THE DEVIL. You, Senora, cannot come this way. You will have an apotheosis. But you will be at the palace before us. ANA. That is not what I stopped you for. Tell me where can I find the Superman? THE DEVIL. He is not yet created, Senora. THE STATUE. And never will be, probably. Let us proceed: the red fire will make me sneeze. [They descend]. ANA. Not yet created! Then my work is not yet done. [Crossing herself devoutly] I believe in the Life to Come. [Crying to the universe] A father--a father for the Superman! She vanishes into the void; and again there is nothing: all existence seems suspended infinitely. Then, vaguely, there is a live human voice crying somewhere. One sees, with a shock, a mountain peak showing faintly against a lighter background. The sky has returned from afar; and we suddenly remember where we were. The cry becomes distinct and urgent: it says Automobile, Automobile. The complete reality comes back with a rush: in a moment it is full morning in the Sierra; and the brigands are scrambling to their feet and making for the road as the goatherd runs down from the hill, warning them of the approach of another motor. Tanner and Mendoza rise amazedly and stare at one another with scattered wits. Straker sits up to yawn for a moment before he gets on his feet, making it a point of honor not to show any undue interest in the excitement of the bandits. Mendoza gives a quick look to see that his followers are attending to the alarm; then exchanges a private word with Tanner. MENDOZA. Did you dream? TANNER. Damnably. Did you? MENDOZA. Yes. I forget what. You were in it. TANNER. So were you. Amazing MENDOZA. I warned you. [a shot is heard from the road]. Dolts! they will play with that gun. [The brigands come running back scared]. Who fired that shot? [to Duval] Was it you? DUVAL. [breathless] I have not shoot. Dey shoot first. ANARCHIST. I told you to begin by abolishing the State. Now we are all lost. THE ROWDY SOCIAL-DEMOCRAT. [stampeding across the amphitheatre] Run, everybody. MENDOZA. [collaring him; throwing him on his back; and drawing a knife] I stab the man who stirs. [He blocks the way. The stampede it checked]. What has happened? THE SULKY SOCIAL-DEMOCRAT, A motor-- THE ANARCHIST. Three men-- DUVAL. Deux femmes-- MENDOZA. Three men and two women! Why have you not brought them here? Are you afraid of them? THE ROWDY ONE. [getting up] Thyve a hescort. Ow, de-ooh lut's ook it, Mendowza. THE SULKY ONE. Two armored cars full o soldiers at the end o the valley. ANARCHIST. The shot was fired in the air. It was a signal. Straker whistles his favorite air, which falls on the ears of the brigands like a funeral march. TANNER. It is not an escort, but an expedition to capture you. We were advised to wait for it; but I was in a hurry. THE ROWDY ONE. [in an agony of apprehension] And Ow my good Lord, ere we are, wytin for em! Lut's tike to the mahntns.