Воспоминания Шерлока Холмса

           "Itisamercythatyouareonthesideoftheforce,andnotagainstit,Mr.Holmes,"remarkedtheinspectorashenotedthecleverwayinwhichmyfriendhadforcedbackthecatch."Well,Ithinkthatunderthecircumstanceswemayenterwithoutaninvitation."

           Oneaftertheotherwemadeourwayintoalargeapartment,whichwasevidentlythatinwhichMr.Melashadfoundhimself.Theinspectorhadlithislantern,andbyitslightwecouldseethetwodoors,thecurtain,thelamp,andthesuitofJapanesemailashehaddescribedthem.Onthetablelaytwoglasses,anemptybrandy-bottle,andtheremainsofameal.

           "Whatisthat?"askedHolmessuddenly.

           Weallstoodstillandlistened.Alowmoaningsoundwascomingfromsomewhereoverourheads.Holmesrushedtothedoorandoutintothehall.Thedismalnoisecamefromupstairs.Hedashedup,theinspectorandIathisheels,whilehisbrotherMycroftfollowedasquicklyashisgreatbulkwouldpermit.

           Threedoorsfacedusuponthesecondfloor,anditwasfromthecentralofthesethatthesinistersoundswereissuing,sinkingsometimesintoadullmumbleandrisingagainintoashrillwhine.Itwaslocked,butthekeyhadbeenleftontheoutside.Holmesflungopenthedoorandrushedin,buthewasoutagaininaninstant,withhishandtohisthroat.

           "It’scharcoal,"hecried."Giveittime.Itwillclear.