Возвращение Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Abbey Grange
”
“Butwhenwillthatbe?”
“Thetimehascome.Youwillnowbepresentatthelastsceneofaremarkablelittledrama.”
Therewasasounduponthestairs,andourdoorwasopenedtoadmitasfineaspecimenofmanhoodaseverpassedthroughit.Hewasaverytallyoungman,golden-moustached,blue-eyed,withaskinwhichhadbeenburnedbytropicalsuns,andaspringystep,whichshowedthatthehugeframewasasactiveasitwasstrong.Heclosedthedoorbehindhim,andthenhestoodwithclenchedhandsandheavingbreast,chokingdownsomeovermasteringemotion.
“Sitdown,CaptainCrocker.Yougotmytelegram?”
Ourvisitorsankintoanarmchairandlookedfromonetotheotherofuswithquestioningeyes.
“Igotyourtelegram,andIcameatthehouryousaid.Iheardthatyouhadbeendowntotheoffice.Therewasnogettingawayfromyou.Let’sheartheworst.Whatareyougoingtodowithme?Arrestme?Speakout,man!Youcan’tsitthereandplaywithmelikeacatwithamouse.”
“Givehimacigar,”saidHolmes.“Biteonthat,CaptainCrocker,anddon’tletyournervesrunawaywithyou.IshouldnotsitheresmokingwithyouifIthoughtthatyouwereacommoncriminal,youmaybesureofthat.Befrankwithmeandwemaydosomegood.Playtrickswithme,andI’llcrushyou.”
“Whatdoyouwishmetodo?”
“TogivemeatrueaccountofallthathappenedattheAbbeyGrangelastnight—atrueaccount,mindyou,withnothingaddedandnothingtakenoff.
