Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of Black Peter
DuringthefirstweekofJuly,myfriendhadbeenabsentsooftenandsolongfromourlodgingsthatIknewhehadsomethingonhand.Thefactthatseveralrough-lookingmencalledduringthattimeandinquiredforCaptainBasilmademeunderstandthatHolmeswasworkingsomewhereunderoneofthenumerousdisguisesandnameswithwhichheconcealedhisownformidableidentity.HehadatleastfivesmallrefugesindifferentpartsofLondon,inwhichhewasabletochangehispersonality.Hesaidnothingofhisbusinesstome,anditwasnotmyhabittoforceaconfidence.Thefirstpositivesignwhichhegavemeofthedirectionwhichhisinvestigationwastakingwasanextraordinaryone.Hehadgoneoutbeforebreakfast,andIhadsatdowntominewhenhestrodeintotheroom,hishatuponhisheadandahugebarbed-headedspeartuckedlikeanumbrellaunderhisarm.
“Goodgracious,Holmes!”Icried.“Youdon’tmeantosaythatyouhavebeenwalkingaboutLondonwiththatthing?”
“Idrovetothebutcher’sandback.”
“Thebutcher’s?”
“AndIreturnwithanexcellentappetite.Therecanbenoquestion,mydearWatson,ofthevalueofexercisebeforebreakfast.ButIampreparedtobetthatyouwillnotguesstheformthatmyexercisehastaken.”
“Iwillnotattemptit.”
Hechuckledashepouredoutthecoffee.
“IfyoucouldhavelookedintoAllardyce’sbackshop,youwouldhaveseenadeadpigswungfromahookintheceiling,andagentlemaninhisshirtsleevesfuriouslystabbingatitwiththisweapon.
