Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter
Halfamilefartherthisopenedintoanotherbroadroad,andthetrailturnedhardtotherightinthedirectionofthetown,whichwehadjustquitted.Theroadtookasweeptothesouthofthetown,andcontinuedintheoppositedirectiontothatinwhichwestarted.
“Thisdétourhasbeenentirelyforourbenefit,then?”saidHolmes.“Nowonderthatmyinquiriesamongthosevillagersledtonothing.Thedoctorhascertainlyplayedthegameforallitisworth,andonewouldliketoknowthereasonforsuchelaboratedeception.ThisshouldbethevillageofTrumpingtontotherightofus.And,byJove!hereisthebroughamcomingroundthecorner.Quick,Watson—quick,orwearedone!”
Hesprangthroughagateintoafield,draggingthereluctantPompeyafterhim.Wehadhardlygotundertheshelterofthehedgewhenthecarriagerattledpast.IcaughtaglimpseofDr.Armstrongwithin,hisshouldersbowed,hisheadsunkonhishands,theveryimageofdistress.Icouldtellbymycompanion’sgraverfacethathealsohadseen.
“Ifearthereissomedarkendingtoourquest,”saidhe.“Itcannotbelongbeforeweknowit.Come,Pompey!Ah,itisthecottageinthefield!”
Therecouldbenodoubtthatwehadreachedtheendofourjourney.Pompeyranaboutandwhinedeagerlyoutsidethegate,wherethemarksofthebrougham’swheelswerestilltobeseen.Afootpathledacrosstothelonelycottage.Holmestiedthedogtothehedge,andwehastenedonward.Myfriendknockedatthelittlerusticdoor,andknockedagainwithoutresponse.
