Classics of a fantasy. A. Belyaev

      THE BIG KNOWLEDGE CAN BE THE CAUSE OF THE BIG TROUBLES

      Zander sharply removed the drawing, got up because of a table, walked on

      to office. Took out a violin from a case and played. Long, slender fingers

      easily and vozdushno danced on a signature stamp. But a melody which took

      the violinist from the tool, was not cheerful at all.

      “The chief is excited with something! – Vinkler thought, listening from next

      rooms to improvisation. – From! How many bitterness! As the violin complains!.”

      The complaint turned into indignation, in a violent protest. Sounds accrued,

      got stronger and suddenly broke not resolved chord.

      “Resolutely, to Zander there was something unusual!” – again thought

      Vinkler, drawing a drawing pen a curve.

      From an office the fast paces of Zander muffled by a carpet were heard.

      – Vinkler, fall here!

      Zander sat already at a desk when Vinkler entered.

      – You sit down.

      Vinkler took seat against Zander. Minute they silently looked the friend on

      the friend, as if tried to read something new in the familiar for a long time person.

      On the left cheek of Zander the slight scar – an old trace was designated

      student’s rapier; a face of the engineer Zander, a face of the artist with big,

      pensive eyes, it was more pale than usual.

      – Vinkler, how many years we work together?

      – Twelve years, mister Zander.

      – Yes, twelve. Term is considerable… You were the good assistant,

      Vinkler, my right hand, my friend…

      – I did not die yet, mister Zander…

      Zander frowned:

      – We have to leave.

      Vinkler hasty lowered a hand in a pocket, took out a tube, filled it

      tobacco, lit.

      – It why., so unexpectedly?

      – I leave. For a long time I leave the homeland, perhaps forever.

      – “Mohicans”? – shortly Vinkler asked.

      – Yes, they… You believe that I am threatened by an imprisonment, Vinkler? Worse.

      Much worse. They came not with a sword, and with gifts.

      – “Be afraid of Greeks, the gifts bringing”, – Vinkler nodded. – And

      what gifts are?

      – They are ready to forget graciously about my dirty blood, – with bitterness

      Zander told. – To return me department, it is good to pay my work.

      – From means., military department?

      – You guessed, Vinkler. They offered me – you understand what means,

      when they offer? – to work in military department… Stratospheric

      the bombing rockets operated on radio. You heard about them? In

      many regions of the country constructions for firing are already built by such

      rockets. From these points several minutes it is possible to destroy Paris,

      Brussels, Prague, Warsaw hail of explosive and gas rockets. But to them it

      it is not enough. They need the “shells without guns” flying for thousands of kilometers. Not

      only London, Rome, Naples, Madrid, Moscow, Leningrad, but even

      New York, Washington – targets for their new tools of destruction. Capitals,

      the industrial cities, ports, airfields of neighboring states are destroyed in

      several minutes together with all people. To smother children, to tear to parts

      bodies of fathers and mothers – for the sake of what? – here what they offer me,

      Vinkler. Whether my teacher Tsiolkovsky thought of it whether I dreamed of it,

      having devoted the life to jet engines, rockets, a zvezdoplavaniye?.

      For nervousness on a high forehead of Zander small drops of sweat acted.

      – And what you answered them? Zander shrugged shoulders:

      – If I told them “no”, it is easy to present consequences. If

      I would tell “I will think”, at best I would appear now under

      arrest…

      – And you told “yes”?

      – To have an opportunity to run immediately. Today I depart in

      Switzerland. I ask you, Vinkler to collect my papers, drawings. Folder number

      two – “Pikkolo Rocket”, number seven, number nine…

      – And with it as? – Vinkler asked, having nodded on drawings of the rocket.

      – Apparently, in any way, – Zander answered. – You know lord Blotton?

      For it weeds in a stratosphere on the rocket – only the next hobby

      athlete. And it already begins to cool down to this business. Several days to that

      back he cabled that he will arrive today, and, as you can see, him

      no. And monetary affairs of sir Henry are, apparently, not in brilliant

      state. By the way, they to me already put by sight mine “strange communication” with

      foreigner.

      Vinkler puffed a tube.

      – And what you will do in Switzerland?

      – To play a violin and to fall in a reverie, – gloomily smiled

      Zander. – I have abroad small savings.

      – And when you will live them? To play a violin, collecting alms on

      to the yards? “Give to professor Zander, the engineer with a world name, one

      centime, kind citizens…” Picture, worthy our time.

      Zander crackled slender fingers. His head was hung below and below under

      weight of these words.

      – Well to do, Vinkler? – quietly he asked.

      – Something should be thought up, mister Zander. Whole world the day before

      revolution, he prepares for war. Now everywhere look at rockets only

      from the military point of view. – Vinkler released several puffs and

      continued:

      – In Switzerland there are many tourists. Tourists go by cars.

      Cars demand repair. We will open repair shop.

      – We?. Who?

      – Yes we: you and I. A surname of Zander – not for a sign repair

      workshop. I will open it on the name. “Vinkler and Co”. At me is on

      you