None But Lucifer

Chapter VII

Hale's sense of victory grew overwhelming. There really was something to be excited about: He was master of half the earth! Lucifer and Hale, partners! The power he imagined himself wielding was heady stuff. He had to fight to maintain his balance.

"What can I count on getting out of this partnership?" he asked almost soberly.

Johnson clapped him on the shoulder. "Responsibility, my boy. Mainly that. Running the world is a mighty big job, you know."

"I mean for myself."

Johnson smiled knowingly. "A practical, self-seeking fellow. That's fine. The last thing I'd want is an ascetic. What do you want? Power, fame, money, notoriety — watch out for that, by the way. You can imagine how unpleasant it was for me during the Middle Ages."

"All of them," said Hale emphatically, "and as much more as I can get my hands on. First of all, I ought to have a pretty good fortune."

Johnson punched Hale's chest with a stubby forefinger. "Quite right, my boy. Before you can become valuable to me, you must get your personal problems settled. Money is a disturbing factor. You should have enough of it to let you think about other affairs."

"How do I go about getting it?"

"Well, that depends." Johnson cocked his head and gazed abstractedly. "Being my partner doesn't imply black magic, you know. When you want money, you don't mumble some nonsense or mix up a horrible-smelling brew, and ffft! — there it is."

Hale's eyebrows shot up.

"Oh, come, William! You ought to know better than that. Running Hell on an efficient basis happens to be my business, and I run it the same as any other businessman runs his business, by practical, common-sense methods."

"Then where's my power?" asked Hale in distress.

"It's there, all right, without a lot of childish magic. It's all the more subtle and effective, I might point out, because you work with common everyday methods.

"I'm immortal, of course. Hence I can control the world's money simply by investing a little and waiting for the interest charges to pile up. Outside of that, I can run the world merely by a magnificent system of obtaining information, an understanding of men's desires, and a knowledge of how to use pivot men. And, of course, the ability to start and stop the flow of money. In most cases the last can be done without a penny. I'll show you how after you give me an estimate of how much you desire."

Hale thought, then said tentatively: "Let's say a few million."

"Fine. That will be an excellent beginning. Follow me and I shall demonstrate my practical methods." He strutted to the door. "I suppose black magic would be convenient at times. Unfortunately nature gives me very little leeway in sorcery. But I've always thought it would be undignified and obvious, anyhow."

He marched pompously through the clattering loft to the enormous files, and indicated the wall of cabinets with a proud gesture. "There is one other as comprehensive as this. That one is in Europe, and is, obviously, mine."

Hale looked admiringly. It was gigantic, and the thought of having to use it as efficiently as Lucifer did frightened him. "I don't see how I'll get the hang of it," he admitted.

"It's simplicity itself. A child could run it blindfolded. Here" — he moved heavily to a drawer — "we're after `Stock Market.' Occasionally you'll find cross references — the system is a simple affair of cross filing —"

"But so many people!"

"What do you mean?"

"Why, keeping track of everybody —"

"Oh, don't be silly. It's enough to keep track of trade and production and social, political, and economic movements, with the key figures in each category, their influence, their motives and objectives, and what effect certain ... uh ... stimuli will have on their own categories and on society in general."

He motioned away several office workers who hovered around, and pulled the drawer out on its rollers. Flipping through the A's, he orated: "Here's `Aircraft Stocks,' with a list and analysis of every owner large enough to affect the market." He pointed at one name. "This man has powerful allies. For several years he had been ... unfortunate in his stock manipulations. You understand. He was anxious to recoup his losses, but cautious. Consequently," Johnson twinkled, "rumors began circulating among his omniscient financial circles. He investigated — oh, very secretly, of course — and discovered that the government had authorized the sale of airplanes to friendly nations. On a cash-and-carry basis, but it would still amount to plenty.

"He saw the advantage of controlling the market for aircraft stocks, so he borrowed millions of dollars from his allies."

Hale had listened without much comprehension. "I don't see how that'll help me —"

"I don't expect you to, yet. We could use any of a thousand men to get your fortune. This one will serve a number of purposes. Let me continue: By giving this secret information to several influential persons, I can create a tremendous uproar in the newspapers and in Congress. Do you grasp the significance?

"I have sedulously nurtured the policy of isolation. The furor against its violation will entrench it more strongly. Within a few minutes after I have revealed the secret, this manipulator will be informed. His stocks will toboggan, and he will have to sell as quickly as possible to get out from under."

"I see," said Hale, in the tone of one who doesn't see at all. "But what do I do?"

"You? I thought it was obvious." Johnson shoved the drawer back and guided Hale back to his office. He motioned at the telephone. "Ask the operator to get you Titus, Farnsworth."

"Thank you," said the operator, and Hale could have sworn that she added: "Mr. Hale." He jerked his head up and stared quizzically at Johnson, who said, "What's the matter?"

"I thought — It's nothing. What do I say?"

Johnson smiled expansively. "Tell them to buy all the aircraft stocks they can get their hands on, after the market has slumped enough to be near bottom. They'll be able to judge. I trained them myself."

"But the market'll be going down —"

"Do as I say. And just tell the girl this is the office of Alexander P. Johnson."

Hale did so. Presently a male voice rumbled: "Hello. Farnsworth speaking."

"Go on," Johnson prompted.

Hale nervously repeated Johnson's instructions.

"Yep. I got that. Any idea how heavy you want to buy?"

Hale put his hand over the transmitter and repeated the question. Johnson said carelessly: "Everything in sight, until the price stops falling."

"Everything in sight until the price stops falling," Hale repeated dutifully.

"Sounds good," said Farnsworth. "I'm sure Mr. Johnson won't mind if we get in on this ourselves a little. Thanks."

Hale hung up cautiously, as if he thought the telephone stand would bite him. He shook his head. "I don't know. Maybe I'm dumb."

"Not at all, my boy. You simply don't have all the facts. This outcry about the violation of our isolation policy will last for several days. The small speculators always sell on a falling market and buy on a rising one. The speculator we have set out to strip is cleverer than that; but this time he has over-reached himself by too much borrowing.

"At the end of that time the government will devise an explanation that will soothe everybody, about how by selling aircraft abroad we can step up production, thereby reducing cost per unit and giving our aircraft laboratories facilities for experimentation. The furor will subside, and your aircraft stocks will rise even higher than they are now. Incidentally, most of the speculators, having sold short at the bottom of the market to make up their losses somewhat, can be blackmailed splendidly."

"Oh," said Hale.

"There's your first lesson in my methods. No black magic — just detailed information and a knowledge of human nature." Johnson got a check book out of a drawer. "Where do you plan living — at the Park Avenue place?"

Hale drew his hand across his forehead. "I guess so. Once I get used to an apartment a mile square, it'll suit me fine, I suppose. Right now I'm rather dazed."

"Well, you must accustom yourself to big-business methods." Johnson wrote a check and handed it to Hale, who looked at it with a frightened expression. "I know it's only a million, but that should keep you going for a while. I'm transferring it from my account to yours, against the sale of your stocks, with the usual six-percent interest for the use of my money. You oughtn't to object to that. When the price goes high enough, Titus, Farnsworth."

"Now, my advice is to get your personal problems and desires out of the way. I want you to begin here with a completely free mind —"

"Look here," said Hale, suspiciously. "You're taking this partnership pretty damned smoothly."

"Well," said Johnson with a humorous expression, "you blackmailed me into it. All I can do is accept the situation gracefully and try to make use of you.

"Incidentally, our prospective victim owns a very presentable yacht. If you'd like one, I know he'll be glad to sell at your price. Now, you run along home and get your personal problems settled. I'll phone you every evening. When you're free, I'll spend the evening with you and explain what I've been doing, to give you the proper perspective." He held out his hand. "Good-by, William. Remember, don't neglect anything that will make you happy."

They shook hands, and Hale left the office, very unsteadily. On the way out he was surprised and pleased to see that a man was putting his name on the door in gold letters under Johnson's. In his daze he didn't think too much about the phenomenal promptness of this bit of decoration.