Page:Thea von Harbou Metropolis eng 1927.pdf/202

 METROPOLIS the grip of a deep innermost frenzy: "Do you know, Mr. Fredersen, what is going on around you, in Metropolis-r' ~'What I will," answered Joh Fredersen. The words sounded mechanical, and as though they had heen read before they were spoken: "What does that mean: You have not found my son-?" "It means what it means," answered Slim in his shrill voice. His eyes bore an awful hatred. He stood. leaning far forward, as if ready to pounce upon Joh Fredersen, and his hands became claws. "It means that Freder. your son is not to be found-it means that he, perhaps. wanted to look on with his own eyes at what becomes of Metropolis by his father's will and the hands of a few lunatics-it means, as the now haH-witted servants told me, that your son left the safety of his home, setting out in company with a man who was wearing the uniform of a workman of Metropolis, and that it might well be difficult to. seek your son in this city, in which, by your will, madness has broken out-the madness to destroy, Mr. Fredersen, the madness to ruinland which has not even light to lighten· its madness-I" Slim wanted to continue, but he did not do so. Joh Fredersen's right hand made a senseless, fumbling gesture through the air. The torch fell from his hand, continuing to burn on the floor. The mightiest man of Metropolis swung half around, as though he had been shot, and collapsed empty-eyed, back into the chair by the writingtable. Slim stooped forward, to look Joh Fredersen in the face. Before these eyes he was struck silent. Ten-twenty-thirty seconds long he did not dare to draw a breath. His horrified gaze followed the aimless movements of Joh Fredersen's fingers, which were fumbling about as though seeking for some lever of rescue, which they could not find. Then, suddenly, the hand rose a little from the table-top. The forefinger straightened as though admonishing to attention. Joh Fredersen munnured something. Then he laughed. It was a tired, sad little laugh, at the sound of which Slim thought he felt the hair of his head begin to bristle.

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