Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Three Students
Yourservantseemstohavequiterecovered.Youlefthiminachair,yousay.Whichchair?”
“Bythewindowthere.”
“Isee.Nearthislittletable.Youcancomeinnow.Ihavefinishedwiththecarpet.Letustakethelittletablefirst.Ofcourse,whathashappenedisveryclear.Themanenteredandtookthepapers,sheetbysheet,fromthecentraltable.Hecarriedthemovertothewindowtable,becausefromtherehecouldseeifyoucameacrossthecourtyard,andsocouldeffectanescape.”
“Asamatteroffact,hecouldnot,”saidSoames,“forIenteredbythesidedoor.”
“Ah,that’sgood!Well,anyhow,thatwasinhismind.Letmeseethethreestrips.Nofingerimpressions—no!Well,hecarriedoverthisonefirst,andhecopiedit.Howlongwouldittakehimtodothat,usingeverypossiblecontraction?Aquarterofanhour,notless.Thenhetosseditdownandseizedthenext.Hewasinthemidstofthatwhenyourreturncausedhimtomakeaveryhurriedretreat—veryhurried,sincehehadnottimetoreplacethepaperswhichwouldtellyouthathehadbeenthere.Youwerenotawareofanyhurryingfeetonthestairasyouenteredtheouterdoor?”
“No,Ican’tsayIwas.”
“Well,hewrotesofuriouslythathebrokehispencil,andhad,asyouobserve,tosharpenitagain.Thisisofinterest,Watson.Thepencilwasnotanordinaryone.Itwasabovetheusualsize,withasoftlead,theoutercolourwasdarkblue,themaker’snamewasprintedinsilverlettering,andthepieceremainingisonlyaboutaninchandahalflong.Lookforsuchapencil,Mr.
