Возвращение Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Priory School
“Isawyoutogetherlastnight.”
“Doesanyoneelsebesideyourfriendknow?”
“Ihavespokentonoone.”
TheDuketookapeninhisquiveringfingersandopenedhischeck-book.
“Ishallbeasgoodasmyword,Mr.Holmes.Iamabouttowriteyourcheck,howeverunwelcometheinformationwhichyouhavegainedmaybetome.Whentheofferwasfirstmade,Ilittlethoughttheturnwhicheventsmighttake.Butyouandyourfriendaremenofdiscretion,Mr.Holmes?”
“IhardlyunderstandyourGrace.”
“Imustputitplainly,Mr.Holmes.Ifonlyyoutwoknowofthisincident,thereisnoreasonwhyitshouldgoanyfarther.IthinktwelvethousandpoundsisthesumthatIoweyou,isitnot?”
ButHolmessmiledandshookhishead.
“Ifear,yourGrace,thatmatterscanhardlybearrangedsoeasily.Thereisthedeathofthisschoolmastertobeaccountedfor.”
“ButJamesknewnothingofthat.Youcannotholdhimresponsibleforthat.Itwastheworkofthisbrutalruffianwhomhehadthemisfortunetoemploy.”
“Imusttaketheview,yourGrace,thatwhenamanembarksuponacrime,heismorallyguiltyofanyothercrimewhichmayspringfromit.”
“Morally,Mr.Holmes.Nodoubtyouareright.Butsurelynotintheeyesofthelaw.Amancannotbecondemnedforamurderatwhichhewasnotpresent,andwhichheloathesandabhorsasmuchasyoudo.Theinstantthatheheardofithemadeacompleteconfessiontome,sofilledwashewithhorrorandremorse.Helostnotanhourinbreakingentirelywiththemurderer.Oh,Mr.
