Приключения Шерлока Холмса

           YouknewthatthismanHorner,theplumber,hadbeenconcernedinsomesuchmatterbefore,andthatsuspicionwouldrestthemorereadilyuponhim. Whatdidyoudo,then? Youmadesomesmalljobinmylady’sroom—youandyourconfederateCusack—andyoumanagedthatheshouldbethemansentfor. Then,whenhehadleft,yourifledthejewel-case,raisedthealarm,andhadthisunfortunatemanarrested. Youthen—" 

           Ryderthrewhimselfdownsuddenlyupontherugandclutchedatmycompanion’sknees. "ForGod’ssake,havemercy!"heshrieked. "Thinkofmyfather!ofmymother! Itwouldbreaktheirhearts. Ineverwentwrongbefore! Ineverwillagain.Iswearit. I’llswearitonaBible. Oh,don’tbringitintocourt! ForChrist’ssake,don’t!" 

           "Getbackintoyourchair!"saidHolmessternly. "Itisverywelltocringeandcrawlnow,butyouthoughtlittleenoughofthispoorHornerinthedockforacrimeofwhichheknewnothing." 

           "Iwillfly,Mr.Holmes. Iwillleavethecountry,sir. Thenthechargeagainsthimwillbreakdown." 

           "Hum!Wewilltalkaboutthat. Andnowletushearatrueaccountofthenextact. Howcamethestoneintothegoose,andhowcamethegooseintotheopenmarket? Tellusthetruth,forthereliesyouronlyhopeofsafety." 

           Ryderpassedhistongueoverhisparchedlips. "Iwilltellyouitjustasithappened,sir,"saidhe. "WhenHornerhadbeenarrested,itseemedtomethatitwouldbebestformetogetawaywiththestoneatonce,forIdidnotknowatwhatmomentthepolicemightnottakeitintotheirheadstosearchmeandmyroom. Therewasnoplaceaboutthehotelwhereitwouldbesafe. Iwentout,asifonsomecommission,andImadeformysister’shouse.