Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez
“Thisismostinterestingandinstructive,”saidhe.“Haveyounomoretoadd?Surely,havingtracedthisladysofar,youcanalsosaywhathasbecomeofher.”
“Iwillendeavourtodoso.Inthefirstplaceshewasseizedbyyoursecretary,andstabbedhiminordertoescape.ThiscatastropheIaminclinedtoregardasanunhappyaccident,forIamconvincedthattheladyhadnointentionofinflictingsogrievousaninjury.Anassassindoesnotcomeunarmed.Horrifiedbywhatshehaddone,sherushedwildlyawayfromthesceneofthetragedy.Unfortunatelyforher,shehadlostherglassesinthescuffle,andasshewasextremelyshort-sightedshewasreallyhelplesswithoutthem.Sherandownacorridor,whichsheimaginedtobethatbywhichshehadcome—bothwerelinedwithcocoanutmatting—anditwasonlywhenitwastoolatethatsheunderstoodthatshehadtakenthewrongpassage,andthatherretreatwascutoffbehindher.Whatwasshetodo?Shecouldnotgoback.Shecouldnotremainwhereshewas.Shemustgoon.Shewenton.Shemountedastair,pushedopenadoor,andfoundherselfinyourroom.”
Theoldmansatwithhismouthopen,staringwildlyatHolmes.Amazementandfearwerestampeduponhisexpressivefeatures.Now,withaneffort,heshruggedhisshouldersandburstintoinsincerelaughter.
“Allveryfine,Mr.Holmes,”saidhe.“Butthereisonelittleflawinyoursplendidtheory.Iwasmyselfinmyroom,andIneverleftitduringtheday.”
“Iamawareofthat,ProfessorCoram.
