Знак чотирьох
XII. The Strange Story of Jonathan Small
ItriedagainandagaintomakemySikhstalk,butwithoutmuchsuccess.Attwointhemorningtheroundspassed,andbrokeforamomentthewearinessofthenight.Findingthatmycompanionswouldnotbeledintoconversation,Itookoutmypipe,andlaiddownmymuskettostrikethematch.InaninstantthetwoSikhswereuponme.Oneofthemsnatchedmyfirelockupandlevelleditatmyhead,whiletheotherheldagreatknifetomythroatandsworebetweenhisteeththathewouldplungeitintomeifImovedastep.
“Myfirstthoughtwasthatthesefellowswereinleaguewiththerebels,andthatthiswasthebeginningofanassault.IfourdoorwereinthehandsoftheSepoystheplacemustfall,andthewomenandchildrenbetreatedastheywereinCawnpore.MaybeyougentlementhinkthatIamjustmakingoutacaseformyself,butIgiveyoumywordthatwhenIthoughtofthat,thoughIfeltthepointoftheknifeatmythroat,Iopenedmymouthwiththeintentionofgivingascream,ifitwasmylastone,whichmightalarmthemainguard.Themanwhoheldmeseemedtoknowmythoughts;for,evenasIbracedmyselftoit,hewhispered,‘Don’tmakeanoise.Thefortissafeenough.Therearenorebeldogsonthissideoftheriver.’Therewastheringoftruthinwhathesaid,andIknewthatifIraisedmyvoiceIwasadeadman.Icouldreaditinthefellow’sbrowneyes.Iwaited,therefore,insilence,toseewhatitwasthattheywantedfromme.
“‘Listentome,Sahib,’saidthetallerandfiercerofthepair,theonewhomtheycalledAbdullahKhan.
