Пригоди Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet
Thensomethingsuddenlysnapped,andyourson,findingthathehadthecoronetinhishands,rushedback,closedthewindow,ascendedtoyourroom,andhadjustobservedthatthecoronethadbeentwistedinthestruggleandwasendeavouringtostraightenitwhenyouappeareduponthescene."
"Isitpossible?"gaspedthebanker.
"Youthenrousedhisangerbycallinghimnamesatamomentwhenhefeltthathehaddeservedyourwarmestthanks. Hecouldnotexplainthetruestateofaffairswithoutbetrayingonewhocertainlydeservedlittleenoughconsiderationathishands. Hetookthemorechivalrousview,however,andpreservedhersecret."
"Andthatwaswhysheshriekedandfaintedwhenshesawthecoronet,"criedMr.Holder. "Oh,myGod!whatablindfoolIhavebeen! Andhisaskingtobeallowedtogooutforfiveminutes! Thedearfellowwantedtoseeifthemissingpiecewereatthesceneofthestruggle. HowcruellyIhavemisjudgedhim!’
"WhenIarrivedatthehouse,"continuedHolmes,"Iatoncewentverycarefullyroundittoobserveiftherewereanytracesinthesnowwhichmighthelpme. Iknewthatnonehadfallensincetheeveningbefore,andalsothattherehadbeenastrongfrosttopreserveimpressions. Ipassedalongthetradesmen’spath,butfounditalltrampleddownandindistinguishable. Justbeyondit,however,atthefarsideofthekitchendoor,awomanhadstoodandtalkedwithaman,whoseroundimpressionsononesideshowedthathehadawoodenleg. Icouldeventellthattheyhadbeendisturbed,forthewomanhadrunbackswiftlytothedoor,aswasshownbythedeeptoeandlightheelmarks,whileWooden-leghadwaitedalittle,andthenhadgoneaway.
