Приключения Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Speckled Band
Aboutnineo’clockthelightamongthetreeswasextinguished,andallwasdarkinthedirectionoftheManorHouse. Twohourspassedslowlyaway,andthen,suddenly,justatthestrokeofeleven,asinglebrightlightshoneoutrightinfrontofus.
"Thatisoursignal,"saidHolmes,springingtohisfeet;"itcomesfromthemiddlewindow."
Aswepassedoutheexchangedafewwordswiththelandlord,explainingthatweweregoingonalatevisittoanacquaintance,andthatitwaspossiblethatwemightspendthenightthere. Amomentlaterwewereoutonthedarkroad,achillwindblowinginourfaces,andoneyellowlighttwinklinginfrontofusthroughthegloomtoguideusonoursombreerrand.
Therewaslittledifficultyinenteringthegrounds,forunrepairedbreachesgapedintheoldparkwall. Makingourwayamongthetrees,wereachedthelawn,crossedit,andwereabouttoenterthroughthewindowwhenoutfromaclumpoflaurelbushestheredartedwhatseemedtobeahideousanddistortedchild,whothrewitselfuponthegrasswithwrithinglimbsandthenranswiftlyacrossthelawnintothedarkness.
"MyGod!"Iwhispered;"didyouseeit?"
HolmeswasforthemomentasstartledasI. Hishandclosedlikeaviseuponmywristinhisagitation. Thenhebrokeintoalowlaughandputhislipstomyear.
"Itisanicehousehold,"hemurmured."Thatisthebaboon."
Ihadforgottenthestrangepetswhichthedoctoraffected. Therewasacheetah,too;perhapswemightfindituponourshouldersatanymoment.
