"Charles L. Harness-The Million Year Patent" - читать интересную книгу автора (Harness Charles L)

that all his money was gone; and that Pan-Stellar deeply sympathized, but that the Burkes could not
expect any financial help.
In fact, Pan-Stellar sent out their special representative to see Jim and to explain exactly how things
stood between Pan-Stellar and Jim Burke. They sent Mr. Slicer.
T. Elliott Slicer, Esq., Chief of the Accident and Claims Section at Pan-Stellar, thought of himself as a
kind man. This particular term, however, was rarely foremost in the list of adjectives that other people
used when referring to him. Nevertheless (or possibly, therefore) his superiors considered him a brilliant
adjuster, whose technique had saved the Line millions of talers. Rather often, when lawyers were
contacted to handle accident claims against the Line, they turned down the case when they learned Slicer
was on the other end.
Mr. Slicer smiled a lot, and he was smiling when he walked into the hospital room and introduced
himself to Jim Burke, who held out his hand. Mr. Slicer put a piece of paper in it and said, "Since you
cannot read, Mr. Burke, I will tell you what it is. It is a copy of our complaint, which I have just filed in
the Hall of Justice."
"Huh?"
"In summary, Mr. Burke, Pan-Stellar holds you personally responsible for the damage to the new
experimental drive and to the building, plus incidentals including the resulting delay in the drive research
program."
"But... but..."
"The claim is in the amount of four hundred eighty-three thousand talers," said Mr. Slicer.
It finally sank in, and Jim began to react. "You've got it all mixed up! I'm here because of what I was
doing for Pan-Stellar. Pan-Stellar owes me!"
Mr. Slicer smiled kindly. "I hope you will retain competent counsel, Mr. Burke, who can help you
correct these odd misconceptions."
"But my insurance... terminal pay... pension... disability...?"
Mr. Slicer grinned. "We have deducted these, of course, Mr. Burke, from the gross amount of the
damage you have done to the laboratory. Our claim represents our net loss, after all deductions. We are
fair."
Jim Burke was silent.
Mr. Slicer pursed his lips, then continued. "You have a magnificent reputation with the Line, Mr.
Burke. I am informed that you invented the basic drive now being installed in the newer ships. The Line
has asked me to take this into consideration, and I will. Under the circumstances, we are willing to drop
our suit if you will waive all claims, past, present, and future, against Pan-Stellar. I have the waiver, here."
Jim Burke heard the rustle of paper.
"Couldn't you throw in a small pension?" he asked in a low voice.
"I'm afraid not, Mr. Burke."
"Something for my son's college education?"
"Quite out of the question."
"My hospital bill?"
"My dear Mr. Burke. Are you being deliberately difficult? Well, never mind. Perhaps I can help you
see things our way, after our next legal step. It distresses me to inform you that I shall have to attach all
your property, real and personal, including your house, your cars, furniture, books, instruments...
everything."
"Why should that distress you, Mr. Slicer?" Jim was genuinely curious.
"Because the expenses of attachment are not taxable to the defendant, but must be borne by
Pan-Stellar."
"My heart goes out to the Line," murmured Jim.
"I'll leave the waiver on the night table," said Mr. Slicer cheerfully.
***
 A week after Mr. Slicer's visit, Margie Burke and Bryan were walking behind Jim's exercise chair in