Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter VII
Theyswarmedovertherimofthegallerylikecloudsofmonstrous,wingedinsects,settledupontheheadsandintothehandsoftheaudience,werepassedswiftlyfrommantoman,andwithinfiveminutesofthefirstoutbreakeveryoneintheOperaHousehadreadGenslinger’sdetailedandsubstantiatedaccountofMagnusDerrick’s“deal”withthepoliticalbossesoftheSacramentoconvention.
Genslinger,afterpocketingtheGovernor’shushmoney,had“soldhimout.”
Keast,onequiverofindignation,madehiswaybackuponthestage.TheLeaguerswereinwildconfusion.Halftheassemblyofthemwereontheirfeet,bewildered,shoutingvaguely.Fromprosceniumwalltofoyer,theOperaHousewasatumultofnoise.Thegleamofthethousandsofthe“Mercury”extraswasliketheflashofwhitecapsonatroubledsea.
Keastfacedtheaudience.
“Liars,”heshouted,strivingwithallthepowerofhisvoicetodominatetheclamour,“liarsandslanderers.Yourpaperisthepaidorganofthecorporation.Youhavenotoneshadowofprooftobackyouup.Doyouchoosethis,ofalltimes,toheapyourcalumnyupontheheadofanhonourablegentleman,alreadyprostratedbyyourmurderofhisson?Proofs—wedemandyourproofs!”
“We’vegottheveryassemblymenthemselves,”camebacktheansweringshout.“LetDerrickspeak.Whereishehiding?Ifthisisalie,lethimdenyit.LetHIMDISPROVEthecharge.”“Derrick,Derrick,”thunderedtheOperaHouse.
Keastwheeledabout.WherewasMagnus?Hewasnotinsightuponthestage.Hehaddisappeared.
