Загадочное происшествие в Стайлзе
Chapter II. The 16th and 17th of July
Shetookusuptohersanctum,andintroducedustoherfellowdispenser,aratherawe-inspiringindividual,whomCynthiacheerilyaddressedas“Nibs.”
“Whatalotofbottles!”Iexclaimed,asmyeyetravelledroundthesmallroom.“Doyoureallyknowwhat’sinthemall?”
“Saysomethingoriginal,”groanedCynthia.“Everysinglepersonwhocomesupheresaysthat.Wearereallythinkingofbestowingaprizeonthefirstindividualwhodoesnotsay:‘Whatalotofbottles!’AndIknowthenextthingyou’regoingtosayis:‘Howmanypeoplehaveyoupoisoned?’”
Ipleadedguiltywithalaugh.
“Ifyoupeopleonlyknewhowfatallyeasyitistopoisonsomeonebymistake,youwouldn’tjokeaboutit.Comeon,let’shavetea.We’vegotallsortsofsecretstoriesinthatcupboard.No,Lawrence—that’sthepoisoncupboard.Thebigcupboard—that’sright.”
Wehadaverycheerytea,andassistedCynthiatowashupafterwards.Wehadjustputawaythelasttea-spoonwhenaknockcameatthedoor.ThecountenancesofCynthiaandNibsweresuddenlypetrifiedintoasternandforbiddingexpression.
“Comein,”saidCynthia,inasharpprofessionaltone.
AyoungandratherscaredlookingnurseappearedwithabottlewhichsheprofferedtoNibs,whowavedhertowardsCynthiawiththesomewhatenigmaticalremark:
“I’mnotreallyhereto-day.”
Cynthiatookthebottleandexamineditwiththeseverityofajudge.
“Thisshouldhavebeensentupthismorning.”
“Sisterisverysorry.Sheforgot.
