Собака Баскервіллів
The Hound of the Baskervilles
Butthatcryofpainfromthehoundhadblownallourfearstothewinds. Ifhewasvulnerablehewasmortal,andifwecouldwoundhimwecouldkillhim. NeverhaveIseenamanrunasHolmesranthatnight. Iamreckonedfleetoffoot,butheoutpacedmeasmuchasIoutpacedthelittleprofessional. InfrontofusasweflewupthetrackweheardscreamafterscreamfromSirHenryandthedeeproarofthehound. Iwasintimetoseethebeastspringuponitsvictim,hurlhimtotheground,andworryathisthroat. ButthenextinstantHolmeshademptiedfivebarrelsofhisrevolverintothecreature’sflank. Withalasthowlofagonyandavicioussnapintheair,itrolleduponitsback,fourfeetpawingfuriously,andthenfelllimpuponitsside. Istooped,panting,andpressedmypistoltothedreadful,shimmeringhead,butitwasuselesstopressthetrigger. Thegianthoundwasdead.
SirHenrylayinsensiblewherehehadfallen. Wetoreawayhiscollar,andHolmesbreathedaprayerofgratitudewhenwesawthattherewasnosignofawoundandthattherescuehadbeenintime. Alreadyourfriend’seyelidsshiveredandhemadeafeebleefforttomove. Lestradethrusthisbrandy-flaskbetweenthebaronet’steeth,andtwofrightenedeyeswerelookingupatus.
"MyGod! "hewhispered. "Whatwasit? What,inheaven’sname,wasit?"
"It’sdead,whateveritis,"saidHolmes. "We’velaidthefamilyghostonceandforever."
Inmeresizeandstrengthitwasaterriblecreaturewhichwaslyingstretchedbeforeus. Itwasnotapurebloodhoundanditwasnotapuremastiff; butitappearedtobeacombinationofthetwo—gaunt,savage,andaslargeasasmalllioness.
