Собака Баскервіллів
The Stapletons of Merripit House
"Whatarethey? Sheep-pens?"
"No,theyarethehomesofourworthyancestors. Prehistoricmanlivedthicklyonthemoor,andasnooneinparticularhaslivedtheresince,wefindallhislittlearrangementsexactlyasheleftthem. Thesearehiswigwamswiththeroofsoff. Youcanevenseehishearthandhiscouchifyouhavethecuriositytogoinside.
"Butitisquiteatown. Whenwasitinhabited?"
"Neolithicman—nodate."
"Whatdidhedo?"
"Hegrazedhiscattleontheseslopes,andhelearnedtodigfortinwhenthebronzeswordbegantosupersedethestoneaxe. Lookatthegreattrenchintheoppositehill. Thatishismark. Yes,youwillfindsomeverysingularpointsaboutthemoor,Dr.Watson. Oh,excusemeaninstant! ItissurelyCyclopides."
Asmallflyormothhadflutteredacrossourpath,andinaninstantStapletonwasrushingwithextraordinaryenergyandspeedinpursuitofit. Tomydismaythecreatureflewstraightforthegreatmire,andmyacquaintanceneverpausedforaninstant,boundingfromtufttotuftbehindit,hisgreennetwavingintheair. Hisgrayclothesandjerky,zigzag,irregularprogressmadehimnotunlikesomehugemothhimself. Iwasstandingwatchinghispursuitwithamixtureofadmirationforhisextraordinaryactivityandfearlestheshouldlosehisfootinginthetreacherousmire, whenIheardthesoundofsteps,andturningroundfoundawomannearmeuponthepath. ShehadcomefromthedirectioninwhichtheplumeofsmokeindicatedthepositionofMerripitHouse,butthedipofthemoorhadhidheruntilshewasquiteclose.
