Собака Баскервиллей
First Report of Dr. Watson
Ifyouhavenothadanyreportwithinthelastfewdaysitisbecauseuptoto-daytherewasnothingofimportancetorelate. Thenaverysurprisingcircumstanceoccurred,whichIshalltellyouinduecourse. But,firstofall,Imustkeepyouintouchwithsomeoftheotherfactorsinthesituation.
Oneofthese,concerningwhichIhavesaidlittle,istheescapedconvictuponthemoor. Thereisstrongreasonnowtobelievethathehasgotrightaway,whichisaconsiderablerelieftothelonelyhouseholdersofthisdistrict. Afortnighthaspassedsincehisflight,duringwhichhehasnotbeenseenandnothinghasbeenheardofhim. Itissurelyinconceivablethathecouldhaveheldoutuponthemoorduringallthattime. Ofcourse,sofarashisconcealmentgoesthereisnodifficultyatall. Anyoneofthesestonehutswouldgivehimahiding-place. Butthereisnothingtoeatunlessheweretocatchandslaughteroneofthemoorsheep. Wethink,therefore,thathehasgone,andtheoutlyingfarmerssleepthebetterinconsequence.
Wearefourable-bodiedmeninthishousehold,sothatwecouldtakegoodcareofourselves,butIconfess thatIhavehaduneasymomentswhenIhavethoughtoftheStapletons. Theylivemilesfromanyhelp. Thereareonemaid,anoldmanservant,thesister,andthebrother,thelatternotaverystrongman. TheywouldbehelplessinthehandsofadesperatefellowlikethisNottingHillcriminal,ifhecouldonceeffectanentrance. BothSirHenryandIwereconcernedattheirsituation,anditwassuggestedthatPerkinsthegroomshouldgoovertosleepthere,butStapletonwouldnothearofit.
Thefactisthatourfriend,thebaronet,beginstodisplayaconsiderableinterestinourfairneighbour. Itisnottobewonderedat,fortimehangsheavilyinthislonelyspottoanactivemanlikehim,andsheisaveryfascinatingandbeautifulwoman. Thereissomethingtropicalandexoticaboutherwhichformsasingularcontrasttohercoolandunemotionalbrother.
