"Arcady And Boris Strugatsky. Prisoners of Power" - читать интересную книгу автораhe would," he added. "But I didn't understand then."
"Did you take part in Legion operations?" "I've already told you about that." "Tell us again!" "I took part in only one operation, when Ketshef, Ordi, you, and two others who wouldn't identify themselves were seized. One had an artificial arm." "Your captain certainly was in a hurry. How do you account for it? Before a candidate is tested by blood, he must participate in at least three operations." "I don't know. I only know he didn't trust me. I myself can't understand why he sent me to shoot - " "Why did he shoot you?" "I think he was frightened. I wanted to take away his gun." "I don't understand," said the long-haired man. "Let's see if I've got it straight: he didn't trust you, so, to check you out, he sent you to execute - " "Hold on, Forester," said Memo, "this is a lot of hot air. Words don't mean a damn thing. If I were you, doctor, I'd examine him. There's something fishy about his story." "I can't examine him in the dark," said the doctor. "Light the candle," suggested Maxim. "I see you anyway." For a moment there was dead silence. Then Broadshoulders asked: "What do you mean - you see us?" Maxim shrugged his shoulders. "I can see in the dark." Maxim turned around. "You've aimed your carbine at me. Rather, you think it's at me, but actually it's aimed at the doctor. You are Memo Gramenu - nicknamed Hoof of Death, or just Hoofer. I recognize you. You have a scratch on your right cheek that wasn't there before." "Noctalopia," muttered the doctor. "Let's have some light. This is stupid. He sees us and we don't see him." He groped for the matches. "Yes," said Memo, "of course it's stupid. Either he leaves here as one of us or he doesn't leave at all." "May I?" Maxim reached out, took the matches from the doctor, and lit the candle. Unaccustomed to the light, everyone squinted. The doctor lit his pipe quickly. "Undress," he ordered. Maxim pulled his canvas shirt over his head. Everyone stared at his chest. The doctor rose and crossed over to Maxim. Hi turned him in various directions and felt him with strong, cold fingers. It was quiet. Then Longhair said sympathetically: "A handsome boy. My son was... too." No one answered. He rose heavily, fumbled around in a corner of the room, and hoisted a large wickered jug onto the table. He set out three mugs. "We can take turns. If anyone's hungry, there's cheese. And bread." "Wait, Forester," said Broadshoulders. "Push your jug away. I can't see a thing. Well, what do you think, doctor?" |
|
|