"And Roger Q. Alger, of the defaulting Savings Bank dynasty comes to you recommended by the cries of anguish that have been uttered by thousands of widows, orphans, struggling husbands and provident wives, who have awakened to find their savings distributed as booty to the Barons. "But what need have I to recount the misdeeds of this list of men. If the first man or woman whom you meet on the street cannot give you a description of them that will stand as an indictment, then consider the men I name innocent!" He then completes the reading of the list. There is a painful silence when he ceases to speak. The Forty seem absorbed in deep thought. The chairman finally speaks: "You have heard the reading of the list," he says. "If it is your desire to substitute names for those mentioned, now is the time to propose the change." "I move that the list be adopted as read," Carl Metz suggests. "I second the motion," says Professor Talbot. Every committeeman votes for the adoption of the list. The names are written on slips of paper and placed in a hat. As each committeeman passes the table he draws a slip. "You have all signified your willingness to carry out the terms of the edict of annihilation," the chairman explains. "It now remains for you to redeem your pledges. If there is one of you who regrets the step he has taken it is not too late to withdraw." There is profound silence, and the men stand immovable. "Two months from to-day then, October 13th, our Syndicate of Annihilation will declare its dividend; this will require the summary taking off of the Forty Transgressors and our self-immolation." Chadwick pronounces these words slowly, impressively: "We will separate to-night never to meet again in this life. "If we are true to our purpose we will not have died in vain." Without formal partings the men leave the store-house. Nevins is the last to depart; he draws the remaining slip. It bears the name of "James Golding, Bond King; capital, $400,000,000; occupation, United States Treasury Looter." BOOK III. The Syndicate Declares a Dividend. CHAPTER XIV. BIRTH OF A NEW PARTY. "You will soon find that my assertion was based on absolute knowledge, for your nomination will be unanimous," Nevins declares to Trueman as they sit in private conference, on the eve of the Independence Party's convention. "Then you do not credit the statement that the Eastern delegations have become disaffected?" "That's only one of the rumors which the Plutocrats have set afloat since they unearthed the fact that you are to be a candidate for the vice-presidential nomination. Gorman Purdy is the instigator of all these adverse stories. He has not forgotten that you were once his most promising pupil."