Воспоминания Шерлока Холмса
The Naval Treaty
Shestaredatuswithdefianteyes,andthen,suddenlyrecognizingme,anexpressionofabsoluteastonishmentcameoverherface.
"‘Why,ifitisn’tMr.Phelps,oftheoffice!"shecried.
"‘Come,come,whodidyouthinkwewerewhenyouranawayfromus?"askedmycompanion.
"‘Ithoughtyouwerethebrokers,"saidshe,‘wehavehadsometroublewithatradesman.’
"‘That’snotquitegoodenough."answeredForbes.‘WehavereasontobelievethatyouhavetakenapaperofimportancefromtheForeignOffice,andthatyouraninheretodisposeofit.YoumustcomebackwithustoScotlandYardtobesearched.’
"Itwasinvainthatsheprotestedandresisted.Afour-wheelerwasbrought,andweallthreedrovebackinit.Wehadfirstmadeanexaminationofthekitchen,andespeciallyofthekitchenfire,toseewhethershemighthavemadeawaywiththepapersduringtheinstantthatshewasalone.Therewerenosigns,however,ofanyashesorscraps.WhenwereachedScotlandYardshewashandedoveratoncetothefemalesearcher.Iwaitedinanagonyofsuspenseuntilshecamebackwithherreport.Therewerenosignsofthepapers.
"Thenforthefirsttimethehorrorofmysituationcameinitsfullforce.HithertoIhadbeenacting,andactionhadnumbedthought.IhadbeensoconfidentofregainingthetreatyatoncethatIhadnotdaredtothinkofwhatwouldbetheconsequenceifIfailedtodoso.
