Приключения Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Speckled Band
Holmesshookhisheadlikeamanwhoisfarfrombeingsatisfied.
"Theseareverydeepwaters,"saidhe;"praygoonwithyournarrative."
"Twoyearshavepassedsincethen,andmylifehasbeenuntillatelylonelierthanever. Amonthago,however,adearfriend,whomIhaveknownformanyyears,hasdonemethehonourtoaskmyhandinmarriage. HisnameisArmitage—PercyArmitage—thesecondsonofMr.Armitage,ofCraneWater,nearReading. Mystepfatherhasofferednooppositiontothematch,andwearetobemarriedinthecourseofthespring. Twodaysagosomerepairswerestartedinthewestwingofthebuilding,andmybedroomwallhasbeenpierced,sothatIhavehadtomoveintothechamberinwhichmysisterdied,andtosleepintheverybedinwhichsheslept. Imagine,then,mythrillofterrorwhenlastnight,asIlayawake,thinkingoverherterriblefate,Isuddenlyheardinthesilenceofthenightthelowwhistlewhichhadbeentheheraldofherowndeath. Isprangupandlitthelamp,butnothingwastobeseenintheroom. Iwastooshakentogotobedagain,however,soIdressed,andassoonasitwasdaylightIslippeddown,gotadog-cartattheCrownInn,whichisopposite,anddrovetoLeatherhead,fromwhenceIhavecomeonthismorningwiththeoneobjectofseeingyouandaskingyouradvice."
"Youhavedonewisely,"saidmyfriend. "Buthaveyoutoldmeall?"
"Yes,all."
"MissRoylott,youhavenot.Youarescreeningyourstepfather."
"Why,whatdoyoumean?"
