Приключения Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Copper Beeches
Asregardsyourhair,itisnodoubtapity,especiallyasIcouldnothelpremarkingitsbeautyduringourshortinterview,butIamafraidthatImustremainfirmuponthispoint,andIonlyhopethattheincreasedsalarymayrecompenseyoufortheloss. Yourduties,asfarasthechildisconcerned,areverylight. Nowdotrytocome,andIshallmeetyouwiththedog-cartatWinchester. Letmeknowyourtrain.
"Yoursfaithfully,
"JEPHRORUCASTLE.
"ThatistheletterwhichIhavejustreceived,Mr.Holmes,andmymindismadeupthatIwillacceptit. Ithought,however,thatbeforetakingthefinalstepIshouldliketosubmitthewholemattertoyourconsideration."
"Well,MissHunter,ifyourmindismadeup,thatsettlesthequestion,"saidHolmes,smiling.
"Butyouwouldnotadvisemetorefuse?"
"IconfessthatitisnotthesituationwhichIshouldliketoseeasisterofmineapplyfor."
"Whatisthemeaningofitall,Mr.Holmes?"
"Ah,Ihavenodata.Icannottell.Perhapsyouhaveyourselfformedsomeopinion?"
"Well,thereseemstometobeonlyonepossiblesolution. Mr.Rucastleseemedtobeaverykind,good-naturedman. Isitnotpossiblethathiswifeisalunatic,thathedesirestokeepthematterquietforfearsheshouldbetakentoanasylum,andthathehumoursherfanciesineverywayinordertopreventanoutbreak?"
