Возвращение Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Second Stain
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“Andtowhomwouldthisdocumentbesentifitfellintothehandsofanenemy?”
“ToanyofthegreatChancelleriesofEurope.Itisprobablyspeedingonitswaythitheratthepresentinstantasfastassteamcantakeit.”
Mr.TrelawneyHopedroppedhisheadonhischestandgroanedaloud.ThePremierplacedhishandkindlyuponhisshoulder.
“Itisyourmisfortune,mydearfellow.Noonecanblameyou.Thereisnoprecautionwhichyouhaveneglected.Now,Mr.Holmes,youareinfullpossessionofthefacts.Whatcoursedoyourecommend?”
Holmesshookhisheadmournfully.
“Youthink,sir,thatunlessthisdocumentisrecoveredtherewillbewar?”
“Ithinkitisveryprobable.”
“Then,sir,prepareforwar.”
“Thatisahardsaying,Mr.Holmes.”
“Considerthefacts,sir.Itisinconceivablethatitwastakenaftereleven-thirtyatnight,sinceIunderstandthatMr.Hopeandhiswifewerebothintheroomfromthathouruntilthelosswasfoundout.Itwastaken,then,yesterdayeveningbetweenseven-thirtyandeleven-thirty,probablyneartheearlierhour,sincewhoevertookitevidentlyknewthatitwasthereandwouldnaturallysecureitasearlyaspossible.Now,sir,ifadocumentofthisimportanceweretakenatthathour,wherecanitbenow?Noonehasanyreasontoretainit.Ithasbeenpassedrapidlyontothosewhoneedit.Whatchancehavewenowtoovertakeoreventotraceit?Itisbeyondourreach.”
ThePrimeMinisterrosefromthesettee.
“Whatyousayisperfectlylogical,Mr.Holmes.Ifeelthatthematterisindeedoutofourhands.
