Собака Баскервилей - Chapter 4 (1) | Текст песни

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Chapter IV

THE PROBLEM

Dr Mortimer finished his story and nobody spoke. The expression in Holmes's eyes showed that he was greatly interested.
\"You saw the footprints?\" he asked after a short silence.
\"As clearly as I see you.\"
\"But why did nobody else notice them?\"
\"The footprints were at some distance from the body. I noticed them because I knew the legend about the hound.\"
\"But perhaps they were the prints of a sheepdog. There must be many on the moor.\"
\"Oh, no, they were much larger than the prints of a sheepdog.\"
\"What was the weather like?\"
\"It was not raining, but it was very damp.\"
\"Is there any other gate which leads to the moor except the gate in the alley?\"
\"No.\"
\"Now tell me, Dr Mortimer, - and this is important - where exactly were the marks that you saw?\"
\"They were on the edge of the path on the same side as the gate leading to the moor.\"
\"This is very interesting. Another question. Was the gate closed?\"
\"Not only closed but locked.\"
\"How high is it?\"
\"About four feet high.\"
\"Then it was easy to get over it?\"
\"Quite easy.\"
\"Did you notice anything near the gate?\"
\"Nothing important. I think that Sir Charles stood there for some time.\"
\"Why do you think so?\"
\"Because the ash had twice dropped from his cigar.\"
\"Excellent, Dr Mortimer. But did you see any other marks?\"
\"Only Sir Charles's footprints all over the ground near the gate. I didn't see any others.\"
Sherlock Holmes struck his knee impatiently with his hand.
\"Oh, Dr Mortimer, Dr Mortimer!\" he cried. \"Why didn't you call me at once!\"
\"Mr Holmes, there are things which the most clever and experienced detective cannot make clear.\"
\"You think that there is something supernatural in this case?\"
\"Since the tragedy, Mr Holmes, I have heard of many strange things. Several people say that a few days before Sir Charles's death they had seen a terrible creature upon the moor. I have questioned those people. According to their description the creature which they saw was enormous, luminous and very much like the Baskerville hound of the legend. There is fear in the whole district. Only a brave man would now cross the moor at night.\"
\"And you, a man of science, believe that it's supernatural?\"
\"I don't know what to believe.\"
Holmes shrugged his shoulders. \"Now, Dr Mortimer, tell me this. If you believe that the hound is supernatural why do you come to consult me? You tell me that it's impossible to explain Sir Charles's death, and yet you ask me to do it.\"
\"Because I want your advice about Sir Henry Baskerville, the nephew of Sir Charles. He will come to London,\" - Dr Mortimer looked at his watch, - \"in exactly one hour and a quarter.\"
\"Is he the heir?\"
\"Yes, after the death of Sir Charles we found out that he was living in Canada.\"
\"Nobody else has a claim, I suppose?\"


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