Devil's Eye Read Free

information, he sensed, was not casually revealed unless it was meant to go no further. Anatoli Lysenko for the first time since they left Aswan became genuinely fearful for his own safety.
     
    “ The ‘Mad Monk’—Rasputin—had a number of disciples,” the Old One continued. “In fact some of your own kind, the czar’s secret police— your predecessors—those who finally killed him—with the greatest difficulty as you know—became his strongest converts. They saw his super human powers! Your own Commissar Dekanazov is one of them. That is why he knows of this place. That is why he sent you.”
     
    The young goateed figure in the black hood stood motionless next to the Old One and stared fixedly at the three Russians while the master continued.
     
    “ Unimagined travail will be visited upon your greatest enemy— America! Her supremacy will wither in the face of her own self ‐ doubt! Her nation will lose its perceived innocence and be the subject of derision! She will have great martyrs among her; after which will follow great confusion and uncertainty. Her leaders will hesitate. They will shrink and they will speak abominations. Those who appear strong will lead astray. They will be accused of weakness of the flesh. War will be called Peace and Peace will be called War. America will see the pronouncements of her highest ideals fall prey and be suspect of a disbelieving world. Evil will flourish in her shadow!”
     
    The Old One fell silent, waiting to see if the full impact of his words were understood. His eyes flared and he continued.
     
    “ Your enemy will be called a war ‐ monger and destroyer! Her good deeds will be perceived as wicked! Your own leaders in Moscow will, of course, be instrumental in propagating this among the peoples of the world.”
     
    He lowered his voice and said slowly and emphatically: “Then will come a most epochal event. Your own empire will fracture and your State will disappear!” The Old One let the words sink in. “But you need not despair, for this will divert your enemy for a time; a prelude to your own victory. When all this comes to pass—then will come the historical hour!”
     
    Pointing his finger in majestic arrogance at the three, he lowered his voice again and said with assurance: “When all this comes to pass, then will occur the historical hour! Then will come the moment when you seize events and fulfill the most ambitious dream of which you ever dreamed—a red banner flying the length and breadth of this earth!”
     
    The three Soviets stood frozen in beguilement and fear.
     
    “ Your enemy’s achievements in science and the art of destruction will become the very means by which she will succumb to your power.”
     
    The Old One let his visitors savor his words.
     
    “ But hear me!” he declared. “You will have this only for a time. For the ultimate glory will be ours.” He said this with longing and with unshakeable certainty. “Your own victory will be a prelude. It will serve to hasten the day when the entire world pays rightful homage to our Prince—the Prince of the Netherworld!”
     
    His cat eyes widened and his voice rose to a crescendo as he announced: “All this will come to pass because the people of America have at last—they have at long last been gifted with the visage of the Devil’s Eye!”
     
    The three Russians stood transfixed. To speak now was to risk mortal danger because the Old One’s rolling eyes radiated: madness.
     
    “ You are to do but one thing,” the Old One commanded. “You will infiltrate my young supplicant into the United States of America. You are practiced at these things. Even as we speak I know from your Commissar Dekanazov that you have well ‐ positioned agents in the American system. You will use your established espionage networks and resources to get him there.” The Old One looked at the secret policemen menacingly. “You are to assure that he remains undetected. You are to see