Возвращение Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Priory School
Itisvaintolookelsewherefortracksinthisdryweather,butatthatpointthereiscertainlyachanceofsomerecordbeingleft.Iwillcallyouearlyto-morrowmorning,andyouandIwilltryifwecanthrowsomelittlelightuponthemystery.”
ThedaywasjustbreakingwhenIwoketofindthelong,thinformofHolmesbymybedside.Hewasfullydressed,andhadapparentlyalreadybeenout.
“Ihavedonethelawnandthebicycleshed,”saidhe.“IhavealsohadarumblethroughtheRaggedShaw.Now,Watson,thereiscocoareadyinthenextroom.Imustbegyoutohurry,forwehaveagreatdaybeforeus.”
Hiseyesshone,andhischeekwasflushedwiththeexhilarationofthemasterworkmanwhoseeshisworkliereadybeforehim.AverydifferentHolmes,thisactive,alertman,fromtheintrospectiveandpalliddreamerofBakerStreet.Ifelt,asIlookeduponthatsupplefigure,alivewithnervousenergy,thatitwasindeedastrenuousdaythatawaitedus.
Andyetitopenedintheblackestdisappointment.Withhighhopeswestruckacrossthepeaty,russetmoor,intersectedwithathousandsheeppaths,untilwecametothebroad,light-greenbeltwhichmarkedthemorassbetweenusandHoldernesse.Certainly,iftheladhadgonehomeward,hemusthavepassedthis,andhecouldnotpassitwithoutleavinghistraces.ButnosignofhimortheGermancouldbeseen.Withadarkeningfacemyfriendstrodealongthemargin,eagerlyobservantofeverymuddystainuponthemossysurface.Sheep-markstherewereinprofusion,andatoneplace,somemilesdown,cowshadlefttheirtracks.Nothingmore.
