The sun hung over the Central Square like a bare bulb on a cord. But the Jews on the wagon blocked out the light. Behind them everything was dark, lit only by a sliver of moon. Suddenly, at some secret sign, the Elders stepped into the shadows and gathered about a tombstone larger than all the others. One of their number spoke into the open grave.

“We greet you, son of the accursed.”

“Soon, soon,” the remainder chanted.

Then the first of the Jews, Rothschild, spoke alone. “Already we have gold. More riches than the mines of California. We control the exchanges of Europe. Princes and governments are in our debt.”

After him the others, Benjamin, Naphtali, Zebulun, bragged in a similar fashion—about their powerful leaders, their brilliant artists, the way the Jews in the parliaments and publishing houses controlled opinion throughout the world. “Reason! Open debate! Free thinking! Now we have the same rights as Christians!”

In the crowd of spectators men and women were crossing themselves. One or two Jews attempted to sneak away, but were stopped by Volksdeutschers. At the front two boys managed to work their way into the first row. One was Myer Krystal, with the silky mustache, and the other was the left-handed Mann Lifshits, seven years old. The latter wore short pants and a white shirt, the regular outfit of the Hatters’ Asylum. But Krystal, in spite of the heat, the sunshine, was wearing a raincoat that came past his knees. The two orphans watched as the Elders of Zion continued to address the newly opened tomb.

DAN (an old man, stains on his jacket): O Prince of Darkness! Physicians of our race have learned the intimate secrets of Christian families. The health and even the lives of our mortal foes are now in our hands.

ASHER (leering): Marriages between Christians and Jews are now common. Already the offspring of such unions, many with twisted bones and the thick lips of the mongrel, can be seen in the streets and alleys of Europe.

THE AARONIC LEVITE: Our ancient goal, world domination, as was promised to us by our father, Abraham, is at hand. Famine, pestilence, great economic dislocations—all have been propagated by our agents, from the celebrated international bankers down to the unknown governesses in rich houses. Even as I speak to you, highly trained Jews are descending into the metropolitan railways and underground trains. From these subterranean places we will explode all the cities of the continent. The whole of mankind is about to be plunged into another world war! Arise, O Serpent! Wind the states of Europe into your unbreakable coils!

ALL TOGETHER: Arise! Arise!

The crowd watched silently, raptly, openmouthed. In spite of their fear, they wanted to see what would come out of the pit. But nothing did. Instead, from the front row, there was a sound like this: click. Again the identical noise: click. A Polish policeman jerked his head around. A soldier, one of the Others, turned his back to the wagon and began to search the faces in the crowd. Mann Lifshits cleared his throat. Click, yet again. Krystal, his companion, put his lips out, as if to whistle, though no tune emerged. Click. Click. Click.