Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist
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“So,bytheprocessofexclusion,wearriveatthefactthathemadehiswaytowardCharlingtonHall,which,asIunderstand,issituatedinitsowngroundsononesideoftheroad.Anythingelse?”
“Nothing,Mr.Holmes,savethatIwassoperplexedthatIfeltIshouldnotbehappyuntilIhadseenyouandhadyouradvice.”
Holmessatinsilenceforsomelittletime.
“Whereisthegentlemantowhomyouareengaged?”heaskedatlast.
“HeisintheMidlandElectricalCompany,atCoventry.”
“Hewouldnotpayyouasurprisevisit?”
“Oh,Mr.Holmes!AsifIshouldnotknowhim!”
“Haveyouhadanyotheradmirers?”
“SeveralbeforeIknewCyril.”
“Andsince?”
“Therewasthisdreadfulman,Woodley,ifyoucancallhimanadmirer.”
“Nooneelse?”
Ourfairclientseemedalittleconfused.
“Whowashe?”askedHolmes.
“Oh,itmaybeamerefancyofmine;butithadseemedtomesometimesthatmyemployer,Mr.Carruthers,takesagreatdealofinterestinme.Wearethrownrathertogether.Iplayhisaccompanimentsintheevening.Hehasneversaidanything.Heisaperfectgentleman.Butagirlalwaysknows.”
“Ha!”Holmeslookedgrave.“Whatdoeshedoforaliving?”
“Heisarichman.”
“Nocarriagesorhorses?”
“Well,atleastheisfairlywell-to-do.Buthegoesintothecitytwoorthreetimesaweek.HeisdeeplyinterestedinSouthAfricangoldshares.”
“Youwillletmeknowanyfreshdevelopment,MissSmith.Iamverybusyjustnow,butIwillfindtimetomakesomeinquiriesintoyourcase.Inthemeantime,takenostepwithoutlettingmeknow.
