Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Golden Pince-Nez
SoatlastItookmycourageinbothhands,andIcamedowntogetthepapersformyself.Isucceeded;butatwhatacost!
“Ihadjusttakenthepaper;andwaslockingthecupboard,whentheyoungmanseizedme.Ihadseenhimalreadythatmorning.Hehadmetmeontheroad,andIhadaskedhimtotellmewhereProfessorCoramlived,notknowingthathewasinhisemploy.”
“Exactly!Exactly!”saidHolmes.“Thesecretarycameback,andtoldhisemployerofthewomanhehadmet.Then,inhislastbreath,hetriedtosendamessagethatitwasshe—theshewhomhehadjustdiscussedwithhim.”
“Youmustletmespeak,”saidthewoman,inanimperativevoice,andherfacecontractedasifinpain.“WhenhehadfallenIrushedfromtheroom,chosethewrongdoor,andfoundmyselfinmyhusband’sroom.Hespokeofgivingmeup.Ishowedhimthatifhedidso,hislifewasinmyhands.Ifhegavemetothelaw,IcouldgivehimtotheBrotherhood.ItwasnotthatIwishedtoliveformyownsake,butitwasthatIdesiredtoaccomplishmypurpose.HeknewthatIwoulddowhatIsaid—thathisownfatewasinvolvedinmine.Forthatreason,andfornoother,heshieldedme.Hethrustmeintothatdarkhiding-place—arelicofolddays,knownonlytohimself.Hetookhismealsinhisownroom,andsowasabletogivemepartofhisfood.ItwasagreedthatwhenthepoliceleftthehouseIshouldslipawaybynightandcomebacknomore.Butinsomewayyouhavereadourplans.”Shetorefromthebosomofherdressasmallpacket.
