"J. K. Rowling - The Goblet of Fire" - читать интересную книгу автора (Rowling J. K)

Frank could think of only two sorts of people who would speak in code: spies and criminals.
Frank tightened his hold on his walking stick once more, and listened more closely still.
"Your Lordship is still determined, then?" Wormtail said quietly.
"Certainly I am determined, Wormtail." There was a note of menace in the cold voice now.
A slight pause followed -- and the Wormtail spoke, the words tumbling from him in a rush,
as though he was forcing himself to say this before he lost his nerve.
"It could be done without Harry Potter, My Lord."
Another pause, more protracted, and then --
"Without Harry Potter?" breathed the second voice softly. "I see..."
"My Lord, I do not say this out of concern for the boy!" said Wormtail, his voice rising
squeakily. "The boy is nothing to me, nothing at all! It is merely that if we were to use
another witch or wizard -- any wizard -- the thing could be done so much more quickly! If you
allowed me to leave you for a short while -- you know that I can disguise myself most effectively -
- I could be back here in as little as two days with a suitable person --"
"I could use another wizard," said the cold voice softly, "that is true..."
"My Lord, it makes sense," said Wormtail, sounding thoroughly relieved now. "Laying hands
on Harry Potter would be so difficult, he is so well protected --"
"And so you volunteer to go and fetch me a substitute? I wonder...perhaps the task of
nursing me has become wearisome for you, Wormtail? Could this suggestion of abandoning the plan
be nothing more than an attempt to desert me?"
"My Lord! I -- I have no wish to leave you, none at all --"
"Do not lie to me!" hissed the second voice. "I can always tell, Wormtail! You are
regretting that you ever returned to me. I revolt you. I see you flinch when you look at me,
feel you shudder when you touch me..."
"No! My devotion to Your Lordship --"
"Your devotion is nothing more than cowardice. You would not be here if you had anywhere
else to go. How am I to survive without you, when I need feeding every few hours? Who is to milk
Nagini?"
"But you seem so much stronger, My Lord --"
"Liar," breathed the second voice. "I am no stronger, and a few days alone would be
enough to rob me of the little health I have regained under your clumsy care. Silence!"
Wormtail, who had been sputtering incoherently, fell silent at once. For a few seconds,
Frank could hear nothing but the fire crackling. The the second man spoke once more, in a whisper
that was almost a hiss.


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"I have my reasons for using the boy, as I have already explained to you, and I will use
no other. I have waited thirteen years. A few more months will make no difference. As for the
protection surrounding the boy, I believe my plan will be effective. All that is needed is a
little courage from you, Wormtail -- courage you will find, unless you wish to feel the full
extent of Lord Voldermort's wrath --"
"My Lord, I must speak!" said Wormtail, panic in his voice now. "All through our journey
I have gone over the plan in my head -- My Lord, Bertha Jorkin's disappearance will not go
unnoticed for long, and if we proceed, if I murder --"
"If?" whispered the second voice. "If? If you follow the plan, Wormtail, the Ministry
need never know that anyone else has died. You will do it quietly and without fuss; I only wish
that i could do it myself, but in my present condition...Come, Wormtail, one more death and our