"The Metal Monster" - читать интересную книгу автора (Merritt Abraham)

THE METAL MONSTER
A. Merrit

PROLOGUE
CHAPTER I. VALLEY OF THE BLUE POPPIES
CHAPTER II. THE SIGIL ON THE ROCKS
CHAPTER III. RUTH VENTNOR
CHAPTER IV. METAL WITH A BRAIN
CHAPTER V. THE SMITING THING
CHAPTER VI. NORHALA OF THE LIGHTNINGS
CHAPTER VII. THE SHAPES IN THE MIST
CHAPTER VIII. THE DRUMS OF THUNDER
CHAPTER IX. THE PORTAL OF FLAME
CHAPTER X. "WITCH! GIVE BACK MY SISTER"
CHAPTER XI. THE METAL EMPEROR
CHAPTER XII. "I WILL GIVE YOU PEACE"
CHAPTER XIII. "VOICE FROM THE VOID"
CHAPTER XIV. "FREE! BUT A MONSTER!"
CHAPTER XV. THE HOUSE OF NORHALA
CHAPTER XVI. CONSCIOUS METAL!
CHAPTER XVII. YURUK
CHAPTER XVIII. INTO THE PIT
CHAPTER XIX. THE CITY THAT WAS ALIVE
CHAPTER XX. VAMPIRES OF THE SUN
CHAPTER XXI. PHANTASMAGORIA METALLIOUE.
CHAPTER XXII. THE ENSORCELLED CHAMBER
CHAPTER XXIII. THE TREACHERY OF YURUK
CHAPTER XXIV. RUSZARK
CHAPTER XXV. CHERKIS
CHAPTER XXVI. THE VENGEANCE OF NORHALA
CHAPTER XXVII. "THE DRUMS OF DESTINY"
CHAPTER XXVIII. THE FRENZY OF RUTH
CHAPTER XXIX. THE PASSING OF NORHALA
CHAPTER XXX. BURNED OUT
CHAPTER XXXI. SLAG!

This e-text was produced by Judy Boss.


PROLOGUE

Before the narrative which follows was placed in my hands, I had never seen Dr. Walter T. Goodwin, its author.
When the manuscript revealing his adventures among the pre-historic ruins of the Nan-Matal in the Carolines (The Moon Pool) had been given me by the International Association of Science for editing and revision to meet the requirements of a popular presentation, Dr. Goodwin had left America. He had explained that he was still too shaken, too depressed, to be able to recall experiences that must inevitably carry with them freshened memories of those whom he loved so well and from whom, he felt, he was separated in all probability forever.
I had understood that he had gone to some remote part of Asia to pursue certain botanical studies, and it was therefore with the liveliest surprise and interest that I received a summons from the President of the Association to meet Dr. Goodwin at a designated place and hour.
Through my close study of the Moon Pool papers I had formed a mental image of their writer. I had read, too, those volumes of botanical research which have set him high above all other American scientists in this field, gleaning from their curious mingling of extremely technical observations and minutely accurate but extraordinarily poetic descriptions, hints to amplify my picture of him. It gratified me to find I had drawn a pretty good one.
The man to whom the President of the Association introduced me was sturdy, well-knit, a little under average height. He had a broad but rather low forehead that reminded me somewhat of the late electrical wizard Steinmetz. Under level black brows shone eyes of clear hazel, kindly, shrewd, a little wistful, lightly humorous; the eyes both of a doer and a dreamer.
Not more than forty I judged him to be. A close-trimmed, pointed beard did not hide the firm chin and the clean-cut mouth. His hair was thick and black and oddly sprinkled with white; small streaks and dots of gleaming silver that shone with a curiously metallic luster.
His right arm was closely bound to his breast. His manner as he greeted me was tinged with shyness. He extended his left hand in greeting, and as I clasped the fingers I was struck by their peculiar, pronounced, yet pleasant warmth; a sensation, indeed, curiously electric.
The Association's President forced him gently back into his chair.
"Dr. Goodwin," he said, turning to me, "is not entirely recovered as yet from certain consequences of his adventures. He will explain to you later what these are. In the meantime, Mr. Merritt, will you read this?"