Собака Баскервіллів
Fixing the Nets
"ThereisSirCharles’sdeath."
"Founddeadwithoutamarkuponhim. YouandIknowthathediedofsheerfright,andweknowalsowhatfrightenedhim; buthowarewetogettwelvestolidjurymentoknowit? Whatsignsarethereofahound? Wherearethemarksofitsfangs? OfcourseweknowthatahounddoesnotbiteadeadbodyandthatSirCharleswasdeadbeforeeverthebruteovertookhim. Butwehavetoproveallthis,andwearenotinapositiontodoit."
"Well,then,to-night?"
"Wearenotmuchbetteroffto-night. Again,therewasnodirectconnectionbetweenthehoundandtheman’sdeath. Weneversawthehound. Weheardit; butwecouldnotprovethatitwasrunninguponthisman’strail. Thereisacompleteabsenceofmotive. No,mydearfellow; wemustreconcileourselvestothefactthatwehavenocaseatpresent,andthatitisworthourwhiletorunanyriskinordertoestablishone."
"Andhowdoyouproposetodoso?"
"IhavegreathopesofwhatMrs.LauraLyonsmaydoforuswhenthepositionofaffairsismadecleartoher. AndIhavemyownplanaswell. Sufficientforto-morrowistheevilthereof; butIhopebeforethedayispasttohavetheupperhandatlast."
Icoulddrawnothingfurtherfromhim,andhewalked,lostinthought,asfarastheBaskervillegates.
"Areyoucomingup?"
"Yes; Iseenoreasonforfurtherconcealment. Butonelastword,Watson. SaynothingofthehoundtoSirHenry.
