Приключения Шерлока Холмса
A Case of Identity
Herewemaytakeitthatthereisalovematter,butthatthemaidenisnotsomuchangryasperplexed,orgrieved. Buthereshecomesinpersontoresolveourdoubts."
Ashespoketherewasatapatthedoor,andtheboyinbuttonsenteredtoannounceMissMarySutherland,whiletheladyherselfloomedbehindhissmallblackfigurelikeafull-sailedmerchant-manbehindatinypilotboat. SherlockHolmeswelcomedherwiththeeasycourtesyforwhichhewasremarkable,and,havingclosedthedoorandbowedherintoanarmchair,helookedheroverintheminuteandyetabstractedfashionwhichwaspeculiartohim.
"Doyounotfind,"hesaid,"thatwithyourshortsightitisalittletryingtodosomuchtypewriting?"
"Ididatfirst,"sheanswered,"butnowIknowwherethelettersarewithoutlooking." Then,suddenlyrealizingthefullpurportofhiswords,shegaveaviolentstartandlookedup,withfearandastonishmentuponherbroad,good-humouredface. "You’veheardaboutme,Mr.Holmes,"shecried,"elsehowcouldyouknowallthat?"
"Nevermind,"saidHolmes,laughing;"itismybusinesstoknowthings. PerhapsIhavetrainedmyselftoseewhatothersoverlook. Ifnot,whyshouldyoucometoconsultme?"
"Icametoyou,sir,becauseIheardofyoufromMrs.Etherege,whosehusbandyoufoundsoeasywhenthepoliceandeveryonehadgivenhimupfordead. Oh,Mr.Holmes,Iwishyouwoulddoasmuchforme. I’mnotrich,butstillIhaveahundredayearinmyownright,besidesthelittlethatImakebythemachine,andIwouldgiveitalltoknowwhathasbecomeofMr.HosmerAngel."
