Terror in the Modern Vein

by Donald A Wollheim (ed)

  I nodded, for the vision of them was yet clear; too clear.

  "Well," my friend went on, "Jenkins blinked rather wildly at Ridges a moment, then with his hands clutching at the chair arms as though he were about to leap at us, he turned slowly about and tensely looked each of us in the eye. Then abruptly he nodded. He leaned toward me.

  " 'Give me your glasses,' he demanded with a snap.

  I drew them from my case, and handed them over.

  Jenkins held them high that all might see.

  " 'There!' he cried, and waved his other hand dramatically.

  "Ridges chuckled again.

  " 'Ah, yes,' he murmured - 'there - there.'

  " 'Can't you see?' shouted Jenkins, appealing to the rest of us.

  "I nodded.

  "'If you drop those glasses I'll have to see something pretty substantial, my friend," I said, for the thunder of his fist explosion still jangled on my nerves.

  "'But you can see right through them,' cried Jenkins as he belittled my attempt at wit with a deprecatory wave of his hand. 'You put them over your eyes to aid your sight. You see right through them. And yet they're made of a solid substance, concrete, hard; one of the densest compounds known, glass is. And yet you use it to aid your sight - to aid it.'

  "Well, for a moment I thought the man's study had made him suddenly mad. Then his eyes turned steadily again upon mine, and I saw that I was wrong - quite wrong.

  "Gilson laughed loudly again.

  " 'Burns certainly doesn't use them for blinkers, Mr. Jenkins,' he bellowed heartlessly.

  "Ridges was silent. Yet when at last Jenkins's gaze shifted from mine I saw that Ridges was chewing his cigar very reflectively. He knew Lemuel Jenkins better than we, then.

  " 'And yet,' the little biologist went on, still holding my glasses high - 'and yet you can see through the stuff - a solid mineral substance.'

  "This time we all nodded. I don't know why, but I suppose it was because we all felt the man was in dead earnest about something. We nodded. And Jenkins smiled.

  " 'And so,' he went on - 'and so I say: it can be done - it is possible.'

  "He smiled again upon us, and with such an air of gentle condescension that I felt a renewed resentment over our sudden disturbance arise. I glanced about at the others and saw enough to convince me that they, too, felt as did I. Our peace had been interrupted. Yet Hathaway, who had not yet spoken, fidgeted in his chair, and turned his cigar over and over in his hands as he stared at the glasses Jenkins had laid upon the table.

  " 'You mean -?' he hinted.

  " 'Did you ever see a jellyfish?' demanded Jenkins.

  " 'Yes - yes!' exclaimed Hathaway.

  " 'Umph!' came a soft grunt from Ridges as he pulled at his cigar.

  " 'Like glass -' Jenkins went on.

  "Young Gilson roared.

  " 'He's going to make eye-glasses out of jellyfish! Oh, Lord - ha, ha, ha. Eye-glasses out of jellyfish!'

  "Hathaway speared the youngster a glance. Then turned back to Jenkins, who was restlessly tapping the table top, and spoke quickly:

  " 'And the jellyfish is as transparent as the glass - and yet is not a mineral substance like that lens, but is organic, is animal!' he prompted quickly.

  "Jenkins smiled.

  " 'You've got my point,' he commanded, and nodded again in his new condescending way. 'The jellyfish is as clear as glass, and yet is a live animal organism, a living body. I was working on one this morning and the thought occurred to me,'

  "He paused a moment. Ridges gave another soft grunt. Gilson turned upon me his humorous eye. Thoughtful Hathaway groped among the rugs for his cigar. I began to feel slightly uncomfortable. Then Jenkins went on.

  " 'As I cut the thing up it occurred to me: if this animal can live and be transparent, quite invisible indeed when in its natural element, then why are there not other animals existing in the same condition?'

  "Hathaway leaned forward.

  " 'Yes, yes!' he breathed again.

  "Jenkins waved his hand melodramatically now.

  " 'And why cannot there be found, say by a more open-minded organic chemistry, or a more profound and analytical study of biological processes, some substance which will render any animal body - even your own, say - absolutely invisible. Invisible,' he repeated, 'and yet, nevertheless allow it yet to live.'

  "Having delivered himself of this rather astounding notion, he leaned back, picked up his forgotten cigar, and calmly surveyed us as we stared. Gilson it was who first broke the silence with some absurd criticism - but he subsided at another glance from Hathaway.

  " 'That's what I mean when I say: it can be done!' repeated Jenkins smoothly again. 'And I believe it, I believe it -the thing can be done. The only question is: how?' He paused a moment, then shot another question. 'Did you ever see one of these little lizards that take on the colour of their surroundings?'

  "Hathaway leaned forward.

  " 'A chameleon?' he exclaimed. 'You put one on a green leaf and he turns green, on yellow sand and he becomes yellow; in mottled shadow, and he at once changes colour to suit? I've seen them, yes.'

  "Jenkins leaned back in satisfaction.

  " 'What's to prevent them becoming quite transparent then, if that will help them any better?' he said quietly, cocking one eyebrow sagely.

  "Gilson broke into another roar of laughter - yet, somehow, in it I felt I discerned an undercurrent of something that was not his usual whole-hearted fun. Gilson was beginning to think, perhaps, and the laughter was a cover. That, however, I cannot say. At any rate, he leaned forward and cried, with well-dissembled horror in his voice:

  " 'And you could feel it wriggle in your hand, that slimy lizard, and yet not be able to see it?'

  "Ridges shivered in his chair. Jenkins's eyes lit up - as they did when I recognized him at last to-day.

  " 'Why not?' he snapped.

  "Ridges cleared his throat.

  " 'Then' - he said, speaking for the first time since Jenkins's idea had really dawned upon us 'then you believe that a human being could by some means become transparent and yet still live? In other words, that he might sit just as you are sitting, in that chair there, and we could see the sinking of the cushions, the depression made by his body - and yet he, himself, or you, could not be seen. Would be invisible?'

  "Jenkins nodded, and let his eye move about the group. Hathaway appeared lost in thought. Even Gilson said no word. The others simply stared at the little biologist as though he had suddenly lost his wits.

  " 'Why not?' snapped Jenkins again.

  "Ridges shifted in his chair.

  " 'And so you believe something could be found that, injected into a man, say, or if he were bathed in it, would do him no harm, and yet would make him invisible?' he questioned earnestly.

  " 'Place some oil on paper, and it makes it almost transparent, doesn't it?' Jenkins defended eagerly. "If something that would so affect animal bodies could be found, and a man would work his mind to accept the thing, really deep in his subconscious mind and without that ever-present subconscious doubt with which we are so prone to unconsciously combat new ideas, accept it, believe it - the thing could be done. Like the jellyfish, the oiled paper, the chameleon

  -he would become quite invisible. That' - concluded Jenkins with a grave nod - 'that is the idea that came to me in the lab this morning. And the impression of that new idea was so strong that I found myself wondering how it was that I had never thought of the thing before. So strong, that I can say that I, for one, deep down really do believe the thing is possible."

  "Hathaway looked up squarely at Jenkins a moment, then just as gravely nodded and spoke.

  " 'Nothing - he said in a quiet tone - nothing, in this day and age, absolutely nothing is impossible.'

  "So solemnly did the words follow Jenkins's declaration that I felt a curious little tingling all over my skin. Even Gilson stared moodily at the table top. Then abruptly Jenkins stood up and stretched.

  " 'I ph
one Santa Craz for some white jellyfish at noon to-day, just after I became convinced about it. They have made no answer yet, as I required. If - if you gentlemen will excuse me just a moment, I - I wish to - to -'

  "When the heavy door had rumbled shut behind him, and the smoke-hazed room once more become the silent, cave-like haunt of soothing quiet, we looked into each other's eyes. As I reflected on the dim-lit faces before me I wondered what was going on in the mind behind each. I wondered what the calmly puffing Ridges thought in that deep well of sarcasm and mockery hid behind his snapping black eyes. I wondered what Hathaway saw with that far-away look he directed towards a half-obscured corner of the ceiling as idly he twisted the cigar in his two hands. I wondered just what care-free witticism was ready to leap from the tip of Harvey Gilson's ready tongue as he stared down at the table top. I wondered if the sobering influence of Jenkins's earnestness was yet upon him.

  "As for my own conclusion, P. M., as to that, I must confess I really had none. I hadn't yet had time. Jenkins, so Ridges had told us all often enough before finally we bid the biologist into the club, was highly imaginative, most sensitively impressionable, as openminded as nature itself, and ever ready to receive any new development of modern science. I knew one thing, of course, and of that was absolutely certain - Jenkins was not playing with us. He really did believe in his new idea. But as yet all I could do was simply to keep open-minded myself and await developments.

  "And then again the soothing, twilight silence of our room was broken. This time by Ridges at the far opposite angle of the great walnut table.

  " 'Well?' he questioned. And with the one word was silent.

  "All cleared their throats.

  " 'What do you think?" Again the drawling voice was that of Ridges.

  "For several minutes again there was deep, thinking, silence. Then, with a harsh laugh, Gilson spoke.

  " 'I've an idea - might do some good.' The words were directed at Ridges.

  " 'Some good?' questioned the latter, as he raised his brows.

  Gilson laughed again - this time a delicious laugh that rounded out into a deep chuckle of pure enjoyment that was a relief to all of us. The tingling of my skin was swept away by a general feeling of certainty and saneness.

  " 'Humph, humph,' chuckled Gilson again. 'He says things can be made invisible, Jenkins does - and believes it. Believes it. Says he's going to practise on jellyfish 'til he finds the cause of their transparency, and then is goin' to apply it to other animals. Humph - I've got the idea all right.'

  "Ridges lay down his cigar and carefully wiped his lips with his handkerchief.

  " 'Well?' he hinted, with his old sarcastic drawl again in evidence.

  " 'Old Jenkins believes it can be done,' repeated young Gilson. 'Believes animals, men, could be quite invisible. Lucky he's so mad to get those jellyfish people on the phone. Gives us our chance.'

  "Gilson paused and surveyed us with a widespread grin. Hathaway frowned. Ridges tapped the table.

  " 'Well?' the latter hinted again, his black little eyes intent upon the youngster beside me.

  " 'He believes it might be done even by himself,' repeated Gilson. Then threw out his arms 'Well, why not?'

  "We stared, and the man chuckled.

  " 'Say!' he cried - 'the way his fist crashed down on that table left me half deaf. And here's our chance. When Jenkins comes back we won't see him, see? He may talk, and we'll look surprised. But we can't see him. He'll have suddenly become invisible, see? Just work that game on him and soon enough he'll get sick of the idea - and we'll get even to boot. His -'

  "A loud cry suddenly broke in upon the would-be joker. It was Hathaway, his face as white against the sombre background as the moon behind scudding clouds, his cigar crushed in his fist.

  " 'No, no, no! Not that, not that!' he cried, actual agony in his voice - 'I wouldn't do that!'

  "Gilson's jaw dropped. Then he threw back his head and whooped.

  " 'You'll make the best actor of the bunch,' he cried, 'if you keep that face and that voice.'

  "Hathaway swallowed convulsively." 'But - but I mean it. I - I -'"Gilson turned from him with a nod and a grin."'You fellows get me, then? When we hear Jenkins at the door we'll all be looking at something else. Then when we turn about we'll expect to see Jenkins, and - he won't be there.'

  " 'Oh!' gasped Hathaway, staring with his white face. I was not so sure as Gilson that the man was acting - it was too real. But the joker ran on.

  " 'We'll be horribly surprised at his condition, of course, and talk. And poor Jenkins, he'll sit there, and - oh, I tell you, he'll soon get enough -'

  "Again came a cry from Hathaway.

  " 'No, no, gentlemen, don't do that. Don't do it. Jenkins might - Jenkins believes - he -' The man's voice broke.

  "Ridges caught my eye a moment, and elevated a brow. Then he nodded questioningly towards Hathaway. I shrugged my shoulders - I felt it would be better to let things take their course without my interference, and would rather leave the matter in Ridges's hands - he knew Jenkins. Ridges contemplated the half-frightened man a moment, then spoke decidedly.

  "'It can do no harm. Besides, we do owe friend Lemuel Jenkins something for scaring us with that crash upon the table. It can do no harm. And I know Lem Jenkins. I know -'

  "'Great!' cried Gilson. 'It's a go, then. And it'll cure the man of this fool notion as well.

  Jenkins -"

  "Hathaway leaned forward almost pleadingly.

  " 'Don't do it,' he whispered huskily.

  " 'But why not?' snapped Gilson.

  "Hathaway shrugged his shoulders.

  " 'I don't know - I can't quite understand, myself. I - I just wouldn't, that's all. Oh, I wouldn't

  -'

  " 'Nonsense!" cried Gilson, determined now to carry his point through.

  "Hathaway threw up his hands and leaned stiffly back in his chair. The rest of us stared thoughtfully at the ceiling a moment. Then Gilson, all enthusiasm again, continued.

  " 'See what he does,' he cried. 'See if he thinks of this morning's idea. See how he likes it all. And above all, be serious about it. You fellows must act your parts.'

  "Ridges cleared his throat. One of the other two men, I forget which, lit a new cigar, and I saw his hand tremble with the match. Then we heard softly muffled steps approaching. Ridges sprang up and poked at the coals on the hearth. Gilson leaped up to his side.

  " 'He's coming,' he whispered, and his voice had become suddenly quite serious.

  'Remember, everybody - don't give the thing away - serious - serious.'

  "Hathaway stiffened forward.

  " 'I wouldn't - I -'

  "But Ridges turned from the hearth and snapped his black eyes, and Hathaway leaned back once more. Then, as the door slid open, Ridges spoke as if in answer to me.

  " 'If a man believes a thing strongly enough, then, you would say he could do, or be, what he believes. That about right?'

  "I nodded dumbly. Then I caught the point.

  " 'Absolutely.' I agreed. Then I quoted: 'That which a man in his heart believes, he is.' There's more in some of those ancient sayings than we think. It's not all surface talk. It's not all figurative language. Some of it is meant to he taken literally, and I believe that little saying is one of that kind - a man really is, or does in time become, that which he persistently and consistently thinks he is. It's absolutely literal truth. It's the same old thing of the mind dominating the body - the world - old truth.

  "No one paid the slightest attention to Jenkins, who had slid in a quietly preoccupied manner into his deep chair, and was now intently gazing at the wrapper of his cigar.

  "Gilson by the hearth chuckled. Hathaway had risen stiffly, and his back was towards me as he faced the glowing hearth with the others. Gilson questioned softly.

  " 'Power of the mind, you say - even to turning invisible?'

  "That was the cue. Ridges gave a queer hunch and bent over the fire, at which he began to assiduously poke
with the tongs.

  " 'Ask Jenkins,' he tossed carelessly over his shoulder.

  "Jenkins, slumped in his chair, and as I could see from the tail of my eye, had really been following the conversation, trying to get the thread of it, now raised his head.

  " 'Ask what?' he queried in a low voice.

  "Ridges bent and picked at the coals.

  " 'Yes,' he repeated, as though no answer had been made by anyone - 'ask Jenkins.'

  "Gilson half turned and gave me a twinkling glance. Jenkins had fallen back into his cushions again.

  " 'I would if he were here,' I answered with a slight yawn.

  "Jenkins, who was seated not two steps down the table, looked up quickly.

  " 'Well?" he hinted, staring at me.

  "Ridges turned slowly, and blinkingly surveyed the darkened room. His eyes even rested a moment upon the unsuspecting little biologist.

  " 'Why,' he muttered, half apologetically, 'I thought Jenkins had come back.' Jenkins's face changed slightly, and a queer bit of interest flickered in his eyes. 'I thought he'd come back. That's strange. Surely -' Ridges hesitated a moment, and glared absently at Jenkins's chair. Then quickly continued: "But when he does come we'll get an opinion worth while. I tell you, gentlemen, and I tell it in all seriousness, when Lemuel Jenkins gets a hunch, as Gilson here would say, why look out! He generally knows what he's talking about. And when he says now that a thing can live and yet be invisible, he means it - and it's mighty likely to be truth. When he comes back -'

  "Jenkins looked up rather puzzled a moment. Then laughed - a bit loudly. Ridges looked about and frowned.

  " 'That door' - he hesitated again - 'I'd swear I heard it open a moment ago.'

  "He stared about at us.

  " 'Who laughed just now?' he demanded harshly, and his voice held a frightened note. His acting was perfect, his face a marvel of expression. 'Who laughed - which one of you?' he cried.

  "Jenkins cackled queerly. Then as our eyes all centred unseeingly upon him, his eyes widened upon us in a way that was more than bewildered.