Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of Black Peter
Weshallmeetyouherelater,Hopkins,andseeifwecancometocloserquarterswiththegentlemanwhohaspaidthisvisitinthenight.”
Itwaspasteleveno’clockwhenweformedourlittleambuscade.Hopkinswasforleavingthedoorofthehutopen,butHolmeswasoftheopinionthatthiswouldrousethesuspicionsofthestranger.Thelockwasaperfectlysimpleone,andonlyastrongbladewasneededtopushitback.Holmesalsosuggestedthatweshouldwait,notinsidethehut,butoutsideit,amongthebusheswhichgrewroundthefartherwindow.Inthiswayweshouldbeabletowatchourmanifhestruckalight,andseewhathisobjectwasinthisstealthynocturnalvisit.
Itwasalongandmelancholyvigil,andyetbroughtwithitsomethingofthethrillwhichthehunterfeelswhenheliesbesidethewater-pool,andwaitsforthecomingofthethirstybeastofprey.Whatsavagecreaturewasitwhichmightstealuponusoutofthedarkness?Wasitafiercetigerofcrime,whichcouldonlybetakenfightinghardwithflashingfangandclaw,orwoulditprovetobesomeskulkingjackal,dangerousonlytotheweakandunguarded?
Inabsolutesilencewecrouchedamongstthebushes,waitingforwhatevermightcome.Atfirstthestepsofafewbelatedvillagers,orthesoundofvoicesfromthevillage,lightenedourvigil,butonebyonetheseinterruptionsdiedaway,andanabsolutestillnessfelluponus,saveforthechimesofthedistantchurch,whichtoldusoftheprogressofthenight,andfortherustleandwhisperofafinerainfallingamidthefoliagewhichroofedusin.
