Тридцять дев’ять ступенів
Chapter 1
“Isthedoorlocked?”heaskedfeverishly,andhefastenedthechainwithhisownhand.
“I’mverysorry,”hesaidhumbly.“It’samightyliberty,butyoulookedthekindofmanwhowouldunderstand.I’vehadyouinmymindallthisweekwhenthingsgottroublesome.Say,willyoudomeagoodturn?”
“I’lllistentoyou,”Isaid.“That’sallI’llpromise.”Iwasgettingworriedbytheanticsofthisnervouslittlechap.
Therewasatrayofdrinksonatablebesidehim,fromwhichhefilledhimselfastiffwhisky-and-soda.Hedrankitoffinthreegulps,andcrackedtheglassashesetitdown.
“Pardon,”hesaid,“I’mabitrattledtonight.Yousee,Ihappenatthismomenttobedead.”
Isatdowninanarmchairandlitmypipe.
“Whatdoesitfeellike?”Iasked.IwasprettycertainthatIhadtodealwithamadman.
Asmileflickeredoverhisdrawnface.“I’mnotmad—yet.Say,sir,I’vebeenwatchingyou,andIreckonyou’reacoolcustomer.Ireckon,too,you’reanhonestman,andnotafraidofplayingaboldhand.I’mgoingtoconfideinyou.Ineedhelpworsethananymaneverneededit,andIwanttoknowifIcancountyouin.”
“Getonwithyouryarn,”Isaid,“andI’lltellyou.”
Heseemedtobracehimselfforagreateffort,andthenstartedonthequeerestrigmarole.Ididn’tgetholdofitatfirst,andIhadtostopandaskhimquestions.Buthereisthegistofit:
HewasanAmerican,fromKentucky,andaftercollege,beingprettywelloff,hehadstartedouttoseetheworld.
