CHAPTER XX
From this moment on Fred Starratt's existence had the elements of a sleepwalking dream. He felt himself going through motions which he was powerless to direct. Already Storch and his associates were allowing him a certain aloofness—letting him set himself apart with the melancholy arrogance of one who had been chosen for a fanatical sacrifice.
Replying to Storch's question regarding his plans, he said, decidedly:
"I leave all that to you… Give me instructions and I'll act. But I want to know nothing until the end."
"Within two weeks… Is there a special reason why …"
"Yes … a very special reason."
Storch turned away. But the next day he said, "Have you that card that
Hilmer gave you?"
Fred yielded it up.
Storch smiled his wide, green smile. Fred asked no questions, but he guessed the plans. A spy was to be worked in upon Hilmer.
Every morning now Fred Starratt found a silver dollar upon the cluttered table at Storch's. He smiled grimly as he pocketed the money. He was to have not a care in the world. Like a perfect youth of the ancients marked for a sweet-scented offering to the gods, he was to go his way in perfect freedom until his appointed time. There was an element of grotesqueness in it all that dulled the edge of horror which he should have felt.