Тридцять дев’ять ступенів
Chapter 4
Threeminuteslaterwedrewupbeforeacomfortable-lookingshooting-boxsetamongpinetrees,andheusheredmeindoors.Hetookmefirsttoabedroomandflunghalfadozenofhissuitsbeforeme,formyownhadbeenprettywellreducedtorags.Iselectedalooseblueserge,whichdifferedmostconspicuouslyfrommyformergarments,andborrowedalinencollar.Thenhehaledmetothedining-room,wheretheremnantsofamealstoodonthetable,andannouncedthatIhadjustfiveminutestofeed.“Youcantakeasnackinyourpocket,andwe’llhavesupperwhenwegetback.I’vegottobeattheMasonicHallateighto’clock,ormyagentwillcombmyhair.”
Ihadacupofcoffeeandsomecoldham,whileheyarnedawayonthehearthrug.
“Youfindmeinthedeuceofamess,Mr——;by-the-by,youhaven’ttoldmeyourname.Twisdon?AnyrelationofoldTommyTwisdonoftheSixtieth?No?Well,youseeI’mLiberalCandidateforthispartoftheworld,andIhadameetingontonightatBrattleburn—that’smychieftown,andaninfernalTorystronghold.IhadgottheColonialex-Premierfellow,Crumpleton,comingtospeakformetonight,andhadthethingtremendouslybilledandthewholeplaceground-baited.ThisafternoonIhadawirefromtheruffiansayinghehadgotinfluenzaatBlackpool,andhereamIlefttodothewholethingmyself.Ihadmeanttospeakfortenminutesandmustnowgoonforforty,and,thoughI’vebeenrackingmybrainsforthreehourstothinkofsomething,Isimplycannotlastthecourse.
