Воспоминания Шерлока Холмса
The Crooked Man
"I’vecomeoverthislittlematterofColonelBarclay‘sdeath."
"WhatshouldIknowaboutthat?"
"That’swhatIwanttoascertain.Youknow,Isuppose,thatunlessthematterisclearedup,Mrs.Barclay,whoisanoldfriendofyours,willinallprobabilitybetriedformurder."
Themangaveaviolentstart.
"Idon’tknowwhoyouare,"hecried,"norhowyoucometoknowwhatyoudoknow,butwillyouswearthatthisistruethatyoutellme?"
"Why,theyareonlywaitingforhertocometohersensestoarresther."
"MyGod!Areyouinthepoliceyourself?"
"No."
"Whatbusinessisitofyours,then?"
"It’severyman‘sbusinesstoseejusticedone."
"Youcantakemywordthatsheisinnocent."
"Thenyouareguilty."
"No,Iamnot."
"WhokilledColonelJamesBarclay,then?"
"ItwasajustProvidencethatkilledhim.But,mindyouthis,thatifIhadknockedhisbrainsout,asitwasinmyhearttodo,hewouldhavehadnomorethanhisduefrommyhands.IfhisownguiltyconsciencehadnotstruckhimdownitislikelyenoughthatImighthavehadhisblooduponmysoul.Youwantmetotellthestory.Well,Idon’tknowwhyIshouldn‘t,forthere’snocauseformetobeashamedofit.
"Itwasinthisway,sir.
