Спогади Шерлока Холмса
The Reigate Puzzle
Oneofthemfiredashot,theotherdropped,andthemurdererrushedacrossthegardenandoverthehedge.Mr.Cunningham,lookingoutofhisbedroom,sawthefellowashegainedtheroad,butlostsightofhimatonce.Mr.Alecstoppedtoseeifhecouldhelpthedyingman,andsothevillaingotcleanaway.Beyondthefactthathewasamiddle-sizedmananddressedinsomedarkstuff,wehavenopersonalclue;butwearemakingenergeticinquiries,andifheisastrangerweshallsoonfindhimout."
"WhatwasthisWilliamdoingthere?Didhesayanythingbeforehedied?"
"Notaword.Helivesatthelodgewithhismother,andashewasaveryfaithfulfellowweimaginethathewalkeduptothehousewiththeintentionofseeingthatallwasrightthere.OfcoursethisActonbusinesshasputeveryoneontheirguard.Therobbermusthavejustburstopenthedoor—thelockhasbeenforced—whenWilliamcameuponhim."
"DidWilliamsayanythingtohismotherbeforegoingout?"
"Sheisveryoldanddeaf,andwecangetnoinformationfromher.Theshockhasmadeherhalf-witted,butIunderstandthatshewasneververybright.Thereisoneveryimportantcircumstance,however.Lookatthis!"
Hetookasmallpieceoftornpaperfromanotebookandspreaditoutuponhisknee.
"Thiswasfoundbetweenthefingerandthumbofthedeadman.Itappearstobeafragmenttornfromalargersheet.
