"E. C. Tubb - Dumarest 10 - Jondelle" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tubb E. C)

"Elray was helpless. You mustn't blame him. He would die for
the boy butтАФ"

"He isn't a killer," said Dumarest flatly. "And against three
men with knives what could he have done? Died, perhaps, and
would that have saved the boy?"

"You saved him. Are you a killer?" She didn't wait for an
answer. "No, you may have killed in your time but only in order
to survive. And you are no stranger to violence; the scars on your
body told me that. Knife scars, EarlтАФthere can be no mistake.
I've seen them before on men who fought in the ring."

Fought and killed to the roaring of a blood-hungry crowd. He
smelled again the scent of blood, the taint of the air heavy with
anticipation, saw the animal stare from civilized masks as
cultured men and women screamed for violent death. The
catharsis demanded by societies grown decadent, the chance for
a traveler to make a stake, a young man a reputation.

"A man accustomed to violence," she said softly. "But more
than that Elgar told me of your speed, the incredible way in
which you moved. To throw a knife as fast as a man can pull a
trigger! To send it across twenty feet before the beam could
reach you. Had it been less, you would not have been burned.
You are no ordinary man, Earl Dumarest, but I thank all the
gods that ever were that you were at that place at that time."

Her voice betrayed her. Impassive though her face remained,
the tones carried a vibrant note of raw emotion. Another woman
would have burst into tears, caught his hand, perhaps, even
showed signs of hysteria. And it was more than simple gratitude.
It was as if a terrible fear had been realized and the reaction
remained, all the more strong because of thoughts of what might
have been.

He knew that he could reach for her, touch her, and whatever
he desired would be freely given. Instead he said, "Those men
wanted to take the boy. Do you know why?"

She drew a deep, shuddering breath. "Ransom, perhaps?"

"Not unless you are rich," he said dryly. "Are you?"

"We have the farm and little else. You carry more money than
we own."

"Assets, then? Is the farm of value?"

"Land is cheap on Ourelle. We have food and live well, but