"A. E. Van Vogt - The Weapon Makers" - читать интересную книгу автора (Van Vogt A E)

emotional reactions and based on the fact that she will consider it necessary to justify herself.”

He paused, frowning at the screen. “What were the conclusions of your discussion? I needevery
possible assistance .”

It was Councilor Kendlon, a thick-faced man who had hitherto not spoken, who said, “As you know,
Hedrock, you are in the palace for twopurposes, one being to protect the Weapon Shops from a
surprise attack during what we have all agreed is a dangerous time for our civilization. Your other
purpose is, of course, your own pet scheme of establishing a liaison between the Weapon Shops and the
Imperial government. You are a spy, therefore, only in a minor sense. Any lesser information you may
gain is yours alone. We do not want it. But think back in your mind: Have you heard anything—anything
—that might provide a foundation for your theory that something tremendous is being planned?

Hedrock shook his head slowly. Quite suddenly, he felt no emotion. He had a sense of being physically
detached. He spoke finally as out of a remote, cold region, precisely, evenly, conclusively, “I can see,
sirs, that you have come to no decision, yet you cannot deny that you are reluctant to have my connection
here broken. And there is no doubt of your anxiety to learn what the Empress is concealing. Finally, there
is, as you say, my pet scheme. Accordingly, I have decided to remain.”

They were notso quick as that to agree. The strange, restless character of the empress made it possible
that the slightest wrong word on his part would be fatal. Details—details—they discussed them with a
painstaking thoroughness. There was the fact that he was the first apparent traitor to the Weapon Shops
in history, one who nevertheless refused to give any information to the curious ruler. His striking
appearance, mental brilliance and strong personality had already fascinated her, and should continue to
do so. Therefore, except for the fact that she was engaged in something secret and important, the threat
of hanging was a test, product of suspicion. But be careful. If necessary, give her secret Weapon Shop
information of a general nature, to titillate her appetite for more and—

At that point the door buzzer broke off the conversation. With a start, Hedrock flicked off the controls,
and shut off the power. Then, acutely conscious that he had allowed himself to become jumpy, he
deliberately removed the plain gold pin from his tie, and bent down over the table. The ring lay there, a
small, bright design, its ornamental head an exact duplicate of the spy-ray machine, the image of which
was built up into solid form by the atomic forces manufactured by the perfect power plant inside the ring.
It would be quicker to release the tiny, automatic lever that was attached to the ring for that very
purpose, buthis own nervous condition was more important.

It was as delicate a task as threading a needle. Three times his handtrembled the slightest bit and missed
the almost invisible depression that had to be contacted. The fourth time he got it. The spy-ray machine
winked out like a smashed light, except that there was no debris, nothing but empty air. Where it had
stood on the corner table was only the blanket he had used to protect the table top from scratches.
Hedrock whisked the blanket back to the bedroom, and then stood for a moment with the ring in his
palm, undecided. He put it finally in a metal box with three other rings, and set the controls of the box to
dissolve the rings if there were any tampering. Only the ring gun remained encircled on his finger when at
last he walked coolly to answer the insistent buzzer.

Hedrock recognized the tall man who stood in the corridor as one of the Empress’ orderlies. The fellow
nodded recognition, and said, “Captain, Her Majesty asks me to inform you that lunch is being served,
and will you please come at once.”

For a moment, Hedrock had the distinct impression that he was the object of a practical joke, and that