Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Abbey Grange
Ireallydosometimesthinkthatyouhavepowersthatarenothuman.Now,howonearthcouldyouknowthatthestolensilverwasatthebottomofthatpond?”
“Ididn’tknowit.”
“Butyoutoldmetoexamineit.”
“Yougotit,then?”
“Yes,Igotit.”
“IamverygladifIhavehelpedyou.”
“Butyouhaven’thelpedme.Youhavemadetheaffairfarmoredifficult.Whatsortofburglarsaretheywhostealsilverandthenthrowitintothenearestpond?”
“Itwascertainlyrathereccentricbehaviour.Iwasmerelygoingontheideathatifthesilverhadbeentakenbypersonswhodidnotwantit—whomerelytookitforablind,asitwere—thentheywouldnaturallybeanxioustogetridofit.”
“Butwhyshouldsuchanideacrossyourmind?”
“Well,Ithoughtitwaspossible.WhentheycameoutthroughtheFrenchwindow,therewasthepondwithonetemptinglittleholeintheice,rightinfrontoftheirnoses.Couldtherebeabetterhiding-place?”
“Ah,ahiding-place—thatisbetter!”criedStanleyHopkins.“Yes,yes,Iseeitallnow!Itwasearly,therewerefolkupontheroads,theywereafraidofbeingseenwiththesilver,sotheysankitinthepond,intendingtoreturnforitwhenthecoastwasclear.Excellent,Mr.Holmes—thatisbetterthanyourideaofablind.”
“Quiteso,youhavegotanadmirabletheory.Ihavenodoubtthatmyownideaswerequitewild,butyoumustadmitthattheyhaveendedindiscoveringthesilver.”
“Yes,sir—yes.Itwasallyourdoing.ButIhavehadabadsetback.”
“Asetback?”
“Yes,Mr.Holmes.