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.
