Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter
Andnow,mypoorWatson,hereweare,strandedandfriendlessinthisinhospitabletown,whichwecannotleavewithoutabandoningourcase.ThislittleinnjustoppositeArmstrong’shouseissingularlyadaptedtoourneeds.Ifyouwouldengageafrontroomandpurchasethenecessariesforthenight,Imayhavetimetomakeafewinquiries.”
Thesefewinquiriesproved,however,tobeamorelengthyproceedingthanHolmeshadimagined,forhedidnotreturntotheinnuntilnearlynineo’clock.Hewaspaleanddejected,stainedwithdust,andexhaustedwithhungerandfatigue.Acoldsupperwasreadyuponthetable,andwhenhisneedsweresatisfiedandhispipealighthewasreadytotakethathalfcomicandwhollyphilosophicviewwhichwasnaturaltohimwhenhisaffairsweregoingawry.Thesoundofcarriagewheelscausedhimtoriseandglanceoutofthewindow.Abroughamandpairofgreys,undertheglareofagas-lamp,stoodbeforethedoctor’sdoor.
“It’sbeenoutthreehours,”saidHolmes;“startedathalf-pastsix,andhereitisbackagain.Thatgivesaradiusoftenortwelvemiles,andhedoesitonce,orsometimestwice,aday.”
“Nounusualthingforadoctorinpractice.”
“ButArmstrongisnotreallyadoctorinpractice.Heisalecturerandaconsultant,buthedoesnotcareforgeneralpractice,whichdistractshimfromhisliterarywork.
