Собака Баскервиллей
The Curse of the Baskervilles
Mr.Stapleton,amutualfriendwhowasmuchconcernedathisstateofhealth,wasofthesameopinion. Atthelastinstantcamethisterriblecatastrophe.
"OnthenightofSirCharles’sdeathBarrymorethebutler,whomadethediscovery,sentPerkinsthegroomonhorsebacktome, andasIwassittinguplateIwasabletoreachBaskervilleHallwithinanhouroftheevent. Icheckedandcorroboratedallthefactswhichwerementionedattheinquest. IfollowedthefootstepsdowntheYewAlley,Isawthespotatthemoor-gatewhereheseemedtohavewaited,Iremarkedthechangeintheshapeoftheprintsafterthatpoint, InotedthattherewerenootherfootstepssavethoseofBarrymoreonthesoftgravel,andfinallyIcarefullyexaminedthebody,whichhadnotbeentoucheduntilmyarrival. SirCharleslayonhisface,hisarmsout,hisfingersdugintotheground,andhisfeaturesconvulsedwithsomestrongemotiontosuchanextentthatIcouldhardlyhavesworntohisidentity. Therewascertainlynophysicalinjuryofanykind. ButonefalsestatementwasmadebyBarrymoreattheinquest. Hesaidthattherewerenotracesuponthegroundroundthebody. Hedidnotobserveany.ButIdid—somelittledistanceoff,butfreshandclear."
"Footprints?"
"Footprints."
"Aman’sorawoman’s?"
Dr.Mortimerlookedstrangelyatusforaninstant,andhisvoicesankalmosttoawhisperasheanswered:
"Mr.Holmes,theywerethefootprintsofagigantichound!"
