"A. E. Van Vogt - The Weapon Shops of Isher (2)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Van Vogt A E)

In this powerful and brilliant novel, A.E. van Vogt introduces such amazing characters as Cayie Clark, who could never lose at cards, Robert Hedrock, who knew everyone's secrets, Peter Cadron who sold illegal super-weapons in public, and inneida Isher who never had to take no for an answer.
Packed with super-science, an astonishing future concept, and a tight suspense plot, THE WEAPON SHOPS OF ISHER. is truly a science fiction classic.
"Wholly absorbing ... a wonderful roller coaster thrill."
-Galaxy

Other ACE books by A.E. van Vogt:

THE BATTLE OF FOREVER
CHILDREN OF TOMORROW
DARKNESS ON DIAMONDIA
QUEST FOR THE FUTURE
THE WAR AGAINST THE RULL
FUTURE GLITTER
THE SILKIE
THE WORLDS OF A.E. VAN VOGT
THE UNIVERSE MAKER
THE WORLD OF NULL-A

The Weapon
Shops Of Isher

by A. E. v a n V o g t

ace books
A Division of Charter Communications Inc.
1120 Avenue of the Americas New York, N.Y. 10036


THE WEAPON SHOPS OF ISHER
Copyright, 1951, by A.E. van Vogt
All Rights Reserved. An Ace Book, by arrangement with the author.
First Ace Printing: December 1954
Second Ace Printing: January 1961
Third Ace Printing: November 1969
Fourth Ace Printing: November 1973
Printed in U.S.A.

The Weapon Shops of Isher
PROLOGUE
I
MAGICIAN BELIEVED TO
HAVE HYPNOTIZED CROWD

June 11, 1951-Police and newspapermen believe that Middle City will shortly be advertised as the next stopping place of a master magician and they are prepared to extend him a hearty welcome if he will condescend to explain exactly how he fooled hundreds of people into believing they saw a strange building, apparently a kind of gun-shop.
The building seemed to appear on the space formerly, and still, occupied by Aunt Sally's Lunch and Patterson Tailors. Only employees were inside the two aforementioned shops, and none noticed any untoward event. A large, brightly shining sign featured the front of the gunshop, which had been so miraculously conjured out of nothingness; and the sign constituted the first evidence that the entire scene was nothing but a masterly illusion. For from whichever angle one gazed at it, one seemed to be staring straight at the words, which read:
FINE WEAPONS
THE RIGHT TO BUY WEAPONS
IS THE RIGHT TO BE FREE
The window display was made up of an assortment of rather curiously shaped guns, rifles as well as small arms; and a glowing sign in the window stated:
THE FINEST ENERGY WEAPONS