Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton
Isupposethatyouwilladmitthattheactionismorallyjustifiable,thoughtechnicallycriminal.Toburglehishouseisnomorethantoforciblytakehispocketbook—anactioninwhichyouwerepreparedtoaidme.”
Iturneditoverinmymind.
“Yes,”Isaid,“itismorallyjustifiablesolongasourobjectistotakenoarticlessavethosewhichareusedforanillegalpurpose.”
“Exactly.Sinceitismorallyjustifiable,Ihaveonlytoconsiderthequestionofpersonalrisk.Surelyagentlemanshouldnotlaymuchstressuponthis,whenaladyisinmostdesperateneedofhishelp?”
“Youwillbeinsuchafalseposition.”
“Well,thatispartoftherisk.Thereisnootherpossiblewayofregainingtheseletters.Theunfortunateladyhasnotthemoney,andtherearenoneofherpeopleinwhomshecouldconfide.To-morrowisthelastdayofgrace,andunlesswecangetthelettersto-night,thisvillainwillbeasgoodashiswordandwillbringaboutherruin.Imust,therefore,abandonmyclienttoherfateorImustplaythislastcard.Betweenourselves,Watson,it’sasportingduelbetweenthisfellowMilvertonandme.Hehad,asyousaw,thebestofthefirstexchanges,butmyself-respectandmyreputationareconcernedtofightittoafinish.”
“Well,Idon’tlikeit,butIsupposeitmustbe,”saidI.“Whendowestart?”
“Youarenotcoming.”
“Thenyouarenotgoing,”saidI.“Igiveyoumywordofhonour—andIneverbrokeitinmylife—thatIwilltakeacabstraighttothepolice-stationandgiveyouaway,unlessyouletmesharethisadventurewithyou.
