Знак четырех
VI. Sherlock Holmes Gives a Demonstration
”Withgreatactivity,consideringhisbulk,hesprangupthestepsandsqueezedthroughintothegarret,andimmediatelyafterwardsweheardhisexultingvoiceproclaimingthathehadfoundthetrap-door.
“Hecanfindsomething,”remarkedHolmes,shrugginghisshoulders.“Hehasoccasionalglimmeringsofreason.Iln’yapasdessotssiincommodesqueceuxquiontdel’esprit!”
“Yousee!”saidAthelneyJones,reappearingdownthestepsagain.“Factsarebetterthanmeretheories,afterall.Myviewofthecaseisconfirmed.Thereisatrap-doorcommunicatingwiththeroof,anditispartlyopen.”
“ItwasIwhoopenedit.”
“Oh,indeed!Youdidnoticeit,then?”Heseemedalittlecrestfallenatthediscovery.“Well,whoevernoticedit,itshowshowourgentlemangotaway.Inspector!”
“Yes,sir,”fromthepassage.
“AskMr.Sholtotostepthisway.—Mr.Sholto,itismydutytoinformyouthatanythingwhichyoumaysaywillbeusedagainstyou.IarrestyouintheQueen’snameasbeingconcernedinthedeathofyourbrother.”
“There,now!Didn’tItellyou!”criedthepoorlittleman,throwingouthishands,andlookingfromonetotheotherofus.
“Don’ttroubleyourselfaboutit,Mr.Sholto,”saidHolmes.“IthinkthatIcanengagetoclearyouofthecharge.”
“Don’tpromisetoomuch,Mr.Theorist,—don’tpromisetoomuch!”snappedthedetective.“Youmayfinditahardermatterthanyouthink.”
“NotonlywillIclearhim,Mr.
