Воспоминания Шерлока Холмса
The Naval Treaty
"
"Howisit,then,thatthewomanwhocameintotheroomaboutnineleftnotraceswithhermuddyboots?"
"Iamgladyouraisedthepoint.Itoccurredtomeatthetime.Thecharwomenareinthehabitoftakingofftheirbootsatthecommissionaire’soffice,andputtingonlistslippers."
"Thatisveryclear.Therewerenomarks,then,thoughthenightwasawetone?Thechainofeventsiscertainlyoneofextraordinaryinterest.Whatdidyoudonext?"
"Weexaminedtheroomalso.Thereisnopossibilityofasecretdoor,andthewindowsarequitethirtyfeetfromtheground.Bothofthemwerefastenedontheinside.Thecarpetpreventsanypossibilityofatrapdoor,andtheceilingisoftheordinarywhitewashedkind.Iwillpledgemylifethatwhoeverstolemypaperscouldonlyhavecomethroughthedoor."
"Howaboutthefireplace?"
"Theyusenone.Thereisastove.Thebell-ropehangsfromthewirejusttotherightofmydesk.Whoeverrangitmusthavecomerightuptothedesktodoit.Butwhyshouldanycriminalwishtoringthebell?Itisamostinsolublemystery."
"Certainlytheincidentwasunusual.Whatwereyournextsteps?Youexaminedtheroom,Ipresume,toseeiftheintruderhadleftanytraces—anycigar-endordroppedgloveorhairpinorothertrifle?"
"Therewasnothingofthesort."
"Nosmell?"
"Well,weneverthoughtofthat.
