Возвращение Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Six Napoleons
Ishouldbeglad,Lestrade,ifyoucouldmakeitconvenienttomeetusatBakerStreetatsixo’clockthisevening.UntilthenIshouldliketokeepthisphotograph,foundinthedeadman’spocket.ItispossiblethatImayhavetoaskyourcompanyandassistanceuponasmallexpeditionwhichwillhavebeundertakento-night,ifmychainofreasoningshouldprovetobecorrect.Untilthengood-byeandgoodluck!”
SherlockHolmesandIwalkedtogethertotheHighStreet,wherewestoppedattheshopofHardingBrothers,whencethebusthadbeenpurchased.AyoungassistantinformedusthatMr.Hardingwouldbeabsentuntilafternoon,andthathewashimselfanewcomer,whocouldgiveusnoinformation.Holmes’sfaceshowedhisdisappointmentandannoyance.
“Well,well,wecan’texpecttohaveitallourownway,Watson,”hesaid,atlast.“Wemustcomebackintheafternoon,ifMr.Hardingwillnotbehereuntilthen.Iam,asyouhavenodoubtsurmised,endeavouringtotracethesebuststotheirsource,inordertofindifthereisnotsomethingpeculiarwhichmayaccountfortheirremarkablefate.LetusmakeforMr.MorseHudson,oftheKenningtonRoad,andseeifhecanthrowanylightupontheproblem.”
Adriveofanhourbroughtustothepicture-dealer’sestablishment.Hewasasmall,stoutmanwitharedfaceandapepperymanner.
“Yes,sir.Onmyverycounter,sir,”saidhe.“WhatwepayratesandtaxesforIdon’tknow,whenanyruffiancancomeinandbreakone’sgoods.Yes,sir,itwasIwhosoldDr.Barnicothistwostatues.
