Собака Баскервіллів
The Problem
IfeelsurethatifSirCharlescouldhavespokenwithmebeforehisdeathhewouldhavewarnedmeagainstbringingthis,thelastoftheoldrace,andtheheirtogreatwealth,tothatdeadlyplace. Andyetitcannotbedeniedthattheprosperityofthewholepoor,bleakcountry-sidedependsuponhispresence. AllthegoodworkwhichhasbeendonebySirCharleswillcrashtothegroundifthereisnotenantoftheHall. IfearlestIshouldbeswayedtoomuchbymyownobviousinterestinthematter,andthatiswhyIbringthecasebeforeyouandaskforyouradvice."
Holmesconsideredforalittletime.
"Putintoplainwords,thematteristhis,"saidhe. "InyouropinionthereisadiabolicalagencywhichmakesDartmooranunsafeabodeforaBaskerville —thatisyouropinion?"
"AtleastImightgothelengthofsayingthatthereissomeevidencethatthismaybeso."
"Exactly. Butsurely,ifyoursupernaturaltheorybecorrect,itcouldworktheyoungmanevilinLondonaseasilyasinDevonshire. Adevilwithmerelylocalpowerslikeaparishvestrywouldbetooinconceivableathing."
"Youputthemattermoreflippantly,Mr.Holmes,thanyouwouldprobablydoifyouwerebroughtintopersonalcontactwiththesethings. Youradvice,then,asIunderstandit,isthattheyoungmanwillbeassafeinDevonshireasinLondon. Hecomesinfiftyminutes. Whatwouldyourecommend?"
"Irecommend,sir,thatyoutakeacab,calloffyourspanielwhoisscratchingatmyfrontdoor,andproceedtoWaterlootomeetSirHenryBaskerville."
"Andthen?"
