33 лучших юмористических рассказа на английском / 33 Best Humorous Short Stories

It read: �The Prince of Wurttemberg stolen. Probably forwarded to London. Must have him here for the opening day of Exhibition. 1,000 pounds reward.’

So! The Prince had been kidnapped out of Paris at the very time when his appearance at the International Exposition would have been a political event of the first magnitude.

With the Great Detective to think was to act, and to act was to think.

Frequently he could do both together.

�Wire to Paris for a description of the Prince.’

The secretary bowed and left.

At the same moment there was slight scratching at the door.

A visitor entered. He crawled stealthily on his hands and knees. A hearthrug thrown over his head and shoulders disguised his identity.

He crawled to the middle of the room.

Then he rose.

Great Heaven!

It was the Prime Minister of England.

�You!’ said the detective.

�Me,’ said the Prime Minister.

�You have come in regard the kidnapping of the Prince of Wurttemberg?’

The Prime Minister started.

�How do you know?’ he said.

The Great Detective smiled his inscrutable smile.

�Yes,’ said the Prime Minister. �I will use no concealment. I am interested, deeply interested. Find the Prince of Wurttemberg, get him safe back to Paris and I will add 500 pounds to the reward already offered. But listen,’ he said impressively as he left the room, �see to it that no attempt is made to alter the marking of the prince, or to clip his tail.’

So! To clip the Prince’s tail! The brain of the Great Detective reeled.

There was another rap at the door.

A second visitor was seen. He wormed his way in, lying almost prone upon his stomach, and wriggling across the floor. He was enveloped in a long purple cloak. He stood up and peeped over the top of it.

Great Heaven!

It was the Archbishop of Canterbury!

�Your Grace!’ exclaimed the detective in amazement – �pray do not stand, I beg you.

The Archbishop took off his mitre and laid it wearily on the whisker-stand.

�You are here in regard to the Prince of Wurttemberg.’

The Archbishop started and crossed himself. Was the man a magician?

�Yes,’ he said, �much depends on getting him back. But I have only come to say this: my sister is desirous of seeing you. She is coming here.