pp.thegoldencompass-第26部分

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　　〃Yes；〃　she　said；　and　then；　prompted　by　a　nip　from　Pantalaimon；　added；　〃Would　you　like　to　look　at　it？〃
　　〃I　should　like　that　very　much。〃
　　She　fished　inelegantly　in　the　oilskin　pouch　and　handed　him　the　velvet　package。　He　unfolded　it　and　held　it　up　with　great　care；　gazing　at　the　face　like　a　Scholar　gazing　at　a　rare　manuscript。
　　〃How　exquisite！〃　he　said。　〃I　have　seen　one　other　example；　but　it　was　not　so　fine　as　this。　And　do　you　possess　the　books　of　readings？〃
　　〃No；〃　Lyra　began；　but　before　she　could　say　any　more；　Farder　Coram　was　speaking。
　　〃No；　the　great　pity　is　that　although　Lyra　possesses　the　alethiometer　itself；　there's　no　means　of　reading　it　whatsoever；〃　he　said。　〃It's　just　as　much　of　a　mystery　as　the　pools　of　ink　the　Hindus　use　for　reading　the　future。　And　the　nearest　book　of　readings　I　know　of　is　in　the　Abbey　of　St。　Johann　at　Heidelberg。〃
　　Lyra　could　see　why　he　was　saying　this：　he　didn't　want　Dr。　Lanselius　to　know　of　Lyra's　power。　But　she　could　also　see　something　Farder　Coram　couldn't；　which　was　the　agitation　of　Dr。　Lanselius's　daemon；　and　she　knew　at　once　that　it　was　no　good　to　pretend。
　　So　she　said；　〃Actually；　I　can　read　it；〃　speaking　half　to　Dr。　Lanselius　and　half　to　Farder　Coram；　and　it　was　the　consul　who　responded。
　　〃That　is　wise　of　you；〃　he　said。　〃Where　did　you　obtain　this　one？〃
　　〃The　Master　of　Jordan　College　in　Oxford　gave　it　to　me；〃　she　said。　〃Dr。　Lanselius；　do　you　know　who　made　them？〃
　　〃They　are　said　to　originate　in　the　city　of　Prague；〃　said　the　consul。　〃The　Scholar　who　invented　the　first　alethiometer　was　apparently　trying　to　discover　a　way　of　measuring　the　influences　of　the　planets；　according　to　the　ideas　of　astrology。　He　intended　to　make　a　device　that　would　respond　to　the　idea　of　Mars　or　Venus　as　a　pass　responds　to　the　idea　of　North。　In　that　he　failed；　but　the　mechanism　he　invented　was　clearly　responding　to　something；　even　if　no　one　knew　what　it　was。〃
　　〃And　where　did　they　get　the　symbols　from？〃
　　〃Oh；　this　was　in　the　seventeenth　century。　Symbols　and　emblems　were　everywhere。　Buildings　and　pictures　were　designed　to　be　read　like　books。　Everything　stood　for　something　else；　if　you　had　the　right　dictionary；　you　could　read　Nature　itself。　It　was　hardly　surprising　to　find　philosophers　using　the　symbolism　of　their　time　to　interpret　knowledge　that　came　from　a　mysterious　source。　But；　you　know；　they　haven't　been　used　seriously　for　two　centuries　or　so。〃
　　He　handed　the　instrument　back　to　Lyra；　and　added：
　　〃May　I　ask　a　question？　Without　the　books　of　symbols；　how　do　you　read　it？〃
　　〃I　just　make　my　mind　go　clear　and　then　it's　sort　of　like　looking　down　into　water。　You　got　to　let　your　eyes　find　the　right　level；　because　that's　the　only　one　that's　in　focus。　Something　like　that；〃　she　said。
　　〃I　wonder　if　I　might　ask　to　see　you　do　it？〃　he　said。
　　Lyra　looked　at　Farder　Coram；　wanting　to　say　yes　but　waiting　for　his　approval。　The　old　man　nodded。
　　〃What　shall　I　ask？〃　said　Lyra。
　　〃What　are　the　intentions　of　the　Tartars　with　regard　to　Kamchatka？〃
　　That　wasn't　hard。　Lyra　turned　the　hands　to　the　camel；　which　meant　Asia；　which　meant　Tartars；　to　the　cornucopia；　for　Kamchatka；　where　there　were　gold　mines；　and　to　the　ant；　which　meant　activity；　which　meant　purpose　and　intention。　Then　she　sat　still；　letting　her　mind　hold　the　three　levels　of　meaning　together　in　focus；　and　relaxed　for　the　answer；　which　came　almost　at　once。　The　long　needle　trembled　on　the　dolphin；　the　helmet；　the　baby；　and　the　anchor；　dancing　between　them　and　onto　the　crucible　in　a　plicated　pattern　that　Lyra's　eyes　followed　without　hesitation；　but　which　was　inprehensible　to　the　two　men。
　　When　it　had　pleted　the　movements　several　times；　Lyra　looked　up。　She　blinked　once　or　twice　as　if　she　were　ing　out　of　a　trance。
　　〃They're　going　to　pretend　to　attack　it；　but　they're　not　really　going　to；　because　it's　too　far　away　and　they'd　be　too　stretched　out；〃　she　said。
　　〃Would　you　tell　me　how　you　read　that？〃
　　〃The　dolphin；　one　of　its　deep…down　meanings　is　playing；　sort　of　like　being　playful；〃　she　explained。　〃I　know　it's　the　fifteenth　because　it　stopped　fifteen　times　and　it　just　got　clear　at　that　level　but　nowhere　else。　And　the　helmet　means　war；　and　both　together　they　mean　pretend　to　go　to　war　but　not　be　serious。　And　the　baby　means…it　means　difficult…it'd　be　too　hard　for　them　to　attack　it；　and　the　anchor　says　why；　because　they'd　be　stretched　out　as　tight　as　an　anchor　rope。　I　just　see　it　all　like　that；　you　see。〃
　　Dr。　Lanselius　nodded。
　　〃Remarkable；〃　he　said。　〃I　am　very　grateful。　I　shall　not　forget　that。〃
　　Then　he　looked　strangely　at　Farder　Coram；　and　back　at　Lyra。
　　〃Could　I　ask　you　for　one　more　demonstration？〃　he　said。　〃If　you　look　out　of　this　window；　you'll　see　a　shed　with　forty　or　more　sprays　of　cloud…pine　hanging　on　the　wall。　One　of　them　has　been　used　by　Serafina　Pekkala；　and　the　others　have　not。　Could　you　tell　which　is　hers？〃
　　〃Yeah！〃　said　Lyra；　always　ready　to　show　off；　and　she　took　the　alethiometer　and　hurried　out。　She　was　eager　to　see　cloud…pine；　because　the　witches　used　it　for　flying；　and　she'd　never　seen　any　before。
　　The　two　men　stood　by　the　window　and　watched　as　she　kicked　her　way　through　the　snow；　Pantalaimon　bouncing　beside　her　as　a　hare；　to　stand　in　front　of　the　wooden　shed；　head　down；　manipulating　the　alethiometer。　After　a　few　seconds　she　reached　forward　and　unhesitatingly　picked　out　one　of　the　many　sprays　of　pine　and　held　it　up。
　　Dr。　Lanselius　nodded。
　　Lyra；　intrigued　and　eager　to　fly；　held　it　above　her　head　and　jumped；　and　ran　about　in　the　snow　trying　to　be　a　witch。　The　consul　turned　to　Farder　Coram　and　said：　〃Do　you　realize　who　this　child　is？〃
　　〃She's　the　daughter　of　Lord　Asriel；〃　said　Farder　Coram。
　　〃And　her　mother　is　Mrs。　Coulter；　of　the　Oblation　Board。〃
　　〃And　apart　from　that？〃
　　The　old　gyptian　had　to　shake　his　head。　〃No；〃　he　said；　〃I　don't　know　any　more。　But　she's　a　strange　innocent　creature；　and　I　wouldn't　have　her　harmed　for　the　world。　How　she　es　to　read　that　instrument　I　couldn't　guess；　but　I　believe　her　when　she　talks　of　it。　Why；　Dr。　Lanselius？　What　do　you　know　about　her？〃
　　〃The　witches　have　talked　about　this　child　for　centuries　past；〃　said　the　consul。　〃Because　they　live　so　close　to　the　place　where　the　veil　between　the　worlds　is　thin；　they　hear　immortal　whispers　from　time　to　time；　in　the　voices　of　those　beings　who　pass　between　the　worlds。　And　they　have　spoken　of　a　child　such　as　this；　who　has　a　great　destiny　that　can　only　be　fulfilled　elsewhere…not　in　this　world；　but　far　beyond。　Without　this　child；　we　shall　all　die。　So　the　witches　say。　But　she　must　fulfill　this　destiny　in　ignorance　of　what　she　is　doing；　because　only　in　her　ignorance　can　we　be　saved。　Do　you　understand　that；　Farder　Coram？〃
　　〃No；〃　said　Farder　Coram；　〃I'm　unable　to　say　that　I　do。〃
　　〃What　it　means　is　that　she　must　be　free　to　make　mistakes。　We　must　hope　that　she　does　not；　but　we　can't　guide　her。　I　am　glad　to　have　seen　this　child　before　I　die。〃
　　〃But　how　did　you　recognize　her　as　being　that　particular　child？　And　what　did　you　mean　about　the　beings　who　pass　between　the　worlds？　I'm　at　a　loss　to　understand　you；　Dr。　Lanselius；　for　all　that　I　judge　you're　an　honest　man　。　。　。　。〃
　　But　before　the　consul　could　answer；　the　door　opened　and　Lyra　came　in　bearing　a　little　branch　of　pine。
　　〃This　is　the　one！〃　she　said。　〃I　tested　'em　all；　and　this　is　it；　I'm　sure。　But　it　won't　fly　for　me。〃
　　The　consul　said；　〃Well；　Lyra；　that　is　remarkable。　You　are　lucky　to　have　an　instrument　like　that；　and　I　wish　you　well　with　it。　I　would　like　to　give　you　something　to　take　away　with　you　。　。　。　。〃
　　He　took　the　spray　and　broke　off　a　twig　for　her。
　　〃Did　she　really　fly　with　this？〃　Lyra　said。
　　〃Yes；　she　did。　But　then　she　is　a　witch；　and　you　are　not。　I　can't　give　you　all　of　it；　because　I　need　it　to　contact　her；　but　this　will　be　enough。　Look　after　it。〃
　　〃Yes；　I　will；〃　she　said。　〃Thank　you。〃
　　And　she　tucked　it　into　her　purse　beside　the　alethiometer。　Farder　Coram　touched　the　spray　of　pine　as　if　for　luck；　and　on　his　face　was　an　expression　Lyra　had　never　seen　before：　almost　a　longing。　The　consul　showed　them　to　the　door；　where　he　shook　hands　with　Farder　Coram；　and　shook　Lyra's　hand　too。
　　〃I　hope　you　find　success；〃　he　said；　and　stood　on　his　doorstep　in　the　piercing　cold　to　watch　them　up　the　little　street。
　　〃He　knew　the　answer　about　the　Tartars　before　I　did；〃　Lyra　told　Farder　Coram。　〃The　alethiometer　told　me；　but　I　never　said。　It　was　the　crucible。〃
　　〃I　expect　he　was　testing　you；　child。　But　you　done　right　to　be　polite；　being　as　we　can't　be　sure　what　he　knows　already。　And　that　was　a　useful　tip　about　the　bear。　I　don't　know　how　we　would　a　heard　otherwise。〃
　　They　found　their　way　to　the　depot；　which　was　a　couple　of　concrete　warehouses　in　a　scrubby　area　of　waste　ground　where　thin　weeds　grew　between　gray　rocks　and　pools　of　icy　mud。　A　surly　man　in　an　office　told　them　that　they　could　find　the　bear　off　duty　at　six；　but　they'd　have　to　be　quick；　because　he　usually　went　straight　to　the　yard　behind　Einarsson's　Bar；　where　they　gave　him　drink。
　　Then　Farder　Coram　took　Lyra　to　the　best　outfitter's　in　town　and　bought　her　some　proper　cold…weather　clothing。　They　bought　a　parka　made　of　reindeer　skin；　because　reindeer　hair　is　hollow　and　insulates　well；　and　the　hood　was　lined　with　wolverine　fur；　because　that　sheds　the　ice　that　forms　when　you　breathe。　They　bought　underclothing　and　boot　liners　of　reindeer　calf　skin；　and　silk　gloves　to　go　inside　big　fur　mittens。　The　boots　and　mittens　were　made　of　skin　from　the　reindeer's　forelegs；　because　that　is　extra　tough；　and　the　boots　were　soled　with　the　skin　of　the　bearded　seal；　which　is　as　tough　as　walrus　hide；　but　lighter。　Finally　they　bought　a　waterproof　cape　that　enveloped　her　pletely；　made　of　semitransparent　seal　intestine。
　　With　all　that　on；　and　a　silk　muffler　around　her　neck　and　a　woollen　cap　over　her　ears　and　the　big　hood　pulled　forward；　she　was　unfortably　warm；　but　they　were　going　to　much　colder　regions　than　this。
　　John　Faa　had　been　supervising　the　unloading　of　the　ship；　and　was　keen　to　hear　about　the　witch　consul's　words；　and　even　keener　to　learn　of　the　bear。
　　〃We'll　go　to　him　this　very　evening；〃　he　said。　〃Have　you　ever　spoken　to　such　a　creature；　Farder　Coram？〃
　　〃Yes；　I　have；　and　fought　one；　too；　though　not　by　myself；　thank　God。　We　must　be　ready　to　treat　with　him；　John。　He'll　ask　a　lot；　I've　no　doubt；　and　be　surly　and　difficult　to　manage；　but　we　must　have　him。〃
　　〃Oh；　we　must。　And　what　of　your　witch？〃
　　〃Well；　she's　a　long　way　off；　and　a　clan　queen　now；〃　said　Farder　Coram。　〃I　did　hope　it　might　be　possible　for　a　message　to　reach　her；　but　it　would　take　too　long　to　wait　for　a　reply。〃
　　〃Ah；　well。　Now　let　me　tell　you　what　I've　found；　old　friend。〃　For　John　Faa　had　been　fidgeting　with　impatience　to　tell　them　something。　He　had　met　a　prospector　on　the　quayside；　a　New　Dane　from　the　country　of　Texas；　and　this　man　had　a　balloon；　of　all　things。　The　expedition　he'd　been　hoping　to　join　had　failed　for　lack　of　funds　even　before　it　had　left　Amsterdam；　so　he　was　stranded。
　　〃Think　what　we　might　do　with　the　help　of　an　aeronaut；　Farder　Coram！〃　said　John　Faa；　rubbing　his　great　hands　together。　〃I've　engaged　him　to　sign　up　with　us。　Seems　to　me　we　struck　lucky　a