"Kuttner, Henry - Red Gem of Mercury" - читать интересную книгу автора (Kuttner Henry)

Blood spurted from the gangster's nose, dripped down his chin. Uncle Tobe
staggered forward and seized Mickey about the waist. He tore the boy's shirt
free from the iron fingers that held it.
"Mickey! Stop it! Stop!" He thrust the lad behind him. "Don't touch him, Stohm.
If you do--"
Uncle Tobe stopped, staring at the other.
Vane readjusted the hat on his head and stepped through the curtains. He patted
the grocer's shoulder.
"It's okay, Uncle Tobe. I told you it'd be. You're a good scrapper, Mickey. Now
be quiet for a bit."
He turned to Stohm.
"Where's Pasqual?"
THE gangster's face remained expressionless, but his voice said thickly, "I
dunno."
"When were you to see him again?"
"Tonight. At eight. He's throwing a party tonight at his house. He's celebrating
because Tony Apollo's dead."
"Yeah," Vane said thoughtfully. "That's right. Pasqual was always afraid of
Apollo. Well, listen to me, Stohm. You're coming along to headquarters, and
you're going to confess--answer truthfully every question that's put to you.
Hear me?"
"Yes," Stohm said dully.
"My God!" Uncle Tobe's thin frame was shaking. "What'd you do to him, Steve?
Hypnotize him?"
"Call it that," Vane nodded. "See you later." He turned to the door.
"You can't go out in the street. You'll be recognized."
The lawyer pulled the Homburg lower over his forehead. "Oh, I dunno. Even if I
am--I don't think I'll be arrested." He grinned at the old grocer. "You've
helped me a lot, Uncle Tobe. And you, too, Mickey. Fists are better than knives,
aren't they?"
"Me," the boy said, eyeing his hands with awe, "they sure are, Steve."
"Come on," Vane commanded Stohm, and the gangster followed him out of the shop.
Realizing that the latter's bruised face would attract attention, Vane soon
managed to find a taxi. The driver was suspicious, but a brief command from the
lawyer had instantaneous effects.
"Police station," Vane directed, and settled back on the cushions beside the
dazed Stohm.
Newsboys were yelling extras as they rode on. "Spaceship from Mars! Read all
about it! Convict still at large!"
"Wonder why people figure Mars is the only planet that has life?" Vane mused.
"Well--" His thoughts turned to Pasqual. Eight o'clock. He had a rendezvous with
the underworld king at eight . . . He was conscious of an overwhelming hunger.
What had the Mercurian said? Vane tried to remember. The Stone from the Stars
feeds on life-energy--that would speed up his own basal metabolism, of course.
And there was something else--some warning Zaravin had given. What--well, it
didn't matter. Nothing could harm Vane as long as the red jewel glowed on his
forehead.
He was soon to learn how wrong he was in thinking this.
CHIEF OF POLICE LANKERSHIM looked up casually as his office door opened. Then he
caught his breath and rose half upright, staring at the man on the threshold.