Собака Баскервиллей
Extract from the Diary of Dr. Watson
OnlyafewweeksagoshewascleaningoutSirCharles’sstudy—ithadneverbeentouchedsincehisdeath—andshefoundtheashesofaburnedletterinthebackofthegrate. Thegreaterpartofitwascharredtopieces,butonelittleslip,theendofapage,hungtogether,andthewritingcouldstillberead,thoughitwasgrayonablackground. Itseemedtoustobeapostscriptattheendoftheletter,anditsaid: ‘Please,please,asyouareagentleman,burnthisletter,andbeatthegatebytenoclock. BeneathitweresignedtheinitialsL.L."
"Haveyougotthatslip?"
"No,sir,itcrumbledalltobitsafterwemovedit."
"HadSirCharlesreceivedanyotherlettersinthesamewriting?"
"Well,sir,Itooknoparticularnoticeofhisletters. Ishouldnothavenoticedthisone,onlyithappenedtocomealone."
"AndyouhavenoideawhoL.L.is?"
"No,sir.Nomorethanyouhave. ButIexpectifwecouldlayourhandsuponthatladyweshouldknowmoreaboutSirCharles’sdeath."
"Icannotunderstand,Barrymore,howyoucametoconcealthisimportantinformation."
"Well,sir,itwasimmediatelyafterthatourowntroublecametous. Andthenagain,sir,wewerebothofusveryfondofSirCharles,aswewellmightbeconsideringallthathehasdoneforus. Torakethisupcouldn’thelpourpoormaster,andit’swelltogocarefullywhenthere’saladyinthecase. Eventhebestofus—"
"Youthoughtitmightinjurehisreputation?"
