"Colin Wilson - Spiderworld 05 - The Magician" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wilson Colin)

there was a medallion of the same color. One side was blank; on the other was the symbol
that he had already seen once that morning. Niall held it out on the palm of his hand. But
Dravig stared at it blankly. The spider mentality, for all its intelligence, found symbols
incomprehensible.
Niall said: "It is the same sign we found on the lead disc under the tree."
"But what does it mean?"
"I don't know. But I shall try to find out."
As they returned along the path between the walls, Niall stopped and pointed to
the footprints.
"Now I understand why the heel is deeper than the toes. He was walking
backwards, helping to carry the body."
"But why did they not leave the body where it was?"
"By removing it, they thought they were leaving no clues behind. If the snow had
been heavier, we would never have discovered how Skorbo died."
Dravig said: "The snow was their ally."
"And also their enemy."
In the damp-smelling hallway, with its dust and rubble, Niall paused again to look
around. This time he was able to find the prints of two sets of sandals in the dust. He said:
"There is still one thing I cannot understand. How did they lure Skorbo into the
building?"
"I can tell you that." Niall stared at him in surprise. "They used the scent of a
female spider in season."
"Of course!" It was the smell that had intrigued Niall when he first stepped into
the hallway. When he had returned with Dravig, it had gone. But the spider's more acute
senses had detected it.
Dravig said: "What do you wish me to say to the Death Lord?"
The question took Niall by surprise. After all, he had nothing to do with Skorbo's
death. Now, suddenly, he realized that his attitude revealed a lack of maturity and
understanding. He was the ruler of all the human beings in this city. Therefore, the
murder was his responsibility, whether he liked it or not.
He said: "Please tell the Death Lord that I shall do everything in my power to find
the criminals. When they are found, they shall be handed over to you for punishment."
"Thank you." Their minds made momentary contact; it was the equivalent of a
human handshake. Then Dravig turned away and went out into the square. When he and
Niall were alone, he omitted the ritual gestures of homage, knowing that Niall found
them embarrassing. Dravig would have preferred to make the gestures; like all spiders, he
found them natural and satisfying to his sense of order. That he omitted them now was a
sign of friendship and respect.
About to follow Dravig into the square, Niall remembered the leaden disc, which
he had left outside the door that led into the garden. He went back down the corridor. The
disc was gone. Niall could remember the exact spot where he had left it; in fact the
indentation was still in the snow, with some faint earth marks.
The slaves were now clearing the snow from the pavement in front of the house.
The overseer, a powerfully built man whose face looked as if it had been carved out of
wood, snapped to attention as Niall approached.
Niall asked: "What is your name?"
"Dion, sir."
"Have you seen anyone go into that house in the last ten minutes?"
"No, sir."
Niall was probing his mind as he spoke, and could see he was telling the truth.