"Jeffrey Lord - Blade 06 - Monster of the Maze" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lord Jeffery)

was a minor irony. Blade was the only man in the world, the only man born, ever to
escape his own dimension and go out into X, into spaces that the ordinary mortal
was not even capable of conceiving, and he could not get a taxi.

As he waited impatiently at the curb on theStrand, a group of youths approached
and demanded "something for the Guy." They had blacked their faces and wore rags
and tatters and carried bags of chalk dust to mark those who did not pay.

Blade paid, a shilling all around, remembering that it was indeed Guy Fawkes day,
November 5. Until now he had forgotten. He had been preoccupied as usual before
a mission into Dimension-X, and matters were not going well between Lord Leighton
and J, who was Blade's real boss in MI6 and who had screamed bloody murder
when Lord L suggested implanting the crystal in the young man's brain. J had done
more than scream. J had gone to the Prime Minister and made an official protest.
The project had nearly been called off, then the election had put in a new
Government, and a new PM, and the project was on again. This last time.

The new PM had been most emphatic. Millions of pounds had been poured into
Project DX so far with no results. This meant, in political language, no profits.
Science, and especially Lord L, had reaped vast benefits. Very good.
ButEnglandwas so many million pounds the poorer. There had been, in short, no
treasure in Dimension X. The old PM had been sympathetic; the new PM was not.
Produce or close down was now the order of the day. One more chance: Venture
No. 6 into DX. And if the sliver of crystal in Blade's brain would help in any way
then the Prime Minister was all for it.

Blade could understand J's bitterness. He should, he supposed, be a little bitter
himself. Yet he was not.Englandwas a commercial nation fighting for her life in the
world marketplace. The politicians could not be expected to understand Project DX.
It was as far beyond their comprehension as the quantum theory was beyond the
comprehension of that poor little street cur, just now so nearly struck by a taxi.

Blade realized that the taxi was empty. He ran for it, shouting, feeling very
insecure beneath the damned toupee, and as he slammed into the musty
leather-smelling interior he came to a sudden decision.
 He had intended to go down toDorsetand stay at his cottage while his hair grew in
again. The weather would not be pleasant on the Channel at this time of year, but he
had a lot of reading to do and he could always have a girl down for the weekend. He
would have to think up some excuse for looking like a young Yul Brynner, but his
wits should be equal to that. There would be a little drinkingтАФhe had cut way
downтАФand a little lovemaking and many long afternoons and nights before a snug
fire.

And then, one day without warning, the crystal in his brain would summon him
toLondonand he would go through the computer for the last time. That had been the
plan.

Blade now changed the plan. He directed the driver to take him to
theTowerofLondon, the old Watergate side.