Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Empty House
Eachmayformhisownhypothesisuponthepresentevidence,andyoursisaslikelytobecorrectasmine.”
“Youhaveformedone,then?”
“Ithinkthatitisnotdifficulttoexplainthefacts.ItcameoutinevidencethatColonelMoranandyoungAdairhad,betweenthem,wonaconsiderableamountofmoney.Now,Moranundoubtedlyplayedfoul—ofthatIhavelongbeenaware.IbelievethatonthedayofthemurderAdairhaddiscoveredthatMoranwascheating.Verylikelyhehadspokentohimprivately,andhadthreatenedtoexposehimunlesshevoluntarilyresignedhismembershipoftheclub,andpromisednottoplaycardsagain.ItisunlikelythatayoungsterlikeAdairwouldatoncemakeahideousscandalbyexposingawell-knownmansomucholderthanhimself.ProbablyheactedasIsuggest.TheexclusionfromhisclubswouldmeanruintoMoran,wholivedbyhisill-gottencard-gains.HethereforemurderedAdair,whoatthetimewasendeavouringtoworkouthowmuchmoneyheshouldhimselfreturn,sincehecouldnotprofitbyhispartner’sfoulplay.Helockedthedoorlesttheladiesshouldsurprisehimandinsistuponknowingwhathewasdoingwiththesenamesandcoins.Willitpass?”
“Ihavenodoubtthatyouhavehituponthetruth.”
“Itwillbeverifiedordisprovedatthetrial.Meanwhile,comewhatmay,ColonelMoranwilltroubleusnomore.Thefamousair-gunofVonHerderwillembellishtheScotlandYardMuseum,andonceagainMr.SherlockHolmesisfreetodevotehislifetoexaminingthoseinterestinglittleproblemswhichthecomplexlifeofLondonsoplentifullypresents.”
