Возвращение Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Dancing Men
”
So,indeed,itproved,andasIcometothedarkconclusionofastorywhichhadseemedtometobeonlychildishandbizarre,IexperienceonceagainthedismayandhorrorwithwhichIwasfilled.WouldthatIhadsomebrighterendingtocommunicatetomyreaders,butthesearethechroniclesoffact,andImustfollowtotheirdarkcrisisthestrangechainofeventswhichforsomedaysmadeRidingThorpeManorahouseholdwordthroughthelengthandbreadthofEngland.
WehadhardlyalightedatNorthWalsham,andmentionedthenameofourdestination,whenthestation-masterhurriedtowardsus.“IsupposethatyouarethedetectivesfromLondon?”saidhe.
AlookofannoyancepassedoverHolmes’sface.
“Whatmakesyouthinksuchathing?”
“BecauseInspectorMartinfromNorwichhasjustpassedthrough.Butmaybeyouarethesurgeons.She’snotdead—orwasn’tbylastaccounts.Youmaybeintimetosaveheryet—thoughitbeforthegallows.”
Holmes’sbrowwasdarkwithanxiety.
“WearegoingtoRidingThorpeManor,”saidhe,“butwehaveheardnothingofwhathaspassedthere.”
“It’saterriblebusiness,”saidthestationmaster.“Theyareshot,bothMr.HiltonCubittandhiswife.Sheshothimandthenherself—sotheservantssay.He’sdeadandherlifeisdespairedof.Dear,dear,oneoftheoldestfamiliesinthecountyofNorfolk,andoneofthemosthonoured.”
WithoutawordHolmeshurriedtoacarriage,andduringthelongsevenmiles’driveheneveropenedhismouth.SeldomhaveIseenhimsoutterlydespondent.
