Атлант расправил плечи
In the Name of the Best among us
"
"IsDr.Ferrishere?"
"No.Heleftten-fifteenminutesago."
"Now,thatlaboratoryupstairs—doesitopenrightonthestairlanding?"
"Yes."
"Howmanydoorsarethere?"
"Three.It’stheoneinthemiddle."
"Whataretheotherrooms?"
"There’sthesmalllaboratoryononesideandDr.Ferris’officeontheother."
"Arethereconnectingdoorsbetweenthem?"
"Yes."
Franciscowasturningtohiscompanions,whentheguardsaidpleadingly,"Mister,canIaskyouaquestion?"
"Goahead."
"Whoareyou?"
Heansweredinthesolemntoneofadrawing-roomintroduction,"FranciscoDomingoCarlosAndresSebastiand’Anconia."
Helefttheguardgapingathimandturnedtoabrief,whisperedconsultationwithhiscompanions.
Inamoment,itwasReardenwhowentupthestairs—swiftly,soundlesslyandalone.
Cagescontainingratsandguineapigswerestackedagainstthewallsofthelaboratory;theyhadbeenputtherebytheguardswhowereplayingpokeronthelonglaboratorytableinthecenter.Sixofthemwereplaying;twowerestandinginoppositecorners,watchingtheentrancedoor,gunsinhand.
