Знак четырех

VIII. The Baker Street Irregulars

           Howcouldyoupossiblytellthatitwasthewooden-leggedmanwhocameinthenight?Idon’tquiteunderstandhowyoucanbesosure.”

           “Hisvoice,sir.Iknewhisvoice,whichiskindo’thickandfoggy.Hetappedatthewinder,—aboutthreeitwouldbe.‘Showaleg,matey,’sayshe:‘timetoturnoutguard.’MyoldmanwokeupJim,—that’smyeldest,—andawaytheywent,withoutsomuchasawordtome.Icouldhearthewoodenlegclackin’onthestones.”

           “Andwasthiswooden-leggedmanalone?”

           “Couldn’tsay,Iamsure,sir.Ididn’thearnooneelse.”

           “Iamsorry,Mrs.Smith,forIwantedasteamlaunch,andIhaveheardgoodreportsofthe—Letmesee,whatishername?”

           “TheAurora,sir.”

           “Ah!She’snotthatoldgreenlaunchwithayellowline,verybroadinthebeam?”

           “No,indeed.She’sastrimalittlethingasanyontheriver.She’sbeenfreshpainted,blackwithtworedstreaks.”

           “Thanks.IhopethatyouwillhearsoonfromMr.Smith.Iamgoingdowntheriver;andifIshouldseeanythingoftheAuroraIshalllethimknowthatyouareuneasy.Ablackfunnel,yousay?”

           “No,sir.Blackwithawhiteband.”

           “Ah,ofcourse.Itwasthesideswhichwereblack.Good-morning,Mrs.Smith.—Thereisaboatmanherewithawherry,Watson.Weshalltakeitandcrosstheriver.

           “Themainthingwithpeopleofthatsort,”saidHolmes,aswesatinthesheetsofthewherry,“isnevertoletthemthinkthattheirinformationcanbeoftheslightestimportancetoyou.Ifyoudo,theywillinstantlyshutuplikeanoyster.

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