Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez
”
Holmesseemedstruckbythetheorythusputforward,andhecontinuedtowalkupanddownforsometime,lostinthoughtandconsumingcigaretteaftercigarette.
“Tellme,ProfessorCoram,”hesaid,atlast,“whatisinthatcupboardinthebureau?”
“Nothingthatwouldhelpathief.Familypapers,lettersfrommypoorwife,diplomasofuniversitieswhichhavedonemehonour.Hereisthekey.Youcanlookforyourself.”
Holmespickedupthekey,andlookedatitforaninstant,thenhehandeditback.
“No,Ihardlythinkthatitwouldhelpme,”saidhe.“Ishouldprefertogoquietlydowntoyourgarden,andturnthewholematteroverinmyhead.Thereissomethingtobesaidforthetheoryofsuicidewhichyouhaveputforward.Wemustapologizeforhavingintrudeduponyou,ProfessorCoram,andIpromisethatwewon’tdisturbyouuntilafterlunch.Attwoo’clockwewillcomeagain,andreporttoyouanythingwhichmayhavehappenedintheinterval.”
Holmeswascuriouslydistrait,andwewalkedupanddownthegardenpathforsometimeinsilence.
“Haveyouaclue?”Iasked,atlast.
“ItdependsuponthosecigarettesthatIsmoked,”saidhe.“ItispossiblethatIamutterlymistaken.Thecigaretteswillshowme.”
“MydearHolmes,”Iexclaimed,“howonearth——”
“Well,well,youmayseeforyourself.Ifnot,there’snoharmdone.Ofcourse,wealwayshavetheopticiancluetofallbackupon,butItakeashortcutwhenIcangetit.Ah,hereisthegoodMrs.Marker!Letusenjoyfiveminutesofinstructiveconversationwithher.
