Возвращение Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Priory School
”
Myfriendrubbedhisthinhandstogetherwithanappearanceofaviditywhichwasasurprisetome,whoknewhisfrugaltastes.
“IfancythatIseeyourGrace’scheck-bookuponthetable,”saidhe.“Ishouldbegladifyouwouldmakemeoutacheckforsixthousandpounds.Itwouldbeaswell,perhaps,foryoutocrossit.TheCapitalandCountiesBank,OxfordStreetbrancharemyagents.”
HisGracesatverysternanduprightinhischairandlookedstonilyatmyfriend.
“Isthisajoke,Mr.Holmes?Itishardlyasubjectforpleasantry.”
“Notatall,yourGrace.Iwasnevermoreearnestinmylife.”
“Whatdoyoumean,then?”
“ImeanthatIhaveearnedthereward.Iknowwhereyoursonis,andIknowsome,atleast,ofthosewhoareholdinghim.”
TheDuke’sbeardhadturnedmoreaggressivelyredthaneveragainsthisghastlywhiteface.
“Whereishe?”hegasped.
“Heis,orwaslastnight,attheFightingCockInn,abouttwomilesfromyourparkgate.”
TheDukefellbackinhischair.
“Andwhomdoyouaccuse?”
SherlockHolmes’sanswerwasanastoundingone.HesteppedswiftlyforwardandtouchedtheDukeupontheshoulder.
“Iaccuseyou,”saidhe.“Andnow,yourGrace,I’lltroubleyouforthatcheck.”
NevershallIforgettheDuke’sappearanceashesprangupandclawedwithhishands,likeonewhoissinkingintoanabyss.Then,withanextraordinaryeffortofaristocraticself-command,hesatdownandsankhisfaceinhishands.Itwassomeminutesbeforehespoke.
“Howmuchdoyouknow?”heaskedatlast,withoutraisinghishead.
