Пригоди Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb
Suddenly,however,asIran,adeadlydizzinessandsicknesscameoverme. Iglanceddownatmyhand,whichwasthrobbingpainfully,andthen,forthefirsttime,sawthatmythumbhadbeencutoffandthatthebloodwaspouringfrommywound. Iendeavouredtotiemyhandkerchiefroundit,buttherecameasuddenbuzzinginmyears,andnextmomentIfellinadeadfaintamongtherose-bushes.
"HowlongIremainedunconsciousIcannottell. Itmusthavebeenaverylongtime,forthemoonhadsunk,andabrightmorningwasbreakingwhenIcametomyself. Myclotheswereallsoddenwithdew,andmycoat-sleevewasdrenchedwithbloodfrommywoundedthumb. Thesmartingofitrecalledinaninstantalltheparticularsofmynight’sadventure,andIsprangtomyfeetwiththefeelingthatImighthardlyyetbesafefrommypursuers. Buttomyastonishment,whenIcametolookroundme,neitherhousenorgardenweretobeseen. Ihadbeenlyinginanangleofthehedgeclosebythehighroad,andjustalittlelowerdownwasalongbuilding,whichproved,uponmyapproachingit,tobetheverystationatwhichIhadarriveduponthepreviousnight. Wereitnotfortheuglywounduponmyhand,allthathadpassedduringthosedreadfulhoursmighthavebeenanevildream.
"Halfdazed,Iwentintothestationandaskedaboutthemorningtrain. TherewouldbeonetoReadinginlessthananhour. Thesameporterwasonduty,Ifound,ashadbeentherewhenIarrived. IinquiredofhimwhetherhehadeverheardofColonelLysanderStark. Thenamewasstrangetohim. Hadheobservedacarriagethenightbeforewaitingforme? No,hehadnot. Wasthereapolice-stationanywherenear? Therewasoneaboutthreemilesoff.
"Itwastoofarformetogo,weakandillasIwas. IdeterminedtowaituntilIgotbacktotownbeforetellingmystorytothepolice.
