"E. C. Tubb - Dumarest 23 - World of Promise" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tubb E. C)

which he was a part.

Now he lifted his bowl, tall and gaunt in his robe of brown
homespun, the bare feet in their sandals gnarled and stained
with the dirt of the field, an old man who had dedicated his life
to the easement of suffering. His head lowered as Dumarest
dropped coins into the bowl.

"You are generous, brother."

Dumarest said dryly, "Aren't you going to wish me good
fortune in my studies?"

"If it will please you." The sunken eyes of the monk were
direct. "But do you go to study, brother? Or do you go to hide?"
 A guess? Monks were far from being fools and the old man
would have noticed his bearing, recognized the dun-colored robe
for what it was, the charity as being alien to a student nursing
his resources. A mistake, but not a serious one; Dumarest had no
cause to fear the Church.

He moved on, halting to listen to a man selling electronic
equipment.

"Small, neat and compact," he was saying. "Each unit is
capable of multiple settings and can take a variety of programs.
Use the earpiece while awake, the bone conductor when
asleepтАФthe actual emissions from the brain when the correct
state is reached will trigger the instrument. Each cartridge holds
an hour of continuous information, and a wide choice is
available. Medicine, electronics, physics, astrogationтАФall in the
form of lectures or assembled bits of essential data. Learn while
you sleep. Gain the advantage of continuous study and ensure
the gaining of your degree."

An honest man selling an honest product but a student
wanted more than that. The vendor pursed his lips at the
question.

"A crib? Something to take into the examination room and
feed information as desired? My friend, if I had such an item I
would be a criminal to sell it to you. The rooms are electronically
guarded against such devices and, if you should be discovered
owning one, you would be immediately expelled. I have no desire
to contribute to another's ruin. IтАФ" He broke off as a siren cut
the air with its wail, a series of short and long blasts which
ended in an echoing silence. "The Cossos." He looked at his
audience. "That was her signal."

Dumarest's shipтАФit was time for him to board.