"Henry Kuttner - Shock UC" - читать интересную книгу автора (Kuttner Henry)

'The valve won't shut permanently?"

'Sar no. Not till the mental power runs down. That will not be for zanentho nearly two weeks yet.'

'I was afraid I might be caught on the other sideЧЧЧ'

'The serving robots bring food by day; you would not go hungry. You could return the next night when the valve opened maronail again. No danger. None in my world harms another. To help and heal for commonwealЧa bad translation. Your languageЧstinks sarkoment.'

'ButЧЧЧ'

Halison flicked away like a phantom and was gone down the stairs. Gregg started after him, but was easily outdistanced. Glumly he returned to his apartment. Tomorrow night, howeverЧЧ

Tomorrow night!

Well, he could afford the time for a genuine dinner now, at any rate. Comforted by the thought, Gregg went to his favorite restaurant and ate veal scallopini. After that, he foregathered with MacPherson and relayed his conversation with Halison. MacPherson was not cheerful.

'None in his world harms another,' Gregg quoted.

'All the sameЧI don't know. I'm still scared.'

'I'm going through again and see what I can pick up.'

He did. He didn't wait till the valve was large enough, and went through headfirst, crashing back from the wall and thumping his head against a table. Since it was satisfactorily resilient, that didn't matter. The future has its conveniences.

That night was a repetition of the preceding one. Gregg's curiosity rose to burning pitch. All about him lay the secrets of a culture far beyond his ownЧand the key was just beyond his finger tips. It was difficult to wait now.

But he had to wait. He still hadn't fathomed the secret of the door, and he'd forgotten to ask Halison about it. If a telephone or televisor existed, it was hidden in some secret nook he couldn't locate. Oh, well.

Wednesday Gregg went to work, but was home early, chafing. MacPherson dropped in briefly. Gregg discouraged him. He wanted no three-way conversation. He began outlining on paper the questions he meant to ask Halison. At six forty-five the valve began to open. At midnight Gregg was biting his nails.

At two he woke MacPherson and begged the man to have a drink with him.

'He's forgotten,' Gregg said tonelessly, lighting a cigarette and crushing it out. 'Or something. Damn!'

'There's plenty of time,' MacPherson grunted. 'Take it easy. I only hope he doesn't show up.'

They waited a long time. The valve began to close slowly. Gregg cursed in a heartfelt monotone. The telephone rang.

Gregg answered, talked briefly, and cradled the receiver. His face was strained as he turned to MacPherson.

'Halison's been killed. A truck hit him. They found one of my cards in the pocket of his suit.' 'How d'you know it's Halison?'

'They described him. Mac, what a chance! And that so-and-so has to go and walk in front of a truck. Blast him toЧЧЧ'

'Ways of Providence,' MacPherson said, sotto voce, but Gregg heard him.

'There's still Ranil-Mens.' 'Whoever he is.'

'Some friend of Halison, of course!' Gregg's tone was knife-edged. 'He'll visit Halison's apartment tomorrowЧThursday. The first possible contact with that world, Mac. I've only been there at night. And I couldn't get out of the roomЧcouldn't locate the doors. But if I'm there tomorrow when Ranil-Mens comesЧЧ' 'What if the valve doesn't open again?'