Читать книгу The Scientists Revolt - Edgar Rice Burroughs - Страница 4

CHAPTER I

Twenty-Two Years Later

“‘Your Ma is a very sick woman, Mackie.”

The older man, sitting at his desk, did not raise his eyes to his son as he spoke, and the other knew that it was because he feared to reveal the emotion that lay behind them and thus give the boy greater cause for apprehension.

“I guessed as much when I got your message, Dad.” As he spoke, Macklin Donovan, arose. Walking to his father’s side he laid his hand affectionately and sympathetically upon the broad shoulder of the strato-police lieutenant. “May I see her?” he asked.

“That is all, Mackie—just see her,” replied his father. “She won’t know you. The doctor has ordered absolute quiet.”

The younger man nodded, and together they tiptoed their way upstairs to a room on the second floor.

When they returned to the den again there was a hint of moisture on the lashes of both men.

“How did you find me?” asked the younger man. “Through the department?”

“Yes. I telephoned Washington. Your chief told me where you were.”

“I am still on the Thorn case. It’s got us guessing. No one in the department believes Mr. Thorn to be more than a visionary philanthropist with conservative socialistic leanings.