Brood of the Witch-Queen · Chapter
XXVII: The Thug’s Cord explained
Robert Cairn, isolated in his chambers, faces a supernatural attack by Antony Ferrara.
What happens
Robert Cairn, isolated in his chambers, faces a supernatural attack by Antony Ferrara. After a phone call cuts off, he experiences eerie silence, a failing lamp, and disembodied white hands that attempt to strangle him with a silken cord. Dr. Cairn arrives just in time, breaking through the door and saving Robert from the invisible assault.
Themes in this chapter
Sorcery vs. Science
Robert's rational defenses (revolver, electric light) fail against Ferrara's supernatural manipulation of darkness and disembodied hands.
Possession and Identity
Robert fears loss of self-control under Ferrara's hypnotic influence; the attack blurs the line between his own actions and external force.
Good vs. Evil
The direct confrontation between Robert (aided by his father) and the malevolent force of Ferrara embodies a struggle of moral and supernatural good against evil.
Characters to notice
- Robert Cairn
Subjected to a supernatural strangulation attempt by disembodied hands; fights for his life until rescued by his father.
- Antony Ferrara
Implied orchestrator of the attack; his will-force and sorcery are directed against Robert.
- Dr. Bruce Cairn
Arrives at the critical moment, breaks down the door, and saves Robert from strangulation.
Key passages
“He recalled a night when, amid such a silence as this which now prevailed about him, he had been made the subject of an uncanny demonstration; how his sanity, his life, had been attacked; how he had fled from the crowding horrors which had been massed against him by his supernaturally endowed enemy.”
Robert remembered a previous night of similar silence when Ferrara had assaulted his mind and life with supernatural horrors.
Establishes a pattern of Ferrara's attacks and Robert's prior trauma.
“The occult inquirer can face, unmoved, horrors which would turn the brain of many a man who wears the V.C. ; on the other hand it is questionable if the possessor of this peculiar type of bravery could face a bayonet charge.”
Those versed in the occult can withstand terrors that would break a decorated soldier, but might lack physical courage in conventional combat.
Highlights the specialized courage required to confront supernatural threats.
“The cord, stretched taut, struck him under the chin. Back he reeled. The cord was about his throat!”
The silken cord hit his throat and tightened around his neck, choking him.
Climactic moment of the strangulation attempt.
“Although it is almost impossible for a man to strangle himself under such conditions, there is no jury in England who would have believed that Antony Ferrara had done the deed.”
Even though self-strangulation is nearly impossible, no jury would have attributed the death to Ferrara's supernatural agency.
Dr. Cairn explains how Ferrara's method would evade legal accountability.