Знак четырех
VI. Sherlock Holmes Gives a Demonstration
”Hewhippedouthislensandatapemeasure,andhurriedabouttheroomonhisknees,measuring,comparing,examining,withhislongthinnoseonlyafewinchesfromtheplanks,andhisbeadyeyesgleaminganddeep-setlikethoseofabird.Soswift,silent,andfurtivewerehismovements,likethoseofatrainedblood-houndpickingoutascent,thatIcouldnotbutthinkwhataterriblecriminalhewouldhavemadehadheturnedhisenergyandsagacityagainstthelaw,insteadofexertingtheminitsdefence.Ashehuntedabout,hekeptmutteringtohimself,andfinallyhebrokeoutintoaloudcrowofdelight.
“Wearecertainlyinluck,”saidhe.“Weoughttohaveverylittletroublenow.NumberOnehashadthemisfortunetotreadinthecreosote.Youcanseetheoutlineoftheedgeofhissmallfoothereatthesideofthisevil-smellingmess.Thecarboyhasbeencracked,Yousee,andthestuffhasleakedout.”
“Whatthen?”Iasked.
“Why,wehavegothim,that’sall,”saidhe.“Iknowadogthatwouldfollowthatscenttotheworld’send.Ifapackcantrackatrailedherringacrossashire,howfarcanaspecially-trainedhoundfollowsopungentasmellasthis?Itsoundslikeasumintheruleofthree.Theanswershouldgiveusthe—Buthalloa!herearetheaccreditedrepresentativesofthelaw.”
Heavystepsandtheclamourofloudvoiceswereaudiblefrombelow,andthehalldoorshutwithaloudcrash.
“Beforetheycome,”saidHolmes,“justputyourhandhereonthispoorfellow’sarm,andhereonhisleg.Whatdoyoufeel?”
“Themusclesareashardasaboard,”Ianswered.
