Пригоди Шерлока Холмса
A Case of Identity
Thereishalfacolumnofprint,butIknowwithoutreadingitthatitisallperfectlyfamiliartome. Thereis,ofcourse,theotherwoman,thedrink,thepush,theblow,thebruise,thesympatheticsisterorlandlady. Thecrudestofwriterscouldinventnothingmorecrude."
"Indeed,yourexampleisanunfortunateoneforyourargument,"saidHolmes,takingthepaperandglancinghiseyedownit. "ThisistheDundasseparationcase,and,asithappens,Iwasengagedinclearingupsomesmallpointsinconnectionwithit. Thehusbandwasateetotaler,therewasnootherwoman,andtheconductcomplainedofwasthathehaddriftedintothehabitofwindingupeverymealbytakingouthisfalseteethandhurlingthemathiswife,which,youwillallow,isnotanactionlikelytooccurtotheimaginationoftheaveragestory-teller. Takeapinchofsnuff,Doctor,andacknowledgethatIhavescoredoveryouinyourexample."
Heheldouthissnuffboxofoldgold,withagreatamethystinthecentreofthelid. ItssplendourwasinsuchcontrasttohishomelywaysandsimplelifethatIcouldnothelpcommentinguponit.
"Ah,"saidhe,"IforgotthatIhadnotseenyouforsomeweeks. ItisalittlesouvenirfromtheKingofBohemiainreturnformyassistanceinthecaseoftheIreneAdlerpapers."
"Andthering?"Iasked,glancingataremarkablebrilliantwhichsparkleduponhisfinger.
"ItwasfromthereigningfamilyofHolland,thoughthematterinwhichIservedthemwasofsuchdelicacythatIcannotconfideiteventoyou,whohavebeengoodenoughtochronicleoneortwoofmylittleproblems."
"Andhaveyouanyonhandjustnow?"Iaskedwithinterest.
