CHAPTER IV
THE MASKED RECRUIT
A little silence lengthened, while the strange aviator continued topeer out with strangely shining eyes through the holes of his mask.The effect of that human intelligence, sheltered in there behind thatexpressionless celluloid, whose frail thinness they all knew coveredunspeakable frightfulness, became uncanny.
Some of the men eased the tension by blowing ribbons of smoke orby relighting tobacco that had gone out while the stranger had beentalking. Others shifted, a bit uneasily. Voices began to mutter, proand con. The Master suddenly knocked again, for silence.
"I am going to accept this man," said he, sharply. "You notice Ido not put this to a vote, or consult you about it. Nor shall I, inanything. The prime condition of this whole undertaking, as I wassaying when Captain Alden here arrived, is unquestioning obedience tomy authority.
"No one who is unwilling to swear that, need go any further. You musthave confidence in my plans, my judgment. And you must be willing toobey. It is all very autocratic, I know, but the expedition cannotproceed on any other basis.
"You are to go where I will, act as I command, and only regain yourliberty when the undertaking is at an end. I shall not order any manto go anywhere, or do anything, that I would not do myself. On thisyou can rely.
"In case of my death, the authority falls on Major Bohannan. He istoday the only man who knows my plans, and with whom I have had anydiscussion. If we both are killed, then you can elect your own leader.But so long as either of us lives, you have no authority and noredress. I hope that's perfectly understood. Does any man wish towithdraw?"
Not one budged. All stood to their decision, hard as rock.
"Very well," said the Master, grimly. "But remember, disobedienceincurs the death penalty, and it will be rigorously enforced. My wordis to be supreme.
"Such being the case, I decide to take this man. His skill as anaviator cannot be denied. We shall need that. His ability to enduresuffering and still remain efficient seems proved. That may bevaluable; probably will be.
"I shall examine his credentials. If he turns out to be a spy--well,life will be short, for him."
He addressed himself to the masked aviator, who was still standing inan attitude of military attention.
"You are now one of us, sir. You become the thirtieth member of alittle group of as brave men, as daring and determined fighters ascan be found in America or in the world--all tried and tempered by thefires of war; all decorated for conspicuous valor; all ready to followme to the ends of the earth and die, if need be; all eager to share inan undertaking as yet unknown to them, but one that promises to bethe most extraordinary adventure ever undertaken on this planet. Youunderstand all that, sir?"
"I do!"
"Raise your right hand, sir."
The aviator obeyed.
"All the others, too!"
Every hand went up.
"Swear allegiance to me, fidelity, secrecy, courage, obedience. On thething you hold most dear, your honor as fighting-men, swear it!"
The shout that answered him, from every throat, made the eagle's nestring with wild echoes. The Master smiled, as the hands sank.
"With men like you," said he, "failure is impossible. The expeditionis to start at once, tomorrow night. No man in it has now any tiesor home or kin that overbalance his ties to me and to the _esprit decorps_ of our body.
"The past is dead, for you. The future is all a mystery. You areto live only in the present, day by day. And now for some practicaldetails.
"The means of transport you do not know. The perils and rewards areproblematical. Of the former there will be enough; as for the latter,those lie on the knees of the gods. There will be no payment for anyman. Not a cent of money is involved in this service.
"Commissary will be furnished. Each man is to wear his campaignequipment--his uniform and such kit as he can store in a rucksack.Bring small-arms and ammunition. In addition, I will furnish bombingmaterial and six Lewis guns, with ammunition, also other materials ofwhich I shall now say nothing. These things will be transported tothe proper place without labor on your part. I think I have made theoutlines of the matter reasonably clear to every man present."
"Our orders, sir?" asked a voice with a French accent, down the table."Are we to have no precise orders before leaving this room?"
"You are. Each man will receive his own, sealed, before leaving. Iam now about to give them out, in alphabetical rotation. This willdismiss the meeting. You will withdraw as inconspicuously as youcame. Remember, you are to become as cogs in the machine that I havedevised. At the exact place, hour, minute, and second you are to doexactly the thing ordered, _and nothing else_. Neglect, disobedience,or failure will positively not be condoned, but will be punished as Isee fit, even to the death penalty.
"Come forward now, as I call your names, and receive what I shall giveyou."
He opened a drawer in the table, took out many small boxes andarranged them before him. Each box was carefully wrapped in stoutpaper, securely tied, and sealed with red wax.
Standing there, firm, impassive, with narrowed eyes, he began readingthe names:
"Adams--Auchincloss--Brodeur--Cracowicz--Daimamoto--Emilio--Frazier--"
As each man's name was uttered he came down along the table, took thebox extended to him, thrust it into his pocket, saluted stiffly, andwithdrew in silence. At the end of a few minutes, no one was left butthe Master, Bohannan, and the man in the celluloid mask.
"Have you no orders for me, sir?" asked the aviator, still erectin his place at the far end of the table. His eyes shone out darklythrough his shield.
"None, sir."
"All the others--"
"You are different." The Master set hands on his hips, and coldlystudied this strange figure. "The others have had their orderscarefully worked out for them, prepared, synchronized. You have come,so to speak, as an extemporization, an auxiliary; you will add onemore unit to the flyers in the expedition, of which there are nineaces, including Major Bohannan here. The others are now on theirway to their lodgings, to study their instructions, to memorize, andprepare to carry them out. You are to remain here, with Major Bohannanand with me."
"Until what time, sir?"
"Until we start. You will be under continual surveillance. If youmake any attempt to communicate in any way with anyone outside myapartment, it will be the last thing you will ever do. You willreceive no other warning. Tomorrow night you will accompany us. Tillthen, you remain my--guest."
The aviator nodded.
"Very well, sir," he accepted. "But, my machine?"
"I will attend to your machine."
"I should hate to leave it there on the roof."
"It will not be left on the roof."
"I don't understand, exactly--"
"There will be very many things you do not understand before thisexpedition is over and done with. I need say no more."
Sharply he clapped his hands, thrice. In a moment, Rrisa appeared atthe door. The Master spoke a few guttural, aspirated words of Arabic.Rrisa beckoned the stranger, who obeyed.
At the exit he faced about and sharply saluted. The Master returnedit. Then he vanished, and the door noiselessly closed behind them.
The Master turned to Bohannan.
"Now," said he, "these few last details. Time is growing very short.Only a few hours remain. To work, Major--to work!"
At this same moment Auchincloss had already arrived at his rooms inthe McAlpine; and there, having carefully locked his door, had settledhimself at his desk with his sealed box before him.
For a moment he studied it under the electric light. Then, breakingthe wax with fingers tensed by eagerness, he tore it open. He spreadthe contents on his blotting-pad. There was a small pocket-compass ofthe best quality, a plain-cased watch wound up and going, a map anda folded sheet of paper covered with typewriting. Auchincloss fell toreading:
GENERAL ORDERS
You are to learn your specific orders by heart
, and then destroy thispaper. You are to act on these orders, irrespective of every otherman. You are not to communicate the contents of this paper to anyother. This might upset the pre-arranged plan. You might try to joinforces, assist each other, or exercise some mistaken judgment thatmight result in ruin. Each man is to keep his orders an absolutesecret. This is vital.
Each man, like yourself, is provided with a map, a watch, and acompass. These watches are all self-luminous, all accurately adjustedto synchronize to the second, and all will run forty-eight hours.
SPECIFIC ORDERS
Tomorrow, proceed inconspicuously to Tenafly, New Jersey, and hire aroom at the Cutter Inn. Carry your kit in a suit-case. At 7:30 p.m.,go to Englewood. Go up Englewood Avenue toward the Palisades, turnleft (north) along the road near edge of cliff; proceed half a mileand enter woods at your right. There you will find path marked "A" onyour map. Put on rucksack and discard suit-case, which, of course,is to have no identifying marks. Proceed along path to point "B," andfrom under board you will find there take box with weapon enclosed.Box will also contain vacuum searchlight and directions for use ofweapon, exact time, direction, and elevation for discharging same, andfurther instructions how to proceed. Act on these to the second. Ifinterfered with, kill; but kill quietly, so as to avoid giving thealarm.
I expect every man to do his duty to the full. There will be but oneexcuse for failure, and that is death.
The Master.
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