Возвращение Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Second Stain
“Well,I’msureyouwouldneverguessinahundredyearswhatwedidfind.Youseethatstainonthecarpet?Well,agreatdealmusthavesoakedthrough,mustitnot?”
“Undoubtedlyitmust.”
“Well,youwillbesurprisedtohearthatthereisnostainonthewhitewoodworktocorrespond.”
“Nostain!Buttheremust——”
“Yes,soyouwouldsay.Butthefactremainsthatthereisn’t.”
Hetookthecornerofthecarpetinhishandand,turningitover,heshowedthatitwasindeedashesaid.
“Buttheundersideisasstainedastheupper.Itmusthaveleftamark.”
Lestradechuckledwithdelightathavingpuzzledthefamousexpert.
“Now,I’llshowyoutheexplanation.Thereisasecondstain,butitdoesnotcorrespondwiththeother.Seeforyourself.”Ashespokeheturnedoveranotherportionofthecarpet,andthere,sureenough,wasagreatcrimsonspilluponthesquarewhitefacingoftheold-fashionedfloor.“Whatdoyoumakeofthat,Mr.Holmes?”
“Why,itissimpleenough.Thetwostainsdidcorrespond,butthecarpethasbeenturnedround.Asitwassquareandunfasteneditwaseasilydone.”
“Theofficialpolicedon’tneedyou,Mr.Holmes,totellthemthatthecarpetmusthavebeenturnedround.That’sclearenough,forthestainslieaboveeachother—ifyoulayitoverthisway.ButwhatIwanttoknowis,whoshiftedthecarpet,andwhy?”
IcouldseefromHolmes’srigidfacethathewasvibratingwithinwardexcitement.
“Lookhere,Lestrade,”saidhe,“hasthatconstableinthepassagebeeninchargeoftheplaceallthetime?”
“Yes,hehas.
