Спогади Шерлока Холмса
The Resident Patient
Abroughamwaswaitingatourdoor.
"Hum!Adoctor’s—generalpractitioner,Iperceive,"saidHolmes."Notbeenlonginpractice,buthasagooddealtodo.Cometoconsultus,Ifancy!Luckywecameback!"
IwassufficientlyconversantwithHolmes’smethodstobeabletofollowhisreasoning,andtoseethatthenatureandstateofthevariousmedicalinstrumentsinthewickerbasketwhichhunginthelamp-lightinsidethebroughamhadgivenhimthedataforhisswiftdeduction.Thelightinourwindowaboveshowedthatthislatevisitwasindeedintendedforus.Withsomecuriosityastowhatcouldhavesentabrothermedicotousatsuchanhour,IfollowedHolmesintooursanctum.
Apale,taper-facedmanwithsandywhiskersroseupfromachairbythefireasweentered.Hisagemaynothavebeenmorethanthreeorfourandthirty,buthishaggardexpressionandunhealthyhuetoldofalifewhichhadsappedhisstrengthandrobbedhimofhisyouth.Hismannerwasnervousandshy,likethatofasensitivegentleman,andthethinwhitehandwhichhelaidonthemantelpieceasherosewasthatofanartistratherthanofasurgeon.Hisdresswasquietandsombre—ablackfrockcoat,darktrousers,andatouchofcolourabouthisnecktie.
"Good-evening,Doctor,"saidHolmescheerily."Iamgladtoseethatyouhaveonlybeenwaitingaveryfewminutes."
"Youspoketomycoachman,then?"
"No,itwasthecandleontheside-tablethattoldme.
