Приключения Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle
Myheartturnedtowater,fortherewasnosignofthestone,andIknewthatsometerriblemistakehadoccurred. Ileftthebirdrushedbacktomysister’s,andhurriedintothebackyard.Therewasnotabirdtobeseenthere.
"‘Wherearetheyall,Maggie?’Icried.
"‘Gonetothedealer’s,Jem.’
"‘Whichdealer’s?’
"‘Breckinridge,ofCoventGarden.’
"‘Butwasthereanotherwithabarredtail?’Iasked,‘thesameastheoneIchose?’
"‘Yes,Jem;thereweretwobarred-tailedones,andIcouldnevertellthemapart.’
"Well,then,ofcourseIsawitall,andIranoffashardasmyfeetwouldcarrymetothismanBreckinridge; buthehadsoldthelotatonce,andnotonewordwouldhetellmeastowheretheyhadgone. Youheardhimyourselvesto-night.Well,hehasalwaysansweredmelikethat. MysisterthinksthatIamgoingmad. SometimesIthinkthatIammyself. Andnow—andnowIammyselfabrandedthief,withouteverhavingtouchedthewealthforwhichIsoldmycharacter. Godhelpme! Godhelpme!" Heburstintoconvulsivesobbing,withhisfaceburiedinhishands.
Therewasalongsilence,brokenonlybyhisheavybreathingandbythemeasuredtappingofSherlockHolmes’sfinger-tipsupontheedgeofthetable. Thenmyfriendroseandthrewopenthedoor.
"Getout!"saidhe.
