Спогади Шерлока Холмса
The Musgrave Ritual
Hewasawell-grown,handsomeman,withasplendidforehead,andthoughhehasbeenwithusfortwentyyearshecannotbemorethanfortynow.Withhispersonaladvantagesandhisextraordinarygifts—forhecanspeakseverallanguagesandplaynearlyeverymusicalinstrument—itiswonderfulthatheshouldhavebeensatisfiedsolonginsuchaposition,butIsupposethathewascomfortableandlackedenergytomakeanychange.ThebutlerofHurlstoneisalwaysathingthatisrememberedbyallwhovisitus.
"‘Butthisparagonhasonefault.HeisabitofaDonJuan,andyoucanimaginethatforamanlikehimitisnotaverydifficultparttoplayinaquietcountrydistrict.Whenhewasmarrieditwasallright,butsincehehasbeenawidowerwehavehadnoendoftroublewithhim.Afewmonthsagowewereinhopesthathewasabouttosettledownagain,forhebecameengagedtoRachelHowells,oursecondhousemaid;buthehasthrownheroversincethenandtakenupwithJanetTregellis,thedaughteroftheheadgame-keeper.Rachel—whoisaverygoodgirl,butofanexcitableWelshtemperament—hadasharptouchofbrain-feverandgoesaboutthehousenow—ordiduntilyesterday—likeablack-eyedshadowofherformerself.ThatwasourfirstdramaatHurlstone;butasecondonecametodriveitfromourminds,anditwasprefacedbythedisgraceanddismissalofbutlerBrunton.
"‘Thiswashowitcameabout.
