Приключения Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Speckled Band
IconfessthatIfelteasierinmymindwhen,afterfollowingHolmes’sexampleandslippingoffmyshoes,Ifoundmyselfinsidethebedroom. Mycompanionnoiselesslyclosedtheshutters,movedthelampontothetable,andcasthiseyesroundtheroom. Allwasaswehadseenitinthedaytime. Thencreepinguptomeandmakingatrumpetofhishand,hewhisperedintomyearagainsogentlythatitwasallthatIcoulddotodistinguishthewords:
"Theleastsoundwouldbefataltoourplans."
InoddedtoshowthatIhadheard.
"Wemustsitwithoutlight. Hewouldseeitthroughtheventilator."
Inoddedagain.
"Donotgoasleep;yourverylifemaydependuponit. Haveyourpistolreadyincaseweshouldneedit. Iwillsitonthesideofthebed,andyouinthatchair."
Itookoutmyrevolverandlaiditonthecornerofthetable.
Holmeshadbroughtupalongthincane,andthisheplaceduponthebedbesidehim. Byithelaidtheboxofmatchesandthestumpofacandle. Thenheturneddownthelamp,andwewereleftindarkness.
HowshallIeverforgetthatdreadfulvigil? Icouldnothearasound,noteventhedrawingofabreath,andyetIknewthatmycompanionsatopen-eyed,withinafewfeetofme,inthesamestateofnervoustensioninwhichIwasmyself. Theshutterscutofftheleastrayoflight,andwewaitedinabsolutedarkness.
