Hugh B.

Cave
Seabury Quinn
Frank B. Long, Jr.
 LORD OF SAMARCAND
By Robert E. Howard
A vivid narrative of Tamerlane and his crushing
victory over Bayazid, the Turkish sultan. This
stirring historical story offers real entertainment.
JUNGLE GIRL ON THE ROOFS OF TUNIS
By Warren Hastings Miller By Paul Ernst
An epic of terrific dangers in the Wa country of A madcap adventure of two Americans in Arab
Rwfb4, the obscene carvings on the Black Pa¬ Old-Town, the thrill of deadly perils and breath¬
goda, a treasure trove of marvelous rubies, and taking escapes, hand-to-hand fighting on the
the unwavering devotion of a stout-hearted girl roofs of the native quarter.
to her man.
RED MOONS THE DJINNEE OF EL SHEYB
By Virginia Stait By G. G. Pendarves
"Red moons are blQod moons” runs the old Hin¬ A strange story of North Africa, and the terrible
doo proverb—the spell of India pervades this fate that awaited all who entered the accursed
strange love story like a rich incense. city of the marabouts.

JAVA MADNESS SCENTED GARDENS

By Joseph O. Kesselring By Dorothy Quick
A grim and powerful story of what the loneli¬ Strange passion came to the young queen in the
ness and tropical heat of a Java tea plantation gardens of the rajah’s palace, and swift was the
did to a white man. rajah’s vengeance.

Now on Sale
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 Published monthly by the Popular Fiction Publishing Company, 2457 E. Washington Street.
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Contents for June, 1932

Cover Design-J. Allen St. John
Illustrating a scene in "The Devil’s Pool"

The Eyrie---724
A chat with the readers

Birch Trees-Marvin Luter Hill 726

Verse; decoration by C. C. Sent

The Devil’s Pool-Greye La Spina 728

A tremendous werewolf story, full of eery thrills and shudders—by the author
of "Invaders from the Dark!’

Black Invocation___Paul Ernst 763

A strange tale of a fearful elemental that was evoked by the chanting of a
formula from an old Latin parchment ■
[CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE]

722
 [continued from preceding page]

In the Left Wing_August W. Derleth and Mark Schorer 772

A tale of dark powers unloosed by one who could not bear to see his sweet¬
heart consigned to the grave

This Thing I Wish_Alfred I. Tooke 783

Verse

The Siren of the Snakes_Arlton Eadie 784

A multitude of creeping things came out of the dark forest in a wave of hid¬
eous gliding death—a thrill-tale of India

The Brain-Eaters_Frank Belknap Long, Jr. 794

A spine-chilling story of a weird horror from four-dimensional space, and the
dead men who sat in the boat

The Devil’s Bride (part 5)_Seabury Quinn 803

A novel of devil-worship, that contains horror, thrills, shudders, suspense,
breath-taking interest, and vivid action

The Ghoul Gallery_Hugh B. Cave 822

The story of an eldritch horror that leaped out of the black night—a vivid
tale that you will not soon forget

The Weird of Avoosl Wuthoqquan-Clark Ashton Smith 835

A fantastic tale of two magnificent emeralds and how they returned to the
vampiric entity that owned them

Under the Eaves-Helen M. Reid 841

It came in the night and the rain, that terrible sound of some one tapping
against the window

Weird Story Reprint:

Frankenstein (part 2)-Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley 843

A famous novel that for more than one hundred years has been acclaimed a
masterpiece of weird horror

For Advertising' Bates in WEIRD TALES Apply Direct to

WEIRD TALES
Eastern Advertising Office:
D, P. BIKER, Mgr.
393 Fourth Ave.
rt«?iyf. New York, N. Y.
Phone, Central 62«9 Phone, Gramercy 6380
T HERE is much diversity of opinion among you, the readers, as to whether we
should continue to print serials in our Weird Story Reprint department. We
asked you, in the Eyrie of last month’s Weird Tales, whether you wanted us
to offer Dracula and other weird novels to you after Frankenstein is concluded. The
consensus so far is that we should not print Dracula, because so many of our readers
have already read this famous vampire novel by Bram Stoker; but the preponderance
of letters received from you approves of our reprinting Frankenstein. The question
is still open, and we will follow your wishes in this matter.
Leonard Geoghagan, of London, England, expresses the prevailing view in a
letter to the Eyrie. "The Wolf-Leader by Alexandre Dumas was a thrilling and fas¬
cinating story,” he writes, "and Weird Tales deserves my heartiest thanks for re¬
printing it. But Dracula is another matter, for most lovers of weird fiction are al¬
ready acquainted with that novel. I say: If you can offer us any more weird novels
such as The Wolf-Leader, which we can not obtain at the book stores, then by all
means print them as weird story reprints. But thumbs down on Dracula and others
of that ilk, for we have already read them.”
Sophia Mundt, of Savannah, Georgia, writes to the Eyrie: "I am in favor of
more serials in each issue, and longer stories. The weirder the stories are, the bet¬
ter I like them. I like ghost stories and stories of vampires and werewolves best of all.”
"If you publish serials for your reprint department,” writes Jack Darrow, of Chi¬
cago, "pick out those not so well known and those that are out of print. Dracula and
Frankenstein can be obtained in any book store.”
The same view is expressed by F. D. Arden, of Detroit, who writes: "It was
with dismay that I read, in the April Eyrie, of your intention of using Frankenstein
and Dracula as reprints in serial form. The only weak link in Weird Tales has been
the reprints. For one thing, one serial is sufficient in an issue. If you reprint serials
you will be carrying two continued stories; and as was the case with The Wolf-Leader,
when the regular feature serial concludes and another begins, three serials will be in
one issue. Too many serials. My suggestion is that instead of reprinting stories writ¬
ten in the Nineteenth Century, use only those taken from back numbers of Weird
Tales.”
A letter from Lester Anderson, of Hayward, California, says: "If you must
have long serials, Stoker wrote other novels besides Dracula, and those novels are

(Please turn to page 839),

Every Lover of Mystery Stories
Is Entitled to These Twelve Masterpieces
of Detective Fiction

FREE

WE WANT YOU TO HAVE THIS GIFT

725
 trees have talked to me on many a night.
They whispered ghostly tales in words of white.
And syllabled with light.
Their leaves have sighed
Of how men died
By quick swords,
glistening
In moonlight, where the spring
Trickled in mire
That turned to liquid fire.

And when their flesh was dust,

Their stark bones gleaming in
Moon-textures wan and thin.
Would rise and thrust
Their flashing blades into
Each other—sulfur-blue
Those swords were seen
Darting between
Their ribs—worm-eaten clean—
Till blood, like moonbeams, dripped
To the ground, where they skipped—
Fighting and grinning.
Feinting and spinning.
Until the dawn
Glimmered—and they were
gone!

They told of how birds

came,
As thick as clouds at sunset, bringing buds
Of crimson in their beaks till all the woods
Were a glory of flame!
And the creeks would essay
To flow uphill, their spray—
A tangle of light on the breeze—
Spiraling over the trees.

Oh, I have seen

Tall birch trees lean
Along the moonlight, dwelling
On memories, and telling
Them to the night
In words of white.

126
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 evil’s Pool
By GREYE LA SPINA

A thrilling novel of an evil pool in an abandoned quarry—an

eery werewolf story

1. "I’d willingly sell my soul to the voice, and was suddenly tremulous and
Devil. . . ” tender.
Mason Hardy stripped off his rucksack
I "I HERE ain’t going to be no wed- and tossed it into the cab. He mounted
I din’,” said the taxi-driver, his the front seat with the driver.
*“* thick brows scowling upon Ma¬ "Step on it,” he ordered briskly. "And
son Hardy. give me a line on things as we go along.”
"No wedding? You’re crazy,” said the "My kid was only five years old,” began
prospective best man, and laughed easily. the driver brokenly, slipping the clutch
"Yeah?” into gear, "an’ he was playin’ around with
"Mr. Baker would have gotten word a bunch of other kids on the edge of Bau¬
to me, if that were the case,” Hardy as¬ mann’s woods one afternoon about a
serted, his keen eyes upon the driver’s month ago, an’ the other kids said later
dour, melancholy visage. that a tall, thin, ugly-lookin’ man came
"Yeah?” out of the woods and promised any of
Hardy lost patience. "Listen, my good them a bag of candy if they’d go along
fellow! If you’ve anything to impart, be with him. An’ my kid was so little . . .
kind enough to get it over without delay. he went.”
The wedding is set for two o’clock today "Well?” prompted Hardy impatiently,
and it’s now noon.” yet with an undertone of sympathy.
The taxi-driver drooped heavily in his "He ain’t never come back, mister.
seat. "Mister, kin there be a weddin’ The chief of police sent out a coupla men,
without a bride?” he asked. This was in¬ and we hunted and hunted, but all we
deed a pointed query. found was little Jacky’s cap lyin’ at the
"A wedding without a bride?” echoed foot of a tree near the old quarry. The
the other, puzzled. chief questioned Lem Schwartz ... we
"Says you.” was sure he was the man the kids was
"What on earth do you mean?” Hardy tellin’ about . . . but Lem said the kid
snapped. must’ve fell into the pool and got
"I mean that Miss Selene Arkwright drownded.”
left town about six weeks ago.” ’"Sorry, old chap. But what has this
"The hell she did!” to do with Miss Arkwright?”
"Hell’s got more to do with it than you "Well, mister, perhaps she fell into the
might think, mister. If you ain’t heard pool, an’ maybe it put a spell or somethin’
from Mr. Baker fer the last coupla months on her, so she can’t leave Baumann’s any
you’ve got a nice earful cornin’ to you. more.”
Me ... I lost my little kid Jacky the Had it not been for the man’s loss of
same way,” said the taxi-driver’s harsh his little boy, Hardy would have given
.728
 THE DEVIL’S POOL 729

way to derisive laughter, but the taxi my say-so.” He concluded with a grunt
man’s face, distorted with grief, restrained of disgust.
him from giving voice to his amusement ‘ 'Interesting, ’ ’ commented young Hardy,
at the absurd theory. "but hardly conclusive.”
"We’ll have to look into this,” he said 'That ain’t all,” continued the driver,
sympathetically. "What do you figure is punctuating his remarks with nervous
wrong with the pool?” movements of his foot on the accelerator
"That’s queer, too, mister,” said the that sent the taxi forward in spasmodic
taxi-driver. "Old Eli’s granddaughter jerks. "There ain’t been no heavy rains
had a bad fall about a year ago an’ ain’t about these parts for mor’n a year, an’ yet
been able to walk sence. Old Eli sets that hole in the quarry is all filled up . . .
store by that little gal, the way I did by with water, I suppose, even if none of us
my Jacky. Folks say he bust out cryin’ that’s seen it likes the queer looks of it.
one day down at the post-office an’ said Acts as if it was alive,” muttered the taxi
he’d willin’ly sell his soul to the devil if man half under his breath.
he could only give his little Janie the "Probably aspring?” offered the young¬
things she wanted. An’ they do say it er man.
weren’t long after that they was a bossy "Spring nothin’,” snorted the driver
hired man out on Eli’s place, an’ if Lem with the utmost contempt for such an easy
Schwart2 ain’t close to bein’ a devil I miss solution of his puzzle. "That quarry pool
730 WEIRD TALES

wasn’t there the day before Lem Schwartz "I am almost out of my head, Mason,"
was first seen on old Eli’s farm, and the groaned Earl Baker, seizing his friend’s
day after he was there, the pool was arm with frenzied grasp. "Come into the
there.” His tone said plainly: Now, house. I’ve so much to tell you, and I
don’t think you can get around that. don't know where to begin,” he choked.
Hardy slung his knapsack over one
H ardy thought it best not to dispute shoulder and hurriedly went up the path.
the miraculous appearance of the He was shocked and perturbed at the
pool that had synchronized with the com¬ evidences of nervous strain shown by his
ing of the devilish Lem. He remained ordinarily poised friend. Apparently
silent until the cab drew up before an un¬ there had been fragments of truth in the
pretentious bungalow prettily set in an taxi man’s strange innuendoes.
attractively landscaped plot. Once inside the house, he flung the
"Here y’are, mister. An’ if there’s a knapsack to one side and pushed his
weddin’, I’ll drive you free of charge,” friend down into a big chair, seating him¬
scoffed the driver, accepting his fare and self opposite.
tip with a brief nod of thanks. "No "Control yourself, Earl,” he command¬
weddin’ without a bride, an’ you’ll find ed sharply. "Why, man, your nerves
Miss Arkwright can’t get away from that must be in ruinous shape, for you to let
pool,” he prophesied in a low, fierce yourself go the way you’re doing.”
voice. "It ain’t got no bottom, that Earl Baker jerked out a short, wretched
pool ... we dragged it . . . an’ I be¬ sound that may have been meant for de¬
lieve it goes straight down to hell. An’ risive laughter, but that fell harsh and
if it does, I’m the man that’ll be sendin’ jangling upon the ear.
that devil at Baumann’s back to where he "Do you think it’s so easy for a man to
belongs, one of these here days.” lose his bride without her offering the
He threw in his clutch, stepped on the slightest reason for jilting him?”
gas, and his cab departed rattling down "Selene has jilted you?” cried Hardy in¬
the village street. credulously.
Hardy looked after the cab with puz¬ "Well, it amounts to that,” almost
zled face. When he turned to walk up moaned the deserted bridegroom.
the gravelled path to the bungalow, he "For the love of heaven, get this story
was disturbed to see his old college friend out of your system, Earl,” exploded Ma¬
dashing out of the front door and down son Hardy. "The taxi-driver nearly drove
to meet him. In that hasty oncoming he me frantic with wild yarns about devilish
read something of ill omen. hired men and mysterious pools and a
"Mason! You didn’t get my letters?” drowned child and Selene’s disappearance.
cried out the bridegroom in a kind of wild Pull yourself together, man, and tell me
abandon to the nervous excitement all too what it’s all about. Do you get married
clearly pervading him. today, or don’t you?”
"I didn’t stop home at all, old man,” "I don’t,” admitted Earl wretchedly.
deprecated Mason. He did not elucidate, "A couple of months ago Selene went
thinking it unnecessary. Earl Baker knew down to Eli Baumann’s farm to teach
that he spent weeks at a time hiking in Janie kindergarten work, and after she’d
out-of-the-way places for antiques, rarely made two or three visits there, she just
getting in touch with home or office dur¬ didn’t come back.”
ing his absences* “Just stayed on? You mean, she re-
 THE DEVIL’S POOL 731

fused to come back here? That she isn’t Mason lifted the curtain again. "He’s
being detained forcibly?" coming. Sorry, old chap, but he’s alone.”
"That’s what I mean.”
"It’s incredible, old man. Selene loved 2. "The dead man on his feet,

you. She—she couldn’t just stay away like staring. . . !*

that without a good reason.” “OD-” ejaculated Earl Baker, clasping

"There is a reason, but she won’t tell VT and unclasping his nervous hands
me what it is. So I asked Father Paul to and throwing an impassioned look up¬
see her.” ward. "For nearly two months she’s been
"Father Paul is still here, is he? Good down on that impoverished farm, telling
old man. . . . When did he see her?” me to keep away from her and forget
her. Why?”
“He went this morning. I’m expecting
him back any minute.” "It’s a dam queer situation, Earl, I must
Hardy drew the curtain aside and admit. Hello, Father Paul,” and Mason
stared down the street against the light turned to greet the newcomer, who had let
of the blazing afternoon sun. As yet himself into the house with the freedom
there was no sign of the plump gray of a welcome intimate.

horse that took Father Paul about the The priest was short, sturdily built,
country on parochial visits. He shook his slightly florid. From his round, wide face
head and let the curtain drop into place. beamed small but pleasant blue eyes of
Earl sighed heavily, lips quivering. Ma¬ the understanding kind that can twinkle
son’s alert blue eyes slipped past that thin, impartially upon saint or sinner. He
ascetic face, for he disliked to confront stamped in heavily, pulled out a chair and
the trouble he read only too easily upon it. sank into it, puffing.

"You don’t suppose the mysterious at¬ "This July heat is phenomenal,” he
traction on the Baumann farm has got¬ gasped, as soon as he could catch his
ten its clutches into Father Paul, do you?" breath sufficiently to speak. "Pour me a
Earl shook his head decidedly. "Oh, glass of water, my boy. I’m that perish¬
no,” he asseverated. ing with thirst I can hardly think.”

"But if it got hold of Selene, why not Earl Baker, pouring the requested
Father Paul?” argued Mason, not illogi- water, spoke with downcast eyes as if he
cally. feared to meet the other’s gaze.

Earl pushed back his untouched lunch. "Selene-?”

"I believe he knows too much for them. Over the priest’s round face a troubled
Mason. They’re afraid of him.” expression deepened.

"They?” queried the other significantly. "Is she . . . well?”

"They ... or it. I really don’t think I "Not exactly well . . . but neither is
quite know what I do mean, old man. she ill,” appended Father Paul cryptically.
This business about Selene has just broken Earl’s finely ascetic face darkened. He
me up. Everything was fine until she struck the table with his clenched fist, a
went down there at old Eli’s request, to blow that set the dishes a-dance.
give Janie kindergarten instruction. From "I can’t stand this sort of thing much
then on, it’s been . . . well, inferno,” he longer,” he said in a soft, restrained voice,
ended, bitter sharpness pointing his words. addressing himself to no one in particular.
"Hark! I thought I heard hoofs.” "It is incomprehensible. She loved me
732 WEIRD TALES

and promised to marry me. Yet she goes of them, to make life easier, richer? Why
down and stays there without a word of couldn’t an undesirable individual get
explanation and only tells me coldly to hold of the workings of those same laws,
forget her.” applying them for purely selfish ends?”
The kindly blue eyes of Father Paul "Absurd. Old Eli is the most harmless
narrowed with thought. "If she bids you of antiquated farmers, wrapped up in his
forget her, my son, she must have suffi¬ orphaned granddaughter Janie, who’s a
cient reason, for she was a good girl.” cripple. Besides those two, there’s only
"Why do you put it in the past tense?” their hired man.”
Earl snapped. "I ask you, why should
"Lem Schwartz is about the most evil
my betrothed leave herwork, and the man
individual I’ve encountered in all my years
whom she had promised to marry, and
of ministration,” interrupted the priest,
settle down to spend her life among com¬
his wide face paling as he looked from one
plete strangers on a wretched backwoods
man to the other. "He’s so evil that I felt
farm where there is quite nothing to offer
the disturbing spirit of him in his very
attraction to a young and beautiful girl?
atmosphere. He’s tall, and gaunt, and of
It’s inexplicable, I tell you, by any process
saturnine aspect. There's something so
of logical reasoning.”
repellent about him that I fail to find
"Perhaps it might help matters to look words for adequate explanation,” mused
at the situation from some other than a Father Paul. "That man is ... I dis¬
logical standpoint,” suggested Father like to say it . . . thoroughly bad. I’m
Paul gently. "You know that my opin¬ convinced of it. I don’t know how I can
ion is-” be so positive, but I am.”
”1 can not give credence to wild super¬ "What influence could that country
stitions,” exclaimed Earl impatiently. boor have upon a girl like Selene?”
,rWhat can a drowned child have to do
Father Paul disregarded the younger
with my Selene?”
man’s contemptuous query, and went on
Father Paul sighed heavily. "It might thinking aloud. "From the way old Eli
have much to do with her, but I pray God
acted this morning, I rather think he’d be
it has not . . . yet.”
glad to get out of whatever mischief he’s
Earl stared at him a moment, then ut¬
managed to get into. I don’t understand
tered a wretched 'laugh. With ironical
yet just what it is, for while he is terrified
intonation he said to Mason: "Father
by Lem Schwartz, he is also resentful and
Paul believes that some ancient evil entity bitter against him. It’s an odd situation.”
has been drawn into manifestation on old
"Is it possible that Selene’s feelings
Eli’s farm, and that my future wife has
have been acted upon by Janie’s pathetic
somehow been snared in his net. The
condition?” inquired Mason thoughtfully.
bare idea of Selene’s being involved in
"For me,” pronounced Father Paul
anything that isn’t splendid and fine is an
with decision, "Janie is the key to the
insult!” cried the lover angrily.
whole situation.”
Mason Hardy held up one hand to
quiet his disturbed friend. "Janie!” almost snorted Earl Baker,
“Well, Earl, it’s possible even if not with an exasperated look at the old priest,
probable. Aren’t you always saying that who bore his scrutiny with tranquil poise.
there are spiritual laws available for those "What could that fourteen-year-old
human beings who come into knowledge girl have to do with the situation, Fa-
 THE DEVIL S POOL 733

ther?” inquired Mason. He was frankly said it, gave a terrible moaning cry and
curious. rushed off to hide himself somewhere."

"Well, my son, it is difficult to put "I can’t get my soul quieted!” cried the
my feelings into words. Janie isn’t stupid, tortured lover wildly. "They won’t let
but she isn’t very . .. what I’d call bright. me go onto the Baumann place now, Ma¬
She has moments of peculiar insight that son.”
are positively uncanny, and then again "Listen, old man. What’s to prevent
she is just a very childish, ingenuous little my scouting about a bit and trying to find
girl. Her grandfather is whole-heartedly out what this mess is, anyway?” offered
devoted to her. Yes, I feel assured that Hardy, his keen blue eyes alight with eag¬
in Janie we shall find the key to the situa¬ er speculation. "Bet you I can bring Se¬
tion.” lene away!” He looked across the table
and up at the mantelpiece, where stood a
Earl Baker crumpled the tablecloth un¬
large photograph in solitary importance,
der one hand that kept opening and shut¬
the portrait of a grave-faced, beautiful
ting nervously upon it. "All this is un¬
girl. "Where did that Schwartz fellow
bearable. We keep talking, talking, spec¬
hail from, Father Paul?”
ulating, speculating. . . . And Selene stays
in that miserable place, held by some mys¬ "Nobody seems to know. He appeared
terious attraction which has allured her to one day on the Baumann place, shortly
the extent of making her withdraw her after old Eli had been heard to make a
promise of marriage.” statement about selling his soul to the
devil for Janie’s sake. The fellow has as

F ather Paul, again disregarding the

evil a face as I have ever seen,” and the
good man crossed himself rapidly at the
young man’s outburst, commented ir¬
memory of it.
relevantly, brow furrowed: "Eli has an¬
"What do you think of my chances of
other guest, by the way; a young Jewish
getting in and finding out how matters
fellow, named Harry Epstein. He was
stand?”
around town during the week of the coun¬
ty fair. Drove a little canvas-topped Ford "You may get in there and you may be
truck with an old piano on it and sang able to get a line on what the whole thing
popular songs to his own accompani¬ means, unless you are drawn into it your¬
ment. Sold sheet music.” self.”
"And suppose I am?” contemptuously.
"Do you mean to tell me that that fel¬
"Why can not I g^ word then to you
low’s being held there, too?” asked Earl,
people, so that you’ll be able to come
his ascetic face all at once drawn into a
down to the rescue?”
sneer. "This is too much!” He groaned
"That might help us greatly, my son.”
and dropped his distorted face into his
"Strange that Selene won’t tell me what
twitching hands.
it’s all about,” complained the deserted
"Epstein warned me off,” said Father bridegroom. "If you can do what you say,
Paul, a reminiscent smile drawing wrin¬ Mason, I shall never be able to repay
kles into the comers of his kindly blue you.” His eyes were eloquent.
eyes. "Said he hoped to leave there, Hardy laughed.
bringing Miss Arkwright, in the course of "It’s the peace of my soul, too. I shall
a couple of months. And old Eli, at never be able to go on with my *Y’ work
whom he kept looking strangely as he here, if Evil is to be allowed to triumph
734 WEIRD TALES

over Good, as it seems so far to have "All this mysterious chatter gets us no¬
done,” finished Earl despondently. where,” snapped Earl Baker, his nerves
"How big is that Schwartz fellow? Big¬ obviously at the breaking-point.
ger than I?” asked Mason of the priest, "Buck up, Earl. I’ll go there tomorrow
squaring his broad tweed-dad shoulders morning. And I’m a go-getter, you know.
with the shyly conscious air of a man who We’ll have your sweetheart back, or know
does not have to be told that he is in the the reason why.”
pink of condition. "Knowing the reason why might not
"You won’t have to fight him the way be a consolation, my son,” murmured an
you’re thinking,” retorted the priest. "At ironical voice, as Father Paul tugged
least, I don’t think so. But you’ll have to down the vest that immediately wrinkled
make up your mind not to be afraid of back on his plump body.
anything that might happen. The fact "I’ve an idea, Mason,” offered Earl
that a thing does happen, Mr. Hardy, Baker, eagerly. "Suppose you go down
brings it within the jurisdiction of the and can’t get word to us if you’re de¬
laws of natural phenomena.” tained? Why not pretend you’re a violin¬
Mason caught a certain significance of ist on vacation?”
tone and said, with a flash of keen blue "Can’t play a note, old man,” scoffed
eyes: "I don’t think I’m afraid of any¬ Mason. "And why?”
thing . . . regular.”
"That means nothing in this case. I’ll
"It’s not the regular thing that makes give you my violin. They'll surely ask
the blood run chill, my son,” replied the you to play. Then if they do, and won’t
priest. "It’s the irregularity of a thing let you come back, pretend to be tempera¬
that sometimes makes it seem terrible. mental and tell them you’ve got my vio¬
The dead man lying at rest in his coffin lin by mistake, and have them take it
isn’t terrifying. It’s the dead man on his back for exchange.”
feet, staring at you through the half-light
"Sorry, but I don’t see-”
of a dim room that makes your hair stand
"Can’t you give me a chance? If that
on end.”
violin is sent bade here, instead of your
"There won’t be any dead men walk¬
coming yourself, we’ll understand that
ing on the Baumann farm,” the younger
you’re being detained.”
man asserted skeptically. "So I shall have
"I get you. In the nature of an SOS ?”
nothing to fear.”
"There is the Destruction Which Walk- "Exactly.”

eth at noonday,” suggested the priest “Not so bad, Earl,” commended Hardy.

softly. Father Paul turned, where he stood in

Mason met the old eyes squarely. "As the doorway on his way out.
long as it is noonday, I can see It and "Your friend is loaning you his violin,
keep out of Its way. And as the full moon Mr. Hardy. I’m going to give you some¬
is due in two days, even the nights will thing, too. Something that ought to be
be bright for a while yet.” He laughed useful, and you can have it for your own
again, his easy, confident laugh. all your life.” His voice was dark with
"The light of the full moon does not import. "Don’t forget that Evil can not
bring security, my son. It has its own utterly triumph as long as there is the
peculiar perils,” murmured Father Paul, slightest desire or effort to hold on to
oddly. Good.”
 THE DEVIL’S POOL i735

His heavy tread went down the hall¬ nesses. But this water attracted by its ap¬
way like the portentous footfall of Fate. pearance of inviting coolness; the spark¬
ling ripples almost called their message
3. "For God’s sake, get away from here of refreshment. What Hardy did not
while you can!” notice was that there was not a breath of a

H is hiking knapsack strapped on his

breeze to stir the surface of that ever-in-
motion pool. ...
back, and Earl’s violin-case in his
To a man melting in July heat, the
hand, Mason got through the boundary
temptation was insuperable. Hardy made
fence that separated the Baumann farm
a quick survey of the near-by woods, find¬
from the state highway, disregarding the
ing no opening in the infrequently used
many large warnings against trespass that
trail that might point out a possibility of
were nailed every few yards. Mason did
embarrassing interruption. Promptly the
not wish to let his presence be known
knapsack tumbled at'the foot of a tree,
until late afternoon, for when the shad¬
and near it the violin-case was laid. The
ows lengthened a lost hiker might be
khaki outing shirt flew over Mason’s head
expected to ask some direction to town, or
and he sat down on the mossy ground to
even a night’s shelter. Moreover, he was
remove his shoes. Busied with the laces,
in hopes that Selene Arkwright might, by
he did not notice the approach of a man
some happy chance, stroll in the woods,
who stopped directly in front of him,
in which case he could have a few words
until the newcomer spoke in a sharply in¬
with her alone.
cisive tone, with significant tenseness.
His wrist-watch said it was a little after
"Stop!” said this man, and with one
one o’clock. He had plenty of time to
foot pushed away Mason’s busy fingers
follow up trails in the Baumann woods,
that were engaged in untying shoe-laces.
and with this in mind, and a keen grate¬
fulness for the thick shade of the shelter¬ Young Hardy jerked his head upward
ing trees (the July sun was unbearably with a startled exclamation, then got
hot), he took a slightly worn path that he quickly to his feet, eyeing the newcomer
figured would lead him into the center of curiously.
the woods. By half-past two he had suc¬ "You’re trespassing. Didn’t you see
cumbed to the stifling humidity of the the signs?” asked the man, with a gesture
super-heated air and was looking about toward the very tree under which Mason
for a favorable spot under a tree, where had laid the violin and knapsack. As he
he could safely take a siesta. spoke, his eyes shot agitated glances over
From time to time the pathway led past his shoulder, in what Mason surmised
great granite ledges, and all at once an might be the direction of the Baumann
agreeable sight met the wayfarer’s eyes. farmhouse.
One of these ledges had been quarried “What’s your trouble?” countered Ma¬
out deeply; almost the entire center had son lightly. "This place yours?”
been cut away, leaving a deep hollow The other man jerked an impatient
some twenty feet across. In this great head. "Never mind whose place it is.
artificial bath of granite sparkled, as if What I’m telling you is to get off it as
with some innate life of its own, such quickly as you can make it, if you value
clear and glittering water as Hardy had your life and your sanity!”
rarely seen. Usually forest pools are dank, "I think you must be Harry Epstein,”
stagnant, full of decaying unpleasant¬ observed Mason acutely.
,73 6 WEIRD TALES

The dark, Hebraic face scowled. "How Mason momentarily dumb, but in a mo¬
did you know?” ment he had recovered his usual poise.
"Father Paul.” "Hey! What do you think you’re
doing, my man? Put that violin down!”
"Hmm. Well, I’m Epstein. What of
His wet foot tracking moist blots on the
it? Listen, whoever you may be. Get
granite, Mason neared the man, who
away from here while the going’s good.
lifted his face sufficiently to inspect that
Understand? And thank your God-”
damp trail with a kind of sneering satis¬
He broke off abruptly, as a sharp
faction.
whistle cut the air imperatively. Then he
"I really don’t understand why you
added hastily, in a half-whisper: "I
should object to my looking at property
mustn’t be seen talking to you. But for
that belongs to you,” said he pointedly,
God’s sake, get away from here while you
leisurely closing the violin-case and put¬
can."
ting it down with composure. "You seem
With that he sped up the forest trail
to have been making use of other people’s
and disappeared.
property yourself.”

M ason hardy deliberated for a mo¬

Mason stopped short as the speaker
rose, attaining his full height, that of a
ment. He looked at his outing shirt
man of unusually gaunt and meager pro¬
and one shoe lying on the moss. Then he
portions for what must have been six feet
laughed shortly, got off the other shoe,
four inches. One look at that dark and
and in a moment had stripped and was
saturnine face was sufficient to apprise the
ready for his attractive plunge into the
adventurer that he was encountering Lem
inviting forest pool.
Schwartz; for only to Lem could have be¬
The quarrymen had cut the rock on longed those piercing black eyes that low¬
that side into the semblance of a rude ered evilly under bushy, overhanging eye¬
flight of wide high steps. He descended brows that met in a straight line over the
until only his head could have been hooked nose; only Lem could have smiled
glimpsed from the woodland trail. As he with such a wide spread of snarling, thin
dipped one foot into the water, which was lips that the impression between them of
delightfully, exhilaratingly cool, his eyes those sharp and glistening white teeth
fell upon his wrist-watch, which he had was as of a fierce and implacable wild
forgotten to remove. He sprang up the beast, restrained momentarily, but mo¬
steps, leaving a damp trail on the granite mentarily only.
under the foot that had tested the water’s "Sorry,” deprecated Mason, somewhat
temperature. Suddenly he stood stock¬ abashed at this inapropos meeting with
still, fumbling at the strap of the watch. Lem Schwartz, which was not at all of his
Sitting cross-legged on the ground like planning. "But the heat was so oppres¬
some ugly Eastern god was a man who sive and the pool so inviting-”
must have been extraordinarily tall when Lem Schwartz bent his terrible smile
he stood upright, for there seemed to be upon the granite, from which the July
an abnormal length of limb tucked under heat had already begun to evaporate the
him. Earl Baker’s violin-case lay open on younger man’s moist trail. He permitted
his lap and he was in the act of picking a gurgling laugh to escape him, a laugh
at the strings with his long, wiry fingers, that subtly conveyed malevolence.
just as Mason came up out of the pool. "Swimming in this pool is trespassing,
The impudence of the newcomer struck my fine young man. You’ll have to go
W. T.—1
 THE DEVIL’S POOL ,737

along -with me to see what the owner hung; the other half of the house had
thinks about it.” drawn shades and the chimney belched no
Taken at a disadvantage, although get¬ sign of cooking preparations.
ting into the Baumann house on one ex¬ Sitting on a long, decrepit-looking
cuse or another had been his primary in¬ bench on the rear porch was the round-
tention, the trespasser did not speak for shouldered form of a man who straight¬
a moment, and Schwartz misunderstood ened his dejectedly hanging head as Lem
bis silence, for he leaned down and and Mason approached. This was old Eli,
picked up violin-case and knapsack with Mason figured, and looked with secret
a conclusive air. interest upon that mysterious old farmer
"If you don’t choose to dress, come who was playing host to two such differ¬
along as you are,” invited he with an ent individuals as Selene Arkwright and
ugly grin. "But it's just possible you may Harry Epstein. The old man was gray
prefer to dress. There’s a nice young lady and wizened of countenance; straggling
up at the farmhouse.” white hair hung in confusion on either
Mason bit his lip in the difficult at¬ side of his meek brown eyes that stared
tempt to keep his temper. He had not out under the shabby straw hat; his once-
planned to make his appearance under black trousers and vest were white at the
escort like a captured criminal. However, seams and shiny green from long wear
there was nothing to do but appear to fall and exposure to weather.
in with the saturnine Lem’s scarcely con¬ "Brought you a fiddler this time,”
cealed commands. Mason motioned an¬ called Lem Schwartz loudly, as he ap¬
grily for the hired man to put down the proached. "Janie’ll like that, won’t she?
violin and knapsack. He then dressed You can’t reproach me with forgetting
hurriedly and presently strapped the latter my side of a bargain, Eli.”
article to his shoulders, and would have The old man staggered uncertainly to
picked up the violin as well, but- his feet, the meek brown eyes staring
"I’d better take charge of this, young upon the youthful figure behind Lem.
stranger,” murmured Lem, significantly. One hand lifted, waved them back; the
"Too hot to chase anybody through the other covered a trembling old mouth
woods today,” he grunted. "Suppose you from which issued a pitiful, wailing cry
enjoyed your stolen swim?” he inquired which he seemed struggling to smother,
suddenly, and again that snarling laugh his eyes shifting to Lem’s hard face in
rent his thin lips across gleaming teeth what appeared mingled resentment and
horridly. fear.

Figuring that his intentions, if not the

"No! No! No!” he exclaimed quaver-
ingly. "I—I don’t want any more people
actual facts, had made him a tres¬ here. I—I haven’t room for them. I—I
passer, Mason shrugged his shoulders in can’t afford any more.”
acquiescence and followed his guide down "Don’t be alarmed, Mr. Baumann,”
the trail until the woods opened into fine Mason Hardy reassured the old man, "I
pasture land, across from which stood a have no intention of remaining. Just hap¬
great two-family stone farmhouse. It was pened to be strolling in your woods, and
built of granite undoubtedly taken from took the liberty of stopping for a swim in
the quarry that now offered such delights your inviting pool, when your man-”
to a swimmer. From the chimney on one "Father in Heaven! The pool? You—
side of the house clouds of heavy smoke you swam in the pool?”
W. T.—2
(7 38 WEIRD TALES

Lem interrupted. "He had a nice cool "Harry!” called Selene, without turn¬
swim, and I brought him here for safe¬ ing.
keeping until... day after tomorrow,” he A man appeared from the dim room
finished, in significant tone and with a behind her and stood looking over her
sardonic grin. The old man’s face went shoulder. It was the man who had
white. "Tomorrow night is the full of warned Mason back in the woods, and he
the moon, you know.” was now looking at the newcomer with
"Sorry I trespassed,” Mason began to a kind of cold fury.
apologize. "If you will permit me to do "Idiot!” he said accusingly. That one
so, I’ll gladly pay whatever you feel I word, but it expressed volumes of emo¬
should, and then you can direct me on my tion.
way.” Lem looked from one man to the other,
"No . .. you’ve got to stay . . . now,” a sardonic smile distorting his dark vis¬
quavered the old man, brown eyes wide, age. "You two have met before,” he
mouth loose-lipped and trembling. "Sorry stated rather than asked. "Did you at¬
... but I can’t let you go now . . . until tempt to warn him, Mr. Epstein?” His
... until-” mocking assumption of respectfulness
"Until after the full of the moon,” fin¬ could have deceived no one. "Rather un¬
ished Lem Schwartz, evil black eyes hard wise on your part, wasn’t it? You should
with ominous menace. "And then you have welcomed him instead, for the larger
may see fit to remain here, Mr. Fiddler, the company grows, the more will dear
and play for Janie.” Mr. Baumann feel his moral responsi¬
Lem might have received a sharp re¬ bility. . .
tort had not Mason’s attention been di¬ Old Eli, with a shrill cry of agony,
verted by the stirring of a woman’s gar¬ pressed gnarled hands to his temples,
ments. At the open door appeared a girl brushing off the wide straw hat with an
of twenty-two or three, a girl whom he unheeding gesture of desperation.
recognized from the photograph on Earl "Devil! You devil!” he stammered
Baker’s mantel, although the eyes that had wildly. "I won’t! I won’t do it! You
been tranquil in the portrait were now shan’t force me to do it! I’ll put up a sign
wide and startled, the firm lips tremulous at the pool, to warn people-”
as if on the verge of crying out. . . . The Lem silenced him with a wide, unpleas¬
plainly dressed, unbobbed black hair, the ant smile that drew the thin lips tightly
dark gray eyes, were those of Selene back against the pointed white teeth. He
Arkwright. did not speak a single word, but old Eli’s
As Lem spoke, she pressed both hands hands dropped to his sides, and the old
convulsively against her bosom. Her gray man turned abruptly around, pushed
eyes turned with shrinking pain and hor¬ precipitately past Selene Arkwright and
ror upon the newcomer. When she spoke disappeared into the house.
it was as if the words pressed out without For a moment the hired man stood re¬
her volition, from her overflowing soul. garding the girl who clung, white-faced
"Oh, you poor, unhappy man! You and trembling, to the door-frame. Then
have been in die quarry pool!” his glittering black eyes turned slowly
Not seeing fit to make detailed ex¬ until the whites gleamed at the comers,
planations at that moment, in the pres¬ to rest with malicious satisfaction upon
ence of so many witnesses, Mason Hardy Harry Epstein’s furrowed brow. Last of
nodded. all, those hard orbs, shining with reptilian
 THE DEVIL’S POOL 739

coldness, shifted to Mason Hardy’s wary, and it was evident that Selene trusted the
puzzled countenance. young Jew.
"1 leave our fiddling friend in your "Earl sent me,” said Mason, finally, to
custody, Mr. Epstein, until after the full Selene.
of the moon,” said he, and a horrid "You came from him?” she whispered.
chuckling choked him into further silent "You dared come to this accursed place,
merriment. risking so much, for Earl’s sake?” Tears
stood in her fine eyes, and she had to
4. "Tonight, watch from your choke back the sob that rose in her throat.
window. . * "I recognized you almost at once, Mason

H arry epstein, watching Lem’s de¬

Hardy, from Earl’s old class photograph.”
"Say, Hardy, if you knew all about the
parture, lifted one clenched fist and
affair, why the dickens did you make a
shook it with impotent menace at the
bee-line for the pool and jump into it?
gaunt man’s back, muttering something of
Especially after I’d warned you to keep
dark malediction under his breath.
out?”
Selene touched his arm nervously. Mason laughed, his easy laugh. "You
"Don’t, please, Harry. Aren't things bad may think you told me something, but
enough as they are, without swearing?” you didn’t get that far. Besides, I wasn’t
The young Jew turned sullenly but with really in the pool at all. I just stepped in
gentle deference, and went into the room, and out again, when he appeared.” He
beckoning Mason to follow. jerked his head in the direction Lem had
"For tonight the old man will prob¬ gone, to designate the object of his re¬
ably give you a room this side of the mark.
house,” opined Harry Epstein, as they Selene’s gray eyes lifted. "You didn’t
went inside. immerse yourself in the pool?” she whis¬
At these apparently innocent words, pered, with an eagerness oddly anxious
Selene gave a soft little exclamation of for such a simple query.
distress. Her eyes and the young Jew’s "Just tried the temperature with one
met, held, then turned away in embar¬ foot, and then found I’d forgotten to take
rassment, avoiding Mason’s puzzled gaze. off my wrist-watch. So I went out, and
Mason made a wild guess. there was that chap Lem sitting with my
"Until after the full of the moon?” he violin. . . . He’s no regular hired man,
murmured, ironically, and his keen blue Epstein; the language he employs-”
eyes flashed from Selene’s face to Harry’s, "Whatever he is, Mr. Violinist, he’s
for the two had swayed together as if by got the drop on all of us here,” jerked
common impulse and were regarding him out Harry unwillingly. "Selene and
with a kind of incredulity. I-” he hesitated, with a quick glance
"Then you know?” the music-peddler at the girl.
accused resentfully. "You came here on "Go on, Harry,” she directed him.
purpose. I didn’t have to warn you against "We can not consider conventions under
the pool. Why did you go into it, then?” these conditions of stress,” she explained
sharply. to Mason.
Mason hesitated. However much he "I was just going to say that Mason,
might distrust the other man, a complete here, will naturally eat with old Baumann
stranger, yet Harry had tried to warn him tonight. But tomorrow night,” pointedly,
against something once that afternoon, "he will probably be with us.”
,740 WEIRD TALES

"Hmmm. After the full of the moon,” immersed. I hope it’ll turn out that way,
commented Mason dryly, and was once because then you’ll be free to go back and
again astonished at the girl’s little choked tell Father Paul whatever you’ve seen
outcry. down here. He’s a wise old bird. If he
"What do you know? How much do can’t help us, we’re sure done for,” fin¬
you know? Why do you keep on repeat¬ ished the music peddler in his low, guard¬
ing that?” ed voice.
"My dear Selene, I don’t know a "But how did Selene get into the
thing,” confessed Mason. "But all I’ve pool?” curiously inquired Mason, glanc¬
heard since I came here has seemed to ing cautiously toward the inner door.
hinge upon the full of the moon. Can The girl herself replied. "Janie asked
you tell me why, yourself?” me to bring her some wild columbine
Selene exhaled slowly. "I thought per¬ blossoms from the woods. Lem offered
haps you knew about things here, and to show me where they were, and when
could help us to get away,” she whispered, we were on the verge of the pool, he
her eyes turned to an inner door, through pushed me into the water.” She shud¬
which old Eli could now be seen, putter¬ dered, her gray eyes closing for a mo¬
ing over a cooking-stove. ment as if to shut out the very memory
"If you want to leave here,” declared of the scene.
Mason, smiling, "say the word. It is just "Completely immersed. Get me? Same
a matter of leaving, as I see it.” here,” Epstein said.
She shook her head with a hopeless air. "But Harry jumped in to save me,” Se¬
"Impossible. You don’t understand the lene murmured quickly, with a grateful
real situation. It’s not just a matter of glance at the young Jew.
walking away. It’s far more complicated "Any decent man would have done the
than that. Listen, Mason. . . She low¬ same. That wasn’t anything, Selene."
ered her voice to a cautious undertone. "What Earl owes you, he can never re¬
"We must remain here until we learn pay,” the girl replied, controlling her
just what old Mr. Baumann has to do to trembling voice with difficulty.
save us from Lem’s clutches. Oh, I "Nonsense! Sh-sh-sh! Here comes Eli.”
daren’t tell you more, but tonight . . .
■watch from your windowshe whispered “Oupper is ready for the violinist,"
fearfully. >3 said the old man from just without
"Selene!” Harry’s voice was sharp. He the door. "It’s—it’s getting dark,” he
laid one finger against his lips warningly. added, in a tense tone with a shade of
"But Mason is Earl’s friend,” she mur¬ something fearful in his implication.
mured tensely. "I owe him some expla¬ Selene sighed audibly. "Come, Harry.
nation, don’t I, after he’s risked coming It’s time for us to go. Don’t ask ques¬
here to help us? And perhaps, after to¬ tions, Mason, please.” She stepped close
morrow night,” she faltered, "he’ll be to him and put her lips against his ear.
condemned to stay here, too.” "Don’t let them know you weren’t com¬
The young Jew turned to Mason, his pletely immersed in the pool,” she
face strained with anxiety. breathed warningly, and left him, to fol¬
"If only you hadn’t stepped into the low Harry across the next room to a door
pool!” he deprecated. "But perhaps it that communicated with the apparently;
won’t mean so much; you weren’t fully untenanted side of the house.
 THE DEVIL S POOL 741

As she approached, this door swung main dish. The soup was good, as Janie
open. Selene stopped short, so that Harry had said. Mason made a fairly good meal,
narrowly escaped collision with her in silence.
shrinking form. Mason Hardy, straining Old Eli ate little except his plateful of
to see beyond the two into the darkness soup. His conversation (if it could be
of the room beyond, became aware of two called such) was monosyllabic, elicited by
redly glittering points that seemed to re¬ questions directed at him in such a way
flect the pale light of the kerosene lamp that he could hardly have avoided a reply
upon the kitchen supper table. Like eyes without discourtesy.
were those points; evil eyes, that gloated
That the child upstairs was listening
.vindictively.
eagerly to every word became apparent
"It’s getting dark,” said old Eli, again. when she occasionally called down to the
He seemed to be shrinking in abject hor¬ men, and finally asked Mason if he
ror from that opening door. "The sun wouldn’t play for her.' Supper being over
has set. Go! Why are you standing here? and nothing ahead for the evening but
Go! Go!” bed, he could hardly refuse; so he opened
His voice, his words, pushed against the violin-case and took out the instru¬
the reluctant two. Selene Arkwright did ment with awkward and amateurish care,
not hesitate then, but moved resignedly old Eli watching in uninterested dejec¬
into the enveloping darkness of that other tion.
room. Behind her trod Harry Epstein. "This isn’t my violin!” exclaimed
The door closed upon them. Old Eli, in Hardy, with as much excitement as he
a kind of relief mingled with apprehen¬ could manage to muster. "I’ve left my
sion, sprang across the room with aston¬ Strad at my friend’s house and taken his
ishing agility for so old a man, and violin by mistake!”
turned the key in the lock hastily, trying "That shouldn’t keep you from play¬
the door with care to be sure it was se¬ ing,” said old Eli, with a suspicious look
curely fastened. Then he turned to his from under his meek brows.
sole remaining guest.
Mason shrugged his shoulders in as
"Vegetable soup,” he offered prosai¬ nearly a temperamental manner as he
cally. "Hope you like it. . . . Janie!” could achieve. "What? Use a common
His voice raised slightly as he went to the violin? Never!” cried he tragically, chok¬
foot of the staircase. "Is the soup all ing back his impulse to laughter.
right?” Old Eli narrowly watched the restora¬
From the upper floor a girlish voice tion of the violin to its case. "I’ll have
floated down gayly. Lem take it back tomorrow and get yours,”
"Awful good, gramper. Got some he offered slowly.
more crackers for Janie, gramper?” "Oh, please do, gramper! Mr. Fiddler,
"Find a seat, mister, and help yourself. I want so to hear you play!”
. . . Gramper’s coming, Janie.” All at once Mason straightened up
Two places had been set at the supper from the violin-case and stood in a listen¬
table. There was some kind of dark- ing attitude. "What’s that?” he asked
colored jam, a hunk of cheese, a pot of bruskly.
passable tea, as Mason discovered, pour¬ "The—the dogs,” replied old Eli, in
ing himself a steaming cupful; plenty of patent uneasiness. "Time you went to
rye bread, and the vegetable soup as a your room, mister. That way,” and he in-
742 WEIRD TALES

dicated the stairs leading to the upper ing out over the unscreened sill to ga2e
floor. upon the moonlight-flooded beauty of the
“Dogs?” echoed Mason, brow fur¬ night.
rowed. “I haven’t seen any on the place, The murmuring of voices from Janie’s
so far.” room had ceased. Silence reigned oppres¬
Old Eli avoided the keen blue orbs of sively. Once he thought he heard the tip¬
the younger man, as if he feared lest some toeing of some one across the hall to his
secret be surprized in his own brown eyes door. He would have spoken, but flash¬
that now sought the floor. The noises in ing intuition bade him remain silent. Let
the next house increased, so that they old Eli think him asleep.
could be heard plainly: snarling, growls,
The combined heat, and an overpower¬
snapping of teeth. ing drowsiness that made him speculate
“Some dogs!” commented Hardy, as sleepily if anything could have been put
he turned reluctantly to go upstairs.
into his food, had about put him off
guard, when the creaking of rusty hinges
5. "Little piles of gnawed white
came faintly to him from below. He was
bones. . .."
wide awake in an instant, and bolt up¬
T he room to which Mason had been
assigned was separated only by a thin
right, listening intently. Then he leaned
recklessly over the sill, and found he
painted-board partition from the hall and could see a door on the other side of the
the next room, which was Janie’s. Mason house, a door opening into the back yard
could hear every word of the old man and from which one could step in a few paces
the child, as Eli gathered up Janie’s tray. directly into the woods. The door was
Also, in spite of the fact that the wall be¬ opening slowly upon the yawning dark¬
tween, this little whitewashed room and ness of the other house’s interior.
the next house was of heavy granite, the From that opening a long, gaunt gray
young man continued to hear that heavy beast slunk, keeping in the shadow of the
scratching, whining, snarling. Dogs? So house as if to escape observation. As it
old Eli had said. went, belly to the grass, stretching itself
He unpacked his knapsack, stopping across the green in long strides, its head
occasionally to listen to that scratching turned upward toward the watcher’s win¬
and clicking as of heavily nailed beasts dow. A double row of terrible teeth
scampering about. The snarling, and then flashed as it emerged from the shadow,
a pitiful whining, began to set his nerves and two fiery eyes glinted redly in the
on edge. If Eli kept dogs, he evidently moonlight as if they reflected a fire.
kept them loose in the house next door, "Dog?” the young man asked himself
the house into which an hour past Mason in astonishment. “Never! That is a huge
had seen Selene and Harry disappearing. wolf!”
He wondered how the girl could sleep His head whirled with impossible sur¬
through those noises, and no longer won¬ mises. He sat back out of the moonlight’s
dered at her sleep-heavy eyes. spreading radiance and thought hard and
He exchanged his hiking-shoes for fast. He had seen a girl and a man going
rubber-soled sneakers and laid out his au¬ into that other house, and he inferred that
tomatic pistol and an electric flashlight. the saturnine hired man also slept on that
Then he drew a chair to the window and side of the building. Now he had watched
settled down listening, occasionally lean¬ a great gray wolf creep stealthily out, to
 THE DEVIL S POOL 1743

disappear into the near-by woods. A low unspeakably soiled—blankets and bed¬
whine from without. ... He peered cau¬ ding, at sight of which Hardy turned
tiously across the sill. Two other beasts away feeling sickish, so disgusting was the
sprang, bounding over the patch of grass, incredible mess.
and streaked into the woods. As he started down the stairs, a long-
Mason picked up his automatic and drawn-out ululation struck his eardrums
tucked it into a hip pocket. He took up with the hammering pulsation of some¬
the electric torch, unbolted his door and thing more than sound; carrying, as it
tried it. To his relief it opened quietly. were, a psychic message of terrible im¬
He closed it cautiously and tiptoed to a port. A duet of answering howls fol¬
door at the head of the stairs, which he lowed. Cold shivers raced up and down
had noticed when he had come up to bed. the young man’s spinal column, although
It led to the adjoining house. It was pro¬ he realized fully that the sounds came
vided with a huge bolt in addition to the from the distant woods. It was the full
key that stood in its lock. Although the cry of a wolf-pack in sight of its prey!
possibilities in what he might be walking And the rooms that should have been
into made the hair prickle on his scalp, occupied by Selene, and Harry, and that
he unfastened that door and went into the mysterious and terrible being known as
darkness, drawing it closed behind him. Lem Schwartz, were . . . empty. . . .
For a moment he stood motionless, list¬
ening, hardly daring to draw a full breath.
In the gloom and strange chill of that
A mason, shuddering at his own
imaginings, moved down the stairs
other house reigned a stillness oppressive, toward what should be the kitchen of the
ominous. He drew out the automatic and house, he sensed the odor of decomposing
from his left hand the space about him animal matter. The stench of wild beasts'
flooded with light. bodies in a closed, unaired place grew
He stood in an upper hallway similar overpowering, sickening. It was even
to old Eli’s half of the house. Giving worse than Lem’s room upstairs, and at
upon it were three wide-open doors. Hesi¬ thought of that Mason felt his stomach
tating at his presumption (for he had ev¬ heave with ghastly threats of nausea. Step
ery logical reason to believe that Selene by step, he moved down the staircase, the
and Harry were occupying two of these torch turned off so as not to apprise any
rooms and Lem the third), he stepped to one below, if indeed anybody waited in
the open doorway of one room after an¬ ambush there, of his coming. But upon
other, cautiously illuminating each as he reaching the lower step, he flashed the
did so. Astonishing . . . chilling . . . light quickly about.
emptiness alone met his gaze. The kitchen was empty, but the door
At the threshold of the last room he from it into the back room was open, and
paused, his straight nose wrinkling dis¬ Egyptian darkness gloomed ahead. He
tastefully. The odor that came from it sprang across the kitchen, automatic in
was fetid, as if some forest creature had readiness, and illuminated the parlor. It,
been denning there for weeks with win¬ also, was empty. Empty? ... As he
dows never opened to air it. This room looked about, his nostrils contracted dis¬
had no dresser, no chairs; nothing but a gustedly against the fetid smell of decay,
ragged mattress on the floor, upon which and his eyes went roving in search of the
was heaped a tumbled mass of soiled— cause.
744 WEIRD TALES

The floor was of bare boards; there pity in his heart. The black wolf stood
were no chairs or other furniture in either for a moment only; then it slunk into the
of the two rooms. But here and there on other house, tail dragging as if in shame.
the bare boards were—things—that Ma¬ Mason received a distinct impression of
son turned the light on, shuddering as he the animal’s humiliation.
looked. There were black stains here and The door of the other house was still
there . . . There were bits of decaying open. Drifting up to his window came
furry skin.... And there were little piles sounds of snarling, tearing, crunching,
of gnawed white bones. . . . And almost whining. He listened, nervous chills send¬
at his feet as he stood lay a crumpled bit ing their shuddering impulses through
of material ... He leaned down and him. The three wolves were devouring
turned it over. Good God! There had their prey. But where, then, were Selene,
been the taxi-driver’s missing child . . . Harry and the mysterious, saturnine Lem
and that material was ... a child’s . . . while those three wolves held high
stained, tom little rompers. . . . carnival over their prey?
Mason groaned aloud involuntarily. Not until dawn had touched the tree
Then he became keenly aware of what tops with pale, prophetic fingers, did Ma¬
the pervading odor conveyed. It was the son Hardy sink back onto his bed into
unforgettable stench of wild beast ken¬ troubled sleep, and throughout the dreams
nels in the public zoos. It was unbear¬ that haunted him there stood always three
able, sickening, disgusting. Nausea got empty rooms that should have been hu¬
the better of him. He went back through manly tenanted.
the kitchen, avoiding with inward shrink¬
ing those dark stains on the wide boards, 6. "That fast retreating form owned no
and leaped up the staircase with the dis¬ following shadow. . .
agreeable feeling that some one behind
him would presently lay a chilling hand
From his uneasy slumbers Mason was
awakened by scratching and thumping
on his shoulder, or pull at his ankles. at his door-panels. For a moment he stood
Just as he opened the communicating half dazed, where he had sprung from
door, he caught the sound of padding feet
bed still haunted by the nightmares of the
and clicking nails upon the flagstone ter¬ preceding night. His impression was that
race outside the back of the house. some savage beast had leaped against his
Hastily he locked and bolted the door door from without.
and then fastened himself into his own "Who’s there?” he demanded sharply,
room. He sprang across it to the window. his nerves on edge.
Yes, the wolf-pack was returning from "Schwartz,” replied a harsh voice.
the chase with its quarry. A huge ground¬ "What d’you want?”
hog hung limply from the extended "Your friend Baker says he’ll bring
drooling jaws of a gaunt gray wolf, and your own violin tomorrow. He wanted to
the brown beast had a small rabbit be¬ come today, but I put him off. Tonight’s
tween its glistening white teeth. Behind the full of the moon, fiddler.” A snarl¬
those two shrank a glossy little black ing laugh, and Lem’s retreating footsteps,
wolf, which all at once stood still, and as light as if he walked upon padded
lifted its head toward Mason’s window. paws. . . .
The young man’s gaze met those lam¬ Through the partition Janie’s voice:
bent eyes, a curious stirring of surging "Please, Mr. Fiddler, come in before you
 THE DEVIL’S POOL 745

go downstairs. I’ve never seen a truly young man coolly, following up his seem¬
violin-player. Gramper says you must ing advantage.
play in regular concerts. I’m just crazy to "Why did you come here? Oh, God of
hear you, Mr. Fiddler.” Heaven, what have I done? What will
Mason’s curiosity to see this strange become of my little Janie?”
child who Father Paul had believed The tray would have gone crashing
held the key to the mystery at the Bau¬ down the stairs had not Mason sprung
mann place urged him to dress hastily. forward to save it. Old Eli pushed him
He donned a light outing shirt and a off with frantic hands, gnarled by toil,
tweed jacket that covered the bulge on his and curled now into the semblance of
hip occasioned by the automatic, which claws. Mason looked speculatively at him
he decided he would not leave in the room for a long moment, then turned and car¬
to be appropriated either by old Eli or ried the tray to Janie’s door. At his tap
the saturnine Lem. she called for him to 'enter.
As he opened his door, old Baumann "What’s the matter with gramper?”
was coming up with a tray. At sight of was the first thing the little girl asked, as
Mason, the ancient drew back with a curi¬ Mason set the tray on a small table beside
ous intaking of breath and an avoidance the bed, and bent his keen blue eyes upon
of the younger man’s gaze. the child sitting there against plumped-
"This is Janie’s breakfast,” he said up pillows.
hastily.
"Nothing, Janie. He’s just nervous,”
Mason laughed. "I had no idea you shrugged Hardy, surveying with appre¬
would bring my breakfast to me,” he ciation the pretty picture the child made.
said shortly. "I can go down for it my¬ Light brown curls hung over her shoul¬
self, and I’m hungry, I can tell you. Your ders, lying on the gay patchwork quilt like
vegetable soup was good, but it doesn’t some French doll’s marvellous lodes. Her
seem to stick to a fellow’s ribs very much, brown eyes, green-glinted, appraised the
Mr. Baumann.” visitor, canny to a degree that Mason had
"You’ll have to see Lem about your not expected from Father Paul’s hesita¬
breakfast,” hastily said old Eli, still avoid¬ ting, half-derogatory description. This
ing his guest’s eyes. child was no dolt; shy or reserved she
"See Lem? What for?” might be, but not stupid.
"You’re not supposed to eat today," Warm color flowed over Janie’s pale
stated the old farmer briefly and strange¬ cheeks at the admiration that her visitor
ly, after a long pause. permitted to appear on his face, in his
"I presume for the usual reason,” was pleasure at the little girl’s fragile beauty.
Mason’s sarcastic observation. "The full She blossomed under it like a sun-kissed
of the moon tonight?” rosebud.
Eli Baumann involuntarily went back¬ "I like you, Mr. Fiddler,” she said with
ward down two steps and leaned against naive frankness. "You have kind eyes,”
the wall, staring. The tray shook in his she finished, contemplatively.
trembling old hands. "Now, I call that nice of you,” smiled
"Who syjtf what are you?” he whis¬ Mason, and gave his easy laugh.
pered, meek brown eyes wide with awful Janie dimpled. "I wish I could walk
apprehension. around the way everybody else does,” she
"Is that anything to you?” asked the said all at once, tearing into little bits a
(Z46 BFEIRD TALES

piece of toast and pushing the scraps Baumann farm. Apart from that mys¬
about her plate with one finger. tery, Janie was refreshingly naive, and
"Can’t you walk, Janie?” Mason asked perhaps the most untouched and natural
pityingly. human being in that house of weird hap¬
She shook her head. "I fell on the penings.
rocks out in the woods a year ago. I was "Mr. Harry is funny, isn’t he? But
running after a rabbit that had gotten out he’s very nice to me. Sometimes he pats
of its hutch. But gramper thinks maybe my head as if I were a ve-e-ry little girl,”
some day I can walk again. He rubs my she smiled mischievously, "and pulls one
feet and legs every morning and every of my curls. Mr. Fiddler!” She leaned
night, so they won't wither up. The doc¬ toward him and whispered: “It’s a secret,
tor told him to.” mind, but when I grow up, I’m going to
She lifted a scrap of toast, pushed it marry him. He doesn’t know yet,” she
between even little teeth, and munched dimpled, an impish look flashing across
slowly. "I’d love to give you some of my her face. "Gramper says Mr. Harry is a
breakfast, but if he found it out, Lem natural-born farmer. Gramper thinks Mr.
would be furious, and he does make such Harry ought to buy a farm instead of
scenes. Miss Selene and Mr. Harry don’t going around singing his funny songs.
eat with us any more; they eat with Lem, Hark! What’s that?”
on the other side of the house. I suppose
The agitated steps of a man who
you will, too. Lem says it won’t cost
tramps carelessly because he is not think¬
gramper a cent to feed anybody who stays
ing how or where he treads. . . . The loud
here to teach me things.”
voice of a man who has gotten past car¬
Cold shivers were running up and
ing whether or not his words are diplo¬
down Mason’s backbone.
matic or his intonation ingratiating. . . .
"Gramper was worried at first. He
"Baumann! Where are you? Oh,
kept telling Lem he couldn’t afford a lot
skulking behind the curtain! Just what
of people here, eating and eating. Our
might be expected of the dirty old sneak
farm isn’t so very big, and gramper is old
you are! Come out! Come out, I tell
and can’t do much with it. Lem said
you!”
gramper was just to leave it to him. Lem’s
awful smart, but J just don’t like him, A squeak, as of a cornered rat. Scuf¬
myself.” fling of feet. Sharp sound of a chair
Janie paused, then added in a lower striking the board floor as it is over¬
tone: "Sometimes I wish gramper’d send turned. Dull thud of some heavy body
him away, only gramper says he can’t pushed hard against the partition, and
afford to,” and she sighed. "He says if then Harry Epstein’s voice, loud and
he sent Lem away, I couldn’t have Miss furious.
Selene to show me how to weave paper "You let that poor girl come under
mats, nor Mr. Harry to play his piano and Lem’s curse, and never lifted a finger,
sing his funny songs to me.” when you could have taken it off in a
moment, you dirty Dutch dog! Yes, Lem
M ason was listening with more than told me. ... I don’t care about myself,
but you’re going right now tMhe quarry
ordinary interest to the little girl’s
outspoken thoughts. Somewhere here he pool, and I’m going with you to see that
hoped to find a clue to the mystery that you go in, by the eternal God!”
dung thickly about everything on the The low, penetrating whine of old
 THE DEVILS POOL 747

Eli. . , . "Let me go! I tell you, it won’t Harry, lift his feet and I’ll get hold of his
do you any good to drag me down there. shoulders. So. . . . We’ll get him up
It wouldn’t be of my own free will. It onto his bed.”
has to be my own free will. . . . Stop— Lem wheeled and strode away from
stop—you’re—choking—me.” the doorway. Mason, with a backward
Janie, the faint color gone from her glance over his shoulder, gave a low, in¬
cheeks, stiffened and made a convulsive credulous whistle. He realized now that
movement as if she would have tried to Lem had stood in the pathway of the sun¬
get to the floor and onto her feet. She shine but a moment since and had thrown
fell back and began to sob softly. no shadow. And now, although the July day
was blazingly bright, and long shadows
”1 can’t! Oh, I can’t! Mr. Fiddler,
stretched from barn and fences and trees,
please help gramper! Mr. Harry mustn’t
the fast-retreating form of Lem Schwartz
talk that way to poor gramper!”
owned no following shadow. . . .
Hardy went down the stairs two steps
at a time, arriving in the kitchen to see
Harry’s hands loosening their grip on the
T here was no time to ponder over
this, for old Eli had to be gotten up
old man’s wizened throat; Harry’s horri¬
the stairs, and his heavy form, inert as it
fied eyes staring at that ashen visage.
was, proved no easy burden for the two
"What have you done, you idiot?” men. As it was near her door, the little
"Killed him!” gasped Harry, and girl called frantically: "Bring him in here!
leaned horrified over the limp body that Please, Mr. Harry. Put him on my bed.
had slipped supinely to the floor and now Oh, gramper, gramper!”
lay motionless. Harry’s face had not yet lost its ghast¬
"Indeed?” asked a voice, smoothly, ly. pallor from the shock he had received
silkily, amusedly. "How very careless of in that moment when he had thought
you!” himself a murderer. As the blood flowed
Mason looked up. Without interrupt¬ back into Eli’s wrinkled face, and Eli’s
ing the long shaft of sunlight that fell withered eyelids twitched with returning
through the open door, stood Lem consciousness, the young Hebrew turned
Schwartz, his glistening teeth bared in a his dark, melancholy eyes upon the mus¬
snarling smile so venomously vindictive, cular hands that had so nearly committed
so maliciously triumphant, that Mason a crime at the behest of his aroused anger.
could not help the low exclamation of "God of Israel, I thank Thee!” he
horror and repulsion that forced itself to breathed softly, his eyes closed for the
his stiff lips. moment of his involuntary prayer.
Lem seemed trying, vainly, to bring his "Leave gramper with me,” snorted
cruel mouth into a less triumphant ex¬ Janie. "He’s all right now, and I’ve got
pression, but at last he broke into a low, a lot to say to him. He’s been getting into
snarling chuckle, stretching his head for¬ mischief, with me tied up here,” said the
ward until the lean long neck poked out little girl quaintly, "not able to keep an
like a vulture’s over its prey. eye on him.”
"Don’t flatter yourself, Lem. It’s too Smiling now, the two young men left
early in the game,” snapped Hardy sharp¬ old Baumann to his granddaughter’s gen¬
ly. "The old man’s very much alive. , , , tle ministrations, and went down into the
(748 iWEIRD TALES

kitchen, Janie’s cooing voice drifted after But until tonight, nothing must pass
them softly. your lips.”

"I’m hungry,” announced Hardy, look¬ Hardy’s first impulse was to pick up
ing about him to see if there had been any the plate from the oilcloth-covered table
breakfast preparations. and fling it at the speaker’s head. His
next was the opportune recollection of his
Harry looked troubled and flung a
errand to that place of mystery. He
quick glance in the direction of the barn.
stood watchful, silent, quiescent, regard¬
"Where are things?” Hardy continued. ing Lem with speculative blue eyes that
Hesitating for a moment, Harry Ep¬ nevertheless smoldered.
stein finally opened a cupboard and with "You, Epstein, shall remember your
obvious reluctance fished out a loaf of stupidity and disobedience tonight,” men¬
bread and the remains of the supper aced Lem, with venomous emphasis and
cheese. He found milk, sugar and cold a long, hard look from his glittering
coffee. Then he sat down opposite Mason blade eyes. "Tonight you shall eat what
and watched the other man start in with you and that other foolish one refused to
hearty appetite. eat a few weeks ago. . . .’’
Harry Epstein caught at the edge of the
"I’d give a whole lot if I could eat
table with hands that showed white about
those things the way you do,” Harry
the knuckles.
burst out all at once with strange wist¬
fulness. "No!” he choked. "God of my Fathers,
no! Not that!” His eyes were on those
Mason stared, frankly curious.
of his tormenter, as if he pleaded with
"And you mustn’t tell any one that I one who he knew beforehand was ob¬
gave you food this morning,” went on the durate and relentless.
peddler, nervously. "Lem would-”
Lem snarled. His great nose wrinkled
As if the mention of his name had like an angry dog’s.
been a conjuration, the gaunt form of the "Quite that,” said he with cool in¬
hired man strode in at the kitchen door. solence. "And she shall eat of it, also, to
He strode across the room and snatched punish you for your rebellion.”
the half-eaten cheese sandwich out of "Not that poor girl! Have pity! Do
Mason’s fingers, flinging it from the door¬ what you will with me, but spare
way, where it was immediately seized upon Selene!” begged Harry, and flung out his
by a pleased hen with loud cackles of hands in Oriental abandon as he pleaded.
surprize and appreciation. Lem regarded him sneeringly. "Well,”

"Tonight is the full of the moon!” he conceded, "we’ll see how well you
keep your watch over this fiddler until
"But I’m hungry,” objected Mason, re¬
after tonight. He must make his initiate
sentfully.
fasting,” he ordered, and then was gone
The glass of coffee went into the sink from the doorway.
with a crash. Dark and threatening was Harry Epstein staggered over to a
the mien Lem Schwartz turned upon the chair, sank into it and buried his face in
indignant young man. his hands. Behind that inadequate shelter
"Save your appetite for tonight. For he sobbed like a heart-broken and terri¬
you shall eat ... I promise you . . . such fied child. His agony shook Mason Hardy
food as you have never tasted before. with apprehension of he knew not what.
 THE DEVIL’S POOL 749!

7. "That devil’s baptism in the "Then help me to understand!”

pool. . . .” "Impossible. You would never believe

D ragging minutes passed. Mason

me if I told you.”
Mason snorted impatiently. 'What,
arose and put one hand on the sob¬
for instance, is this food that is so highly
bing man’s shoulder, until Harry had
repugnant to you that the bare thought of
finally managed to control himself. The
eating it sends you into near hysterics?”
young peddler wiped his eyes shame¬
facedly. "I tell you, I dare not tell you. The
"Sorry to have made such a fool of whole situation is incredible. Half the
myself, but it’s thinking of Selene and time I don’t believe it, myself. It is like a
poor Janie that’s upsetting me. That lit¬ terrible nightmare. But—haven’t you
tle kid’ll be the next one dragged into seen how thin Selene is?”
this accursed business, I’m afraid.” Mason thought of the full-faced girl
Mason’s lips set hard before he spoke. whom he had seen pictured in his friend’s
"I’ve lost all patience, Harry, waiting to house. It was undeniable that Selene’s
find out what this is about. What’s the face had become very thin. Why, when
hold that rotten bluffer out there has over he considered it, she was almost hollow¬
you people? Why am I to go without cheeked. . . .
food today?” "She’s not eating regular food, because
"You must be desperately hungry to¬ of the curse of that hell-water in the
night,” whispered Harry. "After tonight, woods,” explained Harry incoherently.
if the curse has fallen upon you . . . you'll "Raw flesh ... of animals we catch in
eat . . . what Lem and Selene and I have the woods ... at night... is all she can
been eating,” he muttered thickly; digest . . . now.”
"Absurd,” grunted Hardy skeptically. Mason was exasperated, and showed it.
"I’m going to make a fresh sandwich,” "Do you take me for an absolute idiot,
he announced determinedly. Epstein, expecting me to swallow such
Harry caught at his sleeve, detaining wretched insinuation entire?” Even as
, him in a kind of desperation. he spoke, doubts assailed him. He re¬
"If you eat a single mouthful while membered the glossy little black wolf,
you’re in my charge, Lem will know it which had looked up pitifully at his win¬
somehow; don’t ask me why; I some¬ dow the preceding night, as if it had ex¬
times think he’s the devil in person. And pected to see him looking down upon it.
if he finds out, he will force Selene to "My God!” he exploded. "Am I mad?
eat . . . God of Israel, it is too much! I Or are you?”
can not tell you the horror of it!” "I wish I knew,” Harry said wearily.
He collapsed again into a little moan¬ "The horrible side of this situation is that
ing heap, his shoulders heaving con¬ Lem is trying to force Selene and me yet
vulsively. Mason caught at him and deeper into his devil’s clutches by making
shook him with a disgusted vigor. us eat . . . oh, God!” He gulped, shud¬
"Don’t be a simpleton! You can lead dering violently, and went silent, his eyes
a horse to water, but you can’t make it avoiding the other man’s penetrating gaze.
drink, Harry. Lem can’t force Selene to Mason acceded grimly: "You hunt
eat what she doesn’t relish.” rabbits and ground-hogs at night in the
"You don’t understand,’’ moaned woods, and eat their raw flesh? Ugh!
Harry. We’ll let that pass for the moment. What
750 WEIRD TALES

I wish to learn is, why are you and Selene Mason looked queerly at the young
under the evil domination of such a crea¬ Jew’s eager, pleading, yet anxious face.
ture as Lem Schwartz?” "Don’t you know, yourself?” he asked
"That’s just what I can’t tell you . . . pointedly in reply.
now, Mason. You’ll know all tonight,” "We never go downstairs there in day¬
sighed Harry, "without being told. One time,” Harry explained. "If we have to
thing only I ask you: If you have any go to our rooms, we go through that
real pity for Selene Arkwright, you will upper door in the upper hall. And . . .
fast until tonight. If you let food pass and the odor,” he cried out in a wild but
your lips today, Lem Schwartz will force guarded voice, "makes me afraid-”
Selene to eat . . . that . . . which will
"The other side of this house was
damn her soul for ever,” Harry Epstein
empty last night,” Mason pronounced
declared with a terrible and ominous
with finality. "I don’t know yet just
gravity. "After tonight you will be at
what evil and incredibly horrible things
liberty to do what you please, within
are going on in this accursed spot, but
limits,” he added hastily.
downstairs I found,” and his nostrils con¬
"I don’t like it at all,” Mason conceded,
tracted with disgust, "decaying bits of
his head on one side as he listened sub¬
furry skin and bloody, dried flesh, and
consciously to the murmur of voices from
half-gnawed bones of animals. . .
Janie’s room. "I think I’ll have a talk
"Then it isn’t a dream! It’s true!” ex¬
with Selene.”
claimed the peddler, and jumped to his
"Don’t flatter yourself that she’ll tell
feet in such nervous agitation that Mason
you more than I have,” said the peddler
grasped his arms and shook him forcibly
sharply. "She’s trying to make herself
to constrain him into some semblance of
believe that she’s the victim of bad
self-control. "Then it’s true! That dam¬
dreams; nightmares of terrible and in¬ nable devil’s baptism in the quarry
credible vividness,” he shuddered. pool-” his voice died away into silence,
Lowering his voice cautiously, Mason as his eyes darted this way and that to
inquired: "Where were you and Selene avoid Mason’s keen glance.
and Lem, last night?” "Go on, Epstein. Now I must know
The young Jew paled as he stared back the rest,” he ordered, grimly.
at the other man. The peddler shook his head. His eyes
"You—you did look from the window, were wild.
then, as she told you? What—what did "Tonight is the full of the moon. If
you see?” he jerked out tensely. you have fallen under the curse, you’ll
"I saw three wolves returning from the know the worst tonight. If you haven’t,
chase, Epstein. And there was nobody in you can leave here tomorrow, unless Lem
that other house, because I-” manages to give you that devil’s baptism
"You dared go there?” groaned Harry. of his, somehow.”
"Then . . . you know?”
"I know that I’m a victim of the same
kind of nightmare you seem to be afflict¬
M ason changed tactics abruptly.
"From what you said to old Bau¬
ed with,” replied Mason grimly. mann a short time past, I infer that he
"Did you ... did you find remains .», knows how to remove the spell, or what¬
of half-devoured-?” ever it is that holds you here.”
 THE DEVIL S POOL 751

Harry nodded sullenly. "Yes, but he girl! Miss Selene shan’t go, while you
won’t stir to remove it." want her here. Lem promised me that,
"Why not?” when I gave him my word-” he
broke off abruptly.
"Would you, if you had to give up
your life voluntarily, knowing that the "When you promised him what,
devil would get your soul when you gramper?” demanded the little girl,
died?” was the astonishing reply. cleverly seizing upon those pregnant
Mason’s stare was incredulous. “You words. "What did you promise him?
people sure have been well hypnotized," You’d better tell me. I’ll find out any¬
he asserted. way, if you don’t. I’ll ask Lem myself,”
Harry laughed hardly. "And how she threatened.

about you, who found three empty rooms, "Oh, no, Janie! You mustn’t ask Lem
and saw three wolves returning from the anything,” wailed old Eli in abject ter¬
chase with their prey?” ror. "He’s not fit to be near you.”
"Lem or old Eli must have put it over
"Why not, gramper? We don’t need
me, too,” Mason admitted with reluc¬ him around here, anyway. I’m going to
tance. "But from now on I shall be on ask Harry to be our hired man,” Janie
my guard, to maintain mental and spirit¬
announced with serenity. "He’d be lots
ual supremacy.” Despite his attempt to better than that scowling old Lem. So
make his voice and words assured, there
you can send Lem to me, and I’ll tell him
was no convincing quality there, and he he can go.”
knew it.
"He won’t go, Janie. He . . . don’t
Janie’s voice broke the ensuing silence.
you see, I can’t tell him to go? I’ve prom¬
"Gramper, is what Mr. Harry says true?”
ised him he can stay, until-” and here
"Janie! Janie! I did it for you! Don’t
the old man’s voice broke off in a wild
ask me more!” moaned the broken voice
and moaning incoherent outburst, which
of old Eli.
he evidently tried to smother among
"Can you un-hypnotize them, by jump¬
Janie’s quilts.
ing into the quarry pool?” demanded the
little girl’s voice, with sharp persistence. The child’s uncanny intuition played

"Is Miss Selene staying here because she’s her true. "You’ve told him he can stay
until you bathe in the pool, haven’t you,
hypnotized and not because she loves to
teach me things?” Her voice, in turn, gramper? Well, then, it seems to me

broke pitifully. you’ll have to do it.”

"Janie! Janie!” The old man’s cry "God in heaven! Janie, no! You don’t
was monotonously the same. understand what that would mean. Lem
"Lem Schwartz is mixed up in this, would take my soul if I did that. I’d be
isn’t he, gramper? That’s why you’re so for ever damned into hell!”
afraid of him,” declared the child with a "Gramper, I just don’t believe any
flash of that uncanny insight which Father such silliness*” declared the child’s clear
Paul had divined. "And if you went into voice contemptuously. "You’ve let your¬
the quarry pool, Miss Selene could go self get all excited over that ugly Lem
away? Oh, I want her to stay!” suddenly Schwartz, as if he were the devil in per¬
sobbed Janie childishly. "She’s so sweet son. He doesn’t do any work; you’ve
to me. I just love Miss Selene.” told me that yourself. He just goes
"Janie! Don’t cry, gramper’s little prowling around the woods trying to find
752 WEIRD TALES

trespassers. He hardly ever helps you "Lem must go away, gramper,” said
with the farm work. the child imperatively.
"Now, Harry would be another kind "Janie, I can’t send him.”
of hired man. His hands are so strong, There was a long silence.
gramper, and his heart is so kind. And Harry’s eyes Efted to Mason’s flashing
he loves farm work. He’s told me so, blue orbs, and in that dark gaze Mason
himself," she added in a lower tone, fancied he read thoughts too closely al¬
singular sweetness in her accents; it was lied to violence. He shook his head at
as if she were smiling happily to herself. Harry, imposing further silence with up¬
lifted, warning finger.
"Janie, it’s no use your talking. I
"We won’t talk about it any more just
can’t send Lem away. If I tell him to go,
now, gramper,” Janie went on, in a tran¬
I must give up my life and soul to him
quil voice but with an elaborate casual¬
in exchange for those others. . . . Can’t
ness that stirred Mason oddly. "I think
you understand?”
I want to be alone now. I have a lot of
"I understand that that is what you thinking to do.”
think, gramper. But I don’t believe it for
A moment later old EE’s dragging
a minute myself,” the little girl retorted. footsteps sounded in the upper hallway.
"What I’d like to know is, why did you
Mason seized the young Jew’s sleeve and
let Lem think you so silly?”
jerked him out of the lower room and
"I did it for you, Janie. For you. . . into the front yard.
"Gramper! For me? What good
would your silliness do me?” 8. "Dare use that Name again, and see
(Father Paul had been right, thought what’ll happen to you. . .
Mason, straining his ears so as not to miss
’ve got to find Selene, Harry.”
a word of that pregnant conversation. "To tell her her dreams aren’t night¬
Janie was indeed the key to the whole mares but horrid realities?” demurred
situation.) Harry in bitter reproach. "She’s still try¬
"Janie, I wanted you to be amused, ing to deceive herself.”
and have company, while you were lying
The other man scowled thoughtfully.
here helpless. And I hadn’t money to pay
"H-m-m. Seems there’s nothing to do
anybody. I couldn’t even feed them, even
then but wait for tonight and the full of
if they stayed here for nothing. The farm the moon.”
hardly pays just to keep us two; I’m too
"If these hideous nightmares are real¬
old to work it.” ities, Mason, will you get Father Paul to
"So you let Lem Eve here and hypno¬ come down, after you return?” asked
tize people so that they’d stay with me?” Harry, after a moment’s painful silence.
demanded Janie. "What, gramper, who "He’s the only one who can help us. I
wants people that have to stay with have a strong feeling that he understands
them?” In Janie’s voice was more than a something of what has been going on
hint of mortified tears. "1 thought Miss here. He warned me when he was down
Selene wanted to stay. And Harry. . . . a couple of days ago, against letting Lem
Oh, how could you have been so silly?” force me into . . . into joining that . . .
"Don’t cry, gramper’s little girl! devil’s orgy.”
Gramper can’t bear to have you cry,” "So you confided in Father Paul, who
begged old Eli, voice quavering. came and went, and you don’t see fit to
W. T—2
 THE DEVIL’S POOL 753

tell me, who am here to take my chances grave. A child! That devil! . , . A
with you?” child!”
"But you see . . . he . . . knew. He "You see how mere words have moved
. . . asked me . .. where the missing you,” Harry murmured despondently.
child was,” whispered Harry, head hang¬ "Yet Selene and I have been constrained
ing dejectedly. night after night by we know not what
"No! Impossible. . . . Horrible. . . fearful force from without ourselves to
Sick horror seized upon Mason as he re¬ go into the forest with that . . . that devil
membered Father Paul’s words. ("And . . . and hunt wild creatures, to satisfy
the missing child?” Father Paul had said, our hunger. We are still . . . calm,” but
with such a strange intonation.) a tremor in his voice belied the bravery of
"Don’t look at me like that!” exclaimed his words. "If you intend to get through
the young Jew wildly. ”1 had nothing to this night and keep your sanity and help
do with it. Neither had Selene. It was Selene, you’ll have to puj everything out
Lem who brought the child here. God of of your mind now, or you’ll go mad, the
my fathers, was it a dream? He tried to way I’ve thought more than once that I
make us join him in his horrid feasting, would,” he finished, and groaned.
but Selene refused. He . . . bit her on the
shoulder. Oh, it is true. It is no dream D oomed thus to fasting and inactiv¬
. . . Janie bandaged that shoulder the ity, there was nothing for it but to
morning after,” he added in a sick whis¬ let the hours slip past. Stretched under
per. the black walnut tree that shaded the
"Man, man, get hold of yourself,” ad¬ front of the Baumann farmhouse, the two
monished Hardy sternly. He was ghast¬ men lay in silence on the grass, watching
ly sick with nausea and loathing, for the hot July sun’s progress across the sky
Harry’s words had brought back vividly and its final decline into the west.
the fetid stench of those downstairs rooms Tomorrow, Mason cogitated, Earl
in the other house, as well as the bits of Baker and Father Paul would arrive, de¬
decaying flesh and the half-gnawed bones. manding to see him in person. Tomor¬
Then he cried out in protest: row he himself would know how success¬
"That devil actually brought a live ful had been Lem’s incredible powers
child here? And . . . and devoured it? over himself. Dream and reality seemed
Why, that isn’t possible! It’s absolutely so confusingly close to each other that
incredible!” Mason almost welcomed the moment
Then it was Harry’s turn to quiet him. when the red sun disappeared behind the
"Don’t let Lem hear you. You don’t hilltop, leaving a rosy glow in the sky,
know yet what he’s capable of. If he were and Lem Schwartz strode down from the
to realize that you came here purposely barn, a hideous and sardonic grin distort¬
to spy upon him ... oh, for pity’s sake, ing his lean countenance as he beckoned
don’t cry out so loudly!” the two men with claw-like finger.
Mason controlled himself with a mighty "Hush! Say nothing. It would only
effort. "I’m going in there tomorrow,” make it worse for us all,” whispered
he said, brow contracted, teeth set grim¬ Harry in agitated warning.
ly. "I’m going to clean up all that mess Mason stretched cramped limbs and
.. . and . . . bury those bones somewhere followed Lem into the Baumann kitchen,
» « . and put a mark over . . . over the where the hired man stood at the foot of
W. T.—3
{754 WEIRD TALES

the stairs, the handle of the communi¬ fast-fading light. The fingers seemed
cating door in one hand. The red sky was pointed together, like a great nailed paw.
reflected luridly in those deep-set eyes "Dare to use that Name again!” said
that peered ominously from beneath their a thick voice darkly.
shaggy brows. His gaze went significantly
"I'm coming! Don’t touch me, Lem!
to Harry.
I’m coming, I tell you,” cried out the girl
"Selene!” called Harry, as if in obedi¬ in an outburst of terror. She shrank from
ence to some esoteric message. "We’re that hateful contact, her lips tightening
waiting.” unpleasantly over her teeth, so that her
"Coming,” answered the girl’s voice whole aspect altered subtly.
from above. "Janie, let go my skirt, dear. Mason took one of her limp hands in
I have to be going.” his and followed Harry into the next
"I don’t want you to go,” replied house. In the tiny hallway he hesitated,
Janie’s determined voice. "Why should until Harry’s hand urged him up the
you run away in the middle of this lovely stairs.
story? It leaves me all alone. Just gram- "You can share my room,” said the
per, and he can’t read the way you do.” peddler in a low tone.
"Let go my dress, Janie. Let go, dear. Lem had lingered in the doorway
You don’t understand. I have to go.” below. Mason strained his ears to hear
There was an exasperated exclamation. whatever was passing between the hired
Selene came to the head of the stairs, man and old Baumann.
pausing to tuck a breadth of skirt under "Dare use that Name again,” Lem
her blouse, where Janie’s disrespectful and was snarling viciously, "and see what’ll
demanding little hands had ripped it happen to you . . . and yours,” pointedly.
apart. "Janie! Oh, Janie! What have I done?
"The sun has set. Hurry! Why are What have I done?”
you waiting?” urged old Eli’s trembling, The only response was a bestial growl,
importunate voice in agitation. so startling in character that Mason, gen¬
Mason’s face showed irritation as he tly assisting Selene up the dark staircase,
looked at the old farmer, whose bent form stopped short in astonishment. The door
wavered as he leaned against the oilcloth- slammed; old Eli’s key could be heard,
covered table, set now for one. . . . Selene hastily securing him from unexpected in¬
drew in a long, quivering breath, and vasion from their side of the house.
came slowly down the stairs. Harry’s hand reached down and pulled
"The sun has gone down! God in at Mason urgently.
heaven. . . "Be quick!”
With a snarl as of a savage beast, Lem Selene had apparently regained her
wheeled upon the old man. His nose poise. Arrived at the upper hallway, she
seemed longer and larger than ever. To ran into her room with a hurried good¬
Mason it was as if the bushy eyebrows night, and her door closed. The bolt
had straggled down the high cheek-bones slipped into place rustily.
hairily, like a thicket from behind which "This way,” directed Harry, with an
those garnet-gleaming eyes glared fierce¬ apprehensive glance over his shoulder.
ly. The hand that the hired man lifted to "Hurry! Lem warned me never to linger
hurry Selene through the door into the at this hour between dusk and dark. It’s
other house looked gray and shaggy in the , , , dangerous.” He pushed Mason
 THE DEVIL’S POOL 755

ahead of him into the room, closed the It flew open, outlining him as he stood
door and shut the bolt. His finger went against the flooding moonshine.
to his lips in warning. The glowing eyes of the black wolf
There came a sound of padding foot¬ fell upon him. It gave utterance to a low,
steps on the staircase. Then a low whine. pitiful, whining cry. Almost in the same
A scratching at Selene’s door. Then moment, another door opened, and a
those clicking nails . . . padding paws . . . large brown wolf bounded out, stopping
went down the stairs again. short at sight of Mason in the doorway.
The fur bristled on its body; it growled,
"I’ll go to his room now,” whispered
Harry in a cautious undertone. "Bolt this but stood stock-still, glaring at young
Hardy with its redly scintillating eyes.
door when I go out. No, don’t detain
me. I have no .time now to explain, even It seemed to Mason that hours passed

if this is only a dream. There’ll be plenty while he stood there motionless, daring
of light soon, from the moon,” Harry to make no slightest movement lest it

offered vaguely. might precipitate an attack from one or

the other of the two wolves. From the
He unbolted the door, slipped out
kitchen below came a call, a long-drawn-
quietly, and pulled it to behind him.
out, importunate whine. As if that sound

M ason pushed in the bolt. He was

had broken the spell holding all three
creatures like statues, the blade wolf fled
glad the flashlight was in his pocket,
down into the darkness, followed closely
for it might perhaps serve him now,
by the bristling brown beast.
although the moonlight gave unmistak¬
Mason sprang across the hall and
able signs of shortly flooding the room
glanced into Selene’s room; it was empty.
with its pallid light. As this light became
No occupant was in Lem’s room, either.
stronger and brighter, there came odd
Mason was back in a flash to Harry’s
rustlings and scratchings and soft winn¬
room, bolting the door. He sprang to the
ings from the rooms on either side of
window, breathing hard as he told him¬
him. He held his breath; he could have
self that it was all a too-vivid dream.
sworn that Selene had cautiously drawn
As they had done on the previous
the bolt of her door. This was more than
night, the three wolves emerged and trot¬
his curiosity could stand; he opened his
ted toward the woods; the long, gaunt
own with painstaking care, quietly lifting
gray ... the big brown . . . and the slim
the latch of the door until he could look
black one. As they sped across the moon¬
out through a narrow crack into the
lit landscape, the black one deliberately
upper hallway.
paused under the window and looked up
Through Selene’s open door the moon¬
at Mason again. Then it, too, disappeared
light fell in a broad swath, and in the
into the forest shades. The wolf-pack’s
midst of that uncanny brilliance cowered
raucous cry rose on the still night air.
a glossy black creature that slunk, belly
to the board floor, toward the staircase.
9. "The minor reflected a thing that
At the top of the flight it hesitated as if
did not lie before it. . . .”
reluctant, turning its pointed head back¬
ward over furry shoulders. In his as¬ A strange and disturbing sensation
tonishment, for he thought he recognized diverted Mason’s attention to him¬
the black wolf of the preceding night, self, all at once. His mind was drawn
Mason let his door slip from his hands. absolutely away, for the moment, from
1756 WEIRD TALES

those savage, ominous howls from the agreeably, in the wrong direction; he
woods. With unpleasant suddenness he could hardly straighten it enough to stand
realized that his left foot and leg were upright. The old priest had been right,
prickling painfully, as if they had "gone quite right; Evil Incarnate was rampant
to sleep.” A vigorous stamp to restore on the Baumann farm. And Mason
circulation moved him to a cry of amaze¬ Hardy, in his friendly endeavor to be of
ment and dismay, for when he stamped, service to his old college chum, had come
the tan oxford at the extremity of his left into direct contact with that Destruction
leg flew from the foot and across the that Walked at Noonday, as Father Paul
room, striking the opposite wall and had hinted so broadly.
dropping behind Harry’s tumbled bed. Meantime, the pallid moon had climbed
Also, Mason completely lost his bal¬ the sky. Louder, nearer, came the cry of
ance; went heavily on the floor on his the weird wolf-pack, altering strangely
back. As he instinctively flung his head and subtly in tone. A rushing of padded
forward to save it from the severe blow feet ... a whimpering wail. Mason
it must otherwise have sustained, he went leaping in awkward bounds to the
beheld a strange, an incredible sight. His window; that last cry had come from no
right foot was neatly clad in silk sock and wild beast; it had sounded like a fright¬
well-polished tan oxford, but the sock on ened child. At the thought, his blood
the left foot was wrinkled, slipping; the ran cold; horror clutched him. His body
oxford had already flown through the air. pimpled pricklingly with goose-flesh.
As he went down, the limp sock followed Scratching . . . whining . , . snarl¬
the shoe. ing . . . growls . . . below.
In Mason’s mind now stood out, like
Mason Hardy lay on the floor a full
letters of flame, those final words of
sixty seconds before he dared raise him¬
Father Paul: "Evil can not utterly tri¬
self to a sitting posture and hitch into
full moonlight for another look at what umph as long as there is the slightest
effort to hold on to Good.”
he felt he simply could not have seen,
The young man took the automatic
because it was altogether too incredible.
He closed his eyes, blinked them rapidly from his pocket, unbolted the door, and
stumbled uncertainly across the upper
once or twice, then opened them directly
hall, metamorphosed foot and leg hinder¬
upon that prickling left foot and leg.
ing him dangerously. Down the stairs,
The blue eyes widened amazedly then, for
holding to the stair rails; going sidewise
what he saw only too plainly was the
to keep from falling . . . God, how ter¬
slim, hairy leg of an animal, with a well-
rible to be handicapped at such a moment
padded nailed paw at the extremity.
by that wolf-like limb! . . .
He closed his eyes with a snap; opened
them again; fixed them incredulously
upon that impossible sight. Then he
T he door in the tiny hall below was
open into the kitchen. Mason peered
touched one finger gingerly to that strange cautiously around the corner, from which
appendage. It was rough and hairy. he could see through into the parlor. At
Sight and touch concurred in their mes¬ what his eyes beheld, he could with diffi¬
sages to his bewildered, horrified con¬ culty restrain his lips from the cry that
sciousness. pushed impetuously to them. He was
With some difficulty he got to his feet, looking directly upon the cowering form
for this strange leg bent under him dis¬ of the black wolf, trembling there upon
 THE DEVIL’S POOL 757

the board floor. Beyond the beast stood prize and fury, the gaunt gray wolf
the great pier-glass. And in that glass leaped backward, dropping its screaming
... the mirror showed no wolf. The burden. Mason caught up the infant and
mirror reflected a thing that did not seem began an awkward retreat. The gray’s
to lie before it. What the wide blue eyes threatening jaws opened as that gaunt
of young Hardy beheld was the white, beast slunk menacingly after him. A
crouching body of a girl, half concealed crisis seemed imminent; then the brown
by streaming black hair, as she trembled wolf sprang, crouching in the gray’s way,
there in a spasm of obvious revulsion and its tail switching from side to side, a long
fear. snarl threatening the other beast.
Almost paralyzed at the weird paradox Mason directed his automatic at the
of what lay before the mirror, and what glowing garnet orbs of the gray, and
the glass reflected, Mason found himself backed away until he had reached the
incapable, for the time being, of any staircase. He would, have drawn the
movement. He could only stand, staring door to, when a sudden rush ... a
and listening. whining, pitiful cry . . . gave him pause.
Another beast farther back in the room The little black wolf had crept swiftly
snarled. The nailed paws came clicking after him and was crouching abjectly at
across the boards, and presently into his his feet, looking up with almost human
field of vision slouched the brown wolf, intelligence in its dog-like, piteous eyes.
head pushed down against its own furry
Mason Hardy remembered the paradox
breast, as if to hide its eyes. Another
of the mirror. He backed up one step,
ferocious growl, and the gaunt gray beast
permitting the black wolf to pass him on
bounded across, snapping viciously at the the stairs, and pulled the door to. He
brown. The brown animal recoiled, snarl¬
was just in time. He had one whirling,
ing, lips back from bared teeth. And all
dizzy glimpse of the other two beasts, en¬
the time the little black wolf kept up a
gaged in frightful struggle, as the brown
continuous pitiful whining, as it cowered
disputed the gray’s advance. They flung
against the floor; while in the mirror was
themselves together upon the closed door,
reflected that shuddering, quivering white
which rattled perilously as if the latch
body. . . .
would spring open any minute. Mason
For a moment the gray wolf glared would have bolted it, but bolt there was
upon the other two, drawn lips tight none; so up the stairs he stumbled in
against glistening, slavering teeth. Then haste.
it bounded back. When it returned, it
held something white between those
pointed fangs . . . something that wailed
H e hammered on the communicating
door, while against it leaned, whin¬
weakly, impotently, pitifully. ing fearfully, the little black wolf, eyes
Mason Hardy could not check the rolling whitely in the darkness. The
gasping cry that now surged upward young man’s heart beat irregularly with
from his throat. The spell of horror that pity and apprehension as he listened to
had until this moment held him petrified, the hellhounds’ uproar below. Also the
broke. He made a clumsy leap into the child in his arms continued to scream
middle of the kitchen; another that car¬ lustily. At any minute the fight would be
ried him staggering into the parlor. decided, and the staircase invaded. He
With a smothered snarl of mingled sur¬ struck the door imperatively with the butt
758 WEIRD TALES

of his automatic and shouted for ad¬ body against the door-frame. "AH of
mittance. you are devils!”
Scuffling and exclamations on the Old Eli stood staring stupidly, jaw
other side. . . . The old man’s voice, dropped. One shaking finger wagged at
raised shrilly: "No, Janie, no!” Janie’s the infant, still shrieking lustily in Ma¬
voice, hard with some passionate emo¬ son's arms.
tion. . . . The key turned briskly. The "Give that baby to me this instant!”
door opened. Mason almost fell into the commanded Janie imperatively. "Oh,
other house, the salvaged infant shrieking gramper, I don’t exactly understand what
in his arms. In good time. The door be¬ Lem’s been trying to do here, but he’s
low swung wide, and clicking feet going to leave tomorrow,” she announced
scrambled up the stairs. The young man with definiteness. "Now that I can walk,
flung his weight against the door, push¬ I know how to drive him away,” she
ing the bolt and then turning the key. added mysteriously, as she slipped back
It was only when safety was assured into her room.
that he became aware of the miracle. The door closed upon her and the
Barefooted, clad only in her little white blade wolf, but her flashing backward
night-robe, Janie stood, her eyes wide glance carried strange import to Mason's
with incredulous amazement* at her own now keenly awakened intuition.
feat. She was balancing on her long- “Janie! Janie!” wept the old man
unused limbs with the airy fluttering of piteously, outstretched hands groping
an uneasy butterfly, but there was no un¬ after that retreating figure that had been
certainty in the starry light of her eyes,
so triumphant in its yet uneasy carriage,
despite the expression of questioning
so dominated by the child's strange spirit.
fear on her childish face.
"Tomorrow there’s going to be a show¬
Her eyes fell in astonishment upon the down,” declared Hardy, staring down at
black wolfish form cowering at Mason’s his strangely altered limb. Cold fury
feet. With a startled exclamation, she stirred him. "Whatever you’ve been up
turned back toward her room, paused, to, old man, your deviltry’s going to
and cried out again sharply. In the mir¬ stop.”
ror opposite her open door, Janie had Old Eli whimpered weakly. He was
seen what Mason -also saw as the child bent over, listening now to the wicked
cried out . .. the shuddering white form snarls on the other side of that upper
of Selene Arkwright, shielded solely by door. His body shook as if with an at¬
long black hair. Janie on her little un¬ tack of ague. "Nothing . . . I’ve done
steady white feet was into the room and nothing,” he protested, whining.
out again, dragging a quilt after her. "Look at this leg of mine!” snapped
With a tenderness beyond her years, she Hardy. "Don’t tell me you haven’t some
laid this covering about the wolfish form idea of how it got this way. I have my
cowering on the floor. suspicions, old man. Tomorrow you’ll
"Come with me, dear Miss Selene!” walk the plank into that pool and get an
cried she, and tugged at the glossy black all-over bath. Understand?”
head of the beast fearlessly. "Ob, what¬ "No! Oh, no!” shrieked old Eli, cow¬
ever have you wicked men been doing ering in abject fear, his head going down
to Miss Selene?” She stood in the door¬ into his shaking hands. "Oh God, no!”
way of her room, supporting her slender Mason's laugh was hard and bitter.
 THE DEVIL S POOL 759

"You’re going in. I’ll see to it myself. sene lamp made the room cheery, and
There’s something hellish about that pool, Mason spent those wee, small hours put¬
and if the rest of us are infected, you’re ting together the pieces of the puzzle to
going to get your dose, too.” which he now felt he held a key. But
A long moan, that quavered off into daylight was to bring upon him much
silence. Old Eli went down on the floor which he had not calculated. With day¬
in a trembling, abject heap. Janie’s door break the communicating downstairs door
opened. was flung open, and Harry Epstein, fol¬
"What are you doing to gramper? Let lowed closely by the saturnine Lem, ugly
him alone, I tell you. I know all about eyes filled with unholy lights, came run¬
it. I made him tell me. I can make it ning into the Baumann kitchen.
come right. . . . Poor gramper, don’t be Lem advanced upon the young man,
afraid,” she murmured tenderly, like a great hairy fists clenching and unclench¬
young mother to her fearful child. "Jan- ing. His glowing eyes fixed the young
ie’ll make it all right.” man’s resentful gaze with malevolent
The child’s eyes flung at Mason Hardy confidence and power.
the menace that might lie in the shining
"You would mix up in my business,
orbs of a tigress protecting her young,
eh?” snarled Lem, shoving his furious
as she looked proudly at him across that
countenance up against that of Masoa
crouched, quaking, fear-stricken old man.
Hardy. "Well, since you’ve asked for
"You let him alone. You hear?”
what you’re going to get, we’ll have it
Mason laughed. He turned his back
over with at once. I don’t want any non¬
on the child, and approached the com¬
sense on this farm from now on.”
municating door, now safely bolted and
The look he shot at old Eli, who had
locked, but against which leaped heavy
come tottering down the stairs, sent the
bodies with snarls and growls. He struck
old man shrinking back against the wall,
it with the butt of his automatic.
uplifted hands shaking as if to hold off
"Keep away, or I’ll shoot through the
some horrid specter.
wood,” he shouted. "If you are what I
suspect, you’ll understand. I give you "It’s certainly time something was
sixty seconds to get away from here.” done,” agreed Mason, endeavoring with
The snarls ceased. Presently he heard difficulty to maintain an icy calm. "This
the clicking of nailed claws as the beasts morning you are going to pack up and

retired downstairs. A soft whining get off this place, for good.”
sounded from the landing a moment Lem flung his head back, uttering as

later. Intuition told him that the brown he did so a loud, grating laugh.
wolf had returned and was begging for "I’m leaving, eh? Well, you’ll have to
entry, but he dared not open the door to make me go, then. And you wouldn’t
care to have a fight and a fuss, with a
it. Whatever it might be, other than
woman in the house, little fiddler, would
wolf, it must fend for itself that one night.
you? I’ll fight you, poor fool, but not
10. "It was the Sacred Wafer. . . here.”

T he young man spent the remainder

of the night alone in the kitchen, for
Harry Epstein was shouting: "Don’t
go out into the woods, Mason! Don’t go
into the woods! Keep away from the
Janie soon prevailed upon her grand¬ pool!”
father to go to bed. The light of a kero¬ “Shut your mouth,” ground out Lem,
760 WEIRD TALES

with a slow turn of his furious eyes upon balkily walked, along. Harry turned back.
the young Hebrew that was somehow He knew Father Paul’s outfit. As he ap¬
more terrible, more menacing, than a proached, he recognized also the pale,
quicker movement would have been, for harassed face of Earl Baker.
it betrayed Lem’s complete confidence in "Where are they?” called the priest
his own supremacy. "Come along, since anxiously, as Harry came within speak¬
you must let me batter you before I give ing distance.
you your baptism in the pool!”
"Lem and Mason have gone into the
He shot out of the house door and woods to fight it out,” Harry explained.
was off into the woods, without glancing "Holy Mother!” ejaculated die priest
behind him. It was as if he knew well piously, and gave the astonished gray
that he would be followed. horse such a stroke as that plump hide
"Don’t go, Mason! Don't let him en¬ had never experienced before. The beast
tice you near the pool,” again begged jumped and set off at a clumsy gallop.
Harry, trying to hold the other man by Harry ran after the buggy, caught at the
the sleeve. bade, and managed to hang on as the
Hardy thrust those fingers away gently vehicle bumped and bounced over the
but firmly. ruts of the country lane.

"My dear fellow, you can’t dissuade As they passed the Baumann house,
me. Why, that fellow’s sheer devil! Do two figures emerged, but Harry did not
you think I could go away in safety, be¬ see them. He was by far too seriously
fore having a whack at him? I’m a pretty occupied, retaining his hold on that jounc¬
fair boxer. I may have a good chance to ing vehicle. Nor did he see a taxi that
give him his just deserts.” came slowly down the lane behind.
Harry nodded. His eyes were humid. At the verge of the quarry pool Father
He stood back resignedly. Paul reined up the gray nag and sprang
"If I can’t get the better of him, I’ll out, horse-whip in hand, righteous in¬
throw myself into the pool,” exclaimed dignation burning in his usually kindly
Hardy, kindling. "Better that, than to be eyes. He walked toward the two strug¬
tossed in by him, and I’ve about figured gling figures by now engaged in a dead¬
it out that a voluntary sacrifice will break ly clinch, swinging and swaying as each
the spell for you others.” in turn strove to throw the other into the
He flung out of the house, hardly real¬ strange waters that sparkled, and surged,
izing that the hindering metamorphosis and leaped up at the rocky verge where
of the preceding night had disappeared. they were fighting.
Harry followed more slowly. Behind the good priest came Earl
Baker, frantic with the apprehensions
A s THE young Jew ran lightly down that had been making such inroads upon
him.
b the path to the woods, he heard
hoof-beats. He stopped to look back. A "Hold him, Mason! I’ll be with you
horse and buggy were coming along the in a moment!” Earl was shouting wildly.
lane. The horse was plump and gray, Father Paul found no opportunity to
and apparently not at all pleased at feel¬ use his horse-whip, so interlaced were
ing die unaccustomed whip now flicking those tense figures that hardly seemed to
its sides, for it gave occasional little re¬ move, strained as they were, each against
sentful jumps as it half trotted, half the other.
 THE DEVIL’S POOL m
And so it v/as Harry only who glimpsed others are bound to go with me,” sneered
the slender white form that sprang Lem.
straight out through the air, plunging "That isn’t true!” shrilled Janie ex¬
into the pool despite Selene Arkwright’s citedly. "I jumped into the water to save
frantic attempts to prevent Janie’s un¬ them all. You can’t touch them now,
expected action. It was Harry who again Lem.”
came to the rescue of a woman, and flung In beast-like fashion he snarled at her,
himself into the gurgling waters, swim¬ then laughed horridly.
ming frantically in the direction of that
"I can’t touch them now, Janie, my
little, poignant face that had gone under,
dear, thanks to you. But you have put
come floating up, and disappeared once
yourself in their place, of your own free
more.
will.” He made a quick step toward her.
Father Paul, whirling at Harry’s out¬ Harry Epstein, white and fearfully
cry and the ensuing splash as the young afraid but dauntless, stood in his way.
Jew’s body struck the pool’s sparkling "One finger on Janie, and I’ll pull your
waters, reached into a fold of his clothes eyes out, you devil!” he ground out.
and brought out a folded napkin. With Janie shrank against her defender for a
his left hand he scattered the contents moment, then drew herself away and
of the napkin onto the surface of the went trembling to meet the grinning
pool, while his right hand made the sign Lem, who held out his arms to her with
of the cross over the greedy, lapping rip¬ mock invitation of welcome.
ples.
"No, Janie, no!” cried Harry.
The moving waters broke into a foam¬ "Yes, Harry, I must. It is what has
ing fury that for a moment flashed over saved you. And Miss Selene. I belong
the two heads now appearing together.
to him now, instead of all of you.”
Old Eli had reached the scene; his wild Lem shouted, a berserker burst of tri¬
cry of utter despair brought a vindictive umph. He put out one ugly, hairy hand.
and scornful smile to the face of Lem Janie shrank, shuddering. She closed her
Schwartz, who now flung off his oppo¬ eyes.
nent easily, for Mason’s attention had Then Father Paul’s horse-whip cut
been diverted by the things happening down sharply upon that dark and evil
so swiftly about the pool. As the waters hand, and Lem’s scream of astonishment
subsided, Harry swam vigorously with and pain followed upon its whistling
one arm, drawing the pale little Janie errand.
to safety. Willing hands aided her to "You can not touch that dear child,”
land. Lem, gleaming orbs rolling from asserted Father Paul with calm confi¬
one to the other of the assembled com¬ dence.
pany, had begun to draw his dark, satur¬ "Indeed? You’ll see how she shall
nine face into a heavy scowl. Apparently suffer for this,” Lem began, darkly men¬
things were not entirely to his liking. acing.
"Go!” Father Paul ordered bruskly,
pointing into the depths of the forest
with imperative, gesture, and facing the
F ather Paul’s calm gaze left Lem’s
face and shifted to the pool. Lem
malevolent grin of Lem with intrepid also looked. Something like dismay and
courage. incredulity passed across his lowering
"Too late. Father. If I go now, these visage.
762 WEIRD TALES

"It was the sacred wafer,” said Father "Back to hell with you, you devil,
Paul quietly. "The water is itself again. where you belong!” shouted the taxi-
The spell was broken, while those two driver, recovering himself just in time
were in the water.” to avoid going over the edge of the rode
Harry ran forward and pulled Janie’s into the pool, which now, with a mighty
drooping form into his arms. His ex¬ splash, received the dark form of Lem
Schwartz.
clamation was one of incredulous joy.

"Then Janie is all right? And Selene? Father Paul had held up one hand to
And I? God of my Fathers, how good delay the involuntary movement of Mason
Thou art!” Hardy. "No, my son, this matter is in
other hands than ours. That man-”
Lem Schwartz turned, grinding his
teeth audibly, and gave vent to an ugly He was interrupted by Lem’s body
striking the pool. A sudden thick and
laugh. His fists were clenched with im¬
potent fury as he slouched along the side noisome cloud of stinking smoke arose
of the pool. from the water . . . obscured the vision
momentarily . . . cleared.
A loud, hoarse voice hailed him as he
slunk off. "-that man, if man he was,” con¬
tinued Father Paul serenely, "is better
"Wait a minute, feller. You ain’t get-
left to his own devices. If he were an
tin’ off as easy as you might be thinkin’,” illusion of the deceived senses-”
cried the taxi-driver, coming around the
"Why, there’s nothing there!” cried
side of the pool at a run. “Where’s my
Hardy, astonished. He was bending over
little Jacky, huh?”
the water, and the clear limpidity of the
Lem’s shoulders shook with sardonic pool now showed every detail of its
merriment. His dark face distorted with rocky bottom distinctly. Nowhere could
a convulsion of malevolent triumph. be seen the leering face of that strange
"You’ll find his clothes back at Eli’s entity that had called itself Lem Schwartz.
farm,” he shouted. "The wolves ate "It was the sacred wafer, my children,”
him.” And he suddenly gave vent to said Father Paul softly. "The powers of
howling laughter, flinging his head back evil could not combat the forces for good
like a wild beast about to call his mates that lie behind that blessed symbol. The
to the kill. Destruction that Walketh at Noonday
The unshaven face of the driver was need no longer be feared.”
so dark that Father Paul’s heart trembled In Earl’s arms stood Selene, her face
at sight of it. "Stop! Think what you’re hidden against his shoulder. Janie, very
doing!” cried the good man hastily, fore¬ happy, leaned on Harry’s solicitously sup¬
seeing the next action of Jacky's grief- porting arms; one of her hands was in
infuriated father. Eli’s; the old man was crying. Across
"Yeah? I’ve done my thinkin’ a piece these passed the good priest’s glance,
past, Father. What I’m goin’ to do now very tenderly. His eyes met Mason’s. The
is actin’,” and with that he launched him¬ two men smiled understanding^ at each
self upon Lem’s back and by sheer weight other:
of his surprize attack staggered the sinis¬ " 'God’s in His heaven, all’s right with
ter being so that he lost his balance com¬ the world’,” quoted Father Paul, and
pletely. nodded contentedly.
 “Our horrified eyes bad just a glimpse of a hairy black shape, a nightmare figure about to leap"

j/3lack Invocation
By PAUL ERNST

The story of a frightful elemental evoked by the chanting of an

old Latin formula

M Y TELEPHONE rang one night

about a month ago, and on the
"No,” said Bryce, "this is something
different. Another experiment with in¬
wire was Bryce Woodward. vocation. Want to indulge?”
"Have you time for some psychic in¬ "I suppose so,” I said.
vestigating this evening?" he asked me. "All right. I’ll be over in half an
"More mediums?” I countered. On hour to get you. I’ll explain then.”
several occasions I have gone out with In less than the designated half-hour
Bryce to visit psychic mediums whose he was at my door, his dark eyes shining
powers were confined to tricks with mir¬ with a light half of eagerness and half
rors, hollow tables and sound amplifiers. of amusement.
763
764 WEIRD TALES

A word here concerning Bryce Wood¬ He seemed always to be sure he would

ward: A young man with an inherited be disappointed in his search for psychic
income, he has entertained himself since proofs; yet he seemed, oddly enough, al¬
leaving college with studies of things ways to be hoping he would find them
psychic, supernatural and abnormal. this time.
Rather, he has entertained himself by ex¬ "You remember the theory I put forth
posing alleged demonstrations of those that evening we worked with the bit of
things as fakes. And I, interested from parchment?” he asked at length.
a professional viewpoint inasmuch as I I had forgotten it, so he proceeded to
am a beginning medico with a patholog¬ remind me.
ical bent, have often gone with him. For
"It was my idea that certain definite
the rest, Bryce is tall and very dark,
sounds, in precise series, might set up vi¬
with a sparsely bearded but virile-looking
brations—key vibrations, so to speak—
face in which, under heavy eyebrows that
which would act upon substances ordinar¬
have a sort of Satanic slant, are set deep,
ily invisible and intangible to us in such
dark eyes. A good fellow, though in¬
a way as to make them both tangible and
clined to be a bit mysterious and secretive.
visible—cause them to leave their own
"We’re going back to Sixth Century dimension, whatever it may be, and in¬
Rome,” he began his explanation, while vade ours.”
I was getting my hat and locking up my
"Just what is 'them’?” I asked.
combination office and living-apartment.
"You know that old parchment work on He shrugged. "Who knows? Dark
demonology I picked up in Paris two years monsters, ghosts, the beings we know as
ago?” angels—anything might respond. But all
answering, mind you, only to a certain
I nodded. "The fragment that instructs
sequence of definitely uttered syllables—
students in Black Magic on how to call
up devils and things? Yes, I remember like the electric device that opens a door
in response to the ordered vibrations of
it.”
"Well, we’re going to work with that,” a certain password to which it has been
tuned.”
said Bryce.
I recalled one whole evening we had "But we tried once to invoke the spirits
spent—"with that”—in pronouncing sol¬ by definitely uttering the syllables of that
old Latin phrase in the parchment, and
emnly aloud certain mystic words in Latin
got nowhere.”
guaranteeing to call weird and marvelous
beings from their haunts in the outer- "There’s a possible reason for our fail¬
world. No weird or marvelous beings ure. We didn’t know how to pronounce
had replied. the Latin correctly. No man alive knows
how. At least, I thought that till yester¬
"Tonight will be different,” said Bryce,
day. . . His voice trailed off into si¬
when I reminded him of our failure.
lence.

W E left my apartment and started

walking north, with our destina¬
"Oh. And now you’ve found some
one who can speak Latin as it was spokea
tion as yet unnamed by him. From time two thousand years ago?”
to time I stole side glances at him. I had "I’ve found a man who claims to be
never been able to figure out what were able to. He’s a janitor’s assistant at the
his real beliefs in things supernatural. Larchmont Hotel,” he added.
 BLACK INVOCATION 765

I had no answer for this. It looked have to do now is tie the two together:
as though our present evening was to be get the man to speak the phrase in the
as fruitless as any that had gone before. precise way that will register on that de¬
But having started, I decided to see the vice which will open the psychic door
thing through. between worlds. It might be interesting.”
"I met the man—an Italian from north At this point we reached the Larchmont
of Milan—in an old book store yester¬ Hotel, a huge but modestly middle class
day afternoon. We got to talking, and, resident-hotel building on the fringe of
as it was his afternoon off, I asked him Chicago’s Gold Coast.
up to my place. I showed him the old Bryce walked down a flight of con¬
parchment sheet with the Black Magic in¬ crete stairs and rang a bell. The door
cantation on it, and he was intensely in¬ before us was promptly opened, and we
terested. It was then that he claimed to entered to confront a man who was evi¬
be able to speak Latin with its original, dently the one Bryce had mentioned.
natural inflection.”

"How did he explain that ability?” I I confess to a slight shock at his ap¬
asked skeptically. pearance. To begin, he didn’t look
like the type of fellow one would expect
"He didn’t explain it. He simply as¬
to see in a job that called for physical
serted it. Then he asked if he could take
strength. He was slight of body, with
the parchment back to his basement room
hands that were tapering and artistic
with him. He confessed to being inter¬
under their coat of grime. His hair was
ested in spirit-lore, said that this looked
snow-white, though he couldn’t have been
like a genuine treasure, and wanted to
more than forty-five; and his brow and
examine it more closely. I let him bor¬
eyes were those of an intelligent man
row it. This afternoon he called up and
with a studious turn of mind. His eyes,
urgently begged me to come and get it
incidentally, were not the liquid brown
again—he couldn’t get away from his
usually attributed to Italy’s sons, but were
duties long enough to deliver it in per¬
blue-gray as are the eyes of so many Ital¬
son. I thought there was a good deal of
ians born at the foot of the Alps. And
nervousness in his voice, as though he
in those blue-gray eyes—more responsi¬
was afraid of something.”
ble for the little shock I’d felt at sight of
"Well?” I said, after we had walked him than was his physical appearance—
half a block in silence. were haunting melancholies, like the
"Well—don’t you see? Here we have shadows of far-off fears.
a supposedly authentic magic phrase that Bryce named him as Mr. Abracelli
will make fabulous things materialize when he introduced us. The man bowed
from the other-world, or the fifth or acknowledgment of the introduction.
sixth dimension, whatever you choose to "Will you come to my rooms for a mo¬
call it. Also, here we have a man who ment?” he invited us, with a polished
says he can pronounce the phrase correct¬ manner and an English accent that told
ly—phonetically, just as some old necro¬ of an excellent education.
mancer wrote it down—setting up the an¬ We followed him down a corridor
cient sound-vibration-series that we, in our lined with slatted store-rooms, and came
fumbling mispronunciation o'f a dead to the apartment furnished him by the
language, were unable to attain. All we hotel.
7 66 WEIRD TALES

I got a second slight shock when we I peered closely at Abracelli, curious to

stepped inside. see how much of superstition (as I my¬

The apartment consisted of a large self have always labelled all these things)
living-room, a small sleeping-alcove, and could find a place in his obviously keen
a plainly unused kitchenette. This living- intellect. I saw a quick nervous spasm
room was furnished like a charlatan sor¬ contort his face.
cerer’s studio. There was a small crystal "I am sure it would work,” he said
ball in a corner, uncovered as though quietly.
Abracelli had been peering into it when "Have you tried it?” demanded Bryce.
we rang his bell. There was a pile of "Dio! No! There are things in life it
aromatic herbs on a scarred end-table. A is best to let alone!”
skull hung by a wire beside the door of
"Would you repeat the incantation for
the kitchenette. The walls were draped
us?”
with black cotton cloth so arranged that
"Not for anything on earth, Signor,”
the small windows could be covered if it
said Abracelli, in a tone of finality.
was desired to shut out all light. A pestle
and mortar, of the sort used by pharma¬ Bryce looked disappointed. "I had
cists, was on another end-table, with a hoped you would place your remarkable
residue in the mortar of some grayish knowledge of Latin at our disposal,” he

powder. said. "I’ll pay you well.”

"No payment could be high enough.”
'T amuse myself sometimes by mild
experiments,” said Abracelli. with a de¬ "But what, exactly, do you fear?” de¬
precating wave around at his unusual manded Bryce. "What sort of creature,
possessions. That was all the explanation or shade, do you expect to answer the
he offered. invocation?”
Abracelli shook his head. "I don’t
He opened a cheap, battered trunk, and
know. Something—sufficiently terrible.
got out a thick, discolored parchment
I will not pronounce it.”
sheet, which I recognized as the one Bryce
and I had vainly pored over on the eve¬ "Then,” said Bryce, "we will pro¬

ning I have mentioned. He handled the nounce it ourselves. You must teach us
thing in a most peculiar way, as though the correct pronunciation.”
it were so hot that it scorched his fingers, This too, Abracelli refused; and there
followed a verbal conflict that left me
and yet clutching it tightly as if he were
afraid it would explode if he dropped it. more and more perplexed. Bryce plead¬
ed with Abracelli, browbeat him, almost
"What do you think of it?” asked
threatened him. Abracelli stubbornly re¬
Bryce, with a deference that showed me fused either to repeat the incantation
he conceived himself to be speaking to
himself or to teach Bryce to enunciate it
an expert in parchment antiquities. "Is in living Latin. And I, as onlooker,
it genuine?” didn’t know whether to laugh or to be¬
Abracelli nodded his snow-white head. come annoyed and leave. The superior
"It is undoubtedly genuine,” he said. behavior of this curious janitor’s as¬
"And if it were mine, I would throw it sistant had strongly predisposed me to¬
into the furnace.” ward him; and his almost peasantish fear
"Then you think the incantation —for fear pure and simple had begun
would work?” to show on his face—of an absurd Latin
 BLACK INVOCATION 767

phrase on a tattered parchment sheet now as Arabic; that the U’s were pronounced
disappointed and disgusted me. after the French manner of saying Mon¬
I was at the point of suggesting to sieur; that the B’s were enunciated as if
Bryce that we end the farce and leave, there were an almost audible G before
when Abracelli surrendered. each; and that the V's seemed to have a
hint of W after them, thus: vwee.
"Very well,” he said with a sigh, "I
shall teach you how to say it as the man First, to give us an idea of how it
who penned it would have said it. The went, Abracelli read all that was de¬
result be on your head. I will not stay in cipherable of the fragmentary foreword:
the room while you pronounce the in¬ . . whoso shall utter the formula in a
vocation.” loud clear tone, sound by sound with
equal emphasis on each, shall call from
I thought I detected an inconsistency
the hidden world about us dread deni¬
here, and promptly jumped on it.
zens. ...” I must -say that, while his
"How can you teach us the pronunci¬
Latin sounded like no Latin ever heard in
ation,” I asked, "without yourself re¬
a modern classroom, it did sound oddly
peating the incantation and calling up—
authoritative.
whatever it is that may respond?”
From here he passed to the invocation
"I shall teach you word by word,” said
itself. But there he balked for a mo¬
Abracelli, with a quiet dignity that made
ment.
me feel, for an instant, like a boor. "The
invocation, if it is like others I have "I implore you,” he began, with pro¬
known, is only effective when intoned as found distress showing in his blue-gray
a whole, in a regular, syllable-by-syllable eyes.
manner.” "You have promised,” was Bryce’s in¬
"That sounds like my vibration the¬ flexible answer. So, syllable by syllable,
ory,” said Bryce quickly to me. "Our with palpable care to say no two of the
other-world neighbors are not summoned mystic words in proper sequence, Abra¬
by the wording of the incantation, but by celli gave us a model enunciation of the
the peculiar combination of sound waves phrase that was supposed to be a sort of
caused by a particular combination of vibratory bridge between our world and
vowels and consonants.” others. And Bryce repeated each word
"I have never heard it explained that after him, till he had his palate reason¬
way,” remarked Abracelli, with thought¬ ably adjusted to the unfamiliar sounds.
ful frown, "but it may be as you say. "You can now say it correctly enough,”
Come—I will teach you how the living said Abracelli. "But—are you really
Romans spoke their language.” going to risk it?”
"I am,” replied Bryce. "For several
I have tried since to remember exactly years I’ve earnestly sought after proof
the shadings of inflection given the that there is some foundation of fact for
Latin tongue by this man who, rightly the old fables about spirits and ghosts
or fraudulently, claimed to know the and demons. To date, I’ve got nowhere.
language of living Rome. But I can’t. I But I would still do anything, no matter
can only offer an approximate descrip¬ how ridiculous it seemed on the face of
tion. There is a vague memory that the it, if I thought it offered a remote chance
speech as a whole was almost as guttural of affording me that proof.”
768 WEIRD TALES

"This is not a remote chance,” said Then: "If you really believe that some
Abracelii. "It is a certainty! If you will supernatural thing will appear in answer
excuse me, I will go to the boiler room to that silly invocation—you’re alone in
while you conduct your mad experiment.” your belief!”

And go he did, closing the door firmly Bryce shrugged. "I suppose you’re
behind him. I turned to Bryce and right in your skepticism,” he said slowly.
laughed. The more I thought about how "I suppose tonight as usual we shall dis¬
genuinely frightened at the invocation cover nothing more exciting than hyp¬
the Italian had seemed to be, the harder notic effects or hidden wires.”
I laughed. We gazed at each other an instant over
Bryce didn’t join me; and at length I the ancient sheet of parchment—seated
sobered enough to notice in his dark eyes in that curiously furnished room that was
a curiously dubious look. actually in the bowels of a great modern
building, but which figuratively might
"Good heavens, Bryce!” I exclaimed.
well have been the tapestry-draped cav¬
"You don’t mean to tell me you think
ern of some old-time wizard. Then
anything supernatural or weird will
Bryce began to read the ancient invoca¬
actually answer to the calling of that
tion.
Latin formula?”
I felt a curious prickling of the skin
“The vibration theory sounds rather as his voice rolled out the gutturally
plausible,” he said, lighting a cigarette. sonorous syllables in the manner Abra¬
And that was all I could get out of him. celii had taught him. The queer power

B ryce stepped to the door and locked

of certain sounds over us! The Latin
Mass—for example. How that stirs and
it. Then we looked around the room thrills one, though one may be utterly
to see if, for some unknown reason, ignorant of the meaning of die separate
Abracelii had secreted devices to fool us. words! It is the stateliness of the thing,
The man was admittedly a dabbler in oc¬ not its meaning, that causes every nerve
cult things; and no other class of hu¬ to thrill in response.
mans will go to such elaborate lengths to
Just so did the reading of this old in¬
try to trick others into their own fan¬
cantation, with the pronunciation Abra¬
tastic beliefs. We found nothing suspi¬
celii claimed was that of the mystic
cious-looking, however, so we prepared
Roman who wrote it, make the nerve-
to perform our simple experiment.
ends seem to flutter and twitch in sym¬
We took the thick old parchment sheet pathy. There was just one difference.
and laid it on the round table that oc¬ While this had all the rolling stateliness
cupied the center of the room. Over this of the Mass, there were buried in it subtle
was a shaded light, which poured a circle shades of obscenity and terror. It sound¬
of illumination on the table top and left ed not unlike it had been designed to be
the rest of the room in comparative dim¬ read in some gloomy huge cathedral
ness. Bryce drew up a chair, and I drew erected not to God, but blasphemously to
up another. But before he started to read the Devil. I daresay, though, that this
the ancient invocation, he hesitated. was all imagination on my part.
"You’re quite sure you want to go ". . . come from the reaches of the
through with this?” he asked me solemnly. outer dark and the shades of the other
"Of course,” I replied impatiently. life to my presence ...”
W. T.—3
 BLACK INVOCATION 769

Syllable by syllable, beat by beat, like “Hypnotism! But he’s pretty good to in¬
a beginning pianist playing an exercise duce such a clear picture in both our
to the tick of a metronome, Bryce read minds from a distance.”
up to here. At this point he stopped, and Bryce nodded; but he frowned a little,
stared intently toward a chair in a comer as though not quite convinced.
only dimly lit by the shaded lamp. “Hypnotism, probably,” he said.
I followed his gaze—and a startled ex¬ “Well—let's get on with it, and see what
clamation came from my lips. new tricks our friend can furnish to mys¬
The chair at which we were staring tify us with.”
with wide, incredulous eyes was a pro¬
saic easy-chair with a faded tapestry cov¬ W e WENT back to die table and sat
down. Bryce cleared his throat.
ering, that Was drawn up slantwise to the
comer of the room leaving a V-shaped "This time,” he declared, "I’ll finish it!”
space behind it. It wasn’t at the chair we And he began again to read the invoca¬
were gazing, though, but at something tion.
that dangled down its back. . . come from the reaches of the
The something was a huge, black paw, outer dark . .
not unlike the paw of a bear except that The measured syllables struck at the
it had almost human seeming, thick fin¬ brain like the rhythmic beat of a tom¬
gers tipped with curving talons. It was tom. Again I felt that odd prickling sen¬
the paw of a beast, with the definite sation all over my body.
fingers-and-thumb configuration of some¬ . . and the shades of the other
thing near-human. The whole—paw and life . . .”
daw-like fingers and thick wrist (which As further testimony to the power of
disappeared over the back of the chair what I was still sure was Abracelli’s
away from us)—was covered with mat¬
hypnotic ability, I thought I detected a
ted, coarse black hair. faint odor in the room now that hadn’t
"Do you see it, too?” Bryce whispered. been there a moment ago: a musty, ani-
I nodded, while my scalp felt as malish smell, like that which pervades a
though each separate hair was rising like zoo. But it was a mere ghost of an odor,
the hackles of a frightened dog. nothing definite enough to describe ac¬
The daw-like, bestial hand contracted curately.
slightly. I’ll swear I heard its talons . . to my presence here in the world
scratch against the fabric of the tapestry of men I command you.”
covering. Then it was withdrawn slowly There. The reading was done. The
from sight over the back of the chair. supposedly dread invocation had been
Together, with muscles tensed for hurled as a challenge.
action, we leaped for that chair and
Bryce looked up from the parchment.
whiiled it away from the wall.
His eyes followed mine to the chair-back
There was nothing behind it. where we had seen (or had been hyp¬
We looked at each other, and at the notized into imagining we had seen) the
same second each of us had the same hairy black paw.
thought. It wasn’t there now. It had not re¬
"Abracelli was acting when he pre¬ appeared, either in our mind’s eye or in
tended to be so frightened,” I said. actuality. We stared around the room.
W. T.—4
[770 WEIRD TALES

Nothing. We listened intently. Noth¬ abruptly, and his eyes, following mine,
ing. saw what I was seeing.
I drew a deep breath. In spite of the Just outside the range of clearest light,
assurance of common sense and logic across the table from us, coiled the
that nothing could be in that room, that thickest wisps of smoke from Bryce’s
the mumbling of a few syllables in a cigarette. In the still air of the room
dead language could not possibly cause these had not been much dissipated. But
other presences to materialize, I was un¬ now they were suddenly being agitated,
utterably relieved to find that we really as though something were moving
were alone, just as we had been before through them. At the same time, some
the uttering of the invocation. of the thicker, further coils were blotted
For a few seconds longer we sat in from sight, to reappear again, as if a
silence. Then Bryce sighed, and lit a body moved before them. But our eyes
cigarette. could still see—nothing.
"Once more we draw blank,” he mur¬ The agitation of the smoke wisps per¬
mured, sending a blue cloud of smoke to sisted, in a sort of airy trail behind some¬
curl in the beam of light cast by the thing that moved around the table and
lamp, and lose itself in the dimness be¬ toward us. Involuntarily Bryce threw up
yond. "I suppose we might as well go his hands in a gesture of defense.
home—good God!” The burning ash of his cigarette was
On the table between us had suddenly abruptly scattered in a shower of sparks
appeared the paw. It was resting on the as though something had struck violently
table top, palm down, as solid-seeming against it. There was an odor of scorched
as the wood itself. hair, and the air was rent by an ear-
In every detail we could see it: the splitting howl.
coarse black hair, of a slightly reddish The black hairy paw again material¬
cast near the roots—the thick nails, or ized before us. But this time it was not
talons curving from the blunt finger- still. It was clenching and unclenching,
ends—the folds of grayish, money-like clutching savagely toward us. And now,
skin at the hairy knuckles. slowly, as though a cloud of mist were
At the same instant I felt a hot, fetid whirling together more and more tightly
breath on the back of my neck, felt my to pack into a definite shape, we saw—
chair creak forward as though a heavy the body the paw was attached to.
weight had pressed against its back, felt Just a glimpse our horrified eyes had
hairy fingers fleetingly touch my shoulder. of a gigantic, hairy black shape, some¬
For the first time I felt fear. Numbing, thing like a man, something like a go¬
sickening fear! This could not—could rilla. Just a glimpse we had of flaming
not be hypnotically induced illusion! I eyes that were those of neither man nor
shouted aloud, and leaped from my chair, beast. Just a glimpse of a nightmare fig¬
to stand trembling, staring at the space ure about to leap.
behind it. Then, as we cowered back, the thing
I saw nothing. Nothing! I looked at howled once more with fury, the electric
the table. The paw had disappeared lamp was dashed from the table with un¬
again. imaginable violence—and we were in
"Steady,” said Bryce. His own lips darkness with the creature.
were white. "Steady.” He stopped I felt talons rake across my cheek. A
 BLACK INVOCATION 771

great hand dosed around my throat, and think there can be a doubt as to what we
I was hurled dear across the room. I saw?”
heard Bryce cry out in mortal terror, 'Unfortunately, there’s no doubt
heard a bedlam of bestial snarling and whatever. It must have all been trans¬
howling, and felt a weight on my chest mitted bodily from Abraeelli’s mind to
that I was sure must crush it in. Then I ours.”
lost consciousness. "And what we felt?” demanded

I came to my senses, how much later I

Bryce.
"Was—simply each other! In our ex¬
do not know, to find that my shoul¬
citement one of us knocked the lamp
ders were being roughly shaken. In¬
over, and in the darkness we fought each
stinctively I raised my hands to protect
other like a couple of frightened cats.”
myself, but when I opened my eyes I
saw—not the hairy terror, but Bryce, "The thing that struck the sparks from
my cigarette?”
white and trembling, bending over me.
"You knocked your cigarette against
"I thought you were dead,” were his
the edge of the table as you raised your
first words. "My God, what a narrow'
hands. Yes—a fine pair of fools we
escape!”
proved ourselves to be!”
"Where is die—the thing?” I asked
Bryce smiled grimly. "All these
weakly, gazing around the room. The
things you claim are quite possible, even
place was in fearful disorder, with chairs
plausible. But don’t patronize our fool¬
knocked about and the table tipped over
ishness too much, old boy. For I have
and the black cloth ripped from the walls
proof, which will satisfy even you, that
in a dozen spots. But there was no sign
the thing we saw was no hypnotic illu¬
anywhere of the awful hairy paw, or of
sion. It was real enough—here in this
its even more awful owner.
room, called into being by the Latin in¬
"It has disappeared back to whatever cantation.”
place it came from,” said Bryce. He raised his right hand. I observed
I sat up and dabbed at the deep for the first time that he had been keeping
scratches on my cheek. And as con¬ it tightly clenched.
sciousness returned more completely to "I don’t know just when, in the strug¬
me, reason followed close behind—and gle, I accumulated these souvenirs, but
at the things reason intimated, I began I regained consciousness to find them
to wonder, and then to feel very, very safely clutched in my hands. They tell
sheepish. the whole story, I think. You’re still
I looked speculatively at Bryce. skeptical? You’re still unable to believe
"Done in!” I said. "Tricked to a turn! what you saw with your own eyes and felt
The prize fools of the universe!” with your own flesh? Then—look!”
Bryce stared. ’What do you mean by He unclenched his fingers, and as I
that?” he asked at length. looked at what he held, I felt an abrupt
"I mean that we must bow to Signor return of some of the cold horror that
Abracelli. He has handled us like chil¬ had gripped me before.
dren. We must certainly congratulate In the palm of his hand were several
him when he returns from his boiler coarse, crinkly black hairs, slightly red¬
room retreat.” dish at the roots—to which still adhered
Bryce’s heavy eyebrows went up. "You flakes of grayish, monkey-like skin.
 by AUGUST VDERLETH
ana MMK SCUORER
rA tale of dark powers unloosed by one who could not bear to see his sweet¬
heart consigned to the grave

I F I HAD not counted John Thraves

my best friend, I should in all like¬
a continual source of admiration to me.
And I could fully understand his love
lihood never have gone up the Mas¬ for this strangely fascinating woman, she
sachusetts coast on that unpleasant and who might have been such a woman as
foreboding journey climaxed by that un¬ Rossetti would have painted—tall and
forgettable visit to the lonely house be¬ slender, her features of that fine classic
yond Gloucester. A strange silence, mold so idealized at the end of the last
broken now and then by vague, incoher¬ century, with the pallid olive quality in
ent letters, had been the determining fac¬ complexion and the same smoldering
tor in my visit, and as I sit here now, auburn hair that belonged to the harmony
writing this, I can not help but feel how that was hers. I have an unforgettable
much more at ease I would be, had I picture of her, alone in a box at the opera,
chosen to disregard this silence; how
wrapped in a green velvet cloak, her
much better, indeed, if I had forgotten oddly disquieting face
my friend altogether. But now, alas! it
and auburn hair stand- JT1
is impossible for me ever to forget John ing out serenely in the
Thraves. glittering of the dia¬
Our acquaintance had begun at col- mond horseshoe.

lege, a common interest in architecture It was this woman who drew to her
serving to draw us closer and closer to¬ John Thraves, body and soul. In August
gether as the years of our college training of the same year he met her, they were
went by. The acquaintance ripened into engaged, and in September I saw the last
a friendship that continued for some time of Thraves and Dorothea Keane, when
after we were graduated. Indeed, it was my firm sent me to Vienna to study. I
interrupted only by Thraves’ deep love was still in Europe when terrible tragedy
for Dorothea Keane, a love so profound, struck at my friend, sending him from
so absorbing, that it enslaved Thraves, a New York City to virtual isolation at the
man whose iron will at college had been old Thraves estate on the Massachusetts
772
coast. They were to have been married ily vault was opened one night and the
at Christmas. A week before, Dorothea body of the lovely Dorothea removed in
contracted a severe cold, which speedily its casket. Though this terrible thing hap¬
developed into pneumonia, resulting in pened only two days after her burial, it
her death two days before the date set was over a month later before I had
for tiie wedding. learned of it, and only then did I know
Her death shattered John Thraves’ life, the reason for the inexplicable silence on
and his vainly hopeful letters did not de¬ the part of my friend. How great this
ceive me. The tragedy was consummated added shock must have been to him was
in a ghastly fashion when the Keane fam¬ indicated to me by the fact that not once
773
774 WEIRD TALES

in subsequent letters did he so much as belief that he might try to prevent or dis¬
hint of it. courage my coming occurring to trouble
From the time that John Thraves had me.
retired to the lonely estate on the hook
beyond Gloucester, the letters I had from I left New York one morning in No¬
him were filled with a deep melancholy, vember, and came into Boston at about
and were often extremely brief, tense, six that night. It was raining, and the
paradoxical notes. All during the follow¬ mists were crowding into the city from
ing spring and summer, his letters, strange the sea. I was glad to leave mist-haunted
long epistles, became more and more in¬ Boston behind me, even though the two-
coherent and rambling. More often than hour ride to Gloucester promised me lit¬
not, he would start his letters with terse tle change in scene. On the way, the
sentences about the unruly weather that downpour increased, the heavy rain so
swept the Massachusetts coast; then, sud¬ drenching the panes of my coach that I
denly, in the middle of a paragraph, he could not see an inch out into the autumn
would write incomprehensible nonsense evening. I reflected upon how inauspi¬
about life after death, or some kindred cious a moment I had chosen to visit my
subject. One paragraph, which he started, old friend, but in the same thought saw
as customary, with a sentence about the that I should certainly not be turned away
weather, contained no less than thirty dif¬ into a night like this, should my visit
ferent subjects, ranging all the way from prove as unwelcome as my ever increasing
black magic to certain mystic rites per¬ forebodings suggested to me.
formed in the African Impi country. The station at Gloucester was deserted
His references to black magic, more when my train drew in. I stepped down
constant than any other reference, puz¬ to the platform and looked about me.
zled and disturbed me most. The im¬ The night was dark now, and not far
pressions his letters gave varied fully as away the sea was dashing itself against
much as his subject matter. At one time the rocks of the coast. The rain still came
I had the impression that he was him¬ down heavily, and I pulled my raincoat
self practising black magic, at another closer around me. A single light on the
time that he was writing a book on the platform showed only a dim haze through
subject; and at stiH another time he wrote the rain. Some one finally came along
in such shuddering terms of black magic the platform toward me, and I recognized
that I thought for an instant that his mind him for a cab-driver whom Thraves and
had been unsettled. I had used in our college days. His ap¬
pearance served only to bring back mem¬
In September of the following year I
ories which time had thrust far into the
returned to New York, fully expecting
past.
that before many weeks were up, I should
"Where to, sir?” he asked.
get an invitation to join my old friend on
the Thraves estate. But none came. The He did not recognize me. I put down
same incoherent letters continued to reach my bag. "To the Thraves place,” I said.
me, breaking into long periods of silence, "You don’t want to be goin’ over there
until at last I decided that I would seek tonight, sir?”
him out, whether he so desired or not. "Yes. Of course. Why not?”
My first impulse to announce my arrival "Well,” he drawled, "it’s a bit far on
I discarded at the last moment, a vague an unholy night like this.”
 IN THE LEFT WING 775

"Nonsense,” I snapped. "It’s just car, I knew that we were moving along
around the end of the hook, isn’t it?” the hook, with the ocean on two sides of
"Yes, sir, but-” us. There was nothing out there but
"Not more than two miles, is it?” black space and an occasional faint light,
"No, sir, but-” and, once or twice, the raucous voice of
"Well, then?” I said sharply. a foghorn far out on the bay.
" ’Tis a bad night, sir,” he started We came to a stop abruptly, and the
again, but I cut him short. driver turned around with, "Here you be,
"Take me there,” I said. sir. Seventy-five cents, please, sir.”
He grumbled something, but picked up
my bag. We started for his car, which I paid him, and found myself deposited
became visible now at the end of the with my bag on the sandy road be¬
platform. I stepped into the back and fore the gate that marked the edge of
pulled the door shut behind me. The the Thraves estate. It was a good ten
driver tossed my bags into the front, and minutes’ walk from the gate to the house,
climbed in after them. He started up the I knew, and a not too pleasant walk
engine, but before he left the platform, through what was almost a wood of pines
he turned around to me and called as if as black as the night itself. I started out,
in afterthought, "I can’t be takin’ you unhesitatingly, through the grilled gate
further than the gate, sir. The road don’t and up the stone path under the trees.
go no further.” The rain still came down, and the wind
"Very well.” swept in from the sea, bending and sway¬
I remembered the Thraves estate, and ing the creaking trees. The steady pound¬
the rides there from Gloucester. When ing of the surf, sounding rhythmically
we were yet at college, John Thraves and against the rocky point of the hook, came
I had come up occasionally for a week¬ to my ears as from a great distance. I
end. Gloucester on a sunny day is a looked ahead of me and thought I saw a
charming city, with the blue sky above light where the dark mass of the house
and the blue sea below, disturbed only loomed; but it was faint and dim, and it
by the slightest roll on its surface, rip¬ seemed to waver, so that I could not be
pling the reflections of the clouds. In sure if it were a real light or an illusion.
the harbor in the morning can be seen But as I came closer, I saw that it was
the thousand masts of the fishing fleet indeed a light, a light from the lower
moving out through the dawn mists, and windows of the left wing, but even close
at sunset, moving back in, crowding the I saw it dim and faint, as if it were the
bay. And in the air always is the strong light of candles burning in the room be¬
salty odor of the sea. hind drawn curtains, not a definite light
at all, but more a blur where the windows
But tonight it was not like that. There
were, drawn curtains veiling the house
was nothing to be seen through the rain
and blackness, save only an occasional from the bleak night.

glimmer moving in the distance, the light I was now at the very edge of the pine
of a vessel in the harbor, perhaps. We grove that surrounded the house, and I
were out of Gloucester before I had seen stood in the shelter of the great, gaunt
more than the dim, half-disclosed outlines trunk of the one tree that reared itself
of a dozen scattered buildings. By the near the door, looking at this rambling
way the wind blew the rain against the old New England country home, with its
77 6 WEIRD TALES

low roofs and many gables, feeling an man stood there, holding aloft a gutter¬
incomprehensible sense of fear, of danger ing candle.
almost, a sensation which seemed to sug¬ "Who is it?” asked a gruff voice, which
gest abrupt, unexplained flight to me. I recognized at once as that of Fenton,
The wind and the rain, the sighing and the caretaker. At least, I drought, Thraves
creaking of the pines, the distant melan¬ is not alone in this dismal house.
choly pounding of the sea, the old wood¬
"It’s Mr. Suthard, Park Suthard,” I
en house with its single gray light —these replied. "Do you remember me, Fenton?”
details gave me a feeling of stark and
A sound like a startled gasp came from
impenetrable gloom, a feeling so strong
Fenton. He raised the candle above his
that for a moment I hesitated to pierce
head, and stepped aside. "Come in, come
the solitude of my old friend Thraves.
in, Mr. Suthard,” he said, almost eagerly.
But my hesitation lasted only a moment,
I put down my bag in the hall and
and it was gone; it was not as easy to
turned to him. "Is your master here?” I
shake off the somber gloominess which
asked.
enshrouded me.
He nodded his white head slowly.
Unhesitating, I approached the door, "Yes, he’s here.” Then he held the can¬
put my hand oft the great iron knocker, dle close to my face and peered at me
lifted it, and let it drop. There came to over his spectacles; a smile broke into
my ears the sharp sound made by iron his wrinkled face, a face which my in¬
striking iron, and immediately after, muf¬ stinct told me had not smiled for many
fled reverberations within the house months. "Well, well, Mr. Suthard it is,”
sounded extraordinarily loud in a sudden he said, still smiling crookedly. “I’m
hill in the wind. Then the sound died, glad.”
and there was again only the rain, the He led the way slowly down the ball,
wind, and the constant sea. mumbling more to himself than to me:
Once more I lifted the knocker and let "... glad you’ve come. When you came
it fall, and again I heard the sound of up with the young master you were al¬
iron and the magnified sounds from ways one to be laughing and joking and
within the house. Still there was no sign carrying on as young folk should. Per¬
that my knock had been heard. haps now, Mr. Thraves . . . perhaps you
I turned and looked back into the pine can make him laugh again.”
grove, at the dim line I knew to be the I said, "Nothing wrong, is there, Fen¬
path by which I had come. Should I ton?”
start the long walk back to Gloucester He stopped and looked at me specu¬
and await the coming day to find my latively. Then he shook his head. "Would
friend? But that was a good half-hour’s I say wrong, I wonder?” he murmured.
walk in the rain, and already I was "He’s not been the same, sir,” he went
chilled to the bone, wet and shivering. on, "a bit queer, sir. It was after that
The pine trees sobbed in the wind, and in young lady-”
a sudden gust, the rain came beating I nodded, cutting him off with a word.
down into my upturned face. "Gould I see him tonight?” I asked.
I turned to the shadowed door once Fenton hesitated. "He’s in the left
more, determined to try the knocker yet wing, sir, and I’m not allowed in there.
again. I had just lifted my hand, when I'll try to call him, though he does not
the door was pulled silently back, and a like to be disturbed. But then, he does
 IN THE LEFT WING 777

spend most of his time in there, and I I nodded. He walked out into the
can do no more than try, sir.” hall, and then I heard a door close be¬

F enton shook his head, mumbling to

himself. He led the way through
hind him. Shortly after, I heard his voice
calling John Thraves; it was as he had
said—he was not allowed in the left
open doors into what had been the draw¬
wing, and was forced to call his master
ing-room. The candle light betrayed the
from the old-fashioned double doors
strange state of neglect into which the
leading into the wing.
once grand old room had fallen. As I
I leaned toward the already dying
crossed the threshold, the broken end of
flames. For almost a half-hour I sat
a gossamer thread caught my face. The
there, the silence of the house growing
absence of electricity struck me suddenly;
on me more steadily each moment. Fen¬
I had expected Fenton to switch on the
ton’s voice had long ceased calling, but
lights as we entered the room, but he had
he had not returned, and I did not know
not done so.
whether he had been able to gain John
"Don’t you have any lights?” I asked.
Thraves’ attention until I heard a door
Fenton shook his head. "No, sir. They
open suddenly, and the sound of slip¬
were blown out in a storm about a month
pered feet coming slowly along the hall.
ago, and Mr. Thraves won’t have them
I turned expectantly toward the door of
repaired.”
the room.
"Won’t have them repaired?” I ex¬
claimed.
"I keep telling him,” Fenton said.
I T is impossible to describe adequately
the appearance of my friend as he
Then he shnigged his shoulders. "But stood in that doorway, his face lit by the
he won’t have anything done. Won’t last dancing light of the dying fire, im¬
have any one here, prying about, he says. possible to convey fully the shock I felt
It’s not any longer for me to say, sir.” at sight of him. I had left him not much
Fenton busied himself now with my over a year ago as I had always known
bag, took my hat and coat, and then lit him, erect, dark-haired, his face healthily
some wood that lay in the open fireplace. tanned, his eyes bright, his lips firm. The
In a few moments the slowly creeping figure I now beheld was everything that
flames had grown into a bla2e. But the the John Thraves I had known was not.
added light from the flames made the He was clad in a long blade robe that
old drawing-room only more gloomy, for swept the floor; it was open at the throat
it showed still more clearly the heavy and its scarlet lining served only to height¬
dust that lay thickly on all the furniture, en the grayness of his face, his pallid,
the walls, the rugs, and the unbroken ghostly cheeks, his gleaming, feverish
spider webs that were spun across the eyes, his colorless lips, drooping loosely
windows and in the darkened comers of and revoltingly. His hair was long and
the room. unkempt, and there was a stubble on his
Fenton pulled a chair up to the fire¬ chin sufficiently thick to be called a beard;
place, brushed it off with his handker¬ a mustache, too, had grown. His thin
chief, and offered it to me. I sat down, shoulders and his back were bent for¬
rubbing my hands together, trying to stop ward, giving him the posture of an old
my chattering teeth. man, burdened with years. I felt his
"I’ll try to get Mr. Thraves for you burning eyes sweep me from head to foot.
now, sir,” he said. The smile with which I had awaited him
778 WEIRD TALES

died on my lips; I could not speak. He see how he has changed? Then he went
came toward me, slowly, walking like an out of the room, and I heard him going
old man, shuffling along, dragging his slowly up the stairs at the end of the hall.
slippered feet after him. Thraves turned to me. "A year now,”
Then he spoke. His low-pitched voice he said abruptly.
was the tense voice of a man ill of some I nodded. "Over,” I said. Looking at
incurable disease. "You have come,” he him, I began to wish I hadn’t come.
said. He peered at me intently for a moment;
I smiled, trying to shake off the strange then his eyes shifted and he looked at the
premonitory feeling that had come over last glowing embers in the fireplace. "I
me. "How are you, John?” I asked, ris¬ have been ill,” he said, making a vague
ing. He was looking at me vaguely, un- gesture with his hands. Then he sat
seeingly, dispassionately. "I finally de¬ down, and we spoke briefly of my
cided I had to come to know how you European year. At odd moments, there
were.” were gleams of our old intimacy, yet never
He smiled a little, then raised a thin was our conversation free from the feel¬
hand and brushed back the long hair ing of a wall between us. Often, Thraves*
from his forehead. "I am glad,” he said face betrayed a preoccupation which was
simply, "only I don’t know where to put not natural to him. Then, suddenly, he
you. We’ve got nothing in order here. interrupted himself in the middle of a
My studies-” His voice trailed off sentence, just as he had done so often in
into nothingness, and he looked abstract¬ his letters, and said, "Did I write to you
edly around him, his hand straying to his of black magic? Did I write you of my
neck, where the open robe revealed his work?”
dead-white skin. Then he turned abrupt¬
I said, "You did say something about
ly, calling, "Fenton! Fenton!”
black magic, but I have forgotten what
Fenton appeared out of the hall. It it was.”
was as if he had been waiting. “Yes, sir,” He nodded quickly. "An interesting
he said. "You called, sir.” study, black magic.” He would have
"Is there a room in order for Mr. gone on, but something interrupted him.
Suthard?” He sat bolt upright, all his faculties strain¬
Fenton hesitated. Then he said, "Any ing to listen, a sharp exclamation chedced
of the upper rooms in the left wing can on his lips. "Is there something?” he
be made ready in a few minutes, sir." asked. "Do you hear anything? Did you
Thraves passed his thin hands through hear-”
his hair; his eyes were undecided. "Only I had heard a shuffling noise during
in the left wing?” he asked irritably. a lull in the storm, but had assumed it to
Fenton nodded. "Yes, sir.” be Fenton. "No,” I said, "I heard noth¬
"Very well. Take the bag up, build a ing."
fire, and lay out the linen. But mind you He was reassured at once. Then he
go up the front way. And leave us a light went on where he had broken off. "Long
here.” ago I was interested in black magic. There
"Yes, sir,” murmured Fenton. He lit were old books. I came upon an inter¬
a taper and stood it on the mantel. Then esting theory about life after death, and
he bent to take my bag and shot a guarded it is believed by some to be still in prac¬
look at me; his expression said, "You tical use.”
 IN THE LEFT WING 779

I thought: He is rambling. I said, "I Thraves got up and went slowly to the
remember. You wrote me of it.” door. ”1 didn’t want to tell you,” he
He looked slightly puzzled. "Did I? said, "but I dare not take a risk.” At the
I can’t remember.” He looked at me a door, he turned to me. "You don’t be¬
little askance. "But you don’t believe in lieve in black magic, do you, Suthard?”
black magic, do you, Suthard?” he asked, as if he had forgotten asking
I shook my head. "No, I don’t.” me before.

He clasped his hands and looked at I shook my head.

me. "You know,” he went on, "there is "I didn’t ask you before, did I?” he
a theory about the animation of dead said suddenly, and before I could answer,
bodies—embalmed bodies, that is. But continued, "No, no, of course not.” He
Lord God, there is no soul!” His eyes, as closed the door behind him.
he said this, were so tragic that I felt for My astonishment knew no bounds.
a moment that John Thraves had gone Certainly something had occurred in the
utterly mad. interval since Dorothea Keane’s death to
I got to my feet, feigning a yawn. I’d unsettle John Thraves’ mind. When
like to get to bed, if you don’t mind, old finally I had managed to subdue my agi¬
man,” I said. tation, I looked about the room. It was
The words had hardly left my lips panelled with a dark wood, and the ceil¬
when Fenton entered the room; again I ing was low. The casement was in a
had the uncomfortable impression that gable, the floor of which was raised above
he had been waiting in the hall. the level of the floor of the room. I
went to the window and looked out. The
T hraves led the way up the stairs to
my room. We went into the cham¬
rain had abated somewhat, though the
wind was still strong. There was the
ber, he still leading with the candle, which dark sea, and the white foam of the waves
he placed on the bureau. Others were as they broke boomingly on the shore
burning in brackets on the walls, so that was visible from where I stood. Once
the room was quite light. more I felt the heavy atmosphere of this
I threw open the casement window, place bearing me down, and again the
despite the wind and rain, for there was haggard appearance of John Thraves sud¬
a musty odor of age in the room that denly remembered depressed me further.
stifled and revolted me. Thraves did not There was something evil here, some¬
seem to mind, for he went over and thing brooding in the air about the house.
leaned out. Then he sank listlessly into And John, I felt, knew and recognized
a chair, with his back to the window. it for what it was.
"If you hear anything in the night, I moved away from the window, and
Suthard, don’t be alarmed,” he said. "And went to the door. I pulled the door open
don’t prowl about, please, because that slowly, held my candle high, and peered
disturbs me very much. Sometimes I walk into the long shadowy hall. It was an
in my sleep; if I should see any one then, action with no motive, and I would have
the shock might be too much for me. My withdrawn into my room in an instant,
heart is very bad.” had not a small white object on the floor
Sympathetic words sprang quickly to of the hall slightly down and across from
my lips, but he halted them with a curt my door attracted my attention. With
gesture. "I’m sorry,” I murmured. pardonable curiosity, I stepped swiftly
1780 WEIRD TALES

forward and picked it up, taking it with chanting, the even beating of the waves
me into my room. What I held in my outside, and the weariness which crept
hand brought all my senses instantly over me lulled me to sleep, to a sleep
alert, and at the same moment perplexed which was broken by vague, unnamable
and astonished me. It was a woman’s dreams of horror and dread, which
silk stocking, and it had been worn only brought me relief only at its end, when
once, and that recently! I woke in the dawn of a new day to find
I do not remember my chaotic thoughts the gray rain still falling, the wind still
clearly, but I do remember that one blowing through the dark pines on the
stood out above them all. Was the cause shore.
of Thraves’ strangeness a woman, of
whose existence I had not the slightest
I N the day, Thraves’ tensity of expres¬
sion and preoccupation were notice¬
hint? Fenton would know, I thought, and
ably lessened, and at odd moments he
I moved at once to summon him. But
was even somewhat garrulous, though
I paused with my hand on the bell rope;
garrulity fitted him ill. In the morning,
even while I thought that the clang of the
we walked out to the point that stretched
bell might disturb Thraves, I saw that
like a finger into the sea, and from there
the rope had been cut a foot from the
looked across the bay to the ship-filled
floor.
harbor. The rain still blew down in
As I stood there, the stocking still held sheets, whipping across the face of the
in my hand, the sound of slow-moving sea, but that morning it was invigorating
footsteps came to my ears. I listened to stand under its force, and I lifted my
carefully; they seemed to come from be¬ face to its cool rush in a vain attempt to
low, from the hall on the first floor of clear my mind of the vague doubts and
the left wing. But Fenton had told me questions that clouded it. John wished to
that no one was allowed in the left wing go back to the house, and indeed, I saw
—perhaps it was Thraves still moving that he was in no physical condition to
about? Yes, as I remembered it now, withstand a storm of such vehemence.
Thraves’ old room had been in the left Reluctantly I went back to the dark neg¬
wing, at the end of the hall. The foot¬ lected house.
steps came in all likelihood from him. Later that morning, I mentioned to
I retired to the great oak bed at last, John the walking I had heard below me
and was just in the realm of semi-con¬ during the night, but he waved it aside.
sciousness which precedes sleep, when a "No, no, Park! Surely not! I went di¬
new sound smote upon my ears, disturb¬ rectly to bed.”
ing the rhythmic pounding of the sea in I said, "I’m sure I heard footsteps, and
the distance. It was the sound of even some one, I think, singing.”
chanting, and what it suggested was so He started, but recovered almost at
utterly remote from my surroundings, once. "You must have been dreaming,”
that I raised myself on my elbow to lis¬ he replied. "I remember that I got a
ten. It was indeed the sound of low book to read myself to sleep with,” he
chanting, coming faint, as if from a great added, "but there was certainly no other
distance. Yet I felt that it came from be¬ sound.” He looked at me sharply, watch¬
low, perhaps from the cellars below the ing my expression. I said nothing, though
old house. I had little time for specula¬ I could hardly contain myself. I had
tion, however; for the rhythm of the wanted to ask about the woman’s stock-
 IN THE LEFT WING 781

ing I had found, but I was glad now that more than a rambling discourse on the
I had asked first about the sounds from actuality of black magic, and numerous
below. But I meant to ask Fenton, if I contemporary cases of sorcery were cited
could find him. to bolster up the writer’s thesis. The
I did see him twice, but only once to second concerned a Florentine case of
speak to. And then I had time only for body-snatching, and was vaguely suggest¬
a brief question. "Tell me, Fenton, is ive of magical rites. The fact that this
there a woman in this house somewhere?" was marked convinced me of an idea I
His face remained impassive, but he had long before accepted—the loss of
said, "I am never allowed in the left Dorothea Keane’s body had upset my old
wing, sir.” friend’s mind, rather than her actual
He was gone again before I realized death.
that he had not answered my question,
I put the book aside for a moment to
that he had, indeed, deliberately hedged.
get up and close the; window, through
I did not attempt to follow him, to pur¬
which great gusts of rain were blowing;
sue my inquiry further, because Thraves
for the storm had reached the hook, and
was making an attempt to keep me with
thunderous crashes now sounded and re¬
him.
sounded. The waves, too, were booming
As the day wore on, it became steadily
against the coast with ever growing ve¬
more apparent to me that I was not a
hemence, and the vivid flashes of light¬
welcome guest, that my presence was dis¬
ning reflected on the walls of my room
tinctly not desired. At dinner that night,
despite the light from many candles.
Thraves, after some preliminary remarks
about the persistence of the wet weather, It was when I returned to my book
turned suddenly to me and said, "I’ve after this brief pause that I came upon the
put a book in your room with some third and longest of the passages marked.
marked passages that I want you to read. I found myself at once interested, and

Park." read as eagerly as my none too thorough

knowledge of Latin allowed me to; at
I said, "I was about to ask you for
something to read tonight.” best it was laborious reading. "The body
does not die when the soul departs," the
He lapsed into silence, and shortly
passage read, "and it is given to such as
after, I excused myself, pleading weari¬
we are to preserve ourselves if we desire
ness. He demurred a little, but finally
by magical means. Others, too, can be
assented to my going; he was obviously
preserved by us, but this is dangerous,
glad that I was going to bed.
for it is then our living energy that ani¬
A s i left the dining-room, the first
l distant rumblings of an approach¬
mates the dead. For animation can be
brought about, but the soul is gone for
ing thunderstorm echoed across the bay. ever. Remember this, and be not too
I found the book on the counterpane of urgent in matters such as these. A body
my bed. I took it up, and found that it must not be a week old, and yet it should
was a very old book in Latin; a glance at be--” Here came a group of words
a few lines told me instantly that it was which my limited knowledge could not
a book on black magic. I leafed through enable me to translate. I read on beyond:
it, hoping to find the passages Thraves "There are in the aether other souls, evil
had said he had marked. souls, which may take possession of the
The first of these passages was nothing animate bodies, and drain the life from
782 WEIRD TALES

those near. The task is fraught with ut¬ ward, I heard once more that weird gib¬
most terror and danger. . . bering scream, breaking into toe sound
For some time, as I read, there grew of Thraves’ voice, which was chanting
upon me the feeling that some subtle clearly in Latin. I moved forward, toward
change had come over the room. I looked the half-open door.
up, and sensed it immediately. There Though the chanting was clear now, I
was an odor of burning incense, an un¬ could not always distinguish the words
mistakable odor, which seemed to drift uttered by John Thraves’ deep voice, tense
toward me from under the door to the with passion and meaning. At intervals
hall. I heard low murmurings, sudden petu¬

I rose silently and opened the door; lant cries in what was unquestionably a
woman’s voice. Then abruptly there came
the scent in the hall was considerably
a shrill cry, and a sound as of some heavy
stronger. As I stood there in the partly
object falling. And again toe chanting,
opened doorway, there came intermittent¬
coming as if in great sobs.
ly to my ears, above the noise of the storm
I bent stealthily forward to look into
outside, the same chanting which I had
heard the night before, and again the the room, and in that instant two things

sound of shuffling footsteps in the hall happened—toe elements singled out toat
below. And then—another sound—a accursed house, striking it with a bolt of
lightning, and a sheet of flame shot into
weird gibbering noise, in a voice that was
the room into which I was looking—and
not John Thraves’! It rose in a long un¬
canny wail, and died again, a shrill petu¬
one instant before this happened, 1 saw
lant cry, like the scream of a marmoset.
into that room/
I stood frozen, for just as certainly as
that cry did not come from John Thraves,
H ow I got out of toe house, I do not
know. I have a vague recollection
it came from the throat of a woman! of staggering down the long passage in
I withdrew abruptly into my room. For the left wing, calling wildly to John
a moment I stood in perplexity; then I put Thraves, and coming to myself at last
my candle down, and went again into the outside, with toe rain beating down upon
dark hall. I crept quietly toward the back me, Fenton at my side, the house before
stairs from the floor below, up which the me a great holocaust of flame. John
heavy scent of the incense came. On the Thraves was nowhere to be seen, and
stairs, the sounds from below were louder, Fenton was running to and fro, calling
more dearly defined. I hesitated, remem¬ in a quavering voice to his master.
bering suddenly that Thraves had said I have tried since then to look back
to Fenton on the night of my arrival, upon the whole affair dispassionately, but
"Mind you go up the front way,” and I can not do it. I have tried to forget the
recalling that I had been kept carefully terrible evidence so unwittingly chron¬
away from the lower floor of the left icled in the newspapers a few days after,
wing. telling of the discovery of charred bones
Then I went forward again, creeping from two bodies in the ruins of the old
skrwly along. The shadowy hall below Thraves house, two bodies, one of which
came gradually into sight. From the door was undeniably a woman’s! I am happy
of Thraves’ room there came a wavering, because of one thing—those ghastly
shifting light, like the light of many can¬ books, those ancient volumes on black
dles, and as I stood there, looking down¬ magic, were destroyed in the holocaust!
 IN THE LEFT WING 783

It is, I think, the terrible memory of lost: "There are in the aether other souls,
what I saw in that room that will not let evil souls, which may take possession of
me rest, the memory that haunts me day the animate bodies, and drain the life
and night. It is doubly horrible, this from those near.”
memory, in the light of what had gone
But that is the least. If it were only
before that sight into John Thraves’ ac¬
that, and not that other memory! For as
cursed room. I remember always more
I looked into that incense-clouded room,
sharply Thraves’ wild letters, his vague
1 saw John Thraves prostrate on the poor,
and incoherent allusions to black magic,
his lips mumbling the low chanting l had
and death after life, and that damnable
heard, prostrate before a living, breathing
chapter on the animation of the dead in
creature, a hellish form draped in green,
that old book he had put into my room.
The fear-haunted face of John Thraves, limned against the black walls, its auburn
his gaunt, wasted body, his sad eyes, his hair flaming in the candlelight, an ac¬
pathetic mouth, he in that long black cursed living thing from the furthermost
scarlet-lined robe—this memory of him reaches of most evil cosmos, a creature
obsesses me always, suggesting so strong¬ with the form and face of the lovely
ly a terrible line in the book now forever Dorothea Keane!

Thing I Wish
By ALFRED I. TOOKE

This thing I wish! When Death shall come for me,

I would be buried ’neath a spreading tree.
I would not have my body coffin-bound.
In simple shroud let it be lightly wound,
And cradled gently, for its last, long sleep,
Where twining roots a kindly vigil keep.

Perchance the body that was mine shall be.

In time, a part of that far-spreading tree,
Where birds, to sing, or build their nests will come,
And bees amidst the nodding flowers will hum;
Where summer zephyrs, sweetly whispering low.
At play amongst the leaves will come and go;
Where lowing cattle, wandering up the glade,
Will pause a moment in the welcome shade.

This thing alone I ask. When Life is spent,

Cradle me so, and I shall be content.
 Vhe
0/iren of the Snakes
By ARLTON EAD1E

'A multitude of creeping things came out of the dark forest in a wave of hideous
gliding death—a thrill-tale of India

TTIVE for ever, O protector of the desolate mountains which form the north¬
I* poor! Salaam, O favored of Al¬ ern bulwarks of Hindustan is that they
lah! Art thou not my father and contain hunting-grounds which may be
my mother?” classed among the finest in the world.
One does not need to be long in com¬ Ibex, burrel, gazelles, chamois, and ante¬
mand of a Gurkha battalion, occupying lopes abound. Nor are the more formid¬
a frontier fort, before discovering that, able ferae naturae lacking; with patience
when a Himalayan hillman starts address¬ —and luck—one might get a shot at a
ing you in this strain, he intends to ask leopard or prowling tiger, and I at once
you to do him a favor. Knowing that in surmised that it was some such animal
the absence of the assistant commissioner that was causing the trouble. But it
1 was expected by the powers that be to turned out I was wrong.
act as judge, law-giver, policeman and
"It is not a tiger, sahib,” Ramzan
general adviser to all and sundry, I re¬
translated, after the man had replied to
signed myself to the inevitable and sum¬
my question. "He says it is a gigantic
moned the Gurkha bavildar to act as
python.”
interpreter. This man, Ramzan Mar by
name, possessed the gift of tongues in no "A python?—a man-eating python?”
small degree; there was not a hill-dialect I cried in amazement, my interest now
throughout the whole of Hindu-Koh of at fever-heat. Many were the stories I
which he did not have at least a working had heard of the terrible power possessed
knowledge. He possessed another gift by these huge reptiles, which, although
which, in a native, is even more rare and lacking the poison-fangs common to tire
precious—that of brevity. He ruthlessly majority of Indian snakes, are neverthe¬
divested the narrative of all those endless less as much dreaded as any viper or
repetitions and flowers of speech so dear cobra. They rely upon their immense
to the native heart, and presented me with power of muscular contraction to over¬
the gist as follows: come their prey, encircling the victim in
The man was a messenger from a tiny their deadly folds and crushing it to a
village situated among the foot-hills pulp before swallowing it whole. But I
about six miles to the east, and had "come had certainly never heard of an instance
before the sahib’s face” to solicit aid in where one had deliberately attacked a
putting a stop to the depredations of village, and I made no secret of the fact
some denizen of the surrounding jungles. that I was somewhat skeptical.
I can assure you that I grew interested When Ramzan translated my doubts
when Ramzan’s translation reached this to the man they evoked a perfect torrent
point. One of the compensations of of protestations, accompanied by abun¬
being quartered amid the somewhat dant excited gestures.
784 W. T.—4
 THE SIREN OF THE SNAKES 785

"The two fates came nearer, the

boy's flushed and puzzled, the
gfti’s p4e and triumphant.''

"What’s he getting annoyed about?” "That will do,” 1 interrupted, as i

I inquired. rose to my feet and made my way toward
"He says it is no ordinary snake, the quarters occupied by my second in
fAhijb," the Gurkha answered. "It is command.
a fiend—a devil—a beast of Satan—into Gordon Meldreuth was in years but
which the spirit of some long-dead witch litde more than a boy, having been
has entered. Nobody in the village is drafted to the regiment when he passed
safe from it. At first it attacked only oitt of Sandhurst a couple of years pre¬
the goats and sheep; but now it lies in viously. He was a handsome, likable
wait among the terraced rice-fields and young fellow and, having many tastes in
springs upon the women as they work. common, we had got on remarkably well
It enters the very huts. It-■’ together. He was as keen on big-game
W. T.—5
,786 WEIRD TALES

hunting as I was myself, and his face lit python lying in a deep nullah, or gorge,
up with pleasure when I explained the with high, precipitous banks partly
situation to him. clothed in long nurkal-gtass. So our
"Of course I shall be only too pleased forces were at once marshaled for the
to come with you, sir,” he cried, his eyes drive in the manner which Ramzan
roaming round the trophies of the chase thought best. While the small army of
with which his room was decorated; from beaters was proceeding to the head of
the leopardskin beneath his feet to the the nullah, Meldreuth and I set off on
magnificent markhor horns above the foot to take up a position on a rocky
mantelpiece. "I should like to add a promontory at the farther end, overlook¬
sizable python to the list of my con¬ ing a spot where the python would have
quests!” to pass. Scarcely had we arrived there,
Returning to the orderly-room, I was when there broke out a hideous chorus
able to send the messenger away happy of whoops, yells and whistles as the beat¬
with the assurance that on the morrow ers dashed into the other end of the
the two English sahibs would, Allah will¬ gorge like a pack of fox-hounds. I well
ing, effectually rid his village of the terror knew, however, that this ostentatious dis¬
which beset it. play of zeal resulted more from the pre¬
vailing idea that the greater row each
R amzan mar accompanied us when man made the less chance there would
be of the python coming near him, than
-we rode down the winding road
from the fort at daybreak the following from any eagerness in the pursuit.
morning, starting thus early in order to Nearer and nearer came the din, until
get the business over before the heat of it sounded but a hundred yards or so
the day began. from where we crouched with ready
The Nepalese mountaineers, from rifles. Then it became apparent that
whom the Gurkha regiments are recruit¬ Ramzan’s woodcraft was not at fault.
ed, bear the well-deserved reputation of The reed-like nurkal-grass round the edge
being as good shikarees as they are sol¬ of the little rocky clearing below was
diers—which is saying a good deal for gently parted and through it emerged
their abilities in the hunting line—and the flat, wicked-looking head of the
Ramzan was no exception to the rule. He python.
was a grave, taciturn man, short in stat¬ "Hold thy fire, sahib," whispered
ure as are all his race, and his squat Ramzan, who had appeared as silently
brown features would have undoubtedly as a ghost behind us. "Wait till he is
failed to win any but a consolation prize well out in the open.”
at a beauty show. But he was a perfect I nodded my head to show that I heard
cragsman, an excellent stalker and an his advice, and my finger took the "first
adept in woodcraft generally, being as pressure” on the trigger as the reptile
active and wary as a wildcat. On our began to emerge. It was in no hurry,
arrival at the village he at once set about however, in spite of the uproar behind it.
commandeering the services of all the An age seemed to pass before the entire
able-bodied inhabitants to assist as beaters length of its body became visible; but
in the chase. when it was fully revealed I could not
One of the villagers, who had been out help a slight gasp of astonishment es¬
early gathering wild honey, had seen the caping me.
 THE SIREN OF THE SNAKES 7$7

Never ip the whole course of my reptile had so (hanged its position that
Indian experience had I even so much as the sun was shining directly into our
heard tell of such a gigantic creature. eyes, making accurate sighting difficult.
The girth of the largest part of its body Whether it was due to this fact, or to the
must have been at least three feet and its feedings of exasperation at our first bun¬
length at least thirty. By those who gling, I know not. The only thing I am
have only seen a python in a cage at the certain of is that, so far as injuring the
Zoological Society’s Gardens, or a stuffed python wa? concerned, we might have
Specimen in a museum, it may perhaps been merely pelting him with pebbles.
be thought that the mosaic-like markings Fortunately for the chase, however, his
of brilliant orange, brown and blade progress was now over fairly open
would render it a conspicuous enough ground, so that we could catch an occa¬
object; but, actually, the very reverse is sional glimpse of his body as it wound
the case. As the creature wound its sinu¬ in and out amid the boulders. He seemed
ous .way among the small boulders and to be making directly toward a spot on
dumps of sun-dried grass, it harmonized the left bank of the nullah where the
admirably with the color of its surround¬ sheer limestone cliff rose in a kind of
ings. Those seemingly conspicuous black natural dome, at the base of which—in
stripes so pearly resembled the shadows spite of our efforts to head him off—he
cast by the stones and grass-stems that, at length disappeared.
had the python remained motionless, it "Sbabash! [bravo],” cried Ramzan,
would have been extremely difficult to pointing to the numerous well-defined
detect its presence. tracks among the beaten, grass, showing
But I had little time in which to ad¬ the trails were frequently used. "We
mire this example of nature’s protective have him now, sahib. This is his lair.”
coloring. The python was now in the As usual, the shikaree wasted but little
center of the little clearing—it seemed time in words. Drawing his kookerie—
almost impossible to miss. I took careful that heavy curved knife which is a
aim along the sights and gently squeezed characteristic part of the Gurkhas’ equip¬
the final pressure on my trigger. At the ment, and which they are in the habit
same moment Gordon Meldreuth fired. of using as much for domestic as for
That python seemed tp bear a charmed fighting purposes—he at once set to work
life! I saw the flash of my explosive bul¬ hacking away the undergrowth around
let as it impinged on the rocks a few the place where the python had gone to
inches from the creature’s head. Mel¬ earth. Presently he paused in his task
dreuth was using solid, but the sharp and beckoned me to approach.
thud of Iiis bullet on the stones, instead
of the unmistakable dull plop which it
makes on striking flesh, told the same
O ne glance was sufficient to show me
that the place where the python had
tale of an inglorious miss. taken refuge was no natural fissure in the
"Ne luggai [missed him],” whispered rode. The entrance was an arched door¬
Ramzan in a tone of bitter disappoint¬ way, richly decorated with native sculp¬
ment; then—"Quick, sahib! Shoot again tures, the weather-worn appearance of
before he is out of sight.” which seemed to indicate an extreme an¬
Once more our rifles spoke. But by tiquity. Immediately above the lintel was
this time the now thoroughly alarmed a large statue, which at first glance I
 WEIRD TALES

thought was supposed to represent a mer¬ appearance of determination as I could

maid. Closer inspection, however, con¬ assume.
vinced me that I was looking upon an The interior of the place was lit by a
idol of a Hindoo goddess, Naga-Kanya, dim half-light, which filtered through a
the Snake Princess, who, half snake, half creeper-grown aperture high up in one of
woman, is still worshipped by thousands the walls. Pausing a few seconds to
of devotees. allow my eyes to grow accustomed to the
"Why, this must be one of those old semi-obscurity, I advanced step by step,
cave-temples dedicated to the snake-god- my rifle held ready in my hands, search¬
dess, of which I have heard so much,” ing the shadows on either side for some
cried Gordon Meldreuth; adding with a sign of the python. I breathed more freely
laugh, "Well, Mister Python has certainly when I had arrived opposite the gap
sought sanctuary in an appropriate spot!” through which the light entered, for here
I noticed Ramzan’s eyes narrow sud¬ one could at least see the surrounding
denly at the words. As befits a true son objects with tolerable distinctness; and
of the prophet, he was accustomed to here, to my unbounded surprize, I per¬
profess a supreme contempt for every ceived evidence that at some period or
brand of superstition not orthodox to other the cavern must have been occupied
his own faith; although later on I had by a human being. A kind of rude couch
cause to suspect that he was not so in¬ of skins stood in one corner, together
different to the gods of the Hindoos as he with a few earthenware vessels of primi¬
affected to be. But the villagers them¬ tive manufacture.
selves made no secret of their feelings.
I had, however, but little time in which
They hung back, gathering into knots
to take in the full significance of these
and talking eagerly in low, awed tones, details, for at that moment I became
occasionally casting terrified glances at
aware of two small points of light shin¬
the statue over the cave-door. It was
ing amid the inky blackness of the farther
clear that the fact of the python seeking
end of the cavern. They were the eyes
refuge in the Temple of Naga-Kanya
of the python, intently watching my every
presented itself as no mere coincidence to movement!
their superstitious minds.

By this time1 the brushwood was

entirely cleared away from the entrance,
F or perhaps a full minute I stood
stock-still, gazing at those two specks
and Ramzan sheathed his kookerie and of greenish fire. Then—it may have been
looked inquiringly at me. my imagination, or merely the natural
Now, I do not mind admitting that effect of the straining of my own eyes in
had I been alone I should have given up the darkness, but it seemed as if those
the hunt there and then; for the prospect bright, watching eyes were getting larger
of seeking the python in its lair sent a —nearer—that the python was silently
tingling sensation down my spine merely writhing its way toward me as I stood.
to think of it. But I knew that the eyes Who has not heard of the hypnotic
of the whole crowd were upon me watch¬ effect of a snake’s direct gaze? Many
ing for the least sign of funk in the were the accounts I had heard of that
English sahib. There was nothing for it, strange, uncanny power—heard and dis¬
therefore, but to unsling my rifle and believed—but at that moment I was on
make toward the cave with such outward the point of receiving positive and practi-
 THE SIREN OF THE SNAKES 789

cal proof of the matter. I felt a sense gloom. In a flash Meldreuth had thrown
of mental numbness stealing over me; his rifle to his shoulder.
all danger seemed to be forgotten in a "Hold!” cried Ramzan Mar, suddenly
dreamy speculation as to what would knocking up his weapon so that it ex¬
happen next; all power of making effort ploded harmlessly in the air. "That is
seemed to be paralyzed. It appeared no python, sahib.”
that there was no other course open to
The shikaree?s quick sense of hearing
me but to wait there, silent, motionless,
had not deceived him. A second later,
for the inevitable.
to our unbounded amazement, there ad¬
Then some flicker of my fast-expiring vanced into the sunlight a young girl,
consciousness warned me of the peril slight, graceful and well-formed.
in which I stood—that unless I roused
So unexpected was her appearance that
myself and threw off the fatal lethargy,
for a space in which one might count a
I was lost. Blindly, mechanically—al¬ hundred nobody moved or spoke. We
most, I may say, unconsciously—I raised
stood—the beaters, Ramzan, Meldreuth
my rifle and let drive with both barrels.
and myself—like men suddenly frozen
Fortunately the distance which separated
into stone, staring at the girl as she slow¬
us was so short that a miss was impos¬
ly advanced toward us.
sible. The two points of fire were ex¬
She was not a native—or if she were
tinguished as though they had been
she belonged to a caste with which I was
snuffed out by an invisible hand, and the
unacquainted. Her skin was as light as
next instant the cave was filled with the
any European’s, and her features, framed
violent contortions of the reptile’s coils
in masses of waving black hair flowing
in their last death-throes.
loose on her shoulders, were of an almost
Scarcely had the smoke from the dou¬
classical regularity. In their flawless
ble discharge cleared away, when I saw
perfection they resembled more the ideal
another pair of eyes gleaming from the
sculptures of ancient Greece than a crea¬
opposite corner. Heavens! had I pen¬ ture of flesh and blood. Her tall, supple
etrated into a perfect nest of pythons? form was draped in the folds of a strange,
Even as the thought crossed my mind iridescent garment; formed, I subsequent¬
I was conscious of something brushing ly noted, out of the semi-transparent cast
across my cheek. Whether it was some skins of snakes, and over her rounded
large moth, or dark-loving bat disturbed bosom there fell a long necklace com¬
by the noise of my shots, I did not pause posed of the threaded teeth of the same
to consider. Without even waiting to reptile.
reload my rfle, I turned tail and—well, As we stood there, amazed and won¬
let us call it, "retreated with all speed." dering, there came a yell of terror from
"Two of them?” cried Gordon Mel- the beaters, and with one accord they
dreuth, when I had explained what had took to their heels, shouting out some
happened. unintelligible gibberish as they disap¬
I nodded. "I have accounted for one.” peared in the jungle.
"And the other is coming out now. "What are the fools shouting about?"
Listen!” he interrupted. Meldreuth asked, impatiently addressing
A slight, vague noise was approaching Ramzan Mar.
toward the mouth of the cavern, and "They say that this maiden is Naga
something appeared indistinctly in the Kanya, the goddess of the snakes—she
790 WEIRD TALES

who crushes the life out of mortal men spurs, while broad fields of virgin snow
with her embrace or poisons them with filled the head of the main valley. To the
her kiss, O sahib,” the Gurkha answered. right, so near that the wind drifted the
Although the man endeayored to infuse spray across the angles of the narrow,
into his reply some of his customary con¬ winding path leading up to the gate of
tempt, I could see by the expression on the fort, there fell from above a foaming
his usually impassive face that his mind torrent which, roaring sullenly below,
was not entirely at ease. filled the valley with its deep, never-
But Gordon Meldreuth only laughed ending resonance. Farther down, the
aloud. steep mountainsides were dark with vast
"The fools fear that she will crush tracks of somber-hued deodar forests tent
them in her embrace, do they?” he cried, here and there by long lines of uprooted
his eyes fixed on the graceful figure be¬ and splintered trees, masses of earth-
fore him. Then he laughed again. "Well, soiled snow and debris marking the course
one might die a far less pleasant death of ayalanches which had swept from the
than that!” towering heights above.
They were words spoken light-heart¬ Such was the prospect spread out before
edly and in jest; words which were prob¬ me as I leaned over the stone parapet of
ably forgotten by him almost as soon as the fort, smoking and musing over the
they had left his lips. But they were events of the day. We had returned to
words which, in the light of after-events,
the fort about nightfall, the mysterious
were destined to remain inscribed on my girl accompanying us. I had been de¬
mind with letters of fire, like a warning sirous of leaving her at the village in the
written by the prophetic finger of fate. foot-hills; but when we called there on
our way back, the inhabitants resolutely
IOHT—an Indian night.
refused to allow her to enter, finally
Not the windless, stifling night
backing up their refusal with volleys of
of the Plains, which seems but a brief
stones and curses.
spell of heat-laden darkness between two
baking days, but a night amid the upper "Take the snake-witch from our doors,
slopes of the Himalayas; where the wind, O sahib," they had shouted. "Are we
cooled oyer miles of glaciers, fills the weary of our lives that we should give
lungs with its icy," exhilarating breath. shelter to Naga-Kanya, the daughter of
The moon had just topped the crests of death and destruction? Take her hence,
the distant crags rising along the ridge Q sahib, or we will surely slay her.”
of eternal snow, and was lighting up such After that there was no alternative but
a sublimely grand prospect of fell, forest to lodge her in the fort until I could baye
and flood as could hardly be surpassed her sent under escort: down the Rotang
the world over. Our fort was set on a Pass to Sultanpur, where she would be
broad, jutting spur of rock commanding in safe and kindly hands at the mission-
the pass below. On either side the home.
mountains rose in rugged precipices, Who was this girl? Where did she
rocky amphitheaters, and gigantic but¬ come from? By what train of extraor¬
tresses toward the naked peaks which dinary circumstances had she been enabled
stood out in grand yet awful magnificence to enter, unharmed, into that python-
against the silvery sky. Glaciers lay in haunted temple of the snake-goddess?
the hollows between some of the higher Meldreuth and I had discussed these
 THE SIREN OF THE SNAKES 791

questions over dinner without arriving at I half turned and, under pretense of
any satisfactory solution. Nor could the knocking the ash from my cigar, flashed
Gurkha sergeant Ramzan Mar enlighten a quick look into the young officer’s face.
us. He had questioned her in every one There had been such a wealth of wistful
of the hill dialects without eliciting the tenderness in his voice as he uttered the
least sign of understanding. As to the sibilant accents of her strange name—a
language which she herself spoke, Ram¬ name which somehow vaguely suggested
zan emphatically called upon Allah and the hissing of a snake—that the suspicion
the Prophet to witness that he had never which had been forming in my mind for
before heard it spoken. One word she the past few hours now flashed into sud¬
had repeated many times, "Vasantasena,” den certainty. My impressionable young
at the same time pointing to herself. This, subaltern had fallen in love with this
we assumed, was her name; for when we jungle girl!
uttered the strange sibilant syllables she "Yes,” I repeated, this time in a tone
would nod and smile as though pleased. of grim conviction. "It certainly is best
At the same time I noted that her smiles that she should leave here.”
were sunniest when it was the young and
If he noticed the irony of my utterance
handsome Gordon Meldreuth who spoke
he gave no sign. For awhile he remained
her name. She seemed to attach herself
silently gazing at the distant moonlit
to him as a matter of course; for such a
peaks; then he passed his hand wearily
grizzled old veteran as myself she had
across his forehead and laughed un¬
scarcely a second glance.
steadily.
A quick step on the concrete flagging "I’m not subject to nerves, sir, as you
know”—he spoke with that constrained
of the courtyard roused me from my
revery. It was Gordon Meldreuth. As awkwardness of a man imparting a con¬
he came toward me, carrying his topee fidence of which he is half ashamed—
in his hand, as though to let the cool night "but tonight I have an unaccountable
breeze play on his uncovered head, the foreboding of coming calamity. If we
moonlight fell full upon his face. Maybe were on the verge of a big push I could
the cold white rays deceived my eyes, but understand the feeling. But all is quiet
it seemed to me as if his features were as on the frontier—yet death seems to hover
colorless as marble and that his usually in the very air.”
bright eyes were dull and troubled. I was now staring at the man in genu¬
"I’ve warned the men who are to form ine astonishment. Had I not seen him
the escort tomorrow, sir,” he reported. dozens of times under heavy fire, and had
".When do they parade?” I not known him for one of the coolest
"At daybreak,” I answered. "We officers under my command, I should have
at least owe it to the girl to get her as thought he was suffering from funk—
soon as possible to a place where she will which was absurd. Yet here he was
be well looked after by sympathetic per¬ talking about "forebodings” like any
sons of her own sex. Then it may be nervous schoolgirl. He must have guessed
discovered who she is and where she what was passing in my mind, for:
comes from.” "I know it sounds like so much abso¬
"Yes,” Meldreuth said, after a long lute rot, sir,” he said with a laughing
pause. "Perhaps it will be best. Poor shrug, "but the feeling is there all the
Vasantasena!” same. I wouldn’t have spoken of it, only
792 WEIRD TAXES

we’ve been something more to each other the path which led up to the fort jo which
than mere messroom acquaintances, and— we stood.
if anything should happen to me—I want "Guard . . . turn out! Bugler, sound
you to look after”—again his voice grew ’Fall in’/’
softer as he uttered the name—"Vasan- Meldreuth rapped out the orders smart¬
tasena.” ly. There was no hint of nervousness
"Of course I’ll do my best for the girl," about him now. In spite of his recent talk
I rejoined, somewhat impatiently. 'But about premonitions, here, in the face of
what is likely to happen to you? The hill actual danger, he was ice-cool.
tribes are quiet. What danger-” "Machine-gunners—to your emplace¬
"Hullo! What’s up with the sentry?” ments. . . . Rifles, line the parapet.
Meldreuth broke in suddenly with the Bombers, make ready! . . . Point-blank
words as he pointed to the Gurkha on range—independent firing. Take your
guard. The man had come to a halt at own time, men, and let ’em have it hot.
the farther angle of the parapet, and Rapid . . . load!”
although he had not challenged, was look¬ For one brief second there sounded the
ing intently at something directly below. faint metallic clicking as the cartridge-
In a moment we had hurried to his side. clips were pressed into the magazines
"What is it, sentry?” I asked. and the breech-bolts thrust home. The
next instant the peaceful stillness of the
T he man straightened up, came to the valley gave place to a pandemonium of
hell. The fort had only two small guns
slope, and saluted before he an¬
swered: belonging to a mule battery, but what we
“A snake, sahib. There—on the path lacked in artillery was amply made up
below. And there is another—and for in small arms and bombs. The quick
another! By Allah! every snake in the rattle of the rifles; the sustained whirring
mountains hath come at the call of that of the machine-guns; the sharp bade of
accursed witch-girl!” the little nine-pounders; the dull thudding
Extraordinary as the assertion sounded, explosions of die Mills’ bombs—all com¬
it certainly seemed as if it were true. The bined to make up a devil’s harmony diffi¬
rays of the full moon lit up the landscape cult indeed to surpass.
below until it appeared like a model Such was the mass of reptiles wedged
carved in shimmering silver. By its in the gorge below that every shot must
light, almost as clear as day, we beheld a have told. But their numbers seemed
terrifying sight. From the dark forests of endless. As fast as one rank of the mass
deodar-cedar, from the boulders lining was blown into writhing fragments,
the zigzag path to the fort, from the another advanced to take its place. The
thickets of grass and reeds bordering the litde white path was now blade with the
rushing stream — from every scrap of reptiles, living and dead. But in spite of
cover, it seemed—there emerged an ever- the appalling hail of lead showered upon
increasing multitude of creeping things. k, that nightmare host crept nearer and
Huge pythons, hooded cobras, slender ever nearer to the gate of the fort.
whip-snakes, deadly puff-adders—every "Steady, men. Keep cool and fire low.
poisonous and loathsome thing that crawls Gunners, concentrate on the head of the
was here—all forming one wave of column.”
hideous gliding death—all converging to And so the conflict went on; and a more
 THE SIREN OF THE SNAKES 793

fierce or fantastic one was never waged on his—until at last their lips were pressed
this planet—and probably never will be. together in a lingering, passionate kiss.
"Sahib—Meldreuth sahib!" "Bismallah! The snakes are at the
So engrossed had I been in the scene gate!”
before me that I had all this time scarcely The frenzied shout from the parapet
given a thought to the girl Vasantasena. caused me to turn my eyes. It was true.
But as these words fell on my ear, uttered About the one slender barrier which stood
in a soft whisper, the memory of the between the teeming horde and ourselves
strange circumstances under which we had there was piled a mass of reptiles—I heard
found her rushed back to my mind. I the timbers creak and groan beneath their
remembered the superstitious awe in weight. Bombs were useless now—they
which the natives held her—her dress of would only serve to blow in our own de¬
pythons’ skins—her home in the den— fenses. I shouted the order for the rifles
and the horde of snakes which now beset to take up their position on the towers
us. Small wonder was it that my brain flanking the gate, and began to lead the
was in a confused whirl as I turned round way. But I had not taken a couple of
at the sound of her voice, speaking, for strides before a terrible cry, coming from
the first time, intelligible words. behind, caused me to stop dead.

T he jungle girl was standing immedi¬

ately in the rear of the firing-line.
Gordon Meldreuth was still on the
same spot where I had last seen him, but
instead of being in the embrace of Vasan¬
Her hair was unloosened, flowing about tasena he was now struggling in the coils
her breast and shoulders and showing up of an immense python!
their gleaming whiteness against its raven Heaven alone knows by what means it
hue. Her eyes were shining with excite¬ had gained access to the fort; nor was
ment; her lips parted in a smile—it there time even to consider such a mat¬
seemed of triumph. Her lissom form was ter. With the rapidity of a whirling whip¬
swaying, undulating, like some graceful lash, the rest of the creature’s body
palm shaken in the wind—or like some wrapped itself round his legs, throwing
serpent about to strike. . . . him to the ground.
"Meldreuth sahib,” again she uttered Even in the brief second that I stood
his name; and yet again: "Meldreuth!” fumbling with the flap of my revolver-
I saw the boy turn and for a space look holster I saw the terrible coils contract,
into her deep, compelling eyes; standing and heard the sound—such as I never
like a man fascinated—entranced. Then wish to hear again—as the bone-crushing
he took a step forward and caught the pressure was exerted.
swaying figure in his arms. Revolver in hand, I dashed forward.
'There is no danger-” he began: But Ramzan Mar was readier than I.
but his voice died away and a look of He appeared as if by magic by the side of
wonder came into his face. For her slen¬ the pair in that devil’s embrace, and
der white arms had enfolded themselves raised his rifle until it almost touched the
about his nedc; her lithe body pressed reptile’s head. Then came a sudden flash
dose to his. Nearer and nearer came the of fire—a sharp report—and the hideous
two faces—the boy’s flushed, half puz¬ head disappeared—blown into space by
zled; the girl’s pale, coldly triumphant— die near discharge.
her eyes never for an instant quitting Snatching a kookerie from the belt of
[794 WEIRD TALES

the nearest man, I assisted Ramzan in must have contrived to lower herself over
hacking asunder the still palpitating coils the wall of the fort, and so escape.”
of the python, until at last we had poor The grim old shikaree did not answer
Meldreuth free. But one glance into his at once. Instead, he stooped slowly and
face was enough to tell me that he was raised from the ground some tattered
doomed. fragments of snakeskin, such as composed
For a few seconds I stood, half dazed, the dress of Vasantasena. Stooping
looking down at the pitiful wreck of what, again, he disentangled a string of blood¬
a few minutes before, had been a man full stained objects—the necklace which she
of life and the desire to live. Then a was accustomed to wear—and held it
sudden thought came to me. aloft.
"Where is Vasantasena?” I asked of "The snake-girl changed back into her
Ramzan. natural form even as she held the captain-
"There, O sahib," the man answered, sahib in her arms,” he asserted solemnly.
pointing with his reddened blade to the "Of a truth, sahib, she was indeed—Naga-
faintly moving fragments of the python. Kanya, the queen of all the snakes. That
"TTiere?” I repeated, aghast, as the sin¬ is why they attacked the fort. Her sub¬
ister import of his words came home to jects came at her command—and at her
me. "There? Are you mad, havildar?" death they depart! Look, sahib!"
Ramzan shrugged grimly. The Gurkha pointed over the parapet
"At least she is not within the fort, as he spoke.
sahib," he declared. Not a living creature remained in the
"You talk like a child—not a man!” I pass below. But at the farther end of the
cried roughly, trying to fight down the gorge toward the foot-hills and jungles of
ghastly conviction which was taking hold the plains, a dark, undulating mass was
of my mind. "If the girl is not here she slowly fading out of sight.

^ 3rain-Eaters
:
By FRANK BELKNAP LONG, JR.

A shuddery tale about the dead men who sat in the boat, and a weird horror
from four-dimensional space

S TEPHEN WILLIAMSON, anthro¬

pologist and archeologist, stood at
distinctly visible. They sat immobile, in
grotesque attitudes, and when William¬
the rail of the Morning Star and son hailed them they made no response.
watched the dim gray shape of the Williamson craned forward over the rail,
long boat shed its hazy indistinctness as studying them intently out of bloodshot
the sun penetrated the fog and threw eyes. Then, suddenly, his body went
ruddy curlicues athwart the gleaming tense, and a cold horror descended upon
gunwales. From where Williamson was him. He turned abruptly, cupping his
standing the occupants of the boat were hands, and shouted out a frantic warning
 THE BRAIN-EATERS m

to the first mate, who was standing rather its contents. It was drifting aimlessly ip
nonchalantly amidships with bis hands a long swell, its rudder askew and trail¬
thrust deep into his trousers pockets- ing sea-moss, its oarlocks sodden with
"Keep away from her! Ease her off! caked salt and a darker, more disturbing
For God’s sake-” ingredient that looked, from a distance,
"What’s that?” The mate strode to like caked blood. The mate gripped Wil¬
the rail and glanced anxiously over the liamson’s arm. "They’ve been dead for
side. But from where he was standing weeks,” he muttered, hoarsely. "Everyman
the boat was not visible. He was obliged of ’em. They’re nothin’ more than skel¬
to repeat his query to Williamson, who etons.” He spat to conceal his emotion.
occupied, for the moment, the position "Every man of ’em. God, Steve-”
of ship’s guardian. Below in his cabin "Look there!” Williamson had raised
the captain was raving impotently, his his arm and was pointing exdtedly at the
Brain unhinged by liquor and fever. tallest of the seven skeletons.
"What did you say, Steve?” The mate grew dizzy with horror. A
"I said—stay clear of her!” choking, gurgling sound issued from his
"Why?” throat, and his hand tightened on his
"Cholera, I think. Anyhow, it’s awful! companion’s arm till the latter cried out
A death-trap. Keep dear of her.” in shrill protest. "Steady, Jim.” Then,
In a moment the mate was by Stephen’s after a pause, "It was cannihalism. Noth¬
side, staring with horror at the boat and ing else. But I can understand it, Jim. If
796 WEIRD TALES

the poor devils were insane, crazed-” Stephen decisively. "I want to know
"But his head," the mate protested hys¬ precisely what happened. It’s utterly
terically. "They couldn’t eat that. Why ghastly, but I’ve got to know.”
did they cut off his head?”
The headless man sat bolt upright in
the boat. He was clothed in stained gray
T hirty minutes later a decidedly ill
scientist crossed the deck of the
trousers of woolen texture and a coarse Morning Star in a strangely indirect fash¬
seaman’s shirt of alternating black and ion; crossed the deck in a semi-daze and
white stripes open to the waist. His feet gripped the rail till his knuckles showed
were bare and sun-scorched. One arm, white. For a moment he stood watching
severed at the wrist, dangled forlornly a Portuguese man-of-war scudding over
from beside the oarlocks, rising and fall¬ the oily sea, his gaze remaining riveted
ing with the slow oily swell. The other on the weirdly beautiful polyp till it dis¬
was outstretched, as though it had been appeared in the purple haze fringing the
endeavoring, at the instant of death, to horizon. Then, abruptly, he wheeled and
ward off the attack of something malign met the inquisitorial scrutiny of the mate.
and unspeakable. On several parts of the "Well?”
hairy, exposed chest were dark and omi¬ "I told Harris to put—sew sheets on
nous stains. The muscles of the torso the bodies,” said Stephen in a cold and
stood out so rigidly in the half-light that lifeless voice. "The least we can do is
they were discernible at a distance of give them a decent burial.”
fifty feet. The mate shivered. "I hope we can
But despite his mutilations and imper¬ get it over with soon. A crew of dead
fections the headless man was easily the men don’t suit my fancy. If the captain
most commanding figure in the boat. The should see ’em—in his condition, you
other occupants were pitiable in the ex¬ know, it wouldn’t be pleasant. I told
treme. They sprawled against the gun¬ Simpson to keep watch on the old man.”
wales in attitudes of abject despair—mere "I’m more concerned about the crew,”
husks of flabby skin over protruding said Stephen slowly. "They’ve been whis¬
bones, with skull-like faces and rigid, im¬ pering and muttering ever since we
mobile arms. The sea had had its way brought the bodies aboard. Frightened
with them. They were not merely dead; blue, I guess. I don’t know as I blame
they were beginning, slowly, to blacken them. If they could see this diary”—
and shrivel and putrefy. Stephen tapped his pocket significantly—
"It isn’t cholera,” said Stephen grimly. "they might—run amuck. To tell you
The mate nodded. "You’re right, I the truth, Jim, it’s got me frightened. I
guess.” His voice sounded hollow and don’t know what to think.”
unfamiliar even to his own ears. The The mate moistened his lips with the
strangeness of its timbre appalled him. tip of his tongue. "It’s crazy gibberish,
He glanced almost hysterically at his Steve,” he muttered. "They went through
companion. How, he wondered, could hell, apparently, and it’s my guess this
the man remain so cool? He had hitherto fellow Henderson cracked up under the
been so emotional, so easily upset. Yet strain. Bein’ an officer and a gentleman
now, somehow, the scientist in him was —well, any one could see he was only a
rising to the occasion, was astonishing frightened kid. I don’t think I ever saw
the mate by his assurance and poise. a man’s face so drawn and despairful-
"We may as well lower a boat,” said lookin’,”
 THE BRAIN-EATERS 797

Stephen removed a weather-stained write, that I can remain so observant, so

memorandum book from his pocket and calm? It may be that I have lost all capac¬
began nervously to finger the pages. ity to suffer. We have passed into a
"There are things here, Jim,” he said, strange world—an alien and utterly in¬
“that you can’t argue away. Descriptions, comprehensible world which makes the
details. I’m convinced those men en¬ fears and agonies of common life seem
countered something appalling. No curiously impersonal and remote.
thirst-crazed lunatic could have been so "We have abandoned all hope of a
devilishly, inhumanly logical. Hender¬ possible rescue. Nothing can save us
son remained courageously cool-headed from them. It is amazing how complete¬
to the very last. This entry shows what ly I have resigned myself to the inevita¬
stuff the kid was made of.” ble. Three days ago we were as confident
Stephen had opened the book, and as as the devil. Why, we actually jested
the mate stared silently down into the when the Mary O’Brien went down. Red
almost motionless sea he began, slowly, Taylor called it a natty dive. She went
to read: down bow first. It was an enormously
impressive spectacle. The water about
I Hhey want our brains. Last night her was a white maelstrom for fully five
A one of them got in touch with me. minutes.
It laid its cool face against my forehead " 'It’s only a few miles to the coast,’ I
and spoke to me. I could understand told them, 'and we’ve enough water to
everything it said. A terrible death last a fortnight. We’ll row in relays.’
awaits us if we do not obey them implic¬ "They are aquat and slimy, with long
itly. They want Thomas. We are to gelatinous arms and hideous, bat-like
make no attempt to thwart or resist them faces. But I have reason to suspect they
when they come for him. can change their form at will. For hours
"Later.—They came for Thomas last our ears were assailed by a horrible, mad¬
night. They did not take all of him. He dening droning, and then—we saw them.
is sitting before me now. I can see his We saw them glistening in the moon¬
broad shoulders and back as I write. They light. All about us the sea was carpeted
are limned very terribly against the glare with their luminous, malignant faces.
of the sunset, and they obtrude with a There was nothing we could do. We
terrible vividness. His presence is a per¬ were helpless—stunned.
petual horror, but we dare not throw him "They are not animals. They are in¬
overboard. They would not approve. dued with a cold, unearthly intelligence.
"I am perfectly sane. The horror has We have drifted into strange waters.
not dulled in any way my perception of Our compass revolves so maddeningly
the visible realities about me. I know that it is useless as a guide. I have a
that I am adrift in the Pacific, fifty miles theory — incredible, fantastic — which
perhaps off the coast of Salvador, and would account for all that has occurred,
that I am compelled to endure the pres¬ but I dare not confide it to the others.
ence of a headless corpse and five cow¬ They would not understand. They are
ardly fools who gibber and moan like convinced, even now, that the things are
baboons merely because they lack guts fantastic fishes. They do not know that
and haven’t sufficient water. My own I have communicated with them. They
stoicism bewilders and amazes me. Why did not see me last night when I left the
is it that my hand does not tremble as I boat and went with them into the abyss.
 WEIRD TALES

They were deceived by the presence of sion of the three-dimensional world. The
my physical body, which remained with existence of these creatures confirms the
them in the boat. They did not suspect wildest speculations of theosophists and
that I had descended into the dark, cold mystics, who have persistently maintained
abyss. that man is not the only intelligent in¬
'They were strangely reticent. They habitant of the globe—that there are
merely confided to me that they wanted other worlds impinging on ours. Above
Thomas’ brain. They feed, it seems, on the familiar seas of the world are imposed
human brains, and of all our brains other invisible seas inhabited by strange
Thomas' is the most finely organized. It and hideous shapes utterly unlike any¬
is compact, imaginative, sensitive. He is thing with which we are familiar. There
a semi-illiterate A. B. S., but his brain is not one Pacific Ocean merely. Occupy¬
is first-rate. What interests them primar¬ ing the same space in mother dimension
ily is not so much the culture or cultiva¬ are invisible Pacifies inhabited by strange
tion which a brain has acquired, but sim¬ shapes with hidden, malevolent powers.
ply its naked intelligence. They experi¬ We have, unaccountably, sailed into one
ence strange, vivid new emotions and of these invisible worlds. We have
sensations when they feed on unspoiled passed from the coast of Salvador to the
human brains. But they do not really seacoast of an alien world.
eat our brains. Rather, they suck, absorb "It is a very terrible world. Its deni¬
them. They wrap themselves tightly zens are more malignant than vampires.
about human heads, and suck out the con¬ They raven on the brains of lost travellers
tents of the cranium through the eyes from the three-dimensional Pacific.
and nostrils. "I had fallen asleep from sheer ex¬
They do not always carry away the haustion when they came for me and
heads which they desire to use in this compelled me to follow them down
fashion. Occasionally they merely ex¬ through the blue depths to their strange,
tract the brain while the victim is asleep. blue-litten city on the sea’s floor.
In such cases the poor wretch is certain "My body remained in the boat, but
to awake a raving maniac. Sightless— my brain was with them at the bottom
and a maniac. The other way is more of the sea. They can separate the brain
merciful. I am glad that they severed temporarily from the body without any
Thomas’ head and took it away. The physical sundering. They were careful
presence of his body is a horror and a to explain to me why I should not share
madness—but it is reassuring to know the fate of Thomas. They need me. I
that he has ceased to suffer. The men have been enjoined to guard Thomas’
are showing the effects of the torture. body—to keep the others from throwing
Brett has been whimpering pitifully for it into the sea.
hours and Lang is as helpless as an in¬ "Another ship has passed into this
fant. They want to throw Thomas’ body Strange and hideous world. On it there
into the sea, but I won’t give my consent. is a brain which they covet—an extraor¬
"They live at the bottom of the sea dinary brain—the brain of a scientist and
and are not a part of our familiar world. poet. They desire to absorb it, and they
They inhabit another dimension. By desire to absorb it while it is aflame with
some ghastly and inexplicable mischance curiosity and maddened by fright. When
we have passed into another dimension they can absorb a highly evolved brain
of space. We have passed into an exten¬ that is keyed up to a pitch of wild ex-
 THE BRAIN-EATERS (799

citement they experience the most intense is carpeted with leering, malignant faces.
ecstasy and rapture. So peculiarly are The others see them, too. Brett is cring¬
they constituted that they are capable of ing and whining and foaming at the
deriving the most piercing pleasure from mouth like an epileptic, and Adams has
highly evolved, highly inflamed cerebral collapsed against the gunwale. Blood
tissue. In our world rare or alien mani¬ is trickling from his nose and his eyes
festations of energy like radium, cosmic are drawn inward. His face is a mask—
rays and things of that kind react most a corpse-mask. There is nothing we can
violently on terrestrial organisms and it do or say. We sit lifelessly by the oars
is very conceivable that in this other and stare at Thomas’ ghastly body, which
world animal tissue—especially such has become a mockery, a menace. I have
highly evolved tissue as one finds in resigned all hope-”
human brains—reacts with a similar in¬
tensity upon the alien body-substances of
these creatures.
W illiamson closed the book and
glanced anxiously at the man be¬
"The scientist—the man who is com¬ side him. "Wouldn’t you say, Jim, that
ing—has a brain which excites them im¬ there was something behind it?”
measurably. They are determined to Jim looked exceedingly ill. "I don’t
frighten and inflame it, and they think know. It’s all so very queer—uncanny.
that if its possessor encounters Thomas If there’s any truth in it it’s your brain
sitting upright in the boat, headless and they’re after.”
ghastly, it will become a rare delicacy Williamson nodded. "I’ll tell you
and afford them the most exquisite rap¬ what I’m going to do, Jim. I’m going
ture. They have asked me to help them to sleep on deck tonight. I’ll bring up
and I dare not refuse. But I can at least my cot and sleep here. I’ll feel safer,
record what I know and suspect in this somehow, on deck.”
book, and if he is not a blind fool he will
The mate lowered his head. "I’d do
strive to escape.
that,” he said, simply.
"I fear, though, that he is lost—hope¬ It was after midnight when William¬
lessly and irremediably lost. son awoke and sat up. The moonlight
"Like us he has in some mysterious lay in bright, luminous stripes on his cot
way passed into another world. The ship and the wet planks of the deck. The
which bears him has been drawn—sucked lifeboats stood out boldly in the silver
into some great vacuum or vent in three- light, and from where he lay three huge
dimensional space and is now in an ut¬ water-barrels and a great pile of tarred
terly alien world. A black and abysmal rope were plainly visible. At first Wil¬
world. Nothing on earth can save him. liamson saw only these dim, familiar
His naked intelligence, perhaps—but shapes; the water-barrels, the rope, the
nothing on earth. The brain-eaters will lifeboats swaying reassuringly in the
not spare him. wind. Then, slowly, he became aware
“They will fasten upon his skull and of something dark and cumbersome,
drain it dry. His eyes will be drawn from something opaque that obscured his vis¬
their sockets, and his brain will melt and ion and concealed a portion of the second
dissolve like tallow in the sun. Their barrel, something that made a pie-shaped
moist, dark mouths- dent in the pile of cordage. He rubbed
"I am very ill. The ocean about me his eyes; slowly, at first, then violently,
800 WEIRD TALES

hysterically. A dark shape was dinging eyes. He had endured with agonized
to the heavy netting above his bed- fortitude the sight of its drooling, bat-

For a moment he stared at it in stark like mouth, and the odor <of putrefaction,
the sea-stench which surged from it; and
bewilderment. Then a great horror came
even the fetid, fleshless hands with their
upon him and he shrank back against
long luminous Angers had not incited
the pillows. It was clinging to the netting
and moving backward and forward like him to complete surrender. But its eyes
held a threat which could not be evaded
a great, slow-moving beetle. It was a
moving blot, concealing the stars—a fetid or endured. He did not want them to

dark blot against the spectral moon. come any closer. If the bands broke
through and the eyes came closer-
Nausea welled up within him. He
It was better to surrender unreservedly
started to rise, and then, suddenly, grew
to the hands. So he raised himself on
sick with terror incalculable. The strength
his elbow and bared his throat. It was a
ebbed from his limbs and his mind re¬
full minute before he perceived that be
fused to function. He lay supine upon had been mistaken and that the hands
the coarse sheets, too stricken to move or were not seeking his throat.
cry out. The thing was slowly changing
They were busily engaged in recover¬
its shape. It was assuming a more defi¬
ing from the wet deck a large, round ob¬
nite .contour, was waxing more malignant ject of disturbingly familiar appearance.
and agile. Stephen’s eyes followed it
The thing had evidently been compelled
helplessly as it moved up and down the
to lay this object down for a moment in
netting. It'was acquiring sight. It was
order to facilitate its ascent to the netting
acquiring the loathsome capacity to re¬
above Williamson’s bed, and it was now
turn his stare. Two luminous spots intent on recovering its gruesome trophy.
glowed malevolently down at him from Slowly, deliberately, it raised the object
its crawling bulk.
in its terribly thin arms, caressing and
It was globular, and wet. From its fondling it, holding it very close, fpr a
dark sac-like body dependedeight squirm¬ moment, to its moist and bulbous mouth.
ing tentacles. Or were they limbs? It was And in that same instant a hideous dron¬
impossible to be certain. They were so ing, that was like the thrum of huge
maddeningly weaving and indistinct, at engines in some vast and reverberant
one moment swelling in girth, and then power-plant, smote menacingly on Wil¬
becoming so incredibly wire-like that they liamson's ear. It was not the droning,
seemed to merge with the mesh of the however, which drove Williamson shriek¬
netting which sustained them. But that ing from the bed and across the deck in
the arms ended in thin, daw-like hands a straight dash toward the rail. It was
be did not for a moment doubt. The something much more unendurable than
hands were too constantly visible, too any sound on earth.
patently sinister. They f umhled with the It was the sight of a face, blue-cheeked
netting, as though seeking to draw it and tortured, with matted red beard and
apart. white, pupilless eyes—a face distraught,
He managed, somehow, to rise upon yet immobile—a face that grimaced and
his elbows, to extend, invitingly, his ex¬ glowered, and yet remained strangely,
posed throat. It was not death he feared. alarmingly impassive—the face of a dead
It was the torture, the suspense. He could man, the face of a corpse. There were
no longer bear to look into the horror’s dark stains above the temples, and the
W.T.—5
 THE BRAIN-EATERS 801

matted hair and beard were clotted with he shrieked. "Too many of them! All
blood. The head was neckless—unat¬ about the ship! I'm going!”
tached. It seemed to float upon the air. He started to climb upon the rail; and
In reality, however, it was being held then, suddenly, his foot slipped and he
very firmly in the terribly thin arms of went down with a thud. When he raised
something that wanted Williamson’s himself again to a sitting posture he was
brain, that wanted to do to Williamson holding something dark and round be¬
what it had done to the object it was so tween his hands and gibbering insanely.
proudly exhibiting. It was displaying the "No top to it! No top at all!” he
object unashamedly to Williamson be¬ screamed. "The brain-pan’s gone! All
cause it wanted to terrify him—to appall sucked dry—nothing inside! Oh my
and terrify him utterly. It wanted to God!”
drive Williamson mad with fright so Two strong hands descended upon the
that it could fasten on his inflamed brain mate’s shoulders and abruptly, ruthlessly,
and drain it dry. he was pushed aside. A tall form in wet,
glistening slicker took his place upon the

T he mate, standing unsteadily upon

the bridge, was alive to William¬
bridge. The mate’s eyes widened bewil-
deringly. "Captain Sayers,” he muttered.
"Captain Sayers-”
son’s peril. He had watched the scientist
But the captain ignored him. He was
awake from a troubled sleep and had
shouting out commands at the top of his
seen the dark shape moving backward
bursting lungs. "Put every stitch on her,”
and forward above the latter’s head. He
he shouted. "Jump lively there!”
had also observed, with an actual physical
Part of the crew had emerged from the
retching, the round dark object on the
hatches and were running rapidly back¬
deck, before the horror had reclaimed it.
ward and forward in response to the cap¬
He was an imaginative man, and his
tain’s orders. After a moment he turned
brain, at that moment, was as agitated
to the gasping mate. "We’ll get out of
as the one which the horror coveted. But
this. Do as I say, and we’ll get out of
a mighty wave of fury against the thing
this. I know what’s happened. We’re
that had come up from the sea blotted
in the wrong dimension. I was in it once
die fright from his mind. The barrel
before—years ago. Nothing to fear—if
of the rifle in his hand glowed like a long
you'll do as I say. I know how to steer
blue taper in the moonlight. Slowly,
her. Five tacks to the right, a twist to
with an almost hysterical deliberation, he
the left and we’ll be out of it. I know.
raised the weapon to his shoulder and
I’ve been in touch with them for years.
took aim.
I’m psychic.”
The horror screeched twice shrilly as "Mad,” groaned the mate. "Stark,
the bullet plowed through its dark body. raving mad!”
It fell from the netting, twisted itself into The captain had left the mate’s side
a ball and rolled diagonally toward the and was running frantically toward the
scuppers. As it passed over the deck it wheel. "Keep them at it!” he shouted
left a thin blue trail of phosphorescent over his shoulder. "Tell them to square
slime on the wet planks. Williamson away. Can’t put too much sail on her.
turned from the rail, against which he Can’t put too much—do you hear?”
had been clinging, and raised a stricken The mate nodded. "Worth tryin’,” he
face toward the bridge, "It’s no use,” muttered to himself. "Follow him im-
W. T.—6
802 WEIRD TALES

plicitly. Nothin’ to lose. He’s in touch tain,” he said. "Nothing else could have
•with ’em, maybe. Crazy people are saved us. It was an heroic decision. The
psychic. They know things we don’t.” captain knew, I am convinced. Men whom
He raised his voice. "For God’s sake, the world calls insane—sick people, luna¬
men, be quick. Do as the captain says. tics—are often en rapport with the invisi¬
It’s our only chance.” ble, the hidden. The fourth dimension is
There ensued a race with destruction. an open book to them. They see things
The great ship hove to and trembled which are hidden from us. And the cap¬
ominously, every sail on her taut with tain knew."
the breeze, while from the ocean there The mate nodded. "I’m glad that they
arose a screeching and a droning such as didn’t take your brain, old fellow. It’s too
no sane man could endure with fortitude. valuable an instrument. Aside”—he added
The mate felt his reason tottering, even with an ironic smile—"aside from friend¬
as the reason of the captain had departed, ship, I’m glad. You can go on with your
even as the mind of poor Williamson work now. You can get all that dope on
had succumbed—poor Williamson, who the Mayas you missed last trip.”
squatted hopelessly on the deck, his right "I’ll not write about the Mayas,” said
hand supporting a horror of horrors, and Stephen decisively. "I’ve much more im¬
his face a distorted mask in the spectral portant information to convey. My next
light. book will deal with—with them"
But eventually they won through. The The mate scowled. “No one will be¬
ship, under the captain’s guidance, veered lieve you.”
strangely on the dark waters. It veered "Perhaps not. But I’m determined to
about and rose on a mountainous swell, put that horror on paper. Some one, some¬
and even as the captain shouted orders where, may read it and understand.”
into the attentive ear of the frightened The mate shook his head. "You’ll
helmsman the droning and screeching di¬ lose caste. Your scientific friends will
minished in volume. One by one the gibe and jeer at you.”
hideous luminous faces faded from the Stephen’s face set in grim lines. "Let
luminous seas. The wind went down, and them jeer,” he muttered. "The knowl¬
the ship floated serenely on a three- edge that I’m in the right will sustain
dimensional ocean-. me.” He drew himself up. "God, but
it was a great experience. It nearly did
F our hours later the sun came up over for me, but I know, now, that the world
isn’t the pretty little affair we’ve always
the coastal hills and flooded the ocean
with a saffron light. Williamson, serene thought it. Out beyond are whetters of
and at peace, stood silently by the rail and cosmic appetites. I’ve a cosmic appetite,
gazed with gratitude at the prone form Jim. I like to venture and explore. Per¬
of Captain Sayers. The captain lay asleep haps, some day, they’ll get my brain, but
on the bed which the scientist had va¬ in the meantime-”
cated on the previous night under cir¬ The mate smiled sympathetically. "I
cumstances which the mate could not bear can guess how it is,” he said. "There ain’t
to recall. But Williamson was the cour¬ any sailor this side of the Horn wouldn’t
ageous one now. He dared to recall them. understand. You’re always hankerin’ for
He gripped the mate’s arm and smiled what lies just around the comer.”
wanly. "Or on the dark side of the moon,”
"I’m glad you decided to obey the cap¬ amended Stephen, with a wistful smile.
 ^2)evir Bride
By SEABURY QUINN

/4 thrill-tale of murder, human sacrifice, and the infamous Black Mass—a

story of devil-worship

The Story Thus Far little Frenchman discovered traces of a

yellow powder which, he explained to
EAUTIFUL Alice Hume vanished
Trowbridge, was bidala-gu>ai, the "little
during the final rehearsal for her
wedding in the presence of her death” used by the natives of the French
fiance and a group of friends including Congo to produce temporary paralysis.
her mother, her family physician. Doctor Alice, he declared, had been abducted
while the wedding party was rendered
Samuel Trowbridge, and Trowbridge’s ec¬
unconscious by bulala-givai.
centric associate, the French physician-de¬
tective, Doctor Jules de Grandin. The De Grandin also believed that the dis-
Thisi Story began in WEIRD TAXES for February.
80S
£id4 WEIRD TALES

appearance was connected with a girdle breakfast tray upon the tabouret and
of tanned human skin that Alice had looked at us in quick concern. "Mother
worn. The girl told him that the belt —there’s nothing wrong, is there? She’s
was known as "the luck of the Humes” not ill? Oh-”
and had been in the family a long time. "My child,” de Grandin answered soft¬
He found a concealed document in the ly, "your dear mother never will again be
family Bible, written by Alice’s ancestor, ill. You shall see her, certainly; but not
David Hume, and relating how he had until God’s great tomorrow dawns. She
been sold as a slave to the devil-worship¬
ping Yezidees, had rescued the daughter "Not—not dead?” the word was
of their chief from becoming the "bride formed, rather than spoken, by the girl's
of Satan,” had married her, and later pale lips.
brought her to America. The little Frenchman nodded slowly.
Despite a sentence in the old manu¬ "When? How?”
script warning Hume’s descendants that "The night you—you went away, ma
an attempt might some time be made to pauvre. It was murder.”
"bring home” one of the daughters of "Murder?” slowly, unbelievingly, she
his line, Alice’s mother refused to admit repeated. "But that can’t be! Who’d
any connection between the Yezidees leg¬ want to murder my poor mother?”
end and her daughter’s disappearance.
De Grandin’s voice was level, almost
But that very night Mrs. Hume was found
toneless. "The same unconscionable
murdered by a strangling-cord in her own
knaves who stole you from the marriage
boudoir. altar,” he returned. "They either feared
De Grandin, joined by Inspector Ren-
she knew too much of family history—
ouard of the French secret service, and
knew something of the origin of David
Baron Ingraham, known as "Hiji”, of
Hume—or else they wished all earthly
the British secret service, raid the devil-
ties you had with home and kindred to
worshippers during a performance of the
be severed. At any rate, they killed her.
infamous Black Mass, rescue Alice Hume,
They did it subtly, in such manner that
kill one of the priests of the cult and
it was thought suicide; but it was mur¬
capture another. .
der, none the less.”
"O-oh!” The girl’s faint moan was
18. Reunion pitiful, hopeless. "Then I’m all alone;
I OOKING very charming and demure in all, all alone—I’ve no one in the world
J a suit of Jules de Grandin’s lavender
pajamas and his violet-sik dressing-gown, "You have your fiance, the good young
Alice Hume lay upon the chaise-lounge Monsieur Jean,” the Frenchman told her
in the bedroom, toying with a grapefruit softly. "You also have Friend Trow¬
and poached egg. "If you’d send for bridge, as good and staunch a friend as
Mother, please,” she told us, "I’d feel so ever was; then there is Jules de Grandin.
much better. You see”—her voice shook We shall not fail you in your need, my
slightly and a look of horror flickered in small one.”
her eyes—"you see there are some things For a moment she regarded us dis¬
I want to tell her—some advice I’d like to tractedly, then suddenly put forth her
get—before you let John see me, and— hands, one to Jules de Grandin, one to
why, what’s the matter?” She put the me, "Oh, good, kind friends,” she whis-
 THE DEVIL’S BRIDE 805

pered, "please help me, if you can. God less reproductions of small boys, and
knows I am in need of help, if ever though they went through all the horrid
woman was, for I’m as foul a murderess rite of murder, they let no blood, they did
as ever suffered death; I was accessory to perform no killings. No; certainly not.”
those little children’s murders—I was— Jules de Grandin, physician, soldier and
oh—what was it that the lepers used to policeman, was lying like the gallant
cry? 'Unclean? Oh, God, I am unclean, gentleman he was, and lying most con¬
unclean—not fit to breathe the air with vincingly.
decent men! Not fit to marry John! How "But I heard their screams—I heard
could 1 bring children into the world? I them call for help, then strangle in their
who have been accessory to the murder of blood!” the girl protested.
those little innocents?” She clenched
"All an illusion, ma chere,” the little
her little hands to fists and beat them on
Frenchman answered. "It was a veritri-
her breast, her tear-filled eyes turned up¬
loquial trick. At the conclusion of the
ward as though petitioning pardon for
ceremony the good Trowbridge and I
unpardonable sin. "Unclean, unclean!”
would have sworn we heard a terrible,
she wailed. Her breath came slowly, like
thick voice conversing with the priest upon
that of a dumb animal which resents the
the altar; that also was a juggler’s trick,
senseless persistency of pain.
intended to impress the congregation.
"What is it that you say? A murder¬
Non, ma chere, your conscience need not
ess—you?” de Grandin shot back short-
trouble you at all; you are no accessory to
ty- a murder. As to the rest, it was no fault
"Yes—■/. I lay there on their altar of yours: you were their prisoner and the
while they brought those little boys and helpless slave of wicked drugs; what you
cut their—oh, I didn’t want to do it; I did was done with the body, not the soul.
didn’t want them to be killed; but I lay There is no reason why you should not
there just the same and let them do it—• wed, I tell you.”
I never raised a finger to prevent it!”
She looked at him with tear-dimmed
De Grandin took a deep breath. "You eyes. Though she had mastered her first
are mistaken, Mademoiselle,” he answered excess of emotion, her slender fingers
softly. "You were in a drugged condi¬ clasped and unclasped nervously and she
tion; the victim of a vicious Oriental returned his steady gaze with something
drug. In that all-helpless state one sees of the vague, half-believing apprehension
visions, unpleasant visions, like the fig¬ of a child. "You’re sure?” she asked.
ments of a naughty dream. There were
"Sure?” he echoed. "To be sure I am
no little boys; no murders were commit¬
sure, Mademoiselle. Remember, if you
ted while you lay thus upon the Devil’s
please, I am Jules de Grandin; I do not
altar. It was a seeming, an illusion,
make mistakes.
staged for the edification of those wicked
"Come, calm yourself. Monsieur Jean
men and women who made their prayer
will be here at any moment; then-”
to Satan. In the olden days, when such
things were, they sacrificed small boys He broke off, closing his eyes and
upon the altar of the Devil, but this is standing in complete silence. Then he put
now; even those who are far gone in sin his fingers to his pursed lips and from
would halt at such abominations. They them plucked a kiss and tossed it upward
were but waxen simulacra, mute, sense¬ toward the ceiling. "Mon Dieu,” he mur-
806 WEIRD TALES

mured rapturously, "la passion delicieuse, "Beside the silver stream we played to¬
is it not magnificent?” gether; we lay beneath the poplar trees';
we rowed upon the river; we waded bare¬
“Alice! Alice, beloved-” Young
foot in the shallows. Yes, and when we
-ticDavisson’s voice faltered as he
finished wading she plucked cherries, red,
rushed into the room and took the girl into
ripe cherries from the trees,, and twined
his arms. "When they told me that they’d
their stems about her toes, and gave me
found you at last, I could hardly believe—
her white feet to kiss. I ate the cherries
I knew they were doing everything,
from her feet and kissed her toes, one kiss
but-” Again his speech halted for
for every cherry, one cherry for each kiss.
very pressure of emotion.
And when we said bonne nuit—mon
"Oh, my dear!” Alice took his face be¬
Dieu, to kiss and cling and shudder in
tween her palms and looked into his wor¬ such ecstasy once more!
shipping eyes. "My dear, you’ve come to
"Alas, my several times great grand-
me again, but-” She turned from
sire, he whose honored name I bore, had
him, and fresh, hot tears lay upon her
cut and hacked his way through raging
lashes.
Paris on the night of August 24 in 1572
"No buts, Mademoiselle!” de Grandin
—how long his bones have turned to
almost shouted. "Remember what I said.
ashes in the family tomb!—while her an¬
Take Love when he comes to you, my little
cestors had worn the white brassard and
friends; oh, do not make excuses to turn
cross, crying 'Messe ou mort! A bas les
him out of doors—hell waits for those
Huguenots!' ”
who do so! There is no obstacle to your
union, believe me when I say so. Take He paused a moment and raised his
my advice and have the good cure come shoulders in a shrug of resignation. "It
here this very day, I beg you!” might not be,” he ended sadly. "Her
Both Davisson and Alice looked at him father would have none of me; my fam¬
amazed, for he was fairly shaking with ily forbade the thought of marriage. I
emotion. He waved a hand impatiently. might have joined her in her faith, but I
"Do not look so, make no account of was filled with scientific nonsense which
doubts or fears or feelings of unworthi¬ derided old beliefs; she might have left
ness!” he almost raged. "Behold me, if the teachings of her forebears and accept¬
you please; an empty shell, a soulless shad¬ ed my ideas, but twenty generations of be¬
ow of a man, a being with no aim in life, lief weigh heavily upon the shoulders of
no home nor fireside to bid him welcome a single fragile girl. To save my soul she
when he has returned from duty! Is that forfeited all claim upon my body; if she
the way to live? Mille fois non, I shall might not have me for husband she’d have
say nob but- no mortal man, so she professed religion.
“I let Love pass me by, my friends, and She joined the silent Carmelites, the Car¬
have regretted it but once, and that once melites who never speak except in prayer,
all my aimless, empty life. Ecoutez-moi! and the last fond word I had from her
In the springtime of our youth we met, was that she would pray ceaselessly for
sweet Heloise and I, beside the River my salvation.
Loire. I was a student at the Sorbonne, "Helas, those little feet so much adored
my military service yet to come; she— —how many weary steps of needless pen¬
Cher Dieu, she was an angel out of Para¬ ance have they taken since that day so
dise! long ago! How fruitless life has been to
 THE DEVIL’S BRIDE 807

me since my own stubbornness closed the "Eh? What the deuce?” I shot back.
door on happiness! Oh, do not wait, my "What’s the trouble, Sergeant?”
friends! Take the Love the good God "A chopper, sor.”
gives, and hold it tight against your hearts "A what?”
—it will not come a second time! "Machine-gun, sor. Hornsby an’ me
"Come, Friend Trowbridge,” he com¬ wuz standin’ be th’ corner o’ Thirty-
manded me, "let use leave them in their fourth an’ Tunlaw Streets half an hour
happiness. What have we, who clasped back, when a car comes past like th’ ham¬
Love’s hand in ours long years ago, and mers o’ hell, an’ they let us have a dose
saw the purple shadow of his smile grow o’ bullets as they passed. Pore Hornsby
black with dull futility, to do with them? got ’is first off—went down full o’ lead as
Nothing, pardieu! Come, let us take a a Christmas puddin’ is o’ plums, sor—but
drink.” I’m just messed up a little. Nawthin’
We poured the ruby brandy into wide¬ but a bad ar-rm an’ a punctured back,
mouthed goblets, for de Grandin liked to praise th’ Lord!”
scent its rich bouquet before he drank. I "Good heavens!” I exclaimed. "Have
studied him covertly as he raised his you any idea who-”
glass. Somehow, the confession he had "I have that, sor; I seen ’im plain as I
made seemed strangely pitiful. I’d known see you—as I would be seein’ ye if ye wuz
him for five years, nearly always gay, al¬ here, I mean, sor, an’-•”
ways nonchalant, boastfully self-confident, "Yes?” I urged as he paused a mo¬
quick, brave and reckless, ever a favorite ment and a swallow sounded audibly
with women, always studiously gallant, across the wire.
but ever holding himself aloof, though "Yes, sor. I seen ’im, an’ there’s no
more than one fair charmer had deliber¬ mistake about it. It were th’ felly you an’
ately paid court to him. At last I under¬ Doctor de Grandin turned over to me to
stood—or thought I did. Jules de Gran¬ hold fer murther last night. I seen ’im
din was rather too complex to admit of plain as day; there’s no mistakin’ that
easy understanding. there map o’ hisn.”
"To you, my friend,” he pledged me. "Good Lord, then he did escape!”
"To you, and friendship, and brave deeds "No, sir; he didn’t. He’s locked up
of adventure, and last of all to Death, the tight in his cell at headquarters this min¬
last sweet friend who flings the door back ute, waitin’ arraignment fer murther!”
from our prison, for-”
The clamoring telephone cut short his 19. The Lightning-Bolts of Justice
toast.
"Mercy Hospital,” a crisp feminine
voice announced as I picked up the instru¬
T hat evening Alice suffered from se¬
vere headaches and shortly afterward
ment. "Will you and Doctor de Grandin with sharp abdominal pains. Though a
come at once? Detective Sergeant Cos¬ careful examination disclosed neither en¬
tello wants to see you just as soon as—oh, larged tonsils nor any evidence of me¬
wait a minute, they’ve plugged a ’phone chanical stoppage, the sensation of a ball
through from his room.” rising in her throat plagued her almost
"Hullo, Doctor Trowbridge, sor,” Cos¬ ceaselessly; when she attempted to cross
tello's salutation came across the wire a the room her knees buckled under her as
moment later. "They like to got me, sor though they had been the boneless joints
—in broad daylight, tgra.” of a rag-doll.
 WEIRD TALES

Jules de Grandin pursed his lips, shook had been canceled, a simple service in the
his head and tweaked the needle-ends of chapel of St. Chrysostom's being substi¬
his mustache disconsolately. "L’hysterie,” tuted. Pending the nuptials Alice took
he murmured. "It might have been fore¬ up residence at the Hotel Carteret, declar¬
seen. The emotional and moral shock the ing that she could not think of lodging
poor one has been through is enough to at my house, warm as was my invitation.
shatter any nerves. Helas, I fear the wed¬
ding may not be so soon, Friend Trow¬ “A ll has been finished,” de Grandin
bridge. The experience of marriage is a •iV told me jubilantly as he, Renouard
trying one to any woman—the readjust¬ and Ingraham accompanied me from the
ment of her mode of life, the blending of station. '"Hie justice of New Jersey, of
her personality with another’s—it is a which you speak so proudly; she has more
strain. No, she is in no condition to than justified herself. Oh, yes.”
essay it.” "Eh?” I demanded.
Amazingly, he brightened, his small Renouard and Ingraham chuckled.
eyes gleaming as with sudden inspiration. "They gave it to him,” the Englishman
"Parbleu, I have it!” he exclaimed. "She, explained.
Monsieur Jean and you, mon vieux, shall "In the throat—the neck, I should re¬
take a trip. I would suggest the Riviera, mark,” Renouard supplied, wrestling
were it not that I desire isolation for you bravely with the idiom.
all until—no matter. Your practise is "The party will be held tomorrow
not so pressing that it can not be assumed night,” de Grandin finished.
by your estimable colleague, Doctor “Who—what—whatever are you fel¬
Phillips; and Mademoiselle Alice will lows saying?” I queried. "What party
most certainly improve more quickly if d’ye mean, and-”
you accompany her as personal physician. "Grigor Bazarov,” de Grandin an¬
You will go? Say that you will, my swered with another laugh, "the youthful¬
friend; a very great much depends on it!” bodied one with the aged, evil face; the
Reluctantly, I consented, and for six wicked one who celebrated the Black
weeks Alice, John Davisson and I toured Mass. He is to die tomorrow night. Yes,
the Caribbean, saw devastated Martinique, parbleu, he dies for murder!”
the birthplace of the Empress Josephine, "But-”
drank Haitian coffee fresh from the plan¬ "Patience, mon vieux, and I shall tell
tation, investigated the sights and sounds you all. You do recall how we—Mon¬
and, most especially, the smells of Pana¬ sieur Hiji, Renouard and I—did appre¬
ma and Colon, finally passed some time at hend him on the night we rescued Ma¬
the Jockey Club and Sloppy Joe’s in Ha- demoiselle Alice? Of course. Very well.
bana. It was a well and sun-tanned Alice "You know how we conspired that he
who debarked with us and caught the should be tried for a murder which he did
noon train out of Hoboken. not perpetrate, because we could not
Arrangements for the wedding were charge him with his many other crimes?
perfected while we cruised beneath the Very good. So it was.
Southern Cross. The old Hume house "When we had packed you off with
would be done over and serve the bride Monsieur Jean and his so charming fian¬
and groom for home, and in view of Al¬ cee, your testimony could not serve to
ice’s bereavement the formal ceremony save him. No, we had the game all 1$
 THE DEVIL S BRIDE 809

ourselves, and how nobly we did swear journalistic calling was engraved indel¬
his life away! Mordieu, when they heard ibly upon their faces, and despite their
how artistically we committed perjury, I efforts to appear at ease it took no second
damn think Ananias and Sapphira hung glance to see their nerves were taut to
their heads and curled up like two an¬ the snapping-point; for even seasoned
chovies for very jealousy! The jury al¬ journalists react to death—and here was
most wept when we described his shame¬ death, stark and grim as anything to be
ful crime. It took them only twenty found in dissecting-rooms.
minutes to decide his fate. And so to¬ "The chair,” a heavy piece of oaken
morrow night he gives his life in expi¬ furniture, stood near the farther wall,
ation for those little boys he sacrificed raised one low step above the tiled floor
upon the Devil’s altar and for the dread¬ of the chamber, a brilliant light suspend¬
ful death he brought upon poor Abigail. ed from the ceiling just above it, casting
"Me, I am clever, my friend. I have its pitiless spotlight upon the center of
drawn upon the wires of political influ¬ the tragic stage. The warden and a doc¬
ence, and we shall all have seats within tor, stethoscope swung round his neck as
the death house when he goes to meet the though it were a badge of office, stood
lightning-bolt of Jersey justice. Yes, cer¬ near the chair, conversing in low tones;
tainly; of course.” the lank cadaverous electrician whose
"You mean we’re to witness the execu¬ duty was to send the lethal current
tion?" through the condemned man’s body,
stood in a tiny akove like a doorless tel¬
"Mats out; et puis. Did I not swear he
ephone booth slightly behind and to the
should pay through the nose when he
left of the chair. A screen obscured a
slew that little helpless lad upon the Dev¬
doorway leading from the room, but as
il’s altar? But certainly. And now, by
we took our seats in front I caught a fleet¬
damn, he shall learn that Jules de Gran-
ing glimpse of a white-enameled wheeled
din does not swear untruly—unless he
bier, a white sheet lying neatly folded on
wishes to. Unquestionably.”
it. Beyond, I knew, the surgeon and the

D eftly, like men accustomed to their

autopsy table were in readiness when the
prison doctor had announced his verdict.
task, the state policemen patted all
The big young Englishman went pale
our pockets. The pistols my companions
beneath his tropic tan as he surveyed the
wore were passed unquestioned, for only
place; Renouard’s square jaw set suddenly
cameras were taboo within the execution
beneath his bristling square-cut beard; de
chamber.
Grandin’s small, bright eyes roved quickly
"All right, you can go in,” the ser¬ round the room, taking stock of the few
geant told us when the troopers had com¬ articles of furniture; then, involuntarily,
pleted their examination, and we filed his hand flew upward to tease the tightly
down a dimly lighted corridor behind the waxed hairs of his mustache to a sharper
prison guard. point. These three, veterans of police
The death room was as bright as any routine, all more than once participants in
clinic’s surgery, immaculate white tile re¬ executions, were fidgeting beneath the
flecting brilliant incandescent bulbs’ hard strain of waiting. As for me—if I came
rays. Behind a barricade of white-enam¬ through without the aid of smelling-salts,
eled wood on benches which reminded me I felt I should be lucky.
of pews, sat several young men whose A light tap sounded on the varnished
810 WEIRD TALES

door communicating with the death cells. wrists, his ankles, waist. A leather hel¬
A soft, half-timid sort of tap it was, such met like a football player’s was clamped
as that a person unaccustomed to commer¬ upon his head, almost totally obscuring
cial life might give before attempting to his pale, deep-wrinkled face.
enter an office.
There was no clergyman attending.
The tap was not repeated. Silently, on Grigor Bazarov was faithful to his com¬
well-oiled hinges, the door swung back, pact with the Devil, even unto death. His
and a quartet halted on the threshold. To pale lips moved: "God is folly and cow¬
right and left were prison guards; between ardice. God is tyranny and misery. God
them stood the Red Priest arrayed in open is evil. To me, then, Lucifer!” he mur¬
shirt and loose black trousers, list slip¬ mured in a singsong chant.
pers on his feet. As he came to a halt I
The prison doctor stood before the
saw that the right leg of the trousers had
chair, notebook in hand, pencil poised.
been slit up to the knee and flapped gro¬
The prisoner was breathing quickly, his
tesquely round his ankle. The guards be¬
shoulders fluttering with forced respira¬
side him held his elbows lightly, and
tion. A deep, inhaling gulp, a quick,
another guard brought up the rear.
exhaling gasp—the shoulders slanted for¬
Pale, calm, erect, the condemned man
ward.
betrayed no agitation, save by a sudden
So did the doctor’s pencil, as though he
violent quivering of the eyelids, this, per¬
wrote. The thin-faced executioner, his
haps, being due to the sudden flood of
light in which he found himself. His quiet eyes upon the doctor’s hands,
reached upward. There was a crunching
great, sad eyes roved quickly round the
of levers, a sudden whir, a whine, and the
room, not timorously, but curiously,
finally coming to rest upon de Grandin. criminal’s body started forward, lurching
upward as though he sought to rise and
Then for an instant a flash showed in
burst from the restraining straps. As much
them, a lambent flash which died as quick¬
as we could see of his pale face grew
ly as it came.
crimson, like the face of one who holds
Quickly the short march to the chair
his breath too long. The bony, claw-like
began. Abreast of us, the prisoner
hands were taut upon the chair arms, like
wrenched from his escorts, cleared the
those of a patient in the dentist’s chair
space between de* Grandin and himself
when the drill bites deeply.
in one long leap, bent forward and spat
into the little Frenchman’s face. A long, eternal moment of this pos¬
Without a word or cry of protest the ture, then the sound of grating metal as
prison guards leaped on him, pinioned the switches were withdrawn, and the
his elbows to his sides and rushed him at straining body in the chair sank limply
a staggering run across the short space to back, as though in muscular reaction to
the chair. fatigue.

De Grandin drew a linen kerchief from Once more the doctor’s pencil tilted for¬
his cuff and calmly wiped the spittle from ward, again the whirring whine, again the
his cheek. "Eh bien,” he murmured, "it body started up, tense, strained, all but
seems the snake can spit, though justice bursting through the broad, strong straps
has withdrawn his fangs, n’est-ce-pas?” which bound it to the chair. The right
The prison warders knew their work. hand writhed and turned, thumb and fore¬
Straps were buckled round the prisoner’s finger meeting tip to tip, as though to
 THE DEVILS BRIDE 811

take a pinch of snuff. Then absolute flac- MAGNATE'S MENAGERIE ON RAMPAGE

tidity as the current was shut off. Beasts on Karmany Estate Break Cages and Pur¬
The prison doctor put his book aside sue Intruder—Animals’ Disappearance a Mystery.
and stepped up to the chair. For some¬ I read aloud at his request.
thing like a minute the main tube of his "Early this morning keepers at the private zoo
questing stethoscope explored the red¬ maintained by Winthrop Karmany, well known re¬
tired Wali Street operator, at his palatial estate
dened chest exposed as he put back the near Raritan, were aroused by a disturbance among
prisoner’s open shirt, then: the animals. Karmany is said to have the finest, as
well as what is probably the largest, collection of
"I pronounce this man dead.” Siberian white wolves in captivity, and it was
"Mon Dieu,” exclaimed Renouard. among these beasts the disturbance occurred.
"John Noles, 45, and Edgar Black, 30, care¬
"For God’s sake!” Ingraham muttered takers on the Karmany estate, hastily left their
thickly. quarters to ascertain the cause of the noise which
they heard coming from the wolves' dens about
I remained silent as the white-garbed 3:30 a. m. Rumming through the dark to the dens,
orderlies took the limp form from the they were in time to see what they took to be a
man enveloped in a long, Bark cloak, running at
chair, wrapped it quickly in a sheet and great speed toward the brick v’all surrounding the
trundled it away on the wheeled bier to animals’ enclosure. They also noticed several
wolves in hot pursuit of the intruder. Both de¬
the waiting autopsy table. clare that though the wolves had been howling
“I say,” suggested Ingraham shakily, and baying noisily a few minutes before, they ran
without so much as a growl as they pursued the
"suppose he ain’t quite dead? It didn’t mysterious visitor.
seem to me-” "Arriving at the den the men were amazed to
find the cage doors swinging open, their heavy
"Tiens, he will be thoroughly defunct locks evidently forced with a crowbar, and all but
when the surgeons’ work is done,” de three of the savage animals at large.
“The strange intruder, with the wolves in close
Grandin told him calmly. "It was most
pursuit, was seen by Noles and Black to vault the
interesting, was it not?” surrounding wall, but all had disappeared in the
His small eyes hardened as he saw the darkness when the keepers reached the barrier;
Citizens in the vicinity of the Karmany estate are
sick look on our faces. "Ah bah, you have warned to be on the lookout for the beasts, for
the sympathy for him?” he asked almost though they had been in confinement several years
and consequently have lost much of their native
accusingly. "For why? Were they not savagery, it is feared that unless they are speedily
more merciful to him than he was to those recaptured or voluntarily find their way back to
their dens, they may revert to their original ferocity
helpless little boys he killed, those little when they become hungry. Livestock may suffer
boys whose throats he slit—or that poor from their depredations, and if they keep together
and hunt in a pack even human beings are in dan¬
woman whom he crucified? I damn think ger, for all the beasts are unusually large and would,
yes!” make dangerous antagonists.
“This morning at daylight a posse of farmers,
20. The Wolf-Master headed by members of the state constabulary, was
combing the woods and fields in search of the
IENS, my friends, I damn think missing animals, but though every spot where
wolves might be likely to congregate was visited,
there is devilment afoot!” de Gran¬ no trace of them was found. No one can be found
din told us as we were indulging in a final who admits seeing any sign of the runaway wolves,
nor have any losses of domestic animals been re¬
cup of coffee in the breakfast room some ported to the authorities.
mornings later. "The manner in which the wolf pack seems to
have vanished completely, as well as the identity
"But no!” Renouard expostulated. of the man in black seen by the two keepers, and
"But yes!” his confrere insisted. the reason which may have actuated him in visit¬
ing the Karmany menagerie are puzzling both the
"Read it, my friend,” he commanded, keepers and authorities. It has been intimated that
passing a folded copy of The Journal the breaking of the cages may have been the vagary
of a disordered mind. Certain insane persons have
across the table to me. To Ingraham an almost uncontrollable aversion to the sight of
and Renouard he ordered: "Listen; lis¬ caged animals, and it is suggested an escaped luna¬
tic may have blundered into the Karmany zoo as
ten and become astonished!” he fled from confinement. If this is so it is quite
812 WEIRD TALES

possible that, seeing the confined beasts, he was "He stole her—he and his damned
suddenly seized with an insane desire to liberate
them, and consequently forced the locks of their wolves!”
cages. The released animals seem to have been "Wolves? I say!” barked Ingraham.
ungrateful, however, for both Noles and Black de¬
clare the mysterious man was obviously running "Grand Dieu—wolves!” Renouard ex¬
for his life while the wolves pursued him in silent
claimed.
and ferocious determination. However, since no
trace of the body has been found, nor any report "A-a-ah—wolves? I begin to see the
of a man badly mauled by wolves made in the outlines of the scheme,” de Grandin an¬
locality, it is supposed the unidentified man man¬
aged to escape. Meanwhile, the whereabouts of swered calmly. "I might have feared as
the wolf pack is causing much concern about the much.
countryside.
"Karmany is at present occupying his southern "Begin at the beginning, if you please,
place at Winter Haven, Fla., and all attempts to Monsieur, and tell us everything that hap¬
reach him have been unsuccessful at the time this
issue goes to press.” pened. Do not leave out an incident,
however trivial it may seem; in cases such
"H’m; it’s possible,” I murmured as I
as this there are no trifles. Begin, com¬
put the paper down.
mence; we listen.”
"Absolutely,” Ingraham agreed.
"Of course; certainly,” Renouard con¬ Young Davisson exhaled a deep, half¬
sobbing breath and turned his pale face
curred.
from de Grandin to Renouard, then back
"Undoubtlessly,” de Grandin nodded,
again.
then, abruptly:
"We—Alice and I—went riding this
"What is?”
morning as we always do,” he answered.
"Why—er—a lunatic might have
"The horses were brought round at half¬
done it,” I returned. "Cases of zo¬
past six, and we rode out the Albemarle
ophilia-” Pike toward Boonesburg. We must have
"And of zoofiddlesticks!” the little gone about ten miles when we turned off
Frenchman interrupted. "This was no the highway into a dirt road. It’s easier
insanatic’s vagary, my friends; this busi¬ on the horses, and the riders, too, you
ness was well planned beforehand, though know.
why it should be so we can not say. "We’d ridden on a mile or so, through
Still-” quite a grove of pines, when it began to
snow and the wind rose so sharply it cut
“T DON'T care i( he is at breakfast, I’ve through our jackets as if they had been
A got to see him!” a hysterically shrill summer-weight. I’d just turned round to
voice came stridently from the hallway, lead the way to town when I heard Alice
and John Davisson strode into the scream. She’d ridden fifty feet or so
breakfast room, pushing the protesting ahead of me, so she was that much behind
Nora McGinnis from his path. "Doctor when we turned.
de Grandin—Doctor Trowbridge—she’s "I wheeled my horse around, and there,
gone!” he sobbed as he half fell across the converging on her from both sides of the
threshold. road, were half a dozen great white
"Mon Dieu, so soon?” de Grandin wolves!
cried. "How was it, mon pauvre?” "I couldn’t believe my eyes at first. The
Davisson stared glassy-eyed from one of brutes were larger than any I’d ever seen,
us to the other, his face working spasmod¬ and though they didn’t growl or make the
ically, his hands clenched till it seemed slightest sound, I could see their awful
the bones must surely crush. purpose in their gleaming eyes and flash*
 THE DEVIL’S BRIDE 813

ihg fangs. They hemmed my poor girl ure standing back among the pines. It
in on every side, and as I turned to ride was Grigor Bazarov, and he stood between
to her, they gathered closer, crouching the trees, waving his hands like a conduc¬
till their bellies almost touched the tor leading an orchestra. Without a spo¬
ground, and seemed to stop abruptly, ken syllable he was directing that pack of
frozen, waiting for some signal from the wolves. He set them after Alice and or¬
leader of the pack. dered them to stop when they’d surround¬
"I drove the spurs into my mare and ed her. He set them on me, and made
laid the whip on her with all my might, them leap at my horse’s head without
but she balked and shied and reared, and actually fleshing their teeth in her and
all my urging couldn’t force her on a without attempting to drag me from the
foot. saddle—which they could easily have
"Then, apparently from nowhere, two done. Then, when he’d worked his plan
more white beasts came charging through and made my mare bolt, he called them
the woods and leaped at my mount’s back into the woods. It was Alice he was
head. The poor brute gave a screaming after, and he took her as easily as a shep¬
whinny and bolted. herd cuts a wether from the flock with
"I tugged at the bridle and sawed at trained sheep-dogs!”
her mouth, but I might have been a baby "How is this?” de Grandin questioned
for all effect my efforts had. Twice I sharply. "You say it was Grigor Bazarov,
tried to roll out of the saddle, but she How could you tell? You never saw;
was fairly flying, and try as I would I him.”
didn’t seem able to disengage myself. "No, but I’ve heard you tell of him,
We’d reached the Pike and traveled half and Alice had described him, too. I rec¬
a mile or so toward town before I finally ognized those great, sad eyes of his, and
brought her to a halt. his mummy-wrinkled face. I tell you——
"Then I turned back, but at the en¬ "But Bazarov is dead,” I interrupted,
trance to the lane she balked again, and "We saw him die last week—all of us.
nothing I could do would make her leave They electrocuted him in the penitentiary
the highway. I dismounted and hurried at Trenton, and-”
down the lane on foot, but it was snowing "And while he was all safely lodged in;
pretty hard by then, and I couldn’t even jail he broke into this house and all but
be sure when I’d reached the place where made away with Mademoiselle Alice,” del
Alice was attacked. At any rate, I Grandin cut in sharply. "You saw him
couldn’t find a trace of her or of her
with your own two eyes, my Trowbridge,
horse.”
So did Renouard and Monsieur Hiji,
He paused a moment breathlessly, and Again, while still in jail he murdered the
de Grandin prompted softly: "And this poor Hornsby, and all but killed the good
’he’ to whom you referred when you first Costello. The evidence is undisputed,
came in, Monsieur?” and-”
"Grigor Bazarov!” the young man an¬ "I know, but he’s dead, now!” I in¬
swered, and his features quivered in a sisted.
nervous tic. "I recognized him instantly! "There is a way to tell,” de Grandin!
"As I rushed down that lane at break¬ answered. "Come, let us go.”
neck speed on my ungovernable horse I "Go? Where?”
saw—distinctly, gentlemen—a human fig¬ "To the cemetery, of course. I would
814 WEIRD TALES

look in the grave of this one who can be face. A pair of pick-handles were laid
in jail and in your house at the same time, across the open grave and the rough box
and kill a gendarme in the street while rested on them. Callously, as one who
safely under lock and key. Come, we does such duties every day, the superin¬
waste our time, my friends.” tendent wrenched the box-lid off, and the
We drove to the county court house, laborers laid it by the grave. Inside lay
and de Grandin was closeted with Re¬ the casket, a cheap affair of chestnut cov¬
corder Glassford in his chambers a few ered with shoddy broadcloth, the tinny,
minutes. "Tres bon," he told us as he re¬ imitation-silver nameplate on its lid al¬
appeared. "I have the order for the ex¬ ready showing a dull, brown-blue discol¬
humation. Let us make haste.” oration.
Snap! The fastenings which secured
T he early morning snow had stopped,
but a thin veneer of leaden clouds
the casket lid were thrown bade; the super¬
intendent lifted the panel and tossed it to
obscured the sky, and the winter sun the frozen ground.
shone through them with a pale, half¬ Head resting on the sateen rayon pil¬
hearted glow as we wheeled along the low, hands folded on his breast, Grigor
highway toward the graveyard. Only Bazarov lay before us and gave us stare
people of the poorer class buried their for stare. The mortuarian who attended
dead in Willow Hills; only funeral direc¬ him had lacked the skill or indination to
tors of the less exclusive sort sold lots or do a thorough job, and despite the intense
grave-space there. Bazarov’s unmarked cold of the weather putrefaction had made
grave was in the least expensive section of progress. The dead man’s mouth was
the poverty-stricken burying-ground, one slightly open, a quarter-inch or so of
short step higher than the Potter’s Field. purple, blood-gorged tongue protruding
from his lips as though in low derision;
The superintendent and two overalled
the lids were partly raised from his great
workmen waited at the graveside, for de
eyes, and though these had the sightless
Grandin had telephoned the cemetery
glaze of death, it seemed to me some
office as soon as he obtained the order for
subtle mockery lay in them.
the exhumation. Glancing perfunctorily at
the little Frenchman’s papers, the superin¬ I shuddered at the sight despite myself,
tendent nodded to the Polish laborers. but I could not forbear the gibe: "Well,
“Git goin',” he commanded tersely, "an’ is he dead?” I asked de Grandin.
make it snappy.” "Comme un mouton," he answered, in
It was dismal work watching them heave nowise disconcerted.
lumps of frosty clay from the grave. The "Restore him to his bed, if you will be
earth was frozen almost stony-hard, and so good, Monsieur," he added to the su¬
the picks struck on it with a hard, metallic perintendent, “and should you care to
sound. At length, however, the dull, smoke--” A flash of green showed
reverberant thud of steel on wood warned momentarily as a treasury note changed
us that the task was drawing to a close. hands, and the cemetery overseer grinned.
A pair of strong web straps were lowered, "Thanks,” he acknowledged. "Next
made fast to the rough box enclosing the time you want to look at one of ’em, don't
casket, and at a word from the superin¬ forget we’re always willing to oblige.”
tendent the men strained at the thongs, "Yes, he is dead,” the Frenchman mur¬
dragging their weird burden to the sur¬ mured thoughtfully as we walked slowly
 THE DEVIL’S BRIDE 815

toward the cemetery gate, "dead like a "Eh?” answered Davisson, amazed at
herring, yet-’’ the irrelevant question.
"Dead or not,” John Davisson broke "Your hearing is quite excellent, I
in, and his words were syncopated by the think. Will you not answer me?”
chattering of his teeth, "dead or not, sir, "Why—er—yes, of course, I’ve been in
the man we just saw in that coffin was the the country—I spent practically all my
man I saw beside the lane this morning. summers on a farm when I was a lad,
No one could fail to recognize that face!” but-”
21. White Horror "Tres bon,” the little Frenchman
laughed. "Consider: Did not you see
ere’s a special delivery letter for
Misther Davisson, come whilst yez the wicked Bazarov urge on his wolves
to take possession of your sweetheart? But
wuz out, sor,” Nora McGinnis announced
as we entered the house. "Will ye be certainly. And did he not forbear to

afther havin’ th’ tur-rkey or th' roast fer harm you, being satisfied to drive you
from the scene while he kidnapped Ma¬
dinner tonight, an’ shall I make th’ salad
demoiselle Alice? Of course. And could
wid tomatoes or asparagus?”
he not easily have had his wolf-pack drag
"Turkey, by all means, he is a noble
you from your horse and slay you? You
bird,” de Grandin answered for me, "and
have said as much yourself. Very well,
tomatoes with the salad, if you please, ma
petite.” then; recall your rural recollections, if you
will:
The big Irishwoman favored him with
an affectionate smile as she retired kitch- "You have observed the farmer as he
enward, and young Davisson slit the en¬ takes his cattle to the butcher. Does he
velope of the missive she had handed him. take the trouble to place his cow in lead¬
For a moment he perused it with wide- ing strings? By no means. He puts the
set, unbelieving eyes, then handed it to little, so weak calf, all destined to be veal
me, his features quivering once again upon the table in a little while, into a
with nervous tic. wagon, and drives away to market. And
she, the poor, distracted mother-beast, she
John, Darling:
When you get this 1 shall be on my way to ful¬ trots along behind, asking nothing but to
fil the destiny prepared for me from the beginning keep her little baby-calf in sight. Lead
of the world. Do not seek to follow me, nor think
of me, save as you might think kindly of one who her? Parbleu, ropes of iron could not
died, for I am dead to you. I have forever given drag her from behind the tumbril in
up all thought of marriage to you or any man, and
I release you from your engagement. Your ring which her offspring rides to execution!
will be delivered to you, and that you may some Is it not likely so in this case also? I damn
day put it on the finger of a girl who can return
think yes.
the love you give is the hope of
Alice. ’ ’This never-to-be-sufficiently-anathema¬
"I can’t—1 won't believe she means it!” tized stealer of women holds poor Ma¬
the young man cried. "Why, Alice and I demoiselle Alice in his clutch. He spares
have known each other since we were her fiance. Perhaps he spares him only as
little kids; we’ve been in love since she the cruel, playful pussy-cat forbears to
first put her hair up, and-” kill the mouse outright; at any rate, he
"Tiens, my friend,” de Grandin inter¬ spares him. For why? Pardieu, because
rupted as he gazed at the message, "have by leaving Monsieur Jean free he still al¬
you by chance spent some time out in the lows poor Mademoiselle Alice one little,
country?” tiny ray of hope; with such vile subtlety
816 WEIRD TALES

as only his base wickedness can plan, he three miles from the place where we met
holds her back from black despair and the wolves, and-”
suicide that he may force her to his will "Eh bien, if that be so, why do we sit
by threats against the man she loves. here like five sculptured figures on the
Sucre nom d’un artichaut, I shall say yes! Arc de Triomphe? Come, let us go at
Certainly, of course.” once, my friends. Trowbridge, Renouard,
"You mean—he’ll make her go with Friend Hiji, and you, Friend Jean, pre¬
him—leave me—by threats against my pare yourselves for service in the cold.
life?” young Davisson faltered. Me, I shall telephone the good Costello
"Precisement, mon vieux. He has no for the necessary implements.
need to drug her now with scopolamin "Oui-da, Messieurs les Loups, I think
apomophia; he holds her in a stronger that we shall give you the party of sur¬
thrall. Yes, it is entirely likely.” prize—we shall feed you that which will
make your bellies ache most villainously!”
He folded the girl's note between his
slim, white hands, regarding it idly for a
moment; then, excitedly:
r ‘ was something like a half-hour later
when the police car halted at the door.
"Tell me, Monsieur Jean, did Ma¬
"It’s kind o’ irreg’lar, sor,” Sergeant Cos¬
demoiselle Alice, by any chance, know
tello announced as he lugged several heavy
something of telegraphy?”
satchels up the steps with the aid of two
"Eh? Why, yes. When we were kids patrolmen, "but I got permission fer th’
we had a craze for it—had wires strung loan. Seems like you got a good stand-in
between our houses with senders and re¬ down to headquarters.”
ceivers at each end, and used to rouse each The valises opened, he drew forth three
other at all sorts of hours to tap a mes- submachine guns, each with an extra
drum of cartridges, and two riot guns,
"Hourra, the Evil One is circumvented! weapons similar to the automatic shot¬
Regardez-vous.” gun, but heavier in construction and firing
Holding the letter to the study desk- shells loaded with much heavier shot.
lamp, he tapped its bottom margin with "You and Friend Jean will use the
his finger. Invisible except against the shotguns. Friend Trowbridge, ” de Gran-
light, a series of light scratches, as though din told me. "Renouard, Ingraham and
from a pin-poinf or dry pen, showed on I will handle the quick-firers. Come, pre¬
the paper: pare yourselves at once. Heavy clothing,
but no long coats; we shall need leg-room
before the evening ends.”
"You can read him?” he asked anxious¬ I fished a set of ancient hunting-togs
ly. "Me, I understand the international, out of my wardrobe—thick trousers of
but this is in American Morse, and-” stout corduroy, a pair of high lace boots,
"Of course I can,” young Davisson a heavy sweater and suede jerkin, finally
broke in. " ’Jones’ Mill,’ it says. Good a leather cap with folds that buckled un¬
Lord, why didn’t I think of that?” derneath the chin. A few minutes’ search
"Ah? And this mill of Monsieur unearthed another set for Davison, and
Jones-” we joined the others in the hallway. De
"Is an old ruin several miles from Grandin was resplendent in a leather avia¬
Boonesburg. No one’s occupied it since tion suit; Renouard had slipped three
I can remember, but it can’t be more than sweaters on above his waistcoat and bound
W. T—6
 THE DEVIL’S BRIDE 817

the bottoms of his trousers tight about his comforted. "It's creepy as a Scottish fu¬
ankles with stout linen twine; Ingraham neral here, but I don’t see anything-”
was arrayed in a suit of corduroys which "Ha, do you say it? Then look yonder,
had seen much better days, though not if you will, and tell me what it is you do
recently. not see, my friend,” de Grandin inter¬
"Are we prepared?” de Grandin asked. rupted.
"Tres bon. Let us go.” Loping silently across the snow, them¬
The bitter cold of the afternoon had selves a mere shade darker than the fleecy
given way to slightly warmer weather, but
covering of the ground, came a pack of
before we had traversed half a mile the
great, white wolves, green-yellow eyes
big, full, yellow moon was totally ob¬ a-glint with savagery, red tongues lolling
scured by clouds, and shortly afterward
from their mouths as they drew nearer
the air was filled with flying snowflakes
through (he pines, then suddenly deployed
and tiny, cutting grains of hail which rat¬
like soldiers at command, and, their cor¬
tled on the windshield and stung like
don formed, sank to the snow and sat
whips when they blew into our faces.
there motionless.
About three-quarters of a mile from the
"Cher Dieu" Renouard said softly.
old mill I had to stop my motor, for the
"It is the pack of beasts which made away
road was heavy with new-fallen snow and
with Mademoiselle Alice, and-”
several ancient trees had blown across the
trail, making further progress impossible. A movement stirred within the pack.
Eh bien, it must be on foot from now A brute rose from its haunches, took a

on, it seems,” de Grandin murmured as he tentative step forward, then sank down
clambered from the car. "Very well; one again, belly to the snow, and lay there
consents when one must. Let us go; panting, its glaring eyes fixed hungrily
upon us.
there is no time to lose.”

T he road wound on, growing narrow¬

er and more uneven with each step.
And as the leader moved, so moved the
pack. A score of wolves were three feet
nearer us, for every member of the deadly
Thick ranks of waving, black-boughed circle had advanced in concert with the
pines marched right to the border of the leader.
trail on either side, and through their I stole a quick glance at de Grandin.
swaying limbs the storm-wind soughed His little, round blue eyes were glaring
eerily, while the very air seemed colder fiercely as those of any of the wolves; be¬
with a sharper, harder chill, and the wan neath his little blond mustache his lips
and ghastly light which sometimes shines were drawn back savagely, showing his
on moonless, snow-filled winter nights, small, white, even teeth in a snarl of hate
seemed filled with creeping, shifting and fury.
phantom-shapes which stalked us as a Another rippling movement in the
wolf-pack stalks a stag. wolf-pack, and now the silence crashed,
"Morbleu, I do not like this place, me,” and from the circle there went up such
Renouard declared. "It has an evil smell.” pandemonium of hellish howls as I had
”1 think so, too, mon vieux” de Gran¬ never heard; not even in the worst of
din answered. "Three times already I nightmares. I had a momentary vision of
have all but fired at nothing. My nerves red mouths and gleaming teeth and shag¬
are not so steady as I thought.” gy, gray-white fur advancing toward me
"Oh, keep your tails up,” Ingraham in a whirlwind rush, then:
W. T.—7
818 WEIRD TALES

"Give fire!” de Grandin shouted. lights forward, and well above our heads.
And now the wolf-pack’s savage battle- That way, if we are ambushed, they will
cry was drowned out by another roar as shoot high and give us opportunity to re¬
de Grandin, Ingraham and Renouard, turn their fire. Friend Hiji, do you bring
back touching back, turned loose the ven¬ up the rear and keep your eyes upon the
om of their submachine guns. Young ground which we have traversed. Should
Davisson and I, too, opened fire with our you see aught which looks suspicious,
shotguns, not taking aim, but pumping shoot first and make investigation after¬
the mechanisms frenziedly and firing ward. I do not wish that we should die
point-blank into the faces of the charging tonight.”
wolves. Accordingly, in this close formation,
we searched the old house from its musty
How long the battle lasted I have no
cellar to its drafty attic, but nowhere was
idea, but I remember that at last I felt de
there any hint of life or recent occupancy
Grandin’s hand upon my arm and heard
until, as we forced back the sagging door
him shouting in my ear: "Cease firing,
which barred the entrance to the old grain-
Friend Trowbridge; there is no longer
bins, we noted the faint, half-tangible
anything to shoot. Parbleu, if wolves
aroma of narcisse noir.
have souls, I damn think hell is full with
"Alice!” John Davisson exclaimed.
them tonight!”
"She’s been here—I recognize the scent!”
"U’m?” de Grandin murmured thought¬
22. The Crimson Clue

H e turned abruptly to Renouard:

fully. "Advance your light a trifle nearer,
if you please, Friend Trowbridge.”
"Allezau feu, mon brave,” he cried, I played the flashlight on the age-
"pour la patrie!" bleached casing of the door. There, fresh
We charged across the intervening against the wood’s flat surface were three
patch of snow-filled clearing, and more small pits, arranged triangularly. A sec¬
than once de Grandin or Renouard or In¬ ond group of holes, similarly spaced,
graham paused in his stride to spray the were in the hand-hewn planking of the
windows of the tumbledown old house door, exactly opposite those which scarred
with a stream of lead. But not a shot re¬ the jamb.
plied, nor was there any sign of life as we "Screw-holes,” de Grandin commented,
approached the doorless doorway. "and on the outer side. You were cor¬
"Easy on,” Ingraham counseled. "They rect, Friend Jean; your nose and heart
may be lyin’ doggo, waitin’ for a spoke truly. This place has been the pris¬
chance-” on of your love—here are the marks
"But no,” de Grandin interrupted. where they made fast the lock and hasp
"Had that been so, they surely would not to hold her prisoner—but helas, the bird
have missed the chance to shoot us to is flown; the cage deserted.”
death a moment ago—we were a perfectly Painstakingly as a paleographer might
defined target against the snow, and they scan a palimpsest, he searched the little,
had the advantage of cover. Still, a milli¬ wood-walled cubicle, flashing his search¬
gram of caution is worth a double quin¬ light’s darting ray on each square inch of
tal of remorse; so let us step warily. aged planking. "Ah-ha?” he asked of no
"Renouard and I will take the lead. one in particular as the flashlight struck
Friend Trowbridge, you and Friend Jean into a corner, revealing several tiny
walk behind us and flash your search¬ smears of scarlet on the floor.
 THE DEVIL’S BRIDE 819

"Morbleu! Blood?” Renouard ex¬ a choking grunt as a third explosion ripped

claimed. "Can it be that-” the cover off our hiding-place and a
De Grandin threw himself full length blinding pompom of live flame flashed in
upon the floor, his little, round blue eyes our eyes.
a scant three inches from the row of crim¬ I felt myself hurled bodily against the
son stains. "Blood? Non!” he answered farther wall, felt the crushing impact as
as he finished his examination. "It is the I struck the mortised planks, and then I
mark of pomade pour les levres, and un¬ felt no more.
less I do mistake-”
"You mean lipstick?” I interrupted. “MpROWBRiDGE, my friend, my good,
"What in the world-” A brave comrade; do you survive,
"Zut!” he cut me short. “You speak have you been killed to death? Mordieu,
too much, my friend.” To Davisson: say that you live, my old one!” I heard de
"See here, Friend Jean, is not some sys¬ Grandin’s voice calling, from immeasur¬
tem of design in this? Is it not-” able distance, and slowly realized he held
"Of course it is!” the young man an¬ my head upon his shoulder while with
swered sharply. "It’s another telegraphic frantic hands he rubbed snow on my brow.
message, like the one she sent us in the
"Oh, I’m all right, I guess,” I answered
letter. Can’t you see? 'Dash, dash; dot,
weakly, then sank again in comforting
dash; dot, dot, dot; dot, dash; dash,
oblivion.
dot-’ He read the code through
When next I struggled back to con¬
quickly.
sciousness, I found myself on my own
De Grandin looked at him with up¬
surgery table, de Grandin busy with a
raised brows. "Exactement,” he nodded,
phial of smelling-salts, a glass of aromatic
"and that means-”
spirit on the table, and a half-filled tum¬
"M-a-c-a-ti-d-r-e-w-s s-i-e-” Davis¬
bler of cognac next to it. "Thanks be to
son spelled the message out, then paused,
God you are yourself once more!” he ex¬
shook his head in puzzlement, and once
claimed fervently, handed me the water
again essayed the task.
and ammonia and drained the brandy
"I can’t get any sense from it,” he fin¬
glass himself. "Pardieu, my friend, I
ally confessed. "That’s what it spells, no
thought that we should surely lose you!”
doubt of it, but what the devil-”
he continued as he helped me to a chair.
"I say, old chap, go over it once more,”
asked Ingraham. "I may be blotto, "You had a close squeak, no doubt of
but-” it,” Ingraham agreed.
Crash! The thunderous detonation "What happened?” I demanded weakly.
shook the floor beneath us and a heavy De Grandin fairly ground his teeth in
beam came hurtling from the ceiling, fol¬ rage. "They made a foolishness of us,”
lowed by a cataract of splintered planks he told me. "While we were busy with
and rubble. their sacre wolves they must have been
Crash! A second fulmination smashed escaping, and the thunder of our guns
the wooden wall upon our right and a drowned out the whirring of their motors.
mass of shattered brick and timber poured Then, when we were all safe and helpless
into the room. in the house, they circled back and
”Bombes d’air!” Renouard cried wild¬ dropped the hand grenades upon us.
ly. "Down—down, my friends; it is the Luckily for us they had no aerial torpe¬
only way to——” His warning ended in does, or we should now be practising
820 WEIRD TALES

upon the harp. As it is-” he raised

his shoulders in a shrug.
W e were still at breakfast the next
morning when the young man from
"B—but, you mean they had a plane?” the cable office came. "Mr. In-gra-ham
I asked, amazed. here?” he asked.

"Ha, I shall say as much!” he answered. "Don’t say it like that, young feller, me
"Nor did they stop to say a 'by-your-leave’ lad, it’s Ingraham—'In’ as in 'inside,’ and
graham’ as in biscuit, you know,” re¬
when they obtained it. This very night,
an hour or so before we journeyed to that turned the Englishman with a grin as he
held out his hand for the message.
thirty-thousand-times-accursed mill of
Monsieur Jones, two men descended sud¬ Hastily he read it to himself, then aloud
to us:
denly upon the hangars at New Bristol.
A splendid new amphibian lay in the bay, No strangers seeking access to the bush through
here but French report a hundred turned back from
all ready to be drawn into her shed. The Konakri stop unprecedented number of arrivals at
people at the airport are much surprized Monrovia stop investigation under way
Symmes
to see her suddenly take flight, but—avi¬ Supt
ators are all crazy, else they would remain
"Tres bon," de Grandin nodded. "Now,
on land, and who shall say what form
if you will have the goodness to trans¬
their latest madness takes? It was some
late-” he paused with brows raised
little time before the truth was learned.
interrogatively.
Then it was too late.
"Nothin’ simpler, old thing,” the Eng¬
"Stretched cold upon the runway of
lishman responded. "You see, it was like
the hangar they found the pilot and his this:
mechanician. Both were shot dead, yet
" ’Way up in the back country of Sierra
not a shot was heard. The miscreants had Leone, so near the boundary line of
used silencers upon their guns, no doubt.
French Guinea that the French think it’s
"Hem, at any rate, they had not stopped
British territory and the British think it’s
at murder, and they had made off with the French, an old goop named MacAndrews
plane, had landed it upon the frozen mill¬ got permission to go diggin’ some twenty
pond, then sailed away, almost—but not years ago. He was a dour old Scotsman,
quite, thank God!—leaving us as dead as mad as a dingo dog, they say, but a first-
we had left their guardian wolves.” rate archeologist. There were some old
"Helas, and we shall never overtake Roman ruins near the border, and this
them!” Renouard said mournfully. "It is Johnny had the idea he’d turn up some¬
too obvious. They chose the amphibian thing never in the books if he kept at it
plane that they might put to sea and be long enough. So he built a pukka camp
picked up by some ship which waited; and settled down to dear the jungle off;
and where they may be gone we can not but fever beat his schedule and they
say. There is no way of telling, for-” planted the old cove in one of his own
"Hold hard, old thing; I think perhaps trenches.
there is!” the Englishman broke in. "That ended old Mac’s diggin’, but his
"When Trowbridge toppled over it camp’s still there. I passed it less than
knocked the thought out of my head, but five years ago, and stopped there over¬
I’ve an idea we may trace ’em. I’ll pop night. The natives say the old man’s
off to the cable office and send a little ghost hangs around the place, and shun it
tracer out. We ought to get some solid like the plague—haven’t even stolen any¬
information by tomorrow.” thing.”
 THE DEVIL’S BRIDE 821

"Ah?” de Grandin murmured. destination down—'MacAndrews, Sierra

"And-” Leone’—but only gets 'MacAndrews’ and
"Oh, quite, old dear. A big 'and.’ the first three letters of 'Sierra’ down
That’s what got the massive intellect to when they come for her and she has to
workin’, don’t you know. There’s a big stop. That’s the way I’ve figured it—it’s
natural clearin’ near MacAndrews’ and a great to have a brain like mine!
pretty fair-sized river. The place is so "Now, if they’ve really picked MacAn¬
far inland nobody ever goes there unless drews’ old camp for their party, there’ll
he has to, and news—white man’s news, be a gatherin’ of the clans out there. And
I mean—is blessed slow gettin’ to the the visitors will have to come overland,
coast. Could anything be sweeter for our or enter through Freetown, one of the
Russian friends’ jamboree? French ports or Liberia. That’s reasonin’,
"Irak is under British rule today, and old top.
any nonsense in that neighborhood would "So I cabled Freetown to see if any
bring the police sniffin' round. The one’s been tryin’ to bootleg himself
Frenchmen in Arabia don’t stand much through the lines, or if there’d been much
foolishness, so any convocation of the sudden immigration through the French
Devil-Worshippers is vetoed in advance ports. You have the answer. All these
so far as that locality’s concerned. But coves will have to do is strike cross-coun¬
what about MacAndrews’? They could try through the bush and-”
plant and harvest the finest crop of merry "And we shall apprehend them!” Ren-
young hell you ever saw out there and no ouard exclaimed delightedly.
one be the wiser. But they’ve got to get
"Right-o, dear sir and fellow police¬
there. That’s the blighted difficulty, me
man,” the Englishman returned. "I’m
lad. Look here-”
bookin’ passage for West Africa this
He drew a pencil and notebook from mornin’, and-”
his pocket and blocked out a rough map:
"Book two,” Renouard cut in. "This
"Here’s Sierra Leone; here’s French
excavation of Monsiur MacAndrews, it is
Guinea; here’s Liberia. Get it? Our
near the border; me, I shall be present
people in Freetown have to be con¬
with a company of Senegalese gendarmes
vinced there’s some good reason why be¬
and-’’
fore they’ll pass a stranger to the bush
"And with me, pardieu! Am I to have
country; so do the French. But Liberia
no pleasure?” broke in Jules de Grandin.
—any man, black, white, yellow or mixed,
"Me, too,” John Davisson asserted.
who lands there with real money in his
"If they’ve got Alice, I must be there,
hand can get unlimited concessions to go
too.”
hunting in the back country, and no ques¬
tions asked. "You might as well book passage for
five,” I finished. "I’ve been with you so
"There you are, old bean. When Da¬
far, and I’d like to see the finish of (his
visson decoded that message on the floor
business. Besides, I owe ’em something
last night it hit me like a brick. The gal
for that bomb they dropped on me last
had told us where she was in the letter;
night.”
now, she takes a chance we’ll go to Jones’
Mill and starts to write a message on the This story rises to a breath-taking climax In the
floor. They’ve talked before her, and she thrilling chapters that bring the tale to an end in next
month’s issue. Don’t miss the superb conclusion of this
takes her lipstick and starts to write her remarkable story in the July WEIRD TALES, on sale
June 1st.
 ^(j^houl Gallery
By HUGH B. CAVE

The story of an eldritch horror that leaped out of the

black night

I ET me convince you, first, that the

young man who came to my medi-
Sir Edward Ramsey, the favorite play¬
boy of the upper strata, noted sportsman,
cal offices that night was not the adventurer. I could not believe that such
type of man who gives way, without a man would be sitting in my offices,
reason, to abject fear. dragged into the depths of fear.
Yet when I stepped into my outer "You must tell me the cause,” I said
office and saw him slumped on the divan, kindly. "Otherwise I can do nothing.”
I knew that he was in the throes of mor¬
The girl’s lips tightened defiantly.
tal terror. His face was ghastly white,
"When a man comes to you with a
made hideous by the mop of jet hair that
broken leg,” she said, "you don’t ask him
crawled into his eyes. He raised his head
where he got it. Please!”
sluggishly and glared at me like a
trapped animal. "A fractured leg is a physical malady.
His is mental.”
I nodded quietly to the girl who stood
beside him. She stepped past me into "But he comes to you in the same ca¬
the inner office, and I drew the door shut pacity, Doctor. You must help him!”
silently. "I can only give you the usual advice,”
I had known this girl for years. For I shrugged. "Since you refuse to divulge
that matter, all London knew her, as a the cause of his terror, I can only sug¬
charming, lovely member of the upper gest that he get away from it.”
set, a sportswoman, and a distinguished I could see, from the obvious twist of
lady of one of England’s famous old her mouth, that she was keenly dis¬
families. She was Lady Sybil Ravenal. appointed. She would have argued with
Tonight, half an hour ago, she had me, perhaps pleaded with me, had not
telephoned me, seeking permission to the door opened suddenly behind her.
bring a patient—a patient very dear to I say "opened.” In reality it was flung
her—to my suite. Now she stood before back savagely. Young Ramsey stood on
me, her hand resting on my arm, and the threshold, reeling, glowering at me
said suddenly: out of smoldering eyes. I did not know,
"You’ve got to help him, Doctor then, what made him intrude at that mo¬
Briggs! He—he is going mad!” ment. I thought, foolishly, that he was
"Suppose you tell me,” I suggested afraid of being left alone in the dimly
softly, "what he is afraid of.” lighted outer office.
"I can’t, Doctor. There is the family He staggered forward blindly, grop¬
name to consider. He—he is Sir Edward ing toward me.
Ramsey.” "The thing!” he cried. His voice was
I started. That name, too, was well high-pitched and nasal. "By God, it’s
known to me and to the rest of London. following me! It’s—it’s-”
822
 THE GHOUL GALLERY 823

I stared at him in bewilderment. that had no seeming intelligence. And

There was no sound in my rooms at that then, very suddenly, his twitching face
moment—no sound at all except the half- became fixed, staring, glaring at some¬
inaudible humming of a machine in the thing beyond me. With a strangled sob
adjoining suite—an electro-therapeutic of abject horror, he stumbled back.
machine used by my associate in the
treatment of leucocythemia and similar I was beside him in an instant, holding
afflictions. his quivering body upright. As I
Yet the boy’s hands clawed at the looked at him, his eyes were wide open
sleeve of my coat. He flung himself and rimmed with white, glued in mute
against me muttering a jargon of words terror upon a small table which stood
824 WEIRD TALES

against the wall on the opposite side of "You—you are coming with me,
the room. Briggs?” he asked slowly.
The table was an insignificant one, *T am.”
placed there merely for ornamental pur¬ He pushed himself heavily out of the
poses. I had covered it with a black chair. As he turned, his hand groped for
cloth and lined it, along the back, with a mine. He spoke with a great effort.
small rack of medical volumes. In the "Thanks, Briggs. I’ll—try to get back
center of the black cloth, facing into the a little courage.”
room, I had set a human skull.
The thing was neither fantastic nor
horrible, merely a very ordinary medical
T hat was my introduction to Sir
Edward Ramsey. The account of
head bleached white. In the shadows, our departure, and of our subsequent ar¬
perhaps, the eyeless sockets and grinning rival at Sir Edward’s huge town house,
mouth, with its usual set of enameled is of little importance. During the en¬
teeth, were a bit unconventional; but tire journey my two companions did not
certainly there was nothing to excite such utter a word. The boy seemed to have
uncontrollable horror as gripped the man shrunk into himself, to have fallen into
in my arms. the lowest depths of fearful anticipation.
His eyes were full of sheer madness The girl sat stiff, rigid, staring straight
as he stared at it. His lips had writhed ahead of her.
apart and were twitching spasmodically. I remember one thing which struck me
He clung to me with all his strength; as being more or less peculiar, in view of
and at length, wrenching his gaze from the boy’s social position. No servant
the thing on the table, he buried his head opened the door to us. For that matter,
in my arms and surrendered to the fear the boy made no attempt to summon one
which overwhelmed him. by ringing the bell. Instead, he groped
"Be merciful, Briggs!” he moaned. into his pockets for his own door-key and
“For God’s sake, be merciful! Come with fumbled nervously with the lock. Turn¬
me—stay with me for a day or two, be¬ ing his head sideways, he spoke to me
fore I go utterly mad!” stiffly:
There was no alternative. I could not “My man’s—deaf, Briggs. Damned
send a man away in such condition. nuisance, but it’s the only reason he—
Neither could I keep him with me, for stays. The others cleared out long ago.”
my quarters were not fitted with addi¬ The door swung open. I followed Sir
tional rooms for mad patients. Edward down the carpeted hall, with the
I forced him into a chair, where he girl beside me. The boy was trembling
could not see the death’s-head on the again, glancing about him furtively. I
table. Leaving him with the girl who was forced to take his arm and lead him
had brought him, I hurriedly packed a quietly into one of the massive rooms ad¬
small overnight case and made ready for joining the corridor.
an all-night siege of it. When I re¬ There he sank into a chair and stared
turned, I found the boy slumped wearily up at me hopelessly. I realized that he
in the chair with his head in the girl’s had not slept in many hours—that he was
comforting arms. on the verge of breakdown.
“Come,” I said quietly. Opening my case, I administered an
He looked up at me. His bloodshot opiate to deaden his nerves, although I
eyes struggled to drag me into focus. had little hope that it would have the
 THE GHOUL GALLERY! 825

desired effect. The boy’s terror was too The thing will—follow me. It trailed me
acute, too intense. However, the drug to your offices. It-”
quieted him; he slept fitfully for the bet¬ It was the girl who cut him short. She
ter part of an hour; long enough for stepped closer and took his hands firmly,
Lady Sybil to draw me aside, motion me and looked straight at me.
to a chair, and tell me her story. "He is under oath to say nothing,
She came directly to the point, softly Doctor,” she said evenly.
and deliberately. They were in love, she "Under oath? To whom?"
and Ramsey. They were betrothed. Six "His father, Sir Guy.”
weeks ago his love had changed to fear. "Then, of course, I shall see Sir Guy at
"At first he fought against it,” she said
evenly. "Then it took possession of him "He is—dead.”
—of his very soul. He—he released me I stood silent, glancing from one to
from my promise.” the other. Suddenly Jthe girl straightened
"Why?” up and stood erect, her eyes blazing.
"Because of the curse that hangs over "But I am not under oath!” she cried,
his family." almost savagely. ”1 will tell you-”
"And that is why you came to me "By God, no!” The boy groped up,
tonight?” his face livid.
"I came, Doctor,” she said fervently, I understood, then, the courage in
"because it was a last hope. I love him. Lady Sybil’s heart. Slim, lovely as she
I can not give him up. He lives alone was, she turned on him fiercely, forcing
here, except for a single servant who is him back into the chair.
deaf. I have been with him every day "I am going to tell him,” she said bit¬
since this influence claimed him. At terly. "Do you hear? The oath does not
night, of course, I can not be at his side bind me. I am going to tell Doctor
—and it is the night-time he fears!” Briggs all I know. It is the only way to
"And the cause of his fear?” I help you.”
prompted. Then, without releasing him, she
"I-—I can not tell you.” turned her head toward me.
1 knew better than to demand an ex¬ "This house, Doctor,” she said, "is
planation. Without a word I returned to very old and full of musty rooms and
my patient. He was not sleeping, for corridors. It is made hideous by a terri¬
when I stood over him his eyes opened fying sound that comes, always at night,
and he stared at me wearily. I drew a from the upper galleries. The sound is
chair close to him and bent forward. inexplicable. It is a horrible note which
"I want you to tell me,” I said simply, begins with an almost inaudible moan,
"the entire story. Only under those con¬ like the humming of an electric motor.
ditions can I help you. Do you under¬ Then it increases in volume to the pitch
stand?” of a singsong voice, rising and falling
“That—is impossible.” tremulously. Finally it becomes a
"It’s necessary.” screaming wail, like a human soul in utter
"I—can’t do it, Briggs.” torment.”
“In that case,” I shrugged, getting to She waited for my questions. I said
my feet, "I shall take you away from nothing. The boy had ceased his squirm¬
here. At once!” ing and sat like a dead man, glaring at
"No, no, Briggs! You—you can’t! me out of lifeless eyes.
826 WEIRD TALES

"The galleries have been examined before me were lined with long shelves
many times,” Lady Sybil said quietly. of books, symmetrically arranged. An
"Nothing has ever been discovered to ancient daw-footed desk stood in the cen¬
provide an explanation. Four times in ter, and upon it a gargoyle reading-lamp
the past year the upper recesses of the which I promptly turned on.
house have been wired for electric lights; The alcove had obviously been unused
but the lights in that portion of the house for some time. A layer of dust hung over
never work. No one knows why.” it like a funeral shroud. Its musty vol¬
“And that—that is all?” I murmured. umes were sealed with a film of dirt, ex¬
"I think that is all. Except—the his¬ cept—and this is what led me forward
tory of the House of Ramsey. You will eagerly—for a certain shelf which lay al¬
find that in the library, Doctor. I will most directly beneath the lamp. The
remain here with Edward.” books on this particular shelf had been
I hesitated. I did not think it vital, at recently removed, and had been thrown
that moment, to go rummaging through back carelessly.
the library in pursuit of ancient lore. But I took one of the volumes to the desk
Lady Sybil looked quietly at me and said, and bent over it. It contained, in some
in an even voice: detail, a history of the house in which I
"The library is at the end of the main stood, and a lengthy description of its
corridor, Doctor. You will find the neces¬ occupants since time immemorial. Allow
sary books in section twelve." me to quote from it:
"Sir Guy Ramsey. 1858-1903.” [Evi¬
I did not argue. There was no denying dently the father of my patient.] "Eton
that cool, methodical tone! Before I and Cambridge.” [Here followed an ac¬
left the room, however, I examined my count of an adventurous and courageous
patient carefully, to be sure that I was life.] "In the year 1903, Sir Guy was
justified in leaving him. He had sunk suddenly stricken with an inexplicable
into complete apathy. His eyes remained fear of darkness. Despite all efforts to
wide open, as if he feared to close them. discover the reason of his terror, no cause
But the opiate had produced an effect of was revealed, and Sir Guy refused to
semi-torpor, and I knew that he would divulge any. In September of the same
not soon become violent again. Thus I year, Sir Guy became utterly mad with
turned away and paced silently to the fear and spoke continually of a certain
door. 'specter’ which had taken possession of
By a singular coincidence the door him. Physicians were unable to effect a
opened as I reached it. On the threshold cure, and on the ninth day of the month
I came face to face with the servant, a of September, Sir Guy was found in the
ferret-faced fellow with deep-set, color¬ upper galleries, where he had, to all ap¬
less eyes, who peered at me suspiciously pearances, been strangled to death.
as I went past him into the corridor. "His own hands clutched his throat;
In this manner, after prowling down but upon his hands were certain marks
the dimly illuminated passage, I came to and bruises which revealed the imprint of
the library, and sought the particular sec¬ another set of fingers. In these imprints,
tion which the girl had suggested. Sec¬ the thumb of the unknown murderer’s
tion twelve proved to be not in the main left hand was singularly missing. No clue
library, but in a secluded recess leading has ever been discovered as to the identity
into the very farthest comer. The walls of the assailant,”’
 THE GHOUL GALLERY 827

I closed the book slowly. Mechanical¬ hands, on the night the note was written.
ly I opened a second of those significant Her unfortunate body was discovered in
volumes, which proved to be an account the galleries, her fingers still clutching
of the life and death of another of Sir her dead throat, and the marks of other
Edward’s forebears. From the dates, I fingers, with the thumb of the left hand
judged the gentleman to be Sir Edward’s missing, imprinted on the back of her
grandfather—the father of the man whose hands and wrists. For three years fol¬
fate I had just learned. His name, pecul¬ lowing her death, every effort was ex¬
iarly, was also Sir Edward. pended to locate the fiend who had so
"On the twenty-seventh day of January, brutally destroyed her. The attempt was
in the year 1881, Sir Edward was sudden¬ without avail.”
ly noticed to be prowling fearfully in the I make no effort to explain these quo¬
upper galleries. From that time on he tations. They are significant in them¬
was observed to be very much in the throes selves. As for the specter, I could find
of acute terror; but when accused of this. no further mention of it. Page after page
Sir Edward refused to confide the nature I turned, hoping to discover some clue
of his fear. On February first he was which might lead to a solution. I found
found choked to death in the upper gal¬ nothing.
leries, his own hands twisted into his I did, however, chance upon some¬
throat and the imprint of another set of thing of unusual interest, in the oldest of
hands, with the thumb of the left hand the heavy volumes. It was an account of
missing, still evident on his dead wrists. a very ancient feud. The names men¬
"The murderer was not discovered. tioned were those of Sir Godfrey Ram¬
For three years after Sir Edward’s death, sey (the date was in the century before
the galleries were closed and sealed, after the French Revolution) and Sir Richard
a careful inspection by the police. At the Ravenal. The account gave mention of
end of that period they were again opened several brutal killings and disappearances,
by command of Sir Guy, son of the de¬ the majority of these executed by the
ceased.” House of Ravenal. The cause of the feud
And there was one other passage—a was not divulged.
paragraph or two describing the sudden The hatred between the two families,
death of some distinguished lady far back however, had come to an end with the
in the archives. Her name, according to death of Sir Richard Ravenal, who was,
the book before me, was Lady Carolyn. to quote the withered page before me,
"A woman” [the script said] "imbued "an artist of unusual genius. In the year
with the same fearless courage which previous to his death, having formed a
marked the men of her blood. In the truce with the House of Ramsey, he did
final days of her life she lived alone in present to Sir Godfrey Ramsey one or
the London house. She left a single part¬ two paintings of great value, executed by
ing message, found after her death: 'I himself, as a token of eternal friendship.
am becoming insane. The specter has These paintings have been carefully pre¬
ebbed my last bit of resistance. Madness served.”
is, after all, a fitting death—much better I sought faithfully for an account of
than eternal fear and horror.’ the life of this same Sir Godfrey. Eventu¬
"This note was found on the morning ally I found it, and read the following:
of July third, 1792. Lady Carolyn was "Twelve years after the Houses of
murdered, strangled to death by unknown Ramsey and Ravenal had formed the pact
828 WEIRD TALES

of peace, Sir Godfrey was suddenly strick¬ "Then you know why he is bound to
en with an incomprehensible terror which silence, Doctor. He is the last of die
led to complete madness. He did call Ramseys. I—am the last of—the Raven-
his son, Sir James, to him and say the als.”
following words: 'A curse has descended I stared at her. I had not suspected
upon the House of Ramsey. It is a curse any connection between the names in
of horror, of torment. It is intended to those ancient volumes and the name of
make gibbering idiots of the men who the girl before me. Peering into her feat¬
bear the honored name of Ramsey. For ures now, I felt suddenly as if I had been
this reason I command you to an oath of plunged into an affair of death itself.
silence. The curse has taken possession She—the last of the Ravenals!
of me, and I shall die. When you are of "He has never broken the oath,” she
age, you, too, will be stricken by the spec¬ murmured, "not even to me. I have never
ter. Swear to me that you will not reveal remained here at night—never seen the
the nature of the curse, lest your sons specter. But I have questioned the ser¬
and their sons after them live in mortal vants who fled from here, and so I
fear.’ know.”
"This oath was written into parchment I turned to my patient. He was sleep¬
and preserved. On the second day fol¬ ing peacefully now, and I thanked God
lowing its execution, Sir Godfrey was that the terror had temporarily left him.
found lying in the upper galleries . . Lady Sybil said softly:
"I shall stay here the night, so long
I closed the last volume with the un¬ as you are here, Doctor. I can not leave
him now.”
comfortable feeling of having delved
into a maze of horror and death. In the She walked quietly to the divan and
upper reaches of the very house in which made it as comfortable as possible. I did
I stood, countless members of the House not suggest that she go to one of the
of Ramsey had been hurled into madness sleeping-chambers on the floor above. For
and cruelly murdered. Even now, the my part, I could not consider waking my
man who occupied these whispering patient; I would have to sit by him
rooms and huge, empty corridors was be¬ through the night. And I knew that she,
ing slowly forced under the same hellish too, preferred to be close to him. At any
influence of insanity. I understood now rate, I hadn’t the cruelty to suggest that
his reason for silence. He was bound by she remain alone, in one of those shad¬
a family oath which had been passed owed, deathly silent rooms on the upper
down from father to son. He could not corridor, through the long hours of sinis¬
speak! ter darkness that confronted us.
The influence of that mad room still I think that she slept very soon after
hung over me as I paced across the library she lay down. When I bent over her a
and returned to the room where Sir Ed¬ moment later, to drape a silken coverlet
ward and Lady Sybil awaited me. over her lovely figure, she did not stir.
The boy was sleeping. As I entered. I realized then that I was the only per¬
Lady Sybil came toward me quietly and son awake in this massive, spectral house.
stood before me. I was alone with the unknown being that
"You—have found the books?" she patrolled the upper galleries. I closed the
whispered. door of the room and bolted it. Very
"Yes.” quietly I returned to my chair and low-
 THE GHOUL GALLERY 829

ered myself. Then I sat there, staring the prescription filled. She had other
fearfully into the deepening shadows, un¬ matters to attend to, she said, and would
til I dozed into a fitful slumber. probably return some time in the late
afternoon.
I F the specter of the House of Ram¬ When she had gone, I sought out, once
sey crept out of its hidden lair that again, those significant volumes that I
night, I did not know it. When I awoke, had found the night before. I studied
a welcome sunlight was sliding across the them for a very long time. It must have
floor at my feet, from the opposite win¬ been well after two o’clock when Sir Ed¬
dow. I was alone in the room. Sir Ed¬ ward came into the library.
ward and Lady Sybil had vanished.
He slouched into a chair and remained
I stood up. It was difficult to believe, there, without any display of animation
in this glow of warm sunlight, that any¬ or life. When I got quietly to my feet
thing unusual had occurred during the and replaced the last’book on the shelf,
night. he looked at me without emotion.
Evidently nothing had. The door "Where to, Briggs?” he said dully.
opened behind me and the ferret-faced
"With your permission,” I replied, "I
servant, scuffling forward, said evenly:
should like to have a look at the galler¬
"Breakfast is waiting, sir.” ies.”
I followed him to the dining-hall, and He nodded. I fancied that the slight¬
there found my two companions. Lady est cloud of suspicion crossed his face;
Sybil rose to greet me with a smile. The but he offered no objections.
boy remained seated. His face was ex¬ I had difficulty in finding my way. The
tremely haggard and white. He nodded route which led to the upper levels was no
heavily. easy one to follow, winding as it did
"Thought we’d let you sleep, Briggs,” through a succession of peculiarly dark
he said. "You earned it.” and unlighted corridors. Eventually, how¬
He did not refer again to the previous ever, I found myself at the bottom of a
night. Lady Sybil, too, maintained a dis¬ circular staircase that coiled upward into
creet silence. When the meal was over, I the gloom of the floor above. I mounted
called her to me. the steps slowly, holding to the great
"I shall stay here,” I said, "until I am carved bannister for support; and, having
sure that his terror does not return. I do readied the second landing, I followed
not feel justified in leaving the house at the twistings of the passage by keeping
the present time.” as close to the wall as possible.
"You wish me to do something, Doc¬ At the end of this circular passage, a
tor?” curtained window revealed the street be¬
I gave her a prescription. In substance, low. As I peered down and saw the pave¬
the desired medicine was little more than ment far below me, I could not repress
a tonic, though it contained a slight por¬ a shudder.
tion of morphine. It would serve to keep Cautiously I continued along this cor¬
the boy’s nerves under control; but I real¬ ridor to the bottom of a second stair¬
ized even then that the cause of his fear case. Once again, with heavy steps, I
must be removed before any medicine groped upward.
would benefit him. And here, at the top of the last incline,
Lady Sybil, however, promised to have I found the upper galleries of the House
830 WEIRD TALES

of Ramsey. The room lay directly before The thing glared out at me with hor¬
me. Its massive door, standing half open, rible malice. It hung before me, leering
revealed a thread of light from some hid¬ into my face. I recoiled from it with a
den source—a gleam which penetrated sudden intake of breath.
like a livid, groping hand into the black¬ It was a skeleton, painted in dull values
ness of the passage. of gray and white, with a single blur of
I entered timidly, leaving the door open jet-black background, created by an artist
behind me. Before me extended a room who possessed a fiendish cunning for hor¬
of enormous size, more like a huge ban¬ rifying the human eye. Every revolting
quet chamber than an art alcove. The effect of death was incorporated into that
illumination was intense, coming as it did ghastly countenance. And yet, in a med¬
from a series of four broad windows set ical sense, the thing was far from perfect.
in the farther wall—windows which were Even as I stared at it, I discerned a
uncurtained, and designed to flood the dozen very evident faults of construction.
interior with light. Hideous it was, but hideous only because
For the rest, the floor was lined with a the artist had sacrificed accuracy in order
smooth carpet of dull hue. The walls on to make it so.
opposite sides of me as I moved forward The eye-sockets, executed in a fiendish
were devoted entirely to framed paint¬ combination of gray pigments, were hor¬
ings. The rear wall, which contained the ribly empty and staring—but they were
only entrance—through which I had too dose-set to be natural. The frontal
come—was carefully covered with a soft bone, a streak of livid white, was terrible
gray drape, cut to outline the wooden in its effect—but far too broad. The two
panels of the door. superior maxillary bones, forming the
upper jaw and bounding the glaring, va¬
1 HAD taken no more than a dozen steps cant nasal cavity, were hideously formed
forward into this strange chamber —but were separated on the under sur¬
when I came to an abrupt halt. Before face from the row of broken teeth, in or¬
me, as I stood motionless, lay evidence der to lend that maddening grin to the
that my patient had been here before me mouth.
—a silk kerchief, embroidered in black There were other defects, easily recog¬
with his emblem. I recognized it in¬ nizable. They were less significant. But
stantly. He had worn it on the previous as a work of horror, the skeleton before
evening, tucked in the breast pocket of me was faultless. Never have I been so
his jacket. And now it lay here on the completely unnerved by something which
carpet, damnable in its significance as I I knew could hold no power over me.
stared down at it. So he had not slept I went toward it with irresolute steps,
the night through! He had come here— determined to inspect it at close range and
come to this death room, to keep some in¬ then leave the room immediately. The
fernal midnight tryst! singular glare of its dead features had
I dropped the thing into my pocket. sapped all my curiosity. I wanted to get
Having done this, I turned to inspect the away from it.
magnificent works of art that surrounded The painting was very old. Only three
me. And then, almost immediately after colors were evident—white, gray, and
that first startling episode, came a sec¬ that sepulchral blade. At the bottom of
ond shock, a thousand times greater than the heavy gilt frame I found the name of
the first! the artist—a name which choked on my
 THE GHOUL GALLERY 831

lips as I cried it aloud. That name, faint him he would be certain to come with us,
and almost illegible, was Ravenal! rather than be left alone. The girl had
Ravenal! "In the year previous to his already prepared a room for herself on
death, having formed a truce with the the upper floor.
House of Ramsey, he did present to Sir But the boy did not move. As I drew the
Godfrey Ramsey one or two paintings of door shut, he looked up suddenly and
great value, executed by himself . . spoke in a voice that was strangely harsh.
I left the room with an inexplicable "Leave it open, Briggs. I’ll—go to
sense of fear. Fascination it might have bed in a while. Closed doors are ghastly
been, for that hideous thing behind me. —just now.”
Horror it might have been, for the slow In the corridor outside, I said good¬
realization that here—here in this fiend¬ night to Lady Sybil and climbed the stairs
ish picture—lay the secret of innumera¬ to my room. The room opened on an
ble murders, and a hellish curse of mad¬ unlighted passage—a narrow, gloomy
ness! tunnel that twisted from darkness into

T here is little more to tell. The con¬

cluding event of my stay in the
darkness, revealed only by the glow of
light from my own chamber.
The hands of my watch, as I laid the
House of Ramsey was not long in forth¬
timepiece carefully upon the table, stood
coming.
at thirty-two minutes after ten o’clock.
The hour was already late when I re¬ No sound stirred in the great house. Lady
turned to the library on the lower floor. Sybil, having climbed the stairs behind
Sir Edward had not moved from his me, had gone to her room at the far end
position. He greeted me with a nod; and of the corridor. Below stairs, the serv¬
the girl, who had returned during my ant of the penetrating eyes had evidently
tour of inspection, came toward me to retired.
give me the medicine I had ordered. It was perhaps fifteen minutes later
I forced the boy to take it. Then, in when I heard Sir Edward’s step on the
depressing silence, we sat there, the three stairs. He climbed wearily, inertly. His
of us, as the hour grew later and later. tread moved along the corridor. I heard
Lady Sybil and I made a feeble attempt the door of his chamber open and close.
to play backgammon; but the boy’s glassy After that there was nothing but an omi¬
eyes haunted us. The game was a mock- nous, depressing, sinister silence.
ery. I left my door open. Most men in my
When ten o’clock came, I rose and took position would, I presume, have closed
the boy’s arm. it and made haste to throw the bolt. But
"Anight’s sleep,” I said sternly, "would I found comfort, such as it was, in an

be one of your best medicines.” open exit. I had no desire to be a rat in

a trap.
He glanced at me wearily, as if it hurt
Nervously I switched off the light and
him to move.
sank wearily to the bed. There I lay,
"You are turning in, Briggs?” facing the half-open door, striving to get
"I am.” rid of my thoughts. And there I lay
He sank back into his chair with a when, a long time later, I was dimly con¬
half-inaudible murmur. I motioned quiet¬ scious that the silence had dissolved into
ly to Lady Sybil, thinking that if she left sound.
832 WEIRD TALES

IT had no definite beginning, no posi¬ going to those infernal galleries in the

tive substance. Only in the acute still¬ upper recesses of the house. And up
ness of the capacious structure would it there would be that eternal fiend of mur¬
have been audible at all. Even then it was der and madness—that unnamed horror
no more than a dead hum, like the drone which had for centuries preyed on the
of muted, smothered machinery. inhabitants of this ghastly dwelling.
It increased in volume. For fully sixty Groping into the passage behind those
seconds, perhaps longer, I lay unmoving, two grim figures, I fell into the mute
as the sound became a throbbing, waver¬ procession. Far above me, that dirge of
ing reality. I twisted about to stare at hell had risen to a whimpering moan—
the door, as if I expected the vibrations a human voice in torment—rising and
to filter into my room and take the form falling with my steps as I paced forward.
of some ghastly supernatural being. I saw the two figures before me now
Then I heard something more—the —the boy still enveloped in that weird
distinct tread of human feet advancing mist; the girl silhouetted behind him.
quietly along the passage outside! And His tread was the tread of a man who had
I saw it—saw the hunched form of Sir repeated this midnight journey many
Edward Ramsey, creeping slowly along times and knew every creaking board,
the corridor. Visible for a moment only, every turn of the passage, every twist of
he passed the open door of my chamber. the long, winding stairways that led into
An unearthly mask of sepulchral light the upper gloom.
surrounded him—an obscure, bluish vapor He paced on—and on. Behind him
that seemed to rise out of the floor at his crouched the girl, shadowing him as a
feet and hang about him like an ethereal jungle cat might shadow some unknown,
cloak, a Protean winding-sheet. And I half-dreaded quarry. I saw that evil
shall never forget the fear-haunted glare shroud of unnatural light ascend the
of the boy’s eyes as he moved through the stairs, hovering about him—saw it grope
darkness. down the second labyrinth—saw it climb
He walked as though an inner force again, up, up, into the stygian murk. The
guided him forward. His hands hung girl crept after him, and I trailed behind
lifelessly at his sides. His face was tense with the utmost caution, lest he should
and ghastly gray, strained to an almost turn and find me behind him.
diabolical degree of expectancy. And Only once—before the door of that
then, passing out of my range of vision, chamber of abhorrence at the very roof
he vanished. of the house—did he hesitate. Then,
I sprang from the bed and reached swinging the heavy barrier open, he en¬
the door in a stride. There I stopped, tered.
with both hands clutching the door-frame. Through that open doorway, in trip¬
The sound of his footsteps had already led intensity, came the voice of the House
died; but another form was coming si¬ of Ramsey. It beat upon me in waves—
lently out of the darkness and moving a terrific summons, whining hideously,
past me. The form of Lady Sybil—fol¬ rising and falling with infuriate vehe¬
lowing him! mence. And I knew, in that frantic mo¬
I did not hesitate then. I knew, as ment, why Sir Edward had not fled in
surely as if the walls themselves were terror from this place of pestilence. He
screeching it out to me, that the boy was could not. That spectral voice possessed
W. T.—7
 THE GHOUL GALLERY 833

a spell that would allow no man to leave. uous way out of the great gilt frame. It
It was irresistible in its cunning! was a skeleton no longer. It had become
I slunk forward. The girl had already an undead form, indefinite in shape,
crossed the threshold. As I slipped swelling and contracting to grotesque

through the aperture, I saw them directly mockeries of human mold. I saw a misty
before me—Lady Sybil pressed flat against outline of ancient clothing hanging from

the wall; the boy, surrounded by that its limbs—a garb that was hundreds of
years old in style. And the face, lifted
Protean well of light, standing motionless
in terrible malice, w'as the face of an
with both hands uplifted.
English nobleman.
The room was a pit of blackness, ex¬
cept for that bluish cone of light. A chill It burned with a frightful glow, vivid
and unnatural. The living dead hands
sensation took possession of me. I knew
writhed up—up to the thing’s own throat,
that we were not alone. I felt a malig¬
with evil suggestiveness.
nant, gloating presence, invisible but sen¬
tient. All about me emanated that tenu¬ And then, as if from a great distance,
ous thread of sound, high-pitched now a strangled screech split the silence of that
and wailing in an almost articulate voice. room of death. The specter’s lips curled
Human! apart, revealing a double row of broken
teeth. Words came through them. Vi¬
The boy crept forward. He breathed
cious, compelling words.
heavily. His body quivered and trembled
like a thing disjointed. I knew instinc¬ "To strangle one’s self is better than
tively what he wanted. It was that grim to be mad for eternity! Do you hear,
thing on the farther wall. Ramsey? To strangle one's self-"

Mechanically my eyes turned to stare Sir Edward stumbled back, away from
at it. Then, overcome by what I saw, I it. I saw his hands jerk up to his throat.
fell bade. I saw that fiendish, dead-alive creature
lunge toward him.
A wall of darkness faced me. To right,
Then a thin cry rose behind me,
to left, above and below, not a single
from Lady Sybil’s lips. I was pushed
detail of its construction was visible—
roughly aside. Sobbing wildly, the girl
except one. There, in the very space where
dashed past me and fell upon the great
that gleaming skeleton had hung before,
gilt frame, slashing at it with a knife¬
a mad thing leered out at me.
like thing which she clutched in her hand.
It was no dead rack of bones—not now. Flat against it, she raked the canvas into
It was a face—a living, twisted, cruel ribbons, clawing, ripping at it in sheer
face, set atop a writhing body. Even as madness.
I watched, a mist of phosphorescent light,
I think it was the sight of her, over¬
bluish white, began to emanate from it. come by the horror of what we had seen,
The rack of bones became a glowing torso,
that made me move. I swung about,
taking on human form. lurched forward. Against the wall, close
Young Ramsey stood glued to the floor to that living monstrosity, reeled Sir Ed¬
before it. Behind me I heard a stifled ward. His face was livid with insanity—
sob come from the girl’s lips. I could insanity brought on by the damned thing
not advance—could not move. that grappled with him. His mouth was
Slowly the thing changed contour. twisted apart, thick with blood and foam.
Slowly it twisted forward, coiling its sin- His body twisted convulsively. And his
W. T.—8
834 WEIRD TALES

hands—his own hands—were clenched P resently I found courage enough

in his throat. to grope for a match and strike it. I
That shapeless thing was all about him, blundered forward, only to stop as if an
hideously malformed. It had no limits, outflung hand had suddenly thrust me
no bounds. It was a mold of bluish mist, back, while the match dropped from my
with leering face and groping hands. And fingers. I must have screamed.
the hands—God, I can never forget them! But I was saturated with horror. I was
They were huge, hairy, black. They were immune to anything more. Grimly I
twined about the boy’s wrists, forcing found a second match and, with the yel¬
the boy’s fingers into his own throat. low glare preceding me, stepped into the
Strangling him! Murdering him! And aperture revealed by the falling of the
the thumb of the hairy left hand was picture.
missing!
The space was long, thin, hardly more
With a mighty jerk I wrenched those than three feet deep—a silent, ancient
fingers from their hold. Behind me the vault. There, lying at my feet, extended
girl was still hacking at the contents of an oblong box, black and forbidding,
the huge frame, tearing the canvas. The with closed cover. A coffin.
wailing shriek rose to a frenzy—shrilled I scratched another match, and lifted
higher and higher. the cover slowly. Glowering up at me,
Then, all at once, the voice became a made livid by the light of the match, lay
sob—a sob of unspeakable anguish, as the a skeletonic form, long dead, crumbling
girl’s knife struck home. It gurgled into in decay.
silence. The massive shape before me dis¬
I stared down at it for an eternity. It
solved into a circular, throbbing, writhing
was repulsive, even in death. The skull
wraith of fog, with only hands and face
was a grinning mask. The hands were
visible. The face lifted upward in agony; folded on the chest—and the thumb of
the hands clenched on themselves, doubled
the left hand was missing.
into knots. Before my eyes the thing be¬
Beneath those hands lay something
came a blurred outline. And then—noth¬
else—a rectangular plate of tarnished
ing.
metal, engraved with minute lettering. I
Young Ramsey slid to the floor on
picked it out with nervous fingers.
hands and knees, in a dead faint. I
The legend was hardly visible. I rubbed
whirled about, stufnbling to Lady Sybil’s
the metal on the sleeve of my coat, scrap¬
side.
ing away the film of dust. But the en¬
Neither of us noticed, then, that the
graving had been scored deep. Holding
room was once more in utter darkness.
the match close to it, I made out the
We were intent upon only one thing.
words:
Together we tore at that infernal paint¬
ing, dragging it out of its frame, raking Sir Richard Ravenal. Famous artist. Eternal
seeker into the secrets of the undead. His body
it to shreds. placed here secretly by his son, in accord with a
The frame fell with a crash, hurtling request made before his death. The hatred between
Ramsey and Ravenal may never die!
down upon us. Lady Sybil reeled back
with a cry of fear. I held her erect. To¬ Mechanically I returned the inscription
gether we stood there, staring—staring to its resting-place. The girl stood behind
into something empty and black and sin¬ me. I stepped past her, out of the vault,
ister. and paced across the gallery to where Sir
 THE GHOUL GALLERY 835

Edward Ramsey lay motionless on the Then I left them there—those two who
floor. loved each other with a love that was
Lifting him in my arms, I turned to more intense than the most utter terror
the door. of this gaunt house.
"Come,” I said to the girl. I groped down the main staircase to
She followed me out of the room. In the servants’ level and roused the ferret¬
silence we descended the black staircase faced deaf man. Together we climbed
to the lower levels. There, in the boy's to the galleries. There we dragged forth
chamber, I lowered Sir Edward to the that grim coffin with its horrible contents.
bed; and, bringing my medicine kit from Later, in the kitchen of that sinister
my own room, I worked over him until house, we kindled a great fire. Into it
he regained consciousness. we cast the remains of the shattered pic¬
The boy stared up at me, reaching out ture. Into it we threw the oblong box.
to clutch my hand. He was weak, pathet¬ And we stood there side by side, with
ically weak, but the haunted sheen of the scarlet glare of the flames reflected
terror was gone out of his eyes. I moved in our faces, until the curse of the House
away, allowing Lady Sybil to take my of Ramsey had burned to a handful of
place. dead ashes.

=»' mw of
Avoosl Wuthoqquan
By CLARK ASHTON SMITH

A fantastic tale of two magnificent emeralds and how they returned to the
•vampiric entity that owned them

IVE, give, O magnanimous and ing or spariding of many-tinted gems in

-mr liberal lord of the poor,” cried rills and rivers and cascades, all flowing
the beggar. toward the coffers of Avoosl Wuthoq¬
Avoosl Wuthoqquan, the richest and quan. Now die vision had flown; and
most avaricious money-lender in all Com- this untimely and obstreperous voice was
moriom, and, by that token, in the whole imploring him for alms.
of Hyperborea, was startled from his "I have nothing for you.” His tones
train of revery by the sharp, eery, cicada¬ were like the grating of a shut clasp.
like voice. He eyed the supplicant with "Only two pazoors, O generous one,
acidulous disfavor. His meditations, as and I will prophesy.”
he walked homeward that evening, had Avoosl Wuthoqquan gave the beggar
been splendidly replete with the shining a second glance. He had never seen so
of costly metals, with coins and ingots disreputable a specimen of the mendicant
and gold-work and argentry, and the flam¬ class in all his wayfarings through Com-
836 WEIRD TALES

moriom. The man was preposterously silver and similor in the dark arrases.
old, and his mummy-brown skin, wher¬ Avoosl Wuthoqquan, seated in an umber
ever visible, was webbed with wrinkles shadow beyond the lane of light, peered
that were like the heavy weaving of some with an austere and ironic mien at his
giant jungle spider. His rags were no less client, whose swarthy face and somber
than fabulous; and the beard that hung mantle were gilded by the passing glory.
down and mingled with them was hoary The man was a stranger; possibly a
as the moss of a primeval juniper. travelling merchant from outland realms,
"I do not require your prophecies.” the usurer thought—or else an outlander
of more dubious occupation. His narrow,
"One pazoor, then.”
slanting, beryl-green eyes, his bluish, un¬
"No.”
kempt beard, and the uncouth cut of his
The eyes of the beggar became evil and
sad raiment, were sufficient proof of his
malignant in their hollow sockets, like alienage in Commoriom.
the heads of two poisonous little pit-
"Three hundred djals is a large sum,”
vipers in their holes.
said the money-lender thoughtfully.
"Then, O Avoosl Wuthoqquan,” he "Moreover, I do not know you. What
hissed, "I will prophesy gratis. Harken security have you to offer?”
to your weird: the godless and exceeding The visitor produced from the bosom
love which you bear to all material things, of his garment a small bag of tigerskin,
and your lust therefor, shall lead you on tied at the mouth with sinew, and open¬
a strange quest and bring you to a doom ing the bag with a deft movement, poured
whereof the stars and the sun will alike on the table before Avoosl Wuthoqquan
be ignorant. The hidden opulence of two uncut emeralds of immense size and
earth shall allure you and ensnare you; flawless purity. They flamed at the heart
and earth itself shall devour you at the with a cold and ice-green fire as they
last.” caught the slanting sunset; and a greedy
"Begone,” said Avoosl Wuthoqquan. spark was kindled in the eyes of the
"The weird is more than a trifle cryptic usurer. But he spoke coolly and in¬
in its earlier clauses; and the Anal clause differently.
is somewhat platitudinous. I do not need "It may be that I can loan you one
a beggar to tell me the common fate, of hundred and fifty djals. Emeralds are
mortality.” hard to dispose of; and if you should not
return to claim the gems and repay me
2
the money, I might have reason to repent
I T was many moons later, in that year my generosity. But I will take the
which became known to pre-glacial his¬ hazard.”
torians as the year of the Black Tiger. "The loan I ask is a mere tithe of their
Avoosl Wuthoqquan sat in a lower value,” protested the stranger. "Give me
chamber of his house, which was also his two hundred and fifty djals. . . . There
place of business. The room was oblique¬ are other money-lenders in Commoriom,
ly shafted by the brief, aerial gold of the I am told.”
reddening sunset, which fell through a "Two hundred djals is the most I can
crystal window, lighting a serpentine line offer. It is true that the gems are not
of irised sparks in the jewel-studded lamp without value. But you may have stolen
that hung from copper chains, and touch¬ them. How am I to know? It is not my
ing to fiery life the tortuous threads of habit to ask indiscreet questions.”
 THE WEIRD OF AVOOSL WUTHOQQUAN 837

"Take them,” said the stranger, hastily. flawless as the two that he had acquired
He accepted the silver coins which Avoosl that evening.
Wuthoqquan counted out, and offered no
further protest. The usurer watched him
with a sardonic smile as he departed, and
A voosl wuthoqquan sorted out the
k. gems in gleaming rows and circles,
drew his own inferences. He felt sure as he had done so many times before; and
that the jewels had been stolen, but was he set apart all the emeralds with his new
in no wise perturbed or disquieted by this acquisitions at one end, like captains lead¬
fact. No matter whom they had belonged ing a file. He was well pleased with his
to, or what their history, they would bargain, well satisfied with overflowing
form a welcome and valuable addition to caskets. He regarded the jewels with an
the coffers of Avoosl Wuthoqquan. Even avaricious love, a miserly complacence; and
the smaller of the two emeralds would one might have thought that his eyes were
have been absurdly cheap at three hun¬ little beads of jasper, set in his leathery
dred djals; but the usurer felt no appre¬ face as in the smoky parchment cover of
hension that the stranger would return to some olden book of doubtful magic.
claim them at any time. . . . No, the man Money and precious gems—these things
was plainly a thief, and had been glad to alone, he thought, were immutable and
rid himself of the evidence of his guilt. non-volatile in a world of never-ceasing
As to the rightful ownership of the gems change and fugacity.
—that was hardly a matter to arouse the His reflections, at this point, were in¬
concern or the curiosity of the money¬ terrupted by a singular occurrence. Sud¬
lender. They were his own property now, denly and without warning—for he had
by virtue of the sum in silver which had not touched or disturbed them in any
been tacitly regarded by himself and the manner—the two large emeralds started
stranger as a price rather than a mere loan. to roll away from their companions on
The sunset faded swiftly from the the smooth, level table of black ogga-
room and a brown twilight began to dull wood; and before the startled money¬
the metal broideries of the curtains and lender could put out his hand to stop
the colored eyes of the gems. Avoosl them, they had vanished over the op¬
Wuthoqquan lit the fretted lamp; and posite edge and had fallen with a muffled
then, opening a small brazen strong-box, rattling on the carpeted floor.
he poured from it a flashing rill of Such behavior was highly eccentric and
jewels on the table beside the emeralds. peculiar, not to say unaccountable; but
There were pale and ice-clear topazes the usurer leapt to his feet with no other
from Mhu Thulan, and gorgeous crystals thought save to retrieve the jewels. He
of tourmalin from Tscho Vulpanomi; rounded the table in time to see that they
there were chill and furtive sapphires of had continued their mysterious rolling
the north, and arctic camelians like frozen and were slipping through the outer door,
blood, and diamonds that were hearted which the stranger in departing had left
with white stars. Red, unblinking rubies slightly ajar. This door gave on a court¬
glared from the coruscating pile, cha- yard; and the courtyard, in turn, opened
toyants shone like the eyes of tigers, on the streets of Commoriom.
garnets and alabraundins gave their som¬ Avoosl Wuthoqquan was deeply
ber flames to the lamplight amid the rest¬ alarmed, but was concerned by the pros¬
less hues of opals. Also, there were pect of losing the emeralds rather than
other emeralds, but none so large and by the eeriness and mystery of their de-
838 WEIRD TALES

parture. He gave chase with an agility of The money-lender grew desperate. The
which few would have believed him flight of the emeralds was leading him
capable, and throwing open the door, he into an outlying quarter of Commoriom
saw the fugitive emeralds gliding with where thieves and murderers and beggars
an uncanny smoothness and swiftness dwelt. Here he met a few passers, all of
across the rough, irregular flags of the dubious character, who stared in stupefac¬
courtyard. The twilight was deepening tion at the fleeing stones, but made no
to a nocturnal blue; but the jewels seemed effort to stop them. Then the foul ten¬
to wink derisively with a strange phos¬ ements among which he ran became
phoric luster as he followed them. Clear¬ smaller, with wider spaces between; and
ly visible in the gloom, they passed soon there were only sparse huts, where
through the unbarred gate that gave on furtive lights gleamed out in the full-
a principal avenue, and disappeared. grown darkness, beneath the lowering
It began to occur to Avoosl Wuthoq- frondage of high palms.
quan that the jewels were bewitched; but
Still plainly visible, and shining with
not even in the face of an unknown sor¬
a mocking phosphorescence, the jewels
cery was he willing to relinquish anything
fled before him on the dark road. It
for which he had paid the munificent sum
seemed to him, however, that he was
of two hundred djals. He gained the
gaining upon them a little. His flabby
open street with a running leap, and
limbs and pursy body were faint with
paused only to make sure of the direction
fatigue, and he was grievously winded;
in which his emeralds had gone.
but he went on in renewed hope, gasping
The dim avenue was almost entirely
with eager avarice. A full moon, large
deserted; for the worthy citizens of Com-
and amber-tinted, rose beyond the jungle
moriom, at that hour, were preoccupied
and began to light his way.
with the consumption of their evening
meal. The jewels, gaining momentum,
and skimming the ground lightly in their G ommorxom was far behind him
flight, were speeding away on the left now; and there were no more huts
toward the less reputable suburbs and the on the lonely forest road, nor any other
wild, luxuriant jungle beyond. Avoosl wayfarers. He shivered a little—either
Wuthoqquan saw that he must redouble with fear or the chill night air; but he
his pursuit if he were to overtake them. did not relax his pursuit. He was clos¬
Panting and wheezing valiantly with ing in on the emeralds, very gradually
the unfamiliar exertion, he renewed the but surely; and he felt that he would re¬
chase; but in spite of all his efforts, the capture them soon. So engrossed was he
jewels ran always at the same distance in the weird chase, with his eyes on the
before him, with a maddening ease and ever-rolling gems, that he failed to per¬
eery volitation, tinkling musically at whiles ceive that he was no longer following an
on the pavement. The frantic and be¬ open highway. Somehow, somewhere,
wildered usurer was soon out of breath; he had taken a narrow path that wound
and being compelled to slacken his speed, among monstrous trees whose foliage
he feared to lose sight of the eloping turned the moonlight to a mesh of quick¬
gems; but strangely, thereafterward, they silver with heavy, fantastic raddlings of
ran with a slowness that corresponded to ebony. Crouching in grotesque menace,
his own, maintaining ever the same like giant retiarii, they seemed to close in
interval. upon him from all sides. But the money-
 THE WEIRD OF AVOOSL WUTHOQQUAN 839

lender was oblivious of their shadowy they slipped from his ken beyond an
threats, and heeded not the sinister abrupt angle of the passage; and follow¬
strangeness and solitude of the jungle ing them, he paused in wonder, as if
path, nor the dank odors that lingered halted by an irresistible hand. He was
beneath the trees like unseen pools. half blinded for some moments by the
Nearer and nearer he came to the pale, mysterious, bluish light that poured
fleeting gems, till they ran and flickered from the roof and walls of the huge cav¬
tantalizingly a little beyond his reach, ern into which he had emerged; and he
and seemed to look back at him like two was more than dazzled by the multi-tinted
greenish, glowing eyes, filled with allure¬ splendor that flamed and glowed and
ment and mockery. Then, as he was about glistened and sparkled at his very feet.
to fling himself forward in a last and He stood on a narrow ledge of stone;
supreme effort to secure them, they van¬ and the whole chamber before and be¬
ished abruptly from view, as if they had neath him, almost to the level of this
been swallowed by the forest shadows ledge, was filled witfy jewels even as a
that lay like sable pythons athwart the granary is filled with grain! It was as if
moonlit way. all the rubies, opals, beryls, diamonds,
BafHed and disconcerted, Avoosl Wuth¬ amethysts, emeralds, chrysolites and sap¬
oqquan paused and peered in bewilder¬ phires of the world had been gathered to¬
ment at the place where they had disap¬ gether and poured into an immense pit.
peared. He saw that the path ended in He thought that he saw his own emeralds,
a cavern-mouth, yawning blackly and si¬ lying tranquilly and decorously in a near¬
lently before him, and leading to un¬ er mound of the undulant mass; but there
known subterranean depths. It was a were so many others of like size and
doubtful and suspicious-looking cavern, flawlessness that he could not be sure of
fanged with sharp stones and bearded them.
with queer grasses; and Avoosl Wuthoq-
quan, in his cooler moments, would have F or awhile, he could hardly believe
hesitated a long while before entering it. the ineffable vision. Then, with a sin¬
But just then he was capable of no other gle cry of ecstasy, he leapt forward from
impulse than the fervor of the chase and the ledge, sinking almost to his knees in
the prompting of avarice. the shifting and tinkling and billowing
The cavern that had swallowed his gems. In great double handfuls, he lifted
emeralds in a fashion so nefarious was a the flaming and scintillating stones and
steep incline running swiftly down into let them sift between his fingers, slowly
darkness. It was low and narrow, and and voluptuously, to fall with a light
slippery with noisome oozings; but the clash on the monstrous heap. Blinking
money-lender was heartened as he went joyously, he watched the royal lights and
on by a glimpse of the glowing jewels, colors run in spreading or narrowing rip¬
which seemed to float beneath him in the ples; he saw them burn like stedfast coals
black air, as if to illuminate his way. The and secret stars, or leap out in blazing
incline led to a level, winding passage, in eyes that seemed to catch fire from each
which Avoosl Wuthoqquan began to over¬ other.
take his elusive property once more; and In his most audacious dreams, the us¬
hope flared high in his panting bosom. urer had never even suspected the exist¬
The emeralds were almost within ence of such riches. He babbled aloud in
reach; then, with sleightful suddenness, a rhapsody of delight, as he played with
840 WEIRD TALES

the numberless gems; and he failed to "Help me!” cried Avoosl Wuthoqquan.
perceive that he was sinking deeper with "See you not that I am sinking?”
every movement into the unfathomable The entity gave its oleaginous chuckle.
pit. The jewels had risen above his knees, "Yes, I see your predicament, of course.
were engulfing his pudgy thighs, before . . . What are you doing here?”
his avaricious rapture was touched by any
"I came in search of my emeralds—two
thought of peril.
fine and flawless stones for which I have
Then, startled by the realization that
just paid the sum of two hundred djals."
he was sinking into his new-found wealth
"Your emeralds?” said the entity. "I
as into some treacherous quicksand, he
fear that I must contradict you. The jew¬
sought to extricate himself and return to
els are mine. They were stolen not long
the safety of the ledge. He floundered
ago from this cavern, in which I have
helplessly; for the moving gems gave way
been wont to gather and guard my sub¬
beneath him, and he made no progress
terranean wealth for many ages. The
but went deeper still, till the bright, un¬
thief was frightened away . . . when he
stable heap had risen to his waist.
saw me . . . and I suffered him to go. He
Avoosl Wuthoqquan began to feel a
had taken only the two emeralds; and I
frantic terror amid the intolerable irony
knew that they would return to me—as
of his plight. He cried out; and as if in
my jewels always return—whenever I
answer, there came a loud, unctuous, evil
choose to call them. The thief was lean
chuckle from the cavern behind him.
and bony, and I did well to let him go;
Twisting his fat neck with painful effort,
for now, in his place, there is a plump
so that he could peer over his shoulder,
and well-fed usurer.”
he saw a most peculiar entity that was
Avoosl Wuthoqquan, in his mounting
couching on a sort of shelf above the
terror, was barely able to comprehend the
pit of jewels. The entity was wholly and
words or to grasp their implications. He
outrageously unhuman; and neither did it
had sunk slowly but steadily into the
resemble any species of animal, or any
yielding pile; and green, yellow, red and
known god or demon of Hyperborea. Its
violet gems were blinking gorgeously
aspect was not such as to lessen the alarm
about his bosom and sifting with a light
and panic of the money-lender; for it
was very large and pale and squat, with i tinkle beneath his armpits.
toad-like face and a swollen, squidgy "Help! help!” he wailed. "I shall be
body and numerous cuttlefish limbs or engulfed!"
appendages. It lay flat on the shelf, with Grinning sardonically, and showing
its chinless head and long slit-like mouth the cloven tip of a fat white tongue, the
overhanging the pit, and its cold, lidless singular entity slid from the shelf with
eyes peering obliquely at Avoosl Wuth¬ boneless ease; and spreading its flat body
oqquan. The usurer was not reassured on the pool of gems, into which it hardly
when it began to speak in a thick and sank, it slithered forward to a position
loathsome voice, like the molten tallow from which it could reach the frantic
of corpses dripping from a wizard’s ket¬ usurer with its octopus-like members. It
tle. dragged him free with a single motion
"Ho! what have we here?" it said. of incredible celerity. Then, without
"By the black altar of Tsathoggua, ’tis a pause or preamble or further comment,
fat money-lender, wallowing in my jew¬ in a leisurely and methodical fashion, it
els like a lost pig in a quagmire!" began to devour him.
 ^nder the Eaves
By HELEN M. REID

To and fro, to and fro in the shadows swung the form of the dead
man—a five-minute story

HUMP—thump—thump. Anyway, thank goodness, the thumping

Spasmodically, above the wail¬ had stopped. But what was that? Some¬
ing of the wind and the dismal one knocking? Who on earth would be
battering of the rain against the windows, venturing out in such a storm? But the
the ominous sound was repeated. knocking was repeated.
Thump—thump—thump. Resolutely she threw the door open. A
Something was hitting against the side rush of rain and wind blurred her vision
of the house—something heavy. Hannah for an instant, and in that instant a man
rose uneasily and laid down her sewing. pushed past her, a tall man, thin and
Susan would be coming for the dress in somewhat stooped, with straggling gray
the morning, but she could not keep her hair that hung dripping about his seamed
mind on the stitches. face; for in spite of the roughness of the
She thought resentfully of Judy. The night he wore no hat.
ingrate! That was the thanks you got for Hannah turned to face him; then
twenty years of slaving. To be left alone abruptly she slammed the door shut and
with nothing to listen to but the wind locked it.
and the rain and that hideous thumping. "So you’ve come bade to the old
For perhaps the twentieth time that woman, have you?” She confronted him
niglit she pulled the shade back from one scornfully. “Found out nobody else
of the windows and stared out into the would put up with you, I suppose.”
darkness. Thump—thump. The sound He made no reply but settled himself
was close now, but beyond the window in his favorite chair by the grate.
was an abyss of blackness in which she "That’s right,” she went on bitingly.
could see nothing. Shivering, she sat "Make yourself comfortable. How you’ve
down once more in front of the grate, got nerve to come back after walking out
where a fire struggled fitfully against the on me like you did I don’t know.”
fury of the storm without and the semi¬ "Seems to me you told me to walk
darkness of the room within. In its wav¬ out.” His words were pleasant but dis¬
ering circle of light she sat erect and de¬ turbingly sarcastic. She noticed that his
fiant, the flames outlining her sharp fea¬ usual docility of manner was entirely
tures and thin knot of graying hair. gone.
It wasn’t because she was getting old, "Better get on some dry clothes,” she
she told herself sternly. A night like this snapped. "You’ll catch your death of
would get on anybody’s nerves. If Nate cold.”
hadn’t cleared out as he did- She A faintly sarcastic smile was his only
frowned impatiently. reply. He made no movement, and for
"Where'd they a been without me, I'd once she was at a loss what to say. She
like to know,” she muttered. "And now felt baffled and confused.
they don’t care what becomes o' me. "You told me to go,” he repeated, "and
Neither one o’ them.” I went. Why do you blame me?”
att
842 WEIRD TALES

She felt her face growing hot at the said. "It gave me quite a turn when I
quiet rebuff. was alone, but now you’re here-”
"Blame you?” she retorted. "I blame The fire had burned low. Nate’s chair
you for being a shiftless, good-for-noth¬ seemed to have drawn back into the
ing fool, that’s what. Look at Clem shadows.
Hanks. You don’t find him dilly-dally¬ "You won’t mind, will you?” She was
ing his time away, and what’s the result? not in the habit of asking that question,
He makes more money in a day than but tonight seemed different.
you’ll ever make in a month. And if Thump—thump—thump.
there’s anything more useless than a man
"Nate!”
that can’t make a decent living, I don’t
A sudden flare from the dying fire il¬
know what it is.”
lumined the room. Nate’s chair was
"You convinced me of that.” empty!
Something in his voice made her look "Nate! Nate!” she called wildly.
at him intently. "Nate,” she said slowly, The wind shrieked around the house
"you know I don’t mean things half as in a paroxysm of fury. The rain lashed
bad as I say them. If I’d a thought you against the windows. There was no other
had spunk enough to get out I’d a never answer.
told you to and that’s God’s truth.” Thump—thump.
She pointed to the sewing that lay A cold trembling seized her. She ran
where she had left it. "If it wasn’t for to the window and threw it open. Thump
the work Susan Hanks gives me to do I —thump. The thing was almost close
don’t know how I’d keep body and soul enough for her to touch. She reached out.
together. Now you’re back, maybe-” Her hand closed on a sodden sleeve, a
"Won’t Judy help?” man’s arm. She screamed. The next in¬
stant she had swayed and fallen.
She fidgeted under the gaze of his
When she opened her eyes she was
steady eyes. "That girl-” She
stretched out in bed with Susan Hanks
checked herself.
bending over her.
"Well?”
"Clem heard you scream and came and
"She left after you did.” got me to look after you,” she explained.
"Because-” "IS he—dead?”
"Because she turned against her own Susan looked away. "Yes,” she said.
mother, that’s why. Didn’t I do every¬ "Can’t they do—something?” There
thing for her with my own hands? and was a note of pleading in Hannah’s harsh
now she takes sides with you. I’m sure voice. "He was in here,” she said. "I
I don’t know why.” was talkin’ to him just before I found
"Maybe I was of some use,” he sug¬ him—out there.”
gested. Susan left the room quickly. Hannah
"Land knows I’m glad enough you heard her speaking to someone in a low
came back. I don’t know what’s come voice. Then the words of Clem’s reply
over me, but what with you gone and came to her distinctly.
Judy gone, this place is like a tomb.” "Better send for Judy,” he said. "She
Thump—thump—thump. There it is delirious. Nate was hanging from
was again! those eaves all evening. The doctor says
"I wish you’d see what that is,” she he’s been dead for hours.”
 Frankenstein.
By MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT-SHELLEY

R The Story Thus Far eight feet tall and human in appearance,
taking his materials from graveyards,
OBERT WALTON, attain of a
slaughter-houses and dissecting-rooms.
ship seeking a passage through the
*■ Arctic Ocean, saw a low carriage,
fixed on a sledge and drawn by dogs, pass CHAPTER 5
over the ice field to the north. In it sat
a being which had the shape of a man,
IT was on a dreary night of November
that I beheld the accomplishment of
but apparently of gigantic stature. my toils. With an anxiety that almost
The next morning, after the ice had amounted to agony, I collected the instru¬
broken, he rescued from an ice-floe ments of life around me, that I might in¬
another man, greatly emaciated. Only one fuse a spark of being into the lifeless
of his dogs remained alive, for he had thing that lay at my feet. It was already
been marooned for some time. one in the morning; the rain pattered dis¬
The man was Victor Frankenstein, a mally against the panes, and my candle
young scientist, who related to Captain was nearly burnt out, when, by the glim¬
Walton the incredible story of his life and mer of the half-extinguished light, I saw
how he came to be on the ice-floe. the dull yellow eyes of the creature open;
Frankenstein had lived in Geneva with it breathed hard, and a convulsive motion
his father and his adopted sister, Eliza¬ agitated its limbs.
beth, to whom he was betrothed. His How can I describe my emotions at this
father sent him to school at Ingolstadt catastrophe, or how delineate the wretch
with his chum, Henry Clerval. There he whom with such infinite pains and care I
progressed in his studies of natural sci¬ had endeavored to form? His limbs were
ence to such a point that he learned to in proportion, and I had selected his fea¬
create life. tures as beautiful. Beautiful!—Great
Without taking Clerval into his secret, God! His yellow skin scarcely covered
in a garret room of the house where he the work of muscles and arteries beneath;
lived he set about creating a monster. his hair was of a lustrous black, and flow-
This story began in WKU5D TALES for May
843
844 WEIRD TALES

ing; his teeth of a pearly whiteness; but were fixed on me. His jaws opened, and
these luxuriances only formed a more hor¬ he muttered some inarticulate sounds,
rid contrast with his watery eyes, that while a grin wrinkled his cheeks. He
seemed almost of the same color as the might have spoken, but I did not hear;
dun white sockets in which they were set, one hand was stretched out, seemingly to
his shrivelled complexion and straight detain me, but I escaped, and rushed
black lips. downstairs.
The different accidents of life are not I took refuge in the courtyard belong¬
so changeable as the feelings of human ing to the house which I inhabited; where
nature. I had worked hard for nearly two I remained during the rest of the night,
years, for the sole purpose of infusing life walking up and down in the greatest agi¬
into an inanimate body. For this I had tation, listening attentively, catching and
deprived myself of rest and health. I had fearing each sound as if it were to an¬
desired it with an ardor that far exceeded nounce the approach of the demoniacal
moderation; but now that I had finished, corpse to which I had so miserably given
the beauty of the dream vanished, and life.
breathless horror and disgust filled my Oh! no mortal could support the hor¬
heart. Unable to endure the aspect of the ror of that countenance. A mummy again
being I had created, I rushed out of the endued with animation could not be so
room, and continued a long time travers¬ hideous as that wretch. I had gazed on
ing my bedchamber, unable to compose him while unfinished; he was ugly then;
my mind to sleep. At length lassitude but when those muscles and joints were
succeeded to the tumult I had before en¬ rendered capable of motion, it became a
dured; and I threw myself on the bed in thing such as even Dante could not have
my clothes, endeavoring to seek a few conceived.
moments of forgetfulness. But it was in I passed the night wretchedly. Some¬
vain: I slept, indeed, but I was disturbed times my pulse beat so quickly and hardly
by the wildest dreams. I thought I saw that I felt the palpitation of every artery;
Elizabeth, in the bloom of health, walk¬ at others, I nearly sank to the ground
ing in the streets of Ingolstadt. Delight¬ through languor and extreme weakness.
ed and surprized, I embraced her; but as I Mingled with this horror, I felt the bitter¬
imprinted the first kiss on her lips, they ness of disappointment; dreams that had
became livid with the hue of death; her been my food and pleasant rest for so long
features appeared to change, and I thought a space were now become a hell to me;
that I held the corpse of my dead mother and the change was so rapid, the over¬
in my arms; a shroud enveloped her form, throw so complete!
and I saw the grave-worms crawling in Morning, dismal and wet, at length
the folds of the flannel. dawned, and discovered to my sleepless
I started from my sleep with horror; a and aching eyes the church of Ingolstadt,
cold dew covered my forehead, my teeth its white steeple and clock, which indi¬
chattered, and every limb became con¬ cated the sixth hour. The porter opened
vulsed: when, by the dim and yellow light the gates of the court, which had that
of the moon, as it forced its way through night been my asylum, and I issued into
the window shutters, I beheld the wretch the streets, pacing them with quick steps,
—the miserable monster whom I had cre¬ as if I sought to avoid the wretch whom
ated. He held up the curtain of the bed; I feared every turning of the street would
and his eyes, if eyes they may be called. present to my view. I did not dare return
 FRANKENSTEIN 845

to the apartment which I inhabited, but Clerval continued talking for sometime
felt impelled to hurry on, although about our mutual friends, and his own
drenched by the rain which poured from good fortune in being permitted to come
a black and comfortless sky. to Ingolstadt. "You may easily believe,”
said he, "how great was the difficulty to
I continued walking in this manner persuade my father that all necessary
knowledge was not comprised in the noble
for some time, endeavoring, by bodily
exercise, to ease the load that weighed art of bookkeeping; and, indeed, I believe
upon my mind. I traversed the streets, I left him incredulous to the last, for his
without any clear conception of where I constant answer to my unwearied entreaties

was, or what I was doing. My heart pal¬ was the same as that of the Dutch school¬
pitated in the sickness of fear; and I hur¬ master in the Vicar of Wakefield: 'I have

ried on with irregular steps, not daring to ten thousand florins a year without Greek,
look about me: I eat heartily without Greek.’ But his af¬
fection for me at length overcame his dis¬
"Like one who, on a lonely road. like of learning, and he has permitted me
Doth walk in fear and dread,
And, having once turned round, walks on, to undertake a voyage of discovery to the
And turns no more his head; land of knowledge.”
Because he knows a frightful fiend
Doth close behind him tread.” "It gives me die greatest delight to see
you; but tell me how you left my father,
Continuing thus, I came at length op¬
brothers, and Elizabeth.”
posite to the inn at which the various
"Very well, and very happy, only a little
diligences and carriages usually stopped.
uneasy that they hear from you so seldom.
Here I paused, I knew not why; but I
By the by, I mean to lecture you a little
remained some minutes with my eyes upon their account myself. But, my dear
fixed on a coach that was coming toward
Frankenstein,” continued he, stopping
me from the other end of the street. As
short, and gazing full in my face, ”1 did
it drew nearer, I observed that it was the
not before remark how very ill you appear;
Swiss diligence: it stopped just where I
so thin and pale; you look as if you had
was standing, and, on the door being
been watching for several nights.”
opened, I perceived Henry Clerval, who,
"You have guessed right; I have lately
on seeing me, instantly sprung out. "My
been so deeply engaged in one occupation
dear Frankenstein,” exclaimed he, "how
that I have not allowed myself sufficient
glad I am to see you! How fortunate that
rest, as you see: but I hope, I sincerely
you should be here at the very moment of hope, that all these employments are now
my alighting!”
at an end, and that I am at length free.”
Nothing could equal my delight on see¬ I trembled excessively; I could not en¬
ing Clerval; his presence brought back to dure to think of, and far less to allude to,
my thoughts my father, Elizabeth, and all the occurrences of the preceding night.
those scenes of home so dear to my recol¬ I walked with a quick pace, and we soon
lection. I grasped his hand, and in a arrived at my college. I then reflected,
moment forgot my horror and misfortune; and the thought made me shiver, that the
I felt suddenly, and for the first time dur¬ creature whom I had left in my apartment
ing many months, calm and serene joy. I might still be there, alive, and walking
welcomed my friend, therefore, in the about. I dreaded to behold this monster;
most cordial manner, and we walked but I feared still more that Henry should
towards my college. see him. Entreating him, therefore, to
 WEIRD TALES

remain a few minutes at the bottom of the to bitterness. But I was not the witness
stairs, I darted up towards my own room. of his grief; for I was lifeless, and did not
My hand was already on the lode of the recover my senses for a long, long time.
door before I recollected myself. I then This was the commencement of a nerv¬
paused; and a cold shivering came over ous fever, which confined me for several
me. I threw the door forcibly open, as months. During all that time Henry was
children are accustomed to do when they my only nurse. I afterwards learned that,
expect a specter to stand in waiting for knowing my father’s advanced age, and
them on the other side; but nothing ap¬ unfitness for so long a journey, and how
peared. I stepped fearfully in: the apart¬ wretched my sickness would make Eliza¬
ment was empty; and my bedroom was beth, he spared them this grief by con¬
also freed from its hideous guest. I could cealing the extent of my disorder. He
hardly believe that so great a good fortune knew that I could not have a more kind
could have befallen me; but when I be¬ and attentive nurse than himself; and,
came assured that my enemy had indeed firm in the hope he felt of my recovery,
fled, I dapped my hands for joy, and ran he did not doubt that, instead of doing
down to Clerval. harm, he performed the kindest action

W E ascended into my room, and the

servant presently brought break¬
that he could toward them.
But I was in reality very ill; and surely
nothing but the unbounded and unremit¬
fast; but I was unable to contain myself. ting attentions of my friend could have
It was not joy only that possessed me; I restored me to life. The form of the
felt my flesh tingle with excess of sensi¬ monster on whom I had bestowed exist¬
tiveness, and my pulse beat rapidly. I was ence was for ever before my eyes, and I
unable to remain for a single instant in raved incessantly concerning him. Doubt¬
the same place; I jumped over the chairs, less my words surprized Henry: he at first
dapped my hands, and laughed aloud. believed them to be the wanderings of my
Clerval at first attributed my unusual disturbed imagination; but the pertinacity
spirits to joy on his arrival; but when he with which I continually recurred to the
observed me more attentively he saw a same subject, persuaded him that my dis¬
wildness in my eyes for which he could order indeed owed its origin to some un¬
not account; and my loud, unrestrained, common and terrible event.
heartless laughter, frightened and aston¬ By very slow degrees, and with frequent
ished him. relapses that alarmed and grieved my
"My dear Victor,” cried he, "what, for friend, I recovered. I remember the first
God’s sake, is the matter? Do not laugh time I became capable of observing out¬
in that manner. How ill you are! What ward objects with any kind of pleasure, I
is the cause of all this?” perceived that the fallen leaves had dis¬
"Do not ask me,” cried I, putting my appeared, and that the young buds were
hands before my eyes, for I thought I saw shooting forth from the trees that shaded
the dreaded specter glide into the room; my window. It was a divine spring; and
"be can tell.—Oh, save me! save me!” I the season contributed greatly to my con¬
imagined that the monster seized me; I valescence. I felt also sentiments of joy
struggled furiously, and fell down in a fit. and affection revive in my bosom; my
Poor Clerval! what must have been his gloom disappeared, and in a short time I
feelings? A meeting, which he antic¬ became as cheerful as before I was at¬
ipated with such joy, so strangely turned tacked by the fatal passion.
 FRANKENSTEIN 847

"Deafest Gerval,” exclaimed I, "how long time I have thought that each post
kind, how very good you are to me. This would bring this line, and my persuasions
whole winter, instead of being spent in have restrained my uncle from undertak¬
study, as you promised yourself, has been ing a journey to Ingolstadt. I have pre¬
consumed in my sick room. How shall I vented his encountering the inconven¬
ever repay you? I feel the greatest re¬ iences and perhaps dangers of so long a
morse for the disappointment of which I journey; yet how often have I regretted
have been the occasion; but you will for¬ not being able to perform it myself! I
give me.” figure to myself that the task of attending
"You will repay me entirely, if you do on your sick bed has devolved on some
not discompose yourself, but get well as mercenary old nurse, who could never
fast as you can; and since you appear in guess your wishes, nor minister to them
such good spirits, I may speak to you on with the care and affection of your poor
one subject, may I not?” cousin. Yet that is over now: Clerval
I trembled. One subject! what could writes that indeed you are getting better.
it be? Could he allude to an object on I eagerly hope that you will confirm this
whom I dared not even think? intelligence soon in your own hand¬
"Compose yourself,” said Gerval, who writing.
observed my change of color, "I will not "Get well—and return to us. You will
mention it, if it agitates you; but your find a happy, cheerful home, and friends
father and cousin would be very happy if who love you dearly. Your father’s health
they received a letter from you in your is vigorous, and be asks but to see you—
own handwriting. They hardly know how but to be assured that you are well; and
ill you have been, and are uneasy at your not a care will ever cloud his benevolent
long silence.” countenance. How pleased you would be
"Is that all, my dear Henry? How to remark the improvement of our Ernest!
could you suppose that my first thoughts He is now sixteen, and full of activity and
would not fly towards those dear, dear spirit. He is desirous to be a true Swiss,
friends whom I love, and who are so de¬ and to enter into foreign service; but we
serving of my love?” can not part with him, at least until his
"If this is your present temper, my elder brother returns to us. My uncle is
friend, you will perhaps be glad to see a not pleased with the idea of a military
letter that has been lying here some days career in a distant country; but Ernest
for you; it is from your cousin, I believe.” never had your powers of application. He
looks upon study as an odious fetter; his
CHAPTER 6 time is spent in the open air, climbing the

C lerval then put the following letter

hills or rowing on the lake. I fear that he
will become an idler unless we yield the
into my hands. It was from my own point and permit him to enter on the pro¬
Elizabeth: fession which he has selected.
"My dearest cousin,—You have been "Little alteration, except the growth of
ill, very ill, and even the constant letters our dear children, has taken place since
of dear kind Henry are not sufficient to you left us. The blue lake, and snow-
reassure me on your account. You are clad mountains, they never change; and
forbidden to write—to hold a pen; yet I think our placid home and our contented
one word from you, dear Victor, is neces¬ hearts are regulated by the same immu¬
sary to calm our apprehensions. For a table laws. My trifling occupations take
 .WEIRD TALES

up my time and amuse me, and I am re¬ that she made any professions; I never
warded for any exertions by seeing none heard one pass her lips; but you could see
but happy, kind faces around me. by her eyes that she almost adored her
"Since you left us, but one change has protectress. Although her disposition was
taken place in our little household. Do gay, and in many respects inconsiderate,
you remember on what occasion Justine yet she paid the greatest attention to every
Moritz entered our family? Probably you gesture of my aunt. She thought her the
do not; I will relate her history, therefore, model of all excellence, and endeavored
in a few words. Madame Moritz, her to imitate her phraseology and manners,
mother, was a widow with four children, so that even now she often reminds me
of whom Justine was the third. This girl of her.
had always been the favorite of her father; "When my dearest aunt died, every
but, through a strange perversity, her one was too much occupied in their own
mother could not endure her, and after grief to notice poor Justine, who had at¬
the death of Monsieur Moritz, treated her tended her during her illness with the
very ill. My aunt observed this; and, most anxious affection. Poor Justine was
when Justine was twelve years of age, very ill; but other trials were reserved for
prevailed on her mother to allow her to her.
live at our house. The republican insti¬ "One by one, her brothers and sister
tutions of our country have produced died; and her mother, with the exception
simpler and happier manners than those of her neglected daughter, was left child-
which prevail in the great monarchies that less. The conscience of the woman was
surround it. Hence there is less distinc¬ troubled; she began to think that the
tion between the several classes of its in¬ deaths of her favorites was a judgment
habitants; and the lower orders, being from heaven to chastise her partiality. She
neither so poor nor so despised, their was a Roman Catholic; and I believe her
manners are more refined and moral. A confessor confirmed the idea which she
servant in Geneva does not mean the same had conceived. Accordingly, a few
thing as a servant in France and England. months after your departure for Ingol-
Justine, thus received in our family, learned stadt, Justine was called home by her re¬
the duties of a servant; a condition which, pentant mother. Poor girl! she wept when
in our fortunate country, does not include she quitted our house; she was much al¬
the idea of ignorance, and a sacrifice of the tered since the death of my aunt; grief
dignity of a human being. had given softness and a winning mildness
"Justine, you may remember, was a to her manners, which had before been
great favorite of yours; and I recollect you remarkable for vivacity. Nor was her
once remarked that if you were in an ill- residence at her mother’s house of a na¬
humor, one glance from Justine could dis¬ ture to restore her gayety. The poor
sipate it, for the same reason that Ariosto woman was very vacillating in her re¬
gives concerning the beauty of Angelica pentance. She sometimes begged Justine
—she looked so frank-hearted and happy. to forgive her unkindness, but much of-
My aunt conceived a great attachment for tener accused her of having caused the
her, by which she was induced to give her deaths of her brothers and sister. Per¬
an education superior to that which she petual fretting at length threw Madame
had at first intended. This benefit was Moritz into a decline, which at first in¬
fully repaid; Justine was the most grateful creased her irritability, but she is now at
little creature in the world: I do not mean peace for ever. She died on the first
W. T.—8
 FRANKENSTEIN 849
approach of cold weather, at the beginning losophy. When I was otherwise quite
of this last winter. Justine has returned restored to health, the sight of a chemical
to us; and I assure you I love her tenderly. instrument would renew all the agony of
She is very dever and gentle, and extreme¬ my nervous symptoms.
ly pretty, as I mentioned before, her mien Henry saw this, and had removed all
and her expressions continually remind my apparatus from my view. He had
me of my dear aunt. also changed my apartment; for he per¬
"I must say also a few words to you, ceived that I had acquired a dislike for the
my dear cousin, of little darling William. room which had previously been my lab¬
I wish you could see him; he is very tall oratory. But these cares of Clerval were
of his age, with sweet laughing blue eyes, made of no avail when I visited the pro¬
dark eyelashes, and curling hair. When fessors. Monsieur Waldman inflicted tor¬
he smiles, two little dimples appear on ture when he praised, with kindness and
each cheek, which are rosy with health. warmth, the astonishing progress I had
He has already had one or two little made in the sciences. He soon perceived
wives, but Louisa Biron is his favorite, a that I disliked the subject; but not guess¬
pretty little girl of five years of age. ing the real cause, he attributed my feel¬
ings to modesty, and changed the subject
"I have written myself into better spir¬
from my improvement, to the science
its, dear cousin; but my anxiety returns
itself, with a desire, as I evidently saw, of
upon me as I conclude. Write, dearest
drawing me out What could I do? He
Victor—one line—one word will be a
meant to please, and he tormented me. I
blessing to us. Ten thousand thanks to
felt as if he had placed carefully, one by
Henry for his kindness, his affection, and
one, in my view those instruments which
his many letters: we are sincerely grateful.
were to be afterwards used in putting me
Adieu! my cousin; take care of yourself;
to a slow and cruel death. I writhed
and, I entreat you, write!
under his words, yet dared not exhibit the
Elizabeth Lavenza. pain I felt.
"Geneva, March 18th, 17— Clerval, whose eyes and feelings were
always quick in discerning the sensations
"I A ear, dear Elizabeth!” I exclaimed,
of others, declined the subject, alleging,
-■--'when I had read her letter, "I will
in excuse, his total ignorance; and the con¬
write instantly, and relieve them from the
versation took a more general turn. I
anxiety they must feel.” I wrote, and this
thanked my friend from my heart, but I
exertion greatly fatigued me; but my con¬
did not speak. I saw plainly that he was
valescence had commenced, and proceeded
surprized, but he never attempted to draw
regularly. In another fortnight I was
my secret from me; and although I loved
able to leave my chamber.
him with a mixture of affection and rev¬
One of my first duties on my recovery erence that knew no bounds, yet I could
was to introduce Clerval to the several never persuade myself to confide to him
professors of the university. In doing that event which was so often present to
this, I underwent a kind of rough usage, my recollection, but which I feared the
ill befitting the wounds that my mind had detail to another would only impress more
sustained. Ever since the fatal night, the deeply.
end of my labors, and the beginning of Monsieur Krempe was not equally do¬
my misfortunes, I had conceived a violent cile; and in my condition at that time, of
antipathy even to the name of natural phi- almost insupportable sensitiveness, bis
W. T— 9
850 WEIRD TALES

harsh blunt encomiums gave me even more unwillingness to leave Clerval in a strange
pain than the benevolent approbation of place, before he had become acquainted
Monsieur Waldman. "Damn the fel¬ with any of its inhabitants. The winter,
low!” cried he; "why. Monsieur Clerval, however, was spent cheerfully; and al¬
I assure you he has outstript us all. Ay, though the spring was uncommonly late,
stare if you please; but it is nevertheless when it came its beauty compensated for
true. A youngster who, but a few years its dilatoriness.
ago, believed in Cornelius Agrippa as The month of May had already com¬
firmly as in the gospel, has now set him¬ menced, and I expected the letter daily
self at the head of the university; and if which was to fix the date of my departure,
he is not soon pulled down, we shall all when Henry proposed a pedestrian tour
be out of countenance. Ay, ay,” con¬ in the environs of Ingolstadt, that I might
tinued he, observing my face expressive bid a personal farewell to the country I
of suffering, "Monsieur Frankenstein is had so long inhabited. I acceded with
modest; an excellent quality in a young pleasure to this proposition: I was fond of
man. Young men should be diffident of exercise, and Clerval had always been my
themselves, you know. Monsieur Clerval: favorite companion in the rambles of this
I was myself when young; but that wears nature that I had taken among the scenes
out in a very short time.” of my native country.
Monsieur Krempe had now commenced We passed a fortnight in these peram¬
an eulogy on himself, which happily bulations: my health and spirits had long
turned the conversation from a subject been restored, and they gained additional
that was so annoying to me. strength from the salubrious air I
Clerval had never sympathized in my breathed, the natural incidents of our
tastes for natural science; and his literary progress, and the conversation of my
pursuits differed wholly from those which friend. Study had before secluded me
had occupied me. He came to the uni¬ from the intercourse of my fellow-crea¬
versity with the design of making himself tures, and rendered me unsocial; but Cler¬
complete master of the oriental languages, val called forth the better feelings of my
as thus he should open a field for the plan heart; he again taught me to love the as¬
of life he had marked out for himself. pect of nature, and the cheerful faces of
Resolved to pursue no inglorious career, children. Excellent friend! how sincerely
he turned his eyes'towards the East, as af¬ did you love me, and endeavor to elevate
fording scope for his spirit of enterprise. my mind until it was on a level with your
The Persian, Arabic, and Sanskrit lan¬ own! A selfish pursuit had cramped and
guages engaged his attention, and I was narrowed me, until your gentleness and
easily induced to enter on the same studies. affection warmed and opened my senses; I
Summer passed away in these occupa¬ became the same happy creature who, a
tions, and my return to Geneva was fixed few years ago, loved and beloved by all,
for ffie latter end of autumn; but being had no sorrow or care. When happy, in¬
delayed by several accidents, winter and animate nature had the power of bestow¬
snow arrived, the roads were deemed im¬ ing on me the most delightful sensations.
passable, and my journey was retarded A serene sky and verdant fields filled me
until the ensuing spring. I felt this delay with ecstasy. The present season was in¬
very bitterly; for I longed to see my native deed divine; the flowers of spring
town and my beloved friends. My return bloomed in the hedges, while those of
had only been delayed so long from an summer were already in bud. I was un-
 FRANKENSTEIN 851

disturbed by thoughts which during the "William is dead!—that sweet child,

preceding year had pressed upon me, not¬ whose smiles delighted and warmed my
withstanding my endeavors to throw them heart, who was so gentle, yet so gay!
off, with an invincible burden. Victor, he is murdered!
Henry rejoiced in my gayety, and sin¬ "I will not attempt to console you; but
cerely sympathized in my feelings: he ex¬ will simply relate the circumstances of the
erted himself to amuse me, while he transaction.
expressed the sensations that filled his "Last Thursday (May 7th), I, my
soul. The resources of his mind on this niece, and your two brothers, went to walk
occasion were truly astonishing: his con¬ in Plainpalais. The evening was warm
versation was full of imagination; and and serene, and we prolonged our walk
very often, in imitation of the Persian and farther than usual. It was already dusk
Arabic writers, he invented tales of won¬ before we thought of returning; and then
derful fancy and passion. At other times we discovered that William and Ernest,
he repeated my favorite poems, or drew who had gone on before, were not to be
me out into arguments, which he sup¬ found. We accordingly rested on a seat
ported with great ingenuity. until they should return. Presently Ernest
We returned to our college on a Sunday came, and inquired if we had seen his
afternoon: the peasants were dancing, and brother: he said that he had been playing
every one we met appeared gay and happy. with him, that William had run away to
My own spirits were high, and I bounded hide himself, and that he vainly sought
along with feelings of unbridled joy and for him, and afterwards waited for him a
hilarity. long time, but that he did not return.
"This account rather alarmed us, and
CHAPTER 7 we continued to search for him until night

O N MY return, I found the following

fell, when Elizabeth conjectured that he
might have returned to the house. He
letter from my father: was not there. We returned again, with
"My dear victor,—You have prob¬ torches; for I could not rest, when I
ably waited impatiently for a letter to fix thought that my sweet boy had lost him¬
the date of your return to us; and I was self, and was exposed to all the damps
at first tempted to write only a few lines, and dews of night; Elizabeth also suffered
merely mentioning the day on which I extreme anguish. About five in the morn¬
should expect you. But that would be a ing I discovered my lovely boy, whom the
cruel kindness, and I dare not do it. What night before I had seen blooming and
would be your surprize, my son, when active in health, stretched on the grass
you expected a happy and glad welcome, livid and motionless: the print of the
to behold, on the contrary, tears and murderer’s fingers was on his neck.
wretchedness? And how, Victor, can I "He was conveyed home, and the an¬
relate our misfortune? Absence can not guish that was visible in my countenance
have rendered you callous to our joys and betrayed the secret to Elizabeth. She was
griefs; and how shall I inflict pain on my very earnest to see the corpse. At first I
long absent son? I wish to prepare you attempted to prevent her; but she persist¬
for the woful news, but I know it is im¬ ed, and entering the room where it lay,
possible; even now your eye skims over hastily examined the neck of the victim,
the page, to seek the words which are to and clasping her hands exclaimed, 'O
convey to you the horrible tidings. God! I have murdered my darling child!*
852 WEIRD TALES

"She fainted, and was restored with ex¬ the extremest agitation. Tears also gushed
treme difficulty. When she again lived, it from the eyes of Clerval, as he read the
was only to weep and sigh. She told me account of my misfortune.
that that same evening William had teased "I can offer you no consolation, my
her to let him wear a veiy valuable minia¬ friend,” said he; "your disaster is irrepa¬
ture that she possessed of your mother. rable. What do you intend to do?”
This picture is gone, and was doubtless the "To go instantly to Geneva: come with
temptation which urged the murderer to me, Henry, to order the horses.”
the deed. We have no trace of him at
present, although our exertions to discov¬ I T was completely dark when I arrived
er him are unremitted; but they will not in the environs of Geneva; the gates
restore my beloved William! of the town were already shut; and I was
"Come, dearest Victor; you alone can obliged to pass the night at Secheron, a
console Elizabeth. She weeps continually, village at the distance of half a league
and accuses herself unjustly as the cause from the city. The sky was serene; and,
of his death; her words pierce my heart. as I was unable to rest, I resolved to visit
We are all unhappy; but will not that be the spot where my poor William had been
an additional motive for you, my son, to murdered.
return and be our comforter? Your dear As I could not pass through the town,
mother! Alas, Victor! I now say, Thank I was obliged to cross the Idee in a boat
God she did not live to witness the cruel, to arrive at Plainpalais. During this short
miserable death of her youngest darling! voyage I saw the lightnings playing on the
"Come, Victor; not brooding thoughts summit of Mont Blanc in the most beau¬
of vengeance against the assassin, but with tiful figures. The storm appeared to ap¬
feelings of peace and gentleness, that wili proach rapidly; and, on landing, I ascend¬
heal, instead of festering, the wounds of ed a low hill, that I might observe its
our minds. Enter the house of mourning, progress. It advanced; the heavens were
my friend, but with kindness and affection clouded, and I soon felt the rain coming
for those who love you, and not with slowly in large drops, but its violence
hatred for your enemies.—Your affection¬ quickly increased.
ate and afflicted father, I quitted my seat, and walked on, al¬
Alphonse Frankenstein. though the darkness and storm increased
"Geneva, May 12th, 17— every minute, and the thunder burst with
a terrific crash over my head. It was
Clerval, who had watched my counte¬ echoed from Saleve, the Juras, and the
nance as I read this letter, was surprized to Alps of Savoy; vivid flashes of lightning
observe the despair that succeeded to the dazzled my eyes, illuminating the lake,
joy I at first expressed on receiving news making it appear like a vast sheet of fire;
from my friends. I threw the letter on then for an instant everything seemed of
the table, and covered my face with my a pitchy darkness, until the eye recovered
hands. itself from the preceding flash.
"My dear Frankenstein,” exclaimed While I watched the tempest, so beau¬
Henry, when he perceived me weep with tiful yet terrific, I wandered on with a
bitterness, "are you always to be unhappy? hasty step. This noble war in the sky
My dear friend, what has happened?” elevated my spirits; I clasped my hands,
I motioned to him to take up the letter, and exclaimed aloud, “William, dear an¬
while I walked up and down the room in gel! this is thy funeral, this thy dirge!”
 FRANKENSTEIN 853
As I said these words, I perceived in the which I spent, cold and wet, in the open
gloom a figure which stole from behind air. But I did not feel the inconvenience
a clump of trees near me; I stood fixed, of the weather; my imagination was busy
gazing intently: I could not be mistaken. in scenes of evil and despair. I considered
A flash of lightning illuminated the ob¬ the being whom I had cast among man¬
ject, and discovered its shape plainly to kind, and endowed with the will and
me; its gigantic stature, and the deform¬ power to effect purposes of horror, such
ity of its aspect, more hideous than be¬ as the deed which he had now done, nearly
longs to humanity, instantly informed me in the light of my own vampire, my own
that it was the wretch, the filthy demon, spirit let loose from the grave, and forced
to whom I had given life. What did he to destroy all that was dear to me.
there? Could he be (I shuddered at the Day dawned; and I directed my steps
conception) the murderer of my brother? towards the town. The gates were open,
No sooner did that idea cross my imagi¬ and I hastened to my father’s house. My
nation, than I became convinced of its first thought was to discover what I knew
truth; my teeth chattered, and I was forced of the murderer, and cause instant pur¬
to lean against a tree for support. suit to be made. But I paused when I
The figure passed me quickly, and I reflected on the story that I had to tell. A
lost it in the gloom. Nothing in human being whom I myself had formed, and
shape could have destroyed that fair child. endued with life, had met me at midnight
He was the murderer! I could not doubt among the precipices of an inaccessible
it. The mere presence of the idea was an mountain. I remembered also the nerv¬
irresistible proof of the fact. I thought ous fever with which I had been seized
of pursuing the devil; but it would have just at the time that I dated my creation,
been in vain, for another flash discovered and which would give an air of delirium
him to me hanging among the rocks of to a tale otherwise so utterly improbable.
the nearly perpendicular ascent of Mont I well knew that if any other communi¬
Saleve, a hill that bounds Plainpalais on cated such a relation to me, I should have
the south. He soon reached the summit, looked upon it as the ravings of insanity.
and disappeared. Besides, the strange nature of the animal
I remained motionless. The thunder would elude all pursuit, even if I were
ceased; but the rain still continued, and so far credited as to persuade my relatives
the scene was enveloped in an impen¬ to commence it. And then of what use
etrable darkness. I revolved in my mind would be the pursuit? Who could arrest
the events which I had until now sought a creature capable of scaling the over¬
to forget: the whole train of my progress hanging sides of Mont Saleve? These re¬
towards the creation; the appearance of flections determined me, and I resolved
the work of my own hands alive at my to remain silent.
bedside; its departure. Two years had
now nearly elapsed since the night on
which he first received life; and was this
I T was about five in the morning when
I entered my father’s house. I told the
his first crime? Alas! I had turned loose servants not to disturb the family, and
into the world a depraved wretch, whose went into the library to attend their usual
delight was in carnage and misery; had he hour of rising.
not murdered my brother? Six years had elapsed, passed as a dream
No one can conceive the anguish I suf¬ but for one indelible trace, and I stood in
fered during the remainder of the night, the same place where I had last embraced
854 WEIRD TALES

my father before my departure for Ingol- fine a mountain-stream with a straw. I

stadt. Beloved and venerable parent! He saw him too; he was free last night!”
still remained to me. I ga2ed on the pic¬ "I do not know what you mean,” re¬
ture of my mother, which stood over the plied my brother, in accents of wonder,
mantelpiece. It was an historical subject, "but to us the discovery we have made
painted at my father’s desire, and repre¬ completes our misery. No one would
sented Caroline Beaufort in an agony of believe it at first; and even now Elizabeth
despair, kneeling by the coffin of her dead will not be convinced, notwithstanding all
father. Her garb was rustic, and her the evidence. Indeed, who would credit
cheek pale; but there was an air of dignity that Justine Moritz, who was so amiable,
and beauty that hardly permitted the sen¬ and fond of all the family, could sudden¬
timent of pity. Below this picture was a ly become capable of so frightful, so
miniature of William; and my tears appalling a crime?”
flowed when I looked upon it. "Justine Moritz! Poor, poor girl, is she
While I was thus engaged, Ernest en¬ the accused? But it is wrongfully; every
tered: he had heard me arrive, and hast¬ one knows that; no one believes it, surely,
ened to welcome me. He expressed a sor¬ Ernest?”
rowful delight to see me: "Welcome, my "No one did at first; but several circum¬
dearest Victor,” said he. "Ah! I wish stances came out, that have almost forced
you had come three months ago, and then conviction upon us; and her own behavior
you would have found us all joyous and has been so confused, as to add to the
delighted! You come to us now to share evidence of facts a weight that, I fear,
a misery which nothing can alleviate; yet leaves no hope for doubt. But she will
your presence will, I hope, revive our be tried today, and you will then hear all.”
father, who seems sinking under his mis¬ He related that, the morning on which
fortune; and your persuasions will induce the murder of poor William had been dis¬
poor Elizabeth to cease her vain and tor¬ covered, Justine had been taken ill, and
menting self-accusations.—Poor William! confined to her bed for several days. Dur¬
he was our darling and our pride!” ing this interval, one of the servants, hap¬
Tears, unrestrained, fell from my pening to examine the apparel she had
brother’s eyes; a sense of mortal agony worn on the night of die murder, had
crept over my frame. Before, I had only discovered in her pocket the picture of
imagined the wretchedness of my des¬ my mother, which had been judged to be
olated home; the reality came on me as a the temptation of the murderer. The
new, and a not less terrible, disaster. I servant instantly showed it to one of the
tried to calm Ernest; I inquired more others, who, without saying a word to
minutely concerning my father and her I any of the family, went to a magistrate;
named my cousin. and, upon their deposition, Justine was
"She most of all,” said Ernest, "requires apprehended. On being charged with the
consolation; she accused herself of having fact, the poor girl confirmed the suspicion
caused the death of my brother, and that in a great measure by her extreme confu¬
made her very wretched. But since the sion of manner.
murderer has been discovered-” This was a strange tale, but it did not
"The murderer discovered! Good God! shake my faith; and I replied earnestly,
how can that be? who could attempt to "You are all mistaken; I know the mur¬
pursue him? It is impossible; one might derer. Justine, poor, good Justine, is in¬
as well try to overtake the winds, or con¬ nocent.”
 FRANKENSTEIN 855

At that instant my father entered. I guiltless Justine. Alas! who is safe, if she
saw unhappiness deeply impressed on his be convicted of crime? I rely on her inno¬
countenance, but he endeavored to wel¬ cence as certainly as I do upon my own.
come me cheerfully; and, after we had Our misfortune is doubly hard to us; we
exchanged our mournful greeting, would have not only lost that lovely darling boy,
have introduced some other topic than but this poor girl, whom I sincerely love,
that of our disaster, had not Ernest ex¬ is to be tom away by even a worse fate.
claimed, "Good God, papa! Victor says If she is condemned, I never shall know
that he knows who was the murderer of joy more. But she will not, I am sure she
poor William.” will not; and then I shall be happy again,
"We do also, unfortunately,” replied even after the sad death of my little Wil¬
my father; "for indeed I had rather have liam.”
been for ever ignorant than have discov¬
CHAPTER 8
ered so much depravity and ingratitude in
one I valued so highly.” e passed a few sad hours, until
"My dear father, you are mistaken; Jus¬ eleven o’clock, when the trial was
tine is innocent.” to commence. My father and the rest of
"If she is, God forbid that she should the family being obliged to attend as wit¬
suffer as guilty. She is to be tried today, nesses, I accompanied them to the court.
and I hope, I sincerely hope, that she will During the whole of this wretched
be acquitted.” mockery of justice I suffered living tor¬
This speech calmed me. I was firmly ture. It was to be decided whether the
convinced in my own mind that Justine, result of my curiosity and lawless devices
and indeed every human being, was guilt¬ would cause the death of two of my fel¬
less of this murder. I had no fear, there¬ low-beings: one a smiling babe, full of
fore, that any circumstantial evidence innocence and joy; the other far more
could be brought forward strong enough dreadfully murdered, with every aggrava¬
to convict her. My tale was not one to tion of infamy that could make the mur¬
announce publicly; its astounding horror der memorable in horror. Justine also
would be looked upon as madness by the was a girl of merit, and possessed qual¬
vulgar. Did any one indeed exist, except ities which promised to render her life
me, the creator, who would believe, unless happy: now all was to be obliterated in an
his senses convinced him, in the existence ignominious grave; and I the cause! A
of the living monument of presumption thousand times rather would I have con¬
and rash ignorance which I had let loose fessed myself guilty of the crime ascribed
upon the world? to Justine; but I was absent when it was
We were soon joined by Elizabeth. committed, and such a declaration would
Time had altered her since I last beheld have been considered as the ravings of a
her; it had endowed her with loveliness madman, and would not have exculpated
surpassing the beauty of her childish her who suffered through me.
years. There was the same candor, the The appearance of Justine was calm.
same vivacity, but it was allied to an ex¬ She was dressed in mourning; and her
pression more full of sensibility and intel¬ countenance, always engaging, was ren¬
lect. She welcomed me with the greatest dered, by the solemnity of her feelings,
affection. "Your arrival, my dear cousin,” exquisitely beautiful. Yet she appeared
said she, "fills me with hope. You perhaps confident in innocence, and did not
will find some means to justify my poor tremble, although gazed on and execrated
856 WEIRD TALES

by thousands; for ail the kindness which Justine was called on for her defense.
her beauty might otherwise have excited As the trial had proceeded, her counte¬
was obliterated in the minds of the spec¬ nance had altered. Surprize, horror, and
tators by the imagination of the enormity misery were strongly expressed. Some¬
she was supposed to have committed. She times she struggled with her tears; but,
was tranquil, yet her tranquillity was evi¬ when she was desired to plead, she col¬
dently constrained; and as her confusion lected her powers, and spoke, in an au¬
had before been adduced as a proof of dible, although variable voice.
her guilt, she worked up her mind to
"God knows,” she said, "how entirely
an appearance of courage. When she
I am innocent. But I do not pretend that
entered the court, she threw her eyes
my protestations should acquit me: I rest
round it, and quickly discovered where
my innocence on a plain and simple ex¬
we were seated. A tear seemed to dim
planation of the facts which have been
her eye when she saw us; but she quickly
adduced against me; and I hope the char¬
recovered herself, and a look of sorrow¬
acter I have always borne will incline my
ful affection seemed to attest her utter
judges to a favorable interpretation, where
guiltlessness.
any circumstance appears doubtful or sus¬
The trial began; and, after the advocate
picious.”
against her had stated the charge, several
witnesses were called. Several strange She then related that, by the permission
facts combined against her, which might of Elizabeth, she had passed the evening
have staggered any one who had not such of the night on which the murder had
proof of her innocence as I had. She had been committed at the house of an aunt
been out the whole of the night on which at Chene, a village situated at about a
the murder had been committed, and to¬ league from Geneva. On her return, at
wards morning had been perceived by a about nine o’clock, she met a man, who
market-woman not far from the spot asked her if she had seen anything of the
where the body of the murdered child had child who was lost. She was alarmed by
been afterwards found. The woman this account, and passed several hours in
asked her what she did there; but she looking for him, when the gates of Ge¬
looked very strangely, and only returned neva were shut, and she was forced to
a confused and unintelligible answer. remain several hours of the night in a bam
She returned to the house about eight belonging to a cottage, being unwilling to
o’clock; and, when one inquired where she call up the inhabitants, to whom she was
had passed the night, she replied that she well known. Most of the night she spent
had been looking for the child, and de¬ here watching; towards morning she be¬
manded earnestly if anything had been lieved that she slept for a few minutes;
heard concerning him. When shown the some steps disturbed her, and she awoke.
body, she fell into violent hysterics, and It was dawn, and she quitted her asylum,
kept her bed for several days. The pic¬ that she might again endeavor to find my
ture was then produced, which the servant brother. If she had gone near the spot
had found in her pocket; and when Eliz¬ where his body lay, it was without her
abeth, in a faltering voice, proved that knowledge. That she had been bewil¬
it was the same which, an hour before the dered when questioned by the market-
child had been missed, she had placed woman was not surprizing, since she had
round his neck, a murmur of horror and passed a sleepless night, and the fate of
indignation filled the court. poor William was yet uncertain. Con-
 FRANKENSTEIN 857

ceming the picture she could give no fangs of remorse tore my bosom, and
account. would not forego their hold.
"I know,” continued the unhappy vic¬
tim, "how heavily and fatally this one cir¬ 1 passed a night of unmingled wretched¬
cumstance weighs against me, but I have ness. In the morning I went to die
no power of explaining it; and when I court; my lips and throat were parched.
have expressed my utter ignorance, I am I dared not ask the fatal question; but I
only left to conjecture concerning the was known, and the officer guessed the
probabilities by which it might have been cause of my visit. The ballots had been
placed in my pocket. But here also I am thrown; they were all black, and Justine
checked. I believe that I have no enemy was condemned.
on earth, and none surely would have I can not pretend to describe what I
been so wicked as to destroy me wantonly. then felt. I had before experienced sen¬
Did the murderer place it there? I know sations of horror; and I have endeavored
of no opportunity afforded him for so to bestow upon them adequate expres¬
doing; or, if I had, why should he have sions, but words can not convey an idea
stolen the jewel, to part with it again so of the heart-sickening despair that I then
soon? endured. The person to whom I ad¬
dressed myself added that Justine had
"I commit my cause to the justice of my
already confessed her guilt. "That ev¬
judges, yet I see no room for hope. I beg
idence,” he observed," was hardly required
permission to have a few witnesses ex¬
in so glaring a case, but I am glad of it;
amined concerning my character; and if
and, indeed, none of our judges like to
their testimony shall not overweigh my
condemn a criminal upon circumstantial
supposed guilt, I must be condemned, al¬
evidence, be it ever so decisive.”
though I would pledge my salvation on
This was strange and unexpected intel¬
my innocence.”
ligence; what could it mean? Had my
Several witnesses were called, who had
eyes deceived me? And was I really as
known her for many years, and they spoke
mad as the whole world would believe me
well of her; but fear and hatred of the
to be, if I disclosed the object of my sus¬
crime of which they supposed her guilty
picions? I hastened to return home, and
rendered them timorous, and unwilling to
Elizabeth eagerly demanded the result.
come forward.
"My cousin,” replied I, "it is decided as
My own agitation and anguish was ex¬ you may have expected; all judges had
treme during the whole trial. I believed rather that ten innocent should suffer,
in her innocence; I knew it. Could the than that one guilty should escape. But
demon, who had (I did not for a minute she has confessed.”
doubt) murdered my brother, also in his This was a dire blow to poor Elizabeth,
hellish sport have betrayed the innocent who had relied with firmness upon Jus¬
to death and ignominy? I could not tine's innocence. "Alas!” said she, "how
sustain the horror of my situation; and shall I ever again believe in human good¬
when I perceived that the popular voice, ness? Justine, whom I loved and esteemed
and the countenances of the judges, had as my sister, how could she put on those
already condemned my unhappy victim, I smiles of innocence only to betray? Her
rushed out of court in agony. The tor¬ mild eyes seemed incapable of any sever¬
tures of the accused did not equal mine; ity or guile, and yet she has committed a
she was sustained by innocence, but the murder.”
858 WEIRD TALES

Soon after we heard that the poor vic- nication and hellfire in my last moments,
tim had expressed a desire to see my if I continued obdurate. Dear lady, I had
cousin. My father wished her not to go; none to support me; all looked on me as a
but said that he left it to her own judg¬ wretch doomed to ignominy and perdi¬
ment and feelings to decide. "Yes,” said tion. What could I do? In an evil hour
Elizabeth, "I will go, although she is I subscribed to a lie; and now only am I
guilty; and you, Victor, shall accompany truly miserable.”
me: I can not go alone.” She paused, weeping, and then con¬
The idea of this visit was torture to me, tinued—"I thought with horror, my sweet
yet I could not refuse. lady, that you should believe your Jus¬

W E ENTERED the gloomy prison-

chamber, and beheld Justine sitting
tine, whom your blessed aunt had so
highly honored, and whom you loved,
was a creature capable of a crime which
on some straw at the farther end; her none but the devil himself could have
hands were manacled, and her head rested perpetrated. Dear William! dearest bles¬
on her knees. She rose on seeing us enter; sed child! I soon shall see you again in
and when we were left alone with her, she heaven, where we shall all be happy; and
threw herself at the feet of Elizabeth, that consoles me, going as I am to suffer
weeping bitterly. My cousin wept also. ignominy and death.”
"Oh, Justine!” said she, "why did you "Oh, Justine! forgive me for having
rob me of my last consolation? I relied on for one moment distrusted you. Why
your innocence; and although I was then did you confess? But do not mourn, dear
very wretched, I was not so miserable as I girl. Do not fear. I will proclaim, I will
am now.” prove your innocence. I will melt the
"And do you also believe that I am so stony hearts of your enemies by my tears
very, very wicked? Do you also join and prayers. You shall not die!—You,
with my enemies to crush me, to condemn my playfellow, my companion, my sister,
me as a murderer?” Her voice was suf¬ perish on the scaffold! No! no! I never
focated with sobs. could survive so horrible a misfortune.”
"Rise, my poor girl,” said Elizabeth, Justine shook her head mournfully. "I
"why do you kneel, if you are innocent? do not fear to die,” she said; "that pang
I am not one of your enemies; I believed is past. God raises my weakness, and
you guiltless, notwithstanding every evi¬ gives me courage to endure the worst. I
dence, until I heard that you had yourself leave a sad and bitter world; and if you
declared your guilt. That report, you say, remember me, and think of me as of one
is false; and be assured, dear Justine, that unjustly condemned, I am resigned to the
nothing can shake my confidence in you fate awaiting me. Learn from me, dear
for a moment, but your own confession.” lady, to submit in patience to the will of
"I did confess; but I confessed a lie. I Heaven!”
confessed, that I might obtain absolution;
but now that falsehood lies heavier at my D uring this conversation I had retired
heart than all my other sins. The God of to a comer of the prison-room, where
heaven forgive me! Ever since I was con¬ I could conceal the horrid anguish that
demned, my confessor has besieged me; possessed me. Despair! Who dared talk
he threatened and menaced, until I almost of that? The poor victim, who on the
began to think that I was the monster that morrow was to pass the awful boundary
he said I was. He threatened excommu¬ (Please turn to page 862)
 WEIRD TALES 859

The Eyrie
(Continued from page 724)

long out of print. Witness these characteristic titles: Jewel of Seven Stars, Lair of
the White Worm, Lady of the Shroud, Mystery of the Sea. Was Dracula’s Guest,
which you published in Weird Tales some years back, a part of the book of that
same title? If so, could the rest be published instead of the original Dracula?” [Drac¬
ula’s Guest was written by Stoker as part of his novel Dracula, but was omitted
from Dracula because of the great length that novel had already reached. It was
reprinted in Weird Tales in the issue of December, 1927.—The Editors.]
Writes W. W. Green, Jr., of Washington, Kansas: "I was elated to see in
the April issue that you are going to publish Frankenstein. I have been thinking
ever since that famous talkie was released that if Weird Tales would print that
story it would be just about right. And I don’t think very many readers would kick
if you printed Dracula.”
A letter from Glenn Smith, of Chicago, says: "I’ve read your Weird Tales
since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. I’ve relished it with greater pleasure with my
increasing years. Through it I acquired the incentive to inquire at the public library
about other writers of weird tales of the past. Thus I became a lover of the writ¬
ings of such as Poe, Bierce, and all the others, as well as our moderns, Blackwood and
Machen. I am writing to say I hope you discontinue your policy of reprinting weird
fiction that anybody can get at the public library. I regard it as a waste of space;
for who is there who can't go to the library to get Dracula or Frankenstein, and
such? If you must reprint, I suggest reprinting the inimitable stories that modern
writers have written for Weird Tales itself. One of the greatest novels I’ve read
in your pages was On the Dead Man’s Chest, by Eli Colter.”
Linus Hogenmiller, of Farmington, Missouri, writes to the Eyrie: "Let me
voice the plea of myself and many others in asking most insistently that you pub¬
lish Dracula after Frankenstein is completed. Certainly even those who have read
it will be glad to see it again in Weird Tales. Give us some good German and
French weird stories, and publish serially some long reprints of the cream of weird
tales from over the globe. I am only one of those late readers who have never read
Lovecraft’s earlier masterpieces. Are you going to reprint them and other equally
famous classics of weird lore?”
"I was pleasantly surprized by the announcement that you were going to reprint
Frankenstein,” writes Frederick B. Shroyer, of Decatur, Indiana. "Why not, after
this story comes to an end, keep up the good work and print another scientific mas¬
terpiece of the past? I am sure they would be received with enthusiasm by your
readers.”
"I am not in favor of having reprints,” writes Hyman Vinunsky, of Cleveland.
"You see, I’ve read these reprint stories before they were put in Weird Tales. I
have read them in books taken from the library in my city. I’ve already read Frank¬
enstein and Dracula. So why should I read over reprints when I’ve read them before?
I say put in an original new story in place of the reprint.”
Warren Greenspan, of Yonkers, New York, writes: "I see that you are won-
860 WEIRD TALES

dering what to do about reprints. I think that the readers would rather have re¬
prints from back issues of Weird Tales rather than elsewhere. I can easily get Drac¬
ula and Frankenstein in book form. Many of your new readers would like reprints
from Weird Tales. Some reprints I would like to see soon are: The Bird People
and The Bride of Osiris, both by Otis Adelbert Kline (his Tam, Son of the Tiger,
was a rattling good story), and The WOman of the Wood by A. Merritt.”
Writes Donald Allgeier, of Mountain Grove, Missouri: "I am one of the un¬
fortunates who have never read either Dracula or Frankenstein. Not only that, but
our local theater has never shown the picturized version. Thus it is that I hail the
coming of Frankenstein to your magazine with great delight, and hope you will fol¬
low it up with Dracula and others. Your reprint department is one of the most inter¬
esting features of your magazine.”
Emil Petaja, of Milltown, Montana, writes: "I am very glad to hear that you are
going to publish Frankenstein in the reprints; but I do hope that you will not pub¬
lish Dracula, as I have read it, and I think that most of the readers of Weird Tales
have also. I think it would be a good plan to publish stories out of bade issues of
Weird Tales in the reprints, as new readers will enjoy reading stories by their favor¬
ite authors.”
"The Wolf-Leader by Alexandre Dumas proved to be one of the best weird
tales I have ever read,” writes D. A. Amone, of Jamestown, New York. "But The
Devil’s Bride, by Mr. Quinn, is so far the best story that has ever been printed in
Weird Tales. As for Frankenstein and Dracula, they are fine stories, but not for
reprints.”
Readers, what is your favorite story in this issue of Weird Tales? Lovecraft’s
graveyard tale, In the Vault, is in a close struggle with the third installment of Sea-
bury Quinn’s novel, The Devil’s Bride, for first place in popularity among all the sto¬
ries in our April issue, with Nictzin Dyalhis’ story, The Red Witch, close behind.

MY FAVORITE STORIES IN THE JUNE WEIRD TALES ARE:

Story Remarks

(1)-,..
(2)-----
(3)- -
I do not like the following stories:

(1) _ Why?_

(2) -
It will help us to know what kind of stories I
Reader’s name and address:
you want in Weird Tales if you will ■
fill out this coupon and mail it to The j
Eyrie, Weird Tales, 840 N. Michigan Ave., J
Chicago, Ill.
 Coming Next Month
O N THE floor lay Don’s body. It looked like that of a dead man. To all ap¬
pearance there was no life in it. Don did not seem to be breathing, and his
face had the yellow, waxen color of death. Godfrey Moore spurned the body
with his foot and laughed.
"He’s dead!” exclaimed Abner Wells. The scholar, the elegant "blue-stocking,”
had a horror of death, especially of the sight of a dead person, that he had never been able to
overcome.
"Not dead, but sleeping,” laughed Moore. "No, my dear Abner, Wentworth’s
soul is still attached to the body by a tenuous bond, and very much bewildered just at
present. However, by the time I have need of it, it will be sufhciently awake for my
purposes.”
"And the girl?” stammered Abner.
"Ah, she is in the same condition in a room upstairs. Would you like to have a look
at her? No? I find that I can best command the presence of our friend West when
her astral is entirely removed, like Wentworth’s. In fact, I am thinking-of sending West to
assist Wentworth in the killing I have planned, for Wentworth is unusually obtuse, and West
will be a very willing counsellor.”
"How—how are you going to do it?”
"I shall send Wentworth's astral to an apartment, where he will leave astral counterparts of
his fingerprints all over the place. He will kill a certain man by the explosion of a certain amount
of psychic force and rob the place of any valuables of a portable nature.
"Meanwhile I shall revive Wentworth, reunite his soul to his body, and send him into Can-
nonville, somewhat dazed, to be picked up by the police. Come, let us see what the Akashic
mirror says.” . . .
This astounding novel of Black Magic, eery murders, and the kingdom of shadows, with its
breath-taking events and its swift movement, will begin in next month’s issue. Don’t fail to read it.

The Phantom Hand

By VICTOR ROUSSEAU

WINGS IN THE NIGHT THE CITY OF CRAWLING DEATH

By Robert E. Howard By Hugh B. Cave
A red rain fell from the sky. A story of Dark¬ Ants—droves of them—as big as panthers—ants
est Africa and nightmare realities with slaver¬ that made slaves of men and threatened civil¬
ing fangs and talons steeped in shuddersome evil ization with destruction.
—a tale of Solomon Kane.

THE THOUGHT-DEVIL THE PLANET OF PEACE

By A. W. Calder By Arlton Eadie
The story of a writer of gangster tales whose The strange story of a man from Earth on a
villainous creation threatened to loose a dread¬ planet which was inhabited solely by beautiful
ful horror upon the world. women.
THE MAN WHO NEVER CAME BACK
Also, the smashing conclusion of Seabury
By Pearl Norton Swet inn's fascinating serial, THE DEVIL’S
A strange thrill-tale of the leopard-men of IDE, and another thrilling installment of
Africa—a shuddery story of a weird horror. FRANKENSTEIN.

July WEIRD TALES Out June 1

861
862

Frankenstein
(Continued from page 858)

between life and death, felt not as I did,

such deep and bitter agony. I gnashed
my teeth, and ground them together, ut¬
tering a groan that came from my inmost
soul. Justine started. When she saw
who it was, she approached me, and said,
"Dear sir, you are very kind to visit me;
you, I hope, do not believe that I am
guilty?”
I could not answer. "No, Justine,” said
Elizabeth; "he is more convinced of your
innocence than I was; for even when he
heard that you had confessed, he did not
credit it.”
"I truly thank him. In these last mo¬
ments I feel thesincerest gratitude towards
those who think of me with kindness.
How sweet is the affection of others to
such a wretch as I am! It removes more
than half my misfortune; and I feel as if
I could die in peace, now that my inno¬
cence is acknowledged by you, dear lady,
and your cousin.”
Thus the poor sufferer tried to comfort
others and herself. She indeed gained the
resignation she desired. But I, the true
murderer, felt the never-dying worm alive
in my bosom, which allowed of no hope
or consolation. Elizabeth also wept, and
was unhappy; but hers also was the misery
of innocence, which, like a cloud that
passes over the fair moon, for a while
hides but can not tarnish its brightness.
Anguish and despair had penetrated into
the core of my heart; I bore a hell within
me, which nothing could extinguish.
We stayed several hours with Justine;
and it was with great difficulty that Eliza¬
beth could tear herself away. "I wish,”
cried she, "that I were to die with you;
I can not live in this world of misery.”
Justine assumed an air of cheerfulness,
while she with difficulty repressed her bit¬
ter tears. She embraced Elizabeth, and
 WEIRD TALES 863

said, in a voice of half-suppressed emo¬ harsh unfeeling reasoning of these men,

tion, "Farewell, sweet lady, dearest Eliza¬ my purposed avowal died away on my
beth, my beloved and only friend; may lips. Thus I might proclaim myself a
Heaven, in its bounty, bless and preserve madman, but not revoke the sentence
you; may this be the last misfortune that passed upon my wretched victim. She
you will ever suffer! Live, and be happy, perished on the scaffold as a murderess!
and make others so.” From the tortures of my own heart, I
And on the morrow Justine died. Eliz¬ turned to contemplate the deep and voice¬
abeth’s heartrending eloquence failed to less grief of my Elizabeth. TTiis also was
move the judges from their settled con¬ my doing! And my father’s wo, and the
viction in the criminality of the saintly suf¬ desolation of that late so smiling home—
ferer. My passionate and indignant ap¬ all was the work of my thrice-accursed
peals were lost upon them. And when I hands! Ye weep, unhappy ones; but these
received their cold answers, and heard the (Continued on next page)

i a Real leader
gnsnssa k Will enable You to be-
J come a master of men
Psycho-Analysis r<

KEELEY

BACK ISSUES
For complete list and prices write to Weird Tales,
840 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill.
864 WEIRD TALES

(Continued from preceding page)

NEXT MONTH are not your last tears! Again shall you
raise the funeral wail, and the sound of
your lamentations shall again and again
The City of be heard! Frankenstein, your son, your
kinsman, your early, much-loved friend;

Crawling Death he who would spend each vital drop of

blood for your sakes—who has no thought
nor sense of joy, except as it is mirrored
By HUGH B. CAVE
also in your dear countenances—who
would fill the air with blessings, and

A N ASTOUNDING story is this—a story

spend his life in serving you—he bids you
weep—to shed countless tears; happy be¬
* of giant ants—droves of them—
yond his hopes, if thus inexorable fate be
as big as panthers — ants that made
satisfied, and if the destruction pause be¬
slaves of men and threatened civiliza¬
fore the peace of the grave have succeeded
tion with destruction.
to your sad torments!

H ere is a story that will thrill you

and send ripples of horripilation
Thus spoke my prophetic soul, as, tom
by remorse, horror, and despair, I beheld
down your spine. In the South Amer¬ those I loved spend vain sorrow upon the
ican jungles were developed this freak graves of William and Justine, the first
race of gigantic insects. What they hapless victims to my unhallowed arts.
did, and the menace against humanity (To be continued next month)
that their existence offered, makes a
fascinating tale of shuddery horror.
The story will be printed complete in
the
Coming Soon
July issue of

WEIRD TALES Buccaneers

On sale June 1st

To avoid missing your copy, clip and mail this

of Venus
coupon today lor SPECIAL SUBSCRIPTION
OFFER. By
OTIS ADELBERT KLINE

Enclosed find $1.00 tor which send me the next

flee issues of WEIRD TALES to begin with the
July issue ($1.75 in Canada). Special offer void
unless remittance is accompanied by coupon.
Watch for this startling
weird-scientific novel
in WEIRD TALES
ate.
W. T — 9
A Ghostly Voice from the Ether
Threatened the Lives
of all Mankind

T he first warning of the stupen¬

dous cataclysm that befell the
earth in the fourth decade of the
Twentieth Century was recorded
simultaneously in several parts of
America. At twelve minutes past 3
o’clock a. m., during a lull in the
night’s aerial business, several of
the larger stations of the Western
hemisphere began picking up
strange signals out of the ether.
They were faint and ghostly, as if
coming from a vast distance. As
far as anyone could learn, the sig¬
nals originated nowhere upon the
earth. It was as if some phantom
were whispering through the ether
in the language of another planet.

Who Was This Dictator of Destiny?

Y ou will want to know the answer to this months and this book is sent to you free
of charge.
question. Read "The Moon Terror,” the
most enthralling fantastic-mystery story of the Limited Supply

age. And you can get this splendid book This offer may be withdrawn at any time,
so we advise you to order now. Remember,
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