Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Norwood Builder
IhavenodoubtthatIshouldhavebeenarrestedeitheratmycityofficeoratmyhome.AmanfollowedmefromLondonBridgeStation,andIhavenodoubt—Greatheaven!whatisthat?”
Itwasaclangofthebell,followedinstantlybyheavystepsuponthestair.Amomentlater,ouroldfriendLestradeappearedinthedoorway.OverhisshoulderIcaughtaglimpseofoneortwouniformedpolicemenoutside.
“Mr.JohnHectorMcFarlane?”saidLestrade.
Ourunfortunateclientrosewithaghastlyface.
“IarrestyouforthewilfulmurderofMr.JonasOldacre,ofLowerNorwood.”
McFarlaneturnedtouswithagestureofdespair,andsankintohischaironcemorelikeonewhoiscrushed.
“Onemoment,Lestrade,”saidHolmes.“Halfanhourmoreorlesscanmakenodifferencetoyou,andthegentlemanwasabouttogiveusanaccountofthisveryinterestingaffair,whichmightaidusinclearingitup.”
“Ithinktherewillbenodifficultyinclearingitup,”saidLestrade,grimly.
“Nonetheless,withyourpermission,Ishouldbemuchinterestedtohearhisaccount.”
“Well,Mr.Holmes,itisdifficultformetorefuseyouanything,foryouhavebeenofusetotheforceonceortwiceinthepast,andweoweyouagoodturnatScotlandYard,”saidLestrade.“AtthesametimeImustremainwithmyprisoner,andIamboundtowarnhimthatanythinghemaysaywillappearinevidenceagainsthim.”
“Iwishnothingbetter,”saidourclient.“AllIaskisthatyoushouldhearandrecognizetheabsolutetruth.”
Lestradelookedathiswatch.“I’llgiveyouhalfanhour,”saidhe.
