Повернення Шерлока Холмса

           Myfirstfeelingoffearhadpassedaway,andIthrillednowwithakeenerzestthanIhadeverenjoyedwhenwewerethedefendersofthelawinsteadofitsdefiers.Thehighobjectofourmission,theconsciousnessthatitwasunselfishandchivalrous,thevillainouscharacterofouropponent,alladdedtothesportinginterestoftheadventure.Farfromfeelingguilty,Irejoicedandexultedinourdangers.WithaglowofadmirationIwatchedHolmesunrollinghiscaseofinstrumentsandchoosinghistoolwiththecalm,scientificaccuracyofasurgeonwhoperformsadelicateoperation.Iknewthattheopeningofsafeswasaparticularhobbywithhim,andIunderstoodthejoywhichitgavehimtobeconfrontedwiththisgreenandgoldmonster,thedragonwhichheldinitsmawthereputationsofmanyfairladies.Turningupthecuffsofhisdress-coat—hehadplacedhisovercoatonachair—Holmeslaidouttwodrills,ajemmy,andseveralskeletonkeys.Istoodatthecentredoorwithmyeyesglancingateachoftheothers,readyforanyemergency,though,indeed,myplansweresomewhatvagueastowhatIshoulddoifwewereinterrupted.Forhalfanhour,Holmesworkedwithconcentratedenergy,layingdownonetool,pickingupanother,handlingeachwiththestrengthanddelicacyofthetrainedmechanic.FinallyIheardaclick,thebroadgreendoorswungopen,andinsideIhadaglimpseofanumberofpaperpackets,eachtied,sealed,andinscribed.