Этюд в багровых тонах
The Science of Deduction.
NomanlivesorhaseverlivedwhohasbroughtthesameamountofstudyandofnaturaltalenttothedetectionofcrimewhichIhavedone. Andwhatistheresult? Thereisnocrimetodetect,or,atmost,somebunglingvillainywithamotivesotransparentthatevenaScotlandYardofficialcanseethroughit.”
Iwasstillannoyedathisbumptiousstyleofconversation. Ithoughtitbesttochangethetopic.
“Iwonderwhatthatfellowislookingfor?”Iasked,pointingtoastalwart,plainly-dressedindividualwhowaswalkingslowlydowntheothersideofthestreet,lookinganxiouslyatthenumbers. Hehadalargeblueenvelopeinhishand,andwasevidentlythebearerofamessage.
“YoumeantheretiredsergeantofMarines,”saidSherlockHolmes.
“Bragandbounce!”thoughtItomyself.“HeknowsthatIcannotverifyhisguess.”
Thethoughthadhardlypassedthroughmymindwhenthemanwhomwewerewatchingcaughtsightofthenumberonourdoor,andranrapidlyacrosstheroadway. Weheardaloudknock,adeepvoicebelow,andheavystepsascendingthestair.
“ForMr.SherlockHolmes,”hesaid,steppingintotheroomandhandingmyfriendtheletter.
Herewasanopportunityoftakingtheconceitoutofhim. Helittlethoughtofthiswhenhemadethatrandomshot. “MayIask,mylad,”Isaid,intheblandestvoice,“whatyourtrademaybe?”
“Commissionaire,sir,”hesaid,gruffly.“Uniformawayforrepairs.”
“Andyouwere?”Iasked,withaslightlymaliciousglanceatmycompanion.
