Приключения Шерлока Холмса
A Case of Identity
Asfarasthechurchdoorhebroughther,andthen,ashecouldgonofarther,heconvenientlyvanishedawaybytheoldtrickofsteppinginatonedoorofafour-wheelerandoutattheother. Ithinkthatwasthechainofevents,Mr.Windibank!"
OurvisitorhadrecoveredsomethingofhisassurancewhileHolmeshadbeentalking,andherosefromhischairnowwithacoldsneeruponhispaleface.
"Itmaybeso,oritmaynot,Mr.Holmes,"saidhe,"butifyouaresoverysharpyououghttobesharpenoughtoknowthatitisyouwhoarebreakingthelawnow,andnotme. Ihavedonenothingactionablefromthefirst,butaslongasyoukeepthatdoorlockedyoulayyourselfopentoanactionforassaultandillegalconstraint."
"Thelawcannot,asyousay,touchyou,"saidHolmes,unlockingandthrowingopenthedoor,"yetthereneverwasamanwhodeservedpunishmentmore. Iftheyoungladyhasabrotherorafriend,heoughttolayawhipacrossyourshoulders. ByJove!"hecontinued,flushingupatthesightofthebittersneerupontheman’sface, "itisnotpartofmydutiestomyclient,buthere’sahuntingcrophandy,andIthinkIshalljusttreatmyselfto—" Hetooktwoswiftstepstothewhip,butbeforehecouldgraspittherewasawildclatterofstepsuponthestairs,theheavyhalldoorbanged,andfromthewindowwecouldseeMr.JamesWindibankrunningatthetopofhisspeeddowntheroad.
"There’sacold-bloodedscoundrel!"saidHolmes,laughing,ashethrewhimselfdownintohischaironcemore. "Thatfellowwillrisefromcrimetocrimeuntilhedoessomethingverybad,andendsonagallows. Thecasehas,insomerespects,beennotentirelydevoidofinterest."
