UNFATHOMABLE SCOUNDREL
I must go back now to that time at dawn in Central Park, when we were
set upon by Turber and his men. I recall that something struck me and
I fell. Turber was holding Nanette. I caught him by the legs as I went
down, but he kicked me off. Then I was struck again and everything went
black.
When I recovered consciousness I was lying on a bunk in a small cabin
of Turber's aero. I seemed not greatly hurt. I sat up, wholly confused
at first; then lay down again, listening to the hum of the room,
feeling the metal bunk vibrating beneath me.
My head was roaring; my hair was matted with blood from a ragged scalp
wound, and I was sore and bruised all over. But I lay and felt my
strength coming back.
I was alone in the tiny cabin. It was not much more than twice the size
of the bed. There was a vague silver glow in it; I could see a small
window with a transparent pane. And a door. The door stood ajar.
I got to the floor on my feet and stood swaying dizzily. I felt queerly
light-headed--as though I were about to float away. My revolver was
gone; so were my overcoat and hat and outer jacket.
I lurched to the window. The aero seemed poised a hundred feet or so
above the ground. I gazed, incredulous, at a blurred, shifting, melting
landscape.
The aero was traveling in Time. But I recall that in my confusion, only
half conscious, I could not realize what this might mean. And suddenly
I was faint. I tumbled back onto the cot. I fainted--or drifted away
into sleep.
I was awakened by a sound near me. I sat up abruptly, this time fully
conscious and clear-headed. Turber stood in the cabin regarding me.
"Well, you've come to yourself at last?"
I sank back on one elbow. "Yes. What are you doing to me?" I gulped
with a sudden thought. "Where is--where's Nanette?"
"So you're worried about her? Be consoled--she's worried about you. And
she has cause."
He stood toying with his ribbon, dangling his glasses. He was dressed
as I had seen him at the hospital. He regarded me sardonically.
"You're alive--let that suffice."
I moved to get up, but he waved me back. "Don't bother. You will annoy
us if you come out. Are you hungry?"
"No," I said.
"Nanette and I will be breakfasting presently."
I added, "I am hungry."
That amused him. My mind was active now--fully alert. I asked: "We're
traveling in Time, aren't we? Where are we going? What do you want with
Nanette and me? This is all very strange."
I was trying to gauge him. I managed a smile, as though my situation
were annoying, but nothing more. "Shall I come out and have something
to eat with you?"
His smile broadened. Satanic scoundrel. Inscrutable. He said:
"Yes. I'll call you." And then his whole face changed as though a mask
had dropped upon it. He rasped: "You, Edward Williams--what are you to
Nanette?"
It took me wholly by surprise. I stammered: "Why, an old friend."
"Yes?" He changed again. He purred it. His hunched shoulders were
exaggerated as he leaned forward, and his fingers were unconsciously
stroking his waist-coat. "Yes? Nothing more than that?"
More than that! It flooded me now; I knew in that instant what all my
life I had not known before--how dear Nanette had grown to me--of all
the world, most dear.
I must have been stammering. He cut me short. "Strange that Fate should
have delivered you into my hands." Purring again; he seemed like a cat,
licking his lips. His eyes roved me. "She loves you."
I gathered my wits. "What are you talking about? Nanette love me? What
nonsense!" My tone sounded hollow; his black gaze was boring into me.
I said boldly: "Why should it bother you?"
* * * * *
I wondered why he had not already killed me. He answered, not only my
question, but almost my thought.
"A girl who amounts to nothing, but it happens that I love her. Wolf
Turber--the great Wolf Turber--you would not think it of me, would you?"
Unfathomable fellow! There was almost sincerity mixed with the irony of
his tone. "And because I want her love--she has just a little hold over
me." He added wryly: "I've just now promised her I would not kill you.
She thinks of nothing else, so I promised her--to get it off her mind."
I managed, "Well, I thank you both."
"You need not. Her brother Alan--there is no complication with him
since we left him dead back there in the park."
It sent a shudder over me; but somehow I did not believe it.
A man stood at the door. "Wolf Turber, will you come?"
"Coming, Jonas."
Turber leaned smilingly over me. Against all my will, I shrank back
from his grinning, massive face.
"I will not kill you. But this you need not mention to Nanette--there
are things not so pleasant as being swiftly killed. We will take you
with us. She and I--we'll take you to my great city. And when we get
there she will see you as a hideous object, Williams." His chuckle was
gruesome. "If she has love in her heart for you, it will vanish when
she beholds you as you will be then."
He straightened. "Lie where you are. When I call you can come out--if
you promise not to be troublesome."
He closed the door upon me.