Знак чотирьох
V. The Tragedy of Pondicherry Lodge
”
Atthatmomentthedoorofthehouseburstopen,andThaddeusSholtocamerunningout,withhishandsthrownforwardandterrorinhiseyes.
“ThereissomethingamisswithBartholomew!”hecried.“Iamfrightened!Mynervescannotstandit.”Hewas,indeed,halfblubberingwithfear,andhistwitchingfeeblefacepeepingoutfromthegreatAstrakhancollarhadthehelplessappealingexpressionofaterrifiedchild.
“Comeintothehouse,”saidHolmes,inhiscrisp,firmway.
“Yes,do!”pleadedThaddeusSholto.“Ireallydonotfeelequaltogivingdirections.”
Weallfollowedhimintothehousekeeper’sroom,whichstoodupontheleft-handsideofthepassage.Theoldwomanwaspacingupanddownwithascaredlookandrestlesspickingfingers,butthesightofMissMorstanappearedtohaveasoothingeffectuponher.
“Godblessyoursweetcalmface!”shecried,withanhystericalsob.“Itdoesmegoodtoseeyou.Oh,butIhavebeensorelytriedthisday!”
Ourcompanionpattedherthin,work-wornhand,andmurmuredsomefewwordsofkindlywomanlycomfortwhichbroughtthecolourbackintotheother’sbloodlesscheeks.
“Masterhaslockedhimselfinandwillnotanswerme,”sheexplained.“AlldayIhavewaitedtohearfromhim,forheoftenlikestobealone;butanhouragoIfearedthatsomethingwasamiss,soIwentupandpeepedthroughthekey-hole.Youmustgoup,Mr.Thaddeus,—youmustgoupandlookforyourself.IhaveseenMr.BartholomewSholtoinjoyandinsorrowfortenlongyears,butIneversawhimwithsuchafaceonhimasthat.
