Пригоди Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet
Icouldseebyhismannerthathehadstrongerreasonsforsatisfactionthanhiswordsalonewouldimply. Hiseyestwinkled,andtherewasevenatouchofcolouruponhissallowcheeks. Hehastenedupstairs,andafewminuteslaterIheardtheslamofthehalldoor,whichtoldmethathewasoffoncemoreuponhiscongenialhunt.
Iwaiteduntilmidnight,buttherewasnosignofhisreturn,soIretiredtomyroom. Itwasnouncommonthingforhimtobeawayfordaysandnightsonendwhenhewashotuponascent,sothathislatenesscausedmenosurprise. Idonotknowatwhathourhecamein,butwhenIcamedowntobreakfastinthemorningtherehewaswithacupofcoffeeinonehandandthepaperintheother,asfreshandtrimaspossible.
"Youwillexcusemybeginningwithoutyou,Watson,"saidhe,"butyourememberthatourclienthasratheranearlyappointmentthismorning."
"Why,itisafterninenow,"Ianswered."Ishouldnotbesurprisedifthatwerehe.IthoughtIheardaring."
Itwas,indeed,ourfriendthefinancier. Iwasshockedbythechangewhichhadcomeoverhim,forhisfacewhichwasnaturallyofabroadandmassivemould,wasnowpinchedandfallenin,whilehishairseemedtomeatleastashadewhiter. Heenteredwithawearinessandlethargywhichwasevenmorepainfulthanhisviolenceofthemorningbefore,andhedroppedheavilyintothearmchairwhichIpushedforwardforhim.
"IdonotknowwhatIhavedonetobesoseverelytried,"saidhe. "OnlytwodaysagoIwasahappyandprosperousman,withoutacareintheworld. NowIamlefttoalonelyanddishonouredage. Onesorrowcomescloseupontheheelsofanother. Myniece,Mary,hasdesertedme."
"Desertedyou?"