Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton
IhavesaidthatheistheworstmaninLondon,andIwouldaskyouhowcouldonecomparetheruffian,whoinhotbloodbludgeonshismate,withthisman,whomethodicallyandathisleisuretorturesthesoulandwringsthenervesinordertoaddtohisalreadyswollenmoney-bags?”
Ihadseldomheardmyfriendspeakwithsuchintensityoffeeling.
“Butsurely,”saidI,“thefellowmustbewithinthegraspofthelaw?”
“Technically,nodoubt,butpracticallynot.Whatwoulditprofitawoman,forexample,togethimafewmonths’imprisonmentifherownruinmustimmediatelyfollow?Hisvictimsdarenothitback.Ifeverheblackmailedaninnocentperson,thenindeedweshouldhavehim,butheisascunningastheEvilOne.No,no,wemustfindotherwaystofighthim.”
“Andwhyishehere?”
“Becauseanillustriousclienthasplacedherpiteouscaseinmyhands.ItistheLadyEvaBlackwell,themostbeautifuldébutanteoflastseason.SheistobemarriedinafortnighttotheEarlofDovercourt.Thisfiendhasseveralimprudentletters—imprudent,Watson,nothingworse—whichwerewrittentoanimpecuniousyoungsquireinthecountry.Theywouldsufficetobreakoffthematch.MilvertonwillsendtheletterstotheEarlunlessalargesumofmoneyispaidhim.Ihavebeencommissionedtomeethim,and—tomakethebesttermsIcan.”
Atthatinstanttherewasaclatterandarattleinthestreetbelow.LookingdownIsawastatelycarriageandpair,thebrilliantlampsgleamingontheglossyhaunchesofthenoblechestnuts.
