completely innocent, Miss Morstan. Here is the ''Standard'', read it. - I believe you. - No, read it. I don't know who your friends are, Miss Morstan, but I am grateful to one of them, Mr. Holmes. He promised to release me and he did. I am here to thank you. Mr. Lestrade from Scotland Yard-- Please, do not read about Scotland Yard. I hate detectives. But Sherlock Holmes is a detective too. Is Dr. Watson a de... detective? No, but it is he whom you should thank. - Good morning. - Good morning. - Mr. Sherlock Holmes is out. - Yes. I would wait. Come in. - Would you like cigars? - No. Don't smoke in the morning. To drink something? A whisky, half a glass. Half a glass? Yes, a little. You know my theory about this Norwood case? I remember that you expressed one. Well, I have been obliged to reconsider it. I had my net drawn tightly round Mr. Sholto, when pop he went through a hole in the middle of it. And he left. He was able to prove an alibi which could not be shaken. He was never out of sight of someone-- or other. So it could not be he who climbed over roofs and through trapdoors. It's a very dark case. Very dark case. Doctor Watson, my professional credit is at stake. I should be very glad of a little assistance. We all need help sometimes. Your friend Mr. Holmes is irregular in his methods, he makes mistakes sometimes, but, on the whole, I think he would have made a most promising officer. I have had a wire from him this morning by which I understand that he has got some clue to this Sholto business. Here is his message. From Poplar at twelve o'clock. Go to Baker Street at once. If I have not returned, wait for me. I am close on the track of the Sholto gang. You can come with us tonight if you want to be in at the finish. This sounds well. He has evidently picked up the scent again. What is it, my man? Is Mr. Sherlock Holmes here? No, but I am acting for him. You can tell me any message you have for him. It was to him himself I was to tell it. Was it about Mordecai Smith's boat? Yes. I knows well where it is. I knows where the men he is after are. I knows where the treasure is. Then tell us. It was to him I was to tell it. Then you can leave us with your secrets! I will. I don't care about the look of either of you, and I won't tell a word. - You cannot scare us. - Sit down, man. You have important information, and you must not walk off. Watson, come on. What? What methods you have in Scotland Yard. You rogue! What an actor! Those weak legs of yours are worth ten pound a week. I thought I knew the glint of your eye, though. You didn't get away from us so easily, you see. - You got my wire? - Yes, of course? That was what brought me here. How has your case prospered? Nothing. I released two of my prisoners and no evidence against the other two. Never mind. We shall give you two others in the place of them. - I agree. - Great. Then, in the first place I shall want, a fast police-boat - a steam launch - to be at the Westminster Stairs at seven o'clock. That is easily managed. - There is more. - Yes. Then I shall want two staunch men in case of resistance. There will be two or three in the boat. Great. When we secure the men we shall get the treasure. It would be a pleasure to my friend here to take the box round to the young lady. to open it. It would be a great pleasure to me. Rather an irregular proceeding, Mister Holmes. Half of it rightfully belongs to her, However, the whole thing is irregular, and I suppose we must wink at it. Perfectly. Is there anything else? Only that I insist upon your dining with us. I have oysters and a brace of grouse, with something a little choice in white wines. You are not only a theorist. Is there anything to mark it as a police-boat? Yes, that green lamp at the side. Then take it off. Take the lamp off! Cast off! Full speed ahead! We ------------------------------ Читайте также: - текст Малыш и Карлсон на английском - текст Любовь нельзя купить на английском - текст Легенда о Сурамской крепости на английском - текст Филин и кошечка на английском - текст Они сражались за Родину на английском |