Атлант расправил плечи

           "

           Therewereotherfiguresinthehall,listeningwithanapprehensivecuriosity.Theofficer’shandsummonedoneofthemtoapproach—anunshavedcivilianwithashabbyovercoatthrownoverhisshoulders.

           "Whatdoyouwant?"hesnappedatStadler.

           "Wouldsomeonepleasetellmewherearethegentlemenofthescientificstaff?"Dr.Stadleraskedinthecourteouslyperemptorytoneofanorder.

           Thetwomenglancedateachother,asifsuchaquestionwereirrelevantinthisplace."DoyoucomefromWashington?"thecivilianaskedsuspiciously.

           "Idonot.IwillhaveyouunderstandthatI’mthroughwiththatWashingtongang."

           "Oh?"Themanseemedpleased."AreyouaFriendofthePeople,then?"

           "IwouldsaythatI’mthebestfriendthepeopleeverhad.I’mthemanwhogavethemallthis."Hepointedaroundhim.

           "Youdid?"saidtheman,impressed."AreyouoneofthosewhomadeadealwiththeBoss?"

           "I’mthebosshere,fromnowon."

           Themenlookedateachother,retreatingafewsteps.Theofficerasked,"DidyousaythenamewasStadler?"

           "RobertStadler.Andifyoudon’tknowwhatthatmeans,you’llfindout!"

           "Willyoupleasefollowme,sir?"saidtheofficer,withshakypoliteness.

           WhathappenednextwasnotcleartoDr.