Повернення Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Dancing Men
“IexpectthatweshallbeabletogodowntoNorfolktomorrow,andtotakeourfriendsomeverydefinitenewsastothesecretofhisannoyance.”
IconfessthatIwasfilledwithcuriosity,butIwasawarethatHolmeslikedtomakehisdisclosuresathisowntimeandinhisownway,soIwaiteduntilitshouldsuithimtotakemeintohisconfidence.
Buttherewasadelayinthatansweringtelegram,andtwodaysofimpatiencefollowed,duringwhichHolmesprickeduphisearsateveryringofthebell.OntheeveningofthesecondtherecamealetterfromHiltonCubitt.Allwasquietwithhim,savethatalonginscriptionhadappearedthatmorninguponthepedestalofthesundial.Heinclosedacopyofit,whichisherereproduced:
Holmesbentoverthisgrotesquefriezeforsomeminutes,andthensuddenlysprangtohisfeetwithanexclamationofsurpriseanddismay.Hisfacewashaggardwithanxiety.
“Wehaveletthisaffairgofarenough,”saidhe.“IsthereatraintoNorthWalshamto-night?”
Iturnedupthetime-table.Thelasthadjustgone.
“Thenweshallbreakfastearlyandtaketheveryfirstinthemorning,”saidHolmes.“Ourpresenceismosturgentlyneeded.Ah!hereisourexpectedcablegram.Onemoment,Mrs.Hudson,theremaybeananswer.No,thatisquiteasIexpected.ThismessagemakesitevenmoreessentialthatweshouldnotloseanhourinlettingHiltonCubittknowhowmattersstand,foritisasingularandadangerouswebinwhichoursimpleNorfolksquireisentangled.
