Пригоди Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Copper Beeches
"Youvillain!"saidhe,"where’syourdaughter?"
Thefatmancasthiseyesround,andthenupattheopenskylight.
"Itisformetoaskyouthat,"heshrieked,"youthieves! Spiesandthieves! Ihavecaughtyou,havel? Youareinmypower. I’llserveyou!" Heturnedandclattereddownthestairsashardashecouldgo.
"He’sgoneforthedog!"criedMissHunter.
"Ihavemyrevolver,"saidI.
"Betterclosethefrontdoor,"criedHolmes,andweallrusheddownthestairstogether. Wehadhardlyreachedthehallwhenweheardthebayingofahound,andthenascreamofagony,withahorribleworryingsoundwhichitwasdreadfultolistento. Anelderlymanwitharedfaceandshakinglimbscamestaggeringoutatasidedoor.
"MyGod!"hecried. "Someonehasloosedthedog. It’snotbeenfedfortwodays. Quick,quick,orit’llbetoolate!"
HolmesandIrushedoutandroundtheangleofthehouse,withTollerhurryingbehindus. Therewasthehugefamishedbrute,itsblackmuzzleburiedinRucastle’sthroat,whilehewrithedandscreamedupontheground. Runningup,Iblewitsbrainsout,anditfelloverwithitskeenwhiteteethstillmeetinginthegreatcreasesofhisneck. Withmuchlabourweseparatedthemandcarriedhim,livingbuthorriblymangled,intothehouse. Welaidhimuponthedrawing-roomsofa,andhavingdispatchedthesoberedTollertobearthenewstohiswife,IdidwhatIcouldtorelievehispain. Wewereallassembledroundhimwhenthedooropened,andatall,gauntwomanenteredtheroom.
