Возвращение Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Dancing Men
Ifyoutakeme,Hilton,youwilltakeawomanwhohasnothingthatsheneedbepersonallyashamedof,butyouwillhavetobecontentwithmywordforit,andtoallowmetobesilentastoallthatpasseduptothetimewhenIbecameyours.Iftheseconditionsaretoohard,thengobacktoNorfolk,andleavemetothelonelylifeinwhichyoufoundme.’Itwasonlythedaybeforeourweddingthatshesaidthoseverywordstome.ItoldherthatIwascontenttotakeheronherownterms,andIhavebeenasgoodasmyword.
“Wellwehavebeenmarriednowforayear,andveryhappywehavebeen.Butaboutamonthago,attheendofJune,Isawforthefirsttimesignsoftrouble.OnedaymywifereceivedaletterfromAmerica.IsawtheAmericanstamp.Sheturneddeadlywhite,readtheletter,andthrewitintothefire.Shemadenoallusiontoitafterwards,andImadenone,forapromiseisapromise,butshehasneverknownaneasyhourfromthatmoment.Thereisalwaysalookoffearuponherface—alookasifshewerewaitingandexpecting.Shewoulddobettertotrustme.ShewouldfindthatIwasherbestfriend.Butuntilshespeaks,Icansaynothing.Mindyou,sheisatruthfulwoman,Mr.Holmes,andwhatevertroubletheremayhavebeeninherpastlifeithasbeennofaultofhers.IamonlyasimpleNorfolksquire,butthereisnotamaninEnglandwhorankshisfamilyhonourmorehighlythanIdo.Sheknowsitwell,andsheknewitwellbeforeshemarriedme.Shewouldneverbringanystainuponit—ofthatIamsure.
“Well,nowIcometothequeerpartofmystory.
