Пригоди Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Copper Beeches
AhorribledoubtcameintomymindasIapproachedthedoorlestthedogmightbeloose,butIrememberedthatTollerhaddrunkhimselfintoastateofinsensibilitythatevening,andIknewthathewastheonlyoneinthehouseholdwhohadanyinfluencewiththesavagecreature,orwhowouldventuretosethimfree. Islippedininsafetyandlayawakehalfthenightinmyjoyatthethoughtofseeingyou. IhadnodifficultyingettingleavetocomeintoWinchesterthismorning,butImustbebackbeforethreeo’clock,forMr.andMrs.Rucastlearegoingonavisit,andwillbeawayalltheevening,sothatImustlookafterthechild. NowIhavetoldyouallmyadventures,Mr.Holmes,andIshouldbeverygladifyoucouldtellmewhatitallmeans,and,aboveall,whatIshoulddo."
HolmesandIhadlistenedspellboundtothisextraordinarystory. Myfriendrosenowandpacedupanddowntheroom,hishandsinhispockets,andanexpressionofthemostprofoundgravityuponhisface.
"IsTollerstilldrunk?"heasked.
"Yes.IheardhiswifetellMrs.Rucastlethatshecoulddonothingwithhim."
"Thatiswell.AndtheRucastlesgooutto-night?"
"Yes."
"Isthereacellarwithagoodstronglock?"
"Yes,thewine-cellar."
"Youseemtometohaveactedallthroughthismatterlikeaverybraveandsensiblegirl,MissHunter. Doyouthinkthatyoucouldperformonemorefeat? IshouldnotaskitofyouifIdidnotthinkyouaquiteexceptionalwoman."
