Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Second Stain
Lucasquicklyturnedbackthedrugget,thrustthedocumentintosomehiding-placethere,andcovereditover.
“Whathappenedafterthatislikesomefearfuldream.Ihaveavisionofadark,franticface,ofawoman’svoice,whichscreamedinFrench,‘Mywaitingisnotinvain.Atlast,atlastIhavefoundyouwithher!’Therewasasavagestruggle.Isawhimwithachairinhishand,aknifegleamedinhers.Irushedfromthehorriblescene,ranfromthehouse,andonlynextmorninginthepaperdidIlearnthedreadfulresult.ThatnightIwashappy,forIhadmyletter,andIhadnotseenyetwhatthefuturewouldbring.
“ItwasthenextmorningthatIrealizedthatIhadonlyexchangedonetroubleforanother.Myhusband’sanguishatthelossofhispaperwenttomyheart.IcouldhardlypreventmyselffromthereandthenkneelingdownathisfeetandtellinghimwhatIhaddone.Butthatagainwouldmeanaconfessionofthepast.Icametoyouthatmorninginordertounderstandthefullenormityofmyoffence.FromtheinstantthatIgraspeditmywholemindwasturnedtotheonethoughtofgettingbackmyhusband’spaper.ItmuststillbewhereLucashadplacedit,foritwasconcealedbeforethisdreadfulwomanenteredtheroom.Ifithadnotbeenforhercoming,Ishouldnothaveknownwherehishiding-placewas.HowwasItogetintotheroom?FortwodaysIwatchedtheplace,butthedoorwasneverleftopen.LastnightImadealastattempt.WhatIdidandhowIsucceeded,youhavealreadylearned.
