Пригоди Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb
Myguidestoppedandlookedaboutherlikeonewhoisatherwit’send. Thenshethrewopenadoorwhichledintoabedroom,throughthewindowofwhichthemoonwasshiningbrightly.
"‘Itisyouronlychance,’saidshe. ‘Itishigh,butitmaybethatyoucanjumpit.’
"Asshespokealightsprangintoviewatthefurtherendofthepassage,andIsawtheleanfigureofColonelLysanderStarkrushingforwardwithalanterninonehandandaweaponlikeabutcher’scleaverintheother. Irushedacrossthebedroom,flungopenthewindow,andlookedout. Howquietandsweetandwholesomethegardenlookedinthemoonlight,anditcouldnotbemorethanthirtyfeetdown. Iclamberedoutuponthesill,butIhesitatedtojumpuntilIshouldhaveheardwhatpassedbetweenmysaviourandtheruffianwhopursuedme. Ifshewereill-used,thenatanyrisksIwasdeterminedtogobacktoherassistance. Thethoughthadhardlyflashedthroughmymindbeforehewasatthedoor,pushinghiswaypasther;butshethrewherarmsroundhimandtriedtoholdhimback.
"‘Fritz!Fritz!’shecriedinEnglish,‘rememberyourpromiseafterthelasttime. Yousaiditshouldnotbeagain. Hewillbesilent! Oh,hewillbesilent!’
"‘Youaremad,Elise!’heshouted,strugglingtobreakawayfromher. ‘Youwillbetheruinofus. Hehasseentoomuch. Letmepass,Isay!’ Hedashedhertooneside,and,rushingtothewindow,cutatmewithhisheavyweapon. Ihadletmyselfgo,andwashangingbythehandstothesill,whenhisblowfell. Iwasconsciousofadullpain,mygriploosened,andIfellintothegardenbelow.
"Iwasshakenbutnothurtbythefall; soIpickedmyselfupandrushedoffamongthebushesashardasIcouldrun,forIunderstoodthatIwasfarfrombeingoutofdangeryet.
