"It makes us brothers." The Russian spoke with force and simplicity. "You, too--"
Hugo crossed the room restlessly. "I don't know. I am always losing my grip. I came to Washington with a purpose and I cannot screw myself to it unremittingly. These men seem--"
Skorvsky was thinking. "Your plan for them. What assistance would you need?"
"Why should I need help? I--never mind. I need none."
Skorvsky shook his head. "I cannot--and yet--looking at you--I believe you can. I shall tell you. You will come with me to-night and meet my friends--those who are working earnestly for a new America, an America ruled by intelligence alone. Few outsiders enter our councils. We are all--nearly all--foreigners. Yet we are more American than the Maine fisherman, the Minnesota farmer. Behind us is a party that grows apace. This incident in New Jersey has added to it, as does every dense mumble of Congress, every scandalous metropolitan investigation. I shall telephone."
Hugo allowed himself to be conducted half-dubiously. But what he found was superficially, at least, what he had dreamed for himself. The house to which he was taken was pretentious; the people in its salon were amiable and educated; there was no sign of the red flag, the ragged reformer, the anarchist. The women were gracious; the men witty. As he talked to them, one by one, he began to believe that here was the nucleus around which he could construct his imaginary empire. He became interested; he expanded.
It was late in the night when Skorvsky raised his voice slightly, so that everyone would listen, and made an announcement: "Friends, I have had the honour to introduce Mr. Danner to you. Now I have the greater honour of telling you his purpose and pledge. To-morrow night he will go to New Jersey"--the silence became absolute--"and two nights later he will bring to us in person from their cells Davidoff and Pletzky."
A quick, pregnant pause was followed by excitement. They took Hugo by the hand, some of them applauded, one or two cheered, they shouldered near him, they asked questions and expressed doubts. It was broad daylight before they dispersed. Hugo walked to his house, listening to a long rhapsody from Skorvsky.
"We will make you a great man if you succeed," Skorvsky said. "Good-night, comrade."