el corazón de crystal - b.l. miller

8/17/2019 El corazón de Crystal - B.L. Miller

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Bg Nhrdzþl `b Nrystdg `b FG Oeggbr Prdùnneþl3 Dgbsetd

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BG NHVDSÞL @B NVE^PDG

`b FG Oeggbr

Prdùnthrd3 Dgbsetd

Gh usudg bl uld mesthred `b FG Oeggbr, bsnblds bxpgïnetds `b dohr bltrb `hs oucbrbs, mdyrbabrblneds y rbagbxehlbs `b dfush aïsenh y sbxudg dsï qub se bsd ngdsb `b nhsds tb ohgbstdl, pub`bsfusndr htrd mesthred èabrbltb d bstd gbnturd. Dgnhmhg y `rhkds, sï. Gds pbrsbnunehlbs `b nhnmbs ydrods, lh.

Lhtd `b gd trdùnthrd3 Tuebrh dkrd`bnbr dltbs qub ld`d d uld doekd qub mezh qub ob nhlvertebrd

bl ]bletb `b nhrdzþl (h nhoh ènb oe doekd vbreth bl Kdfrebggetb), tó brbs gd rbsphlsdfgb `b qubbstb obte`d bl bsth, tb gh `bfh d te ^mdhgge yd tblkh oäs `b ul dôh!!. Pdofeål quebrh dkrd`bnbrth`hs ghs äleohs pdrd ph`br `bneèrob d trdùner bstd mbrohsd mesthred, krdneds bspbnedgbs dKDFF phr sbr tdl odrdvegghsd y odl`drob bg oäs mbrohsh rbkdgh (Gds tbophrd`ds), krdnedstdofeål d oe doekd ^dl`y så qub bstäs pdsdl`h ul ohoblth èaïneg pbrh dleoh bg dohr seboprbtreulad, bstb aen sbrä tu èstrdnneþl, y phr supubsth lh ph`ïd hgve`drob `b htrd krdl doekd, Qbrhpdkrdneds oeg phr bstd mbrohsd phrtd`d qub ob èsbôdstb pdrd bg aen, tb qub`h ouy mht. U krdneds dth`ds phr gbbr bstds mesthreds.


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YDVPB 4

Gd ougtetu` kretdfd oäs aubrtb oebltrds gds gunbs sb dpdkdfdl. Bltrb fdofdgelds, Nrystdgnhoprhfþ `hs vbnbs qub ghs dcustbs `b su vbsteobltd nhl arutds bstuvebrdl febl. Bsnunmþ dgèrbnthr `b prhùnneþl, Venj, `dr gd feblvble`d d th`h bg oul`h y `dr d nhlhnbr gd gestd `boucbrbs qub sb prbsbltdrïdl bsd tdr`b. Ph`hs brdl lhofrbs nhlhne`hs pdrd bggd, mdfebl`htrdfdcd`h yd ndse sbes obsbs bl bg sdgþl Pho Ndt. @hs oucbrbs nhl bsndsd vbsteobltd drrbkgdfdlsus trdcbs gestds pdrd thodr sus phsenehlbs bl bg bsnbldreh. Nrystdg elngelþ gd ndfbzd y bspbrþ dg gd`h`bg pulth nbltrdg.

‐¡¡¡U febl!!! êl tdr`dr oäs,... ‐ èch Venj. ‐Pblkh bg kusth `b prbsbltdrgbs d gds Pho Ndt Jettbls,nhl su prhtdkhlestd prelnepdg, ¡¡gd kdtetd `bg obs Nrystdg Ybdjs!!

Gd ougtetu` kretþ oäs aubrtb oebltrds gds gunbs efdl thrläl`hsb tblubs. Gd nhrteld sufeþ y gdoósend nhoblzþ. Nrystdg blvhgveþ su frdzh ezquebr`h dgrb`b`hr `bg tufh, bspbrdl`h bg ohoblth custh. Gd nhlùnneþl, bg thqub brþtenh, aub èsbôd`d pdrd ndptdr bg bstd`h `b äleoh ndrldg `bgpófgenh, y gd rufed fdegdreld `b streptbdsb sdfïd nþoh usdr bsb bstd`h `b äleoh pdrd vbltdcd suyd.Ohstrdl`h su shlresd adgsd d gd duèblned, sus hchs bsnu`reôdrhl gds obsds oäs nbrndlds dgbsnbldreh. Gd bxpbreblned gb mdfïd blsbôd`h ouy febl y Nrystdg pu`h räpe`dobltb bsnhkbr d susprelnepdgbs phsefgbs ngebltbs. Bsnhkebl`h dg obchr prbtblèbltb, ul mhofrb `b obèdld b`d` qubsucbtdfd vdrehs feggbtbs bl su odlh, gb kueôþ bg hch y èh vubgtds dgrb`b`hr `bg tufh. Gds `boäsnmends d dofhs gd`hs `b bggd menebrhl gh oesoh, y ggbvdrhl d ndfh gd oesod ruteldred dntudneþl.

Nhlahrob gd oósend efd ndofedl`h Nrystdg terþ `b su nhrså drrdlnäl`hgh nhl aubrzd `b su nubrph`äl`hgb uld shlresd adgsd bl rbspubstd d sus dngdodnehlbs, sdnuèþ y oblbþ sus sblhs nhohounmds htrds vbnbs gh mdfïd mbnmh, odltblebl`h su oerd`d bl åg, pblsdl`h pdrd sus d`bltrhsarïdobltb. Oerd th`h gh qub quebrds, cdoäs gh tbl`räs, hsnegdfd phr bg nbltrh y sb ohvïd mdnebl`hqub sus pbnmhs nufebrths `b dnbetb sdgtdrdl y sb fdgdlnbdrdl dg retoh `b gd oósend.

Bstd lhnmb, sel bofdrkh, bg `bstelh tuvh htrhs pgdlbs pdrd gd chvbl drtestd `b streptbdsb. Nhlahrobdvdlzdfd phr bg fhr`b `bg bsnbldreh y sb elngeldfd pdrd qub su ngebltb nhghndrd dgkulhs feggbtbs dgh gdrkh `b su tdlkd, uld odlh krdl`b sb bxtblèþ mdned bggd y gd bopucþ aubrd `bg bsnbldreh.Nrystdg sb blnhltrþ `b prhlth bl bg rbkdzh `b ul mhofrb pdrnedgobltb ndgvh, gd odlh th`dvïddkdrrdfd su frdzh.

‐Tuebrh ul phnh oäs qub uld seopgb sdnuè`d phr oe èlbrh, ndreôh‐ gb èch gdsnevdobltb,usdl`h su odlh gefrb pdrd thodrsb gd gefbrtd` `b thndr sus pbnmhs bxpubsths. û aubrtb dkdrrb lhgb pbroetïd gefbrdrsb, hfgekäl`hgd d shphrtdr gds ndreneds mdstd qub ghs khregds `b sbkure`d`ggbkdrhl y gb quetdrhl `b blneod dg ngebltb hablshr.

Yhr oäs qub quesh Nrystdg ul oeluth pdrd ph`br rbnupbrdrsb, uld sbôdg `b Venj gd ahrzþ d vhgvbrshfrb bg bsnbldreh.

Qdreds aegds dträs, bg ndodrbrh nhghnþ uld fbfe`d bl gd obsd. ‐¸^b gbs harbnb dgkh oäs8‐ prbkultþ.

‐Bsthy nhopgbtdobltb sbrve`h‐ èch bg mhofrb oerdl`h d su nhopdôbrd shrprbl`bltbobltbfbggd. ‐¸Tuå mdy `b te Gdurd8‐


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Bggd shstblïd su vdsh d obèh dndfdr.

‐Bsthy th`dvïd trdfdcdl`h bl bstb, Ybtbr.‐ Nhghnþ su pguod shfrb su nud`brlh `b lhtds y shlreþfurghldobltb. ‐Vbnubr`d, bofhrrdnmdrob lh dyu`d d tu ndusd bl dfshguth. Obchr kdstd tuèlbrh bl 'ngdvdrgh' phr dmï.‐ ^bôdgdl`h d ulh `b ghs khregds `b sbkure`d`.

‐Lh ob èkds, bsh le bl subôhs ‐ Ybtbr nhltbstþ. Ydsþ sus `b`hs phr su `bgkd`h ndfbggh rhch yoerþ dg `b sbkure`d` htrd vbz. ‐¸Pó peblsds qub åg gh bs8‐

‐Fublh‐ bggd thoþ htrh shrfh `b su wmesjy bsnhnås nhl sh`d. ‐ê åg bs..., sbrïd obchr qub ågaubrd bg qub rbnefebrd y lh bg qub tb èbrd h sbräs ul pbqubôh mhofrb `hge`h phr gd odôdld.‐

‐Hm, pbrh d ul mhofrb gb kustd bsh ‐ Ybtbr susperþ, kdläl`hsb uld resd dmhkd`d `b bggd. ‐¸Uquå mdy `b te8‐ Mezh sbôds nhl sus hchs mdned bg bsnbldreh. ‐Rl pdr nhoh dqubgghs ph`rïdshahndrtb.‐

‐^ï, bxnbpth quå ob tblkh qub er ‐ Gdurd tbroelþ su fbfe`d b mezh uld sbôd dg ndodrbrh. ‐D`boäs lh bs phr bsh phr gh qub bstdohs dquï.‐

‐ê, se... så qub shgh quebrbs hftblbr elahrodneþl pdrd tu mesthred. ¡^dlth @ehs! ¸Dndsh vds d sbruld dodrkd`d pdrd seboprb8‐

‐Lh shy uld dodrkd`d ‐ èch arïdobltb. ‐êopgbobltb lh peblsh qub uld drtestd `b streptbdsbsbd bxdntdobltb gh qub bsthy fusndl`h pdrd qub sbd oe pdrbcd, bsh bs th`h.‐

‐¸Tueål mdfgþ shfrb ul nhoprhoesh `b phr ve`d8, bsthy mdfgäl`htb `b ggbvdrtb d gd ^bôhretd `bBlhrobs Pbtds d tu dpdrtdoblth y obnbr su oul`h phr gd lhnmb.‐ ^b dphyþ mdned dträs yblnblèþ ul nekdrreggh. ‐Qdohs Gdurd. Pó lbnbsetds oäs bl gd ve`d qub shgh tu hr`bld`hr y tusmesthreds, teblbs qub dòeter qub bggd bs ul èklh y fhleth pdqubtb qub dòerdr.‐

‐Krdneds, pbrh lh Ybtbr. Bstdohs febl dquï, pub`h vbr nhrrbntdobltb nd`d `btdggb. ‐ Fbfeþ bgnhltble`h `bcdl`h qub bg gïque`h qubodrd d trdvås `b su kdrkdltd.

‐Bs tu bgbnneþl.‐ Ohvebl`h su ndfbzd. ‐Lh bstä odg `bcdrsb ndbr bl bg 'mblh' `b vbz blnudl`h.‐

‐Brbs tdl gucurehsh, Ybtbr.‐ Nhl uld shlresd. ‐Bstäs vevebl`h nhl Oenmdbg, y dl`ds nhrrebl`h`b dggä pdrd dnä nhoh se aubrds shgtbrh. @bfbrïds nhoprdr nhl`hlbs phr se dndsh.‐

‐Yhr gh oblhs yh lh lbnbseth qub ul ndgbl`dreh ob rbnubr`b nudl`h aub gd ógteod vbz qub tuvb

rbgdnehlbs sbxudgbs.‐ Gdurd gb èrekeþ uld oerd`d `b tb vhy d odtdr pbrh bg chvbl shlreþfurghldobltb y oerþ `b lubvh mdned bg bsnbldreh.

‐@e gh qub quebrds qubre`d. Uh èkh qub dul dsï tb oubrbs phr bggd.‐

‐Lh ob oubrh phr bggd ‐ rbshpgþ `äl`hgb ul nh`dzh bl bg frdzh.


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‐¸Blthlnbs phr quå lh mds blnhltrd`h uld nhopdôbrd lubvd pdrd tu dpdrtdoblth8 ^dfbs ouyfebl qub lh pub`bs odltblbr bsb dpdrtdoblth tu shgd.‐

‐Brbs oe dkbltb `b dgquegbr, ¸nþoh sb suphlb qub `bfh nhlsbkuer d dgkuebl, se lh oubstrds bgdpdrtdoblth8‐ Gb rbpgenþ oebltrds dketdfd su pdgeggh pdrd rbohvbr su fbfe`d.

‐Lh mb phè`h blnhltrdr th`dvïd d dgkuebl qub nuopgd tus dgths rbqubreoeblths, Gdurd. Lh nrbhqub le bg oesoh Ydpd pub`d nuopger nhl tus rbqubreoeblths.‐

‐¸Nrbbs qub bsthy sebl`h errdzhldfgb8‐

‐¸Errdzhldfgb8‐ Ybtbr terþ su ndfbzd mdned dträs y reþ. ‐Tuebrbs uld pbrshld qub lh auob, qublh fbfd, ul obs phr d`bgdltd`h `b dgquegbr y dpdrtb ul obs `b `bpþseth, lh odsnhtds, lh leôhs,lh... ‐

‐Ud bltbl`ï ‐ sb qubcþ. ‐Lh shy tdl odgd, pbrh tblkh qub sbr ndpdz `b ph`br vever nhl bsdpbrshld.‐ ûsperþ y nhkeþ su fbfe`d. ‐¸Lh nhlhnbs d dgkól nmenh kdy qub bstå fusndl`h ulgukdr pdrd vever8‐

‐Lh qubrrïds d lelkulh `b ghs qub nhlhznh, nråbob.‐ ^hlreþ sdrnästendobltb y èh ul blhrobtrdkh d su fbfe`d. ‐^hl th`hs ulhs lburþtenhs h `bsbspbrdlzd`hs nhgkd`hs `b sus od`rbs h susbx―s.‐

‐Hm, ¸quebrbs `bner, nþoh tó8‐ frhobþ.

Ybtbr aelkeþ bstdr gdsteod`h phr ul ohoblth dltbs `b shlrbïr dfebrtdobltb. ‐Fublh, dg oblhstblkh d dgkuebl qub ob gh mdkd y lh shgh uld odlh rhsd`d y sus 2 doekhs.‐

‐Phunmå.‐ Gdurd èch oebltrds oerdfd su rbghc `b pugsbrd. ‐^b mdnb tdr`b y tblkh qubblnhltrdrob nhl bg bèthr odôdld tboprdlh.‐

‐¸Lh tb ohvbräl tu abnmd thpb `b bltrbkd8‐

Gdurd lbkþ nhl gd ndfbzd. ‐¸Pó nrbbs qub pbèrïd ul nråèth `b ul oeggþl `b `þgdrbs y dpdrtbpeèbrd oäs teboph8‐ ^b push `b peb y nhkeþ su nmdqubtd. ‐Krdneds phr vbler nhloekh bstdlhnmb.‐ Vbnhkeþ su nud`brlh `b lhtds y su fhgsh `bspuås Ybtbr gb dyu`þ d phlbrsb su nmdqubtd.

‐Ggäodob tdl prhlth nhoh pub`ds bl nudlth tblkds d dgkuebl pdrd bg dpdrtdoblth. ‐

‐Gh mdrå.‐ Oebltrds ndoeldfdl mdned gd pubrtd Ybtbr èvesþ uld pezdrrd nhl `hnblds `b tdrcbtds

`b dlulnehs shstble`ds bl bg gukdr phr nmelnmbtds ougtenhghrbs. ‐Dm bsh bs uld fubld e`bd.‐ Obtebl`h gd odlh bl bg fhgseggh sdnþ uld `b sus tdrcbtds y gd nhghnþ bl obèh `b gd pezdrrd.

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Bltrdl`h bl su dpdrtdoblth, Nrystdg bnmþ sus ggdvbs shfrb gd obsetd `b ndaå, b efd rbvesdl`h sunhrrbh oebltrds sb èrekïd d gd nhneld. Nhrrbh fdsurd. ‐Oäs nubltds ‐ sb qubcþ, y gdlzþ bg ohltþl


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`b nhrrbh bl bg oubfgb `b gd dgdnbld. Dfreþ bg rbarekbrd`hr pdrd rbvbgdr tdl shgh dgkulhs dgeoblthsyd ndùnd`hs y ul frej ndse vdnïh `b gbnmb. @b prhlth pblsþ bl nhoprdr dgkh pbrh yd brd ouytdr`b y bsd e`bd sb bsauoþ. ‐¡Odgèneþl!‐ Gd drtestd `b streptbdsb dfreþ bg nhlkbgd`hr y sdnþ uldpezzd nhlkbgd`d y gd obteþ bl bg oenrhhl`ds, thoþ ul vdsh `b nrestdg `b gd dgdnbld dltbs `bblndoeldrsb d gd sdgd `b bstdr. Dg gd`h `bg shaä bstdfd uld fhtbggd obèh vdnïd `b wmesjy qubmdfïd nhoprd`h gd lhnmb dltbrehr. Nrystdg thoþ dseblth y ggblþ bg vdsh dltbs `b dgndlzdr gdpeteggbrd y su blnbl`b`hr. Elmdgþ bg muoh gbltdobltb qubodl`h sus pugohlbs, nhltuvh bg dgeblthul ohoblth dltbs `b `bcdrgh sdger gbltdobltb. Ndse elstdltälbdobltb selteþ ghs babnths, su nubrphrbgdcäl`hsb fdch gd elagublned `b gd odremudld. Htrd gdrkd elmdgdneþl sbkue`d phr vdrehs trdkhs `bwmesjy. Gd streppbr yd bstdfd `bodsed`h nhghnd`d nhoh pdrd rbnhr`dr gd nbld. Blnblèþ gdtbgbveseþl, prbsehlþ ghs fhthlbs `bg nhltrhg rbohth mdstd qub blnhltrþ bg ndldg `b ve`bhs `boósend. Yrbstþ phnd dtblneþl d gd pdltdggd `äl`hgb oäs eophrtdlned d su fbfe`d y dg phrrh qubbltuobnïd sus sblte`hs.

Gd ldrez `b Nrystdg lhtþ ul aubrtb hghr d muoh qub gd mezh `bspbrtdr `b su elnhlsneblned. ‐¸Yb-pbrh qub `bohlehs8‐ Nhl su obltb dul fhrrhsd gb thoh ulhs nudlths sbkul`hs oäs `drsbnubltd `b qub dgkh dl`dfd odg. Ydrd blthlnbs bg aubkh `bg oenrhhl`ds sb mdfïd prhpdkd`h phrblneod `b gds dgdnblds y d trdvås `b gd nhneld. Bg aubkh yd sb mdfïd bxtblè`h `bodsed`h nhohpdrd ph`br dpdkdrgh nhl ul bxtelthr. Nrystdg thoþ uld ndcd `b ndrtþl qub bstdfd vdnïd y nhoblzþd ggbldr gd ndcd `b sus phsbsehlbs oäs prbned`ds: ul trhabh pbqubôh, uld aekureggd `b nbräoend, ulägfuo vebch `b ahths, uld ndrpbtd nhl sus `hnuoblths eophrtdltbs y nudltd rhpd ph`ïd sdgvdr.Nhoh dnth rbagbch nhghnþ su ndrtbrd dgrb`b`hr `b su nubggh tboebl`h lh ph`br rbkrbsdr `bspuåsphr bggd. U bstdfd bl gh nhrrbnth.

Bg nubrph `b fhofbrhs bstdfd yd dggï, mdfebl`h se`h ggdod`h phr ulh `b ghs vbnelhs. Pdl prhlthnhoh Nrystdg sdgeþ `b su dpdrtdoblth, ghs fhofbrhs bltrdrhl nhl odlkubrds pdrd dpdkdr gdsggdods. Gd streppbr oerdfd eophtbltb nhoh ghs rdu`dgbs `b dkud bltrdfdl bl su dpdrtdoblth,sdgvdl`h gd bstrunturd pbrh drrueldl`h th`h gh qub mdfïd `bcd`h `bltrh. Tubrïd kretdr h lhvhgvbrsb ghnd y bgekeþ bsth ógteoh. @bspuås `b obtbr su e`blteaendneþl y su èlbrh bl ghs fhgsegghs,

nhlsekueþ d dgkuebl qub gb nue`drd gd ndcd nhl sus pbrtblblneds phr bsd lhnmb. @bspuås `bdsbkurdrsb `b qub lh lbnbsetdfd ld`d oäs, Nrystdg sb odrnmþ bl fusnd `b ul fdr nbrndlh.

Gd rufed streppbr sdndfd 62 `þgdrbs nudl`h ul teph nhrpugblth pbrh dkrd`dfgb sb dnbrnþ d bggd.

‐¸Gb pub`h elvetdr d uld fbfe`d8‐

‐¸Dndsh pdrbnb qub lbnbseth htrd fbfe`d8‐ Nmdsqubþ. ‐Qbtb y `bspbrèned tus pdgdfrds bldgkuebl oäs.‐

‐Hyb shgh trdtdfd `b sbr dkrd`dfgb‐ prhtbstþ. ‐U hfsbrvå qub bstdfds ouy shgd.‐

‐¸U lh sb tb hnurreþ qub brd phrqub qubrïd bstdrgh8‐ Nrystdg khgpbþ su vdsh vdnïh rue`hsdobltbshfrb gd fdrrd, ndptdl`h gd dtblneþl `bg ndodrbrh. Bg prbsulth nhlquestd`hr sb èh phr vblne`h yrbkrbsþ nhl sus nhopdôbrhs oebltrds bggd thodfd htrd fbfe`d.

‐Ógteod ggdod`d‐ bg ndodrbrh èch nuäl`h sb dgbcþ. Gd streppbr thoþ su fbfe`d tdl räpe`h nhohpu`h, `bspuås kueôþ ul hch y èh uld shlresd dg fdrodl pdrd hftblbr htrd fbfe`d oäs dltbs `bqub nbrrdrd gd fdrrd.


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Pdofdgbäl`hsb daubrd nhl bg derb lhnturlh, Nrystdg efd trhpbzdl`h phr bg ndoelh mdned suelnblèd`h dpdrtdoblth y dg bstdnehldoeblth `hl`b su nhnmb bstdfd bstdnehld`h. Ydsdrïd gd lhnmbbl bg dseblth trdsbrh `b su duth, bstdl`h `bodsed`h fhrrdnmd nhoh pdrd lhtdr bg arïh `b gdod`rukd`d.

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‐Lh Gdurd, lh mb blnhltrd`h d ldèb dól‐ mdnebl`h kbsths nhl gds odlhs nhoh se bggd bstuvebrddmï. ‐Yhl`rå odôdld ul dlulneh bl bg pbreþènh, ¸tb pdrbnb febl8 ê, tb ggdodrå tdl prhlth sbpddgkh... Hj fyb.‐ Nhgkþ bg tbgåahlh y sb rbngelþ bl gd seggd. ‐Yhr advhr, thob dseblth sbôhretd. ¸Blqub pub`h dyu`drgd8‐

‐Lbnbseth ul dpdrtdoblth.‐ Nhltbstþ.

‐Febl, ustb` md vble`h dg gukdr nhrrbnth.‐ ^hlreþ y sdnþ uld blhrob ndrpbtd ggbld `b ahthkrdaïds.‐Pblbohs vdrehs dpdrtdoblths èsphlefgbs `bltrh `b hnmh nhopgbchs èabrbltbs d th`h gh gdrkh`b bstd zhld. ¸Gh bstä fusndl`h doubfgd`h h sel oubfgbs, ^bôhretd... 8‐

‐^mbre`dl, Nrystdg ^mbre`dl. Bsthy fusndl`h ulh qub bstb doubfgd`h. Ybrh teblb qub sbr phroblhs `b 229 y qub elnguyd ghs sbrvenehs nhouletdrehs.‐

‐Febl... ‐ Ybtbr èh su obchr shlresd oebltrds cultdfd sus odlhs. ‐Ob tboh qub bg oäsbnhlþoenh qub tblbohs bs ulh `b ul shgh `hroethreh y gh tblbohs bl 112. ‐

‐Hm.‐ Gdlzþ gd tdrcbtd `b prbsbltdneþl qub mdfïd thod`h `b gd pezdrrd bl bg nguf mdned bgbsnrethreh. ‐Fusndrå bl htrd pdrtb.‐

Lhtdl`h gd odrnd `b gd nmelnmbtd bl gd tdrcbtd, gb thoþ d Ybtbr tdl shgh ul sbkul`h pdrd `drsb

nubltd phr quå gd rufed gb pdrbnïd tdl adoegedr. ‐¡Bspbrd!‐ @ech bxnetd`dobltb, dkdrrdl`h nhlaubrzd sus odlhs trdtdl`h `b bsnhl`br su bohneþl. ‐¸Bstdrïd eltbrbsd`d bl nhopdrter uldpdrtdoblth nhl htrd pbrshld8 ^å qub bs dfshgutdobltb d`hrdfgb, teblb `hs `hroethrehs, fdgnþl,tbrrdzd y nubltd nhl bstdnehldoeblth prevd`h. ^b rbltd bl 029 y ustb` pdkd gd oetd` `b ghssbrvenehs pófgenhs.‐ Dfreþ bg ndcþl `bg drnmevbrh y sdnþ gd ndrpbtd `bg dpdrtdoblth `b Gdurd.

Nrystdg ̀ u`þ. ‐Lh ob ggbvh febl nhl nhopdôbrhs `b nudrth.‐

‐Hm, pbrh bstb bs pbrabnth pdrd ustb`‐, nhltbstþ. ‐Gd oucbr qub vevb dggï, Gdurd, bs uldbsnrethrd y pdsd gd odyhr pdrtb `bg teboph blnbrrd`d bl su `hroethreh trdfdcdl`h bl su mesthred.‐ Phoþ gd mhcd `b pdpbg gbybl`h gds rbkgds qub Gdurd pb`ïd, gh oerdfd nudl`h Nrystdg sdnþ ul

pdqubtb `b nekdrregghs `bg fhgseggh `b su nmdqubtd `b obzngeggd. ^hlrebl`h èsnrbtdobltb terþ gdgestd `b Gdurd bl gd pdpbgbrd qub bstdfd d ul gd`h `bg bsnrethreh.

‐Bggd bs ouy trdlquegd‐ dsbkurþ.

‐Febl. Lh pub`h vever nhl dgkuebl qub bstb chèbl`h phr gd oäs oïleod nhsd.‐


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‐Yhr supubsth qub lh.‐ Ybtbr usþ su peb pdrd bopucdr gbltdobltb gd pdpbgbrd fdch su bsnrethreh.‐êopgbobltb ånmbgb ul vestdzh d bsth.‐ Dnbrnþ uld `b gds ahths `b gd zhld. ‐¸Mdfïd vesthustb` dgkuld vbz ul gukdr oäs eoprbsehldltb8, custh dquï bstä gd tbrrdzd, ul gukdr odrdvegghsh`hl`b pub`b thodr su `bsdyulh mdstd tdr`b ghs `hoelkhs y phr dquï... ‐ gb ohstrþ htrd ahth. ‐Bstd bs gd obchr vestd `bg gukdr, ghs `hroethrehs bstäl drrefd dsï nhoh tdofeål ul fdôh nhopgbth.¸Gh vb8 Yrevdne`d` y nhohè`d`, th`h bl ulh.‐

‐Dul lh bsthy sbkurd‐ Nrystdg ohrèþ su gdfeh elabrehr y oerþ `b lubvh gds ahthkrdaïds. Bgdpdrtdoblth brd obchr qub bg qub mdfïd pbrè`h y bg nhsth brd sustdlnedgobltb phnh. ‐¸Mdy ulnudrth `b gdvd`h bl bg gukdr8‐

‐Obchr qub bsh.‐ ^bôdgþ uld `b gds ahths. ‐¸Qb bsds pubrtds nhl pbrsedlds8 Gd gdvd`hrd y gdsbnd`hrd bstäl dggï. Gh ólenh qub lbnbsetd mdnbr bs nhoprdr su sudvezdltb y su `btbrkbltb. ‐ Gbsbôdgþ htrd ahth. ‐¸Pblïd ustb` ul gdvdpgdths bl su dltbrehr dpdrtdoblth8‐

‐Lh‐

‐Ghs `b odltbleoeblth dndfdl `b elstdgdr ulh lubvh bl bstb dpdrtdoblth mdnb oblhs `b `hsobsbs. ^bkurdobltb uld oucbr tdl hnupd`d nhoh ustb` dprbnedrïd gd nhlvbleblned `b tblbr ulgdvdpgdths y gds adnege`d`bs `bg nudrth `b gdvd`h.‐

‐¸029 y gd oetd` `b sbrvenehs pófgenhs8‐

‐Bxdntdobltb. Yhr supubsth, shgh lbnbsetd `dr bg preobr obs, y htrh `b `bpþseth pdrd odyhrsbkure`d` ‐ èch ùgnbobltb.

Nrystdg susperþ y sb gbvdltþ. ‐Bsth seopgbobltb lh vd d aulnehldr.‐

‐Y-pbrh bsth bs pbrabnth pdrd ustb`.‐ Bg mhofrb pbgerrhch prhtbstþ oebltrds sb phlïd `b peb. ‐Mb bstd`h bl bstb pdrtenugdr dpdrtdoblth y `åcbob `bnergb qub bs dfshgutdobltb preohrhsh.‐ Kbstenugþ nhl gds odlhs bxdkbrd`dobltb. ‐¸Tuå bs gh qub gb md pdrbne`h odg8‐

‐Lh tblkh tdlth èlbrh.‐

‐ê ustb` lbnbsetd uld sbodld h `hs, yh ob dsbkurh `b rbsbrvdrgh pdrd ustb`.‐

‐Lh pub`h bspbrdr uld sbodld h `hs. Oe dpdrtdoblth aub `bstrue`h phr bg aubkh dlhnmb.Lbnbseth ul gukdr dmhrd.‐

‐Hm phfrb nmend‐ Ybtbr susperþ oebltrds nhghndfd sus odlhs bl su ndrd. Nrystdg kerþ sus hchs y

nhoblzþ dfrer gd pubrtd. ‐Bspbrb.‐ @eh ul pdsh rh`bdl`h bg bsnrethreh y nbrrþ gd pubrtd. ‐Bsthysbkurh qub ph`bohs shgunehldrgh. Yub`b `drob bl pdkhs bg preobr obs elnguybl`h bg `b`bpþseth.‐ Dgndlzþ `b lubvh gds ahths y sb gds vhgveþ d ohstrdr. ‐Bnmb htrh vestdzh y ¸`ïkdob sedndsh lh bs ul dpdrtdoblth `b blsubôh8 ¸Gb oblnehlå qub sb blnubltrd d uld èstdlned qub sbpub`b rbnhrrbr d peb mdstd bg supbrobrnd`h y dg gdkh Frdkk8‐

Hfsbrvdr d Nrystdg oebltrds oerdfd gds ahths, aub th`h gh qub Ybtbr ph`ïd mdnbr pdrd lh rbïrlbrvehsdobltb phr gd bohneþl. ‐¸Dltbs `b qub `bne`d bg lh dnbptdr, sbôhretd ^mbre`dl... ^bôhretd,


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lh bs dsï8‐ ^hlreþ oebltrds elngeldfd gd ndfbzd. ‐Qdohs d bnmdrgb ul vestdzh, ¸gb pdrbnb8‐ êlbspbrdr rbspubstd nhoblzþ d odrndr bg lóobrh tbgbaþlenh `b Gdurd. Yhr subrtb gd bsnrethrd lhbstdfd bl ndsd. ‐Yubs febl‐ èch y nhgkþ bg tbgåahlh. ‐ê kustd ph`bohs er bl oe nhnmb,bstdrbohs dmï bl 2 oeluths.‐ Phoþ gd ggdvb pbkd`d nhl neltd d`mbsevd `b gd ndrpbtd `b Gdurd y gdobteþ bl su fhgseggh.

‐Ggbvdrå oe nhnmb‐ Nrystdg èch aerobobltb.‐Ro... sbkurh, bstä febl. ¸Yh`rïd ustb` trdbrob `b rbkrbsh dquï nudl`h tbroelbohs8‐

‐Oe nhnmb bstd mbnmh ul `bsdstrb ‐ oelteþ. ‐Bs obchr ggbvdr dofhs duths.‐

Ybtbr sb blnhkeþ `b mhofrhs y shlreþ. ‐^bôhretd ^mbre`dl, gb kdrdltezh qub ustb` d`hrdrä bstbgukdr.‐

Rld vbz qub ggbkdrhl dg nhopgbch, d Nrystdg lh gb qub`þ `b htrd oäs qub bstdr `b dnubr`h nhl åg.Nelnubltd bèaenehs sb efdl `bspgbkdl`h bltrb ghs ärfhgbs y ndoelhs seluhshs dyu`dl`h d nrbdr ulsblte`h `b prevdne`d` bltrb ghs bèaenehs. êkuebl`h d Ybtbr `bs`b dträs. Bstdnehlþ su nhnmb bl bgdpdrndoeblth.

‐¸Dgkuld vbz mdfïd vesth ul gukdr tdl bxqueseth8‐ Ybtbr prbkultþ oebltrds bggd sdgïd `b sunhnmb. ‐Pblbohs ul bqueph `b odltbleoeblth `b teboph nhopgbth nhl shgh mdnbr uldggdod`d.‐ Gb sbôdgþ bg ndoelh mdned gd pubrtd prelnepdg. Dg dfrer gd pubrtd èh pdsh d uld sdgd `bbstdr èsbôd`d nhl fubl kusth. Yebzds `b drtb dfstrdnth nhgkdfdl `b gds pdrb`bs y pgdltds `bndntus d`hrldfdl nd`d obsd. Bg shaä y gd seggd qub mdnïdl cubkh bstdfdl bgdfhrd`hs `b sudvb nubrhndaå y uld tbgbveseþl fdstdltb ahroe`dfgb dfdrndfd gd odyhr pdrtb `bg nbltrh `b bltrbtbleoeblth.

‐Gdurd teblb bg obchr kusth bl gh qub sb rbaebrb d `bnhrdneþl ‐ Ybtbr susperþ. ‐Qbdohs gdnhneld, ¸ob dnhopdôd8‐

‐¸Dquï bs `hl`b bstä gd gdvd`hrd y gd sbnd`hrd8‐ Nrystdg prbkultþ oebltrds pdsdfdl dg gd`h `bgds pubrtds `b pbrsedld.

‐^ï. Dmhrd oerb phr dnä, sbôhretd ^mbre`dl. Åstb bs bg subôh `b nudgquebr nmba. Peblb su bstdltb `bbspbneds, y bstd blneobrd teblb qubod`hrbs `bsohltdfgbs qub ustb` pub`b sustetuer phr uldpgdlnmd h pdrreggd.‐

‐Lulnd mdfïd vesth uld blneobrd qub sb puèbrd mdnbr bsh ‐ dòeteþ, oeräl`hgdnue`d`hsdobltb. Rld pdrb` `b gd nhneld tblïd uld krdl pubrtd `b nrestdg nhrrbèzd qub `dfddnnbsh d uld tbrrdzd nþoh`dobltb èstrefue`d. Mdfïd uld obsd rb`hl`d fgdlnd nhl sus

rbspbntevds seggds dnhgnmhld`ds.

‐Bshs ärfhgbs shl bl su odyhrïd rhfgb y drnb ‐ Ybtbr èch, sbôdgdl`h bg obèh dnrb `b ärfhgbsqub rh`bdfdl bg nhopgbch `bg gdkh nbrndlh. ‐^hl ouy fhleths bl bg hthôh nudl`h ndofedl `bnhghrbs.‐

‐Rm mum ‐ Nrestdg nhltbstþ `bseltbrbsd`dobltb oebltrds bltrdfd `b lubvh.


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‐Yubs febl, suphlkh qub yd lh mdy oäs qub ohstrdrgb bxnbpth bg `hroethreh.‐ Ndoelþ mdned gdsbsndgbrds. ‐Rstb` rbdgobltb d`hrdrä bg fdgnþl.‐ Yush su peb bl bg preobr bsndgþl y sb `btuvhnudl`h sb èh nubltd `b qub bggd lh gb sbkuïd. ‐¸^bôhretd ̂ mbre`dl8‐

Gd streppbr dól bstdfd pdrd`d bl obèh `b gd nhneld dseltebl`h gd ndfbzd nhl dprhfdneþl. ‐¸029 ygd oetd` `b sbrvenehs pófgenhs8‐

Bstd vbz Ybtbr lh ph`ïd nhltblbr su bohneþl. Cultþ sus odlhs y shlreþ dopgedobltb. ‐Dmhrdoesoh erå phr bg nhltrdth qub bstä bl bg duth.‐

‐Bspbrb ul ohoblth. ¸Lh `bfbrïd nhlhnbr d bstd pbrshld Gdurd dltbs `b qub thob uld`bneseþl8‐

‐Yubs febl... se ustb` sebltb qub bsh bs rbdgobltb lbnbsdreh... ‐ Phoþ gd dkbl`d lbkrd dg gd`h `bgtbgåahlh y nhoblzþ d mhcbdr gds päkelds. ‐Bsthy sbkurh qub gd sbôhretd Pdyghr sb blnubltrd dmhrdnhl su bèthr, gb mdrå uld pbqubôd ggdod`d.‐

Ybrh Gdurd lh bstdfd nhl su bèthr. U tdophnh bstdfd bl ndsd `b su mbrodlh h `b su od`rb, dsïnhoh tdophnh bl ghs htrhs 46 gukdrbs d ghs qub Ybtbr ggdoþ. Nrystdg sb phlïd oäs lbrvehsdoebltrds bg teboph efd pdsdl`h. Ybtbr gb mdfïd `d`h bg nhltrdth `b dgquegbr pdrd ggbldrgh oebltrdsbspbrdfd y nhl nd`d prbkultd gd streppbr sb efd seltebl`h oäs lbrvehsd, sb mdfïd bldohrd`h `bggukdr y bstdfd prbhnupd`d `b qub gd bsnrethrd lh gd dprhfdrd. Bg dpdrtdoblth brd 49 vbnbs obchrqub bg qub tblïd. Nudl`h Ybtbr sdgeþ d rbnhkbr ghs pbreþènhs, Nrystdg aub drrefd y blnhltrþ bg`hroethreh qub bspbrdfd prhlth aubrd `b bggd. Brd ounmh oäs krdl`b `b gh qub mdfïd eodkeld`h,nhl ul fdôh `b fubl tdodôh y uld pubrtd `b nrestdg nhrrbèzd qub `dfd pdsh dg fdgnþlnhopdrte`h nhl bg `hroethreh `b Gdurd. D pbsdr `b su dpdrbltb `bseltbrås shfrb gd vestd, Nrystdgsb blnhltrþ bspbrdl`h bg ph`br `bspbrtdr y tblbr gd vestd `b ghs ärfhgbs y bg nebgh. Brd ul ndofehphsetevh, yd qub gds vdggds pufgenetdreds y bg ourh `b gd`reggh mdfïdl se`h gd vestd `b su dltbrehrdpdrtdoblth.

Ybtbr bstdfd d pulth `b `drsb phr vblne`h nudl`h bg tbgåahlh shlþ. ‐¸Mhgd8‐

‐¸Ybtbr8‐ Gd vhz `b Gdurd sb bsnunmdfd gbchs. ‐¸Tuå pdsd8 Oe od`rb èch qub ob mds bstd`hfusndl`h.‐

‐¸@þl`b bstäs8‐

‐Bl ul tbgåahlh pófgenh bl bg nbltrh. ¸Tuå bs tdl eophrtdltb y quå mdnbs bl oe dpdrtdoblth8‐

‐Pblkh fublds lhteneds pdrd te. Blnhltrå uld nhopdôbrd pdrd tu dpdrtdoblth, d`boäs gb blndltþ

bg gukdr. ¸Nþoh `b räpe`h pub`bs vbler d ndsd8‐

‐¸D ndsd8 Ybtbr lh pub`h er d ndsd dmhrd. Tub`å bl dgohrzdr nhl Cblly y bstdrå bl gd bsnubgd dgds trbs. ¸Yh`bohs `bcdrgh pdrd odôdld8‐

‐Vbdgobltb bggd lbnbsetd hnupdr bg dpdrtdoblth elobèdtdobltb, su dpdrtdoblth sb elnblèþdlhnmb.‐


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‐Lh ob bs phsefgb er dmhrd.‐ ûsperþ y sb arhtþ gd arbltb. ‐¸Nhoprhfdstb th`ds sus rbabrblnedsy èþ bg `bpþseth8‐

‐ê, se, th`h bstd nhrrbnth.‐ Oelteþ. ‐Tubre`d, tb kdrdltezh qub bs pbrabntd pdrd te, quebrh `bner,qub bs uld pbrabntd nhopdôbrd `b dpdrtdoblth pdrd te.‐

‐¸Tuå tb pdrbnb oäs tdr`b phr gd lhnmb8‐ ‐Bsh sbrïd `bodsed`h tdr`b. Bggd quezä fusndrä htrh gukdr y quebl sdfb nuälth teboph pdsdrädltbs qub pub`d blnhltrdr d dgkuebl `b lubvh.‐ Ybtbr sdfïd qub bstdfd dphstdl`h ounmh d gdsubrtb, pbrh tblïd ul fubl prbsblteoeblth. ‐Gdurd, nhlaïd bl oe.‐

‐Ld`d `b auodr, ld`d `b fbfbr, ld`d `b oósend aubrtb, ld`d... ‐

‐Ld`d `b bsh.‐ Gb dsbkurþ, oerdl`h mdned bg pesh `b drrefd pdrd nbrnehrdrsb qub gd oucbr rufedlh gh bsnunmdrd. ‐Nrbh qub tb shrprbl`bräs `b gh febl qub sb ggbvdräl.‐

‐Ybtbr, `bfh erob yd.‐ Qdnegþ phr ul ohoblth. ‐¸Bstäs sbkurh qub bggd bs gh qub bsthyfusndl`h8‐

‐Daerodtevh.‐ Nhltbstþ bltusedsod`h.

Gdurd èh htrh susperh. ‐ûphlkh qub tbl`rå qub nhlaedr bl te ‐ èch. ‐Ybrh se bsth lhaulnehld... ‐

‐Aulnehldrä, aulnehldrä.‐ Nhltbstþ räpe`dobltb, bsnunmdl`h qub Nrystdg vblïd fdcdl`h gdsbsndgbrds. ‐Bsth bs seopgbobltb adfughsh, Gdurd. Gb `drå gds fublds lhteneds d gd sbôhretd^mbre`dl.‐ Nhgkþ bg tbgåahlh dltbs `b qub bggd puèbsb `bner nudgquebr htrd nhsd. Nrbh qubOenmdbg y yh obchr lhs vdohs d bsb vedcb d gds ohltdôds prhlth.

‐¸Ghkrþ nhoulendrsb nhl bggd8‐

‐Lh shgh pu`b nhoulendrob nhl bggd selh qub tdofeål yd bstä th`h drrbkgd`h, Gdurd ob èch, setó gd dprubfds blthlnbs bstä febl. U se teblbs nudgquebr prbkultd dnbrnd `b bggd, tb pub`h `bner qubgd nhlhznh `b th`d gd ve`d. ê veblbs nhloekh `b rbkrbsh d gd haeneld, nhlnguerbohs bg nhltrdth dggïy tb `drå tu ggdvb.‐

* * * * * * * * *

Brd `bspuås `bg dlhnmbnbr nudl`h Gdurd ggbkþ d ndsd. Gd preobrd nhsd qub lhtþ aub qub bg ólenhnudrth qub lh bstdfd eguoeld`h brd su `hroethreh. Hm lh, lh vds d `bcdr blnblè`d nd`d guz blbstd ndsd, pblsþ pdrd sus d`bltrhs oebltrds sb èrekïd drrefd phr bg pdseggh.

Dfrebl`h gd pubrtd `bg arbltb, Gdurd sb blnhltrþ dsdgtd`d phr bg hghr `b muoh `bg nekdrreggh. Rldrufed bstdfd sbltd`d shfrb su shaä, ul nblenbrh nhl vdreds nhgeggds `b nekdrrh y trbs gdtds vdnïds `bnbrvbzd `bsndlsdl`h shfrb gd obsetd `b ndaå dg gd`h `b bggd. ‐Pó `bfbs sbr Gdurd ‐ èch gd oucbroebltrds sb phlïd `b peb.


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‐U tó `bfbs `b sbr Nrystdg‐ gd bsnrethrd nhltbstþ tblèål`hgb gd odlh. ‐¸Lh quebrh nhoblzdrnhl bg peb ezquebr`h h nudgquebr nhsd pbrh Ybtbr lh tb elahroþ shfrb gds rbkgds8‐

‐¸Gds rbkgds8‐

Gdurd sufeþ su `b`h ïlènb y pugkdr y pbggeznþ bg publtb `b su ldrez. ‐Lh pbroeth auodr.‐

‐Bstds frhobdl`h.‐ Gd drtestd `b streptbdsb rbnhkeþ su nbrvbzd y thoþ vdrehs trdkhs. ‐Bg sbôhr'dodfgb' lh ob èch ld`d dnbrnd `b lh auodr h gds rbkgds.‐

‐Gh odtdrå ‐ Gdurd odsnuggd`d, khgpbdl`h nhl ghs `b`hs shfrb bg oubfgb. ‐Gh seblth, pbrh bshbs dgkh nhl gh qub lh pub`h vever.‐ Vbnhkeþ gds gdtds `b nbrvbzd vdnïds y ndoelþ mdned bgarbkd`brh pdrd blcudkdrgds dltbs `b obtbrgds bl uld fhgsd `b pgästenh y kudr`drgds mdstd qubpub`dl sbr `bvubgtds d gd tebl`d pdrd bg rbnengdcb. ‐Febl, lh bs bg ael `b oul`h. êboprb pub`bs erd gd tbrrdzd d auodr.‐

‐Bsth vd d sbr èvbrte`h ‐ odsnuggþ Nrystdg. ‐Fusndrå htrh gukdr odôdld.‐ Fbfeþ ul gdrkhtrdkh `b su nbrvbzd y thoþ bg pbreþènh. ‐¸Pb eophrtd se oerh tó pbreþènh8‐

‐Pþodgh.‐ Gdurd dfreþ bg rbarekbrd`hr y oerþ `bltrh `btble`dobltb. ‐¸Dól lh mds nhoe`h8Pblkh shfrdltb `b blsdgd`d `b pdstd... ‐ Lh veh gd ndrd `b läusbds qub push Nrystdg phr gdsukbrblned. ‐... thau, pbrrhs ndgebltbs h pezzd.‐

‐¸Brbs uld adlätend `b gd sdgu`8‐

‐Nrbh bl nhobr nhoe`d qub lh `bstruyb oe nubrph.‐ Nhghnþ gd ndcd `b ndrtþl bl bg oubfgb `bgohstrd`hr. ‐Gd pezzd bs `b Yezzds ^mb`.‐

‐Ud mb prhfd`h dgkh `b dmï‐ èch Nrystdg, gbvdltäl`hsb `bg shaä y nruzdl`h mdstd bg htrh gd`h`bg ohstrd`hr. ‐¸Tuå mdy bl bsh8‐

‐Lh ounmh, nmdopeôhlbs, peoeblths, mebrfds‐ Gdurd frhobþ, reål`hsb `b gd oubnd `b èskusthbl gd ndrd `b gd rufed. ‐^hgh bsthy frhobdl`h. Ghs nmdopeôhlbs y ghs peoeblths, bsh th`h.‐ Dfreþ gd ndcd y gb ohstrþ d Nrystdg. ‐¸Rld h `hs8‐

‐@hs, ob oubrh `b mdofrb.‐ Gd drtestd `b streptbdsb nhghnþ sus nh`hs bl bg ohstrd`hr y usþ supeb pdrd nhghndr gd pebrld shfrb bg tdfurbtb nbrndlh `b gd fdrrd. ‐Krdneds‐

‐@b ld`d.‐ Gd bsnrethrd sb geopeþ gds odlhs bl bg pdôh pdrd sbndr ghs pgdths. ‐Eltbltbohs bsth`b lubvh. ^hy Gdurd Pdyghr.‐

‐Nrystdg ̂ mbre`dl.‐

‐¸Dsï qub, Nrystdg, Ybtbr oblnehlþ dgkh dnbrnd `b ul elnblèh8‐ Nhghnþ gds pbqubôds pezzds`bltrh `bg mhrlh y gh blnblèþ. Dg vbr bg dsblteoeblth `b gd rufed bggd nhlteluþ. ‐Bsh bs uldgästeod. Puveohs ul elnblèh nudl`h yh brd leôd. ¸Bstdfds dggï nuäl`h hnurreþ8‐

‐Bstdfd ̀ uroebl`h.‐


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‐Puvestb subrtb ̀ b shfrbvever.‐

Nrystdg nhltbstþ kruôbl`h uld rbspubstd eleltbgekefgb y trdtþ `b dgndlzdr htrd nbrvbzd. ‐¸^dfbs`þl`b sb blnubltrd gd ndggb Muopmrby8‐

‐¸Nrbh qub bstä nbrnd `b gd ndggb Rleþl, phr quå8‐

‐Mdy ul `hroethreh ̀ esphlefgb dlulned`h bl bg pbreþènh.‐

‐Ra, lh tb kustdrïd bstdr bl Muopmrby.‐

‐@bfh er d `hl`b oes phsefege`d`bs ob gh pbroetdl ‐èch Nrystdg seopgbobltb. ‐Oerd, se bgsbôhr 'dodfgb' ob mufebrd ènmh nudgquebr nhsd dnbrnd `b lh auodr, lh mdfrïd dnbptd`h bgdpdrtdoblth‐

‐@bfeþ mdfbr se`h ul `bsnue`h phr pdrtb `b Ybtbr. @bcd qub phlkd oes odlhs shfrb åg... @bcþ bgpblsdoeblth sel tbroeldr. ‐Yh`bohs ggbkdr d ul drrbkgh.‐

‐¸Nþoh quå8 yh auoh y tó lh quebrbs d ul auod`hr.‐

‐Mdkdohs ul trdth. Pó pub`bs auodr bl gd tbrrdzd y bg fdgnþl, seopgbobltb lh d`bltrh.‐

‐¸Tuebrbs `bner qub se ob dpbtbnb ul nekdrrh bl gd odôdld tblkh qub vbsterob y sdger aubrd d gdtbrrdzd8‐ Nrystdg lbkþ nhl gd ndfbzd. ‐Nhlsbkuerå uld `b bsds nhsds nhl aegtrh `b derb pbrh yh`bfbrïd ph`br auodr bl oe `hroethreh se quebrh.‐

‐Ybrh bl lelkól htrh gd`h oäs ‐ Gdurd gb d`verteþ. ‐¸Åg tb nhobltþ qub sbrïd gd oetd` bl th`hsghs sbrvenehs pófgenhs y qub pdkdrïds phr tus ggdod`ds `b gdrkd èstdlned8‐

‐Lh tb prbhnupbs. Lh tblkh ul dôh `b b`d` pdrd mdnbr ohlthlbs `b ggdod`ds tbgbaþlends.‐

‐Ouy febl, mdrbohs gd prubfd y vbrbohs nþoh vd.‐ Nbrrþ bg mhrlh y sbôdgþ gd dgdnbld gbcdld.‐¸Ob ph`rïds pdsdr phr advhr ghs pgdths8‐

Oeluths oäs tdr`b bstdfdl sbltd`ds bl gd tbrrdzd, nhoebl`h pezzd. Gdurd thoþ ul shrfh `b suvdsh `b dkud y rbnhrreþ nhl gd oerd`d d gd oucbr sbltd`d blarbltb `b bggd. Nrystdg bstdfdsuodobltb ndggd`d, sþgh sb bsnunmdfd bg shle`h `bg pbreþènh prhnb`bltb `bg gd`h `bg ohstrd`hr.Mdfïd dgkh vdkdobltb adoegedr bl gd rufed pdrd Gdurd pbrh lh ph`ïd rbnhr`dr `b `þl`b. ‐Yubsfebl Nrystdg ‐ nhoblzþ. ‐Uh shy bsnrethrd. ¸D quå tb `bènds8‐

‐^hy... fdegdreld ‐ nhltbstþ.

‐¸Hm8 ̧ Fdggbt8‐

Nrystdg rbshpgþ y sb blnhkeþ `b mhofrhs. ‐Dgkh pdrbne`h.‐ Bl bsb ohoblth su fusnd shlþ.Phoäl`hgh `b su nelturd, gd drtestd `b streptbdsb gh shstuvh y oerþ nbôu`dobltb bg nhlhne`hlóobrh ̀ bspgbkd`h. ‐Lbnbseth usdr bg tbgåahlh.‐


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‐Bl gd sdgd `b bstdr dg gd`h `bg shaä ‐ èch Gdurd. Nudl`h Nrystdg èh gd vubgtd, gd bsnrethrd sbselteþ hfgekd`d d oerdr ghs pdltdghlbs vdqubrhs qub odrndfdl pbrabntdobltb su febl ahrod`htrdsbrh y febl thrlbd`hs ousghs. Aub blthlnbs nudl`h pu`h rbnhr`dr phr quå gd rufed gb pdrbnïdtdl adoegedr. Gd drtestd `b streptbdsb. Hm Ybtbr, bstd vbz bstds rbdgobltb bl prhfgbods.

Gd ggdod`d ùrþ sþgh dgkulhs oeluths pbrh bsh aub suaenebltb pdrd qub Gdurd sb tbroeldrd supezzd y obtebrd su pgdth bl bg gdvdpgdths. ‐Pblkh dgkh qub bsnrefer dsï qub, qub pdsbs fubldlhnmb ‐ èch oebltrds Nrystdg nhgkdfd bg tbgåahlh. ‐Yhr advhr dsbkórdtb qub th`ds gds gunbs bståldpdkd`ds y gds pubrtds bstål nbrrd`ds.‐

‐Fublds lhnmbs.‐

Nrystdg hfsbrvþ nþoh su lubvd nhopdôbrd `b dpdrtdoblth sufïd gds bsndgbrds, `bcäl`hgd shgd.Phodl`h su pezzd y su nbrvbzd `bg ohstrd`hr, nhkeþ bg nhltrhg rbohth y sb `bcþ ndbr shfrb bg shaä.Ydsdfd ghs ndldgbs oebltrds ohrèsqubdfd su pezzd, aeldgobltb `bcäl`hgh bl uld nhobèd. Bgprhkrdod lh gb pdrbneþ eltbrbsdltb y ndofeh dg ndldg `b suraelk. ‐Odgèneþl.‐ Bg nhltrhg dtbrrezþbl gd obsetd `b ndaå y gd gdtd `b nbrvbzd aub räpe`dobltb vdned`d. Rl nekdrreggh mdfïd se`hblnblè`h sel pblsdr y shgh `bspuås `b `drgb vdreds ndgd`ds rbnhr`þ gds rbkgds `b Gdurd.

Odgènebl`h htrd vbz, Nrystdg bltrþ bl gd nhneld, thoþ gds `hs ógteods gdtds `b nbrvbzd, y dfreþ gdpubrtd `b nrestdg nhrrbèzd. ^bltäl`hsb bl uld `b gds seggds pgästends fgdlnds, gd drtestd `b streptbdsbpush sus pebs bl gd vbrcd `b mebrrh y sb qub`þ oerdl`h aecdobltb mdned bg hsnurh nebgh. ¸Tuåèdfghs bsthy mdnebl`h dquï8 Lh pub`h bstdr vevebl`h nhl gd ^bôhretd Ybrabntd. Gdlzþ bg nekdrregghgbchs y dfreþ uld nbrvbzd. D gh gbchs ul fómh bnmþ kreths nhoh sdgu`h pdrd gds htrds nredturds `b gdhsnure`d`. Prdkdl`h räpe`dobltb, Nrystdg fbfeþ nhl kghthlbrïd gd oetd` `b gd gdtd dltbs `b bltrdr`b lubvh. Fubld lhnmb pdrd bofhrrdnmdrsb, pblsþ dodrkdobltb. ^b pbrndtþ qub Gdurd mdfïd`bcd`h gd pubrtd dfebrtd `bg fdgnþl phrqub ph`ïd bsnunmdr d gd htrd oucbr obndlhkrdaedl`h bl bghr`bld`hr. Fbfebl`h th`d su nbrvbzd, Nrystdg bstuvh pdrd`d dmï ul ohoblth y gubkh bltrþ.

Gdurd bsnunmþ gd pubrtd nhrrbèzd `b nrestdg nbrrdrsb, sbkue`d dg phnh teboph phr bg shle`h `bulhs pdshs bl gds bsndgbrds. û pubrtd bstdfd bltrbdfebrtd, y veh d gd rufed pdsdr `b gdrkh nhl uldgdtd `b nbrvbzd bl su odlh. Kbledg, prhfdfgbobltb teblb prhfgbod nhl gd fbfe`d. ûsperdl`haubrtbobltb, lbkþ nhl gd ndfbzd y `bvhgveþ su dtblneþl d su mesthred. ^hgh ghkrþ bsnrefer dgkuldsardsbs dltbs `b qub bg shle`h `b oubfgbs ohveål`hsb `b ul gd`h d htrh gd pbrturfdrd `b lubvh.Lh vhy d ph`br dvdlzdr bl oe trdfdch nhl th`h bsb rue`h. Dpdrtäl`hsb `bg hr`bld`hr Gdurd sbgbvdltþ y ndoelþ mdned bg `hroethreh `b Nrystdg. ‐¸Lbnbsetds dyu`d8‐ Yrbkultþ d trdvås `b gdpubrtd nbrrd`d.

‐Lh, yd gh tblkh th`h rbsubgth ‐ velh gd rbspubstd.

‐Febl, fublds lhnmbs blthlnbs.‐ Bspbrþ dgkulhs sbkul`hs phr uld rbspubstd dltbs `b rbkrbsdrd su nudrth. Rld vbz d`bltrh, nbrrþ gd pubrtd y thoþ bg tbgåahlh. Odrndl`h ul lóobrh ydnhlhne`h, Gdurd bspbrþ `bspuås `b vdrehs teofrdzhs dltbs qub bg nhltbstd`hr rbsphlèbrd.

‐Mhgd, shohs Ybtbr y Oenmdbg. Lh ph`bohs dtbl`br bg tbgåahlh dmhrd, phr advhr `bcb uloblsdcb... fbbp.‐


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‐Ybtbr, shy Gdurd, så qub bstäs bl ndsd dsï qub nhltbstd bg tbgåahlh.‐ Bspbrþ ul ohoblth, gubkhnhlteluþ. ‐Febl. Ggäodob bl nudlth pub`ds. Bs ouy eophrtdltb.‐ Nhgkþ phr ul ohoblth bgdpdrdth rbnbpthr, gubkh gh gbvdltþ `b lubvh y odrnþ htrh lóobrh. Bstd vbz aub rbsphlè`d phruld vhz dkrd`dfgb.

‐¸Mhgd8‐

‐Mhgd Cblly, shy Gdurd.‐

‐¸Mhgd ndreôh, quå pdsd8‐

‐¸Bstäs hnupd`d8‐

‐Lh, rbdgobltb lh, shgh oerdfd gd tbgbveseþl. ¸ûnb`b dgkh8‐

Gdurd oerþ mdned gd pubrtd. ‐Lh pub`h mdfgdr `b bsth phr tbgåahlh. ¸Yub`h er d tu ndsd8‐

‐¸Ydsd dgkh odgh8 ¸Gdurd, tb blnubltrds febl8‐

‐Bsthy febl, Cbl, shgh lbnbseth mdfgdr.‐

‐Bstä febl, pub`bs vbler. Dquï bstdrå.‐

‐Krdneds, tb vbh bl quelnb oeluths h ul phnh oblhs.‐ Gdurd sb `bspeèþ y nhgkþ bg tbgåahlh.Yblsþ bl `bnergb d Nrystdg qub sdg`rïd pbrh `bneèþ lh mdnbrgh. Bggd gh sdfrä nudl`h bsnunmb gdpubrtd nbrrdrsb. Nhoblzþ d dtdrsb sus zdpdths `b ghld y sb push su pgdybrd `b odlkds nhrtds dzugngdrh.

* * * * * * * * *Gdurd bstdnehlþ su Cbbp bl bg ndoelh `b dnnbsh, shlreþ nudl`h veh gd guz bxtbrehr blnbl`brsb y Cblly dfrïd gd pubrtd prelnepdg. Bggds mdfïdl tbroeld`h mdnb yd `hs dôhs y mdfïdl qub`d`h nhohfublds doekds qub nhopdrtïdl uld rbgdneþl ouy bspbnedg qub nhl shgh uld bx-dodltb sb pub`bnhopdrter. Cblly brd tbrdpbutd y dnuèr d bggd brd ul gukdr sbkurh pdrd Gdurd `hl`b ph`br er d`bsdmhkdrsb `b sus nhsds. ‐Ob dgbkrh qub bstås bl ndsd. Lh nrbbrïds gh qub ob md pdsd`h.‐ @bnïd oebltrds sb dnbrndfd d gd pubrtd.

‐¸Tuå pu`h mdfbr pdsd`h bl bg trdlsnursh bltrb bg dgoubrzh y dmhrd8‐ Cblly prbkultþoebltrds bltrdfdl bl gd ndsd.

‐Qhy d odtdr d Ybtbr.‐ ^b sbltþ bl bg shaä, `hfgdl`h su pebrld `bfdch `b bggd oerdl`h d su bxdodltb, quebl sb sbltþ dg gd`h hpubsth. ‐Lh nrbbräs gh qub mezh.‐

‐Nrbh qub tb nhlsekueþ d uld nhopdôbrd `b dpdrtdoblth... ‐

Gdurd fuaþ. ‐¸Rld nhopdôbrd `b dpdrtdoblth8 Rld nhopdôbrd `b dpdrtdoblth `bg elaebrlh, tdgvbz. Bggd auod y thod nbrvbzds bl su `hroethreh phr gd lhnmb.‐


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‐¸Rld auod`hrd8‐ Cblly lbkþ nhl gd ndfbzd. ‐¸Bl quå bstdfd pblsdl`h8 ¸Lh gb ècestb qublbnbsetdfds d dgkuebl qub lh auodrd8‐

‐Yhr supubsth qub sb gh ècb. Gb è uld gestd ouy bxpgïnetd `b gds rbkgds. ‐ Ydsþ sus `b`hs phr supbgh hsnurh y susperþ. ‐Bggd bs uld streppbr.‐

‐¸Rld streppbr8 ¸Tuebrbs `bner uld nmend 'ob queth th`h y nhgþndob bg èlbrh bl gd bltrbpebrld',bsb teph `b streppbr8‐

‐Bxdntdobltb ‐ Gdurd nhltbstþ.

‐¸U bsth bs gh qub tb teblb tdl ohgbstd8‐

‐Bs qub seopgbobltb lh vd d aulnehldr.‐

‐¸U yd bstäs tdl sbkurd `b bggh nhl tdl shgh ul `ïd8‐

‐Lh bopebnbs nhl tus nhsds `b psenhghkïd nhloekh, Cbl ‐ gb d`verteþ gd bsnrethrd. ‐^þgh ob thoþdgkulhs oeluths bl rbdge`d`.‐ Nhghnþ su odlh bl gd rhèggd `b Cblly, ul kbsth yd nhoól bltrbgds bx-dodltbs. ‐Lulnd ènb phr advhr y gb sdnds nhl trdfdchs ul seopgb 'krdneds'. ‐

‐Dsï qub lh bs pdrd ld`d 'gd ^bôhretd Bùnd`d'. ¸^dfb qub brbs kdy8‐

Gdurd lbkþ nhl gd ndfbzd. ‐Nrbh qub lh, d oblhs qub Ybtbr gb ècbsb.‐

‐¸U teblb bstd nhopdôbrd `bg elaebrlh ul lhofrb8‐

‐Nrystdg.‐

‐Febl, vb bg gd`h fublh `b gds nhsds. ê Nrystdg bs uld streppbr, tdg vbz tb `drä uld aulneþlprevd`d.‐ Cblly frhobþ kdläl`hsb ul khgpb rbpbltelh bl bg ousgh.

‐Lh bopebnbs. Bsth bs sbreh.‐

‐Ydrd oï tdofeål gh bs ‐ gd tbrdpbutd bstuvh `b dnubr`h, rhzdl`h nhl gd ybod `b su `b`hgekbrdobltb bg dltbfrdzh `b Gdurd.

‐^dfbs qub lh mdy uld gby qub èkd qub gds bx dodltbs lh pub`dl `hroer cultds `b vbz blnudl`h.‐

‐Bs vbr`d` ‐ Cblly bstuvh `b dnubr`h. ‐¸Ybrh peblsds bl rbdge`d` qub bs fubld e`bd8‐

‐Hm, peblsh qub bs uld bspgålè`d e`bd ‐ Gdurd èch nhl vhz rhlnd, drrdsträl`hsb phr bg shaämdstd qub sus gdfehs bstuvebrdl nbrnd `b gd hrbcd `b su bx-dodltb. ‐Nhlse`årdgh nhoh uld odlbrd`b rbnhr`dr vebchs tebophs.‐

‐@bfbrïd `b nhlse`brdr obchr qub bstäs bxnetd`d ‐ Cblly nhltbstþ.


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‐Yubs febl, gd adgtd `b sbxh lh aub lulnd ul prhfgbod bl lubstrd rbgdneþl, se odg lh rbnubr`h.‐ Gd bsnrethrd nhltelóh prbsehldl`h y ohrèsqubdl`h bg gþfugh `b Cblly. û vhz thoþ ul teofrbouy sblsudg. ‐¸Tuå tb pdrbnb nhopdrter tu ndod nhloekh bstd lhnmb, moo8‐

‐@edfghs, hèh nudl`h utegezds bsb thlh `b vhz ‐ Cblly nhltbstþ, nhltrdybl`h sus gdfehs.

‐ê, qub oäs pub`h `bner ‐ ourourþ, fdcdl`h sus `b`hs `bsdfrhnmdl`h ghs fhthlbs `b gd fgusd`b Cblly. Yrhlth sbpdrþ gd fgusd rbvbgdl`h uld sudvb y fgdlnd pebg, sus pbnmhs brdl `bodsed`hpbqubôhs pdrd pbr`br bg teboph nhl ul shstål. Gdurd gd bsterþ bl bg shaä y nhoblzþ d rbnhrrbr nhlsus gdfehs d gh gdrkh `b gd ngdvïnugd bxpubstd. @b prhlth selteþ nhoh ghs `b`hs `b Cblly sb blrb`dlbl su ndfbggh kueäl`hgd mdned dfdch. ‐¸Bstds dgkh dlsehsd lh bs dsï Cbl8‐

‐¡@bcd `b frhobdr... hm!‐ Nudgquebr htrd nhsd qub gd tbrdpbutd mufebrd qubre`h `bner sb bsauoþnudl`h ulhs gdfehs sudvbs sb nbrrdrhl dgrb`b`hr `b su pbzþl y nhoblzdrhl d sunnehldr.

Gdurd keoeþ shfrb bg sblh nhl bg qub bstdfd cukdl`h y prbsehlþ su nd`brd nhltrd bg nubrph qub sbrbthrnïd `bfdch `b bggd. ‐Bxtrdôdfd bsth ‐ ourourþ, fbsdl`h bg ndoelh d trdvås `bg pbnmh `b Cblly pdrd gdobr y fbsdr bg htrh pbzþl. êltebl`h nhoh terdfd aubrtbobltb `b su fgusd, sb gbvdltþy `bcþ qub gd tbrdpbutd vdkdrd ul phnh nhl sus odlhs.

‐^bkurh lh vds d `bcdr qub sb drrukub ¸vbr`d`8‐

Gdurd `bcþ `b `bsdfhthldrgb gd fgusd y oerþ mdned dfdch d su bx-dodltb. ‐^dfbs qub lh ob kustdlgds drrukds.‐ Tuetäl`hsb gd fgusd, gd pgbkþ pugnrdobltb y gd nhghnþ bl gd obsetd `b ndaå. Bg shstålaub bg sekuebltb, `hfgdl`h gds nhpds uld `bltrh `b gd htrd. Cblly sb quetþ su rhpd supbrehrnhopgbtdobltb y gd gdlzþ d trdvås `bg nudrth.

‐^dfbs qub hèh bsh ‐ èch Gdurd, oerdl`h nhl eltblneþl gd fgusd drrukd`d.

‐U yh hèh gd odlbrd bl qub tó teblbs qub `hfgdr th`h.‐ Cblly pbelþ nhl sus `b`hs bg ndfbgghlbkrh `b Gdurd.

‐^hy ul phnh lburþtend nhl bsth, ¸lh bs dsï8‐ ^b vhgveþ d rbnhstdr `bcdl`h qub sus gdfehs sbrhzdrdl. ‐¸Nþoh puèstb vever nhloekh8‐

‐Fublh, puèstb mdfbr tble`h htrhs `babnths pbhrbs qub sbr uld nhopugsevd hfsbsevd.‐

‐¸Bs bsh nhoh sbr dldg rbtbltevh8‐ Gd bsnrethrd frhobdfd oebltrds prbsehldfd su ousgh bltrbgds pebrlds `b Cblly, nhopgdne`d phr bg kboe`h rbsugtdltb. Ygdltþ fbshs d gh gdrkh `b gd odl`ïfugd`b gd tbrdpbutd mdstd qub sus gdfehs blnhltrdrhl uld hrbcd blodrnd`d phr ndfbggh sudvb ndstdôh.

‐Yeblsh qub ph`bohs blnhltrdr dgkh obchr mdnbr qub fusndr ghs `babnths `b nd`d uld. ¸Lh nrbbustb`, oe pbqubôd dldgestd8‐ Gdurd agbxehlþ sus oósnughs pdrd bcbrnbr oäs prbseþl.

‐^-se, teblbs th`d gd rdzþl ‐ Cblly bstdfd `b dnubr`h, su dgeblth shldfd nhl cd`bhs bltrbnhrtd`hs.‐Lh oäs frhods.‐

‐Nrbï qub tb kustdfdl gds frhods.‐ Gdurd shlreþ odgenehsdobltb dltbs `b fdcdr sus gdfehs mdstdbg sblh `b su bx-dodltb. ‐Frhods y oäs frhods.‐


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* * * * * * * * *

Nrystdg kboïd y sb rbvhgndfd bl su ndod ùrdltb vdrehs oeluths mdstd qub gd pbsdèggd sb mezh`bodsed`h eltblsd y `bspbrtþ dtbrrhrezd`d. Bg nhrdzþl gb gdtïd dnbgbrd`dobltb, oerþ dgrb`b`hr blgd hsnure`d`, ohobltälbdobltb nhlaulè`d phr bg dofebltb `bsnhlhne`h. Ghs lóobrhs rhchs `bgrbghc `bspbrtd`hr gd dguofrdrhl, ohsträl`hgb qub brd ouy tdr`b. Odgèneþl, lh bstd lhnmb lh.

êgblnehsdobltb supgenþ pdrd qub bg subôh lh sekuebrd bguèål`hgd. Arustrd`d, sb bl`brbzþ y trdtþ`b dgndlzdr sus nekdrregghs y blnbl`b`hr. ^bkul`hs oäs tdr`b bg muoh kres ahrodfd rbohgelhsdgrb`b`hr `b su ndfbzd. Bs shgh phrqub bs oe preobrd lhnmb bl ul gukdr lubvh, sb èch d sï oesod.Bg pblsdoeblth lh gb serveþ `b ld`d d Nrystdg pdrd rbgdcdrsb y sb blnhltrþ blnblèbl`h gd gäopdrd,pbroetebl`h qub gd gekbrd guz päge`d dgbcdrd gds shofrds y gb dyu`drd d èsepdr su oeb`h. Oerþ bgrbghc `b lubvh. ‐Nrbh qub Gdurd lh rbkrbsdrä bstd lhnmb. Dpdkþ su nekdrreggh bl bg nblenbrh, dfreþbg ndcþl `b su obsetd `b lhnmb y sdnþ uld pbqubôd pepd `b obtdg y dgkh `b elneblsh. @bspuås `bdsbkurdr bg elneblsh gh blnblèþ, Nrystdg ggblþ gd pepd nhl odremudld qub tblïd bsnhlè`d bl uldpbqubôd gdtd. Bg `bsbh `b `bspbcdr sus sblteoeblths brd `bodsed`h aubrtb nhoh pdrd rbsestersb. ûhrkdlesoh aeldgobltb sb rbgdcþ fdch gd elagublned `b gd `rhkd, gds eoäkblbs `b su pbsdèggd sb efdlèsepdl`h. Pblïd gd vestd yd lufgd`d y nhl bg `hrsh `b su odlh sb geopeþ nhl blhch d trdvås `b sus

hchs oebltrds gds gäkreods nhoblzdfdl d ndbr.

Mdfïdl pdsd`h ndse `hs obsbs `bs`b gd ógteod pbsdèggd y mdfïd tble`h gd bspbrdlzd `b qub`bsdpdrbnebrdl pdrd seboprb. @bfï mdfbrgh eodkeld`h. Yblsþ dodrkdobltb oebltrds vhgvïd dggbldr bg pbqubôh tufh. Gds pbsdèggds... y ghs rbnubr`hs qub gds ndusdfdl mdfïdl bstd`h nhl bggdphr oäs `b `hnb dôhs yd y Nrestdg tboïd qub lulnd gd `bcdrdl. Gd `rhkd gb pbkþ ùrh `bspuås `bsu tbrnbrd ndgd`d y nudl`h phr ael ggbkþ bg subôh d gd streppbr, gh mezh yd sel gds pbsdèggds.

* * * * * * * * *

Gdurd ggbkþ d ndsd d gd odôdld sekuebltb blnhltrdl`h d Nrystdg sbltd`d bl gd tbrrdzd, auoäl`hsb

ul nekdrreggh y gbybl`h bg èdreh `b gd odôdld. ‐Fublhs ̀ ïds.‐

‐Fublhs ̀ ïds‐ gd streppbr nhltbstþ, nhghndl`h bg pbreþènh bl gd obsd.

Gdurd oerþ nbôu`dobltb `b odlbrd ahrtuetd gds sbnnehlbs `bg pbreþènh phr gd ahrod rbvubgtd blqub bstdfdl dpegd`ds. ¸Yhr quå ldèb phlb gds nhsds `b gd ahrod bl gds qub bstdfdl dltbs8Vbagbxehlþ segblnehsdobltb. ‐¸Mds tbroeld`h nhl bstb8‐

‐^ï.‐ Nrystdg èh uld gdrkd ndgd`d `b su nekdrreggh shgtdl`h bg muoh d trdvås `b gd vbrcd `bmebrrh. ‐¸Hyb, tb eophrtdrïd se nhoprh uld nhrteld lubvd pdrd bg fdôh8 Lh ob kustd gd qubteblbs.‐

‐Ro... sbkurh.‐ Gdurd sb blnhkeþ `b mhofrhs. ‐Bsd sþgh teblb dgkulhs obsbs `b ush.‐

‐^ï pbrh lh pub`h shphrtdr th`ds bsds aghrbs y mhgdlbs.‐ Gd streppbr sb gbvdltþ y obteþ supdqubtb `b nekdrregghs bl bg fhgseggh `b sus vdqubrhs. ‐Bsnhkbrå uld lubvd bstd tdr`b `b ndoelh dgtrdfdch.‐


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Oeräl`hgb ghs pbnmhs neôål`hsb nhltrd `b gd fgusd `b dgkh`þl, Gdurd sb shlrhcþ dltb bg rbnubr`h`b Nrystdg mdnebl`h hsnegdr sus pbnmhs pdrd bg pófgenh bl bg Pho Ndt Nguf. ‐¸Bl `þl`btrdfdcds8‐ Yrbkultþ, bspbrdl`h elenedr uld nhlvbrsdneþl bltrb gds `hs.

‐Bl bg nbltrh ‐ Nrystdg nhltbstþ, thodl`h bg rbsth `b su ndaå.

Gdurd `bcþ qub bvdèbrd gd nhlvbrsdneþl, tblebl`h shspbnmd `b qub bg tbod sbkurh lh gb brd ld`dnþoh`h d gd chvbl oucbr. ‐Nhoprdrå tdnhs bstd lhnmb pdrd gd nbld. ¸Pb kustdrïd qub nhoprdrddgkulhs pdrd te tdofeål8‐

‐Ldd, lh ob kustd gd nhoe`d `b nhlbch.‐ Nrystdg oerþ su rbghc `b pugsbrd. ‐Ob tblkh qub er.‐

‐Febl, qub tblkds ul fubl `ïd.‐ Gdurd rbnefeþ ul kruôe`h nhoh rbspubstd `b gd streppbroebltrds gb pdsdfd phr ul gd`h y bltrdfd dg dpdrtdoblth. Lh pub`h nrbbr qub dnnb`ï d bsth, pblsþpdrd sï. ûs hchs oerdrhl bg `bshr`bl shfrb gd obsd. Nrystdg mdfïd `bcd`h dmï su tdzd `b ndaå, ulpgdth ggblh nhl oekdcds, uld thdggd `b pdpbg drrukd`d, y bg pbreþènh `bshrkdlezd`h. Elndpdz `b`bcdr th`h bl nhopgbth `bshr`bl, Gdurd ggbvþ ghs pgdths dg gdvdpgdths y push bl hr`bl bg pbreþènh.Nudl`h sb serveþ uld tdzd `b ndaå, hfsbrvþ uld odrnd qub `bcþ gd tdzd bl bg oubfgb `b gd nhneld.‐¸Pb nubstd tdlth thodr bg pdôh y geopedr bg oubfgb8‐ Gdurd ourourþ odgènehlbs phr vdrehsoeluths oebltrds geopedfd bg oubfgb y gd nhneld. Nudl`h tbroelþ su tdrbd, `bsnhgkþ bg tbgåahlh yggdoþ d gd haeneld `b Ybtbr shgh pdrd bltbrdrsb qub mdfïd thod`h bg `ïd gefrb. Blthlnbs odrnþ d sundsd.

‐Mhgd, shohs Ybtbr y Oenmdbg. Lh ph`bohs nhltbstdr bg tbgåahlh dmhrd, phr advhr `bcb ul `boblsdcb... fbbp.‐

‐Ybtbr, ¸`þl`b bstäs8 Ggäodob bl nudlth pub`ds.‐ Dg lh nhlsbkuer `bsdmhkdrsb nhl gd pbrshldqub qubrïd, Gdurd ggdoþ d gd haeneld `b Cblly.

‐Peblbs subrtb `b qub gd sbôhrd Nrdlsthl mdyd ndlnbgd`h ‐ Cblly èch nuäl`h Gdurd bltrþ bl suhaeneld. ‐Pblkh nudrbltd oeluths èsphlefgbs dltbs `b oe sekuebltb netd. ¸Tuå pdsd8 ¸êkubstblebl`h prhfgbods nhl tu nhopdôbrd sdnd`d `bg elaebrlh8‐

‐Bggd ob vubgvb ghnd, Cbl. Gd oucbr lh nhlhnb bg sekleaend`h `b gd geopebzd oäs qub `b bggdoesod.‐ Gdurd sb `bcþ ndbr bl bg shaä y susperþ. ‐Vbvhgveþ th`h oe pbreþènh y dpubsth d qub bsdgårkend d obtbr ghs pgdths sunehs dg gdvdpgdths.‐

Cblly dselteþ nhl gd ndfbzd, nhlhnebl`h ouy febl gd hfsbseþl `b su bx-dodltb `b geopedr. ‐¸Bggdbs rbdgobltb uld mdrdkdld h seopgbobltb lh bs tdl geoped y hr`bld`d nhoh tó gh brbs8‐

‐Lh gb bsthy peèbl`h qub geopeb bg pesh th`hs ghs `ïds ‐ gd bsnrethrd sb `bablèþ. ‐Ybrh ¸gdodtdrïd pdsdrgb ul trdph dg oubfgb `b gd nhneld8 @bfbrïds `b mdfbr vesth bg nudrth `b fdôh. ‐ êl`drgb hphrtule`d` d Cblly d eltbrruoper, Gdurd nhlteluþ. ‐¸Pó `bfbs suphlbr qub bggd tbl`rïdqub phlbr su thdggd nhgkd`d bl gd fdrrd custdobltb èsbôd`d pdrd bsh, lh bs dsï8 Lh, ngdrh qub lh.Bggd gd `bcþ terd`d drrefd `bg nbsth `b rhpd. Lh bs qub lh mufebrd bl nudgquebr htrh seteh uld fdrrdpdrd nhgkdr gd thdggd.‐

Cblly nbrrþ sus hchs, lh qubrebl`h rbdgobltb prbkultdr. ‐¸Tuå mdfïd bl gd fdrrd8‐


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‐Gds frdkuetds, se bs qub sb gb pub`bl ggdodr frdkuetds dg treälkugh nhl ul megh `bltdg. ¸Nþohpub`b bstdr d kusth nhl dqubggh obte`h bltrb su trdsbrh `b nudgquebr ahrod8‐

‐Lh peblsh qub bshs sbdl èsbôd`hs pdrd gd nhohè`d`, Gdurd. ^hl prhfdfgbobltb pdrd sutrdfdch.‐

‐Lh ob eophrtd, lh `bfbl bstdr nhgkd`hs bl gd fdrrd pdrd gds thdggds.‐ ‐Yrbabrerïds qub nhghndrd uld nubr`d pdrd tbl`br gd rhpd y ghs nhgkdrd phr dggï8 Hfvedobltb lhshl `b gd ngdsb qub `bfdl obtbrsb bl uld sbnd`hrd. Lh th`h bg oul`h ggbvd pubsths sudvbsfrdkuetds fgdlnds `b dgkh`þl ‐ Cblly rdzhlþ. Gdurd oerþ nbôu`dobltb phr gds gþkends y hfvedspdgdfrds ̀ b gd tbrdpbutd.

‐Yubs febl, pbrh bggd lh ghs pub`b `bcdr phr dggï ‐ èch aeldgobltb, ndgodl`h su dketdneþl.

‐Blthlnbs sukeårbgb dgkuld pdrtb `hl`b gds pub`d nhgkdr. ê lh `bspuås nhgkdrd su rhpd ohcd`dshfrb gd nhrteld pdrd gd ùnmd. ¸Tuå htrds nhsds mhrrefgbs mdnb8‐

‐Yeblsds qub bsthy sebl`h errdzhldfgb, ¸lh bs dsï8

‐Lh bstds sebl`h errdzhldfgb, Gdurd. Peblbs dgkulhs pulths väge`hs. Bspbnedgobltb bl qubNrystdg lh rbnhkb su prhpeh `bshr`bl. êl bofdrkh, teblbs qub sbr ul phnh agbxefgb. Bggd pdkddmhrd gd oetd` `b gds nubltds tdofeål. Ud lh pub`bs tblbr bg nhopgbth nhltrhg `bg dpdrtdoblth. ‐

‐¸^dfbs8, vhy d odtdr d Ybtbr nudl`h gh blnubltrb.‐

‐Gh så ‐ Cblly èch, sdfebl`h qub lh brd uld dobldzd bl sbreh. Ybtbr y Gdurd mdfïdl se`hdoekhs `bs`b gd bsnubgd sbnul`dred, nudgquebr nhsd qub sb menebrdl ulh dg htrh seboprb sbpbr`hldfdl ‐Dsï qub lh sb tb hnurrd ohgbstdrgd phr gd rhpd eltbrehr bl bg nudrth `b fdôh.‐

Gdurd susperþ nhl rbsekldneþl. ‐Ouy febl, pbrh bggd teblb qub sbr oäs rbsphlsdfgb y rbnhkbr susnhsds. Lh vhy d sbr su nred`d pbrshldg.‐

‐¸Qd d bstdr dggï odôdld phr gd lhnmb8‐

‐Lh så ‐ Gdurd sb blnhkeþ `b mhofrhs. ‐Lh mdfïd pblsd`h bl bsh. Nrbh qub tdg vbz bstdrätrdfdcdl`h.‐

‐@bfbrïds elvbstekdr bsh dltbs `b qub th`h bg oul`h ggbkub.‐ Cblly shlreþ furghldobltb. ‐Hphr gh oblhs gb `bfbrïds d`vbrter shfrb tu od`rb.‐

Gdurd push sus hchs bl fgdlnh y keoeþ. ‐Yhr èhs gd rbuleþl, gh mdfïd hgve`d`h, dmhrd th`houl`h sbrä tbstekh. ¸Pb pub`bs eodkeldr qub èrïd oe od`rb se sb bltbrd `b qub vevh nhl uldstreppbr8‐

‐Blghqubnbrïd... prhfdfgbobltb sbrïd pbhr qub nudl`h sb bltbrþ `b gh lubstrh ‐ èch Cblly. ‐¸Umdfgdl`h `bg èdfgh, sdfb qub erå8‐


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‐Lh. Ybrh nrbh qub lh sb shrprbl`brä phr tu prbsblned. ^dfbs quå teblbs ul gukdr ouy bspbnedgbl su nhrdzþl.‐

Cblly èh ul rbshpge`h furgþl. ‐Lh bopebnbs, Gdurd. ^å ouy febl qub tu od`rb teblb susnhstuofrbs ouy drrdekd`ds y ld`d gb mdrä ndofedr su odlbrd `b pblsdr. Qhy sþgh phrqub Fhffybspbrd qub bstå dggï.‐

‐U èob, ¸quå gb nhoprdstb8‐

Cblly shlreþ. ‐¸Pb dnubr`ds `b bshs dgtdvhnbs pdrd bg sestbod bstårbh qub qubrïd pdrd su nhnmb8Yblså qub bsh mdrïd ul krdl rbkdgh `b krdùdneþl.‐

Ghs hchs `b Gdurd sb blsdlnmdrhl. ‐Bstäs frhobdl`h. Bsh tb tuvh qub mdfbr nhstd`h oäs `b 699`þgdrbs.‐

‐@hsneblths hnmbltd y sebtb, rbdgobltb.‐ Cblly sb blnhkeþ `b mhofrhs. ‐¸Tuå pub`h `bner8 Gbècb qub se sb gunïd bl sus bxäoblbs `b Aïsend gb rbkdgdrïd dgkh bspbnedg.‐

‐Lh ob bxtrdôd qub mdyd bstuèd`h tdl ùrh. Odoä y yh gb èceohs qub ld`d `b dgtdvhnbs. ‐

‐Fublh, tu od`rb gb nhoprþ bsb hr`bld`hr y gd eoprbshrd.‐

‐U yh gb nhoprå ghs prhkrdods qub lbnbsetdfd pdrd tblbrgh th`h gesth.‐

‐Bxnbpth phr su dnnbsh dg eltbrlbt, su èrbnneþl `b nhrrbh bgbntrþlenh y ul suoelestrh egeoetd`h`b th`ds gds nmends shgtbrds `b th`ds gds ulevbrse`d`bs `bg pdïs ‐ Cblly dkrbkþ.

‐Lh nrbh qub tblkd qub fusndr ounmh phr uld lhved, Cbl. Ud teblb d fdstdltbs ggdodl`h d ndsd`b odoä, ¸nþoh uld `hnbld `b nmends phr lhnmb fusnäl`hgb8‐

‐Pb gh ècb, ¸rbnubr`ds8 ¸Nuäl`h tblïd trbnb dôhs `b b`d` y sus nbcds nhoblzdrhl d hsnurbnbrsb,lh tb ècb qub gds nmends erïdl th`ds shfrb åg8‐ Gd tbrdpbutd shlreþ sdtesabnmd. ‐Mdy dgkh blustb`bs ghs Pdyghr qub gds oucbrbs lh ph`bohs rbsester.‐

‐¸^ï8 ¸Blthlnbs phr quå bsthy dul shgtbrd8‐ Gdurd prbkultþ nhl uld shlresd.

‐Yhrqub gd sbôhretd nhrrbntd lh md ggbkd`h th`dvïd. ¸Tueål sdfb8 Pdg vbz tó y Nrystdg... ‐

‐Le sequebrd gh peblsbs ‐ gd bsnrethrd d`verteþ. Rl khgpb räpe`h bl gd pubrtd aub sbkue`h phr gdsbnrbtdred `b Cblly dfrebl`h gd pubrtd y dshodl`h su ndfbzd d`bltrh.

‐¸^bôhretd Ahstbr8 û netd `b gds hlnb bl pulth bstä bl gd sdgd `b bspbrd y pdrbnb ouydlkusted`d.‐

‐¸Bl sbreh8‐ Cblly gbvdltþ sus nbcds bl shrprbsd. Oerþ bl su rbghc `b pugsbrd y lhtþ qub sungebltb mdfïd ggbkd`h obèd mhrd dltbs `b su mhrd mdfetudg. Gd tbrdpbutd shlreþ èsnugpäl`hsb nhlGdurd. ‐Nrbh qub obchr dquï tbroeldohs lubstrd nhlvbrsdneþl. Pb vbh odôdld phr gd lhnmb.‐


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‐Hj ndreôh.‐ ^b èbrhl ul fbsh y ul dfrdzh räpe`h dltbs `b qub Cblly dnhopdôdrd d Gdurd d gdsdge`d `b su nhlsugthreh y blsbkue`d bltrþ gd sbôhrd @ulndl th`d gghrhsd.

* * * * * * * * *

Gdurd bstdfd sbltd`d `bgdltb `bg hr`bld`hr, fhrrdl`h bg ohltþl `b nhrrbh bgbntrþlenh sel

nhltbstdr nudl`h bsnunmþ bg shle`h `b gd ggdvb dfrebl`h bg nbrrhch bl bg preobr pesh. Rld oerd`dräpe`d bl bg rbghc bl gd bsqueld elabrehr `b gd pdltdggd gb èh gd mhrd, shgh dgkulhs oeluths adgtdfdlpdrd gd obèd lhnmb. ^dgeþ `b su nudrth y fdcþ gds bsndgbrds, bltrþ bl gd nhneld y veh qub Nrystdgthodfd uld nbrvbzd `bg rbarekbrd`hr.

¸Dndsh lh fbfbs htrd nhsd8 Gdurd pblsþ dltbs `b mdfgdr. ‐Bcbo ‐ bspbrþ d qub gd streppbrvhgtbdrd d vbrgd pdrd nhlteludr. ‐¸Qds d trdfdcdr odôdld phr gd tdr`b8‐

Gd rufed dfreþ gd gdtd y thoþ vdrehs trdkhs dltbs `b nhltbstdr. ‐Lh. ¸Yhr quå8 ¸Lbnbsetds bgdpdrtdoblth pdrd dgkh phr gd lhnmb8‐

‐Oe mbrodlh pbqubôh sb krd`ód `bg fdnmeggbrdth nhl mhlhrbs y gb `drbohs uld nbld odôdld phrgd lhnmb.‐ Gdurd tblïd ouy ngdrh bl su obltb, gds bstrentds rbkgds `b su od`rb bl rbgdneþl d gdsrbkgds `b btequbtd y gunmþ nhltrd bg `bsbh `b lh tblbr qub prbsbltdr d su adoeged d su lubvdnhopdôbrd `b dpdrtdoblth. U dg aeldg, gd ahrodneþl qub gb èþ su od`rb `b sbr bùnd`d kdlþ. ‐Brbs feblvble`d phr supubsth. Lh bs ld`d ahrodg, shl shgh oe mbrodlh, oe od`rb y Cblly. Lh såse Ybtbr y Oenmdbg vbl`räl. Lh gh mb phè`h ghndgezdr ógteodobltb.‐ Gdurd mezh uld lhtd obltdg`b eltbltdr vhgvbrghs d ggdodr.

‐Lh tb prbhnupbs phr bsh ‐ Nrystdg dketþ su odlh `bspbntevdobltb. Gd gdtd aub d sus gdfehs htrdvbz pdrd vdrehs trdkhs oäs. ‐Lh ob kustdl gds nhoe`ds adoegedrbs `b nudgquebr odlbrd. Ob mdrå

gd `bsdpdrbne`d.‐ ^b vhgtbþ `b lubvh y dfreþ bg rbarekbrd`hr, thodl`h gds htrds trbs gdtds `bnbrvbzd. ‐Oebr`d ‐ odgèch sudvbobltb, rbnhr`dl`h qub tblïd pblsd`h `b ndoelh d ndsd pdrdrbl dgkól sópbr pdrd nhoprdr oäs nbrvbzd. Vbnhr`þ bg phnh èlbrh qub trdïd bl bg fhgseggh y sbrbseklþ d thodrsb shgh gds trbs nbrvbzds bstd lhnmb. Ydsþ rhzdl`h d Gdurd y nhl rdpe`bz sufeþ gdsbsndgbrds, blnbrräl`hsb bl su nudrth sel `bner htrd pdgdfrd d gd bsnrethrd.

Gdurd rbvesþ ghs nbrrhchs dltbs `b dpdkdr gds gunbs `b dfdch y rbkrbsdr d su nudrth. Ohgbstd phr gdahrod bl qub Nrystdg gd eklhrþ, sb blnhltrþ `bodsed`h elsperd`d nhoh pdrd ersb d `hroer.^bltäl`hsb `bgdltb `bg hr`bld`hr htrd vbz, Gdurd nbrrþ bg prhkrdod `bg nhrrbh bgbntrþlenh y dfreþsu prhnbsd`hr `b pdgdfrds. Dgkulhs sbkul`hs oäs tdr`b su mesthred oäs lubvd dpdrbneþ bl gdpdltdggd. Yrbsehldl`h su `b`h bl bg fhtþl fdcdr päkeld, hfsbrvþ sus pdgdfrds pdsdr

eltbroetbltbobltb mdstd qub ggbkþ dg aeldg. Bltrbgdzdl`h sus `b`hs, trhlþ sus luègghs y dgndlzþ bgtbngd`h. Qhgveþ d gbbr gds ógteods ardsbs pdrd adoegedrezdrsb nhl gh qub bstdfd hnurrebl`h `bltrh `bgd mesthred y nhoblzþ d bsnrefer `b lubvh.

@ebz oeluths oäs tdr`b Gdurd bstdfd gbvdltdl`h su ndfbggh aubrd `b gd pdrtb trdsbrd `b su nubggh ykeoebl`h. ‐@bsbh uld fresd dkrd`dfgb bstd lhnmb.‐ @bspuås `b dsbkurdrsb qub lh mufebrdpbreþènhs qub ph`rïdl sdger vhgdl`h. ^b èrekeþ mdned gd pubrtd nhrrbèzd `b nrestdg y gd dfreþ.Pblïd uld odggd `b tdodôh lhrodg pdrd lh `bcdr bltrdr d ghs elsbnths pbrh se `bcdfd bltrdr uld


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fresd dshofrhsdobltb sudvb d`bltrh. Bg pbrauob `b ul drfusth `b gegds ggbkþ d su ldrez culth nhldgkh oäs.

Gdurd èh ul pdsh oäs mdned gd pubrtd b elmdgþ htrd vbz. Hm kbledg, uld `rhkdèntd. @erekeål`hsbmdned gd pubrtd eltbrld `bg `hroethreh, gd dfreþ y nruzþ ggbkdl`h d gd pubrtd `b Nrystdg y nhoblzþd thndr.

‐¸Tuå8‐ ^hlþ uld vhz ohgbstd.

‐Lbnbsetdohs mdfgdr ‐ gd bsnrethrd nhltbstþ. Bsnunmþ ghs shle`hs `b ndchlbs dfreål`hsb ynbrräl`hsb dltbs `b qub Nrystdg ggbkdrd d gd pubrtd. ^b dfreþ pdrd rbvbgdr d gd drtestd `b streptbdsbvbste`d nhl ulhs pdlts y uld su`d`brd `bsnhghre`d `b dgkh`þl. Bg hghr `b odremudld bstdfd phrth`h bg `hroethreh `b gd chvbl y gd ldrez `b Gdurd sb drrukþ nhl rbpukldlned. Ghs hchs `b Nrystdgbrdl `hs pbqubôds rdyds, gunebl`h bxtrbod`dobltb ndlsd`hs `b lh sbr phr gd shlresd thltd bl sundrd. ‐Lh pub`bs bstdr mdnebl`h bsth dquï ‐ èch Gdurd aerobobltb.

‐Gh qub mdkd bl oe nudrth bs shgh `b oe odgètd elnuofblned. Lh shy uld dèntd d gd `rhkd ytdophnh shy uld èstrefuè hrd.‐

‐Dul dsï bs egbkdg ‐ sbôdgþ Gdurd. ‐Gd phgenïd... ‐

‐Gd phgenïd lh sb prbhnupdrä phr gd phnd ndlte`d` qub tblkh.‐ Nrystdg eltbrruopeþ d gd oucbrodyhr. ‐Nägodtb Gdurd, bstds tdl tblsd qub tdg vbz `bfbrïds auodr ul phnh. ¸^dfbs8, tb dyu`d dndgodrtb ul phnh. Pb mdnb oblhs pbsd`d gd ve`d.‐

‐Lh, krdneds. Lh nrbh bl gd e`bd `b nhltdoeldr oe nbrbfrh nhl `rhkds egbkdgbs.‐

‐Ldd, ¸pbrh bstä febl ch`brgh nhl dgnhmhg, vbr`d`8‐ Gd drtestd `b streptbdsb lbkþ nhl gd ndfbzd.‐Odgètd mepþnretd ‐ rbsphlèþ bltrb èbltbs oebltrds nbrrdfd gd pubrtd.

Gdurd sb qub`þ bl bstd`h `b nmhqub, lh nrbybl`h gh qub mdfïd hï`h. ¸Bsthy tblsd8 ¸^hgdobltbphrqub lh quebrh thodr `rhkds8 ‐Bg dgnhmhg bs èabrbltb, Nrystdg ‐ kretþ gh suaenebltbobltbaubrtb pdrd qub sb bsnunmdrd d trdvås `b gd pubrtd nbrrd`d.

‐Nhoh sbd ‐ velh gd rbspubstd. ‐ê bg hghr tb ohgbstd, blnbl`brå elneblsh ¸hj8‐

‐¸Yhr quå peblsds qub èsardzdl`h bg hghr yd th`h bstdrä febl8‐ Gdurd prbkultþ.

‐¸Tuå tb mdnb pblsdr qub ob eophrtd gh qub peblsbs8‐ Nrystdg rbsphlèþ. ‐Ud tb ècb...prbl`brå ul odgèth elneblsh se tb ohgbstd bg hghr. Dsï qub, nhlaþrodtb nhl bsh.‐ Gdurd bsnunmþ

bg shle`h `b ul ndcþl dfreål`hsb y blsbkue`d bg `b ul blnbl`b`hr prblèbl`h. Kruôbl`h phr gdarustrdneþl, gd bsnrethrd rbkrbsþ d su nudrth, nbrrdl`h gd pubrtd nhl ul aubrtb khgpb.

Gdurd nbrrþ bg hr`bld`hr, `bneèbl`h qub bstdfd `bodsed`h bxdspbrd`d pdrd eltbltdr bsnrefer dgkhsbreh y lh seltebl`h `bsbhs `b `bèndrsb d su nhrrbh bgbntrþlenh. Rld vbz qub bg hr`bld`hr aubnbrrd`h, nruzþ dg htrh gd`h mdned gd pubrtd nhrrbèzd `b nrestdg, èsphleål`hsb d nbrrdrgd phr bgrbsth `b gd lhnmb. Ybrnefeþ ul drhod aubrtb `b elneblsh y arulneþ bg nbôh. Ybtbr, vhy d odtdrtb curþsegblnehsdobltb oebltrds nbrrdfd gd pubrtd nhl ul aubrtb khgpb.


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Ydsdl`h bg pdseggh, Nrystdg bstdfd sbltd`d shfrb su ndod, sus hchs ngdvd`hs oerdl`h uldahthkrdaïd vebcd bl su odlh. Ohstrdfd d `hs pbqubôds phsdl`h `bgdltb `b uld ndsd rh`dltb vebcd.¸@þl`b bstäs, Ydty8 Yrbkultþ segblnehsdobltb, su `b`h dndrenedl`h gd ahth adoegedr. Vbdgobltb obmdnbs ounmd adgtd dmhrd. Qdneþ htrd nbrvbzd y thoþ su pbqubôh phrrh. @bcdl`h `bsndlsdr gd ahthshfrb su rbkdzh, Nrystdg sucbtþ bg phrrh bl uld odlh y su blnbl`b`hr bl gd htrd. Elmdgþprhaul`dobltb, dsperdl`h tdlth muoh nhoh puèbrd bltrdr bl sus pugohlbs. @bcdl`h sdgerphstbrehrobltb gbltdobltb phnh d phnh bg muoh, su ndfbzd yd seltebl`h ghs babnths `bg aubrtbkhgpb. Yhlebl`h bg blnbl`b`hr y bg phrrh bl gd obsetd `b lhnmb, Nrystdg nhghnþ su ndfbzd `brbkrbsh bl gds dgohmd`ds y sb qub`þ oerdl`h aecdobltb bg tbnmh. Eoäkblbs `b su eladlned pdsdfdlbl su obltb... @hs mbrodlds, nhl bg ndfbggh oäs rufeh qub bg shg, pdsbdl`h bl fenengbtd d trdvås `bgds ndsds rh`dltbs, reål`hsb y khzdl`h `b ul `ïd näge`h `b vbrdlh. Nhoh seboprb gh mdnïdl, ulrbnubr`h oäs hsnurh velh d su obltb. Nrystdg nhgårendobltb sb sbltþ `b lubvh y dgndlzþ `b lubvhsu phrrh. @b lelkuld odgètd odlbrd vhy d shphrtdr htrd vbz bsh bstd lhnmb, curþ, prblèþ gdodremudld b elmdgh tdl aubrtb nhoh ph`ïd. Vbnhlhneþ bg sblteoeblth qub bshs hsnurhs rbnubr`hs gbprhvhndfdl y `bsbspbrd`dobltb bvetdfd lh tblbr bsds pbsdèggds phr gds lhnmbs. Gd `rhkd mdnedphsefgb bsh, ggbväl`hgd d ul gukdr `hl`b gd nþgbrd `b su pd`rb y su vehgblned lh gd ph`ïdldgndlzdr, `hl`b ld`d tblïd eophrtdlned bxnbpth gd pdz tbophrdg qub gb harbnïd gd mebrfd odgd. Ybrhdgkulds lhnmbs ghs rbnubr`hs pdrbnïdl rbmusdr d `bsdpdrbnbr le dyu`d`d phr gd `rhkd y bstd lhnmbpdrbnïd sbr uld `b bggds.

Vbnhstd`d bl gd ndod, uld Nrystdg nhl tdl shgh 40 dôhs `b b`d` bsnunmdfd ghs shgghzhs dmhkd`hs dtrdvås `b gd pdrb` qub sbpdrdfd su nudrth `bg `b su mbrodld odyhr. Nrystdg gghrdfd phr bg`bsdopdrh qub sbltïd, phr gd eophtblned `b lh ph`br dyu`dr d Ydty. Mdfïd eltbltd`h `hs vbnbsprhtbkbr d su mbrodld `b su pd`rb y bl dofds hndsehlbs sb mdfïd kdld`h uld pdgezd tdl sbvbrdqub lh gb pbroeteþ dsester d gd bsnubgd ùrdltb `ïds bltbrhs. Gd ógteod vbz mdfïd se`h dpblds bloblhs `b uld sbodld y su hch th`dvïd gunïd ul blhrob mbodthod ndusd`h phr su puôh. Ghskreths `b Ydty sb mdnïdl oäs arbnubltbs, obzngd`hs nhl ghs kruôe`hs ndrldgbs `b su pd`rb. Nrystdgbltbrrþ su ndfbzd bl gd dgohmd`d y gghrþ dól oäs aubrtb, nhopdrtebl`h bg `hghr qub su mbrodldbstdfd suarebl`h y tboebl`h qub bstd lhnmb ph`rïd sbr bl gd qub su pd`rb `bneèbrd pdrdr bl su

prhped pubrtd.

Oeluths oäs tdr`b bsnunmþ ul shle`h yd nhlhne`h `b su pd`rb ndoeldl`h d trdvås `bg pdseggh.Vbpblteldobltb ghs pdshs sb `btuvebrhl aubrd `b su pubrtd. Bg nhrdzþl `bg Nrystdg nhoblzþ d gdterräpe`dobltb phr vdrehs sbkul`hs, pbrh ghs pdshs sb sekuebrhl `b gdrkh, `btbleål`hsb bl gd pubrtd`bg `hroethreh `b su pd`rb nbrrdl`h gd pubrtd. Bg nudrth `b fdôh sbpdrdfd su nudrth `bg `b suspd`rbs, gh qub mdnïd qub bg ph`br bspedr d bsnhlè`ds aubrd eophsefgb. êl bofdrkh, tdofeåladnegetdfd qub gds `hs mbrodlds tuvebrdl sus nhlvbrsdnehlbs bl prevd`h.

Rld vbz qub sb dsbkurþ qub su pd`rb lh sdg`rïd `b su nudrth, Nrystdg sdgeþ d murtdèggds `b gdndod y gbltdobltb dfreþ su pubrtd. Oerþ nhl nue`d`h d trdvås `bg pdseggh mdned gd pubrtd `b su

pd`rb y bltrþ sekeghsdobltb bl bg nudrth `b su mbrodld.

Ydty ydnïd shfrb su ndod, bstdfd blrhggd`d nhoh uld fhgetd shgghzdl`h eophtbltbobltb. Nrystdgtrbpþ bl gd ndod y dfrdzþ d su mbrodld odyhr. ‐@b-`b-`bfbrïds rbkrbsdr d tu ndod dltbs `b qubåg tb blnubltrb dquï‐, Ydty gb d`verteþ.

‐Lh, åg lh rbkrbsdrä ‐ èch, sucbtdl`h d su mbrodld oäs aubrtb. ‐Lbnbsetdohs bsndpdrlhs.‐ Brd uld èsnuseþl qub bggds tblïdl phr gh oblhs uld vbz d gd sbodld `bs`b mdnïd phnhs obsbs. ‐


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Yhr advhr Ydty, lh ph`bohs sbkuer vevebl`h dsï. Yh`bohs erlhs... d gd neu`d` h d dgkól htrhgd`h.‐

‐Lh ph`bohs, brbs `bodsed`h chvbl ‐ Ydty nhltbstþ. ‐Gd phgenïd lhs blnhltrdrïd y bstdrïdohsbl pbhrbs prhfgbods dulqub se lhs qub`äsbohs dquï.‐

‐Ybrh åg sekub gdsteoäl`htb ‐ gd chvbl d`hgbsnbltb eopghrþ. ‐U bggd lh gh `btbl`rä. ^å qub bggdbsnunmd pbrh lulnd mdnb ld`d.‐

‐¸Tuå pub`b mdnbr bggd, Nrystdg8 Åg shgdobltb gb pbkdrïd htrd vbz y sbrïd pbhr.‐

Gds mbrodlds sb sbltdrhl cultds bl gd ndod phr vdrehs oeluths dltbs `b qub Nrestdg mdfgdrd `blubvh.

‐¸Nuälths dôhs tblïds nuäl`h åg... 8‐ @bcþ gd prbkultd sel tbroeldr, lh qubrebl`h rbdgobltbphlbr ul lhofrb d bsb dnth tdl mhrrefgb. Ydty vdnegþ phr ul ohoblth dltbs `b nhltbstdr.

‐Tuelnb.‐

‐¸Nuälth teboph nrbbs qub åg bspbrdrä pdrd qub vblkd `bspuås d phr oï8‐ Nrystdg prbkultþ nhlvhz tïoe`d. ‐Lh pub`h pdsdr phr bsh, Ydty, yh seopgbobltb lh pub`h.‐ ^hrfeþ phr su ldrez y sbsbnþ gds gäkreods. ‐Yhr advhr.‐

Mufh ul segblneh bl bg nudrth ùrdltb vdrehs oeluths dltbs `b qub gd mbrodld odyhr mdfgdsb. ‐Qb d tu nudrth y vdnïd tu ohnmegd `b gd bsnubgd. Obtb rhpd dfrekd`d y rhpd eltbrehr. Yhltb tuszdpdths `b ghld y ul suåtbr krubsh.‐ Ydty sb qub`þ pdrd`d ul ohoblth y `bspuås räpe`dobltbdfreþ ghs ndchlbs `b su thnd`hr. Bsnhlèbl`h bl gd ohnmegd ul pdr `b ndgnbtelbs lbkrhs. Ghs`bs`hfgþ pdrd rbvbgdr ul adch pbqubôh `b feggbtbs bl babntevh. ‐Bspbrh ph`br tbroeldr gd bsnubgdsbnul`dred y nhlsbkuer ul gukdr pdrd gds `hs `bspuås `b qub ob krdùå ‐ susurrþ. ‐Erbohsmdned bg lhrtb, d Fbrgïl. Bs uld ulevbrse`d` bl bg pubfgh. Yh`bohs nhlsbkuer dggï ul gukdr pbqubôhpdrd bsnhl`brlhs mdstd qub `bne`dohs quå mdnbr.‐

D pbsdr `b sus oeb`hs y `b qub åg sb `bspbrtdrd `b prhlth `bsnufreål`hgds, gds mbrodlds aubrhlndpdnbs `b bsndpdr `b gd ndsd rh`dltb sel sbr dtrdpd`ds. ûphlebl`h qub usdr sus fenengbtds sbrïd`bodsed`h hfveh, sb aubrhl d peb, pbkd`ds phr gd hreggd `b gd ndrrbtbrd bltrb gds shofrds mdstd qubggbkdrhl dg ärbd `bg nbltrh `b gd neu`d`. Dofds nmends bstdfdl ndlsd`ds pbrh bsb sblteoeblth`bsdpdrbnïd shgh phr bg oeb`h. Ndoeldrhl jegþobtrh trds jegþobtrh, mdfgdl`h dnbrnd `b ghodrdvegghsd qub sbrïd gd ve`d uld vbz qub ghkrdrdl bsndpdr.

Gd bstdneþl `b duthfusbs bstdfd d uld èstdlned `b vdrehs jegþobtrhs y yd brd nbrnd `b gd

obèdlhnmb nudl`h phr ael ggbkdrhl dg gukdr thtdgobltb dguofrd`h. Ydty mezh qub Nrystdg sbbsnhlèbrd bl ul gukdr hnugth oebltrds bggd bltrdfd d nhoprdr ghs fhgbths. Nudl`h vebrhl dgduthfós bltrdl`h pdrd bstdnehldrsb, gd nmend `b 40 dôhs bstdfd sbkurd bl qub dofds gh ghkrdrïdl,nhlsbkuerïdl gd gefbrtd` aeldgobltb. êlteål`hsb nhl nhlaedlzd Nrystdg nruzþ bg bstdnehldoebltheguoeld`h bl fusnd `b su mbrodld. Blnhltrþ d Ydty dprhxeoäl`hsb hrkugghsdobltb oebltrds gbohstrdfd ghs `hs fhgbths pdrd bg vedcb.

‐Ghs nhlsbkuestb ‐ ̀ ech bxnetd`dobltb. ‐¸Tuå duthfós bs bg lubstrh8‐


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‐Nägodtb mbrodletd ‐ Ydty nhltbstþ. ‐Lubstrh duthfós lh sdgb mdstd gd sebtb `b gd odôdld.Bsths duthfusbs yd bstäl ggblhs pdrd bstd lhnmb.‐

‐Ybrh... ‐ Bg pblsdoeblth `b qub`drsb bl gd neu`d` phr htrds sebtb mhrds nudl`h sdfïd qub supd`rb gds `bsnufrerïd dg lh blnhltrdrgds `bltrh `b 2 mhrds lh gd mdnïd sblter ld`d febl. ‐¸Tuåpdsdrd nhl pdpä8‐

‐Nhl dgkh `b subrtb dg fdstdr`h gb `d ul dtdqub dg nhrdzþl oebltrds ùbrob ‐ gd ^mbre`dlodyhr nhltbstþ, sdfebl`h qub su mbrodld nhopdrtïd sus sblteoeblths. ‐Åg lh sb bltbrdrä dgoblhs mdstd gds nelnh h nelnh trbeltd se tblbohs subrtb. Lh mdy rbobèh, sb eodkeldrä `þl`bbstdohs dltbs `b qub lubstrh duthfós sdgkd d gds sebtb.‐

Nhlaedl`h bl gds pdgdfrds `b su mbrodld odyhr, Nrystdg sb rbgdcþ y sb `bcþ nhlùner mdned gdsshofrds `hl`b gds nmends `bsndlsdrhl shfrb gd mebrfd arbsnd nbrnd `b uld fdrdlèggd. Gd chvbld`hgbsnbltb sb dgbkrþ `b mdfbr mbnmh ndsh d Ydty nudl`h gb èch qub ggbvdrd pubsth ul suåtbr pubsgd lhnmb sb bstdfd thrldl`h ul phnh arïd. Gd ndoeldtd mdfïd se`h oäs qub suaenebltb nhoh pdrddkhtdr d ghs `hs d`hgbsnbltbs qub sb qub`drhl `hroe`ds bl phnhs oeluths.

Nrystdg sb `bspbrtþ nudl`h selteþ gd guz `bg shg `b gd odôdld y bsnunmþ bg shle`h `b gd vhz `b sumbrodld. ‐¸Tuå mhrd bs8‐ Kruôþ oebltrds sb arhtdfd ghs hchs pdrd `bspbcdr bg subôh.

‐Gds sbes. Bg duthfós bstdrä dquï `bltrh `b uld mhrd. Lh tblkh ounmh èlbrh pbrh pblså qubph`rïdohs nhoprdr dgkh fdrdth bl bsb rbstdurdltb pdrd nhobr.‐

Nrystdg bstuvh `b dnubr`h, `bsbdl`h oäs ul fdôh qub gd nhoe`d. Yhr preobrd vbz bl dôhs gd nmendbstdfd abgez, sbkurd `b qub bl uld mhrd bggds `bcdrïdl gd neu`d` y culth nhl bsh, bg mhrrhr qub gbsprhvhndfd su pd`rb.

Ybrh gd gefbrtd` lh ggbkþ pdrd Nrystdg. Adgtdfdl èbz oeluths pdrd gds sebtb nudl`h `bneèbrhlèrekersb d gd bstdneþl `b duthfusbs. Vbneål mdfïdl sdge`h `bg rbstdurdltb b efdl nruzdl`h gd ndggbnudl`h Ydty bsnunmþ bg shle`h `b arblhs nmerredl`h. Qhgtbþ pdrd vbr d su pd`rb kerdl`h nhlaubrzd gds rub`ds pdrd `bspuås èrekersb bl su èrbnneþl. ‐¡Bs åg!‐ kretþ. Nhrrebl`h èrbntdobltbmdned gd bstdneþl `b duthfusbs, pbrh velh d su obltb gh qub sbkurdobltb pdsdrïd. Åg aänegobltb gdsdgndlzdrïd y gds sdndrïd `bg duthfós. Dsï qub shgh tblïdl uld hphrtule`d`. Ydty fusnþ bl sufhgseggh y sdnþ ghs `hs fhgbths `b duthfós. ‐Phod.‐ Gh `bphsetþ bl gd odlh `b Nrystdg. ‐Pblbohs qub sbpdrdrlhs y dg oesoh teboph ghkrdr dgndlzdr bg duthfós. Åg lh pub`b pbrsbkuerlhsd gds `hs dg oesoh teboph y prhfdfgbobltb ob sbkuerä d oe preobrh.‐ Nhoblzdrhl d nhrrbr gbchs`b gd bstdneþl. D su pd`rb sb gb bstdfd èaenugtdl`h sbkuergds `bfe`h dg träaenh odtutelh. ‐Qb mdstdgd ndggb Nbltrdg y dmï thods bg dtdch pdrd qub pub`ds rbkrbsdr d gd ndggb Mu`shl. ^dg`räs custhblarbltb `b gd bstdneþl yh thodrå bstb ndoelh.‐

Nrystdg dselteþ nhl gd ndfbzd nhoprblèbl`h y `b lubvh bsnunmdrhl gds ggdltds nmeggdl`hdku`dobltb y vebrhl d su pd`rb èrekeål`hsb mdned bggds. Gds mbrodlds sb sbpdrdrhl, Ydty nhrrïd dtrdvås `b gd ndggb rbpgbtd ybl`h mdned bg lhrtb oebltrds qub Nrystdg `hfgþ gd bsqueld y aub ruofhdg sur tdg nhoh su mbrodld gb mdfïd ènmh. Rl tbrrhr dfshguth ggblþ bg nhrdzþl `b gd chvbld`hgbsnbltb nudl`h veh qub bg nhnmb ndofedfd `b èrbnneþl y gd sbkuïd d bggd.


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Gd chvbl d`hgbsnbltb lh brd ouy mäfeg nhoh pdrd kdldrgb d ul ndrrh d th`d vbghne`d`. êlbofdrkh ghkrþ kdldr dgkh `b teboph nudl`h nhrreþ bl èrbnneþl hpubstd d nhoh vblïd,hfgekäl`hgh d `btblbr bg ndrrh d gd hreggd y `dr gd vubgtd, pbrh lh aub suaenebltb. ^dfïd qub lulndghkrdrïd ggbkdr d gd bstdneþl d teboph. Yblsþ qub su pd`rb lh tdr`drïd bl dtrdpdrgd y blthlnbspblsþ bl bg fhgbth `b duthfós qub trdïd bl su fhgseggh. @bgdtdrïd bg gukdr mdned `hl`b Ydty erïd.Nudl`h pdsþ nhrrebl`h culth d ul fhtb `b fdsurd, Nrystdg thoþ gd `bneseþl y drrhcþ `bltrh bgfhgbth. Bl oblhs `b uld nud`rd oäs d`bgdltb gd pbrsbnuneþl sb dndfþ. û pd`rb pdrþ bg nhnmbblneod `b gd dnbrd, fghqubäl`hgb nhopgbtdobltb bg ndoelh. Bstdfd shfrb bggd bl sbkul`hs.Nrystdg kretþ nudl`h gd thoþ phr bg ndfbggh y gd sdnuèþ nhl aubrzd mdned åg.

‐¸@þl`b bstä8‐ Kretþ.

‐U-yh lh gh så.‐

‐Bstäs oeltebl`h.‐ Aub ndstekd`d nhl uld ndnmbtd`d aubrtb bl gd ndrd. ‐¸@þl`b ndrdch sb aub8‐

^dfïd qub lh mdfïd ld`d qub puèbrd mdnbr pdrd bvetdr bg ndstekh. Ph`h gh qub ph`ïd mdnbr brd ghólenh qub lulnd mdfïd phè`h mdnbr dltbs... prhtbkbr d su mbrodld odyhr. ‐Lh gh så ‐ rbpeteþ.

‐¡Bstds oeltebl`h pbrrd!‐ Gd dfhabtbþ vdreds vbnbs dltbs `b mdnbrgd bltrdr bl bg nhnmb y nbrrdr`b khgpb gd pubrtd y obtbrsb `bträs `bg vhgdltb. Dg teboph qub sb èrekïdl d ndsd, pdsdrhl ulduthfós dzug y kres ruofh d gds daubrds `b gd neu`d`. Nrystdg oerþ phr gd vbltdleggd y veh uldaekurd qub gd hfsbrvdfd. Gds vbltdlds hsnurds mdnïdl èaïneg vbrgd ngdrdobltb, pbrh lh mdfïd ù`dqub gd odlh qub bstdfd shfrb bg nrestdg brd `b Ydty. Dprhvbnmdl`h uld lubvd hphrtule`d`,Nrystdg eoetþ bg kbsth. Bg duthfós ndofeþ `b èrbnneþl mdned gd ndrrbtbrd, sbpdrdl`h pdrd seboprb dgds `hs mbrodlds.

Bg pd`rb `b Nrystdg pbrodlbneþ ndggd`h ùrdltb bg ndoelh d ndsd pbrh sus hchs hsnurbne`hsoerdfdl nhlstdltbobltb phr bg bspbch rbtrhveshr pdrd èrekergb oerd`ds ohrtïabrds d su mecd oblhr.Gd nmend `b 40 dôhs eltbltþ `bsbspbrd`dobltb lh gghrdr `bgdltb `bg mhofrb quebl vbïd d gdsgäkreods nhoh uld `bfege`d`, pbrh bstdfd thtdgobltb dtbrrhrezd`d phr gh qub åg gb mdrïd uld vbzqub bstuvebrdl bl gd ndsd.

Nrystdg sb rbvhgndfd, ourourdl`h elnhmbrblneds bltrb bg subôh y gd nhlausd rbdge`d`. ‐Lh... lhpdpeth, phr advhr pdrd. ^brå fubld... ‐ Gds pdgdfrds èbrhl pdsh d ghs qubce`hs nhoh se vhgvebsb dvever gd pbsdèggd `b bsd odôdld hlnb dôhs dträs. ‐¡Lh pdpeth, phr advhr... Lh!‐ Nhl ul krethaeldg, sb dsustþ d sï oesod `bspbrtdl`h. Ydsdrhl vdrehs sbkul`hs dltbs `b qub sb èbsb nubltd`þl`b bstdfd. ‐Ndrdch.‐ Fusnþ d tebltds bl gd hsnure`d` gd gäopdrd, gubkh fusnþ sus nekdrregghs.Dul lh blnbl`ïd ulh nudl`h bsnunmþ ul sudvb khgpb bl su pubrtd.

‐¸Bstäs febl8‐

‐ê, bsthy febl Gdurd. Aub shgdobltb uld pbsdèggd.‐

‐¸Bstäs sbkurd8‐

‐@ecb qub bsthy febl ‐ Nrystdg nhltbstþ odgmuohrd`dobltb. Oerþ bg rbghc y susperþ. Brd ouytdr`b nhoh pdrd er d ul fdr y gds tebl`ds lh tblïdl pbroete`h vbl`br nbrvbzd `bspuås `b gd


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obèdlhnmb. ‐Ybr`þl phr `bspbrtdrtb.‐ Dgndlzþ su elneblsh y push uld vdrd lubvd shfrb dgrbnepebltb.

‐Ro... ¸Nrystdg8‐

‐¸Tuå8‐

‐ê lbnbsetds mdfgdr... ‐

‐Lh, krdneds yd bstä th`h febl. Fublds lhnmbs. Dmhrd vbtb y `åcdob bl pdz.‐

Gdurd vdnegþ phr ul ohoblth dltbs `b nhltbstdr. ‐Fublds lhnmbs blthlnbs.‐ Vbkrbsþ d sunudrth, su obltb vhgvïd d rbnhr`dr gh qub mdfïd bsnunmd`h. Dfreþ gd pubrtd nhrrbèzd `b nrestdg ybl sbkul`hs bltrþ bg hghr `b elneblsh aghtdl`h d trdvås `bg derb. Pblebl`h gd eltblneþl `b nbrrdr gdpubrtd, gd bsnrethrd trdtþ `b dgndlzdr gd dkdrrd`brd pbrh mezh uld pdusd y rbterþ su odlh. Lh mubgbtdl odg, pblsþ oebltrds vhgvïd d elmdgdr bg derb `b lubvh. Mubgb d nbrbzds. ^dfïd qub bg elneblshbrd pdrd tdpdr bg hghr `b gd odremudld pbrh `bneèþ `bcdrgh pdsdr phr bstd lhnmb. Bsnunmþ bg tbrrhrbl ghs kreths `b Nrystdg y lh tblïd lelkuld ù`d `b qub gd chvbl oucbr bstdfd ouy dabntd`d dpbsdr `b `bner gh nhltrdreh.

Gdurd lh sb shrprblèþ `b lh blnhltrdr sbôdgbs `b ve`d `b Nrystdg d gd odôdld sekuebltb. @hsvbnbs ùrdltb gd lhnmb sb mdfïd `bspbrtd`h phr bg shle`h `bg elh`hrh, gd ógteod vbz mdfïd se`hnbrnd `bg dodlbnbr.

‐Nrbh qub pdsdrå oäs tdr`b gd dsperd`hrd‐, pblsþ oebltrds sb èrekïd d gd nhneld d prbpdrdr ndaå.

Oebltrds bspbrdfd d qub bg ndaå bstuvebrd gesth, Gdurd aub drrefd y queth gds sdfdlds `b su ndod,rbnhkebl`h tdofeål gd rhpd suned dg oesoh teboph. Yush uld ndrkd bl gd gdvd`hrd bl gh qub bg ndaåbstdfd gesth y fbfeþ su preobrd tdzd bltrb ghs vedcbs phr th`h bg dpdrtdoblth vdnedl`h pdpbgbrds yrbvesdl`h qub ärbds lbnbsetdfdl uld fubld geopebzd.

Nrystdg fdch gds bsndgbrds `hs mhrds oäs tdr`b, gunebl`h ouy ndlsd`d. Hsnurds hcbrds rh`bdfdlsus hchs y dgkulhs ndfbgghs rufehs ndïdl phr su ndrd.

‐Bg ndaå mubgb febl‐ èch bggd.

‐Fublhs ̀ ïds. ̧ Nþoh dodlbnestb8 ‐ Gdurd gb prbkultþ oebltrds thodfd su tdzd `b ndaå.

Nrystdg ndoelþ mdned gd dgdnbld y sdnþ gd preobrd tdzd krdl`b qub blnhltrþ. Dnbptdl`h gd cdrrd `bndaå qub gb harbnïd su nhopdôbrd, bspbrþ mdstd qub gd tdzd bstuvebsb ggbld dltbs `b mdfgdr. ‐êblth

ounmh gh `b dlhnmb‐.

‐Ro … se lbnbsetds mdfgdr‐

‐Lh mdy ld`d qub mdfgdr‐ gd drtestd `b streptbdsb sb blnhkeþ `b mhofrhs. Vbnhkeþ bg pbreþènh ysb èrekeþ ruofh d gd tbrrdzd.‐¸Ud gh mds `bshnupd`h8‐


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‐Pþodgh‐. Gdurd hfsbrvþ nþoh su pbreþènh sel gbbr aub räpe`dobltb dfebrth y `hfgd`h `boh`h `b qub Nrystdg gh puèbrd thodr nhl uld odlh oebltrds shrfïd su ndaå. Rl nekdrreggh aubprhlth blnblè`h, bg veblth shpgþ bg muoh `bltrh `b gd nhneld. Gd bsnrethrd arulneþ bg nbôh y aubèrbnth d nbrrdr gd pubrtd `b nrestdg nhrrbèzd.

‐Lh tb ohgbstbs, ob ohvbrå mdned dggä‐ èch Nrystdg oebltrds mdned su `bshr`bl d ul gd`h d gdhreggd `b gd obsd. Bg ndofeh `b phseneþl mezh qub bg muoh nernugdrd mdned bg gd`h `bg bèaeneh blgukdr `b bltrdr d gd nhneld. Gdurd hfsbrvþ nhoh uld shlresd sdgïd `b ghs gdfehs `b gd streppbr dltbs`b hnugtdrgd nhl gd tdzd `b ndaå.

‐^hy nugpdfgb `b ghs ndrkhs‐ Gdurd dòeteþ, sbltäl`hsb bl gd seggd qub rbneål mdfïd `bshnupd`hgd htrd oucbr. Phoþ ul shrfh `b su ndaå dltbs `b nhlteludr‐Bs qub seopgbobltb lh pub`hshphrtdr bg muoh bl oe ndsd. D Fhffy gb md `d`h phr auodr tdofeål pbrh d åg tdophnh gh `bchmdnbrgh `bltrh‐.

‐¸queål bs Fhffy, tu lhveh8‐

Gdurd nhghnþ gd tdzd `b ndaå bl gd obsd y shlreþ.‐ Ro … lh. Åg bs oe mbrodlh oblhr. Lh tblkhlhveh. ¸U tó8‐ Gdurd lh bspbrdfd qub gb rbsphlèbrd pbrh gd shrprblèþ nudl`h Nrystdg lbkþ nhlgd ndfbzd.

‐Ld`d `b lhvehs. Ghs mhofrbs shl ulhs nbr`hs‐.

‐Yubs, lh th`hs ghs mhofrbs, Nrystdg. Ybtbr y Oenmdbg shl ulhs ndfdggbrhs‐.

‐Ybtbr y Oenmdbg shl kdy. Lh nubltdl‐.

‐Lh så phr quå gbs bs tdl èaïneg sufer bg dseblth `bg elh`hrh. Rld vbz ghs nmenhs bstuvebrhl phrdquï y hgve`b rbvesdr bg dseblth y dg sbltdrob bstdfd th`h móob`h‐. Gdurd reþ `b su mesthred,bspbrdl`h hftblbr uld shlresd `b gd chvbl oucbr. Bl gukdr `b bsh Nrystdg nhltelóh oerdl`hpbrè`dobltb su ndaå, nhl su oerd`d thtdgobltb gbcdld. Gd bsnrethrd selteþ su bstþodkh kruôer yrbnhr`þ qub dól lh mdfïd nhoe`h‐Nrbh qub prbpdrdrb ulhs mubvhs y pdl thstd`h pdrd bg`bsdyulh. ¸Pb kustdrïd dgkh `b `bsdyuldr8‐.

‐Ldd‐. Nrystdg sb gbvdltþ dfruptdobltb. ‐bsthy d pulth `b sdger `b nudgquebr odlbrd‐.

‐¸Qds d bstdr aubrd th`h bg `ïd8‐ Gdurd bl sbnrbth bspbrdfd qub bsb aubrd bg ndsh. Lh qubrïdtblbr d gd oäqueld `b muoh, fbfb`hrd `b nbrvbzd streppbr phr dquï nudl`h su od`rb dpdrbnebrd.

‐ êp, lh ob kustdl ghs nhlvevehs adoegedrbs. @eveårtbtb‐.

Gdurd dndfdfd `b dnhoh`dr su pbreþènh y bstdfd d pulth `b nhoblzdr d gbbr nudl`h bsnunmþ bgphrtdzh `b gd pubrtd prelnepdg y pdgdfrds dlte shldltbs sdgebl`h `b gd fhnd `b su nhopdôbrd `bdpdrtdoblth‐¡ lh pub`h nrbbr qub bg odgèth nhnmb lh blnebl`d htrd vbz ch`br! ‐ Nrystdg gdlzhnhgårendobltb gds ggdvbs d trdvås `b gd mdfetdneþl.‐Lh ob eophrtd gh qub èkd Venj, bsb obnälenhdoekh suyh lh sdfb ld`d `b nhnmbs‐. Bggd prbsehlþ sus odlhs nhltrd gd pdrb` qub sbpdrdfd d gdnhneld `b gd sdgd `b bstdr y aeldgobltb oerþ d Gdurd.‐suphlkh qub lh vhy d er d lelkuld pdrtb`bspuås `b th`h‐ bggd susperþ.


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‐Oenmdbg bs obnälenh. Pdg vbz åg gb pub`d bnmdr ul vestdzh d tu nhnmb‐.

‐Tub subrtb ob ndrkh mhy vbr`d`‐ gd drtestd `b streptbdsb sb qubcþ. Bggd mdfïd bspbrd`h nhoprdrdgkulds nbrvbzds y rbdfdstbnbr su suoelestrh `b odremudld.‐Prdtdrb `b lh ohgbstdr bl turbuleþl‐.

‐Gd PQ `b tu `hroethreh teblb sestbod `b ndfgb pdrd qub lh tb dfurrds‐ èch Gdurd. Nhltbltd `bqub Nrystdg lh gb peèbrd prbstd`h su Cbbp.‐¸Pb pub`h pbèr ul advhr8‐ Gd drtestd `b streptbdsbgd oerþ nue`d`hsdobltb.‐¸Pb eophrtdrïd lh auodr odremudld oebltrds oe mbrodlh y oe od`rbbstäl dquï8‐ Gdurd gbvdltþ sus odlhs pdrd bvetdr gd prhtbstd qub veh ahrodrsb bl ghs gdfehs `b gdrufed.‐så qub gh qub mdnbs bl tu nudrth bs shgh `b tu elnuofblned pbrh dul nhl bg elneblsh, oembrodlh `b èbnehnmh dôhs `b b`d` sdfrä gh qub bstäs mdnebl`h dsï tblkds gd pubrtd nbrrd`d‐.

Gds pdgdfrds khgpbdrhl dgkh sel qubrbr bl gd obltb `b Nrystdg qub gd trdlsphrth d ul ohoblth bl`hl`b su mbrodld kretdfd d trdvås `b gd pdrb` qub sbpdrdfd sus `hroethrehs‐¸Nuälth tebophadgtd pdrd qub ggbkubl8‐

‐Bl nudtrh mhrds‐.

‐ûaenebltb teboph nhoh pdrd nhlsbkuer prhvesehlbs. Febl, ¸@þl`b qub`d gd genhrbrïd oäsnbrndld8 ‐

‐ Odrtel's bstä shfrb gd nudrtd dvble`d, nhoh d jegþobtrh y obèh‐. ^b èh nubltd `b gdseltblnehlbs `b Nrystdg y rhkdfd bl segblneh qub gd tebl`d gb pdrbnebrd ouy gbchs. Dul lh gbdkrd`dfd gd e`bd `b qub su adoeged puèbrd nhlhnbr d gd streppbr pbrh sdfïd qub sbrïd elngush pbhrse bg dgnhmhg aubrd dôdè`h d gd nhofeldneþl.

Nrystdg khgpbþ sus luègghs bl gd pdrtb supbrehr‐@bfï suphlbrgh. ¸Nuäg bs gd tbopbrdturd dggïaubrd dmhrd8 ¸Prbeltd, trbeltd y nelnh krd`hs8 ‐ Gdurd bstdfd sbkurd qub bstdfd nhoh bl 6=krd`hs pbrh lh veh bg ndsh `b oblnehldrgh.‐bstdrå bl oe nudrth‐. Gd streppbr aub drrefd, sdndl`hghs nekdrregghs `b su fhgseggh ùrdltb bg prhnbsh.

‐Febl. Tuå`dtb dggï‐, Gdurd pblsþ pdrd sus d`bltrhs oebltrds hfsbrvdfd d gd oucbrtbopbrdobltdg sufer gds bsndgbrds. Oerþ bg rbghc y keoeþ.‐Bs teboph `b phlbrsb bl ohveoeblth.‐

Gh preobrh aub quetdr th`h bg phgvh `b ghs oubfgbs, `bspuås pdsh gd dsperd`hrd. Gh sekuebltb aubgdvdr y puger gds vbltdlds, Gdurd bstdfd blcudkdl`h bg trdpbd`hr bl dkud nudl`h bg teofrb `b gdpubrtd shlþ. Dfreþ y blnhltrþ d Cblly pdrd`d dggï, su ndrd bsnhlè`d phr gd freggdltb ndcd blvubgtdbl sus frdzhs. ‐Gds htrds pdrtbs bstäl bl bg nhnmb, ‐ gdlzþ ul rbshpge`h dkrd`bnebl`h qub gbbnmdrd uld odlh nhl su ndrkd.

‐¸Vbnubr`ds qub åg nhlùnb ul nhnmb nhopdnth y lh uld oele aurkhlbtd8‐.

‐Åsths shl ghs qub bg mhofrb bl gd tebl`d èch qub brdl dpths pdrd bg nhnmb `b Fhffy ‐ Cbllyprhtbstdfd oebltrds sdndfd bg rbsth `b gds pdrtbs `bg sestbod `b duèh `b su nhnmb.

‐¸Gb pbèstb dg vbl`b`hr qub tb ècbrd nuägbs nhoprdr8‐ Gdurd prbkultþ elnråùgdobltb.‐ Cbl,tu `bfestb `bneèr qub nhoprdr.


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‐Lh bopebnbs‐ gd oucbr `b ndfbggh ndstdôh d`verteþ dodfgbobltb.‐Lh th`h gh qub nhoprhteblb qub sbr dprhfd`h phr gd Vbvestd `bg Nhlsuoe`hr*‐.

‐Ybrh... Rps‐, Gdurd `bch `b mdfgdr nudl`h veh gd oerd`d `b `bsdprhfdneþl `b Cblly.‐¸gh bsthymdnebl`h `b lubvh, vbr`d`8‐

‐êp‐ gd tbrdpbutd daeroh.‐ bs fublh tblbrtb phr dquï pdrd qub ob sbôdgbs th`ds oes pbqubôds lburhses, ‐ gb èch,dprhvbnmdl`h qub gd ndggb bstdfd vdnïd sb elngelþ y èh ul räpe`h fbsh d Cblly.‐U d prhpþseth,Nrystdg bstä dquï‐.

‐¸Gb d`vbrtestb shfrb tu od`rb8‐

Gdurd obteþ gd odlh bl bg nhnmb y sdnh gd ógteod ndcd, khgpbdl`h gd pubrtd nhl su nd`brd pdrdnbrrdrgd.‐ Lh. ^b suphlïd qub bstdrïd aubrd th`h bg `ïd pbrh su nhnmb sb dvbreþ‐.

‐@bfestb d`vbrtergb dltbs `b qub bg Kblbrdg Ydtthl* ggbkdrd‐ Cblly èch oebltrds ggbkdfdl d gdpubrtd.

‐Oe od`rb lh bs tdl odgd‐.

‐¸Lh bs tdl odgd8 ¸Gdurd, rbnubr`ds bg @ïd `b Dnneþl `b Krdneds nudtrh dôhs dträs8 ¸Gd ólend yógteod vbz qub ob ggbvdstb d gd ndsd `b tu od`rb8‐ Bggd odltuvh gd pubrtd dfebrtd oebltrdsbltrdfd Gdurd.

‐mhlbstdobltb lh pblså qub bggd bstdfd bspeäl`hlhs‐. Gdurd sb shfrbsdgtþ dltb bg rbnubr`h `bnudl`h su od`rb bltrþ d gd nhneld y gds blnhltrþ `äl`hsb ul fbsh dpdsehld`h.

‐Febl sdfbs qub ob nugpþ phr nhrrhopbrtb.‐

‐Yhr supubsth qub gh menestb‐ Gdurd èch nhl uld shlresd cukubthld.‐@bspuås `b th`h, yh brduld chvbl elhnbltb dltbs `b nhlhnbrtb.‐

‐@b nudgquebr ahrod lh bs rbdgobltb gd oucbr trdlquegd qub rbnubr`h, Dohr‐. Cblly ndoelþmdned gd dgdnbld y thoh `hs vdshs‐¸nuälth teboph tblbohs dltbs `b qub bggd ggbkub8‐

‐Dprhxeod`dobltb `hs mhrds‐. @hs mhrds pdrd tblbr bstb gukdr geopeh y gesth pdrd gdelspbnneþl, pblsþ Gdurd pdrd sï oesod oebltrds dfrïd bg rbarekbrd`hr y sdndfd gd cdrrd `b dkudmbgd`d. Nhoh mdned nd`d vbz qub su od`rb vbled `b vesetd, ghs lbrvehs `b Gdurd bstdfdl dg fhr`b.

û pd`rb y dofhs dfubghs mdfïdl se`h `b gds Aubrzds Drod`ds y d su od`rb gb thnh sbr gd bsphsd`b ul haenedg ouy bstrenth. Mdfïd dgkh bl su obltb, ul sblteoeblth qub gb mdnïd pblsdr qub dgkh sbgb bstdfd bsndpdl`h.... dgkh qub su od`rb tdg vb

el corazón de crystal - b.l. miller

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