Повернення Шерлока Холмса

The Adventure of Black Peter

           Iwasthatenergeticperson,andIhavesatisfiedmyselfthatbynoexertionofmystrengthcanItransfixthepigwithasingleblow.Perhapsyouwouldcaretotry?”

           “Notforworlds.Butwhywereyoudoingthis?”

           “BecauseitseemedtometohaveanindirectbearinguponthemysteryofWoodman’sLee.Ah,Hopkins,Igotyourwirelastnight,andIhavebeenexpectingyou.Comeandjoinus.”

           Ourvisitorwasanexceedinglyalertman,thirtyyearsofage,dressedinaquiettweedsuit,butretainingtheerectbearingofonewhowasaccustomedtoofficialuniform.IrecognizedhimatonceasStanleyHopkins,ayoungpoliceinspector,forwhosefutureHolmeshadhighhopes,whileheinturnprofessedtheadmirationandrespectofapupilforthescientificmethodsofthefamousamateur.Hopkins’sbrowwasclouded,andhesatdownwithanairofdeepdejection.

           “No,thankyou,sir.IbreakfastedbeforeIcameround.Ispentthenightintown,forIcameupyesterdaytoreport.”

           “Andwhathadyoutoreport?”

           “Failure,sir,absolutefailure.”

           “Youhavemadenoprogress?”

           “None.”

           “Dearme!Imusthavealookatthematter.”

           “Iwishtoheavensthatyouwould,Mr.Holmes.It’smyfirstbigchance,andIamatmywits’end.Forgoodness’sake,comedownandlendmeahand.”

           “Well,well,itjusthappensthatIhavealreadyreadalltheavailableevidence,includingthereportoftheinquest,withsomecare.Bytheway,whatdoyoumakeofthattobaccopouch,foundonthesceneofthecrime?Istherenocluethere?”

           Hopkinslookedsurprised.

           “Itwastheman’sownpouch,sir.

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