Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Empty House
SoamazedwasIthatIthrewoutmyhandtomakesurethatthemanhimselfwasstandingbesideme.Hewasquiveringwithsilentlaughter.
“Well?”saidhe.
“Goodheavens!”Icried.“Itismarvellous.”
“Itrustthatagedothnotwithernorcustomstalemyinfinitevariety,”saidhe,andIrecognizedinhisvoicethejoyandpridewhichtheartisttakesinhisowncreation.“Itreallyisratherlikeme,isitnot?”
“Ishouldbepreparedtoswearthatitwasyou.”
“ThecreditoftheexecutionisduetoMonsieurOscarMeunier,ofGrenoble,whospentsomedaysindoingthemoulding.Itisabustinwax.TherestIarrangedmyselfduringmyvisittoBakerStreetthisafternoon.”
“Butwhy?”
“Because,mydearWatson,IhadthestrongestpossiblereasonforwishingcertainpeopletothinkthatIwastherewhenIwasreallyelsewhere.”
“Andyouthoughttheroomswerewatched?”
“Iknewthattheywerewatched.”
“Bywhom?”
“Bymyoldenemies,Watson.BythecharmingsocietywhoseleaderliesintheReichenbachFall.Youmustrememberthattheyknew,andonlytheyknew,thatIwasstillalive.SoonerorlatertheybelievedthatIshouldcomebacktomyrooms.Theywatchedthemcontinuously,andthismorningtheysawmearrive.”
“Howdoyouknow?”
“BecauseIrecognizedtheirsentinelwhenIglancedoutofmywindow.Heisaharmlessenoughfellow,Parkerbyname,agarroterbytrade,andaremarkableperformeruponthejew’s-harp.Icarednothingforhim.
