Загадочное происшествие в Стайлзе
Chapter X. The Arrest
“Seeyou,oneshouldnotaskforoutsideproof—no,reasonshouldbeenough.Butthefleshisweak,itisconsolationtofindthatoneisontherighttrack.Ah,myfriend,Iamlikeagiantrefreshed.Irun!Ileap!”
And,inverytruth,runandleaphedid,gambollingwildlydownthestretchoflawnoutsidethelongwindow.
“Whatisyourremarkablelittlefrienddoing?”askedavoicebehindme,andIturnedtofindMaryCavendishatmyelbow.Shesmiled,andsodidI.“Whatisitallabout?”
“Really,Ican’ttellyou.HeaskedDorcassomequestionaboutabell,andappearedsodelightedwithheranswerthatheiscaperingaboutasyousee!”
Marylaughed.
“Howridiculous!He’sgoingoutofthegate.Isn’thecomingbackto-day?”
“Idon’tknow.I’vegivenuptryingtoguesswhathe’lldonext.”
“Ishequitemad,Mr.Hastings?”
“Ihonestlydon’tknow.Sometimes,Ifeelsureheisasmadasahatter;andthen,justasheisathismaddest,Ifindthereismethodinhismadness.”
“Isee.”
Inspiteofherlaugh,Marywaslookingthoughtfulthismorning.Sheseemedgrave,almostsad.
ItoccurredtomethatitwouldbeagoodopportunitytotackleheronthesubjectofCynthia.Ibeganrathertactfully,Ithought,butIhadnotgonefarbeforeshestoppedmeauthoritatively.
“Youareanexcellentadvocate,Ihavenodoubt,Mr.Hastings,butinthiscaseyourtalentsarequitethrownaway.Cynthiawillrunnoriskofencounteringanyunkindnessfromme.
