Tales of Terror Page #4

for l too look at you.

Elliot, please.

You know how I feel.

I love my husband and respect him.

- No more than I do.

- l know that.

So let us think of nothing else but Ernest

and our respect for him.

- Good night, Helene.

- Good night.

Ernest.

Hm? Oh. Yes, my dear?

Won't you reconsider?

- Regarding the experiment?

- l fear him.

Fear Carmichael? But, my dear,

think of the pain he has spared me.

If only you could see the change in him

when you're under his control, Ernest.

All the fawning ceases. He no longer

calls you Mr. Valdemar. It's just Valdemar.

- He tells you what to do, what to think.

- Please, my dear. No more.

Let us forget it.

It is established and of no importance.

What is important is you.

I wish with all my heart

that following my death

you would marry our good Dr. James.

No, no, no. Please, my dear. Let me finish.

I know that there is a bond between you.

All honourable. l know that too,

and I love you both for it.

But I... l am going to die soon, Helene,

and it would make me very happy

to know that you would not be alone,

that you would marry again.

Oh, my dear. Your happiness

means more to me than anything.

Anything!

But I refuse to die until

that happiness has been assured.

It... it approaches, does it not?

No pretence, please.

It approaches.

No, my dear. No sorrow. l...

I am content, believe me.

Have you informed Mr. Carmichael,

as I requested?

- He is below, sir.

- Then fetch him, if you will.

Quickly. Go quickly.

Have a care, sir.

So...

the time has come, Mr. Carmichael.

It will be to you, sir, I promise, no more

than sinking into a dreamless sleep.

Best hurry, Mr. Carmichael.

Now, no despair, I implore you.

It is peace I go to.

Freedom from this ghastly pain.

Your hand, Doctor.

I charge you this... upon your soul:

Watch over my Helene.

- Swear to it?

- I swear to it. Rest easily, sir.

I do now.

With all my heart l thank you...

for having added to my life

one great, sweet measure of devotion.

No...

You may proceed, Mr. Carmichael.

Look at the turning wheel,

at the changing of the colours,

and sleep.

Deep... deep sleep.

Your body losing all sensation.

Your mind enveloped in darkness.

Nothing can disturb you now

as you drift ever deeper

into darkness... and sleep.

Sleep...

Valdemar.

Do you hear me? It is my voice.

I... hear.

Are you asleep?

I... am... asleep.

Valdemar, raise your right arm.

Lower it.

Is there any pain?

No... pain.

I am... dying.

Oh!

Please... do not wake me.

Let me... die.

I will not wake you, Valdemar.

Deep... deep sleep...

from which there is no waking...

unless I say.

- You understand, Valdemar?

- l... understand.

You may examine him now if you wish.

Do you so fear me?

I have but released your husband

from his pain once more.

- Would you have had me do otherwise?

- No.

- Then do l... personally offend you?

- Please, Mr. Carmichael, not now.

Valdemar, return to your sleep.

Return to your sleep, Valdemar!

- I command you!

- Stop it!

Valdemar.

Do you hear me?

Do you hear the sound of my voice?

Are you asleep now?

I... have been... asleep.

But now... I am... dead.

You are asleep, Valdemar.

No.

Yes, yes, yes. You do but sleep.

Raise your right arm.

Raise it, Valdemar!

I command you! Raise your right arm!

He does not. He does not.

He is dead.

Yes, he is dead.

But still aware.

- Release him.

- Release him?!

Valdemar, do you hear me?

I hear.

Tell me, where are you?

Darkness.

- Stop it!

- That will do, Mr. Carmichael.

Where, Valdemar? Where?

Stop it!

- End the control, Mr. Carmichael!

- No!

Valdemar, tell me what you see.

- Your surroundings, what are they?

- That will do!

Are you insane?! Do you not comprehend

the import of what has happened?

His body is dead, but his mind

lives on, controlled by me!

- Which control will now end! Let him die!

- No!

Be gone!

Where am I?

What place is this?

I see only darkness.

People.

Multitudes of people.

No...

No-o-o-o!

No-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o!

Valdemar, be still.

Help me.

Be still, Valdemar.

I will let you go when I am finished.

Your whisky, sir.

Leave it there.

Get out!

Valdemar.

Valdemar, do you hear me?

Be still.

Be still!

Release me.

Release me.

Give me peace.

Be still!

Release me.

Let me go.

I will release you when l am ready.

- Good evening, Doctor.

- Good evening.

- Is Mr. Carmichael upstairs?

- Yes, sir.

Thank you.

Come. I promise you an end to it, Helene.

How?

Come.

Now, tell me this.

Come in.

- What can l do for you?

- I'm here to order you, Mr. Carmichael...

Not request, but order. You will end

the mesmeric control immediately.

- Will I, Doctor?

- You will.

And how do you propose

to enforce that order?

With this.

- You wouldn't dare.

- Do you choose to take that risk?

If you kill me, Valdemar will remain

in the same state indefinitely.

- Perhaps for ever.

- No!

- I shall count to three, then I shall kill you.

- Elliot!

- You must be out of your mind.

- One.

- No.

- Two.

- Elliot, no!

- Wait a minute.

- I want you to hear something first.

- Nothing from you, sir.

Did I say it was from me?

If you will, come with me.

Valdemar.

Tell them what you told me

just now, about Helene.

I do not wish

for her to marry Dr. James.

I wish for her to marry Mr. Carmichael.

- No!

- You heard him, madam.

- You control him. His words are yours!

- That is a lie!

- Is it?

- Yes!

Elliot, please, you must leave now.

- What?

- I want you to go.

- But that was not your husband speaking!

- It was his voice.

- But not his will!

- I don't know that.

- Helene, in the name of God!

- Elliot, please go.

There's nothing more to be said or done.

I just want you to go now.

Very well. But l shall be back.

And God help you

if you do her harm in any way.

- Well, madam?

- I believe Dr. James is quite correct.

It is not my husband

who would have me marry you.

- You heard him with your own ears.

- It was not him.

However, l will make a bargain

with you, Mr. Carmichael.

I'll marry you... upon the stipulation

that you set my husband free.

I need make no bargains

with you, madam.

- What?

- You will marry me in any case.

No. Not unless you end his torment.

Edicts, madam? Orders from you?

Allow me to enlighten you.

I am in command here.

You will do as I say,

or I will leave Mr. Valdemar

exactly as he is

and never - do you understand me,

madam? - Never let him go.

I've coveted you these many months,

hungered for you.

And now you shall be my wife.

I shall take what I desire.

- Your body and your soul, if I demand it!

- I've heard enough!

No! Stop it! Let me go!

Let me go! You're hurting me!

Help! Help me!

Let me go! Help! Help me!

No!

Argh!

Helene! Helene!

Ugh!

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