Тридцять дев’ять ступенів
Chapter 8
Igotinoneortwogoodblows,forIthink,withfairplay,Icouldhavelickedthelotofthem,butthepolicemanpinnedmebehind,andoneofthemgothisfingersonmythroat.
ThroughablackcloudofrageIheardtheofficerofthelawaskingwhatwasthematter,andMarmie,betweenhisbrokenteeth,declaringthatIwasHannaythemurderer.
“Oh,damnitall,”Icried,“makethefellowshutup.Iadviseyoutoleavemealone,constable.ScotlandYardknowsallaboutme,andyou’llgetaproperwiggingifyouinterferewithme.”
“You’vegottocomealongofme,youngman,”saidthepoliceman.“Isawyoustrikethatgentlemancrool’ard.Youbeganittoo,forhewasn’tdoingnothing.Iseenyou.BestgoquietlyorI’llhavetofixyouup.”
ExasperationandanoverwhelmingsensethatatnocostmustIdelaygavemethestrengthofabullelephant.Ifairlywrenchedtheconstableoffhisfeet,flooredthemanwhowasgrippingmycollar,andsetoffatmybestpacedownDukeStreet.Iheardawhistlebeingblown,andtherushofmenbehindme.
Ihaveaveryfairturnofspeed,andthatnightIhadwings.InajiffyIwasinPallMallandhadturneddowntowardsStJames’sPark.IdodgedthepolicemanatthePalacegates,divedthroughapressofcarriagesattheentrancetotheMall,andwasmakingforthebridgebeforemypursuershadcrossedtheroadway.IntheopenwaysoftheParkIputonaspurt.Happilytherewerefewpeopleaboutandnoonetriedtostopme.IwasstakingallongettingtoQueenAnne’sGate.
