Спогади Шерлока Холмса
The Naval Treaty
Hewasaverybrilliantboyandcarriedawayeveryprizewhichtheschoolhadtooffer,finishinghisexploitsbywinningascholarshipwhichsenthimontocontinuehistriumphantcareeratCambridge.Hewas,Iremember,extremelywellconnected,andevenwhenwewerealllittleboystogetherweknewthathismother’sbrotherwasLordHoldhurst,thegreatconservativepolitician.Thisgaudyrelationshipdidhimlittlegoodatschool.Onthecontrary,itseemedratherapiquantthingtoustochevyhimabouttheplaygroundandhithimovertheshinswithawicket.Butitwasanotherthingwhenhecameoutintotheworld.IheardvaguelythathisabilitiesandtheinfluenceswhichhecommandedhadwonhimagoodpositionattheForeignOffice,andthenhepassedcompletelyoutofmyminduntilthefollowingletterrecalledhisexistence:
Briarbrae,Woking.
MYDEARWATSON:
Ihavenodoubtthatyoucanremember"Tadpole"Phelps,whowasinthefifthformwhenyouwereinthethird.Itispossibleeventhatyoumayhaveheardthatthroughmyuncle’sinfluenceIobtainedagoodappointmentattheForeignOffice,andthatIwasinasituationoftrustandhonouruntilahorriblemisfortunecamesuddenlytoblastmycareer.
Thereisnousewritingthedetailsofthatdreadfulevent.IntheeventofyouraccedingtomyrequestitisprobablethatIshallhavetonarratethemtoyou.Ihaveonlyjustrecoveredfromnineweeksofbrain-feverandamstillexceedinglyweak.
