Спогади Шерлока Холмса
The Musgrave Ritual
HewasindeedascionofoneoftheveryoldestfamiliesinthekingdomthoughhisbranchwasacadetonewhichhadseparatedfromthenorthernMusgravessometimeinthesixteenthcenturyandhadestablisheditselfinwesternSussex,wheretheManorHouseofHurlstoneisperhapstheoldestinhabitedbuildinginthecounty.Somethingofhisbirth-placeseemedtoclingtotheman,andIneverlookedathispale,keenfaceorthepoiseofhisheadwithoutassociatinghimwithgrayarchwaysandmullionedwindowsandallthevenerablewreckageofafeudalkeep.Onceortwicewedriftedintotalk,andIcanrememberthatmorethanonceheexpressedakeeninterestinmymethodsofobservationandinference.
"ForfouryearsIhadseennothingofhimuntilonemorninghewalkedintomyroominMontagueStreet.Hehadchangedlittle,wasdressedlikeayoungmanoffashion—hewasalwaysabitofadandy—andpreservedthesamequiet,suavemannerwhichhadformerlydistinguishedhim.
"‘Howhasallgonewithyou,Musgrave?"Iaskedafterwehadcordiallyshakenhands.
"‘Youprobablyheardofmypoorfather’sdeath,"saidhe;‘hewascarriedoffabouttwoyearsago.SincethenIhaveofcoursehadtheHurlstoneestatetomanage,andasIammemberformydistrictaswell,mylifehasbeenabusyone.ButIunderstand,Holmes,thatyouareturningtopracticalendsthosepowerswithwhichyouusedtoamazeus?’
"‘Yes,"saidI,‘Ihavetakentolivingbymywits.
