Собака Баскервиллей
Death on the Moor
Ididnotknowaboutaprojecteddivorcebetweenherselfandherhusband. Inthatcase,regardingStapletonasanunmarriedman,shecountednodoubtuponbecominghiswife."
"Andwhensheisundeceived?"
"Why,thenwemayfindtheladyofservice. Itmustbeourfirstdutytoseeher—bothofus—to-morrow. Don’tyouthink,Watson,thatyouareawayfromyourchargeratherlong? YourplaceshouldbeatBaskervilleHall."
Thelastredstreakshadfadedawayinthewestandnighthadsettleduponthemoor. Afewfaintstarsweregleaminginavioletsky.
"Onelastquestion,Holmes,"Isaid,asIrose. "Surelythereisnoneedofsecrecybetweenyouandme. Whatisthemeaningofitall? Whatisheafter?"
Holmes’svoicesankasheanswered:
"Itismurder,Watson—refined,cold-blooded,deliberatemurder. Donotaskmeforparticulars. Mynetsareclosinguponhim,evenashisareuponSirHenry,andwithyourhelpheisalreadyalmostatmymercy. Thereisbutonedangerwhichcanthreatenus. Itisthatheshouldstrikebeforewearereadytodoso. Anotherday—twoatthemost—andIhavemycasecomplete,butuntilthenguardyourchargeascloselyaseverafondmotherwatchedherailingchild. Yourmissionto-dayhasjustifieditself,andyetIcouldalmostwishthatyouhadnotlefthisside. Hark!"
Aterriblescream—aprolongedyellofhorrorandanguish—burstoutofthesilenceofthemoor. Thatfrightfulcryturnedthebloodtoiceinmyveins.
"Oh,myGod!"Igasped. "Whatisit? Whatdoesitmean?"
