Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist
IsaidthatIdidnotliketoleavemymother,onwhichhesuggestedthatIshouldgohometohereveryweek-end,andheofferedmeahundredayear,whichwascertainlysplendidpay.Soitendedbymyaccepting,andIwentdowntoChilternGrange,aboutsixmilesfromFarnham.Mr.Carrutherswasawidower,buthehadengagedaladyhousekeeper,averyrespectable,elderlyperson,calledMrs.Dixon,tolookafterhisestablishment.Thechildwasadear,andeverythingpromisedwell.Mr.Carrutherswasverykindandverymusical,andwehadmostpleasanteveningstogether.Everyweek-endIwenthometomymotherintown.
“Thefirstflawinmyhappinesswasthearrivalofthered-moustachedMr.Woodley.Hecameforavisitofaweek,andoh!itseemedthreemonthstome.Hewasadreadfulperson—abullytoeveryoneelse,buttomesomethinginfinitelyworse.Hemadeodiouslovetome,boastedofhiswealth,saidthatifImarriedhimIcouldhavethefinestdiamondsinLondon,andfinally,whenIwouldhavenothingtodowithhim,heseizedmeinhisarmsonedayafterdinner—hewashideouslystrong—andsworethathewouldnotletmegountilIhadkissedhim.Mr.Carrutherscameinandtorehimfromme,onwhichheturneduponhisownhost,knockinghimdownandcuttinghisfaceopen.Thatwastheendofhisvisit,asyoucanimagine.Mr.Carruthersapologizedtomenextday,andassuredmethatIshouldneverbeexposedtosuchaninsultagain.IhavenotseenMr.Woodleysince.
“Andnow,Mr.Holmes,Icomeatlasttothespecialthingwhichhascausedmetoaskyouradviceto-day.
