Знак четырех
IX. A Break in the Chain
“Allright!Goodluck!But,Isay,ifyouarecrossingtheriveryoumayaswellreturnToby,forIdon’tthinkitisatalllikelythatweshallhaveanyuseforhimnow.”
Itookourmongrelaccordingly,andlefthim,togetherwithahalf-sovereign,attheoldnaturalist’sinPinchinLane.AtCamberwellIfoundMissMorstanalittlewearyafterhernight’sadventures,butveryeagertohearthenews.Mrs.Forrester,too,wasfullofcuriosity.Itoldthemallthatwehaddone,suppressing,however,themoredreadfulpartsofthetragedy.Thus,althoughIspokeofMr.Sholto’sdeath,Isaidnothingoftheexactmannerandmethodofit.Withallmyomissions,however,therewasenoughtostartleandamazethem.
“Itisaromance!”criedMrs.Forrester.“Aninjuredlady,halfamillionintreasure,ablackcannibal,andawooden-leggedruffian.Theytaketheplaceoftheconventionaldragonorwickedearl.”
“Andtwoknight-errantstotherescue,”addedMissMorstan,withabrightglanceatme.
“Why,Mary,yourfortunedependsupontheissueofthissearch.Idon’tthinkthatyouarenearlyexcitedenough.Justimaginewhatitmustbetobesorich,andtohavetheworldatyourfeet!”
Itsentalittlethrillofjoytomyhearttonoticethatsheshowednosignofelationattheprospect.Onthecontrary,shegaveatossofherproudhead,asthoughthematterwereoneinwhichshetooksmallinterest.
“ItisforMr.ThaddeusSholtothatIamanxious,”shesaid.“Nothingelseisofanyconsequence;butIthinkthathehasbehavedmostkindlyandhonourablythroughout.
