Спогади Шерлока Холмса
The Yellow Face
Isentahundredpoundstothenurse,andIgaveherinstructionsaboutthiscottage,sothatshemightcomeasaneighbour,withoutmyappearingtobeinanywayconnectedwithher.Ipushedmyprecautionssofarastoorderhertokeepthechildinthehouseduringthedaytime,andtocoverupherlittlefaceandhandssothateventhosewhomightseeheratthewindowshouldnotgossipabouttherebeingablackchildintheneighbourhood.IfIhadbeenlesscautiousImighthavebeenmorewise,butIwashalfcrazywithfearthatyoushouldlearnthetruth.
Itwasyouwhotoldmefirstthatthecottagewasoccupied.Ishouldhavewaitedforthemorning,butIcouldnotsleepforexcitement,andsoatlastIslippedout,knowinghowdifficultitistoawakeyou.Butyousawmego,andthatwasthebeginningofmytroubles.Nextdayyouhadmysecretatyourmercy,butyounoblyrefrainedfrompursuingyouradvantage.Threedayslater,however,thenurseandchildonlyjustescapedfromthebackdoorasyourushedinatthefrontone.Andnowto-nightyouatlastknowall,andIaskyouwhatistobecomeofus,mychildandme?"Sheclaspedherhandsandwaitedforananswer.
ItwasalongtenminutesbeforeGrantMunrobrokethesilence,andwhenhisanswercameitwasoneofwhichIlovetothink.Heliftedthelittlechild,kissedher,andthen,stillcarryingher,heheldhisotherhandouttohiswifeandturnedtowardsthedoor.
"Wecantalkitovermorecomfortablyathome,"saidhe
