Атлант расправил плечи

           "

           Thepieceofpaper,whichheplacedinfrontofRearden,lookedlikeasmallcollegediploma,withthetextprintedinold-fashionedscriptandtheparticularsinsertedbytypewriter.Thethingstatedthathe,HenryRearden,herebytransferredtothenationallrightstothemetalalloynowknownas"ReardenMetal,"whichwouldhenceforthbemanufacturedbyallwhosodesired,andwhichwouldbearthenameof"MiracleMetal,"chosenbytherepresentativesofthepeople.

           Glancingatthepaper,Reardenwonderedwhetheritwasadeliberatemockeryofdecency,orsolowanestimateoftheirvictims’intelligence,thathadmadethedesignersofthispaperprintthetextacrossafaintdrawingoftheStatueofLiberty.

           HiseyesmovedslowlytoDr.Ferris’face."Youwouldnothavecomehere,"hesaid,"unlessyouhadsomeextraordinarykindofblackjacktouseonme.Whatisit?"

           "Ofcourse,"saidDr.Ferris."Iwouldexpectyoutounderstandthat.Thatiswhynolengthyexplanationsarenecessary."Heopenedhisbriefcase."Doyouwishtoseemyblackjack?Ihavebroughtafewsamples."

           Inthemannerofacardsharpwhiskingoutalongfanofcardswithonesnapofthehand,hespreadbeforeReardenalineofglossyphotographicprints.Theywerephotostatsofhotelandautocourtregisters,bearinginRearden’shandwritingthenamesofMr.andMrs.J.Smith.

           "Youknow,ofcourse,"saidDr.