Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Abbey Grange
Herofficerswerethesameasin’95,withoneexception.Thefirstofficer,Mr.JackCrocker,hadbeenmadeacaptainandwastotakechargeoftheirnewship,theBassRock,sailingintwodays’timefromSouthampton.HelivedatSydenham,buthewaslikelytobeinthatmorningforinstructions,ifwecaredtowaitforhim.
No,Mr.Holmeshadnodesiretoseehim,butwouldbegladtoknowmoreabouthisrecordandcharacter.
Hisrecordwasmagnificent.Therewasnotanofficerinthefleettotouchhim.Astohischaracter,hewasreliableonduty,butawild,desperatefellowoffthedeckofhisship—hot-headed,excitable,butloyal,honest,andkind-hearted.ThatwasthepithoftheinformationwithwhichHolmeslefttheofficeoftheAdelaide-Southamptoncompany.ThencehedrovetoScotlandYard,but,insteadofentering,hesatinhiscabwithhisbrowsdrawndown,lostinprofoundthought.FinallyhedroveroundtotheCharingCrosstelegraphoffice,sentoffamessage,andthen,atlast,wemadeforBakerStreetoncemore.
“No,Icouldn’tdoit,Watson,”saidhe,aswereenteredourroom.“Oncethatwarrantwasmadeout,nothingonearthwouldsavehim.OnceortwiceinmycareerIfeelthatIhavedonemorerealharmbymydiscoveryofthecriminalthaneverhehaddonebyhiscrime.Ihavelearnedcautionnow,andIhadratherplaytrickswiththelawofEnglandthanwithmyownconscience.Letusknowalittlemorebeforeweact.”
Beforeevening,wehadavisitfromInspectorStanleyHopkins.Thingswerenotgoingverywellwithhim.
“Ibelievethatyouareawizard,Mr.Holmes.
