Тридцять дев’ять ступенів

           TherewasaflagstafffromwhichanenormousUnionJackhunglimplyinthestillair.

           PresentlyIobservedsomeoneleavethehouseandsaunteralongthecliff.WhenIgotmyglassesonhimIsawitwasanoldman,wearingwhiteflanneltrousers,abluesergejacket,andastrawhat.Hecarriedfield-glassesandanewspaper,andsatdownononeoftheironseatsandbegantoread.Sometimeshewouldlaydownthepaperandturnhisglassesonthesea.Helookedforalongtimeatthedestroyer.Iwatchedhimforhalfanhour,tillhegotupandwentbacktothehouseforhisluncheon,whenIreturnedtothehotelformine.

           Iwasn’tfeelingveryconfident.Thisdecentcommon-placedwellingwasnotwhatIhadexpected.Themanmightbethebaldarchaeologistofthathorriblemoorlandfarm,orhemightnot.Hewasexactlythekindofsatisfiedoldbirdyouwillfindineverysuburbandeveryholidayplace.Ifyouwantedatypeoftheperfectlyharmlesspersonyouwouldprobablypitchonthat.

           Butafterlunch,asIsatinthehotelporch,Iperkedup,forIsawthethingIhadhopedforandhaddreadedtomiss.AyachtcameupfromthesouthanddroppedanchorprettywelloppositetheRuff.Sheseemedaboutahundredandfiftytons,andIsawshebelongedtotheSquadronfromthewhiteensign.SoScaifeandIwentdowntotheharbourandhiredaboatmanforanafternoon’sfishing.

           Ispentawarmandpeacefulafternoon.Wecaughtbetweenusabouttwentypoundsofcodandlythe,andoutinthatdancingblueseaItookacheerierviewofthings.