Воспоминания Шерлока Холмса
The Greek Interpreter
Butwhatshockedmemorethananysignsofphysicalweaknesswasthathisfacewasgrotesquelycriss-crossedwithsticking-plaster,andthatonelargepadofitwasfastenedoverhismouth.
"‘Haveyoutheslate,Harold?"criedtheolderman,asthisstrangebeingfellratherthansatdownintoachair.‘Arehishandsloose?Now,then,givehimthepencil.Youaretoaskthequestions,Mr.Melas,andhewillwritetheanswers.Askhimfirstofallwhetherheispreparedtosignthepapers?"
"Theman’seyesflashedfire.
"‘Never!"hewroteinGreekupontheslate.
"‘Onnoconditions?"Iaskedatthebiddingofourtyrant.
"‘OnlyifIseehermarriedinmypresencebyaGreekpriestwhomIknow.’
"Themangiggledinhisvenomousway.
"‘Youknowwhatawaitsyou,then?’
"‘Icarenothingformyself.’
"Thesearesamplesofthequestionsandanswerswhichmadeupourstrangehalf-spoken,half-writtenconversation.AgainandagainIhadtoaskhimwhetherhewouldgiveinandsignthedocuments.AgainandagainIhadthesameindignantreply.Butsoonahappythoughtcametome.Itooktoaddingonlittlesentencesofmyowntoeachquestion,innocentonesatfirst,totestwhethereitherofourcompanionsknewanythingofthematter,andthen,asIfoundthattheyshowednosignIplayedamoredangerousgame.