Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Second Stain
Holmes,butIthoughtthepointofthesecondstainnotcorrespondingwiththefirstwouldinterestyou.”
“Certainly,itwasmostinteresting.Hasthiswomanonlybeenhereonce,constable?”
“Yes,sir,onlyonce.”
“Whowasshe?”
“Don’tknowthename,sir.Wasansweringanadvertisementabouttypewritingandcametothewrongnumber—verypleasant,genteelyoungwoman,sir.”
“Tall?Handsome?”
“Yes,sir,shewasawell-grownyoungwoman.Isupposeyoumightsayshewashandsome.Perhapssomewouldsayshewasveryhandsome.‘Oh,officer,doletmehaveapeep!’saysshe.Shehadpretty,coaxingways,asyoumightsay,andIthoughttherewasnoharminlettingherjustputherheadthroughthedoor.”
“Howwasshedressed?”
“Quiet,sir—alongmantledowntoherfeet.”
“Whattimewasit?”
“Itwasjustgrowingduskatthetime.TheywerelightingthelampsasIcamebackwiththebrandy.”
“Verygood,”saidHolmes.“Come,Watson,Ithinkthatwehavemoreimportantworkelsewhere.”
AsweleftthehouseLestraderemainedinthefrontroom,whiletherepentantconstableopenedthedoortoletusout.Holmesturnedonthestepandheldupsomethinginhishand.Theconstablestaredintently.
“GoodLord,sir!”hecried,withamazementonhisface.Holmesputhisfingeronhislips,replacedhishandinhisbreastpocket,andburstoutlaughingasweturneddownthestreet.“Excellent!”saidhe.“Come,friendWatson,thecurtainringsupforthelastact.
