Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Six Napoleons
Buttheproductionofthephotographhadaremarkableeffectuponthemanager.Hisfaceflushedwithanger,andhisbrowsknottedoverhisblueTeutoniceyes.
“Ah,therascal!”hecried.“Yes,indeed,Iknowhimverywell.Thishasalwaysbeenarespectableestablishment,andtheonlytimethatwehaveeverhadthepoliceinitwasoverthisveryfellow.Itwasmorethanayearagonow.HeknifedanotherItalianinthestreet,andthenhecametotheworkswiththepoliceonhisheels,andhewastakenhere.Beppowashisname—hissecondnameIneverknew.Servemerightforengagingamanwithsuchaface.Buthewasagoodworkman—oneofthebest.”
“Whatdidheget?”
“Themanlivedandhegotoffwithayear.Ihavenodoubtheisoutnow,buthehasnotdaredtoshowhisnosehere.Wehaveacousinofhishere,andIdaresayhecouldtellyouwhereheis.”
“No,no,”criedHolmes,“notawordtothecousin—notaword,Ibegofyou.Thematterisveryimportant,andthefartherIgowithit,themoreimportantitseemstogrow.WhenyoureferredinyourledgertothesaleofthosecastsIobservedthatthedatewasJune3rdoflastyear.CouldyougivemethedatewhenBeppowasarrested?”
“Icouldtellyouroughlybythepay-list,”themanageranswered.“Yes,”hecontinued,aftersometurningoverofpages,“hewaspaidlastonMay20th.”
“Thankyou,”saidHolmes.“Idon’tthinkthatIneedintrudeuponyourtimeandpatienceanymore.”Withalastwordofcautionthatheshouldsaynothingastoourresearches,weturnedourfaceswestwardoncemore.
