Возвращение Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Priory School
Hisfacewasmorecadaverousthanever,hisshouldershadrounded,andheseemedtometobeanaltogetheroldermanthanhehadbeenthemorningbefore.Hegreeteduswithastatelycourtesyandseatedhimselfathisdesk,hisredbeardstreamingdownonthetable.
“Well,Mr.Holmes?”saidhe.
Butmyfriend’seyeswerefixeduponthesecretary,whostoodbyhismaster’schair.
“Ithink,yourGrace,thatIcouldspeakmorefreelyinMr.Wilder’sabsence.”
ThemanturnedashadepalerandcastamalignantglanceatHolmes.
“IfyourGracewishes——”
“Yes,yes,youhadbettergo.Now,Mr.Holmes,whathaveyoutosay?”
Myfriendwaiteduntilthedoorhadclosedbehindtheretreatingsecretary.
“Thefactis,yourGrace,”saidhe,“thatmycolleague,Dr.Watson,andmyselfhadanassurancefromDr.Huxtablethatarewardhadbeenofferedinthiscase.Ishouldliketohavethisconfirmedfromyourownlips.”
“Certainly,Mr.Holmes.”
“Itamounted,ifIamcorrectlyinformed,tofivethousandpoundstoanyonewhowilltellyouwhereyoursonis?”
“Exactly.”
“Andanotherthousandtothemanwhowillnamethepersonorpersonswhokeephimincustody?”
“Exactly.”
“Underthelatterheadingisincluded,nodoubt,notonlythosewhomayhavetakenhimaway,butalsothosewhoconspiretokeephiminhispresentposition?”
“Yes,yes,”criedtheDuke,impatiently.“Ifyoudoyourworkwell,Mr.SherlockHolmes,youwillhavenoreasontocomplainofniggardlytreatment.
