Возвращение Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Dancing Men
“Well,Ihavebeenhereamonthnow.Ilivedinthatfarm,whereIhadaroomdownbelow,andcouldgetinandouteverynight,andnoonethewiser.ItriedallIcouldtocoaxElsieaway.Iknewthatshereadthemessages,foronceshewroteananswerunderoneofthem.Thenmytempergotthebetterofme,andIbegantothreatenher.Shesentmealetterthen,imploringmetogoaway,andsayingthatitwouldbreakherheartifanyscandalshouldcomeuponherhusband.Shesaidthatshewouldcomedownwhenherhusbandwasasleepatthreeinthemorning,andspeakwithmethroughtheendwindow,ifIwouldgoawayafterwardsandleaveherinpeace.Shecamedownandbroughtmoneywithher,tryingtobribemetogo.Thismadememad,andIcaughtherarmandtriedtopullherthroughthewindow.Atthatmomentinrushedthehusbandwithhisrevolverinhishand.Elsiehadsunkdownuponthefloor,andwewerefacetoface.Iwasheeledalso,andIheldupmyguntoscarehimoffandletmegetaway.Hefiredandmissedme.Ipulledoffalmostatthesameinstant,anddownhedropped.Imadeawayacrossthegarden,andasIwentIheardthewindowshutbehindme.That’sGod’struth,gentlemen,everywordofit,andIheardnomoreaboutituntilthatladcameridingupwithanotewhichmademewalkinhere,likeajay,andgivemyselfintoyourhands.”
AcabhaddrivenupwhilsttheAmericanhadbeentalking.Twouniformedpolicemensatinside.InspectorMartinroseandtouchedhisprisonerontheshoulder.
“Itistimeforustogo.”
“CanIseeherfirst?”
“No,sheisnotconscious.Mr
