Повернення Шерлока Холмса

           AndyetIcan’tgetoutofdoingbusinesswithhim—indeed,heishereatmyinvitation.”

           “Butwhoishe?”

           “I’lltellyou,Watson.Heisthekingofalltheblackmailers.Heavenhelptheman,andstillmorethewoman,whosesecretandreputationcomeintothepowerofMilverton!Withasmilingfaceandaheartofmarble,hewillsqueezeandsqueezeuntilhehasdrainedthemdry.Thefellowisageniusinhisway,andwouldhavemadehismarkinsomemoresavourytrade.Hismethodisasfollows:Heallowsittobeknownthatheispreparedtopayveryhighsumsforletterswhichcompromisepeopleofwealthandposition.Hereceivesthesewaresnotonlyfromtreacherousvaletsormaids,butfrequentlyfromgenteelruffians,whohavegainedtheconfidenceandaffectionoftrustingwomen.Hedealswithnoniggardhand.Ihappentoknowthathepaidsevenhundredpoundstoafootmanforanotetwolinesinlength,andthattheruinofanoblefamilywastheresult.EverythingwhichisinthemarketgoestoMilverton,andtherearehundredsinthisgreatcitywhoturnwhiteathisname.Nooneknowswherehisgripmayfall,forheisfartoorichandfartoocunningtoworkfromhandtomouth.Hewillholdacardbackforyearsinordertoplayitatthemomentwhenthestakeisbestworthwinning.