Собака Баскервиллей
First Report of Dr. Watson
Therewasthelong,gloomytunneldownwhichhefled. Andfromwhat? Asheep-dogofthemoor? Oraspectralhound,black,silent,andmonstrous? Wasthereahumanagencyinthematter? Didthepale,watchfulBarrymoreknowmorethanhecaredtosay? Itwasalldimandvague,butalwaysthereisthedarkshadowofcrimebehindit.
OneotherneighbourIhavemetsinceIwrotelast. ThisisMr.Frankland,ofLafterHall,wholivessomefourmilestothesouthofus. Heisanelderlyman,red-faced,white-haired,andcholeric. HispassionisfortheBritishlaw,andhehasspentalargefortuneinlitigation. Hefightsforthemerepleasureoffightingandisequallyreadytotakeupeithersideofaquestion,sothatitisnowonderthathehasfounditacostlyamusement. Sometimeshewillshutuparightofwayanddefytheparishtomakehimopenit. Atothershewillwithhisownhandsteardownsomeotherman’sgateanddeclarethatapathhasexistedtherefromtimeimmemorial,defyingtheownertoprosecutehimfortrespass. Heislearnedinoldmanorialandcommunalrights,andheapplieshisknowledgesometimesinfavourofthevillagersofFernworthyandsometimesagainstthem, sothatheisperiodicallyeithercarriedintriumphdownthevillagestreetorelseburnedineffigy,accordingtohislatestexploit. Heissaidtohaveaboutsevenlawsuitsuponhishandsatpresent,whichwillprobablyswallowuptheremainderofhisfortuneandsodrawhisstingandleavehimharmlessforthefuture. Apartfromthelawheseemsakindly,good-naturedperson,andIonlymentionhimbecauseyouwereparticularthatIshouldsendsomedescriptionofthepeoplewhosurroundus. Heiscuriouslyemployedatpresent,for,beinganamateurastronomer,hehasanexcellenttelescope, withwhichheliesupontheroofofhisownhouseandsweepsthemooralldayinthehopeofcatchingaglimpseoftheescapedconvict.
