Загадочное происшествие в Стайлзе
Chapter V. “It Isn’t Strychnine, Is It?”
AsIsawafaintsmilegatheronMrs.Cavendish’sexpressivemouth,Iendeavouredtotryandturntheconversationbysaying:“Theyhaven’tmetyet,havethey?”
“Who?”
“Mr.InglethorpandMissHoward.”
Shelookedatmeinratheradisconcertingmanner.
“Doyouthinkitwouldbesuchadisasteriftheydidmeet?”
“Well,don’tyou?”Isaid,rathertakenaback.
“No.”Shewassmilinginherquietway.“Ishouldliketoseeagoodflareup.Itwouldcleartheair.Atpresentweareallthinkingsomuch,andsayingsolittle.”
“Johndoesn’tthinkso,”Iremarked.“He’sanxioustokeepthemapart.”
“Oh,John!”
Somethinginhertonefiredme,andIblurtedout:
“OldJohn’sanawfullygoodsort.”
Shestudiedmecuriouslyforaminuteortwo,andthensaid,tomygreatsurprise:
“Youareloyaltoyourfriend.Ilikeyouforthat.”
“Aren’tyoumyfriendtoo?”
“Iamaverybadfriend.”
“Whydoyousaythat?”
“Becauseitistrue.Iamcharmingtomyfriendsoneday,andforgetallaboutthemthenext.”
Idon’tknowwhatimpelledme,butIwasnettled,andIsaidfoolishlyandnotinthebestoftaste:
“YetyouseemtobeinvariablycharmingtoDr.Bauerstein!”
InstantlyIregrettedmywords.Herfacestiffened.Ihadtheimpressionofasteelcurtaincomingdownandblottingouttherealwoman.Withoutaword,sheturnedandwentswiftlyupthestairs,whilstIstoodlikeanidiotgapingafterher.
Iwasrecalledtoothermattersbyafrightfulrowgoingonbelow.
