Собака Баскервиллей
The Stapletons of Merripit House
"Ihaveonlybeenheretwoyears. Theresidentswouldcallmeanewcomer. WecameshortlyafterSirCharlessettled. Butmytastesledmetoexploreeverypartofthecountryround,andIshouldthinkthattherearefewmenwhoknowitbetterthanIdo."
"Isithardtoknow?"
"Veryhard. Yousee,forexample,thisgreatplaintothenorthherewiththequeerhillsbreakingoutofit. Doyouobserveanythingremarkableaboutthat?"
"Itwouldbearareplaceforagallop."
"Youwouldnaturallythinksoandthethoughthascostseveraltheirlivesbeforenow. Younoticethosebrightgreenspotsscatteredthicklyoverit?"
"Yes,theyseemmorefertilethantherest."
Stapletonlaughed.
"ThatisthegreatGrimpenMire,"saidhe. "Afalsestepyondermeansdeathtomanorbeast. OnlyyesterdayIsawoneofthemoorponieswanderintoit. Henevercameout. Isawhisheadforquitealongtimecraningoutofthebog-hole,butitsuckedhimdownatlast. Evenindryseasonsitisadangertocrossit,butaftertheseautumnrainsitisanawfulplace. AndyetIcanfindmywaytotheveryheartofitandreturnalive. ByGeorge,thereisanotherofthosemiserableponies!"
Somethingbrownwasrollingandtossingamongthegreensedges. Thenalong,agonized,writhingneckshotupwardandadreadfulcryechoedoverthemoor. Itturnedmecoldwithhorror,butmycompanion’snervesseemedtobestrongerthanmine.
