"William Morrison - Light in Darkness" - читать интересную книгу автора (Morrison William)

LIGHT IN DARKNESS
By WILLIAM MORRISON

Kidnaped for Questioning by Martian Revolutionaries, Randall of the Interplanetary
Police Works Out a Surprising Set of Answers

THE medal that Sam Randall wore across his chest had been given him by the head of the
Interplanetary Police himself, for the display of unusual courage in the line of duty, and it should have
been a sort of amulet to ward off fear, but it wasn't. At the moment, Sam Randall was very much afraid.
He could feel the round nose of the stubby atom-pistol in his side, and he could imagine what a slight
pressure of a finger on the trigger could do. If the little Martian had looked tougher, more sure of himself,
he wouldn't have minded. But to be held up by a man who looked as if a sneeze would scare the wits out
of him, and cause a tightening of the tendon that would set off the gun . . .
Sam Randall could be glad of one thing. He didn't look afraid. None of the passersby could guess
that he wasn't having a pleasant conversation with the little blue man at his side, and that should have
calmed the latter's tremors somewhat. He even managed to make his voice casual as he asked, "What's
the big idea?"
"Start walking," ordered the Martian.
"Where to?"
"Straight ahead. I'll tell you when to turn."
Randall started to walk, and the shriveled blue man kept pace with him, the nose of the gun never
leaving his side. Several pedestrians turned to look at them, and Randall hoped the Martian wasn't getting
nervous.
"Did I ever tell you that one," he began, "about the Irishman—"
He could see the little man jump. "Skip it. Just keep your mouth shut, and walk."
"It's monotonous just walking along without saying anything. It's a good story. It starts off—"
He felt the gun digging into his side harder than ever, and he heard the voice, harsh and undoubtedly
afraid. "Shut up!"
His own voice died away. They walked along in silence.
From time to time the little Martian gave him a curt direction. "Turn here," he would say, or, "Don't
look back."
Randall knew the territory they were covering, but the Martian didn't seem to care, and that made
things look bad. It made it seem that Randall wouldn't have a chance to retrace his path, ever.

JUST when he was beginning to feel tired, they reached a stretch of dark field.
"Straight ahead," came the order.
"But I can't see."
"I can. Straight ahead."
They moved on in the darkness. Randall was more uneasy than ever. He was certainly at a
disadvantage now. The Martian could see by infra-red light, but he himself had to move blindly.
"I ought to eat more carrots," said Randall to himself gloomily, but he knew that Vitamin A, or no
Vitamin A, the Martian would still have the advantage of him. There was plenty of infra-red around, and
to eyes that were sensitive to it, the whole field must seem brightly lighted.
After a time, he heard noises in the distance. Soon he could distinguish the sound of people talking.
"Hold it," said the Martian, and Randall stopped in time to keep from bumping into a space ship.
Then he heard a port opening. He was urged ahead, and stumbled into the ship.
The port clanged again. He had the feeling that people were looking him over. Then some one was
giving directions in a voice he hadn't heard before, and the ship rose from the ground. He cursed softly to
himself. He wished fervently that he could see.
He couldn't even get a glimpse of the flames from the rocket tubes behind them. But after a time he