Знак чотирьох
IX. A Break in the Chain
Hehadacolouredscarfroundhischin,andIcouldseelittleofhisfacesaveapairofkeendarkeyes,overhungbybushywhitebrows,andlonggreyside-whiskers.Altogetherhegavemetheimpressionofarespectablemastermarinerwhohadfallenintoyearsandpoverty.
“Whatisit,myman?”Iasked.
Helookedabouthimintheslowmethodicalfashionofoldage.
“IsMr.SherlockHolmeshere?”saidhe.
“No;butIamactingforhim.Youcantellmeanymessageyouhaveforhim.”
“ItwastohimhimselfIwastotellit,”saidhe.
“ButItellyouthatIamactingforhim.WasitaboutMordecaiSmith’sboat?”
“Yes.Iknowswellwhereitis.An’Iknowswherethemenheisafterare.An’Iknowswherethetreasureis.Iknowsallaboutit.”
“Thentellme,andIshalllethimknow.”
“ItwastohimIwastotellit,”herepeated,withthepetulantobstinacyofaveryoldman.
“Well,youmustwaitforhim.”
“No,no;Iain’tgoin’toloseawholedaytopleasenoone.IfMr.Holmesain’there,thenMr.Holmesmustfinditalloutforhimself.Idon’tcareaboutthelookofeitherofyou,andIwon’ttellaword.”
Heshuffledtowardsthedoor,butAthelneyJonesgotinfrontofhim.
“Waitabit,myfriend,”saidhe.“Youhaveimportantinformation,andyoumustnotwalkoff.Weshallkeepyou,whetheryoulikeornot,untilourfriendreturns.”
Theoldmanmadealittleruntowardsthedoor,but,asAthelneyJonesputhisbroadbackupagainstit,herecognisedtheuselessnessofresistance.
“Prettysorto’treatmentthis!”hecried,stampinghisstick.
