Знак чотирьох
XII. The Strange Story of Jonathan Small
Tongahadbroughtallhisearthlypossessionswithhim,hisarmsandhisgods.Amongotherthings,hehadalongbamboospear,andsomeAndamancocoa-nutmatting,withwhichImadeasortofsail.Fortendayswewerebeatingabout,trustingtoluck,andontheeleventhwewerepickedupbyatraderwhichwasgoingfromSingaporetoJiddahwithacargoofMalaypilgrims.Theywerearumcrowd,andTongaandIsoonmanagedtosettledownamongthem.Theyhadoneverygoodquality:theyletyoualoneandaskednoquestions.
“Well,ifIweretotellyoualltheadventuresthatmylittlechumandIwentthrough,youwouldnotthankme,forIwouldhaveyouhereuntilthesunwasshining.Hereandtherewedriftedabouttheworld,somethingalwaysturninguptokeepusfromLondon.Allthetime,however,Ineverlostsightofmypurpose.IwoulddreamofSholtoatnight.AhundredtimesIhavekilledhiminmysleep.Atlast,however,somethreeorfouryearsago,wefoundourselvesinEngland.IhadnogreatdifficultyinfindingwhereSholtolived,andIsettoworktodiscoverwhetherhehadrealisedthetreasure,orifhestillhadit.Imadefriendswithsomeonewhocouldhelpme,—Inamenonames,forIdon’twanttogetanyoneelseinahole,—andIsoonfoundthathestillhadthejewels.ThenItriedtogetathiminmanyways;buthewasprettysly,andhadalwaystwoprize-fighters,besideshissonsandhiskhitmutgar,onguardoverhim.
“Oneday,however,Igotwordthathewasdying.
