"Robert A. Heinlein - Magic, Inc" - читать интересную книгу автора (Heinlein Robert A)

Then it is your business to hold your company's losses down to a minimum. If
I find a wizard who can undo a part, or all, of the damage, will you
guarantee the fee, on behalf of your company, up to a reasonable amount, say
twenty-five per cent of the indemnity?'

He hemmed and hawed some more, and said he did not see how he could possibly
do it, and that if the fire had been magic, then to restore by magic might
be compounding a felony, as we could not be sure what the connexions of the
magicians involved might be in the Half World. Besides that, my claim had
not been allowed as yet; I had failed to notify the company of my visitor of
the day before, which possibly might prejudice my claim. In any case, it was
a very serious precedent to set; he must consult the home office.

Jedson stood up. I can see that we are simply wasting each other's time, Mr
Wiggin. Your contention about Mr Fraser's possible responsibility is
ridiculous, and you know it. There is no reason under the contract to notify
you, and even if there were, he is within the twenty-four hours allowed for
any notification. I think it best that we consult the home office
ourselves.' He reached for his hat.

Wiggin put up his hand. Gentlemen, gentlemen, please! Let's not be hasty.
Will Mr Fraser agree to pay half of the fee?'

No. Why should he? It's your loss, not his. You insured him.

Wiggin tapped his teeth with his spectacles, then said, We must make the fee
contingent on results.'

Did you ever hear of anyone in his right mind dealing with a wizard on any
other basis?'

Twenty minutes later we walked out with a document which enabled us to hire
any witch or wizard to salvage my place of business on a contingent fee not
to exceed twenty-five per cent of the value reclaimed. I thought you were
going to throw up the whole matter,' I told Jedson with a sigh of relief.

He grinned. Not in the wide world, old son. He was simply trying to horse
you into paying the cost of saving them some money. I just let him know that
I knew.'

It took some time to decide whom to consult. Jedson admitted frankly that he
did not know of a man nearer than New York who could, with certainty, be
trusted to do the job, and that was out of the question for the fee
involved. We stopped in a bar, and he did some telephoning while I had a
beer. Presently he came back and said, I think I've got the man. I've never
done business with him before, but he has the reputation and the training,
and everybody I talked to seemed to think that he was the one to see.'

Who is it?' I wanted to know.