Собака Баскервиллей
The Hound of the Baskervilles
Alreadythefirstthinwispsofitwerecurlingacrossthegoldensquareofthelightedwindow. Thefartherwalloftheorchardwasalreadyinvisible,andthetreeswerestandingoutofaswirlofwhitevapour. Aswewatcheditthefog-wreathscamecrawlingroundbothcornersofthehouseandrolledslowlyintoonedensebank,onwhichtheupperfloorandtherooffloatedlikeastrangeshipuponashadowysea. Holmesstruckhishandpassionatelyupontherockinfrontofusandstampedhisfeetinhisimpatience.
"Ifheisn’toutinaquarterofanhourthepathwillbecovered. Inhalfanhourwewon’tbeabletoseeourhandsinfrontofus."
"Shallwemovefartherbackuponhigherground?"
"Yes,Ithinkitwouldbeaswell."
Soasthefog-bankflowedonwardwefellbackbeforeituntilwewerehalfamilefromthehouse, andstillthatdensewhitesea,withthemoonsilveringitsupperedge,sweptslowlyandinexorablyon.
"Wearegoingtoofar,"saidHolmes. "Wedarenottakethechanceofhisbeingovertakenbeforehecanreachus. Atallcostswemustholdourgroundwhereweare. "Hedroppedonhiskneesandclappedhiseartotheground. "ThankGod,IthinkthatIhearhimcoming."
Asoundofquickstepsbrokethesilenceofthemoor. Crouchingamongthestoneswestaredintentlyatthesilver-tippedbankinfrontofus. Thestepsgrewlouder,andthroughthefog,asthroughacurtain,theresteppedthemanwhomwewereawaiting. Helookedroundhiminsurpriseasheemergedintotheclear,starlitnight. Thenhecameswiftlyalongthepath,passedclosetowherewelay,andwentonupthelongslopebehindus. Ashewalkedheglancedcontinuallyovereithershoulder,likeamanwhoisillatease.
