Знак четырех
XI. The Great Agra Treasure
Ithadstruckher,doubtless,thatitmightseemungraciousuponherparttobeindifferenttoaprizewhichhadcostsomuchtowin.
“Whataprettybox!”shesaid,stoopingoverit.“ThisisIndianwork,Isuppose?”
“Yes;itisBenaresmetal-work.”
“Andsoheavy!”sheexclaimed,tryingtoraiseit.“Theboxalonemustbeofsomevalue.Whereisthekey?”
“SmallthrewitintotheThames,”Ianswered.“ImustborrowMrs.Forrester’spoker.”Therewasinthefrontathickandbroadhasp,wroughtintheimageofasittingBuddha.UnderthisIthrusttheendofthepokerandtwisteditoutwardasalever.Thehaspsprangopenwithaloudsnap.WithtremblingfingersIflungbackthelid.Webothstoodgazinginastonishment.Theboxwasempty!
Nowonderthatitwasheavy.Theiron-workwastwo-thirdsofaninchthickallround.Itwasmassive,wellmade,andsolid,likeachestconstructedtocarrythingsofgreatprice,butnotoneshredorcrumbofmetalorjewelrylaywithinit.Itwasabsolutelyandcompletelyempty.
“Thetreasureislost,”saidMissMorstan,calmly.
AsIlistenedtothewordsandrealisedwhattheymeant,agreatshadowseemedtopassfrommysoul.IdidnotknowhowthisAgratreasurehadweighedmedown,untilnowthatitwasfinallyremoved.Itwasselfish,nodoubt,disloyal,wrong,butIcouldrealisenothingsavethatthegoldenbarrierwasgonefrombetweenus.“ThankGod!”Iejaculatedfrommyveryheart.
Shelookedatmewithaquick,questioningsmile.“Whydoyousaythat?”sheasked
