Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter
”
SherlockHolmeswasapast-masterintheartofputtingahumblewitnessathisease,andverysoon,intheprivacyofGodfreyStaunton’sabandonedroom,hehadextractedallthattheporterhadtotell.Thevisitorofthenightbeforewasnotagentleman,neitherwasheaworkingman.Hewassimplywhattheporterdescribedasa“medium-lookingchap,”amanoffifty,beardgrizzled,paleface,quietlydressed.Heseemedhimselftobeagitated.Theporterhadobservedhishandtremblingwhenhehadheldoutthenote.GodfreyStauntonhadcrammedthenoteintohispocket.Stauntonhadnotshakenhandswiththemaninthehall.Theyhadexchangedafewsentences,ofwhichtheporterhadonlydistinguishedtheoneword“time.”Thentheyhadhurriedoffinthemannerdescribed.Itwasjusthalf-pasttenbythehallclock.
“Letmesee,”saidHolmes,seatinghimselfonStaunton’sbed.“Youarethedayporter,areyounot?”
“Yes,sir,Igooffdutyateleven.”
“Thenightportersawnothing,Isuppose?”
“No,sir,onetheatrepartycameinlate.Nooneelse.”
“Wereyouondutyalldayyesterday?”
“Yes,sir.”
“DidyoutakeanymessagestoMr.Staunton?”
“Yes,sir,onetelegram.”
“Ah!that’sinteresting.Whato’clockwasthis?”
“Aboutsix.”
“WherewasMr.Stauntonwhenhereceivedit?”
“Hereinhisroom.”
“Wereyoupresentwhenheopenedit?”
“Yes,sir,Iwaitedtoseeiftherewasananswer.”
“Well,wasthere?”
“Yes,sir,hewroteananswer.”
“Didyoutakeit?”
“No,hetookithimself.”
“Buthewroteitinyourpresence.”
“Yes,sir.
