Повернення Шерлока Холмса

           Itwouldsuitusbest,butitisboltedaswellaslocked,andweshouldmaketoomuchnoisegettingin.Comeroundhere.There’sagreenhousewhichopensintothedrawing-room.”

           Theplacewaslocked,butHolmesremovedacircleofglassandturnedthekeyfromtheinside.Aninstantafterwardshehadclosedthedoorbehindus,andwehadbecomefelonsintheeyesofthelaw.Thethick,warmairoftheconservatoryandtherich,chokingfragranceofexoticplantstookusbythethroat.Heseizedmyhandinthedarknessandledmeswiftlypastbanksofshrubswhichbrushedagainstourfaces.Holmeshadremarkablepowers,carefullycultivated,ofseeinginthedark.Stillholdingmyhandinoneofhis,heopenedadoor,andIwasvaguelyconsciousthatwehadenteredalargeroominwhichacigarhadbeensmokednotlongbefore.Hefelthiswayamongthefurniture,openedanotherdoor,andcloseditbehindus.PuttingoutmyhandIfeltseveralcoatshangingfromthewall,andIunderstoodthatIwasinapassage.WepassedalongitandHolmesverygentlyopenedadoorupontheright-handside.Somethingrushedoutatusandmyheartsprangintomymouth,butIcouldhavelaughedwhenIrealizedthatitwasthecat.Afirewasburninginthisnewroom,andagaintheairwasheavywithtobaccosmoke.Holmesenteredontiptoe,waitedformetofollow,andthenverygentlyclosedthedoor.WewereinMilverton’sstudy,andaportièreatthefarthersideshowedtheentrancetohisbedroom.

           Itwasagoodfire,andtheroomwasilluminatedbyit.