Page:Thea von Harbou Metropolis eng 1927.pdf/131

 METROPOLIS was right. The son, who had been a secret witness to the conversation between the husband and the mother, had ended

his life,, , ," "Marinusr'

"Yes." ". ... A terrible coincidence, Jan, but still, not a spirit."

"Coincidence?-Not a spirit?-And what do you call it, Freder," continued Jan, speaking quite close to Freder's ear, "when this girl can appear in two places at once?" "That's abolute rubbish... :' "Rubbish-? It's the truth, Frederl The girl was seen standing at the window in Rotwang's house-and, at the same time, she was dancing her sinful dance in Yoshiwara...." "That is not true-I.. said Freder. "It is true'" "You have seen the girl ... in Yoshiwara-r "'You can see her YOlUself. if you like...." .::'Vh~t's

the..girl's name?"

Mana... .

Freder laid his forehead in his hands. He bent double, as in the throes of an agony, which otherwise Cod does not

permit to visit mankind. "You know the girl?" asked Jan, bending forward, "No!" "But you love her," said Jan, and behind these words lurked hatred, crouched to spring, Freder took his hand and said: "Cornel" "But," continued Freder, fixing his eyes upon Josaphat, who was sitting there quite sunken together, while the rain was growing gentler, like hushed weeping, "Slim was sud· denly standing there, beside me, and he said: 'Will you not return home, Mr. Freder?' .. Josaphat was silent for a long time: Freder, too, was silent. In the frame of the open door, which led out to the balcony, stood, hovering, the picture of the monster clock, on the New Tower of Babel, bathed in a white light. The large hand jerked to twelve, Then a sound arose throughout Metropolis.

136