（外文电子版资料）Niven, Larry - Like Banquos Ghost.doc

Like Banquos Ghost By Larry Niven On a hot, lovely fall day I drove out to Stardrive Laboratories. If all went well, that was the day the Snarkhunter #3 probe would send its final message from Alpha Centauri. The Times had assigned me to cover the event. There were coffee and donuts in the anteroom. A diverse lot milled about and introduced each other and shook hands and talked. Pretty secretaries moved briskly through the crowd. I recognized people Id talked to when I was here two months ago, and one I knew only from his picture. Jubal Hendricks, Senior, had managed Stardrive Labs thirty years ago, when Snarkhunter #3 was launched. Hed retired just afterward, but here he was, emaciated and tottering, to watch his projects end. I headed for the coffee table. The man everyone called Butch saw me coming and drew me a cup. He was five feet tall, the color of mahogany, his bright blond hair cut short in a butch cut. How good to see you again, Mr. Lane! He pumped my hand with enthusiasm. You do remember me? Of course, Butch, very well indeed. I didnt remember his full name, but then, nobody did. And nobody else seemed to want to talk to him. How have you been? Very well, Mr. Lane, despite my allergies. I have been taking shots. They seem to help, I said. Last time Id seen him his nose had dripped constantly. Your accent has improved too. He laughed self-consciously. It is nearly eight oclock. Shall we move into the-- His tongue stumbled, and he had to point. The auditorium? Yes, lets. Two months ago wed been here to catch the first signals from the Snarkhunter #3 probe as it entered the vicinity of Alpha Centauri. The probe had been flying since before I was born, but that had been its first message since leaving the solar system. On that occasion it had switched itself on on schedule, then given us the sizes and locations of the Centaurus planets. The speed of light barred us from controlling the Snarkhunter from Earth. The probe had been programm