His broad shoulders straightened. His weary features set. Well, if they thought he was going to lie down and take it this time, they had another think coming. Another think entirely.

Richard Storm, is it? Sir Michael thought angrily, sitting there. Richard Storm indeed.

And then, slowly, he began to load the revolver.

IX

SPECTRE

The repeated CLANG-CLANG continues and DR. PRENDERGAST, with the faithful HEDLEY trailing after, rushes in, following the sound.

They stand for a moment at a loss. Then, again: CLANG-CLANG.

DR. PRENDERGAST

This way, Hedley!

HEDLEY

But there’s nothing here …

Ignoring him, PRENDERGAST rushes to a large sarcophagus in the center of the crypt. He seizes the stone lid.

DR. PRENDERGAST

Lend a hand, Hedley!

Baffled, HEDLEY joins the doctor. With a massive effort, the two men manage to push the lid off. It falls to the floor, breaking into pieces.

HEDLEY

By Jove, Prendergast: a stairway!

The CLANG-CLANG sounds again from beneath the crypt, much louder now.

DR. PRENDERGAST

Follow me!

First DR. PRENDERGAST, then HEDLEY, climb into the sarcophagus.

131 INT. HIDDEN STAIRWAY

DR. PRENDERGAST and HEDLEY descend into utter darkness.

Again: CLANG-CLANG.

DR. PRENDERGAST

Quick, Hedley, a torch!

HEDLEY produces a flashlight and the beam plays eerily over the mossy walls, suddenly illuminating …

The flayed body of SERGEANT ANDERSON, hanging in chains.

They examine the corpse grimly.

DR. PRENDERGAST

(continuing)

Poor devil.

CLANG-CLANG.

DR. PRENDERGAST

(continuing)

Come on, Hedley, there’s no time to waste!

DR. PRENDERGAST continues his descent. After another moment confronting the body, HEDLEY follows.

132 INT. UNDERGROUND PASSAGE

DR. PRENDERGAST and HEDLEY reach the bottom of the stairs and enter an underground passage. An ominous RED GLOW is visible at the far end.

DR. PRENDERGAST touches HEDLEY’S arm and nods at the flashlight, HEDLEY turns it off.

They move slowly, cautiously, down the passage as the CLANG-CLANG sounds again.

The RED GLOW grows brighter as they near the end of the passage. Their faces tense, they round the bend into …

133 INT. THE GREAT VAULT

The whole scene lies before them, JACOBUS, in the full evil splendor of his miter and pentagram robe, stands triumphant before an altar on which lies a purple blanket.

ANNIE, her clothes torn, is chained to the wall, writhing in her bonds.

As the CLANG-CLANG sounds again, we see …

The hunchbacked GORGE hammering out the blade of the jeweled SWORD OF THE SEIRIZZIM.

JACOBUS looks up at DR. PRENDERGAST with a calm smile, as if he had been expecting him.

JACOBUS

Why, Dr. Prendergast, I’m so glad you could make it. I left Sergeant Anderson to show you the way.

HEDLEY starts forward angrily, but DR. PRENDERGAST restrains him.

JACOBUS

(continuing)

You’re just in time to bear witness to my final apotheosis.

GORGE, his work finished, now shuttles forward, bearing the SWORD to his master.

ANNIE struggles on the wall, crying out through her gag.

JACOBUS handles the SWORD lovingly, then lifts it into the air.

JACOBUS

(continuing)