Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Second Stain
ThiswastheparagraphwhichIhadbeenengagedinreadingwhenherosefromhischair:
MURDERINWESTMINSTER
Acrimeofmysteriouscharacterwascommittedlastnightat16,GodolphinStreet,oneoftheold-fashionedandsecludedrowsofeighteenthcenturyhouseswhichliebetweentheriverandtheAbbey,almostintheshadowofthegreatToweroftheHousesofParliament.ThissmallbutselectmansionhasbeeninhabitedforsomeyearsbyMr.EduardoLucas,well-knowninsocietycirclesbothonaccountofhischarmingpersonalityandbecausehehasthewell-deservedreputationofbeingoneofthebestamateurtenorsinthecountry.Mr.Lucasisanunmarriedman,thirty-fouryearsofage,andhisestablishmentconsistsofMrs.Pringle,anelderlyhousekeeper,andofMitton,hisvalet.Theformerretiresearlyandsleepsatthetopofthehouse.Thevaletwasoutfortheevening,visitingafriendatHammersmith.Fromteno’clockonwardMr.Lucashadthehousetohimself.Whatoccurredduringthattimehasnotyettranspired,butataquartertotwelvePolice-constableBarrett,passingalongGodolphinStreetobservedthatthedoorofNo.16wasajar.Heknocked,butreceivednoanswer.Perceivingalightinthefrontroom,headvancedintothepassageandagainknocked,butwithoutreply.Hethenpushedopenthedoorandentered.Theroomwasinastateofwilddisorder,thefurniturebeingallswepttooneside,andonechairlyingonitsbackinthecentre.Besidethischair,andstillgraspingoneofitslegs,laytheunfortunatetenantofthehouse.Hehadbeenstabbedtotheheartandmusthavediedinstantly.
