"Jack Williamson - After World's End" - читать интересную книгу автора (Williamson Jack)

clear in mind but unregretfully aware of approaching death, do make this my last will and testament.

First I must offer belated apology to the Carridans, the relatives of my dead wife Dona, for the long bitterness I felt
toward them because they took from me, I felt unjustly, my only son.

Second, to the unknown holder of this house, hi repayment for his unwitting hospitality while it was being written, I
bequeath this manuscript, with all rights thereto. I hope that it may be published, so that men may know something of
the splendors and the dangers awaiting their race in the far-off future. So that others, perhaps, may share something of
the love I feel for Kel Aran, the last man of Earth; and for those two great women, equally beauteous— Dondara
Keradin, the Shadow of the Stone; and Verel Erin, the Stone's Custodian and Kel's brave beloved. For those three are
more to me than any others I have known, save only Dona Carridan.

Third, to my sole son and child, Barry, upon his being released from the too-jealous guardianship of his mother's
relatives, I bequeath my clothing and weapon and the large diamond block I have with me, requesting that he read the
narrative I have written before making any disposition of the diamond, which was the Stone of Dondara.

108 After World's End

Fourth, as Executor of this Will, I do hereby appoint my old friend and attorney, Peter—

At that point the last agony must have struck. The pen wandered away on an aimless track, dropped from dying
fingers. The attorney's last name, and Barry Horn's instructions for finding his son, remain unknown.
Weird riddles enough! But the most astounding puzzle is the diamond block. An incredible brick of water-white
crystalline fire, four inches long, it weighs eleven hundred carats—nearly half a pound! It is quite flawless, save for
that singular shadow which certain lights show in its pellucid core—if that white ghost could be termed a flaw.

Such a stone is beyond price—but for the mutual support of jewel and manuscript, it would be beyond belief. For,
while the famous Cullinan Diamond was far larger in the rough, there is no credible record of any cut stone weighing
even half as much. Dealers, skeptical of its description and astonished by its reality, have been reluctant to set any
valuation upon it.

"By the carat, millions!" cried one startled jeweler. "But I should cut up such a stone, like a cheese, never! Vait for
some prince too giff his kingdom!"

We have hesitated, despite the request in the unfinished will, to publish this manuscript, especially since so large a
part of the mystery is still unsolved. For it is sure to be received with skepticism in the scientific world, and its
acceptance elsewhere may endanger the safety of the diamond.

But all other efforts to find Barry Horn's attorney and his son have failed. Publication holds the only.remaining hope of
clearing up the mystery and establishing the ownership of the jewel. Any person knowing the whereabouts of the
younger Barry Horn, or the identity of his father's attorney, is requested to communicate immediately with the
publishers.


C
apter

THE ROCKET ASTRONAUT
"MOUGHT DIS BE of int'rest to yuh, suh?"