Приключения Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Speckled Band
"No;aclient. Itseemsthatayoungladyhasarrivedinaconsiderablestateofexcitement,whoinsistsuponseeingme. Sheiswaitingnowinthesitting-room. Now,whenyoungladieswanderaboutthemetropolisatthishourofthemorning,andknocksleepypeopleupoutoftheirbeds,Ipresumethatitissomethingverypressingwhichtheyhavetocommunicate. Shoulditprovetobeaninterestingcase,youwould,Iamsure,wishtofollowitfromtheoutset. Ithought,atanyrate,thatIshouldcallyouandgiveyouthechance."
"Mydearfellow,Iwouldnotmissitforanything."
IhadnokeenerpleasurethaninfollowingHolmesinhisprofessionalinvestigations,andinadmiringtherapiddeductions,asswiftasintuitions,andyetalwaysfoundedonalogicalbasiswithwhichheunravelledtheproblemswhichweresubmittedtohim. Irapidlythrewonmyclothesandwasreadyinafewminutestoaccompanymyfrienddowntothesitting-room. Aladydressedinblackandheavilyveiled,whohadbeensittinginthewindow,roseasweentered.
"Good-morning,madam,"saidHolmescheerily. "MynameisSherlockHolmes. Thisismyintimatefriendandassociate,Dr.Watson,beforewhomyoucanspeakasfreelyasbeforemyself. Ha!IamgladtoseethatMrs.Hudsonhashadthegoodsensetolightthefire. Praydrawuptoit,andIshallorderyouacupofhotcoffee,forIobservethatyouareshivering."
"Itisnotcoldwhichmakesmeshiver,"saidthewomaninalowvoice,changingherseatasrequested.
"What,then?"
