Собака Баскервиллей
Extract from the Diary of Dr. Watson
To-morrowmorningIshallfindmywaytoCoombeTracey,andifIcanseethisMrs.LauraLyons,ofequivocalreputation,alongstepwillhavebeenmadetowardsclearingoneincidentinthischainofmysteries. Iamcertainlydevelopingthewisdomoftheserpent, forwhenMortimerpressedhisquestionstoaninconvenientextentIaskedhimcasuallytowhattypeFrankland’sskullbelonged,andsoheardnothingbutcraniologyfortherestofourdrive. IhavenotlivedforyearswithSherlockHolmesfornothing.
Ihaveonlyoneotherincidenttorecorduponthistempestuousandmelancholyday. ThiswasmyconversationwithBarrymorejustnow,whichgivesmeonemorestrongcardwhichIcanplayinduetime.
Mortimerhadstayedtodinner,andheandthebaronetplayedecart‚afterwards. Thebutlerbroughtmemycoffeeintothelibrary,andItookthechancetoaskhimafewquestions.
"Well,"saidI,"hasthispreciousrelationofyoursdeparted,orishestilllurkingoutyonder?"
"Idon’tknow,sir. Ihopetoheaventhathehasgone,forhehasbroughtnothingbuttroublehere! I’venotheardofhimsinceIleftoutfoodforhimlast,andthatwasthreedaysago."
"Didyouseehimthen?"
"No,sir,butthefoodwasgonewhennextIwentthatway."
"Thenhewascertainlythere?"
"Soyouwouldthink,sir,unlessitwastheothermanwhotookit."
Isatwithmycoffee-cuphalfwaytomylipsandstaredatBarrymore.
