Тридцять дев’ять ступенів
Chapter 3
Theyputtheircarinacoach-houseundertheinnkeeper’sinstructions,andenteredthehouse.TwentyminuteslaterIsawfrommywindowasecondcarcomeacrosstheplateaufromtheoppositedirection.Itdidnotcomeuptotheinn,butstoppedtwohundredyardsoffintheshelterofapatchofwood.Inoticedthatitsoccupantscarefullyreverseditbeforeleavingit.AminuteortwolaterIheardtheirstepsonthegraveloutsidethewindow.
Myplanhadbeentoliehidinmybedroom,andseewhathappened.Ihadanotionthat,ifIcouldbringthepoliceandmyothermoredangerouspursuerstogether,somethingmightworkoutofittomyadvantage.ButnowIhadabetteridea.Iscribbledalineofthankstomyhost,openedthewindow,anddroppedquietlyintoagooseberrybush.UnobservedIcrossedthedyke,crawleddownthesideofatributaryburn,andwonthehighroadonthefarsideofthepatchoftrees.Therestoodthecar,veryspickandspaninthemorningsunlight,butwiththedustonherwhichtoldofalongjourney.Istartedher,jumpedintothechauffeur’sseat,andstolegentlyoutontotheplateau.
AlmostatoncetheroaddippedsothatIlostsightoftheinn,butthewindseemedtobringmethesoundofangryvoices.
