Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Second Stain
“IhavecarriedthisbecauseIthoughtitmightbeuseful,”saidhe.“Thepolicemanhasrecognizedit.”
Shegaveagasp,andherheaddroppedbackinthechair.
“Come,LadyHilda.Youhavetheletter.Themattermaystillbeadjusted.Ihavenodesiretobringtroubletoyou.MydutyendswhenIhavereturnedthelostlettertoyourhusband.Takemyadviceandbefrankwithme.Itisyouronlychance.”
Hercouragewasadmirable.Evennowshewouldnotowndefeat.
“Itellyouagain,Mr.Holmes,thatyouareundersomeabsurdillusion.”
Holmesrosefromhischair.
“Iamsorryforyou,LadyHilda.Ihavedonemybestforyou.Icanseethatitisallinvain.”
Herangthebell.Thebutlerentered.
“IsMr.TrelawneyHopeathome?”
“Hewillbehome,sir,ataquartertoone.”
Holmesglancedathiswatch.
“Stillaquarterofanhour,”saidhe.“Verygood,Ishallwait.”
ThebutlerhadhardlyclosedthedoorbehindhimwhenLadyHildawasdownonherkneesatHolmes’sfeet,herhandsoutstretched,herbeautifulfaceupturnedandwetwithhertears.
“Oh,spareme,Mr.Holmes!Spareme!”shepleaded,inafrenzyofsupplication.“Forheaven’ssake,don’ttellhim!Ilovehimso!Iwouldnotbringoneshadowonhislife,andthisIknowwouldbreakhisnobleheart.”
Holmesraisedthelady.“Iamthankful,madam,thatyouhavecometoyoursensesevenatthislastmoment!Thereisnotaninstanttolose.Whereistheletter?”
Shedartedacrosstoawriting-desk,unlockedit,anddrewoutalongblueenvelope.
“Hereitis,Mr.Holmes.
