The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-06-29
CHAPTER Xxx (continued).

Then, for Gods sake, do It'll Don't
you realize what will happen when
news of this gets out, and people un-
derstand what it means? Don't you
feel your guilt at those mems deaths ?"
He struck his hand in the direction of
the City Hall
The people viii buy lot of expert
ence, at cost of a little fright and an
noyance," replied Percy barrow care
lessly. It'll do them good. When it's
over they'll come back again and be
good. As for that bunch in there
when you look over those papers /
think you'll be inclined to agree with
what the religious fanatics will say
that it was visitation of God"
But the old, the sick-there'll be
deaths among them-the responsibility
is something fearful"
Never knew a battle fought yet
without some loss" observed Darrow.
Hallowell was staring at him.
Il don't understand you," said the
reporter. "You have no heart. You
are as bad as this Monsieur X, and
between you you hold a city in your
power-One way or the otherP
We'll, / rather like being little
god" remarked Darrow.
Hallowell started once more to plead,
but barrow cut him short.
You are thinking of the present" he
said. Il am thinking of the future.
Its good thing for people to find out
that there's something bigger than they
are, or than anything they can make.
That fact is the basis of the idea of a
God. These are getting to be goddess
people" He turned on Hallowell, his
sleepy eyes lighting up. Il should be
very sorry if | had not intellect enough
and imagination enough to see what
this may mean to my fellow people; ;
and | should despise myself if l should
let an unrestrained compassion lose to
four million people the rare oppor-
tunity vouchsafed them"
He spoke very solemnly. Hallowell
looked az him puzzled.
Besides" said Darrow whimsically,
Il like to devil Eldridge."
He dove into the subway. Hallowell
gazed after him.
There goes either a great man or
crazy fool" he remarked to an En-
glish sparrow. He turned over rapidly
the papers barrow had found on the
all the barefaced, bald-headed steals u
he said.
barrow soon mounted once more the
elevator of the Atlas Building. He
found Jack and Helen still waiting.
Before entering the wireless Office
barrow cast scrutinizing glance along
the empty hall.
IFS all right" he said. I'm surer
than ever. Everything fits exactly.
Now, Helen" he said, Il want you to
go home, and / want you to stay there
No matter what happens, do not move
from the house. This town is going
to have the biggest scare thrown into
it that any town ever had since Sodom
and Gomorrah got their little jolt. In
the language of the Western prophet,
Hell will soon be popping Let her
pop. Sit tight; tell your friends to sit
tight. If necessary, tell them Monsieur
Y is captured, and all his works. Tell
them l said So
His air of languid indifference had
fallen from him. His eyes were bright,
and he spoke with authority and vigor.
You take her home, jack" he COM
manded, "and return here at once
don't forget that nice new-blued pop
gun of years; we're coming to the
time when we may need it."
Jack rose instantly to his mood.
Correct, Generalr he saluted.
"Where'd you collect the plunder?" he
asked. pointing to a square black bag
Of some size that barrow had brought
back with him.
That" said barrow, is the first
fruit of my larcenous tendencies. II
stole that from the mayors office in
the City Hall"
What is it,"
That" said barrow, q do not
know"
He deposited the bag carefully by his
chair, and turned, smiling, to Helen.
"Good-by," said he. Sleep tight"
They went out. barrow seated him.
self in his chair, drew his hat over his
eyes, and fell into a doze. In the
meantime, outside, all through the city,
hell was getting ready to pop.