Спогади Шерлока Холмса

           Therecouldbenoquestionthatthemostdistinctiveandsuggestivepointinthecasewasthesingulardisappearanceofthedoor-key.Amostcarefulsearchhadfailedtodiscoveritintheroom.Thereforeitmusthavebeentakenfromit.Butneitherthecolonelnorthecolonel’swifecouldhavetakenit.Thatwasperfectlyclear.Thereforeathirdpersonmusthaveenteredtheroom.Andthatthirdpersoncouldonlyhavecomeinthroughthewindow.Itseemedtomethatacarefulexaminationoftheroomandthelawnmightpossiblyrevealsometracesofthismysteriousindividual.Youknowmymethods,Watson.TherewasnotoneofthemwhichIdidnotapplytotheinquiry.Anditendedbymydiscoveringtraces,butverydifferentonesfromthosewhichIhadexpected.Therehadbeenamanintheroom,andhehadcrossedthelawncomingfromtheroad.Iwasabletoobtainfiveveryclearimpressionsofhisfootmarks:oneintheroadwayitself,atthepointwherehehadclimbedthelowwall,twoonthelawn,andtwoveryfaintonesuponthestainedboardsnearthewindowwherehehadentered.Hehadapparentlyrushedacrossthelawn,forhistoe-marksweremuchdeeperthanhisheels.Butitwasnotthemanwhosurprisedme.Itwashiscompanion."

           "Hiscompanion!"

           Holmespulledalargesheetoftissue-paperoutofhispocketandcarefullyunfoldedituponhisknee.

           "Whatdoyoumakeofthat?"heasked.

           Thepaperwascoveredwiththetracingsofthefootmarksofsomesmallanimal.