Возвращение Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter
“So,gentlemen,”saidhe,“youhaveattainedyourendandhavecertainlychosenaparticularlydelicatemomentforyourintrusion.Iwouldnotbrawlinthepresenceofdeath,butIcanassureyouthatifIwereayoungermanyourmonstrousconductwouldnotpasswithimpunity.”
“Excuseme,Dr.Armstrong,Ithinkwearealittleatcross-purposes,”saidmyfriend,withdignity.“Ifyoucouldstepdownstairswithus,wemayeachbeabletogivesomelighttotheotheruponthismiserableaffair.”
Aminutelater,thegrimdoctorandourselveswereinthesitting-roombelow.
“Well,sir?”saidhe.
“Iwishyoutounderstand,inthefirstplace,thatIamnotemployedbyLordMount-James,andthatmysympathiesinthismatterareentirelyagainstthatnobleman.Whenamanislostitismydutytoascertainhisfate,buthavingdonesothematterendssofarasIamconcerned,andsolongasthereisnothingcriminalIammuchmoreanxioustohushupprivatescandalsthantogivethempublicity.If,asIimagine,thereisnobreachofthelawinthismatter,youcanabsolutelydependuponmydiscretionandmycooperationinkeepingthefactsoutofthepapers.”
Dr.ArmstrongtookaquickstepforwardandwrungHolmesbythehand.
“Youareagoodfellow,”saidhe.“Ihadmisjudgedyou.IthankheaventhatmycompunctionatleavingpoorStauntonallaloneinthisplightcausedmetoturnmycarriagebackandsotomakeyouracquaintance.Knowingasmuchasyoudo,thesituationisveryeasilyexplained.
