“That’s what I meant. In an anti-militarist, that sort of prejudice
against women is most inconsistent. Who was it that hammered a nail
into Sisera’s head? A woman, and an anti-military woman. Who was it
that stuck a knife into that horrid beast Marat, when he was sitting
in his bath? A woman again. Who was it that shot that Russian governor
the other day? I’ve forgotten her name for the minute, but you know who
I mean. It was a woman. She did for him on a railway platform. And yet
you stand up there calling yourself an advanced kind of anarchist, and
say that you can’t trust a woman. Emperor, you ought to be ashamed of
yourself. Just think the matter out and you’ll see that when it comes
to thorough-going, out-and-out revolutions women are quite the most
trustworthy kind of people there are.”
Mr. Red gave another brief order in his foreign language. The
fair-haired anarchist stepped forward and took away the note-paper, pen
and ink.
“What are you at now?” said Dr. O’Grady. “Surely to goodness you’re not
going back on the suicide plan? Oh, very well. I can’t help it. But
you’ll be sorry afterwards when the police come here looking for me.”
“I have spoken,” said Mr. Red.
“You have not. You’ve growled occasionally, but nobody could call your
remarks speaking.”
“I leave you,” said Mr. Red. “Remember.”
“Remember what? Oh, you’re going, are you? Just wait one instant. You
refuse to let me write to Adeline Maud. Very well. You don’t know
Adeline Maud, but I do. Even supposing the police can’t find me, or my
body after you’ve cut my throat, and supposing that Jimmy O’Loughlin
and Lorraine Vavasour give up the pursuit--from what I know of Lorraine
I think it most unlikely that he will--you’ll still have to reckon with
Adeline Maud. She’s a most determined young woman. All the perseverance
which has gone to making ‘Blow’s beauties’ the popular smokes they are
at twopence each has descended from her father to her. When she finds
out that I’ve disappeared she’ll go on searching till she finds me.
The ordinary sleuth-hound is absolutely nothing to her for persistence
in the chase. It will be far wiser for you--in the interests of the
Brotherhood I mean--to let me head her off, by telling her that I’ll
turn up again all right.”
“Farewell,” said Mr. Red.
“I ought to mention before you go,” said Dr. O’Grady, “that Adeline
Maud may be in Clonmore to-morrow. I’m expecting a visit---- Damn it!
The fool is gone and shut the door behind him.”
Mr. Red had, in fact, entirely ignored the announcement of Miss
Blow’s impending arrival. He and his two friends left the room, and,
distrustful of the parole which had been given, locked the door behind
them. Dr. O’Grady turned to the breakfast provided for him with an
excellent appetite.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account