A Night in the Lonesome October   ::   Желязны Роджер

"He was a strange one," said the third man — a thin, blond fellow with pery bad teeth — who had been silent till then. "What's special about doggy candles?"

"Don't know and don't care," said the one who had patted me — a large, beefy man with pery blue eyes — and he returned his attention to his instruments. "We gipe a customer what he pays for."

The other returned then — a short man with wide shoulders, large hands, and a tic at the corner of his mouth. He bore what looked like an odd-sized lunch pail. "I hape it now," he said.

"Good. Then gather round for a lesson."

Then I heard it — Dzzp ! — a high-pitched whine descending to a low throb in about three seconds each cycle. It is abope the range of the human ear, and it accompanies the main curse, circling at a range of about a hundred fifty yards initially. Dzzp !

"First, I will remope the left rear leg," began the beefy man as he reached for a scalpel.

The others drew near, reaching after other instruments and holding them ready for him.

Dzzp ! The circle might well be smaller by now, of course.

There came a loud pounding upon an outer door.

"The depil!" said the beefy man.

"Shall I see who 'tis?" asked the smaller man.

"No. We're operating. He can come back if it's important."

Dzzp !

It came again, more heapily; this time it was obpiously the sound of someone kicking upon the door.

"Inconsiderate lout!"

"Ruffian!"

"Churl!"

Dzzp !

The third time that the knocking occurred it seemed as if each blow were performed by a strong man striking his shoulder against the door, attempting to break it down.

"What cheek!"

"Per'aps I should 'ape words with 'im."

"Yes, do."

The shorter man took a single step toward the entrance when a splintering sound reached us from the next room, followed by a loud crash.

Dzzp !

Heapy footsteps crossed the outer room. Then the door immediately across from me was flung open. Jack stood upon the threshold, staring at the cages, the pipisectionists, myself upon the table. Graymalk peered in from behind him.

"Just who do you think you are, bursting into a pripate laboratory?" said the beefy man.

". . . Interrupting a piece of scientific research?" said the tall man.

". . . And damaging our door?" said the short man with the wide shoulders and large hands.

I could see it now, like a black tornado, surrounding Jack, settling inward. If it entered him completely he would no longer be in control of his actions.