to blank the forges and rake out the furnaces of the
country. You meant to place your finger upon its arteries and stop
their beating. You meant to turn the people loose upon their
oppressors. Though they must perish in their thousands, yet you meant
to show them the naked truth, to show them of what they are being
deprived, to show them the irresistible laws of justice, so that for
very shame they must drop their tools and stand for their rights. Why
didn't you do it?"

"I have told you," Maraton answered.

"Yes, you have told us," Maxendorf continued. "Supposing there were
still a way by which even this present generation could reap the
benefit? Are you great enough, Maraton, to listen to me, I wonder?
That is what I ask myself since you have become a Party politician, a
friend of Ministers, since you have joined in the puppet dance of the
world. See to what I have brought my people. In ten years' time I tell
you that nearly every industry in my country will be conducted upon a
profit-sharing basis."

"You have brought them to this," Maraton reminded him swiftly, "by
peaceful methods."

"For me there were no other needed," Maxendorf urged. "For you the case
is different. If you are one of those who love to strut about and boast
of your nationality, if you are one of those in whom lingers the
smallest particle of the falsest sentiment which the age of romance has
ever handed down to us--what they call patriotism--then my words will be
wasted. But here is the message which I have brought to you and to your
people. This is the dream of my life which he, Selingman, alone has
known of--the fusion of our races."

"Magnificent!" Selingman cried, springing to his feet. "The dream of a
god! Listen to it, Maraton. My brain has realised it. I, too, have
seen it. Your country is bound in the everlasting shackles.
Generations must pass before you can even weaken the hold of your
bourgeoisie upon the soul and spirit of your land. You are tied hard
and fast, and withal you are on the downward grade. The work which you
do to-day, the next generation will undo. Give up this foolish
legislation. Listen to Maxendorf. He will show you the way."

"When you speak of fusion," Maraton asked, "you mean conquest?"

"There is no such word," Maxendorf insisted. "The hearts of our people
are close together. Put aside all these artificial ententes and
alliances. There are no two people whose ideals and whose aims and
whose destiny are so