“There have been new developments recently,” replied the High President. “Matters have perfected themselves more rapidly than was anticipated. There will be no necessity to wait until next winter. The hour has come! The New Republic is at hand!” “The New Republic is at hand!” repeated Mortimer, smiling. “Why, you speak of this New Republic of yours almost as if it were an accomplished fact!” “So nearly an accomplished fact,” replied the High President, “that within ten days it will be here!” The words were uttered gravely and impressively. They carried a strange conviction. For a moment Mortimer sat silent, staring at the speaker. Then he leaned forward in his chair. “And the King--the existing form of government!” he exclaimed. “A thing of the past--overthrown!” “This is preposterous!” cried Mortimer, a wave of anger flushing his brow. “I see you surrounded by certain evidences of preparation and power, otherwise your words would seem to me but idle vaporings. I believe that you are engaged in an armed conspiracy against the government, but that it will be successful I do not for an instant believe. And,” he added with biting sarcasm, as his anger rose, “it is indeed typical of the strength and character of your organization when its admitted head does not dare to discourse sedition and treason in the presence of an officer of the King save in closest concealment and with masked face!” The High President started slightly; then proudly raised his head: “My life is of value, not so much to me, as to the cause I serve,” he said. “In all movements of this character certain precautions are essential. But the hour of precaution is well-nigh past and is certainly no longer needed with you whom we safely hold in our keeping. I came to you thus disguised, because I desired to speak to you simply as the head of this organization. I deemed it best, until I had secured your decision on a matter I shall present to you soon. But since this mask is made the means of a taunt to our organization, I will remove it and meet you man to man.” As the High President ceased speaking, he raised his hands to the mask and rapidly loosened the strings. Suddenly the obscuring mists rolled aside from the Professor’s brain, and before the mask had fairly been removed from the High President’s features, he sprang to his feet with the cry: “General Mainwarren!” CHAPTER IV UNFOLDING THE PLAN Silence from all three succeeded for a few moments the Professor’s startled exclamation. Then the High President spoke. “Now,” he said, turning to Mortimer, “now that I have removed the source of your reproach, I trust you will give weight and credence to my words.”