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.