Собака Баскервиллей
Three Broken Threads
Iwasgladenoughtoagree. FirstwedrovedowntotheNorthumberlandHotelandwaitedthereuntiltwogentlemencameoutandtookacabfromtherank. Wefollowedtheircabuntilitpulledupsomewherenearhere."
"Thisverydoor,"saidHolmes.
"Well,Icouldn’tbesureofthat,butIdaresaymyfareknewallaboutit. Wepulleduphalf-waydownthestreetandwaitedanhourandahalf. Thenthetwogentlemenpassedus,walking,andwefolloweddownBakerStreetandalong—"
"Iknow,"saidHolmes.
"Untilwegotthree-quartersdownRegentStreet. Thenmygentlemanthrewupthetrap,andhecriedthatIshoulddriverightawaytoWaterlooStationashardasIcouldgo. Iwhippedupthemareandwewerethereunderthetenminutes. Thenhepaiduphistwoguineas,likeagoodone,andawayhewentintothestation. Onlyjustashewasleavingheturnedroundandhesaid: ‘ItmightinterestyoutoknowthatyouhavebeendrivingMr.SherlockHolmes. ’That’showIcometoknowthename."
"Isee. Andyousawnomoreofhim?"
"Notafterhewentintothestation."
"AndhowwouldyoudescribeMr.SherlockHolmes?"
Thecabmanscratchedhishead. "Well,hewasn’taltogethersuchaneasygentlemantodescribe. I’dputhimatfortyyearsofage,andhewasofamiddleheight,twoorthreeinchesshorterthanyou,sir. Hewasdressedlikeatoff,andhehadablackbeard,cutsquareattheend,andapaleface. Idon’tknowasIcouldsaymorethanthat."