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

means?"
"I believe I do," said Holmes gravely. "If you saw the Great Bear, you saw the skies from within the
solar system. And two moonsтАФthe only planet near us that has two moons is Mars."
"You are right, Holmes," nodded Challenger ener-getically. "This is proof that we are able to see a
Martian landscape."
" 'Proof palpable as the bright sun,' " said Holmes. "You must forgive me, Challenger, if I quote Keats
againтАФthis time from Otho the Great."
Challenger sat down heavily and puffed out his bearded cheeks. "You will do me the justice of
believing that I have read and appreciated poetry in the past, before the direction of my researches came
to demand so much of my time. Of the Romantics I preferred Shelley, precisely because of his own
interest in scien-tific subjects. Even in my literary tastes, I have culti-vated the purely scientific mind."
"And I have aimed rather at the universal mind," said Holmes, "But you are right, Shelley was the most
scientific in his interests among the Romantics."
"He was keenly interested in astronomy, and the subject now before us is certainly astronomical."
A knock at the door. Billy looked in. "Someone to see you, Mr. Holmes," he said, and Templeton
entered, carrying a shabby top hat in his hand. He seemed nervous and apologetic.
"If you are engaged at present, Mr. HolmesтАФ" he began uneasily.
"I can spare you a moment. What is it?"
"It's about that crystal, sir. I've found out that it is worth far more than the five pounds you paid me."
"You accepted five pounds," said Holmes bleakly. "You have come a bit too late to raise the price."
"But Morse Hudson tells me that others will bid high for it," pleaded Templeton. "A Mr. Jacoby Wace,
Assistant Demonstrator at St. Catherine's Hospital, and the Prince of Bosso-Kuni in Java. Hudson says
they both have money. If we get a profit from one or the other, you and Hudson and I could
divide it."
"Templeton," said Holmes sternly, "you endanger yourself by associating with Morse Hudson. Had he
not surrendered the Cellini ring to me in your shop, you might have been guilty of receiving stolen goods.
As for the crystal, be content to realize that it is no longer in my possession."
"Mr. Holmes is telling you the truth, my good man," rumbled Challenger.
Templeton gazed wide-eyed at Challenger. "How am I to know that, sir? I do not believe I am
acquainted with youтАФ"
"Does this fellow doubt my word!" roared Chal-lenger, bounding to his feet. "You are addressing
George Edward Challenger, sir! Here, Holmes, stand aside while I throw him down the stairs."
Templeton flew out through the door like a frightened rabbit. Challenger sat down again, his face
crimson.
"So much for that inconsequential interruption," he said. "Now, Holmes, it is our duty to consider all
im-plications. First of all, we must speak of the crystal to nobody."
"Nobody?" repeated Holmes. "You do not want other scientific opinions?"
"Bah!" Challenger gestured impatiently. "I have had experience of such things. A revolutionary new
idea stuns them, impels them to make ridiculous, offensive remarks. At present, keep it our secret."
"My friend Watson is a doctor, has scientific acu-men," said Holmes. "I have always found him
respect-ful and ready to be enlightened. Some day you and he must meet."
"No, not even your friend Watson. I shall not tell my wife. And I trust you will not tell your landlady."
"Why do you admonish me about that?"
Challenger's blue eyes regarded Holmes intently. "I give myself to wonder if you cannot best answer
that question yourself. But meanwhile, we must continue our observations, checking each against the
other. When can you come to Enmore Park?"
"Later this afternoon," said Holmes.
"Shall we say four o'clock? I have an errand, but I can dispose of it by then."
Challenger donned his greatcoat and tramped out. Holmes sat at his desk, brooding. He picked up a
pen, then laid it aside. A knock at the door, and Martha entered.