Тридцять дев’ять ступенів

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           Oneofthemgavemeacigar,whichIsmeltgingerlyandstuckinTurnbull’sbundle.Theygotintotheircarandwereoutofsightinthreeminutes.

           Myheartleapedwithanenormousrelief,butIwentonwheelingmystones.Itwasaswell,fortenminuteslaterthecarreturned,oneoftheoccupantswavingahandtome.Thosegentryleftnothingtochance.

           IfinishedTurnbull’sbreadandcheese,andprettysoonIhadfinishedthestones.Thenextstepwaswhatpuzzledme.Icouldnotkeepupthisroadmakingbusinessforlong.AmercifulProvidencehadkeptMrTurnbullindoors,butifheappearedonthescenetherewouldbetrouble.Ihadanotionthatthecordonwasstilltightroundtheglen,andthatifIwalkedinanydirectionIshouldmeetwithquestioners.ButgetoutImust.Noman’snervecouldstandmorethanadayofbeingspiedon.

           Istayedatmyposttillfiveo’clock.BythattimeIhadresolvedtogodowntoTurnbull’scottageatnightfallandtakemychanceofgettingoverthehillsinthedarkness.Butsuddenlyanewcarcameuptheroad,andsloweddownayardortwofromme.Afreshwindhadrisen,andtheoccupantwantedtolightacigarette.

           Itwasatouringcar,withthetonneaufullofanassortmentofbaggage.Onemansatinit,andbyanamazingchanceIknewhim.HisnamewasMarmadukeJopley,andhewasanoffencetocreation.Hewasasortofbloodstockbroker,whodidhisbusinessbytoadyingeldestsonsandrichyoungpeersandfoolisholdladies.