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DEUTSCHER VEREIN FÜR KUNSTWISSENSCHAFT
Georg Dehio
Handbuch der Deutschen
Kunstdenkmäler
Begründet vom
Tag für Denkmalpflege
Band III
Süddeutschland
DEUTSCHER KUNSTVERLAG
Vorwort zur dritten Auflage
Im Unterschied zum ersten und zweiten Band, in deren Ge-
biet die amtliche Denkmälerbeschreibung nahezu vollendet ist,
konnte der vorliegende dritte dies Hilfsmittel nur in be-
schränktem Maße sich zunutze machen, da in dem in Betracht
kommenden Raum erst für wenig mehr als die Hälfte die In-
ventarisationsarbeit fertiggestellt ist. Im Druck erschienen
sind: Oberbayern ganz, von Niederbayern neun Bezirksämter,
die Oberpfalz ganz, ausgenommen die Stadt Regensburg, von
Mittelfranken allein die Stadt Eichstätt, in Württemberg der
Neckarkreis und Schwarz waldkreis ganz, vom Jagstkrei6 und
Donaukreis je acht Oberämter (mit den Anfangsbuchstaben
A—L), Hohenzollern ganz: Für die nichtinventarisierten Land-
schaften benutzte ich außer der Spezialliteratur (die aufzu-
führen unmöglich ist): die Vorarbeiten der betr. Landesämter
für die Inventarisation von Niederbayern und den württem-
bergischen Jagstkreis, die (noch unvollendete) Beschreibung
der Diözese Augsburg von Steichele und Schröder, die würt-
tembergischen Oberamtsbeschreibungen und Kepplers Ver-
zeichnis der kirchlichen Denkmäler Württembergs. Ergänzend
kommen hinzu die Mitteilungen einzelner Kenner der betreffen-
den Gebiete und meine eigenen Beobachtungen. Wo umfang-
reichere Beiträge vorlagen, habe ich sie durch Initialen der Bei-
träger gekennzeichnet: [F.] Feulner in München, [M.] Mader in
München, [Sch.] Schröder in Dillingen, [W.] Weise in Tübingen;
die von mir selbst besuchten Orte sind mit [D.] gekennzeichnet.
Über die allgemeinen Grundsätze der Behandlung habe ich
mich in der Vorrede zum ersten Bande (3. Auflage) ausge-
sprochen. Als wesentliche Bedingung bitte ich auch hier zu
beachten, daß dies Buch ein H a n d b u c h sein will, mithin
einen bestimmten Umfang nicht überschreiten darf. Nicht
Vollständigkeit ist sein Ziel, sondern Auswahl.
T ü b i n g e n , im November 1924.
G. Dehio
Verzeichnis der Abkürzungen.
a) N a c h B e g r i f f s g r u p p e n .
beg. begonnen, Jh. Jahrhundert In Verbin-
erb. erbaut, dung damit A. Anfang, M.
voll, vollendet
Mitte, E. Ende, H. Hälfte,
gew. geweiht
zeret. zerstört V. Viertel,
Rest, rest Restauration, bez. bezeichnet.
restauriert. I. Inschrift.
b) N a c h d e m A l p h a b e t .
A. Anfang. Xkr. halbkreisförmig.
Abb. Abbildung. Lhs. Langhaus.
Ark. Arkade. M. Mitte.
bar. barock Ma. ma. Mittelalter, mittelalter-
beg. begonnen. lich.
bez. bezeichnet Mich. Mittelschiff.
Bg. Bogen. N n Nord, nördlich.
bmkw. bemerkenswert 0 o Ost östlich.
E. Ende. Pfl. Pfeiler.
ehem. ehemalig. quadr. quadratisch.
Eplt Epitaph. Qsch. Querschiff.
erb. erbaut Rck. rck. Rechteck, rechteckig.
Flg. Plgg. Figur, Figuren. Renas. Renaissance.
fr. früh. Rest, rest Restauration,
gegr. gegrflndet restauriert
gest. gestiftet Rok. rok. Rokoko, rokoko.
gew. geweiht rom. romanisch.
got. gotisch. S s SUd, südlich.
Gwb. GewOlbe. Iscb. 2sch. etc. einschiffig,
Gr. OrundriS. zweischifflg etc.
H. Hälfte. Sscb. Seitenschiff.
b. heilig. Sl. Säule.
Hllk. Hallenkirche. sp. spät
L Inschrift. ursp. ursprünglich.
Jh. Jahrhundert V. Viertel.
K. Kirche. voll, vollendet
Kap. Kapelle. W w West, westlich,
Kapt Kapitell. whgest wiederhergestellt
Klst Kloster. zerat zerstört
A
AALEN. W. Jagstkr. OAmtsstadt. [D.]
Pfarr-K. 1765. Charakteristisch protestantische Anlage. Nie-
driger rck. Saal, ringsum Emporen, unterbrochen nur in der
Mitte der s Langseite, wo der mit der Kanzel verbundene Altar
seinen Platz hat. An der Muldendecke ein paar magere Stuck-
schnörkel und schwächliche Gemälde von Ant. Wintergerst 1767.
Der Eindruck des Inneren äußerste Nüchternheit. Der Außen-
bau, in Sandstein, trocken anständig.
ABBACH. NBayern BA Kelheim.
Burg. Zuerst genannt E. 10. Jh. Erhalten außer der Ringmauer
nur der interessante Bergfried, von c. 1220—30, rund, im Innern
zwei sorgfältig gewölbte 8eck. Kammern.
ABENBERG. MFranken BA Schwabach.
Burg. Nach Aussterben der gleichnam. Grafen 1230 Besitz der
Burggrafen von Nürnberg, dann des Hochstifts Eichstätt. Der
bestehende Sgeschoss. Hauptbau in Bossenquadern, 15. Jh., an
der SOEcke gerundet heraustretendes 2geschoss. Chörlein, 1. H.
16. Jh. Der Torbau E. 13. Jh. In der Hofmauer sprom. Kleeblatt-
fenster. An Stelle des ehem. sog. Fürstenhaus 3üachbg. Nischen
mit spitzbg. Öffnungen aus 14. Jh. Der noch bewohnte.Bau um
1875 rest.
ABENSBERG. NBayern BA Kelheim.
Kloster-K. (ehem. Karmeliter) gegr. 1391. Got. Baal, mit sehr
langgestrecktem lsch. Chor. Im Lhs. 5 niedrige Arkaden. MSch.
und Chor flachgedeckt (das jetzige Gwb. 18. Jh.). Nach der
Ordensvorschrift Dachreiter. — Hochaltar 1717. Wirkungsvolle
Kanzel um 1720, wohl vom Frater Jakob, ihr gegenüber große
Nepomukgruppe. — Gute Rok.Figg. Grabsteine. — S c h m e r z -
h a f t e K a p e l l e . Auf dem Altar von 1714 schöne V e s p e r -
g r u p p e 1505. Klostergebäude mit Kreuzgang. Tumba der
Abensberger mit Ritterfig. 1469.
Pfarr-K. voll. 1516. Spgot. Hllk. ziemlich nüchterner Art. Kanzel
1698. Unter den Grabsteinen ein feines Stück das Brustbild
eines Priesters um 1500.
Stadtbefestlrung; in ihrer SOEcke das im 30j. Kriege großenteils
zerstörte Schloß, Türme unten Buckelquadern, oben Bruchstein.
ABLACH. Hohenzollern. (W.)
Pfarr-K. 2 gute spgot. Figuren der Dorothea und Katharina, aus
Grieningen bei Riedlingen, sowie eine geringere Anna selbdritt.
ABSTATT. W. Neckarkr. OA Heilbronn.
Dorf-K. 1733, ansehnlich.
Löwensteinsche Amtshäuscr 18. Jh. — Burgruine Wildeck.
I) e h i n , H a n d b u c h . III. Bd. 1
Abt - 2 -
arbeit am 1400 (Pfand König Karls VL für ein Darlehn Hzg. Lud-
wigs v. Bayern). Zweiteiliger Aufbau: unten allseitig offene
Halle auf 4 SIL, oben, durch 2 Treppchen vermittelt, Bosen-
laube: darin Maria mit dem Kinde, zu ihren Füßen Kathnri»»
und Johannes, beide als Kinder in weifien Hemden; eine Stufe
tiefer knien der König und ein Beine Waffen haltender Ritter;
in der Halle des Erdgeschosses wartet ein Reitknecht mit dem
weißen Roß. Das Ganze 62 cm h., großenteils aus gediegenem
Golde mit durchsichtigem Email, technisch höchst vollendete
Arbeit die menschlichen Köpfe wie auch der des Pferdes von
bestechendstem Naturalismus. [Ein noch wertvolleres goldenes
Marienbild mit dem Königspaar Karl VI. und Isabeau, von Hzg.
Ludwig der Pfarr-K. in Ingolstadt geschenkt, wurde A. 19. Jh.
eingeschmolzen^] — Großes A l t a r k r e u z aus Ebenholz, Elfen-
bein, Gold und Edelsteinen, hervorragende Arbeit aus E. 16. Jh. —
F u g g e r - A l t ä r c h e n mit den Leiden Christi, Ebenholz und
Silber, A. 17. Jh. — C a n i s i u s - A l t ä r c h e n , Nußbaum, um
1630. Noch in mehreren anderen Stttcken ist die Kleinkunst der
Sprenss. vorzüglich vertreten. — B y t a n t i n . E l f e n b e i n -
T r i p t y c h o n , Mittelstück 11. Jh., Flflgel 12. Jh. — Treffliches
f r a n z ö s . E l f e n b e i n - D i p t y c h o n , 14. Jh.
Heilige Kapelle. Zentralbau. Bauform und Mauertechnik weisen
auf sehr frühe 10m. Zeit; vielleicht Kap. des karolingischen
Königshofes. Gr. außen Kreis von 9,40 m Durchmesser, innen
aus der 1,60 m starken Mauer 8 halbkreisf. Nischen ausgespart;
dieselben reichen bis zur halben Höhe des Baues; über ihnen
springt die Mauer ein, außen wie innen mit 8eckigem Gr., und
geht, ohne die Kämpferlinie durch Gesims zu kennzeichnen, un-
mittelbar in die 8seitige Kuppel über. Das zierliche Portal
spätest-rom. Der w rck. Anbau einfachst spgot. Um die ganze
Anlage zieht sich eine in Segmentbgg. geöffnete Umgangsmauer.
1074 zu einem großen Zentralbau, der die alte Kap. einschließen
sollte, der Grundstein gelegt; doch kam das vom Hofbaumeister
Enrico Zuecali herrührende Projekt nicht zur Ausführung. Das
Innere der Kap. war seit Jahrhunderten schwarz angestrichen
(jetzt Stuckmarmor). Auf dem Gnadenaltar ein silberner Taber-
nakel, darin das wundertätige M a r i e n b i l d , bemaltes Schnitz-
werk aus A. 14. Jh., die Fleischteile stark gedunkelt — Zahl-
reiche U r n e n mit den Herzen wittelsbachischer Fürsten und
Fürstinnen; monumental äuggebildet diejenigen des Kaiser
Karls VH. von Joh. Straub aus München, und des Kurprinzen
Maximilian 1737 von Grojf. — Unter den vielen Votivgaben
künstlerisch bmkw. das bronzene M a d o n n e n r e l i e f von
Wemel Laminger 1619. — Im Umgang 69 T a f e l g e m ä l d e
mit Mirakeldarstellungen, 1620 ff.
Jesolten-K. S. Magdalena. Erster Bau 1693, zweiter (jetziger)
1696 von Meister Ruprecht (Kuchlmeisterf). Kurzer, lsch. Gr.,
an den Seiten Flachnischen, deren dritte im O sich querschiffartig
erweitert, im W Empore. Die bar. Formen eine weitere Entwicke-
— 17 - Alz
lung der in der Mttncbener Theatiner-K. vorgebildeten. Die farb-
lose Stuckdekoration von Italienern. — H o c h a l t a r 1705, das
Gemälde von Chr. Wink aus München. — K a n z e l , B e i c h t -
u n d K i r c h e n B t U h l e gute Arbeiten auB A. 18. J h .
Franziskaner-K. S. Anna 1654. Unbedeutend.
Gottesacker-K. S. Michael 1469. lsch. mit 5 J . und 8Eck-Schluß. —
Holzkruzifix und mehrere G r ä b s t aus IL 16. J h . von guter Arbeit.
Marienbrannen 1637 von einem Salzburger Meister. Inmitten
eines 4paßförmigen Beckens von 9 m Durchmesser erhebt sich
ein xweites kleineres Becken gleicher Form, von Tritonen ge-
stutzt, in der Mitte auf erhöhtem Postament Statue der Imma-
culata.
AdminlstrationsgebSude der Kapellenstiftung. 1674 nach Plan
von Enrico Zuccali.
ALTSHAUSEN. W. Donaukr. OA Saulgau. [D.]
Ehem. Deutschordens-Schloß, Sitz des Landkomturs der Bailei
Elsaß und Burgund. Neubau beg. 1729 von Joh, Casp. Bagnato.
Geplant eine weitläufige symmetrische Anlage (Prospekt in der
Stuttg. Staatssammlung), von der nur ein Teil zur Ausführung
kam; jetzt ein lockerer Gebäudekomplex. Der eindrucksvollste
Teil ist jetzt das Torhaus (1732). Hohe Giebelportale fuhren von
außen in den Hof in die mit Stuck und Malerei verzierte Durch-
fahrt. Rechte Stall- und Reitschule, links die Wohnbauten, zu-
erst d a s alte Schloß, ein formloser Kastenbau der Renss., durch
oinen Arkadengang mit dem neuen Schloß Bagnalos verbunden.
In diesem schönes Treppenhaus, im 1. Stock die Wohn- und Re-
präsentationsräume des Komturs, noch in der breiten, niedrigen
Raumbildung des deutächen Barock; bmkw. Öfen. Vom jünge-
ren Bagnato die Orangerie (1770) und die Beamtenhäuser vor dem
Tor.
ScbloB-K. S. Michael. 1748—50 durchgeführte Erweiterung einer
g o t K. von 1413, von welcher der Turm mit Staffelgiebel. Statt-
liche Rok.Ausstattung, großes Deckengemälde. — Spgot. Ma-
donna M. 15. Jh. (Uberarbeitet), bmkw. bar. Kruzifixus; weder
Architektur noch Dekoration sind bedeutend. — Bmkw. der
Schatz der Sakristei. R e l i q u i e n s c h r e i n mit Dächlein,
auf den Seiten 5 ziselierte Bilder aus dem Leben der h. Katha-
rina, im Schrein goldenes Kästchen mit dem Finger, rom. Reich
und schön gearbeitete M o n s t r a n z 1683.
Marien-Kap. mit schönem G e s t ü h l von 1722.
ALTSTÄTTEN. B. Schwaben BA Sonthofen. [Sch.]
Pfarr-K. 15 kleine H a l b f i g u r e n , Gottvater und die hl. Not-
helfer, gut erhaltene Schnitzwerke von Jörg Lederer (vgl. Hinde-
lang).
ALZGERN. OBayem BA Altötting.
Pfarr-K. lsch. rom., im 15. J h . eingewölbt und mit größerem
Chor versehen. — Gutes geschnitztes M a r i e n b i l d , A. 16. J h .
— Gemälde von Joseph Soll 1788.
D c h i o , Handbuch, in. Bd. 2
Amberg — 18 —
Language: English
Illustrated by Kramer
Wanniston fixed the other man with a piercing gaze. "Sorry," he said.
"Quite sorry. But it can not be done that way, you know. The whole
proposition was your idea."
"I know," said the other man. He inspected Wanniston's large, well-
proportioned frame, his strong features, and his absolute poise and
wondered how any man, with all to recommend him, could be so
utterly unsympathetic. The coldness in his face set him apart from
one of the Galactic Ones. "The proposition was sensible enough—yet
I failed. Even though I failed, my manipulations were properly done,
you will agree."
Wanniston nodded.
"Where did I fail?"
"You struck a snag."
"It was not my fault."
"Are you crawling?" snapped Wanniston.
"Perhaps," said the other man bitterly. "I want to know how I failed."
Wanniston smiled deprecatorily. "Lincoln, you failed because you
neglected to take everything into account. Before you succeed—
before you can hope to plan without failure, you must learn to take
everything into account."
"One cannot take everything into account."
"Yes, one can. It is quite possible—if you know how."
"Everything's easy," said Lincoln sourly, "once you know how."
"Certainly," laughed Wanniston.
"And because I made a mistake, I failed."
"Had you taken everything into account, you would have known that
you could never succeed. You wouldn't have started, and now you
wouldn't be a complete and broken failure."
"You may well gloat."
"I'm not gloating."
"I believe that," admitted Lincoln. "But that changes nothing."
"You understand our position, Lincoln. If we prevented you from
trying, well, you might have succeeded, and we'd never know the
benefits of your success. It was your idea, and you wanted to try. But
don't feel too broken. Others have tried."
"Small consolation. Knowing that another man is starving will not put
food in my belly." Lincoln stood up, dusted off his jacket, and left the
office.
The report of a pistol echoed and re-echoed up and down the
corridor, reverberating and hushing until it could be mistaken for a
wild cackle of laughter.
Wanniston went into the small office beside his own, through an
interconnecting door. The key to the outer door hung in the lock by
the tongue, and the office was a sharp contrast to his spotless
business office. Here was no clean desk, no bookcase bulging with
erudition, no deep-pile carpet. Instead, the place was a litter of
complicated equipment. Not messy, in the dirty sense of the word, but
the standard neglect of any laboratory. Delicate instruments stood on
the floor, a box was partly filled with discarded parts, and several
pieces of partly disassembled apparatus lined the walls. On the desk,
which was the cleanest spot in the room, there stood a small cabinet.
It was not the precisely finished cabinet that comes with commercial
equipment, but strictly functional. There was no pattern to the dials—
at least there had been no attempt to arrange the controls in sensible
pattern. They stuck out wherever they were needed—and the sides
and top each had a knob or two.
Wanniston slid the headpiece over his temples and snapped the main
switch. A split-second timer kicked in for less than one-tenth of a
second, waited for ten seconds, and then repeated the dose. Four
times it followed the sequence of keying the machine for a period of
less than a tenth of a second, following with a ten-second pause.
Finally it gave Wanniston a full one-second charge and then ceased.
The financier removed the temple set and sat thinking for a moment.
There was a bit of resentment at the machine—not resentment,
exactly, but a slight feeling of annoyance that he must take such
microscopic doses of the machine.
He knew the story of Andrew Tremaine and how the publisher's
attempts to use the machine had resulted in self-destruction because
it had been too good. But, smiled Wanniston, he really had no
intention of trying to lift the whole race to the level of the Ambassador
of the Galactic Ones, the emissary Gerd Lel Rayne. Rayne had told
him.
Not the complete story, of course. Rayne could never tell that. Nor if
he did, Wanniston could not have understood it. But he did know that
Tremaine had developed such a machine and had energized his mind
with disastrous results.
Obviously, Tremaine could not have gone on living after that.
Tremaine was pretty much of an extrovert who loved people and
wanted them all to advance rapidly. Wanniston was self-centered and
introverted and wanted nothing more than to run the show himself.
Tremaine could not live in a world alone—and with his energized
brain, he was in a world alone. Gerd Lel Rayne could be his only
friend, he and Gaya, and their friendship must necessarily be one
kept under cover. But Wanniston could, did, and liked a world alone.
He had no intention of letting the world know.
That would be disastrous.
The world would rush to the machine, to partake of its offerings, in
order to gain the benefit of the increased intelligence. They would not
count the cost—and the cost was great.
The machine produced sterility.
So much for general usage.
But for individual usage? That was another matter. He would use it for
himself alone and forget progeny. Wanniston wanted to run the show.
He felt entitled to have a hand in it, for he knew that he was better
equipped, mentally, to handle the complex problems of running the
world than many others. He was aware of man's weaknesses. They
were all glad to be just human, but it took a higher intellect to
understand that there was something better than just being human.
Wanniston knew that, and Wanniston was going to do something
about it. Wanniston, by knowing that there was something higher, and
by being just that slight bit higher himself, was going to go all the way
and make himself Gerd Lel Rayne's mental equal. He believed that
he might even surpass the 260-odd I.Q. possessed by the emissary
of the Galactic Ones, for he knew that Rayne was merely the lowest
link in a long chain that led right up to the Grand Galactic Council.
"Wait until you see me kid brudder," grinned Wanniston. His lips were
thin as he grinned, and there was more sardonicism than genuine
humor in the situation.
Gaya Lel Rayne entered the room and caught her husband's mental
distress, slight as it was. She came over beside him and added to the
impact of her presence with him the powerful attraction of her. Gerd
put a hand on her shoulder and they flowed together momentarily.
Powerful were their minds, and powerful was the feeling between
them; no Terran could have entertained a bitter thought within several
hundred feet of their embrace.
"What is it, Gerd?" she asked.
"Wanniston."
"Still trying?"
"Succeeded."
"Dangerous." It was a statement, not a question.
"Yes—and no," replied Gerd. "He will not willingly pass on his illegal
knowledge. Terra would skin him alive if they knew that he was
extracting their resources by foul means. Wanniston, on the other
hand, knows that he could drag the temple down over all of Terra by
merely announcing the machine."
"But isn't sterility enough of a deterrent?" asked Gaya.
"I don't know. Look, Gaya. Those who cared nothing for the future
would indulge in mental energizing. They would outstrip those who
cared for the future; those with the proper attitude would become
slaves, practically. Within a century, every worthwhile thing would be
in the hands of those who cared nothing for progeny."
"There is a saving factor," objected Gaya. "The new ones would come
from the ranks of those who cared—"
"Of course," laughed Gerd. "But the optimistic philosophy of the
Terran would die. One could take his choice. Either he has children or
he fits in with those who have forsaken the future."
Gerd dropped his glance and worried visibly for a moment. "It is a
gloomy philosophy, Gaya. Slavery or sterility. No future either way.
Depressive philosophy—which would lead to planetary suicide."
"Couldn't one have children first and try the machine afterwards?"
asked Gaya brightly.
"Uh-huh—but why? Those who wait will be behind those who did not.
Of course there will be a place for all, just as there is now. I fear that
the race would die out anyway, Gaya. The machine can not be
circumvented; its effects may not be counteracted once it is used.
Schoolboys and schoolgirls would try it once, throwing away their
futures with the youthful willingness to take chances. They would
stand above the others in their classes—until their fellows tried it.
Forbid it? Like sin, Gaya, you can legislate against it but you can not
make it unpopular. Ban it and you will have its effects smuggled in to
the youth of Terra—who will try it if only because their folks forbid it.
They will see the effects. They will see their parents in slavery....
Slavery, Gaya, entered into willingly—for the children themselves!"
He faced Gaya with a powerful gesture. "The children will see it. They
will decide that slavery is no compensation for parenthood. Why
waste time? Why sit in slavery for years while you indulge in the duty
of bearing children, and then go to take up the job of making a
financial start? No, once this is released, Terra may die."
"Destroy him—and his machine."
Gerd shook his head. "That I can no longer do," he said sadly. "He is
our equal now. Tomorrow he will be our superiors, by a minute bit. Yet
today he is powerful enough of mind to tell by my actions that I intend
to destroy him. I can not—for once I try, I will lose, the Galactic Ones
will lose, and Terra will lose. I can call for no help from Terra. I can
ask the field representative when he arrives. I might even call for help
—"
"It would be justified," said Gaya, earnestly.
"I have done nothing yet. I should try—"
"Try what?"
"I don't know."
Gaya nodded. "Call Yord Tan Verde. He will understand."
Into the penthouse went Gerd and Gaya, to call the field
representative of the Galactic Ones. Verde answered at length, and
listened to the entire story. He asked a number of questions that Gerd
thought to have no connection, but Gerd answered. Then Yord Tan
Verde laughed a bit and told Gerd Lel Rayne not to worry.
It was very unsatisfactory.
Will Conan stood up and faced the others at the table. "I won't kill
myself," he shouted, banging his fist on the table. "I'll kill him first!"
"I tried that," remarked a tall man at the other end of the table.
Conan smiled wryly. "Peter Wilks tried it, all right," he told the rest.
"Tell us what happened, Pete."
"I tried four times. Each time he stopped me in a bold way that
seemed to be effortless. It was as though he knew—"
"Well, what else can we do? Can we ignore him?"
"Why not?"
"Is there a man here that does not have his finger in your business?"
Seventeen men shook their heads.
"Is there a man among us that has one microscopic shred of
evidence to the fact that Wanniston is dishonest?"
There was not.
"O.K.—so how do we go about it?"
No one knew.
Conan sat down. "We can't squeeze him out, is that it?"
"We can not do anything at all," snarled another man. "No matter
what we try, he betters us. He's a sharper. If we try something legal,
he's our better. If we get dirty, he cleans us anyway—but the devil
does it legally. You can't win."
"There were once twenty-three of us," said Peter Wilks. "Three are in
jail—for crimes they did not commit. One is in jail for a crime that he
did commit, the crime of trying to frame Wanniston. Two are dead—
suicides because they could no longer take defeat after defeat at
Wanniston's fine Machiavellian hand. He's a menace."
"We're like the mice that decided to hang a bell on the cat," laughed
Conan bitterly. "Six of us have tried and failed. Must we try
separately? Can he read minds?"
Wilks jumped to his feet. "I say he can!"
"Then he's more than a menace. He's a devil!"
"So what? We've appealed to Gerd Lel Rayne. And what did he say?
He said that we should hang tight because Wanniston was headed
for trouble."
"Do we wait until we are all dead before it happens?" snapped Wilks.
"I'm no prophet," growled Conan. "I know this. We're licked. Or is this
any good. Can we run him out?"
"How?"
"Superman he may be. Superior to even Gerd Lel Rayne—Sorry, Lel
Rayne," he said, seeing the emissary as Gerd opened the door. "You
heard?"
Gerd nodded pleasantly. "Wanniston's intellect has increased. A fatal
illness. He does not recognize it, nor would he believe it if he were
told. Yet it is so; Wanniston's illness has caused an increase in the
acuity of the brain, a definite increase in the intelligence quotient. He
is quite capable of out-thinking any of you—of us, pardon me. I feel
no self-reproach, though. I," and Gerd Lel Rayne laughed heartily—
too heartily, though the Terrans did not know it, "have known men of
my race who were superior to me, and have no animosity as long as I
am well fitted to my position, and can do my job well, better than
many others. I may not advance above my present level, yet I can be
emissary to Terra where the bulk of my race would find it against their
liking."
"Well, suppose you tell us what to do?"
"I don't know," admitted Gerd. "Isolate him. Can you do that?"
"No. He has a finger in every man's business here. We can do
nothing unless he is permitted to pass on it. Furthermore, he will find
it out in time to circumvent us if we try to operate without his approval.
We do that and we land in jail, our life's ambitions stripped from us
and dropped into his hands like a ripe plum."
"I know," said Gerd. "I know."
"He's your mental superior too?" asked Wilks uncertainly.
Gerd nodded. "I can try, though. My mental superior he may be, but I
am possessed of the knowledge of certain arts of which he knows
nothing. That is the heritage of my race: the things I played with as a
child. I still ... occasionally ... like to play—"
Wanniston entered the basement workshop of Gerd Lel Rayne and
watched while the emissary made adjustments on a bit of complex
apparatus.
"Tricky gadget," said Wanniston.
"It is that."
"Energy collector—director, converter," said Wanniston. "You're about
to release the secret of galactic power?"
"No, I was just tinkering," said Gerd. "I have no intention of telling
Terra about it."
"I know about it now."
"You'd tell them?"
"You know better than that."
"Well?"
Wanniston grinned.
And then before he could say more, Gaya came to the workshop
room with a group of policemen. "Gerd," she said, "they want to
speak to Wanniston."
"Come ahead," called the financier.
"John Wanniston, I arrest you for the crime of murder. I warn you that
any statements will be considered evidence."
"Murder? Me? Utterly fantastic!"
The police lieutenant smiled quietly. "We'll have to ask you to come
with us."
"I've murdered who?"
"You'll find out. I may say nothing."
"I've murdered no one!"
"That is for the State to decide—the State and a jury of twelve good
men and true."
"Judged by those who hate me? Why should I go?"