Знак четырех
XII. The Strange Story of Jonathan Small
Tellmewheretheboxishid,andIshallgetleaveofabsenceandgobacktoIndiainthemonthlyrelief-boattoinquireintotheaffair.’
“‘Notsofast,’saidI,growingcolderashegothot.‘Imusthavetheconsentofmythreecomrades.Itellyouthatitisfourornonewithus.’
“‘Nonsense!’hebrokein.‘Whathavethreeblackfellowstodowithouragreement?’
“‘Blackorblue,’saidI,‘theyareinwithme,andweallgotogether.’
“Well,thematterendedbyasecondmeeting,atwhichMahometSingh,AbdullahKhan,andDostAkbarwereallpresent.Wetalkedthematteroveragain,andatlastwecametoanarrangement.WeweretoprovideboththeofficerswithchartsofthepartoftheAgrafortandmarktheplaceinthewallwherethetreasurewashid.MajorSholtowastogotoIndiatotestourstory.Ifhefoundtheboxhewastoleaveitthere,tosendoutasmallyachtprovisionedforavoyage,whichwastolieoffRutlandIsland,andtowhichweweretomakeourway,andfinallytoreturntohisduties.CaptainMorstanwasthentoapplyforleaveofabsence,tomeetusatAgra,andthereweweretohaveafinaldivisionofthetreasure,hetakingthemajor’sshareaswellashisown.Allthiswesealedbythemostsolemnoathsthatthemindcouldthinkorthelipsutter.Isatupallnightwithpaperandink,andbythemorningIhadthetwochartsallready,signedwiththesignoffour,—thatis,ofAbdullah,Akbar,Mahomet,andmyself.
“Well,gentlemen,Iwearyyouwithmylongstory,andIknowthatmyfriendMr.Jonesisimpatienttogetmesafelystowedinchokey.
