"Guy N. Smith - The Slime Beast" - читать интересную книгу автора (Smith Guy N)

moment?' 'Thank you.'

Gavin turned, but Professor Lowson was already in the 'hall'.

'Who is it?'

He wrinkled his nose, a habit of his when he was annoyed at being disturbed, and peered over the top of
his spectacles at the newcomer.

Their visitor seemed equally surprised at the appearance of the Professor. 'My name is Haywood,
Manton Hay-wood. You must have noticed the small lighthouse at the place where the road joins the
sea-wall. I live there. I am an ornithologist.'

'A bird-watcher!' There was a faint note of contempt in Professor Lowson's voice.

That's right. I'm working at the moment in a survey to find out the number of pinkfeet geese which use the
Wash as a wintering ground.'

Professor Lowson sneered. 'Very interesting I'm sure. But I fail to see how I can help you.'

'You can help me,' said the ornithologist, annoyed by the other's attitude, 'by keeping off the mud-flats. I
was talking to Ramsey Keen the doctor in Sutton. He's a bit of an archaeologist himself. Knows all about
you. Well, the mud-flats are the main roosting grounds of the wild geese in this area. Disturbance would
scatter them and make my job ten times more difficult Therefore I must ask you not to go further than the
edge of the saltings.'

Lowson's beard twitched. Liz knew the signs only too well. The storm clouds were gathering within.

'Oh yes,' the Professor thrust his head forward and glowered at their visitor over the top of his
spectacles. 'Well let me tell you something Mister ... Mister...' he never could remember names,
'Mister-whatever-your-name is. The mud-flats are the property of the Crown. That means anyone who
wants to can walk on them. Dig on them. Do what you like on them. Got it.'

Manton Haywood drew himself up to his full height, towering above the Professor. His fists clenched until
his knuckles showed white. His complexion took on a purple tinge. His lips were white and bloodless.

Then without a word he turned on his heel and stalked outside. For some time the three of them stood
there in silence. Nobody spoke until the last squelching footstep had died away.

'Damn the impertinence of the fellow!' Lowson adjusted his spectacles and smoothed his beard. 'Just
who does he think he is? I think that tomorrow we shall begin our search on these very, mud-flats. A
mission such as ours shall not be thwarted by the likes of man such as that'
He stalked back to his quarters and Liz put the kettle on again.

'Your uncle's determined isn't he?' Gavin laughed.

'When he's got a bee in his bonnet nothing'll stop him,' Liz smiled and added, 'me too!'

But hardly had they poured their coffee before another heavy knocking came upon the door.