Знак чотирьох
VII. The Episode of the Barrel
ForresterhadbeensointerestedbythestrangemessagewhichMissMorstanhadreceivedthatshehadsatupinthehopeofherreturn.Sheopenedthedoorherself,amiddle-aged,gracefulwoman,anditgavemejoytoseehowtenderlyherarmstoleroundtheother’swaistandhowmotherlywasthevoiceinwhichshegreetedher.Shewasclearlynomerepaiddependant,butanhonouredfriend.Iwasintroduced,andMrs.Forresterearnestlybeggedmetostepinandtellherouradventures.Iexplained,however,theimportanceofmyerrand,andpromisedfaithfullytocallandreportanyprogresswhichwemightmakewiththecase.AswedroveawayIstoleaglanceback,andIstillseemtoseethatlittlegrouponthestep,thetwograceful,clingingfigures,thehalf-openeddoor,thehall-lightshiningthroughstainedglass,thebarometer,andthebrightstair-rods.ItwassoothingtocatcheventhatpassingglimpseofatranquilEnglishhomeinthemidstofthewild,darkbusinesswhichhadabsorbedus.
AndthemoreIthoughtofwhathadhappened,thewilderanddarkeritgrew.IreviewedthewholeextraordinarysequenceofeventsasIrattledonthroughthesilentgas-litstreets.Therewastheoriginalproblem:thatatleastwasprettyclearnow.ThedeathofCaptainMorstan,thesendingofthepearls,theadvertisement,theletter,—wehadhadlightuponallthoseevents.Theyhadonlyledus,however,toadeeperandfarmoretragicmystery.
