Возвращение Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez
Shewasengagedatthemomentinhangingsomecurtainsintheupstairsfrontbedroom.ProfessorCoramwasstillinbed,forwhentheweatherisbadheseldomrisesbeforemidday.Thehousekeeperwasbusiedwithsomeworkinthebackofthehouse.WilloughbySmithhadbeeninhisbedroom,whichheusesasasitting-room,butthemaidheardhimatthatmomentpassalongthepassageanddescendtothestudyimmediatelybelowher.Shedidnotseehim,butshesaysthatshecouldnotbemistakeninhisquick,firmtread.Shedidnothearthestudydoorclose,butaminuteorsolatertherewasadreadfulcryintheroombelow.Itwasawild,hoarsescream,sostrangeandunnaturalthatitmighthavecomeeitherfromamanorawoman.Atthesameinstanttherewasaheavythud,whichshooktheoldhouse,andthenallwassilence.Themaidstoodpetrifiedforamoment,andthen,recoveringhercourage,sherandownstairs.Thestudydoorwasshutandsheopenedit.Inside,youngMr.WilloughbySmithwasstretcheduponthefloor.Atfirstshecouldseenoinjury,butasshetriedtoraisehimshesawthatbloodwaspouringfromtheundersideofhisneck.Itwaspiercedbyaverysmallbutverydeepwound,whichhaddividedthecarotidartery.Theinstrumentwithwhichtheinjuryhadbeeninflictedlayuponthecarpetbesidehim.Itwasoneofthosesmallsealing-waxknivestobefoundonold-fashionedwriting-tables,withanivoryhandleandastiffblade.Itwaspartofthefittingsoftheprofessor’sowndesk.
