Потерянный континент: история Атлантиды
7. The Biters Of The Walls (Further Account)
Oneofthegreatstonevalvesofthefartherdooropenedhurriedly,andamanstrodeout,armedandflushed.“ByalltheGods!”heshouted.“Whocomesbetweenmeandmypastime?”
Isteppedquietlytotheadvance.“Ifear,sir,”Isaid,“thatyoumustlaunchyourangeragainstme.ByaccidentIgavethatwomansanctuary,andIhadnothearttotossherbacktoyourbeasts.”
Hisfingersbegantosnapagainsthishilt.
“Youhavecometothewrongmarketherewithyourqualms.Iamcaptainhere,andmywordcarries,subjectonlytoPhorenice’snod.Doyouhearthat?DoyouknowtoothatIcanhaveyoutossedtothosestripedgate-keepersofmineformeddlinginherewithoutaninvitation?”Helookedatmesharpenough,butsawplainlythatIwasastranger.“Butperhapsyoucarryaname,myman,whichwarrantsyourimpertinence?”
“Deucalionismypoorname,”Isaid,“butIcannotexpectyouwillknowit.Iambutnewlylandedhere,sir,andwhenIleftAtlantissomescoreofyearsback,averydifferentmantoyouheldguardoverthesegates.”Hehadhisforeheadonmyfeetbythistime.“IhaditfromtheEmpressthisnightthatshewillto-morrowmakeanewsortingofthiskingdom’sdignities.Perhapsthereissomerecommendationyouwouldwishmetolaybeforeherinreturnforyourcourtesies?”
“Mylord,”saidtheman,“ifyouwishit,Icanhaveaturnwiththosecave-tigersmyselfnow,andyoucanlookonfrombehindthewallsandseethemtearme.”
“Whytellmewhatisnonews?”
“Iwishtoremindmylordofhispower;Iwishtobegofhisclemency.
