Возвращение Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Priory School
Well,now,Watson,howmanycowsdidyouseeonthemoor?”
“Idon’trememberseeingany.”
“Strange,Watson,thatweshouldseetracksallalongourline,butneveracowonthewholemoor.Verystrange,Watson,eh?”
“Yes,itisstrange.”
“Now,Watson,makeaneffort,throwyourmindback.Canyouseethosetracksuponthepath?”
“Yes,Ican.”
“Canyourecallthatthetracksweresometimeslikethat,Watson,”—hearrangedanumberofbreadcrumbsinthisfashion—:::::—“andsometimeslikethis”—:.:.:.:.—“andoccasionallylikethis”—.・.・.・.“Canyourememberthat?”
“No,Icannot.”
“ButIcan.Icouldsweartoit.However,wewillgobackatourleisureandverifyit.WhatablindbeetleIhavebeen,nottodrawmyconclusion.”
“Andwhatisyourconclusion?”
“Onlythatitisaremarkablecowwhichwalks,canters,andgallops.ByGeorge!Watson,itwasnobrainofacountrypublicanthatthoughtoutsuchablindasthat.Thecoastseemstobeclear,saveforthatladinthesmithy.Letusslipoutandseewhatwecansee.”
Thereweretworough-haired,unkempthorsesinthetumble-downstable.Holmesraisedthehindlegofoneofthemandlaughedaloud.
“Oldshoes,butnewlyshod—oldshoes,butnewnails.Thiscasedeservestobeaclassic.Letusgoacrosstothesmithy.”
Theladcontinuedhisworkwithoutregardingus.IsawHolmes’seyedartingtorightandleftamongthelitterofironandwoodwhichwasscatteredaboutthefloor.
