Повернення Шерлока Холмса

           Shewhisperedtometocomeroundtothebigfrontwindow,andIfounditopenbeforeme,soastoletmeintothedining-room.AgainIheardfromherownlipsthingsthatmademybloodboil,andagainIcursedthisbrutewhomishandledthewomanIloved.Well,gentlemen,Iwasstandingwithherjustinsidethewindow,inallinnocence,asGodismyjudge,whenherushedlikeamadmanintotheroom,calledherthevilestnamethatamancouldusetoawoman,andweltedheracrossthefacewiththestickhehadinhishand.Ihadsprungforthepoker,anditwasafairfightbetweenus.Seehere,onmyarm,wherehisfirstblowfell.Thenitwasmyturn,andIwentthroughhimasifhehadbeenarottenpumpkin.DoyouthinkIwassorry?NotI!Itwashislifeormine,butfarmorethanthat,itwashislifeorhers,forhowcouldIleaveherinthepowerofthismadman?ThatwashowIkilledhim.WasIwrong?Well,then,whatwouldeitherofyougentlemenhavedone,ifyouhadbeeninmyposition?

           “Shehadscreamedwhenhestruckher,andthatbroughtoldTheresadownfromtheroomabove.Therewasabottleofwineonthesideboard,andIopeneditandpouredalittlebetweenMary’slips,forshewashalfdeadwithshock.ThenItookadropmyself.Theresawasascoolasice,anditwasherplotasmuchasmine.Wemustmakeitappearthatburglarshaddonethething.Theresakeptonrepeatingourstorytohermistress,whileIswarmedupandcuttheropeofthebell.