the metal monster-第18章

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　was　as　though　I　had　come　at　last　out　of　some　endless　black　ocean　of　despair　into　the　full　sun　of　paradise。〃

〃Ruth！〃　cried　Drake；　and　at　the　pain　in　his　cry　she　winced。

〃Wait；〃　she　said；　and　held　up　a　little；　tremulous　hand。　〃You　askedand　now　you　must　listen。〃

She　was　silent；　and　when　once　more　she　spoke　her　voice　was　low；　curiously　rhythmic；　her　eyes　rapt：

〃I　was　freefree　from　every　human　fetter　of　fear　or　sorrow　or　love　or　hate；　free　even　of　hopefor　what　was　there　to　hope　for　when　everything　desirable　was　mine？　And　I　was　elemental；　one　with　the　eternal　things　yet　fully　conscious　that　I　wasI。

〃It　was　as　though　I　were　the　shining　shadow　of　a　star　afloat　upon　the　breast　of　some　still　and　hidden　woodland　pool；　as　though　I　were　a　little　wind　dancing　among　the　mountain　tops；　a　mist　whirling　down　a　quiet　glen；　a　shimmering　lance　of　the　aurora　pulsing　in　the　high　solitudes。

〃And　there　was　musicstrange　and　wondrous　music　and　terrible；　but　not　terrible　to　mewho　was　part　of　it。　Vast　chords　and　singing　themes　that　rang　like　clusters　of　little　swinging　stars　and　harmonies　that　were　like　the　very　voice　of　infinite　law　resolving　within　itself　all　discords。　And　allallpassionless；　yetrapturous。

〃Out　of　the　Thing　that　held　me；　out　from　its　fires　pulsed　vitalitya　flood　of　inhuman　energy　in　which　I　was　bathed。　And　it　was　as　though　this　energy　werereassembling　me；　fitting　me　even　closer　to　the　elemental　things；　changing　me　fully　into　them。

〃I　felt　the　little　tendrils　touching；　caressingthen　came　the　shots。　Awakening　wasdreadful；　a　struggling　back　from　drowning。　I　saw　Martinblasted。　I　drove　thethe　spell　away　from　me；　tore　it　away。

〃And；　O　WalterDickit　hurtit　hurtand　for　a　breath　before　I　ran　to　him　it　was　likelike　coming　from　a　world　in　which　there　was　no　disorder；　no　sorrow；　no　doubts；　a　rhythmic；　harmonious　world　of　light　and　music；　intointo　a　world　that　was　like　a　black　and　dirty　kitchen。

〃And　it's　there；〃　her　voice　rose；　hysterically。　〃It's　still　within　mewhispering；　whispering；　urging　me　away　from　you；　from　Martin；　from　every　human　thing；　bidding　me　give　myself　up；　surrender　my　humanity。

〃Its　seal；〃　she　sobbed。　〃NoHIS　seal！　An　alien　consciousness　sealed　within　me；　that　tries　to　make　the　human　me　a　slavethat　waits　to　overcome　my　willand　if　I　surrender　gives　me　freedom；　an　incredible　freedombut　makes　me；　being　still　human；　amonster。〃

She　hid　her　face　in　her　hands；　quivering。

〃If　I　could　sleep；〃　she　wailed。　〃But　I'm　afraid　to　sleep。　I　think　I　shall　never　sleep　again。　For　sleeping　how　do　I　know　what　I　may　be　when　I　wake？〃

I　caught　Drake's　eye；　he　nodded。　I　slipped　my　hand　down　into　the　medicine…case；　brought　forth　a　certain　potent　and　tasteless　combination　of　drugs　which　I　carry　upon　explorations。

I　dropped　a　little　into　her　cup；　then　held　it　to　her　lips。　Like　a　child；　unthinking；　she　obeyed　and　drank。

〃But　I'll　not　surrender。〃　Her　eyes　were　tragic。　〃Never　think　it！　I　can　windon't　you　know　I　can？〃

〃Win？〃　Drake　dropped　down　beside　her；　drew　her　toward　him。　〃Bravest　girl　I've　knownof　course　you'll　win。　And　remember　thisnine…tenths　of　what　you're　thinking　now　is　purely　over…wrought　nerves　and　weariness。　You'll　winand　we'll　win；　never　doubt　it。〃

〃I　don't；〃　she　said。　〃I　know　itoh；　it　will　be　hardbut　I　willI　will〃





CHAPTER　XV

THE　HOUSE　OF　NORHALA

Her　eyes　closed；　her　body　relaxed；　the　potion　had　done　its　work　quickly。　We　laid　her　beside　Ventnor　on　the　pile　of　silken　stuffs；　covered　them　both　with　a　fold；　then　looked　at　each　other　long　and　silentlyand　I　wondered　whether　my　face　was　as　grim　and　drawn　as　his。

〃It　appears；〃　he　said　at　last；　curtly；　〃that　it's　up　to　you　and　me　for　powwow　quick。　I　hope　you're　not　sleepy。〃

〃I　am　not；〃　I　answered　as　curtly；　the　edge　of　nerves　in　his　manner　of　questioning　doing　nothing　to　soothe　my　own；　〃and　even　if　I　were　I　would　hardly　expect　to　put　all　the　burden　of　the　present　problem　upon　you　by　going　to　sleep。〃

〃For　God's　sake　don't　be　a　prima　donna；〃　he　flared　up。　〃I　meant　no　offense。〃

〃I'm　sorry；　Dick；〃　I　said。　〃We're　both　a　little　jumpy；　I　guess。〃　He　nodded；　gripped　my　hand。

〃It　wouldn't　be　so　bad；〃　he　muttered；　〃if　all　four　of　us　were　all　right。　But　Ventnor's　down　and　out；　and　God　alone　knows　for　how　long。　And　Ruthhas　all　the　trouble　we　have　and　some　special　ones　of　her　own。　I've　an　idea〃　he　hesitated〃an　idea　that　there　was　no　exaggeration　in　that　story　she　toldan　idea　that　if　anything　she　underplayed　it。〃

〃I；　too；〃　I　replied　somberly。　〃And　to　me　it　is　the　most　hideous　phase　of　this　whole　situationand　for　reasons　not　all　connected　with　Ruth；〃　I　added。

〃Hideous！〃　he　repeated。　〃Unthinkableyet　all　this　is　unthinkable。　And　stillit　is！　And　Ventnorcoming　back　that　way。　Like　a　lost　soul　finding　voice。

〃Was　it　raving；　Goodwin？　Or　could　he　have　beenhow　was　it　he　put　itin　touch　with　these　Things　and　their　purpose？　Was　that　messagetruth？〃

〃Ask　yourself　that　question；〃　I　said。　〃Manyou　know　it　was　truth。　Had　not　inklings　of　it　come　to　you　even　before　he　spoke？　They　had　to　me。　His　message　was　but　an　interpretation；　a　synthesis　of　facts　I；　for　one；　lacked　the　courage　to　admit。〃

〃I；　too；〃　he　nodded。　〃But　he　went　further　than　that。　What　did　he　mean　by　the　Keeper　of　the　Conesand　that　the　Thingswere　vulnerable　under　the　same　law　that　orders　us？　And　why　did　he　command　us　to　go　back　to　the　city？　How　could　he　knowhow　could　he？〃

〃There's　nothing　inexplicable　in　that；　at　any　rate；〃　I　answered。　〃Abnormal　sensitivity　of　perception　due　to　the　cutting　off　of　all　sensual　impressions。　There's　nothing　uncommon　in　that。　You　have　its　most　familiar　form　in　the　sensitivity　of　the　blind。　You've　watched　the　same　thing　at　work　in　certain　forms　of　hypnotic　experimentation；　haven't　you？

〃Through　the　operation　of　entirely　understandable　causes　the　mind　gains　the　power　to　react　to　vibrations　that　normally　pass　unperceived；　is　able　to　project　itself　through　this　keying　up　of　perception　into　a　wider　area　of　consciousness　than　the　normal。　Just　as　in　certain　diseases　of　the　ear　the　sufferer；　though　deaf　to　sounds　within　the　average　range　of　hearing；　is　fully　aware　of　sound　vibrations　far　above　and　far　below　those　the　healthy　ear　registers。〃

〃I　know；〃　he　said。　〃I　don't　need　to　be　convinced。　But　we　accept　these　things　in　theoryand　when　we　get　up　against　them　for　ourselves　we　doubt。

〃How　many　people　are　there　in　Christendom；　do　you　think；　who　believe　that　the　Saviour　ascended　from　the　dead；　but　who　if　they　saw　it　today　would　insist　upon　medical　inspection；　doctor's　certificates；　a　clinic；　and　even　after　that　render　a　Scotch　verdict？　I'm　not　speaking　irreverently　I'm　just　stating　a　fact。〃

Suddenly　he　moved　away　from　me；　strode　over　to　the　curtained　oval　through　which　Norhala　had　gone。

〃Dick；〃　I　cried；　following　him　hastily；　〃where　are　you　going？　What　are　you　going　to　do？〃

〃I'm　going　after　Norhala；〃　he　answered。　〃I'm　going　to　have　a　showdown　with　her　or　know　the　reason　why。〃

〃Drake；〃　I　cried　again；　aghast；　〃don't　make　the　mistake　Ventnor　did。　That's　not　the　way　to　win　through。　Don'tI　beg　you；　don't。〃

〃You're　wrong；〃　he　answered　stubbornly。　〃I'm　going　to　get　her。　She's　got　to　talk。〃

He　thrust　out　a　hand　to　the　curtains。　Before　he　could　touch　them；　they　were　parted。　Out　from　between　them　slithered　the　black　eunuch。　He　stood　motionless；　regarding　us；　in　the　ink…black　eyes　a　red　flame　of　hatred。　I　pushed　myself　between　him　and　Drake。

〃Where　is　your　mistress；　Yuruk？〃　I　asked。

〃The　goddess　has　gone；〃　he　replied　sullenly。

〃Gone？〃　I　said　suspiciously；　for　certainly　Norhala　had　not　passed　us。　〃Where？〃

〃Who　shall　question　the　goddess？〃　he　asked。　〃She　comes　and　she　goes　as　she　pleases。〃

I　translated　this　for　Drake。

〃He's　got　to　show　me；〃　he　said。　〃Don't　think　I'm　going　to　spill　any　beans；　Goodwin。　But　I　want　to　talk　to　her。　I　think　I'm　right；　honestly　I　do。〃


After　all；　I　reflected；　there　was　much　in　his　determination　to　recommend　it。　It　was　the　obvious　thing　to　dounless　we　admitted　that　Norhala　was　superhuman；　and　that　I　would　not　admit。　In　command　of　forces　we　did　not　yet　know；　en　rapport　with　these　People　of　Metal；　sealed　with　that　alien　consciousness　Ruth　had　describedall　these；　yes。　But　still　a　womanof　that　I　was　certain。　And　surely　Drake　could　be　trusted　not　to　repeat　Ventnor's　error。

〃Yuruk；〃　I　said；　〃we　think　you　lie。　We　would　speak　to　your　mistress。　Take　us　to　her。〃

〃I　have　told　you　that　the　goddess　is　not　here；〃　he　said。　〃If　you　do　not　believe　it　is　nothing　to　me。　I　cannot　take　you　to　her　for　I　do　not　know　where　she　is。　Is　it　your　wish　that　I　take　you　through　her　house？〃

〃It　is；〃　I　said。

〃The　goddess　has　commanded　me　to　serve　you　in　all　things。〃　He　bowed；　sardonically。　〃Follow。〃

Our　search　was　short。　We　stepped　out　into　what　for　want　of　better　words　I　can　describe　only　as　a　central　hall。　It　was　circular；　and　strewn　with　thick　piled　small　rugs　whose　hues　had　been　softened　by　the　alchemy　of　time　into　exquisite；　shadowy　echoes　of　color。

The　walls　of　this　hall　were　of　the　same　moonstone　substance　that　had　enclosed　the　chamber　upon　whose　inner　threshold　we　were。　They　whirled　straight　up　to　the　dome　in　a　crystalline；　cylindrical　cone。　Four　doorways　like　that　in　which　we　stood　pierced　them。　Through　each　of　their　curtainings　in　turn　we　peered。

All　were　precisely　similar　in　shape　and　proportions；　radiating　in　a　lunetted；　curved　base　triangle　from　the　middle　chamber；　the　curvature　of　the　enclosing　globe　forming　back　wall　and　roof；　the　translucent　slicings　the　sides；　the　circle　of　floor　of　the　inner　hall　the　truncating　lunette。

The　first　of　these　chambers　was　utterly　bare。　The　one　opposite　held　a　half…dozen　suits　of　the　lacquered　armor；　as　many　wicked　looking；　short　and　double…edged　swords　and　long　javelins。　The　third　I　judged　to　be　the　lair　of　Yuruk；　within　it　was　a　copper　brazier；　a　stand　of　spears　and　a　gigantic　bow；　a　quiver　full　of　arrows　leaning　beside　it。　The　fourth　room　was　littered　with　coffers　great　and　small；　of　wood　and　of　bronze；　and　all　tightly　closed。

The　fifth　room　was　beyond　question　Norhala's　bedchamber。　Upon　its　floor　the　ancient　rugs　were　thick。　A　low　couch　of　carven　ivory　inset　with　gold　rested　a　few　feet　from　the　doorway。　A　dozen　or　more　of　the　chests　were　scattered　about　and　flowing　over　with　silken　stuffs。

Upon　the　back　of　four　golden　lions　stood　a　high　mirror　of　polished　silver。　And　close　to　it；　in　curiously　incongruous　domestic　array　stood　a　stiffly　marshaled　row　of　sandals。　Upon　one　of　the　chests　were　heaped　combs　and　fillets　of　shell　and　gold　and　ivory　studded　with　jewels　blue　and　yellow　and　crimson。

To　all　of　these　we　gave　but　a　passing　glance。　We　sought　for　Norhala。　And　of　her　we　found　no　shadow。　She　had　gone　even　as　the　black　eunuch　had　said；　flitting　unseen　past　Ruth；　perhaps；　absorbed　in　her　watch　over　her　brother；　perhaps　through　some　hidden　opening　in　this　room　of　hers。

Yuruk　let　drop　the　curtains；　sidled　back　to　the　first　room；　we　after　him。　The　two　there　had　not　moved。　We　drew　the　saddlebags　close；　propped　ourselves　against　them。

The　black　eunuch　squatted　a　dozen　feet　away；　facing　us；　chin　upon　his　knees；　taking　us　in　with　unblinking　eyes　blank　of　any　emotion。　Then　he　began　to　move　slowly　his　tremendously　long　arms　in　easy；　soothing　motion；　the　hands　running　along　the　floor