Девять рассказов
The Laughing Man
SoontheLaughingManwasregularlycrossingtheChineseborderintoParis,France,whereheenjoyedflauntinghishighbutmodestgeniusinthefaceofMarcelDufarge,theinternationallyfamousdetectiveandwittyconsumptive.Dufargeandhisdaughter(anexquisitegirl,thoughsomethingofatransvestite)becametheLaughingMan’sbitterestenemies.Timeandagain,theytriedleadingtheLaughingManupthegardenpath.Forsheersport,theLaughingManusuallywenthalfwaywiththem,thenvanished,oftenleavingnoevenfaintlycredibleindicationofhisescapemethod.JustnowandthenhepostedanincisivelittlefarewellnoteintheParisseweragesystem,anditwasdeliveredpromptlytoDufarge’sboot.TheDufargesspentanenormousamountoftimesloshingaroundintheParissewers.
SoontheLaughingManhadamassedthelargestpersonalfortuneintheworld.Mostofithecontributedanonymouslytothemonksofalocalmonastery—humbleasceticswhohaddedicatedtheirlivestoraisingGermanpolicedogs.Whatwasleftofhisfortune,theLaughingManconvertedintodiamonds,whichheloweredcasually,inemeraldvaults,intotheBlackSea.Hispersonalwantswerefew.Hesubsistedexclusivelyonriceandeagles’blood,inatinycottagewithanundergroundgymnasiumandshootingrange,onthestormycoastofTibet.
