"Walter Jon Williams - Wall, Stone, Craft" - читать интересную книгу автора (Williams Walter John)

УThe long way Сround,Ф said Somerset. УItТs grown unsafe in ParisЧtoo many old Bonapartists lurking with guns and bombs, and of course George is the laddie they hate most. So weТre off to join the Duke as diplomats, but we plan to meet with his highness of Orange along the way. In Brussels, in two daysТ time.Ф

УGood old Slender Billy!Ф said Smith. УI havenТt seen him since the battle.Ф

УThe battle!Ф said Claire. УYou said you would tell us!Ф

George gave her an irritated look. УPlease, Miss Clairmont, I beg you. No battles before dinner.Ф His stomach rumbled audibly.

УBysshe,Ф said Mary, УdidnТt you say the cook had told you a ghost story?Ф

УA good one, too,Ф said Bysshe. УIt happened in the house across the road, the one with the tile roof. A pair of old witches used to live there. Sisters.Ф He looked up at George. УWe may have ghosts before dinner, may we not?Ф

УFor all of me, you may.Ф

УThey dealt in charms and curses and so on, and made a living supplying the, ah, the supernatural needs of the district. It so happened that two different men had fallen in love with the same girl, and each man applied to one of the weird sisters for a love charmЧeach to a different sister, you see. One of them used his spell first and won the heart of the maiden, and this drove the other suitor into a rage. So he went to the witch who had sold him his charm, and demanded she change the young ladyТs mind. When the witch insisted it was impossible, he drew his pistol and shot her dead.Ф

УHow very un-Belgian of him,Ф drawled Smith.

Bysshe continued unperturbed. УSo quick as a wink,Ф he said, Уthe dead witchТs sister seized a heavy kitchen cleaver and cut off the young manТs head with a single stroke. The head fell to the floor and bounced out the porch steps. And ever since that nightЧФ He leaned across the table toward Mary, his voice dropping dramatically. УЧpeople in the house have sometimes heard a thumping noise, and seen the suitorТs head, dripping gore, bouncing down the steps.Ф

Mary and Bysshe shared a delicious shiver. George gave Bysshe a thoughtful look.

УDТye credit this sort of thing, Mr. Omnibus?Ф

Bysshe looked up. УOh yes. I have a great belief in things supernatural.Ф

George gave an insolent smile, and MaryТs heart quickened as she recognized a trap.

УThen how can you be an atheist?Ф George asked.

Bysshe was startled. No one had ever asked him this question before. He gave a nervous laugh. УI am not so much opposed to God,Ф he said, Уas I am a worshipper of Galileo and Newton. And of course an enemy of the established Church.Ф

УI see.Ф

A little smile drifted across ByssheТs lips.





УYes!Ф he said, УI have seen GodТs worshippers unsheathe
The sword of his revenge, when grace descended,
Confirming all unnatural impulses,
To satisfy their desolating deeds;
And frantic priests waved the ill-omened cross
OТer the unhappy earth; then shone the sun
On showers of gore from the upflashing steel
Of safe assassinЧФ