Лучшие расследования Шерлока Холмса / The Best of Sherlock Holmes

Between aВ slop-shop and aВ gin-shop, approached by aВ steep flight of steps leading down to aВ black gap like the mouth of aВ cave, IВ found the den of which IВ was in search. Ordering my cab to wait, IВ passed down the steps, worn hollow in the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the light of aВ flickering oil-lamp above the door IВ found the latch and made my way into aВ long, low room, thick and heavy with the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the forecastle of an emigrant ship.

Through the gloom one could dimly catch aВ glimpse of bodies lying in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there aВ dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to themselves, and others talked together in aВ strange, low, monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour.

As IВ entered, aВ sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with aВ pipe for me and aВ supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth.

“Thank you. I have not come to stay,” said I. “There is a friend of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him.”

There was aВ movement and an exclamation from my right, and peering through the gloom IВ saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and unkempt, staring out at me.

“My God! It’s Watson,” said he. He was in a pitiable state of reaction, with every nerve in a twitter.

“Nearly eleven.”

“Of what day?”

“Of Friday, June 19th.”

“Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What d’you want to frighten the chap for?” He sank his face onto his arms and began to sob in a high treble key.

“I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!”

“So I am.