Знак четырех
IV. The Story of the Bald-Headed Man
Hisdeathatthemomentofaquarrel,andthegashinhishead,wouldbeblackagainstme.Again,anofficialinquirycouldnotbemadewithoutbringingoutsomefactsaboutthetreasure,whichIwasparticularlyanxioustokeepsecret.Hehadtoldmethatnosouluponearthknewwherehehadgone.Thereseemedtobenonecessitywhyanysoulevershouldknow.
“‘Iwasstillponderingoverthematter,when,lookingup,Isawmyservant,LalChowdar,inthedoorway.Hestoleinandboltedthedoorbehindhim.“Donotfear,Sahib,”hesaid.“Nooneneedknowthatyouhavekilledhim.Letushidehimaway,andwhoisthewiser?”“Ididnotkillhim,”saidI.LalChowdarshookhisheadandsmiled.“Ihearditall,Sahib,”saidhe.“Iheardyouquarrel,andIheardtheblow.Butmylipsaresealed.Allareasleepinthehouse.Letusputhimawaytogether.”Thatwasenoughtodecideme.Ifmyownservantcouldnotbelievemyinnocence,howcouldIhopetomakeitgoodbeforetwelvefoolishtradesmeninajury-box?LalChowdarandIdisposedofthebodythatnight,andwithinafewdaystheLondonpaperswerefullofthemysteriousdisappearanceofCaptainMorstan.YouwillseefromwhatIsaythatIcanhardlybeblamedinthematter.Myfaultliesinthefactthatweconcealednotonlythebody,butalsothetreasure,andthatIhaveclungtoMorstan’sshareaswellastomyown.Iwishyou,therefore,tomakerestitution.Putyourearsdowntomymouth.
