Тридцять дев’ять ступенів
Chapter 4
Thatwantsaprettysteadyheart.
Hewatchedmewithasmile.“Idon’twantproofs.Imaybeanassontheplatform,butIcansizeupaman.You’renomurdererandyou’renofool,andIbelieveyouarespeakingthetruth.I’mgoingtobackyouup.Now,whatcanIdo?”
“First,Iwantyoutowritealettertoyouruncle.I’vegottogetintouchwiththeGovernmentpeoplesometimebeforethe15thofJune.”
Hepulledhismoustache.“Thatwon’thelpyou.ThisisForeignOfficebusiness,andmyunclewouldhavenothingtodowithit.Besides,you’dneverconvincehim.No,I’llgoonebetter.I’llwritetothePermanentSecretaryattheForeignOffice.He’smygodfather,andoneofthebestgoing.Whatdoyouwant?”
Hesatdownatatableandwrotetomydictation.ThegistofitwasthatifamancalledTwisdon(IthoughtIhadbettersticktothatname)turnedupbeforeJune15thhewastoentreathimkindly.HesaidTwisdonwouldprovehisbonafidesbypassingtheword“BlackStone”andwhistling“AnnieLaurie”.
“Good,”saidSirHarry.“That’stheproperstyle.Bytheway,you’llfindmygodfather—hisname’sSirWalterBullivant—downathiscountrycottageforWhitsuntide.It’sclosetoArtinswellontheKennet.That’sdone.Now,what’sthenextthing?”
“You’reaboutmyheight.Lendmetheoldesttweedsuityou’vegot.Anythingwilldo,solongasthecolouristheoppositeoftheclothesIdestroyedthisafternoon.Thenshowmeamapoftheneighbourhoodandexplaintomethelieoftheland
