II + 

The Fourth Man + 

The tall manвАЩs hand was in his pocket when the detective spoke. + 

When he had entered the hall he had thrown a swift glance round the place and taken in every detail. He had seen the beaded strip of unpainted wood which guarded the electric light cables, and had improved the opportunity whilst the prosy brother was speaking to make a further reconnaissance. There was a white porcelain switchboard with half a dozen switches at the left-hand side of the platform. He judged the distance and threw up the hand that held the pistol. + 

Bang! Bang! + 

A crash of broken glass, a quick flash of blue flame from the shattered fusesвБ†вАФand the hall was in darkness. It happened before the detective could spring from his form into the yelling, screaming crowdвБ†вАФbefore the police officer could get a glance at the man who fired the shots. + 

In an instant the place was a pandemonium. + 

вАЬSilence!вАЭ Falmouth roared above the din; вАЬsilence! Keep quiet, you miserable cowardsвБ†вАФshow a light here, Brown, CurtisвБ†вАФInspector, where are your menвАЩs lanterns!вАЭ + 

The rays of a dozen bullвАЩs-eye lamps waved over the struggling throng. + 

вАЬOpen your lanternsвАЭвБ†вАФand to the seething mob, вАЬSilence!вАЭ + 

Then a bright young officer remembered that he had seen gas-brackets in the room, and struggled through the howling mob till he came to the wall and found the gas-fitting with his lantern. He struck a match and lit the gas, and the panic subsided as suddenly as it had begun. + 

Falmouth, choked with rage, threw his eye round the hall. + 

вАЬGuard the door,вАЭ he said briefly; вАЬthe hall is surrounded and they cannot possibly escape.вАЭ He strode swiftly along the central aisle, followed by two of his men, and with an agile leap, sprang on to the platform and faced the audience. The Woman of Gratz, with a white set face, stood motionless, one hand resting on the little table, the other at her throat. Falmouth raised his hand to enjoin silence and the lawbreakers obeyed. + 

вАЬI have no quarrel with the Red Hundred,вАЭ he said. вАЬBy the law of this country it is permissible to hold opinions and propagate doctrines, however objectionable they beвБ†вАФI am here to arrest two men who have broken the laws of this country. Two persons who are part of the organization known as the Four Just Men.вАЭ + 

All the time he was speaking his eyes searched the faces before him. He knew that one-half of the audience could not understand him and that the hum of talk that arose as he finished was his speech in course of translation. + 

The faces he sought he could not discern. To be exact, he hoped that his scrutiny would induce two men, of whose identity he was ignorant, to betray themselves. + 

There are little events, unimportant in themselves, which occasionally lead to tremendous issues. A skidding motorbus that crashed into a private car in Piccadilly had led to the discovery that there were three vociferous foreign gentlemen imprisoned in the overturned vehicle. It led to the further discovery that the chauffeur had disappeared in the confusion of the collision. In the darkness, comparing notes, the three prisoners had arrived at a conclusionвБ†вАФto wit, that their abduction was a sequel to a mysterious letter each had received, which bore the signature вАЬThe Four Just Men.вАЭ + 

So in the panic occasioned by the accident, they were sufficiently indiscreet to curse the Four Just Men by name, and, the Four Just Men being a sore topic with the police, they were questioned further, and the end of it was that Superintendent Falmouth motored eastward in great haste and was met in Middlesex Street by a reserve of police specially summoned. + 

He was at the same disadvantage he had always beenвБ†вАФthe Four Just Men were to him names only, symbols of a swift remorseless force that struck surely and to the minuteвБ†вАФand nothing more. + 

Two or three of the leaders of the Red Hundred had singled themselves out and drew closer to the platform. + 

вАЬWe are not aware,вАЭ said Fran√Іois, the Frenchman, speaking for his companions in faultless English, вАЬwe are not aware of the identity of the men you seek, but on the understanding that they are not brethren of our Society, and moreoverвАЭвБ†вАФhe was at a loss for words to put the fantastic situationвБ†вАФвАЬand moreover since they have threatened usвБ†вАФthreatened us,вАЭ he repeated in bewilderment, вАЬwe will afford you every assistance.вАЭ + 

The detective jumped at the opportunity. + 

вАЬGood!вАЭ he said and formed a rapid plan. + 

The two men could not have escaped from the hall. There was a little door near the platform, he had seen thatвБ†вАФas the two men he sought had seen it. Escape seemed possible through there; they had thought so, too. But Falmouth knew that the outer door leading from the little vestibule was guarded by two policemen. This was the sum of the discovery made also by the two men he sought. He spoke rapidly to Fran√Іois. + 

вАЬI want every person in the hall to be vouched for,вАЭ he said quickly. вАЬSomebody must identify every man, and the identifier must himself be identified.вАЭ + 

The arrangements were made with lightning-like rapidity. From the platform in French, German and Yiddish, the leaders of the Red Hundred explained the plan. Then the police formed a line, and one by one the people came forward, and shyly, suspiciously or self-consciously, according to their several natures, they passed the police line. + 

вАЬThat is Simon Czech of Budapest.вАЭ + 

вАЬWho identifies him?вАЭ + 

вАЬI,вАЭвБ†вАФa dozen voices. + 

вАЬPass.вАЭ + 

вАЬThis is Michael Ranekov of Odessa.вАЭ + 

вАЬWho identifies him?вАЭ + 

вАЬI,вАЭ said a burly man, speaking in German. + 

вАЬAnd you?вАЭ + 

There was a little titter, for Michael is the best-known man in the Order. Some there were who, having passed the line, waited to identify their kinsfolk and fellow-countrymen. + 

вАЬIt seems much simpler than I could have imagined.вАЭ + 

It was the tall man with the trim beard, who spoke in a guttural tone which was neither German nor Yiddish. He was watching with amused interest the examination. + 

вАЬSeparating the lambs from the goats with a vengeance,вАЭ he said with a faint smile, and his taciturn companion nodded. Then he askedвБ†вАФ + 

вАЬDo you think any of these people will recognize you as the man who fired?вАЭ + 

The tall man shook his head decisively. + 

вАЬTheir eyes were on the policeвБ†вАФand besides I am too quick a shot. Nobody saw me unlessвБ†вАФвАЭ + 

вАЬThe Woman of Gratz?вАЭ asked the other, without showing the slightest concern. + 

вАЬThe Woman of Gratz,вАЭ said George Manfred. + 

They formed part of a struggling line that moved slowly toward the police barrier. + 

вАЬI fear,вАЭ said Manfred, вАЬthat we shall be forced to make our escape in a perfectly obvious wayвБ†вАФthe bull-at-the-gate method is one that I object to on principle, and it is one that I have never been obliged to employ.вАЭ + 

They were speaking all the time in the language of the harsh gutturals, and those who were in their vicinity looked at them in some perplexity, for it is a tongue unlike any that is heard in the Revolutionary Belt. + 

Closer and closer they grew to the inflexible inquisitor at the end of the police line. Ahead of them was a young man who turned from time to time as if seeking a friend behind. His was a face that fascinated the shorter of the two men, ever a student of faces. It was a face of deadly pallor, that the dark close-cropped hair and the thick black eyebrows accentuated. Aesthetic in outline, refined in contour, it was the face of a visionary, and in the restless, troubled eyes there lay a hint of the fanatic. He reached the barrier and a dozen eager men stepped forward for the honour of sponsorship. Then he passed and Manfred stepped calmly forward. + 

вАЬHeinrich Rossenburg of Raz,вАЭ he mentioned the name of an obscure Transylvanian village. + 

вАЬWho identifies this man?вАЭ asked Falmouth monotonously. Manfred held his breath and stood ready to spring. + 

вАЬI do.вАЭ + 

It was the spirituel who had gone before him; the dreamer with the face of a priest. + 

вАЬPass.вАЭ + 

Manfred, calm and smiling, sauntered through the police with a familiar nod to his saviour. Then he heard the challenge that met his companion. + 

вАЬRolf Woolfund,вАЭ he heard PoiccartвАЩs clear, untroubled voice. + 

вАЬWho identifies this man?вАЭ + 

Again he waited tensely. + 

вАЬI do,вАЭ said the young manвАЩs voice again. + 

Then Poiccart joined him, and they waited a little. + 

Out of the corner of his eye Manfred saw the man who had vouched for him saunter toward them. He came abreast, then: + 

вАЬIf you would care to meet me at ReggioriвАЩs at KingвАЩs Cross I shall be there in an hour,вАЭ he said, and Manfred noticed without emotion that this young man also spoke in Arabic. + 

They passed through the crowd that had gathered about the hallвБ†вАФfor the news of the police raid had spread like wildfire through the East EndвБ†вАФand gained Aldgate Station before they spoke. + 

вАЬThis is a curious beginning to our enterprise,вАЭ said Manfred. He seemed neither pleased nor sorry. вАЬI have always thought that Arabic was the safest language in the world in which to talk secretsвБ†вАФone learns wisdom with the years,вАЭ he added philosophically. + 

Poiccart examined his well-manicured fingernails as though the problem centred there. вАЬThere is no precedent,вАЭ he said, speaking to himself. + 

вАЬAnd he may be an embarrassment,вАЭ added George; then, вАЬlet us wait and see what the hour brings.вАЭ + 

The hour brought the man who had befriended them so strangely. It brought also a little in advance of him a fourth man who limped slightly but greeted the two with a rueful smile. + 

вАЬHurt?вАЭ asked Manfred. + 

вАЬNothing worth speaking about,вАЭ said the other carelessly, вАЬand now what is the meaning of your mysterious telephone message?вАЭ + 

Briefly Manfred sketched the events of the night, and the other listened gravely. + 

вАЬItвАЩs a curious situation,вАЭ he began, when a warning glance from Poiccart arrested him. The subject of their conversation had arrived. + 

He sat down at the table, and dismissed the fluttering waiter that hung about him. + 

The four sat in silence for a while and the newcomer was the first to speak. + 

вАЬI call myself Bernard Courtlander,вАЭ he said simply, вАЬand you are the organization known as the Four Just Men.вАЭ + 

They did not reply. + 

вАЬI saw you shoot,вАЭ he went on evenly, вАЬbecause I had been watching you from the moment when you entered the hall, and when the police adopted the method of identification, I resolved to risk my life and speak for you.вАЭ + 

вАЬMeaning,вАЭ interposed Poiccart calmly, вАЬyou resolved to riskвБ†вАФour killing you?вАЭ + 

вАЬExactly,вАЭ said the young man, nodding, вАЬa purely outside view would be that such a course would be a fiendish act of ingratitude, but I have a closer perception of principles, and I recognize that such a sequel to my interference is perfectly logical.вАЭ He singled out Manfred leaning back on the red plush cushions. вАЬYou have so often shown that human life is the least considerable factor in your plan, and have given such evidence of your singleness of purpose, that I am fully satisfied that if my lifeвБ†вАФor the life of any one of youвБ†вАФstood before the fulfilment of your objects, that life would goвБ†вАФso!вАЭ He snapped his fingers. + 

вАЬWell?вАЭ said Manfred. + 

вАЬI know of your exploits,вАЭ the strange young man went on, вАЬas who does not?вАЭ + 

He took from his pocket a leather case, and from that he extracted a newspaper cutting. Neither of the three men evinced the slightest interest in the paper he unfolded on the white cloth. Their eyes were on his face. + 

вАЬHere is a list of people slainвБ†вАФfor justiceвАЩ sake,вАЭ Courtlander said, smoothing the creases from a cutting from the Megaphone, вАЬmen whom the law of the land passed by, sweaters and debauchers, robbers of public funds, corrupters of youthвБ†вАФmen who bought вАШjusticeвАЩ as you and I buy bread.вАЭ He folded the paper again. вАЬI have prayed God that I might one day meet you.вАЭ + 

вАЬWell?вАЭ It was ManfredвАЩs voice again. + 

вАЬI want to be with you, to be one of you, to share your campaign and, andвБ†вАФвАЭ he hesitated, then added soberly, вАЬif need be, the death that awaits you.вАЭ + 

Manfred nodded slowly, then looked toward the man with the limp. + 

вАЬWhat do you say, Gonsalez?вАЭ he asked. + 

This Leon Gonsalez was a famous reader of facesвБ†вАФthat much the young man knewвБ†вАФand he turned for the test and met the otherвАЩs appraising eyes. + 

вАЬEnthusiast, dreamer, and intellectual, of course,вАЭ said Gonsalez slowly; вАЬthere is reliability which is good, and balance which is betterвБ†вАФbutвБ†вАФвАЭ + 

вАЬButвБ†вАФ?вАЭ asked Courtlander steadily. + 

вАЬThere is passion, which is bad,вАЭ was the verdict. + 

вАЬIt is a matter of training,вАЭ answered the other quietly. вАЬMy lot has been thrown with people who think in a frenzy and act in madness; it is the fault of all the organizations that seek to right wrong by indiscriminate crime, whose sense are senses, who have debased sentiment to sentimentality, and who muddle kings with kingship.вАЭ + 

вАЬYou are of the Red Hundred?вАЭ asked Manfred. + 

вАЬYes,вАЭ said the other, вАЬbecause the Red Hundred carries me a little way along the road I wish to travel.вАЭ + 

вАЬIn the direction?вАЭ + 

вАЬWho knows?вАЭ replied the other. вАЬThere are no straight roads, and you cannot judge where lies your destination by the direction the first line of path takes.вАЭ + 

вАЬI do not tell you how great a risk you take upon yourself,вАЭ said Manfred, вАЬnor do I labour the extent of the responsibility you ask to undertake. You are a wealthy man?вАЭ + 

вАЬYes,вАЭ said Courtlander, вАЬas wealth goes; I have large estates in Hungary.вАЭ + 

вАЬI do not ask that question aimlessly, yet it would make no difference if you were poor,вАЭ said Manfred. вАЬAre you prepared to sell your estatesвБ†вАФBuda-Gratz I believe they are calledвБ†вАФHighness?вАЭ + 

For the first time the young man smiled. + 

вАЬI did not doubt but that you knew me,вАЭ he said; вАЬas to my estates I will sell them without hesitation.вАЭ + 

вАЬAnd place the money at my disposal?вАЭ + 

вАЬYes,вАЭ he replied, instantly. + 

вАЬWithout reservation?вАЭ + 

вАЬWithout reservation.вАЭ + 

вАЬAnd,вАЭ said Manfred, slowly, вАЬif we felt disposed to employ this money for what might seem our own personal benefit, would you take exception?вАЭ + 

вАЬNone,вАЭ said the young man, calmly. + 

вАЬAnd as a proof?вАЭ demanded Poiccart, leaning a little forward. + 

вАЬThe word of a HapвБ†вАФвАЭ + 

вАЬEnough,вАЭ said Manfred; вАЬwe do not want your moneyвБ†вАФyet money is the supreme test.вАЭ He pondered awhile before he spoke again. + 

вАЬThere is the Woman of Gratz,вАЭ he said abruptly; вАЬat the worst she must be killed.вАЭ + 

вАЬIt is a pity,вАЭ said Courtlander, a little sadly. + 

He had answered the final test did he but know it. + 

A too willing compliance, an over-eagerness to agree with the supreme sentence of the вАЬFour,вАЭ any one thing that might have betrayed the lack of that exact balance of mind, which their word demanded, would have irretrievably condemned him. + 

вАЬLet us drink an arrogant toast,вАЭ said Manfred, beckoning a waiter. + 

The wine was opened and the glasses filled, and Manfred muttered the toast. + 

вАЬThe Four who were three, to the Fourth who died and the Fourth who is born.вАЭ + 

Once upon a time there was a fourth who fell riddled with bullets in a Bordeaux caf√©, and him they pledged. + 

In Middlesex Street, in the almost emptied hall, Falmouth stood at bay before an army of reporters. + 

вАЬWere they the Four Just Men, Mr.¬†Falmouth?вАЭ + 

вАЬDid you see them?вАЭ + 

вАЬHave you any clue?вАЭ + 

Every second brought a fresh batch of newspaper men, taxi after taxi came into the dingy street, and the string of vehicles lined up outside the hall was suggestive of a fashionable gathering. The Telephone Tragedy was still fresh in the public mind, and it needed no more than the utterance of the magical words вАЬFour Just MenвАЭ to fan the spark of interest to flame again. The delegates of the Red Hundred formed a privileged throng in the little wilderness of a forecourt, and through these the journalists circulated industriously. + 

Smith of the Megaphone and his youthful assistant, Maynard, slipped through the crowd and found their taxi. + 

Smith shouted a direction to the driver and sank back in the seat with a whistle of weariness. + 

вАЬDid you hear those chaps talking about police protection?вАЭ he asked; вАЬall the blessed anarchists from all over the worldвБ†вАФand talking like a mothersвАЩ meeting! To hear вАЩem you would think they were the most respectable members of society that the world had ever seen. Our civilization is a wonderful thing,вАЭ he added, cryptically. + 

вАЬOne man,вАЭ said Maynard, вАЬasked me in very bad French if the conduct of the Four Just Men was actionable!вАЭ + 

At that moment, another question was being put to Falmouth by a leader of the Red Hundred, and Falmouth, a little ruffled in his temper, replied with all the urbanity that he could summon. + 

вАЬYou may have your meetings,вАЭ he said with some asperity, вАЬso long as you do not utter anything calculated to bring about a breach of the peace, you may talk sedition and anarchy till youвАЩre blue in the face. Your English friends will tell you how far you can goвБ†вАФand I might say you can go pretty farвБ†вАФyou can advocate the assassination of kings, so long as you donвАЩt specify which king; you can plot against governments and denounce armies and grand dukes; in fact, you can do as you pleaseвБ†вАФbecause thatвАЩs the law.вАЭ + 

вАЬWhat isвБ†вАФa breach of the peace?вАЭ asked his interrogator, repeating the words with difficulty. + 

Another detective explained. + 

Fran√Іois and one Rudulph Starque escorted the Woman of Gratz to her Bloomsbury lodgings that night, and they discussed the detectiveвАЩs answer. + 

This Starque was a big man, strongly built, with a fleshy face and little pouches under his eyes. He was reputed to be well off, and to have a way with women. + 

вАЬSo it would appear,вАЭ he said, вАЬthat we may say вАШLet the kings be slain,вАЩ but not вАШLet the king be slainвАЩ; also that we may preach the downfall of governments, but if we say вАШLet us go into this caf√©вАЩвБ†вАФhow do you call it?вБ†вАФвАШpublic-house, and be rude to the propritaireвАЩ we commit aвБ†вАФerвБ†вАФbreach of the peaceвБ†вАФne cвАЩest pas?вАЭ + 

вАЬIt is so,вАЭ said Fran√Іois, вАЬthat is the English way.вАЭ + 

вАЬIt is a mad way,вАЭ said the other. + 

They reached the door of the girlвАЩs pension. She had been very quiet during the walk, answering questions that were put to her in monosyllables. She had ample food for thought in the events of the night. + 

Fran√Іois bade her a curt good night and walked a little distance. + 

It had come to be regarded as StarqueвАЩs privilege to stand nearest the girl. Now he took her slim hands in his and looked down at her. + 

Someone has said the East begins at Bukarest, but there is a touch of the Eastern in every Hungarian, and there is a crudeness in their whole attitude to womankind that shocks the more tender susceptibilities of the Western. + 

вАЬGood night, little Maria,вАЭ he said in a low voice. вАЬSome day you will be kinder, and you will not leave me at the door.вАЭ + 

She looked at him steadfastly. + 

вАЬThat will never be,вАЭ she replied, without a tremor. + 