Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Six Napoleons
However,it’satwotoonechancethatwegetsomethingtopayusforourtrouble.”
Itproved,however,thatourvigilwasnottobesolongasHolmeshadledustofear,anditendedinaverysuddenandsingularfashion.Inaninstant,withouttheleastsoundtowarnusofhiscoming,thegardengateswungopen,andalithe,darkfigure,asswiftandactiveasanape,rushedupthegardenpath.Wesawitwhiskpastthelightthrownfromoverthedooranddisappearagainsttheblackshadowofthehouse.Therewasalongpause,duringwhichweheldourbreath,andthenaverygentlecreakingsoundcametoourears.Thewindowwasbeingopened.Thenoiseceased,andagaintherewasalongsilence.Thefellowwasmakinghiswayintothehouse.Wesawthesuddenflashofadarklanterninsidetheroom.Whathesoughtwasevidentlynotthere,foragainwesawtheflashthroughanotherblind,andthenthroughanother.
“Letusgettotheopenwindow.Wewillnabhimasheclimbsout,”Lestradewhispered.
Butbeforewecouldmove,themanhademergedagain.Ashecameoutintotheglimmeringpatchoflight,wesawthathecarriedsomethingwhiteunderhisarm.Helookedstealthilyallroundhim.Thesilenceofthedesertedstreetreassuredhim.Turninghisbackuponushelaiddownhisburden,andthenextinstanttherewasthesoundofasharptap,followedbyaclatterandrattle.Themanwassointentuponwhathewasdoingthatheneverheardourstepsaswestoleacrossthegrassplot.
