Приключения Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Speckled Band
"Itisfear,Mr.Holmes.Itisterror." Sheraisedherveilasshespoke,andwecouldseethatshewasindeedinapitiablestateofagitation,herfacealldrawnandgray,withrestlessfrightenedeyes,likethoseofsomehuntedanimal. Herfeaturesandfigurewerethoseofawomanofthirty,butherhairwasshotwithprematuregray,andherexpressionwaswearyandhaggard. SherlockHolmesranheroverwithoneofhisquick,all-comprehensiveglances.
"Youmustnotfear,"saidhesoothingly,bendingforwardandpattingherforearm. "Weshallsoonsetmattersright,Ihavenodoubt. Youhavecomeinbytrainthismorning,Isee."
"Youknowme,then?"
"No,butIobservethesecondhalfofareturnticketinthepalmofyourleftglove. Youmusthavestartedearly,andyetyouhadagooddriveinadog-cart,alongheavyroads,beforeyoureachedthestation."
Theladygaveaviolentstartandstaredinbewildermentatmycompanion.
"Thereisnomystery,mydearmadam,"saidhe,smiling. "Theleftarmofyourjacketisspatteredwithmudinnolessthansevenplaces. Themarksareperfectlyfresh. Thereisnovehiclesaveadog-cartwhichthrowsupmudinthatway,andthenonlywhenyousitontheleft-handsideofthedriver."
"Whateveryourreasonsmaybe,youareperfectlycorrect,"saidshe. "Istartedfromhomebeforesix,reachedLeatherheadattwentypast,andcameinbythefirsttraintoWaterloo. Sir,Icanstandthisstrainnolonger;Ishallgomadifitcontinues. Ihavenoonetoturnto—none,saveonlyone,whocaresforme,andhe,poorfellow,canbeoflittleaid. Ihaveheardofyou,Mr.Holmes;IhaveheardofyoufromMrs.Farintosh,whomyouhelpedinthehourofhersoreneed.
