Знак четырех
VI. Sherlock Holmes Gives a Demonstration
Hewascloselyfollowedbyaninspectorinuniform,andbythestillpalpitatingThaddeusSholto.
“Here’sabusiness!”hecried,inamuffled,huskyvoice.“Here’saprettybusiness!Butwhoareallthese?Why,thehouseseemstobeasfullasarabbit-warren!”
“Ithinkyoumustrecollectme,Mr.AthelneyJones,”saidHolmes,quietly.
“Why,ofcourseIdo!”hewheezed.“It’sMr.SherlockHolmes,thetheorist.Rememberyou!I’llneverforgethowyoulecturedusalloncausesandinferencesandeffectsintheBishopgatejewelcase.It’strueyousetusontherighttrack;butyou’llownnowthatitwasmorebygoodluckthangoodguidance.”
“Itwasapieceofverysimplereasoning.”
“Oh,come,now,come!Neverbeashamedtoownup.Butwhatisallthis?Badbusiness!Badbusiness!Sternfactshere,—noroomfortheories.HowluckythatIhappenedtobeoutatNorwoodoveranothercase!Iwasatthestationwhenthemessagearrived.Whatd’youthinkthemandiedof?”
“Oh,thisishardlyacaseformetotheoriseover,”saidHolmes,dryly.
“No,no.Still,wecan’tdenythatyouhitthenailontheheadsometimes.Dearme!Doorlocked,Iunderstand.Jewelsworthhalfamillionmissing.Howwasthewindow?”
“Fastened;buttherearestepsonthesill.”
“Well,well,ifitwasfastenedthestepscouldhavenothingtodowiththematter.That’scommonsense.Manmighthavediedinafit;butthenthejewelsaremissing.Ha!Ihaveatheory.Theseflashescomeuponmeattimes.—Juststepoutside,sergeant,andyou,Mr.Sholto.Yourfriendcanremain.
