those who had prostituted their talent to the second level.
Blackana pushed me on through all the demonstrations, and then led me
into a great structure more secluded than the electrical stations.
Here the state laws are hatched, but, thanks to a higher sanctum, not
all the brood see daylight.
The plotters of Hell sat in this underground legislative centre, and
I saw, to my horror, some state legislators occupying seats in this
infamous quarter.
Then said I to Blackana: "It is no more a mystery to me how so much
of Hell is incorporated into the laws of the states in the country
where I hold residence, as well as in all other parts of the world.
How long have these things been?"
"Since the beginning of law," was his indifferent reply.
"It will not be so forever," I prophesied under a sudden spell of
inspiration. "The time must come when the power of this level will be
blasted forever. The owner of the tree will burn the worms and their
nests from every branch."
Then said Blackana tauntingly: "Neither flood, poison, fire, nor knife
can ever destroy this section." Just as he spoke these words the whole
edifice shook, and I heard a noise as if a shower of great stones had
crashed into the roof and sides of the building. The legislators quaked
with fear and all looked toward the ceiling. All of this instantly
reminded me of the thousand lords who looked at the ominous handwriting
on the wall at the feast of Belshazzar.
"Explain it to me," I asked as I looked wonderingly at Blackana.
"Urge it not, urge it not! Be content to dwell in ignorance!"
"I am here to learn, and I would know what force or power can so
well-nigh destroy this wretched center. Tell me the truth. I demand
it."
Then did Blackana move himself in his startling attitudes, as if loath
to speak. He rolled his heavy eyes as his discordant voice yielded the
unwilling explanation.
"These are the votes that just fell in favor of reform in a campaign
on earth. Such votes, under the panoply of prayer, strike more terror
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