Воспоминания Шерлока Холмса

           SomeofthemthatfledintoNepaltookmewiththem,andthenafterwardsIwasuppastDarjeeling.Thehill-folkuptheremurderedtherebelswhohadme,andIbecametheirslaveforatimeuntilIescaped;butinsteadofgoingsouthIhadtogonorth,untilIfoundmyselfamongtheAfghans.ThereIwanderedaboutformanyayear,andatlastcamebacktothePunjab,whereIlivedmostlyamongthenativesandpickedupalivingbytheconjuringtricksthatIhadlearned.Whatusewasitforme,awretchedcripple,togobacktoEnglandortomakemyselfknowntomyoldcomrades?Evenmywishforrevengewouldnotmakemedothat.IhadratherthatNancyandmyoldpalsshouldthinkofHarryWoodashavingdiedwithastraightback,thanseehimlivingandcrawlingwithasticklikeachimpanzee.TheyneverdoubtedthatIwasdead,andImeantthattheynevershould.IheardthatBarclayhadmarriedNancy,andthathewasrisingrapidlyintheregiment,buteventhatdidnotmakemespeak.

           "Butwhenonegetsoldonehasalongingforhome.ForyearsI’vebeendreamingofthebrightgreenfieldsandthehedgesofEngland.AtlastIdeterminedtoseethembeforeIdied.Isavedenoughtobringmeacross,andthenIcameherewherethesoldiersare,forIknowtheirwaysandhowtoamusethemandsoearnenoughtokeepme."

           "Yournarrativeismostinteresting,"saidSherlockHolmes."IhavealreadyheardofyourmeetingwithMrs.Barclay,andyourmutualrecognition.