Приключения Шерлока Холмса

           "Isawanill-dressedvagabondinthelaneyesterdayevening,"saidMr.Holder. 

           "Precisely.ItwasI. IfoundthatIhadmyman,soIcamehomeandchangedmyclothes. ItwasadelicatepartwhichIhadtoplaythen,forIsawthataprosecutionmustbeavoidedtoavertscandal,andIknewthatsoastuteavillainwouldseethatourhandsweretiedinthematter. Iwentandsawhim. Atfirst,ofcourse,hedeniedeverything.ButwhenIgavehimeveryparticularthathadoccurred,hetriedtoblusterandtookdownalife-preserverfromthewall. Iknewmyman,however,andIclappedapistoltohisheadbeforehecouldstrike. Thenhebecamealittlemorereasonable. Itoldhimthatwewouldgivehimapriceforthestonesheheld1000poundsapiece. Thatbroughtoutthefirstsignsofgriefthathehadshown. ‘Why,dashitall!’saidhe,‘I’veletthemgoatsixhundredforthethree!’ Isoonmanagedtogettheaddressofthereceiverwhohadthem,onpromisinghimthattherewouldbenoprosecution. OffIsettohim,andaftermuchchafferingIgotourstonesat1000poundsapiece. ThenIlookedinuponyourson,toldhimthatallwasright,andeventuallygottomybedabouttwoo’clock,afterwhatImaycallareallyhardday’swork." 

           "AdaywhichhassavedEnglandfromagreatpublicscandal,"saidthebanker,rising. "Sir,Icannotfindwordstothankyou,butyoushallnotfindmeungratefulforwhatyouhavedone. YourskillhasindeedexceededallthatIhaveheardofit. AndnowImustflytomydearboytoapologizetohimforthewrongwhichIhavedonehim. AstowhatyoutellmeofpoorMary,itgoestomyveryheart. Notevenyourskillcaninformmewheresheisnow."