Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Abbey Grange
Yes,itwasherfirstvoyage—shehadneverbeenfromhomebefore.HewonherwithhistitleandhismoneyandhisfalseLondonways.Ifshemadeamistakeshehaspaidforit,ifeverawomandid.Whatmonthdidwemeethim?Well,Itellyouitwasjustafterwearrived.WearrivedinJune,anditwasJuly.TheyweremarriedinJanuaryoflastyear.Yes,sheisdowninthemorning-roomagain,andIhavenodoubtshewillseeyou,butyoumustnotasktoomuchofher,forshehasgonethroughallthatfleshandbloodwillstand.”
LadyBrackenstallwasrecliningonthesamecouch,butlookedbrighterthanbefore.Themaidhadenteredwithus,andbeganoncemoretofomentthebruiseuponhermistress’sbrow.
“Ihope,”saidthelady,“thatyouhavenotcometocross-examinemeagain?”
“No,”Holmesanswered,inhisgentlestvoice,“Iwillnotcauseyouanyunnecessarytrouble,LadyBrackenstall,andmywholedesireistomakethingseasyforyou,forIamconvincedthatyouareamuch-triedwoman.Ifyouwilltreatmeasafriendandtrustme,youmayfindthatIwilljustifyyourtrust.”
“Whatdoyouwantmetodo?”
“Totellmethetruth.”
“Mr.Holmes!”
“No,no,LadyBrackenstall—itisnouse.YoumayhaveheardofanylittlereputationwhichIpossess.Iwillstakeitallonthefactthatyourstoryisanabsolutefabrication.”
MistressandmaidwerebothstaringatHolmeswithpalefacesandfrightenedeyes.
“Youareanimpudentfellow!”criedTheresa.“Doyoumeantosaythatmymistresshastoldalie?”
Holmesrosefromhischair.
