Отруєний пояс
Chapter III. Submerged
AninstantlaterIheardthroughthetelephoneamuffledthud,asifhisheadhadfallenforwardonthedesk.
"Mr.McArdle!"Icried."Mr.McArdle!"
Therewasnoanswer.IknewasIreplacedthereceiverthatIshouldneverhearhisvoiceagain.
Atthatinstant,justasItookastepbackwardsfromthetelephone,thethingwasonus.Itwasasifwewerebathers,uptoourshouldersinwater,whosuddenlyaresubmergedbyarollingwave.Aninvisiblehandseemedtohavequietlyclosedroundmythroatandtobegentlypressingthelifefromme.Iwasconsciousofimmenseoppressionuponmychest,greattightnesswithinmyhead,aloudsinginginmyears,andbrightflashesbeforemyeyes.Istaggeredtothebalustradesofthestair.Atthesamemoment,rushingandsnortinglikeawoundedbuffalo,Challengerdashedpastme,aterriblevision,withred-purpleface,engorgedeyes,andbristlinghair.Hislittlewife,insensibletoallappearance,wasslungoverhisgreatshoulder,andheblunderedandthunderedupthestair,scramblingandtripping,butcarryinghimselfandherthroughsheerwill-forcethroughthatmephiticatmospheretothehavenoftemporarysafety.AtthesightofhiseffortItoorushedupthesteps,clambering,falling,clutchingattherail,untilItumbledhalfsenselessuponbyfaceontheupperlanding.LordJohn’sfingersofsteelwereinthecollarofmycoat,andamomentlaterIwasstretcheduponmyback,unabletospeakormove,ontheboudoircarpet.Thewomanlaybesideme,andSummerleewasbunchedinachairbythewindow,hisheadnearlytouchinghisknees.
