METROPOLIS Freder stood by the railing of the narrow balcony his hot hands laid on the railing. A sultry, uneasy puff of wind tugged at him, making the white silk which covered his now much emaciated body to flutter. AJOund the ridge of the roof of the house right opposite him there ran. in a shining border, a shining word, running in an everlasting circuit around, behind itself .••• Phantasus .... Phantasus .... Phantasus .... Freder did not see this row of WOl"ds. The retina received it-not the brain. Eternal hammering similarity of the wandering word ..•• Phantasus .... Phantasus .... Phantasus .... Suddenly the word picture was extinguished and in its place numbers sparkled out of the darkness, disappearing again, again emerging, and this coming and disappearing, coming again and again disappearing, and coming anew had the effect in its unmistakability, of a penetrating, persistent call. 90.................... 7.................... 7 . .. 90.................... 7.................... 7 90.................... 7.................... 7 . Freder's eyes caught the numbers. 90.................... 7.................... 7 . They turned around, they came back again. 90.................... 7.................... 7 . Thoughts stumbled through his brain. 90-? and 7-? a second 7-? What did that mean ? .... How obtrusive these numbers were. 90.................... 7.................... 7 . 90.................... 7.................... 7 . 90.................... 7.................... 7 .. Freder closed his eyes. But now the numbers were within him. He saw them flame up, sparkle, go out . . . . flame up, sparkle. go out. Was that-no ... or yes? Did not these numbers, some time ago, what seemed to him an immeasurably long period ago. also convey something to him? 118
