"Ardath Mayhar - Shock Treatment" - читать интересную книгу автора (Mayhar Ardath)

Or was it that madman ... that triple-damned Jeroboah, who had been the scholar appointed to oversee
his activities when Standish was young? The ancient inventor appeared able to move as if invisible
through the most intensely guarded and locked and electrified barriers, just as he had seemed able to
know at a distance when a younger Standish planned his cruel mischief. Theron felt one more encounter
with him might shake his own reason.

But it was only Karmann, his cousin and second-in-command, coming with the nightly report, which was
so secret that only one of the scrambled lines was secure enough to bring it into his hands. Only one tech
was screened sufficiently to translate it. And no hand but Karmann's could be relied upon not to let it slip
into other, less trustworthy fingers.

Theron did not touch the button freeing his private door from its computerized lock until the shape of
Karmann loomed in the monitor that covered the corridor outside. When the door hummed and the
panels slid apart, the shape stepped forward ... and was revealed to be, instead, a

shrimp of a man, his face wizened with age, teeth yellowed where they were not missing entirely.

By what means had Jeroboah made himself seem to be another man? Standish felt his mind freeze for an
instant with his old fear and hatred of his tutor. His body went stiff with shock. Though he was known as
a scientist whose past achievements had given Granary the abilities it needed for defense, education, and
efficient farming, the old man seemed, at times, more like a magician.

Jeroboah darted into the room, where Theron had shrunk back against his wall of monitors, and pivoted
on unsteady legs to face the Commander. His tiny hand came out of his pocket, holding a shining tube.
Another of his offbeat inventions? Fear chilled the Commander, as he looked into those bright, demented
eyes.

Theron felt his heart bursting into his throat, his pulse thudding in his wrist. He would die! This time, he
would die! Jeroboah had learned to deceive his electronic devices in the heart of the

Stronghold, and it was the end!

The tube began to glow, a thin greenish light shining even through the hand holding it. Jeroboah grinned
fiendishly at the Commander, as he twisted the knob at the end of the weapon.

The light turned scarlet -- and Jeroboah said, "Bang!"

Theron, waiting for death, tensed for it, almost wanting it now, felt something snap. His hand went up to
touch another button, but before it reached its goal he fainted. Even as his senses dulled to black, he
found himself wondering if this were reality or another indication that his mind was losing its balance.

***

Jeroboah's holographic image stood on the antique carpet, staring down at the jewel-toned flowers on
which Standish lay. He moved to the Commander's side and wished this semblance of his could touch the
Commander's elbow with a questing toe.

But he was obviously still alive. That was good, for this was a game too amusing to end. Yet. He might
be slightly mad, as he well knew, but he still loved a good joke.