Собака Баскервіллів
The Stapletons of Merripit House
Iresistedallpressuretostayforlunch,andIsetoffatonceuponmyreturnjourney,takingthegrass-grownpathbywhichwehadcome.
Itseems,however,thattheremusthavebeensomeshortcutforthosewhoknewit,forbeforeIhadreachedtheroadIwasastoundedtoseeMissStapletonsittinguponarockbythesideofthetrack. Herfacewasbeautifullyflushedwithherexertions,andsheheldherhandtoherside.
"Ihaverunallthewayinordertocutyouoff,Dr.Watson,"saidshe. "Ihadnoteventimetoputonmyhat. Imustnotstop,ormybrothermaymissme. IwantedtosaytoyouhowsorryIamaboutthestupidmistakeImadeinthinkingthatyouwereSirHenry. PleaseforgetthewordsIsaid,whichhavenoapplicationwhatevertoyou."
"ButIcan’tforgetthem,MissStapleton,"saidI. "IamSirHenry’sfriend,andhiswelfareisaverycloseconcernofmine. TellmewhyitwasthatyouweresoeagerthatSirHenryshouldreturntoLondon."
"Awoman’swhim,Dr.Watson. WhenyouknowmebetteryouwillunderstandthatIcannotalwaysgivereasonsforwhatIsayordo."
"No,no. Irememberthethrillinyourvoice. Irememberthelookinyoureyes. Please,please,befrankwithme,MissStapleton,foreversinceIhavebeenhereIhavebeenconsciousofshadowsallroundme. LifehasbecomelikethatgreatGrimpenMire,withlittlegreenpatcheseverywhereintowhichonemaysinkandwithnoguidetopointthetrack. Tellmethenwhatitwasthatyoumeant,andIwillpromisetoconveyyourwarningtoSirHenry."
Anexpressionofirresolutionpassedforaninstantoverherface,buthereyeshadhardenedagainwhensheansweredme.
