Возвращение Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Three Students
Whatacharming,old-fashionedroom!Perhapsyouwillkindlywaitaminute,untilIhaveexaminedthefloor.No,Iseenothing.Whataboutthiscurtain?Youhangyourclothesbehindit.Ifanyonewereforcedtoconcealhimselfinthisroomhemustdoitthere,sincethebedistoolowandthewardrobetooshallow.Noonethere,Isuppose?”
AsHolmesdrewthecurtainIwasaware,fromsomelittlerigidityandalertnessofhisattitude,thathewaspreparedforanemergency.Asamatteroffact,thedrawncurtaindisclosednothingbutthreeorfoursuitsofclotheshangingfromalineofpegs.Holmesturnedaway,andstoopedsuddenlytothefloor.
“Halloa!What’sthis?”saidhe.
Itwasasmallpyramidofblack,putty-likestuff,exactlyliketheoneuponthetableofthestudy.Holmeshelditoutonhisopenpalmintheglareoftheelectriclight.
“Yourvisitorseemstohavelefttracesinyourbedroomaswellasinyoursitting-room,Mr.Soames.”
“Whatcouldhehavewantedthere?”
“Ithinkitisclearenough.Youcamebackbyanunexpectedway,andsohehadnowarninguntilyouwereattheverydoor.Whatcouldhedo?Hecaughtupeverythingwhichwouldbetrayhim,andherushedintoyourbedroomtoconcealhimself.”
“Goodgracious,Mr.Holmes,doyoumeantotellmethat,allthetimeIwastalkingtoBannisterinthisroom,wehadthemanprisonerifwehadonlyknownit?”
“SoIreadit.”
“Surelythereisanotheralternative,Mr.Holmes.
