Пригоди Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Speckled Band
"‘Ah,butIsleepmoreheavilythanyou.’
"‘Well,itisofnogreatconsequence,atanyrate.’Shesmiledbackatme,closedmydoor,andafewmomentslaterIheardherkeyturninthelock."
"Indeed,"saidHolmes."Wasityourcustomalwaystolockyourselvesinatnight?"
"Always."
"Andwhy?"
"IthinkthatImentionedtoyouthatthedoctorkeptacheetahandababoon. Wehadnofeelingofsecurityunlessourdoorswerelocked."
"Quiteso.Prayproceedwithyourstatement."
"Icouldnotsleepthatnight. Avaguefeelingofimpendingmisfortuneimpressedme. MysisterandI,youwillrecollect,weretwins,andyouknowhowsubtlearethelinkswhichbindtwosoulswhicharesocloselyallied. Itwasawildnight.Thewindwashowlingoutside,andtherainwasbeatingandsplashingagainstthewindows. Suddenly,amidallthehubbubofthegale,thereburstforththewildscreamofaterrifiedwoman. Iknewthatitwasmysister’svoice. Isprangfrommybed,wrappedashawlroundme,andrushedintothecorridor. AsIopenedmydoorIseemedtohearalowwhistle,suchasmysisterdescribed,andafewmomentslateraclangingsound,asifamassofmetalhadfallen. AsIrandownthepassage,mysister’sdoorwasunlocked,andrevolvedslowlyuponitshinges. Istaredatithorror-stricken,notknowingwhatwasabouttoissuefromit. Bythelightofthecorridor-lampIsawmysisterappearattheopening,herfaceblanchedwithterror,herhandsgropingforhelp,herwholefigureswayingtoandfrolikethatofadrunkard.
