Атлант расправил плечи

           "

           Taggart’sscreamrosetotheshrill,impotentsoundthatconfessesamiscalculation:"Doyourealizewhatyou’resaying?"

           "Why,yes,ofcourse."

           "Willyourepeatit"—hewavedattheroom—"forthesewitnesses?"

           Eddieraisedhisvoicealittle,moreinprecisionandclaritythaninvolume:"Iknowwheresheis.ButIwillnottellyou."

           "You’reconfessingthatyou’reanaccomplicewho’saidingandabettingadeserter?"

           "Ifthat’swhatyouwishtocallit."

           "Butit’sacrime!It’sacrimeagainstthenation.Don’tyouknowthat?"

           "No."

           "It’sagainstthelaw!"

           "Yes."

           "Thisisanationalemergency!Youhavenorighttoanyprivatesecrets!You’rewithholdingvitalinformation!I’mthePresidentofthisrailroad!I’morderingyoutotellme!Youcan’trefusetoobeyanorder!

           It’sapenitentiaryoffense!Doyouunderstand?"

           "Yes."

           "Doyourefuse?"

           "Ido."

           YearsoftraininghadmadeTaggartabletowatchanyaudiencearoundhim,withoutappearingtodoso.Hesawthetight,closedfacesofthestaff,facesthatwerenothisallies.Allhadalookofdespair,exceptthefaceofEddieWillers.