Возвращение Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Priory School
”
“Thenwhatisthetheoryinyourmind?”
“Thebicyclemayhavebeenablind.Itmayhavebeenhiddensomewhere,andthepairgoneoffonfoot.”
“Quiteso,butitseemsratheranabsurdblind,doesitnot?Werethereotherbicyclesinthisshed?”
“Several.”
“Wouldhenothavehiddenacouple,hadhedesiredtogivetheideathattheyhadgoneoffuponthem?”
“Isupposehewould.”
“Ofcoursehewould.Theblindtheorywon’tdo.Buttheincidentisanadmirablestarting-pointforaninvestigation.Afterall,abicycleisnotaneasythingtoconcealortodestroy.Oneotherquestion.Didanyonecalltoseetheboyonthedaybeforehedisappeared?”
“No.”
“Didhegetanyletters?”
“Yes,oneletter.”
“Fromwhom?”
“Fromhisfather.”
“Doyouopentheboys’letters?”
“No.”
“Howdoyouknowitwasfromthefather?”
“Thecoatofarmswasontheenvelope,anditwasaddressedintheDuke’speculiarstiffhand.Besides,theDukeremembershavingwritten.”
“Whenhadhealetterbeforethat?”
“Notforseveraldays.”
“HadheeveronefromFrance?”
“No,never.
“Youseethepointofmyquestions,ofcourse.Eithertheboywascarriedoffbyforceorhewentofhisownfreewill.Inthelattercase,youwouldexpectthatsomepromptingfromoutsidewouldbeneededtomakesoyoungaladdosuchathing.Ifhehashadnovisitors,thatpromptingmusthavecomeinletters;henceItrytofindoutwhowerehiscorrespondents.”
“IfearIcannothelpyoumuch.Hisonlycorrespondent,sofarasIknow,washisownfather.
