Знак чотирьох
VIII. The Baker Street Irregulars
WetookTobyroundtoeachinturn,but,thoughhesniffedearnestly,hemadenosign.
Closetotherudelanding-stagewasasmallbrickhouse,withawoodenplacardslungoutthroughthesecondwindow.“MordecaiSmith”wasprintedacrossitinlargeletters,and,underneath,“Boatstohirebythehourorday.”Asecondinscriptionabovethedoorinformedusthatasteamlaunchwaskept,—astatementwhichwasconfirmedbyagreatpileofcokeuponthejetty.SherlockHolmeslookedslowlyround,andhisfaceassumedanominousexpression.
“Thislooksbad,”saidhe.“ThesefellowsaresharperthanIexpected.Theyseemtohavecoveredtheirtracks.Therehas,Ifear,beenpreconcertedmanagementhere.”
Hewasapproachingthedoorofthehouse,whenitopened,andalittle,curly-headedladofsixcamerunningout,followedbyastoutish,red-facedwomanwithalargespongeinherhand.
“Youcomebackandbewashed,Jack,”sheshouted.“Comeback,youyoungimp;forifyourfathercomeshomeandfindsyoulikethat,he’llletushearofit.”
“Dearlittlechap!”saidHolmes,strategically.“Whatarosy-cheekedyoungrascal!Now,Jack,isthereanythingyouwouldlike?”
Theyouthponderedforamoment.“I’dlikeashillin’,”saidhe.
“Nothingyouwouldlikebetter?”
“I’dliketwoshillin’better,”theprodigyanswered,aftersomethought.
“Hereyouare,then!Catch!—Afinechild,Mrs.Smith!”
“Lor’blessyou,sir,heisthat,andforward.Hegetsa’mosttoomuchformetomanage,’speciallywhenmymanisawaydaysatatime.
