"Edmond Hamilton - Calling Captain Future" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hamilton Edmond)

flashed wrigglingly out to the dwarf in the corridor, and Joan asked. "I don't mean Roj and Kallak тАУ I mean the
into the bag he held. others. They look like Earthmen, yet there's something
Captain Future sprang up instantly. But as he did so, strange and stiff about them. Their voices are queer,
the door of the chamber was slammed and the bar fell too. And when one of them touched me, his hands did-
across it outside. n't feel like the hands of an Earthman at all."
Curt helped Joan Randall and the Venusian to their "They're certainly an odd-looking bunch," Curt
feet. agreed, frowning. "I wonder if тАУ"
"This is a nice little cage to get myself into," he de-

T
clared disgustedly. He was feeling the sting of self-re- HEN he broke off impatiently. "This is no time for
proach. speculation. The important thing is to break loose
Kansu Kane, the withered little Venusian, was before we're delivered to Doctor Zarro. I don't know
bursting with wrath, and his indignation exploded shril- what his Hall of Enemies may be, but I've an idea it's
ly. something highly unpleasant."

15
 Edmond Hamilton тАУ CALLING CAPTAIN FUTURE

Curt felt the loss of his tungstite belt. Inside that and call the Futuremen to come in the Comet тАУ and then
belt, hidden in secret compartments, were compact in- we'll find out whether Doctor Zarro's secret base is at
struments and tools that had gotten him out of more Uranus or at Pluto."
than one tight spot. Curt approached the door, listened, and then, satis-
He inspected the window, a mere little glassite loop- fied that no one was in the corridor outside, turned his
hole. tiny instrument against the metal at the edge of the
"If we broke this, we'd simply perish of asphyxiation door.
when our air leaked out into space," he muttered. "So

A
that's out." LITTLE jet of white atomic fire burst from the
The door was the only other alternative. It was solid diminutive improvised blaster. It burned into the
metal, and the bar outside it was heavy. Strength would heavy metal in a ragged, scorched gash. Deeper and
not avail here. deeper it cut.
But he thought he saw a glimmering chance. He sat Curt was tense. His little jet of force was now burn-
down and took off the big emblem ring on his left hand. ing deep into the metal, but he knew that the atomic en-
With deft fingers, he began taking the famous ring ergy stored in the tiny instrument must be almost ex-
apart. hausted. He played the jet up and down, seeking to cut
"There's a tiny atomic engine in this ring that keeps through the bar outside.
its 'planet' jewels moving," the red-haired wizard of sci- The hissing fire-jet sputtered, then went out. The lit-
ence told his companions. "But it'll take me time to take tle tool was exhausted, useless.
it apart." Captain Future pressed gently against the door. It
"I don't see w hat good your tiny engine will do did not give. The bar outside still held.
you," said Kansu Kane, staring. He felt a pang of disappointment. Putting his shoul-
Curt smiled. "You never can tell! Maybe I can book der against the door, he heaved with all his strength.
it up to the ship's rocket-tubes, and make the craft turn The door flew open. The bar had been almost cut
around." through тАУ and his strong push had broken it completely.
Kansu Kane looked astounded. "Hook it up to the тАУ" "Come on!" Captain Future whispered to the others,
Then the Venusian stiffened. "You're joking, young his gray eyes snapping with excitement. "There's a
man. And your jokes are in bad taste, considering our space-boat on the starboard side forward тАУ I noticed it
situation. My great work on the nature of the An- when the ship landed back there at the observatory."