Путешествие на Луну
How a Frenchman Manages an Affair
Maston,withmuchfeeling,"Iamafriendofthepresident’s,hisalterego,hissecondself;ifyoureallymustkillsomeone,shootme!itwilldojustaswell!"
"Sir,"Nichollreplied,seizinghisrifleconvulsively,"thesejokes——"
"OurfriendMastonisnotjoking,"repliedArdan."Ifullyunderstandhisideaofbeingkilledhimselfinordertosavehisfriend.ButneitherhenorBarbicanewillfallbeforetheballsofCaptainNicholl.IndeedIhavesoattractiveaproposaltomaketothetworivals,thatbothwillbeeagertoacceptit."
"Whatisit?"askedNichollwithmanifestincredulity.
"Patience!"exclaimedArdan."IcanonlyrevealitinthepresenceofBarbicane."
"Letusgoinsearchofhimthen!"criedthecaptain.
Thethreemenstartedoffatonce;thecaptainhavingdischargedhisriflethrewitoverhisshoulder,andadvancedinsilence.Anotherhalfhourpassed,andthepursuitwasstillfruitless.Mastonwasoppressedbysinisterforebodings.HelookedfiercelyatNicholl,askinghimselfwhetherthecaptain’svengeancehadalreadybeensatisfied,andtheunfortunateBarbicane,shot,wasperhapslyingdeadonsomebloodytrack.ThesamethoughtseemedtooccurtoArdan;andbothwerecastinginquiringglancesonNicholl,whensuddenlyMastonpaused.
Themotionlessfigureofamanleaningagainstagiganticcatalpatwentyfeetoffappeared,half-veiledbythefoliage.
"Itishe!"saidMaston.
Barbicanenevermoved.Ardanlookedatthecaptain,buthedidnotwince.
