"James P. Hogan - The Proteus Operation" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hogan James P)

Please excuse this rather unorthodox method of announcement, but you will appreciate that
the situation is an unusual one.

I presume that the significance of the enclosed articles will have impressed itself upon
you. There is much to discuss concerning the security and future of the Western democracies and
little time to be spared. Accordingly, I have taken the liberty of arranging luncheon in a private
room at the Dorchester Hotel for 12:30 on Wednesday next, February 17, at which I would request
the honor of introducing myself and my colleagues in person.

You are cordially invited to bring three companions, the choice of whom I entrust to your
judgment. Needless to say, their discretion must be absolute, and their reliability beyond
question.

If the date and time are convenient, please confirm to the hotel's assistant manager, Mr


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Jeffries, contactable on MAYfair 2200.

I remain yours faithfully,
(Signed)
Winslade

"This is incredible!" Churchill whispered. He read over the letter carefully once more,
and after that re-examined each of the articles. Then he sat thinking and frowning to himself for
a long time. Finally he collected the items together again, locked them away in the desk, then
picked up the telephone and jiggled the cradle.

"Yes, Mr. Churchill?" Mary's voice answered. She sounded relieved.

Churchill's tone was serious. "Put a call through to Oxford and see if you can find
Professor Lindemann, would you, Mary," he said. "Tell him I'd like him to get down here as soon as
is humanly possible. I've got some things here to show him that I think he'll find
fascinating...quite fascinating."


CHAPTER 2

DUSK WAS FALLING AS the truck, a 1929 Dodge three-ton, rumbled into the outskirts of St.
Louis. It was one of a mixed bag of used vehicles acquired at an auction in Albuquerque and paid
for in cash that had been obtained via some illegal transactions in exchange for gold. With its
valves reground, its timing reset, and its carburetor cleaned and adjusted, it sounded a lot
healthier than it had a few weeks previously. New Mexico was days behind, and New York City was
still days ahead. This was the third time that Harry Ferracini had driven across the central and
eastern U.S.A. of early 1939, and already he had had enough of it.

"An era of romance and glamour, Harry -- excitement and freedom," Winslade had promised