Приключения Шерлока Холмса
A Case of Identity
Whatdoeshercleverstepfatherdothen? Heconceivesanideamorecreditabletohisheadthantohisheart. Withtheconnivanceandassistanceofhiswifehedisguisedhimself,coveredthosekeeneyeswithtintedglasses,maskedthefacewithamoustacheandapairofbushywhiskers,sunkthatclearvoiceintoaninsinuatingwhisper,anddoublysecureonaccountofthegirl’sshortsight,heappearsasMr.HosmerAngel,andkeepsoffotherloversbymakinglovehimself."
"Itwasonlyajokeatfirst,"groanedourvisitor. "Weneverthoughtthatshewouldhavebeensocarriedaway."
"Verylikelynot. Howeverthatmaybe,theyoungladywasverydecidedlycarriedaway,and,havingquitemadeuphermindthatherstepfatherwasinFrance,thesuspicionoftreacheryneverforaninstantenteredhermind. Shewasflatteredbythegentleman’sattentions,andtheeffectwasincreasedbytheloudlyexpressedadmirationofhermother. ThenMr.Angelbegantocall,foritwasobviousthatthemattershouldbepushedasfarasitwouldgoifarealeffectweretobeproduced. Thereweremeetings,andanengagement,whichwouldfinallysecurethegirl’saffectionsfromturningtowardsanyoneelse. Butthedeceptioncouldnotbekeptupforever. ThesepretendedjourneystoFrancewererathercumbrous. Thethingtodowasclearlytobringthebusinesstoanendinsuchadramaticmannerthatitwouldleaveapermanentimpressionupontheyounglady’smindandpreventherfromlookinguponanyothersuitorforsometimetocome. HencethosevowsoffidelityexacteduponaTestament,andhencealsotheallusionstoapossibilityofsomethinghappeningontheverymorningofthewedding. JamesWindibankwishedMissSutherlandtobesoboundtoHosmerAngel,andsouncertainastohisfate,thatfortenyearstocome,atanyrate,shewouldnotlistentoanotherman.
