Page:Weird Tales Volume 8 Number 3 (1926-09).djvu/56

chair. Then—I do not know what they did to me, for I fainted. But when I awoke everyone was gone and it was all cold and dark. So, finding myself free, I thought: 'Radovitch, thou hast broken free from the jail. Some brandy will cure thee, and thou hast credit at the saloon.' Then, instantly, I found myself in the saloon, hut none heeded me when I called, nor seemed to see me. So I thought: 'Either thou art escaped and they fear to recognize thee, or thou art dreaming. Thou shalt awake in prison.' And immediately I was back in the prison. Then I saw men lowering something into the ground, and looked, and it was I. Then I thought: 'Thou art dead, Radovitch, and dost wander in purgatory.'"

"He means his body was destroyed," supplemented Brodsky.

"And then I remembered one who had cared for me when I was in my cell, and I saw this little house, and thought: 'Thou canst easily take possession of this little house, Radovitch, and they will not know who resides within. Thus thou shalt have love and care and in time thou shalt forget that thou wert ever Radovitch. And thou shalt go to school and learn to be wise and good.' So I drove out the occupant of this little house, and entered into it, and just as I had entered thou didst come here to question me."

I can not describe the chill of fear that descended upon us—upon the jailer and me, as we gazed upon the motionless figure in the chair and listened to this recital. And what added tenfold to it was the sight of the child's body, empty of its owner and haunted by this bestial, lurking murderer. No pity stirred our breasts; but for Brodsky I think that we, too, should have become murderers.

Presently Brodsky began speaking again, in slow tones filled with emotion. He took the child's cold hand between his own.

"Radovitch," he said, "listen to what I will tell thee. Thou art truly dead; thou hast died and paid the full penalty for thy crimes. And because thou wert born to misfortune and sin and ignorance—doubtless in retribution for past wickedness—it may be that God will not hold thee to further accountance. Such things do not rest with me to decide, nor is there any human judgment that may fitly condemn thee, seeing that forgiveness is for God only. But, Radovitch, consider what thou hast done.

"Because thou didst die and find thyself alone thou hast sought out a house for lodgment. Thou hast broken into another's house and occupied it and driven out her that lived there. And thou hast done this unto the only one in the world that ever was kind to thee. Such a thing God may permit, but he assuredly will not forgive.

"Radovitch, thou hast stolen what is another's and hast brought misery to those who have done thee no evil. This is no house for thee. Depart."

"I must go?" stammered the voice pitifully.

"Thou must go," said Brodsky solemnly. "It may be that in his time God will again make a house for thee. Thou shalt be born again, where love and care and comfort such as thou hast not known shall meet thee. Then forgetfulness of the past shall also be granted thee. So go and wait in patience until the summons comes. Go! I adjure thee by———"

What was the adjuration of the doctor I do not know. It may have been some cabalistic invocation such as has been handed down among the wise men of the Jews from time immemorial. I heard only a whisper of words, saw the figure collapse, saw hatred and love, anger, repentance struggling upon the white face. And suddenly the figure fell backward in the chair, motionless.