Возвращение Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Priory School
Outofthemwedraggedabicycle,Palmer-tired,onepedalbent,andthewholefrontofithorriblysmearedandslobberedwithblood.Ontheothersideofthebushesashoewasprojecting.Weranround,andtherelaytheunfortunaterider.Hewasatallman,full-bearded,withspectacles,oneglassofwhichhadbeenknockedout.Thecauseofhisdeathwasafrightfulblowuponthehead,whichhadcrushedinpartofhisskull.Thathecouldhavegoneonafterreceivingsuchaninjurysaidmuchforthevitalityandcourageoftheman.Heworeshoes,butnosocks,andhisopencoatdisclosedanightshirtbeneathit.ItwasundoubtedlytheGermanmaster.
Holmesturnedthebodyoverreverently,andexamineditwithgreatattention.Hethensatindeepthoughtforatime,andIcouldseebyhisruffledbrowthatthisgrimdiscoveryhadnot,inhisopinion,advancedusmuchinourinquiry.
“Itisalittledifficulttoknowwhattodo,Watson,”saidhe,atlast.“Myowninclinationsaretopushthisinquiryon,forwehavealreadylostsomuchtimethatwecannotaffordtowasteanotherhour.Ontheotherhand,weareboundtoinformthepoliceofthediscovery,andtoseethatthispoorfellow’sbodyislookedafter.”
“Icouldtakeanoteback.”
“ButIneedyourcompanyandassistance.Waitabit!Thereisafellowcuttingpeatupyonder.Bringhimoverhere,andhewillguidethepolice.”
Ibroughtthepeasantacross,andHolmesdispatchedthefrightenedmanwithanotetoDr.Huxtable.
“Now,Watson,”saidhe,“wehavepickeduptwocluesthismorning.
