Знак четырех / The Sign of the Four

However that may be, I was certainly relieved when our cab pulled up with a jerk and the coachman sprang down to open the door.

�This, Miss Morstan, is Pondicherry Lodge,’ said Mr. Thaddeus Sholto as he handed her out.

Chapter 5: The Tragedy of Pondicherry Lodge

It was nearly eleven o’clock when we reached this final stage of our night’s adventures. We had left the damp fog of the great city behind us, and the night was fairly fine. A warm wind blew from the westward, and heavy clouds moved slowly across the sky, with half a moon peeping occasionally through the rifts.

Pondicherry Lodge stood in its own grounds and was girt round with a very high stone wall topped with broken glass. A single narrow iron-clamped door formed the only means of entrance. On this our guide knocked with a peculiar postman-like rat-tat.

�Who is there?’ cried a gruff voice from within.

�It is I, McMurdo. You surely know my knock by this time.’

There was a grumbling sound and a clanking and jarring of keys. The door swung heavily back, and a short, deep-chested man stood in the opening, with the yellow light of the lantern shining upon his protruded face and twinkling, distrustful eyes.

�That you, Mr. Thaddeus? But who are the others? I had no orders about them from the master.’

�No, McMurdo? You surprise me! I told my brother last night that I should bring some friends.

�He hain’t been out o’ his rooms[49 - He hain’t been out o’ his rooms – he hasn’t been out of his rooms (просторечное произношение).] to-day, Mr. Thaddeus, and I have no orders. You know very well that I must stick to regulations. I can let you in, but your friends they must just stop where they are.’

This was an unexpected obstacle. Thaddeus Sholto looked about him in a perplexed and helpless manner.

�This is too bad of you, McMurdo!’ he said. �If I guarantee them, that is enough for you. There is the young lady, too. She cannot wait on the public road at this hour.’

�Very sorry, Mr. Thaddeus,’ said the porter inexorably. �Folk may be friends o’ yours, and yet no friend o’ the master’s. He pays me well to do my duty, and my duty I’ll do. I don’t know none o’ your friends.