Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez
”
“AndyoumeantosaythatIcouldlieuponthatbedandnotbeawarethatawomanhadenteredmyroom?”
“Ineversaidso.Youwereawareofit.Youspokewithher.Yourecognizedher.Youaidedhertoescape.”
Againtheprofessorburstintohigh-keyedlaughter.Hehadrisentohisfeet,andhiseyesglowedlikeembers.
“Youaremad!”hecried.“Youaretalkinginsanely.Ihelpedhertoescape?Whereisshenow?”
“Sheisthere,”saidHolmes,andhepointedtoahighbookcaseinthecorneroftheroom.
Isawtheoldmanthrowuphisarms,aterribleconvulsionpassedoverhisgrimface,andhefellbackinhischair.AtthesameinstantthebookcaseatwhichHolmespointedswungrounduponahinge,andawomanrushedoutintotheroom.“Youareright!”shecried,inastrangeforeignvoice.“Youareright!Iamhere.”
Shewasbrownwiththedustanddrapedwiththecobwebswhichhadcomefromthewallsofherhiding-place.Herface,too,wasstreakedwithgrime,andatthebestshecouldneverhavebeenhandsome,forshehadtheexactphysicalcharacteristicswhichHolmeshaddivined,with,inaddition,alongandobstinatechin.Whatwithhernaturalblindness,andwhatwiththechangefromdarktolight,shestoodasonedazed,blinkingabouthertoseewhereandwhowewere.Andyet,inspiteofallthesedisadvantages,therewasacertainnobilityinthewoman’sbearing—agallantryinthedefiantchinandintheupraisedhead,whichcompelledsomethingofrespectandadmiration.
