Возвращение Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton
Itwasasix-footwallwhichbarredourpath,buthesprangtothetopandover.AsIdidthesameIfeltthehandofthemanbehindmegrabatmyankle,butIkickedmyselffreeandscrambledoveragrass-strewncoping.Ifelluponmyfaceamongsomebushes,butHolmeshadmeonmyfeetinaninstant,andtogetherwedashedawayacrossthehugeexpanseofHampsteadHeath.Wehadruntwomiles,Isuppose,beforeHolmesatlasthaltedandlistenedintently.Allwasabsolutesilencebehindus.Wehadshakenoffourpursuersandweresafe.
WehadbreakfastedandweresmokingourmorningpipeonthedayaftertheremarkableexperiencewhichIhaverecorded,whenMr.Lestrade,ofScotlandYard,verysolemnandimpressive,wasusheredintoourmodestsitting-room.
“Good-morning,Mr.Holmes,”saidhe;“good-morning.MayIaskifyouareverybusyjustnow?”
“Nottoobusytolistentoyou.”
“Ithoughtthat,perhaps,ifyouhadnothingparticularonhand,youmightcaretoassistusinamostremarkablecase,whichoccurredonlylastnightatHampstead.”
“Dearme!”saidHolmes.“Whatwasthat?”
“Amurder—amostdramaticandremarkablemurder.Iknowhowkeenyouareuponthesethings,andIwouldtakeitasagreatfavourifyouwouldstepdowntoAppledoreTowers,andgiveusthebenefitofyouradvice.Itisnoordinarycrime.WehavehadoureyesuponthisMr.Milvertonforsometime,and,betweenourselves,hewasabitofavillain.Heisknowntohaveheldpaperswhichheusedforblackmailingpurposes.Thesepapershaveallbeenburnedbythemurderers.
