us eyes, and thought of the armies
of the world. _In hoc signo vinces!_ The message had come from heaven.

He took a sample box of Sypher's Cure from his handbag, and, almost with
reverence, anointed his heel.

CHAPTER XIV

Clem Sypher slept the sleep of the warrior preparing for battle. When he
awoke at Lyons he had all the sensations of a wounded Achilles. His heel
smarted and tingled and ached, and every time he turned over determined on
a continuation of slumber, his foot seemed to occupy the whole width of the
berth. He reanointed himself and settled down again. But wakefulness had
gripped him. He pulled up the blinds of the compartment and let the dawn
stream in, and, lying on his back, gave himself up to the plans of his new
campaign. The more he thought out the scheme the simpler it became. He had
made it his business to know personages of high influence in every capital
in Europe. Much of his success had already been gained that way. The
methods of introduction had concerned him but little. For social purposes
they could have been employed only by a pushing upstart; but in the
furtherance of a divine mission the apostle does not bind his inspired feet
with the shackles of ordinary convention. Sypher rushed in, therefore,
where the pachyderms of Park Lane would have feared to tread. Just as the
fanatical evangelist has no compunction in putting to an entire stranger
embarrassing questions as to his possession of the Peace of God, so had
Sypher no scruple in approaching any foreigner of distinguished mien in an
hotel lounge and converting him to the religion of Sypher's Cure. In most
cosmopolitan resorts his burly figure and pink face were well known.
Newspapers paragraphed his arrival and departure. People pointed him out
to one another in promenades. Distinguished personages to whom he had
casually introduced himself introduced him to other distinguished
personages. When he threw off the apostle and became the man, his simple
directness and charm of manner caused him to be accepted pleasurably for
his own sake. Had he chosen to take advantage of his opportunities he might
have consorted with very grand folks indeed; at a price, be it said, which
his pride refused to pay. But he had no social ambitions. The grand folks
therefore respected him and held out a cordial hand as he passed by. That
very train was carrying to Switzerland a Russian Grand Duke who had greeted
him with a large smile and a "_Ah! ce