Собака Баскервиллей
Sir Henry Baskerville
"Whicheveritis,myanswerisfixed. Thereisnodevilinhell,Mr.Holmes,andthereisnomanuponearthwhocanpreventmefromgoingtothehomeofmyownpeople,andyoumaytakethattobemyfinalanswer. "Hisdarkbrowsknittedandhisfaceflushedtoaduskyredashespoke. ItwasevidentthatthefierytemperoftheBaskervilleswasnotextinctinthistheirlastrepresentative. "Meanwhile,"saidhe,"Ihavehardlyhadtimetothinkoverallthatyouhavetoldme. It’sabigthingforamantohavetounderstandandtodecideatonesitting. Ishouldliketohaveaquiethourbymyselftomakeupmymind. Now,lookhere,Mr.Holmes,it’shalf-pastelevennowandIamgoingbackrightawaytomyhotel. Supposeyouandyourfriend,Dr.Watson,comeroundandlunchwithusattwo. I’llbeabletotellyoumoreclearlythenhowthisthingstrikesme."
"Isthatconvenienttoyou,Watson?"
"Perfectly."
"Thenyoumayexpectus. ShallIhaveacabcalled?"
"I’dprefertowalk,forthisaffairhasflurriedmerather."
"I’lljoinyouinawalk,withpleasure,"saidhiscompanion.
"Thenwemeetagainattwoo’clock. Aurevoir,andgood-morning!"
Weheardthestepsofourvisitorsdescendthestairandthebangofthefrontdoor. InaninstantHolmeshadchangedfromthelanguiddreamertothemanofaction.
"Yourhatandboots,Watson,quick! Notamomenttolose!"