Знак четырех
V. The Tragedy of Pondicherry Lodge
”Hehurriedforthedoor,andknockedinhispeculiarway.Wecouldseeatalloldwomanadmithim,andswaywithpleasureattheverysightofhim.
“Oh,Mr.Thaddeus,sir,Iamsogladyouhavecome!Iamsogladyouhavecome,Mr.Thaddeus,sir!”Weheardherreiteratedrejoicingsuntilthedoorwasclosedandhervoicediedawayintoamuffledmonotone.
Ourguidehadleftusthelantern.Holmesswungitslowlyround,andpeeredkeenlyatthehouse,andatthegreatrubbish-heapswhichcumberedthegrounds.MissMorstanandIstoodtogether,andherhandwasinmine.Awondroussubtlethingislove,forherewerewetwowhohadneverseeneachotherbeforethatday,betweenwhomnowordorevenlookofaffectionhadeverpassed,andyetnowinanhouroftroubleourhandsinstinctivelysoughtforeachother.Ihavemarvelledatitsince,butatthetimeitseemedthemostnaturalthingthatIshouldgoouttoherso,and,asshehasoftentoldme,therewasinheralsotheinstincttoturntomeforcomfortandprotection.Sowestoodhandinhand,liketwochildren,andtherewaspeaceinourheartsforallthedarkthingsthatsurroundedus.
“Whatastrangeplace!”shesaid,lookinground.
“ItlooksasthoughallthemolesinEnglandhadbeenletlooseinit.IhaveseensomethingofthesortonthesideofahillnearBallarat,wheretheprospectorshadbeenatwork.”
“Andfromthesamecause,”saidHolmes.“Thesearethetracesofthetreasure-seekers.Youmustrememberthattheyweresixyearslookingforit.Nowonderthatthegroundslooklikeagravel-pit.
