2004 The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen

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THELEAGUEOFEXTRAORDINARYGENTLEMEN

NOVELIZATIONBY

K.J.ANDERSON

BASEDONTHESCREENPLAYBY

JAMESDALEROBINSON

ADAPTEDFROMTHECOMICBOOKBY

ALANMOORE

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ONE

CentralLondon,1899

Night

Ontheedgeofacentury'sturning,Londonwasasprawlingmosaicofcrookedtileroofs,shuttered
windows,cobblestonestreets,andgarbage-strewnalleyways.Fogcreptthroughthecitylikepestilence,
mixingwiththefoulbreathsofsmokefromcoalgratesandgreatbelchesfromfactorysmokestacks.
Coldbuildingshuddledtogetherasifseekingwarmthagainstthenightschill.

NearlytwomilleniaofhistoryhadseenLondonevolvefromaRomansettlementtoaSaxonstronghold,
thenaburgeoningcommercialcenterandreligiousaxis.Ultimately,Londonbecameapinnacleof
Europeanpoliticalmightaswellasapowerfulindustrialhub.World-shakingeventswouldbegin—or
end—here.

Fordecadesnowthisplacehadenduredtheturnsoftheindustrialrevolution,whichhadtransformedit
fromagrandcityofonemillioninhabitantsintoavastmetropolisteemingwithmorethanfourtimesas
manypeople,allofthemtryingtheirbesttosurvive.

InthedistanceBigBenchimeditslonelybutpredictabletones.Mostpeoplenolongerevenawakened
totheclocktowershourlyritual,especiallynotsolate.Thesteadysequenceofgongsdriftedpastlikea
lullaby,reassuringthecity'ssleepinginhabitantsthatallwaswell.

BigBenfellsilentagain,andsodidthestreets.

Thenalowrumblestarteddeepunderground,asiftheconvolutedsewersneartheThamessuffered
fromindigestion.

InMoorgatePassage,apairofdogshungrilydugthroughgarbageinsearchofediblescraps,astheydid
everynight.Theyhalf-heartedlysnarledateachother,toohungrytonoticethemysterioussounds.

Butthenoiserosesteadilyinvolume,likeburied,restlessthunder.Theominoustremblinggrewlouder
andlouder,shakingforcefullyuntilitrattledlooseroofslatesandchimneypots…

Onemuttliftedhisheadandprickedhisears.Theseconddogusedtheopportunitytoseizearank-
smellingfishheadfromthetrashheapandboundedawaywithhisprize.Thenhe,too,paused,whining.
Hisjawsopenedandthemoistfishheadfelltotheslickstreet.Therumblegrewmoreominous,a
differentsortofgrowl.

Thetwodogssnarledatthesoundthatseemedtocomefromeverywherebeneathandaroundthem,then
theyscuttledawayinfear.Thesecondmuttdoubledbacktosnatchupthefishhead,thensprangdown
thealleyjustasthesoundreachedanexplosiveroar.

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Adarkbrickwallattheoppositeendofthealleysplitandbrokeassomethinghuge,black,and
mechanicalhammereditswayupfrombeneaththestreets,knockingbricksandtimbersapart.Walls
fell,brushedasidefromtheleviathanasiftheywerelittlemorethandustanddryleaves.

Bothdogsranfortheirlivesastheimmensesubterraneanmachineroaredandclankedafterthem.

Thoughhehadbeendeeplyasleep,immersedindreamsofplayingintheparkwithhisfatherona
Sundayafternoon,BartholomewDunningsatupquicklyinbed.Thepallidsix-year-oldboyclutchedan
oldwoolenblanketandstaredintothefaintlightthatcamethroughthewindowofhiscellarbedroom.
Onanarrowbrickwindowsillabovethebed,histintoyhorseandbuggyshudderedandrattled,asif
theyhadcomealive.

Therumblingmadetheentiretenementshake.Dustsprinkleddownfromtheceiling,capturedinthe
hazymoonlightthatpenetratedthefog.

Bartholomewwantedtocalloutforhisfather,butheknewConstableDunningwouldbeoutwalking
thestreets,keepingLondonsafe,ashedideverynight…allnight.Butrightnowtheboywantedhis
father.Hepulledtheblanketuptohischin,hopingtohide.Butthenoisegrewlouder.

Thetoysjitteredandwobbled,thenfinallytumbledoffthewindowsill.Moredustsifteddownfromthe
tenementceiling,andBartholomewcouldhearshoutsfromtheresidentsinthefloorsabove.

Gatheringhiscourage,thinkingofhisfatherinhisfinepoliceman'suniformstridingdowndarkalleys
andarrestingpickpocketsandmurderers,Bartholomewscurriedoutofbedasthemonstrousnoisecame
deafeninglyclose.Someoneupstairsletoutaloudyell.

Becausehisfatherworkedeverynight,andsleptmostoftheday,Bartholomewcouldspendtimewith
himonlyonSunday.ButConstableDunningputfoodonthetableandcoalinthegratefortheboyand
histwosisters;theyhadtocareforthemselveswithoutamothertowatchoverthem.Hissisterssnored
togetherintheinnerroom,notevenawakenedbythenoise.Itwasuptotheboytoseewhatwas
happeningoutside.

Shrillwhistlespiercedthegrowingnoise,andhetookcomfortinknowingthepolicewererushingto
thescene.

Bartholomewwenttothewindow,stoodontiptoe,andusedtheflatofhishandtowipefogfromthe
pane.Theglassremainedblurryfromthegrimeoutside,butanimmenseshadowpassedalongthe
street.Whenhepressedhisfaceclose,theboycouldseewellenoughthathiseyeswidenedinfear.

Massivemechanicaltreadsrolledpastatstreetlevel,crushingcobblestones,clankingandclatteringlike
theloudestfactoryline.

Bartholomewswindowssplinteredandfellin.Hescreamed,scramblingbackwardasthewholeframe
camecrashingdown.Partofthewallandceilingslumpedunderthecrushingpassageofthehuge
vehicle.Brokenbricksandcrumblingmortarburiedanddestroyedhistoyhorseandbuggy.

Hecrawledforshelterunderhisbed,aplaceusuallyreservedfornighttimemonsters.Rightnow,

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though,theboywasonlyafraidoftheveryrealandtangiblebeastoutside.

Thenthemechanicaljuggernautsurgedpast,smashingguttersandshoulderingasidebrickcornersthat
gotinitsway.

Asdustandrubblecontinuedtopatterallaroundhim,Bartholomewpeeredoutfromhishidingplace.
Safe,fornow.

Butheknewhisfatherwasoutinthestreets,armedwithlittlemorethanhiswhistleandtruncheon.
Evenasternconstableinacleanuniformwouldbenomatchforthatthing.

TabardRowhadbeenquietallevening,andConstableDunningpausedinhisroundstosmokehispipe.
Hetookalongdrawonthetobacco,savoringthemomentofbliss.

Hischildrenwerehometogether,asleep.Theirmotherhaddiedofconsumptiontwoyearsearlier,and
theboyBartholomewhadbeenforcedtogrowupmuchfasterthanheshouldhave.Once,he'dplayfully
triedonhisfathersconstablecap,andithadnearlyfallendowntohissmallshoulders.Bartholomew
wasthemanofthehousewheneverhisfatherlefttopatrolthenightstreets,andtheboytookhis
responsibilitieswithadmirable,heart-achingseriousness,thoughhisfatheroccasionallysawhim
playingwithhistoys.Justalittleboy,nomorethansixyearsold.

Atleasthewassafetonight…

ConstableDunning'speacefulfeelingwassuddenlyshatteredbythepitifulwailingofdogs.Amoment
lateramonstrousrumbleshooktheground,accompaniedbybreakingglassandshatteringwalls.

Dunningdrewhisbatonandtrottedtowardthesound,byhabittappinghistruncheononthewallashe
went,makingasoundlikerapidgunfire.Shrillwhistlessoundedthealarmfromotherofficersheading
inthesamedirection.Drawingadeepbreath,heblewalonghigh-pitchednoteonhisownwhistle.

"ItsdowninMoorgatePassage!"oneofthepolicemencalled,joiningupwithDunning.Theyran
together,reactingoutofinstinctwithoutstoppingtoworryaboutthenatureofthethreat.Fromthe
soundofit,thiswasmoreseriousthanadrunkenbrawl,acutpurse,orapairofwhorestryingtoclaw
eachothers'eyesout.

ThetwoconstablessprintedontoThreadneedleStreet,headingforMoorgate.Dunningstumbledand
nearlysprawledonhisfaceinafilthygutterasheandhiscompanioncollidedwithapairofutterly
terrifieddogsracingintheoppositedirection,offintothenight.

"Bleedin'ratbags!Whatsgotteninto'em?"saidDunning.

Thenagainperhapsthemuttshadtherightidea.

Likeafactory-madedemon,agiant,armor-platedmachinecareenedaround-andthrough-acornerof
thenarrowstreet,demolishingeverythinginit'spath.

"GoodChrist!"Dunningscompanionskitteredtoahalt,eyeswide.Histruncheondroopedinhisgrip,

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laughablyinsignificantcomparedtothemechanizedtitanlurchingtowardthemwitharoarofengines
andabelchofoilyexhaustsmoke.

Itwasatankvehicleplatedwiththickironsheets,rivetedintoplaceonabodythatrodeonimplacably
pairedtracks.Glaringheadlampsshoneforwardlikethebalefulgazeofadragon.It'sreinforcedbow
slammedlikeabatteringramthroughthewall,knockingitdownwithoutpause.Theheavytreads
crushedfallenbricksintopowder.Dunningcouldn'tevenguesshowmanytonsthevehicleweighed.

Threeotherconstablesconvergedfromtheirownbeats,stoppedintheirtracks."Itsaninfernal
Juggernaught!"

"Run!"Dunning'stonewasurgentashebackedaway.Notcowardly—justsensible.Therewouldbeno
realprotectionagainstamechanizedleviathanthatcouldplowthroughsolidwalls.

Whilethreeofthepolicemenstaggeredbackward,Dunning'scompaniontookanunexpectedinitiative.
Swallowinghard,heraisedhistruncheon,steppedintothemiddleofthestreet,andblewhiswhistle
againforgoodmeasure.Hestoodhisgroundintheglareofthebehemothsheadlights,raisedhishand,
andsaid,"Halt!InthenameoftheQueen!"

"Getoutoftheway,youfool!"Dunningshouted.

Whenthelandironcladdidnotslowdown,themantriedtododgeintoadoorway,butthelumbering
vehiclefilledthenarrowstreet.Theyoungconstablewascaughtbetweenthetreadsandwentdown.His
screamwascutshortwithawet,squelchingsoundundertheincreasingroarofthedemonicengines.

Thetankmovedonward,withoutpause.

Sickenedandangry,Dunningrantohiscomradesaid,buthearrivedtoolate.Courageously—though
futilely—hebeatthemetalmonsterwithhisbatonandhisfists.Hemadebarelyamarkonthethick
plating.

Ignoringhim,thelandironcladrolledondownthestreet.

Dunningranafterthemachine,notknowinghowhemightstopitsinexorableprogress.Thestreet
openedup,awayfromthecrowdedslums,grimypubs,anddimopiumdens.Aheadstoodaparticularly
impressivebuildingwithanornatemultistoriedfacadeofmarblecolumns,gracefulstatues,andstately
blocksofgray-whitestone.

DunningsstomachclenchedasheglancedupatthedeeplyengravedwordsBANKOFENGLANDon
thelinteloverthebuilding'smainentrance."NottheOldLady,"hemuttered,hardlyabletoconceiveof
suchaviolation.

Thetankrolledtowardit,pickingupspeed.

Theprivatelyownedbank,oftenreferredtoastheOldLadyofThreadneedleStreet,hadbeen
establishedmorethantwocenturiesearlier.Inthepasttwohundredyears,theBankofEnglandhad
becomemorethansimplyafinancialinstitution:TheOldLadywasasymbolofEnglanditself.

Thejuggernautsmashedintothebank'sbroadcentraldoor.Columnsbrokeapartandtumbleddown;the

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massivelockeddoorcollapsedinward.

Andthemammothmachinekeptmovingforwardallthewayintothefinancialfortress,undeterred.

Thetank'sheavytreads,nowbloodstained,clattereddownaflightofmarblestepsthatgroanedand
crackedundertheimmenseweight.Pickingupspeed,thelandironcladgrounditswayacrossthe
polishedmarblefloorofthelobby.

AnightcontingentofBritishsoldiersguardingthebankdrewtheirgunsandopenedfire.Likehail
patteringonatinroof,thebulletsricochetedineffectuallyofftheironarmorplates.Thepanicked
soldiersleapedasideasthetanksmashedthroughtellerdesks,backoffices,recordsarchives,private
consultationroomslinedwithsecurityboxes—andfinallyintothevaultroom.

ConstableDunningcamerunningafterit,pickinghiswaythroughtherubbleofstoneandsplintered
woodandglass.Hewasaghastatthesheercarnageallaroundhim.Thesoldiersrecoveredthemselves
thenyelledindignantthreatsaftertherampagingmachine.Scramblingtogether,theyallracedtoward
thevaultroom.

Asifstymied,themechanicalmonstercametorestagainstthemassiveirondoorofthevault.

DustanddebrissettledinominoussilenceasDunningandthesoldierguardscreptpurposefullyintothe
vaultroom."Hah!"Dunningcalled,abitdisorientedbythefranticactivitygoingonaroundhim."That
door'stoosolidevenforabeastlikethat!"

Severalotherconstables,pantinghardfromtheirlongrun,enteredthebankandstaredatallthe
destruction.

Thetankjustsatthere,throbbing,pressedupagainstthethickvaultdoor.Itseemedtobedefeated…or
simplygatheringitsbreath,preparingtostrikeagain.

Theshakensoldiersaroseand,togetherwiththeconstables,encircledthemachine.Dunningedged
closer,peeringatoneofthescrapedplatesonthefrontofthetank."Whatisitdoing?"heasked,not
expectingananswer.

Withaloudclang,apanelopenedandtwohumaneyesstaredoutthroughthenarrowslot.Dunning
sprangbackwithayelp.Theslotslammedshut."There'remeninsidethatthing!"

Clanking,winding,slottingsoundsbegantoemanatefromwithinthemechanicalbeast.Apanel
thwackedopenontopofthemachine,andafatcylinderextended,swiveledaboutinsearchofatarget,
thenlockedintoplace.Itwasaimedatthevaultdoor.

Everyonetherecouldrecognizeacannonbarrelwhentheysawit.

"Getback!"shoutedDunning.Heclappedhishandsoverhisears,butmanyoftheothersdidn'treact
quicklyenough.

Theweaponfiredwithadeafeningsoundasifalltheheavenshadcrackedasunder.Theshockwavein
theenclosedvaultroomthrewconstablesandsoldierstotheground.Themercilesscannonfiredagain,
andthenathirdtime.

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Finally,themassive,dentedvaultdoorteetered,slumped,andatlastfellinward.Itcrashedtothestone
floorwithasoundasdeafeningastheartilleryexplosions.

Theairinsidetheruinedbankwasthickwithchokingdust.Themen'searswerebleeding.Dunning
shookhisheadtoclearit;withthebackofonehand,hewipedpowderandsweatfromhiseyes.

Athickmetalhatchopenedhighonthejuggernaut'sflankandastepladdercantilevereddown.Men
wearingeasilyrecognizableGermanarmyuniformsemerged,ledbyapale-eyedmanwhoworecruelty
onhisfaceasnaturallyasanothermanmightwearamoustache.Theuniformedmencarriedsleek,
modern-lookingsnub-nosedfirearmsandboxyradiosetsontheirhips.

ConstableDunninghadneverseenanythinglikeit.Hehadheard,though,theKaiserhadbeenstepping
uphiswareffort,planningagainsttheBritishEmpire.Andherewastheproof!

Theforemostinvaderturnedbacktothedarkinteriorofthemassiveironcladmachine.Hespokein
clippedGerman."Weareready,HerrFantom."

Onlythendidtheirleaderstepintotheopen,emergingfromtheinfernalmachine.Dramaticallygarbed
inblackclothesandasweepingcape,themancutaformidablepresence.Heworegleamingblack
boots,crispgloves—andafrighteningsilvermaskthathidmostofhisfeatures.Dunningcaughtonlya
partialglimpseofaterriblydisfiguredface.

Dunningstared,burningtheFantom'sfaceintohismemory.Hehadreadsomethingaboutasimilar
murderousvillainwhohadterrorizedtheParisOperaHouse,notmanyyearsago.ButthatFantomhad
supposedlybeenkilled…

Nowthemaninthemetalmaskgazedaroundtheroom,ignoringtheastonishedconstablesandsoldiers
asiftheywerenomorerelevantthaninsects.

"Ah,IloveanightoutinLondon,"theleadersaidinGerman."LieutenantDante,instructourmentogo
abouttheirwork.Wehaveotherappointmentstokeep."

Thecruel-facedDantedispatchedateamofGermansoldierswhoscrambledoutofthelandironclad
andintothevault.Others,brandishingtheirfuturisticsnub-nosedweapons,heldtheintimidatedbank
soldiersandconstablesatbay.

WhentheinvadersmarchedbrazenlyintotheruinsoftheBankofEnglandvault,oneoftheBritish
guardsbrokefree."Herenow,youcan'tbe—"

Withaflourish,theFantompulledoutasnub-nosedgunandcallouslyshottheoutspokenBritishguard
betweentheeyes.Astheguardcrumpled,themaskedleadertossedhisguntoLieutenantDante."Leave
oneofthemalivetotellthetale.Onlyone.Whatyoudowiththerest…Ileavetoyourvivid
imagination."

Stridingthroughthedebris,hiscapeflowingbehindhimasifnodustwoulddareclingtohisblack
clothes,theFantomenteredthevault,leavingDanteandtheotherstotheirgiventasks.

Astheruthlessexecutionsbegan,ConstableDunningsqueezedhiseyesshutandthoughtofhis
children.

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Asthecrackofgunfireandpleadingscreamsresoundedfromoutsidethevault,theFantom'sGermans
usedcrowbarsandthebuttsoftheirweaponstobreakopensecurityboxesofallsizes.Themenspilled
thecontentsontothefloor—banknotes,gold,jewelry,bonds—buttheyweresearchingforsomethingin
particular.

Aneagerhenchmanpickedupagoldbrickandcouldnothelpadmiringit."Suchtreasures."

"Treasure,yes,"theFantomagreed,hardlysparingaglanceforthechunkofpreciousmetal."Some
worthmorethanothers."

Withaglovedhand,themaskedmansnappedthelatchofamahoganyplan-chestandreverentlydrew
openthelongdrawertorevealasheafoffragileparchment.Heliftedonesheet,thenanother.Behind
themetalmaskhiseyesdartedbackandforth.

Thepagesofage-yellowedpaperborehand-drawnarchitecturalplansofacityonwater,itsdeep
foundationscrumblingandcavernous.Inspiteofthefadedink,thedetailwasincredible,drawnbya
geniuscenturiesago.

"Ah,hereisthekeytoourlabyrinth."Thehorriblyscarredlips,barelyvisiblebeneaththesilvermask,
smiled.TheFantomsnatchedupthepagesandsweptoutofthevault,ignoringtherestofthegoldand
treasure."Timetogo.Wehavewhatweneed."

Outside,ConstableDunninghuddledinhorrorandmisery,hisfacespatteredwithblood.Asrelievedas
hewastobealive,hefeltapiercingguiltatbeingtheonlysurvivoramongdozensofslaughtered
policemenandsoldierguards.TheGermanhenchmenignoredhimastheyclimbedbackaboardthe
landironclad.

TheFantomalsovanishedinsidethevehicle,whilehislieutenantsparedafinalglanceforthesurviving
constable,whoseemedoblivioustothedepartingsoldiers.Dantesaidtohim,"Countyourblessings."

Thenheswungthehatchshut,andthelandironcladroaredbackoffthewayithadcome.

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TWO

VoalkyrieZeppelinWorks

Hamburg,Germany

Likegiganticinflatablewhales,sixzeppelinsfloatedinsideaconstructionhangarthatwaslargeenough
toswallowasmalltown.Spotlightsshoneonthegracefulcurvedsidesofthehydrogen-swollen
dirigibles.

Atopthehangar,redwindsocksextendedparalleltosnappinggiantflagsthatdisplayedthecolorsof
theGermanEmpire.InthecoolbreezesthatsweptacrossthegrassylowlandsofftheElbeRiver,the
zeppelinsstrainedagainsttheirtethers,asifrestless.

FerdinandGrafvonZeppelinhaddesignedthesehugeairships,supportedinternallybyalightskeletal
frameworkandguidedbyruddersandpropellers.Zeppelinhimselfhadenvisionedthemilitaryusesof
thesegiantandsilentcraftafterascendinginobservationballoonswithUnionforcesduringthe
AmericanCivilWar.Afterretiringfrommilitaryservice,Zeppelinhadspentmostofhislife'ssavings
onindependentaeronauticsresearch—untilfinallytheKaiserhimselfhadbecomeinterestedenoughin
theworktoprovidemuch-neededfinancialbacking.

Inthepastseveralyears,KaiserWilhelmIIhadinvestedafortuneinthesecretValkyrieZeppelin
Works.Thegraceful,yetintimidatingairshipswouldbeGermany'spride,driftingacrosstheskiesin
fearsomeformation.Theylookedsilentandpeaceful,likeslumberinggiantsofthenorth.

Thefirstgunshotrangoutevenbeforeshoutedorderslaunchedthesneakattack.AGermanguard
screamedashedied.Othersscrambledfortheirweapons,takencompletelybysurprise.Butnomatter
whattheydid,itwastoolateforthem.

TheValkyrieWorksweredestinedtofallthisnight.

"Forward,men!Tallyho!ForQueenVictoria!"HeavilyarmedmenwearingBritishmilitaryuniformslet
outasimultaneousyellandrushedforwardintothezeppelinfactory:

Ratchetingsirensblaredlikeprehistoricbeastsinthecavernousconstructionhangar.Warningshouts
rangoutabovethedin,amixtureofGermanandEnglish.

Straight-backedandgrimlysatisfiedwithhowtheoperationhadproceededsofar,LieutenantDante
emergedfromaworkers'room.Tonight,forthissecondphaseoftheFantomsplan,hewasdressedasa
Britishcommander,evensportingapencil-thinmoustache.Hedirectedsquadsof"British"soldiersas
theyroughlyherdedfrightenedGermanfactoryworkersdownironstepsfromthecatwalksand
constructionplatformsabove.

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TheradioboxatDante'shipsquawked.Hegrabbedit,pressedittohisear,andlistenedtothereport
fromhisscoutsoutsidethefactoryperimeter.Hescowled."Fantom!Wewon'thavethetimewe
expected.TheGermansarealreadyarrivinginforce."

Withhisgleamingsilvermaskaffixedtohismysteriouslymalformedface,thegauntFantomwaitedat
thebottomofthemetalstairs."IexpectedtheKaisertorespondwithoutdelay."

BothofthemspokeinrichlyaccentedEnglishthistime.TheGermanworkers—anyonewhosurvived,
thatwas—wouldhearhimandrememberwhohadattackedtheextravagantnewzeppelinfactoriesin
Hamburg.TheKaiserwasn'tlikelytobeveryforgivingoftheBritishEmpire.

Brandishingtheirmodernsnub-nosedweaponsandshoving,theFantom'smendrovetheotherprisoners
away.Thesoundsoffightingechoedintermittentlythroughthehangar,screams,gunshots.Althoughthe
resistancewasdwindling,theKaiser'stroopswouldarrivebeforelong.

TheFantomturned,swirlinghisblackcape."Butthatisnotrelevant,Dante.Dowehavethemanwe
camefor?"

TheFantomslieutenantsnappedhisfingers,andoneofthehenchmenshovedameekacademicscientist
forward."Asyourequested,Fantom.ThisisKarlDraper,atyourservice,whetherornothebloodywell
likesit."

TheFantomregardedthecringingmanbeforehim.TheGermanscientistworespectaclesandwork
overalls;fromonepocketprotrudedawadofclothwithwhichhehadfrequentlymoppedbeadsof
perspirationfromhisforehead.KarlDraperlookedintothebright,demoniceyesbehindthesilver
mask;heswallowedhardatwhathesawthere.

"W-whatdoyouwant?"DraperaskedinGerman,thetensionofterrormodulatinghisvoicetoahigher
pitch.

"Theworld,HerrDraper.Iwanttheworld."Barelyvisiblebeneaththelowercurveofhismask,the
Fantoms'lipscurledinasinistersmile."Andyouwillhelpgiveittome."

Thescientistlookedasconfusedashewasfrightened."But…butIhavenosecretknowledge!Iamjust
anarchitecturalengineer."

TheFantomlookedatDraperasifhewereonlyamildlyinterestingspecimeninaverylargecollection.
"Yes.Iknow."

Dantecheckedhisboxyradioandfrowned."TheKaiser'stroopshavereachedthegate,Fantom.They
willbeinsideinamatterofmoments,andtheyseemtobesurprisinglywellarmed."

Belowthemask,theFantoms'twistedlipssmiled."Yes,theKaiserhasbeengearingupforwarfor
manyyearsnow."

Dantestood,waitingformoredetailedorders."ShouldItellthementoprepareforapitchedfirefight?"

"Nothingsotroublesome,Lieutenant.I'llprovideadistractiontocoverourexit.Ithinkitwillberather
impressive."

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TheFantomglanceduptothehangar'snextlevelandgesturedtooneofhisloyalhenchmenwhostood
ontheironstepsabove.Thesoldiertosseddownasleekandcomplicatedrocket-launchingweapon.The
maskedleadershruggedhiscapeoutoftheway,shoulderedtheweapon,andcockedthefiringpin.

"Areyoumad?"theGermanscientistcrieduponseeingtherocketlauncher."Thisplaceisfullof
hydrogengas!"

"Exactly."HeturnedtoDante."GetHerrDrapertosafetyplease."

Shoutingintohisradiobox,Dantesoundedtheretreat.Leavingthecorralledfactoryprisonerswaiting
forrescuefromtheincensedGermanarmy,theinvadingsoldiersinBritishuniformsbeatanorderly
withdrawalfromthemainworkarea.

Themaskedleaderswungtheweapontobearonthespacebehindthem,wherethesixenormous
zeppelinshoveredbytheyawningopendoorsofthehangar.ShoutingcursesattheEnglish,theKaiser's
reinforcementsswarmedthroughthefrontdoorway,demandingthattheBritishtroopssurrender.

WhentheoncomingGermansoldierswerehalfwayacrossthehangar,runningdirectlyunderthe
dirigibles,theFantomfiredtheheavyrocketlauncher.

"Nein!"KarlDrapershouted,hisfacefilledwithhorror.Dantepushedhimimpatientlyahead.

Whistling,sputtering,andbuzzingasitflew,therockettrailedacontrolwirebehindit.TheFantom
studiedthetrajectorylikeanexpertskeetshooterandadjustedhisaimtoputthenearestzeppelininthe
crosshairs.Hecouldn'tpossiblymiss.

Thewire-controlledrocketangledupandtorethroughthesideofthegas-filledairship,thendetonated.
Thoughasinglesparkwouldhavebeensufficient,theFantomfoundthisextravagantmethodmore
dramaticandsatisfying.

Containedwithinbaffledchambersofthehugelighter-than-airdirigible,therichhydrogengaserupted
inincineratingflames.Theexplosionsentoutshockwavespowerfulenoughtoknocktherushing
Germansoldiersflat.Manyofthemcaughtfire,likelivingcandles,screamingastheyburnedandfellto
thehangarfloor.Thetrappedfactoryworkersanddefeatedguardstriedtoescape,buttheflamesrolled
forwardlikefieryfloodwatersfromaburstdam.

Awaveofflamespewedfromthefirstdyingzeppelinandigniteditsnearestcounterpart,triggeringa
catastrophicchainreactionthatleapedfromonezeppelintothenext.Soon,theentireValkyrieWorks
wereinflames.

TheFantoms'silvermaskcaughtandreflectedthedazzlingfirestorm.Headmiredtheholocausthehad
triggered.Quiteimpressive.

Thenheturnedandfollowedhismen,thoroughlysatisfiedwithhowwellhehadstirredthehornets
nest.

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THREE

TheBrittaniaClub

Nairobi,Kenya

Adrysavannahwindblewalongdirtroadslinedwithsingle-levelstores,huts,andmerchantstalls.A
fewnativesloudlyhawkedoverripefruitsandvegetablesfromproducecarts.Thesmellwasthickwith
rot,manure,andsweat.Itseemedinconceivablethatapersonmightchoosetolivehereunlesshehad
absolutelynootheroptions.

SandersonReedlookedathissurroundingswithdisdain,wavinghisstrawhatinfrontofhisfaceas
muchtochaseawaytheodorsastocoolhimself.Hewasapallidbureaucratinhislatetwenties;tohim,
travelingsofarfromhomewasanunpleasantchoreinsteadofanadventure.

"Nairobi.Thebigcity…accordingtothemapofKenya."Hemadeasnortingsound.

AccordingtothebriefingMhadgivenhim,thiswaslittlemorethanaglorified,boggywateringhole
fortheMaasaipeople.Notexactlycivilization.ReedwishedhewasbackinLondon.Forallitsfaults,at
leastthatcityhadculture.

Hearinghimmutter,thedark-skinneddriverofthewagonturnedtohim."Sorry,sir?Didyousay
something,sir?"

"Nothingworthrepeating.So,whereistheBritanniaClub?Arewealmostthere?"Thedrivehadbeen
asinterminableasitwasunpleasant.

"Almostthere,sir."Thewagoncreakedaheaddowntotheendofthedirtroad,finallystoppingbeside
severalhorsestetheredtoahitchingpost.Withasadattemptatpride,thedrivergestured."Hereitis,sir.
TheBritanniaClub.Nairobi'sfinest,sir."

Withasighofdread,Reedlookedattherundownbuilding."Iwasafraidyouweregoingtosaythat."
Heshookhishead.

TheClubwascertainlyoneofthelargestandsturdieststucturesinallofNairobi—butthatwasn't
sayingmuch.Thegroundshadgonetoseed,makingtheweedsindistinguishablefromtheonce-tended
flowerbeds.UnionJacksdroopedfrompoleslikedeadfish,engorgedwithhumidity.Theheatandflies
andsqualorseemedtosapthelifefromeventheflagoftheBritishEmpire.HedoubtedMwouldhave
approved.

Asthepatientdriverwaited,Reedclimbedgracelesslyoutofthewagon."Don'twanderoff,"hesaid.

"No,sir."

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SteppingtowardtheBritanniaClub,thebureaucratwrinkledhisnoseasheglancedoveratarundown
graveyardnearby."Couldn'ttheyhavepickedabetterplacetoputaclub?Onanothercontinent,
perhaps?"

Reedclimbedtheporchstepsandenteredtheopenfrontdoor;asmanyfliesseemedtobewandering
outasventuringinside.Notagoodsign.Hetookamomenttoassessthesurroundings,observingthe
detailsoftheroomwithasourfrown.

TheBritanniaClubspokeofweary,fadedglory,atimewhenCecilRhodesandintrepidexplorershad
seenthedarkcontinentasatreasureboxtobeunlocked.AllanQuartermainhadpersonallydonemuch
tofosterthatimpressionongullibleEnglishschoolboyswhowerehungrytoreadtalesofadventure.

Thewallswerecrowdedwithahodgepodgeofstuffedanimals,tribalshields,stretchedpeltsofstriped
andspottedanimals,anddustyportraitsofforgottenEnglishadventurers.Ivorytuskshungfromthe
rafters.

Theclubwasfulloftheempire'sdregs,oldmenawashinginandmemories.Theysataroundatthe
tablessnoring,playingcardsorcheckers,orendlesslyrepeatingstoriesoftheirpastescapades.

Ablackvaletsteppeduptomeethim."Goodafternoon,sir.MayIhelpyou?Adrinkperhaps?"

"I'dpreferinformation."Reedexplainedwhohewaslookingfor,andthevalet,showingnosurpriseat
all,gesturedinthedirectionofared-facedfellowinhismid-sixties,who—fromallappearances—
probablyspentmoretimedrinkingthanadventuring.

AnxioustofinishhisassignmentandcatchthenextsteamerbacktoEngland,Reedbrisklyapproached
histarget.Asecondmansatatthetable,broodingandsilent,probablydrunk.Reedignoredthe
companion,nowthathehadfoundhismark.

"Excuseme,gentlemen?"Hewaitedforthemtolookupathimwithblearyeyes."DoIhavethe
pleasureofaddressingAllanQuartermain?"

Thered-facedmangrinnedathimwithdiscoloredteeth."Youdo,sir.Indeedyoudo!"Abreathheavy
withthesourjuniperofbadginwafteduptohim."Only,it'sQuatermain.Bloodypressalways
misspellsmyname.Neveraskedthemtoprintmyadventuresanyway,andthentheycan'tevenspellmy
nameright."

"You'renot…atallwhatIexpected,"Reedsaid,disappointed.Butthen,sofareverythingaboutAfrica,
Kenya,Nairobi,andtheBritanniaClubhadalsobeenadisappointment.ButMhadbeenveryspecific
aboutthisman.

"Ipresumeyou'reanothertraveler,gotitintoyourheadtosamplethedarkcontinent?Andwhileyou're
atit,whynothuntdownoldAllanQuatermainandhavehimtellhisadventures,eh?Well,I'veheard
thatonebefore,andIcertainlywelcomethecompany."Jovially,thered-facedmannudgedhisquiet
companion."He'snotmuchofaconversationalist."

Theothermanjustgrunted.

"Well,actually—"thepallidyoungbureaucratsaid.

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"Sitdown,sitdown.Fillaseat,fillmyglass."Quatermainshoutedtothebartender."Bruce!Adouble!"
HeturnedbacktoReed,smiling."AndIshallregaleyouwithhowIfoundKingSolomon'sMines.OrI
couldrelatemyexploitinEgyptwhenImetAyesha,Ayesha,'Shewhomustbeobeyed."

Asiftheywereoldfriends,QuatermainreachedouttograspReed'selbow.

"Scintillating,I'msure,butitisnotyourpastthatinterestsme,"Reedsaid,peelingtheman'smoisthand
offhissleeve.Herefusedtositdown.

"Notinterested?Thatmustsurelybeafirst,sir."BrucearrivedwithQuatermain'sdrink,whichtheold
adventurergladlyaccepted.Thebroodingmanatthetableglancedatthevisitorwithafaintflickerof
interest.

"MynameisSandersonReed.IamarepresentativefromHerMajesty'sBritishGovernment.Terrible
thingsarehappening,Mr.Quatermain,andtheempireneedsyou."Hiswordsfellheavilyonthehumid
air,anddroppedlikegassedflies.

Blinkinghisgin-reddenedeyes,Quatermainwasunsureofwhattosay.Fumbling,helookedoverathis
companion,fullofunspokenquestions.ThenthequietmanleanedbacktolookReedintheeye,his
gazesharpasasurgeonsscalpel.

Startled,Reedrealizedthathehadbeenduped.Ashelookedmorecarefullyattheotherman,he
understoodthatthismustbetherealAllanQuatermain.Hispastwaswrittenonhisface,hisvisage
etchedwithhardlinesfromalifeontheveldt.

"Butthequestionis,youngman,doIneedtheempire?"saidtherealQuatermain.Hisvoicewasrough
andrich,withapleasantlilt.

"I—"Reedstarted,rummagingthroughhisrehearsedlinestofindonethatmightfitthesituation.

Thejovialimpostorclutchedhisfreshdrink,asifitwereaprizethathewouldallownoonetopryfrom
hishands.Helookedcrestfallen,asifhisfavoritegamehadbeenspoiled."I'lltoddleoffthen,shallI,
Allan?"

"Yes,ofcourse,Nigel.Youtoddleoff."QuatermainturnedbacktoReed."Nigelisusefulforkeeping
thestory-seekersatbay.I'mQuatermain.Now,eithersitdownorleave,butdon'tjuststandtherelike
anotheroneofthosetiresomestuffedhuntingtrophies."

ReedquicklytooktheseatthatNigelhadvacated,"Theempireisinperil,"hesaidagain,lamely.He
hadexpectedthatphrasetobesufficient.

"I'msureyou'retooyoungtoknow,Mr.Reed,buttheempireisalwaysinsomekindofperil,"theold
adventureranswered."ItgetstobeastediousasNigel'sinflatedstoriesofthingsImayormaynothave
done."

Reedremainedinsistent."Weneedyoutoleadateamofuniquelyskilledmen,likeyourself,tocombat
thisthreat."

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QuatermaingesturedforthebartendertorefillhisglassandpourastiffdrinkforReed,whobynowfelt
heneededone."Verywell.Explainyourself,andpleasetrytomakeitinteresting."

Thebureaucratsniffed."Youmaynotbemuchawareofcurrentevents,sinceNairobiisso…
unfortunatelyisolated.Believeme,thereisgreatunrest.Europe,theOrient,partsofAsia,andevenhere
onthedarkcontinent.Manycountriesareonthebrinkofwaronanunprecedentedscale."Hisvoice
finallyfounditsfervor.

Quatermainraisedhiseyebrows."Thisis'news'?Thenativesrealizethattheydon'tneedtheirGreat
WhiteFather.It'saboutbloodytime."

"YouthinkthisisjustunrestamongtheBritishcolonies?Ifitwerethatsimple,we'ddealwithitina
snap,"Reedsaid."TheQueen'sarmyhasplentyofresourcestodealwithordinaryproblemssuchas
that."

Thefamousoldhunterignoredhisfreshdrinkashisindignationgrew."Oh,yes,Iknowthepractice.
Sendinthetroops,killafewvillagers,andpeaceisrestored."Hemadeadisgustedsound."No.Request
denied.I'mnotgoinganywhere."Hecrossedhisarmsoverhischest."Youmayleavenow."

Reeddidnotaccepttherebuff,butpressedonashehadbeeninstructedtodo."Europeisastickyplace
atthemoment.Countriesateachother'sthroats,bayingforblood.It'sapowderkeg.Thetroubleof
whichIspeakcouldsetamatchtothewholething,extendingfarbeyondtheBritishEmpire.War."

"Youkeepsayingthat.Butawarwithwhomexactly?"Quatermainsaid,irritationandcuriositycoloring
histone.

"Everyone.Aworldwar."

Insteadofreactingwithshock,theoldadventurernoddedslowly,digestingtheinformation."Andthat
notionmakesyousweat,Mr.Reed?"

"Heavens,man!Doesn'tityou?"

"ThisisAfrica,dearboy.Sweatingiswhatwedo."QuatermainturnedfromReedandpickedupacopy
ofTheStrandMagazinelyingbesideadeckofwornplayingcardsontheadjacenttable;theissuewas
severalmonthsold,featuringanewstorybytheimaginativeyoungwriterH.G.Wells."It'sbeenalmost
interestingtalkingwithyou,Mr.Reed.Goodday.HaveanicetripbacktoEngland."

Reedjustblinkedathimindisbelief."Where'syoursenseofpatriotism,Quatermain?Eventhoughthis
isgodforsakenKenya,we'reintheBritanniaClub,forheaven'ssake."

Quatermainstood,snappedtocomicalattention,andturnedtohisfellowdrinkersasheraisedhisglass.
"GodsavetheQueen!"

Everyoneinthebarrespondedwithautomaticenthusiasm,likewinduptoys."GodsavetheQueen!"A
momentlatertheyfellbacktotheirdrinkingandcardgamesandsnoozing.

"Andthat'saboutaspatrioticasitgetsaroundhere,Mr.Reed,"Quatermainsaidashesatdown.

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AtthefrontentrancetotheBritanniaClub,henoticedmorenewarrivals,oneofthemcarryingaleather
case.Thevaletsteppeduptothefourtravelers,whoaskedhimwhatwasobviouslyafamiliarquestion
bynow.TheadventurersighedandturnedbacktoReed,whoremainedoblivious.

Theyoungbureaucratinsistedinalowvoicetokeeptheman'ssecret."Butyou'reAllanQuatermain!
StoriesofyourexploitshavethrilledEnglishboysfordecades."

"ThatIknow.Nigeldoesagrandjobofremindingme."

Predictably,thefournewtravelersapproachedjovialNigel,whosatuponthesaggingleathercouch
wherehehadgonetorest.Oneofthemcarriedabrownsatchel,whichhetuckedunderasmalltable
nearthebarbeforesteppinginfrontofthered-faced"adventurer."

Smiling,Nigelpreparedforanotherperformance.Quatermain'sstandinhadalreadyfinishedthedrink
he'dordereduponReedsarrival;thesenewvisitorswouldnodoubtbuyhimanewone.

Quatermainsighedsadly."Witheachofmypast'exploits'thoseEnglishboysfindsoentertaining,Mr.
Reed,Ihavelostfriends.Dearfriends,whitemenandblack—andmorebesides.IamnotthemanI
onceclaimedtobe.MaybeIneverwas."

Inthebackground,Nigelspokenow-familiarwords,puttinghisheartintotheact."Yes,indeed.I'm
AllanQuatermain.Sitdown—fillaseat,fillmyglass."Hesignaledthebartenderforhisusual."Bruce
—"

Suddenly,oneofthetravelerspulledahandgunfromhisvest.Inasinglesmoothmovement,heshot
Nigelinthechest.Theflorid-facedstandinadventurerslammedbackwardintotheleathersofa,thenhe
slumpeddown,seepingredfromthedeepwound.Hisemptyginglassclatteredtothefloor.

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FOUR

TheBritanniaClub

Timeseemedtostandstill.QuatermainstaredashisfriendNigelslumpeddead.

ThentheBritanniaCluberuptedintoutterchaosastheotherthreenewcomersalsodrewweapons.The
olddregsoftheempire—menwhohadn'tmovedwithsuchspeedfordecades—nowdoveforsafety
behindchairsandundertables.Cardsandcheckersandmagazinesscatteredinaflurry.Onepotbellied
mancoweredbehindastuffedwaterbuffalo;abaldveteranyankedaZuluwarshieldfromthewalland
helditinfrontofhim.

Quatermain,though,didnothide.Hepulledanoldbutwell-oiledWebleyrevolverfromhisjacket,
pulledbackthehammer,andfired.Asingleshottotheheadtookoutthefirstassassinbeforetheother
threehadtimetorealizewhatwashappening.ThemanfelldeadontopofNigel.

"WrongQuatermain,"theoldadventurersaid.

TheotherassassinsturnedtoseeQuatermaincoollycockinghisWebley,thenrealizedtheirmistake.
"That'shim!"Theydoveforcover,returningfireevenasthefamoushuntershotagain.

Theroombecameahailofbulletsthatchewedtheclub'salready-batteredpanelingtopieces.Bottles
shattered,andstuffedanimalsexploded.QuatermaindashedovertotakecoverbehindNigel'ssagging
leathersofa,draggingReedwithhim.Asheran,duckedlow,hetookperfectshotsathisattackers.His
aimwasaccuratefromalifetimeofpractice—butthebulletsricochetedofftheirchests.

"They'reindestructible!"Reedstaredinamazementfrombehindthesofa,untilQuatermainpulledhim
backdown.Theassassinsreturnedfire,andbulletstorethroughtheupholstery,poppingoutcoarse
hempstuffingnearReed'sear.

"No.Justarmor-plated."QuatermaincautiouslyreachedaroundthecouchtocheckNigel'snonexistent
pulse."RememberwhatIwassayingaboutlosingfriendseverytimesomeonewantsmetogetinvolved
inanotheradventure?"Hesighedwithutterworld-weariness."NigelwasoneofthelastfriendsIhad."

Astheyoungbureaucrathuddledagainstthecontinuinggunfire,Quatermaingrabbedahandywicker
chairandheaveditoverthebackofthebullet-riddledsofa.Usingthechairasadistraction,heleapedup
andoverthecouch.

Thethreebulletproofassassinsfiredwithnewweaponsnow—fullyautomaticmachinerifles,farmore
modernthanQuatermain'sWebleyrevolver.Afterthethrownwickerchairexplodedintosplintersand
dust,thekillersturnedtheirnoisy,deadlyweaponsatthenewtarget.

Shockedtoseetheautomaticmachineriflescausefasterandmorethoroughcarnagethanhehadever

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imagined,Quatermainrealizedhewascaughtinthecrossfire.Hedoveforcoversofranticallythathis
trustedrevolverwentskitteringacrossthedebris-strewnflooroftheclub.Heduckedastuffedlionthat
wasshottopieces,thentookcovernexttoanelderlyhunter,whowasclumsilyloadinghisshotgun.

"WhatinGod'sname!Automaticrifles?"hesaid.

"Dashedunsporting,ifyouaskme,"saidtheelderlyhunter."They'reprobablyBelgian.Shouldn'tbe
allowedintheClub."Indignant,theoldmanstoodupandfiredhisshotgun,wingingoneofthe
assassins.Quatermainwasgladtoseethattheirarmorprotectiondidnotextendtotheirarmsaswell.

Asecondassassincoollyshottheelderlyhunterdead,usingatleastadozenmorebulletsthanwas
necessaryandexpendingthelastroundsinhisautomaticmachinerifle.

Furious,Quatermainsnatcheduptheelderlymansfallenshotgunandblastedwiththesecondbarrel.
Hisshotsenttheassassindivingforcover,thenhewadedin,hisangerendowinghimwithmore
confidencethanthebulletproofplatinggavehisattackers.

Recoveringfromtheshock,thedownedassassincrawledacrossthefloor,clutchingthefleshwoundon
hisblood-soakedsleeve.Thesecondkillerstruggledtoreloadhisemptyautomaticrifle.Thethird
assassinwrenchedathickpawfromtheruinedstuffedcarcassofalion;thetaxidermisthadextended
thelion'sclawstomakethetrophylookmoreferocious.Usingthestiffpawasaclub,heslashedat
Quatermainwiththehookedclaws.

Buttheoldadventurerwasfaster.Hesmashedthemanwithaliquorbottlehegrabbedfromthebar,
shatteringitoverhisunprotectedhead."Wickedwasteofgoodscotch."

Finallyfinishedreloadinghismachinerifle,thesecondassassinraisedhisweapontofire—but
Quatermaincrashedintohimwitharattlingteatrolley.Hesprawledwithayelp,andthefamous
adventurerliftedthecartandbrokeitovertheman'shead.Cakesandchinacupswentflyinginall
directions.

ThedistinctiveclickofagunbeingcockedmadeQuatermainwhirl,ready.Hisheartpounded,hisblood
flowed,hismusclesworked—justastheyhadinhisyoungerdays.Butinsteadofanotherenemy,he
sawpallidSandersonReednervouslyaimingtheoldWebley,whichhehadretrievedfromthefloor.

"You'reliabletohurtsomeonewiththat,"Quatermainsaid.

"I—Ijustwantedtohelp—"

"Allan!"Brucethebartendercalledout."Headsup,man!"

Quatermainwhirledandbarelydodgedaswarmofsharpsilverthrowingknives.Withastaccatopatter,
thebladesthunkedlikearrowsupthefaceofawoodenpillarinthemiddleofthegatheringroom.The
lastfewknivesstapledQuatermain'scollartothemahogany.

Themanwhohadbeengrazedbytheelderlyhuntersshotgunblastlookedbadlywounded,hisright
shirtsleevesoakedwithblood.Buthewasstillcoming,andhecouldthrowwithhisuninjuredarm.

Quatermaingrimaced."Justmyluckthebastard'slefthanded."

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Bendingawkwardly,hetriedtopulltheknivesloose,butthethickmaterialofhissweat-dampshirt
wouldnottearfree.Hesucceededonlyinslicinghiscallusedhand.Seeinghisvictimpinnedlikea
mothtoaspecimenboard,thewoundedassassinbrandishedabigguttingknife.Hesmiledashe
stabbedatQuatermain'shead.

Thoughhehadlimitedmobility,theoldadventurerthrashedandevadedthewickedstrikes.Sothe
assassingrippedthebigknifeandtriedforhisvictimsgut,usinganunderarmswing.

Amazedathisownresilienceafterbeingsolongoutofpractice,Quatermainsquirmedhishipsand
hauledhisbodyupoutoftheway,justastheassassin'sbladestuckintothewood,drivenbyallhis
force.

Comingdownfromhisagilemove,Quatermainwhackedthemanonthehead.Theassassingrunted,
andhisownweightfinallysucceededinpullingthewedgedbladefree—justintimeforhimtofallonto
thepointofhisownguttingknife.

Then,coveredwithcreamandjamlikeamonsterfromamadbakersnightmare,thelastassassinbroke
frombeneaththeteatrolley,wherehehadlainstunned.Helungedforward,frothingfrosting,and
pickeduphisowngun.

Quatermainspun,nowthathewasfreeoftheknives.Witharoar,heheftedatableasashield,
scatteringcheckers.Hechargedthepastry-clottedkilleratfullhittingthemanhardanddrivinghim
backtowardthetrophy-coveredwall.

Theblowspikedtheassassinonacurvedrhinohornmountedforshowoverthefireplace.Theman's
eyesbulgedandhecoughedpowderedsugar,thenoozedabrightredthatwasdefinitelynotraspberry
jam.

TheimpactknockedloosealargeBritishflaghangingoverhead;itfloateddown,smartlyshroudingthe
assassininhisfinaldeaththroes.

"RuleBritannia,"Quatermainsaid,standingbackandliftinghischininsatisfaction.Hewiped
perspirationoffhisforehead,catchinghisbreath.

Reedshookhishead,amazedbywhathehadjustseen."Well,Mr.Quatermain,Ibelievethatonly
verifies—"

Impatientandstillangry,theadventurerlookedaround."Wait.Wasn'tthereonemoreofthesebuggers?
Idon'tthinkIlostcount—"

Theblackvaletgesturedatthedoor,callingoutinhigh-pitchedalarm,"MisterQuatermain!"

Helookedtoseethelastkillerrunningforhislife.He'dbeenwoundedinthescuffle,butthathadn't
slowedhimintheleast.TheassassinhadalreadylefttheClubgroundsandsprintedsomedistance
downthedirtstreettowardthemillingvillagers,vegetablestands,shacks,andricketycattlecorrals.

"Bloodyjackrabbit,"Quatermainsaid,andturnedtothebartender."Bruce,it'stimeforMatilda."

Thebarmanreverentlypulledanelephantgunfrombehindthebar."Matilda,sir."Hetossedthelong

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weapontoQuatermain,whocaughtitinmid-strideonhiswaytotheClubdoorway.

Quatermainglanceddownatasmallleathercasethathethoughtoneofthefourassassinshadbeen
carryingwhenthey'denteredtheroom.Hefrowned,wonderingwhythekillerswouldhavetuckedit
underasmalltablebythebar—butheturnedhisattentiontotheimmediateproblemathand.Thelastof
thefourassassinswasgettingaway.

Eyesgleaming,ReedfollowedhimthroughthedoorwayontotheshadedporchoftheClub.

"Ourboltermayhaveanswers."Quatermaininspectedandthenshoulderedtheelephantgun.

"Buthe'ssofaraway,"Reedsaid."You'llneverhithim."

Quatermainignoredtheremark,takingaim.Hesquinted,shookhisheadandloweredthegun.

"Yes,Ithoughthewas—"Reedsaid,noddingwithatraceofsmugness.

ButQuatermainwasn'tfinished.Hetookapairofwireglassesfromhisshirtpocket."God,Ihate
gettingold."Heputtheglasseson,adjustedthem,andtookaimagain.Theelephantgunbelchedaroar
likeacannon,andReedflinched,squeezinghiseyesshutandclappinghishandsoverhisears.

Thebulletcoveredthedistancetoitstargetatincrediblespeed.Thewoundedassassinglancedback,
thinkinghe'dgottenaway—andtheprojectileslammedintohisunprotectedshoulder,shatteringbone
andflesh.Heyelpedandfelltotheground,sprawlingonthetrampleddirtoftheroad.

Quatermainloweredhisgunandputhisglassesaway.Hecrackedhisneck,surprisedandexhilarated.
"Wellthen,letusseewhatthatfellowhastosayforhimself."Hewenttothehitchingpostandswiftly
untiedoneofthewaitinghorses.HehandedthereinsofasecondtoReed."Nigelwontmindifyou
borrowhishorse."

Thetwomenapproachedthedownedassassin,ridinghard.Manylocalshadalreadylefttheirmarket
stallsandhuts,gatheringtostareatthebleedingkiller,whowasdressedasanEnglishman.

Reedshookhishead,hisfacepalerthanusual."TheymusthavelearnedIwascomingforyou.They
wantedtokillyoubeforeyoucouldoffertohelp."

"Obviously,"saidQuatermain.

Theydismounted,stridingforwardlikeconquerors.Thewoundedassassinlookedatthemwithfanatical
determination,thenusedhisonegoodarmtofumbledesperatelyinhispockets.Hisothershoulderwas
asmashedandbloodyruinfromtheelephantgun.

"It'snouse,man,"Reedtoldhim."We'llgetyoutoadoctor,andthentojail."

Finally,theassassinfoundapillinhisrumpledpocketandpulleditfreewithblood-spatteredfingers.

Quatermainrushedforward."Stephim!Weneedtheinformation!"

Hegrabbedthemanswrist,butitwastoolate.Theassassinbitdownonthepillwithasmugsmilethat

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instantlytransformedintoapain-wrackedgrimaceashedied.

Cursing,Quatermaindroppedtheman'swristindisgust.Thecrowdlookedathiminawe,buttheold
adventurerwantednopartofthem.

Afterallthathadhappened,Reeddidnotforgethisprimarymission.Heclearedhisthroat."Youmay
havenolovefortheempire,Mr.Quatermain,butIknowyouloveAfrica."Hegesturedaroundhim,as
iftheremightbesomethingadmirabletobefoundinNairobi."AwarinEuropewillspreadtoits
colonies—"

Suddenly,behindthem,theBritanniaClubexploded.

Flameseruptedthroughthedoorandroof;windowsshattered.Splintersflewupintotheair.The
supportbeamstoppled,andthewholestructuregroaned,thencollapsedintoaninferno.

Quatermainstared,hislipscurleddownwardinafrown.

Nolongerinterestedintheassassinsmotionlessbody,thecrowdofnativesturnedtheirattentiontothe
explosion.Shoutingwithexcitement,theyrushedtowardtheBrittaniaClubtohelp,oratleastwatch
fromupclose.

Quatermain'seyesweresteelyashewatchedhishomeburn.

"Itappearsthewarhasalreadyarrivedhere,"Reedfinished."Youcanthidefromit,Quatermain."

"Allright.I'min,"theoldadventurersaid."Damn…"

Reedsmiled."Excellent.PackforanEnglishsummer."

Withasmuglook,theyoungbureaucratstrodeawaytothewaitingbuggy.Thedriverhadn'tmoved
fromhisseat,watchingalltheexcitementwithbemusedinterest.

Ashetooktwostepstofollow,Quatermainhesitated,thenlookedbacktowardtheAfricanveldt,with
itsopenskiesandwavinggrasses.Thunderheadsweregatheringoverthewindsweptplains.

NeartheburningwreckageoftheoldBritanniaClub,theforlorn,crumblinggraveyardstoodagainstthe
magnificentvista,andQuatermainthoughtofallthefriends,acquaintances,lovershehadburiedthere.

Itwastimetoleave.

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FIVE

London,AlbionMuseum

TottenhamCourtRoad

Undertorrentialrain,ahansomcabdrovenorthfromOxfordStreet.Thedrivertiltedhisderby,andcold
waterpouredoffthebrimontohisalreadydrenchedlap.Therubberizedfabricofhismackintoshwas
proofagainstthedownpour,butthewaterfoundwaystocreepbetweenthefoldsofhiscoatanddown
histrouserlegsintohisshoes.

Nevertheless,thedrivermaintainedhisgoodcheer.Hisgrinwassincereashecalleddownintothecab
athisfare."Nicedayfordoing,ehsir?"Asifanyonecouldcarryonaconversationwiththedinofthe
drummingrainandthecloppingandsplashingofthehorseshoovesonthewetcobblestones.

"Yes…absolutelyidyllic,"saidQuatermain.Hisvoicewastheonlydrythingonthewholestreet.

Thecabhadasmanyleaksasithaduncomfortablelumpsontheseat,andmorethanitsshareof
groaning,creakingnoises.Hefeltveryfarfromhome,andcomfort.AfterhislongjourneyfromAfrica,
hehadhopedtonapintheselastfewmomentsbeforeattendingthemeetingthatSandersonReedhad
arranged.

Butaswithsomanyothers,thosehopeshadbeendashed.

ThehansomcabpulledupoutsidethestatelyAlbionMuseuminLondon,whereReedwaited,holding
anopenblackumbrella.Movingasifhewasafraidofbeingattackedatanymoment,thebureaucrat
hurriedforwardintotherain.Heopenedthecab'sdoor,andmuddywatersloshedfromthesideboard.
"Youmadegoodtimegettinghere,Mr.Quatermain."

"NotasgoodasPhileasFogg."Theoldadventurersteppedoutofthecabandstoodintherain,taller
thanReed'sumbrella."Fellowwentroundtheworldineightydays."

Hehadbeeninmonsoonseasonsbefore,andhadspentmanyanightinswampsorhuddlingunder
baobabtreesforshelter.Monsoonsontheveldthadapurity,cleansingtheairwithfreshmoisture;here,
confinedinthecity,thedownpoursimplyturnedthegrimeintomuck.

"Noneedtogoaroundtheworld.ComingtoLondonissufficient,sir."Reedpaidthedriver,
meticulouslycountingouttheappropriateamountincoinsandintentionallyforgettingatip.Thenhe
tooktheumbrella'sprotectionforhimself,evenifQuatermaindidn'twantit."Thisway,please.Your
contactiswaiting."

Quatermainhadtheimpressionhewasbeingwatched,asensehe'ddevelopedfromlongyearsasa
hunterandexplorer.Aglanceoverhisshouldershowedhimayoungmanacrossthestreetwhoworean

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overcoatandcaptokeeptherainoffhim.Theclothingalsosucceededinhidingtheyoungmansface,
makinghimseemuptonogood;hewasclearlyenduringasoakingjusttocatchaglimpseofAllan
Quatermain.

Alas,henolongerhadNigel'splayactingtocoverhim.

"Ifyouplease,Mr.Quatermain?"Reedsaid,urginghimalong.

Theyascendedthestepstowardthemuseum.Passingbetweenthemuseumsstonecolumns,underthe
ornatearches,andthroughthedoorintoblesseddryness,thetwomenwalkedwithechoing,squeaking
footstepsonthepolishedfloor.Reedsnappedtheumbrellashutandshookit.Rainwaterrunningoff
theirclothesmadethemarbletilestreacherouslyslippery.

QuatermainlookedaroundtheAlbion'sdimdisplaysilluminatedbygaslampsthathadbeenlitearly
thisafternoonbecauseoftherainsgloom.Hesawproudlydisplayedantiquities,statues,andassorted
treasures.Hefeltapang,remindedsomewhatofthedrearytrophieshangingintheBritanniaClub.

Briskandofficious,ReedledhimdirectlytoawoodendoorwaymarkedNOADMITTANCETOTHE
GENERALPUBLIC.Fumblingwithafistfullofkeys,heunlockedthedoorandswungitopenon
groaninghinges."Thisway,please.It'sdownjustafewlevels."

Thetwomendescendedstaircaseafterstaircaseintothebowelsofthestodgymuseum.Itwaslike
stumblingthroughtheprisoncavesofAyesha,andwitheachnewlevel,Quatermainlostabitmoreof
hispatience."Howdeeparewegoing?Hasoneofyourexplorersfoundapassagetothecenterofthe
Earth?"

Thewindingstairsfinallyterminatedinalowbrickcorridorthatlookedasifithadbeenmodeledonthe
Parissewers.Aclosedwoodendooratthefarendblockedthehall."Ihavedonemypart,Mr.
Quatermain,andIwilltakemyleaveofyounow.Perhapswewillmeetagain."Hemotionedfortheold
adventurertoenterthroughthedoor."Myemployerwillexplaintherest."

Theoldhunterfeltaprickleofhairsonthebackofhisnecksimilartowhatheexperiencedthetimes
he'denteredtherank-smellingdenofalion.Perhapshewouldfindpredatorsevenhere,thoughofa
differentsort.Hehesitated,suddenlywary.

Reedstoodatthedoorandwaited,thenclearedhisthroatimpatiently.Quatermainfinallystepped
inside,andthebureaucratclosedthedoor,plungingthehiddenprivateroomintoshadow.

Tomostmen,thisdarknesswouldhavedisguisedtheroomssecrets,butAllanQuatermainknewhowto
makefulluseofallhissenses.Hesniffedtheair."I'vecomealongwaytobeplayingchildrens'games.
Whoareyou?"

Thereddotofaglowingcigarettegavethesmokerawayonthefarsideoftheroom.Hischuckle
soundedlikedesiccated,rattlingbones."AfterAfrica'sdryandsunnyveldts,London'sweatherisn't
improvingyourmood,Isee."

Withtheturnofoneknobonasmallpanel,blue-orangegaslightflickeredupclosetoafiftyishmanso
gauntthattheshadowsturnedhimintoaskeleton.Hisheadseemedoverlylargeforhisthinneck,his

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browheavyandsolid.Hiscigaretteholderangledjauntilyupward.

Quatermainwasnotimpressed."Iaskedforyourname,notspeculationsonmymood."

Slimandself-assured,themansuckedontheblackendofhiscigaretteholderandblewalong,gray
breath."Iamknownbymanynames,Mr.Quatermain.Myunderlingscallmesir.Mysuperiorscall
me…M."

"M?"

"JustM."

"Notveryadeptatspelling,Isuppose,"Quatermaingrumbled."Ihopeyoursuperiorsdon'tboast
diplomasfromOxford."

"Charming."Mwasneitherparticularlyannoyednoramused."Imustsay,thedelightismine—meeting
sonotablearecruittothisnewestgenerationoftheLeagueofExtraordinaryGentlemen.Thankyoufor
joiningus."

"Leagueof…what?"Quatermainasked.

Mturnedmoregasknobs,andtheisolatedchamberwasfullyilluminatedindramaticpoolsof
flickeringgaslight.Alongtablewassurroundedbysumptuousleatherchairs."Thisisamostexclusive
society,Mr.Quatermain.Membershipisratherdifficulttocomeby."

Theoldadventurerwasnotenamoredwiththehonor.HehadjustleftthedestroyedBritanniaCluband
hadwastedmanydaysandnightsintravel;hehadnointentionofcomingallthiswaytoLondonjustto
becomepartofanothergentlemens'society."IbelieveI'vemadeamistakeincominghere."

"Youwillmakeabiggermistakeifyouleave."Mdidnotrisefromhischair."Come,lookaround.It
willgivemeachancetoexplain."

ThemeetingroomoftheLeagueofExtraordinaryGentlemenwasfilledwithexquisitesculptures,
pricelesspaintings,thefinestfurniture.Theparaphernaliaseemedmoremysteriousandintriguingthan
thepompousrelicsinthemainhallsofthemuseumabove.

"Yousee,Mr.Quatermain,"Msaid,"therehavebeenmanytimeswhenadangerupontheworld
requiredtheserviceofsingularindividuals."Withacadaveroussmile,hegesturedtogroupportraitsof
variousadventurersfromhistorylumpedtogetherintheirapproximateeras.Quatermainrecognized
manyofthem,andsawthathewasindistinguishedcompanyindeed.

"Thetaskhasfallentometoassembleanothergroupofheroesforourmodernage.Iampleasedto
countyouamongthem."

"It'slikeashrine,"theadventurersaid,notlikingtheidea.HelookedupataportraitofswarthyRichard
BurtondressedasanArab."Howverycurious."

"Initsmainexhibithallsandhereintheprivatechambers,thismuseumisfullofthecurious."Mlooked
overQuatermain'sshoulder,suddenlysmilingasanothermanentered."Andtheextraordinary.Allan

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Quatermain,pleasemeetCaptainNemo."

Quatermainturnedtoseeathinandshadowymanquietlyclosingthedoor.Hemovedwiththesilent
graceofacat,andhisfaceworethehardexpressionofanage-weariedman,thoughhelookedtobe
onlyaboutfiftyyearsold.Nemowasverydistinguishedinablueuniformthatcombinedelementsof
navalcaptainandIndiannabob,withasashtiedathiswaist.Hisskinwasdarktan,andhisfulldark
beardextendedtohisheart.TheblueturbanonhisheadfurthermarkedhisIndianheritage.

"IknowofMr.Quatermain,"Nemosaid,withoutgivingfurtherdetails.Hisvoicewasdeepandsmooth,
likecoolmolasses.

"AndIknowofyou,Captain,"Quatermaincountered."Rumorhasitthatyouareapirate."

Nemoturnedasetofblackeyesonhim.Hecrossedhisarmsoverhisuniformedchest."I'dpreferaless
provocativetitle."

"I'msureyouwould."

Mwatchedthetwomen,bemused,asifhesawvisiblelinesoftensionintheair.Hesmiled.

"Fromonesuchasyou,certainly,whostandsasasymboloftheBritishEmpiresdominationofforeign
lands—"Nemobegan.

"Iamneitherasymbol,noraslaver,"Quatermaininterrupted.Hisnostrilsflared.Hehimselfhadseen
theexcessesofcolonialoppression,downtroddennatives,culturesandsocietiesrailroadedinto
conformity"fortheirowngood"bytheWhiteMan'sBurden.

Nemonotedhisreactionwithapprovalandreconsideredhisinitialassessment."PerhapsIhavemadea
prematureassumption.Ihavesufficientenemiesintheworld.Idonotneedtomakemore."

Quatermainbackedoffandturnedhisattentiontoanotherportrait."I'mrathersurprised,Nemo—
knowingyourhistory—thatyouagreedtothisenterprise.Youstruckmeasbeingan…independent
sort."

"Independence?Yes.IseekmypeoplesreleasefromtheBritishEmpire."

Fromhisoverstuffedchair,Mexplained,"InreturnforCaptainNemo'said,we'llopenadialoguewith
theIndiangovernment."

"Thatisreasonenough,Isuppose,"Quatermainsaid.

"Onereason,"correctedNemo.

"Andtheother?"Quatermainasked.

"Ismyconcern."Nemostoodrigid,clearlynotintendingtovolunteeranyfurtherinformation.

Mstubbedouthiscigaretteinaterracottaashtray."Gentlemen,shallwegetstarted?"Hetossedalarge
manilafolderinfrontofQuatermain.Itslidacrossthepolishedtable,andtheadventurerpickeditup,

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flippingthroughthepapers.Insidewerepicturesanddossiersofthreepeople.

"WhatdidReedtellyou,Mr.Quatermain?Howmuchdoyouknow?"

"Hespokeofunrest."Theoldhunterpacedbackandforthbeneaththeimpressiveportraitsofhis
Leaguepredecessorsasheperusedthedossiers."Irecommendedlaudanum."

Mfoldedhisbony,long-fingeredhandstogether."Thistroublecan'tbemedicated,I'mafraid.Nations
arestrikingatnations.EnglandisonthebrinkofdeclaringwaragainsttheKaiser.Germanyhasvowed
revengeagainsttheBritishEmpire.France,Italy,Belgium,theyallhaveswordsdrawnandarmies
rallied.Theslightestsparkwillsetthemoff.Itwillbelikeastreetbrawlonaglobalscale."

Thedossierheldintelligenceillustrationsofheavilyarmoredlandironclads,streamlinedcannons,
rocketlaunchers,andcountlessothermachinesofwar.Quatermainflippedthroughthepictures,his
frowndeepening.

Mexplained."Manyoftherecentattacksweremarkedbytheuseofhighlyadvancedweaponry,
amazingtechnologicalbreakthroughsthathavecausedunprecedenteddestruction.Eachcountrydenies
itsactions,despiteclearevidencetothecontraryandmanywitnessesthatfirmlyplacetheblameon
othergovernments."Hecrackedhisbonyknuckleswithasoundlikegunshots."Europeisatinderbox.
Aworldatwarisagenuinepossibility."ThenMcalmlyrememberedhisdutiesashost."Sherry?"

"Alwaysthoughtitawoman'sdrink,"Quatermainsaid.

Mpouredhimselfasherry,despitetheotherman'sdeprecations."I'llalerttheservantstheyshould
beginbrewinggininthebathforyou,shallI?"

"Onedoesn'tbrewgin.Onedistillsit,"Quatermainmuttered.

CaptainNemostoodstraightandsilent,watchingandlistening.MtookthefolderfromQuatermain's
handsandspreadthepagesonthetablesotheyallcouldsee."Ourboysabroadhavebeenhardatwork
toobtainallthisinformation."

"Youmeanyourspies,"Quatermainsaid.

"They'vediscoveredthat,despitetheaccountsofwitnesses,thesewidelyseparatedattacksareallthe
workofonemanwhocallshimselfthe'Fantom.'"

"Veryoperatic.Doeshewearamask?Haveascarredface?"Quatermainasked.

"Asamatteroffact,hedoes."

Theoldadventurer'ssurpriseandsarcasmdeflated.Hetookoneoftheleatherseatsaroundthetable.
"What'sinitforhim?"

"Profit.Sheerprofit."Mpointedtotheillustrations."ThoseingeniousmachinesaretheFantom's
creations,theworkofexpertsheholdsimprisoned.Hehascapturedthegreatestscientistsandengineers
fromvariouscountries,forcingthemtodevelopnewmethodsofabsolutedestruction—andhissham
attacksmaybelittlemorethanextravagantdemonstrationsofhiswares."

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"Worse,theFantoms'provocativestrikeshaveeverynationclamoringtoacquiretheveryweaponsthat
assailthem.EnglanddemandstopossessthembeforetheGermansdo.Portugalwantsthembefore
Spain.TheFrenchinsistonhavingthembeforetheBritish.Anendlesscircle."

"Thenitisaraceforarms."saidQuatermain.

"Whilemillionsperish,"Nemosaidwithanangry,resignedsigh."MystruggleagainstWaritselfhas
accomplishedlittle,afteralltheseyears."

"There'sonelastchancetoavertwar.TheleadersofEuropewillmeetsecretlyinVenice.Theywill
exposetheFantoms'plansandreachanaccordagainsthim.Thissummitmeetingmustremainhidden
fromallthepatriotsandlocalwarmongerswhoarereadytogotowar.Thegreatestthreat,though,
comesfromtheFantomhimself."

"ThenyoubelievethisFantomwillattacktheconference?"Quatermainsaid.

"Ifhecanfindit—andIwouldnotdoubthisabilitytoobtainsuchinformation.Bystrikingthesecret
meetingandassassinatingtheleadersoftheanxiousnations,hewillsurelytriggertheworld-scalewar
hedesiressomuch."

"TheI-typesdon'ttrustus,gentlemen,sowecan'tsendinconventionalforces.Weneedateamtogetto
VeniceandstoptheFantom."Heclosedthedossier."Youhavefourdays."

"FourdaystoreachVenice?FromLondon?Impossible!"Quatermaincried.

"Letmeworryaboutthat,"Nemosaid.

QuatermainglancedatNemo'sfileandunderstood."Wellnow,fourdaysitis."HelookedattheIndian
captainwithnewrespect."Extraordinarygentlemen,indeed."

"Andinthatfourdaysyoumustalsoassembletherestofyourteam."Mremovedapocketwatch,
flippeditopen,andglancedatthetime."Oneofthemislate:Harker,thechemist."

"Well,he'dbetterlearnhowtotelltime,"saidanunseenman,anewvoicethatseemedtocomefrom
theairitself."Itsnotsomuchtoask."

Quatermainlookedabout,mystified.Thegaslightwasbright,andhesawnoconvenientshadowsor
alcovesinwhichamanmighthide."MyeyesightmustbeworsethanIthought."

Anewdossierdroppedoutoftheairontotheothersstrewnacrossthetabletop."Youreyesight'sfine.
Heh!"

"Nogames,M,"Quatermainwarned.

"Itoldyouourmemberswereextraordinary,Mr.Quatermain,"Msaid."Awhileagoatalented—albeit
misguided—manofsciencediscoveredthemeanstobecomeinvisible.AMr.HawleyGriffin.Perhaps
you'veheardofhim,eveninKenya?"

"Yes,Irecallthetale.But…didn'thedie?Somethingaboutamobreaction?"

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Theunseenmancontinued."Hedied,buthisinvisibilityprocessdidn't.Istoletheformula…andhereI
standforalltosee."

"Isthissomeparlortrick,M?"Quatermain,scowled,thenabruptlyflinchedassomethinginvisible
slappedhiminthehead.

"Boo!"saidtheunseenman."Believeit."

"Enough,Ghost,"Nemosaid.

"Oooh,hespeaks!"theinvisiblemanchortled."Ithoughtforamomentthenefariouscaptainhadbeen
stuffed.Pleasedtomeetyouboth.I'mRodneySkinner,gentlemanthief."

Mfrownedinthedirectionofthevoice."Skinner,makeyourselfpresentable."

Theinvisiblethief'scoat,drapedonthebackofachair,startedtomovebyitself.Ittookshapeasthe
mangotdressed,tuggingarmsthroughthesleeves.Next,apotofwhitegreasepaintroseintotheair.

Skinnercontinuedtochatashedressed."Yousee,Ithoughtinvisibilitywouldbeaboontomywork,
beingathiefandall.Heh!Youcanimagine."Hisgreasepaintedlipsblewoutasigh."Myundoing—
onceyou'reinvisible,it'sbloodyhardtoturnback."

Thetransparenthandcontinuedtodabgreasepaintonhisface,distributingsmearssothathis
physiognomytookshapeeerilyashespoke."Andit'sbloodyhardtospendyourmoneyifnoonecan
seeyou."

"Intheend,wefinallycaughthim,"Msaid."He'llbeavaluablememberofyourteam."

"Andthey'llprovidetheantidoteifI'magoodboy,"Skinnersaid,explainingtherealreasonforhis
cooperation.

"Andareyouagoodboy?"Quatermainasked.

"Iguessyou'llfindout,won'tyou?"

Thedoorquicklyopenedagain,andalleyesturnedtowardthevoice."AmIlate?"Abeautifulwoman
stoodatthedoor,carefullypushingitshut.

Quatermainblinkedatherstunningappearance.Shewasslenderandfit-looking,dressedinastylishbut
notgaudydress.Sheappearedtobeinherearlythirtieswithstartlinglygreeneyesanddarkhair;a
whitesilkenscarfwaschastelytiedaroundherthroat.Herskinwasivorypale,asperfectasmilk.

"Why,beinglateisawoman'sprerogative,Mrs.Harker."Mshowednotraceofannoyanceatall.

Quatermaingroanedquietly.Thismeetinghadgrownworsewitheachnewrevelation."Please,M,tell
methisisHarker'swifewithasicknote."

Hergreeneyesflashedathimwithasurprisinglyferallight."'Sick'wouldbeamildunderstatement,sir.
Myhusband'sbeendeadforyears.Atthemoment,Iamperfectlycapableoftakingcareofmyself."

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"Gentlemen,thisisMrs.WilhelminaHarker,"Msaid."PleasewelcomehertoourLeague."

"Andyoucouldn'tfindachemistwith—"Quatermainbegan,rememberingallthetimesandallthe
adventureswherewomenhadcausedhimtrouble.

"Withtherighttovote?Alas,no,"Minasaid.

Mwasunruffled.Hesuckedontheendofhiscigaretteholderagain."Inadditiontoherchemical
abilities,Mina's…prioracquaintancewithareluctantteammembermayalsobeofusetous."

Minagrimacedslightly,asifshedidn'tlookforwardtomeetingher"prioracquaintance"again.

"Andthat'sit?Chemistryandanoldfriendship?"Quatermainraisedhiseyebrows."Comeon,I'm
waitingtobeimpressed."Manyliveswoulddependupontheabilitiesofthemembersofthisteam.

"Patience…isavirtue,"Minasaid,thenaddedinasultry,eerilyhypnoticvoice,"Areyouvirtuous?"

"Theclockhandsturn,gentlemen,"saidM,gatheringallthedossiers."AsIsaidearlier,wehavevery
littletime.YouhaveothermemberstorecruitbeforeyoudepartforVenice."

"Kickingusout,already?"thenowgreasepaintedSkinnerasked."Amomentagoitwasallsherryand
giggles."

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SIX

London

Stilluneasyintheirpartnership,Quatermain,Mina,Nemo,andSkinneremergedfromthemuseumonto
thestreet,whereitwasstillraining.

Theinvisiblemanworealongcoat,slouchinghat,darkpince-nez,andfullwhitemakeuponhis
exposedskin.Heopenedanumbrellatoshelterhimselffromthedownpour."Caretosnuggleclose?"he
askedMina."Heh."

"I'drathergetdrenched,thankyou."Sheliftedherchinandturnedawayfromhisgreasepaintedleer.

"Comenow,you'renotstillupsetaboutthatlittleincidentatMissRosaCoote'sCorrectionalAcademy
forWaywardGentlewomen,areyou?"

Minaturnedtohimregardinghisunreadablemaskcoolly."Thatisonlyoneofthemanydespicable
thingsaboutyou,Mr.Skinner.GettinggirlspregnantbyclaimingtobetheHolySpirit—indeed!How
amItochooseonlyonereasontoavoidyou?"

Astheywalkeddownthewetstonestepstowardthestreet,Quatermainstoppedinhistracks.Insteadof
ahansomcab,astrangevehiclewaitedforthematthecurb,massiveandsix-wheeledwithabrute
engineunderitsexpansivehood."WhatinGod'snameisthat?"

MinaHarkerandtheinvisiblemanalsolookedsurprisedandpuzzled,butNemosimplystrodeforward.
"Itismine."

"Goodone,Nemo.Itreallyhelpswhenyou'resobloodymysterious,"Skinnersaid."Whatisit?"

"Thefuture,gentlemen.Thefuture."

"Ibelieveitisanunorthodoxdesignofanautomobile,"Minasaid."Inoticeseveralfundamental
similaritiestothecontraptionscurrentlybeingmarketedbyKarlBenzinGermanyandHenryFordin
America."

Nemoregardedthisassomewhatofanaffront.AlthoughKarlBenzwasindeedsellingautomobiles—
andwouldprobablybecomethemostsuccessfulmanufacturerofthevehicleswithinayearortwo—
Fordhadyettodomorethanbuildaprototype.IfForddidn'tbeginamarketingprogramsoon,Nemo
doubtedtheman'sworkwouldeveramounttoanything.

Thecaptain,aconsummatedesignerandinventorinhisownright,hadresearchedthecapabilitiesof
everymodelintheworldtodateandfoundthemallwanting,sohehadcreatedhisowndesign.Hewas
proudoftheinnovationshisvehiclerepresented,buthedidnotintendtosharethemwithothermoney-

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hungryindustrialists.

Nemosteppeduptothesideofthemuscularautomobile.Itssteamexhaustventsandswirlinglines
weremarkedoutinelegantHindustyle,functionalitywithaveneerofornateness.Thoughspattered
withthedirtandsootofLondon'sstreets,themetallicadornmentsshowedgleaminggold,silver,and
chromeovercolorfulalloybodyplates.Thevehicle'ssixwheelswouldallowittodriveoverlandas
wellasdownthesmootheststreets.

Atough-lookingoldermansteppedawayfromthecarandsalutedNemo."Waitingforyou,Captain.
Readytogo."Heopenedthesidehatchandbadethementer.

Nemonoddedpolitelytothemanandintroducedhim."Thisismyfirstmate."

"CallmeIshmael,"saidtheoldman.

Curious,SkinnerclamberedintothedrycarthenreachedouthisglovedhandtohelpMinain,butshe
pointedlyenteredwithouthishelp."Iwouldn'twantyoutosmearyourmakeup."

"What,Missy?Youwereintendingtogivemealittlekiss?Aheh!"

"Imeanttosmearitwithmyknuckles,notmylips."

Nemoenteredthecar,andQuatermaincamelast,takingafinalwaryglanceatthestreet.Fromthefar
corner,heonceagainsawthesuspiciouslookingyoungmanlurkingonashelteredstoop,stillwatching
them.Quatermainfrowned,thenignoredtheobserverwhowassopainfullyobviousaboutbeing
unobtrusive."IftheFantomhiresonlyamateurslikethat,thenwedon'thavemuchtoworryabout,"he
muttered.

Thevehicle'senginerumbledloudly,thenthesixtiresbegantoturn,movingthematincreasingspeed
alongthestreets."Ourdestinationsnotmore'namileaway,"Ishmaelsaid."Hangon."

"Whatacheerfulfellow,"saidSkinner.

Uncomfortablysilent,Quatermain,Nemo,andMinasatinthecar.

TheinvisiblemanturnedtoQuatermain."SohowdidMgetyou?"

"It'snoneofyourbusiness.Forathiefyoucertainlytalkalot.Nowonderyouwerecaught."

Skinnersnickered."Oh,Isee!Foundsomethingtoholdoveryou.Saucydaguerreotypes?I'veheardthat
jadedtravelersfindthelong-limbedboysofNorthAfricaadeliciousrespite—"

"Doshutup."

SkinnerturnedbacktoMina,grinningbehindhisfacepaint."Ah,that'snothingcomparedtohowthe
Leaguegotme,ehMs.Harker?Hell!Aheh!"

"Asordidbusinessthemeisnoneedtorelate,soasMr.Quatermainsaid,doshutup."Hermouth
formedatightrosebudofannoyance."Ihavenowishtorevisitit."

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Nowtheinvisiblemanseemedtobepouting,thoughitwasdifficulttotellbehindhisgreasepaintand
darkglasses."Justmakingconversation,Ma'am,andQuatermain.Holdontoyourpithhelmet.Ifwe're
allsupposedtoworktogether,andriskourlivestogether,what'swrongwithalittlehealthycuriosity?"

Nemobrooded,lookingattheotherswithintensedarkeyes."Thethief'squestionwasperfecdy
acceptable,Mr.Quatermain.Whyareyouhere?"

"Ihavebeenpressedintoservicetoresolveasituationinwhichyouareallparticipants,"Quatermain
said,whichanswerednothingatall.

"Alittletesty,Mr.Q,"saidMina.

"Pleasecallmebymyfullname,Mrs.Harker.LetusleavethemysterioussingleletterstoourfriendM,
allright?Besides,IdoubtifawomanwouldmeasuredangerthewaythatIdo."

Minaretorted,"AndIimagineyouwithquitethelibrary,Mr.Quatermain.Allthosebooksyoumust
haveread—merelybylookingattheircovers…?"

TheconfinesofNemo'scarseemedtobeoppressivelyclose.Quatermainfeltdefensive."Itisnotan
assessmentImakewithoutbasis.I'vehadwomenalongonpastexploits,andI'vefoundthemtobe
eitheranuisanceoroutrighttrouble.Atbest,theyareadistraction."

"Oh?"Minasaid."DoIdistractyou?"

"Mydeargirl,I'veburiedtwowivesandmanylovers.AndI'minnohurryformoreofeither."

"Well,aheh,youcansendthemmyway—"theinvisiblemansaid,leaningforward.

"Skinner,shutup,"QuatermainandMinarangoutsimultaneously.

Nemosatstock-still,hisbackrigidintheseat,asifheheardnothingofthesillyquarrels.

Ishmaelbroughtthecartoaglidinghalt,andtheengineputteredandhissed."Hereweare,Captain.
TigerBay,EastofLimehouse."

Onlytoohappytobeoutoftheoddlookingcar,andthecompanyitcontained,Quatermainfumbled
withthelatchandeventuallyfiguredouthowtooperatethedoor.Hesteppedoutandtookadeepbreath
ofthedampairasmistrolledinaftertherain.Hecouldsmellthemudoftheriverandfishfromthe
markets.WarehouseslargeandsmalllinedtheThamesbank.Waterlappedeerilyagainstthenearby
docks,

NemoemergedandwaitedforMinaandSkinnertojoinhim.Theyallstoodtogetherinthestreet.

"ShallIwait,Captain?"Ishmaelcalledfromthedriver'scompartment.

Nemo'seyesnarrowedbeneathhisturban."No,Ishmael.BringmyLadytome."

Thefirstmatenoddedanddroveaway.Theeveningfoghadalreadybeguntothicken,andpeoplewere
hurryinghomeforthenight.

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Ignoringtheinvisiblethief,Minaprimlytouchedherhair,regainedhercomposure,andlookedaboutat
thebuildings."Yes,thisistheplace."Shepointedachalkypalehandtowardanominoushousethat
spokeofancient,molderingwealth.

AsThamesfogrolledin,thebuildingseemedtogroanwithmenaceandtheweightofyearsof
unforgivensins.Minalookedfarfromhappy.

"That'swherewewillfindMr.DorianGray."

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SEVEN

London

DorianGray'sResidence

ThedoorofDorianGray'shousewasamassivewoodenbarricadewithornatepanelsandaheavybrass
knocker.TheinvisiblemanhungbackastheotherLeaguemembersapproached,notoutoffearbut
fromlackofinitiative;MinaHarkerhesitatedforanentirelydifferentreason.

QuatermainlookedatNemo,butthedarkcaptainsimplystaredimplacably,asifthedoorwouldhave
thegoodsensetoopenbyitself.Itwaslefttotheoldadventurertostepuptotheentrance,graspthe
handleoftheostentatiousknocker,andraphardseveraltimes.Itsoundedlikeahammerbatteringa
pieceofthickhullplating.

Aftertheresoundingechoesdiedaway,Quatermainwaited,staringatthedoorinsteadofhisfellow
recruits.Finallyheheardsoft,delicatefootstepspaddinglikealionapproachingprey.Thedooropened
torevealasuavemanshroudedinshadowsandlingeringsweettobaccosmoke."Hello?"

Quatermainsquaredhisshoulders,facinghim.Theywereofthesameheight,buttheothermanseemed
muchmorefullofhimself."Gray?Mr.DorianGray?"

Themansteppedforwardintothelight.Hewasadashingfellowwithunrulyhairandasmilethat
seemedjustthefaintestdegreeawayfromanoutrightsneer.Heworeadeeppurplesmokingjacketand
exoticslippers."Iamindeed."

"We…camebywayofM."

"Ah,Mformystery…orperhapsit'sformelodrama…ormediocrity."DorianGraylookedattheold
adventureronhisdoorstepasifhewasnothingmorethanaspeck."Well,ItoldhimandI'mtellingyou
—whoeveryouare—I'mnotinterested."

Hefinallydeignedtonoticetheoddcompanyonhisdoorstep:Nemoinhisoutlandishsemimilitaristic
uniformandcolorfulturban,Skinnerinhisdarkglassesandwhitefacepaint.

AndMina.

"Hello,Dorian,"shesaid,seeinghiseyesgowidewithsuddenrecognition.

"Mina?MinaHarker!It'sbeenages…thoughperhapsnotlongenough—"

Withoutcomment,shepushedpastQuatermain,herskirtsrustling,andenteredGray'sfronthall.The
elegantmanbackeduptoletherinside.

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BeforetheotherLeaguememberscouldfollowher,shegraspedtheedgeofthedoorandflungitshutin
Quatermains'face,leavingthemstandingaloneoutsideontherain-dampstep.Heblinked,ataloss.
"Shewhomustbeobeyed,"Quatermainmutteredunderhisbreath."I'veheardthatonebefore.Andshe
alreadythinksshe'sourcaptain.Trouble.Plentyoftrouble."

Skinnersnickered."Iknewshewasasassyone.Aheh!"

Nemohadnotmoved."AnotherdemonstrationofthemuchvauntedBritishcivility."

Thethreemenstoodthereinuncomfortablesilence,thenthedooropenedagain.NowGrayworea
morefriendlyexpression,smilingsothathisyouthfulfaceappearedreadytocrack."Please,gentlemen,
excusemybadmanners.Comein."Heextendedawelcominghand.

Minastoodinthefoyerbehindhim,lookingsatisfied.

"Minatellsmethatanintelligentman,anopen-mindedandculturedpersonsuchasmyselfshoulddo
hisgueststhecourtesyoflisteningtothem—beforeturningdowntheirrequest."Heshotaslylookat
Mina,whosegreeneyesreflectedthechallengebackathim.

DorianGrayseemedfulloflife,butinthewayapieceofspoiledfruitisfullofflavor.Hiseyeswere
wideandbright,asifdazzledbyharshlights,despitethegloomofthedayandthedimnessofthefoyer.
Hisskinwasvibrant,almostfeverish,butwhenQuatermainshookhishand,Gray'sgripfeltdryand
cool.

Strollingwithunhurriedgraceaftertheyhadallmadeintroductions,theirhostledthemupaflightof
creakingstairs.Thewoodoftherailwasthemostexpensivemahogany,polishedtoafineluster,no
doubtbythesweatofmanyservants,thoughthehouseseemedquitesilentGold-framedmirrorshungin
prominentpositionsonthewalls,implyingthatthemanoftenlikedtoinspecthisgeneralappearance.

Thewallswerecoveredwithportraits,allofthemoriginalsandnodoubtquitevaluable.Thepeople
featuredonthecanvaseslookeddarkoroddlyunhappy,possiblymalformedinanindefinableway.Not
beinganartcriticandunschooledinsuchthings,Quatermaincouldnotpinpointexactlywhatwas
wrongwithallthesepeople.Perhapstheartisthadbeenplayingamalicioustrickonhissubjects,or
perhapshesimplysawdeepertoaninnerrotinDorianGraysancestors.

Fartheralongthewall,though,asingleportraitwasprominentlymissing.Thevacantspotwaslikea
shout.

"Youseemtohavelostapicture,Mr.Gray,"Quatermainsaid.

"Andyoudon'tmissathing,doyou,Mr.Quatermain?"Graywalkedalong,runningfingersthroughhis
thickhairasifadmiringit;hedidn'tseemtofeelthatanyadditionalanswerwasnecessary.

"Maybesomeonestoleit,"Skinnermutteredunderhisbreath.

Theyenteredanimpressivelibrary,linedfloor-to-ceilingwithshelvesandshelvesofleatherbound
books.Slidingladdersonrailsranupthewalls,extendingtoevenhigheralcoves,andaspiralstaircase
ledtoaloftintheimmenseroom.Thechairs,vases,andfurniturewereallofthemoststylishand
expensivevariety.DorianGraycertainlyenjoyedhismaterialpleasures.

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Removinghisrain-wethatandleavingagapingemptinesswherethetopandbackofhisheadshould
havebeen,Skinnerzeroedinonthedrinkstrolley."Scotch,anyone?Ah,anexcellentdouble-malt.
Pricey!"

"Yes.Please.Helpyourself,"saidGray.

Gaslightradiatedthroughtheinvisibleman'sgreasepaintmask.Withglovedhandshepouredalarge
tumblerofscotchanddrankitingulps.Thefluidwasvisibleasitpoureddownhisthroatandpooledin
hisstomach."Ah,niceandsmokey!Burnsasitgoesdown.Careforasnort,Quatermain?"

"Atleastitisn'tsherry."

Nemowatchedthetransparentthief'sperformance,butseemedmorecuriousaboutDorianGray's
completelackofsurprise."YoutakeSkinner'suniquenessinyourstride."

Soundingbored,Grayledthemtoasittingareawherearoaringfireblazed."Yes,well,Ispentmany
yearsseekingnewpleasuresanduniqueexperiences.AndIdidthemall.Bynow,I'veseentoomuchin
mylifetoshockeasily."Hepickedupapokerandstabbedattheburninglogslikeahunterslaughtering
hiskill.SparksflewfromthegrateasheturnedtoMina,whostoodbehindahigh-backedleatherchair.
"Although,Imustsay,Iwassurprisedtoseeyouagain."

Minaansweredwithequalpartsvenomandsarcasm,"Whenourlastpartingwassuchsweetsorrow,
Dorian?"

"Meow,"Skinnersaid,dutifullyhandingadrinktoQuatermainafterpouringasecondScotchfor
himself.Bothglasseswereveryfulloftheamberliquid.

Theirhostlookedasifnothingintheworldcouldpenetratehiscoolcomposure,orbotherhiminthe
least."Ah,soyou'remerelymeantasanenticementtome,Mina.Mmustbelosinghistouch."

Skinnersaid,"Ireadthepapers,Mr.Gray.Wasn'ttheresomesortofbusinesswithyouandOscar
Wilde?Beforehisnumerous…er,troubleswiththepress,eh?"

"Mr.WildeandIarenolongeronspeakingterms,andI'mafraiditendedbadly."Grayturnedwitha
flickerofangerthatmadehimlookincalculablyold,buttheinvisiblemandidnotknowwhentostop.

"Wasithisfondnessforthehighlife?"

Graysnappedathim."Ihavenofearofhedonism.IsimplylostmytoleranceforMr.Wilde's
immeasurableego.Nothingabouthimwarrantsmyfurtherinterest."

Heseatedhimselfinthecomfortablechairinfrontofthefireandcrossedalegoverhisotherknee,
danglinghisexoticslipperclosetotheflames.Helookedupattheolderadventurer,raisinghis
eyebrows."Nevertheless,yourpresenceintriguesme,Mina.AndQuatermain.Theysayyou're
indestructible.Theysayyouvesurvivedenoughexploitstokillahundredmen."

"Abitofhyperbole."Embarrassed,QuatermaintookanothersipofhisScotch,notingthatitwasindeed
quitegood,farsuperiortoanythingBruceatthelamentedBritanniaClubhadeverserved."Well,a

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witchdoctordidblessmeonce…Isavedhisvillage.HesaidthatAfricawouldneverallowmetodie."

"Ah,butyou'renotinAfricanow,"saidGray.

"No.Therefore,I'dbestbecareful."

MinaleanedoverGray'schairandlookeddownathisfullheadofhair.Sheranherfingerslightly
throughit,seductively,asifshehadapurpose."Sowillyoujoinus,Dorian?"

Hesighedlongandslow,staringintotheflames.Hisexpressionwasamaskofutterdisinterest."Ah,
therewasatimewhenmyloveofexperiencewouldhavedrawnmetothisadventure.Iwouldhave
enjoyedit,nodoubt.AlarkButnowIhaveotherpriorities.Iseekto…tamemyowndemons.
Therefore,Imustdecline.Sorry.I'msureMcandredgesomeoneelseoutofhisextensivefiles."

Nemoturnedfromstudyingthespinesoftheextravagantbooksinthelibrary."Yes,hisfiles.Iconfessa
curiosityastowhatthosefilessayaboutMr.Gray.Andwhyheisconsideredsoimportant.We,allof
us,haveobvioustraitsusefulinthisendeavor.Quatermainisahunter,andMrs.Harkerrepresents
science.Imyselfamquiteskilledwithtechnology,andMr.Skinnerhasstealth."Crossinghisarmsover
hisblueuniform,hescrutinizedDorianGray."Whatofyou?"

"Ihave…experience,"heansweredwithanundertoneofgreatweariness."Avastamountof
experience."

Nemolookedattheman'sboyishappearance,andhislipsturneddowninaskepticalfrown."How
couldoneasyoungasyourselfhaveexperiencedmorethanQuatermainorI?"

Forthepastseveralminutes,Quatermainhadbeenstaringattheman,ransackinghismemory.Finally,
theanswercametohim,unlikelyasitseemed."BecauseGrayandIhavemetbefore.Ididn'trecallitat
first,butIremembernow.ManyyearsagoatEtonCollege."

"Alecture,nodoubt?"Minasaid."Youthenationshero,tellingofyourexploitsinAfrica,King
Solomonsmines,thelostcityofgold.Doriantheeagerlisteningboy."Sheseemedamused.

"No,quitethereverse,Mrs.Harker."Quatermainseatedhimselfinthesecondleatherwingbackbythe
fireplace,leaningclosertotheirhost.Thesuavemanintheotherchairlookedathim,secretlyamused.
"ItwasGrayvisitingEton,givinghislecture—andIwasjustaboy.Isn'tthatright,Mr.Gray?"

Theirhostpointedafingerathim."Touché."

Quatermainshookhishead,turningbacktoMinaandNemo."Hehasn'tchangedabitinallthoseyears.
Notabit."

"Mustbeahealthydietandvirtuousliving,"theinvisiblemansaidsnidelyfromthedrinkcart.

"Hardly,"Graysaid.

SkinnerfinishedhisScotchwithaslurpandpouredathird,veryfullglassforhimself."Anyone?"

TheotherswerestilltryingtomakesenseofQuatermain'sremarkwhentheoldadventurersuddenly

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snappedtoattention.Hesurveyedtheroom'supperlevels,peeringtowardthehighbookshelves,the
railedalcovesabove,theloftfilledwithshadows.Everyonefelthistension.

"Whatisit?"Minawhispered.

Withoutaword,Quatermainslowlyrosefromhischair.Theoldleatherletoutarustlingsigh,butwhen
heheldoutahandforsilence,noonedaredtoaskwhathesensed.Theothersstaredintotheshadows,
noticingnothing.Thetensiongrew,accompaniedonlybythecrackleofthefireandthequietbreathsof
thewaitingcompanions.

Grayseemedtothinkhewasoverreacting."Really,Mr.Quatermain.Youmustbeonedge—"

Thentheyheardacreak,thefaintestsound.Dustsifteddownwardfromtheloftrailing.Mina
instinctivelycrouched;shemovedlikeapanther,despitethetight,confiningbodiceandvoluminous
skirtsofherdress.

QuatermainreachedinsidehislinenjacketandeasedouthisWebleyrevolver.Itfeltheavybut
comfortinginhisgrip.

Beforehecouldcockthehammer,though,aflurryofmarksmenappearedlikeastartledflockofbirds
fromeveryshadowoneverylevel.Longriflebarrelsextended,ominouslyreflectingthegaslightsand
thelibraryfire.

"Gray?"Quatermaingrowled."Whatisthis?Yourownbrandofhomesecurity?"

"They'renotmine."Finally,anoteofinteresthadcreptintoGraysvoice,alteringhisusualbored
demeanor.

"Theyaremine."Thevoicewasrough,powerful,andslightlymuffled.

Asone,themembersoftheLeaguewhirled.Atthetopofthelibrary'sspiralstaircase,athinman
steppedforwarddressedinaheavyovercoatandblackgloves.Hishairwaswild,andasilvermask
concealedhisupperfaceandpartofhischeeks,leavingonlyhischinandtwistedlipsexposed.Hideous
scarscoveredthevisibleportionsofhisface,implyingterribledisfigurementbeneaththemask.

TheFantomlookedevenworsewhenhesmiled,seeingthemsohelpless.

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EIGHT

DorianGray'sResidence

Noonedaredexhale.TheFantomtookastepdownthemetalstair.Hemovedlikeaheavyshadow,
powerfulandcompletelyconfidentinhiscontrolofthesituation.

Quatermaintookhalfastepforward."Firstmeetingsusuallywarrantintroductions."Allthethreatening
riflesshiftedslightly,trackinghim.Heignoredthem,concentratingontherealenemy."Doyouhavea
name,orjustamaskandacostume?"

"Fine.IamtheFantom.AndyouaretheLeagueofso-calledExtraordinaryGentlemen."Firelight
shimmeredlikequicksilveronhismask."There,introductionsmade.Nowwecanbeaboutourvital,
andpossiblydeadly,business."Hecontinueddownthespiralstaircase."AndwhileImaybescarred,
Mr.Quatermain,Iamnotblind.Dropthegun."

Quatermainliftedhiseyestothenumerousmarksmenstationedallaroundthelibrary.Reluctantly,he
droppedhisWebleyrevolver.

AlloftheFantoms'riflebearersworelongleathercoats,handkerchiefstiedacrosstheirfaces,andwide
steelhatsthatmadethemlooklikedrones.Theidenticalmarksmenallhadananonymousquality,asif
theyhadbeenstampedoutofafactoryline—allexceptforoneyoungmanontheupperlevel.

Heworethesamehelmetandleathercoat,buttheyoungmandidn'tseemtofitinwiththeother
henchmen.Quatermains'huntersensepickedhimout,andthemysteriousmarksmanraisedhisheadso
thatlightfellonhisdeterminedblueeyes.Hisfacewasyoung,handsome,flushedwithexcitement.He
hadbeentryingtocatchQuatermains'attention;noticingthathehadfinallysucceeded,themarksman
actuallywinkedathim.

Suddenly,Quatermainrecognizedthesuspicious-lookingyoungmanwhohadbeenineptlyfollowing
andwatchingthemallafternoon,slouchingondoorstepsandattemptingnonchalance.Hewasnot
surprisedtoseethestrangeramongtheseenemies.Butsomethingwasn'tright.Whatwastheyoung
mandoinghere?

TheFantom,revelinginthemoment,continuedhisgrandentrance."Yourmissionistostopme.That,
ofcourse,Icannotpermit."Hereachedthebottomofthestaircaseandfacedtheminthelibrary."SoI
givetoyouallaone-timeinvitation.Joinme."

Notwantingtodrawattentiontowhatmightbeapotentialally,Quatermaindidnotlookagainatthe
mysteriousyoungmarksman.HemettheFantom'smaskedgaze."Joinyou—ordie?I'mfamiliarwith
thatultimatum.Notveryoriginal."

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Hisrevolverlayonthefloor,buthewouldneverbeabletoreachitbeforeallthemarksmenriddledhim
withbullets.

TheFantomraisedhisarmsandspreadhisblack-glovedhands,"AndIamfamiliarwithmensuchas
you,Mr.Quatermain.Youwalktheknife-edgeoflawanddisorder.Anindividual,notablindsoldierto
marchempty-headedintobattle.WhatdoyouoweEngland?Come,undothestuffywaistcoatof
tyranny.Whyremainloyaltoanempirethatusesyou,butcanbarelyabideyou?Bringmeyourtalents
andI'll—"

"—addustoyourcollectionoflackeysandkidnappedscientists?"Minafinishedforhim."How
appealing."

"Don'tyousee?"TheFantomstrokedhissilvermask,tantalizingthem,threatening—orpromising—to
yankitoffandrevealhishorriblydisfiguredface."We'reallofusoutcasts,society'sdregs."

"Heh,he'snotexactlywrongaboutthat,"saidSkinner,stillholdinghisfullglassofScotch,asifabout
toproposeatoast.

"AsmuchasIdespisetheconflictsofnations,youthinkwe'llhelpyoustartawarthatwillconsumethe
planet?"Nemosaid.Hissternfacecouldbarelycontaintheoutpouringofdisgusthefeltforthe
suggestion.

"Whileyouprofitfromyour'armsrace'?"Quatermainadded."Hownoble."

TheFantoms'laughwaslikebreakingglass."Icannotdenythatfortunesaremadeinwar,gentlemen.
Notthepoliticiansorkings,notthehaplessfighters—itisthebusinessmenandvisionarieswhoprofit
fromsuchasituation.Imaginetherichesaworldwarwillyield!"

Quatermainglancedupagainattheoddyoungmarksman,whoseemedtobeanxiouslytryingtogethis
attention.Theimpostergesturedslightlywithhisriflebarrel;fromhisownfamiliarityandexpertise,
QuatermainidentifiedacustomizedWinchesterwithexoticaimingsight,decoratedbarrel,andcarved
stock.Veryinteresting.Themysteriousyoungmanseemedtobebiddinghimtoactwhenthetimewas
right.

Noneofhiscompanionshadnoticedthemisfithenchmanabove.Quatermains'mindraced,andhetried
tostallfortime.Hestooduptotheblack-garbedFantom."IhaveheldthetreasureofKingSolomonin
myhands,sir.Ittaughtmethathappinesscan'tbefoundinmountainsofgold,norinvisionsofpower."

Fromacrossthelibrary,Skinnerclearedhisthroatnervously."Aheh!I,ontheotherhand,findgoldto
beabeautifulhue."Heliftedhisglass."LikethisScotch."

WhenQuatermains'glanceflickeddownathisWebleylyingonthefloor,theFantomnoticedatonce.
"Remindmetoplayyouatcardsoneday.Yourfaceislikeanopenbook."Withhispolishedshoe,he
kickedtherevolverfaraway.Itskitteredandspun,comingtorestunderthelibraryladders.

Impatientnow,hesquaredhisshouldersandraisedhisvoicetoaddresstheLeague."Sowhat'sittobe?
DoesQuatermainspeakforallofyou?"

"Yourevilispalpable,sir,"Minasaid."Evenaso-called'dreg'suchasmyselfmustmaintainher

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standards.Ihaveassociatedwithvilemenbefore,"—sheshotaquickglanceatDorianGray,whohad
notevenbotheredtorisefromhischairatthefireplace—"butIdohavecertainstandards."

"Personally,Idon'tcareforgunsinmyhome."Graysoundedboredagain."AndIdon'trecallextending
aninvitationtoanyofyou."

"I,ontheotherhand,alwayssidewithsuperiorforce."Theinvisiblemansteppedforward.Hiswhite
facepaintshowedhisgrin."Takeme,Fantom.I'myours."

NemowasathissidesofastthatSkinnerbarelyhadtimetotakeanotherstep.Heplacedafirmhandon
theinvisibleman'sshoulder,squeezingsohardthatthethiefwincedandsquirmed."Skinneriswithme.
AndIamwiththem."

TheFantomletoutanexaggeratedsigh."ThenI'mtrulysaddened.Ihadhopedyouwouldtake
advantageofanobviousopportunity."Heliftedablack-glovedhand."Men!"

Themarksmenaimed.Withaloudclick,thefiringboltsofsophisticatedbreech-loadingrifleswere
drawnback.

Justthen,withafierceyell,theyoungimposterturnedhismodifiedWinchesteronhisfellow
marksmen.Heblastedaway,killingtwooftheunsuspectinghenchmen,thendoveforshelter.

TheFantomwheeled,surprised.

Everythinghappenedinaninstant.AllthemembersoftheLeaguehadtensed,lookingforanylast-
chanceopportunity,andtheyflewintoaction.NemoandMinaleapedforcover.

Quatermainlaunchedhimselfatthenearestlibraryladder,grabbingtherungsandrunning.Heshovedit
alongitsrail,smashingthemarksmen'sprotrudingriflesasideasitwent.Severalweapons,wrenched
free,tumbledtothelibraryfloor.

Themarksmenontheothersideofthelibrarydidnothesitatetofire,though.Gunshotsblastedoutlike
adozenfiringsquads,andtheairfilledwithbullets.DorianGrayspaintings,lamps,andornaments
shreddedorshattered.Withmuffledthuds,dozensofbooksexploded;sometumbledofftheshelves,as
iftryingtoescapethefusillade.Paperfragmentsfilledtheairwithaparchmentblizzard.

ThedapperDorianGray,lookingincongruouslyelegantinhispurplesmokingjacket,staggeredand
jitteredfrommultipleimpacts.Hisbodywasriddledwithbulletholes,andhisfaceworeanexpression
ofsurpriseddispleasure.

"Dorian!"Minastruggledtoruntohim,butCaptainNemosnaggedherandpulledherbehindapillar.A
bulletstruckthepillar,sendingasprayofwoodsplintersneartheirfaces.

Withasharpyelp,Skinnerrantheoppositedirection.HetossedthefullglassofScotchontohiswhite-
paintedface,squeezinghiseyesshutmomentarily;thealcoholdissolvedhismakeupcoating,makingit
easierforhimtowipeawaywithapieceofcloth,andbythetimehehadthrownoffhiscoat,the
invisiblemanhadcompletelyvanished.

AfterreloadinghisWinchester,theyoungimposteradvancedontheothermarksmen,openingfire

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again.Hecockedthecustomizedweaponone-handedwhileyankingthebothersomehandkerchieffrom
hisface.Thenheblastedagain.But,tohisdisbelief,hisshotsricochetedofftheFantom'smarksmen.
Thesewerewearingbodyarmor,muchliketheassassinswhohadattackedQuatermainattheBritannia
Club.

Withremarkablestrengthanddetermination,MinaHarkerstruggledfreeofNemo'sgrip.Shetookan
urgentstepawayfromtheshelteroftheirhidingplace—andgaspedinanewsortofshockatwhatshe
saw:Graystoodinfrontofthefireplace,stillonhisfeetandapparentlyunhurt.Hesnatchedupalong
canerestingbesidethefireplaceimplementsandpulledawayitscoveringtorevealathin,wickedly
sharpsword.Hestormedintothefray,showingnoevidenceofwounds,despiteallthebulletsthathad
struckhim.

Atthissuddenturnofevents,theFantomturnedandsprintedforthestaircasethatwouldtakehimto
thehouse'sexitandthestreet.

"Notoneforabitofafight,areyou,Fantom?"Quatermaincalledafterthemaskedvillain.Inablurred
sequenceofmovement,heretrievedhisrevolverfromwherehisopponenthadkickedit,cockedthe
hammer,aimed,andfired.Hisshotpasseddirectlythroughthebookcase,strikingtheFantomsquarely
intherightshoulder.Buttheimpactonlyspunhimaround.Hehitacolumn,caromedoff,andkept
running,thoughintheoppositedirectionnow.Hisblackovercoatwastorn,butnobloodoozedfromthe
wound.

"Damnedbodyarmor,"Quatermainmutterered,thenranafterhim,heedlessofthedanger.Ashe
zigzaggedthroughthelethalgauntlet,hepassedDorianGraycomingtheotherway,furiouslyslashing
rightandleftwithhiscane-sword.

Fromabove,themysteriousyoungmarksmancoveredQuatermains'pursuit,usinghisWinchesterto
pickenemyshootersfromtheirhighperchesaroundthelibrary.

UponseeingQuatermains'insaneactofbraveryinchargingaftertheFantom,CaptainNemostepped
outoftheshadowshimself.Heglaredatoneoftheenemyhenchmenandrushedtowardhim.

"Nogun,darkie?"saidoneofthemarksmen."What'sthematter?"

Nemoturnedwithslowpoise,gatheringhisconcentrationandhisenergy.Hisvoluminousblackbeard
bristledashesmiled.Agroupofmarksmenhaddrawnabeadonhim,consideringtheunarmedcaptain
aneasytarget."Nogun.Iwalkadifferentpath."

Beforetheycouldopenfire,Nemoexplodedintoastonishingaction,usinghisentirebodyasaweapon.
Hebecameabluroflimbs,landingcrushingblowswithhishands,elbows,knees,andbootedfeet.His
spinningkickscarriedalethalforceagainstwhichbodyarmorwasnouse.Caughtinthehurricaneof
martialartsdestruction,enemymarksmenfellandscatteredlikeninepins.

TheFantomreachedaricketystairwayandscrambledupitwithQuatermaininhotpursuit.Though
panting,theoldadventurerseemedintentonnotlettinghisenemyescape.Handoverhand,clutching
therail,theFantomclimbedhigher—untilthestairsendedabruptlyagainstatrapdoor.

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Hisglovedhandgrabbedatthehandleofthetrapdoor,butitwaslocked.Takinglittlepleasurebutgreat
satisfaction,Quatermainchargedforwardandwasalmostuponhim—

WhentheFantom'sLieutenantDantedroppedfromnowhereandslammedintohim.Quatermain
staggered,losinghisbalance.

"Run,James!"Danteshouted.

TheFantomsmashedatthetrapdoorwithhisarmoredshoulder,brokeitopen,andhauledhimselfupto
thenextfloor.

Recoveringhimself,QuatermamslammedaheavyfistintoDante'schin,andthelieutenantreciprocated
withpunchesofhisown.Finally,theoldhunter,impatienttobeafterhistruequarry,delivereda
decisivehead-butt,whichsentDantereeling.Quatermainshovedtheothermanasideandpushed
forward,silentlycursingDorianGray."Whydoesonemanrequiresucharidiculouslylargehouse?"

Bestedfornow,Dantestumbledintotheshadows.

Fromacrosstheupperlevelofthelibrary,theimpostermarksmansawtheFantomabouttoescape.He
kickedanadvancingmarksmanasideandclashedofftohelpQuatermain.

Reachingtheedgeoftheupperlevel,hedidnotpausebuttookaflyingleapovertherailingofthe
alcoveandlandedonthesamefloor.Panting,andgrinning,hejoinedinthepursuitoftheFantom.

Meanwhile,Nemoducked,rolled,andleaped.Heseemeduntouchable,unshootable.Hebrokelimbs
withoutmercy.Themarksmenhadneverseenanythinglikehim.Theycouldunderstandbulletsand
knivesandclubs…butnotthis.Thecaptainsfaceworesuchanintenseandmercilessexpressionthat
thehenchmenturnedtorunawayinterror.

Instead,theyranintoDorianGrayandhiswicked,slendersword.

Thesuavemanstabbedandslashed,lookinguninterestedevenasthehenchmenfoughtback,howling.
Hewasoblivioustothewoundsthatthemeninflictedonhim."Ow,"hesaid,thoughhistoneofvoice
waslessthanconvincing.

AskeweredmarksmanfelltohiskneesbeforeGrayandtookadeathgriponGraysshirtbeneaththe
smokingjacket.Ittoreopen,affordingthemanadyingglimpseofGrayswoundsastheyhealed
completelybeforehiseyes.

"Whatareyou?"thehenchmangasped.

Graypulledhislongbladefromtheman'sbodyandkickedhimasidelikeadiscardedpillow."I'm…
complicated."

Acrosstheroom,theinvisiblemanhadfoundabladeofhisownandwenttowork.Hishoveringknife

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floatedandswoopedlikeaflyingprojectile.Thenearesthenchmandidn'tunderstandwhathewas
seeing,untilthebladeswungdowntoslashhisthroat.

Leavingblooddropletsdancingintheair,theinvisiblywieldedbladestrucksidewaysbeneaththe
marksman'sraisedleftarmtoexploittheopeninginthebulletproofarmor.Theknifedealtalethalblow
totheman'sheart.

PullingaheadofQuatermain,theimpostermarksmanchasedtheFantomuptwomoreflightsof
decayingstairs."Isuredidn'tthinkamaninsuchfancydudscouldrunlikeagreasedpig!"

CockinghisWinchesterone-handedagain,heletlooseanotherboomingshotupthroughrotted
floorboards.Splintersanddustflewfromtheblast,butthehoped-forcryofpainfromtheFantomdid
notcome.

Themaskedvillainsmashedthroughathinbarricadetoreachthedim,topmostlevelofDorianGray's
olddockhouse.Everywindowintheatticwasbrickedup,leavingnoescape.

Faceflushed,hisrifleextended,theyoungimpostercorneredtheevilmastermind.TheFantombacked
againstthegrimywallboards,whichhadbeenweakenedbyageanddecay.

Themaskedvillainturnedandwithfearlessresolvethrewhimselfagainstthethinpatchofwallboards.
Engulfedindustandcobwebs,hebrokecompletelythroughtheatticwallandplungedoutintothe
night.

"Hey!"Theimpostermarksmancursedandracedforthebrokenopening.Hepeeredthroughit,
desperatelytryingtogetaglimpseoftheescapedman,butsawnothing.

Amomentlater,Quatermainreachedawindowonthefloorbeneaththeattic.Hethrewopenthesash
andstuckhisheadout,hopingtocatchsightofhisquarry.Hesawdebrisstillfalling,brokenboards,
looseshingles,dust,andshardsofglass.Farbelow,therewasonlyafogbounddockandemptystreets.

AndnosignoftheFantomatall.

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NINE

DorianGray'sResidence

Intheaftermathofthefight,Nemocheckedforsurvivorsamongthebodiesstrewninthelibrary.He
movedmethodicallyfrommantoman,earscockedforagroanofpain—thoughitwasn'tclearfromthe
grimsetofhisfacewhetherheintendedtosuccororexecuteanyoftheFantom'smenhefoundalive.

OneseverelywoundedmarksmanlookedupintoNemo'sangryfaceandfierceblackeyesanddiedwith
asuddenwhimper,beforetheblack-beardedcaptaincouldevencheckhisinjuries.Nemowasneither
pleasednordisappointed.

Takingcareofimportantbusiness,Skinnerfinishedapplyingfreshgreasepaintoverhisfeatures.He
donnedhisdark-lensedpince-nezspectaclesovertheemptycratersofhiseyes,shruggedonhislong-
sleevedcoat,thencarefullytuggedhishatoverthehollowtopandbackofhishead.

Thoughhewascompletelyvisiblenow,SkinnerstillmanagedtostartleDorianGrayoutofhis
preoccupiedthoughts."Heh,Mr.Gray!AndIthoughtIwasspecial.You'reinvulnerabletoharm."

"Andalsoinvulnerabletothesandsoftime,ifindeedyou'reolderthanQuatermain,"Nemomused,
lookingupfromanothervictimonthelibraryfloor."Aswewerediscussingbeforeourunexpected
interruption."Thecaptainsimplacableexpressiondemandedanswers,buttheirhostwasnot
forthcoming.

"Idon'tliketoboast,"Graysaiddismissively.Hefrownedatthenumerouspuncturesandbulletholesin
hisfinesmokingjacket;heseemedunsettled,evendisappointed."Bytheway,whathappenedtoMina?"

AfumingAllanQuatermainreturnedwithheavyfootstepstothemainlibrarychamber.Withoutaword,
hetuckedhisrevolverintohisinteriorjacketpocket."She'sprobablyhip-deepinsomekindofperil.
Expectingustorescueher,nodoubt."

Minareappeared,herauburnhairperfectlyinplace.Shecasuallybrushedatafewsmallbloodspatters
onthecolorfulfabricofherdress."Oh,don'tbesuchanoldalarmist,Mr.Q.Andmyhipsarenoneof
yourbusiness."

Shesensedsomeonebehindher,butbeforeshecouldturn,oneofthelastmarksmenlurchedoutofan
alcove.Althoughheknewhewasoutnumberedandtrapped,allofhisfellowsslain,theFantomgone,
themarksmangrabbedMinawithapowerfulgripandheldherbeforehimasifshewereashield.He
rammedagleamingknifewithinahair'sbreadthofherpalethroat.Thesilkscarfshealwayswore
wouldoffernoprotectionfromthesharpenedsteel.

Quatermaindrewhisrevolver,andNemodroppedintoafightingstance,whiletheinvisiblemanfroze

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intheprocessofpouringhimselfanotherdrink.Fasterthananyofthem,though,themysteriousyoung
imposterleapeddownfromtheupperlevelsofthelibrary.Hisbootsslammedonthefloorwithacrack
likethunder.HeaimedhisflamboyantWinchesteratthemarksman'sface."Let'ergo,Mister,orI'll
shootya!"

Cornered,theFantoms'marksmanhadnothingtolose."Shoot!Goon!I'llkillheronreflex!"Thehand
thatheldtheknifetwitchedagainstthehollowofMina'sthroat,andsheremainedverystill.Herhead
lolledforward,obscuringherface.Herhairfellintodisarray.

Inthefrozenstandoff,theyoungimposterloweredhisWinchester.Nemoremainedtense,buttooka
stepbackwardtoasafer,nonthreateningdistance.Quatermainloweredhisrevolverwithanangrysigh.
"Itoldyoufromthebeginningshe'dbetrouble."

Thecorneredmarksmanfairlycrowedwithtriumph."Iguessedasmuch!They'ddoanythingtoprotect
you."Hecinchedhismusculararmtightaroundhernarrowwaist.

"That'syourbiggestmistake.,sir,"Minasaidinaquiet,threateningvoice."ThinkingIneedthelikesof
themtoprotectme."Sheturnedonhim,hereyesdemonicredandpulsingnowwithanunearthlyglow.
Sheopenedhermouthtoshowthelong,ivorysabersofvampirefangs.Thenshewasuponhim.

Thoughstillholdingtheknife,themarksmangaspedinterrorandtriedtosquirmaway,butsheeasily
sankherextendedfangsintohisthroat.Hestruggled,beatingfutilelyather.Shebitdeeper.Arterial
bloodsprayed.

Then,withasavagetwistofherjaw,sherippedouthiswindpipe.Hisdaggerslidharmlesslyawayfrom
herthroat,thenclatteredtothelibraryfloor.

Atthedrinkcart,SkinnergulpeddownanotherScotch.

Asifshewerediscardingadirtyhandkerchief,Minaletthedeadmarksmandroptotheground.

QuatermainlookedatNemo,stunned."Extraordinary,"thecaptainsaid.

Mina'sfeaturesrapidlyreturnedtohercoldpalebeauty.DorianGraywatchedherwithoutsurprise.She
flickedopenhervanitymirror,withdrewasoftwhiteclothfromherpocket,andcalmlydabbedblood
fromhermouth.

"Boy,theytoldmeEuropeanwomenhadfunnyways,"saidthehandsomeyoungimposter,proppinghis
modifiedWinchesterathisside."There,Ma'am,youmissedaspot."Inagentlemanlyfashion,he
pointedoutadropofbloodonherivory-palecheek.

"Excuseme…andyouare?"Minaregardedhimwithpiercinggreeneyesnow.Quatermainalsoturned
totheunexpectedally,waitingfortheyoungmansanswer.

"I'mSpecialAgentTomSawyer,Ma'am,"hesaidproudly,"oftheAmericanSecretService."

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TEN

DorianGray'sResidence

Whiletheothersinthelibrarystaredattheyoungmaninsurprisedsilence,achucklecamefromthe
invisibleman."Soyou'rea…spy?"Skinnersoundedslightlydrunk."Ithoughtspiesgetshot."

"Notiftheyshootfirst.WhichIdid,"Sawyersaidwithexaggeratedpride."Ifollowedyouall.Knocked
outastragglerandtookhisplace."Herappedonhiswide-brimmedmetalhelmet,thentookitoff.
"Darnedsillyoutfits."

Despitehisfreneticexertionsinthefight,CaptainNemohadnotbrokenintoasweat.Headjustedhis
blueturban,seatingitonhishead,thenlookedinbarelyveileddismayatthecountlessbooksthathad
beenruinedintherecentbattle.Paperandbindingslayscatteredandmangledonthefloor.Whenhe
noticedthesubjectmatterofmanyofthevolumes,however—detailedanalysesoftheMarquisdeSade,
drawingsanddaguerrotypesofnumerouspeopleinbizarreandpainful-lookingsexualpositions—he
turnedawaywithafrown,reassessingthemagnitudeoftheloss.

GaugingSawyer,Quatermainsaid,"SoAmericasawareofthesituation?"

Sawyergaveanemphaticnod."WarstartsinEurope,howlonguntilit'scrossedtheAdantic?We
alreadylostonegoodmantryingtonailthismaniac.ThemanwhofellvictimtotheFantomwas
anotheragent—andadarnedgoodone,too.Aclosefriendofmine.Hebelievedinwhathewasdoing."
Theyoungmanseemedamazinglyearnest,andoptimistic."AndnowI'mgoingtofinishthejob."His
customizedWinchesterseemedtobeallheneeded.

GraynoticedMinasizingupthehandsomeyoungAmericanandclearlywasn'thappyaboutit.He
sniffed."Verynoble.Butthisisaprivateparty.You'renotinvited."

Sawyerstubbornlysquaredhisshoulders."IintendtofindtheFantom.Sodoyouall."

Minacameclosertotheyoungspy,smilingseductively."Actually,sinceDorianhasalreadydeclinedto
joinourlittleeffort,weareoneshyofafulldeck."

Rememberingtheincidentmomentsearlierinwhichshehadusedherfangstoripoutthethroatofthe
lasthaplessmarksman,Sawyerswallowedhardandflinchedfromhercloseattention."Uh,Ma'am…"

Graytookupthechallenge."Onthecontrary,thatunexpectedbattlewasjustthespurIneeded.Very
exciting,forachange,withthepromiseofmoretocome.Andthethrillofanold,sweetfriendship
renewed."

Minarolledhereyes.

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Graypluckedathissmokingjacket,frownedagainatallthebulletholes."Iwillhavetochangemy
attire,however."HeturnedtoSawyerandmadeashooinggesture."So,asyoucansee,youngman,
you'renotneededhere."

WhileSawyerglaredathim,QuatermaincameforwardtoinspecttheAmericanagentscustomizedrifle.
"Winchester?"

"Modified,Americanstyle,"Sawyerconfirmed,proudtoshowoffhispieceandpurposerullyignoring
DorianGray.

Quatermaintookitandsightedonthenarrowspineofabookonahighshelf."Americanstyleof
shooting,too."

"Whateverittakes."Sawyergrinnedattheoldadventurer,noddedtowardtheWinchester."Likeit?I
broughttwoof'em."

"He'sin,"Quatermainsaid.

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ELEVEN

TheThames,London

Night

Leavingthebodiesandwreckagebehind,theLeagueexitedfromGraysopulentresidenceintothe
foggystreets.Darkriverwaterlappedagainstthenearbydocks,butathickmisthidtheThamesfrom
view.

TomSawyerlookedbehindhim."Isurehatetoleavesuchamessinthere.MyAuntPollywouldgive
meatongue-lashingI'dneverforget."

"Leaveit."Graywasnotconcerned."Myprivatestaffhashadconsiderableexperienceindealingwith
messesthatwerefarworse."Hedidn'texplainfurther.

"Wedon'thavetimeforhousecleaning."Nemoledthewaytowardtheunseendocks,stridingaheadin
hiselaborateblueuniform."Wehadbestbeaboutourbusiness.Accordingtohisinstructions,the
LeaguehasonefinalmembertorecruitbeforewecanbeofftoVenice."

"Recruit?Captureismoretheword.Itwillbequiteahunt,"Quatermainsaid."ThoughIprefertheopen
savannahtothestreetsofParis."

"Youmakehimsoundlikeananimal,"saidMina.

Theoldadventurerglancedatherwithundisguisedcuriosity."Speakingofwhich,Mrs.Harker—your
conductinthere…let'sjustsaytheattackerwasn'ttheonlyonewhohadhisbreathtakenaway.Would
youcaretoexplainyourself?"

"Indeed,we'reaquiverwithcuriosity,"Skinnersaid,edgingforwardwithagrinonhispaintedface.
"Afterall,youhaveplentyofdirtonme,dearlady—asyouaresokeentoremindmeoverandover
again.Heh!"

Minalookedatthemen,eachoneamemberoftheoddteamsworntosavetheworldfromadevastating
war."Verywell,inthespiritofcooperation."Shetouchedthecornerofherlip,possiblyfeelingaspeck
ofdriedbloodstillthere.

"MyhusbandwasJonathanHarker.TogetherwithaprofessornamedVanHelsing,wefoughta
dangerousevil.Ithadaname:CountDracula.Hewas…Transyivanian."Minaliftedherdelicate
eyebrows,butsawnosignofrecognitionfromhercompanions.

"European?Oneofthoseradicalanarchiststhenewspaperslovetoreporton?"Skinnersaid.

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Minapulleddownherever-presentscarf,exposingtwopalepuncturemarksthatscarredherotherwise
perfectthroat."Idon'tknow,Mr.Skinner.Isthevampiricsuckingofpeoples'bloodconsideredradical
behavior?"

TomSawyerturnedawaywithamixtureofembarrassmentandhorror.Quatermainstudiedthescars,
tryingtoguesswhatkindofanimalwouldhavemadesuchwounds.DorianGraysimplyseemed
interestedinadmiringMina'sneck.

"InthecourseofbattlingDracula,Iwasbroughtunderhisinfluence.Ratherviolently.Thatmonsterhas
beendestroyednow,andIhaverecovered.Partially,atleast.However,ifIeverappearcoldtoyou,it's
becauseIamfilledwithenoughofDraculasessencethatIfearwhereunbridledemotionwouldlead."
SheturnedtoQuatermain,asifimplyingthathehadpassedsomesortofjudgmentonher."Putthatin
yourfile."ShetuckedherwhitescarfbackintoplaceandstrodepurposefullyafterNemototheendof
thedock.

"Enoughstories,"Nemosaid."Wemustbeoffonourjourney."

Seeingnothingbutthefog-shroudedpierandthemurkyThames,DorianGraycrossedhisarmsoverhis
chestandfrowned."Nowwhat?"

Atthatmoment,thejettystartedtorumble.Bubblesbegantoboilintheblackwaters,accompaniedbya
brightsubmergedglowandaloudthrobbinglikemassivemuffledengines.

Nemowalkedtotheedgeofthejetty,asifhemeanttoleapintotheriveritself.Instead,hestoodatthe
brink,waiting."Ourtransportationisforthcoming."Asthesplashing,churningnoiseincreased,he
turnedtolookatthemwithasecretivesmile."WewillbeinParissoon."

"Isitaboat?"askedSawyer."I'vebeenonabigpaddle-wheelsteamerontheMississippi."

"Notthatsortofboat,Mr.Sawyer,thoughitgoesonwater,ifthat'swhatyoumean,"Nemosaid,facing
thegatheredcompanions."Andbeneathitaswell."

Behindhim,ahugeblackconningtowerbrokethesurfacelikeabreachingwhale.Nemodidn'tflinch.
Theplatedvesselroseup,gushingwaterasitclimbedhigherandhigher,untilitsshapeloomedover
them.

"Whoa,"saidSawyer.

Buttheconningtowerwasjustthetipoftheiceberg.Highandlongwithelegantseafaringlines,the
submarineboatsurfacedmajestically,splittingthesurfaceoftheThames.Likethescalesofanaquatic
dragon,itwasplatedwithwhiteceramicderivedfromtheshellsofmysteriouscrustaceansand
encrustedwithgoldenstatuesofVishnu,Ganesh,andShiva.

Whiletheinvisiblemanhungbackfromthemammothboatinnervousuncertainty,Quatermainand
Sawyersteppedforwardtogether,amazed.DorianGraydidnotseemimpressed,butCaptainNemo
showedobviouspride."Behold,Nautilus.TheSwordoftheOcean."

ThemembersoftheLeaguestoodtogetherattheendofthedockandwatchedtheamazingcolossus
easeagainstthejetty.Massiveruddersworkedwithexactprecision,guidingitperfectlyintoplace.

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Onceithadcometorest,exhaustventsopenedwithasigh,andtheNautilusletoutabreathofair.

SodideachmemberoftheLeague.

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TWELVE

RueMorgue,Paris,France

Night

Thecreatureboundedacrosstiledroofslopes,eaves,andchimneypots.Hisbroad,barefeetslappedon
theslats,andhemadeanimpossibleleapoveradeepalleytoanadjacentbuilding.Hisclawedhands
graspedforaholdonthegutter,andthenhehauledhimselfontotheangledrooftop.Abeastsbrutish
shadowmomentarilyshowedinthemoonlight,eclipsingtheEiffelTower,thenitsprangonward.

Itsbreathwasheavyandwet,itsgruntinghalfwaybetweenahowlofrageandaroarofvictory.But
firstithadtoescapethehunters.Itseverymuscularmovementexpressedexuberanceforthechase,the
hotpursuit—eventhoughitwasthequarry.

"Thisway!"Quatermaincalled,refusingtoslowdown."Don'tlethimoutofyoursights."

"I'vegot'im!"TomSawyersaid.ThetwomenhurriedthroughthestreetsofParis,closebehindthe
monster,tryingtotrackitsmovementsasitchargedoverheadfromrooftoptorooftop."ButIstilldon't
seewhyourteamneedsabigmonkey."

OutofbreathbutkeepingpacewiththeyoungAmericanagent,Quatermainsaid,"Thatbigmonkey's
beenterrorizingtheRueMorgueformonths.Imaginethemayhemhe'llgivetheenemy—ifwecan
managetogethimonourside,thatis."

TheAmericanswunghisWinchester,searchingforatarget,thenranonward."Well,Istillthink
InspectorDupincouldhaveofferedabiggerrewardifhewassokeenonstoppingthisbeast."

"Weallsufferfrombudgetaryconstraints,Sawyer.Welcometothemodernworld."

Upaheadtheysawmovementinthemoonlight.Quatermainsignaled,butSawyerhadalreadyseen.A
large,malformedshapesprangwithaheavygruntfromonebuildingtothenext.Helandedheavily,
sendinglooserooftilesclatteringdownintothealleys.

Quatermainfiredtwoshotstotheleftofthemonster,shatteringanarrow,crookedchimney.The
gunshotsentthemonsterdartingtotherightasitreactedwithanimalinstinct.

Grippingtheirrifles,thetwomenspedafterthebrute,tryingtokeepupasthemonsterboundedalong
thelengthoftheshadowyconjoinedroofs.Theyfollowedthesounds,trackedthemonsterssilhouette.
Sawyeraimedvaguelyinthedirectionoftheinhumanlymuscledfigureandfiredfiveshotsinrapid
succession.Alltonoeffect.

Quatermainchidedtheyoungmanforwastingammunition."Ifyoucan'tdoitwithonebullet,lad,don't

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doitatall."

Asiftoprovehispoint,theoldhunterfiredatthemonster.Asectionofroofdecorationexplodedinthe
beast-man'sface,sprayingtileshardsandmakingthecreaturespinaboutandleapawkwardlytoanother
rooftopacrossthestreet.

"He'sdoubledback!"

"Precisely.Hedoesn'tknowwherewewanthimtogo,"Quatermainsaid."Comeon!We'llwrapthisup
soon."

Sawyerranaheadoftheoldermanaroundaleftcornerjustasastoneangelcametumblingdownfrom
highabove."Lookout!"Quatermainsnatchedtheyoungman'sarmanddraggedhimbackasthestatue
smashedonthecobblestones,missingthembyinches."Thatwasnaughtyofhim."

"Thanks,"Sawyersaid."Whodoeshethinkheis,Quasimodo?"

"Keepyoureyesopen,boy!Thisisn'tacoonhunt,andIcan'tprotectyouallthetime."Quatermain
sniffedtheair."Ah,buthe'safraid.Itwon'tbelongnow,markmywords."

"Ican'tsmellanything."Sawyerdrewanexaggeratedsniff."Justthegutters."

"Shhh."Quatermainputhisearupagainstthemoistbrickwallandlistenedforvibrations.Hewaitedfor
amoment,thensteppedoutofcover,aimedupward,andfiredaseriesofperfectshots,drivingthe
monsteroutoftheshadows.Thebeastroaredachallenge,liftingclawedhands,butQuatermainfired
again,oncemorebarelymissing.

Eachwell-aimedshotwasaboutahairawayfromthebeast,andeachimpactsentplasterandbrick
explodingarounditsmisshapenhead.Themonsterhadnochoicebuttobackaway,tryingtododgethe
attack.Eachbulletdrovethecreaturecloserandclosertoasteeplytiledroofthatslopedintoacul-de-
sac.Acarefullyorchestratedtrap.

Finally,predictably,thebeastleapedandlandedwithbroadbarefeetonthedew-slicktilesofthesteep
roof.Histhick,blunttoenailswerelikespatulascarvedoutofhorn.

Asthemonsterscrambledforpurchase,Quatermainpausedbelowandliftedhistrustyelephantgun
Matilda.Heaimedandfiredtheperfectcoupdegrace—notatthecorneredbrute,butatasagginggutter
uponwhichallthetilesdepended.

Withathunderous,shatteringclatter,thetilesslidoffenmasse,likeanavalanche.Highabove,the
howlingmonstertriedtoscrambleup.Hisclawedhandstriedtogetaholdontheslidingsurface.
Finally,hesnatchedatachimneypotwithlongclawedfingersandstrainedwithiron-cablesinews—but
thepotitselfbrokefreewithagroan.Airborne,themonstertumbledintothecul-de-sac.

"Perfect,"Quatermainsaid.Hepulledoutaflaregunandlaunchedabloomingphosphorusflowerhigh
intothenightskyofParis."Nowwe'vegothim."

Thelightoftheflareilluminatedthestunnedmonsterashesprawledgruntingandtwitchingonthehard
ground.Withaninhumangroan,thebeastlifteditsheadup,cradlingitstemplesfromthepainofthe

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impact.

"We'vegottogettherebeforeitmoves!"Sawyersaid.

"Nottoworryfornow.CaptainNemoriggedupalittlesurprise."

Asittriedtoregainitsfeet,thehuge,man-shapedthingbegantorealizeithadfallenontopofathin
meshofwireandrope—ahiddennetthatsuddenlyactivated.Withasoundlikeanoverstressedspring
breakingloose,thenetshotupward,engulfingandliftingitsprey.

Oncethetrapwastriggered,acentralcabledrewthecornersofthemeshtightandthenbegantodrag
thesnarlingpackagedownthecul-de-sacatincrediblespeed.Helpless,thecaptivemonsterjostledand
bouncedinthenetthatrapidlypulledhim—roaringallthewhile—toaslipwayontheSeineriver.

Gleamingandenormousinthemoonlight,theNautiluswaitedattheendofthecable,engineshumming
asitreeledinthetrappedbeast.Thetoughcableledstraightintoanopenhatch.Turbinesandspindles
whirled,pullingthenettedcreaturethroughthehatchandintothesubmarineboat.

TheheavymetaldoorslammedshutasQuatermainandSawyerboundedbacktotheunderwatervessel,
satisfiedwiththeirnight'shunting.

"Thereweare,"theoldadventurersaid."Ourteamiscomplete.Now,offtoVenice."

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THIRTEEN

TheNautilus

Aboardtheunderwaterwarvessel,Nemo'sloyalcrewmenwentabouttheirduties.Theircaptainhad
issuedhisorders,andthesubmarinecraftwasunderway,headingfortheirimportantrendezvousin
Venice.

Whentwoofthesailorscastuneasyglancesateachotherwitheachroaringhowlfromthelower
chamber,thesaltyfirstmateIshmaelscoldedthem."Nevermindthat.You'vegotworktodo."

Themenstudiouslypaidnoattentiontothethunderousviolentpoundingandroarsemanatingfromthe
vessel'sbowels.Thescrapingofhardclawssoundedlikesharpfingernailsonaslateboard,thesnarling
likethatofatrappedanimal.Thehammeringcamelikeablack-smith'ssledgeagainstasturdyanvil.
Someoftheinhumansnarlsbegantosoundlikethreats,Englishwordsformingcolorfulandcreative
curses.

TheNautiluscrewmenhurrieddownthecorridors.Ishmaelfrownedandwentbacktohispost…

InsidethecabinNemohadassignedtoher,MinaHarkercontinuedunpackingforthevoyage.Her
narrowshelves,thetopofthebureau,thesink,evenhernarrowbunkwerealreadyclutteredwiththe
toolsofchemistry,theapparatusofherexpertise:vials,rubbertubing,glasspipettes,atomizers,andtest
tubes.

Assheunpackedmoreequipment,Minamutteredtoherself,botheredbyAllanQuatermains'
annoyinglyquaintandold-fashionedobjectionstoherparticipationinthemission.Shemimickedhis
voice,thoughnoonecouldhearher."Thishunt'stoodangerousforawoman.Evenonesuchasyou.
Leaveittome,theincrediblybraveandstrongmale."

Thenathunderousbangshookthewalls,asiftheNautilushadrammedintoaniceberg.Ashercabin
shelvesshook,arackofMina'stesttubescrashedtothedeck,andsheletoutalonganddefinitely
unladylikestringofcurses…

Insidehisprivatecabindownthenarrowcorridor,DorianGraypluckedhiseyebrowswithafinepairof
tweezers.Thepoundingandhowlingwasquiteadistraction,andthemirrorrattledsomuchthatGray
couldn'tfinishhistask.Annoyed,hetossedthetweezersdownontohisvanitysurfaceandwentto
investigate.

Hewasn'ttheonlyoneincensed.HeconvergedwithMinaHarkerandthegrosslymade-upSkinnerat
anintersectionofcorridors."Heh!TheGreatWhiteHuntermusthavebaggedhisprize,"saidthe

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invisibleman."Maybewecanallgettogetherfortea.Ithinkhemustbejustyoursortofman,Mrs.
Harker."

"Ithinknot,"bothGrayandMinasaidsimultaneously.

Theyhurriedtowardtheescalatingsoundofchaos.Upahead,oneofNemo'suniformedcrewmenflew
outoftheiceroomdoorway,struckthebulkheadwall,andlaygroaningonthefloor.

"Perhapsinsteadtheprizebaggedourhunter,"Graysaidwithasuperiorsmile.

"Boysandtheiradventures,"Minasaid.

Thetrioenteredthethick-wallediceroomandstoppedatthehatchway,gaping,asthegigantic,hairy
creature—somesortofhybridbetweenmanandprimate—hurledhimselfagainstthethickshackles
thatboundhishandsandnecktothewallofthechamber.Themanaclesattachedtothechainswere
alreadybloodiedfromthebeast'sunceasingexertions.

Oddlyenough,thecaptivemonstersswollenandinhumanformwascladinthetattersofprim
gentleman'sclothing:trousers,awaistcoat,astarched-collaredshirtwhichwasnowsplitapartathis
tree-trunkneck.

Quatermain,Sawyer,andNemostoodatasafedistance,clearlynotknowingwhattodonext."Henry,
you'vegottocalmyourself,"Quatermainsaid,tryingtobereasonablewiththemonster."Thinkpleasant
—"

"I'mEdwardHyde!"thebeastroared,sprayingspittleandsendingoutwavesoffoulbreath."Notthat
wormJekyll!"Thechainsclankedagain,rivetsgroaningonthewall.Buttheshacklesseemedsecure
enough,fornow.

Gray,Skinner,andMinaapproachedwithvaryingdegreesoftrepidation.

"Staybackifyouvalueyourlife."Quatermainheldoutacautionaryhand.

Hydelungedatthemandwasbroughttoanabrupthaltbythemanaclesandthecuffaroundhisthick
neck.Withbloodshoteyes,heleeredbrazenlyatMina.Shemerelycockedabrowathim.

Skinnerwasstartled,andhestumbled.Withnomorepolitenessthanifhewaspickingupascrapof
litter,DorianGraygrabbedtheinvisibleman.

"Ow,youscratchedme,"Skinnerwhined.

"Bettermethanhim,"Graysaid,lettinggoofthethievessleeve."Lookatthoseclaws."Hestudiedthe
captivemonsterandsaidsarcastically,"Well,thisisnice."

"Iwasabouttosuggestmusic,"Minasaid."Soothingthesavagebeastandallthat."

"Debussy,"saidthebeast-man.TheLeaguereactedwithsurprisetotheculturedsuggestion,allexcept
Quatermain,whoseemedtohaveexpectedit.Hydecontinued,"Thatis,ifyouwanttogetonmygood
side.Debussyusuallyworks,thoughJekyllprefersMozart.Sissymusic."

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"Icouldplaymymouthharp,"Sawyersuggested.

QuatermainsteppedupandlookedHydesquareinthebloodshoteyes.Thecreaturesswollenredlips
couldbarelycoverhiscrookedteeth."Mr.EdwardHyde,you'vedoneterriblethingsinEngland.So
terriblethatyouwereforcedtofleethecountry."

Hydelaughedwickedly,proudly.

Quatermaincontinued,relayingthemessageMhadgivenhimattheoutset."I'mashamedtosaythat
HerMajesty'sGovernmentiswillingtoofferyouamnestyinreturnforyourservicesonthisparticular
mission.Wouldyouliketogohome?"

"Homeiswheretheheartis,that'swhattheysay.I'verippedoutafewheartsinmytime.Toughto
chew."Hislipsworked,butamistinesscametohiseyes."Ah,thestinkoftheThames,allthepeople
coughingwithtuberculosis,thehopelessness,thedesperatepoor.AndtheyneverdidcatchtheRipper,
didthey?Outdidevenmybestwork—musthavecomestraightfromHell,andthengonebackthere."

Hydeshiftedaboutlikeacagedtiger,brooding."IhavebeenmissingLondonafterall.Itssorrowisas
sweettomeasrarewine."HeofferedtheLeaguemembersaCheshirecatsmileandslumped
cooperativelyagainstthemetalwall.Thechainsfellslack."I'myours."HeturnedtoMina."Bytheby,
callmeabeastagain,Miss.Please?I'mliabletobecomeoverlyaffectionate."Hesmiledslylyto
everyone."Aww,don'tbescared."

"Hey,whosaidwe'rescared?"TomSawyersaid.

"Youdo!"Playfully,itseemed,Hydelunged,pullingachaincleanoutofthewall,asifhecouldhave
doneitatanytime.Helasheditthroughtheair,andSawyerandQuatermainduckedtoavoidit.The
Nautiluscrewmenshouted,scramblingtograbtheirweapons.Nemocrouched,readytofightwithhis
barehands.

Hydedidn'tadvanceonthem,though.Hesniffedtheair,thenletoutaguffawlikebreakingrocks."You
stinkoffear."

"Quitetheparlortrick,"saidGray,unnervedbutstillpretendingtobeuninterested.

SuddenlythemonstrouslymuscledHydewincedasifhehadswallowedacid.Thepainimmediately
escalated,ripplingthroughhischestandshoulders."Youcallitaparlortrick?"Hegaspedforbreath,his
throatconvulsing."Waituntilyouseemynextone."Hydeclutchedhisstomachanddoubledover.
"Abracadabra."

Hethrashedagainsthisremainingchains,screamingandhowlingashishairybodydistorted.His
musclescontracted,hisskintightened,tissuesdistended.Bonescrackedandreshapedashisbody
transformed.

Heslammedagainstthechamberwall,backandforth,shriekingandhowling,agonizedasthe
metamorphosiswrackedhisbody.Thebandaroundhisnecksnappedcleanoff,andhebrokethe
remainingshackleonhisleftwrist.Butescapewasthelastthingonhismindatthemoment.

Hydefelltothefloor,stillflailinginhisfearsomeseizure.Noneoftheothersapproachedhim,waryfor

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theirlives.

LittlebylittleEdwardHydeshrankintoasmallerperson.Hiscoarse,unrulyhairandthickblacknails
recededuntilfinally,thebeastwasentirelygone.Anothermanlaythereonthedeck,awashinthe
monster'ssoursweat.

"Atleasthefitsthoseclothesbetternow,"theinvisiblemanpointedout,unhelpfully.

Shakingwithweaknessandpersonalmisery,thescrawnystrangerarose,blinkinghisnervous,saucer-
wideeyes.HewasaslightmanwhoeasilyslippedhisentirehandoutofHyde'swristshackles,leaving
thetornchainsonthefloor.Hisashenfacereflectedhisordeal.HislargeAdam'sapplebobbedupand
downashegulped.

"HenryJekyll,atyourservice.AndIwouldverymuchliketoearnmypardonandreturntoLondon."
Heswallowedhard."MayIhaveaglassofwater,please?"

"SotheLeagueisset,"Quatermainsaidwhenthesevenmembersgatheredlaterinsidetheplushparlor
ofthesubmarineboat.Nemohadofferedthemallyellowishhomemadecigarsfashionedfromarare
nicotine-containingseaweed.Quatermaindrewalongpuff,expectingtodislikethecigar,butfoundit
ratherpleasant."Nowwecanfinallybeaboutourwork."

Hearingachatterofmachinery,Nemowenttotearanincomingtickertapefromawallunit.He
skimmeddownthepunchedwords."Andsoisthetimeandpreciselocationfortheconference.We
havethreedays."

"ThreedaystogetallthewaytoItaly?Goodness!"saidTomSawyer."Canthiscanoedoit?"

"DonotunderestimatetheNautilus."Nemowenttostareoutattheswirlingunderseaview.Theshipcut
throughthewatersatincrediblespeed,herlong,leanlinesdemonstratingtheaccuracyofhernickname,
SwordoftheOcean.

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FOURTEEN

TheNautilus

TheLeaguegatheredintheamazingvessel'sconningtowerasthesubmarineboatcruisedthesurfaceof
theAtlanticoffthecoastofPortugal.Awhitewakecurledfromthebowasthebeautifullyornamented
vesselglidedahead.Thesaltyairwasasrefreshingasthebrightdaylight.

"Thisisawholelotdifferentfromridingapaddle-boat,"TomSawyersaid.

Besidehim,thefamoushuntercleanedhisbigelephantguninsilence.Sawyerwatchedhim,unableto
keepsilent."So,younamedyourgun,Mr.Quatermain?"

"Matilda."

"Who'sMatilda?"Theyoungagentseemedeagerforconversation."Somebodyspecial?"

"Mygun."Theoldhuntersightedthegunouttosea,pastwhereMinaHarkerandDorianGraystood
togetheronthefarsideoftheNautilus'sdeck.

Graysmiledcuriouslyashelookedatthewomaninherformalbluedress,whitescarf,andlonggloves,
allofwhichwerecertainlyinappropriateforstandingoutsideontheopendeckofasubmarinevessel
racingacrossthewater.Hehadwitnessedtheterriblechangesinher,knewthedemoniccreaturethat
lurkedhalf-hiddenbeneathherperfectexterior.Justlikehimself.Heedgedcloser."Mina—
rediscoveringyou…Ah,themullahsofArabiawouldcallitkismet."

Minadidnotfindthemomentquitesomagical."Don'tgetanyideas,Dorian.Ourpastisjustandonly
that."

"DidIhurtyouso?"Histhinpatricianlipsformedapainedexpression,whichhadnoeffectonthepale,
beautifulwoman.

"Don'tflatteryourself.UntilMmentionedyourname,I'dallbutforgottenyouexisted."Shesniffed.
"Youwerealwaysstrange,Dorian.Untiltheincidentinyourlibrary,watchingyouriddledwithbullets
andremainingcompletelyunaffected…Ijustdidn'trealizehowstrange."

"Strange?Iprefer'timeless."

"Atleastyourappearancefinallymakessensetome.Quatermamknewyouasagrownmanwhenhe
wasjustaboy?Evenbefore,whenweweretogether,Iwasn'tnaiveenoughtothinkthatyour'youth'
wasduetocleanliving.Youhaven'tagedaday."

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"Itsanoverratedpractice.Andyouyourselfdon'tappearamomentolder."

"Ihaveanexcuse."

"SodoI."

AssheturnedawayfromGrayandstartedtowardtheconningtower'shatch,Sawyerwatchedthe
beautifulwomanwithobviousadmiration.

Quatermaincontinuedtostudyhiselephantgun,gazingthroughthesightandnevertakinghiseyes
away,butstillhesensedSawyersfascinationwithMinaHarker."She'soutofyourleague,boy."

Withgood-naturedAmericancockiness,Sawyersaid,"Fortunerewardsthebold,Mr.Quatermain."He
steppedforwardwithhisdisarminggrin,intendingtobeagentlemanandopenthehatchforMina."If
yourequireanyhelpduringthevoyage,Mrs.Harker,letmeknow."

Minalethimworktheheavyhatch."Help?I'mcuriousastohowyouthinkyoucouldassistme,Agent
Sawyer."

Theyoungmanstruggledwiththewheel,stillgrinning."Oh,heavylifting.Lightbanter.Whateveryou
need.I'mausefulguy."

"Nottome,"Minasaidashefinallyhauledopenthehatch."You'resweetandyoung,Mr.Sawyer.
NeitherofwhicharetraitsIholdinhighregard."

SawyermanagedtokeepastraightfaceasMinadescendedintotheconfuesoftheNautilus."Well,
you'resuretothepoint,Ma'am.I'llgiveyouthat."

Grayfollowedamomentlaterwithasmugsmirk,enjoyingamomentofamusementattheyoung
agent'sexpense.Sawyerstayedoutsideontheupperdeck,notsurewhattodonext.

Ashestaredacrosstheopen,peacefulwaves,CaptainNemoreceivedamessagefromIshmael.He
calledtotheothersstillontheconningtower."Wewillbedivinginamoment.Pleasecomeback
inside."

"Good,"saidSawyer,humiliated.HeglancedbackatQuatermain,whoremainedfarthestfromthe
hatchway.

Theireyeslockedastheoldhuntercrackedopenthegunandejectedshells.

Onlyafewminuteslater,theNautilusdovebeneaththewaves,slowlydescendinglikealeviathan.
Turbineschurned,propellerscutthewater,andagreatbelchofballastbubblesboiledupward.

Thegoldenstatuesontheconningtowerandthebowstoodagainstthebrine,asifresistingthedepths
tothelastmoment,andthentheytoosankdeepbeneaththewaves.

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FIFTEEN

TheBridgeofthe

Nautilus

Nemosatinhisscrolledcaptainschair,usingnauticallogsofhisowndesigntoplottheirbestcourseto
thenortheasterncoastofItaly.Leadscribingpencilsandprotractorslayspreadoutonthecharttable.

Outside,schoolsofsilverfishswirledabout,attractedbythesubmarinesdazzlingrunninglights,but
fleeingfromtheswiftapproachofthearmor-platedvessel.

SofartheyhadtraveleddowntheThamesandoutofLondon,acrosstheEnglishChannelandalongthe
FrenchcoasttotheSeine,whichtheyhadfollowedtoParis.Theyhadnavigatedbackouttothe
Atlantic,keepingtothedeepwatersaroundtheIberianPeninsula,andpassedthroughtheStraitof
Gibraltarintothecalm,blueMediterraneanontheirwaytoItaly.

Notbadforlittlemorethanaday'ssailing.

Whenalowwhistlesignalsoundedfromthegalley,Nemolookedatthetickingenclosedclockinits
alcoveonthebridge.Herosefromhislabors,stretched,andturnedtotheapparentlyunoccupiedroom.
"Dinnerisimminent,Mr.Skinner.Putsomeclotheson,there'sagoodfellow."

Hewalkedoffthebridge,leavingitempty,saveforthesilentinvisibleman.Skinnercoughed,asif
disappointedthatthecaptainhadrememberedhispresencethere…

HearingNemoapproach,Quatermainsteppedquicklyoutofhiscabin,nearlybumpingintotheNautilus
captainashepassedby."Dinnerisserved,Quatermain.Icanofferyouajacket,ifyourequireone."

"Thankyou,no.I'velivedinAfricatoolongtostandonstuffyoldceremonylikethat."Theadventurer
paused,wrestlingwithwordsthatweighedheavilyonhismind,whileNemolookedathim,waiting."I
wantedtothankyouforyourcontributionsofar,Captain.ImayhavebeenoverlyrudeearlierwhenI
calledyoua…pirate."

Nemorespondedwiththemeresthintofasmile."AndImayhavebeenoverlycharitablewhenIsaidI
wasn'tone."Hestrokedhisthickblackbeard."InmyphilosophyItrytoliveinthe'now'—wherethe
ghostsofoldwrongsdonotabide.Ihaveplentyofscars,andmemories,butIwouldaccomplishlittleif
Iallowedmyselftobeshackledbythem.Whatofyou?"

"Idon'tbelieveinghosts.AlthoughI'veseenmyshareofthem."

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"Yourpasthauntsyou,"Nemoobserved.

"Vanity.Pride.Mistakesthatcostmesomeonedear.It'sanoldstory."

"Sonowyouthrowyourselfinharm'sway?"

Quatermaintriedtothinkofananalogythesubmarinecaptainmightunderstand."Oldtigers,sensing
theend,areattheirmostfierce.Theygodownfighting."

Boundingoutofhiscabin,AgentTomSawyerappeared,oblivioustotheconversation."Say,where's
yourdiningroom,Nemo?"Herubbedhisstomach."Icouldeatamule."

Whentheyreachedthesubmarine'srichlyappointedroom,however,theysawaserverremovingplates
fromthetable,underthesomberwatchfuleyeofFirstMateIshmael.

Thetablehadbeenlaidextravagantly,withgold-trimmedchina,finelywovennapkins,andastartling
centerpiecemadefromashark'sheadringedwithfrillykelpandcolorfulshells.Fromasideserving
table,asavory,fishyaromawaftedupfromatureenofchowder.Platesoficedshellfishwerewaitingto
beserved.

Inspiteoftheseelaboratepreparations,aservertookawaymanyoftheplacesettingsthathadbeenset
outforthemembersoftheLeague.

"Wherearetheothers?"Nemofrowned,affronted."Didtheynotreceivethesummonstodine?"

"Icheckedwiththempersonally,Captain,"Ishmaelsaid,scratchinghischeek.Hedidnotlookpleased.
"Theyallaskedtoeatintheircabins."

"WemaybeaLeague,butwe'resurenotateam."Sawyer,atleast,seemedextremelyinterestedinthe
mouth-wateringsmellsofthefood."MyAuntPollyalwayssaidthebesteffortsofgluingafamily
togetherwereusuallydoneatthedinnertable."

"Teamornot,there'sworktobedone,"Quatermainsaidangrily."Maybetheothersarebeing
particularlydedicatedtotheirpreparations."

"Orjustnotverysociable,"Sawyersaid.

Nemoregardedthem."Ifyoutwogentlemenwouldcaretojoinmeinmycabin,wecanlookatcertain
plansinmypossession.Itwillhelpusformulateournextmove."

"Aslongaswecaneatwhilewedoit."Sawyer'sstomachrumbledaudibly."Say,arethoseoysters?"

NemonoddedsilentinstructionstoIshmael,thenledtheothertwomentohiscabin.

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SIXTEEN

TheNautilus

WhileNemoandQuatermainpaidlittleattentiontotheirmeals,intentontheplansanddiscussionsfor
theirarrivalinVenice,TomSawyerfinishedofftwobowlsofchowder,adozenoysters—"Justlikethe
onesIusedtoeatbackhomeinMissouri!"—andagrilledsharksteak.Hemunchedonsaltedfried
sardinesfreshfromthesea,thenlickedhisfingers.Hewascarefulnottogetgreaseonthefragile
paperstheturbanedcaptainwasdisplayingforthem.

Inthebrightlightofhiscabin,Nemogentlyleafedthroughalargebookofageddrawingsuntilhecame
totheparticularpagehehadwantedtoshowthem."TheplanstheFantomstolefromtheBankof
England.Thesearecopies…tomyknowledge,possiblytheonlyonesinexistence."

"Whatarethey?"Sawyerasked."Lookslikeamaze—sewers,maybe?LooksasbadasInjunJoe's
cave."Hebrightened."Say,didn'ttheFantomhavesomesortofhideoutinthesewersofParis,under
theOperaHouse?"

"Ifitisthesameman."NemoglancedattheyoungAmerican."These,AgentSawyer,areLeonardoda
Vinci'sblueprintsofVenice,notablyitsfoundationsandwaterways."

Quatermainstudiedthedrawings."It'sakey,acompleteandsecretroutefortheFantomtoreachthe
secureplacewheretheconferenceofworldleadersisbeingheld.He'llslipinside,andnobodycanstop
him.Exceptus."

"Soyoureckonhe'llattackbysea?"Sawyersaid.

QuatermainturnedtoNemo."Whatdoyouthink,Captain?"

Asusual,Nemodidnotgiveastraightforwardanswer."Ithinkthereisstillmuchwedonotknowabout
thisFantom."

Sincetheothershadnotbotheredtogatherfordinner,Quatermainsoughtthemoutintheircabins.
Therewaslittletimetodecideuponacourseofaction,ortodeciphertheFantoms'truescheme.Noone
suggestedthatthemaskedmanhadbeendefeatedbytheshoot-outatDorianGray'shouse.Hisplans
wouldnothavebeensoeasilythwarted.

QuatermainwentfirsttoGrayscabin,wherehefoundtheelegant,youthfulman'sinsoucianceirritating.

"Ihaveaquestionforyou,Mr.Gray.Anappealtoallthe'experience'youbringtoourgroup."

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Everurbane,Grayraisedhiseyebrows."Indeed?Askaway."

"AccordingtoM,theFantoms'beenabductingscientistsfromvariousnations.Allofthemareversedin
creatingweaponsofwar—allexceptone."

HeheldupacardboardphotographicprintofKarlDrapertakenfromthefilesprovidedbyM.Thebald,
bespectacledmanlookedmousy,somewhatstartledbytheflareofthephotographer'sflashpowder.

"So?Whybringhimtome?"Graysbored,disinterestedattitudehadreturned.

"Surelytimehastaughtyoutoseebeyondtheobvious,"Quatermainsaid."Considerthequestion.What
issospecialaboutthisman?WhyisheimportanttotheFantom?Doyouevenknowwhoheis?"

Graygrudginglytookthepictureandnotedtheman'snameonthebackofit."KarlDraper."

"He'sastructuralengineer.Anarchitect,notaweaponsdesigner.WhywouldtheFantomwanthim?"

"Tobuildanewsummerhome,perhaps?Someplacewithoutmirrors,sothathecantakeoffhismask
andrelaxontheweekends?"

"That'saboutasfunnyasatoothache,"Quatermaingrowled,walkingoutindisgust.WhyhadM
insistedonincludingtheself-centeredsophisticateintheirnumber?Forthelifeofhim,Quatermain
couldn'timaginethatGraywouldeverbeofanypracticalusetotheLeague.

Itwasabusy,restlessnight,astheyallbidedtheirtime,facedtheirfears,andpreparedforwhatwas
likelytobeanunpleasantencounterinVenice.Deepunderthesea,itwasdifficulttotellthehour,day
ornight;Quatermainfollowedhisownrhythms.HepacedthenarrowcorridorsoftheNautilus,deepin
thought,asheafoffilesandbooksunderhisarm.

Awide-eyedandfidgetyHenryJekyllpeeredoutfromhiscabindoor."Mr.Quatermain?I'dliketohelp,
ifIcould.Isthere…um,somethingyouwouldlikemetodo?"

"Nothingfornow,Jekyll,"hesaid,passingby.Then,toreassurethenervouslittleman,headded,"Don't
worry,though.Mr.Hydewillhaveampleopportunitytogethishandsdirty."

ThedistasteonJekyll'sfaceshowedthatthiswasn'tnecessarilywhathe'dwantedtohear.Helookedas
ifhehadswallowedsomethingparticularlyunpleasant…suchasoneoftheoystersTomSawyerhad
enjoyedsomuch.

"Buttrytomakesurewedon'tseeHydeuntilweactuallyneedhim."Quatermainturnedacornerand
passedNemo'scabinagain.Sawyerhadalreadygonetobed,stuffedfromhislargemeal,butthe
captain'sdoorwasajar.Nemokneltbeforealarge,many-armedstatueofKali,mutteringinprayerful
devotion.Hebowedlowandtouchedhisturbanedheadtothefeetoftheidol,unawareoftheother
manscuriosity.

"That'sKali,theGoddessofDeath,"saidMina'svoiceinawhisper.Shehadcreptuponthehunterwith
absolute,unnervingstealth."Nemoworshipsdeath.Canwetrusthim?"

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Quatermainlookedoverhisshoulderatthevampire-woman,embarrassedtobecaughtobservingthe
man'sprivatedevotions."He'snottheoneI'mworriedabout."Hewalkedaway,clutchinghispapers
underhisarm.

MinalookedbackintoNemo'scabin,intentonlearningwhatshecouldabouthim.Butthedarkand
mysteriouscaptainrose,wenttothedoor—obviouslyawareshehadbeeneavesdroppingallalong—and
closeditcoldlyinherface.

Wearyandtroubled,veryunsureabouthowwellthemembersofthisgroupwouldmanagetogether,
Quatermainreturnedtohiscabinandsatdown.Bythelightofasinglelamp,hebeganonceagainto
studyhisfilesandpapers.

HisresearchrangedfarfromthespecificdossiersoftheLeaguememberstotheactivitiesofthe
Fantom.HeperusedScotlandYardcriminalreportsandseveralcopiesofTheStrandMagazine.He
comparedinformationfromanillustratedarticleinoneissueoftheperiodical,andmadeanoteinhis
crimefiles.Hesawconnections,albeitfaintones,everywhere.

Suddenly,Quatermainsensedsomethingnearby:abreath,apresence.Inaninstantheturnedoffhis
lightand,withasinglefluidmotion,lungedfromhischair.

Inthepitchblackcabin,theywereonequalfooting.Heheardmovement,touchedskin,andcaughta
handfulofhair.Quatermainstruckout,respondingtoafranticstruggle,andlandedseveralblows,
whichresultedinaveryrewardingseriesofwhimpers.

Hereachedthecabindoorandflungitopen,floodingtheroomwithashaftoflightfromthehall.
Quatermainstoodthere,glaring."Iwantyoudressedatalltimes,Mr.Skinner—orit'smybootupyour
arse.Nowgetout!"

Withoutanapology,theinvisiblemanhurriedout.Hisbarefootstepshurrieddownthecorridor,andthe
doortohisowncabinopened,seeminglybyitself.

Satisfiedthathewastrulyaloneagain,Quatermainslammedthedoorshutandwenttobed.

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SEVENTEEN

TheFantom'sSecretHeadquarters

Venice

AncientstuccoedbuildingsloomedoneithersideofVenice'sfamous,sluggishcanals.Thesmellof
floatinggarbage,wetstone,andoldmosssuffusedthenightmiststhatcreptalongthepilings.
Overhead,windowswereshutteredforthenight,mostofthemdark;onlyafewdenizensofthedarkest
hoursremainedawake.

ThefollowingnighttherewouldbeaspectacularCarnival,withdancingandcelebrations,musicand
drinking.Tonight,thepeoplerested,contentwithanticipation.

ButtheFantomdidnotrest.

Intheodorous,gentlylappingwaterthatroseandfelllikethesleepingbreathsoftheocean,several
deadfishfloatedbelly-up,farfromthereachoftheferalcatsprowlingthealleys.Arankofunoccupied
gondolas,mooredtobrightlystripedpolesnearaboathouse,creakedandknocked.againsteachother.
Theblack-painted,curvedhullswereslenderandgraceful,resemblingdarkcrescentmoons;thesingle,
longoarforeachboathadbeenstoredforthenightunderapatchedcanvascovering.

Theuneasynightsilenceonlymadethepainedgroansandgaspslouderbycomparisonastheydrifted
downtothewaterfromtheboathouse.Thesoundofanopenhandstrikingfleshwaslikethatofachef
tenderizingavealcutlet.

Insidethebuilding,behindcloseddoorsandbarricadedwindows,theFantompacedinfrontofthe
bespectacledGermanstructuralengineer.KarlDraperwrithedinmisery,thoughhewasdruggedand
onlysemicoherent.Hedidn'tseemtoknowwherehewas,onlythathewantedtocrawlaway.

BesidetheFantom,Dantewatchedthecaptiveasifthemanwerenothingmorethanasmearof
somethingunpleasanthehadscrapedoffthebottomofhisshoe.

TheFantomturnedhisback,holdingawide-barreledsyringewithadauntinglylong,thickneedle."My
truthserumisn'tfullydeveloped,HerrDraper,orI'dknoweverythingbynow."Inthelamplightthat
illuminatedtheboathouse,afinaldropletofgreenishliquidglistenedlikeatearatthesharpend."Ithas
hadsufficienttimetowork."

Indisgust,theFantomdroppedtheemptysyringetotheboathousefloorandgroundittoglassdust
underhisblackheel.HeslappedKarlDrapertoconsciousness,aiminghisblowsatthebrightredwelts
thatalreadycoveredtheman'scheek."Still,despiteitsdeficiencies,I'msuretheserumdoesn'tfeelvery
pleasantcoursingthroughyourveins."

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Danteunrolledasheafofthick,yellowedsheetsofpaperonaworktablemadeofroughplanks.Judging
bythestickystainsandclumpedflakesofsilverscales,thetablehadrecentlybeenusedtogutandclean
fish.

"LookattheplansandtellmewhatIneedtoknow,"theFantominsisted.Hisvoicewaslowandquiet
now,andmuchmorethreatening.

"No,"theengineercroakedoutinGerman."Icanresistyourserum.Nothingwillmakemetell."

Withanotherbackhand,theFantomknockedDraper'sspectaclesloose.Dantedutifullyretrievedthem,
holdingtheglassesabittootightly,asifhewantedtoclenchhisfistsandtwisttheframes.Instead,he
gavethembacktotheFantom.

"Youforcemetorelyonmoreprovenmethods,"saidtheFantom,swirlinghisblackcape."Fortunately,
theyarejustaseffective."HeturnedtoDante,gaveameaningfulglare,andthelieutenantnodded.

Aroundtheminthedrartyboathouseroom,theFantom'shenchmenworkeddiligentlyontheirtasks.
Eachmanhadhisassignment,andtheyknewbetterthantodebatetheirmastersorders.Theyworked
quietly,mufflinganysuspicioussoundsthatmightattracttoomuchattentioninthestillnight.Thecity
ofVenicewouldhavenoadvancewarningofitsdoom,andtheirpartytomorrownightwouldbemuch
differentfromwhattheyexpected.

TwohenchmentapedandwaterproofedasetofwoodenbarrelswhileanothergroupoftheFantom's
followersoutfittedthemselvesinthickdivinggear:oiledleathersuits,rubber-coatedgloves,andheavy
helmetswithglasswindows.Theystrungweightsaroundtheirwaiststohelpthemreachthe
foundationsofthecenturies-oldbuildingsandremaininplacelongenoughtocompletetheirtasks.

Theboathouse'sbackroomsandstallsheldtheFantom'sotherprisoners,boundandgagged.The
captivescrowdedtogetherlikeanimalsinpens,forcedtowaitwhiletheevilgeniuscompetedhis
preparations.Sofar,twoofthemhaddiedtryingtoescape;theFantomhadtossedthehorribly
mutilatedbodiesbackinamongtheprisonersas"anappropriatelesson."Sincethen,nooneelsehad
madeanattempttobreakfree.

Now,wearingadeterminedexpression,DanteretrievedtheGermanprisonertheFantomhadchosenas
hisfirstbargainingchip.Thelieutenantbrandishedhisweaponandpulledthemanawayfromhis
comrades,whoshrankback,prayingtheywouldnotbenoticedthemselves.Danteshovedtheprisoner
outoftheholdingpenanddraggedhimintothemainroom.Themanstoodcringing,barelyableto
remainonhisfeet.

TheFantomregardedtheman,dismissedhimasaninadequatespecimen,thenreturnedhisattentionto
KarlDraper.Likeasternmother,hereplacedthestructuralengineer'sspectaclesonhisface,thenlet
himblinkatthehaplessprisoneruntilrecognitionclearlyshowedonhisface.

"HerrMulleryouknow.IbelieveyouworkedtogetherattheValkyrieZeppelinWorks?Wereyou
friends?"

Predictably,Drapershookhishead.TheFantomdidnotbelievehim.Hisscarredlowerlipcurled."Of
coursenot.Muller'sspecialtyismotors."Heturnedhismaskedfacetowardtheshakingprisoner.Muller

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swallowedhard,butcouldsaynothingthroughhisgag."Unfortunatelyforhim,IhaveallthemotorsI
need.Heisperfectlyexpendable."

TheFantomreachedintohisdarkcoatandremovedaheavyhandgunwithastrange,fatcylinder
appendedtoitsbarrel.Muller'seyeswentwidewithpanic.

Draper,though,struggledtoremaincalmthroughtheblearyeffectsoftheabortivetruthserum."You
willnotfireagunshothere,HerrFantom.TheVenicePoliziawillhearyouandcometoinvestigate.The
peopleinthebuildingswillwake,andtheywillcallforhelp."

TheFantomfingeredthedeviceattheendofthegunbarrel."Don'tunderestimatemyimagination,Herr
Draper.Mylabratsdreamedupthisnewmodification.Itusescompressedairtosilencetheblast.No
onewillhearagunshot—oranythingatall."

"Impossible,"Drapersaid.

TheFantomaimedthepistolandsilentlyshotMullerinthecenteroftheforeheadbeforethemotor
specialistcouldflinch.Hisheadsnappedback,andhisbodydroopedtothefloor.

Shocked,despitethelastvestigesofthedrug'seffects,thearchitectwailedandstruggledtolurchoutof
hischair,butmuscularDanteheldhimdown.Mullertwitchedoncemore,thenwentcompletelystill.

TheFantomswirledhisblackcapeandleanedclose,toweringinallhismonstrousdeformityoverthe
structuralengineer."Thenewtwentiethcenturywillbeatimewhentheword'impossible'nolongerhas
anymeaning."Hisscarslookedlikelumpycandlewax,hiseyesbehindthesilvermaskfilledwith
demonfire.

"Now,then—Ihavemanymoreofyourcolleaguesfromthezeppelinfactory,ifwearerequiredtouse
themforfurtherencouragement."

Hopelessanddesperate,Draperstruggledtolungeathistormentor,butthemaskedvillaineasily
steppedoutoftheway.WhenDantehadthemousyarchitectundercontrolagain,theFantomopeneda
smallclosetdoorbehindhim.Withatheatricalflourish,herevealedagirlheldinside,boundand
gagged,andisolatedfromtheothercaptives.

"Orperhapsitwouldbebesttousesomeoneclosertoyou?Yourdaughterissoverybeautiful,Herr
Draper.Eva?Isthathername?"Hedraggedheroutintotheopen,makingherstandnotfarfromthe
bodyoftheslaughteredmotorexpert."Ihaven'thadtimetofully…interrogateheryet."

Drapercrumbled,tearsfloodinghiseyes."Allright,I'lltellyouwhatyouwant."Hisshakingvoice
couldnotcontainthefullnessofhismisery.

Returningtotheworktable,theFantomtappedhisfingersmeaningfullyontheoldparchmentpages
spreadoutbeforethestructuralengineer:theoriginaldaVinciblueprintsofVenicestolenfromthevault
oftheBankofEngland.

"Ofcourseyouwill,"saidtheFantom."Nowstudytheseandgivemeyourexpertadvice."

Trembling,Draperadjustedhisspectaclesandbenttopeeratthefadedoriginaldrawings,which

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showedtheprecisedetailsofVenice'shiddenfoundations.Andalltheirvulnerabilities.

TheengineerhadadifficulttimeconcentratingwhiletheFantomcontinuedtosmilecruellyathis
terrifieddaughter,Eva.

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EIGHTEEN

TheNautilus

MakinggoodtimeasitroundedthebootofItalyandcruiseduptheeasterncoast,theNautilusranat
fullpowerunderamagnificentsky.Flyingfishswarmedinthechurningwhitewake.

Belowtheconningtower,inthesubmarinevessel'scontrolroom,sunlightpenetratedthesea-splashed
windowsofthebridge.Wearingadeepfrownandscratchinghisstubblychin,FirstMateIshmael
examinedthecomplexcontrolsanddials.Nemostoodnexttohim,curious,asIshmaeltappedthe
crystalplatesthatcoveredcompassesandheadinggauges.

"They'renot'owIleftthem,Cap'n.S'allI'msaying."

Nemoglanceddownatthedeck,thensilentlycrouchedtoexaminesomething.

"Youthinkitmightbesabotage?"

"Weain'tthatfaroffcourse—Icaughtitintime,"Ishmaelsaid."Still,there'stoomanystrangersaboard
thisboat,ify'askme."

"Pleasedon'trefertomyLadyasamere'boat',Ishmael."

Nemobrushedattheflooranddabbedsomeoftheresidueontohisfingertips,thenspiffedthem.
"Powder.Idon'trecognizethesmell.PerhapsMrs.Harkerwillbeableto—"Suddenly,hefeltan
unexpectedmovementintheair,afaintstirringinthecontrolroom.Nemo'sdarkeyebrowsknitted
together."Mr.Skinner?Areyouhereskulkingabout?"

Thesilencethatfollowedgavehimnoanswer.HeandIshmaelheardnothingmorethanthethrumming
oftheNautilusenginesandtherushingsoundofthewavesagainstthehull.

Aroundthecorner,TomSawyersauntereduptothebridge,eagertogooutsidetoenjoysomefreshair
andsunshine.Hethoughtheheardquick,featheryfootsteps,someonepassingunseen?Foramomenthe
wastemptedtothrustoutafoottoseeifhecouldtriptheinvisibleman,buthecouldn'tbesurehehad
actuallyheardanything.Therewasn'tmuchroominthenarrowcorridorforSkinnertogoby,nomatter
howsneakythethiefmightbe.

Aloudgunshotcamefromoutside,abovethebridge,andSawyerstartedrunning.

Alreadyonedge,NemoandIshmaelwenttotheobservationwindows,lookingaroundinalarmas
anothergunshotrangoutfromthedeckoverhead.

ButSawyerwasgrinningashestartedtoclimbtheconningtower."Hesaidhewouldn'tstartwithout

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me!"

Withaslapandahum,thelaunchershotitsbuoyanttarget.Thecolorfulshapesailedaheadthroughthe
airandlandedwithasplashfarfromtheracingNautilus.

Attheedgeoftheforedeck,Quatermainadjustedhisspectaclesandsquintedoutatthewater.Hedrewa
deepbreath,shoulderedthestock,sightedalongtheline,andcalmlyaimedMatilda.Thetargetbobbed
inthewater,andQuatermaintrackedit,aiming…aiming…aiming.Then,asthecolorfulfloaterdrifted
past,hepulledthetrigger.

Theelephantgunmadeasoundlikeacrackofthunder,andthehunterbracedhimselfagainsttherecoil
thatpunchedintohisshoulderbone.Thetargetblewoutofthewaves,brightpiecesflyingupwitha
sprayofwater.Goodenoughforpractice.HecalledoutagaininHindi,"Pull!"

OneofNemo'sturbanedcrewmenratchetedbackthefiringmechanismandlaunchedanothertarget.

Whenhereachedthetopoftheconningtower,SawyerblinkedintheMediterraneansunlightandkept
watchingQuatermaininsteadoftheflyingtarget.Theobjectsoaredthroughtheairandthensplashed
down.

TheyoungAmericandidn'tventurecloser,notwantingtodisturbtheoldadventurersaim.Theystood
apart,separatedbythewidedeck.Asheaimedcarefully,hiseyesneverleavingthefloatingtarget,
Quatermainsensedtheyoungman'spresence."Doyouwantsomething?"

"No,notreally."

Quatermainfiredagain,anotherperfectshot,anothertargetdestroyed.Hedidn'tbothertoshowany
satisfactionathisprowess.

Sawyerwasextremelyimpressed,though,andventuredcloser."Well,IguessIwasjustwonderingwhy
yousignedupforallofthis."

Quatermaindidn'tlookathim.Theturbanedcrewmanpositionedanothertargetinthelauncher.

TheyoungAmericanpressed."Cap'nNemotoldmethatyouhatetheBritishEmpire.Soitdoesn't
reallymakeawholelotofsense,youjoiningin."

"Theycalled.Ianswered."Quatermaincrackedthegunandreloaded.

Sawyerthrusthishandsinhispockets."Well,thatisn'tallofit,though.Isit?"

"Pull!"Quatermainsaid,andanothertargetsoared.Clearlytherewastobenomoreconversation.He
sightedit,followingthetargetasifhewastrackingaflightofgeese.Thistime,hewantedtoshootthe
objectoutoftheskyinsteadofwaitingforittostrikethewaves.

"I'msorryforasking,"Sawyersaid,turningaway.

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QuatermainloweredhisgunwithoutfiringandlookedattheyoungAmerican.Hewrestledwithwords,
dredgingupmemorieshenolongerwantedtothinkabout."Yearsago…theBritishapproachedme
withamissionforQueenandCountry.Theyappealedtomypatriotism.Theypromisedthrills,
adventure…"Heletoutalong,lonelysigh.

"That'slikethemorningridetoworkforyou,I'dimagine."Sawyerlookedattheoldhunterwith
hopefuleyes.

Quatermains'gazewasdistant,though—seeingfartherthanthehazycoastlineofItaly."Isignedup
withouthesitation.Ieventookmysonalong,promisedtowatchhim.Iled,andmysonfollowed."

Hesighed.TheNautiluscontinued,surgingpastthefloatingtargetoutonthewaves.Quatermainleaned
onhiselephantgun,makingnoattempttotaketheshot.

Hedidn'tlookatSawyerashecontinued."Theboydiedinmyarms.Afterthat,Iwashedmyhandsof
England,theEmpire…andthelegendofAllanbloodyQuatermain."

TheyoungAmericanchosetoseetheothermansstrengthinsteadofhismisery."Soifyousucceedthis
time,thenyourson'smemorywillbehonored."

"No.Itdoesn'tworkthatway."QuatermaineyedtheAmericanagentwhowassofullofoptimismand
guilelesshonesty.Hechangedthesubjectabruptly,asifoutofself-defense."Now,wouldyouliketo
learnhowtoshoot,lad?"

"Icanalready,"saidSawyer,proppingonehandonhiship.

"Yes,IsawyouinGrayslibrary.VeryAmerican.Justfireenoughbulletsandhopethatsomeofthem
willhitthetarget.Nofinesse.Noskill."

Theyoungagentfrownedasifsuspectingthathe'djustbeeninsulted."Ireckonagoodmanyofthe
Fantom'smarksmenwouldbegtodiffer."

Theoldadventurerwrinkledhisbrow."Sawyer,I'mtalkingaboutpippingtheaceatninehundred
yards."HeofferedtheguntotheAmerican."Try."

Sawyerwassurprised,buttookthebigweaponwitheagerhands.Holdingitbythestockandbarrel,
heftingitsweight,heletoutalow,appreciativewhistle.Hesquintedoneeyeandlookeddownthelong
barreloftheelephantgun.

"Steadyon,"Quatermainsaid.Totheturbanedcrewman,hecalledout,"Pull!"

Thelauncherflapped,andafreshtargetsoaredhigh.Theoldhunterleanedinsotheysightedthegun
together,manandboy,asthecolorfulobjecttumbledandthensplasheddown.

"Now…aim,"Quatermainsaid,focusingontheshotwithallhisconcentration.

"Aww,that'seasy."

"Allowforwindandtargetmovement."

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"That'seasy,too,"Sawyersaid.

"Itsthenextpartthat'snot.You'vegottofeeltheshot."

Sawyerconcentrated,aimed,triedtodoexactlyasQuatermainsaid.Butthesubmarinevesselpickedup
speed,andaroostertailofspraykickedupfromthebow.Thebobbingtargetwasracingpast.

"Takeyourtimewithit."

Sawyerswallowed."It'smovingprettyfast."

"Takeyourtime.Youhaveallthetimeyouneed.Anybodycanhititwithtenshots.Buttakeonlyone.
Hititthefirsttime."

Thetargetwasgettingcloser.Sawyerwasitchingtofire.Theelephantguntwitchedinhishands.

"All…thetime…intheworld,"saidQuatermain.

Thetargetpassed,almostoutofrange."Take…your…"

Sawyerfired—andmissedthetargetbyafractionofaninch.Thelarge-caliberbulletmadeasplashlike
aleapingfish.

"—time."

"Darnit!"Sawyershadedhiseyesandlookedforlornlyatthefloatingtargetasitdriftedaway.

ButQuatermainwasimpressed."Toosoon,butthatwasbloodyclose,andatfivehundredyards,too.
Tryagain."

Sawyershoulderedthegunoncemore,grinning."Pull!"

ThoughSawyerdidn'tspeakHindi,theNautiluscrewmanunderstood.Thetargetsoared.

Withhisconfidencebrimming,Sawyersaid,"Didyouteachyoursontoshootlikethis?"

Atthat,Quatermaingentlypushedthemuzzledownandtookthegunback.Themomentbetweenthem
wassuddenlygone."Lesson'sover."

Theoldadventurerwalkedaway,leavingSawyerstandingtherealoneonthedeck,uncomfortably
awarethathehadsaidtoomuch.

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NINETEEN

TheNautilus

MinaHarkerworkedatherintricatechemistrysetup,tinkeringwithvialsandretorts.Sheremoveda
testtubefromanatomizerandexamineditwithsharpgreeneyes.

Hercabindoorwasajar,andDorianGraypusheditfartheropen."Brewingtea,Mina?Orsomething
stronger?"

Shelookedupathim,butshowednopleasureathisarrival."I'midentifyingapowderthatNemofound
inthecontrolroom.Residueofmagnesiumphosphorus."Fromhisboredexpression,shesawthatthe
chemicalmeantnothingtohim.Sheexplained."Photographersuseittocreateaflash."

"Acamera?"Graysaid."Whywouldsomeonecarryaclunkyoldcameraaboardasubmarine,muchless
useit?"

"Itappearsthatsomeonewishestocapturethisvesselssecrets."Minawentbacktoherwork.

Grayhoveredclosetoher—tooclose.Hedrewadeepbreathtoinhaleherscent."Ithoughtyoushould
know.Itoldthosewho'veaskedthatI'manoldfriendofyourfamily."

"Tosparemeembarrassment?I'mabovewhatothersthink.Wewereloversonceuponatime.Ourlove
died.Manythingsdie."

"Manythingsdon't."

Minafinallylookedupfromherchemistryworktomeethisgaze."Iwassurprisedthatyouultimately
agreedtojointheLeague,Dorian.Youareaselfishman.Thistaskrequiresheroes…notvain
hedonists."

"PerhapsImeantoundotheflawsinmycharacterthroughselflessaction.MaybeIwanttofacemy
demons."

Minascoffed,turningaway.FoulodorsbubbledfromaflaskoveraBunsenburner."Whatdoyouknow
ofdemons?"

"Maybemorethanyouknow."Heremainedmaddeninglyclosetoher,evenasshetriedtowork."Do
yourecallthespaceonthewallofmyhome,Mina?Whereapicturewasmissing?"

"Yes.Itwasglaringlyobvious.Whatofit?"

Graydrewalongbreath."Itstime—longpasttime,actually—thatItellyouastory."

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Outsideinthecorridor,HenryJekyllpacedbackandforth,lookingandlisteningtothesoundsofthe
shipandthesecrettalestoldbetweenpassengers.Mina'sdoorwasopen,andchemicalsmellsandsoft
voiceswaftedoutintothepassageway.Hecamecloseenoughthathisshadowbarelyfellontheedgeof
thedoor,thenhecringedandbackedaway.

Yes,Henry—look,butdon'ttouch.Dontriskanything.Don'tgetyourfingersdirty.That'syourway.

Hehatedthemockingvoice.Jekyllhurriedawayshame-faced,butinthemirror-brightshineofthe
NautiluscorridorfittingsthebrutishtauntingreflectionofEdwardHydefollowedhim.

"Shutyourmouth,"Jekyllsaid,justloudenoughtoanswerthevoiceinhishead.

DidIjusthearamousesqueak?Orwasitjustawormstirring?Certainlynothingofanyconsequence.

"Iwon'tbetrickedagain."

Tricked?You'veknownwhatIwasabouteachtimeyoudranktheformula.Iknowaboutit,Henry.I
knowyou.Hyde'sdeepvoiceendedinagruffchuckle.Youlikeit.

"Liar!I'magoodman."Jekyllwhimpered."Iamagoodman."

Who'slyingnow?Repeatittoyourself,keepsayingthesamething…butitstillwon'tbetrue.

"Imakemyowndecisions."

Somakeyourdecision.YouknowwhichoneImean.Youwantit,Henry.Evenmorethanyouwant…
her.

Jekyllquailed,stumbledintothecurvedmetalwall.Hydechuckledagainwithanotethatsoundedlike
triumph.Youcantshutmeoutforever.Drinktheelixir.

"No."

Shebarelyevenlooksatyou,Hydetaunted.Shewantsabig,strong,decisiveman.Notalittle
weakling.

"Bequiet!"Jekyllsaid.

She'dlookatme!

Hydeappearedlargeinfrontofthedoctor'seyes,risinguplikeanightmarishsimiandemon.Heloomed
intoreality,andwithapowerful,blunt-fingeredhandhegrabbedJekyll'sthroat,readytowringitlikea
chicken.Drooltrickledbetweencrooked,brokenteeth;hisyelloweyeswerebloodshotwiththinscarlet
lavaflows.

Invoiceashardandfirmasanironanvil,CaptainNemosaidfrombehindhim,"Containyourevil,
Doctor."

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Jekyllspunwithayelp,hiskneesweak.ThefeverishapparitionofHydevanishedlikesmokeinacold
wind.

Nemosteppedforward,andJekyllseemedtofeartheNautiluscaptainasmuchashetrembledfromhis
innerdemons."I'llnothavethatbrutefreeuponmyship.MustItakedrasticstepsandkeepyou
confined?"

"I'm…incontrol."Jekyll'steethchatteredtogether.Hewipedaclammyhandthroughtheperspiration
onhisforeheadandsmearedbackhislankhair.

"Incontrol,sir?Idoubtthatverymuch,"Nemosaid."Eventhestrongestofmenknowevilsallure."

Flusteredandreddening,Jekyllgatheredhiscourage."Yourtalkisallwellandgood,sir—butyourown
pastisfarfromlaudable!"Heimmediatelyregrettedhisoutburst."I—I'msorry,Captain."Hestartedto
slinkaway,shamedandtortured.

"HasHydeeverkilled?"Nemoasked,crossinghisarmsoverhisblue-uniformedchest."Hasheactually
brokenaneckortornoutathroatwithhisbarehands?"

Jekylllookedbackwearilyandnodded."He'sdonealltheevilsamancoulddo.Anditismyterrible
cursethatI…recalleveryoneofhisactions,eventhoughIcouldnotstopthem."Heletoutalowmoan
ofmisery.

"Isympathize.ItismycursethatIrecallmyown."

Jekyllscamperedawaywithoutlookingback.Nemowatchedhimgo.Ashadowlargerthannormal
followedhimasheretreateddowntheNautiluscorridor…

BeforeNemocouldreturntothecontrolbridge,heheardlowvoicesthroughthepartiallyopendoorof
Mina'scabin.Hehesitated,normallyamanwhorespectedprivacyandapersonsrighttokeeptheirdark
secrets…butMinaHarkerhadalsospiedonhimwhilehe'dmadehisprayerstoKaliinhisowncabin.

Intentonthewomaninfrontofhim,DorianGraycontinuedhisexplanation."Soalthoughthepictureis
myportrait,Idoubtyou'drecognizethefaceuponit."

"Howso?I'mquitefamiliarwithyourfeatures—andtheyhaven'tchangedabitinallthetimeI've
knownyou."

Histhinsmileseemedself-satisfied."Foreachyearthatpasses,myportraitagesinsteadofme.I'msure
thatmyeverydark,selfish,shamefulactisthere,too,inthewaythatmenweartheirpastsaboutthem.
AndIhavecommittedplentyofsuchacts…"

"Whendidyoulastseetheportrait?"Minaasked.

"Idarenotlookuponitmyself,orthemagicofthepaintingwillbeundone,"Graysaid."Ihavetakenit
frommywall,leavinganemptyspace.Ihavehiddenit,keptitsafe…"

Nemoturnedsilendyonhisheel,notwishingtohearanymore.Heunderstoodscienceandinvention,
andhehadstudiedEasternphilosophies,trainedhisbodytobecomeamachinethathecontrolled.He

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hadcruisedtheseasinhisarmoredsubmarineboat—butthosethingswerecomprehensible,explained
byastrictsetoflawsandrules.

ThesorceryandsuperstitionofwhichDorianGrayspoke—thatwasnotpartofNemo'suniverse.

HemarchedbacktothebridgetoseeifIshmaelhadlearnedanythingmoreaboutwhoeverhad
tamperedwiththecontrols.

InJekyll'scabin,thethinandfidgetydoctorsatontheedgeofhisbunk,wringinghishands.

Letmeplay,Henry.Comeon,letmeplay.Hyde'snoxious,whiningvoicewhisperedinhishead.I'll
win.Ialwayswin.

Jekyllrubbedhiseyes,tempted.

Whyfightit?Enjoyme,Henry.Enjoyme…

Heglancedoveratthesmallmedicalcaseonhisdesk.Justonedose,agulpoftheelixirthatwould
changehim,freehim,givehimthestrengthtofollowHyde's—andhis—everydesire.

Letmeout,Hydeurged.

ButJekyllstaredatthecase,shocked.Theclasphadbeenundonewhilehewasaway.

"IfIdidn'tknowbetter,I'dswearIalreadyhad,"Jekyllsaid,shakinghishead.Helookedathisfretful
hands,expectingtoseehisnailsblackenandcoarsehairsproutfromhisknuckles.Buttheyremained
hispale,damp,weakhandsandfingers…

Helookedinsidethecase,afraiditmightsnapshutandbitehiswrist.Hestaredinsurprise,thenrooted
aroundamongthesmallglassbottlesandcylinders.

Jekylllookedsharplyathiscabindoor,expectingtoseesomeonethere.Thedoorwasclosed,andhe
wassafe.Butsomeonehadbeenhere.

Oneofthevialsofhiselixirwasmissing.

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TWENTY

TheNautilus

InMinascabinatnight,Grayproducedaflaskandapairofdelicateglasscups.Hepouredashotofthe
rich,tanliquidforMina,thenoneforhimself."Nightcap?It'sthefinestSpanishamontillado,veryold.I
founditinsideawalled-upcellarinanoldvilla."

"I'mnotmuchofadrinker,"Minasaid.Shelickedthecornerofherlips.Unlessitshotandfreshand
red…

SherememberedstrollingwithDorianGrayafterduskthroughthestreetsofLondon,long,longago.
HerhusbandJonathanhadbeendeadforfiveyearsalready,slainwhiledefeatingtheevilDracula.Her
ownlifehadbeenfilledwithshadowssincethen,herdaysofdazzlingsunshineandcarefreelaughter
gone—

Dorianhadseemedsosuave,soself-assured…sofullofhimself.Theyhadwalkedthroughthegardens,
playfullyhidingandseekinginaconvolutedshrubberymaze,butMinahadhadanunfairadvantage
overhim,ananimalinstinctthatalwaysallowedhertotrackher

prey.Dorianhadquicklylostinterestintheactivity,andnexttheyhadgonetothezooafterdark.Very
fewothervisitorswalkedthepaths,andtheanimalsthemselvesdozed,eitheroverfedorsimply
resignedtotheirfates.ButasheandMinastrolledalong,thecagedbeastsgrewrestless.Tigersgrowled
andpaced,gorillassnortedandhooted,anibexandawildebeestwithdrewskittishlytothefarcornersof
theirpens.

AtthetimeMinahadthoughtitwasherscent,thecloyingairofdeatharoundher,thedarkauraof
vampirism…butperhapstheanimalshadbeenjustasnervousaboutDorianGray.

Thetwoofthemhadgonetotheoperaverylate,dressedintheirfinestclothes.Dorianhadaprivate
box,oneoftheplushestandmostexpensiveintheoperahouse.Minahadfelteveryonestaringatthem,
thenturningaway.SheknewofMr.Gray'snumerousdallianceswithexoticwomenofallkinds,from
darkAbyssinianprincesses,tobeautiesfromChinaorSumatra,toveiledArabicwomenwhoexuded
tantalizingperfumes.Bycomparison,MinaHarkermusthavelookedterriblyplainandmundane.

Ifshehadshownherfangs,though,shesupposedshemighthavebeensufficientlyexotic.

Dorianhadsensedtheintriguing,specialqualitywithinher.Minadoubtedheknewthetruthabouther;
butevenifhehad,shedidn'tthinkhewouldhaveshownfearorloathing—onlyamusedfascination.

Theyhadeatenalargedinnerataverylatehour,thedarkestandmostcomfortabletimebeforedawn.
Twothicksteaks,rareanddripping—exactlythewayMinalikedthem,sinceherchange.

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Afterward,Dorianhadpouredthemeachaglassfromanancientsquatbottlecoatedwithdustfromthe
deepestalcoveofhiscellar.Theportwinewasdeepcrimson,thickandsweet.Likethebloodofa
nobleman…

Now,inhercabinaboardtheNautilus,heoffferedheranotherdrink."Justasmallone,then."Hepassed
theglasstoMina,andshetookit,absentlyclenchingherpowerful,alabasterhand.Thefineglassbroke,
spillingtheamontilladoandcuttingopenherpalm.

"Howclumsyofme."Hergreeneyesflashedasshelookedattheopenwound.

Graytookhersofthandanddabbeditwithhishandkerchief."Wedon'twantbloodeverywhere."He
pressedtheclothhardagainstthecut.

"No,"Minasaid,hervoicegrowinghoarse."Notblood."Shepulledawaythereddenedhandkerchief
andlookedatherownbloodyhand,whichquicklyhealeditself.Herpulsebegantorace,hercoldskin
flushed,asiffromsomeinnerfever.Hermouthwasverydry.

Then!MinalookedupatGraywithclearintent.Theireyesmet.

Sheletthered-stainedhandkerchieffalltothefloor,herwoundalreadygone.Theykissedpassionately
astheybumpedthetable,rattlingbutnotbreakingherchemistryparaphernalia.

Seekingasaferplace,theyfelltogethertothenarrowcabinbed.

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TWENTYONE

TheNautilus

Whiletheengineshummedandanenclosedclocktickedonthecurvedmetalwall,Quatermainand
SawyerworkedintheNautiluslibrary,diggingthroughtheextensivereferencematerialCaptainNemo
hadcompiledinhismanyvoyages.

Sawyerscratchedhisheadandtriedtoconcentrateonthefiles,openbooks,andhand-drawnmapshe
hadretrievedfromthesubmarinesshelvesandcabinets.Hehadlaidouteverythingthatseemed
remotelyrelevanttotheFantom,toVenice,andtothesecretmeetingoftheworldleaders.Inspiteof
staringatitallforthebetterpartofanhour,however,hestillhadn'tfiguredouthoweverything
connected.

Quatermainpacedanddrankabrandy,meditatingontheproblemathand."Irarelyhavetheopportunity
toponderaproblem.Inmyday,Iwasusuallytoobusyeitherrunningorshootingorgrabbingup
treasure."

TheyoungmanhadnottouchedagainonthesensitivesubjectofQuatermain'sdeadson,butheworked
quiedyanddiligently.HewasalsoamemberoftheAmericanSecretService,andhehadanimportant
mission.Theoldadventurerappreciatedhisassistance,butdidnotopenthedoorsoffriendshipmore
thanacrack.

"Youknow,Mr.Quatermain,whenIwasyoungerIservedtimeasadetective,solvingcrimes,
unravelingmysteries."Heflippedpages,butsawnorevelationsthere.

"Impressive,"Quatermainraisedhiseyebrows."Especiallyifyouwerejustaboythen."

Quatermainsippedfromhisbrandy,thenreturnedtothefilesMhadprovided,aswellasNemo'sextra
material."I'msuresolvingourlittlemysteryhereiswellwithinyourmeans."Hebentovercopiesofthe
daVinciplans,ponderingwhatpossibleadvantagetheFantomcouldgainfromknowingthedetailsof
thesubmergedfoundations.AndwhatpartdidthekidnappedstructuralengineerKarlDraperplay?

Sawyerdidnotseemoverlyflatteredbytheadventurersconfidence."Iprefertothinkofmyselfasa
manofaction,Mr.Quatermain.Booklearnin'wasnevermyespecialskill."

Quatermainsighedandsetdownhisemptybrandyglass."Ah,yes,amanofaction.Adventure.I
rememberthelure,whenallthemysteriesofAfricawereimpossibletoresist.KingSolomon'smines,
theLostCityofGold,theholyflower,thetreasureofthelake,andmostespeciallyAyesha…"Hisvoice
trailedoff."Shewasbeautiful,immortal,insidious.HerfollowerscalledherShe-Who-Must-Be-
Obeyed.RemindsmeabitofMrs.Harker,inaway."

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Hepaused,andTomSawyerlookedathimwithwideeyes."Idon'treckonMinawouldbetoohappy
withthecomparison."

"No,Isupposenot.AndthentherewasmyZulufriendandcompanionUmslopogaas.Nevermeta
braver,moreloyalmaninthefaceofoutrightdanger,whetheritbelionsorsorcery…"

Heblinkedshiningeyesandsuddenlybroughthimselfbacktothepresent."Sorry,lad—longagoI
madeupmymindtoletNigeltellallthestories.Idon'twanttothinkaboutthemanymore…andnow
Nigelisdeadatthestartofthiswholenastybusiness.Ijustwanttobringittoanend."

CaptainNemoenteredthelibrary,bringingtheconversationtoahalt.Beneathhisblueturban,his
eyebrowshaddrawntogetheringrimrealization."Wehavebeenthinkingalongthewronglines,
gentlemen."HewenttothebookofdaVincidrawings,pointingoutkeyjunctures."Theworldleaders
themselvesaremerepawns,notatallthetargetofthisterriblescheme."

Hequicklyexplainedwhathehadrealized,whileQuatermainandSawyerbentovertheplans,
followingthecaptain'srationale.Quatermainlookedupgravely."SotheFantomdoesn'tintendtoattack
thesecrettalksatall."

"Notprecisely."Nemoclosedthebookofplanswithfinality."WithdaVinci'sblueprintsandKarl
Draper'sknowledge,hecansetabombtoblowVenice'sfoundationstorubble."

"TheFantom'sgoingtosinkthewholecity!"Sawyercried."He'llknockitunderthewater."

"Yes,andtherebysparkhisworldwar,"saidQuatermain."That'swhathereallywants."Hissinewyfist
clenched."Withthemostvitalleadersgatheredtheretryingtoreachanaccord,therecanbenoother
outcome."

TheyoungAmericanblurtedtheobvious."Well,that'salotworsethansimplyshakingupadullold
meetinganyday!"

Thenewsdidn'tgetanybetterasJekyllappearedinthedoorway.Hisvoicewasshaky,hisfaceflushed,
hisbrowdottedwithperspiration."Thatisn'tthesumofourproblems."Heswallowedhardandrana
handthroughhislimphair."Skinnerhastakenavialofmyformula!"

TomSawyersethisjaw."Inevertrustedthatinvisibleman."

"Areyousureitwashim?"Quatermainsaid.

Jekyll'seyesdartedfromsidetoside."Whoelse?You'veseenhowthesneakyblackguardoperates."
Hisreedyvoicerose,asifhe'dcaughtjustaflickerofHyde'spersonality.

AwallunitonthesideoftheNautiluslibrarychattered,andaticker-tapemessagereeledoutofathin
slot.Nemotoreitoffandscannedthetext."Mr.Skinner'scrimeswillhavetowaitforthetimebeing.
Dutycalls—wehavearrivedatourdestination."

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TWENTYTWO

TheCanalsofVenice

Night

Venetia,apicturesquecitybuilton118islandsinalagoononItaly'sAdriaticcoast,boastedmorethana
hundredandfiftycanalsandfourhundredbridges.Theproudhistoryoftheareastretchedbackmore
thanfourteencenturies,spawningworld-renownedartisans,includingtheglassmakersofMuranoand
thelacemakersofBurano.

Tonight,theloomingfacadesseemedtohauntthesluggishcanalsofgreen-blackwater.Eventhefestive
lampsandflowerboxesoverheadcouldnotdispeltheghostly,broodingimpression.Inthenarrow,
time-wornarchitecture,spectersseemedtohideineveryshadow.

ThedistantmusicofCarnivalthrobbedfromstagesandplazasdeeperinthecity,buttherevelrydidn't
reachthiseeriequarterofcalmwatersandfetidsmells.TheNautilusslidsilentlyintothelabyrinthof
Venetiancanals,followingashadowofmenaceandurgency.

Apotbelliedgondolier,dozingbeneaththemeagershelterofhisboat'scaponera,hardlystirredasthe
hugevesselpassedhimlikeadeepprehistoricseamonster.Thesubmarineboatleftnosignofits
passageotherthanarippleandalanguidsplash.Thegondoliersnorted,satforwardandblinkedhiseyes
wearily,thenspatintothecanalbeforesettlingbackintohisslumber.

TheNautilusdroppeddeeperunderwater,tothesoddenbaseofthecanalsbuiltmanycenturiesbefore.
Thepropellersturned,drivingthearmoredvesselpastVenice'scavernousfoundations,thesame
monolithicstructuresthathadbeenshownneatlyindaVinci'sblueprints.Overtheyears,thecaverns
andthicksupportshadbecomecrustedwithalgae,silt,barnacles.

Lookingstrikinglyfreshandshinyinthemurk,ahugebombhadbeenboltedtooneofthelargeststone
blocks,itslocationpreciselychosenaccordingtothedaVincidrawingsandthecalculationsofKarl
Draper.Here,itwouldcausethemostdamage.

Thedevicewaswrappedinsheetsofthickrubberthatkeptthedeadlyexplosivesdry.Wiresextended
upwardtothesurface.Afainttrailoftinysilverbubblesrosethroughthemurkywater…

Atthestreetlevel,deeperinthecity,noisyCarnivalcelebrationsrangedfromvillatovilla.Thecrowds
roaredandlaughed;manyofthepeopledidn'tknowthereasonfortheparticularfestival,celebrating
whichsaintorholydayormedievaltradition.Theysimplydrankandsangandenjoyedthemselves.

Revelerscrossedvine-strewnbridges,strummingmusicalinstruments,drinkingfrombottlesofwine,

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singingslurredsongs.Torchesandbannerswerecarriedaloft.Tumblersandminstrelsevokedlaughter
fromgatheredspectators.Streetlightsshonearoundthem,castingabrightglowovertheall-night
celebrations.

Insideoneoftheimpressivestonestructures,though,thelightsweredimmer,themoodseriousand
somber.WearingCarnivalcostumestohidetheiridentities,agroupofimportantambassadorsandworld
leadersenteredaccordingtothesecretagenda.Alertguardsshowedthemtoasecureconferenceroom,
whichwaslitbylargecandelabras.

Suspiciousofeachotherdespitethereassurancesofdiplomacy,themenremovedtheirfeatheredhats
andsequineddominomasks.Outside,theyhadnotbeennoticed;themeetingwouldbecompletely
discreet.

Threestreet-levelwindowshadbeenshutteredforprivacy.Theroomhadbeenathird-floorchamber
whenthevillawasbuilt,butnowbecauseofthewaterloggedcity'ssinking,itwasatthelevelofthe
canalsandtheraisedcobblestonestreet.Thelowerroomshadalreadydrowned,andtheairsmelledof
rotandmildew.

TheimportantdelegatesrepresentingFrance,England,Germany,Spain,Portugal,Italy,andRussia,
exchangedsubduedgreetings.Manyofthemenspokeseverallanguages;theyhadkeptthenumberof
interpreterstoaminimum,tohelpassuresecrecy.

"Now,gentlemen,"saidtheBritishrepresentativewhentheywereallseated,"eachoneofusknowsthat
thefateoftheworldmayverywellhanginthebalancethisnight."

Theexpressionsaroundtheroomremainedgrave.TheGermanambassadorsaid,"Allofourcountries
arecountingonustoresolveourdifferences,toaddressaccusations,andtomakemutualresolutions
regardingthisarmsrace."

"WehaveevidencethatthehostilitiesattributedtoFranceinrecentmonthshaveinfactbeenthework
ofa…savageprovocateur,"saidtheFrenchleader."Ourpeoplehavehadenoughwarandbloodshedfor
onecentury,duetoourownsocialstrife,aswellasforeignaggression."Heglancedpointedlyatthe
Germanrepresentative,whosnorted.

"YourcomplaintiswithChancellorBismarck.Heleftpoweradecadeago.TheGermanEmpireseeks
tostrengthenitselfinternally,notannexworthlessFrenchterritory;"

"Worthless.—!"

"Gentlemen!"TheRussianpoundedabeefyhandonthetable."Thisisgoingnowhere.Wemust
establishpeacetermsandresolutions.Allofourcountriesaretinderboxes."

"Wellsaid,wellsaid,"theBritishdiplomatinterjected."Letusnotofferanyexcusetolightapolitical
match.Nowthen,sinceweallhavethesamefundamentalobjective,shallwebegin?Therestofthe
worlddoesnotknowwearehere.Therefore,itshouldbeasimplemattertoaddressourissuesand
formulatesimple,bindingresolutions."

"Providedwearenotinterrupted,"theFrenchmansaid.

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"Thismeetinghasbeenestablishedwiththeutmostsecurity,"theGermanpointedout."Whatcould
possiblyinterruptus?"

OnthebridgeoftheNautilus,IshmaelsaidindrawlingHindi,"Helmthreefeettoport.Steady.Two
feet.Decreasepropahalfknot."ThemembersoftheLeaguecrowdedinthecontrolroom,readyto
begintheirwork.

Ashiscrewguidedthearmoredvessel,CaptainNemopeeredintohisperiscope.Throughtheeyepiece,
hecouldseethefar-offrevelers,thecelebratorytorches,thefeastsandflowersinthestreetsofVenice.
"TheCarnivalisquitetheaffair."

"Iloveaparty,"saidGray."Perhapsweshouldalljointhem.Afterall,Nemosalreadywearinghisown
costume."

"Itendtoavoidlargegatheringsandallthatnoise,"thecaptainsaid.

Asthecanalnarrowed,thestonewallsclosedtogetherlikeaslowanddeadlytrap.TheNautiluseased
cautiouslyforwardlikeabigmechanicalsharkintheshadowsofthisdingysectionofthedrowning
city.Ishmael'sexpertguidancekeptthealloyarmorplatesfrombeingscratchedagainsttheslimywalls,
onlyinchesaway.

"Wecangonofarther,Captain,"Ishmaelsaid,beforetheunderseavesselcouldgetstuck.

"Allaheadstop!"Nemosaid.

"Reverseengines!"Ishmaelshouted.

Thebigbrasspropellersreversed,sloshingabackwashastheydampenedthevesselsheadlonginertia.
Thehighprowsnaggedaclothesline,stretchingitalmosttosnappingbeforethemajesticboatcametoa
finalstopbeneathahigh,vine-coveredbridgethatarchedoverhead.

Onthemetaldeckinfrontoftheconningtower,Nemoscrewmenjumpedontothecanaltowpath,
tossingropes.Oneithersideofthenarrow,mossywalkway,themenaffixedthecablemoorings,lashing
themtight.OnemanglancedupatthecurvedbridgeasfourboisterousCarnivalparticipantsracedfrom
onebuildingtoanother,laughingwiththedrunkenchase,anddisappearedintotheoppositevilla.None
ofthemglanceddownatthewaterorthehugeshipfloatingbelow.

Likemetaltongues,threegangplanksextendedfromtheship'ssidehullandsettledonthetowpath.
CaptainNemoandAllanQuatermainledthewayasalargegroupofNautiluscrewmenmarchedoutof
theship,includingmensuitedupasdivers.Theirfootstepsmademuffledbangsonthegangplank,then
crunchedonthebrickandgravelwalkway.TherestoftheLeaguefollowedthemoutintothestreetsof
Venice.

Theyexchangedorderslikerapid-firegunshots."Breakintosquadsandbegintosweepthecity,"Nemo
said.

"Oneflareperfive-manteam,"Ishmaelsaid.

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"LookforanyhintoftheFantom,"Quatermainsaid."Signalatthefirstsignofsuspiciousactivity."

"Butthisisavastcityofmasksandmystery—"Minasaid.

"Thenyouwillbeverymuchinyourelement,"Quatermainsaid,andsignaledhertohurryalong.

"WhataboutSkinner?"TomSawyeraskedinawhisper,lookingbehindhim.Noonehadbeenableto
findtheinvisiblemansinceQuatermainhadchasedhimoutofhiscabin.NowthattheNautilushad
arrivedinVeniceandtheirmissionwastobegin,Skinnerhadabandonedthem.Hecouldbeanywhere.

TheAmerican,andmostoftheothers,wereconvincedhehadintendedtocausetroubleallalong."Ibet
he'sworkingfortheFantom."

"Justbealertforhistreachery,youngman,"saidDorianGraywithadistastefulcurlofhislip."Weall
will.He'sstillhereabouts,somewhere,probablyspyingonusall.Notellingwhatsortofmischiefhe
stillhasinmind."

Suddenly,blazinglightandthunderousexplosionsfilledthesky.Thesoundswerelikecannons,echoing
offthewaterandricochetingbetweentherowsofbuildingsthatlinedthecanals.Flowerpotsand
windowsrattled.Aanotherflashoflightandaccompanyingbangsshotacrossthenightsky.

Nemo'screwmenlookedaroundandgrabbedfortheirweapons.MostoftheLeaguememberswere
horrified,butTomSawyerchuckled."Shucks,it'sjustfireworks,thefinaleoftheCarnival."Underthe
brightflashesandcoloredsmoke,theycouldheartherevelerscheering.

"Ifearedtheworst!"Minasaid."Ithoughtweweretoolate,thattheFantomhadalready—"

"Don'tworry,Ma'am.Westillhaveachance,"Sawyersaid.

Thenextexplosion,however,wasdefinitelynotpartoftheCarnival.

Witharippingcrash,anincredibleeruptionrockedtheground.Quatermamreeled,andSawyerreached
outtosteadyhim.MinaHarkermaintainedherbalancewithferalgrace,butJekyllfelltohisknees,
clutchingthesolidground.Allaroundthem,theancientbuildingsshook.Windowsshattered.

TwoofNemo'screwmenstumbledoffthetowpathandfellintothewater.

Belchesofescapingairandsiltchurnedupfromthecanals.Jaggedcracksranupthebuildingwallsand
alongthelengthofthenarrowtowpath,wideningastheywatched.Flowerpotstumbledfromhighsills
andbridges,splashingintothewater.

Jekyllcoveredhishead.Insidehim,eventhevestigeofEdwardHydewasintimidated.

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TWENTYTHREE

Venice

Anotherexplosion.

Exhaustedandinebriatedrevelersfledscreaminginalldirections,stumblingintoeachother,fallingto
thepavingstones,callingforhelpastheywereburiedunderrubble.AtCanzelliTower,thecenterofthe
maindetonation,smokebillowedupfromcrackedwalkways.Waterspoutedfromtheoldfoundations
likearterialblood.

TheFantoms'carefullypositionedblasthaddealtadeathblowtotheancientlandmark.Weavinglikea
dizzyox,thetowercollapsedandsank,takingdownneighboringstructures.Peoplewailedandtriedto
escapeasthestreetsconvulsed,brokeapart,andopeneduptothehungryinfluxofwater.

Theshockwavespreadthroughthesurroundingpiazza.Adjacentbuildingsslumpedlikefailed
souffle's,streetscollapsed,andatidalwaveroseuptoengulfthepiazza,likethesinkingoflegendary
Atlantis.

Theworldleadersinthesecretconferenceroomlookedateachotherinconfusionanddismay.Guards
drewtheirhandgunsandstoodalert.

Oneguardracedtoawindow,flungopentheshutters,andthrusthisheadandshouldersoutsidetolook
up."Itisterrible!Theendoftheworld!"Beforehecouldmove,aheavyblockofstonefellawayfrom
anupperfloor,strikinghimacrushingblow;withoutsomuchasanoutcry,hefelldead.

"Assassins!"bellowedtheRussian.Thetilefloorsplitandrattledasthedetonationscontinued.
"Anarchists!"

TheFrenchambassadorduckedundertheheavytableasthestuccoedceilingoverheadbegantocrack
andflake."Wehavebeendiscovered.Betrayed!Someoneistryingtokillusall."

"Englishtreachery,"snarledtheGerman."Thismeetingwasnomorethanaploytobringustogetherso
wecouldallbemurderedinasinglestroke!"

"BloodyGermanparanoia."TheBritishrepresentativewastheonlyonewhohadn'tjumpedoutofhis
chair."AndIbelieveeverymanherewillagreethatit'sawell-knownPrussiantechniquetolevela
wholecityjusttokillafewgentlemen."

"Iagree,"theambassadorfromFrancecriedfromundertheheavytable."AfterwhatthePrussiansdid
topoorParisandEmperorNapoleonIII!"

Alouder,resoundingrumblemadethetiledfloorshudder.Anornatesilvercandelabrarattled,thenfell

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overwithacrash,scatteringitslitcandlesinalldirections.Oneoftheguards,seeingaminor
emergencywithinhismeanstohandle,hurriedforwardtostampoutthesmallflames.

"MyVenetia!"TheItalianwailedandscrambledovertotheguardswhostoodinthetrembling
doorways.Shoutingaflowofincomprehensiblewords,hecommandedthemtoholdupthewallsand
archeswiththeirbarehands.Theguardsattemptedtoobey.Alargeterracottaplanterfellfromashelf
andshattered.

TheleadambassadorsofbothSpainandPortugal,usuallyrivals,joinedtheFrenchmanunderthetable.
Luckily,theyhadeachrescuedabottleofwinethatwasintendedasacelebratorytoastafterthe
successfulconclusionoftheirdeliberations.Agreeingonthis,atleast,theambassadorsdecidedtodrink
itnow.

Allaroundthem,thedestructionofVenicecontinued.

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TWENTYFOUR

Venice

"TheFantomdidn'twaitforus,"TomSawyersaid."Darnhisitchytriggerfinger."

BeforetheLeaguemembershadevenlostsightoftheNautilusinthetightconfinesofthecanal,the
buildingsaroundthemrumbledandshook.Crashingsoundsandfurtherexplosionsbuiltuponeach
other,oneatatime,likeanurbanavalanche.

ShrillCarnivalcelebrantsracedacrossthetremblingwalkway,screaming.Ancientbricksflakedaway
andfellpatteringintothewateror,withlouderclangs,onthesubmarine'shull.

Minagazedupatthecrackingarchedbridgeoverhead."We'retoolate.Whatcanwedonow?"She
didn'tsoundpanicked;shewassimplygettingdowntobusinesstosolvetheproblem.

EveryonelookedatQuatermain.

Theoldadventurerdashedtoacornerwherethecanalwidenedandhecouldlooktowardthemiddleof
thedenselypackedcity.Staringforward,hesawthewaveofdestructionspreadingspontaneouslyfrom
theepicenterofthepiazza.Incrumblingslowmotion,tall,ornatebuildingstotteredandsank,blockby
block.Onestructuretoppledintoanother,andanother,asthechainreactionproceededinexorably
towardaprominentavenueofbuildings.

Behindthem,aratchetingsoundcamefromtheNautilus,gearsandchainsclattering,metalsegments
extendingandclickingintoplace.Nemo'smarvelousvesselwasfullofsurprises:Aseparatecrowsnest
elevated,raisingonhydraulicstoliftagrizzledIshmaelabovetheconnectingbridgeandthetiled
rooftopsofthenearbyvillassothathecouldseewhatwashappening.

"IwishIknewwhereMr.Skinnerdisappearedto,"Sawyergrumbled,thinkingofallthehelptheycould
get.

Thefirstmate'sfacereflectedhiscertaintyofimpendingdoomevenbeforeheshouteddowntothem.
"Thebuildingsarefallinglikedominos,Cap'n!Bang,bang,bang!TheCalledelLunaisnext!"

Keepinghisbalanceonthecrumblingtowpath,Quatermainspun,eyeswidewithanidea."Nemo!What
sortofweaponsdoesthatshipofyourscarry?Youmustremoveadomino!"

Thedarkcaptainsbrowfurrowedashismindracedthroughcalculationsandpossibilities.Heinstantly
reachedthesameconclusion."Yes!Getaheadofthecollapseanddestroythenextbuilding."Helooked
atthestructures,calculatingtrajectories.Histhin,darklipsnarrowedinagrimsmile."MyNautiluscan
doit.Icouldlauncharocket."

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"We'llinterruptthechainofdestruction,"Sawyersaid."That'sit!"Withthat,theyoungAmericanagent
boltedbackdownthetowpath,sprintedupthegangplank,andduckedintotheship'shold.

Quatermainlookedafterhim,wonderingifSawyerhadanactualplan,orifhewasjustmoving
freneticallyinordertobedoingsomething.

Thoughrubbleandbrokenglasscontinuedtoraindownallaroundhim,DorianGraylooked
unimpressed."Ridiculous!"Hefrownedatasmearofbrickdustonhisfinejacket;apieceofrubblefell
intothecanalnearbyandsplashedwateronhisshoe.

Jekyllpanicked."What'reyoutalkingabout,Nemo?Quatermain,areyoumad?Graysright.It'stoolate
toconcoctaPlanB!"Theshudderingbuildings,thecontinuedechoesofever-increasingdestruction,
closedinonhim.Helookedlikeacorneredrabbit,tryingtofindaplacetodashforshelter.Butthere
wasnoboltholeinsight."WeshouldgetbackaboardtheNautilusandescape.Itsouronlychance."

"Andleaveallthesepeople?"Minaaskedwithahintofscorninhervoice."Ratheranineffectivefirst
missionforus,ifweallowallofVenicetobedestroyed."

"Andallowaworld-scalewartobetriggered,"Nemosaid."Irefusetosimplysurrenderandflee."He
glaredatJekyll,whocringed,moreafraidofthedarkcaptainthanoftheexplosionsandcollapsing
buildings.

Theconversationhadproceededrapid-fire,inonlyafewseconds,butnowamidallthedestruction,
DorianGrayactuallyrolledhiseyes."Ohyes,Mwouldbesoooodisappointedinus.Butwhatcanwe
hopetoachieve?Thisismorethananyofuscouldimagine."

"Thenit'stimeforswiftaction,"Quatermainsaid."Notmoreconversation.I'mnotabloodypolitician."

"AndI'manimmortal,notagazelle,"Graysaid.Hecoollyregardedtheshakingcityasifitheldonly
minimalinterestforhim."Howcanweoutrunthisdevastation?"

Atthatmoment,thedooroftheNautilusholdslammedopenwithametalbang.Prefacedbytheroarof
anengine,Nemo'samazingsix-wheeledcarburstoutandhurdeddownthegangplank,pulledintoa
screechingskid,andfishtailedtoaperfecthaltonthewideningwalkwaythatledupintotheVenetian
streets.

TomSawyerpokedhisheadout,grinningfrombehindthecontrols."Careforaspin?"

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TWENTYFIVE

Venice

Minaleapedintothebackofthevehicle."I'dloveit!"

Quatermainjumpedinthefront,takingtheseatnexttoSawyer.HelookedattheyoungAmericanwith
anappreciativesmile."Goodidea.WishI'dthoughtofit."

"IwaswatchingyouallinthecarbackattheLondonmuseum,"Sawyersaid,revvingtheengine.
"MadeupmymindbackthenthatIwantedtotake'erforadrive."

AsDorianGrayclimbedinbesideMina,sheprimlyshiftedherskirtsawayfromhim.Quatermain
shoutedatthecringing,uncertaindoctorstillonthetowpath."Jekyll,hurryman!Getin!"Buttheman
froze,asifeveryalternativewereequallymiserable.

CaptainNemosteppeduptothedriverscompartmentandspoketoQuatermainasTomSawyer
impatientlyshiftedthecontrols,anxioustobeoff."Iwillneedspecificcoordinatestolaunchmyrocket.
Ourtargetingmustbeabsolutelyprecise,orwewillcauseevenmoredamagethanwehopetoprevent."

"Canyoutrackthisthing?"saidQuatermain,rappingonthesideoftheunusualcar.

"Ofcourse.IplannedforallcontingencieswhenIdrewupmydesigns."

Quatermainpulledhisflaregun."Thenlaunchwhenyouseetheflare!We'llleadyourighttothebull's-
eye."

Witheachpassingminute,moreVenetianbuildingsgroanedandcollapsed,continuingthedevastating
rippleofthechainreaction.ThecaptainhurriedofftothegangplankintotheNautilus."IshmaelandI
willmakethepreparationsimmediately."

QuatermainturnedtoSawyer,slappinghispalmonthecontrolboard."Fullpower!"

Theyoungmanflooredthegas—andtheengineprompdydied,causingamomentofstunnedshock.
Fromtherear,Grayletoutaquiet,disbelievingsnort.Sawyerdesperatelytriedtorestarttheengine,
blushingandhidinghissheepishexpression."I,uh,thinkIkilledit."

Attherearofthecar,twoofNemo'suniformedcrewmentriedtopushthecarforward,hopingthe
enginewouldturnover.Sawyerstruggledwiththecontrols,andthecar'sfloodedenginecoughedbut
refusedtocatch.

Quatermainrealizedthatthelastmemberoftheirteamhadnotyetclimbedintothecar."Jekyll!What
areyoudoing?Comeon!"

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Butthemousydoctorstoodimmobile,terrifiedofsettingfreehisbrutishalterego."I—I…"

Withanew,violentblast,anotherbuildingcollapsed,thisonenearer.Overhead,thestonebridge
spanningthecanalwrenchedandcracked,butstillclungtogether.Debrisfellallaround,peltingthehull
oftheNautilus.

"We'llneedHyde!"Quatermaininsisted."Lookaroundyou."

Finally,thecarsengineroaredtolifeagain,andSawyerbeamedintriumph,readytogo.ButJekyll
remainedhelplesslyfrozenonthetowpath."No!Hydewillneverusemeagain.Iswear—"

"Butwithouthim,mydeardoctor,whatuseareyou?"Graysaidwithatauntingliltinhisvoice."Do
youplantoapplybandagesandiodinetoourscrapesoncewe'reallfinished?"

"Justgo,"QuatermainsaidindisgusttoSawyer."Adamnedinconvenienttimeforthemantohave
secondthoughtsabouthispurposehere."

TheyoungAmericanputNemo'scarintogearandtheyracedaway,leavingHenryJekyllalonewithhis
fear,andSkinner—literally—nowhereinsight…

Thecarracedalongupthenarrowstreet,inchesfromthecrumblingwallsononesideandthecanal
edgeontheother.Itssixwheelsheldtheirtraction,inspiteoftherubblethatcontinuedtofallontothe
roadway.

"Allright!"Sawyersaid,thenwhoopedastheycareenedoveraparticularlylargebump."So…where
amIgoing?"

QuatermainpulledoutthemapofVenicethatNemohadprovidedbeforedispatchingtheteam.He
squintedinthedimlightasthecarlurchedandbounced,thenhedrewouthiseyeglassesagain.After
adjustingthem,theoldadventurercouldfinallyreadthefinelinesandlettersonthemap."Rightahead,
thenaleftturn."

"No,gorightafterthecanalforks."Minaleanedforwardfromtheback.

"—aleftturnthatwillleadusintotheCalledelLuna—"Quatermaincontinued,ignoringher.

"It'snotthebestway,"Minainsisted."I'vespentsometimeinthiscity.Thatcountsformorethanany
map."

"Goodthingwe'reallonthesameteam,"Sawyermuttered,thendecidedtolistentoMinaafterall.He
hauledthecarhardrightatthefork,missingthecenterdividerbyahairbreadth.

"Caution,boy!"Quatermainyelled.

Suddenly,bulletsspangedoffthecar'shood,leavingsilverstarburstsofimpact.Sawyerwrestledwith
thesteering,screechedthecartoahalt.

Onthevillaroof'sedgeoverhead,asnipersprintedaway,graspingalongrifle.Thesilhouettesofother
snipersroseup,materializingfrombehindnearbystatuesinthestreets.Theyfiredahailstormofbullets

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atthecar.

Lookinguncharacteristicallyfurious,Graykickedopenthedoortothecarandleapedout."Damn
Skinner!Hemust'vetoldthemwewerecoming."Heroically,hepulledhiscane-sword,slashingthethin
silverbladeinamenacingarc,andlaunchedhimselfintothefrayastheairfilledwithprojectiles."Just
go!"

"Dorian,it'snouse—"Minashouted.

"Keepdriving,lad!"Quatermainsaid.

Sawyergunnedtheengineandswervedunderthepartialcoverofanarrowcolonnade,smashedthrough
acolumn,bouncedoffawall,andkeptgoing.Heletoutanotherwhoop,asifhewasactuallyenjoying
this.

Glancingbackthroughtherearcarwindow,MinacaughtalastfleetingimageofDorianGraysavagely
fightingthesnipersman-to-man.Hiscane-swordwasalreadyslickandredwithblood.

QuatermaintriedtoaimthemodifiedWinchesterthatSawyerhadgivenhim,butthepassingstone
columnsbrokehislineofsight."Ican'tgetaclearshot."

Sawyer,wildwiththemoment,pulledtwopistolsofhisown."Thentakethewheel!"Hestoodup,
leanedoutthedoor,andfiredwildlyastheunguidedvehiclelurchedalong.

Quatermaingrabbedthewheel,butwithfarlessthanhisusualconfidence."Sitdown,youbuffoon!I
don'tknowhowtodrivethisthing."Thecarswerved,barelyundercontrol.Upahead,thoughtheendof
thecolonnadewasapproachingtooswiftly,Sawyerhadn'tslowedatall.

"Saveyourbullets,bothofyou—thesemenaremine!"Minasaidwithvengeanceinhervoice.

AsNemo'sfabulouscaremergedfromthecolonnade,bouncingandscraping,Minasprangfromthe
racingvehiclewithsuperhumanagility.Sheflewbrieflythroughtheairandlandedonanearbywall,
wheresheclunglikeabat.

Settinghishotpistolsbesidehim,Sawyersatbackdownbehindthewheel,lookingevenmore
enamoredwiththemysteriouspalewoman."Didyouseethat?Didyouseewhatshedid?"

Leftbehind,Minascrambledupthewall,findingtinyfinger-andtoeholds,movingwithcreepyagility.
Itwasunbelievable.

"Keepyoureyesonthebloodyroad,"Quatermainsaid."We'vegotourownparttodo."

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TWENTYSIX

Venice

InsidetheNautilus'sbrightlylitrocketroom,hugemachinerymovedarocketfromitspallettoafiring
tube.Diligentcrewmendidtheirworkwithoutpanic,accustomedtodrillsandhavinghadplentyof
experienceinpreviousadventures.

NemobarkedordersatIshmael."Tunethetracertothecar'sfrequency.Therocketmustbereadytofire
assoonasweseetheirflare."

Thefirstmateactivatedthetracerunitontherocketroomswall,adjustingituntilasequenceoflights
shonegreen.Thetracingdevicebegantoplotthecar'spositionasaninktrailonacylindricalmaproll.
"Thereheis,Cap'n."

Thefreshlinezigzaggedandjittered,showingTomSawyersweavingpaththroughthestreetsofVenice.

Impactsrangonthehullinanechoingsequenceofbooms,asifanarmywastryingtobatteritsway
intothefloatingNautilus.TwoofNemo'screwmendashedout,readytofightagainsttheFantom's
minions—buttherewasnoenemyotherthanthesurroundingstructures,breakingapartandraining
chunksofmasonryontothevessel.Thecrewmenducked,shieldingtheirheads.

Moredebrispeltedtheexteriorofthesubmarinevessel.Thepolishedgoldtrimandwhiteceramic
plateswerescraped,scuffed,stained.Thearchedbridgeoverheadgroanedandsplintered,readytofall
entirelyatanymoment.

"Thebuildingsarecomingdown!Wemustaway!"shoutedaterrifiedcrewman.

Nemoscrambledintothecrowsnest,risinghightowherehecouldviewthecitythroughacomplicated
binocularinstrument.HewatchedasthesinkingofVeniceprogressed."No,wewillstay,andwewilldo
ourjob."

YethestillsawnosignofQuatermain'sflare.

Aceilinghadcollapsed,andfreshrubbleblockedthedoorofthesecretconferenceroom.Threeofthe
guardshadalreadybeenkilled,andtheworldleadersclungtogetherlikefrightenedchildrenbeneaththe
heavytable.

Whenthefloorcrackedandgreenish-brownwaterbeganoozingupfrombetweenthetiles,theyrealized
theyweretrapped.

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"TheBuilding!Sheissinking!"theItaliansaid.

Leavingtheiremptybottlesofwineonthefloor,therepresentativesscrambledoutandsloshedthrough
thedeepeningpoolstowardtheexit.TheGermanclimbedontotheheavytableandstoodtherelikethe
commanderofanavyship.

"Wecan'tgetout."TheBritishambassadorstoodwithwaterrisingpasthisankles."Bloodyhell."

ThebearlikeRussianjoinedtheGermanonthetable.Sinceitwastheonlydryandsturdyplace,the
otherrepresentativesjoinedthem."Weareluckythistableiswellbuiltandstrong,likeMotherRussia!"

Thewoodgroanedinprotestandwobbledasthelastoftheworldleaderspulledthemselvesontoit.

Whilethewaterdeepenedonthefloor,emptywinebottlesfloatedlikedefectiveglassfishingboats;
theyslowlyfilled,thensankwithagurgle.

"Perhapsthiswouldbeagoodtimetoresolveourdifferences,"theSpanishambassadorsuggested.

Leavingthecolonnadeandthetangledcanalsbehind,thesix-wheeledcarscreechedontoawidestreet.

"There,ahead,"Quatermainsaid,gesturingouthissideofthecar."It'sastraightshotfromhere."

Onvillarooftopsonbothsidesofthecobblestonedstreet,aswarmoftheFantom'ssnipersrose
ominously,tooktheirpositions,readiedtheirdeadlyrifles.

"Straightshotforthem,maybe,"Sawyersaid,"agauntletforus."

Butthesnipersweren'ttheonlyfiguresvisible.Aliquidshadow,MinaHarkerracedalongineerie
silenceabovetheirheads,findingimpossibleperches,clingingtothewallslikeanimblespiderasshe
moved.

Quatermainpointed,noddingwithunexpectedadmiration."Notatall.Thevampirehasuscovered."

Sawyersethisjaw,graspedthecontrols,thenroaredforwardintothedeadlytargetingzone.Nemos
amazingcarenteredthegauntletjustasMinaattackedthesnipers.

Shetookthemcompletelybysurprise,ablurrywraithofdark,jitterymotion.Gunshotsrangout,most
ofthemfiredindesperationandterror.Thevampirewomanpouncedfrommantomanalongtheroofs
edge,slashingandripping.Onemomentshewasair-borne,thenextskitteringtoanothervictim.Her
clawsandteethflashedinthemoonlightandthegrowingfiresofexplosionsanddestruction.Forallher
beautyandgrace,shenolongerlookedremotelyhuman.

Atbreakneckspeed,Sawyerlurchedthecaralongtheexposedstreet,pickingupspeedpastthedeadly
snipers.Thevehiclewouldhavebeenacleartargetforarainofgunfire—ifonesetoftheFantom's
killershadn'tbeensosuddenlypreoccupiedwiththeirownsurvival.

Butthesnipersontheoppositesideofthestreettookaimandopenedfireontheracingcar,shattering

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cobblestones,puncturingthemetalsidewalkandroof.

Fromthevillashighrooftop,Minaliftedherdelicatechin,openedherbloodiedmouth,andkeeneda
bone-chillingnote.Herpiercingcryshotthroughthenightsky,audibleevenabovetheloudexplosions
androarsofcollapsingbuildings.

Fromthedarkness,ashadowyswarmansweredhersummons.

Ahugeflockofblack-wingedbatsswoopedthroughthenightlikeacloudofangryhornets.Ina
squeakingstorm,hundredsandhundredsofbatsdescendedinaflurrytoengulfthesnipersonthe
oppositeroofline.

Minacontinuedtheslaughteronhersideofthestreet,whileherwingedpetssavagedtheoverconfident
snipersontheotherside.ItallhappenedsoshockinglyfastthattheFantom'smenwerenotevenaware
oftheirdangeruntileachscreamedandwheeledaroundinturn,theirthroatstornopen,eyesslashed,
facescut.

Threefranticmenscreamedandflailed,tryingtodriveawaythefloodofravenousbats.Theystumbled
andfellfromtheirhighperchestostrikethestreetfarbelowwithawet,crackingsound…

Holdingonfordearlifeintheshudderingcar,Quatermainpeeredthroughthebullet-pockedfront
windscreentoawidecanalathisright—andwasastonishedtospytheFantomhimself.

Helmetedhenchmenwereescortingthemaskedmantowardacreakingdock.Anarmoredgunboat
floatedinthecanalbeneaththewalkway.TheFantomturnedhissilver-coveredfacetotakeinalast
glanceofthefiresandcontinuingdestructionhehadbroughtabout,thenwithaswirlofhisblackcape,
hesteppedontothepier.

Theoldadventurermeaningfullyplacedhisflaregunonthedashboard."Sawyer,remembertheflare!
Youknowwhentolaunchit."Hesnappedopenthedooroftheracingvehicle."I'mcountingonyou."

"Wha—?"theyoungagentsaid,takinghiseyesfromtheobstaclecoursehewasdriving.

"Icantprotectyouthistime,boy.I'moff."Quatermainclenchedhisjawandbracedhimself."This
enemy'smine."

Thenhewasoutofthecar,takingthelandingwitharoll,whileSawyercareenedonwardatfullspeed.
Beforehecouldfeelthepainofbruisesandtornskin,Quatermainclimbedtohisfeetandsetoffatarun
towardthecanalandtheFantom'sgunboat.

Sawyercursedandlookedahead.Injustamatterofmoments,DorianGray,MinaHarker,andnow
AllanQuatermainhadalldesertedhim.runningofftotheirownadventures.Heglancedatthethick-
barreledflaregun."Heck,Iwasn'tevensupposedtobepartofthisgroup."

Thenhiseyessuddenlyfilledwithfear.Justahead,thesequenceofcollapsingbuildingshadstartedto
crossthepathhedrove.Thebuildingsdirecdyinfrontofhimbegantoslumpandsink.

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TomSawyerletoutaloudwhoop,thengunnedthegasandracedintothejawsofthebeast.

IshmaelstoodintherocketroomoftheNautilus,watchingasthetracerpenplottedSawyersposition.
ThecarwovethroughthestreetsofVenice,headingtothecenterofthespreadingwavesofdestruction.

Highatopthecrow'snest,Nemoloweredhisbinoculardevice,grabbedavoicetubethatwasconnected
totheextendedmetalframework,andyelleddownintotherocketroom,"Ibelievehe'salmostthere.Be
readytolaunch!"

Ishmaelrestedacallused,oil-stainedfingerontheredfiringbutton.

Justthen,thedamagedbridgespanningthecanalabovethesubmarinecollapsed.Supportbeamsand
chunksofstonecrasheddowninalandslideofrubbleontothevessel'splatedhull.Thefirstmatestayed
athispostinspiteoftheelectricalpanelsthatsparkedandexplodedintherocketroom.

"We'llbesmashedapart!"criedacrewman.Othermenrushedintoshutdownlivecircuitsanddouse
thefiresbeforetheycouldspread.

"IftheCap'nsayswestay,thenwestay,"Ishmaelsaid,glowering.

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TWENTYSEVEN

Venice

Runningatfullspeed,ignoringthelarge-scalemayhemaioundhim,Quatermainleapedovertheedgeof
araisedstreetandstormeddownontothegunboat'sdock,whiletheFantomtookasetofwoodenstairs.

Attheboat,theoldadventurerattackedthevillainshenchmenbeforetheyknewwhatwashappening.
Witharapidone-handedpumpandclick,hecockedtheborrowedWinchesterandshotoneofthe
Fantom'smenwhowasbentoveraropethatlashedthegunboattothesideofthecanal.Quatermain
turnedandfiredhissecondbarrelatanotherhenchman;theblasthurledthemanovertheedgeofthe
dockandintothecanal.

WhenhisWinchesterclickedempty,thehunterdidn'thesitateamoment—hehurledthelongriflelikea
tomahawkatthethirdhenchmanwhilestillracingforward.TheFantom'smandutifullylookedupatthe
propermoment,andthehardwoodstockoftheriflecrackedhimbetweentheeyes.

Quatermainpunchedafourthhenchmanunconscious;hisknucklessmashedintotheman'sfacewiththe
satisfyingcrunchofbreakingteethandnose.Unstoppable,henailedthefifthmanandsimultaneously
bentdowntoretrievehisriflejustasitclatteredtothedockplanks,allinaperfectlyfluidmovement.
Nodoubt,TomSawyerwouldwantthegunback.

Attheotherendofthedock,theFantomfroze,suddenlyseeinghimselfunprotected.Trapped,heeyed
hisfallenhenchmen,thenthewaitinggunboat,butitwastoofarawayforhimtoleaponboard.

AndQuatermainstoodinhisway.

"Standdown,sir,"theFantomsaidinahard,perfectlyreasonablevoice."Thediehasalreadybeencast,
andyoucandonothingaboutit.We'llbothbekilledifwelingerhere."

Allaroundthem,thetallbuildingscontinuedtosink.Thedockitselfcracked,shiveringagainsttherusty
ironanchorsthatheldittothesideofthecanal.Hugechunksofmasonrysmasheddownonthe
gunboat.

QuatermainkeptaneyeontheenemyashecalmlyreloadedtheWinchester,"You'redestroyingVenice.
It'sfittingthecityshoulddestroyyou,inturn."Hestoodlikeanimplacableguarddog,preventingthe
Fantomfromsteppingaboard.

"Butyou'lldie,too!"Nowthevillain'svoicehadaraggededgeofdesperation,thoughthemetalmask
obscuredhisexpression.

"I'vefaceddeathbefore.Perhapsit'smytime."

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Nowthewholedockstartedtofallawayintothecanal.Thegunboatbrokefreeofitslastremaining
mooringrope.Quatermainstumbled,tryingtokeephisbalanceasthedockboardsseparated.

TheFantomgaveuponhisgunboatescapeandturnedtoracebackupthestairs.Heranforhislifein
theoppositedirection,backintothecrumblingstreetsofVenice.

QuatermaintuckedtheloadedWinchesterunderhisarmandsetoffinhotpursuit.

TheCalledelLunawasfallingapartallaroundhim.

TomSawyerrememberedhowMississippiRiverfloodshadwashedawayshantytownsandfishingpiers
alongthebanksbySt.Petersburg.Thenarrow,sluggishcanalsofVeniceborelittleresemblancetothe
mightyMississippi,ofcourse.Butthesebuildingsweremuchlargerandolder…andtheywere
tumblingdowntowardhim.

PushingNemo'scartoitslimits,Sawyerdrovedesperately,tryingtooutraceawaveofsinking
buildingsthatcollapsedonlyahairbreadthbehindhim.Villas,museums,cathedralsallwentdownlike
pilesoftoyblocks.Graceful,centuries-oldbridgesacrossthecanalstumbledaway,crashingwithhuge
splashesintothewater.

Carnivalmerrymakersingarishcostumesranaboutinthestreets,dodgingoutoftheway.With
buildingstopplingallaroundthem,thepeoplehadnosafeplacetogo.WhenSawyerfinallyapproached
theCalledelLuna,masonrychunkssmashedeithersideofthecarashegunnedforthefinalbridge.
Thentheroadwaydroppedawayaheadofhim,asifapowerfulpranksterhadpulleddownatrapdoor.
Wide,jaggedcracksracedtoovertakethecar'sbacktires.

Soheaccelerated.

Beyondthebridgewasadecrepit-looking,abandonedoldtheater.Itappearedtohavebeenfallingapart
foralongtimenow,evenwithouttheassistanceoftheFantom'sbombs.

Steeringwithhislefthand,SawyersnatchedtheflaregunfromwhereQuatermainhadsetit,wrapping
hisrighthandaroundthepistolgrip.Whenthecarhitthesuddenlyunevenslopeofthedroppingroad,
allsixtireslefttheground.

Sawyerhadtakenanexcitingballoonrideonce,withBeckyThatcher.Thiswasmuchfaster.Inthat
eternalmoment,theAmericanagentpointedthepistoloutthewindowandfiredtheflare.

Nemo'scarlandedontheothersideofthecollapsingbridgewithajoltthatslammedSawyerintothe
vehicle'scontrols.Stillmovingatfullspeed,thecarpunchedthroughthecrumblingcolumnsandrotten
doorsofadilapidatedoldtheater,whereitwasswallowedupintothelobbyofthebuilding.

Theblazingflarestreakedupintotheairandsoaredhighabovethecity,likeameteor.

Inthesecretconferenceroom,therepresentativesofpowerfulcountriestriedtostaysafeanddryonthe

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heavytable.Unfortunately,theweightofsuchdisparatepoliticalviewswastoomuchforeventhe
sturdystructure.Withaloudcrackandsplinter,thejointsgavewayandoneofthewoodenlegs
buckled.

Shoutingateachother,theambassadorsandleadersslidintothewaterthatfloodedtheroomofthe
sinkingbuilding.Alreadythestreet-levelwindowhadvanishedbeneaththeinrushingflowfromthe
canals.Thecoldwaterwasonlywaisthigh,butrisingquickly.

TheRussianstoodstoically,ruminatingonwhatheshoulddo,whiletheFrenchmanattemptedtoswim.
TheGermanandtheEnglishmantriedtoscrambleontothefloatingremainsofthetable,thoughboth
werealreadysoaked.

Thebodyofoneoftheguardsdriftedby,facedown;theItalianhosttriedtorousehim,buttheguarddid
notrespond.Thewaterkeptrising.

Fromthecrow'snest,Nemoshadedhiseyesandfinallyspottedthestreakingflashoftheflareclimbing
intothesky.Hegrabbedthevoicetubeandshouted,"Launch!Theyareinposition."

"Aye,Cap'n."Below,Ishmaelpressedthefiringbutton.

Ahatchcoverinthetopdeckslidasidewithasharpclang.Therockethissedandspatasitrodethe
launchtubeupwardandsoaredawaylikeamuchlargerversionofthesputteringflare.

Hominginonthetracer.

QuatermainchasedtheFantomthroughthecollapsingstreets,sprintingtowardaconcentrationof
franticcrowds.Thecostumedrevelershadcongregatedinanopenpiazza,pushingtogetherina
breathlessmob.Noblesandcommonfolkallindisguise.Foodvendorsabandonedtheirtrays,balloons
driftedloose,bannersweretrampledunderfoot.

TheFantomplungedintotheshirtingmassoffrightenedVenetians,elbowingwomenaside,trippinga
young,black-hairedmanwhowastoodrunkeventonoticethecityfallingapartallaroundhim.

Quatermainpoundedafterthevillain,pantinghard.

Likeacheetahrunningdownitsprey,hekepthiseyeonthefleeingenemy—buttheFantomwasonly
onemoresilvermaskamidaseaofmasks.

Thewhistlingflaresoaredoverhead,thenbeganitsgracefuldescent.Someofthepeoplecheered,asif
itbetokenedanimpendingrescue.Seeingit,QuatermainknewthatTomSawyerhadsucceeded.He
pausedforjustamoment."Bravo,lad,bravo."

TheFantom,though,lookedupindismaywhenhesawNemo'srocketinflight,muchlargerthanthe
smallsignalfireball.Therockethurtledstraightdowntowardthecity.

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Sawyer,dazed,satinthecar,glancingatthegapingholehehadsmashedthroughthetheaterentrance.
Thecarhadcometoarestinside,hissingandgroaning.Aceilingtimberfellinashowerofplasterdust.

Heshookhishead,rubbingahandacrosshisforehead,ignoringthespotofbloodhefoundfromasmall
cutthere.Thewindshieldhadshattered.Hebegantopickhiswayoutofthebatteredvehicle.Hisears
wereringing.

Butatleasthehadlaunchedtheflare.

Sawyersawthelastbuildingontheavenuesinking.Then,nextinline,thewholefacadeofthe
dilapidatedtheaterstartedtocomedown,showeringrubbleacrosstheopeningthecarhadblasted
throughit.

Suddenly,screechingwithitsaccelerateddescent,Nemo'sexplosives-packedrocketfollowedthetracer
toitstarget.Itsnoseplungedintotheoldtheatershighroof.

Withayelp,Sawyerleapedfromthecarandscrambledforthenearestwindow.Hedoveheadfirstinto
thestreetastherocketstruck,andthetheaterexplodedallaroundhim.

.

Fromthecrow'snestoftheNautilus,Nemoobservedtheexplosioninthedistanceandcrossedhisarms
overhisblueuniformwithsatisfaction.

Now,ifonlyhiscompanionshadsurvived.

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TWENTYEIGHT

VeniceCemetery

Night

Inthewakeoftherocketsexplosion,thecostumedcrowdinthepiazzasawabrightfire.Aloudshock
wavereverberatedthroughthesurroundingarea,bringingdownanoldtheaterattheedgeofthe
collapsingbuildings.

Theexplosionremovedthekeydominofromthecascadingcollapse.Themarchingdestructionlostits
power,likeaforestfireblockedbyafirebreak.Withagrindingrumble,theavalancheofbuildings
falteredagainsttheemptyspotandcametoanend.

InthemomentQuatermaintooktostare,worriedthatTomSawyermighthavebeenhurtintherocket's
explosion,theFantomfledthroughthecrowd.

Cursing,theoldhuntersurgedacrossthepiazza,elbowingcheeringsurvivorsoutoftheway.Hecaught
aglimpseoftheFantom'sdarkformandswirlingcapeasheduckeddownanotherstreet,intothe
shadows.

Quatermainleftthegiddycelebrationbehindandtriedtofollowhisnemesis,whoflowedlikeoilinto
thedarkness.Hepausedatthescrolledcast-irongatethatmarkedtheentrancetoanovergrown,walled
cemetery.

Inside,wasashadowymazeoftreesandmausoleumstructures,crypts,vaults,tombstones,statues.The
irongatestoodajar,thetallweedstrampled.

TheFantomhadgoneinsidetohide.

Quatermainlistened,usinghishuntersenses.Behindhim,theshakingofthegreat,woundedcity
subsided.Venicegroanedandmoanedasitsbonesresettled.Silencedescended,savefordistantshouts.

TheFantomcouldbeanywhereinside.Quatermainenteredthecemetery,thecast-irongatemakinga
dismayinglyloudscreechashepusheditopen.Hesteppedforward,crouching,stalking.Henoteda
brokenbranch,sniffedit,andfoundthatitwasstillmoist.Hetriedtopeerintothequietlyrustling
shadows,searchingforanysignofthescarredmaninblack.

Afteramoment,he'dhadenoughofstealth.Theenemyknewhehadenteredthecemetery.Soheraised
hisvoiceloudenoughtostartleapairofdovesintoflight,countingonthevillain'spridetomakehim
revealhimself."You'vefailed,Fantom!Venicestands."

Lurkingwithinthecemetery,theFantombackeddeeperintotheshroudingdarkness,outofsight."I

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applaudyourpersistence,Mr.Quatermain."Theevilvoicereverberatedfromeverydirection.

TheFantommovedthroughthedarkness,avoidingtheoldhunter.

"Oh,you'llbeclappingallright,whenIgetmyhandsonyou."Peeringaround,Quatermainpressedon
throughtheshadows,continuingthehunt.

ButthehiddenFantomeasilyavoidedtheadventurer.Hisgoadingvoicecamedisembodiedfromamong
theleaningtombstonesandmonuments."Butlikeadogsmellingblood,youcan'tseethetruepicture."

"Iseethatyou'vefailed.It'sobviousenough."

"Thiswasmerelyoneobjective,"saidtheFantom.

Outofthecornerofhiseye,QuatermainsawaflittingshadowastheFantomcontinuedhistaunting.
"Otherschemesproceedasplanned.There'snothingyoucandotostopthem."

Quatermainspun,aimedhisWinchester—butcouldseenothing."Iknowyourbigsecret."Thehunter's
shadowpassedoverthickfoliage,likeacloudacrossthemoon.Foramoment,hethoughthesawa
glintofsilvermetal—theFantom'smaskdrawingdeeperintohiding?Hecouldn'ttell."Iknowallabout
yourspyamongus."

TheFantom'svoicecarriednosurprise,onlyacondescendinglilt."Ah,doyou?"

Quatermaintookashottowardthevoice.HethoughtforamomenthehadhittheFantom,butthe
shotgunpelletsmerelysprayedchippedwhitemarblefromthestatueofasorrowfulstoneangel.

Thehuntcontinued,andtheFantommovednoiselesslythroughhisdomainofdarkness,dressedallin
black.Hechosewhentospeak,castinghisvoicelikeaventriloquist."Youseeyourselfasthebrave
JohnBull—butIknowyou'reacoward,Quatermain.Hidingfromthememoryofyourson'sdeath."

Asthehunterdesperatelysearchedforanothertargettoshoot,theFantomlaughed,taunting."You
shouldhavetrainedhimbetter.Iamnottheonlyfailurehere,AllanQuatermain.Yourmistakewas
muchlarger,wasn'tit?Youmayhaveaswellputtheguntothelad'sheadandpulledthetrigger
yourself."

Quatermainstartedtoreact,thenstoppedandgrittedhisteeth.Herefusedtoopenfireindiscriminately.
Hewaitedforagoodshot,therighttarget.

"Oh,yes.Iknowallaboutyou—"ThentheFantomfrozeashisblackshoesteppedonadrybranch,
crackingit.Thesoundechoedthroughthecemetery,asloudasagunshot.

Quatermainsearchedforwhereitcamefrom."It'syouwhofearsthemirror,sir—andnot,Ithink,
becauseofscars."

Hiseyecaughtanotherflickerofmovementofftohisright.Quatermainwhirled,butsawthatthe
movementwasmerelyaswayingbranch.Hedidhoweverseeasubtleflashofmotiontohisleft,
vanishingbehindatree.Heeasedforward,rifleextended."It'sbecauseyouareneitherextraordinary—"

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Quatermainlungedaroundthetrunk."—noragentleman!"

Theshadowleapedback,andQuatermaindroveinforthekill.TheFantomlashedout,knockingthe
gunaside.Quatermainshot,afractiontoolate.TheWinchestersblastrangout,sendingdebrisflying.

TheFantomcollidedwithQuatermain,alongsilverstilettoflashinginthemoonlight.Thebladecame
downlikeacobrastriking,andhestabbedQuatermaindeepintheshoulder.

Witharoar,theoldadventurerbackhandedthevillainandlandedablowthatshouldhavefelledawater
buffalo.TheFantomreeledaway,andhismaskwentskitteringacrosstheground.Quatermainglimpsed
thehiddenvisage,expectingtoseeadisfiguredhorror.Instead,itwasashockinglyfamiliarface.

TheFantomwasM!

Quatermain'sblowhadscrapedloosesomeofthehalf-hidden"scars"ontheFantom'sface—merely
lumpsofwaxandflesh-coloredpaste.Stageshowmakeupnowhunghalfofftheface.

"You?Whatthehell!"

"Youdon'tknowthehalfofit,"Msaid."Fool."

Hespunwithcatlikeagility,andkickedQuatermains'legsoutfromunderhim.Astheoldhunterfell
againstahardblockofstone,theknifeinjuryinhisbackpulsingwithagony,Mgrabbedhisfallen
silvermaskfromthegroundandscrambledaway.

Despitethedeepstabwound,Quatermainwasquicktorecover.Herippedthestilettofromhisshoulder,
ignoringthehotgushofblood.Outofreflexandlongyearsofpractice,hehurledtheknifeatthe
recedingvillain.

Thebladeflewtrueandfounditsmark.Thepointsankintohisbackashefled.Hehowled,staggered,
thensprintedawayintothedarkness.Hemusthavebeenwearingthesamedamnedbodyarmorhis
henchmenused.

Quatermaincollapsedonthecemetarygrounds—quiteanappropriateplaceafterall,hethought—as
thestrengthflowedoutofhim…

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TWENTYNINE

TheRuinsofVenice

Theworldleaderslookedlikedrownedrats,expectingtodietrappedwithinthesinkingchamber.They
clungtogetheronthedriftingtabletopasifitwerealiferaft.Theairsmelledoffishandmudandfar
lesspleasantthings.

Astheshudderingexplosionsrattledintosilenceandthebuildingsstoppedfallingallaroundthem,the
representativesofthemostpowerfulcountriesofEuropesatinsilenceandwonder.

"Someonehasstoppedthedisaster!"therepresentativefromItalysaidproudly."Nodoubtitwasoneof
ourbrilliantItalianengineers."

"Perhapsyourengineersshouldhavedesignedabetterescaperouteforusinthefirstplace,"the
Spanishambassadorgrumbled."Oracitythatwouldn'tfallapartsoeasily."

"Venetiaisoverathousandyearsold,signore!Shehassurvivedahundredarmies—"

"Wewilllive,"theGermaninterrupted."Nowwemustfindawaytogetoutofhere."

"Iwishwehadkeptsomeofthatwine."TheFrenchmandrewhisskinnykneesuptohischestand
lookedmiserable.

ThePortugueseambassadorvomitedovertheedgeoftheswayingtable.

"Perhapsweshouldsimplyswimunderthewaterandoutthroughthehalls."TheBritishrepresentative
crackedhisknucklesandpracticedkeepingastiffupperlip."IwasontheswimteambackatOxford—"

Likeawalrusdivingoffaniceberg,theRussianplungedintothewaterandbegantostrokewith
surprisinggraceandpower.Hespatfoulwateroutofhismouth."Tasteslikeasewer."

"Those,signore,areourcanals,"theItalianansweredindignantly.Hefeltasifhewasbeinginsulted
fromallsides.

Butthegatheredmenunderstoodthattheyweresafenow,anditwouldbeonlyamatteroftimebefore
theywererescued."Isay,perhapsweshouldfinishourdiscussionsandcometoanagreement?"the
Englishmansuggested."Thatway,intheend,we'llbeabletocallthislittlegatheringanunqualified
success."

InsidetheNautilusrocketroom,Ishmaelandthecrewcleaneduptheaftermathofthedestruction.The

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airsmelledofsmokefromburnedcircuitsandcontrolpanels.Puddlesofwaterlayonthedeckwhere
theyhadsplashed.Afewsmalltrickleshadmadetheirwaythroughstressedhullplates,liketrailsof
teardrops,buttheloyalfirstmateandhismenhadalreadyfixedthemostvitalproblems.

Ishmaelsighedandcontinuedhisinspection,markingnecessaryrepairsonaclipboard.TheNautilus
couldstillmove,butshewasafarcryfrombeing"asgoodasnew."Thefallingbridgehadcausedthe
mostdamage,muchofitmerelycosmeticonthebeautifulexterioroftheSwordoftheOcean.

Thetwocrewmenassistinghimwerecoveredwithsootandgrease.Onemanclimbedbackoutofthe
rocketlauncher."Allsecure,Ishmael."

Thefirstmatenoddedandblewoutalongsigh."Letmehandletherestfromhere,men.Goreportto
CaptainNemoandthenchecktheengineroom.Iwanttobeawayfromhereassoonasourcomrades
return."

Thetwomendeparted,closingthebulkheaddoorandleavingIshmaeltosighoveralltheworkthat
remainedtobedone."Shehasn'tbeenbatteredsobadlysinceourboutwiththatgiantsquid."

Anoutsidehatchopened,andDorianGrayenteredfromthenight.Helookeduncharacteristically
batteredandbedraggled.

"MisterGray!"Thefirstmatestaredinshockathiscondition."Whathappenedtoyou?"

Thoughheshowednosignofphysicalinjury,Gray'sclotheswereriddledwithbulletholesanddeep
slashesfromhisbattlesagainsttheFantom'shenchmen.Self-satisfiedandstrugglingtoretainhisshreds
ofdignity,heslippedhisstickycane-swordbackintoitscase."Meremisadventure.Itwassomewhat
amusing,actually."Graybrusheddustandbloodfromhisjacket.Helookedraround,seeingIshmael
aloneinthemessoftherocketroom."Havetheothersreturned?"

"You'rethefirst,sir,buthopefullynotthelast."Ishmaelturnedbacktowork.Hepickedupawrench
andbegantoremoveacoverplatefromoneoftheconsoles.

"Allthisbecauseofadamnedtraitor.Thatinvisiblebastardhasalottoanswerfor."

"Skinner?No,"Graysaid,smilinggently."NotSkinner."

Thefirstmateglancedup,confusedbyhiscomment.DorianGrayhaddrawnapistolfromhistattered
jacket."Me,"hesaid,andfired.

Ishmaelfell,clutchingthemortalwoundonhischest.

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THIRTY

TheRuinsofVenice

Overthenexthour,theLeaguemembersreturnedfromthestreetsoneatatime,pickingtheirway
throughtherubble,findingasafepathalongruinedtowpathsandraisedwalkways.TheNautilusrested
amongflotsam,herceramicshellwoefullyscarredandcrackedinmanyplaces.

Thebuildingstilteddrunkenly;largewallshadfracturedorslumped.Theruinsofthefallenbridge
filledpartofthenarrowcanalaheadofthesubmarinevessel.Shewouldhavetoreverseandbackoutof
thechannel.

Nemo'smedicshelpedthewoundedcrewmen,assistedbyMinaHarkerandHenryJekyll,bothofwhom
hadsomesurgicalexperience.Theturbanedcaptaindirectedoperationswhileseveralcrewmembersin
wetsuitscleareddebrisfromaroundtheshellofthevessel.

Quatermainfinallystaggeredback,clutchingablood-soakedragagainstthestilettowoundinhis
shoulder.Minasawhimandshouted,buttheoldadventurercalleddirectlytoNemoinahoarsevoice,
"Mobilizeyourmen,Captain.Thehunt'sstillon."

"You'vefoundtheFantom?"Minasliptwitched,asifshecouldhardlyrestrainherselffrombaringher
fangs.

"Worse.TheFantom…isMhimself."Quatermainslumpeddownonapileofrubbleandtookahipflask
ofwhiskeyfromhisgrimyjacket.Heunscrewedthecapwithhisteeth,thentiltedtheflasktopourthe
alcoholonhisshoulderinjury,wincingashedidso.

"M?What…whatareyousaying?"Jekyllsaid.Themousydoctorhandedhimalongstripofcloth,and
thehunterexpertlyfield-dressedhisownwound.

NemoandMinabothmovedcloser.Quatermainexplained."M—theverymanwhorecruitedustofight
theFantom.We'llgetouranswerslater."Helookedallaround."Wherearetheothers?"

"Dorianismissinginaction,"Minasaid,"andthatinvisiblebastardmusthavefledwhenherealizedwe
knewabouthim."

"NoonehasseenMr.SkinnersincewearrivedinVenice.HeandMwereprobablyworkingtogether."
Nemostrokedhislongbeard."Actually,noonehaseverseenhim,forthatmatter.Whoknowswhothe
mancouldhavebeen,originally?"

"Andwhatabout…TomSawyer?"Quatermainasked,tryingnottoshowanyspecialinterest.

Theyoungagentcalledfromoutofsightinahappy,American-accenteddrawl."Aww,he'lllivetofight

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anotherday."Hesteppedoutoftheshadowsbetweendamagedbuildings,bloodiedbuttriumphant.
"AndIsuredointendto."

Quatermainnoddedhisapproval,whilegrittinghisteethagainstthethrobbingpain."Wewillseethat
yougetthechance.Assoonaspossible."

MinawenttoSawyer,buttheAmericanhesitatedasshepaidaltogethertoomuchattentiontothefresh
bloodofhiswounds.Shechuckledathisdiscomfiture."Don'tworry.I'vehadmyfillofthroatsfor
tonight."

"Cap'n…Cap—"Ishmaellurchedtooneofthehatches,clutchingtheframewithabloodyhandand
standingthereweakly.Crimsonsoakedhischest,andhedrewonthelastofhislife'sstrengthjustto
remainupright.

QuatermainandMinarantowardthefirstmate,butNemoarrivedfirst,takingIshmael'sshouldersjust
ashiskneesturnedtowater."ItwasGray…"

Ishmaelcollapsed,andNemotookhisoldfriendinhisarms.Bloodstainedthecaptainsimpeccable
blueuniform,buthedidn'tcare."Restnow,Ishmael."HeglaredupatthecringingEnglishdoctoronthe
dock."Jekyll—tendtohim!Now!"

Jekyllscurriedforward,butthefirstmaterefusedtolethimselfbedoctored.Hehadkepthimselfalive
throughtheurgentneedtoexplainthetreacherytohiscaptain."Not…Skinner.Gray."Heclutchedat
Nemo'suniformblouse,andthecaptaintookhishand,squeezingit,ashiseyebrowsdrewtogetherand
hisdarkeyeskindledwithangryflames.

"Gray's…trickedusall,Cap'n."Hismissioncomplete,Ishmaeldiedfromtheterriblegunshotwound.

"Anotherfallenfriend,anotherlostsoul."Nemo'svoicesoundedhollowanddeeplyforlorn."Afterall
theamazingexploitsweshared,underthepolaricecaps,throughtheSuezCanal,findingAtlantis,and
underseavolcanoes…wehavejustsharedourlast."

Ignoringthepaininhiswoundedshoulder,QuatermainheldJekyllback,allowingNemoamomentto
grieve."Iunderstand,Captain."

Minastareddisbelievingatthedeadfirstmate."ButDorian…?Howcould—"

Suddenly,fromwithinthesubmarinevessel,theyheardthethrummingsoundofmachinerygrinding
away,smallenginesshudderingtolife.Angered,Nemostoodandlookedaroundathiscrewmen,but
noneofhisworkerswereoperatinganyoftheNautilusssystems.

"Whatisit?"Sawyersaid."Allthatnoise?"Theaquaticvesselshuddered.

"Thatisthesoundoftreachery!"Nemorushedupthegangplankwiththeothersathisheels.The
crewmenshouted,callingthemselvestoarms.Together,theLeaguemembersdashedacrossthe
Nautilusshold,followingthecaptain.

Whentheyreachedthefarsideofthevessel,Nemoleanedoutofanobservationhatch.

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Fromtheaft,amassivesectionofthevessel'shullseparatedfromtherestofthesubmarine.A
hemisphericalcraftdetacheditselffromthemainvessel,liftedup,andfloatedfreeafteruncoupling
fromtheNautilus.

Nemo'sfaceheldastormoffuryandvengeance,buthecoulddonothingaboutthesituation.Thesmall
craftwasunreachablefromwheretheystood.Quatermainpressedclosertohim.

"But…whatisthatthing?"Sawyerasked."You'vesuregotalottricksupyoursleeve,Captain."

"Itismyexplorationpod,"Nemosaid."Icallitanautiloid."

Then,itspropellerschurning,thesmallercraftspunaroundinthecanal,andtheycouldseethesuave
mansittingatitscontrols.HelockedeyeswiththeLeaguememberswhowerestaringbackathim,and
raisedahandtotheminscornfuldismissal.

"Dorian,"Minasaid."Why—?"

ButGraydidn'tseeminterestedinheratall.Helookedbackatthemcoldlyasthenautiloidretreated
downthenarrowchannel.Nemoshoutedforallhiscrewmen,buttheNautiluswasnotinanycondition
todepart.

Asthenautiloidcontinuedtowithdrawdownthecanal,twomendasheddownthenarrowstreetsto
interceptit.Quatermainsawthem,recognizedthem,andcouldbarelycontainhisownanger.M,still
wearinghisFantomclothes,andhislieutenantDantejumpedfromacrumblingbridgeoverthe
wideningwaterwayanddroppedontothesmallervessel.DorianGrayopenedanupperhatch,andthe
othertwovillainsclimbedintothesafetyofthevessel.

Quatermainclenchedhisfists."Nemo,canyoutrackthat?Likeyoutrackedthecar?"

"Trackit?"Nemowasfurious.Ishmael'sbloodstainsstillshonebrightlyonhisuniformedchest."More
thanthat,Mr.Quatermain.Iintendtocatchit!"

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THIRTYONE

TheNautilus

TheNautilus'senginesthunderedtolife,andthepropellerschurnedsedimentfromthecanals.Atthe
urgentsteamwhistlethatsignaledimminentdeparture,Nemo'screwmenjumpedbackaboard,readyto
go.Theyranacrossthedecks,scrambleddownmetalrungsintothehold,sealedthehatchesoverhead.

Witheverymoment,theFantomdrewfartheraway.

CaptainNemowenttothecontrolroom,whichseemedominouslyemptywithouthisfirstmate,and
stooddirectingtheoperations."Enough.Wemustbeoff."Hisvoicewascoldandflat,diamondhard,
withdeliberatedetermination.

Clatteringandstrainingunderheavygear-turnings,thecablemooringsretractedautomatically,tearing
thetowpathstanchionsfromtheirmountsinashowerofoldbrickandrustedanchor-spikes.Creatinga
foamingwake,theunderseashipbackedawaythroughthenarrowcanal,workingitselfarounddebris
fromthecollapsedbridge.

"Checkallsystems,"Nemosaidintohisvoicetube."Verifyourrepairs.Ineedthisshiprunningand
readytosubmergeassoonasweareawayfromVenice."

Theuniformedmenworkedtogetherinagrimblur,callingreadingstoeachother,runningthroughtest
results,patchingalastfewleaks.Theycheckedvitalsystemsandreroutedtosecondaryequipment
wherenecessarytokeeptheNautilusaliveandincreaseitsspeed.Theshipcruisedlikeaplump
crocodilethoughreedsasitnavigatedoutofthemazeofnarrowcanals.

Daylightbegantotingethesky,illuminatingtheshakenCarnivalrevelerswhowerestillabroadinthe
streets.Someofthemwatchedthearmoredhulkchurnalong,draggingthetornstanchionsliketrolling
fishhooksbehindthem.Theenginesincreasedtheiroutput,andthevesselstirredupathunderous
foamingwake,asifadragonhadjustpassedby.Thefewbleary-eyedwitnessesassumedthestrange
shipwasmerelyapartoftheCarnival,onemoreamazingspectacle.

Behindthem,theworldleadersfinallysteppedoutside,freeoftheirdeathtrap.Breathingtheopenair,
theylookedasbedraggledasthebatteredcitybuildings.Buttheyweresmiling.

Asthemorningbrightened,thepeopleofVenice—manyofthemnursingavarietyofinjuries,aswell
ashangovers—begantopickupthepieces.

FinallysubmergedandheadingbackoutintotheAdriaticSea,theNautiluspoweredintodeepwater.Its
enginesandpropellersdroveitforwardatmaximumspeed.

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Butthestolennautiloidhadasubstantialheadstart.

NemocalledtheremainingmembersoftheLeagueintohisstateroom.Whiletheywatched,heslidback
alargepaneltorevealacontourmapoftheoceanfloor;hehaddrawnitpersonally,basedondatahe
andIshmaelhadcollectedovertheyearsandtheirmanythousandsofleaguesjourneyingunderthesea.
Twospiderymechanicalpointersdriftedacrossthecontourlines,alargeNsignifyingtheNautilus,and
alowercasen.

Nemogesturedtothesmallerpointer,uponwhichthelargeronewasslowlygaining."That'sthe
nautiloid.We'llbeuponitsoon."

TomSawyerwaseagerforthehunt,buthenotedMinaHarker'ssadness.Sheseemedpalerthanusual,
quietandwithdrawn."Areyouallright,Ma'am?"

"I'malittleshaken.Just…Dorian.Ican'tbelievewhathedid."

"Notallfellowsweartwofaces,youknow,"Sawyersaid,clearlymeaninghimself."Someareperfectly
honestandupstandingpeople."

Minalookedintotheyoungman'sblueeyes,thenturnedaway.Privategloomhungaroundherlikea
paleburialshroud.

Then,whiletheywereallintentontheunderseamap,ahigh-pitchedwhistleresonatedthroughthe
stateroomchamber.Nemolookedup,puzzled.Thesoundseemedtobecomingfromfar-off,but
somewhereinsidethevessel.

"Nemo?"Quatermainsaid."Whatisit?"

"Itisnothingofmine.Iknowallthesoundsonmyship."

AcrewmannamedPatelraceddowntheoutercorridors,urgencywrittenonhisface.Pateldodgedother
uniformedmen,pushingpastthemtogettothecaptainsstateroom.Thenoisefollowedhim,growing
louderatfirst,thenhigherinpitchandhardertohear.

Nemoopenedhiscabindoorjustintimeforthecrewmantorushup.Hecarriedaflatleathercase,
whichheheldoutinfrontofhim,asifafraiditmightexplodeatanymoment.Thankfully,though,the
high-pitchedsoundhadgrownsothinandweakitcouldnolongerbeheard.

Patelcametoabreathlesshaltandsplutteredhisreport."Captain!Thenoisecamefromthis."Nemo
tooktheleathercasefromhim,andthecrewmanseemedgladtoberidofit.

Insidethestateroom,hegingerlyopenedthecasetorevealawaxdisc.Hepickeditupandstudieditin
thelight."Itisarecordeddisc.Someonehasleftusamessage."

"But,don'trecordingscomeoncylinders?"Sawyerasked.

"Itisagramophonedisc,ofthetypeinventedbyEmileBerliner,"Nemosaid."Iadoptedthetechnology
inmyvesselsometimeago.TheFantom—M—knowsthat."Heplacedthedisconaplayerthatrested
onthesmallbureauinhiscabinandstartedthemachine.

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Ashelistened,Sawyertriedtoimaginethegloatingmanwhohadrecordedthewordsspecificallyfor
themtohear…

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THIRTYTWO

M'sPrivateHeadquarters

Inadarkparlor,Msatinapaddedleatherchair,hislong,thinfingerslacedtogether.Allaroundhim,
thefurnishingsweredeepcrimsonandburgundy,fromthethickcurtainsonthewalltothePersianrug
onthefloor.HehaddispensedwithallpretenseofhisFantommaskorfalsescars.Hisheavybrows
drewtogether,furrowinghishighforehead.

Hesatnearagramophonerecorder,whichwasoperatedbyaladyrecordist.Sheseemedpaleand
listless,withoutheartorhope.Mpaidnoattentionatalltoheruntilshehadfinishedadjustingthe
smooth,blankwaxdiskandplacingtheneedleinitsposition.

"Ready,Professor?"shesaid,loweringhervoicetoawhisper."Recording."

Mbegantospeakand,withafaintscratchingsound,therecorderneedlebeganscrapingathinspiralof
waxfromthegramophonedisc.

"Gentlemen.Ifyou'rehearingthis,theneverystepleadinguptoithasgoneasplanned,evenifyoudo
notrealizeit.Yet."

Smilingcoolly,DorianGraysteppedfromtheshadowsinthedentoamblearoundhisleatherchair.
"AndIhavebeentruetothegoalssetme,aswell."Hespokeinadryvoice,makingsurethe
gramophonepickeduphiswords,hisirony."Yes,it'sme—Dorian.YouknowbynowthatI'mnoloyal
sonoftheempire."

Hecasuallyliftedanapplefromabowloffruitonthemahoganytable,setitbackdownwith
disinterest,thenwalkedovertostandbehindthehigh-backedleatherchairwhereMsat.

"Infact,myloyaltytoMr.McomesinnosmallpartfromhispossessionofsomethingIholddeartomy
heart."Frombehind,Dorianlookeddownatthecadaverousleader.Hiseyesflashed,asifhecould
barelysuppressanimpulsetostrangletheman."SomethingI'lldoanythingtoregain."

Mleanedforwardlikeavulture,asiftheaudiencelisteningtohisrecordingcouldactuallyseehim.
"Everythingsofarhasbeenmisdirection."HesmiledoveratSandersonReed,whoalsostoodinthe
roomfortherecording."Mybumblingbureaucratassistant,SandersonReed,whosoeasilyrecruited
Mr.Quatermain.TheassassinsinKenya.Yourwholemission,andtheexcuseIgaveyou.Venice.Even
theassemblyoftheLeagueofExtraordinaryGentlemen."

Hechuckledwithasoundlikewitches'broomsrattlingtogether."ThereisnoLeague!Thereneverwas.
Afewoldpaintings,anunusedmeetingroominthebasementofthemuseum,andadashinggoodstory.
Itwasjustarusetogetmeclosertomyrealgoals."

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"Yousee,Iwantyou.Eachofyou,eventiredoldQuatermain.Ihavenodoubthe'llcapturethebestial
Mr.HydeinParis,wheretheothershavesofarfailed.ThatdodderingMonsieurDupinhasbeen
blunderingaboutformonthsinParis,ascribingthemurdersintheRueMorguetoawildmonkey!"

Realizinghehadstrayedfromthepoint,Msatstraighterinhischair;theleatherupholsterycreaked.
Graypickeduptheapplefromthebowlafterallandbitintoitwithaloudcrunch.SandersonReed
lookedathim,offendedbythesuaveman'sattitude.

M,seeingthatthegramophonediscwasnearlyfull,theneedleapproachingthecenterofitsrecording
surface,continued."So,myavidlisteners,theimportantquestionis—why?Whyallthiscloakand
dagger,masksandmystery?AndwhydidIselectthegroupofyou,inparticular,insteadof,say,Sexton
Blake,orRoburtheconqueror,orFrankenstein'smonster?"

Hegrinned,spreadingparchmentlipstorevealarowoftinywhiteteeth."Becauseinthewarthatisto
come,Ihavealreadyacquiredmanygrandandinnovativeweaponsfromthemostbrilliantscientistsof
allnationsoftheworld.However,Iintendtowieldthegreatestweaponofall—thepoweroftheLeague
itself.Andtothatend,Isetmywolfamongyousheep.Hewillleadyoufarfromgreenpastures."

"Growl,"Graysaid,thentookanotherbiteofhisapple.

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THIRTYTHREE

TheNautilus

ListeningtotherecordinginNemo'sstateroom,themembersoftheLeaguelookedateachotherand
recalleddetailsoftheirinteractionswithGray,asallthepiecesclickedintoplace…likeabombready
todetonate.

"Grayplayedlikehewasboredinhislibrary,readytoturnusdown,andthenheclaimedthebattlewith
theFantom'smarksmenwasjustthespurheneededtochangehismind."Quatermainputahandtothe
achingshoulderwound."Heknewitwasgoingtohappenallalong."

"SothatwashisplanifIhadn'tshownup,"Sawyersaid,crossinghisarms."Shucks,Ishouldhave
knownbetter."

Thegramophonerecordingcontinuedtoplay.Hisvoicesoundedsuperioranddismissive."—Andall
thewhileIwouldcollectyou,thankstoMr.Gray.ThepartsofyouthatIneed.Nemo'sscience…
Skinner'sskinsample."

Minalookedshockedastherealizationdawned."Magnesiumphosphorus.Photographers'flash."

NemoshandstwitchedasherememberedstandingwithIshmaelinthecontrolroom,sniffingsamplesof
thepowdertheyhadfound."Yes,hemusthavephotographedthedetailsofmyNautilus."

Quatermainnodded,alsoremembering."Andintheiceroom,wherewekeptHydechained,Skinner
saidthatGrayhadscratchedhim.Accidentally,hesaid.Musthaveusedalittlescrapertocollectcells
fromtheinvisibleman."

Jekyllblinkedhissaucerlikeeyes,thenswallowedhardinhisscrawnythroat."That'swhathappenedto
themissingvialofelixirinmymedicalbag.Graytookit."Herubbedhistemples,asifamassive
migraineweregrowingbehindhiseyes."He'sstolenus.Andwelethim."

Then,withgreatesttriumph,Graysvoicefinishedontherecording,"And,ofcourse,dearMina's
blood."

Shelimitedherreactiontoafaintgaspassherecalledhowhehadhandedheraglassofamontillado
sherry,howtheglasshadsoeasilybroken,slicingherpalm,howGrayhadbeenconcernedand
attentive,pressinghishandkerchieftotheoozingblood…

TheLeaguemembersremainedstunnedinthecaptain'sstateroom,allofthemexhibitingsignsof
dismay.Nemosummeduptheirreactionsbyannouncingwithcoldthreat,"Andnowweallhaveour
sufficientreasonsforwantingtokillhim."

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Botheredbyhisoversensitiveearsandtheincessant,increasingpaininthebackofhisskull,thefidgety
DoctorJekylllookedoutadimporthole;hesawmuchmorethanjustdeepwaterandthefaintshadows
offishoutside.HecaughtareflectionofHyde'stwistedanddemonicface.Intheimage,hisbrutishalter
egoclappedbothspasminghandstohistemples,pressingagainsthishairyears,grimacinginagony.
InsideJekyll'shead,Hyderoared.Turnitoff,Henry.Turnitoff

LiftingherheadoutofthefeelingsofbetrayalandangerthatGray'swordsinspired,Minanoticedthat
Dr.Jekyllwasstandingawayfromtheothers,clampinghispalmsagainsthisearsasiftryingtokeep
hisskullfromflyingapart."Henry?Areyouallright?"

Startledbyherquestion,Jekyllturnedawayfromtheporthole,blinking."Myearshurt.Itgoesthrough
mywholeskull."Hetappedathisearslikeaswimmerwithwaterinthem."It'snothing,"Jekyllsaid.

Ontherecording,theevilmastermindcontinued,"IfyoufailtosaveVenice,thenIwillgetmywar.
Andifyousucceed—well,it'sasmallpricetopayforgivingMr.Graytheluxurytogoabouthismain
task.Warwillcomesoonerorlater,asinevitablyassummerturnsintoautumn."

"M'sürelikesthesoundofhisownvoice,doesn'the?"Sawyersaid.

Hecontinued,likeasternschoolteacherlecturingagroupofdisappointingstudents."Nowsomeofyou
—perhapsQuatermain,ifheisn'tdead,ormaybeSkinner,whobyallaccountsisasneaky,despicable
chap—willpausetoaskwhyI'mlettingyouknowallthis.Whatfoolrevealshisgambitbeforethegame
isover?"

Hisvoicepaused,asifgivingthemachancetoanswerthegramophonedisc."Because,yousee,itis
over.Foryou.Thealarmtonethatrevealedthisrecordingsexistencetoyouhasautomaticallysounded
whencertainsensorsdeterminedthattheNautilusisnowdeepundertheocean."

"Underagreatdealofpressure."Graysvoicebrokein."WhichiswhyI'lltakethenautiloid,sothat
you'llfollowandgetyourselvesintodeepwater.Perfectlypredictable,perfectlyboring."

NemoandtheotherslistenedwithdawninghorrorasMcontinuedtorelishhisexplanation.

"I'msureyou'reaware,Nemo,howsoundcanaffectcertaincrystals?Resonancefrequencies?Thepitch
ofthisparticularsoundishigherthanhumanscanhear.Youwontevennoticeit.Andallthewhileit
continuestogrowlouder,outofrange.Morepowerful…andmoredestructive."

JekyllcringedfromthereflectionofanagonizedHydeintheportholeglass,can'tbearit,Henry!Please!

"Dogsandloweranimalscanhearitwiththeirbaseinstincts.Butnotmen.Hence,whileI'verambled
onandyouallhavegivenmeyourraptattention,asecondarylayerofinaudiblesoundispounding
againstasequenceofdelicatecrystalsensorsdottedaboutyourvessel."

Gray'svoicecameagain,soundingthoroughlyentertainednow."Sensorsthatareattachedtobombs.
Bombvoyage!"Thecrudepunseemedincongruousfromtheeruditeman.

Sawyerhurledthegramophonetothefloorandstompedonthewaxdisk.Butitwastoolate.

Inthecomplexmazeofducts,conduits,pipes,andcabinetsaboardtheNautilus,DorianGrayhad

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secretedthreecompactexplosives,riggedtoshimmeringcrystallinedetectors.Withoutacomplete
overhaul,notevenIshmaelwouldhavefoundthebombsdeepinthesubmarine'sworkings.

Now,althoughSawyerhaddestroyedtheplayerandtherecording,thecrystalsensorstrembled,clicked
—andactivatedthedestructivedevices.

Ahugethunderclapofforce,noise,andfireeruptedfromtherearmidhull.Thefireballsplitthroughthe
armoredsideoftheNautilus,punchingoutintotheoceanandthenimplodingundermassivewater
pressure.Metalandceramicshatteredandspewedfromahugeholeinthecurvedwall.

Acolumnofwaterhammeredinwardlikeliquidcannonfire,instantlyfillingthecorridor.Theshock
wavewenchedtheunderwatervesselbackandforthlikeapiggybankbeingshakenbyachild.Glass
shattered.Sparksflew.

InsideNemo'sstateroom,themembersoftheLeaguewerethrownoffbalance,careeningintoeach
other.Thecontourmapthattrackedthefleeingnautiloidwaswrecked.

Andthenthesecondandthirdbombsexploded.

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THIRTYFOUR

The,Nautilus

Althoughthelowerchamberwasonfire,coldseawaterrolledintotherearengineroomlikeawall.
Smokegushedfromthesiteofthefirstexplosionandpouredthroughruinedturbines.Sparksflew,
cracklinginthepoolsandspray.

Themetal-walledroomfilledrapidlywiththepoundingwater.Engineersdiedscreaming,sometrying
toflee,somegivingtheirlivesinattemptstosavetheunderseavessel.

Twocrewmendashedfortheaftbulkheaddoor.Theyleapedthroughthedoorandtriedtoswingthe
heavyhatchshut,buttheforceofinrushingwatersweptthedooropenandsmashedthemenbackward.

Respondingtogether,theLeaguemembersrushedontothebridge,wherecrewmenstruggledwiththe
controls.Morethanever,NemowishedIshmaelwerehere.

"Midhullsealed,Captain.Butthedoorsaren'tholding!"aredheadedcrewmanshouted."Thewater
keepsrushingintothebreach."

TheNautilusshudderedandbegantosink.Thedeck;tiltedatasteepbackwardangle.Chartsandtools
clatteredoffofshelvesandtables,pitchedasideasthewounded,tail-heavysubmarinevesselsank.

"Nemo,wehavetosurface!"Quatermainstumbled,fetchedupagainstabulkhead,andthengrimacedat
therenewedpaininhisshoulderwound."Getbackuptotheair."

"We'vetakenintoomuchwater.Thecontrolsarenolongerresponding."Despitehisownwords,Nemo
workedwiththevessel'scontrolpanels,butthesystemsremaineddarkandinoperative.

TheNautilussankthroughthewater,likeashotpheasanttumblingoutofthesky.Threejaggedholes
hadbeenblownoutthoughitsstem.Oiltrailsandfirespilledout;fragmentsofceramicarmorflaked
offlikebrokenbitsofeggshell.

Drenchedandbattered,CrewmanPatel—theprovisionalreplacementforthemurderedIshmael—
rushedtothebridge,lookingaboutforNemo."Primaryengineroomalmostfull,sir,andtheaft
bulkheadisstillopen!Pumpvalvesarejammed."

"Sealitoff,"Nemosaid."Thatistheonlywaywecanstabilizeourdescent."

"Buttherearecrewmeninsidethere,Captain!"theactingfirstmatesaid.Patel'seyesweresunken,his
facefrantic."Weneverletaman—"

"Forthegreatergood,youmustsealit!Thepressurewillcrushuswithinminutes,ifwedon'talldrown

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first."

Squaringhisshoulders,Patelrushedout,pastashakenJekyllwhohuddledinthecorridor.

Onthebridge,sparkssprayed,panelsgroaned,waterspurted.Quatermain,Sawyer,andMinahungon
asthevesselpitchedevenfurther.Theroomwasalreadythickwithsmoke,andthepressureoutside
squeezedthewallsharder,likeagiantcrushingtheminhisfist.

"It'llbefine,Mina,"Sawyersaid,sidlingcloser,asifhecouldcomforther.

MinaHarker,though,wasnotinterestedinsuchreassurance."I'mascientist,youngman—thatmakes
mearealist."SheturnedtoNemo."Cannothingsaveus?"

"Onlyamiracle,"Nemosaid.

ThehaggardJekyllwrestledwithhisfears.HehadalreadyprovedcompletelyuselessinVenice,and
nowhedamnedhimselffornotunderstandingtheproblemswiftlyenough;Hyde'sbestialsenseshad
heardthedeadlyhigh-pitchedtone,buthisrationalmindhadnotunderstoodthetreacheroussabotagein
time.Hecouldhavepreventedthisdisaster.

Andnowhemeanttodosomethingaboutit.

Insidehim,thesnarlingpresenceofHydeagreed.Wecandoit,Henry!Justletme!Letme!

Inthecorridoroutsidethecontrolbridge,Jekyllwhirled,sawHyde'sreflectioninpolishedmetalonthe
wall."Whatareyouonabout?"

Youknow,Henry.Wecandoit.Together.

Shakingwithinnerturmoil,Jekyllracedfromthebridge.Insidehismind,EdwardHyderoaredwith
impatientglee.

Whenhefinallyreachedthehatchoftheprimaryengineroom,Jekyllfoughthiswaythroughspraying
wateranddesperatecrewmen.ThecorridorwasalmostverticalashereachedactingFirstMatePatel,
whowasstrugglingtoclosethehatch.

"I'mgoinginsidethere."Jekyll'svoicewasameresqueakamidthechaoticnoise.

"ButI'veorderstocloseit!"saidPatel."Youwon'tgetbackout!"

"Thendoit!Don'tworryaboutme."Withsurprisingenergy,theskinnydoctorsprangintothewaist-
deepwaterfillingtheengineroom.Threemangledcrewmenwerealreadydeadinside,floatingup
againstthewalls.Sparksshoweredfromthecontrols.Oilyblacksmokeclungtothelargepumping
pistons.

"You'llneversurvive!"

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"Maybenot."Jekyllstillsloshedforward."Ormaybeweallwill."

Patelrealizedthattherewasnotimetoevacuateanyoneelse.Hecursed,thenusedallhisstrengthto
shoulderthehatchclosedafterthedoctorhadentered.HeknewthattheNautilusitselfhadonlyafew
moreminutesbeforeitimplodedinthedepths.Hedidn'tsupposeJekyllwoulddiemuchsoonerthanthe
restofthem…

Insidetheengineroom,onlyahellishair-pocketofsteamandfireremainedabovethewater.Drowning
crewmensplashedandstruggledforlastgasps.Onlyonemanstillworkedattryingtorestartthe
unsalvageablemachinery.

Jekylldraggedhimselfalongtherivetedwall.Withhisfreehand,hereachedintohisshirtpocketto
removeaglassvialandyankedoutthestopperwithhisteeth.Forasplitsecondhehesitated,wondering
ifthiswasworsethanasimpledeathofdrowning.Hishandtrembled.Ifhedroppedthevialintothe
water,everythingwouldbeover…

Comeon,Henry!Hydewaslikeacagedanimalthrowinghimselfagainstthebars.Theyneedme.You
needme!

Jekyllfalteredamomentmore,butthemenkeptscreaming,thewatercontinuedtopourinside,andthe
Nautilussankeverdeeper.Morepeoplewoulddieifhedidn'tdohispart.Manymore.Hegulpedthe
bitterpotion.

Withoutwaitingfortheelixirtowork,hetookadeepbreath,swellinghisnarrowchest.Hedoveunder
themurkywaterandswamdownthroughfloatingdebris,grabbinghandholdsonmachinerytodrag
himselfagainsttherushofwater.Hismuscleswereweak.Hisarmsstartedtoshake.

Thenhisbodybegantochange:Boneslengthenedandthickened,musclesswelledandbulged.Hishair
coarsenedandsproutedblackfromhishands,knuckles,andneck.Hisheadgrewlarger,moreapelike.
Heconvulsedandspasmed,clampinghislipsshuttoholdintheair.Eachtimehesufferedthroughthis,
thetransformationbroughthimmoreandmoreagony.

Finally,Jekyllcouldnothelphimself.Hescreamedunderwater,butletoutonlyamouthfulofbubbles
ashisbackarchedandlimbsthrashed.Hiseyesbegantobleed.

Whenhisformbulkeduptotwiceitsnormalsize,hisprimclothestoreapartandfloatedinragsfrom
hisbody.Yetallthewhile,hisdeterminationheld.Hekeptgoingdownward,handholdtohandhold,
untilatlasthereachedthebottomofthefloodedengineroom.Thesubmarinevesseltiltedatanever
steeperangle,sinkingfast.

Hehadtoreorienthimself,lookingthroughthewaterygloomtofindhisdestination.

Deepundertheswellingcoldwater,whenhereachedthewide-openaftbulkheaddoor,itwasEdward
Hydewhograbbedhold.Withasilent,slow-motionstroke,heswipedasidetwodrowningcrewmen
whowerestillstrugglingtosealthebulkheadwiththeirlastbreaths.

Drivenbyinstinctnow,Hydewouldhavepreferredtoripthingsapart,bendpipesandgirders,smash
openwindows.Butheknewthathehadtoclosethebreachandsealofftheflood.

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Thehatchwasheavy,forcedasidebythecontinuingrushofwaterfromtheexplosionsgapinghole.The
beast-man'sgnarledandhairyhandgrippedtheedgeofthemetaldoor,andhestrainedtoswingitshut,
groaningandspittingbubblesfrombetweenhiscrackedanduneventeeth.Hydestrainedtopushthe
hatch,andfinallyslammeditshutlikeamanclosingadooragainstabriskwind.Hetwistedthewheel
tosealthesturdyhatchinplace.Safe.

Buthecouldnotgobacktothesurfaceyet.Dimly,herealizedtheNautiluswouldcontinuesinkingas
longasitstailsectionwasfullofwater.

Hydefoundthejammedpumpvalves,triedtoturnthemsothepistonsandgearscouldworkagain.The
valvesremainedstuck,asifweldedshut.Thatdidn'tstophim.

Heroared,andthelasttricklesofairescapedfromhismouthinacloudofbubbles.Hismusclesbulged
ashetriedagain.Hehammeredwithhisfisttoloosenthevalve,butthethick,coldseawaterstolemuch
ofhisstrength.Hyde'svisiongrewdark,hisangerincreased,andheforcedhimselftothinkofthepump
valveasanenemytobedefeated.

Thenslowly,inchbyinch,thevalvewheelstartedtomove,crankingclockwise.Snarlingsilently,dizzy
fromlackofoxygen,Hydegavetheleveranothershove.

Suddenlythevalvecamefree,spinningloose,astheunderseavesselshugeventsopened,hurlingthe
massivemanaway.Screamingturbinesbegantoevacuatewaterfromthechamber.Hehookedhishands
aroundasturdypipeandclungtoitwithallhisremainingstrengthtokeepfrombeingsuckedout.

Hydeworkedhiswayupwardasthewaterlevelinsidethesealedchamberdropped.Highabove,he
couldseethesilhouettesofstrugglingcrewmensplashingaboutonthesurface.Heneededair.

Higherandhigherheclimbed,untilfinallyhisshaggy,misshapenheadburstoutintotheairabovethe
water.Hespatsprayandheavedahugebreathtofillhisstarvedlungs.

Heardonlyinsidehishead,Jekyll'sthinvoiceyelledoverthesoundoftherushingwater."Bravo,
Edward!Bravo!"

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THIRTYFIVE

TheNautilus

ThewoundedNautilusroseunderadawnsky,breakingthesurfaceofthechoppyoceanwithaclumsy
gaspandagroan.Airhissedout,watersprayed,andthescarredanddamagedsubmarinevessel
sprawledontheseaasifexhausted.Theslowchugofpropellersmovedtheshipdrunkenlyforward,and
theenginescoughed.

Crewmenventedthevesselsfoulinteriortoreleasesmokeandstagnantatmosphere,pumpinginfresh
air.Theyflungopentheupperhatchastheenginesandpumpscontinuedtolabor.Haunted-lookingmen
pressedtheirheadsoutintotheopenbreezes,amazedthattheyhadlivedtoseethesurfaceagain.

Indireneedofrepairs,thewallowingNautiluscreakedandmoanedonthehighseas.AndNemoand
hismenweretheonlypeopleonEarthwiththeknowledgeandskillstofixtheexoticvessel.

Takingshiftsinside,thesurvivingcrewmenmovedaboutinadaze,replacingbrokenfittings,resetting
furnishings,andmoppingupthelaststandingpoolsofseawaterthathadfloodedthecorridors.

Quatermain,Sawyer,Nemo,andMinametinNemo'sstateroomtodiscussthelargerimplicationsofhis
schemes,andtomakeplansoftheirown.Withtheexceptionoftheever-optimisticyoungAmerican,all
ofthemworeanairofdefeat.Seekinganoutletforhisangerandhelplessness,Quatermaintookthe
damagedgramophonediscfromtheplayer,andmadeapointofgrindingitunderhisheel.

Lookingshell-shocked,arestoredDr.Jekyllwasthelasttoarrive.Afterhisexertions,theelixirhad
wornoff,leavinghiminhisfrailandfidgetybody.Buthehadservedhispurposewell.Quatermain
noddedtothedoctorinsilentacknowledgmentofhisvalor.

Jekyllshrankaway,embarrassed."Well…let'snotmakeasaintoutofasinner.Nexttime,Hydemay
notchoosetobesohelpful."Avoidingfurtherdiscussion,heturnedhisattentiontothedamaged
underseamap.Theindicatorsofboththefleeingnautiloidandthelargervesselhadfallenoff,lost
somewhereinthejumbleofdebrisonthefloor."Can—canwestillfollowGray?"

MinamadeadisbelievingsoundasshesatinNemosdeskchair."Evenifthetracercouldstillgeta
signalfromthenautiloid,webarelyhaveenoughenginepowertokeepusmoving."

"Wewerefaster,"Quatermainsaid."Nowwe'reatortoisetohishare."

"Notevenatortoise.Wearepracticallydeadinthewater,"Nemosaid.

"Sowe're…justdone?"Jekyllsaid."Wegiveup?"

Sawyertookthechallenge."No,we'realive.IfMhasideastothecontrary,thatgivesusanedge.He

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shouldn'tbemakingassumptions."Hegrinned,tryingtorallythem."Afterall,we'retheLeagueof
ExtraordinaryGentlemen,aren'twe?Thatstandsforsomething."

CaptainNemo,though,wasnotimpressed."Theseaisvast,youngman.Eveniftheshipcouldmove,
Gray—andM—couldbeoutthereanywhere."

"Well,I'manoptimist.Maybethat'sacrimetoyoutwistedso-and-sos,butbeingthewayIamkeepsme
fromgoingcrazy."SawyerlookedatAllanQuatermain,expectingtofindsupportthere…buthe
receivednone."We'llfigureoutsomething."

"Yourcheerfulnessisoutofplace,Mr.Sawyer,"Minasaid.

"You'rewrong.Wewillgetourman—atleastIwill.TomSawyeroftheAmericanSecretService."A
shadowcrossedhisexpression."Youallaren'ttheonlyoneswithagrudge,youknow.Rememberwhen
wefirstmet,theotheragentItoldyouabout?Theonewhowasfirstassignedtoinvestigatethe
Fantom?Well,hewasmychildhoodfriend.HeandIwereagentstogether,untilthatmaskedmadman
shothimdead."Hewrestledwithhisemotions,tryingnottogetchokedup.Hisfreckledfaceflushed
red."Therestofyoumaybedone,butI'mnot.IswearI'mgoingtoavengeHuckFinn'sdeath."

"Butthisisn'taboutanyoneofus,Tom.Certainlynotanymore,"Jekyllsaid."It'sbiggerthanthat."

"Yes,itis,Mister.Thefateoftheworldisinourhands.Theworld!"Sawyerlookedatalltheothers,
wantingtoshakethemoutoftheirgloom."Okay,soDorianGraywasatraitor.AndMtrickedyouinto
joininghim,andyouwalkedstraightintohistrap."Sawyershowedthemadeterminedgrin."Butthe
wayIseeit,thatwashisbigmistake…hebroughtyou—us—together."

TheLeaguememberslookedateachother,considering.

"He…hehasapoint,"Jekyllsaid.

QuatermaincockedabrowatSawyer,thenfinallyrespondedwithawangrinofhisown."Andtheboy
becomesaman.Perhapsaleaderofmen."

"Andwomen."Minastoodagainandsmoothedherskirtsdown."Sonowwhatdowedo?"

FirstMatePatelsuddenlyburstin."Captain!We'regettingasignal!Ithinkit'sfromthenautiloid."

"Mgloating,nodoubt,"Nemosaid."He'llwanttoknowifwesurvived."

Patelshookhishead."Idon'tbelieveit'sfromtheFantom,sir—andnotMr.Grayeither."

Spurredtoaction,theremainingmembersoftheLeaguerushedtotheNautilus'sradioroom.A
communicationsoperatoradjustedhisheadphonesashejotteddownamessageonprocessedkelp
paper,onepainstakingletteratatime.Theradioapparatusemittedbeepsandclicks.

QuatermainrecognizedthechatterhehadheardatnumerousAfricanoutposttelegraphstations."Morse
code."

"What'sitsay?"Minaasked.

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Theradiooperatorreadallthewordshehadsofartranscribed."Itsays,'Hellomyfreakydarlings'."

SawyerandMinasaidinunison,"Skinner."

"SotheinvisiblemanhasjoinedM'streacheryafterall,"Nemosaid.

Thatdidn'tmakesensetoQuatermain,though.Hescratchedhishead."Maybe…ormaybenot."

ThecommunicationsoperatorcontinuedreadingofftheMorsecodemessage."Hidingonboardlittle
fishwithGrayandM.Onwaytobase.EastbyNorthEast.Followmylead."

"Hestowedaboard!"Sawyersaid.

Quatermainclappedtheyoungmanontheshoulder."Ouraceinthehole.Youwererightnottogiveup
hope,lad."TheAmericanagentbeamed.

"Youheardhim,Mr.Patel,"Nemosaid."FixourheadingatEastbyNorthEast.Allrepaircrewsgetto
workonourengines,highestpriority.Iwantthisvesselmovingwitheveryounceofspeedtheengines
canmanage,assoonaspossible.Oncewebeginthechaseagain,wewillmaketheotherrepairswhile
we'reunderway."Thenewfirstmaterushedofftofollowhisorders.

AstheNautilusfloatedonthesurfaceoftroubledseas,there-energizedcrewworkedtorepairholesin
thehull,reattacharmorplates,andshoreupstructuralbracesfromtheinsidedecks.Butthedamaged
engineswerethehighestpriorityandunderwentanurgentoverhaul.Wreckedcomponentswere
replacedwithspares,pistonsandshaftsweregroundandrefitted,oilreservoirsrefilled,andfresh
lubricantsapplied.

Onthebridge,Nemoworkedalongsidethementorewirecircuitsandconnectpipesandconduits.
Becausetheentiresubmarinevesselwasofhisowndesign,thedetailedplansremainedinhismemory.
FirstMatePateltestedthepatchedcontrolswhileplottingcoordinates.

MinaandJekylltendedtotheseverelywoundedcrewmen,savingmanyofthem,thoughseveralof
Nemo'slongtimecomradeshaddied.Thedeadheroeswereburiedatseainasolemnceremonythe
followingfoggymorningatdawn.Nemoallowedthedesperateworktopauseforonlyafewmoments
beforesendingthecrewmenbacktotheirtasks.

Insidethesootyandstainedengineroom,TomSawyerlentexuberance,ifnoparticularexpertise,to
tighteningpipesandfixinggauges,wipingawayexcesslumpsoffreshsealant,andpolishingthe
equipmenttobringitbacktoasemblanceofthewaythingshadbeen.

Still,witheveryinstantthenautiloiddrewfartherandfartheraway.

WhenallthemembersoftheLeaguehadgatheredinthecontrolroom,alongwithFirstMatePateland
otherNautiluscrewmen,Quatermainaddressedthegroup."Goodwork.Allofyou.Captain?"

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Standingonthebridge,Nemoactivatedthecontrols.Thetenseandexhaustedengineersandmechanics
lookedatthecaptainandatPatel.Then,withathrobandahiss,theenginesengaged,pumpingwithan
ever-increasingroaruntiltheyreachedfullpower.

Finally,thevesselbegantomove,strainingwiththeeffort.TheNautiluscrossedmanyleagues,picking
upspeedaseachadditionalrepairwascompleted.TheopenseasposednohindrancetotheSwordof
theOcean.Herjaggedbowslicedthroughthewaterslikeasharkinpursuitofprey.

ThemapoftheoceaninsideNemo'sstateroomwaspartiallyrepaired.Reliefplatesoftheseafloorand
longitudelinesshiftedtotheleftastheNautilustraveledfurthereast.

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THIRTYSIX

TheNautilus

Despitethesubmarinevessel'srushingspeedacrosstheocean,thoseaboardcoulddolittlebutwait.
SomegatheredtheirenergiesforthecomingbattleagainsttheFantomandhisforces;othersstudied
plans,assessingtheiroptions;manycouldnotsleepbecauseofeitherdreadorimpatience.

QuatermainretreatedtohiscabinwhereheonceagainporedoverissuesofTheStrandMagazine,
ScotlandYardcrimereports,andevenoldrecordsofthefirstappearanceoftherealPhantomthathad
plaguedtheParisOperaHouse.Obviously,theyweredifferentmen,butMhadtakentheothervillainas
hismodel.

Quatermainturnedthemagazine'spageswiththehandofhisuninjuredarm.OnNemo'sspare
gramophoneplayer,helistenedintentlyasacrackedfragmentofhisrecordingreplayedoverandover.
Thefemalerecordist'sdrabvoicesaid,"Ready,Professor…Ready,Professor…Ready,Professor."

WhenNemoentered,Quatermainliftedtheneedle.Hecouldseeimmediatelythatthecaptaindidnot
havegoodnews.

"Skinner'ssignalhasstopped,"Nemosaid."Wenolongerhaveanywaytotrackthem."

Outside,ontheship'sobservationdeckundermockinglysunnyskies,Sawyerstoodstaringatthe
horizon,asifhopingtoseethedistantandstill-fleeingnautiloid.

MinaHarkercameuptohiminfullgreenskirtandpetticoats,withabrightredscarfwrappedprimly
aroundherpalethroat."Thankyou,"shesaid.

TheyoungAmericanturnedtoher,startled."Forwhat,Ma'am?"

"Yourfearlessness."Minastoppedclosebesidehimandlookedoutatthesea."I'velivedsuchalifeof
sorrowandregret—alonglife—thatI'vealwaysbeenratherafraidtostepintotomorrow."

Sawyerschestswelled."Shucks,tomorrowswhereIliveandbreathe,Ma'am."

"Yes.Iseeit'snotsobadaplaceatall."TheNautilusstruckasetofheavywaves,andsprayhissed
fromitsbow,butnoneofthewaterdropletssplashedthem.Minagrippedtherailtosteadyherself
againstthechoppymotion.

Sawyertouchedherglovedhandwithafingertip."Hey,ifmyearlier…attentionsoffendedyouinany
way,I'msorry."

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"Iamdisappointed."Minasmiledupathimagain."Ididn'tthinkAmericansgaveupsoeasily."

Sawyerblinkedhisblueeyesagain,likingwhatheheard.

Offtooneside,AllanQuatermainlayinadeckchairbesidewhichhehadstackedhisresearchbooks
andfiles.Lyinginthewarmsunlight,theoldadventurerappearedtohavedozedoff,butashe
eavesdroppedandwatchedthemthroughhalf-openedeyes,heallowedhimselfasmallgrin.

Later,inthethrummingcommunicationsroom,theradiooperatorsettledhisheadphonesinplaceagain
andcontinuedtoadjustthefrequency,listeningforthetelltaleclicksofacodedsignal.

Behindhim,Nemowaitedpatiently,silently,watchingwithhiscoal-darkeyes.Quatermaintriedto
matchthecaptainscalm,butfounditextremelydifficult.

Theradiooperatorsuddenlysatupstraightwithhisfullattention.Hegavethecommunicationknobsa
delicatetwist,thengatheredhispaperandleadpencil.Hesparedonlyafractionofhisattentionto
glancebackupatthecaptain."It'sMr.Skinner,sir."

ThenhebeganmarkingthedotsanddashesoftheMorsecodesignal,translatingletterbyletter.Finally,
hereadthemessage."Sorry.Tookanap.SeaofOkhotsk.TartarStrait.AmurRiver.Mongoliawestof
Hailar."

Nemoturnedtohurrybacktohisbridge."Come,Quatermain.Wemustsetacourse."

Theenginescontinuedtochug,nursedalongbytheuneasyengineers.Thepropellersdrovethearmored
vesselforwardthroughthewaves.Theywereclosingin.

QuatermainandNemosurveyedgiganticmapbooksthatthedarkcaptainhadcompiledoverhisyears
ofexploration.Nemo'sfingertracedalineonthecharts."OurroutewilltakeuspasttheKurilIslands
intotheSeaofOkhotsk.ThecommunalwatersofChina,Japan,andRussiawheremanyculturesmerge
andshift."Hestrokedhisdarkbeard."ThensouththroughtheTartarStraitbetweenRussiaandthe
islandofSakhalin,enteringtheAmurRiveratNikolayev."

Quatermainnodded,followingthelongandconvolutedroute.Thenamessoundedstrangeandexotic,
likethelandsandtribeshehimselfhadencounteredindarkestAfrica.Manyoftheplacesonthemap
remainedmysteries,unchartedblanks.Healmostexpectedtoseethehandwrittennotation,HereBe
Monsters.

NemonowtracedthedarklineofariverleadingdeepintothewildestpartsofEastAsia."TheAmur
willtakeusinlandtoremoteMongolia,whichwasonceruledbyruthlessCossacks.Theirfortresses
stillstandasarrogantmonumentstopowerandcruelty.Nodoubt,thatiswhereMhasbuilthislair."

"Icanhardlywait,"Quatermainsaid."Let'sgo."

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THIRTYSEVEN

TheMongolianWastes

Assilentasaseamonster,theNautiluscruisedthewater'ssurfacealongfar-flungshorelines,pastthe
snowylandmassesofEasternRussia,wheresmokyandfirelitporttownswerevisibleonthehorizon.
Smallfishingboatsbravedleaden,wintrycurrentsandthefog,nevernoticingthearmoredvesselthat
passedsoclose.

Atfirsttheportsweresubstantialtowns,thelastbastionsofcivilizationonthefringesoftheprimitive
wastes.SeenfromtheNautilus,theprominentarchitectureincludedRussianspiresalongwithtouches
ofJapaneseinfluence;awebworkofdocksspreadout,holdingscoresofboats.

Butasthevesselpassedfarthernorthward,theportstookonthemoreprimitivelookofremoteChina,
withrough-hewnwoodenwallsorstackedstones,wovenroofs,andpointedarches.Allofitwas
blanketedbysnow.

Concernedaboutbeingseenastheydrewclosertotheirquarry,CaptainNemoorderedtheNautilusto
submergeandproceedalongitscourse.Itwouldn'tbelongnowbeforetheyfoundwhereDorianGray
andMhadgonetoground.

AttheAmurRiveratdawn,acurvingsilver-bluelineoffrozenwatercutthroughawindswept
landscapeofsnowandjuttinggrayrock.Afewgnarledtrees,bentlowfromtheever-blowingwindof
theconstantwinter,dottedthemonotonoussteppe.

Today,eventheravenshadtakenshelterinthescrubbrush,toomiserabletosearchforcarrion.Silence
pervadedthefrigidatmosphere.

Suddenly,withacrackingroarandthecreakofbrokenslabsofice,theNautilus'sreinforcedconning
towerhammeredthroughthefrozensurfaceandroseintotheairwithashowerofsnowandasprayof
icyriverwater.

Thevessel'supperhatchopenedwithaclang,andfivepeopleemerged,climbingupintothechill
northernair.Theyallworethickarcticclothing,heavygloves,andhoodedjackets.Thewindwhistling
acrossthesteppescarriedwithitadeeperchill,buteventhebitingcoldcouldnotbringarosyflushto
MinaHarkerspalecheeks.Theothersshadedtheireyesfromtheglareofsunonendlessiceandsnow.

SkittishJekyllslippedontheslickcoatingoffresh-frozenicethatcoveredthearmoredupperdeck,but
Quatermaincaughthim."Careful,man.Youwouldn'tlastaminuteinwaterthatcold."Theslushy
AmurknockedicechunksagainstthesideoftheNautilus,andJekylllookeddownwide-eyedatwhere

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hehadalmostfallen.

Nemotookhisbinoculardeviceandscannedthelandscape."Accordingtomycharts,weshouldbevery
neartoourdestination."

Sawyer,Jekyll,andMinasharedatelescopethatFirstMatePatelhadbroughtupforthem.Jekyll
peeredtowardadistantrockyridge."Aren'ttheFantoms'manufactoriesoverthere?"Hehadadifficult
timeholdingtheeyepiecesteadyinhistremblinghands.Histeethchattered.

Nemonodded."Wemayhavetosetoffoverland."

Quatermaintookthebinocularstoseeforhimself.Hefocusedonsnow-frostedpilesofrockand
strippedlogsthathadoncebeenclusteredhomes,buthadnowfallenintocompletedisrepair."Deserted
peasantsettlements."

MinatookthetelescopefromJekyll."Completelyempty,nosignoflife.They'reclosetoariver,
probablyonatraderoute.Thehousesthemselvesseemhabitable."

"Well,withabitoffixingup,"Sawyeragreed,loweringthebinoculars.

Minacontinuedtostare,usingonlyhersharpgreeneyes."Still,whywouldanentirevillagebe
deserted?"

Thenoilysmokeroseupinangryblackwhorlsovertherimofthejaggedrise,accompaniedbyafiery
glow,asifadoorwaytoHellitselfhadbeenopened—justacrack.

"Fear,nodoubt,"Nemosaid.

TheicyplainsofMongoliawereafarcryfromtheAfricanveldt,butQuatermainstillledthe
expedition.

Sawyer,Jekyll,andMinatrudgedafterhim,pickingapathoverthetreacherousground:slickice,
uncertainrocks,deepsnow.NemobroughtuptherearwithasquadofNautiluscrewmen,allofthem
warmlydressedandwell-armed.Theyascendedthesteephillsidetothetopoftherockyridgebeyond
theabandonedpeasantvillage.Behindthem,theconningtowerofthesubmarinevesselprotrudedfrom
theAmurice,liketheruinsofacastlebattlement.

Onebyone,thegroupstruggledupthroughawindsweptcrackinthesnow.Sawyerpolitelyhelped
Mina,thoughhergripwasstrongerthanhis.Looserockstumbledfromledges,bouncingandpickingup
speedastheyrolleddowntheslope.

Aftercrestingtherise,theylookeddowntoseeaCossackfortress,thelairofthecounterfeitFantom.
M.

Thegiantstructureseemedtobeanamalgamationofablockygothiccastleandtheindustrial
revolutionsdirtiestfactorynightmare—ablackstonefollyofanexiledczar,builttoruleoverthe
landscape.Greatbulbousminaretsspiredskyward,andhugeblastsoffirecoughedforthfromtall

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chimneysatopfoundriesandprocessinglines.Itsworkshops,livingquarters,anddungeonsglowered
outatfriendandfoealike.Theindustrialfiresofsmithies,smelters,andincineratorsmadehisfortress
looklikearestlessvolcano,accompaniedbyaloudclamorandthesyncopatedpuffsofsmall
explosions.

Overhead,thewideskywasthickwithgraycloudsandthewindpickedupasthestormgathered,
carryingthemetallicscentofimpendingsnow.

"Hissummerretreat.Can'tsayIcareforthecolor."Sawyermadereadytomove."Letsnailthissonofa
bitch."

"Unpreparedandunplanned?No,lad."Quatermainlookedaroundthegnarledrockyoutcroppings,the
starklichen-encrustedboulders.Thefirstheavyflakesofsnowbeganspittingdownonthemfromthe
darkclouds."ThisiswhereSkinnersignaledhe'dmeetus.Sowewait."

Later,theLeaguemembersandNemo'sarmedmengatheredaroundameagercampfireinsidearock
cave,surroundedbysnowdrifts.Sawyerandseveralcrewmencarryingaxeshadvolunteeredtogoback
totheemptypeasantvillagetochopsomeofthefrozenwoodintochunksandsplinters.Asthestorm
grewworse,fillingtheairwithpeltingsnow,thegrouphadlaboriouslybroughtthepiecesuptotheir
makeshiftshelter.Althoughthelightfromtheirfireseemedameresparkinthevastemptinessofthe
steppes,forthosehuddledclosetoitswarmth,theefforthadpaidoff.

Theymeltedsnowandboiledthewater,whichMinausedtomaketea.Aftertakingalongswallowof
straightwhiskeyfromhishipflask,Quatermainofferedittofortifythebrew,thenwentoutintothe
continuingblizzardtostandguard.

Theoldadventurersatonarockatthecaveentranceandkeptwatch,inspiteofthefreezingcoldofthe
blusterynightandblindingsnowthatwhippedallaroundhim.ThoughMsurelybelievedthemalldead
andtheNautilussunk,herefusedtoletdowntheirguardsoneartotheenemy'sfortress.Hewouldtake
nochances.

Quatermainhunchedoverhisrock,clenchinghismittenedhandstogether,hisfaithfulelephantgun
Matildaleaningagainsthim.Hewasunusedtosuchseverecold,andhiswoundedshouldersent
twingesofpaindownhisarm,remindinghimthathewasnolongertheyoung,resilientmanhehad
oncebeen.Hegrittedhisteethandignoredthepain.

Theheavystormblockedthestars,renderingtheskiesagrayishblack.Blowingsnowsmearedout
detailsinthedistance,too,mutingthefieryfortresstoasorered-orangeglowthatcouldnotpenetrate
theblizzard.Noneofhismencouldpossiblyseethetiny,shelteredcampfireinthecave.

Suddenly,Quatermainheardanoise.Swiftandsilent,thehunteryankedoffhismittens,droppedthem
totheground,andgrabbedtheelephantgun.Hebroughtittohisshoulderandsweptthebarrelinaslow
arc,lookingforatargetoutintheblowingsnow.Inalowvoicethatthewindsnatchedaway,hecalled
outftirtively,"Skinner?"

Fromoutoftheblizzard,anoldwhitetigerappeared.Itscamouflagehadchangedtowintercoloring,
paleasshadowsonice.Itwaspowerful,dangerous,ahunteroutintheemptiness,probablyhungry
enoughtokillhumanprey.QuatermainsightedalongMatilda,notneedinghisglassesnow.The

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magnificentSiberiantigerwasunnervinglycloseandutterlysilent.Itmadenogrowl,nosoundatallas
itmovedthroughthesnow.

Keepinghisbreathssteadyandeven,Quatermainlockedeyeswiththetiger.Itwasmotionlessnow,
watchinghim.Itswhiskersmovedasitsnuffledmoreoftheman-scent.Snoweddiedandswirled
aroundthetwohunters,sealingtheminacurious,timelessmoment,asiftheirtableauhadbeen
capturedinsideachild'ssnowglobe.Quatermainclosedoneeyetotakebetteraim,tentativelyfingered
thetrigger.

Buthecouldn'tdoit.

Theoldadventurerhadfacedmanydeadlybeastsbefore,yetheandthetigersharedastrangekinship.
Perhapstheyweremeanttomeet,inthisfar-offplace…Withasighheloweredtheelephantgun,
lookedoncemoreintothetigerseyes,andpreparedtoaccepthisfate.Afewsecondspassed.

Thenthebeastturnedandstalkedbackintotheblowingwhitewind,seekingotherprey.

"Weheardanoise,"Minasaidfromtheedgeofthecave,startlinghim.Heturnedtoseeherstanding
therebesideNemo.Thecaptain,hisscimitarready,staredoffintothedarkness.

"Itwas…nothing."Quatermains'throatwasdry,hisheartpounding.

"Justanoldtigersensinghisend,"Nemosaidwitheerieinsight.Heindicatedatrackofpawprints
headingawayintothesnow.

Quatermainrestedtheelephantgun'sstockonthegroundandretrievedhismittens,tuggingthemover
hisnumbfingers."Perhapsthisisn'thistimetodieafterall."Nemonoddedwryly.

Suddenly,Minastifledacryasshewasgoosedfrombehind.Sheleapedawkwardlyforwardinalarm,
skitteredaroundwhileregainingherbalance,thencrouchedtodefendherself.

"Aheh!I'vebeenwaitingallweektodothat,"Skinnersvoicesaid.Hesteppedbackoutintothewind,
andhisman-shapedoutlinewasvisibleintheblowingsnow.

"Getagrip,man,"Quatermainsaid,furiouswithhim.

"IthoughtIjustdid,"Skinnersaid."NeverthoughtI'dgetawayfromthatdamnedtiger.He'sbeen
trackingmeforamile.Smelledmebutcouldn'tseeme.Heh!"

"Report,"Nemosaid,sheathinghisscimitar."Telluseverythingyou—"

Theinvisiblemaninterruptedhim."Hellotoyou,too,mydearcaptain."Hecamecloser,leavingbare
footprintsinthedriftedsnowoutsidethecave."NeedIremindyouthatI'mnakedinthesnowinthis
bloodyfreezingwasteland.Ican'tfeelanyofmyextremities.Anyofthem."

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THIRTYEIGHT

TheCave.Blizzard,

Night

Whilethawingoutbythefireaftershoulderingvariouscrewmenasidesohecouldholdhisinvisible
handsandotherextremitiesclosertothewarmth,Skinnerdonnedspareclothingandonceagain
reappliedhiswhitefacemakeup.Helookedlikeafrozencorpse,butatleasthehadstoppedshivering,
unlikeHenryJekyll.

"Ah,thethingsIdofortheEmpire."Hewasdeeplydisappointedtolearnthathiscomradeshadfinished
thelastdropsofwhiskeyinQuatermamshipflask.

WhentheotherLeaguememberslistenedtothescrapingwhisperoftheblizzardoutside,Nemowasthe
firsttodemandanswers."So,ifyouweren'tamongthetraitors,howisityouknewtofollowGray?"

"Heh!Hewastheonlyonecreepingaroundasmuchasme."Theinvisiblemanturnedhisghostly
paintedfacetoMina,andhislipscurvedinabroadsmile."Hehasquiteawaywithhim,eh,Mina?"

Shedidn'tanswer.Shewasdressedwarmly,thoughthecoldoftheirsurroundingsdidnotseemtoaffect
heranyway.

Sawyerexpressedindignationonherbehalf."Sowhydidn'tyoujusttellanyofus?"

Skinnersnortedatthesuggestion."Withallthesuspicionontheship,Iknewyou'dneverbelieveI
wasn'tthespy.You'vebeensuchdearfriends,afterall,aheh!So,IdidwhatI'mgoodat.Ithoughtitbest
to'disappear'andwaitfortherealtraitortoshowhimself."

Minasfaceremainedhard,andshestaredathimwithicygreeneyesacrossthefirelight."Whynotdo
somethingtothenautiloid?Itsoundsasifyouhadplentyofopportunities."

"I'minvisible,notheroic,"Skinnersaid.

Quatermainshiftedhisposition,mentallyreassessingeverythingtheythoughttheyknew."Skinner,we
needyourinformation.Whatarewedealingwith?Telluseverythingyousawandlearnedwhileyou
wereoutsight-seeing."

"Sight-seeing?Whydon'tyoutrycreepingaroundnakedinthesnowforhours?"Hescowledat
Quatermain'semptysilverflask,thengrudginglyacceptedacupoffortifiedtea."Allright,I'lldescribe
everythingforyouasbestIcan.Thatfortressisanawfullybigplace."

"Wherediditcomefrom?"Sawyerasked."DidMdesignithimself?"

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"ItwasbuiltlongagobyaczarwhoalliedhimselfwithCossackbanditsandwarlordsinanattemptto
conquerEuropeandAsia.Buttheycaughthimcheatingatagamblinggameandslithisthroatinhis
sleep.Notverygoodatthinkingahead,thoseCossacks.Withouttheczar,theywerelefttodotheir
rapingandpillagingacrossMongoliaonamorecustomaryscale."

"Thecitadelwasabandoned…andMsimplycouldn'tresistitsallure.Theplacehasalltheamenitiesa
discriminatingmadgeniusbentonworlddominationcouldaskfor."Theinvisiblemanslurpedhis
lukewarmtea."He'smadeafewmodificationsandimprovements,ofcourse."

Usingwordsasanartistmightuseafinebrush,Skinnerpainteddetailedverbalpicturesofallhehad
seeninside.FoundryfurnacesstokedbyMongollaborersproducedfreshironformakinghisweapons
ofdestruction.Sweatingandstraininginthesimmeringorangeheat,theypouredmoltenmetalinto
largecasts.AfterthemoldswerequenchedandcooledwithicywaterpumpedfromthenearbyAmur
River,muscularlaborersusedhammerstobreakthecomponentsfree.Partsforhiswarmachines.

Chainsdanglingfromwinchesandpulleysraisedtheheavyironpiecesandshuttledthemovertoa
mazeoflathes,drills,andpressesonthefactoryfloor,wheretheywerepiecedtogether.Someworkers
constructedmassivelandironclads,suchastheonethathadsmashedthroughtheBankofEngland
vault;othersassembledmonstrouslong-barreledcannons,smallerguns,androcket-launchingtubes.
Outsideinthefrigiddaylight,teamstest-firedtheweapons,launchingexplosiveartilleryshellsand
shriekingrockets,usingtheemptypeasantdwellingsasmakeshifttargets.

"Worstofall,"Skinnercontinued,"inthedrydockbeneaththefortress,IsawMsupervisinglaborers
rivetinghullplatesinthediabolicheatandshadow.Thevesselsarestillunderconstruction,butsoonM
willhaveafleetofarmoredsubmarinewarshipsofhisown."

"They'vecopiedmyNautilus,"Nemosaid,pained.

"Nautili,actually.Eightofthemfornow,"Skinnersaid."But,heh,I'msurehe'llbuildmore."

Eveninthefirelight,Sawyer'sfacewasflushedwithanger."Nemo,canyoufirerocketsfromyourown
ship,likeyoudidinVenice?BlowthatwholeplacetoHell?"

"Weareoutofrange,Mr.Sawyer.Andallthosepeopleinside…surelysomeofthemmustbeinnocent
slaves."NemoturnedtoSkinner."Whatofthekidnappedscientists?"

"Mholdstheirfamilieshostageinsidethefortress.Themenareforcedtowork,orthewomenand
childrendie.Simpleandstraightforward."

Nemosfacedarkenedwithfury,andheshookhishead."Monstrous.IseeMhaslearnedmuchfromhis
barbaricpredecessors."

Theinvisiblemanrubbedhisunseenhandstogether."Aheh!Thatisn'tthehalfofit.Misn'tjust
mechanicallyinclinedwhenhedesignshisnewweapons.Heusesbiology,aswell.He'sforcingthe
captivescientiststoworknightandday—tomakenewversionsofus.Asifoneofmewasn'tquite
enough."

"Whatdoyoumean?"Quatermainsaid.

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"Youshouldseethechemicalsandsubstancesheismass-producing.Alldistilledfromourbest—aheh!
—traits.Hewillcreateinvisiblespies,anarmyofHydes,vampiricassassins…andsendthemalloffto
wagewarinafleetofunstoppablesubmersibles."Skinnerturnedthetintedlensesofhisglassestoward
them."Delightful,eh?"

Jekyllknottedhishandstogether,andhisfacesankindismay."Iwon'tletmyevilinfecttheworld."

"Thinkanyofusfeeldifferently?"Minalookedatherpalepalm,wherethecutfromthebrokenglass
hadlongsincehealed,leavingnoscarwhatsoever.ShefeltasifDorianGrayhadviolatedheragain.

Sawyerwasimpatient."I'mtiredofjustsittinghereinthecold,whenweknowMisjustoverthereall
cozyinsidehisfortress.Whatarewegoingtodo?"

"Weputanendtohim,"Nemosaidwithquietforce.

Theinvisibleman,atleast,continuedtothinkpleasantthoughts."Chimneypipeslacethebuildings,
factories,andfoundries—soafewwell-placedbombsinthefurnaceswouldmakequiteabang.Heh!"
Asifinagreement,thewoodinthesmallcampfiresuddenlycrackledandsnapped.Skinnerheldhis
transparenthandsoverthewarmth."Iknowthewaydown,andI'mleastlikelytobeseen."

"Skinner,Ididn'tknowyouweresuchabarefacedliar."Quatermainsurprisedtheinvisibleman,then
gavehimaslysmile."Allthistime,declaringyouweren'tahero."

"Shutup,orI'llcometomysenses."Theinvisiblethiefactuallyseemedembarrassed."Besides,any
morelikeme,andIlosethefranchise."

TomSawyer,holdinghisWinchesterrifle,cockeditsuddenlywithaloudsound.Readytogo,hestood.
"ThatmankilledHuckFinn.I'mnotgonnaletthatpass.He'smine."

ButQuatermainreluctantlytouchedtheyoungagentsriflebarrel,forcedhimtolowerit."Thiscannot
beahunttothedeath,lad.Moresthepity."Sawyerlookedasiftheoldadventurerhadbetrayedhim,
butQuatermainremainedfirm."WemusttakeMalive,ifhissecretsaretobeuncovered."

Mina'sgreeneyeslookedferalinthefirelight."NotGray,though."Shestood,likeavengefulspirit
risingfromthegrave."He'slivedlongenough."

"I'llhandlehim—"Sawyersaid.

"No,"saidMina."Dorianis…mybusiness."

Sawyerunderstoodandnoddedgrimly.

Thestormoutsideseemedtobelessening,buttheirworkhadjustbegun.Quatermainsaid,"Mdecided
thathecoulduseourparticularabilitiestohelphimwagewar—itstimewedemonstratejusthowright
heis.Onlywe'llbewagingwaronhim."

"Right!"SawyershoulderedhisWinchester."Ifweworktogether,gettingintothatfortressofhisshould
beapieceofcake."

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Quatermainstrodetothecaveopeningandledthewayout."Thegameison."

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THIRTYNINE

M'sFortress

Withthefirstlightofmorningdazzlingonthefreshsnow,aMongolianguardstoodvigilatthefootof
theblackfortress.Hehaddarkeyes,alongdroopingmustache,andstiffleatherarmorthatkeptout
arrowsandknifeblades,butnotthecold.Hecarriedasleeknew-designautomaticweaponfromthe
master'sarsenal.

Whenhestampedhisfeet,theironnailsofhisbootsolesrangonthestonepath.Histoeswerenumb,
hisbellyrumbledwithqueasyhunger,andhisheadpoundedfromtheeffectsoftoomuchdrinkthe
nightbefore.Thoughnoenemyhadcrossedtheemptywindsweptwastelandinrecentmemory,hestood
athispostandkeptguard.

HewouldratherfaceanonrushinghordealonethanincurtheFantom'sanger.Themaskedmanwasa
demon,thestuffofnightmares.

Theguardwasstationedattheopeningtoaroaringmeltwatersluice.Acanaldivertedpartoftheriver
channelintothefoundryforgesandthefactories,anddumpedwaterintoturbinesandstoragetanks.The
airwasbitterlycold,andsprayfromthesurgingwaterrimedthefortress'sdarkstoneswiththickfrost
andcoatedthewalkwaywithtreacherousice.

Oneofhisfellowguardstookupapostdeeperinsidethesluicetunnel,wherethesurgingflowmadethe
coldairclammy,thestonewallsslickandslimy.Atleasthere,outsidethefortresswalls,theairwas
clearandfresh.

Theguardscannedtheopen,rockylandscapeallaround,dazzledbythewhiteglare.Thenhesawtwo
figuresinthedistance,blackshapes:awomanand…somethingmassive.Hefrowned,strokingoneend
ofhisice-crustedmustache,thencalledouttohispartnerdeeperinsidethetunnel.

Oddly,hesawanothersetoffootprintsmuchcloserinthefreshsnow…comingallthewayuptothe
sluicegate.Madebynakedfeet.

Thoughtheguardsawnoone,heheardanoise."Who'sthere?"Heextendedhishigh-techrifle,
narrowinghiseyestoscanforanytargetwithinrange.

Suddenly,somethingyankedthelonggunrightoutofhishand.Theweaponfloatedinmidairfora
second,whilehestaredatitinastonishment.Hesnatchedforthebarrel,butthegundancedoutofhis
reach,thenturneditselfabout.

Witharesoundingsmashofboneandasprayofblood,thehauntedweaponclubbedhimintheface.It
struckagain,batteringtheguarduntilhefellunconscious.

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Respondingtothecall,asecondguardcamerunningoutofthedarktunnel.Whenhesawhiscollapsed
comrade,heskitteredontheice-slickwalkway.Beforeheunderstoodwhathewasseeing,heletouta
yell,butitwaslostintheroarofthemeltwatersluice.

Thenhiswarningcryshriveledtoasqueak,andtheguardstoppedinhistracksashebecameawareof
something…huge.Therewasabloodcurdlingroarofchallenge,ameatyarmcoveredwithcoarseblack
hair,aflashofjaggedteethdesignedtobiteofffleshindripping,painfulchunks.

Terrified,theguardscrambledbackintothesluiceandrantowardtheendofthetunneluntilhereached
aboltedgate.Hedraggedataheavyironpin,strugglingtoopenthebarrier.

AmomentlaterEdwardHydeloomedbehindhimandletoutalowgrumblethatsoundedlikeboiling
mud.Hereachedouttoclenchboththehaplessguardandthemetalgratinginonemassivefistand
wrenchedthesluiceopen.Theguardbrokebeforethelatchdid,andhisscreamsabruptlyceased.

Hydetorethegatefreeandtosseditasidealongwiththeman'scorpse.Thenhebellowedfortheothers
tohurryup.

Atthetopofthesluicetubesdeeperinsidethefortressfactory,athirdman,havingheardtheawfulcries
ofhisfellowguard,turnedfromhisstation.Hefeltevengreateruneasinessasthenoiseswerecutoff.
Withwideeyesadjustedtothetorchlitshadowsofthedeeptunnels,hepeereddownthesluicehole.

Hecaughtafranticrustling,high-pitchedsqueakingandbuzzingjustbeyondtheedgeofhisabilityto
hear.Hisbreathcaughtinhisthroatasherealizedsomethingwascominguptowardhim—comingfast.

Theguardscrambledbackwardasablackstormofflyingcreatureseruptedupthroughtheholeina
tornadoofthinshrieks,sharpclaws,andbeatingwings.Bats.Thousandsofthem.

Andinthecenteroftheswarm,hesawawhirlingthingwithpiercinggreeneyes.Hescreamed,buthe
wastrappedinsidethecrowdedsluicetunnel.Therewasnoplacetorun.

Thebatsenvelopedtheguard.

Whentheydispersed,theman'sskinwasachalky,cadaverouswhite,prickedandpuncturedbyscores
oftinyteeth.Andhisthroathadbeentornoutentirely.Anexpressionofhorrorhadfrozenonhisface.

MinaHarkercrouchedandwipedbloodfromhermouth.Thensheadjustedherscarfandstoodprimly
again,waitingfortheothers.

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FOURTY

M'sFortress

PrivatePlanningRoom

EveninthecoldanduncivilizedlandscapeofMongolia,Mhadcontrivedtocreateafineprivateparlor,
fullofrichwoodandvelvet.Hereclinedhisgauntbodyinaleatherchairinfrontofaroaringfire.
Here,thefortress'sstonewallswerethickenoughthathedidnothearthepoundingclamorofthe
foundriesandfactories,thoughhecouldfeelareassuringindustrialtremorthroughthefloor.Hesmiled.
Everythingwasproceedingverynicely.

Hepouredaglassofthefinestsherryfromacut-crystaldecanteronthetablebesidehischair,sniffedit,
thenenjoyedalongsip."Awoman'sdrink,indeed!"HewouldletAllanQuatermainhavehisbathtub
gin,orwhiskey,orwhateveritwastheoldhunterpreferred.

Ashesettheglassdown,hewinced,touchingthetenderpainofhisdressedwound.Thoughhasbattle
withQuatermainintheVenicecemeteryhadoccurredseveraldaysearlier,hestillnursedtheinjury.
Luckily,hisarmoredvesthadmostlydeflectedthedeadlyblade,butunlikesomeofhisrecent
acquaintances,hecouldnothealinstantly.

Thecofferedwoodendooropenedquietly,andDorianGray,onceagainwearingfineclothing,entered
theprivateparlor.Hiscoolexpressionwasabittootensetomakeaconvincingshowofhisusual
feignedboredom.Insilence,helookedexpectantlyattheevilleader.

"Allright,then."Msighedwithoutlookingaround."Yourpreciouspaintingsinyourroom."Itwas
pitifulhowpoorlyGraycoveredhisrelief.

"InreturnfortheLeague.Thatwasourdeal,M,andI'mgladyouhonorit."

Themastermindtookanotherrelaxedsipofhissherry."Onthesubjectofhonor—diditbotheryouat
all?Betrayingthem."

"Alittle.I'dbelyingif—"Graycuthimselfoffandpausedtoreconsider."No,I'mlyingnow.Itdidn't
bothermeatall.Frankly,Ifounditamusing,allofthemwrestlingwithpastwrongs…"Hecaught
himselfgloating."I,ontheotherhand,amanunabashedvillain.Ineednojustificationsor
rationalization."

"Sowhatnowforyou?"Masked."Amanofyourmanyyearsmusthavelong-standingplans."

"London."Grayshrugged,asiftheanswerwasobvious."I'vehadmyfillofviolence.NowI'minthe
moodforvice."Heturnedtoleave.

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"Youcouldstay.Sharemydream,"McalledtoGraysback."Youhavemanyextrayearstoinvest.Why
nottakeachance?"

Mreachedquietlyforapistolonhisdesk,laidhishandoverit.Hecouldsnatchitupandfireinan
instant.ThoughnormalbulletshadbeenharmlessagainstDorianGray,thissophisticatedprojectile
design—withhighervelocityandmarvelouslyexplosivetips—mightnotprovequitesoineffective.
Eitherway,hewascurioustotesthisnewtoy.

Stoppedatthedoor,Grayneverturned,thoughhesensedthethreatbehindhim."Itholdsnointerestfor
me."Withapalemanicuredhand,hegrippedtheendofhiscane-swordandpulledtheslimsilverblade
aninchfromitssheath.Hisvoicewasdry."I'velivedlongenoughtoseethefuturebecomehistory,
Professor.Empirescrumble.Therearenoexceptions."

Mremainedsilent,pursinghislips,andfinallyhetookhishandofftheaugmentedpistol.Grayopened
thedoorandtookastepoutintothehallwithoutlookingback.Heseemedself-satisfied,superior.

"Youthinkyou'rebetterthanme,"Msaid.

Graypausedtoformasarcasticretort,thenthoughtbetterofit."No,M.We'remerelydifferentmen.
Differentgoals,differentpersonalities."

"Oh,youforget,DorianGray.Ihaveseenyourpainting."Msmiledcoldly,raisinghissherryglass
again."We'remorealikethanyouknow."

Theobservationstung.Grayhesitatedforalongmoment,thenfinallywalkedawaywithlong,swift
strides.

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FOURTYONE

M'sFortress

NowthatSkinner,Hyde,andMinahadbreachedthefortress'souterdefensesandpassedtheguards,the
restoftheLeagueenteredavasthallwaywithsilentgranitewalls.Theplacespokeofbrute-force
grandeur,majestywithoutfinesse.BroodingstatuesofCossackwarriorsstoodalongthecorridor,
petrifiedgurdianscarvedfullofintimidation.

TomSawyerstaredaround,open-mouthed.Healmostwhistledinadmiration,butcaughthimselfin
time.Heandhiscompanionsmovedquietlyahead,backedupbyarmedcrewmenfromtheNautilus.

Quatermainonceagainfithisroleofgreatwhitehunter,carryingMatildaoveroneshoulder,a
Winchesterovertheother,andaBowieknifeinhisbelt.Whentheyreachedanintersectionoflarge
corridors,hestoppedforamomenttolistendownthehalls.Withoutaword,hegesturedtoSkinner,
askingfordirections.

TheinvisiblemanindicatedthatHyde,Nemo,andhiscrewmenshouldtakethemainartery,Minaaside
corridor,andQuatermainandSawyerathirdhall.Quatermainnodded,andthethreegroupsseparated.

Beforetheycouldmoveaway,though,theLeaguemembersallpausedandturnedbackbrieflytolook
ateachother,asiffearingitmightbethelasttimetheywouldeverbetogether.Theysuddenlyseemed
tobeofonemind.

Breathingheavily,hisnostrilsflared,Hydeextendedhismassivehairyhand.Quatermain,without
hesitation,placedhishandontop.Mina,Sawyer,Nemo,andfinallySkinner,alldidthesame.

Whentheygazedateachother,determinedsmilesshoneontheirfaces.AlthoughtheFantom'sgigantic
fortressloomedallaroundthem,itnolongerseemedimpregnable.

TheyhadbeenaLeaguebefore;nowtheyweretrulyateam.

Reachinganechoingmezzanineonwhisper-quietfootsteps,QuatermainandSawyercreptpastroughly
shapedpillars.Beyondthem,anexpansivelaboratorywasfilledwithchemistryapparatus,crackling
electricaldevices,bubblingflasksandbeakers.There,themiserablekidnappedscientistsworkedunder
armedguard.

Thelaboratorywallswerecoveredwithchalkboardswhichwere,inturn,coveredwithfuriously
scribbled,andoftenerased,sketchesandequations.Surly-lookingguardsholdingtheFantom's
sophisticatedfirearmskeptwatchovertheircharges,thoughtheguardsdidnotseemtohaveany
interestinthescienceitself.

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Astheycreptforwardtogetabetterlook,Sawyerpointedtotheothersideofthemezzanine,from
whichtheloudestsoundsandthickestsmokeemanated.Thefactoryfloorbelowwasfilledwith
hundredsofMongolianworkers,eitherslavesorsluggishlaborers,whooperatedmachines,presses,and
pistons.Hissingsteamboiledoutofjets,drenchingthesulfur-smellingairwithitsmoisture.Sparksflew
fromgrindersthatshapedcomponentstofithisdiabolicalmachines.

Aswarthyforeman,highupinacagedcontrolroom,barkedordersinMongolianoveratinny-sounding
electronicloudspeaker."TeamTen,movethosepartstotheassemblyarea,now!"

"Doyouunderstandwhathe'ssaying?"Sawyerasked.

Theoldadventurershookhishead."Atleasthe'snotraisingthealarm.Comeon,thisway."Hemoved
out.

"Youlead,I'llfollow."Sawyercreptafterhiminastealthycrouch.Theymovedontogether,unnoticed.

Theprisonpassagewassilentandempty.Theguardswereboredandsleepy;theydidnotrealizethe
emergencyuntilitwasmuchtoolate.

Beforetheycouldcallforhelp,Hydehadpunchedthembothandhurledthemenagainstafarwall.
Theycouldbarelymusterawhimperinggroanwhileslumpingunconscioustothefloor.

Hydestrodeforwardwithalurching,stalkinggait,forcedtoduckhismassiveheadbeneathalow
ceiling.Inthebeast-man'swake,CaptainNemoandseveralarmedcrewmenenteredthepassageand
approachedtheheavyironfloorgrates.

NemomotionedthefearsomeHydebackashecrouchedonthegrateandpeeredintothedungeons
below.Hesawthehopefulfacesofhostagesturneduptolookathim."Thesemustbethescientists'
wivesandchildren."

Inaflashofmemory,hethoughtofhisownwifeandson,bothtragicallykilled.Hisfingersclenched,
andhehadtoforcethethoughtsaway.Nemocalleduponhisphilosophyandhisprayers,justtomake
hisheartgonumbagain,hispastgoblank.

Heputafingertohislips,andthehostagesinsidefellquiet,stiflingtheirconfusionandjoy."Wewill
rescueyou.Donotbefrightened."HesignaledforHydetocomeforward,andasthebrutishmans
shadowfelloverthegrate,Nemoheldoutahandtocalmthecaptives."Donotbefrightenedofhim."

HeandhiscrewmengaveHyderoomtowork.Jekyll'smonstrousalteregobentoverthegratesand
wrappedbothofhishandsaroundthem.Hisbackmusclesstrained,hisbicepsbulged,thecordsinhis
neckstoodoutastautaspianostrings.

Thenwithascreechinggroan,themetalgratetorefree,rippingmortarandstonesloose.Snarlingathis
ownstrength,Hydeliftedtheheavysetofbarsoverhisheadandmadeasiftohurlthemdownthe
tunnel,butNemosteppedinfrontofhim,fearless,andgesturedforsilence.Disappointed,Hydesetthe
gratedownwithathudonthetunnelfloor.

Nemoextendedahand,andthefirsthostagereachedouttotakeit.Hehelpedheroutofthecell,andthe
restoftheterrifiedcaptivesbegantostreamout."Youarefreenow,butyouarenotyetsafe."

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HeandHydekeptwatchastheNautiluscrewmenguidedtheescapingprisonersdowntheechoing
tunnels.Onebyone,thecaptivesclimbedoutofthecellchamber,blinkingandfrightened.

KarlDraper,disheveledanddesperate,emergedfromthepitandclutchedthesleeveofNemo'suniform.
"Please,sir—hehasmydaughter.ThathorribleFantom…hetookEva!"Hisvoicecrackedwith
despair,asifhehadalreadyimaginedendlessnightmaresofwhatMmightbedoingwithher.

Besidehim,Hydegrowled.

"Ifshe'shereinthefortress,weshallbringhertoyou,"Nemosaid.Hecouldseetheanguishonthe
structuralengineer'sface."Nowgowiththeothers.Getawayfromthisplace."

Thoughthegroupwaslarge,theymovedlikephantomsdownthenarrowpassagebacktowardthe
sluicegate—andtheirescape.Glancingoverhisshoulderforreassurance,baldandmousyKarlDraper
scuttledafterthem.HydelookedattheGermanscientistandsniffed,asifDraperremindedhimof
HenryJekyll.

NeitherthebrutishmannorNemonotedoneofthetwostunnedguardsrecovering.Slumpedagainstthe
passagewallwhereHydehadhurledhim,theguardstifledagroan.Hisheadhurt,hisjawfeltasifit
hadbeenknockedhalfwayaroundhishead…notsodifferentfromatypicalhangover.

Butwhenheopenedhiseyeshewasconfusedbyallthepeopleandthenoiseoutsidetheprisonpit.
Nexttohim,hispartnerstilllaycrumpled,outcold.ThenhesawHyde,amisshapenanthropoid
monsterstandingnexttothetornmetalgratewhilethelastoftheprisonersfleddownthecorridor.

Evenbeforehisfocusandbalancereturned,theguardletoutayelpingscream,stumbledtohisfeet,and
turnedtorun.

Hydegruntedwithsurpriseandturnedhiscoal-blackeyestoseethemanrunningaway.Nemo,also
startled,gavechase,butthefranticguardraceddownthehallsinabsolutepanic.Hebleatedforhelp
likeaterrifiedsheep.Hiswailingshoutsechoedbackthroughthepassages,callingoutawarning;
Nemodidn'tneedtotranslatetheMongolianwordstounderstandthemessage.

Thecaptaincameback,pantingfromtheeffort,adjustingtheturbanonhishead."Wehavetrouble."

"Trouble?"Hydesaidwithatwistedgrin.Hiseyeslitwithanticipation."I'dcallit…sport."Hecracked
hishairyknuckles.

Insidethefoundry,workersandguardslaboredundertheintenseheatandsprayingsparks.Despitethe
flaringlightofmoltenmetalandfurnacefires,therewerestillenoughshadowstoofferhidingplaces,if
necessary.

Notthataninvisiblemanneededtheshadows.

Ahotsparkflickedthroughtheairandsettledonhisbareskin.Skinnersnuffeditout,restraininghis
reactiontonomorethanahiss.ItgavehimallthemoreincentivetoblowthiswholeplacetoHell.

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Hisinvisiblehandsheldthreebombsthatglidedthroughthesmokyair.Hemadehiswaybehindthe
largestfurnaceandplantedthefirstbombatthebaseofthehotbrickstructure.Skinnerhidthe
explosiveandsetthetimer,alreadythinkingofthebestplacestoinstalltheothertwobombs.

Oneoftheguardslookedup,thinkingheheardanamusedchuckleandskippingfootstepsthatmoved
outofthefoundryatarapidpace.Buthesawnothing,soheturnedbacktoshoutordersathisworkers
again.

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FOURTYTWO

M'sPrivateParlor

Movingwithallthestealththeycouldmanage,QuatermainandSawyerleftthedirty,industrialfloorsof
thefortressandenteredbrighter,well-litcorridorswithfinefurnishingsandcleanwhitewalls.Itwasin
thisareathatthetwomenexpectedtofindM.

Theyapproachedasetofopulentdoors.ThedaringyoungAmericantestedthescrolledgoldenhandles
andfoundthedoorsunlocked.Withbarelyaclick,theyopenedandquietlyswunginward.Sawyer
pokedhisheadinsideandstaredinastonishment.

Hissumptuousboudoircontainedavastbed,paintings,vases,aredcrushed-velvetdivan,andfresh
flowersandfruitthatmusthavebeenworthmorethangoldhereinthisisolatedwinterlandscape.Inthe
boudoir'sadjoiningtemplelikebathingarea,awarm-flowingfountainbathspilledasteamingcascade
intoamarbletub.

Quatermainwavedhiscompaniontouttersilenceasthetwomenentered,gunsleading,alertfor
anything.Theyoungmanwrinkledhisnoseattheperfumesintheair.Thehideousmasked"Fantom"
hadnotseemedlikeamantoenjoyalongscentedbath....

Ahuman-shapedshadowflittedbehindapaintedsilkscreeninanadjacentsidechamber.Quatermain
froze,butthefiguredidnotcomecloser.Thetwomenhadn'tbeenseen,andthesloshingofthe
waterfallbathmuffledthesoundoftheirapproach.Together,theyadvancedtowardthechamberdoor.

Astheoldadventurerreachedforthedoorofthesidechamber,thehandleturnedbeforehecouldtouch
it.HeandSawyerduckedintoanalcoveandflattenedthemselvesagainstthewall.

Thedooropened,andalovelyyoungwomansteppedout,hergazefixedforward.Shehadlongstraw-
blondhairthathungstraightandlimp,asifshenolongercaredforit.Herloosegownwaspaleblueand
shouldhavebeenbeautiful,butsheworeitlikeaburialshroud.Likeawraithorasleepwalker,she
driftedwide-eyedanddazedpastthetwomeninthealcove.

Quatermainrecognizedherfromasepia-tonedphotographinthefilesMhimselfhadprovided,
ostensiblytohelpthemtrackdowntheheinousFantom.Howarrogantoftheman!ButQuatermaindid
notdoubtthetruthoftheinformation.Heknewwhothisyoungwomanwas:EvaDraper,thedaughter
ofkidnappedarchitecturalengineer,whohadbeenabductedfromtheValkyrieZeppelinWorksnear
Hamburg.

Whenshehadgone,thetwomenslippedoutoftheirhidingplaceandduckedintohisparlortolook
around,readyforanything.SawyerheldhisWinchesterinatightgrip,eagertostartshooting.

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TheFantom'ssilvermasklayonatable,reflectingthecandlelight.

Quatermainheardanoise,lowconversation,movementfromacrosstheroominanantechamber.He
hesitated,thencreptforwardsothathecouldseetheangledreflectionofanornatedressingmirror.He
gotSawyer'sattention,andbothofthemwatched.

Themirror'simageshowedtheantechamber,whereafastidiouslydressedvaletwascalmlyshavingthe
cadaverousM,wholoungedbackinachair.Mseemedcompletelyrelaxedasthefastidiousmanstroked
hischeekandneckwiththegleamingsilverrazor,removingwhitecream.Themanscrapedaway
anotherswath,knowingitwouldmeanhisdeathifhesomuchasnickedtheleader'sskin.Thevalethad
alreadyhelpedMintohisclothing,leavingonlytheblackjacketandglovesonthevanity.Itlookedasif
theevilmastermindwerepreparingtogototheopera.

TheFantom'slieutenantDantestrodeintotheparlor,carryingabulkyleathercasesimilartoadoctor's
satchel.QuatermainandSawyerpressedthemselvesfurtherintothfeshadowsasthemanwalkedpast,
butDantewasintentonM.

Asthevaletcontinuedhiswork,Dantesettheleathersatchelonatable."Jameshere'syourboxof
tricks,asyouasked.Ithinkyou'llfindeverythingyouneedinside."Heopenedthecase,tiltingitto
showMthecontents.

Msatup,hisclose-seteyesvulturelikeintheflickeringcandlelight.Thelieutenantdisplayedeachitem,
likeasnake-oilsalesmandemonstratinghiswares."Thebrutespotion,thevampiresblood,theIndian's
science,andmountedsamplesofinvisibleskin."Heliftedliquid-filledvials,ascrapofbloodstained
fabric,bitsofceramic,daguerreotypes,microscopeslides,androlled-uptechnicalplansonthinpaper.
"Nomatterwhatelsehappens,youwillhavethemostimportantcomponents,sir."

Withquick,confidentstrokes,thevaletfinishedshavingM'supperlip.Thoughitwasnoneofhis
business,thevaletmused,"Somuch,andyetitseemslikenothing.You'reexpectingtrouble,sir?"

"Always."Mregardedthekitwithsatisfaction.Itamazedhimthatthefutureoftheworldcouldfit
insidesuchasmallbag.ThevaletwipedthelastspecksofcreamfromM'sfaceandremovedthemoist
towels.Mranahandoverhissmoothchinandupperlipwithpleasure,thensentthevaletawaywithhis
shavingparaphernalia.

BeforeDantecoulddepartaswell,aragged-lookingguardburstin."Intruders!AnIndiananda
monster!"Hereeled,holdinghisheadasifhehadjustawakenedfromabaddream,orgroggy
unconsciousness."Theprisonersareescaping!"

Mgroaned."HowmanytimesmustIkillthesecretins?"HeknewthatifNemoandHydewerehere
causingtrouble,therestoftheLeaguewould,inalllikelihood,beinsidethefortress,too.Heturnedto
Dante,whocouldalreadyseeannoyancebuildingtorageontheleadersface.Thethreatinhiscold
voiceseemeddirectedasmuchatDanteasattheintendedvictims."Makethisthelasttime.Becertain
ofit."

Leavingtheleathersatchelbehind,Danterushedoutasthefirstshoutsandsoundsofbattleechoed
fromthefactorylevelsfarbelow.

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Alonenow,thefreshlyshavedMmovedtothetable,pulledonhisjacket,andreachedforhissilver
Fantoms'mask,readyfortheshow.Hepickedupthemetalcoveringandglimpsedadistorted,moving
reflection.Hefrozeasalonggunbarrelpressedagainstthebackofhishead.

"Don'tmove,M,"Quatermainsaidfrombehindhim.

TomSawyersteppedaroundthecorner,alsolevelinghisWinchesteratthemastermind.Helooked
readytouseit."YoukilledHuckFinn."

Caughtinthelineoffire,Mfroze,lookingatbothmenasiftheywerelargesewerratsthathadfound
theirwayintoagardenparty."Huck?Who?"

"AgentHuckFinnoftheAmericanSecretService."

Mshrugged."I'vekilledsomanypeople.Ican'tbeexpectedtorememberthemall."

"Perhapswecanofferyouareminder,M."Quatermainsteppedaround,leaningcloserandholdingthe
cadaverousmaninhishuntersgaze."Orwouldyoupreferthatwecallyou…Professor?Professor
JamesMoriarty."

Sawyercaughtabreath,recognizingthename."Youmean…themanwhokilledSherlockHolmes?"

MwasshockedandinwardlyfuriousthatQuatermainhadfiguredouthisrealidentity."Holmes,yes—I
supposeyouwouldhavewantedhimaspartofyourLeague,aswell.AsifevenHolmescouldhave
helpedyou!"

Whenheturnedtolookatthem,themastermindshowedthemaferal,calculatingpersonality.Wanton.
Spiteful.ProfessorJamesMoriarty.

Moriartythoughtbacktotherushofwaterlikedeadlywhitehammers,poundingoverthesheerrocky
walls.ReichenbachFalls,inSwitzerland.Anarrowpath,slipperywithspray,woundupthesideofa
clifftotheedgeofthethunderingcascade.

HisarchenemyHolmeshadgottentherefirst—hadbeenluredthere—andstoodjustupslopewearing
hisdarkgreenjacket,yellowvest,starchedcollar,andtrademarkdeerstalkercap.Hecarriedan
alpenstockwalkingstickbutnootherweapon,thoughhemusthaveknownhewouldbeinforthefight
ofhislife.HeseemednotatallsurprisedtoseeMoriartythere.

"Well,herewearethen,"Moriartyhadsaid,facinghisnemesis.Hisred-linedblackcapeflappedinthe
cold,wetbreezesfromtheroaringwaterfall.

Holmeshadagreed."Indeed.Asclosingactsgo,I'llallowthesceneryismorethanadequate."

"Why,sir,itisOlympian!Wetreadtheverybordersofmythology!"

"Ithinkyouflatterbothofus."Holmeshadnotbeenimpressed.Asusual,hehadcuttothechase."I'm
tiredwithtalk,Professor.So,then.Tothedeath?"

"Oh,yes.Yes,absolutely."

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Theyhadstruggledontheedgeofthefalls,Moriartywithagold-hikeddagger,Holmeswithhisbare
hands.ButHolmes,damnableHolmes,hadcaughthiswrist,knockedthedaggerfree,andthrownhim
overtheledge,wheretheprofessorhadtumbledintothetorrentofsmotheringspray…takingalong,
wrenchingplungethathadendedinsuckingwhirlpools,surgingwater,andhardbone-breakingrocks—

Buthehademergedaliveafterall…irrevocablychanged.

"YounamemeJamesMoriarty?Theso-calledNapoleonofCrime?"Mtookastepcloserto
Quatermain,whodidnotmove.SawyerloudlycockedhisWinchester;Mignoredhim."No,Mr.
Quatermam—thatmandiedattheReichenbachFalls.Hedied,andIwasreborn.M.TheFantom.More
thanmereMoriartyeverwas…morethanyou'lleverbe."Hegaveasneeringsniff."TheLeagueof
ExtraordinaryGentlemen!Ha!"

"Hedoeslikethesoundofhisownvoice,"QuatermainsaidtoSawyer.

Atthatmoment,EvaDraperrushedintotheroom,blondhairindisarray,andchargedatMoriarty.Her
robeflappedaroundher,andshegrippedadaggerinherhand."Monster!"shecriedinGerman.

SawyerswunghisWinchesteraside,startled.Quatermainliftedahandtostoptheyoungwoman's
attack."Itsallright.Wehavehim—"

ButEvathrewherselfonhercaptor.Gratefulforthedistraction,MoriartyknockedEvaasideand
snatcheduphisboxoftricks.Quatermainlungedafterhim,givingchase,butwhenMoriartyreached
thedoor,hewhirledandhurledastiletto.Thebladeflashedthroughtheair.

SawyertackledQuatermaintothefloor,savinghislifeastheslimknifestuckintothewall.Hegrinned
attheastonishedexpressiononthehunter'sface."Eyesopen,oldboy.Ican'tprotectyouallthetime."

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FOURTYTHREE

M'sFortress

TheFantornsarmedguardsracedtowardacornerofalowstonepassage.Somecarriedhigh-tech
automaticfirearms;otherswieldedheavyMongolianswords.

Insteadofattackingtheinfiltrators,though,theseguardswererunningawayatfullspeed.

Gunfirecracked,andthemenscreamedandfledfaster,fearingNemo'screwmenbehindthem.They
racedaway—neverrealizingthattheywererunningstraighttowardMr.Hyde.

Fistsclenched,thebroad-shouldered,brutishmonsterstoodblockingthepassage.Hegrinned,showing
crookedteeth,androaredwithapowerfulexhalationofhotbreath.Allaroundhimonthefloorlaythe
twistedandbrokenbodiesofhisearliervictims.

Theguardsscrambledtoahalt.Someturned,runningintotheguardsbehindthem.Buttheycouldnot
goback,either,meetingablurofdeadlyblowsfromCaptainNemo'shandsandfeet.Theywere
astonishedbyhispowerandspeed.

Hydecameafterthemfromtherear,swinginghisfistslikebigmallets.Headsknockedtogether,bones
cracked,bloodspurted…andHydechuckled.

"Wherearetherestofthescientists?"Nemodemandedofhisvictims,kickingandpummelingthe
guards,thendiscardingthemafterhehadbeatenthemsenseless.Soonerorlater,oneofthemwassure
totalkbeforehecollapsedintounconsciousness.

"Youcantellhim…ortellme!"Hyde'svoicethunderedinanavalancheofheavywords.Helumbered
forward,shoutingatthefewremainingdoomedguards."Wherearethey?"

Hisguardsdidn'tresistmuchlonger,andNemosoonlearnedwheretoleadhismen.

Whentheyreachedthemezzanine,Hydepunchedopenanirondoorwithrepeatedblowsthatresounded
likeheavystrikesonagong.ThemetalbarrierbentandtwistedawayasHydetoreitfromitshinges.As
soonastheopeningwaswideenough,Nemoandhiscrewmenburstthrough,headingforthelaboratory
andtheimprisonedweaponsscientists.

Oppositethem,Danterusheddownasteepstonestaircaseleadingacadreofhand-pickedhenchmen,
whoraninlockstep.TheFantoms'lieutenantsawtheinfiltratorsandinstantlybarkedacommand.
"Theretheyare!Shoot!Fullautomaticfire!"

Withthenew-modelrepeatingrifles,hishenchmenlockedtheirweaponsandopenedfire,strafingthe
areaaroundtheNautiluscrewmen.Bulletsricochetedoffthefloorandwallsandsangthroughtheair,

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flashingsparks.Duckingforwhateversheltertheycouldfind,thecrewmendrewtheirownweapons
andreturnedthecompliment.

TwoofNemo'smenfellwithmortalwounds,eitherfromricochetsorintentionalfire.Abulletcracked
intothewalllessthananinchfromNemo'sturban."Wearetoovulnerablehere!There'snocover!"

Hydegrowledasifaswarmofgnatswasannoyinghim.Hesnatchedupthefallenirondoorandraised
ittoprotectthecrew.Musclesstraining,heheldthemetalsheetupasashieldandlistenedtothe
hailstormofbulletsthatvibratedagainstit.

Nemotouchedthebodiesofhistwofallencomrades,searchingforapulse.Whenhefoundnone,his
expressiondarkenedevenfurther.

FirstMatePatelandanotheroftheNautilusmenmovedclosertoHyde'shairybodysothattheycould
firearoundtheedgeofthedoor-shield.Acrosstheopenexpanse,LieutenantDantedoveforcover,and
threeofhismendiedinthecrossfire.Theirbodiestumbledfromthestaircasedowntothefactoryfloor
farbelow…

Astheshootingcontinued,severalbulletshitcrucialgaugesandspinningcomponentsintheindustrial
equipment.Shrapnelbuzzedandbounced.AnotheroftheFantom'shenchmenfellwithastartledcry,
headfirst,intoafabricationmachine,shatteringitsfrontpanels.

Steambuiltupfrommachineregulatorsthathadbeenshotawayinthegunfire.Whistlingpressuregrew
unbearable,screamingthroughreliefvalvesthatweretoohopelesslysmall—untilfinallytwoofthe
largetanksexplodedinunison.Cloudsofsteamgushedoutlikefountainingbloodfromasevered
artery.

Asthechaosincreased,severalfuelbarrelsignited.Flamesfollowedwavesofspillingflammable
liquid.Onthefactoryfloor,teamsofworkersandarmedguardsalikelosttheirnerveandraninevery
direction.

Definedbrieflybyashowerofsparks,Skinnershrieked,caughtinthestampedeasheplantedanother
bombunderafuelstack."God,thisherolarkistouchandgo.Heh!"

Theinvisiblemanhadtoadmit,though,thatthiswasquitethelittleparty.

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FOURTYFOUR

M'sFortress

DorianGrey'sChambers

InhissumptuousprivateroomsuppliedbyM,DorianGraypackedhiscasewiththebarestof
necessitiesforthelongtrip.Hecouldalwaysbuytheessentials—bothlegalandillegal—enroute.It
wasalongwaybacktoLondon,andcivilization,buthecouldmakedo.

Still,heabhorredbeinguncomfortable.

Hisbulkyframedpictureleanedagainstonewall,wrappedandboundupinburlap.Itwouldbeadevil
tocarry.Graycouldn'tseetheimageontheportrait,thoughhecouldimaginehiscorruptedfeatures,the
weepingsores,theleprousfaceandage-witheredskin.Hisimmortalityspellwouldbebrokenifhe
gazedonthepainting,buthehadnoparticularinterestinseeingit.Hewouldratherlookinamirror.

Hesmiledanddidjustthat,fixinghishair,adjustinghiscollar.Allreadytogo.Graysnappedhistravel
caseshutandmovedtopickuphiswrappedpicture.

FarbelowinthefortressGrayheardthesoundofgunfire,explosions,shoutsofalarm,runningfeet.He
shookhishead.MoreofM'santics,convolutedplans,deviousschemes…Theleadermadeworld
dominationintosuchacomplicatedandundesirableprospect.Mwasperfectlywelcometoallthewoes
associatedwithhisunhealthyambition.

Adarkwraithpassedsilentlybehindhim,andhesenseditwithashiver.Heglancedupintimetosee
hismirrorglassiceup.Then,hearingthewhisperofanoise,hewhirled,catlike.

MinaHarkerstoodthere,spectralandvampiricinthegloom.Hergreeneyesblazed,andshehelda
knifeinherhand."Hello,lover."Hervoicewaslikethepurrofahungrylioness.Shestrokedtherazor
edgeofthebladewithherfingertip.

"You'realive,"saidGray.Hedroppedhistravelcaseandlettheframedpaintingleanagainstthestone
wall.Thenhesmoothlydrewhiscane-sword.

"I'mavampire…partofme,atleast.Nomatterwhatsometraitordoestome,it'spossibleIcan'tdie."
Shesmiled,revealinghersharpfangs."Thesamecouldbesaidofyou,DorianGray."Minastepped
forward,neverlettinghergazewaver."Let'sputittothetest."

Snarling,sheleapedathim,knifeinonehand,clawsextendedontheother.Grayliftedhiscane-sword
justintimeandparried,whippingtheslimbladethroughtheair.Herdaggerclangedagainstit.Again
andagain,knifedashedagainstsword.Theybothpantedfromtheeffort.Theflushontheirfacescame
asmuchfromtheiremotionsasfromthebattleitself.

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"ItseemstheLeaguedoesnotconsidermemuchofathreat,"Graysaid,soundingdisappointed."They
sentawomantofightme?"

"I'mnothingifnotemancipated."

Minadrovehimbackward,andhetrippedonhistravelcase.ButGraysprangbacktohisfeetand
jumpedtothetopofatable,kickingawaythedirtyplateandsilverwarefromhisafternoonsnack.She
duckedtheflyingutensilsevenashecontinuedtheirbitterconversation.

"JoinmeinLondon,Mina.Giveintoyourdemons."Grayleapedbackwardtothefloor,landingwith
perfectgrace."Wewillbealeagueoftwo.Justyouandme."

"Dreamon."Minasprangoverthetableathim.

Heslashedwithhisthinsword."Idon'tdream.Mybodydoesn'trequiresleep."

"Youcansleepwhenyou'redead,"Minasaid."I'dbehappytohelp."

"Youwickedtease.Youtalkasifyoucoulddomeharm,"Graysaid.Herdaggerscoredaredlinealong
hisleftcheek.Heflinchedandcounteredhernextstrikewithhiscane-sword,butbythenhiscuthad
alreadyhealed.

"I'mawoman.Icandoallsortsofthings."Shesprangintotheair,skirtsflowing,skitteredupsidedown
ontheceiling,andlandedonherfeetbehindGray.Shedrewbackherarmbeforehecouldspintoface
her,andplungedthelongdaggerintohisback.

Hegasped."Minx!"Hetwistedaroundtodragtheknifeoutofhisback.

"Doyourealizewhatyou'vedone?Whatyou'veletoutofme?"Minasnatchedtheknifebladeoutofhis
handsofastthatshebrokeseveralofhisfingerbones.

"Awoman'swrath?"Hestraightenedhisfingerswithacrackleandstood,lettingthedeepstabwoundin
hisbackheal."Oh,I'mpetrified."

MinaleapedatGrayagainandslashedhisexposedthroat,splittingskin,throbbingbloodvessels,
musclesandsinews.Likeazipperclosing,thewoundhealed.

Then,withamightythrustthroughthestomach,heimpaledheronhislongcane-sword.Heshovedthe
bladeallthewaythrough,andshestaggeredaway.Butherwoundhealedaswell.

"We'llbeatthisallday,"Graysaidwithasigh,thenthrewhimselfatheragain.

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FOURTYFIVE

M'sFortress

Throughmazelikepassages,QuatermainandSawyerracedafterMoriarty.Themanmovedlikeaferret,
streakingupthestairs,turningcorners,dashingdownhallways,alwaysafewturnsaheadofthem.All
thewhile,heneverletgoofhisleathersatchelthatcontainedtheitemsheneededtoreproducethe
exoticpowersoftheLeagueofExtraordinaryGentlemen.

Thoughhewasolder,Quatermainpulledaheadofhisyoungcompanion,concentratingonlyoncatching
theevilmastermindbeforehecouldfindawaytoescape,ashe'ddonesomanytimesbefore.
Quatermainshoulderedhisguns,savinghisbreathratherthanshoutingthreatsattheFantom.

SawyerlaggedbehindandhelduphisWinchester,hopingtofireitatM.TheyoungAmerican
concentratedonhisaim,stillrunningheadlong—andsuddenlytrippedonsomethingunseen.Hislegs
wentoutfromunderhim,andhetumbledtothefloor.Hisrifleclatteredaway.Heheardahalf-maniacal
chuckleandsawtheoutlineofaninvisiblemanfallintoahangingtapestryonthewall.

"Skinner!"Sawyercriedindisgust.Hesprawledonthefloor,outofthechasenow.

AsMoriartyduckedaroundacorner,Quatermainlookedbacktomakesurehisyoungfriendwasall
right.Hecouldn'twait,orthevillainwouldescape.Sawyerwavedtourgehimon,andtheold
adventurercontinuedhispursuit.

TheyoungAmericanclimbedtohisfeetandroundedontheunseenthief."Whattheheckareyoudoing
here,Skinner?"Hebrushedhimselfoff,wantingtostranglethethief."Nowlookwhatyoudid."

Theinvisiblemancontinuedtochucklethinly,butthevoicesoundedverystrange."Whatmakesyou
thinkI'mSkinner?"Thetransparentmanuntangledhimselffromthehangingfabric,andafloatingknife
cameintoviewwithhim."He'snothere.MynameisSandersonReed!"

Theotherinvisiblemanattackedwiththeveryvisibleweapon.

Inthehighkeepofthefortress,aniron-harddoorflewopen,andMoriartydashedintoastone-walled
prisonchamber.Quatermainbellowedafterhim.

Thisroomhadoncebeenanimpenetrablebastionoftortureandhorror,builtbytheCossacksandtheir
power-madczar—buttheplacewasnowforgotten,cob-webbedandfilledwithopulentdetritus.Snow
blewthroughnarrowspyslitsanddriftedoversealedwoodencratesofbooks,tarpaulin-coveredold
furniture,andfadedtapestries.

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Plentyofplacestohide.

Moriartydoveintotheshadows,sinkingdownspider-silentasQuatermainentered,pantinghard.He
instantlyquietedhimself,tryingtocontrolhisheavybreathingandthepoundingofhisheart.

Takingthetimetostudytheroom,lettinghishunterinstinctstakeover,hescannedforthedark-garbed
man…andsawhimcrouchingintheshadows.HeraisedthespareWinchesteranddrewabeadonhis
adversary.Hecouldn'tpossiblymiss.

Quatermainhadlearnedovertheyearsthatahesitantshotusuallyletthequarrygetaway.Hehadtried
toteachhissonthatlesson,toolongago,toolate.Andhehadnointentionoflettinghisquarryget
awaynow.

"Endoftheline,Moriarty,"hesaidquietly.Mlookedup,reactingwithapparentsurprisetoseethe
heavyriflepointeddirectlyathim.

Quatermainpulledthetrigger,andtheWinchesterletoutaroar.

Theevilgeniusshattered.Longpiecesofreflectiveglasstumbledallaroundasthebulletdemolisheda
mirrorproppedinviewofthedoor.

Quatermainspun,takenabackastherealMoriartychargedoutoftheshadowswithawildyell,
swingingaMongolianmace.Thedeadlyspikedchain-ballwhistledthroughtheairaninchfrom
Quatermains'face.

TheoldhunterinstinctivelyblockedthesecondblowwiththeWinchesterinhishand.Theheavyspiked
ballsmashedintothestockofthesturdyAmericanrifle—demolishingbothgunandmacehandle.

Moriartytookamomenttorecover,butheneverfoughtwithlessthancoldcalculation.Hetossedthe
macehandleasideandlandedaheavyblowwithhisotherhand,punchingQuatermainsquareontheold
shoulderwound,wheretheFantom'sstilettohadstabbedhimintheVenicecemetery.

QuatermainroaredinpainandswungtheWinchestersbrokenstockatMoriarty.Theevilmastermind
sidestepped,movingwithaferalgrace.HestuckoutalongbonylegtotripQuatermain,whofell,
unabletogethiselephantgunfreeintime.

Astheoldhunterwentdown,Matildasstrapssnapped.Thebigelephantgunskitteredintothecluttered
shadowsoftheoldtorturechamber.

Moriartysteppedbackandsnatchedupawicked,bentrodofforgediron.Itlookedasifmanytimesit
hadbeenheatedredhotandusedtosizzlethefleshoffofpitifulvictims,.Thoughcoldnow,theironbar
wasstillcapableofbeinganeffectivebludgeon.

"Tothedeath."MoriartyadvancedonQuatermain.

Thehunterpreparedhimselfforthefight."Yourdeath."

Mgaveathin,coldsmile."You'llneedHydeheretomakeitmydeath,Quatermain."

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FOURTYSIX

M'sFortress

Underfireinthemezzanine,theNautiluscrewmenheldtheirown,takingriskyshotsathishenchmen
whenevertheycould.Buttheycouldnotlasthereforever.Thetumultcontinuedbelowthemonthe
factoryfloor.Workersshoutedandran;steamtanksexploded.

Nemohimselfsawawaydownintothelaboratory."Holdthemhere,Hyde.Iwilltakecareofwhatwe
camefor."

Thebrutishmangruntedhisassent,stillholdingtheheavymetaldoorasabarricadeagainstthefurious
hailofbullets.Hyde'smusclesbulged,andveinsstoodoutonhishairyskin,buthedidn'tseematall
flustered."Goahead."

Hydecoughedamouthfulofphlegmandspeweditaroundthesideofthemetalshield.Moriarty'smen
scrambledoutoftheway,asifthebestialman'sfumingspitmightbeasdeadlyasbullets.Theyweren't
necessarilywrong.

Dantecalledcurtorderstohismen."Thistakestoomuchtime.Summonthefighter,sothatwemay
finishthemoff."

TheshowerofbulletsricochetingoffthethickmetalshieldinHyde'sgripdiminishedtoanoccasional
patter.Nemoscrewmentensed,wonderingwhatotherbizarresecretweaponstheevilmastermindmight
haveinstore.Hydegrowledandlettheimmenseironsheetrestontheflagstonedfloorwithathud.He
breathedstentoriously.Waiting.

Thenaclankingnoiseboomedoutevenlouderthanthecontinuingexplosionsfromthefactoryfloor.
Somethinghugeandheavyploddedupbehindthemassedranksofenemysoldiers.Dantewhistled,
summoningthemassivemechanicalthreatforward.

Hydepeeredaroundhisshelter,andhisbulging,bloodshoteyeswidened.Anironclad"tankman"
thuddedforward,twelvefeettall—amaninacolossal,rivet-studdedgladiatorsuit,poweredbyan
electricalmotorthatcrackledwithbluesparksalongitspistonsandjoints.Eachfootstepsoundedlikea
fallingboulder.

ThetankmanpausedatthefrontofDante'scadre,andthebeleagueredhenchmenbackedawayinawe.
TheFantom'slieutenantgrinnedinanticipationatthefateofhiscorneredprey.

Theironcladtankmanraisedatitanicsteel-platedarm,showingacircularclusteroflongtubes—heavy-
calibergunbarrelsthatrotatedaroundacentralaxis.CaptainNemowouldhaverecognizedthedesign
asanextensionofthehorrificallydestructiveGatlinggunintroduceddecadesbeforeintheAmerican

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CivilWar.EdwardHydeknewonlythatitwasdangerous.

Withablastofsteamandacrackleofpowerfromthrummingelectricalmotors,therotatingGatling
launcherlockedintoposition.Explosiveartilleryshellsthunkedintolaunchingtubes.

Hydehadjustenoughtimetopickupthethickironshieldagainbeforethetankmanopenedfire.

Nemofoughthiswaytotheguardedlaboratorywherecaptivescientistswerebeingforcedtodevelop
ever-moresophisticatedweaponsforM'swaragainsttheentireworld.Thoughhehadreachedhis
destination,theNautiluscaptainsstrugglewasjustbeginning.

TheFantoms'guardsshouted,andNemocrouched,keepinghislimbslooseinhisblue-sleeveduniform,
hishandsextendedasweapons.Thescientistswatchedthestrangeturbanedman,notdaringtohope.
Outsidethelaboratoryprison,theycouldheartheclamorofcontinuingbattles.

Nemomovedfartherintotheroom.Seeingonlyoneopponent,theguardsdrewtheirthickMongolian
swordsandstrodetowardhim.Hegavethemawelcomingsmile.

Inaflash,Nemowadedintothegroupofarmedmen,kickedaguardsquarelyinthechinwithhisleft
foot,andusedhisrightfisttocrushthelarynxofasecond.Thebellowingguardsswungtheirswords,
buthemovedtoofast.Theircurvedbladessweptlikethreateningwhispersthroughemptyair;some
strucksparksfromthestonewall.

Surgingintothelaboratory,thecaptaingrabbedupastoolvacatedbyascramblingscientistand
punchedachargingguardinthestomachwiththelonghardlegs,thenswungtheseataroundina
smoothlightningstriketohishead.Theguardcrumpledtothefloor,hisskullsplitopen.

Sevenguardsremained,butatthemomentNemowasn'tcounting.

Toacertainextent,helethisbodyactandreactonasubconsciouslevel,flyinginanecstaticreleaseof
blowsandmoves.HehadseenthewildgyrationsofthetrueSufidervishesinIndia,enlightened
asceticswhothrewthemselvesintoastateofcompleteabandon.Itwasmorethanjustdancing,itwasa
possession—liketheberserkersonVikingbattlefields.Nemohadincorporatedelementsofthis
approachintohisfighting.

Buthealsoprizedhissharpandinsightfulmind.Evenasthecaptainflunghimselfintoawhirlwindof
battle,heremainedawareofhimselfandhisgoal.AlltheFantom'shenchmentogethercouldnot
possiblywithstandtheonslaughtofthisloneman.

Nemousedtoolsandlaboratoryinstrumentstodeadlyeffect,provingthatalongmetalTsquarefroma
blueprinttablecouldbeasdangerousasasword.Hesmashedbeakers,threwboilingacidintoanother
man'seyes.Ablackboardfullofequationscrasheddownontoaguardsshoulders,andNemoknocked
himsenselesswithasharpelbowblowtothetemple.

Everythinginhisgraspbecameaweapon,andwhenheheldnothing,hisbarehandsservedhimwell
enough.Beforelong,hehadtakenouteveryguard.

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Catchinghisbalanceandhisbreath,Nemoturnedtothestunnedscientistswhohadwatchedhimin
awe.Allaroundhimthelaboratorylayinruins:tablessplintered,chalk-scrawledblackboardsshattered,
notesandplansstrewnonthefloor.

Thecaptiveengineersandscientistsstared,asspeechlesswithfearofthisstrangerastheywereofthe
maskedFantom—untilhetoldthemwhattheyneededtohear.

"Youarefree."

Hydestruggledtoholdthethickirondoorsteadyagainstthecomingattack.Withawhistlingcryin
flight,thefirstofthelarge-calibershellsfromthetankman'sGadinggunslammedintotheheavy
shield.Hydestaggeredbackward.Thesoundoftheimpactwasdeafening.

"Getback!"hesnarledtotheNautiluscrewmen,whostillheldtheirweaponsready,stillhopingtotake
shotsatDante'scadre,thoughtheremaininghenchmenhadtakenshelter,leavingthebattletothe
armoredcolossus."Go!"

Anotherartilleryshellstrucktheironshieldlikeameteor,makingitshudderinHyde'sgrasp.Two
impactcratersnowbentthebarrierinward,buttheshieldheld.Thehigh-caliberprojectilericocheted
offtotheside,strikinghighonawall.Astonearchcrumbled.

Hydegottheglimmerofanidea.Itwasenough.

Theironcladtankmantooktwoheavystepsforward.TheGatlingcylinderrotated,bringingthenext
shellintoposition.Hefiredathirdheavyprojectile,thenanother,andanother.

Theshellsflewathiminrapidsuccession,andeachtimeHydeusedtheheavyironshieldtodeflect
them.Oneshellstrucktheceiling,bringingpartofitdown.Hetiltedthedoorinacrudeattemptat
aimingthericochetingshells.

ThesecondcaromedofftowardDante'shuddledhenchmen,detonated,andsentscreamingbodies
flying.

Hyde'sthirdattemptflewtrue,blastingtheironcladtitaninthearmoredtorsoandexplodingwith
spectacularresults.

Shrapnelshoweredeverywhere.Theremainsoftheironcladtankmantoppledbackwardlikeafallen
Goliath.Armorplates,weapons,andjointedmetallaycollapsedinapileofwreckage.

Whenthesmokeanddustclearedsufficiendy,Hydesurveyedthemesswithprideandsatisfaction.

TherestofDante'scadreturnedandfled.

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FOURTYSEVEN

M'sFortress

SawyerscrambledbackwardasSandersonReed'sdaggercamedownandslashedrepeatedlyonall
sides.Reed'saccompanyingthinlaughtersoundedlikebreakingglass.

Theyoungagentswayed,bent,andtwistedlikeawillowtree,evadingthedeadlypoint.HisWinchester
layacrossthehall,whereithadfallenaftertheunseenkillersenthimsprawling.

Seeingnootherchoice,intentonavenginghismurderedfriendHuck,theAmericanlungedforwardand
grabbedthesharpdancingbladeitself—theonlypartofhisassailanthecouldsee.Althoughhishand
stungandbled,Sawyerneverwavered.ItwasliketeasingsnappingturtlesontheMississippi.

Sawyerstruggledwiththeinvisiblebureaucratinasavagepantomime.Bloodstreamedfromhisslashed
hand.HekickedoutatthinairandsentReedstumblingbackwardintothewall,stunninghimforlong
enoughthathecouldscrambleovertosnatchuphisrifle.

HoldingtheWinchesteroutinfrontofhim,hebackedawayfromtheinvisibleReed.Heshotinthe
directionoftheunseenkiller,strikingthewall,shreddingthetapestries.Theinvisiblebureaucrat's
footstepspattereddownthehalltowardacloseddoor.Sawyerranafterhim,firingrepeatedly.The
murderousReedalreadyprovidedanuncertainenoughtarget;judgingbythesounds,Sawyerknewhe
hadmissedeachtime.

Hisrifleclickedempty.

Themomenthestoppedfiring,heheardslappingfootstepsandsawthefloatingdaggerstreakback
towardhim,grippedinReed'sinvisiblehand.SawyerswunghisWinchesteraroundtoblockthemain
forceoftheknifeasitslashedhimonce,twice,layingopenhisarm.

Hissingwiththepain,theyoungagentswungwildlywithallhisstrength,asifthelongriflewere
nothingmorethanatreebranchhehadfashionedintoaclub.TheWinchestermadealoudandvery
gratifyingsoundasitconnectedwiththeinvisibleattacker.Sawyerdrovehimbackward.

Reed'sinvisiblebodycrashedthroughthedoorintoachamberfilledwithdocuments,parchments,and
ancientwritingsupplies.Stillreeling,Reedstaggeredbackward,senseless,intoalowshelfofink
powders.

Bottlesandcontainersbrokeopenandspilledaroundhim,dumpinglampblackanddriedtintsonReed's
transparentheadandupperbody.Groggyandinjured,hisassistantstruggledbacktohisfeet.Butnow
thathewassmearedanddustedbacktopartialvisibility,hisadvantagewasgone.

Sawyerstoodattheparchmentroomdoorwithalookofdetermination.Noscrawnylittlebureaucrat

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wasamatchforhim.EvenwithoutbulletsforhisWinchester,hecouldtakeSandersonReed.

Suddenlyafireballerupted,splashingheatandflameslikeawaveoflavacrashingagainstthewallnext
totheparchmentroom.Withayelp,Sawyerhurledhimselftotheside,barelyavoidinganothergushof
fire.Afewloosedocumentsintheroomignited,andReedhimselfscuttledoutofthewaylikeahalf-
dissolvedshadow.

Sawyerglancedup,spluttering."Nowwhat?"

Withheavyclankingfootsteps,asecondoneofMoriarty'sironcladtankmenadvancedtowardhim
downthecorridorlikeanangrydragon.InsteadofaGatlinglauncher,though,thisonehadbeenrigged
withaflamethrower.

Sawyerdoveoutofthewayasanotherfieryriverexplodedtowardhim.

Circlingandslashing,roundandround,DorianGrayandMinaHarkerfoughtonwearily,likeanold
marriedcouple—butwithknivesandswords.Eachblow,eachslashhadonlyatemporaryeffect,but
stilltheykeptcutting.

Eyesflashing,fangsexposedasshegrimacedwiththeeffort,MinamanagedtobackGrayintothe
bedroom,muchtohisapparentdelight."Thebedroom,Mina—doesitgiveyoumemories?"Hesmiled
asheswunghiscane-swordagain."Orideas?"

Sheleapedathim,whirled,andpushedoffthewallwithspiderlikeagility.Inaflowingmovement,she
duckedGray'sslashwithhisrapierandplungedherknifedirectlyintohisgroin.

Screaming,hehunchedover,backingawayfromherwithhisfreehandpressedagainsthiscrotch.His
fingerscameawaycoveredwithalready-vanishingblood.Hispalefacetrembledwithanunsettled
expression."Ifthathadbeenpermanent,mydear,I'dhavebeenveryupset."

Asubstantialexplosionfromthelowerfactorylevelsshookthewholeroom.Thefloorbuckedand
heaved,anddustshowereddownfromtheceiling.Shoutsandscreamsreverberatedthroughthe
fortress.

MinasmomentarydistractiongaveGraytheperfectopportunitytoskewerherinthechest.Hislong
cane-swordthrustthroughherbodice,undertheperfectmilkybreastshehadsothoroughlyenjoyed,
andstraightthroughhervampireheart.

Minagaspedforair,hergreeneyesbulgingwithdisbelief.Sheclutchedineffectuallyattheswordthat
hadsproutedfromherchestandoutherback.Chokingonwords,shegaveGrayonefinalglareof
anger,thenfelldeaduponthebed.

Grayfrowneddownatherlyingthere.Hisexpressionwasalmostapout."IhopedI'dgettonailyou
onemoretime,dearMina.Didn'tthinkit'dbeliterally."

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Insidetheclutteredhighkeep,QuatermainandMoriartycontinuedtheirbattletothedeath.Mclumsily
swunghisrustymakeshiftsword,makingupforanylackoffinessewithunbridledviolence.Heslashed
andparriedagainsttheoldhunter'sBowieknife.

Moriartypokedviciouslyathisopponentsgut,butQuatermainblockedandtwistedtheflatironbar
aside.Hismove,however,gaveMtheopeningtokidney-punchQuatermainrepeatedly.Withhisbony
knuckles,Moriartyhammeredhisopponentinanyvulnerableplace.

Fortunately,Quatermainwastougherthanthat.Grindinghisteethtogetherwithawordlessroar,he
backhandedthegauntmastermindwithhisBowieknife,slashingathisface."I'llgiveyouarealscaror
two.Makeyouwanttowearthatmaskagain."

ButMoriarty'scrudemetalbarblockedtheknifewitharesoundingclang,andtheimpactsentboth
weaponsclatteringoffintothedarknessamongtheancienttortureparaphernalia.

Mlungedafterhimlikeamadman,andQuatermainfoundhimselfonthedefensive.Trippingthrough
theclutterasheretreated,heusedanythinghecouldgethishandson,grabbingatbooks,lamps,iron
tongs.ButMoriartywasunrelentinganddrovehimback.

FinallyQuatermainsawanopening.HemanagedtograbMoriarty'swristandwrappedhisotherarm
aroundhisthin,sinewythroat.Pressingcloser,hesqueezed,tryingtochokethelifeoutofhisenemy.

"IhopeIhaveyourfirewhenI'myourage,"Moriartysaid,wheezingthewordsthroughaconstricted
windpipe.

"Youwon'tlivebeyondtoday.That'sapromise."Quatermainpressedhisangryfacesoclosehecould
havebittenoffM'sear.

Thenfromoutsidethechambercameachallengingroar—avoicethatsoundedlikeHyde's.Theimpacts
ofafuriousbattleshookthewholeroom,givingMoriartythechancetotwistfreeagainandsuckina
hugegulpofair.

Hehead-buttedQuatermain,whoshookitoffandhead-buttedMoriartyback.Moriartystaggered
briefly,stunnedandreeling.

Thentheywerebothatitagain.

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FOURTYEIGHT

M'sFortress

Afterthearmoredcolossuswasdefeated,Danteshoutedfortherestofhisfleeingcadretoturnaround
andredoubletheirattackagainstMr.Hyde."Useyourbarehandsifyouhaveto!Wouldyouratherface
theFantom?"

Manyofthemenclearlywould,buttheyhesitatedandcameback.Then,gatheringcourage,theyswept
together,yellingastheychargedforwardinaconcentratedoffensiveagainstthebrutishman.

Nowstrainingwiththeeffort,HydeprotectedthesurvivingNautiluscrewmenasbesthecould,using
thebatteredironshieldtodeflectafewfranticpotshots."GofindNemo,"heroared,andthecrewmen
rantoaidtheircaptaininfreeingthehostagescientists.

M'shenchmencareenedforward,stupidlyattemptinghand-to-handcombatwiththeirmonstrous
opponent,butHydewasbrutal.Hehadnopatienceforthesquirmingannoyancesthatracedtoward
him.

Nowthathenolongerneededtoprotectthecrewmen,hemettheirfoolishchargebystompingforward
andswingingtheirondoorlikeaton-weightcricketbat.

Heswattedawaythefirstwaveofhenchmen,sendingthemflyinglikeragdollsoverthemezzanines
edgeanddownintotheruinedlabarea.

Nemohadgatheredtheterrifiedhostagescientistsandpushedthemoutthebarredlaboratorydoor,
wheretheyweremetbyhissurvivingcrewmen.Behindhim,Hyde'svictimscrashedspectacularlyinto
theshatteredglassware,destroyingthelastfewscientificimplementsthathadsurvivedNemosbattle
withtheguards.

Hydehurledthemetaldoorinfrontofhim,crushingtwoofhishenchmen,thenstalkedtowardthe
remainingfew.Hisheavyfeettrodonthefallenironplate,underwhichthedyinghenchmenstopped
squirmingandstartedoozing.Whenhereachedthelastscramblinghenchmen,hispunchesandblows
sentbatteredvictimsflyingineverydirection.

FinallyhefacedDante:thefinalmanstanding.

Seeinghisdoomapproach,theFantom'slieutenantscrambledbackward,tryingtofindshelterasHyde
stormedinforthekillingblow.Dantefumbledinhispockets,franticallysearching…Hefoundit:an
unbrokenvialofJekyll'spotion,whichhehadkeptforhimselffromtheleathersatchelhe'ddeliveredto
M.Itwasadesperatechance.

WithHyde'sswollenformloomingoverhim,Dantepriedoffthestopperandgulpeddownallthe

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liquid.

"God,no!"Hydehowled,realizingwhatthemanhaddone."Notthewholething!"NotevenJekyllin
hisweakestmomentshadeverconsumedsomuchoftheelixiratonce.

Toolate.Danteglaredhatefullyathimandwipedthelastdropsfromhislips.Suddenlyhewrithedand
screamedasthetransfigurativechemicaltookhold.

Ajetofcurlingflamerolleddownthehalltowardhim,andTomSawyerdoveheadlongintothe
parchmentroom.HesprawledontheflooramongrolledparchmentsanddocumentsthatSanderson
Reedhadknockedfromtheshelves.Buthundredsofancient—andflammable—documentsremained
storedinthechamber.

Thetoweringflamethrowermanclankedtothedoorwayandraisedareinforcedmetalarm.Witha
whoosh,heunleashedanotherfloodofincineratingfire,blastingthewholeroomwhileSawyer
scrambledforcover.Awallofparchmentscaughtinstantaneously.

Likeacorneredriverrat,Sawyercastaroundforanescaperoute,butfireballscuthimoffinevery
direction.Theironcladcolossusclosedinonhim,raisingtheflamethrowingarmagain.

Frominsidethearmoredwalkersuit,thevoiceoftheFantoms'mansoundedsurprisinglythinand
small."Youleftyourluckonthedoorstep,boy."

Sawyerfoundhimselftrappedinacornerwithnowherelefttogo.Theflamethrowermanloomed
throughtheburgeoningsmokeandtookaimwithhisjetarm.Justasheshotaspurtofflames,
somethingknockedthereinforcedarmaside,andthefieryblastwentwide.

Thewalkingironcladroaredinconfusion,andhisfirejetpeteredoutafterincineratingawallofempty
shelves.Sawyeropenedhiseyesandsawthearmoredtitanstrugglingwithaninvisibleassailant.Along
knifeprotrudedfrombetweenthewalkersironplates,shoveddeeptoreachtheman'svulnerableorgans.
Risingsmokedelineatedtheoutlineofthenewcomer.

"Skinner!"Sawyercried."Therealonethistime,Ihope."

"IthoughtyouYanksweresupposedtobethecavalry,"Skinnersaid.Agrinwasbarelyvisibleonhis
smoke-stainedface.

ThewoundedflamethrowermanspunhisarmoredbodyandknockedSkinnerasidewithanironclad
arm.Heturnedhisfierynozzleinthedirectionofhisunexpectedopponentandblastedattheinvisible
man,whoskitteredaway.

Skinnerdidn'tmovequicklyenough,andtheleadingedgeoffirescorchedhim.Largeareasofhis
transparentskinwereburnedvisible:apatchofhisbackandpartofonebuttock,nowbubblingand
blistered.Heyowledandcursedinadrawn-out,incomprehensiblewail.

TomSawyeractedwithoutthinking.Hegrabbedapieceofshatteredshelvingandchargedthearmored
flamethrowermanfrombehind,rammedintohim,andknockedhimspinning.Hewhackedagainstthe

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tankontheironcladsbackuntilhepiercedthefuelreservoir.Sparksflyingfromtheinfernointheroom
caughttheflammableliquidandignitedthetank,causingittospewfirelikeaCatherinewheel.

SawyerrushedtowhereSkinnerlayonthefloor,burnedandsuffering."Areyouhurtbad?"

"Oh,no,it'sreallyquitepleasant,"theinvisiblemansaidsarcastically."Ican'twaittodoitagain."

ThenSawyerfrozeasanotherknifebladewassuddenlypressedagainsthisthroat,drawinghimup.He
liftedhischinandswallowedhard.

ItwasReed,stillsemivisiblefromthesmearedinkpowder."Youknowwhattheysay,Yank.Aska
stupidquestion,getastupidanswer."

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FOURTYNINE

M'sFortress

Whileinhisexcessivelymuscledbestialform,EdwardHydehadneverbeforefeltintimidated.Now,
however,hestartedbackfromthehugeandmonstrousthingthatDantehadbecome.Thelieutenant's
metamorphosislefthiminahorrificformthatwouldhavemadeevenaprehistoriccarnivoretremble.

Hisfacestillripplingandwrithingfromtheagoniesofthechange,theDante-beastloomedup,andup
—thenhestruck.Theblowhelandedknockedhisopponentbackwardacrossthemezzanine.Hyde
slammedintoawall,smashingwholestoneblocksintogravel,andfelltothefloor,stunnedand
drooling.

TheDante-beastlumberedforwardtopummelhimagain.

AfterCaptainNemohadsentthefreedscientistsfleeingwiththeirhostagefamilymembers,herushed
backtothepillaredmezzaninetohelphisfellowLeaguemember.

InhisNautilus,Nemohadseenawesomesightsthatfewmenalivehadwitnessed:sunkencities,
underseamountainsandvolcanoes,ahorrificgiantsquid.ButwhenhesawwhatDantehadbecome,he
frozeindisbelief.

TheFantom'slieutenantwasnowtwelvefeettall,tremendouslydeformed,engorgedwithmuscleand
sinew.Hisspinehadtwisted,asifunabletosupportsomuchpowerandfury.Hisface,nolongereven
remotelyhuman,wasswollenwithpoppedbloodvesselsandspinyfacialhairthatgrewlikeaforestof
bristles.

HydestruggledtohisfeetjustintimetomeetDante'snextcharge.Thelargerbeast-manstormedat
him.TheforceofhisroundhousepunchsenttheLeaguemembercareeningintoathicksupportpillar.
Thestonecolumncracked,teetered,andfell,bringingdownaprecariousarch.Hydefellamidashower
ofstonesandrubblethatblockedtheexitpassage.

Athickarmknockedtheheavyblocksaway,andHydehauledhimselfoutoftherockpile.TheDante-
beastimmediatelywadedtowardhimandbeganhismercilessassaultonceagain.

Thoughhewasbeingbatteredtoapulp,Hydebroketheattackandswungapowerfuluppercut."Come
on,then,ifyoufancyaruckus."TheblowslammedtheDante-beastbackintoastructuralcolumn,
topplingitandcollapsinganothersectionoftheceiling.

AsHydecontinuedtoadvance,Nemojoinedhim,awickedscimitarheldinhisrighthand,hisleft
raisedandreadytoassistwiththefight.Despitehismartialartsskillsandthecurvedblade,thecaptain

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lookedabsurdlysmallinthecompanyofthetwobehemoths.

HydestoppedhimwithanoutstretchedhandaslargeasNemo'shead."No,no.Leavethistome."He
crackedhisknuckles."Thiswillbemypleasure."

Reelingtohisfeetagain,theDante-beastchargedatHyde.Hyderanbackathim.Theylookedliketwo
stampedingrhinos.

OnonevoyagewhenhehadvisitedmysteriousJapan,NemohadseenamatchofenormouslyfatSumo
wrestlers.Althoughthiscolossalstrugglebroughtbackthememory,thatcontesthadbeenamerechild's
gameincomparison.

HydeandDantecollidedliketwolocomotives,givingNemoaringsideseatattheirgargantuanbattle.

Standingoverhisbed,DorianGrayturnedfromMina'sbody.Shelaysprawled,impaledonthethin
sword.Graysighedwistfully."Youweresolovely."

"Whythankyou."Minastoodandpulledtheswordfromherchest.

Graywhirledindisbelief.

"Youstolemyheartoncealongtimeago,Dorian.Thistimeyoumissed."

ShesomersaultedfromthebedandskeweredGraywithhisownrapier.Theenergyoftheimpactdrove
himbackward,andtheyhitthewalltogether.Minaaddedextraforce,shovingthepointofthesword
withallhervampiricstrength.

Thenshebackedawayanddustedherhands,asiftryingtowipeawaythecontaminationofhistouch.
Graytriedtomove,squirmingleftandright,butfoundthathewasfirmlyaffixedtothewall,helpless.

Minarantotheothersideoftheroomandsnatcheduphiswrappedpainting,whichstillleanedagainst
thewall.Sheturnedittowardhim.

"Mina,"Graysaidwarily,thengrewmorefrantic.Hetuggedathiscane-swordtofreehimself,buttono
avail.Hewasstucklikeaninsectpinnedtoamountingboard.

Withrazor-sharpnails,Minatoreattheburlapcovering."Youspokeoncebeforeofwantingtoatone,
Dorian.Youwantedtofaceyourinnerdemon."

Gray'sterrorgrewwitheachshredofcloththatshepeeledawayfromhispainting.

"Well,hereheis!"MinaexposedtheentirepictureofDorianGray.

Inthepainting,Graysface—barelyrecognizableasacorruptedversionofhisyouthful,handsome
features—waswizenedwithage,leprous,oozing,swollen,androttedfromtheaccumulationof
decadesofevildebauchery.Itwasasymphonyofhorrorswrappedinanapproximationofhumanform,
carryingtheweightoffarmoreageandpoisonanddecrepitudethananyonepersoncouldendure.

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Graywastransfixedbythetrueappearanceofhissoul—thelastthinghewouldsee.Ashehungpinned
tothewallbyhiscane-sword,hisperfect,youthfulfacebegantocreaseandpeel.Hegasped,writhed,
screamed,whilehisbodyagedandrotted,untilhetookonthepreciseappearanceofthepainting—its
degeneration,thecrackedandpeelingtexture.

Minalookedaway,herfaceresolute,yethereyesbrimmedwithregretfultears.DorianGraywithered
andshriveledandfinallydiedasnothingmorethanatwistedmummy.

Atthesametime,theimageonhisportraitbecameyounger,restoredtothelikenessMina
remembered…andloved.

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FIFTY

M'sFortress

NemothrewhimselfintothetitanicbattlebetweenHydeandtheDante-beast,butthetwomammoth
combatantspaidlittleattentiontohim.Danteknockedthecaptainasidewithanoffhandedsmack,then
begantopummelHydeagain.Thetwomonstershadreducedthemezzaninetorubble.Rockscontinued
tofallfromtheunsupportedceiling.

Thoughbatteredandbloody,Nemoremaineddetermined.Hedrewadeepbreath,quelledthepain
throughdirectmentaleffort,sprangtohisfeet,anddashedbackintothefray.Hehadstudiedphilosophy
andmentaldiscipline,aswellassophisticatedfightingskills;heknewhewasnotasinsignificantasthe
Dante-beastseemedtoconsiderhim.

Withamightyblow,theFantom'shorrificlieutenantslammedHydethroughanotherstonepillar.Nemo
attackedDantefrombehind,hisscimitarflashing.Eachslashwiththecurvedbladedrewathinlineof
blood—littlemorethanashavingnick—butNemostruckagainandagain.HescoredtheDante-beast's
toughhide.

Althougheachindividualstrokecausedonlytheslightestofinjuriesandpain,thecaptainknewittobe
asubdetechnique,mostoftenusedfortorture.Thebrutalancientkhanshadcalleditthe"deathofa
thousandcuts."Nowitmightbehisonlychance.

ButbeforeNemocouldweardowntheenemy,Dantebackhandedhim.Thebeastsmassivehandwas
likeabatteringram,andthecaptainsailedthroughtheairlikenomorethanaleafblownbyastrong
wind,hisblueturbanaskew.Stillgraspinghisscimitar,hetuckedhisheadandarms,rollingashestruck
thewall,andlandedonlypartiallystunnedbesideHyde.Theyhadbothfallenintoacold,disusedash
pit.

Hydepickedhimselfupandflexedhisbulgingarms,searchingforsomethingtohit.Grabbingastone
blockthathadfallenintotherubblearoundthem,hehurleditatthenearwall.

Nemothrewoffhispainandgroggyconfusion,thenmadearapidassessmentoftheirsituation."We're
trapped.He'stoostrong."

Dantecontinuedtoroarinhisrampage.Theycouldhearhimcrashingcloser.

"Toomuchelixir.He'sburningthroughtheformulaatanacceleratedpace."Hydeshookbloodandrock
dustfromhisshaggyhair."He'llsoonchangeback."

"Ifwehavethatmuchtimeleft,"Nemosaid.

Suddenly,theDante-beast'shugeclawburstthroughthedebrisandsnatchedHyde'sheadandtriedto

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crushhisskull.Hyderoaredandbatteredhisopponent'sarm,scrapingandscratching.

NemothrustwithhisscimitarandstabbedDante'sswollen,hairyhand,plungingthepointdeep.The
bladesnappedinhalf.

Evenso,thebeastsunexpectedpaingaveHydethemomentheneeded.AsDantereactedbyhurling
himselfforwardathisenemy,Hydegrabbedhim.HeplungedraggednailsofbothhandsintoDante's
fleshandusedmainstrengthtohaulthewholebeastoverhishead.Dantesnarledandthrashed,until
Hydebody-slammedhimintothefaredgeofthepitwithasoundlikeacargowagoncrashing.

KnowingtheycouldnotfightDantemuchlonger,Nemostumbledtowardalowopeningatthefarend
oftheashpit.Hepeeredupwardandsawbrightdaylightfaroverhead,illuminatingthicklayersofice,
frost,andlongstalactitesoficiclesencrustedonthewallsofanold,emptychimney.

Theironlywayout.

"Hyde,comeon!"

Hisweakened,brutishallystaggered—andNemorealizedthattheunsteadyreactionwascausedby
morethanhisbattleinjuries.

Hydewinced,hisfacerippling,browridgeconvulsing,lipspeeledbackfromcrooked,squarishteeth.
"I'mdone.I'veburnedthrough…the…formula…too."Heletoutayowlofpainanddisappointment.
Hischestsquirmedandspasmedinthesuddenthroesoftransformation."Damn!"

Behindhim,theDante-beaststruggledtogettohisfeet.Heshookhismassiveheadandswatted
shatteredrockaside.

NemoranbackandgrabbedHydebytheshoulders,helpinghimstumbletothechimney."Come,we
canhide.Maybeescape."Theystaggeredalong,whileHydeseemedtoshrinkinonhimself,hisbody
massdiminishingwitheachstep."Hurry!"

Alltoosoon,hehadrevertedentirelytothesmall,shakingformofHenryJekyll.Hestoodlooking
weakandforlorn,likearain-soakedalleycat.

TheDante-beastchargedatthem.

NemopulledJekyllwithhimthroughthefireholeintotheice-encrustedchimney,justasDantehurtled
intothewall.Thebeastslammedintothesmallfiredoorwaylikearampagingelephant,butonlyhis
monstrousheadandstrainingneckpassedthrough.Hisenormousarmsandshoulderscouldnotfit,
thoughtheforceoftheimpactshookthechimney.

Highabove,along,thickspearoficesnappedlooseandfell,gainingspeed,glintinginthereflected
lightfromthesky.

"Lookout!"Jekyllcriedinathinsqueak.HeshovedNemoasidejustbeforetheiciclespikesplintered
intochipsonthechimneyfloor.

"Ithankyou.Iwouldhavebeenkilled."

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Jekyllblinked,thensmiled."I'mgladthat…Icanbeuseful,too."

ButtheDante-beasthadalsoseenthethickicespearsonthechimney.Hegroundhisshouldersintothe
openingandthrusthimselfthrough,breakingpartofthedoorwayfree.Inside,hereachedupwithone
thicklymuscledarmtograspagiganticicespikefromoverheadandpullitdown.TheFantoms'
lieutenantloomed,fillingmostoftheroom,andshovedhislongfrozenlanceforward,intendingto
impalebothtrappedmenintheconfinesofthechimney.

NemoandJekyllhadnoplacetogo.

Justthen,onthefactorylevel,thetimersofallofSkinner'sbombsfinallyreachedzero.

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FIFTYONE

M'sFortress

Insidethehighkeepfilledwithcratesandtortureimplements,Quatermaindrovethemastermindback.
Moriartyretreated,andtheoldadventurersnatcheduptheMongolianmaceandpressedhisattack,
swingingthespikedball.

Mscrambledbackward,desperatebutnotyetdefeated."Youthinkyoucancomeinhereanddestroyit
all?"Helaughed."I'lljuststartagain,rebuildfromscratch."

"Isthatsupposedtoconvinceme?"QuatermainraisedthemacetosmashMoriarty.Hehadhadenough
oftalking.

"There'llbeanotherlikeme,Quatermain!Youcan'tkillthefuture."

ButSkinner'sbombscould.

Thunderousdetonationsrippedthroughthefoundry,thedrydock,andthefactoryarea.Asfloorupon
floorshookandsupportwallscollapsed,thewholehighkeepfractured.Cratesandrustyequipmentfell
inajumble.

QuatermainandMoriartywerebothhurledtothefloorevenasitsplitwideopen.Theexplosions
continued.

Awaveoffireanddebrisconsumedeverythingacrossthefactoryfloor.M'sblackfortressexploded.
Hugegraniteblockscoughedout.Flamesreachedhugetanksoffuel,turningthemintofirebombs.
Compressedsteamtanksburstopen.Storedweaponscaughtfireanderuptedwithwhistlingshock
waves.

Unprotected,theDante-beastturnedjustintimetobeimpaledbyred-hotshrapnel.Heslammedagainst
thechimneyanddroppedhislethalicespear,whichshatteredonthefloor.

Theimpactofthedetonationsnappedafurtherbraceoficespikesfromhighaboveinthecurving
chimney.StoneblocksandheavyspearsoficecascadedfromhighaboveontothescreamingDante-
beast.

JekylldraggedNemotothecenterasdeadlyshardscamecrashingdownalongthewall.Theylistened
tothefallingrocks,thewetsoundsofslicingfleshandmuscle,thebrittlecrackofshatteringbone.
Whentheiceshowerstoppedatlast,thetwohuddledmenopenedtheireyes.

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"I…Ican'tbelievewe'reunhurt."Jekyllcheckedhisbodyforhiddeninjuries.Allthatremainedofhis
clotheswereblood-smearedtatters.

Nemogesturedtowardapartofthechimneywallthathadcrumbledopenbehindthem,exposinga
smallbutconvenientescapehole."Yes,weareveryfortunate."

Ontheoppositewall,though,intheopeningthroughwhichtheyhadentered,theless-fortunateDante-
beastlaytrappedandmewling,impaledrepeatedlybyslowlymeltingicelancesandheavyshrapnel.
Thewallabovethedoorwayhadslumpeddowninaprecariouscollapse,dumpingathousandtonsof
stoneontothebeast'sback.

Themonsterstaredimploringlyatthem,itsremainingbloodyeyedesperate.

Justthentheformulafinallyworeoff,andDanterevertedtohishumanform.Theferaleyechangedto
thesmaller,frightenedeyeofadyingman.Hisbodyshrankintoitself,andthefallenblocksshifted
again,crushinghimentirely.

NemoshovedJekylltosafetythroughtheescapeholeasamightycollapseofthewholechimney
generatedahugecloudofdustbehindthem.

Continuingexplosionsliterallyshookapartthetowerroom.Onehalfofthehighkeepbrokeaway,then
settledwithalurchseveralmetersbelowtherestofthechamber.Daylightandsparklingsnowstreamed
throughgreatcracksinthestonewalls,whereallhadbeenshadow.

Quatermainfellbetweenacreakingtorturerackandasetoflong,sharp-tippedironrods.Moriartygot
tohisfeetfirst,sawhisopponentsBowieknifelyingonthefloor,andlungedforit.Knifeinhand,he
stumbledthroughdustanddebrisandsnatcheduphisfallensilvermaskandhisleathersatchelofthe
geneticandscientificinformationthathadgiventhemembersoftheLeaguetheirspecialabilities.

Severalthickwoodenceilingbeamshadalreadybrokenfromthewallsandfallenintothechamber.
Withscrambling,slippingfootsteps,Moriartystartedclimbingtothehighfloorabove,thetopofthe
tower.

"Notsofast,M."Quatermaingrippedashaftofrustypointedmetal,whichheaimedlikeaspear.
"You'velost."

Moriartyturnedtoseethethreat,Bowieknifeattheready,andsmirkeddismissively."I'velost?"He
jumpedbackdownfromthestairs."Notyet.Notnearly."

"Ihaveyou."Quatermainsteppedoverafallenbeam,pushingtherustyspearclosertohisnemesis.

Mrolledhiseyesintheirsunkensockets."Doyouevertireofbeingwrong,oldman?TheLeague.Me.
Skinner.Wrong."Hesighed."AndwrongabouttheyoungAmerican,too."

"Sawyer?"Acolddreadtrickledlikeglacierwaterdownhisspine."Whatabouthim?"

"He'sabumblingfool,justlikehisfriendHuckleberryFinn.Whataridiculousname."Moriartyheldup

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theretrievedFantommaskwhereitgleamedinsunlightthatfilteredthroughthecrackinthetower."Do
youthinkhimreadyandable?Ha!Youdidn'ttrainhimanybetterthanyoutrainedyourson."

QuatermainsawTomSawyerreflectedinthemask'smirroredfinish—beingheldinthedoorwaywitha
knifeatthisthroatbythepowder-coatedheadandshouldersofSandersonReed.Sawyerstruggled,but
theknifepressedagainsthisjugular.

Quatermainpaused,knowinghehadnochoicebuttosurrender.

Moriartylaughedinhisface.Theoldhunterlockedeyeswithhisnemesis.Mseemedutterlyvictorious,
inspiteoftheexplosionsandthefortresscrumblingaroundhim.Quatermainwantedtokillhimright
then.

Instead,hespunandhurledhismakeshiftspeardeadintoReed'schest.HemissedSawyerbyavery
comfortableinch.TheinvisibleReedwrithedandwailedinpain,andhishalf-seenformslumpedinto
deathevenbeforethespearstoppedvibrating.Thebureaucratsknifefelltothefloor,andSawyerbroke
free,kickinghisdyingformforgoodmeasure.

ButasQuatermainstraightened,knowinghehadmadetherightchoice,Moriartysprangattheold
adventurerandplungedQuatermains'ownBowieknifedeepintohisback.Hetwistedthehilt,grinding
thebladefartherintothehunter'slungs,questingforhisheart.

Withadisbelievinggasp,Quatermaindroppedtohisknees.Sawyerrantohim,distraughttoseehis
mentorfall,tornbetweenattackingtheFantomandstayingbesideQuatermain.

"Ithankyouforthegame."Wipinghisbloodiedhandsonhistrousers,Moriartydashedovertowherea
widecrackinthetowerwallofferedescape.Carefree,hejumpedoutintotheopensky,soaringhigh
abovetheground.

Withanangryshout,Sawyerrushedtothecrack,seizedtheedgeofthebrokenstone,andpushedhis
headoutintothecolddaylight.Heexpectedtoseetheevilmastermindfallingtohisdeathatthebaseof
thefortress.

Instead,Moriartysailedgracefullytowardasafelandingfarbelow,hisblackcapeextendedintoawind-
resistantbarrier,billowingoutliketheskinofaflyingfox.

"Not…over…yet,"saidQuatermain.

Sawyerturnedtoseethedeeplywoundedhunterstaggeringtowardhim.TheBowieknifestill
protrudedfromthemiddleofhisback;hisshirtwassoakedinblood.Buthe'dhadthestrengthofmind
toretrievehiselephantgun.HecradledMatildainhishands.

Helurchedforward.Sawyergraspedhisarmandsteadiedhim."Weneedtogetyouhelp.Gottofind
Mina,orDr.Jekyll."

Quatermainshruggedhimoff."No.Notimeforthat."Hereachedthegapinthetowerwallandpeered
outthroughthecrack.Hereeled,struggledtofocushiseyes.HesawtheblackFantomsailingtothe
ground."There'sthebastard!"

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Moriartyskiddedtoalandingandtookoffrunningacrossthesnow-sweptfieldtowardthehalf-frozen
AmurRiver,wherethecurveofthestolenNautilusstillpokedupthroughtheice.

Quatermainheldhisriflewithtremblingarmsandtriedtoaim,buthecouldn'tsee.Slumping,barely
abletostayonhisfeet,hefumbledinhispocketwithbloodstainedfingers.Whenhedrewouthis
spectacles,bothlenseswerebroken,theframestwisted.

Withasigh,hepulledSawyerclosesothattheycouldstandtogether."It'sonyounow,boy."Heguided
theyoungmantohelphimtakeaim."Lookthere,findhim.Showthebulletwheretogo."

Sawyerwasuncertain,wrackedwithgriefforhismortallywoundedfriend,butQuatermainclenched
himtightlyuntilhesubmittedtothehunter'sintensity.TheAmericanagentleanedinandsighteddown
Matilda'slongbarrel.

"So,takeyourtime.Last…chance."

Sawyersquinted,aimed,andadjustedtheelephantgun.Heconcentrated,butfinallyhesitated,unsure.
"It'stoofar."

"No,you'reready,"Quatermainsaid,urgingSawyertoaimagain."Gottobeready."

Moriartykeptrunning,hisblackcapeflappinglikeabatswingsbehindhim.Everystepcarriedhim
fartheraway,closertothesmallsubmersible.

"Take.Your.Time."Quatermainsqueezedhiseyesshut,fightingbackthepainandthetideofweakness
ashislifecontinuedtobleedaway.

Bynow,Moriartywassofarawaythatheseemedbarelyablackdot.Exactlycenteredonthesightline.
Sawyeraccountedforbreezes,themovementofthetarget—andtooktheshot.

Withaloudcrackthebulletwhistledawayfromtherifle.Aneternitypassed.

Then…faroff,Moriartyfellfacefirstintothesnowattheriversice-crustededge.Theleathersatchel
filledwithvital,stolensecretsskitteredalong,teeteredonthethinnestice,thenbrokethroughandsank
foreverintothefrigidwaterofthegurglingAmur.

TheFantom'smaskspunaway,it'spolishedsilversurfacespatteredwithblood.Itcametoarest,the
emptyeye-holesstaringupattheclearsky…

Upinthetower,Quatermainsmiledwithsatisfaction.Thenhecollapsedwithadyinggasp.Sawyer
kneltbyhisside.Theyoungman'seyesfilledwithtears,buttherewasnothinghecouldsay,nowayto
help.

QuatermainclutchedthefrontofSawyer'sshirt."Maythisnewcenturybeyours,son—astheoldone
wasmine."

"Allan,"Sawyersaid."No,wait—"

Andwiththat,Quatermaindied.

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FIFTYTWO

MongolianWastes

OutsideofM'sFortress

Infrontofthesmoking,crumblingfortress,aBritishsoldierraisedhisheadoverthesnowyslope.
Besidehim,anotherheadappeared,peeringatthedestruction.Thenanother,andanother.

Finally,twohundredsoldiersinwinteruniformsmarchedtogetherthroughthesnow:acombined
BritishandAmericanforcethattrudgedacrossthewindsweptsteppes.

SeveralheavyicebreakershipsweremooredinthefardistanceatawidepointofthefrozenAmur
River.Slabsofwhiteicehadgroundupagainsttheirarmoredhullsastheyhadbatteredtheirwayupthe
half-frozenchannel,untiltheyencounteredtheNautilus.Soldiersandofficerscontinuedtodisembark,
thoughallthatremainedwerethemopping-upchores.

AfewsurvivinghenchmenandMongolianguardsfledintothedistanceacrosstheemptyhills,
searchingforpeasantsettlementstopillageortakerefugein.Black,greasyfumescurledintothesky
fromacollapsedchimney.Withalowrumble,anotherminorexplosionblewoutasidewall.

Ontheirwaybacktothesubmarinevessel,theNautilus'screwhadcorralledhundredsofMoriarty's
escapingworkersandguards;othercrewmennowtendedtotherescuedscientistswhowerereunited
withtheirhostagefamilymembers.

Anelegantportlygentlemandisembarkedfromthelargesticebreakerandbroughtuptherearofthe
marchingsoldiers.Hehadaneatmustacheandgoatee,ahandsomefacethathadgainedafairamount
ofweightduetolavishliving.Hisclotheswereelegant,afinedinnerjacket,plaidwaistcoat,apocket
watchonachain.Reachingthetopoftherise,heplacedoneringedhandonhishipandstudiedthe
spectacleoftheFantom'sfortress.

Bandagedandbattered,theremainingmembersoftheLeagueofExtraordinarygentlemen,nolonger
partofthemilitaryaction,waitedforthesoldierstomeetthem.Theyeyedthearrivingtroopscoldly.

Quatermain'sbodylaynearby,wrappedincloth.TomSawyerandSkinnerhadcarrieditoutofthe
towerandintotheopen.

"Comingtorescueus,areyou?"Minasaidwithundisguisedirony."It'sabouttime."

Theelegantgentlemansmiledawarmgreetingather."Sorry.Tookuslongertogetherethanwe
expected.Russiawasnonetookeenonthesightofourgunboats."HeextendedahandtoMinaand
introducedhimself."Bond.CampionBond.BritishSecretService."

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"Dollarshy,daylate,I'dsay,"Sawyersaid,hisvoiceraw.

"Ah,youmustbetheAmerican,"Bondsaid."How…quaint.ThoughImustsayyou'vedonequitea
respectablejob."

"Yeah.That'sright."Sawyerwassurprisedthattheelegantmanknewhim.Heimitatedtheothers
introduction."I'mSawyer.TomSawyer."

Bondglancedathispocketwatchtomakesurethewholemop-upoperationcontinuedonschedule.
"Yes,Iknowwhoyouare.We'vehadaspyamongyouforthewholetime."Hesnappedthepocket
watchshut.TheLeaguememberslookedinunisonatSkinner.

"RodneySkinner.OnherMajesty'sSecretService."Skinnersproudsmilewasonlyvisiblebecauseof
thesmearsofgrimethatcoveredhistransparentface.

"NowIdon'tknowwhattobelieve."Minas'usuallyneathairwasdisheveledfromherbattles;herdress
wasintatters.

"Orwhototrust,"Jekylladded,lookingcoldandmiserable.

Uniformedscoutsandarmyengineersscouredtheremainsofthefortress.Eventhoughthebattlewas
alreadyover,theywerestillneededfortheirmuscle.Groupsofmencartedequipment,engines,andwar
machineryoutofthesmokingfortressanddeliveredthemtotheicebreakers.CampionBondwatched
theworkwithglee,asifhecouldbarelywaittoinspectallthenewtoysinhispossession.

Anothercontingentofsoldierstookovertendingtotheformerprisoners.Nemonoddedhispermission
tohiscrewmen,andthesoldiersledthehaplessscientistsaway,includingKarlDraper,whorefusedto
beseparatedfromhisdaughterEva.Theylookedhaggard,butcomfortedtoknowthattheirordealwas
overatlast.TheyhadallseentheFantom'sbodylyingmotionlessontheriverbank.

Sawyerwatchedthescientistsgo."Takingthemintocare?They'llneedhospitalization."

"Oh,they'llbetakencareof,allright."Bondbeamed,lookingimmenselysatisfied."Justsolongasthey
keepupthegoodwork—forus,ofcourse."

Racingacrossthesnowandpantingwhitesteaminthecoldair,anaideranupfromthenearest
icebreaker.Heclutchedaflappingtelegraminhishand."Mr.Bond,sir!Wejustreceivedthisinthe
radioroom."

Bondscannedthemessage,hissmilebroadening."Gentlemen,Mrs.Harker.TheQueenherselfwould
liketocongratulateyouforyourextraordinaryactions,andsheproposestoinductyouasarealleague.
Whatanhonor!"

Sawyerwasn'tentirelyoverwhelmed.Helookeddownatthewrappedshapeoftheoldadventurer'scold
body."I'dliketosuggestagreaterhonor.AllanQuatermainshouldbeburiedinAfrica,nexttohisson."
Hisvoicewasnowhardanddetermined.Heraisedhischin."Iaimtoseethathappen."

"AndIwouldbehonoredtotakeyouthere,"Nemosaid."MyNautilusisatyourdisposal."

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Sawyerfeltrelieved,asmallportionoftheweightliftedfromhisshoulders.Heturnedtohisfellow
Leaguemembers."Whoelseiscoming?"

Minasmiledattheyoungman.Shetookhishandastheymovedtowardthearmoredsubmarinevessel
waitingattheedgeoftheAmur.Afterhesitatingasecond,Jekylljoinedthem.

SkinnerstayedwithCampionBond,though.Sawyerlookedback,frowningindisappointment.The
othermanshruggedhisbarelyvisibleshoulders."IamnothingifnotaservantofmyQueen."

"Skinner,"Sawyersaidsternly.

Theinvisiblemanquicklychangedhismind."Coming!"

Bond'sbrowfurrowedwithsuddenconcernashereadthesecondhalfofthelengthytelegramfrom
London.Hegasped."Wait!Youallmaybeneededanew!"Heraisedthesheetofpaper."Scientistshave
discoveredhotflaresonMars,greenflashesasiffromlaunchesofmassivecylinders.Theastronomer
OgilvyhastheorizeditcouldbethesignofaMartianinvasion."

Jekyll'swateryeyeswidened,thenhechuckled."That'sridiculous."

Sawyerscoffed."Martianinvasionslikeworldwarsarethestuffoffantasy."Together,heandSkinner
respectfullyliftedtheshroudedbodyofAllanQuatermainandcarriedittowardNemo'swaitingvessel.

Asthesnowblewharderandharder,theLeagueturnedtheirbacksonBondandbegantheirtrekbackto
theNautilus.

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