Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Norwood Builder
“Whatdoyouthinkofthis,Watson?”heasked,tossingitacross.
ItwasfromNorwood,andranasfollows:
Importantfreshevidencetohand.McFarlane’sguiltdefinitelyestablished.Adviseyoutoabandoncase.—LESTRADE.
“Thissoundsserious,”saidI.
“ItisLestrade’slittlecock-a-doodleofvictory,”Holmesanswered,withabittersmile.“Andyetitmaybeprematuretoabandonthecase.Afterall,importantfreshevidenceisatwo-edgedthing,andmaypossiblycutinaverydifferentdirectiontothatwhichLestradeimagines.Takeyourbreakfast,Watson,andwewillgoouttogetherandseewhatwecando.IfeelasifIshallneedyourcompanyandyourmoralsupporttoday.”
Myfriendhadnobreakfasthimself,foritwasoneofhispeculiaritiesthatinhismoreintensemomentshewouldpermithimselfnofood,andIhaveknownhimpresumeuponhisironstrengthuntilhehasfaintedfrompureinanition.“AtpresentIcannotspareenergyandnerveforcefordigestion,”hewouldsayinanswertomymedicalremonstrances.Iwasnotsurprised,therefore,whenthismorninghelefthisuntouchedmealbehindhim,andstartedwithmeforNorwood.AcrowdofmorbidsightseerswerestillgatheredroundDeepDeneHouse,whichwasjustsuchasuburbanvillaasIhadpictured.WithinthegatesLestrademetus,hisfaceflushedwithvictory,hismannergrosslytriumphant.
“Well,Mr.Holmes,haveyouprovedustobewrongyet?Haveyoufoundyourtramp?”hecried.
“Ihaveformednoconclusionwhatever,”mycompanionanswered.