Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist
ThereIhaltedonmywayhome,andmetwithcourtesyfromtherepresentative.No,IcouldnothaveCharlingtonHallforthesummer.Iwasjusttoolate.Ithadbeenletaboutamonthago.Mr.Williamsonwasthenameofthetenant.Hewasarespectable,elderlygentleman.Thepoliteagentwasafraidhecouldsaynomore,astheaffairsofhisclientswerenotmatterswhichhecoulddiscuss.
Mr.SherlockHolmeslistenedwithattentiontothelongreportwhichIwasabletopresenttohimthatevening,butitdidnotelicitthatwordofcurtpraisewhichIhadhopedforandshouldhavevalued.Onthecontrary,hisausterefacewasevenmoreseverethanusualashecommenteduponthethingsthatIhaddoneandthethingsthatIhadnot.
“Yourhiding-place,mydearWatson,wasveryfaulty.Youshouldhavebeenbehindthehedge,thenyouwouldhavehadacloseviewofthisinterestingperson.Asitis,youweresomehundredsofyardsawayandcantellmeevenlessthanMissSmith.Shethinksshedoesnotknowtheman;Iamconvincedshedoes.Why,otherwise,shouldhebesodesperatelyanxiousthatsheshouldnotgetsonearhimastoseehisfeatures?Youdescribehimasbendingoverthehandle-bar.Concealmentagain,yousee.Youreallyhavedoneremarkablybadly.Hereturnstothehouse,andyouwanttofindoutwhoheis.YoucometoaLondonhouseagent!”
“WhatshouldIhavedone?”Icried,withsomeheat.
“Gonetothenearestpublic-house.Thatisthecentreofcountrygossip.Theywouldhavetoldyoueveryname,fromthemastertothescullery-maid.Williamson?Itconveysnothingtomymind.
