Page:Diamonds To Sit On.pdf/235

 THE INTERPLANETARY CHESS CONGRESS 223 be an interplanetary chess congress in Vassuki, the first in the history of creation.’ Bender mopped his noble brow. He was so hungry that he would have gladly eaten a roasted pawn. ‘Yes,’ said the one-eyed man as he looked round the room, ‘ but how can we bring your theory into practice ? How can we, so to speak, find a basis for your structure ? ’ The members gazed at Bender. ‘ The practical side of the question depends entirely on your own self-confidence. I repeat, I will take the whole of the organization on to my own shoulders. There is absolutely no material expenditure required except, of course, for a few telegrams.’ Then he continued : ‘ Well, what do you say ? ’ ‘ We’ll do it! We’ll do it! ’ shouted the citizens. ‘ How much money do you want for the telegrams ? ’ ‘ A paltry sum,’ said Bender—‘ a hundred roubles.’ ‘ We’ve only twenty-one roubles and sixteen copecks in our cash.’ But the champion said : ‘ That’s all right. Give me the twenty roubles.’ ‘ Is that enough ? ’ asked the man with one eye. ‘ It win do for the present,’ said Bender. ‘ It will do for the first few telegrams; and after that volun­ tary contributions will simply pour in. Why, we shan’t know what to do with the money.’ He put the money into his pocket, reminded his audience of the lecture and simultaneous chess display on one hundred and sixty boards, bade them an amiable farewell, and left them staring after him. He went to the Cardboard Workers’ Club, where he met Hippolyte. ‘ I’m dying of hunger,’ said Hippolyte, almost weeping. He was sitting at the cash desk, but he had not sold a single ticket and he had not been able to buy himself a crumb.
 * Look here, Hippolyte,’ shouted Bender. ‘ Stop

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