Возвращение Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Dancing Men
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Wewaitedinsilenceforaminute—oneofthoseminuteswhichonecanneverforget.Thenthedooropenedandthemansteppedin.InaninstantHolmesclappedapistoltohishead,andMartinslippedthehandcuffsoverhiswrists.Itwasalldonesoswiftlyanddeftlythatthefellowwashelplessbeforeheknewthathewasattacked.Heglaredfromonetotheotherofuswithapairofblazingblackeyes.Thenheburstintoabitterlaugh.
“Well,gentlemen,youhavethedroponmethistime.Iseemtohaveknockedupagainstsomethinghard.ButIcamehereinanswertoaletterfromMrs.HiltonCubitt.Don’ttellmethatsheisinthis?Don’ttellmethatshehelpedtosetatrapforme?”
“Mrs.HiltonCubittwasseriouslyinjured,andisatdeath’sdoor.”
Themangaveahoarsecryofgrief,whichrangthroughthehouse.
“You’recrazy!”hecried,fiercely.“Itwashethatwashurt,notshe.WhowouldhavehurtlittleElsie?Imayhavethreatenedher—Godforgiveme!—butIwouldnothavetouchedahairofherprettyhead.Takeitback—you!Saythatsheisnothurt!”
“Shewasfoundbadlywounded,bythesideofherdeadhusband.”
Hesankwithadeepgroanonthesetteeandburiedhisfaceinhismanacledhands.Forfiveminuteshewassilent.Thenheraisedhisfaceoncemore,andspokewiththecoldcomposureofdespair.
“Ihavenothingtohidefromyou,gentlemen,”saidhe.“IfIshotthemanhehadhisshotatme,andthere’snomurderinthat.ButifyouthinkIcouldhavehurtthatwoman,thenyoudon’tknoweithermeorher.
