Возвращение Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter
Atpresentitmustbeadmittedthattheoddtrickisinhispossession,and,asyouareaware,Watson,itisnotmyhabittoleavethegameinthatcondition.”
Andyetthenextdaybroughtusnonearertothesolutionofthemystery.Anotewashandedinafterbreakfast,whichHolmespassedacrosstomewithasmile.
SIR[itran],—Icanassureyouthatyouarewastingyourtimeindoggingmymovements.Ihave,asyoudiscoveredlastnight,awindowatthebackofmybrougham,andifyoudesireatwenty-mileridewhichwillleadyoutothespotfromwhichyoustarted,youhaveonlytofollowme.Meanwhile,IcaninformyouthatnospyinguponmecaninanywayhelpMr.GodfreyStaunton,andIamconvincedthatthebestserviceyoucandotothatgentlemanistoreturnatoncetoLondonandtoreporttoyouremployerthatyouareunabletotracehim.YourtimeinCambridgewillcertainlybewasted.
Yoursfaithfully,
LESLIEARMSTRONG.
“Anoutspoken,honestantagonististhedoctor,”saidHolmes.“Well,well,heexcitesmycuriosity,andImustreallyknowbeforeIleavehim.”
“Hiscarriageisathisdoornow,”saidI.“Thereheissteppingintoit.Isawhimglanceupatourwindowashedidso.SupposeItrymyluckuponthebicycle?”
“No,no,mydearWatson!Withallrespectforyournaturalacumen,Idonotthinkthatyouarequiteamatchfortheworthydoctor.IthinkthatpossiblyIcanattainourendbysomeindependentexplorationsofmyown.
