Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter
Why,then,doeshemaketheselongjourneys,whichmustbeexceedinglyirksometohim,andwhoisitthathevisits?”
“Hiscoachman——”
“MydearWatson,canyoudoubtthatitwastohimthatIfirstapplied?Idonotknowwhetheritcamefromhisowninnatedepravityorfromthepromptingsofhismaster,buthewasrudeenoughtosetadogatme.Neitherdognormanlikedthelookofmystick,however,andthematterfellthrough.Relationswerestrainedafterthat,andfurtherinquiriesoutofthequestion.AllthatIhavelearnedIgotfromafriendlynativeintheyardofourowninn.Itwashewhotoldmeofthedoctor’shabitsandofhisdailyjourney.Atthatinstant,togivepointtohiswords,thecarriagecameroundtothedoor.”
“Couldyounotfollowit?”
“Excellent,Watson!Youarescintillatingthisevening.Theideadidcrossmymind.Thereis,asyoumayhaveobserved,abicycleshopnexttoourinn.IntothisIrushed,engagedabicycle,andwasabletogetstartedbeforethecarriagewasquiteoutofsight.Irapidlyovertookit,andthen,keepingatadiscreetdistanceofahundredyardsorso,Ifolloweditslightsuntilwewereclearofthetown.Wehadgotwelloutonthecountryroad,whenasomewhatmortifyingincidentoccurred.Thecarriagestopped,thedoctoralighted,walkedswiftlybacktowhereIhadalsohalted,andtoldmeinanexcellentsardonicfashionthathefearedtheroadwasnarrow,andthathehopedhiscarriagedidnotimpedethepassageofmybicycle.Nothingcouldhavebeenmoreadmirablethanhiswayofputtingit.
