Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter
Myramificationsstretchoutintomanysectionsofsociety,butnever,Iamhappytosay,intoamateursport,whichisthebestandsoundestthinginEngland.However,yourunexpectedvisitthismorningshowsmethateveninthatworldoffreshairandfairplay,theremaybeworkformetodo.Sonow,mygoodsir,Ibegyoutositdownandtotellme,slowlyandquietly,exactlywhatitisthathasoccurred,andhowyoudesirethatIshouldhelpyou.”
YoungOverton’sfaceassumedthebotheredlookofthemanwhoismoreaccustomedtousinghismusclesthanhiswits,butbydegrees,withmanyrepetitionsandobscuritieswhichImayomitfromhisnarrative,helaidhisstrangestorybeforeus.
“It’sthisway,Mr.Holmes.AsIhavesaid,IamtheskipperoftheRuggerteamofCambridge’Varsity,andGodfreyStauntonismybestman.To-morrowweplayOxford.Yesterdayweallcameup,andwesettledatBentley’sprivatehotel.Atteno’clockIwentroundandsawthatallthefellowshadgonetoroost,forIbelieveinstricttrainingandplentyofsleeptokeepateamfit.IhadawordortwowithGodfreybeforeheturnedin.Heseemedtometobepaleandbothered.Iaskedhimwhatwasthematter.Hesaidhewasallright—justatouchofheadache.Ibadehimgood-nightandlefthim.Halfanhourlater,theportertellsmethatarough-lookingmanwithabeardcalledwithanoteforGodfrey.Hehadnotgonetobed,andthenotewastakentohisroom.Godfreyreadit,andfellbackinachairasifhehadbeenpole-axed.
