Чужак в чужой стране

           Idon’tknow!"

           AnhourlaterBen’sstomachhadbeenpumpedout(alcoholandgastricjuices,nofood);Jubalhadgivenhimshotstooffsetalcoholandbarbiturates;hewasbathed,shaved,dressedincleanclothesthatdidnotfithim,hadmettheManfromMars,andwassketchilybroughtuptodate,whileingestingmilkandblandfood.

           Buthewasunabletobringthemuptodate.ForBen,thepastweekhadnothappened–hehadbecomeunconsciousinataxicabinWashington;hehadbeenshakenintodrunkenwakefulnesstwohoursearlier."OfcourseIknowwhathappened.Theykeptmedopedandinacompletelydarkroom?andwrungrueout.Ivaguelyremembersomeofit.ButIcan’tproveanything.Andthere’sthevillageJefeandthemadamofthisdivetheytookmeto–plus,I’msure,plentyofotherwitnesses–‘toswearjusthowthisgringospenthistime.Andthere’snothingIcandoaboutit."

           "Thendon’tfightit,"Jubaladvised."Relaxandbehappy."

           "ThehellIwill!I’llgetthat-"

           "Tut,tut!You’vewon,Ben.Andyou’realive?whichIwouldhavegivenlongoddsagainst,earliertoday.Douglasisgoingtodoexactlywhatwewanthimto–andsmileandlikeit."

           "Iwanttotalkaboutthat.Ithink-"

           "Ithinkyou’regoingtobed.Now.WithaglassofwarmmilktoconcealOldDoeHarshaw’sSecretIngredientforsecretdrinkers."

           ShortlythereafterCaxtonwasinbedandbeginningtosnore.Jubalwasputteringaround,headingforbedhimself,andencounteredAnneintheupperhall.Heshookhisheadtiredly.