The Hound of the Baskervilles / Собака Баскервилей. Книга для чтения на английском языке

”

“Come, come, we are not so far wrong, after all,” said Holmes. “And now, Dr. James Mortimer – — – ”

“Mister, sir, Mister – a humble M.R.C.S.[3 - a humble M.R.C.S. – всего лишь член Королевского хирургического общества]”

“And a man of precise mind, evidently.”

“A dabbler in science[4 - A dabbler in science – (разг.) имею некоторое отношение к науке], Mr. Holmes, a picker up of shells on the shores of the great unknown ocean.

I presume that it is Mr. Sherlock Holmes whom I am addressing and not – — – ”

“No, this is my friend Dr. Watson.”

“Glad to meet you, sir. I have heard your name mentioned in connection with that of your friend. You interest me very much, Mr. Holmes. I had hardly expected so dolichocephalic a skull or such well-marked supra-orbital development. Would you have any objection to my running my finger along your parietal fissure? A cast of your skull, sir, until the original is available, would be an ornament to any anthropological museum.

It is not my intention to be fulsome[5 - It is not my intention to be fulsome – (разг.) не сочтите за лесть], but I confess that I covet your skull.”

Sherlock Holmes waved our strange visitor into a chair. “You are an enthusiast in your line of thought, I perceive, sir, as I am in mine,” said he. “I observe from your forefinger that you make your own cigarettes. Have no hesitation in lighting one.

”

The man drew out paper and tobacco and twirled the one up in the other with surprising dexterity. He had long, quivering fingers as agile and restless as the antennae of an insect.

Holmes was silent, but his little darting glances showed me the interest which he took in our curious companion.

“I presume, sir,” said he at last, “that it was not merely for the purpose of examining my skull that you have done me the honour to call here last night and again to-day?”

“No, sir, no; though I am happy to have had the opportunity of doing that as well.

I came to you, Mr. Holmes, because I recognized that I am myself an unpractical man and because I am suddenly confronted with a most serious and extraordinary problem. Recognizing, 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.