"Heinlein, Robert A - Assignment In Eternity" - читать интересную книгу автора (Heinlein Robert A)

this; he barely had time to get back into the belt.
But, as the car plunged into the solenoid field and
surged to a stop, nothing remained of Joel Abner but
some unmarked underclothing, very ordinary toilet
articles, and nearly two dozen spools of microfilm
equally appropriateЧuntil examinedЧto a commercial
traveler or a lecturer-writer. He planned not to let
them be examined as long as he was alive.

He waited in the washroom until he was sure of
being last man out of the car, then went forward in-
to the next car, left by its exit, and headed for the lift
to the ground level.

"New Age Hotel, sir," a voice pleaded near his
ear. He felt a hand fumbling at the grip of his travel
bag.

He repressed a reflex to defend the bag and looked
the speaker over. At first glance he seemed an under-
sized adolescent in a smart uniform and a pillbox
cap. Further inspection showed premature wrinkles
and the features of a man at least forty. The eyes

GULP 5

were glazed. A pituitary case, he thought to himself,
and on the hop as well. "New Age Hotel," the run-
ner repeated. "Best mechanos in town, chief. There's
a discount if you're just down from the moon."

Captain Gilead, when in town as Captain Gilead,
always stayed at the old Savoy. But the notion of
going to the New Age appealed to him; in that in-
credibly huge, busy, and ultramodern hostelry he
might remain unnoticed until he had had time to do
what had to be done.

He disliked mightily the idea of letting go his bag.
Nevertheless it would be out of character not to let
the runner carry the bag; it would call attention to
himselfЧand the bag. He decided that this unhealthy
runt could not outrun him even if he himself were on
crutches; it would suffice to keep an eye on the bag.

"Lead on, comrade," he answered heartily, sur-
rendering the bag. There had been no hesitation at
all; he had let go the bag even as the hotel runner
reached for it.