Тридцять дев’ять ступенів

           Really,MrHannay,IsupposeIshouldbeangry,toshowmyinnocence,butit’stoofunny!Ialmostforgiveyouthefrightyougaveme!Youlookedsoglum,IthoughtImighthavebeenwalkinginmysleepandkillingpeople.”

           Itcouldn’tbeacting,itwastooconfoundedlygenuine.Myheartwentintomyboots,andmyfirstimpulsewastoapologizeandclearout.ButItoldmyselfImustseeitthrough,eventhoughIwastobethelaughing-stockofBritain.Thelightfromthedinner-tablecandlestickswasnotverygood,andtocovermyconfusionIgotup,walkedtothedoorandswitchedontheelectriclight.Thesuddenglaremadethemblink,andIstoodscanningthethreefaces.

           Well,Imadenothingofit.Onewasoldandbald,onewasstout,onewasdarkandthin.TherewasnothingintheirappearancetopreventthembeingthethreewhohadhuntedmeinScotland,buttherewasnothingtoidentifythem.Isimplycan’texplainwhyIwho,asaroadman,hadlookedintotwopairsofeyes,andasNedAinslieintoanotherpair,whyI,whohaveagoodmemoryandreasonablepowersofobservation,couldfindnosatisfaction.Theyseemedexactlywhattheyprofessedtobe,andIcouldnothavesworntooneofthem.

           Thereinthatpleasantdining-room,withetchingsonthewalls,andapictureofanoldladyinabibabovethemantelpiece,Icouldseenothingtoconnectthemwiththemoorlanddesperadoes.Therewasasilvercigarette-boxbesideme,andIsawthatithadbeenwonbyPercivalAppleton,Esq.,oftheStBede’sClub,inagolftournament.