now still it is possible to find a silent shelter, – the island which is not put on one
card… But… I am a businessman, the businessman not inclined to panic and
to hysterics. Silly, however, to close eyes to reality. We live
on a volcano. Yes. We with devilish (Hinton shuddered) speed fly in
abyss. I will not list the latest events, they are known to all.
It is necessary to be ready to the worst. Yes. – Everyone it “yes” rattled as
thunderclap. – I speak not about a silly pose a rack. The baron is right. It is necessary to fight
and at the same time to prepare ways of retreat, so far we did not tie hands and
there are capitals.
To construct the huge motor ship. Such “Noah’s Ark” of three hundred
meters and with the displacement of eighty five – hundred thousand tons. So
mechanized that it was possible to manage the minimum quantity
crew – from young people of exclusive classes. Any
the proletarian, because all of them are obvious or our secret enemies. Yes. How many
wars, revolutions will last? Four-five years? We will be able to take
food on six, for eight years. Not to mention an opportunity
replenishments of stocks fishing and hunting on lonely islands. And we
let’s sit out. We will be able to keep thus the life if not the
capitals. I offer, without postponing, to organize the company for
constructions of “Noah’s Ark”. Needless to say that members of this
the companies will be only chosen and all case will be processed in the most strict
to secret. My project does not exclude yours, the sir, – turned Stormer to
To Blotton, having filled on him the red face with goggle rachy
eyes. – He agrees: to open our floating island our enemies nevertheless
will be able. In a zvezdoplavaniye I, unfortunately, understand nothing. But if it
it is feasible why don’t we prepare as a last resort and to
to the last jump – from Earth to abysses of the sky? You will not refuse courtesy,
the sir to acquaint me with your inventor?
If he convinces me that a zvezdoplavaniye not a chimera, I am the first
I will bring a share.
– Ffva you fverit Nneuzheli in a zvezdoplavaniye and hkhgotova to fvlozhit фв it
business to., to., capital? – Marshal Stormera when they asked
came back from lady Hinton.
– I trust! Yes! – Stormer bellowed. – Both of us are businessmen, the baron, and with you
I can frankly speak, – it continued more quietly. – I trust in
the zvezdoplavaniye is as firm, as in a placer on the Thames. Yes.
Listen. If the Thames proceeded for thousands of kilometers from London, in
to the exotic country, thousands would believe in a placer on the Thames.
You remember mine “silver mines” in New Zealand or I wash “the Australian
oil”? I acquired on them millions, and they existed only in imagination
shareholders. Now you understand, as on the Thames can be gold
scatterings which will enrich us?
The car began to shake as if flew on the timbered bridge. Driver
looked back.
It Mr. Stormer laughed.
– Situation really extremely serious, – was continued by it more quietly and
more quietly. – What we endure, you know. In three countries already
communists dominate. Every day brings news of new
suicides. Whether long ago Smith, Milton., behind them Skarfas, now
Сиддонс, Abbington… Real epidemic. The most terrible crises happened and
earlier, but committed a suicide the few. Why? People trusted: behind crisis
again there will come the prosperity era. There is no this belief now. Who was ruined —
it was ruined forever. Unless I am not right?
– Fff…
– Such is situation and such is mood. Revolutions and ruin,
inevitable as death, guard all of us. Inevitable death. Stormer
made a pause to recover the breath.
– The person despaired. Was overstrung. It was exhausted. The person already stretches
hand to the revolver. And this minute to it our agent comes and speaks:
“We can save you. We will provide you a silent shelter where will not reach
your enemies and where you will be able in a circle of people close to you, surrounded
habitual comfort to live your life. Yes, it will cost to you
millions. But what these millions will cost tomorrow? Tomorrow you can
to wake up the poor, and you will intercept the retreat all,
to flight, rescue…”
Whether will be much such which will refuse our offer? To
to example, lady Hinton. Quite ripened fruit. Two-three more already close
political crash, and from this rich person fall down in our hands
pounds sterling without account. We will build “Noah’s Ark”. We will be
to build a starprobe vehicle, tens of starprobe vehicles, without caring for that at all,
they will depart or not. We will be at the head of business and to move huge
means. Conspiracy simplifies the reporting. It is necessary at all not
to have commercial intuition not to estimate all advantage of it
enterprises. I hope, now you quite understood what means to open
placer on the Thames?
Marshal de Terlonzh for nervousness long puffed, sniffed and, at last
squeezed out from itself:
– E-e-e., ffva are absolutely right!
So new was born in foggy London evening in darkness of a limousine
the joint-stock company fastened with short strong handshake.
Chapter 3
ABOUT ADVANTAGE OF THE EQUATOR
Hans Finger was by the cabin window. His curling fair hair and face
burned in the sun. He whistled a cheerful march, beating time and a leg and
hand. Finger experienced delight of the first flight on the stratoplena.
“Life – devilishly interesting movie when time and events fly as
this стратоплан…” Hans all accelerated a march. If it was possible
to start up the movie of life even