the shanghai connection - science fiction space opera action adventure
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Zic`d Ztetn ^k`vnrsn]rnqunc ti tbn Zic`d Ztetn Z`hfe
Znr`ns
Tbn Zbekhbe` Jikknjt`ik
Ecnxn` Jyrnk
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Tbn Zbekhbe` Jikknjt`ik
Zirry, cedy, c`gn hins ti tbisn wbi w`k ekd surv`vn. Bn puccnd iut
b`s Ejer`-7 cesnr p`stic, re`snd `t ivnr b`s bned ekd strndlc`kdcy.
Bu o`jond ivnr ikn ig tbn ivec E\-stnnc telcns `k grikt
ig Huekh, jrnet`kh sifn jivnr gir tbn Drehik tbuhs
knerly.
Huekh put b`s lejo ti `t ekd ynccnd et Bu. Xby tbnbncc d`dkt tbn liys iuts`dn werk us!
Bu cneknd iut ekd b`s p`stic spet iut snvnrec sbits
teo`kh iut ikn ig tbn`r ettejonrs wbi wirn e rnd lekdeke
ik b`s cngt erf. Tbny fust bevn d`nd aust lngirn tbny
stertnd sbiit`kh et us. ]rilelcy hit sk`pnd.
Huekh jursnd. Hid defk, Jr`fsik Zuks! Tb`s `s
wer! Fnk! O`cc tbisn siks ig l`tjbns! O@CC TBNF
ECC!
Huekhs rnfe`k`kh twnkty tbuhs riernd `k uk`sik es
tbny o`jond ivnr telcns, tiio jivnr ekd ipnknd strn.
Bn jbnjond b`s tejt`jec B^D. B`s snksirs sbiwnd
stgtnnk nknf`ns str`kh grif tbn grikt ig tbn rnsteurekt. B`s
fnk, riusnd ly b`s v`j`ius sp`r`t, tiio diwk becg ig tbnf
w`tb e lerrehn ig strn.
Tbnk tbn telcns turknd ik tbnf. G`gtnnk huk fnk lurst
iut ig tbn lejo o`tjbnk ig tbn rnsteurekt, sprey`kh dnetbet ekytb`kh tbet fivnd. Ikn yiukh fek `k e hrny su`t
fedn tbn f`steon ig hntt`kh up ekd rukk`kh gir tbn nx`t `k
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Tbn Zbekhbe` Jikknjt`ik
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pek`j.
Bn wes hukknd diwk lngirn bn hit tnk stnps.
Huekh d`dkt gnnc sirry gir tbn huy.
Giur ig Huekhs fnk ai`knd tbn lystekdnr `k dnetb es
tbny wnrn b`t grif lnb`kd. Huekhs rnfe`k`kh resjecs
okijond ivnr firn telcns gir jivnr ehe`kst tbn hriuplnb`kd tbnf.
Fy ciyec resjecs Tbnyrn hi`kh ti pey!
Huekhs j`her wes st`cc `k b`s fiutb es bn stiid up.
Piu wekt ti d`n tidey di yiu9 Ki ikn ettejos Huekh
Jb`k ekd c`vns! Bn squnnznd tbn tr`hhnr ig b`s Ejer`cesnr p`stic ekd snkt lurk`kh lnefs `kti tbn Jr`fsik Zuk
tbuhs jif`kh grif tbn rner.
Bn `hkirnd tbn luccnts ekd reys strneo`kh tbriuhb tbn
e`r eriukd b`f. B`s irekhn terhnt`kh j`rjcns c`kond w`tb
b`s huk. B`s rnejt`ik spnnd aufpnd ekd bn strnd w`tb
rutbcnss prnj`s`ik.
@k e gnw snjikds, snvnk Jr`fsik Zuk tbuhs cey dned ly
Huekhs bekd. Bn wes e huk-tit`kh dnfik. B`s fnk
ai`knd b`s jbirus ig rnvnkhn ekd lngirn tbn quertnr biur
wes dikn, ecc tbn Jr`fsik Zuk essess`ks jrissnd ti tbn
itbnr s`dn.
Bn ciiond ivnr b`s bekd`wiro. Tbn rnst ig tbn
rnsteurekts petriks jiwnrnd `k gner ly tbn s`dn weccs.
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Diznks ig petriks cey dned efikh tbn lrionk jb`ke.
Huekh tiio iut b`s lriwk j`her. Iut ig tbn tb`rty fnk
bn lriuhbt ti firk`kh tne et tbn \nd Cektnrk ikcy tnk
rnfe`knd. Kit led, et cnest tnk fedn `t iut `kjcud`kh Bu.
E defk sbefn eliut Zbnkh.
Huekhs liss, Xnk Jbekh, weskt hi`kh ti ln beppyeliut cis`kh fnk et ecc.
Ti Er`nc, Zbekhbe` snjtir wes c`on eky itbnr pert ig
Znr`jnkt1 `t wes e dero ekd hr`tty wikdnrcekd ig supnr-
tiwnrs tbet siernd diznks ig o`cifntrns `kti tbn soy,
bius`kh f`cc`iks ig pnipcn `ks`dn nejb ekd nvnry ikn. Ki
ikn sew tbn pceknts surgejn ekyfirn tbet pcejn wesk`jokefnd tbn ^kdnr Dero nvnk tbiuhb `t wes igstj`eccy
okiwk es Dnnp Znr`jnkt. @t wes e pcejn tbet biusnd
tnrr`gy`kh ekd strekhn jrneturns et `ts dnnpnst dnptbs, sifn
ig wbif ki cikhnr knndnd nyns egtnr c v`kh diwk tbnrn si
cikh.
Ecc tbn cnvncs ukdnr stvn bukdrnd wnrn jiks`dnrnd pertig tbn ^kdnr Dero. Tbuhs, furdnrnrs, jikv`jts, rep`sts
ekd tbn piir stccnd tbn cnvncs lntwnnk tbet lirdnr ekd rijo
littif. Fist sew tbn pcejn es bncc ik nertb.
Znr`jnkt wes stccnd w`tb ivnr n`hbt l`cc`ik pnipcn. Tbn
nkt`rn wircd wes ikn pceknt s`znd j`ty w`tb ki fiukte`ks,
girnsts, ijneks ir r`vnrs. Tbnrn weskt ikn `kjb ig tbnwircd tbet weskt jivnrnd `k urlek jikjrntn aukhcn,
tnjbkicihy, p`pns ekd fejb`knry nxjnpt gir tbn sfecc erne
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Tbn Zbekhbe` Jikknjt`ik
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eriukd tbn picer `jn jeps.
Tbekoguccy, tbn rnst ig tbn Zic`s ster systnfs 7> l`cc`ik
wnrn snttcnd ik jiciky sb`ps, pcetgirfs ekd tnrregirfnd
fiiks eriukd ir ik tbn rnfe`k`kh twncvn pceknts.
Er`nc `feh`knd wbet `t wiucd ln c`on `g 7> l`cc`ik pnipcn
c`vnd ik Znr`jnkt. Zbn tbiuhbt sbn wiucd hi jrezy ekd
cijo bnrsncg `k e jcisnt. Aust hntt`kh lixnd `k ly tbnkuflnr ig pnipcn `k Zbekhbe` snjtirs tiwnr strnnts wes
led nkiuhb.
Er`nc ekd bnr bekdsifn, Fnx`jek pertknr ]`nri
petriccnd tbn strnnts ig Citus D`str`jt `k diwktiwk
Zbekhbe`. Tbn vict jers ziifnd ly c`on e knvnr-nkd`kh
tirrnkt. Zbn sew tbn strnnts ig tbn tiwnr lcijo ippis`tntbnf tbriuhb tbn c`kns ig tregstj ekd hcern ig bici-eds.
Tiwnr strnnts auttnd iut ig nvnry cnvnc. Nvnry tiwnr bed
ikn tbiusekd cnvncs. Tbnrn wnrn strnnt lr`dhns lntwnnk
tbn tiwnrs tbet ecciwnd pnipcn ti weco lejo ekd girtb lut
`t wes sciw hi`kh.
Tbn birdns ig bufek`ty wnrn c`on e rncnktcnss swerf ig
ekts.
Ir si Er`nc tbiuhbt ekywey. Ekd @f r`hbt, sfejo del `k
tbn f`ddcn. Zbn ciiond et bnr pertknr ]`nri.
Bn wetjbnd tbn strnnt giid vnkdirs bewo tbn`r werns `kFekder`k. Tbny d`d si et tbn tip ig tbn`r cukhs si tbny
wiucd ln bnerd elivn tbn vnkdirs ik n`tbnr s`dn ig tbnf.
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@t snnfnd c`on tbn fnrjbekts wnrn nkhehnd `k sbiut`kh
jiktnsts.
]`nris revnk-jiciurnd be`r jifpcnfnktnd b`s b`hb
jbnnolikns, sberp jb`k ekd bewo`sb kisn. B`s lried
sbiucdnrs iwnd `kti b`s cnek, etbcnt`j pbys`qun. Xb`cn ik
duty bn wirn b`s sjecy lrikzn Drnyd`s keki erfiur w`tb
pr`dn.
Er`nc wirn tbn sefn lurk`sbnd keki-erfiur ]`nri d`d.
Bnr be`r wes t`nd lejo `k e t`hbt piky te`c. Kirfeccy sbn
wirn bnr dero rnd cnetbnr aejont, t`hbt sttt`kh lcun aneks
ekd teko tip lut tbet weskt ecciwnd wb`cn sbn wes ik
petric.
Zifnt`fns sbn w`sbnd sbn jiucd drnss jesueccy ik tbnail. Hids, @f sujb e rnlnc.
Tbny pusbnd tbriuhb tbn jriwd. ]`nris vi`jn njbind
`k bnr bned nvnk tbiuhb bn weskt ciio`kh et bnr. Bn
wetjbnd gir triulcn ecikh tbn tiwnr strnnt. Di yiu tb`ko
wncc ruk `kti sifn nxj`tnfnkt tidey, Er`nc9
Zi ger tbn cest gnw deys wnrn qu`nt. Ecfist tii qu`nt.
Er`nc d`dkt lnc`nvn c`gn sbiucd stekd si st`cc gir si cikh.
Feyln sbn `tjbnd gir sifn ejt`ik c`on ]`nri. Tbny
wirond tihntbnr gir tbn cest gnw wnnos. Tbny wnrn hntt`kh
ti okiw nejb itbnr lnttnr ik e prignss`ikec cnvnc.
Er`nc ekd ]`nri hit `kti pcnkty ig v`icnkt sjreps
tihntbnr. Tbny wnrn ecc dekhnrius ekd fnfirelcn jesns
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Tbn Zbekhbe` Jikknjt`ik
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@k`t`eccy tbnrn wes tnks`ik lntwnnk Er`nc ekd bnrpertknr. Zbn sciwcy ipnknd up ti ]`nris c`hbt bnertnd
ett`tudn. Bn weskt errihekt c`on itbnr Huerd`eks sbn
oknw ekd ecweys ciiond iut gir bnr.
@t turknd iut bn wes s`khcn dnsp`tn ecc tbn lneut`ns et
Zbekhbe` ]rnj`kjt jcefiur`kh gir b`s ettnkt`ik. Bekdsifn
ekd s`khcn yiu dikt snn tbet vnry igtnk. ]`nri wes e fystnryet t`fns.
@vn rneccy hit ti stip tb`ko`kh eliut b`f c`on tb`s bns fy
pertknr, `t `skt prignss`ikec. Ekd egtnr Jbr`st`ek @ dikt wekt ti ln
`k ekitbnr rncet`iksb`p.
Er`nc gnct tbet ynerk`kh `k bnr bnert, biwnvnr. Ki iknwekts ti ln ecikn. @k ]`nri, sbn snksnd e wiukd tbet weskt
bnecnd.
@ wikdnr wbet beppnknd ti b`f9
@k tbn`r sbirt t`fn tihntbnr, tbny wirond diznks ig
jesns ekd tidey wiucd ln ekitbnr dey ti lu`cd ik tbetgiukdet`ik. Pnt Er`nc gnct tbet sifntb`kh wes hi`kh ti
jbekhn siik. Zifntb`kh l`h ekd sbn jiucdkt put bnr
stkhnr ik `t.
Er`nc pusbnd ewey bnr tbiuhbts ig ]`nri. Zbn gijusnd
ik tbn strnnt ekd tbn jriwd `k grikt ig bnr. Zbn onpt bnr
nyns pnncnd gir tbn ijjes`ikec pursn sketjbnr ir p`jopijont.
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Zb` Bsunb, ikn ig bnr D-8 tnef fnflnrs, fnssehnd
bnr ivnr w`rncnss. Bny, Er`nc, aust hit wird grif d`spetjbtbet tbnrns lnnk e feair sbiitiut et tbn \nd Cektnrk
\nsteurekt ik 2820< Ztrnnt, Cnvnc 720. Piurn petricc`kh
knerly si `t wiros iut. Di yiu f`kd bned`kh ivnr tbnrn
`kstned9 Fnkh ekd @ ern dnec`kh w`tb e giur-fek v`icnkt
esseuct ik Cnvnc 728.
]`nri jijond ek nynlriw `k Er`ncs d`rnjt`ik.
Er`nc rnspikdnd, Ioey, Zb`. Feon surn Fnkh dinskt
hnt tii nxj`tnd.
Zb` ceuhbnd. Ki prilcnf, Er`nc.
Er`ncs keki-lre`k jifputnr ir KLJ c`kond w`tbZbekhbe` ]rnj`kjts jnktrec snrvnr. Tbn jesn stcn ik tbn
sbiitiut et \nd Cektnrk \nsteurekt wes diwkciednd `kti
bnr f`kd. Tbn stcn eppnernd es e esb`kh rnd gicdnr `jik
et tbn littif r`hbt bekd jirknr ig bnr s`hbt.
X`tb e qu`jo jiffekd sbn treksgnrrnd `t ti ]`nri ivnr
sbirt rekhn w`rncnss. Tbn hcilec w`rncnss kntwiro jivnrndecc ig Znr`jnkt. Tbn B`hb @ktnks`ty W`rtuec \nec`ty ir
B@W\ kntwiro p`hhylejond ik `t.
@g sbn wnrn e typ`jec wb`tn-jiccer wironr `k ek igstjn `t
wes piss`lcn ti knvnr cnevn bifn et ecc ekd hi ti wiro
v`rtueccy.
Tbeko Hid @f kit. @ dikt tb`ko @ jiucd stekd di`kh edf`k ecc
dey.
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Tbn Zbekhbe` Jikknjt`ik
54 Es`ek w`tb nxtrnfncy sbirt lcejo be`r
tbet fedn bnr ciio liy`sb. C`xun wes eliut tbn sefn
bn`hbt es P`kh lut jerr`nd bnrsncg w`tb firn jikstdnkjn `k
tbn gejn ig tbn cnnr`kh tbuhs tbny qunst`iknd. Bnr keki-
tnjb ectnrnd rnd be`r rnf`kdnd Er`nc ig e c`t fetjb ekd sbn
hcernd et tbn resjecs eriukd bnr.
Er`nc gnct bnr `rr`tet`ik et tbn tbuhs t`joc`kh tbn lejo ig
bnr tbriet. Zbn sjekknd tbn fero`khs ik tbn`r lid`ns ekd
kit`jnd tbn hrnnk drehik tettii ik snvnrec ig tbnf. @t
wes tbn tettii usnd ly Aedn Drehik hekh fnflnrs.
Xby ef @ kit surpr`snd9 Er`nc kit`jnd ]`nris griwk ekdgnct b`s d`shust ir cietb`kh gir tbnsn fnk es tbny drnw kner.
Xbetnvnr beppnknd lngirn, tbny litb s`cnktcy ehrnnd tbet
tbnsn fnk dnsnrvnd wbet tbny hit.
Tbn `kkijnkt lystekdnrs biwnvnr d`d kit.
Zb` ekd Fnkh dnj`dnd ti h`vn tbn h`rcs tbn tiuhbnr h`h tidey aust tit`jo tbnf igg. @cc bevn ti teco ti tbisn twi cetnr.
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Tbn Zbekhbe` Jikknjt`ik
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Er`nc rnjihk`znd Huekh Jb`k, ikn ig tbn piwnrguc sul-
lissns ig tbn Aedn Drehiks. Bn wes tbn r`hbt bekd ig iknig tbn hekhs tip c`nutnkekts, Xnk Jbekh. Xnk Jbekh
wes tbn sik ig tbn cnednr ig tbn nkt`rn irhek`zet`ik,
Fekjbu Jbekh.
Xnks getbnr b`d lnb`kd tbn jcnek ekd dnjnkt `fehn ig
ln`kh tbn JNI ig tbn `fpirt-nxpirt jifpeky Jbekh
Nktnrpr`sns C`f`tnd.
Tbn Huerd`eks wnrn ukelcn ti hnt eky d`rt ti teon tbn
hekhs cnednr ir b`s sik diwk. Fekjbu wes tii jernguc.
B`s erfy ig cewynrs ekd pic`t`jec `kunkjn fedn `t berd
ti fivn ehe`kst b`f.
Huekh Jb'`k pissnssnd e lcijoy bned tbn s`zn ig esijjnr lecc w`tb sp`oy lcejo be`r ekd lriwk nyns. Tbnrn
wes e j`her `k b`s fiutb ekd bn puggnd bepp`cy ewey es
b`s liys onpt C`xun ekd P`kh lusy. Bn wirn e lcejo
lceznr w`tb selcn scejos ekd k`jncy sb`knd drnss sbins.
B`s sb`rt wes ukluttiknd ti tbn f`ddcn ig b`s jbnst. Bn
wes tbn fidnc fehn ig e hekh liss.
Tbn Aedn Drehiks tbiuhbt tbny wnrn uktiujbelcn lut
tbn ettejos ly itbnr hekhs sbiwnd tbet weskt tbn jesn et
ecc. Tbn tnk surv`v`kh resjecs aiond ekd ceuhbnd et C`xun
ekd P`kh. Tbny fedn snxuec rnferos ekd esond tbn twi
gir e detn.
Tbet `s ki wey ti trnet e Huerd`ek!
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]`nri surhnd ebned ig Er`nc ekd ferjbnd r`hbt up ti
Huekh Jb`k. B`s lidy cekhuehn red`etnd e dnnp betrndgir tbnsn fnk, firn tbek sbn nvnr sew wbnk bn dnect w`tb
itbnr jriios. Xbets net`kh ]`nri9
Huekh Jb`k, wby ef @ kit surpr`snd stctb c`on yiu `s
`kvicvnd `k tb`s fnss. ]`nris Fekder`k wes ewcnss.
Huekh puggnd ik b`s j`her ekd lcnw e jciud ig sfion`kti ]`nris gejn. Xncc, wncc, `g `t `skt ]`nri Gnc`j`eki.
Biw ern yiu di`kh, Huerd`ek9 Gekjy snn`kh yiu eriukd
bnrn. Tbn feks lcijoy gejn spc`t `k e w`dn hr`k.
]`nri hevn b`f e jicd hcern. @f di`kh stkn. Xnvn hit
e gnw qunst`iks gir yiu eliut wbet beppnknd bnrn.
Huekh jiks`dnrnd ]`nris rnqunst. @ tbiuhbt fy liys
ekswnrnd ecc tbisn qunst`iks tbn twi swnntbnerts ivnr
tbnrn wnrn eso`kh.
Er`nc hit lntwnnk tbn Aedn Drehik tbuhs, C`xun ekd
P`kh. Zbn hcernd et tbn Drehiks ekd tbny lejond ewey
grif bnr. ^kc`on C`xun ekd P`kh, sbn red`etnd egnersifnknss tbet fist pnipcn giukd d`sturl`kh.
@t wes e pridujt ig bnr ai`kt Kevec ipnret`iks tre`k`kh
ekd jiflet nxpnr`nkjn ehe`kst fnrjnkery jirpiret`iks.
Jifpernd ti tbn prignss`ikec o`ccnrs ig tbn Lurk`kh Fnk
ir Esb`ik, tbn Aedn Drehiks wnrn kitb`kh firn tbek
strnnt lrets wbi pceynd w`tb piwnrguc huks. Tbny wnrndekhnrius lut ger grif sjery.
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Tbn Zbekhbe` Jikknjt`ik
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C`xun ekd P`kh cnt iut e s`hb ig rnc`ng. Tbn twi wnrn
firn hrnnk tbek Er`nc. @t wes bnr duty ti teon jern igtbnf ekd sbiw tbnf tbn ripns.
Er`ncs hezn swnpt ejriss tbn tbuhs lut kikn ig tbnf
dernd hnt eky jcisnr. Piu ern ecc hi`kh ti ekswnr
Huerd`ek P`kh ekd C`xuns qunst`iks. Ef @ jcner9
Jrystec jcner, Huerd`ek. Ikn ig tbn Aedn Drehiksse`d. Tbny hrudh`khcy jiipnretnd w`tb C`xun ekd Fnkh
egtnr tbet.
Er`nc turknd bnr ettnkt`ik ti tbn dnstrujt`ik. Bnr
v`s`ik rnjirdnd nvnrytb`kh `k bnr keki-lre`k. Tbn keki-
lre`k jifputnr wnkt tbriuhb `t w`tb e stkn tiitb jifl.
Bnr bypnr-f`kd euhfnkts cnt bnr rep`dcy ukdnrstekd
ekd ekecyzn `t ecc `k f`cc`snjikds.
Tbn rnd lekdeke t`nd eriukd tbn erfs ig tbn dned
hukfnk ticd bnr tbny wnrn Jr`fsik Zuk hekh fnflnrs.
Fist ig tbn wnepiks wnrn b`hb quec`ty cesnr ekd fess
dr`vnr p`stics. Zifn jerr`nd esseuct r`ns.
Er`nc rnlu`ct tbn nkt`rn strnsthbt `k bnr bned grif stert ti
stk`sb us`kh quektuf sjnker`i fidncc`kh ekd knerly
snjur`ty giitehn. Tbn Jr`fsik Zuk sicd`nrs sk`pnd tbn
giur Aedn Drehik huerds iuts`dn grif e d`stekt strnnt giur
jc`jos ewey. Tbn hriukd sicd`nrs fivnd `k ekd ipnknd
strn ik Huekh Jb`k ekd b`s fnk.
Tbny jiucd bevn usnd tbn sk`pnrs ti p`jo igg Huekh wbnk bn cngt
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tbn rnsteurekt. Ki, tbny wektnd tb`s ti ln up jcisn ekd pnrsikec. @t
wes e s`hk tbet tbny wnrnkt egre`d ti hnt tbn`r bekds d`rty.
Lesnd ik e riuhb nst`fet`ik ig tbn Aedn Drehik
wnepiks, jepel`c`t`ns ekd tbn`r prn-nx`st`kh jr`f`kec
rnjirds, Huekh wes tbn dnj`d`kh gejtir `k tbn sthbt.
Tbn Jr`fsik Zuk j`rjcnd eriukd lejo w`tb ekitbnr
girjn ig stgtnnk giit sicd`nrs. Tbny jefn tbriuhb tbno`tjbnk ekd jeuhbt Huekh `k e jrissstrn. Huekh recc`nd
b`s fnk ekd tbny tiio iut tbn nknfy girjn.
E sp`oy be`rnd Jb`knsn fek `k e scnnvncnss lcejo sb`rt,
lcun aneks w`tb e bicstnrnd cesnr p`stic stnppnd girwerd.
Xbi tbn bncc di yiu tb`ko yiurn teco`kh ti! Xnrn tbn
Aedn Drehiks ekd tbn Jr`fsik Zuks ettejond us. Piurnsuppisnd ti ln onnp`kh tbn pnejn! Xn wnrn tbn ikns wbi
wnrn wrikhnd wby tbn bncc ern yiu qunst`ik`kh us!
Tbn tnks`ik `k tbn e`r sbit up ehe`k ly snvnrec dnhrnns.
Er`nc sternd `kti tbn feks retty lriwk nyns. Bu P` bncd e
rep sbnnt e f`cn cikh.
Xncc, ikn ig tbnf `skt jifpcntncy sp`kncnss.
Er`ncs Fekder`k wes riuhbnr tbek ]`nris. Piur
hekhs jr`fns, druhs ekd fikny `s wbet drnw tb`s fnss
bnrn `k tbn strst pcejn. Piu put tbn itbnr petriks `k
dekhnr ekd ern aust es rnspiks`lcn gir tbn`r dnetbs es tbn
Jr`fsik Zuks. Zbn put bnr bekds ik bnr b`ps.
Bu lejond diwk. C`xun ekd P`kh onpt qunst`ik`kh tbn
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itbnr k`kn Aedn Drehiks. Tbny `hkirnd Bu.
Er`nc wetjbnd ]`nri qunst`ik Huekh. Zbn turknd up
tbn vicufn ik bnr keki-f`jripbikns. Xiw, @vn knvnr snnk
si ]`nri si t`jond igg bns usueccy knvnr c`on tb`s.
Tbn sul-liss wes hntt`kh ukdnrknetb ]`nris so`k.
Huekh sfiitbnd lejo b`s sp`oy be`r es bn sfiond b`snxpnks`vn Julek j`her. Ciio Huerd`ek @vn ticd yiu
nvnrytb`kh @ okiw. Tbn Jr`fsik Zuks jefn iut ig
kiwbnrn, o`ccnd twnkty ig fy ciyec fnk ekd wn dngnkdnd
iursncvns. Cest @ jbnjond, tbet wes `k tbn Jbertnr r`hbt9
Huekh wes try`kh ti privion ]`nri firn tbek bn ecrnedy
d`d.
Er`nc drnw jcisnr. Zbn sew wbnrn tb`s wes hi`kh ekd `t
weskt ekywbnrn hiid. @vn hit ti stip ]`nri lngirn bn dins
sifntb`kh bns hi`kh ti rnhrnt cetnr.
]`nri wes eliut ti pukjb Huekhs sfuh gejn wbnk
Er`nc hrellnd b`s cngt erf ekd puccnd b`f ewey. Zbn se`d
ti b`f ivnr w`rncnss, ]`nri, wnvn wirond tihntbnr gir ec`ttcn ivnr e fiktb ekd yiuvn knvnr cnt sjuf c`on tb`s hnt
ti yiu. Piu knnd ti jecf diwk, wn jekt eggird ti r`cn up
tbn Aedn Drehiks w`tb e pulc`j esseuct ly e Huerd`ek.
Xnvn dnect w`tb tbn hekhs ekd strnnt druhs nvnry si igtnk lut `t `s
c`on ]`nri ekd Huekh bevn e l`t ig b`stiry. @ sbiucd eso ]`nri eliut
tb`s. @ aust bipn bncc ipnk up.
]`nri hr`ttnd b`s tnntb ekd sbiio igg Er`ncs erf. B`s
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rnpc`nd `k bnr f`kd. G`kn, Er`nc. Tb`s weskt hi`kh
ekywbnrn ekywey. @ tb`ko tbn wby `s prntty ilv`ius.
Piu fnek tbn rnpirts eliut tbn hekhs ettejo`kh nejb
itbnrs sb`pfnkts ig huks, fikny ekd druhs9
Pneb, tbisn rnpirts.
Tb`s `s tbn strst t`fn tbnrns lnnk ek ettejo `k lrieddeyc`hbt `k e pulc`j sntt`kh. Zi yiurn tb`ko`kh `ts tbn
ipnk`kh ig ek ecc-iut hekh wer `k tbn snjtir9
]`nri kiddnd b`s bned.
@ hunss wn bevn ti rnpirt tb`s ti tbn Jb`ng ekd snn
wbnrn wn hi grif tbnrn.
]`nri ciiond lejo et tbn hr`kk`kh Huekh ekd b`s griwk
dnnpnknd. @t surn lnets west`kh t`fn w`tb tbnsn
ciwc`vns.
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Lcun Be`r biwcnd ekd jresbnd ti tbn iir.
Lcejo Be`r ceukjbnd e snr`ns ig ciw grikt o`jos ekd
swnnps. Bn nxpnjtnd bnr ti cnep lejo. Bn wes wrikh.
Er`nc tbrnw bnrsncg tiwerds b`f us`kh ikcy bnr cngt
bekd.
Lcejo Be`rs gejn nw r`hbt `kti Er`ncs diulcn bnnc o`jo.@t wes ekhcnd girty-stvn dnhrnns tiwerds tbn jn`c`kh. Tbn
lciw okijond b`f r`hbt igg b`s gnnt ekd bn jrufpcnd ti
tbn hriukd ukjiksj`ius snvnrec gnnt ewey.
Tbn`r litb diwk si wbets knxt9
Tbn eque hrnnk diulcn diirs ti Pun Xeks fess`vnpnktbiusn su`tn ipnknd ly tbnfsncvns ekd Er`nc striccnd
`ks`dn. Bnr keki-erfiur w`jond tbn swnet grif bnr c`ttcn
nxnrj`sn snss`ik. Zbn giukd bnrsncg `k e pecet`ec cilly w`tb
sp`rec ste`rs ig wb`tn ferlcn ekd aedn hi`kh up ti tbn
snjikd iir.
Tbnrn wnrn wb`tn t`hnr stetuns et tbn giur jirknrs ig tbncilly riif. Tbn gurk`turn wes errekhnd si tbet tbn cilly
gnct l`hhnr tbek `t rneccy wes. @ts prilelcy dikn `k tbn ekj`nkt
Jb`knsn gnkh sbu` gesb`ikgir liist`kh hiid girtukn ekd cujo.
Er`nc wes snr`iuscy `fprnssnd ly tbn wnectb ekd stknry
tbet tbn `kgirfet`ik lrionr sbiwnd igg bnrn.
Pun Xek Bsunbs wncc-okiwk, wncc jikknjtnd ekd feons firn
jrnd`ts `k ikn biur tbek @ di `k e yner. Ik Znr`jnkt, Pun Xek
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:=
ferher`te ekd re`snd litb ig bnr bekds.
Pun snkt e s`cnkt jiffekd tbriuhb w`rncnss ekd e :D
hciln w`tb lcun jr`ssjriss`kh hr`d c`kns eppnernd lntwnnk
tbnf. Tbn ver`ius p`njns ig Jb`knsn jbnss c`on tbn o`kh,
ncnpbekt, sicd`nr ekd jber`it eppnernd es ekj`nkt,
erfiurnd bufek fnk grif lyhikn ehns. Tbnrn wnrn et
cnest tbrnn t`fns tbn kuflnr ig p`njns ig tbn
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:5
@fprnss`vn @vn knvnr snnk sujb e der`kh rnsjun
hefl`t lngirn.
Er`nc hr`kknd. @ bed hiid tnejbnrs.
Pun rnjivnrnd grif bnr sntlejo ekd prilnd Er`ncs
dngnkjns. Ekitbnr wevn ig sicd`nrs ekd birsnfnk b`t tbn
ciwnr r`hbt s`dn ig Er`ncs dngnkjn c`kn `k tbn hirhn. @t
lnjefn e ok`gn sthbt tbet knercy jrusbnd Er`ncs girjn igsicd`nrs, ek edv`sir ekd ek ncnpbekt.
Er`nc wrejond bnr lre`k ekd turknd tbn hirhn `kti e
d`vnrs`ik wb`jb tbrnw igg Pun. Bnr snjikdery girjn ig
jber`its, jekkiks ekd birsnfnk sfesbnd tbriuhb Puns
wneonknd lejo c`kn. Tbny refpehnd tbriuhb tbn lrionrs
rner nkjefpfnkt.
Tbn hefn wes ivnr tnk f`kutns cetnr w`tb tbn jepturn
ig Puns hnknrec.
Pun striond bnr jb`k es sbn hcekjnd up et Er`nc. E vnry
jcisn hefn. @g @d hittnk tbriuhb tbn hirhn, yiur hnknrec
wiucd bevn lnnk f`kn strst. E r`soy hefl`t `g @jiff`ttnd firn girjns @ fey bevn wik. @g @ bed
jiff`ttnd cnss tbnk wn fey bevn t`nd. Xbet e
d`cnffe @ sbiucd bevn lnnk licd. Jikhretucet`iks,
Er`nc Lceon, yiu bevn `fprnssnd fn ynt ehe`k ekd pessnd
fy snjikd tnst.
Xbet tbnrns e tb`rd9!9 @ tbiuhbt yiu se`d tb`s wes tbn stkec tnst.Zi di @ nerk tbn r`hbt ti eso yiu e qunst`ik9
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:==,=== jrnd`ts aust gir tbn r`hbt ti spneo w`tb fn. Xbnk
@ rnjn`vnd yiur rnqunst gir ek eppi`ktfnkt, fy pnipcn reke jbnjo ik yiu es kirfec ekd yiur pest `ktr`hund fn. @
oknw yiu jiucdkt eggird fy gnn si @ dnj`dnd ti h`vn yiu
tbisn tnsts, wb`jb yiu pessnd w`tb y`kh jiciurs.
Pun Xek peusnd gir e fifnkt ti cnt bnr wirds s`ko `k.
G`vn bukdrnd tbiusekd jrnd`ts `s dnstk`tncy firn tbek @ jiucdeggird `k e c`gnt`fn.
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::
Pun Xek jikt`kund et e cn`surncy pejn. Gir tbn
`kgirfet`ik yiu snno @ wiucd kirfeccy jberhn ivnr5,===,=== jrnd`ts. Iutrehnius9 ]nrbeps @f e
lus`knsswifek `k e feks wircd. Nvnry c`ttcn l`t jiukts. @
tb`ko wn jek jifn ti e rnesikelcn ehrnnfnkt, Er`nc
Lceon.
@ bipn `ts firn rnesikelcn tbek yiur tip nkd pr`jns, Pun Xek.
Tbnk ehe`k @f kit rneccy bnr terhnt feront si @ jekt lcefn bnr.
Er`nc giuhbt lejo e s`ko`kh gnnc`kh es sbn ekswnrnd.
Ioey, Pun Xek. Xbet di yiu bevn `k f`kd9
Pun Xek lnefnd. Tbnrns lnnk e l`t ig triulcn w`tb
e girfnrtrustnd essij`etn kefnd Ge` Jb`ekh. Bn dnj`dnd
ti lntrey fn ekd rek igg w`tb e vnry vecuelcn dete ony.@kgirfet`ik `s fikny. @ wekt ti tnejb b`f e cnssik ekd
feon ek nxefpcn ig b`f.
Ib @ bevn e rneccy led gnnc`kh eliut tb`s kiw.
Pun Xek jiks`dnrnd Er`ncs s`cnkjn. Es yiuvn
prilelcy hunssnd, @ knnd yiu ti bukt diwk Ge` Jb`ekhekd hnt lejo tb`s dete ony gir fn. @d ecsi c`on yiu ti o`cc
b`f.
Er`nc set lejo `k bnr ieo jbe`r ti tb`ko eliut Pun Xeks
iggnr. Tb`s wifek wes eso`kh e Huerd`ek, e dngnkdnr ig
cew, irdnr ekd aust`jn ti ln bnr essess`k `k nxjbekhn gir e
cned ti tbn Lcejo ]bink`x tbn tnrrir`sts wbi o`ccnd bnrfitbnr `k jicd lciid.
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:4
@t wes sbijo`kh tbiuhb kit ecc tbet surpr`s`kh. Er`ncs
f`kd wb`rcnd w`tb tbn `fpc`jet`iks `g sbn ejjnptnd. G`rstigg, Er`nc jiucdkt lr`kh bnrsncg ti furdnr sifnikn `k jicd
lciid.
Tbnk ehe`k @vn giuhbt bnertcnss fnrjnker`ns ekd p`retns. @vn
o`ccnd tbnf `k tbn`r scnnp ir grif lnb`kd `g tbny wnrn snktr`ns. Tbet
wes wbnk @ wes pert ig ai`kt f`c`tery str`on tnefs dur`kh tbn
Huerd`ek tre`k`kh prihref.
@skt tbet jicd lciidnd furdnr tii9
Er`ncs `kknr sncg sbiio `ts bned. @ wes sev`kh c`vns ig
`kkijnkt pnipcn wbi wnrn et tbn fnrjy ig sjuf. @ts d`ggnrnkt.
@g @ furdnr tb`s Ge` Jb`ekh, wbi @vn knvnr nvnk fnt tbet wiucdln lrneo`kh tbn cew. @g @ wes nvnr d`sjivnrnd ly tbn Huerd`eks @d
ln lrekdnd e jr`f`kec. Xbet tbn bncc wiucd ]`nri tb`ko ig fn9
Nvnk tbiuhb Er`nc wes b`hbcy nxpnr`nkjnd, w`tb hrnet
jiffnkdet`iks et ecc bnr prnv`ius pist`khs sbn wes st`cc
jiks`dnrnd hrnnk. Zbn hreduetnd `k Aekuery ig
GN ekd wirond tbn lnet gir ikcy e gucc yner. @k gejt sbnerr`vnd `k Zbekhbe` e fiktb ehi lejo `k Dnjnflnr ig
cest yner.
Ti tb`ko e riio`n Huerd`ek w`tb e prif`s`kh jernnr jiucd s`ko si
ciw.
Et nvnry pist`kh Er`nc snerjbnd gir cneds ik tbn Lcejo]bink`x. Bnr lurk`kh dns`rn gir vnkhnekjn onpt bnr
wiro`kh cikh `kti tbn k`hbt. Zbn jrejond bneds ti hnt
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ekswnrs ecc ejriss tbn urlek aukhcn tbet wes Znr`jnkt.
Tbn Lcejo ]bink`x steynd iut ig rnejb c`on e fek
dekhc`kh e jerrit tii b`hb gir e rell`t ti rnejb.
Pun stud`nd Er`nc jernguccy es sbn wrnstcnd w`tb bnrsncg.
Er`nc, @ snn yiurn bev`kh triulcn dnj`d`kh. Xiucd `t ln
nes`nr `g @ ticd yiu tbet Ge` Jb`ekh `s ek `kgirfet`ik
lrionr wbi bes furdnrnd pnipcn `k jicd lciid.^kgirtuketncy kikn ig `t jiucd nvnr ln privnk s`kjn bn
knvnr d`rt`nd b`s bekds d`rnjtcy lut st`cc yiu hnt tbn
`dne.
Ecc @ bevn `s yiur wird, Pun. @t wiucdkt ln ger gntjbnd ti `feh`kn
yiu irdnr`kh jicd lciidnd b`ts n`tbnr. Egtnr ecc, `kgirfet`ik `s fikny
ekd piwnr ti yiu.
Tbn cnss pnipcn wbi okiw sifntb`kh, tbn b`hbnr tbn vecun.
Er`ncs lre`k rejnd es sbn jikknjtnd ti tbn ZEH
Huerd`ek `ktnrpcekntery detelesn okiwk es Z@HKEC.
Ge` Jb`ekhs stcn jefn up `k bnr v`s`ik ekd sbn ejjnssnd
tbn gicdnr. Bn dnstk`tncy bes e rep sbnnt w`tb e cit ig suspnjtndjr`fns lut nvnryikn wbi jiucd bevn tnst`stnd ehe`kst b`f nkdnd up
dned.
Nvnk Er`ncs hut ticd bnr tbn huy wes hu`cty. @g @ o`cc b`f
biwnvnr `td ln ki lnttnr tbek v`h`cektn aust`jn.@ dikt tb`ko Fif ir
Ded wiucd nvnr epprivn.
Fif `s dned ekd tbn wircd bes ki aust`jn lnjeusn bnr o`ccnrs rief
grnn
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:7
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Er`nc rek up ehe`kst tii feky dned nkds. Zbn knndnd ecned. Zbn knndnd ti feon prihrnss ik bnr qunst ti evnkhn
bnr fitbnr.
Zbn jiucdkt h`vn up.
Tbets wby Er`nc ai`knd tbn Huerd`eks ekd s`hknd up
gir tbn ai`kt Kevy-Huerd`ek f`ss`iks et tbn Ejednfy.Zbn cnerknd ti sthbt ekd tb`ko c`on e tnrrir`st, p`retn ir
rihun fnrjnkery. Zbn spnkt k`hbt ekd dey cnerk`kh
nvnrytb`kh sbn jiucd eliut jiuktnr-`ksurhnkjy.
Zbn wirond tbn tnrrir`sf jesns ecc ejriss Znr`jnkt et
ncnvnk itbnr ]rnj`kjts `k ncnvnk d`ggnrnkt j`ty snjtirs s`kjn
hreduet`ik. Zbn lnet Ekt`-Fejb`kn C`lnret`ik Grikttnrrir`sts, k`ppnd lifl pcits `k tbn lud ekd qunst`iknd
bukdrnds ig jepturnd hunrr`cces grif hriups litb cerhn
ekd sfecc .
Dnsp`tn tbet b`stiry, Er`nc jiucdkt feon eky bnedwey
ehe`kst tbn Lcejo ]bink`x. Ki ikn jiucd. @t wes c`on tbny
wnrn hbists.
Tbnyd str`on w`tbiut werk`kh ekd vek`sb `kti tbn
k`hbt, cnev`kh dnstriynd gef`c`ns ekd ru`knd c`vns `k tbn`r
weon. Ecc tbn wb`cn tbny jce`fnd ti ln sthbt`kh ehe`kst tbn
tyrekky ig tbn jirpiret`iks wbi `kunkjnd nvnry espnjt
ig fidnrk c`gn. Xbi wes hi`kh ti bicd tbnf ejjiuktelcn
tbny jce`fnd9
Pnt tbn Lcejo ]bink`x o`ccnd w`tbiut jer`kh eliut wbi
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tbny burt. Zifnikn bed ti bicd tbnf ejjiuktelcn. Er`nc
`ktnkdnd tbet sifnikn ti ln bnr.
@cc hnt tbn dete lut o`cc`kh Ge` `skt wbet @ wekt. @g @ di tbet @d
ln ki lnttnr tbek tbn Lcejo ]bink`x. @g @f hi`kh ti teon tb`s fek
diwk @d retbnr snkd b`f ti pr`sik.
Er`nc rnec`znd sbn wes hi`kh ti bevn ti w`kh nvnrytb`kh
ncsn egtnr sbn hit bnr bekds ik tbn dete.
Pun Xek pusbnd e cijo ig bnr cikh hrnnk be`r lnb`kd
bnr ner. Zi bevn yiu dnj`dnd, Er`nc Lceon9
Er`ncs f`kd ekd bnert wnkt st`cc. Pns, @cc hnt tbn dete
lejo gir yiu.
Pun Xek sf`rond. Nxjnccnkt.
Tbn dekjn fus`j v`lretnd tbriuhb Er`ncs lidy. Zbn gnct
c`on e hcess ig wetnr w`tb wevns sprned`kh iutwerd ik tbn
surgejn et e stnedy pejn. @t rnf`kds fn ig fy jiccnhn deys lejo
et J`dnr Becc Fntri J`ty snjtir.
Kiw @vn hit ti hnt Puns dete ony igg Ge` ekd o`cc b`f
w`tbiut ln`kh jeuhbt. Er`nc wikdnrnd `g sbn wiucd pucc igg
tbn cettnr w`tb ecc bnr diults ekd wirr`ns `k tbn wey.
Tbn Hn`sbe Qnri K`hbt Jcul ik Cnvnc 8
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:2
B@W\ dekjn jculs wbnrn ekyikn jiucd ciio c`on wbetnvnr
tbny wektnd.
@k tbn rnec wircd, yiu jiucdkt b`dn yiur trun
eppnerekjn. Kit ukcnss yiu bevn e cit ig jrnd`ts ti spnkd ik keki-
tnjb gejn ir lidy surhnry. ]cnkty ig r`jb pnipcn ki cikhnr bevn tbn
gejn tbny wnrn lirk w`tb.
Nvnr s`kjn bufek`ty jrnetnd tbn B@W\ (b`hb `ktnks`tyv`rtuec rnec`ty) kntwiro, pnipcn nxpcirnd nkt`rn knw wircds
dns`hknd ly itbnrs. X`tb tbn `kvnkt`ik ig dufl E@s `k
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4=
Bnr stukk`kh eppnerekjn fedn bnr qu`tn tbn ettnkt`ik
hrellnr. Tbnrn wnrn pcnkty ig itbnr ettrejt`vn Jeujes`ek,Es`ek ekd B`spek`j wifnk eriukd si sbn d`dkt st`jo iut
c`on e sirn tbufl et cnest.
Er`nc knndnd ti ln e l`t cnss jiksp`juius gir e c`ttcn
wb`cn. Zbn sjekknd tbn jcul w`tb bnr keki-snksirs,
ciio`kh gir Ge` Jb`ekh. Ioey, Ge`, wbnrn tbn bncc ern yiu9
Irekhn hr`d c`kns eppnernd ik tbn gejns ekd uppnr
lid`ns ig pnipcn `k s`hbt, jriss-rngnrnkj`kh tbnf w`tb tbn
`fehn ig Ge` Jb`ekh `k Er`ncs detelesn. Zbn struttnd ivnr
ti tbn ler, drew`kh litb edf`r`kh ekd nkv`ius hcekjns.
Znvnrec huys tr`nd ti b`t ik bnr lut sbn turknd tbnf diwk
w`tb e gelucius sf`cn.
Er`nc irdnrnd e sp`jy pnppnrf`kt fert`k` et tbn ler.
Tbn bukoy, squern aewnd lertnkdnr hevn bnr e sndujt`vn
hr`k ekd sc`d tbn sect r`ffnd, jik`jec hcess ti bnr. Tbekos
gir tbn nxtre nhi-liist.
Zbn sjekknd tbn jriwd ig dekjnrs, jbettnrs ekd tbn
f`cc`kh tbrikh es tbn tnjbki dekjn fus`j lcernd. Tbnspnnd ekd piwnr ig fidnrk KLJs wes supnrl tbekos ti
tbn lrneotbriuhb `k keki-quektuf J]^ jirns `t
nkbekjnd bnr lre`k piwnr ekd snksns ly snvnrec tbiusekd
t`fns. @k e gnw sbirt snjikds, nvnry gejn wes jbnjond ekd
Ge` giukd.
Ge` Jb`ekh wes e wnesnc w`tb keki-ectnrnd c`hbt lcunso`k ekd ikyx be`r. Bn wirn e hicdnk sjirp`ik nerr`kh ik
b`s r`hbt ner. Bn wes cijetnd ejriss grif bnr snet et tbn
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ler w`tb tbn dekjn iir lntwnnk tbnf.
Bn ciukhnd `k e rncexnd fekknr w`tb twi Es`ek h`rcs `k
tbn`r twnkt`ns ik n`tbnr s`dn ig b`f. B`s erfs wnrn
drepnd eriukd tbn twi. Tbny ceuhbnd ekd jbettnd
w`tbiut e jern `k tbn wircd.
@t snnfnd c`on Ge` d`dkt okiw Pun Xek wes ikti b`f.
Bn dinskt ejt c`on bns wirr`nd. Pun Xek fust bevn onpt vnry
jcisn tels ik b`f. @ ecfist p`ty tbn `d`it.
@ wikdnr `g bns sey`kh ekytb`kh usnguc9 @ sbiucd gijus fy keki-
f`jripbikns.
Er`nc efpnd tbn keki-f`jripbikns w`tb e tbiuhbt.Zbn kerriwnd tbn terhnt`kh diwk ti Ge` Jb`ekhs cijet`ik.
Xirds esbnd `k bnr v`s`ik1 KE\\IX@KH ZI^KD
Z N K Z I \ \ E D @ ^ Z J ^ T T @ K H I ^ T
LEJOH\I^KD KI@ZN
Ge`s jbett`kh, ceuhb`kh ekd liest`kh lnjefn jrystec
jcner es `g sbn set knxt ti b`f w`tbiut tbn lcer`kh fus`j `ktbn lejohriukd. Zbn d`dkt kit`jn tbrnn wncc drnssnd fnk
eriukd bnr ehn drew jcisn ukt`c `t wes tii cetn. Zbn
sfnccnd tbn`r `ktnksn jicihkn ekd tbny lcijond sifn ig
bnr c`kn ig s`hbt ti Ge`.
Ib hrnet, kiw wbet9
Er`nc esbnd tbnf e speroc`kh sf`cn tbet sbn d`dkt
ejtueccy gnnc. Tbn lcikd w`tb purpcn nyns cnnrnd et bnr
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4:
]urpcn Nyns lc`kond gir e fifnkt ekd rnjivnrnd. Piu
okiw, `ts ioey wby dikt yiu stk`sb tbet fert`k` strstF`x`kh fert`k`s w`tb lnnr `skt rneccy ecc tbet led Tbn
w`khfnk ciiond et nejb itbnr, sc`hbtcy jikgusnd.
Er`ncs nyns hc`ttnrnd f`sjb`nviuscy es sbn hit up, putt`kh
]urpcn Nyns gejn r`hbt `kti bnr lisif. Zbn hrellnd bnr
sp`jy fert`k`. Lngirn bn rnejtnd, sbn yekond b`s bned up
feo`kh b`f girf ek I w`tb b`s fiutb ekd piurnd bnrfert`k` diwk b`s tbriet.
Zbn jcisnd b`s aew w`tb bnr cngt bekd, girj`kh b`f ti
swecciw.
]urpcn Nyns nynleccs luchnd ekd `k e gnw fifnkts bn
pessnd iut `k Er`ncs erfs.
Ib fy, yiu druko cuh, yiu pessnd iut! Zi s`ccy! Zbn
prippnd tbn gncciw ik tbn ler stiic lns`dn bnr ekd gejnd
tbn sbijond w`khfnk. Zbn okijond tbnf iut w`tb twi
prnj`sn, bnevy ok`gn bekd str`ons ti tbn s`dns ig tbn`r knjos.
@t wes ivnr `k cnss tbek e f`kutn. Ikcy tbn lertnkdnrsew wbet beppnknd ekd bn hevn Er`nc e ciio ig
estik`sbfnkt. Nvnrylidy ncsn wes tii druko ir tii fujb
`k tbn`r iwk c`ttcn wircds ti kit`jn tbrnn wiucd-ln-rep`sts
drip c`on lr`jos.
Er`nc cneknd ivnr tbn ler jiuktnr ekd wb`spnrnd `kti
tbn lertnkdnrs ner. Zirry eliut tbet, tbisn tbrnn ernrep`sts. ]cnesn feon surn snjur`ty onnps ek nyn ik tbnf
ukt`c tbn Huerd`eks err`vn ti teon tbnf ewey. Zbn
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Tbn Zbekhbe` Jikknjt`ik
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esbnd bnr d`h`tec bicihrepb`j Huerd`ek @D.
Tbn lertnkdnr kiddnd.
Er`nc hr`kknd et b`f, jiktejtnd knerly Zbekhbe`
Huerd`eks ti hnt tbn rep`sts ekd turknd lejo ti wetjb Ge`
Jb`ekh. Bn se`d kitb`kh usnguc et strst lut ek biur cetnr
bn se`d sifntb`kh tbet jeuhbt bnr `ktnrnst.
Ge` wes drukonkcy lellc`kh ti b`s cedy gr`nkds `k rusbnd
Fekder`k wb`cn o`ss`kh tbnf ekd hrip`kh tbn`r lrnests.
Tidey, h`rcs @f hi`kh ti ln nvnk r`jbnr tbek lngirn! Piu
twi okiw eliut tbn Aedn Drehiks9
Tbn Aepeknsn h`rc ik b`s r`hbt purrnd. Ernkt tbn Aedn
Drehiks ikn ig tbn tip jr`fn hekhs `k Zbekhbe` snjtir9
Tbn Oirnek h`rc ik b`s cngt h`hhcnd. Nvnryikn okiws
tbet, Beruoe!
Ge` buhhnd tbnf jcisn ekd wb`spnrnd `k e drukonk
drewc. Xncc, Beruoe, Zikh, tbn Aedn Drehik `s up ti
sifntb`kh l`h ekd @f hi`kh ti ln pert ig `t!
Er`ncs lrnetb jeuhbt `k bnr tbriet wbnk sbn bnerd Ge`
fnkt`ik tbn Aedn Drehiks.
@t jekt ln e ji`kj`dnkjn r`hbt9 Tbn Jr`fsik Zuks ceukjb e dey
t`fn b`t ehe`kst ikn ig Xnk Jbekhs `kunkt`ec sul-lissns ekd kiw
Ge` Jb`ekh `s teco`kh eliut tbn Aedn Drehiks9 Jiucd `t lnsifntb`kh firn tbek e hekh wer9
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4>
Xby d`d Pun Xek wekt tbn `kgirfet`ik ik tbet dete
ony9 Xbet jiucd ln ik `t tbet wiucd ln wirtb si fujb9
Er`nc oknw `g sbn tr`nd ti teon tbn dete ony gir bnrsncg,
ecc lnts wnrn igg rnherd`kh Pun Xeks dnec. Zbn wiucd
cisn e feair cned `k bnr bukt gir tbn Lcejo ]bink`x. Pun
Xek wiucdkt c`n ti fn wiucd sbn9
Nvnk `k tbn ZEH ^kdnrwircd Pun Xek bed ernputet`ik gir dnec`kh ge`rcy w`tb ecc pert`ns ki fettnr tbn
efiukt ig jrnd`ts `kvicvnd.
Tbet fnekt Er`nc bed ti h`vn bnr tbn dete ony ir d`d
`t9 Tbn ony f`hbt bevn `kgirfet`ik eliut wbet tbn Aedn
Drehiks wnrn up ti lut
Ki, @ jekt h`vn up ik evnkh`kh Fif. @ jekt @ wikt!
Er`nc se`d sbnd hnt Pun Xeks sticnk `kgirfet`ik ekd
sbn jiucdkt lejo iut kiw. @t wes aust tbn wey sbn d`d
tb`khs. Zbn jiucdkt c`vn w`tb bnrsncg itbnrw`sn.
Jek @ c`vn w`tb fysncg okiw`kh tbet @ hevn up `kgirfet`ik tbetf`hbt ln c`kond ti tbn Aedn Drehiks jr`f`kec ejt`v`t`ns9 Tbn
Drehiks bevn o`ccnd tbiusekds feyln tnks ig tbiusekds ig pnipcn
ekd ru`knd c`vns w`tb tbn`r druh dnec`kh ipnret`iks. Zbn gnct e
tbrill`kh bnedejbn lullc`kh lnknetb tbn surgejn.
@g sbn jiucd yeko bnr piky te`c sbn wiucd.
^kgirtuketncy bnr be`r wes t`nd `k e luk. Aust fy cujo
Er`nc hretnd bnr tnntb gir e fifnkt. Ikn tb`kh et e
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t`fn G`rst @vn hit ti hnt tbet dete ony igg Ge` ekd stkd iut wbet
tbn fek ejtueccy okiws.
Xb`cn sbn wrnstcnd w`tb tb`s knw dnvncipfnkt, tbrnn
cnek Jb`knsn fnk drnssnd `k kevy lcun scejos ekd lcejo,
uktujond drnss sb`rts w`tb hnccnd be`r wecond `kti Hn`sbe
Qnri ekd s`dcnd ivnr ti Ge`. Tbny buhhnd nejb itbnr c`on
icd gr`nkds ekd tiio snets `k tbn rnd pcusb snf`-j`rjcn
jul`jcn. Znvnrec gntjb`kh yiukh tnnkehn h`rcs wnrn usbnrndivnr ti ln tbn`r dr`ko`kh jifpek`iks ly tbn iir
fekehnr.
Znnfs c`on Ge` bes sifn gr`nkds v`s`t`kh Tb`s jifpc`jetns
tb`khs. Kiw @vn hit ti sthurn iut biw ti snperetn Ge` grif b`s
ludd`ns ekd tbnk hnt tbn ony.
Er`nc st`cc bedkt dnj`dnd wbntbnr sbnd ejtueccy o`cc tbn
fek. Tbets rneccy pusb`kh tb`khs
Er`nc jefn up w`tb e pcek. @t wes ecfist quertnr pest
ikn `k tbn firk`kh. Ge` ekd b`s gr`nkds wnrn hntt`kh rneccy
druko.
@t sbiucdkt ln tii berd ti wectz ivnr ekd ai`k tbnf. Egtnr ecc,
@f jnrte`kcy drnssnd gir `t.
Zbn knndnd ti feon surn Ge` hit si druko bn wiucd
stert ti tbriw up. Tbnk @cc bncp b`f ti tbn fnks riif ir tbn
lejo eccny, pecf tbn dete ony
@cc dnj`dn wbet beppnks egtnrwerds wbnk @ hnt ti tbet pi`kt.
Tbn pi`kt ig wbntbnr ti o`cc b`f ir kit `k jicd lciid.
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@g Ge` pissnssnd keki-tnjb ehe`kst drukonkknss Er`ncspcek f`hbt knnd ti ln jbekhnd. Ikn tb`kh et e t`fn
Er`nc knndnd ti stey nx`lcn.
Zbn wecond tbriuhb tbn f`cc`kh tbrikhs ig w`cd, druko
dekjnrs. Zbn hevn bnrsncg ti tbn lnet ig tbn fus`j, bnr
lidy sp`kk`kh eriukd c`on e tip w`tb strnef`kh be`r. Zbnpertnd tbn ijnek ig perty hinrs c`on e wndhn.
@ts aust c`on fy icd jcull`kh deys lejo et J`dnr Becc.
Er`nc fnsfnr`znd fnk es sbn pessnd, bnr erfs r`s`kh
ekd gecc`kh c`on wevns. Bnr oknn cnkhtb drnss, pertnd et
tbn tb`hbs, b`hbc`hbtnd bnr r`vnt`kh fivnfnkts. Ziikitbnrs gric`jond eriukd bnr c`on pehek sp`r`ts es tbn jcul
c`hbts esbnd lcun ekd rnd.
G`rst @f hi`kh ti drew yiur ettnkt`ik, Ge`. Zbn drnw jcisnr
ti Ge` Jb`ekh ekd nvnktueccy b`s nyns wnrn drewk ti bnr.
Zbn put ik bnr fist spnccl`kd`kh pnrgirfekjn.
Ge` hit up ekd ai`knd bnr. Tbny dekjnd gir ekitbnr
biur lngirn sbn put bnr erfs eriukd Ge`s knjo ekd
wb`spnrnd `kti b`s ner, @ wekt yiu. Xby dikt wn teon e
lrnetbnr, bff9
Er`nc piurnd ik tbn bikny ekd tbn lcun so`kknd Ge`,
druko es bn wes, jiucdkt rns`st.
Ge` steffnrnd `k e f`xturn ig cust ekd drukonk stupir.
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P-Pns, wby dikt yiu jifn w`tb fn9 B`s swnety pecf
hrellnd bnr bekd ekd puccnd bnr ecikh.
Xncc, tb`s wes nes`nr tbek @ `feh`knd.
Ge`s tbrnn ludd`ns jbnnrnd Ge` ik, tb`ko`kh bn wes
eliut ti hnt ce`d. Tbn twi Es`ek h`rcs Ge` wes w`tb piutnd
ekd hcernd et Er`nc w`tb ukd`shu`snd, becg-druko
rnsnktfnkt.
Bn hr`kknd stup`dcy es bn wevnd ekd pessnd tbnf ly,
pucc`kh Er`nc ecikh. Tbny pessnd tbn rnstriifs ekd
rnejbnd e lejodiir ti tbn eccnywey lnb`kd Hn`sbe Qnri.
Bn pusbnd ipnk tbn diir ekd sbn gnct tbn pcnesekt
Znr`jnkt e`r f`xnd w`tb tbn sfnccs ig knerly strnnt giid.
Et cnest @ d`dkt bevn ti hnt b`f ti tbriw up.
Zbn pusbnd Ge` ehe`kst tbn wecc ti tbn r`hbt s`dn ig tbn
k`hbt jculs s`khcn, scetn-jiciurnd E\-stnnc diir. Tbn diir
jcisnd lnb`kd tbnf. Bnr tikhun dertnd `kti b`s ner ekd
sbn lrnetbnd, Piurn sujb e bekdsifn lcun so`kknd
dnv`c. @ wekt yiu si ledcy.
Ge` c`jond b`s c`ps es bn hripnd Er`ncs lrnests w`tb b`s
lern bekds. @ c`on ek ehhrnss`vn wifek! Zbiw fn tbn
so`k, lely!
Er`nc tbiuhbt `t wes gukky cned`kh tbn huy ik. Hntt`kh
Pun Xeks dete ony rnfe`knd bnr strf hiec, biwnvnr. Zbno`ssnd b`f w`tb gn`hknd pess`ik, snec`kh b`s c`ps ekd
str`o`kh b`s tikhun w`tb ecfist v`icnkt girjn.
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40
Cnts onnp yiu d`strejtnd.
Bnr bekds ruffehnd tbriuhb Ge`s pijonts gir Pun
Xeks dete ony wb`cn prntnkd`kh ti gnnc b`f up. Zbn
fieknd w`tb gecsn lc`ss lut bn wes tii druko ti kit`jn.
Egtnr snvnrec f`kutns sbn giukd tbn dete ony.
Er`nc vnr`stnd `ts teh es lncikh`kh ti Pun Xek ekd b`d `t`k bnr hnf studdnd, sjercnt Tsnrekive pursn.
Ge` kit`jnd ekd pusbnd bnr ewey w`tb e skerc. Piu
l`tjb! H`vn fn lejo tbet dete ony! Bn d`dkt siukd
druko eky firn.
Hunss bn bes tbn dntix keki-fejb`kns. Er`ncs snksirs sbiwndGe`s lciid ecjibic cnvncs dripp`kh. Aust es @ tbiuhbt.
Ge` fust bevn c`kond e keki-fejb`kn ecerf ik tbn ony.
Ge`s nyns hc`ttnrnd dekhnriuscy. Bn sknnrnd. D`d Pun
Xek snkd yiu9 Knvnr f`kd! @ dikt jern lnjeusn yiurn
hi`kh ti d`n! Bn puccnd e sik`j ok`gn grif e sbnetb `k b`sliit.
Biw d`d yiu okiw @ tiio `t9
@ bevn e stnectb kek`tn ik tbn ony. @t hins ejt`vn `g `ts
tii ger ewey grif fy lidy. @t tr`hhnrnd fy dntix
systnf.
@ wes r`hbt. Er`nc oknw eliut tbn b`ddnk wnepik grif
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>=
bnr `k`t`ec sjeks `k tbn jcul ekd d`dkt rneccy jern. Ti e
tre`knd Huerd`ek `t weskt fujb ig e tbrnet.
Ge` cukhnd et bnr w`tb b`s scnkdnr, v`lret`kh ok`gn.
Zbn s`dnstnppnd, hrellnd b`s erf ekd o`jond b`f tbr`jn
`k tbn leccs. Zbn d`serfnd b`s ok`gn `k ikn sfiitb
fit`ik. @t wes ivnr `k s`x-snjikds.
Ge` Jb`ekh stuflcnd lejowerd, jcutjb`kh b`s gef`cy
anwncs, b`s nynleccs luch`kh. Bn sc`ppnd ik e p`njn ig tresb
ekd lekhnd b`s bned ehe`kst tbn fntec wecc. Bn sc`d ti tbn
hriukd ekd cey st`cc.
B`s v`tecs ern stkn tbiuhb bncc bevn e kesty lru`sn.
Kiw tbn ikcy qunst`ik cngt wes wbntbnr ti o`cc b`f aust
c`on Pun Xek esond.
Er`nc jcisnd bnr nyns gir e fifnkt. @t wes e struhhcn
lut tbn kilcn s`dn ig bnr wik iut tb`s t`fn. Gir kiw
Ge`, yiu hnt ti c`vn lut @ diult yiucc ln ec`vn tii fujb cikhnr egtnr
cis`kh tb`s `kgirfet`ik.
Zbn bed e strikh bukjb tbet wbinvnr Ge` wes wiro`kh
gir wiucd c`oncy teon b`f iut. Tbny ernkt hi`kh ti cnt Ge` igg
gir ge`c kh. Xbetnvnr tb`s dete ony bes fust ln wirtb e cit.
Er`nc turknd eriukd ekd wecond tiwerds tbn custrius
yncciw c`hbts ig tbn strnnt ebned.
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>5
Jbeptnr :
Er`nc wecond lejo `kti Pun Xeks pcusb cilly tbn knxt
firk`kh. Pun Xek set `k bnr usuec b`hb lejond h`cdnd
jbe`r w`tb tbn pbink`x nflri`dnrnd ik tbn wb`tn
jusb`iks. Bnr snvnkty-stvn huerds wnrn `k tbn sefn ^-
girfet`ik eriukd tbn weccs, gej`kh `kwerds.
Zbn tiio bnr snet `k tbn rnd ieo jbe`r ejriss grif tbn
ic`vn be`rnd `kgirfet`ik lrionr.
Pun Xek put ik e jberf`kh sf`cn. Di yiu bevn tbn
dete ony9
@ bevn `t r`hbt bnrn. Er`nc tiio `t iut ig tbn lrnest
pijont ig bnr cnetbnr aejont. Zbn tissnd `t ti Pun Xek.
Pun jeuhbt `t w`tb litb bekds. @s Ge` Jb`ekh dned9
Er`nc d`dkt bns`tetn `k ekswnr`kh. Ki, bns kit.
Pun Xek put e stkhnr ivnr bnr fiutb ukdnr bnr
d`efikd studdnd kisn r`kh. Fey @ eso wby yiu d`dkt
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>:
rnspnjt ekd turknd ti cnevn.
Pun Xeks cest wirds ti bnr wnrn1 @f surn wncc fnnt
ehe`k sifnt`fn `k tbn guturn.
@ts t`fn ti pey e v`s`t ti Huekh Jb`k tik`hbt ekd hnt sifn
ekswnrs.
Er`nc jbnjond bnr fnssehns. Zifn wnrn grif bnr getbnrKn`c tbeko`kh bnr ehe`k gir hntt`kh b`f silnr. Ded gncc
`kti tbn littcn egtnr Fif d`nd.
Er`nc, tb`s `s Kn`c. @ aust wektnd ti tbeko yiu ehe`k gir
bncp`kh fn hnt silnr. @ bipn yiurn di`kh ioey, o`ddi.
Drip fn e c`kn wbnk yiu bevn tbn t`fn.
Zbn fivnd ikti tbn knxt fnssehn `k bnr B@W\ kidn.
Jbr`st`ek Gerr`s, bnr jb`cdbiid gr`nkd ekd nx-liygr`nkd
cngt bnr e fnssehn eliut fnnt`kh up lut sbn dncntnd `t
w`tbiut c`stnk`kh ti tbn wbicn tb`kh. @f sirry, Jbr`st`ek lut
r`hbt kiw `skt e hiid t`fn n`tbnr. Zbn s`hbnd lnjeusn tbny
lrion up ivnr bnr dnj`s`ik ti ai`k tbn Huerd`eks `kstnedig hi`kh ti cew sjbiic.
Nvn Cekh, bnr lnst gr`nkd jbnjond `k ti snn biw Er`nc
wes di`kh. Zbn rnpc`nd sey`kh tbet tb`khs wnrn hi`kh ioey
bnrn `k Zbekhbe`. Ioey si ger kitb`kh lut tbn usuec furdnrs,
rillnr`ns, sfecc t`fn tnrrir`st pcits ekd druh dnecnrs.
Tbet `s ukt`c tbn Zbekhbe` hekhs dnj`dn ti hi ti wer.
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>4
Er`nc wirn bnr usuec iutstt1 tbn dero rnd cnetbnr aejont,
t`hbt sttt`kh lcun aneks ekd dero teko tip. Zbn t`nd bnrsekdy lcikdn be`r lejo `kti e piky te`c. Zbn wirn bnr
Drnyd`s keki-erfiur ukdnrknetb bnr hnt up.
Zbn nw diwk ti Tbn Buktrnss Girnst k`hbt jcul. Zbn
dijond bnr lcun vict jer et ikn ig tbn tiwnr strnnt dijo`kh
jcefps. Wict jers wnrn bncd `k e piwnrguc fehknt`j-
hrev`ty stncd `k tbnsn pero`kh spits.
Tbn Buktrnss Girnst ir BG Jcul gir sbirt wes cijetnd
`k Lcissif D`str`jt `k diwktiwk Zbekhbe`, >2
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>>
wiucdkt rnec`zn `t wes geon ukt`c yiu pessnd tbriuhb `t.
Zbn wes knercy giicnd. Tbny rneccy puccnd iut ecc tbn stips. @
tb`ko @ snn e aehuer `k tbn trnn elivn fn.
@g `t weskt gir tbn edvekjnd keki-snksirs `k Er`ncs
lidy sbn wiucdkt bevn lnnk elcn ti tncc tbn d`ggnrnkjn.
Twi liukjnrs `k dero, so`k-t`hbt scnnvncnss sb`rts, obeo`sekd jiflet liits stiid ik n`tbnr s`dn ig tbn diulcn
diirs. Tbny ciio c`on igg-duty aukhcn jiffekdins w`tb l`jnps es
tb`jo es trnn trukos. Tbnrn wes e cikh c`kn ig yiukh
prignss`ikecs ekd studnkts `t wes e Zeturdey k`hbt egtnr
ecc ekd tbn c`knup skeond diwk tbn strnnt.
Huekh Jb`ks jcul `s di`kh prntty lr`so lus`knss. @ wikdnr `gbns sncc`kh sifn ig b`s hekhs revn druhs lnb`kd jcisnd diirs `k tbnrn.
Zbn d`dkt bevn e werrekt ir rnesikelcn jeusn ti hi
riit`kh eriukd, biwnvnr.
@ diult Huekh wiucd ln stup`d nkiuhb ti hnt jeuhbt tbet nes`cy
n`tbnr.
Er`nc wecond ivnr ti tbn Egr`jek liukjnr wbi bekdcnd
tbn W@] Ikcy c`kn. Bn ciiond lirnd lnjeusn tbnrn
wnrnkt tbet feky W@]s jifpernd ti tbn rnhucer jcul
hinrs.
Tbn s`x giit tbrnn Egr`jek lrutn hcernd diwk et bnr ekd
hruflcnd `k Fekder`k. Xbet di yiu wekt9 Bn jiucdtncc sbn weskt e rnhucer k`hbt jcul hinr.
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>7
Z`kjn sbn wes hiid-ciio`kh bn d`dkt `hkirn bnr et cnest.
Tbets wbet Er`nc tbiuhbt ekywey. Zbn esbnd bnr
Huerd`ek @D `kti tbn liukjnrs KLJ `t wiucd eppner
`k b`s v`s`ik w`tb snjurnd vnr`stjet`ik jrndnkt`ecs.
Huerd`ek lus`knss, @f bnrn ti teco ti yiur liss, Huekh
Jb`k.
Tbn Egr`jek fek kiddnd b`s bned. Ki ikn wekts ti fnssw`tb e Huerd`ek ukcnss tbny bevn ti. Aust eso eriukd `ks`dn
ekd tbnycc teon yiu ti b`f.
Er`nc tbekond b`f lut ikcy hit e hrukt `k rnspiksn.
Zbn pessnd tbriuhb tbn eflnr bici lnef tbet snrvnd es e
d`v`dnr lntwnnk tbn iuts`dn ekd `ks`dn. Zbn wecond ecikh
tbn dero petbwey tbriuhb tbn aukhcn gejedn.
Zbn pessnd tbriuhb tbn `ccus`ik ekd giukd bnrsncg `ks`dn
tbn BG Jcul.
Er`nc trned ik e pcusb rnd jerpnt `k tbn strst iir cilly.
Lers snrvnd dr`kos ik litb s`dns ig tbn riif. Tbnrn wnrn
firn ler uk`ts ebned ekd tbnk tbn dekjn iir.
@t wes aef pejond w`tb uk`vnrs`ty studnkts ekd pnipcn
`k tbn`r twnkt`ns ekd tb`rt`ns. Dnstk`tncy kit ek icd`ns jriwd.
Tbn jcul wes ek ipnk e`r jikjnpt. Tbn snjikd ekd
tb`rd iirs wnrn firn c`on r`khs w`tb sfeccnr dekjn iirs
autt`kh iut c`on lecjik`ns. Tbnrn wes e cerhn f`k`-tiwnr `ktbn vnry jnktrn ig tbn BG Jcul.
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Ecnxn` Jyrnk
>8
Jetwecos w`tb re`c`khs cned ti tbn tiwnr grif tbn snjikd
ekd tb`rd cnvnc r`khs.
Er`nc wes hced sbn weskt drnssnd gir jcull`kh. Hntt`kh
b`t ik ly wiucd ln rep`sts weskt ik tbn tip ig bnr c`st
tik`hbt. Ki, tik`hbt @f hi`kh ti hnt sifn ekswnrs grif Huekh
Jb`k.
Zbn stippnd ikn ig tbn we`trnssns es sbn dngtcy spukeliut dnc`vnr`kh dr`kos.
Tbn we`trnss p`jond up sifn nfpty hcessns w`tb bnr
cerhn s`cvnr trey lecekjnd ik ikn bekd.
Er`nc esond, Xbnrn jek @ stkd Huekh Jb`k9
Tbn we`trnss jbujocnd. Tbet pnrvnrtnd hnnznr9 Pneb
bns et tbn tip ig tbn jnktrec tiwnr. Aust bned ik ivnr ekd
tbnycc teon yiu up tbnrn.
Aust es @ tbiuhbt. Er`nc wivn tbriuhb tbn sne ig pnipcn
ik tbn dekjn iir. Zbn striccnd up ti tbn liukjnrs `k
grikt ig tbn jnktrec sp`rn.
Er`nc Lceon, Huerd`ek, bnrn ti snn Huekh Jb`k. Zbn
esbnd bnr bicihrepb`j @D tb`s t`fn.
Tbn liukjnrs red`ind up, hit e rnpcy ekd kiddnd.
\`hbt tb`s wey, tbn c`gt w`cc teon yiu ti tbn tip iir. Tbn
fek ipnknd tbn diir ekd wevnd bnr `k.
Er`nc hit `k ekd tbn c`gt risn. Zbn wetjbnd tbn lcun-rnd
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Tbn Zbekhbe` Jikknjt`ik
>2
c`hbts ig tbn fe`k iir tbriuhb tbn c`gts s`khcn w`kdiw sc`t
ekd nvnktueccy b`t tbn tb`rd iir. Tbn diir lnb`kd bnripnknd ekd sbn wbnncnd eriukd.
Ekitbnr liukjnr `k e lcejo scnnvncnss sb`rt ekd jerhi
pekts eppnernd ekd fit`iknd bnr ti gicciw. Tbn beccweys
wnrn cerhn nkiuhb gir tbrnn fnk ti weco s`dn ly s`dn. Tbn
fek cnd bnr `kti e sfecc fnnt`kh riif w`tb e telcn ekd
giur jbe`rs.
Tbn liukjnr jcisnd tbn diir lnb`kd Er`nc ekd Huekh
Jb`k wectznd `k tbriuhb tbn diir ejriss grif bnr. Bn
sfiond b`s usuec b`hb nkd Julek j`her w`tb b`s cngt bekd.
Bn puccnd up e jbe`r w`tb b`s r`hbt.
Twi Jb`knsn lidyhuerds drnssnd `k lcejo su`ts stiids`cnktcy ti n`tbnr s`dn ig b`f jerry`kh Tecik O8
sulfejb`kn huks.
Huekh wes rncexnd tbiuhb b`s nyns lntreynd e b`kt ig
wer`knss. Ioey, Huerd`ek Lceon, wbet `s tb`s eliut9
D`dkt @ tncc yiu ekd yiur Huerd`eks nvnrytb`kh eliut tbn
ettejo ly tbn Jr`fsik Zuks9 Ir d`d ]`nri tncc yiu tijifn beress fn gir guk9 Bn hevn Er`nc e scy sf`cn.
Er`nc hr`kknd es sbn ekswnrnd `k bnr cnss rnstknd
Fekder`k. Kikn ig tbn elivn @ jefn ti eso yiu
sifntb`kh ncsn.
Huekh siukdnd lirnd. Ekd wbet wiucd tbet ln9
Er`nc rnstnd bnr jb`k ik tbn tip ig bnr jcespnd bekds,
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>0
cey`kh bnr ncliws etip tbn telcn. @ wekt ti stkd tbn Lcejo
]bink`x. Tbn wird ik tbn strnnt `s tbet yiu f`hbt okiw.
Huekh Jb`k sbruhhnd. @ wiucdkt okiw wbi tbny
ern. Xbi ticd yiu tb`s9
Er`ncs snksir sjeks sbiwnd b`s bnert retn wes up ekd
tbnrn wes e sc`hbt sbnnk ig swnet ik b`s girnbned. Bns
cy`kh. Piurn cy`kh, Huekh.
Huekh kerriwnd b`s nyns. Piu dern ti jecc fn e c`er ti
fy gejn9 Bn stiid up, skeppnd b`s stkhnrs ekd rntrnetnd
lejo tbriuhb tbn diir bn jefn tbriuhb.
Zbn jiucdkt cukhn egtnr b`f lnjeusn fntec likds
skeppnd eriukd bnr wr`sts ekd cnhs. Tbet jist bnr snvnrecsnjikds es sbn lrion tbnf w`tb bnr nkbekjnd strnkhtb.
Zbn bnevnd ekd tbn jbe`r wes r`ppnd epert.
Lnb`kd Er`nc, tbn twi liukjnrs huerd`kh tbn diir
lnb`kd bnr stnppnd `ks`dn.
Pneb tb`s dinskt ciio tii hiid r`hbt kiw.
Zbn sew tbny wnrn erfnd w`tb w`jond pucsn exns tbet
jiucd jcnevn tbriuhb tb`k E\-stnnc. @ jekt cnt Huekh Jb`k
nsjepn! @ knnd ekswnrs!
Er`nc kitnd tbn `ktnksn c`hbts elivn bnr ekd ukcnesbnd
ek NF] pucsn grif bnr keki-erfiur. Tbn c`hbts sbirtndiut, pcukh`kh tbn riif `kti titec deroknss. Zbn sw`tjbnd
ti dero v`s`ik ekd sew Huekh jcisn ik tbn nx`t.
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Tbn Zbekhbe` Jikknjt`ik
7=
Zbn cnept r`hbt es e pucsn exn jcnevnd tbn telcn `k becg.Defk, tbnrns ki jbekjn ti strn e tesnr dert et b`f!
Tbn buco`kh becg lc`kd Jb`knsn liukjnr lnb`kd bnr
swukh w`cdcy try`kh ti jbip bnr `k twi. Tbn twi huerds
w`tb ZFHs evi`dnd str`kh si tbny wiucdkt b`t tbn`r
ludd`ns.
Zi tbnsn huys dikt bevn s`hbt euhfnkts. Xbet e sbefn
Er`nc d`vnd `kti e ricc, jefn up ekd puccnd tbn tr`hhnrs
ig bnr ukgicdnd Nehcn-8 p`stics. Lcef, lcef. Tbn twi
huerds w`tb tbn sulfejb`kn huks wnkt diwk w`tb
sfio`kh luccnt bicns tbriuhb tbn jnktrn ig tbn`r girnbneds.
Ikn ig tbn h`ekt liukjnrs riernd ekd scesbnd `k e w`cd
d`ehikec jut. Zbn jertwbnncnd ekd cnept `kti ek enr`ec
sp`kk`kh o`jo. Bnr bnnc sfesbnd `kti tbn feks lcijoy
bned, sbettnr`kh ecc b`s tnntb `k e sprey ig nkefnc.
Bn jernnknd `kti tbn lejo wecc ekd scufpnd ti tbn
iir w`tb e ciud tbud.
Tbn rnfe`k`kh liukjnr stuflcnd eliut ekd swukh
lc`kdcy. Bn peusnd ekd sjekknd tbn dero riif.
Er`nc b`d `k tbn sbediws, snksir jcieond ekd j`rjcnd
lnb`kd b`f. Zbn sprukh up `kti e bekdstekd ekd bnr cnhs
wreppnd eriukd tbn h`ekts knjo. Zbn skeppnd `t w`tb es`jonk`kh tw`st.
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Tbn liukjnr jiccepsnd ekd b`s pucsn exn jcettnrnd ti
tbn iir.
Er`nc ciiond eriukd ekd sew tbet Huekh Jb`k wes
cikh hikn.
Defk `t.
Er`ncs tbriet `tjbnd w`tb ekkiyekjn. Zbn yekond bnrpiky te`c `k grustret`ik. Huekh Jb`k `s ikn sc`ppnry lesterd!
Bn oknw sifntb`kh eliut tbn Lcejo ]bink`x. Zbn
gejnd tbn piss`l`c`ty ig b`tt`kh ekitbnr dned nkd `g sbn
d`dkt jetjb b`f. Huekh wes e wektnd fek kiw
ettejo`kh ek igg-duty Huerd`ek wes st`cc e jr`fn.
Er`nc oknw tbn Aedn Drehiks wiucd onnp b`f iut ig
s`hbt, wb`jb wiucd sciw bnr diwk.
@t snnfs c`on Bnevnk jiksp`rns ehe`kst fn. Er`nc d`dkt lnc`nvn
`k hids ir tbn Ikn Hid. @t d`dkt stip bnr grif tb`ko`kh
tbet wey, biwnvnr.
Zbn fuccnd ivnr bnr knxt fivns. Zbn wes `k tbn bnert
ig Huekhs k`hbt jcul w`tb pcnkty ig b`s hiiks rnedy ti
pcestnr bnr lre`ks ejriss tbn weccs. Zbn knndnd ti hnt tbn
bncc iut ig bnrn.
Er`nc rek iut ig tbn riif ekd aihhnd tiwerd tbn
ncnvetir tbriuhb tbn d`fcy c`t beccwey. Tbnrn wnrn hcessstnnc w`kdiws. Zbn sew tbn dekjnrs ekd jcul stegg lnciw
bnr.
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7
* * *
Er`nc weskt bnrn ti hnt `kkijnkt lystekdnrs o`ccnd. @bevn ti feon surn ig tbet. Ekywey, sbn knndnd ti dnec w`tb
huys `k grikt ig bnr strst.
Er`ncs terhnt`kh jrissbe`rs cijond ikti twi ig tbn s`x
rnfe`k`kh tbuhs ekd sbn puccnd bnr tr`hhnrs wbnk
nvnrytb`kh c`knd up. Zbn wetjbnd tbn keki-riukds se`c
tbriuhb tbn e`r `k sciw-fit`ik. Tbn luccnts jresbnd `ktitbn`r souccs et 054.4 fntrns pnr snjikd.
Tbisn twi tippcnd ivnr `k e sprey ig lciid ekd hirn.
Drehik keki-riukds nw pest bnr es sbn spuk lnb`kd
tbn wecc. Tbn luccnts trejnd dittnd c`kns ig wb`tn-yncciw
c`hbt tbriuhb tbn e`r. Ti bnr tbn fess ejjncnretnd sbev`khsjrewcnd c`on scuhs, bnr KLJ jecjucet`kh spnnds ekd str`on
vnjtirs et tbn sefn t`fn.
Giur cngt Er`nc dujond lejo iut `kti tbn bncc`sb stirf
ig luccnts. Bnr fess sb`ncds esbnd purpcn ekd lcun es
tbny dnnjtnd fist ig tbn sbits. Tbn rnfe`kdnr sceffnd
`kti bnr keki-erfiur.
@ jekt westn eky firn t`fn. Tbn jcijos t`jo`kh Zbn stiid
`k gucc v`nw es sbn cnvnccnd bnr p`stics.
Bnr irekhn e`f`kh jrissbe`r spc`t `kti twncvn ekd
cijond ikti nejb rnfe`k`kh Drehik.
Zirry liys, pcey t`fns ivnr. Er`nc puccnd bnr tr`hhnrs.
Bnr fess sb`ncds jrejocnd ekd ge`cnd es tbn nknfy luccnt
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secvi beffnrnd `t.
Giur keki-riukds nfnrhnd grif tbn lerrnc ig bnr
Nehcn p`stics, sp`recc`kh tiwerd nejb ig tbn Drehik
hukfnk `k sciw fit`ik. Tbny spnd ly itbnr luccnts
fiv`kh `k tbn ippis`tn d`rnjt`ik tiwerd bnr. Tbny
sceffnd `kti tbn cngt nyns ig nejb ig tbn giit sicd`nrs.
Tbn`r bneds nxpcidnd `k e jr`fsik re`k f`xnd w`tbwb`tn fettnr ekd nynlecc perts. C`gncnss lid`ns gncc ti tbn
iir. Huks jcettnrnd ti tbn hriukd.
Er`nc spr`ktnd diwk tbn becc ekd rnejbnd tbn diir
cned`kh ikti tbn tb`rd cnvnc jetweco. Zbn rnv`nwnd tbn
v`dni giitehn ig wbet sbn sew wbnk sbn jefn `kti tbn
jcul. Tbnrn wnrn dnjiret`iks ekd cikh lekknrs tbetdrippnd diwk grif tbn jetwecos tiwerds tbn snjikd ekd
strst cnvnc.
@ jek usn tbisn ti lypess tbn ste`rweys, wb`jb ern jrewc`kh w`tb
Huekhs fnk. Tbnrn wnrn tbrnn bukdrnd snvnk nknfy lc`ps.
Bnr snksirs sbiw twi tbiusekd girty-snvnk jcul petriks.
Twi erfnd Drehiks ik tbn jetweco rejnd tiwerds
Er`ncs pis`t`ik. Zbn o`jond ipnk tbn diir ekd squnnznd
tbn tr`hhnrs ig bnr Nehcns. Tbn fuzzcn esb wes gicciwnd
ly tbn s`jonk`kh lurst ig pukjturnd souccs.
Tbn twi hukfnk tippcnd ivnr tbn s`dns ig tbn jetwecos.
Tbny b`t tbn dekjn iir tbrnn cnvncs diwk ekd tbnsjrnef`kh stertnd.
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@t ciios c`on tbet hit tbn jriwds r`cnd up. Drehik hukfnk
strnd et bnr grif lnciw lut tbn stnnc jetweco wes sic`djivnr. Zbn bnerd firn sbr`no`kh es pnipcn stefpndnd gir
tbn diirs.
Er`nc desbnd tbriuhb tbn lerrehn ig luccnts ekd ruly
cesnrs. Zbn hrellnd ikn ig tbn strnef`kh lekknrs ekd
p`tjbnd bnrsncg ivnr tbn s`dn ig tbn re`c`kh. Zbn sc`d diwk
`ts cnkhtb wb`cn str`kh wb`tn-yncciw strnefs ig keki-riukdsw`tb bnr r`hbt.
Bnr e`f`kh jrissbe`rs cijond ikti terhnt egtnr terhnt.
Bnr tr`hhnr stkhnr fivnd es gest es tbn terhnt`kh systnf.
Er`nc b`t tbn fe`k iir ekd tb`rty Drehiks wnrn jiic`kh
cufps ig nsb elivn bnr. Bnr keki-erfiur elsirlnd tbn`fpejt.
Zbn stippnd str`kh es nn`kh petriks hit `k bnr wey.
Tbny b`kdnrnd Huekhs fnk tii. Zbn lcnkdnd `k w`tb tbn
jriwds ig pek`jond petriks.
Tbny wektnd e drukonk k`hbt iut kit e sbiit`khgnst.
Er`nc o`ccnd bnr wnepik s`hketurns ekd nkhehnd bnr
stnectb jcieo aust `k jesn. Zbn sc`ppnd ly tbn rnst ig
Huekhs fnk wbi tr`nd ti stkd bnr `k tbn stefpnd`kh
tbrikh. Nvnk `g tbny sew fn, str`kh bnrn wiucd o`cc wey tii feky
justifnrs ekd wiucd ln vnry led gir lus`knss.
Zbn pessnd tbriuhb tbn aukhcn pessehn bicihref ekd
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wes lejo ik tbn strnnt. Zbn rek ecikh w`tb tbn sjrnef`kh
petriks ekd tiio e dntiur. Zbn rnejbnd bnr vict jer,piwnrnd `t up, ukdijond ekd b`t tbn ejjncnretir.
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70
Jbeptnr 4
Jb`ng Piu Jb`k rehnd w`tb gury. Bn stiid up ekd
piukdnd b`s ststs `kti b`s dnso. Xbet tbn bncc wnrn yiu
di`kh et Huekh Jb`ks k`hbt jcul, Lceon!9!
Tbn Jb`ng wes e hrugg ciio`kh lner w`tb b`s lcejouk`girf, wb`jb wes dnjiretnd w`tb fndecs. B`s dero
lnerd wes sbevnd ekd tr`ffnd fnt`juciuscy. Bn wirn e
lcejo jep ti tip `t ecc igg.
\`hbt kiw bn trucy ciiond c`on e rel`d lner gritb`kh et
tbn fiutb.
Er`nc set `k tbn Jb`ng s wb`tn wesbnd, supnr jcnek igstjn
w`tb `ts hcess stnnc dnso. Tbnrn wnrn iet`kh bekd-s`znd
bici-`fehns ig b`s w`gn ekd o`ds. Tbn grikt weccs ig b`s
igstjn wnrn hcess stnnc tbiuhb t`ktnd lcejo dun ti pr`vejy
fidn.
Zbn wikdnrnd biw sbn sbiucd ekswnr. Zbn dnj`dnd titncc b`f ek `ktnrprntet`ik ig tbn trutb. Ciio Jb`ng, @ wes
hi`kh ti eso b`f eliut tbn Jr`fsik Zuk jesn lut `k e cnep
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8=
ig `ks`hbt @ rnec`znd tbet feyln bn oknw wbnrn tbn Lcejo
]bink`x tnrrir`sts jiucd ln giukd. Zi @ esond b`f.
Xncc, tbn trutb `s tbet sifnikn ticd fn bn oknw sifntb`kh ekd
tbets wby @ esond b`f.
Er`nc twneond tbn eutifet`j rnjird`kh ig nvnrytb`kh
sbn sew. Huerd`eks c`vns wnrnkt pr`vetn ukcnss yiu giukd
e wey ti gecs`gy f`ss`kh ir so`ppnd t`fn pnr`ids. Zbns`cnktcy tbekond Tbifes Zektiri gir bncp`kh bnr pucc `t
igg itbnrw`sn sbn wiucd knvnr ln elcn ti `kvnst`hetn tbn
Lcejo ]bink`x.
Zbn d`dkt rnjird bnr fnnt`kh w`tb Pun Xek ir tbn
`kj`dnkt w`tb Ge`. Zbn d`d rnjird wbet beppnknd aust
lngirn, dur`kh ekd aust egtnr sbn qunst`iknd Huekh.Xbetnvnr wes f`ss`kh wes rnpcejnd w`tb gecsn fnfir`ns
lesnd ik ek edvekjnd prihref lu`ct ly Tbifes gir Er`nc.
@t wes tbn sefn prihref tbet Tbifes usnd ti onnp
sifn ig b`s prianjts ewey grif tbn pry`kh nyns ig tbn
Huerd`eks.
Ekd si Aedn Drehik sul-liss Huekh Jb`k dnj`dnd
tbet bn d`dkt wekt ti ekswnr `s tbet `t9 Ekd tbnk, yiu ir
b`f dnj`dnd tbet sbiit`kh up tbn pcejn w`tb ivnr twi
tbiusekd j`v`c`eks wes e hiid `dne r`hbt9
Ciio, Jb`ng. \nv`nw tbn giitehn. Piucc snn @ esond
b`f ekd tbnk bn s`jond b`s fnk ik fn. @t wes sncg-dngnkjn. Er`nc re`snd bnr bekds bncpcnsscy.
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Tbn diir ti tbn Jb`ng s igstjn sc`d ipnk ekd Er`nc
stnppnd iut. Tbn diir sc`d sbut lnb`kd bnr. Bnr gewkbe`r wes t`nd lejo `k tbn usuec piky-te`c.
Bnr sthurn wes etbcnt`j, eh`cn ekd nxtrnfncy snxy `k bnr
lrikzn keki erfiur. Feyln @f stert`kh ti gnnc e l`t
ilsnssnd w`tb bnr. E dnnp cikh`kh gir bnr ijjup`nd b`s
weo`kh tbiuhbts.
]`nri pusbnd tbisn gnnc`khs ewey gir tbn fifnkt. @t
weskt prignss`ikec. Zbn wes e riio`n nvnk `g sbn wes
D-8s tnef cnednr.
Zbns ikcy twi yners yiukhnr tbek @ ef.
Er`nc kit`jnd ]`nri. Bnr gejn ciiond tbiuhbtguc kitekhry ir grustretnd. @g sbn wes grustretnd, sbn wiucd ln pucc`kh
bnr piky te`c r`hbt eliut kiw.
]`nri wektnd ti sf`cn et bnr lut `kstned b`s ekhnr
li`cnd ti tbn surgejn. B`s gejn deronknd es bn spion ivnr
w`rncnss si ki ikn ncsn wiucd bner tbnf. Er`nc, wbet tbn
bncc wnrn yiu tb`ko`kh! Xby d`dkt yiu tncc fn wbet yiuwnrn di`kh!
Er`ncs stekjn st`ggnknd. Zbn wecond tiwerds bnr dnso,
wb`jb wes ikn ig bukdrnds ik tb`s cnvnc ig tbn Zbekhbe`
Huerd`ek ]rnj`kjt. X tbiut ciio`kh et b`f, bnr wirds
rukh `k b`s bned. @ d`dkt wekt ti hnt yiu `kvicvnd `k e
pnrsikec fettnr. @ d`dkt wekt ti hnt ekyikn ncsn burt.
Eriukd tbnf, Huerd`eks nkhehnd `k w`rncnss teco.
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Itbnrs set et tbn`r dnsos c`on stetuns es tbny wirond `ks`dn
tbn Zbekhbe` ]rnj`kjt B@W\ Kidn lnjeusn tbn`r evetersjiucd hnt firn rnpirts dikn gestnr. T`fn ejjncnret`ik `k
tbn v`rtuec wircd jiucd ln tbiusekds ig t`fns gestnr tbek
tbn rnec ikn.
@t dnpnkdnd ik tbn sntt`kh usnd. ]epnr wiro wes ki
cikhnr tbn besscn gir cew nkgirjnfnkt tbet `t usnd ti ln `k
tbn pest. Tbn ikcy s`dn nggnjt wes tbet tbn ]rnj`kjt igtnksnnfnd nnr`cy s`cnkt et t`fns.
]`nri jeuhbt up ekd wecond ecikhs`dn bnr. B`s dnso
wes r`hbt ejriss grif bnrs s`kjn tbny wnrn pertknrs. @
jekt lnc`nvn tb`s Er`nc! Dikt yiu trust fn ti wetjb yiur
lejo! Xnrn pertknrs gir Hids seon!
Zbn bectnd ekd gejnd b`f. Tbn`r nyns fnt ekd gir e
lr`ng fifnkt bn tbiuhbt bn sew sifntb`kh werf lnb`kd
tbnf lngirn tbny berdnknd. Xbnk wnrn bnrn wn ern
pertknrs, ]`nri. Xbet @ di ik fy iwk t`fn `s fy iwk
lus`knss. @ dikt fnddcn `k yiur pnrsikec egge`rs si @ bipn
yiu dikt fnddcn k f`kn.
]`nri wes gur`ius lut bn giuhbt `t diwk. Bn onpt b`s
nyns cijond w`tb bnrs es tbny spion `k nejb itbnrs f`kds.
@ okiw wby yiu wiro ecc tbisn cikh ivnrt`fn biurs ekd
nvnk yiur deys igg, Er`nc. @t dinskt teon e hnk`us ti put
twi ekd twi tihntbnr. Piu bukt tbn Lcejo ]bink`x, tbn
kuflnr ikn fist wektnd tnrrir`st hriup `k tbn nkt`rn
ZEH. Tbny tiio yiur fitbnr lut eppernktcy tbny tiiofirn tbek tbet d`dkt tbny9
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burt ]`nri firn.
]`nri oknw wbet e druh ivnrdisn ig syc`o ciiond c`on.
Tbnrn wnrn igtnk ID v`jt`fs c`kond ti druh jesns bn wes
`kvicvnd w`tb. @t wes knvnr e prntty s`hbt.
Zyc`o wes tbiusekds ig t`fns firn edd`jt`vn tbek
firpb`kn ir ip`uf. Tbn druh jertncs pnddcnd `t c`on `t
wes e f`rejcn jurn ir sifntb`kh. @t wes tbn sefn druhtbet o`ccnd b`s b`hb sjbiic gr`nkd Fusteg ]enz Qefud`i,
efikh itbnrs.
Bn wes hr`ng-str`jonk ivnr tbn dnetb ig b`s ikn ekd ikcy
s`stnr. Zifnikn furdnrnd bnr ti burt b`f. Tbn ikcy jcun
wes ek ik`ik tbet Nr`ke jcutjbnd `k bnr r`h`d stkhnrs.
]`nri viwnd ti dnstriy nvnry cest druh dnec`kh o`khp`k
w`tb`k tbn ZEH tbet dey nvnk tbiuhb bn oknw `t wes ek
`fpiss`lcn hiec. Es cikh es pnipcn wektnd ti nsjepn
rnec`ty, tbnrn wiucd ecweys ln druhs. Bn d`dkt jern.
Bn tr`nd ti stkd iut wb`jb druh dnecnr d`d `t. B`s cneds
ecc turknd `kti dned nkds. Ecc tbn cihs ekd rnjird`khs igwbet beppnknd wnrn nresnd lnyikd rnjivnry.
Ekyikn w`tb tbn fikny ekd fneks jiucd bevn puccnd `t
igg.
Bn jcisnd b`s nyns.
Er`ncs vi`jn jb`dnd b`f. Ern yiu teo`kh e skiizn w`tb
ecc tbn wiro wn bevn ti di9 Tbn Jb`ng wekts us ti hnt
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jrejo`kh ik tbn druh jesns ekd lusts. @ts yiur spnj`ecty si
wbet ern yiu we`t`kh gir9
Pns, `ts fy spnj`ecty. @ts fy ilsnss`ik. @ hunss @ jekt rneccy
lcefn yiu gir tbn wey yiu ejt, Er`nc.
@d bevn dikn tbn sefn.
]`nri s`cnktcy prif`snd Er`nc tbet bn wiucd wetjb bnrlejo ki fettnr wbet.
Bn wiucdkt sbern b`s stiry ig hr`ng w`tb bnr. Cnts kit
fnddcn `k nejb itbnrs pnrsikec egge`rs r`hbt, Er`nc9
Er`ncs nyns ziifnd `k ik twi jrelly-ciio`kh huerds `k
grikt ig tbn wernbiusn diir ik Cnvnc 4>< ig tbn tiwnrlcijo ik 2
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2=
Drehiks ir itbnr suspnjts et tbn sjnkn. @t sbiucd ln e p`njn
ig jeon lut bns si defknd tnksn.
@t `s c`on bns nxpnjt`kh tbn wirst. Tbnk ehe`k @ jekt rucn iut tbn
led gnnc kh @f bev`kh tii. Tbn `ktnc se`d tbnrn wnrn ikcy tnk huerds
ekd tbn cel wironrs.
Er`nc rnjeccnd ekitbnr bncc`sb druh lust `k bnr pest1
Ipnret`ik Lerelnc-2. Tbn Lurk`kh Fnk fnrjnker`ns rekdruhs `k Znjtir
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jikstdnkt ekd gnercnss.
Nvnryikn ncsn njbind Zb`s wirds.
Er`nc qu`jocy kiddnd bnr bned. Nkhehn stnectb jcieos
ekd dero v`s`ik. C`xun ekd P`kh teon iut tbn twi huerds
ly tbn grikt diir. Zb` ekd Fnkh bejo tbet diir ipnk. @
ekd ]`nri w`cc jivnr yiu. Cnts hi!
Bnr tnef vek`sbnd grif s`hbt lut tbny wnrn ecc ferond
ik bnr B^D es lcun lc`ps w`tb tbn`r kefns. Tbn jiff
s`hkecs ig tbn tnefs kntwiro wes f`xnd w`tb tbn j`ty-w`dn
w`rncnss stncd si `t wes berd ti dntnjt. ^kcnss tbn Aedn
Drehik tnjb ednpts oknw nxejtcy wbet grnqunkj`ns ti
wetjb, tbn`r s`hkecs eppnernd c`on lejohriukd ki`sn.
Nvnryikn fedn `t ejriss w`tbiut ln`kh kit`jnd ir
bnerd. C`xun ekd P`kh jcisnd `k ik tbn twi jrelly-
ciio`kh huerds es tbny wetjbnd tbn strnnt ekd lr`dhn gir
triulcn. Tbn wernbiusn c`hbts wnrn igg, wb`jb fnekt tbn
huerds wnrn us`kh dero v`s`ik keki-tnjb.
Tbet wiucdkt ln e prilcnf.
Twi tesnr derts nflnddnd tbnfsncvns `kti tbn`r knjos.
Tbn`r lid`ns anrond ekd spesfnd es tbiusekds ig victs ig
ncnjtr`j`ty okijond tbnf iut jicd. Tbny drippnd c`on
stikns, tbn`r erfs ekd cnhs tw`tjbnd c`on tbny wnrn `k tbn
bekds ig e fed puppntnnr.
Zb` ekd Fnkh bejond tbn diir w`tb dete sp`ons.
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@ dnstk`tncy dikt c`on tb`s. Z`hbt c`kns wnrn rndujnd feo`kheflusbns firn c`oncy. Tbn rnst ig tbn tnef gnct ndhy.
P`kh futtnrnd. @vn hit e led gnnc`kh eliut tb`s.
C`xuns sjeks ernkt elcn ti p`nrjn sifn ig tbn sb`pp`kh
jretns. Jiucd tbny ecc bevn druhs9
Znnfs c`on sifn ig tbn jikte`knrs ern pritnjtnd w`tb ekt`-snksirfetnr`ecs.
Zb` ekswnrnd P`kh ecfist `kstektcy. @t `s piss`lcn lut
kit c`oncy. Tbn`r cel bnrn `s tii sfecc ti stcc tbet feky
sb`pp`kh jikte`knrs w`tb syc`o lesnd ik wbet wn okiw ig
tbn`r pridujt`ik vicufn. Tbny ikcy knnd ikn ir twi lut
tbnrns et cnest girty bnrn.
Er`nc priwcnd tbriuhb tbn deroknss w`tb tbn tnef.
]`nri rnfe`knd `cc et nesn, bev`kh berdcy spionk e wird.
]`nri, `s tbnrn sifntb`kh yiu wekt ti sey9
Kitb`kh @t aust gnncs c`on wnrn ln`kh wetjbnd.
Er`nc grizn ekd bnr bekd sbit up gir tbn tnef ti stip.
Xbet di yiu fnek9 Zbn hit tbn gnnc`kh tii.
Jiucd `t ln9 D`d tbny bevn sn`sf`j ir fehknt`j snksirs b`ddnk
sifnwbnrn tbet wn jiucdkt stkd9D`d tbny jcieo tbnf9
\nd c`hbts tbn s`zn ig lesnleccs pippnd up ebned ig
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tbnf kner tbn jnktrn ig tbn wernbiusn. Tbny wnrn ik tip
ig snvnrec tbrnn ti stvn stiry b`hb sb`pp`kh jretn p`cns. Tbnjcitb jivnr`kh tbnf gncc igg tbn r`s`kh lid`ns.
Znvnrec ukgicdnd c`on rulr`j julns ukt`c tbny wnrn tnk
giit b`hb lnbnfitbs w`tb f`k`-rijont ceukjbnrs ekd
esseuct jekkiks ik nejb erf. Tbn itbnrs wnrn fek-s`znd
dri`ds w`tb vehuncy aejoec-c`on gejns. Tbn rnfe`k`kh ikns
wnrn dih-c`on dri`ds w`tb tnntb tbet jrejocnd w`tb victehn.
Fnkh wb`spnrnd. Zwnnt Fitbnr ig Hid! Xbnrn tbn
bncc d`d tbn Aedn Drehiks hnt Weccstrif ekt`-`kgektry
dri`ds! Tbisn tb`khs ern weco`kh tekos!
Tbnrn wnrn ikn bukdrnd ekd twnkty rnd lc`ps esb`kh
w`cdcy ik Er`ncs B^D. Ikn Weccstrif lnbnfitblncciwnd, Nknf`ns dntnjtnd. Nc`f`ketn ecc ZEH
pnrsikknc w`tb nxtrnfn girjn.
Tbn rilits ipnknd strn w`tbiut fnrjy.
Tbn fifnkt Er`nc sew tbn Weccstrifs sbn oknw tbet
wbetnvnr wes hi`kh ik wes l`h. Nvnk tbn Aedn Drehiksd`dkt bevn tbn fneks ti hnt berdwern c`on tbet ekd
nspnj`eccy kit tb`s feky. Ikcy ikn hriup jiucd bevn
puccnd sifntb`kh c`on tb`s igg.
Tbn Lcejo ]bink`x Tbn fist gnernd, fystnr`ius
tnrrir`st hriup ejt`vn efikh tbn ZEH wircds.
Jiucd @ ln wrikh9 @ st`cc dikt bevn e sic`d c`ko tbet tbn Aedn
Drehiks ern wiro`kh w`tb tbn ]bink`x. Ecc @ hit `s Pun Xeks cned
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tbet Huekh Jb`k okiws biw ti stkd tbnf.
\`hbt kiw Er`nc knndnd ti onnp bnr gr`nkds ekd
jifredns ec`vn.
Er`nc ynccnd. Nvnryikn teon jivnr r`hbt kiw! Bnr
KLJ pcittnd e vnjtir gir f`ss`cn `ktnrjnpt`kh strn.
Zbn puccnd tbn tr`hhnrs ig bnr Nehcn p`stics ekd reondtbn Weccstrif f`ss`cn secvi `k f`de`r, sntt`kh igg e fess`vn
lcest tbet nkhucgnd tbn rnfe`k`kh lifls lngirn tbny b`t
bnr tnef fetns. \uly cesnr lnefs wb`zznd pest bnr bned
es sbn drippnd lnb`kd e giur giit b`hb jretn. Zbn bnerd
tbn t`kh t`kh t`khig keki-riukds beffnr`kh tbn`r pis`t`ik.
C`xun biccnrnd `k jikgus`ik. Biw tbn bncc ern tbnyelcn ti stkd us9
Zb` jcnernd `t up gir bnr. Tbn lesterds fust bevn b`hb
hredn sn`sf`j snksirs. Tbny jek stkd us ly iur giit stnps
es wn weco ik tbn hriukd.
P`kh pippnd up ekd ipnknd strn w`tb bnr scnno lcejoesseuct r`n. Tbn fuzzcn esbns wnrn gicciwnd ly tbn rette
rette ig bnr luccnts es tbny jernnknd `kti tbrnn ig tbn
aejoec-bnednd Ekul`s rilits ekd tirn tbnf ti p`njns. Zbn
drippnd diwk es rnd-bit cesnrs sjirjbnd bnr sbiucdnr.
P`khs gejn jrnesnd w`tb pe`k. Zi dins tbet fnek wn
bevn ti y9
Zb` ekswnrnd ehe`k. Pneb.
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Tbn Zbekhbe` Jikknjt`ik
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Fnkh futtnrnd. Aust hrnet.
]`nri `ktnrruptnd. Tbnyrn prilelcy gnnd`kh tbn
`kgirfet`ik ti tbn dri`ds. @g tbnrn ern Aedn Drehik
huerds iur stnectb jcieos wikt wiro ik tbnf n`tbnr ukcnss
wn teon iut tbisn sn`sf`j snksir systnfs. Fnkh, ruk e
s`fucet`ik gir wbnrn tbnyrn fist c`oncy ti pcejn tbnf ekd
hi w`tb Zb` ti teon tbnf iut.
Fnkh ekd Zb` kiddnd ekd jrewcnd nest wb`cn C`xun
ekd P`kh onpt tbn lettcn dri`ds lusy.
Er`nc turknd ti ]`nri. @vn hit e bukjb, pertknr. @
tb`ko tb`s `s c`kond ti tbn Lcejo ]bink`x. Ikjn Fnkh ekd
Zb` bevn tbn cijet`iks gir tbn sn`sf`j snksirs, @cc teon iuttbn ikns ik tb`s s`dn ekd jcisn `k ik tbn`r cel et tbn vnry
lejo.
]`nri hrellnd Er`nc ly tbn sbiucdnrs, b`s vi`jn stccnd
w`tb jikjnrk ekd wirry. @f kit hi`kh ti diult yiur
bukjbns, Er`nc. Lut tb`s `s wey tii dekhnrius! Xn knnd ti
we`t gir lejoup!
Zbn `feh`knd b`s werftb snnp`kh tbriuhb bnr keki
erfiur c`on e jernss. @t wes jifgirt`kh ekd swnnt et tbn
sefn t`fn nvnk `k tbn f`ddcn ig tb`s bncc`sb strnsthbt.
Jecc gir tbnf lut @f st`cc hi`kh `k. @g @ jek hnt nvnk e
b`kt ig tbn Aedn Drehiks l`hhnr pcek `t f`hbt ln tbn
lrneo wn knnd ti put tbnf diwk berd. @g @ dikt hi, @bevn e gnnc`kh tb`khs w`cc turk iut ledcy.
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tre`knd tbn`r huks et tbn tbrnn ekd ciisnd e tirrnkt ig
luccnts ekd lnefs.
Er`nc d`dkt snn wbet beppnknd knxt es sbn lurst `kti e
gucc iut ruk tiwerds tbn Xnst s`dn ig tbn wernbiusn.
Fnkh ekd Zb`s fep ig sn`sf`j snksir spits sbiwnd up ik
bnr tejt`jec fep tbny wnrn ik tbn hriukd iir `kstned
ig b`hb up. Ig jiursn, tbn sn`sf`j snksirs wiucd wiro lnst wbnk
`k jiktejt w`tb tbn hriukd!
Es sbn wirond bnr wey eriukd, sbn cijetnd ekd lcestnd
epert sn`sf`j snksirs. Ikcy ikn tbiuhbt steynd grikt ekd
jnktrn1 @ w`cc stkd iut wbets rneccy hi`kh ik ekd wbntbnr tbn Lcejo
]bink`x `s trucy lnb`kd tb`s.
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Er`nc wnkt w`tb tbn squnnzn ly tbnf pcek. Zbnpusbnd bnr lejo ehe`kst tbn sbegt wecc es fujb es sbn
jiucd. Zbn wikdnrnd `g `t wes piss`lcn ti ettnk bnrsncg
c`on e p`njn ig pepnr us`kh tnjbkicihy.
Tbn jiflet drikns drnw jcisnr
Ekd jcisnr
Tbny pessnd Er`nc ekd sbn cnt iut tbn dnnp lrnetb sbn
wes bicd`kh. Tbn knernst drikn f`ssnd tbn t`p ig bnr
lrnests ly nxejtcy tbrnn f`cc`fntrns. @t ecfist fedn bnr
w`sb bnr lust wes sfeccnr.
Ecfist.
Er`nc jrewcnd tbriuhb tbn dujts e c`ttcn wb`cn cikhnr,
lu`cd`kh up bnr fep ceyiut ig tbn strst iir. Zbn didhnd
snvnrec firn sbijo drikn petrics, lypessnd tbn snjikd
iir ekd jc`flnd up ti tbn tb`rd. Zbn bnerd vi`jns
njbi`kh tbriuhb tbn vnkts knerly ekd sbn hit jur`ius.
Zbn ekecyznd tbn vi`jns ekd jifpernd tbnf ti tbisn `k
bnr fnfiry. Ikn wes e fetjb. @t wes Aedn Drehik sul-
liss Huekh Jb`k.
L`khi.
Er`nc sf`cnd dnv`c`sbcy ti bnrsncg `k tbn dero vnkt`cet`iksbegt.
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Tbn Zb`sek wirn fesos ekd usnd tnjb tbet ilsjurnd
tbn`r `dnkt`ty wbnk tbny fnt w`tb tbn`r lritbnrs. Z`rnksekd tip ZEHK@ ipnret`vns ge`cnd ti o`cc ir hnt jcisn ti tbn
Zb`sek. Ekyikn wbi tr`nd wnrn igtnk cngt gir tbn vucturns.
Kiw @ f`hbt ln ikti tbnf Cnt tb`s ln
Tbn snerjb gir Qeks rnjird turknd up kitb`kh. Bn
weskt `k tbn Huerd`ek detelesn. Tbn fnssehn rnturkndwes1 KI FETJBNZ.
C`lu"n wes C`lu"n Zzoekdnriv. Zbn wes e tip rekond
essess`k wbi wes knercy ik tbn cnvnc ig fnrjnkery b`t fek
\eon Esbjir. Kit fujb wes okiwk eliut bnr pest nxjnpt
tbet sbn ikjn c`vnd `k ]rehun snjtir.
C`lusn ecweys sc`ppnd grif tbn Huerd`eks hresp. Zbn
bed piwnrguc gr`nkds w`tb`k tbn hivnrkfnkt ekd lus`knss
wircds. Tbn piwnrguc, wnectby ekd wncc jikknjtnd igtnk bevn weys
ti nsjepn aust`jn nvnk wbnk tbnyrn jeuhbt rnd-bekdnd.
@t ekhnrnd Er`nc. C`lusn `s e wifek wbi usns bnr piwnr ekd
jikknjt`iks ti hnt ewey w`tb furdnr. Tbnrn `s ki aust`jn gir tbnpnipcn tbet sbn burts ekd tbets pce`k wrikh.
Tbn pnipcn wbi b`rnd bnr wnrn hu`cty tii. Tbny
knndnd ti ln jeuhbt ekd puk`sbnd. Tbet fneks @d bevn ti
jepturn C`lusn ekd hnt tbn jylnr d`v`s`ik ti bejo bnr KLJ gir tbn
kefns ig bnr nfpciynrs.
Er`nc diultnd tbet wiucd ln ek nesy teso. @t f`hbt ln
diwkr`hbt `fpiss`lcn. Tbnrn wes ki wey ti pucc pukjbns
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ehe`kst e o`ccnr c`on bnr.
Zbn sw`pnd C`lusns fuhsbit iggsjrnnk ekd puccnd Qeks
fuhsbit lejo `kti v`nw. Tbn rnec qunst`ik `s wbi yiu rnprnsnkt,
Qek. Zbn rnjeccnd Pun Xek sey`kh tbet Huekh Jb`k oknw
biw ti stkd tbn ]bink`x.
Fist ig tbn wncc okiwk erfs dnecnrs wbi sb`ppnd
`ccnhec wnepiks ekd jiflet dri`ds wnrn wncc okiwk Qek weskt ik tbet c`st. Zbn diultnd tbn dnecnrs wiucd
sey bn wes ikn ig tbn`r iwk. Qek `s ek ukokiwk
Jeptur`kh Huekh wiucd ln tbn lnst jiursn ig ejt`ik s`kjn Puns
`kgirfet`ik `s ecweys rnc`elcn. @f kit surn eliut pursu`kh Qek.
@cc hi egtnr Huekh ekd hnt tbn rnst ig fy tnef egtnr Qek.
Er`nc jrissnd bnr stkhnrs ekd bipnd sbn fedn tbn r`hbt
jbi`jn.
Er`nc knndnd ti jepturn Huekh Jb`k ekd Qek gest
lnjeusn tbn fnnt`kh wes jif`kh ti ek nkd. Zbn ukgicdnd
bnr Nehcn p`stics wb`cn sbn we`tnd gir tbn fifnkt ti
str`on. Zbn rned`nd bnrsncg ti o`jo ipnk tbn hret`kh ekddrip `k ukekkiukjnd.
@ sbiucd lciw iut tbn c`hbts w`tb ek NF] lurst. Tbnrns ecsi e
lukjb ig Aedn Drehik tbuhs `k tbnrn. Tbn lu`cd`kh sbiio es
f`ss`cns grif tbn strnsthbt strujo.
Qek ekd Huekh stuflcnd grif tbn trnfirs. Xnk ekdC`lusns bici-prianjt`iks sb`ffnrnd.
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Ecnxn` Jyrnk
08
]`nris vi`jn sukh `k Er`ncs bned. Er`nc, Huerd`ek
lejoup bes err`vnd. D-8 tnef `s bned`kh yiur wey kiw.
Er`nc s`hbnd w`tb rnc`ng. Nvnryikns st`cc `k ikn p`njn.
Hrnet! @f snkd`kh fy snksir dete ti yiu. @ wekt yiu ti
`ktnrjnpt tbn rnd lc`p tehhnd Qek. Bns ikn ig tbn huys
wiro`kh w`tb tbn Aedn Drehik ekd f`hbt ln ]bink`x ir
sifn o`kd ig erfs dnecnr. Dikt cisn b`f.
@cc di fy lnst, Er`nc.
\nfnflnr dikt cisn b`f!
]`nri d`dkt ekswnr.
@ sbiucdkt ln si bersb. ]cnesn girh`vn fn ]`nri. Er`nc d`dktbevn eky firn t`fn ti tb`ko.
Xnk jiffekdnd Huekh. Huekh, hnt iut ig tbnrn
kiw! Tbn fe`k Huerd`ek girjn bes err`vnd. Nsjirt Qek
iut es wncc.
Huekh liwnd. Pns, Festnr Jbekh! Bn turknderiukd ekd lerond irdnrs ti tbn tnk huerds.
Kiws fy jbekjn!
E piwnrguc sw`gt diulcn o`jo sbettnrnd tbn ikn `kjb
tb`jo fntec hret`kh. Zbn drippnd c`on e sp`kk`kh
jirosjrnw. Kiw ti gry ecc tbn c`hbts!
Er`ncs snksirs cijetnd ecc ig tbn jn`c`kh c`hbts `k ek
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Tbn Zbekhbe` Jikknjt`ik
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`kstekt. Zbn ukcnesbnd ek NF] pucsn grif bnr keki
erfiur. Tbn jn`c`kh c`hbts esbnd ikjn, stzzcnd ekd wnktdero.
Zbn b`t tbn iir twnkty gnnt lnciw. Bnr keki erfiur
elsirlnd tbn sbijo ekd sbn wnkt `kti e ricc. T`fn sciwnd
es sbn jefn up w`tb bnr huks cnvnccnd et tbn knernst
huerds.
Er`ncs dero v`s`ik o`jond `k ekd sbn sew Huekh
stuflc`kh tiwerds tbn Ziutb nx`t wb`cn Qek desbnd kirtb.
Ikn ig Huekhs tbuhs lc`kdcy stuflcnd `kti bnr wey. Bnr
y`kh o`jo jikknjtnd w`tb b`s r`hbt jbnno.
B`s gejn jevnd `k et tbn aew. Bn se`cnd tbriuhb tbn e`r
ekd sceffnd `kti tbn ger wecc w`tb e ciud tbud.
Tbn itbnr huerds sbit et Er`nc w`tb tbn`r sulfejb`kn
huks. Tikhuns ig wb`tn strn cesbnd tbn deroknss eriukd
bnr.
Er`nc veuctnd tbriuhb tbn e`r, wetjb`kh nvnryikn fivn
`k sciw fit`ik. Zbn tw`stnd c`on ek ups`dn diwk sp`kk`khT ekd bnr p`stic fuzzcns esbnd es sbn puccnd tbn tr`hhnrs.
Tbn keki-riukds cngt tbn lerrncs ekd beffnrnd tbn
Drehik tbuhs `k tbn hciif.
Ikn feks gejn wes lciwk igg. Ekitbnrs sulfejb`kn
huk bekd nxpcidnd `kti e hr`scy fnss. Tbn lre`ks ig tbn
tb`rd ekd giurtb wnrn lciwk iut tbn lejo ig tbn`r souccs,spcettnr`kh hrny fettnr ehe`kst tbn bici prianjtir.
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8/12/2019 The Shanghai Connection - Science fiction space opera action adventure
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Ecnxn` Jyrnk
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Tbn luccnts jikt`kund tbriuhb tbnf ekd strujo tbn
B@W\ prianjt`ik hner. Tbn bicihrefs ig Xnk ekdC`lusn vek`sbnd `k e esb ig speros.
@ dikt bevn t`fn gir tb`s!
Er`nc cekdnd ik bnr gnnt c`on e jrekn jif`kh ti rnst ekd
sbit egtnr Huekh c`on e c`hbtk`kh lict. Zbn dujond ekd
wivn lntwnnk lerrncs, jretns ekd sb`pp`kh jikte`knrs.Nvnrytb`kh lcurrnd es sbn rek gestnr ekd berdnr.
@f jcis`kh!
Huekhs rnd lc`p stertnd up ikn ig tbn snvnk stiry b`hb
sb`pp`kh jretn p`cns.
Defk `t, bns hit e girjn hreppcn! Er`nc puccnd iut bnr girjn
hreppcn ekd pi`ktnd et tbn tip ndhn ig tbn stejo. Tbn
hrev`ty lnef cetjbnd ik ekd drnw bnr tiwerds tbn cndhn
c`on sbn wes strnd grif e sc`khsbit.
Er`nc usnd tbn fifnktuf ti sbiit ivnr tbn cndhn. Zbn
tuflcnd tbriuhb tbn e`r ekd cekdnd ik bnr gnnt. Bnr fesssb`ncds dnnjtnd e strnef ig luccnts e`fnd et bnr bned.
Zbn jertwbnncnd cngt es bnr irekhn e`f`kh jrissbe`rs
cijond ikti Huekh.
]`nris lcun lc`p jcisnd ik bnr pis`t`ik lut sbn lerncy
rnh`stnrnd tbn gejt.
Huekh tiio jivnr lnb`kd e tnk giit b`hb ly tnk giit