Спогади Шерлока Холмса
Silver Blaze
Strakerhadledoutthehorsetoahollowwherehislightwouldbeinvisible.Simpsoninhisflighthaddroppedhiscravat,andStrakerhadpickeditup—withsomeidea,perhaps,thathemightuseitinsecuringthehorse’sleg.Onceinthehollow,hehadgotbehindthehorseandhadstruckalight;butthecreature,frightenedatthesuddenglare,andwiththestrangeinstinctofanimalsfeelingthatsomemischiefwasintended,hadlashedout,andthesteelshoehadstruckStrakerfullontheforehead.Hehadalready,inspiteoftherain,takenoffhisovercoatinordertodohisdelicatetask,andso,ashefell,hisknifegashedhisthigh.DoImakeitclear?"
"Wonderful!"criedthecolonel."Wonderful!Youmighthavebeenthere!"
"Myfinalshotwas,Iconfess,averylongone.ItstruckmethatsoastuteamanasStrakerwouldnotundertakethisdelicatetendon-nickingwithoutalittlepractise.Whatcouldhepractiseon?Myeyesfelluponthesheep,andIaskedaquestionwhich,rathertomysurprise,showedthatmysurmisewascorrect.
"WhenIreturnedtoLondonIcalleduponthemilliner,whohadrecognizedStrakerasanexcellentcustomerofthenameofDerbyshire,whohadaverydashingwife,withastrongpartialityforexpensivedresses.Ihavenodoubtthatthiswomanhadplungedhimoverheadandearsindebt,andsoledhimintothismiserableplot."
"Youhaveexplainedallbutonething,"criedthecolonel
