"Jack Vance - Marune v1.0" - читать интересную книгу автора (Vance Jack)

"What shall I do with him? He can't stay here!"

"Consult the police; they'll know what to do."

Mergan called the police, and presently an official arrived in a police van,
and the amnesiac was led away.

At the Hall of Inquiry, Detective Squil attempted interrogation, without
success. The police doctor experimented with hypnotism, and finally threw up
his hands.

"A most stubborn condition; I have seen three previous cases, but nothing
like this."

"What causes it?"

"Autosuggestion, occasioned by emotional stress. This is most usual. But
here" - he waved toward the uncomprehending amnesiac - "my instruments show
no psychic charge of any kind. He has no emotions, and I have no leverage."

Detective Squil, a reasonable man, asked: "What can he do to help himself?
He is obviously no ruffian."

"He should take himself to the Connatic's Hospital on Numenes."

Detective Squil laughed. "All very well. Who pays his fare?"

"The superintendent at the spaceport should be able to arrange passage, or
so I should think."

Squil made a dubious sound but turned to his telephone. As he expected, the
Respectable Mergan, having transferred responsibility to the police, wanted
no further part of the situation. "The regulations are most explicit," said
Mergan. "I certainly cannot do as you suggest."

"We can't keep him here at the station."

"He appears able-bodied; let him earn his fare, which after all is not
exorbitant."

"Easier said than done, what with his disability."

"What generally happens to indigents?"

"You know as well as I do; they're sent out to Gaswin. But this man is
mentally ill; he's not an indigent."

"I can't argue that, because I don't know. At least I've pointed out a
course of action."