"Robert A. Heinlein - The Man who sold the Moon (collected sto" - читать интересную книгу автора (Heinlein Robert A)

exacts its tribute. Shall we do less? Even though one may be intellectually
certain of the verdict? I grant Doctor Pinero every consideration that should
be given by this august body to any unaffiliated colleague, even though" - he
bowed slightly in Pinero's direction - "we may not be familiar with the
university which bestowed his degree. If what he has to say is false, it can
not harm us. If what he has to say is true, we should know it." His mellow
cultivated voice rolled on, soothing and calming. "If the eminent doctor's
manner appears a trifle in urbane for our tastes, we must bear in mind that
the doctor may be from a place, or a stratum, not so meticulous in these little
matters. Now our good friend and benefactor has asked us to hear this
person and carefully assess the merit of his claims. Let us do so with dignity
and decorum."
He sat down to a rumble of applause, comfortably aware that he had
enhanced his reputation as an intellectual leader. Tomorrow the papers
would again mention the good sense and persuasive personality of
"America's handsomest University President". Who knew? Perhaps old
Bidwell would come through with that swimming pool donation.
When the applause had ceased, the chairman turned to where the
center of the disturbance sat, hands folded over his little round belly, face
serene.
"Will you continue, Doctor Pinero?"
"Why should I?"
The chairman shrugged his shoulders. "You came for that purpose."
Pinero arose. "So true. So very true. But was I wise to come? Is there
anyone here who has an open mind who can stare a bare fact in the face
without blushing? I think not. Even that so beautiful gentleman who asked
you to hear me out has already judged me and condemned me. He seeks
order, not truth. Suppose truth defies order, will he accept it? Will you? I think
not. Still, if I do not speak, you will win your point by default. The little man in
the street will think that you little men have exposed me, Pinero, as a hoaxer,
a pretender. That does not suit my plans. I will speak."
"I will repeat my discovery. In simple language I have invented a
technique to tell how long a man will live. I can give you advance billing of the
Angel of Death. I can tell you when the Black Camel will kneel at your door.
In five minutes time with my apparatus I can tell any of you how many grains
of sand are still left in your hourglass." He paused and folded his arms across
his chest. For a moment no one spoke. The audience grew restless. Finally
the chairman intervened.
"You aren't finished, Doctor Pinero?"
2
 "What more is there to say?"
"You haven't told us how your discovery works."
Pinero's eyebrows shot up. "You suggest that I should turn over the
fruits of my work for children to play with. This is dangerous knowledge, my
friend. I keep it for the man who understands it, myself." He tapped his chest.
"How are we to know that you have anything back of your wild claims?"
"So simple. You send a committee to watch me demonstrate. If it
works, fine. You admit it and tell the world so. If it does not work, I am
discredited, and will apologize. Even I, Pinero, will apologize."
A slender stoop-shouldered man stood up in the back of the hail. The