Приключения Шерлока Холмса

           Thenhetriedthevariouskeysinthelock,butwithoutsuccess. Nosoundcamefromwithin,andatthesilenceHolmes’sfacecloudedover. 

           "Itrustthatwearenottoolate,"saidhe. "Ithink,MissHunter,thatwehadbettergoinwithoutyou. Now,Watson,putyourshouldertoit,andweshallseewhetherwecannotmakeourwayin." 

           Itwasanoldricketydoorandgaveatoncebeforeourunitedstrength. Togetherwerushedintotheroom. Itwasempty. Therewasnofurnituresavealittlepalletbed,asmalltable,andabasketfuloflinen. Theskylightabovewasopen,andtheprisonergone. 

           "Therehasbeensomevillainyhere,"saidHolmes;"thisbeautyhasguessedMissHunter’sintentionsandhascarriedhisvictimoff." 

           "Buthow?" 

           "Throughtheskylight. Weshallsoonseehowhemanagedit." Heswunghimselfupontotheroof. "Ah,yes,"hecried,"here’stheendofalonglightladderagainsttheeaves. Thatishowhedidit." 

           "Butitisimpossible,"saidMissHunter;"theladderwasnottherewhentheRucastleswentaway." 

           "Hehascomebackanddoneit. Itellyouthatheisacleveranddangerousman. IshouldnotbeverymuchsurprisedifthiswerehewhosestepIhearnowuponthestair. Ithink,Watson,thatitwouldbeaswellforyoutohaveyourpistolready." 

           Thewordswerehardlyoutofhismouthbeforeamanappearedatthedooroftheroom,averyfatandburlyman,withaheavystickinhishand. MissHunterscreamedandshrunkagainstthewallatthesightofhim,butSherlockHolmessprangforwardandconfrontedhim.