Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist
Wehadgotasfarasthis,whenwhoshouldwalkinbutthegentlemanhimself,whohadbeendrinkinghisbeerinthetap-roomandhadheardthewholeconversation.WhowasI?WhatdidIwant?WhatdidImeanbyaskingquestions?Hehadafineflowoflanguage,andhisadjectiveswereveryvigorous.Heendedastringofabusebyaviciousbackhander,whichIfailedtoentirelyavoid.Thenextfewminutesweredelicious.Itwasastraightleftagainstasloggingruffian.Iemergedasyouseeme.Mr.Woodleywenthomeinacart.Soendedmycountrytrip,anditmustbeconfessedthat,howeverenjoyable,mydayontheSurreyborderhasnotbeenmuchmoreprofitablethanyourown.”
TheThursdaybroughtusanotherletterfromourclient.
Youwillnotbesurprised,Mr.Holmes(saidshe),tohearthatIamleavingMr.Carruthers’semployment.Eventhehighpaycannotreconcilemetothediscomfortsofmysituation.OnSaturdayIcomeuptotown,andIdonotintendtoreturn.Mr.Carruthershasgotatrap,andsothedangersofthelonelyroad,ifthereeverwereanydangers,arenowover.
Astothespecialcauseofmyleaving,itisnotmerelythestrainedsituationwithMr.Carruthers,butitisthereappearanceofthatodiousman,Mr.Woodley.Hewasalwayshideous,buthelooksmoreawfulthanevernow,forheappearstohavehadanaccidentandheismuchdisfigured.Isawhimoutofthewindow,butIamgladtosayIdidnotmeethim.HehadalongtalkwithMr.Carruthers,whoseemedmuchexcitedafterwards.
