Спогади Шерлока Холмса
The Final Problem
Andthenwhathadhappened?Whowastotelluswhathadhappenedthen?
Istoodforaminuteortwotocollectmyself,forIwasdazedwiththehorrorofthething.ThenIbegantothinkofHolmes’sownmethodsandtotrytopractisetheminreadingthistragedy.Itwas,alas,onlytooeasytodo.Duringourconversationwehadnotgonetotheendofthepath,andtheAlpine-stockmarkedtheplacewherewehadstood.Theblackishsoiliskeptforeversoftbytheincessantdriftofspray,andabirdwouldleaveitstreaduponit.Twolinesoffootmarkswereclearlymarkedalongthefartherendofthepath,bothleadingawayfromme.Therewerenonereturning.Afewyardsfromtheendthesoilwasallploughedupintoapatchofmud,andthebramblesandfernswhichfringedthechasmweretornandbedraggled.Ilayuponmyfaceandpeeredoverwiththesprayspoutingupallaroundme.IthaddarkenedsinceIleft,andnowIcouldonlyseehereandtheretheglisteningofmoistureupontheblackwalls,andfarawaydownattheendoftheshaftthegleamofthebrokenwater.Ishouted;butonlythatsamehalf-humancryofthefallwasbornebacktomyears.
ButitwasdestinedthatIshould,afterall,havealastwordofgreetingfrommyfriendandcomrade.IhavesaidthathisAlpine-stockhadbeenleftleaningagainstarockwhichjuttedontothepath.Fromthetopofthisboulderthegleamofsomethingbrightcaughtmyeye,andraisingmyhandIfoundthatitcamefromthesilvercigarette-casewhichheusedtocarry.
