Приключения Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Speckled Band
Wegotoff,paidourfare,andthetraprattledbackonitswaytoLeatherhead.
"Ithoughtitaswell,"saidHolmesasweclimbedthestile,"thatthisfellowshouldthinkwehadcomehereasarchitects,oronsomedefinitebusiness. Itmaystophisgossip. Good-afternoon,MissStoner. Youseethatwehavebeenasgoodasourword."
Ourclientofthemorninghadhurriedforwardtomeetuswithafacewhichspokeherjoy. "Ihavebeenwaitingsoeagerlyforyou,"shecried,shakinghandswithuswarmly. "Allhasturnedoutsplendidly. Dr.Roylotthasgonetotown,anditisunlikelythathewillbebackbeforeevening."
"Wehavehadthepleasureofmakingthedoctor’sacquaintance,"saidHolmes,andinafewwordshesketchedoutwhathadoccurred. MissStonerturnedwhitetothelipsasshelistened.
"Goodheavens!"shecried,"hehasfollowedme,then."
"Soitappears."
"HeissocunningthatIneverknowwhenIamsafefromhim. Whatwillhesaywhenhereturns?"
"Hemustguardhimself,forhemayfindthatthereissomeonemorecunningthanhimselfuponhistrack. Youmustlockyourselfupfromhimto-night. Ifheisviolent,weshalltakeyouawaytoyouraunt’satHarrow. Now,wemustmakethebestuseofourtime,sokindlytakeusatoncetotheroomswhichwearetoexamine."
