Знак четырех
XII. The Strange Story of Jonathan Small
It’sbeenthesignoffourwithusalways.WellIknowthattheywouldhavehadmedojustwhatIhavedone,andthrowthetreasureintotheThamesratherthanletitgotokithorkinofSholtoorofMorstan.ItwasnottomakethemrichthatwedidforAchmet.You’llfindthetreasurewherethekeyis,andwherelittleTongais.WhenIsawthatyourlaunchmustcatchus,Iputthelootawayinasafeplace.Therearenorupeesforyouthisjourney.”
“Youaredeceivingus,Small,”saidAthelneyJones,sternly.“IfyouhadwishedtothrowthetreasureintotheThamesitwouldhavebeeneasierforyoutohavethrownboxandall.”
“Easierformetothrow,andeasierforyoutorecover,”heanswered,withashrewd,sidelonglook.“Themanthatwascleverenoughtohuntmedowniscleverenoughtopickanironboxfromthebottomofariver.Nowthattheyarescatteredoverfivemilesorso,itmaybeaharderjob.Itwenttomyhearttodoit,though.Iwashalfmadwhenyoucameupwithus.However,there’snogoodgrievingoverit.I’vehadupsinmylife,andI’vehaddowns,butI’velearnednottocryoverspilledmilk.”
“Thisisaveryseriousmatter,Small,”saidthedetective.“Ifyouhadhelpedjustice,insteadofthwartingitinthisway,youwouldhavehadabetterchanceatyourtrial.”
“Justice!”snarledtheex-convict.
