Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of Black Peter
“Thenhowdoyouaccountforthat?”criedHopkins,asheheldupthedamningnotebook,withtheinitialsofourprisoneronthefirstleafandtheblood-stainonthecover.
Thewretchedmancollapsed.Hesankhisfaceinhishands,andtrembledallover.
“Wheredidyougetit?”hegroaned.“Ididnotknow.IthoughtIhadlostitatthehotel.”
“Thatisenough,”saidHopkins,sternly.“Whateverelseyouhavetosay,youmustsayincourt.Youwillwalkdownwithmenowtothepolice-station.Well,Mr.Holmes,Iamverymuchobligedtoyouandtoyourfriendforcomingdowntohelpme.Asitturnsoutyourpresencewasunnecessary,andIwouldhavebroughtthecasetothissuccessfulissuewithoutyou,but,nonetheless,Iamgrateful.RoomshavebeenreservedforyouattheBrambletyeHotel,sowecanallwalkdowntothevillagetogether.”
“Well,Watson,whatdoyouthinkofit?”askedHolmes,aswetravelledbacknextmorning.
“Icanseethatyouarenotsatisfied.”
“Oh,yes,mydearWatson,Iamperfectlysatisfied.Atthesametime,StanleyHopkins’smethodsdonotcommendthemselvestome.IamdisappointedinStanleyHopkins.Ihadhopedforbetterthingsfromhim.Oneshouldalwayslookforapossiblealternative,andprovideagainstit.Itisthefirstruleofcriminalinvestigation.”
“What,then,isthealternative?”
“ThelineofinvestigationwhichIhavemyselfbeenpursuing.Itmaygiveusnothing.Icannottell.ButatleastIshallfollowittotheend.”
SeveralletterswerewaitingforHolmesatBakerStreet.
