Знак чотирьох
XI. The Great Agra Treasure
Isitnotglorious?”
IthinkthatImusthavebeenratheroveractingmydelight,andthatshedetectedahollowringinmycongratulations,forIsawhereyebrowsrisealittle,andsheglancedatmecuriously.
“IfIhaveit,”saidshe,“Ioweittoyou.”
“No,no,”Ianswered,“nottome,buttomyfriendSherlockHolmes.Withallthewillintheworld,Icouldneverhavefollowedupacluewhichhastaxedevenhisanalyticalgenius.Asitwas,weverynearlylostitatthelastmoment.”
“Praysitdownandtellmeallaboutit,Dr.Watson,”saidshe.
InarratedbrieflywhathadoccurredsinceIhadseenherlast,—Holmes’snewmethodofsearch,thediscoveryoftheAurora,theappearanceofAthelneyJones,ourexpeditionintheevening,andthewildchasedowntheThames.Shelistenedwithpartedlipsandshiningeyestomyrecitalofouradventures.WhenIspokeofthedartwhichhadsonarrowlymissedus,sheturnedsowhitethatIfearedthatshewasabouttofaint.
“Itisnothing,”shesaid,asIhastenedtopourheroutsomewater.“Iamallrightagain.ItwasashocktometohearthatIhadplacedmyfriendsinsuchhorribleperil.”
“Thatisallover,”Ianswered.“Itwasnothing.Iwilltellyounomoregloomydetails.Letusturntosomethingbrighter.Thereisthetreasure.Whatcouldbebrighterthanthat?Igotleavetobringitwithme,thinkingthatitwouldinterestyoutobethefirsttoseeit.”
“Itwouldbeofthegreatestinteresttome,”shesaid.Therewasnoeagernessinhervoice,however.
