Возвращение Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Abbey Grange
Iamnotsurethatindefenceofyourownlifeyouractionwillnotbepronouncedlegitimate.However,thatisforaBritishjurytodecide.MeanwhileIhavesomuchsympathyforyouthat,ifyouchoosetodisappearinthenexttwenty-fourhours,Iwillpromiseyouthatnoonewillhinderyou.”
“Andthenitwillallcomeout?”
“Certainlyitwillcomeout.”
Thesailorflushedwithanger.
“Whatsortofproposalisthattomakeaman?IknowenoughoflawtounderstandthatMarywouldbeheldasaccomplice.DoyouthinkIwouldleaveheralonetofacethemusicwhileIslunkaway?No,sir,letthemdotheirworstuponme,butforheaven’ssake,Mr.Holmes,findsomewayofkeepingmypoorMaryoutofthecourts.”
Holmesforasecondtimeheldouthishandtothesailor.
“Iwasonlytestingyou,andyouringtrueeverytime.Well,itisagreatresponsibilitythatItakeuponmyself,butIhavegivenHopkinsanexcellenthintandifhecan’tavailhimselfofitIcandonomore.Seehere,CaptainCrocker,we’lldothisindueformoflaw.Youaretheprisoner.Watson,youareaBritishjury,andInevermetamanwhowasmoreeminentlyfittedtorepresentone.Iamthejudge.Now,gentlemanofthejury,youhaveheardtheevidence.Doyoufindtheprisonerguiltyornotguilty?”
“Notguilty,mylord,”saidI.
“Voxpopuli,voxDei.Youareacquitted,CaptainCrocker.Solongasthelawdoesnotfindsomeothervictimyouaresafefromme.Comebacktothisladyinayear,andmayherfutureandyoursjustifyusinthejudgmentwhichwehavepronouncedthisnight!”
