Приключения Шерлока Холмса
A Scandal in Bohemia
"Iguessedasmuch."
"Then,whentherowbrokeout,Ihadalittlemoistredpaintinthepalmofmyhand. Irushedforward,felldown,clappedmyhandtomyface,andbecameapiteousspectacle. Itisanoldtrick."
"ThatalsoIcouldfathom."
"Thentheycarriedmein. Shewasboundtohavemein.Whatelsecouldshedo? Andintohersitting-room,whichwastheveryroomwhichIsuspected. Itlaybetweenthatandherbedroom,andIwasdeterminedtoseewhich. Theylaidmeonacouch,Imotionedforair,theywerecompelledtoopenthewindow,andyouhadyourchance."
"Howdidthathelpyou?"
"Itwasall-important. Whenawomanthinksthatherhouseisonfire,herinstinctisatoncetorushtothethingwhichshevaluesmost. Itisaperfectlyoverpoweringimpulse,andIhavemorethanoncetakenadvantageofit. InthecaseoftheDarlingtonsubstitutionscandalitwasofusetome,andalsointheArnsworthCastlebusiness. Amarriedwomangrabsatherbaby;anunmarriedonereachesforherjewel-box. Nowitwascleartomethatourladyofto-dayhadnothinginthehousemoreprecioustoherthanwhatweareinquestof. Shewouldrushtosecureit. Thealarmoffirewasadmirablydone. Thesmokeandshoutingwereenoughtoshakenervesofsteel. Sherespondedbeautifully. Thephotographisinarecessbehindaslidingpaneljustabovetherightbell-pull. Shewasthereinaninstant,andIcaughtaglimpseofitasshehalf-drewitout. WhenIcriedoutthatitwasafalsealarm,shereplacedit,glancedattherocket,rushedfromtheroom,andIhavenotseenhersince.
