Пригоди Шерлока Холмса
A Scandal in Bohemia
Ileaveaphotographwhichhemightcaretopossess;andIremain,dearMr.SherlockHolmes,
Verytrulyyours,
IreneNorton,neeADLER.
"Whatawoman—oh,whatawoman!"criedtheKingofBohemia,whenwehadallthreereadthisepistle. "DidInottellyouhowquickandresoluteshewas? Wouldshenothavemadeanadmirablequeen? Isitnotapitythatshewasnotonmylevel?"
"FromwhatIhaveseenoftheladysheseemsindeedtobeonaverydifferentleveltoyourMajesty,"saidHolmescoldly. "IamsorrythatIhavenotbeenabletobringyourMajesty’sbusinesstoamoresuccessfulconclusion."
"Onthecontrary,mydearsir,"criedtheKing; "nothingcouldbemoresuccessful. Iknowthatherwordisinviolate. Thephotographisnowassafeasifitwereinthefire."
"IamgladtohearyourMajestysayso."
"Iamimmenselyindebtedtoyou. PraytellmeinwhatwayIcanrewardyou. Thisring" Heslippedanemeraldsnakeringfromhisfingerandhelditoutuponthepalmofhishand.
"YourMajestyhassomethingwhichIshouldvalueevenmorehighly,"saidHolmes.
"Youhavebuttonameit."
"Thisphotograph!"
