Fiction spectacular, p.29
Fiction Spectacular, page 29
It was true. Even as she voiced the words, Barry realised it. He had been thinking just that. But how had she known? A chill ran through him.
“You are a strange man—Barry—I will show you the place of my destiny—and yours.”
More than anything else, Barry noticed that she had used his name. But he failed to grasp the meaning of her words.
“Look into my eyes.”
It was a command. But it wasn’t necessary. Barry found his gaze riveted to hers. The green swirling depths of her eyes expanded, grew outward, until he seemed to be engulfed by them. He was lost in fiery whirlpools, his senses reeled, his vision blurred, and then—
His sight had suddenly cleared. But what he saw was no longer the room in the house of Doctor Anubis—he was gazing out over a vast sunlit plateau. The dazzling light of the sun for the moment blinded him. He seemed to be rushing through space toward the ground far below—to some pre-destined point. Vague looming shapes rose in his path. And then suddenly he knew what he was seeing!
It was the great plateau at Gizeh! And rising from the sand around him, it’s shadow stretching far across the desert, it’s eyes watching unseeing over the Valley of Life, stood what Barry had heard Bedouin tribesmen describe in hushed voices as the—“Father of Terror”—
It was the Sphinx!
CHAPTER V
I Am The Key
BARRY was unaware how long a time had passed before the vision faded. It might have been long minutes or a fleeting second. But when it did, and his eyes once more saw the room about him, he was startled to find himself no longer standing.
He was sitting again on the edge of the bed, and Zaleikka, a look of triumph on her features, was seated close beside him. The scent of Lotus blossoms struck him at her nearness.
“You are convinced—now?”
Her words roused hint. Almost fearfully he looked again into her eyes. Everything in him rebelled—this was fantastic! Lie had actually seen the Sphinx! Good Lord, had Anubis been right?
“Tell me, what did you see?”
Barry nervously lit a cigarette. “The Sphinx,” he replied slowly. “How did you do it—hypnotism?”
Zaleikka shook her head. “No, it is one of the secrets that died with my ancestors. I simply transported your mind to Egypt to show you—”
“You mean that I was actually there?”
She smiled. “Not in a physical sense. But you were there mentally.”
“It’s fantastic! How did you do it?” She folded her hands in her lap. Had the surroundings been different, and had she been clad in modern garments, Barry felt that he might have been looking at an exquisite young girl of the modern world. Looking at her now—her skin soft and appealing, her body youthful with life—Barry saw something else. It was in her eyes, a glimpse of ages long past.
“How I do it is unimportant; what is more important is that you understand.”
Barry sighed. “If I said I understood I’d be lying. How can I be expected to understand how a mummy that I personally know to be over three thousand years old, suddenly becomes endowed with life! But even granting that my doubts are shaken—why all this secrecy? With your knowledge of ancient Egypt you could startle the world.”
“Why bother to startle something you can rule.”
“Rule?” The word slipped from Barry’s lips as he stared at her. For a moment he failed to grasp the significance of her statement. But one look at her features, cold and imperious now, was eloquent answer without her reply.
“Yes—Barry—I said rule. For that is my destiny planned and carried out by the great Khafre and his Priests of Karnak. I am the key to the ancient science and might of Egypt. Through me the power of the Pharaohs will rise again!”
BARRY sat still, listening. The eyes of Zaleikka had drifted from him, seemed almost to be staring into some long forgotten memory. Even her voice carried a far off note, and Barry, watching her intently, felt his pulse leap. Was he going to learn at last something of the hidden meaning behind Anubis’ words?
“I was born in the Temple of Karnak,” she spoke again, almost as if she were reciting carefully chosen phrases from a history book. “My father was the High Priest Ammon Tankh, most powerful of all men but for the King himself. From childhood on I was reared and trained for the great mission, the experiment long planned by Khafre himself.
“The science of Egypt was great, and Khafre was a wise and powerful ruler. He and my father laid plans to preserve the might and power of the Pharaohs through the ages. It was unthinkable that Egypt, the Mother of Life should one day fall into obscurity. But such was the vision of the Priests of Karnak. They foresaw the fall of the dynasty and the rise of Western civilization and culture.
“Long had our science been utilized and perfected. We had solved the secret of body decay, we knew and developed the power of the mind and thought travel. We had weapons whose source of power sprang from Ammon Ra, the God of Light himself. But we had no need of them because none lived to challenge the majesty of Egypt.
“The Priests of Karnak studied deeply. They looked into the future to foretell the fall of Egypt. And this had to be averted. For this reason I was chosen, an obscure woman, a priestess. No one would look for the key in me, it was unthinkable to even suspect that a woman could hold the secret of the Pharaohs. In that lay the wisdom of our plan. Men of the future would rob and desecrate our dead. They would break into our burial vaults hunting for the secrets of our science and civilization. But they would fail, for many were the tracks left to lead them astray. And yet, there would be evidences left to give a clue. The pyramids of Seti, and Khafre among them. How were these massive structures built? I have seen some of your modern theories in books which Anubis has explained to me. You think we had tens of thousands of slaves working over a period of years. And even with this theory in mind you still fail to understand how huge pieces of stone could be vaulted into place by mere physical labor.
“I saw the second pyramid—the Temple of Khafre—built. It took but a week’s time. The stone blocks were cut with rays of heat flame. They were lifted into place by machines, tiny as the palm of my hand, that deprived them of weight so that the blocks were as bubbles floating in the air.
“Your scientists of this age are fools! They depict us struggling through the centuries, a barbaric people. It is your modern age that is decadent! Our science, unlike yours, was not built on mechanical principles. Machines grow rusty, are cumbersome, fall apart. We studied and conquered the secrets of nature, of the Father of Life, the Sun. We drew our power from the primeval source, and it is indestructible.
“AND thus it but remained for the plan to be executed. Our science was great, our race the rightful rulers the weapons and power we had never of the World. The Priests of Karnak assembled the secrets of our science, used—weapons that can destroy entire cities in a moment’s time! They were assembled in the Temple of Wisdom, and I was made ready for my role.
“A vault was to be built that would last through the ages. A vault so cleverly constructed that no man would suspect. It was to be a work of art for future people to ponder on, to examine, but yet fail to guess its purpose or discover its secret.
“Khafre built it wisely. Close to the great Pyramid at Ghizeh he erected a statue of a God-Man. He fashioned his own likeness on its face. Beneath it, deep within the sands at its feet, he built the vault.
“The power of our age was put in this vault, and the vault was then sealed. It was closed so securely that no man would ever discover it without the key. I was the key. I was taught the means of opening the vault, of releasing the hidden knowledge.
“And then I was sent into my long slumber. The fingers of time were to claim me, but not destroy me. I lived in my tomb, slumbering on, until the time for my awakening. But not even this was left to chance. Ammon Tankh, my father, secretly inscribed instructions on a specially prepared papyrus. This papyrus was imbedded deep within Karnak, and clues were planted through the centuries to lead a descendant of the Temple Priests to it. Once the papyrus was found, it would lead the seeker to me, with the necessary means of awakening me.
“This has come about, as planned by Khafre and his Priests. I have been awakened, and my destiny is plain. I shall open the vault, and with true descendants of the ancient race, utilize the powers stored there to replace the might of the Pharaohs upon the world!”
IT had been a long discourse. Barry was hardly aware that her voice had trailed off into silence, so engrossed had he become. It was unbelievable, what she had said, utterly fantastic! But Barry suddenly realized with a cold grip of fear that he believed her! And if what he believed was true, the world, just painfully arising from the tangled debris of World War II, was about to be plunged into a third—more devastating, and worse, with no counter measures ready or conceivably possible to prevent it!
He was aware that her eyes were once again fixed upon him.
“You know now why I showed you the vault, Barry, in your vision.”
He started. The vision—of course! He remembered her reference now to a god-man statue built by Khafre, the Sphinx! The eternal riddle of Egypt—the only human made structure standing through the ages unexplained! But if what she had told him were true, it was no longer a riddle, it was clear, terribly so, and it stood looming over the Nile as a menace to modern civilization! And this woman—so innocent and sweet in appearance—held the key to an arsenal that once unleashed would destroy the heroic labors of the world’s leaders in establishing a peace that had been long fought for!
“There is fear on your face, Barry. Of what are you afraid?”
He looked at her and knew his face was pale. Of what was he afraid? Good Lord! She sat there, so demure and unconcerned, speaking of weapons that could destroy entire cities, of forces beyond modern comprehension, and she was unmoved!
“You can’t do it, Zaleikka!” Barry found his voice strained.
Her delicate eyebrows arched. “What can’t I do?”
“This—this whole mad scheme you’ve outlined to me—do you realize that the world is just getting over a major war? We’re just now licking our wounds and you talk of plunging the world into another war!” He paused as a sudden thought struck him. “Or is this merely the plan of Anubis?”
Her lips smiled scornfully. “Anubis is but a tool I wield. I do not understand all these other words you say. I do not plan to throw the world into turmoil as you suggest. I am carrying out a destiny that was decided upon long centuries ago. Egypt must return to its place in the Sun. Nothing can stop this destiny. If the world chooses to resist . . .”
She shrugged her bared shoulders and Barry saw in the movement all the meaning her words tried to convey. She was cold, aloof, imperious to sympathy. She could not be swayed. She had been schooled well, reared in an age when life was cheap, when suffering was for those unfortunate enough to hinder the plans or progress of the ruling caste. And more than that, she was something alien, she didn’t belong. Barry felt choked up inside. He knew now what Doctor Anubis had hinted at, why it had been important to get Joan Forrest and him out of the way. There was still time to wreck Anubis’ plans! Had he given in to Zaleikka just to humor her? Or was there something else? . . .
HE WAS aware that he was staring at her with a fixed intensity. And he was equally aware that an amused smile was crossing her features. With an effort he pulled his gaze away.
“Tell me, Zaleikka, just why have you confided all this information to me? What is to prevent me from escaping and—”
“You cannot escape. You will never escape—Barry.”
What did she mean? Why was she so sure? How did he possibly fit into the picture? Barry realized that there was no existing bond between him and this strange woman. He had come seeking only a mummy . . .
“What about Anubis?” he asked her. “Why didn’t you let him kill me, why—”
“Anubis,” Barry was surprised to hear her utter the word with scorn. “Anubis is an impostor. True he is descended from the ancient line of Egypt, but he is not descended from the Temple. He is a very wise man, this Anubis. By some means he found the secret of my awakening. I know he has the papyrus that was secreted in Karnak. He knows of the plan set forth by Khafre. He knows I am the key. I will let him continue because I need him now. I am in a strange land. I do not speak any modern tongue. I need his aid to reach the Valley of Life. Once there I will no longer need Anubis . . .”
Her voice trailed off but Barry knew what she had meant. She would use Anubis as long as she needed him, and then kill him with no compunction! The utter coldness of her sickened him. To his eye she was breathtakingly beautiful. But inside she was hard, grim, cruel.
“And what about me?” Barry asked icily, paused, and added: “And Miss Forrest.”
Zaleikka’s eyes grew thoughtful. “For you, Barry,” her voice was low and vibrant, “I have personal plans. For the girl,” she shrugged and Barry couldn’t help but notice the emphasis she placed on the word girl as she paused, “she will be taken care of . . .”
“What are you getting at?” Barry asked frowning. “Just what plans do you have for me that Anubis hasn’t?”
The Egyptian woman reached out a slender hand. Barry felt a warm tingling touch as her fingers brushed his. “Do you not find me—attractive, Barry?”
She was very close to him. Barry could feel the warm fragrance of her breath, and he was suddenly aware of a pounding in his throat. He thought of Joan Forrest, flashing blue eyes, copper gold hair, a pert upturned nose, and most of all, the simple honestness of her. Beside Joan, all the foreign exotic beauty of Zaleikka paled. But not when he looked into her eyes . . .
Her face was inches from his. Her lips were half parted, her small white even teeth twin rows of smooth ivory. And in her eyes, deep flickering pools of myrtle flame, he saw all the pent up emotions of three thousand years. He was suddenly engulfed by them, powerless to resist.
He wasn’t aware his arms had tightened around her until her lips crushed against his. His senses swept away in a searing kiss of passionate flame. In that moment nothing mattered but Zaleikka—he wanted to hold her in his arms forever, closer, closer . . .
A cough sounded behind them.
Zaleikka broke away from Barry and whirled to her feet. She stood, eyes flashing, a red angry flush rushing to her face. And Barry followed her gaze toward the door.
Doctor Anubis stood silently on the threshold, watching them.
CHAPTER VI
You Cannot Escape Me
“WHAT is the meaning of this?” Zaleikka demanded coldly. “By what right do you spy on me?”
Anubis fixed frosty eyes on her. Barry noted that he was clad in a conventional pearl gray worsted. He watched for some expression on Anubis’ face. There was none there.
“It would seem that I come just in time,” Anubis replied quietly.
“You knew I was here!” Zaleikka stormed.
Anubis nodded.
“It is that pig, Hassan! He ran straight to you!”
“Hassan is my most able assistant. He acts only in the best interests of our cause.”
“He is a pig! If this were in the court of Khafre I would have him flayed!”
It was the first real show of emotion Barry had seen Zaleikka display. The flush had left her features, leaving them a pale ivory. Her whole body trembled in anger. Barry glanced quickly at Anubis. His back was to the open door. The hallway beckoned enticingly. If he could reach it . . .
Anubis put his right hand in his coat pocket. There was a significant bulge. Anubis flashed a warning glance at Barry. “Stay where you are, Mr. Randall.” Then he looked back at the Egyptian woman. “I am sorry you feel angry with Hassan. I can assure you, Zaleikka, that he is one of your most devoted followers. Even now he is on an important errand for us that will allow us to begin our journey.”
His words seemed to have a soothing effect on Zaleikka. Barry guessed that it was not so much the words, as the absence of the anger she had expected. As Barry himself had experienced in the study earlier, the utter calm of this man defeated Zaleikka.
“And now, I would like a few words with Mr. Randall—alone.”
Zaleikka lifted her head imperiously. She walked swiftly past Anubis and out the door. Once outside she turned swiftly and Barry caught the full impact of her eyes. There was a message written there, but before he could catch it, she was gone.
“And now, Mr. Randall.”
Barry swung his gaze back to Anubis. He had shut the door with his free hand and stood with his back to it.
Barry got up slowly from the edge of the bed. He was aware suddenly that his hands were moist with sweat. Had Anubis been standing outside in the hall all along? How much had he heard?
“A very touching scene, Mr. Randall, I must compliment you. You sought to gain Zaleikka as an ally behind my back. But then, women have always been fools where men are concerned, even a woman three thousand years old.” He took a silver cigarette case from his left coat pocket and proferred it. “Cigarette? They are of Egyptian tobacco, I prefer them.”
Barry shook his head.
“You seem nervous, Mr. Randall,” Anubis flicked the lighter on the cigarette case and then pocketed it. His eyes, cold and steady, never left Barry. Wisps of smoke streamed from his delicate nostrils.
BARRY took a step forward. “Just how long are you going to hold me here?” he demanded. “And what about Miss Forrest?”
“Ah. But rest your fears, Mr. Randall, I will not detain you long—now.” Anger surged inside Barry. This man was so sure of himself. Had he really heard Zaleikka? He took another step.
“It would be best if you stood still, Mr. Randall. I have no desire to hasten your death. In the meantime, now that you understand my goal, we can talk intelligently.”
Barry stopped. “So you did hear what Zaleikka told me!”
