Возвращение Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Priory School
Suddenly,however,weheardastepbehindus,andtherewasthelandlord,hisheavyeyebrowsdrawnoverhissavageeyes,hisswarthyfeaturesconvulsedwithpassion.Heheldashort,metal-headedstickinhishand,andheadvancedinsomenacingafashionthatIwasrightgladtofeeltherevolverinmypocket.
“Youinfernalspies!”themancried.“Whatareyoudoingthere?”
“Why,Mr.ReubenHayes,”saidHolmes,coolly,“onemightthinkthatyouwereafraidofourfindingsomethingout.”
Themanmasteredhimselfwithaviolenteffort,andhisgrimmouthloosenedintoafalselaugh,whichwasmoremenacingthanhisfrown.
“You’rewelcometoallyoucanfindoutinmysmithy,”saidhe.“Butlookhere,mister,Idon’tcareforfolkpokingaboutmyplacewithoutmyleave,sothesooneryoupayyourscoreandgetoutofthisthebetterIshallbepleased.”
“Allright,Mr.Hayes,noharmmeant,”saidHolmes.“Wehavebeenhavingalookatyourhorses,butIthinkI’llwalk,afterall.It’snotfar,Ibelieve.”
“NotmorethantwomilestotheHallgates.That’stheroadtotheleft.”Hewatcheduswithsulleneyesuntilwehadlefthispremises.
Wedidnotgoveryfaralongtheroad,forHolmesstoppedtheinstantthatthecurvehidusfromthelandlord’sview.
“Wewerewarm,asthechildrensay,atthatinn,”saidhe.“IseemtogrowcoldereverystepthatItakeawayfromit.No,no,Ican’tpossiblyleaveit.”
“Iamconvinced,”saidI,“thatthisReubenHayesknowsallaboutit.Amoreself-evidentvillainIneversaw.
