Собака Баскервіллів
Second Report of Dr. Watson
Fromcrimetocrimehesanklowerandlower,untilitisonlythemercyofGodwhichhassnatchedhimfromthescaffold; buttome,sir,hewasalwaysthelittlecurly-headedboythatIhadnursedandplayedwith,asaneldersisterwould. Thatwaswhyhebrokeprison,sir. HeknewthatIwashereandthatwecouldnotrefusetohelphim. Whenhedraggedhimselfhereonenight,wearyandstarving,withthewardershardathisheels,whatcouldwedo? Wetookhiminandfedhimandcaredforhim. Thenyoureturned,sir,andmybrotherthoughthewouldbesaferonthemoorthananywhereelseuntilthehueandcrywasover,sohelayinhidingthere. Buteverysecondnightwemadesureifhewasstilltherebyputtingalightinthewindow,andiftherewasananswermyhusbandtookoutsomebreadandmeattohim. Everydaywehopedthathewasgone,butaslongashewastherewecouldnotdeserthim. Thatisthewholetruth,asIamanhonestChristianwoman, andyouwillseethatifthereisblameinthematteritdoesnotliewithmyhusband,butwithme,forwhosesakehehasdoneallthathehas."
Thewoman’swordscamewithanintenseearnestnesswhichcarriedconvictionwiththem.
"Isthistrue,Barrymore?"
"Yes,SirHenry. Everywordofit."
"Well,Icannotblameyouforstandingbyyourownwife. ForgetwhatIhavesaid. Gotoyourroom,youtwo,andweshalltalkfurtheraboutthismatterinthemorning."
Whentheyweregonewelookedoutofthewindowagain. SirHenryhadflungitopen,andthecoldnightwindbeatinuponourfaces. Farawayintheblackdistancetherestillglowedthatonetinypointofyellowlight.
