Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton
”Hesteppedforward,tookuphiscoat,laidhishandonhisrevolver,andturnedtothedoor.Ipickedupachair,butHolmesshookhishead,andIlaiditdownagain.Withbow,asmile,andatwinkle,Milvertonwasoutoftheroom,andafewmomentsafterweheardtheslamofthecarriagedoorandtherattleofthewheelsashedroveaway.
Holmessatmotionlessbythefire,hishandsburieddeepinhistrouserpockets,hischinsunkuponhisbreast,hiseyesfixedupontheglowingembers.Forhalfanhourhewassilentandstill.Then,withthegestureofamanwhohastakenhisdecision,hesprangtohisfeetandpassedintohisbedroom.Alittlelaterarakishyoungworkman,withagoateebeardandaswagger,lithisclaypipeatthelampbeforedescendingintothestreet.“I’llbebacksometime,Watson,”saidhe,andvanishedintothenight.IunderstoodthathehadopenedhiscampaignagainstCharlesAugustusMilverton,butIlittledreamedthestrangeshapewhichthatcampaignwasdestinedtotake.
ForsomedaysHolmescameandwentatallhoursinthisattire,butbeyondaremarkthathistimewasspentatHampstead,andthatitwasnotwasted,Iknewnothingofwhathewasdoing.Atlast,however,onawild,tempestuousevening,whenthewindscreamedandrattledagainstthewindows,hereturnedfromhislastexpedition,andhavingremovedhisdisguisehesatbeforethefireandlaughedheartilyinhissilentinwardfashion.
“Youwouldnotcallmeamarryingman,Watson?”
“No,indeed!”
“You’llbeinterestedtohearthatI’mengaged.
