Знак четырех
XII. The Strange Story of Jonathan Small
IwassittinginmyhutwhenheandCaptainMorstancamestumblingalongonthewaytotheirquarters.Theywerebosomfriends,thosetwo,andneverfarapart.Themajorwasravingabouthislosses.
“‘It’sallup,Morstan,’hewassaying,astheypassedmyhut.‘Ishallhavetosendinmypapers.Iamaruinedman.’
“‘Nonsense,oldchap!’saidtheother,slappinghimupontheshoulder.‘I’vehadanastyfacermyself,but—’ThatwasallIcouldhear,butitwasenoughtosetmethinking.
“AcoupleofdayslaterMajorSholtowasstrollingonthebeach:soItookthechanceofspeakingtohim.
“‘Iwishtohaveyouradvice,major,’saidI.
“‘Well,Small,whatisit?’heasked,takinghischerootfromhislips.
“‘Iwantedtoaskyou,sir,’saidI,‘whoistheproperpersontowhomhiddentreasureshouldbehandedover.Iknowwherehalfamillionworthlies,and,asIcannotuseitmyself,IthoughtperhapsthebestthingthatIcoulddowouldbetohanditovertotheproperauthorities,andthenperhapstheywouldgetmysentenceshortenedforme.’
“‘Halfamillion,Small?’hegasped,lookinghardatmetoseeifIwasinearnest.
“‘Quitethat,sir,—injewelsandpearls.Itliestherereadyforanyone.Andthequeerthingaboutitisthattherealownerisoutlawedandcannotholdproperty,sothatitbelongstothefirstcomer.’
“‘Togovernment,Small,’hestammered,—‘togovernment.’Buthesaiditinahaltingfashion,andIknewinmyheartthatIhadgothim.
