Приключения Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Speckled Band
"Heinvestigatedthecasewithgreatcare,forDr.Roylott’sconducthadlongbeennotoriousinthecounty,buthewasunabletofindanysatisfactorycauseofdeath. Myevidenceshowedthatthedoorhadbeenfastenedupontheinnerside,andthewindowswereblockedbyold-fashionedshutterswithbroadironbars,whichweresecuredeverynight. Thewallswerecarefullysounded,andwereshowntobequitesolidallround,andtheflooringwasalsothoroughlyexamined,withthesameresult. Thechimneyiswide,butisbarredupbyfourlargestaples. Itiscertain,therefore,thatmysisterwasquitealonewhenshemetherend. Besides,therewerenomarksofanyviolenceuponher."
"Howaboutpoison?"
"Thedoctorsexaminedherforit,butwithoutsuccess."
"Whatdoyouthinkthatthisunfortunateladydiedof,then?"
"Itismybeliefthatshediedofpurefearandnervousshock,thoughwhatitwasthatfrightenedherIcannotimagine."
"Weretheregypsiesintheplantationatthetime?"
"Yes,therearenearlyalwayssomethere."
"Ah,andwhatdidyougatherfromthisallusiontoaband—aspeckledband?"
"SometimesIhavethoughtthatitwasmerelythewildtalkofdelirium,sometimesthatitmayhavereferredtosomebandofpeople,perhapstotheseverygypsiesintheplantation. Idonotknowwhetherthespottedhandkerchiefswhichsomanyofthemwearovertheirheadsmighthavesuggestedthestrangeadjectivewhichsheused."
