Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Abbey Grange
Ifshewereseatedonthechairwhenthecrimewasdone,howcomesthatmark?No,no,shewasplacedinthechairafterthedeathofherhusband.I’llwagerthattheblackdressshowsacorrespondingmarktothis.WehavenotyetmetourWaterloo,Watson,butthisisourMarengo,foritbeginsindefeatandendsinvictory.Ishouldlikenowtohaveafewwordswiththenurse,Theresa.Wemustbewaryforawhile,ifwearetogettheinformationwhichwewant.”
Shewasaninterestingperson,thissternAustraliannurse—taciturn,suspicious,ungracious,ittooksometimebeforeHolmes’spleasantmannerandfrankacceptanceofallthatshesaidthawedherintoacorrespondingamiability.Shedidnotattempttoconcealherhatredforherlateemployer.
“Yes,sir,itistruethathethrewthedecanteratme.Iheardhimcallmymistressaname,andItoldhimthathewouldnotdaretospeaksoifherbrotherhadbeenthere.Thenitwasthathethrewitatme.Hemighthavethrownadozenifhehadbutleftmybonnybirdalone.Hewasforeverill-treatingher,andshetooproudtocomplain.Shewillnoteventellmeallthathehasdonetoher.Shenevertoldmeofthosemarksonherarmthatyousawthismorning,butIknowverywellthattheycomefromastabwithahatpin.Theslydevil—GodforgivemethatIshouldspeakofhimso,nowthatheisdead!Butadevilhewas,ifeveronewalkedtheearth.Hewasallhoneywhenfirstwemethim—onlyeighteenmonthsago,andwebothfeelasifitwereeighteenyears.ShehadonlyjustarrivedinLondon.
