Знак четырех
I. The Science of Deduction
MayIaskwhetheryouhaveanyprofessionalinquiryonfootatpresent?”
“None.Hencethecocaine.Icannotlivewithoutbrain-work.Whatelseistheretolivefor?Standatthewindowhere.Waseversuchadreary,dismal,unprofitableworld?Seehowtheyellowfogswirlsdownthestreetanddriftsacrossthedun-colouredhouses.Whatcouldbemorehopelesslyprosaicandmaterial?Whatistheuseofhavingpowers,doctor,whenonehasnofielduponwhichtoexertthem?Crimeiscommonplace,existenceiscommonplace,andnoqualitiessavethosewhicharecommonplacehaveanyfunctionuponearth.”
Ihadopenedmymouthtoreplytothistirade,whenwithacrispknockourlandladyentered,bearingacarduponthebrasssalver.
“Ayoungladyforyou,sir,”shesaid,addressingmycompanion.
“MissMaryMorstan,”heread.“Hum!Ihavenorecollectionofthename.Asktheyoungladytostepup,Mrs.Hudson.Don’tgo,doctor.Ishouldpreferthatyouremain.”
