Тридцять дев’ять ступенів

           Hehadaboutasmuchgiftofthegabasahippopotamus,andwasnotagreathandatvaleting,butIknewIcouldcountonhisloyalty.

           “Stopthatrow,Paddock,”Isaid.“There’safriendofmine,Captain—Captain”(Icouldn’trememberthename)“dossingdowninthere.Getbreakfastfortwoandthencomeandspeaktome.”

           ItoldPaddockafinestoryabouthowmyfriendwasagreatswell,withhisnervesprettybadfromoverwork,whowantedabsoluterestandstillness.Nobodyhadgottoknowhewashere,orhewouldbebesiegedbycommunicationsfromtheIndiaOfficeandthePrimeMinisterandhiscurewouldberuined.IamboundtosayScudderplayedupsplendidlywhenhecametobreakfast.HefixedPaddockwithhiseyeglass,justlikeaBritishofficer,askedhimabouttheBoerWar,andslungoutatmealotofstuffaboutimaginarypals.Paddockcouldn’tlearntocallme“sir’,buthe“sirred’Scudderasifhislifedependedonit.

           Ilefthimwiththenewspaperandaboxofcigars,andwentdowntotheCitytillluncheon.WhenIgotbacktheliftmanhadanimportantface.

           “Nawstybusiness’erethismorning,sir.GentinNo.15beenandshot’isself.They’vejusttook’imtothemortiary.Thepoliceareuptherenow.”

           IascendedtoNo.15,andfoundacoupleofbobbiesandaninspectorbusymakinganexamination.Iaskedafewidioticquestions,andtheysoonkickedmeout.ThenIfoundthemanthathadvaletedScudder,andpumpedhim,butIcouldseehesuspectednothing.