The King in Yellow Gradually Hardening German B2

THEREPAIREROFREPUTATIONS

Neraillonspaslesfous;

leurfoliedurepluslongtempsquelanôtre....

Voilatouteladifférence."

Towardtheendoftheyear1920theGovernmentoftheUnitedStateshad

praktisch

practicallycompletedtheprogramme,adoptedduringthelastmonthsofPresidentWinthrop'sadministration.

Thecountrywasapparentlytranquil.

EverybodyknowshowtheTariffandLabourquestionsweresettled.

ThewarwithGermany,incidentonthatcountry'sseizureoftheSamoanIslands,hadleftnovisiblescarsuponthe

republik

republic,andthetemporaryoccupationofNorfolkbytheinvadingarmyhadbeenforgotteninthejoyoverrepeatednavalvictories,andthesubsequentridiculousplightofGeneralVonGartenlaube'sforcesintheStateofNewJersey.

TheCubanandHawaiianinvestmentshadpaidonehundredper

prozent

centandtheterritoryofSamoawaswellworthitscostasacoalingstation.

Thecountrywasinasuperbstateofdefence.

Everycoastcityhadbeenwellsuppliedwithlandfortifications;

thearmyundertheparentaleyeoftheGeneralStaff,

organisiert

organizedaccordingtothePrussiansystem,hadbeenincreasedto300,000men,withaterritorial

reserve

reserveofamillion;

andsixmagnificentsquadronsofcruisersandbattle-shipspatrolledthesixstationsofthenavigableseas,leavingasteamreserveamplyfittedtocontrolhomewaters.

ThegentlemenfromtheWesthadatlastbeenconstrainedtoacknowledgethatacollegeforthetrainingofdiplomatswasasnecessaryaslawschoolsareforthetrainingofbarristers;

consequentlywewerenolongerrepresented

im ausland

abroadbyincompetentpatriots.

Thenationwas

wohlhabend

prosperous;

Chicago,foramomentparalyzedafterasecondgreatfire,hadrisenfromitsruins,whiteand

kaiserlich

imperial,andmorebeautifulthanthewhitecitywhichhadbeenbuiltforitsplaythingin1893.

Everywheregood

architektur

architecturewasreplacingbad,andeveninNewYork,asuddencravingfor

anstand

decencyhadsweptawayagreat

teil

portionoftheexistinghorrors.

Streetshadbeenwidened,properlypavedandlighted,treeshadbeenplanted,squareslaidout,elevatedstructuresdemolishedandundergroundroadsbuiltto

ersetzen

replacethem.

Thenewgovernmentbuildingsandbarrackswerefinebitsof

architektur

architecture,andthelongsystemofstonequayswhichcompletelysurroundedtheislandhadbeenturnedintoparkswhichprovedagod-sendtothe

bevölkerung

population.

Thesubsidizingofthestatetheatreandstate

oper

operabroughtitsownreward.

TheUnitedStatesNationalAcademyofDesignwasmuchlikeEuropeaninstitutionsofthesamekind.

NobodyenviedtheSecretaryofFineArts,eitherhiscabinetpositionorhisportfolio.

TheSecretaryofForestryandGamePreservationhadamucheasiertime,thankstothenewsystemofNationalMountedPolice.

WehadprofitedwellbythelatesttreatieswithFranceandEngland;

theexclusionofforeign-bornJewsasa

maßnahme

measureofself-preservation,thesettlementofthenewindependentnegrostateofSuanee,thecheckingof

einwanderung

immigration,thenewlawsconcerningnaturalization,andthegradualcentralizationofpowerinthe

exekutive

executiveallcontributedtonationalcalmand

wohlstand

prosperity.

WhentheGovernmentsolvedtheIndianproblemandsquadronsofIndian

kavallerie

cavalryscoutsinnativecostumewere

ersetzt

substitutedforthepitiableorganizationstackedontothetailofskeletonizedregimentsbyaformerSecretaryofWar,thenationdrewalong

seufzer

sighofrelief.

When,afterthecolossalCongressofReligions,bigotryandintolerancewerelaidintheirgravesand

freundlichkeit

kindnessandcharitybegantodrawwarringsectstogether,manythoughtthe

jahrtausend

millenniumhadarrived,atleastinthenewworldwhichafterallisaworldbyitself.

Butself-preservationisthefirstlaw,andtheUnitedStateshadtolookoninhelpless

kummer

sorrowasGermany,Italy,SpainandBelgiumwrithedinthethroesof

Anarchie

Anarchy,whileRussia,watchingfromtheCaucasus,stoopedandboundthemonebyone.

InthecityofNewYorkthesummerof1899wassignalizedbythedismantlingoftheElevatedRailroads.

Thesummerof1900willliveinthememoriesofNewYorkpeopleformanyacycle;

theDodge

Statue

Statuewasremovedinthatyear.

InthefollowingwinterbeganthatagitationfortherepealofthelawsprohibitingsuicidewhichboreitsfinalfruitinthemonthofApril,1920,whenthefirstGovernmentLethalChamberwasopenedonWashingtonSquare.

IhadwalkeddownthatdayfromDr.Archer'shouseonMadison

Avenue

Avenue,whereIhadbeenasamere

formalität

formality.

Eversincethatfallfrommyhorse,fouryearsbefore,Ihadbeentroubledattimeswithpainsinthebackofmyheadandneck,butnowformonthstheyhadbeen

abwesend

absent,andthedoctorsentmeawaythatdaysayingtherewasnothingmoretobecuredinme.

Itwashardlyworthhis

gebühr

feetobetoldthat;

Iknewitmyself.

StillIdidnotgrudgehimthemoney.

WhatImindedwasthemistakewhichhemadeatfirst.

WhentheypickedmeupfromthepavementwhereIlay

bewusstlos

unconscious,andsomebodyhadmercifullysentabulletthroughmyhorse'shead,IwascarriedtoDr.Archer,andhe,pronouncingmybrainaffected,placedmeinhisprivateasylumwhereIwasobligedto

ertragen

enduretreatmentforinsanity.

AtlasthedecidedthatIwaswell,andI,knowingthatmymindhadalwaysbeenassoundashis,ifnotsounder,"paidmytuition"ashejokinglycalledit,andleft.

Itoldhim,smiling,thatIwouldgetevenwithhimforhismistake,andhelaughedheartily,andaskedmetocallonceinawhile.

Ididso,hopingforachancetoevenupaccounts,buthegavemenone,andItoldhimIwouldwait.

Thefallfrommyhorsehad

glücklicherweise

fortunatelyleftnoevilresults;

onthe

gegenteil

contraryithadchangedmywholecharacterforthebetter.

Fromalazyyoungmanabouttown,Ihadbecome

aktiv

active,energetic,temperate,andaboveall—oh,aboveallelse—ambitious.

Therewasonlyonethingwhichtroubledme,Ilaughedatmyownuneasiness,andyetittroubledme.

DuringmyconvalescenceIhadboughtandreadforthefirsttime,TheKinginYellow.

IrememberafterfinishingthefirstactthatitoccurredtomethatIhadbetterstop.

Istartedupandflungthebookintothe

kamin

fireplace;

thevolumestruckthebarredgrateandfellopenonthehearthinthefirelight.

IfIhadnotcaughta

blick

glimpseoftheopeningwordsinthesecondactIshouldneverhavefinishedit,butasIstoopedtopickitup,myeyesbecamerivetedtotheopenpage,andwithacryofterror,orperhapsitwasofjoysopoignantthatIsufferedinevery

nerv

nerve,Isnatchedthethingoutofthecoalsandcreptshakingtomybedroom,whereIreaditandrereadit,andweptandlaughedandtrembledwithahorrorwhichattimesassailsmeyet.

Thisisthethingthattroublesme,forIcannotforgetCarcosawhereblackstarshangintheheavens;

wheretheshadowsofmen'sthoughtslengthenintheafternoon,whenthetwinsuns

sinken

sinkintothelakeofHali;

andmymindwillbearforeverthememoryofthePallidMask.

IprayGodwillcursethewriter,asthewriterhas

verflucht

cursedtheworldwiththisbeautiful,stupendouscreation,terribleinits

einfachheit

simplicity,irresistibleinitstruth—aworldwhichnow

zittert

tremblesbeforetheKinginYellow.

WhentheFrenchGovernmentseizedthe

übersetzten

translatedcopieswhichhadjustarrivedinParis,London,ofcourse,became

eifrig

eagertoreadit.

Itiswellknownhowthebookspreadlikeaninfectiousdisease,fromcitytocity,from

kontinent

continenttocontinent,barredouthere,confiscatedthere,

verurteilt

denouncedbyPressandpulpit,censuredevenbythemostadvancedofliteraryanarchists.

Nodefiniteprincipleshadbeen

verletzt

violatedinthosewickedpages,no

lehre

doctrinepromulgated,noconvictionsoutraged.

Itcouldnotbejudgedbyanyknownstandard,yet,althoughitwas

anerkannt

acknowledgedthatthesupremenoteofarthadbeenstruckinTheKinginYellow,allfeltthathumannaturecouldnotbearthe

belastung

strain,northriveonwordsinwhichthe

wesen

essenceofpurestpoisonlurked.

Theverybanalityand

unschuld

innocenceofthefirstactonlyallowedtheblowtofallafterwardwithmoreawfuleffect.

Itwas,Iremember,the13thdayofApril,1920,thatthefirstGovernmentLethal

Kammer

ChamberwasestablishedonthesouthsideofWashingtonSquare,betweenWoosterStreetandSouthFifth

Avenue

Avenue.

Theblockwhichhad

früher

formerlyconsistedofalotofshabbyoldbuildings,usedascafésandrestaurantsforforeigners,hadbeen

erworben

acquiredbytheGovernmentinthewinterof1898.

TheFrenchandItaliancafésandrestaurantsweretorndown;

thewholeblockwasenclosedbyagildedironrailing,and

umgewandelt

convertedintoalovelygardenwithlawns,flowersandfountains.

Inthecentreofthegardenstoodasmall,whitebuilding,

stark

severelyclassicalinarchitecture,andsurroundedbythicketsofflowers.

SixIoniccolumnssupportedtheroof,andthesingledoorwasof

bronze

bronze.

Asplendidmarblegroupofthe"Fates"stoodbeforethedoor,theworkofayoungAmericansculptor,BorisYvain,whohaddiedinPariswhenonlytwenty-threeyearsold.

TheinaugurationceremonieswereinprogressasIcrossedUniversityPlaceandenteredthesquare.

Ithreadedmywaythroughthesilentthrongofspectators,butwasstoppedatFourthStreetbyacordonofpolice.

regiment

regimentofUnitedStateslancersweredrawnupinahollowsquareroundtheLethalChamber.

OnaraisedtribunefacingWashingtonParkstoodtheGovernorofNewYork,andbehindhimweregroupedtheMayorofNewYorkandBrooklyn,theInspector-GeneralofPolice,theCommandantofthestatetroops,ColonelLivingston,military

hilfe

aidtothePresidentoftheUnitedStates,GeneralBlount,commandingatGovernor'sIsland,Major-GeneralHamilton,commandingthe

garnison

garrisonofNewYorkandBrooklyn,

Admiral

AdmiralBuffbyofthefleetintheNorthRiver,Surgeon-GeneralLanceford,thestaffoftheNationalFreeHospital,SenatorsWyseandFranklinofNewYork,andthe

Kommissar

CommissionerofPublicWorks.

ThetribunewassurroundedbyasquadronofhussarsoftheNationalGuard.

TheGovernorwasfinishinghis

antwort

replytotheshortspeechoftheSurgeon-General.

Iheardhimsay:

"Thelawsprohibitingsuicideandprovidingpunishmentforanyattemptatself-destructionhavebeenrepealed.

TheGovernmenthasseenfittoacknowledgetherightofmantoendan

existenz

existencewhichmayhavebecome

unerträglich

intolerabletohim,throughphysicalsufferingormental

verzweiflung

despair.

Itisbelievedthatthecommunitywillbe

profitieren

benefitedbytheremovalofsuchpeoplefromtheirmidst.

Sincethepassageofthislaw,thenumberofsuicidesintheUnitedStateshasnot

gestiegen

increased.

NowtheGovernmenthasdeterminedtoestablisha

Tödliche

LethalChamberineverycity,townandvillageinthecountry,itremainstobeseenwhetherornotthatclassofhumancreaturesfromwhosedespondingranksnewvictimsofself-destructionfalldailywillacceptthe

erleichterung

reliefthusprovided."

Hepaused,andturnedtothewhiteLethal

Kammer

Chamber.

Thesilenceinthestreetwasabsolute.

"Thereapainlessdeathawaitshimwhocannolongerbearthesorrowsofthislife.

Ifdeathiswelcomelethimseekitthere."

Thenquicklyturningtothemilitary

hilfe

aidofthePresident'shousehold,hesaid,"Ideclarethe

Tödliche

LethalChamberopen,"andagainfacingthevastcrowdhecriedinaclearvoice:

"CitizensofNewYorkandoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica,throughmetheGovernmentdeclarestheLethalChambertobeopen."

Thesolemn

stille

hushwasbrokenbyasharpcryofcommand,thesquadronofhussarsfiledaftertheGovernor's

kutsche

carriage,thelancerswheeledandformedalongFifth

Avenue

Avenuetowaitforthecommandantofthe

garnison

garrison,andthemountedpolicefollowedthem.

Ileftthecrowdtogapeand

starrte

stareatthewhitemarbleDeathChamber,and,crossingSouthFifth

Avenue

Avenue,walkedalongthewesternsideofthatthoroughfaretoBleeckerStreet.

ThenIturnedtotherightandstoppedbeforeadingyshopwhichborethesign:.

HAWBERK,ARMOURER.

IglancedinatthedoorwayandsawHawberkbusyinhislittleshopattheendofthehall.

Helookedup,andcatchingsightofmecriedinhisdeep,heartyvoice,"Comein,Mr.Castaigne!"

Constance,hisdaughter,rosetomeetmeasIcrossedthe

schwelle

threshold,andheldoutherprettyhand,butIsawthe

erröten

blushofdisappointmentonhercheeks,andknewthatitwasanotherCastaigneshehadexpected,mycousinLouis.

Ismiledather

verwirrung

confusionandcomplimentedheronthe

banner

bannershewasembroideringfromacolouredplate.

OldHawberksatrivetingtheworngreavesofsomeancientsuitof

rüstung

armour,andtheting!

ting!

ofhislittle

hammer

hammersoundedpleasantlyinthequaintshop.

Gegenwärtig

Presentlyhedroppedhishammer,andfussedaboutforamomentwithatiny

schraubenschlüssel

wrench.

Thesoftclashofthemailsenta

nervenkitzel

thrillofpleasurethroughme.

Ilovedtohearthemusicofsteelbrushingagainststeel,themellowshockofthemalletonthighpieces,andthejingleofchainarmour.

ThatwastheonlyreasonIwenttoseeHawberk.

Hehadneverinterestedmepersonally,nordidConstance,exceptforthefactofherbeinginlovewithLouis.

Thisdidoccupymyattention,andsometimesevenkeptmeawakeatnight.

ButIknewinmyheartthatallwouldcomeright,andthatIshouldarrangetheirfutureasIexpectedtoarrangethatofmykinddoctor,JohnArcher.

However,Ishouldneverhavetroubledmyselfaboutvisitingthemjustthen,haditnotbeen,asIsay,thatthemusicofthetinklinghammerhadformethisstrong

faszination

fascination.

Iwouldsitforhours,listeningandlistening,andwhenastraysunbeamstrucktheinlaidsteel,the

gefühl

sensationitgavemewasalmosttookeento

ertragen

endure.

Myeyeswouldbecomefixed,dilatingwithapleasurethatstretchedevery

nerv

nervealmosttobreaking,untilsomemovementoftheoldarmourercutofftherayofsunlight,then,stillthrilling

heimlich

secretly,Ileanedbackandlistenedagaintothesoundofthepolishing

lappen

rag,swish!

swish!

rubbingrustfromtherivets.

Constanceworkedwiththeembroideryoverherknees,nowandthenpausingto

untersuchen

examinemorecloselythepatterninthecolouredplatefromtheMetropolitanMuseum.

Whoisthisfor?"

Iasked.

Hawberkexplained,thatinadditiontothetreasuresof

rüstung

armourintheMetropolitanMuseumofwhichhehadbeen

ernannt

appointedarmourer,healsohadchargeofseveralcollectionsbelongingtorichamateurs.

ThiswasthemissinggreaveofafamoussuitwhichaclientofhishadtracedtoalittleshopinParisontheQuaid'Orsay.

He,Hawberk,hadnegotiatedforandsecuredthegreave,andnowthesuitwascomplete.

Helaiddownhis

hammer

hammerandreadmethehistoryofthesuit,tracedsince1450fromownertoowneruntilitwas

erworben

acquiredbyThomasStainbridge.

Whenhissuperb

sammlung

collectionwassold,thisclientofHawberk'sboughtthesuit,andsincethenthesearchforthemissinggreavehadbeenpusheduntilitwas,almostbyaccident,locatedinParis.

Didyoucontinuethesearchsopersistentlywithoutany

gewissheit

certaintyofthegreavebeingstillinexistence?"

Idemanded.

Ofcourse,"herepliedcoolly.

ThenforthefirsttimeItookapersonalinterestinHawberk.

Itwasworthsomethingtoyou,"Iventured.

No,"hereplied,laughing,"mypleasureinfindingitwasmyreward."

Haveyouno

ehrgeiz

ambitiontoberich?"

Iasked,smiling.

Myone

ehrgeiz

ambitionistobethebestarmourerintheworld,"heansweredgravely.

ConstanceaskedmeifIhadseentheceremoniesattheLethalChamber.

Sheherselfhadnoticed

kavallerie

cavalrypassingupBroadwaythatmorning,andhadwishedtoseetheinauguration,butherfatherwantedthe

banner

bannerfinished,andshehadstayedathisrequest.

Didyouseeyourcousin,Mr.Castaigne,there?"

sheasked,withtheslightesttremorofhersofteyelashes.

No,"Irepliedcarelessly.

"Louis'

regiment

regimentismanœuvringoutinWestchesterCounty."

Iroseandpickedupmyhatandcane.

Areyougoingupstairstoseethelunaticagain?"

laughedoldHawberk.

IfHawberkknewhowIloathethatword"lunatic,"hewouldneveruseitinmypresence.

ItrousescertainfeelingswithinmewhichIdonotcaretoexplain.

However,Iansweredhimquietly:

"IthinkIshalldropinandseeMr.Wildeforamomentortwo."

Poorfellow,"saidConstance,withashakeofthehead,"itmustbehardtolivealoneyearafteryearpoor,crippledandalmostdemented.

Itisverygoodofyou,Mr.Castaigne,tovisithimasoftenasyoudo."

Ithinkheisvicious,"observedHawberk,beginningagainwithhis

hammer

hammer.

Ilistenedtothegoldentinkleonthegreaveplates;

whenhehadfinishedIreplied:.

No,heisnotvicious,norisheintheleastdemented.

Hismindisawonderchamber,fromwhichhecanextracttreasuresthatyouandIwouldgiveyearsofourlifetoacquire."'.

Hawberklaughed.

Icontinuedalittleimpatiently:

"Heknowshistoryasnooneelsecouldknowit.

Nothing,however

trivial

trivial,escapeshissearch,andhismemoryissoabsolute,so

präzise

preciseindetails,thatwereitknowninNewYorkthatsuchamanexisted,thepeoplecouldnothonourhimenough."

Nonsense,"mutteredHawberk,searchingonthefloorforafallenrivet.

Isitnonsense,"Iasked,managingto

unterdrücken

suppresswhatIfelt,"isitnonsensewhenhesaysthatthetassetsandcuissardsoftheenamelledsuitof

rüstung

armourcommonlyknownasthe'Prince'sEmblazoned'canbefoundamongamassofrustytheatricalproperties,brokenstovesandragpicker'srefuseinagarretinPellStreet?"

Hawberk's

hammer

hammerfelltotheground,buthepickeditupandasked,withagreatdealofcalm,howIknewthatthetassetsandleftcuissardweremissingfromthe"Prince'sEmblazoned."

IdidnotknowuntilMr.Wildementionedittometheotherday.

Hesaidtheywereinthegarretof998PellStreet."

Nonsense,"hecried,butInoticedhishand

zitterte

tremblingunderhisleathernapron.

Isthisnonsensetoo?"

Iaskedpleasantly,"isitnonsensewhenMr.Wilde

ständig

continuallyspeaksofyouasthe

Marquis

MarquisofAvonshireandofMissConstance—".

Ididnotfinish,forConstancehadstartedtoherfeetwith

schrecken

terrorwrittenoneveryfeature.

Hawberklookedatmeandslowlysmoothedhisleathernapron.

Thatisimpossible,"heobserved,"Mr.

Wildemayknowagreatmanythings—".

About

rüstung

armour,forinstance,andthe'Prince'sEmblazoned,'"Iinterposed,smiling.

Yes,"hecontinued,slowly,"about

rüstung

armouralso—maybe—butheiswrongin

bezug

regardtotheMarquisofAvonshire,who,asyouknow,killedhiswife'straduceryearsago,andwenttoAustraliawherehedidnotlongsurvivehiswife."

Mr.

Wildeiswrong,"murmuredConstance.

Herlipswereblanched,buthervoicewassweetandcalm.

Letusagree,ifyouplease,thatinthisone

umstand

circumstanceMr.Wildeiswrong,"Isaid.

Iclimbedthethreedilapidatedflightsofstairs,whichIhadsooftenclimbedbefore,andknockedatasmalldoorattheendofthecorridor.

Mr.WildeopenedthedoorandIwalkedin.

Whenhehaddouble-lockedthedoorandpushedaheavychestagainstit,hecameandsatdownbesideme,peeringupintomyfacewithhislittlelight-colouredeyes.

Halfa

dutzend

dozennewscratchescoveredhisnoseandcheeks,andthesilverwireswhichsupportedhisartificialearshadbecomedisplaced.

IthoughtIhadneverseenhimsohideously

faszinierend

fascinating.

Hehadnoears.

Theartificialones,whichnowstoodoutatan

winkel

anglefromthefinewire,werehisone

schwäche

weakness.

Theyweremadeof

wachs

waxandpaintedashellpink,buttherestofhisfacewasyellow.

Hemightbetterhaverevelledinthe

luxus

luxuryofsomeartificialfingersforhislefthand,whichwasabsolutelyfingerless,butitseemedtocausehimno

unannehmlichkeiten

inconvenience,andhewassatisfiedwithhiswaxears.

Hewasverysmall,scarcelyhigherthanachildoften,buthisarmsweremagnificently

entwickelt

developed,andhisthighsasthickasanyathlete's.

Still,themostremarkablethingaboutMr.Wildewasthatamanofhismarvellousintelligenceandknowledgeshouldhavesuchahead.

Itwasflatandpointed,liketheheadsofmanyofthoseunfortunateswhompeopleimprisoninasylumsfortheweak-minded.

Manycalledhiminsane,butIknewhimtobeas

gesund

saneasIwas.

Idonotdenythathewas

exzentrisch

eccentric;

themaniahehadforkeepingthatcatand

necken

teasingheruntilsheflewathisfacelikeademon,wascertainly

exzentrisch

eccentric.

Inevercouldunderstandwhyhekeptthecreature,norwhatpleasurehefoundinshuttinghimselfupinhisroomwiththissurly,viciousbeast.

Irememberonce,glancingupfromthe

manuskript

manuscriptIwasstudyingbythelightofsometallowdips,andseeingMr.Wildesquattingmotionlessonhishighchair,hiseyes

ziemlich

fairlyblazingwithexcitement,whilethecat,whichhadrisenfromherplacebeforethe

herd

stove,camecreepingacrossthefloorrightathim.

BeforeIcouldmovesheflattenedherbellytotheground,crouched,

zitterte

trembled,andsprangintohisface.

Howlingandfoamingtheyrolledoverandoveronthefloor,scratchingand

kratzend

clawing,untilthecatscreamedand

floh

fledunderthecabinet,andMr.Wildeturnedoveronhisback,hislimbscontractingandcurlinguplikethelegsofadying

spinne

spider.

Hewaseccentric.

Mr.

Wildehadclimbedintohishighchair,and,afterstudyingmyface,pickedupadog's-earedledgerandopenedit.

HenryB.

Matthews,"heread,"book-keeperwithWhysotWhysotandCompany,dealersinchurchornaments.

CalledApril3rd.

Reputationdamagedontherace-track.

Knownasawelcher.

Reputationtobe

repariert

repairedbyAugust1st.

RetainerFiveDollars."

Select Store

Scan with Camera