Повернення Шерлока Холмса

           ”

           “Well,takemyadvice.Examinehimcarefully.Don’tdoitbeforeus.We’llwaithere.Youtakehimintothebackroom.You’llbemorelikelytogetaconfessionoutofhimalone.Askhimhowhedaredtoadmitpeopleandleavethemaloneinthisroom.Don’taskhimifhehasdoneit.Takeitforgranted.Tellhimyouknowsomeonehasbeenhere.Presshim.Tellhimthatafullconfessionishisonlychanceofforgiveness.DoexactlywhatItellyou!”

           “ByGeorge,ifheknowsI’llhaveitoutofhim!”criedLestrade.Hedartedintothehall,andafewmomentslaterhisbullyingvoicesoundedfromthebackroom.

           “Now,Watson,now!”criedHolmeswithfrenziedeagerness.Allthedemoniacalforceofthemanmaskedbehindthatlistlessmannerburstoutinaparoxysmofenergy.Hetorethedruggetfromthefloor,andinaninstantwasdownonhishandsandkneesclawingateachofthesquaresofwoodbeneathit.Oneturnedsidewaysashedughisnailsintotheedgeofit.Ithingedbacklikethelidofabox.Asmallblackcavityopenedbeneathit.Holmesplungedhiseagerhandintoitanddrewitoutwithabittersnarlofangeranddisappointment.Itwasempty.

           “Quick,Watson,quick!Getitbackagain!”Thewoodenlidwasreplaced,andthedruggethadonlyjustbeendrawnstraightwhenLestrade’svoicewasheardinthepassage.HefoundHolmesleaninglanguidlyagainstthemantelpiece,resignedandpatient,endeavouringtoconcealhisirrepressibleyawns.

           “Sorrytokeepyouwaiting,Mr.Holmes,Icanseethatyouareboredtodeathwiththewholeaffair.Well,hehasconfessed,allright.