Конец вечности
The Earlier Crime
HehadseenmetakeyououtofajobasanObserverandmakeyouamasterTechnician.Hesawyouworkingformesteadily.Howbettercouldhegetbackatmeanddestroymyinfluence?IfhecouldprovemypetTechnicianguiltyofaterriblecrimeagainstEternity,itwouldreflectonme.ItmightforcemyresignationfromtheAllwhenCouncil,andwhodoyousupposewouldthenbealogicalsuccessor?"
Hisemptyhandsmovedtohislipsandwhennothinghappened,helookedatthespacebetweenfingerandthumbblankly.
Harlanthought:He’snotascalmashe’stryingtosound.Hecan’tbe.Butwhydoeshetalkallthisnonsensenow?WithEternityending?
Theninagony:Butwhydoesn’titendthen?Now!
Twissellsaid,"WhenIallowedyoutogotoFingejustrecently,Imorethanhalfsuspecteddanger.ButMallansohn’smemoirsaidyouwereawaythelastmonthandnoothernaturalreasonforyourabsenceoffereditself.Fortunately,Fingeunderplayedhishand."
"Inwhatway?"askedHarlanwearily.Hedidn’treallycare,butTwisselltalkedandtalkedanditwaseasiertotakepartthantotrytoshutthesoundoutofhisears.
Twissellsaid,"Fingelabeledhisreport:’_Inre_unprofessionalconductofTechnicianAndrewHarlan.’HewasbeingthefaithfulEternal,yousee,beingcool,impartial,unexcited.HewasleavingittotheCounciltorageandthrowitselfatme.Unfortunatelyforhimself,hedidnotknowofyourrealimportance.
