Page:Thea von Harbou Metropolis eng 1927.pdf/53

 METROPOLIS "Do you recollect, Joh Fredersen, how obstinately I refused, that time, to let the underground railway be run under

my house?" "Indeed I dol I still know the sum the detour cost me, alsol" "The secret was expensive, I admit, but it was worth it. Just take a look at the plan, Joh Fredersen, what is that?" "Perhaps a Hight of stairs ..." "Quite certainly a /light of stairs. It is a very slovenly

execution in the drawing as m. reality .. :' "So you know them?" "I have the honour. Joh Fredersen-yes. Now come two paces sideways. What is that?"

He had taken Joh Fredersen by the arm. He felt the fingers of the aritincial hand pressing into his muscles like the claws of a bird of prey. With the right one Rotwang indicated the spot upon which Joh Fredersen had stood. ''What is that?" he asked, shaking the hand which he held in his grip. Joh Fredersen bent down. He' straightened himself up again. "A door?" "Right, Joh Fredersenl A doorl A perfectly Btting and well shutting door. The man who built this house was an orderly and careful person. Only once did he omit to give heed, and then he had to pay for it. He went down the stairs which are under the door. followed the careless steps and passages which are connected with them. and never found his way back. It is not easy to Bud, for those who lodged there did not care to have strangers penetrate into their domain. . . . I found my inquisitive predecessor, Joh Fredersen, and recognised him at once-by his pointed red shoes, which have preserved ,tllemselves wonderfully. As a corpse he looked peaceful and Christian-like, both of which he certainly was not in his life. The companions of his last hours probably contributed considerably to the conversion of the erst-while devil's disciple .. :. He tapped with his right foreBnger upon a maze of crosses in the centre of the plan. "Here he lies. Just on this spot. His skull must have en-

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