33 лучших юмористических рассказа на английском / 33 Best Humorous Short Stories. Коллектив авторов

at the quiet penetration of the Great Detective, the Countess kept on nodding and nodding.

      ‘And you are ruined?’

      ‘I am,’ she gasped, and sank to the floor in a heap of pearls.

      ‘Madame,’ said the Great Detective, ‘all is not lost.’

      He straightened himself up to his full height. A look of inflinchable unflexibility flickered over his features.

      The honour of England, the fortune of the most beautiful woman in England was at stake.

      ‘I will do it,’ he murmured.

      ‘Rise dear lady,’ he continued. ‘Fear nothing. I WILL IMPERSONATE THE DOG!!!’

      That night the Great Detective might have been seen on the deck of the Calais packet boat with his secretary. He was on his hands and knees in a long black cloak, and his secretary had him on a short chain.

      He barked at the waves exultingly and licked the secretary’s hand.

      ‘What a beautiful dog,’ said the passengers.

      The disguise was absolutely complete.

      The Great Detective had been coated over with mucilage to which dog hairs had been applied. The markings on his back were perfect. His tail, adjusted with an automatic coupler, moved up and down responsive to every thought. His deep eyes were full of intelligence.