Ⅰ
JOHNT.UNGERcamefromafamilythathadbeenwellknowninHades—asmalltownontheMississippiRiver—forseveralgenerations.John'sfatherhadheldtheamateurgolfchampionshipthroughmanyaheatedcontest;Mrs.Ungerwasknown"fromhot-boxtohot-bed,"asthelocalphrasewent,forherpoliticaladdresses;andyoungJohnT.Unger,whohadjustturnedsixteen,haddancedallthelatestdancesfromNewYorkbeforeheputonlongtrousers.Andnow,foracertaintime,hewastobeawayfromhome.ThatrespectforaNewEnglandeducationwhichisthebaneofallprovincialplaces,whichdrainsthemyearlyoftheirmostpromisingyoungmen,hadseizeduponhisparents.NothingwouldsuitthembutthatheshouldgotoSt.Midas'SchoolnearBoston—Hadeswastoosmalltoholdtheirdarlingandgiftedson.
NowinHades—asyouknowifyoueverhavebeenthere—thenamesofthemorefashionablepreparatoryschoolsandcollegesmeanverylittle.Theinhabitantshavebeensolongoutoftheworldthat,thoughtheymakeashowofkeepinguptodateindressandmannersandliterature,theydependtoagreatextentonhearsay,andafunctionthatinHadeswouldbeconsideredelaboratewoulddoubtlessbehailedbyaChicagobeef-princessas"perhapsalittletacky".
JohnT.Ungerwasontheeveofdeparture.Mrs.Unger,withmaternalfatuity,packedhistrunksfulloflinensuitsandelectricfans,andMr.Ungerpresentedhissonwithanasbestospocket-bookstuffedwithmoney.
"Remember,youarealwayswelcomehere,"hesaid."Youcanbesure,boy,thatwe'llkeepthehomefiresburning."
"Iknow,"answeredJohnhuskily.
"Don'tforgetwhoyouareandwhereyoucomefrom,"continuedhisfatherproudly,"andyoucandonothingtoharmyou.YouareanUnger—fromHades."
SotheoldmanandtheyoungshookhandsandJohnwalkedawaywithtearsstreamingfromhiseyes.Tenminuteslaterhehadpassedoutsidethecitylimits,andhestoppedtoglancebackforthelasttime.Overthegatestheold-fashionedVictorianmottoseemedstrangelyattractivetohim.Hisfatherhadtriedtimeandtimeagaintohaveitchangedtosomethingwithalittlemorepushandverveaboutit,suchas"Hades—YourOpportunity,"orelseaplain"Welcome"signsetoveraheartyhandshakeprickedoutinelectriclights.Theoldmottowasalittledepressing,Mr.Ungerhadthought—butnow...
SoJohntookhislookandthensethisfaceresolutelytowardhisdestination.And,asheturnedaway,thelightsofHadesagainsttheskyseemedfullofawarmandpassionatebeauty.
St.Midas'SchoolishalfanhourfromBostoninaRolls-Piercemotor-car.Theactualdistancewillneverbeknown,fornoone,exceptJohnT.Unger,hadeverarrivedtheresaveinaRolls-Pierceandprobablynooneeverwillagain.St.Midas'isthemostexpensiveandthemostexclusiveboys'preparatoryschoolintheworld.
John'sfirsttwoyearstherepassedpleasantly.Thefathersofalltheboysweremoney-kingsandJohnspenthissummersvisitingatfashionableresorts.Whilehewasveryfondofalltheboyshevisited,theirfathersstruckhimasbeingmuchofapiece,andinhisboyishwayheoftenwonderedattheirexceedingsameness.Whenhetoldthemwherehishomewastheywouldaskjovially,"Prettyhotdownthere?"andJohnwouldmusterafaintsmileandanswer,"Itcertainlyis."Hisresponsewouldhavebeenheartierhadtheynotallmadethisjoke—atbestvaryingitwith,"Isithotenoughforyoudownthere?"whichhehatedjustasmuch.
Inthemiddleofhissecondyearatschool,aquiet,handsomeboynamedPercyWashingtonhadbeenputinJohn'sform.ThenewcomerwaspleasantinhismannerandexceedinglywelldressedevenforSt.Midas',butforsomereasonhekeptalooffromtheotherboys.TheonlypersonwithwhomhewasintimatewasJohnT.Unger,buteventoJohnhewasentirelyuncommunicativeconcerninghishomeorhisfamily.Thathewaswealthywentwithoutsaying,butbeyondafewsuchdeductionsJohnknewlittleofhisfriend,soitpromisedrichconfectioneryforhiscuriositywhenPercyinvitedhimtospendthesummerathishome"intheWest."Heaccepted,withouthesitation.
ItwasonlywhentheywereinthetrainthatPercybecame,forthefirsttime,rathercommunicative.Onedaywhiletheywereeatinglunchinthedining-caranddiscussingtheimperfectcharactersofseveraloftheboysatschool,Percysuddenlychangedhistoneandmadeana
uptremark.
"Myfather,"hesaid,"isbyfartherichestmanintheworld."
"Oh,"saidJohn,politely.Hecouldthinkofnoanswertomaketothisconfidence.Heconsidered"That'sverynice,"butitsoundedhollowandwasonthepointofsaying,"Really?"butrefrainedsinceitwouldseemtoquestionPercy'sstatement.Andsuchanastoundingstatementcouldscarcelybequestioned.
"Byfartherichest,"repeatedPercy.
"IwasreadingintheWorldAlmanac,"beganJohn,"thattherewasonemaninAmericawithanincomeofoverfivemillionayearandfourmenwithincomesofoverthreemillionayear,and—"
"Oh,they'renothing,"Percy'smouthwasahalf-moonofscorn."Catch-pennycapitalists,financialsmall-fry,pettymerchantsandmoney-lenders.Myfathercouldbuythemoutandnotknowhe'ddoneit."
"Buthowdoeshe—"
"Whyhaven'ttheyputdownhisincometax?Becausehedoesn'tpayany.Atleasthepaysalittleone—buthedoesn'tpayanyonhisrealincome."
"Hemustbeveryrich,"saidJohnsimply."I'mglad.Ilikeveryrichpeople.
"Thericherafellais,thebetterIlikehim."Therewasalookofpassionatefranknessuponhisdarkface."IvisitedtheSchnlitzer-MurphyslastEaster.VivianSchnlitzer-Murphyhadrubiesasbigashen'seggs,andsapphiresthatwerelikeglobeswithlightsinsidethem—"
"Ilovejewels,"agreedPercyenthusiastically."OfcourseIwouldn'twantanyoneatschooltoknowaboutit,butI'vegotquiteacollectionmyself.Iusedtocollecttheminsteadofstamps."
"Anddiamonds,"continuedJohneagerly."TheSchnlitzer-Murphyshaddiamondsasbigaswalnuts—"
"That'snothing."Percyhadleanedforwardanddroppedhisvoicetoalowwhisper."That'snothingatall.MyfatherhasadiamondbiggerthantheRitz-CarltonHotel."
Ⅱ
TheMontanasunsetlaybetweentwomountainslikeagigantic
uisefromwhichdarkarteriesspreadthemselvesoverapoisonedsky.AnimmensedistanceundertheskycrouchedthevillageofFish,minute,dismal,andforgotten.Thereweretwelvemen,soitwassaid,inthevillageofFish,twelvesom
eandinexplicablesoulswhosuckedaleanmilkfromthealmostliterallybarerockuponwhichamysteriouspopulatoryforcehadbegottenthem.Theyhadbecomearaceapart,thesetwelvemenofFish,likesomespeciesdevelopedbyanearlywhimofnature,whichonsecondthoughthadabandonedthemtostruggleandextermination.
Outoftheblue-black
uiseinthedistancecreptalonglineofmovinglightsuponthedesolationoftheland,andthetwelvemenofFishgatheredlikeghostsattheshantydepottowatchthepassingoftheseveno'clocktrain,theTranscontinentalExpressfromChicago.SixtimesorsoayeartheTranscontinentalExpress,throughsomeinconceivablejurisdiction,stoppedatthevillageofFish,andwhenthisoccurredafigureorsowoulddisembark,mountintoabuggythatalwaysappearedfromoutofthedusk,anddriveofftowardthe
uisedsunset.TheobservationofthispointlessandpreposterousphenomenonhadbecomeasortofcultamongthemenofFish.Toobserve,thatwasall;thereremainedinthemnoneofthevitalqualityofillusionwhichwouldmakethemwonderorspeculate,elseareligionmighthavegrownuparoundthesemysteriousvisitations.ButthemenofFishwerebeyondallreligion—thebarestandmostsavagetenetsofevenChristianitycouldgainnofootholdonthatbarrenrock—sotherewasnoaltar,nopriest,nosacrifice;onlyeachnightatseventhesilentconcoursebytheshantydepot,acongregationwholiftedupaprayerofdim,an?micwonder.
OnthisJunenight,theGreat
akeman,whom,hadtheydeifiedanyone,theymightwellhavechosenastheircelestialprotagonist,hadordainedthattheseveno'clocktrainshouldleaveitshuman(orinhuman)depositatFish.AttwominutesaftersevenPercyWashingtonandJohnT.Ungerdisembarked,hurriedpastthespellbound,theagape,thefearsomeeyesofthetwelvemenofFish,mountedintoabuggywhichhadobviouslyappearedfromnowhere,anddroveaway.
Afterhalfanhour,whenthetwilighthadcoagulatedintodark,thesilentnegrowhowasdrivingthebuggyhailedanopaquebodysomewhereaheadoftheminthegloom.Inresponsetohiscry,itturneduponthemaluminousdiskwhichregardedthemlikeamalignanteyeoutoftheunfathomablenight.Astheycamecloser,Johnsawthatitwasthetail-lightofanimmenseautomobile,largerandmoremagnificentthananyhehadeverseen.Itsbodywasofgleamingmetalricherthannickelandlighterthansilver,andthehubsofthewheelswerestuddedwithiridescentgeometricfiguresofgreenandyellow—Johndidnotdaretoguesswhethertheywereglassorjewel.
Twonegroes,dressedinglitteringliverysuchasoneseesinpicturesofroyalprocessionsinLondon,werestandingatattentionbesidethecarandasthetwoyoungmendismountedfromthebuggytheyweregreetedinsomelanguagewhichtheguestcouldnotunderstand,butwhichseemedtobeanextremeformoftheSouthernnegro'sdialect.
"Getin,"saidPercytohisfriend,astheirtrunksweretossedtotheebonyroofofthelimousine."Sorrywehadto
ingyouthisfarinthatbuggy,butofcourseitwouldn'tdoforthepeopleonthetrainorthoseGodforsakenfellasinFishtoseethisautomobile."
"Gosh!Whatacar!"Thisejaculationwasprovokedbyitsinterior.Johnsawthattheupholsteryconsistedofathousandminuteandexquisitetapestriesofsilk,wovenwithjewelsandem
oideries,andsetuponabackgroundofclothofgold.Thetwoarmchairseatsinwhichtheboysluxuriatedwerecoveredwithstuffthatresembledduvetyn,butseemedwoveninnumberlesscolorsoftheendsofostrichfeathers.
"Whatacar!"criedJohnagain,inamazement.
"Thisthing?"Percylaughed."Why,it'sjustanoldjunkweuseforastationwagon."
Bythistimetheywereglidingalongthroughthedarknesstowardthe
eakbetweenthetwomountains.
"We'llbethereinanhourandahalf,"saidPercy,lookingattheclock."Imayaswelltellyouit'snotgoingtobelikeanythingyoueversawbefore."
IfthecarwasanyindicationofwhatJohnwouldsee,hewaspreparedtobeastonishedindeed.ThesimplepietyprevalentinHadeshastheearnestworshipofandrespectforrichesasthefirstarticleofitscreed—hadJohnfeltotherwisethanradiantlyhumblebeforethem,hisparentswouldhaveturnedawayinhorrorattheblasphemy.
Theyhadnowreachedandwereenteringthe
eakbetweenthetwomountainsandalmostimmediatelythewaybecamemuchrougher.
"Ifthemoonshonedownhere,you'dseethatwe'reinabiggulch,"saidPercy,tryingtopeeroutofthewindow.Hespokeafewwordsintothemouthpieceandimmediatelythefootmanturnedonasearchlightandsweptthehillsideswithanimmensebeam.
"Rocky,yousee.Anordinarycarwouldbeknockedtopiecesinhalfanhour.Infact,it'dtakeatanktonavigateitunlessyouknewtheway.Younoticewe'regoinguphillnow."
Theywereobviouslyascending,andwithinafewminutesthecarwascrossingahighrise,wheretheycaughtaglimpseofapalemoonnewlyriseninthedistance.Thecarstoppedsuddenlyandseveralfigurestookshapeoutofthedarkbesideit—thesewerenegroesalso.Againthetwoyoungmenweresalutedinthesamedimlyrecognizabledialect;thenthenegroessettoworkandfourimmensecablesdanglingfromoverheadwereattachedwithhookstothehubsofthegreatjeweledwheels.Ataresounding"Hey-yah!"Johnfeltthecarbeingliftedslowlyfromtheground—upandup—clearofthetallestrocksonbothsides—thenhigher,untilhecouldseeawavy,moonlitvalleystretchedoutbeforehiminsharpcontrasttothequagmireofrocksthattheyhadjustleft.Onlyononesidewastherestillrock—andthensuddenlytherewasnorockbesidethemoranywherearound.
Itwasapparentthattheyhadsurmountedsomeimmenseknife-bladeofstone,projectingperpendicularlyintotheair.Inamomenttheyweregoingdownagain,andfinallywithasoftbumptheywerelandeduponthesmoothearth.
"Theworstisover,"saidPercy,squintingoutthewindow."It'sonlyfivemilesfromhere,andourownroad—tapestry
ick—alltheway.Thisbelongstous.ThisiswheretheUnitedStatesends,fathersays."
"AreweinCanada?"
"Wearenot.We'reinthemiddleoftheMontanaRockies.Butyouarenowontheonlyfivesquaremilesoflandinthecountrythat'sneverbeensurveyed."
"Whyhasn'tit?Didtheyforgetit?"
"No,"saidPercy,grinning,"theytriedtodoitthreetimes.ThefirsttimemygrandfathercorruptedawholedepartmentoftheStatesurvey;thesecondtimehehadtheofficialmapsoftheUnitedStatestinkeredwith—thatheldthemforfifteenyears.Thelasttimewasharder.Myfatherfixeditsothattheircompasseswereinthestrongestmagneticfieldeverartificiallysetup.Hehadawholesetofsurveyinginstrumentsmadewithaslightdefectionthatwouldallowforthisterritorynottoappear,andhesubstitutedthemfortheonesthatweretobeused.Thenhehadariverdeflectedandhehadwhatlookedlikeavillagebuiltuponitsbanks—sothatthey'dseeit,andthinkitwasatowntenmilesfartherupthevalley.There'sonlyonethingmyfather'safraidof,"heconcluded,"onlyonethingintheworldthatcouldbeusedtofindusout."夶风小说
"What'sthat?"
Percysankhisvoicetoawhisper.
"Aeroplanes,"he
eathed."We'vegothalfadozenanti-aircraftgunsandwe'vearrangeditsofar—butthere'vebeenafewdeathsandagreatmanyprisoners.Notthatwemindthat,youknow,fatherandI,butitupsetsmotherandthegirls,andthere'salwaysthechancethatsometimewewon'tbeabletoarrangeit."
Shredsandtattersofchinchilla,courtesycloudsinthegreenmoon'sheaven,werepassingthegreenmoonlikepreciousEasternstuffsparadedfortheinspectionofsomeTartarKhan.ItseemedtoJohnthatitwasday,andthathewaslookingatsomeladssailingabovehimintheair,showeringdowntractsandpatentmedicinecirculars,withtheirmessagesofhopefordespairing,rockboundhamlets.Itseemedtohimthathecouldseethemlookdownoutofthecloudsandstare—andstareatwhatevertherewastostareatinthisplacewhitherhewasbound—Whatthen?Weretheyinducedtolandbysomeinsidiousdevicetheretobeimmuredfarfrompatentmedicinesandfromtractsuntilthejudgmentday—or,shouldtheyfailtofallintothetrap,didaquickpuffofsmokeandthesharproundofasplittingshell
ingthemdroopingtoearth—and"upset"Percy'smotherandsisters.Johnshookhisheadandthewraithofahollowlaughissuedsilentlyfromhispartedlips.Whatdesperatetransactionlayhiddenhere?WhatamoralexpedientofabizarreCroesus?Whatterribleandgoldenmystery?...
ThechinchillacloudshaddriftedpastnowandoutsidetheMontananightwas
ightasday.Thetapestry
ickoftheroadwassmoothtothetreadofthegreattiresastheyroundedastill,moonlitlake;theypassedintodarknessforamoment,apinegrove,pungentandcool,thentheycameoutintoa
oadavenueoflawnandJohn'sexclamationofpleasurewassimultaneouswithPercy'staciturn"We'rehome."
Fullinthelightofthestars,anexquisitechateaurosefromthebordersofthelake,climbedinmarbleradiancehalftheheightofanadjoiningmountain,thenmeltedingrace,inperfectsymmetry,intranslucentfemininelanguor,intothemasseddarknessofaforestofpine.Themanytowers,theslendertraceryoftheslopingparapets,thechiselledwonderofathousandyellowwindowswiththeiroblongsandhectagonsandtrianglesofgoldenlight,theshatteredsoftnessoftheintersectingplanesofstar-shineandblueshade,alltrembledonJohn'sspiritlikeachordofmusic.Ononeofthetowers,thetallest,theblackestatitsbase,anarrangementofexteriorlightsatthetopmadeasortoffloatingfairyland—andasJohngazedupinwarmenchantmentthefaintacciaccaresoundofviolinsdrifteddowninarococoharmonythatwaslikenothinghehadeverheardbefore.Theninamomentthecarstoppedbeforewide,highmarblestepsaroundwhichthenightairwasfragrantwithahostofflowers.Atthetopofthestepstwogreatdoorsswungsilentlyopenandamberlightfloodedoutuponthedarkness,silhouettingthefigureofanexquisiteladywithblack,high-piledhair,whoheldoutherarmstowardthem.
"Mother,"Percywassaying,"thisismyfriend,JohnUnger,fromHades."
AfterwardJohnrememberedthatfirstnightasadazeofmanycolors,ofquicksensoryimpressions,ofmusicsoftasavoiceinlove,andofthebeautyofthings,lightsandshadows,andmotionsandfaces.Therewasawhite-hairedmanwhostooddrinkingamany-huedcordialfromacrystalthimblesetonagoldenstem.Therewasagirlwithafloweryface,dressedlikeTitaniawith
aidedsapphiresinherhair.Therewasaroomwherethesolid,softgoldofthewallsyieldedtothepressureofhishand,andaroomthatwaslikeaplatonicconceptionoftheultimateprison—ceiling,floor,andall,itwaslinedwithanun
okenmassofdiamonds,diamondsofeverysizeandshape,until,litwithtallvioletlampsinthecorners,itdazzledtheeyeswithawhitenessthatcouldbecomparedonlywithitself,beyondhumanwishordream.
Throughamazeoftheseroomsthetwoboyswandered.Sometimesthefloorundertheirfeetwouldflamein
illiantpatternsfromlightingbelow,patternsofbarbaricclashingcolors,ofpasteldelicacy,ofsheerwhiteness,orofsubtleandintricatemosaic,surelyfromsomemosqueontheAdriaticSea.Sometimesbeneathlayersofthickcrystalhewouldseeblueorgreenwaterswirling,inhabitedbyvividfishandgrowthsofrainbowfoliage.Thentheywouldbetreadingonfursofeverytextureandcolororalongcorridorsofpalestivory,un
okenasthoughcarvedcompletefromthegigantictusksofdinosaursextinctbeforetheageofman...
Thenahazilyrememberedtransition,andtheywereatdinner—whereeachplatewasoftwoalmostimperceptiblelayersofsoliddiamondbetweenwhichwascuriouslyworkedafiligreeofemeralddesign,ashavingslicedfromgreenair.Music,plangentandunobtrusive,drifteddownthroughfarcorridors—hischair,featheredandcurvedinsidiouslytohisback,seemedtoengulfandoverpowerhimashedrankhisfirstglassofport.Hetrieddrowsilytoansweraquestionthathadbeenaskedhim,butthehoneyedluxurythatclaspedhisbodyaddedtotheillusionofsleep—jewels,fa
ics,wines,andmetalsblurredbeforehiseyesintoasweetmist...
"Yes,"herepliedwithapoliteeffort,"itcertainlyishotenoughformedownthere."
Hemanagedtoaddaghostlylaugh;then,withoutmovement,withoutresistance,heseemedtofloatoffandaway,leavinganiceddessertthatwaspinkasadream...Hefellasleep.
Whenheawokeheknewthatseveralhourshadpassed.Hewasinagreatquietroomwithebonywallsandadullilluminationthatwastoofaint,toosubtle,tobecalledalight.Hisyounghostwasstandingoverhim.
"Youfellasleepatdinner,"Percywassaying."Inearlydid,too—itwassuchatreattobecomfortableagainafterthisyearofschool.Servantsundressedandbathedyouwhileyouweresleeping."
"Isthisabedoracloud?"sighedJohn."Percy,Percy—beforeyougo,Iwanttoapologize."
"Forwhat?"
"FordoubtingyouwhenyousaidyouhadadiamondasbigastheRitz-CarltonHotel."
Percysmiled.
"Ithoughtyoudidn'tbelieveme.It'sthatmountain,youknow."
"Whatmountain?"
"Themountainthechateaurestson.It'snotverybig,foramountain.Butexceptaboutfiftyfeetofsodandgravelontopit'ssoliddiamond.Onediamond,onecubicmilewithoutaflaw.Aren'tyoulistening?Say—"
ButJohnT.Ungerhadagainfallenasleep.
Ⅲ
Morning.Asheawokeheperceiveddrowsilythattheroomhadatthesamemomentbecomedensewithsunlight.Theebonypanelsofonewallhadslidasideonasortoftrack,leavinghischamberhalfopentotheday.Alargenegroinawhiteuniformstoodbesidehisbed.
"Good-evening,"mutteredJohn,summoninghis
ainsfromthewildplaces.
"Good-morning,sir.Areyoureadyforyourbath,sir?Oh,don'tgetup—I'llputyouin,ifyou'lljustunbuttonyourpajamas—there.Thankyou,sir."
Johnlayquietlyashispajamaswereremoved—hewasamusedanddelighted;heexpectedtobeliftedlikeachildbythisblackGargantuawhowastendinghim,butnothingofthesorthappened;insteadhefeltthebedtiltupslowlyonitsside—hebegantoroll,startledatfirst,inthedirectionofthewall,butwhenhereachedthewallitsdraperygaveway,andslidingtwoyardsfartherdownafleecyinclineheplumpedgentlyintowaterthesametemperatureashisbody.
Helookedabouthim.Therunwayorrollwayonwhichhehadarrivedhadfoldedgentlybackintoplace.Hehadbeenprojectedintoanotherchamberandwassittinginasunkenbathwithhisheadjustabovethelevelofthefloor.Allabouthim,liningthewallsoftheroomandthesidesandbottomofthebathitself,wasablueaquarium,andgazingthroughthecrystalsurfaceonwhichhesat,hecouldseefishswimmingamongamberlightsandevenglidingwithoutcuriositypasthisoutstretchedtoes,whichwereseparatedfromthemonlybythethicknessofthecrystal.Fromoverhead,sunlightcamedownthroughsea-greenglass.
"Isuppose,sir,thatyou'dlikehotrosewaterandsoapsudsthismorning,sir—andperhapscoldsaltwatertofinish."
Thenegrowasstandingbesidehim.
"Yes,"agreedJohn,smilinginanely,"asyouplease."Anyideaoforderingthisbathaccordingtohisownmeagrestandardsoflivingwouldhavebeenpriggishandnotalittlewicked.
Thenegropressedabuttonandawarmrainbegantofall,apparentlyfromoverhead,butreally,soJohndiscoveredafteramoment,fromafountainarrangementnearby.Thewaterturnedtoapalerosecolorandjetsofliquidsoapspurtedintoitfromfourminiaturewalrusheadsatthecornersofthebath.Inamomentadozenlittlepaddle-wheels,fixedtothesides,hadchurnedthemixtureintoaradiantrainbowofpinkfoamwhichenvelopedhimsoftlywithitsdeliciouslightness,andburstinshining,rosybubbleshereandthereabouthim.
"ShallIturnonthemoving-picturemachine,sir?"suggestedthenegrodeferentially."There'sagoodone-reelcomedyinthismachineto-day,orIcanputinaseriouspieceinamoment,ifyoupreferit."
"No,thanks,"answeredJohn,politelybutfirmly.Hewasenjoyinghisbathtoomuchtodesireanydistraction.Butdistractioncame.Inamomenthewaslisteningintentlytothesoundofflutesfromjustoutside,flutesdrippingamelodythatwaslikeawaterfall,coolandgreenastheroomitself,accompanyingafrothypiccolo,inplaymorefragilethanthelaceofsudsthatcoveredandcharmedhim.
Afteracoldsalt-water
acerandacoldfreshfinish,hesteppedoutandintoafleecyrobe,anduponacouchcoveredwiththesamematerialhewasrubbedwithoil,alcohol,andspice.Laterhesatinavoluptuouschairwhilehewasshavedandhishairwastrimmed.
"Mr.Percyiswaitinginyoursitting-room,"saidthenegro,whentheseoperationswerefinished."MynameisGygsum,Mr.Unger,sir.IamtoseetoMr.Ungereverymorning."
Johnwalkedoutintothe
isksunshineofhisliving-room,wherehefound
eakfastwaitingforhimandPercy,gorgeousinwhitekidknickerbockers,smokinginaneasychair.
Ⅳ
ThisisastoryoftheWashingtonfamilyasPercysketcheditforJohnduring
eakfast.
ThefatherofthepresentMr.WashingtonhadbeenaVirginian,adirectdescendantofGeorgeWashington,andLordBaltimore.AtthecloseoftheCivilWarhewasatwenty-five-year-oldColonelwithaplayed-outplantationandaboutathousanddollarsingold.
Fitz-NormanCulpepperWashington,forthatwastheyoungColonel'sname,decidedtopresenttheVirginiaestatetohisyounger
otherandgoWest.Heselectedtwodozenofthemostfaithfulblacks,who,ofcourse,worshippedhim,andboughttwenty-fiveticketstotheWest,whereheintendedtotakeoutlandintheirnamesandstartasheepandcattleranch.
WhenhehadbeeninMontanaforlessthanamonthandthingsweregoingverypoorlyindeed,hestumbledonhisgreatdiscovery.Hehadlosthiswaywhenridinginthehills,andafteradaywithoutfoodhebegantogrowhungry.Ashewaswithouthisrifle,hewasforcedtopursueasquirrel,andinthecourseofthepursuithenoticedthatitwascarryingsomethingshinyinitsmouth.Justbeforeitvanishedintoitshole—forProvidencedidnotintendthatthissquirrelshouldalleviatehishunger—itdroppeditsburden.SittingdowntoconsiderthesituationFitz-Norman'seyewascaughtbyagleaminthegrassbesidehim.Intensecondshehadcompletelylosthisappetiteandgainedonehundredthousanddollars.Thesquirrel,whichhadrefusedwithannoyingpersistencetobecomefood,hadmadehimapresentofalargeandperfectdiamond.
Latethatnighthefoundhiswaytocampandtwelvehourslaterallthemalesamonghisdarkieswerebackbythesquirrelholediggingfuriouslyatthesideofthemountain.Hetoldthemhehaddiscoveredarhinestonemine,and,asonlyoneortwoofthemhadeverseenevenasmalldiamondbefore,theybelievedhim,withoutquestion.Whenthemagnitudeofhisdiscoverybecameapparenttohim,hefoundhimselfinaquandary.Themountainwasadiamond—itwasliterallynothingelsebutsoliddiamond.HefilledfoursaddlebagsfullofglitteringsamplesandstartedonhorsebackforSt.Paul.Therehemanagedtodisposeofhalfadozensmallstones—whenhetriedalargeroneastorekeeperfaintedandFitz-Normanwasarrestedasapublicdisturber.HeescapedfromjailandcaughtthetrainforNewYork,wherehesoldafewmedium-sizeddiamondsandreceivedinexchangeabouttwohundredthousanddollarsingold.Buthedidnotdaretoproduceanyexceptionalgems—infact,heleftNewYorkjustintime.Tremendousexcitementhadbeencreatedinjewelrycircles,notsomuchbythesizeofhisdiamondsasbytheirappearanceinthecityfrommysterioussources.WildrumorsbecamecurrentthatadiamondminehadbeendiscoveredintheCatskills,ontheJerseycoast,onLongIsland,beneathWashingtonSquare.Excursiontrains,packedwithmencarryingpicksandshovels,begantoleaveNewYorkhourly,boundforvariousneighboringElDorados.ButbythattimeyoungFitz-NormanwasonhiswaybacktoMontana.
Bytheendofafortnighthehadestimatedthatthediamondinthemountainwasapproximatelyequalinquantitytoalltherestofthediamondsknowntoexistintheworld.Therewasnovaluingitbyanyregularcomputation,however,foritwasonesoliddiamond—andifitwereofferedforsalenotonlywouldthebottomfalloutofthemarket,butalso,ifthevalueshouldvarywithitssizeintheusualarithmeticalprogression,therewouldnotbeenoughgoldintheworldtobuyatenthpartofit.Andwhatcouldanyonedowithadiamondthatsize?
Itwasanamazingpredicament.Hewas,inonesense,therichestmanthateverlived—andyetwasheworthanythingatall?IfhissecretshouldtranspiretherewasnotellingtowhatmeasurestheGovernmentmightresortinordertopreventapanic,ingoldaswellasinjewels.Theymighttakeovertheclaimimmediatelyandinstituteamonopoly.
Therewasnoalternative—hemustmarkethismountaininsecret.HesentSouthforhisyounger
otherandputhiminchargeofhiscoloredfollowing—darkieswhohadneverrealizedthatslaverywasabolished.Tomakesureofthis,hereadthemaproclamationthathehadcomposed,whichannouncedthatGeneralForresthadreorganizedtheshatteredSouthernarmiesanddefeatedtheNorthinonepitchedbattle.Thenegroesbelievedhimimplicitly.Theypassedavotedeclaringitagoodthingandheldrevivalservicesimmediately.
Fitz-Normanhimselfsetoutforforeignpartswithonehundredthousanddollarsandtwotrunksfilledwithroughdiamondsofallsizes.HesailedforRussiainaChinesejunkandsixmonthsafterhisdeparturefromMontanahewasinSt.Petersburg.Hetookobscurelodgingsandcalledimmediatelyuponthecourtjeweller,announcingthathehadadiamondfortheCzar.HeremainedinSt.Petersburgfortwoweeks,inconstantdangerofbeingmurdered,livingfromlodgingtolodging,andafraidtovisithistrunksmorethanthreeorfourtimesduringthewholefortnight.
Onhispromisetoreturninayearwithlargerandfinerstones,hewasallowedtoleaveforIndia.Beforeheleft,however,theCourtTreasurershaddepositedtohiscredit,inAmericanbanks,thesumoffifteenmilliondollars—underfourdifferentaliases.
HereturnedtoAmericain1868,havingbeengonealittleovertwoyears.Hehadvisitedthecapitalsoftwenty-twocountriesandtalkedwithfiveemperors,elevenkings,threeprinces,ashah,akhan,andasultan.AtthattimeFitz-Normanestimatedhisownwealthatonebilliondollars.Onefactworkedconsistentlyagainstthedisclosureofhissecret.Nooneofhislargerdiamondsremainedinthepubliceyeforaweekbeforebeinginvestedwithahistoryofenoughfatalities,amours,revolutions,andwarstohaveoccupieditfromthedaysofthefirstBabylonianEmpire.
From1870untilhisdeathin1900,thehistoryofFitz-NormanWashingtonwasalongepicingold.Thereweresideissues,ofcourse—heevadedthesurveys,hemarriedaVirginialady,bywhomhehadasingleson,andhewascompelled,duetoaseriesofunfortunatecomplications,tomurderhis
other,whoseunfortunatehabitofdrinkinghimselfintoanindiscreetstuporhadseveraltimesendangeredtheirsafety.Butveryfewothermurdersstainedthesehappyyearsofprogressandexpansion.
Justbeforehediedhechangedhispolicy,andwithallbutafewmilliondollarsofhisoutsidewealthboughtupraremineralsinbulk,whichhedepositedinthesafetyvaultsofbanksallovertheworld,markedas
ic-à-
ac.Hisson,
addockTarletonWashington,followedthispolicyonanevenmoretensivescale.Themineralswereconvertedintotherarestofallelements—radium—sothattheequivalentofabilliondollarsingoldcouldbeplacedinareceptaclenobiggerthanacigarbox.
WhenFitz-Normanhadbeendeadthreeyearshisson,
addock,decidedthatthebusinesshadgonefarenough.Theamountofwealththatheandhisfatherhadtakenoutofthemountainwasbeyondallexactcomputation.Hekeptanote-bookincipherinwhichhesetdowntheapproximatequantityofradiumineachofthethousandbankshepatronized,andrecordedthealiasunderwhichitwasheld.Thenhedidaverysimplething—hesealedupthemine.
Hesealedupthemine.WhathadbeentakenoutofitwouldsupportalltheWashingtonsyettobeborninunparalleledluxuryforgenerations.Hisonecaremustbetheprotectionofhissecret,lestinthepossiblepanicattendantonitsdiscoveryheshouldbereducedwithalltheproperty-holdersintheworldtoutterpoverty.
ThiswasthefamilyamongwhomJohnT.Ungerwasstaying.Thiswasthestoryheheardinhissilver-walledliving-roomthemorningafterhisarrival.
Ⅴ
After
eakfast,Johnfoundhiswayoutthegreatmarbleentrance,andlookedcuriouslyatthescenebeforehim.Thewholevalley,fromthediamondmountaintothesteepgraniteclifffivemilesaway,stillgaveoffa
eathofgoldenhazewhichhoveredidlyabovethefinesweepoflawnsandlakesandgardens.Hereandthereclustersofelmsmadedelicategrovesofshade,contrastingstrangelywiththetoughmassesofpineforestthatheldthehillsinagripofdark-bluegreen.EvenasJohnlookedhesawthreefawnsinsinglefilepatteroutfromoneclumpaboutahalf-mileawayanddisappearwithawkwardgayetyintotheblack-ribbedhalf-lightofanother.Johnwouldnothavebeensurprisedtoseeagoat-footpipinghiswayamongthetreesortocatchaglimpseofpinknymph-skinandflyingyellowhairbetweenthegreenestofthegreenleaves.
Insomesuchcoolhopehedescendedthemarblesteps,disturbingfaintlythesleepoftwosilkyRussianwolfhoundsatthebottom,andsetoffalongawalkofwhiteandblue
ickthatseemedtoleadinnoparticulardirection.
Hewasenjoyinghimselfasmuchashewasable.Itisyouth'sfelicityaswellasitsinsufficiencythatitcanneverliveinthepresent,butmustalwaysbemeasuringupthedayagainstitsownradiantlyimaginedfuture—flowersandgold,girlsandstars,theyareonlyprefigurationsandpropheciesofthatincomparable,unattainableyoungdream.
Johnroundedasoftcornerwherethemassedrosebushesfilledtheairwithheavyscent,andstruckoffacrossaparktowardapatchofmossundersometrees.Hehadneverlainuponmoss,andhewantedtoseewhetheritwasreallysoftenoughtojustifytheuseofitsnameasanadjective.Thenhesawagirlcomingtowardhimoverthegrass.Shewasthemostbeautifulpersonhehadeverseen.
Shewasdressedinawhitelittlegownthatcamejustbelowherknees,andawreathofmignonettesclaspedwithblueslicesofsapphireboundupherhair.Herpinkbarefeetscatteredthedewbeforethemasshecame.ShewasyoungerthanJohn—notmorethansixteen.
"Hello,"shecriedsoftly,"I'mKismine."
ShewasmuchmorethanthattoJohnalready.Headvancedtowardher,scarcelymovingashedrewnearlestheshouldtreadonherbaretoes.
"Youhaven'tmetme,"saidhersoftvoice.Herblueeyesadded,"Oh,butyou'vemissedagreatdeal!"..."Youmetmysister,Jasmine,lastnight.Iwassickwithlettucepoisoning,"wentonhersoftvoice,andhereyescontinued,"andwhenI'msickI'msweet—andwhenI'mwell."
"Youhavemadeanenormousimpressiononme,"saidJohn'seyes,"andI'mnotsoslowmyself"—"Howdoyoudo?"saidhisvoice."Ihopeyou'rebetterthismorning."—"Youdarling,"addedhiseyestremulously.
Johnobservedthattheyhadbeenwalkingalongthepath.Onhersuggestiontheysatdowntogetheruponthemoss,thesoftnessofwhichhefailedtodetermine.
Hewascriticalaboutwomen.Asingledefect—athickankle,ahoarsevoice,aglasseye—wasenoughtomakehimutterlyindifferent.Andhereforthefirsttimeinhislifehewasbesideagirlwhoseemedtohimtheincarnationofphysicalperfection.
"AreyoufromtheEast?"askedKisminewithcharminginterest.
"No,"answeredJohnsimply."I'mfromHades."
EithershehadneverheardofHades,orshecouldthinkofnopleasantcommenttomakeuponit,forshedidnotdiscussitfurther.
"I'mgoingEasttoschoolthisfall"shesaid."D'youthinkI'lllikeit?I'mgoingtoNewYorktoMissBulge's.It'sverystrict,butyouseeovertheweekendsI'mgoingtoliveathomewiththefamilyinourNewYorkhouse,becausefatherheardthatthegirlshadtogowalkingtwobytwo."
"Yourfatherwantsyoutobeproud,"observedJohn.
"Weare,"sheanswered,hereyesshiningwithdignity."Noneofushaseverbeenpunished.Fathersaidwenevershouldbe.OncewhenmysisterJasminewasalittlegirlshepushedhimdown-stairsandhejustgotupandlimpedaway.
"Motherwas—well,alittlestartled,"continuedKismine,"whensheheardthatyouwerefrom—fromwhereyouarefrom,youknow.Shesaidthatwhenshewasayounggirl—butthen,yousee,she'saSpaniardandold-fashioned."
"Doyouspendmuchtimeouthere?"askedJohn,toconcealthefactthathewassomewhathurtbythisremark.Itseemedanunkindallusiontohisprovincialism.
"PercyandJasmineandIarehereeverysummer,butnextsummerJasmineisgoingtoNewport.She'scomingoutinLondonayearfromthisfall.She'llbepresentedatcourt."
"Doyouknow,"beganJohnhesitantly,"you'remuchmoresophisticatedthanIthoughtyouwerewhenIfirstsawyou?"
"Oh,no,I'mnot,"sheexclaimedhurriedly."Oh,Iwouldn'tthinkofbeing.Ithinkthatsophisticatedyoungpeopleareterriblycommon,don'tyou?I'mnotatall,really.IfyousayIam,I'mgoingtocry."
Shewassodistressedthatherlipwastrembling.Johnwasimpelledtoprotest:
"Ididn'tmeanthat;Ionlysaidittoteaseyou."
"BecauseIwouldn'tmindifIwere,"shepersisted"butI'mnot.I'mveryinnocentandgirlish.Ineversmoke,ordrink,orreadanythingexceptpoetry.Iknowscarcelyanymathematicsorchemistry.Idressverysimply—infact,Iscarcelydressatall.Ithinksophisticatedisthelastthingyoucansayaboutme.Ibelievethatgirlsoughttoenjoytheiryouthsinawholesomeway."
"Idotoo,"saidJohnheartily.
Kisminewascheerfulagain.Shesmiledathim,andastill-bornteardrippedfromthecornerofoneblueeye.
"Ilikeyou,"shewhispered,intimately."AreyougoingtospendallyourtimewithPercywhileyou'rehere,orwillyoubenicetome?Justthink—I'mabsolutelyfreshground.I'veneverhadaboyinlovewithmeinallmylife.I'veneverbeenallowedeventoseeboysalone—exceptPercy.Icameallthewayouthereintothisgrovehopingtorunintoyou,wherethefamilywouldn'tbearound."
Deeplyflattered,JohnbowedfromthehipsashehadbeentaughtatdancingschoolinHades.
"We'dbettergonow,"saidKisminesweetly."Ihavetobewithmotherateleven.Youhaven'taskedmetokissyouonce.Ithoughtboysalwaysdidthatnowadays."
Johndrewhimselfupproudly.
"Someofthemdo,"heanswered,"butnotme.Girlsdon'tdothatsortofthing—inHades."
Sidebysidetheywalkedbacktowardthehouse.
Ⅵ
JohnstoodfacingMr.
addockWashingtoninthefullsunlight.Theeldermanwasaboutfortywithaproud,vacuousface,intelligenteyes,andarobustfigure.Inthemorningshesmeltofhorses—thebesthorses.Hecarriedaplainwalking-stickofgraybirchwithasinglelargeopalforagrip.HeandPercywereshowingJohnaround.
"Theslaves'quartersarethere."Hiswalking-stickindicatedacloisterofmarbleontheirleftthatraningracefulGothicalongthesideofthemountain."InmyyouthIwasdistractedforawhilefromthebusinessoflifebyaperiodofabsurdidealism.Duringthattimetheylivedinluxury.Forinstance,Iequippedeveryoneoftheirroomswithatilebath."
"Isuppose,"venturedJohn,withaningratiatinglaugh,"thattheyusedthebathtubstokeepcoalin.Mr.Schnlitzer-Murphytoldmethatoncehe—"
"TheopinionsofMr.Schnlitzer-Murphyareoflittleimportance,Ishouldimagine,"interrupted
addockWashington,coldly."Myslavesdidnotkeepcoalintheirbathtubs.Theyhadorderstobatheeveryday,andtheydid.Iftheyhadn'tImighthaveorderedasulphuricacidshampoo.Idiscontinuedthebathsforquiteanotherreason.Severalofthemcaughtcoldanddied.Waterisnotgoodforcertainraces—exceptasabeverage."
Johnlaughed,andthendecidedtonodhisheadinsoberagreement.
addockWashingtonmadehimuncomfortable.
"Allthesenegroesaredescendantsoftheonesmyfather
oughtNorthwithhim.Thereareabouttwohundredandfiftynow.Younoticethatthey'velivedsolongapartfromtheworldthattheiroriginaldialecthasbecomeanalmostindistinguishablepatois.We
ingafewofthemuptospeakEnglish—mysecretaryandtwoorthreeofthehouseservants.
"Thisisthegolfcourse,"hecontinued,astheystrolledalongthevelvetwintergrass."It'sallagreen,yousee—nofairway,norough,nohazards."
HesmiledpleasantlyatJohn.
"Manymeninthecage,father?"askedPercysuddenly.
addockWashingtonstumbled,andletforthaninvoluntarycurse.
"Onelessthanthereshouldbe,"heejaculateddarkly—andthenaddedafteramoment,"We'vehaddifficulties."
"Motherwastellingme,"exclaimedPercy,"thatItalianteacher—"
"Aghastlyerror,"said
addockWashingtonangrily."Butofcoursethere'sagoodchancethatwemayhavegothim.Perhapshefellsomewhereinthewoodsorstumbledoveracliff.Andthenthere'salwaystheprobabilitythatifhedidgetawayhisstorywouldn'tbebelieved.Nevertheless,I'vehadtwodozenmenlookingforhimindifferenttownsaroundhere."
"Andnoluck?"
"Some.Fourteenofthemreportedtomyagentthatthey'deachkilledamanansweringtothatdescription,butofcourseitwasprobablyonlytherewardtheywereafter—"
He
okeoff.Theyhadcometoalargecavityintheearthaboutthecircumferenceofamerry-go-roundandcoveredbyastrongirongrating.
addockWashingtonbeckonedtoJohn,andpointedhiscanedownthroughthegrating.Johnsteppedtotheedgeandgazed.Immediatelyhisearswereassailedbyawildclamorfrombelow.
"ComeondowntoHell!"
"Hello,kiddo,how'stheairupthere?"
"Hey!Throwusarope!"
"Gotanolddoughnut,Buddy,oracoupleofsecond-handsandwiches?"
"Say,fella,ifyou'llpushdownthatguyyou'rewith,we'llshowyouaquickdisappearancescene."
"Pastehimoneforme,willyou?"
Itwastoodarktoseeclearlyintothepitbelow,butJohncouldtellfromthecoarseoptimismandruggedvitalityoftheremarksandvoicesthattheyproceededfrommiddle-classAmericansofthemorespiritedtype.ThenMr.Washingtonputouthiscaneandtouchedabuttoninthegrass,andthescenebelowsprangintolight.
"ThesearesomeadventurousmarinerswhohadthemisfortunetodiscoverElDorado,"heremarked.
Belowthemtherehadappearedalargehollowintheearthshapedliketheinteriorofabowl.Thesidesweresteepandapparentlyofpolishedglass,andonitsslightlyconcavesurfacestoodabouttwodozenmencladinthehalfcostume,halfuniform,ofaviators.Theirupturnedfaces,litwithwrath,withmalice,withdespair,withcynicalhumor,werecoveredbylonggrowthsofbeard,butwiththeexceptionofafewwhohadpinedperceptiblyaway,theyseemedtobeawell-fed,healthylot.
addockWashingtondrewagardenchairtotheedgeofthepitandsatdown.
"Well,howareyou,boys?"heinquiredgenially.
Achorusofexecrationinwhichalljoinedexceptafewtoodispiritedtocryout,roseupintothesunnyair,but
addockWashingtonhearditwithunruffledcomposure.Whenitslastechohaddiedawayhespokeagain.
"Haveyouthoughtupawayoutofyourdifficulty?"
Fromhereandthereamongthemaremarkfloatedup.
"Wedecidedtostayhereforlove!"
"
ingusupthereandwe'llfindusaway!"
addockWashingtonwaiteduntiltheywereagainquiet.Thenhesaid:
"I'vetoldyouthesituation.Idon'twantyouhere,IwishtoheavenI'dneverseenyou.Yourowncuriositygotyouhere,andanytimethatyoucanthinkofawayoutwhichprotectsmeandmyinterestsI'llbegladtoconsiderit.Butsolongasyouconfineyoureffortstodiggingtunnels—yes,Iknowaboutthenewoneyou'vestarted—youwon'tgetveryfar.Thisisn'tashardonyouasyoumakeitout,withallyourhowlingforthelovedonesathome.Ifyouwerethetypewhoworriedmuchaboutthelovedonesathome,you'dneverhavetakenupaviation."
Atallmanmovedapartfromtheothers,andhelduphishandtocallhiscaptor'sattentiontowhathewasabouttosay.
"Letmeaskyouafewquestions!"hecried."Youpretendtobeafair-mindedman."
"Howabsurd.Howcouldamanofmypositionbefair-mindedtowardyou?YoumightaswellspeakofaSpaniardbeingfair-mindedtowardapieceofsteak."
Atthisharshobservationthefacesofthetwodozensteaksfell,butthetallmancontinued:
"Allright!"hecried."We'vearguedthisoutbefore.You'renotahumanitarianandyou'renotfair-minded,butyou'rehuman—atleastyousayyouare—andyououghttobeabletoputyourselfinourplaceforlongenoughtothinkhow—how—how—"
"Howwhat?"demandedWashington,coldly.
"—howunnecessary—"
"Nottome."
"Well,—howcruel—"
"We'vecoveredthat.Crueltydoesn'texistwhereself-preservationisinvolved.You'vebeensoldiers:youknowthat.Tryanother."
"Well,then,howstupid."
"There,"admittedWashington,"Igrantyouthat.Buttrytothinkofanalternative.I'veofferedtohavealloranyofyoupainlesslyexecutedifyouwish.I'veofferedtohaveyourwives,sweethearts,children,andmotherskidnappedand
oughtouthere.I'llenlargeyourplacedownthereandfeedandclotheyoutherestofyourlives.IftherewassomemethodofproducingpermanentamnesiaI'dhaveallofyouoperatedonandreleasedimmediately,somewhereoutsideofmypreserves.Butthat'sasfarasmyideasgo."
"Howabouttrustingusnottopeachonyou?"criedsomeone.
"Youdon'tprofferthatsuggestionseriously,"saidWashington,withanexpressionofscorn."IdidtakeoutonemantoteachmydaughterItalian.Lastweekhegotaway."
Awildyellofjubilationwentupsuddenlyfromtwodozenthroatsandapandemoniumofjoyensued.Theprisonersclog-dancedandcheeredandyodledandwrestledwithoneanotherinasuddenuprushofanimalspirits.Theyevenranuptheglasssidesofthebowlasfarastheycould,andslidbacktothebottomuponthenaturalcushionsoftheirbodies.Thetallmanstartedasonginwhichtheyalljoined—
Oh,we'llhangthekaiser
Onasourappletree—"
addockWashingtonsatininscrutablesilenceuntilthesongwasover.
"Yousee,"heremarked,whenhecouldgainamodicumofattention."Ibearyounoill-will.Iliketoseeyouenjoyingyourselves.That'swhyIdidn'ttellyouthewholestoryatonce.Theman—whatwashisname?Critchtichiello?—wasshotbysomeofmyagentsinfourteendifferentplaces."
Notguessingthattheplacesreferredtowerecities,thetumultofrejoicingsubsidedimmediately.
"Nevertheless,"criedWashingtonwithatouchofanger,"hetriedtorunaway.Doyouexpectmetotakechanceswithanyofyouafteranexperiencelikethat?"
Againaseriesofejaculationswentup.
"Sure!"
"WouldyourdaughterliketolearnChinese?"
"Hey,IcanspeakItalian!Mymotherwasawop."
"Maybeshe'dliket'learnaspeakN'Yawk!"
"Ifshe'sthelittleonewiththebigblueeyesIcanteachheralotofthingsbetterthanItalian."
"IknowsomeIrishsongs—andIcouldhammer
assonce't."
Mr.Washingtonreachedforwardsuddenlywithhiscaneandpushedthebuttoninthegrasssothatthepicturebelowwentoutinstantly,andthereremainedonlythatgreatdarkmouthcovereddismallywiththeblackteethofthegrating.
"Hey!"calledasinglevoicefrombelow,"youain'tgoin'awaywithoutgivin'usyourblessing?"
ButMr.Washington,followedbythetwoboys,wasalreadystrollingontowardtheninthholeofthegolfcourse,asthoughthepitanditscontentswerenomorethanahazardoverwhichhisfacileironhadtriumphedwithease.
Ⅶ
Julyundertheleeofthediamondmountainwasamonthofblanketnightsandofwarm,glowingdays.JohnandKisminewereinlove.Hedidnotknowthatthelittlegoldfootball(inscribedwiththelegendProdeoetpatriaetSt.Mida)whichhehadgivenherrestedonaplatinumchainnexttoherbosom.Butitdid.AndsheforherpartwasnotawarethatalargesapphirewhichhaddroppedonedayfromhersimplecoiffurewasstowedawaytenderlyinJohn'sjewelbox.
Lateoneafternoonwhentherubyanderminemusicroomwasquiet,theyspentanhourtheretogether.Heheldherhandandshegavehimsuchalookthathewhisperedhernamealoud.Shebenttowardhim—thenhesitated.
"Didyousay‘Kismine'?"sheaskedsoftly,"or—"
Shehadwantedtobesure.Shethoughtshemighthavemisunderstood.
Neitherofthemhadeverkissedbefore,butinthecourseofanhouritseemedtomakelittledifference.
Theafternoondriftedaway.Thatnightwhenalast
eathofmusicdrifteddownfromthehighesttower,theyeachlayawake,happilydreamingovertheseparateminutesoftheday.Theyhaddecidedtobemarriedassoonaspossible.
Ⅷ
EverydayMr.Washingtonandthetwoyoungmenwenthuntingorfishinginthedeepforestsorplayedgolfaroundthesomnolentcourse—gameswhichJohndiplomaticallyallowedhishosttowin—orswaminthemountaincoolnessofthelake.JohnfoundMr.Washingtonasomewhatexactingpersonality—utterlyuninterestedinanyideasoropinionsexcepthisown.Mrs.Washingtonwasaloofandreservedatalltimes.Shewasapparentlyindifferenttohertwodaughters,andentirelyabsorbedinhersonPercy,withwhomsheheldinterminableconversationsinrapidSpanishatdinner.
Jasmine,theelderdaughter,resembledKismineinappearance—exceptthatshewassomewhatbow-legged,andterminatedinlargehandsandfeet—butwasutterlyunlikeherintemperament.Herfavoritebookshadtodowithpoorgirlswhokepthouseforwidowedfathers.JohnlearnedfromKisminethatJasminehadneverrecoveredfromtheshockanddisappointmentcausedherbytheterminationoftheWorldWar,justasshewasabouttostartforEuropeasacanteenexpert.Shehadevenpinedawayforatime,andwww.chuanyue1.com
addockWashingtonhadtakenstepstopromoteanewwarintheBalkans—butshehadseenaphotographofsomewoundedSerbiansoldiersandlostinterestinthewholeproceedings.ButPercyandKismineseemedtohaveinheritedthearrogantattitudeinallitsharshmagnificencefromtheirfather.Achasteandconsistentselfishnessranlikeapatternthroughtheireveryidea.
Johnwasenchantedbythewondersofthechateauandthevalley.
addockWashington,soPercytoldhim,hadcausedtobekidnappedalandscapegardener,anarchitect,adesignerofstatesettings,andaFrenchdecadentpoetleftoverfromthelastcentury.Hehadputhisentireforceofnegroesattheirdisposal,guaranteedtosupplythemwithanymaterialsthattheworldcouldoffer,andleftthemtoworkoutsomeideasoftheirown.Butonebyonetheyhadshowntheiruselessness.Thedecadentpoethadatoncebegunbewailinghisseparationfromtheboulevardsinspring—hemadesomevagueremarksaboutspices,apes,andivories,butsaidnothingthatwasofanypracticalvalue.Thestagedesigneronhispartwantedtomakethewholevalleyaseriesoftricksandsensationaleffects—astateofthingsthattheWashingtonswouldsoonhavegrowntiredof.Andasforthearchitectandthelandscapegardener,theythoughtonlyintermsofconvention.Theymustmakethislikethisandthatlikethat.
Buttheyhad,atleast,solvedtheproblemofwhatwastobedonewiththem—theyallwentmadearlyonemorningafterspendingthenightinasingleroomtryingtoagreeuponthelocationofafountain,andwerenowconfinedcomfortablyinaninsaneasylumatWestport,Connecticut.
"But,"inquiredJohncuriously,"whodidplanallyourwonderfulreceptionroomsandhalls,andapproachesandbathrooms—?"
"Well,"answeredPercy,"Iblushtotellyou,butitwasamoving-picturefella.Hewastheonlymanwefoundwhowasusedtoplayingwithanunlimitedamountofmoney,thoughhedidtuckhisnapkininhiscollarandcouldn'treadorwrite."
AsAugustdrewtoacloseJohnbegantoregretthathemustsoongobacktoschool.HeandKisminehaddecidedtoelopethefollowingJune.
"Itwouldbenicertobemarriedhere,"Kismineconfessed,"butofcourseIcouldnevergetfather'spermissiontomarryyouatall.NexttothatI'dratherelope.It'sterribleforwealthypeopletobemarriedinAmericaatpresent—theyalwayshavetosendoutbulletinstothepresssayingthatthey'regoingtobemarriedinremnants,whenwhattheymeanisjustapeckofoldsecond-handpearlsandsomeusedlacewornoncebytheEmpressEugénie."
"Iknow,"agreedJohnfervently."WhenIwasvisitingtheSchnlitzer-Murphys,theeldestdaughter,Gwendolyn,marriedamanwhosefatherownshalfofWestVirginia.Shewrotehomesayingwhatatoughstruggleshewascarryingononhissalaryasabankclerk—andthensheendedupbysayingthat‘ThankGod,Ihavefourgoodmaidsanyhow,andthathelpsalittle.'"
"It'sabsurd,"commentedKismine."Thinkofthemillionsandmillionsofpeopleintheworld,laborersandall,whogetalongwithonlytwomaids."
OneafternoonlateinAugustachanceremarkofKismine'schangedthefaceoftheentiresituation,andthrewJohnintoastateofterror.
Theywereintheirfavoritegrove,andbetweenkissesJohnwasindulginginsomeromanticforebodingswhichhefanciedaddedpoignancytotheirrelations.
"SometimesIthinkwe'llnevermarry,"hesaidsadly."You'retoowealthy,toomagnificent.Nooneasrichasyouarecanbelikeothergirls.Ishouldmarrythedaughterofsomewell-to-dowholesalehardwaremanfromOmahaorSiouxCity,andbecontentwithherhalf-million."
"Iknewthedaughterofawholesalehardwaremanonce,"remarkedKismine."Idon'tthinkyou'dhavebeencontentedwithher.Shewasafriendofmysister's.Shevisitedhere."
"Oh,thenyou'vehadotherguests?"exclaimedJohninsurprise.
Kismineseemedtoregretherwords.
"Oh,yes,"shesaidhurriedly,"we'vehadafew."
"Butaren'tyou—wasn'tyourfatherafraidthey'dtalkoutside?"
"Oh,tosomeextent,tosomeextent,"sheanswered,"Let'stalkaboutsomethingpleasanter."
ButJohn'scuriositywasaroused.
"Somethingpleasanter!"hedemanded."What'sunpleasantaboutthat?Weren'ttheynicegirls?"
TohisgreatsurpriseKisminebegantoweep.
"Yes—th—that'sthe—thewholet-trouble.Igrewqu-quiteattachedtosomeofthem.SodidJasmine,butshekeptinv-vitingthemanyway.Icouldn'tunderstandit."
AdarksuspicionwasborninJohn'sheart.
"Doyoumeanthattheytold,andyourfatherhadthem—removed?"
"Worsethanthat,"shemuttered
okenly."Fathertooknochances—andJasminekeptwritingthemtocome,andtheyhadsuchagoodtime!"
Shewasovercomebyaparoxysmofgrief.
Stunnedwiththehorrorofthisrevelation,Johnsatthereopen-mouthed,feelingthenervesofhisbodytwitterlikesomanysparrowspercheduponhisspinalcolumn.
"Now,I'vetoldyou,andIshouldn'thave,"shesaid,calmingsuddenlyanddryingherdarkblueeyes.
"Doyoumeantosaythatyourfatherhadthemmurderedbeforetheyleft?"
Shenodded.
"InAugustusually—orearlyinSeptember.It'sonlynaturalforustogetallthepleasureoutofthemthatwecanfirst."
"Howabominable!How—why,Imustbegoingcrazy!Didyoureallyadmitthat—"
"Idid,"interruptedKismine,shrugginghershoulders."Wecan'tverywellimprisonthemlikethoseaviators,wherethey'dbeacontinualreproachtouseveryday.Andit'salwaysbeenmadeeasierforJasmineandme,becausefatherhaditdonesoonerthanweexpected.Inthatwayweavoidedanyfarewellscene—"
"Soyoumurderedthem!Uh!"criedJohn.
"Itwasdoneverynicely.Theyweredruggedwhiletheywereasleep—andtheirfamilieswerealwaystoldthattheydiedofscarletfeverinButte."
"But—Ifailtounderstandwhyyoukeptoninvitingthem!"
"Ididn't,"burstoutKismine."Ineverinvitedone.Jasminedid.Andtheyalwayshadaverygoodtime.She'dgivethemthenicestpresentstowardthelast.Ishallprobablyhavevisitorstoo—I'llhardenuptoit.Wecan'tletsuchaninevitablethingasdeathstandinthewayofenjoyinglifewhilewehaveit.Thinkhowlonesomeit'dbeouthereifweneverhadanyone.Why,fatherandmotherhavesacrificedsomeoftheirbestfriendsjustaswehave."
"Andso,"criedJohnaccusingly,"andsoyouwerelettingmemakelovetoyouandpretendingtoreturnit,andtalkingaboutmarriage,allthetimeknowingperfectlywellthatI'dnevergetoutofherealive—"
"No,"sheprotestedpassionately."Notanymore.Ididatfirst.Youwerehere.Icouldn'thelpthat,andIthoughtyourlastdaysmightaswellbepleasantforbothofus.ButthenIfellinlovewithyou,and—andI'mhonestlysorryyou'regoingto—goingtobeputaway—thoughI'dratheryou'dbeputawaythaneverkissanothergirl."
"Oh,youwould,wouldyou?"criedJohnferociously.
"Muchrather.Besides,I'vealwaysheardthatagirlcanhavemorefunwithamanwhomsheknowsshecannevermarry.Oh,whydidItellyou?I'veprobablyspoiledyourwholegoodtimenow,andwewerereallyenjoyingthingswhenyoudidn'tknowit.Iknewitwouldmakethingssortofdepressingforyou."
"Oh,youdid,didyou?"John'svoicetrembledwithanger."I'veheardaboutenoughofthis.Ifyouhaven'tanymoreprideanddecencythantohaveanaffairwithafellowthatyouknowisn'tmuchbetterthanacorpse,Idon'twanttohaveanymoretodowithyou!"
"You'renotacorpse!"sheprotestedinhorror."You'renotacorpse!Iwon'thaveyousayingthatIkissedacorpse!"
"Isaidnothingofthesort!"
"Youdid!YousaidIkissedacorpse!"
"Ididn't!"
Theirvoiceshadrisen,butuponasuddeninterruptiontheybothsubsidedintoimmediatesilence.Footstepswerecomingalongthepathintheirdirection,andamomentlatertherosebusheswereparteddisplaying
addockWashington,whoseintelligenteyessetinhisgood-lookingvacuousfacewerepeeringinatthem.
"Whokissedacorpse?"hedemandedinobviousdisapproval.
"Nobody,"answeredKisminequickly."Wewerejustjoking."
"Whatareyoutwodoinghere,anyhow?"hedemandedgruffly."Kismine,yououghttobe—tobereadingorplayinggolfwithyoursister.Goread!Goplaygolf!Don'tletmefindyouherewhenIcomeback!"
ThenhebowedatJohnandwentupthepath.
"See?"saidKisminecrossly,whenhewasoutofhearing."You'vespoileditall.Wecannevermeetanymore.Hewon'tletmemeetyou.He'dhaveyoupoisonedifhethoughtwewereinlove."
"We'renot,anymore!"criedJohnfiercely,"sohecansethismindatrestuponthat.Moreover,don'tfoolyourselfthatI'mgoingtostayaroundhere.InsideofsixhoursI'llbeoverthosemountains,ifIhavetognawapassagethroughthem,andonmywayEast."
Theyhadbothgottotheirfeet,andatthisremarkKisminecamecloseandputherarmthroughhis.
"I'mgoing,too."
"Youmustbecrazy—"
"OfcourseI'mgoing,"sheinterruptedimpatiently.
"Youmostcertainlyarenot.You—"
"Verywell,"shesaidquietly,"we'llcatchupwithfatherandtalkitoverwithhim."
Defeated,Johnmusteredasicklysmile.
"Verywell,dearest,"heagreed,withpaleandunconvincingaffection,"we'llgotogether."
Hisloveforherreturnedandsettledplacidlyonhisheart.Shewashis—shewouldgowithhimtosharehisdangers.Heputhisarmsaboutherandkissedherfervently.Afterallshelovedhim;shehadsavedhim,infact.
Discussingthematter,theywalkedslowlybacktowardthechateau.Theydecidedthatsince
addockWashingtonhadseenthemtogethertheyhadbestdepartthenextnight.Nevertheless,John'slipswereunusuallydryatdinner,andhenervouslyemptiedagreatspoonfulofpeacocksoupintohisleftlung.Hehadtobecarriedintotheturquoiseandsablecard-roomandpoundedonthebackbyoneoftheunder-butlers,whichPercyconsideredagreatjoke.
Ⅸ
LongaftermidnightJohn'sbodygaveanervousjerk,andhesatsuddenlyupright,staringintotheveilsofsomnolencethatdrapedtheroom.Throughthesquaresofbluedarknessthatwerehisopenwindows,hehadheardafaintfar-awaysoundthatdieduponabedofwindbeforeidentifyingitselfonhismemory,cloudedwithuneasydreams.Butthesharpnoisethathadsucceededitwasnearer,wasjustoutsidetheroom—theclickofaturnedknob,afootstep,awhisper,hecouldnottell;ahardlumpgatheredinthepitofhisstomach,andhiswholebodyachedinthemomentthathestrainedagonizinglytohear.Thenoneoftheveilsseemedtodissolve,andhesawavaguefigurestandingbythedoor,afigureonlyfaintlylimnedandblockedinuponthedarkness,mingledsowiththefoldsofthedraperyastoseemdistorted,likeareflectionseeninadirtypaneofglass.
WithasuddenmovementoffrightorresolutionJohnpressedthebuttonbyhisbedside,andthenextmomenthewassittinginthegreensunkenbathoftheadjoiningroom,wakedintoalertnessbytheshockofthecoldwaterwhichhalffilledit.
Hesprangout,and,hiswetpajamasscatteringaheavytrickleofwaterbehindhim,ranfortheaquamarinedoorwhichheknewledoutontotheivorylandingofthesecondfloor.Thedooropenednoiselessly.Asinglecrimsonlampburninginagreatdomeabovelitthemagnificentsweepofthecarvedstairwayswithapoignantbeauty.ForamomentJohnhesitated,appalledbythesilentsplendormassedabouthim,seemingtoenvelopinitsgiganticfoldsandcontoursthesolitarydrenchedlittlefigureshiveringupontheivorylanding.Thensimultaneouslytwothingshappened.Thedoorofhisownsitting-roomswungopen,precipitatingthreenakednegroesintothehall—and,asJohnswayedinwildterrortowardthestairway,anotherdoorslidbackinthewallontheothersideofthecorridor,andJohnsaw
addockWashingtonstandinginthelightedlift,wearingafurcoatandapairofridingbootswhichreachedtohiskneesanddisplayed,above,theglowofhisrose-coloredpajamas.
Ontheinstantthethreenegroes—Johnhadneverseenanyofthembefore,anditflashedthroughhismindthattheymustbetheprofessionalexecutioners—pausedintheirmovementtowardJohn,andturnedexpectantlytothemaninthelift,whoburstoutwithanimperiouscommand:
"Getinhere!Allthreeofyou!Quickashell!"
Then,withintheinstant,thethreenegroesdartedintothecage,theoblongoflightwasblottedoutastheliftdoorslidshut,andJohnwasagainaloneinthehall.Heslumpedweaklydownagainstanivorystair.
Itwasapparentthatsomethingportentoushadoccurred,somethingwhich,forthemomentatleast,hadpostponedhisownpettydisaster.Whatwasit?Hadthenegroesriseninrevolt?Hadtheaviatorsforcedasidetheironbarsofthegrating?OrhadthemenofFishstumbledblindlythroughthehillsandgazedwithbleak,joylesseyesuponthegaudyvalley?Johndidnotknow.Heheardafaintwhirofairastheliftwhizzedupagain,andthen,amomentlater,asitdescended.ItwasprobablethatPercywashurryingtohisfather'sassistance,anditoccurredtoJohnthatthiswashisopportunitytojoinKismineandplananimmediateescape.Hewaiteduntilthelifthadbeensilentforseveralminutes;shiveringalittlewiththenightcoolthatwhippedinthroughhiswetpajamas,hereturnedtohisroomanddressedhimselfquickly.ThenhemountedalongflightofstairsandturneddownthecorridorcarpetedwithRussiansablewhichledtoKismine'ssuite.
Thedoorofhersitting-roomwasopenandthelampswerelighted.Kismine,inanangorakimono,stoodnearthewindowoftheroominalisteningattitude,andasJohnenterednoiselessly,sheturnedtowardhim.
"Oh,it'syou!"shewhispered,crossingtheroomtohim."Didyouhearthem?"
"Iheardyourfather'sslavesinmy—"
"No,"sheinterruptedexcitedly."Aeroplanes!"
"Aeroplanes?Perhapsthatwasthesoundthatwokeme."
"There'reatleastadozen.Isawoneafewmomentsagodeadagainstthemoon.Theguardbackbytheclifffiredhisrifleandthat'swhatrousedfather.We'regoingtoopenonthemrightaway."
"Aretheyhereonpurpose?"
"Yes—it'sthatItalianwhogotaway—"
Simultaneouslywithherlastword,asuccessionofsharpcrackstumbledinthroughtheopenwindow.Kismineutteredalittlecry,tookapennywithfumblingfingersfromaboxonherdresser,andrantooneoftheelectriclights.Inaninstanttheentirechateauwasindarkness—shehadblownoutthefuse.
"Comeon!"shecriedtohim."We'llgouptotheroofgarden,andwatchitfromthere!"
Drawingacapeabouther,shetookhishand,andtheyfoundtheirwayoutthedoor.Itwasonlyasteptothetowerlift,andasshepressedthebuttonthatshotthemupwardheputhisarmsaroundherinthedarknessandkissedhermouth.RomancehadcometoJohnUngeratlast.Aminutelatertheyhadsteppedoutuponthestar-whiteplatform.Above,underthemistymoon,slidinginandoutofthepatchesofcloudthateddiedbelowit,floatedadozendark-wingedbodiesinaconstantcirclingcourse.Fromhereandthereinthevalleyflashesoffireleapedtowardthem,followedbysharpdetonations.Kismineclappedherhandswithpleasure,whichamomentlater,turnedtodismayastheaeroplanesatsomeprearrangedsignal,begantoreleasetheirbombsandthewholeofthevalleybecameapanoramaofdeepreverberatesoundandluridlight.
Beforelongtheaimoftheattackersbecameconcentrateduponthepointswheretheanti-aircraftgunsweresituated,andoneofthemwasalmostimmediatelyreducedtoagiantcindertoliesmoulderinginaparkofrosebushes.
"Kismine,"beggedJohn,"you'llbegladwhenItellyouthatthisattackcameontheeveofmymurder.IfIhadn'theardthatguardshootoffhisgunbackbythepassIshouldnowbestonedead—"
"Ican'thearyou!"criedKismine,intentonthescenebeforeher."You'llhavetotalklouder!"
"Isimplysaid,"shoutedJohn,"thatwe'dbettergetoutbeforetheybegintoshelltheChateau!"
Suddenlythewholeporticoofthenegroquarterscrackedasunder,ageyserofflameshotupfromunderthecolonnades,andgreatfragmentsofjaggedmarblewerehurledasfarasthebordersofthelake.
"Theregofiftythousanddollars'worthofslaves,"criedKismine,"atprewarprices.SofewAmericanshaveanyrespectforproperty."
Johnrenewedhiseffortstocompelhertoleave.Theaimoftheaeroplaneswasbecomingmorepreciseminutebyminute,andonlytwooftheanti-aircraftgunswerestillretaliating.Itwasobviousthatthegarrison,encircledwithfire,couldnotholdoutmuchlonger.
"Comeon!"criedJohn,pullingKismine'sarm,"we'vegottogo.Doyourealizethatthoseaviatorswillkillyouwithoutquestioniftheyfindyou?"
Sheconsentedreluctantly.
"We'llhavetowakeJasmine!"shesaid,astheyhurriedtowardthelift.Thensheaddedinasortofchildishdelight:"We'llbepoor,won'twe?Likepeopleinbooks.AndI'llbeanorphanandutterlyfree.Freeandpoor!Whatfun!"Shestoppedandraisedherlipstohiminadelightedkiss.
"It'simpossibletobebothtogether,"saidJohngrimly."Peoplehavefoundthatout.AndIshouldchoosetobefreeaspreferableofthetwo.Asanextracautionyou'dbetterdumpthecontentsofyourjewelboxintoyourpockets."
TenminuteslaterthetwogirlsmetJohninthedarkcorridorandtheydescendedtothemainfloorofthechateau.Passingforthelasttimethroughthemagnificenceofthesplendidhalls,theystoodforamomentoutontheterrace,watchingtheburningnegroquartersandtheflamingembersoftwoplaneswhichhadfallenontheothersideofthelake.Asolitarygunwasstillkeepingupasturdypopping,andtheattackersseemedtimorousaboutdescendinglower,butsenttheirthunderousfireworksinacirclearoundit,untilanychanceshotmightannihilateitsEthiopiancrew.
Johnandthetwosisterspasseddownthemarblesteps,turnedsharplytotheleft,andbegantoascendanarrowpaththatwoundlikeagarteraboutthediamondmountain.Kismineknewaheavilywoodedspothalf-wayupwheretheycouldlieconcealedandyetbeabletoobservethewildnightinthevalley—finallytomakeanescape,whenitshouldbenecessary,alongasecretpathlaidinarockygully.
Ⅹ
Itwasthreeo'clockwhentheyattainedtheirdestination.TheobligingandphlegmaticJasminefellofftosleepimmediately,leaningagainstthetrunkofalargetree,whileJohnandKisminesat,hisarmaroundher,andwatchedthedesperateebbandflowofthedyingbattleamongtheruinsofavistathathadbeenagardenspotthatmorning.Shortlyafterfouro'clockthelastremaininggungaveoutaclangingsoundandwentoutofactioninaswifttongueofredsmoke.Thoughthemoonwasdown,theysawthattheflyingbodieswerecirclingclosertotheearth.Whentheplaneshadmadecertainthatthebeleagueredpossessednofurtherresources,theywouldlandandthedarkandglitteringreignoftheWashingtonswouldbeover.
Withthecessationofthefiringthevalleygrewquiet.Theembersofthetwoaeroplanesglowedliketheeyesofsomemonstercrouchinginthegrass.Thechateaustooddarkandsilent,beautifulwithoutlightasithadbeenbeautifulinthesun,whilethewoodyrattlesofNemesisfilledtheairabovewithagrowingandrecedingcomplaint.ThenJohnperceivedthatKismine,likehersister,hadfallensoundasleep.
Itwaslongafterfourwhenhebecameawareoffootstepsalongthepaththeyhadlatelyfollowed,andhewaitedin
eathlesssilenceuntilthepersonstowhomtheybelongedhadpassedthevantage-pointheoccupied.Therewasafaintstirintheairnowthatwasnotofhumanorigin,andthedewwascold;heknewthatthedawnwould
eaksoon.Johnwaiteduntilthestepshadgoneasafedistanceupthemountainandwereinaudible.Thenhefollowed.Abouthalf-waytothesteepsummitthetreesfellawayandahardsaddleofrockspreaditselfoverthediamondbeneath.Justbeforehereachedthispointhesloweddownhispace,warnedbyananimalsensethattherewaslifejustaheadofhim.Comingtoahighboulder,heliftedhisheadgraduallyaboveitsedge.Hiscuriositywasrewarded;thisiswhathesaw:
addockWashingtonwasstandingtheremotionless,silhouettedagainstthegrayskywithoutsoundorsignoflife.Asthedawncameupoutoftheeast,lendingacoldgreencolortotheearth,it
oughtthesolitaryfigureintoinsignificantcontrastwiththenewday.
WhileJohnwatched,hishostremainedforafewmomentsabsorbedinsomeinscrutablecontemplation;thenhesignalledtothetwonegroeswhocrouchedathisfeettolifttheburdenwhichlaybetweenthem.Astheystruggledupright,thefirstyellowbeamofthesunstruckthroughtheinnumerableprismsofanimmenseandexquisitelychiselleddiamond—andawhiteradiancewaskindledthatglowedupontheairlikeafragmentofthemorningstar.Thebearersstaggeredbeneathitsweightforamoment—thentheirripplingmusclescaughtandhardenedunderthewetshineoftheskinsandthethreefigureswereagainmotionlessintheirdefiantimpotencybeforetheheavens.
Afterawhilethewhitemanliftedhisheadandslowlyraisedhisarmsinagestureofattention,asonewhowouldcallagreatcrowdtohear—buttherewasnocrowd,onlythevastsilenceofthemountainandthesky,
okenbyfaintbirdvoicesdownamongthetrees.Thefigureonthesaddleofrockbegantospeakponderouslyandwithaninextinguishablepride.
"Yououtthere—"hecriedinatremblingvoice.
"You—there—!"Hepaused,hisarmsstilluplifted,hisheadheldattentivelyasthoughhewereexpectingananswer.Johnstrainedhiseyestoseewhethertheremightbemencomingdownthemountain,butthemountainwasbareofhumanlife.Therewasonlyskyandamockingfluteofwindalongthetree-tops.CouldWashingtonbepraying?ForamomentJohnwondered.Thentheillusionpassed—therewassomethingintheman'swholeattitudeantitheticaltoprayer.
"Oh,youabovethere!"
Thevoicewasbecomestrongandconfident.[1]Thiswasnoforlornsupplication.Ifanything,therewasinitaqualityofmonstrouscondescension.
"Youthere—"
Words,tooquicklyutteredtobeunderstood,flowingoneintotheother....Johnlistened
eathlessly,catchingaphrasehereandthere,whilethevoice
okeoff,resumed,
okeoffagain—nowstrongandargumentative,nowcoloredwithaslow,puzzledimpatience.Thenaconvictioncommencedtodawnonthesinglelistener,andasrealizationcreptoverhimasprayofquickbloodrushedthroughhisarteries.
addockWashingtonwasofferinga
ibetoGod!
Thatwasit—therewasnodoubt.Thediamondinthearmsofhisslaveswassomeadvancesample,apromiseofmoretofollow.
That,Johnperceivedafteratime,wasthethreadrunningthroughhissentences.PrometheusEnrichedwascallingtowitnessforgottensacrifices,forgottenrituals,prayersobsoletebeforethebirthofChrist.ForawhilehisdiscoursetooktheformofremindingGodofthisgiftorthatwhichDivinityhaddeignedtoacceptfrommen—greatchurchesifhewouldrescuecitiesfromtheplague,giftsofmyrrhandgold,ofhumanlivesandbeautifulwomenandcaptivearmies,ofchildrenandqueens,ofbeastsoftheforestandfield,sheepandgoats,harvestsandcities,wholeconqueredlandsthathadbeenofferedupinlustorbloodforHisappeasal,buyingameed'sworthofalleviationfromtheDivinewrath—andnowhe,
addockWashington,EmperorofDiamonds,kingandpriestoftheageofgold,arbiterofsplendorandluxury,wouldofferupatreasuresuchasprincesbeforehimhadneverdreamedof,offeritupnotinsuppliance,butinpride.
HewouldgivetoGod,hecontinued,gettingdowntospecifications,thegreatestdiamondintheworld.Thisdiamondwouldbecutwithmanymorethousandfacetsthantherewereleavesonatree,andyetthewholediamondwouldbeshapedwiththeperfectionofastonenobiggerthanafly.Manymenwouldworkuponitformanyyears.Itwouldbesetinagreatdomeofbeatengold,wonderfullycarvedandequippedwithgatesofopalandcrustedsapphire.Inthemiddlewouldbehollowedoutachapelpresidedoverbyanaltarofiridescent,decomposing,ever-changingradiumwhichwouldburnouttheeyesofanyworshipperwholifteduphisheadfromprayer—andonthisaltartherewouldbeslainfortheamusementoftheDivineBenefactoranyvictimHeshouldchoose,eventhoughitshouldbethegreatestandmostpowerfulmanalive.
Inreturnheaskedonlyasimplething,athingthatforGodwouldbeabsurdlyeasy—onlythatmattersshouldbeastheywereyesterdayatthishourandthattheyshouldsoremain.Soverysimple!Letbuttheheavensopen,swallowingthesemenandtheiraeroplanes—andthencloseagain.Lethimhavehisslavesoncemore,restoredtolifeandwell.
Therewasnooneelsewithwhomhehadeverneededtotreatorbargain.
Hedoubtedonlywhetherhehadmadehis
ibebigenough.GodhadHisprice,ofcourse.Godwasmadeinman'simage,soithadbeensaid:HemusthaveHisprice.Andthepricewouldberare—nocathedralwhosebuildingconsumedmanyyears,nopyramidconstructedbytenthousandworkmen,wouldbelikethiscathedral,thispyramid.
Hepausedhere.Thatwashisproposition.Everythingwouldbeuptospecificationsandtherewasnothingvulgarinhisassertionthatitwouldbecheapattheprice.HeimpliedthatProvidencecouldtakeitorleaveit.
Asheapproachedtheendhissentencesbecame
oken,becameshortanduncertain,andhisbodyseemedtense,seemedstrainedtocatchtheslightestpressureorwhisperoflifeinthespacesaroundhim.Hishairhadturnedgraduallywhiteashetalked,andnowheliftedhisheadhightotheheavenslikeaprophetofold—magnificentlymad.
Then,asJohnstaredingiddyfascination,itseemedtohimthatacuriousphenomenontookplacesomewherearoundhim.Itwasasthoughtheskyhaddarkenedforaninstant,asthoughtherehadbeenasuddenmurmurinagustofwind,asoundoffar-awaytrumpets,asighingliketherustleofagreatsilkenrobe—foratimethewholeofnatureroundaboutpartookofthisdarkness:thebirds'songceased;thetreeswerestill,andfaroverthemountaintherewasamutterofdull,menacingthunder.
Thatwasall.Thewinddiedalongthetallgrassesofthevalley.Thedawnandthedayresumedtheirplaceinatime,andtherisensunsenthotwavesofyellowmistthatmadeitspath
ightbeforeit.Theleaveslaughedinthesun,andtheirlaughtershookthetreesuntileachboughwaslikeagirl'sschoolinfairyland.Godhadrefusedtoacceptthe
ibe.
ForanothermomentJohnwatchedthetriumphoftheday.Then,turning,hesawaflutterof
owndownbythelake,thenanotherflutter,thenanother,likethedanceofgoldenangelsalightingfromtheclouds.Theaeroplaneshadcometoearth.
Johnslidofftheboulderandrandownthesideofthemountaintotheclumpoftrees,wherethetwogirlswereawakeandwaitingforhim.Kisminesprangtoherfeet,thejewelsinherpocketsjingling,aquestiononherpartedlips,butinstincttoldJohnthattherewasnotimeforwords.Theymustgetoffthemountainwithoutlosingamoment.Heseizedahandofeach,andinsilencetheythreadedthetree-trunks,washedwithlightnowandwiththerisingmist.Behindthemfromthevalleycamenosoundatall,exceptthecomplaintofthepeacocksfarawayandthepleasantundertoneofmorning.
Whentheyhadgoneabouthalfamile,theyavoidedtheparklandandenteredanarrowpaththatledoverthenextriseofground.Atthehighestpointofthistheypausedandturnedaround.Theireyesresteduponthemountainsidetheyhadjustleft—oppressedbysomedarksenseoftragicimpendency.
Clearagainsttheskya
oken,white-hairedmanwasslowlydescendingthesteepslope,followedbytwogiganticandemotionlessnegroes,whocarriedaburdenbetweenthemwhichstillflashedandglitteredinthesun.Half-waydowntwootherfiguresjoinedthem—JohncouldseethattheywereMrs.Washingtonandherson,uponwhosearmsheleaned.Theaviatorshadclamberedfromtheirmachinestothesweepinglawninfrontofthechateau,andwithriflesinhandwerestartingupthediamondmountaininskirmishingformation.
Butthelittlegroupoffivewhichhadformedfartherupandwasengrossingallthewatchers'attentionhadstoppeduponaledgeofrock.Thenegroesstoopedandpulledupwhatappearedtobeatrap-doorinthesideofthemountain.Intothistheyalldisappeared,thewhite-hairedmanfirst,thenhiswifeandson,finallythetwonegroes,theglitteringtipsofwhosejeweledhead-dressescaughtthesunforamomentbeforethetrap-doordescendedandengulfedthemall.
KismineclutchedJohn'sarm.
"Oh,"shecriedwildly,"wherearetheygoing?Whataretheygoingtodo?"
"Itmustbesomeundergroundwayofescape—"
Alittlescreamfromthetwogirlsinterruptedhissentence.
"Don'tyousee?"sobbedKisminehysterically."Themountainiswired!"
EvenasshespokeJohnputuphishandstoshieldhissight.Beforetheireyesthewholesurfaceofthemountainhadchangedsuddenlytoadazzlingburningyellow,whichshowedupthroughthejacketofturfaslightshowsthroughahumanhand.Foramomenttheintolerableglowcontinued,andthenlikeanextinguishedfilamentitdisappeared,revealingablackwastefromwhichbluesmokearoseslowly,carryingoffwithitwhatremainedofvegetationandofhumanflesh.Oftheaviatorstherewasleftneitherbloodnorbone—theywereconsumedascompletelyasthefivesoulswhohadgoneinside.
Simultaneously,andwithanimmenseconcussion,thechateauliterallythrewitselfintotheair,burstingintoflamingfragmentsasitrose,andthentumblingbackuponitselfinasmokingpilethatlayprojectinghalfintothewaterofthelake.Therewasnofire—whatsmoketherewasdriftedoffminglingwiththesunshine,andforafewminuteslongerapowderydustofmarbledriftedfromthegreatfeaturelesspilethathadoncebeenthehouseofjewels.Therewasnomoresoundandthethreepeoplewerealoneinthevalley.
[1]原文如此,语法似有误。
Ⅺ
AtsunsetJohnandhistwocompanionsreachedthehighcliffwhichhadmarkedtheboundariesoftheWashingtons'dominion,andlookingbackfoundthevalleytranquilandlovelyinthedusk.TheysatdowntofinishthefoodwhichJasminehad
oughtwithherinabasket.
"There!"shesaid,asshespreadthetable-clothandputthesandwichesinaneatpileuponit."Don'ttheylooktempting?Ialwaysthinkthatfoodtastesbetteroutdoors."
"Withthatremark,"remarkedKismine,"Jasmineentersthemiddleclass."
"Now,"saidJohneagerly,"turnoutyourpocketandlet'sseewhatjewelsyou
oughtalong.Ifyoumadeagoodselectionwethreeoughttolivecomfortablyalltherestofourlives."
ObedientlyKismineputherhandinherpocketandtossedtwohandfulsofglitteringstonesbeforehim.
"Notsobad,"criedJohn,enthusiastically."Theyaren'tverybig,but—Hello!"Hisexpressionchangedasheheldoneofthemuptothedecliningsun."Why,thesearen'tdiamonds!There'ssomethingthematter!"
"Bygolly!"exclaimedKismine,withastartledlook."WhatanidiotIam!"
"Why,thesearerhinestones!"criedJohn.
"Iknow."She
okeintoalaugh."Iopenedthewrongdrawer.TheybelongedonthedressofagirlwhovisitedJasmine.Igothertogivethemtomeinexchangefordiamonds.I'dneverseenanythingbutpreciousstonesbefore."
"Andthisiswhatyou
ought?"
"I'mafraidso."Shefingeredthe
illiantswistfully."IthinkIlikethesebetter.I'malittletiredofdiamonds."
"Verywell,"saidJohngloomily."We'llhavetoliveinHades.Andyouwillgrowoldtellingincredulouswomenthatyougotthewrongdrawer.Unfortunatelyyourfather'sbank-bookswereconsumedwithhim."
"Well,what'sthematterwithHades?"
"IfIcomehomewithawifeatmyagemyfatherisjustasliableasnottocutmeoffwithahotcoal,astheysaydownthere."
Jasminespokeup.
"Ilovewashing,"shesaidquietly."Ihavealwayswashedmyownhandkerchiefs.I'lltakeinlaundryandsupportyouboth."
"DotheyhavewashwomeninHades?"askedKismineinnocently.
"Ofcourse,"answeredJohn."It'sjustlikeanywhereelse."
"Ithought—perhapsitwastoohottowearanyclothes."
Johnlaughed.
"Justtryit!"hesuggested."They'llrunyououtbeforeyou'rehalfstarted."
"Willfatherbethere?"sheasked.
Johnturnedtoherinastonishment.
"Yourfatherisdead,"herepliedsomberly."WhyshouldhegotoHades?Youhaveitconfusedwithanotherplacethatwasabolishedlongago."
Aftersuppertheyfoldedupthetable-clothandspreadtheirblanketsforthenight.
"Whatadreamitwas,"Kisminesighed,gazingupatthestars."Howstrangeitseemstobeherewithonedressandapennilessfiancé!
"Underthestars,"sherepeated."Inevernoticedthestarsbefore.Ialwaysthoughtofthemasgreatbigdiamondsthatbelongedtosomeone.Nowtheyfrightenme.Theymakemefeelthatitwasalladream,allmyyouth."
"Itwasadream,"saidJohnquietly."Everybody'syouthisadream,aformofchemicalmadness."
"Howpleasantthentobeinsane!"
"SoI'mtold,"saidJohngloomily."Idon'tknowanylonger.Atanyrate,letusloveforawhile,forayearorso,youandme.That'saformofdivinedrunkennessthatwecanalltry.Thereareonlydiamondsinthewholeworld,diamondsandperhapstheshabbygiftofdisillusion.Well,IhavethatlastandIwillmaketheusualnothingofit."Heshivered."Turnupyourcoatcollar,littlegirl,thenight'sfullofchillandyou'llgetpneumonia.Hiswasagreatsinwhofirstinventedconsciousness.Letusloseitforafewhours."
Sowrappinghimselfinhisblankethefellofftosleep.
1922
TalesoftheJazzAge
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