Тридцять дев’ять ступенів
Chapter 10
“Itisallaridiculousmistake;butthesethingshappensometimes,andwecaneasilysetitright.Itwon’tbehardtoproveourinnocence.IcanshowthatIwasoutofthecountryonthe23rdofMay,andBobwasinanursinghome.YouwereinLondon,butyoucanexplainwhatyouweredoing.”
“Right,Percy!Ofcoursethat’seasyenough.The23rd!ThatwasthedayafterAgatha’swedding.Letmesee.WhatwasIdoing?IcameupinthemorningfromWoking,andlunchedattheclubwithCharlieSymons.Then—ohyes,IdinedwiththeFishmongers.Iremember,forthepunchdidn’tagreewithme,andIwasseedynextmorning.Hangitall,there’sthecigar-boxIbroughtbackfromthedinner.”Hepointedtoanobjectonthetable,andlaughednervously.
“Ithink,sir,”saidtheyoungman,addressingmerespectfully,“youwillseeyouaremistaken.WewanttoassistthelawlikeallEnglishmen,andwedon’twantScotlandYardtobemakingfoolsofthemselves.That’sso,uncle?”
“Certainly,Bob.”Theoldfellowseemedtoberecoveringhisvoice.“Certainly,we’lldoanythinginourpowertoassisttheauthorities.But—butthisisabittoomuch.Ican’tgetoverit.”
“HowNelliewillchuckle,”saidtheplumpman.“Shealwayssaidthatyouwoulddieofboredombecausenothingeverhappenedtoyou.Andnowyou’vegotitthickandstrong,”andhebegantolaughverypleasantly.
“ByJove,yes.Justthinkofit!Whatastorytotellattheclub.
