Тридцять дев’ять ступенів
Chapter 7
He’sasgoodachapaseverbreathed,buthisidiotofanunclehasstuffedhisheadwithmaggots.Goon,MrHannay.”
Mydayasroadmanexcitedhimabit.Hemademedescribethetwofellowsinthecarveryclosely,andseemedtoberakingbackinhismemory.HegrewmerryagainwhenheheardofthefateofthatassJopley.
Buttheoldmaninthemoorlandhousesolemnizedhim.AgainIhadtodescribeeverydetailofhisappearance.
“Blandandbald-headedandhoodedhiseyeslikeabird....Hesoundsasinisterwild-fowl!Andyoudynamitedhishermitage,afterhehadsavedyoufromthepolice.Spiritedpieceofwork,that!”PresentlyIreachedtheendofmywanderings.Hegotupslowly,andlookeddownatmefromthehearthrug.
“Youmaydismissthepolicefromyourmind,”hesaid.“You’reinnodangerfromthelawofthisland.”
“GreatScot!”Icried.“Havetheygotthemurderer?”
“No.Butforthelastfortnighttheyhavedroppedyoufromthelistofpossibles.”
“Why?”Iaskedinamazement.
“PrincipallybecauseIreceivedaletterfromScudder.Iknewsomethingoftheman,andhedidseveraljobsforme.Hewashalfcrank,halfgenius,buthewaswhollyhonest.Thetroubleabouthimwashispartialityforplayingalonehand.ThatmadehimprettywelluselessinanySecretService—apity,forhehaduncommongifts.Ithinkhewasthebravestmanintheworld,forhewasalwaysshiveringwithfright,andyetnothingwouldchokehimoff.Ihadaletterfromhimonthe31stofMay.”
“Buthehadbeendeadaweekbythen.
