rr.eastofealing-第29章

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　his　hand　to　a　section　of　the　wall　and　was　instantly　swallowed　up　into　the　building　to　vanish　without　trace。
　'I　was　at　a　loss　to　find　a　means　of　gaining　entry；'　the　Professor　explained；　'but　Holmes　reasoned　the　thing　through　and　deduced　their　method。'
　'If　it's　a　lock　then　I　shall　pick　it。'
　'Not　on　this　occasion；　John。　But　one　of　us　here　has　the　key　in　his　hand　even　now。'
　'Oh　no；'　said　Jim；　thrusting　his　tattooed　hand　into　his　pocket。　'Not　this　boy；　not　in　there。'
　'You　have　the　right　of　admission；　Jim；　right　there　in　the　palm　of　your　hand。'
　'No；　no；　no。'　Pooley　shook　his　head　vigorously；　'An　eight　a。m。　appointment　with　Albert　Pierrepoint　I　should　much　prefer。'
　'In　my　mind；　only　one　course　of　action　lies　open。　Unless　we　can　penetrate　the　building　and　apply　the　proverbial　spanner　to　the　puter's　works；　all　will　be　irretrievably　lost。　We　cannot　think　to　destroy　the　dark　God　himself。　But　if　his　temple　is　cast　down　and　his　worshippers　annihilated；　then　he　must　withdraw　once　more；　into　the　place　of　forever　night　from　whence　he　has　emerged。'　Professor　Slobe　re…cranked　the　mechanism　and　the　room　fell　into　darkness。
　'Oh　doom；'　said　Jim　Pooley。　'Oh　doom　and　desolaoooow！　Let　go　there；　John。'
　'We　must　make　our　move　now。'　Professor　Slobe's　voice　echoed　in　the　void。　'There　is　no　more　time；　e　at　once。'　He　opened　the　door　and　the　wan　light　from　the　stairs　entered　the　strange　roof　chamber。
　'But　we　cannot　go　outside；'　said　Omally。　'One　step　out　of　this　house　and　good　night。'
　'Have　no　fear；　I　have　taken　the　matter　into　consideration。'　Professor　Slobe　led　the　two　lost　souls　back　to　his　study。　'You　are　not　going　to　like　this；　John；'　said　he；　as　he　opened　the　desk　drawer。
　'That　should　create　no　immediate　problem。　I　have　liked　nothing　thus　far。'
　'So　be　it。'　Professor　Slobe　drew　out　a　number　of　items；　which　had　very　much　the　appearance　of　being　metallic　balaclava　helmets；　and　laid　them　on　the　table。
　'Superman　outfits；'　said　Pooley；　very　impressed。　'I　should　have　realized；　Professor；　you　are　one　of　the　Justice　League　of　America。'
　'Silence；　Pooley。'
　'Sorry；　John。'
　'As　ludicrous　as　these　items　at　first　must　appear；　they　may　well　be　our　salvation。　As　you　are　no　doubt　now　aware；　the　Lateinos　and　Romiith　puter　scan　cannot　penetrate　lead。　Hopefully；　these　lead…foil　helmets　will　shield　our　brain　patterns　from　the　machine's　detection　and　allow　us　to　move　about　unmolested。'
　'Size　seven　and　a　half；'　said　Jim。　'But　I　can　fit　into　a　seven　at　a　push。'
　'Good　man。　As　an　extra　precaution；　if　each　of　you　could　slip　another　piece　of　foil　into　your　breast　pocket　then　your　heartbeat　should　be　similarly　concealed。　No　doubt　the　infra…red　image　produced　by　body　heat　will　still　register；　but　the　result　should　be　somewhat　confused。　〃Will　not　pute〃；　I　believe　the　expression　to　be。'
　'Bravo。'　Omally　slipped　on　his　helmet　without　hesitation。
　'Very　Richard　the　Lionheart；'　chuckled　Pooley。
　'A　fine　man；'　said　Professor　Slobe。　'I　knew　him　well。'
　The　three　men；　now　decked　out　in　their　ludicrous　headgear；　slipped　through　the　Professor's　French　windows　and　out　into　the　garden。　At　times　one　has　to　swallow　quite　a　lot　for　a　quiet　life　in　Brentford。
　Above　the　wall　the　titanic　floats　filled　the　street。　As　one　by　one　the　balaclava'd　goodguys　eased　their　way　into　the　swaying　crowd；　each　held　his　breath　and　did　a　fair　bit　of　praying。　Professor　Slobe　plucked　at　Omally's　sleeve。　'Follow　me。'　The　marching　horde　plodded　onward。　The　floats　dwarfed　both　street　and　sky。　Jim　peered　about　him；　he　was　walking　in　a　dream。　The　men　and　women　to　either　side　of　him；　each　wearing　their　pair　of　minuscule　headphones；　were　unreal。　And　that　he　knew　to　be　true　in　every　sense　of　the　word。　At　close　hand；　the　floats　appeared　shabby　and　ill…constructed；　a　mish…mash　of　texture　and　hue　ing　together　as　if；　and　no　doubt　it　was　exactly　thus；　programmed　to　create　an　overall　effect。　No　hand　of　man　had　been　at　work　here。　Like　all　else　it　was　a　sick　parody；　a　sham；　and　nothing　more。　The　bolted　wheel　near　at　hand　turned　in　faulty　circles　grinding　the　tarmac；　untrue。　But　it　was　hypnotic；　its　unreality　drew　the　eye　and　held　it　there。　'e　on；　Jim。'　Omally　tugged　at　Pooley's　sleeve。　'You're　falling　behind　again。'
　Pooley　struggled　on。　Ahead；　the　Lateinos　and　Romiith　building　dwarfed　all　beneath　its　black　shadow。　The　sky　was　dark　with　tumbling　clouds；　strange　images　weaved　and　flowed　beyond　the　mysterious　glittering　walls；　shimmering　over　the　roof…tops。　Even　now　something　terrible　was　occurring　beyond　the　boundaries　of　the　borough。
　The　awful　procession　turned　out　of　the　Butts　and　up　into　Moby　Dick　Terrace。　Professor　Slobe　drew　his　followers　aside　from　the　throng　and　the　helmeted　duo　scuttled　after　him。　'Make　haste　now。'
　The　Lateinos　and　Romiith　building　filled　the　eastern　skyline。　Jim　noted　with　increasing　gloom　that　an　entire　terrace　of　houses　had　gone；　overwhelmed　by　the　pitiless　structure　which　reared　into　the　darkling　sky。
　On　a　roadside　bench　ahead　an　old　man　sat　with　his　dog。
　'Good　day；　lads；'　said　Old　Pete；　as　the　strangely…clad　threesome　passed　him　by　at　close　quarters。　'Fair　old　do　this　year；　isn't　it？'
　'Bloody　marvellous；'　Pooley　replied。　'Hope　to　see　you　later　for　one　in　the　Swan　if　all　goes　well。'
　Old　Pete　cleared　his　throat　with　a　curiously　mechanical　coughing　sound。　'Look　out　for　yourself；'　said　he。
　The　three　men　continued　their　journey　at　the　Jog…
　'Stop　here　now；'　said　Professor　Slobe；　as　they　came　finally　to　the　corner　of　the　street。　'I　am　expecting　somebody。'
　'A　friend　I　hope。'
　'That　would　be　nice；'　said　Jim；　with　a　little　more　flippancy　than　the　situation　warranted。　'Organizer　of　the　Festival　raffle　is　it？　Or　chairman　of　the　float　mittee？'
　Omally　took　what　he　considered　to　be　one　of　the　last　opportunities　left　to　him　to　welt　Jim　about　the　head。　'Oow　ouch！'　he　said；　clutching　at　a　throbbing　fist。　Pooley　smiled　sweetly。　'How　much　do　you　want　for　the　copyright　of　this　helmet？'　he　asked　the　Professor。
　'Leave　it　out；　you　two。　Here　he　es。'
　Along　the　deserted　pavement；　weaving　with　great　difficulty；　came　an　all　too　familiar　figure；　clad　in　grey　shopkeeper's　overall　and　trilby　hat。　But　what　was　this　that　the　clone　shopkeeper　rode　upon　his　precarious　journey？　Could　this　be　that　creaking　vestige　of　a　more　glorious　age；　now　black　and　pitted　and　sorely　taken　with　the　rest？　Surely　we　have　seen　these　perished　hand…grips　before？　Marvelled　at　the　coil…spring　saddle　and　oil…bath　chainguard？　The　stymied　Sturmey　Archer　Three…speed　and　the　tungsten…carbide　lamp？　Yes；　there　can　be　no　doubt；　it　is　that　noted　iron　stallion；　that　prince　of　pedaldom；　squeaking　and　plaining　beneath　the　weight　of　its　alien　rider；　it　can　be　no　other。　Let　men　take　note　and　ladies　beware：　Marchant　the　wonder　bike；　it　is　he。
　'Get　off　my　bleeding　bicycle；'　yelled　John　Omally。
　Norman　the　Second　leapt　down　from　his　borrowed　mount　with　some　alacrity。　Not；　however；　with　sufficient　alertness　to　avoid　the　sneaky　pedal　which　had　been　awaiting　its　chance　to　drive　in　deep。　Norman's　right　trouser　cuff　vanished　into　the　oil…bath　and　the　automated　shopman　bit　the　dust。
　'Bastard；'　squealed　the　mechanical　man。　'I'll　do　for　you。'
　'Nice　one；　Marchant；'　said　John；　drawing　his　bike　beyond　reach。　The　bicycle　rang　its　bell　in　greeting　and　nuzzled　its　handlebar　into　its　master's　waistcoat。
　'Bloody　pathetic　isn't　it？'　said　Jim。　'A　boy　and　his　bike；　I　ask　you。'
　'Do　you　think　we　might　apply　ourselves　to　the　job　in　hand？'　the　Professor　asked。
　'I　like　the　helmets；'　said　Norman　the　Second。　'What　is　it　then；　Justice　League　of　America？'
　'A　running　gag　I　believe；'　Jim　replied。　'Did　you　have　to　bring　his　bike？　That　thing　depresses　me。'
　'Easy　Jim；　if　I　am　going　to　die；　I　will　do　it　with　Marchant　at　my　side；　or　at　least　under　my　bum。'
　'Bloody　pathetic。'
　'Time　to　do　your　party　trick；　Jim；'　said　Omally。　'Professor？'
　The　old　man　indicated　a　dimly…lit　panel　on　the　bleak　wall。　'Just　there；'　he　said。
　'I　don't　know　if　this　is　such　a　good　idea；'　Jim　plained。　'I　think　the　best　idea　would　be　to　give　the　place　a　good　leaving　alone。'
　'Stick　your　mitt　out；　Jim。'
　The　cursed　Croesus　placed　his　priceless　palm　on　to　the　panel。　There　was　a　brief　swish　and　a　section　of　the　wall　shot　aside。　A　very　bad　smell　came　from　within。
　'Quickly　now；'　said　the　Professor。　'Keep　your　hand　on　the　panel　until　we're　all　in；　Jim。'
　A　moment　later　the　gap　closed　upon　three　men；　one　robot　shopkeeper；　and　a　bike　called　Marchant。
　'Blimey；'　said　Omally。　'I　don't　know　what　I　expected；　but　it　wasn't　this。'
　They　stood　now　in　what　might　have　been　the　lobby　and　entrance　hall　of　any　one　of　a　thousand　big　business　consortiums。　The　traditional　symbols　of　success　and　opulence；　the　marble　walls；　thick　plush　carpeting；　chromium　reception　desk；　even　the　rubber　plant　in　its　Boda　plant…stand；　were　all　there。　It　was　so　normal　and　so　very　ordinary　as　to　be　fearful。　For　behind　this　facade；　each　man　knew；　lurked　a　power　more　evil　than　anything　words　were　able　to　express。
　'Gentlemen；'　said　Professor　Slobe；　'we　are　now　in　the　belly　of　the　beast。'
　Omally　suddenly　clutched　at　his　stomach。　'I　think　I'm　going　to　chuck　up；'　he　said。　'I　can　feel　something。　Something　wrong。'
　'Hold　on。'　The　Professor　laid　a　calming　hand　upon　Omally's　arm。　'Speak　the　rosary；　it　will　pass。'
　Beneath　his　breath　Omally　whispered　the　magical　words　of　the　old　prayer。　Its　power　was　almost　instantaneous；　and　the　sick　and　claustrophobic　feeling　lifted　itself　from　his　shoulders；　to　alight　upon　Jim　Pooley。
　'Blech；'　went　Jim。　Being　a　man　of　fewer　words　and　little　religious　conviction；　he　threw　up　over　the　rubber　plant。
　'That　will　please　the　caretaker；'　chuckled　Omally。
　'Sorry；'　said　Jim；　drawing　his　shirt…sleeve　over　the　cold　sweat　on　his　brow。　'Gippy　tummy　I　think。　I　must　be　going　cold　turkey　for　the　want　of　a　pint。'
　'You　and　me　both。　Which　way；　Professor？'
　The　old　man　fingered　his　chin。　'There　is　no…one　on　the　desk；　shall　we　take　the　lift？'
　Norman　the　Second　shook　his　head；　'I　would　strongly　advise　the　stairs。　A　stairway　to　oblivion　is　better　than　no　stairway　at　all　I　always　say。　Would　you　like　me　to　carry　your　bike；　John；　or　would　you　prefer　to　chain　it　to　the　rubber　plant？'
　'I'll　carry　my　own　bike；　thank　you。'
　Pooley　squinted　up　at　the　ragged　geometry；　spiralling　into　nothingness　above。　'Looks　like　a　long　haul；'　said　he。　'Surely　the　cellar　would　be　your　man；　down　to　the　fuse　boxes　and　out　with　the　fuse。　I　feel　that　I　have　done　more　than　my　fair　share　of　climbing　today。'
　'Onward　and　upward。'
　Now　there　just　may　be　a　knack　to　be　had　with　stairs。　Some　speak　with　conviction　that　the　balls　of　the　feet　are　your　man。　Others　favour　shallow　breathing　or　the　occupation　of　the　mind　upon　higher　things。　Walking　up　backwards；　that　one　might　deceive　your　legs　into　thinking　they　were　ing　down；　has　even　been　suggested。　In　the　course　of　the　next　fifteen　minutes　it　must　fairly　be　stated　that　each　of　these　possible　methods　and　in　fact　a　good　many　more；　ranging　from　the　subtly　ingenious　to　the　downright　absurd；　were　employed。　And　each　met　with　plete　and　utter　failure。
　'I'm　gone。'　Pooley　sank　to　his　knees　and　clutched　at　his　heart。
　'Nurse；　the　oxygen。'　Omally　dragged　himself　a　stair　or　more　further　and　collapsed　beneath　his