Знак чотирьох
XII. The Strange Story of Jonathan Small
Heseemedtobeallinaquiverwithfear,forhishandstwitchedasifhehadtheague,andhisheadkeptturningtoleftandrightwithtwobrightlittletwinklingeyes,likeamousewhenheventuresoutfromhishole.Itgavemethechillstothinkofkillinghim,butIthoughtofthetreasure,andmyheartsetashardasaflintwithinme.Whenhesawmywhitefacehegavealittlechirrupofjoyandcamerunninguptowardsme.
“‘Yourprotection,Sahib,’hepanted,—‘yourprotectionfortheunhappymerchantAchmet.IhavetravelledacrossRajpootanathatImightseektheshelterofthefortatAgra.IhavebeenrobbedandbeatenandabusedbecauseIhavebeenthefriendoftheCompany.ItisablessednightthiswhenIamoncemoreinsafety,—Iandmypoorpossessions.’
“‘Whathaveyouinthebundle?’Iasked.
“‘Anironbox,’heanswered,‘whichcontainsoneortwolittlefamilymatterswhichareofnovaluetoothers,butwhichIshouldbesorrytolose.YetIamnotabeggar;andIshallrewardyou,youngSahib,andyourgovernoralso,ifhewillgivemetheshelterIask.’
“Icouldnottrustmyselftospeaklongerwiththeman.ThemoreIlookedathisfat,frightenedface,theharderdiditseemthatweshouldslayhimincoldblood.Itwasbesttogetitover.
“‘Takehimtothemainguard,’saidI.ThetwoSikhsclosedinuponhimoneachside,andthegiantwalkedbehind,whiletheymarchedinthroughthedarkgateway.Neverwasamansocompassedroundwithdeath.Iremainedatthegatewaywiththelantern.
