Таинственная история Билли Миллигана
Chapter 14
InLondon,ArthurcheckedintoasmallhotelaboveapubinHopewellPlace,thinkingthatthenamemightwellbeprophetic.Helunchedaloneatasmallbutselectrestaurant,thentookataxitoBuckinghamPalace.Hehadmissedthechangingoftheguard,butheplannedtoseeitanotherday.Hefeltcomfortablewanderingaboutthestreetsofthecityandgreetedpassers-bywitha"Topoftheday"or"Smashingafternoon."Hedecidedtomorrowhewouldbuyabowlerandanumbrella.
Forthefirsttimeinhismemory,therewerepeoplearoundhimwhospokeashedid.Thetrafficmovedonthecorrectsideofthestreet,andthebobbiesgavehimasenseofsecurity.
HevisitedtheTowerofLondonandtheBritishMuseum,anddinedonfishandchipsandwarmEnglishbeer.Whenhewenttohisroomthatnight,rememberinghisfavoriteSherlockHolmesmovies,hemadeamentalnotetovisit221bBakerStreetthenextday.Hewouldinspecttheplaceandmakesureitwasbeingkeptupasasuitablememorialtothegreatdetective.Hefelthehadcomehomeatlast.
Thenextmorning,theloudtickingofthewallclockwasthefirstthingAllenheard.Heopenedhiseyesandstaredaroundhim.Hejumpedoutofbed.Itwasanold-fashionedhotel,withanironbedstead,curlicue-patternedwallpaperandathreadbarerugonthefloor.ItsurewasnoHolidayInn.Helookedforthebathroom,buttherewasnone.Allenpulledonhistrousersandpeeredoutinthehallway.
