CHAPTER TWO
THE WONDERFUL CRICKETER
I
"We ought not to have let him play," said Allingham, irritably1. He was standing2 beside Gregg in the pavilion.
"Well, he would insist," said the latter, laughing lightly, "and we're at least entitled to put eleven men in the field. There he goes again! That a six for certain."
Allingham watched the ball disappear, for the fourth time since the Clockwork man started his innings, somewhere in the direction of a big brewery3 that stood mid-way between the ground and the distant town. It was an incredible hit. No one had ever achieved such colossal4 drives in all the history of Great Wymering cricket. There was a certain absurdity5 about the thing. Already the club had been obliged to supply three extra balls, for it would have been useless to try and find those that had been lifted so far beyond the ground.
"The man's a dangerous lunatic," asserted Allingham, who had not yet overcome his[Pg 25] original annoyance6 with the strange figure, whose sudden advent7 had lost him his wicket. "It's uncanny, this sort of thing. You can't call it cricket."
"Well, he's making runs, anyhow," rejoined Gregg, his eye falling upon the score-board. "At this rate we shall stand a chance after all."
It was fortunate, perhaps, that the Great Wymering people took their cricket rather seriously. Otherwise, they might have felt, as Doctor Allingham already felt, that there was something impossible about the Clockwork man's performance. He had walked out to the wicket amidst comparative indifference8. His peculiar9 gait might easily have been attributed to sheer nervousness, and his appearance, without flannels10, provoked only a slight degree of merriment. When he arrived at the wicket he paused and examined the stumps11 with great attention, as though wondering what they were for; and it was quite a little while before he arranged himself in the correct attitude before them. He remained standing still, holding the bat awkwardly in the air, and no amount of persuasion12 on the part of the umpire could induce him to take centre or place his bat to the ground in the recognised fashion. He offered no explanation for his eccentric behaviour, and the fact simply had to be accepted.
[Pg 26]
The game restarted. Tanner, who had by this time taken eight wickets for just under a hundred runs, put down a slow, tricky13 one. Everybody agreed, in discussing the matter afterwards, that the Clockwork man never shifted his position or moved a muscle until the ball pitched, slightly to the off. Nobody seems to have seen exactly what happened, but there was a sudden ear-piercing crack and a swoop14 of dust.
Some seconds elapsed before anyone realised that the ball had been hit at all. It was the Clockwork man who drew attention to the fact by gazing steadily15 upwards16 in the direction of the town. And then, suddenly, everybody was straining their eyes in the same direction to watch that little flying spot grow smaller and smaller until it seemed to merge17 into space. (As a matter of fact, this particular ball was discovered, three weeks later, lying in a disused yard three miles from the cricket ground.)
There was a certain amount of applause, followed by an embarrassing silence. Presently someone threw another ball out into the field, and the game was resumed. But the Clockwork man treated Tanner's next delivery, which was a fast one, in exactly the same manner. Again nobody could say exactly what happened—for the action was swifter than the quickest eye could follow—but the ball disappeared[Pg 27] again, this time in the direction of a fringe of poplars far away on the horizon. Again there was a lull18, but the applause this time was modified. Another ball was supplied, and this also was dispatched with equal force and in a third direction, almost unanimously decided20 by the now bewildered spectators to be the flagstaff of the church that stood in the middle of the High Street, Great Wymering.
By this time a certain sense of panic was beginning to be displayed by the restless attitudes of the fielders; and the spectators, instead of leaning against the barriers, stood about in groups discussing the most extraordinary cricketing event of their lives. There was much head shaking and harking back to precedent21 among the old cronies present, but it was generally agreed that such hitting was abnormal. Indeed, it was something outside the pale of cricket altogether.
"If everybody was to start 'itting like that," pronounced Samuel Bynes, a local expert, "there wouldn't be no sense in cricket. It ain't in the game." And he spat19 decisively as though to emphasise22 his opinion that such proficiency23 should be deplored24 rather than commended.
"You're right, Sam," said George Bynes, who had hit up many a century for his town in bygone days, "tain't cricket. Else it's a[Pg 28] fluke; the man didn't ought to be allowed to hold bat in his hand. It's spoiling other folks' sport."
Attention was diverted by something of minor25 importance, that showed the Clockwork man in an altogether new and puzzling light. There had been some delay over the procuring26 of the third ball, and when this was forthcoming the over was called. The fielders changed about, but the Clockwork man made no attempt to move and manifested no interest in the immediate27 proceedings28. He remained, with the bat in his hands, as though waiting for another ball to be delivered.
"Seems as though 'e's only 'alf there," commented Mr. Bynes, noticing this incident.
"Dreaming like," suggested his companion.
There was further delay. The bowler29 at the other end objected to the position of the Clockwork man. He argued, reasonably enough, that the non-participating batsman ought to stand quite clear of the wicket. The umpire had to be consulted, and, as a result of his decision, the Clockwork man was gently but firmly induced to move further away. He then remained, in the same attitude, at the extreme edge of the crease30. His obtuseness31 was certainly remarkable32, and comment among the spectators now became general and a trifle heated.
[Pg 29]
"Play," said the umpire.
The batsman at the other end was a stout33, rather plethoric34 individual. He missed the first two balls, and the third struck him full in the stomach. There was a sympathetic pause whilst Mr. Bumpus, who was well known and respected in the town, rubbed this rather prominent part of his anatomy35 to the accompaniment of fish-like gaspings and excusable ejaculations. Mr. Bumpus was middle-aged36 and bald as well as corpulent, and although he did his best to endure the mishap37 with sportsman-like stoicism, the dismay written upon his perspiring38 features was certainly an excitant to mirth. Some of the fielders turned their heads for a few moments as though to spare themselves a difficult ordeal39; but on the whole there was discreet40 silence.
It was for this reason, perhaps, that the action of the Clockwork man was all the more noticeable. To this day, not one of the persons present is certain as to whether or not this eccentric individual actually did laugh; but everybody is sure that such was his intention. There issued from his mouth, without a moment's warning, a series of harsh, metallic41 explosions, loud enough to be heard all over the ground. One compared the noise to the ringing of bells hopelessly cracked and out of tune42. Others described it as being similar to[Pg 30] the sound produced by some person passing a stick swiftly across an iron railing. There was that suggestion of rattling43, of the impingement of one hard thing against another, or the clapping together of steel plates. It was a horrible, discordant44 sound, brassy and resonant45, varied46 between the louder outbursts by a sort of whirring and humming. Those who ventured to look at the Clockwork man's face during this extraordinary performance said that there was little change of expression. His mouth had opened slightly, but the laugh, if indeed it could be described as anything but a lugubrious47 travesty48 of human mirth, seemed to proceed from far down within him. And then the hideous49 clamour stopped as abruptly50 as it began. The Clockwork man had not altered his position during the proceedings; but Arthur Withers51, who was watching him with feverish52 intensity53 from the pavilion, fancied that his ears flapped twice just after the noise had subsided54.
It was an unpleasant episode, but fortunately the object of such misplaced and ugly hilarity55 scarcely seemed to notice the outrage56. Mr. Bumpus was not lacking in courage. After a few more groans57 and sighs, and a final rubbing of that part of him that had been injured, he placed himself in preparation to receive the next ball. The spectators loudly applauded[Pg 31] him, and the bowler, perhaps unwilling58 to risk another misadventure, moderated his delivery. Mr. Bumpus struck the ball lightly, and it sped away through the slips. A fielder darted59 after it, but there was ample time for a run. "Come on!" shouted Mr. Bumpus, and started to puff60 and blow his way down the pitch.
But the Clockwork man paid not the slightest heed61 to the command. He remained, statuesque, a figure of gross indifference. Mr. Bumpus pulled himself up sharply, mid-way between the two wickets; his red face was a study in bewilderment. He slid a few paces, cast one imploring62 glance in the direction of the Clockwork man, and then rushed desperately63 back to his own crease. But he was too late; his wicket had been put down.
Etiquette64 plays an important part in the noble game of cricket. It may be bad form to refuse an obvious run; but to complain of your partner in public is still worse. Besides, Mr. Bumpus was too aghast for speech, and his stomach still pained him. He walked very slowly and with great dignity back to the pavilion, and his annoyance was no doubt amply soothed65 by the loud cheers that greeted his return. Gregg came out to meet him, with a rather shamefaced smile upon his features.
"I'm sorry," he murmured, "our recruit[Pg 32] seems to be a little awkward. I don't think he quite understands."
"He can hit," said Mr. Bumpus, mopping his brow, "but he's certainly an eccentric sort of individual. I called to him to run, and apparently66 he did not or would not hear me."
Gregg caught hold of Arthur Withers, who was just going out to bat. "Look here," he said, "just tell our friend that he must run. I don't think he quite grasps the situation."
"No," said Arthur, slowly, "I don't think he does. He's rather a peculiar sort of person. I—I—spoke to him. He—he—says he's a clockwork man."
"Oh," said Gregg, and his face became blank. "Anyhow, just tell him that he must run when he's called."
Arthur walked out to the wicket. His usual knee-shaking seemed less pronounced, and he felt more anxious about the Clockwork man than about himself. He paused as he drew near to him, and whispered in an ear—rather fearfully, for he dreaded67 a recurrence68 of the ear-flapping business. "The captain says will you run, please, when you're asked."
The Clockwork man turned his head slightly to the right, and his mouth opened very wide. But he said nothing.
"You have to run," repeated Arthur, in louder tones.
[Pg 33]
The other flapped an ear. Arthur hastened away. Nothing was worth while risking an exhibition in public such as he had witnessed in comparative seclusion69. He supposed there was something about the Clockwork man really phenomenal, something that was beyond his own rather limited powers of comprehension. Perhaps cleverer people than himself might understand what was the matter with this queer being. He couldn't.
He took his place at the wicket. The first ball was an easy one, and he managed to hit it fair and square to mid-on. Scarcely hoping for response, he called to the Clockwork man, and began to run. To his immense astonishment70, the latter passed him half-way down the pitch, his legs jumping from side to side, his arms swinging round irresponsibly. It might be said that his run was merely an exaggeration of his walk. Arthur dumped his bat down quickly, and turned. As he looked up, on the return journey, he was puzzled by the fact that there was no sign of his partner. He paused and looked around him.
There had been an outburst of derisive71 cheering when the Clockwork man actually commenced to run, but this now swelled72 up into a roar of merriment. And then Arthur saw what had happened. The Clockwork man had not stopped at the opposite wicket. He[Pg 34] had run straight on, past the wicket-keeper, past the fielders, and at the moment when Arthur spotted73 him he was making straight for the white sheet at the back of the ground. No wonder the crowd laughed! It was so utterly74 absurd; and the Clockwork man ran as though nothing could stop him, as though, indeed, he had been wound up and was without power to check his own ridiculous progress. The next moment he collided with the sheet; but even this could only prevent him from going further. His legs continued to work rapidly with the action of running, whilst his body billowed into the sagging75 sheet.
The spectators gave themselves up wholly to the fun. It must have seemed to them that this extraordinary cricketer was also gifted with a sense of humour, however eccentric; and that his nonsensical action was intended by way of retaliation76 for the ironic77 cheers that had greeted his running at all. Nobody, except Arthur Withers, realised that the Clockwork man run thus far because for some reason he had been unable to stop himself. It may be remarked here that many of the Clockwork man's subsequent performances had this same accidental air of humour; and that even his most grotesque78 attitudes gave the observer an impression of some wild practical joke. He was so far human, in appearance and[Pg 35] manner, in spite of those peculiar internal arrangements, which will be dealt with later, that his actions produced an instantaneous appeal to the comic instinct; and in laughing at him people forgot to take him seriously.
But Arthur Withers, still feeling a certain sense of duty towards that helpless figure battening himself against the sheet, ran up to him. He decided that it would be useless to try and explain matters. The Clockwork man was obviously quite irresponsible. Arthur laid his hands on his shoulders and turned him round, much in the way that a child turns a mechanical toy after it has come to rest. Thus released, the running figure proceeded back towards the wicket, followed close at heels by Arthur, who hoped, by means of a push here and a shove there, to guide him back to the pavilion and so out of harm's way.
But in this attempt he was unexpectedly thwarted79. The Clockwork man recovered himself; he ran straight back to the wicket and then stopped dead. The umpire was in the act of replacing the bails80, for the wicket had been put down, and, fast as this eccentric cricketer had run in the first place, he had not been quick enough to reach the crease in time. By all the rules of the game, and beyond the shadow of doubt, he had been "run out." He now regarded the stumps meditatively81, with[Pg 36] a finger jerked swiftly against his nose, as though recognising a former state of consciousness. And then, with a swift movement, he took up his position in readiness to receive the ball.
This was too much for the equanimity82 of the spectators. Shout after shout volleyed along the line of the hurdles84. The calm deliberateness of the Clockwork man, in so reinstating himself, fairly crowned all his previous exhibitions. And the fact that he took no notice of the merriment at his expense, but simply waited for something to happen, permitted the utmost license85. The crowd rocked itself in unrestrained hilarity.
But a second later there was stony86 silence. For the thing that happened next was as unexpected as it was startling. Nobody, save perhaps Dr. Allingham, anticipated that the Clockwork man was capable of adding violence to eccentricity87; he looked harmless enough. But apparently there lurked88 a d?monic temper behind those bland89, meaningless features. The thing happened in a trice; and all that followed occupied but a few catastrophic seconds. The umpire had stepped up to the Clockwork man in order to explain to him that he was expected to retire from the wicket. Not hearing any coherent reply, he emphasised his request by placing a hand suggestively on the other's[Pg 37] shoulder. Instantly, something blade-like flashed in the stammering90 air, a loud thwack broke upon the silence, and the unfortunate umpire lay prostrate91. He had gone down like a log of wood.
Pandemonium92 ensued. The scene of quiet play was transformed into a miniature battle-field. The fielders rushed in a body at the Clockwork man, only to go down one after the other, like so many ninepins. They lay, stunned93 and motionless. The Clockwork man spun94 round like a teetotum, his bat flashing in the sun, whilst the flannelled95 figures flying from all parts of the field approached him, only to be sent reeling and staggering to earth. Some dodged96 for a moment only to be caught on the rebound97. Dust flew up, and to add to the whirl and confusion the unearthly noise that had so startled Arthur Withers broke out again, with terrific force, like the engine of a powerful motor suddenly started.
"I told you he was mad!" shouted Allingham, as he and Gregg leapt through the aperture98 of the pavilion and dashed to the rescue.
But the Clockwork man suddenly seemed panic-stricken. Just for one moment he surveyed the prostrate figures lying about on the grass like so many sacks. Then he sent the bat flying in the direction of the pavilion and rushed straight for the barrier of hurdles.
[Pg 38]
The spectators fled with one accord. Allingham and Gregg doubled up in hot pursuit. Arthur Withers, who had mustered99 the wit to fall down rather than to be knocked down, picked himself up quickly and joined them.
But there was no accounting101 for the activities of the Clockwork man. At a distance of about a yard from the barrier his whole body took off from the ground, and he literally102 floated in space over the obstacle. It was not jumping; it was more like flying. He landed lightly upon his feet, without the least difficulty; and, before the onlookers103 could recover from their amazement104, this extraordinary personage had shot like a catapult, straight up the path along which he had travelled so precariously105 half an hour before. In a few seconds his diminutive106 figure passed into the horizon, leaving a faint trail of dust and the dying echo of that appalling107 noise.
Allingham couldn't say a word. He stood there panting and swallowing quickly. Arthur Withers caught up to them.
[Pg 39]
"Don't be a damned fool," the doctor burst out, "you're talking through your hat."
Gregg was listening very acutely.
"But it is so," protested Arthur. "You didn't see him as I did. He was like nothing on earth—and then he began to work. Just like a motor starting. And then that noise began. I'm sure there's something inside him, something that goes wrong sometimes."
He was still a little sorry for the Clockwork man.
"That's my conviction," he gasped out, too excited and breathless for further speech.
"I think," said Gregg, with curious calmness, "I think we had better warn the police. He's likely to be dangerous."
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1
irritably
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| ad.易生气地 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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brewery
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| n.啤酒厂 | |
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colossal
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| adj.异常的，庞大的 | |
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absurdity
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| n.荒谬，愚蠢；谬论 | |
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annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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advent
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| n.(重要事件等的)到来，来临 | |
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indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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flannels
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| 法兰绒男裤； 法兰绒( flannel的名词复数 ) | |
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stumps
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| （被砍下的树的）树桩( stump的名词复数 )； 残肢； （板球三柱门的）柱； 残余部分 | |
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persuasion
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| n.劝说；说服；持有某种信仰的宗派 | |
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tricky
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| adj.狡猾的，奸诈的；(工作等)棘手的，微妙的 | |
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swoop
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| n.俯冲，攫取；v.抓取，突然袭击 | |
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steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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merge
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| v.(使)结合，(使)合并，(使)合为一体 | |
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lull
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| v.使安静，使入睡，缓和，哄骗；n.暂停，间歇 | |
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spat
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| n.口角，掌击；v.发出呼噜呼噜声 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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precedent
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| n.先例，前例；惯例；adj.在前的，在先的 | |
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emphasise
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| vt.加强...的语气，强调，着重 | |
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proficiency
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| n.精通，熟练，精练 | |
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deplored
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| v.悲叹，痛惜，强烈反对( deplore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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minor
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| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
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procuring
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的现在分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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bowler
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crease
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| n.折缝，褶痕，皱褶；v.(使)起皱 | |
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obtuseness
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| 感觉迟钝 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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plethoric
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| adj.过多的，多血症的 | |
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anatomy
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| n.解剖学，解剖；功能，结构，组织 | |
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middle-aged
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mishap
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| n.不幸的事，不幸；灾祸 | |
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perspiring
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| v.出汗，流汗( perspire的现在分词 ) | |
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ordeal
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| n.苦难经历，（尤指对品格、耐力的）严峻考验 | |
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discreet
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| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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metallic
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| adj.金属的；金属制的；含金属的；产金属的；像金属的 | |
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tune
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| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
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rattling
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| adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
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discordant
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| adj.不调和的 | |
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resonant
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| adj.(声音)洪亮的，共鸣的 | |
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varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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lugubrious
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| adj.悲哀的，忧郁的 | |
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travesty
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| n.歪曲，嘲弄，滑稽化 | |
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hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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withers
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| 马肩隆 | |
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feverish
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| adj.发烧的，狂热的，兴奋的 | |
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intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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54
subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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hilarity
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| n.欢乐；热闹 | |
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outrage
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| n.暴行，侮辱，愤怒；vt.凌辱，激怒 | |
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groans
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| n.呻吟，叹息( groan的名词复数 )；呻吟般的声音v.呻吟( groan的第三人称单数 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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58
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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puff
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| n.一口(气)；一阵(风)；v.喷气，喘气 | |
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heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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62
imploring
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| 恳求的，哀求的 | |
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desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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etiquette
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| n.礼仪，礼节；规矩 | |
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soothed
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| v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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recurrence
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| n.复发，反复，重现 | |
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seclusion
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| n.隐遁，隔离 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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derisive
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| adj.嘲弄的 | |
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swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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spotted
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| adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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sagging
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| 下垂[沉，陷]，松垂，垂度 | |
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retaliation
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| n.报复，反击 | |
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ironic
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| adj.讽刺的，有讽刺意味的，出乎意料的 | |
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grotesque
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| adj.怪诞的，丑陋的；n.怪诞的图案，怪人（物） | |
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thwarted
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| 阻挠( thwart的过去式和过去分词 )； 使受挫折； 挫败； 横过 | |
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bails
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| （法庭命令缴付的）保释金( bail的名词复数 )； 三柱门上的横木 | |
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meditatively
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| adv.冥想地 | |
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equanimity
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| n.沉着，镇定 | |
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83
hurdle
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| n.跳栏，栏架；障碍，困难；vi.进行跨栏赛 | |
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hurdles
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| n.障碍( hurdle的名词复数 )；跳栏；（供人或马跳跃的）栏架；跨栏赛 | |
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license
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| n.执照，许可证，特许；v.许可，特许 | |
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stony
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| adj.石头的，多石头的，冷酷的，无情的 | |
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eccentricity
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| n.古怪，反常，怪癖 | |
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lurked
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| vi.潜伏，埋伏（lurk的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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bland
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| adj.淡而无味的，温和的，无刺激性的 | |
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stammering
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的现在分词 ) | |
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prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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pandemonium
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| n.喧嚣，大混乱 | |
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stunned
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| adj. 震惊的，惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词 | |
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spun
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| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
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flannelled
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| 穿法兰绒衣服的 | |
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dodged
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| v.闪躲( dodge的过去式和过去分词 )；回避 | |
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rebound
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| v.弹回；n.弹回，跳回 | |
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98
aperture
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| n.孔，隙，窄的缺口 | |
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99
mustered
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| v.集合，召集，集结（尤指部队）( muster的过去式和过去分词 )；（自他人处）搜集某事物；聚集；激发 | |
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gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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accounting
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| n.会计，会计学，借贷对照表 | |
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102
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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103
onlookers
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| n.旁观者，观看者( onlooker的名词复数 ) | |
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104
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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105
precariously
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| adv.不安全地；危险地；碰机会地；不稳定地 | |
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106
diminutive
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| adj.小巧可爱的，小的 | |
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107
appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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108
machinery
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| n.(总称)机械，机器；机构 | |
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