METROPOLIS farther and farther from Metropolis. He was as obstinate as only a man can be when he knows Slim's will to be behind him. I begged and I threatened. But nothing was of any use. So then, with one of his OWl tools, I smashed in his skull," Freder's fingers, which were still resting on Josaphat's arm, tightened their hold a little; but they lay still again iromediately. "Then I jumped Qut, and I was so far away from Metropolis that a yotlng girl who picked me up in the field did not know the great Metropolis even by name.... I came here and found no message from you, and all that I found out was that you were ill....n He hesitated and was silent, looking at Freder. "I am not ill,» said Freder, looking straight ahead. He loosened his fingers from Josaphat's arm and bent forward, laying the palms of both hands Hat on his head. He spoke into space.... "But do you believe, Josaphat. that I am mad?" "No."
"But I must be,» said Freder, and he, shrank together, so narrow that it seemed as if a little boy, filled with a mighty fear, were sitting in his place. His voice sounded suddenly quite high and thin and something in it brought the water to Josaphat's eyes. Josaphat stretched out his hand, fumbled, and found Freder's shoulder. His hand closed around his neck and drew him gently towards him, holding him still and fast. "Just tell me about it, Mr. Frederl" he said. "I do not think there are many things which seem insuperable to me since I sprang, as though from heaven to earth, from the aeroplane which was steered by a dead man, Also," he continued in a soft voice, "I learnt in one single night that one can bear very much when one has some one near one who keeps watch, asks nothing and is simply there." "I am mad, Josaphat," said Freder. "But-1 don't know if it is any consolation-1 am not the only one... ." ]osaphat was silent. His patient hand lay motionless on Freder's shoulder. And sl1ddenly. as though his soul were an over-filled vessel, which had lost its balance, to'ppled over and poured out in
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