshavehadnoacquaintancewiththeChurch"sterrors,anditwasamongthesethatIfoundmyfifty-two.Asanextmove,IpaidaprivatevisittothatoldcaveofMerlin"s——notthesmallone——thebigone——"

"Yes,theonewherewesecretlyestablishedourfirstgreatelectricplantwhenIwasprojectingamiracle."

"Justso.Andasthatmiraclehadn"tbecomenecessarythen,Ithoughtitmightbeagoodideatoutilizetheplantnow.I"veprovisionedthecaveforasiege——"

"Agoodidea,afirst-rateidea."

"Ithinkso.Iplacedfourofmyboysthereasaguard——inside,andoutofsight.Nobodywastobehurt——whileoutside;butanyattempttoenter——well,wesaidjustletanybodytryit!ThenIwentoutintothehillsanduncoveredandcutthesecretwireswhichconnectedyourbedroomwiththewiresthatgotothedynamitedepositsunderallourvastfactories,mills,workshops,magazines,etc.,andaboutmidnightIandmyboysturnedoutandconnectedthatwirewiththecave,andnobodybutyouandIsuspectswheretheotherendofitgoesto.Welaiditunderground,ofcourse,anditwasallfinishedinacoupleofhoursorso.Wesha"n"thavetoleaveourfortressnowwhenwewanttoblowupourcivilization."

"Itwastherightmove——andthenaturalone;militarynecessity,inthechangedconditionofthings.Well,whatchangesHAVEcome!Weexpectedtobebesiegedinthepalacesometimeorother,but——however,goon."

"Next,webuiltawirefence."

"Wirefence?"

"Yes.Youdroppedthehintofityourself,twoorthreeyearsago."

"Oh,Iremember——thetimetheChurchtriedherstrengthagainstusthefirsttime,andpresentlythoughtitwisetowaitforahopefulerseason.

Well,howhaveyouarrangedthefence?"

"Istarttwelveimmenselystrongwires——naked,notinsulated——fromabigdynamointhecave——dynamowithnobrushesexceptapositiveandanegativeone——"

"Yes,that"sright."

"Thewiresgooutfromthecaveandfenceinacircleoflevelgroundahundredyardsindiameter;theymaketwelveindependentfences,tenfeetapart——thatistosay,twelvecircleswithincircles——andtheirendscomeintothecaveagain."

"Right;goon."

"Thefencesarefastenedtoheavyoakenpostsonlythreefeetapart,andthesepostsaresunkfivefeetintheground."

"Thatisgoodandstrong."