"The Robot Brains." - читать интересную книгу автора (Bounds Sidney J.)

The Robot Brains

- 1 -

"This is an interesting story. Doctor," said the police inspector's politely.

"Interesting?" Doctor Fox jumped from his chair and waved his finger under the inspector nose. "Let me remind you that they are murdering people!"

Fox was very excited. He was walking up and down the room. He was a short man with a plump face and wore spectacles. He had a reputation of having his own opinion on everything under the sun.

"What is your theory, Doctor?" said the inspector. "This organization which you talk about - what motive can they have? If you can tell me something about the weapon with which they kill, I'll be grateful."

Fox shook his head.

"I only know what I've read in the papers. Some kind of energy discharge, that is clear."

The inspector looked at the clock on the wall and knew that tea was waiting. He sighed. Fox suddenly sat down.

"You don't have to accept my theory," he said, "but you have to accept the facts. I checked carefully. Each time one of these murders took place, the Burkholder Fair was nearby. Every time - that can't be coincidence."

The inspector nodded.

"Doctor Fox, the first victim - Professor Leach - was a friend of yours, I believe. Don't you think that fact played on your nerves a little?"

Fox jumped to his feet again. He could not remain still for a moment.

"So you think I'm talking nonsense, Inspector! Well, let me tell you -»

The Inspector pressed a button on his desk, and a sergeant in a uniform opened the door.

"Show Doctor Fox out," said the Inspector.

The doctor left the police station. He walked, talking to himself.

"What the devil can I do? If only Christian were here…"

He stopped in the street. "Why not?" he thought. Why not, indeed! He would send for Christian at once.

He hurried to the post-office to send a telegram.

Meanwhile the inspector was drinking his tea and thinking over what he had just heard. It was absurd, of course. Yet, Fox was a scientist… The inspector saw no connection between the victims, except the manner in which they had died. The whole thing seemed to have no motive. The inspector was puzzled.