Конец вечности
Trapped!
"
"Ablockacrosstheshafts?"
"Let’snotworkawayatbeingsurprised.YesterdayyouspoketoTwissell.Todaythereistheblock.IwanttoknowwhatyousaidtoTwissell.Iwanttoknowwhat’sbeendoneandwhatwillbedone.ByTime,Computer,ifyoudon’ttellme,I’llusethewhip.Tryme,ifyoudoubtmyword."
"Nowlisten"-Finge’swordsslurredabitandthefirstedgeoffearmadeitsappearance,andalsoakindofdesperateanger-"ifyouwantthetruth,it’sthis.WeknowaboutyouandNoys."
Harlan’seyesflickered."WhataboutmyselfandNoys?"
Fingesaid,"Didyouthinkyouweregettingawaywithanything?"TheComputerkepthiseyesfixedontheneuronicwhipandhisforeheadwasbeginningtoglisten."ByTime,withtheemotionyoushowedafteryourperiodofObservation,withwhatyoudidduringtheperiodofObservation,didyouthinkwewouldn’tobserveyou?IwoulddeservetobebrokenasComputerifIhadmissedthat.WeknowyoubroughtNoysintoEternity.Weknewitfromthefirst.Youwantedthetruth.Thereitis."
AtthatmomentHarlandespisedhisownstupidity."Youknew?"
"Yes.WeknewyouhadbroughthertotheHiddenCenturies.Wekneweverytimeyouenteredthe482ndtosupplyherwithappropriateluxuries;playingthefool,withyourEternal’sOathcompletelyforgotten."
"Thenwhydidn’tyoustopme?"Harlanwastastingtheverydregsofhisownhumiliation.
