"Doyle, Arthur Conan - Hound Of The Baskervilles, The" - читать интересную книгу автора (Doyle Arthur Conan)

"Such is the tale, my sons, of the coming of the hound which
is said to have plagued the family so sorely ever since. If
I have set it down it is because that which is clearly known
hath less terror than that which is but hinted at and
guessed. Nor can it be denied that many of the family have
been unhappy in their deaths, which have been sudden,
bloody, and mysterious. Yet may we shelter ourselves in the
infinite goodness of Providence, which would not for ever
punish the innocent beyond that third or fourth generation
which is threatened in Holy Writ. To that Providence, my
sons, I hereby commend you, and I counsel you by way of
caution to forbear from crossing the moor in those dark
hours when the powers of evil are exalted.

"[This from Hugo Baskerville to his sons Rodger and John,
with instructions that they say nothing thereof to their
sister Elizabeth.]"

When Dr. Mortimer had finished reading this singular
narrative he pushed his spectacles up on his forehead and
stared across at Mr. Sherlock Holmes. The latter yawned
and tossed the end of his cigarette into the fire.

"Well?" said he.

"Do you not find it interesting?"

"To a collector of fairy tales."

Dr. Mortimer drew a folded newspaper out of his pocket.

"Now, Mr. Holmes, we will give you something a little more
recent. This is the _Devon County Chronicle_ of May 14th of
this year. It is a short account of the facts elicited at
the death of Sir Charles Baskerville which occurred a few
days before that date."

My friend leaned a little forward and his expression became
intent. Our visitor readjusted his glasses and began:--

"The recent sudden death of Sir Charles Baskerville, whose
name has been mentioned as the probable Liberal candidate
for Mid-Devon at the next election, has cast a gloom over
the county. Though Sir Charles had resided at Baskerville
Hall for a comparatively short period his amiability of
character and extreme generosity had won the affection and
respect of all who had been brought into contact with him.
In these days of _nouveaux riches_ it is refreshing to find
a case where the scion of an old county family which has