Black August

'Lots of them do work,' he protested, 'what about the fellows who go into the Diplomatic sit on Commissions enter Parliament, and all that sort of thing?'

'Parliament!' Ann gurgled with laughter. 'You don't seriously believe in that antiquated collection of fools and opportunists, do you?'

'Well, as a matter of fact I do. A few wrong 'uns may get in here and there, but it is only the United British Party which is holding the country together. If it hadn't been for them we should have gone under in the last crisis.

'United British Claptrap!' she retorted hotly, 'the same old gang under a new name that's all.'

'Well, you've got to have leaders of experience, and there are plenty of young men in the party.'

'Yes, but the wrong kind of young man. Look at this Marquis of Fane who's standing in the by election for mid Suffolk.'

'Lord Fane? yes, well, what about him?'

'Well, what can a Duke's son know about imports and taxation? Huntin' and shootin' and gels with an “e” and gof without an “i” are about the extent of his experience I should think. It is criminal that he should be allowed to stand; Suffolk is so hide bound that he'll probably get in and keep out a better man.'

Kenyon grinned at the flushed face on the opposite side of the carriage, and noted consciously how a tiny mole on her left cheek acted as a natural beauty spot. It was amusing to hear this pocket Venus getting worked up about anything so dull as politics. She had imbibed it at Girton, he supposed. 'You think this Red chap, Smithers, is a better man than Fane then?' he asked.

'Probably at least he is in earnest and has the good of the country at heart.'

'I doubt it. Much more likely he is out for Ј400 a year as an M.P. It's quite a decent income for a chap like that, you know.'

'Nonsense that's just a little childish mud slinging, and you know it. Anyhow, things will never get any better as long as these hoary old conference mongers cling to office.'

'Yes, I agree with you there, and that's probably what Fane and all the younger men think too but nobody can just become a Cabinet Minister they've got to get elected and work their way up.'

'Oh, that sort of pampered imbecile will arrive all right,' she prophesied grimly. 'Hell get an under secretary ship by the time he's bald and there he'll stick.'

For a second he felt inclined to laugh at her bitter antagonism to the existing order, but it was growing upon him every moment what an unusual little person she was. Not merely pretty as he had thought at first although her eyes would have made any man look at her a second time; but with her dark curling hair, clear healthy complexion and firm little chin, she was virtually a beauty. Not striking perhaps, because she was so short, but her figure was perfectly proportioned and her ankles were a joy yet above all it was her quick vitality, the bubbling mirth which gave place so quickly to sober earnestness, that intrigued him so much.

'Well, you may be right about Fane,' he said after a moment, 'but the United British Party is the one hope we have of staving off Revolution. It stands for everybody who has a stake either by inheritance or personal gain in this England our ancestors have made for us; and that applies to the tobacconist with the little shop, or the girl who has fifty quid in the bank, every bit as much as these titled people you seem to think so effete. The Party is fighting for the continuance of law and order here at home while the world is cracking up all around, and that is why I think a girl like yourself should put aside your theories for the moment and use any influence you've got at Orford to help Fane win this election.'

'There will be no election!' came a sudden harsh interruption from the far end of the carriage.

They turned to stare in amazement at the small, bony man. His pale eyes glittered strangely in his pink, hairless face as he glared at them.

'The time is come,' he cried in accents of fierce denunciation. 'The money changers shall be cast out of the Temple the wine bibbers shall be choked with their excess the women shall die filthily in the chambers of their whoredom. Those who have read the wisdom of the Pyramid shall see the light. Praise be to the builder for he was the architect of the Universe; but few shall survive, for the third Era of Azekel is at hand. As the great middle Empire of the Egyptians went down into Choas as Rome fell before the hordes of the Barbarian so shall the strength be sapped from the loins of the people in this day. The Moon of Evil cometh with the openings of the month and that which is written in the stone must be accomplished in human blood. Man shall be chastened yet again for his ungodliness. Nation shall war against Nation Brother against Brother and the Strongest shall go down into the Pit.'

He ceased as abruptly as he had began and, apparently oblivious of their startled stare, reverted to the contemplation of his little book.

Further conversation seemed impossible in such circumstances and after a quick exchange of significant glances, Ann and Kenyon fell silent until the great block of indro steel dwellings, which had recently sprung up outside Ipswich, came into sight. Then he leaned towards her again:

'Will there be anyone to meet you?'

'Yes,' she replied softly. 'Uncle Timothy, I expect, with the slug on wheels.'

'With what?'

She smiled. 'His ancient car I mean.'

'I see, well can I help you with your luggage or anything?'

'No, I've only got one suitcase but it is nice of you to ask.'

'Not a bit but look here. There's one thing I would like to know.'

'Yes?'

'What is the number of the house in Gloucester Road?

'Why?' she hesitated for a moment, 'do you mean that you want to see me again?'

'Of course may I?' His blue eyes were very friendly. 'How soon will you be back in London?'

'On the thirtieth.'

'All right if I drop you a line will you dine with me one night?'

'I don't know,' she spoke doubtfully, and a little wistfully, he thought, 'you see, in some way that I can't explain you are rather different to most young men that I know so I might!'

'Tell me the number then.

'Two seven two,' said Ann, but he only just caught her words for as the train pulled into the station the strange man closed his book and burst into speech once more.

'By numbers did the Architect build, and by numbers he shall destroy. The third Era of Azekel is at hand, and with the coming of the New Moon his reign of destruction shall begin. That which is written in the stone must be accomplished, and man chastened yet again for his ungodliness.'

As Kenyon pulled Ann's suitcase from the rack some queer superstitious current in her mind compelled her realisation of the fact that the new moon was due two days after her return to London. Two days, in which she might have seen this tall, auburn haired, blue eyed man again… Would life hold a new interest for her by the coining of the August moon?

They had hardly stepped down on to the platform when

a newspaper placard caught their eyes:

'FIRST RESULT OF THE AMERICAN EMBARGO GOVERNMENT TO RATION VITAL SUPPLIES'

With a little nod of farewell to Kenyon, Ann turned to wave a greeting to the scraggy necked clergyman who was hurrying through the crowd towards her. Yet even as they moved apart both had caught the tones of a harsh voice in their rear crying out from the depths of the carriage.

'Nation shall war against Nation Brother against Brother and the Strongest shall go down into the Pit.'

2

The Tramp of Marching Men

Ann Croome lay back in the largest of the three arm chairs which, with a dilapidated settee, constituted the principal furniture in the sitting room of 272 Gloucester Road.