Приключения Шерлока Холмса

           "Thishathasnotbeenbrushedforweeks. WhenIseeyou,mydearWatson,withaweek’saccumulationofdustuponyourhat,andwhenyourwifeallowsyoutogooutinsuchastate,Ishallfearthatyoualsohavebeenunfortunateenoughtoloseyourwife’saffection." 

           "Buthemightbeabachelor." 

           "Nay,hewasbringinghomethegooseasapeace-offeringtohiswife. Rememberthecarduponthebird’sleg." 

           "Youhaveananswertoeverything. Buthowonearthdoyoudeducethatthegasisnotlaidoninhishouse?" 

           "Onetallowstain,oreventwo,mightcomebychance; butwhenIseenolessthanfive,Ithinkthattherecanbelittledoubtthattheindividualmustbebroughtintofrequentcontactwithburningtallow—walksupstairsatnightprobablywithhishatinonehandandagutteringcandleintheother. Anyhow,henevergottallow-stainsfromagasjet. Areyousatisfied?" 

           "Well,itisveryingenious,"saidI,laughing; "butsince,asyousaidjustnow,therehasbeennocrimecommitted,andnoharmdonesavethelossofagoose,allthisseemstoberatherawasteofenergy." 

           SherlockHolmeshadopenedhismouthtoreply,whenthedoorflewopen,andPeterson,thecommissionaire,rushedintotheapartmentwithflushedcheeksandthefaceofamanwhoisdazedwithastonishment. 

           "Thegoose,Mr.Holmes!Thegoose,sir!"hegasped. 

           "Eh?Whatofit,then?Hasitreturnedtolifeandflappedoffthroughthekitchenwindow?" Holmestwistedhimselfrounduponthesofatogetafairerviewoftheman’sexcitedface.