Приключения Шерлока Холмса
The Red-headed League
HestartedmeoffupontheletterA,andthenheleftme;buthewoulddropinfromtimetotimetoseethatallwasrightwithme. Attwoo’clockhebademegood-day,complimentedmeupontheamountthatIhadwritten,andlockedthedooroftheofficeafterme.
"Thiswentondayafterday,Mr.Holmes,andonSaturdaythemanagercameinandplankeddownfourgoldensovereignsformyweek’swork. Itwasthesamenextweek,andthesametheweekafter. EverymorningIwasthereatten,andeveryafternoonIleftattwo. BydegreesMr.DuncanRosstooktocominginonlyonceofamorning,andthen,afteratime,hedidnotcomeinatall. Still,ofcourse,Ineverdaredtoleavetheroomforaninstant,forIwasnotsurewhenhemightcome,andthebilletwassuchagoodone,andsuitedmesowell,thatIwouldnotriskthelossofit.
"Eightweekspassedawaylikethis,andIhadwrittenaboutAbbotsandArcheryandArmourandArchitectureandAttica,andhopedwithdiligencethatImightgetontotheB’sbeforeverylong. Itcostmesomethinginfoolscap,andIhadprettynearlyfilledashelfwithmywritings. Andthensuddenlythewholebusinesscametoanend."
"Toanend?"
"Yes,sir. Andnolaterthanthismorning. Iwenttomyworkasusualatteno’clock,butthedoorwasshutandlocked,withalittlesquareofcard-boardhammeredontothemiddleofthepanelwithatack. Hereitis,andyoucanreadforyourself."
