Спогади Шерлока Холмса
Silver Blaze
Wehave,Ithink,justtimetocatchourtrainatPaddington,andIwillgofurtherintothematteruponourjourney.Youwouldobligemebybringingwithyouyourveryexcellentfield-glass."
AndsoithappenedthatanhourorsolaterIfoundmyselfinthecornerofafirst-classcarriageflyingalongenrouteforExeter,whileSherlockHolmes,withhissharp,eagerfaceframedinhisear-flappedtravelling-cap,dippedrapidlyintothebundleoffreshpaperswhichhehadprocuredatPaddington.WehadleftReadingfarbehindusbeforehethrustthelastoneofthemundertheseatandofferedmehiscigar-case.
"Wearegoingwell,"saidhe,lookingoutofthewindowandglancingathiswatch."Ourrateatpresentisfifty-threeandahalfmilesanhour."
"Ihavenotobservedthequarter-mileposts,"saidI.
"NorhaveI.Butthetelegraphpostsuponthislinearesixtyyardsapart,andthecalculationisasimpleone.IpresumethatyouhavelookedintothismatterofthemurderofJohnStrakerandthedisappearanceofSilverBlaze?"
"IhaveseenwhattheTelegraphandtheChroniclehavetosay."
"Itisoneofthosecaseswheretheartofthereasonershouldbeusedratherforthesiftingofdetailsthanfortheacquiringoffreshevidence.Thetragedyhasbeensouncommon,socomplete,andofsuchpersonalimportancetosomanypeoplethatwearesufferingfromaplethoraofsurmise,conjecture,andhypothesis.
