“There is no reason for my not telling you. I am frank with those who see through me.” “Why don’t you teach that to the Germans?” “Because it would spoil my game. I want to destroy them after I have used them, and if they should turn frank, they would be so thorough in their frankness that they would disarm the indignant world.” “They are frank enough in their brutality,” I said. “Oh, yes! But that is another matter. Should they be frank in their repentance, the world would forgive them.” “But what of Nietzsche?” I questioned. “Only this, that it was I who inspired him.” “You did your work thoroughly.” “I do my work as thoroughly as it can be done.” “Tell me more,” I urged. “What a worker was lost in you,” he exclaimed, “when you chose good for your standard!” “But I am an excellent worker,” I insisted. “I have even balked some of your work.” He laughed, a quick, sharp laugh. “Don’t think that I care too much for that,” he said. “There is more than one road for me. If you block the door, I can go in by the window.” “And how did you go in to Nietzsche?” “Sometimes by one way, sometimes by another. He only locked his door against man, and you see I also am Beyond Man.” “I perceived that at our first meeting. He who goes beyond man must make the choice between good and evil.” “There is no fooling you,” he said, “and so I no longer try. Yes, it was I who inspired Nietzsche to preach Beyond Man to the Germans, who could only choose evil when they believed themselves strong.” “And what do you get out of it?” For answer, he asked a question: “Did you ever play chess?” “Often, in many lives,” I answered. “Did you have an interest in the game?” “A great interest.” “Did you play for stakes?” “No.” “Then what interested you?” “Why, the game.” “Of course,” he said. “That is how I enjoy my game. I play to win, if I can. When I do not win, I have had the pleasure of the game.” “And you played with that great man’s soul?” “As a cat plays with a mouse. I found in him an earnest spirit, with a sore spot in his head and in his heart. He was an easy one.” “How did you go about it?” “By the usual method.” “And that is?” “Flattery.” “And he did not smell a rat?” “The rats were perfumed. He is an aesthete.” “Do you always perfume the rats?” “It isn’t always necessary. I perfumed yours.” “Yes,” I said, “with the patchouli of peace. But I have a keen scent.” “Yes, the Others have taught you too well.” “Did Nietzsche ever see you as I see you?” “He saw my distinguished face, and he felt the thrill of my power, and he envied and desired to be like me. It is great sport when these earnest mortals are ambitious to emulate me!” “And so you taught him Beyond Man?” “Yes, and I taught him to despise the One who was really Beyond Man.” “Then you are not really Beyond Man yourself?” “My head is. My other members are nearer the earth.” “Notwithstanding the dignity of your presence?”