Evening star., 1939-01-01
BY HI. G.. WELLS.
CHAPTER XXI.
LOT AMI COrJNrrp1,

>-'>'A'ANS
BY H. G.. WELLS.
CHAPTER XXI.
PLOT AND COUNTERPLOT.
Rud appeared in the doorway, his
face white and tense. with Rogers
and Bodisham at either shoulder.
Behind came Steenhold in state of
ecstatic enjoyment. and Chiffan, al
most luminously pale with happy
excitement. breed followed help
fully.
Hoggin and Smike placed them
selves like ministers in attendance
on Bohuns right.
TO what do I owe this intru-
sion?" said Lord Horatio, drum
ming impatiently on his desk.
I'VE want to discuss the policy
Of the party-particular in rela-
tion to America" said Rud.
ESPECIALLY in relation to Amer
aca," echoed Chiffan.
Mrs. Crumb looked inquiringly at
her employer. Il shall want full
note of all this" he said, and she
sat down in her usual place. And
noW?" said his lordship.
Rud stood contemplating the desk.
Then carefully and deliberately he
pushed aside an inkstand, a large
memorandum pad. a book or two
and two tall candle lamps, placed
himself sideways to the boss. hoisted
and squatted himself firmly on the
place he had made for himself. From
this position he proceeded to ex-
plain. You see. Boss, we hate to
say it, but we think that either your
grasp of the world situation is feeble
or you aren't acting-forgive my
1rankness-in perfect good faith"
Generous Spirit.
DO you mind not sitting on my
desk" said Lord Horatio
You don't provide chairs. you
see said Rud. looking down at him
with quiet hatred and not offering
to bulge Still"
He considered the difficulty in a
generous spirit. "Dreed, there,
would you mind going downstairs
and making one or two of those
youngsters bring up some chairs?
Then we can all sit decently and
have a proper Capitalization. For
confabulate, my lord, we must. AS
! was saying, we feel our party has
enormous possibilities. And they
are not being realized. Are you
prepared to discuss that with us?"
His lordship thought swiftly. No
good starting fight here. The odds
were six to three. And this was not
the place for it. Cold contempt and
deliberation were indicated.
And what is this discussion to be
about?" he said.
The country wants a lead. We
are giving the country no lead"
THE country is inert"
"The country is as quiet as unlit
gunpowder
You have my lead there" Lord
Horatlo gestured to his piled
pamphlet. There you have my Mein
Kampf."
"Mein Kampf was full of ideas
definite ideas. It told the Ger
mans exactly what to do. That stuff
IS just personal tootling. 1t tells
nobody anything to do. We want
a lead as we'll as a leader. We want
clear statement of ideas. We want
q meeting of the party to clear up
our aims"
Rud paused. Bohun under great
provocation remained calm and
quiet.
You want dasapline," he said
with quiet intensity. You want to
get these Bloomsbury plus White
chapel ideas of yours together and
then-Wash them all out. That, my
boy, is what you want"
"At a meeting?"
"At a meeting? Certainly"
"A showdown"
Private Conference.
"A cleanup. We will have a
discipline meeting. A conference,
conformation, and no outside
interference. Just among ourselves.
That little Canton Hall round the
corner here is big enough. A nice
quiet little place A ticket meet
ing-and no gloves on. No gloves
on, mind you"
You'll fix date?"
"As soon as you like. What do
you think Of next week, Hoggin?"
Sooner the better" said Smike.
breed and his chairs and helpers
arrived belatedly in the doorway.
:. I'VE shant want these chairs
now said Rud, getting off the desk.
I'VE done our business for the mo-
sment. There will have to be small
organizing committee, of course"
:: "Smike.' said Bohun. "Hoggin."
:: "Bodisham,' said Rud.
: "You?"
Neither you nor me, Boss"
:: His lordship considered. per
.haps best not. No. "Dasa-
pline," he said, and some pleasant
thoughts seemed to cross his mind.
mo reporters. Just ourselves. Smike,
.Hoggin. Bodisham."
Somebody said, "Frobisher."
"Why not?" said Rud.
" IOul ID eIlOuSu, SdlQ 6OQuN, ana
added, And now perhaps you will
allow me to-ah-ventilate my room.
You have made a note of all this,
Mrs. Crumb? You will let this Mr..
..Whittlelow and Mr.. Bodisham and
the other recalcitrant gentlemen
have copies? . Enough
= He made gesture of masterful
dismissal for which Rud had no
.3rnmediate repartee. He regarded
.Rud with an expression of serene
:malignity. He had no doubt now
that the situation had been handled.
Nov he would show them. And as
For that white tadpole dressed up as
a man! -.
{. Before Rud could devise any effec-
3ive counter, Steenhold had taken
.tnim by the arm. That's all settled"
said Steenhold, and led him from the
room.
Z Something in the Wind.
I.s u