Пригоди Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Speckled Band
Theysaythatawaydowninthevillage,andeveninthedistantparsonage,thatcryraisedthesleepersfromtheirbeds. Itstruckcoldtoourhearts,andIstoodgazingatHolmes,andheatme,untilthelastechoesofithaddiedawayintothesilencefromwhichitrose.
"Whatcanitmean?"Igasped.
"Itmeansthatitisallover,"Holmesanswered. "Andperhaps,afterall,itisforthebest. Takeyourpistol,andwewillenterDr.Roylott’sroom."
Withagravefacehelitthelampandledthewaydownthecorridor. Twicehestruckatthechamberdoorwithoutanyreplyfromwithin. Thenheturnedthehandleandentered,Iathisheels,withthecockedpistolinmyhand.
Itwasasingularsightwhichmetoureyes. Onthetablestoodadark-lanternwiththeshutterhalfopen,throwingabrilliantbeamoflightupontheironsafe,thedoorofwhichwasajar. Besidethistable,onthewoodenchair,satDr.GrimesbyRoylottcladinalonggraydressing-gown,hisbareanklesprotrudingbeneath,andhisfeetthrustintoredheellessTurkishslippers. Acrosshislaplaytheshortstockwiththelonglashwhichwehadnoticedduringtheday. Hischinwascockedupwardandhiseyeswerefixedinadreadful,rigidstareatthecorneroftheceiling. Roundhisbrowhehadapeculiaryellowband,withbrownishspeckles,whichseemedtobeboundtightlyroundhishead. Asweenteredhemadeneithersoundnormotion.
"Theband!thespeckledband!"whisperedHolmes.
Itookastepforward. Inaninstanthisstrangeheadgearbegantomove,andtherereareditselffromamonghishairthesquatdiamond-shapedheadandpuffedneckofaloathsomeserpent.
