a while. I have the intelligence and the wide vision
of the skilled expert. Also, I have the power. I shall be obeyed.
The men of all the world shall perform my bidding and make
governments so that they shall become laughter-producers. These
modelled governments I have in mind shall not make the people happy,
wise, and noble by decree; but they shall give opportunity for the
people to become happy, wise, and noble.

"I have spoken. I have invited you, and nine of your
fellow-captains, to confer with me. On March third the yacht
_Energon_ will sail from San Francisco. You are requested to be on
board the night before. This is serious. The affairs of the world
must be handled for a time by a strong hand. Mine is that strong
hand. If you fail to obey my summons, you will die. Candidly, I do
not expect that you will obey. But your death for failure to obey
will cause obedience on the part of those I subsequently summon. You
will have served a purpose. And please remember that I have no
unscientific sentimentality about the value of human life. I carry
always in the background of my consciousness the innumerable billions
of lives that are to laugh and be happy in future aeons on the earth.

"Yours for the reconstruction of society,

"GOLIAH."

The publication of this letter did not cause even local amusement. Men
might have smiled to themselves as they read it, but it was so palpably
the handiwork of a crank that it did not merit discussion. Interest did
not arouse till next morning. An Associated Press despatch to the
Eastern states, followed by interviews by eager-nosed reporters, had
brought out the names of the other nine captains of industry who had
received similar letters, but who had not thought the matter of
sufficient importance to be made public. But the interest aroused was
mild, and it would have died out quickly had not Gabberton cartooned a
chronic presidential aspirant as "Goliah." Then came the song that was
sung hilariously from sea to sea, with the refrain, "Goliah will catch
you if you don't watch out."

The weeks passed and the incident was forgotten. Walter Bassett had
forgotten it likewise; but on the evening of February 22, he was called
to the telephone by the Collector of the Port. "I just wanted to tell
you," said the latter, "that t