Собака Баскервіллів
The Curse of the Baskervilles
Learnthenfromthisstorynottofearthefruitsofthepast,butrathertobecircumspectinthefuture, thatthosefoulpassionswherebyourfamilyhassufferedsogrievouslymaynotagainbeloosedtoourundoing.
"KnowthenthatinthetimeoftheGreatRebellion(thehistoryofwhichbythelearnedLordClarendonImostearnestlycommendtoyourattention) thisManorofBaskervillewasheldbyHugoofthatname,norcanitbegainsaidthathewasamostwild,profane,andgodlessman. This,intruth,hisneighboursmighthavepardoned,seeingthatsaintshaveneverflourishedinthoseparts, buttherewasinhimacertainwantonandcruelhumourwhichmadehisnameabywordthroughtheWest. ItchancedthatthisHugocametolove(if,indeed,sodarkapassionmaybeknownundersobrightaname)thedaughterofayeomanwhoheldlandsneartheBaskervilleestate. Buttheyoungmaiden,beingdiscreetandofgoodrepute,wouldeveravoidhim,forshefearedhisevilname. SoitcametopassthatoneMichaelmasthisHugo,withfiveorsixofhisidleandwickedcompanions,stoledownuponthefarmandcarriedoffthemaiden,herfatherandbrothersbeingfromhome,ashewellknew. WhentheyhadbroughthertotheHallthemaidenwasplacedinanupperchamber,whileHugoandhisfriendssatdowntoalongcarouse,aswastheirnightlycustom. Now,thepoorlassupstairswasliketohaveherwitsturnedatthesingingandshoutingandterribleoathswhichcameuptoherfrombelow, fortheysaythatthewordsusedbyHugoBaskerville,whenhewasinwine,weresuchasmightblastthemanwhosaidthem.
