Приключения Шерлока Холмса
The Red-headed League
Atfirstitwasbutaluridsparkuponthestonepavement. Thenitlengthenedoutuntilitbecameayellowline,andthen,withoutanywarningorsound,agashseemedtoopenandahandappeared;awhite,almostwomanlyhand,whichfeltaboutinthecentreofthelittleareaoflight. Foraminuteormorethehand,withitswrithingfingers,protrudedoutofthefloor. Thenitwaswithdrawnassuddenlyasitappeared,andallwasdarkagainsavethesingleluridsparkwhichmarkedachinkbetweenthestones.
Itsdisappearance,however,wasbutmomentary.Witharending,tearingsound,oneofthebroad,whitestonesturnedoveruponitssideandleftasquare,gapinghole,throughwhichstreamedthelightofalantern. Overtheedgetherepeepedaclean-cut,boyishface,whichlookedkeenlyaboutit,andthen,withahandoneithersideoftheaperture,drewitselfshoulder-highandwaist-high,untilonekneerestedupontheedge. Inanotherinstanthestoodatthesideoftheholeandwashaulingafterhimacompanion,litheandsmalllikehimself,withapalefaceandashockofveryredhair.
"It’sallclear,"hewhispered. "Haveyouthechiselandthebags?GreatScott!Jump,Archie,jump,andI’llswingforit!"
SherlockHolmeshadsprungoutandseizedtheintruderbythecollar. Theotherdiveddownthehole,andIheardthesoundofrendingclothasJonesclutchedathisskirts. Thelightflasheduponthebarrelofarevolver,butHolmes’shuntingcropcamedownontheman’swrist,andthepistolclinkeduponthestonefloor.
"It’snouse,JohnClay,"saidHolmesblandly. "Youhavenochanceatall."
