Собака Баскервиллей
The Stapletons of Merripit House
IthoughtofthestrangewarningclippedoutoftheleadingarticleoftheTimes. Wasthathisworkorwasitpossiblythedoingofsomeonewhowasbentuponcounteractinghisschemes? TheonlyconceivablemotivewasthatwhichhadbeensuggestedbySirHenry,thatifthefamilycouldbescaredawayacomfortableandpermanenthomewouldbesecuredfortheBarrymores. Butsurelysuchanexplanationasthatwouldbequiteinadequatetoaccountforthedeepandsubtleschemingwhichseemedtobeweavinganinvisiblenetroundtheyoungbaronet. Holmeshimselfhadsaidthatnomorecomplexcasehadcometohiminallthelongseriesofhissensationalinvestigations. Iprayed,asIwalkedbackalongthegray,lonelyroad,thatmyfriendmightsoonbefreedfromhispreoccupationsandabletocomedowntotakethisheavyburdenofresponsibilityfrommyshoulders.
Suddenlymythoughtswereinterruptedbythesoundofrunningfeetbehindmeandbyavoicewhichcalledmebyname. Iturned,expectingtoseeDr.Mortimer,buttomysurpriseitwasastrangerwhowaspursuingme. Hewasasmall,slim,clean-shaven,prim-facedman,flaxen-hairedandlean-jawed,betweenthirtyandfortyyearsofage,dressedinagraysuitandwearingastrawhat. Atinboxforbotanicalspecimenshungoverhisshoulderandhecarriedagreenbutterfly-netinoneofhishands.
"Youwill,Iamsure,excusemypresumption,Dr.Watson,"saidhe,ashecamepantinguptowhereIstood. "Hereonthemoorwearehomelyfolkanddonotwaitforformalintroductions. Youmaypossiblyhaveheardmynamefromourmutualfriend,Mortimer. IamStapleton,ofMerripitHouse."
"Yournetandboxwouldhavetoldmeasmuch,"saidI,"forIknewthatMr.Stapletonwasanaturalist. Buthowdidyouknowme?"
"IhavebeencallingonMortimer,andhepointedyououttomefromthewindowofhissurgeryasyoupassed.
