Приключения Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Speckled Band
ForanswerHolmespushedbackthefrillofblacklacewhichfringedthehandthatlayuponourvisitor’sknee. Fivelittlelividspots,themarksoffourfingersandathumb,wereprinteduponthewhitewrist.
"Youhavebeencruellyused,"saidHolmes.
Theladycoloureddeeplyandcoveredoverherinjuredwrist. "Heisahardman,"shesaid,"andperhapshehardlyknowshisownstrength."
Therewasalongsilence,duringwhichHolmesleanedhischinuponhishandsandstaredintothecracklingfire.
"Thisisaverydeepbusiness,"hesaidatlast. "ThereareathousanddetailswhichIshoulddesiretoknowbeforeIdecideuponourcourseofaction. Yetwehavenotamomenttolose. IfweweretocometoStokeMoranto-day,woulditbepossibleforustoseeovertheseroomswithouttheknowledgeofyourstepfather?"
"Asithappens,hespokeofcomingintotownto-dayuponsomemostimportantbusiness. Itisprobablethathewillbeawayallday,andthattherewouldbenothingtodisturbyou. Wehaveahousekeepernow,butsheisoldandfoolish,andIcouldeasilygetheroutoftheway."
"Excellent. Youarenotaversetothistrip,Watson?"
"Bynomeans."
"Thenweshallbothcome. Whatareyougoingtodoyourself?"
"IhaveoneortwothingswhichIwouldwishtodonowthatIamintown. ButIshallreturnbythetwelveo’clocktrain,soastobethereintimeforyourcoming."
