Возвращение Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton
NearthedoorIsawthegleamofanelectricswitch,butitwasunnecessary,evenifithadbeensafe,toturniton.Atonesideofthefireplacewasaheavycurtainwhichcoveredthebaywindowwehadseenfromoutside.Ontheothersidewasthedoorwhichcommunicatedwiththeveranda.Adeskstoodinthecentre,withaturning-chairofshiningredleather.Oppositewasalargebookcase,withamarblebustofAtheneonthetop.Inthecorner,betweenthebookcaseandthewall,therestoodatall,greensafe,thefirelightflashingbackfromthepolishedbrassknobsuponitsface.Holmesstoleacrossandlookedatit.Thenhecrepttothedoorofthebedroom,andstoodwithslantingheadlisteningintently.Nosoundcamefromwithin.Meanwhileithadstruckmethatitwouldbewisetosecureourretreatthroughtheouterdoor,soIexaminedit.Tomyamazement,itwasneitherlockednorbolted.ItouchedHolmesonthearm,andheturnedhismaskedfaceinthatdirection.Isawhimstart,andhewasevidentlyassurprisedasI.
“Idon’tlikeit,”hewhispered,puttinghislipstomyveryear.“Ican’tquitemakeitout.Anyhow,wehavenotimetolose.”
“CanIdoanything?”
“Yes,standbythedoor.Ifyouhearanyonecome,boltitontheinside,andwecangetawayaswecame.Iftheycometheotherway,wecangetthroughthedoorifourjobisdone,orhidebehindthesewindowcurtainsifitisnot.Doyouunderstand?”
Inodded,andstoodbythedoor.
