Текст книги "The Power Cube Affair"

Автор книги: John T. Phillifent

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Текущая страница: 11 (всего у книги 11 страниц)

"Johnny! Did he hit you?"

"I don't think so."

"What the hell were you trying to do, commit suicide?" Her voice shook as she touched him.

"You'll have to help me up," he muttered. "These damned bandages are like a straitjacket. Easy now, let me get a hand to the table. Right. I can manage." He levered erect, patted the corner of the table, and grinned thinly. "It worked out. Made a mess of my table, though."

"Damn the table!" She was still shaking. "You could have been killed!"

"A chance I had to take, Nan. You see, you had the weapons. I had nothing to hit him with. So I had to draw his fire. Show me those guns?"

She handed one of the tiny weapons to him, and he shook his head at it ruefully. "Since my time. You'll have to show me how to handle these."

She shivered, took back the gun, slapped both of them away with quick precision, and turned to the two captives.

"Excuse me not helping," said Guard. "I can't bend down very well, the way they have me strapped and bandaged. Thanks anyway for letting me in on the grand finale."

"I can't imagine anybody keeping you out," Solo said, tugging at the loosened cords and scrambling to his feet. "I think it really is all over this time. And I can't say I'm sorry."

"Nor me." Kuryakin came to offer a hand and grin. "You law abiding British take some keeping up with."

Guard frowned in bewilderment. Solo coughed. "That's a private joke, John. At least, I think it's meant to be a joke. Now, I suppose we have a disposal and clean up job to do again. If we have to scrub your floor many more times we'll apply for caretaker wages."

"Sorry about that."

"Don't be!" Nan took his arm protectively. "We are going to stay here awhile and look after you. Aren't we, boys?"

"We are?" Solo exclaimed. "Oh! I don't recall—"

"There's room," Guard put in. "And you're welcome. You know that."

"Hmm!" Kuryakin scratched his chin reflectively, looked at Solo and then at Nan. Then at Guard. "Room for one more? A lady who needs rest and recuperation?"

"I think so." Guard looked puzzled again.

"Louise?"

"That's right, Napoleon. She needs the fresh sea breezes and looking after." He eyed Nan Perrell. "And you need something to slow you down. With three men all to yourself you could get spoiled!"

[1] See Man From U.N.C.L.E. #8 The Monster Wheel Affair