Знак четырех
V. The Tragedy of Pondicherry Lodge
“IfIguaranteethem,thatisenoughforyou.Thereistheyounglady,too.Shecannotwaitonthepublicroadatthishour.”
“Verysorry,Mr.Thaddeus,”saidtheporter,inexorably.“Folkmaybefriendso’yours,andyetnofriendso’themaster’s.Hepaysmewelltodomyduty,andmydutyI’lldo.Idon’tknownoneo’yourfriends.”
“Oh,yesyoudo,McMurdo,”criedSherlockHolmes,genially.“Idon’tthinkyoucanhaveforgottenme.Don’tyouremembertheamateurwhofoughtthreeroundswithyouatAlison’sroomsonthenightofyourbenefitfouryearsback?”
“NotMr.SherlockHolmes!”roaredtheprize-fighter.“God’struth!howcouldIhavemistookyou?Ifinsteado’standin’theresoquietyouhadjuststeppedupandgivenmethatcross-hitofyoursunderthejaw,I’dha’knownyouwithoutaquestion.Ah,you’reonethathaswastedyourgifts,youhave!Youmighthaveaimedhigh,ifyouhadjoinedthefancy.”
“Yousee,Watson,ifallelsefailsmeIhavestilloneofthescientificprofessionsopentome,”saidHolmes,laughing.“Ourfriendwon’tkeepusoutinthecoldnow,Iamsure.”
“Inyoucome,sir,inyoucome,—youandyourfriends,”heanswered.“Verysorry,Mr.Thaddeus,butordersareverystrict.HadtobecertainofyourfriendsbeforeIletthemin.”
Inside,agravelpathwoundthroughdesolategroundstoahugeclumpofahouse,squareandprosaic,allplungedinshadowsavewhereamoonbeamstruckonecornerandglimmeredinagarretwindow.
