Собака Баскервіллів
The Stapletons of Merripit House
"MyfriendMortimertoldme."
"Youthink,then,thatsomedogpursuedSirCharles,andthathediedoffrightinconsequence?"
"Haveyouanybetterexplanation?"
"Ihavenotcometoanyconclusion."
"HasMr.SherlockHolmes?"
Thewordstookawaymybreathforaninstant,butaglanceattheplacidfaceandsteadfasteyesofmycompanionshowedthatnosurprisewasintended.
"Itisuselessforustopretendthatwedonotknowyou,Dr.Watson,"saidhe. "Therecordsofyourdetectivehavereachedushere,andyoucouldnotcelebratehimwithoutbeingknownyourself. WhenMortimertoldmeyournamehecouldnotdenyyouridentity. Ifyouarehere,thenitfollowsthatMr.SherlockHolmesisinterestinghimselfinthematter,andIamnaturallycurioustoknowwhatviewhemaytake."
"IamafraidthatIcannotanswerthatquestion."
"MayIaskifheisgoingtohonouruswithavisithimself?"
"Hecannotleavetownatpresent. Hehasothercaseswhichengagehisattention."
"Whatapity! Hemightthrowsomelightonthatwhichissodarktous. Butastoyourownresearches,ifthereisanypossiblewayinwhichIcanbeofservicetoyouItrustthatyouwillcommandme. IfIhadanyindicationofthenatureofyoursuspicionsorhowyouproposetoinvestigatethecase,Imightperhapsevennowgiveyousomeaidoradvice."
