Приключения Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Copper Beeches
"‘Iwasfoolishenoughtogointotheemptywing,’Ianswered. ‘ButitissolonelyandeerieinthisdimlightthatIwasfrightenedandranoutagain. Oh,itissodreadfullystillinthere!’
"‘Onlythat?’saidhe,lookingatmekeenly.
"‘Why,whatdidyouthink?’Iasked.
"‘WhydoyouthinkthatIlockthisdoor?’
"‘IamsurethatIdonotknow.’
"‘Itistokeeppeopleoutwhohavenobusinessthere. Doyousee?’ Hewasstillsmilinginthemostamiablemanner.
"‘IamsureifIhadknown
"‘Well,then,youknownow. Andifyoueverputyourfootoverthatthresholdagain’—hereinaninstantthesmilehardenedintoagrinofrage,andheglareddownatmewiththefaceofademon—‘I’llthrowyoutothemastiff.’
"IwassoterrifiedthatIdonotknowwhatIdid. IsupposethatImusthaverushedpasthimintomyroom. IremembernothinguntilIfoundmyselflyingonmybedtremblingallover. ThenIthoughtofyou,Mr.Holmes. Icouldnotlivetherelongerwithoutsomeadvice. Iwasfrightenedofthehouse,ofthemanofthewoman,oftheservants,evenofthechild.Theywereallhorribletome. IfIcouldonlybringyoudownallwouldbewell. OfcourseImighthavefledfromthehouse,butmycuriositywasalmostasstrongasmyfears.Mymindwassoonmadeup. Iwouldsendyouawire. Iputonmyhatandcloak,wentdowntotheoffice,whichisabouthalfamilefromthehouse,andthenreturned,feelingverymucheasier.
