pp.thegoldencompass-第38部分

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　　〃Your　brother's　ing；　and　John　Faa　and　a　whole　band　of　gyptians；〃　she　said。　〃They're　going　to　take　you　home。〃
　　He　nearly　cried　aloud　with　joy；　but　subdued　the　cry　into　a　cough。
　　〃And　you　got　to　call　me　Lizzie；〃　Lyra　said；　〃never　Lyra。　And　you　got　to　tell　me　everything　you　know；　right。〃
　　They　sat　together；　with　Roger　close　by。　It　was　easier　to　do　this　at　lunchtime；　when　children　spent　more　time　ing　and　going　between　the　tables　and　the　counter；　where　bland…looking　adults　served　equally　bland　food。　Under　the　clatter　of　knives　and　forks　and　plates　Billy　and　Roger　both　told　her　as　much　as　they　knew。　Billy　had　heard　from　a　nurse　that　children　who　had　had　the　operation　were　often　taken　to　hostels　further　south；　which　might　explain　how　Tony　Makarios　came　to　be　wandering　in　the　wild。　But　Roger　had　something　even　more　interesting　to　tell　her。
　　〃I　found　a　hiding　place；〃　he　said。
　　〃What？　Where？〃
　　〃See　that　picture　。　。　。　〃　He　meant　the　big　photogram　of　the　tropical　beach。　〃If　you　look　in　the　top　right　corner；　you　see　that　ceiling　panel？〃
　　The　ceiling　consisted　of　large　rectangular　panels　set　in　a　framework　of　metal　strips；　and　the　corner　of　the　panel　above　the　picture　had　lifted　slightly。
　　〃I　saw　that；〃　Roger　said；　〃and　I　thought　the　others　might　be　like　it；　so　I　lifted　'em；　and　they're　all　loose。　They　just　lift　up。　Me　and　this　boy　tried　it　one　night　in　our　dormitory；　before　they　took　him　away。　There's　a　space　up　there　and　you　can　crawl　inside　。　。　。　。〃
　　〃How　far　can　you　crawl　in　the　ceiling？〃
　　〃I　dunno。　We　just　went　in　a　little　way。　We　reckoned　when　it　was　time　we　could　hide　up　there；　but　they'd　probably　find　us。〃
　　Lyra　saw　it　not　as　a　hiding　place　but　as　a　highway。　It　was　the　best　thing　she'd　heard　since　she'd　arrived。　But　before　they　could　talk　any　more；　a　doctor　banged　on　a　table　with　a　spoon　and　began　to　speak。
　　〃Listen；　children；〃　he　said。　〃Listen　carefully。　Every　so　often　we　have　to　have　a　fire　drill。　It's　very　important　that　we　all　get　dressed　properly　and　make　our　way　outside　without　any　panic。　So　we're　going　to　have　a　practice　fire　drill　this　afternoon。　When　the　bell；　rings　you　must　stop　whatever　you're　doing　and　do　what　the　nearest　grownup　says。　Remember　where　they　take　you。　That's　the　place　you　must　go　to　if　there's　a　real　fire。〃
　　Well；　thought　Lyra；　there's　an　idea。
　　During　the　first　part　of　the　afternoon；　Lyra　and　four　other　girls　were　tested　for　Dust。　The　doctors　didn't　say　that　was　what　they　were　doing；　but　it　was　easy　to　guess。　They　were　taken　one　by　one　to　a　laboratory；　and　of　course　this　made　them　all　very　frightened；　how　cruel　it　would　be；　Lyra　thought；　if　she　perished　without　striking　a　blow　at　them！　But　they　were　not　going　to　do　that　operation　just　yet；　it　seemed。
　　〃We　want　to　make　some　measurements；〃　the　doctor　explained。　It　was　hard　to　tell　the　difference　between　these　people：　all　the　men　looked　similar　in　their　white　coats　and　with　their　clipboards　and　pencils；　and　the　women　resembled　one　another　too；　the　uniforms　and　their　strange　bland　calm　manner　making　them　all　look　like　sisters。
　　〃I　was　measured　yesterday；〃　Lyra　said。
　　〃Ah；　we're　making　different　measurements　today。　Stand　on　the　metal　plate…oh；　slip　your　shoes　off　first。　Hold　your　daemon；　if　you　like。　Look　forward；　that's　it；　stare　at　the　little　green　light。　Good　girl　。　。　。　〃
　　Something　flashed。　The　doctor　made　her　face　the　other　way　and　then　to　left　and　right；　and　each　time　something　clicked　and　flashed。
　　〃That's　fine。　Now　e　over　to　this　machine　and　put　your　hand　into　the　tube。　Nothing　to　harm　you；　I　promise。　Straighten　your　fingers。　That's　it。〃
　　〃What　are　you　measuring？〃　she　said。　〃Is　it　Dust？〃
　　〃Who　told　you　about　Dust？〃
　　〃One　of　the　other　girls；　I　don't　know　her　name。　She　said　we　was　all　over　Dust。　I　en't　dusty；　at　least　I　don't　think　I　am。　I　had　a　shower　yesterday。〃
　　〃Ah；　it's　a　different　sort　of　dust。　You　can't　see　it　with　your　ordinary　eyesight。　It's　a　special　dust。　Now　clench　your　fist…　that's　right。　Good。　Now　if　you　feel　around　in　there；　you'll　find　a　sort　of　handle　thing…got　that？　Take　hold　of　that；　there's　a　good　girl。　Now　can　you　put　your　other　hand　over　this　way…　rest　it　on　this　brass　globe。　Good。　Fine。　Now　you'll　feel　a　slight　tingling；　nothing　to　worry　about；　it's　just　a　slight　anbaric　current　。　。　。　。〃
　　Pantalaimon；　in　his　most　tense　and　wary　wildcat　form；　prowled　with　lightning…eyed　suspicion　around　the　apparatus；　continually　returning　to　rub　himself　against　Lyra。
　　She　was　sure　by　now　that　they　weren't　going　to　perform　the　operation　on　her　yet；　and　sure　too　that　her　disguise　as　Lizzie　Brooks　was　secure；　so　she　risked　a　question。
　　〃Why　do　you　cut　people's　daemons　away？〃
　　〃What？　Who's　been　talking　to　you　about　that？〃
　　〃This　girl；　I　dunno　her　name。　She　said　you　cut　people's　daemons　away。〃
　　〃Nonsense　。　。　。　〃
　　He　was　agitated；　though。　She　went　on：
　　'〃Cause　you　take　people　out　one　by　one　and　they　never　e　back。　And　some　people　reckon　you　just　kill　'em；　and　other　people　say　different；　and　this　girl　told　me　you　cut…〃
　　〃It's　not　true　at　all。　When　we　take　children　out；　it's　because　it's　time　for　them　to　move　on　to　another　place。　They're　growing　up。　I'm　afraid　your　friend　is　alarming　herself。　Nothing　of　the　sort！　Don't　even　think　about　it。　Who　is　your　friend？〃
　　〃I　only　e　here　yesterday；　I　don't　know　anyone's　name。〃
　　〃What　does　she　look　like？〃
　　〃I　forget。　I　think　she　had　sort　of　brown　hair　。　。　。　light　brown；　maybe　。　。　。　！　dunno。〃

　　The　doctor　went　to　speak　quietly　to　the　nurse。　As　the　two　of　them　conferred；　Lyra　watched　their　daemons。　This　nurse's　was　a　pretty　bird；　just　as　neat　and　incurious　as　Sister　Clara's　dog；　and　the　doctor's　was　a　large　heavy　moth。　Neither　moved。　They　were　awake；　for　the　bird's　eyes　were　bright　and　the　moth's　feelers　waved　languidly；　but　they　weren't　animated；　as　she　would　have　expected　them　to　be。　Perhaps　they　weren't　really　anxious　or　curious　at　all。
　　Presently　the　doctor　came　back　and　they　went　on　with　the　examination；　weighing　her　and　Pantalaimon　separately；　looking　at　her　from　behind　a　special　screen；　measuring　her　heartbeat；　placing　her　under　a　little　nozzle　that　hissed　and　gave　off　a　smell　like　fresh　air。
　　In　the　middle　of　one　of　the　tests；　a　loud　bell　began　to　ring　and　kept　ringing。
　　〃The　fire　alarm；〃　said　the　doctor；　sighing。　〃Very　well。　Lizzie；　follow　Sister　Betty。〃
　　〃But　all　their　outdoor　clothes　are　down　in　the　dormitory　building；　Doctor。　She　can't　go　outside　like　this。　Should　we　go　there　first；　do　you　think？〃
　　He　was　annoyed　at　having　his　experiments　interrupted；　and　snapped　his　fingers　in　irritation。
　　〃I　suppose　this　is　just　the　sort　of　thing　the　practice　is　meant　to　show　up；〃　he　said。　〃What　a　nuisance。〃
　　〃When　I　came　yesterday；〃　Lyra　said　helpfully；　〃Sister　Clara　put　my　other　clothes　in　a　cupboard　in　that　first　room　where　she　looked　at　me。　The　one　next　door。　I　could　wear　them。〃
　　〃Good　idea！〃　said　the　nurse。　〃Quick；　then。〃
　　With　a　secret　glee；　Lyra　hurried　there　behind　the　nurse　and　retrieved　her　proper　furs　and　leggings　and　boots；　and　pulled　them　on　quickly　while　the　nurse　dressed　herself　in　coal　silk。
　　Then　they　hurried　out。　In　the　wide　arena　in　front　of　the　main　group　of　buildings；　a　hundred　or　so　people；　adults　and　children；　were　milling　about：　some　in　excitement；　some　in　irritation；　many　just　bewildered。
　　〃See？〃　one　adult　was　saying。　〃It's　worth　doing　this　to　find　out　what　chaos　we'd　be　in　with　a　real　fire。〃
　　Someone　was　blowing　a　whistle　and　waving　his　arms；　but　no　one　was　taking　much　notice。　Lyra　saw　Roger　and　beckoned。　Roger　tugged　Billy　Costa's　arm　and　soon　all　three　of　them　were　together　in　a　maelstrom　of　running　children。
　　〃No　one'll　notice　if　we　take　a　look　around；〃　said　Lyra。　〃It'll　take　'em　ages　to　count　everyone；　and　we　can　say　we　just　followed　someone　else　and　got　lost。〃
　　They　waited　till　most　of　the　grownups　were　looking　the　other　way；　and　then　Lyra　scooped　up　some　snow　and　rammed　it　into　a　loose　powdery　snowball；　and　hurled　it　at　random　into　the　crowd。　In　a　moment　all　the　children　were　doing　it；　and　the　air　was　full　of　flying　snow。　Screams　of　laughter　covered　pletely　the　shouts　of　the　adults　trying　to　regain　control；　and　then　the　three　children　were　around　the　corner　and　out　of　sight。
　　The　snow　was　so　thick　that　they　couldn't　move　quickly；　but　it　didn't　seem　to　matter；　no　one　was　following。　Lyra　and　the　others　scrambled　over　the　curved　roof　of　one　of　the　tunnels；　and　found　themselves　in　a　strange　moonscape　of　regular　hummocks　and　hollows；　all　swathed　in　white　under　the　black　sky　and　lit　by　reflections　from　the　lights　around　the　arena。
　　〃What　we　looking　for？〃　said　Billy。
　　〃Dunno。　Just　looking；〃　said　Lyra；　and　led　the　way　to　a　squat；　square　building　a　little　apart　from　the　rest；　with　a　low…powered　anbaric　light　at　the　corner。
　　The　hubbub　from　behind　was　as　loud　as　ever；　but　more　distant。　Clearly　the　children　were　making　the　most　of　their　freedom；　and　Lyra　hoped　they'd　keep　it　up　for　as　long　as　they　could。　She　moved　around　the　edge　of　the　square　building；　looking　for　a　window。　The　roof　was　only　seven　feet　or　so　off　the　ground；　and　unlike　the　other　buildings；　it　had　no　roofed　tunnel　to　connect　it　with　the　rest　of　the　station。
　　There　was　no　window；　but　there　was　a　door。　A　notice　above　it　said　ENTRY　STRICTLY　FORBIDDEN　in　red　letters。
　　Lyra　set　her　hand　on　it　to　try；　but　before　she　could　turn　the　handle；　Roger　said：
　　〃Look！　A　bird！　Or…〃
　　His　or　was　an　exclamation　of　doubt；　because　the　creature　swooping　down　from　the　black　sky　was　no　bird　at　all：　it　was　someone　Lyra　had　seen　before。
　　〃The　witch's　daemon！〃
　　The　goose　beat　his　great　wings；　raising　a　flurry　of　snow　as　he　landed。
　　〃Greetings；　Lyra；〃　he　said。　〃I　followed　you　here；　though　you　didn't　see　me。　I　have　been　waiting　for　you　to　e　out　into　the　open。　What　is　happening？〃
　　She　told　him　quickly。

　　〃Where　are　the　gyptians？〃　she　said。　〃Is　John　Faa　safe？　Did　they　fight　off　the　Samoyeds？〃
　　〃Most　of　them　are　safe。　John　Faa　is　wounded；　though　not　severely。　The　men　who　took　you　were　hunters　and　raiders　who　often　prey　on　parties　of　travelers；　and　alone　they　can　travel　more　quickly　than　a　large　party。　The　gyptians　are　still　a　day's　journey　away。〃
　　The　two　boys　were　staring　in　fear　at　the　goose　daemon　and　at　Lyra's　familiar　manner　with　him；　because　of　course　they'd　never　seen　a　daemon　without　his　human　before；　and　they　knew　little　about　witches。
　　Lyra　said　to　them；　〃Listen；　you　better　go　and　keep　watch；　right。　Billy；　you　go　that　way；　and　Roger；　watch　out　the　way　we　just　e。　We　en't　got　long。〃
　　They　ran　off　to　do　as　she　said；　and　then　Lyra　turned　back　to　the　door。
　　〃Why　are　you　trying　to　get　in　there？〃　said　the　goose　daemon。
　　〃Because　of　what　they　do　here。　They　cut…〃　she　lowered　her　voice；　〃they　cut　people's　daemons　away。　Children's。　And　I　think　maybe　they　do　it　in　here。　At　least；　there's　something　here；　and　I　was　going　to　look。　But　it's　locked　。　。　。　。〃
　　〃I　can　open　it；〃　said　the　goose；　and　beat　his　wings　once　or　twice；　throwing　snow　up　against　the　door；　and　as　he　did；　Lyra　heard　something　turn　in　the　lock。
　　〃Go　in　carefully；〃　said　the　daemon。
　　Lyra　pulled　open　the　door　against　the　snow　and　slipped　inside。