"Г.К.Честертон. The Club of Queer Trades " - читать интересную книгу автора

"Have a good eye kept on that one," said Rupert, pale to the lips,
and pointing to the ragged Keith.

"All right, sir," said the policeman unemotionally, and went the
round of the people present, collecting the addresses. When he had
completed his task the dusk had fallen and most of the people not
immediately connected with the examination had gone away. He still
found, however, one eager-faced stranger lingering on the
outskirts of the affair. It was Rupert Grant.

"Constable," he said, "I have a very particular reason for asking
you a question. Would you mind telling me whether that military
fellow who dropped his sword-stick in the row gave you an address
or not?"

"Yes, sir," said the policeman, after a reflective pause; "yes, he
gave me his address."

"My name is Rupert Grant," said that individual, with some pomp.
"I have assisted the police on more than one occasion. I wonder
whether you would tell me, as a special favour, what address?"

The constable looked at him.

"Yes," he said slowly, "if you like. His address is: The Elms,
Buxton Common, near Purley, Surrey."

"Thank you," said Rupert, and ran home through the gathering night
as fast as his legs could carry him, repeating the address to
himself.

Rupert Grant generally came down late in a rather lordly way to
breakfast; he contrived, I don't know how, to achieve always the
attitude of the indulged younger brother. Next morning, however,
when Basil and I came down we found him ready and restless.

"Well," he said sharply to his brother almost before we sat down to
the meal. "What do you think of your Drummond Keith now?"

"What do I think of him?" inquired Basil slowly. "I don't think
anything of him."

"I'm glad to hear it," said Rupert, buttering his toast with an
energy that was somewhat exultant. "I thought you'd come round to
my view, but I own I was startled at your not seeing it from the
beginning. The man is a translucent liar and knave."

"I think," said Basil, in the same heavy monotone as before, "that
I did not make myself clear. When I said that I thought nothing of