Странная история доктора Джекила и мистера Хайда
Incident of the Letter
Itwasnottobehaddirectly;butperhaps,hethought,itmightbefishedfor.
Presentlyafter,hesatononesideofhisownhearth,withMr.Guest,hisheadclerk,upontheother,andmidwaybetween,atanicelycalculateddistancefromthefire,abottleofaparticularoldwinethathadlongdweltunsunnedinthefoundationsofhishouse. Thefogstillsleptonthewingabovethedrownedcity,wherethelampsglimmeredlikecarbuncles;andthroughthemuffleandsmotherofthesefallenclouds,theprocessionofthetown’slifewasstillrollinginthroughthegreatarterieswithasoundasofamightywind. Buttheroomwasgaywithfirelight. Inthebottletheacidswerelongagoresolved;theimperialdyehadsoftenedwithtime,asthecolourgrowsricherinstainedwindows; andtheglowofhotautumnafternoonsonhillsidevineyardswasreadytobesetfreeandtodispersethefogsofLondon. Insensiblythelawyermelted. TherewasnomanfromwhomhekeptfewersecretsthanMr.Guest;andhewasnotalwayssurethathekeptasmanyashemeant. Guesthadoftenbeenonbusinesstothedoctor’s;heknewPoole;hecouldscarcehavefailedtohearofMr.Hyde’sfamiliarityaboutthehouse;hemightdrawconclusions: wasitnotaswell,then,thatheshouldseealetterwhichputthatmysterytorights?
