Page:Thea von Harbou Metropolis eng 1927.pdf/191

, METROPOLIS was not awakened even by the roaring voice of the mob which was erecting a bonfire for the witch. before the cathernal.

CHAPTER XX "FREDEn-1II Grot-III Freder-III" ]osaphat shoute,d so that his voice cI1lcked. and raced with the bounds of a harried wolf, through passages, acrOSS steps of the great pump-works. His shouts were not heard. In the machine rooms were wounded machines in agony. wanting to obey and not being able. The door was closed. ]osaphat hammered against it with his £sts, with his feet. It was Grot who opened it to him. revolver in hand. "What in the name of seething hell... ." "Get out 01 the way-I Where's Freder-?" "HereI What's the matter?" "'Freder, they've taken Maria captive-"

"What?" "They've taken Maria captive and they're kUling her-'" Freder reeled. losaphat rnagged him towards the door. Like a log, Grot stood in his way, his lips mumbling, his eyes glaring. "The woman ,who killed my machine-I"

"Shut up, you fool-get out of the way-I" "Grot!" A sound born half 01 madness...• "Yes, Mr. Frederl" "You stop with the machines I" "Yes, Mr. Frederl" "Come on, ]osaphat-I" The sound of running, running, retreating, ghostlike. Grot turned round. He saw the paralysed machines, He lifted his arm and struck the machine with the full of his fist, as one strikes a stubbo~n horse between the eyes.

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