"Jack Vance - The Many Worlds of Magnus Ridolph" - читать интересную книгу автора (Vance Jack)

Magnus Ridolph cleared his throat. "What is your problem?"

"Well - I am Martha Chickering, secretary of the Women's League Committee for the Preservation of
Moral Values. We are fighting a particularly disgraceful condition that the law refuses to abate. We have
appealed to the better nature of the persons involved, but I'm afraid that financial gain means more to
them than decency."

"Be so kind as to state your problem."

"Are you acquainted with the world" - she spoke it as if it were a social disease - "Kokod?"

Magnus Ridolph nodded gravely, stroked his neat white beard. "Your problem assumes form."

"Can you help us, then? Every right-thinking person condemns the goings-on - brutal, undignified,
nauseous . . ."

Magnus Ridolph nodded. "The exploitation of the Kokod natives is hardly commendable."

"Hardly commendable!" cried Martha Chickering. "It's despicable! It's trafficking in blood! We execrate
the sadistic beasts who patronize bull-fights - but we condone, even encourage the terrible things that take
place on Kokod while Holpers and See daily grow wealthier."

"Ha, ha!" exclaimed Magnus Ridolph. ."Bruce Holpers and Julius See?"

"Why, yes." She looked at him questioningly. "Perhaps you know them?"

Magnus Ridolph sat back in his chair, turned the liqueur down his throat. "To some slight extent. We had
what I believe is called a business connection. But no matter, please continue. Your problem has acquired
a new dimension, and beyond question the situation is deplorable."

"Then you agree that the Kokod Syndicate should be broken up? You will help us?"

Magnus Ridolph spread his arms in a fluent gesture. "Mrs. Chickering, my good wishes are freely at your
disposal; active participation in the crusade is another matter and will be determined by the fee your

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 THE MANY WORLDS OF MAGNUS RIDOLPH by Jack Vance


organization is prepared to invest."

Mrs. Chickering spoke stiffly. "Well, we assume that a man of principle might be willing to make certain
sacrifices - "

Magnus Ridolph sighed. "You touch me upon a sensitive spot, Mrs. Chickering. I shall indeed make a
sacrifice. Rather than the extended rest I had promised myself, I will devote my abilities to your problem .
. . Now let us discuss my fee - no, first, what do you require?"

"We insist that the gaming at Shadow Valley Inn be halted. We want Bruce Holpers and Julius See