Read Online Red Planet by Robert A. Heinlein - Free Book Online Page B

property, but your friend. That's right, isn't it?’
    Jim hesitated. He could feel that a trap was being built for him, but he was not sure what sort. ‘What if I did?’
    'Did you say that, or didn't you? Answer me!’
    'Well—yes.’
    Howe leaned forward. ‘In that case, what are you doing in here demanding that I turn this creature over to you? You have no claim on him.’
    'But—but —’ Jim stopped, at a loss for words. He had been tricked with words, slippery words; he did not know how to answer them. ‘You can't do that!’ he blurted out. ‘You don't own him, either! You have no right to keep him locked up.’
    Howe carefully fitted his finger tips together. ‘That is a matter still to be determined. Although you have waived all claim to him, it may be that the creature is property nevertheless—in which case he was found on the school grounds and I may take title to him on behalf of the school, as a scientific specimen.’
    'But—You can't do that; that's not fair! If he belongs to anybody, he belongs to me! You've got no right to —’
    'Silence!’ Jim shut up; Howe went on more quietly, ‘Don't tell me what I can or cannot do. You forget that I am in loco parentis to you. Any rights that you may have are vested in me, just as if I were your own father. As to the disposition of this creature, I am looking into it; I expect to see the Agent General this afternoon. In due course you will be informed of the outcome.’
    The Latin phrase confused Jim, as it was intended to; but he did catch one point in Howe's statement and snatched at it ‘I'm going to tell my father about this. You can't get away with it.’
    'Threats, eh?’ Howe smiled sourly. ‘Don't bother to ask for the key to the communications booth; I don't propose to have students phoning their parents every time I tell them to wipe their noses. Send your father a letter—but let me hear it before you send it.’ He stood up. ‘That is all. You may go.’
    Frank was waiting. ‘I don't see any blood,’ he announced, looking Jim over. ‘How did it go?’
    'Oh, that so-and-so!’
    'Bad, eh?’
    'Frank, he won't let me have Willis.’
    'He's going to make you send him home? But you expected that.’
    'No, not that. He won't let me have him at all. He used a lot of double-talk but all it meant was that he had him and meant to keep him.’ Jim seemed about to break down and blubber. ‘Poor little Willis—you know how timid he is. Frank, what'll I do?’
    'I don't get it,’ Frank answered slowly. ‘He can't keep Willis, not for keeps. Willis belongs to you.’
    'I told you he used a lot of double-talk—but that's what he means to do just the same. How am I going to get him back? Frank, I've just got to get him back.’
    Frank did not answer; Jim looked around disconsolately and noticed the room for the first time. ‘What happened here?’ he asked. ‘The place looks like you had tried to wreck it.’
    'Oh, that. I started to tell you. While you were gone, a couple of Howie's stooges searched the place.’
    'Huh?’
    'Trying to find our guns. I just played dumb.’
    'They did, did they?’ Jim appeared to make up his mind. ‘I've got to find Smythe.’ He headed for the door.
    'Hey wait—what d'you want to find Smitty for?’
    Jim looked back and his face was very old. ‘I'm going to get my gun and go back there and get Willis.’
    'Jim! You're nuts!’
    Jim did not answer but continued toward the door.
    Frank stuck out a foot, tripped him and landed on his back as he went down. He grabbed Jim's right arm and twisted it behind his back. ‘Now you just rest there,’ he told Jim, ‘until you quiet down.’
    'Let me up.’
    'You got some sense in your head?’
    No answer. ‘Okay,’ Frank went on, ‘I can sit here just as long as you want to. Let me know when you've quieted down.’ Jim started to struggle; Frank twisted his arm until he yelped and relaxed.
    'That's better,’ said Frank. ‘Now listen to me: you're a nice guy, Jim,