Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter
HewillbecleverifhecandrivewhereIcannotfollowhim.Whenyouhavefinished,comedownstairswithme,andIwillintroduceyoutoadetectivewhoisaveryeminentspecialistintheworkthatliesbeforeus.”
WhenwedescendedIfollowedHolmesintothestableyard,whereheopenedthedoorofaloose-boxandledoutasquat,lop-eared,white-and-tandog,somethingbetweenabeagleandafoxhound.
“LetmeintroduceyoutoPompey,”saidhe.“Pompeyistheprideofthelocaldraghounds—noverygreatflier,ashisbuildwillshow,butastaunchhoundonascent.Well,Pompey,youmaynotbefast,butIexpectyouwillbetoofastforacoupleofmiddle-agedLondongentlemen,soIwilltakethelibertyoffasteningthisleatherleashtoyourcollar.Now,boy,comealong,andshowwhatyoucando.”Heledhimacrosstothedoctor’sdoor.Thedogsniffedroundforaninstant,andthenwithashrillwhineofexcitementstartedoffdownthestreet,tuggingathisleashinhiseffortstogofaster.Inhalfanhour,wewereclearofthetownandhasteningdownacountryroad.
“Whathaveyoudone,Holmes?”Iasked.
“Athreadbareandvenerabledevice,butusefuluponoccasion.Iwalkedintothedoctor’syardthismorning,andshotmysyringefullofaniseedoverthehindwheel.AdraghoundwillfollowaniseedfromheretoJohno’Groat’s,andourfriend,Armstrong,wouldhavetodrivethroughtheCambeforehewouldshakePompeyoffhistrail.Oh,thecunningrascal!Thisishowhegavemethesliptheothernight.”
Thedoghadsuddenlyturnedoutofthemainroadintoagrass-grownlane.
