Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 4, 2025
Powart instantly continued with his statement: "This commission is hereby automatically converted into a general staff, with myself, the chairman, as supreme commander. Your functions, while this state of war endures, will consist partly in proposing what steps I shall take, partly, in advising me regarding my decisions, and partly in carrying out whatever orders I may give."
Apparently Powart was always alert, even up to the exact moment of going to sleep; after which he invariably slept like a log, but awakening with a start, bolt upright in bed. But Van Emmon continued to watch his chance. Meanwhile another message had been received from the Alma expedition.
Why don't they reform their ways of living, instead of replacing a worn-out heart with a new one? They've perfected surgery, that's why! And why haven't they tried the screw-propeller? They've perfected the bird-wing principle!" "But that doesn't explain," objected Billie, "why they've been content with an autocratic system of government." Van Emmon considered this a dig at Powart.
And he threw himself back into his chair. In a minute the three were still. Except for two great tears from Billie's eyes, there were no signs of life. Two minutes passed, then three. Finally all four roused together. "Well!" Van Emmon was the first to speak. His voice was harsh and strained. "By George, that was a narrow squeak! I thought sure I was a goner! They threw Powart out of his yacht!"
Certainly he was as eager as any one to continue the investigation, and stoutly defended Powart against any criticism. "He's the right man in the right place!" he insisted. "Lord, I wish I was in his boots!" "Well, I'm rather thankful you're not, dear," commented Billie with a look which quickly brought an answering light to his eyes.
Powart directed that a memorandum be made of the vote; then pressed one of a row of pushbuttons at his hand. An attendant immediately entered. "Bring File 6, Folio 1,164, Sheet 10," ordered Powart with his usual decisive exactness. The attendant disappeared, and in less than a minute returned with a large sheet of parchment. Powart immediately located the passage he desired.
"Says it's all right in principle; but he claims that the earth belongs to one and all, equally, and therefore each should have an equal voice in its disposition and government." This time there was no smiling. The pugnacious-looking man spoke for the rest when he said: "We cannot allow such ideas to gain headway, Powart! Have you a plan?"
Powart hasn't succeeded; he's failed. And because he has failed, I've outdone him." He was gazing impudently at the dictator as he said this; Powart was leaning over the railing of the bridge, a short distance away, too indignant to speak. Next instant, however, Fort glanced at his watch. "Have to be leaving you now," he called. He turned his machine around.
In short, sir," with the strange new note of resolution in his voice, "I am your rival for her hand! I thought it only right that you should know." Powart took this as he took everything, standing. And Van Emmon could see no sign that the announcement had disturbed his poise. "You are considerate," he stated with the faintest trace of sarcasm.
"This makes everything very different!" he declared; and even his voice was altered. There was a determined, purposeful ring about it which was altogether unlike his usual reckless tones. "Thanks for not telling Mr. Powart," Fort went on in the same quiet way. "Clearly, I should tell him myself. And I shall. After that it is up to me!"
Word Of The Day
Others Looking