Шесть Наполеонов

"Well, I thought as you do," said Lestrade. "On the other hand, this Morse Hudson is the purveyor of busts in that part of London, and these three were the only ones which had been in his shop for years. So, although, as you say, there are many hundreds of statues in London, it is very probable that these three were the only ones in that district. Therefore, a local fanatic would begin with them. What do you think, Dr. Watson?"	- Это и мне приходило в голову, - сказал Лестрейд. - Что вы об этом думаете, доктор Уотсон?
"There are no limits to the possibilities of monomania," I answered. "There is the condition which the modern French psychologists have called the 'idee fixe,' which may be trifling in character, and accompanied by complete sanity in every other way.	- Помешательства на одном каком-нибудь пункте безгранично разнообразны, - ответил я. -Существует явление, которое современные психологи называют "навязчивая идея". Идея эта может быть совершенно пустячной, и человек, одержимый ею, может быть здоров во всех других отношениях.
A man who had read deeply about Napoleon, or who had possibly received some hereditary family injury through the great war, might conceivably form such an 'idee fixe' and under its influence be capable of any fantastic outrage."	Предположим, что этот маньяк слишком много читал о Наполеоне или, скажем, узнал о какой-нибудь обиде, нанесенной его предкам во время наполеоновских войн. У него сложилась "навязчивая идея", и под ее влиянием он оказался способным на самые фантастические выходки.
"That won't do, my dear Watson," said Holmes, shaking his head; "for no amount of 'idee fixe' would enable your interesting monomaniac to find out where these busts were situated."	- Ваша теория нам не подходит, мой милый Уотсон, - сказал Холмс, покачав головой, - ибо никакая "навязчивая идея" не могла бы подсказать вашему занимательному маньяку, где находятся эти бюсты.
"Well, how do YOU explain it?"	- А вы как это объясните?
"I don't attempt to do so.	- Я и не пытаюсь объяснить.
I would only observe that there is a certain method in the gentleman's eccentric proceedings. For example, in Dr. Barnicot's hall, where a sound might arouse the family, the bust was taken outside before being broken, whereas in the surgery, where there was less danger of an alarm, it was smashed where it stood. The affair seems absurdly trifling, and yet I dare call nothing trivial when I reflect that some of my most classic cases have had the least promising commencement. You will remember, Watson, how the dreadful business of the Abernetty family was first brought to my notice by the depth which the parsley had sunk into the butter upon a hot day. I can't afford, therefore, to smile at your three broken busts, Lestrade, and I shall be very much obliged to you if you will let me hear of any fresh developments of so singular a chain of events."	Я только вижу, что в эксцентрических поступках этого джентльмена есть какая-то система.
The development for which my friend had asked came in a quicker and an infinitely more tragic form than he could have imagined.	Дальнейшие события произошли быстрее и оказались гораздо трагичнее, чем мы предполагали.
I was still dressing in my bedroom next morning when there was a tap at the door and Holmes entered, a telegram in his hand.	На следующее утро, когда я одевался в своей спальне, Холмс постучал ко мне в дверь и вошел, держа в руке телеграмму.