Атлант расправил плечи
The Man who belonged on Earth
"Wherediditcomefrom?"
"Nobodyknows."
Theyweresilent,thenhesaid,"IknewaJohnGaltonce.Onlyhediedlongago."
"Whowashe?"
"Iusedtothinkthathewasstillalive.ButnowI’mcertainthathemusthavedied.Hehadsuchamindthat,hadhelived,thewholeworldwouldhavebeentalkingofhimbynow."
"Butthewholeworldistalkingofhim."
Hestoppedstill."Yes..."hesaidslowly,staringatathoughtthathadneverstruckhimbefore,"yes...Why?"Thewordwasheavywiththesoundofterror.
"Whowashe,Dr.Stadler?"
"Whyaretheytalkingofhim?"
"Whowashe?"
Heshookhisheadwithashudderandsaidsharply,"It’sjustacoincidence.Thenameisnotuncommonatall.It’sameaninglesscoincidence.IthasnoconnectionwiththemanIknew.Thatmanisdead."
Hedidnotpermithimselftoknowthefullmeaningofthewordsheadded:"Hehastobedead."
Theorderthatlayonhisdeskwasmarked"Confidential...
Emergency...Priority...EssentialneedcertifiedbyofficeofTopCo-ordinator...fortheaccountofProjectX"—anddemandedthatheselltenthousandtonsofReardenMetaltotheStateScienceInstitute.
