Возвращение Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton
Yes,youneverthoughttoseemehereagain,butitwasthatnightwhichtaughtmehowIcouldmeetyoufacetoface,andalone.Well,CharlesMilverton,whathaveyoutosay?”
“Don’timaginethatyoucanbullyme,”saidhe,risingtohisfeet.“IhaveonlytoraisemyvoiceandIcouldcallmyservantsandhaveyouarrested.ButIwillmakeallowanceforyournaturalanger.Leavetheroomatonceasyoucame,andIwillsaynomore.”
Thewomanstoodwithherhandburiedinherbosom,andthesamedeadlysmileonherthinlips.
“Youwillruinnomorelivesasyouhaveruinedmine.Youwillwringnomoreheartsasyouwrungmine.Iwillfreetheworldofapoisonousthing.Takethat,youhound—andthat!—andthat!—andthat!”
Shehaddrawnalittlegleamingrevolver,andemptiedbarrelafterbarrelintoMilverton’sbody,themuzzlewithintwofeetofhisshirtfront.Heshrankawayandthenfellforwarduponthetable,coughingfuriouslyandclawingamongthepapers.Thenhestaggeredtohisfeet,receivedanothershot,androlleduponthefloor.“You’vedoneme,”hecried,andlaystill.Thewomanlookedathimintently,andgroundherheelintohisupturnedface.Shelookedagain,buttherewasnosoundormovement.Iheardasharprustle,thenightairblewintotheheatedroom,andtheavengerwasgone.
Nointerferenceuponourpartcouldhavesavedthemanfromhisfate,but,asthewomanpouredbulletafterbulletintoMilverton’sshrinkingbodyIwasabouttospringout,whenIfeltHolmes’scold,stronggraspuponmywrist.
