Тридцять дев’ять ступенів

           Hewasawhiningfellowwithachurchyardface,andhalf-a-crownwentfartoconsolehim.

           Iattendedtheinquestnextday.Apartnerofsomepublishingfirmgaveevidencethatthedeceasedhadbroughthimwood-pulppropositions,andhadbeen,hebelieved,anagentofanAmericanbusiness.Thejuryfounditacaseofsuicidewhileofunsoundmind,andthefeweffectswerehandedovertotheAmericanConsultodealwith.IgaveScudderafullaccountoftheaffair,anditinterestedhimgreatly.Hesaidhewishedhecouldhaveattendedtheinquest,forhereckoneditwouldbeaboutasspicyastoreadone’sownobituarynotice.

           Thefirsttwodayshestayedwithmeinthatbackroomhewasverypeaceful.Hereadandsmokedabit,andmadeaheapofjottingsinanote-book,andeverynightwehadagameofchess,atwhichhebeatmehollow.Ithinkhewasnursinghisnervesbacktohealth,forhehadhadaprettytryingtime.ButonthethirddayIcouldseehewasbeginningtogetrestless.HefixedupalistofthedaystillJune15th,andtickedeachoffwitharedpencil,makingremarksinshorthandagainstthem.Iwouldfindhimsunkinabrownstudy,withhissharpeyesabstracted,andafterthosespellsofmeditationhewasapttobeverydespondent.

           ThenIcouldseethathebegantogetedgyagain.Helistenedforlittlenoises,andwasalwaysaskingmeifPaddockcouldbetrusted.Onceortwicehegotverypeevish,andapologizedforit.Ididn’tblamehim.Imadeeveryallowance,forhehadtakenonafairlystiffjob.