Тридцять дев’ять ступенів
Chapter 3
“Takethisdownandsayitwasfoundinmybedroom,andaskthemtoreturnittomeiftheyovertakeme.”
ThreeminuteslaterIheardthecarbegintomove,andpeepingfrombehindthecurtaincaughtsightofthetwofigures.Onewasslim,theotherwassleek;thatwasthemostIcouldmakeofmyreconnaissance.
Theinnkeeperappearedingreatexcitement.“Yourpaperwokethemup,”hesaidgleefully.“Thedarkfellowwentaswhiteasdeathandcursedlikeblazes,andthefatonewhistledandlookedugly.Theypaidfortheirdrinkswithhalf-a-sovereignandwouldn’twaitforchange.”
“NowI’lltellyouwhatIwantyoutodo,”Isaid.“GetonyourbicycleandgoofftoNewton-StewarttotheChiefConstable.Describethetwomen,andsayyoususpectthemofhavinghadsomethingtodowiththeLondonmurder.Youcaninventreasons.Thetwowillcomeback,neverfear.Nottonight,forthey’llfollowmefortymilesalongtheroad,butfirstthingtomorrowmorning.Tellthepolicetobeherebrightandearly.”
Hesetofflikeadocilechild,whileIworkedatScudder’snotes.Whenhecamebackwedinedtogether,andincommondecencyIhadtolethimpumpme.IgavehimalotofstuffaboutlionhuntsandtheMatabeleWar,thinkingallthewhilewhattamebusinessesthesewerecomparedtothisIwasnowengagedin!WhenhewenttobedIsatupandfinishedScudder.Ismokedinachairtilldaylight,forIcouldnotsleep.
AbouteightnextmorningIwitnessedthearrivaloftwoconstablesandasergeant
