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

showed his cheekbones in a way Farris didnтАЩt like. But the Frenchman
turned back.

тАЬNo, Lys. And drinks, please. Then tell Ahra to care for his guide.тАЭ

He read the letter swiftly, as Farris sank with a sigh into a rattan chair.
He looked up from it with troubled eyes.
 тАЬSo you come for teak?тАЭ

Farris nodded. тАЬOnly to spot and girdle trees. They have to stand a
few years then before cutting, you know.тАЭ

Berreau said, тАЬThe Commissioner writes that I am to give you every
assistance. He explains the necessity of opening up new teak cuttings.тАЭ

He slowly folded the letter. It was obvious, Farris thought, that the
man did not like it, but had to make the best of orders.

тАЬI shall do everything possible to help,тАЭ Berreau promised. тАЬYouтАЩll
want a native crew, I suppose. I can get one for you.тАЭ Then a queer look
filmed his eyes. тАЬBut there are some forests here that are impracticable for
lumbering. IтАЩll go into that later.тАЭ

Farris, feeling every moment more exhausted by the long tramp, was
grateful for the rum and soda Lys handed him.

тАЬWe have a small extra roomтАФI think it will be comfortable,тАЭ she
murmured.

He thanked her. тАЬI could sleep on a log, IтАЩm so tired. My muscles are
as stiff as though I were hunati myself.тАЭ

BerreauтАЩs glass dropped with a sudden crash.

****

CHAPTER 2

SORCERY OF SCIENCE

Ignoring the shattered glass, the young Frenchman strode quickly toward
Farris.

тАЬWhat do you know of hunati?тАЭ he asked harshly,

Farris saw with astonishment that the manтАЩs hands were shaking.

тАЬI donтАЩt know anything except what we saw in the forest. We came
upon a man standing in the moonlight who looked dead, and wasnтАЩt. He just
seemed incredibly slowed down. Piang said he was hunati.тАЭ