Возвращение Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Norwood Builder
“Youdonotaddimaginationtoyourothergreatqualities,butifyoucouldforonemomentputyourselfintheplaceofthisyoungman,wouldyouchoosetheverynightafterthewillhadbeenmadetocommityourcrime?Woulditnotseemdangeroustoyoutomakesoveryclosearelationbetweenthetwoincidents?Again,wouldyouchooseanoccasionwhenyouareknowntobeinthehouse,whenaservanthasletyouin?And,finally,wouldyoutakethegreatpainstoconcealthebody,andyetleaveyourownstickasasignthatyouwerethecriminal?Confess,Lestrade,thatallthisisveryunlikely.”
“Astothestick,Mr.Holmes,youknowaswellasIdothatacriminalisoftenflurried,anddoessuchthings,whichacoolmanwouldavoid.Hewasverylikelyafraidtogobacktotheroom.Givemeanothertheorythatwouldfitthefacts.”
“Icouldveryeasilygiveyouhalfadozen,”saidHolmes.“Hereforexample,isaverypossibleandevenprobableone.Imakeyouafreepresentofit.Theoldermanisshowingdocumentswhichareofevidentvalue.Apassingtrampseesthemthroughthewindow,theblindofwhichisonlyhalfdown.Exitthesolicitor.Enterthetramp!Heseizesastick,whichheobservesthere,killsOldacre,anddepartsafterburningthebody.”
“Whyshouldthetrampburnthebody?”
“Forthematterofthat,whyshouldMcFarlane?”
“Tohidesomeevidence.”
“Possiblythetrampwantedtohidethatanymurderatallhadbeencommitted.”
“Andwhydidthetramptakenothing?”
“Becausetheywerepapersthathecouldnotnegotiate.
