The Revolt of the Machines by Brian Stableford

Author:Brian Stableford [Stableford, Brian]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Black Coat Press
Published: 2015-03-05T00:00:00+00:00

V. The Psychic Sera

A week later, Hélène received news from her father. Thanks to the capital lent by Rémois, he had been able to fulfill a part of his engagements. Assistance generously given to the victims of the disaster had rendered the engineer popular, and that had helped him get his operation back on its feet. Negotiations had begun with bankers in Chicago, and it was possible that within two months everything would be in place. Then, with a little luck, within the deadline of a year, Lesécant and Cordeau would be reimbursed and Hélène’s happiness could finally be assured.

Radiant, the young woman had written to her fiancé. The horizon now seemed clearer; she consented to accompany Rémois to see the doctors.

“Let’s amuse ourselves with them,” said the painter. “Why should we have any scruples? Did the two old egotists have any pity on our love? And then, I adore vengeance—it’s a pleasure of gods…and lovers.”

When they arrived at Cordeau’s residence, they found the psychologist prey to an extraordinary emotion. With his short-sleeves rolled up to his shoulders, he was examining his arms, peppered with puncture marks.

Stammering anxiously, he apologized for the state of his attire.

“Science has its immunities,” replied Rémois, roguishly.

“It’s strange, Monsieur; supernatural, Mademoiselle…look at my arms. It’s incredible! Incredible….I’ll refer it to the Académie….”

As his visitors looked at him in astonishment, he added: “That’s true, you don’t understand. Please pay attention for a minute…do sit down…pardon me…but I’m amazed…suffocated…. Oh, it’s too curious, you know! I can only explain it as a phenomenon of autosuggestion. I inject myself without being aware of it. But when? Where? And the most curious thing is that the sera doesn’t have any effect on me.”

“I’ll make the observation that you’ve taken on a thief as an experimental case study,” said Rémois.

“Yes, I’ve cultivated his microbe, and injected it into a refractory animal…a guard dog. And I….”

“How do you expect such a serum to act on you? It would be wrong to judge you.”

“Yes, of course!” Cordeau exclaimed. “Am I stupid! But then, there’s good reason to be amazed. Where and when have I injected myself?”

“You’ll figure it out, Doctor,” Rémois indicated Hélène, who was very amused. “Mademoiselle Noirmont, in response to the amiable invitation that I extended to her in your name.…”

Cordeau pulled himself together. “Mademoiselle, believe me, I’m touched…deeply touched. I’m entirely at your disposal. My method is, in any case, easily understood. It’s elementary. Let’s take the hypothesis of a case of drunkenness, for example. I take the microbe of a confirmed drunkard, supposedly incorrigible, on the brink of delirium…I cultivate it…I inoc…I…sapristi! It’s so singular….”

And Cordeau, his eyes immeasurably wide, beside himself, examined his arms again.

Rémois recalled him to the demonstration.

“You inoculate….”

“What do you mean?”

“The drunkard’s microbe.”

Oh. yes…excuse me. So, I inoculate a refractory animal. And therein lies all the observation, all the science of my method. It’s necessary to appropriate the refractory animal….years of observation. I’ve been aided somewhat by the studies of naturalists…and also by the worthy La Fontaine….

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