[英语学习]世界名著-THE CROOKED MAN.docVIP

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Annual most popular English classics, hope for your study help, support baidu, hope baidu library collections more and more good. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1893 SHERLOCK HOLMES THE CROOKED MAN by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle The Crooked Man. One summer night a few months after my marriage, I was seated by my own hearth smoking a last pipe and nodding over a novel, for my days work had been an exhausting one. My wife had already gone upstairs, and the sound of the locking of the hall door some time before told me that the servants had also retired. I had risen from my seat and was knocking out the ashes of my pipe when I suddenly heard the clang of the bell. I looked at the clock. It was a quarter to twelve. This could not be a visitor at so late an hour. A patient evidently, and possibly an all-night sitting. With a wry face I went out into the hall and opened the door. To my astonishment it was Sherlock Holmes who stood upon my step. Ah, Watson, said he, I hoped that I might not be too late to catch you. My dear fellow, pray come in. You look surprised, and no wonder! Relieved, too, I fancy! Hum! You still smoke the Arcadia mixture of your bachelor days, then! Theres no mistaking that fluffy ash upon your coat. Its easy to tell that you have been accustomed to wear a uniform, Watson. Youll never pass as a pure-bred civilian as long as you keep that habit of carrying your handkerchief in your sleeve. Could you put me up to-night? With pleasure. You told me that you had bachelor quarters for one, and I see that you have no gentleman visitor at present. Your hat-stand proclaims as much. I shall be delighted if you will stay.