"Mack Reynolds - Ability Quotient" - читать интересную книгу автора (Reynolds Mack)

 "I can't tell you at this stage of the game," the professor said.

The other grunted and thought about it He said finally, "How many
other students are there in this deal?"

Katz hesitated before saying, "One other in the whole university. We
would have liked to have more controls but the nature of the experiment is
such that the fewer we have connected with it, the better."

"Why does it have to be kept secret?"

"I can't tell you at this stage," the professor said again. "However, if you
do decide to cooperate, then you must pledge not to discuss it with anyone
whomsoever that is not connected with the project."

Alshuler cocked his head slightly. "How do you know I'd keep the
pledge?"

"Among the other tests you took was one for veracity. We must trust
you to keep your word, and shall."

"Make it three times the amount of my government Guaranteed Annual
Income and I'll accept for the first semester. From then on I'll either renew
or drop out, each semester that comes up."

"Very well. However, you won't be doing your studying by semesters."

"Why not?"

"I can't tell you at this stage, but you'll probably find out on your own in
very short order." There was a tone in Leonard Katz' voice that indicated
that the interview was over.

Bert Alshuler stood. "Kay. When do I start? Where do I go to sign up, or
whatever?"

The professor stood too and extended a hand to be shaken. "You just
signed up," he smiled. "You'll be contacted."

When Bert Alshuler had gone, another entered the office from an
adjoining room. He was attired in the uniform of a lieutenant general of
Security and was scowling.
 Katz looked up at him, "What do you think, my dear General Paul?"

The other shook his head. "He doesn't sound very cooperative."

"We don't want a wishy-washy. We want a man with push, his own
ideas, with strength."

"But we also need somebody we can control. I'd say take this slowly,