"SS - Mussolini and the Axeman's Jazz by Poppy Z Brite (Proofed)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Brite Poppy Z)

"Just after the turn of the century, he met a young journalist named Benito Mussolini, who called himself an `apostle of violence' but had no direction. Cagliostro has guided Mussolini's career since then. In I9I5, Mussolini's newspaper helped urge Italy into war.Ф

D'Antonio started violently. "Aw, come on! You're not gonna tell me these Egyptian-Dago-Freemasons started the war.Ф

"Sir, that is exactly what I am going to tell you. They also ordered my wife's death, and my own, and that of my empire.Ф

"Why in hell would they do that?Ф

"I cannot tell you. They are evil men. My uncle, the Emperor Francis Joseph, discovered all this inadvertently. He was a cowardly old fool who would have been afraid to tell anyone. Nevertheless, they hounded him into- virtual retirement, where he died.Ф

"And told you all this?Ф

"He had no one else to talk to. Nor did I"

"Where's your wife?Ф

"Sophie was not required to linger here. We were.Ф

"Why?Ф

"I cannot tell you.Ф

"You keep saying that. Does it mean you don't know, or you aren't allowed to tell me?Ф

Francis Ferdinand paused. After a moment, D'Antonio nodded. "I see how it is. So I'm supposed to dance for you like Mussolini does for Cagliostro?Ф

The Archduke did not understand the question. He waited to
to see if D'Antonio would rephrase it, but the man remained silent. Finally Francis Ferdinand said, "Cagliostro still controls Mussolini, and means to shape him into the most vicious ruler Europe has ever known. But Cagliostro is no longer in Italy. He is here in New Orleans.Ф

"Oh-ho. And you want me to kill him for you, is that it?Ф

"Yes, but I haven't finished. Cagliostro is in New Orleans - but we don't know who be is.Ф

УWe? Who's we?Ф

"Myself, my uncle.Ф

"No one else?Ф

"No one else you would care to know about, sir.Ф

D'Antonio sagged in his chair. "Yeah, well; forget it. I'm not killin' anybody. Find some other poor dupe.Ф

"Are you certain, Mr D'Antonio?Ф

"Very certain:" "Very well.Ф

Francis Ferdinand drifted backward through the balcony railing and vanished in midair.

"Wait!Ф