Спрут: Каліфорнійська історія

           Herewastheotherside—thisplacid,fatman,withastiffstrawhatandlinenvest,whoneverlosthistemper,whosmiledaffablyuponhisenemies,givingthemgoodadvice,commiseratingwiththeminonedefeatafteranother,neverruffled,neverexcited,sureofhispower,consciousthatbackofhimwastheMachine,thecolossalforce,theinexhaustiblecoffersofamightyorganisation,vomitingmillionstotheLeague’sthousands.

           TheLeaguewasclamorous,ubiquitous,itsobjectsknowntoeveryurchinonthestreets,buttheTrustwassilent,itswaysinscrutable,thepublicsawonlyresults.Itworkedoninthedark,calm,disciplined,irresistible.AbruptlyDykereceivedtheimpressionofthemultitudinousramificationsofthecolossus.Underhisfeetthegroundseemedmined;downtherebelowhiminthedarkthehugetentacleswentsilentlytwistingandadvancing,spreadingoutineverydirection,sappingthestrengthofallopposition,quiet,gradual,bidingthetimetoreachupandoutandgripwithasuddenunleashingofgiganticstrength.

           “I’llbewantingsomecarsofyoupeoplebeforethesummerisout,”observedDyketotheclerkashefoldedupandputawaytheorderthattheotherhadhandedhim.Herememberedperfectlywellthathehadarrangedthematteroftransportinghiscropsomemonthsbefore,buthisroleofproprietoramusedhimandhelikedtobusyhimselfagainandagainwiththedetailsofhisundertaking.

           “Isuppose,”headded,“you’llbeabletogive’emtome.There’llbeabigwheatcroptomovethisyearandIdon’twanttobecaughtinanycarfamine.