Пригоди Шерлока Холмса
A Scandal in Bohemia
Astoyourpractice, ifagentlemanwalksintomyroomssmellingofiodoform, withablackmarkofnitrateofsilveruponhisrightforefinger, andabulgeontherightsideofhistophattoshowwherehehassecretedhisstethoscope, Imustbedull,indeed, ifIdonotpronouncehimtobeanactivememberofthemedicalprofession."
Icouldnothelplaughingattheease withwhichheexplainedhisprocessofdeduction. "WhenIhearyougiveyourreasons,"Iremarked, "thethingalwaysappearstometobesoridiculouslysimple thatIcouldeasilydoitmyself, thoughateachsuccessiveinstanceofyourreasoningIambaffled untilyouexplainyourprocess. AndyetIbelievethatmyeyesareasgoodasyours."
"Quiteso,"heanswered,lightingacigarette,andthrowinghimselfdownintoanarmchair. "Yousee,butyoudonotobserve. Thedistinctionisclear. Forexample,youhavefrequentlyseenthestepswhichleadupfromthehalltothisroom."
"Frequently."
"Howoften?"
"Well,somehundredsoftimes."
"Thenhowmanyarethere?"
"Howmany?Idon’tknow."
"Quiteso!Youhavenotobserved. Andyetyouhaveseen. Thatisjustmypoint. Now,Iknowthatthereareseventeensteps, becauseIhavebothseenandobserved.
