Собака Баскервиллей
The Curse of the Baskervilles
Now,itopenedintoabroadspaceinwhichstoodtwoofthosegreatstones,stilltobeseenthere,whichweresetbycertainforgottenpeoplesinthedaysofold. Themoonwasshiningbrightupontheclearing,andthereinthecentrelaytheunhappymaidwhereshehadfallen,deadoffearandoffatigue. Butitwasnotthesightofherbody,noryetwasitthatofthebodyofHugoBaskervillelyingnearher, whichraisedthehairupontheheadsofthesethreedaredevilroysterers,butitwasthat,standingoverHugo,andpluckingathisthroat, therestoodafoulthing,agreat,blackbeast,shapedlikeahound,yetlargerthananyhoundthatevermortaleyehasrestedupon. AndevenastheylookedthethingtorethethroatoutofHugoBaskerville,onwhich,asitturneditsblazingeyesanddrippingjawsuponthem,thethreeshriekedwithfearandrodefordearlife,stillscreaming,acrossthemoor. One,itissaid,diedthatverynightofwhathehadseen,andtheothertwainwerebutbrokenmenfortherestoftheirdays.
"Suchisthetale,mysons,ofthecomingofthehoundwhichissaidtohaveplaguedthefamilysosorelyeversince. IfIhavesetitdownitisbecausethatwhichisclearlyknownhathlessterrorthanthatwhichisbuthintedatandguessed. Norcanitbedeniedthatmanyofthefamilyhavebeenunhappyintheirdeaths,whichhavebeensudden,bloody,andmysterious. YetmayweshelterourselvesintheinfinitegoodnessofProvidence,whichwouldnotforeverpunishtheinnocentbeyondthatthirdorfourthgenerationwhichisthreatenedinHolyWrit. TothatProvidence,mysons,Iherebycommendyou,andIcounselyoubywayofcautiontoforbearfromcrossingthemoorinthosedarkhourswhenthepowersofevilareexalted.
"ThisfromHugoBaskervilletohissonsRodgerandJohn,withinstructionsthattheysaynothingthereoftotheirsisterElizabeth."
