Page:Weird Tales volume 36 number 02.djvu/110

 miles away. We can talk through the very air itself—thousands of miles!"

"But you are still fighting other men? Bah!"

There was a knock at the door and Professor Blythe opened it cautiously. He reached out and, bringing in a tray, closed the door again.

The Egyptian came forward eagerly. He looked at the food upon the tray, grunted and reached for it with both hands. He ate ravenously. When he had finished he belched.

"Now, I would see your world."

Hanky's lips tightened. He looked at Professor Blythe. The scientist's mouth twitched. "I am afraid—"

"Why not?" interrupted Professor Shepard. "Didn't we bring him back to life to see how he would react to our modern civilization...?"

"No!" cried Hanley. "Not yet. He must see it gradually—"

"Pah!" snorted Ramahadin. "I will see it all, at once. Lead the way."

"You can't," protested Hanley.

AMAHADIN gave him a cold look. "Who is this stripling?" he demanded. "Who is this youngster who dares to question Ramahadin?"

"He is a very able scientist," Professor Blythe said. "He is—"

"I am Ramahadin!" declared the Egyptian. "All scientists bow to me—"

Professor Shepard snickered. "You're a mummy, Ramahadin, a mummy we brought to life. The world doesn't even know you exist."

"You dog!" cried Ramahadin. "Down on your knees." He scooped up an empty plate and suddenly hurled it at Shepard. The professor ducked and the plate missed him by less than an inch.

Ramahadin snarled and picked up a chair. Hanley stepped forward and caught his arm. Ramahadin jerked himself free and whirled upon Hanley with the raised chair.

Hanley sidestepped and smashed his fist against the Egyptian's jaw. Ramahadin reeled back. The chair crashed to the floor and he stared at Hanley.

"You dare to strike Ramahadin?" he cried in a tone of awe. "You dog, you dare—"

"Please!" interrupted Professor Blythe. "Listen to me. Ramahadin, it is true. This is a new world. You have been dead twenty-four hundred years. Things have changed. We don't want to shock you by showing you too much at once!"

"I am Ramahadin," the Egyptian said, persistently. "I have the knowledge of the ages. There is nothing you could show me or tell me, that would shock me. I have meditated on it all. Your flying machines—pah! They do not frighten me. Your clothing is bizarre, that is all—"

"And speaking of clothes," said Hanley. "You've got to put some on. You can no longer go in public without suitable apparel."

"Fetch me clothing then. I will make that concession."

Professor Blythe, frowning, went to a closet. He brought out one of his own suits, a somewhat soiled shirt and socks and shoes. With his assistance, Ramahadin was able to dress. He looked then like any swarthy man, whose counterpart could have been seen by the hundreds in any large city.

"New, show me your America, Ramahadin said, when he was dressed.

"I wouldn't," Hanley said, quickly.

"You can't keep him in here, a prisoner!" Professor Shepard exclaimed.

Blythe's forehead creased. Then he shrugged and moved to the door. Ramahadin brushed past him. Hanley overtook him in the hall, leading to the living room.

He was too late, however. Susan Blythe rose from an armchair and looked in