Этюд в багровых тонах
A Continuation of the Reminiscences of John Watson, M.D.
InthesilenceoftheroomIcouldhearadullhummingandbuzzingnoisewhichproceededfromthesamesource.
“Why,”Icried,“youhaveanaorticaneurism!”
“That’swhattheycallit,”hesaid,placidly. “IwenttoaDoctorlastweekaboutit,andhetoldmethatitisboundtoburstbeforemanydayspassed. Ithasbeengettingworseforyears. Igotitfromover-exposureandunder-feedingamongtheSaltLakeMountains. I’vedonemyworknow,andIdon’tcarehowsoonIgo,butIshouldliketoleavesomeaccountofthebusinessbehindme. Idon’twanttoberememberedasacommoncut-throat.”
TheInspectorandthetwodetectiveshadahurrieddiscussionastotheadvisabilityofallowinghimtotellhisstory.
“Doyouconsider,Doctor,thatthereisimmediatedanger?”theformerasked,24
“Mostcertainlythereis,”Ianswered.
“Inthatcaseitisclearlyourduty,intheinterestsofjustice,totakehisstatement,”saidtheInspector. “Youareatliberty,sir,togiveyouraccount,whichIagainwarnyouwillbetakendown.”
“I’llsitdown,withyourleave,”theprisonersaid,suitingtheactiontotheword. “Thisaneurismofminemakesmeeasilytired,andthetusslewehadhalfanhouragohasnotmendedmatters. I’monthebrinkofthegrave,andIamnotlikelytolietoyou. EverywordIsayistheabsolutetruth,andhowyouuseitisamatterofnoconsequencetome.”
Withthesewords,JeffersonHopeleanedbackinhischairandbeganthefollowingremarkablestatement.
