Приключения Шерлока Холмса
The Red-headed League
Ishallstandbehindthiscrate,anddoyouconcealyourselvesbehindthose. Then,whenIflashalightuponthem,closeinswiftly. Iftheyfire,Watson,havenocompunctionaboutshootingthemdown."
Iplacedmyrevolver,cocked,uponthetopofthewoodencasebehindwhichIcrouched. Holmesshottheslideacrossthefrontofhislanternandleftusinpitchdarkness—suchanabsolutedarknessasIhaveneverbeforeexperienced. Thesmellofhotmetalremainedtoassureusthatthelightwasstillthere,readytoflashoutatamoment’snotice. Tome,withmynervesworkeduptoapitchofexpectancy,therewassomethingdepressingandsubduinginthesuddengloom,andinthecolddankairofthevault.
"Theyhavebutoneretreat,"whisperedHolmes."ThatisbackthroughthehouseintoSaxe-CoburgSquare. IhopethatyouhavedonewhatIaskedyou,Jones?"
"lhaveaninspectorandtwoofficerswaitingatthefrontdoor."
"Thenwehavestoppedalltheholes. Andnowwemustbesilentandwait."
Whatatimeitseemed! Fromcomparingnotesafterwardsitwasbutanhourandaquarter,yetitappearedtomethatthenightmusthavealmostgone,andthedawnbebreakingaboveus. Mylimbswerewearyandstiff,forIfearedtochangemyposition;yetmynerveswereworkeduptothehighestpitchoftension,andmyhearingwassoacutethatIcouldnotonlyhearthegentlebreathingofmycompanions,butIcoulddistinguishthedeeper,heavierin-breathofthebulkyJonesfromthethin,sighingnoteofthebankdirector. FrommypositionIcouldlookoverthecaseinthedirectionofthefloor. Suddenlymyeyescaughttheglintofalight.
