"
Harley nodded grimly, watching a ring of smoke floating slowly
upward.
"It is a little thing to those who know the truth," the speaker
resumed. "To the purblind laws of the West it may seem a great
thing. We seek in Rome to do as Rome does. We judge every man as
we find him. Therefore, recognizing that your total disappearance
might compromise our movements in the near future, we have
decided to offer you an alternative. This offer is based upon the
British character. Where the oath of some men is a thing of
smoke, the word of honour of an Englishman we are prepared to
accept."
"Many thanks," murmured Harley. "On behalf of Great Britain I
accept the compliment."
"We have such faith in the completeness of our plans, and in the
nearness of the hour of triumph, that if you will pledge yourself
to silence, in writing, you will not be molested in any way. You
occupy at the moment the apartment reserved for neophytes of a
certain order. But we do not ask you to become a neophyte.
Disciples must seek us, we do not seek disciples. We only ask for
your word that you will be silent."
"It is impossible," said Harley, tersely.
"Think well of the matter. It may not seem so impossible
to-morrow."
"I decline definitely."
"You are sustaining yourself with false hopes, Mr. Harley. You
think you have clues which will enable you to destroy a system
rooted in the remote past.
Pages:
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202