Ambush
: MAIN STORY: The Alembic Plot
Back on the road, about an hour later, Cortin spotted a rider coming in
their direction. He was apparently daydreaming, because it was a few
seconds before he saw the group--and when he did, he reined around and
galloped back the way he'd come.
Cortin stopped, frowning, and motioned Odeon to join her. Most people
didn't like getting too close to prisoner escorts, no, but leaving at a
gallop was a
reaction, and not one she would normally be justified in having him
pursued or shot for . . . but it bothered her. When Odeon reined in
beside her, she said, "I don't like the looks of that. It could mean
nothing, but it could also mean trouble. Patrol formation, I think,
with you at point; as Tracker, you've got the best chance of spotting
trouble before it spots you."
"Right. And I'd recommend Tony as rear guard; he's the closest we have
to a second Tracker."
"Agreed." As he rode ahead, Cortin dropped back to the main group,
briefed them, and sent Degas to the rear. This wasn't good ambush
country--the woods were open, with the road avoiding rough terrain
wherever possible--and they'd be in secure territory when they got
within an hour's ride of the retreat; even when the Royal Family was
elsewhere, there were security and housekeeping staffs in residence.
When they moved out again, she stayed with the group, all of them alert
for unusual movements or sounds. Cortin found herself half-hoping for
action, though she also wanted to make it through without having any of
her people hurt or killed.
Odeon moved forward cautiously. He agreed with Joanie: even though
someone fleeing a prisoner escort didn't necessarily mean trouble, it
was a good idea to take a few simple precautions. He studied the
other's tracks when he got to them, but they told him nothing he didn't
already know. The man had been riding at a walk, and had suddenly
turned, galloping away. If it was because of normal apprehension,
fine, and no real problem even if he was a wanted criminal; he'd cause
them no trouble, and he'd be caught eventually if he kept reacting that
way. The problem would arise if he were point man for a group of
Brothers or other terrorists--not likely this close to a royal
residence, but certainly a possibility.
He wasn't kept in suspense long; within five minutes, he heard a group
of riders ahead. They were making no effort to be silent, which didn't
prove anything one way or the other; either they were innocent, or they
were pretending to be innocent to get close to the Enforcement group.
The woods were open enough there was no point in leaving the road to
try to eavesdrop on them; if he were close enough to understand words,
he'd be close enough to see. So, keeping his hand close to his pistol,
he rode forward.
His appearance clearly startled them, enough to get an honest reaction;
half of the fifteen or so went for their weapons. He drew and fired at
the same time he was turning his horse and urging it to a gallop.
Leaning low over the horse's withers, he continued to fire, and was
both surprised and gratified to hear a cry of pain mixed with the
return fire; it was damn near impossible to hit anything from the back
of a running horse even if you tried to aim.
Cortin heard the shots, then rapidly-approaching hoofbeats. So did the
rest, and there was no need to give orders; all had been in similar
situations often enough to know precisely what to do. By the time
Odeon came in sight, Chang and the prisoner were far enough off to the
side to be out of the firefight, and the rest were behind good-sized
trees. This wasn't exactly what Cortin had had in mind, wanting
action--it was more like the kneeling-behind-a-barrier segment of a
firing range exercise--but it would do.
When Odeon passed their positions, the team opened fire. Cortin hit
two, someone else hit two more, and the terrorists turned into a
milling, cursing mob whose return fire was sporadic and poorly aimed.
Cortin smiled, continuing to aim and fire as coolly as if she were on
the target range. She had no more hits, but others did; three more
terrorists fell, and the rest fled, demoralized.
She stood, brushing off her trousers, then reloaded and holstered her
pistol. "Anyone hurt?" she called.
"Nope."
"Fine here."
"Nicked by a chunk of flying bark, nothing serious."
"We are unhurt."
Hoofbeats from the rear brought them alert again, but it was Degas
galloping up, his gun drawn. He holstered it as he pulled his horse to
a stop, looking disappointed. "I missed all the fun, huh?"
"I'm afraid so," Cortin said, smiling. "Bad guys zero, good guys
seven."
"Eight," Odeon said. "I hit one when they started chasing me. I don't
know if he's dead or just wounded, though."
Chang had come up and started checking the casualties; now she
reported. "Six dead, Captain, the other critically wounded."
"Can he be questioned?"
Chang frowned. "Perhaps, if you hurry. He is conscious, but will
probably not survive more than a few minutes."
"I'll hurry--which one?"
"Over here." Chang led the way, kneeling beside the terrorist and
doing what she could to keep him alive for Cortin's questions.
Cortin knelt on the man's other side, pulling her gloves off. "My
medic says you only have a few minutes to live. If you've got any
desire to make your peace with God, now's the time to do it." That
didn't seem a very promising tactic, but it was obvious he wouldn't
live long enough for her usual methods.
"You're . . . Cortin?" The man coughed, blood speckling his lips.
"Yes." Maybe her reputation would be a help--except that he didn't
seem as much afraid as hopeful.
"Now I know . . . why th' Raidmaster's . . . afraid of you." The man
seized her bare hand. "Protect me from him . . . you're a priest . . .
I'll tell you all I can."
"You'll be as safe from him as you are from me, in a few minutes."
"No!" The man struggled to sit up, gasping in pain. "That's no
help--I need . . . th' Sacraments."
Much as she wanted to, Cortin couldn't refuse; this was why Strike
Force Inquisitors were required to be priests. She got her stole out
of her pocket, calling for Odeon to bring her saddlebags, then kissed
the stole and put it on. "I'm ready."
The man's Confession was hurried, missing details he must know he
didn't have time for, but to Cortin's surprise it was an honest effort;
he actually did regret what he'd done. Imminent-death repentance
wasn't as good as trying to live a decent, useful life, but if God
found it acceptable she had to. She gave him Absolution and Communion,
less disturbed by that than she'd expected--though it still wasn't an
experience she cared to repeat.
When he'd swallowed the Host, the Brother sank back. "Thanks . . .
didn't know how much I'd missed it . . . once you've taken the oath
. . . he doesn't let you know." His eyes closed, and Cortin didn't need
Chang's murmur to tell her he was almost gone. When he spoke again,
his voice was little more than a whisper. "He's right to be . . .
afraid of you. So afraid . . . you're to be . . . left alone. It's
the nun . . . Piety's top of the . . . wipe list . . . more ways than
one . . ." He tried to laugh, choked instead. "You'll need 'em both
. . . t' beat him." That was all he could manage; with a sigh, he died.
Cortin gave him a final blessing, then resumed her gloves, put away her
stole, and wrote a note that this one required burial in holy ground.
She pinned it to his shirt, then rose and looked around.
The Service horses were still there, obedient to their dropped reins,
but only two of the others' had stayed--not enough to transport seven
or eight bodies. "Check them for ID, then get them off the road and
cover them. We can inform the residence's security people, and they
can send someone out. We'll take the horses along, though; they're
royal property now, and they need looked after."
"Right." Odeon took charge, helping pull bodies off the road and
search them, while Cortin collected the horses and mounted. None of
them expected terrorists to be carrying identification, so there was no
disappointment when they didn't find any. Half an hour after the
attack, they were ready to go again, but as Cortin was taking a final
look at the blanket-covered bodies, she got an idea, reached back into
her saddlebag for one of her spare gloves, then tossed it on one of the
bodies. "Whoever finds these plaguers won't know what that means until
later," she said, "but Team Azrael has claimed its first victory, and
it won't be our last. They'll learn."
* * * * *
The repentant Brother hadn't told her much, Cortin thought as they
rode, but the little he had said was disturbing. Shannon, so afraid of
her--why?--that he'd put her off limits. That didn't make sense;
logically, he should be doing his utmost to kill her. Instead, it was
Piety--and what did that 'in more ways than one' mean?--at the top of
their wipe list. Which also made no sense.
"Unless Shannon knows something we don't," Odeon said, riding up beside
her.
"You reading minds now?"
"Hardly--but what else would you be thinking about, after what he said?"
"True." Cortin gave him a sidelong glance. "So what possible
knowledge would have that effect? Put an Inquisitor off limits, and
target a medic? The only thing she and I have in common is that we
were both his victims."
"Surviving female victims," Odeon said. "Both associated with
Enforcement, and now both, not just one, religious." He frowned. "If
Shannon's who--or what--Sis thinks, and Tony won't dispute, God won't
let him operate unopposed for long. Though it may seem like forever to
us, depending on when he started. If it's recently, there won't be a
whole lot we can accomplish, though of course we'll have to try to
fight him--but if it's near the end of his allotted free time, it means
the Protector's about to appear. With him afraid of you and targeting
Sis, I'd say the latter's more likely, and with you two playing
important parts. Maybe his heralds, maybe part of the staff the
prophecies say he may have if Shayan's strong enough to make him need
one, there's not enough information to say--but whichever, if I'm
right, you and she are the two most important people in the Systems
right now."
Cortin tried to laugh at that conceit, but she couldn't. Mike had an
uncomfortable habit of being right, especially in this sort of thing.
On the other hand--"That's one possibility, I suppose. You have to
admit, though, it doesn't sound too plausible: that two women Shannon's
already defeated should be much of a danger to him."
Odeon frowned. "I agree. Still, it's the least unreasonable thing I
can think of, assuming he is Shayan."
"Which I doubt, in spite of Sis' conviction. But we do have to assume
a worst-case scenario, which means we turn around right now and spread
the alarm." Cortin started to rein her horse around.
"No!" Odeon exclaimed, shocking them both with the intensity of his
refusal.
"Why not?" Cortin should have been angry at his insubordination;
instead, she was curious. "You have a hunch about it?"
"Stronger than a hunch," Odeon said, frowning. "It feels like
something vital now, not just a nice idea." He shook his head. "I
don't have any hard evidence, Joanie, but I think Team Azrael's been
chosen--maybe even designed--to take on Shannon. We've got things to
do before we're ready, though. Things we've got to do alone, or with
very few and very carefully chosen people to help. And this is one of
those things."
"You make it sound like we're puppets."
"No!" Again, Odeon's intensity startled both of them. "Compulsion is
Shannon's way, not God's. He'll guide and help us as long as we're
willing to accept His backing, but He won't go beyond that unless we
specifically ask Him to." He managed a grin. "Which I did, back at
the White Fathers' monastery. And I think He just took me up on it,
because I'd never argue a lawful order on my own."
"I know--I think that's what shocked me most," Cortin said. "But . . .
Mike, you're scaring me. Sure, Azrael's good--we picked the best. And
he was telling the truth when he said Shannon was afraid of me, though
I can't imagine why, if he is Shayan. Dear God, Mike, we're only
human!"
"Humans have been known to work wonders, with God's help," Odeon
pointed out. "Though I have to admit I'm not too thrilled about going
up against His Infernal Majesty myself."
"But we both will if we have to. We all will." Cortin shuddered.
"And we'd better be in a state of grace when we do, because we're not
going to have much of a chance of coming out alive." She took a deep
breath, exhaled slowly. "But that's a good idea any time, and I'd
rather think Shannon's just a particularly nasty human. Under Shayan's
influence, of course, but not supernatural himself."
"So would I. God willing, that's how it'll work out."
* * * * *
It was still a couple of hours before dark when they got to the
retreat's main guard post. Cortin was surprised when a lieutenant
emerged to check their identification and authorization, until he told
her that Crown Prince Edward and Princess Ursula were in residence, and
went on, "Colonel Bradford and Inquisitor-Major Illyanov are in Their
Highness' party, and asked whoever met you to extend their regards.
They would like to see you when you get a chance; they're billeted in
the Manor, but we were told you and your team need privacy, so you're
assigned a field-type shelter we use when there're too many security
people here for normal quarters. I hope that'll be satisfactory."
"A shelter is fine, thanks," Cortin said. Better, in fact, than the
Manor--for her, at least. Being loaned a corner of a royal retreat was
an honor, but she was certain she'd be horribly uncomfortable in the
actual presence of royalty. Seeing Illyanov and Bradford again would
be nice, though--especially Ivan, and especially if the surgery worked,
though she was reluctant to admit an Inquisitor had that kind of
attraction for her. "I do need a couple of things, if they're
possible?"
"My pleasure, Team-Leader. What can we do for you?"
"Take care of these spare horses, and see about picking up and
identifying some bodies." Cortin gave him a brief explanation, and a
description of the location.
"I know where you mean," the Lieutenant said. "I'll be happy to see to
both. Is there anything else?"
"No, except where this shelter is." She paused, realizing she was
forgetting something. "Lieutenant Bain plans to conduct an
interrogation of our prisoner, probably within the next couple of days.
We certainly don't want to disturb Their Highnesses, though; is there
someplace remote we can use?"
"The shelter is about a kilometer from the Manor, Captain; standard
procedures will be fine." The Lieutenant turned back to the guardhouse
and called inside; seconds later, a sergeant emerged. "Sergeant
Halvorsen will guide you, then take the spare horses to the main
stable. If you don't mind him using one of them?"
"Of course not. Glad to meet you, Sergeant."
"My pleasure, ma'am." Halvorsen saluted; when she returned it, he
mounted one of the spare horses and led them another half-dozen
kilometers, past immaculate lawns and formal gardens, to a shelter that
looked odd because it was covered in multi-colored climbing roses.
"Here you are, Captain," he said with a smile. "Enjoy your stay."
"Thank you, Sergeant." Cortin dismounted as he left, leading her horse
into the shelter's stable. She needed help unsaddling--her back
wouldn't let her do it by herself any longer--but once that was done,
she was able to care for and feed Rainbow alone. She wouldn't mind
having the gelding as a permanent mount as long as she was stationed at
Middletown; he did have a smooth gait, even though she couldn't
appreciate it properly any longer, and he was beautifully responsive to
reins, knees, or voice. Once the Strike Force was activated, maybe she
would lay claim to him.
When they got into the shelter proper, Degas began fixing supper.
That, like clean-up, was normally done by turns, but he'd volunteered
for the job--he claimed in self-defense--any time they were in the
field. No one argued, after Pritchett had challenged him to show why;
he could do wonders with shelter rations, and was the only human Cortin
knew who could actually make trail rations into something you didn't
mind eating.
A knock on the door brought them all alert, though none were
anticipating trouble here; as Cortin had half expected, what they got
was company for supper, in the persons of Bradford and Illyanov. She
was glad to see them, and even more pleased that they settled into the
team's non-regulation informality as if it were a group of Inquisitors
like the one at the Eagle's Nest.
She saw Bradford's look of pleased surprise at her men's gloves, and
his slow smile of approval. "I see Team Azrael has decided on a
trademark. Did you by any chance leave a glove with the remains of
your attackers?"
Not at all surprised that they'd heard the story so quickly, Cortin
nodded. "Yes--it seemed like a good idea. Shouldn't we have?"
"That's your option, as Team-Leader. Leaving a token that way will
gain your team a reputation, which can be helpful at times--but it'll
also make you targets. So I'm leaving the choice, as I said, to the
Team-Leaders."
"We'll talk about it, then," Cortin said, a bit disturbed. "Personal
notoriety for Inquisitor Azrael will be useful--but I've discovered I'm
no longer one of the Brothers' targets, though Lieutenant Chang is at
the top of their list. I will not turn the rest of my team into
special targets without their consent."
Bradford looked incredulous. "You're not a target? I find that hard
to believe."
"One of the Brother casualties lived long enough to talk." She
explained, including Chang's conviction about Shannon's
identity--leaving out only Degas' youthful indiscretion--watching the
Colonel's face.
After a brief silence, Bradford nodded. "I've heard similar opinions,
though I'm not sure I believe them either. In that case, your team may
choose."
"Anyone else with an Inquisitor's badge is automatically at the top of
the Brothers' target list," Bain pointed out. "Me, I'll take any
advantage I can get to balance that. Though if we keep on at this
rate, we may all go broke buying gloves."
"Requisition them as team equipment," Bradford said. "Team Flame has
already put one in for candles."
"I like the idea," Odeon said thoughtfully. "Anyone on a Strike Team,
not just the Inquisitors, is going to be a prime target as soon as we
go public. So I agree with Dave--we might as well take the advantages
with the dangers."
"I didn't join Special Ops or the Strike Force for safety and
security," Degas agreed. "I'm for it."
"Same here," "And I also," came simultaneously from Pritchett and Chang.
"I'd say that settles that," Cortin said, gratified. "Shall we eat,
gentles?"
That suggestion got hearty approval, and the men served themselves
while Cortin gave her mug of broth a disgruntled look.
"Looking forward to some solid food?" Bradford asked, grinning. "Oh,
I've cleared Ivan for this experiment, since I could see how close you
two got while he was training you."
"Um." Cortin looked from him to Illyanov, whose attempt at an innocent
look might possibly have fooled a two-year-old, then back. So Ivan
wanted in too, did he? Well, she certainly didn't have any objection!
"Yes, I am," she said. "Right now, I'm not sure whether I'm looking
forward more to that, or to being able to have sex again. I suppose
I'll find out when I'm able to have both."
That got chuckles, and Chang smiled. "I will make sure you are
nourished well enough that you can make your choice without concern for
your strength."
Cortin bowed in her direction. "Thanks, Sis. That should make it fair
enough . . . as long as I'm not asked to choose between a chocolate
eclair and one of you ready for action. In that case, I'd probably try
for both at once."
"No chocolate eclairs, then," Odeon said promptly. "The other I won't
promise."
Cortin almost choked on her broth, but managed to bring herself under
control. "I wouldn't put it past any of you gentlemen, and I can't
think of anything nicer to wake up to--but any sedative strong enough
to knock me out under algetin won't leave me able to do any of us much
good for . . . how long, Sis? About a day?"
"Considerably less than that, I should say," Chang replied. "I will
discontinue the algetin only when I am convinced you are completely
healed, and the sedative I will use will fade into a natural sleep.
When you wake from that, you should be fully recovered and capable of
any exertions you care to make."
"Better than I thought, then. When do you plan to operate?"
"Tomorrow morning," Bradford answered for the medic. "I've had what
would be the armory in a real shelter set up for the operation. You
should be on your feet again within a week."
More
-
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Back on the road, about an hour later, Cortin spotted a rider coming in their direction. He was apparently daydreaming, because it was a few seconds before he saw the group--and when he did, he reined around and galloped back the way he'd come.... American Ultronic Science
Our own engineers, working in shielded laboratories far underground, had established such control over the "de-atomized" electrons as to dissect them in their turn into sub-electrons. Moreover, they had carried through the study of this "order" to... An Abstract Of The Six Messages First Received From Mr Cavor
The two earlier messages of Mr. Cavor may very well be reserved for that larger volume. They simply tell, with greater brevity and with a difference in several details that is interesting, but not of any vital importance, the bare facts of the makin... An Air Scout For Zodanga
As I proceeded on my journey toward Zodanga many strange and interesting sights arrested my attention, and at the several farm houses where I stopped I learned a number of new and instructive things concerning the methods and manners of Barsoom. ... An Astounding Discovery
"What is the matter?" cried the cook, entering the room; "when will master have his dinner?" "Never." "And, his supper?" "I don't know. He says he will eat no more, neither shall I. My uncle has determined to fast and make me fast until he... An Effort For Truth
When Eloise spoke in the ravine of talking with her grandfather, it was because for a few days she had been trying to make up her mind to an interview with him. A fortnight ago she would have felt this to be impossible; but subtle changes had been g... An Engineer's Mettle
In the morning the earthmen were called together. They came with smiling faces, which slowly changed to apprehension. There were many suggestions in as many minutes, but none that gave a possibility of accomplishing the impossible. They had to s... An Enigma From The Sea
Lieutenant Procope had been left on board in charge of the Dobryna, and on resuming the voyage it was a task of some difficulty to make him understand the fact that had just come to light. Some hours were spent in discussion and in attempting to p... An Island Tomb
No longer, then, could there be any doubt as to the annihilation of a considerable portion of the colony. Not merely had there been a submersion of the land, but the impression was more and more confirmed that the very bowels of the earth must hav... An Osnomian Marriage
Seaton awoke, hot and uncomfortable, but with a great surge of joy in his heart--this was his wedding day! Springing from the bed, he released the full stream of the "cold" water, filling the tank in a few moments. Poising lightly upon the edge, h... An Unequal Duel
But to return to my narrative, and my swooper, from which I was gazing at the interior of the Han ship. This ship was not unlike the great dirigibles of the Twentieth Century in shape, except that it had no suspended control car nor gondolas, no... An Unexpected Population
The Dobryna was now back again at the island. Her cruise had lasted from the 31st of January to the 5th of March, a period of thirty-five days (for it was leap year), corresponding to seventy days as accomplished by the new little world. Many a... An Unknown Species Of Whale
This unexpected fall so stunned me that I have no clear recollection of my sensations at the time. I was at first drawn down to a depth of about twenty feet. I am a good swimmer (though without pretending to rival Byron or Edgar Poe, who were mast... An Unseen Hunter
They calculated that they had come ten or twelve miles from the place at which they built the raft, while the damp salt breeze blowing from the south showed them they were near the ocean. Concluding that large bodies of water must be very much alik... And So To Work
I glanced at the clock on the mantel. It was five minutes to eight: time to leave, if I was to get a decent breakfast before I went to the office. I found an old hat in the closet and put it on. It would do until I had time to buy another. Last... Anguish
Tuesday, 17 March 2572 Cortin prayed harder than she could remember ever having done before, resting her hands on Odeon's forehead and chest, trying to give him her own strength in case the Protector didn't see fit to intervene. Mike had b... Another Change Of Name
Turan dashed himself against the door of his prison in a vain effort to break through the solid skeel to the side of Tara whom he knew to be in grave danger, but the heavy panels held and he succeeded only in bruising his shoulders and his arms. At ... Another Light-ray!
The news that Mercer and Anina had been left in the Twilight Country completely dumfounded Miela and me. "Something was wrong," Mercer had said. And then they had insisted on staying there, and had sent the girls back to tell me to come over. W... Another Treasure Expedition
While Tom and Mr. Damon continued on to Atlantis after the oil, the young inventor lamenting from time to time that his remarks about the real destination of the Advance had been overheard by Mr. Berg, the latter and his companion were hastening b... Ant-sized Men
Next morning, at scarcely more than daybreak, Jim and Denny stood, stripped and ready for the dread experiment, beside Matthew Breen's glass bell. The night, of course, had been sleepless. Sleep? How could slumber combat the fierce anticipations, ... Arcadia House
Little by little, Constans succeeded in piecing together the puzzle, for puzzle indeed it was. Here in this city of the dead he had found in actual operation one of the great power-producing plants of the ancient world. How to account for the mira... Arrival
The Columbus left as soon as Medart's ship, the Empress Lindner, entered orbit. Battle cruisers were far too large to land in a gravity field as strong as St. Thomas', so he came down in one of the bus-sized landers along with a single pilot/bo... As In A Looking-glass
Arcadia House, while it certainly stood in need of the repairer's hand, was by no means uninhabitable, a fact which spoke well for the honesty of its old-time builders. Its oak beams, fastened together with tree-nails instead of iron spikes, were ... As Long As You Wish
If, somehow, you get trapped in a circular time system ... how long is the circumference of an infinitely retraced circle? The patient sat stiffly in the leather chair on the other side of the desk. Nervously he pressed a coin into the pal... At A Venture
The voyage of the Abraham Lincoln was for a long time marked by no special incident. But one circumstance happened which showed the wonderful dexterity of Ned Land, and proved what confidence we might place in him. The 30th of June, the frigate ... At Any Cost
The suggestion of the Star came like a revelation. It was accepted everywhere. Not only were these three vehicles the work of the same inventor; they were the same machine! It was not easy to see how the remarkable transformation could be p... At Downing Street
That night, at eight o'clock, I was summoned to Downing Street. I left Sarakoff lying on the sofa, apparently asleep. I drove the first part of the way in a taxi, but at the corner of Orchard Street the cab very nearly collided with another vehicl... At Full Steam
At this cry the whole ship's crew hurried towards the harpooner--commander, officers, masters, sailors, cabin boys; even the engineers left their engines, and the stokers their furnaces. The order to stop her had been given, and the frigate now si... At Ghek's Command
Turan the panthan chafed in his chains. Time dragged; silence and monotony prolonged minutes into hours. Uncertainty of the fate of the woman he loved turned each hour into an eternity of hell. He listened impatiently for the sound of approaching fo... At Hampton Court
The long rows of windows in Hampton Court Palace were still a blaze of light, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour. The double post of the royal uhlans before the entrance was still busy, for the unceasing arrival and departure of officers of ... At Port Stowe
Ten o'clock the next morning found Mr. Marvel, unshaven, dirty, and travel-stained, sitting with the books beside him and his hands deep in his pockets, looking very weary, nervous, and uncomfortable, and inflating his cheeks at infrequent interva... At Seventy-eight Thousand Five Hundred And Fourteen Leagues
What had happened? Whence the cause of this singular intoxication, the consequences of which might have been very disastrous? A simple blunder of Michel's, which, fortunately, Nicholl was able to correct in time. After a perfect swoon, which la... At The Arizona Cave
It was dark when I opened my eyes again. Strange, stiff garments were upon my body; garments that cracked and powdered away from me as I rose to a sitting posture. I felt myself over from head to foot and from head to foot I was clothed, thoug... At The Gale's Mercy
Tara of Helium did not return to her father's guests, but awaited in her own apartments the word from Djor Kantos which she knew must come, begging her to return to the gardens. She would then refuse, haughtily. But no appeal came from Djor Kantos. ... At The House In Great Portland Street
For a moment Kemp sat in silence, staring at the back of the headless figure at the window. Then he started, struck by a thought, rose, took the Invisible Man's arm, and turned him away from the outlook. "You are tired," he said, "and while I s... At The Mercy Of The Winds
As the affrighted cormorants had winged their flight towards the south, there sprang up a sanguine hope on board the schooner that land might be discovered in that direction. Thither, accordingly, it was determined to proceed, and in a few hours aft...