ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE

Dou aventuri ale lui Sherlock Holmes

AVENTURA BRBATULUI CU GURA
STRMB.
Isa Whitney, fratele r!"sat#l#i Elias Whitney,
$"%t"r &n te"l"'ie. (ire%t"r al C"le'i#l#i Te"l"'i%
Sf)nt#l Ghe"r'he, era "!i"*an. (e!rinsese a%est
+i%i#, $#! %)te *i,a# a-#ns la #re%hi, $intr,#n
%a!ri%i# !r"stes%, &n% $e !e +re*ea %)n$ se afla la
%"le'i#, $in !ri%in % %itise $es%rierea l#i (e
.#in%ey a +is#ril"r /i sen0a1iil"r sale $e f#*t"r $e
"!i#*. At#n%i &/i &*2i2ase t#t#n#l %# la#$i*#*,
+r)n$ s &n%er%e /i el a%elea/i sen0a1ii /i $es%"!erise,
%a /i at)1ia al1ii, % a%est nra+ e *ai #/"r $e $e!rins
$e%)t $e lsat3 ani &n /ir a %"ntin#at s fie r"2#l
a%est#i $r"', l#%r# !e %are r#$ele /i !rietenii si &l
!ri+ea# %# #n a*este% $e 'r"a0 /i #r. 4l +$ /i
a%#* !ar%, str+e0i# /i 'l2e-it la fa1, %# !le"a!ele
at)rn)n$ /i !#!ilele *i%/"rate $e t"t, 'he*#it &ntr,#n
f"t"li# 5 " e!a+, " fiin1 n"2il r#inat.
4ntr," sear, era !rin i#nie 6788, se a#0i
%l"!"1el#l s#n)n$, %a* !e la %eas#l %)n$ te t"r"!e/te
s"*n#l /i %s%)n$ 1i,ar#n%i "%hii la %eas. M,a*
&n$re!tat &n s%a#n, iar ne+ast,*ea a lsat s,i %a$
l#%r#l $e *)na &n !"al %# " *#tr $e0a*'it.
9 4n% #n !a%ient: S!#se ea. ; s tre2#ias% s
!le%i iar.
A* *"r*it %e+a, !entr# % a2ia * &nt"rsese*
a%as, $#! " 0i ist"+it"are. A* a#0it #/a
$es%hi0)n$#,se, %)te+a %#+inte s%hi*2ate &n f#' /i
a!"i !a/i 'r2i1i !e lin"le#*. U/a %a*erii &n %are ne
afla* s,a $es%his &nlt#ri ls)n$ s intre " $"a*n
&nf/#rat &ntr," *antie &nt#ne%at /i %# #n +l ne'r#
%are &i a%"!erea fa1a
9 V r"' s * ierta1i !entr# % a* &n$r0nit s
+in at)t $e t)r0i#, &n%e!# ea. A!"i $e"$at,
!ier0)n$#,/i %#*!t#l, se re!e0i &nainte /i,
ar#n%)n$#,/i 2ra1ele $e ')t#l ne+esti,*i, h"h"ti $e
!l)ns !e #*r#l ei. Ah, +ai: C)t s#nt $e a*r)t: Se
-el#i ea. A* a1)1a ne+"ie $e a-#t"r:
9 ("a*ne, s!#se ne+ast,*ea ri$i%)n$#,i +l#l,
$ar e <ate Whitney: Vai, %#* *,ai s!eriat, <ate: N#
te,a* re%#n"s%#t $el"% %)n$ ai intrat.
9 N# /tia* %e s fa%, a/a % a* +enit $re!t la
tine.
A/a se &nt)*!la &nt"t$ea#na. ;a*enii %are a+ea#
+re#n ne%a0 +enea# la ne+ast,*ea %a !#ii la %l"/%.
9 ="arte 2ine. A%#* s,1i $* !#1in +in %# a!,
iar t# a/ea0,te ai%i /i s!#ne,ne t"t, $e,a fir,a,!r.
Sa# !referi s,l tri*it !e >a*es la %#l%are?
9 A, n#, n#. A* ne+"ie /i $e sfat#l /i $e
a-#t"r#l $"%t"r#l#i. E +"r2a $e Isa. N,a *ai $at !e
a%as $e $"# 0ile. S#nt $in %ale afar $e s!eriat $in
!ri%ina l#i:
N# era !ri*a $at %)n$ ne +"r2ea $e nra+#l
s"1#l#i ei. Mie %a $"%t"r, iar ne+estei *ele %a #nei
+e%hi !rietene /i %"le'e $e /%"al. A* &n%er%at s,"
*)n')ie* /i s,i alin* *)hnirea %# +"r2ele %ele
*ai !"tri+ite !e %are le,a* !#t#t 'si. @tia "are #n$e
se afla 2r2at#l ei? I,l !#tea* a$#%e &na!"i? Se !rea
% $a. A+ea inf"r*a1ii si'#re % &n #lti*a +re*e,
%)n$ &l %#!rin$ea !ati*, se $#%ea la " ta+ern $in
%a!t#l rsritean al City,#l#i, #n$e se f#*a "!i#*.
A)n a%#* "r'iile l#i n# 1in#ser ni%i"$at *ai *#lt
$e " 0i, /i seara se &nt"r%ea &nt"t$ea#na a%as sleit $e
!#teri /i tre*#r)n$ $in t"t tr#!#l. (e $ata a%easta,
&ns, a%%es#l $#ra $e B7 $e "re, /i fr &n$"ial %
0%ea !rintre s%#rs#rile s"%iet1ii s"r2in$ "tra+ sa#
$"r*in$ s#2 infl#en1a ei. Era si'#r % !#tea fi 'sit
la CLin'"#l $e a#rD $in #li%i"ara U!rer
SEan$a*lane. (ar %e !#tea ea s fa%? C#* ar fi
!#t#t ea, " fe*eie t)nr /i sfi"as, s,/i %r"ias%
$r#* !)n &ntr," s!el#n% $e fel#l a%esteia, %a s,/i
s*#l' 2r2at#l $in *i-l"%#l ti%l"/il"r %# %are se
&nhitase?
Asta era sit#a1ia /i 2ine&n1eles % n# eFista $e%)t
" sin'#r s"l#1ie. M,a &ntre2at $a% n,a/ !#tea s,"
&ns"1es% !)n a%"l", iar a!"i, r0')n$in$#,se, a 0is %
la %e 2#n s *ai +in %# *ine? E# era* *e$i%#l
%#rant al l#i Isa Whiney /i %a atare a+ea* "are%are
infl#en1 as#!ra l#i. M $es%#r%a* *ai 2ine %hiar
$a% * $#%ea* sin'#r, i,a* $at at#n%i %#+)nt#l $e
"n"are % " s i,l tri*it a%as %# trs#ra !)n &n $"#
%eas#ri, $a% era &ntr,a$e+r $e 'sit la a$resa !e
%are *i," $$#se. A/a % !este 0e%e *in#te
!rsise* $e-a f"t"li#l /i sal"na/#l *e# %"nf"rta2il,
'"nin$ %# 2ir-a s!re !artea $e rsrit a "ra/#l#i.
A+ea* " *isi#ne %i#$at, $#! %)te *i se !rea,
$e/i n#*ai +iit"r#l a !#t#t s,*i arate %)t $e %i#$at
a+ea s fie %# a$e+rat.
Ari*a eta! a a+ent#rii *ele n,a !re0entat &ns
*ari nea-#ns#ri. UG!!er SEan$a*lane e " stra$el
!r!$it, as%#ns &n $"s#l $"%#ril"r &nalte. 4n/ir#ite
$e,a l#n'#l 1r*#l#i $e n"r$ al Ta*isei, la est $e
!"$#l L"n$rei. 4ntre #n 2irt !"!#lar /i " %)r%i#*,
a* 'sit ta+erna %#tat. Ca s a-#n'i la ea, tre2#ia
s %"2"r& %)te+a tre!te, $#! %are $$eai $e "
s!rt#r s#*2r &n 0i$, %e a$#%ea *ai *#lt %# '#ra
#nei !e/teri. A"r#n%in$#,i 2ir-ar#l#i s a/te!te, a*
%"2"r)t s%rile s%"2ite $e at)ta #*2let $e "a*eni
2e1i /i, la l#*ina #n#i "!ai1 %e !)l!)ia $eas#!ra #/ii,
a* $i2#it %lan1a, a!"i a* intrat &ntr," &n%!ere l#n'
/i -"as, &n %are !#teai tia %# %#1it#l f#*#l r"/iati%
$e "!i#*. (e -#r &*!re-#r era# &n/irate !at#ri $e
le*n %a !e #n +as $e e*i'ran1i.
La l#*ina sla2 $in "$aie a2ia !#teai $esl#/i
tr#!#ri %are 0%ea# &n atit#$ini ne&n%hi!#it $e
%i#$ate, %# #*erii &n%"+"ia1i, %# 'en#n%hii str)n/i la
!ie!t, %# %a!etele rst#rnate !e s!ate /i %# 2r2iile
&*!#n')n$ aer#l3 $"ar i%i,%"l" %)te #n "%hi sear2$
/i stins se &nt"r%ea %tre n"#l +enit. Cer%#le1e r"/ii $e
l#*in li%rea# !rintre #*2rele ne're, a%i *ai +i#,
a%i *ai /ters, $#! %#* !)l!)ia "tra+a ar0)n$a &n
'"a%ea l#lelel"r $e *etal. Cei *ai *#l1i 0%ea# &n
t%ere, #nii *"r*ia# %e+a !entr# sine, iar al1ii
+"r2ea# la"lalt %# #n 'las %i#$at 5 &n2#/it /i
*"n"t"n. B)i'#ielile l"r a+ea# i02#%niri n+alni%e,
!entr# %a a!"i s se !iar$ $e"$at &n t%ere, fie%are
*#r*#r)n$#,/i ')n$#rile /i l#)n$ !rea !#1in &n
sea* %#+intele %el#i $e alt#ri. La %a!t#l %ellalt
al "$ii, la '#ra #nei +etre *i%i %# -rati% $e *an'al,
#n 2tr)n &nalt /i #s%1i+ sttea !e #n s%#nel %# trei
!i%i"are, %# 2r2ia re0e*at &n !#*ni, %# %"atele !e
'en#n%hi, %# !ri+irea !ier$#t &n fl%rile f"%#l#i. La
intrarea *ea, #n ser+it"r *alae0, %# fa1a %a $e %ear,
se re!e0ise s,*i a$#% " !i! /i " $"0 $e "!i#*,
!"ftin$#,* a%#* %tre #n %#l%#/ '"l.
9 M#l1#*es%, n,a* +enit s sta#, l,a* l*#rit
e#. E !e,ai%i #n !rieten $e,al *e#, $"*n#l Isa
Whitney, %# %are a/ +rea s +"r2es%. (in $rea!ta
*ea se a#0i " *i/%are 2r#s% #r*at $e #n i%nit.
4n%er%)n$ s str!#n' &nt#neri%#l $if#0, a* $esl#/it
!ri+irea l#i Whitney a1intit as#!ra *ea. Era li+i$,
ist"+it, 02)rlit /i *#r$ar.
9 (#*ne0e#le, e Wats"n: EF%la* el.
Rea%1ia $r"'#l#i &l a$#sese &ntr," stare $e !l)ns,
%# t"1i ner+ii %#!rin/i $e #n tre*#r s!as*"$i%.
9 As%#lt, Wats"n, %)t e %eas#l?
9 A!r"a!e #ns!re0e%e.
9 @i %e 0i?
9 Vineri, 68 i#nie.
9 ("a*ne, $#*ne0e#le: Cre$ea* %,i
*ier%#ri. Si'#r % e *ier%#ri. Ce,1i +eni s *
s!erii? Se !r2#/i %# fa1a &n *)ini /i &n%e!# s
!l)n',n h"h"te !e t"n#ri &nalte, ne"*ene/ti
9 As%#lt, "*#le, 1i,a* s!#s %,i +ineri.
Ne+ast,ta te a/tea!t $e $"# 0ile. Ar tre2#i s,1i fie
r#/ine.
9 Ai %hiar &*i e. (ar n# se !"ate, Wats"n, te,ai
0!%it. N# s#nt ai%i $e%)t $e %)te+a %eas#ri. A*
f#*at $"ar trei !i!e. A"ate !atr# sa#, /ti# /i e#, !"ate
*ai *#lte. (ar +in a%as %# tine. N# +rea# s," s!erii
!e <atE. Ae *i%#1a *ea <ate. (,*i *)na: Ai "
2ir-?
9 (a, * a/tea!t.
9 At#n%i !le% %# ea. (ar !r"2a2il % tre2#ie s
!ltes% *ai &nt)i. Ve0i te r"' %)t $at"re0, Wats"n.
S#nt %a* $r)*at. N# s#nt &n stare s fa% ni*i%
sin'#r.
M,a* stre%#rat !rintre %ele $"# /ir#ri $e
%#l%#/#ri 1in)n$#,*i res!ira1ia %a s n# tra' &n !ie!t
f#*#l #ri%i"s al $r"'#l#i %are &n$"2it"%e/te "a*enii
/i l,a* %#tat !e !atr"n. Tre%)n$ !e l)n' 2tr)n#l
#s%1i+ $in fa1a +etrei %# *an'al, a* si*1it $e"$at
% * tra'e %ine+a $e %*a/ /i " +"%e -"as *i,a
/"!tit &n #re%he. CTre%i !e l)n' *ine /i a!"i
&nt"ar%e,te /i !ri+e/te,*D. A* a#0it a%este +"r2e
f"arte $esl#/it. M,a* #itat &n -"s. N# !#tea s le fi
r"stit $e%)t 2tr)n#l $e l)n' *ine /i t"t#/i el era la
fel $e 1ea!n %a /i !)n at#n%i, %#f#n$at &n ')n$#ri.
(in %ale,afar $e sla2, 02)r%it t"t, ')r2"+it s#2
!"+ara anil"r. Ai!a $e "!i#* &i at)rna &ntre 'en#n%hi,
$e !ar% i,ar fi s%!at $intre $e'ete $in %a#0a
ist"+elii /i !li%tis#l#i. A* f%#t %)1i+a !a/i /i *,a*
&nt"rs s * #it. C# 're# *i,a* !#t#t &n2#/i #n
stri't $e #i*ire. Se &nt"rsese astfel &n%)t n#,l
!#tea* +e$ea $e%)t e#. Tr#!#l i se &*!linise,
02)r%it#rile $is!r#ser %a !rin far*e%, "%hii tri/ti &/i
re%!taser fla%ra ar0t"are /i a%"l" l)n' f"%
sttea r)0)n$ $e s#r!rin$erea *ea 5 Sherl"%H
I"l*es &n !ers"an. Mi,a f%#t #n se*n $is%ret s
* a!r"!ii /i &n$at, %)n$ s,a &nt"rs iar/i !e
-#*tate %tre %ei $in ta+ern, /i,a re%!tat !"0a
senil $e 2tr)n ra*"lit %r#ia &i at)rna 2#0a $e -"s.
9 I"l*es, i,a* /"!tit e#, %e $#*ne0e# fa%i ai%i
&n s!el#n%a asta?
9 A"1i s +"r2e/ti /i *ai &n%et, *i,a rs!#ns el,
% a* #re%hi f"arte 2#ne. (a% ai fi a/a $e a*a2il s,
i fa%i +int i$i"t#l#i la $e !rieten al t#, *i,ar fa%e
*are !l%ere s sta# !#1in la taifas %# tine.
9 M a/tea!t 2ir-a afar.
9 At#n%i f te r"' 2ine /i tri*ite,l a%as %# ea.
Cre$ % !"1i s ai &n%re$ere &n elJ !are !rea fr)nt %a
s *ai fa% +re#n 2#%l#%. Te,a/ *ai sft#i s tri*i1i
!rin 2ir-ar #n 2ile1el ne+estei tale /i s,i s!#i % 1i,ai
le'at s"arta $e a *ea. A!"i te r"' s * a/te!1i afar,
#n$e a* s te 'ses% &n %in%i nin#te.
Mi,era tare 're# s,i ref#0 l#i Sherl"%H I"l*es
+re" r#'*inte, $e"are%e era &nt"t$ea#na $e"se2it $e
!re%is /i &1i +"r2ea %# #n %al* $e st!)n. Si*1ea* !e
$e alt !arte %, "$at Whitney #r%at &n 2ir-,
*isi#nea *ea era !ra%ti% &n%heiat3 %)t $es!re rest,
n#,*i !#tea* $"ri ni*i% *ai 2#n $e%)t s,l &ns"1es%
!e !rieten#l *e# &ntr,#na $in a%ele a+ent#ri %# t"t#l
ne"2i/n#ite, $e %are +ia1a l#i era !lin. Aeste %)te+a
*in#te, ter*inase* $e s%ris 2ilet#l, !ltise* n"ta l#i
Whitney /i,l %"n$#sese* la trs#r. ; +0#i
&n$e!rt)n$#,se !rin 2e0n. C#r)n$, $in ta+erna
f#*t"ril"r $e "!i#* ie/i " sil#et 2tr)ni%i"asa.
Alt#r)n$#,* ei, * afla* &*!re#n %# Sherl"%H
I"l*es. A *ai *ers +re" $"# str0i %# s!atele
&n%"+"iat /i %# !a/i nesi'#ri. A!"i, ar#n%)n$ re!e$e
" !ri+ire &n -#R. S,a &n$re!tat /i a i02#%nit &ntr,#n
h"h"t $e r)s snt"s.
9 S!er, Wats"n, % n#,1i &n%hi!#i % a* a$#'at
!ati*a "!i#l#i la in-e%1iile %# %"%ain /i la %elelalte
*i%i sl2i%i#ni $es!re %are ai a+#t 2#ntatea s,*i
$ai sfat#ri *e$i%ale?
9 Bine&n1eles % a* f"st s#r!rins s te 'ses%
a%"l".
9 (ar n# *ai s#r!rins $e%)t a* f"st e# %)n$ a*
$at %# "%hii $e tine.
9 Venise* s %a#t #n !rieten.
9 @i e# s %a#t #n $#/*an.
9 Un $#/*an?
9 (a, #n#l $intre $#/*anii *ei fire/ti sa#, %#*
s 0i%, $intre +i%ti*ele *ele fire/ti. 4n $"# +"r2e,
Wats"n, s#nt &n !lin an%het, #n %a0 %# t"t#l
re*ar%a2il, ale %r#i i1e s!era* s le 'ses% &n
h"inrelile fr %!t)i ale a%est"r 2e1i+ani +i%i"/iK
(a% a/ fi f"st re%#n"s%#t &n ta+erna a%easta
$e"%hiat, +ia1a *ea n,ar *ai fi !re1#it ni%i %)t "
%ea! $e'erat, !entr# % *,a* *ai sl#-it $e a%est
l"%al !entr# s%"!#rile *ele /i ti%l"s#l $e *arinar
in$ian, !atr"n#l, *i,a -#rat r02#nare. 4n s!atele
%l$irii, a!r"a!e $e %"l1#l $"%#l#i Aa#l. Se afl "
tra!, %are ar !#tea s!#ne *#lte !"+e/ti sinistre
$es!re l#%r#rile %are a# %0#t !rin ea &n n"!1i fr
l#n.
9 L#%r#ri: N# %#*+a +rei s s!#i tr#!#ri
"*ene/ti?
9 Ba %hiar a/a, Wats"n $ra'. A* fi 2"'a1i
$a% a* a+ea %)te " *ie $e lire !entr# fie%are
nen"r"%it %are a f"st li%hi$at &n s!el#n%a asta. E %ea
*ai $e"%hiat %a!%an !entr# "a*eni $e !e t"t *al#l
fl#+i#l#i /i * te* % Ne+ille St. Clair a intrat &n ea
/i n# " +a *ai !rsi ni%i"$at. Ca* !e ai%i tre2#ie
s fie tra!a: 4/i !#se $e'etele artt"are &ntre $in1i /i
fl#ier as%#1it. (in $e!rtare, #n fl#ierat ase*nt"r
rs!#nse a%est#i se*nal, $#! %are se a#0i %#r)n$
0'"*"t $e r"1i /i tr"!"t $e %"!ite !e %al$ar)*.
9 @i,a%#*, Wats"n, s!#se I"l*es &n *"*ent#l
&n %are $in &nt#neri% se i+ea #n $"%ar %# r"1ile &nalte
/i %# felinare $e " !arte /i $e alta, %a $"# f)/ii $e
l#*in 'al2en, +ii %# *ine, n#?
9 (a%,1i !"t fi $e +re#n f"l"s.
9 A, #n t"+ar/ $e &n%re$ere e &nt"t$ea#na $e
f"l"s. @i %# at)t *ai *#lt #n %r"ni%ar. ;$aia *ea $e
la The Ce$ars are $"# !at#ri.
9 The Ce$ars?
9 (a, a/a se %hea* +ila $"*n#l#i St. Clair.
L"%#ies% a%"l" rn ti*!#l %er%etril"r.
9 (ar #n$e,i asta?
9 A!r"a!e $e Lee, &n <ent. Ne a/tea!t "
%lt"rie $e /a!te *ile.
9 (ar n# !ri%e! ni*i%.
9 Bine&n1eles, %#r)n$ &ns " s /tii t"t#l. Iai,
salt,te s#s: E,n re'#l, >"hn, n# *ai a+e* ne+"ie $e
$#*neata. Uite " -#*tate $e %"r"an. Ca#t,*
*)ine !e la #ns!re0e%e. A/a, las,i fr)#l li2er: La
re+e$ere: Alesni %al#l %# 2i%i#l /i " l#ar* i#te $in
l"% !rin /ir#l nesf)r/it $e str$#1e &nt#ne%ate !e %are
n# +e$eai 1i!enie $e "*. C# ti*!#l se *ai lr'ir /i
tra+ersar* &n '"an #n !"$ lar' %# 2al#stra$ !este
fl#+i#l %are,/i !#rta lene/ a!ele &nt#ne%ate. (e !artea
%ealalt a !"$#l#i, a%ela/i la2irint $e str$#1e.
Lini/tea " %#r*a# $"ar $in %)n$ &n %)n$ !a/ii a!sa1i
/i rit*i%i ai !"li1ist#l#i sa# %)nte%ele /i 1i!etele
+re#n"r %heflii &nt)r0ia1i. Un +l $e n"ri !l#tea alene
!e %er /i i%i,%"l" !rin s!rt#rile l"r li%rea %)te "
stea. I"l*es *ina %al#l &n t%ere %# %a!#l !le%at &n
!ie!t. E# &ns sttea* alt#ri $e el ar0)n$ $e
ner2$are s afl# $es!re %e fel $e %er%etri era +"r2a,
$e +re*e %e,l !#nea# la a/a 'rea &n%er%are fiin$#,*i
tea* t"t#/i sGi t#l2#r /ir#l ')n$#ril"r. (#! %e a*
str2t#t +re" %)te+a *ile /i a* a-#ns !e la *ar'inea
2r)#l#i $e +ile !eriferi%e, s,a s%#t#rat $e"$at, a $at
$in #*eri /i /i,a a!rins !i!a. C# &nf1i/area "*#l#i
*#l1#*it % a%1i"nea0 %#* n# se !"ate *ai 2ine.
9 Ai #n *are $ar al t%erii Wats"n. Mi,a 0is el
&n %ele $in #r*. Asta te fa%e #n t"+ar/ $e ne!re1#it,
Ae %#+)nt#l *e# $e "n"are, e *are l#%r# !entr# *ine
s a* !e %ine+a %# %are s +"r2es% !entr# %
!r"!riile *ele ')n$#ri n# s#nt %ine /tie %e !l%#te,
* &ntre2a* t"%*ai %e i,a/ !#tea s!#ne a%estei
$#$#i1e n"sti*e %)n$ * +a &nt)*!ina ast sear la
#/.
9 Ui1i, se +e$e, % ha2ar n,a* $es!re %e e
+"r2a.
9 A2ia a* s a* ti*! s,1i eF!#n %a0#l &nainte
$e,a a-#n'e la Lee. Aare ne&n%hi!#it $e si*!l# /i
t"t#/i n# /ti# %#* se fa%e % *i 'ses% $e #n$e s,i
a!#%. S#nt nen#*rate i1e, fr &n$"ial, $ar n# !"t
!rin$e ni%i#na. A%#* a* s,1i eF!li% l#%r#rile
li*!e$e /i !e s%#rt, $ra' Wats"n /i !"ate % t# ai s
0re/ti +re" s%)nteie a%"l" #n$e e# n# +$ $e%)t
2e0n.
9 (,i $r#*#l at#n%i:
9 Ei 2ine, %# +re" %)1i+a ani &n #r*, %a s fi#
*ai eFa%t, &n *ai 677B, a +enit la Lee #n 'entle*an
!e n#*e ne+iNe St. Clair, %are !rea s fie !#tre$ $e
2"'at. A %#*!rat " +il s!a1i"as, a aran-at %#rtea /i
'r$ina %# *#lt art., trin$ &n 'enere !e !i%i"r
*are. 4n%et#l %# &n%et#l, /i,a f%#t *#l1i !rieteni
!rintre +e%ini, /i &n 677L s,a %st"rit, %# fii%a #n#i
2erar $in &*!re-#ri*i, $e la %are are !)n a%#* $"i
%"!ii. N# se "%#!a %# ni*i% !re%is, $ar a+ea a%1i#ni
la *ai *#lte s"%iet1i, a/a % $i*inea1a se $#%ea
&nt"t$ea#na la L"n$ra, &nt"r%)n$#,se &n fie%are sear
$in Canrt"n Street %# tren#l $e M,6B. ("*n#l St.
Clair are a%#* trei0e%i /i /a!te $e ani e &n 'enere
%#*!tat, #n 2r2at 2#n, #n tat f"arte i#2it"r /i #n
"* !e %are t"ate %#n"/tin1ele l#i &i a# la ini*. A/
!#tea s a$a#' % t"tal#l $at"riil"r l#i se ri$i% 5
$#! %)te a* !#t#t afla 5 $"ar la 77 lire /i 6N /ilin'i,
!e %)n$ %"nt#l l#i la Ca!ital an$ C"#nties e $e OON
lire. Arin #r*are, n,a+e* ni%i #n *"ti+ s
!res#!#ne* % &n%#r%t#ri 2ne/ti i,a# !#t#t
&*!"+ra %#'et#l. L#na tre%#t, $"*n#l Ne+ille St.
Clair a !le%at la L"n$ra %e+a *ai $e+re*e $e%)t $e
"2i%ei, s!#n)n$ &nainte $e a !"rni % are $e &n$e!linit
$"# tre2#ri i*!"rtante /i % " s,i a$#% 2ie1el#l#i
s# ni/te %#2#ri. A%#*, !rintr," si*!l &nt)*!lare,
ne+asta l#i a !ri*it &n a%eea/i l#ni, la s%#rt +re*e
$#! !le%area l#i. ; tele'ra*, %are " &n/tiin1a % #n
!a%het $e *are +al"are, !e %are &l a/te!ta $e *#lt
+re*e, s"sise !e n#*ele ei la 2ir"#rile s"%iet1ii
A2er$een Shi!!in' C"*!any. A%#*, $a% %#n"/ti
2ine L"n$ra, &1i +ei a$#%e a*inte % 2ir"#rile a%estei
s"%iet1i se afl &n =resn" Street, %are se $es!arte $in
UG!!er SEan$a*fane, #n$e *,ai 'sit !e *ine ast,
sear. ("a*na St. Clair a l#at *asa $e !r)n0, s,a $#s
&n City, a f%#t %)te+a %#*!rt#ri, a tre%#t !e la
2ir"#l s"%iet1ii, a ri$i%at !a%het#l /i eFa%t la "ra
B,PM $#!a*ia0 se &n$re!ta !e SEan$a*larie s!re
'ar. M,ai #r*rit %# aten1ie, ai &n1eles t"t#l?
9 E %#* n# se !"ate *ai li*!e$e.
9 A"ate %,1i *ai a$#%i a*inte %e 0$#f a f"st
l#ni3 $"a*na St. Clair *er'ea &n%et, #it)n$#,se &n
t"ate !r1ile /i tr')n$ n$e-$ea s 0reas% +re"
2ir-, $e"are%e n#,i !l%ea $el"% stra$ !e %are se
afla. 4n ti*! %e %"2"ra astfel !e SEan$a*lane a a#0it
$e"$at " eF%la*a1ie sa# #n stri't /i a &n*r*#rit
%)n$ /i,a +0#t 2r2at#l !ri+in$," /i, $#! %#* i s,a
!r#t ei, f%)n$#,i se*n $e la " fereastr aflat la
eta-#l #nei %l$iri. =ereastr era $es%his /i i,a +0#t
$esl#/it fa1a, 'r"0a+ $e t#l2#rat, $#! s!#sele ei. El
&i f%ea se*ne $es!erate %# *)na /i a!"i a $is!r#t
at)t $e 2r#s% $e la fereastr, &n%)t ei i s,a !r#t % a
f"st tras &na!"i $e " f"r1 %reia n# i s,a !#t#t
&*!"tri+i. Un a*n#nt %i#$at, !e %are "%hi#l ei a'er
$e fe*eie n# l,a s%!at, a f"st % $e/i !#rta t"t haina
$e %#l"are &n%his %# %are !le%ase $e a%as, n,a+ea
ni%i '#ler, ni%i %ra+at.
C"n+ins % i s,a C*t)*!lat %e+a r#, s,a re!e0it
!e s%ri &n -"s 5 !entr# % a%east %as n# era alta
$e%)t s!el#n%a f#*t"ril"r $e "!i#* &n %are *,ai
'sit ast,sear 5 /i, tre%)n$ &n '"an !rin &n%!erea
$in fa1, a &n%er%at s #r%e s%ara %are $#%e la eta-.
Chiar la !i%i"arele s%rii &ns a $at nas &n nas %#
ti%l"s#l $e *arinar in$ian $e %are 1i,a* !"*enit. El
a &*!ins," &na!"i /i, %# a-#t"r#l #n#i $ane0 %are
sl#-e/te a%"l", a ar#n%at," &n stra$. C"+)r/ita $e
&n$"ial /i $e te*eri &nne2#nit"are, a aler'at &n -"s
!e #li%i"ar /i #n n"r"% ne*ai!"*enit a f%#t s
&nt)lneas% &n =resn" Street %)1i+a %"*isari /i #n
ins!e%t"r %are se $#%ea# s,/i ia &n !ri*ire !"st#ri le.
Ins!e%t"r#l, &*!re#n %# $"i !"li1i/ti a# &ns"1it," la
%asa a*intit /i, &n %i#$a &*!"tri+irii ne&n%etate a
!atr"n#l#i, /i,a# %r"it $r#* %tre %a*era &n %are
f#sese +0#t #lti*a $at $"*n#l St. Clair. Ai%i &ns
ni%i " #r* a a%est#ia. (e fa!t, la %at#l $e s#s a f"st
'sit $"ar #n 2iet s%hil"$ %# &nf1i/are hi$"as,
a%i#at !are,se a%"l". At)t el %)t /i *arinar#l in$ian
a# -#rat !e t"1i $#*ne0eii % &n t"t %#rs#l $#!,
a*ie0ii n# *ai f#sese ni*eni alt%ine+a &n "$aia $in
fa1. (e0*in1irea l"r era a/a $e h"tr)t, &n%)t
ins!e%t"r#l a &n%e!#t s /"+ie /i era %)t !e,a%i s
a-#n' la %"n%l#0ia % $"a*na St. Clair se &n/elase 5
%)n$ a%easta se re!e0i $e"$at 1i!)n$ la " %#tie *i%
$e 2ra$ $e !e *as /i,i s*#lse ner2$t"are %a!a%#l.
(in#ntr# a# %0#t, rs!)n$in$#,se !e -"s, ni/te
%#2#riJ era t"%*ai -#%ria !e %are $"*n#l St. Clair
!r"*isese s," %#*!ere %"!il#l#i s#.
A%east $es%"!erire /i st)n-eneala +$it !e %are
a *anifestat," s%hil"$#l i,a# f%#t !e ins!e%t"r s,/i
$ea sea*a % e %e+a 'ra+ la *i-l"%. S,a# %er%etat %#
'ri- t"ate "$ile /i re0#ltatele an%hetei a# in$i%at "
%ri* &n'r"0it"are. ;$aia $in fa1 era *"2ilat
si*!l#, %a #n sal"na/, /i $$ea &ntr,#n *i% $"r*it"r,
$e la fereastra %r#ia se +e$ea s!atele $"%#l#i. 4ntre
%l$irea a%easta /i fereastra $"r*it"r#l#i se afla "
f)/ie &n'#st $e !*)nt #s%at la "ra refl#F#l#i, $ar
a%"!erit $e %el !#1in !atr# !i%i"are $e a! %)n$
fl#F#l a-#n'e la *aFi*#*. =ereastra $"r*it"r#l#i e
lar' /i se $es%hi$e $e -"s &n s#s. Cer%etrile a#
in$i%at #r*e $e s)n'e !e !er+a0#l ferestrei, iar
%)te+a !i%t#ri str"!iser i%i,%"l" !"$ea#a $e le*n a
"$ii. S,a *ai 'sit ar#n%at &n $"s#l #nei !er$ele
t"at &*2r%*intea $"*n#l#i Ne+ille St. Clair, %#
eF%e!1ia hainei sale $e %#l"are &n%his, 4n s%hi*2,
era# a%"l" 'hetele, Ci"ra!ii, !lria /i %eas#l. Ni%i "
#r* $e +i"len1 n# se +e$ea !e +re#na $in ele /i
ni%i alte #r*e n# *ai era# $e la $"*n#l Ne+ille St.
Clair. Se !are % f#sese a0+)rlit !e fereastr, !entr#
% " alt ie/ire n# s,a 'sit, iar !etele $e s)n'e $e !e
fereastr, se*ne !re+estit"are $e r#, lsa# !rea
!#1ine s!eran1e %,ar fi !#t#t s se sal+e0e &n"t, !entr#
% &n *"*ent#l tra'e$iei fl#F#l atinsese *aFi*#l.
A%#* s,1i s!#n $e ti%l"/ii %are !ar s fie
a*este%a1i &n$ea!r"a!e &n a%east %hesti#ne.
Marinar#l in$ian era %#n"s%#t !entr# ante%e$entele
sale nele'i#ite, $ar &ntr#%)t $#! relatrile $"a*nei
St. Clair reie/ea % n# f#sese s#s, %i la !arter, la
!i%i"are le s%rii la %)te+a se%#n$e $#! i+irea
2r2at#l#i ei la fereastr, n# !#tea fi 2n#it $e%)t %el
*#lt $e %"*!li%itate la %ri*. S,a a!rat s#s1in)n$
% ha2ar n# a+ea $e %ele !etre%#te, $e %e fa%e I#'h
B""ne, l"%atar#l s#, /i % n# !"ate s $ea s"%"teal
&n ni%i #n fel $e !re0en1a &n "$aie a hainel"r
$"*n#l#i $is!r#t.
Asta &n %eea %e,l !ri+e/te !e !atr"n#l ta+ernei,
f"st#l *arinar in$ian. C)t $es!re s%hil"$#l
&ns!i*)ntt"r %are l"%#ie/te %at#l $e s#s al
s!el#n%ii f#*t"ril"r $e "!i#* /i %are a f"st, fr
&n$"ial, #lti*#l "* %are l,a +0#t !e Ne+ille St.
Clair, el se n#*e/te I#'h B""ne /i fa1a l#i hi$"as
este 2ine%#n"s%#t t#t#r"r a%el"ra %are tre% a$esea
!rin City. E #n %er/et"r $e !r"fesie, $e/i, %a s n# se
!#n r# %# !"li1ia, 1ine $re!t !ara+an #n *i% ne'"1
$e %hi2rit#ri $e %ear. A#1in *ai -"s !e stra$a
Threa$nee#le, !e *)na st)n'a, se afl, $#! %#* ai
re*ar%at, !"ate, #n intr)n$ &n !erete. Ai%i se a/a0
t#r%e/te in$i+i$#l, 0i $e 0i, 1in)n$ &n !"al %)te+a
!a%hete $e %hi2rit#ri, /i &ntr#%)t &nf1i/area l#i
st)rne/te *ila t#t#r"r, " a$e+rat !l"aie $e $anii se
s%#r'e *ere# &n /a!%a s"i"as $e !iele %e se afl !e
tr"t#ar alt#ri $e el. L,a* !ri+it %# aten1ie $e *#lte
"ri &nainte $e a * fi ')n$it +re"$at % " s a* $e,a
fa%e %# el /i a* f"st s#r!rins $e re%"lt 2"'at !e
%are " str)n'ea &ntr,#n ti*! eFtre* $e s%#rt. 4n1ele'i,
&nf1i/area l#i e a/a $e i02it"are, &n%)t ni*eni n#
!"ate tre%e !e l)n' el fr s,l re*ar%e. Un s*"% $e
!r !"rt"%ali#, fa1a !ali$, $esfi'#rat $e " %i%atri%e
&n'r"0it"are, %are, $at"rit %"ntra%1iei, a rs#%it
%"l1#l 2#0ei $e s#s, " 2r2ie $e 2#l$"' /i $"i "%hi
&nt#ne%a1i, $ar f"arte !tr#n0t"ri, &ntr,#n i02it"r
%"ntrast %# %#l"area !r#l#i s#.
9 T"ate a%estea &l $e"se2es% $e rest#l 'l"atei $e
%er/et"ri. (e altfel, el se *ai $e"se2e/te $e %eilal1i /i
!rin iste1i*ea l#i ie/it $in %"*#n, !entr# % are
t"t$ea#na #n rs!#ns !r"*!t la "ri%e 'l#* !e %are
i," ar#n% la re!e0eal tre%t"rii. Afl* a%#* %
l"%#ie/te $e *#lt +re*e $eas#!ra ta+ernei
f#*t"ril"r $e "!i#* /i % a f"st #lti*#l %are l,a
+0#t !e 'entle*an#l %#tat $e n"i.
9 Bine, $ar e infir*, l,a* &ntrer#!t e#, %e,a
!#t#t s fa% el sinQ '#r &*!"tri+a #n#i 2r2at &n
fl"area +)rstei?
9 E infir* !entr# % /%hi"a!t. (ar alt*interi
!are s fie #n "* +"ini% /i 2ine hrnit. (esi'#r,
eF!erien1a ta $e *e$i%, Wats"n, +a s!#ne %
sl2i%i#nea #nei !r1i a tr#!#l#i e a$ese"ri
%"*!ensat $e !#terea eF%e!1i"nal a %el"rlalte
*e*2re.
9 C"ntin#,1i, te r"', !"+estirea:
9 ("a*na St. Clair le/inase la +e$erea !etel"r
$e s)n'e $e !e fereastr, a/a % a tre2#it $#s a%as
&ntr," 2ir- !0it $e !"li1i/ti, !re0en1a ei ne*aifiin$
$e ni%i #n a-#t"r !entr# %er%etri. Ins!e%t"r#l Bart"n,
%are f#sese &nsr%inat %# an%heta, a %er%etat %# *#lt
aten1ie &n%!erile %asei, fr s 'seas% &ns ni%i #n
a*n#nt %e ar fi !#t#t ar#n%a l#*in as#!ra a%est#i
%a0. S,a f%#t " 're/eal $e la &n%e!#t, /i an#*e %
n# l,a# arestat $e &n$at !e B""ne, /i &n fel#l a%esta i
s,a# lsat %)te+a *in#te li2ere &n %are a !#t#t s
%"*#ni%e %# *arinar#l in$ian. A%east 're/eal a
f"st &ns %#r)n$ re!arat /i el a f"st !rins /i
!er%he0i1i"nat, fr s se 'seas% &ns as#!r,i ni%i
" $"+a$ $e +in"+1ie. E a$e+rat % !e *)ne%a
$rea!t a %*/ii a+ea %)te+a !ete $e s)n'e, $ar el a
artat % se tiase lin' #n'hia $e'et#l#i inelar /i a
eF!li%at % s)n'ele +ine $e a%"l", a$#'in$ % se
$#sese !)n la fereastr %# !#1in +re*e &nainte /i %
!etele "2ser+ate !e !er+a0 a+ea# ne're/it a%ela/i
i0+"r. A ne'at %# &n%!1)nare % l,ar fi +0#t
+re"$at !e $"*n#l Ne+ille St. Clair /i a -#rat %
!re0en1a hainel"r &n %a*era l#i este /i !entr# el "
tain t"t at)t $e *are %a /i !entr# !"li1ie. C)t $es!re
afir*a1ia $"a*nei St. Clair %,/i +0#se %# a$e+rat
2r2at#l la fereastr, $e%lar % "ri e ne2#n, "ri a
+isat. A f"st $#s la !"li1ie, &n %i#$a !r"testel"r sale
+i"lente, iar ins!e%t"r#l a r*as !e l"% s!er)n$ %
retra'erea a!el"r la "ra refl#F#l#i ar !#tea s,i $ea
%heia *ister#l#i. @i a/a s,a /i &nt)*!lat, $e/i n,a#
'sit !e *al#l n"r"i"s al a!ei %eea %e se te*#ser %
+"r 'si. Ae *s#r %e a!a se retr'ea, a &n%e!#t s
se i+eas% haina l#i Ne+ille St. Clair, $ar n# /i tr#!#l
l#i. Ei, /i 'hi%i %e,a# 'sit !"li1i/tii &n 2#0#narele
hainei?
9 (e #n$e s /ti#?
9 N#, ni%i n# s!era* s !"1i 'hi%i. B#0#narele
era# $"l$"ra $e *"ne$e $e #n !enny /i $e " -#*tate
$e !enny, BO6 $e !enny /i OLN $e " -#*tate. N# e
$e%i $e *irare % fl#F#l n# !#t#se s *t#re haina $e
a%"l". 4n s%hi*2, tr#!#l #n#i "* e %# t"t#l alt%e+a.
4ntre $"% /i %asa %# !ri%ina e " 2#l2"an !#terni%.
Aare $est#l $e !r"2a2il % haina, &n're#nat $e
n#*er"asele *"ne0i, s fi r*as a%"l" %)n$ tr#!#l
$es!#iat a f"st s#!t $e +)lt"are.
9 (ar $#! %)te &n1ele', rest#l &*2r%*intei s,
a 'sit &n %a*er. ;are $"*n#l St. Clair a+ea !e el
$"ar haina?
9 N#, $ra', $ar fa!tele tre2#ie s le l#* a/a
%#* ne,a# f"st s!#se. S !res#!#ne* % a%est
in$i+i$ B""ne l,a ar#n%at !e Ne+ille St. Clair !e
fereastr. Ei 2ine, ni*eni n,ar fi !#t#t +e$ea %e s,a
&nt)*!lat. Ce era s fa%? Bine&n1eles % !ri*#l l#i
')n$ a f"st s se $es%"t"r"seas% $e +e/*intele %e,l
!#tea# tr$a. At#n%i a a!#%at, s 0i%e*, haina /i,
t"%*ai %)n$ se !re'tea s," ar#n%e !e fereastr, i,a
tre%#t !rin *inte % ea +a !l#ti &n l"% s se $#% la
f#n$. A+ea !rea !#1in ti*! la $is!"0i1ie !entr# %
a#0ise %earta !r"+"%at $e $"a*na St. Clair, %are
&n%er%a s,/i %r"ias% $r#* s#s /i !"ate %,l /i
an#n1ase as"%iat#l s# in$ian % +in !"li1i/tii.
Nea+)n$ ni%i " %li! $e !ier$#t, s,a re!e0it la
%"tl"n#l #n$e,/i 1inea r"a$ele %er/et"riei /i a
&nf#n$at &n 2#0#nare t"ate *"ne$ele !e %are le,a
!#t#t a!#%a, %a s fie si'#r % haina se +a $#%e la
f#n$. A ar#n%at," afar /i ar fi f%#t a%ela/i l#%r# /i
%# %elelalte +e/*inte $a% n,ar fi a#0it -"s 0'"*"t $e
!a/i 'r2i1i. A2ia a *ai a+#t ti*! s &n%hi$ fereastra
!)n la i+irea !"li1iei.
9 (a, l#%r#l !are %# !#tin1.
9 At#n%i " s %"nsi$er* i!"te0a $e*n $e
%re0are &n li!sa alteia *ai 2#ne. (#! %#* 1i,a*
s!#s, B""ne a f"st arestat, $ar n# s,a !#t#t $"+e$i %
ar *ai fi f"st +re"$at a%#0at $e %e+a. Era %#n"s%#t
$e ani $e 0ile %a %er/et"r $e !r"fesie, $ar se !rea %
$#%e " +ia1 f"arte lini/tit, fr a s#!ra !e %ine+a.
A/a sta# l#%r#rile $e"%a*$at, /i !r"2le*ele %are
tre2#ie re0"l+ate, a$i% %e %#ta Ne+ilSe St. Clair &n
ta+erna a%eea $e"%heat %e i s,a &nt)*!lat a%"l",
#n$e se afl a%#* /i %e le't#r are I#'h B""ne %#
$is!ari1ia l#i s#nt t"t at)t $e &n%)l%ite %a /i la &n%e!#t.
Mrt#rises% % n#,*i !"t a*inti ni%i #n %a0 $in
&ntrea'a *ea eF!erien1 %are s fi !r#t at)t $e
si*!l# la !ri*a +e$ere /i t"t#/i s !re0inte ase*enea
%"*!li%a1ii.
4n ti*! %e Sherl"%H I"l*es &*i $$ea t"ate
a*n#ntele $es!re a%este &nt)*!lri ne"2i/n#ite,
str2t#se* &n '"ana %al#l#i !eriferiile L"n$rei,
ls)n$ &n #r* /i #lti*ele %ase r0le1e3 a%#*
h#r$#%ia* !e #n $r#* $e 1ar *r'init $e " !arte /i
$e alta $e 'ar$#ri +ii. T"%*ai %)n$ ter*in %e
a+#sese $e s!#s, a* tre%#t !rintre $"# sate %# %asele
rsfirate, !e la ferestrele %r"ra *ai li%rea i%i,%"l"
%)te " l#*in.
9 A%#* intr* &n Lee, s!#se t"+ar/#l *e#. 4n
s%#rta n"astr !li*2are a* tre%#t !rin trei %"*itate
2ritani%e 5 &n%e!)n$ %# MiG$$leseF, tre%)n$ !este #n
%"t al %"*itat#l#i S#rrey /i a-#n')n$ &n <ent. Ve0i
l#*ina a%eea $intre !"*i? A%"l" e +ila The Ce$ars
/i alt#ri $e la*!a %are se +e$e st " fe*eie
ner2$t"are /i nelini/tit, %are fr &n$"ial a /i
!rins, %# a#0#l ei &n%"r$at, tr"!"t#l %"!itel"r.
9 (ar $e %e n,ai r*as t"t &n BaHer Street !e
ti*!#l an%hetei?
9 Aentr# % a* " s#*e$enie $e l#%r#ri $e
%er%etat ai%i. ("a*na St. Clair *i,a !#s %# *#lt
a*a2ilitate la $is!"0i1ie $"# %a*ere /i !"1i s fii
si'#r % n# +a a+ea $e%)t %#+inte $e 2#n +enit !entr#
#n !rieten /i %"le'. S /tii &ns, Wats"n, % &*i +ine
tare 're# s $a# "%hii %# ea, fr ni%i " +este $es!re
2r2at#l ei. Iat,ne a-#n/i. I",h",!rr:
Trsese* &n fa1a #nei +ile i*!#nt"are,
&n%"n-#rat $e 'r$ini /i %#r1i. Un 2iat $e la 'ra-$#ri
s,a re!e0it s !rin$ %al#l $e %!str#. Srin$ -"s, l,
a* #r*at !e I"l*es !e aleea &n'#st $e !ietri/, %are
/er!#ia s!re %as. La a!r"!ierea n"astr, #/a s,a
$es%his lar' /i " fe*eie *r#n1i% /i 2l"n$ s,a i+it
&n !ra'. Era &*2r%at &ntr," *#selin s#21ire $e
*tase, %# 'arnit#r $e /if"n r"0 +a!"r"s la ')t /i la
*an/ete. Sil#eta ei se $es!rin$ea &n +al#l $e l#*in
$in %as. C# " *)n se s!ri-inea $e #/, !e %ealalt "
ri$i%ase ner2$t"are &n aer, %# tr#!#l #/"r a!le%at,
%# 2r2ia /i %# fa1a &ntrea' &ntins &nainte, %# "%hii
ner2$t"ri /i %# 2#0ele &ntre$es%hise 5 t"at fiin1a ei
" sin'#r &ntre2areJ CEi? Stri' ea. Ei? C A!"i,
+0)n$ % s#nte* $"i, a s%"s #n stri't $e n$e-$e,
%are s,a !ref%#t &ns &ntr,#n 'ea*t, %)n$ *i,a
+0#t t"+ar/#l %ltin)n$ $in %a! /i $)n$ $in #*eri.
9 Ni%i " +este 2#n?
9 Ni%i#na.
9 Ni%i rea?
9 N#.
9 M#l1#*es% l#i $#*ne0e# /i !entr# at)t. (ar
intra1i. Tre2#ie s fi1i "2"si1i !entr# % a1i a+#t " 0i
'rea.
9 4n'$#i1i,*i s + !re0int !e !rieten#l *e#,
$"%t"r#l Wats"n. S,a $"+e$it $e ne!re1#it f"l"s &n
*#lte %a0#ri an%hetate $e *ine /i " &nt)*!lare
feri%it *i l,a s%"s &n %ale $)n$#,*i !"si2ilitatea s,l
a$#% ai%i /i s *i,l fa% t"+ar/ la %er%etri.
9 S#nt &n%)ntat s + %#n"s%, s!#se ea
str)n')n$#,*i *)na %# %l$#r. S!er % +e1i s%#0a
hal#l &n %are 'si1i %asa, $at fiin$ l"+it#ra at)t $e
nea/te!tat !e %are a* !ri*it,".
9 Sti*at $"a*n, i,a* rs!#ns e#. A* f"st 4n
r02"i /i %hiar $a% n,a/ fi f"st, &*i !"t $a sea*a %
n# e ne+"ie $e ni%i #n fel $e s%#0. (a% !"t fi $e
f"l"s, fie $#*nea+"astr, fie !rieten#l#i *e#, asta +a
fi #n !rile- $e a$e+rat feri%ire !entr# *ine.
9 @i,a%#*, $"*n#le Sherl"%H I"l*es, s!#se
$"a*n !e %)n$ intr* &ntr," s#fra'erie 2ine
l#*inat, !e *asa %reia f#sese &ntins #n s#!e# re%e,
ar$ $e ner2$are s + !#n f"arte $es%his +re" $"#
&ntre2ri la %are + r"' $in s#flet s,*i rs!#n$e1i t"t
at)t $e $es%his.
9 C# !l%ere, $"a*n.
9 N# 1ine1i sea* $e senti*entele *ele. N#
s#nt isteri% /i ni%i n,a* "2i%ei#l s le/in. ("res% !#r
/i si*!l# s + a#$ !rerea a$e+rat. C"n+in'erea
inti*.
9 4n %e !ri+in1?
9 4n a$)n%#l ini*ii $#*nea+"astr, *ai %re$e1i
% Ne+ille e &n +ia1?
Sherl"%H I")*es !rea &n%#r%at $e a%east
&ntre2are /i $"a*na St. Clair a re!etat r#'*intea $e
a,i +"r2i !e /lea#. Sttea 1ea!n !e %"+"ra/#l $e la
%*in, %# "%hii 1int la el, !e %)n$ I"l*es s,a isat
&ntr,#n f"t"li# $e !ai.
9 Ei 2ine, $"a*n, s + s!#n $es%his, n# %re$.
9 Cre$e1i % a *#rit?
9 (a.
9 C,a f"st "*"r)t?
9 N# s!#n asta, $ar e %# !#tin1.
9 @i &n %e 0i /i,a 'sit *"artea?
9 L#ni.
9 At#n%i, $"*n#le I"l*es, +e1i a+ea !"ate
2#ntatea s,*i eF!li%a1i %#* se fa%e % a* !ri*it
a0i a%east s%ris"are $in !artea l#i? Sherl"%H I"l*es
sri %a ars $in f"t"li#J
9 Ce fa%e? Stri' el.
9 (a, %hiar a0i.
=e*eia sttea 0)*2it"are fl#t#r)n$ " 2#%1i% $e
h)rtie.
9 A"t s," +$?
9 (esi'#r.
I,a s*#ls," $in *)n /i, !#n)n$," !e *as, a
nete0it,". A!"i a tras la*!a *ai a!r"a!e /i a %er%etat
h)rtia %# t"at aten1ia. M ri$i%ase* /i e# $e !e
s%a#n /i " !ri+ea* !este #*r#l l#i. Ali%#l era $e %ea
*ai !r"ast %alitate, *ar%a !#rta /ta*!ila !"/tei $in
Gra+esen$ %# $ata a%eleia/i 0ile sa#, *ai 2ine 0is, a
%elei anteri"are, %%i tre%#se *#lt $e *ie0#l n"!1ii.
9 Ce s%ris 'r"s"lan: M#r*#r I"l*es. C#
si'#ran1 % n# e s%ris#l s"1#l#i $#*nea+"astr.
9 N#, $ar &n#ntr# e %e+a s%ris $e el.
9 ;2ser+ $e ase*enea % %el %e a s%ris a$resa
!e !li% a tre2#it s se $#% /i s se inf"r*e0e &n
!ri+in1a ei.
9 (e #n$e /ti1i asta?
9 Ve$e1i, n#*ele e s%ris %# " %erneal a2s"l#t
nea'r, %are s,a #s%at $e la sine, rest#l &ns e $e "
n#an1 *ai *#lt %en#/ie, %eea %e arat % s,a f"l"sit
s#'ati+a. (a% ar fi f"st t"t#l s%ris $e la &n%e!#t /i s,
ar fi a!li%at s#'ati+a i*e$iat $#! a%eea, ni%i#n#l
$intre %#+inte n,ar a+ea a%east n#an1 nea'r
&nt#ne%at. ;*#l a%esta a s%ris n#*ele /i a!"i a
tre%#t #n rsti*! !)n %e a s%ris a$resa, %eea %e n#
!"ate &nse*na alt%e+a $e%)t % n," %#n"/tea.
Bine&n1eles, a%esta n#,i $e%)t #n flea%, $ar ni*i% n#,i
*ai i*!"rtant $e%)t flea%#rile. A%#* s +e$e*
s%ris"area. Ia: A *ai f"st %e+a &n#ntr#?
9 (a, a f"st #n inel. Inel#l l#i %# !e%ete.
9 @i s#nte1i si'#r % sta e s%ris#l s"1#l#i
$#*nea+"astr?
9 Un#l $in s%ris#rile l#i.
9 C#* asta?
9 S%ris#l l#i %)n$ era 'r2it. N# sea*n
a!r"a!e $el"% %# s%ris#l l#i "2i/n#it, /i t"t#/i &l
%#n"s% f"arte 2ine.
Sherl"%H I"l*es %iti *esa-#lJ CS%#*!a *ea, n#
fii s!eriat. T"ate se +"r sf)r/i %# 2ine. E la *i-l"% "
*are 're/eal %are n# !"ate fi &n$re!tat !rea
%#r)n$. Ai r2$are /i a/tea!t. Ne+illeD.
9 E s%ris %# %rei"n#l !e !a'in al2 $e la
&n%e!#t#l #nei %r1i, f"r*at#l &n "%ta+", fr
fili'ran#l fa2ri%ant#l#i. I*: A f"st !#s a0i la !"/ta
$in Gra+esen$ $e #n "* %# $e'etele *#r$are. Ia: @i
li!i%i#l !li%#l#i, $a% n# * &n/el !rea *#lt, a f"st
lins $e #n "* %are *este% t#t#n. @i, $#*nea+"astr
$"a*n, n# a+e1i ni%i " &n$"ial % e s%ris#l s"1#l#i?
9 Ni%i#na. Ne+ille a s%ris a%este r)n$#ri.
9 @i ele a# f"st tri*ise a0i !rin !"/t $e la
Gra+esen$. Ei 2ine, $"a*n St. Clair, n"rii a#
&n%e!#t s se risi!eas%, $e/i n,a/ &n$r0ni s s!#n %
!ri*e-$ia a tre%#t.
9 (ar e si'#r &n +ia1, $"*n#le I"l*es.
9 (a% n# %#*+a e la *i-l"% +re" +i%lenie %are
#r*re/te s ne !#n !e " !ist fals. La #r*a #r*ei,
inel#l n# $"+e$e/te ni*i%. A"ate i,a f"st s*#ls $in
$e'et.
9 N#, n#, n# se !"ate: E s%ris#l l#i, e s%ris#l
l#i: Ne're/it.
9 Area 2ine. Se !"ate t"t#/i %a r)n$#rile s fi
f"st s%rise l#ni /i !#se la !"/t a2ia a0i.
9 Asta e %# !#tin1.
9 (a% e a/a, *#lte l#%r#ri s,a# !#t#t &nt)*!la
&ntre ti*!.
9 ;, n# tre2#ie s * $es%#ra-a1i, $"*n#le
I"l*es. @ti# % n# i s,a &nt)*!lat ni*i% r#. 4ntre
n"i $"i e " le't#r s#fleteas% a/a $e str)ns, &n%)t
a/ /ti %# si'#ran1 $a% ar fi !1it %e+a r#. Chiar &n
0i#a &n %are l,a* +0#t !entr# #lti*a $at s,a tiat
%)n$ era &n $"r*it"r /i t"t#/i e#, %are * afla* &n
s#fra'erie, *,a* re!e0it &n a%eea/i %li! !e s%ri,
a+)n$ si'#ran1a % i s,a &nt)*!lat %e+a. Cre$e1i % ar
fi !"si2il s si*t #n flea% %a a%esta /i &n s%hi*2 s n#
/ti# $a% a *#rit?
9 A* +0#t !rea *#lte &n +ia1 %a s n# /ti# %
i*!resia #nei fe*ei !"ate fi $e *#lt *ai *are !re1
$e%)t %"n%l#0iile #n#i analist ra1i"nal. @i a%east
s%ris"are %"nstit#ie !entr# $#*nea+"astr " !r"2
f"arte !#terni% %e + &ntre/te %"n+in'erea. (ar
$a% s"1#l $#*nea+"astr e &n +ia1 /i e &n stare s
s%rie s%ris"ri $e %e ar sta $e!arte $e $#*nea+"astr?
9 N#,*i !"t &n%hi!#i. E $e ne&n1eles.
9 @i l#ni n# +,a s!#s ni*i% &nainte $e a !le%a?
9 N#.
9 @i a1i f"st s#r!rins +0)n$#,l &n
SEan$a*lane?
9 Chiar f"arte s#r!rins.
9 =ereastr era $es%his?
9 (a.
9 At#n%i ar fi !#t#t s + stri'e, n#?
9 (esi'#r.
9 (ar, $#! %)te a* &n1eles, n,a s%"s $e%)t #n
stri't nearti%#lat.
9 (a.
9 Un stri't $e a-#t"r, $#! %)te +i s,a !r#t,
n#?
9 (a. @i a f%#t se*n %# *)inile.
9 (ar !#tea s fie /i #n stri't $e s#r!rin$ere.
Ui*irea %are l,a %#!rins +0)n$#,+ !e nea/te!tate
ar fi !#t#t s,l fa% s,/i ri$i%e *)inile &n s#s.
9 Se !rea !"ate.
9 Iar $#*nea+"astr a1i %re0#t % a f"st tras
&na!"i.
9 A $is!r#t at)t $e 2r#s%.
9 A"ate " fi srit &na!"i. N,a1i *ai +0#t !e
ni*eni alt%ine+a &n "$aie?
9 N# $ar 2r2at#l la &ns!i*)ntt"r a
*rt#risit % se afla a%"l", iar in$ian#l era la
!i%i"arele s%rii.
9 Aerfe%t, $#! %)te a1i !#t#t +e$ea, s"1#l
$#*nea+"astr era &*2r%at %# hainele l#i "2i/n#ite.
9 (ar fr '#ler /i fr %ra+at. A* +0#t
li*!e$e % era %# ')t#l '"l.
9 A !"*enit +re"$at $e SEan$a*lane?
9 Ni%i"$at.
9 A $at +re"$at se*ne % ar fi f#*at "!i#*?
9 Ni%i%)n$.
9 M#l1#*es%, $"a*n St. Clair. A%estea s#nt
!#n%tele !rin%i!ale as#!ra %r"ra a* +r#t s fi# !e
$e!lin l*#rit. A%#* " s *)n%* %e+a /i !e #r* "
s ne retra'e*, % s,ar !#tea s a+e* *)ine " 0i
f"arte a'itat.
Ni se !#sese la $is!"0i1ie #n $"r*it"r %"nf"rta2il
%# $"# !at#ri, /i e# *,a* 2'at re!e$e &n a/tern#t,
!entr# % era* ist"+it $#! a%east sear !lin $e
!eri!e1ii. Sherl"%H I"l*es era &ns #n "* %are, %)n$
a+ea &n *inte " !r"2le* nere0"l+at, era &n stare s
#*2le 0ile &ntre'i, $a% n# %hiar " s!t*)n, fr s
se "$ihneas%, s#%in$," /i &n+)rtin$," %)n$ !e "
!arte, %)n$ !e alta, re'r#!)n$ ele*entele %#n"s%#te,
anali0)n$#,le $in t"ate !#n%tele $e +e$ere, !)n %e
a-#n'ea, fie s,i $ea $e %a!t, fie la %"n+in'erea %
$atele $e %are $is!#ne s#nt ins#fi%iente. C#r)n$ *i,
a* $at !rea 2ine sea*a % se !re'tea s stea trea0
t"at n"a!tea. @i,a s%"s haina /i +esta, s,a &*2r%at
%# #n halat al2astr# f"arte lar' /i a!"i a &n%e!#t s se
&n+)rte !rin %a*er a$#n)n$ !ernele $e !e !at#l l#i
/i %ele $e !e s"fa /i f"t"lii, &n-'he2)n$#,/i $in ele #n
fel $e $i+an "riental !e %are s,a a/e0at t#r%e/te,
!#n)n$#,/i &n fa1 " !"r1ie 2#n $e *ah"r% /i "
%#tie $e %hi2rit#ri. La l#*ina sla2 a l*!ii, l,a*
+0#t st)n$ a%"l" %# " !i! +e%he $e s!#* $e *are
&ntre $in1i, %# "%hii a1inti1i &n '"l s!re %"l1#l
ta+an#l#i. S%"tea alene r"t"%"ale $e f#* al2str#i,
iar l#*ina &i a%%ent#a trst#rile !#terni%e a%+iline.
A r*as a/a ne*i/%at /i t%#t !)n %)n$ a* tre%#t &n
l#*ea +isel"r /i t"t a/a sttea /i &n *"*ent#l %)n$ #n
stri't *,a f%#t s * tre0es% 2r#s%3 a* +0#t %
s"arele $e +ar in#n$ase %a*era. I"l*es 1inea &n%
!i!a &ntre $in1i, inelele $e f#* se ri$i%a# &n% s!re
ta+an %a*era era &n+l#it &ntr,#n n"r $e f#*, iar
*"r*an#l $e *ah"r% !e %are &l +0#se* $e %#
sear se is!r+ise.
9 Te,ai tre0it, Wats"n? 4ntre2 el.
9 (a.
9 E/ti !re'tit s#flete/te !entr# " !li*2are %#
trs#ra?
9 (esi'#r.
9 At#n%i &*2ra%,te. (e"%a*$at n# se *i/%
ni*eni !rin %as, $ar /ti# #n$e $"ar*e 'r-$ar#l /i
%#r)n$ $"%ar#l +a fi 'ata.
R)se !e &nf#n$ate, %li!i $in "%hi %# &nf1i/area
#n#i "* %# t"t#l $e"se2it $e ')n$it"r#l s#*2r# $e
n"a!tea tre%#t.
4n ti*! %e * &*2r%a*, *i,a* ar#n%at "%hii !e
%eas. N# era $e *irare % n# se tre0ise &n% ni*eni &n
%as. A2ia se f%#se B,OM. Ni%i n# * &*2r%ase*
&n% $e t"t, %)n$ I"l*es s,a /i &nt"rs %# +estea %
2iat#l $e la 'ra-$#ri &nha* %al#l.
9 Vrea# s,*i +erifi% " *i% te"rie, &*i s!#se
I"l*es tr')n$#,/i 'hetele &n !i%i"are. @tii, Wats"n,
%re$ % te afli &n fa1a #n#ia $in %ei *ai *ari 0e+0e%i
$in E#r"!a. A/ *erita s,*i $ea %ine+a #n !i%i"r &n
s!ate /i s * ar#n%e !)n la Charin',%r"ss. T"t#/i
%re$ % a* $es%"!erit &n sf)r/it %heia afa%erii.
9 Un$e? L,a* &ntre2at 0)*2in$.
9 4n 2aie, rs!#nse el. (a, $a, n# 'l#*es%
$el"%, %"ntin# el %)n$ * +0# %,l !ri+es%
ne&n%re0t"r. Chiar a%#* +in $e a%"l". A* s%"s," /i
a* !#s," &n a%est 'ea*antan. Iai$e, frate, s +e$e*
$a% se !"tri+e/te %heia &n 2r"as%.
A* %"2"r)t s%rile ti!til, s n# tre0i* !e ni*eni3
a!"i a* ie/it &n l#*ina strl#%it"are a $i*ine1ii $e
+ar. 4n $r#* se afla $"%ar#l /i %al#l !e %are,l 1inea
$e %!str# 'r-$ar#l a%ela t)nr, %are a2ia a!#%ase
s,/i tra' %e+a !e el. A* srit a*)n$"i s#s /i a*
!"rnit &n '"an !e /"sea s!re L"n$ra. A* *ai
&nt)lnit !e $r#* %)te+a %r#1e $e 1ar %are $#%ea#
le'#*e /i 0ar0a+at#ri &n *etr"!"l, $ar /ir#rile $e
+ile $e " !arte /i $e alta a /"selei era# t%#te /i
ne&ns#fle1ite %a #n "ra/ $e +is.
9 (in #nele !#n%te $e +e$ere a f"st #n %a0 #ni%,
s!#se I"l*es $)n$ 2i%e %al#l#i %a s !"rneas% &n
'al"!. Mrt#rises% % a* f"st "r2 %a " %)rti1, $ar t"t
e *ai 2ine s * $e/te!t *ai t)r0i# $e%)t ni%i"$at.
4n "ra/, %ei %e se s%"al t"t$ea#na $e+re*e
&n%e!#ser s se i+eas% s"*n"r"/i !e la ferestre
%)n$ tre%ea* !rin, S#rrey. Str2t)n$ !"$#l
Waterl"" a* tra+ersat Ta*isa /i #r%)n$ !e
Wallin't"n Street a* %"tit 2r#s% la $rea!ta ie/in$ &n
B"E Street. Sherl"%H I"l*es era 2ine %#n"s%#t
!"li1i/til"r, a/a % %ei $"i ser'en1i $e la !"arta
%"*isariat#l#i l,a# sal#tat res!e%t#"s. Un#l a 1in#t
%al#l $e %!str#, !e %)n$ %ellalt ne,a %"n$#s
&n#ntr#.
9 Cine,i $e ser+i%i#? A &ntre2at I"l*es.
9 Ins!e%t"r#l Bra$street.
9 B#n, Bra$street, %e *ai fa%i? S!#se el %)n$
#n %"*isar &nalt /i 2ine le'at, %# /a!% /i -a%het, %#
%ent#r /i $ia'"nal a!r# !e %"ri$"r#l !a+at %# $ale
$e !iatr. A/ +rea s,1i s!#n $"# +"r2e.
9 Si'#r, $"*n#le I"l*es. A"fti1i, + r"', la
*ine:
Era #n 2ir"# *i%, %# #n re'istr# !e *as /i #n
telef"n *"ntat &n !erete. Ins!e%t"r#l se a/e0 la
*asa,i $e l#%r#.
9 C# %e te !"t ser+i, $"*n#le I"l*es?
9 A* +enit &n %hesti#nea %er/et"r#l#i a%el#ia,
B""ne, %el %are a f"st a%#0at % e i*!li%at &n
$is!ari1ia $"*n#l#i Ne+ille St. Clair $in Lee.
9 (a, a f"st a$#s la n"i /i re1in#t !entr#
%"*!letarea $"sar#l#i.
9 (a, a* a#0it. 4l a+e1i ai%i?
9 R &n %el#l.
9 E lini/tit?
9 (a. N# $ ni*n#i $e f#r%, $ar e *are
ti%l"s /i %#*!lit $e *#r$arK
9 M#r$ar?
9 (a, a2ia !#te* s,l fa%e* s se s!ele !e
*)ini, iar fa1a l#i e *#r$ar %a a #n#i tini%hi'i#. Ei
2ine, %)n$ " s ne l*#ri* %e,i %# el, " s,i fa%e*
2aie %#* tre2#ie, %a la &n%his"are. @i %re$ % $a% l,
a1i +e$ea, a1i fi $e a%"r$ %# *ine % t"%*ai $e asta
are *are ne+"ie.
9 Sin %hiar f"arte *#lt s,l +$.
9 Seri"s? Ni*i% *ai #/"r. Veni1i !e ai%i. A"1i s
la/i 'ea*antan#l &n 2ir"#.
9 N#, *ai 2ine &l ia# %# *ine.
9 C#* +rei. Ae ai%i, + r"'.
Ne,a %"n$#s $e,a l#n'#l #n#i %"ri$"r, a $es%his
" #/ 0+"r)ta %# #n $r#' $e fier, a %"2"r)t !e "
s%ar &n s!iral /i ne,a $#s !e #n alt %"ri$"r, %# #/i
$e " !arte /i $e alta.
9 E &n a treia %el#l !e $rea!ta, s!#se
ins!e%t"r#l, iat,":
Trase &n%eti/"r &nlt#ri #n "2l"n $in !artea $e
s#s a #/ii /i se #it &n#ntr#.
9 ("ar*e, 0ise el, &l !#te1i +e$ea f"arte 2ine.
Ne,a* #itat !rintre 02rele. (e1in#t#l sttea
&ntins %# fa1a s!re n"i %#f#n$at &ntr,#n s"*n a$)n%.
Era #n "* $e stat#r *i-l"%ie, !r"st &*2r%at, a/a
%#* se %#+enea &n *eseria l#i, %# " %*a/ %"l"rat
%are se i+ea !rintre r#!t#rile hainei l#i 0$ren1r"ase.
Era &ntr,a$e+r $in %ale,afar $e *#r$ar, a/a %#* ne
s!#sese /i ins!e%t"r#l, $ar strat#l $e *#r$rie %are,i
a%"!erea fa1a n#,& !#tea as%#n$e #r)1enia
res!in't"are. (e la "%hi !)n la 2r2ie fa1a &i era
2r0$at $e " %i%atri%e, /i, $at"rit %"ntra%1iei, %"l1#l
2#0ei $e s#s i se rs#%ise, $e0+elin$#,i ne&n%etat trei
$in1i &ntr,#n r)n-et $e %)ine r#. Un s*"% $e !r r"/#
a!rins &i %$ea !este fr#nte /i !este "%hi.
9 Ce 0i%i, %e fr#*"s e? Tise ins!e%t"r#l.
9 =r &n$"ial % are ne+"ie $e a! /i s!#n,
re*ar% I"l*es. M,a* ')n$it e# la asta, a/a % *i,
a* !er*is s a$#% %# *ine %ele tre2#in%i"ase.
4n ti*! %e +"r2ea, $es%hise, +ali0 /i s%"ase s!re
*area *ea s#r!rin$ere #n 2#rete *are $e 2aie.
9 Iee,hee,hee: Mare /"lti% e/ti: Chi%"ti
&n%)ntat ins!e%t"r#l.
9 A%#*, $a% ai s fii a/a $e a*a2il s $es%hi0i
#/a asta %)t *ai &n%eti/"r, &l +"* fa%e %#r)n$ s arate
*ai %a l#*ea.
9 A, %#* s n#, s!#se ins!e%t"r#l. N# fa%e
$el"% %inste !"li1iei $in B"E Street, n#?
Stre%#r %heia &n 2r"as% /i intrar* %# t"1ii
ti!til &n "$aie. Cel %e $"r*ea se &nt"arse !e -#*tate,
$ar a!"i se af#n$ iar &ntr,#n s"*n a$)n%. I"l*es se
&n$"i $in /ale, ri$i% %an %# a!, #$ 2#retele /i
fre% $e $"#,trei "ri %# el fa1a $e1in#t#l#i.
9 Aer*ite1i,*i s + !re0int, stri' el !e
$"*n#l Ne+ille St. Clair $in l"%alitatea Lee,
%"*itat#l <ent.
4n +ia1a *ea n,a* +0#t *in#n1ie *ai *are.
B#retele %"-ise fa1a in$i+i$#l#i, a/a %#* %"-e/te
%#1it#l s%"ar1a #n#i %"!a%. C#l"area 2r#n *#r$ar
se $#sese: Se $#sese /i %i%atri%ea &n'r"0it"are %are &i
2r0$a fa1a /i 2#0a rs#%it %are,i str)*2 '#ra &ntr,
#n r)n-et res!in't"r: @i f%# s $is!ar %# "
s*#%it#r s*"%#l $e !r r"/# &n%)l%it, a/a % &ntr,"
%li! &naintea n"astr se afla, ri$i%at &n %a!#l "asel"r
!e !at, #n "* %# " &nf1i/are $istins, !ali$ /i trist,
%# !r#l ne'r#, %# !ielea nete$. Se fre% la "%hi /i
se #it &n -#r#l l#i ne$#*erit /i &n% s"*n"r"s.
()n$#,/i &ns $e"$at sea*a % a f"st $e*as%at,
i02#%ni &ntr,#n stri't $es!erat /i,/i &n'r"! fa1a &n
!ern.
9 (#*ne0e#le *are: Stri' ins!e%t"r#l. sta,i
%hiar $is!r#t#l. 4l %#n"s% $in f"t"'rafie. (e1in#t#l
se &nt"arse %# aer#l ne!st"r al "*#l#i %are se las
&n +"ia s"artei.
9 =ie /i a/a, s!#se el. @i $a% n# + s#!ra1i,
s!#ne1i,*i %e a%#0a1ie *i se a$#%e?
9 C l,ai f%#t s $is!ar !e $"*n#l Ne+ille
StK Ba, stai: N# te !"t a%#0a $e asta $e%)t $a% ar fi
+"r2a $e " &n%er%are $e sin#%i$ere, s!#se ins!e%t"r#l
r)n-in$. Ei 2ine, afla1i % l#%re0 $e $"#0e%i /i /a!te
$e ani &n !"li1ie, $ar %a0#l sta 0# % le &ntre%e !e
t"ate.
9 (a% e# s#nt Ne+ille St. Clair, at#n%i e
li*!e$e % n# s,a %"*is ni%i " %ri* /i % $e%i s#nt
$e1in#t !e ne$re!t.
9 N,a f"st %"*is ni%i " %ri*, %i $"ar " *are
er"are, s!#se I"l*es. Era *ai 2ine $a% a+eai
&n%re$ere &n s"1ia $#*itale.
9 N# $e s"1ie *,as%#n$ea*, %i $e %"!ii, 'e*#
$e1in#t#l. N# +"ia* s le fie r#/ine $e tatl l"r. Ah,
$"a*ne: A%#* s#nt $at $e '"l. Ce s * fa%?
Sherl"%H I"l*es se a/e0 l)n' el !e !at /i,l 2t# %#
2l)n$e1e !e #*r.
9 (a% la/i %a0#l !e *)na #n#i tri2#nal, s!#se
el, 2ine&n1eles % " s fie i*!"si2il s n# se fa%
!#2li%itate. Ae $e alt !arte, $a% %"n+in'i
a#t"rit1ile !"li1iene/ti % n# te,ai f%#t +in"+at $e
ni*i%, n# +$ $e %e a*n#ntele a%estea ar *ai
a-#n'e &n -#rnale. S#nt si'#r % ins!e%t"r#l
Bra$street +a fi a*a2il s n"te0e %e +ei +rea s
$e%lari a#t"rit1il"r &n $re!t. At#n%i %a0#l n,ar fi
ni%i"$at $eferit +re#n#i tri2#nal.
9 (#*ne0e# s te 2ine%#+)nte0e: Stri'
$e1in#t#l $in t"at ini*a. Mai $e'ra2 a/ fi &n$#rat
&n%his"area, 2a %hiar /i eFe%#1ia $e%)t s las % taina
*ea nen"r"%it s ar#n%e " !at as#!ra n#*el#i
%"!iil"r *ei. (#*nea+"astr +e1i fi !ri*ii %are &*i
+e1i a#0i !"+estea. Tatl *e# a f"st &n+1t"r la
Chesterfiel$, #n$e a* !ri*it /i e# " e$#%a1ie aleas.
4n, tinere1e a* %lt"rit *#lt, *,a* a!#%at a!"i $e
teatr# /i &n %ele $in #r* a* a-#ns re!"rter la #n 0iar
$e sear $in L"n$ra. 4ntr," 2#n 0i, $ire%t"r#l
0iar#l#i a %er#t " serie $e arti%"le $es!re %er/et"rii
$in *etr"!"l /i e# *,a* "ferit s i le s%ri#. A%esta a
f"st !#n%t#l $e !le%are al t#t#r"r !eri!e1iil"r *ele.
N#*ai &n%er%)n$ %er/et"ria %a a*at"r a* i02#tit s
a$#n fa!tele !e %are &*i !#tea* 2a0a arti%"lele. Ca
a%t"r, &n+1ase* tainele *a%hia-#l#i /i *i se $#sese
+estea &n l#*ea teatr#l#i !entr# *iestria *ea &n
a%east !ri+in1. A%#* a* !r"fitat $e !ri%e!erea !e
%are " %!tase* at#n%i. Mi,a* *a%hiat fa1a /i
!entr# %a s %a!t " &nf1i/are %)t *ai +re$ni% $e
*il *i,a* $esenat " %i%atri%e $e t"at fr#*#se1ea /i
*i,a* !rins %# #n !last#re *i% $e %#l"area !ielii
%"l1#l 2#0ei rs#%in$," &n s#s. A!"i, %# " !er#%
r"/ie /i haine !"tri+ite, *,a* &nfiin1at &n !artea %ea
*ai a'l"*erat a City,#l#i f%)n$ !e ne'#st"r#l $e
%hi2rit#ri, $ar &n realitate %a %er/et"r. Ti*! $e /a!te
%eas#ri *i,a* eFersat !r"fesi#nea, iar %)n$ *,a*
&nt"rs seara a%as a* $es%"!erit s!re *area *ea
s#r!rin$ere % str)nsese* n# *ai !#1in $e OU /ilin'i
/i B !enny.
Mi,a* s%ris arti%"lele /i n# *,a* *ai ')n$it la
asta !)n *ai t)r0i#, %)n$ &ntr," 2#n 0i a tre2#it s
!ltes% s#*a $e OM $e lire !entr# % 'irase* " !"li1
#n#i !rieten. ($ea* $in %"l1 &n %"l1 /i n# /tia* $e
#n$e s s%"t 2anii, %)n$ $e"$at *i,a +enit &n %a! "
i$ee.
I,a* %er#t %re$it"r#l#i s * *ai &n'$#ie $"#
s!t*)ni, *i ani l#at a!"i #n %"n%e$i# $e la !atr"n
/i *i,a* !etre%#t ti*!#l %er/in$ tra+estit &n City. 4n
0e%e 0ile a* s%"s 2anii /i *i,a* !ltit $at"ria. Ei
2ine, + !#te1i &n%hi!#i %e 're# a f"st s * a!#%
iar/i $e " sl#-2 ane+"i"as, !entr# $"# lire !e
s!t*)n, %)n$ /tia* % !"t %)/ti'a at)ta &ntr,"
sin'#r 0i f%)n$ $"ar ef"rt#l $e a,*i *)n-i fa1a %#
#n !i% $e +"!sea /i $e a sta ne*i/%at %# /a!%a &n fa1.
S,a $at " l#!t &n$el#n'at &ntre *)n$ria *ea /i
$"rin1a $e a %)/ti'a 2ani, $ar &n %ele $iin #r* "%hi#l
$ra%#l#i a &n+ins, a/a % a* lsat 2alt 'a0etria /i
*i,a* l#at 0i $e 0i l"%#l &n %"l1#l !e %are,l "%hise*
$e la &n%e!#t, ins!)r)n$ *il !rin &nf1i/area *ea
&ns!i*)ntt"are /i #*!l)n$#,*i 2#0#narele %#
2n#1i. U n sin'#r "* &*i %#n"/tea taina, /i a%esta
era !atr"n#l #nei s!el#n%i $e"%hiate &n %are *
instalase*, tn SEan$a*lane. (e a%"l" !#tea* ie/i &n
fie%are $i*inea1 %# &nf1i/area #n#i %er/et"r -e'"s,
iar seara * !#tea* transf"r*a t"t a%"l", &ntr,"
!ers"an *"n$en /i 2ine &*2r%at. 4l !ltea* 2ine
!e in$i+i$#l sta, #n f"st *arinar $in In$iile
;rientale, !entr# % * '0$#ia /i $e%i /tia* %,*i
+a !stra 2ine taina.
C#r)n$ *i,a* $at sea*a % !#tea* !#ne
$e"!arte s#*e &nse*nate $e 2ani. N# +rea# s s!#n
% "ri%e %ali% $e !e str0ile L"n$rei !"ate %)/ti'a
LNN $e lire !e an 5 %eea %e re!re0int %e+a *ai !#1in
$e%)t *e$ia &n%asril"r *ele 5 $ar e# a+ea*
a+anta-#l #n#i eF%e!1i"nal $ar &n arta *a%hia-#l#i /i
al #nei *ari #/#rin1e $e a rs!#n$e la 'l#*ele
"a*enil"r 5 !e %are $e altfel *i,a* s!"rit," !rin
eFer%i1i# 5 /i asta *,a f%#t " !ers"nalitate
2ine%#n"s%#t &n City. T"at 0i#li%a se re+rsa
as#!ra *ea #n /#+"i $e 2ani $e ara*, $a% n# %hiar
$e ar'int, /i 0i#a &n %are n# a$#na* $"# lire era fr
&n$"ial " 0i !r"ast.
Ae *s#r %e * &*2"'1ea* $e+enea* /i *ai
a*2i1i"s, a/a % *i,a* l#at " %as la 1ar /i, &n %ele
$in #r*, *,a* %st"rit, fr %a %ine+a s,*i
2n#ias% a$e+rata "%#!a1ie. S%#*!a *ea ne+ast
/tia % a* tre2#ri &n City. Ce an#*e, n# a+ea ha2ar.
L#nea tre%#t &*i &n%heiase* t"%*ai 0i#a /i *
&*2r%a* &n %a*era *ea $e $eas#!ra ta+ernei
f#*t"ril"r $e "!i#*, %)n$, !ri+in$ !e fereastr, a*
+0#t s!re *area *ea 'r"a0 /i #l#ire % ne+ast,
*ea st l"%#l#i &n stra$, %# "%hii a1inti1i $re!t
as#!ra *ea. A* s%"s #n stri't $e s#r!rin$ere, a*
ri$i%at *)inile &n s#s %a s,*i a%"!r fa1a /i
re!e0in$#,* la "*#l *e# $e &n%re$ere, !atr"n#l
in$ian, l,a* r#'at &n 'en#n%hi s &*!ie$i%e !e
"ri%ine ar +rea s #r%e s#s &n %a*era *ea. A* a#0it
-"s 'las#l ne+estei, $ar /tia* 2ine % n," s !"at
#r%a. Re!e$e *i,a* ar#n%at $e !e *ine hainele, le,
a* tras la l"% !e %ele $e %er/et"r, *,a* *a%hiat $in
n"# /i *i,a* !#s !er#%a. Ni%i %hiar "%hii #nei
ne+este n# !"t s str!#n' " *as% at)t $e
$es+)r/it. At#n%i &ns *i,a $at !rin ')n$ % s,ar
!#tea s se fa% !er%he0i1ie &n %a*er /i at#n%i
hainele *,ar fi !#t#t tr$a. (e a%eea a* $es%his lar'
fereastra, /i $in 'ra2 a* f%#t iar s s)n'ere0e "
*i% ran, !e %are *i," !r"$#sese* $i*inea1a &n
$"r*it"r, la *ine a%as. Ae #r* a* a!#%at haina
&n're#nat $e 2anii $e ara* !e %are t"%*ai &i
tre%#se* &n ea $in s%#le1#l $e !iele &n %are &*i
$#%ea* %)/ti'#rile. A* a0+)rlit," !e fereastr /i s,a
f%#t ne+0#t &n +al#rile Ta*isei. Celelalte haine ar
fi #r*at a%ela/i $r#*, $ar &n *"*ent#l a%ela a*
a#0it tr"!it#l !"li1i/til"r !e s%ri, /i $#! %)te+a
%li!e a* +0#t, s!re *area *ea #/#rare, *rt#rises%,
% &n l"% s fi# i$entifi%at %a Ne+ilie St. Clair a* f"st
arestat %a #%i'a/ al l#i. N# /ti# $a% &*i *ai r*)ne
%e+a $e l*#rit. Era* h"tr)t s,*i !stre0 %)t *ai
*#lt ti*! *as%a /i $e a%eea !refera* s n# * s!l.
@tiin$ % ne+ast,*ea +a fi 'r"0a+ $e nelini/tit, *i,
a* s%"s !e f#ri/ inel#l /i i l,a* &n%re$in1at
!atr"n#l#i ta+ernei &ntr,#n *"*ent &n %are ni%i #n
!"li1ist n# * +e'hea, &*!re#n %# %)te+a %#+inte !e
%are le,a* s%ris &n 'ra2 ne+estei, s!#n)n$#,i % n#
are ni%i #n *"ti+ $e &n'ri-"rare.
9 A2ia ieri a !ri*it s%ris"area, s!#se Sherl"%H
I"l*es.
9 ("a*ne $#*ne0e#le: Arin %e %hin#ri tre2#ie
s fi tre%#t " s!t*)n &ntrea'.
9 A"li1ia l,a 1in#t s#2 s#!ra+e'here !e in$ian,
s!#se ins!e%t"r#l Bra$street. E $e la sine &n1eles % i,
a f"st 're# s !#n la !"/t " s%ris"are fr s fie
+0#t. Ar"2a2il i,a &n*)nat," +re#n#i *arinar %are,i
fre%+entea0 s!el#n%a /i a%ela /i,a a$#s a*inte $e ea
a2ia $#! %)te+a 0ile.
9 A/a tre2#ie s fie, s!#se I"l*es,
&n%#+iin1)n$ $in %a!. N# * &n$"ies% $e asta. (ar n,
ai a+#t ni%i"$at $e f#r% %# a#t"rit1ile !entr# %
!ra%ti%ai %er/et"ria?
9 Ba $a, $e n# /ti# %)te "ri. (ar %e %"nta !entr#
*ine " a*en$?
9 @i t"t#/i, tre2#ie s te "!re/ti ai%i. S!#se
Bra$street. Aentr# % !"li1ia s !"at *#/a*ali0a
afa%erea, I#'h B""ne tre2#ie s $is!ar.
9 sta e -#r*)nt#l !e %are l,a* f%#t /i e#.
Cel *ai sf)nt le'*)nt %are se !"ate fa%e.
9 4n %a0#l sta, %re$ % e !r"2a2il %a l#%r#rile s
n# *ear' *ai $e!arte. (ar $a% te $es%"!er $in
n"#, t"t#l +a ie/i la i+eal. ("*n#le I"l*es, te
asi'#r %,1i r*)ne* !r"f#n$ &n$at"ra1i, !entr# % ai
l*#rit a%east %hesti#ne. A/ $a n# /ti# %)t s /ti#
%#* a-#n'i la a%este re0#ltate #i*it"are.
9 (e $ata asta, s!#se !rieten#l *e# a* a-#ns la
re0#ltat#l !e %are,l +e0i st)n$ %"%"1at !e %in%i !erne
/i, %"ns#*)n$ " #n%ie $e *ah"r%. Wats"n $ra',
%re$ % $a% *er'e* a%#* %# $"%ar#l &n BaHer
Street, a-#n'e* t"%*ai la ti*! !entr# '#starea $e
$i*inea1.

VSf)r/itW
AVENTURA GRANATULUI ALBASTRU.
M $#sese* &n +i0it la !rieten#l *e# Sherl"%H
I"l*es a $"#a 0i $e Cr%i#n, $i*inea1a, %a s,i fa%
#rrile "2i/n#ite $e sr2t"ri. L,a* 'sit t"lnit !e
#n $i+an, &ntr,#n halat !#r!#ri#, %# #n rastel $e !i!e
alt#ri /i #n tean% $e 0iare $e $i*inea1 la &n$e*)n,
t"ate r+/ite /i 2"1ite. Era li*!e$e % le %er%etase $e
%#r)n$. L)n' $i+an, !e %"l1#l s!ete0ei #n#i s%a#n $e
le*n se afla " !lrie tare, f"arte s"i"as /i !"n"sit,
%r!at &n *ai *#lte l"%#ri, &n $"# +"r2e " r#/ine.
; l#! /i " !ens lsate !e s%a#n &*i $$ea# a
&n1ele'e % !lria f#sese at)rnata a%"l" !entr# a fi
%er%etat %# aten1ie.
9 V$ % e/ti "%#!at, i,a* s!#s e#. M te* %
te &ntrer#! $in l#%r#.
9 (i*!"tri+, s#nt &n%)ntat s,*i +$ #n
!rieten %# %are !"t $is%#ta re0#ltatele %er%etril"r
*ele. Chesti#nea e %#* n# se !"ate *ai 2anal
Vart %# $e'et#l s!re !lria +e%heW, $ar are #nele
!#n%te %are n# s#nt t"tal li!site $e interes /i %hiar $e
&n+1*inte f"l"sit"are.
M,a* instalat &n f"t"li#l l#i s,*i &n%l0es%
*)inile la f"%#l %are tr"snea *"l%"*, !entr# % se
lsase #n 'er n!ra0ni% %e !i%tase !e 'ea*#ri
*iestre fl"ri $e 'hea1.
9 Ares#!#n, a* &n%e!#t e#, % $e/i n,are ni*i%
$e"se2it &n ea, !lria a%easta e le'at t"t#/i $e +re"
!"+este fatal, % este %heia %are,1i +a $es%hi$e
!"r1ile s!re $e0+l#irea #nei taine /i +a a$#%e
!e$ea!sa f!t#it"r#l#i +re#n#i "*"r.
9 A/: N# e +"r2a $e ni%i " %ri*, s!#se
Sherl"%H I"l*es r)0)n$. E $"ar #na $in &nt)*!lrile
a%elea *r#nte /i %i#$ate, neli!site at#n%i %ln$
B.NNN.NNN $e "a*eni r"ies% !e %)te+a *ile !trate.
Arintre a%1i#nile /i rea%1i#nile #n#i astfel $e f#rni%ar
&n1esat $e "a*eni se !"t &nt)lni t"ate &*2inrile
!"si2ile $e in%i$ente /i se +"r i+i nen#*rate
%hesti#ni *r#nte %are !"t fi i02it"are /i stranii fr a
fi le'ate $e +re" %ri*. C#n"a/te* $e-a $in
eF!erien1 " s#*e$enie $e fa!te $intr,astea.
9 At)t $e *#lte, a* re*ar%at e#, &n%)t $intre
#lti*ele /ase %a0#ri !e %are le,a* a$#'at n"tel"r
*ele, trei n# a# a+#t a2s"l#t ni%i " le't#r %# +re"
%ri*.
9 EFa%t. Te referi $esi'#r la &n%er%area *ea $e
a re'si $"%#*entele Irenei A$ler, la %a0#l
ne*ai!"*enit al $"*ni/"arei Mary S#therlan$ /i la
a+ent#ra 2r2at#l#i %# '#ra str)*2. Ei 2ine, n# *
&n$"ies% % /i a%east %hesti#ne *r#nt +a intra &n
a%eea/i %ate'"rie $e %a0#ri ne+in"+ate. 4l %#n"/ti !e
Aeters"n, %"*isi"nar#l?
9 (a.
9 L#i &i a!ar1ine a%est tr"fe#.
9 E !lria l#i?
9 A/, n#, a 'sit,". N# se /tie %#i a!ar1ine. Te
r"' f"arte *#lt s " %"nsi$eri n# at)t %a " 'a*2et
#0at, %)t % " !r"2le* intele%t#al3 /i &n !ri*#l
r)n$ a* s,1i s!#n %#* a a-#ns ai%i. A s"sit &n 0i#a
$e Cr%i#n &*!re#n %# " ')s% 2#n /i 'ras %are,
n# * &n$"ies%, se r#*ene/te a%#* &n %#!t"r#l
fa*iliei Aeters"n. Iat %are s#nt fa!tele. Ca* !e la
!atr# $i*inea1a, &n 0i#a $e Cr%i#n. Aeters"n, !e %are
&l /tii %)t $e %instit e, se &nt"r%ea $e la #n %hef#le1
ne+in"+at &n$re!t)n$#,se s!re %as !e T"ttenha*
C"#rt R"a$. La l#*ina felinar#l#i, a +0#t &naintea
l#i #n 2r2at $e stat#r &nalt, %are *er'ea
&*!leti%in$#,se /i $#%ea " ')s% at)rnata !e #*r.
C)n$ a-#nse &n %"l1#l str0ii G""$'e, s,a is%at " har1
&ntre a%est ne%#n"s%#t /i " *ina $e s%an$ala'ii. LGn#l
$intre a%e/tia l,a l"+it !e in$i+i$ !este !lrie
ar#n%)n$#,i," %)t %"l"3 +r)n$ s se a!ere, "*#l
ata%at a ri$i%at 2ast"n#l /i, &n+)rtin$#,l !e $eas#!ra
%a!#l#i, a s!art +itrin $in s!atele l#i. Aeters"n s,a
re!e0it &nainte, %a s,l "%r"teas% !e ne%#n"s%#t $e
a'res"ri, $ar a%esta, s!eriat % a s!art +itrina /i
+0)n$ #n "* &n #nif"r* /i %# " &nf1i/are "fi%ial
+enin$ re!e$e s!re el, a s%!at -"s ')s%, /i,a l#at
!i%i"arele la s!inare /i s,a f%#t ne+0#t &n la2irint#l
$e str$#1e $in s!atele %ii T"ttenha* C"#rt.
S%an$ala'iii " l#aser /i ei la snt"asa %)n$ s,a i+it
Aeters"n, a/a % a%esta $in #r* a r*as st!)n !e
%)*!#l $e 2taie, !re%#* /i !e tr"feele +i%t"riei
%"nst)n$ &n a%east !lrie !"n"sit /i " ')s% $e
t"at fr#*#se1ea !entr# "s!1#l $e Cr%i#n.
9 L#%r#ri !e %are, 2ine&n1eles, le,a &na!"iat
!r"!rietar#l#i, n#?
9 (ra'#l *e# !rieten, t"%*ai ai%i e !r"2le*a.
E a$e+rat % !e #n %art"na/ le'at $e !i%i"r#l st)n'
al !srii era# ti!rite %#+inteG? Aentr# $"a*na
Ienry BaHerD, $#! %#* iar/i e a$e+rat % !e
%!t#/eala a%estei !lrii se !"t %iti ini1ialele I. B.,
$ar &n "ra/#l n"str# eFist %)te+a *ii $e "a*eni %#
n#*ele BaHer /i %)te+a s#te %# n#*ele Ienry BaHer,
a/a % n# e $el"% #/"r s,i &na!"ie0i +re#n#ia $in ei
$ar#rile !ier$#te.
@i at#n%i %e a f%#t Aeters"n.
9 Mi,a a$#s %hiar &n a%eea/i $i*inea1 at)t
!lria %)t /i ')s%, /tiin$ % !e *ine * interesea0
!)n /i !r"2le*ele %ele *ai ne&nse*nate. G)s%a a*
!strat," !)n a0i $i*inea1, %)n$ s,a# i+it #nele
se*ne %, &n %i#$a 'er#l#i $e !este n"a!te, n,ar fi r#
s fie *)n%at fr &nt)r0iere. Gsit"r#l ei a $#s,"
!rin #r*are a%as, !entr# a &*!lini s"arta
neiertt"are a "ri%rei ')/te, &n ti*! %e e# !stre0
&n% !lria $"*n#l#i ne%#n"s%#t, %are /i,a !ier$#t
!ra0ni%#l $e Cr%i#n.
9 (ar n,a !#2li%at ni%i #n an#n1 &n 0iar?
9 N#.
9 At#n%i %#* " s !"1i s,l i$entifi%i?
9 N#*ai !rin $e$#%1iile n"astre.
9 4n le't#r %# !lria l#i?
9 EFa%t.
9 Gl#*e/ti. Ce !"1i s $es%"!eri $in a%east
'a*2et #0at?
9 Uite l#!a *ea. 4*i %#n"/ti *et"$ele. Ve0i %e
!"1i s $e$#%i sin'#r &n !ri+in1a in$i+i$#l#i %are a
!#rtat,"?
A* l#at !lria !"n"sit &n *ina /i, %# ini*a
&n$"it, a* &nt"rs," %# fa1a,n s#s. Era " !lrie
nea'r "2i/n#it, $e f"r* r"t#n$, tare /i #0at &n
#lti*#l hal. C!t#/eala f#sese $e *tase r"/ie, $ar se
$e%"l"rase $est#l $e tare. N# !#rta n#*ele
!lrier#l#i, $ar, $#! %#* &*i s!#sese /i I"l*es,
!e " !arte era# *)0'lite ini1ialele I. B. B"r#l
!lriei f#sese '#rit &n $"# l"%#ri, %a s !"at fi
!rins %# #n elasti%, $ar a%esta li!sea. 4n rest era
%r!at &n *ai *#lte l"%#ri, !rf#it $in %ale,afar /i
!lin $e !ete, $e/i !rea s se fi f%#t #nele &n%er%ri
$e a as%#n$e l"%#rile *ai $e%"l"rate, &nne'rin$#,le
%# %erneal.
9 N# +$ ni*i%, i,a* s!#s e# &na!"in$#,i,".
9 (i*!"tri+, Wats"n, +e0i t"t#l. N# i02#te/ti
&ns s tra'i %"n%l#0ii $e !e #r*a %el"r +0#te. E/ti
!rea ti*i$ %a s a-#n'i la $e$#%1ii !ers"nale.
9 At#n%i s!#ne,*i, te r"', %e !"1i t# $e$#%e $in
a%east !lrie?
Sherl"%H I"l*es a ri$i%at,", a !ri+it," l#n' %#
a%el aer $e intr"s!e%1ie %are,l %ara%teri0a.
9 E !"ate *ai !#1in s#'esti+ $e%)t a f"st *ai
$e*#lt, re*ar% el, t"t#/i #nele $e$#%1ii a!ar f"arte
li*!e0i /i *ai s#nt %)te+a %are a# $est#le /anse $e
!r"2a2ilitate. C "*#l era $e " &nalt fa%t#r
intele%t#al e $esi'#r e+i$ent $e la &n%e!#t, %a /i
fa!t#l % a%#* $"i,trei ani era $est#l $e &nstrit, $e/i
&n #lti*a +re*e " $#%e *ai r#. ;*#l a+ea #n si*1
al !re+e$erii, $ar a%#* l,a *ai !ier$#t, l#%r# %are
arat " $e%$ere *"ral, /i a%est %"nsi$erent, &*2inat
%# &nr#t1irea sit#a1iei l#i *ateriale, !are s in$i%e
+re" infl#en1 nefast la %are e s#!#s 5 !r"2a2il
2#t#ra. Asta ar !#tea s -#stifi%e, $e ase*enea, /i
fa!t#l e+i$ent % ne+ast,sa a &n%etat s,l *ai
i#2eas%.
9 (ra' I"l*es:
9 I,a *ai r*as t"t#/i " "are%are $e%en1,
%"ntin# el nel#)n$#,*i &n sea* $"-an. E #n "*
%are $#%e " +ia1 se$entar, iese !rea !#1in, n# e &ntr,
" 2#n f"r* fi0i%. E %a* &ntre $"# +)rste, are !r
%r#nt, /i l,a t#ns a%#* %)te+a 0ile /i /i,l #n'e %#
!"*a$. A%estea s#nt ele*entele e+i$ente %are se
!"t $e$#%e $in a%east !lrie. S,ar *ai !#tea, $e
ase*enea, s!#ne % e f"arte !#1in !r"2a2il s ai2
il#*inat %# 'a0 aerian &n %as.
9 I"l*es, $e 2#n,sea*, 'l#*e/ti.
9 C)t#/i $e !#1in. E !"si2il "are %a ni%i *%ar
a%#* %)n$ 1i,a* eF!#s re0#ltatele %er%etril"r *ele
s n# fii &n stare s +e0i %#* a* a-#ns la ele?
9 S#nt $esi'#r $in %ale,afar $e t)*!it, $ar
tre2#ie s *rt#rises% % n# i02#tes% s,1i #r*res%
ra1i"na*ent#l. (e eFe*!l#, %#* ai $e$#s % a%est
"* are &n%lina1ii intele%t#ale? (re!t rs!#ns, I"l*es
&/i tr)nti !lria !e %a!, iar a%easta &i %0# !este
fr#nte /i se "!ri n#*ai !e nas.
9 E " %hesti#ne $e +"l#* /i %a!a%itate, s!#se el.
Un 2r2at %# #n %reier at)t $e *are tre2#ie s ai2
%e+a &n el.
9 (ar %# s%!tarea?
9 Alria asta e +e%he $e trei ani. Ca* at#n%i
era# la *"$ 2"r#rile astea rs#%ite. E " !lrie $e
%ea *ai 2#n %alitate, #it,te la !an'li%a $e *tase &n
$#n'i /i la %!t#/eala eF%elent. (a% a%est "* /i,a
!#t#t !er*ite s %#*!ere " !lrie at)t $e s%#*!
a%#* trei ani /i n# /i,a *ai %#*!rat alta $e at#n%i
&n%"a%e, fr $"ar /i !"ate % a s%!tat.
9 Ei $a, asta e $esi'#r $est#l $e %lar. (ar %#* e
%# si*1#l $e !re+e$ere /i %# $e%$erea *"ral?
Sherl"%H I"l*es r)seJ
9 Uite si*1 $e !re+e$ere, s!#se el, !#n)n$
$e'et#l !e %a!sele /i '#relele !entr# elasti%#l $e
si'#ran1. Alriile n# se +)n$ ni%i"$at %# %a!se
$intr,astea, iar $a% %ine+a le,a %"*an$at &n *"$
s!e%ial, a!"i asta $"+e$e/te #n "are%are si*1 al
!re+e$erii, $e +re*e %e s,a $eran-at s ia a%east
!re%a#1ie &*!"tri+a +)nt#l#i. (ar &ntr#%)t +e$e* % a
r#!t elasti%#l fr s,/i *ai 2at %a!#l s,l
&nl"%#ias%, e e+i$ent % !"se$ *ai !#1in si*1 al
!re+e$erii a%#* $e%)t &nainte, $"+a$ %lar a #nei
$elsri. Ae $e alt !arte, s,a str$#it s as%#n$
#nele !ete $e !e fetr#l !lriei *)n-in$#,le %#
%erneal, se*n si'#r % n# /i,a !ier$#t !e $e,a,
ntre'#l $e%en1a.
9 Ra1i"na*ent#l t# e fr &n$"ial $e*n $e
%re0are.
9 Ele*entele #r*t"are, /i an#*e % e &ntre
$"# +)rste, % a &n%r#n1it, % s,a t#ns $e %#r)n$ /i
%,/i $ !r#l %# !"*a$ !"t fi t"ate $eter*inate
!rintr," %er%etare atent a !r1ii $e s#s a %!t#/elii.
L#!a $e0+l#ie #n *are n#*r $e fire $e !r tiate
s%#rt $e f"arfe%ile fri0er#l#i. Aar tare li!i%i"ase /i !e
#r*, $in t"at !lria, se $e'a- #n *ir"s !#terni%
$e !"*a$ $e tei. ;2ser+, $e ase*enea % !raf#l
%are " a%"!er n# este !#l2erea a%eea 'r#n1"as,
%en#/ie $e !e str0i, %i !#f#l 2e- al !raf#l#i *ena-er
%are arat % *ai t"t ti*!#l st a'1at &n %#ier a%as.
4n s%hi*2, #r*ele $e #*e0eal $in#ntr# $"+e$es%
li*!e$e % !"ses"r#l a%estei !lrii as#$ $in !lin,
%eea %e eF%l#$e !"si2ilitatea $e a fi &ntr," 2#n
f"r* fi0i%.
9 (ar ne+ast,sa, s!#neai % n#,l *ai i#2e/te.
9 Ai, !lria asta n# a *ai f"st !eriat $e
s!t*)ni &ntre'i. C)n$ te +"i +e$ea /i !e tine,
$ra'#l *e# Wats"n, %# !raf#l str)ns $e " s!t*)n
!e !lrie /i %)n$ ne+ast,ta &1i +a &n'$#i s ie/i !e
stra$ &ntr,#n ase*enea hal, a* s * te* % /i t# ai
a+#t nen"r"%irea s !ier0i $ra'"stea s"1iei.
9 (ar !"ate %,i h"ltei.
9 N#, !entr# %,i a$#%ea ')s%a ne+esti,/i, %a
$ar !entr# &*!%are. N# #ita $e %art"na/#l !rins $e
!i%i"r#l !srii.
9 V$ % ai 'ata rs!#ns#ri la t"ate &ntre2rile.
(ar %#* $#*ne0e# ai $e$#s % n# are il#*inat %#
'a0 aerian?
9 ; !at $e se#, sa# %hiar $"# !ete !"t s se
i+eas% &nt)*!lt"r. (ar %)n$ +$ n# *ai !#1in $e%)t
%in%i, !"t, fr &n$"ial, s %re$ % in$i+i$#l are
$ese"ri $e,a fa%e %# l#*)nrile $e se# 5 !r"2a2il
#r% seara s%rile %# !lria &ntr," *)n /i %#
l#*)narea a!rins &n %ealalt. Ei, a%#* e/ti
*#l1#*it?
9 T"t#l e f"arte in'eni"s, i,a* rs!#ns r)0)n$,
$ar &ntr#%)t, %#* s!#neai a$inea#ri n# s,a %"*is ni%i
" %ri* /i n# s,a# f%#t alte !a'#2e $e%)t " ')s%
!ier$#t t"t#l *i se !are " risi! $e ener'ie. Sherl"%H
I"l*es era t"%*ai 'ata s,*i rs!#n$, %)n$ #/a se
$es%hise $e !erete, /i Aeters"n, %"*isi"nar#l, $$#
2#0na &n "$aie, a!rins la fa1 /i #l#it la %#l*e.
9 G)s%, $"*n#le I"l*es, ')s%a: Stri' el
&ne%)n$#,se.
9 Ei, %e,i %# ea? A &n+iat, a 02#rat !e fereastra
2#%triei? I"l*es se rs#%i &ntr,#n %"t, %a s
!ri+eas% *ai 2ine fa1a a'itat a l#i Aeters"n.
9 Ia #ita1i,+, $"*n#le. Iat %e i,a 'sit
ne+ast,*ea &n '#/: 4ntinse !al*a, &n %are 1inea "
neste*at al2astr, %e ar#n%a +!i $e f"%, *ai *i%
!#1in $e%)t " fas"le, $ar $e " !#ritate /i strl#%ire
%are " f%ea# s s%)nteie0e &n %#/#l !al*ei, %a #n
2e% ele%tri%. Sherl"%H I"l*es se ri$i% &n %a!#l
"asel"r fl#ier)n$ #/"r.
9 EFtra"r$inar, Aeters"n, s!#se el, asta e "
a$e+rat %"*"ar 'sit. 4*i &n%hi!#i % /tii %e 1ii &n
!al*, n#?
9 ; !iatr !re1i"as, $"*n#le. Un 'i#+aer. Taie
&n sti%l %a &n 2r)n0.
9 N#,i " si*!l !iatr !re1i"as. ; !iatr
!re1i"as %# A *are.
9 N# %#*+a e Granat#l Al2astr# al %"ntesei $e
M"r%ar? A* eF%la*at e#.
9 Ba %hiar a/a. 4i %#n"s% *ri*ea /i f"r*a, $at
fiin$% &n #lti*ele 0ile a* %itit *ere# &n 0iar#l
CTi*esD an#n1#l $is!ari1iei l#i. E #n 'i#+aer fr
sea*n, a %r#i +al"are n# !"ate fi sta2ilit %#
!re%i0ie, $ar re%"*!ensa $e " *ie $e lire, %e a f"st
"ferit, n# re!re0int, fr &n$"ial, ni%i *%ar a
$"#0e%ea !arte a !re1#l#i s# real.
9 ; *ie $e lire: Sine,*, $"a*ne: Stri'
%"*isi"nar#l !r2#/in$#,se &ntr,#n f"t"li# /i
#it)n$#,se %)n$ la I"l*es, %)n$ la *ine.
9 Asta e $"ar re%"*!ensa, &ns a* *"ti+e s
%re$ % *ai eFist #nele %"nsi$erente senti*entale
%are ar fa%e," !e %"ntes s,/i $ea /i -#*tate $in
a+ere n#*ai s re%a!ete neste*ata.
9 (a% n# * &n/el, s,a !ier$#t la h"tel#lK
C"s*"!"litanD, a* inter+enit e#.
9 EFa%t. A%#* %in%i 0ile, a$i% la OO
$e%e*2rie, >"hn I"rner, #n instalat"r *e%ani%, a f"st
a%#0at % l,ar fi s#stras $in %aseta $e 2i-#terii a
%"ntesei. ("+e0ile &*!"tri+a l#i era# at)t $e
!#terni%e &n%)t %a0#l a f"st $eferit C#r1ii %# >#ri.
Cre$ % a* ai%i " relatare a &ntre'ii afa%eri. S%"t"%i
!rintre 0iare #it)n$#,se la $ata fie%r#ia, /i &n %ele
$in #r* s%"ase #n#l $in ele, &l nete0i, &l &*!t#ri /i
%iti #r*t"r#l !ara'rafJ C=#rt#l $e 2i-#terii $e la
h"tel#l CC"s*"!"litanD.
Instalat"r#l >"hn I"rner, &n +)rst $e OU $e ani, a
f"st arestat s#2 &n+in#irea $e a fi s#stras &n 0i#a $e
OO ale l#nii %#rente, $in %aseta $e 2i-#terii a %"ntesei
$e M"r%ar, !re1i"s#l 'i#+aer %#n"s%#t s#2 n#*ele $e
Granat#l Al2astr#. >a*es Ry$er, /ef#l !ers"nal#l#i
$e ser+i%i# $in h"tel, a $e!#s *rt#rie &n sens#l % l,
a %"n$#s !e I"rner &n %a*era $e t"alet a %"ntesei
$e M"r%ar &n 0i#a %)n$ s,a s+)r/it f#rt#l, %a s
li!eas% " 2ar $e la 'rtar#l %*in#l#i, %are se
r#!sese. R*sese %)t+a +re*e %# I"rner, $ar a!"i
f#sese %he*at la tre2#ri. 4nt"r%)n$#,se, a %"nstatat
% I"rner $is!r#se, % 2ir"#l f#sese f"r1at /i %aseta
*i% $e *ar"%hin &n %are 5 $#! %#* s,a aflat *ai
t)r0i# 5 &/i 1inea $e "2i%ei %"ntesa !re1i"s#l 'i#+aer
se 'sea '"al !e *s#1a $e t"alet. Ry$er a $at
i*e$iat alar*a /i I"rner a f"st arestat &n seara
a%eleia/i 0ile3 !iatr !re1i"as n,a !#t#t fi &ns 'sit
ni%i as#!ra l#i, ni%i la el a%as. Catherine C#sa%H,
%a*erista %"ntesei, a $e!#s /i ea *rt#rie, s!#n)n$
% a a#0it stri't#l $e s!ai* al l#i Ry$er %)n$ a
$es%"!erit f#rt#l, s,a re!e0it &n "$aie #n$e a 'sit
sit#a1ia $es%ris $e !ri*#l *art"r. Ins!e%t"r#l
Bra$street $in (i+i0ia B a A"li1iei l"n$"ne0e a $e!#s
*rt#rie %# !ri+ire la arestarea l#i I"rner, %are s,a
l#!tat $es!erat %# !"li1ia !r"test)n$ /i stri')n$ s#s /i
tare % e ne+in"+at. 4ntr#%)t s,a *ai 'sit &*!"tri+a
!re+enit#l#i $"+a$a #nei $eten1i#ni anteri"are !entr#
-af, *a'istrat#l a ref#0at s fa% instr#%1ia s#*ar a
%a0#l#i /i l,a $eferit C#r1ii %# >#ri. I"rner, %are a $at
se*ne $e e*"1ie !#terni% &n ti*!#l $e02ateril"r, a
le/inat la &n%heierea l"r /i a tre2#it s fie s%"s !e
2ra1e $in tri2#nalD.
9 I*: Asta &n %eea %e !ri+e/te tri2#nal#l $e
instr#%1ie, s!#se I"l*es ')n$it"r, ar#n%)n$ 0iar#l la
" !arte. A%#* !r"2le*a $e %are tre2#ie s ne
"%#!* n"i este &nln1#irea e+eni*entel"r !"rnin$
$e la -ef#irea #nei %asete $e 2i-#terii /i sf)r/in$ %#
'#/a #nei ')/te $in T"ttenha* C"#rt R"a$. Ve0i t#,
Wats"n, *i%ile n"astre $e$#%1ii a# l#at $e"$at "
&nf1i/are *#lt *ai i*!"rtant /i *#lt *ai !#1in
ne+in"+at. Asta e !iatr !re1i"as, !iatra +ine $in
'#/a ')/tei, iar ')s%a +ine $e la $"*n#l Ienry
BaHer, 'entle*an#l %# !lria !"n"sit /i %# t"ate
%elelalte &ns#/iri %# %are te,a* !li%tisit. A/a % a%#*
tre2#ie s ne !#ne* f"arte seri"s !e trea2, s,l
$es%"!eri* !e a%est 'entle*an /i s l*#ri* eFa%t
%e r"l a -#%at el &n a%est *i% *ister. Aentr# a fa%e
a%est l#%r#, tre2#ie s &n%er%* *ai &nt)i *i-l"a%ele
%ele *ai si*!le, #n#l $in ele fiin$ fr &n$"ial #n
an#n1 !#2li%at &n t"ate 0iarele $e $#!,a*ia0. (a%
a%esta $ 're/, +a tre2#i s re%#r' la alt *et"$.
9 Ce +ei s!#ne &n an#n1?
9 (,*i te r"' #n %rei"n /i h)rti#1a $e %"l". Ei,
a%#* s +e$e*J CS,a 'sit &n %"l1#l str0ii G""$'e "
')s% /i " !lrie *el"# $e %#l"are nea'r. ("*n#l
Ienry BaHer le !"ate %!ta &na!"i +enin$ ast,sear
la U,PN &n BaHer Street la n#*r#l OO6BD. Cre$ % e
$est#l $e %lar /i %"n%is.
9 Chiar f"arte. (ar " s,l +a$ "are?
9 S#nt si'#r % %er%etea0 ne&n%etat 'a0etele
!entr# % !ier$erea s#ferit e $est#l $e 'rea !entr#
#n "* sra%. A f"st fr &n$"ial at)t $e s!eriat $e
'hini"n#l !e %are l,a a+#t s!r')n$ fereastra /i $e
i+irea l#i Aeters"n, &n%)t n# s,a *ai ')n$it $e%)t la
f#'3 $ar $e at#n%i tre2#ie s fi re'retat a*arni%
!"rnirea %are l,a f%#t s s%a!e !asrea $in *in. @i
!e #r*, fa!t#l % i,a* *en1i"nat n#*ele, +a fa%e %
an#n1#l s,i a-#n' la #re%hi, !entr# % "ri%ine &l
%#n"a/te &i +a atra'e aten1ia as#!ra l#i. Ei, #ite,
Aeters"n, $ " f#' !)n la a'en1ia $e !#2li%itate /i
%ere s se insere0e an#n1#l &n 0iarele $e $#!,a*ia0.
9 Area 2ine, $"*n#le I"l*es, /i %# !iatra %e
fa%e*?
9 A, !iatra? ; !stre0 e#, *#l1#*es%. @i,
as%#lt, Aeters"n, %#*!r /i " ')s% la &na!"iere /i
las," ai%i !entr# % tre2#ie s i," $* $"*n#l#i sta
&n s%hi*2#l %elei %# %are se "s!tea0 a%#* fa*ilia
$#*itale.
(#! !le%area %"*isi"nar#l#i, I"l*es a ri$i%at
!iatra &n $re!t#l l#*inii /i," !ri+i &n$el#n'.
9 =r#*"as 2i-#terie: S!#se el. Ia #it,te %#*
*ai s%)nteia0 /i ar#n% +!i: E 2ine&n1eles #n
s)*2#re /i #n f"%ar $e %ri*e, %a t"ate 'i#+aer#rile
$e !re1. S#nt *"*elile fa+"rite ale $ia+"l#l#i. 4n
'i#+aer#rile *ai *ari /i *ai +e%hi fie%are fa1et
!"ate s %"res!#n$ #n#i fa!t s)n'er"s. Aiatra
a%easta &ns n,are ni%i $"#0e%i $e ani +e%hi*e. A
f"st 'sit &n *)l#l r)#l#i A*"y $in s#$#l Chinei /i
e re*ar%a2il !rin a%eea % are t"ate %ara%teristi%ile
'ranat#l#i. N#*ai % &n l"% s fie r"/ie %a r#2in#l,
strl#%e/te &n al2astr#. (e/i at)t $e t)nr %a +)rsta,
are &n% $e !e a%#* #n tre%#t &ns!i*)ntt"r. (e
$ra'#l a%estei 2#%1i $e %r2#ne %ristali0at $e 0e%e
%arate s a# %"*is !)n a%#* $"# "*"r#ri, "
sin#%i$ere, %)te+a f#rt#ri /i #n atentat %# +itri"l. C#i
i,ar tre%e !rin %a! % " -#%rie at)t $e $r'#1 !"ate
s fie #n ase*enea f#rni0"r al s!)n0#rt"ril"r /i
te*ni1el"r? ; s," &n%hi$ a%#* &n %asa $e fier /i a*
s,i s%ri# $"# r)n$#ri %"ntesei %a s," an#n1 % !iatra
se afl &n !"sesia n"astr.
9 Cre0i % in$i+i$#l sta, I"rner, e ne+in"+at?
9 N,a* $e #n$e s /ti#.
9 At#n%i &1i &n%hi!#i % stlalt, Ienry BaHer,
are +re#n a*este% &n a%east !"+este?
9 E *#lt *ai !r"2a2il, %re$, %a Ienry BaHer s
fie a2s"l#t ne+in"+at /i s n,ai2 ha2ar % !asrea
$in 2ra1ele l#i +al"ra *ai *#lt $e%)t $a% ar fi f"st
f%#t $in a#r *asi+. A*n#nt#l sta &ns a* s,l
sta2iles% !rintr," !r"2 f"arte si*!l, $a% +"*
%!ta +re#n rs!#ns la an#n1.
9 @i !)n at#n%i n# !"1i fa%e ni*i%?
9 Ni*i%.
9 4n %a0#l sta * $#% s,*i ter*in +i0itele !e
la !a%ien1i, $ar a* s * &nt"r% $esear la "r !e %are
ai !"*enit,", !entr# % s#nt %#ri"s s +$ %#* s%"1i
la %a!t " afa%ere at)t $e &n%)l%it.
9 Va fi " !l%ere s te re+$. Cine0 la /a!te.
Cre$ % a* la *as #n sitar. A!r"!", $at fiin$
#lti*a &nt)*!lare, !"ate n,ar fi r# s,i s!#n
$"a*nei I#$s"n s,i %er%ete0e /i l#i '#/a.
=iin$ re1in#t *ai *#lt la #n 2"lna+, *,a*
&na!"iat &n BaHer Street !#1in $#! /ase -#*tate.
A!r"!iin$#,* $e %asa l#i I"l*es, a* +0#t #n
2r2at &nalt %# 2eret !e %a!, %# " re$in'"t &n%heiat
!)n s#2 2r2ie, a/te!t)n$ afar &n se*i%er%#l $e
l#*in ar#n%at $e ferestr#i%a $e $eas#!ra #/ii. Chiar
%)n$ s"sea* e#, s,a $es%his #/a /i a* f"st !"fti1i
a*)n$"i &n %a*era l#i I"l*es.
9 ("*n#l Ienry BaHer, $a% n# * &n/el,
s!#se a%esta ri$i%)n$#,se $in f"t"li# /i sal#t)n$#,/i
*#safir#l %# aer#l $e'a-at /i -"+ial !e %are i02#tea
s,l a$"!te %# at)ta #/#rin1. L#a1i, + r"', l"% ai%i
l)n' f"%, $"*n#le BaHer. E " sear tare fri'#r"as
/i &*i fa%e i*!resia % %ir%#la1ia $#*nea+"astr
san'#in se &*!a% *ai 2ine %# %l$#ra +erii $e%)t
%# 'er#l. Ah, Wats"n, ai +enit t"%*ai la ti*!. Alria
asta e a $#*nea+"astr, $"*n#le BaHer?
9 (a, $"*n#le, fr &n$"ial e a *ea. Era #n
2r2at +"ini%, %# #*erii r"t#n0i, %# %a!#l *asi+ /i "
fa1 lat, inteli'ent, !rel#n'it %# #n %i"% %astani#,
#/"r &n%r#n1it. R"/ea1a #/"ar $e !e nas /i $in
"2ra-i, $e"!"tri+ %# tre*#r#l #/"r al *)ini l#i
&ntinse, *i,a# a*intit $e 2n#iala l#i I"l*es %#
!ri+ire la nra+#rile l#i. Re$in'"ta,l nea'r, ie/it $e
s"are, era &n%his !)n s#s, '#ler#l ri$i%at, iar
*)inile &i ie/ea# $in *)ne%i, fr a se +e$ea +re"
#r* $e *an/ete sa# %*a/. V"r2ea sa%a$at,
ale')n$#,/i %# 'ri- +"r2ele /i ls)n$ &n 'enere
i*!resia #n#i "* &n+1at /i %itit, $ar n!st#it $e
s"art.
9 Astr* $e %)te+a 0ile a%este "2ie%te, s!#se
I"l*es, !entr# % ne a/te!ta* s +e$e* &n 0iare
+re#n an#n1 %are s ne $ea a$resa $#*nea+"astr.
N# &n1ele' ni%i a%#* $e %e n,a1i &nserat #n an#n1?
Vi0itat"r#l r)se "are%#* -enat3
9 @ilin'ii n# se *ai &*2#l0es% &n 2#0#nar#l
*e# %a alt$at, s!#se el. N# a+ea* ni%i %ea *ai
*i% &n$"ial % 2an$a $e 2t#/i %are *,a# ata%at
&*i l#aser /i !lria /i ')s%a. N# 1inea* s *ai
risi!es% /i al1i 2ani &ntr," &n%er%are $e0n$-$#it $e
a le re%!ta.
9 Nat#ral. (ar a!r"!", !asrea a* f"st sili1i s,"
*)n%*.
9 S," *)n%a1i?: Vi0itat"r#l se ri$i% !e
-#*tate $e !e s%a#n, t#l2#rat.
9 (a, $a% n,a* fi *)n%at,", n,ar *ai fi f"st
2#n $e ni*i%. (ar !res#!#n % ')s%a asta $e !e
2#fet, %a* $e a%eea/i 're#tate /i f"arte !r"as!t, +a
%"res!#n$e t"t at)t $e 2ine s%"!#l#i $#*nea+"astr,
n#?
9 A, $esi'#r, $esi'#r, rs!#nse $"*n#l BaHer,
%# #n "ftat $e #/#rare.
9 Bine&n1eles % *ai a+e* &n% !enele,
!i%i"arele, '#/a /i %elelalte *r#ntaie $e la !asrea
$#*nea+"astr, a/a % $a% $"ri1iK
In$i+i$#l r)se $in t"at ini*a.
9 Ar !#tea s,*i ser+eas% $"ar %a s#+enir al
!eri!e1iil"r !rin %are a* tre%#t, s!#se el, $ar &n afar
$e asta, n# !rea +$ %e,a/ !#tea s fa% %# a%este
C$is-e%ta *e*2raD ale f"stei *ele %#n"/tin1e. N#,
$"*n#le, %re$ % 5 %# +"ia $#*nea+"astr 5 * +"i
*r'ini s,*i &n$re!t aten1ia $"ar as#!ra !srii
*in#nate !e %are " 0res% !e 2#fet.
Sherl"%H I"l*es &*i ar#n% i#te " !ri+ire
ri$i%)n$ #/"r $in #*eri.
9 Aerfe%t, at#n%i iat !lria /i !asrea
$#*nea+"astr, s!#se el. (ar, a!r"!", + s#!r
$a% + &ntre2 $e #n$e a1i %#*!rat %ealalt ')s%a?
M "%#! /i e# ni1el#/ $e %res%#t#l !sril"r /i rare"ri
*i,a f"st $at s &nt)lnes% !asre *ai 2ine &n'r/at.
9 C# !l%ere, $"*n#le, s!#se BaHer, %are se
ri$i%ase stre%#r)n$#,/i s#2 2ra1 a+erea !r"as!t
re%!tat. S#nte* %)1i+a !rieteni %are fre%+ent*
han#l CAl!haD, lin' M#0e# 5 0i#a, /ti1i, st* %hiar
la M#0e#. An#l a%esta, 2#n#l n"str# %)r%i#*ar,
Win$i'ate !e n#*e, a &nfiin1at #n %l#2 al ')/tel"r, &n
%a$r#l %r#ia, &n s%hi*2#l #nei s#*e $e %)1i+a !enny
!e s!t*)n, a+ea* s !ri*i* fie%are %)te " ')s%
$e Cr%i#n. E# *i,a* !ltit re'#lat taFa, iar rest#l
fa!tel"r + s#nt %#n"s%#te. V r*)n f"arte
&n$at"rat, $"*n#l *e#, !entr# % 2ereta asta n" e
!"tri+it ni%i !entr# +)rsta, ni%i !entr# seri"0itatea
*ea. Cere*"ni"s, $ar "are%#* ri$i%"l, s,a &n%linat
s"le*n &n fa1a fie%r#ia $intre n"i /i $#/ a f"st.
9 Ei, a* ter*inat /i %# $"*n#l <enry BaHer,
s!#se I"l*es $#! %e &n%hise #/a &n #r*a l#i. E
a2s"l#t si'#r % n,are ha2ar $e t"at afa%erea
n"astr. Si,e f"a*e, Wats"n?
9 N# %ine /tie %e.
9 At#n%i !r"!#n s ne transf"r** %ina &ntr,#n
s#!e# /i s 2ate* fier#l %)t e %al$.
9 S#nt !erfe%t $e a%"r$.
Era #n 'er n!ra0ni% &n seara a%eea, a/a % ne a*
&nf/#rat &n *antale /i ne,a* !#s f#lare la ')t. Afar,
stelele strl#%ea# &n'he1ate !e #n %er fr n"ri, iar
rs#flarea tre%t"ril"r se ri$i%a &n aer %a f#*#l $in
1ea+a !ist"alel"r. Aa/ii n"/tri i#1i /i a!sa1i rs#na#
!e %al$ar)* %)n$ tre%ea* !rin %artier#l $"%t"ril"r,
Wi*!"ie Street, Iarley Street /i Wi'*"re Street,
!)n %e a* intrat !e ;Ff"r$ Street. 4ntr,#n sfert $e
%eas era* &n Bl""*s2#ry, la han#l CAl!haD, "
%)r%i#* $in %"l1#l #nei str0i %e %"2"ra &n %artier#l
I"i2"rn. I"l*es a &*!ins #/a han#l#i /i i,a %er#t
!atr"n#l#i r"/%"+an, %# /"r1#l al2 &n fa1, s ne $ea
$"# hal2e $e 2ere, a$#'in$J
9 Tre2#ie s a+e1i " 2ere eF%elent, $a% " fi t"t
a/a $e 2#n %a ')/tele $#*nea+"astr.
9 G)/tele *ele?: ;*#l !rea s#r!rins.
9 (a, n#,i ni%i " -#*tate $e "r $e %)n$ a*
+"r2it %# $"*n#l Ienry BaHer, *e*2r# al %l#2#l#i
')/tel"r $e la $#*nea+"astr.
9 Aha, &n1ele'. (ar /ti1i, $"*n#le, n# s#nt
')/tele n"astre.
9 Seri"s, $ar ale %#i?
9 A* %#*!rat $"# $#0ini $e la #n !re%#!e1
$in !ia1a C"+%nt Gar$en.
9 A/a +as0i%: 4i %#n"s% @i e# !e #nii $intre ei.
(e la %are le,ai l#at?
9 4l %hea* Bre%Hinri$'e.
9 (a? Ae sta n#,l %#n"s%. Ei, &n "ri%e %a0,
n"r"% !atr"ane, 2e* &n sntatea $#*itale /i !entr#
2#n#l *ers al ne'"1#l#i %# %are te &n$eletni%e/ti. Ei,
n"a!te 2#n: @i a%#M. La $"*n#l Bre%Hinri$'e,
%"ntin# el &n%hein$#,/i *anta#a, %)n$ ne afl* $in
n"# &n aer#l &n'he1at $e afar. N# #ita, Wats"n, %
$e/i la #n %a!t al a%est#i fir se afl #n l#%r# a/a $e
2anal 5 " ')s%$e %ellalt %a!t at)rna s"arta #n#i
"* %are +a %!ta, fr &n$"ial, /a!te ani $e *#n%
silni%, $a% n#,i !#te* $"+e$i ne+in"+1ia. E %#
!#tin1 % an%heta n"astr s n# fa% $e%)t s
%"nfir*e % e +in"+at. (ar, &n "ri%e %a0, a+e* " linie
!e %are s ne $#%e* %er%etrile /i !e %are !"li1ia a
s%!at," $in +e$ere. Arintr,#n n"r"% ne*ai!"*enit
a* a!#%at $e a%est %a!t al fir#l#i, a/a % s n#,l
ls* $in *in, "ri%e s,ar &nt)*!la. Arin #r*are.
(ire%1ia s!re s#$ /i !as aler't"r:
A* tre%#t !rin I"i2"rn, a* %"2"r)t !e En$ell
Street /i !rintr," &nt"rt"%hiet#r $e str$#1e *#r$are
a* a-#ns &n !ia1a C"+ent Gar$en. Una $in %ele *ai
*ari 'herete !#rta fir*a %# n#*ele Bre%Hinri$'e3
!r"!rietar#l, %# " *#tr $e %al, %# fa1a as%#1it /i
fa+"ritele &n'ri-ite, $$ea " *ina $e a-#t"r #n#i
+)n0t"r s !#n "2l"anele.
9 B#n seara: Ca* fri' ast,sear, s!#se
I"l*es.
Ne'#st"r#l $$# $in %a! /i,i ar#n% " !ri+ire
s%r#tt"are t"+ar/#l#i *e#.
9 V$ % a1i +)n$#t t"ate ')/tele, %"ntin#
I"l*es art)n$ s!re tara2ele $e *ar*#r !e %are n#
*ai era *arf.
9 (a% +re1i, + $a# /i %in%i s#te, *)ine
$i*inea1.
9 N,a* f%#t ni*i%.
9 Ei, *ai s#nt +re" %)te+a la $#'heana %#
la*!a $e 'a0 aerian.
9 (a, n#*ai % !e *ine *,a &n$re!tat la
$#*neataK
9 Cine an#*e?
9 Ian'i#l $e la CAl!haD.
9 A, $a. I,a* tri*is +re" $"# $#0ini.
9 Era# 'r"0a+e. (e #n$e le,ai %!tat?
S!re *area *ea s#r!rin$ere, &ntre2area &l s%"ase
$in srite !e ne'#st"r.
9 As%#lt, $"*n#le, s!#se el $)n$#,/i %a!#l !e,
" !arte /i !#n)n$#,/i *)inile &n /"l$. Un$e +rei s
a-#n'i? Iai$e, hai$e, ia s $* %r1ile !e fa1.
9 S le $*. A/ +rea s /ti# %ine 1i,a +)n$#t
')/tele !e %are le,ai tri*is la han#l, Al!haD?
9 Ei, 2ine, n,a* s,1i s!#n, /i %# asta 2asta.
9 A, n,are *are i*!"rtan1, $ar n# &n1ele' $e %e
te &nfier2)n1i a/a !entr# #n flea%?
9 M &nfier2)nt: Te,ai &nfier2)nta /i $#*neata
la fel $a% te,ar hr1#i at)1ia %# a%elea/i &ntre2ri.
C)n$ $ai 2ani 2#ni !e #n l#%r# 2#n, %# asta afa%erea
ar tre2#i s se sf)r/eas%. (ar e# n# *ai s%a! $e
&ntre2ri. CUn$e s#nt ')/tele?D, CC#i i,ai +)n$#t
')/tele?D, CC)t +rei !e ')/tele astea?D. S,ar 0i%e %
alte ')/te n,a# *ai f"st !e l#*e, %)n$ a#0i %)t 0ar+
se fa%e &n -#r#l l"r.
9 ; fi, n#*ai % e# n,a* ni%i " le't#r %#
ni%i#n#l $in %ei %are te,a# ne%-it %# &ntre2rile l"r,
s!#se ne!st"r I"l*es. (a% n# +rei s,*i s!#i,
!ier$ #n !ari# /i,at)ta t"t. (ar e# s#nt 'ata "ri%)n$
s,*i s#s1in !rerile &n !ri+in1a !sril"r $e %#rte /i
a* !#s r*/a' !e %in%i lire % !asrea !e %are a*
*)n%at," e $intr," %res%t"rie $e la 1ar.
9 Ei, 2ine, at#n%i ai !ier$#t 2anii, !entr# % e
$intr," %res%t"rie $e la "ra/, &i s!#se re!e0it
ne'#st"r#l.
9 N# se !"ate.
9 Ba se !"ate.
9 N# %re$.
9 N# %#*+a &1i &n%hi!#i % te !ri%e!i la !sri
*ai 2ine $e%)t *ine, %are t"t %# ele a* a+#t $e,a
fa%e $e %)n$ era* 2iat $e !r+lie? As%#lt %e,1i
s!#n, t"ate !srile %are le,a* tri*is la CAl!haD era#
%res%#te la "ra/.
9 Asta n,a* s," %re$ ni%i &n r#!t#l %a!#l#i.
9 =a%i !rins"are, at#n%i?
9 4nsea*n s,1i ia# 2anii $e !"*an, !entr# %
/ti# 2ine % a* $re!tate. (ar &n "ri%e %a0, te 1in
r*/a' " lir, $"ar a/a %a s te in+it *inte s n# te
*ai &n%!1)ne0i alt$at.
Are%#!e1#l r)n-i *#l1#*it.
9 Bill, ia $,*i %"n$i%ile, stri' el.
Bie1el#l a$#se #n re'istr# *ai s#21irel /i alt#l
*ai *are /i s"i"s !#n)n$#,le !e a*)n$"# s#2
la*!a at)rnata &n +itrin.
9 Ei, a%#*, $"*n#le C!1)na, s!#se
ne'#st"r#l, %re$ea* % a* is!r+it ')/tele, $ar !)n
&n $"# *in#te " s,1i $ai sea*a % *ai a* #na &n
!r+lie. Ve0i %"n$i%a asta?
9 Ei, %e,i %# ea?
9 Asta e lista a%el"ra $e la %are %#*!r.
4n1ele'i? Ei 2ine, ai%i !e !a'ina asta s#nt f#rni0"rii
$e la 1ar /i $#! n#*ele l"r s%ri# n#*r#l %"nt#l#i
$in re'istr#l %el *are. Ei, hai s +e$e* a%#*. Uite
!a'ina asta $e $in%"a%e s%ris %# %erneal r"/ie. Ai%i
a* f#rni0"rii $e la "ra/. Ia !ri+e/te al treilea n#*e
$e ai%i. Cite/te,*i,l tare.
9 ("a*na ;aHsh"tt $e !e BriFt"n R"a$ 66L,
%iti I"l*es, /i a!"i %ifra OB8.
9 4nt"%*ai. Ei, a%#* s %#t* %ifra asta &n
re'istr#l $e intrri /i ie/iri.
I"l*es &nt"arse f"ile la !a'ina in$i%at, iatJ
C("a*na ;aHsh"tt, BriFt"n R"a$ 66L, f#rni0"are $e
"# /i !sri $e %#rteD.
9 Ei, ia +e0i. Care e #lti*a &nre'istrare?
9. OO $e%e*2rie, OB $e ')/te la !re1#l $e L
/ilin'i /i U !ennii 2#%atD.
9 Chiar a/a. Ei, asta,i. @i $e$es#2t %e s%rie?
9 V)n$#te $"*n#l#i Win$i'ate $e la CAl!haD
%# 6O /ilin'i 2#%atD.
9 Ei. Ce *ai ai $e s!#s?
Sherl"%H I"l*es f%# " *#tr tare a*r)t.
S%"ase " *"ne$ $e " lir $in 2#0#nar /i " ar#n% !e
te-'hea, &n$e!rt)n$#,se %# aer#l "*#l#i %are n#,/i
!"ate eF!ri*a &n +"r2e $e0'#st#l. (#! %)1i+a *etri
se "!ri s#2 #n felinar /i r)se fr 0'"*"t, $ar $in
t"at ini*a, a/a %#* f%ea &nt"t$ea#na.
9 Ei, $e %)te "ri +ei +e$ea #n "* %# fa+"ri1i
!"tri+i1i &n fel#l sta /i %# 2atista r"0 at)rn)n$#,i $in
2#0#nar, s /tii % &nt"t$ea#na &l !"1i tra'e $e li*2
!rintr,#n r*/a', s!#se I"l*es. Ba *ai *#lt, a/
0i%e %hiar % $a% i,a/ fi !#s #n tean% $e " s#t $e
lire &n fa1, n# *i,ar fi $at inf"r*a1ii *ai %"*!lete
$e%)t a* !#t#t s%"ate $e la el f%)n$#,X s %rea$ %
* 2ate la #n r*/a'. Ei 2ine, Wats"n, %re$ % ne
a!r"!ie* $e sf)r/it#l an%hetei n"astre /i sin'#r#l
!#n%t %are *ai r*)ne $e sta2ilit este $a% e *ai
2ine s *er'e* la a%east $"a*n ;aHsh"tt %hiar &n
seara asta sa# s ne re0er+* !l%erea !entr# *)ine?
E li*!e$e $in %eea %e ne,a s!#s 1)fn"s#l sta %
afa%erea i,a *ai !#s !e -rati% /i !e al1ii /i e# a/
%re$e %K
(ar !rerile i,a# f"st 2r#s% &ntrer#!te $e "
hr*laie %#*!lit %e +enea $e la !r+lia !e %are
t"%*ai " !rsise*. 4nt"r%)n$#,ne a* $at %# "%hii
$e #n in$i+i$ !r!$it, %# " fa1 $e /"2"lan, %e se
!r"1!ise &n *i-l"%#l %er%#l#i $e l#*in 'al2en
rs!)n$it $e la*!a %e se le'na &n 'ea*#l !r+liei,
&n ti*! %e Bre%Hinri$'e, ne'#st"r#l, sttea &n !ra'
a*enin1)n$#,l fi"r"s %# !#*nii !e 2iet#l "*#le1.
9 Mi s,a f%#t leha*ite $e $#*neata /i $e
')/tele $#*itale. Stri' el. (e +,a1i $#%e $ra%#l#i %#
t"1ii: (a% *ai +ii s,*i 2a1i %a!#l %# !r"stiile
$#*itale, a* s as*#1 %)inele as#!r,1i. A$," ai%i !e
*a$a* ;aHsh"tt /i a* s sta# $e +"r2 %# ea, $ar %e
a*este% ai $#*neata? Ce, $e la $#*neata a*
%#*!rat e# ')/tele?
9 N#, $ar "ri%#*, #na era a *ea, se s%)n%i
"*#le1#l.
9 Ei 2ine, at#n%i %ere," l#i *a$a* ;aHsh"tt.
9 (ar ea *i,a s!#s s 1i," %er $#*itale.
9 M r"', $in !artea *ea, n,ai $e%)t s i," %eri
/i re'el#i Ar#siei, % e# #n#l *,a* st#rat !)n,n
')t. Car,te $e ai%i: Se re!e0i f#ri"s &nainte /i %el %#
&ntre2rile $is!r# &n$at &n &nt#neri%.
9 Ia, asta !"ate s ne s%#teas% $e " +i0it la
%asa $in BriFt"n R"a$, /"!ti I"l*es. Iai$e %# *ine
s +e$e* %e !#te* s%"ate $e la in$i+i$#l sta.
Mer')n$ %# !a/i *ari !rintre 'r#!#rile $e
"a*eni %are se rsfiraser %s%)n$ '#ra !e la
$#'henele l#*inate, t"+ar/#l *e# &l a-#nse re!e$e
!e "*#le1 /i,l 2t# !e #*r. A%esta se rs#%i s!eriat
!e %l%)ie /i la l#*ina felinar#l#i a* !#t#t +e$ea %
se f%#se al2 %a +ar#l la fa1.
9 Cine e/ti $#*neata? Ce +rei? 4ntre2 el %#
tre*#r &n 'las.
9 Te r"' s * ier1i, s!#se I"l*es %# 'las
2la-in, $ar *i,a f"st %# ne!#tin1 s n# a#$ $in
&nt)*!lare &ntre2rile !e %are le,ai !#s %hiar
a$inea#ri ne'#st"r#l#i. Cre$ % 1i,a/ !#tea a-#ta.
9 (#*neata? (ar %ine e/ti $#*neata? (e #n$e
ai !#tea s ai ha2ar $e t"at tr/enia asta?
9 M n#*es% Sherl"%H I"l*es. Trea2a *ea
este s a* ha2ar $e l#%r#ri $e %are n,a# al1ii.
9 (ar $e $ata asta n# !"1i s /tii ni*i%, $e
2#n,sea*?
9 Iart,*, te r"', $ar /ti# t"t#l. (#*neata te
str$#ie/ti s $ai $e #r*a #n"r ')/te %are a# f"st
+)n$#te $e $"a*na ;aHsh"tt $in BriFt"n R"a$ #n#i
ne'#st"r n#*it Bre%Hinri$'e /i !e %are a%esta, la
r)n$#l l#i, le,a +)n$#t $"*n#l#i Win$i'ate $e la
han#l, Al!haD, %are le,a +)n$#t *ai $e!arte
*e*2ril"r %l#2#l#i s#, !rintre %are /i $"*n#l#i
<enry BaHer.
9 Vai, $"*n#le, at#n%i s#nte1i %hiar "*#l !e
%are 1inea* s,l %#n"s%, stri' st)r!it#ra fr s,/i
!"at st!)ni tre*#r#l *)inil"r &ntinse. Ni%i n# +
!"t s!#ne %)t $e *#lt * interesea0 a%east
%hesti#ne. Sherl"%H I"l*es stri' " 2ir- %are tre%ea
t"%*ai !e a%"l".
9 4n %a0#l a%esta, ar fi *ai 2ine s st* $e
+"r2 &n tihn, %"lea &ntr," "$i1 2#n, $e%)t &n !ia1a
a%easta &n %are s#fl +)nt#l %a,n !lin %)*!, s!#se el.
(ar, s!#ne,*i te r"' &nainte $e a *er'e *ai $e!arte,
!e %ine a* !l%erea s a-#t?
;*#l /"+i " %li! /i a!"i rs!#nse %# !ri+irile
!ie0i/eJ
9 N#*ele *e# e >"hn R"2ins"n.
9 A n#, +rea# n#*ele a$e+rat, s!#se I"l*es,
*ier"s. E &nt"t$ea#na f"arte ne!l%#t s ai $e,a fa%e
%# %ine+a %are se as%#n$e s#2 #n n#*e fals.
;2ra-ii al2i ai ne%#n"s%#t#l#i se &*2#-"rarJ Ei
2ine, at#n%i n#*ele *e# a$e+rat este >a*es Ry$er.
9 4nt"%*ai. E/ti /ef#l !ers"nal#l#i $e ser+i%i#
$e la h"tel#l CC"s*"!"litanD. Ur%, te r"', &n 2ir- /i
%#r)n$ +"i !#tea s,1i s!#n t"t %e $"re/ti s afli.
;*#le1#l stt# l"%#l#i #it)n$#,se %)n$ la #n#l
%)n$ la %ellalt %# "%hii !lini !e -#*tate $e s!ai*
/i !e -#*tate $e n$e-$e, %a #n#l %e n# e si'#r $a%
e 'ata s,i !#n $#*ne0e# *ina &n %a! sa# s se
!r2#/eas% &n !r!astie. A!"i se #r% &n 2ir- /i
!este " -#*tate $e "r ne afla* iar &n sal"na/#l $in
BaHer Street. Ae $r#* n,a* s%hi*2at ni%i " +"r2,
$ar res!ira1ia a'itat /i !rel#n' a n"#l#i n"str#
t"+ar/, !re%#* /i *)inile l#i %are se &n%le/ta# /i se
$es%le/ta# ner+"s, +"r2ea# l*#rit $es!re &n%"r$area
!ra$ %reia era.
9 Iat,ne a-#n/i: S!#se I"l*es +esel %)n$ a*
intrat #n#l $#! alt#l &n %a*era l#i. ="%#l e f"arte
2ine+enit !e " +re*e %a asta. S,ar 0i%e % 1i,e fri'.
("*n#le Ry$er, ia te r"' l"% &n f"t"li#l $e !aie. 4*i
!#n $"ar !a!#%ii /i !e #r* l*#ri* !"+estea asta a
$#*itale. Ei, a%#* e 'ata: Vrei s /tii %e s,a
&nt)*!lat %# ')/tele alea?
9 (a, $"*n#le.
9 Sa# !"ate *ai $e'ra2 %# ')s%a a%eea.
Bn#ies% % $"ar #na sin'#r te interesa 5 #na al2,
%# " $#n' nea'r !e %"a$.
Ry$er tre*#ra $e e*"1ie.
9 ;"", $"*n#le: Stri' el. A"1i s,*i s!#i #n$e
a a-#ns?
9 Ai%i.
9 Ai%i?
9 (a. @i s,a $"+e$it " !asre %# a$e+rat
*iastr. Ni%i n# * *ir % te interesea0 at)t $e
*#lt. A f%#t #n "# $#! %e a *#rit 5 %el *ai
fr#*"s, %el *ai strl#%it"r "#/"r al2astr# %e s,a
+0#t +re"$at. 4l a* ai%i &n *#0e#l *e#.
Vi0itat"r#l n"str# se ri$i%, se %ltin !e !i%i"are
a!#%)n$#,se %# *)na $e *ar'inea %*in#l#i %a s
n# %a$. I"l*es $es%#ie %asa $e fier /i &i art
Granat#l Al2astr# %are li%rea %a " stea %# *ii $e
ra0e re%i /i s%)nteiet"are. Ry$er sttea 1int, %# fa1a
&n%re*enit, nest)n$ $a% tre2#ie s re%#n"as%
'i#+aer#l sa# s se le!e$e $e el.
9 A%#*, Ry$er, -"%#l s,a sf)r/it, s!#se I"l*es
lini/tit. Sine,te 2ine, "*#le, % altfel %a0i &n f"%.
Wats"n, a-#t,l s se a/e0e $in n"# &n f"t"li#. N,are
$est#l trie $e %ara%ter %a s fa% " nele'i#ire fr
s se tea* $e #r*ri. (,i #n str"! $e ra%hi#. A/a:
Ei, a%#* *ai arat /i el a "*. Ce !r!$it e, 0# a/a:
; %li! i se *#iaser $e t"t !i%i"arele /i era %)t
!e,a%i s %a$, $ar ra%hi#l &i *ai a$#se !#1in s)n'e &n
"2ra-i, a/a % a%#* sttea /i,l !ri+ea s!eriat !e
a%#0at"r#l s#.
9 A* t"ate inelele lan1#l#i &n *)ini /i t"ate
$"+e0ile $e %are a/ !#tea s a* ne+"ie, a/a % n,a
r*as s,*i s!#i $e%)t %)te+a l#%r#ri. T"t#/i, a%este
%)te+a l#%r#ri ar fi 2ine s le l*#ri* !entr# a
%"*!leta $"sar#l. Ry$er, a#0ise/i $esi'#r $e a%east
!iatr !re1i"as a %"ntesei $e M"r%ar, n#?
9 Catherine C#sa%H *i,a +"r2it $e ea, s!#se el
%# 'las#l s!art.
9 4n1ele', %a*erista %"ntesei. @i fr &n$"ial
is!ita &*2"'1irii nea/te!tate /i at)t $e #/"ar a f"st
!rea *are !entr# tine3 $ar 1i,ai ales *i-l"a%ele fr
!i% $e s%r#!#l. Se !are Ry$er % s#2 &nf1i/area ta se
as%#n$e #n *are ti%l"s. ; s a-#n'i r#. @tiai %
a%est in$i+i$ I"rner, instalat"r#l, *ai f#sese
i*!li%at &ntr," afa%ere $e fel#l sta /i % 2n#ielile ar
!#tea s %a$ *ai #/"r as#!ra l#i. Ce,ai f%#t at#n%i?
Ai f%#t " stri%%i#ne &n %a*era %"ntesei 5 %#
a-#t"r#l %"*!li%ei tale Catherine C#sa%H 5 /i ai
aran-at &n a/a fel %a s fie t"%*ai el %he*at !entr#
re!ara1ie. @i !e #r*, $#! !le%area l#i, ai !r$at
%aseta %# 2i-#terii ai $at alar*a /i,ai !#s s,l areste0e
!e a%est nen"r"%it. Ae #r* aiK
Ry$er s,a ar#n%at $e"$at !e %"+"r la !i%i"arele
l#i I"l*es %#!rin0)n$#,i 'en#n%hii %# 2ra1ele.
9 Aentr# n#*ele L#i $#*ne0e#, fie,+ *il:
G)n$i1i,+ la tatl *e#, la *a*a. Li s,ar fr)n'e
ini*a $e -ale $a% ar afla. 4n +ia1a *ea n,a*
!%t#it, n,a* *ai f%#t +re#n l#%r# r#: @i ni%i n,
a* s *ai fa%. ; -#r, -#r !e E+an'helie: N# * $a1i
!e *)na -#sti1iei: V r"': V r"' %a !e $#*ne0e#.
9 4nt"ar%e,te la l"%#l t#: S!#se I"l*es se+er.
="arte #/"r s te #*ile/ti a%#* la !i%i"arele *ele, s
te t)r/ti &n 'en#n%hi, $ar ni%i n# 1i,a !sat $e 2iet#l
I"rner %are a f"st a$#s &n 2"Fa a%#0a1il"r !entr# "
%ri* %# %are n,a+ea ni%i &n %lin ni%i &n *)ne%.
9 A* s f#', $"*n#le I"l*es. A* s !le% $in
1ar /i at#n%i +a %$ea /i a%#0a1ia &*!"tri+a l#i.
9 I*: Mai +"r2i* n"i $es!re asta. (ar a%#*
ne s!#i eFa%t %e s,a !etre%#t $#! a%eea. C#* a
a-#ns !iatra &n '#/a ')/tei /i %#* a a-#ns ')s%a !e
!ia1. S!#ne,ne a$e+r#l !entr# % $e a%easta at)rna
sin'#ra s!eran1 $e s%!are !e %are " *ai !"1i a+ea.
9 A* s + s!#n eFa%t %#* s,a &nt)*!lat
$"*n#le I"l*es, 'ri Ry$er #*e0in$#,/i 2#0ele
fri!te. C)n$ a f"st arestat I"rner, *i s,a !r#t % %el
*ai 2ine ar fi s !le% $e &n$at %# 'i#+aer#l !entr#
% n# /tia* %)n$ /i %#* i,ar !#tea $a &n ')n$ !"li1iei
s * !er%hi0i1i"ne0e /i s,*i s%"t"%eas% !rin
%a*er. 4n h"tel n# se afla ni%i " as%#n0t"are
si'#r. At#n%i a* ie/it %a /i %#* a/ fi a+#t +re"
trea2 /i *,a* &n$re!tat s!re %asa s#r"rii *ele. Ea e
%st"rit %# #n "are%are ;aHsh"tt, st# !e BriFt"n
R"a$ /i se &n$eletni%e/te %# &n'r/at#l !sril"r
!entr# !ia1. A)n a* a-#ns a%"l" *i se !rea %
fie%are "* !e %are,l &nt)lnes% e !"li1ist sa# $ete%ti+
/i %# t"ate % era " sear fri'#r"as, &*i /ir"ia#
s#$"rile !e fa1 !)n a* a-#ns &n BriFt"n R"a$. S"ra
*ea *,a &ntre2at %e,i %# *ine $e %e s#nt a/a $e
!ali$? (ar i,a* s!#s % era* t#l2#rat $in !ri%ina
f#rt#l#i $e 2i-#terii $e la h"tel. Ae #r* *,a* $#s &n
%#rtea $in $"s /i a* f#*at " !i! &ntre2)n$#,* %e
ar fi f"st *ai 2ine s fa%? A* a+#t !e +re*#ri #n
!rieten n#*it Ma#$sley, %are a a-#ns r# $e t"t /i
%are $e %#r)n$ ter*inase $e is!/it " !e$ea!s la
Aent"n+ille. Ne,a* &nt)lnit &ntr," 0i /i, +"r2in$
$es!re "2i%ei#rile h"1il"r, *i,a s!#s %#* fa% ei %a s
s%a!e $e l#%r#ri $e f#rat. @tia* % el " s,*i fie
%re$in%i"s !entr# % e# &i %#n"/tea* #nele taine, a/a
% *,a* h"tr)t s * $#% $re!t la el la <il2#rn /i s
* $estin#ies% l#i. A+ea s * &n+e1e el %#* s
!refa% !iatra &n 2ani. (ar %#* !#tea* s a-#n' la el
fr !ri*e-$ie? M,a* ')n$it la %hin#rile !rin %are
tre%#se* +enin$ $e la h"tel. 4n "ri%e *"*ent !#tea*
fi arestat /i !er%he0i1i"nat 5 /i !iatra %"lea &n
2#0#nar#l $e la +est. C#* &*i fr*)nta* a/a
%reierii s!ri-init $e 0i$ /i !ri+in$ la ')/tele %are se
le'na# !e l)n' *ine, *i,a +enit $e"$at i$eea %are
*,a &n+1at %#* a/ !#tea s,i &ntre% /i !e %ei *ai
iste1i $ete%ti+i $e !e l#*ea asta. S"r,*ea &*i
s!#sese %# %)te+a s!t*)ni *ai &nainte % !"t s,*i
ale' ')s%a %ea *ai 'ras %a $ar $e Cr%i#n /i /tia*
%,/i 1ine &nt"t$ea#na f'$#iala. A+ea* s,*i ia#
')s%a a%#* /i s $#% &n ea neste*ata !)n la
<il2#rn. 4n f#n$#l %#r1ii era #n *i% /"!r"n /i a*
*inat #na $intre "rtnii !)n a%"l", #na *ai *are /i
*ai fr#*"as, %# " $#n' nea'r !e %"a$. A*
!rins,", i,a* %s%at %i"%#l %# $e,a sila /i i,a*
&nf#n$at !iatra !e ')t %# $e'et#l, %)t *ai a$)n% a*
!#t#t. Aasrea era s se &ne%e, $ar !e #r* a* si*1it
!iatra %"2"r)n$ !e ')tle- &n -"s !)n &n '#/. N#*ai
% 2iat !asre a $at $in ari!i /i s,a 02t#t at)ta &n%)t
s"r,*ea a ie/it $in %as s +a$ %e s,a &nt)*!lat.
C)n$ *,a* &nt"rs s +"r2es% %# ea, 2leste*ata *i,a
s%!at /i a f#'it 2t)n$ $in ari!i, a*este%)n$#,se %#
%elelalte "rtnii., Ce nai2a f%eai %# ')s%a aia, >e*?
C 5 *,a &ntre2at s"r,*ea. (a, i,a* rs!#ns e# 5
0i%eai %,*i $ai #na $e Cr%i#n /i +"ia* s +$ %are
e *ai 'ras. CA 5 0i%e ea 5 !e a ta a* /i !#s,"
$e"!arte. A/a &i /i 0i%e*J ')s%a l#i >e*. E aia *are
al2 $e a%"l". S#nt $"#0e%i /i /ase %# t"t#l, %are +a
s 0i%, #na !entr# tine, #na !entr# n"i /i $"# $#0ini
!entr# !ia1C. CM#l1#*es%, Ma''ie.
9 4i 0i% 5 $ar $a% 1i,e t"t #na, *i,ar !la%e *ai
*#lt s," ia# !e sta %are " a+ea* a$inea"ri &n
*inaC., (ar ailalt tra'e *#lt *ai *#lt la %)ntar 5
s!#se ea 5 /i a* &n'r/at," an#*e !entr# tineD. CN#,
i ni*i%, " +rea# !e astlalt 5 0i% 5 /i," s," ia# %hiar
a%#*D. CM r"', %#* !"fte/ti 5 0ise ea %a*
2"s#*flat 5 At#n%i !e %are " +rei?D CAia al2 %# "
$#n' !e %"a$, $in *i-l"%#l %)r$#l#iD. CArea 2ine 5
0i%e 5 tai," /i ia," %# tine:D CEi 2ine, $"*n#le
I"l*es, a* f%#t &nt"%*ai %#* *i,a 0is /i a* $#s
!asrea !)n la <il2#rn. I,a* s!#s !rieten#l#i *e#
%e f%#se*, !entr# % era #n "* %r#ia n# te sfie/ti
s,i s!#i #n l#%r# %a sta. Era s *"ar $e r)s. Ae
#r* a* l#at n"i #n %#1it /i a* tiat '#/a ')/tei.
C)n$ %"l", s *"r n# alta ni%i #r* $e !iatr n# era
/i at#n%i a* &n1eles % s,a f%#t +re" 're/eal
&n'r"0it"are. A* lsat 2alt !asrea, *,a* &nt"rs &n
'"an la s"r,*ea /i *,a* re!e0it $re!t &n %#rtea $in
$"s. C)n$ %"l", %e s +e0i, n# *ai era ni%i " !asre.
CUn$e s#nt !srile, Ma''ie?C 5 a* stri'at e#. CLa
!re%#!e1 &n !ia1C. CLa %are an#*e? CBre%Hinri$'e
$in C"+ent Gar$enD., (ar %e, *ai era #na %# %"a$
+r'at, a* &ntre2at e#, %a aia !e %are a* ales," e#?C
C(a, >e*. Era# $"# %# %"a$ +r'at /i ni%i"$at n#
le,a* !#t#t $e"se2i #na $e altaD.
CEi 2ine, + &n%hi!#i1i % at#n%i *i s,a l#*inat
*intea /i a* aler'at %)t *,a# 1in#t !i%i"arele !)n la
in$i+i$#l sta, Bre%Hinri$'e, $ar el le +)n$#se !e
t"ate " $at /i n,a +r#t s,*i s!#n %)t $e %)t %#i le,a
$at. L,a1i a#0it /i $#*nea+"astr ast,sear. Ei 2ine,
&nt"t$ea#na *i,a rs!#ns la fel. S"r,*ea %re$e %
a* &n%e!#t s,*i !ier$ *in1ile. Une"ri a/a * te* /i
e#. @i a%#*, /i a%#* s#nt /i e# &nfierat %a #n h"1,
fr *%ar s * fi atins $e 2"'1ia !entr# %are *i,
a* +)n$#t s#flet#l $ia+"l#l#i. ("a*ne, fie,1i *il.
=ie,1i *il, $"a*ne: I02#%ni &n h"h"te $e !l)ns, %#
fa1a &n'r"!at &n *)ini.
Ur* a!"i " t%ere l#n', &ntrer#!t $"ar $e
rs#flarea l#i 're"aie /i $e Sherl"%H I"G*es %are
2tea $ara2ana %# $e'etele !e *ar'inea *esei. Ae
#r* !rieten#l *e# s,a ri$i%at /i a $es%his lar' #/a.
9 Ie/i afar: I,a s!#s el.
9 C#*, $"*n#le? ;", %er#l s +
2ine%#+)nte0e:
9 =r +"r2: Ie/i afar.
(e alte +"r2e ni%i n,a *ai f"st ne+"ie. Ry$er a
$at 2#0na afar, s,a a#0it #n tr"!"t 'r2it !e s%ri, "
#/ tr)ntita, /i r!iala !a/il"r l#i '"nin$ !e stra$.
9 La #r*a #r*ei, Vats"n, s!#se I"l*es,
&ntin0)n$ *)na $#! l#lea#a l#i $e l#t, n# s#nt 1in#t
%)t#/i $e !#1in s &*!lines% li!s#rile !"li1iei. (a%
I"*er s,ar afla &n !ri*e-$ie ar fi %# t"t#l alt%e+a.
(ar in$i+i$#l sta n# +a $e!#ne *rt#rie &*!"tri+a
l#i /i at#n%i !r"%es#l se +a &n%hi$e %# si'#ran1.
Ares#!#n % as%#n$ &ntr,a$e+r " fr,$e,le'e, $ar se
!rea !"ate %a !rin asta s sal+e0 #n s#flet. In$i+i$#l
sta n# +a *ai !%t#i &n +ia1a l#i. S!ai*a !rin %are a
tre%#t l,a +in$e%at !e +e%i. (a%,l tri*it a%#* la
&n%his"are, &l fa% "%na/ !e +ia1. @i a!"i, 0ilele astea
s#nt sr2t"rile iertrii. N"r"%#l ne,a s%"s &n %ale "
!r"2le* #ni% /i tare %i#$at, /i rs!lata !e %are "
a$#%e e &ns/i re0"l+area ei. (a% +rei s fii a/a $e
a*a2il, $"%t"re, s s#ni %l"!"1el#l, " s ne a!#%*
$e " alt %er%etare, &n %are ele*ent#l esen1ial +a fi t"t
" !asre.
S=R@IT