Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Abbey Grange
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“SirEustaceisdead,then?”
“Yes,hisheadwasknockedinwithhisownpoker.”
“SirEustaceBrackenstall,thedrivertellsme.”
“Exactly—oneoftherichestmeninKent—LadyBrackenstallisinthemorning-room.Poorlady,shehashadamostdreadfulexperience.SheseemedhalfdeadwhenIsawherfirst.Ithinkyouhadbestseeherandhearheraccountofthefacts.Thenwewillexaminethedining-roomtogether.”
LadyBrackenstallwasnoordinaryperson.SeldomhaveIseensogracefulafigure,sowomanlyapresence,andsobeautifulaface.Shewasablonde,golden-haired,blue-eyed,andwouldnodoubthavehadtheperfectcomplexionwhichgoeswithsuchcolouring,hadnotherrecentexperienceleftherdrawnandhaggard.Hersufferingswerephysicalaswellasmental,foroveroneeyeroseahideous,plum-colouredswelling,whichhermaid,atall,austerewoman,wasbathingassiduouslywithvinegarandwater.Theladylaybackexhausteduponacouch,butherquick,observantgaze,asweenteredtheroom,andthealertexpressionofherbeautifulfeatures,showedthatneitherherwitsnorhercouragehadbeenshakenbyherterribleexperience.Shewasenvelopedinaloosedressing-gownofblueandsilver,butablacksequin-covereddinner-dresslayuponthecouchbesideher.
“Ihavetoldyouallthathappened,Mr.Hopkins,”shesaid,wearily.“Couldyounotrepeatitforme?Well,ifyouthinkitnecessary,Iwilltellthesegentlemenwhatoccurred.Havetheybeeninthedining-roomyet?”
“Ithoughttheyhadbetterhearyourladyship’sstoryfirst.
