Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Norwood Builder
Onwhatchargedoyouexpecttobearrested?”
“UponthechargeofmurderingMr.JonasOldacre,ofLowerNorwood.”
Mycompanion’sexpressivefaceshowedasympathywhichwasnot,Iamafraid,entirelyunmixedwithsatisfaction.
“Dearme,”saidhe,“itwasonlythismomentatbreakfastthatIwassayingtomyfriend,Dr.Watson,thatsensationalcaseshaddisappearedoutofourpapers.”
OurvisitorstretchedforwardaquiveringhandandpickeduptheDailyTelegraph,whichstilllayuponHolmes’sknee.
“Ifyouhadlookedatit,sir,youwouldhaveseenataglancewhattheerrandisonwhichIhavecometoyouthismorning.Ifeelasifmynameandmymisfortunemustbeineveryman’smouth.”Heturneditovertoexposethecentralpage.“Hereitis,andwithyourpermissionIwillreadittoyou.Listentothis,Mr.Holmes.Theheadlinesare:‘MysteriousAffairatLowerNorwood.DisappearanceofaWell-knownBuilder.SuspicionofMurderandArson.ACluetotheCriminal.’Thatisthecluewhichtheyarealreadyfollowing,Mr.Holmes,andIknowthatitleadsinfalliblytome.IhavebeenfollowedfromLondonBridgeStation,andIamsurethattheyareonlywaitingforthewarranttoarrestme.Itwillbreakmymother’sheart—itwillbreakherheart!”Hewrunghishandsinanagonyofapprehension,andswayedbackwardandforwardinhischair.
Ilookedwithinterestuponthisman,whowasaccusedofbeingtheperpetratorofacrimeofviolence.