Page:Thea von Harbou Metropolis eng 1927.pdf/152

 METROPOLIS eloquently than the most eloquent of mouths of a wild selfdefence.

But the other hand of the heap of humanity lay stretched far away from it, on the square of the trapdoor, as though wishing, in itself, to be a bolt to the door. The hand was not of Hesh and bone. The hand was of metal, the hand was the master-piece of Rotwang, the great inventor.

Maria threw a glance at the door, on which the seal of Solomon glowed. She ran up to it, although she knew it to be pointless to implore this inexorable door for libel"ty. She felt. under her feet, distant, quite dull, strong and impelling, a shake, as of distant thunder. The voice of the great Metropolis roared: Danger-f

Maria clasped her hands and raised them to her mouth. She ran up to the trap-door. She knelt down. She looked at the heap of humanity which lay at the edge of the trapdoor. She knelt down. She looked at the heap of humanity which lay at the edge of the trap-door, the metal hand of which seemed obstinately to be defending the trap-door. The fingers of the other hand; thrown over the man's neck, were turned towards her, poised high, like a beast before the

spring. And the trembling shake again-and now much mightierMaria seized the iron ring of the trap-door. She pushed it up. She wanted to pull up the door. But the hand-the hand which lay upon it-held the door clutched fast. Maria heard the chattering of her teeth. She pushed herself across on her knees towards the motionless heap of humanity. With inBnite care. she grasped the hand which lay, as a steel bolt, across the trap-door. She felt the coldness of death proceeding from this-hand. She pressed her teeth into her white lips. As she pushed back lhe hand with all her strength, the heap of humanity rolled over on its side. and the grey face appeared, staring upwards. ... Maria tore open the trap-door. She swung herself down, into the black square. She did not leave herself time to close the door. Perhaps it was that she had not the courage. once more to emerge from the depths she had gained. to . 157