Знак четырех
IX. A Break in the Chain
Ihavehadtoreleasetwoofmyprisoners,andthereisnoevidenceagainsttheothertwo.”
“Nevermind.Weshallgiveyoutwoothersintheplaceofthem.Butyoumustputyourselfundermyorders.Youarewelcometoalltheofficialcredit,butyoumustactonthelinethatIpointout.Isthatagreed?”
“Entirely,ifyouwillhelpmetothemen.”
“Well,then,inthefirstplaceIshallwantafastpolice-boat—asteamlaunch—tobeattheWestminsterStairsatseveno’clock.”
“Thatiseasilymanaged.Thereisalwaysoneaboutthere;butIcanstepacrosstheroadandtelephonetomakesure.”
“ThenIshallwanttwostanchmen,incaseofresistance.”
“Therewillbetwoorthreeintheboat.Whatelse?”
“Whenwesecurethemenweshallgetthetreasure.Ithinkthatitwouldbeapleasuretomyfriendheretotaketheboxroundtotheyoungladytowhomhalfofitrightfullybelongs.Letherbethefirsttoopenit.—Eh,Watson?”
“Itwouldbeagreatpleasuretome.”
“Ratheranirregularproceeding,”saidJones,shakinghishead.“However,thewholethingisirregular,andIsupposewemustwinkatit.Thetreasuremustafterwardsbehandedovertotheauthoritiesuntilaftertheofficialinvestigation.”
“Certainly.Thatiseasilymanaged.Oneotherpoint.IshouldmuchliketohaveafewdetailsaboutthismatterfromthelipsofJonathanSmallhimself.YouknowIliketoworkthedetailofmycasesout
