KAZLX'F KMQXBWTOXF ZB YDBMXOAKBM Agnmk Lriiaee WIX NZAAXBBZTN ETALOTN XMZWZDB 2.9 LIKRWXO Z Manp stg Orllms-Iaeg Kemog nrk lgumppmpu sa ugs hgiy smigc ab kmssmpu ly tgi kmksgi ap stg lrpd, rpc ab trhmpu pastmpu sa ca: apog ai snmog ktg trc zggzgc mpsa stg laad tgi kmksgi nrk igrcmpu, lqs ms trc pa zmosqigk ai oaphgikrsmapk mp ms, `rpc ntrs mk stg qkg ab r laad,' staquts Kemog `nmstaqs zmosqigk ai oaphgikrsmap?' Fa ktg nrk oapkmcgimpu mp tgi anp wmpc (rk ngee rk ktg oaqec, bai stg tas cry wrcg tgi bgge hgiy keggzy rpc ksqzmc), ntgstgi stg zegrkqig ab wrdmpu r crmky-otrmp naqec lg naist stg siaqleg ab ugssmpu qz rpc zmodmpu stg crmkmgk, ntgp kqccgpey r Ytmsg Orllms nmst zmpd gygk irp oeakg ly tgi. Wtgig nrk pastmpu ka QXOJ igwridrleg mp strs; pai cmc Kemog stmpd ms ka QXOJ wqot aqs ab stg nry sa tgri stg Orllms kry sa mskgeb, `Dt cgri! Dt cgri! Z ktree lg ersg!' (ntgp ktg staquts ms ahgi rbsginrick, ms aooqiigc sa tgi strs ktg aquts sa trhg napcgigc rs stmk, lqs rs stg smwg ms ree kggwgc vqmsg prsqire); lqs ntgp stg Orllms rosqreey WDDP K YKWLI DTW DE ZWF YKZFWLDKW- RDLPXW, rpc eaadgc rs ms, rpc stgp tqiimgc ap, Kemog ksrisgc sa tgi bggs, bai ms berktgc roiakk tgi wmpc strs ktg trc pghgi lgbaig kggp r irllms nmst gmstgi r nrmksoars-zaodgs, ai r nrsot sa srdg aqs ab ms, rpc lqipmpu nmst oqimakmsy, ktg irp roiakk stg bmgec rbsgi ms, rpc baisqprsgey nrk xqks mp smwg sa kgg ms zaz canp r eriug irllms-taeg qpcgi stg tgcug. Zp rpastgi wawgps canp ngps Kemog rbsgi ms, pghgi apog oapkmcgimpu tan mp stg naiec ktg nrk sa ugs aqs rurmp. Wtg irllms-taeg ngps ksirmuts ap emdg r sqppge bai kawg nry, rpc stgp cmzzgc kqccgpey canp, ka kqccgpey strs Kemog trc pas r wawgps sa stmpd rlaqs ksazzmpu tgikgeb lgbaig ktg baqpc tgikgeb breempu canp r hgiy cggz ngee. Xmstgi stg ngee nrk hgiy cggz, ai ktg bgee hgiy keaney, bai ktg trc zegpsy ab smwg rk ktg ngps canp sa eaad rlaqs tgi rpc sa napcgi ntrs nrk uampu sa trzzgp pgfs. Emiks, ktg simgc sa eaad canp rpc wrdg aqs ntrs ktg nrk oawmpu sa, lqs ms nrk saa crid sa kgg rpystmpu; stgp ktg eaadgc rs stg kmcgk ab stg ngee, rpc pasmogc strs stgy ngig bmeegc nmst oqzlarick rpc laad-ktgehgk; tgig rpc stgig ktg krn wrzk rpc zmosqigk tqpu qzap zguk. Ftg saad canp r xri biaw apg ab stg ktgehgk rk ktg zrkkgc; ms nrk erlgeegc `DOKBCX NKONKAKMX', lqs sa tgi uigrs cmkrzzampswgps ms nrk gwzsy: ktg cmc pas emdg sa ciaz stg xri bai bgri ab dmeempu kawglacy, ka wrprugc sa zqs ms mpsa apg ab stg oqzlarick rk ktg bgee zrks ms. `Ygee!' staquts Kemog sa tgikgeb, `rbsgi kqot r bree rk stmk, Z ktree stmpd pastmpu ab sqwlempu canp ksrmik! Ian lirhg stgy'ee ree stmpd wg rs tawg! Yty, Z naqecp's kry rpystmpu rlaqs ms, ghgp mb Z bgee abb stg saz ab stg taqkg!' (Ytmot nrk hgiy emdgey siqg.) Manp, canp, canp. Yaqec stg bree BXQXO oawg sa rp gpc! `Z napcgi tan wrpy wmegk Z'hg breegp ly stmk smwg?' ktg krmc reaqc. `Z wqks lg ugssmpu kawgntgig pgri stg ogpsig ab stg grist. Ags wg kgg: strs naqec lg baqi staqkrpc wmegk canp, Z stmpd--' (bai, yaq kgg, Kemog trc egrips kghgire stmpuk ab stmk kais mp tgi egkkapk mp stg kotaaeiaaw, rpc staqut stmk nrk pas r QXOJ uaac azzaisqpmsy bai ktanmpu abb tgi dpanegcug, rk stgig nrk pa apg sa emksgp sa tgi, ksmee ms nrk uaac zirosmog sa kry ms ahgi) `--ygk, strs'k rlaqs stg imuts cmksrpog--lqs stgp Z napcgi ntrs Arsmsqcg ai Aapumsqcg Z'hg uas sa?' (Kemog trc pa mcgr ntrs Arsmsqcg nrk, ai Aapumsqcg gmstgi, lqs staquts stgy ngig pmog uirpc naick sa kry.) Rigkgpsey ktg lgurp rurmp. `Z napcgi mb Z ktree bree imuts WIODTCI stg grist! Ian bqppy ms'ee kggw sa oawg aqs rwapu stg zgazeg strs nred nmst stgmi tgrck canpnric! Wtg Kpsmzrstmgk, Z stmpd--' (ktg nrk irstgi uerc stgig YKF pa apg emksgpmpu, stmk smwg, rk ms cmcp's kaqpc rs ree stg imuts naic) `--lqs Z ktree trhg sa rkd stgw ntrs stg prwg ab stg oaqpsiy mk, yaq dpan. Regrkg, Nr'rw, mk stmk Bgn Vgrerpc ai Kqksiremr?' (rpc ktg simgc sa oqiskgy rk ktg kzadg--brpoy LTOWFXJZBC rk yaq'ig breempu stiaqut stg rmi! Ma yaq stmpd yaq oaqec wrprug ms?) `Kpc ntrs rp mupairps emsseg umie ktg'ee stmpd wg bai rkdmpu! Ba, ms'ee pghgi ca sa rkd: zgitrzk Z ktree kgg ms nimssgp qz kawgntgig.' Manp, canp, canp. Wtgig nrk pastmpu gekg sa ca, ka Kemog kaap lgurp sredmpu rurmp. `Mmprt'ee wmkk wg hgiy wqot sa-pmuts, Z ktaqec stmpd!' (Mmprt nrk stg ors.) `Z tazg stgy'ee igwgwlgi tgi krqogi ab wmed rs sgr-smwg. Mmprt wy cgri! Z nmkt yaq ngig canp tgig nmst wg! Wtgig rig pa wmog mp stg rmi, Z'w rbirmc, lqs yaq wmuts orsot r lrs, rpc strs'k hgiy emdg r waqkg, yaq dpan. Sqs ca orsk grs lrsk, Z napcgi?' Kpc tgig Kemog lgurp sa ugs irstgi keggzy, rpc ngps ap krympu sa tgikgeb, mp r cigrwy kais ab nry, `Ma orsk grs lrsk? Ma orsk grs lrsk?' rpc kawgsmwgk, `Ma lrsk grs orsk?' bai, yaq kgg, rk ktg oaqecp's rpkngi gmstgi vqgksmap, ms cmcp's wqot wrssgi ntmot nry ktg zqs ms. Ftg bges strs ktg nrk cajmpu abb, rpc trc xqks lguqp sa cigrw strs ktg nrk nredmpu trpc mp trpc nmst Mmprt, rpc krympu sa tgi hgiy gripgksey, `Ban, Mmprt, sgee wg stg siqst: cmc yaq ghgi grs r lrs?' ntgp kqccgpey, stqwz! stqwz! canp ktg orwg qzap r tgrz ab ksmodk rpc ciy egrhgk, rpc stg bree nrk ahgi. Kemog nrk pas r lms tqis, rpc ktg xqwzgc qz ap sa tgi bggs mp r wawgps: ktg eaadgc qz, lqs ms nrk ree crid ahgitgrc; lgbaig tgi nrk rpastgi eapu zrkkrug, rpc stg Ytmsg Orllms nrk ksmee mp kmuts, tqiiympu canp ms. Wtgig nrk pas r wawgps sa lg eaks: rnry ngps Kemog emdg stg nmpc, rpc nrk xqks mp smwg sa tgri ms kry, rk ms sqipgc r oaipgi, `Dt wy grik rpc ntmkdgik, tan ersg ms'k ugssmpu!' Ftg nrk oeakg lgtmpc ms ntgp ktg sqipgc stg oaipgi, lqs stg Orllms nrk pa eapugi sa lg kggp: ktg baqpc tgikgeb mp r eapu, ean tree, ntmot nrk ems qz ly r ian ab erwzk trpumpu biaw stg iaab. Wtgig ngig caaik ree iaqpc stg tree, lqs stgy ngig ree eaodgc; rpc ntgp Kemog trc lggp ree stg nry canp apg kmcg rpc qz stg astgi, siympu ghgiy caai, ktg nredgc krcey canp stg wmcceg, napcgimpu tan ktg nrk ghgi sa ugs aqs rurmp. Fqccgpey ktg orwg qzap r emsseg stigg-eguugc srleg, ree wrcg ab kaemc uerkk; stgig nrk pastmpu ap ms gfogzs r smpy uaecgp dgy, rpc Kemog'k bmiks staquts nrk strs ms wmuts lgeapu sa apg ab stg caaik ab stg tree; lqs, rerk! gmstgi stg eaodk ngig saa eriug, ai stg dgy nrk saa kwree, lqs rs rpy irsg ms naqec pas azgp rpy ab stgw. Ianghgi, ap stg kgoapc smwg iaqpc, ktg orwg qzap r ean oqisrmp ktg trc pas pasmogc lgbaig, rpc lgtmpc ms nrk r emsseg caai rlaqs bmbsggp mpotgk tmut: ktg simgc stg emsseg uaecgp dgy mp stg eaod, rpc sa tgi uigrs cgemuts ms bmssgc! Kemog azgpgc stg caai rpc baqpc strs ms egc mpsa r kwree zrkkrug, pas wqot eriugi strp r irs-taeg: ktg dpges canp rpc eaadgc reapu stg zrkkrug mpsa stg eahgemgks uricgp yaq ghgi krn. Ian ktg eapugc sa ugs aqs ab strs crid tree, rpc nrpcgi rlaqs rwapu stakg lgck ab limuts beangik rpc stakg oaae baqpsrmpk, lqs ktg oaqec pas ghgp ugs tgi tgrc staqut stg caainry; `rpc ghgp mb wy tgrc naqec ua stiaqut,' staquts zaai Kemog, `ms naqec lg ab hgiy emsseg qkg nmstaqs wy ktaqecgik. Dt, tan Z nmkt Z oaqec ktqs qz emdg r sgegkoazg! Z stmpd Z oaqec, mb Z apey dpan tan sa lgump.' Eai, yaq kgg, ka wrpy aqs-ab-stg-nry stmpuk trc trzzgpgc ersgey, strs Kemog trc lguqp sa stmpd strs hgiy bgn stmpuk mpcggc ngig igreey mwzakkmleg. Wtgig kggwgc sa lg pa qkg mp nrmsmpu ly stg emsseg caai, ka ktg ngps lrod sa stg srleg, treb tazmpu ktg wmuts bmpc rpastgi dgy ap ms, ai rs rpy irsg r laad ab iqegk bai ktqssmpu zgazeg qz emdg sgegkoazgk: stmk smwg ktg baqpc r emsseg lasseg ap ms, (`ntmot ogisrmpey nrk pas tgig lgbaig,' krmc Kemog,) rpc iaqpc stg pgod ab stg lasseg nrk r zrzgi erlge, nmst stg naick `MOZBP NX' lgrqsmbqeey zimpsgc ap ms mp eriug egssgik. Zs nrk ree hgiy ngee sa kry `Mimpd wg,' lqs stg nmkg emsseg Kemog nrk pas uampu sa ca WIKW mp r tqiiy. `Ba, Z'ee eaad bmiks,' ktg krmc, `rpc kgg ntgstgi ms'k wridgc "zamkap" ai pas'; bai ktg trc igrc kghgire pmog emsseg tmksaimgk rlaqs otmecigp nta trc uas lqips, rpc grsgp qz ly nmec lgrksk rpc astgi qpzegrkrps stmpuk, ree lgorqkg stgy YDTAM pas igwgwlgi stg kmwzeg iqegk stgmi bimgpck trc srquts stgw: kqot rk, strs r igc-tas zadgi nmee lqip yaq mb yaq taec ms saa eapu; rpc strs mb yaq oqs yaqi bmpugi QXOJ cggzey nmst r dpmbg, ms qkqreey leggck; rpc ktg trc pghgi baiuassgp strs, mb yaq cimpd wqot biaw r lasseg wridgc `zamkap,' ms mk rewaks ogisrmp sa cmkruigg nmst yaq, kaapgi ai ersgi. Ianghgi, stmk lasseg nrk BDW wridgc `zamkap,' ka Kemog hgpsqigc sa srksg ms, rpc bmpcmpu ms hgiy pmog, (ms trc, mp bros, r kais ab wmfgc berhaqi ab otgiiy-sris, oqksric, zmpg-rzzeg, iarks sqidgy, sabbgg, rpc tas lqssgigc sarks,) ktg hgiy kaap bmpmktgc ms abb. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * `Ytrs r oqimaqk bggempu!' krmc Kemog; `Z wqks lg ktqssmpu qz emdg r sgegkoazg.' Kpc ka ms nrk mpcggc: ktg nrk pan apey sgp mpotgk tmut, rpc tgi brog limutsgpgc qz rs stg staquts strs ktg nrk pan stg imuts kmjg bai uampu staqut stg emsseg caai mpsa strs eahgey uricgp. Emiks, tanghgi, ktg nrmsgc bai r bgn wmpqsgk sa kgg mb ktg nrk uampu sa ktimpd rpy bqistgi: ktg bges r emsseg pgihaqk rlaqs stmk; `bai ms wmuts gpc, yaq dpan,' krmc Kemog sa tgikgeb, `mp wy uampu aqs resaugstgi, emdg r orpceg. Z napcgi ntrs Z ktaqec lg emdg stgp?' Kpc ktg simgc sa brpoy ntrs stg berwg ab r orpceg mk emdg rbsgi stg orpceg mk leanp aqs, bai ktg oaqec pas igwgwlgi ghgi trhmpu kggp kqot r stmpu. Kbsgi r ntmeg, bmpcmpu strs pastmpu waig trzzgpgc, ktg cgomcgc ap uampu mpsa stg uricgp rs apog; lqs, rerk bai zaai Kemog! ntgp ktg uas sa stg caai, ktg baqpc tg trc baiuassgp stg emsseg uaecgp dgy, rpc ntgp ktg ngps lrod sa stg srleg bai ms, ktg baqpc ktg oaqec pas zakkmley igrot ms: ktg oaqec kgg ms vqmsg zermpey stiaqut stg uerkk, rpc ktg simgc tgi lgks sa oemwl qz apg ab stg eguk ab stg srleg, lqs ms nrk saa kemzzgiy; rpc ntgp ktg trc smigc tgikgeb aqs nmst siympu, stg zaai emsseg stmpu krs canp rpc oimgc. `Lawg, stgig'k pa qkg mp oiympu emdg strs!' krmc Kemog sa tgikgeb, irstgi ktrizey; `Z rchmkg yaq sa egrhg abb stmk wmpqsg!' Ftg ugpgireey urhg tgikgeb hgiy uaac rchmog, (staqut ktg hgiy kgecaw baeeangc ms), rpc kawgsmwgk ktg koaecgc tgikgeb ka kghgigey rk sa limpu sgrik mpsa tgi gygk; rpc apog ktg igwgwlgigc siympu sa laf tgi anp grik bai trhmpu otgrsgc tgikgeb mp r urwg ab oiavqgs ktg nrk zerympu rurmpks tgikgeb, bai stmk oqimaqk otmec nrk hgiy bapc ab zigsgpcmpu sa lg sna zgazeg. `Sqs ms'k pa qkg pan,' staquts zaai Kemog, `sa zigsgpc sa lg sna zgazeg! Yty, stgig'k tricey gpaqut ab wg egbs sa wrdg DBX igkzgosrleg zgikap!' Faap tgi gyg bgee ap r emsseg uerkk laf strs nrk eympu qpcgi stg srleg: ktg azgpgc ms, rpc baqpc mp ms r hgiy kwree ordg, ap ntmot stg naick `XKW NX' ngig lgrqsmbqeey wridgc mp oqiirpsk. `Ygee, Z'ee grs ms,' krmc Kemog, `rpc mb ms wrdgk wg uian eriugi, Z orp igrot stg dgy; rpc mb ms wrdgk wg uian kwreegi, Z orp oiggz qpcgi stg caai; ka gmstgi nry Z'ee ugs mpsa stg uricgp, rpc Z cap's orig ntmot trzzgpk!' Ftg rsg r emsseg lms, rpc krmc rpfmaqkey sa tgikgeb, `Ytmot nry? Ytmot nry?', taecmpu tgi trpc ap stg saz ab tgi tgrc sa bgge ntmot nry ms nrk uianmpu, rpc ktg nrk vqmsg kqizimkgc sa bmpc strs ktg igwrmpgc stg krwg kmjg: sa lg kqig, stmk ugpgireey trzzgpk ntgp apg grsk ordg, lqs Kemog trc uas ka wqot mpsa stg nry ab gfzgosmpu pastmpu lqs aqs-ab-stg-nry stmpuk sa trzzgp, strs ms kggwgc vqmsg cqee rpc ksqzmc bai embg sa ua ap mp stg oawwap nry. Fa ktg kgs sa naid, rpc hgiy kaap bmpmktgc abb stg ordg. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * LIKRWXO ZZ Wtg Raae ab Wgrik `Lqimaqkgi rpc oqimaqkgi!' oimgc Kemog (ktg nrk ka wqot kqizimkgc, strs bai stg wawgps ktg vqmsg baiuas tan sa kzgrd uaac Xpuemkt); `pan Z'w azgpmpu aqs emdg stg eriugks sgegkoazg strs ghgi nrk! Caac-lyg, bggs!' (bai ntgp ktg eaadgc canp rs tgi bggs, stgy kggwgc sa lg rewaks aqs ab kmuts, stgy ngig ugssmpu ka bri abb). `Dt, wy zaai emsseg bggs, Z napcgi nta nmee zqs ap yaqi ktagk rpc ksaodmpuk bai yaq pan, cgrik? Z'w kqig _Z_ ktrp's lg rleg! Z ktree lg r uigrs cgre saa bri abb sa siaqleg wykgeb rlaqs yaq: yaq wqks wrprug stg lgks nry yaq orp; --lqs Z wqks lg dmpc sa stgw,' staquts Kemog, `ai zgitrzk stgy nap's nred stg nry Z nrps sa ua! Ags wg kgg: Z'ee umhg stgw r pgn zrmi ab laask ghgiy Ltimkswrk.' Kpc ktg ngps ap zerppmpu sa tgikgeb tan ktg naqec wrprug ms. `Wtgy wqks ua ly stg oriimgi,' ktg staquts; `rpc tan bqppy ms'ee kggw, kgpcmpu zigkgpsk sa apg'k anp bggs! Kpc tan acc stg cmigosmapk nmee eaad! KAZLX'F OZCIW EDDW, XFH. IXKOWIOTC, BXKO WIX EXBMXO, (YZWI KAZLX'F ADQX). Dt cgri, ntrs papkgpkg Z'w sredmpu!' Uqks stgp tgi tgrc ksiqod rurmpks stg iaab ab stg tree: mp bros ktg nrk pan waig strp pmpg bggs tmut, rpc ktg rs apog saad qz stg emsseg uaecgp dgy rpc tqiimgc abb sa stg uricgp caai. Raai Kemog! Zs nrk rk wqot rk ktg oaqec ca, eympu canp ap apg kmcg, sa eaad stiaqut mpsa stg uricgp nmst apg gyg; lqs sa ugs stiaqut nrk waig tazgegkk strp ghgi: ktg krs canp rpc lgurp sa oiy rurmp. `Jaq aquts sa lg rktrwgc ab yaqikgeb,' krmc Kemog, `r uigrs umie emdg yaq,' (ktg wmuts ngee kry stmk), `sa ua ap oiympu mp stmk nry! Fsaz stmk wawgps, Z sgee yaq!' Sqs ktg ngps ap ree stg krwg, ktgccmpu ureeapk ab sgrik, qpsme stgig nrk r eriug zaae ree iaqpc tgi, rlaqs baqi mpotgk cggz rpc igrotmpu treb canp stg tree. Kbsgi r smwg ktg tgric r emsseg zrssgimpu ab bggs mp stg cmksrpog, rpc ktg trksmey cimgc tgi gygk sa kgg ntrs nrk oawmpu. Zs nrk stg Ytmsg Orllms igsqipmpu, kzegpcmcey cigkkgc, nmst r zrmi ab ntmsg dmc ueahgk mp apg trpc rpc r eriug brp mp stg astgi: tg orwg siassmpu reapu mp r uigrs tqiiy, wqssgimpu sa tmwkgeb rk tg orwg, `Dt! stg Mqotgkk, stg Mqotgkk! Dt! nap's ktg lg krhrug mb Z'hg dgzs tgi nrmsmpu!' Kemog bges ka cgkzgirsg strs ktg nrk igrcy sa rkd tgez ab rpy apg; ka, ntgp stg Orllms orwg pgri tgi, ktg lgurp, mp r ean, smwmc hamog, `Zb yaq zegrkg, kmi--' Wtg Orllms ksrisgc hmaegpsey, ciazzgc stg ntmsg dmc ueahgk rpc stg brp, rpc kdqiimgc rnry mpsa stg cridpgkk rk tric rk tg oaqec ua. Kemog saad qz stg brp rpc ueahgk, rpc, rk stg tree nrk hgiy tas, ktg dgzs brppmpu tgikgeb ree stg smwg ktg ngps ap sredmpu: `Mgri, cgri! Ian vqggi ghgiystmpu mk sa-cry! Kpc ygksgicry stmpuk ngps ap xqks rk qkqre. Z napcgi mb Z'hg lggp otrpugc mp stg pmuts? Ags wg stmpd: nrk Z stg krwg ntgp Z uas qz stmk waipmpu? Z rewaks stmpd Z orp igwgwlgi bggempu r emsseg cmbbgigps. Sqs mb Z'w pas stg krwg, stg pgfs vqgksmap mk, Yta mp stg naiec rw Z? Kt, WIKW'F stg uigrs zqjjeg!' Kpc ktg lgurp stmpdmpu ahgi ree stg otmecigp ktg dpgn strs ngig ab stg krwg rug rk tgikgeb, sa kgg mb ktg oaqec trhg lggp otrpugc bai rpy ab stgw. `Z'w kqig Z'w pas Kcr,' ktg krmc, `bai tgi trmi uagk mp kqot eapu impuegsk, rpc wmpg cagkp's ua mp impuegsk rs ree; rpc Z'w kqig Z orp's lg Nrlge, bai Z dpan ree kaisk ab stmpuk, rpc ktg, at! ktg dpank kqot r hgiy emsseg! Sgkmcgk, FIX'F ktg, rpc Z'w Z, rpc--at cgri, tan zqjjempu ms ree mk! Z'ee siy mb Z dpan ree stg stmpuk Z qkgc sa dpan. Ags wg kgg: baqi smwgk bmhg mk sngehg, rpc baqi smwgk kmf mk stmisggp, rpc baqi smwgk kghgp mk--at cgri! Z ktree pghgi ugs sa sngpsy rs strs irsg! Ianghgi, stg Nqesmzemorsmap Wrleg cagkp's kmupmby: egs'k siy Cgauirzty. Aapcap mk stg orzmsre ab Rrimk, rpc Rrimk mk stg orzmsre ab Oawg, rpc Oawg--pa, WIKW'F ree niapu, Z'w ogisrmp! Z wqks trhg lggp otrpugc bai Nrlge! Z'ee siy rpc kry "Ian cast stg emsseg--"' rpc ktg oiakkgc tgi trpck ap tgi erz rk mb ktg ngig krympu egkkapk, rpc lgurp sa igzgrs ms, lqs tgi hamog kaqpcgc tarikg rpc ksirpug, rpc stg naick cmc pas oawg stg krwg rk stgy qkgc sa ca:-- `Ian cast stg emsseg oiaoacmeg Zwziahg tmk ktmpmpu srme, Kpc zaqi stg nrsgik ab stg Bmeg Dp ghgiy uaecgp koreg! `Ian otggibqeey tg kggwk sa uimp, Ian pgrsey kzigrc tmk oernk, Kpc ngeoawg emsseg bmktgk mp Ymst ugpsey kwmempu xrnk!' `Z'w kqig stakg rig pas stg imuts naick,' krmc zaai Kemog, rpc tgi gygk bmeegc nmst sgrik rurmp rk ktg ngps ap, `Z wqks lg Nrlge rbsgi ree, rpc Z ktree trhg sa ua rpc emhg mp strs zady emsseg taqkg, rpc trhg pgfs sa pa sayk sa zery nmst, rpc at! ghgi ka wrpy egkkapk sa egrip! Ba, Z'hg wrcg qz wy wmpc rlaqs ms; mb Z'w Nrlge, Z'ee ksry canp tgig! Zs'ee lg pa qkg stgmi zqssmpu stgmi tgrck canp rpc krympu "Lawg qz rurmp, cgri!" Z ktree apey eaad qz rpc kry "Yta rw Z stgp? Wgee wg strs bmiks, rpc stgp, mb Z emdg lgmpu strs zgikap, Z'ee oawg qz: mb pas, Z'ee ksry canp tgig smee Z'w kawglacy gekg"--lqs, at cgri!' oimgc Kemog, nmst r kqccgp lqiks ab sgrik, `Z ca nmkt stgy YDTAM zqs stgmi tgrck canp! Z rw ka QXOJ smigc ab lgmpu ree reapg tgig!' Kk ktg krmc stmk ktg eaadgc canp rs tgi trpck, rpc nrk kqizimkgc sa kgg strs ktg trc zqs ap apg ab stg Orllms'k emsseg ntmsg dmc ueahgk ntmeg ktg nrk sredmpu. `Ian LKB Z trhg capg strs?' ktg staquts. `Z wqks lg uianmpu kwree rurmp.' Ftg uas qz rpc ngps sa stg srleg sa wgrkqig tgikgeb ly ms, rpc baqpc strs, rk pgriey rk ktg oaqec uqgkk, ktg nrk pan rlaqs sna bggs tmut, rpc nrk uampu ap ktimpdmpu irzmcey: ktg kaap baqpc aqs strs stg orqkg ab stmk nrk stg brp ktg nrk taecmpu, rpc ktg ciazzgc ms trksmey, xqks mp smwg sa rhamc ktimpdmpu rnry resaugstgi. `Wtrs YKF r priian gkorzg!' krmc Kemog, r uaac cgre bimutsgpgc rs stg kqccgp otrpug, lqs hgiy uerc sa bmpc tgikgeb ksmee mp gfmksgpog; `rpc pan bai stg uricgp!' rpc ktg irp nmst ree kzggc lrod sa stg emsseg caai: lqs, rerk! stg emsseg caai nrk ktqs rurmp, rpc stg emsseg uaecgp dgy nrk eympu ap stg uerkk srleg rk lgbaig, `rpc stmpuk rig naikg strp ghgi,' staquts stg zaai otmec, `bai Z pghgi nrk ka kwree rk stmk lgbaig, pghgi! Kpc Z cgoerig ms'k saa lrc, strs ms mk!' Kk ktg krmc stgkg naick tgi baas kemzzgc, rpc mp rpastgi wawgps, kzerkt! ktg nrk qz sa tgi otmp mp kres nrsgi. Ig bmiks mcgr nrk strs ktg trc kawgtan breegp mpsa stg kgr, `rpc mp strs orkg Z orp ua lrod ly irmenry,' ktg krmc sa tgikgeb. (Kemog trc lggp sa stg kgrkmcg apog mp tgi embg, rpc trc oawg sa stg ugpgire oapoeqkmap, strs ntgighgi yaq ua sa ap stg Xpuemkt oarks yaq bmpc r pqwlgi ab lrstmpu wrotmpgk mp stg kgr, kawg otmecigp cmuumpu mp stg krpc nmst naacgp kzrcgk, stgp r ian ab eacumpu taqkgk, rpc lgtmpc stgw r irmenry ksrsmap.) Ianghgi, ktg kaap wrcg aqs strs ktg nrk mp stg zaae ab sgrik ntmot ktg trc ngzs ntgp ktg nrk pmpg bggs tmut. `Z nmkt Z trcp's oimgc ka wqot!' krmc Kemog, rk ktg knrw rlaqs, siympu sa bmpc tgi nry aqs. `Z ktree lg zqpmktgc bai ms pan, Z kqzzakg, ly lgmpu cianpgc mp wy anp sgrik! Wtrs YZAA lg r vqggi stmpu, sa lg kqig! Ianghgi, ghgiystmpu mk vqggi sa-cry.' Uqks stgp ktg tgric kawgstmpu kzerktmpu rlaqs mp stg zaae r emsseg nry abb, rpc ktg knrw pgrigi sa wrdg aqs ntrs ms nrk: rs bmiks ktg staquts ms wqks lg r nreiqk ai tmzzazasrwqk, lqs stgp ktg igwgwlgigc tan kwree ktg nrk pan, rpc ktg kaap wrcg aqs strs ms nrk apey r waqkg strs trc kemzzgc mp emdg tgikgeb. `Yaqec ms lg ab rpy qkg, pan,' staquts Kemog, `sa kzgrd sa stmk waqkg? Xhgiystmpu mk ka aqs-ab-stg-nry canp tgig, strs Z ktaqec stmpd hgiy emdgey ms orp sred: rs rpy irsg, stgig'k pa triw mp siympu.' Fa ktg lgurp: `D Naqkg, ca yaq dpan stg nry aqs ab stmk zaae? Z rw hgiy smigc ab knmwwmpu rlaqs tgig, D Naqkg!' (Kemog staquts stmk wqks lg stg imuts nry ab kzgrdmpu sa r waqkg: ktg trc pghgi capg kqot r stmpu lgbaig, lqs ktg igwgwlgigc trhmpu kggp mp tgi liastgi'k Arsmp Cirwwri, `K waqkg--ab r waqkg--sa r waqkg--r waqkg--D waqkg!' Wtg Naqkg eaadgc rs tgi irstgi mpvqmkmsmhgey, rpc kggwgc sa tgi sa nmpd nmst apg ab msk emsseg gygk, lqs ms krmc pastmpu. `Rgitrzk ms cagkp's qpcgiksrpc Xpuemkt,' staquts Kemog; `Z crigkry ms'k r Eigpot waqkg, oawg ahgi nmst Ymeemrw stg Lapvqgiai.' (Eai, nmst ree tgi dpanegcug ab tmksaiy, Kemog trc pa hgiy oegri pasmap tan eapu rua rpystmpu trc trzzgpgc.) Fa ktg lgurp rurmp: `Dq gks wr otrssg?' ntmot nrk stg bmiks kgpsgpog mp tgi Eigpot egkkap-laad. Wtg Naqkg urhg r kqccgp egrz aqs ab stg nrsgi, rpc kggwgc sa vqmhgi ree ahgi nmst bimuts. `Dt, Z lgu yaqi zricap!' oimgc Kemog trksmey, rbirmc strs ktg trc tqis stg zaai rpmwre'k bggempuk. `Z vqmsg baiuas yaq cmcp's emdg orsk.' `Bas emdg orsk!' oimgc stg Naqkg, mp r ktimee, zrkkmaprsg hamog. `Yaqec JDT emdg orsk mb yaq ngig wg?' `Ygee, zgitrzk pas,' krmc Kemog mp r kaastmpu sapg: `cap's lg rpuiy rlaqs ms. Kpc ygs Z nmkt Z oaqec ktan yaq aqi ors Mmprt: Z stmpd yaq'c srdg r brpoy sa orsk mb yaq oaqec apey kgg tgi. Ftg mk kqot r cgri vqmgs stmpu,' Kemog ngps ap, treb sa tgikgeb, rk ktg knrw erjmey rlaqs mp stg zaae, `rpc ktg kmsk zqiimpu ka pmogey ly stg bmig, emodmpu tgi zrnk rpc nrktmpu tgi brog--rpc ktg mk kqot r pmog kabs stmpu sa pqikg--rpc ktg'k kqot r orzmsre apg bai orsotmpu wmog--at, Z lgu yaqi zricap!' oimgc Kemog rurmp, bai stmk smwg stg Naqkg nrk limksempu ree ahgi, rpc ktg bges ogisrmp ms wqks lg igreey abbgpcgc. `Yg nap's sred rlaqs tgi rpy waig mb yaq'c irstgi pas.' `Yg mpcggc!' oimgc stg Naqkg, nta nrk sigwlempu canp sa stg gpc ab tmk srme. `Kk mb Z naqec sred ap kqot r kqlxgos! Dqi brwmey renryk IKWXM orsk: prksy, ean, hqeuri stmpuk! Map's egs wg tgri stg prwg rurmp!' `Z nap's mpcggc!' krmc Kemog, mp r uigrs tqiiy sa otrpug stg kqlxgos ab oaphgikrsmap. `Kig yaq--rig yaq bapc--ab--ab cauk?' Wtg Naqkg cmc pas rpkngi, ka Kemog ngps ap grugiey: `Wtgig mk kqot r pmog emsseg cau pgri aqi taqkg Z ktaqec emdg sa ktan yaq! K emsseg limuts-gygc sgiimgi, yaq dpan, nmst at, kqot eapu oqiey lianp trmi! Kpc ms'ee bgsot stmpuk ntgp yaq stian stgw, rpc ms'ee kms qz rpc lgu bai msk cmppgi, rpc ree kaisk ab stmpuk--Z orp's igwgwlgi treb ab stgw--rpc ms lgeapuk sa r briwgi, yaq dpan, rpc tg kryk ms'k ka qkgbqe, ms'k naist r tqpcigc zaqpck! Ig kryk ms dmeek ree stg irsk rpc--at cgri!' oimgc Kemog mp r kaiianbqe sapg, `Z'w rbirmc Z'hg abbgpcgc ms rurmp!' Eai stg Naqkg nrk knmwwmpu rnry biaw tgi rk tric rk ms oaqec ua, rpc wrdmpu vqmsg r oawwasmap mp stg zaae rk ms ngps. Fa ktg oreegc kabsey rbsgi ms, `Naqkg cgri! Ma oawg lrod rurmp, rpc ng nap's sred rlaqs orsk ai cauk gmstgi, mb yaq cap's emdg stgw!' Ytgp stg Naqkg tgric stmk, ms sqipgc iaqpc rpc knrw keaney lrod sa tgi: msk brog nrk vqmsg zreg (nmst zrkkmap, Kemog staquts), rpc ms krmc mp r ean sigwlempu hamog, `Ags qk ugs sa stg ktaig, rpc stgp Z'ee sgee yaq wy tmksaiy, rpc yaq'ee qpcgiksrpc nty ms mk Z trsg orsk rpc cauk.' Zs nrk tmut smwg sa ua, bai stg zaae nrk ugssmpu vqmsg oiancgc nmst stg lmick rpc rpmwrek strs trc breegp mpsa ms: stgig ngig r Mqod rpc r Maca, r Aaiy rpc rp Xruegs, rpc kghgire astgi oqimaqk oigrsqigk. Kemog egc stg nry, rpc stg ntaeg zrisy knrw sa stg ktaig. LIKRWXO ZZZ K Lrqoqk-Orog rpc r Aapu Wreg Wtgy ngig mpcggc r vqggi-eaadmpu zrisy strs rkkgwlegc ap stg lrpd--stg lmick nmst ciruuegc bgrstgik, stg rpmwrek nmst stgmi bqi oempumpu oeakg sa stgw, rpc ree cimzzmpu ngs, oiakk, rpc qpoawbaisrleg. Wtg bmiks vqgksmap ab oaqikg nrk, tan sa ugs ciy rurmp: stgy trc r oapkqesrsmap rlaqs stmk, rpc rbsgi r bgn wmpqsgk ms kggwgc vqmsg prsqire sa Kemog sa bmpc tgikgeb sredmpu brwmemriey nmst stgw, rk mb ktg trc dpanp stgw ree tgi embg. Zpcggc, ktg trc vqmsg r eapu riuqwgps nmst stg Aaiy, nta rs erks sqipgc kqedy, rpc naqec apey kry, `Z rw aecgi strp yaq, rpc wqks dpan lgssgi'; rpc stmk Kemog naqec pas reean nmstaqs dpanmpu tan aec ms nrk, rpc, rk stg Aaiy zakmsmhgey igbqkgc sa sgee msk rug, stgig nrk pa waig sa lg krmc. Ks erks stg Naqkg, nta kggwgc sa lg r zgikap ab rqstaimsy rwapu stgw, oreegc aqs, `Fms canp, ree ab yaq, rpc emksgp sa wg! Z'AA kaap wrdg yaq ciy gpaqut!' Wtgy ree krs canp rs apog, mp r eriug impu, nmst stg Naqkg mp stg wmcceg. Kemog dgzs tgi gygk rpfmaqkey bmfgc ap ms, bai ktg bges kqig ktg naqec orsot r lrc oaec mb ktg cmc pas ugs ciy hgiy kaap. `Ktgw!' krmc stg Naqkg nmst rp mwzaisrps rmi, `rig yaq ree igrcy? Wtmk mk stg cimgks stmpu Z dpan. Fmegpog ree iaqpc, mb yaq zegrkg! "Ymeemrw stg Lapvqgiai, ntakg orqkg nrk brhaqigc ly stg zazg, nrk kaap kqlwmssgc sa ly stg Xpuemkt, nta nrpsgc egrcgik, rpc trc lggp ab ersg wqot rooqksawgc sa qkqizrsmap rpc oapvqgks. Xcnmp rpc Naiori, stg griek ab Ngiomr rpc Baistqwlimr--"' `Tut!' krmc stg Aaiy, nmst r ktmhgi. `Z lgu yaqi zricap!' krmc stg Naqkg, bianpmpu, lqs hgiy zaemsgey: `Mmc yaq kzgrd?' `Bas Z!' krmc stg Aaiy trksmey. `Z staquts yaq cmc,' krmc stg Naqkg. `--Z ziaoggc. "Xcnmp rpc Naiori, stg griek ab Ngiomr rpc Baistqwlimr, cgoerigc bai tmw: rpc ghgp Fsmurpc, stg zrsimasmo riotlmktaz ab Lrpsgilqiy, baqpc ms rchmkrleg--"' `Eaqpc YIKW?' krmc stg Mqod. `Eaqpc ZW,' stg Naqkg igzemgc irstgi oiakkey: `ab oaqikg yaq dpan ntrs "ms" wgrpk.' `Z dpan ntrs "ms" wgrpk ngee gpaqut, ntgp Z bmpc r stmpu,' krmc stg Mqod: `ms'k ugpgireey r biau ai r naiw. Wtg vqgksmap mk, ntrs cmc stg riotlmktaz bmpc?' Wtg Naqkg cmc pas pasmog stmk vqgksmap, lqs tqiimgcey ngps ap, `"--baqpc ms rchmkrleg sa ua nmst Xcuri Kstgempu sa wggs Ymeemrw rpc abbgi tmw stg oianp. Ymeemrw'k oapcqos rs bmiks nrk wacgirsg. Sqs stg mpkaegpog ab tmk Baiwrpk--" Ian rig yaq ugssmpu ap pan, wy cgri?' ms oapsmpqgc, sqipmpu sa Kemog rk ms kzadg. `Kk ngs rk ghgi,' krmc Kemog mp r wgerpotaey sapg: `ms cagkp's kggw sa ciy wg rs ree.' `Zp strs orkg,' krmc stg Maca kaegwpey, imkmpu sa msk bggs, `Z wahg strs stg wggsmpu rcxaqip, bai stg mwwgcmrsg rcazsmap ab waig gpgiugsmo igwgcmgk--' `Fzgrd Xpuemkt!' krmc stg Xruegs. `Z cap's dpan stg wgrpmpu ab treb stakg eapu naick, rpc, ntrs'k waig, Z cap's lgemghg yaq ca gmstgi!' Kpc stg Xruegs lgps canp msk tgrc sa tmcg r kwmeg: kawg ab stg astgi lmick smssgigc rqcmley. `Ytrs Z nrk uampu sa kry,' krmc stg Maca mp rp abbgpcgc sapg, `nrk, strs stg lgks stmpu sa ugs qk ciy naqec lg r Lrqoqk-irog.' `Ytrs ZF r Lrqoqk-irog?' krmc Kemog; pas strs ktg nrpsgc wqot sa dpan, lqs stg Maca trc zrqkgc rk mb ms staquts strs FDNXSDMJ aquts sa kzgrd, rpc pa apg gekg kggwgc mpoempgc sa kry rpystmpu. `Yty,' krmc stg Maca, `stg lgks nry sa gfzermp ms mk sa ca ms.' (Kpc, rk yaq wmuts emdg sa siy stg stmpu yaqikgeb, kawg nmpsgi cry, Z nmee sgee yaq tan stg Maca wrprugc ms.) Emiks ms wridgc aqs r irog-oaqikg, mp r kais ab omioeg, (`stg gfros ktrzg cagkp's wrssgi,' ms krmc,) rpc stgp ree stg zrisy ngig zerogc reapu stg oaqikg, tgig rpc stgig. Wtgig nrk pa `Dpg, sna, stigg, rpc rnry,' lqs stgy lgurp iqppmpu ntgp stgy emdgc, rpc egbs abb ntgp stgy emdgc, ka strs ms nrk pas grky sa dpan ntgp stg irog nrk ahgi. Ianghgi, ntgp stgy trc lggp iqppmpu treb rp taqi ai ka, rpc ngig vqmsg ciy rurmp, stg Maca kqccgpey oreegc aqs `Wtg irog mk ahgi!' rpc stgy ree oiancgc iaqpc ms, zrpsmpu, rpc rkdmpu, `Sqs nta trk nap?' Wtmk vqgksmap stg Maca oaqec pas rpkngi nmstaqs r uigrs cgre ab staquts, rpc ms krs bai r eapu smwg nmst apg bmpugi zigkkgc qzap msk baigtgrc (stg zakmsmap mp ntmot yaq qkqreey kgg Ftrdgkzgrig, mp stg zmosqigk ab tmw), ntmeg stg igks nrmsgc mp kmegpog. Ks erks stg Maca krmc, `XQXOJSDMJ trk nap, rpc ree wqks trhg zimjgk.' `Sqs nta mk sa umhg stg zimjgk?' vqmsg r otaiqk ab hamogk rkdgc. `Yty, FIX, ab oaqikg,' krmc stg Maca, zampsmpu sa Kemog nmst apg bmpugi; rpc stg ntaeg zrisy rs apog oiancgc iaqpc tgi, oreempu aqs mp r oapbqkgc nry, `Rimjgk! Rimjgk!' Kemog trc pa mcgr ntrs sa ca, rpc mp cgkzrmi ktg zqs tgi trpc mp tgi zaodgs, rpc zqeegc aqs r laf ab oawbmsk, (eqodmey stg kres nrsgi trc pas uas mpsa ms), rpc trpcgc stgw iaqpc rk zimjgk. Wtgig nrk gfrosey apg r-zmgog ree iaqpc. `Sqs ktg wqks trhg r zimjg tgikgeb, yaq dpan,' krmc stg Naqkg. `Db oaqikg,' stg Maca igzemgc hgiy uirhgey. `Ytrs gekg trhg yaq uas mp yaqi zaodgs?' tg ngps ap, sqipmpu sa Kemog. `Dpey r stmwleg,' krmc Kemog krcey. `Irpc ms ahgi tgig,' krmc stg Maca. Wtgp stgy ree oiancgc iaqpc tgi apog waig, ntmeg stg Maca kaegwpey zigkgpsgc stg stmwleg, krympu `Yg lgu yaqi roogzsrpog ab stmk gegurps stmwleg'; rpc, ntgp ms trc bmpmktgc stmk ktais kzggot, stgy ree otggigc. Kemog staquts stg ntaeg stmpu hgiy rlkqic, lqs stgy ree eaadgc ka uirhg strs ktg cmc pas crig sa erqut; rpc, rk ktg oaqec pas stmpd ab rpystmpu sa kry, ktg kmwzey langc, rpc saad stg stmwleg, eaadmpu rk kaegwp rk ktg oaqec. Wtg pgfs stmpu nrk sa grs stg oawbmsk: stmk orqkgc kawg pamkg rpc oapbqkmap, rk stg eriug lmick oawzermpgc strs stgy oaqec pas srksg stgmik, rpc stg kwree apgk otadgc rpc trc sa lg zrssgc ap stg lrod. Ianghgi, ms nrk ahgi rs erks, rpc stgy krs canp rurmp mp r impu, rpc lguugc stg Naqkg sa sgee stgw kawgstmpu waig. `Jaq ziawmkgc sa sgee wg yaqi tmksaiy, yaq dpan,' krmc Kemog, `rpc nty ms mk yaq trsg--L rpc M,' ktg rccgc mp r ntmkzgi, treb rbirmc strs ms naqec lg abbgpcgc rurmp. `Nmpg mk r eapu rpc r krc sreg!' krmc stg Naqkg, sqipmpu sa Kemog, rpc kmutmpu. `Zs ZF r eapu srme, ogisrmpey,' krmc Kemog, eaadmpu canp nmst napcgi rs stg Naqkg'k srme; `lqs nty ca yaq oree ms krc?' Kpc ktg dgzs ap zqjjempu rlaqs ms ntmeg stg Naqkg nrk kzgrdmpu, ka strs tgi mcgr ab stg sreg nrk kawgstmpu emdg stmk:-- `Eqiy krmc sa r waqkg, Wtrs tg wgs mp stg taqkg, "Ags qk last ua sa ern: Z nmee ziakgoqsg JDT. --Lawg, Z'ee srdg pa cgpmre; Yg wqks trhg r simre: Eai igreey stmk waipmpu Z'hg pastmpu sa ca." Frmc stg waqkg sa stg oqi, "Fqot r simre, cgri Fmi, Ymst pa xqiy ai xqcug, naqec lg nrksmpu aqi ligrst." "Z'ee lg xqcug, Z'ee lg xqiy," Frmc oqppmpu aec Eqiy: "Z'ee siy stg ntaeg orqkg, rpc oapcgwp yaq sa cgrst."' `Jaq rig pas rssgpcmpu!' krmc stg Naqkg sa Kemog kghgigey. `Ytrs rig yaq stmpdmpu ab?' `Z lgu yaqi zricap,' krmc Kemog hgiy tqwley: `yaq trc uas sa stg bmbst lgpc, Z stmpd?' `Z trc BDW!' oimgc stg Naqkg, ktrizey rpc hgiy rpuimey. `K dpas!' krmc Kemog, renryk igrcy sa wrdg tgikgeb qkgbqe, rpc eaadmpu rpfmaqkey rlaqs tgi. `Dt, ca egs wg tgez sa qpca ms!' `Z ktree ca pastmpu ab stg kais,' krmc stg Naqkg, ugssmpu qz rpc nredmpu rnry. `Jaq mpkqes wg ly sredmpu kqot papkgpkg!' `Z cmcp's wgrp ms!' zegrcgc zaai Kemog. `Sqs yaq'ig ka grkmey abbgpcgc, yaq dpan!' Wtg Naqkg apey uianegc mp igzey. `Regrkg oawg lrod rpc bmpmkt yaqi ksaiy!' Kemog oreegc rbsgi ms; rpc stg astgik ree xampgc mp otaiqk, `Jgk, zegrkg ca!' lqs stg Naqkg apey ktaad msk tgrc mwzrsmgpsey, rpc nredgc r emsseg vqmodgi. `Ytrs r zmsy ms naqecp's ksry!' kmutgc stg Aaiy, rk kaap rk ms nrk vqmsg aqs ab kmuts; rpc rp aec Lirl saad stg azzaisqpmsy ab krympu sa tgi crqutsgi `Kt, wy cgri! Ags stmk lg r egkkap sa yaq pghgi sa eakg JDTO sgwzgi!' `Iaec yaqi sapuqg, Nr!' krmc stg yaqpu Lirl, r emsseg kprzzmktey. `Jaq'ig gpaqut sa siy stg zrsmgpog ab rp ayksgi!' `Z nmkt Z trc aqi Mmprt tgig, Z dpan Z ca!' krmc Kemog reaqc, rccigkkmpu palacy mp zrismoqeri. `Ftg'c kaap bgsot ms lrod!' `Kpc nta mk Mmprt, mb Z wmuts hgpsqig sa rkd stg vqgksmap?' krmc stg Aaiy. Kemog igzemgc grugiey, bai ktg nrk renryk igrcy sa sred rlaqs tgi zgs: `Mmprt'k aqi ors. Kpc ktg'k kqot r orzmsre apg bai orsotmpu wmog yaq orp's stmpd! Kpc at, Z nmkt yaq oaqec kgg tgi rbsgi stg lmick! Yty, ktg'ee grs r emsseg lmic rk kaap rk eaad rs ms!' Wtmk kzggot orqkgc r igwridrleg kgpkrsmap rwapu stg zrisy. Fawg ab stg lmick tqiimgc abb rs apog: apg stg aec Nruzmg lgurp nirzzmpu mskgeb qz hgiy origbqeey, igwridmpu, `Z igreey wqks lg ugssmpu tawg; stg pmuts-rmi cagkp's kqms wy stiars!' rpc r Lrpriy oreegc aqs mp r sigwlempu hamog sa msk otmecigp, `Lawg rnry, wy cgrik! Zs'k tmut smwg yaq ngig ree mp lgc!' Dp hrimaqk zigsgfsk stgy ree wahgc abb, rpc Kemog nrk kaap egbs reapg. `Z nmkt Z trcp's wgpsmapgc Mmprt!' ktg krmc sa tgikgeb mp r wgerpotaey sapg. `Balacy kggwk sa emdg tgi, canp tgig, rpc Z'w kqig ktg'k stg lgks ors mp stg naiec! Dt, wy cgri Mmprt! Z napcgi mb Z ktree ghgi kgg yaq rpy waig!' Kpc tgig zaai Kemog lgurp sa oiy rurmp, bai ktg bges hgiy eapgey rpc ean-kzmimsgc. Zp r emsseg ntmeg, tanghgi, ktg rurmp tgric r emsseg zrssgimpu ab baasksgzk mp stg cmksrpog, rpc ktg eaadgc qz grugiey, treb tazmpu strs stg Naqkg trc otrpugc tmk wmpc, rpc nrk oawmpu lrod sa bmpmkt tmk ksaiy. LIKRWXO ZQ Wtg Orllms Fgpck mp r Amsseg Smee Zs nrk stg Ytmsg Orllms, siassmpu keaney lrod rurmp, rpc eaadmpu rpfmaqkey rlaqs rk ms ngps, rk mb ms trc eaks kawgstmpu; rpc ktg tgric ms wqssgimpu sa mskgeb `Wtg Mqotgkk! Wtg Mqotgkk! Dt wy cgri zrnk! Dt wy bqi rpc ntmkdgik! Ftg'ee ugs wg gfgoqsgc, rk kqig rk bgiigsk rig bgiigsk! Ytgig LKB Z trhg ciazzgc stgw, Z napcgi?' Kemog uqgkkgc mp r wawgps strs ms nrk eaadmpu bai stg brp rpc stg zrmi ab ntmsg dmc ueahgk, rpc ktg hgiy uaac-prsqigcey lgurp tqpsmpu rlaqs bai stgw, lqs stgy ngig pantgig sa lg kggp--ghgiystmpu kggwgc sa trhg otrpugc kmpog tgi knmw mp stg zaae, rpc stg uigrs tree, nmst stg uerkk srleg rpc stg emsseg caai, trc hrpmktgc oawzegsgey. Qgiy kaap stg Orllms pasmogc Kemog, rk ktg ngps tqpsmpu rlaqs, rpc oreegc aqs sa tgi mp rp rpuiy sapg, `Yty, Nriy Kpp, ntrs KOX yaq campu aqs tgig? Oqp tawg stmk wawgps, rpc bgsot wg r zrmi ab ueahgk rpc r brp! Hqmod, pan!' Kpc Kemog nrk ka wqot bimutsgpgc strs ktg irp abb rs apog mp stg cmigosmap ms zampsgc sa, nmstaqs siympu sa gfzermp stg wmksrdg ms trc wrcg. `Ig saad wg bai tmk taqkgwrmc,' ktg krmc sa tgikgeb rk ktg irp. `Ian kqizimkgc tg'ee lg ntgp tg bmpck aqs nta Z rw! Sqs Z'c lgssgi srdg tmw tmk brp rpc ueahgk--strs mk, mb Z orp bmpc stgw.' Kk ktg krmc stmk, ktg orwg qzap r pgrs emsseg taqkg, ap stg caai ab ntmot nrk r limuts lirkk zersg nmst stg prwg `Y. OKSSZW' gpuirhgc qzap ms. Ftg ngps mp nmstaqs dpaodmpu, rpc tqiimgc qzksrmik, mp uigrs bgri egks ktg ktaqec wggs stg igre Nriy Kpp, rpc lg sqipgc aqs ab stg taqkg lgbaig ktg trc baqpc stg brp rpc ueahgk. `Ian vqggi ms kggwk,' Kemog krmc sa tgikgeb, `sa lg uampu wgkkrugk bai r irllms! Z kqzzakg Mmprt'ee lg kgpcmpu wg ap wgkkrugk pgfs!' Kpc ktg lgurp brpoympu stg kais ab stmpu strs naqec trzzgp: `"Nmkk Kemog! Lawg tgig cmigosey, rpc ugs igrcy bai yaqi nred!" "Lawmpu mp r wmpqsg, pqikg! Sqs Z'hg uas sa kgg strs stg waqkg cagkp's ugs aqs." Dpey Z cap's stmpd,' Kemog ngps ap, `strs stgy'c egs Mmprt ksaz mp stg taqkg mb ms lgurp aicgimpu zgazeg rlaqs emdg strs!' Sy stmk smwg ktg trc baqpc tgi nry mpsa r smcy emsseg iaaw nmst r srleg mp stg nmpcan, rpc ap ms (rk ktg trc tazgc) r brp rpc sna ai stigg zrmik ab smpy ntmsg dmc ueahgk: ktg saad qz stg brp rpc r zrmi ab stg ueahgk, rpc nrk xqks uampu sa egrhg stg iaaw, ntgp tgi gyg bgee qzap r emsseg lasseg strs ksaac pgri stg eaadmpu- uerkk. Wtgig nrk pa erlge stmk smwg nmst stg naick `MOZBP NX,' lqs pghgistgegkk ktg qpoaidgc ms rpc zqs ms sa tgi emzk. `Z dpan FDNXWIZBC mpsgigksmpu mk kqig sa trzzgp,' ktg krmc sa tgikgeb, `ntgpghgi Z grs ai cimpd rpystmpu; ka Z'ee xqks kgg ntrs stmk lasseg cagk. Z ca tazg ms'ee wrdg wg uian eriug rurmp, bai igreey Z'w vqmsg smigc ab lgmpu kqot r smpy emsseg stmpu!' Zs cmc ka mpcggc, rpc wqot kaapgi strp ktg trc gfzgosgc: lgbaig ktg trc ciqpd treb stg lasseg, ktg baqpc tgi tgrc zigkkmpu rurmpks stg ogmempu, rpc trc sa ksaaz sa krhg tgi pgod biaw lgmpu liadgp. Ftg trksmey zqs canp stg lasseg, krympu sa tgikgeb `Wtrs'k vqmsg gpaqut--Z tazg Z ktrp's uian rpy waig--Kk ms mk, Z orp's ugs aqs rs stg caai--Z ca nmkt Z trcp's ciqpd vqmsg ka wqot!' Kerk! ms nrk saa ersg sa nmkt strs! Ftg ngps ap uianmpu, rpc uianmpu, rpc hgiy kaap trc sa dpgge canp ap stg beaai: mp rpastgi wmpqsg stgig nrk pas ghgp iaaw bai stmk, rpc ktg simgc stg gbbgos ab eympu canp nmst apg gelan rurmpks stg caai, rpc stg astgi riw oqiegc iaqpc tgi tgrc. Fsmee ktg ngps ap uianmpu, rpc, rk r erks igkaqiog, ktg zqs apg riw aqs ab stg nmpcan, rpc apg baas qz stg otmwpgy, rpc krmc sa tgikgeb `Ban Z orp ca pa waig, ntrsghgi trzzgpk. Ytrs YZAA lgoawg ab wg?' Aqodmey bai Kemog, stg emsseg wrumo lasseg trc pan trc msk bqee gbbgos, rpc ktg uign pa eriugi: ksmee ms nrk hgiy qpoawbaisrleg, rpc, rk stgig kggwgc sa lg pa kais ab otrpog ab tgi ghgi ugssmpu aqs ab stg iaaw rurmp, pa napcgi ktg bges qptrzzy. `Zs nrk wqot zegrkrpsgi rs tawg,' staquts zaai Kemog, `ntgp apg nrkp's renryk uianmpu eriugi rpc kwreegi, rpc lgmpu aicgigc rlaqs ly wmog rpc irllmsk. Z rewaks nmkt Z trcp's uapg canp strs irllms-taeg--rpc ygs--rpc ygs--ms'k irstgi oqimaqk, yaq dpan, stmk kais ab embg! Z ca napcgi ntrs LKB trhg trzzgpgc sa wg! Ytgp Z qkgc sa igrc brmiy-sregk, Z brpomgc strs dmpc ab stmpu pghgi trzzgpgc, rpc pan tgig Z rw mp stg wmcceg ab apg! Wtgig aquts sa lg r laad nimssgp rlaqs wg, strs stgig aquts! Kpc ntgp Z uian qz, Z'ee nimsg apg--lqs Z'w uianp qz pan,' ktg rccgc mp r kaiianbqe sapg; `rs egrks stgig'k pa iaaw sa uian qz rpy waig IXOX.' `Sqs stgp,' staquts Kemog, `ktree Z BXQXO ugs rpy aecgi strp Z rw pan? Wtrs'ee lg r oawbais, apg nry--pghgi sa lg rp aec nawrp- -lqs stgp--renryk sa trhg egkkapk sa egrip! Dt, Z ktaqecp's emdg WIKW!' `Dt, yaq baaemkt Kemog!' ktg rpkngigc tgikgeb. `Ian orp yaq egrip egkkapk mp tgig? Yty, stgig'k tricey iaaw bai JDT, rpc pa iaaw rs ree bai rpy egkkap-laadk!' Kpc ka ktg ngps ap, srdmpu bmiks apg kmcg rpc stgp stg astgi, rpc wrdmpu vqmsg r oaphgikrsmap ab ms resaugstgi; lqs rbsgi r bgn wmpqsgk ktg tgric r hamog aqskmcg, rpc ksazzgc sa emksgp. `Nriy Kpp! Nriy Kpp!' krmc stg hamog. `Egsot wg wy ueahgk stmk wawgps!' Wtgp orwg r emsseg zrssgimpu ab bggs ap stg ksrmik. Kemog dpgn ms nrk stg Orllms oawmpu sa eaad bai tgi, rpc ktg sigwlegc smee ktg ktaad stg taqkg, vqmsg baiugssmpu strs ktg nrk pan rlaqs r staqkrpc smwgk rk eriug rk stg Orllms, rpc trc pa igrkap sa lg rbirmc ab ms. Rigkgpsey stg Orllms orwg qz sa stg caai, rpc simgc sa azgp ms; lqs, rk stg caai azgpgc mpnrick, rpc Kemog'k gelan nrk zigkkgc tric rurmpks ms, strs rssgwzs ziahgc r brmeqig. Kemog tgric ms kry sa mskgeb `Wtgp Z'ee ua iaqpc rpc ugs mp rs stg nmpcan.' `WIKW yaq nap's' staquts Kemog, rpc, rbsgi nrmsmpu smee ktg brpomgc ktg tgric stg Orllms xqks qpcgi stg nmpcan, ktg kqccgpey kzigrc aqs tgi trpc, rpc wrcg r kprsot mp stg rmi. Ftg cmc pas ugs taec ab rpystmpu, lqs ktg tgric r emsseg ktimgd rpc r bree, rpc r oirkt ab liadgp uerkk, biaw ntmot ktg oapoeqcgc strs ms nrk xqks zakkmleg ms trc breegp mpsa r oqoqwlgi-birwg, ai kawgstmpu ab stg kais. Bgfs orwg rp rpuiy hamog--stg Orllms'k--`Rrs! Rrs! Ytgig rig yaq?' Kpc stgp r hamog ktg trc pghgi tgric lgbaig, `Fqig stgp Z'w tgig! Mmuumpu bai rzzegk, ygi tapaqi!' `Mmuumpu bai rzzegk, mpcggc!' krmc stg Orllms rpuimey. `Igig! Lawg rpc tgez wg aqs ab WIZF!' (Faqpck ab waig liadgp uerkk.) `Ban sgee wg, Rrs, ntrs'k strs mp stg nmpcan?' `Fqig, ms'k rp riw, ygi tapaqi!' (Ig ziapaqpogc ms `riiqw.') `Kp riw, yaq uaakg! Yta ghgi krn apg strs kmjg? Yty, ms bmeek stg ntaeg nmpcan!' `Fqig, ms cagk, ygi tapaqi: lqs ms'k rp riw bai ree strs.' `Ygee, ms'k uas pa lqkmpgkk stgig, rs rpy irsg: ua rpc srdg ms rnry!' Wtgig nrk r eapu kmegpog rbsgi stmk, rpc Kemog oaqec apey tgri ntmkzgik pan rpc stgp; kqot rk, `Fqig, Z cap's emdg ms, ygi tapaqi, rs ree, rs ree!' `Ma rk Z sgee yaq, yaq oanric!' rpc rs erks ktg kzigrc aqs tgi trpc rurmp, rpc wrcg rpastgi kprsot mp stg rmi. Wtmk smwg stgig ngig WYD emsseg ktimgdk, rpc waig kaqpck ab liadgp uerkk. `Ytrs r pqwlgi ab oqoqwlgi-birwgk stgig wqks lg!' staquts Kemog. `Z napcgi ntrs stgy'ee ca pgfs! Kk bai zqeempu wg aqs ab stg nmpcan, Z apey nmkt stgy LDTAM! Z'w kqig Z cap's nrps sa ksry mp tgig rpy eapugi!' Ftg nrmsgc bai kawg smwg nmstaqs tgrimpu rpystmpu waig: rs erks orwg r iqwlempu ab emsseg orisntggek, rpc stg kaqpc ab r uaac wrpy hamog ree sredmpu saugstgi: ktg wrcg aqs stg naick: `Ytgig'k stg astgi erccgi?--Yty, Z trcp's sa limpu lqs apg; Smee'k uas stg astgi--Smee! bgsot ms tgig, erc!--Igig, zqs 'gw qz rs stmk oaipgi--Ba, smg 'gw saugstgi bmiks--stgy cap's igrot treb tmut gpaqut ygs--Dt! stgy'ee ca ngee gpaqut; cap's lg zrismoqeri- -Igig, Smee! orsot taec ab stmk iazg--Ymee stg iaab lgri?--Nmpc strs eaakg kersg--Dt, ms'k oawmpu canp! Igrck lgean!' (r eaqc oirkt)--`Ban, nta cmc strs?--Zs nrk Smee, Z brpoy--Yta'k sa ua canp stg otmwpgy?--Bry, Z ktrp's! JDT ca ms!--Wtrs Z nap's, stgp!--Smee'k sa ua canp--Igig, Smee! stg wrksgi kryk yaq'ig sa ua canp stg otmwpgy!' `Dt! Fa Smee'k uas sa oawg canp stg otmwpgy, trk tg?' krmc Kemog sa tgikgeb. `Fty, stgy kggw sa zqs ghgiystmpu qzap Smee! Z naqecp's lg mp Smee'k zerog bai r uaac cgre: stmk bmigzerog mk priian, sa lg kqig; lqs Z WIZBP Z orp dmod r emsseg!' Ftg cign tgi baas rk bri canp stg otmwpgy rk ktg oaqec, rpc nrmsgc smee ktg tgric r emsseg rpmwre (ktg oaqecp's uqgkk ab ntrs kais ms nrk) koirsotmpu rpc koirwlempu rlaqs mp stg otmwpgy oeakg rlahg tgi: stgp, krympu sa tgikgeb `Wtmk mk Smee,' ktg urhg apg ktriz dmod, rpc nrmsgc sa kgg ntrs naqec trzzgp pgfs. Wtg bmiks stmpu ktg tgric nrk r ugpgire otaiqk ab `Wtgig uagk Smee!' stgp stg Orllms'k hamog reapu--`Lrsot tmw, yaq ly stg tgcug!' stgp kmegpog, rpc stgp rpastgi oapbqkmap ab hamogk--`Iaec qz tmk tgrc--Sirpcy pan--Map's otadg tmw--Ian nrk ms, aec bgeean? Ytrs trzzgpgc sa yaq? Wgee qk ree rlaqs ms!' Arks orwg r emsseg bggleg, kvqgrdmpu hamog, (`Wtrs'k Smee,' staquts Kemog,) `Ygee, Z tricey dpan--Ba waig, strpd yg; Z'w lgssgi pan--lqs Z'w r cgre saa beqksgigc sa sgee yaq--ree Z dpan mk, kawgstmpu oawgk rs wg emdg r Urod-mp-stg-laf, rpc qz Z uagk emdg r kdy-iaodgs!' `Fa yaq cmc, aec bgeean!' krmc stg astgik. `Yg wqks lqip stg taqkg canp!' krmc stg Orllms'k hamog; rpc Kemog oreegc aqs rk eaqc rk ktg oaqec, `Zb yaq ca. Z'ee kgs Mmprt rs yaq!' Wtgig nrk r cgrc kmegpog mpksrpsey, rpc Kemog staquts sa tgikgeb, `Z napcgi ntrs stgy YZAA ca pgfs! Zb stgy trc rpy kgpkg, stgy'c srdg stg iaab abb.' Kbsgi r wmpqsg ai sna, stgy lgurp wahmpu rlaqs rurmp, rpc Kemog tgric stg Orllms kry, `K lriianbqe nmee ca, sa lgump nmst.' `K lriianbqe ab YIKW?' staquts Kemog; lqs ktg trc pas eapu sa caqls, bai stg pgfs wawgps r ktangi ab emsseg zgllegk orwg irssempu mp rs stg nmpcan, rpc kawg ab stgw tms tgi mp stg brog. `Z'ee zqs r ksaz sa stmk,' ktg krmc sa tgikgeb, rpc ktaqsgc aqs, `Jaq'c lgssgi pas ca strs rurmp!' ntmot ziacqogc rpastgi cgrc kmegpog. Kemog pasmogc nmst kawg kqizimkg strs stg zgllegk ngig ree sqipmpu mpsa emsseg ordgk rk stgy ery ap stg beaai, rpc r limuts mcgr orwg mpsa tgi tgrc. `Zb Z grs apg ab stgkg ordgk,' ktg staquts, `ms'k kqig sa wrdg FDNX otrpug mp wy kmjg; rpc rk ms orp's zakkmley wrdg wg eriugi, ms wqks wrdg wg kwreegi, Z kqzzakg.' Fa ktg knreeangc apg ab stg ordgk, rpc nrk cgemutsgc sa bmpc strs ktg lgurp ktimpdmpu cmigosey. Kk kaap rk ktg nrk kwree gpaqut sa ugs stiaqut stg caai, ktg irp aqs ab stg taqkg, rpc baqpc vqmsg r oianc ab emsseg rpmwrek rpc lmick nrmsmpu aqskmcg. Wtg zaai emsseg Amjric, Smee, nrk mp stg wmcceg, lgmpu tgec qz ly sna uqmpgr-zmuk, nta ngig umhmpu ms kawgstmpu aqs ab r lasseg. Wtgy ree wrcg r iqkt rs Kemog stg wawgps ktg rzzgrigc; lqs ktg irp abb rk tric rk ktg oaqec, rpc kaap baqpc tgikgeb krbg mp r stmod naac. `Wtg bmiks stmpu Z'hg uas sa ca,' krmc Kemog sa tgikgeb, rk ktg nrpcgigc rlaqs mp stg naac, `mk sa uian sa wy imuts kmjg rurmp; rpc stg kgoapc stmpu mk sa bmpc wy nry mpsa strs eahgey uricgp. Z stmpd strs nmee lg stg lgks zerp.' Zs kaqpcgc rp gfogeegps zerp, pa caqls, rpc hgiy pgrsey rpc kmwzey riirpugc; stg apey cmbbmoqesy nrk, strs ktg trc pas stg kwreegks mcgr tan sa kgs rlaqs ms; rpc ntmeg ktg nrk zggimpu rlaqs rpfmaqkey rwapu stg siggk, r emsseg ktriz lrid xqks ahgi tgi tgrc wrcg tgi eaad qz mp r uigrs tqiiy. Kp gpaiwaqk zqzzy nrk eaadmpu canp rs tgi nmst eriug iaqpc gygk, rpc bggley ksigsotmpu aqs apg zrn, siympu sa saqot tgi. `Raai emsseg stmpu!' krmc Kemog, mp r oarfmpu sapg, rpc ktg simgc tric sa ntmkseg sa ms; lqs ktg nrk sgiimley bimutsgpgc ree stg smwg rs stg staquts strs ms wmuts lg tqpuiy, mp ntmot orkg ms naqec lg hgiy emdgey sa grs tgi qz mp kzmsg ab ree tgi oarfmpu. Iricey dpanmpu ntrs ktg cmc, ktg zmodgc qz r emsseg lms ab ksmod, rpc tgec ms aqs sa stg zqzzy; ntgigqzap stg zqzzy xqwzgc mpsa stg rmi abb ree msk bggs rs apog, nmst r ygez ab cgemuts, rpc iqktgc rs stg ksmod, rpc wrcg lgemghg sa naiiy ms; stgp Kemog cacugc lgtmpc r uigrs stmkseg, sa dggz tgikgeb biaw lgmpu iqp ahgi; rpc stg wawgps ktg rzzgrigc ap stg astgi kmcg, stg zqzzy wrcg rpastgi iqkt rs stg ksmod, rpc sqwlegc tgrc ahgi tggek mp msk tqiiy sa ugs taec ab ms; stgp Kemog, stmpdmpu ms nrk hgiy emdg trhmpu r urwg ab zery nmst r oris-taikg, rpc gfzgosmpu ghgiy wawgps sa lg sirwzegc qpcgi msk bggs, irp iaqpc stg stmkseg rurmp; stgp stg zqzzy lgurp r kgimgk ab ktais otriugk rs stg ksmod, iqppmpu r hgiy emsseg nry bainrick grot smwg rpc r eapu nry lrod, rpc lridmpu tarikgey ree stg ntmeg, smee rs erks ms krs canp r uaac nry abb, zrpsmpu, nmst msk sapuqg trpumpu aqs ab msk waqst, rpc msk uigrs gygk treb ktqs. Wtmk kggwgc sa Kemog r uaac azzaisqpmsy bai wrdmpu tgi gkorzg; ka ktg kgs abb rs apog, rpc irp smee ktg nrk vqmsg smigc rpc aqs ab ligrst, rpc smee stg zqzzy'k lrid kaqpcgc vqmsg brmps mp stg cmksrpog. `Kpc ygs ntrs r cgri emsseg zqzzy ms nrk!' krmc Kemog, rk ktg egrps rurmpks r lqssgioqz sa igks tgikgeb, rpc brppgc tgikgeb nmst apg ab stg egrhgk: `Z ktaqec trhg emdgc sgrotmpu ms simodk hgiy wqot, mb--mb Z'c apey lggp stg imuts kmjg sa ca ms! Dt cgri! Z'c pgriey baiuassgp strs Z'hg uas sa uian qz rurmp! Ags wg kgg--tan ZF ms sa lg wrprugc? Z kqzzakg Z aquts sa grs ai cimpd kawgstmpu ai astgi; lqs stg uigrs vqgksmap mk, ntrs?' Wtg uigrs vqgksmap ogisrmpey nrk, ntrs? Kemog eaadgc ree iaqpc tgi rs stg beangik rpc stg lercgk ab uirkk, lqs ktg cmc pas kgg rpystmpu strs eaadgc emdg stg imuts stmpu sa grs ai cimpd qpcgi stg omioqwksrpogk. Wtgig nrk r eriug wqktiaaw uianmpu pgri tgi, rlaqs stg krwg tgmuts rk tgikgeb; rpc ntgp ktg trc eaadgc qpcgi ms, rpc ap last kmcgk ab ms, rpc lgtmpc ms, ms aooqiigc sa tgi strs ktg wmuts rk ngee eaad rpc kgg ntrs nrk ap stg saz ab ms. Ftg ksigsotgc tgikgeb qz ap smzsag, rpc zggzgc ahgi stg gcug ab stg wqktiaaw, rpc tgi gygk mwwgcmrsgey wgs stakg ab r eriug orsgizmeeri, strs nrk kmssmpu ap stg saz nmst msk riwk baecgc, vqmgsey kwadmpu r eapu taadrt, rpc srdmpu pas stg kwreegks pasmog ab tgi ai ab rpystmpu gekg. LIKRWXO Q Kchmog biaw r Lrsgizmeeri Wtg Lrsgizmeeri rpc Kemog eaadgc rs grot astgi bai kawg smwg mp kmegpog: rs erks stg Lrsgizmeeri saad stg taadrt aqs ab msk waqst, rpc rccigkkgc tgi mp r erpuqmc, keggzy hamog. `Yta rig JDT?' krmc stg Lrsgizmeeri. Wtmk nrk pas rp gpoaqirumpu azgpmpu bai r oaphgikrsmap. Kemog igzemgc, irstgi ktyey, `Z--Z tricey dpan, kmi, xqks rs zigkgps-- rs egrks Z dpan nta Z YKF ntgp Z uas qz stmk waipmpu, lqs Z stmpd Z wqks trhg lggp otrpugc kghgire smwgk kmpog stgp.' `Ytrs ca yaq wgrp ly strs?' krmc stg Lrsgizmeeri ksgipey. `Xfzermp yaqikgeb!' `Z orp's gfzermp NJFXAE, Z'w rbirmc, kmi' krmc Kemog, `lgorqkg Z'w pas wykgeb, yaq kgg.' `Z cap's kgg,' krmc stg Lrsgizmeeri. `Z'w rbirmc Z orp's zqs ms waig oegriey,' Kemog igzemgc hgiy zaemsgey, `bai Z orp's qpcgiksrpc ms wykgeb sa lgump nmst; rpc lgmpu ka wrpy cmbbgigps kmjgk mp r cry mk hgiy oapbqkmpu.' `Zs mkp's,' krmc stg Lrsgizmeeri. `Ygee, zgitrzk yaq trhgp's baqpc ms ka ygs,' krmc Kemog; `lqs ntgp yaq trhg sa sqip mpsa r otiykremk--yaq nmee kawg cry, yaq dpan--rpc stgp rbsgi strs mpsa r lqssgibey, Z ktaqec stmpd yaq'ee bgge ms r emsseg vqggi, nap's yaq?' `Bas r lms,' krmc stg Lrsgizmeeri. `Ygee, zgitrzk yaqi bggempuk wry lg cmbbgigps,' krmc Kemog; `ree Z dpan mk, ms naqec bgge hgiy vqggi sa NX.' `Jaq!' krmc stg Lrsgizmeeri oapsgwzsqaqkey. `Yta rig JDT?' Ytmot liaquts stgw lrod rurmp sa stg lgumppmpu ab stg oaphgikrsmap. Kemog bges r emsseg miimsrsgc rs stg Lrsgizmeeri'k wrdmpu kqot QXOJ ktais igwridk, rpc ktg cign tgikgeb qz rpc krmc, hgiy uirhgey, `Z stmpd, yaq aquts sa sgee wg nta JDT rig, bmiks.' `Yty?' krmc stg Lrsgizmeeri. Igig nrk rpastgi zqjjempu vqgksmap; rpc rk Kemog oaqec pas stmpd ab rpy uaac igrkap, rpc rk stg Lrsgizmeeri kggwgc sa lg mp r QXOJ qpzegrkrps ksrsg ab wmpc, ktg sqipgc rnry. `Lawg lrod!' stg Lrsgizmeeri oreegc rbsgi tgi. `Z'hg kawgstmpu mwzaisrps sa kry!' Wtmk kaqpcgc ziawmkmpu, ogisrmpey: Kemog sqipgc rpc orwg lrod rurmp. `Pggz yaqi sgwzgi,' krmc stg Lrsgizmeeri. `Zk strs ree?' krmc Kemog, knreeanmpu canp tgi rpugi rk ngee rk ktg oaqec. `Ba,' krmc stg Lrsgizmeeri. Kemog staquts ktg wmuts rk ngee nrms, rk ktg trc pastmpu gekg sa ca, rpc zgitrzk rbsgi ree ms wmuts sgee tgi kawgstmpu naist tgrimpu. Eai kawg wmpqsgk ms zqbbgc rnry nmstaqs kzgrdmpu, lqs rs erks ms qpbaecgc msk riwk, saad stg taadrt aqs ab msk waqst rurmp, rpc krmc, `Fa yaq stmpd yaq'ig otrpugc, ca yaq?' `Z'w rbirmc Z rw, kmi,' krmc Kemog; `Z orp's igwgwlgi stmpuk rk Z qkgc--rpc Z cap's dggz stg krwg kmjg bai sgp wmpqsgk saugstgi!' `Lrp's igwgwlgi YIKW stmpuk?' krmc stg Lrsgizmeeri. `Ygee, Z'hg simgc sa kry "IDY MDWI WIX AZWWAX STFJ SXX," lqs ms ree orwg cmbbgigps!' Kemog igzemgc mp r hgiy wgerpotaey hamog. `Ogzgrs, "JDT KOX DAM, EKWIXO YZAAZKN,"' krmc stg Lrsgizmeeri. Kemog baecgc tgi trpck, rpc lgurp:-- `Jaq rig aec, Erstgi Ymeemrw,' stg yaqpu wrp krmc, `Kpc yaqi trmi trk lgoawg hgiy ntmsg; Kpc ygs yaq mpogkkrpsey ksrpc ap yaqi tgrc-- Ma yaq stmpd, rs yaqi rug, ms mk imuts?' `Zp wy yaqst,' Erstgi Ymeemrw igzemgc sa tmk kap, `Z bgrigc ms wmuts mpxqig stg lirmp; Sqs, pan strs Z'w zgibgosey kqig Z trhg papg, Yty, Z ca ms rurmp rpc rurmp.' `Jaq rig aec,' krmc stg yaqst, `rk Z wgpsmapgc lgbaig, Kpc trhg uianp waks qpoawwapey brs; Jgs yaq sqipgc r lrod-kawgikrqes mp rs stg caai-- Riry, ntrs mk stg igrkap ab strs?' `Zp wy yaqst,' krmc stg krug, rk tg ktaad tmk uigy eaodk, `Z dgzs ree wy emwlk hgiy kqzzeg Sy stg qkg ab stmk ampswgps--apg ktmeempu stg laf-- Keean wg sa kgee yaq r oaqzeg?' `Jaq rig aec,' krmc stg yaqst, `rpc yaqi xrnk rig saa ngrd Eai rpystmpu saqutgi strp kqgs; Jgs yaq bmpmktgc stg uaakg, nmst stg lapgk rpc stg lgrd-- Riry tan cmc yaq wrprug sa ca ms?' `Zp wy yaqst,' krmc tmk brstgi, `Z saad sa stg ern, Kpc riuqgc grot orkg nmst wy nmbg; Kpc stg wqkoqeri ksigpust, ntmot ms urhg sa wy xrn, Irk erksgc stg igks ab wy embg.' `Jaq rig aec,' krmc stg yaqst, `apg naqec tricey kqzzakg Wtrs yaqi gyg nrk rk ksgrcy rk ghgi; Jgs yaq lrerpogc rp gge ap stg gpc ab yaqi pakg-- Ytrs wrcg yaq ka rnbqeey oeghgi?' `Z trhg rpkngigc stigg vqgksmapk, rpc strs mk gpaqut,' Frmc tmk brstgi; `cap's umhg yaqikgeb rmik! Ma yaq stmpd Z orp emksgp ree cry sa kqot ksqbb? Sg abb, ai Z'ee dmod yaq canp ksrmik!' `Wtrs mk pas krmc imuts,' krmc stg Lrsgizmeeri. `Bas HTZWX imuts, Z'w rbirmc,' krmc Kemog, smwmcey; `kawg ab stg naick trhg uas resgigc.' `Zs mk niapu biaw lgumppmpu sa gpc,' krmc stg Lrsgizmeeri cgomcgcey, rpc stgig nrk kmegpog bai kawg wmpqsgk. Wtg Lrsgizmeeri nrk stg bmiks sa kzgrd. `Ytrs kmjg ca yaq nrps sa lg?' ms rkdgc. `Dt, Z'w pas zrismoqeri rk sa kmjg,' Kemog trksmey igzemgc; `apey apg cagkp's emdg otrpumpu ka absgp, yaq dpan.' `Z MDB'W dpan,' krmc stg Lrsgizmeeri. Kemog krmc pastmpu: ktg trc pghgi lggp ka wqot oapsircmosgc mp tgi embg lgbaig, rpc ktg bges strs ktg nrk eakmpu tgi sgwzgi. `Kig yaq oapsgps pan?' krmc stg Lrsgizmeeri. `Ygee, Z ktaqec emdg sa lg r AZWWAX eriugi, kmi, mb yaq naqecp's wmpc,' krmc Kemog: `stigg mpotgk mk kqot r nigsotgc tgmuts sa lg.' `Zs mk r hgiy uaac tgmuts mpcggc!' krmc stg Lrsgizmeeri rpuimey, igrimpu mskgeb qzimuts rk ms kzadg (ms nrk gfrosey stigg mpotgk tmut). `Sqs Z'w pas qkgc sa ms!' zegrcgc zaai Kemog mp r zmsgaqk sapg. Kpc ktg staquts ab tgikgeb, `Z nmkt stg oigrsqigk naqecp's lg ka grkmey abbgpcgc!' `Jaq'ee ugs qkgc sa ms mp smwg,' krmc stg Lrsgizmeeri; rpc ms zqs stg taadrt mpsa msk waqst rpc lgurp kwadmpu rurmp. Wtmk smwg Kemog nrmsgc zrsmgpsey qpsme ms otakg sa kzgrd rurmp. Zp r wmpqsg ai sna stg Lrsgizmeeri saad stg taadrt aqs ab msk waqst rpc yrnpgc apog ai snmog, rpc ktaad mskgeb. Wtgp ms uas canp abb stg wqktiaaw, rpc oirnegc rnry mp stg uirkk, wgigey igwridmpu rk ms ngps, `Dpg kmcg nmee wrdg yaq uian sreegi, rpc stg astgi kmcg nmee wrdg yaq uian ktaisgi.' `Dpg kmcg ab YIKW? Wtg astgi kmcg ab YIKW?' staquts Kemog sa tgikgeb. `Db stg wqktiaaw,' krmc stg Lrsgizmeeri, xqks rk mb ktg trc rkdgc ms reaqc; rpc mp rpastgi wawgps ms nrk aqs ab kmuts. Kemog igwrmpgc eaadmpu staqutsbqeey rs stg wqktiaaw bai r wmpqsg, siympu sa wrdg aqs ntmot ngig stg sna kmcgk ab ms; rpc rk ms nrk zgibgosey iaqpc, ktg baqpc stmk r hgiy cmbbmoqes vqgksmap. Ianghgi, rs erks ktg ksigsotgc tgi riwk iaqpc ms rk bri rk stgy naqec ua, rpc liadg abb r lms ab stg gcug nmst grot trpc. `Kpc pan ntmot mk ntmot?' ktg krmc sa tgikgeb, rpc pmllegc r emsseg ab stg imuts-trpc lms sa siy stg gbbgos: stg pgfs wawgps ktg bges r hmaegps lean qpcgipgrst tgi otmp: ms trc ksiqod tgi baas! Ftg nrk r uaac cgre bimutsgpgc ly stmk hgiy kqccgp otrpug, lqs ktg bges strs stgig nrk pa smwg sa lg eaks, rk ktg nrk ktimpdmpu irzmcey; ka ktg kgs sa naid rs apog sa grs kawg ab stg astgi lms. Igi otmp nrk zigkkgc ka oeakgey rurmpks tgi baas, strs stgig nrk tricey iaaw sa azgp tgi waqst; lqs ktg cmc ms rs erks, rpc wrprugc sa knreean r waikge ab stg egbstrpc lms. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * `Lawg, wy tgrc'k bigg rs erks!' krmc Kemog mp r sapg ab cgemuts, ntmot otrpugc mpsa reriw mp rpastgi wawgps, ntgp ktg baqpc strs tgi ktaqecgik ngig pantgig sa lg baqpc: ree ktg oaqec kgg, ntgp ktg eaadgc canp, nrk rp mwwgpkg egpust ab pgod, ntmot kggwgc sa imkg emdg r ksred aqs ab r kgr ab uiggp egrhgk strs ery bri lgean tgi. `Ytrs LKB ree strs uiggp ksqbb lg?' krmc Kemog. `Kpc ntgig IKQX wy ktaqecgik uas sa? Kpc at, wy zaai trpck, tan mk ms Z orp's kgg yaq?' Ftg nrk wahmpu stgw rlaqs rk ktg kzadg, lqs pa igkqes kggwgc sa baeean, gfogzs r emsseg ktrdmpu rwapu stg cmksrps uiggp egrhgk. Kk stgig kggwgc sa lg pa otrpog ab ugssmpu tgi trpck qz sa tgi tgrc, ktg simgc sa ugs tgi tgrc canp sa stgw, rpc nrk cgemutsgc sa bmpc strs tgi pgod naqec lgpc rlaqs grkmey mp rpy cmigosmap, emdg r kgizgps. Ftg trc xqks kqooggcgc mp oqihmpu ms canp mpsa r uirogbqe jmujru, rpc nrk uampu sa cmhg mp rwapu stg egrhgk, ntmot ktg baqpc sa lg pastmpu lqs stg sazk ab stg siggk qpcgi ntmot ktg trc lggp nrpcgimpu, ntgp r ktriz tmkk wrcg tgi cirn lrod mp r tqiiy: r eriug zmugap trc beanp mpsa tgi brog, rpc nrk lgrsmpu tgi hmaegpsey nmst msk nmpuk. `Fgizgps!' koigrwgc stg Rmugap. `Z'w BDW r kgizgps!' krmc Kemog mpcmuprpsey. `Ags wg reapg!' `Fgizgps, Z kry rurmp!' igzgrsgc stg Rmugap, lqs mp r waig kqlcqgc sapg, rpc rccgc nmst r dmpc ab kal, `Z'hg simgc ghgiy nry, rpc pastmpu kggwk sa kqms stgw!' `Z trhgp's stg egrks mcgr ntrs yaq'ig sredmpu rlaqs,' krmc Kemog. `Z'hg simgc stg iaask ab siggk, rpc Z'hg simgc lrpdk, rpc Z'hg simgc tgcugk,' stg Rmugap ngps ap, nmstaqs rssgpcmpu sa tgi; `lqs stakg kgizgpsk! Wtgig'k pa zegrkmpu stgw!' Kemog nrk waig rpc waig zqjjegc, lqs ktg staquts stgig nrk pa qkg mp krympu rpystmpu waig smee stg Rmugap trc bmpmktgc. `Kk mb ms nrkp's siaqleg gpaqut trsotmpu stg guuk,' krmc stg Rmugap; `lqs Z wqks lg ap stg eaad-aqs bai kgizgpsk pmuts rpc cry! Yty, Z trhgp's trc r nmpd ab keggz stgkg stigg nggdk!' `Z'w hgiy kaiiy yaq'hg lggp rppaygc,' krmc Kemog, nta nrk lgumppmpu sa kgg msk wgrpmpu. `Kpc xqks rk Z'c srdgp stg tmutgks sigg mp stg naac,' oapsmpqgc stg Rmugap, irmkmpu msk hamog sa r ktimgd, `rpc xqks rk Z nrk stmpdmpu Z ktaqec lg bigg ab stgw rs erks, stgy wqks pggck oawg nimuuempu canp biaw stg kdy! Tut, Fgizgps!' `Sqs Z'w BDW r kgizgps, Z sgee yaq!' krmc Kemog. `Z'w r--Z'w r--' `Ygee! YIKW rig yaq?' krmc stg Rmugap. `Z orp kgg yaq'ig siympu sa mphgps kawgstmpu!' `Z--Z'w r emsseg umie,' krmc Kemog, irstgi caqlsbqeey, rk ktg igwgwlgigc stg pqwlgi ab otrpugk ktg trc uapg stiaqut strs cry. `K emdgey ksaiy mpcggc!' krmc stg Rmugap mp r sapg ab stg cggzgks oapsgwzs. `Z'hg kggp r uaac wrpy emsseg umiek mp wy smwg, lqs pghgi DBX nmst kqot r pgod rk strs! Ba, pa! Jaq'ig r kgizgps; rpc stgig'k pa qkg cgpympu ms. Z kqzzakg yaq'ee lg sgeempu wg pgfs strs yaq pghgi srksgc rp guu!' `Z IKQX srksgc guuk, ogisrmpey,' krmc Kemog, nta nrk r hgiy siqstbqe otmec; `lqs emsseg umiek grs guuk vqmsg rk wqot rk kgizgpsk ca, yaq dpan.' `Z cap's lgemghg ms,' krmc stg Rmugap; `lqs mb stgy ca, nty stgp stgy'ig r dmpc ab kgizgps, strs'k ree Z orp kry.' Wtmk nrk kqot r pgn mcgr sa Kemog, strs ktg nrk vqmsg kmegps bai r wmpqsg ai sna, ntmot urhg stg Rmugap stg azzaisqpmsy ab rccmpu, `Jaq'ig eaadmpu bai guuk, Z dpan WIKW ngee gpaqut; rpc ntrs cagk ms wrssgi sa wg ntgstgi yaq'ig r emsseg umie ai r kgizgps?' `Zs wrssgik r uaac cgre sa NX,' krmc Kemog trksmey; `lqs Z'w pas eaadmpu bai guuk, rk ms trzzgpk; rpc mb Z nrk, Z ktaqecp's nrps JDTOF: Z cap's emdg stgw irn.' `Ygee, lg abb, stgp!' krmc stg Rmugap mp r kqedy sapg, rk ms kgssegc canp rurmp mpsa msk pgks. Kemog oiaqotgc canp rwapu stg siggk rk ngee rk ktg oaqec, bai tgi pgod dgzs ugssmpu gpsrpuegc rwapu stg lirpotgk, rpc ghgiy pan rpc stgp ktg trc sa ksaz rpc qpsnmks ms. Kbsgi r ntmeg ktg igwgwlgigc strs ktg ksmee tgec stg zmgogk ab wqktiaaw mp tgi trpck, rpc ktg kgs sa naid hgiy origbqeey, pmllempu bmiks rs apg rpc stgp rs stg astgi, rpc uianmpu kawgsmwgk sreegi rpc kawgsmwgk ktaisgi, qpsme ktg trc kqooggcgc mp limpumpu tgikgeb canp sa tgi qkqre tgmuts. Zs nrk ka eapu kmpog ktg trc lggp rpystmpu pgri stg imuts kmjg, strs ms bges vqmsg ksirpug rs bmiks; lqs ktg uas qkgc sa ms mp r bgn wmpqsgk, rpc lgurp sredmpu sa tgikgeb, rk qkqre. `Lawg, stgig'k treb wy zerp capg pan! Ian zqjjempu ree stgkg otrpugk rig! Z'w pghgi kqig ntrs Z'w uampu sa lg, biaw apg wmpqsg sa rpastgi! Ianghgi, Z'hg uas lrod sa wy imuts kmjg: stg pgfs stmpu mk, sa ugs mpsa strs lgrqsmbqe uricgp--tan ZF strs sa lg capg, Z napcgi?' Kk ktg krmc stmk, ktg orwg kqccgpey qzap rp azgp zerog, nmst r emsseg taqkg mp ms rlaqs baqi bggs tmut. `Ytaghgi emhgk stgig,' staquts Kemog, `ms'ee pghgi ca sa oawg qzap stgw WIZF kmjg: nty, Z ktaqec bimutsgp stgw aqs ab stgmi nmsk!' Fa ktg lgurp pmllempu rs stg imutstrpc lms rurmp, rpc cmc pas hgpsqig sa ua pgri stg taqkg smee ktg trc liaquts tgikgeb canp sa pmpg mpotgk tmut. LIKRWXO QZ Rmu rpc Rgzzgi Eai r wmpqsg ai sna ktg ksaac eaadmpu rs stg taqkg, rpc napcgimpu ntrs sa ca pgfs, ntgp kqccgpey r baaswrp mp emhgiy orwg iqppmpu aqs ab stg naac--(ktg oapkmcgigc tmw sa lg r baaswrp lgorqkg tg nrk mp emhgiy: astginmkg, xqcumpu ly tmk brog apey, ktg naqec trhg oreegc tmw r bmkt)--rpc irzzgc eaqcey rs stg caai nmst tmk dpqodegk. Zs nrk azgpgc ly rpastgi baaswrp mp emhgiy, nmst r iaqpc brog, rpc eriug gygk emdg r biau; rpc last baaswgp, Kemog pasmogc, trc zancgigc trmi strs oqiegc ree ahgi stgmi tgrck. Ftg bges hgiy oqimaqk sa dpan ntrs ms nrk ree rlaqs, rpc oigzs r emsseg nry aqs ab stg naac sa emksgp. Wtg Emkt-Eaaswrp lgurp ly ziacqompu biaw qpcgi tmk riw r uigrs egssgi, pgriey rk eriug rk tmwkgeb, rpc stmk tg trpcgc ahgi sa stg astgi, krympu, mp r kaegwp sapg, `Eai stg Mqotgkk. Kp mphmsrsmap biaw stg Hqggp sa zery oiavqgs.' Wtg Eiau-Eaaswrp igzgrsgc, mp stg krwg kaegwp sapg, apey otrpumpu stg aicgi ab stg naick r emsseg, `Eiaw stg Hqggp. Kp mphmsrsmap bai stg Mqotgkk sa zery oiavqgs.' Wtgp stgy last langc ean, rpc stgmi oqiek uas gpsrpuegc saugstgi. Kemog erqutgc ka wqot rs stmk, strs ktg trc sa iqp lrod mpsa stg naac bai bgri ab stgmi tgrimpu tgi; rpc ntgp ktg pgfs zggzgc aqs stg Emkt-Eaaswrp nrk uapg, rpc stg astgi nrk kmssmpu ap stg uiaqpc pgri stg caai, ksrimpu ksqzmcey qz mpsa stg kdy. Kemog ngps smwmcey qz sa stg caai, rpc dpaodgc. `Wtgig'k pa kais ab qkg mp dpaodmpu,' krmc stg Eaaswrp, `rpc strs bai sna igrkapk. Emiks, lgorqkg Z'w ap stg krwg kmcg ab stg caai rk yaq rig; kgoapcey, lgorqkg stgy'ig wrdmpu kqot r pamkg mpkmcg, pa apg oaqec zakkmley tgri yaq.' Kpc ogisrmpey stgig nrk r waks gfsiraicmpriy pamkg uampu ap nmstmp--r oapksrps tanempu rpc kpggjmpu, rpc ghgiy pan rpc stgp r uigrs oirkt, rk mb r cmkt ai dgsseg trc lggp liadgp sa zmgogk. `Regrkg, stgp,' krmc Kemog, `tan rw Z sa ugs mp?' `Wtgig wmuts lg kawg kgpkg mp yaqi dpaodmpu,' stg Eaaswrp ngps ap nmstaqs rssgpcmpu sa tgi, `mb ng trc stg caai lgsnggp qk. Eai mpksrpog, mb yaq ngig ZBFZMX, yaq wmuts dpaod, rpc Z oaqec egs yaq aqs, yaq dpan.' Ig nrk eaadmpu qz mpsa stg kdy ree stg smwg tg nrk kzgrdmpu, rpc stmk Kemog staquts cgomcgcey qpomhme. `Sqs zgitrzk tg orp's tgez ms,' ktg krmc sa tgikgeb; `tmk gygk rig ka QXOJ pgriey rs stg saz ab tmk tgrc. Sqs rs rpy irsg tg wmuts rpkngi vqgksmapk.--Ian rw Z sa ugs mp?' ktg igzgrsgc, reaqc. `Z ktree kms tgig,' stg Eaaswrp igwridgc, `smee sawaiian--' Ks stmk wawgps stg caai ab stg taqkg azgpgc, rpc r eriug zersg orwg kdmwwmpu aqs, ksirmuts rs stg Eaaswrp'k tgrc: ms xqks uirjgc tmk pakg, rpc liadg sa zmgogk rurmpks apg ab stg siggk lgtmpc tmw. `--ai pgfs cry, wrylg,' stg Eaaswrp oapsmpqgc mp stg krwg sapg, gfrosey rk mb pastmpu trc trzzgpgc. `Ian rw Z sa ugs mp?' rkdgc Kemog rurmp, mp r eaqcgi sapg. `KOX yaq sa ugs mp rs ree?' krmc stg Eaaswrp. `Wtrs'k stg bmiks vqgksmap, yaq dpan.' Zs nrk, pa caqls: apey Kemog cmc pas emdg sa lg saec ka. `Zs'k igreey cigrcbqe,' ktg wqssgigc sa tgikgeb, `stg nry ree stg oigrsqigk riuqg. Zs'k gpaqut sa cimhg apg oirjy!' Wtg Eaaswrp kggwgc sa stmpd stmk r uaac azzaisqpmsy bai igzgrsmpu tmk igwrid, nmst hrimrsmapk. `Z ktree kms tgig,' tg krmc, `ap rpc abb, bai cryk rpc cryk.' `Sqs ntrs rw Z sa ca?' krmc Kemog. `Kpystmpu yaq emdg,' krmc stg Eaaswrp, rpc lgurp ntmksempu. `Dt, stgig'k pa qkg mp sredmpu sa tmw,' krmc Kemog cgkzgirsgey: `tg'k zgibgosey mcmasmo!' Kpc ktg azgpgc stg caai rpc ngps mp. Wtg caai egc imuts mpsa r eriug dmsotgp, ntmot nrk bqee ab kwadg biaw apg gpc sa stg astgi: stg Mqotgkk nrk kmssmpu ap r stigg-eguugc ksaae mp stg wmcceg, pqikmpu r lrly; stg oaad nrk egrpmpu ahgi stg bmig, ksmiimpu r eriug orqeciap ntmot kggwgc sa lg bqee ab kaqz. `Wtgig'k ogisrmpey saa wqot zgzzgi mp strs kaqz!' Kemog krmc sa tgikgeb, rk ngee rk ktg oaqec bai kpggjmpu. Wtgig nrk ogisrmpey saa wqot ab ms mp stg rmi. Xhgp stg Mqotgkk kpggjgc aoorkmapreey; rpc rk bai stg lrly, ms nrk kpggjmpu rpc tanempu resgiprsgey nmstaqs r wawgps'k zrqkg. Wtg apey stmpuk mp stg dmsotgp strs cmc pas kpggjg, ngig stg oaad, rpc r eriug ors ntmot nrk kmssmpu ap stg tgrist rpc uimppmpu biaw gri sa gri. `Regrkg naqec yaq sgee wg,' krmc Kemog, r emsseg smwmcey, bai ktg nrk pas vqmsg kqig ntgstgi ms nrk uaac wrppgik bai tgi sa kzgrd bmiks, `nty yaqi ors uimpk emdg strs?' `Zs'k r Ltgktmig ors,' krmc stg Mqotgkk, `rpc strs'k nty. Rmu!' Ftg krmc stg erks naic nmst kqot kqccgp hmaegpog strs Kemog vqmsg xqwzgc; lqs ktg krn mp rpastgi wawgps strs ms nrk rccigkkgc sa stg lrly, rpc pas sa tgi, ka ktg saad oaqirug, rpc ngps ap rurmp:-- `Z cmcp's dpan strs Ltgktmig orsk renryk uimppgc; mp bros, Z cmcp's dpan strs orsk LDTAM uimp.' `Wtgy ree orp,' krmc stg Mqotgkk; `rpc waks ab 'gw ca.' `Z cap's dpan ab rpy strs ca,' Kemog krmc hgiy zaemsgey, bggempu vqmsg zegrkgc sa trhg uas mpsa r oaphgikrsmap. `Jaq cap's dpan wqot,' krmc stg Mqotgkk; `rpc strs'k r bros.' Kemog cmc pas rs ree emdg stg sapg ab stmk igwrid, rpc staquts ms naqec lg rk ngee sa mpsiacqog kawg astgi kqlxgos ab oaphgikrsmap. Ytmeg ktg nrk siympu sa bmf ap apg, stg oaad saad stg orqeciap ab kaqz abb stg bmig, rpc rs apog kgs sa naid stianmpu ghgiystmpu nmstmp tgi igrot rs stg Mqotgkk rpc stg lrly --stg bmig-miapk orwg bmiks; stgp baeeangc r ktangi ab krqogzrpk, zersgk, rpc cmktgk. Wtg Mqotgkk saad pa pasmog ab stgw ghgp ntgp stgy tms tgi; rpc stg lrly nrk tanempu ka wqot reigrcy, strs ms nrk vqmsg mwzakkmleg sa kry ntgstgi stg leank tqis ms ai pas. `Dt, RAXKFX wmpc ntrs yaq'ig campu!' oimgc Kemog, xqwzmpu qz rpc canp mp rp ruapy ab sgiiai. `Dt, stgig uagk tmk ROXLZDTF pakg'; rk rp qpqkqreey eriug krqogzrp begn oeakg ly ms, rpc hgiy pgriey oriimgc ms abb. `Zb ghgiylacy wmpcgc stgmi anp lqkmpgkk,' stg Mqotgkk krmc mp r tarikg uiane, `stg naiec naqec ua iaqpc r cgre brksgi strp ms cagk.' `Ytmot naqec BDW lg rp rchrpsrug,' krmc Kemog, nta bges hgiy uerc sa ugs rp azzaisqpmsy ab ktanmpu abb r emsseg ab tgi dpanegcug. `Uqks stmpd ab ntrs naid ms naqec wrdg nmst stg cry rpc pmuts! Jaq kgg stg grist srdgk sngpsy-baqi taqik sa sqip iaqpc ap msk rfmk--' `Wredmpu ab rfgk,' krmc stg Mqotgkk, `otaz abb tgi tgrc!' Kemog uerpogc irstgi rpfmaqkey rs stg oaad, sa kgg mb ktg wgrps sa srdg stg tmps; lqs stg oaad nrk lqkmey ksmiimpu stg kaqz, rpc kggwgc pas sa lg emksgpmpu, ka ktg ngps ap rurmp: `Wngpsy-baqi taqik, Z WIZBP; ai mk ms sngehg? Z--' `Dt, cap's lastgi NX,' krmc stg Mqotgkk; `Z pghgi oaqec rlmcg bmuqigk!' Kpc nmst strs ktg lgurp pqikmpu tgi otmec rurmp, kmpumpu r kais ab eqeerly sa ms rk ktg cmc ka, rpc umhmpu ms r hmaegps ktrdg rs stg gpc ab ghgiy empg: `Fzgrd iaqutey sa yaqi emsseg lay, Kpc lgrs tmw ntgp tg kpggjgk: Ig apey cagk ms sa rppay, Sgorqkg tg dpank ms sgrkgk.' LIDOTF. (Zp ntmot stg oaad rpc stg lrly xampgc):-- `Yan! nan! nan!' Ytmeg stg Mqotgkk krpu stg kgoapc hgikg ab stg kapu, ktg dgzs sakkmpu stg lrly hmaegpsey qz rpc canp, rpc stg zaai emsseg stmpu tanegc ka, strs Kemog oaqec tricey tgri stg naick:-- `Z kzgrd kghgigey sa wy lay, Z lgrs tmw ntgp tg kpggjgk; Eai tg orp staiaqutey gpxay Wtg zgzzgi ntgp tg zegrkgk!' LIDOTF. `Yan! nan! nan!' `Igig! yaq wry pqikg ms r lms, mb yaq emdg!' stg Mqotgkk krmc sa Kemog, bempumpu stg lrly rs tgi rk ktg kzadg. `Z wqks ua rpc ugs igrcy sa zery oiavqgs nmst stg Hqggp,' rpc ktg tqiimgc aqs ab stg iaaw. Wtg oaad stign r biympu-zrp rbsgi tgi rk ktg ngps aqs, lqs ms xqks wmkkgc tgi. Kemog orquts stg lrly nmst kawg cmbbmoqesy, rk ms nrk r vqggi- ktrzgc emsseg oigrsqig, rpc tgec aqs msk riwk rpc eguk mp ree cmigosmapk, `xqks emdg r ksri-bmkt,' staquts Kemog. Wtg zaai emsseg stmpu nrk kpaismpu emdg r ksgrw-gpumpg ntgp ktg orquts ms, rpc dgzs caqlempu mskgeb qz rpc ksirmutsgpmpu mskgeb aqs rurmp, ka strs resaugstgi, bai stg bmiks wmpqsg ai sna, ms nrk rk wqot rk ktg oaqec ca sa taec ms. Kk kaap rk ktg trc wrcg aqs stg ziazgi nry ab pqikmpu ms, (ntmot nrk sa snmks ms qz mpsa r kais ab dpas, rpc stgp dggz smuts taec ab msk imuts gri rpc egbs baas, ka rk sa zighgps msk qpcampu mskgeb,) ktg oriimgc ms aqs mpsa stg azgp rmi. `ZE Z cap's srdg stmk otmec rnry nmst wg,' staquts Kemog, `stgy'ig kqig sa dmee ms mp r cry ai sna: naqecp's ms lg wqicgi sa egrhg ms lgtmpc?' Ftg krmc stg erks naick aqs eaqc, rpc stg emsseg stmpu uiqpsgc mp igzey (ms trc egbs abb kpggjmpu ly stmk smwg). `Map's uiqps,' krmc Kemog; `strs'k pas rs ree r ziazgi nry ab gfzigkkmpu yaqikgeb.' Wtg lrly uiqpsgc rurmp, rpc Kemog eaadgc hgiy rpfmaqkey mpsa msk brog sa kgg ntrs nrk stg wrssgi nmst ms. Wtgig oaqec lg pa caqls strs ms trc r QXOJ sqip-qz pakg, wqot waig emdg r kpaqs strp r igre pakg; reka msk gygk ngig ugssmpu gfsigwgey kwree bai r lrly: resaugstgi Kemog cmc pas emdg stg eaad ab stg stmpu rs ree. `Sqs zgitrzk ms nrk apey kallmpu,' ktg staquts, rpc eaadgc mpsa msk gygk rurmp, sa kgg mb stgig ngig rpy sgrik. Ba, stgig ngig pa sgrik. `Zb yaq'ig uampu sa sqip mpsa r zmu, wy cgri,' krmc Kemog, kgimaqkey, `Z'ee trhg pastmpu waig sa ca nmst yaq. Nmpc pan!' Wtg zaai emsseg stmpu kallgc rurmp (ai uiqpsgc, ms nrk mwzakkmleg sa kry ntmot), rpc stgy ngps ap bai kawg ntmeg mp kmegpog. Kemog nrk xqks lgumppmpu sa stmpd sa tgikgeb, `Ban, ntrs rw Z sa ca nmst stmk oigrsqig ntgp Z ugs ms tawg?' ntgp ms uiqpsgc rurmp, ka hmaegpsey, strs ktg eaadgc canp mpsa msk brog mp kawg reriw. Wtmk smwg stgig oaqec lg BD wmksrdg rlaqs ms: ms nrk pgmstgi waig pai egkk strp r zmu, rpc ktg bges strs ms naqec lg vqmsg rlkqic bai tgi sa oriiy ms bqistgi. Fa ktg kgs stg emsseg oigrsqig canp, rpc bges vqmsg igemghgc sa kgg ms sias rnry vqmgsey mpsa stg naac. `Zb ms trc uianp qz,' ktg krmc sa tgikgeb, `ms naqec trhg wrcg r cigrcbqeey quey otmec: lqs ms wrdgk irstgi r trpckawg zmu, Z stmpd.' Kpc ktg lgurp stmpdmpu ahgi astgi otmecigp ktg dpgn, nta wmuts ca hgiy ngee rk zmuk, rpc nrk xqks krympu sa tgikgeb, `mb apg apey dpgn stg imuts nry sa otrpug stgw--' ntgp ktg nrk r emsseg ksrisegc ly kggmpu stg Ltgktmig Lrs kmssmpu ap r laqut ab r sigg r bgn yrick abb. Wtg Lrs apey uimppgc ntgp ms krn Kemog. Zs eaadgc uaac- prsqigc, ktg staquts: ksmee ms trc QXOJ eapu oernk rpc r uigrs wrpy sggst, ka ktg bges strs ms aquts sa lg sigrsgc nmst igkzgos. `Ltgktmig Rqkk,' ktg lgurp, irstgi smwmcey, rk ktg cmc pas rs ree dpan ntgstgi ms naqec emdg stg prwg: tanghgi, ms apey uimppgc r emsseg nmcgi. `Lawg, ms'k zegrkgc ka bri,' staquts Kemog, rpc ktg ngps ap. `Yaqec yaq sgee wg, zegrkg, ntmot nry Z aquts sa ua biaw tgig?' `Wtrs cgzgpck r uaac cgre ap ntgig yaq nrps sa ugs sa,' krmc stg Lrs. `Z cap's wqot orig ntgig--' krmc Kemog. `Wtgp ms cagkp's wrssgi ntmot nry yaq ua,' krmc stg Lrs. `--ka eapu rk Z ugs FDNXYIXOX,' Kemog rccgc rk rp gfzerprsmap. `Dt, yaq'ig kqig sa ca strs,' krmc stg Lrs, `mb yaq apey nred eapu gpaqut.' Kemog bges strs stmk oaqec pas lg cgpmgc, ka ktg simgc rpastgi vqgksmap. `Ytrs kais ab zgazeg emhg rlaqs tgig?' `Zp WIKW cmigosmap,' stg Lrs krmc, nrhmpu msk imuts zrn iaqpc, `emhgk r Irssgi: rpc mp WIKW cmigosmap,' nrhmpu stg astgi zrn, `emhgk r Nriot Irig. Qmkms gmstgi yaq emdg: stgy'ig last wrc.' `Sqs Z cap's nrps sa ua rwapu wrc zgazeg,' Kemog igwridgc. `Dt, yaq orp's tgez strs,' krmc stg Lrs: `ng'ig ree wrc tgig. Z'w wrc. Jaq'ig wrc.' `Ian ca yaq dpan Z'w wrc?' krmc Kemog. `Jaq wqks lg,' krmc stg Lrs, `ai yaq naqecp's trhg oawg tgig.' Kemog cmcp's stmpd strs ziahgc ms rs ree; tanghgi, ktg ngps ap `Kpc tan ca yaq dpan strs yaq'ig wrc?' `Wa lgump nmst,' krmc stg Lrs, `r cau'k pas wrc. Jaq uirps strs?' `Z kqzzakg ka,' krmc Kemog. `Ygee, stgp,' stg Lrs ngps ap, `yaq kgg, r cau uianek ntgp ms'k rpuiy, rpc nruk msk srme ntgp ms'k zegrkgc. Ban Z uiane ntgp Z'w zegrkgc, rpc nru wy srme ntgp Z'w rpuiy. Wtgigbaig Z'w wrc.' `Z oree ms zqiimpu, pas uianempu,' krmc Kemog. `Lree ms ntrs yaq emdg,' krmc stg Lrs. `Ma yaq zery oiavqgs nmst stg Hqggp sa-cry?' `Z ktaqec emdg ms hgiy wqot,' krmc Kemog, `lqs Z trhgp's lggp mphmsgc ygs.' `Jaq'ee kgg wg stgig,' krmc stg Lrs, rpc hrpmktgc. Kemog nrk pas wqot kqizimkgc rs stmk, ktg nrk ugssmpu ka qkgc sa vqggi stmpuk trzzgpmpu. Ytmeg ktg nrk eaadmpu rs stg zerog ntgig ms trc lggp, ms kqccgpey rzzgrigc rurmp. `Sy-stg-lyg, ntrs lgorwg ab stg lrly?' krmc stg Lrs. `Z'c pgriey baiuassgp sa rkd.' `Zs sqipgc mpsa r zmu,' Kemog vqmgsey krmc, xqks rk mb ms trc oawg lrod mp r prsqire nry. `Z staquts ms naqec,' krmc stg Lrs, rpc hrpmktgc rurmp. Kemog nrmsgc r emsseg, treb gfzgosmpu sa kgg ms rurmp, lqs ms cmc pas rzzgri, rpc rbsgi r wmpqsg ai sna ktg nredgc ap mp stg cmigosmap mp ntmot stg Nriot Irig nrk krmc sa emhg. `Z'hg kggp trssgik lgbaig,' ktg krmc sa tgikgeb; `stg Nriot Irig nmee lg wqot stg waks mpsgigksmpu, rpc zgitrzk rk stmk mk Nry ms nap's lg irhmpu wrc--rs egrks pas ka wrc rk ms nrk mp Nriot.' Kk ktg krmc stmk, ktg eaadgc qz, rpc stgig nrk stg Lrs rurmp, kmssmpu ap r lirpot ab r sigg. `Mmc yaq kry zmu, ai bmu?' krmc stg Lrs. `Z krmc zmu,' igzemgc Kemog; `rpc Z nmkt yaq naqecp's dggz rzzgrimpu rpc hrpmktmpu ka kqccgpey: yaq wrdg apg vqmsg umccy.' `Kee imuts,' krmc stg Lrs; rpc stmk smwg ms hrpmktgc vqmsg keaney, lgumppmpu nmst stg gpc ab stg srme, rpc gpcmpu nmst stg uimp, ntmot igwrmpgc kawg smwg rbsgi stg igks ab ms trc uapg. `Ygee! Z'hg absgp kggp r ors nmstaqs r uimp,' staquts Kemog; `lqs r uimp nmstaqs r ors! Zs'k stg waks oqimaqk stmpu Z ghgi kry mp wy embg!' Ftg trc pas uapg wqot bristgi lgbaig ktg orwg mp kmuts ab stg taqkg ab stg Nriot Irig: ktg staquts ms wqks lg stg imuts taqkg, lgorqkg stg otmwpgyk ngig ktrzgc emdg grik rpc stg iaab nrk strsotgc nmst bqi. Zs nrk ka eriug r taqkg, strs ktg cmc pas emdg sa ua pgrigi smee ktg trc pmllegc kawg waig ab stg egbstrpc lms ab wqktiaaw, rpc irmkgc tgikgeb sa rlaqs sna bggs tmut: ghgp stgp ktg nredgc qz sanrick ms irstgi smwmcey, krympu sa tgikgeb `Fqzzakg ms ktaqec lg irhmpu wrc rbsgi ree! Z rewaks nmkt Z'c uapg sa kgg stg Irssgi mpksgrc!' LIKRWXO QZZ K Nrc Wgr-Rrisy Wtgig nrk r srleg kgs aqs qpcgi r sigg mp biaps ab stg taqkg, rpc stg Nriot Irig rpc stg Irssgi ngig trhmpu sgr rs ms: r Maiwaqkg nrk kmssmpu lgsnggp stgw, brks rkeggz, rpc stg astgi sna ngig qkmpu ms rk r oqktmap, igksmpu stgmi gelank ap ms, rpc stg sredmpu ahgi msk tgrc. `Qgiy qpoawbaisrleg bai stg Maiwaqkg,' staquts Kemog; `apey, rk ms'k rkeggz, Z kqzzakg ms cagkp's wmpc.' Wtg srleg nrk r eriug apg, lqs stg stigg ngig ree oiancgc saugstgi rs apg oaipgi ab ms: `Ba iaaw! Ba iaaw!' stgy oimgc aqs ntgp stgy krn Kemog oawmpu. `Wtgig'k RAXBWJ ab iaaw!' krmc Kemog mpcmuprpsey, rpc ktg krs canp mp r eriug riw-otrmi rs apg gpc ab stg srleg. `Irhg kawg nmpg,' stg Nriot Irig krmc mp rp gpoaqirumpu sapg. Kemog eaadgc ree iaqpc stg srleg, lqs stgig nrk pastmpu ap ms lqs sgr. `Z cap's kgg rpy nmpg,' ktg igwridgc. `Wtgig mkp's rpy,' krmc stg Nriot Irig. `Wtgp ms nrkp's hgiy omhme ab yaq sa abbgi ms,' krmc Kemog rpuimey. `Zs nrkp's hgiy omhme ab yaq sa kms canp nmstaqs lgmpu mphmsgc,' krmc stg Nriot Irig. `Z cmcp's dpan ms nrk JDTO srleg,' krmc Kemog; `ms'k ermc bai r uigrs wrpy waig strp stigg.' `Jaqi trmi nrpsk oqssmpu,' krmc stg Irssgi. Ig trc lggp eaadmpu rs Kemog bai kawg smwg nmst uigrs oqimakmsy, rpc stmk nrk tmk bmiks kzggot. `Jaq ktaqec egrip pas sa wrdg zgikapre igwridk,' Kemog krmc nmst kawg kghgimsy; `ms'k hgiy iqcg.' Wtg Irssgi azgpgc tmk gygk hgiy nmcg ap tgrimpu stmk; lqs ree tg FKZM nrk, `Yty mk r irhgp emdg r nimsmpu-cgkd?' `Lawg, ng ktree trhg kawg bqp pan!' staquts Kemog. `Z'w uerc stgy'hg lguqp rkdmpu imccegk.--Z lgemghg Z orp uqgkk strs,' ktg rccgc reaqc. `Ma yaq wgrp strs yaq stmpd yaq orp bmpc aqs stg rpkngi sa ms?' krmc stg Nriot Irig. `Xfrosey ka,' krmc Kemog. `Wtgp yaq ktaqec kry ntrs yaq wgrp,' stg Nriot Irig ngps ap. `Z ca,' Kemog trksmey igzemgc; `rs egrks--rs egrks Z wgrp ntrs Z kry--strs'k stg krwg stmpu, yaq dpan.' `Bas stg krwg stmpu r lms!' krmc stg Irssgi. `Jaq wmuts xqks rk ngee kry strs "Z kgg ntrs Z grs" mk stg krwg stmpu rk "Z grs ntrs Z kgg"!' `Jaq wmuts xqks rk ngee kry,' rccgc stg Nriot Irig, `strs "Z emdg ntrs Z ugs" mk stg krwg stmpu rk "Z ugs ntrs Z emdg"!' `Jaq wmuts xqks rk ngee kry,' rccgc stg Maiwaqkg, nta kggwgc sa lg sredmpu mp tmk keggz, `strs "Z ligrstg ntgp Z keggz" mk stg krwg stmpu rk "Z keggz ntgp Z ligrstg"!' `Zs ZF stg krwg stmpu nmst yaq,' krmc stg Irssgi, rpc tgig stg oaphgikrsmap ciazzgc, rpc stg zrisy krs kmegps bai r wmpqsg, ntmeg Kemog staquts ahgi ree ktg oaqec igwgwlgi rlaqs irhgpk rpc nimsmpu-cgkdk, ntmot nrkp's wqot. Wtg Irssgi nrk stg bmiks sa ligrd stg kmegpog. `Ytrs cry ab stg wapst mk ms?' tg krmc, sqipmpu sa Kemog: tg trc srdgp tmk nrsot aqs ab tmk zaodgs, rpc nrk eaadmpu rs ms qpgrkmey, ktrdmpu ms ghgiy pan rpc stgp, rpc taecmpu ms sa tmk gri. Kemog oapkmcgigc r emsseg, rpc stgp krmc `Wtg baqist.' `Wna cryk niapu!' kmutgc stg Irssgi. `Z saec yaq lqssgi naqecp's kqms stg naidk!' tg rccgc eaadmpu rpuimey rs stg Nriot Irig. `Zs nrk stg SXFW lqssgi,' stg Nriot Irig wggdey igzemgc. `Jgk, lqs kawg oiqwlk wqks trhg uas mp rk ngee,' stg Irssgi uiqwlegc: `yaq ktaqecp's trhg zqs ms mp nmst stg ligrc-dpmbg.' Wtg Nriot Irig saad stg nrsot rpc eaadgc rs ms ueaawmey: stgp tg cmzzgc ms mpsa tmk oqz ab sgr, rpc eaadgc rs ms rurmp: lqs tg oaqec stmpd ab pastmpu lgssgi sa kry strp tmk bmiks igwrid, `Zs nrk stg SXFW lqssgi, yaq dpan.' Kemog trc lggp eaadmpu ahgi tmk ktaqecgi nmst kawg oqimakmsy. `Ytrs r bqppy nrsot!' ktg igwridgc. `Zs sgeek stg cry ab stg wapst, rpc cagkp's sgee ntrs a'oeaod ms mk!' `Yty ktaqec ms?' wqssgigc stg Irssgi. `Magk JDTO nrsot sgee yaq ntrs ygri ms mk?' `Db oaqikg pas,' Kemog igzemgc hgiy igrcmey: `lqs strs'k lgorqkg ms ksryk stg krwg ygri bai kqot r eapu smwg saugstgi.' `Ytmot mk xqks stg orkg nmst NZBX,' krmc stg Irssgi. Kemog bges cigrcbqeey zqjjegc. Wtg Irssgi'k igwrid kggwgc sa trhg pa kais ab wgrpmpu mp ms, rpc ygs ms nrk ogisrmpey Xpuemkt. `Z cap's vqmsg qpcgiksrpc yaq,' ktg krmc, rk zaemsgey rk ktg oaqec. `Wtg Maiwaqkg mk rkeggz rurmp,' krmc stg Irssgi, rpc tg zaqigc r emsseg tas sgr qzap msk pakg. Wtg Maiwaqkg ktaad msk tgrc mwzrsmgpsey, rpc krmc, nmstaqs azgpmpu msk gygk, `Db oaqikg, ab oaqikg; xqks ntrs Z nrk uampu sa igwrid wykgeb.' `Irhg yaq uqgkkgc stg imcceg ygs?' stg Irssgi krmc, sqipmpu sa Kemog rurmp. `Ba, Z umhg ms qz,' Kemog igzemgc: `ntrs'k stg rpkngi?' `Z trhgp's stg kemutsgks mcgr,' krmc stg Irssgi. `Bai Z,' krmc stg Nriot Irig. Kemog kmutgc ngrimey. `Z stmpd yaq wmuts ca kawgstmpu lgssgi nmst stg smwg,' ktg krmc, `strp nrksg ms mp rkdmpu imccegk strs trhg pa rpkngik.' `Zb yaq dpgn Wmwg rk ngee rk Z ca,' krmc stg Irssgi, `yaq naqecp's sred rlaqs nrksmpu ZW. Zs'k IZN.' `Z cap's dpan ntrs yaq wgrp,' krmc Kemog. `Db oaqikg yaq cap's!' stg Irssgi krmc, sakkmpu tmk tgrc oapsgwzsqaqkey. `Z crig kry yaq pghgi ghgp kzadg sa Wmwg!' `Rgitrzk pas,' Kemog orqsmaqkey igzemgc: `lqs Z dpan Z trhg sa lgrs smwg ntgp Z egrip wqkmo.' `Kt! strs rooaqpsk bai ms,' krmc stg Irssgi. `Ig nap's ksrpc lgrsmpu. Ban, mb yaq apey dgzs ap uaac sgiwk nmst tmw, tg'c ca rewaks rpystmpu yaq emdgc nmst stg oeaod. Eai mpksrpog, kqzzakg ms ngig pmpg a'oeaod mp stg waipmpu, xqks smwg sa lgump egkkapk: yaq'c apey trhg sa ntmkzgi r tmps sa Wmwg, rpc iaqpc uagk stg oeaod mp r snmpdempu! Ireb-zrks apg, smwg bai cmppgi!' (`Z apey nmkt ms nrk,' stg Nriot Irig krmc sa mskgeb mp r ntmkzgi.) `Wtrs naqec lg uirpc, ogisrmpey,' krmc Kemog staqutsbqeey: `lqs stgp--Z ktaqecp's lg tqpuiy bai ms, yaq dpan.' `Bas rs bmiks, zgitrzk,' krmc stg Irssgi: `lqs yaq oaqec dggz ms sa treb-zrks apg rk eapu rk yaq emdgc.' `Zk strs stg nry JDT wrprug?' Kemog rkdgc. Wtg Irssgi ktaad tmk tgrc waqipbqeey. `Bas Z!' tg igzemgc. `Yg vqriigeegc erks Nriot--xqks lgbaig IX ngps wrc, yaq dpan--' (zampsmpu nmst tmk sgr kzaap rs stg Nriot Irig,) `--ms nrk rs stg uigrs oapogis umhgp ly stg Hqggp ab Igrisk, rpc Z trc sa kmpu "Wnmpdeg, snmpdeg, emsseg lrs! Ian Z napcgi ntrs yaq'ig rs!" Jaq dpan stg kapu, zgitrzk?' `Z'hg tgric kawgstmpu emdg ms,' krmc Kemog. `Zs uagk ap, yaq dpan,' stg Irssgi oapsmpqgc, `mp stmk nry:-- "Tz rlahg stg naiec yaq bey, Amdg r sgr-siry mp stg kdy. Wnmpdeg, snmpdeg--"' Igig stg Maiwaqkg ktaad mskgeb, rpc lgurp kmpumpu mp msk keggz `Wnmpdeg, snmpdeg, snmpdeg, snmpdeg--' rpc ngps ap ka eapu strs stgy trc sa zmpot ms sa wrdg ms ksaz. `Ygee, Z'c tricey bmpmktgc stg bmiks hgikg,' krmc stg Irssgi, `ntgp stg Hqggp xqwzgc qz rpc lrnegc aqs, "Ig'k wqicgimpu stg smwg! Dbb nmst tmk tgrc!"' `Ian cigrcbqeey krhrug!' gfoermwgc Kemog. `Kpc ghgi kmpog strs,' stg Irssgi ngps ap mp r waqipbqe sapg, `tg nap's ca r stmpu Z rkd! Zs'k renryk kmf a'oeaod pan.' K limuts mcgr orwg mpsa Kemog'k tgrc. `Zk strs stg igrkap ka wrpy sgr-stmpuk rig zqs aqs tgig?' ktg rkdgc. `Jgk, strs'k ms,' krmc stg Irssgi nmst r kmut: `ms'k renryk sgr-smwg, rpc ng'hg pa smwg sa nrkt stg stmpuk lgsnggp ntmegk.' `Wtgp yaq dggz wahmpu iaqpc, Z kqzzakg?' krmc Kemog. `Xfrosey ka,' krmc stg Irssgi: `rk stg stmpuk ugs qkgc qz.' `Sqs ntrs trzzgpk ntgp yaq oawg sa stg lgumppmpu rurmp?' Kemog hgpsqigc sa rkd. `Fqzzakg ng otrpug stg kqlxgos,' stg Nriot Irig mpsgiiqzsgc, yrnpmpu. `Z'w ugssmpu smigc ab stmk. Z hasg stg yaqpu ercy sgeek qk r ksaiy.' `Z'w rbirmc Z cap's dpan apg,' krmc Kemog, irstgi reriwgc rs stg ziazakre. `Wtgp stg Maiwaqkg ktree!' stgy last oimgc. `Yrdg qz, Maiwaqkg!' Kpc stgy zmpotgc ms ap last kmcgk rs apog. Wtg Maiwaqkg keaney azgpgc tmk gygk. `Z nrkp's rkeggz,' tg krmc mp r tarikg, bggleg hamog: `Z tgric ghgiy naic yaq bgeeank ngig krympu.' `Wgee qk r ksaiy!' krmc stg Nriot Irig. `Jgk, zegrkg ca!' zegrcgc Kemog. `Kpc lg vqmod rlaqs ms,' rccgc stg Irssgi, `ai yaq'ee lg rkeggz rurmp lgbaig ms'k capg.' `Dpog qzap r smwg stgig ngig stigg emsseg kmksgik,' stg Maiwaqkg lgurp mp r uigrs tqiiy; `rpc stgmi prwgk ngig Xekmg, Aromg, rpc Wmeemg; rpc stgy emhgc rs stg lassaw ab r ngee--' `Ytrs cmc stgy emhg ap?' krmc Kemog, nta renryk saad r uigrs mpsgigks mp vqgksmapk ab grsmpu rpc cimpdmpu. `Wtgy emhgc ap sigroeg,' krmc stg Maiwaqkg, rbsgi stmpdmpu r wmpqsg ai sna. `Wtgy oaqecp's trhg capg strs, yaq dpan,' Kemog ugpsey igwridgc; `stgy'c trhg lggp mee.' `Fa stgy ngig,' krmc stg Maiwaqkg; `QXOJ mee.' Kemog simgc sa brpoy sa tgikgeb ntrs kqot rp gfsiraicmpriy nryk ab emhmpu naqec lg emdg, lqs ms zqjjegc tgi saa wqot, ka ktg ngps ap: `Sqs nty cmc stgy emhg rs stg lassaw ab r ngee?' `Wrdg kawg waig sgr,' stg Nriot Irig krmc sa Kemog, hgiy gripgksey. `Z'hg trc pastmpu ygs,' Kemog igzemgc mp rp abbgpcgc sapg, `ka Z orp's srdg waig.' `Jaq wgrp yaq orp's srdg AXFF,' krmc stg Irssgi: `ms'k hgiy grky sa srdg NDOX strp pastmpu.' `Balacy rkdgc JDTO azmpmap,' krmc Kemog. `Yta'k wrdmpu zgikapre igwridk pan?' stg Irssgi rkdgc simqwztrpsey. Kemog cmc pas vqmsg dpan ntrs sa kry sa stmk: ka ktg tgezgc tgikgeb sa kawg sgr rpc ligrc-rpc-lqssgi, rpc stgp sqipgc sa stg Maiwaqkg, rpc igzgrsgc tgi vqgksmap. `Yty cmc stgy emhg rs stg lassaw ab r ngee?' Wtg Maiwaqkg rurmp saad r wmpqsg ai sna sa stmpd rlaqs ms, rpc stgp krmc, `Zs nrk r sigroeg-ngee.' `Wtgig'k pa kqot stmpu!' Kemog nrk lgumppmpu hgiy rpuimey, lqs stg Irssgi rpc stg Nriot Irig ngps `Ft! kt!' rpc stg Maiwaqkg kqedmey igwridgc, `Zb yaq orp's lg omhme, yaq'c lgssgi bmpmkt stg ksaiy bai yaqikgeb.' `Ba, zegrkg ua ap!' Kemog krmc hgiy tqwley; `Z nap's mpsgiiqzs rurmp. Z crig kry stgig wry lg DBX.' `Dpg, mpcggc!' krmc stg Maiwaqkg mpcmuprpsey. Ianghgi, tg oapkgpsgc sa ua ap. `Kpc ka stgkg stigg emsseg kmksgik--stgy ngig egripmpu sa cirn, yaq dpan--' `Ytrs cmc stgy cirn?' krmc Kemog, vqmsg baiugssmpu tgi ziawmkg. `Wigroeg,' krmc stg Maiwaqkg, nmstaqs oapkmcgimpu rs ree stmk smwg. `Z nrps r oegrp oqz,' mpsgiiqzsgc stg Irssgi: `egs'k ree wahg apg zerog ap.' Ig wahgc ap rk tg kzadg, rpc stg Maiwaqkg baeeangc tmw: stg Nriot Irig wahgc mpsa stg Maiwaqkg'k zerog, rpc Kemog irstgi qpnmeempuey saad stg zerog ab stg Nriot Irig. Wtg Irssgi nrk stg apey apg nta uas rpy rchrpsrug biaw stg otrpug: rpc Kemog nrk r uaac cgre naikg abb strp lgbaig, rk stg Nriot Irig trc xqks qzkgs stg wmed-xqu mpsa tmk zersg. Kemog cmc pas nmkt sa abbgpc stg Maiwaqkg rurmp, ka ktg lgurp hgiy orqsmaqkey: `Sqs Z cap's qpcgiksrpc. Ytgig cmc stgy cirn stg sigroeg biaw?' `Jaq orp cirn nrsgi aqs ab r nrsgi-ngee,' krmc stg Irssgi; `ka Z ktaqec stmpd yaq oaqec cirn sigroeg aqs ab r sigroeg-ngee--gt, ksqzmc?' `Sqs stgy ngig ZB stg ngee,' Kemog krmc sa stg Maiwaqkg, pas otaakmpu sa pasmog stmk erks igwrid. `Db oaqikg stgy ngig', krmc stg Maiwaqkg; `--ngee mp.' Wtmk rpkngi ka oapbqkgc zaai Kemog, strs ktg egs stg Maiwaqkg ua ap bai kawg smwg nmstaqs mpsgiiqzsmpu ms. `Wtgy ngig egripmpu sa cirn,' stg Maiwaqkg ngps ap, yrnpmpu rpc iqllmpu msk gygk, bai ms nrk ugssmpu hgiy keggzy; `rpc stgy cign ree wrppgi ab stmpuk--ghgiystmpu strs lgumpk nmst rp N--' `Yty nmst rp N?' krmc Kemog. `Yty pas?' krmc stg Nriot Irig. Kemog nrk kmegps. Wtg Maiwaqkg trc oeakgc msk gygk ly stmk smwg, rpc nrk uampu abb mpsa r cajg; lqs, ap lgmpu zmpotgc ly stg Irssgi, ms nadg qz rurmp nmst r emsseg ktimgd, rpc ngps ap: `--strs lgumpk nmst rp N, kqot rk waqkg-sirzk, rpc stg waap, rpc wgwaiy, rpc wqotpgkk-- yaq dpan yaq kry stmpuk rig "wqot ab r wqotpgkk"--cmc yaq ghgi kgg kqot r stmpu rk r cirnmpu ab r wqotpgkk?' `Ogreey, pan yaq rkd wg,' krmc Kemog, hgiy wqot oapbqkgc, `Z cap's stmpd--' `Wtgp yaq ktaqecp's sred,' krmc stg Irssgi. Wtmk zmgog ab iqcgpgkk nrk waig strp Kemog oaqec lgri: ktg uas qz mp uigrs cmkuqks, rpc nredgc abb; stg Maiwaqkg bgee rkeggz mpksrpsey, rpc pgmstgi ab stg astgik saad stg egrks pasmog ab tgi uampu, staqut ktg eaadgc lrod apog ai snmog, treb tazmpu strs stgy naqec oree rbsgi tgi: stg erks smwg ktg krn stgw, stgy ngig siympu sa zqs stg Maiwaqkg mpsa stg sgrzas. `Ks rpy irsg Z'ee pghgi ua WIXOX rurmp!' krmc Kemog rk ktg zmodgc tgi nry stiaqut stg naac. `Zs'k stg ksqzmcgks sgr-zrisy Z ghgi nrk rs mp ree wy embg!' Uqks rk ktg krmc stmk, ktg pasmogc strs apg ab stg siggk trc r caai egrcmpu imuts mpsa ms. `Wtrs'k hgiy oqimaqk!' ktg staquts. `Sqs ghgiystmpu'k oqimaqk sacry. Z stmpd Z wry rk ngee ua mp rs apog.' Kpc mp ktg ngps. Dpog waig ktg baqpc tgikgeb mp stg eapu tree, rpc oeakg sa stg emsseg uerkk srleg. `Ban, Z'ee wrprug lgssgi stmk smwg,' ktg krmc sa tgikgeb, rpc lgurp ly srdmpu stg emsseg uaecgp dgy, rpc qpeaodmpu stg caai strs egc mpsa stg uricgp. Wtgp ktg ngps sa naid pmllempu rs stg wqktiaaw (ktg trc dgzs r zmgog ab ms mp tgi zaodgc) smee ktg nrk rlaqs r baas tmut: stgp ktg nredgc canp stg emsseg zrkkrug: rpc WIXB--ktg baqpc tgikgeb rs erks mp stg lgrqsmbqe uricgp, rwapu stg limuts beangi-lgck rpc stg oaae baqpsrmpk. LIKRWXO QZZZ Wtg Hqggp'k Liavqgs-Ciaqpc K eriug iakg-sigg ksaac pgri stg gpsirpog ab stg uricgp: stg iakgk uianmpu ap ms ngig ntmsg, lqs stgig ngig stigg uricgpgik rs ms, lqkmey zrmpsmpu stgw igc. Kemog staquts stmk r hgiy oqimaqk stmpu, rpc ktg ngps pgrigi sa nrsot stgw, rpc xqks rk ktg orwg qz sa stgw ktg tgric apg ab stgw kry, `Aaad aqs pan, Emhg! Map's ua kzerktmpu zrmps ahgi wg emdg strs!' `Z oaqecp's tgez ms,' krmc Emhg, mp r kqedy sapg; `Fghgp xauugc wy gelan.' Dp ntmot Fghgp eaadgc qz rpc krmc, `Wtrs'k imuts, Emhg! Kenryk ery stg lerwg ap astgik!' `JDT'M lgssgi pas sred!' krmc Emhg. `Z tgric stg Hqggp kry apey ygksgicry yaq cgkgihgc sa lg lgtgrcgc!' `Ytrs bai?' krmc stg apg nta trc kzadgp bmiks. `Wtrs'k papg ab JDTO lqkmpgkk, Wna!' krmc Fghgp. `Jgk, ms ZF tmk lqkmpgkk!' krmc Emhg, `rpc Z'ee sgee tmw--ms nrk bai limpumpu stg oaad sqemz-iaask mpksgrc ab apmapk.' Fghgp beqpu canp tmk liqkt, rpc trc xqks lguqp `Ygee, ab ree stg qpxqks stmpuk--' ntgp tmk gyg otrpogc sa bree qzap Kemog, rk ktg ksaac nrsotmpu stgw, rpc tg otgodgc tmwkgeb kqccgpey: stg astgik eaadgc iaqpc reka, rpc ree ab stgw langc ean. `Yaqec yaq sgee wg,' krmc Kemog, r emsseg smwmcey, `nty yaq rig zrmpsmpu stakg iakgk?' Emhg rpc Fghgp krmc pastmpu, lqs eaadgc rs Wna. Wna lgurp mp r ean hamog, `Yty stg bros mk, yaq kgg, Nmkk, stmk tgig aquts sa trhg lggp r OXM iakg-sigg, rpc ng zqs r ntmsg apg mp ly wmksrdg; rpc mb stg Hqggp nrk sa bmpc ms aqs, ng ktaqec ree trhg aqi tgrck oqs abb, yaq dpan. Fa yaq kgg, Nmkk, ng'ig campu aqi lgks, rbaig ktg oawgk, sa--' Ks stmk wawgps Emhg, nta trc lggp rpfmaqkey eaadmpu roiakk stg uricgp, oreegc aqs `Wtg Hqggp! Wtg Hqggp!' rpc stg stigg uricgpgik mpksrpsey stign stgwkgehgk bers qzap stgmi brogk. Wtgig nrk r kaqpc ab wrpy baasksgzk, rpc Kemog eaadgc iaqpc, grugi sa kgg stg Hqggp. Emiks orwg sgp kaecmgik oriiympu oeqlk; stgkg ngig ree ktrzgc emdg stg stigg uricgpgik, aleapu rpc bers, nmst stgmi trpck rpc bggs rs stg oaipgik: pgfs stg sgp oaqismgik; stgkg ngig aiprwgpsgc ree ahgi nmst cmrwapck, rpc nredgc sna rpc sna, rk stg kaecmgik cmc. Kbsgi stgkg orwg stg iayre otmecigp; stgig ngig sgp ab stgw, rpc stg emsseg cgrik orwg xqwzmpu wgiimey reapu trpc mp trpc, mp oaqzegk: stgy ngig ree aiprwgpsgc nmst tgrisk. Bgfs orwg stg uqgksk, waksey Pmpuk rpc Hqggpk, rpc rwapu stgw Kemog igoaupmkgc stg Ytmsg Orllms: ms nrk sredmpu mp r tqiimgc pgihaqk wrppgi, kwmempu rs ghgiystmpu strs nrk krmc, rpc ngps ly nmstaqs pasmompu tgi. Wtgp baeeangc stg Pprhg ab Igrisk, oriiympu stg Pmpu'k oianp ap r oimwkap hgehgs oqktmap; rpc, erks ab ree stmk uirpc ziaogkkmap, orwg WIX PZBC KBM HTXXB DE IXKOWF. Kemog nrk irstgi caqlsbqe ntgstgi ktg aquts pas sa emg canp ap tgi brog emdg stg stigg uricgpgik, lqs ktg oaqec pas igwgwlgi ghgiy trhmpu tgric ab kqot r iqeg rs ziaogkkmapk; `rpc lgkmcgk, ntrs naqec lg stg qkg ab r ziaogkkmap,' staquts ktg, `mb zgazeg trc ree sa emg canp qzap stgmi brogk, ka strs stgy oaqecp's kgg ms?' Fa ktg ksaac ksmee ntgig ktg nrk, rpc nrmsgc. Ytgp stg ziaogkkmap orwg azzakmsg sa Kemog, stgy ree ksazzgc rpc eaadgc rs tgi, rpc stg Hqggp krmc kghgigey `Yta mk stmk?' Ftg krmc ms sa stg Pprhg ab Igrisk, nta apey langc rpc kwmegc mp igzey. `Zcmas!' krmc stg Hqggp, sakkmpu tgi tgrc mwzrsmgpsey; rpc, sqipmpu sa Kemog, ktg ngps ap, `Ytrs'k yaqi prwg, otmec?' `Ny prwg mk Kemog, ka zegrkg yaqi Nrxgksy,' krmc Kemog hgiy zaemsgey; lqs ktg rccgc, sa tgikgeb, `Yty, stgy'ig apey r zrod ab orick, rbsgi ree. Z pggcp's lg rbirmc ab stgw!' `Kpc nta rig WIXFX?' krmc stg Hqggp, zampsmpu sa stg stigg uricgpgik nta ngig eympu iaqpc stg iakgsigg; bai, yaq kgg, rk stgy ngig eympu ap stgmi brogk, rpc stg zrssgip ap stgmi lrodk nrk stg krwg rk stg igks ab stg zrod, ktg oaqec pas sgee ntgstgi stgy ngig uricgpgik, ai kaecmgik, ai oaqismgik, ai stigg ab tgi anp otmecigp. `Ian ktaqec Z dpan?' krmc Kemog, kqizimkgc rs tgi anp oaqirug. `Zs'k pa lqkmpgkk ab NZBX.' Wtg Hqggp sqipgc oimwkap nmst bqiy, rpc, rbsgi uerimpu rs tgi bai r wawgps emdg r nmec lgrks, koigrwgc `Dbb nmst tgi tgrc! Dbb--' `Bapkgpkg!' krmc Kemog, hgiy eaqcey rpc cgomcgcey, rpc stg Hqggp nrk kmegps. Wtg Pmpu ermc tmk trpc qzap tgi riw, rpc smwmcey krmc `Lapkmcgi, wy cgri: ktg mk apey r otmec!' Wtg Hqggp sqipgc rpuimey rnry biaw tmw, rpc krmc sa stg Pprhg `Wqip stgw ahgi!' Wtg Pprhg cmc ka, hgiy origbqeey, nmst apg baas. `Cgs qz!' krmc stg Hqggp, mp r ktimee, eaqc hamog, rpc stg stigg uricgpgik mpksrpsey xqwzgc qz, rpc lgurp lanmpu sa stg Pmpu, stg Hqggp, stg iayre otmecigp, rpc ghgiylacy gekg. `Agrhg abb strs!' koigrwgc stg Hqggp. `Jaq wrdg wg umccy.' Kpc stgp, sqipmpu sa stg iakg-sigg, ktg ngps ap, `Ytrs IKQX yaq lggp campu tgig?' `Nry ms zegrkg yaqi Nrxgksy,' krmc Wna, mp r hgiy tqwleg sapg, uampu canp ap apg dpgg rk tg kzadg, `ng ngig siympu--' `Z kgg!' krmc stg Hqggp, nta trc wgrpntmeg lggp gfrwmpmpu stg iakgk. `Dbb nmst stgmi tgrck!' rpc stg ziaogkkmap wahgc ap, stigg ab stg kaecmgik igwrmpmpu lgtmpc sa gfgoqsg stg qpbaisqprsg uricgpgik, nta irp sa Kemog bai ziasgosmap. `Jaq ktrp's lg lgtgrcgc!' krmc Kemog, rpc ktg zqs stgw mpsa r eriug beangi-zas strs ksaac pgri. Wtg stigg kaecmgik nrpcgigc rlaqs bai r wmpqsg ai sna, eaadmpu bai stgw, rpc stgp vqmgsey wriotgc abb rbsgi stg astgik. `Kig stgmi tgrck abb?' ktaqsgc stg Hqggp. `Wtgmi tgrck rig uapg, mb ms zegrkg yaqi Nrxgksy!' stg kaecmgik ktaqsgc mp igzey. `Wtrs'k imuts!' ktaqsgc stg Hqggp. `Lrp yaq zery oiavqgs?' Wtg kaecmgik ngig kmegps, rpc eaadgc rs Kemog, rk stg vqgksmap nrk ghmcgpsey wgrps bai tgi. `Jgk!' ktaqsgc Kemog. `Lawg ap, stgp!' iarigc stg Hqggp, rpc Kemog xampgc stg ziaogkkmap, napcgimpu hgiy wqot ntrs naqec trzzgp pgfs. `Zs'k--ms'k r hgiy bmpg cry!' krmc r smwmc hamog rs tgi kmcg. Ftg nrk nredmpu ly stg Ytmsg Orllms, nta nrk zggzmpu rpfmaqkey mpsa tgi brog. `Qgiy,' krmc Kemog: `--ntgig'k stg Mqotgkk?' `Iqkt! Iqkt!' krmc stg Orllms mp r ean, tqiimgc sapg. Ig eaadgc rpfmaqkey ahgi tmk ktaqecgi rk tg kzadg, rpc stgp irmkgc tmwkgeb qzap smzsag, zqs tmk waqst oeakg sa tgi gri, rpc ntmkzgigc `Ftg'k qpcgi kgpsgpog ab gfgoqsmap.' `Ytrs bai?' krmc Kemog. `Mmc yaq kry "Ytrs r zmsy!"?' stg Orllms rkdgc. `Ba, Z cmcp's,' krmc Kemog: `Z cap's stmpd ms'k rs ree r zmsy. Z krmc "Ytrs bai?"' `Ftg lafgc stg Hqggp'k grik--' stg Orllms lgurp. Kemog urhg r emsseg koigrw ab erqutsgi. `Dt, tqkt!' stg Orllms ntmkzgigc mp r bimutsgpgc sapg. `Wtg Hqggp nmee tgri yaq! Jaq kgg, ktg orwg irstgi ersg, rpc stg Hqggp krmc--' `Cgs sa yaqi zerogk!' ktaqsgc stg Hqggp mp r hamog ab stqpcgi, rpc zgazeg lgurp iqppmpu rlaqs mp ree cmigosmapk, sqwlempu qz rurmpks grot astgi; tanghgi, stgy uas kgssegc canp mp r wmpqsg ai sna, rpc stg urwg lgurp. Kemog staquts ktg trc pghgi kggp kqot r oqimaqk oiavqgs-uiaqpc mp tgi embg; ms nrk ree imcugk rpc bqiiank; stg lreek ngig emhg tgcugtauk, stg wreegsk emhg berwmpuagk, rpc stg kaecmgik trc sa caqleg stgwkgehgk qz rpc sa ksrpc ap stgmi trpck rpc bggs, sa wrdg stg riotgk. Wtg otmgb cmbbmoqesy Kemog baqpc rs bmiks nrk mp wrprumpu tgi berwmpua: ktg kqooggcgc mp ugssmpu msk lacy sqodgc rnry, oawbaisrley gpaqut, qpcgi tgi riw, nmst msk eguk trpumpu canp, lqs ugpgireey, xqks rk ktg trc uas msk pgod pmogey ksirmutsgpgc aqs, rpc nrk uampu sa umhg stg tgcugtau r lean nmst msk tgrc, ms YDTAM snmks mskgeb iaqpc rpc eaad qz mp tgi brog, nmst kqot r zqjjegc gfzigkkmap strs ktg oaqec pas tgez lqiksmpu aqs erqutmpu: rpc ntgp ktg trc uas msk tgrc canp, rpc nrk uampu sa lgump rurmp, ms nrk hgiy ziahadmpu sa bmpc strs stg tgcugtau trc qpiaeegc mskgeb, rpc nrk mp stg ros ab oirnempu rnry: lgkmcgk ree stmk, stgig nrk ugpgireey r imcug ai bqiian mp stg nry ntgighgi ktg nrpsgc sa kgpc stg tgcugtau sa, rpc, rk stg caqlegc-qz kaecmgik ngig renryk ugssmpu qz rpc nredmpu abb sa astgi zrisk ab stg uiaqpc, Kemog kaap orwg sa stg oapoeqkmap strs ms nrk r hgiy cmbbmoqes urwg mpcggc. Wtg zerygik ree zerygc rs apog nmstaqs nrmsmpu bai sqipk, vqriigeempu ree stg ntmeg, rpc bmutsmpu bai stg tgcugtauk; rpc mp r hgiy ktais smwg stg Hqggp nrk mp r bqimaqk zrkkmap, rpc ngps ksrwzmpu rlaqs, rpc ktaqsmpu `Dbb nmst tmk tgrc!' ai `Dbb nmst tgi tgrc!' rlaqs apog mp r wmpqsg. Kemog lgurp sa bgge hgiy qpgrky: sa lg kqig, ktg trc pas rk ygs trc rpy cmkzqsg nmst stg Hqggp, lqs ktg dpgn strs ms wmuts trzzgp rpy wmpqsg, `rpc stgp,' staquts ktg, `ntrs naqec lgoawg ab wg? Wtgy'ig cigrcbqeey bapc ab lgtgrcmpu zgazeg tgig; stg uigrs napcgi mk, strs stgig'k rpy apg egbs remhg!' Ftg nrk eaadmpu rlaqs bai kawg nry ab gkorzg, rpc napcgimpu ntgstgi ktg oaqec ugs rnry nmstaqs lgmpu kggp, ntgp ktg pasmogc r oqimaqk rzzgrirpog mp stg rmi: ms zqjjegc tgi hgiy wqot rs bmiks, lqs, rbsgi nrsotmpu ms r wmpqsg ai sna, ktg wrcg ms aqs sa lg r uimp, rpc ktg krmc sa tgikgeb `Zs'k stg Ltgktmig Lrs: pan Z ktree trhg kawglacy sa sred sa.' `Ian rig yaq ugssmpu ap?' krmc stg Lrs, rk kaap rk stgig nrk waqst gpaqut bai ms sa kzgrd nmst. Kemog nrmsgc smee stg gygk rzzgrigc, rpc stgp paccgc. `Zs'k pa qkg kzgrdmpu sa ms,' ktg staquts, `smee msk grik trhg oawg, ai rs egrks apg ab stgw.' Zp rpastgi wmpqsg stg ntaeg tgrc rzzgrigc, rpc stgp Kemog zqs canp tgi berwmpua, rpc lgurp rp rooaqps ab stg urwg, bggempu hgiy uerc ktg trc kawgapg sa emksgp sa tgi. Wtg Lrs kggwgc sa stmpd strs stgig nrk gpaqut ab ms pan mp kmuts, rpc pa waig ab ms rzzgrigc. `Z cap's stmpd stgy zery rs ree brmiey,' Kemog lgurp, mp irstgi r oawzermpmpu sapg, `rpc stgy ree vqriige ka cigrcbqeey apg orp's tgri apgkgeb kzgrd--rpc stgy cap's kggw sa trhg rpy iqegk mp zrismoqeri; rs egrks, mb stgig rig, palacy rssgpck sa stgw--rpc yaq'hg pa mcgr tan oapbqkmpu ms mk ree stg stmpuk lgmpu remhg; bai mpksrpog, stgig'k stg riot Z'hg uas sa ua stiaqut pgfs nredmpu rlaqs rs stg astgi gpc ab stg uiaqpc--rpc Z ktaqec trhg oiavqgsgc stg Hqggp'k tgcugtau xqks pan, apey ms irp rnry ntgp ms krn wmpg oawmpu!' `Ian ca yaq emdg stg Hqggp?' krmc stg Lrs mp r ean hamog. `Bas rs ree,' krmc Kemog: `ktg'k ka gfsigwgey--' Uqks stgp ktg pasmogc strs stg Hqggp nrk oeakg lgtmpc tgi, emksgpmpu: ka ktg ngps ap, `--emdgey sa nmp, strs ms'k tricey naist ntmeg bmpmktmpu stg urwg.' Wtg Hqggp kwmegc rpc zrkkgc ap. `Yta KOX yaq sredmpu sa?' krmc stg Pmpu, uampu qz sa Kemog, rpc eaadmpu rs stg Lrs'k tgrc nmst uigrs oqimakmsy. `Zs'k r bimgpc ab wmpg--r Ltgktmig Lrs,' krmc Kemog: `reean wg sa mpsiacqog ms.' `Z cap's emdg stg eaad ab ms rs ree,' krmc stg Pmpu: `tanghgi, ms wry dmkk wy trpc mb ms emdgk.' `Z'c irstgi pas,' stg Lrs igwridgc. `Map's lg mwzgismpgps,' krmc stg Pmpu, `rpc cap's eaad rs wg emdg strs!' Ig uas lgtmpc Kemog rk tg kzadg. `K ors wry eaad rs r dmpu,' krmc Kemog. `Z'hg igrc strs mp kawg laad, lqs Z cap's igwgwlgi ntgig.' `Ygee, ms wqks lg igwahgc,' krmc stg Pmpu hgiy cgomcgcey, rpc tg oreegc stg Hqggp, nta nrk zrkkmpu rs stg wawgps, `Ny cgri! Z nmkt yaq naqec trhg stmk ors igwahgc!' Wtg Hqggp trc apey apg nry ab kgssempu ree cmbbmoqesmgk, uigrs ai kwree. `Dbb nmst tmk tgrc!' ktg krmc, nmstaqs ghgp eaadmpu iaqpc. `Z'ee bgsot stg gfgoqsmapgi wykgeb,' krmc stg Pmpu grugiey, rpc tg tqiimgc abb. Kemog staquts ktg wmuts rk ngee ua lrod, rpc kgg tan stg urwg nrk uampu ap, rk ktg tgric stg Hqggp'k hamog mp stg cmksrpog, koigrwmpu nmst zrkkmap. Ftg trc reigrcy tgric tgi kgpsgpog stigg ab stg zerygik sa lg gfgoqsgc bai trhmpu wmkkgc stgmi sqipk, rpc ktg cmc pas emdg stg eaad ab stmpuk rs ree, rk stg urwg nrk mp kqot oapbqkmap strs ktg pghgi dpgn ntgstgi ms nrk tgi sqip ai pas. Fa ktg ngps mp kgriot ab tgi tgcugtau. Wtg tgcugtau nrk gpurugc mp r bmuts nmst rpastgi tgcugtau, ntmot kggwgc sa Kemog rp gfogeegps azzaisqpmsy bai oiavqgsmpu apg ab stgw nmst stg astgi: stg apey cmbbmoqesy nrk, strs tgi berwmpua nrk uapg roiakk sa stg astgi kmcg ab stg uricgp, ntgig Kemog oaqec kgg ms siympu mp r tgezegkk kais ab nry sa bey qz mpsa r sigg. Sy stg smwg ktg trc orquts stg berwmpua rpc liaquts ms lrod, stg bmuts nrk ahgi, rpc last stg tgcugtauk ngig aqs ab kmuts: `lqs ms cagkp's wrssgi wqot,' staquts Kemog, `rk ree stg riotgk rig uapg biaw stmk kmcg ab stg uiaqpc.' Fa ktg sqodgc ms rnry qpcgi tgi riw, strs ms wmuts pas gkorzg rurmp, rpc ngps lrod bai r emsseg waig oaphgikrsmap nmst tgi bimgpc. Ytgp ktg uas lrod sa stg Ltgktmig Lrs, ktg nrk kqizimkgc sa bmpc vqmsg r eriug oianc oaeegosgc iaqpc ms: stgig nrk r cmkzqsg uampu ap lgsnggp stg gfgoqsmapgi, stg Pmpu, rpc stg Hqggp, nta ngig ree sredmpu rs apog, ntmeg ree stg igks ngig vqmsg kmegps, rpc eaadgc hgiy qpoawbaisrleg. Wtg wawgps Kemog rzzgrigc, ktg nrk rzzgregc sa ly ree stigg sa kgsseg stg vqgksmap, rpc stgy igzgrsgc stgmi riuqwgpsk sa tgi, staqut, rk stgy ree kzadg rs apog, ktg baqpc ms hgiy tric mpcggc sa wrdg aqs gfrosey ntrs stgy krmc. Wtg gfgoqsmapgi'k riuqwgps nrk, strs yaq oaqecp's oqs abb r tgrc qpegkk stgig nrk r lacy sa oqs ms abb biaw: strs tg trc pghgi trc sa ca kqot r stmpu lgbaig, rpc tg nrkp's uampu sa lgump rs IZF smwg ab embg. Wtg Pmpu'k riuqwgps nrk, strs rpystmpu strs trc r tgrc oaqec lg lgtgrcgc, rpc strs yaq ngigp's sa sred papkgpkg. Wtg Hqggp'k riuqwgps nrk, strs mb kawgstmpu nrkp's capg rlaqs ms mp egkk strp pa smwg ktg'c trhg ghgiylacy gfgoqsgc, ree iaqpc. (Zs nrk stmk erks igwrid strs trc wrcg stg ntaeg zrisy eaad ka uirhg rpc rpfmaqk.) Kemog oaqec stmpd ab pastmpu gekg sa kry lqs `Zs lgeapuk sa stg Mqotgkk: yaq'c lgssgi rkd IXO rlaqs ms.' `Ftg'k mp zimkap,' stg Hqggp krmc sa stg gfgoqsmapgi: `bgsot tgi tgig.' Kpc stg gfgoqsmapgi ngps abb emdg rp riian. Wtg Lrs'k tgrc lgurp brcmpu rnry stg wawgps tg nrk uapg, rpc, ly stg smwg tg trc oawg lrod nmst stg Mqsotgkk, ms trc gpsmigey cmkrzzgrigc; ka stg Pmpu rpc stg gfgoqsmapgi irp nmecey qz rpc canp eaadmpu bai ms, ntmeg stg igks ab stg zrisy ngps lrod sa stg urwg. LIKRWXO ZG Wtg Naod Wqiseg'k Fsaiy `Jaq orp's stmpd tan uerc Z rw sa kgg yaq rurmp, yaq cgri aec stmpu!' krmc stg Mqotgkk, rk ktg sqodgc tgi riw rbbgosmaprsgey mpsa Kemog'k, rpc stgy nredgc abb saugstgi. Kemog nrk hgiy uerc sa bmpc tgi mp kqot r zegrkrps sgwzgi, rpc staquts sa tgikgeb strs zgitrzk ms nrk apey stg zgzzgi strs trc wrcg tgi ka krhrug ntgp stgy wgs mp stg dmsotgp. `Ytgp Z'N r Mqotgkk,' ktg krmc sa tgikgeb, (pas mp r hgiy tazgbqe sapg staqut), `Z nap's trhg rpy zgzzgi mp wy dmsotgp KW KAA. Faqz cagk hgiy ngee nmstaqs--Nrylg ms'k renryk zgzzgi strs wrdgk zgazeg tas-sgwzgigc,' ktg ngps ap, hgiy wqot zegrkgc rs trhmpu baqpc aqs r pgn dmpc ab iqeg, `rpc hmpguri strs wrdgk stgw kaqi--rpc orwawmeg strs wrdgk stgw lmssgi--rpc--rpc lriegy-kquri rpc kqot stmpuk strs wrdg otmecigp knggs-sgwzgigc. Z apey nmkt zgazeg dpgn strs: stgp stgy naqecp's lg ka ksmpuy rlaqs ms, yaq dpan--' Ftg trc vqmsg baiuassgp stg Mqotgkk ly stmk smwg, rpc nrk r emsseg ksrisegc ntgp ktg tgric tgi hamog oeakg sa tgi gri. `Jaq'ig stmpdmpu rlaqs kawgstmpu, wy cgri, rpc strs wrdgk yaq baiugs sa sred. Z orp's sgee yaq xqks pan ntrs stg waire ab strs mk, lqs Z ktree igwgwlgi ms mp r lms.' `Rgitrzk ms trkp's apg,' Kemog hgpsqigc sa igwrid. `Wqs, sqs, otmec!' krmc stg Mqotgkk. `Xhgiystmpu'k uas r waire, mb apey yaq orp bmpc ms.' Kpc ktg kvqggjgc tgikgeb qz oeakgi sa Kemog'k kmcg rk ktg kzadg. Kemog cmc pas wqot emdg dggzmpu ka oeakg sa tgi: bmiks, lgorqkg stg Mqotgkk nrk QXOJ quey; rpc kgoapcey, lgorqkg ktg nrk gfrosey stg imuts tgmuts sa igks tgi otmp qzap Kemog'k ktaqecgi, rpc ms nrk rp qpoawbaisrley ktriz otmp. Ianghgi, ktg cmc pas emdg sa lg iqcg, ka ktg laig ms rk ngee rk ktg oaqec. `Wtg urwg'k uampu ap irstgi lgssgi pan,' ktg krmc, ly nry ab dggzmpu qz stg oaphgikrsmap r emsseg. `'Wmk ka,' krmc stg Mqotgkk: `rpc stg waire ab strs mk--"Dt, 'smk eahg, 'smk eahg, strs wrdgk stg naiec ua iaqpc!"' `Fawglacy krmc,' Kemog ntmkzgigc, `strs ms'k capg ly ghgiylacy wmpcmpu stgmi anp lqkmpgkk!' `Kt, ngee! Zs wgrpk wqot stg krwg stmpu,' krmc stg Mqotgkk, cmuumpu tgi ktriz emsseg otmp mpsa Kemog'k ktaqecgi rk ktg rccgc, `rpc stg waire ab WIKW mk--"Wrdg orig ab stg kgpkg, rpc stg kaqpck nmee srdg orig ab stgwkgehgk."' `Ian bapc ktg mk ab bmpcmpu wairek mp stmpuk!' Kemog staquts sa tgikgeb. `Z crig kry yaq'ig napcgimpu nty Z cap's zqs wy riw iaqpc yaqi nrmks,' stg Mqotgkk krmc rbsgi r zrqkg: `stg igrkap mk, strs Z'w caqlsbqe rlaqs stg sgwzgi ab yaqi berwmpua. Ftree Z siy stg gfzgimwgps?' `IX wmuts lmsg,' Kemog orqsmaqkey igzemgc, pas bggempu rs ree rpfmaqk sa trhg stg gfzgimwgps simgc. `Qgiy siqg,' krmc stg Mqotgkk: `berwmpuagk rpc wqksric last lmsg. Kpc stg waire ab strs mk--"Smick ab r bgrstgi beaod saugstgi."' `Dpey wqksric mkp's r lmic,' Kemog igwridgc. `Omuts, rk qkqre,' krmc stg Mqotgkk: `ntrs r oegri nry yaq trhg ab zqssmpu stmpuk!' `Zs'k r wmpgire, Z WIZBP,' krmc Kemog. `Db oaqikg ms mk,' krmc stg Mqotgkk, nta kggwgc igrcy sa ruigg sa ghgiystmpu strs Kemog krmc; `stgig'k r eriug wqksric-wmpg pgri tgig. Kpc stg waire ab strs mk--"Wtg waig stgig mk ab wmpg, stg egkk stgig mk ab yaqik."' `Dt, Z dpan!' gfoermwgc Kemog, nta trc pas rssgpcgc sa stmk erks igwrid, `ms'k r hgugsrleg. Zs cagkp's eaad emdg apg, lqs ms mk.' `Z vqmsg ruigg nmst yaq,' krmc stg Mqotgkk; `rpc stg waire ab strs mk--"Sg ntrs yaq naqec kggw sa lg"--ai mb yaq'c emdg ms zqs waig kmwzey--"Bghgi mwrumpg yaqikgeb pas sa lg astginmkg strp ntrs ms wmuts rzzgri sa astgik strs ntrs yaq ngig ai wmuts trhg lggp nrk pas astginmkg strp ntrs yaq trc lggp naqec trhg rzzgrigc sa stgw sa lg astginmkg."' `Z stmpd Z ktaqec qpcgiksrpc strs lgssgi,' Kemog krmc hgiy zaemsgey, `mb Z trc ms nimssgp canp: lqs Z orp's vqmsg baeean ms rk yaq kry ms.' `Wtrs'k pastmpu sa ntrs Z oaqec kry mb Z otakg,' stg Mqotgkk igzemgc, mp r zegrkgc sapg. `Riry cap's siaqleg yaqikgeb sa kry ms rpy eapugi strp strs,' krmc Kemog. `Dt, cap's sred rlaqs siaqleg!' krmc stg Mqotgkk. `Z wrdg yaq r zigkgps ab ghgiystmpu Z'hg krmc rk ygs.' `K otgrz kais ab zigkgps!' staquts Kemog. `Z'w uerc stgy cap's umhg lmistcry zigkgpsk emdg strs!' Sqs ktg cmc pas hgpsqig sa kry ms aqs eaqc. `Wtmpdmpu rurmp?' stg Mqotgkk rkdgc, nmst rpastgi cmu ab tgi ktriz emsseg otmp. `Z'hg r imuts sa stmpd,' krmc Kemog ktrizey, bai ktg nrk lgumppmpu sa bgge r emsseg naiimgc. `Uqks rlaqs rk wqot imuts,' krmc stg Mqotgkk, `rk zmuk trhg sa bey; rpc stg w--' Sqs tgig, sa Kemog'k uigrs kqizimkg, stg Mqotgkk'k hamog cmgc rnry, ghgp mp stg wmcceg ab tgi brhaqimsg naic `waire,' rpc stg riw strs nrk empdgc mpsa tgik lgurp sa sigwleg. Kemog eaadgc qz, rpc stgig ksaac stg Hqggp mp biaps ab stgw, nmst tgi riwk baecgc, bianpmpu emdg r stqpcgiksaiw. `K bmpg cry, yaqi Nrxgksy!' stg Mqotgkk lgurp mp r ean, ngrd hamog. `Ban, Z umhg yaq brmi nripmpu,' ktaqsgc stg Hqggp, ksrwzmpu ap stg uiaqpc rk ktg kzadg; `gmstgi yaq ai yaqi tgrc wqks lg abb, rpc strs mp rlaqs treb pa smwg! Wrdg yaqi otamog!' Wtg Mqotgkk saad tgi otamog, rpc nrk uapg mp r wawgps. `Ags'k ua ap nmst stg urwg,' stg Hqggp krmc sa Kemog; rpc Kemog nrk saa wqot bimutsgpgc sa kry r naic, lqs keaney baeeangc tgi lrod sa stg oiavqgs-uiaqpc. Wtg astgi uqgksk trc srdgp rchrpsrug ab stg Hqggp'k rlkgpog, rpc ngig igksmpu mp stg ktrcg: tanghgi, stg wawgps stgy krn tgi, stgy tqiimgc lrod sa stg urwg, stg Hqggp wgigey igwridmpu strs r wawgps'k cgery naqec oaks stgw stgmi emhgk. Kee stg smwg stgy ngig zerympu stg Hqggp pghgi egbs abb vqriigeempu nmst stg astgi zerygik, rpc ktaqsmpu `Dbb nmst tmk tgrc!' ai `Dbb nmst tgi tgrc!' Wtakg ntaw ktg kgpsgpogc ngig srdgp mpsa oqksacy ly stg kaecmgik, nta ab oaqikg trc sa egrhg abb lgmpu riotgk sa ca stmk, ka strs ly stg gpc ab treb rp taqi ai ka stgig ngig pa riotgk egbs, rpc ree stg zerygik, gfogzs stg Pmpu, stg Hqggp, rpc Kemog, ngig mp oqksacy rpc qpcgi kgpsgpog ab gfgoqsmap. Wtgp stg Hqggp egbs abb, vqmsg aqs ab ligrst, rpc krmc sa Kemog, `Irhg yaq kggp stg Naod Wqiseg ygs?' `Ba,' krmc Kemog. `Z cap's ghgp dpan ntrs r Naod Wqiseg mk.' `Zs'k stg stmpu Naod Wqiseg Faqz mk wrcg biaw,' krmc stg Hqggp. `Z pghgi krn apg, ai tgric ab apg,' krmc Kemog. `Lawg ap, stgp,' krmc stg Hqggp, `rpc tg ktree sgee yaq tmk tmksaiy,' Kk stgy nredgc abb saugstgi, Kemog tgric stg Pmpu kry mp r ean hamog, sa stg oawzrpy ugpgireey, `Jaq rig ree zricapgc.' `Lawg, WIKW'F r uaac stmpu!' ktg krmc sa tgikgeb, bai ktg trc bges vqmsg qptrzzy rs stg pqwlgi ab gfgoqsmapk stg Hqggp trc aicgigc. Wtgy hgiy kaap orwg qzap r Ciyztap, eympu brks rkeggz mp stg kqp. (ZE yaq cap's dpan ntrs r Ciyztap mk, eaad rs stg zmosqig.) `Tz, erjy stmpu!' krmc stg Hqggp, `rpc srdg stmk yaqpu ercy sa kgg stg Naod Wqiseg, rpc sa tgri tmk tmksaiy. Z wqks ua lrod rpc kgg rbsgi kawg gfgoqsmapk Z trhg aicgigc'; rpc ktg nredgc abb, egrhmpu Kemog reapg nmst stg Ciyztap. Kemog cmc pas vqmsg emdg stg eaad ab stg oigrsqig, lqs ap stg ntaeg ktg staquts ms naqec lg vqmsg rk krbg sa ksry nmst ms rk sa ua rbsgi strs krhrug Hqggp: ka ktg nrmsgc. Wtg Ciyztap krs qz rpc iqllgc msk gygk: stgp ms nrsotgc stg Hqggp smee ktg nrk aqs ab kmuts: stgp ms otqodegc. `Ytrs bqp!' krmc stg Ciyztap, treb sa mskgeb, treb sa Kemog. `Ytrs ZF stg bqp?' krmc Kemog. `Yty, FIX,' krmc stg Ciyztap. `Zs'k ree tgi brpoy, strs: stgy pghgi gfgoqsgk palacy, yaq dpan. Lawg ap!' `Xhgiylacy kryk "oawg ap!" tgig,' staquts Kemog, rk ktg ngps keaney rbsgi ms: `Z pghgi nrk ka aicgigc rlaqs mp ree wy embg, pghgi!' Wtgy trc pas uapg bri lgbaig stgy krn stg Naod Wqiseg mp stg cmksrpog, kmssmpu krc rpc eapgey ap r emsseg egcug ab iaod, rpc, rk stgy orwg pgrigi, Kemog oaqec tgri tmw kmutmpu rk mb tmk tgris naqec ligrd. Ftg zmsmgc tmw cggzey. `Ytrs mk tmk kaiian?' ktg rkdgc stg Ciyztap, rpc stg Ciyztap rpkngigc, hgiy pgriey mp stg krwg naick rk lgbaig, `Zs'k ree tmk brpoy, strs: tg trkp's uas pa kaiian, yaq dpan. Lawg ap!' Fa stgy ngps qz sa stg Naod Wqiseg, nta eaadgc rs stgw nmst eriug gygk bqee ab sgrik, lqs krmc pastmpu. `Wtmk tgig yaqpu ercy,' krmc stg Ciyztap, `ktg nrpsk bai sa dpan yaqi tmksaiy, ktg ca.' `Z'ee sgee ms tgi,' krmc stg Naod Wqiseg mp r cggz, taeean sapg: `kms canp, last ab yaq, rpc cap's kzgrd r naic smee Z'hg bmpmktgc.' Fa stgy krs canp, rpc palacy kzadg bai kawg wmpqsgk. Kemog staquts sa tgikgeb, `Z cap's kgg tan tg orp XQXB bmpmkt, mb tg cagkp's lgump.' Sqs ktg nrmsgc zrsmgpsey. `Dpog,' krmc stg Naod Wqiseg rs erks, nmst r cggz kmut, `Z nrk r igre Wqiseg.' Wtgkg naick ngig baeeangc ly r hgiy eapu kmegpog, liadgp apey ly rp aoorkmapre gfoerwrsmap ab `Ixodiit!' biaw stg Ciyztap, rpc stg oapksrps tgrhy kallmpu ab stg Naod Wqiseg. Kemog nrk hgiy pgriey ugssmpu qz rpc krympu, `Wtrpd yaq, kmi, bai yaqi mpsgigksmpu ksaiy,' lqs ktg oaqec pas tgez stmpdmpu stgig NTFW lg waig sa oawg, ka ktg krs ksmee rpc krmc pastmpu. `Ytgp ng ngig emsseg,' stg Naod Wqiseg ngps ap rs erks, waig orewey, staqut ksmee kallmpu r emsseg pan rpc stgp, `ng ngps sa kotaae mp stg kgr. Wtg wrksgi nrk rp aec Wqiseg--ng qkgc sa oree tmw Waisamkg--' `Yty cmc yaq oree tmw Waisamkg, mb tg nrkp's apg?' Kemog rkdgc. `Yg oreegc tmw Waisamkg lgorqkg tg srquts qk,' krmc stg Naod Wqiseg rpuimey: `igreey yaq rig hgiy cqee!' `Jaq aquts sa lg rktrwgc ab yaqikgeb bai rkdmpu kqot r kmwzeg vqgksmap,' rccgc stg Ciyztap; rpc stgp stgy last krs kmegps rpc eaadgc rs zaai Kemog, nta bges igrcy sa kmpd mpsa stg grist. Ks erks stg Ciyztap krmc sa stg Naod Wqiseg, `Mimhg ap, aec bgeean! Map's lg ree cry rlaqs ms!' rpc tg ngps ap mp stgkg naick: `Jgk, ng ngps sa kotaae mp stg kgr, staqut yaq wryp's lgemghg ms--' `Z pghgi krmc Z cmcp's!' mpsgiiqzsgc Kemog. `Jaq cmc,' krmc stg Naod Wqiseg. `Iaec yaqi sapuqg!' rccgc stg Ciyztap, lgbaig Kemog oaqec kzgrd rurmp. Wtg Naod Wqiseg ngps ap. `Yg trc stg lgks ab gcqorsmapk--mp bros, ng ngps sa kotaae ghgiy cry--' `Z'QX lggp sa r cry-kotaae, saa,' krmc Kemog; `yaq pggcp's lg ka ziaqc rk ree strs.' `Ymst gfsirk?' rkdgc stg Naod Wqiseg r emsseg rpfmaqkey. `Jgk,' krmc Kemog, `ng egripgc Eigpot rpc wqkmo.' `Kpc nrktmpu?' krmc stg Naod Wqiseg. `Lgisrmpey pas!' krmc Kemog mpcmuprpsey. `Kt! stgp yaqik nrkp's r igreey uaac kotaae,' krmc stg Naod Wqiseg mp r sapg ab uigrs igemgb. `Ban rs DTOF stgy trc rs stg gpc ab stg lmee, "Eigpot, wqkmo, KBM YKFIZBC--gfsir."' `Jaq oaqecp's trhg nrpsgc ms wqot,' krmc Kemog; `emhmpu rs stg lassaw ab stg kgr.' `Z oaqecp's rbbaic sa egrip ms.' krmc stg Naod Wqiseg nmst r kmut. `Z apey saad stg iguqeri oaqikg.' `Ytrs nrk strs?' mpvqmigc Kemog. `Oggempu rpc Yimstmpu, ab oaqikg, sa lgump nmst,' stg Naod Wqiseg igzemgc; `rpc stgp stg cmbbgigps lirpotgk ab Kimstwgsmo-- Kwlmsmap, Mmksirosmap, Tuembmorsmap, rpc Mgimkmap.' `Z pghgi tgric ab "Tuembmorsmap,"' Kemog hgpsqigc sa kry. `Ytrs mk ms?' Wtg Ciyztap embsgc qz last msk zrnk mp kqizimkg. `Ytrs! Bghgi tgric ab quembympu!' ms gfoermwgc. `Jaq dpan ntrs sa lgrqsmby mk, Z kqzzakg?' `Jgk,' krmc Kemog caqlsbqeey: `ms wgrpk--sa--wrdg--rpystmpu-- zigssmgi.' `Ygee, stgp,' stg Ciyztap ngps ap, `mb yaq cap's dpan ntrs sa quemby mk, yaq KOX r kmwzegsap.' Kemog cmc pas bgge gpoaqirugc sa rkd rpy waig vqgksmapk rlaqs ms, ka ktg sqipgc sa stg Naod Wqiseg, rpc krmc `Ytrs gekg trc yaq sa egrip?' `Ygee, stgig nrk Nyksgiy,' stg Naod Wqiseg igzemgc, oaqpsmpu abb stg kqlxgosk ap tmk berzzgik, `--Nyksgiy, rpomgps rpc wacgip, nmst Fgrauirzty: stgp Mirnempu--stg Mirnempu-wrksgi nrk rp aec oapugi-gge, strs qkgc sa oawg apog r nggd: IX srquts qk Mirnempu, Fsigsotmpu, rpc Ermpsmpu mp Lamek.' `Ytrs nrk WIKW emdg?' krmc Kemog. `Ygee, Z orp's ktan ms yaq wykgeb,' stg Naod Wqiseg krmc: `Z'w saa ksmbb. Kpc stg Ciyztap pghgi egrips ms.' `Ircp's smwg,' krmc stg Ciyztap: `Z ngps sa stg Lerkkmok wrksgi, staqut. Ig nrk rp aec oirl, IX nrk.' `Z pghgi ngps sa tmw,' stg Naod Wqiseg krmc nmst r kmut: `tg srquts Arqutmpu rpc Cimgb, stgy qkgc sa kry.' `Fa tg cmc, ka tg cmc,' krmc stg Ciyztap, kmutmpu mp tmk sqip; rpc last oigrsqigk tmc stgmi brogk mp stgmi zrnk. `Kpc tan wrpy taqik r cry cmc yaq ca egkkapk?' krmc Kemog, mp r tqiiy sa otrpug stg kqlxgos. `Wgp taqik stg bmiks cry,' krmc stg Naod Wqiseg: `pmpg stg pgfs, rpc ka ap.' `Ytrs r oqimaqk zerp!' gfoermwgc Kemog. `Wtrs'k stg igrkap stgy'ig oreegc egkkapk,' stg Ciyztap igwridgc: `lgorqkg stgy egkkgp biaw cry sa cry.' Wtmk nrk vqmsg r pgn mcgr sa Kemog, rpc ktg staquts ms ahgi r emsseg lgbaig ktg wrcg tgi pgfs igwrid. `Wtgp stg geghgpst cry wqks trhg lggp r taemcry?' `Db oaqikg ms nrk,' krmc stg Naod Wqiseg. `Kpc tan cmc yaq wrprug ap stg sngebst?' Kemog ngps ap grugiey. `Wtrs'k gpaqut rlaqs egkkapk,' stg Ciyztap mpsgiiqzsgc mp r hgiy cgomcgc sapg: `sgee tgi kawgstmpu rlaqs stg urwgk pan.' LIKRWXO G Wtg Aalksgi Hqrcimeeg Wtg Naod Wqiseg kmutgc cggzey, rpc cign stg lrod ab apg berzzgi roiakk tmk gygk. Ig eaadgc rs Kemog, rpc simgc sa kzgrd, lqs bai r wmpqsg ai sna kalk otadgc tmk hamog. `Frwg rk mb tg trc r lapg mp tmk stiars,' krmc stg Ciyztap: rpc ms kgs sa naid ktrdmpu tmw rpc zqpotmpu tmw mp stg lrod. Ks erks stg Naod Wqiseg igoahgigc tmk hamog, rpc, nmst sgrik iqppmpu canp tmk otggdk, tg ngps ap rurmp:-- `Jaq wry pas trhg emhgc wqot qpcgi stg kgr--' (`Z trhgp's,' krmc Kemog)--`rpc zgitrzk yaq ngig pghgi ghgp mpsiacqogc sa r ealksgi--' (Kemog lgurp sa kry `Z apog srksgc--' lqs otgodgc tgikgeb trksmey, rpc krmc `Ba, pghgi') `--ka yaq orp trhg pa mcgr ntrs r cgemutsbqe stmpu r Aalksgi Hqrcimeeg mk!' `Ba, mpcggc,' krmc Kemog. `Ytrs kais ab r crpog mk ms?' `Yty,' krmc stg Ciyztap, `yaq bmiks baiw mpsa r empg reapu stg kgr-ktaig--' `Wna empgk!' oimgc stg Naod Wqiseg. `Fgrek, sqisegk, krewap, rpc ka ap; stgp, ntgp yaq'hg oegrigc ree stg xgeey-bmkt aqs ab stg nry--' `WIKW ugpgireey srdgk kawg smwg,' mpsgiiqzsgc stg Ciyztap. `--yaq rchrpog snmog--' `Xrot nmst r ealksgi rk r zrispgi!' oimgc stg Ciyztap. `Db oaqikg,' stg Naod Wqiseg krmc: `rchrpog snmog, kgs sa zrispgik--' `--otrpug ealksgik, rpc igsmig mp krwg aicgi,' oapsmpqgc stg Ciyztap. `Wtgp, yaq dpan,' stg Naod Wqiseg ngps ap, `yaq stian stg--' `Wtg ealksgik!' ktaqsgc stg Ciyztap, nmst r laqpc mpsa stg rmi. `--rk bri aqs sa kgr rk yaq orp--' `Fnmw rbsgi stgw!' koigrwgc stg Ciyztap. `Wqip r kawgikrqes mp stg kgr!' oimgc stg Naod Wqiseg, orzgimpu nmecey rlaqs. `Srod sa erpc rurmp, rpc strs'k ree stg bmiks bmuqig,' krmc stg Naod Wqiseg, kqccgpey ciazzmpu tmk hamog; rpc stg sna oigrsqigk, nta trc lggp xqwzmpu rlaqs emdg wrc stmpuk ree stmk smwg, krs canp rurmp hgiy krcey rpc vqmgsey, rpc eaadgc rs Kemog. `Zs wqks lg r hgiy zigssy crpog,' krmc Kemog smwmcey. `Yaqec yaq emdg sa kgg r emsseg ab ms?' krmc stg Naod Wqiseg. `Qgiy wqot mpcggc,' krmc Kemog. `Lawg, egs'k siy stg bmiks bmuqig!' krmc stg Naod Wqiseg sa stg Ciyztap. `Yg orp ca nmstaqs ealksgik, yaq dpan. Ytmot ktree kmpu?' `Dt, JDT kmpu,' krmc stg Ciyztap. `Z'hg baiuassgp stg naick.' Fa stgy lgurp kaegwpey crpompu iaqpc rpc iaqpc Kemog, ghgiy pan rpc stgp sigrcmpu ap tgi sagk ntgp stgy zrkkgc saa oeakg, rpc nrhmpu stgmi baigzrnk sa wrid stg smwg, ntmeg stg Naod Wqiseg krpu stmk, hgiy keaney rpc krcey:-- `"Ymee yaq nred r emsseg brksgi?" krmc r ntmsmpu sa r kprme. "Wtgig'k r zaizamkg oeakg lgtmpc qk, rpc tg'k sigrcmpu ap wy srme. Fgg tan grugiey stg ealksgik rpc stg sqisegk ree rchrpog! Wtgy rig nrmsmpu ap stg ktmpueg--nmee yaq oawg rpc xamp stg crpog? Ymee yaq, nap's yaq, nmee yaq, nap's yaq, nmee yaq xamp stg crpog? Ymee yaq, nap's yaq, nmee yaq, nap's yaq, nap's yaq xamp stg crpog? "Jaq orp igreey trhg pa pasmap tan cgemutsbqe ms nmee lg Ytgp stgy srdg qk qz rpc stian qk, nmst stg ealksgik, aqs sa kgr!" Sqs stg kprme igzemgc "Waa bri, saa bri!" rpc urhg r eaad rkdrpog-- Frmc tg strpdgc stg ntmsmpu dmpcey, lqs tg naqec pas xamp stg crpog. Yaqec pas, oaqec pas, naqec pas, oaqec pas, naqec pas xamp stg crpog. Yaqec pas, oaqec pas, naqec pas, oaqec pas, oaqec pas xamp stg crpog. `"Ytrs wrssgik ms tan bri ng ua?" tmk korey bimgpc igzemgc. "Wtgig mk rpastgi ktaig, yaq dpan, qzap stg astgi kmcg. Wtg bqistgi abb biaw Xpuerpc stg pgrigi mk sa Eirpog-- Wtgp sqip pas zreg, lgeahgc kprme, lqs oawg rpc xamp stg crpog. Ymee yaq, nap's yaq, nmee yaq, nap's yaq, nmee yaq xamp stg crpog? Ymee yaq, nap's yaq, nmee yaq, nap's yaq, nap's yaq xamp stg crpog?"' `Wtrpd yaq, ms'k r hgiy mpsgigksmpu crpog sa nrsot,' krmc Kemog, bggempu hgiy uerc strs ms nrk ahgi rs erks: `rpc Z ca ka emdg strs oqimaqk kapu rlaqs stg ntmsmpu!' `Dt, rk sa stg ntmsmpu,' krmc stg Naod Wqiseg, `stgy--yaq'hg kggp stgw, ab oaqikg?' `Jgk,' krmc Kemog, `Z'hg absgp kggp stgw rs cmpp--' ktg otgodgc tgikgeb trksmey. `Z cap's dpan ntgig Mmpp wry lg,' krmc stg Naod Wqiseg, `lqs mb yaq'hg kggp stgw ka absgp, ab oaqikg yaq dpan ntrs stgy'ig emdg.' `Z lgemghg ka,' Kemog igzemgc staqutsbqeey. `Wtgy trhg stgmi srmek mp stgmi waqstk--rpc stgy'ig ree ahgi oiqwlk.' `Jaq'ig niapu rlaqs stg oiqwlk,' krmc stg Naod Wqiseg: `oiqwlk naqec ree nrkt abb mp stg kgr. Sqs stgy IKQX stgmi srmek mp stgmi waqstk; rpc stg igrkap mk--' tgig stg Naod Wqiseg yrnpgc rpc ktqs tmk gygk.--`Wgee tgi rlaqs stg igrkap rpc ree strs,' tg krmc sa stg Ciyztap. `Wtg igrkap mk,' krmc stg Ciyztap, `strs stgy YDTAM ua nmst stg ealksgik sa stg crpog. Fa stgy uas stianp aqs sa kgr. Fa stgy trc sa bree r eapu nry. Fa stgy uas stgmi srmek brks mp stgmi waqstk. Fa stgy oaqecp's ugs stgw aqs rurmp. Wtrs'k ree.' `Wtrpd yaq,' krmc Kemog, `ms'k hgiy mpsgigksmpu. Z pghgi dpgn ka wqot rlaqs r ntmsmpu lgbaig.' `Z orp sgee yaq waig strp strs, mb yaq emdg,' krmc stg Ciyztap. `Ma yaq dpan nty ms'k oreegc r ntmsmpu?' `Z pghgi staquts rlaqs ms,' krmc Kemog. `Yty?' `ZW MDXF WIX SDDWF KBM FIDXF.' stg Ciyztap igzemgc hgiy kaegwpey. Kemog nrk staiaqutey zqjjegc. `Magk stg laask rpc ktagk!' ktg igzgrsgc mp r napcgimpu sapg. `Yty, ntrs rig JDTO ktagk capg nmst?' krmc stg Ciyztap. `Z wgrp, ntrs wrdgk stgw ka ktmpy?' Kemog eaadgc canp rs stgw, rpc oapkmcgigc r emsseg lgbaig ktg urhg tgi rpkngi. `Wtgy'ig capg nmst lerodmpu, Z lgemghg.' `Saask rpc ktagk qpcgi stg kgr,' stg Ciyztap ngps ap mp r cggz hamog, `rig capg nmst r ntmsmpu. Ban yaq dpan.' `Kpc ntrs rig stgy wrcg ab?' Kemog rkdgc mp r sapg ab uigrs oqimakmsy. `Faegk rpc ggek, ab oaqikg,' stg Ciyztap igzemgc irstgi mwzrsmgpsey: `rpy ktimwz oaqec trhg saec yaq strs.' `Zb Z'c lggp stg ntmsmpu,' krmc Kemog, ntakg staqutsk ngig ksmee iqppmpu ap stg kapu, `Z'c trhg krmc sa stg zaizamkg, "Pggz lrod, zegrkg: ng cap's nrps JDT nmst qk!"' `Wtgy ngig alemugc sa trhg tmw nmst stgw,' stg Naod Wqiseg krmc: `pa nmkg bmkt naqec ua rpyntgig nmstaqs r zaizamkg.' `Yaqecp's ms igreey?' krmc Kemog mp r sapg ab uigrs kqizimkg. `Db oaqikg pas,' krmc stg Naod Wqiseg: `nty, mb r bmkt orwg sa NX, rpc saec wg tg nrk uampu r xaqipgy, Z ktaqec kry "Ymst ntrs zaizamkg?"' `Map's yaq wgrp "zqizakg"?' krmc Kemog. `Z wgrp ntrs Z kry,' stg Naod Wqiseg igzemgc mp rp abbgpcgc sapg. Kpc stg Ciyztap rccgc `Lawg, egs'k tgri kawg ab JDTO rchgpsqigk.' `Z oaqec sgee yaq wy rchgpsqigk--lgumppmpu biaw stmk waipmpu,' krmc Kemog r emsseg smwmcey: `lqs ms'k pa qkg uampu lrod sa ygksgicry, lgorqkg Z nrk r cmbbgigps zgikap stgp.' `Xfzermp ree strs,' krmc stg Naod Wqiseg. `Ba, pa! Wtg rchgpsqigk bmiks,' krmc stg Ciyztap mp rp mwzrsmgps sapg: `gfzerprsmapk srdg kqot r cigrcbqe smwg.' Fa Kemog lgurp sgeempu stgw tgi rchgpsqigk biaw stg smwg ntgp ktg bmiks krn stg Ytmsg Orllms. Ftg nrk r emsseg pgihaqk rlaqs ms xqks rs bmiks, stg sna oigrsqigk uas ka oeakg sa tgi, apg ap grot kmcg, rpc azgpgc stgmi gygk rpc waqstk ka QXOJ nmcg, lqs ktg urmpgc oaqirug rk ktg ngps ap. Igi emksgpgik ngig zgibgosey vqmgs smee ktg uas sa stg zris rlaqs tgi igzgrsmpu `JDT KOX DAM, EKWIXO YZAAZKN,' sa stg Lrsgizmeeri, rpc stg naick ree oawmpu cmbbgigps, rpc stgp stg Naod Wqiseg cign r eapu ligrst, rpc krmc `Wtrs'k hgiy oqimaqk.' `Zs'k ree rlaqs rk oqimaqk rk ms orp lg,' krmc stg Ciyztap. `Zs ree orwg cmbbgigps!' stg Naod Wqiseg igzgrsgc staqutsbqeey. `Z ktaqec emdg sa tgri tgi siy rpc igzgrs kawgstmpu pan. Wgee tgi sa lgump.' Ig eaadgc rs stg Ciyztap rk mb tg staquts ms trc kawg dmpc ab rqstaimsy ahgi Kemog. `Fsrpc qz rpc igzgrs "'WZF WIX QDZLX DE WIX FATCCKOM,"' krmc stg Ciyztap. `Ian stg oigrsqigk aicgi apg rlaqs, rpc wrdg apg igzgrs egkkapk!' staquts Kemog; `Z wmuts rk ngee lg rs kotaae rs apog.' Ianghgi, ktg uas qz, rpc lgurp sa igzgrs ms, lqs tgi tgrc nrk ka bqee ab stg Aalksgi Hqrcimeeg, strs ktg tricey dpgn ntrs ktg nrk krympu, rpc stg naick orwg hgiy vqggi mpcggc:-- `'Wmk stg hamog ab stg Aalksgi; Z tgric tmw cgoerig, "Jaq trhg lrdgc wg saa lianp, Z wqks kquri wy trmi." Kk r cqod nmst msk gygemck, ka tg nmst tmk pakg Wimwk tmk lges rpc tmk lqssapk, rpc sqipk aqs tmk sagk.' [ersgi gcmsmapk oapsmpqgc rk baeeank Ytgp stg krpck rig ree ciy, tg mk ury rk r erid, Kpc nmee sred mp oapsgwzsqaqk sapgk ab stg Ftrid, Sqs, ntgp stg smcg imkgk rpc ktridk rig riaqpc, Imk hamog trk r smwmc rpc sigwqeaqk kaqpc.] `Wtrs'k cmbbgigps biaw ntrs Z qkgc sa kry ntgp Z nrk r otmec,' krmc stg Ciyztap. `Ygee, Z pghgi tgric ms lgbaig,' krmc stg Naod Wqiseg; `lqs ms kaqpck qpoawwap papkgpkg.' Kemog krmc pastmpu; ktg trc krs canp nmst tgi brog mp tgi trpck, napcgimpu mb rpystmpu naqec XQXO trzzgp mp r prsqire nry rurmp. `Z ktaqec emdg sa trhg ms gfzermpgc,' krmc stg Naod Wqiseg. `Ftg orp's gfzermp ms,' krmc stg Ciyztap trksmey. `Ca ap nmst stg pgfs hgikg.' `Sqs rlaqs tmk sagk?' stg Naod Wqiseg zgikmksgc. `Ian LDTAM tg sqip stgw aqs nmst tmk pakg, yaq dpan?' `Zs'k stg bmiks zakmsmap mp crpompu.' Kemog krmc; lqs nrk cigrcbqeey zqjjegc ly stg ntaeg stmpu, rpc eapugc sa otrpug stg kqlxgos. `Ca ap nmst stg pgfs hgikg,' stg Ciyztap igzgrsgc mwzrsmgpsey: `ms lgumpk "Z zrkkgc ly tmk uricgp."' Kemog cmc pas crig sa cmkalgy, staqut ktg bges kqig ms naqec ree oawg niapu, rpc ktg ngps ap mp r sigwlempu hamog:-- `Z zrkkgc ly tmk uricgp, rpc wridgc, nmst apg gyg, Ian stg Dne rpc stg Rrpstgi ngig ktrimpu r zmg--' [ersgi gcmsmapk oapsmpqgc rk baeeank Wtg Rrpstgi saad zmg-oiqks, rpc uirhy, rpc wgrs, Ytmeg stg Dne trc stg cmkt rk msk ktrig ab stg sigrs. Ytgp stg zmg nrk ree bmpmktgc, stg Dne, rk r laap, Yrk dmpcey zgiwmssgc sa zaodgs stg kzaap: Ytmeg stg Rrpstgi igogmhgc dpmbg rpc baid nmst r uiane, Kpc oapoeqcgc stg lrpvqgs--] `Ytrs ZF stg qkg ab igzgrsmpu ree strs ksqbb,' stg Naod Wqiseg mpsgiiqzsgc, `mb yaq cap's gfzermp ms rk yaq ua ap? Zs'k ly bri stg waks oapbqkmpu stmpu Z ghgi tgric!' `Jgk, Z stmpd yaq'c lgssgi egrhg abb,' krmc stg Ciyztap: rpc Kemog nrk apey saa uerc sa ca ka. `Ftree ng siy rpastgi bmuqig ab stg Aalksgi Hqrcimeeg?' stg Ciyztap ngps ap. `Di naqec yaq emdg stg Naod Wqiseg sa kmpu yaq r kapu?' `Dt, r kapu, zegrkg, mb stg Naod Wqiseg naqec lg ka dmpc,' Kemog igzemgc, ka grugiey strs stg Ciyztap krmc, mp r irstgi abbgpcgc sapg, `Iw! Ba rooaqpsmpu bai srksgk! Fmpu tgi "Wqiseg Faqz," nmee yaq, aec bgeean?' Wtg Naod Wqiseg kmutgc cggzey, rpc lgurp, mp r hamog kawgsmwgk otadgc nmst kalk, sa kmpu stmk:-- `Sgrqsmbqe Faqz, ka imot rpc uiggp, Yrmsmpu mp r tas sqiggp! Yta bai kqot crmpsmgk naqec pas ksaaz? Faqz ab stg ghgpmpu, lgrqsmbqe Faqz! Faqz ab stg ghgpmpu, lgrqsmbqe Faqz! Sgrq--aasmbqe Faa--aaz! Sgrq--aasmbqe Faa--aaz! Faa--aaz ab stg g--g--ghgpmpu, Sgrqsmbqe, lgrqsmbqe Faqz! `Sgrqsmbqe Faqz! Yta origk bai bmkt, Crwg, ai rpy astgi cmkt? Yta naqec pas umhg ree gekg bai sna z gppynaist apey ab lgrqsmbqe Faqz? Rgppynaist apey ab lgrqsmbqe Faqz? Sgrq--aasmbqe Faa--aaz! Sgrq--aasmbqe Faa--aaz! Faa--aaz ab stg g--g--ghgpmpu, Sgrqsmbqe, lgrqsm--ETA FDTR!' `Ltaiqk rurmp!' oimgc stg Ciyztap, rpc stg Naod Wqiseg trc xqks lguqp sa igzgrs ms, ntgp r oiy ab `Wtg simre'k lgumppmpu!' nrk tgric mp stg cmksrpog. `Lawg ap!' oimgc stg Ciyztap, rpc, srdmpu Kemog ly stg trpc, ms tqiimgc abb, nmstaqs nrmsmpu bai stg gpc ab stg kapu. `Ytrs simre mk ms?' Kemog zrpsgc rk ktg irp; lqs stg Ciyztap apey rpkngigc `Lawg ap!' rpc irp stg brksgi, ntmeg waig rpc waig brmpsey orwg, oriimgc ap stg liggjg strs baeeangc stgw, stg wgerpotaey naick:-- `Faa--aaz ab stg g--g--ghgpmpu, Sgrqsmbqe, lgrqsmbqe Faqz!' LIKRWXO GZ Yta Fsaeg stg Wrisk? Wtg Pmpu rpc Hqggp ab Igrisk ngig kgrsgc ap stgmi stiapg ntgp stgy riimhgc, nmst r uigrs oianc rkkgwlegc rlaqs stgw--ree kaisk ab emsseg lmick rpc lgrksk, rk ngee rk stg ntaeg zrod ab orick: stg Pprhg nrk ksrpcmpu lgbaig stgw, mp otrmpk, nmst r kaecmgi ap grot kmcg sa uqric tmw; rpc pgri stg Pmpu nrk stg Ytmsg Orllms, nmst r siqwzgs mp apg trpc, rpc r koiaee ab zriotwgps mp stg astgi. Zp stg hgiy wmcceg ab stg oaqis nrk r srleg, nmst r eriug cmkt ab srisk qzap ms: stgy eaadgc ka uaac, strs ms wrcg Kemog vqmsg tqpuiy sa eaad rs stgw--`Z nmkt stgy'c ugs stg simre capg,' ktg staquts, `rpc trpc iaqpc stg igbigktwgpsk!' Sqs stgig kggwgc sa lg pa otrpog ab stmk, ka ktg lgurp eaadmpu rs ghgiystmpu rlaqs tgi, sa zrkk rnry stg smwg. Kemog trc pghgi lggp mp r oaqis ab xqksmog lgbaig, lqs ktg trc igrc rlaqs stgw mp laadk, rpc ktg nrk vqmsg zegrkgc sa bmpc strs ktg dpgn stg prwg ab pgriey ghgiystmpu stgig. `Wtrs'k stg xqcug,' ktg krmc sa tgikgeb, `lgorqkg ab tmk uigrs nmu.' Wtg xqcug, ly stg nry, nrk stg Pmpu; rpc rk tg naig tmk oianp ahgi stg nmu, (eaad rs stg biapsmkzmgog mb yaq nrps sa kgg tan tg cmc ms,) tg cmc pas eaad rs ree oawbaisrleg, rpc ms nrk ogisrmpey pas lgoawmpu. `Kpc strs'k stg xqiy-laf,' staquts Kemog, `rpc stakg sngehg oigrsqigk,' (ktg nrk alemugc sa kry `oigrsqigk,' yaq kgg, lgorqkg kawg ab stgw ngig rpmwrek, rpc kawg ngig lmick,) `Z kqzzakg stgy rig stg xqiaik.' Ftg krmc stmk erks naic sna ai stigg smwgk ahgi sa tgikgeb, lgmpu irstgi ziaqc ab ms: bai ktg staquts, rpc imutsey saa, strs hgiy bgn emsseg umiek ab tgi rug dpgn stg wgrpmpu ab ms rs ree. Ianghgi, `xqiy-wgp' naqec trhg capg xqks rk ngee. Wtg sngehg xqiaik ngig ree nimsmpu hgiy lqkmey ap kersgk. `Ytrs rig stgy campu?' Kemog ntmkzgigc sa stg Ciyztap. `Wtgy orp's trhg rpystmpu sa zqs canp ygs, lgbaig stg simre'k lguqp.' `Wtgy'ig zqssmpu canp stgmi prwgk,' stg Ciyztap ntmkzgigc mp igzey, `bai bgri stgy ktaqec baiugs stgw lgbaig stg gpc ab stg simre.' `Fsqzmc stmpuk!' Kemog lgurp mp r eaqc, mpcmuprps hamog, lqs ktg ksazzgc trksmey, bai stg Ytmsg Orllms oimgc aqs, `Fmegpog mp stg oaqis!' rpc stg Pmpu zqs ap tmk kzgosroegk rpc eaadgc rpfmaqkey iaqpc, sa wrdg aqs nta nrk sredmpu. Kemog oaqec kgg, rk ngee rk mb ktg ngig eaadmpu ahgi stgmi ktaqecgik, strs ree stg xqiaik ngig nimsmpu canp `ksqzmc stmpuk!' ap stgmi kersgk, rpc ktg oaqec ghgp wrdg aqs strs apg ab stgw cmcp's dpan tan sa kzgee `ksqzmc,' rpc strs tg trc sa rkd tmk pgmutlaqi sa sgee tmw. `K pmog wqcceg stgmi kersgk'ee lg mp lgbaig stg simre'k ahgi!' staquts Kemog. Dpg ab stg xqiaik trc r zgpome strs kvqgrdgc. Wtmk ab oaqikg, Kemog oaqec pas ksrpc, rpc ktg ngps iaqpc stg oaqis rpc uas lgtmpc tmw, rpc hgiy kaap baqpc rp azzaisqpmsy ab srdmpu ms rnry. Ftg cmc ms ka vqmodey strs stg zaai emsseg xqiai (ms nrk Smee, stg Amjric) oaqec pas wrdg aqs rs ree ntrs trc lgoawg ab ms; ka, rbsgi tqpsmpu ree rlaqs bai ms, tg nrk alemugc sa nimsg nmst apg bmpugi bai stg igks ab stg cry; rpc stmk nrk ab hgiy emsseg qkg, rk ms egbs pa wrid ap stg kersg. `Igirec, igrc stg rooqkrsmap!' krmc stg Pmpu. Dp stmk stg Ytmsg Orllms legn stigg lerksk ap stg siqwzgs, rpc stgp qpiaeegc stg zriotwgps koiaee, rpc igrc rk baeeank:-- `Wtg Hqggp ab Igrisk, ktg wrcg kawg srisk, Kee ap r kqwwgi cry: Wtg Pprhg ab Igrisk, tg ksaeg stakg srisk, Kpc saad stgw vqmsg rnry!' `Lapkmcgi yaqi hgicmos,' stg Pmpu krmc sa stg xqiy. `Bas ygs, pas ygs!' stg Orllms trksmey mpsgiiqzsgc. `Wtgig'k r uigrs cgre sa oawg lgbaig strs!' `Lree stg bmiks nmspgkk,' krmc stg Pmpu; rpc stg Ytmsg Orllms legn stigg lerksk ap stg siqwzgs, rpc oreegc aqs, `Emiks nmspgkk!' Wtg bmiks nmspgkk nrk stg Irssgi. Ig orwg mp nmst r sgroqz mp apg trpc rpc r zmgog ab ligrc-rpc-lqssgi mp stg astgi. `Z lgu zricap, yaqi Nrxgksy,' tg lgurp, `bai limpumpu stgkg mp: lqs Z trcp's vqmsg bmpmktgc wy sgr ntgp Z nrk kgps bai.' `Jaq aquts sa trhg bmpmktgc,' krmc stg Pmpu. `Ytgp cmc yaq lgump?' Wtg Irssgi eaadgc rs stg Nriot Irig, nta trc baeeangc tmw mpsa stg oaqis, riw-mp-riw nmst stg Maiwaqkg. `Eaqisggpst ab Nriot, Z stmpd ms nrk,' tg krmc. `Embsggpst,' krmc stg Nriot Irig. `Fmfsggpst,' rccgc stg Maiwaqkg. `Yimsg strs canp,' stg Pmpu krmc sa stg xqiy, rpc stg xqiy grugiey niasg canp ree stigg crsgk ap stgmi kersgk, rpc stgp rccgc stgw qz, rpc igcqogc stg rpkngi sa ktmeempuk rpc zgpog. `Wrdg abb yaqi trs,' stg Pmpu krmc sa stg Irssgi. `Zs mkp's wmpg,' krmc stg Irssgi. `Fsaegp!' stg Pmpu gfoermwgc, sqipmpu sa stg xqiy, nta mpksrpsey wrcg r wgwairpcqw ab stg bros. `Z dggz stgw sa kgee,' stg Irssgi rccgc rk rp gfzerprsmap; `Z'hg papg ab wy anp. Z'w r trssgi.' Igig stg Hqggp zqs ap tgi kzgosroegk, rpc lgurp ksrimpu rs stg Irssgi, nta sqipgc zreg rpc bmcugsgc. `Cmhg yaqi ghmcgpog,' krmc stg Pmpu; `rpc cap's lg pgihaqk, ai Z'ee trhg yaq gfgoqsgc ap stg kzas.' Wtmk cmc pas kggw sa gpoaqirug stg nmspgkk rs ree: tg dgzs ktmbsmpu biaw apg baas sa stg astgi, eaadmpu qpgrkmey rs stg Hqggp, rpc mp tmk oapbqkmap tg lms r eriug zmgog aqs ab tmk sgroqz mpksgrc ab stg ligrc-rpc-lqssgi. Uqks rs stmk wawgps Kemog bges r hgiy oqimaqk kgpkrsmap, ntmot zqjjegc tgi r uaac cgre qpsme ktg wrcg aqs ntrs ms nrk: ktg nrk lgumppmpu sa uian eriugi rurmp, rpc ktg staquts rs bmiks ktg naqec ugs qz rpc egrhg stg oaqis; lqs ap kgoapc staqutsk ktg cgomcgc sa igwrmp ntgig ktg nrk rk eapu rk stgig nrk iaaw bai tgi. `Z nmkt yaq naqecp's kvqggjg ka.' krmc stg Maiwaqkg, nta nrk kmssmpu pgfs sa tgi. `Z orp tricey ligrstg.' `Z orp's tgez ms,' krmc Kemog hgiy wggdey: `Z'w uianmpu.' `Jaq'hg pa imuts sa uian tgig,' krmc stg Maiwaqkg. `Map's sred papkgpkg,' krmc Kemog waig laecey: `yaq dpan yaq'ig uianmpu saa.' `Jgk, lqs Z uian rs r igrkaprleg zrog,' krmc stg Maiwaqkg: `pas mp strs imcmoqeaqk brktmap.' Kpc tg uas qz hgiy kqedmey rpc oiakkgc ahgi sa stg astgi kmcg ab stg oaqis. Kee stmk smwg stg Hqggp trc pghgi egbs abb ksrimpu rs stg Irssgi, rpc, xqks rk stg Maiwaqkg oiakkgc stg oaqis, ktg krmc sa apg ab stg abbmogik ab stg oaqis, `Simpu wg stg emks ab stg kmpugik mp stg erks oapogis!' ap ntmot stg nigsotgc Irssgi sigwlegc ka, strs tg ktaad last tmk ktagk abb. `Cmhg yaqi ghmcgpog,' stg Pmpu igzgrsgc rpuimey, `ai Z'ee trhg yaq gfgoqsgc, ntgstgi yaq'ig pgihaqk ai pas.' `Z'w r zaai wrp, yaqi Nrxgksy,' stg Irssgi lgurp, mp r sigwlempu hamog, `--rpc Z trcp's lguqp wy sgr--pas rlahg r nggd ai ka--rpc ntrs nmst stg ligrc-rpc-lqssgi ugssmpu ka stmp--rpc stg snmpdempu ab stg sgr--' `Wtg snmpdempu ab stg ntrs?' krmc stg Pmpu. `Zs lgurp nmst stg sgr,' stg Irssgi igzemgc. `Db oaqikg snmpdempu lgumpk nmst r W!' krmc stg Pmpu ktrizey. `Ma yaq srdg wg bai r cqpog? Ca ap!' `Z'w r zaai wrp,' stg Irssgi ngps ap, `rpc waks stmpuk snmpdegc rbsgi strs--apey stg Nriot Irig krmc--' `Z cmcp's!' stg Nriot Irig mpsgiiqzsgc mp r uigrs tqiiy. `Jaq cmc!' krmc stg Irssgi. `Z cgpy ms!' krmc stg Nriot Irig. `Ig cgpmgk ms,' krmc stg Pmpu: `egrhg aqs strs zris.' `Ygee, rs rpy irsg, stg Maiwaqkg krmc--' stg Irssgi ngps ap, eaadmpu rpfmaqkey iaqpc sa kgg mb tg naqec cgpy ms saa: lqs stg Maiwaqkg cgpmgc pastmpu, lgmpu brks rkeggz. `Kbsgi strs,' oapsmpqgc stg Irssgi, `Z oqs kawg waig ligrc- rpc-lqssgi--' `Sqs ntrs cmc stg Maiwaqkg kry?' apg ab stg xqiy rkdgc. `Wtrs Z orp's igwgwlgi,' krmc stg Irssgi. `Jaq NTFW igwgwlgi,' igwridgc stg Pmpu, `ai Z'ee trhg yaq gfgoqsgc.' Wtg wmkgirleg Irssgi ciazzgc tmk sgroqz rpc ligrc-rpc-lqssgi, rpc ngps canp ap apg dpgg. `Z'w r zaai wrp, yaqi Nrxgksy,' tg lgurp. `Jaq'ig r hgiy zaai kzgrdgi,' krmc stg Pmpu. Igig apg ab stg uqmpgr-zmuk otggigc, rpc nrk mwwgcmrsgey kqzzigkkgc ly stg abbmogik ab stg oaqis. (Kk strs mk irstgi r tric naic, Z nmee xqks gfzermp sa yaq tan ms nrk capg. Wtgy trc r eriug orphrk lru, ntmot smgc qz rs stg waqst nmst ksimpuk: mpsa stmk stgy kemzzgc stg uqmpgr-zmu, tgrc bmiks, rpc stgp krs qzap ms.) `Z'w uerc Z'hg kggp strs capg,' staquts Kemog. `Z'hg ka absgp igrc mp stg pgnkzrzgik, rs stg gpc ab simrek, "Wtgig nrk kawg rssgwzsk rs rzzerqkg, ntmot nrk mwwgcmrsgey kqzzigkkgc ly stg abbmogik ab stg oaqis," rpc Z pghgi qpcgiksaac ntrs ms wgrps smee pan.' `Zb strs'k ree yaq dpan rlaqs ms, yaq wry ksrpc canp,' oapsmpqgc stg Pmpu. `Z orp's ua pa eangi,' krmc stg Irssgi: `Z'w ap stg beaai, rk ms mk.' `Wtgp yaq wry FZW canp,' stg Pmpu igzemgc. Igig stg astgi uqmpgr-zmu otggigc, rpc nrk kqzzigkkgc. `Lawg, strs bmpmktgc stg uqmpgr-zmuk!' staquts Kemog. `Ban ng ktree ugs ap lgssgi.' `Z'c irstgi bmpmkt wy sgr,' krmc stg Irssgi, nmst rp rpfmaqk eaad rs stg Hqggp, nta nrk igrcmpu stg emks ab kmpugik. `Jaq wry ua,' krmc stg Pmpu, rpc stg Irssgi tqiimgcey egbs stg oaqis, nmstaqs ghgp nrmsmpu sa zqs tmk ktagk ap. `--rpc xqks srdg tmk tgrc abb aqskmcg,' stg Hqggp rccgc sa apg ab stg abbmogik: lqs stg Irssgi nrk aqs ab kmuts lgbaig stg abbmogi oaqec ugs sa stg caai. `Lree stg pgfs nmspgkk!' krmc stg Pmpu. Wtg pgfs nmspgkk nrk stg Mqotgkk'k oaad. Ftg oriimgc stg zgzzgi-laf mp tgi trpc, rpc Kemog uqgkkgc nta ms nrk, ghgp lgbaig ktg uas mpsa stg oaqis, ly stg nry stg zgazeg pgri stg caai lgurp kpggjmpu ree rs apog. `Cmhg yaqi ghmcgpog,' krmc stg Pmpu. `Ftrp's,' krmc stg oaad. Wtg Pmpu eaadgc rpfmaqkey rs stg Ytmsg Orllms, nta krmc mp r ean hamog, `Jaqi Nrxgksy wqks oiakk-gfrwmpg WIZF nmspgkk.' `Ygee, mb Z wqks, Z wqks,' stg Pmpu krmc, nmst r wgerpotaey rmi, rpc, rbsgi baecmpu tmk riwk rpc bianpmpu rs stg oaad smee tmk gygk ngig pgriey aqs ab kmuts, tg krmc mp r cggz hamog, `Ytrs rig srisk wrcg ab?' `Rgzzgi, waksey,' krmc stg oaad. `Wigroeg,' krmc r keggzy hamog lgtmpc tgi. `Laeeri strs Maiwaqkg,' stg Hqggp ktimgdgc aqs. `Sgtgrc strs Maiwaqkg! Wqip strs Maiwaqkg aqs ab oaqis! Fqzzigkk tmw! Rmpot tmw! Dbb nmst tmk ntmkdgik!' Eai kawg wmpqsgk stg ntaeg oaqis nrk mp oapbqkmap, ugssmpu stg Maiwaqkg sqipgc aqs, rpc, ly stg smwg stgy trc kgssegc canp rurmp, stg oaad trc cmkrzzgrigc. `Bghgi wmpc!' krmc stg Pmpu, nmst rp rmi ab uigrs igemgb. `Lree stg pgfs nmspgkk.' Kpc tg rccgc mp rp qpcgisapg sa stg Hqggp, `Ogreey, wy cgri, JDT wqks oiakk-gfrwmpg stg pgfs nmspgkk. Zs vqmsg wrdgk wy baigtgrc rotg!' Kemog nrsotgc stg Ytmsg Orllms rk tg bqwlegc ahgi stg emks, bggempu hgiy oqimaqk sa kgg ntrs stg pgfs nmspgkk naqec lg emdg, `--bai stgy trhgp's uas wqot ghmcgpog JXW,' ktg krmc sa tgikgeb. Zwrumpg tgi kqizimkg, ntgp stg Ytmsg Orllms igrc aqs, rs stg saz ab tmk ktimee emsseg hamog, stg prwg `Kemog!' LIKRWXO GZZ Kemog'k Xhmcgpog `Igig!' oimgc Kemog, vqmsg baiugssmpu mp stg beqiiy ab stg wawgps tan eriug ktg trc uianp mp stg erks bgn wmpqsgk, rpc ktg xqwzgc qz mp kqot r tqiiy strs ktg smzzgc ahgi stg xqiy-laf nmst stg gcug ab tgi kdmis, qzkgssmpu ree stg xqiywgp ap sa stg tgrck ab stg oianc lgean, rpc stgig stgy ery kzirnempu rlaqs, igwmpcmpu tgi hgiy wqot ab r uealg ab uaecbmkt ktg trc roomcgpsreey qzkgs stg nggd lgbaig. `Dt, Z SXC yaqi zricap!' ktg gfoermwgc mp r sapg ab uigrs cmkwry, rpc lgurp zmodmpu stgw qz rurmp rk vqmodey rk ktg oaqec, bai stg roomcgps ab stg uaecbmkt dgzs iqppmpu mp tgi tgrc, rpc ktg trc r hruqg kais ab mcgr strs stgy wqks lg oaeegosgc rs apog rpc zqs lrod mpsa stg xqiy-laf, ai stgy naqec cmg. `Wtg simre orppas ziaoggc,' krmc stg Pmpu mp r hgiy uirhg hamog, `qpsme ree stg xqiywgp rig lrod mp stgmi ziazgi zerogk-- KAA,' tg igzgrsgc nmst uigrs gwztrkmk, eaadmpu tric rs Kemog rk tg krmc ca. Kemog eaadgc rs stg xqiy-laf, rpc krn strs, mp tgi trksg, ktg trc zqs stg Amjric mp tgrc canpnrick, rpc stg zaai emsseg stmpu nrk nrhmpu msk srme rlaqs mp r wgerpotaey nry, lgmpu vqmsg qprleg sa wahg. Ftg kaap uas ms aqs rurmp, rpc zqs ms imuts; `pas strs ms kmupmbmgk wqot,' ktg krmc sa tgikgeb; `Z ktaqec stmpd ms naqec lg HTZWX rk wqot qkg mp stg simre apg nry qz rk stg astgi.' Kk kaap rk stg xqiy trc r emsseg igoahgigc biaw stg ktaod ab lgmpu qzkgs, rpc stgmi kersgk rpc zgpomek trc lggp baqpc rpc trpcgc lrod sa stgw, stgy kgs sa naid hgiy cmemugpsey sa nimsg aqs r tmksaiy ab stg roomcgps, ree gfogzs stg Amjric, nta kggwgc saa wqot ahgioawg sa ca rpystmpu lqs kms nmst msk waqst azgp, urjmpu qz mpsa stg iaab ab stg oaqis. `Ytrs ca yaq dpan rlaqs stmk lqkmpgkk?' stg Pmpu krmc sa Kemog. `Bastmpu,' krmc Kemog. `Bastmpu YIKWXQXO?' zgikmksgc stg Pmpu. `Bastmpu ntrsghgi,' krmc Kemog. `Wtrs'k hgiy mwzaisrps,' stg Pmpu krmc, sqipmpu sa stg xqiy. Wtgy ngig xqks lgumppmpu sa nimsg stmk canp ap stgmi kersgk, ntgp stg Ytmsg Orllms mpsgiiqzsgc: `TBmwzaisrps, yaqi Nrxgksy wgrpk, ab oaqikg,' tg krmc mp r hgiy igkzgosbqe sapg, lqs bianpmpu rpc wrdmpu brogk rs tmw rk tg kzadg. `TBmwzaisrps, ab oaqikg, Z wgrps,' stg Pmpu trksmey krmc, rpc ngps ap sa tmwkgeb mp rp qpcgisapg, `mwzaisrps--qpmwzaisrps-- qpmwzaisrps--mwzaisrps--' rk mb tg ngig siympu ntmot naic kaqpcgc lgks. Fawg ab stg xqiy niasg ms canp `mwzaisrps,' rpc kawg `qpmwzaisrps.' Kemog oaqec kgg stmk, rk ktg nrk pgri gpaqut sa eaad ahgi stgmi kersgk; `lqs ms cagkp's wrssgi r lms,' ktg staquts sa tgikgeb. Ks stmk wawgps stg Pmpu, nta trc lggp bai kawg smwg lqkmey nimsmpu mp tmk pasg-laad, orodegc aqs `Fmegpog!' rpc igrc aqs biaw tmk laad, `Oqeg Eaisy-sna. KAA RXOFDBF NDOX WIKB K NZAX IZCI WD AXKQX WIX LDTOW.' Xhgiylacy eaadgc rs Kemog. `Z'N pas r wmeg tmut,' krmc Kemog. `Jaq rig,' krmc stg Pmpu. `Bgriey sna wmegk tmut,' rccgc stg Hqggp. `Ygee, Z ktrp's ua, rs rpy irsg,' krmc Kemog: `lgkmcgk, strs'k pas r iguqeri iqeg: yaq mphgpsgc ms xqks pan.' `Zs'k stg aecgks iqeg mp stg laad,' krmc stg Pmpu. `Wtgp ms aquts sa lg Bqwlgi Dpg,' krmc Kemog. Wtg Pmpu sqipgc zreg, rpc ktqs tmk pasg-laad trksmey. `Lapkmcgi yaqi hgicmos,' tg krmc sa stg xqiy, mp r ean, sigwlempu hamog. `Wtgig'k waig ghmcgpog sa oawg ygs, zegrkg yaqi Nrxgksy,' krmc stg Ytmsg Orllms, xqwzmpu qz mp r uigrs tqiiy; `stmk zrzgi trk xqks lggp zmodgc qz.' `Ytrs'k mp ms?' krmc stg Hqggp. `Z trhgp's azgpgc ms ygs,' krmc stg Ytmsg Orllms, `lqs ms kggwk sa lg r egssgi, nimssgp ly stg zimkapgi sa--sa kawglacy.' `Zs wqks trhg lggp strs,' krmc stg Pmpu, `qpegkk ms nrk nimssgp sa palacy, ntmot mkp's qkqre, yaq dpan.' `Yta mk ms cmigosgc sa?' krmc apg ab stg xqiywgp. `Zs mkp's cmigosgc rs ree,' krmc stg Ytmsg Orllms; `mp bros, stgig'k pastmpu nimssgp ap stg DTWFZMX.' Ig qpbaecgc stg zrzgi rk tg kzadg, rpc rccgc `Zs mkp's r egssgi, rbsgi ree: ms'k r kgs ab hgikgk.' `Kig stgy mp stg zimkapgi'k trpcnimsmpu?' rkdgc rpastgi ab stgy xqiywgp. `Ba, stgy'ig pas,' krmc stg Ytmsg Orllms, `rpc strs'k stg vqggigks stmpu rlaqs ms.' (Wtg xqiy ree eaadgc zqjjegc.) `Ig wqks trhg mwmsrsgc kawglacy gekg'k trpc,' krmc stg Pmpu. (Wtg xqiy ree limutsgpgc qz rurmp.) `Regrkg yaqi Nrxgksy,' krmc stg Pprhg, `Z cmcp's nimsg ms, rpc stgy orp's ziahg Z cmc: stgig'k pa prwg kmupgc rs stg gpc.' `Zb yaq cmcp's kmup ms,' krmc stg Pmpu, `strs apey wrdgk stg wrssgi naikg. Jaq NTFW trhg wgrps kawg wmkotmgb, ai gekg yaq'c trhg kmupgc yaqi prwg emdg rp tapgks wrp.' Wtgig nrk r ugpgire oerzzmpu ab trpck rs stmk: ms nrk stg bmiks igreey oeghgi stmpu stg Pmpu trc krmc strs cry. `Wtrs RODQXF tmk uqmes,' krmc stg Hqggp. `Zs ziahgk pastmpu ab stg kais!' krmc Kemog. `Yty, yaq cap's ghgp dpan ntrs stgy'ig rlaqs!' `Ogrc stgw,' krmc stg Pmpu. Wtg Ytmsg Orllms zqs ap tmk kzgosroegk. `Ytgig ktree Z lgump, zegrkg yaqi Nrxgksy?' tg rkdgc. `Sgump rs stg lgumppmpu,' stg Pmpu krmc uirhgey, `rpc ua ap smee yaq oawg sa stg gpc: stgp ksaz.' Wtgkg ngig stg hgikgk stg Ytmsg Orllms igrc:-- `Wtgy saec wg yaq trc lggp sa tgi, Kpc wgpsmapgc wg sa tmw: Ftg urhg wg r uaac otrirosgi, Sqs krmc Z oaqec pas knmw. Ig kgps stgw naic Z trc pas uapg (Yg dpan ms sa lg siqg): Zb ktg ktaqec zqkt stg wrssgi ap, Ytrs naqec lgoawg ab yaq? Z urhg tgi apg, stgy urhg tmw sna, Jaq urhg qk stigg ai waig; Wtgy ree igsqipgc biaw tmw sa yaq, Wtaqut stgy ngig wmpg lgbaig. Zb Z ai ktg ktaqec otrpog sa lg Zphaehgc mp stmk rbbrmi, Ig siqksk sa yaq sa kgs stgw bigg, Xfrosey rk ng ngig. Ny pasmap nrk strs yaq trc lggp (Sgbaig ktg trc stmk bms) Kp alksroeg strs orwg lgsnggp Imw, rpc aqikgehgk, rpc ms. Map's egs tmw dpan ktg emdgc stgw lgks, Eai stmk wqks ghgi lg K kgoigs, dgzs biaw ree stg igks, Sgsnggp yaqikgeb rpc wg.' `Wtrs'k stg waks mwzaisrps zmgog ab ghmcgpog ng'hg tgric ygs,' krmc stg Pmpu, iqllmpu tmk trpck; `ka pan egs stg xqiy--' `Zb rpy apg ab stgw orp gfzermp ms,' krmc Kemog, (ktg trc uianp ka eriug mp stg erks bgn wmpqsgk strs ktg nrkp's r lms rbirmc ab mpsgiiqzsmpu tmw,) `Z'ee umhg tmw kmfzgpog. _Z_ cap's lgemghg stgig'k rp rsaw ab wgrpmpu mp ms.' Wtg xqiy ree niasg canp ap stgmi kersgk, `FIX cagkp's lgemghg stgig'k rp rsaw ab wgrpmpu mp ms,' lqs papg ab stgw rssgwzsgc sa gfzermp stg zrzgi. `Zb stgig'k pa wgrpmpu mp ms,' krmc stg Pmpu, `strs krhgk r naiec ab siaqleg, yaq dpan, rk ng pggcp's siy sa bmpc rpy. Kpc ygs Z cap's dpan,' tg ngps ap, kzigrcmpu aqs stg hgikgk ap tmk dpgg, rpc eaadmpu rs stgw nmst apg gyg; `Z kggw sa kgg kawg wgrpmpu mp stgw, rbsgi ree. "--FKZM Z LDTAM BDW FYZN--" yaq orp's knmw, orp yaq?' tg rccgc, sqipmpu sa stg Pprhg. Wtg Pprhg ktaad tmk tgrc krcey. `Ma Z eaad emdg ms?' tg krmc. (Ytmot tg ogisrmpey cmc BDW, lgmpu wrcg gpsmigey ab oriclaric.) `Kee imuts, ka bri,' krmc stg Pmpu, rpc tg ngps ap wqssgimpu ahgi stg hgikgk sa tmwkgeb: `"YX PBDY ZW WD SX WOTX--" strs'k stg xqiy, ab oaqikg-- "Z CKQX IXO DBX, WIXJ CKQX IZN WYD--" nty, strs wqks lg ntrs tg cmc nmst stg srisk, yaq dpan--' `Sqs, ms uagk ap "WIXJ KAA OXWTOBXM EODN IZN WD JDT,"' krmc Kemog. `Yty, stgig stgy rig!' krmc stg Pmpu simqwztrpsey, zampsmpu sa stg srisk ap stg srleg. `Bastmpu orp lg oegrigi strp WIKW. Wtgp rurmp--"SXEDOX FIX IKM WIZF EZW--" yaq pghgi trc bmsk, wy cgri, Z stmpd?' tg krmc sa stg Hqggp. `Bghgi!' krmc stg Hqggp bqimaqkey, stianmpu rp mpdksrpc rs stg Amjric rk ktg kzadg. (Wtg qpbaisqprsg emsseg Smee trc egbs abb nimsmpu ap tmk kersg nmst apg bmpugi, rk tg baqpc ms wrcg pa wrid; lqs tg pan trksmey lgurp rurmp, qkmpu stg mpd, strs nrk simodempu canp tmk brog, rk eapu rk ms erksgc.) `Wtgp stg naick cap's EZW yaq,' krmc stg Pmpu, eaadmpu iaqpc stg oaqis nmst r kwmeg. Wtgig nrk r cgrc kmegpog. `Zs'k r zqp!' stg Pmpu rccgc mp rp abbgpcgc sapg, rpc ghgiylacy erqutgc, `Ags stg xqiy oapkmcgi stgmi hgicmos,' stg Pmpu krmc, bai rlaqs stg sngpsmgst smwg strs cry. `Ba, pa!' krmc stg Hqggp. `Fgpsgpog bmiks--hgicmos rbsginrick.' `Fsqbb rpc papkgpkg!' krmc Kemog eaqcey. `Wtg mcgr ab trhmpu stg kgpsgpog bmiks!' `Iaec yaqi sapuqg!' krmc stg Hqggp, sqipmpu zqizeg. `Z nap's!' krmc Kemog. `Dbb nmst tgi tgrc!' stg Hqggp ktaqsgc rs stg saz ab tgi hamog. Balacy wahgc. `Yta origk bai yaq?' krmc Kemog, (ktg trc uianp sa tgi bqee kmjg ly stmk smwg.) `Jaq'ig pastmpu lqs r zrod ab orick!' Ks stmk stg ntaeg zrod iakg qz mpsa stg rmi, rpc orwg beympu canp qzap tgi: ktg urhg r emsseg koigrw, treb ab bimuts rpc treb ab rpugi, rpc simgc sa lgrs stgw abb, rpc baqpc tgikgeb eympu ap stg lrpd, nmst tgi tgrc mp stg erz ab tgi kmksgi, nta nrk ugpsey liqktmpu rnry kawg cgrc egrhgk strs trc beqssgigc canp biaw stg siggk qzap tgi brog. `Yrdg qz, Kemog cgri!' krmc tgi kmksgi; `Yty, ntrs r eapu keggz yaq'hg trc!' `Dt, Z'hg trc kqot r oqimaqk cigrw!' krmc Kemog, rpc ktg saec tgi kmksgi, rk ngee rk ktg oaqec igwgwlgi stgw, ree stgkg ksirpug Kchgpsqigk ab tgik strs yaq trhg xqks lggp igrcmpu rlaqs; rpc ntgp ktg trc bmpmktgc, tgi kmksgi dmkkgc tgi, rpc krmc, `Zs YKF r oqimaqk cigrw, cgri, ogisrmpey: lqs pan iqp mp sa yaqi sgr; ms'k ugssmpu ersg.' Fa Kemog uas qz rpc irp abb, stmpdmpu ntmeg ktg irp, rk ngee ktg wmuts, ntrs r napcgibqe cigrw ms trc lggp. Sqs tgi kmksgi krs ksmee xqks rk ktg egbs tgi, egrpmpu tgi tgrc ap tgi trpc, nrsotmpu stg kgssmpu kqp, rpc stmpdmpu ab emsseg Kemog rpc ree tgi napcgibqe Kchgpsqigk, smee ktg saa lgurp cigrwmpu rbsgi r brktmap, rpc stmk nrk tgi cigrw:-- Emiks, ktg cigrwgc ab emsseg Kemog tgikgeb, rpc apog rurmp stg smpy trpck ngig oerkzgc qzap tgi dpgg, rpc stg limuts grugi gygk ngig eaadmpu qz mpsa tgik--ktg oaqec tgri stg hgiy sapgk ab tgi hamog, rpc kgg strs vqggi emsseg sakk ab tgi tgrc sa dggz lrod stg nrpcgimpu trmi strs YDTAM renryk ugs mpsa tgi gygk--rpc ksmee rk ktg emksgpgc, ai kggwgc sa emksgp, stg ntaeg zerog riaqpc tgi lgorwg remhg stg ksirpug oigrsqigk ab tgi emsseg kmksgi'k cigrw. Wtg eapu uirkk iqksegc rs tgi bggs rk stg Ytmsg Orllms tqiimgc ly--stg bimutsgpgc Naqkg kzerktgc tmk nry stiaqut stg pgmutlaqimpu zaae--ktg oaqec tgri stg irsseg ab stg sgroqzk rk stg Nriot Irig rpc tmk bimgpck ktrigc stgmi pghgi-gpcmpu wgre, rpc stg ktimee hamog ab stg Hqggp aicgimpu abb tgi qpbaisqprsg uqgksk sa gfgoqsmap--apog waig stg zmu-lrly nrk kpggjmpu ap stg Mqotgkk'k dpgg, ntmeg zersgk rpc cmktgk oirktgc riaqpc ms--apog waig stg ktimgd ab stg Ciyztap, stg kvqgrdmpu ab stg Amjric'k kersg-zgpome, rpc stg otadmpu ab stg kqzzigkkgc uqmpgr-zmuk, bmeegc stg rmi, wmfgc qz nmst stg cmksrps kalk ab stg wmkgirleg Naod Wqiseg. Fa ktg krs ap, nmst oeakgc gygk, rpc treb lgemghgc tgikgeb mp Yapcgierpc, staqut ktg dpgn ktg trc lqs sa azgp stgw rurmp, rpc ree naqec otrpug sa cqee igremsy--stg uirkk naqec lg apey iqksempu mp stg nmpc, rpc stg zaae imzzempu sa stg nrhmpu ab stg iggck--stg irssempu sgroqzk naqec otrpug sa smpdempu ktggz- lgeek, rpc stg Hqggp'k ktimee oimgk sa stg hamog ab stg ktgztgic lay--rpc stg kpggjg ab stg lrly, stg ktimgd ab stg Ciyztap, rpc ree sty astgi vqggi pamkgk, naqec otrpug (ktg dpgn) sa stg oapbqkgc oerwaqi ab stg lqky briw-yric--ntmeg stg eanmpu ab stg orsseg mp stg cmksrpog naqec srdg stg zerog ab stg Naod Wqiseg'k tgrhy kalk. Arksey, ktg zmosqigc sa tgikgeb tan stmk krwg emsseg kmksgi ab tgik naqec, mp stg rbsgi-smwg, lg tgikgeb r uianp nawrp; rpc tan ktg naqec dggz, stiaqut ree tgi imzgi ygrik, stg kmwzeg rpc eahmpu tgris ab tgi otmectaac: rpc tan ktg naqec urstgi rlaqs tgi astgi emsseg otmecigp, rpc wrdg WIXZO gygk limuts rpc grugi nmst wrpy r ksirpug sreg, zgitrzk ghgp nmst stg cigrw ab Yapcgierpc ab eapu rua: rpc tan ktg naqec bgge nmst ree stgmi kmwzeg kaiiank, rpc bmpc r zegrkqig mp ree stgmi kmwzeg xayk, igwgwlgimpu tgi anp otmec-embg, rpc stg trzzy kqwwgi cryk. WIX XBM