Знак четырех
IX. A Break in the Chain
Itisourdutytoclearhimofthisdreadfulandunfoundedcharge.”
ItwaseveningbeforeIleftCamberwell,andquitedarkbythetimeIreachedhome.Mycompanion’sbookandpipelaybyhischair,buthehaddisappeared.Ilookedaboutinthehopeofseeinganote,buttherewasnone.
“IsupposethatMr.SherlockHolmeshasgoneout,”IsaidtoMrs.Hudsonasshecameuptolowertheblinds.
“No,sir.Hehasgonetohisroom,sir.Doyouknow,sir,”sinkinghervoiceintoanimpressivewhisper,“Iamafraidforhishealth?”
“Whyso,Mrs.Hudson?”
“Well,he’sthatstrange,sir.Afteryouwasgonehewalkedandhewalked,upanddown,andupanddown,untilIwaswearyofthesoundofhisfootstep.ThenIheardhimtalkingtohimselfandmuttering,andeverytimethebellrangouthecameonthestairhead,with‘Whatisthat,Mrs.Hudson?’Andnowhehasslammedofftohisroom,butIcanhearhimwalkingawaythesameasever.Ihopehe’snotgoingtobeill,sir.Iventuredtosaysomethingtohimaboutcoolingmedicine,butheturnedonme,sir,withsuchalookthatIdon’tknowhoweverIgotoutoftheroom.”
“Idon’tthinkthatyouhaveanycausetobeuneasy,Mrs.Hudson,”Ianswered.“Ihaveseenhimlikethisbefore.Hehassomesmallmatteruponhismindwhichmakeshimrestless.”Itriedtospeaklightlytoourworthylandlady,butIwasmyselfsomewhatuneasywhenthroughthelongnightIstillfromtimetotimeheardthedullsoundofhistread,andknewhowhiskeenspiritwaschafingagainstthisinvoluntaryinaction.
