Возвращение Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Empty House
Youcarriedthethingoutverywell.Didyouobservewherethebulletwent?”
“Yes,sir.I’mafraidithasspoiltyourbeautifulbust,foritpassedrightthroughtheheadandflatteneditselfonthewall.Ipickeditupfromthecarpet.Hereitis!”
Holmeshelditouttome.“Asoftrevolverbullet,asyouperceive,Watson.There’sgeniusinthat,forwhowouldexpecttofindsuchathingfiredfromanairgun?Allright,Mrs.Hudson.Iammuchobligedforyourassistance.Andnow,Watson,letmeseeyouinyouroldseatoncemore,forthereareseveralpointswhichIshouldliketodiscusswithyou.”
Hehadthrownofftheseedyfrockcoat,andnowhewastheHolmesofoldinthemouse-coloureddressing-gownwhichhetookfromhiseffigy.
“Theoldshikari’snerveshavenotlosttheirsteadiness,norhiseyestheirkeenness,”saidhe,withalaugh,asheinspectedtheshatteredforeheadofhisbust.
“Plumbinthemiddleofthebackoftheheadandsmackthroughthebrain.HewasthebestshotinIndia,andIexpectthattherearefewbetterinLondon.Haveyouheardthename?”
“No,Ihavenot.”
“Well,well,suchisfame!But,then,ifIrememberright,youhadnotheardthenameofProfessorJamesMoriarty,whohadoneofthegreatbrainsofthecentury.Justgivemedownmyindexofbiographiesfromtheshelf.”
Heturnedoverthepageslazily,leaningbackinhischairandblowinggreatcloudsfromhiscigar.
“MycollectionofM’sisafineone,”saidhe.
