Page:Karel Čapek - The Absolute at Large (1927).djvu/30

 cal condition. It's some form of poisoning, isn't it? "

Marek gave an angry laugh. "Oh, yes, of course, poisoning!"

"I thought so at once," declared Bondy, his mind at rest in an instant. "That apparatus of yours produces something, ah er  something like ozone, doesn't it? Or more likely poisonous gas. And when anyone inhales it, it  er  poisons him or excites him somehow, isn't that it? Why, of course, man, it's nothing but poisonous gases; they're probably given off somehow by the combustion of the coal in that  that Karburator of yours. Some sort of illuminating gas or paradise gas, or phosgene or something of the sort. That's why you've put in the ventilator, and that's why you wear a gas-mask when you go into the cellar, isn't it? Just some confounded gases."

"If only there were nothing but gases!" Marek burst out, shaking his fists threateningly. "Look here, Bondy, that's why I must sell that Karburator! I simply can't stand it—I can't stand it I can't stand it," he shouted, well-nigh weeping. "I never dreamed my Karburator would do anything like this this  terrifying mischief! Just think, it's been going on like that from the very beginning! And every one feels it who comes near the thing. You haven't any notion even yet, Bondy. But our porter caught it properly."