Читать книгу The Science Fiction Anthology онлайн

557 страница из 776

“Other men are that old,” said Alcala.

“Other men are old, yes. Those who survived the two successive plagues, were unusually durable.” Camba finished and pushed back his plate. “There is no crime in being long-lived, surely. But he has changed his name five times!”

“That proves nothing. Whatever his reasons for changing his name, it doesn’t prove that he is Syndrome Johnny any more than it proves he is the cow that jumped over the moon. Syndrome Johnny is a myth, a figment of mob delirium.”

As he said it, he knew it was not true. A Federation investigator would not be on a wild goose chase.

The plates were taken away and cups of steaming black coffee put between them. He would have to warn Johnny. It was strange how well you could know a man as well as he knew Johnny, firmly enough to believe that, despite evidence, everything the man did was right.

“Why must it be a myth?” Camba asked softly.

“It’s ridiculous!” Alcala protested. “Why would any man—” His voice cut off as unrelated facts fell into a pattern. He sat for a moment, thinking intensely, seeing the century of plague as something he had never dreamed....