Собака Баскервиллей
The Hound of the Baskervilles
Evennow,inthestillnessofdeath,thehugejawsseemedtobedrippingwithabluishflameandthesmall,deep-set,crueleyeswereringedwithfire. Iplacedmyhandupontheglowingmuzzle,andasIheldthemupmyownfingerssmoulderedandgleamedinthedarkness.
"Phosphorus,"Isaid.
"Acunningpreparationofit,"saidHolmes,sniffingatthedeadanimal. "Thereisnosmellwhichmighthaveinterferedwithhispowerofscent. Weoweyouadeepapology,SirHenry,forhavingexposedyoutothisfright. Iwaspreparedforahound,butnotforsuchacreatureasthis. Andthefoggaveuslittletimetoreceivehim."
"Youhavesavedmylife."
"Havingfirstendangeredit. Areyoustrongenoughtostand?"
"GivemeanothermouthfulofthatbrandyandIshallbereadyforanything. So! Now,ifyouwillhelpmeup. Whatdoyouproposetodo?"
"Toleaveyouhere. Youarenotfitforfurtheradventuresto-night. Ifyouwillwait,oneorotherofuswillgobackwithyoutotheHall."
Hetriedtostaggertohisfeet; buthewasstillghastlypaleandtremblingineverylimb. Wehelpedhimtoarock,wherehesatshiveringwithhisfaceburiedinhishands.
"Wemustleaveyounow,"saidHolmes. "Therestofourworkmustbedone,andeverymomentisofimportance. Wehaveourcase,andnowweonlywantourman.
"It’sathousandtooneagainstourfindinghimatthehouse,"hecontinuedasweretracedourstepsswiftlydownthepath. "Thoseshotsmusthavetoldhimthatthegamewasup."
