Пригоди Шерлока Холмса
A Scandal in Bohemia
Youmaythenwalktotheendofthestreet,andIwillrejoinyouintenminutes. IhopethatIhavemademyselfclear?"
"Iamtoremainneutral,togetnearthewindow,towatchyou,andatthesignaltothrowinthisobject,thentoraisethecryoffire,andtowaityouatthecomerofthestreet."
"Precisely."
"Thenyoumayentirelyrelyonme."
"Thatisexcellent. Ithink,perhaps,itisalmosttimethatIprepareforthenewroleIhavetoplay."
Hedisappearedintohisbedroomandreturnedinafewminutesinthecharacterofanamiableandsimple-mindedNonconformistclergyman. Hisbroadblackhat,hisbaggytrousers,hiswhitetie,hissympatheticsmile,andgenerallookofpeeringandbenevolentcuriosityweresuchasMr.JohnHarealonecouldhaveequalled. ItwasnotmerelythatHolmeschangedhiscostume. Hisexpression,hismanner,hisverysoulseemedtovarywitheveryfreshpartthatheassumed. Thestagelostafineactor,evenassciencelostanacutereasoner,whenhebecameaspecialistincrime.
ItwasaquarterpastsixwhenweleftBakerStreet,anditstillwantedtenminutestothehourwhenwefoundourselvesinSerpentineAvenue. Itwasalreadydusk,andthelampswerejustbeinglightedaswepacedupanddowninfrontofBrionyLodge,waitingforthecomingofitsoccupant. ThehousewasjustsuchasIhadpictureditfromSherlockHolmes’ssuccinctdescription,butthelocalityappearedtobelessprivatethanIexpected. Onthecontrary,forasmallstreetinaquietneighbourhood,itwasremarkablyanimated.
