Спогади Шерлока Холмса
The Crooked Man
Barclaytohatredofherhusband.Itooktheobviouscourse,therefore,ofcallinguponMissM.,ofexplainingtoherthatIwasperfectlycertainthatsheheldthefactsinherpossession,andofassuringherthatherfriend,Mrs.Barclay,mightfindherselfinthedockuponacapitalchargeunlessthematterwereclearedup.
"MissMorrisonisalittleetherealslipofagirl,withtimideyesandblondhair,butIfoundherbynomeanswantinginshrewdnessandcommonsense.ShesatthinkingforsometimeafterIhadspoken,andthen,turningtomewithabriskairofresolution,shebrokeintoaremarkablestatementwhichIwillcondenseforyourbenefit.
"‘IpromisedmyfriendthatIwouldsaynothingofthematter,andapromiseisapromise,"saidshe;‘butifIcanreallyhelpherwhensoseriousachargeislaidagainsther,andwhenherownmouth,poordarling,isclosedbyillness,thenIthinkIamabsolvedfrommypromise.IwilltellyouexactlywhathappeneduponMondayevening.
"‘WewerereturningfromtheWattStreetMissionaboutaquartertonineo’clock.OnourwaywehadtopassthroughHudsonStreet,whichisaveryquietthoroughfare.Thereisonlyonelampinit,upontheleft-handside,andasweapproachedthislampIsawamancomingtowardsuswithhisbackverybent,andsomethinglikeaboxslungoveroneofhisshoulders.Heappearedtobedeformed,forhecarriedhisheadlowandwalkedwithhiskneesbent.
