Тридцять дев’ять ступенів
Chapter 10
ThewholequestionwashowmuchtheyunderstoodaboutScudder’sknowledge.IhadtalkedconfidentlylastnightaboutGermansalwaysstickingtoascheme,butiftheyhadanysuspicionsthatIwasontheirtracktheywouldbefoolsnottocoverit.IwonderedifthemanlastnighthadseenthatIrecognizedhim.SomehowIdidnotthinkhehad,andtothatIhadclung.ButthewholebusinesshadneverseemedsodifficultasthatafternoonwhenbyallcalculationsIshouldhavebeenrejoicinginassuredsuccess.
InthehotelImetthecommanderofthedestroyer,towhomScaifeintroducedme,andwithwhomIhadafewwords.ThenIthoughtIwouldputinanhourortwowatchingTrafalgarLodge.
Ifoundaplacefartherupthehill,inthegardenofanemptyhouse.FromthereIhadafullviewofthecourt,onwhichtwofigureswerehavingagameoftennis.Onewastheoldman,whomIhadalreadyseen;theotherwasayoungerfellow,wearingsomeclubcoloursinthescarfroundhismiddle.Theyplayedwithtremendouszest,liketwocitygentswhowantedhardexercisetoopentheirpores.Youcouldn’tconceiveamoreinnocentspectacle.Theyshoutedandlaughedandstoppedfordrinks,whenamaidbroughtouttwotankardsonasalver.IrubbedmyeyesandaskedmyselfifIwasnotthemostimmortalfoolonearth.MysteryanddarknesshadhungaboutthemenwhohuntedmeovertheScotchmoorinaeroplaneandmotor-car,andnotablyaboutthatinfernalantiquarian.
