"Edmond Hamilton - Alien Earth" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hamilton Edmond)

Farris became conscious of all his accumulated weariness, as he
went the last few yards. He wondered whether he could get a decent bed
here, and what kind of chap this Berreau might be who had chosen to bury
himself in such a Godforsaken post of the botanical survey.

The bamboo house was surrounded by tall, graceful dyewoods. But
the moonlight showed a garden around it, enclosed by a low sappan
hedge.

A voice from the dark veranda reached Farris and startled him. It
startled him because it was a girlтАЩs voice, speaking in French.

тАЬPlease, Andre! DonтАЩt go again! It is madness!тАЭ
 A manтАЩs voice rapped harsh answer, тАЬLys, tais-toi! Je reviendraiтАФтАЩтАЩ

Farris coughed diplomatically and then said up to the darkness of the
veranda, тАЬMonsieur Berreau?тАЭ

There was a dead silence. Then the door of the house was swung
open so that light spilled out on Farris and his guide.

By the light, Farris saw a man of thirty, bareheaded, in whitesтАФa thin,
rigid figure. The girl was only a white blur in the gloom.

He climbed the steps. тАЬI suppose you donтАЩt get many visitors. My
name is Hugh Farris. I have a letter for you, from the Bureau at Saigon.тАЭ

There was a pause. Then, тАЬIf you will come inside, MтАЩsieu FarrisтАФтАЭ

In the lamplit, bamboo-walled living room, Farris glanced quickly at
the two.

Berreau looked to his experienced eye like a man who had stayed too
long in the tropicsтАФhis blond handsomeness tarnished by a corroding
climate, his eyes too feverishly restless.

тАЬMy sister, Lys,тАЭ he said, as he took the letter Farris handed.

FarrisтАЩ surprise increased. A wife, he had supposed until now. Why
should a girl under thirty bury herself in this wilderness?

He wasnтАЩt surprised that she looked unhappy. She might have been a
decently pretty girl, he thought, if she didnтАЩt have that woebegone anxious
look.

тАЬWill you have a drink?тАЭ she asked him. And then, glancing with swift
anxiety at her brother, тАЬYouтАЩll not be going now, Andre?тАЭ

Berreau looked out at the moonlit forest, and a queer, hungry tautness