Знак четырех
VIII. The Baker Street Irregulars
”
“Away,ishe?”saidHolmes,inadisappointedvoice.“Iamsorryforthat,forIwantedtospeaktoMr.Smith.”
“He’sbeenawaysinceyesterdaymornin’,sir,and,truthtotell,Iambeginnin’tofeelfrightenedabouthim.Butifitwasaboutaboat,sir,maybeIcouldserveaswell.”
“Iwantedtohirehissteamlaunch.”
“Why,blessyou,sir,itisinthesteamlaunchthathehasgone.That’swhatpuzzlesme;forIknowthereain’tmorecoalsinherthanwouldtakehertoaboutWoolwichandback.Ifhe’dbeenawayinthebargeI’dha’thoughtnothin’;formanyatimeajobhastakenhimasfarasGravesend,andtheniftherewasmuchdoin’therehemightha’stayedover.Butwhatgoodisasteamlaunchwithoutcoals?”
“Hemighthaveboughtsomeatawharfdowntheriver.”
“Hemight,sir,butitweren’thisway.ManyatimeI’veheardhimcalloutatthepricestheychargeforafewoddbags.Besides,Idon’tlikethatwooden-leggedman,wi’hisuglyfaceandoutlandishtalk.Whatdidhewantalwaysknockin’aboutherefor?”
“Awooden-leggedman?”saidHolmes,withblandsurprise.
“Yes,sir,abrown,monkey-facedchapthat’scalledmore’nonceformyoldman.Itwashimthatrousedhimupyesternight,and,what’smore,mymanknewhewascomin’,forhehadsteamupinthelaunch.Itellyoustraight,sir,Idon’tfeeleasyinmymindaboutit.”
“But,mydearMrs.Smith,”saidHolmes,shrugginghisshoulders,“Youarefrighteningyourselfaboutnothing.
