WORLD'S END

Of course the attempt on Clemenceau would rouse the French police and military to vigorous action. They would begin a round-up of the associates of the anarchist youth; they would subject them to inquisition, trying to find out if there had been a conspiracy, and if there was danger to other statesmen. No doubt they had spies in Uncle Jesse's movement and must know of his sudden appearance with a large sum of money. Perhaps they had him already and were questioning him about the source of those funds! Lanny was sure that his uncle wouldn't "give him away"; but still, he got a sudden realization how close to a powder magazine he had been walking. Yes, modern society was something dangerous and insecure, and a youth who strolled blandly along, feeling safe because he was well dressed and his father was rich - such a youth might see the earth open up in front of him and masses of searing flame shoot out into his face. Lanny decided that for the present he would repress his curiosity as to the relationship between his uncle and the anarchist Cottin; also that if he should meet his friend Kurt Meissner again he would be extremely reserved and cautious.

IX

Two days passed, and Clemenceau didn't die, but on the contrary was announcing that he would be back on the job of peace-making in half a week. Then one afternoon in Lanny's mail he found a note reading: "Meet me at the same place, same time. Sam."

Professor Alston was to advise some American delegates on the Fiume problem that evening. They probably wouldn't get through by eleven o'clock; but Lanny had been working faithfully, and felt justified in asking to be excused at five minutes before the hour. Wrapped in his warm trench overcoat, which had a detachable sheepskin lining, and wearing a waterproof hat against the driving rain, the youth strolled out of the hotel, across the wide avenue, and past the great gun which Kurt had once used to blow entrenchments and poilus to Kingdom Come. The German officer came from the other direction and fell in beside him, and they walked between the rows of monstrous engines rusting in the rain. "Well, Kurt?" said Lanny, seeing that his friend didn't speak at once.

"I have no right to call on you," said the other, at last. "But I'm in danger, and I thought.you might wish to know it."

"What is it?"

"The police have raided the group with whom I have been working. I went last night to the place where I stay. I always make it a practice to walk on the other side of the street, looking for a window signal indicating that everything is all right. I saw a police van drawn up in front and they were taking people out of the house. I walked on, and I've been walking the streets most of the time since. I don't know any place to go."

Lanny didn't need to be told how serious this danger was. "Have you any reason to think the police know about you?"

"How can I tell what they know? I'm sure my leader won't talk, and we never kept any papers in the place. But one can never be sure what has happened in this business."

"I've been watching the newspapers. There's been nothing in them."

"The police would surely not make anything public about spies."

"How long have you been at this work, Kurt?"

"Only since the armistice. I got into it because of you."

"Of me?"

"My father has a friend in Switzerland - the man who used to forward my letters to you. After the armistice he asked me to come and see him. He told me he had been doing government work, and offered me an important duty to help the Fatherland. I accepted."

"How many others of your people know about you?"

"I don't know for certain. The other side may have had a spy among us. It's the attempt on Clemenceau that has stirred them up, of course."

"You must tell me the truth about that, Kurt. It's been worrying me a lot."

"What do you mean?"

"Whether you had anything to do with that attack."

"Oh, my God, Lanny! What put that idea into your head?"

"Well, I have realized that you are trying to stir up revolt here. And it's fair to assume that some of your agents would be in touch with people like that anarchist."

"I don't know whether they are or not, Lanny, but, granting it, we have nothing to gain by such an attempt. It has set us back, it may have ruined everything. I assure you my associates are not fools. Would they want to put Poincarй in power?"

"I can have your word of honor, Kurt, that you and your people had nothing to do with that attack?"

"You have that absolutely."

"It's a mighty serious matter for me, you know."

"I understand that fully. That's why I walked the streets all day, trying to make up my mind to call upon you. I'm not sure that I have the right to, and if you decline to touch the matter, I'll not blame you."

"I want to help you, Kurt, and I will."

"You know what would happen if you were caught aiding an enemy agent."

"I'm willing to take a chance on that - provided I know that neither you nor your friends have been destroying life or property."