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

problem. Recognising, as I do, that you are the second
highest expert in Europe ----"

"Indeed, sir! May I inquire who has the honour to be the
first?" asked Holmes, with some asperity.

"To the man of precisely scientific mind the work of
Monsieur Bertillon must always appeal strongly."

"Then had you not better consult him?"

"I said, sir, to the precisely scientific mind. But as a
practical man of affairs it is acknowledged that you stand
alone. I trust, sir, that I have not inadvertently ----"

"Just a little," said Holmes. "I think, Dr. Mortimer, you
would do wisely if without more ado you would kindly tell me
plainly what the exact nature of the problem is in which you
demand my assistance."



CHAPTER II.
THE CURSE OF THE BASKERVILLES.

"I HAVE in my pocket a manuscript," said Dr. James Mortimer.

"I observed it as you entered the room," said Holmes.

"It is an old manuscript."

"Early eighteenth century, unless it is a forgery."

"How can you say that, sir?"

"You have presented an inch or two of it to my examination
all the time that you have been talking. It would be a poor
expert who could not give the date of a document within a
decade or so. You may possibly have read my little
monograph upon the subject. I put that at 1730."

"The exact date is 1742." Dr. Mortimer drew it from his
breast-pocket. "This family paper was committed to my care
by Sir Charles Baskerville, whose sudden and tragic death
some three months ago created so much excitement in
Devonshire. I may say that I was his personal friend as
well as his medical attendant. He was a strong-minded man,
sir, shrewd, practical, and as unimaginative as I am myself.
Yet he took this document very seriously, and his mind was
prepared for just such an end as did eventually overtake him."