Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton
”Hisinsufferablesmilewasmorecomplacentthanever.
Holmesthoughtforalittle.
“Youappeartome,”hesaid,atlast,“tobetakingmatterstoomuchforgranted.Iam,ofcourse,familiarwiththecontentsoftheseletters.MyclientwillcertainlydowhatImayadvise.Ishallcounselhertotellherfuturehusbandthewholestoryandtotrusttohisgenerosity.”
Milvertonchuckled.
“YouevidentlydonotknowtheEarl,”saidhe.
FromthebaffledlookuponHolmes’sface,Icouldseeclearlythathedid.
“Whatharmisthereintheletters?”heasked.
“Theyaresprightly—verysprightly,”Milvertonanswered.“Theladywasacharmingcorrespondent.ButIcanassureyouthattheEarlofDovercourtwouldfailtoappreciatethem.However,sinceyouthinkotherwise,wewillletitrestatthat.Itispurelyamatterofbusiness.IfyouthinkthatitisinthebestinterestsofyourclientthattheselettersshouldbeplacedinthehandsoftheEarl,thenyouwouldindeedbefoolishtopaysolargeasumofmoneytoregainthem.”Heroseandseizedhisastrakhancoat.
Holmeswasgreywithangerandmortification.
“Waitalittle,”hesaid.“Yougotoofast.Weshouldcertainlymakeeveryefforttoavoidscandalinsodelicateamatter.”
Milvertonrelapsedintohischair.
“Iwassurethatyouwouldseeitinthatlight,”hepurred.
“Atthesametime,”Holmescontinued,“LadyEvaisnotawealthywoman.Iassureyouthattwothousandpoundswouldbeadrainuponherresources,andthatthesumyounameisutterlybeyondherpower.
