30 лучших рассказов британских писателей / 30 Best British Short Stories

Carrados,’ replied Carlyle, rising.

�Sit down, Louis,’ said Carrados suavely. His face, even his incredibly living eyes, beamed placid good-nature. �The chair on which you will sit, the roof above you, all the comfortable surroundings to which you have so amiably alluded, are the direct result of falsifying a trust account. But do I call you �Mr. Carlyle’ in consequence? Certainly not, Louis.’

�I did not falsify the account,’ cried Carlyle hotly. He sat down however, and added more quietly: �But why do I tell you all this? I have never spoken of it before.

’

�Blindness invites confidence,’ replied Carrados. �We are out of the running – human rivalry ceases to exist. Besides, why shouldn’t you? In my case the account was falsified.’

�Of course that’s all bunkum, Max’ commented Carlyle. �Still, I appreciate your motive.’

�Practically everything I possess was left to me by an American cousin, on the condition that I took the name of Carrados.

He made his fortune by an ingenious conspiracy of doctoring the crop reports and unloading favourably in consequence. And I need hardly remind you that the receiver is equally guilty with the thief.’

�But twice as safe. I know something of that, Max… Have you any idea what my business is?’

�You shall tell me,’ replied Carrados.

�I run a private inquiry agency. When I lost my profession I had to do something for a living. This occurred. I dropped my name, changed my appearance and opened an office.

I knew the legal side down to the ground and I got a retired Scotland Yard man to organize the outside work.’

�Excellent!’ cried Carrados. �Do you unearth many murders?’

�No,’ admitted Mr. Carlyle; �our business lies mostly on the conventional lines among divorce and defalcation.’

�That’s a pity,’ remarked Carrados. �Do you know, Louis, I always had a secret ambition to be a detective myself. I have even thought lately that I might still be able to do something at it if the chance came my way.

That makes you smile?’

�Well, certainly, the idea–’

�Yes, the idea of a blind detective – the blind tracking the alert–’

�Of course, as you say, certain facilities are no doubt quickened,’ Mr. Carlyle hastened to add considerately, �but, seriously, with the exception of an artist, I don’t suppose there is any man who is more utterly dependent on his eyes.