Приключения Шерлока Холмса

           "Itwasmostsuggestive,"saidHolmes. "Ithaslongbeenanaxiomofminethatthelittlethingsareinfinitelythemostimportant. CanyourememberanyotherlittlethingsaboutMr.HosmerAngel?" 

           "Hewasaveryshyman,Mr.Holmes. Hewouldratherwalkwithmeintheeveningthaninthedaylight,forhesaidthathehatedtobeconspicuous. Veryretiringandgentlemanlyhewas. Evenhisvoicewasgentle. He’dhadthequinsyandswollenglandswhenhewasyoung,hetoldme,andithadlefthimwithaweakthroat,andahesitating,whisperingfashionofspeech. Hewasalwayswelldressed,veryneatandplain,buthiseyeswereweak,justasmineare,andheworetintedglassesagainsttheglare." 

           "Well,andwhathappenedwhenMr.Windibank,yourstepfather,returnedtoFrance?" 

           "Mr.HosmerAngelcametothehouseagainandproposedthatweshouldmarrybeforefathercameback. Hewasindreadfulearnestandmademeswear,withmyhandsontheTestament,thatwhateverhappenedIwouldalwaysbetruetohim. Mothersaidhewasquiterighttomakemeswear,andthatitwasasignofhispassion. MotherwasallinhisfavourfromthefirstandwasevenfonderofhimthanIwas. Then,whentheytalkedofmarryingwithintheweek,Ibegantoaskaboutfather;buttheybothsaidnevertomindaboutfather,butjusttotellhimafterwards,andmothersaidshewouldmakeitallrightwithhim. Ididn’tquitelikethat,Mr.Holmes. ItseemedfunnythatIshouldaskhisleave,ashewasonlyafewyearsolderthanme;butIdidn’twanttodoanythingonthesly,soIwrotetofatheratBordeaux,wherethecompanyhasitsFrenchoffices,butthelettercamebacktomeontheverymorningofthewedding." 

           "Itmissedhim,then?"