Приключения Шерлока Холмса
The Red-headed League
Thisalsowasopened,andleddownaflightofwindingstonesteps,whichterminatedatanotherformidablegate. Mr.Merryweatherstoppedtolightalantern,andthenconductedusdownadark,earth-smellingpassage,andso,afteropeningathirddoor,intoahugevaultorcellar,whichwaspiledallroundwithcratesandmassiveboxes.
"Youarenotveryvulnerablefromabove,"Holmesremarkedasheheldupthelanternandgazedabouthim.
"Norfrombelow,"saidMr.Merryweather,strikinghisstickupontheflagswhichlinedthefloor. "Why,dearme,itsoundsquitehollow!"heremarked,lookingupinsurprise.
"Imustreallyaskyoutobealittlemorequiet!"saidHolmesseverely. "Youhavealreadyimperilledthewholesuccessofourexpedition. MightIbegthatyouwouldhavethegoodnesstositdownupononeofthoseboxes,andnottointerfere?"
ThesolemnMr.Merryweatherperchedhimselfuponacrate,withaveryinjuredexpressionuponhisface,whileHolmesfelluponhiskneesuponthefloorand,withthelanternandamagnifyinglens,begantoexamineminutelythecracksbetweenthestones. Afewsecondssufficedtosatisfyhim,forhesprangtohisfeetagainandputhisglassinhispocket.
"Wehaveatleastanhourbeforeus,"heremarked,"fortheycanhardlytakeanystepsuntilthegoodpawnbrokerissafelyinbed. Thentheywillnotloseaminute,forthesoonertheydotheirworkthelongertimetheywillhavefortheirescape. Weareatpresent,Doctor—asnodoubtyouhavedivined—inthecellaroftheCitybranchofoneoftheprincipalLondonbanks.
