"E. E. Doc Smith - Skylark 1 - Skylark of Space " - читать интересную книгу автора (Smith E. E. Doc)

me a partnership?'

`Yes. I can't even afford to quit the Service, to say nothing of setting up what we'll have
to have for this job. Besides, working this out is going to be a lot more than a one-man
job. It'll take all the brains both of us have got, and probably a nickle's worth besides, to
lick it'

`Check. I accept - and thanks a lot for letting me in.' The two shook hands vigorously.
Crane said, `The first thing to do, and it must be done with all possible speed, is to get
unassailably clear title to that solution, which is, of course, government property. How do
you propose going about that?'


-13-
`It's government property - technically - yes; but it was worthless after I had recovered
the values and ordinarily it would have been poured down the sink. I saved it just to
satisfy my own curiosity as to what was in it. I'll just stick it in a paper bag and walk out
with it, and if anybody asks any questions later, it simply went down the drain, as it was
supposed to.'

`Not good enough. We must have clear title, signed, sealed, and delivered. Can it be
done?'

`I think so ... pretty sure of it. There'll be an auction in about an hour -they have one
every Friday - and I can get this bottle of waste condemned easy enough. I can't imagine
anybody bidding on it but us. I'll fly at it'

`One other thing first. Will there be any difficulty about your resignation?'

`Not a chance,' Seaton grinned mirthlessly. `They all think I'm screwy - they'll be glad to
get rid of me so easy.'

`All right. Go ahead - the solution first'

`Check,' Seaton said; and very shortly the bottle, sealed by the chief clerk and labeled
Item QX47R769BC: one bottle containing waste solution, was on its way to the auction
room.

Nor was there any more difficulty about his resignation from the Rare Metals Laboratory.
Gossip spreads rapidly.

When the auctioneer reached the one-bottle lot, he looked at it in disgust. Why auction
one bottle, when he had been selling barrels of them? But it had an official number;
auctioned it must be.

`One bottle full of waste,' he droned, tonelessly. `Any bidders? If not, I'll throw it =

Seaton jumped forward and opened his mouth to yell, but was quelled by a sharp dig in
the ribs.