CHAPTER XXIII
AT DOWNING STREET
That night, at eight o'clock, I was summoned to Downing Street. I leftSarakoff lying on the sofa, apparently asleep. I drove the first part ofthe way in a taxi, but at the corner of Orchard Street the cab verynearly collided with another vehicle, and in a moment I was a helplesscreature of fear. So I walked the rest of the way, much to theastonishment of the driver, who thought I was a lunatic. It was a finecrisp evening and the streets were unusually full. Late editions of thepaper were still being cried, and under the lamps were groups of people,talking excitedly.
From what I could gather from snatches of conversation that I overheard,it seemed that many thought the millennium was at hand. I mused on this,wondering if beneath the busy exterior of life there lurked in people'shearts a secret imperishable conviction. And, after all, was it not amillennium--the final triumph of science--the conquest of the irrationalby the rational?
There was a good deal of drunkenness, and crowds of men and women,linked arm and arm, went by, singing senseless songs. In PiccadillyCircus the scene was unusually animated. Here, beyond doubt, the Jasonpress had produced a powerful impression. The restaurants and barsblazed with light. Crowds streamed in and out and a spirit of hilariousexcitement pervaded everyone. Irresponsibility--that was the universalattitude; and I became deeply occupied in thinking how the germ shouldhave brought about such a temper in the multitude. Only occasionally didI catch the blue stain in the eyes of the throng about me.
I reached Downing Street and was shown straight into a large, ratherbare room. By the fireplace sat Jason, and beside him, on the hearthrug,stood the Premier. Jason introduced me and I was greeted with quietcourtesy.
"I intend to make a statement in the House to-night and would like toput a few questions to you," said the Premier in a slow clear voice."The Home Secretary has been considering whether you and Dr. Sarakoffshould be arrested. I see no use in that. What you have done cannot beundone."
"That is true."
"In matters like this," he continued, "it is always a question of takingsides. Either we must oppose you and the germ, or we must side with you,and extol the virtues of the new discovery. A neutral attitude wouldonly rouse irritation. I have therefore looked into the evidenceconnected with the effects claimed for the germ, and have receivedreports on the rate of its spread. It would seem that it is of benefitto man, so far as can be judged at present, and that its course cannotbe stayed."
I assented, and remained gazing abstractedly at the fire.
He continued in a sterner tone--
"It may, however, be necessary to place you and Dr. Sarakoff underpolice protection. There is no saying what may happen. Your action inletting loose the germ in the water supply of Birmingham wasunfortunate. You have taken a great liberty with humanity, whatever mayresult from it."
"Medical men have no sense of proportion," murmured Jason. "Sciencemakes them so helpless."
"I see no kind of helplessness in rescuing humanity from disease," Ianswered calmly. "Please tell me what you want to know."
They both looked at me attentively. The Premier took out a pair ofpince-nez and began to clean the lenses, still watching me.
"France is unwilling to let the germ into her territory. Can measures betaken to stop its access to the Continent?"
"No. It will get there inevitably. It has probably got there long ago.It is air borne and water borne and probably sea borne as well. Thewhole world will be infected sooner or later. There is no immunitypossible."
The Premier put on his pince-nez and warmed his hands at the fire.
"Then what will the result of the germ be upon mankind?" he asked atlength.
"It will begin a new era. What has made reform so difficult up to now?"
"People do not see eye to eye on all questions, Dr. Harden. That is themain reason."
"And why do they not see eye to eye?"
"Because their desires are not the same."
"Very good. Now imagine a humanity without desires, as you and Jasonunderstand desire. What would be the result?"
"It is impossible to conceive. The wheels of the world would ceaseturning. We should be like sheep without a shepherd." He surveyed mequietly for some time. "Then you think the germ will kill desire?"
"I know it. I am a living example. I have no desires. I am like a manwithout a body, I am immortal."
Jason laughed.
"You are above temptation?" he asked.
"Absolutely. Neither money, power nor woman has any influence on me.They are meaningless."
"You have, perhaps, reached Nirvana?" the Premier enquired.
"Yes. That is why I am immortal. I have reached Nirvana."
"By a trick."
"If you like--by a trick."
"Then I cannot think you will stay there for long," said the Premier. "Ishall look forward to my attack of the Blue Disease with interest. Itwill be amusing to note one's sensations."
It was clear to me that he was defending himself against my greaterknowledge, but it was a matter of no importance to me. I was faintlyoppressed by the dreary immensity of the room. I had become sensitive toatmosphere, and the feeling of that room was not harmonious.
The Premier stood in deep thought.
"If the germ prolongs life, it will lead to complications," he remarked."The question of being too old has attracted public attention for sometime now, which shows the way the wind is blowing. Oldness has become,in a small degree, a problem. The world is younger than it used tobe--more impatient, more anxious to live a free life, to escape from anyform of bondage. And so people have begun to ask what we are to do withour old men."
He paused and looked at Jason.
"My friend Jason thinks these murders are caused indirectly by thegerm."
"It is possible."
"It seems fantastic. But there may be something in it." The Premierraised his eyes and studied the ceiling. "There is certainly someexcitement abroad. We are dealing with an unprecedented situation. Itherefore propose to say to-night that if, in the course of time, wefind that life is prolonged and disease done away with, new laws willhave to be considered."
"Not only new laws," I said. "We shall have to reconstruct the wholefuture of life. But there is no hurry. There is plenty of time. There iseternity before us."
"What do you eat?" demanded the Premier suddenly.
"A little bread or biscuit."
He clasped his hands behind his back and surveyed me for quite a minute.
"I don't believe you're a quack," he observed. "But when you walked intothe room, I was doubtful."
"Why?"
"Because you wouldn't look at me squarely."
"Why should I look at you squarely? I looked at you and saw you. I haveno desire to make any impression on you, or to dominate you in any way.It was sufficient just to see you. As Immortals, we do not waste ourtime looking at one another squarely. An Immortal cannot act."
The Premier smiled to himself and took out his watch.
"I am obliged to you for the instance," he said. "Good-night."
I rose and walked towards the door. On my way I stopped before a vastdingy oil-painting.
"Why do you all deceive yourselves that you admire things like that?Throw it away. When you become an Immortal you won't live here."
The Premier and Jason stood together on the hearth-rug. They watched meintently as I went out and closed the door behind me. A servant met meon the landing and escorted me downstairs. I observed that he was anImmortal.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"I am a spectator," he said in a calm voice. "And you?"
"I, too, am a spectator."
The Blue Germ Page 23