Спогади Шерлока Холмса
The Resident Patient
"Withyourpermission,"saidheatlast,"Ishouldliketogoupstairsandlookintothematter."
Webothascended,followedbythedoctor.
Itwasadreadfulsightwhichmetusasweenteredthebedroomdoor.IhavespokenoftheimpressionofflabbinesswhichthismanBlessingtonconveyed.Ashedangledfromthehookitwasexaggeratedandintensifieduntilhewasscarcehumaninhisappearance.Theneckwasdrawnoutlikeapluckedchicken’s,makingtherestofhimseemthemoreobeseandunnaturalbythecontrast.Hewascladonlyinhislongnightdress,andhisswollenanklesandungainlyfeetprotrudedstarklyfrombeneathit.Besidehimstoodasmart-lookingpolice-inspector,whowastakingnotesinapocketbook
"Ah,Mr.Holmes,"saidheheartilyasmyfriendentered,"Iamdelightedtoseeyou."
"Good-morning,Lanner,"answeredHolmes,"youwon’tthinkmeanintruder,Iamsure.Haveyouheardoftheeventswhichleduptothisaffair?"
"Yes,Iheardsomethingofthem."
"Haveyouformedanyopinion?"
"AsfarasIcansee,themanhasbeendrivenoutofhissensesbyfright.Thebedhasbeenwellsleptin,yousee.There’shisimpression,deepenough.It’saboutfiveinthemorning,youknow,thatsuicidesaremostcommon.Thatwouldbeabouthistimeforhanginghimself.Itseemstohavebeenaverydeliberateaffair.