Avon Murder Mystery Monthly No. 41 — page 88: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

90 THE METAL MONSTER. wider area of consciousness than the normal. Just-as in certain diseases of the ear the sufferer, though deaf to sounds within the average range of hearing, is fully aware of sound vibrations far above and far be low those the healthy ear registers.” -“T know,” he said. “I don’t need to be convinced. But we accept these things in theory—and when we get up against them for ourselves we doubt. “How many people are there in Christendom, do you think, who believe that the Saviour ascended from the dead, but who if they saw it today would insist upon medical inspection, doctor’s certificates, a clinic, and even after that render a Scotch verdict? I’m not speaking irreverently—I’m just stating a fact.” Suddenly he moved away from me, strode over to the curtained oval through which Norhala had gone. “Dick, ” I cried, following him hastily, “where are you going? What _ are you going to do?” “I’m going after Norhala,” he radibiced. “Tm going to have a show- down with her or know the reason why.” “—Drake,” I cried again, aghast, “don’t make the mistake Ventnor did. That’s not the way to win through. Don’t—I beg you, don’t.” “You’re wrong,” he answered. stubbornly. “I’m going to get her. She’s got to talk.” He thrust out a hand to the curtains. Before he could touch them, they were parted. Out from between them slithered the black eunuch. He stood motionless, regarding us; in the ink-black eyes a red flame of hatred. I pushed myself between him and Drake. “Where is your mistress, Yuruk?” I asked. “The goddess has gone,” he replied sullenly. “Gone?” I said suspiciously, for certainly Norhala had not passed us. “Where?” “Who shall question the goddess?” he asked. “She comes and she goes as she pleases.” I translated this for Drake. “He’s got to show me,” he said. “Don’t think I’m going to spill any beans, Goodwin. But I want to talk to her. I think I’m right, honestly’ I do.” After all, I reflected, there was much in his determination to recom- mend it. It was the obvious thing to do—unless we admitted that Nor- hala was superhuman; and that I would not admit. In command of forces we did not yet know, en rapport with these People of Metal, sealed with that alien consciousness Ruth had described—all these, yes, But still a woman—of that I was certain. And surely Drake could ECOMC OOO (GO)