Знак четырех
VII. The Episode of the Barrel
Thenwithalightspringhecameontothebarrel,andfromtheretotheearth.
“Itwaseasytofollowhim,”hesaid,drawingonhisstockingsandboots.“Tileswereloosenedthewholewayalong,andinhishurryhehaddroppedthis.Itconfirmsmydiagnosis,asyoudoctorsexpressit.”
Theobjectwhichhehelduptomewasasmallpocketorpouchwovenoutofcolouredgrassesandwithafewtawdrybeadsstrungroundit.Inshapeandsizeitwasnotunlikeacigarette-case.Insidewerehalfadozenspinesofdarkwood,sharpatoneendandroundedattheother,likethatwhichhadstruckBartholomewSholto.
“Theyarehellishthings,”saidhe.“Lookoutthatyoudon’tprickyourself.I’mdelightedtohavethem,forthechancesarethattheyareallhehas.Thereisthelessfearofyouormefindingoneinourskinbeforelong.IwouldsoonerfaceaMartinibullet,myself.Areyougameforasix-miletrudge,Watson?”
“Certainly,”Ianswered.
“Yourlegwillstandit?”
“Oh,yes.”
“Hereyouare,doggy!GoodoldToby!Smellit,Toby,smellit!”Hepushedthecreasotehandkerchiefunderthedog’snose,whilethecreaturestoodwithitsfluffylegsseparated,andwithamostcomicalcocktoitshead,likeaconnoisseursniffingthebouquetofafamousvintage.Holmesthenthrewthehandkerchieftoadistance,fastenedastoutcordtothemongrel’scollar,andledhimtothefootofthewater-barrel.
