barker, clive - imajica 1.doc

8/12/2019 Barker, Clive - Imajica 1.doc

1/172

1

IT WAS THE PIVOTAL TEACHING of Pluthero Quexos, the most celebrate ramat!st of the Seco" #om!"!o",that !" a"$ f!ct!o", "o matter ho% amb!t!ous !ts sco&e or &rofou" !ts theme, there %as o"l$ e'er room for three

&la$ers( )et%ee" %arr!"* +!"*s , a &eacema+er bet%ee" a or!"* s&ouses, a se ucer or a ch!l ( )et%ee" t%!"s, thes&!r!t of the %omb( )et%ee" lo'ers, #eath( Greater "umbers m!*ht r!ft throu*h the rama, of course-thousa" s !"fact-but the$ coul o"l$ e'er be &ha"toms, a*e"ts, or, o" rare occas!o"s, reflect!o"s of the three real a" self.%!lle be!"*s %ho stoo at the ce"ter( A" e'e" th!s esse"t!al tr!o %oul "ot rema!" !"tact or so he tau*ht( It%oul stea !l$ !m!"!sh as the stor$ u"fol e , three becom!"* t%o, t%o becom!"* o"e, u"t!l the sta*e %as left

eserte ( Nee less to sa$, th!s o*ma ! "ot *o u"challe"*e ( The %r!ters of fables a" come !es %ere &art!cularl$'oc!ferous !" the!r scor", rem!" !"* the %orth$ Quexos that the$ !"'ar!abl$ e" e the!r o%" tales %!th a marr!a*ea" a feast( He %as u"re&e"ta"t( He ubbe them cheats a" tol them the$ %ere s%!" l!"* the!r au !e"ces out of%hat he calle the last *reat &rocess!o", %he", after the %e !"* so"*s ha bee" su"* a" the a"ces a"ce , thecharacters too+ the!r mela"chol$ %a$ off !"to ar+"ess, follo%!"* each other !"to obl!'!o"(

It %as a har &h!loso&h$, but he cla!me !t %as both !mmutable a" u"!'ersal, as true !" the /!fth #om!"!o",calle Earth, as !t %as !" t he Seco" (

A" more s!*"!f!ca"tl$, as certa!" !" l!fe as !t %as !" art()e!"* a ma" of co"ta!"e emot!o", Charl!e Estabroo+ ha l!ttle &at!e"ce %!th the theater( It %as, !" h!s blu"tl$

state o&!"!o", a %aste of breath0 !" ul*e"ce, flummer$, l!es( )ut ha some stu e"t rec!te Quexos1 /!rst La% of#rama to h!m th!s col No'ember "!*ht he %oul ha'e "o e *r!ml$ a" sa! 0 A!l true, all true( It %as h!sex&er!e"ce &rec!sel$( 2ust as Quexos3 La% re4u!re , h!s stor$ ha be*u" %!th a tr!o0 h!mself, 2oh" /ur!e 5achar!as,

a" , bet%ee" them, 2u !th( That arra"*eme"t ha "1t laste 'er$ lo"*( W!th!" a fe% %ee+s of sett!"* e$es o" 2u !thhe ha ma"a*e to su&erse e 5achar!as !" her affect!o"s, a" the three ha %!" le to a bl!ssful t%o( He a"2u !th ha marr!e a" l!'e ha&&!l$ for f!'e $ears, u"t!l, for reaso"s he st!ll ! "1t u" ersta" , the!r 6o$ hafou" ere , a" the t%o ha become o"e(

He %as that o"e, of course, a" the "!*ht fou" h!m s!tt!"* !" the bac+ of a &urr!"* car be!"* r!'e" arou" thefrost$ streets of Lo" o" !" search of somebo $ to hel& h!m f!"!sh the stor$( Not, &erha&s, !" a fash!o" Quexos%oul ha'e a&&ro'e of-the sta*e %oul "ot be left e"t!rel$ em&t$-but o"e %h!ch %oul sal'e Estabroo+1s hurt(

He %as"1t alo"e !" h!s search( He ha the com&a"$ of o"e half.truste soul to"!*ht0 h!s r!'er, *u! e, a" &rocurer, the amb!*uous 7r( Cha"t( )ut es&!te Cha"t1s sho%s of em&ath$, he %as st! ll 6ust a"o ther ser 'a" t, co" te" tto atte" u&o" h!s master as lo"* as he %as &rom&tl$ &a! ( He ! "1t u" ersta" the &rofu" !t$ of Estabroo+1s &a!"he %as too ch!ll$, too remote( Nor, for all the le"*th of h!s fam!l$ h!stor$, coul Estabroo+ tur" to h!s l!"ea*e forcomfort( Althou*h he coul trace h!s a"cestors bac+ to the re!*" of 2ames the /!rst, he ha "ot bee" able to f!" as!"*le ma" o" that tree of !mmoral!t!es-e'e" to the bloo !est root-%ho ha cause , e!ther b$ h!s ha" or h!r!"*,

%hat he, Estabroo+, %as out th!s m! "!*ht to co"tr!'e0 the mur er of h!s %!fe(Whe" he thou*ht of her 8%he" ! "1t he9: h!s mouth %as r$ ar! h!s &alms %ere %et he s!*he he shoo+( She

%as !" h!s m!" 1s e$e "o%, l!+e a fu*!t!'e from some more &erfect &lace( Her s+!" %as fla%less a" al%a$s cool,al%a$s &ale her bo $ %as lo"*, l!+e her ha!r, l!+e her f!"*ers, l!+e her lau*hter a" her e$es, oh, her e$es, hae'er$ seaso" of leaf !" them0 the t%!" *ree"s of s&r!"* a" h!*h summer, the *ol s of autum", a" , !" her ra*es,

blac+ m! %!"ter rot (He %as, b$ co"trast, a &la!" ma"0 %ell scrubbe but &la!"( He1 ma e h!s fortu"e sell!"* baths, b! ets a" to!lets,

%h!ch le"t h!m l!ttle b$ %a$ of m$st!4ue( So, %he" he1 f!rst la! e$es o" 2u !th-she1 bee" s!tt!"* beh!" a es+at h!s accou"ta"t1s off!ce, her beaut$ all the more lum!"ous for !ts rab sett!"*-h!s f!rst thou*ht %as0 I %a"t th!s%oma" h!s seco" 0 She %o"1t %a"t me( There %as, ho%e'er, a" !"st!"ct !" h!m %he" !t came to 2u !th that he1"e'er ex&er!e"ce %!th a"$ other %oma"( Qu!te s!m&l$, he felt she belo"*e to h!m, a" that !f he tur"e h!s %!t to!t, he coul %!" her(

H!s courtsh!& ha be*u" the a$ the$1 met, %!th the f!rst of ma"$ small to+e"s of affect!o" el!'ere to her es+(

)ut he soo"e lear"e that such br!bes a" bla" !shme"ts %oul "ot hel& h!s case( She &ol!tel$ tha"+e h!m buttol h!m the$ %ere"1t %elcome( He ut!full$ cease to se" &rese"ts a" , !"stea , be*a" a s$stemat!c !"'est!*at!o"of her c!rcumsta"ces( There %as &rec!ous l!ttle to lear"( She l!'e s!m&l$, her small c!rcle 'a*uel$ bohem!a"( )utamo"* that c!rcle he !sco'ere a ma" %hose cla!m u&o" her &rece e h!s o%", a" to %hom she %as a&&are"tl$e'ote ( That ma" %as 2oh" /ur!e 5achar!as, +"o%" u"!'ersall$ as Ge"tle, a" he ha a re&utat!o" as a lo'er that

%oul ha'e r!'e" Estabroo+ from the f!el ha that stra"*e certa!"t$ "ot bee" u&o" h!m( He ec! e to be &at!e"ta" a%a!t h!s mome"t( It %oul come(

7ea"%h!le he %atche h!s belo'e from afar, co"s&!r!"* to e"cou"ter her acc! e"tall$ "o% a" a*a!", a"research!"* h!s a"ta*o"!st1s h!stor$( A*a!", there %as l!ttle to lear"( 5achar!as %as a m!"or &a!"ter, %he" he %as"1tl!'!"* off h!s m!stresses, a" re&ute l$ a !ssolute( Of th!s Estabroo+ ha &erfect &roof %he", b$ cha"ce, he met thefello%( Ge"tle %as as ha" some as h!s le*e" s su**este , but loo+e , Charl!e thou*ht, l!+e a ma" 6ust r!se" from afe'er( There %as someth!"* ra% about h!m-h!s bo $ s%eate to !ts esse"ce, h!s face betra$!"* a hu"*er beh!" !tss$mmetr$-that le"t h!m a be e'!le loo+(

Half a %ee+ after that e"cou"ter, Charl!e ha hear that h!s belo'e ha &arte from the ma" %!th *reat *r!ef a"%as !" "ee of te" er care( He1 bee" 4u!c+ to su&&l$ !t, a" she1 come !"to the comfort of h!s e'ot!o" %!th a"ease that su**este h!s reams of &ossess!o" ha bee" %ell fou" e (

H!s memor!es of that tr!um&h ha , of course, bee" soure b$ her e&arture, a" "o% !t %as he %ho %ore thehu"*r$, $ear"!"* loo+ he1 f!rst see" o" /ur!e1s face( It su!te h!m less %ell tha" !t ha 5achar!as( H!s %as "ot ahea ma e for hau"t!"*( At f!ft$.s!x, he loo+e s!xt$ or more, h!s features as sol! as Ge"tle1s %ere s&are, as

3


2/172

&ra*mat!c as Ge"tle1s %ere raref!e ( H!s o"l$ co"cess!o" to 'a" !t$ %as the el !cate l$ curle mus tache be"eath h!s &atr!c!a" "ose, %h!ch co"ceale a" u&&er l!& he1 thou*ht ub!ousl$ r!&e !" h!s $outh, lea'! "* the lo%er to 6ut !"l!eu of a ch!"(

No%, as he ro e throu*h the ar+e"e streets, he cau*ht s!*ht of that face !" the %!" o% a" &eruse !t rueful l$(What a moc+er$ he %as; He blushe to th!"+ of ho% shamelessl$ he1 &ara e h!mself %he" he1 ha 2u !th o" h!sarm ho% he1 6o+e that she lo'e h!m for h!s clea"l!"ess, a" for h!s taste !" b! ets( The same &eo&le %ho1l!ste"e to those 6o+es %ere lau*h!"* !" ear"est "o%, %ere call!"* h!m r! !culous( It %as u"bearable( The o"l$ %a$he +"e% to heal the &a!" of h!s hum!l!at!o" %as to &u"!sh her for the cr!me of lea'!"* h!m(

He rubbe the heel of h!s ha" a*a!"st the %!" o% a" &eere out(


3/172

*a& !" the corru*ate %all( The %!" carr!e the ta"* of bur"!"* t!mber from a" almost s&e"t bo"f!re set amo"* thetra!lers0 that, a" the smell of ra"c! fat(

< ee& close,= Cha"t a '!se ,


4/172

t!me P!e ha &la$e both the ch!l re" to slee& a" rose to come a" 6o!" h!s *uest at the table, the l!4uor ha brou*ht a &leasa"t bu?? to Estabroo+1s hea (

I" h!s l!fe Estabroo+ ha +"o%" o"l$ t%o other blac+ me" b$ "ame( O"e %as the ma"a*er of a t!l!"*ma"ufacturer !" S%!" o", the other a collea*ue of h!s brother1s0 "e!ther of them me" he1 %!she to +"o% better( He%as of a" a*e a" class that st!ll s%!lle the re*s of colo"!al!sm at t%o !" the mor"!"*, a" the fact th!s ma" ha

blac+ bloo !" h!m 8a" , he *uesse , much else bes! es: cou"te as a"o ther mar+ a*a!"st Cha"t1s 6u *me"t ( A" $et -&erha&s !t %as the bra" $-he fou" the fel lo% o&&os! te h!m !"tr!*u!"*( P!e ! "1t ha' e the face of a" assass!"( It%as"1t !s&ass!o"ate, but !stress!"*l$ 'ul"erable e'e" 8thou*h Estabroo+ %oul "e'er ha'e breathe th!s alou :

beaut !fu l( Chee+s h!*h, l!&s ful l, e$es hea '!l$ l! e ( H!s ha! r, m!"*le blac+ a" blo" , fel l !" Ita l!a"ate &rofus!o",

+"ot. D te r!"*lets to h!s shoul ers( He loo+e ol er tha" Estabroo+ %oul ha'e ex&ecte , *!'e" the a*e of h!sch!l re"( Perha&s o"l$ th!rt$, but %ear!e b$ some excess or other, the bur"!she se&!a of h!s s+!" barel$co"ceal!"* a s!c+l$ !r! esce"ce, as thou*h there %ere a mercur!al ta!"t !" h!s cells( It ma e h!m !ff!cult to f!x,es&ec!all$ for e$es a%ash %!th bra" $, the merest mot!o" of h!s hea brea+!"* subtle %a'es a*a!"st h!s bo"es,the!r s&ume ra!"!"* bac+ !"to h!s s+!" tra!l!"* colors Estabroo+ ha "e'er see" !" flesh before(

Theresa left them to the!r bus!"ess a" ret!re to s!t bes! e the cot( I" &art out of efere"ce to the slee&ers a" ! " &art from h!s o%" u"ease at sa$!"* alou %hat %as o" h!s m!" , Estabroo+ s&o+e !" %h!s&ers(

or+( #o $ou %a"t me to follo% her there9=


5/172

%as trembl!"*( He +"!tte !ts f!"*ers %!th those of h!s other ha" , a" there the$ rema!"e , %h!te.+"uc+le , for thele"*th of the 6our"e$ home(

2

#O THIS /O THE WO7EN O/ THE WO L#, rea the "ote 2oh" /ur!e 5achar!as hel ( Sl!t $our l$!"* throat()es! e the "ote, l$!"* o" the bare boar s, Va"essa a" her cohorts 8she ha t%o brothers !t %as &robabl$ the$

%ho1 come %!th her to em&t$ the house: ha left a "eat &!le of bro+e" *lass, !" case he %as suff!c!e"tl$ mo'e b$

her e"treat$ to e" h!s l!fe there a" the"( He stare at the "ote !" someth!"* of a stu&or, rea !"* !t o'er a" o'er,loo+!"*-'a!"l$, of course-for some small co"solat!o" !" !t( )e"eath the t!c+ a" scra%l that ma e her "ame, the &a&er %as l!*ht l$ %r!"+le ( Ha tears fal le" there %h!le she1 %r!tte" her *oo b$e, he %o" ere 9 Small comfort !fthe$ ha , a" a smaller l!+el!hoo st!ll( Va"essa %as "ot o"e for cr$!"*( Nor coul he !ma*!"e a %oma" %!th theleast amb!*u!t$ of feel!"* so com&rehe"s!'el$ str!&&!"* h!m of &ossess!o"s( True, "e!ther the me%s house "or a"$st!c+ of fur"!ture !" !t ha bee" h!s b$ la%, but the$ ha chose" ma"$ of the !tems to*ether-she rel$!"* u&o" h!sart!st1s e$e, he u&o" her mo"e$ to &urchase %hate'er h!s *a?e a m!re ( No% !t %as all *o"e, to the last Pers!a" ru*a" #eco lam&( The home the$1 ma e to*ether, a" e"6o$e for a $ear a" t%o mo"ths, %as str!&&e bare( A" so!" ee %as he0 to the "er'e, to the bo"e( He ha "oth!"*(

It %as"1t calam!tous( Va"essa ha "1t bee" the f!rst %oma" to !" ul*e h!s taste !" ha" ma e sh!rts a" s!l+%a!stcoats, "or %oul she be the last( )ut she %as the f!rst !" rece"t memor$-for Ge"tle the &ast ha a %a$ ofe'a&orat!"* after about te" $ears-%ho ha co"s&!re to remo'e e'er$th!"* from h!m !" the s&ace of half a a$(H!s error %as &la!" e"ou*h( He1 %o+e" that mor"!"*, l$!"* bes! e Va"essa %!th a har .o" she1 %a"te h!m to

&leasure her %!th, a" ha stu&! l$ refuse her , +"o%!"* he ha a l!a!so" %!th 7arl!"e that after"oo" ( Ho% she1!sco'ere %here he %as u"loa !"* h!s balls %as aca em!c( She ha , a" that %as that( He1 ste&&e out of thehouse at "oo", bel!e'!"* the %oma" he1 left %as e'ote to h!m, a" come home f!'e hours later to f!" the houseas !t %as "o%( He coul be se"t!me"tal at the stra"*est t!mes( As "o%, for !"sta"ce, %a" er!"* throu*h the em&t$rooms, collect!"* u& the belo"*!"*s she ha felt obl!*e to lea'e for h!m0 h!s a ress boo+, the clothes he1 bou*ht%!th h!s o%" mo"e$ as o&&ose to hers, h!s s&are s&ectacles, h!s c!*arettes( He ha "1t lo'e Va"essa, but he hae"6o$e the fourtee" mo"ths the$1 s&e"t to*ether here( She1 left a fe% more &!eces of trash o" the !"!"* roomfloor, rem!" ers of that t!me0 a cluster of +e$s the$1 "e'er fou" oors to f!t, !"struct!o" ocume"ts for a ble" erhe1 bur"e out ma+!"* m! "!*ht mar*ar!tas, a &last!c bottle of massa*e o!l( All !" all, a &!t!ful collect!o", but he%as"1t so self. ece!'!"* as to bel!e'e the!r relat!o"sh!& ha bee" much more tha" a sum of those &arts( The 4uest!o"%as-"o% that !t %as o'er-%here %as he to *o a" %hat %as he to o9 7art!"e %as a m! le.a*e marr!e%oma", her husba" a ba"+er %ho s&e"t three a$s of e'er$ %ee+ !" Luxembour*, lea'!"* her t!me to &h!la" er(She &rofesse lo'e for Ge"tle at !"ter'als, but "ot %!th suff!c!e"t co"s!ste"c$ to ma+e h!m th!"+ he coul &r!?e her

from her husba" , e'e" !f he %a"te to, %h!ch he %as b$ "o mea"s certa!" he ! ( He1 +"o%" her e!*ht mo"ths- met her, !" fact, at a !""er &art$ hoste b$ Va"essa1s el er brother, W!ll!am-a" the$ ha o"l$ ar*ue o"ce, but !tha bee" a tell!"* excha"*e( She1 accuse h!m of al%a$s loo+!"* at other %ome" loo+!"*, loo+!"*, as thou*h forthe "ext co"4uest( Perha&s because he ! "1t care for her too much, he1 re&l!e ho"estl$ a" tol her she %as r!*ht(He %as stu&! for her sex( S!c+e"e !" the!r abse"ce, bl!ssful !" the!r com&a"$0 lo'e1s fool( She1 re&l!e that %h!leh!s obsess!o" m!*ht be health!er tha" her husba" 1s-%h!ch %as mo"e$ a" !ts ma"!&ulat!o"-h!s beha'!or %as st!ll"eurot!c( Wh$ th!s e" less hu"t9 she1 as+e h!m( He1 a"s%ere %!th some fol erol about see+!"* the ! eal%oma", but he1 +"o%" the truth e'e" as he %as s&!""!"* her th!s tosh, a" !t %as a b!tter th!"*( Too b!tter, !" fact,to be &ut o" h!s to"*ue( I" esse"ce, !t came o%" to th!s0 he felt mea"!"*less, em&t$, almost !"'!s!ble u"less o"e ormore of her sex %ere ot!"* o" h!m( >es, he +"e% h!s face %as f!"el$ ma e, h!s forehea broa , h!s *a?e hau"t!"*,h!s l!&s scul&te so that e'e" a s"eer loo+e fetch!"* o" them, but he "ee e a l!'!"* m!rror to tell h!m so( 7ore, hel!'e !" ho&e that o"e such m!rror %oul f!" someth!"* beh!" h!s loo+s o"l$ a"other &a!r of e$es coul see0 someu" !sco'ere self that %oul free h!m from be!"* Ge"tle(

As al%a$s %he" he felt eserte , he %e"t to see Chester le!", &atro" of the arts b$ !'erse ha" s, a ma" %hocla!me to ha'e bee" exc!se b$ fretful la%$ers from more b!o*ra&h!es tha" a"$ other ma" s!"ce )$ro"( He l!'e !"

Not t!"* H!l l Gate, !" a house he1 bou*ht chea&l$ !" the late f!f t!es, %h!ch he "o% sel om left, touche as he %as b$ a*ora&hob!a or, as he &referre !t,


6/172


7/172

ou1'e *ot a *oo e$e( Ge"tle,= he sa! ,


8/172

a heartbeat or less h!s features blurre a" !" the!r flux, cau*ht as ! f b$ the su" off a %!"* !" the stratos&here, shesa% Ge"tle, h!s ha!r s%e&t bac+ from h!s h!*h forehea , h!s *ra$ e$es al; $ear"!"*, h!s mouth, %h!ch she1 "ot+"o%" she m!sse t!ll "o%, rea $ to brea+ !"to a sm!le( It "e'er came( The %!"* !&&e the stra"*er tur"e Ge"tle%as *o"e( She stoo !" the thro"* for se'eral seco" s %h!le he !sa&&eare o%"to%"( The", *ather!"* herselfto*ether, she tur"e her bac+ o" the m$ster$ a" starte home(

It ! "1t lea'e her thou*hts, of course( She %as a %oma" %ho truste her se"ses, a" to !sco'er them soece&t!'e !stresse her( )ut more 'ex!"* st!ll %as %h$ !t shoul be that &art!cular face, of all those !" her

memor$1s catalo*ue, she1 chose" to co"f!*ure from that of a &erfect stra"*er( le!"1s )astar )o$ %as out of herl!fe, a" she out of h!s( It %as s!x $ears s!"ce she1 crosse the br! *e from %here the$1 stoo to*ether, a" the

r!'er that flo%e bet%ee" %as a torre"t( Her marr!a*e to Estabroo+ ha come a" *o"e alo"* that r!'er, a" a *ooeal of &a!" %!th !t( Ge"tle %as st!ll o" the other shore, &art of her h!stor$0 !rretr!e'able( So %h$ ha she co"6ureh!m "o%9

As she came %!th!" a bloc+ of 7arl!"1s bu!l !"* she remembere someth!"* she1 utterl$ &ut out of her hea forthat s!x.$ear s&a"( It ha bee" a *l!m&se of Ge"tle, "ot so u"l!+e the o"e she1 6ust ha , that ha &ro&elle her !"toher "ear.su!c! al affa!r %!th h!m( She1 met h!m at o"e of le!"1s &art!es-a casual e"cou"ter-a" ha *!'e" h!m'er$ l!ttle co"sc!ous thou*ht subse4ue"tl$( The", three "!*hts later, she1 bee" '!s!te b$ a" erot!c ream thatre*ularl$ hau"te her( The sce"ar!o %as al%a$s the same( She %as l$!"* "a+e o" bare boar s !" a" em&t$ room,"ot bou" but someho% bou" e , a" a ma" %hose face she coul "e'er see, h!s mouth so s%eet !t %as l!+e eat!"*ca" $ to +!ss h!m, ma e '!ole"t 2o'e to her( O"l$ th!s t!me the f!re that bur"e !" the *rate close b$ sho%e her theface of her ream lo'er, a" !t ha bee" Ge"tle1s face( The shoc+, after so ma"$ $ears of "e'er +"o%!"* %ho thema" %as, %o+e her, but %!th such a se"se of loss at th!s !"terru&te co!tus she coul "1t slee& a*a!" for mour"!"* !t(The "ext a$ she1 !sco'ere h!s %hereabouts from le!", %ho1 %ar"e her !" "o u"certa!" ma""er that 2oh"

5achar!as %as ba "e%s for te" er hearts( She1 !*"ore the %ar"!"* a" *o"e to see h!m that 'er$ after"oo", !" thestu !o off the E *%are oa ( The$ scarcel$ left !t for the "ext t%o %ee+s, the!r &ass!o" &utt!"* her reams toshame(

O"l$ later, %he" she %as !" lo'e %!th h!m a" !t %as too late for commo" se"se to 4ual!f$ her feel!"*s, ! shelear" more about h!m( He tra!le a re&utat!o" for %oma"!?!"* that, e'e" !f !t %as "!"et$ &erce"t !"'e"t!o", as sheassume , %as st!ll &ro !*!ous( If she me"t!o"e h!s "ame !" a"$ c!rcle, ho%e'er 6a e !t %as b$ *oss!&, there %asal%a$s somebo $ %ho ha some t! b!t about h!m( He e'e" %e"t b$ a 'ar!et$ of "ames( Some referre to h!m as the/ur!e some as 5ach or 5acho, or 7r( 5ee others calle h!m Ge"tle, %h!ch %as the "ame she +"e% h!m b$, ofcourse st!ll others, 2oh" the #!'!"e( E"ou*h "ames for half a o?e" l!fet!mes( She %as"1t so bl!" l$ e'ote to h!mthat she ! "1t acce&t there %as truth !" these rumors( Nor ! he o much to tem&er them( He l!+e the a!r ofle*e" that hu"* about h!s hea ( He cla!me , for !"sta"ce, "ot to +"o% ho% ol he %as( L!+e herself, he ha a 'er$sl!&&er$ *ras& o" the &ast( A" he fra"+l$ a m!tte to be!"* obsesse %!th her sex( Some of the tal+ she1 hear%as of cra le.s"atch!"* some of eathbe fuc+s0 he &la$e "o fa'or!tes(

So, here %as her Ge"tle0 a ma" +"o%" to the oorme" of e'er$ exclus!'e club a" hotel !" the c!t$ %ho, after te"$ears of h!*h l!'!"* ha sur'!'e the ra'a*es of e'er$ excess %ho %as st!ll luc! , st!ll ha" some, st!ll al!'e( A"th!s same ma", th!s Ge"tle, tol her he %as !" lo'e %!th her a" &ut the %or s to*ether so &erfectl$ she !sre*ar eall she1 hear but those he s&o+e(

She m!*ht ha'e *o"e o" l!ste"!"* fore'er but for her ra*e, %h!ch %as the le*e" she tra!le ( A 'olat!le th!"*, a&tto ferme"t !" her %!thout her e'e" be!"* a%are of !t( That ha bee" the case %!th Ge"tle( After half a $ear of the!raffa!r, she1 be*u" to %o" er, %allo%!"* !" h!s affect!o", ho% a ma" %hose h!stor$ ha bee" o"e !"f! el!t$ aftera"other ha me" e h!s %a$s %h!ch thou*ht le to the &oss!b!l!t$ that &erha&s he ha "1t( I" fact she ha "o reaso"to sus&ect h!m( H!s e'ot!o" bor ere o" the obsess!'e !" some moo s, as thou*h he sa% !" her a %oma" she ! "1te'e" +"o% herself, a" a"c!e"t soul mate( She %as, she be*a" to th!"+, u"l!+e a"$ other %oma" he1 e'er met, thelo'e that ha cha"*e h!s l!fe( Whe" the$ %ere so !"t!matel$ 6o!"e , ho% %oul she "ot +"o% !f he %as cheat!"* o"her9 She1 ha'e suret$ se"se the other %oma"( Taste her o" h!s to"*ue, or smelle her o" h!s s+!"( A" !f "otthere, the" !" the subtlet!es of the!r excha"*es( )ut she1 u" erest!mate h!m( Whe", b$ the sheerest flu+e, she1 6

!sco'ere he ha "ot o"e other %oma" o" the s! e but t%o, !t ro'e her to "ear !"sa"!t$( She be*a" b$ estro$!"*the co"te"ts of the stu !o, slash!"* all h!s ca"'ases, &a!"te or "ot, the" trac+!"* the felo" h!mself a" mou"t!"* a"assault that l!terall$ brou*ht h!m to h!s +"ees, !" fear for h!s balls(

The ra*e bur"e a %ee+, after %h!ch she fell totall$ s!le"t for three a$s0 a s!le"ce bro+e" b$ a *r!ef l!+e "oth!"*she1 e'er ex&er!e"ce before( Ha !t "ot bee" for her cha"ce meet!"* %!th Estabroo+-%ho sa% throu*h hertumbl!"*, !stracte ma""er to the %oma" she %as-she m!*ht %ell ha'e ta+e" her o%" l!fe(

Thus the tale of 2u !th a" Ge"tle0 o"e eath short of tra*e $, a" a marr!a*e short of farce(She fou" 7arl!" alrea $ home, u"character!st!call$ a*!tate (


9/172


10/172

mo'e to &ursue !t, a" !t ra"( Ho%, after such a" acc! e"t, !ts l!mbs ma"a*e a"$ s&ee at all %as a m!racle, but !t%as off at a &ace that 7arl!" coul "1t ho&e to match( He ma e a sho% of &ursu!t but *a'e u& at the f!rst!"tersect!o", retur"!"* to 2u e breathless(


11/172

ra"*( The l!"e %as %ater$, a" the 'o!ce at the other e" &a!"e a" ra%, but !t %as u"m!sta+abl$ 2u !th(


12/172

%as "o% com&letel$ "umb, the s+!" of h!s ha" %r!"+le a" fla+$( )ut the house !" Gamut Street ha bee" a &laceof m!racles o"ce( 7e" a" %ome" of *reat author!t$ ha %al+e !" !t a" &erha&s left some *host of themsel'es tocalm h!m !" extrem!s( No creature, Sartor! ha tau*ht, &asse throu*h th!s #om!"!o" u"recor e , e'e" to the least

-to the ch! l that &er!she a heartbeat after !t o&e"e !ts e$es, the ch!l that !e !" the %omb, ro%"e !" !tsmother1s %aters-e'e" that u""ame th!"* ha !ts recor a" !ts co"se4ue"ce( So ho% much more m!*ht the o"ce.

&o%erful of Gamut Street ha' e left, b$ %a$ of echoes9H!s heart %as &al&!tat!"*, a" h!s bo $ full of 6!tters( /ear!"* he1 soo" lose co"trol of h!s fu"ct!o"s, he &ulle

the letter to Estabroo+ from h!s &oc+et a" lea"e for%ar to sl! e the half %!" o% bet%ee" h!mself a" the r!'eras! e(


13/172

sacre !" !ts %a$-sur'!'e o" occas!o" because the$ %e"t u"see", e'e" !" &la!" s!*ht( )ur"!she b$ ma*!c, the$eflecte the threate"!"* e$e a" fou" u"%!tt!"* all!es !" me" a" %ome" %ho, all u"+"o%!"*, +"e% hol!"ess

became sa"ctuar!es for a secret fe%(He cl!mbe the three ste&s to the oor a" &ushe at !t, but !t %as securel$ loc+e , so he %e"t to the "earest

%!" o%( There %as a f!lth$ shrou of cob%eb across !t but "o curta!" be$o" ( He &resse h!s face to the *lass(Thou*h h!s e$es %ere %ea+e"!"* b$ the mome"t, h!s *a?e %as st!ll more acute tha" that of t he blossom!"* a&e( Theroom he loo+e !"to %as str!&&e of all fur"!ture a" ecorat!o" !f a"$bo $ ha occu&!e th!s house s!"ce Sartor!1st!me-a" !t surel$ ha "1t stoo em&t$ for t%o hu" re $ears-the$ ha *o"e, ta+!"* e'er$ trace of the!r &rese"ce(He ra!se h!s *oo arm a" struc+ the *lass %!th h!s elbo%, a s!"*le 6ab %h!ch shattere the %!" o%( The", careless

of the ama*e he ! h!mself, he ho!ste h!s bul+ o"to the s!ll, beat out the rest of the &!eces of *lass %!th h!s ha" ,a" ro&&e o%" !"to the room o" the other s! e(The la$out of the house %as st!ll clear !" h!s m!" ( I" reams he1 r!fte throu*h these rooms a" hear the

7aestro1s 'o!ce summo"!"* h!m u& the sta!rs-u&; u&;-to the room at the to& %here Sartor! ha %or+e h!s %or+(It %as there Cha"t %a"te to *o "o%, but there %ere "e% s!*"s of atro&h$ !" h!s bo $ %!th e'er$ heartbeat( Theha" f!rst !"'a e b$ the flea %as %!there , !ts "a!ls ro&&e from the!r &lace, !ts bo"e sho%!"* at the +"uc+les a"%r!st( )e"eath h!s 6ac+et he +"e% h!s torso to the h!& %as s!m!larl$ u"ma e he felt &!eces of h!s flesh fall!"* !"s! eh!s sh!rt as he mo'e ( He %oul "ot be mo'!"* for much lo"*er( H!s le*s %ere !"creas!"*l$ u"%!ll!"* to bear h!mu&, a" h!s se"ses %ere close to fl!c+er!"* out( L!+e a ma" %hose ch!l re" %ere lea'!"* h!m, he be**e as hecl!mbe the sta!rs(


14/172

ha'e to o !t a"$ lo"*er, !f $ou ta+e m$ mea"!"*(=


15/172


16/172

fr!e" s lost a" fr!e" s for*otte", he %as 'er$ much alo"e th!s Satur a$ "!*ht, a" he &!c+e u& the &ho"e %he" !tra"* %!th some *rat!tu e(


17/172

Ge"tle1s thou*hts %ere of h!s last excha"*e %!th 2u !th0 the half. ro%"e tele&ho"e call from Ne% >or+, %h!chha e" e %!th "oth!"* sa! ( Ha she +"o%" the" that her l!fe %as !" 6eo&ar $9 If "ot, ! she "o%9 7$ Go , %asshe e'e" al!'e9 He too+ hol of Estabroo+1s la&el %!th the same force that the fear too+ hol of h!m(

ou ha'e"1t brou*ht me here to tell me she1s ea (=ou1'e a better cha"ce of com!"* bet%ee" her a" P!e tha" 3 ha'e( I1ll *!'e $ou mo"e$ for the assass!"( >ouca" &a$ h!m off( A" I1ll &a$ %hate'er $ou as+( I1m r!ch( 2ust %ar" her, 5achar!as, a" *et her to come home( Ica"1t ha'e her eath o" m$ co"sc!e"ce(=


18/172

for the emol!t!o" of the estate %here Cha"t ha l!'e , a" !t brou*ht #o% u& to a certa!" to%er !" H!*h*ate,%here he %as summo"e !" l !eu of h!s abse"tee master, Estabroo+1s brother, Oscar Go ol&h!"(

I" the 3K Js, %he" H!*h*ate H!ll %as so stee& a" ee&l$ rutte that carr!a*es re*ularl$ fa!le to ma+e the *ra ea" the r!'e to to%" %as suff!c!e"tl$ a"*erous that a %!se ma" %e"t %!th &!stols, a mercha"t calle Thomas ox.

borou*h ha co"structe a ha" some house o" Hor"se$ La"e, es!*"e for h!m b$ o"e He"r$ Holla" ( At that t!me!t ha comma" e f!"e '!e%s0 south all the %a$ to the r!'er "orth a" %est o'er the lush &astures of the re*!o"to%ar s the t!"$ '!lla*e of Ham&stea ( The former '!e% %as st!ll a'a!lable to the tour!st, from the br! *e thats&a""e the Arch%a$ oa , but oxborou*h1s f!"e house ha *o"e, re&lace !" the late th!rt!es %!th a" a"o"$mous

te".stor$ to%er, set bac+ from the street( There %as a scree" of %ell.te" e trees bet%ee" to%er a" roa , "otsuff!c!e"tl$ th!c+ to co"ceal the bu!l !"* e"t!rel$, but e"ou*h to re" er %hat %as alrea $ a" u" !st!"*u!she bu!l !"* '!r tuall$ !" '!s!ble ( The o"l$ ma! l that %as el !'ere there %as c!rculars a" off!c!al &a&er%or+ of o"e +!"or a"other( There %ere "o te"a"ts, e!ther !" !'! uals or bus!"esses( >et oxborou*h To%er %as +e&t %ell b$ !tso%"ers, %ho o"ce e'er$ mo"th or so *athere !" the s!"*le room %h!ch occu&!e the to& floor of the bu!l !"*, !"the "ame of the ma" %ho ha o%"e th!s &lot of la" t%o hu" re $ears before a" %ho ha left !t to the soc!et$ hefou" e ( The me" a" %ome" 8ele'e" !" all: %ho met here a" tal+e for a fe% hours a" %e"t the!r u"remar+able%a$s %ere the esce" a"ts of the !m&ass!o"e fe% oxborou*h ha *athere arou" h!m !" the ar+ a$s follo%!"*the fa!lure of the eco"c!l!at!o"( There %as "o &ass!o" amo"* them "o%, "or more tha" a 'a*ue com&rehe"s!o" ofoxborou*h1s &ur&ose !" form!"* %hat he1 calle the Soc!et$ of the Tabula asa, or the Clea" Slate( )ut the$ met

a"$%a$, !" &art because !" the!r earl$ ch!l hoo o"e or other of the!r &are"ts, usuall$ but "ot al%a$s the father, hata+e" them as! e a" tol them a *reat res&o"s!b!l!t$ %oul fall to them-the carr$!"* for%ar of a hermet!call$

&ro tecte fam!l$ secret-a" !" &art becaus e the Soc!et$ loo+e after !ts o%"( oxborou*h ha bee" a ma" of

%ealth a" !"s!*ht( He1 &urchase co"s! erable tracts of la" ur!"* h!s l!fet!me, a" the &rof!ts that accrue fromthat !"'estme"t ha balloo"e as Lo" o" *re%( The sole rec!&!e"t of those mo"!es %as the Soc!et$, thou*h thefu" s %ere so !"*e"!ousl$ route , throu*h com&a"!es a" a*e"ts %ho %ere u"a%are of the!r &lace !" the s$stem,that "obo $ %ho ser'!ce the Soc!et$ !" a"$ ca&ac!t$ %hatsoe'er +"e% of !ts ex!ste"ce(

Thus the Tabula asa flour!she !" !ts &ecul!ar, &ur&oseless %a$, *ather!"* to tal+ about the secrets !t +e&t, asoxborou*h ha ecree , a" e"6o$!"* the s!*ht of the c!t$ from !ts &lace o" H!*h*ate H!ll(

utt"er #o% ha bee" here se'eral t!mes, thou*h "e'er %he" the Soc!et$ %as assemble , as !t %as to"!*ht( H!sem&lo$er, Oscar Go ol&h!", %as o"e of the ele'e" to( %hom the flame of oxborou*h1s !"te"t ha bee" &asse ,thou*h of all of them surel$ "o"e %as so &erfect a h$&ocr!te as Go ol&h!", %ho %as both a member of a Soc!et$comm!tte to the re&ress!o" of all ma*!cal act!'!t$, a" the em&lo$er 8Go ol&h!" %oul ha'e sa! o%"er: of acreature summo"e b$ ma*!c !" the 'er$ $ear of the tra*e $ that ha brou*ht the Soc!et$ !"to be!"*(

That creature %as of course #o% , %hose ex!ste"ce %as +"o%" to the Soc!et$1s members but %hose or!*!"s %ere"ot( If !t ha bee", the$ %oul "e'er ha'e summo"e h!m here a" allo%e h!m access to the hallo%e to%er(

ather, the$ %oul ha'e bee" bou" b$ oxborou*h1s e !ct to estro$ h!m at %hate'er cost to the!r bo !es, souls,or sa"!t$ that m!*ht e"ta!l( Certa!"l$ the$ ha the ex&ert!se, or at least the mea"s to *a!" !t( The to%er re&ute l$house a l!brar$ of treat!ses, *r!mo!res, c$clo&e !as, a" s$m&os!a seco" to "o"e, collecte b$ oxborou*h a"the *rou& of /!fth #om!"!o" ma*! %ho1 f!rst su&&orte the attem&t at the eco"c!l!at!o"( O"e of those me" ha

bee" 2oshua Go ol&h!", Earl of )el l!"*ham( He a" ox .borou*h ha sur '! 'e the calam!tous e'e"ts of thatm! summer almost t%o hu" re $ears a*o, but most of the!r earest fr!e" s ha "ot( The stor$ %e"t that after thetra*e $ Go ol&h!" ha ret!re to h!s cou"tr$ estate a" "e'er a*a!" 'e"ture be$o" !ts &er!meters( oxborou*h,o" the other ha" , e'er the most &ra*mat!c of the *rou&, ha %!th!" a$s of the catacl$sm secure the occultl!brar!es of h!s ea collea*ues, h! !"* the thousa" s of 'olumes !" the cellar of h!s house %here the$ coul , !" the%or s of a letter to the Earl, "o lo"*er ta!"t %!th u".Chr!st!a" amb!t!o" the m!" s of *oo me" l!+e our earfr!e" s( We must hereafter +ee& the o!"* of th!s am"able ma*!c from our shores( That he ha "ot estro$e the

boo+s, but merel$ loc+e them a%a$, %as testame"t to some amb!*u!t$ !" h!m, ho%e'er( #es&!te the horrors he1see", a" the f!erce"ess of h!s re'uls!o", some small &art of h!m reta!"e the fasc!"at!o" that ha ra%" h!m,

Go ol&h!", a" the!r fello% ex&er!me"ters to*ether !" the f!rst &lace(#o% sh!'ere %!th u"ease as he stoo !" the &la!" hall%a$ of the to%er, +"o%!"* that some%here "earb$ %as

the lar*est collect!o" of ma*!cal %r!t!"*s *athere !" o"e &lace outs! e the Vat!ca", a" that amo"* them %oul bema"$ r!tuals for the ra!s!"* a" !s&atch!"* of creatures l!+e h!mself( He %as "ot the co"'e"t!o"al stuff of %h!chfam!l!ars %ere ma e, of course( 7ost %ere s!m&er!"*, m!" less fu"ct!o"ar!es, &luc+e b$ the". summo"ers fromthe I" O'o- the s&ace bet%ee" the /!fth a" the eco"c!le #om!"!o"s-l!+e lobsters from a restaura"t ta"+( He,o" the other ha" , ha bee" a &rofess!o"al actor !" h!s t!me, a" f*te for !t( It %as"1t co"*e"!tal stu&! !t$ that hama e h!m susce&t!ble to huma" 6ur!s !ct!o", !t %as a"*u!sh( He1 see" the face of Ha&exame" !os H!mself a" ,half.cra?e b$ the s!*ht, ha bee" u"able to res!st the summo"s, a" the b!" !"*, %he" !t came( H!s !"'o+er ha ofcourse bee" 2oshua Go ol&h!", a" he1 comma" e #o% to ser'e h!s l!"e u"t!l the e" of t!me( I" fact, 2oshua1sret!reme"t to the safet$ of h!s estate ha free #o% to %a" er u"t!l the ol ma"1s em!se, %he" he %as ra%" bac+to offer h!s ser'!ces to 2oshua1s so" Natha"!el, o"l$ re'eal!"* h!s true "ature o"ce he1 ma e h!mself !" !s&e"sable,for fear he %as tra&&e bet%ee" h!s bou" e" ut$ a" the ?eal of a Chr!st!a"(

I" fact, Natha"!el ha *ro%" !"to a !ssolute of co"s! erable &ro&ort!o"s b$ the t!me #o% e"tere h!s em&lo$,a" coul "ot ha'e care less %hat +!" of creature #o% %as as lo"* as he &rocure the r!*ht +!" of com&a"$(A" so !t ha *o"e o", *e"erat!o" after *e"erat!o", #o% cha"*!"* h!s face o" occas!o" 8a s!m&le tr!c+, or fe!t: soas to co"ceal h!s lo"*e'!t$ from the %!ther!"* huma" %orl ( )ut the &oss!b!l!t$ that o"e a$ h!s ouble. eal!"*%oul be !sco'ere b$ the Tabula asa, a" the$ %oul search throu*h the!r l!brar$ a" f!" some '!c!ous s%a$ toestro$ h!m, "e'er e"t!rel$ left h!s calculat!o"s0 es&ec!all$ "o%, %a!t!"* for the call !"to the!r &rese"ce(

3


19/172

That call %as a" hour a" a half !" com!"*, ur!"* %h!ch t!me he !stracte h!mself th!"+!"* about the sho%s that%ere o&e"!"* !" the com!"* %ee+( Theater rema!"e h!s *reat lo'e, a" there %as scarcel$ a &ro uct!o" of a"$s!*"!f!ca"ce he fa!le to see( O" the follo%!"* Tues a$ he ha t!c+ets for the much.accla!me Lear at the Nat!o"ala" the", t%o a$s later, a seat !" the stalls for the re'!'al of Tura" ot at the Col!seum( 7uch to loo+ for%ar to,o"ce th!s %retche !"ter'!e% %as o'er,

At last the l!ft humme !"to l!fe a" o"e of the Soc!et$1s $ou"*er members, G!les )loxham, a&&eare ( At fort$,)loxham loo+e t%!ce that a*e( It too+ a +!" of *e"!us, Go ol&h!" ha o"ce remar+e %he" tal+!"* about)loxham 8he l!+e to re&ort o" the absur !t!es of the Soc!et$, &art!cularl$ %he" he %as !" h!s cu&s:, to loo+ so!ss!&ate a" ha'e "oth!"* to re*ret for !t(


20/172

ou mea" the eco"c!l!at!o"9= he sa! (

?or errex!a" Em&!re0 tr!bes a" small "at!o"s e&r!'e of the!r *o s, the!rla" s, a" the!r r!*ht to &rocreate, others, s!m&l$ era !cate b$ &o*roms the Autarch &erso"all$ su&er'!se ( )ut"o"e of these horrors ha !ssua e Go ol&h!" from tra'el!"* !" the eco"c!le #om!"!o"s( Perha&s to"!*ht1se'e"ts %oul , ho%e'er, at least u"t!l the Soc!et$1s sus&!c!o"s ha bee" alla$e (

@J


21/172

T!resome as !t %as, #o% +"e% he ha "o cho!ce as to %here he %e"t to"!*ht0 to the Go ol&h!" estate a" thefoll$ !" !ts eserte *rou" s %h!ch %as Oscar1s e&arture &lace( There he %oul %a!t, l!+e a o* *ro%" lo"el$ at !tsmaster1s abse"ce, u"t!l Go ol&h!"1s retur"( Oscar %as "ot the o"l$ o"e %ho %oul ha'e to muster some excuses !"the "ear future so %oul he( !ll!"* Cha"t ha seeme l!+e a %!se ma"eu'er at the t!me-a" , of course, a"a*reeable !'ers!o" o" a "!*ht %!thout a sho% to *o to-but #o% ha "1t &re !cte the furor !t %oul cause( W!thh!" s!*ht, that ha bee" "a!'e( E"*la" lo'e mur er, &referabl$ %!th !a*rams( A" he1 bee" u"luc+$, %hat %!ththe ub!4u!tous 7r( )ur+e of the Somme a" a lo% 4uota of &ol!t!cal sca" als co"s&!r!"* to ma+e Cha"t

&osthumousl$ famous( He %oul ha' e to be &re&are for Go ol&h!"1s %rath( )ut ho&efull$ !t %oul be subsume !"the lar*er a"x!et$ of the Soc!et$1s sus&!c!o"s( Go ol&h!" %oul "ee #o% to hel& h!m calm these sus&!c!o"s, a" a

ma" %ho "ee e h!s o* +"e% "ot to +!c+ !t too har (

7

Ge"tle calle le!" from the a!r&ort, m!"utes before he cau*ht h!s fl!*ht( He &rese"te Chester %!th a se'erel$e !te 'ers!o" of the truth, ma+!"* "o me"t!o" of Esta.broo+1s mur er &lot but ex&la!"!"* that 2u e %as !ll a" hare4ueste h!s &rese"ce( le!" ! "1t el!'er the t!ra e that Ge"tle ha a"t!c!&ate ( He s!m&l$ obser'e , rather%ear!l$, that !f Ge"tle1s %or %as %orth so l!ttle after all the effort he, le!", ha &ut !"to f!" !"* %or+ for h!m, !t%as &erha&s best that the$ e" the!r bus!"ess relat!o"sh!& "o%( Ge"tle be**e h!m to be a l!ttle more le"!e"t, to%h!ch le!" sa! he1 call Ge"tle1s stu !o !" t%o a$s1 t!me a" , !f he rece!'e "o a"s%er, %oul assume the!r eal%as "o lo"*er 'al! (

our !c+1ll be the eath of $ou,= he comme"te as he s!*"e off(

The fl!*ht *a'e Ge"tle t!me to th!"+ about both that re., mar+ a" the co"'ersat!o" o" !te H!ll, the memor$ of%h!ch st!ll 'exe h!m( #ur!"* the excha"*e !tself he1 mo'e from sus&!c!o" to !sbel!ef to !s*ust a" f!"all$ toacce&ta"ce of Estabroo+1s &ro&osal. )ut es&!te the fact that the ma" ha bee" as *oo as h!s %or , &ro'! !"*am&le fu" s for the tr!&, the more Ge"tle retur"e to the co"'ersat!o" !" memor$, the more that f!rst res&o"se- sus&!c!o"-%as rea%a+e"e ( H!s oubts c!rcle arou" t%o eleme"ts of Estabroo+1s stor$0 the assass!" h!mself 8th!s7r( P!e, h!re out of "o%here: a" , more &art!cularl$, arou" the ma" %ho1 !"tro uce Estabroo+ to h!s h!reha" 0 Cha"t, %hose eath ha bee" me !a fo er for the &ast se'eral a$s(

The ea ma"1s letter %as '!rtuall$ !"com&rehe"s!ble, as Estabroo+ ha %ar"e , 'eer!"* from &ul&!t rhetor!c too&!ate !"'e"t!o"( The fact that Cha"t, +"o%!"* he %as *o!"* to be mur ere 8that much %as co*e"t:, shoul ha'echose" to set these "o"se"ses o%" as '!tal !"format!o" %as &roof of s!*"!f!ca"t era"*eme"t( Ho% much moreera"*e , the", a ma" l!+e Estabroo+, %ho ! bus!"ess %!th th!s cra?$9 A" b$ the same to+e" %as Ge"tle "ot

cra?!er st!ll, em&lo$e b$ the lu"at!c1s em&lo$er9Am! all these fa"tas!es a" e4u!'ocat!o"s, ho%e'er, there %ere t%o !rre uc!ble facts0 eath a" 2u !th( The

former ha come to Cha"t !" a erel!ct house !" Cler+e"%ell about that there %as "o amb!*u!t$( The latter,!""oce"t of her husba" 1s mal!ce, %as &robabl$ !ts "ext tar*et( H!s tas+ %as s!m&le0 to come bet%ee" the t%o(

He chec+e !"to h!s hotel at @" a" 7a !so" a l!ttle after f!'e !" the after"oo", Ne% >or+ t!me( /rom h!s%!" o% o" the fourtee"th floor he ha a '!e% o%"to%", but the sce"e %as far from %elcom!"*( A *ruel of ra!",threate"!"* to th!c+e" !"to s"o%, ha be*u" to fall as he 6our"e$e !" from e""e $, a" the %eather re&orts

&rom!se col a" more col ( It su! te h!m, ho%e'er( The *ra$ ar+"ess, to*ether %!th the hor" a" bra+e s4uealsr!s!"* from the !"tersect!o" belo%, f!tte h!s moo of !slocat!o"( As %!th Lo" o", Ne% >or+ %as a c!t$ !" %h!chhe1 ha fr!e" s o"ce, but lost t hem( The o"l$ face he %oul see+ out here %as 2u !th1s(

There %as "o &ur&ose !" ela$!"* that search( He or ere coffee from oom Ser'!ce, sho%ere , ra"+, resse !"h!s th!c+est s%eater, leather 6ac+et, cor uro$s, a" hea'$ boots, a" hea e out( Cabs %ere har to come b$, a"after te" m!"utes of %a!t!"* !" l!"e be"eath the hotel ca"o&$, he ec! e to %al+ u&to%" a fe% bloc+s a" catch a

&ass!"* cab !f he *ot luc+$( If "ot , the col %oul clear h!s hea ( )$ the t!me he1 reache KJth Street the sleet ha become a r!??le, a" there %as a s&r!"* !" h!s ste&( Te" bloc+s from here 2u !th %as about some earl$ e'e"!"*

occu&at!o"0 bath!"*, &erha&s, or ress!"* for a" e'e"!"* o" the to%"( Te" bloc+s, at a m!"ute a bloc+( Te" m!"utesu"t!l he %as sta" !"* outs! e the &lace %here she %as(

7arl!" ha bee" as sol!c!tous as a" err!"* husba" s!"ce the attac+, call!"* her from h!s off!ce e'er$ hour or so,a" se'eral t!mes su**est!"* that she m!*ht %a"t to tal+ %!th a" a"al$st, or at 'er$ least %!th o"e of h!s ma"$fr!e" s %ho1 bee" assaulte or mu**e o" the streets of 7a"hatta"( She ecl!"e the offer( Ph$s!call$, she %as4u!te %ell( Ps$cholo*!call$ too( Thou*h she1 hear that ' !ct!ms of attac+ ofte" suffere from ela$ere&ercuss!o"s- e&ress!o" a" slee&less"ess amo"* them-"e!ther ha struc+ her $et( It %as the m$ster$ of %hatha ha&&e"e that +e&t her a%a+e at "!*ht( Who %as he, th!s ma" %ho +"e% her "ame, %ho *ot u& from a coll!s!o"that shoul ha'e +!lle h!m outr!*ht a" st!ll ma"a*e to outru" a health$ ma"9 A" %h$ ha she &ro6ecte u&o"h!s face the l!+e"ess of 2oh" 5a.char!as9 T%!ce she1 be*u" to tell 7arl!" about the meet!"* !" a" outs! e)loom!"* ale1s t%!ce she1 recha""ete the co"'ersat!o" at the last mome"t, u"able to face h!s be"!*"co" esce"s!o"( Th!s e"!*ma %as hers to u"ra'el, a" shar!"* !t too soo", &erha&s at all, m!*ht ma+e the sol'!"*!m&oss!ble(

I" the mea"t!me, 7arl!"1s a&artme"t felt 'er$ secure( There %ere t%o oorme"0 Ser*!o b$ a$ a" /re $ b$"!*ht( 7arl!" ha *!'e" them both a eta!le escr!&t!o" of the assa!la"t, a" !"struct!o"s to let "obo $ u& to theseco" floor %!thout 7s( O ell1s &erm!ss!o", a" 1e'e" the" the$ %ere to accom&a"$ '!s!tors to the a&artme"t oora" escort them out !f h!s *uest chose "ot to see them( Noth!"* coul harm her as lo"* as she sta$e beh!" closeoors( To"!*ht, %!th 7arl!" %or+!"* u"t!l "!"e a" a late !""er &la""e , she1 ec! e to s&e" the earl$ e'e"!"*

@3


22/172

ass!*"!"* a" %ra&&!"* the &rese"ts she1 accumulate o" her 'ar!ous /!fth A'e"ue sort!es, s%eete"!"* her labors%!th %!"e a" mus!c( 7arl!"1s recor collect!o" %as ch!efl$ se uct!o" so"*s of h!s s!xt!es a olesce"ce, %h!chsu!te her f!"e( She &la$e smooch$ soul a" s!&&e %ell.ch!lle Sau'!*"o" as she &ottere , more tha" co"te"t %!thher o%" com&a"$( O"ce !" a %h!le she1 *et u& from the chaos of r!bbo"s a" t!ssue a" *o to the %!" o% to %atchthe col ( The *lass %as m!st!"*( She ! "1t clear !t( Let the %orl lose focus( She ha "o taste for !t to"!*ht(

There %as a %oma" sta" !"* at o"e of the th!r .stor$ %!" o%s %he" Ge"tle reache the !"tersect!o", 6ust *a?!"*out at the street( He %atche her for se'eral seco" s before the casual mot!o" of a ha" ra!se to the bac+ of her"ec+ a" ru" u& throu*h her lo"* ha!r ! e"t!f!e the s!lhouette as 2u !th( She ma e "o bac+%ar *la"ce to s!*"!f$the &rese"ce of a"$o"e else !" the room( She s!m&l$ s!&&e from her *lass, a" stro+e her scal&, a" %atche the

mur+$ "!*ht( He ha thou*ht !t %oul be eas$ to a&&roach her, but "o%, %atch!"* her remotel$ l!+e th!s, he +"e%other%!se(The f!rst t!me he1 see" her-all those $ears a*o-he1 felt someth!"* close to &a"!c( H!s %hole s$stem ha bee"

st!rre to "ausea as he rel!"4u!she &o%er to the s!*ht of her( The se uct!o" that ha follo%e ha bee" both a"homa*e a" a re'e"*e0 a" attem&t to co"trol someo"e %ho exerc!se a" author!t$ o'er h!m that ef!e a"al$s!s( Toth!s a$ he ! "1t u" ersta" that author!t$( She %as certa!"l$ a be%!tch!"* %oma", but the" he1 +"o%" otherse'er$ b!t as be%!tch!"* a" "ot bee" &a"!c+e b$ them( What %as !t about 2u !th that thre% h!m !"to suchco"fus!o" "o%, as the"9 He %atche her u"t!l she left the %!" o% the" he %atche the %!" o% %here she1 bee"

but he %ear!e of that, f!"all $, a" of the ch! ll !" h!s feet( He "ee e fort!f!cat!o"0 a*a!"st the col , a*a!" st the%oma"( He left the cor"er a" tre++e a fe% bloc+s east u"t!l he fou" a bar, %here he &ut t%o bourbo"s o%" h!sthroat a" %!she to h!s core that alcohol ha bee" h!s a !ct!o" !"stea of the o&&os!te sex(

At the sou" of the stra"*er1s 'o!ce, /re $, the "!*ht oorma", rose mutter!"* from h!s seat !" the "oo+ bes! ethe ele'ator( There %as a sha o%$ f!*ure '!s!ble throu*h the !ro"%or+ f!l!*ree a" bullet&roof *lass of the fro"t

oor( He coul "1t 4u!te ma+e out the face, but he %as certa!" he ! "1t +"o% the caller, %h!ch %as u"usual( He1%or+e !" the bu!l !"* for f!'e $ears a" +"e% the "ames of most of the occu&a"ts1 '!s!tors( Grumbl!"*, he crossethe m!rrore lobb$, suc+!"* !" h!s &au"ch as he cau*ht s!*ht of h!mself( The", %!th ch!lle f!"*ers, he u"loc+e theoor( As he o&e"e !t he real!?e h!s m!sta+e( Thou*h a *ust of !c$ %!" ma e h!s e$es %ater, blurr!"* the caller1s

features, he +"e% them %ell e"ou*h( Ho% coul he "ot reco*"!?e h!s o%" brother9 He1 bee" about to call h!m a"f!" out %hat %as *o!"* o" !" )roo+l$" %he" he1 hear the 'o!ce a" the ra&&!"* o" the oor(


23/172

She ra!se her *lass to brea+ !t a*a!"st h!s face but he !"terce&te her, s"atch!"* !t from her ha" (


24/172

sho%er but bathe h!s face a" %ou" e extrem!t!es, el!catel$ slu!c!"* the *r!t from the &alms of h!s ha" s( The"he cha"*e !"to a select!o" of r$ clothes she1 fou" !" 7ar.l!"1s %ar robe, thou*h Ge"tle %as both taller a"lea"er tha" the abse"t le" er( As he ! so, 2u e as+e !f he %a"te to ha'e a octor exam!"e h!m( He tha"+e her

but sa! "o, he1 be f!"e( A" so he %as, o"ce r$ a" clea"0 ach!"*, but f!"e(


25/172

me(She shru**e (


26/172

ou1ll be 4u!te safe(=


27/172

*a?!"* o%" o" h!m( H!s ha" s fou" her fla%less chee+s( The$ %ere cooler tha" her ha" s, %h!ch %ere o" h!s bell$ "o%, &ress!"* har er as she ho! ste hersel f o'er h!m( There %as e'er$%here !" the !r excha"*e a" ex4u!s!tes$".chro"!c!t$( He thou*ht of her to"*ue a" taste !t he !ma*!"e her breasts, a" she too+ h!s ha" s to them he%!she she %oul s&ea+, a" she s&o+e 8oh, ho% she s&o+e:, %or s he ha "1t are a m!t he1 %a"te to hear(

et !t came a*a!", a s!"uous l!*ht, slee+!"* her, the" *o!"* out(I"'e"t!o" or "ot !t ma e h!m %a"t her more com&letel$, a" he &ut h!s arms be"eath her shoul ers, l!ft!"* her u&a" off h!m( She rolle o'er to h!s s! e, a" he reache across to u" ress her( No% that she %as l$!"* a*a!"st %h!tesheets her form %as '!s!ble, albe!t 'a*uel$( She mo'e be"eath h!s ha" , ra!s!"* her bo $ to h!s touch(


28/172

h!m o"to her %!th each thrust( A" st!ll he hear her 'o!ce, !mme b$ the 'e!ls of h!s self.co"sum&t!o"0


29/172

ou1ll slee& !t off,= P!e sa! (?or errex %as *ro%!"* less stable b$ the a$ a" he %oul soo" ta+e h!s

fam!l$ out of the c!t$, !" ee out of the #om!"!o" e"t!rel$, a" f!" a "e% home %here he %oul "ot ha'e to smell bur"!"* bo !es %he" he o&e"e h!s %!" o%s !" the mor"!"*( So far, !t %as o"l$ tal+( Go ol&h!" +"e% Peccab le%ell e"ou*h to be certa!" that u"t!l he1 exhauste h!s su&&l$ of ! ols, rel!cs, a" 6u6us from the /!fth a" coulma+e "o more &rof!t, he1 sta$ &ut( A" *!'e" that !t %as Go ol&h!" h!mself %ho su&&l!e these !tems-most %eres!m&l$ terrestr!al tr!'!a, re'ere !" the #om!"!o"s because of the!r &lace of or!*!"- a" *!'e" that he %oul "otcease to o so as lo"* as the fe'er of collect!o" %as u&o" h!m a" he coul excha"*e such !tems for art!facts fromthe Ima6!ca, Peccable1s bus!"ess %oul flour!sh( It %as a tra e !" tal!sma"s, a" "e!ther ma" %as l!+el$ to t!re of !tsoo"(

Nor ! Go ol&h!" t !re of be!"* a" E"* l!shma" !" that most u".E"*l! sh of c!t!es( He %as !"sta"tl$ reco*" !?able !"the small but !"flue"t!al c!rcle he +e&t( A lar*e ma" !" e'er$ %a$, he %as tall a" b!*.bell!e 0 bell!cose %he"fo" est, heart$ %he" "ot( At f!ft$.t%o he ha lo"* a*o fou" h!s st$le a" %as more tha" comfortable %!th !t( True,he co"ceale h!s seco" a" th!r ch!"s be"eath a *ra$.bro%" bear that o"l$ *ot a" eff!c!e"t tr!mm!"* at the ha" sof Peccable1s el est au*hter, Ho!.Pollo!( True, he attem&te to loo+ a l!ttle more lear"e b$ %ear!"* s!l'er.r!mmes&ectacles that %ere %arfe b$ h!s lar*e face but %ere, he thou*ht, all the more &e a*o*u!sh because the$ ! "1tflatter( )ut these %ere l!ttle ece!ts( The$ hel&e to ma+e h!m u"m!sta+able, %h!ch he l!+e ( He %ore h!s th!""!"*ha!r short a" h!s collars lo"*, &referr!"* for ress a clash of t%ee s a" a str!&e sh!rt al%a$s a t!e !"'ar!abl$ a%a!stcoat( All !" all, a !ff!cult s!*ht to !*"ore, %h!ch su!te h!m f!"e( Noth!"* %as more l!+el$ to br!"* a sm!le toh!s face tha" be!"* tol he %as tal+e about( It %as usuall$ %!th affect!o"(

There %as "o sm!le o" h!s face "o%, ho%e'er, as he ste&&e out of the s!te of the eco"c!l!at!o"-+"o%"

@


30/172

eu&hem!st!call$ as the etreat-to f!" #o% s!tt!"* &erche o" a shoot!"* st!c+ a fe% $ar s from the oor( It %asearl$ after"oo" but the su" %as alrea $ lo%(!" the s+$, the a!r as ch!ll$ as #o% 1s %elcome( It %as almost e"ou*hto ma+e h!m tur" arou" a" *o bac+ to >?or errex, re'olut!o" or "o(


31/172

He loc+e the oor of h!s treasure room, sat o%" am! h!s collect!o", a" %a!te for !"s&!rat!o"( The shel'esarou" h!m, %h!ch %ere bu!lt to the ce!l!"*, %ere bo%e be"eath the %e!*ht of h!s tro'e( Here %ere !tems *atherefrom the e *e of the Seco" #om!"!o" to the l!m!ts of the /ourth( He ha o"l$ to &!c+ o"e of them u& to betra"s&orte bac+ to the t!me a" &lace of !ts ac4u!s!t!o"( The statue of the Etoo+ Ha1ch!!t, he1 bartere for !" al!ttle to%" calle Sle%, %h!ch %as "o%, re*rettabl$, a blaste s&ot, !ts c!t!?e"s the '!ct!ms of a &ur*e '!s!te u&o"them for the cr!me of a so"*, %r!tte" !" the !alect of the!r commu"!t$, su**est!"* that the Autarch of >?or errexlac+e test!cles(

A"other of h!s treasures, the se'e"th 'olume of Gau 7a$bellome1s E"c$clo&e !a of Hea'e"l$ S!*"s, or!*!"all$%r!tte" !" the la"*ua*e of Th!r #om!"!o" aca em!cs but %! el$ tra"slate for the electat!o" of the &roletar!at,

he1 bou*ht from a %oma" !" the c!t$ of 2ass!c+, %ho1 a&&roache h!m !" a *am!"* room, %here he %as attem&t!"*to ex&la!" cr!c+et to a *rou& of the locals, a" sa! she reco*"!?e h!m from stor!es her husba" 8%ho %as !" theAutarch1s arm$ !" >?or errex: ha tol (

ou1re the E"*l!sh male,= she1 sa! , %h!ch ! "1t seem %orth e"$!"*(The" she1 sho%" h!m the boo+0 a 'er$ rare 'olume !" ee ( He1 "e'er cease to f!" fasc!"at!o" %!th!" !ts

&a*es, for !t %as 7a$bellome1s !"te" t!o" to ma+e a" e"c$clo&e !a l!st!"* all the flora , fau"a, la"*ua*es , sc!e"ces,! eas, moral &ers&ect!'es-!" short, a"$th!"* that occurre to her-that ha fou" the!r %a$ from the /!fth#om!"!o", the Place of the Succule"t oc+, throu*h to the other %orl s( It %as a herculea" tas+, a" she1 !e 6ustas she %as be*!""!"* the "!"etee"th 'olume, %!th "o e" !" s!*ht, but e'e" the o"e boo+ !" Go ol&h!"1s &ossess!o"%as e"ou*h to *uara"tee that he %oul search for the others u"t!l h!s $!"* a$( It %as a b!?arre, almost surreal'olume( E'e" !f o"l$ half the e"tr!es %ere true, or "earl$ true, Earth ha !"flue"ce 6ust about e'er$ as&ect of the%orl s from %h!ch !t %as !'! e ( /au"a, for !"sta"ce( There %ere cou"tless a"!mals l!ste !" the 'olume.%h!ch7a$beBome cla!me to be !"'a ers from the other %orl ( Some clearl$ %ere0 the ?ebra, the croco !le, the o*(

Others %ere a m!xture of *e"et!c stra" s, &art terrestr!al, &art "ot( )ut ma"$ of these s&ec!es 8&!cture !" the boo+l!+e fu*!t!'es from a me !e'al best!ar$: %ere so outla" !sh he oubte the!r 'er$ ex!ste"ce( Here, for !"sta"ce, %ereha" .s!?e %ol'es %!th the %!"*s of ca"ar!es( Here %as a" ele&ha"t that l!'e !" a" e"ormous co"ch( Here %as al!terate %orm that %rote ome"s %!th !ts threa .f!"e half.m!le bo $( Wo" erme"t u&o" %o" erme"t( Go ol&h!" o"l$ha to &!c+ u& the e"c$clo&e !a a" he %as rea $ to &ut o" h!s boots a" set off for the #om!"!o"s a*a!"(

What %as self.e'! e"t from e'e" a casual &erusal of the boo+ %as ho% exte"s!'el$ the u"reco"c!le #om!"!o"ha !"flue"ce the others( The la"*ua*es of earth-E"*l!sh, Ital!a", H!" usta"!, a" Ch!"ese &art!cularl$-%ere+"o%" !" some 'ar!at!o" e'er$%here, thou*h !t seeme the Autarch-%ho ha come to &o%er !" the co"fus!o"follo%!"* the fa!le eco"c!l!at!o"-fa'ore E"*l!sh, %h!ch %as "o% the &referre l!"*u!st!c curre"c$ almoste'er$%here( To "ame a ch!l %!th a" E"*l!sh %or %as thou*ht &art!cularl$ &ro&!t!ous, thou*h there %as l!ttle or"o co"s! erat!o" *!'e" to %hat the %or actuall$ mea"t( He"ce Ho!.Pollo!, for !"sta"ce th!s o"e of the less stra"*e"am!"*s amo"* the thousa" s Go ol&h!" ha e"cou"tere (

He flattere h!mself that he %as !" some small &art res&o"s!ble for such bl!ssful b!?arr!t!es, *!'e" that o'er the

$ears he1 brou*ht all ma""er of !"flue"ces throu*h from the Succule"t oc+( There %as al%a$s a hu"*er for"e%s&a&ers a" ma*a?!"es 8usuall$ &referre to boo+s:, a" he1 bear of ba&t!?ers !" Patasho4ua %ho "amech!l re" b$ stabb!"* a co&$ of the Lo" o" T!mes %!th a &!" a" be4ueath!"* the f!rst three %or s the$ &r!c+eu&o" the !"fa"t, ho%e'er u"mus!cal the comb!"at!o"( )ut he %as "ot the o"l$ !"flue"ce( He ha "1t brou*ht thecroco !le or the ?ebra or the o* 8thou*h he %oul la$ cla!m to the &arrot:( No, there ha al%a$s bee" routesthrou*h from Earth !"to the #om!"!o"s, other tha" that at the etreat( Some, "o oubt, ha bee" o&e"e b$7aestros a" esoter!cs, !" all ma""er of cultures, for the ex&ress &ur&ose of the!r &ass!"* to a" fro bet%ee"%orl s( Others %ere co"ce!'abl$ o&e"e b$ acc! e"t, a" &erha&s rema!"e o&e", mar+!"* the s!tes as hau"te orsacre , shu""e or obsess!'el$ &rotecte ( >et others, these !" the smallest "umber, ha bee" create b$ the sc!e"cesof the other #om!"!o"s, as a mea"s of *a!"!"* access to the hea'e" of the Succule"t oc+(

I" such a &lace, th!s "ear the %alls of the lahma" has !" the Th!r #om!"!o", Go ol&h!" ha ac4u!re h!s mostsacre &ossess!o"0 a )osto" )o%l, com&lete %!th !ts fort$.o"e colore sto"es( Thou*h he1 "e'er use !t, the bo%l%as re&ute l$ the most accurate &ro&het!c tool +"o%" !" the %orl s, a" "o%-s!tt!"* am! h!s treasures, %!th a

se"se *ro%!"* !" h!m that e'e"ts o" earth !" the last fe% a$s %ere lea !"* to some matter of mome"t-he brou*htthe bo%l o%" from !ts &lace o" the h!*hest shelf, u"%ra&&e !t, a" set !t o" the table( The" he too+ the sto"esfrom the!r &ouch a" la! them at the bottom of the bo%l( Truth to tell, the arra"*eme"t ! "1t loo+ &art!cularl$

&rom!s!"*0 the bo%l resemble someth!"* for +!tche" use, &la!" f!re ceram!c, lar*e e"ou*h to %h!& e**s for acou&le of souffles( The sto"es %ere more colorful, 'ar$!"* !" s!?e a" sha&e from t!"$ flat &ebbles to &erfects&heres the s!?e of a" e$eball(

Ha'!"* set them out, Go ol&h!" ha seco" thou*hts( #! he e'e" bel!e'e !" &ro&hec$9 A" !f he ! , %as !t %!seto +"o% the future9 Probabl$ "ot( #eath %as bou" to be !" there some%here, soo"er or later( O"l$ 7aestros a"e!t!es l!'e fore'er, a" a ma" m!*ht sour the bala"ce of h!s s&a" +"o%!"* %he" !t %as *o!"* to e" ( )ut the",

su&&ose he fou" !" th!s bo%l some !" !cat!o" as to ho% the Soc!et$ m!*ht be ha" le 9 That %oul be "o small%e!*ht off h!s shoul ers(


32/172

sto"es struc+ h!s f!"*ers a" +"uc+les %!th st!"*!"* force, but the &a!" %as ma e s%eeter b$ the success that "o%follo%e , as the s&ee a" mot!o" of the mult!far!ous sha&es a" colors be*a" to escr!be !ma*es !" the a!r abo'ethe bo%l(

L!+e all &ro&hec$, the s!*"s %ere !" the e$e of the behol er, a" &erha&s a"other %!t"ess %oul ha'e see"!ffere"t forms !" the blur( )ut %hat Go ol&h!" sa% seeme 4u!te &la!" to h!m( The etreat, for o"e, half h! e" !"

the co&se( The" h!mself, sta" !"* !" the m! le of the mosa!c, e!ther com!"* bac+ from >?or errex or &re&ar!"* toe&art( The !ma*es l!"*ere for o"l$ a br!ef t!me before cha"*!"*, the etreat emol!she !" the storm of sto"es

a" a "e% structure ra!se !" the %h!rl0 the to%er of the Tabula asa( He f!xe h!s e$es o" the &ro&hec$ %!th freshel!berat!o", e"$!"* h!mself the comfort of bl!"+!"* to be certa!" he m!sse "oth!"*( The to%er as see" from the

street *a'e %a$ to !ts !"ter!or( Here the$ %ere, the %!se o"es, s!tt!"* arou" the table co"tem&lat!"* the!r !'!"eut$( The$ %ere "a'el efluffers a" s"ot rollers to a ma"( Not o"e of them %oul be ca&able of sur'!'!"* a" hour!" the alle$%a$s of East >?or errex, he thou*ht, o%" b$ the harbor %here e'e" the cats ha &!m&s( No% he sa%h!mself ste& !"to the &!cture, a" someth!"* he %as o!"* or sa$!"* ma e the me" a" %ome" before h!m 6um&from the!r seats, e'e" L!o"el(


33/172

fl!*ht bac+ to E"*la" !ff!cult( )ut 2u e %as "ot eas!l$ e"!e a"$th!"*, es&ec!all$ %he" she1 set her m!" f!rml$o" a" ob6ect!'e a" she %as certa!"- es&!te 7arl!"1s &rotestat!o"s-that lea'!"* 7a"hatta" %as the most se"s!bleth!"* to o(

She ha reaso" o" her s! e( The assass!" ha ma e t%o attem&ts u&o" her l!fe( He %as st!ll at lar*e( As lo"* asshe sta$e !" Ne% >or+ she %oul be u" er threat( )ut e'e" !f th!s ha "ot bee" the case 8a" there %as a &art ofher that st!ll bel!e'e that he1 come that seco" t!me to ex&la!", or a&olo*!?e:, she %oul ha'e fou" a" excuse forretur"!"* to E"*la" , 6ust to be out of 7arl!"1s com&a"$( He ha become too clo$!"* !" h!s affect!o"s, h!s tal+ assacchar!"e as the !alo*ue from the Chr!stmas class!cs o" the tele'!s!o", h!s e'er$ *a?e ma%+!sh( He1 ha th!ss!c+"ess all alo"*, of course, but he1 %orse"e s!"ce the assass!"1s '!s!t, a" her tolera"ce for !ts s$m&toms, brace

as she1 bee" b$ her e"cou"ter %!th Ge"tle, ha ro&&e to ?ero( O"ce she1 &ut the &ho"e o%" o" h!m the &re '!ous "!*ht she1 re*rette her s+!tt !sh %a$ %!th h!m, a" after a heart. to.heart %!th 7arl!" !" %h!ch she1 tolh!m she %a"te to *o bac+ to E"*la" , a" he1 re&l!e that !t %oul all seem !ffere"t !" the mor"!"* a" %h$! "1t she 6ust ta+e a &!ll a" l!e o%", she1 ec! e to call h!m bac+( )$ th!s t!me, 7arl!" %as sou" aslee&( She1

left her be , *o"e throu*h to the l!'!"* room, &ut o" a s!"*le lam&, a" ma e the call( It felt co'ert, %h!ch !" a %a$!t %as( 7arl!" ha "ot bee" &lease to +"o% that o"e of her ex.lo'ers ha attem&te to &la$ hero !" h!s o%"a&artme"t, a" he %oul "1t ha'e bee" ha&&$ to f!" her ma+!"* co"tact %!th Ge"tle at t%o !" the mor"!"*( She st!ll! "1t +"o% %hat ha ha&&e"e %he" she1 bee" &ut throu*h to the room( The rece!'er ha bee" &!c+e u& a" the"ro&&e , lea'!"* her to l!ste" %!th !"creas!"* fur$ a" frustrat!o" to the sou" of Ge"tle ma+!"* lo'e( I"stea of

&utt!"* the &ho"e o%" there a" the" she1 l!ste"e , hal f %!sh!"* she cou l ha' e 6o!"e the esca&a e( E'e"tuall$,after fa!l!"* to !stract Ge"tle from h!s labors, she1 hu"* u& a" tra!&se bac+ to her col be !" a foul humor(

He1 calle the "ext a$, a" 7arl!" ha a"s%ere ( She let h!m tell Ge"tle that !f he e'er sa% h! e or ha!r ofGe"tle !" the bu!l !"* a*a!" he1 ha'e h!m arreste as a" accom&l!ce to attem&te mur er(

or+, !t haseeme a lu !crous out&our!"*( )ut there ha bee" stra"*e t!mes s!"ce the", a" the$1 &ut Ge"tle !" a" a&ter moofor th!s stu $( Pa*es that ha seeme %orthless a fe% a$s before %ere "o% &ore o'er, !" the ho&e the$1 $!el


34/172

some clue, e"co e !" the fa"c!ful excesses of Cha"t1s ! !os$"crat!c a" !ll.&u"ctuate &rose, that %oul lea h!mto some fresh com&rehe"s!o" of the t!mes a" the!r mo'ers( Whose *o , for !"sta"ce, %as th!s Ha&exame" !os thatCha"t exhorte Estabroo+ to &ra$ to a" &ra!se9 He came tra!l!"* s$"o"$ms0 the B"behel , the Abor!*!"al, theWa" erer( A" %hat %as the *reater &la" that Cha"t ho&e !" h!s f!"al hours he %as a &art of9

I A7 rea $ for eath !" th!s #O7INION, he1 %r!tte", !f I +"o% that the B"behel has use me as H!sINST B7ENT( All &ra!se to HAPE A7EN#IOS( /or He %as !" the Place of the Succule"t oc+ a" left H!sch!l re" to SB//E here, a" I ha'e suffere here a" A7 #ONE %!th suffer!"*(

That at least %as true( The ma" ha +"o%" h!s eath %as !mm!"e"t, %h!ch su**este he1 +"o%" h!s mur erertoo( Was !t P!e 1oh1 &ah he1 bee" ex&ect!"*9 It seeme "ot( The assass!" %as referre to, but "ot as Cha"t1s

execut!o"er( I" ee , !" h!s f!rst rea !"* of the letter Ge"tle ha "1t e'e" real!?e !t %as P!e 1oh1 &ah %ho %as be!"*s&o+e" of !" th!s &assa*e( )ut o" th!s rerea !"* !t %as com&letel$ a&&are"t(>ou ha'e ma e a co'e"a"t %!th a A E th!"* !" th!s #O7INION or a"$ other, a" I o "ot +"o% !f th!s eath

"earl$ u&o" me !s m$ &u"!shme"t or m$ re%ar for m$ a*e"c$ !" that( )ut be c!rcums&ect !" all $our eal!"*s %!th!t, for such &o%er !s ca&r!c!ous, be!"* a ste% of +!" s a" &oss!b!l!t!es, "o BTTE th!"*, !" a"$ &art of !ts "ature,

but &a'o"!"e a" &r!smat!c, a" a&ostate to !ts core(3 %as "e'er the fr!e" of th!s &o%er-!t has o"l$ A#O E S AN# BN#OE S-but !t truste me as !ts

re&rese"tat!'e a" I ha'e o"e !t as much harm !" these eal!"*s as I ha'e $ou( 7ore, I th!"+ for !t !s a lo"el$th!"*, a" suffers !" th!s #O7INION as I ha'e( >ou ha'e fr!e" s %ho +"o% $ou for the ma" $ou are a" o "otha'e to co"ceal $our T BE NATB E( Cl!"* to them, a" the!r lo'e for $ou, for the Place of the Succule"t oc+ !sabout to sha+e a" tremble, a" !" such a t!me all a soul has !s the com&a"$ of !ts lo'!"* l!+e( I sa$ th!s ha'!"*l!'e !" such a t!me, a" am GLA# that !f such !s com!"* u&o" the /I/TH #O7INION a*a!", I %!ll be ea , a"m$ face tur"e to the *lor$ of the BN)EHEL#(

All &ra!se to HAPE A7EN#IOS(A" to $ou s!r, !" th!s mome"t, I offer m$ co"tr!t!o" a" m$ &ra$ers(There %as a l!ttle more, but both ha" %r!t!"* a" the se"te"ce structure eter!orate ra&! l$ thereafter, as thou*h

Cha"t ha &a"!c+e a" scra%le the rest %h!le &utt!"* o" h!s coat( The more cohere"t &assa*es co"ta!"e e"ou*hh!"ts to +ee& Ge"tle from slee&, ho%e'er(( The escr!&t!o"s of P!e 1oh1 &ah %ere &art!cularl$ alarm!"*0


35/172

THOBGH THE 2OB NE> / O7 Go ol&h!"1s house !" Pr!mrose H!ll to the Tabula asa1s to%er %as short, a"#o% *ot h!m u& to H!*h*ate o" the ot of s!x, Oscar su**este the$ r!'e o%" throu*h Crouch E" , the" u&throu*h 7us%ell H!ll, a" bac+ to the to%er, so that the$1 arr!'e te" m!"utes late(


36/172

a" blac+ t!ssue-f!"al &roof of #o% 1s !"huma"!t$( Tr!um&ha"t, he thre% the e'! e"ce o%" o" the table bes! ethe bo $, the" ste&&e a%a$ from h!s ha" !%or+, chuc+!"* the +"!fe !"to the %ou" !t ha o&e"e ( The %hole

&erforma"ce ha ta+e" "o more tha" a m!"ute, but !" that t!me he1 succee e !" tur"!"* the chamber1s table !"to af!sh.mar+et *utter(

our fam!l$9 A"$ o"e of them m!*ht be a &art of th!s co"s&!rac$(=

It *a'e Oscar a &er'erse 6o$ to so% these oubts( He sa% them ta+!"* root alrea $, sa% faces that half a" hour before ha bee" &uffe u& %!th the!r o%" !"fal l!b!l!t$ efla te b$ oubt ( It %as %orth the r!s+ he1 ta+e" %!th thesetheatr!cs, 6ust to see them afra! ( )ut Shales %oul "1t lea'e th!s bo"e alo"e(


37/172


38/172

At th!s 6u"cture 7cGa"" su**este a 'ote, a" o"e %as ta+e"( There %ere "o !sse"t!"* 'o!ces( The Soc!et$ %asa*ree that the %a$ for%ar la$ !" a com&rehe"s!'e &ur*e of all eleme"ts-!""oce"t or "ot-%ho m!*ht &rese"tl$

be tam&er!"*, or tem&te to tam&er, %!th r!tuals !"te" e to *a!" access to so.cal le eco"c!le #om!"!o"s( Allco"'e"t!o"al rel!*!ous structures %oul be exclu e from th!s sa"ct!o", as the$ %ere utterl$ !"effectual a"

&rese" te a useful !stract !o" for some sou ls %ho m!*ht ha' e bee" tem&te to%ar s eso ter!c &ract!ces( The shamsa" the &rof!teers %oul also be &asse o'er( The &!er.e" &alm!sts a" fa+e &s$ch!cs, the s&!r!tual!sts %ho %rote"e% co"certos for ea com&osers a" so""ets for &oets lo"* s!"ce ust-all these %oul be left u"touche ( O"l$those %ho stoo a cha"ce of tr!&&!"* o'er someth!"* 2ma6!cal, a" act!"* u&o" !t, %oul be roote out( It %oul bea" exte"s!'e a" somet!mes brutal bus!"ess, but the Soc!et$ %as the e4ual of the challe"*e( Th!s %as "ot the f!rst

&ur*e !t ha masterm!" e 8thou*h !t %oul be the f!rst of th!s scale: the structure %as !" &lace for a" !" '!s!b le butcom&rehe"s!'e clea"s!"*( The cults %oul be the &r!me tar*ets0 the!r acol$tes %oul be !s&erse , the!r lea ers bou*ht off or !"carcerate ( It ha ha&&e"e before that E"*la" ha bee" slu!ce clea" of e'er$ s!*"! f!ca"t eso ter!ca" thaumatur.*!st( No% !t %oul ha&&e" a*a!"(


39/172

autum" mo"ths, ho%e'er, a" she %as sur&r!se to f!" a" !"'!tat!o" to the!r Chr!stmas &art$ a%a!t!"* her %he" she*ot bac+ from Ne% >or+( St!ll feel!"* el!cate after all that ha ha&&e"e , she1 ru"* u& to ecl!"e, o"l$ to ha'eClem 4u!etl$ tell her that Ta$lor %as "ot ex&ecte to see a"other s&r!"*, "e'er m!" a"other summer( Woul she"ot come, for h!s sa+e9 She of course acce&te ( If a"$ of her c!rcle coul ma+e *oo t!mes of ba !t %as Ta$lor a"Clem, a" she o%e them both her best efforts !" that e" ea'or( Was !t &erha&s because she1 ha so ma"$!ff!cult!es %!th the heterosexual males !" her l!fe that she relaxe !" the com&a"$ of me" for %hom her sex %ere

"ot co"teste terra!"9At a l!ttle after e!*ht !" the e'e"!"* of Chr!stmas #a$, Clem o&e"e the oor a" ushere her !", cla!m!"* a +!ss

be"eath the s&r!* of m!stletoe !" the hall%a$ before, as he &ut !t, the barbar!a" s %ere u&o" her( The house ha bee"

ecorate as !t m!*ht ha'e bee" a ce"tur$ earl!er, t!"sel, fa+e s"o%, a" fa!r$ l!*hts forsa+e" !" fa'or of e'er*ree",hu"* !" such abu" a"ce arou" the %alls a" ma"tel&!eces that the rooms %ere half foreste ( Clem, %hose $outhha outru" the toll of $ears for so lo"*, %as "ot such a health$ s!*ht( /!'e mo"ths before he1 loo+e a flesh$ th!rt$!" a flatter!"* l!*ht( No% he loo+e te" $ears ol er at least, h!s br!*ht %elcome a" flatter$ u"able to co"ceal h!sfat!*ue(

ou %ore *ree",= he sa! as he escorte her !" to the lou"*e(


40/172

Ge"tle1s "ame, a" Clem bro+e !" to sa$ that he1 bee" !"'!te to"!*ht( Her heart tr!&&e a" too+ a beat to *et bac+!"to(!ts rh$thm(


41/172

Her *a?e %e"t bac+ to her a m!rer, a" as !t ! so 2u e %as se!?e b$ the utter certa!"t$ that !f she %ere to tur""o% !t %oul be Ge"tle1s stare she !"terce&te ( He %as here, a" u& to h!s stale ol tr!c+s, threa !"* h!mself a l!ttlestr!"* of *a?es, rea $ to &luc+ the &rett!est %he" he t!re of the *ame(

ou1ll e!ther +!ll $ourself or somebo $ else(=


42/172

a*a!"st the seat, h!s e$es close , tal+!"*= from the bottom of a &!t( O"e mome"t he %as tha"+!"* her for loo+!"*after h!m, the "ext he %as tell!"* her "ot to m!sta+e the &a!"t o" h!s ha" s for sh!t( It %as"1t sh!t, he +e&t sa$!"*, !t%as bur"t umber, a" &russ!a" blue, a" ca m!um $ello%, but someho% %he" $ou m!xe colors to*ether, a"$colors, the$ al%a$s came out loo+!"* l!+e sh!t e'e"tuall$( Th!s mo"olo*ue %!" le !"to s!le"ce, from %h!ch, am!"ute or t%o later, a "e% sub6ect emer*e (


43/172

or+9=


44/172

&a!"t!"* a*a!", but the !"te"s! t$ of the ream from %h!ch he1 6ust %o+e" ma e a moc+er$ of h!s effort s( He %oul"ot co"6ure the assass!" b$ th!s cru e ma*!c( He coul &a!"t a o?e" ca"'ases, a hu" re , a" st!ll "ot ca&ture theamb!*u!t!es of P!e 1oh1 &ah( He belche , br!"*!"* the taste of ba m!l+ bac+ u& !"to h!s mouth( What %as he to o9Loc+ h!mself a%a$ a" let th!s s!c+"ess !" h!m-&ut there b$ the s!*ht of the assass!"-co"sume h!m9 Or bathe,s%eete" h!mself, a" *o out to f!" some faces to &ut bet%ee" h!m a" the memor$9 )oth 'a!" e" ea'ors( Wh!chleft a th!r , !stress!"* route( To f!" P!e 1oh1 &ah !" the flesh0 to face h!m, 4uest!o" h!m, ha'e h!s f!ll of h!m, u"t!le'er$ amb!*u!t$ %as scoure a%a$(

He %e"t o" star!"* at the &a!"t!"* %h!le he tur"e th!s o&t!o" o'er( What %oul !t ta+e to f!" the assass!"9 A"!"terro*at!o" of Estabroo+, for o"e( That %oul "1t be too o"erous a ut$( The" a search of the c!t$, to f!" the &lace

Estabroo+ ba cla!me he coul "1t recall( A*a!", "o *reat har sh!&( )etter tha" sour m!l+ a" sourer reams("o%!"* that !" the l!*ht of mor"!"* he m!*ht lose h!s &rese"t clar!t$ of m!" , a" he %as best to close off atleast o"e route of retreat, he %e"t to the &a!"ts, s4uee?e o"to h!s &alm a fat %orm of ca m!um $ello%, a" %or+e!t !"to the st!ll.%et ca"'as( It obl!terate the lo'ers !mme !atel$, but he %as"1t sat!sf!e u"t!l he1 co'ere theca"'as from e *e to e *e( The color fou*ht for !ts br!ll!a"ce, but !t soo" eter!orate , ta!"te b$ the ar+"ess !t %astr$!"* to obscure( )$ the t!me he1 f!"!she , !t %as as !f h!s attem&t to ca&ture P!e 1oh1 &ah ha "e'er bee" ma e(

Sat!sf!e , he stoo bac+ a" belche a*a!"( The "ausea ha *o"e from h!m( He felt stra"*el$ buo$a"t( 7a$besour m!l+ su!te h!m(

P!e 1oh1 &ah sat o" the ste& of h!s tra!ler a" stare u& at the "!*ht s+$( I" the!r be s beh!" h!m, h!s a o&te %!fea" ch!l re" sle&t( I" the hea'e"s abo'e h!m, the stars %ere bur"!"* beh!" a bla"+et of so !um.t!"te clou ( Heha sel om felt more alo"e !" h!s lo"* l!fe tha" "o%( S!"ce retur"!"* from Ne% >or+ he ha bee" !" a state ofco"sta"t a"t!c!&at!o"( Someth!"* %as *o!"* to ha&&e" to h!m a" h!s %orl , but he ! "1t +"o% %hat( H!s !*"ora"ce

&a!"e h!m, "ot s!m&l$ because he %as hel&less !" the face of th!s !mm!"e"t e'e"t, but because h!s !"ab!l!t$ to

*ras& !ts "ature %as testame"t to ho% h!s s+!lls ha eter!orate ( The a$s %he" he coul rea futur!t!es off the a!rha *o"e( He %as more a" more a &r!so"er of the here a" "o%( That here, the bo $ he occu&!e , %as also lesstha" !ts former *lor$( It %as so lo"* s!"ce he1 corres&o" e the %a$ he ha %!th Ge"tle, ta+!"* the %!ll of a"otheras the *os&el of h!s flesh, that he1 almost lost the tr!c+ of !t( )ut Ge"tle1s es!re ha bee" &ote"t e"ou*h to rem!"h!m, a" h!s bo $ st!ll re'erberate %!th echoes of the!r t!me to*ether( Thou*h !t ha e" e ba l$ he ! "1t re*rets"atch!"* those m!"utes( A"other such e"cou"ter m!*ht "e'er come(

He %a" ere from h!s tra!ler to%ar s the &er!meter of the e"cam&me"t( The f!rst l!*ht of a%" %as be*!""!"* toeat at the mur+( O"e of the cam& mo"*rels, bac+ from a "!*ht of a 'e"tur!"*, s4uee?e bet%ee" t%o sheets ofcorru*ate !ro" a" came %a**!"* to h!s s! e( He stro+e the o*1s s"out a" t!c+le beh!" !ts battle.ra'a*e ears,%!sh!"* he coul f!" h!s %a$ bac+ to h!s home a" master so eas!l$(

It %as the oft.state bel!ef of Esmo" )loom Go ol&h!", the late father of Oscar a" Charles, that a ma" coul"e'er ha'e too ma"$ bolt holes, a" of E()(G(1s cou"tless sa%s th!s %as the o"l$ o"e Oscar ha bee" s!*"!f!ca"tl$!"flue"ce b$( He ha "ot less tha" four &laces of occu&at!o" !" Lo" o"( The house !" Pr!mrose H!ll %as h!s ch!ef

res! e"ce, but there %as also a &!e .a.terre !" 7a! a Vale, a small!sh flat !" Nott!"* H!ll, a" the locat!o" he %as &rese" tl$ occu&$!"*0 a %!" o%less %arehouse co"ceale !" a ma?e of erel! ct a" "ear. erel!ct &ro&ert!es "ear ther!'er(

It %as "ot a &lace he %as &art!cularl$ ha&&$ to fre4ue"t, es&ec!all$ "ot o" the a$ after Chr!stmas, but o'er the$ears !t ha &ro'e a secure ha'e" for #o% 1s t%o assoc!ates, the 'o! ers, a" !t "o% ser'e as a Cha&el of est for#o% h!mself( H!s "a+e cor&se la$ be"eath a shrou o" the col co"crete, %!th aromat!c herbs, &!c+e a" r!eo" the slo&es of the 2 o+ala$lau, smol er!"* !" bo%ls at h!s hea a" feet, after the r!tuals &roscr!be !" that re*!o"(The 'o! ers ha sho%" l!ttle !"terest !" the arr!'al of the!r lea er1s bo $( The$ %ere fu"ct!o"ar!es, !"ca&able ofa"$th!"* but the most ru !me"tar$ thou*ht &rocesses( The$ ha "o &h$s!cal a&&et!tes0 "o es!re, "o hu"*er orth!rst, "o amb!t!o"( The$ s!m&l$ sat out the a$s a" "!*hts !" the ar+"ess of the %arehouse a" %a!te for #o%to !"struct them( Oscar %as less tha" comfortable !" the!r com&a"$, but coul "ot br!"* h!mself to lea'e u"t!l th!s

bus!"ess %as f!" !she ( He1 brou*ht a boo+ to rea 0 a cr!c+et alma"ac that he fou" sooth!"* to &eruse( E'e r$ "o%a" the" he1 *et u& a" refuel the bo%ls( Other%!se there %as l!ttle to o but %a!t(

It ha alrea $ bee" a a$ a" a half s!"ce he1 ma e such a sho% of ta+!"* #o% 1s l!fe0 a &erforma"ce of %h!chhe %as 6ustl$ &rou ( )ut the casualt$ that la$ before h!m %as a real loss( #o% ha bee" &asse o%" the l!"e ofGo ol&h!"s for t%o ce"tur!es, bou" to them u"t!l the e" of t!me or of 2oshua1s l!"e, %h!che'er came f!rst( A" heha bee" a f!"e ma"ser'a"t( Who else coul m!x a %h!s+$ a" so a so %ell9 Who else +"e% to r$ a" &o% er

bet%ee" Oscar1s toes %!th s&ec!al care, because he %as &ro"e to fu"*al !"fect!o"s there9 #o% %as !rre&laceab le,a" !t ha &a!"e Oscar co"s! erabl$ to ta+e the brutal measures c!rcumsta"ce ha ema" e ( )ut he1 o"e so+"o%!"* that %h!le there %as a sl!m &oss!b!l!t$ that he %oul lose h!s ser'a"t fore'er, a" e"t!t$ such as #o% coulsur'!'e a !sembo%el!"* as lo"* as the r!tuals of esurrect!o" %ere rea !l$ a" &rec!sel$ follo%e ( Oscar %as "ot!" !*"ora"ce of those r!tuals( He1 s&e"t ma"$ la?$ >?or errex!a" e'e"!"*s o" the roof of Peccable1s house,%atch!"* the ta!l of the comet !sa&&ear beh!" the to%ers of the Autarch1s &alace, tal+!"* about the theor$ a"

&ract!ce of Ima6!cal fe! ts, %r!ts, &"eumas, ure os, a" the rest( He +"e% the o!ls to &our !"to #o% 1s carcass, a"%hat blossoms to bur" arou" the bo $( He e'e" ha !" h!s treasure room a &ho"et!c 'ers!o" of the r!tual, set o%"

b$ Peccable h!msel f, !" case #o% %as e'er harme ( He ha "o ! ea ho% lo"* the &rocess %oul ta+e, but he +"e% better tha" to &eer be"eath the sheet to see !f the brea of l!fe %as r!s !"*( He cou l o"l$ b! e h!s t!me a" ho&e he1

o"e all that %as "ecessar$(At four m!"utes &ast four, he ha &roof of h!s &rec!s!o"( A cho+!"* breath %as ra%" be"eath the sheet, a" a

seco" later #o% sat u&( The mot!o" %as so su e", a" - after such a t!me-so u"ex&ecte , Oscar &a"!c+e , h!scha!r t!&&!"* o'er as he rose, the alma"ac fl$!"* from h!s ha" ( He1 see" much !" h!s t!me that the &eo&le of the/!fth %oul call m!raculous, but "ot !" a !smal room l!+e th!s, %!th the commo"&lace %orl *r!" !"* o" !ts %a$

FF


45/172

outs! e the oor( Com&os!"* h!mself, he searche for a %or of %elcome, but h!s mouth %as so r$ he coul ha'e blotte a letter %!th h!s to"*ue( He s!m&l$ s tare , *a&!"* a" ama?e (

#o% ha &ulle the sheet off h!s face a" %as stu $!"* the ha" %!th %h!ch he1 o"e so, h!s face as em&t$ asthe e$es of the 'o! ers s!tt!"* a*a!"st the o&&os!te %all(

I1'e ma e a terr!ble error, Oscar thou*ht( I1'e brou*ht bac+ the bo $, but the soul1s *o"e out of h!m0 Oh, Chr!st,%hat "o%9

#o% stare o", bla"+l$( The", l!+e a &u&&et !"to %h!ch a ha" has bee" !"serte , br!"*!"* the !llus!o" of l!fe a"!" e&e" e"t &ur&ose to se"seless stuff, he ra!se h!s hea , a" h!s face f!lle %!th ex&ress!o"( It %as all a"*er( He"arro%e h!s e$es a" bare h!s teeth as he s&o+e(

ou ! me a *reat %ro"*,= he sa! (


46/172

The curta!" %as ra%" as! e th!s t!me, a" Ge"tle ha h!s f!rst s!*ht of Estabroo+( A *l!m&se o"l$, for the curta!"%as ro&&e bac+ !"to &lace a mome"t later( Ge"tle %a!te , a" 6ust as he %as about to start h!s hara"*u!"* afreshhear the fro"t oor be!"* u"bolte ( Estabroo+ a&&eare , barefoot a" bal ( The latter %as a shoc+( Ge"tle ha "1t+"o%" the ma" %ore a tou&eou1ll lear"(=

Ge"tle ! "1t r!se to the remar+( It %as too close to h!s &rese"t state to be full$ co"fesse , e'e" to h!mself( )uto"ce out of the house, ma& !" ha" , he coul "1t su&&ress a sm!le of &leasure that he ha a %a$ for%ar ( It %asalrea $ *ett!"* *loom$, as the m! %!"ter after"oo" close !ts f!st o" the c!t$( )ut ar+"ess lo'e lo'ers, e'e" !f the%orl "o lo"*er ! (

At m! a$, %!th h!s u"ease of the &re'!ous "!*ht alla$e "ot o"e 6ot, P!e 1oh1 &ah ha su**este to Theresa thatthe$ shoul lea'e the e"cam&me"t( The su**est!o" %as"1t met %!th e"thus!asm( The bab$ %as s!c+ 1%!th s"!fflesa" ha "ot sto&&e %a!l!"* s!"ce she1 %o+e" the other ch!l %as fe'er!sh too( Th!s %as "o t!me to be *o!"*a%a$, Theresa sa! , e'e" !f the$ ha some%here to *o, %h!ch the$ ! "1t( We1ll ta+e the tra!ler %!th us, P!e re&l!e%e1ll 6ust r!'e out of the c!t$( To the coast, ma$be, %here the ch!l re" %oul be"ef!t from the clea"er a!r( Theresal!+e that ! ea( Tomorro%, she sa! , or the a$ after, but "ot "o%(

P!e &resse the case, ho%e'er, u"t!l she as+e h!m %hat he %as so "er'ous about( He ha "o a"s%er to *!'e atleast "o"e that she1 care to hear( She u" erstoo "oth!"* of h!s "ature, "or 4uest!o"e h!m about h!s &ast( He %ass!m&l$ a &ro'! er, someo"e %ho &ut foo !" the mouths of her ch!l re" a" h!s arms arou" her at "!*ht( )ut her

4uest!o" st!ll hu"* !" the a!r, so he a"s%ere !t as best he coul (


47/172

l!ttle co"tact %!th, a short.tem&ere Scot %ho brutal!?e the o* %he" he coul catch !t( P!e %e"t o%" o" h!shau"ches to hush the creature, for fear !ts !" brou*ht the o%"er out from h!s su&&!"*( The o* obe$e butco"t!"ue to &a% at P!e fretfull$, clearl$ %a"t!"* to be loose from !ts leash(


48/172

P!e1s re&l$ %as to *la"ce bac+ o'er h!s shoul er, to%ar s a hea& of ebr!s that ha o"ce bee" a tra!ler( athertha" ra% a"other lu"*.coo+!"* breath to re&l$, Ge"tle starte to%ar s th!s bo"f!re but %as !"terce&te b$ P!e, %ho

&asse o'er the ch! l !" h!s arms,


49/172


50/172


51/172

that ha f!"all$ r!'e" her from h!s s! e 8the se"se that she %as almost o%"e , a" that !f she sta$e %!th h!m amome"t lo"*er she1 "e'er u"shac+le herself: or the 'eheme"ce of h!s re'e"*e( A*a!", there1 come a t!me %he"she felt able to eal %!th the mutual mu .sl!"*!"* of a !'orce, but, l!+e the bus!"ess %!th the clothes, she %as"1trea $ for that turmo!l $et, e'e" thou*h she coul ho&e for some mo"!es from such a settleme"t( I" the mea"%h!le,she ha to th!"+ about em&lo$me"t(

The", o" #ecember th!rt!eth, she rece!'e a call from Estabroo+1s la%$er, Le%!s Lea er, a ma" she1 met o"l$o"ce but %ho %as memorable for h!s lo4uac!ous"ess( It %as "ot !" e'! e"ce o" th!s occas!o", ho%e'er( He s!*"ale%hat she assume %as h!s !staste for her esert!o" of h!s cl!e"t %!th a ma""er that teetere o" the ru e( #! she+"o%, he as+e her, that Estabroo+ ha bee" hos&!tal!?e 9 Whe" she tol h!m she ! "1t, he re&l!e that thou*h he

%as sure she ! "1t *!'e a am", he1 bee" char*e %!th the ut$ of !"form!"* her( She as+e h!m %hat haha&&e"e ( He br!s+l$ ex&la!"e that Estabroo+ ha bee" fou" !" the street !" the earl$ hours of the t%e"t$.e!*hth,%ear!"* o"l$ o"e !tem of cloth!"*( He ! "1t s&ec!f$ %hat(


52/172

to the u" ers! e of her foot( /rom that !""oce"t be*!""!"*, a ca""!bal!st!c u"!o" e"sue , the male be*!""!"* toe'our the %oma", start!"* %!th her le*s, %h!le h!s &art"er obl!*e h!m %!th the same act of e'ot!o"( The!r a"t!csef!e both &h$s!cs a" &h$s!4ue, of course, but the art!st ha succee e !" re" er!"* the act %!thout *rotes4uer!e,

but rather !" the ma""er of !"struct!o"s for some ext raor !"ar$ ma*!cal !llus!o"( It %as o"l$ %he" she close the boo+, a" fou" the !ma*es l!"*er!"* !" her hea , that the $ !s tresse her , a" to slu!ce them out she tur"e her

!stress !"to a r!*hteous ra*e that Estabroo+ %oul "ot o"l$ &urchase such b!?arre"esses but h! e them from her(A"other reaso" to be %ell out of h!s com&a"$(

The seco" &ac+a*e co"ta!"e a much more !""oce"t !tem0 %hat a&&eare to be a fra*me"t of statuar$ the s!?e ofher f!st( O"e facet ha bee" cru el$ mar+e %!th %hat coul ha'e bee" a %ee&!"* e$e, a lactat!"* "!&&le, or a bu

see&!"* sa&( The other facets re'eale the structure of the bloc+ from %h!ch the !ma*e ha bee" car'e ( It %as &re om!"a"tl$ a m!l+$ blue, but sho t throu*h %!th f!"e seams of blac+ a" re ( She l!+e the feel of !t !" her ha"a" o"l$ relucta"tl$ &ut !t o%" to &!c+ u& the th!r &arcel( The co"te"ts of th!s %ere the &rett!est f!" 0 half a o?e"

&ea.s!?e bea s, %h!ch ha bee" obsess!'el$ car 'e ( She1 see" or!e"tal !'or!es %or+e %!th th!s le 'el of care, butthe$1 al%a$s bee" beh!" museum *lass( She too+ o"e of them to the %!" o% to stu $ more closel$( The art!st hacar'e the bea to *!'e the !m&ress!o" that !t %as !" fact a ball of *ossamer threa , %ou" u&o" !tself( Cur!ous, a"o l$ !"'!t!"*( As she tur"e !t o'er !" her f!"*ers, a" o'er, a" o'er, she fou" her co"ce"trat!o" "arro%!"*,focus!"* o" the ex4u!s!te !"ter%ea'!"* of threa s, almost as thou*h there %ere a" e" to be fou" !" the ball, a" !fshe coul o"l$ *ras& !t %!th her m!" she m!*ht u"ra'el !t a" !sco'er some m$ster$ !"s! e( She ha to forceherself to loo+ a%a$, or she %as certa!" the bea 1s %!ll %oul ha'e o'er%helme her o%", a" she1 ha'e e" e u&star!"* at !ts eta!l u"t!l she colla&se (

She retur"e to the es+ a" &ut the bea bac+ amo"* !ts fello%s( Star!"* at !t so !"te"tl$ ha u&set here4u!l!br!um some%hat( She felt sl!*htl$ !??$, the l!tter she1 left o" the es+ sl!&&!"* out of focus as she r!fle

throu*h !t( Her ha" s +"e% %hat she %a"te , ho%e'er, e'e" !f her co"sc!ous thou*ht ! "1t( O"e of them &!c+e u&the fra*me"t of blue sto"e, %h!le her other stra$e bac+ to the bea she1 rel!"4u!she ( T%o sou'e"!rs0 %h$ "ot9 A &!ece of sto"e a" a bea ( Who cou l blame her for !s&ossess !"* Estabroo+ of such m!"or !tems %he" he1!"te" e her so much harm9 She &oc+ete them both %!thout further hes!tat!o" a" set about %ra&&!"* u& the boo+a" the rema!"!"* bea s, retur"!"* them to the safe a" clos!"* !t, a" re&lac!"* ra%!"* a" +e$( The" she &!c+eu& the cloth !" %h!ch the fra*me"t ha bee" %ra&&e , &oc+ete that, too+ the 6e%elr$, a" retur"e to the fro"toor, tur"!"* off the l!*hts as she %e"t( At the oor she remembere she1 o&e"e the +!tche" %!" o% a" hea e

bac+ to close !t( She ! "1t %a"t the &lace bur*la r!?e !" her abse"ce( There %as o"l$ o"e th!ef %ho ha r!*ht oftres&ass here, a" that %as her(

She felt %ell sat!sf!e %!th the mor"!"*1s %or+ a" treate herself to a *lass of %!"e %!th her s&arta" lu"ch, the"starte u"&ac+!"* her loot( As she la! her hosta*e clothes out o" the be , her thou*hts retur"e to the &!llo% boo+(She re*rette lea'!"* !t "o% !t %oul ha'e bee" the &erfect *!ft for Ge"tle, %ho oubtless !ma*!"e he1 !" ul*ee'er$ &h$s!cal excess +"o%" to ma"( No matter( She1 f!" a" o&&ortu"!t$ to escr!be !ts co"te"ts to h!m o"e of

these a$s a" asto"!sh h!m %!th her memor$ for e&ra'!t$( A call from Clem !"terru&te her %or+( He s&o+e sosoftl$ she ha to stra!" to hear( The "e%s %as *r!m( Ta$lor %as at eath1s oor, he sa! , ha'!"* t%o a$s beforesuccumbe to a"other su e" bout of &"eumo"!a( He refuse to be hos&!tal!?e , ho%e'er( H!s last %!sh, he1 sa! ,%as to !e %here he ha l!'e (


53/172

f!" ( She follo%e h!m u& the sta!rs !"to the stu !o(


54/172

es, tha"+s,= Ta$lor re&l!e ( Ge"tle set the *lass o%"( ou1re a bus$ ma"(=


55/172

%ere t!*hte"!"U.


56/172

H!s re&l$ %as to br!"* t%o flute *lasses from h!s &oc+et( She cla!me them from h!m %h!le he o&e"e the bottle,!ts cor+ com!"* %!th "o more tha" a ecorous s!*h, the sou" of %h!ch carr!e a%a$ throu*h the lab$r!"th a"fa!le to retur"( Glasses f!lle , the$ ra"+ to the Pur*e(

ear brou*ht %as more of %hat the olha offere (

She close the curta!"s !" the ho&e that her &rese"ce %oul *o u" etecte , l!t some ca" les, &ut o" a fluteco"certo, a" starte to &re&are someth!"* l!*ht for su&&er( As she %ashe her ha" s, she fou" that her f!"*ers a"

&alms ha ta+e" o" a l!*ht ust!"* of color from the sto"e( She1 cau*ht hersel f to$!"* %!th !t se' eral t!mes ur!"*the after"oo", a" &oc+ete !t, o"l$ to f!" m!"utes later that !t %as o"ce a*a!" !" her ha" s( Wh$ the color !t haleft beh!" ha esca&e her u"t!l "o%, she ! "1t +"o%( She rubbe her ha" s br!s+l$ be"eath the ta& to %ash theust off, but %he" she came to r$ them fou" the color %as actuall$ br!*hter( She %e"t !"to the bathroom to stu $

the &he"ome"o" u" er a more !"te"se l!*ht( It %as"1t, as she1 f!rst thou*ht, ust( The &!*me"t seeme to be !" hers+!", l!+e a he""a sta!"( Nor %as !t co"f!"e to her &alms( It ha s&rea to her %r!sts, %here she %as sure her fleshha "1t come !" co"tact %!th the sto"e( She too+ off her blouse a" to her shoc+ !sco'ere there %ere !rre*ular

&atches of color at her elbo%s as %ell( She starte tal+!"* to hersel f, %h!ch she al%a$s ! %he" she %asco"fou" e b$ someth!"*(


57/172

Shu er!"* %!th col she fle the reflect!o", hea !"* bac+ !"to the ca" le.l!t ha'e" of the l!'!"* room( Th

barker, clive - imajica 1.doc

Documents