Воспоминания Шерлока Холмса

           "Youmaywaithereamomentandthereisnoreasonwhyyourfriendsshouldnotwaitwithyou.Iwillbeentirelyatyourserviceinthreeminutes,ifImighttrespassuponyourpatiencesofar."Herosewithaverycourteousair,and,bowingtous,hepassedoutthroughadooratthefartherendoftheroom,whichheclosedbehindhim.

           "Whatnow?"whisperedHolmes."Ishegivingustheslip?"

           "Impossible,"answeredPycroft.

           "Whyso?"

           "Thatdoorleadsintoaninnerroom."

           "Thereisnoexit?"

           "None."

           "Isitfurnished?"

           "Itwasemptyyesterday."

           "Thenwhatonearthcanhebedoing?ThereissomethingwhichIdon’tunderstandinthismatter.Ifeveramanwasthreepartsmadwithterror,thatman’snameisPinner.Whatcanhaveputtheshiversonhim?"

           "Hesuspectsthatwearedetectives,"Isuggested.

           "That’sit,"criedPycroft.

           Holmesshookhishead."Hedidnotturnpale.Hewaspalewhenweenteredtheroom,"saidhe."Itisjustpossiblethat—"

           Hiswordswereinterruptedbyasharprat-tatfromthedirectionoftheinnerdoor.

           "Whatthedeuceisheknockingathisowndoorfor?"criedtheclerk.

           Againandmuchloudercametherat-tat-tat.Weallgazedexpectantlyatthecloseddoor.GlancingatHolmes,Isawhisfaceturnrigid,andheleanedforwardinintenseexcitement.