"E. C. Tubb - Dumarest 30 - Symbol of Terra" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tubb E. C)

it; a woman, grossly emphasized, of a size you could hold in a hand. He
said it was the depiction of some ancient goddess. Erce."

"Mother Earth," said Chenault. "Or the Earth Mother. You have it with
you?"

"No. Pryor is minding it for me. I didn't want to lose it."

"Neither did he." Chenault nodded, understanding. "You are subtle,
Earl, I like that. A gift accepted and returned in a manner devoid of
offense. He gave you my name?"

"Yes."

"And Shakira?"

"Yes." Dumarest met the stare of the bright eyes, brighter now with
reflected starlight. "Tayu Shakira of the circus of Chen Wei. He said you
could help me."

"Tell me about him." Chenault listened as Dumarest obeyed. "Did you
know him well?"

"No."

"But if he gave you my nameтАФ"

"No one knew him well," interrupted Dumarest. "But if you knew him
at all, really knew him, you must know one thing about him. He
isтАФunusual."

"In what way?" Chenault leaned forward, tense. "Tell me!"

Dumarest said, curtly, "He is not like other men. He has hands
sprouting from his waist. Extra hands."

"The product of wild genes." Chenault sighed and relaxed. "You know
him. Tayu must have trusted you to allow you to live with that knowledge.
Later you must tell me about him and also how you managed to make
Edelman Pryor feel so indebted to you that he gave you his most prized
possession. Govinda was right; you are a most unusual man, Earl
Dumarest. I am proud to greet you as my guest."

"It will be an honor to shelter beneath your roof."

"The old courtesies." Chenault smiled his pleasure. "It is good to hear
the traditional words again. But I am remiss as a host. Govinda told me
that you claimed to have walked here and must be fatigued. She was also
curious as to where you came from. We are somewhat isolated here. The
nearest village lies over a hundred miles to the west. The townтАФ"