re and more like his unworthy
guests. And now instead of kicking the whole mob into the outer
darkness, he lay there, face down, listening to their evil whispers.

"Get rid of Zaidos," they said over and over. "Get rid of him. Who
will know? Don't you hate him? You ought to! Just because he is the
one who really owns everything, is that any reason why you should get
out and work for an honest living? You don't want to bother with an
honest living. You want to live soft and lie easy. Get rid of Zaidos!
Now is your chance! It is your only chance. You know how he makes
friends everywhere. He is straight as a string. He does not lie. He
wouldn't do a mean action. Fellows like us are afraid of that sort.
Get rid of him. Now--now!"

So the whispering in Velo's mind went on, and he listened and listened,
and presently he sat up. On his face was written what is written on
every man's face when he gives the keys of his soul over to Evil.

Zaidos came climbing out.

"Well, the doctor is going to save your friend Smith," he said
cheerfully. "Good work, too! One of the nicest fellows I ever knew,
that Smith. Too bad about his little brother. I never saw two fellows
so crazy over each other. It seems they are the last of the family.
Doctor says this fellow will never be able to fight again, but he will
get perfectly well in time. I don't believe it myself. I don't
believe any of the men wounded go will ever get all over it, but we can
hope so, anyhow. You see I feel as though I knew this man Smith real
well because he knows a schoolmate of mine, Nickell-Wheelerson his name
is. He was just a plain boy when we were at school, but he came over
with me, and now he's a lord. Poor old Nick, how he will hate it!"

Zaidos paused, and stared into the night.

Velo scanned him under lowering brows.

"Get it over soon--soon!" whispered the impatient Evil in his soul.

Velo put a hand on his breast where the papers were hidden. Zaidos
stooped and tightened the strap of his puttee. Velo watched him
sneeringly. Zaidos was so maddeningly unconcerned. Velo wondered if
he could be near anyone who hated him as he hated Zaidos and not feel
and fear it. The urge of Evil became like a heavy hand knocking on his
heart. He almost feared Zaidos would hear it. "Now--now--now!" it
went.

"Come on, Zaidos," he said, standing up. "Let's get to work. I
suppose we have an all-night task before us."

Zaidos yawned.