Arthur Conan Doyle - Собака Баскервилей / The Hound of the Baskervilles

“Your request is a very reasonable one,” Holmes answered. “Dr. Mortimer, I think you could not do better than to tell your story as you told it to us.”

Thus encouraged, our scientific friend drew his papers from his pocket and presented the whole case as he had done upon the morning before. Sir Henry Baskerville listened with the deepest attention and with an occasional exclamation of surprise.

“Well, I seem to have come into an inheritance with a vengeance [79] vengeance – месть, мщение ,” said he when the long narrative was finished. “Of course, I’ve heard of the hound ever since I was in the nursery. It’s the pet [80] pet – любимый story of the family, though I never thought of taking it seriously before. But as to my uncle’s death—well, it all seems boiling up in my head, and I can’t get it clear yet. You don’t seem quite to have made up your mind whether it’s a case for a policeman or a clergyman.”

“Precisely.”

“And now there’s this affair of the letter to me at the hotel. I suppose that fits into its place.”

“It seems to show that someone knows more than we do about what goes on upon the moor,” said Dr. Mortimer.

“And also,” said Holmes, “that someone is not ill-disposed towards you, since they warn you of danger.”

“Or it may be that they wish, for their own purposes, to scare me away.”

“Well, of course, that is possible also. I am very much indebted to you, Dr. Mortimer, for introducing me to a problem which presents several interesting alternatives. But the practical point which we now have to decide, Sir Henry, is whether it is or is not advisable for you to go to Baskerville Hall.”

“Why should I not go?”

“There seems to be danger.”

“Do you mean danger from this family fiend or do you mean danger from human beings?”

“Well, that is what we have to find out.”

“Whichever it is, my answer is fixed. There is no devil in hell, Mr. Holmes, and there is no man upon earth who can prevent me from going to the home of my own people, and you may take that to be my final answer. Meanwhile, I have hardly had time to think over all that you have told me. I should like to have a quiet hour by myself to make up my mind. Now, look here, Mr. Holmes, it’s half-past eleven now and I am going back right away to my hotel. Suppose you and your friend, Dr. Watson, come round and lunch with us at two. I’ll be able to tell you more clearly then how this thing strikes me.”

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hearth-rug – коврик перед камином

silver-plated – посеребренный

ferrule – металлический ободок или наконечник

hunt – охотничий клуб

excel – превосходить

convex lens – увеличительное стекло

mischievous – озорной

astutely – проницательно

inference – умозаключение

testimonial – коллективный дар, подношение

in the recess of the window – у окна

clad – одет

slovenly – неопрятный, неаккуратный (об одежде)

his frock-coat was dingy and his trousers frayed – на нем были поношенный сюртук и потрепанные брюки

benevolence – благожелательность, доброжелательность

M.R.C.S – член Королевского хирургического общества

dabbler – дилетант, любитель

dolichocephalic – долихоцефальный, длинноголовый

supra-orbital – надглазничный

parietal fissure – теменной шов

quivering – беспокойный, дрожащий

agile – подвижный, проворный

resignation – смирение; уступка, согласие

set forth – излагать, объяснять

manor – поместье; особняк

of that name – того же рода

gainsay – отрицать

wanton – необузданность, распутство

Michaelmas – Михайлов день (29 сентября)

carouse – пирушка, пьянка

eaves – карниз; свес крыши

moor – болото

wench – девица, девушка

reveller – гуляка, кутила

aghast – ошеломленный

unkennel the pack – спустить собак

bridle – узда, уздечка

hackle – шерсть животных на загривке (которую они щетинят, когда испытывают чувство недовольства)

roisterer – бражник, гуляка

providence – провидение

Holy Writ – Священное Писание (Библия)

thereof – об этом

bewail – оплакивать, скорбеть

superstition – суеверие