"Manly Wade Wellman - Sherlock Holmes's War of the Worlds" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wellman Manly Wade)

"Two possibilities occur to me. Remembering that they regard us as civilized Europeans regard the
most primitive savages, we can surmise that either they propose to civilize and benefit us, or conquer and
ex-ploit us. In my judgment, either program will amount to almost the same plight for humanity."
"I will tell you a theory of mine at some appropriate time. But as of now, I incline to your suggestion of
hostility. How can the world be alerted?"
"Impossible," boomed Challenger. "My experience with Stent proves it is impossible."
"Surely others might prove more reasonable."
Challenger rose ponderously and paced the floor. "My dear Holmes, let me tell you a doleful truth
about so-called scientific authorities, proven through the ages. They cling to ancient theories and disdain
new truths. Galileo was forced, under threat of terrible punishment, to deny the heliocentric system of
astronomy. Darwin's theory of evolution was attacked as a tissue of blas-phemies. Pasteur, when he
demonstrated that disease was caused by germs, was laughed to scorn for years. And IтАФ" He flung out
his arms, as though to sweep his three rivals away. "I suffer the same fate as those other pioneers, I must
meekly bear the ridicule of mental Lilliputians like Stent, the Astronomer Royal!"
"We might call in Watson," offered Holmes. "He is better acquainted than I with scientists. He might
suggest someone more receptive."
"Not as yet," said Challenger suddenly. "Stent's re-action is but a sample of what reception we would
get."
"The Martians are on the way," said Holmes. "With them comes vindication."
"And we must hope that their intentions are peace-able. Then they will seek to communicate with us.
And who has the intellect, the method, to establish that communication?"
"You want me to nominate you?" asked Holmes.
"Modesty forbids me to suggest it, but I accept."
"The nomination is not forthcoming as yet," said Holmes. "I do not insult you, my dear Challenger,
when I say that I doubt the possibility of any communica-tion."
"We shall soon know. Leave all in my hands, and wait for me to notify you of any new developments.
Agreed?"
"Agreed," said Holmes.
That midnight, astronomers saw another fiery flash on Mars. Next midnight another, and the next.
Holmes visited Challenger again. The crystal revealed only the girdered chamber. But as they peered into
it, the face of a Martian drew close and looked steadily, as though meeting their own gaze.
"It must want to tell us something," suggested Holmes.
 "Tell us what?" demanded Challenger. "Have you a theory?"
"Call it rather a fancy. What if I acted under some sort of direction in buying the crystal and giving it to
you for joint scrutiny? What if this Martian is trying to say that? Perhaps thought waves come through the
crystal; perhaps they came to me in the shop."
The Martian drew away.
"His face was expressionless, at least to us," said Holmes, "but at last interest was shown in our
reac-tions."
"If they do have mental contact with us, they must gather that my intellect is unique on this planet," said
Challenger gravely. "Your own is, of course, sufficiently exceptional to be worth their recognition. I must
profoundly regret that Professor MoriartyтАФthe one ad-versary worthy of you in all your deductive
careerтАФis not here to observe with us."
The crystal went dim. They sat back in their chairs. "We can only wait for them to arrive," said
Challenger.
Each midnight thereafter, precisely at twenty-four-hour intervals, new flashes were reported by
observa-tories throughout Europe. The newspapers reported various speculations about volcanic
explosions on Mars, impacts of meteors, once a suggestion that Martians sought to signal earth. Watson
was interested, but set aside his astronomical surmises to journey to the Derby at Epsom on May 21,
there to wager heavily on Shoscombe Prince and applaud loudly as his choice came home a winner. He