"181 (B182r) - Up From Earth's Center (1949-06) - Lester Dent" - читать интересную книгу автора (Robeson Kenneth)

"Ten bucks is ten bucks, and he threw it in the drink," Bill Williams said. He shrugged. "O.K., maybe I shouldn't have hung one on him. Come to think of it, that was kind of silly of me, wasn't it?"



"Why did you?" Dr. Karl asked.



"Why, because - well, I fancied the idea at the time. I don't know. I hit him, and now I don't know why." Bill Williams looked confused. "Funny thing for me to do. I kind of like the guy.



"Did Gilmore say anything while you were struggling with him?"



"Nothing very coherent. Cussing - No wait. I think I did catch something about keeping Mr. Wail from getting aboard."



"Who?"



"Wail, or Wales, or Whale, something like that. It was confused." Bill Williams grinned wryly. "I wonder who Mr. Wail is to our guest Gilmore?"



Dr. Karl did not answer, and Bill Williams, who had not really looked squarely at Linningen since coming on deck, did so now. A considerable surprise wrenched at Williams, and he said, "You look pale! Aren't you feeling well? Did that loon hit you with something?"



"He didn't hit me with anything he threw," Dr. Karl replied grimly.



"Well, you look as if there was a rattlesnake in your pocket."



Linningen glanced oddly at the man, then away. And they were below in the main cabin, having a bracer, before Linningen muttered, "I would buy he rattler in preference."



He did not say anything further to remove Williams' resulting puzzled stare.