"Hiding Place" - читать интересную книгу автора (Morrison William)

hiding placehiding place
by . . . William Morrison

There are many ways of hiding a dangerous secret. But the deadliest way is not
to conceal it at all.

William Morrison's versatility is just one of the many qualities which enable
him to fulfill in superb fashion the literary conditions which science fantasy
imposes on its most gifted practitioners. There are Morrison stories with the
subdued flavor of mellow ale in nut-brown bottles, and others as exuberant as a
swarm of golden bees. Now he has chosen to confer with a teacher of Latin, and
the somber, restlessly pacing shade of Poe, and to evoke stark terror with a
most compelling logic.

HE WALKED UP to the door and then, for three full minutes, he waited. When at
last the door swung open, he was staring at the man for whom he had been
looking. And the man knew.
The cool gray eyes examined him knowingly from behind the rimless glasses, and
the thin lips smiled as if in recognition. "You're looking for me?"
"Yes, Mr. Burroughs."
"Well, you've found me. Come in here, where we can talk in suitable discomfort.
I hope you're not used to luxury."
"I'm not."
The door closed behind them. Burroughs said, "I'd like to know your name, if you
don't mind."
"Does it make a difference?"
"It might. You're unlike the others."
"I'm Walter Bales. And you're right about my being unlike them. I'm a chemist,
not a detective."
Burroughs smiled and said, "This is going to be a pleasure." He gestured
politely. "Sit down, Mr. Bales. The chairs aren't as weak as they look. Neither,
by the way, am I."
Bales sat down. "I don't judge by appearances."
Burroughs smiled again. "I suppose they thought we could become rather chummy
talking over old formulas together. Or do you say 'formulae'?"
"That may have been part of the idea. I much prefer 'formulas.' "
"Good. I'm glad you're no pedant. And perhaps they hoped we'd chat a bit about
new formulas too?"
"That would be fine," said Bales. "It won't work, you know. Nothing will work."
Bales had a strong inclination to agree with him. But he said patiently, "You
don't get the idea, Burroughs. Something is going to work. There's too much
money involved, and the fact that you've held out as long as you have is driving
them frantic. Sooner or later they're going to find out what you've been
hiding."
"It'll be later, not sooner, Mr. Bales. And if it's enough later, I won't mind."

"If you don't cooperate, you won't get a cent, you know."
"Of course I know," said Burroughs.
"Whereas, if you're willing to talk now, you can name your own terms."
"I'm still satisfied to keep quiet." For the first time Bales paused to take a