Пригоди Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Speckled Band
OfthesebedroomsthefirstisDr.Roylott’s,thesecondmysister’s,andthethirdmyown. Thereisnocommunicationbetweenthem,buttheyallopenoutintothesamecorridor. DoImakemyselfplain?"
"Perfectlyso."
"Thewindowsofthethreeroomsopenoutuponthelawn. ThatfatalnightDr.Roylotthadgonetohisroomearly,thoughweknewthathehadnotretiredtorest,formysisterwastroubledbythesmellofthestrongIndiancigarswhichitwashiscustomtosmoke. Sheleftherroom,therefore,andcameintomine,whereshesatforsometime,chattingaboutherapproachingwedding. Ateleveno’clocksherosetoleaveme,butshepausedatthedoorandlookedback.
"‘Tellme,Helen,’saidshe,‘haveyoueverheardanyonewhistleinthedeadofthenight?’
"‘Never,’saidI.
"‘Isupposethatyoucouldnotpossiblywhistle,yourself,inyoursleep?’
"‘Certainlynot. Butwhy?’
"‘BecauseduringthelastfewnightsIhavealways,aboutthreeinthemorning,heardalow,clearwhistle. Iamalightsleeper,andithasawakenedme. Icannottellwhereitcamefromperhapsfromthenextroom,perhapsfromthelawn. IthoughtthatIwouldjustaskyouwhetheryouhadheardit.’
"‘No,Ihavenot. Itmustbethosewretchedgypsiesintheplantation.’
"‘Verylikely. Andyetifitwereonthelawn,Iwonderthatyoudidnothearitalso.’
