Приключения Шерлока Холмса

           "Praysitdownonthesofa,"saidHolmesgently. "Youhadmynote?" 

           "Yes,thelodge-keeperbroughtitup. Yousaidthatyouwishedtoseemeheretoavoidscandal." 

           "IthoughtpeoplewouldtalkifIwenttotheHall." 

           "Andwhydidyouwishtoseeme?" Helookedacrossatmycompanionwithdespairinhiswearyeyes,asthoughhisquestionwasalreadyanswered. 

           "Yes,"saidHolmes,answeringthelookratherthanthewords. "Itisso. IknowallaboutMcCarthy." 

           Theoldmansankhisfaceinhishands. "Godhelpme!"hecried. "ButIwouldnothavelettheyoungmancometoharm. IgiveyoumywordthatIwouldhavespokenoutifitwentagainsthimattheAssizes." 

           "Iamgladtohearyousayso,"saidHolmesgravely. 

           "Iwouldhavespokennowhaditnotbeenformydeargirl. Itwouldbreakherheart—itwillbreakherheartwhenshehearsthatIamarrested." 

           "Itmaynotcometothat,"saidHolmes. 

           "What?" 

           "Iamnoofficialagent. Iunderstandthatitwasyourdaughterwhorequiredmypresencehere,andIamactinginherinterests. YoungMcCarthymustbegotoff,however." 

           "Iamadyingman,"saidoldTurner. "Ihavehaddiabetesforyears. MydoctorsaysitisaquestionwhetherIshallliveamonth. YetIwouldratherdieundermyownroofthaninajail."