Короли и капуста
The Phonograph and the Graft
‘We’llremindhim,’saysHenry,‘ofthepeanut-roasteronThirty-fourthStreet,NewYork.’
"Henrystoopeddownandgotarecordfromthebasketfulwe’dbrought,sliditinthephonograph,andstartedheroff.Itwasacornetsolo,veryneatandbeautiful,andthenameofitwas‘Home,SweetHome.’Notoneofthemfiftyoddmenintheroommovedwhileitwasplaying,andthegovernormankepthiseyessteadyonMellinger.IsawMellinger’sheadgouplittlebylittle,andhishandcamecreepingawayfromthepackage.Notuntilthelastnotesoundeddidanybodystir.AndthenHomerP.Mellingertakesupthebundleofboodleandslamsitinthegovernorman’sface.
"‘That’smyanswer,’saysMellinger,privatesecretary,‘andthere’llbeanotherinthemorning.Ihaveproofsofconspiracyagainsteverymanofyou.Theshowisover,gentlemen.’
"‘There’sonemoreact,’putsinthegovernorman.‘Youareaservant,Ibelieve,employedbythepresidenttocopylettersandanswerrapsatthedoor.Iamgovernorhere.Señores,Icalluponyouinthenameofthecausetoseizethisman.’
"Thatbrindledgangofconspiratorsshovedbacktheirchairsandadvancedinforce.IcouldseewhereMellingerhadmadeamistakeinmassinghisenemysoastomakeagrand-standplay.Ithinkhemadeanotherone,too;butwecanpassthat,Mellinger’sideaofagraftandminebeingdifferent,accordingtoestimationsandpointsofview.
"Therewasonlyonewindowanddoorinthatroom,andtheywereinthefrontend.
