Тридцять дев’ять ступенів

           Andthebestofitwasthattheydidnotevenknowmyname.

           Iresolvednottopuzzlemyheadbuttotakethegiftsthegodshadprovided.Ishavedandbathedluxuriously,andgotintothedressclothesandcleancracklingshirt,whichfittedmenotsobadly.BythetimeIhadfinishedthelooking-glassshowedanotunpersonableyoungman.

           SirWalterawaitedmeinaduskydining-roomwherealittleroundtablewaslitwithsilvercandles.Thesightofhim—sorespectableandestablishedandsecure,theembodimentoflawandgovernmentandalltheconventions—tookmeabackandmademefeelaninterloper.Hecouldn’tknowthetruthaboutme,orhewouldn’ttreatmelikethis.Isimplycouldnotaccepthishospitalityonfalsepretences.

           “I’mmoreobligedtoyouthanIcansay,butI’mboundtomakethingsclear,”Isaid.“I’maninnocentman,butI’mwantedbythepolice.I’vegottotellyouthis,andIwon’tbesurprisedifyoukickmeout.”

           Hesmiled.“That’sallright.Don’tletthatinterferewithyourappetite.Wecantalkaboutthesethingsafterdinner.”Ineverateamealwithgreaterrelish,forIhadhadnothingalldaybutrailwaysandwiches.SirWalterdidmeproud,forwedrankagoodchampagneandhadsomeuncommonfineportafterwards.Itmademealmosthystericaltobesittingthere,waitedonbyafootmanandasleekbutler,andrememberthatIhadbeenlivingforthreeweekslikeabrigand,witheveryman’shandagainstme.