the metal monster-第6章

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ild　from　nursery　blocks　a　fantastic　shape　which　abruptly　is　filled　with　throbbing　life。

A　troll　from　the　kindergarten！　A　kobold　of　the　toys！

Only　for　a　second　it　stood；　then　began　swiftly　to　change；　melting　with　quicksilver　quickness　from　one　outline　into　another　as　square　and　triangle　and　spheres　changed　places。　Their　shiftings　were　like　the　transformations　one　sees　within　a　kaleidoscope。　And　in　each　vanishing　form　was　the　suggestion　of　unfamiliar　harmonies；　of　a　subtle；　a　transcendental　geometric　art　as　though　each　swift　shaping　were　a　symbol；　a　WORD

Euclid's　problems　given　volition！

Geometry　endowed　with　consciousness！

It　ceased。　Then　the　cubes　drew　one　upon　the　other　until　they　formed　a　pedestal　nine　inches　high；　up　this　pillar　rolled　the　larger　globe；　balanced　itself　upon　the　top；　the　five　spheres　followed　it；　clustered　like　a　ring　just　below　it。　The　other　cubes　raced　up；　clicked　two　by　two　on　the　outer　arc　of　each　of　the　five　balls；　at　the　ends　of　these　twin　blocks　a　pyramid　took　its　place；　tipping　each　with　a　point。

The　Lilliputian　fantasy　was　now　a　pedestal　of　cubes　surmounted　by　a　ring　of　globes　from　which　sprang　a　star　of　five　arms。

The　spheres　began　to　revolve。　Faster　and　faster　they　spun　around　the　base　of　the　crowning　globe；　the　arms　became　a　disc　upon　which　tiny　brilliant　sparks　appeared；　clustered；　vanished　only　to　reappear　in　greater　number。

The　troll　swept　toward　me。　It　GLIDED。　The　finger　of　panic　touched　me。　I　sprang　aside；　and　swift　as　light　it　followed；　seemed　to　poise　itself　to　leap。

〃Drop　it！〃　It　was　Ruth's　cry。

But；　before　I　could　let　fall　the　pyramid　I　had　forgotten　was　in　my　hand；　the　little　figure　touched　me　and　a　paralyzing　shock　ran　through　me。　My　fingers　clenched；　locked。　I　stood；　muscle　and　nerve　bound；　unable　to　move。

The　little　figure　paused。　Its　whirling　disc　shifted　from　the　horizontal　plane　on　which　it　spun。　It　was　as　though　it　cocked　its　head　to　look　up　at　meand　again　I　had　the　sense　of　innumerable　eyes　peering　at　me。　It　did　not　seem　menacingits　attitude　was　inquisitive；　waiting；　almost　as　though　it　had　asked　for　something　and　wondered　why　I　did　not　let　it　have　it。　The　shock　still　held　me　rigid；　although　a　tingle　in　every　nerve　told　me　of　returning　force。

The　disc　tilted　back　to　place；　bent　toward　me　again。　I　heard　a　shout；　heard　a　bullet　strike　the　pigmy　that　now　clearly　menaced；　heard　the　bullet　ricochet　without　the　slightest　effect　upon　it。　Dick　leaped　beside　me；　raised　a　foot　and　kicked　at　the　thing。　There　was　a　flash　of　light　and　upon　the　instant　he　crashed　down　as　though　struck　by　a　giant　hand；　lay　sprawling　and　inert　upon　the　floor。

There　was　a　scream　from　Ruth；　there　was　softly　sibilant　rustling　all　about　her。　I　saw　her　leap　the　crevice；　drop　on　her　knees　beside　Drake。

There　was　movement　on　the　flagging　where　she　stood。　A　score　or　more　of　faintly　shining；　bluish　shapes　were　marching　therepyramids　and　cubes　and　spheres　like　those　forming　the　shape　that　stood　before　me。　There　was　a　curious　sharp　tang　of　ozone　in　the　air；　a　perceptible　tightening　as　of　electrical　tension。

They　swept　to　the　edge　of　the　fissure；　swam　together；　and　there；　hanging　half　over　the　gap　was　a　bridge；　half　spanning　it；　a　weird　and　fairy　arch　made　up　of　alternate　cube　and　angle。　The　shape　at　my　feet　disintegrated；　resolved　itself　into　units　that　raced　over　to　the　beckoning　span。

At　the　hither　side　of　the　crack　they　clicked　into　place；　even　as　had　the　others。　Before　me　now　was　a　bridge　complete　except　for　the　one　arc　near　the　middle　where　an　angled　gap　marred　it。

I　felt　the　little　object　I　held　pulse　within　my　hand；　striving　to　escape。　I　dropped　it。　The　tiny　shape　swept　to　the　bridge；　ascended　itdropped　into　the　gap。

The　arch　was　completehanging　in　one　flying　span　over　the　depths！

Upon　it；　over　it；　as　though　they　had　but　awaited　this　completion；　rolled　the　six　globes。　And　as　they　dropped　to　the　farther　side　the　end　of　the　bridge　nearest　me　raised　itself　in　air；　curved　itself　like　a　scorpion's　tail；　drew　itself　into　a　closer　circled　arc；　and　dropped　upon　the　floor　beyond。

Again　the　sibilant　rustlingand　cubes　and　pyramids　and　spheres　were　gone。

Nerves　tingling　slowly　back　to　life；　mazed　in　absolute　bewilderment；　my　gaze　sought　Drake。　He　was　sitting　up；　feebly；　his　head　supported　by　Ruth's　hands。

〃Goodwin！〃　he　whispered。　〃Whatwhat　were　they？〃

〃Metal；〃　I　saidit　was　the　only　word　to　which　my　whirling　mind　could　cling〃metal〃

〃Metal！〃　he　echoed。　〃These　things　metal？　MetalALIVE　AND　THINKING！〃

Suddenly　he　was　silent；　his　face　a　page　on　which；　visibly；　dread　gathered　slowly　and　ever　deeper。

And　as　I　looked　at　Ruth；　white…faced；　and　at　him；　I　knew　that　my　own　was　as　pallid；　as　terror…stricken　as　theirs。

〃They　were　such　LITTLE　THINGS；〃　muttered　Drake。　〃Such　little　thingsbits　of　metallittle　globes　and　pyramids　and　cubesjust　little　THINGS。〃

〃Babes！　Only　babes！〃　It　was　Ruth〃BABES！〃

〃Bits　of　metal〃Dick's　gaze　sought　mine；　held　it〃and　they　looked　for　each　other；　they　worked　with　each　other　THINKINGLY；　CONSCIOUSLYthey　were　deliberate；　purposeful　little　thingsand　with　the　force　of　a　score　of　dynamos　living；　THINKING〃

〃Don't！〃　Ruth　laid　white　hands　over　his　eyes。　〃Don't　don't　YOU　be　frightened！〃

〃Frightened？〃　he　echoed。　〃I'M　not　afraidyes；　I　AM　afraid〃

He　arose；　stifflyand　stumbled　toward　me。

Afraid？　Drake　afraid。　Wellso　was　I。　Bitterly；　TERRIBLY　afraid。

For　what　we　had　beheld　in　the　dusk　of　that　dragoned；　ruined　chamber　was　outside　all　experience；　beyond　all　knowledge　or　dream　of　science。　Not　their　shapesthat　was　nothing。　Not　even　that；　being　metal；　they　had　moved。

But　that　being　metal；　they　had　moved　consciously；　thoughtfully；　deliberately。

They　were　metal　things　withMINDS！

Thatthat　was　the　incredible；　the　terrifying　thing。　That　and　their　power。

Thor　compressed　within　Hop…o'…my…thumband　thinking。　The　lightnings　incarnate　in　metal　minaculesand　thinking。

The　inert；　the　immobile；　given　volition；　movement；　cognoscencethinking。

Metal　with　a　brain！





CHAPTER　V

THE　SMITING　THING

Silently　we　looked　at　each　other；　and　silently　we　passed　out　of　the　courtyard。　The　dread　was　heavy　upon　me。　The　twilight　was　stealing　upon　the　close…clustered　peaks。　Another　hour；　and　their　amethyst…and…purple　mantles　would　drop　upon　them；　snowfields　and　glaciers　sparkle　out　in　irised　beauty；　nightfall。

As　I　gazed　upon　them　I　wondered　to　what　secret　place　within　their　brooding　immensities　the　little　metal　mysteries　had　fled。　And　to　what　myriads；　it　might　be；　of　their　kind？　And　these　hidden　hordesof　what　shapes　were　they？　Of　what　powers？　Small　like　these；　oror

Quick　on　the　screen　of　my　mind　flashed　two　pictures；　side　by　sidethe　little　four…rayed　print　in　the　great　dust　of　the　crumbling　ruin　and　its　colossal　twin　on　the　breast　of　the　poppied　valley。

I　turned　aside；　crept　through　the　shattered　portal　and　looked　over　the　haunted　hollow。

Unbelieving；　I　rubbed　my　eyes；　then　leaped　to　the　very　brim　of　the　bowl。

A　lark　had　risen　from　the　roof　of　one　of　the　shattered　heaps　and　had　flown　caroling　up　into　the　shadowy　sky。

A　flock　of　the　little　willow　warblers　flung　themselves　across　the　valley；　scolding　and　gossiping；　a　hare　sat　upright　in　the　middle　of　the　ancient　roadway。

The　valley　itself　lay　serenely　under　the　ambering　light；　smiling；　peacefulemptied　of　horror！

I　dropped　over　the　side；　walked　cautiously　down　the　road　up　which　but　an　hour　or　so　before　we　had　struggled　so　desperately；　paced　farther　and　farther　with　an　increasing　confidence　and　a　growing　wonder。

Gone　was　that　soul　of　loneliness；　vanished　the　whirlpool　of　despair　that　had　striven　to　drag　us　down　to　death。

The　bowl　was　nothing　but　a　quiet；　smiling　lovely　little　hollow　in　the　hills。　I　looked　back。　Even　the　ruins　had　lost　their　sinister　shape；　were　time…worn；　crumbling　pilesnothing　more。

I　saw　Ruth　and　Drake　run　out　upon　the　ledge　and　beckon　me；　made　my　way　back　to　them；　running。

〃It's　all　right；〃　I　shouted。　〃The　place　is　all　right。〃

I　stumbled　up　the　side；　joined　them。

〃It's　empty；〃　I　cried。　〃Get　Martin　and　Chiu…Ming　quick！　While　the　way's　open〃

A　rifle…shot　rang　out　above　us；　another　and　another。　From　the　portal　scampered　Chiu…Ming；　his　robe　tucked　up　about　his　knees。

〃They　come！〃　he　gasped。　〃They　come！〃

There　was　a　flashing　of　spears　high　up　the　winding　mountain　path。　Down　it　was　pouring　an　avalanche　of　men。　I　caught　the　glint　of　helmets　and　corselets。　Those　in　the　van　were　mounted；　galloping　two　abreast　upon　sure…footed　mountain　ponies。　Their　short　swords；　lifted　high；　flickered。

After　the　horsemen　swarmed　foot　soldiers；　a　forest　of　shining　points　and　dully　gleaming　pikes　above　them。　Clearly　to　us　came　their　battlecries。

Again　Ventnor's　rifle　cracked。　One　of　the　foremost　riders　went　down；　another　stumbled　over　him；　fell。　The　rush　was　checked　for　an　instant；　milling　upon　the　road。

〃Dick；〃　I　cried；　〃rush　Ruth　over　to　the　tunnel　mouth。　We'll　follow。　We　can　hold　them　there。　I'll　get　Martin。　Chiu…Ming；　after　the　pony；　quick。〃

I　pushed　the　two　over　the　rim　of　the　hollow。　Side　by　side　the　Chinaman　and　I　ran　back　through　the　gateway。　I　pointed　to　the　animal　and　rushed　back　into　the　fortress。

〃Quick；　Mart！〃　I　shouted　up　the　shattered　stairway。　〃We　can　get　through　the　hollow。　Ruth　and　Drake　are　on　their　way　to　the　break　we　came　through。　Hurry！〃

〃All　right。　Just　a　minute；〃　he　called。

I　heard　him　empty　his　magazine　with　almost　machine…gun　quickness。　There　was　a　short　pause；　and　down　the　broken　steps　he　leaped；　gray　eyes　blazing。

〃The　pony？〃　He　ran　beside　me　toward　the　portal。　〃All　my　ammunition　is　on　him。〃

〃Chiu…Ming's　taking　care　of　that；〃　I　gasped。

We　darted　out　of　the　gateway。　A　good　five　hundred　yards　away　were　Ruth　and　Drake；　running　straight　to　the　green　tunnel's　mouth。　Between　them　and　us　was　Chiu…Ming　urging　on　the　pony。

As　we　sped　after　him　I　looked　back。　The　horsemen　had　recovered；　were　now　a　scant　half…mile　from　where　the　road　swept　past　the　fortress。　I　saw　that　with　their　swords　the　horsemen　bore　great　bows。　A　little　cloud　of　arrows　sparkled　from　them；　fell　far　short。

〃Don't　look　back；〃　grunted　Ventnor。　〃Stretch　yourself；　Walter。　There's　a　surprise　coming。　Hope　to　God　I　judged　the　time　right。〃

We　turned　off　the　ruined　way；　raced　over　the　sward。

〃If　it　looks　as　thoughwe　can't　make　it；〃　he　panted；　〃YOU　beat　it　after　the　rest。　I'll　try　to　hold　'em　until　you　get　into　the　tunnel。　Never　do　for　'em　to　get　Ruth。〃

〃Right。〃　My　own　breathing　was　growing　labored；　〃WE'LL　hold　them。　Drake　can　take　care　of　Ruth。〃

〃Good　boy；〃　he　said。　〃I　wouldn't　have　asked　you。　It　probably　means　death。〃

〃Very　well；〃　I　gasped；　irritated。　〃But　why　borrow　trouble？〃

He　reached　out；　touched　me。

〃You're　right；　Walter；〃　he　grinned。　〃It　doesseemlike　carrying　coalsto　Newcastle。〃

There　was　a　thunderous　booming　behind　us；　a　shattering　crash。　A　cloud　of　smoke　and　dust　hung　over　the　northern　end　of　the　ruined　fortress。

It　lifted　swiftly；　and　I　saw　that　the　whole　side　of　the　structure　had　fallen；　littering　the　road　with　its　fragments。　Scattered　prone　among　these　were　men　and　horses；　others　staggered；　screaming。　On　the　farther　side　of　this　stony　dike　our　pursuers　were　held　like　rushing　waters　behind　a　sudden　fallen　tree。

〃Time