Пригоди Шерлока Холмса
A Case of Identity
Itisquitetootransparent,anditwasaverybadcomplimentwhenyousaidthatitwasimpossibleformetosolvesosimpleaquestion. That’sright!Sitdownandletustalkitover."
Ourvisitorcollapsedintoachair,withaghastlyfaceandaglitterofmoistureonhisbrow. "It—it’snotactionable,"hestammered.
"Iamverymuchafraidthatitisnot. Butbetweenourselves,Windibank,itwasascruelandselfishandheartlessatrickinapettywayasevercamebeforeme. Now,letmejustrunoverthecourseofevents,andyouwillcontradictmeifIgowrong."
Themansathuddledupinhischair,withhisheadsunkuponhisbreast,likeonewhoisutterlycrushed. Holmesstuckhisfeetuponthecornerofthemantelpieceand,leaningbackwithhishandsinhispockets,begantalking,rathertohimself,asitseemed,thantous.
"Themanmarriedawomanverymucholderthanhimselfforhermoney,"saidhe,"andheenjoyedtheuseofthemoneyofthedaughteraslongasshelivedwiththem. Itwasaconsiderablesum,forpeopleintheirposition,andthelossofitwouldhavemadeaseriousdifference. Itwasworthanefforttopreserveit. Thedaughterwasofagood,amiabledisposition,butaffectionateandwarm-heartedinherways,sothatitwasevidentthatwithherfairpersonaladvantages,andherlittleincome,shewouldnotbeallowedtoremainsinglelong. Nowhermarriagewouldmean,ofcourse,thelossofahundredayear,sowhatdoesherstepfatherdotopreventit? Hetakestheobviouscourseofkeepingherathomeandforbiddinghertoseekthecompanyofpeopleofherownage. Butsoonhefoundthatthatwouldnotanswerforever. Shebecamerestive,insisteduponherrights,andfinallyannouncedherpositiveintentionofgoingtoacertainball.
