Собака Баскервиллей
Extract from the Diary of Dr. Watson
IntheeveningIputonmywaterproofandIwalkedfaruponthesoddenmoor,fullofdarkimaginings,therainbeatinguponmyfaceandthewindwhistlingaboutmyears. Godhelpthosewhowanderintothegreatmirenow,foreventhefirmuplandsarebecomingamorass. IfoundtheblacktoruponwhichIhadseenthesolitarywatcher,andfromitscraggysummitIlookedoutmyselfacrossthemelancholydowns. Rainsquallsdriftedacrosstheirrussetface,andtheheavy,slate-colouredcloudshunglowoverthelandscape,trailingingraywreathsdownthesidesofthefantastichills. Inthedistanthollowontheleft,halfhiddenbythemist,thetwothintowersofBaskervilleHallroseabovethetrees. TheyweretheonlysignsofhumanlifewhichIcouldsee,saveonlythoseprehistorichutswhichlaythicklyupontheslopesofthehills. NowherewasthereanytraceofthatlonelymanwhomIhadseenonthesamespottwonightsbefore.
AsIwalkedbackIwasovertakenbyDr.Mortimerdrivinginhisdog-cartoveraroughmoorlandtrackwhichledfromtheoutlyingfarmhouseofFoulmire. Hehasbeenveryattentivetous,andhardlyadayhaspassedthathehasnotcalledattheHalltoseehowweweregettingon. Heinsisteduponmyclimbingintohisdog-cart,andhegavemealifthomeward. Ifoundhimmuchtroubledoverthedisappearanceofhislittlespaniel. Ithadwanderedontothemoorandhadnevercomeback. IgavehimsuchconsolationasImight,butIthoughtoftheponyontheGrimpenMire,andIdonotfancythathewillseehislittledogagain.
"Bytheway,Mortimer,"saidIaswejoltedalongtheroughroad,"Isupposetherearefewpeoplelivingwithindrivingdistanceofthiswhomyoudonotknow?"
"Hardlyany,Ithink."
"Canyou,then,tellmethenameofanywomanwhoseinitialsareL.L.?"
