Собака Баскервіллів
The Problem
"Runningfromwhat?"
"Thereliesourproblem. Thereareindicationsthatthemanwascrazedwithfearbeforeeverhebegantorun."
"Howcanyousaythat?"
"Iampresumingthatthecauseofhisfearscametohimacrossthemoor. Ifthatwereso,anditseemsmostprobable,onlyamanwhohadlosthiswitswouldhaverunfromthehouseinsteadoftowardsit. Ifthegipsy’sevidencemaybetakenastrue,heranwithcriesforhelpinthedirectionwherehelpwasleastlikelytobe. Then,again,whomwashewaitingforthatnight,andwhywashewaitingforhimintheYewAlleyratherthaninhisownhouse?"
"Youthinkthathewaswaitingforsomeone?"
"Themanwaselderlyandinfirm.Wecanunderstandhistakinganeveningstroll,butthegroundwasdampandthenightinclement. Isitnaturalthatheshouldstandforfiveortenminutes,asDr.Mortimer,withmorepracticalsensethanIshouldhavegivenhimcreditfor,deducedfromthecigarash?"
"Buthewentouteveryevening."
"Ithinkitunlikelythathewaitedatthemoor-gateeveryevening. Onthecontrary,theevidenceisthatheavoidedthemoor. Thatnighthewaitedthere. ItwasthenightbeforehemadehisdepartureforLondon.
