Приключения Шерлока Холмса

           Icouldseebyhismannerthathehadstrongerreasonsforsatisfactionthanhiswordsalonewouldimply. Hiseyestwinkled,andtherewasevenatouchofcolouruponhissallowcheeks. Hehastenedupstairs,andafewminuteslaterIheardtheslamofthehalldoor,whichtoldmethathewasoffoncemoreuponhiscongenialhunt. 

           Iwaiteduntilmidnight,buttherewasnosignofhisreturn,soIretiredtomyroom. Itwasnouncommonthingforhimtobeawayfordaysandnightsonendwhenhewashotuponascent,sothathislatenesscausedmenosurprise. Idonotknowatwhathourhecamein,butwhenIcamedowntobreakfastinthemorningtherehewaswithacupofcoffeeinonehandandthepaperintheother,asfreshandtrimaspossible. 

           "Youwillexcusemybeginningwithoutyou,Watson,"saidhe,"butyourememberthatourclienthasratheranearlyappointmentthismorning." 

           "Why,itisafterninenow,"Ianswered."Ishouldnotbesurprisedifthatwerehe.IthoughtIheardaring." 

           Itwas,indeed,ourfriendthefinancier. Iwasshockedbythechangewhichhadcomeoverhim,forhisfacewhichwasnaturallyofabroadandmassivemould,wasnowpinchedandfallenin,whilehishairseemedtomeatleastashadewhiter. Heenteredwithawearinessandlethargywhichwasevenmorepainfulthanhisviolenceofthemorningbefore,andhedroppedheavilyintothearmchairwhichIpushedforwardforhim. 

           "IdonotknowwhatIhavedonetobesoseverelytried,"saidhe. "OnlytwodaysagoIwasahappyandprosperousman,withoutacareintheworld. NowIamlefttoalonelyanddishonouredage. Onesorrowcomescloseupontheheelsofanother. Myniece,Mary,hasdesertedme." 

           "Desertedyou?"