Приключения Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet
Itwasnotyetthreewhenwefoundourselvesinourroomsoncemore. Hehurriedtohischamberandwasdownagaininafewminutesdressedasacommonloafer. Withhiscollarturnedup,hisshiny,seedycoat,hisredcravat,andhiswornboots,hewasaperfectsampleoftheclass.
"Ithinkthatthisshoulddo,"saidhe,glancingintotheglassabovethefireplace. "lonlywishthatyoucouldcomewithme,Watson,butIfearthatitwon’tdo. Imaybeonthetrailinthismatter,orImaybefollowingawill-o’-the-wisp,butIshallsoonknowwhichitis. IhopethatImaybebackinafewhours." Hecutasliceofbeeffromthejointuponthesideboard,sandwicheditbetweentworoundsofbread,andthrustingthisrudemealintohispockethestartedoffuponhisexpedition.
Ihadjustfinishedmyteawhenhereturned,evidentlyinexcellentspirits,swinginganoldelastic-sidedbootinhishand. Hechuckeditdownintoacornerandhelpedhimselftoacupoftea.
"IonlylookedinasIpassed,"saidhe."Iamgoingrighton."
"Whereto?"
"Oh,totheothersideoftheWestEnd. ItmaybesometimebeforeIgetback. Don’twaitupformeincaseIshouldbelate."
"Howareyougettingon?"
"Oh,soso.Nothingtocomplainof. IhavebeenouttoStreathamsinceIsawyoulast,butIdidnotcallatthehouse. Itisaverysweetlittleproblem,andIwouldnothavemisseditforagooddeal. However,Imustnotsitgossipinghere,butmustgetthesedisreputableclothesoffandreturntomyhighlyrespectableself."
