Лучшие расследования Шерлока Холмса / The Best of Sherlock Holmes

Our cabs were dismissed, and, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down aВ narrow passage, and through aВ side door, which he opened for us. Within there was aВ small corridor, which ended in aВ very massive iron gate. This also was opened, and led down aВ flight of winding stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. Merryweather stopped to light aВ lantern, and then conducted us down aВ dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening aВ third door, into aВ huge vault or cellar, which was piled all round with crates and massive boxes.

“You are not very vulnerable from above,” Holmes remarked, as he held up the lantern, and gazed about him.

“Nor from below,” said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon the flags which lined the floor. “Why, dear me, it sounds quite hollow!” he remarked, looking up in surprise.

“I must really ask you to be a little more quiet,” said Holmes, severely. “You have already imperilled the whole success of our expedition.

The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon aВ crate, with aВ very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his knees upon the floor, and, with the lantern and aВ magnifying lens, began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. AВ few seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again, and put his glass in his pocket.

“We have at least an hour before us,” he remarked, “for they can hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at present, Doctor – as no doubt you have divined – in the cellar of the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at present.

“It is our French gold,” whispered the director. “We have had several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it.”

“Your French gold?”

“Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources, and borrowed, for that purpose, thirty thousand napoleons[31 - napoleons – an informal name of French golden coins.