"Arcady And Boris Strugatsky. Prisoners of Power" - читать интересную книгу автораlay.
"Stay where you are," said Pandi in a low voice. Guy entered. The brigadier handed him the documents and ordered the return of confiscated property. Mr. Renadu was released. "Rashe Musai," said the adjutant to the iron stool. "Rashe Musai," repeated Pandi through the open door. A thin, utterly exhausted man wearing a shabby robe and one slipper entered. He had scarcely sat down when the brigadier shouted: "So, you murderer, you've been hiding?" Rashe responded with a lengthy, muddled explanation. He had not been hiding, he had a sick wife and three children, his rent wasn't paid, he had been arrested twice and released, he was now employed in a factory as an upholsterer, and he had not done anything wrong. Maxim was certain he would be released, but the brigadier rose suddenly and declared that Rashe Musai, age forty-two, married, twice arrested, was sentenced to seven years in accordance with the law on preventive detention. For an instant Rashe Musai appeared not to understand the sentence. Then a terrible scene erupted. The upholsterer sobbed, pleaded incoherently to be forgiven, and continued to shout and cry while Pandi dragged him out into the corridor. Maxim caught Captain Chachu's eye on him again. "Kivi Popshu," announced the adjutant. A broad-shouldered fellow whose face was disfigured by some skin disease was pushed through the door. This housebreaker, a repeater, caught at the scene of the crime, behaved in an insolently ingratiating manner. First he begged the authorities not to sentence him to a cruel death, then he laughed hysterically, made wisecracks, and told stories about himself, give anyone else a chance to speak. After several unsuccessful attempts to question him, the brigadier leaned back in his chair and looked to his right and left indignantly. Captain Chachu said in a monotone: "Candidate Sim, shut him up!" Not knowing how to silence the prisoner, Maxim simply grabbed Kivi Popshu by the shoulder and shook him hard. The prisoner's jaws snapped shut; he bit his tongue and fell silent. Then the civilian, who had been observing the prisoner, said: "I'll take this one. He'll be useful." "Fine," said the brigadier and ordered the escort to return Kivi Popshu to his cell. When the prisoner had been led out, the adjutant said: "That finishes the small fry. Now for the group." "Begin with their leader," suggested the civilian. "What's his name - Ketshef?" The adjutant glanced at his papers and again addressed the prisoner's seat: "Gel Ketshef." A handcuffed man was led into the room. His eyes were red, his face swollen. He sat down and fixed his gaze on the picture above the brigadier's head. "Is your name Gel Ketshef?" asked the brigadier. "Yes." "You are a dentist?" "I was." "What is your relationship to the dentist Hobbi?" |
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