Тридцять дев’ять ступенів
Chapter 1
TheBritishForeignOfficehastakentohavinginternationaltea-parties,andthebiggestofthemisdueonthatdate.NowKarolidesisreckonedtheprincipalguest,andifmyfriendshavetheirwayhewillneverreturntohisadmiringcountrymen.”
“That’ssimpleenough,anyhow,”Isaid.“Youcanwarnhimandkeephimathome.”
“Andplaytheirgame?”heaskedsharply.“Ifhedoesnotcometheywin,forhe’stheonlymanthatcanstraightenoutthetangle.AndifhisGovernmentarewarnedhewon’tcome,forhedoesnotknowhowbigthestakeswillbeonJunethe15th.”
“WhatabouttheBritishGovernment?”Isaid.“They’renotgoingtolettheirguestsbemurdered.Tipthemthewink,andthey’lltakeextraprecautions.”
“Nogood.Theymightstuffyourcitywithplain-clothesdetectivesanddoublethepoliceandConstantinewouldstillbeadoomedman.Myfriendsarenotplayingthisgameforcandy.Theywantabigoccasionforthetakingoff,withtheeyesofallEuropeonit.He’llbemurderedbyanAustrian,andthere’llbeplentyofevidencetoshowtheconnivanceofthebigfolkinViennaandBerlin.Itwillallbeaninfernallie,ofcourse,butthecasewilllookblackenoughtotheworld.I’mnottalkinghotair,myfriend.Ihappentoknoweverydetailofthehellishcontrivance,andIcantellyouitwillbethemostfinishedpieceofblackguardismsincetheBorgias.Butit’snotgoingtocomeoffifthere’sacertainmanwhoknowsthewheelsofthebusinessaliverighthereinLondononthe15thdayofJune.
