Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of Black Peter
HehadhardlyturnedtoleavethehutwhenHopkin’shandwasonthefellow’scollar,andIheardhisloudgaspofterrorasheunderstoodthathewastaken.Thecandlewasrelit,andtherewasourwretchedcaptive,shiveringandcoweringinthegraspofthedetective.Hesankdownuponthesea-chest,andlookedhelplesslyfromoneofustotheother.
“Now,myfinefellow,”saidStanleyHopkins,“whoareyou,andwhatdoyouwanthere?”
Themanpulledhimselftogether,andfaceduswithaneffortatself-composure.
“Youaredetectives,Isuppose?”saidhe.“YouimagineIamconnectedwiththedeathofCaptainPeterCarey.IassureyouthatIaminnocent.”
“We’llseeaboutthat,”saidHopkins.“Firstofall,whatisyourname?”
“ItisJohnHopleyNeligan.”
IsawHolmesandHopkinsexchangeaquickglance.
“Whatareyoudoinghere?”
“CanIspeakconfidentially?”
“No,certainlynot.”
“WhyshouldItellyou?”
“Ifyouhavenoanswer,itmaygobadlywithyouatthetrial.”
Theyoungmanwinced.
“Well,Iwilltellyou,”hesaid.“WhyshouldInot?AndyetIhatetothinkofthisoldscandalgaininganewleaseoflife.DidyoueverhearofDawsonandNeligan?”
Icouldsee,fromHopkins’sface,thatheneverhad,butHolmeswaskeenlyinterested.
“YoumeantheWestCountrybankers,”saidhe.“Theyfailedforamillion,ruinedhalfthecountyfamiliesofCornwall,andNeligandisappeared.”
“Exactly.Neliganwasmyfather.
