ThesongroareduptoGrahamnow，nolongerupbornebymusic，butcoarseandnoisy，andthebeatingofthemarchingfeet，tramp，tramp，tramp，tramp，interwovewithathunderousirregularityoffootstepsfromtheundisciplinedrabblethatpouredalongthehigherways。
　　Abruptlyhenotedacontrast。Thebuildingsontheoppositesideofthewayseemeddeserted，thecablesandbridgesthatlacedacrosstheaislewereemptyandshadowy。ItcameintoGraham’smindthatthesealsoshouldhaveswarmedwithpeople。
　　Hefeltacuriousemotion——throbbing——veryfast！
　　Hestoppedagain。Theguardsbeforehimmarchedon；thoseabouthimstoppedashedid。Hesawthedirectionoftheirfaces。Thethrobbinghadsomethingtodowiththelights。Hetoolookedup。
　　Atfirstitseemedtohimathingthataffectedthelightssimply，anisolatedphenomenon，havingnobearingonthethingsbelow。Eachhugeglobeofblindingwhitenesswasasitwereclutched，compressedinasystolethatwasfollowedbyatransitorydiastole，andagainasystolelikeatighteninggrip，darkness，light，darkness，inrapidalternation。
　　Grahambecameawarethatthisstrangebehaviourofthelightshadtodowiththepeoplebelow。Theappearanceofthehousesandways，theappearanceofthepackedmasseschanged，becameaconfusionofvividlightsandleapingshadows。Hesawamultitudeofshadowshadsprungintoaggressiveexistence，seemedrushingup，broadening，widening，growingwithsteadyswiftness——toleapsuddenlybackandreturnreinforced。Thesongandthetrampinghadceased。Theunanimousmarch，hediscovered，wasarrested，therewereeddies，aflowsideways，shoutsof"Thelights！"Voiceswerecryingtogetheronething。"Thelights！"criedthesevoices。"Thelights！"Helookeddown。Inthisdancingdeathofthelightstheareaofthestreethadsuddenlybecomeamonstrousstruggle。Thehugewhiteglobesbecamepurple—white，purplewithareddishglow，flickered，flickeredfasterandfaster，flutteredbetweenlightandextinction，ceasedtoflickerandbecamemerefadingspecksofglowingredinavastobscurity。Intensecondstheextinctionwasaccomplished，andtherewasonlythisroaringdarkness，ablackmonstrositythathadsuddenlyswallowedupthoseglitteringmyriadsofmen。
　　Hefeltinvisibleformsabouthim；hisarmsweregripped。Somethingrappedsharplyagainsthisshin。
　　Avoicebawledinhisear，"Itisallright——allright。"
　　Grahamshookofftheparalysisofhisfirstastonishment。
　　HestruckhisforeheadagainstLincoln’sandbawled，"Whatisthisdarkness？"
　　"TheCouncilhascutthecurrentsthatlightthecity。Wemustwait——stop。Thepeoplewillgoon。
　　Theywill——"
　　Hisvoicewasdrowned。Voiceswereshouting，"SavetheSleeper。TakecareoftheSleeper。"A
　　guardstumbledagainstGrahamandhurthishandbyaninadvertentblowofhisweapon。Awildtumulttossedandwhirledabouthim，growing，asitseemed，louder，denser，morefuriouseachmoment。Fragmentsofrecognisablesoundsdrovetowardshim，werewhirledawayfromhimashismindreachedouttograspthem。Voicesseemedtobeshoutingconflictingorders，othervoicesanswered。Thereweresuddenlyasuccessionofpiercingscreamsclosebeneaththem。
　　Avoicebawledinhisear，"Theredpolice，"andrecededforthwithbeyondhisquestions。
　　Acracklingsoundgrewtodistinctness，andtherewithaleapingoffaintflashesalongtheedgeofthefurtherways。BytheirlightGrahamsawtheheadsandbodiesofanumberofmen，armedwithweaponslikethoseofhisguards，leapintoaninstant’sdimvisibility。Thewholeareabegantocrackle，toflashwithlittleinstantaneousstreaksoflight，andabruptlythedarknessrolledbacklikeacurtain。
　　Aglareoflightdazzledhiseyes，avastseethingexpanseofstrugglingmenconfusedhismind。A
　　shout，aburstofcheering，cameacrosstheways。Helookeduptoseethesourceofthelight。Amanhungfaroverheadfromtheupperpartofacable，holdingbyaropetheblindingstarthathaddriventhedarknessback。Heworeareduniform。
　　Graham’seyesfelltothewaysagain。Awedgeofredalittlewayalongthevistacaughthiseye。Hesawitwasadensemassofred—cladmenjammedthehigherfurtherway，theirbacksagainstthepitilesscliffofbuilding，andsurroundedbyadensecrowdofantagonists。Theywerefighting。Weaponsflashedandroseandfell，headsvanishedattheedgeofthecontest，andotherheadsreplacedthem，thelittleflashesfromthegreenweaponsbecamelittlejetsofsmokygreywhilethelightlasted。
　　Abruptlytheflarewasextinguishedandthewayswereaninkydarknessoncemore，atumultuousmystery。
　　Hefeltsomethingthrustingagainsthim。Hewasbeingpushedalongthegallery。Someonewasshouting——itmightbeathim。Hewastooconfusedtohear。Hewasthrustagainstthewall，andanumberofpeopleblunderedpasthim。Itseemedtohimthathisguardswerestrugglingwithoneanother。
　　Suddenlythecable—hungstar—holderappearedagain，andthewholescenewaswhiteanddazzling。Thebandofred—coatsseemedbroaderandnearer；itsapexwashalf—waydownthewaystowardsthecentralaisle。
　　AndraisinghiseyesGrahamsawthatanumberofthesemenhadalsoappearednowinthedarkenedlowergalleriesoftheoppositebuilding，andwerefiringovertheheadsoftheirfellowsbelowattheboilingconfusionofpeopleonthelowerways。Themeaningofthesethingsdawneduponhim。Themarchofthepeoplehadcomeuponanambushattheveryoutset。
　　Thrownintoconfusionbytheextinctionofthelightstheywerenowbeingattackedbytheredpolice。Thenhebecameawarethathewasstandingalone，thathisguardsandLincolnwerealongthegalleryinthedirectionalongwhichhehadcomebeforethedarknessfell。Hesawtheyweregesticulatingtohimwildly，runningbacktowardshim。Agreatshoutingcamefromacrosstheways。Thenitseemedasthoughthewholefaceofthedarkenedbuildingoppositewaslinedandspeckledwithred—cladmen。Andtheywerepointingovertohimandshouting。"TheSleeper！SavetheSleeper！"shoutedamultitudeofthroats。
　　Somethingstruckthewallabovehishead。Helookedupattheimpactandsawastar—shapedsplashofsilverymetal。HesawLincolnnearhim。Felthisarmgripped。Then，pat，pat；hehadbeenmissedtwice。
　　Foramomenthedidnotunderstandthis。Thestreetwashidden，everythingwashidden，ashelooked。
　　Thesecondflarehadburnedout。
　　LincolnhadgrippedGrahambythearm，waslugginghimalongthegallery。"Beforethenextlight！"hecried。Hishastewascontagious。
　　Graham’sinstinctofself—preservationovercametheparalysisofhisincredulousastonishment。Hebecameforatimetheblindcreatureofthefearofdeath。Heran，stumblingbecauseoftheuncertaintyofthedarkness，blunderedintohisguardsastheyturnedtorunwithhim。Hastewashisonedesire，toescapethisperilousgalleryuponwhichhewasexposed。Athirdglarecamecloseonitspredecessors。Withitcameagreatshoutingacrosstheways，anansweringtumultfromtheways。Thered—coatsbelow，hesaw，hadnowalmostgainedthecentralpassage。Theircountlessfacesturnedtowardshim，andtheyshouted。Thewhitefacadeoppositewasdenselystippledwithred。
　　Allthesewonderfulthingsconcernedhim，turneduponhimasapivot。TheseweretheguardsoftheCouncilattemptingtorecapturehim。
　　Luckyitwasforhimthattheseshotswerethefirstfiredinangerforahundredandfiftyyears。Heheardbulletswhackingoverhishead，feltasplashofmoltenmetalstinghisear，andperceivedwithoutlookingthatthewholeoppositefacade，anunmaskedambuscadeofredpolice，wascrowdedandbawlingandfiringathim。
　　Downwentoneofhisguardsbeforehim，andGraham，unabletostop，leaptthewrithingbody。
　　Inanothersecondhehadplunged，unhurt，intoablackpassage，andincontinentlysomeone，coming，itmaybe，inatransversedirection，blunderedviolentlyintohim。Hewashurlingdownastaircaseinabsolutedarkness。Hereeled，andwasstruckagain，andcameagainstawallwithhishands。Hewascrushedbyaweightofstrugglingbodies，whirledround，andthrusttotheright。Avastpressurepinnedhim。Hecouldnotbreathe，hisribsseemedcracking。Hefeltamomentaryrelaxation，andthenthewholemassofpeoplemovingtogether，borehimbacktowardsthegreattheatrefromwhichhehadsorecentlycome。
　　Thereweremomentswhenhisfeetdidnottouchtheground。Thenhewasstaggeringandshoving。Heheardshoutsof"Theyarecoming！"andamuffledcryclosetohim。Hisfootblunderedagainstsomethingsoft，heheardahoarsescreamunderfoot。Heheardshoutsof"TheSleeper！"buthewastooconfusedtospeak。Heheardthegreenweaponscrackling。Foraspacehelosthisindividualwill，becameanatominapanic，blind，unthinking，mechanical。
　　Hethrustandpressedbackandwrithedinthepressure，kickedpresentlyagainstastep，andfoundhimselfascendingaslope。Andabruptlythefacesallabouthimleaptoutoftheblack，visible，ghastly—whiteandastonished，terrified，perspiring，inalividglare。
　　Oneface，ayoungman’s，wasveryneartohim，nottwentyinchesaway。Atthetimeitwasbutapassingincidentofnoemotionalvalue，butafterwardsitcamebacktohiminhisdreams。Forthisyoungman，wedgeduprightinthecrowdforatime，hadbeenshotandwasalreadydead。
　　Afourthwhitestarmusthavebeenlitbythemanonthecable。ItslightcameglaringinthroughvastwindowsandarchesandshowedGrahamthathewasnowoneofadensemassofflyingblackfigurespressedbackacrossthelowerareaofthegreattheatre。Thistimethepicturewaslividandfragmentaryslashedandbarredwithblackshadows。Hesawthatquiteneartohimtheredguardswerefightingtheirwaythroughthepeople。Hecouldnottellwhethertheysawhim。HelookedforLincolnandhisguards。HesawLincolnnearthestageofthetheatresurroundedinacrowdofblack—badgedrevolutionaries，liftedupandstaringtoandfroasifseekinghim。Grahamperceivedthathehimselfwasneartheoppositeedgeofthecrowd，thatbehindhim，separatedbyabarrier，slopedthenowvacantseatsofthetheatre。Asuddenideacametohim，andhebeganfightinghiswaytowardsthebarrier。Ashereachedittheglarecametoanend。
　　Inamomenthehadthrownoffthegreatcloakthatnotonlyimpededhismovementsbutmadehimconspicuous，andhadslippeditfromhisshoulders。Heheardsomeonetripinitsfolds。Inanotherhewasscalingthebarrierandhaddroppedintotheblacknessonthefurtherside。Thenfeelinghiswayhecametothelowerendofanascendinggangway。Inthedarknessthesoundoffiringceasedandtheroaroffeetandvoiceslulled。Thensuddenlyhecametoanunexpectedstepandtrippedandfell。Ashedidsopoolsandislandsamidstthedarknessabouthimleapttovividlightagain，theuproarsurgedlouderandtheglareofthefifthwhitestarshonethroughthevastfenestrationsofthetheatrewalls。
　　Herolledoveramongsomeseats，heardashoutingandthewhirringrattleofweapons，struggledupandwasknockedbackagain，perceivedthatanumberofblack—badgedmenwereallabouthimfiringattherebelsbelow，leapingfromseattoseat，crouchingamongtheseatstoreload。Instinctivelyhecrouchedamidsttheseats，asstrayshotsrippedthepneumaticcushionsandcutbrightslashesontheirsoftmetalframes。
　　Instinctivelyhemarkedthedirectionofthegangways，themostplausiblewayofescapeforhimsosoonastheveilofdarknessfellagain。
　　Ayoungmaninfadedbluegarmentscamevaultingovertheseats。"Hullo！"hesaid，withhisflyingfeetwithinsixinchesofthecrouchingSleeper’sface。
　　Hestaredwithoutanysignofrecognition，turnedtofire，fired，and，shouting，"TohellwiththeCouncil！"
　　wasabouttofireagain。ThenitseemedtoGrahamthatthehalfofthisman’sneckhadvanished。A
　　dropofmoisturefellonGraham’scheek。Thegreenweaponstoppedhalfraised。Foramomentthemanstoodstillwithhisfacesuddenlyexpressionless，thenhebegantoslantforward。Hiskneesbent。Mananddarknessfelltogether。AtthesoundofhisfallGrahamroseupandranforhislifeuntilastepdowntothegangwaytrippedhim。Hescrambledtohisfeet，turnedupthegangwayandranon。
　　Whenthesixthstarglaredhewasalreadyclosetotheyawningthroatofapassage。Heranontheswifterforthelight，enteredthepassageandturnedacornerintoabsolutenightagain。Hewasknockedsideways，rolledover，andrecoveredhisfeet。Hefoundhimselfoneofacrowdofinvisiblefugitivespressinginonedirection。Hisonethoughtnowwastheirthoughtalso；toescapeoutofthisfighting。Hethrustandstruck，staggered，ran，waswedgedtightly，lostgroundandthenwasclearagain。
　　Forsomeminuteshewasrunningthroughthedarknessalongawindingpassage，andthenhecrossedsomewideandopenspace，passeddownalongincline，andcameatlastdownaflightofstepstoalevelplace。
　　Manypeoplewereshouting，"Theyarecoming！Theguardsarecoming。Theyarefiring。Getoutofthefighting。Theguardsarefiring。ItwillbesafeinSeventhWay。AlongheretoSeventhWay！"Therewerewomenandchildreninthecrowdaswellasmen。
　　Mencallednamestohim。Thecrowdconvergedonanarchway，passedthroughashortthroatandemergedonawiderspaceagain，litdimly。Theblackfiguresabouthimspreadoutandranupwhatseemedinthetwilighttobeagiganticseriesofsteps。Hefollowed。Thepeopledispersedtotherightandleft……Heperceivedthathewasnolongerinacrowd。Hestoppednearthehigheststep。Beforehim，onthatlevel，weregroupsofseatsandalittlekiosk。Hewentuptothisand，stoppingintheshadowofitseaves，lookedabouthimpanting。
　　Everythingwasvagueandgray，butherecognisedthatthesegreatstepswereaseriesofplatformsofthe"ways，"nowmotionlessagain。Theplatformslanteduponeitherside，andthetallbuildingsrosebeyond，vastdimghosts，theirinscriptionsandadvertisementsindistinctlyseen，andupthroughthegirdersandcableswasafaintinterruptedribbonofpallidsky。A
　　numberofpeoplehurriedby。Fromtheirshoutsandvoices，itseemedtheywerehurryingtojointhefighting。Otherlessnoisyfiguresflittedtimidlyamongtheshadows。
　　Fromveryfarawaydownthestreethecouldhearthesoundofastruggle。Butitwasevidenttohimthatthiswasnotthestreetintowhichthetheatreopened。Thatformerfight，itseemed，hadsuddenlydroppedoutofsoundandhearing。And——grotesquethought！——theywerefightingforhim！
　　Foraspacehewaslikeamanwhopausesinthereadingofavividbook，andsuddenlydoubtswhathehasbeentakingunquestioningly。Atthattimehehadlittlemindfordetails；thewholeeffectwasahugeastonishment。Oddlyenough，whiletheflightfromtheCouncilprison，thegreatcrowdinthehall，andtheattackoftheredpoliceupontheswarmingpeoplewereclearlypresentinhismind，itcosthimanefforttopieceinhisawakeningandtorevivethemeditativeintervaloftheSilentRooms。AtfirsthismemoryleaptthesethingsandtookhimbacktothecascadeatPentargenquiveringinthewind，andallthesombresplendoursofthesunlitCornishcoast。Thecontrasttouchedeverythingwithunreality。Andthenthegapfilled，andhebegantocomprehendhisposition。
　　Itwasnolongerabsolutelyariddle，asithadbeenintheSilentRooms。Atleasthehadthestrange，bareoutlinenow。Hewasinsomewaytheownerofhalftheworld，andgreatpoliticalpartieswerefightingtopossesshim。OntheonehandwastheWhiteCouncil，withitsredpolice，setresolutely，itseemed，ontheusurpationofhispropertyandperhapshismurder；ontheother，therevolutionthathadliberatedhim，withthisunseen"Ostrog"asitsleader。Andthewholeofthisgiganticcitywasconvulsedbytheirstruggle。
　　Franticdevelopmentofhisworld！"Idonotunder—
　　stand，"hecried。"Idonotunderstand！"
　　Hehadslippedoutbetweenthecontendingpartiesintothislibertyofthetwilight。Whatwouldhappennext？Whatwashappening？Hefiguredtheredcladmenasbusilyhuntinghim，drivingtheblackbadgedrevolutionistsbeforethem。
　　Atanyratechancehadgivenhimabreathingspace。
　　Hecouldlurkunchallengedbythepassers—by，andwatchthecourseofthings。Hiseyefolloweduptheintricatedimimmensityofthetwilightbuildings，anditcametohimasathinginfinitelywonderful，thatabovetherethesunwasrising，andtheworldwaslitandglowingwiththeoldfamiliarlightofday。Inalittlewhilehehadrecoveredhisbreath。Hisclothinghadalreadydrieduponhimfromthesnow。
　　Hewanderedformilesalongthesetwilightways，speakingtonoone，accostedbynoone——adarkfigureamongdarkfigures——thecovetedmanoutofthepast，theinestimableunintentionalownerofhalftheworld。Wherevertherewerelightsordensecrowds，orexceptionalexcitementhewasafraidofrecognition，andwatchedandturnedbackorwentupanddownbythemiddlestairways，intosometransversesystemofwaysatalowerorhigherlevel。Andthoughhecameonnomorefighting，thewholecitystirredwithbattle。Oncehehadtoruntoavoidamarchingmultitudeofmenthatsweptthestreet。
　　Everyoneabroadseemedinvolved。Forthemostparttheyweremen，andtheycarriedwhathejudgedwereweapons。Itseemedasthoughthestrugglewasconcentratedmainlyinthequarterofthecityfromwhichhecame。Everandagainadistantroaring，theremotesuggestionofthatconflict，reachedhisears。Thenhiscautionandhiscuriositystruggledtogether。Buthiscautionprevailed，andhecontinuedwanderingawayfromthefighting——sofarashecouldjudge。Hewentunmolested，unsuspectedthroughthedark。
　　Afteratimeheceasedtohearevenaremoteechoofthebattle，fewerandfewerpeoplepassedhim，untilatlasttheTitanicstreetsbecamedeserted。Thefrontgesofthebuildingsgrewplainandharsh；heseemedtohavecometoadistrictofvacantwarehouses。
　　Solitudecreptuponhim——hispaceslackened。
　　Hebecameawareofagrowingfatigue。Attimeshewouldturnasideandseathimselfononeofthenumerousseatsoftheupperways。Butafeverishrestlessness，theknowledgeofhisvitalimplicationinhisstruggle，wouldnotlethimrestinanyplaceforlong。Wasthestruggleonhisbehalfalone？
　　Andtheninadesolateplacecametheshockofanearthquake——aroaringandthundering——amightywindofcoldairpouringthroughthecity，thesmashofglass，theslipandthudoffallingmasonry——asieriesofgiganticconcussions。Amassofglassandironworkfellfromtheremoteroofsintothemiddlegallery，notahundredyardsawayfromhim，andinthedistancewereshoutsandrunning。He，too，wasstartledtoanaimlessactivity，andranfirstonewayandthenasaimlesslyback。
　　Amancamerunningtowardshim。Hisself—controlreturned。"Whathavetheyblownup？"askedthemanbreathlessly。"Thatwasanexplosion，"andbeforeGrahamcouldspeakhehadhurriedon。
　　Thegreatbuildingsrosedimly，veiledbyaperplexingtwilight，albeittherivuletofskyabovewasnowbrightwithday。Henotedmanystrangefeatures，understandingnoneatthetime；heevenspeltoutmanyoftheinscriptionsinPhoneticlettering。Butwhatprofitsittodecipheraconfusionofodd—lookinglettersresolvingitself，afterpainfulstrainofeyeandmind，into"HereisEadhamite，"or，"LabourBureau——
　　LittleSide？"Grotesquethought，thatinallprobabilitysomeorallofthesecliff—likehouseswerehis！
　　Theperversityofhisexperiencecametohimvividly。
　　Inactualfacthehadmadesuchaleapintimeasromancershaveimaginedagainandagain。Andthatfactrealised，hehadbeenprepared，hismindhad，asitwere，seateditselfforaspectacle。Andnospectacle，butagreatvaguedanger，unsympatheticshadowsandveilsofdarkness。Somewherethroughthelabyrinthineobscurityhisdeathsoughthim。
　　Wouldhe，afterall，bekilledbeforehesaw？Itmightbethatevenatthenextshadowycornerhisdestructionambushed。Agreatdesiretosee，agreatlongingtoknow，aroseinhim。
　　Hebecamefearfulofcorners。Itseemedtohimthattherewassafetyinconcealment。Wherecouldhehidetobeinconspicuouswhenthelightsreturned？
　　Atlasthesatdownuponaseatinarecessononeofthehigherways，conceivinghewasalonethere。
　　Hesqueezedhisknucklesintohiswearyeyes。
　　Supposewhenhelookedagainhefoundthedarkthroughofparallelwaysandthatintolerablealtitudeofedifice，gone？Supposeheweretodiscoverthewholestoryoftheselastfewdays，theawakening，theshoutingmultitudes，thedarknessandthefighting，aphantasmagoria，anewandmorevividsortofdream。Itmustbeadream；itwassoinconsecutive，soreasonless。Whywerethepeoplefightingforhim？WhyshouldthissanerworldregardhimasOwnerandMaster？
　　Sohethought，sittingblinded，andthenhelookedagain，halfhopinginspiteofhisearstoseesomefamiliaraspectofthelifeofthenineteenthcentury，tosee，perhaps，thelittleharbourofBoscastleabouthim，thecliffsofPentargen，orthebedroomofhishome。
　　Butfacttakesnoheedofhumanhopes。Asquadofmenwithablackbannertrampedathwartthenearershadows，intentonconflict，andbeyondrosethatgiddywalloffrontage，vastanddark，withthedimincomprehensibleletteringshowingfaintlyonitsface。
　　"Itisnodream，"hesaid，"nodream。"Andhebowedhisfaceuponhishands。
　　CHAPTERXI
　　THEOLDMANWHOKNEWEVERYTHING
　　Hewasstartledbyacoughcloseathand。
　　Heturnedsharply，andpeering，sawasmall，hunched—upfiguresittingacoupleofyardsoffintheshadowoftheenclosure。
　　"Haveyeanynews？"askedthehigh—pitchedwheezyvoiceofaveryoldman。
　　Grahamhesitated。"None，"hesaid。
　　"Istayheretillthelightscomeagain，"saidtheoldman。"Thesebluescoundrelsareeverywhere——
　　everywhere。"
　　Graham’sanswerwasinarticulateassent。Hetriedtoseetheoldmanbutthedarknesshidhisface。Hewantedverymuchtorespond，totalk，buthedidnotknowhowtobegin。
　　"Darkanddamnable，"saidtheoldmansuddenly。
　　"Darkanddamnable。Turnedoutofmyroomamongallthesedangers。"
　　"That’shard，"venturedGraham。"That’shardonyou。"
　　"Darkness。Anoldmanlostinthedarkness。Andalltheworldgonemad。Warandfighting。Thepolicebeatenandroguesabroad。Whydon’ttheybringsomenegroestoprotectus？……Nomoredarkpassagesforme。Ifelloveradeadman。"
　　"You’resaferwithcompany，"saidtheoldman，"ifit’scompanyoftherightsort，"andpeeredfrankly。
　　HerosesuddenlyandcametowardsGraham。
　　Apparentlythescrutinywassatisfactoy。Theoldmansatdownasifrelievedtobenolongeralone。
　　"Eh！"hesaid，"butthisisaterribletime！Warandfighting，andthedeadIyingthere——men，strongmen，dyinginthedark。Sons！Ihavethreesons。Godknowswheretheyaretonight。"
　　Thevoiceceased。Thenrepeatedquavering："Godknowswheretheyaretonight。"
　　Grahamstoodrevolvingaquestionthatshouldnotbetrayhisignorance。Againtheoldman’svoiceendedthepause。
　　"ThisOstrogwillwin，"hesaid。"Hewillwin。Andwhattheworldwillbelikeunderhimnoonecantell。Mysonsareunderthewind—vanes，allthree。
　　Oneofmydaughters—in—lawwashismistressforawhile。Hismistress！Werenotcommonpeople。
　　Thoughthey’vesentmetowandertonightandtakemychance……Iknewwhatwasgoingon。Beforemostpeople。Butthisdarkness！Andtofalloveradeadbodysuddenlyinthedark！"
　　Hiswheezybreathingcouldbeheard。
　　"Ostrog！"saidGraham。
　　"ThegreatestBosstheworldhaseverseen，"saidthevoice。
　　Grahamransackedhismind。"TheCouncilhasfewfriendsamongthepeople，"hehazarded。
　　"Fewfriends。Andpooronesatthat。They’vehadtheirtime。Eh！Theyshouldhavekepttothecleverones。Buttwicetheyheldelection。AndOstrog。Andnowithasburstoutandnothingcanstayit，nothingcanstayit。TwicetheyrejectedOstrog——OstrogtheBoss。Iheardofhisragesatthetime——hewasterrible。Heavensavethem！Fornothingonearthcannow，hehasraisedtheLabourCompaniesuponthem。Nooneelsewouldhavedared。Allthebluecanvasarmedandmarching！Hewillgothroughwithit。Hewillgothrough。"
　　Hewassilentforalittlewhile。"ThisSleeper，"hesaid，andstopped。
　　"Yes，"saidGraham。"Well？"
　　Thesenilevoicesanktoaconfidentialwhisper，thedim，palefacecameclose。"TherealSleeper——"
　　"Yes，"saidGraham。
　　"Diedyearsago。"
　　"What？"saidGraham，sharply。
　　"Yearsago。Died。Yearsago。"
　　"Youdon’tsayso！"saidGraham。
　　"Ido。Idosayso。Hedied。ThisSleeperwho’swokeup——theychangedinthenight。Apoor，druggedinsensiblecreature。ButImustn’ttellallI
　　know。Imustn’ttellallIknow。"
　　Foralittlewhilehemutteredinaudibly。Hissecretwastoomuchforhim。"Idon’tknowtheonesthatputhimtosleep——thatwasbeforemytime——butI
　　knowthemanwhoinjectedthestimulantsandwokehimagain。Itwastentoone——wakeorkill。Wakeorkill。Ostrog’sway。"
　　Grahamwassoastonishedatthesethingsthathehadtointerrupt，tomaketheoldmanrepeathiswords，tore—questionvaguely，beforehewassureofthemeaningandfollyofwhatheheard。Andhisawakeninghadnotbeennatural！Wasthatanoldman’ssenilesuperstition，too，orhaditanytruthinit？
　　Feelinginthedarkcornersofhismemory，hepresentlycameonsomethingthatmightconceivablybeanimpressionofsomesuchstimulatingeffect。Itdawneduponhimthathehadhappeneduponaluckyencounter，thatatlasthemightlearnsomethingofthenewage。Theoldmanwheezedawhileandspat，andthenthepiping，reminiscentvoiceresumed：
　　"Thefirsttimetheyrejectedhim。I’vefolloweditall。"
　　"Rejectedwhom？"saidGraham。"TheSleeper？"
　　"Sleeper？No。Ostrog。Hewasterrible——terrible！
　　Andhewaspromisedthen，promisedcertainlythenexttime。Foolstheywere——nottobemoreafraidofhim。Nowallthecity’shismillstone，andsuchaswedustgrounduponit。Dustgrounduponit。Untilhesettowork——theworkerscuteachother’sthroats，andmurderedaChinamanoraLabourpolicemanattimes，andlefttherestofusinpeace。Deadbodies！Robbing！Darkness！Suchathinghasn’tbeenthisgrossofyears。Eh！——but’tisillonsmallfolkswhenthegreatfallout！It’sill。"
　　"Didyousay——therehadnotbeenwhat？——foragrossofyears？"
　　"Eh？"saidtheoldman。
　　Theoldmansaidsomethingaboutclippinghiswords，andmadehimrepeatthisathirdtime。"Fightingandslaying，andweaponsinhand，andfoolsbawlingfreedomandthelike，"saidtheoldman。"Notinallmylifehastherebeenthat。Theseareliketheolddays——forsure——whentheParispeoplebrokeout——
　　threegrossofyearsago。That’swhatImeanhasn’tbeen。Butit’stheworld’sway。Ithadtocomeback。
　　Iknow。Iknow。ThisfiveyearsOstroghasbeenworking，andtherehasbeentroubleandtrouble，andhungerandthreatsandhightalkandarms。Bluecanvasandmurmurs。Noonesafe。Everythingslidingandslipping。Andnowhereweare！Revoltandfighting，andtheCouncilcometoitsend。"
　　"Youareratherwell—informedonthesethings，"
　　saidGraham。
　　"IknowwhatIhear。Itisn’tallBabbleMachinewithme。"
　　"No，"saidGraham，wonderingwhatBabbleMachinemightbe。"AndyouarecertainthisOstrog——youarecertainOstrogorganisedthisrebellionandarrangedforthewakingoftheSleeper？Justtoasserthimself——becausehewasnotelectedtotheCouncil？