Знак четырех
XII. The Strange Story of Jonathan Small
Thatwhichwasingoldandsilverhekeptbyhiminthevaultsofhispalace,butthemostpreciousstonesandthechoicestpearlsthathehadheputinanironbox,andsentitbyatrustyservantwho,undertheguiseofamerchant,shouldtakeittothefortatAgra,theretolieuntilthelandisatpeace.Thus,iftherebelswonhewouldhavehismoney,butiftheCompanyconqueredhisjewelswouldbesavedtohim.Havingthusdividedhishoard,hethrewhimselfintothecauseoftheSepoys,sincetheywerestronguponhisborders.Bydoingthis,markyou,Sahib,hispropertybecomesthedueofthosewhohavebeentruetotheirsalt.
“‘Thispretendedmerchant,whotravelsunderthenameofAchmet,isnowinthecityofAgra,anddesirestogainhiswayintothefort.Hehaswithhimastravelling-companionmyfoster-brotherDostAkbar,whoknowshissecret.DostAkbarhaspromisedthisnighttoleadhimtoaside-posternofthefort,andhaschosenthisoneforhispurpose.Herehewillcomepresently,andherehewillfindMahometSinghandmyselfawaitinghim.Theplaceislonely,andnoneshallknowofhiscoming.TheworldshallknowofthemerchantAchmetnomore,butthegreattreasureoftherajahshallbedividedamongus.Whatsayyoutoit,Sahib?’
“InWorcestershirethelifeofamanseemsagreatandasacredthing;butitisverydifferentwhenthereisfireandbloodallroundyouandyouhavebeenusedtomeetingdeathateveryturn.
