"E. C. Tubb - Dumarest 13 - Eye of the Zodiac" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tubb E. C)

Too many reasons, none of which the youngster would
understand. His very desire for companionship showed how
unfitted he was to follow the way he had chosen. A man traveled
faster alone. It was easier to get one berth than two. And two
men would be easier to spot than one.

Dumarest said, "Forget it, Leon."

"Why? Is someone after you? Is that it, Earl? Are you in
danger of some kind?"

A guessтАФor perhaps a comment too shrewd for comfort.
Certainly too near the truth. Dumarest looked at the young face,
the haggardness it revealed, the fatigue. Medical science could
have made him appear younger, intensive training taught him a
part to play, rewards offered and promises made. There could be
a thousand like him scattered on worlds in this sector, placed
where a destitute traveler would look for work, waiting, watchful,
doing nothing until the time came to report to their masters.

Was Leon Harvey an agent of the Cyclan?

"Earl?"

"NothingтАФI was thinking. Where is your home world?"

"Nerth. Not too far from here. IтАФ"

"Nerth?"

"Yes. Earl, is something wrong? Your faceтАФ" Dumarest forced
himself to relax. It was coincidence, it could be nothing more. A
name which held a special association. Nerth, Earth, an
accident, surely. Yet hope, never dead, responded to the familiar
sound. A lure, perhaps? If Leon was an agent of the Cyclan, he
could have offered no greater enticement.

"Earth," said Dumarest. "You said Earth?"

"Earth?" Leon smiled. "Earl, are you crazy? Who the hell
would call any planet by that name? No, I said Nerth. It's a quiet
world, too quiet for me, I ran as soon as I got the chance. And
I'm going to keep on running. Just as soon as I get enough for a
passage I'm on my way. Right smack towards the Center. You've
been there, Earl?"

"Yes."

"And you'll come with me?"