Приключения Шерлока Холмса

           "No." 

           "ThankGodforthat. Butcomein. Youmustbeweary,foryouhavehadalongday." 

           "Thisismyfriend,Dr.Watson. Hehasbeenofmostvitalusetomeinseveralofmycases,andaluckychancehasmadeitpossibleformetobringhimoutandassociatehimwiththisinvestigation." 

           "Iamdelightedtoseeyou,"saidshe,pressingmyhandwarmly. "Youwill,Iamsure,forgiveanythingthatmaybewantinginourarrangements,whenyouconsidertheblowwhichhascomesosuddenlyuponus." 

           "Mydearmadam,"saidI,"Iamanoldcampaigner,andifIwerenotIcanverywellseethatnoapologyisneeded. IfIcanbeofanyassistance,eithertoyouortomyfriendhere,Ishallbeindeedhappy." 

           "Now,Mr.SherlockHolmes,"saidtheladyasweenteredawell-litdining-room,uponthetableofwhichacoldsupperhadbeenlaidout,"Ishouldverymuchliketoaskyouoneortwoplainquestions,towhichIbegthatyouwillgiveaplainanswer." 

           "Certainly,madam." 

           "Donottroubleaboutmyfeelings. Iamnothysterical,norgiventofainting. Isimplywishtohearyourreal,realopinion." 

           "Uponwhatpoint?" 

           "Inyourheartofhearts,doyouthinkthatNevilleisalive?" 

           SherlockHolmesseemedtobeembarrassedbythequestion. "Frankly,now!"sherepeated,standingupontherugandlookingkeenlydownathimasheleanedbackinabasket-chair.