Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter VII
Andinthemidstofsuchenvironment,surroundedbyanexcitedgroupofmenwhogesticulatedandshoutedinhisveryface,pale,alert,agitated,histhinlipspressedtightlytogether,stoodMagnusDerrick.
“Here,”criedKeast,asheentered,closingthedoorbehindhim,“where’stheGovernor?Here,Magnus,I’vebeenlookingforyou.Thecrowdhasgonewildoutthere.You’vegottotalk’emdown.Comeoutthereandgivethoseblacklegsthelie.Theyaresayingyouarehiding.”
ButbeforeMagnuscouldreply,GarnettturnedtoKeast.
“Well,that’swhatwewanthimtodo,andhewon’tdoit.”
“Yes,yes,”criedthehalf-dozenmenwhocrowdedaroundMagnus,“yes,that’swhatwewanthimtodo.”
KeastturnedtoMagnus.
“Why,what’sallthis,Governor?”heexclaimed.“You’vegottoanswerthat.Hey?whydon’tyougive’emthelie?”
“I—I,”Magnusloosenedthecollarabouthisthroat“itisalie.Iwillnotstoop—Iwouldnot—wouldbe—itwouldbebeneathmy—my—itwouldbebeneathme.”
Keaststaredinamazement.WasthistheGreatMantheLeader,indomitable,ofRomanintegrity,ofRomanvalour,beforewhosevoicewholeconventionshadquailed?WasitpossiblehewasAFRAIDtofacethosehiredvillifiers?
“Well,howaboutthis?”demandedGarnettsuddenly.“Itisalie,isn’tit?ThatCommissionwaselectedhonestly,wasn’tit?”
“Howdareyou,sir!”Magnusburstout.“Howdareyouquestionme—callmetoaccount!Pleaseunderstand,sir,thatItolerate——”
“Oh,quitit!”criedavoicefromthegroup.“Youcan’tscareus,Derrick.
