Возвращение Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Dancing Men
Andyettheamazingthingisthathemusthavebeenthereallthetime,forwhenIexaminedthedooragaininthemorning,hehadscrawledsomemoreofhispicturesunderthelinewhichIhadalreadyseen.”
“Haveyouthatfreshdrawing?”
“Yes,itisveryshort,butImadeacopyofit,andhereitis.”
Againheproducedapaper.Thenewdancewasinthisform:
“Tellme,”saidHolmes—andIcouldseebyhiseyesthathewasmuchexcited—“wasthisamereadditiontothefirstordiditappeartobeentirelyseparate?”
“Itwasonadifferentpanelofthedoor.”
“Excellent!Thisisfarthemostimportantofallforourpurpose.Itfillsmewithhopes.Now,Mr.HiltonCubitt,pleasecontinueyourmostinterestingstatement.”
“Ihavenothingmoretosay,Mr.Holmes,exceptthatIwasangrywithmywifethatnightforhavingheldmebackwhenImighthavecaughttheskulkingrascal.ShesaidthatshefearedthatImightcometoharm.Foraninstantithadcrossedmymindthatperhapswhatshereallyfearedwasthathemightcometoharm,forIcouldnotdoubtthatsheknewwhothismanwas,andwhathemeantbythesestrangesignals.Butthereisatoneinmywife’svoice,Mr.Holmes,andalookinhereyeswhichforbiddoubt,andIamsurethatitwasindeedmyownsafetythatwasinhermind.There’sthewholecase,andnowIwantyouradviceastowhatIoughttodo.Myowninclinationistoputhalfadozenofmyfarmladsintheshrubbery,andwhenthisfellowcomesagaintogivehimsuchahidingthathewillleaveusinpeaceforthefuture.
