Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Second Stain
Ifyourhusbandthinksfittokeepyouinthedarkoverthismatter,isitforme,whohasonlylearnedthetruefactsunderthepledgeofprofessionalsecrecy,totellwhathehaswithheld?Itisnotfairtoaskit.Itishimwhomyoumustask.”
“Ihaveaskedhim.Icometoyouasalastresource.Butwithoutyourtellingmeanythingdefinite,Mr.Holmes,youmaydoagreatserviceifyouwouldenlightenmeononepoint.”
“Whatisit,madam?”
“Ismyhusband’spoliticalcareerlikelytosufferthroughthisincident?”
“Well,madam,unlessitissetrightitmaycertainlyhaveaveryunfortunateeffect.”
“Ah!”Shedrewinherbreathsharplyasonewhosedoubtsareresolved.
“Onemorequestion,Mr.Holmes.FromanexpressionwhichmyhusbanddroppedinthefirstshockofthisdisasterIunderstoodthatterriblepublicconsequencesmightarisefromthelossofthisdocument.”
“Ifhesaidso,Icertainlycannotdenyit.”
“Ofwhatnaturearethey?”
“Nay,madam,thereagainyouaskmemorethanIcanpossiblyanswer.”
“ThenIwilltakeupnomoreofyourtime.Icannotblameyou,Mr.Holmes,forhavingrefusedtospeakmorefreely,andyouonyoursidewillnot,Iamsure,thinktheworseofmebecauseIdesire,evenagainsthiswill,tosharemyhusband’sanxieties.OncemoreIbegthatyouwillsaynothingofmyvisit.”
Shelookedbackatusfromthedoor,andIhadalastimpressionofthatbeautifulhauntedface,thestartledeyes,andthedrawnmouth.Thenshewasgone.
