Отруєний пояс
Chapter I. The Blurring Of Lines
Hepointedouttomethattherewerecertainblacklineswhichformedcrossbarsupontheseriesofbrilliantcoloursextendingfromtheredatoneendthroughgradationsoforange,yellow,green,blue,andindigotothevioletattheother.
"ThosedarkbandsareFraunhofer’slines,"saidhe."Thecoloursarejustlightitself.Everylight,ifyoucansplititupwithaprism,givesthesamecolours.Theytellusnothing.Itisthelinesthatcount,becausetheyvaryaccordingtowhatitmaybethatproducesthelight.Itistheselinesthathavebeenblurredinsteadofclearthislastweek,andalltheastronomershavebeenquarrelingoverthereason.Here’saphotographoftheblurredlinesforourissueto-morrow.Thepublichavetakennointerestinthematteruptonow,butthisletterofChallenger’sintheTimeswillmakethemwakeup,I’mthinking."
"AndthisaboutSumatra?"
"Well,it’salongcryfromablurredlineinaspectrumtoasickniggerinSumatra.Andyetthechielhasshownusoncebeforethatheknowswhathe’stalkingabout.Thereissomequeerillnessdownyonder,that’sbeyondalldoubt,andto-daythere’sacablejustcomeinfromSingaporethatthelighthousesareoutofactionintheStraitsofSundan,andtwoshipsonthebeachinconsequence.Anyhow,it’sgoodenoughforyoutointerviewChallengerupon.Ifyougetanythingdefinite,letushaveacolumnbyMonday."
Iwascomingoutfromthenewseditor’sroom,turningovermynewmissioninmymind,whenIheardmynamecalledfromthewaiting-roombelow.
