Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Second Stain
Hereyesglazed—shetottered—Ithoughtthatshewouldfaint.Thenwithagrandeffortsheralliedfromtheshock,andasupremeastonishmentandindignationchasedeveryotherexpressionfromherfeatures.
“You—youinsultme,Mr.Holmes.”
“Come,come,madam,itisuseless.Giveuptheletter.”
Shedartedtothebell.
“Thebutlershallshowyouout.”
“Donotring,LadyHilda.Ifyoudo,thenallmyearnesteffortstoavoidascandalwillbefrustrated.Giveuptheletterandallwillbesetright.IfyouwillworkwithmeIcanarrangeeverything.IfyouworkagainstmeImustexposeyou.”
Shestoodgrandlydefiant,aqueenlyfigure,hereyesfixeduponhisasifshewouldreadhisverysoul.Herhandwasonthebell,butshehadforbornetoringit.
“Youaretryingtofrightenme.Itisnotaverymanlything,Mr.Holmes,tocomehereandbrowbeatawoman.Yousaythatyouknowsomething.Whatisitthatyouknow?”
“Praysitdown,madam.Youwillhurtyourselfthereifyoufall.Iwillnotspeakuntilyousitdown.Thankyou.”
“Igiveyoufiveminutes,Mr.Holmes.”
“Oneisenough,LadyHilda.IknowofyourvisittoEduardoLucas,ofyourgivinghimthisdocument,ofyouringeniousreturntotheroomlastnight,andofthemannerinwhichyoutooktheletterfromthehiding-placeunderthecarpet.”
Shestaredathimwithanashenfaceandgulpedtwicebeforeshecouldspeak.
“Youaremad,Mr.Holmes—youaremad!”shecried,atlast.
Hedrewasmallpieceofcardboardfromhispocket.Itwasthefaceofawomancutoutofaportrait.
