Запретный лес

           IdoubtifIwasstrappedupbythethumbsandhadyonluntin’eengloweringatmeIwadspeakwi’strangetonguesmysel’.It’snothatdifficultforapawkybodytogaraweakervesselobeyhiswill....Getupoffthatbarry,"hesaidsharply."StandayontthelichttillIhavealookatye."

           Thewordscameoutlikeacrackofawhip-lash.Theatmosphereoftheplacehadsuddenlychanged,thewoman’smutteringshadceased,and,asDavidstoodbackfromthelantern,hesawthatMarkhadmovedforwardandwasbesidethepricker,ayardfromhim,withthelightbetweenthem,andthefacesofbothinfullviewoftherest.Theoneshambledtohisfeetandsethishandtohisheadasiftoavertablow,whiletheother,hisdarkfacelikeathundercloud,stoodmenacinglyoveragainsthim.

           "Lookatme,"Markcried."Lookmeintheeen,ifthere’sthatmucklesmedduminyourbreast."

           Theeyesoftheprickerwerelikesmalldarkpointsinhisdead-whiteeyeballs.

           "Ye’reoneKincaid,butye’vegonebymonynames.Ye’vebeenadominieandastickitminister,athiefandathief-taker,aspyandawitch-finder,andye’dfainbeawarlockiftheDeilthochtyoursoulworthhalfabodle....Turnyoureentothelicht,andkeepthemthere....AnswermeerethePitopensforye.Wasthereeverawordinyourmouththatwasnaasfalseashell?Say’Iamaliar,likemyfathertheDevilaforeme.’"

           "Iamaliar,"themancroaked.

           Markstretchedoutonehandandpasseditoverthepricker’sbrow.

           "What’saneathhere?"heasked."Honestbanes?Na,na,rottennesslikepeat.