Тридцять дев’ять ступенів
Chapter 2
SupposingIwentoutnowandcalledinthepolice,orwenttobedandletPaddockfindthebodyandcalltheminthemorning.WhatkindofastorywasItotellaboutScudder?IhadliedtoPaddockabouthim,andthewholethinglookeddesperatelyfishy.IfImadeacleanbreastofitandtoldthepoliceeverythinghehadtoldme,theywouldsimplylaughatme.TheoddswereathousandtoonethatIwouldbechargedwiththemurder,andthecircumstantialevidencewasstrongenoughtohangme.FewpeopleknewmeinEngland;Ihadnorealpalwhocouldcomeforwardandsweartomycharacter.Perhapsthatwaswhatthosesecretenemieswereplayingfor.Theywerecleverenoughforanything,andanEnglishprisonwasasgoodawayofgettingridofmetillafterJune15thasaknifeinmychest.
Besides,ifItoldthewholestory,andbyanymiraclewasbelieved,Iwouldbeplayingtheirgame.Karolideswouldstayathome,whichwaswhattheywanted.SomehoworotherthesightofScudder’sdeadfacehadmademeapassionatebelieverinhisscheme.Hewasgone,buthehadtakenmeintohisconfidence,andIwasprettywellboundtocarryonhiswork.
Youmaythinkthisridiculousforamanindangerofhislife,butthatwasthewayIlookedatit.Iamanordinarysortoffellow,notbraverthanotherpeople,butIhatetoseeagoodmandowned,andthatlongknifewouldnotbetheendofScudderifIcouldplaythegameinhisplace.
Ittookmeanhourortwotothinkthisout,andbythattimeIhadcometoadecision.
