Собака Баскервіллів
Second Report of Dr. Watson
ThebaronethasbeenincommunicationwiththearchitectwhopreparedtheplansforSirCharles,andwithacontractorfromLondon,sothatwemayexpectgreatchangestobeginheresoon. TherehavebeendecoratorsandfurnishersupfromPlymouth, anditisevidentthatourfriendhaslargeideas,andmeanstosparenopainsorexpensetorestorethegrandeurofhisfamily. Whenthehouseisrenovatedandrefurnished,allthathewillneedwillbeawifetomakeitcomplete. Betweenourselvesthereareprettyclearsignsthatthiswillnotbewantingiftheladyiswilling,forIhaveseldomseenamanmoreinfatuatedwithawomanthanheiswithourbeautifulneighbour,MissStapleton. Andyetthecourseoftruelovedoesnotrunquiteassmoothlyasonewouldunderthecircumstancesexpect. To-day,forexample,itssurfacewasbrokenbyaveryunexpectedripple,whichhascausedourfriendconsiderableperplexityandannoyance.
AftertheconversationwhichIhavequotedaboutBarrymore,SirHenryputonhishatandpreparedtogoout. AsamatterofcourseIdidthesame.
"What,areyoucoming,Watson? "heasked,lookingatmeinacuriousway.
"Thatdependsonwhetheryouaregoingonthemoor,"saidI.
"Yes,Iam."
"Well,youknowwhatmyinstructionsare. Iamsorrytointrude,butyouheardhowearnestlyHolmesinsistedthatIshouldnotleaveyou,andespeciallythatyoushouldnotgoaloneuponthemoor."
SirHenryputhishanduponmyshoulderwithapleasantsmile.
"Mydearfellow,"saidhe,"Holmes,withallhiswisdom,didnotforeseesomethingswhichhavehappenedsinceIhavebeenonthemoor. Youunderstandme? Iamsurethatyouarethelastmanintheworldwhowouldwishtobeaspoil-sport. Imustgooutalone."
