Отруєний пояс

           "NoLondonTimeswaspublishedthismorning."

           "Surely,sir,"saidtheAmericaninmildremonstrance,"youmustadmitthattheLondonTimesisadailypaper."Hedrewoutacopyfromhisinsidepocket."HereisthelettertowhichIrefer."

           Challengerchuckledandrubbedhishands.

           "Ibegintounderstand,"saidhe."Soyoureadthisletterthismorning?"

           "Yes,sir."

           "Andcameatoncetointerviewme?"

           "Yes,sir."

           "Didyouobserveanythingunusualuponthejourneydown?"

           "Well,totellthetruth,yourpeopleseemedmorelivelyandgenerallyhumanthanIhaveeverseenthem.Thebaggagemansetouttotellmeafunnystory,andthat’sanewexperienceformeinthiscountry."

           "Nothingelse?"

           "Why,no,sir,notthatIcanrecall."

           "Well,now,whathourdidyouleaveVictoria?"

           TheAmericansmiled.

           "Icameheretointerviewyou,Professor,butitseemstobeacaseof’Isthisniggerfishing,oristhisfishniggering?’You’redoingmostofthework."

           "Ithappenstointerestme.Doyourecallthehour?"

           "Sure.Itwashalf-pasttwelve."

           "Andyouarrived?"

           "Ataquarter-pasttwo."

           "Andyouhiredacab?"

           "Thatwasso."

           "Howfardoyousupposeitistothestation?"

           "Well,Ishouldreckonthebestpartoftwomiles."

           "Sohowlongdoyouthinkittookyou?"

           "Well,halfanhour,maybe,withthatasthmaticinfront."

           "Soitshouldbethreeo’clock?"

           "Yes,oratrifleafterit."

           "Lookatyourwatch."

           TheAmericandidsoandthenstaredatusinastonishment.

           "Say!"hecried."It’srundown.Thathorsehasbrokeneveryrecord,sure.Thesunisprettylow,nowthatIcometolookatit.