Этюд в багровых тонах / A Study in Scarlet. Артур Конан Дойл

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СКАЧАТЬ murder through the colourless skein of life, and our duty is to unravel it, and isolate it.”

      Chapter V

      Our Advertisement Brings a Visitor

      I lay down upon the sofa and tried to sleep. But every time that I closed my eyes I saw before me the distorted baboon-like countenance of the murdered man.

      Was that man poisoned? Holmes sniffed his lips, and probably detected something. And if not poison, what caused the man’s death? There was neither wound nor marks of strangulation. But, on the other hand, whose blood was there upon the floor? We saw no signs of a struggle, the victim did not have any weapon. My friend’s quiet self-confident manner convinced me that he had a theory which explained all the facts.

      Holmes came very late. Dinner was on the table before he appeared.

      “What’s the matter?” he answered. “Does this Brixton Road affair trouble you?”

      “To tell the truth, it does,” I said.

      “I can understand. There is a mystery about this which stimulates the imagination. Did you see the evening paper?”

      “No.”

      “It tells about the affair. And it does not mention the woman’s wedding ring. That’s good.”

      “Why?”

      “Look at this advertisement,” he answered. “I sent it to every paper in the morning immediately after the affair.”

      He gave me the newspaper.

      “In Brixton Road, this morning,” it ran, “a plain gold wedding ring, found in the roadway between the ‘White Hart’ Tavern and Holland Grove. Apply Dr. Watson, 221B, Baker Street, between eight and nine this evening.”

      “Excuse me. I used your name,” he said.

      “That is all right,” I answered. “But I have no ring.”

      “Oh yes, you have,” said he. And he gave me one. “This will do very well[39].”

      “And who will answer this advertisement?”

      “The man in the brown coat – our florid friend with the square toes. If he does not come himself he will send an accomplice.”

      “Isn’t that dangerous for him?”

      “Not at all. I think that this man will rather risk anything than lose the ring. He dropped it when he stooped over Drebber’s body. Then he left the house. He discovered his loss and hurried back, but found the police because the candle was burning. He pretended to be drunk in order to allay the suspicions. Now put yourself in that man’s place. He thinks that he lost the ring in the road. What will he do, then? He will eagerly read the evening papers. And he will read this advertisement. He will be overjoyed. Why fear? He will come. You will see him within an hour.”

      “And then?” I asked.

      “Oh, I’ll talk to him. Have you any arms?”

      “I have my old revolver and a few cartridges.”

      “Clean it and load it. We must be ready for anything.”

      I went to my bedroom and followed his advice. When I returned with the pistol, Holmes was playing violin.

      “I have an answer to my American telegram,” he said, as I entered.

      “And?” I asked eagerly.

      “Put your pistol in your pocket,” he remarked. “When the fellow comes speak to him in an ordinary way. Leave the rest to me. Don’t frighten him.”

      “It is eight o’clock now,” I said.

      “Yes. He will probably be here in a few minutes. Open the door slightly. Now put the key on the inside[40]. Thank you. Here comes our man, I think.”

      As he spoke there was a sharp ring at the bell. Sherlock Holmes rose softly and moved his chair in the direction of the door.

      “Does Dr. Watson live here?” asked a clear but rather harsh voice. We could not hear the servant’s reply, but the door closed, and some one began to ascend the stairs. There was a feeble tap at the door.

      “Come in,” I cried.

      Instead of the man whom we expected, a very old and wrinkled woman hobbled into the apartment. She was blinking at us with her bleared eyes and fumbling in her pocket with nervous, shaky fingers.

      The old crone drew out an evening paper, and pointed at our advertisement.

      “A gold wedding ring in the Brixton Road, gentlemen,” she said; “It belongs to my daughter Sally. She went to the circus yesterday and lost it.”

      “Is that her ring?” I asked.

      “Yes!” cried the old woman; “Sally will be very glad. That’s the ring.”

      “And what is your address?” I inquired.

      “13, Duncan Street, Houndsditch. A long way from here.”

      “The Brixton Road does not lie between any circus and Houndsditch,” said Sherlock Holmes sharply.

      The old woman looked keenly at him.

      “The gentleman asked me for my address,” she said. “Sally lives in lodgings at 3, Mayfield Place, Peckham.”

      “And your name is…?”

      “My name is Sawyer – hers is Dennis. Tom Dennis married her, a smart lad…”

      “Here is your ring, Mrs. Sawyer,” I interrupted; “it clearly belongs to your daughter, and I am glad to restore it to the rightful owner.”

      With many words of gratitude the old crone took the ring and went down the stairs. Sherlock

      Holmes sprang to his feet and rushed into his room. He returned in a few seconds.

      “I’ll follow her,” he said, hurriedly; “she must be an accomplice, and will lead me to him. Wait here.”

      And Holmes descended the stair. It was nine when he left. Ten o’clock passed, eleven, he did not come back. It was about twelve when I heard the sharp sound of his key. When he entered, he laughed.

      “So what?” I asked.

      “That woman went a little when she began to limp. Then she hailed a cab. I was close to her so I heard the address, she cried loud enough, ‘Drive to 13, Duncan Street, Houndsditch.’ When she was inside, I perched myself behind. Well, we reached the street. I hopped off before we came to the door. The driver jumped down. He opened the door and stood expectantly. Nobody came out. There was no sign or trace of his passenger. At Number 13 a respectable paperhanger lives, he never heard about Sawyer or Dennis.”

      “You want to say,” I cried, in amazement, “that that feeble old woman was able to get out of the cab while it was in motion?”

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