Приключения Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle
ShehadmarriedamannamedOakshott,andlivedinBrixtonRoad,whereshefattenedfowlsforthemarket. AllthewaythereeverymanImetseemedtometobeapolicemanoradetective;and,forallthatitwasacoldnight,thesweatwaspouringdownmyfacebeforeIcametotheBrixtonRoad. Mysisteraskedmewhatwasthematter,andwhyIwassopale;butItoldherthatIhadbeenupsetbythejewelrobberyatthehotel. ThenIwentintothebackyardandsmokedapipeandwonderedwhatitwouldbebesttodo.
"IhadafriendoncecalledMaudsley,whowenttothebad,andhasjustbeenservinghistimeinPentonville. Onedayhehadmetme,andfellintotalkaboutthewaysofthieves,andhowtheycouldgetridofwhattheystole. Iknewthathewouldbetruetome,forIknewoneortwothingsabouthim;soImadeupmymindtogorightontoKilburn,wherehelived,andtakehimintomyconfidence. Hewouldshowmehowtoturnthestoneintomoney. Buthowtogettohiminsafety? IthoughtoftheagoniesIhadgonethroughincomingfromthehotel. Imightatanymomentbeseizedandsearched,andtherewouldbethestoneinmywaistcoatpocket. Iwasleaningagainstthewallatthetimeandlookingatthegeesewhichwerewaddlingaboutroundmyfeet,andsuddenlyanideacameintomyheadwhichshowedmehowIcouldbeatthebestdetectivethateverlived.
"MysisterhadtoldmesomeweeksbeforethatImighthavethepickofhergeeseforaChristmaspresent,andIknewthatshewasalwaysasgoodasherword. Iwouldtakemygoosenow,andinitIwouldcarrymystonetoKilburn. Therewasalittleshedintheyard,andbehindthisIdroveoneofthebirds—afinebigone,white,withabarredtail. Icaughtit,andpryingitsbillopen,Ithrustthestonedownitsthroatasfarasmyfingercouldreach. Thebirdgaveagulp,andIfeltthestonepassalongitsgulletanddownintoitscrop.
