30 лучших рассказов британских писателей / 30 Best British Short Stories

The estimated cost of the destruction was one hundred and eighty thousand pounds. The casualties amounted to seven killed and fifteen wounded.

At the inquiry held under Chief Justice Pengammon various odd interesting facts were revealed. Mr. Lowes-Parlby, the brilliant young K.C., distinguished himself by his searching cross-examination of many witnesses. At one point a certain Mrs. Dawes was put in the box. �Now,’ said Mr. Lowes-Parlby, �I understand that on the evening in question, Mrs.

Dawes, you, and the victims, and these other people who have been mentioned, were all seated in the public bar of the Wagtail, enjoying its no doubt excellent hospitality and indulging in a friendly discussion. Is that so?’

�Yes, sir.’

�Now, will you tell his lordship what you were discussing?’

�Diseases, sir.’

�Diseases! And did the argument become acrimonious?’

�Pardon?’

�Was there a serious dispute about diseases?’

�No, sir.

’

�Well, what was the subject of the dispute?’

�We was arguin’ as to where Wych Street was, sir.’

�What’s that?’ said his lordship.

�The witness states, my lord, that they were arguing as to where Wych Street was.’

�Wych Street? Do you mean W-Y-C-H?’

�Yes, sir.’

�You mean the narrow old street that used to run across the site of what is now the Gaiety Theatre?’

Mr. Lowes-Parlby smiled in his most charming manner.

�Yes, my lord, I believe the witness refers to the same street you mention, though, if I may be allowed to qualify your lordship’s description of the locality, may I suggest that it was a little further east – at the side of the old Globe Theatre, which was adjacent to St. Martin’s in the Strand? That is the street you were all arguing about, isn’t it, Mrs. Dawes?’

�Well, sir, my aunt who died from eating tinned lobster used to work at a corset-shop.

I ought to know.’

His lordship ignored the witness. He turned to the counsel rather peevishly.

�Mr. Lowes-Parlby, when I was your age I used to pass through Wych Street every day of my life. I did so for nearly twelve years. I think it hardly necessary for you to contradict me.’

The counsel bowed. It was not his place to dispute with a chief justice, although that chief justice be a hopeless old fool; but another eminent K.C.