Знак чотирьох
IV. The Story of the Bald-Headed Man
Thesecouldonlybeatthetopofthebuilding.Heknockedahole,therefore,inthelath-and-plasterceilingofthehighestroom,andthere,sureenough,hecameuponanotherlittlegarretaboveit,whichhadbeensealedupandwasknowntonoone.Inthecentrestoodthetreasure-chest,restingupontworafters.Helowereditthroughthehole,andthereitlies.Hecomputesthevalueofthejewelsatnotlessthanhalfamillionsterling.”
Atthementionofthisgiganticsumweallstaredatoneanotheropen-eyed.MissMorstan,couldwesecureherrights,wouldchangefromaneedygovernesstotherichestheiressinEngland.Surelyitwastheplaceofaloyalfriendtorejoiceatsuchnews;yetIamashamedtosaythatselfishnesstookmebythesoul,andthatmyheartturnedasheavyasleadwithinme.Istammeredoutsomefewhaltingwordsofcongratulation,andthensatdowncast,withmyheaddrooped,deaftothebabbleofournewacquaintance.Hewasclearlyaconfirmedhypochondriac,andIwasdreamilyconsciousthathewaspouringforthinterminabletrainsofsymptoms,andimploringinformationastothecompositionandactionofinnumerablequacknostrums,someofwhichheboreaboutinaleathercaseinhispocket.ItrustthathemaynotrememberanyoftheanswerswhichIgavehimthatnight.Holmesdeclaresthatheoverheardmecautionhimagainstthegreatdangeroftakingmorethantwodropsofcastoroil,whileIrecommendedstrychnineinlargedosesasasedative.Howeverthatmaybe,Iwascertainlyrelievedwhenourcabpulledupwithajerkandthecoachmansprangdowntoopenthedoor
