Goose of Hermogenes Read Online Free PDF Page A

upon my will, without the normal media of words or other suggestions. Once, the impression of psychic attack or invasion became so strong that I needed all my force to resist it. None the less, my will was instinctively bent on such resistance, since I felt that unless I succeeded in this, I should be irretrievably swept away. A kind of paralysis descended on my limbs as I fought; and so much energy was drained from my physical form that I found myself for some while unable to stir. But when it found me impenetrable, the influence left me and I could move again.
    One night I must have felt the atmosphere of the house so oppressive that I went into the grounds and strolled about, instead of trying to rest. Or perhaps I had dozed off and begun to walk in my sleep; however that may be, I found myself outside the house though near it, in company with the Anchorite, concealed behind some bushes. I do not remember how I fell in with him; whether I had visited the gate-house, or found him also taking the night-air; or whether perhaps he had been set to watch and follow me. In any case, he was at my side, and we were both peering through the darkness at a shadowy figure. This was my Uncle, prowling through the shrubbery which flanked the opposite wing of the mansion; he carried a light which he showed from time to time, and seemed to be playing some strange game of Jack-o-lantern, either with himself or in the hope of attracting a phantom searcher. I felt sure, however, that he did not wish me to come and find him; and presently, a suspicion that he was observed began to agitate him, and he flashed his lantern here and there in the hope of discovering the spy. Then he began to mutter, and it seemed that from the darkness about him some companion replied; he next called out, but neither the Anchorite nor I answered a word. A beam from the lantern fell and remained directly upon the sparse bushes that protected us; it passed between their slender twigs and lighted up my hands. The Anchorite whispered to me to remain immobile; it seemed inevitable that my Uncle would see me, and be angered by my nocturnal roving and prying; but all at once he put out or covered the light, and passed on.
    It was then that I became certain that he wanted my jewels; I was wearing rings and bracelets, and it was only by a miracle that the rays of the lamp had not glinted on their gold. The resolution came to me that I must leave his precincts; I turned to the Anchorite, and kissing the ends of his girdle in a gesture of farewell, I slipped away from him. For a moment a gleam from the fitful moon illumined the depth of his eyes, and he gave me a look which I could not interpret. Then I made off towards the gate-house. I had formulated no plan, but hoped that through pity or negligence he might have left open some way of escape.
    Soon the dusky mass of the building loomed before me; I strained my eyes to see whether by any chance the heavy doors under the archway were parted and had ceased to bar my way to the world outside. Yes, a square patch of twilight appeared between their massive lintels; and as I came nearer I saw that both gates were drawn back, inviting me to freedom. I ran forward as if to embrace the universe; but found that I could not pass beyond the shadow of the walls. The same nightmarish immobility which I had experienced several times while in my room now weighted my limbs; but this time I could not even struggle, let alone resist successfully. I knew with a sickening sense of futility that my greatest efforts would be unequal to the power which imprisoned me. The open gates were a mockery; invisible barriers more powerful than any bolts of theirs restrained me from going through.
    I could but turn away from the tantalizing prospect of a freedom which I might not achieve. Sauntering forlornly up the narrow avenue on my return to the mansion, my steps obscured by the shades of night as well as by a double line of sentinel firs, my foot struck