a violin and to fall in a reverie, – gloomily smiled
Zander. – I have abroad small savings.
– And when you will live them? To play a violin, collecting alms on
to the yards? “Give to professor Zander, the engineer with a world name, one
centime, kind citizens…” Picture, worthy our time.
Zander crackled slender fingers. His head was hung below and below under
weight of these words.
– Well to do, Vinkler? – quietly he asked.
– Something should be thought up, mister Zander. Whole world the day before
revolution, he prepares for war. Now everywhere look at rockets only
from the military point of view. – Vinkler released several puffs and
continued:
– In Switzerland there are many tourists. Tourists go by cars.
Cars demand repair. We will open repair shop.
– We?. Who?
– Yes we: you and I. A surname of Zander – not for a sign repair
workshop. I will open it on the name. “Vinkler and Co”. At me is on
you will accept one sensible fellow – Hans. You will continue the scientific
works, I – to help you and Hans. And we will perfectly live. “Repair
cars, bicycles and kerosene kitchens” is, of course, not so
poetically, as your star sonatas, but is more practical.
– Vinkler, – Zander with emotion told, rising and stretching
hand, – friends are learned in misfortune. Your loving kindness…
Vinkler strong shook hands Zander and, smiling, interrupted his outpourings:
– Heart and other internals is perfect at anything here,
mister Zander. Me only calculation, though not personal directs
character. I believe, this explanation is enough that you in any
degrees did not consider themselves obliged?
In a lobby the call was distributed.
Vinkler left, and in a minute on a threshold of an office high appeared
the slender person of years of thirty in a gray road suit.
– It is possible to enter?
– Sir Henry! – Zander exclaimed. – I am glad to see you.
– Hello, dear Zander. Forgive for a late visit. Affairs
detained. And all affairs eventually come down to money. – It
laughed:
– Money! Fuel of all engines of the world, without excluding also warm. Without
money and to stars not to rise, isn’t that so, dear Zander?
Gestures and Blotton’s movements were easy and free. He conveniently took seat in
chair, crossed the legs, took out tortoise from a side pocket
cigarette case with the platinum monogram and a crown, with dexterity of the conjurer
threw it from a hand in a hand, took out a thin Egyptian cigarette and
lit. Spicy tobacco smoke mixed up with aroma of the strong French
spirits. Blotton brought with himself the atmosphere of carelessness of the spoiled child.
– Exult, Zander. I brought to you a good portion of fuel. I and not
knew that the way to stars lies through an altar.
– What altar? Blotton laughed again, but did not answer a question.
– I think, we will have now means to finish the first stratospheric
rocket.
Zander’s face turned pink.
– I am very glad. But we will build it not here. Today at dawn I
I depart to Switzerland.
– Did not get on with “Mohicans”? – Zander nodded. – Switzerland?.
It, perhaps, better. There to you will work more quietly. I will give you the check
on the Lyons credit. Report the address. At five in the morning I depart to London.
And how your work moved?
Zander developed the drawing and began to explain. Blotton absent-mindedly listened
several minutes, pretending what understands, thanked Zander, left
the check, told several latest sports news and left. Zander
called Vinkler and showed him the check.
– Obviously, lord Blotton managed to receive money under the bride, —
told, smiling, Vinkler.
– How it “under the bride”?
– Recently in Taymsa it was printed about lord Blotton’s engagement with
Ellen Hinton. Ms. Ellen is the niece and the only heir
millionaire lady Hinton. Probably, to Blotton allotted the wide credit.
– And so why he said that the way to stars lies through
altar! – Zander remembered.
– Well, so far we can do without repair shop. It
will replace to us sports vanity of Blotton. It is better for those. Leave, mister
Zander. Now at us work will begin to boil. If only…
– What?
– If only you managed to get out safely. At you the plan is ready
departure? Is not present? It is necessary to help you.
And they were inclined over the map of the country which was once their homeland.
Chapter 2
THE READER GETS ACQUAINTED WITH VENERABLE
