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

�I have three telegrams from Paris,’ he said, �they are completely baffling.’

He handed over the first telegram.

It read:

�The Prince of Wurttemberg has a long, wet snout, broad ears, very long body, and short hind legs.’

The Great Detective looked puzzled.

He read the second telegram.

�The Prince of Wurttemberg is easily recognised by his deep bark.’

And then the third.

�The Prince of Wurttemberg can be recognised by a patch of white hair across the centre of his back.’

The two men looked at one another.

The mystery was maddening, impenetrable.

The Great Detective spoke.

�Give me my domino,’ he said. �These clues must be followed up,’ then pausing, while his quick brain analysed and summed up the evidence before him – �a young man,’ he muttered, �evidently young since described as a “pup,” with a long, wet snout (ha! addicted obviously to drinking), a streak of white hair across his back (a first sign of the results of his abandoned life) – yes, yes,’ he continued, �with this clue I shall find him easily.

’

The Great Detective rose.

He wrapped himself in a long black cloak with white whiskers and blue spectacles attached.

Completely disguised, he issued forth.

He began the search.

For four days he visited every corner of London.

He entered every saloon in the city. In each of them he drank a glass of rum. In some of them he assumed the disguise of a sailor. In others he entered as a solider.

Into others he penetrated as a clergyman. His disguise was perfect. Nobody paid any attention to him as long as he had the price of a drink.

The search proved fruitless.

Two young men were arrested under suspicion of being the Prince, only to be released.

The identification was incomplete in each case.

One had a long wet snout but no hair on his back.

The other had hair on his back but couldn’t bark.

Neither of them was the young Bourbon.

The Great Detective continued his search.

He stopped at nothing.

Secretly, after nightfall, he visited the home of the Prime Minister. He examined it from top to bottom. He measured all the doors and windows. He took up the flooring. He inspected the plumbing. He examined the furniture. He found nothing.

With equal secrecy he penetrated into the palace of the Archbishop. He examined it from top to bottom. Disguised as a choir-boy he took part in the offices of the church. He found nothing.