Page:Thea von Harbou Metropolis eng 1927.pdf/78

 METROPOLIS arms, sir? Do you think a man can imitate the pushing of a machine for hours and hours at a time without its killing him? He is as dead as stone. If you were to call to bini he'd collapse and break to pieces like a plaster statue," It did not seem as though September's words had penetrated into Slim's consciousness. His face wore an expression of loathing and SuHel"ing and he spoke as one who speaks with pain. "r hope, September, that to~night you have had your last opportunity of watching the effects of Maohee on your guests...." September smiled his Japanese smile. He did not answer. Slim stepped up to the banister at the edge of the curve of the shell in which he stood. He bent down towards the milky disc. He cried a high sharp tone which had the effect of a whistle: "Eleven thousand eight hundred and eleven-I" The man on the shimmering disc swung around as though he had received a blow in the side. The hellish rhythm of his arms ceased, running itseU out in vibration. The man fell to earth like a log and did not move again. Slim ran down the passage, reached the end and pushed asunder the circle of women, who, stiffened with shock, seemed to be thrown into deeper horror more by the end of that which they had hrought to pass than by the beginning. He knelt down beside the man, looked him in the face and pushed the tattered silk away from his heart. He did not give his hand time to test his pulse. He lifted the man up and carried him out in his nrms. The sighing of the women soughed behind him like a dense, mist-coloured curtain. September stepped across his path. He swept aside as he caught Slim's glance at him. He ran along by him, like an active dog. breathing rapidly; but he said nothing. Slim reached the door of Yoshiwara. September, himself, opened it for him. Slim stepped into the street. The driver pulled open the door of the taxi; he looked in amazement at the man who hllntz in Slim's arms, in tatters of white silk with which the wind was playing, and who was more awful to

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