Собака Баскервіллів
Three Broken Threads
Theringatthebellprovedtobesomethingevenmoresatisfactorythanananswer,however,forthedooropenedandarough-lookingfellowenteredwhowasevidentlythemanhimself.
"Igotamessagefromtheheadofficethatagentatthisaddresshadbeeninquiringfor2704,"saidhe. "I’vedrivenmycabthissevenyearsandneverawordofcomplaint. IcameherestraightfromtheYardtoaskyoutoyourfacewhatyouhadagainstme."
"Ihavenothingintheworldagainstyou,mygoodman,"saidHolmes. "Onthecontrary,Ihavehalfasovereignforyouifyouwillgivemeaclearanswertomyquestions."
"Well,I’vehadagooddayandnomistake,"saidthecabman,withagrin. "Whatwasityouwantedtoask,sir?"
"Firstofallyournameandaddress,incaseIwantyouagain."
"JohnClayton,3TurpeyStreet,theBorough. MycabisoutofShipley’sYard,nearWaterlooStation."
SherlockHolmesmadeanoteofit.
"Now,Clayton,tellmeallaboutthefarewhocameandwatchedthishouseatteno’clockthismorningandafterwardsfollowedthetwogentlemendownRegentStreet."
Themanlookedsurprisedandalittleembarrassed. "Why,there’snogoodmytellingyouthings,foryouseemtoknowasmuchasIdoalready,"saidhe. "ThetruthisthatthegentlemantoldmethathewasadetectiveandthatIwastosaynothingabouthimtoanyone."
