Приключения Шерлока Холмса
The Red-headed League
Therewasadoublestreamuponthestair,somegoingupinhope,andsomecomingbackdejected; butwewedgedinaswellaswecouldandsoonfoundourselvesintheoffice."
"Yourexperiencehasbeenamostentertainingone,"remarkedHolmesashisclientpausedandrefreshedhismemorywithahugepinchofsnuff. "Praycontinueyourveryinterestingstatement."
"Therewasnothingintheofficebutacoupleofwoodenchairsandadealtable,behindwhichsatasmallmanwithaheadthatwasevenredderthanmine. Hesaidafewwordstoeachcandidateashecameup,andthenhealwaysmanagedtofindsomefaultinthemwhichwoulddisqualifythem. Gettingavacancydidnotseemtobesuchaveryeasymatter,afterall. However,whenourturncamethelittlemanwasmuchmorefavourabletomethantoanyoftheothers,andheclosedthedoorasweentered,sothathemighthaveaprivatewordwithus.
"‘ThisisMr.JabezWilson,’saidmyassistant,‘andheiswillingtofillavacancyintheLeague.’
"‘Andheisadmirablysuitedforit,’theotheranswered.‘Hehaseveryrequirement. IcannotrecallwhenIhaveseenanythingsofine.’ Hetookastepbackward,cockedhisheadononeside,andgazedatmyhairuntilIfeltquitebashful. Thensuddenlyheplungedforward,wrungmyhand,andcongratulatedmewarmlyonmysuccess.
"‘Itwouldbeinjusticetohesitate,’saidhe. ‘Youwill,however,Iamsure,excusemefortakinganobviousprecaution.’ Withthatheseizedmyhairinbothhishands,andtuggeduntilIyelledwiththepain.
