Тридцять дев’ять ступенів
Chapter 1
“Ireckonit’slikegoingtosleepwhenyouareprettywelltiredout,andwakingtofindasummerdaywiththescentofhaycominginatthewindow.IusedtothankGodforsuchmorningswaybackintheBlue-Grasscountry,andIguessI’llthankHimwhenIwakeupontheothersideofJordan.”
Nextdayhewasmuchmorecheerful,andreadthelifeofStonewallJacksonmuchofthetime.IwentouttodinnerwithaminingengineerIhadgottoseeonbusiness,andcamebackabouthalf-pasttenintimeforourgameofchessbeforeturningin.
Ihadacigarinmymouth,Iremember,asIpushedopenthesmoking-roomdoor.Thelightswerenotlit,whichstruckmeasodd.IwonderedifScudderhadturnedinalready.
Isnappedtheswitch,buttherewasnobodythere.ThenIsawsomethinginthefarcornerwhichmademedropmycigarandfallintoacoldsweat.
Myguestwaslyingsprawledonhisback.Therewasalongknifethroughhisheartwhichskeweredhimtothefloor.
