Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist
Theysaidthatmyunclewasafriendoftheirs,thathehaddiedsomemonthsbeforeingreatpovertyinJohannesburg,andthathehadaskedthemwithhislastbreathtohuntuphisrelations,andseethattheywereinnowant.ItseemedstrangetousthatUncleRalph,whotooknonoticeofuswhenhewasalive,shouldbesocarefultolookafteruswhenhewasdead,butMr.Carruthersexplainedthatthereasonwasthatmyunclehadjustheardofthedeathofhisbrother,andsofeltresponsibleforourfate.”
“Excuseme,”saidHolmes.“Whenwasthisinterview?”
“LastDecember—fourmonthsago.”
“Prayproceed.”
“Mr.Woodleyseemedtometobeamostodiousperson.Hewasforevermakingeyesatme—acoarse,puffy-faced,red-moustachedyoungman,withhishairplastereddownoneachsideofhisforehead.Ithoughtthathewasperfectlyhateful—andIwassurethatCyrilwouldnotwishmetoknowsuchaperson.”
“Oh,Cyrilishisname!”saidHolmes,smiling.
Theyoungladyblushedandlaughed.
“Yes,Mr.Holmes,CyrilMorton,anelectricalengineer,andwehopetobemarriedattheendofthesummer.Dearme,howdidIgettalkingabouthim?WhatIwishedtosaywasthatMr.Woodleywasperfectlyodious,butthatMr.Carruthers,whowasamucholderman,wasmoreagreeable.Hewasadark,sallow,clean-shaven,silentperson,buthehadpolitemannersandapleasantsmile.Heinquiredhowwewereleft,andonfindingthatwewereverypoor,hesuggestedthatIshouldcomeandteachmusictohisonlydaughter,agedten.
