Приключения Шерлока Холмса
The Red-headed League
"Smartfellow,that,"observedHolmesaswewalkedaway. "Heis,inmyjudgment,thefourthsmartestmaninLondon,andfordaringIamnotsurethathehasnotaclaimtobethird. Ihaveknownsomethingofhimbefore."
"Evidently,"saidI,"Mr.Wilson’sassistantcountsforagooddealinthismysteryoftheRed-headedLeague. Iamsurethatyouinquiredyourwaymerelyinorderthatyoumightseehim."
"Nothim."
"Whatthen?"
"Thekneesofhistrousers."
"Andwhatdidyousee?"
"WhatIexpectedtosee."
"Whydidyoubeatthepavement?"
"Mydeardoctor,thisisatimeforobservation,notfortalk. Wearespiesinanenemy’scountry. WeknowsomethingofSaxe-CoburgSquare. Letusnowexplorethepartswhichliebehindit."
TheroadinwhichwefoundourselvesasweturnedroundthecornerfromtheretiredSaxe-CoburgSquarepresentedasgreatacontrasttoitasthefrontofapicturedoestotheback. ItwasoneofthemainarterieswhichconveyedthetrafficoftheCitytothenorthandwest. Theroadwaywasblockedwiththeimmensestreamofcommerceflowinginadoubletideinwardandoutward,whilethefootpathswereblackwiththehurryingswarmofpedestrians.