Triumph
Hardly had I escaped from Thuno Flâtum's audience hall when I noticed
an athletic looking individual darting from the direction of the
throne-room. Breaking through the ranks of my followers in frantic
agitation, he headed straight toward me; while I, imagining him to be
an agent of justice, hastened my footsteps in the effort to regain my
"scootscoot," which was waiting a few hundred yards away.
But my efforts were futile. I was too greatly impeded by my attendants,
who had been reduced to such thoughtlessness that they would not get
out of my way; and, try as I might, my pursuer was gaining upon me.
"Wait a minute there! Just a minute!" he shouted, when he had come
within a few dozen yards. "Just a minute! I've something to tell you!"
But, of course, the only effect was to spur my flight.
Nevertheless, he finally caught up with me, puffing and panting
prodigiously, just as I had reached my "scootscoot" and was about to
dash away. And only then, as I turned in alarm to confront him, did I
recognize the official yellow badge of the press!
"I represent the _Screamer!"_ he gasped, when he had halfway regained
his breath. "Let me have your story! Quick! The _Blare_ man will be
here any minute!"
Surely enough, another individual, racing toward us from far down the
gallery, proved to be a reporter for the _Blare_!
All at once I realized how foolish my flight had been. Though still
in a hurry to get away, I could find time to present my story to both
newspapers, with a wealth of detail. Although I did not quite foresee
the results, I already had a suspicion that the _Blare_ and the
_Screamer_ would prove my salvation.
In less than an hour the new editions were on sale, competing with
one another in the sensationalism of their reports. "Air special!
Air special!" I heard the newsgirls crying from the court outside
my apartment window, as I paced back and forth, trying to decide on
my next action. "Insurrection in the guards! Thuno Flâtum defied!
Mysterious stranger demands throne as price of air! Read all about the
great rebellion! Super-super-extra-extra! Super-super-extra-extra!"
Naturally, I rushed out into the gallery to buy a paper, but was able
to do so only with the greatest difficulty, for people were flocking
from all sides to get copies, and supplies were soon exhausted.
However, I did manage to get a _Screamer_, and this is what I read:
INSOLENT STRANGER CHALLENGES THUNO FLÂTUM
MAN IN AMBER SPECTACLES WARNS, "MAKE ME DICTATOR, AND I RESTORE AIR"
_Guards in a Commotion! Back Claims of Audacious Intruder!_
There followed a highly colored account of the day's events, in which
I was described as a "madman seeking to start revolution," while Thuno
Flâtum was represented as "defending his position with the indomitable
might and valor for which the First Class is so justly noted." It was
admitted, however, that I was formidable, being backed by an army
variously estimated as between ten thousand and a hundred thousand
fanatics, of whom several thousand had accompanied me to the Dictator's
throne-room. In the face of such a menace, Thuno Flâtum was more than
courageous--so the papers said--to resist my demands, even though the
country should have to remain unaired for a few "wakes" more.
As I glanced up from the paper, I could see that the people around me
were profoundly affected by the news. For once, it seemed, an action of
Thuno Flâtum had not met with unquestioning approval....
"What's that?" I heard a chalk-face to my left growling savagely. "So
we're to remain without air? Meanwhile the First Class can breathe from
oxygen tanks! Let's have air, I say! Air, air, air! What do I care
who's on the throne, so long as we can breathe.... Tell me, what do you
think, brother?" he demanded, turning in my direction.
"I thoroughly agree!" said I.
"So do I!" exclaimed an indignant voice from our right. "The children
haven't had a good clean breath for three wakes! Let Thuno Flâtum's own
children be turned over, if he likes! I want air for mine!"
"So do I! So do I!" other voices joined in. "Air, air for our
children!" And hundreds enthusiastically echoed this sentiment.
* * * * *
I was not unprepared for the events of the next few hours. Toward
the close of the "wake," I went out to stroll along one of the main
galleries; and, seeing a crowd assembled in a great open chamber or
public square, I hastened forward with the feeling that extraordinary
news was abroad. Nor was I mistaken, although at first, amid the
babbling of many tongues, I was unable to discover what had happened.
All that I knew was that the people were gathered about in groups,
chattering excitedly, and that the words "Thuno Flâtum! Thuno Flâtum!
Thuno Flâtum!" mingling with cries of "Air! Air! Air!" occurred again
and again. But though I accosted many persons in my eagerness for
information, none would take time to answer by more than mumbled,
incoherent phrases.
Yet by mixing with the crowd and listening, I managed to hear some
tell-tale remarks.... "Why, I thought Thuno would rule forever!" one
voice exclaimed: .... "Where did he run to?" demanded another....
"I don't know. They say he's hiding in the Third Class basements!"
contributed a third.... "But I've heard he's gone fishing!" a fourth
added.... "Who's at the head of things now?".... "No one, they say,
till we get the air back."
From these scraps of conversation, one fact at least was plain. But who
had overthrown the Dictator? And was his fall actual or but a ruse?
Gradually, however, other details became evident. Led by the revolting
guards, a mob had stormed Thuno Flâtum's palace, demanding immediate
air, even though the Dictator must retire in favor of "the mysterious
stranger with the amber glasses." And when the ruler had refused, the
tempest of resentment had risen and forced him to flee.
It was but a short while later when, as I had expected, the _Blare_
and _Screamer_ came out with new editions. Their version, however,
differed considerably from what I had just heard. For the benefit
of his health, which had been affected by the strain of duties of
state, the Dictator had been advised by his physicians to take a brief
vacation, his whereabouts being concealed so that he might enjoy the
greater seclusion. Both papers ended with the pious hope that their
good sovereign might speedily recover.
But both, at the same time, suggested that if the self-termed
"President of the People's Better Air Association" would restore the
ventilation without further delay, he would find the people ready to
grant any reasonable demand.
Acting upon this hint, I dispatched immediate letters to both
newspapers. At precisely four hours and a quarter after the beginning
of the following "wake" I would turn on the air. And, exactly one hour
and a quarter later, I would appear in the Dictator's throne-room,
where Thuno Flâtum's guards might identify me as "the mysterious
stranger" of the amber spectacles. I would, of course, claim my reward
immediately, and would make no guarantee for the continuance of
ventilation unless all my demands were granted.
Having dispatched these messages, I yawned and settled down for a good
night's sleep. I had need of rest, for tomorrow, I knew, might be one
of the crowning days of my career.