Пригоди Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Copper Beeches
"Iwilltry.Whatisit?"
"WeshallbeattheCopperBeechesbyseveno’clock,myfriendandI. TheRucastleswillbegonebythattime,andTollerwill,wehope,beincapable. ThereonlyremainsMrs.Toller,whomightgivethealarm. Ifyoucouldsendherintothecellaronsomeerrand,andthenturnthekeyuponher,youwouldfacilitatemattersimmensely."
"Iwilldoit."
"Excellent! Weshallthenlookthoroughlyintotheaffair.Ofcoursethereisonlyonefeasibleexplanation. Youhavebeenbroughttheretopersonatesomeone,andtherealpersonisimprisonedinthischamber. Thatisobvious. Astowhothisprisoneris,Ihavenodoubtthatitisthedaughter,MissAliceRucastle,ifIrememberright,whowassaidtohavegonetoAmerica. Youwerechosen,doubtless,asresemblingherinheight,figure,andthecolourofyourhair. Hershadbeencutoff,verypossiblyinsomeillnessthroughwhichshehaspassed,andso,ofcourse,yourshadtobesacrificedalso. Byacuriouschanceyoucameuponhertresses. Themanintheroadwasundoubtedlysomefriendofhers—possiblyherfiance—andnodoubt,asyouworethegirl’sdressandweresolikeher,hewasconvincedfromyourlaughter,wheneverhesawyou,andafterwardsfromyourgesture,thatMissRucastlewasperfectlyhappy,andthatshenolongerdesiredhisattentions. Thedogisletlooseatnighttopreventhimfromendeavouringtocommunicatewithher. Somuchisfairlyclear. Themostseriouspointinthecaseisthedispositionofthechild."
"Whatonearthhasthattodowithit?"Iejaculated.
"MydearWatson,youasamedicalmanarecontinuallygaininglightastothetendenciesofachildbythestudyoftheparents.
