Воспоминания Шерлока Холмса

           ’

           "Iwentbacktothehotelwiththebigbookundermyarm,andwithveryconflictingfeelingsinmybreast.Ontheonehand,Iwasdefinitelyengagedandhadahundredpoundsinmypocket;ontheother,thelookoftheoffices,theabsenceofnameonthewall,andotherofthepointswhichwouldstrikeabusinessmanhadleftabadimpressionastothepositionofmyemployers.However,comewhatmight,Ihadmymoney,soIsettleddowntomytask.AllSundayIwaskepthardatwork,andyetbyMondayIhadonlygotasfarasH.Iwentroundtomyemployer,foundhiminthesamedismantledkindofroom,andwastoldtokeepatituntilWednesday,andthencomeagain.OnWednesdayitwasstillunfinished,soIhammeredawayuntilFriday—thatis,yesterday.ThenIbroughtitroundtoMr.HarryPinner.

           "‘Thankyouverymuch,"saidhe,‘IfearthatIunderratedthedifficultyofthetask.Thislistwillbeofverymaterialassistancetome.’

           "‘Ittooksometime,"saidI.

           "‘Andnow,"saidhe,‘Iwantyoutomakealistofthefurnitureshops,fortheyallsellcrockery.’

           "‘Verygood.’

           "‘Andyoucancomeupto-morroweveningatsevenandletmeknowhowyouaregettingon.Don’toverworkyourself.AcoupleofhoursatDay’sMusicHallintheeveningwoulddoyounoharmafteryourlabours."Helaughedashespoke,andIsawwithathrillthathissecondtoothupontheleft-handsidehadbeenverybadlystuffedwithgold.