Собака Баскервіллів

           ThewheelsdiedawaydownthedrivewhileSirHenryandIturnedintothehall,andthedoorclangedheavilybehindus. Itwasafineapartmentinwhichwefoundourselves,large,lofty,andheavilyrafteredwithhugebalksofage-blackenedoak. Inthegreatold-fashionedfireplacebehindthehighirondogsalog-firecrackledandsnapped. SirHenryandIheldoutourhandstoit,forwewerenumbfromourlongdrive. Thenwegazedroundusatthehigh,thinwindowofoldstainedglass,theoakpanelling,thestags’heads,thecoats-of-armsuponthewalls,alldimandsombreinthesubduedlightofthecentrallamp. 

           "It’sjustasIimaginedit,"saidSirHenry. "Isitnottheverypictureofanoldfamilyhome? Tothinkthatthisshouldbethesamehallinwhichforfivehundredyearsmypeoplehavelived. Itstrikesmesolemntothinkofit." 

           Isawhisdarkfacelitupwithaboyishenthusiasmashegazedabouthim. Thelightbeatuponhimwherehestood,butlongshadowstraileddownthewallsandhunglikeablackcanopyabovehim. Barrymorehadreturnedfromtakingourluggagetoourrooms. Hestoodinfrontofusnowwiththesubduedmannerofawell-trainedservant. Hewasaremarkable-lookingman,tall,handsome,withasquareblackbeardandpale,distinguishedfeatures. 

           "Wouldyouwishdinnertobeservedatonce,sir?" 

           "Isitready?" 

           "Inaveryfewminutes,sir. Youwillfindhotwaterinyourrooms. MywifeandIwillbehappy,SirHenry,tostaywithyouuntilyouhavemadeyourfresharrangements, butyouwillunderstandthatunderthenewconditionsthishousewillrequireaconsiderablestaff." 

           "Whatnewconditions?"