I most
strongly believe, reduce society to one dead and happy level. And,
monsieur, I believe the Fates have chosen me to be the prime instrument
in this matter. I shall invent or refind the talisman, and then it will
be in my own hands to sweep out the grades from all the people of the
earth, and tear down all their laws. Think of it!"

"By Jove, senor," said I, "universal anarchy! That's a strong order."

"It is possible, though, and I believe probable. With my talisman it
can be done. I have thought over every tittle of the means through
patient years of waiting, and I am confident that I, and I alone, can
uproot all existing institutions when once I have this trivial lever."

Taltavull was stalking up and down the room like a long black spectre.
He had forgotten my presence. His fanatical schemes enwrapped his mind
completely. There was a minute's silence, and then I said half
jokingly,--

"They'd make you king of the anarchists."

I must have repeated his thoughts, for he replied instantly in a
half-whisper, "They must;" but perhaps remembering that the admission
was a damaging one, he stopped in his walk and addressed me with folded
arms and lowered brow.

"I beg of you to spare me such jest, Monsieur Cospatric. This is the
one subject I have at heart; it has occupied my life-work; to it I have
surrendered fortune, station, everything. Whether or no I look for a
recompense cannot interest you."

"Oh, all right," said I; "sorry I spoke. A comprehensive ignorance of
all brands of politics must be my excuse."

He stared at me thoughtfully for a minute, and then: "I fear you think
me a visionary, monsieur, or even worse, a trifler with men's lives. If
you are illiberal, you may deem me no better than a common murderer.
Our need is misunderstood, misrepresented. But I will not attempt to
defend it with you now--some other time perhaps. Let me tell you of my
great hope, and then you will understand how little it has to do with
the bloody holocausts we are so unfortunately associated with." And
then this strange creature began to unfold a scheme of policy which
seemed to me the maddest my ears had ever listened to, and yet with
cogent method in its madness. Briefly, he wanted to produce diamonds in
huge quantities, and sow them broadcast over the globe. As gems they
would then be no longer valuable. Castes would cease to exist. And then
governments could be stamped out.

Viewed in the light of after recollect