Возвращение Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Second Stain
Youwillberelievedtohearthattherewillbenowar,thattheRightHonourableTrelawneyHopewillsuffernosetbackinhisbrilliantcareer,thattheindiscreetSovereignwillreceivenopunishmentforhisindiscretion,thatthePrimeMinisterwillhavenoEuropeancomplicationtodealwith,andthatwithalittletactandmanagementuponourpartnobodywillbeapennytheworseforwhatmighthavebeenaveryuglyincident.”
Mymindfilledwithadmirationforthisextraordinaryman.
“Youhavesolvedit!”Icried.
“Hardlythat,Watson.Therearesomepointswhichareasdarkasever.Butwehavesomuchthatitwillbeourownfaultifwecannotgettherest.WewillgostraighttoWhitehallTerraceandbringthemattertoahead.”
WhenwearrivedattheresidenceoftheEuropeanSecretaryitwasforLadyHildaTrelawneyHopethatSherlockHolmesinquired.Wewereshownintothemorning-room.
“Mr.Holmes!”saidthelady,andherfacewaspinkwithherindignation.“Thisissurelymostunfairandungenerousuponyourpart.Idesired,asIhaveexplained,tokeepmyvisittoyouasecret,lestmyhusbandshouldthinkthatIwasintrudingintohisaffairs.Andyetyoucompromisemebycominghereandsoshowingthattherearebusinessrelationsbetweenus.”
“Unfortunately,madam,Ihadnopossiblealternative.Ihavebeencommissionedtorecoverthisimmenselyimportantpaper.Imustthereforeaskyou,madam,tobekindenoughtoplaceitinmyhands.”
Theladysprangtoherfeet,withthecolouralldashedinaninstantfromherbeautifulface.
