Атлант расправил плечи

           Justraisealotofnoiseaboutitsbeingapatrioticdutyandthatanyonewhorefusesisaprinceofgreed,andthey’llsign.But—"Hestopped.

           "Iknow,"saidMouch;hewasgrowingvisiblymorenervous."Therewillbe,Ithink,afewold-fashionedbastardshereandtherewho’llrefusetosign—buttheywon’tbeprominentenoughtomakeanoise,nobodywillhearaboutit,theirowncommunitiesandfriendswillturnagainstthemfortheirbeingselfish,soitwon’tgiveusanytrouble.

           We’lljusttakethepatentsover,anyway—andthoseguyswon’thavethenerveorthemoneytostartatestcase.But—"Hestopped.

           JamesTaggartleanedbackinhischair,watchingthem;hewasbeginningtoenjoytheconversation.

           "Yes,"saidDr.Ferris,"I’mthinkingofit,too.I’mthinkingofacertain’tycoonwhoisinapositiontoblastustopieces.Whetherwe’llrecoverthepiecesornot,ishardtotell.Godknowswhatisliabletohappenatahystericaltimelikethepresentandinasituationasdelicateasthis.Anythingcanthroweverythingoffbalance.Blowupthewholeworks.Andifthere’sanyonewhowantstodoit,hedoes.Hedoesandcan.Heknowstherealissue,heknowsthethingswhichmustnotbesaid—andheisnotafraidtosaythem.Heknowstheonedangerous,fatallydangerousweapon.Heisourdeadliestadversary."

           "Who?"askedLawson.

           Dr.Ferrishesitated,shruggedandanswered,"Theguiltlessman.