Возвращение Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of Black Peter
Iguessedthathehaddonethedeedforthesakeofwhatwasinthattinbox,andthathecouldaffordnowtopaymewellforkeepingmymouthshut.IfoundoutwherehewasthroughasailormanthathadmethiminLondon,anddownIwenttosqueezehim.Thefirstnighthewasreasonableenough,andwasreadytogivemewhatwouldmakemefreeoftheseaforlife.Weweretofixitalltwonightslater.WhenIcame,Ifoundhimthreepartsdrunkandinaviletemper.Wesatdownandwedrankandweyarnedaboutoldtimes,butthemorehedrankthelessIlikedthelookonhisface.Ispottedthatharpoonuponthewall,andIthoughtImightneeditbeforeIwasthrough.Thenatlasthebrokeoutatme,spittingandcursing,withmurderinhiseyesandagreatclasp-knifeinhishand.HehadnottimetogetitfromthesheathbeforeIhadtheharpoonthroughhim.Heavens!whatayellhegave!andhisfacegetsbetweenmeandmysleep.Istoodthere,withhisbloodsplashingroundme,andIwaitedforabit,butallwasquiet,soItookheartoncemore.Ilookedround,andtherewasthetinboxontheshelf.IhadasmuchrighttoitasPeterCarey,anyhow,soItookitwithmeandleftthehut.LikeafoolIleftmybaccy-pouchuponthetable.
“NowI’lltellyouthequeerestpartofthewholestory.IhadhardlygotoutsidethehutwhenIheardsomeonecoming,andIhidamongthebushes.Amancameslinkingalong,wentintothehut,gaveacryasifhehadseenaghost,andleggeditashardashecouldrununtilhewasoutofsight.WhohewasorwhathewantedismorethanIcantell.
