按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
BEASTS AND SUPER…BEASTS
BEASTS AND SUPER…
BEASTS
H。 H。 MUNRO （〃SAKI〃）
1
… Page 2…
BEASTS AND SUPER…BEASTS
THE SHE…WOLF
LEONARD BILSITER was one of those people who have failed to
find this world attractive or interesting； and who have sought
compensation in an 〃unseen world〃 of their own experience or
imagination … or invention。 Children do that sort of thing successfully；
but children are content to convince themselves； and do not vulgarise
their beliefs by trying to convince other people。 Leonard Bilsiter's
beliefs were for 〃the few；〃 that is to say； anyone who would listen to
him。
His dabblings in the unseen might not have carried him beyond the
customary platitudes of the drawing…room visionary if accident had not
reinforced his stock…in… trade of mystical lore。 In company with a friend；
who was interested in a Ural mining concern； he had made a trip
across Eastern Europe at a moment when the great Russian railway
strike was developing from a threat to a reality； its outbreak caught him
on the return journey； somewhere on the further side of Perm； and it was
while waiting for a couple of days at a wayside station in a state of
suspended locomotion that he made the acquaintance of a dealer in
harness and metalware； who profitably whiled away the tedium of the
long halt by initiating his English travelling companion in a
fragmentary system of folk…lore that he had picked up from Trans…Baikal
traders and natives。 Leonard returned to his home circle garrulous
about his Russian strike experiences； but oppressively reticent about
certain dark mysteries； which he alluded to under the resounding title
of Siberian Magic。 The reticence wore off in a week or two under the
influence of an entire lack of general curiosity； and Leonard began to
make more detailed allusions to the enormous powers which this new
esoteric force； to use his own description of it； conferred on the
initiated few who knew how to wield it。 His aunt； Cecilia Hoops； who
loved sensation perhaps rather better than she loved the truth； gave him
as clamorous an advertisement as anyone could wish for by retailing an
account of how he had turned a vegetable marrow into a wood pigeon
before her very eyes。 As a manifestation of the possession of
2
… Page 3…
BEASTS AND SUPER…BEASTS
supernatural powers； the story was discounted in some quarters by the
respect accorded to Mrs。 Hoops' powers of imagination。
However divided opinion might be on the question of Leonard's
status as a wonderworker or a charlatan； he certainly arrived at Mary
Hampton's house…party with a reputation for pre…eminence in one or
other of those professions； and he was not disposed to shun such
publicity as might fall to his share。 Esoteric forces and unusual powers
figured largely in whatever conversation he or his aunt had a share in；
and his own performances； past and potential； were the subject of
mysterious hints and dark avowals。
〃I wish you would turn me into a wolf； Mr。 Bilsiter；〃 said his hostess
at luncheon the day after his arrival。
〃My dear Mary；〃 said Colonel Hampton； 〃I never knew you had a
craving in that direction。〃
〃A she…wolf； of course；〃 continued Mrs。 Hampton； it would be too
confusing to change one's sex as well as one's species at a moment's
notice。〃
〃I don't think one should jest on these subjects；〃 said Leonard。
〃I'm not jesting； I'm quite serious； I assure you。 Only don't do it to…
day； we have only eight available bridge players； and it would break up
one of our tables。 To…morrow we shall be a larger party。 To…morrow
night； after dinner … 〃
〃In our present imperfect understanding of these hidden forces I
think one should approach them with humbleness rather than mockery；〃
observed Leonard； with such severity that the subject was forthwith
dropped。
Clovis Sangrail had sat unusually silent during the discussion on the
possibilities of Siberian Magic； after lunch he side…tracked Lord Pabham
into the comparative seclusion of the billiard…room and delivered himself
of a searching question。
〃Have you such a thing as a she…wolf in your collection of wild
animals？ A she…wolf of moderately good temper？〃
Lord Pabham considered。 〃There is Loiusa；〃 he said； 〃a rather fine
specimen of the timber…wolf。 I got her two years ago in exchange for
3
… Page 4…
BEASTS AND SUPER…BEASTS
some Arctic foxes。 Most of my animals get to be fairly tame before
they've been with me very long； I think I can say Louisa has an angelic
temper； as she…wolves go。 Why do you ask？〃
〃I was wondering whether you would lend her to me for to…morrow
night；〃 said Clovis； with the careless solicitude of one who borrows a
collar stud or a tennis racquet。
〃To…morrow night？〃
〃Yes； wolves are nocturnal animals； so the late hours won't hurt her；〃
said Clovis； with the air of one who has taken everything into
consideration； 〃one of your men could bring her over from Pabham Park
after dusk； and with a little help he ought to be able to smuggle her
into the conservatory at the same moment that Mary Hampton makes an
unobtrusive exit。〃
Lord Pabham stared at Clovis for a moment in pardonable
bewilderment； then his face broke into a wrinkled network of laughter。
〃Oh； that's your game； is it？ You are going to do a little Siberian
Magic on your own account。 And is Mrs。 Hampton willing to be a
fellow…conspirator？〃
〃Mary is pledged to see me through with it； if you will guarantee
Louisa's temper。〃
〃I'll answer for Louisa；〃 said Lord Pabham。
By the following day the house…party had swollen to larger
proportions； and Bilsiter's instinct for self… advertisement expanded duly
under the stimulant of an increased audience。 At dinner that evening he
held forth at length on the subject of unseen forces and untested
powers； and his flow of impressive eloquence continued unabated while
coffee was being served in the drawing… room preparatory to a general
migration to the card…room。
His aunt ensured a respectful hearing for his utterances； but her
sensation…loving soul hankered after something more dramatic than mere
vocal demonstration。
〃Won't you do something to CONVINCE them of your powers；
Leonard？〃 she pleaded； 〃change something into another shape。 He can；
you know； if he only chooses to；〃 she informed the company。
4
… Page 5…
BEASTS AND SUPER…BEASTS
〃Oh； do；〃 said Mavis Pellington earnestly； and her request was
echoed by nearly everyone present。 Even those who were not open to
conviction were perfectly willing to be entertained by an exhibition of
amateur conjuring。
Leonard felt that something tangible was expected of him。
〃Has anyone present；〃 h