Знак чотирьох
XI. The Great Agra Treasure
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“Haveacigar,”saidHolmes;“andyouhadbesttakeapulloutofmyflask,foryouareverywet.HowcouldyouexpectsosmallandweakamanasthisblackfellowtooverpowerMr.Sholtoandholdhimwhileyouwereclimbingtherope?”
“Youseemtoknowasmuchaboutitasifyouwerethere,sir.ThetruthisthatIhopedtofindtheroomclear.Iknewthehabitsofthehouseprettywell,anditwasthetimewhenMr.Sholtousuallywentdowntohissupper.Ishallmakenosecretofthebusiness.ThebestdefencethatIcanmakeisjustthesimpletruth.Now,ifithadbeentheoldmajorIwouldhaveswungforhimwithalightheart.Iwouldhavethoughtnomoreofknifinghimthanofsmokingthiscigar.Butit’scursedhardthatIshouldbelaggedoverthisyoungSholto,withwhomIhadnoquarrelwhatever.”
“YouareunderthechargeofMr.AthelneyJones,ofScotlandYard.Heisgoingtobringyouuptomyrooms,andIshallaskyouforatrueaccountofthematter.Youmustmakeacleanbreastofit,forifyoudoIhopethatImaybeofusetoyou.IthinkIcanprovethatthepoisonactssoquicklythatthemanwasdeadbeforeeveryoureachedtheroom.”
“Thathewas,sir.InevergotsuchaturninmylifeaswhenIsawhimgrinningatmewithhisheadonhisshoulderasIclimbedthroughthewindow.Itfairlyshookme,sir.I’dhavehalfkilledTongaforitifhehadnotscrambledoff.Thatwashowhecametoleavehisclub,andsomeofhisdartstoo,ashetellsme,whichIdaresayhelpedtoputyouonourtrack;thoughhowyoukeptonitismorethanIcantell.
