1. The scorpion is an arachnid species
found in various parts of the world.Copy !req
2. Its tail comprises
five prismatic joints.Copy !req
3. The pincers, recalling those of
the larger crayfishCopy !req
4. are instruments of aggression
and information.Copy !req
5. Its tail ends in a sixth joint,Copy !req
6. a sac from which poison
is injected by barbed sting.Copy !req
7. A lover of darkness,
it burrows under stonesCopy !req
8. to escape the glare of the sun.Copy !req
9. Antisocial, it ejects
the intruder on its solitude.Copy !req
10. Such lightning strikes,
such virtuosity in attack.Copy !req
11. Even a rat, for all its fury,
falls prey to it.Copy !req
12. Some hours later...Copy !req
13. Stop it!Copy !req
14. Perhaps I just happened to fall?Copy !req
15. No. We saw nothing.Copy !req
16. Is there any news, yes or no?Copy !req
17. Yes, the Majorcans are here.Copy !req
18. Quick, to arms!Copy !req
19. To the rear!Copy !req
20. What about Péman?Copy !req
21. I'm done for.Copy !req
22. So are we, but we're going.Copy !req
23. Yes, but you've got accordions,Copy !req
24. hippopotamuses, wrenches,Copy !req
25. mountain goats, and...Copy !req
26. Bollocks! Let's go.Copy !req
27. and paintbrushes.Copy !req
28. 1930 AD. This stone, on the site
where the Majorcans died,Copy !req
29. marks the founding of
the city of...Copy !req
30. Imperial Rome.Copy !req
31. Once mistress of the pagan world,
now secular seat of the Church.Copy !req
32. Aspects of its stoutest pillar,
the Vatican.Copy !req
33. The landlord's terms are very favourable.
We can move in at once.Copy !req
34. Longing to see you, vey soon now.
Your loving cousin.Copy !req
35. But the hurly-burly of modern life
has overtaken the Imperial City.Copy !req
36. Sometimes on Sundays...Copy !req
37. Various picturesque aspects
of the great city.Copy !req
38. Bandaged?Copy !req
39. Yes, it's been sore for over a week.Copy !req
40. Is Daddy home yet, Mummy?Copy !req
41. Yes, he's in the dispensary.Copy !req
42. Then he'll dress for the party.Copy !req
43. We went out together this morningCopy !req
44. and engaged four of them.Copy !req
45. The little mustached one
sang like the rest.Copy !req
46. Only a pianist is lacking.Copy !req
47. But our priest is a fine violinist.Copy !req
48. I think the musicians we have
will be enough.Copy !req
49. Six of them placed near
the microphoneCopy !req
50. will make more noise than sixty
ten kilometers away.Copy !req
51. I know sound gets lost in
the open airCopy !req
52. but we could bring
the guests in close.Copy !req
53. Get a move on. The Majorcans
will be arriving at nine.Copy !req
54. Bastard! Filthy swine!Copy !req
55. Keep your trap shut!Copy !req
56. Want us to work you over?Copy !req
57. Here's a taste of the rough stuff!Copy !req
58. Enough is enough! Let me show you
who you're dealing with.Copy !req
59. Let's have a look, then.Copy !req
60. The International Goodwill SocietyCopy !req
61. hereby appoints you
its special delegate.Copy !req
62. This document testifies
to our faith in you.Copy !req
63. We pray that you will prove worthyCopy !req
64. of this trust we place in you,Copy !req
65. and successfully complete
your goodwill mission.Copy !req
66. On your spirit of self-sacrifice
and your proven valorCopy !req
67. depend many lives.Copy !req
68. Children, women, old menCopy !req
69. The honour of our FatherlandCopy !req
70. Rests on the outcome of
this noble enterpriseCopy !req
71. At his magnificent Roman estate,
the Marquis of X prepares for his guests.Copy !req
72. The Minister of the Interior
is on the telephone.Copy !req
73. You scoundrel!
You are entirely to blame!Copy !req
74. You compromised me, too.Copy !req
75. Do you realize that
not one child survived?Copy !req
76. Many women and old men perished, too.Copy !req
77. You're bothering me about a few brats?Copy !req
78. Filthy ruffian,
you've dragged me down with you!Copy !req
79. Dishonored me!Copy !req
80. You can die for all I care!Copy !req
81. Then listen to my last words...
Has he gone?Copy !req
82. Are you sleepy?Copy !req
83. I was just falling asleep.Copy !req
84. Where's the light switch?Copy !req
85. At the foot of the bed.Copy !req
86. Your elbow's hurting me.Copy !req
87. Move your head closer,
the pillow is cooler on this side.Copy !req
88. Where's your hand?Copy !req
89. That feels so good.Copy !req
90. Let's just sit here and not move.Copy !req
91. Are you cold?Copy !req
92. No, I was falling.Copy !req
93. I've been waiting so long for him.Copy !req
94. What joy! What joy in having killed
our children.Copy !req
95. My love... my love...Copy !req
96. Just as these feathers fell,
but a long way away,Copy !req
97. the survivors
from the Château de SellinyCopy !req
98. emerged to return to Paris.Copy !req
99. 120 days earlier, four godless
and unprincipled scoundrelsCopy !req
100. had, driven by their depravity,
shut themselves awayCopy !req
101. to indulge in the most
bestial of orgies.Copy !req
102. To them, the life of a woman
mattered no more than that of a fly.Copy !req
103. They took with them
eight lovely adolescent girlsCopy !req
104. to serve as victims
for their criminal desiresCopy !req
105. plus four women well versed
in debauchery,Copy !req
106. whose narrative skills
would serve to stimulateCopy !req
107. their already jaded appetites
whenever interest flagged.Copy !req
108. Here are the survivors of these orgies,
leaving the Château de Selliny.Copy !req
109. First and foremost of the four
instigators, the Duc de Blangis.Copy !req