Возвращение Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Norwood Builder
Afewarticlesoffurnitureandasupplyoffoodandwaterwerewithin,togetherwithanumberofbooksandpapers.
“There’stheadvantageofbeingabuilder,”saidHolmes,aswecameout.“Hewasabletofixuphisownlittlehiding-placewithoutanyconfederate—save,ofcourse,thatprecioushousekeeperofhis,whomIshouldlosenotimeinaddingtoyourbag,Lestrade.”
“I’lltakeyouradvice.Buthowdidyouknowofthisplace,Mr.Holmes?”
“Imadeupmymindthatthefellowwasinhidinginthehouse.WhenIpacedonecorridorandfounditsixfeetshorterthanthecorrespondingonebelow,itwasprettyclearwherehewas.Ithoughthehadnotthenervetoliequietbeforeanalarmoffire.Wecould,ofcourse,havegoneinandtakenhim,butitamusedmetomakehimrevealhimself.Besides,Iowedyoualittlemystification,Lestrade,foryourchaffinthemorning.”
“Well,sir,youcertainlygotequalwithmeonthat.Buthowintheworlddidyouknowthathewasinthehouseatall?”
“Thethumb-mark,Lestrade.Yousaiditwasfinal;andsoitwas,inaverydifferentsense.Iknewithadnotbeentherethedaybefore.Ipayagooddealofattentiontomattersofdetail,asyoumayhaveobserved,andIhadexaminedthehall,andwassurethatthewallwasclear.Therefore,ithadbeenputonduringthenight.”
“Buthow?”
“Verysimply.Whenthosepacketsweresealedup,JonasOldacregotMcFarlanetosecureoneofthesealsbyputtinghisthumbuponthesoftwax.Itwouldbedonesoquicklyandsonaturally,thatIdaresaytheyoungmanhimselfhasnorecollectionofit.
