"C M Kornbluth - The Mindworm" - читать интересную книгу автора (Kornbluth C M)

Somebody knocked on his door and rattled the doorknob.



Sebastian Long did not move or look toward the door. Soon the busybody would read the sign and go
away. But the pounding and the rattling of the knob went on. He eased down the bowl and angrily went
to the window, picked up the sign, and shook it atwhoever it wasтАФhe couldn't make out the face very
well. But the idiot wouldn't go away.



The engraver unlocked the door, opened it a bit, and snapped: "The shop is closed. I shall not be taking
any orders for several months. Please don't bother me now."
"It's about the Demeter Bowl," said the intruder.



Sebastian Long stared at him. "What the devil do you know about my Demeter Bowl?" He saw the man
was a stranger, undersized by a little, middle-aged...



"Just let me in please," urged the man. "It's important. Please!"



"I don't know what you're talking about," said the engraver. "But what do you know about my Demeter
Bowl?" He hooked his thumbs pugnaciously over the waistband of his denims and glowered at the
stranger. The stranger promptly took advantage of his hand being removed from the door and glided in.



Sebastian Long thought briefly that it might be a nightmare as the man darted quickly about his shop,
picking up a graver and throwing it down, picking up a wire scratch-wheel and throwing it down. "Here,
you!" he roared, as the stranger picked up a crescent wrench which he did not throw down.



AsLong started for him, the stranger darted to the workbench and brought the crescent wrench down
shatteringly on the bowl.



SebastianLong's heart was bursting with sorrow and rage; such a storm of emotions as he never had
known thundered through him. Paralyzed, he saw the stranger smile with anticipation.