Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Dancing Men
Shehasspokenaboutmyoldfamily,andourreputationinthecounty,andourprideinourunsulliedhonour,andIalwaysfeltitwasleadingtothepoint,butsomehowitturnedoffbeforewegotthere.”
“Butyouhavefoundoutsomethingforyourself?”
“Agooddeal,Mr.Holmes.Ihaveseveralfreshdancing-menpicturesforyoutoexamine,and,whatismoreimportant,Ihaveseenthefellow.”
“What,themanwhodrawsthem?”
“Yes,Isawhimathiswork.ButIwilltellyoueverythinginorder.WhenIgotbackaftermyvisittoyou,theveryfirstthingIsawnextmorningwasafreshcropofdancingmen.Theyhadbeendrawninchalkupontheblackwoodendoorofthetool-house,whichstandsbesidethelawninfullviewofthefrontwindows.Itookanexactcopy,andhereitis.”Heunfoldedapaperandlaidituponthetable.Hereisacopyofthehieroglyphics:
“Excellent!”saidHolmes.“Excellent!Praycontinue.”
“WhenIhadtakenthecopy,Irubbedoutthemarks,but,twomorningslater,afreshinscriptionhadappeared.Ihaveacopyofithere:”
Holmesrubbedhishandsandchuckledwithdelight.
“Ourmaterialisrapidlyaccumulating,”saidhe.
“Threedayslateramessagewasleftscrawleduponpaper,andplacedunderapebbleuponthesundial.Hereitis.Thecharactersare,asyousee,exactlythesameasthelastone.AfterthatIdeterminedtolieinwait,soIgotoutmyrevolverandIsatupinmystudy,whichoverlooksthelawnandgarden.
