Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Second Stain
Therewouldbesuchaferment,sir,thatIdonothesitatetosaythatwithinaweekofthepublicationofthatletterthiscountrywouldbeinvolvedinagreatwar.”
HolmeswroteanameuponaslipofpaperandhandedittothePremier.
“Exactly.Itwashe.Anditisthisletter—thisletterwhichmaywellmeantheexpenditureofathousandmillionsandthelivesofahundredthousandmen—whichhasbecomelostinthisunaccountablefashion.”
“Haveyouinformedthesender?”
“Yes,sir,aciphertelegramhasbeendespatched.”
“Perhapshedesiresthepublicationoftheletter.”
“No,sir,wehavestrongreasontobelievethathealreadyunderstandsthathehasactedinanindiscreetandhot-headedmanner.Itwouldbeagreaterblowtohimandtohiscountrythantousifthisletterweretocomeout.”
“Ifthisisso,whoseinterestisitthatthelettershouldcomeout?Whyshouldanyonedesiretostealitortopublishit?”
“There,Mr.Holmes,youtakemeintoregionsofhighinternationalpolitics.ButifyouconsidertheEuropeansituationyouwillhavenodifficultyinperceivingthemotive.ThewholeofEuropeisanarmedcamp.Thereisadoubleleaguewhichmakesafairbalanceofmilitarypower.GreatBritainholdsthescales.IfBritainweredrivenintowarwithoneconfederacy,itwouldassurethesupremacyoftheotherconfederacy,whethertheyjoinedinthewarornot.Doyoufollow?”
“Veryclearly.Itisthentheinterestoftheenemiesofthispotentatetosecureandpublishthisletter,soastomakeabreachbetweenhiscountryandours?”
“Yes,sir.
