Приключения Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Copper Beeches
"Atleast,"saidIasweheardherquick,firmstepsdescendingthestairs,"sheseemstobeayoungladywhoisverywellabletotakecareofherself."
"Andshewouldneedtobe,"saidHolmesgravely. "Iammuchmistakenifwedonothearfromherbeforemanydaysarepast."
Itwasnotverylongbeforemyfriend’spredictionwasfulfilled. Afortnightwentby,duringwhichIfrequentlyfoundmythoughtsturninginherdirectionandwonderingwhatstrangeside-alleyofhumanexperiencethislonelywomanhadstrayedinto. Theunusualsalary,thecuriousconditions,thelightduties,allpointedtosomethingabnormal,thoughwhetherafadoraplot,orwhetherthemanwereaphilanthropistoravillain,itwasquitebeyondmypowerstodetermine. AstoHolmes,Iobservedthathesatfrequentlyforhalfanhouronend,withknittedbrowsandanabstractedair,buthesweptthematterawaywithawaveofhishandwhenImentionedit. "Data!data!data!"hecriedimpatiently. "Ican’tmakebrickswithoutclay." Andyethewouldalwayswindupbymutteringthatnosisterofhisshouldeverhaveacceptedsuchasituation.
ThetelegramwhichweeventuallyreceivedcamelateonenightjustasIwasthinkingofturninginandHolmeswassettlingdowntooneofthoseall-nightchemicalresearcheswhichhefrequentlyindulgedin,whenIwouldleavehimstoopingoveraretortandatest-tubeatnightandfindhiminthesamepositionwhenIcamedowntobreakfastinthemorning. Heopenedtheyellowenvelope,andthen,glancingatthemessage,threwitacrosstome.
"JustlookupthetrainsinBradshaw,"saidhe,andturnedbacktohischemicalstudies.
Thesummonswasabriefandurgentone.
