"Edmond Hamilton - The Godmen" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hamilton Edmond)

you!"

The little group muttered agreement, and from all along the torchlit row of men there was a movement
toward Harlow. Hands were under their short robes now, and he knew they had weapons in their grasp.

He had no weapon, nor if he had could he have used one. The law of the Star Survey was iron on that
point. If you went to another people's world and flashed Earth weapons, court-martial awaited you.

"I say again that we wish no more talk of the Vorn!тАЭ cried N'Kann. тАЬAnd that by tomorrow's sunrise,
your ship must be gone."

Harlow knew that he had failed. He had not found even the first clue to Dundonald's trail, and if he left
ML-441 now, he would never find one. Yet they were not going to let him into the town again to look for
Brai, that was clear.

He turned and walked back into the darkness of the plain. He heard low, fierce voices behind him, and
the timbre of them made him think that he had been lucky to get away from them unscathed.
But had he got away yet? The torches were soon well behind him, and the lights of the Thetis a half mile
ahead, when Harlow's ears picked up a stealthy sound from behind. A sound of quiet running.

He turned quickly. He could see nothing. Whoever came was being careful not to show himself against
the distant torches.

So they had decided not to wait out their own ultimatum, and had sent someone after him? Harlow felt
anger rise in him. He had no weapon. But they were not going to hunt down an Earthman in the dark like
this.

Too far, to call to the Thetis. His only chance was in counter-surprise. He went down on one knee and
poised waiting, listening.

He heard the soft, fast footsteps come closer, and just glimpsed a flitting darker shadow against the dark.

Harlow lunged and crashed into the runner, hard.


CHAPTER II
They rolled over and over together in the dark. Then Harlow, grabbing fiercely for his antagonist, got a
surprise. It was a girl.

He held onto her by her smooth bare shoulders, but now she managed to speak in a quick, panting
whisper.

"I am not your enemy. Please!"

It took him a moment to speak; he had to think of the Ktashan words he had learned, and for that
moment he stood gripping her. Back at the edge of the town the torches were moving, and they struck a
fitful gleam that showed Harlow the short-robed figure and clear, golden young face of the girl.

"Who are you and why did you follow me?тАЭ he demanded.