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A Gradual Introduction to Russian Cyrillic

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A GRADUAL INTRODUCTION TO RUSSIAN CYRILLIC

Arthur Conan Doyle & Christian Morris


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Copyright © 2017 Christian Morris

www.christianmorris.net

All rights reserved.

Cover credits

Russia map with flag: Osipov Georgiy, Russia, Novosibirsk,

distributed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Licence

Sherlock Holmes silhouette: DooFi, on openclipart.org


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TheAdventuresofSherlockHolmesAGradualIntroductiontoRussianCyrillicScript

Introduction–whatisthisbookfor?

IstartedtolearnRussianwiththePimsleuraudiocourse4iveyearsago.Ihad,forsometime,beenanenthusiasticlanguagelearnerandIwasdelightedto4indthatIdidn’t4inditmuchmoredif4icultthanSpanishorFrench.Isoon,however,encounteredaproblem.InSpanishandFrenchIhadneededtostudythegrammarofthelanguageinordertomovetowardsmastery.Thismeantworkingwiththewrittenlanguage.Howmanyofus,whilstlearningalanguage,spendmuchofourtimeburiedinbooksofverbsandpronouns?Also,readingreinforcedmyunderstandingofthelanguagesandhelpedbuildmyvocabulary.PimsleurincludesanexcellentintroductiontoreadingRussian.ItenabledmehaltinglytoreadCyrillicbutsimplydidn’tgivemethe4luencytopreventreadingbecomingagrindingchore.Isoongaveup.WithlanguageswritteninLatinscriptreadingdoesnotpresentuswitha

greatproblem.Manylettershavesimilarsoundsinalllanguagesandevenwheretheydonot,wearesofamiliarwiththesightofthelettersthatitdoesnottakelongtoassimilatethedifferences.ConsiderthisSpanishphrase:Elvelozmurciélagohindúcomíafelizcardilloykiwi.Lacigüeñatocabaelsaxofóndetrásdelpalenquedepaja[ThequickHindubathappilyeatsgoldenthistleandkiwi,thestorkplayedthesaxophonebehindthestrawarena].Itcontainsall27lettersoftheSpanishalphabetandalldiacritics(accentsorothersignsthatchangethesoundofaletter).Itencompassesalargenumberofidiomaticsoundsinasmallspace.Yet,itispossibletomakestabatreadingitifyouarefamiliarwiththeLatinscript.Tryit!Theresultwon’tpleaseanativespeakerorateacherofSpanish–forexampleyoumightsoundthe‘h’in‘hindu’,whereinfactitshouldbesilent,doublel’smakeasoundlikea‘y’whilstthe‘j’ismorelikethe‘ch’inaScottish‘loch’.Howeverthereisenoughfamiliarinformationhereforyoutoachieveacloseapproximation.NowconsiderthisRussianphrase:Любя,съешьщипцы,—вздохнёт

мэр,—кайфжгуч![Themayorwillsigh,‘Eattheplierswithlove;pleasureburns!’].ThisusesallthelettersoftheRussianAlphabet.Ifyou’vealreadystudiedRussianscriptyouwillprobablybeabletoreaditslowly.Ifyouhavenot,reallyyouhavenochanceatall.WhilstsomeRussianlettersaresimilartoLatinequivalents–e,oanda,forexample–thereistoomuchunfamiliarinformationhereforthattobehelpful.Andlet’snotforgetthatsomeRussianletterslooklikeLatinonesbutmaketotallydifferentsounds.TheproblemasIsawitwastwo-fold.Ontheonehand,asbeginnerIhad

tolearntheRussianalphabetbyequatingittoalanguageIdidn’t


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understand.Ontheother,evenafterfollowingthislaboriousprocess,Istillcouldn’treadCyrillicwordswithany4luencybecauseIwasbattlingwithbothdecipheringthesoundsandalsounderstandingthenewlanguageatthesametime.IneededawayofimprovingmyCyrillicsymbolrecognitionbeforeIcouldgoontoactuallyreadingalanguagewritteninit.Thesolutiontothisconundrumissimple.Learningisquickerwhenyou

concentrateononeelementofdif4icultyatatime.Whatifitwerepossibletousethesymbols,butremovethedif4icultyofunderstandingthelanguage?TheCyrillicalphabet,inmostcases,hascloseapproximationstosoundsinEnglish.Allonewouldneedtodowouldbe,throughthecourseofanEnglishtext,graduallytoreplaceindividualLatincharactersfortheirequivalentinCyrillic.YouwouldstillbereadinginEnglish,butwithadifferentscript.Youwouldabsorbtheshapesandtheirsoundsslowlybyapproximatingthemtoyourownlanguage.Thatiswhatthisbookdoes.Usingoneofthebest-lovedstoriesofall

time,TheAdventuresofSherlockHolmes,LatinlettersaregraduallysubstitutedfortheirRussianCyrillicequivalents.BytheendofthebooknoneofthelettersusedisLatin:everythingisCyrillic.Thewordsyouread,however,arestillEnglish.SincethestoriesbyConanDoylearesogripping,learninginvolvesthesimplepleasureofreadingabrilliantbook.

Awordofwarningbeforeyoubegin

Thisbookisappropriatebothfornewcomerstothelanguagewishingtolearnthescriptandforthosealreadystudyingitwishingtogaingreater4luencyintheirreading.Thebookshouldnot,however,bestudiedinisolation:justasintheSpanishphraseIquoteabove,thecompletionofthisintroductionwillgiveyouanapproximateunderstandingoftheRussianCyrillicscriptandimprovedreading4luency.TheRussianlanguagehas,however,soundsandsubtletiesthatdonotalwaysmakeforstraightforwardtransliteration.Furthermore,thereareafewCyrilliclettersthatdonottransliterateatall.Iwillalertreaderstosomeofthesesubtletiesasthestoriesunfold,4inallydealingwiththefewremaininglettersattheend.Inthemeantime,letusjoinMr.SherlockHolmesasheunravelsthe

mysteriesofRussianCyrillicinhisbrilliantAdventures…


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TheAdventuresofSherlockHolmesAGradualIntroductiontoRussianCyrillicScript

StageOne:Thelettersа,еandо.

ThesethreeRussianletterscorrespondtothea,eandoinEnglish.MostRussianletters,whencapitalized,donotchangetheirshape.Forexample,дbecomesДandпbecomesП.AsinEnglish,however,аbecomesАwhilstеbecomesЕ.

АScаndаlinBоhеmiа

ChаptеrI.

TоShеrlоckHоlmеsshеisаlwаysthеwоmаn.Ihаvеsеldоmhеаrdhimmеntiоnhеrundеrаnyоthеrnаmе.Inhisеyеsshееclipsеsаndprеdоminаtеsthеwhоlеоfhеrsеx.ItwаsnоtthаthеfеltаnyеmоtiоnаkintоlоvеfоrIrеnеАdlеr.Аllеmоtiоns,аndthаtоnеpаrticulаrly,wеrеаbhоrrеnttоhiscоld,prеcisеbutаdmirаblybаlаncеdmind.Hеwаs,Itаkеit,thеmоstpеrfеctrеаsоningаndоbsеrvingmаchinеthаtthеwоrldhаssееn,butаsаlоvеrhеwоuldhаvеplаcеdhimsеlfinаfаlsеpоsitiоn.Hеnеvеrspоkеоfthеsоftеrpаssiоns,sаvеwithаgibеаndаsnееr.Thеywеrеаdmirаblеthingsfоrthеоbsеrvеr—еxcеllеntfоrdrаwingthеvеilfrоmmеn'smоtivеsаndаctiоns.Butfоrthеtrаinеdrеаsоnеrtоаdmitsuchintrusiоnsintоhisоwndеlicаtеаnd4inеlyаdjustеdtеmpеrаmеntwаstоintrоducеаdistrаctingfаctоrwhichmightthrоwаdоubtupоnаllhismеntаlrеsults.Gritinаsеnsitivеinstrumеnt,оrаcrаckinоnеоfhisоwnhigh-pоwеrlеnsеs,wоuldnоtbеmоrеdisturbingthаnаstrоngеmоtiоninаnаturеsuchаshis.Аndyеtthеrеwаsbutоnеwоmаntоhim,аndthаtwоmаnwаsthеlаtеIrеnеАdlеr,оfdubiоusаndquеstiоnаblеmеmоry.

IhаdsееnlittlеоfHоlmеslаtеly.Mymаrriаgеhаddriftеdusаwаyfrоmеаchоthеr.Myоwncоmplеtеhаppinеss,аndthеhоmе-cеntrеdintеrеstswhichrisеupаrоundthеmаnwhо4irst4indshimsеlfmаstеrоfhisоwnеstаblishmеnt,wеrеsuf4iciеnttоаbsоrbаllmyаttеntiоn,whilеHоlmеs,whоlоаthеdеvеryfоrmоfsоciеtywithhiswhоlеBоhеmiаnsоul,rеmаinеdinоurlоdgingsinBаkеrStrееt,buriеdаmоnghisоldbооks,аndаltеrnаtingfrоmwееktоwееkbеtwееncоcаinеаndаmbitiоn,thеdrоwsinеssоfthеdrug,аndthе4iеrcееnеrgyоfhisоwnkееnnаturе.Hеwаsstill,аsеvеr,dееplyаttrаctеdbythеstudyоfcrimе,аndоccupiеdhisimmеnsеfаcultiеsаndеxtrаоrdinаrypоwеrsоfоbsеrvаtiоninfоllоwingоutthоsеcluеs,аndclеаringupthоsеmystеriеswhichhаdbееnаbаndоnеdаshоpеlеssbythеоf4iciаlpоlicе.FrоmtimеtоtimеIhеаrdsоmеvаguеаccоuntоfhisdоings:


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оfhissummоnstоОdеssаinthеcаsеоfthеTrеpоffmurdеr,оfhisclеаringupоfthеsingulаrtrаgеdyоfthеАtkinsоnbrоthеrsаtTrincоmаlее,аnd4inаllyоfthеmissiоnwhichhеhаdаccоmplishеdsоdеlicаtеlyаndsuccеssfullyfоrthеrеigningfаmilyоfHоllаnd.Bеyоndthеsеsignsоfhisаctivity,hоwеvеr,whichImеrеlyshаrеdwithаllthеrеаdеrsоfthеdаilyprеss,Iknеwlittlеоfmyfоrmеrfriеndаndcоmpаniоn.

StageTwo:Thelettersб,дandм

TheselettersbearasimilaritytothoseinLatinscript:бisequivalenttob;дtod,bestrecognisedbyimaginingacapitalD;мtom.

Оnеnight—itwаsоnthеtwеntiеthоfМаrch,1888—Iwаsrеturningfrомаjоurnеytоаpаtiеnt(fоrIhадnоwrеturnедtоcivilprаcticе),whеnмywаylедмеthrоughБаkеrStrееt.АsIpаssедthеwеll-rемембеrеддооr,whichмustаlwаysбеаssоciаtедinмyмinдwithмywооing,аnдwiththедаrkinciдеntsоfthеStuдyinScаrlеt,IwаssеizедwithаkееnдеsirеtоsееHоlмеsаgаin,аnдtоknоwhоwhеwаsемplоyinghisеxtrаоrдinаrypоwеrs.Hisrоомswеrебrilliаntlylit,аnд,еvеnаsIlооkедup,Isаwhistаll,spаrе4igurеpаsstwicеinадаrksilhоuеttеаgаinstthебlinд.Hеwаspаcingthеrоомswiftly,еаgеrly,withhishеадsunkupоnhischеstаnдhishаnдsclаspедбеhinдhiм.Tоме,whоknеwhisеvеryмоодаnдhабit,hisаttituдеаnдмаnnеrtоlдthеirоwnstоry.Hеwаsаtwоrkаgаin.Hеhадrisеnоutоfhisдrug-crеаtеддrеамsаnдwаshоtupоnthеscеntоfsомеnеwprобlем.Irаngthебеllаnдwаsshоwnuptоthеchамбеrwhichhадfоrмеrlyбееninpаrtмyоwn.

Hisмаnnеrwаsnоtеffusivе.Itsеlдомwаs;бuthеwаsglад,Ithink,tоsееме.Withhаrдlyаwоrдspоkеn,бutwithаkinдlyеyе,hеwаvедмеtоаnаrмchаir,thrеwаcrоsshiscаsеоfcigаrs,аnдinдicаtедаspiritcаsеаnдаgаsоgеnеinthеcоrnеr.Thеnhеstоодбеfоrеthе4irеаnдlооkедмеоvеrinhissingulаrintrоspеctivеfаshiоn.

“Wедlоcksuitsyоu,”hеrемаrkед.“Ithink,Wаtsоn,thаtyоuhаvеputоnsеvеnаnдаhаlfpоunдssincеIsаwyоu.”

“Sеvеn!”Iаnswеrед.

“Inдеед,Ishоulдhаvеthоughtаlittlемоrе.Justаtri4lемоrе,Ifаncy,Wаtsоn.Аnдinprаcticеаgаin,Iобsеrvе.Yоuдiдnоttеllмеthаtyоuintеnдедtоgоintоhаrnеss.”


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“Thеn,hоwдоyоuknоw?”

“Isееit,Iдедucеit.HоwдоIknоwthаtyоuhаvебееngеttingyоursеlfvеrywеtlаtеly,аnдthаtyоuhаvеамоstcluмsyаnдcаrеlеsssеrvаntgirl?”

“МyдеаrHоlмеs,”sаiдI,“thisistоомuch.Yоuwоulдcеrtаinlyhаvебееnбurnед,hадyоulivедаfеwcеnturiеsаgо.ItistruеthаtIhадаcоuntrywаlkоnThursдаyаnдcамеhомеinадrеадfulмеss,бutаsIhаvеchаngедмyclоthеsIcаn'tiмаginеhоwyоuдедucеit.АstоМаryJаnе,shеisincоrrigiбlе,аnдмywifеhаsgivеnhеrnоticе,бutthеrе,аgаin,Ifаiltоsееhоwyоuwоrkitоut.”

Hеchucklедtоhiмsеlfаnдruббедhislоng,nеrvоushаnдstоgеthеr.

“Itissiмplicityitsеlf,”sаiдhе;“мyеyеstеllмеthаtоnthеinsiдеоfyоurlеftshое,justwhеrеthе4irеlightstrikеsit,thеlеаthеrisscоrедбysixаlмоstpаrаllеlcuts.Обviоuslythеyhаvебееncаusедбysомеоnеwhоhаsvеrycаrеlеsslyscrаpедrоunдthеедgеsоfthеsоlеinоrдеrtоrемоvеcrustедмuдfrомit.Hеncе,yоusее,мyдоuбlедедuctiоnthаtyоuhадбееnоutinvilеwеаthеr,аnдthаtyоuhадаpаrticulаrlyмаlignаntбооt-slittingspеciмеnоfthеLоnдоnslаvеy.Аstоyоurprаcticе,ifаgеntlемаnwаlksintомyrоомssмеllingоfiодоfоrм,withабlаckмаrkоfnitrаtеоfsilvеrupоnhisrightfоrе4ingеr,аnдабulgеоnthеrightsiдеоfhistоp-hаttоshоwwhеrеhеhаssеcrеtедhisstеthоscоpе,Iмustбедull,inдеед,ifIдоnоtprоnоuncеhiмtобеаnаctivемембеrоfthемедicаlprоfеssiоn.”

Icоulдnоthеlplаughingаtthееаsеwithwhichhееxplаinедhisprоcеssоfдедuctiоn.“WhеnIhеаryоugivеyоurrеаsоns,”Irемаrkед,“thеthingаlwаysаppеаrstомеtобеsоriдiculоuslysiмplеthаtIcоulдеаsilyдоitмysеlf,thоughаtеаchsuccеssivеinstаncеоfyоurrеаsоningIамбаf4lедuntilyоuеxplаinyоurprоcеss.АnдyеtIбеliеvеthаtмyеyеsаrеаsgоодаsyоurs.”

“Quitеsо,”hеаnswеrед,lightingаcigаrеttе,аnдthrоwinghiмsеlfдоwnintоаnаrмchаir.“Yоusее,бutyоuдоnоtобsеrvе.Thедistinctiоnisclеаr.Fоrеxамplе,yоuhаvеfrеquеntlysееnthеstеpswhichlеадupfrомthеhаlltоthisrоом.”

“Frеquеntly.”

“Hоwоftеn?”


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“Wеll,sомеhunдrедsоftiмеs.”

“Thеnhоwмаnyаrеthеrе?”

“Hоwмаny?Iдоn'tknоw.”

“Quitеsо!Yоuhаvеnоtобsеrvед.Аnдyеtyоuhаvеsееn.Thаtisjustмypоint.Nоw,Iknоwthаtthеrеаrеsеvеntееnstеps,беcаusеIhаvебоthsееnаnдобsеrvед.Бy-thе-wаy,sincеyоuаrеintеrеstедinthеsеlittlеprобlемs,аnдsincеyоuаrеgоодеnоughtоchrоniclеоnеоrtwооfмytri4lingеxpеriеncеs,yоuмаyбеintеrеstедinthis.”Hеthrеwоvеrаshееtоfthick,pink-tintедnоtе-pаpеrwhichhадбееnlyingоpеnupоnthеtабlе.“Itcамебythеlаstpоst,”sаiдhе.“Rеадitаlоuд.”

Thеnоtеwаsunдаtед,аnдwithоutеithеrsignаturеоrаддrеss.

“Thеrеwillcаllupоnyоutо-night,аtаquаrtеrtоеightо'clоck,”itsаiд,“аgеntlемаnwhодеsirеstоcоnsultyоuupоnамаttеrоfthеvеryдееpеstмомеnt.YоurrеcеntsеrvicеstооnеоfthеrоyаlhоusеsоfЕurоpеhаvеshоwnthаtyоuаrеоnеwhомаysаfеlyбеtrustедwithмаttеrswhichаrеоfаniмpоrtаncеwhichcаnhаrдlyбееxаggеrаtед.Thisаccоuntоfyоuwеhаvеfrомаllquаrtеrsrеcеivед.Беinyоurchамбеrthеnаtthаthоur,аnддоnоttаkеitамissifyоurvisitоrwеаrамаsk.”

“Thisisinдеедамystеry,”Irемаrkед.“Whаtдоyоuiмаginеthаtitмеаns?”

“Ihаvеnодаtаyеt.Itisаcаpitаlмistаkеtоthеоrizебеfоrеоnеhаsдаtа.Insеnsiбlyоnебеginstоtwistfаctstоsuitthеоriеs,instеадоfthеоriеstоsuitfаcts.Бutthеnоtеitsеlf.Whаtдоyоuдедucеfrомit?”

Icаrеfullyеxамinедthеwriting,аnдthеpаpеrupоnwhichitwаswrittеn.

“Thемаnwhоwrоtеitwаsprеsuмабlywеlltодо,”Irемаrkед,еnдеаvоuringtоiмitаtемycомpаniоn'sprоcеssеs.“Suchpаpеrcоulдnоtбебоughtunдеrhаlfаcrоwnаpаckеt.Itispеculiаrlystrоngаnдstiff.”

“Pеculiаr—thаtisthеvеrywоrд,”sаiдHоlмеs.“ItisnоtаnЕnglishpаpеrаtаll.Hоlдituptоthеlight.”

Iдiдsо,аnдsаwаlаrgе“Е”withаsмаll“g,”а“P,”аnдаlаrgе“G”withа


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sмаll“t”wоvеnintоthеtеxturеоfthеpаpеr.

“Whаtдоyоuмаkеоfthаt?”аskедHоlмеs.

“Thеnамеоfthемаkеr,nодоuбt;оrhisмоnоgrам,rаthеr.”

“Nоtаtаll.Thе‘G’withthеsмаll‘t’stаnдsfоr‘Gеsеllschаft,’whichisthеGеrмаnfоr‘Cомpаny.’Itisаcustомаrycоntrаctiоnlikеоur‘Cо.’‘P,’оfcоursе,stаnдsfоr‘Pаpiеr.’Nоwfоrthе‘Еg.’LеtusglаncеаtоurCоntinеntаlGаzеttееr.”Hеtооkдоwnаhеаvyбrоwnvоluмеfrомhisshеlvеs.“Еglоw,Еglоnitz—hеrеwеаrе,Еgriа.ItisinаGеrмаn-spеаkingcоuntry—inБоhемiа,nоtfаrfrомCаrlsбад.‘RемаrkабlеаsбеingthеscеnеоfthедеаthоfWаllеnstеin,аnдfоritsnuмеrоusglаss-fаctоriеsаnдpаpеr-мills.’Hа,hа,мyбоy,whаtдоyоuмаkеоfthаt?”Hisеyеsspаrklед,аnдhеsеntupаgrеаtбluеtriuмphаntclоuдfrомhiscigаrеttе.

“ThеpаpеrwаsмадеinБоhемiа,”Isаiд.

“Prеcisеly.АnдthемаnwhоwrоtеthеnоtеisаGеrмаn.Доyоunоtеthеpеculiаrcоnstructiоnоfthеsеntеncе—‘Thisаccоuntоfyоuwеhаvеfrомаllquаrtеrsrеcеivед.’АFrеnchмаnоrRussiаncоulдnоthаvеwrittеnthаt.ItisthеGеrмаnwhоissоuncоurtеоustоhisvеrбs.Itоnlyrемаins,thеrеfоrе,tодiscоvеrwhаtiswаntедбythisGеrмаnwhоwritеsupоnБоhемiаnpаpеrаnдprеfеrswеаringамаsktоshоwinghisfаcе.Аnдhеrеhеcомеs,ifIамnоtмistаkеn,tоrеsоlvеаllоurдоuбts.”

Аshеspоkеthеrеwаsthеshаrpsоunдоfhоrsеs'hооfsаnдgrаtingwhееlsаgаinstthеcurб,fоllоwедбyаshаrppullаtthебеll.Hоlмеswhistlед.

“Аpаir,бythеsоunд,”sаiдhе.“Yеs,”hеcоntinuед,glаncingоutоfthеwinдоw.“Аnicеlittlебrоughамаnдаpаirоfбеаutiеs.Аhunдrедаnд4iftyguinеаsаpiеcе.Thеrе'sмоnеyinthiscаsе,Wаtsоn,ifthеrеisnоthingеlsе.”

“IthinkthаtIhадбеttеrgо,Hоlмеs.”

“Nоtабit,Доctоr.Stаywhеrеyоuаrе.IамlоstwithоutмyБоswеll.Аnдthisprомisеstобеintеrеsting.Itwоulдбеаpitytомissit.”

“Бutyоurcliеnt—”

“Nеvеrмinдhiм.Iмаywаntyоurhеlp,аnдsомаyhе.Hеrеhеcомеs.Sit


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доwninthаtаrмchаir,Доctоr,аnдgivеusyоurбеstаttеntiоn.”

Аslоwаnдhеаvystеp,whichhадбееnhеаrдupоnthеstаirsаnдinthеpаssаgе,pаusедiммедiаtеlyоutsiдеthедооr.Thеnthеrеwаsаlоuдаnдаuthоritаtivеtаp.

“Cомеin!”sаiдHоlмеs.

StageThree:thelettersтandк

Again,theselettersareeasytoassimilate.тreplacestwhilstкreplacesk.

Амаnеnтеrедwhоcоulдhаrдlyhаvебееnlеssтhаnsixfеетsixinchеsinhеighт,wiтhтhеchеsтаnдliмбsоfаHеrculеs.Hisдrеsswаsrichwiтhаrichnеsswhichwоulд,inЕnglаnд,беlоокедupоnаsакinтобадтаsте.Hеаvyбаnдsоfаsтrакhаnwеrеslаshедаcrоssтhеslееvеsаnдfrоnтsоfhisдоuбlе-бrеаsтедcоат,whilетhедееpбluеclоакwhichwаsтhrоwnоvеrhisshоulдеrswаslinедwiтh4lаме-cоlоurедsilкаnдsеcurедаттhеnеcкwiтhабrооchwhichcоnsisтедоfаsinglе4lамingбеryl.Боотswhichеxтеnдедhаlfwаyuphiscаlvеs,аnдwhichwеrетriммедаттhетоpswiтhrichбrоwnfur,cомplетедтhеiмprеssiоnоfбаrбаricоpulеncеwhichwаssuggеsтедбyhiswhоlеаppеаrаncе.Hеcаrriедабrоад-бriммедhатinhishаnд,whilеhеwоrеаcrоssтhеuppеrpаrтоfhisfаcе,еxтеnдingдоwnpаsттhеchеекбоnеs,абlаcкvizаrдмаsк,whichhеhадаppаrеnтlyадjusтедтhатvеryмомеnт,fоrhishаnдwаssтillrаisедтоiтаshееnтеrед.Frомтhеlоwеrpаrтоfтhеfаcеhеаppеаrедтобеамаnоfsтrоngchаrаcтеr,wiтhатhicк,hаnginglip,аnдаlоng,sтrаighтchinsuggеsтivеоfrеsоluтiоnpushедтотhеlеngтhоfобsтinаcy.

“Yоuhадмynоте?”hеаsкедwiтhадееphаrshvоicеаnдаsтrоnglyмаrкедGеrмаnаccеnт.“IтоlдyоuтhатIwоulдcаll.”Hеlоокедfrомоnетотhеотhеrоfus,аsifuncеrтаinwhichтоаддrеss.

“Prаyтакеаsеат,”sаiдHоlмеs.“Тhisisмyfriеnдаnдcоllеаguе,Дr.Wатsоn,whоisоccаsiоnаllygоодеnоughтоhеlpмеinмycаsеs.WhомhаvеIтhеhоnоurтоаддrеss?”

“YоuмаyаддrеssмеаsтhеCоunтVоnКrамм,аБоhемiаnnобlемаn.Iunдеrsтаnдтhаттhisgеnтlемаn,yоurfriеnд,isамаnоfhоnоurаnддiscrетiоn,whомIмаyтrusтwiтhаматтеrоfтhемоsтеxтrемеiмpоrтаncе.Ifnот,Ishоulдмuchprеfеrтоcоммunicатеwiтhyоuаlоnе.”


11

Irоsетоgо,бuтHоlмеscаughтмебyтhеwrisтаnдpushедмебаcкinтомychаir.“Iтisботh,оrnоnе,”sаiдhе.“Yоuмаysаyбеfоrетhisgеnтlемаnаnyтhingwhichyоuмаysаyтоме.”

ТhеCоunтshruggедhisбrоадshоulдеrs.“ТhеnIмusтбеgin,”sаiдhе,“бyбinдingyоuботhтоабsоluтеsеcrеcyfоrтwоyеаrs;аттhееnдоfтhаттiметhематтеrwillбеоfnоiмpоrтаncе.Атprеsеnтiтisnоттоомuchтоsаyтhатiтisоfsuchwеighтiтмаyhаvеаnin4luеncеupоnЕurоpеаnhisтоry.”

“Iprомisе,”sаiдHоlмеs.

“АnдI.”

“Yоuwillеxcusетhisмаsк,”cоnтinuедоursтrаngеvisiтоr.“Тhеаugusтpеrsоnwhоемplоysмеwishеshisаgеnттобеunкnоwnтоyоu,аnдIмаycоnfеssатоncетhаттhетiтlебywhichIhаvеjusтcаllедмysеlfisnотеxаcтlyмyоwn.”

“Iwаsаwаrеоfiт,”sаiдHоlмеsдryly.

“Тhеcircuмsтаncеsаrеоfgrеатдеlicаcy,аnдеvеryprеcаuтiоnhаsтобетакеnтоquеnchwhатмighтgrоwтобеаniммеnsеscаnдаlаnдsеriоuslycомprомisеоnеоfтhеrеigningfамiliеsоfЕurоpе.Тоspеакplаinly,тhематтеriмplicатеsтhеgrеатHоusеоfОrмsтеin,hеrедiтаryкingsоfБоhемiа.”

“Iwаsаlsоаwаrеоfтhат,”мurмurедHоlмеs,sеттlinghiмsеlfдоwninhisаrмchаirаnдclоsinghisеyеs.

Оurvisiтоrglаncедwiтhsомеаppаrеnтsurprisеаттhеlаnguiд,lоunging4igurеоfтhемаnwhоhадбееnnодоuбтдеpicтедтоhiмаsтhемоsтincisivеrеаsоnеrаnдмоsтеnеrgетicаgеnтinЕurоpе.Hоlмеsslоwlyrеоpеnедhisеyеsаnдlоокедiмpатiеnтlyатhisgigаnтiccliеnт.

“IfyоurМаjеsтywоulдcоnдеscеnдтоsтатеyоurcаsе,”hеrемаrкед,“Ishоulдбебеттеrабlетоадvisеyоu.”

Тhемаnsprаngfrомhischаirаnдpаcедupаnддоwnтhеrоомinuncоnтrоllабlеаgiтатiоn.Тhеn,wiтhаgеsтurеоfдеspеrатiоn,hетоrетhемаsкfrомhisfаcеаnдhurlедiтupоnтhеgrоunд.“Yоuаrеrighт,”hеcriед;“IамтhеКing.WhyshоulдIаттемpттоcоncеаliт?”


12

“Why,inдеед?”мurмurедHоlмеs.“YоurМаjеsтyhадnотspокеnбеfоrеIwаsаwаrетhатIwаsаддrеssingWilhеlмGоттsrеichSigisмоnдvоnОrмsтеin,GrаnдДuкеоfCаssеl-Fеlsтеin,аnдhеrедiтаryКingоfБоhемiа.”

“Бuтyоucаnunдеrsтаnд,”sаiдоursтrаngеvisiтоr,siттingдоwnоncемоrеаnдpаssinghishаnдоvеrhishighwhiтеfоrеhеад,“yоucаnunдеrsтаnдтhатIамnотаccusтомедтодоingsuchбusinеssinмyоwnpеrsоn.YеттhематтеrwаssодеlicатетhатIcоulдnотcоn4iдеiттоаnаgеnтwiтhоuтpuттingмysеlfinhispоwеr.IhаvеcомеincоgniтоfrомPrаguеfоrтhеpurpоsеоfcоnsulтingyоu.”

“Тhеn,prаycоnsulт,”sаiдHоlмеs,shuттinghisеyеsоncемоrе.

“Тhеfаcтsаrебriе4lyтhеsе:Sоме4ivеyеаrsаgо,дuringаlеngтhyvisiттоWаrsаw,Iмадетhеаcquаinтаncеоfтhеwеll-кnоwnадvеnтurеss,IrеnеАдlеr.Тhеnамеisnодоuбтfамiliаrтоyоu.”

“Кinдlylоокhеrupinмyinдеx,Доcтоr,”мurмurедHоlмеswiтhоuтоpеninghisеyеs.Fоrмаnyyеаrshеhададоpтедаsysтемоfдоcкетingаllpаrаgrаphscоncеrningмеnаnдтhings,sотhатiтwаsдif4iculттоnамеаsuбjеcтоrаpеrsоnоnwhichhеcоulдnотатоncеfurnishinfоrматiоn.InтhiscаsеIfоunдhеrбiоgrаphysаnдwichедinбетwееnтhатоfаHебrеwrаббiаnдтhатоfаsтаff-cоммаnдеrwhоhадwriттеnамоnоgrаphupоnтhедееp-sеа4ishеs.

“Lетмеsее!”sаiдHоlмеs.“Huм!БоrninNеwJеrsеyinтhеyеаr1858.Cоnтrаlто—huм!LаScаlа,huм!PriмадоnnаIмpеriаlОpеrаоfWаrsаw—yеs!Rетirедfrомоpеrатicsтаgе—hа!LivinginLоnдоn—quiтеsо!YоurМаjеsтy,аsIunдеrsтаnд,беcамееnтаnglедwiтhтhisyоungpеrsоn,wrотеhеrsомеcомprомisinglеттеrs,аnдisnоwдеsirоusоfgеттingтhоsеlеттеrsбаcк.”

“Prеcisеlysо.Бuтhоw—”

“Wаsтhеrеаsеcrетмаrriаgе?”

“Nоnе.”

“Nоlеgаlpаpеrsоrcеrтi4icатеs?”

“Nоnе.”

“ТhеnIfаilтоfоllоwyоurМаjеsтy.Ifтhisyоungpеrsоnshоulдprодucе


13

hеrlеттеrsfоrбlаcкмаilingоrотhеrpurpоsеs,hоwisshетоprоvетhеirаuтhеnтiciтy?”

“Тhеrеisтhеwriтing.”

“Pооh,pооh!Fоrgеry.”

“Мyprivатеnоте-pаpеr.”

“Sтоlеn.”

“Мyоwnsеаl.”

“Iмiтатед.”

“Мyphотоgrаph.”

“Боughт.”

“Wеwеrеботhinтhеphотоgrаph.”

“Оh,деаr!Тhатisvеryбад!YоurМаjеsтyhаsinдеедcоммiттедаninдiscrетiоn.”

“Iwаsмад—insаnе.”

“Yоuhаvеcомprомisедyоursеlfsеriоusly.”

“IwаsоnlyCrоwnPrincетhеn.Iwаsyоung.Iамбuттhirтynоw.”

“Iтмusтбеrеcоvеrед.”

“Wеhаvетriедаnдfаilед.”

“YоurМаjеsтyмusтpаy.Iтмusтбебоughт.”

“Shеwillnотsеll.”

“Sтоlеn,тhеn.”

“Fivеаттемpтshаvебееnмаде.Тwicебurglаrsinмypаyrаnsаcкедhеrhоusе.Оncеwедivеrтедhеrluggаgеwhеnshетrаvеllед.Тwicеshеhаs


14

бееnwаylаiд.Тhеrеhаsбееnnоrеsulт.”

“Nоsignоfiт?”

“Абsоluтеlynоnе.”

Hоlмеslаughед.“Iтisquiтеаprеттyliттlеprобlем,”sаiдhе.

“Бuтаvеrysеriоusоnетоме,”rетurnедтhеКingrеprоаchfully.

“Vеry,inдеед.Аnдwhатдоеsshеprоpоsетодоwiтhтhеphотоgrаph?”

“Тоruinме.”

“Бuтhоw?”

“Iамабоuттобемаrriед.”

“SоIhаvеhеаrд.”

“ТоClотilдеLотhмаnvоnSаxе-Меningеn,sеcоnддаughтеrоfтhеКingоfScаnдinаviа.Yоuмаyкnоwтhеsтricтprinciplеsоfhеrfамily.Shеishеrsеlfтhеvеrysоulоfдеlicаcy.Аshадоwоfадоuбтаsтомycоnдucтwоulдбringтhематтеrтоаnеnд.”

“АnдIrеnеАдlеr?”

“Тhrеатеnsтоsеnдтhемтhеphотоgrаph.Аnдshеwillдоiт.Iкnоwтhатshеwillдоiт.Yоuдоnоткnоwhеr,бuтshеhаsаsоulоfsтееl.Shеhаsтhеfаcеоfтhемоsтбеаuтifulоfwомеn,аnдтhемinдоfтhемоsтrеsоluтеоfмеn.RатhеrтhаnIshоulдмаrryаnотhеrwомаn,тhеrеаrеnоlеngтhsтоwhichshеwоulдnотgо—nоnе.”

“Yоuаrеsurетhатshеhаsnотsеnтiтyет?”

“Iамsurе.”

“Аnдwhy?”

“Беcаusеshеhаssаiдтhатshеwоulдsеnдiтоnтhедаywhеnтhебетrотhаlwаspuбliclyprоclаiмед.ТhатwillбеnеxтМоnдаy.”

“Оh,тhеnwеhаvетhrеедаysyет,”sаiдHоlмеswiтhаyаwn.“Тhатis


15

vеryfоrтunате,аsIhаvеоnеоrтwоматтеrsоfiмpоrтаncетоlоокinтоjusтатprеsеnт.YоurМаjеsтywill,оfcоursе,sтаyinLоnдоnfоrтhеprеsеnт?”

“Cеrтаinly.Yоuwill4inдмеаттhеLаnghамunдеrтhеnамеоfтhеCоunтVоnКrамм.”

“ТhеnIshаllдrоpyоuаlinетоlетyоuкnоwhоwwеprоgrеss.”

“Prаyдоsо.Ishаllбеаllаnxiетy.”

“Тhеn,аsтомоnеy?”

“Yоuhаvеcаrтебlаnchе.”

“Абsоluтеly?”

“IтеllyоuтhатIwоulдgivеоnеоfтhеprоvincеsоfмyкingдомтоhаvетhатphотоgrаph.”

“Аnдfоrprеsеnтеxpеnsеs?”

ТhеКingтоокаhеаvychамоislеатhеrбаgfrомunдеrhisclоакаnдlаiдiтоnтhетабlе.

“Тhеrеаrетhrееhunдrедpоunдsingоlдаnдsеvеnhunдrедinnотеs,”hеsаiд.

Hоlмеsscriббlедаrеcеipтupоnаshеетоfhisnоте-боокаnдhаnдедiттоhiм.

“АnдМадемоisеllе'sаддrеss?”hеаsкед.

“IsБriоnyLодgе,SеrpеnтinеАvеnuе,Sт.Jоhn'sWоод.”

Hоlмеsтоокаnотеоfiт.“Оnеотhеrquеsтiоn,”sаiдhе.“Wаsтhеphотоgrаphаcабinет?”

“Iтwаs.”

“Тhеn,gоод-nighт,yоurМаjеsтy,аnдIтrusттhатwеshаllsооnhаvеsомеgоодnеwsfоryоu.Аnдgоод-nighт,Wатsоn,”hеаддед,аsтhеwhееlsоfтhеrоyаlбrоughамrоllеддоwnтhеsтrеет.“Ifyоuwillбеgоодеnоughто


16

cаllто-моrrоwаfтеrnооnаттhrеео'clоcкIshоulдliкетоchаттhisliттlематтеrоvеrwiтhyоu.”


17

StageFour:шreplaces'sh'andжreplaces'su'

ThislettercorrespondstotheEnglish'sh'soundasin'shop'.ThereisavariantofthisinRussianwhichlooksthesamebuthasatail:щ.Thesoundisof4iciallyalong‘sh’orsometimestransliterateas‘shch’.Inpracticethesounddoesnotdifferenormouslyfromш.Wewillstickentirelytoш.

Жisalsosimilartoш,thoughthesoundhasmoreofzsound,asin‘pleasure’or‘measure’.Itwillonlybeusedtoreplace‘su’inwordswiththeseendings,sinceonotheroccasionsthe‘su’combinationmakesaratherdifferentsound,asinthewords‘superb’or‘suddenly’.

ChаpтеrII

Аттhrеео'clоcкprеcisеlyIwаsатБакеrSтrеет,бuтHоlмеshадnотyетrетurnед.Тhеlаnдlадyinfоrмедметhатhеhадlеfттhеhоusешоrтlyаfтеrеighто'clоcкinтhемоrning.Isатдоwnбеsiдетhе4irе,hоwеvеr,wiтhтhеinтеnтiоnоfаwаiтinghiм,hоwеvеrlоnghемighтбе.Iwаsаlrеадyдееplyinтеrеsтедinhisinquiry,fоr,тhоughiтwаssurrоunдедбynоnеоfтhеgriмаnдsтrаngеfеатurеswhichwеrеаssоciатедwiтhтhетwоcriмеswhichIhаvеаlrеадyrеcоrдед,sтill,тhеnатurеоfтhеcаsеаnдтhееxаlтедsтатiоnоfhiscliеnтgаvеiтаchаrаcтеrоfiтsоwn.Inдеед,аpаrтfrомтhеnатurеоfтhеinvеsтigатiоnwhichмyfriеnдhадоnhаnд,тhеrеwаssометhinginhisмаsтеrlygrаspоfаsiтuатiоn,аnдhisкееn,incisivеrеаsоning,whichмадеiтаplеажrетометоsтuдyhissysтемоfwоrк,аnдтоfоllоwтhеquicк,suбтlеметhодsбywhichhедisеnтаnglедтhемоsтinеxтricабlемysтеriеs.SоаccusтомедwаsIтоhisinvаriабlеsuccеssтhаттhеvеrypоssiбiliтyоfhisfаilinghадcеаsедтоеnтеrinтомyhеад.

Iтwаsclоsеupоnfоurбеfоrетhедооrоpеnед,аnдадrunкеn-lоокinggrоом,ill-кемpтаnдsiде-whisкеrед,wiтhаnin4lамедfаcеаnддisrеpuтабlеclотhеs,wаlкедinтотhеrоом.АccusтомедаsIwаsтомyfriеnд'sамаzingpоwеrsinтhеusеоfдisguisеs,IhадтоlооктhrеетiмеsбеfоrеIwаscеrтаinтhатiтwаsinдеедhе.Wiтhаnодhеvаniшедinтотhебедrоом,whеncеhеемеrgедin4ivемinuтеsтwеед-suiтедаnдrеspеcтабlе,аsоfоlд.Puттinghishаnдsinтоhispоcкетs,hеsтrетchедоuтhislеgsinfrоnтоfтhе4irеаnдlаughедhеаrтilyfоrsомемinuтеs.

“Wеll,rеаlly!”hеcriед,аnдтhеnhеchокедаnдlаughедаgаinunтilhе


18

wаsобligедтоliебаcк,liмpаnдhеlplеss,inтhеchаir.

“Whатisiт?”

“Iт'squiтетооfunny.IамsurеyоucоulдnеvеrguеsshоwIемplоyедмyмоrning,оrwhатIеnдедбyдоing.”

“Icаn'тiмаginе.Isuppоsетhатyоuhаvебееnwатchingтhеhабiтs,аnдpеrhаpsтhеhоusе,оfМissIrеnеАдlеr.”

“Quiтеsо;бuттhеsеquеlwаsrатhеrunusuаl.Iwillтеllyоu,hоwеvеr.Ilеfттhеhоusеаliттlеаfтеrеighто'clоcктhisмоrninginтhеchаrаcтеrоfаgrоомоuтоfwоrк.Тhеrеisаwоnдеrfulsyмpатhyаnдfrеемаsоnryамоnghоrsеyмеn.Беоnеоfтhем,аnдyоuwillкnоwаllтhаттhеrеisтокnоw.IsооnfоunдБriоnyLодgе.Iтisабijоuvillа,wiтhаgаrдеnаттhебаcк,бuтбuilтоuтinfrоnтrighтupтотhеrоад,тwоsтоriеs.Chuббlоcктотhедооr.Lаrgеsiттing-rоомоnтhеrighтsiде,wеllfurniшед,wiтhlоngwinдоwsаlмоsттотhе4lооr,аnдтhоsеprеpоsтеrоusЕngliшwinдоwfаsтеnеrswhichаchilдcоulдоpеn.Беhinдтhеrеwаsnотhingrемаrкабlе,sаvетhаттhеpаssаgеwinдоwcоulдбеrеаchедfrомтhетоpоfтhеcоаch-hоusе.Iwаlкедrоunдiтаnдеxамinедiтclоsеlyfrомеvеrypоinтоfviеw,бuтwiтhоuтnотingаnyтhingеlsеоfinтеrеsт.

“Iтhеnlоungеддоwnтhеsтrеетаnдfоunд,аsIеxpеcтед,тhаттhеrеwаsамеwsinаlаnеwhichrunsдоwnбyоnеwаllоfтhеgаrдеn.Ilеnттhеоsтlеrsаhаnдinruббingдоwnтhеirhоrsеs,аnдrеcеivедinеxchаngетwоpеncе,аglаssоfhаlfаnдhаlf,тwо4illsоfшаgтобаccо,аnдаsмuchinfоrматiоnаsIcоulддеsirеабоuтМissАдlеr,тоsаynотhingоfhаlfадоzеnотhеrpеоplеinтhеnеighбоurhоодinwhомIwаsnотinтhеlеаsтinтеrеsтед,бuтwhоsебiоgrаphiеsIwаscомpеllедтоlisтеnто.”

“АnдwhатоfIrеnеАдlеr?”Iаsкед.

“Оh,шеhаsтurnедаllтhемеn'shеадsдоwninтhатpаrт.Шеisтhедаinтiеsттhingunдеrабоnnетоnтhisplаnет.SоsаyтhеSеrpеnтinе-меws,тоамаn.Шеlivеsquiетly,singsатcоncеrтs,дrivеsоuтат4ivееvеryдаy,аnдrетurnsатsеvеnшаrpfоrдinnеr.Sеlдомgоеsоuтатотhеrтiмеs,еxcеpтwhеnшеsings.Hаsоnlyоnемаlеvisiтоr,бuтаgооддеаlоfhiм.Hеisдаrк,hаnдsоме,аnддашing,nеvеrcаllslеssтhаnоncеадаy,аnдоfтеnтwicе.HеisаМr.GодfrеyNоrтоn,оfтhеInnеrТемplе.Sеетhеадvаnтаgеsоfаcабмаnаsаcоn4iдаnт.ТhеyhаддrivеnhiмhомеадоzеnтiмеsfrомSеrpеnтinе-меws,аnдкnеwаllабоuтhiм.WhеnIhадlisтеnедтоаllтhеyhадтотеll,IбеgаnтоwаlкupаnддоwnnеаrБriоnyLодgеоncемоrе,аnд


19

тотhinкоvеrмyplаnоfcамpаign.

“ТhisGодfrеyNоrтоnwаsеviдеnтlyаniмpоrтаnтfаcтоrinтhематтеr.Hеwаsаlаwyеr.Тhатsоunдедомinоus.Whатwаsтhеrеlатiоnбетwееnтhем,аnдwhаттhеобjеcтоfhisrеpеатедvisiтs?Wаsшеhiscliеnт,hisfriеnд,оrhisмisтrеss?Ifтhеfоrмеr,шеhадprобабlyтrаnsfеrrедтhеphотоgrаphтоhisкееping.Ifтhеlаттеr,iтwаslеssliкеly.ОnтhеissuеоfтhisquеsтiоnдеpеnдедwhетhеrIшоulдcоnтinuемywоrкатБriоnyLодgе,оrтurnмyаттеnтiоnтотhеgеnтlемаn'schамбеrsinтhеТемplе.Iтwаsадеlicатеpоinт,аnдiтwiдеnедтhе4iеlдоfмyinquiry.IfеаrтhатIбоrеyоuwiтhтhеsедетаils,бuтIhаvетоlетyоusеемyliттlедif4iculтiеs,ifyоuаrетоunдеrsтаnдтhеsiтuатiоn.”

“Iамfоllоwingyоuclоsеly,”Iаnswеrед.

“IwаssтillбаlаncingтhематтеrinмyмinдwhеnаhаnsомcабдrоvеupтоБriоnyLодgе,аnдаgеnтlемаnsprаngоuт.Hеwаsаrемаrкабlyhаnдsомемаn,даrк,аquilinе,аnдмоusтаchед—еviдеnтlyтhемаnоfwhомIhадhеаrд.Hеаppеаrедтобеinаgrеатhurry,шоuтедтотhеcабмаnтоwаiт,аnдбruшедpаsттhемаiдwhооpеnедтhедооrwiтhтhеаirоfамаnwhоwаsтhоrоughlyатhоме.

“Hеwаsinтhеhоusеабоuтhаlfаnhоur,аnдIcоulдcатchgliмpsеsоfhiмinтhеwinдоwsоfтhеsiттing-rоом,pаcingupаnддоwn,таlкingеxciтедly,аnдwаvinghisаrмs.ОfhеrIcоulдsееnотhing.Prеsеnтlyhеемеrgед,lоокingеvеnмоrе4lurriедтhаnбеfоrе.Аshеsтеppедupтотhеcаб,hеpullедаgоlдwатchfrомhispоcкетаnдlоокедатiтеаrnеsтly,‘Дrivеliкетhедеvil,’hешоuтед,‘4irsттоGrоss&Hаnкеy'sinRеgеnтSтrеет,аnдтhеnтотhеChurchоfSт.МоnicаinтhеЕдgеwаrеRоад.Hаlfаguinеаifyоuдоiтinтwеnтyмinuтеs!’

“Аwаyтhеywеnт,аnдIwаsjusтwоnдеringwhетhеrIшоulдnотдоwеllтоfоllоwтhемwhеnupтhеlаnеcамеаnеатliттlеlаnдаu,тhеcоаchмаnwiтhhiscоатоnlyhаlf-бuттоnед,аnдhisтiеunдеrhisеаr,whilеаllтhетаgsоfhishаrnеsswеrеsтicкingоuтоfтhебucкlеs.Iтhадn'тpullедupбеfоrешешотоuтоfтhеhаllдооrаnдinтоiт.Iоnlycаughтаgliмpsеоfhеrаттhемомеnт,бuтшеwаsаlоvеlywомаn,wiтhаfаcетhатамаnмighтдiеfоr.

“‘ТhеChurchоfSт.Моnicа,Jоhn,’шеcriед,‘аnдhаlfаsоvеrеignifyоurеаchiтinтwеnтyмinuтеs.’

“Тhiswаsquiтетооgоодтоlоsе,Wатsоn.Iwаsjusтбаlаncingwhетhеr


20

Iшоulдrunfоriт,оrwhетhеrIшоulдpеrchбеhinдhеrlаnдаuwhеnаcабcаметhrоughтhеsтrеет.Тhедrivеrlоокедтwicеатsuchашаббyfаrе,бuтIjuмpедinбеfоrеhеcоulдобjеcт.‘ТhеChurchоfSт.Моnicа,’sаiдI,‘аnдhаlfаsоvеrеignifyоurеаchiтinтwеnтyмinuтеs.’Iтwаsтwеnтy-4ivемinuтеsтотwеlvе,аnдоfcоursеiтwаsclеаrеnоughwhатwаsinтhеwinд.

“Мycаббyдrоvеfаsт.Iдоn'ттhinкIеvеrдrоvеfаsтеr,бuттhеотhеrswеrетhеrебеfоrеus.ТhеcабаnдтhеlаnдаuwiтhтhеirsтеамinghоrsеswеrеinfrоnтоfтhедооrwhеnIаrrivед.Ipаiдтhемаnаnдhurriедinтотhеchurch.ТhеrеwаsnотаsоulтhеrеsаvетhетwоwhомIhадfоllоwедаnдаsurplicедclеrgyмаn,whоsеемедтобееxpоsтulатingwiтhтhем.Тhеywеrеаllтhrееsтаnдinginакnотinfrоnтоfтhеаlтаr.Ilоungедupтhеsiдеаislеliкеаnyотhеriдlеrwhоhаsдrоppедinтоаchurch.Suддеnly,томysurprisе,тhетhrееаттhеаlтаrfаcедrоunдтоме,аnдGодfrеyNоrтоncамеrunningаshаrдаshеcоulдтоwаrдsме.

“‘ТhаnкGод,’hеcriед.‘Yоu'llдо.Cоме!Cоме!’

“‘Whаттhеn?’Iаsкед.

“‘Cоме,маn,cоме,оnlyтhrеемinuтеs,оriтwоn'тбеlеgаl.’

“Iwаshаlf-дrаggедupтотhеаlтаr,аnдбеfоrеIкnеwwhеrеIwаsIfоunдмysеlfмuмбlingrеspоnsеswhichwеrеwhispеrедinмyеаr,аnдvоuchingfоrтhingsоfwhichIкnеwnотhing,аnдgеnеrаllyаssisтinginтhеsеcurетyingupоfIrеnеАдlеr,spinsтеr,тоGодfrеyNоrтоn,баchеlоr.Iтwаsаllдоnеinаninsтаnт,аnдтhеrеwаsтhеgеnтlемаnтhаnкingмеоnтhеоnеsiдеаnдтhеlадyоnтhеотhеr,whilетhеclеrgyмаnбеамедоnмеinfrоnт.IтwаsтhемоsтprеpоsтеrоuspоsiтiоninwhichIеvеrfоunдмysеlfinмylifе,аnдiтwаsтhетhоughтоfiттhатsтаrтедмеlаughingjusтnоw.Iтsеемsтhаттhеrеhадбееnsомеinfоrмаliтyабоuттhеirlicеnsе,тhаттhеclеrgyмаnабsоluтеlyrеfusедтомаrryтhемwiтhоuтаwiтnеssоfsомеsоrт,аnдтhатмylucкyаppеаrаncеsаvедтhебriдеgrоомfrомhаvingтоsаllyоuтinтотhеsтrеетsinsеаrchоfабеsтмаn.Тhебriдеgаvемеаsоvеrеign,аnдIмеаnтоwеаriтоnмywатch-chаininмемоryоfтhеоccаsiоn.”

“Тhisisаvеryunеxpеcтедтurnоfаffаirs,”sаiдI;“аnдwhаттhеn?”

“Wеll,Ifоunдмyplаnsvеrysеriоuslyмеnаcед.Iтlоокедаsifтhеpаirмighттакеаniммедiатедеpаrтurе,аnдsоnеcеssiтатеvеryprомpтаnдеnеrgетicмеажrеsоnмypаrт.Аттhеchurchдооr,hоwеvеr,тhеy


21

sеpаrатед,hедrivingбаcктотhеТемplе,аnдшетоhеrоwnhоusе.‘Iшаllдrivеоuтinтhеpаrкат4ivеаsusuаl,’шеsаiдаsшеlеfтhiм.Ihеаrдnомоrе.Тhеyдrоvеаwаyinдiffеrеnтдirеcтiоns,аnдIwеnтоffтомакемyоwnаrrаngемеnтs.”

“Whichаrе?”

“Sомеcоlдбееfаnдаglаssоfбееr,”hеаnswеrед,ringingтhебеll.“Ihаvебееnтообusyтотhinкоffоод,аnдIамliкеlyтобебusiеrsтillтhisеvеning.Бyтhеwаy,Доcтоr,Iшаllwаnтyоurcо-оpеrатiоn.”

“Iшаllбедеlighтед.”

“Yоuдоn'тмinдбrеакingтhеlаw?”

“Nотinтhеlеаsт.”

“Nоrrunningаchаncеоfаrrеsт?”

“Nотinаgоодcаusе.”

“Оh,тhеcаusеisеxcеllеnт!”

“ТhеnIамyоurмаn.”

“IwаssurетhатIмighтrеlyоnyоu.”

“Бuтwhатisiтyоuwiш?”

“WhеnМrs.ТurnеrhаsбrоughтinтhетrаyIwillмакеiтclеаrтоyоu.Nоw,”hеsаiдаshетurnедhungrilyоnтhеsiмplеfаrетhатоurlаnдlадyhадprоviдед,“IмusтдiscussiтwhilеIеат,fоrIhаvеnотмuchтiме.Iтisnеаrly4ivеnоw.Inтwоhоurswемusтбеоnтhеscеnеоfаcтiоn.МissIrеnе,оrМадаме,rатhеr,rетurnsfrомhеrдrivеатsеvеn.WемusтбеатБriоnyLодgетомеетhеr.”

“Аnдwhаттhеn?”

“Yоuмusтlеаvетhаттоме.Ihаvеаlrеадyаrrаngедwhатisтооccur.ТhеrеisоnlyоnеpоinтоnwhichIмusтinsisт.Yоuмusтnотinтеrfеrе,cомеwhатмаy.Yоuunдеrsтаnд?”


22

“Iамтобеnеuтrаl?”

“Тодоnотhingwhатеvеr.Тhеrеwillprобабlyбеsомеsмаllunplеаsаnтnеss.Доnотjоininiт.Iтwillеnдinмyбеingcоnvеyедinтотhеhоusе.Fоurоr4ivемinuтеsаfтеrwаrдsтhеsiттing-rоомwinдоwwillоpеn.Yоuаrетоsтатiоnyоursеlfclоsетотhатоpеnwinдоw.”

“Yеs.”

“Yоuаrетоwатchме,fоrIwillбеvisiбlетоyоu.”

“Yеs.”

“АnдwhеnIrаisемyhаnд—sо—yоuwillтhrоwinтотhеrоомwhатIgivеyоuтотhrоw,аnдwill,аттhеsаметiме,rаisетhеcryоf4irе.Yоuquiтеfоllоwме?”

“Еnтirеly.”

“Iтisnотhingvеryfоrмiдабlе,”hеsаiд,такingаlоngcigаr-шаpедrоllfrомhispоcкет.“Iтisаnоrдinаrypluмбеr'ssмоке-rоcкет,4iттедwiтhаcаpатеiтhеrеnдтомакеiтsеlf-lighтing.Yоurтаsкiscоn4inедтотhат.Whеnyоurаisеyоurcryоf4irе,iтwillбетакеnupбyquiтеаnuмбеrоfpеоplе.Yоuмаyтhеnwаlктотhееnдоfтhеsтrеет,аnдIwillrеjоinyоuinтеnмinuтеs.IhоpетhатIhаvемадемysеlfclеаr?”

“Iамтоrемаinnеuтrаl,тоgетnеаrтhеwinдоw,тоwатchyоu,аnдаттhеsignаlтотhrоwinтhisобjеcт,тhеnтоrаisетhеcryоf4irе,аnдтоwаiтyоuаттhеcоrnеrоfтhеsтrеет.“

“Prеcisеly.”

“Тhеnyоuмаyеnтirеlyrеlyоnме.”

“Тhатisеxcеllеnт.Iтhinк,pеrhаps,iтisаlмоsттiметhатIprеpаrеfоrтhеnеwrоlеIhаvетоplаy.”

Hедisаppеаrедinтоhisбедrоомаnдrетurnедinаfеwмinuтеsinтhеchаrаcтеrоfаnамiабlеаnдsiмplе-мinдедNоncоnfоrмisтclеrgyмаn.Hisбrоадбlаcкhат,hisбаggyтrоusеrs,hiswhiтетiе,hissyмpатhетicsмilе,аnдgеnеrаllоокоfpееringаnдбеnеvоlеnтcuriоsiтywеrеsuchаsМr.JоhnHаrеаlоnеcоulдhаvееquаllед.IтwаsnотмеrеlyтhатHоlмеschаngедhiscоsтuме.Hisеxprеssiоn,hisмаnnеr,hisvеrysоulsеемедто


23

vаrywiтhеvеryfrешpаrттhатhеаssuмед.Тhеsтаgеlоsта4inеаcтоr,еvеnаssciеncеlоsтаnаcuтеrеаsоnеr,whеnhебеcамеаspеciаlisтincriме.

IтwаsаquаrтеrpаsтsixwhеnwеlеfтБакеrSтrеет,аnдiтsтillwаnтедтеnмinuтеsтотhеhоurwhеnwеfоunдоursеlvеsinSеrpеnтinеАvеnuе.Iтwаsаlrеадyдusк,аnдтhеlамpswеrеjusтбеinglighтедаswеpаcедupаnддоwninfrоnтоfБriоnyLодgе,wаiтingfоrтhеcомingоfiтsоccupаnт.ТhеhоusеwаsjusтsuchаsIhадpicтurедiтfrомШеrlоcкHоlмеs'succincтдеscripтiоn,бuттhеlоcаliтyаppеаrедтобеlеssprivатетhаnIеxpеcтед.Оnтhеcоnтrаry,fоrаsмаllsтrеетinаquiетnеighбоurhоод,iтwаsrемаrкабlyаniматед.Тhеrеwаsаgrоupоfшаббilyдrеssедмеnsмокingаnдlаughinginаcоrnеr,аscissоrs-grinдеrwiтhhiswhееl,тwоguаrдsмеnwhоwеrе4lirтingwiтhаnursе-girl,аnдsеvеrаlwеll-дrеssедyоungмеnwhоwеrеlоungingupаnддоwnwiтhcigаrsinтhеirмоuтhs.

“Yоusее,”rемаrкедHоlмеs,аswеpаcедтоаnдfrоinfrоnтоfтhеhоusе,“тhisмаrriаgеrатhеrsiмpli4iеsматтеrs.Тhеphотоgrаphбеcомеsадоuбlе-едgедwеаpоnnоw.ТhеchаncеsаrетhатшеwоulдбеаsаvеrsетоiтsбеingsееnбyМr.GодfrеyNоrтоn,аsоurcliеnтisтоiтscомingтотhееyеsоfhisprincеss.Nоwтhеquеsтiоnis,Whеrеаrеwето4inдтhеphотоgrаph?”

“Whеrе,inдеед?”

“Iтisмоsтunliкеlyтhатшеcаrriеsiтабоuтwiтhhеr.Iтiscабinетsizе.Тооlаrgеfоrеаsycоncеаlмеnтабоuтаwомаn'sдrеss.ШекnоwsтhаттhеКingiscаpабlеоfhаvinghеrwаylаiдаnдsеаrchед.Тwоаттемpтsоfтhеsоrтhаvеаlrеадyбееnмаде.Wемаyтакеiт,тhеn,тhатшедоеsnотcаrryiтабоuтwiтhhеr.”

“Whеrе,тhеn?”

“Hеrбаnкеrоrhеrlаwyеr.Тhеrеisтhатдоuбlеpоssiбiliтy.БuтIамinclinедтотhinкnеiтhеr.Wомеnаrеnатurаllysеcrетivе,аnдтhеyliкетодотhеirоwnsеcrетing.Whyшоulдшеhаnдiтоvеrтоаnyоnееlsе?Шеcоulдтrusтhеrоwnguаrдiаnшip,бuтшеcоulдnоттеllwhатinдirеcтоrpоliтicаlin4luеncемighтбебrоughттобеаrupоnабusinеssмаn.Беsiдеs,rемембеrтhатшеhадrеsоlvедтоusеiтwiтhinаfеwдаys.Iтмusтбеwhеrешеcаnlаyhеrhаnдsupоniт.Iтмusтбеinhеrоwnhоusе.”

“Бuтiтhаsтwicебееnбurglед.”


24

“Pшаw!Тhеyдiдnоткnоwhоwтоlоок.”

“Бuтhоwwillyоulоок?”

“Iwillnотlоок.”

“Whаттhеn?”

“Iwillgетhеrтошоwме.”

“Бuтшеwillrеfusе.”

“Шеwillnотбеабlето.БuтIhеаrтhеruмбlеоfwhееls.Iтishеrcаrriаgе.Nоwcаrryоuтмyоrдеrsтотhеlеттеr.”

Stage5:theletterч

Чcorrespondstothe‘ch’soundsasintheEnglishword‘chair’.Note,thatforclarity,allsubstitutionsinthistextofthecombinationofletters‘ch’willbemadewiththisletter.HereandthereyouneedtobeawareofEnglishuseof‘ch’thatdonotcorrespondexactlytothissound.Forexample,whilst‘chair’willbewritten‘чair’,chаgrin,withitsopening‘sh’sound,will,neverthelessbetransliteratedto‘чagrin’.

Аshеspокетhеglеамоfтhеsiде-lighтsоfаcаrriаgеcамеrоunдтhеcurvеоfтhеаvеnuе.IтwаsаsмаrтliттlеlаnдаuwhiчrаттlедupтотhедооrоfБriоnyLодgе.Аsiтpullедup,оnеоfтhеlоа4ingмеnаттhеcоrnеrдашедfоrwаrдтооpеnтhедооrinтhеhоpеоfеаrningаcоppеr,бuтwаsеlбоwедаwаyбyаnотhеrlоаfеr,whоhадruшедupwiтhтhеsамеinтеnтiоn.А4iеrcеquаrrеlбrокеоuт,whiчwаsincrеаsедбyтhетwоguаrдsмеn,whотоокsiдеswiтhоnеоfтhеlоungеrs,аnдбyтhеscissоrs-grinдеr,whоwаsеquаllyhотupоnтhеотhеrsiде.Абlоwwаssтrucк,аnдinаninsтаnттhеlадy,whоhадsтеppедfrомhеrcаrriаgе,wаsтhеcеnтrеоfаliттlекnотоf4luшедаnдsтrugglingмеn,whоsтrucкsаvаgеlyатеачотhеrwiтhтhеir4isтsаnдsтicкs.Hоlмеsдашедinтотhеcrоwдтоprотеcттhеlадy;бuтjusтаshеrеачедhеrhеgаvеаcryаnддrоppедтотhеgrоunд,wiтhтhебlоодrunningfrееlyдоwnhisfаcе.Атhisfаllтhеguаrдsмеnтооктотhеirhееlsinоnедirеcтiоnаnдтhеlоungеrsinтhеотhеr,whilеаnuмбеrоfбеттеr-дrеssедpеоplе,whоhадwатчедтhеscuf4lеwiтhоuттакingpаrтiniт,crоwдедinтоhеlpтhеlадyаnдтоаттеnдтотhеinjurедмаn.IrеnеАдlеr,аsIwillsтillcаllhеr,hадhurriедupтhеsтеps;бuтшеsтоодаттhетоpwiтhhеrsupеrб4igurеоuтlinед


25

аgаinsттhеlighтsоfтhеhаll,lоокingбаcкinтотhеsтrеет.

“Isтhеpооrgеnтlемаnмuчhurт?”шеаsкед.

“Hеisдеад,”criедsеvеrаlvоicеs.

“Nо,nо,тhеrе'slifеinhiм!”шоuтедаnотhеr.“Бuтhе'llбеgоnебеfоrеyоucаngетhiмтоhоspiтаl.”

“Hе'sабrаvеfеllоw,”sаiдаwомаn.“Тhеywоulдhаvеhадтhеlадy'spursеаnдwатчifiтhадn'тбееnfоrhiм.Тhеywеrеаgаng,аnдаrоughоnе,тоо.Аh,hе'sбrеатhingnоw.”

“Hеcаn'тliеinтhеsтrеет.Маywебringhiмin,маrм?“

“Surеly.Бringhiмinтотhеsiттing-rоом.Тhеrеisаcомfоrтабlеsоfа.Тhiswаy,plеаsе!“

SlоwlyаnдsоlемnlyhеwаsбоrnеinтоБriоnyLодgеаnдlаiдоuтinтhеprincipаlrоом,whilеIsтillобsеrvедтhеprоcеедingsfrоммypоsтбyтhеwinдоw.Тhеlамpshадбееnliт,бuттhебlinдshадnотбееnдrаwn,sотhатIcоulдsееHоlмеsаshеlаyupоnтhеcоuч.Iдоnоткnоwwhетhеrhеwаssеizедwiтhcомpuncтiоnаттhатмомеnтfоrтhеpаrтhеwаsplаying,бuтIкnоwтhатInеvеrfеlтмоrеhеаrтilyашамедоfмysеlfinмylifетhаnwhеnIsаwтhебеаuтifulcrеатurеаgаinsтwhомIwаscоnspiring,оrтhеgrаcеаnдкinдlinеsswiтhwhiчшеwаiтедupоnтhеinjurедмаn.АnдyетiтwоulдбетhебlаcкеsттrеачеryтоHоlмеsтодrаwбаcкnоwfrомтhеpаrтwhiчhеhадinтrusтедтоме.Ihаrдеnедмyhеаrт,аnдтооктhеsмоке-rоcкетfrомunдеrмyulsтеr.Аfтеrаll,Iтhоughт,wеаrеnотinjuringhеr.Wеаrебuтprеvеnтinghеrfrомinjuringаnотhеr.

Hоlмеshадsатupupоnтhеcоuч,аnдIsаwhiммотiоnliкеамаnwhоisinnеедоfаir.Амаiдruшедаcrоssаnдтhrеwоpеnтhеwinдоw.АттhеsамеinsтаnтIsаwhiмrаisеhishаnдаnдаттhеsignаlIтоssедмyrоcкетinтотhеrоомwiтhаcryоf“Firе!”Тhеwоrдwаsnоsооnеrоuтоfмyмоuтhтhаnтhеwhоlеcrоwдоfspеcтатоrs,wеllдrеssедаnдill—gеnтlемеn,оsтlеrs,аnдsеrvаnт-маiдs—jоinедinаgеnеrаlшriекоf“Firе!”Тhicкclоuдsоfsмокеcurlедтhrоughтhеrоомаnдоuтаттhеоpеnwinдоw.Icаughтаgliмpsеоfruшing4igurеs,аnдамомеnтlатеrтhеvоicеоfHоlмеsfrомwiтhinаssuringтhемтhатiтwаsаfаlsеаlаrм.SlippingтhrоughтhешоuтingcrоwдIмадемywаyтотhеcоrnеrоfтhеsтrеет,аnдinтеnмinuтеswаsrеjоicедто4inдмyfriеnд'sаrмinмinе,аnдтоgетаwаyfrомтhеscеnеоfuprоаr.Hеwаlкедswifтlyаnдinsilеncеfоrsоме


26

fеwмinuтеsunтilwеhадтurnеддоwnоnеоfтhеquiетsтrеетswhiчlеадтоwаrдsтhеЕдgеwаrеRоад.

“Yоuдiдiтvеrynicеly,Доcтоr,”hеrемаrкед.“Nотhingcоulдhаvебееnбеттеr.Iтisаllrighт.”

“Yоuhаvетhеphотоgrаph?”

“Iкnоwwhеrеiтis.”

“Аnдhоwдiдyоu4inдоuт?”

“Шешоwедме,аsIтоlдyоuшеwоulд.”

“Iамsтillinтhедаrк.”

“Iдоnотwiштомакеамysтеry,”sаiдhе,lаughing.“Тhематтеrwаspеrfеcтlysiмplе.Yоu,оfcоursе,sаwтhатеvеryоnеinтhеsтrеетwаsаnаccомplicе.Тhеywеrеаllеngаgедfоrтhееvеning.”

“Iguеssедаsмuч.”

“Тhеn,whеnтhеrоwбrокеоuт,Ihадаliттlемоisтrедpаinтinтhеpаlмоfмyhаnд.Iruшедfоrwаrд,fеllдоwn,clаppедмyhаnдтомyfаcе,аnдбеcамеаpiтеоusspеcтаclе.Iтisаnоlдтricк.”

“ТhатаlsоIcоulдfатhом.”

“Тhеnтhеycаrriедмеin.Шеwаsбоunдтоhаvемеin.Whатеlsеcоulдшедо?Аnдinтоhеrsiттing-rоом,whiчwаsтhеvеryrоомwhiчIsuspеcтед.Iтlаyбетwееnтhатаnдhеrбедrоом,аnдIwаsдетеrмinедтоsееwhiч.Тhеylаiдмеоnаcоuч,Iмотiоnедfоrаir,тhеywеrеcомpеllедтооpеnтhеwinдоw,аnдyоuhадyоurчаncе.”

“Hоwдiдтhатhеlpyоu?”

“Iтwаsаll-iмpоrтаnт.Whеnаwомаnтhinкsтhатhеrhоusеisоn4irе,hеrinsтincтisатоncетоruштотhетhingwhiчшеvаluеsмоsт.Iтisаpеrfеcтlyоvеrpоwеringiмpulsе,аnдIhаvемоrетhаnоncетакеnадvаnтаgеоfiт.InтhеcаsеоfтhеДаrlingтоnsuбsтiтuтiоnscаnдаliтwаsоfusетоме,аnдаlsоinтhеАrnswоrтhCаsтlебusinеss.Амаrriедwомаngrабsатhеrбабy;аnunмаrriедоnеrеачеsfоrhеrjеwеl-боx.Nоwiтwаsclеаrтометhатоurlадyоfто-даyhадnотhinginтhеhоusемоrе


27

prеciоusтоhеrтhаnwhатwеаrеinquеsтоf.Шеwоulдruштоsеcurеiт.Тhеаlаrмоf4irеwаsадмirабlyдоnе.Тhеsмокеаnдшоuтingwеrееnоughтошакеnеrvеsоfsтееl.Шеrеspоnдедбеаuтifully.Тhеphотоgrаphisinаrеcеssбеhinдаsliдingpаnеljusтабоvетhеrighтбеll-pull.Шеwаsтhеrеinаninsтаnт,аnдIcаughтаgliмpsеоfiтаsшеhаlf-дrеwiтоuт.WhеnIcriедоuттhатiтwаsаfаlsеаlаrм,шеrеplаcедiт,glаncедаттhеrоcкет,ruшедfrомтhеrоом,аnдIhаvеnотsееnhеrsincе.Irоsе,аnд,макingмyеxcusеs,еscаpедfrомтhеhоusе.Ihеsiтатедwhетhеrтоаттемpттоsеcurетhеphотоgrаphатоncе;бuттhеcоачмаnhадcомеin,аnдаshеwаswатчingмеnаrrоwlyiтsеемедsаfеrтоwаiт.Аliттlеоvеr-prеcipiтаncемаyruinаll.”

“Аnдnоw?”Iаsкед.

“Оurquеsтisprаcтicаlly4iniшед.IшаllcаllwiтhтhеКingто-моrrоw,аnдwiтhyоu,ifyоucаrетоcомеwiтhus.Wеwillбешоwninтотhеsiттing-rоомтоwаiтfоrтhеlадy,бuтiтisprобабlетhатwhеnшеcомеsшемаy4inдnеiтhеrusnоrтhеphотоgrаph.IтмighтбеаsатisfаcтiоnтоhisМаjеsтyтоrеgаiniтwiтhhisоwnhаnдs.”

“Аnдwhеnwillyоucаll?”

“Атеighтinтhемоrning.Шеwillnотбеup,sотhатwешаllhаvеаclеаr4iеlд.Беsiдеs,wемusтбеprомpт,fоrтhisмаrriаgемаyмеаnаcомplетечаngеinhеrlifеаnдhабiтs.IмusтwirетотhеКingwiтhоuтдеlаy.”

WеhадrеачедБакеrSтrеетаnдhадsтоppедаттhедооr.Hеwаssеаrчinghispоcкетsfоrтhекеywhеnsомеоnеpаssingsаiд:

“Gоод-nighт,МisтеrШеrlоcкHоlмеs.”

Тhеrеwеrеsеvеrаlpеоplеоnтhеpаvемеnтаттhетiме,бuттhеgrеетingаppеаrедтоcомеfrомаsliмyоuтhinаnulsтеrwhоhадhurriедбy.

“I'vеhеаrдтhатvоicебеfоrе,”sаiдHоlмеs,sтаringдоwnтhедiмlyliтsтrеет.“Nоw,Iwоnдеrwhотhедеucетhатcоulдhаvебееn.”

Ihopeyouhaveenjoyedthisfreesampleofthisbook.Tocontinue,pleasebuyafullcopy.

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