Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton
Ibeg,therefore,thatyouwillmoderateyourdemands,andthatyouwillreturnthelettersatthepriceIindicate,whichis,Iassureyou,thehighestthatyoucanget.”
Milverton’ssmilebroadenedandhiseyestwinkledhumorously.
“Iamawarethatwhatyousayistrueaboutthelady’sresources,”saidhe.“Atthesametimeyoumustadmitthattheoccasionofalady’smarriageisaverysuitabletimeforherfriendsandrelativestomakesomelittleeffortuponherbehalf.Theymayhesitateastoanacceptableweddingpresent.Letmeassurethemthatthislittlebundleofletterswouldgivemorejoythanallthecandelabraandbutter-dishesinLondon.”
“Itisimpossible,”saidHolmes.
“Dearme,dearme,howunfortunate!”criedMilverton,takingoutabulkypocketbook.“Icannothelpthinkingthatladiesareill-advisedinnotmakinganeffort.Lookatthis!”Heheldupalittlenotewithacoat-of-armsupontheenvelope.“Thatbelongsto—well,perhapsitishardlyfairtotellthenameuntilto-morrowmorning.Butatthattimeitwillbeinthehandsofthelady’shusband.Andallbecauseshewillnotfindabeggarlysumwhichshecouldgetbyturningherdiamondsintopaste.Itissuchapity!Now,yourememberthesuddenendoftheengagementbetweentheHonourableMissMilesandColonelDorking?Onlytwodaysbeforethewedding,therewasaparagraphintheMorningPosttosaythatitwasalloff.Andwhy?Itisalmostincredible,buttheabsurdsumoftwelvehundredpoundswouldhavesettledthewholequestion.
