Возвращение Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of Black Peter
Hesnatchedoneofthemup,openedit,andburstoutintoatriumphantchuckleoflaughter.
“Excellent,Watson!Thealternativedevelops.Haveyoutelegraphforms?Justwriteacoupleofmessagesforme:‘Sumner,ShippingAgent,RatcliffHighway.Sendthreemenon,toarrivetento-morrowmorning.—Basil.’That’smynameinthoseparts.Theotheris:‘InspectorStanleyHopkins,46LordStreet,Brixton.Comebreakfastto-morrowatnine-thirty.Important.Wireifunabletocome.—SherlockHolmes.’There,Watson,thisinfernalcasehashauntedmefortendays.Iherebybanishitcompletelyfrommypresence.To-morrow,Itrustthatweshallhearthelastofitforever.”
SharpatthehournamedInspectorStanleyHopkinsappeared,andwesatdowntogethertotheexcellentbreakfastwhichMrs.Hudsonhadprepared.Theyoungdetectivewasinhighspiritsathissuccess.
“Youreallythinkthatyoursolutionmustbecorrect?”askedHolmes.
“Icouldnotimagineamorecompletecase.”
“Itdidnotseemtomeconclusive.”
“Youastonishme,Mr.Holmes.Whatmorecouldoneaskfor?”
“Doesyourexplanationcovereverypoint?”
“Undoubtedly.IfindthatyoungNeliganarrivedattheBrambletyeHotelontheverydayofthecrime.Hecameonthepretenceofplayinggolf.Hisroomwasontheground-floor,andhecouldgetoutwhenheliked.ThatverynighthewentdowntoWoodman’sLee,sawPeterCareyatthehut,quarrelledwithhim,andkilledhimwiththeharpoon.
