Приключения Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Speckled Band
ItwasfromherthatIhadyouraddress. Oh,sir,doyounotthinkthatyoucouldhelpme,too,andatleastthrowalittlelightthroughthedensedarknesswhichsurroundsme? Atpresentitisoutofmypowertorewardyouforyourservices,butinamonthorsixweeksIshallbemarried,withthecontrolofmyownincome,andthenatleastyoushallnotfindmeungrateful."
Holmesturnedtohisdeskand,unlockingit,drewoutasmallcase-book,whichheconsulted.
"Farintosh,"saidhe. "Ahyes,Irecallthecase;itwasconcernedwithanopaltiara. Ithinkitwasbeforeyourtime,Watson. Icanonlysay,madam,thatIshallbehappytodevotethesamecaretoyourcaseasIdidtothatofyourfriend. Astoreward,myprofessionisitsownreward;butyouareatlibertytodefraywhateverexpensesImaybeputto,atthetimewhichsuitsyoubest. AndnowIbegthatyouwilllaybeforeuseverythingthatmayhelpusinforminganopinionuponthematter."
"Alas!"repliedourvisitor,"theveryhorrorofmysituationliesinthefactthatmyfearsaresovague,andmysuspicionsdependsoentirelyuponsmallpoints,whichmightseemtrivialtoanother,thatevenhetowhomofallothersIhavearighttolookforhelpandadvicelooksuponallthatItellhimaboutitasthefanciesofanervouswoman. Hedoesnotsayso,butIcanreaditfromhissoothinganswersandavertedeyes. ButIhaveheard,Mr.Holmes,thatyoucanseedeeplyintothemanifoldwickednessofthehumanheart. Youmayadvisemehowtowalkamidthedangerswhichencompassme."
"Iamallattention,madam."
