Возвращение Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Norwood Builder
Ayoungdoctor,namedVerner,hadpurchasedmysmallKensingtonpractice,andgivenwithastonishinglylittledemurthehighestpricethatIventuredtoask—anincidentwhichonlyexplaineditselfsomeyearslater,whenIfoundthatVernerwasadistantrelationofHolmes,andthatitwasmyfriendwhohadreallyfoundthemoney.
Ourmonthsofpartnershiphadnotbeensouneventfulashehadstated,forIfind,onlookingovermynotes,thatthisperiodincludesthecaseofthepapersofex-PresidentMurillo,andalsotheshockingaffairoftheDutchsteamshipFriesland,whichsonearlycostusbothourlives.Hiscoldandproudnaturewasalwaysaverse,however,fromanythingintheshapeofpublicapplause,andheboundmeinthemoststringenttermstosaynofurtherwordofhimself,hismethods,orhissuccesses—aprohibitionwhich,asIhaveexplained,hasonlynowbeenremoved.
Mr.SherlockHolmeswasleaningbackinhischairafterhiswhimsicalprotest,andwasunfoldinghismorningpaperinaleisurelyfashion,whenourattentionwasarrestedbyatremendousringatthebell,followedimmediatelybyahollowdrummingsound,asifsomeonewerebeatingontheouterdoorwithhisfist.Asitopenedtherecameatumultuousrushintothehall,rapidfeetclatteredupthestair,andaninstantlaterawild-eyedandfranticyoungman,pale,disheveled,andpalpitating,burstintotheroom.Helookedfromonetotheotherofus,andunderourgazeofinquiryhebecameconsciousthatsomeapologywasneededforthisunceremoniousentry.
“I’msorry,Mr.Holmes,”hecried.“Youmustn’tblameme.
