Возвращение Шерлока Холмса

The Adventure of the Second Stain

           Therewouldbesuchaferment,sir,thatIdonothesitatetosaythatwithinaweekofthepublicationofthatletterthiscountrywouldbeinvolvedinagreatwar.”

           HolmeswroteanameuponaslipofpaperandhandedittothePremier.

           “Exactly.Itwashe.Anditisthisletter—thisletterwhichmaywellmeantheexpenditureofathousandmillionsandthelivesofahundredthousandmen—whichhasbecomelostinthisunaccountablefashion.”

           “Haveyouinformedthesender?”

           “Yes,sir,aciphertelegramhasbeendespatched.”

           “Perhapshedesiresthepublicationoftheletter.”

           “No,sir,wehavestrongreasontobelievethathealreadyunderstandsthathehasactedinanindiscreetandhot-headedmanner.Itwouldbeagreaterblowtohimandtohiscountrythantousifthisletterweretocomeout.”

           “Ifthisisso,whoseinterestisitthatthelettershouldcomeout?Whyshouldanyonedesiretostealitortopublishit?”

           “There,Mr.Holmes,youtakemeintoregionsofhighinternationalpolitics.ButifyouconsidertheEuropeansituationyouwillhavenodifficultyinperceivingthemotive.ThewholeofEuropeisanarmedcamp.Thereisadoubleleaguewhichmakesafairbalanceofmilitarypower.GreatBritainholdsthescales.IfBritainweredrivenintowarwithoneconfederacy,itwouldassurethesupremacyoftheotherconfederacy,whethertheyjoinedinthewarornot.Doyoufollow?”

           “Veryclearly.Itisthentheinterestoftheenemiesofthispotentatetosecureandpublishthisletter,soastomakeabreachbetweenhiscountryandours?”

           “Yes,sir.

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