Собака Баскервіллів
Second Report of Dr. Watson
Butatlastwecouldseewhenceitcame,andthenweknewthatwewereindeedveryclose. Agutteringcandlewasstuckinacreviceoftherockswhichflankeditoneachsidesoastokeepthewindfromitandalsotopreventitfrombeingvisible,saveinthedirectionofBaskervilleHall. Aboulderofgraniteconcealedourapproach,andcrouchingbehinditwegazedoveritatthesignallight. Itwasstrangetoseethissinglecandleburningthereinthemiddleofthemoor,withnosignoflifenearit—justtheonestraightyellowflameandthegleamoftherockoneachsideofit.
"Whatshallwedonow? "whisperedSirHenry.
"Waithere. Hemustbenearhislight. Letusseeifwecangetaglimpseofhim."
Thewordswerehardlyoutofmymouthwhenwebothsawhim. Overtherocks,inthecreviceofwhichthecandleburned,therewasthrustoutanevilyellowface,aterribleanimalface,allseamedandscoredwithvilepassions. Foulwithmire,withabristlingbeard,andhungwithmattedhair,itmightwellhavebelongedtooneofthoseoldsavageswhodweltintheburrowsonthehillsides. Thelightbeneathhimwasreflectedinhissmall,cunningeyeswhichpeeredfiercelytorightandleftthroughthedarkness,likeacraftyandsavageanimalwhohasheardthestepsofthehunters.
Somethinghadevidentlyarousedhissuspicions. ItmayhavebeenthatBarrymorehadsomeprivatesignalwhichwehadneglectedtogive,orthefellowmayhavehadsomeotherreasonforthinkingthatallwasnotwell,butIcouldreadhisfearsuponhiswickedface. Anyinstanthemightdashoutthelightandvanishinthedarkness. Isprangforwardtherefore,andSirHenrydidthesame. Atthesamemomenttheconvictscreamedoutacurseatusandhurledarockwhichsplinteredupagainsttheboulderwhichhadshelteredus.
