Спогади Шерлока Холмса
The Reigate Puzzle
Eventheknowledgethathehadsucceededwherethepoliceofthreecountrieshadfailed,andthathehadoutmanoeuvredateverypointthemostaccomplishedswindlerinEurope,wasinsufficienttorousehimfromhisnervousprostration.
ThreedayslaterwewerebackinBakerStreettogether;butitwasevidentthatmyfriendwouldbemuchthebetterforachange,andthethoughtofaweekofspringtimeinthecountrywasfullofattractionstomealso.Myoldfriend,ColonelHayter,whohadcomeundermyprofessionalcareinAfghanistan,hadnowtakenahousenearReigateinSurreyandhadfrequentlyaskedmetocomedowntohimuponavisit.Onthelastoccasionhehadremarkedthatifmyfriendwouldonlycomewithmehewouldbegladtoextendhishospitalitytohimalso.Alittlediplomacywasneeded,butwhenHolmesunderstoodthattheestablishmentwasabachelorone,andthathewouldbeallowedthefullestfreedom,hefellinwithmyplansandaweekafterourreturnfromLyonswewereunderthecolonel’sroof.Hayterwasafineoldsoldierwhohadseenmuchoftheworld,andhesoonfound,asIhadexpected,thatHolmesandhehadmuchincommon.
Ontheeveningofourarrivalweweresittinginthecolonel’sgun-roomafterdinner,Holmesstretcheduponthesofa,whileHayterandIlookedoverhislittlearmoryofEasternweapons.
"Bytheway,"saidhesuddenly,"IthinkI’lltakeoneofthesepistolsupstairswithmeincasewehaveanalarm."
"Analarm!"saidI.
