Тайна черного кэба

41 Chapter 5. The Arrest aturday afternoon was bright and unusually warm. Col-lins Street was crowded with elegant carriages, well-dressed ladies and gentlemen enjoying the sunshine. Madge had spent the morning shopping, while Brian waited for her outside several fashionable stores. When she finally appeared, she smiled at him as if nothing in the world could disturb their happiness. “I did not keep you waiting very long, did I?” “Only half an hour,” Brian replied. “It was hardly long enough for me to grow old.” Madge laughed and invited him into her father’s carriage. She wanted to collect Mark Frettlby from the Melbourne Club and then have afternoon tea in Brian’s rooms. Brian agreed, although he felt less cheerful than he appeared. As the carriage passed the Burke and Wills monument, Madge looked towards the corner near the Scotch Church. “Is that where Mr. Whyte entered the hansom cab?” “So the newspapers say,” Brian answered without turning his head. “I wonder who the man in the light coat was. The description is rather like you, Brian — a light overcoat and a soft felt hat.” Brian forced himself to smile. “Half the young men in Melbourne dress in exactly the same way.” His voice sounded sharper than he intended. Madge looked at him in surprise, but before she could ask another question, the carriage stopped outside the Melbourne Club. Brian hurried inside and found Mark Frettlby reading a news-paper. The older man agreed to join them, and soon all three were trav-elling towards Brian’s house in Powlett Street. During the journey, Madge talked about their plans for the even-ing. They would dine together in St Kilda and then go to the theatre. Brian listened and answered at the right moments, but his thoughts were elsewhere. The happiness he wanted seemed very close, yet he felt that a dark shadow was following him. Mrs. Sampson was delighted to receive important guests. She quickly prepared tea, thin bread and butter, and several small cakes. The sitting roo...