Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Three Students
Howcouldyoupossiblyknowthat?”
“Praycontinueyourveryinterestingstatement.”
“ForaninstantIimaginedthatBannisterhadtakentheunpardonablelibertyofexaminingmypapers.Hedeniedit,however,withtheutmostearnestness,andIamconvincedthathewasspeakingthetruth.Thealternativewasthatsomeonepassinghadobservedthekeyinthedoor,hadknownthatIwasout,andhadenteredtolookatthepapers.Alargesumofmoneyisatstake,forthescholarshipisaveryvaluableone,andanunscrupulousmanmightverywellrunariskinordertogainanadvantageoverhisfellows.
“Bannisterwasverymuchupsetbytheincident.Hehadnearlyfaintedwhenwefoundthatthepapershadundoubtedlybeentamperedwith.Igavehimalittlebrandyandlefthimcollapsedinachair,whileImadeamostcarefulexaminationoftheroom.Isoonsawthattheintruderhadleftothertracesofhispresencebesidestherumpledpapers.Onthetableinthewindowwereseveralshredsfromapencilwhichhadbeensharpened.Abrokentipofleadwaslyingtherealso.Evidentlytherascalhadcopiedthepaperinagreathurry,hadbrokenhispencil,andhadbeencompelledtoputafreshpointtoit.”
“Excellent!”saidHolmes,whowasrecoveringhisgood-humourashisattentionbecamemoreengrossedbythecase.“Fortunehasbeenyourfriend.”
“Thiswasnotall.Ihaveanewwriting-tablewithafinesurfaceofredleather.Iampreparedtoswear,andsoisBannister,thatitwassmoothandunstained.NowIfoundacleancutinitaboutthreeincheslong—notamerescratch,butapositivecut.
